Editing Runrig (section)

=== Mainstream success and challenges (1987–2001) ===
[[File:Donnie Munro.jpg|thumb|left|190px|Original lead singer [[Donnie Munro]] left the band in 1997 to pursue a career in politics]]

The period from 1987 to 1997 marked Runrig's most successful run, during which they achieved placings in both the UK albums and singles charts, and toured extensively. With, for the first time, major-label support which was provided by [[Chrysalis Records|Chrysalis]], Runrig's fifth studio album, ''[[The Cutter and the Clan]]'' (1987), which had originally been released on the independent Ridge Records label before being re-released on Chrysalis, brought the band wider audiences in the United Kingdom, as well as in other parts of Europe. From 1987 to 1995, Runrig released a total of five studio albums through Chrysalis Records. Along with ''The Cutter and the Clan'',<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gNpAAAAAIBAJ&pg=5934%2C2822004 |title=Gaels who brought a wind of change |first=Jamie |last=Brown |work=The Evening Times |date=16 January 1988 |pages=8 |access-date=12 September 2024}}</ref> the four albums released by the band under Chrysalis Records include ''[[Searchlight (album)|Searchlight]]'' (1989), ''[[The Big Wheel (album)|The Big Wheel]]'' (1991), ''[[Amazing Things (Runrig album)|Amazing Things]]'' (1993), and ''[[Mara (album)|Mara]]'' (1995).

On 22 June 1991, the band attracted around 50,000 people to an outdoor concert held in [[Balloch Country Park]], near Loch Lomond. This was the largest number of people to attend a Runrig concert.<ref>{{cite web |title=The life and times of Runrig - in 90 minutes |url=https://www.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/the-life-and-times-of-runrig-in-90-minutes-3432594 |website=Scotsman.com |access-date=1 September 2024}}</ref> Following the release of ''Mara'', lead singer Donnie Munro grew more involved in politics. In 1997, he left Runrig to stand for a seat in the House of Commons for the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]. However, he was not elected.

Runrig began searching for a new frontman, and in 1998 they announced their selection of Bruce Guthro, a singer-songwriter from [[Nova Scotia]]. Runrig's tenth album, ''[[In Search Of Angels]]'' (1999), was released amidst some uncertainty about the band's future. Since their contract with Chrysalis had ended, Runrig chose to release ''In Search Of Angels'' on their own label, Ridge Records. As a result, the record received much less promotion than the previous five, and sales were considerably smaller. Runrig was also faced with the challenge of acclimatising their fans to a new lead vocalist. The band toured extensively in support of the record, and in 2000, they released a live album entitled ''[[Live at Celtic Connections 2000]]'', allowing fans to hear songs previously sung by Donnie Munro by their new frontman, Bruce Guthro. At the end of 2000, the band released of an authorised songbook entitled ''Flower of the West – The Runrig Songbook'' which included lyrics, sheet music, photographs, and background information for 115 of Runrig's songs – nearly every album track and single from the band's first ten studio albums.