Peter was born in Leeds where his father (Alexander) was serving as a priest and his mother Joan had been a primary school teacher before her marriage. Peter was the fourth of five children. At the age of 6 months the family moved to St Andrews where his father became priest at All Saints’, St Andrews in the Scottish Episcopalian Church. Peter always said that the move to St Andrews was like coming home and he had never felt much like a Yorkshireman, much more a Scot like his father. The family lived in All Saints’ Rectory very close to the sea with the ruined castle and cathedral almost on the doorstep. He attended West Infants’ Primary School and then prep school (New Park) in St Andrews. After that, a scholarship to the then Trinity College, Glenalmond where he followed in the footsteps of his two older brothers (Alexander and Andrew). Peter’s love of and talent for music, especially church and choral, showed itself early when he became Boat Boy in his father’s church, later joining its choir and finally becoming choirmaster.

At Glenalmond he continued to sing and to play the violin achieving Grade 8. He had already learnt to sail with his brothers at St Andrews and continued to sail throughout his life. At Glenalmond sailing on Loch Freuchie was an important activity together with cross-country
running. He studied classics at Glenalmond and a little teaching practice after his A levels confirmed what he already knew - his destiny was to be a teacher. Following A levels he moved to London to improve his Greek and to continue his study of
singing through lessons at the Royal College of Music. With an improved Greek grade he went to the University of St Andrews (his hometown) and continued to develop his love of singing and music in general, running the University Madrigal Group as well as conducting the choir at All Saints’.

He discovered that English Literature and Language were his real loves and took his MA in 1969 having dropped the Classics. He took his Teaching Diploma at the University of Oxford where again music played an important part in his life. His first teaching role was at Shrewsbury where he stayed for 6 hugely enjoyable years. Despite being almost as far from the sea as it is possible to be in the UK, sailing and music were still key features of his life and he proved that his early love of teaching had not been misplaced.

In 1976 he was appointed Head of English at Glenalmond – another return home! The pattern of singing, teaching and sailing was to continue for another 16 years. He left in 1992 to marry Catriona whose London-based job meant a move for Peter was needed. This time he took on a role in the English department at King’s College School in Wimbledon conveniently very close to the Macdonald home in London.

In 2002 another move was needed; this time because Catriona’s job took her to Jersey. Needless to say, the boat went too! Peter found a role in an independent school on Jersey and they enjoyed 2 ½ happy years close to the sea. Retirement came next and this time it definitely had to be to a house near the sea. Eventually, the “perfect” house was found in Cornwall and the boat soon found a home in the local marina. Peter joined Truro Cathedral’s voluntary choir and also two other local choirs. The Macdonalds soon made friends locally and were happy in their new life in Cornwall.

Almost 20 years of enjoying a happy life in Cornwall were to follow. Sadly, Peter died in hospital in April following an operation in February 2024.