Lead vocalist for Scottish band Runrig, Bruce Guthro, has died

Lead vocalist for Scottish band Runrig, Bruce Guthro, has died

Runrig singer and songwriter Bruce Guthro has died at the age of 62.

The Canadian musician's death was confirmed in a tribute posted on the Scottish band's official Twitter page.

The statement said: "It is with the heaviest of hearts and with profound sadness that we inform you of the news that Bruce passed away last night, having finally lost a long battle with cancer that has stretched back many years.

"Everyone associated with Runrig is heartbroken at the loss of a dear friend and such a special musical colleague.

"Our immediate thoughts and prayers at this time with with Kim, Dylan and Jodie."

Guthro had announced two months ago that he was battling a serious illness.

The musician, from Nova Scotia in Canada, was recruited by Runrig to front the band in 1998 after Donnie Munro had left. He remained with the group until its final performances in 2018.

Guthro's music career had spanned more than 40 years and included work as a solo artist.

MP Pete Wishart, who played keyboard for Runrig before turning to politics, said of his former bandmate: "He was just the nicest person you could ever hope to meet and a joy to perform with. An exceptional singer, musician and song writer taken far too soon. We are going to miss him. RIP."

Mr Wishart recalled of Guthro's original audition to join the band: "Bruce came in that day when Scotland were playing Brazil in the 1998 World Cup and we had half an eye on the football and half an eye on Bruce.

"When Bruce sang, we turned around almost with our jaws hitting the ground with the quality of Bruce's voice."

Runrig was originally formed on the Isle of Skye in 1973 and went on to release 14 studio albums. The group achieved significant UK chart success in the 1990s, with a number of their songs sung in Scottish Gaelic.