Angus MacPhail was born and brought up on the inner Hebridean island of Tiree and from an early age, was steeped in the Highland musical tradition. At the age of nine, he began lessons on the piano accordion and in a very short time was playing to a high enough degree to win various local and national accordion competitions

On leaving school at 17, Angus moved to Tobermory on the Isle of Mull where he was employed as full-time musician in MacGochan's Bar for the duration of the 1997 tourist season. The rest of his gap year he spent working as a crewman on a local fishing boat, as well as continuing with various musical performances.

In October 1998, Angus began his further education at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, having gained a place on the newly created Scottish Music degree course. It was during his first year at the RSAMD that along with fellow student Andrew Stevenson the band Skipinnish was formed, and the beginnings of Skipinnish Records were forged.

After graduating with honours in 2002 and following a desire to return to his home island, Angus returned to Tiree to work as a skipper on the crab and lobster fishing boat Harmony, which he continued for the following 2 years. In January 2004 Angus left the fishing industry to allow him time to further develop Skipinnish Records and form a second business, Skipinnish Sea Tours. Angus now splits his time between the running of these two businesses with the emphasis being on Skipinnish Sea Tours in summer and Skipinnish Records in winter. He also continues to perform regularly with the band Skipinnish.

Angus the Ghillie!