Iain mac Phàdruig Iain

John Dan MacKinnon was a noted Gaelic tradition bearer hailing from Deepdale, Inverness County. Born to Patrick and Catherine (MacEachern) MacKinnon, he descended from emigrants from the Isle of Muck. A dedicated worker with a deep appreciation for his culture, John Dan began his career as a teenager, cutting pulp across the Causeway. He later found employment in the Inverness Coal Mines, where he balanced his demanding job with family life.

Married to Annie Josephine MacLellan, John Dan was the proud father of one daughter, Eileen. He juggled the responsibilities of mining and farming, always eager to share a story. Known for fostering camaraderie among his fellow miners, he often entertained them during breaks with humorous anecdotes about local events and characters.

During World War II, John Dan was exonerated from military duty as his work in the coal mines was deemed essential for the war effort. In his later years, he worked at Dean Evan’s mines in St. Rose and retired in 1973. A lover of Gaelic music, he regularly attended the Broadcove concert and was an active member of the local Gaelic choir in retirement.

John Dan passed away on December 27, 1989 at the age of 77 and is buried in Inverness Cemetery.