Mara McGregor

Kenneth McKellar, 1927 - 2010. Lyric tenor and popular singer

About this artwork

McKellar initially studied forestry at the University of Aberdeen. A change of career came, however, when he gained a scholarship to study at the Royal College of Music, London. Yet after a period working with the Carl Rosa Opera Company, McKellar decided he did not like the life of an opera singer and instead focused on traditional Scottish songs. He became a household name thanks to the Scottish country dance and music TV show, The White Heather Club, which ran from 1958-68. In 1966 he represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest. Between the mid-1950s and the early 1980s, McKellar recorded more than thirty LPs, selling millions of copies worldwide. This vibrant portrait shows the singer in his characteristic kilt against a backdrop of Scottish scenery.

Updated before 2020

  • artist:
    Mara McGregor (1927 - 2017)
  • title:
    Kenneth McKellar, 1927 - 2010. Lyric tenor and popular singer
  • date created:
    About 1965
  • materials:
    Oil on canvas
  • measurements:
    76.00 x 66.00 cm; Framed: 90.20 x 77.20 x 6.40 cm
  • object type:
  • credit line:
    Private Collection on long term loan to the National Galleries of Scotland, 2010
  • accession number:
    PGL 2004
  • gallery:
  • depicted:
  • subject:
  • artwork photographed by:
    Antonia Reeve
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