a-M].

Bn (Safobeal: (Formerly AN DEO GREINE) The Monthly Magazine of An Comunn Gaidhealach

Volume LV January, 1960, to December, 1960, inclusive

AN COMUNN GAIDHEALACH 65 West Regent Street, Glasgow CONTENTS

GAELIC DEPARTMENT Page Page An Gaidheal Og - - - -1,2 “Gach rud ach an fheoil” - 38 Amas gun tuairmeas - - - 38 Gaidheil a bh’ann, Na - - - 195 Aonghas MacLeoid - - - - 40 Gealladh, An ----- 60 Ath-chuimhne - _ _ _ 135 Gnaths-cainnte - - - - 11 Beachdan - - - - - 5, 16 Gillean Baile Sgarbh _ _ _ 103 Breabadair-Ladhrach - - - 88 La na Ceiste - - - - - 71 Bru-dhearg, Am - - - - 15 Lonach - - - - - 40 Buideal, Am ----- 63 Lorg An Damhain-allaidh, An - 2 Calum Iain MacGilleathain - - 111 Luchd-turuis - - - - - 59 Car Bho Char - - - - 52 “Maol Ruairi Ghlinneachain’’ - 42 Ceist ------97 Maraichean Lamhchaireach - - 47 Ceum A Bharrachd- - _ _ 1 Neadan Annasach - - - - 50 “Chan fhaigh a’ Ghaidhlig basy’ - 35 Niall MacGhilleathain - - - 98 Chraobh Ubhal, A’ - - - 111 Oraid A’ Chinn-suidhe - - - 120 Clach air a Cham - - - - 72 Partain ------75 Clann An Fhraoich- - - - 54 Rosg Gaidhlig - - - - 83 Cnoc nan Arm - - - 138 Seasaidh Bhaile Raghnaill - - 36 Co-chruinneachadh Nan Ceilteach - 107 Seoladair Is Saighdear - - - 138 Cuala Tu An Te So? An - - 29 Seumas Grannd - - - - 123 Cuideachd - - - - - 119 Sgeul Na h-Aon Oidhche- - - 27 Cuimhneachan air Donnchadh Ban 121 Sgiobalta - - - - - 26 Da Dheagh Ghaidheal - - - 52 So mar a bha - - - - 39 Daoine Samhach - - - - 49 Sradag ------122 Deich Mionaidean, Na - ^ - 24 “Tir bu mhiann leinn, An’’ - - 139 De Tuilleadh? - - - -23,64 Tir Nan Og - - - - - 14 Dias as gach Sguab - - 63 T-Ollamh MacFhionghuin, An - 12 Dioghaltas - - - - - 136 Traon, An ----- 62 Facail Bheaga - - - - 112 Tuilleadh Gaidhlig Aig Mod - - 29 Feachd Gaidhealach San Eiphit, Am 110 Uaimh an Oir- - - - - 101 Fhidheall, An - - - - 88

Bardachd Page Page Aiseirigh A’ Bheachainn- - - 4 Gun Urram - - - - - 19 Am Eirigh ----- 13 Snaim ------26 Dealan-de, An - - - - 14 Toimhseachain - - - - 74 Path mo mhulaid - - - - 39 Tri larrtasan, Na - - - - 14 Fuar-chridhe, Am - - - - 75 Tri Seoid, Na - - - - 54 Gaidhlig Obiit 2000 A.D. - - 101 ENGLISH DEPARTMENT Page Page An Comunn Gaidhealach— Learning Gaelic by Sight and Sound 91 Annual Meeting - - - 122, 144 Lore of Wells, The - - - 129 Executive Council - 8, 31, 57,90 Lure of the Pipes - - - - 18 Northern Organiser’s Notes - - 79 Treasurer’s Notes—10, 22, 46, 58, 69, 94, National Mod— 118, 131 Entries ----- 94 Ardnamurchan Provincial Mod 106 Mod Prize List - 132 Black Bothy on Wyvis, The - 93 101 Mod Week ------125 Book Reviews - - 22, 64, 130 President’s Address - - - 142 Branch Reports—9, 22, 34, 46, 58, 69, 144 Obituaries— Carmina Gadelica - - - - 32,44 Macdonald, William Gillies - - 34 Celtic Congress, 1960, The - - 127 Thomson, D. C. M. , M. C., Alexander 9 Celtic Language Groups - - - 20 Celtic Name, The - - - - 33 Our Gaelic Heritage - - -112 Comunn na h-Oigridh - - - 78 Our River Names - - - - 102 Cornish Paradox, The - -66,77 Point of View- - - - - 19 For Your Information - - - 64 Postie ------20 Gaelic in Ireland - - - - 7 Reminiscences - - - 18, 79 Gaelic Poets of the 18th Century - 114 Shinty Final, The - - - - 56 Impressions ----- g Sithichean, Na - - - -42,54 Learner’s Page—6, 17, 30, 41, 53, 65, 76, Story of the Harp in Scotland, The - 145 89, 100, 113, 126, 141 Study of the Folklore, The - 80, 104, 117 VOLUMES Limited number in Stock Price 12/6 each Postage Extra MAY BE HAD FROM THE SECRETARY OF AN COMUNN GAID HEAL AC H 65 West Regent Street GLASGOW AN GAIDHEAL THE GAEL Editor — ]. THOMSON, M.A., F.E.I.S., 116 WEST SAVILE TERRACE, EDINBURGH to whom all correspondence should he addressed except that concerning advertising, which should be addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer. 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C.2. Telephone: DOUglas 1433. Leabhar LV AM FAOILLEACH, 1960 Aireamh 1

CEUM A BHARRACHD AIR eagal gun deanadh e roinnean a measg tha beantainn ri suidheachadh sluagh na nam ball bha An Comunn o chionn Gaidhealtachd a thaobh am beatha laitheil corr air leth-cheud bliadhna a’ seach- anns an t-seagh as fharsainge. Tha an t-iarrtas nadh gnothach a ghabhail ri rian-beatha nan sin iomchuidh agus glic; agus tha dochas Gaidheal—an comhfhurtachd ’nan dachaidh- againn gum faigh e eisdeachd agus gun giixlain ean, an rian-cosnaidh biodh e riarachail no e toradh. uireasbhaidheach, faradh air muir is air tir, goireasan siubhail, agus an cur-seachad aig Tha fios nach gabh An Comunn gnothach ris oigridh is meadhon latha is seann aois. Bha na meadhonan a chithear feumail is iomchuidh An Comunn, leis an run a b’ fhearr ’ nan sealladh, air son leas na Gaidhealtachd, no ris na doighean a’ f&gail nan nithean sin uile aig an Riaghaltas ma dh’fhaodte, bu fhreagarraiche gu bhith agus aig buidheann sam bith air an robh feuman leasachadh agus a’ daingneachadh cor an l&itheil an t-sluaigh ’nan uallach no ’nan t-sluaigh anns a’ chearnaidh sin de’n duthaich. dleasdanas. Cha bhiodh an sin ach toiseach tuasaide a B’ i crioch shonruichte A’ Chomuinn cothrom sgapadh a’ mhuinntir a tha an diugh a’ seasamh na Feinne a bhith aig canain an t-sluaigh— gualann ri gualainn, agus a dh’fhagadh a’ a’ Ghaidhlig—cothrom anns an dachaidh, chrioch na bu mhiosa na’n toiseach. cothrom anns an sgoil agus anns an eaglais. Tha a bheachd fhein aig gach neach fa leth, Chleachd An Comunn fad nam bliadhnachan agus chan e an Gaidheal a’ chiad fhear a thig iomadh meadhon is doigh gu bhith a’ toirt as a bheachd. Tha e ceart comhairle mhath an ruin ion-mholta sin gu buil, a’ brosnachadh a thoirt seachad, ach chan eil ann ach ni eile nan Gaidheal a chum seasamh dliith ri cliu cothrom a thagradh do rim a thoirt gu buil an sinnsre, a’ sparradh orra a bhith dion an anns an dearbh dhoigh agus troimh na dearbh cainnt ’s an oighreachd dhlighich fhein. chladhain bu mhath leat. Tha e iomchuidh Ach far nach bi Gaidheil cha bhi Gaidhlig, gu leor, saoilidh sinn, gun iarradh an Rimaire co dhiiibh Gaidhlig a mhaireas fada. Far nach beachd A’ Chomuinn aig a bheil eolas mionaid- bi obair riarachail, fhreagarrach agus far nach each air oighreachd a’ Ghaidheil agus air cor sealbhaichear goireasan coitcheann an latha is eachdraidh na Gaidhealtachd ann a bhith an diugh cha bhi sluagh ann an lionmhorachd. cur air chois meadhonan sonruichte air son Tha cor na Gaidhlig, mar sin, dluth-cheangailte feuman na Gaidhealtachd a leasachadh. ri cor siobhalta nan Gaidheal. Ach is e an Riaghaltas fhein, an co-bhoinn Is cinnteach gur h-e solus ur air ni a bha ri sluagh na Gaidhealtachd, a dh’fheumas a’ cho soilleir do chuid o chionn fhada is aobhar bhreith dheireannach a thoirt agus na nithean gu bheil An Comunn de’n bheachd a nis gu a chithear feumail leotha a dheanamh. Chan bheil e mar fhiachan orra siiil mhion a chumail urrainn gur misde, agus nach fheairrde, comh- air coir nan Gaidheal ann an iomlanachd. A dhunadh sam bith a steidh a leagail air comh- so suas tha iad ag agradh air Rimaire na Staite airle ghlic aig a bheil a freumhan ann am a chomhairle a chur riutha anns gach ni a fearann na tuigse agus an eolais. AN LORG AN DAMHAIN-ALLAIDH Leis An Urramach Iain MacLeoid BU mhor am beud nach d’fhuair Domhnall nochd e! Bha duil agam gun robh e air a Hearach foghlum ceart, oir bu duine e bhathadh an grunnd an aigeinn. ‘So,’ arsa mise aig an robh buadhan inntinne air leth. rium fhein, ‘so an damhan ris an canar an B’ aithne dhomhsa e ’nuair a bha e ’na fhrithear spiiinneadair an toir air a bheo-shlaint a an Isginn, ach chaith e greis mhath de bheatha druim an locha. Chithear gu leoir diubh am ris an obair cheudna am Braigh Albann no boglaichean mar so! Ge ta bha mi cearr. an aiteigin mar sin. ’San tigh-cheilidh an Cha b’e sin idir an treubh do’m buineadh an Orasaigh no an Leumrabhagh cha robh a damhan-allaidh ud, agus innsidh mi dhuibh shamhuil idir ann, cho geur-chuiseach solusach, mar a fhuair mi mach sin. Chan eil leithid suairc. an fhir ud san fhonn, ’ illean, agus chan fhaicear Bha mi-fhein co-dhiu a’ fas seachd sgith de e ach mar rionnaig san oidhche fhrasaich. na seanachasan faoine air an robh iad cho trie Thug mi a mach am bonnach coirce a bha a mach, mar a bha an t-each-uisge, na tighean agam le im eadar a dha bhial agus thoisich mi staile, bana-bhuidsich, agus mac-an-t-sron- ’ga itheadh, a’ gabhail iolla ris a’ bhreabadair- aich. Ach bu bhuidheach learn gun teagamh ladhrach fad na h-uine. Thainig e air tir, inneasan Dhomhnaill air na meirlich-seilge, agus nach saoileadh sibh gun tugadh e na no cuilbheartan nan eilid sgeanach. Bha iad buinn as gu a lion agus greis mhath a nis bho ag radh gun togadh e faile nam fiadh cheart d’fhag e a dhachaidh. ’Eil fhios agaibh gu cho cothromach ri cii-luirg, agus dh’aithnicheadh bheil buill de theaglach an damhain agus cha e an lach bheag is mhor agus gloc a’ gheoidh shniomh iad lion idir? Cho eucoltach agus roimh neach sam bith eile. Cha robh eoin a tha iad ri an cairdean eile, an fheadhainn air air ealtainn ’s na speuran o’n dreadhan-donn an eolach mi fhein ’s sibh fein! So aon iiach gu guilbneach is feadag air slios nam beann no sniomh, damhan-allaidh a bhoidich is a chuir ainmhidh ceithir-chasach, an gne is an cleach- roimhe nach fhigheadh esan aon rib anns am aidhean, air nach robh e mion-eolach. Nan fuiricheadh e dh’fheuchainn ach de a shlugadh cluinneadh sibh-se a sgeulachdan mu chlamhain e suas. B’e roghainn ’s a dhiii, an aite feith- ’s an fhireach, mu na biastan-dubha a thachair eimh gu foighidneach ris a’ chreich, a dhol a ris air a’ mhointich, no na brocluinn air an 'mach, cleas nam beathaichean mora fiadhaich, tainig e eadar Loch Chaitseal agus an Loch a shealg ’s a ghlacadh a bhidh. Cruinn! Coma leat, co-dhiu, ’nuair a thainig e air Ach ’se chuir an t-iongantas ormsa buileach tir thog e air gu aite ri oir na buiginn, riasg glan an sgial a dh’innis e mu dhamhan-allaidh. agus seileasdair mu’n cuairt air. B’ann an so Muri—is a chabiodh b’e gur ramalair ann as aa bheulbha annfhein deth—cha a thainig a chunnaic mi nithean do-chreidsinn da-riribh. chreidinn facal dhith. Chan eil mi cinnteach Thoisich thu ann an sin air duilleagan a chruin- an diugh an ann an tir a bhreithe agus araich neachadh. Na duilleagan a thaitinn ris a chunnaic e an sealladh no an ann far an robh charaich e gu h-6rdail, doigheil air an talamh, e muigh mu na caoil a deas. Tha e coltach an fheadhainn nach do chord ris leig e leis an gun shuidh e laimh ri linne an aite feitheach air t-sruth. De a bha e deanamh le na duill- a’ mhointich agus e leigeil analach. Chunnaic eagan ? ’ Gan deocadh, an ann, air son susbaint e an creutair ud ’na dheann-ruith air an talamh, sam bith a dh’fhaodadh a bhith annta? Cha agus chan fhaca sibh-se riamh ach cho mdr b’ann idir, ach ’gan taghadh gu curamach mar ’s cho eireachdail ’s a bha e, dath donn air le chlaran air son eathair a bha e togail!” bannan farsainn 6r-bhuidhe. Thug a’ chuideachd lachan gaire asda. “Bu “Chum mi mo shuil air,” ars esan, “gus tu mo shaor dubh, am breabadair ladhrach,” an tug e cruinn-leam do’n ghluma, agus b’e arsa iadsan a bial a cheile. “Cha leig sibh fein am balach air an t-snamh . Lean e roimhe a leas,” ars’ esan, “chan eil agam ach an gu siubhlach, ealamh gus an do chuir e fodha tul-fhirinn. ’ Se sin a tha ann deth—saor rudha a bha mu m’ choinneamh. Chaill mi dubh. Ach fuiricheadh sibh-se. an sin e. Chuir mi a’ ghlaine-amhairc ri mo Dh’ ith mi am bonnach agus thug mi searrag shiiilean, a’ reusonachadh learn fhein ciod a as mo phocaid agus dh’61 mi mo thea, agus bha ghne chreutair a bha ann, ’nuair a mhothaich e fhathast a’ sas san obair ud—a’ taghadh nan mi e ag cur car dheth faisg air bad luachrach, duilleagan bu tiorma ’s bu treise agus ’gan agus am prioba na sula cha robh for air. C’ait’ cur ’ nan ait. Ceann sreatha bha birlinn’ shnog, an deach e? Thug e fo’n uisg air mar gum dhealbhach aige, fuaighte le snathainn sioda a faiceadh tu ron agus abair thusa ixin’ mus do thainig as a chorp fein. Bha i air a calcadh aige _ 2 — le stuth air choireigin nach b’aithne dhomhsa. iad uair no uaireigin eirigh air son balgam de Nam faiceadh sibh-se cho grinn agus a bha an dh’aileadh glan na mointich fhaighinn. Chan clar-uachdair a bha oirre! Chuir e fallus air eil iad air an uachdair ach car tiota, gidheadh an fhallus dheth air a’ bhad ud mus robh i mus tar iad as do’m fardaich fein ’s na h- uallamh mu dheireadh gu gabhail gu uisg agus uisgeacha domhain bithidh am beatha a dhith mus do shlaod e i gu ceadha. Air dha a dhol orra. Ni e marbhadh is sgathadh mor, is air bord shath e i le chois o thir agus shuidh e mo thogair, a measg nan creallagan is nam gu stolda ann an sunnaig air an tobhta. meanbh-chuileagan. Feumaidh iad so fuireach air uachdair an uisge gus am fas an sgiathan, Tha e ’na shaor dubh agus ’na dheagh sheol- agus goirid mus eirich iad air sgeith, am feadh adair mar an ceudna. Leis a’ ghoireas innl- agus a tha iad fhathast bed air eiginn, leumaidh eachdail ud a chaidh aige air a chur ri cheile e orra, agus fann gun seadh s mar a tha iad, faodaidh e cuairt a chur air an loch fheoir aige bheir an fheadhainn bhoirionn ionnsaidh air fhein o cheann gu ceann agus cha tig fuachd le’n gathan, ach bithidh iad uile ’na chraos no fliuchadh an taobh a tha e.” air luathair. Mura ruig e orra o chliathaich Thug a’ chuideachd lachan mor gaire asda. na soithich leumaidh e mach—nam faiceadh “Tha mi creidsinn, a chuilein, nach bi e sibhse cho sgiobalt is a tha e—beiridh e air gearan na siataig co-dhiu is an ramhach sin ’ga sgornan orra agus tillidh e le na closaichean chumail cho blath, seasgair,” arsa fear nach chon na birlinne agus an sin ithear suas gu robh, a reir coslais, ag cur morain creideis sglamhach iad ann am fois. Agus tha chead sa’ chuis. “An robh sgioba aig air bbrd na aige! ’Eil fhios agaibh gun chunnt mi fhein sgoth-luinge , dh’ fhoighnich fear eile. “ An suas ri fichead seorsa de na cuileagan ud agus i soitheach ramhach a bha innte,” ars an ath tha cuid diubh, coltach ris na creallagan fhear, “no an robh i fo cuid seol, no an e Innseanach fhein, cho lan de phuinsean na bata-smuid a bha aige ?’ ’ “An robh guth aige teasaiche agus a tha an t-ubh de’n bhiadh— air lin bhradain a chur?’’ “An e fein a bha an teasach ud a dh’fhasaich duthaich Phanama air a stiiiir?’’ an am dhaibh a bhith fuasgladh na claise-uisge, “Deahadh sibh-se air ’ur socair,’’ ars an Dh’fhiosraich mi cuideachd an doigh a tha duine coir, “agus innsidh mise sin dhuibh. aige air a dhol fodha. Beiridh e air starr. Tha e gle iongantach—creutair cho toinisgeil, cuiseig, no cuilc agus leanaidh e air adhart gniomhach, lamhcharach ris an damhan so, a sios, ceum air cheum, mar gun cromadh e thogas soitheach-seblaidh cho ciatach, nach aradh, ach cha teid e moran a bharrachd air do dh’ionnsaich e riamh, o thoisich e strith dha no thri oirlich sios. Cha tarruing e anail ri uisg, a’ bhirlinn a stiiiireadh, no iomaradh, fo’n bhuirn, ach carnaidh e suas na dh’fhoghnas no seol a chur ri crann. Uidheam sam bith dha air son a thuruis fo thuinn. chan eil aige, cho fad’ agus is fiosrach mise, Agus seall air seoltachd a’ bheathaich bhochd! a chuidicheas leis. ’S ann a tha e a’ ruith Chan eil esan gun a naimhdean guineach fhein, roimh dhoininn, air a ghiiilan mu’n cuairt leis ach leis gach car a tha ann is cleas, tha e doirbh gach gaoith a sheideas, air a thonn-luasgadh le da-riribh breith air. Chi e eascaraid fad as sruth is soirbheas. ’ S coma dhasan de am port agus air ball a mach air stoc leis, crubaidh e a ni e dheth. So far a bheil moran dinn fhin fo dhruim na birlinne agus fanaidh tu san uisge coltach ris—mar an locust truagh air ar fuadach an sin gus an teid an cunnart seachad agus an le gluasad nan sian thuig agus uaith a ris, gun tig an t-am a bhith a’ toirt ceuma as. Is e chombaiste, gun iul, gun treoir ! Ach b’fhiach an namhaid is mi-chneasda a tha aige a cheile a’ bhirlihn a faicinn, cho briagha ’sa laigheas fein. Cha bhuan a shaoghal-san, broinein, i, agus chan e sin ach cho fior-fheumail agus a co-dhiii. Cuiridh fuachd a’ gheamhraidh tha i dha. Chan fhaic thu nial an acrais air crioch air, mura cuir ise an t-eanachainn as a’ bhalach ud, is tu nach fhaic, oir chan ann roimhe sin, mar is trie a tha tachairt. Creut- ri cleasachd no air mhire a tha e seoladh an airean buaireasach, borba ’se a tha anns an locha, ach a’ sireadh a loin. Agus is ann leis fheadhainn bhoirionn agus gu mi-nadurra ’s a tha an soirbheachadh math. ann do an companaich fein as mo a nochdas iad Luchd-aiteachaidh an lochain ud mar tha an an-iochdmhoireachd. ’ ’ cuileagan teichidh iad uaith le uamhann is Bha eagal orm fhein an toiseach gur ann a’ fiamh aon uair ’s gun nochd an iiibhrach, feala-dha ruinn a bha Domhnall mu’n damhan- direach mar a dheanadh ar sinnsearan fein allaidh. Cha bu mhaith leam gun cluinneadh ’nuair thigeadh na Lochlunnaich a mhilleadh esan so, ach dh’fhoighnich mi do dh’ard ’s a mharbhadh ’nan soithichean-cogaidh mora sgoilear an cuala e riamh a dha leithid eadar le iomhaigh an dragoin ’nan toiseach. Tha thir-mor agus eileanan, agus thubhairt e gun creutairean an sud agus ged a tha iad ag cur cuala gu dearbh. ’ Se a bha aig Domhnall smior seachad am beatha air grunnd an locha feumaidh na firinne. Gur gaisgeach treun gun mhuiseig thu Aiseirigh A’ Bheachain Do’n diithail riisgadh lann; Gu fearail, fraochail, dubhlanach {A’ chiad duais aig Mod 1959) Fo’n ghur as diiire greann. Air madainn chiataich Cheiteinich Ach dh’aom na laithean ’ dheonaichinn ’S mi cur gu reidhlean tan Bhith comhstri riut air ball. Bha m’aigne ’gam cho-eigneachadh Nam faicinn dol sa’ chomhraig thu Gu dol ri geire baird. Cha sorainn ort mo gheall. Bha feachd nam beachan dicheallach Air feadh nan dithean tlath’. Ar learn gur mor an diomhaireachd Nam b’aithne dhomhs’ a mhineachadh A lean bho chian ri d’al; Gum b’e sud brigh mo dhain. Gun fhiosrachadh air fialaidheachd Na dol ri gniomh am pairt. Failt ort a bheachain arbhaigeach Cha lunndaire nan iasad thu, Air teachd bho d’ fhalachain suain. Air neach chan iarradh dail; B‘e ’n cleachdadh dhut san aimsir so Bu liithmhor san lios iadhshlat thu Bhith falbhan feadh nan cluain. Mun iadhadh grian an aigh. A nis on thill ath-bheothachd riut Bidh thu ’gad dheoin toirt suas Do chaistealan ’s do choraichean Faic cuileagan an t-samhraidh Far na thaisg thu stor le luach. ’S iad a’ dannsadh ris a’ ghrein, Gun uallachadh ri geamhrachadh, On rinn co-dhosgainn fabhar riut An toir air annlann breun. ’S nach d’ chreach i d’ aros cliith, Ach nuair thig la na teanntaireachd ’S na thional thu gu h-anranach Thig campar agus eis. Air farsan nan dail ciibhr’, B’e ’n gliocas dhaibh bhith sealltainn riut A dh’aindeoin crion-chur geamhraidh Mar shamhla air deagh-bheus. Bheir a’ Bhealltainn dhut ath-liith Le blathdhealtachd an t-samhraidh ’S trie chaidh do ghliocas ainmeachadh Ris an robh gach am do dhuil. An searmon nan ceann-iuil Ri mineachadh nan cealgairean Nuair sgeadaicheas brat neoineineach Rinn dearmad air gach ciiis, Dail Flora nam mor chluain A chaith am beatha diomhaineach Bidh tu ri iolladh sholasaich ’S na bliadhnachan gun diu. ’Nad sheomraichean cur uaill, Tha d’aiseirigh toirt fianuis dhuinn ’S tu ’n crochadh ri uchd dhitheinean G’ eil diomhaireachd ri d’ chill. Mar leanabh-cich’ bean-shuairc. ’S a Freasdal treun is didean dhut Nan d’ bheachdaich mi gu dixrachdach ’S cha dalt’ thu, diblidh, truagh. Do churs an laithean m’ oig’, Na cleachdannan bha ’n duthchas dhut Gu faicte moch is anmoch thu ’S a lean gu dluth ri d’ phor, Ri falbhan gun chairt-iuil Bhiodh gliocas agus ciiram Thar mhachraichean nan calg-dhaite Air mo ghiiilan ri mo 16; Gu garbhlach nan cas-stuc. Le cogais shaoir toirt cunntasan Ach cumaidh aomadh nadurra Do Righ nan Dill fa-dheoidh. Thu sabhailt’ air do churs’ Gu d’chaornaig choinnich, bhlath-mhaisich Nis guidheam buadhan solasach Thar ailleachd blar nam fliir. Bhith dhut an ordugh reidh, Nuair sheideas gailleann Faoillich Is gliocas buan ’gad threorachadh Toirt bharr gach raoin an tuair, Gu lin-thigh chur ri cheil’. ’S a bhios gach gne fo dhaorsainn Gun deanadh Freasdal fabhar riut Nach d’ shaothraich ri bhith buain, ’Gad dhion bho lamh nan creuchd. Bidh thusa saoibhir, solasach ’S co-ionnan dhuinn gu nadurra, Le d’ storas mar bu dual. ’S sinn annrathach le cheil’. Mur diobair thu le d’ dheoin rud Chan eil doigh air a thoirt bhuat. Domhnall Ailean MacDhomhnaill . — 4 — a’ speilireachd ri faileasan le acfhuinn Gallda Beachdan chi sinn luath na mall an rud a chunnaic na h-Albannaich eile o chionn fhada, gum bheil Fhir-dheasachaidh, a’ Bheurla “a’ deoghal teanga a tir.” Mo bheannachd agaibh gun robh sibh cho Tha uirsgeul mhbr, fhada, agus cosmhalachd misneachdail, leirsinneach ’s gun do chuir sibh a bhios fior gu deireadh uine am beul-aithris ceistean air son an robh sibh ag iarraidh freagairt. nan Ceilteach. Chuala mi an toiseach i aig Nam bithinn a’ dol a fhreagairt nan ceist mar caillich a thubhairt mu urra cho mbr ri Alasdair bu mhath leam cha b’e taobh-duilleig na dha Mac Gille Mhicheil is i air coire fhaighinn air a dh’ fheumainn ach a dha na tri cheudan. Cha a’ Ghaidhlig aige, “Bha gu lebr agam ach cha toir duine aig nach eil uidh ann an Gaidhlig tugainn dhasan e.” Fhuair mi rudan nach fosgladh do aon de na ceistean, agus mar sin tha eil an Carmina Gadelica is nach fhaca mi riamh mi an dochas gun leig sibh ‘ ‘ iallan na Feinne’ ’ an clb, aig an t-seann bhean. Chuala mi an agus cead an coise do’n chuile duine a fhreagras uirsgeul-sa cuideachd aig bodach an Lcchabar sibh. agus rud nach do chuir iongnadh orm aig te Am bheil cus Beurla aig Mod is eile? Tha an teis meadhon na h-Asia. Tha i cur an ceill fios math gum bheil. Chan eil duine a nan nithean a tha marbhadh cainnte agus a’ dh’fhosglas a bhial aig coinneamh Ghaidhlig fagail dhaoine balbh. Thug mi cumadh a nach can facal na dha an Gaidhlig agus a dha thuigeas naoidhean oirre, agus chuir mi chon na tri cheudan am Beurla. Tha sin a’ nochdadh A’ Chomuinn i an 1937. Cha do leig iad orra gu soilleir do’n t-saoghal nach eil earbsa air gun d’fhuair iad i, agus chan fhacas ca.il a thalamh aca ’nan cainnt na dochas air bith b’fhiach an t-saothair innte. Tha i nis aig aca dha taobh. Tha sinn cuideachd a’ leigeil sgoilear tuigseach, leirsinneach a tha an urra cus cuideam air ceol is brain, agus ro bheag ri Gairm. Chi esan innte an rud nach fhaic air Gaidhlig. Gabhaibh beachd air an so. suil a’ chuirp, ach is leir do shuil na h-inntinne, Togaibh clar-eagair Mbid air bith ma thogras agus tomhaisidh e i le breithneachadh an eblais, sibh, is chi sibh an dubh ’ s an geal an fheadhainn is sgriidaidh e i le gloinne-amhairc mac-mean- a fhuair ‘ ‘ Priomh-dhuaisean’ ’, agus cb iad ? mnain. Thoiribh uile suil air “Am Balbhan.’ ’ Luchd nan bran ,’s gun ghuth air a’ chbrr. So faichean air a’ chiad cheist, agus gheibh Is e mo bheachd-sa, air aon fhear, gum mair sibh an cbrr ma ghabhas sibh e. cebl Gaidhealach, gum bi e maireannach, Le speis chan ann le cuideachadh A’ Chomuinn, ach ge b’oil leis. Mar dhearbhadh air sin, bha mi An Taran. 'g eisdeachd, an oidhche roimhe, ris an London Philharmonic Orchestra, ’s iad a’ cluiche ‘ ‘ Fuinn lomraideach Sasunnach” , is sin air a chraobh- (a) Tha iad a’ cur as a leth gu bheil e gle leisg. sgaoileadh feadh an t-saoghail, agus fhearaibh (b) Is fhada an t-saoghail bho bha iad sud a’ ’s a ghillean, ’nam measg bha “An t-Eilean fuireachd air leth. Muileach’ ’ agus ‘ ‘ Cuachag nan Craobh’ ’ ! De a nis an t-iongnadh ged a chanadh an Ridire (c) Tha e ’na lan thide sealltainn as do dheidh. Uisdean Roibeartan, ise ’na bhreitheamh-ciuil, (d) Bha mi air mo tholladh leis an acras. “Is beag tha dh’fhios aig A’ Chomunn Ghaidh- ealach cho diongmhalta ’s a tha an togalach air an do chur iad clach.” Tha mise, mar “Nan robh na Gaidheil air fantainn dileas Ghaidheal, tuilleadh is buailteach air a bhith do’n Ghaidhlig, seadh iadsan a thalaidheadh a’ cluiche na fidhle Gallda is cathair na Ghidhlig gu suain le cronan a ciuil, agus a dh’eisd le ’na teine. Cha bhi againn air fhagail ach an tlachd ri cagar graidh an luchd toigheachd, luath. cha bhiodh cor na Gaidhlig an diugh cho iosal. Chan e nach robh is nach eil daoine leirs-' Is lionmhor iad anns na bliadhnachan a inneach, tuigseach an sas an obair A’ Chomuinn, dh’fhalbh a dh’araicheadh gu fearachas gun ach tha agus bha cuid eile ann an-fhoiseil ’s a’ smid ’nan ceann ach Gaidhlig bhlasda an Bheurla air a dhol eadar iad ’s an leine. Nuair athraichean leis nach miann a nis an daimh a thilgeas duine tha faicinn gum bheil iad a’ ris a’ chainnt sin aideachadh, ach a sheideas dol air slighe an t-seacharain clach chan fhaic trompaid nan Gall gu liotach, spaglainneach.” iad an spitheag mar rabhadh, ach mar cheap- tuislidh is mar chnap-starraidh agus theid iad Am Feachd Gaidhealach. ’nan deann ruith air an rathad a tha rompa. \ Tha an t-eadar-dhealachadh as motha eadar a bhith a’ cur rud an aghaidh a chuilg agus Tha sinn a’ guidhe Bliadhna Mhath Ur do ar \ a bhith ruith nam feitheanan. Nuair tha sinn cairdean uile. LEARNER’S PAGE An t-Earrach Spring Bha gach duine mu’n cuairt agus obair fhein Every one round about had his own work air a cur a mach dha. Bha feadhainn a’ assigned to him. Some were ploughing, some treabhadh, feadhainn a’ cur sil, feadhainn a’ sowing seed, some harrowing, and some planting cliathadh agus feadhainn a’ cur a’ bhuntata. potatoes. “Is glormhor an t-am de’n bhliadhna an “Spring is a glorious time of the year,’’ t-earrach’ arsa mise. said I. “Seadh, gun amharus,’’ fhreagair esan. “Yes, without doubt,’’ he replied. “Listen “Nach eisd thu ri ceilearadh nan eun anns na to the singing of the birds in the trees up yonder. craobhan ud shuas. Tha an ceol gach madainn Their music every morning reminds me that it a’ cumail ’nam chuimhne gum bu cheart would be right for me also to give praise, as dhomhsa cuideachd cliii a thabhairt, mar a tha they do, to the One who keeps me alive.’’ iadsan a’ deanamh, do’n Ti a tha 'gam chumail beo.’ ’ “Tha sin ceart,’’ arsa mise. “Is iomadh “That is right,’’ I said. “A wise man will leasan a dh’ionnsaicheas duine glic bho na learn many a lesson from the beautiful sights seallaidhean boidheach a tha mu’n cuairt dha about him on every side in the country.’’ air gach taobh anns an diithaich.’’ Bha sinn a nis a’ dluthachadh air an tigh an We were now drawing near the house after deidh ar cuairt a chriochnachadh. An uair finishing our walk. When we arrived a pleasant a rainig sinn thainig caileag laghach a mach as girl came out of the byre with a pail of milk in a’ bhathaich le cuman bainne aice ’na laimh. her hand. “A Mhairi,’’ arsa Calum, “nach toir thu “Mary,’ ’ said Calum, “do give a drink to the deoch do’n choigreach? Chan eil fhios nach stranger. Perhaps he is very thirsty.” “I eil am pathadh mor air.’’ will do that,” said Mary, as she ran into the “Is mise ni sin,’’ arsa Mairi, is i a’ ruith a house. She came out in a moment with a glass steach do’n tigh. Thainig i a mach ann an in her hand, and I got a drink of milk as sweet tiota le gloinne ’na laimh agus fhuair mise deoch and palatable as I ever got. bhainne cho milis, blasda is a fhuair mi riamh. “Gu robh math agad, a chaileag,” arsa “Thank you, lass,” said I, “the milk was mise. “Bha am bainne ciatach.’’ lovely.’ ’ ‘‘Is e bhur beatha, a dhuin’ -uasail,’’ fhreag- “You are welcome, gentleman,” she replied air i gu ciuin, modhail agus dh’fhalbh i air ais gently and courteously, and she went back do’n tigh. into the house. Bha a nis an latha a’ dol seachad agus bha The day was by now passing and the time for an t-am a’ tarraing fagus dhomh m’aghaidh a me to face homewards was drawing near. chur air an dachaidh, agus mar sin thubhairt Therefore I said to Calum, “ I am not tired of mi ri Calum, “Chan eil mi sgith de’n chuid- the company, Calum, but I must be going.” eachd, a Chaluim, ach is fheudair dhomh a bhith a’ falbh.’’ “Ciod i do chabhag,’’ ars esan, “nach “What is your hurry,” he said, “will you fuirich thu gus am maireach agus gabhaidh not stay till to-morrow, and we shall set out sinn cuairt mhath eile a mach ris a’ mhonadh ?’ ’ for another good trip to the moor?’’ “O, feumaidh mi a bhith aig m’obair anns “I must be at my work in the morning,” I a’ mhadainn,’’ arsa mise, “ach a’ chiad latha said, “but the first free day I have I shall come saorsa bhios agam thig mi g’ur n-amharc do’n to see you in the glen.” ghleann.’ ’ “Agus bithidh failte romhad, a dhuine “And a welcome will await you, my good choir,’’ fhreagair e. “Chan ann a h-uile latha man,” he answered. “It is not every day a thig duin’ -uasal a shealltainn air Calum that a gentleman visits Farmer Calum.” Tuathanach.’’ “Coma leat de’n uaisleachd an drasda,’ “Never mind nobility just now,” I said as arsa mise is mi a’ falbh. “Latha math leat, I departed. “Good day to you, Calum.” a Chaluim.’’ “Latha math leat gu dearbh,’’ ars esan, “Good day to you, indeed,” he said, “and “agus gun eireadh gu math leat,’’ agus mar sin may you prosper.' ’ And so Calum and I parted. dhealaich mi fhein agus Calum. I GAELIC IN IRELAND THE English Government in Ireland from Thus the Branches of the Gaelic League were the very first tried to suppress the Irish social centres and played a useful part in the language. These efforts failed. There communal life of isolated places and small was little printed matter in Irish as yet, but centres of population. thousands of manuscripts written in the langu- Summer Colleges, connected with, though age were lost. Irish was spoken by all classes not controlled or maintained by, the Gaelic in the countiy up to the middle of the 17th League, were organised in lonely country century, but after English and Scottish settlers places where Gaelic was the home speech. In took up the lands of dispossessed owners, Irish these Colleges an opportunity was provided for ceased to be used much by the upper classes. hearing the spoken language every day as a Still it was the home speech of the vast majority medium of communication as well as for dis- of the people. It was during the 19th century cussions and lectures on the different branches that the rapid decay of Irish set in. of language and literature. The students lived in houses near the school or hall where lectures In the schools under the National Board of were given, and were made up of keen learners Education, children were punished for speaking of the language, and teachers who required their mother tongue; everything was done to instruction to equip them for their professional discredit their native speech in the eyes of the work. children. Towards the end of the 19th century The successful efforts of the Gaelic League Irish seemed practically dead, and Irishmen during the first quarter of the 20th century generally were quite indrfferent. It was at this gradually encouraged local managers to make stage that the Gaelic League took up the fight provision for Gaelic in their schools, and by under the active leadership of Douglas Hyde, 1922 it was the principal subject in all National who later became the first President of Eire. schools. A revival of interest set in and spread rapidly. The Irish Government, in response to per- The Gaelic League was established in 1893 sistent agitation, decided to introduce some for the purpose of maintaining and reviving reforms in Secondaiy Education during the the Irish language, literature, music, sports early years of the present century. One result and arts and crafts. All who were interested was the prominence given to Gaelic in the in Irish culture were welcome as members, Secondaiy Schools. This gave the language and many who afterwards occupied prominent a new status; it brought the question of Gaelic positions in the country were attracted. The into Irish politics as an urgent issue. Gaelic League was planned to be nation-wide. Once the language gained recognition as a Branches were established in widely scattered specific subject in the Secondary Schools, the areas wherever a body of people interested in number of pupils taking it as one of their Gaelic could be found. Through time, although subjects steadily increased, and when the the Central Executive Committee was supreme, Government took complete control of National these Branches were, in practice, the most Education in 1922 Gaelic was already being important part of the organisation. successfully taught in a large'number of schools Wherever a Branch of the League was formed in the country. From now onwards all schools '.there was a teacher of Gaelic, for one of the supported by Government grants must devote a .'conditions of affiliation was that a proportion substantial proportion of time per week to the i of the members must attend classes in the teaching of Gaelic. Increased grants are now Gaelic language. In addition, provision was given to schools that allocate time to Gaelic made for Gaelic plays, national dances, and studies beyond a definite number of hours per lectures on topics of Irish interest. Local week, while those where Gaelic is the medium I festivals were held at which competitions in of instruction in other subjects are in receipt ^singing, dancing, piping, fiddling, and story- of additional grants. telling were arranged. Representatives of The fact that a knowledge of Gaelic is now local Branches were elected annually to the essential for all Government employment and Ard Fheis, or High Assembly, as a result of for admission to the various professions is a which Branches were able to compare efforts, great incentive for children to study it. The and kept in touch with the parent organisation. result is that for years now, Gaelic is the subject Besides classes in Gaelic, each Branch held that receives most attention in all National ceilidhs providing entertainment in the form of schools. In many schools, and in Training i singing, dancing and recitations. These functions Colleges for school teachers, Gaelic is the only I brought variety and pleasure into the lives of the medium of instruction except, perhaps, in the 'people who lacked other forms of entertainment. teaching of English. Whether the strong position of Gaelic in the Submitting a Minute of the Propaganda schools of Eire at present will arrest the rapid- Committee, Mrs. Bannerman mentioned that decay of the language as the native speech is two new Branches had been established in problematical. The number of native speakers, Perthshire, another at Larbert, and it was found mostly in the west together with a small hoped to revive the Rothesay Branch, and but active group in County Waterford, is establish a new one in Gigha. As a possible relatively small, and through emigration and inducement for teachers of music it was agreed other causes this number is rapidly diminishing. to increase the salary offered. Last year there It is doubtful if considerable numbers through- was no response to the advertisement for out the State continue to use Gaelic in their teachers of music. daily intercourse after their school days are Two minutes of the Mod and Music Committee over. At any rate, in Dublin where the use of were approved. Mr. Bannerman reported on Gaelic, as the official language, is so apparent the success of the Dundee Mod, and spoke of in schools and public institutions, one rarely the hearty welcome and support given by the hears the language spoken outwith gatherings Magistrates and the Local Committee. It was of enthusiasts. It is definitely not the language agreed to give a short translation of the songs in of the homes or the streets. J T. certain of the principal competitions. A Minute of Comunn na h-Oigridh noted that a scheme of work for the Feachdan was being prepared by the Convener, Mr. J. A. Mac- donald, and that it was hoped to submit it to Executive Council Directors of Education and teachers in the The Executive Council met on 14th Gaelic area. Provost D. Thomson thought November, 1959 when the President, Mr. that expenses in connection with the summer Hugh MacPhee, who presided, welcomed the camps should be defrayed out of the Memorial 37 members present. He referred to the recent Fund of Comunn na h-Oigridh. Mr. Donald death of the following members all of whom had Grant felt that only the interest on the capital rendered valuable service to the Association:— should be so used. The President, however, Mrs. Mackinnon, Glasgow; Miss Ma-garet pointed out that every Standing Committee Macdonald, Mull; Mr. Alexander Thomson, had a claim on the General Fund of An Comunn, Paisley; Major A. M. MacLachlainn, Mull. and suggested that estimates for expenditure Minutes of the Special Meeting of Council, and for the year should be submitted at the first of the Advisory Committee were approved. meeting of the Council after the A.G.M. The Advisory Committee, which had considered The Treasurer was asked to supply a note of the policy of An Confunn in relation to present income and expenditure in connection with day developments in the Highlands and Islands, Cnoc nan Ros at the next meeting. recommended that a direct approach be made to The Convener of the Arts and Crafts Com- Secretary of State for Scotland to ensure that mittee spoke of the satisfactory accommodation cognisance be taken of An Comunn’s interest for display of articles at the recent Mod. in the social, cultural and economic life of the The following were selected to fill vacancies people in these areas. Powers were given to the on the Council:—Mr. F. Macrae, Glasgow; Advisory Committee to pursue this matter. Mr. John Mackay, Glasgow; Miss Kate Presenting a Minute of the Finance Com- Matheson, Inbhir-asdal; Mr. R. Mackay, mittee , Mr. Grant spoke of the need for install- Inverness. ing electric heating in the Comunn Office as it was The next meeting will be held in Glasgow situated in one of the smokeless areas in the on 16th January, 1960. city. It was decided to use the “Nightstor” system. The Minute of the Education Committee made reference to the Gaelic Reader for classes Impressions V and VI in Secondaiy Schools which was being On the treeless Isle of Lews, with a charm compiled by the Central Gaelic Committee, that’s all its own, E.I.S. along with members of An Comunn. Where the crofters get their dues from a The B.B.C. were thanked for all they are doing windswept moorland home, for Gaelic. Provost Donald Thomson, Con- Where the heather and the loch cover land- vener, reported on meetings with the W.E.A. scape far and near, with regard to the provision of a Gaelic class at And the pre-historic broch proves an ancestry one of their summer schools. most dear. They live in lonely places where nature to casual acquaintances, but he saw farther and reigns supreme, deeper than he ever claimed. Loyalty to cause And the city’s ghoulish pleasures have not and friends was characteristic of him, and envy, despoiled the scene. distrust, and rancour were foreign to his nature. May God, whom they worship most devoutly Apart from a short period on the staff of and worthwhile, Bayble School he spent his teaching years in Protect them from encroachment of all that’s Glasgow, where latterly he served as a successful weak and vile. headmaster. Yet many of these gentle folks have travelled Our sympathy goes out to his widow and round the world, family and to his sisters in Tong and in Canada And fought in Britain’s battles to keep her in their sad bereavement. flag unfurled; Their sons and daughters proved what worth can come from out the sheilings; Have held high rank in all the arts, are honest in their dealings. Branch Reports A sense of pride should fill our hearts as we LAIRG grow old and wise; A very successful ceilidh was staged by the Lairg Let’s pass the message on to generations still Branch recently in the school gymnasium, when there to rise, was a good attendance. Among the supporters were That they in turn may do the same, and Macdonald,friends from Shin-ness“Glencoe” and presided, from Golspie. and theMr. following William always bless the toil artistes were well received:—Miss Kennedy (Edderton); Of those who predeceased them, and their Miss Cathie Ross, Mr. James Moffat and Mr. Colin labours on the soil. McKenzieland and Mr.(Ardgay); D. Ferguson Mrs. Finlay,(Golspie); Miss Mrs.Jean Corbett,Suther- Thomas Bryson. Mr.(Lairg). Angus Sutherland and Pipe-Major Matheson DUMBARTON byThe Calum opening Macleod, ceilidh the held Secretary in November of An Comunn, was chaired who An Appreciation wasMacleod introduced recalled by that the he President, was present Mrs. at the Mair. inception Mr. The Highland communities of Glasgow and heof thewas Branchto see somesuch anyears appreciative ago, and saidaudience how pleasedand to Paisley are much the poorer through the sudden note the good work the Branch was doing. passing last November of Mr. Alexander The fallowing artistes took part:—Miss H. T. Thomson, D.C.M., M.C., For very nearly Macmillan; Mr. G. MacCallum; Mr. G. Daly; Mr. fifty years he took a prominent part in every Millar; Mr. Smith; Mrs. Marshall (accompanist) and worthwhile project to further Highland interests Mr. J . McElroy (piper). and particularly in support of the activities of the Lewis and Harris Association in which, LEWIS ! for many years, he was a tower of strength, HallAt Mr.the firstAlick ceilidh Urquhart of this acted session as Fear-an-tighe.held in the Masonic Mr. t Of a most happy disposition, Alick made and K. D. Smith appealed for an active and energetic ) retained lifelong friends. In nature guileless membership of the Comunn. j and sincere, he saw the silver lining on every The programme, which was highly appreciated, was ! cloud, and in company he was always popular sustained by the following artistes: Iain Crichton j and much sought after. He never grew old; Margaret(accordeon), Crockett, Neillan MacleodMargaret (pipes), Mackenzie, Donnie MurrayMurdo | even when suffering from a very serious accident Gillies, and Kenneth Finlayson. ll which occurred shortly after his retirement he looked out on the world with a genial smile, FORRES and made light of his disability. His name will often come up when his fellow students in NovemberAt the monthly members ceilidh and infriends the Oueen’s welcomed Hotel aon party 19th Tong or Stornoway or Aberdeen foregather. from Kyle, Plocton and Inverness. Mr. A. Macleod, More than casual acquaintance with Alick wereConecavel, Miss Jessie oresided. Moore, Among Plockton; those Jean who Matheson contributed and Thomson was needed to appreciate his real Mary Matheson, Kvle; Mrs. Mackinnon, Inverness; } qualities. He had a keen sense of humour, a Messrs. Ronnie Macrae, Balmacara; Donald A. l strong sense of duty, and a readiness to serve. Morrison, Tarbert Harris; Alex. Duncan (piper) and 1 His penetrative mind was not always apparent MissDr. Morgan,B. McWilliam proposed theaccompanist. vote of thanks. The President, Treasurer’s Notes ColinGlasgow Macinnes, Esq., Dundee Mod, 1959 Glasgow Lewis & Harris Received at Headquarters— Association 25 Previously acknowledged ^128 3 — Miss Mary F. Mac Arthur, James Gardiner, Esq., Glasgow 1 1 — Inverness . . . . 1 — — MissClydebank I. M. S. Hewitt, — 5 — Miss F. S. Hewitt, D. S. Stewart, Esq., Clydebank — 5 — Rugby, England — 10 — Dr.Forbes-Semphill, The Hon. AlfordEwan 1 11— Colonsay Branch 8 John MacLeod, Esq., MissA. E.Dudgeon, M. and MissMussel- H. Glasgow — 2 6 burgh . . AngusEsq., W. Australia R. Macdonald, — 11 6 MissAberfeldy C. S. McLellan, Mrs. M. MacKenzie, Mrs. Isobel B. Denny, Achnasheen Blairgowrie Wm.Dundee Christie, Esq., — 10 6 Mrs. E. T. Junor, Perth Donald MacLachlan, Capt.Ballachulish D. A. MacLachlan, . . Esq •, Largs . . 1 1 — Eric Maxwell, Esq., Mrs.Blair E. Atholl Macpherson, .. 2 2 — Dundee Mrs. Jessie A. MacLeod, Mrs.Edinburgh Isabel Thomson, Balallan 1 Mrs. Mairi Macintyre, AlastairF .S.A. Cameron,(Scot.), Ardgour Esq., — 10 — Harrogate Angus C. Paterson, Esq., MalcolmTobermory MacLean, Esq., Campbeltown .. 2 Miss C. H. Campbell, Mrs.Blairgowrie Isobel B. ..Denny, 1 Glasgow Dr. N. Morrison, Dunkeld 1 10 — Mrs.Gilmour, Mary Invershin H. M.. . Cromarty Branch 3 3 — Miss Mary H. Crawford, MissTaynuilt Catherine Campbell, — 5 — Dunoon Mrs. Elizabeth Mac- TomPaisley.. Murray, Esq., Kenzie, Taynuilt .. — 5 — Miss Mary McCaffer, Stirling Branch 10 London, England Rev.B.D., Angus Edinburgh Duncan, 1 1 — JohnLochaline MacDiarmid, Esq., Miss Katie A. Mac- Miss C. M. MacVicar, Donald, Lairg 5 Lochaline Mrs.Dingwall M. F. Soutar, Alex.Inverlochy Macdonald, Esq., Mrs. Katie Ann Smith, £3,089 2 11 Pitlochry Magazine Fund JamesPreviously Gardiner, acknowledged Esq., Inverness . . .. £1— 199 MissAchnasheen Ann Munro, A.J . M.R. McDonald,MacDonald, Esq., Esq., Bearsden Berkely, . . — 4 Mrs. MacPhee, Glasgow Arch.U.S.A MacLean, Esq., Tiree .. .. —15 14 MissGlasgow Flora Macmillan, Hugh D. Welsh, Esq., Aberdeen . . — 4 Edinburgh Gaelic Choir Miss Mairi Matheson, Newport-on-Tay ■— 4 Wm. Ross, Esq., Elgin MissAndrew Sara Torrance, Carmichael, Esq., Lochgilphead Johnstone ... . — 4 Archd. McEwan, Esq., Mrs. Margaret MacDonald, Longforgan — 4 Mauchline Mrs.England Campbell . . of. . Airds,.. Amersham,.. . . — 4 MissStirling E. S. McKerracher, Rev. John Mackay, M.A., Glasgow .. — 4 Angus MacLeod, Esq., Mrs.Miss M.Stewart F. Mac (Fasnacloich), Arthur, Glasgow South Africa.. — 14 burghB.Sc.,F.E.I.S.,Edin- .. Wm. Gemmel, Esq., Connel . . .. -— 3 IanConon MacLeod, Bridge Esq., £1 10 — 10 — AN GAIDHEAL THE GAEL Editor — ]. THOMSON, M.A., F.E.I.S., 116 WEST SAVILE TERRACE, EDINBURGH to whom all correspondence should be addressed except that concerning advertising, which should be addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer. 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C.2. Telephone: DOUglas 1433. Leabhar LV AN GEARRAN, 1960 Aireamh 2

GNATHS-CAINNTE THA a gnaths-cainnte fhein aig gach a’ Ghaidhlig mar sin. Air an aobhar sin canain fa leth. Tha cumadh is fuaim feumar fior aire a thoirt do bhrigh an fhacail nam facal a tha air an cleachdadh ann bhig Ghaidhlig a chleachdar. Chuala mi an canainean an t-saoghail a’ cur dealachadh oileanach a’ cur ceiste air balach anns an sgoil. eatorra; ach cha lugha na sin an t-atharrachadh Bha i ag iarraidh a mach an robh croit aig a tha an doigh labhairt agus an doigh sgriobh- athair a’ bhalaich. Ach is e dh’fhoighnich i aidh a’ deanamh eadar canain is canain. dha, “A bheil croit air d’athair?” Cha leig Taisg an aon smaoin am Bear la agus an Gaidh- mi leas innse nach robh an gille beag buidheach lig agus chi thu, gu bitheanta, cho eadar- leatha a muigh no mach! dhealaichte 's a tha an da dhoigh ri cheile. Tha an ni so fior, ann an tomhas mhor, a Chan eil dorradas mor do’n oileanach 6g thaobh canainean eile an t-saoghail. facail ura ionnsachadh an cainnt choimhich, Ma chleachdas neach an gnaths-cainnte a no eadhon tomhas de thuigse a dheanamh air tha nadurach anns a’ Bheurla an uair a labhras an ni a leughas e. Ach tha e cur feum air e anns a’ Ghaidhlig faodaidh, aig amannan co teagaisg is cleachdadh air son uine fhada mus dhiiibh, nach bi e soirbh a leantainn, agus tha tog e ann an doigh riarachail gnaths-cainnte sin a cheart cho fior an uair a chleachdas fear na canaine sin. Cha trie a chluinnear sgoilear na Gaidhlig an doigh labhairt a tha nadurrach lan choimhlionta an cainnt nach do thog e gu dha, anns a’ Bheurla. nadurrach ’na oige. Chan e a mhain gu bheil Chan e a mhain gu bheil eadar-dhealachadh cion blais ’g a bhrath, ach tha an doigh labhairt ann an canainean a thaobh an aite a tha na aige ’g innse nach do dheoghail e i leis a’ facail a’ dleasadh anns an t-sreath, ach tha bhainne-ciche. atharrachadh brigh aig cuid de na facail fhein Thug sinn bliadhnachan ag ionnsachadh a reir a’ chuideachd no an suidheachadh anns Laideann is Greigis a leabhraichean le dicheall am bi iad. Is iad na facail bheaga as trice a is sarachadh, ach chuireadh an seann Romanach tha air an cleachdadh anns a’ Ghaidhlig ann sixilean air nan labhradh sinn ris 'na chainnt an doighean eadar-dhealaichte. Tha na leog- fhein. Cha tuigeadh e sinn oir cha chuala sinn anan anns a’ bhalla feumail gu bhith ceangal e fhein a riamh a’ labhairt, agus gun eisdeachd nan clachan mdra ri cheile agus ’g an na cluaise cha labhair an teanga ach manntach, cumail ’nan aite cho fad ’s a tha an cumadh cearbach. Tha e do-sheachnaichte feumail is am meudachd freagarrach air son an aite uine mhath a chur seachad a measg na muinntire tha feitheamh orra. Ach mur eil iad freagar- aig a bheil an canain a tha thu ’g ionnsachadh rach faodaidh gur h-ann a dh’fhagas iad na ’na cainnt laitheil. Feumaidh a’ chluas agus clachan mora na’s corraiche na bhiodh iad as an inntinn a bhith air an deasachadh; agus so an aonais. Tha cuid de na facail bheaga anns foghlum nach fhaighear ann an leabhraichean. AN T-OLLAMH DOMHNALL MACFHIONGHUIN ANN an cuideachd Ghaidhealach air bith h-inneach, ’na gne, ’na cumadh agus ’na bias 1 b’airidh Domhnall MacFhionghuin nach ’ s na siubhal. Bhiodh e mor a radh mu dhuine ! maireann, Ard Fhear-teagaisg na Gaidhlig air bith gun do leugh e a h-uile facal a sgriobh an Oilthigh Dhun-eideann, air aon de na ciad na baird Ghaidhealach, ach cha deachaidh a’ aiteachan-suidhe, ged nach robh duine eile an bheag dhiubh seachad air-san, agus leughadh is I Albainn air am bu lugha a bhith air a chur thuigeadh e na baird a bu duiliche cho furasda | ann an cathair os cionn chaich. ’ s a leughas sibhse no mise ‘ ‘An Gleann san robh S Bha mi gu math eolach air fad dheich bliadhna mi 6g” le Niall MacLeoid, aon de na baird fichead. A mach o’n Ollamh Mac Ghill- Ghaidhealach as lugha a chuireas stri no spairn 1 eathain, an Eaglais Chaluim-chille, tha mi air t’inntinn. an duil nach robh duine eile do am b’fhearr Aig aon am bha e ’na bheachd an leabhar | a b’aithne e, no a fhuair barrachd d’a inntinn aig Reid, Bibliothica Scoto Celtica a chur a I agus d’ a bheachdan, agus an uair a thoisicheas mach as ur, air a cheartachadh, agus air cur J mi air bruidhinn ri daoine eile uime is e a’ ris, agus cha robh duine eile san duthaich a j chiad ni a thig gu m’ chuimhne cho beag ’s a b’fhearr a dheanadh an obair oir b’aithne dha | bha e saoilsinn dheth fhein. Cha robh boilich moran a dh’eolas agus de bheul-aithris nan no bosd ann; chan e gu robh e na b’ iriosaile na seann sgoilearan Gaidhealach nach robh riamh | daoine eile anns an t-seadh as airde, ach bha e air a chur an clo. Leig e sin dheth ach chan j diuid agus gaolach air a bhith fantainn air eil am fiosrachadh a chruinnich e fad bhliadh- chul nam bord an aite a bhith tarraing aire nachan uile air chall oir thug e cuid dheth do J dhaoine thuige fhein. B’e sin a nadur is a Dhomhnall MacGillEathain a rinn an obair air | dhoigh, agus ged bu Ghaidheal e gu chul, le a’ cheann mu dheireadh, agus chuir e cuid eile I meas agus gaol air a dhuthaich agus air a dheth anns an leabhar aige fhein A descriptive I dhaoine bha e riamh duilich fhaotainn air Catalogue of Gaelic Manuscripts in the Advocates’ I ard-urlar aig Mod is cruinnichean mora de’n Library, leabhar anns am laic fear a sheallas | t-seorsa sin. Cha chuala mi gu robh e riamh thairis air cho farsaing agus cho mionaideach J aig Soiree nam Muileach fhein ged is leth ’s a bha eolas MhicFhionghuin. Mhuileach a bha ann fhein. B’fheMr leis Shiubhail e air Latha Nollaige, a’ chiad ,| paipear fada a sgriobhadh a chosgadh dha bhliadhna de’n Chiad Chogadh Mhor am saothair is dragh seach dol air beulaibh dhaoine Bailnahaird, an Colasa, fearann air an robh j a she inn, “Togaibh i, togaibh i, canain ar tigh-samhraidh aige fad iomadh bliadhna ann | duthcha.” Ged nach biodh e fhein a’ dol gu an eilean a dhuthchais. Bha bean is ceathrar ;| Mod bu mhath leis daoine eile a bhith dol de theaghlach aige, da mhac agus da nighinn, | thuige. Bha e diuid is fiata. Sin an t-aobhar ach chan eil gin dhiubh beo an diugh ach an i nach robh e r’a fhaicinn am follas cho trie 's nighean as oige. bu mhath leinn mar aon de na Cinn o am faigh- Bha e tri fichead ’s a coig deug an uair a 1 eamaid neart agus taic. shiubhail e, da fhichead ’s a tri an uair a Chuir e seachad a bheatha gu reidh, samhach shuidhicheadh e anns a’ Chathair Ghaidhlig, ; ri sgoilearachd, a’ lionadh inntinn fhein le agus bha e innte da bhliadhna dheug ar fhichead. | eolas, agus car suarach co dhiiibh a bha fios aig A sgoil Cholasa chaidh e Dhim Eideann, far j daoine eile gu robh an t-eolas sin aige no nach an do thoisich e gle iosal ach far an do chrioch- I robh. Cha robh gaol aige air a bhith mor naich e ’na Ard Ollamh. Chriochnaich e a agus cha mhotha a leigeadh e air gum b’aithne chursa ann an Oilthigh Dhim Eideann leis i dha rud nach b’aithne dha idir. Ann an cuid an urram a b’airde a chosnadh dha fhein chan | de na h-achaidhean anns a bheil sgoilearan na ann an canainean ach ann am Feallsanachd. ] Gaidhlig ag oibreachadh an diugh cha robh e Ach an iiine ghoirid dhuin e leabhraichean nam 1 cho coimhlionta ri aon no dha eile a dh’- feallsanach agus b’e aon de na facail a chuala I fhaodainn ainmeachadh; cha robh e cho mi e ag radh uair no dha nach robh ann an | eolach air seana chainnt agus litreachas agus sgoilearachd agus deasbaireachd nam feallsanach I eachdraidh Eirinn, no air cainnt Lochlann, ach cagnadh chnamhan tioram gun dad a j no air sloinntearachd fhacal, ach a thaobh tighinn as ach daoine a’ briseadh am fiaclan. ] Gaidhlig Albannaich cha robh sgoilear riamh Fad thri bliadhna an deidh dha criochnachadh j againn do’m b’aithne Gaidhlig mar chainnt an Dim Eideann theagaisg e ann an sgoil an bheo mar a b’aithne do Dhomhnall MacFhion- Loch an Inbhir an Cataibh, agus is ann anns ] ghuin i. B’aithne dha i ’na dluth 's na na bliadhnachan sin a dh’fhas e cho gaolach j — 12 — air bardachd Rob Dhuinn. Do chinas duine fasain na sgoilearachd ag atharrachadh air chor a tha cleachdte ri cainnt mhin, thlath nan agus gu bheil barrachd suim air a ghabhail air Eileanan tha bardachd Rob Dhuinn corrach, uairean do chnamhan marbha na tha air a briste, gun bhinneas gun chebl, ach dh’fhas ghabhail do’n chanain bheo, ach tha mi an MacFhionghuin cho cleachte ri cainnt agus ri dochas nach mair am fasan so gu brath agus caoin Diithaich MhicAoidh ’s gun robh e' nach tuit sgoilearachd Ghaidhlig cho iosal ’s anabarrach gaolach mu dheireadh air bardachd nach fhearr i na arsaireachd. Chunnaic mi Rob Duinn. cheana duine gun Ghaidhlig ann an cathair An 1869 chaidh e air ais do Dhim Eideann a MhicFhionghuin, agus cd aige tha fhios nach thoiseachadh air riaghlaireachd, an toiseach ’na fhaicear fhathast innte duine gun Ghaidhlig, Chleireach aig Comunn an Fhoghluim an gun Bheurla—Sagart a Tibet. Eaglais na h-Alba, an 1872 ’na Chleireach agus ’na lonmhasair do Bhord Sgoile Dhun Eideann, Tha amharus agam nach deanadh e ach bhur obair nach tug e suas gus an d’fhuair sgitheachadh nan toisichinn air a chur sios air e Cathair na Gaidhlig. An 1881 bha e air a ghad an obair a rinn Domhnall MacFhionghuin, chur air a’ Bhuidheann Sgoilearan a bha air agus na paipearan a sgrxobh e an Gaidhlig agus an sonrachadh leis a’ Chomunn a bha craobh- am Beurla, anns an t-seana Ghaidheal agus am sgaoileadh an Eolais Chriosdail a chuir am Miosachain eile, anns an Albannach agus an Biobull Gaidhlig an clo as ur, air a cheartachadh. irisean eile, agus na sgriobh e mu eachdraidh, B’esan a bha air a dheanamh ’na Chleireach mu litreachas, is mu phuingean sgoilearachd. do’n Chomunn so. Sgriobh e barrachd ’s a tha daoine a’ saoilsinn, Tha fios againn uile gur ann le taic laidir agus agus cha do sgriobh e riamh facal a leigeadh e teanga gheur, dhrixidhtich an Albannaich leas naire a chur air sgoilear no air duin’ - urramaich, Professor Blackie, a chaidh aig uasal, oir is e sin a bha ann gu chul. Oilthigh Dhixn Eideann air airgiod gu leor a Ann an cuideachd mhoir nach b’aithne dha chruinneachadh a chuireadh Cathair Ghaidhlig cha robh a’ bheag de chur a mach ann, ach an air chois. Bha triiiir no cheathrar air an ain- uair a gheibheadh tu e leis fhein no a measg meachadh mar dhaoine bha freagarrach gu leor grunnan beag de dhaoine a bu toigh leis cha an cur innte, ach air a’ cheann mu dheireadh, robh fear-seanchais a b’fhearr na e ri fhaotainn a mach o’n fheadhainn a bha ’g iarraidh —reidh, athaiseach, tugaideach, le stor eolais suidhe innte iad fhein bha a’ mhor-chuid de ’na inntinn as an robh e furasda dha rud air chairdean na Gaidhlig an dochas gur e Domhnall bith a bha dhith air a tharraing gun stri gun MacFhionghuin a gheibheadh i. sgogaireachd. An uair mu dheireadh a chunnaic Ged nach do sgriobh e moran aig an am mi e b’anns a’ mhansa agam fhein anns an bha e fhathast 6g. Bha e ’na sgoilear math, t-samhradh 1914, agus bha mi fo ghealladh dha is dhearbh e anns gach obair is gnothach eile dol a Cholasa leis ann an deireadh an fhoghair, anns an robh lamh aige gun robh tur is tuigse ach chuir an cogadh crioch air sin. laidir aige, breithneachadh, agus gu robh e furasda a bhith suas ris. Domhnall MacLaomuinn. Ann an comh-shuidheachadh na Cathrach tha e air a chur sios, cho fad ’s a tha Gaidhlig air a searmonachadh an Albainn gur e pairt a dh’obair Ollamh na Gaidhlig a theagasg do na Grain Air Son Chloinne Eadar h-oileanaich a’ chainnt uisneachadh le snas is bias. Theagamh nach e sin na ceart bhriathran Seachd Is Naoi Bliadhna A anns a bheil an riaghailt air a cur sios ach sin Dh’aois is ciall daibh. Rachadh aig Domhnall MacFhionghuin air [A’ chiad duais aig Mdd 1959). Gaidhlig mhath a sgriobhadh e fhein, agus ged nach b’e a dhoigh no a nadur greis no riomhachas Am Eirigh a chur air na paipearan a bhiodh e a’ sgriobhadh Tha ’ghrian air eirigh, an Gaidhlig mu litreachas nan Gaidheal bha Tha ’ghrian air eirigh; iad daonnan criochnaichte agus ordail, furasda Tha eoin nan speuran a’ seinn le simnd; an leughadh agus an tuigsinn. Bha taic annta An uiseag cheitein’ do’n inntinn, agus dreach is cumadh is bias Le h-6ran eibhinn, na G&idhlig orra, cho laidir agus cho nadurra ’Sa’ chuthag ’s seisd oirr’ aig bonn nan stuc. ris an Dubh-Hirtich. Tha lionadh is traghadh, gainne is pailteas, Tha crodh a’ geumnaich ann an sgoilearachd na Gaidhlig, agus tha Tha crodh a’ geumnaich, — 13 — ’S uain oga leumnaich air feur fo’n driuchd. Na Tri larrtasan Tha guth gach creutair B’e mo roghainn is m’iarrtas na faighinn mo ’ S iad saor o eislean mhiann Mar aon ag eigheach ruinn “eirich, duisg.” A bhith fas mar am fluran gun gho; Fo bhlath-ghathan greine ’s ri caochladh nan Tha ’n t-am dhuinn dusgadh, sian Tha 'n t-am dhuinn dusgadh, Gun.euslaint na pian ’nam choir. Tha mhaduinn ur so a’ cur oirnn’ failt. Ann am fallaineachd bodhaig a’ cinneadh le Chan fhaod sinn diultadh surd Tha ’n Ti thug lus dhuinn Gun ghaiseadh an luths mo threbir; 'G ar gairm gu muirneach gu obair la. Mar dharach an neart, cur a gheugan os cionn Na tha sireadh a dhion is iad brebit. Tha ’n t-am dhuinn gluasad, B’e m’annsa na faighinn mo thoil, a bhith bg Tha 'n t-am dhuinn gluasad, Ann am chridhe gu deireadh mo la. Tha latha nuadh a’ toirt cuiridh dhuinn; Gun chaochladh am inntinn; gun airsneul na Ged sccair cluasag, brbn Ged ’s milis suain linn A bhith spuinneadh uam neochionnt a’ phaisd: Chan fhuirich uair eadhon ris an righ. A bhith comasach creideamh is dbchas is gradh Chur air thoiseach air or agus maoin; A bhith daonnan a’ cobhair an caoibhneas air An Dealan-de Ccich Tha lainnir do sgiathan a’ dearrsadh sa’ ghrein ’ S a’ toirt aoibhneis an aite daors’. 'Cur ri oirdhearcas machair is coill; Chan eil fluran fo bhlath ris an coimeasar sgeimh ’Se dh’iarrainn air freasdal na faighinn mo run, Culaidh ioma-dhathach bhoidheach do loinn. A bhith glic ann an saoghal tha meallt’ ; An comas bhith tuigsinn cho trie ’sa ni 'n t-suil Thu seoladh'gu mireagach thairis nan cluan Ar beachd chur air stiuradh tha caillt.’ Gun iomagain no dragh tigh’nn ad choir; B’ fhearr learn eblas a’ cheartais bhith agam, Mil nam blath agus braon-dhealt nan speuran 's an debin o shuas Gu bhith leantainn a sheblaidh chiiiin reidh Dhut a’ freasdal gach la air son loin. Na iimntas gun aireamh is iomlanachd coir Air gach solas sa’ chruinne-che. Gur trie rinn mi ruith gu do cheapadh le foill ’Nuair a laigheadh tu socair air blath; Cailean T. MacCoinnich. Ach dh’ aindeoin gach ealain ’s gach oidhirp a rinn Bha do luasgan ro chlisg learn a ghnath. Tir Nan Og Bha an t-iasgair ’na churach bheag leis Mar dhathan a’ chearcaill tha aghmhor ’s na fhein a muigh anns a’ bhagh, a’ sebladh mar a nebil bheireadh oiteag an fhoghair no gluasad nan Tha caochladh nan tuar air do sgeith; uisgeachan e. An drasda is a rithist theannadh ’S mar atheicheas am bogha’nuair thiginn ’na e ri iasgach lebbag anns an tanalach, ach gu choir trie shuidheadh e an deireadh an eathair gun a Co-ionnan learn luathas do cheum. bhith deanamh dad air an talamh. Bu toil leis am bagh gun teagamh, ach bu docha leis Chan fhaide na’n samhradh do bheatha bheag gu mbr na h-eileanan beaga a bha mach bho fhaoin— thir far an robh cliathan eisg mu na geodhachan. Ach chan aithne dhut gaillionn na fuachd. Gun fhios dha fhuair e e fhein an latha-sa Chan fhaic thu ach maise is aoibhneas an am beul an bba far an robh na rbin a’ cluiche gu t-saogh’l, luaineach. Chuir e mu’n cuairt mus buaileadh Chan eil doilgheas na bron ad chuairt. neart na gaoithe e, ach bha e tuilleadh is anmoch. Cha chuireadh e dub an ceann a’ Chan iarr mi, mar sin, reis bhios fada na gearr, churach leis an da ramh. Sguab osag ghrean- Ach a mhain a bhi maiseach gun bheud; nach i gu h-obann agus dh’fhalbh a’ ghaoth A’ cur daonnan ri aireamh nam feartan as fearr leatha a mheadhon an t-srutha a bha siubhal ’Sa’ toirt aoibhneas a’ chiuil as gach teud. mu cheann an rubha. — 14 Chan fhaca duine a' churach a* fagail a* ciuin an dara is an treas uair ach bha ise ’na bhaigh agus a’ dol timcheall an rubha. Thuit tosd. Nuair a thog i suil ris mu dheireadh an oidhche agus chaidh cnuic na dachaidh as an chunnaic e nach robh aige ach seann chreutair t-sealladh. Dh’iadh neoil dhorcha an anmoich seargte leis an aois. “O mo cheile,” thuirt i mu'n cuairt agus sheid a’ ghaoth. Bha a’ ris, “tilleamaid air ais do’n eilean uaine far churach a nis an suidheachadh truagh, agus an am faigh mi m’oige air ais agus far an cum cunnart a dhol fodha. Ach a mach as an dorch sinn ar n-6ige gu brath.” thainig sgaoth de ghillean-bride a chuairtich a’ gheola bheag. Far an robh iad ag itealaich Thuig esan gu robh na seann sgeulachdan bha an fhairge air ball seimh 's cha robh buaidh fior; na thilleadh air ais as an eilean uaine sam bith aig a’ ghaoith air na tuinn. chailleadh iad an oige, am boichead agus an Dh’ fhuirich na h-eoin gus na bhris an latha. An sonas. Rug e an sin air laimh air a ghradh sin chunnaic an t-iasgair eilean beag uaine air agus thog iad orra gu Tir-nan-Og. faire. Rinn na h-eoin air an eilean, agus cha robh e doirbh tuilleadh a’ gheola a’ stiiiireadh gu uisgeachan balbha an cois a’ chladaich. Shlaod e gu tir i. Dhuisg tosdachd an aite Am Bru-Dhearg eagal gu robh e ann an saoghal eile. Shath e THA eoin ann leis a math cuideachd nan eun sgian a bha aige ann an tulach uaine oir chuala eile. Cha trie a chithear iad ’nan aonar e aig na h-iasgairean glice gun cumadh sud air idir. Falbhaidh nageoidh ’nan sgaothan falbh na droch spioradan. anns an athar; laighidh na faoileagan ’nan cuanal Chuala e cuideigin a’ seinn an guth milis, air sliabh no air uisgeachan an locha 's a’ agus suil de’n tug e chunnaic e caileag ’na bhaigh, no chithear iad ag itealaich ’nam suidhe air creig. Bha i ard, tana mar a’ chraobh buidheannan air uchd an aile. Gun teagamh bheithe, geal mar an fhaoileag, le fait 6r- chithear faoileag leatha fhein ’g a garadh air bhuidhe sios mu da ghualainn. Smeid i air barr simileir, ach chan fhan i fada an sin gus agus shuidh e ri taobh. Shaoil leis nach an toir i oirre far a bheil each a’ cuachail. cailleadh e gradh oirre gu brath. Tha na druidean, na breacain-beithe agus na Chaidh na bliadhnachan seachad. Bha gach cearcan deidheil air comunn a cheile. latha na b’fhearr na cheile. Cha robh an Ach gheibh thu am brii-dhearg daonnan leis t-iasgair a riamh roimhe cho sona, cha robh a’ fhein. Is docha leis comunn an duine na comunn ghrian a riamh cho blath no cho dealrach, cha nan eun. Bha mi latha deireadh foghair a’ robh aite eile air an domhain cho sitheil, ruamhar anns an lios gun duine ’nam choir beannaichte. Ach thainig latha anns na a bheireadh lamh chuidich dhomh ’s mi sgith thoisich esan a’ smaoineachadh air Orasaidh a agus aonaranach. Co a thainig an rathad, mar dh’fhag e air a chill. Dh’fheuch e ris an ionn- gum biodh e leughadh mo chridhe, ach brii- drainn a mhuchadh ach cha robh sin furasda. dhearg beag, boidheach. Chan fhaca mi Mu dheireadh thug e ceum sios chun a’ chladaich tighinn e, oir tha e fathach ’na ghluasad, agus far an d’fhag e a’ gheola o chionn fhada. cha robh fios idir agam co as a thainig e. Sheas Dh’fheumadh e aghaidh a thoirt air an eilean e gu stobach air mo bheulaibh, thug e suil orm ris na dhealaich e seachd bliadhna air ais, ach mar gum b’e seann eolach a bhiodh ann, agus cha roghnaicheadh a’ chaileag falbh leis. gun smid as a ghob thug e ceum gu socair “Chan fhaod thu falbh,’’ ars ise, “thuinich tarsaing na feannaig a bha mi ri tionndadh. thu seachd bliadhna an Tir-nan-Og, ionad as Stobadh e a ghob an drasda is a rithist anns an nach fhaodar tilleadh talamh, thogadh e earball is chrathadh e a Cha do dh’ innis e dhi mu’ n sgithinn a shath sgiathan, bhogadh e earball a rithist agus e sa’ chnoc a bha fagail cead aig tilleadh bheireadh e sitheadh gu callaid no do chraoibh dhachaidh. An ath mhadainn lean i e chun a’ a bha dluth air laimh. Thilleadh e far an chladaich. “Thig inaille rium gus an ruig robh mi, sheasadh e air mo bheulaibh as ur sinn an rubha ud thall,” ars esan mar a bha mar nach biodh e air m’fhaicinn o chionn fhada. e cur na geola gu sal . . . . Fad tri latha Bheireadh e ceum na b’fhaisge orm na bha e is tri oidhche sheol iad air uisgeachan buair- roimhe, agus leumadh e air ploc is chuireadh easach ach an ceathramh latha chunnaic iad e car ’na cheann agus bheireadh e suil orm leis Orasaidh air faire. Stiuir an t-iasgair a’ an t-suil a bha rium. Leumadh e gu sorchan gheola air a’ bhagh air an robh e cho eolach. eile a’ cur car sgiobalta dheth fhein mar gum “Thig maille rium,” ars esan mar a leum e air biodh e air Ihr-dannsaidh. Shealladh e aon tir, “agus bidh sinn le cheile ’nam dhachaidh uair eile an taobh a bha mise mar gum biodh air a’ chnoc far nach tig ole 'nar c6ir.” Cha e ’g radh ris fhein, “An deanadh tu sud?” do fhreagair ise facal. Labhair e rithe gu Thionndaidheadh e an t-suil eile rium, leumadh — 15 — e a rithist air falbh, is thigeadh e air ais mar oir bheir luchd na Gaidhlig an aire an uair sin giim biodh e feorach na dh’ionndrainn mi esan gu bheil Gaidhlig ’na canain bheo, air a labh- an uair ud. airt, agus nach eil i ’na canain mharbh nan bran a mhain. Ma chluinneas iad moran Cha b’urrainn dhomh a bhith ’gam chall Gaidhlig labhraidh iad i. Cha chuala mi ach fhin na b’fhaide a’ toirt an aire dha le chuid beagan Gaidhlig aig Mod na bliadhna so an chleasan as an robh e cho mor, agus lean mi Dun-deagh. a’ ruamhar gu trang. An ceanh nine cha robh Chan eil mi cinnteach am biodh e na b’- mi ’nam aonar na b’fhaide oir chunnaic mi fheumaile Mod na Cloinne a bhith dealaichte mo chompanach ’ na sheasamh air mo bheulaibh ri Mod nan Inbheach. Ach bhiodh e na aon uair eile, ceum na bu dluithe na bha e b’fhearr a chumail air a’ Ghaidhealtachd, agus fhathast. Thug e suil air an obair a chuir mi cothrom a thoirt do’n chloinn o dheas coinn- as mo dheidh bho dh’fhalbh e, thug e sin suil eachadh ri clann na Gaidhlig aig an dachaidhean, ormsa, agus chunnaic mi an sealladh nan sill mar a tha sibh ag radh. Ma dhealaicheas sibh aige agus anns ah truiseachadh a rinn e air a Mod na Cloinne ri Mod nan Inbheach theagamh bhodhaig bhig a’ chasaid, “Cha mhor a rinn nach bi uiread de’n chloinn aig a’ Mhod. Ma thu bho dh’fhalbh mi.’’ Ach cha d’thuirt chumar am Mod mar a tha e nis bidh taic nam e biog. parantan agaibh cuideachd. Thoisich e piocadh as ur, a’ ruith a null ’s Ach is e mo bharail gu bheil am Mod air a nail, a’ leum o cheap gu ceap gus an tainig Ghalldachd tuilleadh is trie. Tha sinn uile ciaradh an fheasgair. An sin thug e a chasan eolach air na h-argumaidean air son a’ bheachd leis cho falachaidh ’s a thainig e. Ach thainig gur coir do’n Mhod a bhith air a chumail anns e air ais latha an deidh latha. Tha fios gle na bailtean mora, ach an deidh na h-uile is e mhath gur h-e an t-aon fhear a bha ann ged coinneamh Ghaidhealach a tha anns a’ Mhod, nach aithnichinn e air a chumadh no air a agus is e canain Ghaidhealach a tha sinn ag dhreach is eideadh. Cha tigeadh coigreach cho oidhirpeachadh ath-bheothachadh. faisg orm ’ s a thainig esan air ball; cha chaogadh Leigidh mi do na fir teoma a radh de na coigreach a shuil rium agus cha thogadh ’s nithean as motha a tha am Mod ri deanamh. cha bhogadh e earball mar a bha esan a dean- Cha dean mi gearan, ni barrachd ’s a’ choir amh mu mo chasan. sin. Cha toil! An Comunn Gaidhealach ach moladh agus brosnachadh air son gach ni a tha Ged nach fhaca mi e a nis o chionn latha no iad a’ deanamh air son na Gaidhlig. dha tha fios agam, ma tha e beo, gun till e, Bheirinn aon sanas a mhain. Tha canain oir a reir coltais chan eil comunn na’s fhearr bheo feumach air Litreachas beo—agus chan eil so aig a’ Ghaidhlig, chan eil neoni ach dain agus brain. Is e leabhraichean cunnaraeh mar Penguin no Fontana air a bheil sinn feumach, leabhraichean a bheireadh do na Gaidheil uile Beachdan stuth leughaidh bho sgeulachdan fhir-ranns- achaidh gu Feallsanachd, Eachdraidh agus A Charaid, Tuathanachas. Bu toigh leam fhein cuideach- Tha mi cur thugaibh mo fhreagairtean do na adh le deasachadh nan leabhraichean so! ceistean a chuir sibh anns A’ Ghaidheal am Tha mi an dbchas gum bheil mo bheachdan mios na Samhna. Chan eil annam ach oil- freagarrach. Is e ceistean mbra a tha ann. eanach, ag ionnsachadh Gaidhlig, ach tha a’ Tha mo thaic iomlan leis A’ Chomunn Ghaidh- Ghaidhealtachd ’nam chridhe, agus chan eil ealach , agus bheir mi tairgse de mo chbmhnadh uam Gaidhlig bas fhaighinn, ach tha uam i a dhuibh ged nach eil agam ach dian-dhealas. dh’fhas nas fallaine gach bliadhna. Piseach air A’ Chomunn agus “Suas leis a’ Bhiodh e feumail gu h-araidh nach fas a’ Ghaidhlig.’ ’ Ghaidhlig ’na canain Litreachais a mhain mar a tha Lallans (Beurla Albannach), ach gum bi Le gach deagh dhurachd, i ’na canain a’ phobuill, gum bi i air a labhairt Tormod Burns. an comhnuidh ged a tha barrachd a’ labhairt na Beurla. Mar sin bheirinn sanas dhuibh— cha choir a’ Bheurla a bhith air a cluinntinn idir aig a’ Mhod Naiseanta. Tha fios agam Ged nach bi earrann air leth againn anns ceart gu leor gun cuir sibh moran air falbh “A’ Ghaidheal” air son na h-bigridh a so bho’n Mhbd mur eil facal Beurla ann, ach tha suas tha sinn an dbchas gu lorg iad ann o am mi cinnteach gum biodh e na b’fhearr mar sin, gu am nithean freagarrach ri’n cail. — 16 — LEARNER’S PAGE Ann an Caisteal Dhunbheagain In the Castle of Dunvegan O chionn ghoirid ghabh mi mo thurus gu A short while ago I set off to the Misty Isle, Eilean a’ Cheo, far a bheil na ceudan a’ tadhal which hundreds are visiting this year. I am bliadhna. Fhuair mi cuireadh o’n uasal received an invitation from the noble gentleman, choir, an Ridire Reginald, gu oidhche a chur; Sir Reginald, to spend a night as guest in seachad air aoigheachd an Caisteal Dhunbheag- Dunvegan Castle. What made the privilege ain. Is e dh’fhag an t-sochair so cho mor so great in my view was the fact that the ann am bheachd gu bheil an seann chaisteal ancient castle is so famous in history. When cho iomraideach an eachdraidh. An uair a bed-time came I was led by the gentleman thainig am cadail chaidh mo threorachadh leis mentioned by me to the Yellow Chamber in an uasal a dh’ainmich mi gus an t-Seomar the part of the castle called the Faiiy Woman’s Bhuidhe a tha anns a’ chehrn de’n chaisteal ris Tower. The Yellow Chamber is approximately an canar Tur na Mnatha Sithe. Tha an Sebmar 30 feet long and 17 feet broad, with two wide Buidhe mu dheich troidhean fichead air fad and high windows overlooking a rock which agus mu sheachd troidhean deug air leud, le rises out of the sea at the foundation of the da uinneig fharsainn aird ag amharc a mach os palace. This is the part of the castle where cionn creige a tha ’g eirigh as a’ mhuir aig the Lullaby of the Faiiy Woman was heard, bonn na luchairte. Is e so an earrann de’n and it was from this fact that the tower got chaisteal anns an cualas Taladh na Mnatha its name. At the dead of night, when the Sithe, agus is ann uaithe sin a fhuair an tur lights went out, it was only natural that I an t-ainm. Am marbh na h-oidhche, an uair should remember many a tale about things a chaidh na soluis as, bu nadurrach gun that happened here. Many and strange thoughts cuimhnicheamaid air iomadh sgeul mu nithean struck my mind in the dark. I noted in detail a thachair anns an aite so. Agus is lionmhor the words of the old lullaby: “You are not of smuain thaitneach is annasach a thainig gu the Mackenzies; you are not of the MacQueens, m’inntinn anns an dorchadas. Thug mi gu you were of a race we preferred; the race of mionaideach fainear na facail aig an t-seann the Macleods of ships, of swords, and armour; taladh, “Chan ann de Chloinn Choinnich thu; Norway was the land of your ancestors.” It chan ann de Chloinn Chuinn thu; de shiol bu was no wonder that other words came into my docha leinn thu'; siol Leoid nan long, nan lann, mind, words of Mary, daughter of Red Alexander, nan luireach, b’i Lochlann duthaich do shinn- who dwelt in this castle during the period of sir.” Cha b’iongnadh ged thigeadh facail four chiefs. How often was her voice heard eile gu m’aire o Mhairi Nighean Alasdair through the same rooms. It is easy to recall Ruaidh, a bha comhnuidh anns a’ chaisteal so before the mind the shape and form of that ri linn cheithir chinn-cinnidh. Cia trie a personage, in the very same spot, at the dead chualas a guth air feadh nan sebmraichean of night. My thought concerning the Blind ceudna. Is furasda dealbh an dream ud a Piper was no less impressive; for the notes of ghairm fa chomhair na h-inntinne, air a’ his harp were often heard in this place also, cheart laraich, am marbh na h-oidhche. Cha as he himself mentions in “Oran Mor Mhic- i bu lugha na sin mo smuain air A’ Chlarsair Leoid . ’ ’ Dhall, oir chualas poncan a chruite gu trie ! anns an aite so cuideachd, mar tha e fhein a’ luaidh an “Oran Mor MhicLeoid.” Is freagarrach gun tugamaid iomradh an so It is appropriate that I should mention here [ air luchd-tadhail ainmeil a chuir oidhche the famous visitors who spent a night in the { seachad anns an Tur Shithe. B’e aon diubh Fairy Tower. One of these was Dr. Johnson I sin an t-Ollamh Mac Iain a bha air chuairt who visited Dunvegan in 1773. An account an Dunbheagain an 1773. Gheibhear cunntas of that visit may be found in Boswell’s account mu dheidhinn an tadhail ud anns a’ bhreacadh of the incident. a thug Boswell air a’ chins. 1. Chuir e a steach air ceangal na ba. He shortened the cow’s tether. 2. Thainig orm cur an aghaidh chaich. I had to oppose the others. 3. Cum an t-each air druim an rathaid. Keep the horse to the middle of the road. LURE OF THE PIPES (As told to me by a native of the district) THE scene was the heart of Diebidale deer follow her master if the Unknown was in front. j forest in Ross-shire, the time was He was shaken at this; but the lure of the i| nearing midnight in the late December pipes was too great, and he said, “Very well, I long ago, when the “Wee People” danced on you can stay here, so long as I have Black | top of the bogs that even a wild duck could not Simon with me and Killsure (his gun) under J cross without breaking the surface. Halfway my arm, I’ll face anything.” up one of the hills, known as Corrie Glass, The piper was now playing “Tulloch Gorm,” stood Big John Clash-na-Harnish, and beside and what a piper—the time he kept. Just as him were his two famous black dogs—a dog John went up to the door, it opened, and an 1 and a bitch. Big John was the head stalker on old woman said, “Corns in John, I’m sure Diebidale, and he had been out all day and you will be near starved to death with the ] most of the night after the hinds, which they cold.” John thanked her, and said he would were killing off. It had turned out to be a come in for a minute or two and hear the pipes. wild night, with a half moon, and John had As he entered the house, he took off his bonnet, taken shelter for a while against the buffetings and the old woman made to take it from him, of the storm. but Black Simon, snarling and growling, i At last the night cleared a bit and he started snatched the bonnet out of his hand and held | for home. As it was late, he decided to go it in his mouth. The old woman then opened round the side of the hill and take a short cut the kitchen door, and the sight that met John, home. He had been that road often before, he’ 11 never forget. The house was full of men and he knew every step of it, and he could also and girls. They were the finest looking girls J jump the Poacher’s Pool at Allt-a’-Choin he had ever seen. They were nearly all dressed j (The Dog’s Burn) and still cut a few miles the same, in long frocks of a queer bluish-red ,] off his road. If there was one thing on earth colour; the men had greenish-red clothes. \ Big John loved besides good whisky, it was the ! John had ears only for the piper, however, and j pipes, and .as he came near Allt-a’Choin, he he looked round to see where he was. There he thought he heard bagpipe music. He stopped stood, near the bed-closet door, and behind the j and listened, and sure enough, there it was, spinning wheel to give room to the dancers. « away to his right; and that piper could play. John was stunned when he saw the piper. Of | He was playing “Brahan Castle,” and John all Hie pipers he had ever seen or heard about, never heard it played so well before. He could this one was the King. He had on the full j not resist the music, and started to walk to- Highland Dress but for the life of him John wards it. He wondered as he went along who could not tell the tartan. And the pipes: I the piper could be, and what possessed him to What pipes! solid gold mounted—and as he j come there and play on a night like that. played the Reel-O’-Tulloch, John thought As he neared the place where the sounds came he could see the blue sparks flying from his | from, the moon went behind the clouds and it fingers and smoke coming from the chanter. became very dark. Things seemed to become The music stopped, and the piper looked at very still as he walked on, and the sound of the John and smiled, but never spoke. The only - j pipes grew louder. The piper was now playing one that spoke of the whole company was the j a reel, and the finest reel John ever heard— old woman, who then asked John if he would and through the music he thought he heard take a dram. John said he would, and she gave 1 hooching. All of a sudden, he saw a light, and him a glass of the best. It was real good stuff. going nearer, he saw a fail-roofed house. John If the music was good, the whisky was better. knew that he was not very far by now from the As soon as John took the first sip, it felt like a Poacher’s Pool and Rory-the-Glen’s “Black torchlight procession, and he thought his whole I Bothy’ ’ ; but he could not remember ever body was on fire right to the soles of his feet. | seeing this place before. The sound of the pipes John drained the glass, and then the piper 1 drew him on, however, and he went forward to started to play again—a schottishe this time— the door. But here a queer thing happened— and the best-looking of the girls came towards I —the black bitch which would tackle the John holding out her hands, smiling at him, ! biggest stag in Diebidale , would not go another and silently inviting him to dance. step. John stopped and tried to coax her on, The whisky had done its work well, and j but she would not move, and lay down. Then John thought he could manage the dance fine, ] John remembered that a bitch would not and was on the point of taking the girl in his | — 18 — arms, when Black Simon again jumped in And so to this day, if you listen at the front of him. John looked down at the dog, Poacher’s Pool, you will hear in the running wondering what was wrong with him, and then water the sound of the pipes, on nights when he saw, peeping from below the girl’s long the ‘ ‘Wee People’ ’ dance on the bogs, and wind frock, instead of fainty feet, two horses’ blows round Corrie Glass. hooves. He drew back frightened out of his wits, and then looked towards the closet door R. MacDonald Robertson, where the piper stood. He saw a long red Straloch, streak coming oozing out from below the door, Comely Bank Terrace, and realised then the company he was in and Edinburgh, 4. also that his end was near, and shouted— “God help me!!’’ He could not have chosen better words; for all at once he saw the faces Point of View change, the piper’s tartan turned to red, and Sir, over the blow-stock of the pipes, from which All the questions asked in a recent issue of smoke and sparks emanated, he raw the face An Gaidheal deserve careful consideration. In of Lucifer himself grinning at him. this brief reply I shall confine myself to the last John took his only chance, and with one of these, namely, “Is it right to have the bound, reached the door and turned to call National Mod so often in the South?” I take Black Simon, who had twice that night saved it that South here refers to the large towns him, and was doing it a third time—for as outwith the Highland area: John sprang for the door, the dog sprang at The ideal location for the Mod, from one Nick, and as John turned, fie saw Old Horny important point of view at least, is at suitable draw his dirk from its sheath (still wet with centres within the Gaelic speaking area. The the blood of its last victim) and raise it to kill presence of the Mod in their midst once every Black Simon. year would help to bring home to Gaelic Quick as a flash, John’s up with “Killsure” speakers the real value and significance of their and let drive with both barrels, but that was heritage, and thus inspire them to honour and all the good it did, for John, who was hardly to preserve it. There are, however, good every known to miss, saw the lead splash on reasons why it is not possible to house the Mod the wall behind, after going harmlessly through in the Highlands today except in three or four Old Nick. of the larger towns there. Lack of accommoda- John then bolted, and ran as hard as he could tion for the large following the Mod has in for the Poacher’s Pool, but fast as he was, he recent years is one; lack of suitable halls for found he was no match for the one that followed. competitions and for the evening concerts is Looking back, he saw the monster, and on another. A greater reason, perhaps, is the need each side of him two of the girls, now howling for money. fiends, with flames of fire streaming from their An Comunn does not possess the capital heads in place of the fair hair they had earlier. necessary for its purposes, and depends largely He could hear the clatter of their horses’ on the surplus from the National Mods to enable hooves as they raced over the rocks and heather, it to secure its main object, which is to encourage shrieking curses from unhallowed lips. and perpetuate the use of the Gaelic language. John heard the gurgle of the water of the Money is needed to meet the cost of adminis- Poacher’s Pool, and made a last supreme effort tration, to pay for publicity and propaganda, to reach it. Better to die in the cool water to meet the salaries of music teachers, and to among the salmon, he' thought, then to be defray the soaring cost of publishing Gaelic torn to bits by fingers of fire. school texts. Only in dense centres of popu- Then, just as Old Nick raised his bloody dirk lation is it possible to secure anything like to strike, across the water at Rory-the-Glen’s adequate surpluses. a cock crew in the morning. John fell un- Suil Amach. conscious on the brink of the pool, and it was hours after when he came to, to find his two dogs licking his face. “Oh,’’ said he, “Black Gun Urram Simon, I thought that your end came as the dirk fell’ ’ ; but then Black Simon rolled over An tannasg bh’ aig baird buidhe baoth on his back, and John saw on the dog’s breast ’ S e mac an aoig a dh’ fheann e four white hairs, and he knew that the Devil Am manadh aig gach gobha-taois’, was powerless against the black dog as long as Is caisean aig an dream ud. he had thosei hairs. Gun Urra. — 19 the calibre of Kurt Wittig giving his views Celtic Language Groups on this subject. For many moons Celtic scholarship has been S.T.B. familiar with the “P” and “Q” groups of Celtic languages. Biblical scholars are familiar with the same distinction in textual criticism. There are other characteristics in Gaelic speech Postie which are worthy of consideration, and groups IT is an August evening, the dim twilight and sub-groups which can easily be traced. accentuates the peacefulness of the scene. Those who have studied modern Irish and know As I walk along the well known road that Scottish Gaelic must be aware of the inter- leads to the village I am suddenly aware of change of the letters L and R. In fact I should fast approaching steps from behind. I turn say that that is the main difference between round and see Kenny, Kenny the postie making the two tongues. It is a matter of regret that his homeward way, with quickening step. so few scholars on this side of the Irish Sea There he was the same old Kenny whom we have made a scientific study of Irish, and vice- as boys used to tease and adore. His back versa. To my knowledge only two Scottish is more bent and rounded, the whiskers more Gaelic speakers are equally at home in Irish, tinged with grey, but the kindly eyes peer a minister in Ross-shire and his name-sake in forth as of old and his handshake was really Edinburgh. There may be others. worth while receiving. Often, when we were In my young days I often heard it being said boys at. school, would we waylay “Postie” about a man who had a speech defect, “Cho and ask him to help us with our problems—we liotach ri Hiortach.” The St. Kildians had could always depend upon his help. Algebra, no lisp, but they invariably pronounced an R Geometry or even Latin presented no difficulty as an L. I was not aware that this happened to him; for at one time he had been a promising anywhere else in Scotland until I compared a pupil teacher and had intended to go in for list of unusual Gaelic words in my possession the church, but fate had decreed otherwise. with Father Allan Macdonald’s “Words from He often worked out our problems on the South Uist.’ ’ It seems that an older generation backs of the letters , he was delivering, but in South Uist, like the people of; St. Kilda, that did not trouble him, or us. Kenny was pronounced an R as an L. The Argyll-shire a bachelor and lived all by himself, doing all Gaels are noted for their mis-pronunciation of his own work and his little home was a nest the letters L, N, R, the only exception being of cosiness and tidiness. I was told on good the Island of Tiree. Natives of Argyll use the authority that after the 1914-18 War when word le where the rest of Gaeldom use ri. wages were being increased among the postmen Natives of Lewis are noted for the way they Kenny refused a rise, as the country had more inter-change the vowels a, o, u. Some years need of it than he had. Many a waif and stray ago I was brought to task by that distinguished received from him a helping hand in the hour Lewis scholar, the late Dr. D. J. Macleod, for of their greatest need; for the secrets of their saying that a Lewisman did not seem to make homes were no secrets to Postie. I was glad any distinction between these vowels. My to meet the old familiar friend. He had former teacher, Mr. Donald Graham supported changed somewhat, or was it I who had changed ? my view. The three of us argued well into the We talked of the old days, and Kenny confided night. After I had given Macleod numerous to me that he still kept up his old studies, examples to prove my point and even going but that few demands were made upon his as far as producing Lewismen to pronounce knowledge by the boys of today. certain words he had to! admit that I was He was hurrying home he said as Duncan right. His words were, “I have made a Campbell the old elder was coming to his life-long study of phonetics, and I never realised house to have a talk, a bite of supper and that until now.” What surprised him most family worship with him. Duncan Campbell was that I could tell which parish in Lewis a was the catechist, an old stalwart of the church, person came from by asking him three simple with a wonderful gift of speech and was reputed questions in which no place-name was the best praying man in the district. Duncan mentioned. in fact, was secretly proud of his powers in My theory is that there is a variety of groups this direction, as a friend of my own once within the main groups. Is there not a tendency found out. My friend called in to see Duncan in modern Welsh to inter-change an S and a K one day. He found him at home along with sound ? I should like to see such a distinguished his wife. In the course of conversation my linguist as Nils Holmer or a literary critic of friend remarked, “I hear that you are one — 20 — f| of the best praying men in the district ’ . relegated to the Sabbath day and even for this ! Duncan was very pleased and before my friend we must be thankful. 11 could prevent him he said, “Let us pray” But sometimes this good custom was over- j* and dropped down on his knees by the chair done and the younger members of the family ; on which he had been sitting. My friend were not always too pleased to pass sometimes | had perforce to follow his example and to his an hour each night in its observance. i surprise, heard a prayer, wonderful in its One year, in the summer time, it was my t originality, impressiveness and solemnity that privilege to live for a fortnight in one of the i lasted fully half an hour. Needless to say most remote parts of the Western Highlands. j he had no doubt of Duncan’s praying powers I was living in the house of a very excellent I after that. I accompanied Kenny to the door disciple of the church. I had my own private | of his humble abode. As I had already par- room, but as I knew the people well, especially taken of supper I left him there with his friend, the lads who were of my own age, I used to jt I can well picture the scene. Supper over, go in every night to have family worship along l well marked bibles are produced. The old with them. To do so was a bit of an ordeal, fashioned oil lamp is adjusted and then Duncan for family worship invariably lasted for an , offers a short prayer in the dear old Celtic hour. One evening in particular I remember. I tongue. Kenny as the younger man then reads It was a particularly fine night and the lads j five or six verses of a psalm, which to the grand and I were somewhat loath to get in in time ' old tune of Martyrs, sent forth sweet incense for worship. However we were there at the if to Heaven. ’Tis true they were no great usual time. The service proceeded. A long I singers; and their voices somewhat harsh with prayer, eight or nine verses of a psalm given age, yet they sang in the fullness of their out line by line, in the old Gaelic fashion, the hearts a real song of praise and thankfulness, reading with comments of a long chapter and and the angels listened and understood; for then we all got on to our knees for the final | sweeter far to the angels were the words of prayer. I had been on my knees for perhaps praise from these two old saints, than the five minutes, when suddenly I was conscious r music of the best choir of paid singers that of a dig in my side. At first I thought it was : ever ascended in noble church. The singing purely accidental and I did not glance round, . I over Duncan with reverent hand turned over but when it was repeated I knew that it had < the pages of the old Book till he came to a been done on purpose. I opened my eyes and : i suitable portion of scripture in the old Testa- glanced round and found that one of the lads , 1 ment. Then in slow and solemn tone he read, had come over quietly on his knees. I listened j | read with the vision of the seer; for to both of and in a whisper he asked me, if I would like, them the word of God was the word of God. after worship was over, to go out with the The reading ended they both get down on to trawl net for sea-trout and salmon. I nodded their knees and Duncan prays, and happy are consent and he quietly made his way across . i they who have been privileged to hear such a to his brother to make final arrangements with . ? prayer, as this untaught disciple offered up for him, while all the time the deep and solemn ! his Master’s acceptance—slow and uncertain voice of the father continued in fervent prayer. r were the words at first, but as he proceeded You may be interested to know that we did j the spirit of his Master seemed to descend upon go out that night with the nets, and that we ( him. His face lit up and his voice came sweet had a very successful catch. () and deep as he praised and thanked his God John Cameron. ‘ for past mercies and asked his blessing in the t' days to came-—But I leave them to their i devotions. Bursary Trust I As I passed along the village street, each The Synod of Argyll, who are the trustees of the | tiny window gave forth its beam of light. I Gillian Maclaine Bequest of £13,407 to provide | walked slowly for from almost every home, bursaries for Gaelic-Speaking students intending to > the sweet strains of some familiar tune came become ministers in the Church of Scotland, have now , forth, and living memories of former days trustbeen fund.granted Theauthority scheme towas widen modified the fromscope timeof theto passed gently through my mind. time to attract candidates. At one time it was In some homes it was customary for the essential for candidates for these bursaries to be able father after the reading of the scripture lesson to speak, write, and read Gaelic fluently. In future, was over, to ask the individual members to threethe trustees years inwill each offer of thethree faculties bursaries of Artof £75 and a Divinity year for ;i repeat a verse or phrase from the portion read, with power, in the event of candidates not satisfying ; and sad was the plight of the person who forgot. the examiners, to award bursaries to students in j In many homes now alas the family altar is Scotland and in Canada preparing for the ministry, k unknown, or if not forgotten its observance is studentspreference prepared being given to study to Gaelic-speaking the language. students and Scotland is the title of an article by Calum i Book Review Maclean in which he deals in characteristic | Bardachd Ghaidhlig: Published-by An Comunn manner with folk-belief, covering a wide field |l Gaidhealach. Price, 17/6. of topics. The song “The Land of the Leal’’ | In this third edition of Bardachd Ghaidhlig is the subject of a detailed historical account 1 the selection of poems made by Professor by William Montgomery. W. J. Watson as far back as 1918 has been There are also Notes and Comments on certain | retained. In the section on metres given in Scottish place names, and some Book Reviews. 1 the original Introduction some slight re- arrangement has been made. The Vocabulary has been extended by the addition of new words, and the Notes are, in the main, those found Branch Reports in the earlier editions, but a few additional GO VAN ones have been introduced. Mr. John Carmichael made a fine job of the arrange- Mr. Angus Macleod, M.A., B.Sc., the editor ments for the weekly ceilidh of the Govan Branch. of this new edition, has done the work with Mr. Duncan MacFadyen, President, presided and characteristic thoroughness and efficiency, presentedartistes :—Rhona a good Macleod, programme Alex. Orr,with Ross the Macmillan, following revealing great care throughout. Teachers Donald Macritchie and accordionist Norman Morrison. and pupils alike will welcome the reappearance An added attraction were items by guest artiste of Bardachd Ghaidhlig which has been out of Mrs. Macneil (Barra). Piping selections were given print for some time, for there is no other by young Dugald Orr and Ann Bone was the accom- comparable collection of Gaelic verse availabe for use in Secondary Schools. The Skye Branch held its opening meeting in the j The type is bolder and clearer than that Masonic Hall, Portree, on 26th November. The j found in the earlier editions, and both the membersmain item of theof theteam evening were John was Steele, a Gaelic Hugh Quiz. Mackenzie, The j paper and binding are of good quality masterMrs. Lockhart was Roddie and Morrison. Miss Macmillan. The team dealtThe expertlyquestion |I Illustrated Gaelic Readers: Published by An with the questions some of which were not easy to i Comunn. sanganswer. and Mrs.Alasdair Aileen Nicolson Mackenzie told andan excellentCharles Mackinnon Sgeulachd | The three Infant Readers—Croga an Oir; in the traditional style. Tir nan Og; and Tir nan Seud, adapted from Irish texts by Mr. Donald Grant, are all AYR available for school use. The first two are in TheAyr JuniorTown HallGaelic in Choir18th December, held their andannual it proved concert a already well in demand, and the third maintains great success. The singing of “The Sound of Iona’’, the same high standard. The coloured illus- followed by two Gaelic songs, received a great ovation. j trations are an added attraction and should The older children excelled themselves in their choral appeal to beginners. The little books are well pieces,in Gaelic. as did Missmembers Helen of theT. choirMacmillan who sang was or recitedguest ij graded, and they deal with simple topics within singer in Gaelic, a tenor sang Scots songs, and an n the experience of most young children. accordionist gave varied selections. The piper was | The paper is of excellent quality, the type Andrew McKissoch, and Barbara Sumner was the | is large and clear, and the subject-matter in referredaccompanist. to the Canongood Sydneywork Mr. McEwan, Donald the Mclsaac chairman, was j|| each reader should prove interesting. donald,doing with moved the achoirs. comprehensive Rev. Archie vote of Beaton, thanks. Dun- fl Scottish Studies, Volume 3, Part 2. University of Edinburgh. There are several interesting and informative articles in the current issue of Scottish Studies. Central Fund Professor R. H. Matthew and Mr. P. J. Nuttgens Previously acknowledged £57 write exhaustively about the history and Cruachan Branch . . 2 — development of the townships of Ormiston and BeaulyW. H. Mackintosh,Branch Esq., London 10 9 — Ratho in the Lothians. The recollections of Inverness Branch . . 5 Dugald MacDougall, an Argyll drover, by R. F. Mollinson, Edinburgh .. Eric Cregeen recall the problems of the West Rev. B. B. Blackwood, Campbeltown Highland Cattle Trade during the latter part AngusKilmarnock C. Paterson, Branch Esq., Campbeltown 5 of last century. Ian Whitaker, Professor of Miss Mary M. Macleod, Barvas Sociology, Eastern Canada, deals with certain Comunn Gaidhealach Leodhuis 5 traditional techniques in modern Scottish Sutherland Provincial Mod Committee 30 farming, together with the crofting way of £117 2 6 life, past and present. Traditional Beliefs in — 22 f

AN GAIDHEAL THE GAEL Editor—]. THOMSON, M.A., F.E.I.S., 116 WEST SAVILE TERRACE, EDINBURGH to whom all correspondence should be addressed except that concerning advertising, which should be addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer. 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C.2. Telephone: DOUglas 1433. Leabhar LV AM MART, 1960 Aireamh 3

DE TUILLEADH ? CHAN eil teagamh nach eil iad ann a tha fhein air an call. Cha do cheil An Comunn de’n lan bheachd nach do rinn An idir an cunnart a bha ann gun caillte canain I Comunn Gaidhealach bonn feuma riamh aosda, luachmhor, seaghail, mar a thachair do ann a bhith a’ gleidheadh ar n-oighreachd— chanainean luachmhor eile. | a’ Ghaidhlig. Air an laimh eile, tha lorg Anns a’ Mhod Naiseanta ruisg iad uinneag mhath againn nach iad sin gu leir as deonaiche anns am faod an neach leis an aill grinneas is lamh chuidich a thoirt seachad, agus cha mhotha saoibhreas ar n-6ran is ar ciuil fhaicinn. Ann v is iad a’ mhuinntir a dheanadh caoidh ro mhor an lorg sin cha bhasaich na fuinn Ghaidhlig ged nach fhaichte soirbheachadh an cois an gu brath. Ach ma gheibh a’ Ghaidhlig fhein saothrach a chaoidh. Saoilidh am fear a tha bas ’se cnamhan gun fheoil a bhios againn, ’na thamh gur h-e fhein as fhearr lamh air an spruilleach na cuirme. Troimh bhuaidh a’ stiuir! Nis chan eil dad cearr air a bhith toirt Mhoid tha moran de na Gaidheil air an taladh f breith cho fad ’s a bhios a’ bhreith a bheirear gu bhith gabhail uidh an brain is an cebl an a’ sruthadh o eolas tuigseach, agus o chridhe sinnsre, agus ’ nan euchdan is ’ nan eachdraidh. ! gun chlaon-bhaidh. Ach chan aithne dhuinn As gach cearnaidh de’n Ghaidhealtachd tha dad idir cho beag feuma ri gearan gun ghniomh Gaidheil a’ tional gach bliadhna, agus tha gun saothair 'na chois. spiorad tairiseach, coibhneil air fhadadh as Bhiodh e iomchuidh siiil aithghearr a thoirt fhiach altrum. Troimh na Mbdan lonadail tha ) air oidhirpean A’ Chomuinn o chionn iomadh clann na Gaidhealtachd a’ deoghal a steach ^ 1 bliadhna gu a bhith dion cor na Gaidhlig. Is 'nan bige dileib nach caill iad ri’m beb; agus j e so an t-aon bhuidheann a chuir mar dhleasd- tha parantan is daimhean na cloinne a’ faighinn | anas is mar uallach orra fhein am buinn a chur seallaidh nach robh aca air luach nithean a bha an sas a chum 's nach cailleadh na Gaidheil iad an cunnart a chall buileach. ; smior na h-oighreachd a thainig a nuas thuca Is e An Comunn gu sbnruichte a choisinn a { troimh na linntean. Bhrosnaich iad sluagh na h-aite dligheach do’ n Ghaidhlig ann an sgoiltean | Gaidhealtachd gu bhith faireil air a’ chunnart na Gaidhealtachd. Is iad, mar an ceudna, a a bha bagradh orra bho gach taobh. Nochd dh’ullaich is a chosg air na leabhraichean iad dhaibh an iomadh doigh luach na dileib Gaidhlig a thatar a’ cleachdadh anns na | a bha aca, agus thog iad fa’n comhair daonnan sgoiltean an diugh. Tha An Comunn a’ cumail neart nan cumhachdan a bha bualadh orra air sula air an tomhas anns a bheil a’ Ghaidhlig a’ gaeh laimh—cainnt choimheach a’ sior shioladh faighinn cothrom na Feinne ann an cursa an I a steach ’nan inntinnean is ’nan cridheachan, fhoghluim. Chan eil sochair orra cagar a chur t naimhdeas is mi-rim an luchd-riaghlaidh o am an cluasan nam muinntire air a bheil e mar ; gu am, mi-chixram na muinntire a bha call fhiachan an cothrom dligheach a thoirt seachad, l nithean luachmhor ’s gun mothachadh aca gu bhith ’gam brosnachadh nuair a tha feum — 23 — air sin, no gu bhith cur an dleasdanais fa’n a’ Ghaidhlig fhathast air bilean 6g is aosda comhair o am gu am, agus gu bhith ’gam tha cainnt choimheach, ceum air cheum, a’ moladh nuair a bhios iad airidh air moladh. faighinn lamh an uachdar. Chan eil parantan Troimh shaothair A’ Chomuinn fad nam idir a’ deanamh an dichill gu bhith fagail aig bliadhnachan tha beul-oideas nan Gaidheal, an an sliochd na dileib a fhuair iad fhein. subhailcean sonruichte, an spioradalachd, an De tuilleadh as urrainn An Comunn Gaidh- litreachas is an ceol air an roinn a mach do’n ealach a dheanamh gu bhith cur dhachaidh air t-saoghal mhor. muinntir na Gaidhlig luach na sochair a tha Ach tha e soilleir, a dh’ aindeoin gach saothair, aca, agus gu bhith ’gan dusgadh, mus bi e gu bheil a’ Ghaidhlig a’ sior chrionadh as. ro anmoch, air son gu fag iad aig an cloinn Is suarach an aireamh de’n oigridh air tir-mor fhein an oighreachd nach urrainn an clann a aig a bheil a’ Ghaidhlig an diugh mar chainnt cheannachd, agus a dh’fhagas iad nas uireasbh- na dachaidh. Anns na h-eileanan far a bheil aidhiche ma bhios iad as a h-aonais?

NA DEICH MIONAIDEAN BHA baile araidh de chroitean air eirthir a Goirid o’ n aite san robh a’ choit bha gaineamh deas an Eilein Duibh. Bha a’ mhuinntir agus bacain ris an ceangailte coitean is eath- a bha fuireachd ann ag cosnadh am raichean. Chuir Uisdean roimhe a’ choit a chur beo-shlainte bho iasgach, obair fhearainn, air bhog a chum a toirt chun na gainmhich. agus le obair choille do’n uachdaran. Bu nos Leum e steach innte agus ghlac e greim air daibh, mar Ghaidheil eile, a bhith a’ cruinn- r&mh chum a putadh gu tir a ris. Air dha eachadh do aon tigh nuair a bhiodh obair tionndadh cha robh sealladh aige air a’ chladach chruaidh an latha seachad los brain is seanachas leis an ceb a bha m’a thimcheall. Chuir e an a bhith aca. Ged bu deacair an saoghal a bha ramh sios anns an t-sal air son a’ choit a phutadh aca, is iad cleachdte ri airc, bha aighear is gu traigh, ach cha do bhuail e grunnd idir. eibhneas aca ’nam measg fhein. An uair sin ghabh e greim air an da ramh agus Aon fheasgar bha meall dhaoine is mhnathan thbisich e ag iomradh gu faiteach, toigheach los cruinn an tigh Aili Mhbir. Bha Aili Mbr nach casadh creag air, ach an ceann uine sguir fhein 'na shuidhe ri taobh a’ ghealbhain is e e. Cha robh fios aige de an airde a bheireadh e toirt air urra fa seach bran a sheinn no sgeul air oir cha robh ann ach muir de dhall-cheb innseadh. Tharladh gun tainig duine bg a air gach taobh dheth. Thug e glaodh as an steach do’m bu ainm Uisdean Mac Gill’ dr&sda is a ris gun fhreagairt fhaighinn, agus Fhinnein, rnac bantraich a bha fuireachd faisg an ceann uine mar sin shaoil leis nach robh air Bumh. “Ai, ai Uisdein,” arsa Aili aige ach feitheamh gus an togadh an ceb. Mor, “tha thu so. Is e bran uat as aili leinn Chuir e na raimh fo na tobhtaichean agus laigh an uine nach bi fada mur eil do phiob agad.’’ e sios fo sgbd aodaich gus e fhein a chumail Bu mhath am piobaire Uisdean. Theireadh blath, an dbchas nach tigeadh long mhbr a cuid gun toireadh e barr air athair a bha ris a’ chuireadh a’ choit ’na clair. Bha e gabhail phiobaireachd fad a bheatha, agus air brathair fadachd nach robh an ceb a’ togail, ach fa athar nach bu mhiosa. Chaidh brathair athar, dhebidh chaidil e. a cho-ainm, do’n arm agus cha do thill e riamh. Nuair a dhuisg e cha robh an ceb idir ann. Dh’innseadh le seann shaighdearan a thill as Bha tir fa chomhair agus a’ choit a’ deanamh an arm gu robh e anns na h-Innseachan, anns air camas beag a bha an sin. Cha b’e so an an Eiphit agus an Africa a Deas is an ceann a cladach a dh’fhag e no duthaich eblais. Shaoil deas Shasuinn re caochladh amannan, ach cha e gur h-e Machair Mhoraidh a bha ann ged a do thill e do’n t-seann duthaich idir, agus mar bha e duilich a chreidsinn gu sebladh e astar sin chan fhaca Uisdean e riamh. cho mbr. Leum e air tir ach cha deach e fada An ceann iiine ghoirid dh’eirich Uisdean agus nuair a bha e air slat a dhroma aig dithis thuirt e, “Feumaidh mi falbh a dh’fhaicinn shaighdearan a leum air o chill creige. Sheall na coite agam. Tha amharus agam nach e orra le iongnadh. Bha feilidh orra de d’fhag mi gle thiarainnte i, ach cha bhi mi bhreacan dubh is gorm is uaine, agus shaoil fada gun tilleadh.’ ’ Thug e suil air an uairead- e gur h-e Am Freiceadan Dubh a bha ann. air agus is e deich mionaidean gu deich a bha e. Ach an sin mhothaich e sebrsa de dhisnean Rainig Uisdean an t-aite far an robh a’ choit. timcheall am boineidean agus thug e suil air Bha an oidhche briagha, ach bha ceb air an na sporain is na h-osanan a bha orra. “Chan fhairge agus bha nebil a’ siubhal thar tire. e ach an Reisimeid Chatach, nocii^d 's a tri,’’ — 24 — ars esan. Mhothaich Uisdean an sin do shaigh- Chaidh da bhliadhna seachad mar so. Cha dear eile le aodann donn-bhuidhe le grian na do chuir Uisdean fios gu a mhathair oir cha h-Innseachan no Africa no, co dhiiibh, duthaich robh comas sgriobhaidh aige. Ged a leughadh bu ghrianaiche na an t-Eilean Dubh. Thuirt e beagan Gaidhlig cha sgriobhadh e idir. Aon an saighdear sin, “Ai, ai, TJisdein Mhic Ghill’ fheasgar, agus cead aige a bhith muigh fad Fhinnein, cha deach thu fada.” Chuir sin na h-oidhche nan togradh e, chuir e roimhe clisgeadh air Uisdean agus thuirt e, “Cionnas is seoladh beag a bhith aige anns a’ choit air son aithne dhut m’ ainm agus nach fhaca tu mi riamh samhchair fhaighinn nach robh furasda dha roimhe?” Fhreagair an saighdear, “Nach bhith aige a measg nan saighdearan. Dh’fhag ann dhomh bu choir agus sinn a’ saighdearachd e eideadh na reisimeide an tigh an t-Sasunnaich le cheile anns na h-Innseachan is an Africa mar a b’abhaist; chuir e uime an t-seann deise corr air coig bliadhna. Ach tiugainn, is is dh’ iomair e astar beag air falbh a’ mealtainn eiginn duinn falbh.” teas na greine gus na thuit e ’na chadal. Nuair Dh’fheoraich Uisdean, “Carson a tha sibh a dhuisg e bha an oidhche ann ach chitheadh gabhail orm, agus ca bheil sinn an drasda.” e beagan. Rinn e direach air camas beag Fhreagair am fear eile, “Is math a tha fios gainmhich a chunnaic e. Thuig e mus deach agad. Is e so Eilean Fhiocht an ceann a deas e fada gur h-e so an dearbh aite a dh’fhag e Shasuinn, agus feumaidh sinn do thoirt air ais da bhliadhna air ais . Tharraing e a’ choit os do Armlann Pharcurt as an do theich thu.” cionn an tiiirr, chuir e lub-cos-laoigh de a taod Bha Uisdean balbh le neonachas ach thuirt e, mu stob cloiche, agus thog e air gu tigh a “Cuir a’ choit so gu aite sabhailte agus theid mhathar. Anns an dol seachad air tigh Aili mi leibh gu deonach.” Rinneadh sin agus Mhoir chunnaic e gu robh an dorus fosgailte ghabh iad rompa. agus chaidh e steach. Gu sgeul fhada a dheanamh goirid thainig “Ai, ai, Uisdein, cha robh thu fada,” ars air Uisdean ciiirt a sheasamh. Ged a thuirt Aili, “bha a’ choit ceart gu leor nuair a thill e nach do theich e as an arm a chionn nach robh thu cho luath. Cha robh thu air falbh ach e riamh ann cha d’fhuair e creideas, oir nach deich mionaidean.” Sheall Uisdean air an robh ainm aca agus cunntas air mar dheagh uaireadair os cionn an teine. Bha e direach shaighdear ach car gorach nam faigheadh e deich uairean. Dh’innis Uisdean mar a thach- deoch-laidir. Fhuaras ciontach e mar neach air dha, agus bha na balaich a’ deanamh gaire a ruith as an arm gun chead. Ach cha robh fanaid air. Ars iadsan, “Bu tu fhein am am peanas ro throm. Chaidh laithean a balach, da bhliadhna anns an arm ’s gun thu pheanais seachad, mar a theid gach ni eile, muigh ach deich mionaidean.” agus an sin chuireadh do’n chuannal-phiob e, An deidh beagan conaltraidh mar sin thug agus an sin bu mhath a thaitinn an t-saighdear- Uisdean am bothar air agus rinn e air tigh a achd ris ach gu sonraichte a’ phiobaireachd. mhathar. Cha d’thuirt a mhathair, is i Bu mhath am piobaire e, agus dh’ionnsaich e deanamh brochan a ghabhadh iad mus rachadh an t-arm-oilean o chach mar a bha e dol air iad a laighe, aclvfeorach deth de bu choltas do’n adhart. Sguir e radh nach b’e an duine shaoil oidhche, agus co chunnaic e air cheilidh. Rinn iadsan, agus ghabh e gach ni mar a thigeadh. Uisdean suidhe, ni bu bhuidhe leis an deidh Bha aon ni ann a dh’fh&g e fo iongnadh, is e tilleadh. An sin dh’innis e a sgeul a ris. sin an uair a bhiodh duine a’ toirt iomradh air Bha a mhathair miogach an toiseach, ach bha a’ bhliadhna a bha ann, is e bhliadhna a bha iongnadh air a gnuis aig crioch na naidheachd. seachad o chionn deich bliadhna fichead air Lorg i litir ann an ciste agus thug i do dh’ an robh e a’ bruidhinn. Uisdean i. B’e ainm athar a bha air an Air latha saor a bha aige chaidh e do’n aite t-suainean, agus bha an litir sgriobhta ann far an d’fhag e a’ choit agus fhuair e i gun an Gaidhlig a bha furasda a leughadh is a dolaidh. Ann an tigh Sasunnaich a bha faisg tuigsinn. Dhearc Uisdean an toiseach air air an aite sin dh’fhag e an deise aodaich a bha ainm an sgriobhadair agus thuirt e, “Och, is aige nuair a thainig e an toiseach, agus gach math is aithne dhomh an duine so. Tha e ’na latha saor a bhiodh aige thigeadh e dh’- oifigeach anns an Reisimeid Chataich, agus bu ionnsaigh an tighe so, chuireadh e dheth deise trie learn piobaireachd dha agus do’n reisimeid an airm agus chuireadh e uime an seann deise. aige.” Rachadh e dh’iasgach anns a’ choit, agus is Fhreagair a mhathair, “Bha oighreachd aige iomadh gad eisg a thug e dh’ionnsaigh na thall air an Ros mu chrioch Chataibh. Thainig dachaidh ud agus is iomadh deagh phroinn a e as an arm o chionn edig bliadhna fichead, bha aca le cheile. Ged nach robh aig Uisdean agus fhuair e bas o chionn deich bliadhna.’.’ ach a’ Ghaidhlig agus aig muinntir an tighe Bha an litir ag radh gum bu mhiann leis an ach Beurla thainig iad tre uine gu bhith tuigsinn sgriobhadair fios a thoirt, nan gabhadh sin a cheile. deanamh, do na daimhean bu deala do dh’ Uisdean Mac Gill’ Fhinnein, piobaire anns an nan eilean, agus fad air an ciil air son taca a Reisimeid Chataich, a chaidh air chall. Bha chumail ris an aran fhad’s a bhiodh e deasach- amharus gun do theich e as an arm mu dba adh. Bha sia bonnaich agam ris an teine an bhliadhna air ais, ach fhuaras e ann an coit uair a chuala mi fead. Bha so a’ ciallachadh bhig air cladach Eilein Fhiochta far an robh gu robh na balaich air tilleadh agus gu robh an Reisimeid a’ tamh. Re an da bhliadhna agam ri’n cuideachadh air son na h-eathraichean sin bha e na b’fhearr ’na shaighdear agus ’na a tharraing air a’ mhol os cionn na mara. phiobaire na bha e riamh roimhe. Latha Cha robh am mol ach mu thri mionaidean araidh mu dha mhios roimh am sgriobhaidh na cois^achd bhuam, agus a chionn an t-aran a litreach cha robh e r’a fhaotainn ’na aite bhith ris an teine cha robh mi air falbh barrachd dligheach. Thainig seann Sasunnach a dh' air deich mionaidean air fad. Air dhomh innis gun deach “am piobaire” a mach air tilleadh do’n airigh bha na sia bonnaich arain fairge ann an coit a dh’iasgach mar bu trie air an tarraing aig na radain gu tuill anns a’ a rinn, ach an uair so cha do thill e. Bha bhalla—a h-uile radan gu a tholl fhein le eideadh an t-saighdear air fhagail san tigh breacaig. Bha na bonnaich cho teth agus nach aige-san. Chaidh sireadh air ach for no fathann b’urrainn lamh duine sam bith an ollanachadh cha d’fhuaradh a riamh, agus cha robh air ach le fior chabhaig. ach creidsinn gun deach a bhathadh. longantas nan iongantas, cha robh greim air Nuair a leugh Uisdean an litir thuirt e, a thoirt as aon aca. Ciamar a nis a chaidh aig “Chan eil teagamh nach b’e brathair m’athar na radain air na bonnaich a thoirt gus na tuill ? a theich as a’ chiad toisg, ach is mise bha ann Cha do thoisich mise air fuineadh a rithist idir; re an da bhliadhna mu dheireadh. Cha ghabh chaidh na bonnaich ris an teine greiseag eile sin aicheadh.” agus an sin an itheadh a cheart cho cailear agus Chuir a mhathair a meur gu aireamh na ged a b’ann an tigh-osda a bhatar air bliadhna a bha sgriobhta anns an litir. Sgriobh- an deanamh! adh an litir mus do rugadh Uisdean. Scalpach. Deorsa Moss. Snaim Sgiobalta Samhchair udlaidh urlar glinne, Bho chionn corr is da fhichead bliadhna air ais Borbhan bith nam fuaran mall, bhiodh da eathar a Scalpaidh le coigear a Stucan diidlaidh ’s ceo m’am binnein, sgioba anns gach te aca dol do na h-Eileanan Naisgidh mi ri tir nam beann. Mora. Tha na h-eileanan so mu dheich mile air falbh, agus bhiodh na h-eathraichean a’ dol thuca air son iasgach a’ ghiomaich. B’e Machair datht’ le dithein bhuidhe, an geamhradh an t-am, agus b’e an t-aite This a’ chomhnaird bhos is thall, fuirich an airigh, bothan le balla cloiche agus Talaidh mi gu buan ’nam imeachd tughadh feoir. Bhiodh an teine air an lar Far eil spreidh le’n al gach am. ri balla cinn na h-airigh, agus mu choinneamh an teine bha balla cloiche eile mu thri troidhean Canain arsaidh tir nan gillean, bho’ n teine agus e troidh de dh’ airde. Bhiodh Coibhneas cridh’ an siubhal smuain, cabar anns am biodh tri oirlich a thighead agus Ceolraidh teudmhor beul nan nighean troidh a leud air uachdar a’ bhalla air son aite Suainte buan air gleus nach gluais. suidhe. Bha eadar sin is ceann eile na h-airigh air a lionadh le feur air son aite cadail; b’e Blaisridh balbh air traigh as gile, so an t-seid. Lainnireachd air cuan ri grein, Aon turus bha mi air fear de’n sgioba air Dealradh drilseanach air linne, te de na h-eathraichean. Am feasgar a bhiodh ’S ailleachd ghorm air glaine speur. freagarrach bhiodh sinn ag iasgach an t-suidhein air son biadhadh nan cliabh ghiomach. Feas- gar a bha so dh’fhalbh na balaich a dh’iasgach Siubhlam luath air sgeith na h-inntinn’ agus chaidh mise fhagail chum breacagan de Feadh nan linntean nach eil beo, aran coirce fhuineadh. Chuir mi teine mor air Faiceam gaisgich Fhinn is Oisein, de fhiodh cladaich agus moine, agus rinn mi ’S cuiream snaim air cainnt gun gho. na bonnaich air clar de cheann baraille. Ris an teine bha agam sia leachdan cloiche o mhol S.T.B. — 26 SGEUL NA H-AON OIDHCHE BHA corr is seachd bliadhna on chunnaic mi Mhothaich mi iomadh atharrachadh an Uisdean mu dheireadh. Chriochnaich Uisdean. Bha e aon uair trom air deoch-laidir; sinn am foghlum comhladh an Dun- cha bhlaiseadh e a nis air gne spioraid. Aig aon ; Eideann an deidh a bhith cuideachd san Oilthigh am cha rachadh e faisg air eaglais; a nis cha I fad shia bliadhna. Chaidh mise mu dheas gu rachadh Sabaid seachad nach biodh e san ' Oilthigh Ath-an-Daimh, agus thog Uisdean air eisdeachd, agus a thuilleadh air a sin chuireadh ]j do’n Aird an Ear a chladhach sheann laraichean e moran de uine seachad a’ leughadh san t-Seann | san Eiphit is mu’n cuairt Bhabiloin. Tiomnadh. Shaoil learn nach robh an so ach • Cha reis fhada seachd bliadhna am beatha ni-eigin a bhuineadh do’n rannsachadh a bha duine ach cha chreidinn gun tugadh iad uibhir e ris san Aird an Ear ach dh’fhoghluim mi ■ a dh’atharrachadh air neach; is gann a dh’ a’ chaochladh. | aithnich mi Uisdean nuair a thachair e orm Aon fheasgar thog e a cheann o’n Bhiobull i air a’ bhata bheag ‘Gleann Tara’ a bha ruith a bha e leughadh agus thuirt e rium, “Bheil l as a’ Chaol do’n Chomraich roimh am a’ thu fhein a’ creidsinn ann am Blar Armag- ! Chogaidh Mhoir. Nuair a dhealaich sinn bha eddoin, a Sheorais?” Bha mi air m’ fhaicill: | e 'na dhuine tiugh ban, glan sa’ chraicionn “Bheil thu a’ ciallachadh sin gu litireil, * ach bha an caochladh bu mhotha a nis air Uisdein?’’ “Tha,’’ ars esan. “An ta,’’ arsa I tighinn air a chruth ’s a dhealbh. Bha a mi fhein, “chan eil mi idir cinnteach gu chraicionn ciar tioram, a phearsa caol cruaidh rachainn cho fada agus sin a radh, ach de a , agus shaoilinn gu robh eadhon a ghruag air thog a’ cheist 'nad inntinn an drasda?” “An i fas dorcha. Tha e buailteach gun toir grian drasda!,” ars esan agus stad a’ tighinn ann, i na h-Aird an Ear a dreach fhein air duine, ach “O chan eil ach direach smuain.” Chrom e a l ar learn gu robh barrachd ’s a dhreach air cheann os cionn an Leabhair a rithist is diog f atharrachadh. Bha shuilean neo-fhoiseil, tuilleadh cha d’thainig as fad an fheasgair. ! luasganach is dh’fhaodadh neach nach robh Ach cha bu chuis iongnaidh dhomh gus an : | cho fior eolach air riumsa a thuigsinn gu robh d’thug Uisdean a steach mi d’a sheomar cadail | ni-eigin cearr. latha no dha deidh sin. Ghlas e an dorus as 1 Mar a thachair bha an dithis againn a’ ar deidh agus dh’iarr e orm suidhe. Shuidh !! deanamh air an aon cheann-uidhe, Tigh-osda e fhein ri mo thaobh aig uinneag an t-seomair Bhealaich Uaine mu dha mhile tuath air is thug e sporan dubh leathair a mach as a jj Comraich Ma’ Ruibhe, aite beag iomallach far phocaid bhroillich. Dh’fhosgail e an sporan | nach fhaicear am fear-turuis ach ainneamh, agus thug e mach as seorsa de bhonn dubh eadhon am miosan an t-samhraidh. Cha b’e braisich. “Seall air sin,” ars esan. Sheall so a’ chiad uair dhomhsa seachduin no dha a mi air oir bhuail e thugam gur e seann annas ; chur seachad anns an aite oir bha e air leth luachmhor a bh’ann a chladhaich e san Aird | ainmeil air son iasgaich. Ach cha robh deidh an Ear. Bha aon taobh dheth lorn ach air an 5 sam bith aig Uisdean riamh air iasgach agus taobh eile bha comharradh rudeigin coltach I cho fad ’s a b’aithne dhomh cha do sheas e ri rionnaig choig oiseannaich. Am meadhon I riamh air fearann Siorrachd Rois gu so. Chuir a’ bhuinn bha aon chlach dhubh lainnireach ti e fior iongnadh orm e thighinn an rathad, gu air a tathadh anns a’ bhraisd, agus mhothaich | h-araidh nuair a dh’innis e dhomh nach do mi gu robh gach cearnag sa’ reult briste, ach y rinn e ach tighinn air tir an Sasuinn dh latha aon. Bha am bonn mu mheudachd bonn II mun do thachair mise air. Bha e gle neonach criiin. r learn nach do rinn e direach air a dhachaidh 's “Is cinnteach gur ann timcheall lerusalem |l a chairdean an deidh a bhith thall thairis corr a lorg thu so,” arsa mise. “Tha comharradh I) is bliadhna. na reult choig oiseannaich cumanta gu leor I Chaidh a’ chiad seachduin seachad gu gasda. air seann bhuinn; is e an Seula aig Righ Solamh | Bha an aimsir blath, ciiiin agus ged nach robh a bha ann. ” “ Tha thu ceart gu leor mu Sheula | i sonruichte math air son iasgaich cha do Sholaimh,” ars esan, “ach tha barrachd is | chaill mise latha nach robh mi air loch no sin ann. Am faic thu na brisidhean a tha I abhainn. Bha Uisdean a’ cur seachad a’ air cearnan na reult ?” “ Mhothaich mi dhaibh’ ’ 1 chuid bu mhotha de uine shios mu na seann fhreagair mi, agus stad mi. Bha sinn aig 1 laraichean sa’ Chomraich, gu h-araidh sa’ uinneag an t-seomai.r, mar a thubhairt mi, I chladh. Anns na feasgair shuidheamaid cuid- agus grian bhlath an t-samhraidh a’ tighinn a J;, eachd a' comhradh mu laithean 's mu’n chom- steach oirnn. Leis cho teth ’s a bha an seomar 1*, unn a dh’fhalbh. bha e air barr mo theangaidh a rhdh ri Uisdean — 27 — gum b’fhearr dhuinn dol agus suidhe a muigh. an Ear. Thionndaidh e mo chridhe dh’ ionnsaigh Ach am priobadh na sulach bhuail crith fhu- ni nach tug mi moran suim dha gu sin fhein achd mi. Shaoil learn an toiseach gur ann a’ —an Creideamh Criosdail.’’ fas tinn a bha mi gus an do mhothaich mi gu Is e a’ chiad smuain a bhuail inntinn Uisdein robh Uisdean san staid cheudna. Bha aodann gu robh e call a cheille. An toiseach thbisich ban mar gum b’ann le eagal, agus a bhodhaig aislingean is bruadair ghrannda ’g a bhuair- uile air chrith. Agus bha a’ ghrian shamhraidh eadh. Daonnan bha cruth neochneasda air a’ dealradh a steach troimh an uinneig ’na choireigin a’ tighinn thuige ’s ag iarraidh air lan theas. na gnothaichean a thilleadh far an d’fhuair Cha do mhair e fada—mu mhionaid no dha e iad. Agus nuair nach geilleadh e eag thbisich —ach bha am faireachadh a bha agam cho na cruth an ’g an taisbeanadh fhein is e ’na oillteil ’s gun deach greiseag seachad mus sheal duisg. Bho dheireadh rinn e air a dhuthaich d’fhuair mi cothrom labhairt. Ma chuir an fhein an duil an cumhachd oillteil fhagail as oiteag fhuar mhi-nadurrach dragh ormsa, bu a dheidh; ach thug e leis am bonn ’s an rola. bheag sin seach mar a dh’fhag i Uisdean. Spion On latha a shebl e a Cathair-Alasdair cha do e am bonn as mo laimh, chairich e air ais e chuir ni dragh air gus an dearbh mhionaid a san sporan agus leum e air a bhonnan. ‘ ‘ Greas sheall e am bonn dhbmhsa ’na shebmar anns ort a mach a so cho luath ’s a rinn thu car a an tigh-bsda. Agus cinnteach cha robh feum riamh,” ars esan is e deanamh air an dorus. aige air firinn na sgebil a dhearbhadh dhbmhsa; Rinn mise air son stad a chur air agus ceist fhuair mi fhein blasad de’n chumhachd uile fhoighneachd ach rug e air ghairdean orm is a bha air a thbir. Tha mi cho cinnteach is thubhairt e, “Tha fios agam gu bheil moran a tha a’ ghrian anns na nebil gu robh feartan nach eil thu tuigsinn mu’n ghnothach so ach nan ionadan dorcha mu’n cuairt oirnn aig ni mi soilleir dhuit e air an rathad—thugainn.” a’ mhionaid ud. Bha barrachd earbsa agam a Uisdean ’s gun “De nis?” dh’fhebraich mi dheth, is sinn cuirinn teagamh an gniomh sam bith a b’aill a’ teannadh air clachan beag na Comraich. leis a dheanamh. Lean mi a mach e agus am Bha e ’na thosd car greiseig agus an sin thubh- beagan mhionaidean bha sinn air an rathad airt e gu socair athaiseach, “Chan eil fhios gu Comraich Ma’ Ruibhe, is mun do rainig agam de smuainicheas tusa dheth ach so mo sinn chuala mise sgeul cho nebnach, neo- bheachd-sa; tha gach bearna san rionnaig air abhaisteach ’ s a chuala mi riamh ’ nam bheatha. a’ bhonn a’ comharrachadh a’ liuthad uair a Fhuair Uisdean am bonn, maille ri seann rola thuit an iuchair an laimh aon de sheirbhisich fo larach teampuill dluth air Memphis agus an Droch Aoin; rinneadh am bearna, is chaidh cha luath a leugh e an rola a bha sgriobhte fuath cumhachdach eile a chur fa sgaoil a anns an t-seann dhealbh-chanain Eiphiteach measg dhaoine. Is i mo bharail gun cunnt na thuig e gu de bh’aige. Cho fad is a chaidh thu cogaidhean uamhasach eachdraidh an aige air an rola eadar-theangachadh thuig e t-saoghail air gach bristeadh sa’ reult. Ach gum b’e so am bonn iuchair draoidheachd leis tha aon chearna fhathast slan.’’ Thuig mi an do ghlas Solamh fuathan araidh a bha toirt a nis a’ cheist aig Uisdean mu Bhlar mbr do dhaoine comasan an-diadhaidh a chum ole Armageddon. a chur fo sgaoil san t-saoghal. Seann uirsgeul Lean Uisdean air. “Tha mi de’n bheachd eile ri aireamh na morain, smaoinich e is gun deach am bonn 's an rola so a thiodhlacadh chaidh an da chuid a chur comhla ri treallaich le Criosdaidh air choireigin an uaigh aon de eile air bheag-luach a chruinnich e mu’n na seann naoimh a bhuineadh do’n Eaglais laraich. an Ear—far nach ruigeadh lamh ana-Criosd Ach nuair a rinneadh da oidhirp air bristeadh orra. Tha fearann naomh ann ris nach bean a steach do’ n chiste san robh an rola is am bonn cumhachd Dorchadais air cho debnach ’s ’g an gleidheadh aige ghabh e droch amharus air am bi e air ionmhas a ghlacadh. Ach, mo cuisean, seachd araidh nuair nach do bhuineadh thruaighe, tha eagal orm gun d’fhosgail mise do ni de’n stuth fior luachmhor a bha aige an an rathad, is gu bheil mi air thuar m’anam tasgaidh. An deidh sin fhuair e litir gun ainm a chall air a thaillibh.” rithe a’ toirt dha rabhaidh am bonn is an rola Chuir a leithid a chainnt iongnadh orm o a thilleadh far an d’fhuair e iad neo gun robh neach nach b’abhaist a bhith creidsinn gu a bheatha an cunnart. Sin an rud nach deanadh robh leithid a ni is anam air siubhal duine. e, ach gur mothaid a chuir e roimhe an gnothach Bha mi fo iomagain nach bu bheag, ach chuir a rannsachadh gu crich. “A Shebrais,” ars mi romham mo charaid a leantainn gu deireadh esan, “cha bu duine mise riamh a bha toirt na cuise. “ De tha ’ nad bheachd a dheanamh ?’ ’ mbran geill do gheasachd no buidseachd, ach dh’fhoighnich mi dha nuair a rainig sinn seann bha mi tur aineolach air a’ chilis gus an d’fhuair chladh na Comraich. “Tha,’’ ars esan, “am mi blasad air draoidheachd ghraineil na h-Aird bonn ’s an rola so a thiodhlacadh an uaigh — 28 — r Mha’Ruibhe, an naomh beannaichte, agus ma B. ; cheadaicheas am Freasdal e, casg a chur air Cha bhiodh e gu tairbhe, aig an ire so, do’n H na cumhachdan a tha tional feartan uilc a Chomunn Beurla a chur air chill gu tur aig I chum an saoghal a sgrios.” Mod. Cha deanadh sin ach daoine gun Ghaidhlig Cha d’thubhairt mi diog oir bha dearbhadh a chur as. Bu choir do’ n Chomunn gach oidhirp agam nach ann air turns faoin a bha sinn. a dheanamh air deagh-ghean gach seorsa a ; Thog sinn an leac, chaidh an da chuid a thiodh- chumail. Ged a chaidh aig Gaidheil Eireann ,1 lacadh anns an duslach san robh cnamhan an air moran a bharrachd a dheanamh tha feadh- naoimh a’ tamh, agus dhuin sinn suas an uaigh ainn aca, an diugh, an diiil gur docha gun ( gu curamach. “Seula as cumhachdaiche na robh iad air barrachd a dheanamh mur bitheadh S seula Sholaimh,” ars Uisdean, ’s e tarraing gun do chuir iad daoine gun Ghaidhlig gu ciil I comharra na Croise le cearcall na siorruidh- na comhla tuilleadh is luath. i eachd mu’n cuairt orra air leac na h-uaghach. Chaill a’ Ghdidhlig an sluagh agus cha *' An sin thug e a mach am Biobull agus leugh toirear air ais iad gun Bheurla a chleachdadh b e gu socair, urramach an aona salm deug thar riutha an diugh. ! a cheithir fichead. Ar learn gu robh ciall C. i ur aig na briathran: Ach tha so ann, air an laimh eile. Tha “Fa chilis an uamhais anns an oidhch’ urrachan na Gaidhlige, an Albainn, air am Cha bhi ort geilt no sgath.’’ maslachadh an uair a bhios iad a’ bruidhinn na Chriochnaich e ag gairm air ainm na Trianaid Beurla, gun naire, ri each a cheile aig Mod, ! agus ar learn gun do thog neul trom dorcha a’ agus aig coinneamhan eile, agus iad a’ sparradh chlaoidhteachd bho ar spiorad. air each cumail ris a’ Ghaidhlig! Ma theid Chuir sinn seachad mios thaitneach innt- sinn gu Mod an cuir e iongantas oirnn fir A’ [ inneach sa’ Chomraich agus dhealaich sinn. Chomuinn a chluinntinn a’ labhairt ri cheile [ Chan fhaca mise Uisdean tuilleadh gu crioch am Beurla, agus “Ciamar a tha thu’’ aca ris s a’ Chogaidh Mhoir mu dheireadh. Tha cuimhne na h-aineolaich? Cha dean sin a chilis! Mur | agam fhathast air an fhailte chuir e orm: teid aig luchd na Gaidhlige, an ceannas, air I “Cogadh uamhasach eile, a Sheorais, ach chan an obair a dheanamh an Gaidhlig de am barr- I eil an t-am abuich fhathast.’’ antas a tha aca gu bheil e iomchuidh a bhith Cailean MacCoinnich. ag iarraidh air daoine eile cumail ri Gaidhlig ? - | [Dh’ aithriseadh a’ naidheachd so air an radio.) Is e An Comunn aig a obair, agus aig Mod a mhuinntir mu dheireadh do'm bu choir a rddh, “Chan eil nine againn air son Gdidhlig. Tuilleadh Gaidhlig Aig CUL NAN CNOC. Mod AN GUALA TU AN TE SO? 1. Cha robh an corr aige: | A Charaid, Thainig fear dhachaidh do Thiriodh air a A. chuairt shamhraidh, ’s e air a bhith fada ’g a | Ceist a’ Mhoid cuid de cheist na Gaidhlige. chosnadh sa’ bhaile mhor. Bha cnapach j Is ann air a’ Mhod a tha An Comunn Gaidheal- balaich ’na chois. Air an rathad o’n laimrig i'ach beo. Cha deanadh Mod beag buannachd. choinnich fear ris ris an canadh iad am bard. h Chan eil An Comunn a’ faotainn airgid bho Chan e nach eil ’s nach robh barrachd air aon l Rioghachd no bho airde eile. Tha An Comunn bhard an “Tiriodh iosal an eorna.’’ Thuirt I an diugh a’ cur airgead mor amach gach bliadhna. am bard ris an fhear-turuis, “A bheil Gaidhlig Tha mi an duil gu bheil seisear air an tuarasdal; aig a’ bhalach?’’ “Chan eil,” ars am fear I agus tha cosdaisean eile trom mar an ceudna. eile, “agus b’fhearr learn nach robh i agam ’Bha uair ann a dheanadh Niall uasal Mac fhin. ” “ Mur an robh, ’ ’ ars am bard, ‘ ‘ bhiodh l Gille Sheathanaich an t-iomlan ’na aonar. tu balbh.” S.S. Agus chan eil e soirbh a bhith uile gu leir 2. Luach airgid: cinnteach nach robh am fear sin a’ deanamh Cha robh Donnchadh ach ’na bhalach beag an iomlain sin na b’fhearr ’na aonar! Tha aon agus cha trie a bha airgiod aige ’na laimh. ni cinnteach. Ruigeadh an t-uasal sin na An latha bha so fhuair e grota bho chuideigin. Gaidheil aig am bailtean. “De tha thu dol a cheannach leis an airgiod?” A bheil An Comunn riaraichte le seirbhisich ars a charaid. “Tha mi dol a phaidheadh a’ [ air an cuingealachadh an seomraichean ? mhail an toiseach. An sin ceannaichidh mi » Bitheadh sin mar a tha e, cha phdidhear da bholla mine, agus speuclairean do mo n na seirbhisich gun airgead. sheanamhair.’ ’ — 29 — LEARNER’S PAGE Taise An Aile The Moisture in the Air An uair a bhios moran sluaigh cruinn an When many persons are gathered in a closed aite duinte mar tha sgoil, eaglais, etc., thig place like a school, or church, etc., a film of sgleo air an uinneig agus an ceart-uair chithear vapour forms on the window and in a short boinneagan uisge a’ ruith a cheile gu bonn time drops of water are seen chasing one another na gloine. to the bottom of the glass. Bheir sinn fainear mar an ceudna gun tig We notice also that a film of vapour forms sgleo air gloine uisge fuar ma bheir sinn i a on a glass of cold water if we bring it into a steach do sheomar blath, agus ma shuathas warm room, and if we rub our finger against sinn ar meur ris an sgleo bidh a’ mheur fliuch. the film the finger is wet. Chi sinn gu trie sgleo air aghaidh an speur We often see vapour in the sky, and we know agus tha fios againn gum brixchd tuil as an that a torrent of rain will gush out from this sgleo so. Is e sgothan a their sinn ris na sgleb- vapour. We call the vapour floating in the sky than a tha a’ snamh anns an adhar. clouds. Tha gach neach eolach air gluasad nan Every one is familiar with the movement of uisgeachan air aghaidh na talmhainn, agus tha waters on the surface of the earth, and little fhios aig a’ chloinn bhig gur ann as an adhar children know that the flood that runs today a thainig an tuil a tha an diugh a’ sruthadh ’ na in rivulets, in streams and rivers, has come caochanan, ’na h-uillt agus ’na h-aibhnichean from the skies, but it is not quite so clear that air an talamh, ach chan eil e cho soilleir gur it is from the earth the sky gets the water. ann o’n talamh a tha an t-adhar a’ faighinn But the truth is that the rain which fell on an uisge. Ach is i an fhirinn gu bheil an t-uisge the earth is, after doing its work there, returned a thuit air an talamh, an deidh a obair a to the air. In other words the rain is constantly dheanamh an sin, air a thilleadh air ais do’n on the move between sky and earth. aile. Am briathran eile tha an t-uisge a’ sior ghluasad sios agus suas eadar neamh agus talamh. Ma dh’fMgas sinn coire uisge goil air an teine If we leave a kettle of water boiling on the gheibh sinn e tioram ri tide, agus ma chumas fire we shall find it dry in time, and if we sinn spain ris an t-srup (mar rinn Seumas Uatt) hold a spoon to the spout (as James Watt did) chi sinn an toit air a tionndadh ’na boinnean. we shall see the vapour turned to drops of Tha so a’ dearbhadh gu bheil an t-uisge a tha water. This proves that the water which the an toit ag giulan as a’ choire dol do’n aile a vapour carries from the kettle is passing into tha mar chuan ’g ar cuartachadh. the air which envelops us like an ocean. When An uair a chuireas bean-an-tighe an t-aodach the house-wife hangs on the lines the clothes a nigh i air na ropan caite an teid an t-uisge which she has washed where will the water bha a’ deanamh an aodaich fliuch? Theid that made the clothes wet go? It goes into direach do’n adhar mar a rinn an t-uisge bha the air exactly as did the water which was in anns a’ choire. Agus mar sin tuigidh sinn gu the kettle. Thus we understand that the heat bheil teas na greine a’ sior dheoghal suas an of the sun is constantly causing the water on uisge o uachdar an t-saoghail. the surface of the earth to evaporate. Tha an t-aile mar so a’ sior shughadh uisge In this way the air is continuously absorbing- gus nach gabh e an corr, agus an sin sguiridh water until it can contain no more, and then an sughadh. Tha an ire gus an teid an siighadh the absorption ceases. The extent of the air adhart an crochadh air teas an aile. Mar absorption depends on the temperature of the as motha an teas is ann as motha a ghleidheas, air. The greater the temperature the more no a chumas, an t-aile de uisge. Ma tha gaoth water the air will contain or retain. If the a’ seideadh is ann as sgiobalta tha an t-uisge wind blows the quicker the water is carried air a ghiulan air falbh ’na thoit. Tuigear bho off in vapour. Thus it may be understood so gur ann ri aimsir ghaothaich, ghrianaich that absorption is greatest during windy and as treise an sughadh, agus gur ann ri aimsir sunny weather, and that it is least during fhuair, dhubharaich as lugha e. Air an aobhar cold and dull weather. For this reason much so tha moran toit ag eirigh anns na cearnan vapour rises in the hot regions of the world, teithe de’n t-saoghal agus gle bheag anns na and very little in the frozen parts. h-earrannan reodhta. — 30 — in an effort to resucitate the Branch in Rothesay. Executive Council The prospects of forming Branches in Gigha and in Port Glasgow are being considered. On Saturday, 16th January, the Council The revised scale for teachers of Gaelic singing met in the Comunn Office when the President is £10-£12 per week according to qualifications welcomed a large attendance of members. and experience, plus travelling expenses. The The convener of the Finance Committee recommendation that each member of Com- intimated an estimate of £266 4/- for heating mittee should be responsible for recruiting four the Office by Nightstor, with an additiohal £5 new members by the end of March this year for wiring the Library. This estimate was was approved. It was decided that Junior accepted. The financial position of the M. and Members should be allowed to buy the Comunn i T. Fund was reported on in detail. In view of badge and tie. It was also agreed to ask all the fact that this Fund had maintained itself Branches to submit their Annual Reports the Committee found no need for any change to Headquarters. in administration. The wage of the part-time The Minute of the Art and Industry Com- Assistant in the Inverness Office was raised mittee stated that Mr. J. A. Macdonald, a new from £2 15/- to £3 5/- per week. It was member, is to visit schools in Inverness-shire [ noted that £136 17s 6d had been received soon, and will encourage schools there to enter from the Northern Propaganda Committee as for the various Art and Industry competitions. i a contribution to the cost of the Northern The Convener has a stock of Celtic designs and f Organiser’s car. transfers of designs which may be purchased by ! A Minute of the Education Committee noted anyone interested. A list of competitions for | the acceptance of Mr. Donald A. Macdortald Juniors and Seniors for the 1961 Mod was l of an invitation to serve as a co-opted member. intimated. Mr. John A. Macdonald who has been co- In the Minute of the Mod and Music Committee i operating with Mr. Arnot, Secretary of the it was agreed to recommend to the Cameron- W.E.A., and is to be one of the Lecturers, is Head Memorial Committee that the Shield to submit a summary of a suitable course in offered by them be given for the highest aggre- I Celtic Studies for inclusion in the W.E.A. gate marks in Gaelic in Comp. 28. Mr. Angus Summer School brochure. The course is to Macleod was co-opted as member of the M. and [ be held in St. Andrews from 9th to 16th M. Committee. A list of choral songs for the July, 1960, the inclusive fee for the week 1961 Mod was submitted and approved after being £8. minor adjustments. A list of Halls suitable for the 1961 Mod was accepted. Permission was The Minute of the Publication Committee granted to the Advertising Agents to obtain listed a number of publications newly issued advertisements for the Programme for a further or in the process of preparation. The first three period of three years. parts of Illustrated School Readers are now The Convener of Clann an Fhraoich Committee available. The third edition of Bardachd reported on his recent visit to Harris, and Ghaidhlig, price 17/6 is now in stock. Thanks noted that 284 free copies of An Gaidheal were to Mr. Angus Macleod, the editor, and to those sent each month to Clann an Fhraoich in certain who helped him were recorded. Parts Two of the Western Isles. Mention was made of . and Three of Approach to Gaelic are being an interesting ceilidh held along with Ceilidh prepared and 500 copies of Part One are being nan Gaidheal in Glasgow last November. jbound. In the Minute of Comunn na h-Oigridh Mr. R. Mackinnon, who is preparing a Committee it was stated that the Scripture Union I specimen copy of the Quarterly Gaelic Comic, were given the use of Cnoc nan Ros, at an agreed [was asked to obtain estimates of cost of pro- rent, for the first three weeks of August, 1960. :)duction. Interpretation passages for classes Camp period for 1960 are as follows:— ; 4, 5 and 6 in book form will be proceeded with Islanders—2nd to 12th July. immediately. The McCaig Trust is giving a Learners—18th to 29th July. grant of £^20 towards the cost. It was decided These were appointed new members of to bind 1,000 copies' of Reid’s Elementary committee: Miss Kate Matheson; Mrs. Fraser; Course in Gaelic for which there is a constant Messrs. Alex. Macaskill, Donald A. Macdonald demand. A proposal to publish a small school and Finlay MacNeil. It was agreed that the dictionary, Gaelic-English and English-Gaelic, main duty of the Committee was to direct was favourably received. matters that concerned the members of Comunn The Propaganda Committee suggested that a na h-Oigridh, and that An Comunn was re- ublic meeting and a ceilidh should be organised sponsible for the upkeep of Cnoc nan R6s. — 31 — THE FOLK-LORE IN “CARMINA GADELICA” III F. G. Thomson AT the time when Alexander Carmichael Poetic imagery is also a feature of these 1 started to collect the material for his expressions, but most passages originate from | Carmina Gadelica, the life of the Gael acute observations of natural things and events. | was crowded with numerous details concerned They are thus the more real and accessible to i with customs, beliefs, and superstitions, all the folk who perpetuated orally these expressions. of which influenced, to a varying degree, the Imagery, however, does appear in a very 1 methods and routines adopted in the pursuance highly-developed form in some of the waulking I of occupations associated with personal and songs given in Vol. 5 (cf. Craobh nan Ubhal). I domestic activity. Each task performed within the confines of | The two previous articles in this series have the croft boundaries had its own peculiar ritual. 1 dealt with particular influences, common enough The general contents of the associated utterances 1 in the life of the people but which were not indicate elements of a nature more religious 1 wholly a feature in daily routine. These were than superstitious. Yet the latter plays an I more concerned with particular occasions when important and significant part in all the • it was deemed necessary to resort to certain activities. The evidence seems to point to a | practices and rituals in order to gain a desired gradual assimilation of natural observations j effect. Here, we are mainly concerned with into a body originally comprising magical and | those other influences (beliefs and superstitions) supernatural elements. which affected occupations more common in The birth and subsequent baptism of a child | occurrence and which were concerned with were events which offered opportunities for the livelihood and the satisfaction of basic human performance and observations of ritual. The | needs. material in Carmina Gadelica concerned with | Domestic and personal activities we have these events is quite substantial and is ind;ca- \ classed as being performed either indoors (i.e., tive of general practice throughout the High- j within the vicinity of the homestead and not lands. strictly intra-mural), or outdoors (i.e., those When a child was born, it was handed from ! which are extra-mural by their nature; hus- one person to another over a fire. This was i bandry, fishing, hunting, etc.). done three times to the accompaniment of an ! Each day began with a personal ritual.. almost inaudible address to a fire spirit. The ; Examples are found in Vols. 1 and 3 (the child was then passed round the fire three ' Prayer at Rising and the Prayer for Dressing) times—deseil. Again the movements were j committing the person to the care of God. accompanied by another inaudible address i Then came the numerous small tasks which intoned to the God of the Sun. had to be done before the day’s work really The water with which the child was first | began: kindling the fire, preparing the food washed had either silver or gold coins immersed j to break fast, and deciding the weather and in it. One of the first duties of the nurse was i| the influence it would have on the work to to baptise—as a temporary measure—the child be done. with three drops of water, each drop being in The religious influence pervaded everywhere. the name of each person of the Trinity: “No This is especially so in the items concerned seed of fairy, of hosts of the air, or of the with personal ritual. It is only in those items world’s people, can lift away the happy tranquil uttered during the re-kindling of the fire and little sleeper. Envy and malice cannot harm the preparation of food that the religious him.” element becomes mixed, with varying degrees, The result of the neglect of the watching- with that of superstition. women present at the birth to perform certain It is of interest to mention here the standard baptismal duties is described in Vol. 5, where, of poetic feeling contained in some of these as a consequence, the fairies came and stole the utterances. Expressions of thanksgiving con- baby and replaced him with a fairy changeling. tain passages of a rare quality. In one Prayer Among the indoor tasks mentioned in Carmina at Rising, for example, we read “ .... As the Gadelica are churning and grinding meal. The mist scatters over the crest of the hills, May former has many superstitions associated with each ill haze clear from my soul, O God.” it, possibly because of the need for protection considering the facility and ease with which All this, of course, is not peculiar to either spirits could take away the goodness from the the Celtic races or their languages. It is true product. As with most tasks, songs were sung of other races and tongues. Thus Byron on to help the work along. An example of a visiting Greece in connection with his interest quern blessing, and a detailed description of in Greece independence was stirred by names a woman grinding meal, is given in Vol. 1. to write such lines as these:— Milking was one of the main tasks of each day and figures, with waulking, largely in the ‘ ‘ Approach thou craven croucing slave; lore of the people. Milking croons were sung Say is not this Thermopylae. because the cows were said to like the soothing These waters blue that round you lave-— effects of the music and were thus the better Oh, servile offspring of the free!— disposed to give of their milk. In these croons, Pronounce what sea, what shore is this! biblical and Celtic saints are variously men- The gulf, the rock of Salamis.” tioned, Bride and Columba being the two Now the study of the etymology and sema- most prominent. siology of Celtic place names has become an Ho, my Heifer, in Vol. 1, is a good example important and interesting branch of Celtic indicating the profound knowledge the common Studies and several important works on the folk had of the Scriptures. In this instance, subject have appeared such as Professor Watson’s Christ is equated with the Herdsman of a cattle Celtic Place Names of Scotland. One thing herd and goes on to describe the occcasion of which he has demonstrated is that any attempt His being found in the Temple at Jerusalem to explain the place names of Scotland without contending with the religious scholars of His day. a thorough knowledge of Gaelic and even of The stage of the moon influenced the decision other Celtic tongues must fail. Names have whether or not to perform certain activities. suffered many strange transmutations in the A waxing moon was propitious for cutting course of time so that their derivation is in wood, cutting peats, reaping and shearing. some cases doubtful. Nevertheless some such An animal was never killed at the wane of mysteries may now be held as solved by the application of Celtic etymology. It seems the moon. clear that the Celts once occupied every region of Britain though not at the same time and this seems to be indicated by the remarkable The Celtic Name survival of Celtic words in the names of places by the Rev. Thomas Mackenzie Bonn, M.A. and persons. Nearly all place names in Scotland A CHANGE of name does not alter the are Celtic and many in England despite the nature of the thing named. “What’s many other races which at various times have in a name ? A rose by any other name occupied particular regions. One thinks of would smell as sweet’ ’ (Shakespeare). That is these ancient Celts (e.g. in London) falling true enough but still there is much history and back before the attacks of a stronger and more sometimes music and poetry inherent in many numerous enemy and ultimately driven into a name. the more remote and inaccessible parts of the ‘ ‘ Who hath not owned, with rapture smitten country such as Wales and the Highlands and frame Islands of Scotland. Nevertheless despite The power of grace, the magic of a name?” Roman, Teuton and Goth the names of the (T. Campbell.) Celts for the places where they once dwelt This is certainly true of many a Celtic name have strangely survived the many centuries. whether Gaelic, Welsh, etc. One, of course, The people also has survived in the Basques, requires to have some knowledge of the meaning the Auvergnese, the Bretons, the Welsh, the of the names and a soul which can be stirred Cornish, the Manx, the Irish and the Gaels and by words and names. Wordsworth’s well Piets. The modern orthography of place known lines were inspired by a sight of London names often conceals the real Celtic ortho- in the early morning from Westminster Bridge: graphy. For example how many people would “Dull would he be of soul who could pass by think of the name London as Celtic? Yet it a sight so touching in its majesty” . The Celt is so. Originally it was probably Lunndinn often dwelling amid mountains and scenery of meaning the town of ships (long-ship ; din or surpassing majesty has named certain places in dun-town). In such Latin writers as Tacitus such a way as to stir the mind and soul while it became Londinium and in the Old Saxon history or legend has invested the names with Chronicle it appears as Lundine, Lundune, and associations of “old unhappy far-off things and in Bede it is Lundonia. Many place names in battles long ago’ ’. What thoughts are suggested in France are Celtic, as we might expect, and, by the very names, Glencoe, Flodden, etc.! though now disguised, some are clearly so such as Calais (Gaelic—cala a port, especially ‘ ‘ Nelson’ ’ was a brave man! Some names seem one with a good harbour). Glasgow is much to be reduced forms of their originals. For altered both in name and appearance from example, “Fingal” was probably “Finn mac what it was long ago but still there is a Glasgow Cumhail” (finn or fion being “fair” or white- Green and Glaschu was the green place when haired) . The word has been preserved in such the Gaels first dwelt there. Edinburgh is names as Fianna, Fenian, Finnegan, Finlay, generally regarded as derived from the Gaelic etc. The Celt was fond of colour and hence Dun-Eideann but if so the New Zealand many names are derived from colours. For Edinburgh namely Dunedin has preserved the example “Bonn” still lingers in my own now old name. On the other hand Edinburgh may rather uncommon surname but more frequently be Dun-Aeddon the word Aeddon being a in “Don” “Duncan” “Donald” , etc. “Ban” personal name derived from Aodh (fire or (white) is preserved in Banquo (or in Gaelic valour) frequently applied to ancient Celtic Ban-cu, white dog). “Dubh” (black) is chiefs or kings both in Ireland and Scotland. found in Dugald, Dougall, Douglas, Etc. Thus also St. Aidan, the Celtic apostle of ‘ ‘ Ruadh’ ’ (red) is found in ‘ ‘ Rough’ ’ ‘ ‘ Roy’ ’ northern England, may have got his name ‘ ‘ Rowe’ ’ ' ‘ Rory’ ’ and ‘ ‘ Ruaraidh’ ’. One can from his resemblance to James and John who understand therefore why Professor Blackie Were called by our Lord Boanerges (Sons of began learning Gaelic by studying names, for Thunder) on account (according to Jerome the one can learn much from the Celtic name. most learned and sensible of the Patristic writers) of their fiery eloquence. Anyway the Gaelic preacher has, on the whole, a reputation for eloquence. Obituary Professor J. S. Blackie once pointed out that whereas the English language is very largely By the sudden and unexpected death of a disturbed organism on account of its constant Mr. William Gillies Macdonald on 21st January and large borrowings from other languages, the the Gaelic Movement has lost a most loyal Celtic languages consist of words which very supporter. Over a long period of years he largely tell the story of their own composition. gave unstintingly of his time and energy in He cites as an example the word cruthachadh the Cause of Gaelic which he loved. For the (create) as used in the first verse of Genesis past seven years he tutored a Gaelic class and suggesting the fundamental notion of the sponsored by the Manchester Branch of An Platonic philosophy namely that the form Comunn, and was a favourite with all. (Cruth) is the necessary and legitimate product A native of Stornoway, where he formerly of the action of the Divine reason upon matter. served on the staff of the local Post Office, he Whether Blackie is correct in this supposition removed to Manchester many years ago and I will not assert but it seems as well justified through time he identified himself with the as the reported exclamation of the Latin cultural life of the city and was a zealous philosopher Amelius when he first read the church member. Prior to burial at Woodford, opening verses of the Gospel according to St. Cheshire, a church service was held in St. John: “By Jove, this barbarian’’ (meaning Andrews Presbyterian Church, Stockport, of non-Greek) “is of our Plato’s opinion, that the which he was an elder. word of God is in the order of principles’ ’. Out deep sympathy goes out to Mrs. Turning now to personal names, many of Macdonald (a native of Tong) and to her son these, as we might expect, are derived from and two daughters, and to Mr. Macdonald’s adjectives descriptive of the appearance or sisters and brothers. character of the individual. For example ‘ ‘ man’ ’ is ‘ ‘ fear’ ’ (Latin ‘ ‘ vir’ ’) and when it was desired to describe someone as “manly’’ or “virile’’ Edinburgh Branch this word was naturally incorporated into the name such as “Fergus” (“gus” being “deed” heldThe there Hall on 9thof the January, Clans thewas entertainmentpacked at the provided Ceilidh or “action”) so that Fergus or Ferguson is was excellent, and the appreciation of the audience ‘ ‘ a man of action’ ’ that is, not a lazy man or was shown by the happy manner in which they joined a merely talkative man. The alternative in the choruses. Mr. Donald Grant, Fear-an-tighe, derivation of “Fergus” is that it means whowas introducedreferred to byhim the as President,a stalwart Mr.in the Finlay Gaelic Maclean move- “fierce man” (from fearg, fierce). The name ment. The artistes, all of whom excelled themselves, “Farquhar” is probably derived from “Fear- were: Evelyn Campbell, Iain Ross, Alasdair Grant achas” (manhood). The name “Kiel” (brave) and Archie Grant. is also found in the Scandinavian “Nielson” accompanists,Misses Seggie and andMr. TurnerGrigor gave(Glasgow) selections were on the and in the English “Nelson”—and certainly — 34 — AN GAIDHEAL THE GAEL Editor — ]. THOMSON, M.A., F.E.I.S., 116 WEST SAVILE TERRACE.. EDINBURGH to whom all correspondence should be addressed except that concerning advertising, which should be addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer. 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C.2. Telephone: DOUglas 1433. Leabhar LV AN GIBLEAN, 1960 Aireamh 4

“CHAN FHAIGH A ’ GHAIDHLIG BAS” I Tha iomadh bliadhna air a dhol seachad bho dhleas iad gu durachdaph, bhuannaich iad gu labhair am bard na briathran so. An e end is treibhireach gu bhith cosnadh an coraicheau I durachd a bhrosnaich e gu bhith labhairt air an do na Gaidheil a thaobh cainnt is oighreachd. * doigh-sa, no an robh e a’ lan chreidsinn gu Faodar a chreidsinn nach eil na Gaidheil robh sealladh an fhaidhe aige? Nam biodh am fhein a’ deanamh taire, mar a bha moran aca bard beo ’nar latha-ne saoil am biodh am uaireigin, air cainnt an athraichean. Eadhon beachd ceudna aige? ’nar latha fhein bha iad ann a chleitheadh gun Tha e fior nach robh uiread a riamh a’ robh facal Gaidhlig ’nan cinn, no gu robh leughadh agus a’ sgriobhadh Gaidhlig aig an buntanas aca ri muinntir na Gaidhlig a muigh aon am ’s a gheibhear an diugh air feadh na no a mach! Dh’fhoghluim iad sin anns na Gaidhealtachd agus anns na bailtean mora. sgoilean cuideachd. Ach taing do shealbh Tha e fior, mar an ceudna, gu bheil aite is gu bheil an t-aineolas millteach sin air buille- inbhe aig a’ Ghaidhlig ann an sgoilean na bhais fhaighinn. Gaidhealtachd nach robh aice riamh roimhe. Ach a dh’aindeoin gach leasachadh tha a' r Agus faodar a radh nach do sgriobhadh Gaidhlig Ghaidhlig a’ sior sheargadh as. Tha aireamh aig am sam bith nas toirteile, nas seaghaile, a luchd labhairt a’ dol nas lugha gach bliadhna. nas siubhlaiche, no nas blasda na earrann Chan fhada, mur tig atharrachadh, a bhitheas thomadach de’n Ghaidhlig a thatar a’ leanabh 6g air tir-mor a labhras facal Gaidhlig sgriobhadh aig an am-sa. idir. Anns na h-Eileanan a Siar, an daingneach Dh’fhalbh an latha anns nach robh an mu dheireadh aig ar canain, tha measgachadh l Riaghaltas a’ gabhail uidh idir ann an canain nach beag a’ gabhail aite, agus mur casgar e an ' i uasal, rioghail, aosmhor na h-Alba, agus anns uine nach bi fada chan fhiach an t-ascairt a ' an robh naimhdeas gun eolas agus mi-rim gun chumail. l aobhar a’ comharrachadh lagh an fhoghluim De chailleas na Gaidheil ma gheibh a' I a thaobh feum is coraichean nan Gaidheal. Ghaidhlig bas ? , Fhuair a’ Ghaidhlig a h-aite dligheach, ann an Tha aon ni cinnteach. Chan urrainnear j tomhas mhath co-dhiubh, an ciirsa an fhoghluim sgaradh a chur eadar diithchas is canain. anns a’ Ghaidhealtachd o chionn corr air da Seasaidh no tuitidh iad le cheile. Ma chailleas fhichead bliadhna. A nis chan eil gainne air na Gaidheil a’ Ghaidhlig caillidh iad an ulaidh luchd-teagaisg a tha uidheamaichte ann an luachmhor a tha taisgte innte—beul-aithris Gaidhlig, ged a dh’fhaodas e bhith fior nach nan linntean anns a bheil eachdraidh is seoltachd fhaighear iad sin an comhnuidh far am motha is gliocas air an toirt am follas, beatha uasal feum orra. phrlseil ar bardachd, spioradalachd theoghail ' Faodaidh An Comunn Gaidhealach an t- ar sinnsre, ar coirbhreith, nithean bu choir urram as airde a dhleasadh air son gach dhuinn a chumail gu teann ’nar lamhan agus- ! leasachadh a ghabh aite. Sheas iad gu duineil, a ghleidheadh gu tiarainnte gu deireadh tim SEASAIDH BHAILE RAGHAILL RUGADH Seasaidh sa’ bhliadhna 1826. ionnsuidh tionndadh air. Cha bheag na bh’ Bha i anabarrach briagha, cumadail, aca an coitcheannas: aignidhean aghmhor tlachdmhor, aoigheil; agus taitneach co-ionann, fuil bhlath nan Gaidheal a’ ruith ’na doigh ’s ’na dol a mach. Bha ceathrar ’nan cuislean ’s a’ Ghaidhlig ghrinn air am pheathraichean aice agus aon bhrathair, d’am bilean. A bheil canain eile fo’n ghrein as b'ainm Aileic. B’e Seumas, an athair, an milse air son gradh geal innse ? Cha robh aon •coigeamh gluin ann an aonta air fearann fhacal aig fear na h-eadraiginn. farsainn Bhaile Raghaill. A bharrachd air a bhith 'na thuathanach, bha e aireamh bhliadh- Bha a parantan a’ sparradh air Seasaidh gu nachan 'na bhaillidh air Uibhist a Tuath. An feumadh i am baillidh mor a phosadh a dheoin uair a leig e dheth an t-uallach sin, thug am no dh’ aindeoin; ged nach robh e briagha bha e Morair an dreuchd do Dhomhnall Mhogasdad, beartach, theireadh iad. Bha esan air a a thainig bho Dhomhnallaich a’ Ghlinnmhoir thatadh agus doicheall air Domhnall bochd. san Eilean Sgitheanach; agus leis a’ bhailleachd Cha b’ fhiu ’s cha b’fhiach leotha am baillidh fhuair e aonta an fhasdaidh air Baile-locha, beag mar chliamhuinn. baile beag boidheach taobh Loch Hosta, mu Shaoil leotha an toiseach gur e diuideachd a •dha mhile tuath air Baile Raghaill. An bha cumail Seasaidh a fianuis Phadruig nuair toiseach toisichidh bhitheadh Domhnall a’ a thadhaileadh e. A raghainn air a’ chuideachd, tadhal air Seumas gu treorachadh fhaighinn b’fhearr leatha cuairt air an traigh eadar mu obair na h-oighreachd. 'S ann mar sin a Hanglum is Airdarunair is tiomcheall cnuic a’ fhuair e eolas air Seasaidh, agus cha b’fhada Mhachaire. Ach mu dheireadh bhatar a’ .gus an do ghabh iad gaol air a cheile. ghabhail an amharuis oirre nach ann ’na h-aonar Bha e an dan gur ann air cursa cas, carrach, a bhiodh i ag amharc air seallaidhean alainn caimdealach a dh’fheumadh an sruthan gaoil iomall a’ Chuain Siar; gur ann a bha i a’ cumail so ruith car tamuill. Nas lugha na dithis cha comhdhail ri Domhnall. ■dean comhrag. Agus bha fear eile air faire a Sin mar a bha; agus air feasgar fradharcach ■dheanadh sin, le maoin is ire is ughdarras ’na foghair chunnaic fear-foill iad comhladh. fhabhar. B’e sin fear-lagha a Obairdeathain B’e sin an caidreabh ciatach ’s an gradh a chuir am Morair Domhnallach mar riagh- fior-ghlan. Bu cheacharra a neach a thigeadh ladair thairis air a h-uile h-oighreachd a bh’ aige. eatorra ’sa dheanadh casaid orra. Chaidh am B’ainm dha Padruig Cubair; duine ard, crom- brath dha h-athair, agus thug esan air ball shlinneanach, mi-thuarail. B’e cuid de a bairleagadh cruaidh do Dhomhnall nach •dhleasnas mal gach aite a thogail da uair sa’ fhaodadh e tighinn air aruinn a’ bhaile a bhliadhna. Sin mar a thachair dha tighinn feasda tuilleadh. An gaol a bha gun fhiosd do Bhaile Raghaill is fuireach greis air aoigh- aca a nis bha fios aig each air. Chaidh cothrom eachd ann. Ghabh esan e fhein gaol air Seasaidh suiridhe Seasaidh a ghearradh na bu ghiorra. cho luath ’sa bhuail a shuil oirre. Cha chum- Bha i fo mhulad nach b’urrainn dhi innse. adh side nan seachd sian a Uibhist tuilleadh e. Thug an sgaradh an-iochmhor sgaineadh air a Bu bhitheanta bheireadh e cuairt ann, is bha cridhe caomh. a shuidhe a’ sior fhas na bu shinte. Mu Fad a’ gheamhraidh rinn a mathair ’sa ■dheireadh thall ’s gann gu robh e a’ carachadh peathraichean a h-uile rud a smaoinicheadh iad as. Theirte am baillidh mor ris agus am a chum a h-inntinn a thogail. Seachdain no baillidh beag ri Domhnall: b’ann barrachd a dha an deidh na seann bhliadh’ hire, ’s iad a’ fhaobh inbhe na coimeas nan 6irleach. ’S e saoilsinn gu robh i ag aontachadh leotha, duine dreachmhor, direach, tapaidh a bha an shuidhich iad ceann-latha gu cuirm a chumail Domhnall—cuibheasach am meudachd, laghach, am Baile Raghaill. Chuireadh cuireadh chon fosgarra agus coibhneil ris an tuath. nan cairdean is uaislean eile na duthcha, an Cha robh turus a thigeadh Padruig dh’an duil gum biodh reiteach ann mus criochnaich- ■duthaich nach tugadh e rudan luachmhor gu eadh an ceol. Dh’fhagadh- Domhnall bochd Seasaidh, ach cha ghabhadh i tiodhlac sam air chul fraoin. Ach cha do chuir binn bith as a laimh. Bu docha leatha a bhith an neo-thruasail Sheumais crioch uile gu leir air .achlais Dhomhnaill na na h-uile braist oir is conaltradh nan leannan. Bha dithis nighean neamhnaid dhealrach a thainig riamh a buth. air mhuinntearas ’na thigh a bh’air an taobh ■Cha choisneadh or a’ chruinne-ce a’ bhaidh 's ’sa ghiulain teachdaireachd eatorra iomadach an gradh a bha a’ tamh ’na com. Dha-san a uair fo sgail an anmoich. B’ aithne dhomh iad bhuannaich sin le co-fhreagairt a chridhe fhein ’nan seann aois—Mairi nighean Ailein agus Bhitheadh an snaim cho teann ’s nach toireadh Lecsidh an Tailleir. — 36 — Oidhche na cuirme, nuair a thoisich an Mar a thuirt piuthar mo sheanamhar san oran dannsa, dh’iarr Seasaidh air a’ chuideachd a a rinn i: leisgeul a ghabhail, gu feumadh i am fagail ’s ‘ ‘ An sin thuirt Cubair ri Aileic, a ceann cho goirt. Mu mheadhon-oidhche Thalia 'nad chabhaig 's na bi mall; nuair a sgaoil an comunn chaidh bean a’ bhaile Gheibh thu mile 's baile fearainn— suas air a corra biod le solus coinnle a sheallt- ainn air an te bha tinn. ‘ ‘ Tha thu nas fhearr, Faigh mo leannan 's i air chall. a ghraidh, nach eil?” ars ise. Ged nach Failte dhuit, deagh shlainte leat ...” d’fhuair i freagairt bha i taingeil Seasaidh Mharcaich Aileic 'na leum gu Leac Bhan fhaicinn samhach fo’n aodach. Dhuinn i an a’ Chaolais; ach chum garbh shiantan e fad dorus air a socair ’s thug i a leaba fhein oirre. seachdain a’ feitheamh athais gu aiseag. Cha b’fhada gu robh srann aig a h-uile duine 'S ole a’ ghaoth nach seid gu math a chuid- bh’ann, ’s bu mhath gu robh an cadal trom. eigin. Thug siod cothrom do Dhomhnall Bha sin am fabhar na te dh’fhan 'na caithris; sgioba sgairteil fhasdadh san Tairbeart. Gheall 's ann bu docha i tarradh as. e do Sheasaidh mu’n deach an dealachadh gu’n toireadh e a mach i ged bhiodh an t-arm dearg So an t-samhchair 's an duathar a bha dhith a’ cuartachadh tigh Rodail. Cha mhor nach air an fheadhainn a bha deilbh innleachd gu robh! Chuir Iain a chuid sgalag 's feadhainn teicheadh. Chuidich Mairi nighean Ailein a bharrachd a sheasamh faire gun bhristeadh, Seasaidh le cuid-aodaich agus leig i a mach air gun fhios de dh’fhaodadh tachairt no cuin. an uinneig i cho fiataidh, faicilleach 's gun Bu gnath le Domhnall a bhith cho math ri fhuaim a dhiiisgeadh duine beo. Bha lamhan fhacal. Air feadh oidhche thainig e 's fir laidir a muigh a ghlacadh i, nach cailleadh chalma 'na chois. Bhuaileadh an dorus uair greim, 's nach leigeadh beud chuice a chaoidh. no dha 's o nach d’fhosgail spealgadh e. “ Siod An uair a thogadh ceo san tigh mhor sa’ far an robh hurla, harla,” mar thuirt an mhadainn, ghreas a mathair a choimhead air t-bran. Thog Domhnall leis 'na uchd a Seasaidh. “Tha mi an dochas gu bheil thu leannan, agus b’aoibhneach an ceol 'na cluais nas fhearr an diugh,” thuirt i. Cha d’thainig buille luath a chridhe ghaisgeil. diog bho’n chumadh a bha sinte balbh san Rinn Raghall Ruadh a roinn de chlaidhreadh leabaidh. Chlisg i gur ann a bha a’ nighean na h-oidhch’ ud, agus 's e bh’air cheann nan marbh no ann an laigse. Thog i an t-aodach- each 'nan deann dh’an Tairbeart. An eirigh laighe 's cha robh aice ach cluasagan, air an na greine, air a choigeamh la deug de’n Fhaoill- caradh cho coltach ri colainn o’n cheann-adhairt each, 1850, sheol a’ charaid ghradhach gu casan na leapa. Ma bha fleadh ann feadh chliuiteach a mach Caolas Scalpaidh le soirbheas na h-oidhche, bha upraid agus iorghuill gu mar bu mhiann leo. Thainig an euchd's an leoir ann a’ la’r na mhaireach. treubhantas gu bhith iomraiteach: bha an 'S e Raghall Ruadh—b’aithne dhomh a mhac sgeul am beul gach duine; chualas i anns gach —an gille each a bh’aig a’ bhaillidh bheag. cearn. Phos iad air Tir-mor, le deagh rim Bha an t-seisreach a b’fhearr a bha am Baile- nam miltean. locha aca deiseil fo acfhuinn aig an Rudhadhubh. Mu Shamhain chaidh iad air bord luinge an Cha do rinneadh an fhichead mile gu caol na Abhainn Chluaidh 's thug^ iad an lan fada dhi Hearadh riamh roimhe an uine cho goirid. gu Australia a shireadh an loin, taobh thall Bha cruidhean cruadhach a’ cur sradagan teine an t-saoghail. Ghabh iad raona mhor chaorach as an rathad mhor 's cha do lasaich iad gus 272 mile a mach a Melbourne. Bha sluagh an do rainig iad an cladach far an robh eathar tearc is tana 's cha robh talamh daor. Thug 'gam feitheamh. Sheid a’ ghaoth ro gharbh iad Baile Raghaill air an aite a cheannaich iad. an ceann 's nach laigheadh i air Rudhahimais. Tha an t-ainm sin fhathast air. Cha b’ann B’fheudar dhaibh stiiiireadh air Rodal, far an gun chruadal a bhuannaich iad am beo-shlaint robh Iain, brathair athar Seasaidh, 'na bhaill- —no gun chunnart. Anns na fasaichean idh aig lari an Dunmhoir. A chionn 's gum bu uaigneach bha daoine fiadhaich air nach ruig- toigh leis i bha dull aice gu faigheadh iad 'nan eadh lagh no riaghailt. eiginn fasgadh is fathamas a leigeadh iad ceum Air feasgar araidh bha Seasaidh aig an dorus na b’fhaide air slighe na saorsa. Ach b’fhuar, a’ coimhead a mach le fadachd gu’n tigeadh a neo-chneasda an fhailte a fhuair iad o bhaillidh companach dhachaidh bho a chuairt air feadh na Hearadh. Dh’fhuadaicheadh Domhnall air nan caorach. Chunnaic i marcaiche a’ tarraing falbh, agus chairich e Seasaidh fo ghlais gus dluth. An uair a rainig e leum e bharr an an toirte air ais dhachaidh i. eich is e sealltainn gu diir oirre. Chan fhaca Cho luath 's a chualas am Baile Raghaill e boirionnach riamh cho briagha rithe. Cha i mar a bha, bhrosnaich am fear crotach an ruaig. robh aig tigh ach i fhein 's an t-searbhanta, 's bha na coin ’s an gunna aig fear an tighe leis. Bha an teaghlach a b' fhaisg orra moran mhiltean “Gach Rud Ach An bhuapa. Cha chuireadh eigheach no maoidh- eadh teicheadh air a’ bheist. ’ S ann a cheangail Fheoil” e Seasaidh air an diollaid ’s air falbh a ghabh SE MURCHADH MacGillinnein, an Eilean | e leatha. an Scarp, a thuirt “Gach rud ach an j| An uair a thill Domhnall choinnich a’ fheoil’ ’ ; agus feumaidh duine Gaidhlig >| chaileag e ’s i a’ caoineadh. Dh’innis i mar mu’ n tuig e a’ Ghaidhlig sin. Bhiodh Murchadh | a thachair is sheall i dha an taobh a chaidh a’ ceilidh, agus ruigeadh e tigh mo sheanar, f am fear-reubainn. Cha d’ eisd e facal tuilleadh; tigh Dhomhnaill Bhain no Dhomhnaill mhic | bha fios aige far an robh an duine borb a’ fuir- Chaluim, agus ged nach biodh a stigh ach mo | each. Cha do mharcaich e riamh ’na bheatha sheanmhair, Catriona Bhan, ’ na h-aonar bhiodh Jj cho dian; chuir a chorraich luaths ’na shiubhal. Murchadh Taillear air a dhoigh. An oidhche I Ghabh e slighe na b’aithghearra na ghabh fear bha so bha mo sheanmhair a’ cur ’na chuimhne | a thorachd. Nuair a rainig e snaim na rath- mar a fhuair am Faidh a Ion agus na fithich a’ I aidean cheangail e an t-each ann am bad coille tarraingnafeolachuige. Agus thuirt Murchadh I is ling e faisg air faill a’ cheuma. Cha b’fhada gu diirachdach, “O, ma-ta, a Chatriona, nach 1 gus an cual e caismeachd a chuir ’na fhaireachadh bu neonach nach do dh’ ith iad fhein i!” Agus j e, fuaim faramach chrodhan a’ tighinn luath. bu neonach; ach is e bha aig mo dhuine seorsa I ’S e an dearg mheirleach a bh’ann. Thog de achmhasan beag do bhean-an-tighe, oir 1 Domhnall a ghunna ri ghualainn le cuimse chanadh Murchadh mu’ n dearbh thigh, ‘ ‘ Gheibh chinntich direach nuair a bha a’ bhruid bhorb thu rud sam bith san tigh ud ach an fheoil. f a’ dol seachad. Loisg e ’s chuir e am peilear Gach rud ach an fheoil!” Bha e cumail a troimh cheann. Nuair a thuit e marbh as an mach gun cumadh iad an fheoil aca fhein, ach j diollaid stad an t-each. Ghlac Domhnall gun robh iad cho coir ’s a dh’fhoghnadh mu i Seasaidh ’na aclais gun bheud gun chiurram. na goireasan eile. 'S iad a bheireadh taing do Dhia o an cridhe Bha Murchadh feasgar eile an tigh Aonghais ! ’s bu shona iad a’ tilleadh dhachaidh. Dhomhnaill agus bha Aonghas an latha sin a’ j Thog iad teaghlach ann am Baile Raghaill lamhadh mart marbhaidh do Aonghas mac j Australia. Thainig iad aon chuairt air ais do Ruaraidh. Gheibheadh e cuibhrionn araidh J Albainn nuair a shoirbhich an suidheachadh. de’n mhart mar dhuais, agus bha an teanga I Bu sholasach am beatha comhla is bu dileas anns a’ chuibhrinn sin. An uair a rainig iad dha cheile gus an d’rinn am bas an dealach- Aonghas Dhomhnaill dhachaidh bha a’ phrais air an teine le uisge goileach, agus cha b’fhada adh. Dh’eug Seasaidh ’na bantraich ann a’ gus an robh am bord air uidheam aig Anna Hartfield faisg air Melbourne air an ochdamh Ruadh, ’s bu choir i, agus shuidh Murchadh la deug de’n Cheitein, 1896. cuide riutha mu’n bhord. A’ chiad mhir de’n 1 Sud mar a bha is mar a chuala mi aig feadh- teanga a chaidh a chur air beulaibh Mhurchaidh | ainn dh’am b’aithne. thoisich am fear sin air gaireachdaich. Thuirt j Calum Laing. Aonghas ris carson a bha e gaireachdaich. | ‘ ‘ Is beag a bha dhuil aig an fhear leis an robh i gur mise a gheibheadh a’ chiad bhideag dhith.’ ’ i Cha bhiodh e fhein is Aonghas mac Ruaraidh | Amas gun tuairmeas: reidh uair sam bith. Latha is mi air chuairt ann an Coire- An uair a bha mi ’nam bhalach an Arcaibh | Cheathaich ('s e sin air eadar-theangachadh thug mi laithean saor air Raghnalsaidh-bho- i Glaschu) c6 a choinnich rium air an t-sraid thuath, agus thug mi uan as learn. Tha j ach maor-sithe a mhuinntir Thiriodha. Cha caoraich bheaga san eilean sin a tha caran robh sinn air a cheile fhaicinn o chionn iomadh coltach ris na caoraich Hirteach; ach tha iad j latha, agus stad sinn a’ seanchas. Thuirt an air an glasadh air taobh a muigh a’ gharaidh | Tirisdeach mar so, “Bha mi faire oidhche an a tha mor-thimcheall an eilein eadar an talamh j aon de phaircean a’ bhaile, agus chunnaic mi aitich is an dachaidh. Tha iad, mar sin, bed | peasan mosach a’ deanamh ni nach bu choir air feamainn is eile, agus air meanbh-lusan a’ | dha.. Chaidh mi far an robh e agus bhuail mi chladaich. An uair a chrochar feoil nan j e, ach cha d’amais mi air, agus thuit e. Nuair caorach sin chithear i mar an t-iasg san dorcha ] a dh’eirich e bhuail mi e a rithist san aon aite, le cuile-bianain; agus tha bias na mara air j agus thuit e a rithist.” Chan ann an Gallaibh an fheoil. uile tha an t-olc! Cuiridh duine umhail mhor air feoil chaorach S.S. san Eilean Fhada agus an eileanan eile seach j — 38 — feoil a thig bho Thir-mor agus bharr nam A dh’ionnsaigh na tir’ machraichean air an Taobh Sear. Tha feoil Tha gach cridhe ri sealg; nam machraichean nas reamhra, agus a’ ’Chur cul ris a’ mhi-ghean chuid a tha dubh dhith air ro bheag de’n Tha daoine ’nan uaill fhior bhlas mhilis a tha air stoc nan eileanan. Toirt an leir-sgrios an innleachd Tha barrachd air aon aobhar air sin. Tha so ’Na dhileib do’n t-sluagh. ann air tiis, gu bheil eadar-dhealachadh anns na spreidhean agus anns an fheurach. Agus De ’s ciall e do’n duine tha so eile ann, gu bheil na caoraich anns na Bhith stri no bhith sas h-eileanan a’ call an cuid feola gach geamhradh Ri saoghal th’air dimeas is earrach; agus an uair a thig an samhradh is Gach ni san robh agh; a bhrataicheas iad a rithist bidh an fheoil a ’Cur suas leis an oighreachd bhios orra ur is milis an comhnuidh. Feoil na Tha daoi ri toirt beo, h-aon bhliadhna a bhios ann. ’S an fhaire ri smeideadh Chaidh dithis an Glaschu, bho chionn iomadh Gu sith Tir-nan-Og? bliadhna a nis, do thigh-bidh, agus dh’iarr iad mo It-fheoil. Fhuair iad sin. An uair a Ah Bard Bochd. bha iad ag itheadh na feola thuirt fear aca ris an fhear eile, ‘ ‘ Innsidh mi dhut co as a thainig an fheoil a tha so.” “Cait as a thainig i?” ars am fear eile. “Thainig i a eilean beag anns na Hearadh air a bheil an Scarp.” Ars So Mar A Bha am fear eile, “A bheil thu an duil gun creid Tha e air aithris gur ann mar so a dh’eirich mise a’ leithid sin bhuat?” Fhreagair a an da sheanfhacal a leanas: Na h-uachdarain charaid agus thuirt e, “Cuiridh mi a’ leithid anns a’ Ghaidhealtachd, a bha air taobh nan so air a’ gheall riut.” “Cuiridh mise geall Seumasach aig am an ar-amach aig toiseach riut nach ann. Ach ciamar a theid againn air an ochdamh linne deug, chaill iad an cuid a dhearbhadh?” “Nach fhoighnich sinn do oighreachdan agus dh’fhuadaicheadh iad fhein fhear na biithadh cait an d’fhuair e an fheoil ?’ ’ thar chuain no theich iad le am beatha do Rinn iad sin, agus dh’ innis am fear sin dhuthchannan na Roinn Eorpa. A measg na dhaibh am feoladair o’n d’ fhuair e an fheoil; theich bha Uilleam Dubh, larla Shiophort, agus cha robh ach falbh ball-direach chun a’ agus thug esan an Fhraing air. bhuitsear sin. Bha deagh fhios aige-san co as Cha do chaill a chairdean a dh’fhag e air a a thainig na muilt ceart gu leoir. Chaidh an chill cuimhne air, agus cha mhotha rinn iad ceannach an Inbhir-Pheopharain air a shon, dearmad air fheum. Dh’aindeoin feall-fhalach agus thainig iad air tus as na Hearadh far an is geir fhaire chuir an Seumarlan aige, Sgaire do reic fear a eilean air an robh an Scarp iad, MacAmhlaidh, cuid de mhal Leodhais air son fear air an robh Tormod MacAonghais. Agus comhnadh leis ’na fheum far an robh e. Aon bha sin ceart. ‘ ‘ Agus air son Ghlaschu dheth!’ ’ bhliadhna dh’earb an Seumarlan ri Murchadh Calum MacGilleathain. MacCoinnich, fear-taca Lacasaidh nan Loch, an turus anrach do’n Fhraing a ghabhail gu bhith cur an lamh an larla comhnadh airgid. Thainig Murchadh Dubh air Uilleam Dubh, an t-Iarla, is e buain monach leis fhein. Bho Path Mo Mhulaid— chulaibh, gun smid a radh, chuir e a lamh air gualainn an uachdarain agus thubhairt e gu N.A.T.O. Steornabhaigh seimh, socair, “Bha latha eile aig fear na ’N dol fodha na greine monach.” Gun suil a thoirt air an fhear a bha Aig cian-oir an lear labhairt, fhreagair am fear eile a bha cho geur Tha samhla ro aillidh air a theanga, “Chan eil duine gun da latha Ri taladh gu siar; ach duine gun latha idir.” Le gealladh na h-6ige An tir a tha buan, Sa’ bheil gean agus solas, 'S gach loinn tha ri luaidh. Chan eil e a muigh, 's chan eil e a stigh, A bhriathran meal-theangaidh ach chan eil an tigh as aonais. Ri taladh gu falbh (Glutadh anns a’ bhalla) — 39 — fior sgoilear Gaidhlig a leasaicheas an obair f Aonghas Macleoid ris na chuir esan a lamh. Chaidh Aonghas MacLeoid, M.A., B.Sc., Tha ar co-fhaireachdainn aig a cheile is aig S F.E.I.S., a ghairm dhachaidh toiseach an a mhac, Alasdair, agus aig a bhrathair is a | earraich. Dh’fhag e ’na dheidh moran a dhithis pheathraichean ann an Garrabost. bhitheas ’g a ionndrainn is ’g a chaoidh air son Seumas MacThomais. I iomadh latha. Le a bhas chaidh solus mor as ann an riogh- achd na Gaidhlig. Is ann tearc a bha iad a measg nan Gaidheal air an cuala sinn iomradh Lonach aig an robh buadhan inntinne cho comasach ’s Ma tha eun eile san ealtainn cho lonach ris | a bha aige no a chuir gu ire iad cho buileach. an druid chan aithne dhomhsa e. Madainn no J Thug e lan chothrom fad a bheatha do na dha air ais chuir mi pronnach arain air an 1 talannan mora agus do na sochairean a bhuil- lie air cixlaibh an tighe air son nam breacan- 1 icheadh air. Shaothraich e gu dian a chum e beithe a tha cho trie a’ tadhal air an lios I fhein ullachadh air son a dhreuchd, agus tha againn. Cha bu luaithe a chuir mi cixl ris an I toradh a shaothrach anns gach dleasdanas a fheisd aca agus a sheas mi air taobh a stigh na J chuireadh roimhe a’ toirt fianuis shoilleir air h-uinneige, a dh’fhaicinn de a thachradh, na cho uidheamaichte ’s a bha e. Bha e iasgaidh thainig sgaoth de na h-eoin bheaga. Co as a I is gniomhach, faidhidinneach is fad-sheallach, thainig iad chan eil fhios agam, ach cha robh I dileas is earbsach. Agus ged nach sparradh e so ’na iongnadh orm idir oir ’s fhada bho thuig | a bheachd air neach eile bha a shealladh fhein mi gu bheil suilean geire aig na h-eoin. Tha j na creutairean bochda daonnan feumach, agus ; daonnan soilleir. daonnan a’ feitheamh air spiris no air sgeith ; A Sgoil Phabail far na nochd e an toiseach gun fhios caite am fosgail dorus dhaibh. meud a chomais chaidh e do Ard Sgoil Steor- Thainig iad, ma-ta, agus air ball chuairtich nabhaigh. Chuir mi eolas air an sin mar iad an spruilleach, gach fear le a ghob an sas, sgoilear barraichte, agus a rithist an Oil-thigh a’ piceadh air an lie no air geig far na thog e Obaireadhain far na sheas e air a’ bhinnean a leis pronnag chum ithe ann an sith. Abair b’airde mar oileanach. An deidh bliadhna no iomairt air ais 's air adhart, a null ’s a nail, > dha ’na fhear-cuidich san Oil-thigh bha e air sios is suas, a’ putadh a cheile air falbh o’n j son beagan bhliadhnachadh a’ teagasg Mathe- chuirm air eagal nach robh gu leor ann air son matics ann an aon de ard sgoilean a’ bhaile. nan uile a shasachadh. Chaidh e as an sin, ’ na dhuine 6g, gu bhith os Ach cha d’fhuair na breacain-beithe an latha I cionn Ard Sgoil an Obain far na shaothraich gu leir dhaibh fhein idir. Mar chlach as an i e gu soirbheachail fad aon bliadhna deug ar athar bhuail druid ’nan teis-meadhoin mus J fhichead. Rinn e obair ionmholta san Oban, robh iad letheach ullamh, sgap i na bha air i obair a leanas agus air an tig fas. Bithidh an lar de na h-eoin bheaga, is thoisich i dinneadh cuimhne chubhraidh air Aonghas MacLeoid air ’ na sgroban na ghabhadh ann. An t-eagal leis feadh Earraghaidheil, agus an iomadh aite air na theich each dh’fhag iad gu h-aithghearr air | feadh an t-saoghail far am faighear na sgoilearan an cul is thill iad a rithist agus a rithist. a bha fo a theagasg is fo a chiiram. Bha e Bheireadh an druid ruid as deidh an fhir a j doigheil ’na naduir, dixrachdach ’na ghne, b’fhaisge, ach fhad’s a bha ise a’ fuadach an uasal is coibhneil ’na ghiulan. Ged nach cluinnte fhir sin bha buidheann eile an sas anns a’ a ghuth air na sraidean bha e deidheil air bhiadh. Cha bu luaithe a thionndaidheadh i cuideachd, agus abhachdach, sona a measg a cul na bha dusan a’ dleasadh an corach. a chairdean. Ged a bhiodh suilean air a cul cho math ’s Bha uidh mhor aige riamh anns a’ Ghaidhlig a bha ’na ceann bheireadh e a leor dhi siiil a —’na bardachd is ’na ceol. Rannsaich e gu chumail air na bha tighinn oirre o gach taobh. mion agus gu farsaing litreachas na Gaidhlig, Bha an fheisd a nis a’ sior sheargadh, ach is agus cha robh moran ’na latha aig an robh e fior bheag dith air na bhlais an druid. Agus doimhne an eolais aige air bardachd is rosg. am beagan a bha air fhagai 1 cha robh e an Cha do dh’fhag e moran de oidhirpean sgrlobh- dan di beul a chur air. Thainig druid eile cho aidh fhein ann an Gaidhlig. Ach anns a’ obann rithe fhein. Cha robh dad air aire an mhineachadh agus anns an eadar-theangachadh dara te ach fuadach na te eile o na bha an a rinn e air bardachd Dhonnchaidh Bhain agus lathair de na criomagan. Am feadh 's a bha Alasdair Mac Mhaighistir Alasdair dh’fhag e an da dhruid a’ ruagadh a cheile bha na breacain gu leoir gu bhith cur luchd leughaidh agus a’ cur criche air a’ chuirm ann an sith. luchd ionnsachaidh fada ’na chomain. Is e S.D.T. LEARNER’S PAGE Chan fhaca mi fhein iasg a riamh a chuirinn I myself never saw a fish that I would prefer air thoiseach air a’ bhradan air son Ion air to salmon for any meal, and not only that bith, agus chan e sin a mhain ach tha e cho but it is as beautiful as a fish as it is pleasing sgeimheach ’na iasg agus a tha e taitneach ’na as food. The herring itself, newly shaken from bhiadh. Tha an sgadan e fhein, air iir-chrath- the net, is a beautiful fish but handsome as it adh as an lion, ’na iasg maiseach, ach loinneil and many other kinds are, the salmon excells agus mar a tha esan agus iomadh sebrsa eile, them all. The salmon belongs to the water tha am bradan a’ toirt barr air na h-uile. Tha loch, to the pool and to the river as well as am bradan leis an loch uisge, leis an linne, agus to the sea. But for that fact I would be leis an abhainn, cho math ri bhith leis a’ chuan. constrained to say—the lobster, the salmon, Mur b’e sin bhithinn air mo cho-eigneachadh the seal, heroes of the sea. The mackerel has gu bhith ’g radh—an giomach, am bradan, an the look of a hero, and its most desirable ron, seoid a’ chuain. Ach is ann air an rionnach haunts are the ocean, the depth of the sea, fhein a tha coltas an t-seoid agus- is iad an cuan, and the sea current. A grey striped fish, an doimhneachd saile, agus an sruth mara na pointed in front, round in body, slim and h-ionadan ion-mhiannaichte aige fhein. lasg shapely towards the base of the tail, with the glas, stiallach, geur roimhe, cruinn timcheall, tail widespread, narrow and strong. This caol cuimir gu bun an earbaill, agus an t-earball grey fellow is well equipped for the sea race. farsaing, caol, laidir; tha an gille glas so air fhior uidheamachadh air son na reis mara. An robh sibh riamh ’g a iasgach le na slatan ? Were you ever fishing for it with the rods? Ma bha, tha fios agaibh gu bheil neart agus If you were, you know it has strength and sgoinn ann a tha dol fada thar a mheud. Leum- activity far beyond its size. It will leap in aidh e anns an t-sruth agus an uair a leumas the tide-stream and when it does it dives bheir e grad ionnsaigh fodha; agus mur eil an immediately; unless the tackle is strong, and acfhuinn foghainnteach, agus gu h-araidh ma especially if the mackerel has a friend or two, tha caraid no dha aig an rionnach, tha dubhan a hook and a fly will be missing. The mackerel is ite gus a bhith dhith air an aireamh. Bheir will make the line whistle when it dives. an rionnach fead air an driamlaich an uair a Though I would not taste the fish, I shall never bheir e a cheann fodha. Agus ged nach blaisinn forget the strength and vigour of the mackerel. air an iasg, cha di-chuimhnich mi idir treoir Mackerel fishing reminds me of the bright days is tapachd an rionnaich. Tha • iasgach nan of my youth: the most skilled and best men rionnach a’ toirt laithean geala m’oige ’nam and I in a boat on a beautiful evening, after chuimhne: mise agus na fir a bu teoma agus a sunset, with a slight breeze, the heat of the b’fhearr an eathar air feasgar briagha, a’ day and the coolness of evening intermingling, ghrian air dpi fodha agus faiteal beag . air the ever present and sweet smell of the sea, tighinn air a! ghaioith, blaths an latha agus and, seemingly, the smell of the fish in the fionnarachd an anmoich a’ comhlachadh a chpile, breeze; the sea darkening, but still deep green ’j faileadh na mara cho cunbhallach agus ciibh- above the sand, and violet over the beach, the 'i raidh agus, ar leat„ faileadh an eisg anns an beautiful narrow strait in the Hebrides. fhaiteal gaoithe; am muir a’ dorchadh, ach fhathast from uaine thar na gaineimh, agus I dearg thar a’ chladaich, an caolas beag, boidh- | each an Innse Gall. 1. Leag sinn an sebl aig bun na h-aibhne. 1. We lowered the sail at the mouth of the 2. Tha moran comhraidh a’ ruith air an duine river. ud. 2. That man talks a great deal. 3. Ruithidh an rud sin air an uisge. 3. That thing will dissolve in the water. 4. Cuir sgoinn ort gus am beir thu air. 4. Bestir yourself so that you may overtake 5. Tha an eaglais air a h-eigheach ban. him. 6. Tha i gle mhor as an litir a fhuair i. 5. The church has been declared vacant. 6. She is very proud of the letter she received. “Maol Ruairi Ghlinneachan” Dh'fhalbh do mhathair 's thug i’m fireach Is trie a chluinnear an seann taladh ceolmhor oirr’, so, ach is e cheist, Co b’e Maol Ruairi (no Maol Ba ho ro Mhaol Ruairi. Ruanaidh) Ghlinneachan, agus a bheil ciall Bu mhath dhasan nach do thuig na maoir aig an ainm? ciall nam briathran sin, oir nam b’ann mar Leugh is chuala sinn gur h-e mathair a theich sin a bha cha robh iad air falbh as aonais fhein ’s a dh’fhag a leanabh sa’ chreathall agus gur ’s an uain. h-e bean-sithe a rinn an t-6ran. A reir beul- Bho Sgoil Bhreibhig. aithris Bharraidh tha sin buileach cearr; ach is fhearr dhuinn an sgeul innse slan mar a chuala sinn e. Mar tha fios agaibh, anns na seann laithean Na Sithichean thigeadh gorta air an tir aig amannan, agus R. F. Mollison cha robh aig daoine bochda uibhir 's a ghleidh- ANGUS, Angus where are you” in a eadh iad bho dhith agus bho dheireas. Thachair woman’s cry came from the doorway of a’ leithid anns a’ Ghaidhealtachd bho chionn - a cottage over by the fir wood. But fhada, agus bha duine bochd aig an robh Angus himself guddlin for troot in the burn teaghlach 6g cha mhor as a rian is a’ chlann not a hundred yards away just muttered ‘ ‘ ach’ ’, bheag aige a’ ranaich leis an acras. Cha robh and carried on. biadh no annlann aige dhaibh; agus air son Bob, the old black and white collie that was na nabaidhean, bha iad san aon chor ris fhein. lying among the bluebells on the bank, had Nis bha drobh chaorach aig uachdaran a’ sprung to his feet on hearing the cry, but seeing bhaile air an t-sliabh, agus air a’ cheann mu that his young master paid no heed to it gave dheireadh smaointich an duine truagh gun a whimper as much as to say ‘ ‘we had better eireadh e sa’ mhoch-thrath is gun goideadh e go’ ’ , and lying down again he watched through beathach caorach a chumadh an teaghlach beo. half shut eyes the beloved figure with his kilt Thug e leis an cu a’ mhadainn a bha so agus “draigglin” in the burn, slipping hands round chro e caoraich an uachdarain. Laigh a shuil likely stones or shoving a brown, freckled arm air caora aig an robh uan mor, maol, reamhar into holes in the bank. Great friends those agus thuirt e ris fhein, ‘ ‘ Sud a’ charaid a bheir two had grown—together from puppyhood days mise dhachaidh.” Thug e leis a’ chaora is nine long years ago. an t-uan agus bha iad gu bhith aig tigh nuair ‘ ‘ Angus’ ’. The cry came this time with a a fhuair a’ chaora as agus'theich i air ais do’n nip in its tone that made the owner of the name bheinn. Cha robh aige nis ach an t-uan. straighten his back with a jerk, and muttering Cha robh ciobairean an uachdarain fada a’ to himself what he was going to do to the troot deanamh a mach an dearbh mhadainn ud nach he had nearly caught, reluctantly scrambled up robh an treud uile aca. Fhuair iad a’ chaora the bank, and, with Bob bounding on in front, a bha air chall agus thuit an t-amharus air an trotted homewards to see what was wanted of duine bhochd gur h-e am meirleach a ghoid an him. Meanwhile his mother was busy tying ; t-uan. Chuireadh fios air na maoir. up a parcel on the kitchen table, her thoughts I ’S e tigh dubh a bha aig an teaghlach le anything but pleasant, for her young son was f balla-tarsainn. Anns a’ cheann anns am getting more and more out of hand every day. biodh na h-ainmhidhean mharbh an t-athair Anything he did for her was done with a grudge an t-uan, chroch e suas air sparr e, agus thoisich- and a black frown. Today when he had j eadh air feannadh. Cha robh e ullamh dh’an promised to be home early to take a message 5 fheannadh nuair a chuala e glaodh o’n chloinn, he had wasted his time until it was almost “Tha triuir fhear a nuas an leathad agus tha too late to do anything about it. And Angus j iad gu bhith aig an tigh.” Chlisg an duine had been such a nice boy. No doubt she agus fhios aige gu ro mhath de ceann-deiridh herself was partly to blame, not strict enough, j na ciiise nan glacte e leis an uan. With the lad growing up it was a father’s hand Bha na maoir gu bhith aig an dorus nuair a that was needed for guidance. spion e nuas an t-uan, agus a’ ruith e leis gu At this point a crash at the door, as two j ceann-iochdair an tighe shuain e bad aodaich bodies tried to enter at the same time, pro- timcheall air agus ann an tiota sud a’ chlosach claimed the return of the truant. “What is j aige sa’ chreathall. Thoisich e an uair sin air it, mother?’’, cried Angus rebelliously. “You tulgadh na creathlach agus is e so an taladh a remember, Angus, you promised to take this bha e seinn: parcel to Mr. McColl for me; it is getting late Ba ho ro Mhaol Ruairi Ghlinneachan, and he expects it tonight’ ’. Seeing a dour look Ba ho ro Mhaol Ruairi; creeping over her son’s face she laid her hand If on his shoulder and continued “You are the with a look of expectancy and she knew she only man I have to do things for me, and your was not alone. Somebody stood at her side, father would not like to know that you had some one she could not see, but she knew failed to help.” Young Angus’s heart swelled beyond any doubt that Colin was there. with pride to be called a man. After all he It was not for the first time he had come to was only a boy, and for all his thrawnness he her aid when things were difficult. The same loved his mother very much. “I’m sorry, feeling of comfort and strength she had ex- mother, but I’ 11 no be long in going to McColl’s. perienced on those other occasions filled her I think I could run fast enough if I had something heart, chasing away despair like the sun coming to eat for I’m awful hungry.” from behind the clouds. Unafraid and happy she sat for a few minutes until she knew he His mother laughed, and, going to the press, had gone from her as suddenly as he had she took a big, thick treacle scone from a tin come, but leaving behind the sweet knowledge box and spread fresh butter on it with a generous of his presence along with the certainty that hand. Angus’ teeth watered at the sight of the path of duty, the cottage, and young Angus it, and well they might for Mrs. MacDougall were all bound up together. was famed for her treacle scones and fresh What about the young messenger now ? butter. As one wife remarked after her seventh Alas! his good intentions were gradually for- scone, “They just melt in your mouth”. gotten the farther he got away from home, and Young Angus with the buttered scone already by the time he reached the larch wood, where ' melting in his mouth and with the parcel the “wee folk” dwelt, he had expanded into i under his oxter set out for McColl’s croft. a great explorer, fighting singlehanded a host His mother and Bob watched the sturdy young of savages. He flung the parcel containing figure as he mounted the path that ran round McColl’s suit which his mother had so carefully the end of the hill. The dog had been forbidden renewed into a thicket of dockens and nettles. ! to go for when the two of them were together Breaking a branch of hazel growing on the time was forgotten. Now, as he lay at full bank, and using it as a great claymore, he stretch with his nose between his paws, a swiped the heads off the thistles, foxgloves and I prodigious sigh exploded from his nose as he bluebells which grew in great profusion round ; thought of the rare time they could have had. about. To him in his present mood they , Mrs. MacDougall laughed and, clapping Bob represented to his vivid imagination the | on the head, she entered the house and sat down bloodthirsty hordes that dared to bar his way. : for a rest before she saw to the hens and the Swipe, and away went a handful of bluebells. I two cows for the night. Sitting there she Another swipe, and half a dozen stalks of realised how tired she was for it had been a foxgloves were lying on the ground. “By busy day. For a moment she wondered jings,” said Angus to himself, “what a great whether she should give up the croft and live in lad I am; six savages headless at one stroke.” the village where Angus could have companions Hacking away, he saw himself in a boat sailing ; more of his own age. But her heart failed her for home. And nearing the pier he could see | at the thought of leaving the cottage where she the crowds awaiting his arrival. The King had spent her happiest years. and Queen were there in the front rank, and i Remembrance came of the day when she had just behind them stood his mother and the ,seen it for the first time. She had come from Oban Pipe Band, and already he could hear | Edinburgh to spend a holiday with her grand- the tune they were playing—“Scotland the jmother in the village. On a long tramp over Brave.” He could see the drum sticks of I the hills on a day of excessive heat in August Donald MacAlpine flashing in the sun, and his ! she came to the cottage door for a drink of heart swelled with pride. Fancy Donald | milk. Colin himself had come in answer to playing for him, Donald who was the hero of I her knock, and that was the start of it. When all the boys of Glenshelloch, who could guddle his mother died they were married. After a for troot and throw them to the bank as if he year or two the war started, and Colin and were shelling peas, catch salmon when no one most of the men in the clachan answered the else could, lift a heavy bag of flour when every- call. Colin never came back; he was killed body else was beaten, get six rabbits in a row piping his company to victory. He had left and kill them all with one shot. And the best his croft and all it contained in trust for young twirler of drum sticks in all Scotland. “ Jings, Angus then a babe of two. All these thoughts it was worth all the terrible dangers and hair- on top of a trying day sapped her usually brave breadth escapes I passed through to get this a spirit; things looked black, a sob broke the great welcome.” ; silence and tears ran down her cheeks. Suddenly As his imagination reached this height he Jher tears ceased to flow; her eyes brightened made a terrific final swipe at the last of the bluebells and foxgloves, and as the pink and Because the Celts were a race more pastoral blue petals fluttered to the ground Angus than- agrarian, it is natural to find many muttered, “Ach, that’s them all killed. I am customs relating to the herding of cattle, glad for my arms are sore, and it’s ower warm sheep, and goats. Blessings were said while tae fecht ony mair.” So saying he flung his driving the animals to the pasture, for their trusty blade away nearly braining a water-hen protection while grazing, and while they made zigzagging across the water near by. Our hero their way back to the croft again. Bride and then flung himself down on a patch of crimson Columba feature most in these expressions sweet-smelling thyme and gave himself up to which contain a mixture of religious and a feeling of sheer satisfaction. superstitious elements. The sewing of the seed was always preceded [to be continued.) by a ceremony concerned with the consecration of the seed in the hopes of a quick germination and a subsequent rich harvest. The reaping in due course was also accompanied by further The Folklore Element ritual and ceremony. When one family’s harvest was completed, in Garmina Gadelica the image of an old woman—known as the (Part 3) “Hag”—was sometimes sent to a laggard neighbour. The “gift” was greatly resented By F. G. Thomson and on occasions resulted in bad feeling between OCCUPATIONS concerned with the pro- the two parties. duction of cloth are clipping, warping, One of the main events in the pastoral year setting the iomart, weaving, washing and of the Gael was going bho baile gu beinn: to the waulking. All of these were performed with sheiling. This feature has survived in Lewis utterances of a religious and superstitious To the present day, where a semblance of the nature. Biblical and Celtic saints are usually exodus from the town is still seen at the beginning invoked to favour each task with success. of the summer months. The customs related Thursday, the day of Columba, was an aus- in Carmina Gadelica echo fast rituals observed picious day for the commencement of cloth- on Beltane. A hunter’s initiation into his making operations. Blessings were said to craft consisted of the placing of oil on his head ward off the malicious attentions of the fairies by his fellow-hunters while he stood bare-footed while the loom is out of action over the Sabbath on a piece of grassless ground with his bow in day. his hand. He swore to kill no sitting bird, The waulking of the cloth is one phase of nor beast lying down, nor the mother of a cloth-making which is well known. Before the brood. The preservation of life was to be just waulking began, a libation of milk was poured as important to him as was the justified killing on to a fixed rock for the propitiation of the for food. The consecration Of the chase con- loireag, a supernatural female who presided sisted in the hunter washing his face in the over the proceedings. There were seven distinct waters at the junction of three streams. (This phases in waulking, from the first action, to seems to be a ritual- common to numerous get the women into the swing of the work, occasions; cf. Invocation for Justice.) to, the consecration of the cloth and the subse- As the day of the Gael began, so did it end: quent folding of it before it was handed to the with personal ritual, this time mainly concerned owner. An interesting point is the refusal of with smooring the fire and the invocation of fishermen to wear cloth which had been dyed the Deity for night-shielding and bedding with crotal, because of its associations with prayers. The safe-guarding of the person was rocks. requested and a blessing on house and hearth. While touching on the subject of -fishermen Carmina Gadelica contains much material and fishing, some customs can be related here which presents peculiar problems in classifi- concerning the occupation. Fishing banks were cation. Carmichael uses the heading Miscellan- allocated by lots to each man, and he kept eous to include items which could be adequately that portion for a year. The first hook of the dealt with under a subject heading. But there season was always let down in the name of the are a number of; items which defy any sort of Trinity; and when a man first became a fisher- classification at all; a discussion of these is man, he was taken by his fellow-fishers and outwith the scope of the present series of articles. dipped into a sea-pool to initiate him into his Some conclusions may be derived from what new craft. The coopering and certain other has been presented so far. At the moment trades have similar initiating ceremonies per- work is being done to subject the Collection formed at the completion of an apprenticeship. to a close inve$tigation of the folklore elements contained therein. What has been done in recorded instances, usually occasions in the these articles is merely the presentation of some lives of biblical and Celtic saints (and especially of the parallels and survivals of lore which Columba), which were communicated to the were in existence 100 years ago. As has been folk through the medium and visiting clerics mentioned earlier, the subject is too vast to who had direct or indirect access to sacred entertain the hope of full communication to writings. We can assume with reason that readers through the medium of short articles. most of the traditions associated with Columba However, sufficient has been given to realise were derived from literary and hagiographical that Carmina Gadelica has an important place sources in the first instances, and then were within the confines of Scottish folklore research, transmitted orally to succeeding generations in the first instance, and in the broad assessment with a fair proportion of fidelity. Betha Colaim in international folklore. Chille (mentioned above) indicates that his The elements which are most conspicious in associations with cattle and certain biographical Carmina Gadelica are those which are echoes of instances spring from literary sources. We folk beliefs and superstitions. Many of these may thus take a similar view when considering echoes have come ringing down through the Columba in Carmina Gadelica. centuries to the present day; and some are now One of the many problems arising from an - so much a part of our lives that it is reasonable assessment of Carmina Gadelica is that con- to expect, even in this age of rationalism, that cerned with item classification. There is no they will continue to echo in the lives of future precedent to follow for this kind of thing, generations. Parallels to many elements in although some measure of guidance is to be Carmina Gadelica can be found in modern had from the Stith Thompson Motif Index of folklore; and folklore being as old as the hills Folk Literature. But the Index deals largely and as young as tomorrow there must be a with folklore elements and motifs found in ■continual assessment and re-assessment for the folk tales and the like and can only be applied better understanding of man and his relationship with care to the material in Carmina Gadelica. with things spiritual and material. Even the criteria adopted by James Ross (see The folklore elements in Carmina Gadelica Scottish Studies, 1) in the classification of are derived from two main sources simul- Gaelic folk-song can only be applied with laneously: (1) popular folk beliefs; and (2) reservation because of the nature and over- ecclesiastical literary tradition (e.g., the fre- lapping of many related items. Thus, any quent appearance of holy numbers and the analysis of items must be based on some con- citation of biblical historical instances). venient arbitrary system concerned mainly with In Carmina Gadelica we are fortunate in that type designation and content classification; and we have material derived mainly from an oral the analysis must also be based on the internal tradition. This means that the material was evidence offered by the Collection. taken fresh from the minds of the people and Religious items and those expressing religious not from literary sources. Thus the problem sentiment can be classed according to function of creating a division between (1) and (2) does using Carmichael’s own subject headings; but not present itself. (An instance of what might the items themselves do not reveal their func- have been the case can be seen with regard to tion from an examination of their contents. the Irish folklore collection, (Betha Colaim Indeed, the same (or nearly the same) formula Chille, compiled by Manus O’Donnell and is used to gain a desired effect on dissimilar published in 1532. The material in this occasions. Similar difficulties arise with fairy ■collection was compiled from both oral and songs, waulking songs, etc., which are so called literary (hagiographical) sources, and this has because of the relevant information given by created problems of material derivation for the collector regarding the circumstances in modern dietors of Irish folklore. See Eigse, which the items were found or given. Textual Yol. viii.) content is thus not always indicative of function Thus, from an oral tradition, fixed in per- of type. petuity in written form, we get a good picture Occupational songs and those items with a of the folk life in the Highlands and Islands ritualistic significance also present problems; 100 years ago. And we can reasonably expect but enough has been said to show that Carmina that the picture was substantially the same in Gadelica requires very careful handling; there preceding centuries. is ever present the tendency to clothe items with But, although the oral tradition is dominant strange garments, this becoming apparent when i in Carmina Gadelica, there are some elements the sub-division of subject-groups is attempted. which have been originally derived from One is then forced to adopt a system of classi- i literary sources. By this we mean those fication which allows some latitude in order to accommodate a reasonable solution to the Rev. W. Wortley French, Dunedin, N.Z. ■— 5 — problems of assessing the Collection. Miss Lucy Cameron, Glenmoriston— The above remarks are indicative of some of Travellingrelinquished Expenses .. to.. Dundee.. Mod.. 2 15 — the Work being done on the Collection at the moment and which, when ultimately completed ~ 6 with reasonable satisfaction, may serve to indicate the importance of and enhance the COMUNN NA H OIGRIDH value of the work of Alexander Carmichael and his monumental Carmina Gadelica. AberdeenForres Branch Branch .. £5 - - (concluded) NewtonmoreCromarty Branch Branch . . 32 32 — NationalMiss Kay Matheson,Farmers’ Union Inverasdale of Scotland, 50 InvernessInverness Branch District .. Branch Treasurer’s Notes JohnK. Cameron, A. Macdonald, Esq., Inverness Esq., .. M.A.. NATIONAL MOD 1959 ExpensesGlasgow—Dundee relinquished Mod .. Travelling 1 S Received at Dundee—- Miss Kay Matheson, Inverasdaie—Fro Previously acknowledged Gairlochceeds of Districttwo Ceilidhs held in The Received at Headquarters— Lairg Branch Previously acknowledged /238 — 9 Mrs.Airds, H. M.Amersham Campbell of.. 3 F. ManchesterC. Harding, . . Esq.,.. — 16 Crieff and District High- Branch Reports Col.land Guthrie, Association Angus .. 52 —5 — MissOrd May Bell, Muir of — 6 - AYR Euan Macdiarmid, Esq., whenAn enjoyablea programme ceilidh of a was high held standard in Ayr wason 8th presented- January- M.A.,burgh C.A.,. . .Edin- . . . — 5 — Rev. Archie Beaton presided with great acceptance- Col. Maule Florae, Parkstone 4 Mr.Gaelic Calum songs, Cameron and Mr. Harryand Miss Maclndoe Ina McDiarmid sang in English^ sang HughAberdeen A. Muir,.. Esq.,.. — 7 9 A member of the Junior Choir, Frances Matthews, The Glasgow Celtic Song.gave a ’' delightful rendering of the ‘ ‘ Shepherd's Cradle Society. .. . . 4 10 — MANCHESTER BRANCH EdinburghComunn naBranch Clarsaich of 2 — — General Sir Philip of GreetingsAn Comunn and South a challenge of the Border,from the to onlyBranches Branch in Mrs.Christison A. E. Matheson . . . . 32 — — the North. Less than a dozen members of the Branch Cruachan Branch .. 2126 alsoare nativemembers Gaelic of Anspeakers, Comunn. but all 160 members are PaisleyAssociation Highlanders’ .. 3 3 — A group of members formed the ‘ ‘ Manchester Gaelicr Studylate Mr. Circle” W. G. inMacdonald 1952, under of Lewis.the tutorship All are ofkeen, the £3,121 13 8 Branchand four supports have become a Gaelic fluent Choir, Gaelic whose speakers. conductor- The CENTRAL FUND reader.Pat Curley, Flora Macfarlane,hails from comesNewtonmore, from Mull. and whose Previously acknowledged...... £117 2 6 Monthly ceilidhs are held from October to March. Mrs.Donald A. MacLean,MacLean, Esq.,Wells, Skeabost Canada Bridge.. — 14 —9 In April a special ceilidh is held in aid of Mod Funds. Lochalsh Gaelic Choir .. .. . • 5 — — JuneMay seesmembers a good invade attendance the Cheshire for our countryside A.G.M., andwhich in PaisleyDingwall Highlanders’Association Branch ...... • •• 103 3 — echoes to the skirl of the pipes, for our annual picnic. Aberfeldy Branch . . .. . • • • 4 A heartening feature of the ceilidhs this season has Brian G .’ Lane, Esq., Cornwall .. . . —11 2 — been the increasing number of young folk attending. Lairg Branch . . .. • • • • Artistes.When possible In November we have we hadGaelic Neil speakersand Jenny as Maclean Guest £141 17 3 in December we had Nan Hunter. In December too, includinga capacity 209the attendadLord Mayor our annual and Lady“Highland Mayoress Ball”, of MAGAZINE FUND Manchester. It was a social and financial success, Previously acknowledged.. .. . • £7 10 6 ceilidhand as Highlandwe shall as welcome we could Archiemake it. Maclean, At our February and in Murdo Macleod, Esq., M.A., Dunbar . . — 10 — March Kenna Campbell will receive a similar welcome. AN GAIOHEAL THE GAEL Editor — ]. THOMSON, M.A., F.E.I.S., 116 WEST SAVILE TERRACE, EDINBURGH to whom all correspondence should be addressed except that concerning advertising, which should be addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer. 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C.2. Telephone: DOUglas 1433. Leabhar LV AN CEITEIN, 1960 Aireamh 5

MARAIGHEAN LAMHCHAIREACH NACH trie a chuala sinn nach eil agus nach eile a’ Bhaltaic, a thuilleadh air na bha dol robh na Gaidheil a riamh cho sgoinneil do’n Olaind, do’n Fhraing, do’n Spainnt no cho lamhchaireach air son an teachd- agus a sin gu diithchannan eile a’ Mhuir- an-tir a chosnadh ri iomadh sluagh eile. Ma Mheadhoin. Lean so fad ceud bliadhna is tha gus eil sin fior an diugh, gu cinnteach cha corr. Mar a bha na h-innealan iasgaich a’ dol robh e fior a thaobh nan Leodhasach aig an am feabhas, agus am margadh a’ fosgladh suas am air eil mi dol a dheanamh iomraidh an bha meud na malairt a’ sior fhas. nochd. 'S ann a bha iad fhein agus na cinn- Anns a’ bhliadhna 1792 chuireadh air bord iuil aca ’nan cuis-fharmaid air son cho gniomh- an Steornabhagh corr air sia mile baraille ach ’s a bha iad agus cho fad-sheallach ’nan sgadain agus tri fichead 's a ceithir tonna oidhirpean. eisg. Ach anns a’ bhliadhna 1870 reiceadh ’ S ann mar mharaichean a dhearbh na Leodh- agus chuireadh thar chuain suas ri sia ceud asaich an tapachd agus an gleusdachd air tiis. deug mile baraille sgadain, agus mu thri ceud Nuair nach robh innealan iasgaich ann ach mile beathach eisg. Chan ann diomhain a bha eathraichean no bataichean beaga fosgailte cha daoine mus do thachair sin. Aig aon am bha b’urrainn iad druim a’ chuain a thadhal. Aig dluth air ceithir mile fear an sas anns an obair an am-sa ’s e Loch an Rog an t-ait iasgaich a gun ghuth air na tri mile is corr de na caileagan bh’ aca sa' gheamhradh, agus ’s ann ris na a bha laimhseachadh an eisg air tir. Suainich a bha iad a reic a’ chuid mhor de’n Ach ’s e cheist a bha romham an nochd: sgadan a bha iad a’ marbhadh, agus sin gu trie Cionnus a bha toradh na saothrach so air a air pris shuarach gu leor. O mheadhon an ghiulainn thar chuain, agus co bha ris a’ ochdaimh linn’ deug sgaoil obair an iasgaich mhalairt so fad nam bliadhnachan ? gu mor agus roimh dheireadh na linne sin Nuair a thug uachdaran Leodhais, fear de cha robh bagh no geodha ceithir thimcheall a’ Chloinn Choinnich, na tacannan a bha air mal chladaich, dluth air oitir iasgaich, nach robh aig na tuathanaich mhdra as an lamhan agus l&n eathraichean a’ feitheamh na tide-mhara. a roinn e am fearann air an tuath chuir cuid Bha an t-iasg glas—an trosg ’s a’ langain— de na tuathanaich sin an cuid airgid ann an air a shailleadh 's air a thiormachadh air a’ obair an iasgaich. Thoisich iad a’ ceannachd mhol no air na creagan gus an tigeadh soitheach an eisg o na h-iasgairean agus ’g a chur air a dh’fhalbhadh leis gu ruige Eirinn no Abhainn falbh. Chaidh moran eile de na tuathanaich Chluaidh. B’ e so obair Faoilich is obair gu ruige Carolaina, ach chan eil ar gnothach earraich nan iasgairean. Ach am miosan an ris na h-eilirich sin aig an am. t-samhraidh gu deireadh Lunasdail bha iad an A thuilleadh orra so bha ceannaichean Steor- sis an iasgach a’ sgadain. Cait an robh an nabhaigh a’ cur uidh anns an obair, agus ’s sgadan a’ faighinn margaidh? Bha air taobh iadsan gu sonruichte na cinn iuil. An toiseach eile a’ Chuain a Tuath. Bha na miltean bha iad an crochadh air soithichean bathair a bharailleah de sgadan saillt air an reic bh’ aca air iasad, ach mar a fhuair iad air 1 an Lochlainn, san t-Suain, agus an diithchannan an casan bha iad a’ ceannachd an cuid luingis— — 47 — soithichean beaga is mora—aon chrannach, da buaileadh sroin soithich air laimrig, deas is chrannach, agus tri chrannach. Aig am an tuath, agus ’s e sgiobair Leodhasach a bha air iasgaich bha loch Steornabhaigh bed leotha, a stiuir gach aoin diubh. mach ’ s a steach fo lan aodach, no aig laimrig a’ Gun teagamh bha soithichean eile a’ tadhal a’ gabhail luchd ur air bord. phuirt gu minic aig aon am, soithichean seolaidh a Sasuinn agus a Eirinn air an slighe air ais ’ s Fad bhliadhnachean cha robh port-iasgaich air adhart gu Lochlainn is Ruisia. eile air cladaichean an iar Alba ach Steorna- Dh’ fhas Steornabhagh o bhith ’na chlachan bhagh ’na aonar. ’S ann anns a’ bhliadhna beag le ’thighean tughaidh gu bhith ’na bhaile- 1776 a shuidhich ceannaichean a Liverpool mor, agus mu fhior thoiseach an naoidheamh agus as an Eilean Mhannaineach puirt-iasgaich linn’ deug bha iomadh ceannaiche anns a’ an Eilean Mhartin an Loch Bhraoin agus aig bhaile gu math air a dhoigh le dachaidhean Loch an Inbhir, mar a rinn buidheann a ura, seasgair. Cha b’fhiach fear mur biodh Inbhirnis ann an Gear loch. soitheach no dha aige air cuan. Bha tri soithichean fichead Leodhasach a’ Goirid an deidh do’n Ridire Seumas Mac- giulan bathair a Steornabhagh gu duthchannan Mhathain oighreachd Leodhais a cheannachd ceine anns a’ bhliadhna 1786, agus coig bliadhna rinn e iomadh leasachadh, agus ’nam measg fichead an deidh sin bha da fhichead soitheach bha an t-Slip a thog e air a’ Mhol a D^as air ’s a ceithir an sas. ’S iomadh fear a Inecleit son soithichean a thogail, ’s an caireadh mar a agus a Sandbhig a fhuair eolas na mara anns na bhiodh feum air. Thug so togail as ur do soithichean seolaidh sin. Cha robh cearnaidh sheoladaireachd fad dha fhichead no leth cheud de’ n t-saoghal mhdr nach do thadhail iad leotha. bliadhna. Agus cha b’e gaothan garga no sruthan toinnte Chaidh moran shoithichean eadar bheag is a mhain a bha ’nan cunnart dhaibh. mhdr gu sal o’n ait oibreach-sa, agus bha feum Aig am cogadh Napoleoin bha soithichean air luchd-ceaird de gach seorsa air son soithich- cogaidh na Frainge a’ cur dragh orra. Ghlacadh ean a dheilbh, ’s an togail, ’s an uidheamhadh. aon diubh leis na Frangaich an sealladh a’ Air uairean chite long a tirean ceine, as a' bhaigh, agus fad sheachduinean cha mhetrigeadh Ghearmailt, a Ruisia, no a Lochlainn ’na an sgiobair bu neo-mhathaiche gu muir le eagal laighe air tir ’ga calcadh no ’ga caireadh le an namhaid. Aig an am-sa chuireadh an suil saoir an aite. Faodaidh gu bheil fear no dithis an Riaghaltais gunnachan mora a chur aig bun bed fhathast a chunnaic te dhiubh so, no a loch Steornabhaigh air son am baile a dhion, chuala iomradh ’nan cloinn air an othail agus ach chaidh ceud bliadhna seachad mus tainig an t-saothair a bha’n cois na h-oibreach. na gunnachan! Ged nach eil cuimhne againn Faodaidh gu bheil fior sheann laoch ann a cuin a thainig iad tha lorg mhath aig cuid a chunnaic na saoir air closach luinge a’ sparradh tha ’g am eisdeachd iad a bhi ann. Nach nan gadan iaruinn troimh na rangan, no a’ iomadh gille grinn le 'thubaid ghorm m’ a liomhadh nan slat, no fir luth-chasach, lamh- ghuaillean, le ’bhoineid cruinn sparrte m’ a chaireach anns na cruinn a’ cur beartan an dhosan, agus le ’bhrigis teann mu mheadhon ordugh. a chuir a steach drile aig a’ Bhataraidh am Lean togail is caireadh shoithichean an so Buaile na Creige geamhradh an deidh geamh- gus na thionndaidheadh ceum air cheum, o raidh, oir b’e so aon de na priomh ionadan anns longan fiodha gu soithichean iaruinn, agus o an rioghachd air son balaich an Reserve innealan seolaidh gu steamaran. Tha steidh an oileanachadh agus an t-ionad as an d’fhalbh an t-Slip an sud fhathast, ach tha eachdraidh na aireamh a bu mhotha. Ach chaidh mi seachad thachair oirre air dol air diochuimhne. air mo sheanachas. Sheol soithichean a thogadh air a’ Mhol a Bho mheadhon an ochdaimh linn’ deug gu Deas uile chuaintean an t-saoghail. Chaidh meadhon an ath linne bha soirbheachadh nach soitheach Dhdmhnuill Ciibair fodha le luchd bu bheag aig sluagh an Eilein. Cha b’e iasg iaruinn mu New York. Chaith e fhein na a mhain a bha fagail Steornabhaigh ach math bliadhnachan mu dheireadh a bha e air muir a’ an fhearainn mar an ceudna, oir bha an sluagh sedladh mu chladaichean an iar Africa a’ chan ann a mhain neo-eisimeileach air tirean giulan ola a’ chruinn-phailme. Bha barrachd eile air son an teachd-an-tir ach bha air aon soitheach aig Caiptean Daibhidh, mar a iad comasach moran a bha fas riutha theirte ris, agus nuair a leig Caiptean Seumas fhein a reic. Bha iad a’ cur air falbh seachad am muir agus a shuidhich e dhachaidh crodh riabhach, snath lin, cloimh, aodach an Steornabhagh bhiodh e toirt biadh geamh- phlaideachan, craicinn chaorach, itean, agus raidh a steach mar gum biodh e fhathast air bord. uisge-beatha a deugachadh de thighean- Bha esan a’ cumail air chuimhne na nithean staile. Bha na goireasan so a’ ruighinn sonruichte a thachair le bhith ’gah ceangal uile rioghachdan na Roinn Eorpa far am ris na cuairtean a thug e fhein. “Thachair — 48 sin,” theireadh e, ‘‘nuair a bha mi leis an cinnteach gur e coigreach a’ chuain a tha’nn. Scottish Thistle am Marsailles, agus rinneadh Is fhada nis o phaisg loingis Steornabhaigh na so air a’ cheud turns a thug mi gu Bahia an siiiil arda air son an uair mu dheireadh. Mar a Ceann a Deas Ameriga, agus sud a ris nuair a dh'fhag iad fhein na curaichean beaga agus na bha mi leis a’ Pherl ann an Leghorn.” h-eathraichean fosgailte air an ciil chuireadh ’S iomadh turus anradhach a thug Iain iad fhein gu tur air chul leis an rathad iaruinn MhicRuairidh Mhoir eadar Sina is Sasunn leis a cheangail port ri port, agus leis na steamaran an tri-chrannach “ Steornabhagh” a’ stri ri mora, luatha nach cumadh hath no doinneann soithichean seolaidh eile ach co aca bu luaithe ri laimrig. a ruigeadh cala leis a’ cheud luchd tea gach Na sgiobairean a thill gubhith cur seachad an bliadhna. ’S e so saoitheach a bha ro ainmeil laithean deireannach air chluainidh far na ’na latha air feadh an t-saoghail air son a thoisich iad cha robh iad gun buaidh a bhi aca luathas agus a tapachd ri aghaidh fairge a air na dh’eisd riutha. Is mor an deargadh a dh’aindeoin muir no gaillionn. Nan cead- rinn na bha aca ri aithris gu trie air inntinn na aicheadh ixine bu ghlan an seanachas a h-6igridh. Bhrosnuich iad le naidheachdan na dh’fhaodte dheanamh air saothair is adhartas chunnaic ’s na chuala, agus na thachair riutha nan seann sgiobairean agus luchd seilbh nan anns gach aite thadhail iad iomadh oganach luingis. Bha Clann Mhiclomhair, Na Moir- sgairteil gu bhith siubhal nan cuaintean. eastanaich, Clann MhicLeoid agus Mhic Gill’ Ged a sguir togail shoitheach an Steornabhagh Eathain uile ris an obair, ach ’s e oidhche air anns an linn a dh’fhalbh cha do sguir togail cheilidh a dh’fheumte air son an eachdraidh eathraichean air feadh an Eilein. Bha na innse gu coimhlionta. sgothan Niseach air son nan lion mhora 'gan Thug adhartas is ealain rioghachd na doimhne togail ’nar la fhein. Cha robh port iasgaich ri o gach heart-seolaidh a bha an urra ri seol is mo cheud chuimhne anns nach fhaighte iad, soirbheas, agus thug iad aig an aon am an eathraichean tapaidh, sabhailte, ach trom r’ an casan bho na seoladairean gleusda, sgiobalta tarruing air mol. Ach dh’fhalbh sin mar a nach meataicheadh roimh aghaidh cruadail no dh’fhalbh an corr, agus mur tig iasg chon an gaillinn. doruis an diugh air chuibhleachan bidh duine ’S e sealladh annasach da rireadh a tha’nn as aonais. Rinn na tralairean dubha sin. Nach long thri-chrann fhaicinn fo aodach an diugh, mor am beud ach mar a thubhairteadh, ’S agus ma chithear idir te dhiubh facdar a bhi iomadh cail a chi am fear a bhios fada beo.

DAOINE SAMHACH (1) Tha feadhainn ann a tha mar am bodach Coinneach! Dh’aindeoin greadhnachais is a bha an Latharna; nuair nach biodh dad aige gairdeachais na mnatha cha d’thuirt esan facal. ri radh dh’ fhanadh e samhach. Bu mhath gum Chairich e a bhoineid far an robh e an uraidh, biodh na h-uile duine cho glic ri-san. Is fhada is shuidh e sa’ chathair a bha bliadhna falamh. o thug mi fainear gun toireadh na daoine Nuair a dh’fhoighnich a bhean deth c’aite air (agus na mnathan, cha robh iad fhein air an aon saoghal an robh e, fhreagair e “a dheireadh) aig nach robh dad ri radh uine gun muigh. ’ ’ chiall ’g a radh. (2) O chionn deich bliadhna bha mi cuairt Chuala mi seanchas an latha roimhe air fear an Eirinn comhla ri caraid agus rinn e seanchas agus mnaoi ’s iad a’ leigeil an sgiths dhiubh air Gleann nan Gealt. San t-sean aimsir fhein an taca an teine, is obair an latha seachad. bhiodh iad a’ cur an so dhaoine a bha air fas Gu bog, balbh, gun fhios gun fhaoidh dh’eirich sgith de chuideachd an t-saoghail. An turus am bodach, thog e a chomhdach cinn a bha air a bha so bha triuir dhaoine sa’ ghleann, agus cul an talain agus thug e am blar-a-muigh air. o cheann gu ceann de’n bhliadhna cha tigeadh Thainig trath cadail ’s cha robh brath air facal as an ceann. An ceann nan seachd tilleadh. Mu dheireadh chaidh am baile ’g bliadhna thuirt a’ chiad fhear, is e air rudeigin a mharbh-iarraidh, ach a ghuth no dhath cha a chluinntinn, ‘ ‘ De bha sud ?’ ’ Chaidh seachd robh ri fhaighinn thall na bhos, is thug iad bliadhna eile seachad am balbhachd na samh- duil thairis. chair mus d’ thuirt an dara fear, ‘ ‘ Geum ba’ ’. An ceann bliadhna bha a bhean ’na suidhe Seachd bliadhna an deidh sin thuirt an treas gu tuirseach an oir an teine is i caoidh mar a fear, ‘‘Is fheudar dhomh a dhol dhachaidh \s dh’fhagadh ’na bantraich i a bhliadhna an sibh air mo bhodhradh.” ama sin. Dh’fhosgail an dorus is ncchd An Taran. — 49 NEADAN ANNASACH IS iomadh rud a bha ’gam tharruing fhein mar is minig a tha tachairt am measg chreut- do’n tigh-cheilidh. Cha b’ e an dibh- airean gu mor nas ciallaiche, toinisgeile. earsan a bha againn, ged bu tlachdmhor Rotaidh e a mach a cheile. Tha eagal air nach sud am madainn na h-6ige. Cha b’ e na naidh- seall i as deidh nan uighean air neo tha e de’ n eachdan a bharrachd, no na sgeulachdan, no bheachd gur e fein as comasaiche an ciiram a innseadh dhriod-fhortan, no an deasbud. Bha ghabhail! Ge ta cha chum sin e gun a bhith a’ raointean mdra, farsuing an sud gun teagamh, deanamh suas ri te eile. Nuair a bheirear a agus bu bhuidheach learn iad uile, oir bha mach an t-al neo-ar-thaing mura gabh e riu. bodaich ann a bha ’nam fior-fheallsanaich, Mo lamh-sa dhuibh-se chan fhaca sibh mathair geurchuiseach, solusach, ged nach do charaich fhathast cho mixirneach eir a’ chloinn, agus iad a riamh na b’ fhaide o’n tigh na puirt- buannaichidh e gu neo-sgithichte san obair gus iasgaich na Bruaich agus Inbhir-Uige. Tha, an ruig iad ire iad fein a chosnadh. is bha, is bithidh mi fhein fada ’nan comain Cho eucoltach risan agus a tha an easgann air son na dh’ ionnsaich mi mu’n t-saoghal bhreac, te eile a thogas nead. ’ S ann a theireadh mu’n cuairt oirnn. Bha an tigh-ceilidh a tu, a’ chiad uair a chi thu an creutair so, nach riamh ainmeil air son an oileanachaidh, na e iasg a tha ann, ach nathair. Chan e fior Gaidhlig gloin eireachdail, a gheibhte ann. easgann a tha innte, a bharrachd. Ite cliath- Leigibh dhomh inneas goirid a dheanamh aich chan eil r’a faicinn, chan eil no giall, ach dhuibh air an oidhche a dl ’ fhoghluim mi nach bial cruinn le teanga a tha lomalan fhiaclan. e eunlaith an adhair a mhain a tha togail nead Is iongantach an comas a bhuilicheadh air a’ air son an cuid ail. Tha iasg ann, tha e coltach, bhus a tha sud; greim daingean, do-ghluasadach air feadh na mara, ’s nan h-aibhnichean, ’s a ghabhail air iasg eile, mar is trice air a’ an linne a tha ris an obair cheudna. Dh’ innis bhradan tharragheal. Cha ruig iad a leas mi dhuibh mu Dhomhnall Hearach a bha ’na snamh iad fein, oir giulainear iad far an aill leo. fhrithear an Isginn na Pairce. Bhiodh ceud Cha mho a leigeas iad a leas an Ion a sholar. fadachd oirnn gus an tigeadh e le a naidh- Coltach ri Domhnallaich an Eilein Fhada, tha eachdan mu fhaghaid nam fiadh, mu na meirlich- am breacag ceangailte ri an cluais. Fhad is a seilge, no mu chleasachd an daimh dhuinn/s leanas an dluth-ghreim sgriobaidh iad le’n na h-eilde sgianaich. Bha e mion-eolach air teanga, nuair thig an t-acras orra, an fheoil mac na croice, ach ’s iomadh la is bliadhna a o’n coimhearsnach. Cha bhi na seoid ud gun thug e sgrudadh is a’ rannsachadh mu chreut- mhoine, an dubhairt iad, is moine air tir. airean eile, an deanamh, an nadur, is am beatha. ‘ ‘Dealbh na leisge!’ ’ arsa sibhse. Ach fuirichibh ’Sea bha ann deth duine a bha urramach ’na oirbh! inntinn, le mor-speis do oibre naduir ’s do Tha da sheorsa ann co-dhiu: an fheadhainn aillteachd an t-saoghail is a lanachd. a tha sa’ mhuir agus an fheadhainn a tha san Ach mu’n oidhche ud a dh’fhidir mi an allt. Nuair a shiubhlas am faoilleach, gluaisidh toiseach gu bheil iasg ann a thogas nead gu esan air a thuius, oir tha an t-am a nise dluth- pongail, ealanta, cleas nan eunlaith fhein! achadh san coir a dhol air a thigh is air a “Is dealbhach, snog’’, arsa Domhnall, “an thigheadas. Taghaidh e aite far am bheil sruth nead a thogas an t-iasg ris an canar an stan- na h-aibhne cas agus grunnd gainmhich. garra, a gheibhear ’s gach-Icchan is glumadh. Toisichidh tu a nis ag ealadh mu’n cuairt a’ Taghaidh e gu curamach larach an nid. ’S tional chlachan air son tobhtach agus ’gan ann de luibhean a tha e air a dheanamh, air caradh ’nan aite. Thig a bhana-chompanach an glaodhadh ri cheile, le snathainn a tha ghniomhach, lamhchaireach gu comhnadh a fir, tighinn o dhubhagan fhein, gle choltach ri agus na clachan as motha, a dh’fhailicheas toinntean na cnuimh-shioda. Tha cairdeas aige airsan ’na aonar, cairichidh iad le cheile. Chan nach eil fada mach ris an stangarra mara, e aon nead no dha a thcgar, ach iomadh nead, creutair a tha nas motha agus nas tapaidh; agus an sin theid iad an amhladh a cheile, a’ gidheadh nach d’eirmis a riamh air nead a mheilg is na h-uighean 'gam measgadh. Air thogail cho fior chiatach. ’S ann a reir an dhaibh na h-uighean a shuidheachadh gu t-saimpleir cheudna a thogas iad an nead, curamach ’nan leabaidh gainmhich, tha na ach nead a’ stangarra bhig—cha mho e na parantan hochda, le meud an dichill, an impis fuileamain. Aon uair ’s gu’n cairichear sa’ toirt thairis. Is mor a dh’fhuilingeas iad air nead na h-uighean beaga, bideach—agus so ni son an gineil. Smaointichibh fhein air a’ a mheas mi do-chreidsinn da-riribl -—is e an spairn chruaidh ud gun snasadh, a’ dealbhadh t-athair a dh’fhagar an urra riu, agus chan e 's a’ deasachadh gun ord, gun tarrag, gun inneal, am mathair. Chan eil an dithis ag cordadh, gun asuinn sam bith a chuidicheas leo, ach — 50 — am beul beag fhein. Air cho crodha ’s gu’m aicheas a dhreach. Am prioba na sula nuair bheil iad, tha an saothair a’ druidheadh orra a bhrosnuichear e, atharraichaidh a dhath a ’s a’ toirt giorra-shaoghail orra. Sin mar a tha gu nadurrach 6r-bhuidhe gu dathan a’ tha. Dh’fhaodte radh gu’m bheil iad ’gan bhogha-froise. Agus ma tha aon ni a bhrosn- iobradh fein air altair an cuid chloinne. uicheas e is e dol-a-mach na te a tha ceangailte Tha iasg eile ann agus cha do leag mi mo ris. Chan e nach eil an dithis gle mhor aig a shuil air a shamhuil. ’S esan mar an ceudna cheile, cho rianail, reidh is a dh’iarradh tu— a tha a’ togail an teaghlaich. Mura h-e chan gus an tig an teaghlach. ise. Tha nead aige dhaibh cuideachd, ach cha Nuair a thig, tha ise mar chreutair fo’ n chaoch, do dhealbhadh nead cho foghainteach, coth- agus tha esan, broinein, a’ fas seachd searbh romach ris. Cha b’e e fein a thog e, cha do chuir dhith. e riamh falius air an fhallus dheth ’ga uidh- Cha d’fhiosraicb mi, nuair a dh’fhagas eamachadh, cha b’e duine a bhasaich ’s a mathair a fear is a teaghlach, an e falbh le bharaig aire. Thug e steach leis do’n t-saoghal leannan eile a ni i, no nach e, ach tha lan-fhios e. ’Sea tha ann nead 'na chorp fein, agus nach ann mar sin a tha a’ chilis an so. ’S aun chan fhaca sibh-se ach cho coltach agus a tha a tha i cho bruideil, borb ’s gu’m bheil i sireadh e ri pocaid mhor a’ bheathaich ud a gheibhear a teaghlaich gus an itheadh suas. Sin mathair- an Astrailia—an Kangaroo. aobhair na h-aimhreit. ’S e la bochd a chaidh (Bu choir dhomh innseadh dhuibh gu’n tug a chur a mach dha-san aig an am so. 'S fheudar Domhnall greis an tiribh ceine ri linn a’ chiad dha grabadh a chur air a h-ionnsaighean. Ni chogaidh.) e sin an doigh a tha fior innleachdach. Tha Gheibh sibh an t-iasg so, do’n ainm an lorg aige fhein—cionnas cha d’fhuaradh a mach t-each mara, am blath-uisgeachan an t-saoghail fhathast—air an am ’s am faodar fiughair a agus 's e tha eucoltach ri iasg eile na mara. bhith ris na h-uighean aice. Air dha so fhaigh- Is maith an t-ainm a thugadh air co-dhiu, oir inn a mach, fanaidh e gu foighidneach ri a tha e cho coltach ri each is a ghabhadh a bhith, h-am, agus an sin snamhaidh e suas air a ach a mhain mu’n earball, a tha nas coltaiche shocair gu uachdar an uisge, far an toisich e ri earball apa agus a tha cheart cho goireasach seideadh bhuilgean le bhial. So a nead, ma ta dha ’na leumnaich ’s ’na mhire am measg —na builgean. Tionalaidh e na h-uighean a stamh is feamainn a’ chuain. Tha a bhana- rug ise, agus taisgidh e suas an so iad. ’S ann chompanach a’ treigsinn na dachaidhe nuair a bha mi a’ samhlachadh nam builgean, ged bheirear na h-uighean. Chan eil fhios an ise nach mor iad, ri puta-sais nan iasgairean. a tha fagail beannachd a sheud is a shiubhail Cumaidh e fein faire gu dileas, treibhdhireach leis, no an esan a tha ag radh rithe-sa, “Cuidh- os cionn an ionaid-fasgaidh, agus, ma nochdas tich m’ aghaidh’ ’. A mach leatha co-dhiu! ise, tha a cruaidh-fhortan m’a casan. Sud iad Fhuair i a leoir dheth, agus sealladh esan a an amhaichean a cheile, ach ’s ann cli aims nis as deidh a shlicchd! Bheir e greis mhath a’ chomhrag a tha ise! Ged a chuireas e an ag gur nan uighean sa’ nead, ach fosglaidh a’ ruaig oirre, cha chuir e idir an teicheadh oirre, phocaid mhuirichinneach aon la agus bruchd- agus is trie a chumar e o chadal na h-oidhche, aidh a mach, ’nan ceudan, an t-al 6g. Cuiridh mar a their sinn, leis cho imnidheach agus a e smaointeachadh ort, ma ta, mar a dh’ fhanas tha e gu’m faigh am mathair chiocrach, an- na leanabanan faisg air an athair air son a’ iochdmhor faisg orra chum an slugadh suas. chiad la no dha, na truaghanan, gun chuid- eachadh. Is leisg leo e fein agus an seomar- Ged a tha an t-iasg a dh’ainmich mi agus altruim fhagail. Ach thigheadh namhaid sam moran a bharrachd orra gabhail le ro-aire ri bith an toir orra agus, bo thugad, steach leo, an cloinn, ’s ann tearc a tha an aireamh an aig peilear uaine am beatha, do’n aite as an taca ris a’ mhor-chuid, firionn is boirionn, a tainig iad! So far am faic thu nise cuilbheartan tha caoin-shuarach dearmadach mu an deidhinn. is seoltachd am bobaidh, agus abair seoltachd! Ach tha e a’ cur fior-ionghnaidh orm fhein cho Ged a chuir e ormsa iongantas gur ann ’na dealasach agus a tha an fheadhainn fhirionn sheasamh a tha an creutair a’ snamh ’s na mu anacladh an ail-oig, agus na mathraichean h-uisgeachan- - chan aithne dhomh beathach cho neo-bhaidheil, neo-thruacanta ’s nach eil eisg eile a ni sc—’s e chuir an t-iongantas orm miochuis aca idir ris, seadh agus cho mi- buileach mar a thionndaidheas e a dhath. Ni nadurra 's gu’n ith iad an clann fein. Tha se e fein neo-fhaicsinneach air chor 's nach mor-fheum gun teagamh air na neadan, far an fhaicear le eascairdean mi-runach aon chuid coimheadar o chunnart gach alach an ur- e fein no a ghineal. mhadainn an oige.” Chunnaic mi le mo dha shuil iasg eile a An t-Urr Iain MacLeoid. thogas nead agus a thuille air sin a dh’ atharr- (Rinneadh an t-iomradh-sa air an radio.) — 51 — Da Dheagh Ghaidheal Gar Bho Char BHO chionn ghoirid ghairm an “Teachdaire Bha Tomas ’na fhleasgach 6g a’ fuireachd ’na ; Buan” dhachaidh da dheagh Ghaidheal, aonar air iomall a’ bhaile-mhoir ann an teis j Iain Domhnallach ann an Bhancubhar, meadhon Shasuinn. Am moch-thrath gach latha ; agus Dughall MacCormaig a Glaschu. Bha rachadh e gu obair ann am factoraidh air taobh i moran eolaich aca le cheile gu pearsanta, ach eile a’ bhaile. Bha e dol air son a dhinneir aig bha moran do’m b’aithne Iain leis na Vancouver meadhon latha do thigh-bidh. Gu trie bhiodh j Notes aige ann an “Tim-an-Obain” air son caileag bhriagha an fhuilt bhain ’na suidhe corr air leth-cheud bliadhna. maille ris aig an aon bhord. Cha bu ghann Is fhada bho’n a thoisich mise air an leugh- comhradh fhad ’s a bhiodh iad an cuideachd adh, agus is iomadh fiosrachadh taitneach a a cheile, agus mus tug e an aire gu ro mhath thug iad dhomh air cor nan Gaidheal agus a’ ghlac e e fhein ann an trom ghaol oirre. Lean Ghaidhlig anns a’ bhaile mhor sin air taobh a’ chilis mar so gu ceann sia miosan, direach an iar Chanada; agus cuideachd is trie a chuir gus na thoisich mac an fhir leis an robh an I e mor iongnadh orm ciamar a bha Iain a’ lorg fhactoraidh a’ toirt sula air te an fhuilt bhain. 1 uiread de na Gaidheil tnns a’ bhaile fharsaing Mar a thuigear gu math bha Tomas claoidhte, I so. Feumaidh gu robh siril gheur agus clais- bronach nuair a chuala e gu robh an dithis aca | neachd bhiorach aige, no’n robh faile Tir nam dol a phosadh. Cha robh dad air a lamhan ach an Beann a’ tighinn air bhuap mu’n robh e ’gam duthaich fhagail agus imrich-cuain a dheanamh j faicinn idir. Ged a bha mi daonnan a’ leughadh do Chanada. naidheachdan Bhancubhar aige cha do thachair Cha robh na fearainn saora idir cho pailt air i sinn gu 1951, agus sinn aig cruinneachadh nan a’ phrairi is a bha iad uaireigin, agus mar sin Camshronach an Achadhnacarragh. Gu dearbh b’fheudar do Thomas bochd astar fada a chur I chuir mi tacan gle thoilichte ’na chuideachd, as a dheidh gu ruig aite iomallach far nach chionn ’s e duine tlachdmhor a bha’n Iain, robh talamh aitich. Ann an sin thog e bothan duine coibhneil, cairdeil, agus aig an robh beag dha fhein. Cheannaich e aireamh mhath i fior chridhe a’ Ghaidheil, le baidh do’n chanain de ribean air son na beathaichean allaidh a j agus gradh do na cleachdannan a lean rinn. ghlacadh. Bha e ruith astar choig mile a’ cur j Tha cuimhne chiibhraidh agam air ar tachairt nan ribean an siis, agus bheireadh e leth latha j ri cheile agus air an t-seanachas inntinneach bhuaithe tadhal orra uile. Bha e glacadh mine, a bha againn. ’Sea thubhairt e rium san muscrat, is sionnaich. Rinn e gle mhath orra dealachadh, “De is obair dhuit?” “Tha,” a’ chiad bhliadhna, ach an toiseach an dara fhreagair mi, “ag obair air an rathad mhor.” geamhraidh thoisich ciiisean a’ dol ’na aghaidh. ] “Theirinn-sa, a charaid, gur h-e bun de Aon latha an deidh dha ruith air na ribean cha | thuathanach a bh’annad.” Gaidheal gasda; robh aon diubh gun chlosach ainmhidh le droch sith agus fois dha. reubadh oirre. Latha an deidh latha cha robh ; ’S ann aig Mod lubili an Obain a thachair bian slan r’ a fhaotainn, rud a mhi-mhisnich e 1 mi air Caiptean Dughall MacCormaig, Muileach gu mor, gun fhios aige gle mhath de dheanadh e. J sgairteil de theaghlach ealanta, agus theirinn-sa Aon latha fhuair e da ribe fuasgailte, agus air 1 nach leigeadh e leis na cuileagan laighe air. tilleadh dhachaidh chunnaic e biast-dubh a’ 1 Bha eolas pinn againn air a cheile nuair a bha tighinn a mach fo iochdar an tighe. Cha robh I Dughall an Astralia. ’S ann mu thimcheall criomag arain am broinn an tighe nach robh ] a bhardachd, sgeul bhronach “Uilleam G len” , air a mhilleadh. Cha luaithe a thig a’wo/vmwe ] a chaidh sinn an luib a cheile mar so an air aruinn aite na dh’fheumar na ribean a toiseach, agus chum sinn suas e fad a’ chogaidh thogail as buileach; tha an cosnadh seachad. I mhoir. Goididh iad a mach as an tigh gach ni air am | Bha beachdan laidir, soilleir aig Dugl all, faigh iad greim. Fhuair Tomas cuid de a I agus ma d ’fhaodas mi a radh bhuaileadh e sgionan agus de a spainean shios fo lar an 1 tarrang gu direach agus gu cruaidh air uairean. tighe. Bha rudan mu thimcheall cor na Gaidhlig agus Gaidheil an latha an diugh nach robh a’ ebrdadh Cha robh math dha fantainn an sud na 1 ris 's cha robh idir moran fathamais aige ris b’fhaide. Ghlac e a’ chiad treana a bha dol 1 an t-seorsa ris an abair mi Comunn nam Parr- seachad agus rinn e air Winnepeg far an do 1 aidean. Fhuair e sgoil sa’ Chreich san Res Choinnich mise ris, agus far an d’fhuair e obair I Mhuileach. B’e am maighstir aige Domhnall mar chlabadair anns a’ bhaile sin. Camshron a rugadh san Tairbeart, taobh Loch Suaineart. Thubhairt e rium nach deach e Iain a’ Chaoil, (r’a leantainn air t.d. 53) Canada. — 52 — LEARNER’S PAGE Sios gu oir an locha ghabh e; chaidh e air a He made for the edge of the loch; he went leth-ghluin; bhean e ris an uisge le bhilean; on one knee; he touched the water with his chuir e boiseag air a bhathais. Suas am bruthach lips; he sprinkled water on his brew. He ghabh e gun amharc ’na dheidh gus an do climbed the brae without looking behind him rainig e lub de’n rathad. Nan rachadh e na until he reached a turn of the road. If he b’fhaide chailleadh e sealladh air an loch. should go further on he would lose sight of Thionndaidh e air a shail. Bha an lech an sud, the loch. He turned round. The loch was samhach, boidheach fo lainnir na greine; bha there calm and beautiful under the gleam of na h-eoin a’ sior cheilearadh, a’ leum is a’ the sun; the birds were singing steadfastly, beiceil am measg nam preasan, mar gum biodh jumping and hopping among the bushes as if iad a’ stri ri aoibhneas a nochdadh do chlann striving to show joy to the sons of men on so nan daoine air madainn cho grinn. Shaoil leis beautiful a morning. He thought the fragrance gu robh cubhraidheachd nan lusan is nan craobh of the plants and trees was more pleasant under na bu taitniche fo’n druchd a bha an crochadh the dewdrops which hung from the branches ris na geugan a bha a nis a’ dearrsadh mar and were now shining like silver bells, or like chluigeanan airgid, no oir, a reir is mar a gold ones, according as a sun ray touched thuiteadh gath greine orra. Bha samhchair a’ them. Peace reigned round about and spread riaghladh mu’n cuairt is a’ comhdach a’ over the glen as a cloak. He, alas, was leaving ghlinne mar fhallainn. Bha esan, mo thruaighe the place of quietude and friendship, and was a’ fagail ionad na samhchaire is a’ chairdeis setting out to the fields of horror. is a’ toirt aghaidh gu raointean an uamhais. Bha an t-am a nis gu math seachad air gairm The time was now well past cock-crow, and choileach, agus cha deanadh dail na b’fhaide longer delay by the lochside would not do. ri taobh na locha an gnothach. Thog Tormod Norman raised his hand and shook it as if a lamh agus chrath e i mar gum biodh e ag he were saying: “Farewell, loch of my heart; radh:—‘‘Sian leaf, a loch mo chridhe; mo my thousand blessings be your portion.” mhile beannachd leaf.”

Thig orm am buntata a chur air an t- I must plant the potatoes this week. seachduin-sa. Cuin a chuir iad a mach an t-eathar? When did they launch the boat? Chaidh mise a thogail sa’ bhaile mhor agus I was brought up in the city and I was not cha b’fheairrde mi sin. the better of that. Tha lan a cinn a Ghaidhlig aice ged nach leig She has plenty of Gaelic although she does i dad oirre. not confess it. Ma thogas tu mo nadur-sa bithidh ceannach If you provoke me to anger you will suffer agad air. for it. ) A bheil thu an duil an teid an t-eathar air Do you think the boat will weather the 1 fuaradh air an rubha ? headland ? ‘ Bha an gille ann an ceann an eich, agus ’s The lad was leading the horse, and well he | ann dha fhein a thigeadh sin. could do it. Cheannaich sinn fiodh gu ceann a chur air We bought wood to roof the house before the ) an tigh mus briseadh an tide. bad weather sets in.

(r’a leantainn o t.d. 52) Math na dona ’s a bha Ikmh-sgrlobhaidh riamh fuathasach ard sa’ chlas aige, agus sin Dhiighaill fhuair e air adhart aig muir gu a thaobh an droch lamh-sgriobhaidh a bha aige. inbhe caiptein. Gaidheal foghainnteach; bithidh Tha mi creidsinn gum biodh Domhnall Dhonn- mi ’g a ionndrainn. chaidh, am maighstir sgoile, gl6 chruaidh mu’n sgriobhadh. Taobh-tuath Earraghaidheil. — 53 — Sparkled with the colours of rubies, diamonds, Glann An Fhraoich pearls and amethysts, intermingled with streaks of gold and silver. This place, thought Angus, Fagaidh a’ Chlann, George Squate, Baile can be none other than the Fairy Queen’s Ghlaschu, air Dia Sathairn, an ceathramh palace. , latha de an Og-mhios', aig meadhon latha (4th Gold and silver-leaved ferns grow in the June, 1960, at 12 o’clock noon). crevices of the rocks—ferns the like of which he The id a’ Chlann gu Dun Eideann ann am had never seen on earth, and as his eyes followed bus. Cuirear failte chridheil air gach ball de the gem incrusted walls up to the roof he saw Chlann an Fhraoich. Cuiribh fios chugam hundreds of lamps hanging there—lamps of ma tha sibh a’ tighinn ma is e bhur toil e. lavender, pink, green, blue, gold, red and J. M. Moffatt-Pender purple, the lights of which outmatched the rainbow in colour. 23 Hatfield Drive, Clumps of giant bluebells grew at the foot Glasgow. of the walls on the outcrops of rock above the floor level. In the crevices foxgloves with spikes of undreamed-of length and other huge flowers mingled their pink with the blue of the Na Tri Seoid bells. Lovely gold and silver ferns, tall and broad of frond, grew amongst them, and carpets Teachdairean a’ tighinn a Eirinn of pink wild thyme and purple heather covered Sabhailte, gun bheud, gun mhilleadh. the floor. In the centre of the floor itself was a square of tiles of all colours which sparkled and Fonn: Chi mi na seoid; ’s binn leam an gloir. glinted in the lovely lights that shone down upon them. In the middle of the tiled square Teachdairean a’ tighinn bho’r cairdean was a golden throne, the Queen’s throne. But A thoirt cobhair dhuinn ’nar n-eiginn. where is the Queen, thought Angus. In answer to this thought another golden Mile beannachd air na gaisgich door in the wall opposite to him suddenly A bheir ruagadh air a’ Bheurla; opened, and, with mouth agape, Angus watched the entrance of beautiful fairies in groups of A bheir farum as a’ chlas-rum twos, threes, and half-dozens. They were Nuair a theid na briathran eigheachd. all laughing and talking to one another, or calling across to the guards in their tiny voices. 'S iad tha dathte, briagha, dealbhach; They were dressed in grand robes of lovely green, Chan iarr mi fhein ach bhith ’gan leughadh. with green girdles around their slim waists. Angus, who by this time had some difficulty in Failt do’n triiiir: Crog an Oir, swallowing, watched the Wee Folk as they Tir nan Og is Tir nan Seud. skipped over the floor, some to climb up the stems of the foxgloves to take their seats on the Sgoil Bhreibhig. lips of the flowers, others to recline on the soft fern fronds. Some preferred the bluebells and they climbed up the slender stalks and sat astride the blooms. Others again contented Na Sithichean themselves with a couch among the wild thyme or a seat half hidden among the purple heather. {Continued) Several, clad in richer and finer dresses, grouped WITHOUT a word the guards opened the themselves around the throne. Then, as if golden door exposing to Angus’ awed from a signal, all chattering and laughing eyes a huge circular chamber bathed in ceased, and all heads were turned in the direc- golden light. Blinking, he entered this inner tion of the golden door. shrine and looked around in fear. Yes, without All at once six trumpeters in beautiful robes a doubt, he was in Fairyland. The scene that strode in with silver trumpets in their hands. met his eyes dazzled with a beauty that nothing Taking up their position, three on each side in the mortal world could ever hope to emulate. of the doorway, they blew a fanfare. Another Angus, of course, was too young to understand it resplendent figure with robes that dazzled the all, but even he knew that he was looking at eyes entered, and, throwing up his hands, something out of the ordinary. The walls of the cried, “The Queen comes.” The faint sound chamber were not just common rock for they of pipes reached the ears of the astounded boy. — 54 His eyes nearly jumped out of his head as he The leader of his captors, however, brought saw two pipers emerge from the doorway with Angus back to reality by touching him with his golden drones over their shoulddrs and golden wand and indicating it was time to go. Turning chanters for fairy fingers to play on. Behind about he left the fairy chamber through a shower them walked the Queen, a breath-taking of pink and lavender petals which the fairies figure in a golden gown, the long train of which dropped, thus creating a fitting climax to what was held up by two maids-of-honour. On her had happened before. Walking back through head she wore a jewelled crown, and in her the tunnel, Angus once more came to the large hand she carried a tiny wand the top of which stone that shut off the outside world. So dazed was adorned with a beautiful ruby. was he at all he had seen that the silent move- Ascending the throne, she sat there sur- ment of the huge rock as it slid to one side left rounded by her fairy bodyguard and proceeded him unmoved. Stepping through the opening, to sit in judgment on Angus. Turning her he once more stood in the world of mortals. eyes on the now petrified boy she sternly told He wondered at the sight of the sun still shining him how angry she was at the continued for he felt that he was away for a long time, disobedience to his mother, and informed him though in fact the time could be counted in that the Fairy Court had brought him into her minutes. Peering to see where the elves were, presence to show him the error of his ways. he was just in time to notice the white cord They were not in the habit of interfering with slipping from his legs. A hasty glance round the ways of mortals she said, but they made showed that he was alone; the elves and white an exception in his case because his mother cord had disappeared and the big stone was was a good friend to them, for did she not once more in its place. leave outside the door every night a big saucer- He felt that his legs had now returned to ful of her finest cream which the fairies delighted him, and so he took a short step forward. Sure in. Besides, his father, unknown to himself, enough they were once more obeying his will. had given them many a night’s enjoyment Remembering the parcel that he has still to when in the summer time he used to come up to deliver he made a bee-line for the clump of the edge of the wood to practise on his pipes. dockens and nettles as quickly as his legs As he was only a wee boy he would not be would allow. Picking up the parcel he made punished for small mistakes, but he had to help for MacColl’s croft. He had not proceeded his mother in important matters. The Queen far when he met the farmer himself coming to paused, and in a louder voice she said, ‘ ‘Well, see if his suit was ready. So pleased was Mac Angus MacDougall, will you from this time Coll at getting the suit that he gave the delighted on promise to help your mother willingly and boy half a crown. Angus, on his return, had so bring happiness to her heart, or do you to pass the stone that marked the entrance to refuse?” All the Wee Folk turned their eyes the fairies’ dwelling, and though he hurried on Angus and silently awaited his reply. past he was not afraid for they had been good With his tongue sticking to the roof of his to him and he knew that as long as he pleased mouth, Angus promised to do as the Queen them he had nothing to fear. And please bade him. “Good,” said the Queen, ‘‘but them he would for he was not going to spend remember if you do not keep your promise we a hundred years down there. shall come for you again and keep you here for one hundred years. ’ ’ Breaking into a run as he reached the path i This threat was enough to make Angus vow by the burn, he soon rounded the hill and there his obedience once more. The Queen’s hitherto in front of him was his home. There too by the stern face broke into a smile. Rising from her byre door stood his mother with Rob by her [thronei she touched Angus with her wand, and side. A wild coo-ee rang out. His mother '(turning away she disappeared through the looked up and waved her hand while the dog [doorway preceded by her pipers and followed was off his mark like a shot, and in a minute by her personal retinue of fairies, the trum- both he and his young master were rolling peters bringing up the rear. As the golden about on the soft green sward. door closed a babel of tongues broke the silence, Angus’ mother watched them for a second, all the fairies talking and laughing at the same then with a curious feeling of happiness and time. Entranced, Angus watched them as contentment stealing into her heart she went they swayed to and fro on the bluebell tops, inside and began to prepare supper. When or climbed up and down the tubes of foxgloves, supper was over she got ready the bowl of iand slid down the fern fronds into cushions cream to be put outside the door before she of thyme and heather just like children out went to bed. taf school. R. F. Mollison. — 55 — favours, and are duly hailed by the respective The Shinty Final supporters. The entrance gates are congested, Spring comes late to the highlands. Slowly, but it is a happy and orderly crowd. A piper at first, and grudgingly, it infuses life into plays for the delectation of those waiting. He the sour mosses, where the lean sheep and deer is duly rewarded, and takes his lips from the clamber to nibble at the first tender succulence mouthpiece to thank each patron, but the of the “mossing”. Then of a sudden one is movement of fingers on the chanter and pressure aware of it, on a day when the cool wind is on the bag, is unceasing. at last warmed by the sun, and the straths The grandstand, taking up practically one and glens are filled with the unforgettable side of the rectangular pitch, is almost full aromatic haze of heather burning. when we arrive, and the balance, standing It is such a day I have in mind, such a round the ground is in the neighbourhood of mid-morning in this ancient highland town. three or four thousand. The pitch is green The sun has not yet conquered the narrow and close-cropped, and the nets, draped round streets, as he will later do, but contents himself the white-painted goals, move lazily in the with sending narrow shafts of light between slight breeze. the buildings, which terminate as yellow pools The scene is set. on the streets and pavements. The streets, An- entire team trots on to the field from too, are quiet as yet; an occasional housewife the dressing rooms beneath the stand, and is doing week-end shopping, a belated com- cheered to the echo. They are followed by mercial traveller hurrying through late calls their rivals to the same accompaniment, and before taking himself off to Aberdeen or Glasgow each indulges in “shooting in” at separate and the oasis that the week-end is for him. goals, until the referee’s whistle brings them School children, too, enjoying their due leisure to the centre circle and the immediate pre-match parade the pavements or gather in groups at formalities. The coin is tossed and the teams prearranged points, often round one of their take up battle formation. The “centres” put number resting a bicycle in the gutter, one leg up their clubs, the whistle blows again, and languidly bestriding the saddle. the final of the Camanachd Cup is under way. And what a game. Everything for which But there are others abroad today who are the shinty connoisseur could wish is here. not a normal part of the week-end scene. There is long crisp hitting, there is short They, too, are congregated in small groups or passing, teethy tackles, and beautiful work in just strolling. Many of them seem to be known the air. There are narrow shaves, and specta- to one another, and it is obvious that such cular saves at both goals. There is good meetings are rare and pleasureable. Gamebags positioning, and use of the open space is made are much in evidence, and tweeds de rigeur. in the best tradition of ball games of this kind. They speak, those people, more loudly than Clubs are broken, tossed to the sidelines and do townfolk (a few only, alas, in Gaelic). replacements tossed back. But the ranks of Their pitch of voice is partly due to their the defences are closed, and there are no goals. having to compete with the elements in their Then, a few moments from the end, seeming daily round, or, as these are the shinty followers, tragedy for one team. A wing centre, in a the anticipation of the afternoon’s excitement moment of unguarded enthusiasm, forgets to has found its way into their voices. take normal personal defensive precautions, and The town is filling up now as excursion trains is rewarded by an unintentional but nevertheless and buses arrive. The legend on the rear of the felling clout on the head, the crack of which latter testifies to their having origin in such can be heard round the ground. He falls to the places as Kingussie, Loch Carron, or Fort ground, the referee blows, and players of both William. The restaurants, too, are becoming sides gather round. He is lifted to his feet, and correspondingly busy, and who am I to say that helped to the nearest sideline where it can be licensed premises are not getting their fair seen that he has a long cut on his forehead, share also, for on an occasion such as this, is looking likely to need a few stitches, at least. a man not wise to be fortified against a sudden “You’d better go off, Ian,” some one suggests. drop in temperature, and if this were not “No, I’m alright”, replies the warrior, sufficient reason, is it not traditional that “patch it up and I’ll go on the sawdust for ) shinty and “a drop of the hard” have been a whilie.’ ’ A patch, held on by sticking plaster j coupled, at least unofficially, for centuries. is applied, arid Ian walks unsteadily towards But we must make tracks for the pitch— the full-forward position, his team-mate, whom across the bridge, and along the lovely river- he is replacing, falling back to wing centre. side. Cars and buses pass, many trailing club A throw-up is taken at the spot the injury — 56 — i : took place, and the game recommences—for ' the few minutes that are left. Executive Council Then suddenly, high drama. A corner to The Council met in the Comunn Office on Ian’s side is swung by the taker to the unmarked Saturday, 19th March, the President in the buckshee forward. The full-back, seeing the chair. Mr. MacPhee paid tribute to several former is about to shoot, unmolested, plunges members of the Association who had died since forward. Instead of shooting the forward pushes the last meeting. the ball to the unmarked Ian who swings first The minute of the Propaganda Committee j time, and almost before the goalkeeper’s leg was approved. In response to advertisements is unavailingly outstretched, people behind the six wrote in to say that they were desirous of goal are going mad—it’s a goal!! teaching Gaelic singing, but only four were Then all round the ground, scarves, hats and able to undertake work where needed at the coats are in the air, people embrace each time. No application for singing teachers was other, and Ian disappears in the centre of a received from Branches so far. Donations to [joyous bunch of his team-mates. The team’s the Mod Fund from several Branches were i club-carrier, pacing a sideline is beside himself. reported, visits by officials to successful ceilidhs v An earlier short but heavy shower has turned in Logierait and Edinburgh were noted, and his light suit dark, and plastered his hair. mention was made of the newly formed Branch Ii He has long since lost his voice in exhortation, in Kingussie. There was a letter from the and in the moment of triumph, the clubs are Inverness Branch pointing out that Gaelic | flung in the air, to fall, so far as he is concerned, found no place on Television apart from the like the traditional arrow. His ecstasy is half hour in connection with the National Mod. superb. It was agreed to write to the B.B.C. with i The game has barely restarted when it is regard to this matter. The suggestion that over, and the cheering for the solitary goal, each Branch be asked to make a special effort which has not wholly died away, is renewed as twice a year to support both the Mod and spectators surge across the field towards the General Funds of An Comunn was approved. stand. The players exchange handshakes and The Minute of the Publication Committee cigarettes, and are congratulated or com- noted the satisfactory demand for the Illustrated miserated with by their supporters. The person Gaelic Readers for Infants and Juniors, and selected to present the cup is introduced, who stated that 500 copies of “An Approach to ; in turn makes • a short congratulatory speech Gaelic, Part 1” and 1000 copies of “Reid’s before handing the cup to the winning captain, Elementary Course of Gaelic” are now in who receives it and holds it up for all to see, stock. to a renewed outburst of cheering. He also The publication of the Gaelic Comic was receives a silver mounted club or caman, and authorised, and it was left to the Committee a medal for each of his team-mates. to explore the best methods of securing sales We stream towards the exit, and snatches of and to fix the price in the light of the demand. conversation are heard: “He’s a lovely player Further consideration was given to the pre- that boy,” “and so he should be, he’s of the paration of a suitable Gaelic-English and (right stuff. I remember his father playing English-Gaelic dictionary. It was agreed to dwenty five years ago, on this very pitch... .” seek the co-operation of Gaelic teachers in Tn the car park there was a great starting-up schools and universities. |of engines, shouted farev ells, and arrangements Three Minutes of the Mod and Music Com- |of trysts for the evening. mittee were read and approved. These dealt | It is a great friendly highland occasion, with in detail with the songs selected for the 1961 ■the personal touch that is so characteristic of Mod for Juniors, Seniors and Learners, and the part of the world in which we live. It has noted the adjudicators in music and Gaelic jsurvived the numerous counter-calls of present- for the 1960 Mod. A letter from the Association day life—T.V., National Service, and the of Gaelic Choirs about the arrangements during pever-ending struggle of clubs to pay their choral competitions was considered. It was way. That it is a part of our heritage is indis- agreed to write the Director of the School of putable, and if we were to creep back to the Scottish Studies requesting him to receive a Ijjdeserted ground, when the moon is out, might deputation from An Comunn to discuss the jfewe not see the sons of Finn playing, as tradition desirability of access to the Gaelic songs in their wfells us, with silver clubs and a golden ball, collection for use at Mods. Bunder the watchful eye of Bran. Approval was given to the Minute of Comunn Duncan MacLennan. na h-Oigridh. Full consideration was given — 57 — to the Council’s request to look into the running Received at Glasgow— of Cnoc nan Ros. As the main purposes of the Sutherland Provincial Memorial and Thanksgiving Fund—the care Mod Committee ^10 of the building and the supply of equipment Absentee — 12 — to Feachdan—were carried out no change in Mr. Duff, Corpach 3 3 — policy was considered necessaiy. A letter from Lairg Branch the Director of Education for Inverness-shire Ceilidh nan Gaidheal . . indicated that the Education Committee were The Gaelic Society of prepared to support every useful effort made to Glasgow maintain the Gaelic language, but in view of Adam Donaldson, Esq., the attention already given to the teaching of Cockenzie Gaelic in their schools they would hesitate to Glasgow Skye Associa- impose additional burdens. It was decided to Andrew Buchanan, Esq., write to the Directors of Education in other Cardiff 1 8 — Highland Counties, and in the light of the Skelmorlie & District replies received further consideration would be Highland Association 3 given to the proposed Festival for children. It MissGlasgow Anita T. Selfridge,. . . . was agreed to provide yarn for embroidery, Vale of Leven Branch .. and a dozen chanters for trie Gairloch Feachd. Miss M. M. Morison, Ayr 3 — £503 10 — Treasurer’s Notes NATIONAL MOD—EDINBURGH, 1960 Received at Edinburgh— Branch Reports Ceilidh in Finlay Mac- DUMBARTON Lean’s House, 9/1/59 ^11 8 6 The chairman at a recent ceilidh of this branch was Ceilidh21/2/59 in Tourist.. Rooms,.. 11 Mr. Donald Grant, a Vice-President of An Comunn, Hewho emphasised required no the introduction fact that if to Scotland a Highland is to audience.remain a Mrs.Proceeds Gordon, of Edinburgh,Raffle . . 3 16 distinct nation, and if our identity is not to pass away, Miss Robertson, Edin- the national language and culture must be preserved. burgh ...... 10 niven,Gaelic and songs Mr. were Iain rendered Thompson. by MissScots Mary songs C. Mac-were SutherlandEdinburgh—Records Association, sung by Mrs. M. Millar, while the instrumentalists Evening .. .. 112 6 Messrs.enjoyment. Millar The and piper Smith was addedMaster to Hector the evening’s Russell, Ceilidh-Dancefoyle, 20/3/59. at Aber-.. 27 15 9 and Mrs. Marshall was the accompanist. Ceilidh in Mrs. Fleming- EDINBURGH burghton’s Garden,.. .. Edin-.. 8 16 3 At the recent ceilidh Mr. Calum Macleod, Secretary Ceilidh in Royal Arch Mrs.of An JohanComunn, Macleod, was fear-an-tighe. Miss Kenna The Campbell, singers were,and Halls,22/8/59 Edinburgh, 11 17 — Messrs. Duncan Mackenzie, Calum Ross, George Local Committee of An Clavey.George FrasetKenny was Macgregorthe accordionist. played the pipes, and Comunn • • • • 50 — — At the next ceilidh of the Branch Mr. Alex. Maciver, MissOban Keerie -. MacPhee,• • •• — 15 — presidentpreside. of the Lewis and Harris Association, will Donald Grant, M. A., AYR B.A., Ed.B., Glasgow 1 1 — At the annual ceilidh held in Troon at the end of Highland Lawn Tennis February a tribute was paid to Mr. Donald Mclsaac Club, Edinburgh .. 7 2 6 chairman,for his constant Mr. John efforts Graham with hisof Troon.choirs byThere the wasguest a Broadcastburgh, 18/11/59 Ceilidh, Edin-.. 34 2 — large attendance, and the entertainment was most Dr. MacDonald, Storno- enjoyable. way . . • • • • 1 wasChoral well sustained. and solo singing, Amusing both readings in Gaelic by Aileenand English, Fraser ChristmasNet Surplus Prize . Draw—. • • 246 14 — were loudly applauded, and an exhibition of Highland Ceilidh in Imperial Hotel, Highlanddancing by DancingAnn Convery, Champion, Former was World most and pleasing. Scottish Edinburgh, 8/1/60 . . 32 1 — £458 7 — accompanist.John Martin, Ayr, was piper and Miss Lyle was AN OAIDHEAL THE GAEL Editor — ]. THOMSON, M.A., F.E.I.S., 116 WEST SAVILE TERRACE., EDINBURGH to whom all correspondence should he addressed except that concerning advertising, which should be addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer. 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C.2. Telephone: DOUglas 1433. Leabhar LV AN T-OG-MHIOS, 1960 Aireamh 6

LUCHD TURUIS ITHA e cho furasda an lan-mara a chumail a cheart cho socair fo ’n casan air a shon sin. air ais ’s a tha e casg a chur air luchd- Bithidh brie anns na lochan agus anns na turuis a tha an geall air a’ Ghaidhealt- h-aibhnichean nas lionmhora na bha iad, agus achd fhaicinn. Nach eil e iomchuidh dhaibh is docha gu faighear iad an uisgeachan nach tadhal far am miann leotha mar a tha cothrom do lorg iad a riamh. Mur caill an Gaidheal a aig na Gaidheil fhein air a bhith a’ falbh an thiir ’s a sheoltachd cha bhi e gun a chuid t-saoghail ? fhein diubh cuideachd. Tha luchd-turuis air a thighinn, agus Tha nithean aig na Gaidheil air a bheil an leanaidh iad a’ tighinn co-dhiubh a bhios sinne saoghal a’ cur feuma an diugh. An carthannas buidheach no diombach. Is e an gliocas as agus an fhialaidheachd a tha toinnte ’nan motha an fheum as fhearr a dheanamh de gach naduir, an coibhneas agus an spioradalachd a sochair a dh’fhaodas a bhith 'nan cois. Ma tha tha fuaighte riutha, an ceangal a tha aca ri iarrtas aca sealladh fhaicinn air beanntan arda sith is saorsa is dilseachd, cha bu mhisde an corrach agus air srathan lubach falachaidh na saoghal a bhith air a bhaisteadh leotha. Nis, Gaidhealtachd, ma tha samhchair is aonarachd tha luchd-turuis a tighinn do ’n Ghaidhealtachd ghleann is fhireach ’gan taladh, ma tha fionnar- as gach duthaich—-a Albainn is a Sasuinn, a achd is cubhraidheachd a’ cordadh riutha, nach tirean ceine is a duthchannan na Roinn Eorpa. eil saoibhreas gun chrioch fa ’n comhair an tir Tha mithean is maithean a’ tadhal oirnn; tha na Gaidhlig. Chan ionndrainn sinne bhuainn oileanaich a sgoilean is a oil-thighean ’nam |tna shasaicheas iadsan. An togail inntinne agus measg. Ma dh’ fhaodte gu bheil eolas air cor a’ | 11an t-urachadh a bheir spionnadh dhaibhsan Ghaidheil, air a nadur, air a dhoigh beatha, f chan fhag e sinne bochd. Leigibh cead an coise air fheuman, air ailleachd a dhiithcha, agus air dhaibh. luach na h-oighreachd a fhuair e mar dhileab Tha fios gu bheil feum aig na Gaidheil, air bho a shinnsre nas fharsainge an diugh na bha |a bheil oibrichean freagarrach ’nan criochan e riamh. Cha mhisde eolas math a bhith air ^fhein cho fada air aicheadh, air cur-a-steach a roinn. Ma bheir luchd-turuis sochairean jsam bith a thig an lorg luchd-turuis. Air an thugainn bheir iad beannachdan bhuainn. aobhar sin bhiodh e ro fheumail gun glacadh Ach tha nithean ann nach fhaod na Gaidheil iad an cothrom le bhith deanamh gach leasach- a dhiochuimhneachadh. Biodh iad coibhneil adh is gach ullachadh iomchuidh fa chomhair na agus biodh iad suilbhir ri coigrich, ach na thig. reiceadh iad an oighreachd riutha. Gleidh- Bithidh rathaidean goireasach fhathast air eadh iad daonnan an dbigh beatha fhein agus feadh na Gaidhealtachd ann an iomadh cearn- seasadh iad dileas do ’n canain fhein. Cuiridh Uidh a bha cur feum orra fad bhliadhnachan, na coigrich am barrachd meas orra ma bhios ■agus ged a tha amharus againn nach e feum no iad dileas do na nithean sin, agus cha bhi call iarrtas nan Gaidheal a choisneas iad bithidh iad aca fhein deth. — 59 — AN GEALLADH Le Mairi Nic Ghilleathain (Dh’tnnseadh an sgeul-sa air an radio.) BHA a’ Bhanntrach, mar a chanadh iad rithe leithid de larach ’na beatha. Bha i a' tighinn arm am baile Cheanaraidh, ’na suidhe beo leis na smuaintean ciuirte a bha ’ga lionadh. aig an uinneig a’ coimhead a mach air Dhixin i a co-chreutairean a mach as a cridhe an rathad mhor, ach gun i faicinn ni no neach o’n uair sin. Bha gach ni air an robh i steidh- a bha dol seachad. Bha smuaintean cudthrom- eachadh a dochais air an toirt bhuaipe, agus ach ’na com agus neul bronach air a h-aghaidh. bha glas is iuchair air an ionad anns an robh an An latha ud fhein bha i air a h-inntinn a fheadhainn a dh’fhalbh taisgte aice, mar gum dheanamh suas nach fhanadh i na b’fhaide biodh eagal oirre gum briseadh duine eile a ann an eilean a h-oige; gun reiceadh i an tigh steach do’n t-seomar uaigneach sin. Cluinnidh ’s am fear ann agus gun stiuireadh i a ceum a sinn daonnan a bhith faotainn coire dhaibhsan dh’ionnsaigh na Galldachd far nach bitheadh a gheilleas do shearbhadas 's do bhriseadh- dad a bheireadh ’na cuimhne na nithean a cridhe, ach cha tuig sinne nach robh riamh fo chaill i’s na ceanglaichean a chaidh a bhriseadh phramh an suidheachadh a tha aig an t-seorsa 'na beatha. sin, agus air mo shon fhein dheth cha toil leam Dh’ eirich i o’n uinneig; chuir i uimpe a moran gnothuich a ghabhail riutha. Chan ann, cota agus dh’fhalbh i mach a ghabhail sgriob. mar sin, a’ leudachadh air cor bronach na Is fheudar gun robh na smuaintean dorcha air Banntraich a tha mi idir—chan eil mi ach ag an robh i meorachadh ’ga leantainn oir bha a innse na sgeoil aice mar a chuala mi i. gnuis from, dubhach fhathast. Bha a h-aigne Ged a bha an latha air a bhith grianach neo-ghluasadach air aon ni agus cha robh i dh' fhas am feasgar greannach, bagarrach. Bha a’ cluinntinn na coisir bhinn a bha seinn air ghaoth a’ sior eirigh, agus an so chualas brag an bharraibh nan geug. Cha mho na sin a bha suim uisge air an uinneig. Chuir a’ Bhanntrach fad aice do dh’ aghaidh fhlathail na greine a bha na dha monadh eile air an teine agus sheall i toiseachadh ri cromadh anns an lar. Bha a air a ghleoc. Ochd uairean! Bha tri uairean ceann crom agus i, mar gum b’eadh, a’ tomhas de thide fhathast mus rachadh i laighe-—iiine gach ceum. “Seallaibh air a so !” bhris an gle fhada aig neach ’na aonar. “Droch guth a steach oirre agus thug i leum aisde. oidhche,’’ thubhairt i rithe fhein, “cha bhi Bha balach beag ’na shuidhe ri taobh loin agus duine sam bith a mach a tigh ris an fhuachd bata seilisdear aige ’na laimh a bha e sebladh so.’’ Mar gum b’ ann mar fhreagairt do’n air an uisge. Thog e suas am bata gu moiteil, smuain so chuala i fuaim coiseachd, agus an ach cha do chuir a’ Bhanntrach moran diu ann. ceann mionaid no dha thainig gnogadh do’n Chum am fear beag roimhe a’ bruidhinn. dorus. Bha caileag 6g ’na seasamh an sin, “Tha mise ’dol do’n eaglais am maireach,” Annag a’ Ghreusaiche. thubhairt am fear beag gu moiteil, “gheall “Tha mi duilich a’ cur dragh oirbh,’’ arsa Mamaidh dhomh gun toireadh i ann mi. Tha Annag gu diuid, “ach bha mi a’ dol seachad, brogan ura agam. Am bheil sibhse dol do’n agus thainig am fras fhiadhaich so cho aithghearr eaglais ?’ ’ ’s gum b’ eiginn dhomh fasgadh a ghabhail. “Chan eil,” fhreagair i agus i coiseachd air Am faod mi tighinn a steach ?’ ’ falbh gu luath. ‘ ‘ F aodaidh, ’ ’ fhreagair am boireannach, An deidh tighinn dhachaidh las i an lampa, ‘ ‘ach ciod air an t-saoghal a tha thu a’ deanamh tharruing i na cuirteinean agus rinn i cupa a mach ris an aimsir so?.’’ “ tea’ ’ dhith fhein. Bha a cridhe lan le moran de Thainig stad air a’ chaileig agus dh’eirich nithean, ach os cionn a h-uile nr bha aon smuain an fhuil ’na h-aodann oir bha fhios aice nach shonraichte. Dh’fheumadh i faighinn air falbh cordadh an fhreagairt ris a’ Bhanntraich. a Ceanaraidh. Ged nach biodh ann ach cho “’S docha gun cuala sibh,’’ ars ise, “gu bheil coltach ’s a bha Tearlach beag (b’e sin ainm a’ am ministeir a’ tional airgid airson teaghlach bhalaich) ri Iain aice fhein. Iain, a chaidh a a’ choigrich ud a chaill a bheatha anns an thoirt bhuaipe ’nuair nach robh e ach ceithir tubaist air Loch-a’ -bhradain air a’ mhios a bliadhna, agus sin beagan an deidh bas a chaidh seachad. Bha mise ’nochd a’ tadhal air companaich. Dhirin i a suilean a’ meorachadh na tighean airson a’ chuid ma dheireadh de 'n air na buillean eagalach a dh’fhag lorn, falamh airgiod sin a chruinneachadh. Tha iad ’ga i ann an irine cho goirid. Lom . . . falamh iarraidh a stigh Di-luain.’’ . . . . B’ e sud an searbhadas mor a rinn a Thug a’ Bhanntrach siiil mhi-cheutach air a’ nighmn. ‘‘Is ann agadsa a tha ’n obair mi faicinn carson a chuireadh an eaglais dragh ghorach,” thubhairt i gu frionasach, “de an orm.” B’ e sin am freagairt a thug i do’n gnothuch a tha aig daoine nach eil eolach ri mhinistear an uair a thainig e a choimhead oirre bhith seoladh air na lochan sin co-dhiii ? mu dheireadh. Buamastaireachd agus dith na ceille! Ach,” Thainig gnogadh grinn chun an doruis. arsa ise le guth beagan na bu chaoineile, “ni Chan eil fhios co bha so oir cha b’abhaist mi cupa ‘tea’ dhuit on a tha thu cho flinch.” tathaich sam bith a bhi air an tigh, agus gu h-araidh air latha na Sabaid; le ioghnadh Dh’ fhosgail Annag a beul a’ dol a dhiultadh, chaidh i g’ a fhosgladh. Bha Tearlach beag ach smuainich i gum b’fhearr dhith fuireach agus a mhathair ’nan seasamh an sud. ‘ ‘ Gabh- samhach, agus dhiiin i rithist e. An ceann aibh mo lethsgeul,” arsa am boireannach 6g, beagan uine thainig am boireannach a nuas “ach bha mi smaointeachadh gun cuidicheadh leis an ‘‘tea.” sibh mi. Gheall mi dha’n ghille gun toirinn ‘‘Tha fhios,” ars’ ise, ‘‘gum bheil fadachd do’n eaglais an diugh e airson a’ cheud uair, ort gus am faighthu air falbh a Ceanaraidh do’n ach ghoirtich mi mo chas anns a’ mhadainn bhaile mhor le chuid sugraidh.” ‘‘O, chan ’nuair a dh’eirich mi, agus chan urrainn, mi eil, idir,” fhreagair Annag gu durachdach ’s coiseachd cho fada ris an eaglais. Cha toil a suilean a’ lasadh, ‘ ‘ is toil leamsa Ceanaraidh learn briseadh-duil a thoirt dha. Saoil an —’s ann an so a tha mo chairdean. Feumaidh toireadh sibhse ann e air mo shon?” mi fuireach le mo mhathair. Chan eil i ag Bha a’ Bhanntrach samhach airson tacain cumail gu math.” Thug a’ bhanntrach suil mar gum biodh i ’cur cath air choireiginn ’na oirre mar gum biodh i ’ga faicinn airson na h-inntinn. ‘‘De thug ort tighinn an so le ceud uair. leithid sin de ghnothuch?” dh’fheoraich i mu ‘ ‘ Chan ann trie a sheallas do leithid-sa air na dheireadh. ‘‘Thoiribh maitheanas dhomh ma rudan sin,” ars ise. rinn mi dad as an rathad,’’ fhreagair an te eile, Dh’eirich Annag. ‘‘Tha am fras seachad a ‘‘ach ’s e an tigh agaibh a b’fhaisge dhomh, nis agus feumaidh mi bhith gabhail an rathaid.’ ’ agus bha mi smaointeachadh gum bitheadh ‘‘Stad mionaid,” ars a’ Bhanntrach is i ag sibh fein a’ dol do’n eaglais co-dhiiibh.” eirigh gu luath mar gum biodh eagal oirre gun ‘‘Nam bitheadh tusa na b-eolaiche ann an gabhadh i ’n t-aithreachas, agus thug i nail Ceanaraidh bhiodh fhios agad nach eil mise a’ sporan. Thug i paipear dheich tasdain do’ n toirt dubhair air dorus eaglais,” fhreagair a’ nighmn. “So,” thubhairt i, ‘‘cuir sin comhla Bhanntrach. ‘ ‘ Ach, ” ars ise ’ nuair sin, ‘ ‘ bheir ris a chorr a chruinnich thu. Ach,” gu mi an gille do’n eaglais gus a riarachadh an crosda, ‘‘cuimhnich chan eil truas sam bith uair so.” agam ri daoine a tha cur lamh ’nam beatha Is coir innse nach b’ ann de mhuinntir Cheanar- fhein le amaideas ’sa’ fagail an sliochd aidh idir a bha Catriona Bhan, mathair Thearl- ’nan cudthrom air daoine eile.” Ghabh aich bhig. Chailleadh an duine aice anns a’ Annag 6g an t-airgiod gu toileach. ‘‘O, taing chogadh, agus bha ise air tighinn a dh’fhuireach dhuibh,” ars ise, ‘‘agus moran taing dhuibh do’n eilean as a’ bhaile mhor far an robh a airson bhur coibhneis. Oidhche mhath leibh.” comhnuidh roimhe so. Bha i air dachaidh ur a Ghlas a’ Bhanntrach an dorus agus thill i chur suas, agus bha i a’ stri gu dichiollach ri chun an teine. Thug i greis ag amharc do’n teachd-an-tir a chosnadh dhith fhein ’ s d’ a mac. )ghriasaich. Bha an guth 6g, ur, coibhneil Chaidh a’ Bhanntrach suas an staidhir agus fhathast ’na cluasan. ‘‘Taing dhuibh . . . chuir i uimpe a h-aodach airson na h-eaglais. 'Oidhche mhath leibh . . . ”Cuin a chuala i Bha aithreachas oirre gun do gheall i am balach na briathran ud mu dheireadh ? Thug i crathadh beag a riarachadh. “Huh,” thubhairt i oirre fhein agus thill an searbhadas ri h-aodann. rithe fhein, ‘‘nach b’e ’n gnothuch gorach e! ‘‘Ach,” ars ise rithe fhein, ‘‘is fheudar gur De choire dheanadh e air a’ ghille ged a gheib- jh-e goraiche na h-aoise a tha orm.” headh e briseadh-duil. Theid mise an urras gur Is e ’n t-Sabaid a bha ann an ath mhadainn. iomadh gin de’n t-seorsa gheibh e ma bhios Bha i rudeiginn fuar, gruamach, agus bha a’ saoghal aige.” Bhanntrach fada gun eirigh. Shuidh i gu Is ann le ceum mairnealach, gun sgoinn a h-aonaranach, mar a b’abhaist aig a biadh. choisich i dh’ionnsuidh na h-eaglais agus Cha robh aobhar cabhaig ann oir cha bhiodh greim aice air laimh air Tearlach beag. Is esan i dol do’n eaglais, ged a bha am ’na beatha anns a bh’ air a dhoigh oir bha e dol far an robh e ’g nach robh a h-aite san eisdeachd riamh falamh. iarraidh a dhol o chionn fada. Agus a bharrachd Ach dh’fhalbh sin. Bha am Biobull ann an air a sin nach robh na brogan ura air ? Stadadh ciiil fo’n dreasair agus gun lamh ’ga thoirt air e ’n drasda ’s a rithist, agus shealladh e sios air latha deug de’n bhliadhna. ‘‘Chan eil mise a chasan gu proiseil. Gun rabhadh sam bith cur dragh sam bith air an eaglais agus chan eil sheas e agus sheall e suas air a’ Bhanntraich. 6i _ ‘ ‘ Caite ’ n do chaill sibh bhur gaire ?’ ’ dh’ fhoigh- a fhuair i sealbh air a’ chomfhurtachd, a tha nich e. a’ daingneachadh gur ann troimh dheagh ghean “Mo . . . mo . . . ghaire . . . do dhaoine a gheibh an t-anam sith agus fois. De tha thu ciallachadh?” dh fheoraich am Thill an gaire gu a h-aodann; bha solas ’na boireannach. Fhreagair am fear beag. ‘ ‘ Chuala cridhe is fhuair Tearlach Beag bata briagha ur. mise Bean a’ Ghreusaiche ag radh ri Mamaidh gum b’ abhaist gaire toilichte a bhith agaibhse, ach nach robh e agaibh a nis o chionn fada, fada an t-saoghail. Bha mi ’smaointeachadh An Traon gum feumadh gun do chaill sibh e, an aiteigin. Tha coin ann nach aithnich cuid air an Ach," ars esan, gu dochasach, ‘‘gheibh sibh cumadh no air an dreach no air an cebl. Am air ais fhathast e." fear nach aithnich an traon air a chumadh no Rainig iad an eaglais is thoisich an t-seirbhis. air a dhreach is sgeul cinnteach gun aithnich Bha am fear beag socair, samhach airson greis e e air a cheol, co dhiubh air a ghuth. Air son ach dh’fhas e mi-fhoiseil, agus thoisich e air a’ chiiiil, chan eil e idir ann! Chan eil duine cluich le dha no tri sgillinnean a bha aige ’n a chuala an traon a riamh nach bi cuimhne aig phoca. Thuit te dhiubh air an iirlar agus rinn air ri bheo, oir tha guth aige nach cualas aig i gliong. Ghrad sheall e suas le aodann dearg, eun sam bith eile, guth nach iarrte a chluinn- ciontach. Chuir a’ Bhanntrach a gairdean tinn aig eun ach e fhein. timchioll air ’s tharruing i dluth dhith fhein e Ged nach eil ceol no milseachd an guth an gus a chumail socair, agus ann an uine ghoirid traoin tha togail ann nach beag mur bi thu thuit e ’na chadal ri taice. Dh’fhairich am ro fhada ’na choir. Tha guth an t-samhraidh boireannach a cridhe reota a’ taiseachadh agus agus teachdaireachd an fhais ’na ghob. Far blaths neo-abhaisteach ’ga cuairteachadh. an cluinnear e chithear fochann gorm a’ comh- Bha am ministear air toiseachadh ri teagasg dach an raoin anns am bi e no fiar glas ’ga agus leag i a suil’s a h-inntinn air. ‘ ‘ Taisgibh shineadh fhein ri grein. Cha dealaich an inn- dhuibh fein ionmhas air Neamh." B’e sin an tinn guth an eoin-sa ri blaths is dochas; cha ceann-teagaisg a bha aige. Bha i ’ga ceasnach- duin dorus na cuimhne air leantan air nach do adh fein. Ciod an seorsa ionmhais a bha ise laigh do shixil, ma dh’fhaodte, o bha thu 6g. tasgadh ? Is lionmhor iad a chuala an traon nach fhaca Bha baisteadh anns an eaglais an deidh na sealladh dheth a riamh. Tha e sochaireach ’ na seirbhis. Sheall a’ Bhanntrach gu geur air a’ nadur, falachaidh ’na ghiulan, faireil ’na charaid thlachdmhoir a bha le aoibhneas imeachd; agus leanmhainneach ’na aithris. soluimte a’ toirt am boidean gu diirachdach. Is Is docha leis gu mor gun cluinnear e na gu ann mar sud a sheas i fhein agus Ruairidh air faicear e. Ma tha e uabhrach is ann ’ na ghuth, beulthaobh a’ mhinisteir le Iain beag o chionn ma tha e gaisgeil chan ann an cuideachd, agus shia bliadhna deug. Shil a deoir gu frasach ma tha e cairdeil cha mhor a dh’aithnichear sin agus chrom i a ceann ann an urnuigh shamhach. air. Chan eil sochair air a ghuth a thogail, An uair a sgaoil an eaglais chaidh i fhein agus agus mar as samhaiche a bhios each is ann as Annag a’ Ghreusaiche dhachaidh leis a’ bhalach airde a ghlaodh. Nuair a thuiteas eoin eile an bheag, agus dheasaich iad an dinneir, a’ suain bithidh an traon ’na chaithris. Nuair bu co-eigneachadh Chatriona gus fois a ghabhail mhath le sluagh san nabachd uallaichean an oir bha a cas air a ciorramachadh na bu mhiosa latha a thilgeadh dhiubh ’nan cadal sin an na shaoil leatha an toiseach. t-am a roghnaicheas esan gu bhith cumail ’nan An sin chaidh i dhachaidh a’ gealltainn a cuimhne gun tainig e do’n duthaich. Ma bhios dhol a choimhead air Catriona a’ cheud ni sa’ esan ’na dhuisg agus each ’nan cadal carson mhadainn. nach leigeadh e sin fhaicinn dhaibh. Nach eil Chuir i air an teine. Shuidh i sios, tacain-—• latha fada samhraidh aca gu bhith seinn gu’n Dh’eirich i is dh’fhosgail i am Biobull a bha toil, nuair a tha esan ’na thosd. cho fada duinte fo’ n dreasair. Bha na briathran Mo thruaighe fear a’ chadail aotrom, agus ‘‘lonmhas air Neamh" fhathast a’ seinn ’na an traon air tighinn. Ma tha co-fhaireachdainn cluasan. Thug i greis ’ga leughadh. Bha aige ri creutair sam bith chan ann ris an t- fiamh a’ ghaire a’ cleasachd timchioll air a seorsa ud. Tha na seachd deamhnan a’ tighinn bilean .... Bha a mac-meanmna ann ma gheibh e dluth, gu falachaidh, air fear a’ sealltainn air aghaidh ris an am ri teachd. a’ chadail. Sin an t-am a thogas esan a ghuth, Bhiodh i fhein agus Catriona ’s an gille agus a sguireas agus a thoisicheas e, a thoisicheas Annag 6g a’ Ghreusaiche a ris air an ceangal ’ s a sguireas e. So da rireadh piobaire an aona ri cheile le bannaibh cairdeis is coibhneis. phuirt. Bheireadh i a h-uile cuideachadh a bha ’na Thig e gun fhios; falbhaidh e gun rabhadh; comas dhaibh o so a mach oir b’ ann trompa-san agus ’s e mac-ratha a chi e. S.D.T. teine; agus, ainilte. An e am facal, ainilte, Dias As Gach Sguab freumh an fhacail, anaid? BIDH e a’ cur ceist orm de air an aon saoghal So agaibh briathran eile—sud far an robh a bhios a’ toirt air feadhainn a tha fear frionasach na h-idrisg, tha thu cho dis ri teagasg Gaidhlig, agus aig am bu choir catan-griosaich; thug e fhein an earraig ud fios a’ chaochlaidh a bhith, a bhith a’ cleachdadh (mu fhear a chaidh air turus diomhain); tha ghnathasan cainnte fuadain air an radio. Mas breoitheadh san fhiodh, ’s nam biodh fios na e an seorsa Gaidhlig a bhios mi cluinntinn aca fath agam cha robh mi air a cheannach. a thatar air son a chumail buan, mar as luaithe So rud a thuirt fear a bha leughadh bardachd a gheibh i an fhuar-bhuille is e as fhearr. san robh fear eile deanamh innse air fhein— 'S mi-choltach an fhagail 'S e rinn innse le cinnte ann an dimeas neo- Tha air fir teagasg Ghaidhlig ar-thaing, Bhith feadarsaich air faire Sar-eisg nan droch fhilidh ’s neo-fhileanta Ri ’r canain dh’an deoin. cainnt. Bidh ollamhan Upsala Fear-farraid . An imcheist am maireach Ach de seorsa canain Bu ghnath leis na seoid. Am Buideal So cuid de na chruinnich mi as gach aite air Thr a’ naidheachd bheag-sa ’gar toirt air feadh na duthcha: Bhiodh Manus na h-Airde ais mile bliadhna. Ann an Eilean a’ Cheo bha Bige a’ cur na ceist so air a h-uile duine air an iad ri feitheamh ris na soithichean Lochlannach robh beachd sgoilear aige, ‘ ‘Cuir Beurla air, Is nach robh ainneamh a’ tighinn th; r a’ Chuain tu bu docha.” Chuala mi na rudan so mu’n a Tuath a spuinneadh 's a mhilleadh anns na chuan: an tigh gorm; sruth nam biorach; h-eileanan. Aig an am-sa bha coilltean dosrach fachaich na fairge; tiurr an lain; top a’ mhuir a’ comhdach chnoc is bheann, agus rinn am traigh. ’S minic a chuala mi mu fhear no fear so buideal math dionach le fiodh craoibhe ainmhidh a chaidh a bhathadh—chaidh e a a bha fas air cul an tighe aige. nighe a chas. Nithean eile—chan eil ann ach Nuair a chualas gu robh na naimhdean a’ rud a dh’fhag am muir lan air diochuimhne; nochdadh air faire lion bean-an-tighe am buideal eadar-da-lunn; eadar lunn is lear; chaidh e lan de im ur. Thog am bodach am buideal fodha le cion area. air a ghualainn agus thug e am baca monach Chuala mi na beachdan-sa mu’n aimsir: air far na thiodhlaic se e anns an riasg gus am Tha coltas Mhurchaidh Bhain oirre is fiaclan biodh an t-im urar, tiaruinte nuair a thilleadh san airde an iar; tuaileas ann am fuaradh na spiiinneadairean do’n diithaich fhein. froise; smugraich uisge; la eadar dha-la. Thainig na Lochlannaich mar a bha duil Tha cuid a’ cumail a mach gur h-ann ri linn riutha. Anns a’ chath a chuireadh air an eilean cogadh na Frainge a thogadh am facal speil- chaidh moran a chur gu bas, agus ’nam measg earachd o na Gearmailtich. Chan eil mi da bha fear a’ bhuideil. Ghlac na naimhdean an uair cho cinnteach. ’S ann ’s na h-aitean as t-eilean agus bha e fo an riaghladh ceudan iomallaiche as trice a chluinnear e agus cha bliadhna. Fad na h-uine sin bha am buideal b’fhiach dhuit a dhol an urras nach robh e taisgte anns an riasg a bha direadh ’s a’ direadh againn o thainig na seann Ghaidheil suas ri le crionadh nan lus os a chionn. Is iomadh ceum amar an Danube o’n airde an ear. duine agus ainmhidh a chaidh seachad air fad nan linntean. Chuala mi so cuideachd: Chan eil annlan Is ann an ceann mile bliadhna a thainig na trannadh air aire a’ mhulaich ud; imlich dithis air a’ bhuideal is iad a’ buain mhbnach. nan corrag air gainne; cha d’ fhuair iad crochadh Ruisg iad an soitheach gu socrach, gun fhios na praise; is e teanntachd na Feinne a chuir de an ulaidh a bha ann, thog iad e gu barr a’ cathair eig air a bonn; iallan na Feinne; phuill agus nuair a thug iad an ceann as chunnaic thoir do rogha aite ort. iad an sud an t-im a chaidh a mhiosradh mile Nuair a bhios duine a’ saoilsinn tuilleadh bliadhna air ais. Gun teagamh cha robh an ’s a’ choir dheth fhein canar—fearas-mhora t-im freagarrach air son a chur air aran, oir gun chur-leis, agus beachd a’ ghiomaich air a ged nach do ghrod e cha robh e cho ur no cho dheireadh. . blasda is a bha e nuair a thugadh as a’ bhlfith- Tha mi cinnteach gur h-e fear o Dheas a aich e. Tha e air aithris gu bheil am buideal thuirt so mu mhuinntir eile—Catach ciotach; slan, fallain an Oil-thigh Obaireadhain gus an Gallach salach; Rosach mosach; Niseach latha an diugh. niosach. Chuala mi so—de an ain a tha as an Coma Leat. duine nuair a chaidh An-Comunn Gaidhealach De Tuilleadh a steidheachadh. Le speis, A Charaid, Gordon Donald. Chuir sibh a’ cheist sin oirnn air a’ mhios For Your Information so a chaidh. So mo fhreagairt-sa dhuibh: 1. An Comunn has at present a large stock Seall romhad a Chomuinn! of An Lon Dubh (The Blackbird), Parts 1 and Bithidh a’ Chian-Amharcachd (no Television) 2, price 6d plus postage. These books are a’ tighinn do na h-eileanan an ceann caigeann intended for use in schools, but all the songs are bhliadhnachan. Cuiridh sin as do na tha air suitable for adults. The 28 Gaelic songs in Part fhagail de’n Ghaidhlig gle luath mas ann 1 and the 26 in Part 2 are arranged in two-part troimh mheadhon na Beurla a bhios na Pro- harmony in solfa notation. Most of the har- grammes. A nis chunnaic sinn a cheana an uair monies were arranged by Mr. R. D. Jamieson, bheag spiocach san t-seachdain a bheir am Glasgow, and the editor was Mr. Malcolm B. B.C. dhuinn air an adhar,Macfarlane, agus creidibhJohnstone. The collection includes gum bi fada nas lugha againn air an C.A. many popular songs and melodies., (no T.V.). Gu fortanach chan eil sinn uile 2. An Approach to Gaelic, Part 1, by Mr. gu leir an crochadh ris a’ Bh.B.C. A. N. Maclean, and illustrated by Miss L. R. So a nis cuspair mo litreach. Cha chuala mi Annand, which has been out of print for some nach fhaod buidheann sam bith cur a steach time, is now available. It is published by An air son cead seirbhis craobh-sgaoilidh. Is e Comunn, price 2/6 plus postage. mo bheachd fhein gum bu choir do’n Chomunn This small book, along with Parts 2 and 3, feuchainn ri a chur fhein an ceann buidheann which it is hoped will appear in due course, is de’n t-seorsa. Bu choir buidheann coitcheann designed to provide a three year course for a.shuidheachadh a ghabhadh obair an C.A. no pupils who begin to study Gaelic in the first an T.V. os laimh, ’s a bheireadh an seirbhis year of the Secondary Course. Part 1 consists dhuinn troimh mheadhon na Gaidhlig. of graded lessons dealing with masculine nouns. Dh’fheumadh am buidheann-sa moran airgid a The illustrations in black and white are helpful, chruinneachadh gus an gnothach a chur air and the glossary is sufficiently comprehensive, adhart, ach is cinnteach nach biodh sin ro dhuilich oir tha fhios aig an t-saoghal air cho Book Review tarbhach is a tha an obair so. “Cead an Prose Writings of Donald Lamont, Published C. A. mar chead airgiod fheinby a chlo-bhualadh’the Scottish Gaelic Texts Society, Price 21/-. arsa MacThomais S.T.V. o chionn ghoirid. The quantity of readable prose available in Gaelic is very limited. This volume, contain- Dheanadh an obair so feum do’n Chomunn ing a small selection of Donald Lamont’s most agus do’n Ghaidhealtachd air doigh no dha. characteristic writings, is all the more welcome Anns a’ chiad aite, thatar ag iarraidh fearas- on that account. Dr. Lament’s output of chuideachd do’n t-sluagh. Bheireadh so sin original Gaelic prose, most of which was dhaibh air dhreach na bu fhreagarraiche na contributed by him to the monthly magazine gheibheadh iad bho’n t-seorsa eile. Anns an of the Church of Scotland over a long period of dara h-aite, dh’fhaodadh obair tighinn an cois years, surpasses in quantity that of any other na seirbhis so; thigeadh i cuideachd. Chum- writer in the history of Gaelic literature. His adh sin ar n-6igridh a tha an drasd am style is quite distinctive, simple and direct, feum an dachaidhean fhagail mun cuir iad am clear and forceful. He never strives after buadhan gu inbhe. Anns an treas aite, le effect, but he clinches his arguments with a taic an C.A. cha bhiodh An Comunn an eisimeil minimum of words and leaves the reader in no a’ Mhoid air son “teachd-an-tir,’’ agus, doubt as to what he means. He is at home in mar sin, bhiodh iad an comas a chumail air a’ dealing with a wide range of topics, and in his Ghaidhealtachd na bu trice, agus barrachd treatment of these he reveals keen imagination, Gaidhlig a chleachdadh na tha iad a’ deanamh alert observation, clarity of thought, arresting fhad’s is e an t-airgiod as motha a tha ’nan comment and a wealth of pawky humour. We rim. cannot get too much of this type of lively Their cuid “ O chan e an leithid sin a chleachd literature. An Comunn. Sheachainn sinne gnothaichean The editor, Mr. T. M. Murchison, has done saoghalta riamh.” Sheachainn, agus caite an his part with care and efficiency. His intro- d’ fMg sin a’ Ghaidhlig ? Dh’fhag ’g a dith an duction, notes and. glossaries, enhance the iomadh ilite anns an robh i air teanga a h-uile value of the book. LEARNER’S PAGE Chuala Tearlach mu ochd uairean sa’ mhad- About 8 o’clock in the morning Charles ainn gu robh feachd an Diuc a’ tighinn. Loisg- heard that the Duke’s forces were approaching. eadh urchair gunna mhoir an sin gu rabhadh Then a cannon was fired to warn the soldiers a thoirt do na saighdearaibh tional as gach to gather from their respective places. In a aite an robh iad. An ceann greis chunnacas short time the red-coats were seen approaching an t-arm dearg. a' tighinn air adhart an ordugh in battle order. Every drum was beaten to catha. Bhuaileadh gach druma gus na bha marshal as many of the Gaels as could be found. ri’m faotainn de na Gaidheil a chur an brdugh. In all they totalled 5,000 men. Had Charles Cha robh ann gu leir dhiubh ach coig mile fear. managed to gather his full forces he would have Nam biodh Tearlach air, faotainn an fheachd gu at least 9,000. It was easy enough for him to h-iomlan cruinn bhiodh naoi mile aige air a’ postpone battle that day if he so desired. By chuid bu lugha. Bha e furasda dha cath the time the red-coats were about to take up leigeadh seachad an latha ud nam b’e sin a thoil. their position opposite them, the forces of the Mu’n am an robh an t-arm dearg faisg air an Prince were in battle array. They arranged aite a thogail mu’n coinneamh bha feachd a’ themselves in two bodies. Lord George Murray a’ Phrionnsa 'nan ordugh. Chaidh iad ’nan took command of the first group, and Lord da chuideachd. Ghabh Morair Seoras Muireach John Drummond took command of the second comannda na ciad chuideachd, agus Morair group. From the day of Bannock-Burn the Iain Drumaind comannda na cuideachd eile. Macdonalds used to be on the right hand in B’ abhaist do na Domhnallaich anns gach every battle. Whether it happened because of blkr o latha Allt a’ Bhonnaich a bhith air an the great hurry which left no time to bring laimh dheis. Is ann air an laimh chli.a chuir- certain of the clans, scattered as they were, to a eadh iad latha Chuil-Fhodair, co dhiubh is different place from that where most of the ann le meud na cabhaig a thachair sin, ’s nach individual clan happened to be at the time or robh uine ann gu bhith toirt cuid. de na through the partiality of some of the officers fineachan, sgapte mar a bha iad, gu aite eile who sought the honour of the right hand ach far an do thachair do thromlach a’ chinnidh position for another clan which did not have a bhith aig an am, no is ann le leth bhreith this honour previously, they were placed in the cuid de na h-oifigich a thachair e, ag iarraidh left hand position on Culloden day. The urram na laimhe deise a thoirt do thieubh eile Macdonalds resented this, and they threatened aig nach robh e roimhe sin. Ghabh na to do nothing at all. Domhnallaich so gu h-olc, is bhagair iad nach As the two forces were thus coming very deanadh iad car. Nuair a bha an da armailt close to one another a fierce shower of hailstones mar so a’ tighinn gu math dluth air a cheile blew in the face of the Gaels. They attempted sheid garbh fhras chlachan meallain direach an then to get to windward of the English. But the aghaidh nan Gaidheal. Thug iad oidhirp an English moved in front of them in a manner sin air taobh an fhuaraidh fhaotainn air na which made it impossible for them to gain the Sasunnaich. Ach bha na Sasunnaich a’ gluasad windward side. mu’n coinneamh air sheol ’s nach bu chomasach The battle opened with cannon fire about dhaibh taobh an fhuaraidh fhaotainn. Thoisich 1p.m. The red-coats had many more of these an cath le gunnachan mora air gach taobh mu than Charles had, and their aim was much uair an deidh mheadhon latha. Bha moran better. The prince’s party fired about 100 aig an arm dhearg dhiubh sin a bharrachd air shots without doing any damage to the enemy na bha aig Tearlach, agus bha an cuspaireachd apart from wounding one man. But the moran na b’ fhearr. Loisg taobh a’ Phrionnsa English guns were causing serious havoc mu cheud urchair gun dad a dheanamh air an among the Gaels who were growing very im- namhaid ach aon duine a leonadh; ach bha na patient because they were not receiving orders gunnachan Sasunnach a’ deanamh sgathadh to rush against the enemy as was their wont. uamhasach air na Gaidheil, is bha iadsan a’ fas ro mhi-fhoighidneach nach robh iad a’ faotainn ordugh ruith mar a b’abhaist an aghaidh an namhaid.

Thoir do chasan leat dhachaidh. Go away home. Tha am fear ud fior mhath air a lamhan. That person is a very handy man. Leig i oirre nach cuala i mi. She pretended not to hear me. 65 — THE CORNISH PARADOX By Iain MacKinnon THIS is the story of a language that became and never spelt itself like Welsh in its life, extinct and has been revived. True, though of course it was a kindred language.” if you go to Cornwall you are not likely The reply to my query ‘‘When Breton and to hear it spoken, but at least twenty people Welsh agree, how is it that Cornish is so en- can be said to speak it and about another three tirely different ?” was that Cornish was very hundred are learning it. Whether it.will ever much anglicized. Allowing for that, I find it become a spoken language in the true sense of very hard to believe. One cannot imagine the the word is of course another matter. In fact, Scottish Gael, for instance, altering his language during my recent visit to the country, the only for the convenience of English speakers. signs of Cornish that I noticed were the Lord’s Besides the pronunciation, these men have Prayer in the fourteenth-century church at falsified history as I shall endeavour to show Mullion, and the text ‘ ‘Honour thy father and later. Morton Nance even goes the length of thy mother” in both languages on the Dolly casting doubt on the works of grammarians Pentreath Memorial just outside Paul Church- who were alive at the time when the language yard, near Mousehole. was spoken. It is regrettable to see men of In my opinion, the men responsible for the such undoubted ability and erudition doing revival of Cornish have not been as objective such a disservice to their country’s culture; as they might. The new language in a sense I confess that I am somewhat puzzled, as all falls into the category of Esperanto; it is this seems pretty pointless. neither Old nor late Cornish, and, indeed, During my holiday in Cornwall I had the I doubt very much if it is Middle Cornish on opportunity of studying various books in the which they claim to have based it, at least in Penzance Library, and discovered some rather pronunciation. It is a creature of their own, startling things as one may well imagine, the pronunciation based on the English model previously having accepted the evidence of rather than on the Celtic one, and as such must Nance and Smith as the truth. But first of all be considered an artificial Celtic language. In permit me to outline the history. As we know, a pamphlet, ‘‘The Cornish Language,” 1877, the Britons of the South-West were cut off Henry Jenner writes on the subject of the after the Battle of Deorham in 577 from their orthography: “I would suggest that the kinsmen in Wales and for three and a half system should be based on modern English, centuries led a pretty precarious existence, avoiding all scientific affectations, such as the being continually harried by the Saxons who foreign or so-called ‘‘Italian” vowel sounds exacted tribute from them. At that time (as tending after a while to alter the pronuncia- their domains extended as far as Exeter, which tion), and all use of accents, or of the DH for was their capital. But as the Britons were the broad sound of TH (as tending to puzzle slow in paying tribute Athelstan drove them all but scientific people). If any such plan out of Exeter in 936, fixing their frontier at should be adopted, I shall be very willing to the present-day limits of Cornwall. But it give any assistance that my time will allow, was not long before he defeated Howel, their but I give notice that I shall violently oppose last king, finally completing his conquest of the any antiquated vagaries or unnecessary devia- Scilly Isles in 938. It may be noted that in tions from established usage, and shall try to the conquest of Britain the Saxons at first get the spelling settled in accordance with employed the policy of extermination towards practical common sense . . . . ” Needless the conquered. However, by the time that to say, the above policy has been followed, they reached Cornwall they had been converted although R. Morton Nance has introduced the to Christianity, therefore annexation had re- DH, presumably with the consent of Jenner. placed extermination, which may help to But the above will suffice to demonstrate how explain the Celtic nature of the inhabitants of intolerant have these men been of all criticism. the South-West of the country. One would suppose that with Welsh and Breton After the final annexation it became evident being so similar (and they do agree at times), that it was only a matter of time for the exist- Cornish would be something more like them ence of a language of so small a country. That than it actually is. But Jenner in the same it survived for 800 years or more is surely a pamphlet states: ‘‘The Welsh plan is founded miracle. Little is known about it up to the on an erroneous conception of’ the nature of 16th Century. Smith (nom-de-plume Caradar) Cornish, which is not Welsh, never was Welsh, writes of Nance in his ‘‘Story of the Cornish Language” (1947). “He also proves that had simply adopted English ways and customs. there is no truth in the supposition that Cornish In West Cornwall it was different, for not many was spoken at Menheniot in East Cornwall in people knew English. the reign of Henry VIII (Handbook pp. 11-13). With the Reformation, however, came a He goes on to say ‘Cornwall east of Truro is change. About 1600 most of the Cornish were quite without playing-places. This could bi-lingual, and although the Miracle Plays still hardly have been if the Cornish miracle-plays continued for a time, they were ultimately had been of any use to the population there, dropped. By this time Cornish must have died so the suggestion is that already Cornish was out in East Cornwall, for Richard Carew states by the time of these plays practically extinct that it had been driven into the uttermost there.’ ” These two gentlemen estimate that parts of the shire, which would probably mean in East Cornwall the language must have died west of Truro, for Richard Symonds writes in out not long after 1000 a.d. his diary (1644) “All beyond Truro they speak Let us now examine the other side. Andrew the Cornish language.” In 1667 John Ray Borde in 1542 states in his “Boke of the Intro- mentions in his “Itinerary” that few children duction of Knowledge”: “In Cornwall is can speak Cornish, “So that the language is two speeches, the one is naughty Englysshe, like in a short time to be lost.” Various and the other is Cornysshe speche. And there reasons are given for the decline of Cornish; be many men and women the which cannot (1) Indifference, (2) No literature, (3) Cessation speake one worde of Englysshe, but all of Miracle Plays, (4) No Cornish church service, Cornysshe.” He is widely quoted, not only (5) Loss of intercourse between Cornwall and by Thurstan C. Peter in his “ History of Brittany, (6) No translation of the Bible into Cornwall,” but also by Jenner and Smith. Cornish. We know that the Cornish violently Peter writes of a desire of the Cornish people opposed the Reformation, preferring to remain for closer alliance with the English nation, and true to the old faith. They even refused to states: “It is to this that we owe the intro- accept a Prayer Book in Cornish, which, had duction of English into church services that is they done, might have been followed by the said to have been begun by Dr. Moreman, Bible which would have preserved the whole vicar of Menheniot who died in 1554. (Chil- language. When they became Wesleyans in dren’s History of Cornwall). In his “History the eighteenth century it was too late, the of Cornwall” he mentions that this “was not language being almost extinct. done till just about the time that Henry VIII By 1700 the linguistic area of Cornish had closed his reign.” He further adds: “From shrunk to the area around the west coast of this fact the inference is obvious, which is, Cornwall, spoken mainly by tin miners and that if the inhabitants of Menheniot knew fisherfolk. The language was simply dying of nothing more of the English than what was thus neglect. Everybody now could speak English, learned from the vicar of the parish, the Cornish although there were some people who would must have prevailed amongst them at that not admit it. “Mee a navidna cowza time.” (P. 243). Jenner states that Borde’s Sawznach” (I don’t speak Saxon) they would quotations in Cornish were much mixed with say to a stranger who accosted them. At this English such as might be heard on the borders time Lhuyd, the Welsh Celtic scholar, arrived of Devon. He is of the opinion that he did not in Cornwall in order to study the remnants of penetrate very far into the country owing to the the language, publishing his ‘ ‘Archaeologia difficulty of obtaining beer. It we are to believe Britannica” in 1707. He comes in for much Nance, Jenner later repudiated much of the criticism by Nance who accuses him of un- historical events that he had previously written grammatical construction and a wide-spread With these conflicting statements what ist borrowing of Welsh words which he Cornicized. the truth of the position? The quotation That Lhuyd did borrow extensively from Welsh taken from John Nor den “Even from Truro there seems little doubt, but he is hardly to be eastward is in a manner wholly English’ ’ blamed for that. It seems likely that Cornish obviously does not mean that Cornish had died would borrow wholesale from English, at times out there as Smith infers. In my opinion even discarding Cornish words in favour of English, though it must have been widely English. It is significant that Nance has made spoken, was by no means the exclusive language use of not a few of Lhuyd’s borrowings in his of that region. Rather does it mean that the Dictionary. Nance has of course criticized inhabitants had become anglicized, and there- other writers of Cornish about this time such as fore no Miracle Plays which took place in order Keigwin, Gwavas, and Tonkin. to educate the illiterate peasantry about the Like other small languages Cornish was held Scriptures, were played there. The people up to ridicule. Richard Brome for instance in — 67 — 1632 wrote a ribald play called “The Northern (Where there are no Gaelic-speaking boys there Lasse’’ in which Master Nonsense, son of a will be no Gaelic-speaking men.) We pray Cornish squire, is depicted as a dullwitted that such a calamity will never happen. young man who makes inane remarks, some of A commodious house, now well known as them in Cornish. The author also has a dig “Cnoc nan Ros,’’ was purchased in Easter at the Scots, for his girl friend, Constance, the Ross and dedicated to commemorate those Northern Lasse is made to speak and sing in Gaelic-speaking heroes who made the supreme Braid Scots. sacrifice on the field of battle. 'To this delight- By 1735 Gwavas and Tonkin could only find ful home members of Comunn na h-Oigridh a few people in the village round the west coast gather in groups for a term of two weeks in an between St. Ives and Penzance who could speak all Gaelic atmosphere. Learners are now Cornish. A manuscript vocabulary compiled admitted and during their residence they are by these two together with Lhuyd’s Grammar taught and encouraged to speak Gaelic. was published in 1790 by Dr. William Price as I was extremely fortunate in the early years his own ' work, certainly an infringement of of my apprenticeship to serve with some of the copyright. All the same, by doing so he enabled ablest and most zealous Presidents who ever others who came later to piece together the served An Comunn and the cause for which it language after it had died out which otherwise stands—the ‘ preservation of our beloved lan- would have been impossible. guage. Ex-President Mrs. Burnley Campbell of {To be continued) Ormidale was Convener of the Propaganda Committee when I was installed as Secretary. She advocated the formation of Branches in Reminiscences every district in the Highland areas and was firm in the belief that this was the surest way {Excerpt from Chairman’s Address at Junior to bring the aims of An Comunn before the Concert—Dundee Mod, 1959.) people. It was Mrs. Burnley Campbell who AT previous meetings when I had the organised the Great Feill of 1907, the surplus honour of addressing members of from which, some £7000, placed An Comunn An Comunn I refrained from being .on a sound financial basis. Yet there is neither reminiscent, but, tonight, before a mixed Cup nor Shield offered at the National Mod audience and a galaxy of young children on the to commemorate the great work this gracious platform behind me, I wish to speak in retros- lady performed for An Comunn and all it stands pect in the hope that many members of the for. audience, and the children, will learn and There were(94 Branches on the roll when I was appreciate what was done by fine men and appointed, and I was able to visit many of them women during the past 50 years or so to bring before the outbreak of World War 1914-18. An Comunn to its present influential position. These were the days before Henry Ford dis- And this being the Semi-Jubilee of the founda- tributed his “Tin Lizzies’’ throughout the tion of Feachdan, or branches, of Comunn na land and I had to tramp many miles on hard h-Oigridh, our Youth Movement, it seems an roads and soft moors. On one occasion I appropriate occasion to refer to it. tramped from Carradale across the Peninsula I had the honour of forming the first Feachd of Kintyre to Tayinloan, a distance of fully in Castlebay School, Barra, in October, 1934. 12 miles, rising to an altitude of 800 feet. On Since then scores of Feachdan have been formed, my way I sought shelter and rest in a shepherd’s most of them by An Comunn Organisers in the house. I did not, at first, disclose who I was, North, with an aggregate enrolment of over but after some desultory conversation the 1,500 Gaelic speaking boys and girls. All these shepherd said, “Is e missionary bhios Feachdan have been formed in schools and An annaibhse?’’ (You will be a missionary). I Comunn is greatly indebted to the teachers told him I was a missionary from An Comunn concerned for their kind co-operation and help. Gaidhealach. Yes: he had heard about An Many of those enrolled in the early years have Comunn and the Mods. He was good enough now reached manhood and womanhood and it to escort me to the top of the hill and gave me is confidently hoped that they will always directions to follow. The old shepherd’s remember the promise they made. There is an query struck a chord within me which old Gaelic proverb which says—“Far nach bi reverberated throughout my wanderings on na mic-uchd cha bhi na fir-feachd.’’ Let me behalf of An Comunn. I disciplined myself parody that proverb and suggest that it becomes to be worthy of my calling and endeavour to our watch-word—'“Far nach bi mic-oga le rouse in my fellow Gaels something of the old Gaidhlig cha bhi firionnaich le Gaidhlig.’’ spirit of their race and nationality. After seven years as President, Mr. Malcolm MacLeod, Govan, demitted office and was Strathconon Branch succeeded by the Rev. Dr. George MacKay, During the 1959-1960 session the Branch has run minister of Killin. Dr. MacKay was the most a Class in the Glen, which has been well attended. assiduous and practical Gaelic propagandist Apart from instruction in the Gaelic language, atten- of his generation. I single him out as such tion was also given to Gaelic songs, and a mixed voice because of my association witn him and of what choir,The C6isirBranch GhAidhlig held several Srathchonuinn, ceilidhs in the wasStrathconon formed. I learned from him during those memorable Hall, which were voted very successful and were well tours which he personally organised, and which attended. Encouragement has been given to local brought us to every hamlet in the Gaidhealt- pipers, and several members have invested in the achd. We also visited the islands of Skye, Mull, nextHighland session’s dress. programme. We look forward with confidence to Jura, Islay and Gigha. We resuscitated all the Branches which lapsed during the War and formed many new ones. There, must be many alive in those areas visited who will recall with pleasure his eloquent and forceful appeal to his Treasurer’s Notes listeners to be true to their heritage. Pride NATIONAL MOD—DUNDEE, 1959 of race was one of his favourite texts, and he Received at Dundee— was equally eloquent before a small audience Previously acknowledged .. £2851 2 2 in a schoolroom as he was in the largest hall. Grand Feill £263 5 11 It was my duty and pleasure to revisit those Balnagairn Ceilidh Group 23 16 1 Branches and that brought me into close A. Portree..Stormont, Esq., 1 1 — relationship with the Branch officials and the Mrs. A. Stormont, Portree 1 1 — many kind friends who attended our meetings. Anonymous 5 I, later, visited the islands of Coll and Tiree, Lochinver Branch 2 2 — and the whole of the Long Island. Mrs. Packer, Coupar Branches are responsible for the organising Angus .. of Provincial Mods of which there is an average MissDundee Nancy Bremner, — 16 1 of 14 each year. In thanking Branch officials Glasgow Central Branch 52 10 — for the splendid work they are doing, and for Larg & Sons (Dundee) Ltd. 50 the efficiency of their organisation, I should Inverness Branch 15 mention the good work done by our friends in Beauly Branch 10 London, who also stage a successful Mod in the Mrs. Norman McLeod, Metropolis. It is not generally known that Dundee 7 10 — Children’s Mods were held at Portree and Inverness Gaelic Choir 3 3 — Tobermory in 1912. Mrs.forgan MacDonald, Long- 3 13 7 These Provincial Mods bring before the people All Fools Party 10 18 3 of their respective districts an example of what Matter of Opinion 6 10 6 is being done throughtout the land to preserve Heather Day 129 15 6 our language and to foster a love and respect A. M. MacGillivray, for the traditions of our race. In bringing this Dundee 7 15 6 reference to Branches to a close I should tell Proceeds of Dance 5 14 — the audience that the Dundee Highland Society, PybroMcNeill Boards, per Miss 74 3 2 a much older Society than An Comunn, has Mrs. MacLeod, Dundee 3 been on the roll of Comunn Branches for over Prize returned to Fund.. 1 50 years. I often wonder if the attachment of Anonymous 1 5 — the Society was preferable as a Branch than as Anonymous — 10 6 an affiliated Society. I must say something about the teaching of £3531 13 3 Gaelic in Elementary Schools in the Highland Received at Headquarters— areas. Or should I have said the non-teaching Previously acknowledged ^270 11 6 of Gaelic? Obanciation and Lorn• • Asso-• • 3 — — In far too many Schools Gaelic is not used Nova Scotia Association as a medium of instruction, even to children of Scottish Societies.. 5 — — who enter school knowing no other language Gaelic Society of Glasgow 5 — but the mother tongue, Gaelic. Ceilidh nan Gaidheal .. 5 288 11 6 Neil Shaw. .. £3820 4 9 (To be continued) Final Total as per Mod Account NATIONAL MOD—EDINBURGH, 1960 Miss Flora S. Hewitt, Received at Edinburgh— WilliamClydebank Adams, .. Esq.,.. — 5 — Previously acknowledged /458 7 St. Andrews . . . . — 5 —■ GovanComiinn Branch Gaidhealach of An 10 87 19 — DunoonComunn Branch Gaidhealach of An 7 .^93 7 - AyrComunn Branch Gaidhealach of An 10 10 — CENTRAL FUND TheDr. JHon. . Campbell, Mrs. Maclean Dalmally 2 2 — PreviouslyAnonymous, acknowledged Edinburgh ^141— 177 63 of Ardgour . . .. 2 2 — StrathcononAultbea Branch Branch A DonnachaidhLife Member Societyof Clan 5 Inverasdale Branch The Stirling Gaelic Choir 8 SkelmorlieAssociation & District Highland 2 2 — TheSociety, Clan EdinburghChisholm Vale of Leven Branch 5 Branch .. .. 2 2 — ^505 8 — StirlingMrs. E. BranchG. Croll, Cheltenham . . 1710 7 10 Received at Glasgow-— Total as at 31st March, 1960 .. £191 14 7 BlythPreviously & District acknowledged High- ^45 3 - land Society . . 3 3 — MAGAZINE FUND Miss B. Mackay, Lairg. . Previously acknowledged...... £11 — 6 Peter C. Fletcher, Esq., — 10 — Total as at 31st March, 1960. —— MullNetherton, & Iona EnglandAssociation .. 5 Rev.Campbeltown B. B. Blackwood, 1 1 — Miss Christina Wanklyn, An Comunn Gaidhealach Cambridge 1 Wm.Miss Kelso,Hune, GlasgowEsq., B.L., Life Members Glasgow 1 1 — On Roll at 31st March, 1959 ...... 995 MissBearsden A. G . M. Sutherland,... .. — 5 — Additions to Roll ...... 30 Mrs. F. McNiven, Port 1 1025 Dr.Ellen H. M. Morgan, Forres 2 Less Deceased ...... 24 BrianYork G. Lane, Esq., — 5 — On Roll at 31st March, 1960 .. 1001 Dr.Campbell, Robert Northumber-J . S. R. ORDINARY MEMBERS land On Roll at 31st March, 1959 ...... 2298 RobertMonkton McQuaker, Esq., — 10 — Additions to Roll ...... 172 R.Edinburgh F. , Mollison, Esq., 2470 Anonymous Less Deceased,Transferred Resigned to Life and Membership, Lapsed . . 294 Malcolm Mac After, Esq., — 10 — TheMinard Edinburgh Celtic On Roll at 31st March, 1960 . . 2176 Union Society 5 5 — JUNIOR MEMBERS Capt. William Mackay, 2 On Roll at 31st March, 1959 ...... 149 Wm.Inverness Hamilton, Esq., Additions to Roll ...... 8 Glasgow 157 Miss Campbell of Inver- 1 1 — Less Transferred to Ordinary Membership, Missneill, Una Ardrishaig Campbell of Resigned and Lapsed ...... 34 NeilInverneill, B. MacNeill, Ardrishaig Esq., On Roll at 31st March, 1960 . . 123 MissColonsay Bridget MacFarlane, AFFILIATED SOCIETIES Roy Bridge . . — 5 — On Roll at 31st March, 1959 ...... 63 MissGlasgow Flora Macmillan, Additions to Roll . . .. • • • • • • 5 Mrs. Raatgaver-Fraser, 68 ThomasHolland Hope, .Esq., . Less Lapsed . . • • • • • • • • 3 Moffat 3 On Roll at 31st March, 1960 .. 65 MissHewitt, Isabella Clydebank M. S. .. — 70 — AN GAIDHEAL THE GAEL Editor — ]. THOMSON, M.A., F.E.I.S., 116 WEST SAVILE TERRACE, EDINBURGH to whom all correspondence should be addressed except that concerning advertising, which should be addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer. 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C.2. Telephone: DOUglas 1433. Leabhar LV AN T-IUCHAR, 1960 Aireamh 7

LA NA CEISTE CHA leig duine leas innse do’n Eileanaeh chiiis-sa. ’S e fear sgiobalta bhios roimh an de’n la tha ann la na ceiste, tha e eolach chiad fhear a bhios air a chasan a’ cur a mach gu leor a bhith cluinntinn iomraidh air na ceiste. o oige. Chan aithne dhuinn gle mhath cionnas no cuin a shuidhicheadh an cleachdadh ionmh- An sin tha a’ cheist air a fuasgladh leis a’ olta-sa air tiis, ach tha fios againn gu bheil a mhinistear a tha air ceann na seirbhis. Cuiridh fhreumhan a' dol fada air ais an eachdraidh na e solus, mar is fhearr is aithne dha, air briathran h-eaglaise, agus gun do rinn e greim mor air na ceiste gu bhith reiteach na slighe do’n luchd inntinn is air cridhe an t-sluaigh. labhairt agus gu bhith cur rompa an raoin air Tha na h-orduighean air an cumail anns gach am faod iad ionaltradh. A nis, chan e dleasd- coimhthional an Leodhas dci uair sa’ bhliadhna, anas soirbh a tha ann ceist air nach do chnuasaich fad coig la na seachdanach, o Dhiardaoin gu thu roimhe sin fhuasgladh, agus mar sin is Di-luain. ’S e Di-haoine la na ceiste, agus 's minic a chunnaic sinn i cho duinte ’s a bha i e seirbhis na maidne seivbhis na ceiste. Air a’ riamh an deidh do’n aoghaire sgur. mhadainn-sa faodar a bhith cinnteach gum bi Nuair a bhios esan ullamh tha ministear a’ an eaglais Em, oir chan e mhain gun cruinnich choimhthionail a’ gairm air fear an deidh fir sluagh a’ choimhthionail fhein, sean is 6g, ach de na coigrich (mar is trice foirbhich a tha thig iad as gach cearnaidh de’n Eilean, daoine fada san aideachadh) facal a radh air an earr- fiughail, mnathan diadhaidh, agus oigridh nan ainn. Ma tha fuasgladh na ceiste air uairean gras, a tha ’g iarraidh beatha do’n anam. doirbh chan fhasa na sin do na bodaich am Is e sealladh druidhteach da rireadh a fein-fhiosrachadh a cheangal rithe, ach an rud tha’nn coimhthional mor tosdach fhaicinn, a’ nach gabh ceangal fagar air ceann-sgaoilte. feitheamh le durachd, agus ag eisdeachd gu Is e comhradh fein-fhiosrachail mar is trice furachail, dochasach ris gach facal beag no chluinnear, agus a tha air iarraidh, fianuis mor a thuiteas o bhilean an luchd labhairt. phearsanta air deiligeadh an Spioraid ris an Chithear an so buaidh na fianuis air a deargadh anam, obair na h-inntinne ann an lorg sin, an air gnuis an luchd eisdeachd—creideamh ’ga t-saothair a tha leantainn, agus na grasan a neartachadh, dochas 'ga dhaingeachadh, agus tha tighinn am follas. gradh ’ga lasadh. Mar a tha fein-fhiosrachadh dhaoine cho eadar- Air ceann na seirbhis tha aon de na teachd- dhealaichte tha an fhianuis iomadh-taobhach airean, gu bitheanta am fear as sine, no as mar an ceudna; an dara fear ag aithris air slighe pongaile. Tha a’ chiad chuid de’n t-seirbhis reidh, sholasaich, gun bhuaireas gun sarachadh, mar sheirbhis sam bith eile. Tha roinn sailm am fear eile deanamh luaidh air turus anrach, air an seinn, agus an deidh urnuigh dhurachdaich gaoth an ceann le sruthan fiara; ach gach aon air son an la tha cuibhrionn de’n Fhirinn air le aghaidh air an aon chala. Agus freagraidh a leughadh. An deidh roinn eile a sheinn tha cridhe ri cridhe. cothrom air a thoirt do aon de na braithrean Bidh an aireamh a labhras an crochadh air earrann fhreagarrach a thoirt seachad mar bhonn cho aithghearr ’s a bhios gach neach le each- co-labhairt. Cha trie a bhios maill anns a’ draidh fhein. Chuala mi uair agus uair — 71 — deugachadh a’ labhairt air a’ cheist, gach fear neartachadh creidimh agus iirachadh dochais. 'na dhoigh fhein, ach na h-uile le stuamachd An deidh cothrom na Feinne thoirt do na agus le mor urram. Cha tuit an lideadh as coigrich bidh a’ cheist air a dunadh le aon eile lugha gu lar. Is iomadh deoraidh bhochd a de na ministearan a tha an lathair. Sgiobl- fhuair seoladh agus misneachd o fhianuis nam aichidh esan na thuirt each, agus crunaidh e braithrean. Chan eil anam a lorgas comh- seirbhis an la le facal stiuiridh is misnich, agus arraidhean chaich air fhein nach 61 an sin an deidh urnuigh is seinn tha an t-seirbhis a’ deoch anns an t-slighe, agus nach fhaigh tighinn gu crich.

“CLACH AIR A CHARN” Iain MacCaluim, Tighnambarr. Le Niall MacGille-sheathanaich. (Bha so air a chraobh-sgaoileadh air an radio.) IS ann le taingealachd, agus mor mheas air deug eile anns an inbhe sin bhris air a shlainte an urram, a tha mi a’ deanamh luaidh an agus thill e air ais gu sgire a bhreith agus nochd air sar Ghaidheal agus filidh coimh- araich. lionta a bu mhath a b’aithne dhomh, Iain Cha do chum e a bhith ’na mhaoir-sithe e MacCaluim, Tighnambarr, an Tigh an Uillt ri gun bhith taladh na ceblraidh. Bha e bliadh- taobh Loch Eite. nachan ’na bhall de Chomunn Ceblraidh Is comharra fior shonraichte air neach sam Ghaidhlig Ghlaschu. Bha e ’na Cheann-suidhe bith a bhios air ainmeachadh air a aite comh- air a’ Chomunn sin agus, mar an ceudna, 'na nuidh mar roghainn air a ainm baistidh. Tha fhear-teagaisg Gaidhlige do bhuill na Cbisre. sin a’ dearbhadh gu robh buadhan inntinn thar Bha e coimhlionta air sgriobhadh ciiiil anns a’ chumantais aige agus, cuide ri sin, uaisle an da rian agus, a’ cleachdadh na h-ealdhain agus ceanaltas. Is ann mar sin a bha ar caraid sin, sgriobh e sios na fuinn a chuala e ’ na bige, nach maireann. An uair a bhios sinn aig agus mar a chluinneas «sibh fhathast, bha coinneamhan ag iomradh air baird is luchd- filidheachd is bardachd air am buileachadh air. ciuil is e Tighnambarr a their sinn ri ar caraid Leis na talantan sin bha e ’na chuideachadh agus is leoir sin. Bha e, mar an ceudna, mor do Thormaid Dbmhnallach a bha, aig aithnichte mar “Bhard Taobh Loch Eite”. an am, air ceann na Cbisir Chiuil a dh’ ainmich Rugadh Iain MacCaluim am Bailedeoraidh mi, agus a dhearbh am feabhas aig iomadh an Sgire Mhuc-carna, anns a’ bhliadhna ochd Mod Naiseanta. ceud deug, leth cheud ’s a h-aon. Chaochail Choisinn e duaisean aig a’ Mhbd le e aig aois tri fichead ’s a coig deug. Ann an co-chruinneachaidhean brain le fuinn nach robh laithean oige bha an Fhurneis laruinn, mar riamh roimhe an clb. Foghnaidh e air an theireadh iad, ann an lan uidheamh an Tigh an oidhche nochd aon de na h-brain sin ainm- Uillt. Bhiodh ceathach dhiiinte ag eirigh do eachadh; bran a thugadh am follais aig a’ na speuran r£ an la, agus air an oidhche lasair Mhbd Naiseanta agus a tha nis caithreamach theine a’ sgaoileadh a dearrsadh gu ruige aig ceilidhean is cuirmean-ciuil :•— Cruachan. Bha moran mhnathan, as na h- Bidh fonn oirre daonnan Eileanan is a Sgirean Gaidhealach, a’ tighinn ’ S bidh aoibh oirre ’ n cbmhnuidh. gu Tigh an Uillt is a’ faighinn cosnaidh a’ B’e iighdar an brain sin Seumas Mac Ghille- rusgadh chraobhan daraich is a’ deanamh sheathanaich, a mhuinntir an aon aite ri sguabagan beithe gu feum na Fixirneis. Mar bu Tighnambarr e fhein, agus ris an canadh iad dual, bha iad ’nan oranaichean matha agus, ‘ ‘ Bard Loch nan Eala’ ’. 6g is gu robh cuspair m’braid, thog e moran Chan eil aicheadh air nach eil buaidh aig de na fuinn a lean air inntinn is a rinn e feum maise a’ chruthachaidh air aignidhean nan math dhiubh an deidh laimhe. naistinneach, agus ma tha srad idir de spiorad Bha a cheud chosnadh ann am baile an Obain, na bardachd ann an duine, fadaidh an sealladh- ach aig aois ceithir bliadhna fichead thug e sula a tha a ghnath fo a chomhar an eibhleag Glaschu air is cheangail se e fein ris na maoir- sin gu teine bheb ’na inntinn. shithe, no am police mar as fearr a thuigeas Bha a’ bhuaidh shbnraichte sin aig Loch cuid dhibh. Dhearbh e a chomasan anns an Eite, is cumadh is dreach na duthcha mu’n dreuchd sin agus aig ceann tri bliadhna deug cuairt oirre, air an da bhard a dh’ainmich mi. rainig e inbhe ard, ach an deidh tri bliadhna Mas fior an eachdraidh, b’ann an Sgire Mhuc- — 72 — carna a bha tamh nan Caimbeulach, sinnsearan Tha iad a’ faireachdainn gur Gaidheil iad a’ bhaird ainmeil, Rabbie Burns. Bhiodh da-rireadh, mar a bu mhath a b’ aithne dhomh Coinneach MacLeoid e fhein gu trie a’ deanamh air mo chuairtean air feadh na Gaidhealtachd. luaidh air maise Loch Eite. Bha e leamsa mar gum biodh e air a dheanamh Leanaidh mi air a’ bhardachd agus is taitneach air son mo ghnothaich fhein. ri innseadh gun do choisinn Tighnambarr ard Anns an da leabhar a chuir Calum C. Mac- dhuaisean aig na Modan Naiseanta san earrainn Lebid, Dundeagh, a mach fo’n ainm Modern sin. Thairgeadh duais aig Mod Inbhirpheoth- Gaelic Bards, tha cbig thar fhichead de fhuinn arain anns a’ bhliadhna naoi ceud deug is a lira annta le ar caraid, cho math ri coig fuinn coig air son bardachd ri fonn ceol pioba agus a dh’ath-leasaich e a fhreagairt do ranndachd choisinn Tighnambarr a’ cheud duais le oran nan bran. So agaibh ainmean nam bard a air “Cath Ghairidheach” ris an fhonn ‘ ‘ Mears- bhiodh gu mor ’na chomain nam bu bheb adh Dhomh’ aill Bhallaich’ ’. So dhuibh ceithir iad, le aireamh an cuid bran:—Iain Caimbeul na sreathan de’n cheud rann agus an t-seisd:— Leideige (1), Dbmhnall Mac Eacharana (4), Gur boidheach ’nan eideadh Clann Domhn- Mairi NicEalair (8), An Lighiche MacLachainn aill nan Eileanan, Rathuaidh (2), Niall MacLebid (1), Calum An arfhaich nan treun-fhear, no tilleadh Caimbeul MacPhail (6), Seumas Mac an Roth- o’ n chomh-stri; aich (1), Donnchadh Mac ’Ille Ruaidh, a ’S aotrom an ceum ’s iad an aonachd gun dh’ainmich mi cheana (1) agus an t-Ollamh eiseamail Alasdair Stiubhart, “Nether Lochaber,’’ mar ’N deidh a bhith leidireadh Clanna nan theirear ris (4). Gall. An uair a chluinneas sibh na h-brain a leanas Seisd: air an seinn feuch gun cuimhnich sibh le meas Togaibh i, bratach gun ghealtachd, gun agus urram air a’ Ghaidheal choir, chomasach tiomachadh, a chuir am fonn toil-inntinneach ris gach aon Bratach a chleachd tus an fheachd ’ s a’ fa leth:—“Ri taobh ma theine fhein,’’ “Na bhuaidh-laraich; sean brain,’’ agus “Tha Peigi sa’ mhonadh,’’ Bratach tha cuannar is suaicheantas cinn- mar is trie a bha i a reir seinneadaran. eadail, Is dbcha gu bheil an tuilleadh ann nach Bradan is leomhann, an long ’san lamh- aithne dhbmhsa, ach nach lebir iad a dhearbh- dhearg. adh an comas inntinn agus eanchain a bha aig Tha an t-6ran gu leir, leis an fhonn, air a cuspair m’braid. Agus nach fhaod mi a’ chlo-bhualadh anns “An Deo Greine’’. Aont- cheist so a chur ribh—an robh neach eile riamh aichidh sibh leam gum bu mhath a b’airidh air Gaidhealtachd na h-Alba a chuir ri cheile a’ bhardachd sin air a’ cheud duais. Aig a’ aireamh cho mor de fhuinn ri ar caraid ? Agus Mhod roimhe sin, an Grianaig, choisinn e a’ iad uile cho blasda ri caochan a fuaran, agus cheud duais le bardachd air a’ chuspair, lan de spiorad na Gaidhlige a bha cho miiirneach ‘ ‘ Croitearan Throtaimis’ ’. Tha oran eile a aige. dh’fheumas mi ainmeachadh agus ris an do Bha Tighnambarr ’na bhall dileas de’n chuir e fhein am fonn, agus is trie a chuala sibh Chomunn Ghaidhealach agus bha e cho deas a aig na Modan, ‘ ‘ Ceol nan Cruinneag’ ’. thoirt cuideachaidh do a aobhar is a bha e gu Chan eil sgeul agam air a liuthad duan a cuideachadh leis gach deagh aobhar eile. Cha sgriobh e, ach tha fios agam, gu bheil an do dhiult a riamh a thalantan ciuil a riarachadh aireamh os cionn fichead. Tha a chuid oran ri aon air bith aig an robh feum orra. air caochladh chuspairean ach cha do rinn e Bha e re thri bliadhna ’na bhall cuideachaidh dearmad air luaidh a dheanamh air a sgire air Comhairle a’ Mhbid is a’ Chiuil agus cha fein, mar tha, “Braighe Mhuc-carna,’ ’ ‘ ‘Failte ruigear a leas a radh gu robh a bheachdan agus Bhun-Atha,’’ “Failte Lathurna’’ agus “Lath- a chomas gu mor fheum do bhuill eile na Comh- urna nan Gleann.’’ airle. Bha e cho coimhlionta an Gaidhlig is A dh’aindeoin a rogha bardachd is ann mar a bha e an cebl, agus mar chomharra air sin fhear-dhealbh fhonn air am bheil e aithnichte bha e tri bliadhna, an deidh a cheile, ’na an coitcheantas. Bha alt sonraichte aige air bhreitheamh Gaidhlige aig a’ Mhbd Naiseanta. fonn a dhealbh a bha fior fhreagrach air cuspair An uair a thainig air Glaschu fhagail gu an brain. Theagamh gur e “Clanna na Gaidh- cbmhnuidh a ghabhail an sgire a bhreith, leig eal ri guaillibh a cheile,’’ le Donnchadh Mac a chairdean lionmhor anns a’ bhaile mhbr ris, ’Ille Ruaidh, air an eblaiche sibh. Tha an le tiodhlacan is le cuimhneachain graidh, an t-6ran so cho togarrach, bhrosnachail, am luach agus am meas air fhein mar dhuine, agus facal is am fonn, is gun gluais a an luchd- air son nan iomadh cbmhnadh is earail ghlic eisdeachd gu breabadh chas is bualadh bhas. a thug e dhaibh. B’iad so, gu h-araidh, a — 73 — cho-oibrichean anns an dreuchd urramach anns Cha rbbh e ’na ionghnadh le neach do am an robh e, buill Comunn Ceolraidh Ghaidhlig b’aithne Iain MacCalum gun do roghnaich e Ghlaschu, agus buill na h-eaglaise a bha e a’ a laithean deireannach a chur seachad an sgire frithealadh cho riaghailteach. Chan eil math a bhreith, Muc-carna. B’fhior naistinneach e, dhomh dearmad a dheanamh air innseadh oir bha e de shliochd Chloinn MhicCaluim dhuibh gu robh e ’ na Cheann-suidhe air Comunn Ghlinn Eite, agus bha a mhathair de mhuinntir Latharnach Ghlaschu, agus ’na lar-Cheann- Chloinn MhicLuirich Loch Obha. Fhuair e suidhe air Ceilidh Ard-sgoil Ghlaschu. arach anns a’ chearna sin de Latharna a tha Cha robh Iain MacCaluim fada air thigheadas iomraiteach an eachdraidh is an litreachas, mar an Tighnambarr, is a shlainte air dol am gheibh sinn iad an leabhraichean mun Fheinn, feabhas fo bhuaidh aile glan Chruachain is Loch Oisean is Deirdre. Tha tuar nam beann, nan Eite, an uair a thoisich e air an t-seana cheaird, cnoc is nan sliabh a’ diisgadh smuaintean a’ sgriobhadh fuinn ura, ’na fhoirbheach agus cubhraidh air na laithean a dh’aom, laithean ’na fhear togail fuinn anns an Eaglais Shaoir na cliar-sheanachain is nan seanachaidh. Aonaichte le a charaid, an t-Urramach Calum Mac an Rothaich. Cha bu leoir sin leis, ach Bha Iain MacCaluim fortanach an laithean Coisir Chiuil Ghaidhlig a chur air bonn. A oige e a bhith fo churam is fo stiuradh oideachan- bharrachd orra sin, bha cor na duthcha fo a foghluim a bha fo mhor mheas, mar bha Diighall aire, gu h-araidh obair nan Sgoilean. Chaidh Mac ’Ille Riabhaich an Tigh an Uillt, agus a thaghadh mar bhall de Bhord Sgoile Ghlinn Domhnall Caimbeul san Rubha Gharbh am Urchaidh agus Innis-Sheilich agus, mar a Barr-a-Challduinn. Bha an Caimbeulach cho ghnaths, choimhlion e a dhleasnas gu duineil, ard am foghlum is gun deach cuid de a oileanaich cothromach. ceum direach bho’n Rubha Gharbh gu ruige Tha mi an dochas gu bheil aireamh de mo an Oilthigh. Chan ionghnadh sinn a bhith luchd-eisdeachd an seilbh air an leabhar sin, measail, uasal, as na seana Mhaighstirean Sgoile. “An Laoidheadair,’’ leabhar a tha eireachdail Dh’fhag e eisimpleir ionmholta as a dheidh ’na chomhdach is da-rireadh eireachdail a agus bu mhath leam na parantan a tha ’gam thaobh nan rannan inntinneach, spioradail, eisdeachd aire shonraichte a thoirt dhi. Bha a tha eadar a dha chlar. Tha se fichead Laoidh nighean aige agus b’i a’ Ghaidhlig a chleachd anns an leabhar gu leir, agus tuinn fhreagrach iad rithe, agus ghabh i fhein uidh anns a’ ri ceud dhiubh. chanain mhilis, bhlath. Chaidh i ’na am An uair a chaochail an t-Ollamh Urramach do’n Oil-thigh an Glaschu. Ghabh i Gaidhlig Calum Mac Ghillinnein, a bha ’na Fhear- mar aon de na cuspairean ged nach deach a’ deasachaidh, dh’iarradh air an Urramach chanain sin a theagasg dhi anns an sgoil, agus Calum MacLeoid, a bha aig an am an Eaglais thog i ard dhuaisean san da bhuidheann Cheilt- Iain Knox an Glaschu, an obair a chriochnach- each. Phos i agus tha nighean aice. Ghabh adh. Bha moran de na fuinn nach robh a ise Gaidhlig an Ard-sgoil an Obain agus chaidh co-fhreagairt do’n ranndachd is chuir e a i a sin gu ruige Oilthigh Dhuneideann. Lean chomhairle ris an Urramach Calum Mac an i ris a’ Ghaidhlig an sin agus thog ise cuideachd Rothaich, Tigh an Uillt, a bha ’na fhear-ciuil na duaisean anns an da bhuidheann Cheilteach. barraichte agus lan fhiosrach mu Laoidhean Mur do thuig cuid ciod a tha an sean-fhacal Gaidhlige. Chuir esan, air ball, a chomhairle —“Lean gu dluth ri cliu do shinnsre”—a’ ri a fhoirbheach, Iain MacCalum agus, le ciallachadh sin agaibh a lan chiall. cheile, chaidh iad gu togarrach an greim anns A’ chlach so air do charn, a Thighnambarr. an obair. B’e buil an saothrach gun do chuir Cha teid d’ainm air dhi-chuimhne. iad na fuinn a bha am feum ath-leasachadh an ordugh reidh a fhreagairt do’n ranndachd, agus dhealbh iad fuinn ura an uair a bha feum orra. Anns an obair so bha Tighnambarr ’na Toimhseachain chuideachadh mor, agus tha coig fuinn ura a dhealbh e anns an leabhar. Ach chan eil sin 1. B6 bheag odhar a’ foillseachadh meud na h-obrach a rinn e air An dorus an t-sabhail, son a’ cho-chruinneachaidh. A laogh ’g a deoghal Bha an t-Ollamh Raibeart. MacLeoid, a bu ’ S cha bhleoghainnear i. mhath a b’aithne dhuibh aig na Modan, ’na (iuchair anns a’ ghlais.) fhear.-deasachaidh ciuil, agus dhealbh esan fuinn ura mar an ceudna. Cha b’urrainn triuir 2. Chual’ thu i a b’fhearr a bhith air ceann na h-obrach, agus Is dh’fhairich thu i tha a’ bhlath anns a’ bhuil. Tha “An Laoidh- Ach chan fhaca duine riamh i. eadair” a’ cur ri litreachas na Gaidhlige. (a’ ghaoth.) — 74 — I B’ fhialaidh i, ma is leoir Partain 'S an dol seachad gun sin i lamh, Chan eil duine a thogadh an cois na mara ’S gun tairgseadh i cuibhrionn de’n or nach d’fhuair eolas o oige air na partain bheaga Gun bheannachd Dhe air deirc gun ghradh. a tha cho pailt anns an tanalaich. Chithear iad a’ ruith fo’n uisge air an traigh, no a’ Bu thuigseach i, ma tha min-ghuth teicheadh air an tarsainn gu fasgadh nan clach Faoin, ach milis le binneas theud, no na feamann. Ach togaidh an t-iasgair No mar mhonmhar siochail an t-sruth’, barrachd diubh na’s math leis air an lion bheag ’Na chinnt air gliocas o a beul. no anns an lion leobag agus anns an lion bhradan. Tha iad so na’s motha agus na’s blasda na’n fheadhainn mheanbha a tha riaraichte a bhith Bu chrabhach i, le sixilean seimh’ am beul na tuinne. Air uairibh diuid crom ri lar, Tha a’ chuid as motha de na partain a’ ’S a ris dian air astar N6imh, caitheamh am beatha gu h-iomlan anns a’ Mas samhla sin air buaidh nan gras. mhuir, ach tha eileanan anns a’ Chuan Sheimh far a bheil gne phartan a tha beo air tir. Streap- B’ aoibhinn i nam plosgadh blath aidh iad so na craobhan, agus tha iad beo air Anabaich fhathast an aghaidh grein’ cnothan bainne. Cuiridh iad an latha seachad ’ S gum fuasgladh e ri osaig mhald’ 'nam frbgan a tha iad air an deagh linigeadh A sguabas seachad air bheag speis. le snath nan cnothan is biadh dhaibh. An aitean anns an h-Innsean a Siar tha partain Bu bhaidheil i, nan robh a lamh a’ fuireachd air tir mar an ceudna, ach uair Fuar air mo chridhe fad iomadh la, sa’ bhliadhna ruigidh iad an fhairge air son Fiosrach air taisealachd o’n aird an uighean fhagail ann. A shileas caoin o thir an aigh. Tha earball a’ phartain-aonaranaich maoth, agus a chum a dhion o a naimhdean is math Bu choibhneil i mur b’e a h-uaill, leis a dhachaidh a dheanamh an slige fhalamh Mar lochran laist ’n cois leabaidh bais. a tha e giulan leis gach taobh a theid e. A Gun fheum, gun charthannas, gun bhuaidh, rithist is math leis creutair air nach eil ainm A’ faire ghnath air cridhe fas. agam a thoirt leis air mullach na slige. Tha so feumail dhaibh le cheile. Gheibh an creutair Ach tha i marbh, fuar-chruth gun deo, dearg cothrom siubhail agus, mar sin, an No faoin-sgail gun bhlaths gun daimh. tuilleadh cothrom a Ion a chosnadh; is fheairrde Thuit an leabhar trath as a laimh, an partan maoth an dion a ni spagan caola an Mus d’ fhuair i brath air brigh na sgeoil. fhir a tha air a dhruim dha. Anns a’ Chuan Sheimh cuideachd tha partain (Eadar-theangachadh o’n Fhraingeis le A.I.M.) aig a bheil bodhaigean beaga agus casan caola, * lomhaigh shnaidhte. fada mar a tha aig a’ bhreabadair-ladhrach. Ma sgiabar casan fir aca a mach tha ochd troighean deug air fad ann. Cha dean e ceum coimhlionta air talamh tioram oir cha chum 1. Chuir an griasaich fios air a’ mhinistear a chasan an aird e, ach ma gheibh e do uisge aige air son fianuis ’s e fhein a’ dol a dheanamh balbh gluaisidh e gu doigheil. a thiomnaidh. “Cha bhi mise fada ann,’’ Co shaoileadh gu bheil an giuran cairdeach ars an griasaich, “agus bu mhath leam bhur do’n phartan? Ta tha. Nuair a tha an beachd air an doigh anns a bheil mi fagail giuran 6g snamhaidh e anns an uisge, agus mo chuid.” “Tha fios gle mhath agam,” cuiridh na sia casan a tha air aig an am-sa air fhreagair am ministear, “gum bi gach ni air siubhal e. Troimh thide greimichidh e air fhagail gu doigheil, cothromach. Ach ma sgeir no air sgonn fiodha no air druim soithich thogras tu do rim innse dhomh bheir mise mo far an cuir e seachad an corr de bheatha. bheachd dhuit gu toilichte.” S.D.T. “Aig mo bhean-tighe,” thuirt am bodach, “tha mi fagail mile, agus mile an urra aig mo dhithis bhraithrean, agus coig cheud aig—” Am Fuar-Chridhe “Cha robh sion dh’fhios agam gu robh na Bu bhoidheach i, mar tha ’n *Oidhche tha sin a dh’airgead agad,” fhreagair am Trom ’na cadal sa’ chill ud thall, ministear. “Airgead,” ars an griasaich, “co Snaidhte as a’ chloich le ealdhain laimh, thuirt facal mu airgead? Chan eil ann ach Riomhach gun chron, ach bodhar, dall. tacaidean.” LEARNER’S PAGE Thug an righ mu’ n am so cothrom do aireamh About this time the king gave permission to | dhaoine uaisle a Siorrachd Fiobha a dhol do a number of gentlemen from Fifeshire to go to Leodhas agus sealbh a ghabhail air dhaibh Lewis and take possession of it for themselves, j fein, ’s an seann luchd-aiteachaidh fhuadachadh and to drive away the old natives, who, accord- j air falbh, a bha, reir mar chuala esan do- ing to what he had heard, could not be subdued cheannsaichte, agus eu-comasach air a bhith nor was it possible to lead them to do any good. air an toirt gu feum sam bith. Thainig na The Fifers landed in Lewis in the year 1599 j Fiobhaich air tir an Leodhas sa’ bhliadhna provided with every equipment required to 1599, leis gach inneal a bha feumail air son build houses and necessary for every other j aitreabhan a thogail agus gach gne ceird eile. type of trade. They began to build a town in ! Thoisich iad air baile a thogail an aite goir- a convenient place on the east side of the j easach air taobh an ear an Eilein, ’s bha iad Island. They seemed to succeed at the outset. j coslach ri soirbheachadh sa’ chiad dol a mach. This was different from what Mackenzie had 1 Bha so an aghaidh an ni a bha aig MacCoinnich in mind. It would not do for him to oppose san amharc. Cha fhreagradh dha dhol an the king’s command. But he found use for ^ aghaidh aithne an righ. Ach fhuair e feum do Norman Macleod, Black Torquil’s brother. ' Thormod MacLeoid, brathair Thorcuill Dhuibh. He set him free, and sent him home to Lewis. Leig e fa sgaoil e ' s chuir e dhachaidh a Leodhas As soon as the Lewismen saw young Macleod, e. Cho luath ’s a chunnaic na Leodhasaich the lawful heir of the Island, they rose up 1 MacLeoid 6g, oighre dligheach na diithcha, as one man to adopt him as their proprietor. j dh’eirich iad mar aon duine gu gabhail ris Young Macleod then besieged the camp of ] mar an uachdaran. Chuir MacLeoid an sin the Fifers, captured it and set it on fire, and j seisd ri camp nam Fiobhach, ’s ghlac is loisg he killed many of the men. He made prisoners J se e, 's chuir e moran de na daoine gu bas. of their leaders. At the end of eight months 1 Rinn e priosanaich de’n cinn-iuil. Leig e air he set them free on condition that they would falbh iad an ceann ochd miosan air chumha not come to Lewis any more. But in a few I nach tigeadh iad a Leodhas gu brath tuilleadh. years they came back with a fleet and a large 1 Ach an ceann tearc de bhliadhnachan thainig force. They invited Norman Macleod to give ] iad air ais le cabhlach is feachd lionmhor, ’s himself up to them peacefully in the name of I; thug iad fiadhachadh do Thormod MacLeoid e the king, to be sent safely to London where i ’g a thoirt fein suas dhaibhsan an sith an ainm the king now was, and that no harm would 1 an righ, 's gun cuireadh iad sabhailte gu befall him for anything he had done in the past, 1 \ Lunainn e far an robh an righ a nis, agus nach and that he would receive an income from the J b’eagal da air son ni sam bith a rinn e roimhe king. Fearing that he could not oppose all J so ’s gum faigheadh e teachd-an-tir o’n righ. who were on the spot at the time Macleod : Air eagal nach b’urrainn e cur an aghaidh na accepted the invitation, but though he put j bh’ann diubh a nis ghabh MacLeoid am fiadh- his case manfully before the king the Fifers ] achadh so; ach ged a thagair e a chuis gu duineil found means of persuading the king to send 1 am fianuis an righ fhuair na Fiobhaich doigh him back as a prisoner to Edinburgh where he j air impidh a chur air an righ a chur air ais ’na was kept for many years. At last he was I phriosanach do Dhun Eideann far an do chum- allowed to escape to Holland where he died. | adh e moran bhliadhnachan. Fhuair e mu Neil, his son, now began to stand up for the I dheireadh cothrom teicheadh do’n Olaind far family. The Fifers were spending heavily on J an do bhasaich e. Thoisich Niall a nis a’ the Island, and the income was not in pro- 1 seasamh a mach air son an teaghlaich. Bha portion to the expenditure. Neil was doing j moran cosgais aig na Fiobhaich ’g a dheanamh as much damage to them as he could. They I ris an Eilean, ’s cha robh an cur-a-steach da began to leave one by one until they were so 1 reir. Bha Niall a’ cur na b’urrainn e de chall few in number that they all had to leave for 1 orra. Thoisich iad a’ falbh fear is fear gus fear of Neil. an robh iad cho tearc ’s gum feumadh iad uile falbh air eagal Neill. Cum taobh an fhuaraidh de’n sgeir. Keep to the weather side of the rock. Theid an t-aodach sin a steach ma nigheas tu e. That cloth will shrink if you wash it. Faodaidh sinn na plaideachan a thiormachadh We may dry the blankets in the sun. ris a’ ghrein. Stand against the wall and have your photo Seas ris a’ bhalla is tog do dhealbh. taken. — 76 — In 1859 antiquarians got to work on the lan- The Cornish Paradox guage. Dr. Edwin Norris and Dr. Whitley (Continued) Stokes translated and published the texts of the former Miracle Plays. In 1887 Dr. F. W. P. After this the language was supposed to have Jago published his English-Cornish Dictionary. I become extinct although there was no certainty The first man to learn and speak the new Cornish on this point. Antiquarians and others came was of course Henry Jenner who died in 1934. to Cornwall to ascertain whether they could He gave many lectures in Cornish extending as find any Cornish speakers at all, and they found far back as 1873, and in 1904 published his a few at Mousehole, the last refuge of the lan- ‘‘Handbook of the Cornish Language.” It guage. Some people even laid wagers on the was he who gained recognition by the Celtic l| existence of the language. They came upon Congress of Cornwall as a Celtic nation. In I a crowd of fishwives, one of whom was about 1904 R. Morton Nance learnt Cornish from |lj ten years older than the others. This was Jenner’s Handbook and made extensive studies i Dolly Pentreath, an irascible old woman, who into the language. He can be classed along I used to shout insults in her native tongue at with Francois Vallee of Brittany as a pioneer , anyone who offended her, her favourite expres- of his language, so numerous are his works, i sion being “Cronekyn hager du” (Ugly little including his Dictionaries, his Grammar, ? black toad). She started to speak angrily and ‘‘Cornish for All,” and many other of his i fluently in “a language which resembled publications. It is indeed to him that Cornwall | Welsh.” When some of the bystanders asked owes its linguistic revival. He was fortunate Kl the other women if she was abusing them, enough, like Vallee, to be able to live on his ■ they replied that she certainly was, for she was income which enabled him to do all this. But ■ very annoyed that anyone should doubt that whereas Vallee was a protagonist of a living E she spoke Cornish. They themselves did not language of which there could be no doubt, B speak Cornish although they understood it. Nance had to start from scratch, a large amount Dolly Pentreath, officially the last person of his labour being guesswork. It is a pity that I to speak Cornish, died in 1777, but there is he was so dogmatic that he would brook no E little doubt that there were others after her questioning of his methods, for in such a work 1 time who did so. There was William Bodener, it was obvious that he sould make mistakes, v a fisherman of Mousehole, who wrote to the which indeed are evident to anyone with a |I Hon. Daines Barrington in Cornish and English, knowledge of Celtic languages. Nor can Nance i stating that there were only about four old be excused on the grounds of ignorance, for he ii people in the village who knew Cornish. He appeared to have a first-rate knowledge of the 1 died in 1789, and Smith assumes that the kindred languages, Welsh and Breton. As it H language must have died out by 1800. I would is, there are Cornishmen who heartily disagree H put it perhaps about ten years later than that. with him, but then without Nance where would K Jenner mentions that John Nancarrow, in his Cornish be to-day? It would indeed hardly H forties at the time of Dolly Pentreath’s death, exist. His death in May, 1959, must have been II had learned the language from the country a great blow to Cornish enthusiasts, for he was H people. There was also Tomson, an engineer surpassed by none in his knowledge of Cornish. H at Truro, who claimed that he was as conver- He even taught his small daughter, Phoebe, to Ijf sant in the language as Dolly Pentreath. When speak Cornish, indeed the nearest equivalent H they died is not mentioned, but they may well to a native speaker. |i | have survived the 1800 limit set by Smith. A. D. S. Smith (Caradar) in his earlier years Cornish was then forgotten by the bulk of the was the author of the best manuals in Welsh, || people for the next hundred years. Certainly ‘‘Welsh made Easy,” before he turned his |1 there were those, as today in the Isle of Man, attention to Cornish in 1930. A schoolmaster, who knew fragments of the language which he issued a booklet in 1931 ‘‘Lessons in Spoken | they passed on to their children, but who were Cornish” showing what could be done with |u unable to hold a conversation in it. This Cornish boys at his school. For many years ^ state of affairs lasted until about 1875. It he collaborated with Nance in his works. In y accounts for many stories prevalent about 1947 he published ‘‘Cornish Simplified,” which |k people who allege that they have met, or said contrasts greatly with his ‘ ‘Welsh Made Easy. 1 they have known someone else who has heard By this time he appears to be growing old, his R Cornish spoken, for the language was dead for mind obsessed by his religious beliefs as is approximately a century before Henry Jenner evident from the many Scriptural texts con- first spoke it again at a Celtic Congress held in tained therein. He died some years ago, about t Brittany in 1903. 1951 I think. — 77 — Cornish services once annually on the occasion guidance and assistance of the late Mr. J. R. of the Cornish Gorsedd started in 1933 and have Bannerman the late Mr. Donald MacPhail and been maintained ever since except for the war the then Secretary, Mr. Neil Shaw, feachdan years. Towcdnack Church having the honour were set up in many schools throughout the of housing the first. Many booklets, pamphlets, Highlands by 1935. etc. have been published, including Caradar’s In that year was published a preliminary translation of St. Mark’s Gospel. Classes in pamphlet on the aims and ideals of the Youth Cornish exist in quite a number of places. Movement. The main feature of the aims As I have stated, the New Cornish is certainly expressed is their flexibility and adaptability not the Cornish that died out. The latter to the needs and requirements of different areas. certainly had sounds that did not exist in The intervention of a major war made the English, for instance the “Italian” vowel active work of feachdan difficult and in places sounds as described by Jenner, plosive labials impossible. and Gaelic-like D and T sounds in contra distinction to English as seen in such words In 1946 however under the dynamic leadership as map for mab (son), chy (house) for older ty, of Mrs. John M. Bannerman a committee was and the Cornish name Chirgwin (Tyr Gwyn, or set up to raise funds for the purpose of setting White Land.), matters which are not taken up a memorial to Highland men and women into account in the new English-style pronunci- who made the supreme sacrifice. By 1951 the ation. The English dialect is not always a sum of £15,000 was raised and it was decided reliable guide in assessing the nature of a lan- that the memorial should take the form of a guage that has become extinct. The Oban permanent centre for the use of our Gaelic dialect does not truly indicate the manner in speaking youth. There followed the acqui- which Gaelic was formerly spoken there, rather sition of Cnoc nan Ros in Easter Ross. does it derive its influence from Glasgow or By 1947, however, An Comunn set up a perhaps other places. So too will the Inverness Standing Committee of Comunn na h-Oigridh dialect come in time under the influence of to be responsible for the work of that organi- Moray or even Aberdeen. Likewise the Cornish sation . dialect derives its influence from the neigh- In 1955 was published a further pamphlet bouring West of England dialects but has a on the rules and activities envisaged by that slight Welsh-like intonation with some speakers. new Standing Committee. Still, the rebirth of the Cornish language, It cannot be claimed that much progress has whatever its failings, has awakened its people been made in recent years but the Committee to a sense of their nationality and heritage, continue to care for the interests of the children and has prevented them becoming completely who come to the camps at Cnoc nan Ros. Anglicized. Let us wish its promoters all As a result of a successful experiment carried success in their task. out by Mr. and Mrs. John M. Bannerman in Iain MacKinnon. their home at Suardal learners of Gaelic have now been admitted to Comunn na h-Oigridh and a special Camp is provided for them at Cnoc nan Ros. The Northern Organiser assumes responsi- bility for recruitment to and the running of Comunn Na h-Oigridh the camps; indeed it may be said that with {This is the first of a series of short articles on the help of willing helpers from the North these some of the Standing Committees of An Comunn camps have achieved considerable success in indicating the main aims of each Committee, recent years. The measure of this success can the means used for securing these aims, and best be expressed in terms of a full house in the future plans and prospects.) past two years. The first incentive given to the idea of a This is certainly the most encouraging aspect Gaelic Youth Movement was as long ago as of the work at present being done, but it is 1932 when such a scheme was mooted at the hoped that this work will expand in various A.G.M. of An Comunn in Fort William. In ways in the course of the next few years, and its initial stages the Standing Committee of it is felt that this, committee will not spare Clann an Fhraoich was entrusted with its effort or energy to promote and further the organisation. Under the convenership of the ambitions and aspirations of those who con- late Mr. George E. Marjoribanks that com- ceived the idea and entrusted it to us. mittee set to work vigorously and with the Convener. — 78 — in securing the services of competent Gaelic Reminiscences teachers and an earnest appeal is herewith (Continued) made to those who are qualified to seek employ- The result is that these children, finding ment in Highland Schools and take a share in Gaelic an impediment, cease to speak it or the restoration of the language to its proper think in it, and in less than a year they lose place in the education of the children of the it altogether. I had experience of this in my Gael. rounds and can vouch for it. This is my last appeal and warning. Tourism Mothers can play a great part in rehabilitating has become a new industry in the Highlands this lapse on their children’s part. They and we all welcome it. The grandeur of our should insist on their children speaking Gaelic mountains and.the beauty of our straths and in the home. When the child begins to answer glens attract people from all parts of the world, in English that is the time for the mother to and by all means let them know the true exert her authority if she has any respect for the meaning of Highland hospitality. Many of language, or any desire to preserve it. Let those who visit our Highlands are students from parents get rid of the fallacy that a knowledge Universities in the Continent of Europe. In of Gaelic retards their children in the acquiring their studies they have acquired knowledge of of English. They will acquire English all right. our history and folk-lore; and they also know And here let me refer to the Education (Scot- that we have a distinctive language of our land) Act, 1918. While the 1914-18 War own. They will expect to hear this language raged An Comunn appointed a Special Com- being freely spoken by the local people and mittee, with Mr. Malcolm MacLeod, then they will rejoice to hear it. I earnestly ask President, as Convener, and Mr. John N. my compatriots, men and women, to be true MacLeod (Alasdair Mor) as Secretary. Help of to their heritage and to continue conversing the Churches and other bodies was enlisted and with one another in the native language. The a Sub-committee formed to secure signatures to foreign student will return to his University to petition the Government. That petition was and tell his fellow students that he heard the signed by some 20,000 people, and backed by oldest spoken language in Europe freely used several deputations the insertion of the Gaelic in whatever part of the Highlands he visited. amendment in the Act of 1918 was secured. I pass on to my fellow Gaels what Kenneth The Gaelic Clause, in parenthesis, reads— MacLeod wrote about hospitality. He said, including adequate provision for teaching one may give a night’s lodging to the stranger, Gaelic in Gaelic speaking areas. and learn much from him, without thrusting To provide for the proper application of the the house at him as a free gift, meaning, of Gaelic Clause School books had to be prepared course, that no one should part with his, or her, and, with the kind co-operation of Messrs. heritage to please a stranger. The danger to Blackie, a series of Gaelic Readers was published our language is not from without but from If the Gaelic Clause was enacted for anything within. it was in order to enable Gaelic speaking children Perhaps my Gaelic friends would like to to receive their birthright, to be trained and hear how Kenneth put his case: “Faodaidh instructed in their mother tongue, and to be neach cuid na h-oidhche a thoirt do’n choig- bi-lingual in the best sense of the term. reach, is iomadh ni fhaighinn uaith, gun an A Memorandum was issued by Her Majesty’s tigh a sparradh air ’na shaor thiodhlac.” Stationery Office in 1955 with the recom- mendation that teachers should make use of Neil Shaw. Gaelic as a medium of instruction for Gaelic speaking pupils; also that teachers should aim at giving their pupils as complete a mastery as Northern Organiser’s possible of the spoken language, and to devise courses which will lead them to regard their Notes own language with respect. There were seven Provincial Mods in the An Comunn has done its part in getting Gaelic Northern area this summer. Badenoch/ recognised as a School subject, and it is not the Strathspey at Newtonmore on the 20th May, lack of legislation that hinders the teaching of South West Ross at Kyle of Lochalsh on 28th it. and 27th May, Sutherland Jubilee at Brora on Education Committees are generally most the 3rd June, Lochaber at Fort William on the sympathetic. I need only mention the great 2nd and 3rd June, Wester Ross at Aultbea on step forward taken by Inverness-shire under the 10th June, Skye at Portree on the 9th and their enlightened Highland Director of Educa- 10th June, and the Lewis Mod at Stornoway tion, Dr. MacLean. They all have difficulty on the 23rd and 24th June. — 79 — The Comunn na h-Oigridh Camps are being The “nature myth’’ theory had its adherents held at Cnoc-nan-Ros, Tain-—fluent speakers for a very long time and has even still. from 2nd to the 12th July and learners from The period from 1820 to 1860 was the time the 18th to the 29th July, and it is hoped that in which the first important collections began the attendance will be as good as at last year’s to make their appearance in most European Camps. countries, and to us in this country the most The Kingussie Branch was re-formed this important of all was the Norwegian collection Spring after a lapse of many years, and since Asbjornsen and Moe, which first appeared in then a Gaelic Choir has been formed by Branch 1842. Tales in this collection were translated members. into English by an English folklorist, George Dasent, and it was Dasent’s translation of the Norse tales that first inspired John Francis Campbell of Islay to start his collection in 1859. The Study of the Folklore Campbell was much encouraged by Dasent. As to theories about origin and nature of THE study of folktales was first raised to folktales, a German scholar, Theodore Benfey, the level of a science by the two German published a translation into German of the brothers, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. Sanscrit tale-collection known as the Pant- When they published their first edition of the schatantra, a collection of “exampla’’, tales Kinder-und Hausmarchen in the year 1812, it with a moralistic, didactic purpose used by was not generally realised that tales belonging preachers in India from the sixth century to different countries, nations and races were onwards and which spread westwards into similar and often showed traces of a very close Europe in the tenth century through transla- relationship. In the years that followed the tions into Persian and Arabic. The followers publication of the first edition of the Grimm of Islam brought these tales through Byzantium tales collections from other countries began to to Italy and Spain and through contact with make their appearance, and the.Grimm brothers Christian peoples finally they were spread all began to probe into questions such as the origin, all over Europe. Buddhist influence spread the age, the spread and significance of the tale. them eastwards to China and Tibet and thence In the second edition of their tales in 1819 they to the Mongols, who later gave them to the showed that these questions had occupied their peoples of Northern Europe. According to attention. They were philologists and that Benfey’s theory the home of the folktale was was the age of comparative philology as a new India with the possible exception of the fables and very important science, and it was not of Aesop, which were borrowed from Greece. surprising, therefore, that the theories they The discovery in Egypt of a papyrus with tales formulated regarding the folktales were largely written about one thousand three hundred years the result of the influence of their philological before the birth of Christ, and one tale at least training. They came to the conclusion that of which, on internal evidence, showed that folktales had their origin in the time that all it was about two thousand years old when it peoples speaking the Indo-European group of was written, posed a problem which Benfey’s languages had one common parent and that tales followers found extremely difficult to solve. were the distinct inheritance of every member Before the discovery of the Egyptian mss. one of the European family. Tales, as it were, of the tales that it was later found to include had derived directly from one common parent had been noted down from oral tradition in the source and thus there was not so much inter- region of the Black Sea. All that time the change of tales and traditions between different variant noted in the Black Sea area had had countries and races. Primitive religion too an existence wholly independent of any written played a very important part in forming the version. One of Benfey’s followers, Emmanuel content of the tale, e.g., characters and heroes Cosquin, a Frenchman, modified the theory in tales really represented gods and natural slightly and held the view that, while all elements, such as fire, water, ice, snow and so tales did not originate in India, the great forth. This theory later came to be known as majority of them did. Owing to the different the “nature myth’’ theory. To give an form of the Mongolian and European tales, he example, a common element in stories is pointed out that the Mongols could not revivification, the hero is brought back to life, have been so important a factor in the spread and what that really represents is the rise of of tales to European tradition. Scholars of the sun and the return of summer and growth; the Indian school, as Benfey’s followers are one hero vanquishes the other and that represents called, discounted the mythological theories of ice melting away before the heat of the sun. the earlier scholars, and the allegorical inter- pretation of folktales, as well as myths as the examined as well as every single motif and interplay of natural elements, ceased to impress. element in each variant. By a statistical The one and same motif in a tale could be examination of all variants the original form explained in totally different ways and given of a tale could be determined. Motifs or completely dissimilar allegorical interpreta- incidents that occurred in a great number of tions , and the view that folktales had an inner countries could be assumed to belong to the meaning was regarded as absurd. Another original tale, motifs which occurred only Frenchman, Joseph Bedier, in his treatise on sporadically could be disregarded. Once the the Fabliaux, the jocular tale so popular in the original form of a tale was established, it Middle Ages, pointed out that the French could be compared with the variants as they fabliaux had no counterpart in the whole appeared in each separate country, and the literature of Oriental tales, and, even if they country or area whose variants approximated had, the latter were much inferior to the most closely to the original form of the tale French versions. He was inclined to maintain could be taken as its home or the point from that the jocular tale originated in France, which the tale was spread to begin with. although that could not be strictly proved as The first tale that Krohn subjected to the the same type of tale might well arise indepen- geographical method was the tale about the dently in any place. fox that enticed the wolf to fish with his tail This same point of view was put forward by through a hole in the ice, and, when the wolf the British Anthropological School, particularly did so, the fox went and -told the farmer who by Andrew Lang. This view is correct in that came with his servants and staves to kill the the same idea, the same point may occur in wolf, whose tail had now frozen and stuck so the folk-tradition of various countries and that he was only able to free himself by leaving occur quite independently. That is, of course, his tail behind him. Krohn determined that quite feasible as far as stories with one single the home of the tale was Northern Europe. motif or incident are concerned, but long He asserted that any people might produce complex tales with a fixed sequence of incidents folktales. Krohn’s work was continued by a are an entirely different matter; they come pupil of his named Antti Aarne. Aarne’s from one common parent source. Bedier spoke chief contribution was the creation of a sys- only of one kind of tale, the jocular• fable, tematic catalogue of folktale types. Aarne’s when he maintained the possibility of the register of tales was later adapted and enlarged independent origin of the same tale among by an American scholar, Stith-Thompson. various peoples, but this contention would not This register gives each type of tale a sys- hold good as far as all types of tales are concerned tematic number. The subdivisions are:— especially tales of magic with highly individual Animal Tales; Ordinary Folktales comprising (a) motifs. Andrew Lang maintained that the Tales of magic subdivided into tales featuring folktale belonged to a very early stage in the supernatural adversaries, supernatural wives development of human thought and society or husbands or relatives, superhuman tasks, and tales underwent changes as society pro- supernatural helpers, magic objects, superna- gressed, e.g. as a people advanced stories tural power or knowledge and other supernatural featuring animals with the power of human tales (b) Religious tales (c) Novelle or Roman- speech tended to be discredited, and, even tic tales in which the magical element is lacking people told such stories, they no longer believed (d)-Tales about the Stupid Giant. Thirdly in them. Andrew Lang also attacked the there are jokes and anecdotes: numskull “nature myth’’ theory on the grounds that stories, stories about married couples, stories primitive peoples were not always pre-occupied about the stupid man, the stupid woman, with nature, natural elements and natural stories about the clever man, stories about phenomena; nature did not affect them in lucky accidents, jokes about clergymen, tales that way at all. Lang, however, is wrong in of lying, tales with a formula and a section of thinking that all folktales bear the stamp of tales that cannot be classified. primitive thought. Folktales may spring into Krohn and his disciple employed two images being in a very civilised and highly developed to illustrate their views regarding the spread community. or dissemination of tales; one was that tales The next important step forward in folktale spread like the rings on the calm surface of research was taken by a Finnish scholar, water when a stone is thrown on it, the other Kaarle Krohn. He instituted a new method that the migration of a tale wells forth like known as the geographical method. Each a stream. A Swedish scholar, von Sydow has single tale would have to be studied as a distinct pointed out that both images are false. Tales unit and every possible variant of the tale are apt to spread out in one direction and not in another. If a story is taken from one area Everybody in church admires her, and the to another over a great distance, it does not prince falls in love with her, and hurries after at all follow that it will be left in all intervening her to stop her leaving. She jumps past him, areas. The spread of tales always depends on but loses one of her shoes, which he keeps. the ability of the hearer to reproduce what The prince will wed whomsoever the shoe fits, he hears and that gift belongs only to a very and sends servants through all the land to try small section of the community, sometimes as it, but none can wear it. He comes at length low as one per thousand. A new tale may be to the henwife’s house, and her daughter pares brought from one area to a fresh area and not her feet and clips her toes till the shoe goes on. enter into the current tradition of its new The prince is very angry at getting the wrong home at all. Whether a tale is or is not girl, but he will keep his promise. On the accepted in some new area depends on a number way to the kirk a little bird sings: of factors. The Finnish view is one-sided in Clippit feet and paret taes is on the saidle that too much stress was laid on the concept set; of migration, while the importance of inheri- But bonnie feet and braw feet sits in the tance tended to be overlooked. Tales have kitchen neuk. not only been spread abroad but handed down from generation to generation over thousands “What’s that?’’ says the prince. The of years. henwife says he should not heed what a ‘ ‘ feel’ ’ Most of you will, no doubt, be familiar with bird says; but the prince bids the bird sing the story of Cinderella. The story as most of again. The prince then turns and rides home, us know it comes from Perrault (1697) and has and goes straight to the kitchen, where he achieved great popularity. The version we sees Rashin-Coatie. He knows her at once. know best is a literary re-working of the tale. The shoe fits her, and he marries her. They Even in Scotland traditional versions of that build a house for the red calf. same tale were told until very recently. Here Another version of the tale was recorded by is a version from Old Meldrum, Aberdeenshire: Miss Annie Johnston in Barra in the year Parents have two daughters. The elder, 1930. It was in Gaelic, but here is a summary who is ugly and ill-natured, is their favourite, in English from Bealideas, the Journal of the and they ill-treat the heroine, sending her to Irish Folklore Society. herd cattle, and giving her only a little porridge A widowed king swears to marry none but and whey. One day a red calf amongst the the woman whose foot will fit his dead wife’s cattle bids the heroine give porridge and whey shoe. None are found who can wear it but to a dog and then leads her through a wood the king’s youngest daughter. By the aid to a fine house, where a nice dinner is spread- of a brown calf (gamhain donn) the girl escapes for her. This happens every day, and the from her father’s house, and obtains service as heroine grows bonnier and more beautiful, kitchen-maid in a king’s castle. The brown instead of wasting. So the parents spy on calf dresses the girl in her dead mother’s clothes, her and see the calf take her to feast. The calf and sends her to an entertainment held by the is then to be slain; the ugly sister is to hold son of her master, to which all have been its head, whilst the heroine kills it with an invited. The king’s son falls in love with axe. Calf comforts heroine, and tells her to her, but she eludes him on three successive bring down the axe on the ugly sister’s head nights, leaving her shoe behind on the third instead and then jump on the calf’s back. occasion. King’s son will marry none but her This is done and the heroine escapes. They whose foot will fit the shoe. The hen-wife’s come to a meadow of rushes, and make a coat daughter amputates her foot so that the shoe for her. Then they travel on to a king’s will fit her; and the marriage is arranged palace, where Rashin-Coatie is hired as a according to the promise of the prince. A bird kitchen-maid, and the calf is kept too. At alights on the head of the prince’s horse and in Yule-tide the heroine is to stay at home and verse tells the young man of the mistake he get the dinner ready, whilst all go to church. has made: Calf goes out and gets fine clothes and slippers for the heroine, and undertakes to get the Cas a’ chriomaidh, cas a’ bhididh dinner. The heroine dons the clothes, and Air do chulaobh air an each. before leaving for church says: 'S ann tha ’n te do’n tig a’ bhrog oir Ilka peat gar anither burn, Gu dubhach bronach ’s a’ chitsin dubh! An ilka spit gar anither turn, Calum Maclean. An ilka pot gar anither play, Till I come frae the kirk on gude Yule-day. (To be continued) AN GAIDHEAL THE GAEL Editor — ]. THOMSON. M.A., F.E.I.S., 116 WEST SAVILE TERRACE, EDINBURGH to whom ail correspondence should be addressed except that concerning advertising, which should be addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer. 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C.2. Telephone: DOUglas 1433. Leabhar LV AN LUNASDAL, 1960 Aireamh 8 ROSG GAIDHLIG THA litreachas na Gaidhlig saoibhir ann riamh na b’fhearr. Ach de an cur-thuige, an am bardachd ealanta, thoirteil anns taobh a muigh dhiubh fhein, a tha orra gus a an lorgar run-cridhe na muinntire a bhith sniomh an smuaintean agus am beachdan dheilbh i, maille ri uaisleachd an doigh agus ann an saoghal fuar na Gaidhlig ? De spioradalachd an gne. Chan urrainnear a mhisneachd a tha sinne, an luchd leughaidh, radh, le firinn, gu bheil leth gu leoir de rosg a toirt dhaibh? De an comhnadh a tha sinn math Gaidhlig far an ruig suil air, agus chan ullamh gus a thoirt seachad ? eil sinn a’ dearcadh fhathast gu ro mhath de’n airde as an tig e, no cuin. Cha sgriobhar So cuid de na cruthan anns na rainig rosg leabhraichean ann an Gaidhlig mur a bi daoine Gaidhlig sinne. Mus robh moran iomraidh air ann a phaidheas air an son; cha cheannaichear sgrlobhadh no leughadh bha beul-aithris, gun agus cha leughar leabhraichean nach eil ann. soradh, a’ ruith fad cheudan bliadhna o Co a bhriseas na ceanglaichean, agus cionnus? ghinealach gu ginealach, sgialachdan agus So ceistean bu choir ar cur uile gu rannsachadh. seanachasan air an liubhradh leis an athair Gus am fuasglar iad cha seas a’ Ghaidhlig anns do ’n mhac, air an sniomh as ur agus air an an t-sreath thoisich maille ri canainean cumadh a reir an ama agus an t-suidheachaidh adhartach eile an t-saoghail. anns na dh' innseadh iad le luchd ealaine agus Tha e fior nach mair canain a tha an crochadh leis an t-sluagh chumanta. Chaidh pasgan gu h-iomlan air na sgriobhar innte, gu son- math de ’n t-seorsa rosg so a thasgadh ann an raichte mur cleachdar i ach am bardachd a leabhraichean le Iain Og, He, o chionn ceud mhain, no anns an t-seorsa comhraidh a gheibh- bliadhna air ais, agus chaidh tuilleadh a chur ear gu bhitheanta ann an sgialachdan. A’ ris ’nar latha fhin. Tha moran a bharrachd air chainnt nach cleachdar ann am beatha laitheil na chaidh a riamh a chlo-bhualadh taisgte gu an t-sluaigh agus aig nach eil aite no inbhe tearainnte ann an Sgoil-Oilein na h-Alba gus ann an gnothaichean coitcheann o l^tha gu a bhith air a thoirt am follas mar a gheibhear latha, a dhuinear a mach o na ciiisean as cothrom. Chan eil na sgialachdan-sa, gu cudthromaiche, nach cluinnear anns an sgoil bitheanta, ann an cainnt an latha an diugh. no anns an eaglais, cha seas i. Ged nach Tha dreach na slighe air an tainig iad orra, cum rosg Gaidhlig leis fhein a’ Ghaidhlig bed agus bias na teangaidh a thug bith dhaibh air a is mor an taic agus an tairbhe a bhiodh ’na thasgadh annta. Co dheilbh iad air tiis chan chois nam biodh e pailt ri ar laimh. Ach aithne dhninn, agus bidh e ’na iongnadh mair- cuimhnicheamaid gur h-e hi nach fra a tha ann eannach cionnUs a dh’airiseadh na h-uiread am bardachd no ann an rosg nach tog suas diubh linn an deidh linne, agus ’na thoimhs- uaisleachd is grinneas na cainnte anns a bheil eachan do’n al a thig ’nar deidh de ghne iad sgriobhte. Mar a tha bardachd is bardachd mheamhair a ghleidh iad cho beothail, coimh- ann faodaidh rosg a bhith crion, seargte, gun lionta. Thug liubhradh nan sgial alt labhairt sugh, gun bhlas, gun bheatha. Chan e sin an dhaibhsan a dh’aithris agus saoibhreas bhriath- seorsa annlainn a tha dhith oirnn. ran dhaibhsan a dh’eisd. Tha deagh luchd sgriobhaidh rosg Gaidhlig A rithist, tha sinn fo chomain dhaibhsan a air feadh Alba an diugh, is docha nach robh a dh’eadar-theangaich o Bheurla gu Gaidhlig — 83 — leabhraichean tomadach a choisinn aire is meas Baxter, Boston agus Owen. Bha “Turus a’ an t-sluaigh anns a’ Ghaidhealtachd. Chuireadh Chriosdaidh ” cho mixirneach aig na Gaidheil a’ chiad leabhar de’n t-seorsa so a mach anns a’ agus cho trie ’nan lamhan, gu ire bhig, ris a’ bhliadhna 1567, ach buinidh a’ mhor-chuid Bhiobull fhein. Is mor a’ bheannachd a diubh do’n ochdamh agus do’n naoitheamh thainig an cois gach leabhar math a chaidh linn deug. Gus an sin cha robh moran ionnd- eadar-theangachadh gu Gaidhlig bhlasda, rainn air leabhraichean Gaidhlig a chionn nach sheaghail Alba. robh an sluagh comasach an cainnt fhein a 0 mheadhon an naoitheamh linne deug leughadh. Rinn na sgoilean Gaidhlig a thbisich cuid a’ sgriobhadh ann an Gaidhlig chuireadh air chois air feadh na Gaidhealtachd as an ceann fhein, ann an cruth nas dluithe air an toiseach an naoitheamh linn’ deug, agus doigh labhairt dhaoine an latha fhein, agus am Biobull Gaidhlig a chlo-bhualadh aig an bhuannaich sin gus an latha an diugh. Ach am sin an t-atharrachadh bu mhotha. An tha feum mhor air moran a bharrachd de lorg sin chuir moran eolas 'nan canain fhein air leabhraichean Gaidhlig freagarrach do’n teagasgan nan ughdaran mora mar a bha oigridh, agus beathail is iirail do na h-inbhich.

TURUS DO’N EILEAN SGIATHANACH Seoras Sutharlan MOCH Di-luain sa’ Ghiblin, 1913, dh’fhag cho fada.” “O! tha Gaidhlig agad,” mi Glaschu, comhla ri da chompanach thubhairt esan, agus las a shuilean le moran air turus rothair do’n Eilean Sgiathan- toileachais. Dh’ fhalbh e a lionadh na poite. ach, agus bha an latha fliuch, mosach. Nuair a thill e air ais shuidh e comhla ruinn, Re na seachduineach roimh sin bha sneachd agus ghabh e fhein cupan. Roimh sin, bu trom ann a h-uile latha, agus deireadh na luchdturuis sinn, a nis bha e gabhail ruinn mar seachduineach bha dile bhathte ann. A chionn chairdean. Rinn dha no tri fhacail sa’ Ghaidh- gu robh, bha na rathaidean bog, sleamhain. lig an t-atharrachadh! Nuair a bha sinn deas Nuair a rainig sinn tigh Bean Nic Chailein, gu togail oirnn dh’fhoighneachd sinn deth de Larach an lar , Baile Chaolais, bha sinn fliuch bha againn ri phaigheadh, ach cha ghabhadh e chun a’ chraicinn. Thiormaich ise ar brogan sgillinn ruadh bhuainn. Dh’innis e dhuinn agus thug i dinnear dhuinn. Nuair a bha sinn gu robh an gleann ro-uaigneach anns a’ gheamh- riaraichte dh’fhoighneachd i, “Cia as a tha radh, agus gum biodh e gle thaingeil paipearan sibh? ” agus fhreagair sinn, “Glaschu.” naidheachd fhaotainn an deidh dhuinn an “0,” Thubhairt ise, “bidh sibh eolach air leughadh. Gheall mi gum bithinn toilichte sin mac mo bhrathar, ma-ta, oir tha esan a’ a dheanamh, agus an uair a thill mi dhachaidh fuireachd sa’ bhaile sin!” Gu h-iongantach, chuir mi paipear thuige a h-uile seachduin. bha sinn eolach air an duine ceart gu leoir. Moch-thrath air madainn na Bliadhn’ Uire Co bh’ann ach Seumas Brownlie, fear Cluiche dh’ innis mo mhathair dhomh gun tainig pasgan ball-coise Comunn an Treasa Lanraig agus bho Inbhir-gharaidh air mo shonsa. Nuair a Alba. dh’fhosgail mi e fhuair mi mu dha phunnd Di-m&irt, chaidh sinn troimh Inbhir- deug sithne ann. gharaidh agus a dha no tri a mhiltean air adhart. Bha litir ’na chois ag innseadh dhomh gun Stad sinn aig Innis Lagan. Ghnog sinn aig d’ fhuair e na paipearan, agus bha e toirt dorus tigh Mhaighstir Domhnallaich, fear buidheachais dhomh air an son. Chuireadh gleidhidh frithe agus croitear. Thug e cuireadh na paipearan air feadh a’ ghlinne cho luath ’s dhuinn a steach, agus thug e cupan tea dhuinn. leugh esan iad. An drasda agus a rithist Dh’fhag e poit lan agus aran is im is caise air a’ chuir e tiodhlac uibhean, no sithne no brie bhord. Nuair a dh’61 sinn tri chupan am fear thugam. “ Tilg t’aran air aghaidh nan thubhairt Alasdair MacNeill gu robh e fhein uisgeachan ———’ ro-phaiteach ach bha naire air tuilleadh tea Nuair a dh’fhalbh mi do’n chiad chogadh iarraidh. Bha pathadh mor ormsa cuideachd, mhor chuir mo mhathair na paipearan thuige agus thubhairt mi ris, “Thoir dhomhsa a’ air mo shon. Bho am gu am chuir an teagh- phoit.” Ghnog mi aig dorus a’ chidsin, agus lach tiodhlatc bheag thuige, agus nuair a bhrist dh’fhosgail an Domhnallach. “Gabh mo an t-each aige a chas cheannaich brathair mo leisgeul,” thubhairt mise, “ach am bi sibh mhathar each eile dha ann an Glaschu. Ach cho math agus poit tea eile a thoirt duinnn, oir chaidh mi seachad air mo naidheachd. tha sinn ro-phaiteach an deidh rothaireachd Air feasgar Di-mairt cha b’urrainn duinn a 1 I dhol thairis air an aiseag aig Totaig oir bha Gu’n tig an la ’s am bi sinn comhla, r an sid flinch, stoirmeil, agus bha tuinn mhora 'S ma bhios tusa dileas dhomhsa i ann. Cha ghradhaich mi ri m’ bheo fear eile.’’ Dh’fhuirich sinn an tigh Maighstir-sgoile, “Caimbeul.’’ ! Leitirfearna, airson na h-oidhche. Thubhairt Chionn gun robh mi ’nam oganach modhail, a bhean gun robh triiiir mhac aice-fhein, agus ciiiin, pixtanta, shaoil mi gun robh lan am 1 cha bu mhath leatha nach b’urrainn dhaibh ann an sgriobhadh so dhunadh! f fasgadh fhaighinn air oidhche stoirmeil. Cha robh ach aon leabaidh ann airson cairdean no An uiridh, bha mi air ais am Port Righ airson ( luchd-turuis. Bha i mor agus ghabhadh i an mo laithean-saora. Aon latha, dh’innis mo triuir, mur an robh sinn ’ na aghaidh. Fhreagair bhean dhomh gun robh e ’na h-inntinn a dhol > sinn gum bitheamaid gle thoilichte leis an do’n Ath Leathan, oir chan fhac i an t-aite sin : leabaidh sin, agus chuir i pige teth eadar na airson iomadh bliadhna, agus bu mhath leatha ! plaideachan. Bha am Maighstir-sgoile agus a fhaicinn a ris. Rainig sinn an t-Ath Leathan | bhean fior choibhneil ruinn, agus nuair a gu doigheil, agus bha uair agus coig mionaidean f dhealaich sinn sa’ mhadainn, cha ghabhadh iad deug againn ri chuir seachad a’ coiseachd mu’n » aon sgillinn ruadh bhuainn. Tha deagh cuairt a’ bhaile mun ghabhadh sinn rathad air i chuimhne chiibhraidh agam air a’ chairdeas a ais. j fhuair sinn an sud. Dh’fheoraich mi bho fheoladair Harapol an ) An ath-mhadainn, bha’n t-sid na b’fhearr, robh na mnathan uasail Caimbeul a’ fuireachd t agus rainig sinn Airdeilbhe air taobh thall an sa’ bhaile fhathasd, agus fhreagair e gun robh r aiseig. Mairi agus Morag a’ fuireachd an tigh an oisein. Ghnog mi aig an dorus agus dh’ fhosgladh e le Thainig sinn do’n Ath Leathain Di-ciadain, Morag Chaimbeul. “Feasgar math dhuibh, :' an treas l&tha an deidh Glaschu fhagail. agus a bheil cuimhne agaibh orm-sa?’’ Dh’fhan sinn sa’ bhaile sin airson ceithear dh’fhoighneachd mise. “Tha eagal orm nach ■ laithean, agus re na h-iiine sin, fhuair sinn eil’’ ars ise. “Nach eil cuimhne agaibh air | cuireadh a dhol air cheilidh bho Mhaighstir tri oganaich a bha air cheilidh oirbh sa’ | Caimbeul, Butha-Stoir, Harapol. Bha triuir Ghiblein, naoidh ceud deug’s a tri deug—agus i chaileag san teaghlach do’m b’ainm Mairi, iad air turus rothair ?’ ’ “ O, ’ ’ ars ise, “ is tusa \ Siusaidh, agus Morag. Bha oidhche thaitneach Maighstir Sutharlan—thig a stigh.’’ againn leo, agus an ath latha, ghabh sinn an An deidh da fhichead bliadhna ’s a’ sia, bha rathad gu Port Righ. cuimhne aice air m’ainm. Nach robh sin B’eiginn duinn a bhith streap Druim nan miorbhuileach! Ach co dhiu, cha do dh’ ainmich Cleoc, a chionn nach robh rathad mu’n cuairt i mo dha chompanach! \ a’ chnuic aig an am sin. Chuir mi ’n an cuimhne mu’n chairt-phuist An deidh a bhith san Eilean airson da le rann brain Ghaidhlig innte, agus bha giir sheachduin, ghabh sinn an rathad dhachaidh. cridheil againn. | Mu’n d’fhag sinn, gheall mi do na cairdean a Bha e taitneach da rireadh cairdean m’bige b’aithne dhomh gum bithinn a’ sgriobhadh fhaicinn an deidh nan iomadh bliadhna a chaidh I cairt-phuist ag innseadh dhaibh gu’n do rainig seachad. i sinn Glaschu gu doigheil, sabhailte, agus nuair Air an rathad air ais do Phort Righ, thubh- | a thill sinn dhachaidh, rinn mi sin. Sgriobh airt mi ri mo mhnaoi, “Nach mi a dhruigh » mi sa’ Ghaidhlig iad, agus ged nach robh oirre an oidhche ud? Cha chreid mi gu robh i freagairt air iarraidh, chuir caileagan Harapol sin dona airson bganach cho modhail, ciuin, i cairt-phuist sa’ Bheurla thugam, ag radh gun putanta! l robh iad toilichte gun do rainig mi Glaschu Air ais a ris am Port Righ, thug e mor thoil- ceart gu leoir. inntinn dhomh mo bhana-charaid, Ailine Nic J Anns an fhoghar sa’ bhliadhna sin, bha mi Coinnich, bean-iuil Cbisir Ghaidhlig Phort jj air bord luingeas-chogaidh aig Portland Bill— Righ, fhaicinn aon uair eile. Bha sinn a’ bha mi ’nam sheoladair saoir-thoil (R.N.V.R.). seinn le cheile mar bhuill de Cheblraidh Sgriobh mi cairt-phuist aig Weymouth gu Ghaidhlig Ghlaschu airson iomadh bliadhna. caileagan Harapol, agus dh’fhoighneachd mi Is toigh learn gu mor an t-Eilean Sgiathanach dhiiibh an do chaill iad a’ Ghaidhlig. Nuair —na beanntan, na gleanntan, ’s na lochan, thill mi dhachaidh, bha cairt-phuist bho agus na daoine cridheil, caoimhneil. Chan eil Harapol a’ feitheamh orm, agus an turus so, mi ag radh sin a chionn gun d’rugadh ’s a bha i sgriobhte sa’ Ghaidhlig. Cha robh innte thogadh m’athair-ceile am Port Righ! ) ach rann de oran air a bheil deagh aithne:— A nis, air ais ’s an Leargaidh Ghallda, “Ach tha mise ’n diiil’s an dochas thriall mo smaointean gu trie do’n Eilean. AN FHIDHEALL le Iain Mac a’Ghobhainn BHA Dolaih ’na shuidhe anns a’ chathair th’ann’’ arsa mise. “’S e’’ ars esan, agus: nuair a chaidh mi steach. Thog. e a “Chan eil fada bho’n thainig e a dh’fhuireachd shuil bho’n phaipear agus thubhairt e: do’n bhaile. “Cha deach facal a radh airson “ ’S fhada bho nach robh thu a stigh.’'’ iiine eile ’nuair a thubhairt e mar gum b’ann B’e ’n fhirinn a bh’aige. B’fhada ceart gu a’ breislich. leoir o nach robh mi stigh. Ach bha aobhar “Carson nach can thu an rud a tha thu airson sin. Cha robh Dolain air a bhith ’g smaoineachadh—gu bheil mi gun fheum agus obair airson nine mhath: cha b’e gun robh diomhain ? Carson ? A’ tighinn a steach an cail a’ tighinn ris ach gun robh an diomhanas so a’ fanoid? Eh ? Carson?’’ air greim fhaighinn air. Bha e air a bhith Cha dubhairt mi cail ach bha fhios agam carson uaireigin ann am factory ach air dha tilleadh a thainig mi. “ Thusa na do . . . . ’S a sin cha do rinn e car oibreach. Cha robh e mise . . . .’’ Cha mhdr nach robh e a’ ach deich air fhichead ’s bha e nis air a bhith gul. Chunna mi ceis ‘ ‘ Phools’ ’ anns an uinneig. diomhain airson sia bliadhna. Chuimhnich “Thainig mi dhachaidh an so o chionn sia mi orm fhein ’s air fhein. Bha sinn a’ dol bliadhna ’s cha do rinn mi car. Gach latha do’n sgoil comhla agus aig an am sin bha iad dh’eireas mi, bithidh mi ’g radh rium fhin ag radh gun deanadh e feum. Cha robh anns nach urrainn gun teid na laithean seachad mar an teaghlach ach e fhein. Chaochail athair so gun bhrigh gun aobhar, ach chan eil cail a’ nuair a bha Dolain timcheall air seachd tachairt.’’ bliadhna dh’aois. Cha robh mi airson tois- ‘ ‘ Tha iad ag radh nach eil obair furasd eachadh air “Eil cuimhn’ agad ?” ’s bha na fhaighinn co-dhiubh’ ’ thubhairt mi. dithis againn ’nar tamh airson dha na tri “Tha iad ag radh .... ’Nuair a chuimh- mhionaidean. Mu dheireadh thubhairt mi : nicheas mi ... . Ach nuair a tha duine “ De ’ n cor a th’ air do mhathair ? ’ ’ Fhreag- 6g tha e smaoineachadh gum bi e 6g a chaoidh air e gu goirid : ’s nach tig atharrachadh ’s am bith air, ach ‘ ‘ Chan eil cail a’ tighinn rithe.’ ’ thig an t-atharrachadh gun fhios dha. Gach Leis an fhirinn innse cha robh moran agam latha, tha nithean a’ fas nas dorra dhomh. mu dheidhinn a mhathar ach cha bu chaomh Tha ’n saoghal air a dhol ’na bhruadair. Tha learn gun faighneachd air a son. Thug mi fhios agad nach robh moran agams’ mu suil timcheall an ruim. Bha seana bhord dheidhinn a’ Bhiobuill ach ’s e ’n fhirinn a fo ’n uinneig, agus crochaicht’ ris an uinneig th’ aig an toiseach: “ Le fallus do ghruaidh bha cuirteirean gorma. ithidh tu aran.’’ Bha dearrsadh a’ tighinn Dh’ aithnicheadh tu gun d’ fhuair iad iomadh ’na aodann. nighe. Cha robh tein’ air ach cha robh sin ’na “Eil thu cluich air an fhidhill fhathast?’’ ioghnadh oir bha an latha blath. Bha Dolain arsa mise. “Fidheall ?’’ars esan. fhein an ceann a dha stocainn. Ri thaobh, air ‘ ‘ Seadh ’ ’ arsa mise. ‘ ‘ Bha thu uair a bha an cliathaich, bha da bhotuinn. thu miorbhaileach air an fhidhill.’’ “ Chan eil an aimsir dona idir” arsa mise ‘ ‘ Miorbhaileach’ ’ ars esan. ‘ ‘ Bha mi math ris. oirre. Cha robh mi miorbhaileach.’ ’ ‘ ‘ Chan eil’ ’ ars esan. Chaidh mi ’ nam thamh. Air stol beag ri thaobh bha radio ’nasuidhe. Lean e air mar gum b’ann a’ bruidhinn ris Anns an uinneig bha grunn phaipearan naigh- fhein a bha e. eachd. Cha robh leabhar idir ann. Chuir so “Ach ’s e rud miorbhaileach a th’ann ceol iongantas orm oir b’e leughadair mor a bh’ann a dheanamh. Agus tha mi smaoineachadh uair. .... Ach de math ? Cha do chluich mi air “Tha mi cluinntinn gu bheil Seonag a’ an fhidhill airson ceithir bliadhna co-dhiubh posadh’ ’ arsa mise. ged a tha mi ’ga cumail ann an staid mhath.’ ’ B’e Seonag te mu ar n-aois fhein : bha ise Bha fhios agam gum biodh i ann an staid air a bhith comhla ruinn anns an sgoil cuideachd. mhath. Agus bha fhios agam cuideachd carson Cha dubhairt e smid. nach do chluich e i airson ceithir bliadhna. “An aithnich thu co tha i posadh? ’’ arsa “Well,” arsa mise “nach toir thu nios i ach mise. an cluinn mi thu cluich.” ‘ ‘ Aithnichidh’ ’ ars esan. Mus robh na facail a mach as mo bheul “Tha mi cluinntinn gur e Sasunnach a dh’aithnich mi gun rinn mi mearachd. “Tha thu smaoineachadh gu bheil aon rud an t-6rd crochaicht anns an adhar mus do bhuail ann co-dhiubh as aithne dhomh a dheanamh” e’mpost. Smaoinich mi air iomadh ni. Cha ars esan. “Chan eil mi ag iarraidh do chuid robh cdig mionaidean air a dhol seachad nuair a ‘psychology’Bha bith uamhasach ’na ghuth dh’fhosgail e ’n dorus a rithis ’s an fhidheall nuair a thubhairt e am facal ‘ ‘psychology’ aige 'ga giiilan mar gun giulaineadh fear “Chan ann airson sin idir a tha mi ’g leanabh. Bithidh mi smaoineachadh aig uair- iarraidh ort a toirt a nios’’ arsa mise ’s a’ ean air Dolain agus is e sin an dealbh a gheibh bhreug ’nam fhacail. “ ’ S ann a bha mi gus an mi dheth, a ghruaidh ris an fhidhill mar gu cluinninn thu ag cluich. Ach tha thu air a faiceadh tu fear le a ghruaidh ri gruaidh dhol cho geur ris a’ sgian. Chan urrainn do boirionnaich. Air a sheall mi rithis bha dhuine facal a radh riut nach toir thu ciall fallus a chuirp air. Shuidh e sios. “Chan eil araidh as’ Leig mi orm gun robh mi feargach. math dhomh fiachainn’’ ars esan. “Cha do Ann an ixine ghoirid thubhairt e: chluich mi i airson ceithir bliadhna. Ceithir “Tha mi duilich, ach cha chluich mi an bliadhna!’ ’ fhidheall. idir.’’ “Well, well’’ arsa mise, Smaoinich mi learn fhin: Mur a h-aithne “bitheadh sin mar sin. Ach bha aobhar eile dha a cluich brisidh mi’n fhidheall air doigh a agam airson iarraidh ort. Stad a nis. Eisd choireigin no canaidh mi riutha gun robh i air a rium’s innsidh mi dhuit co dh’ iarr orm. B’e dhol bho fheum. Feumaidh mi a shabhaladh o Seonag a bha bruidhinn rium.’ ’ sin co-dhiiibh. Chan eil aige ach an fhidheall. “Seonag!’ ’ Leis an fhidhill tha e co-dhiubh bed, as a ‘ ‘ Seadh’ ’ arsa mise. ‘ ‘ Bha i airson gun h-aonais tha e marbh. tigeadh tu leis an fhidhill chun na bainnse. “Eisd amadain’’ arsa mise, “bithidh mi Tha e duilich ceol fhaighinn.’’ Theab mi fhin air an aon doigh mus . . . . ’S tha radh nach robh duine eile air fhagail anns a’ cuimhn’ agad, anns an sgoil, gur ann a b’fhearr bhaile ach e fhein, ach gu fortanach stad mi mo a. dheanadh tu ’nuair a bhiodh eagal ort theanga ann an tide. . . . . Canaidh duine ’s am bith sin riut. Chan eil fhios agam de na smaointean bha Bhiodh e ro fhurasd mur a biodh eagal oirnn.’’ goil ’na inntinn anns na mionaidean sin, oir is “Tha e furasd a radh’’ ars esan, “ach nam iomadh duine thubhairt gur e e fhein a phosadh biodh fhios agad .... “Tha fhios agam Seonag. Chanadh feadhainn eile gur e mise, air’’ arsa mise. “Na bi smaoineachadh nach ach bha iad cearr mu dheidhinn an dithis. Bha eil. Cluich. Tha fhios agad cho math riumsa i aig Sasunnach ’s cha b’ann aig duine againn. ma chluicheas tu ’n drasda gun cluich thu Chuala mi an t-uareadair a’ diogadh anns an chaoidh. Cluich air mo shon-sa ’s airson ar tamh. Chunna mi rithis na botannan ’nan seorsa, nach aithne dhaibh fhein.’’ laighe air an cliathaich air an lar. Smaoinich Cha dubhairt e smid ach bha e sealltuinn mi air Seonag, ach cha do lean an smaoin sin rium. fada. ‘ ‘ Tha fhios agam de their iad’ ’ ars esan, “B’fhearr learn gum b’aithne dhomhsa ‘ ‘ mur a teid mi ann. Tha fhios agad fhein de cluich. ’S e an talant as fhe&rr a th’ann. Tha bhios iad ag radh. Sin a th’againn airson a sinne ’gar breith, a’ f&s suas, a’ Msachadh. bhith fuireachd ann am baile beag.’’ Leig mi Tha ’n saoghal dhuinne mar bhruadair. Ach leis bruidhinn. “Ach tha na laithean sin ’s aithne dhuitsa cluich. Tha thu a’ deanamh seachad, mise agus Seonag. Tha ise far a bheil brath oirnne mur a cluich thu. Co eile bhruidh- i. Ged a dhiultainn a dhol chun na bainnse neas air ar son ?’ ’ cha b’e sin a chuireadh bacadh orm, ach cha Ach cha do thoisich e, ’s nuair a chunna mi thuig iadsan sin.’’ “An e sin nach cuireadh nach do thoisich e bhruidhinn mi ris a rithis. bacadh ort ?’ ’ arsa mise learn fhin. ‘ ‘ Carson a tha thu a' smaoineachadh a thug “Fuirich thusa ann an sin’’ ars esan,, “ ’s mise ochd bliadhna air falbh. Innsidh mi faodaidh tu do shuil a thoirt air a’ phaipear. dhuit, mata. Ochd bliadhna mhios a chaidh ‘ ‘ Thubhairt e sin mar gum b’ ann a’ deanamh seachad chaidh mi steach a thigh Sheonaig agus magadh air fhein a bha e. Dh’ fhosgail e dorus so mar a thachair. Cha robh mi ’n uair sin a’ chulaisd ’s dh’fhalbh e. Lean mi ’nam ach dha air fhichead. Cha robh duine stigh shuidhe ris a’ chagailt. Cha tug mi suil air ach i fhein. Bha teine mor air. Air a’ bhalla aon phaipear, cha b’ ann air paipear a bha mi mu mo choinneamh bha dealbh a h-athar ann tighinn. Bha mi smaoineachadh: De thachras an deise saighdeir. mur a b’aithne dha an fhidheall a chluich, ma chaill a mheoirean an ealantas ? Thug mi bruidhinn’’‘ ‘ Tha fhios arsa agad mise. cd air a bha sinn a’ suil a mach air an uinneig. Bha faoileag ag “Tha’’ ars ise. cromadh chun na mara. Bha fear le ord a’ “Seadh mata’’ arsa mise. Cha mhor gu bualadh post sios do’n talamh. Chitheadh tu faighinn air na facail a radh. — 87 — Cha deanadh e a’ chuis’ ’ ars ise. Shuidh a chunnaic e de bha mi ciallachadh,’s a thoisich mi ann an sin mar gum faiceadh tu clach ri e gaireachduinn a rithis. taobh aibhne. “Well, well’’ ars esan, an uair a fhuair e ‘ ‘ Tha fhios agad fhein nach deanadh e chilis’ ’ anail air ais, “ ’s e mo bheachd gu feum sinn ars ise. port math ur a dheanamh do Sheonag.’ ’ “Bi thusa na do dhotair. Chan eil dragh “Tha mi 'g aontachadh leaf’ arsa mise, is agad do dhuine beo ach do dhotaireachd. ’S de mi rithis ag coimhead an dithis againn aig thachradh nam posadh sinn ’s nach rachadh gu banais na ban-righ ud, gillean bochda suarach, math leat ? Co air a dhioghladh tu sin ? Tha pairt de h-eachdraidh. fhios agam ort. Cha chordadh a bheatha-sa riut idir. “B’ iomadh rud a dh’fhaodainn a “Cluich thusa nis airson an dithis againn, bhith air a radh: ach cha dubhairt mi cail. a Dholain, ’s cluichidh sinn an t-amhran Chan eil fhios an e an t-ardan a bhac mi no againn fhin aig a banais.’’ an cinnteas gur e an fhirinn a bh’aice. Thoisich e nuair sin ri cluich. “Co dhiubh’’ ars ise, “tha mi falbh le fear eile—Dolain Mhic Choinnich.’’ Chuala mi e a’ togail a bhogha. “Tha thu a reisd air t’inntinn a dheanamh Breabadair-Ladhrach suas’’ arsa mise rithe. “Tha’’ ars ise. Thug Chan eil sgiathan air breabadairean idir, ach mi aon suil eile oirre mus do dh’fhag mi. cha chum sin iad gun astar a chur as an deidh Shaoileadh tu gun robh neochiontas a’ dearrsadh anns an athar. Sniomhaidh iad snathla sioda a suilean. Mios an deidh sin chuala mi gun as am broinn, agus crochte ris an t-snath bheir robh i a’ falbh le fear beartach anns a’ bhaile. an oiteag iad an taobh a tha i fhein a’ dol. ‘ ‘ Tha fhios agad fhein de a thachair an deidh Chan eil ughdarras aig a’ bhreabadair air a’ sin. Dh’fhag mi ’s thug mi mach an dotair- ghaoith a tha ’g a ghiulan air a h-uchd, agus eachd.’’ Cha robh mi sealltuinn ri Dolain, fagaidh sin esan, aig amannan, far nach bu ach an uine ghoirid chuala mi fuaim mar gum mhath leis tadhal. Gun chairt-iuil, gun stiuir, biodh e ’ga thachdadh. Nuair a sheall mi gun roghainn ’sea chuid a dhachaidh a thogail timchioll ’s ann a bha e ’ga thachdadh fhein a’ far am fagar e ma tha aite dachaidh ann, agus gaireachduinn. Nuair a chunnaic e mi a’ mur eil tha a chall-san deante; tionndadh thug e lamh bho a bheul ’s leig e Nach trie a chunnaic thu air an fheur no air mach a ghaireachduinn. an fhraoch snathlan min nan creutairean so “Seonag!’’ ars esan, “Seoirag!’’—Cha mhor toiseach an fhoghair-—sioda lainnireach fo gu faigheadh e na facail a mach. “Nach i a dhearrsadh greine, no faicsinneach nuair a thug a’ char as an dithis againn. Nuair a shuaineas an dealt uime. smaoineachais mi—’’ An so thoisich e 'g Anns an Fhraing bhatar a’ deanamh stocainn- gaireachduinn a rithis— “nuair a smaoin- ean is miotagan de shioda nam breabadairean eachais mi.’ ’ ach cha do lean so fada a chionn nach robh e Ghlac mi fhein gruileach a ghaireachduinn-sa. soirbh gu lebr de chuileagan beo a chumail “Nuair a smaoineachais mi’’ ars esan mar riutha, an t-aon bhiadh anns am bheil an tlachd. a thug i char asainn. “Mise ag cluich aig a Tha gach gne bhreabadair a’ fighe a lin ann an banais, agus i a’ posadh Sasunnach cuideachd! ’ ’ cumadh eadar-dhealaichte. Chan eil gin aca Chunna mi fhin cuideachd cho eibhinn ’s a bha as cuimire a dheasaicheas a lion na fear beag a’ chuis. Cha b’e mhain gun tug i char as an gharraidh. Tha seorsachan ann nach eil a’ dithis ach bha i nis mar bhan-righ ag orduchadh beartachadh lion idir air son an loin a chosnach ar seirbhis, na dithis thruaighean a bhuineadh mar a ni cuid eile. do a baile agus a h-eachdraidh fhein. Smaoinich Nach neonach an seorsa a shuaineas iad mi rithis air an aodann bhoidheach chiuin ud fhein le brat sioda am barr na talmhainn, agus agus dh’ aithnich mi an tuigse charach mhagaid- am fear a chuairticheas a fhein le pailliun lan each a bh’ air a chul. Agus smaoinich mi cuid- gaoithe fo’n uisge. Ach chan eil cluas-chiuil each air rud eile. aca sin coltach ris a’ bhreabadair chairdeil a “A Dholain’’ ars a mise, nuair a sguir mi bha aig fear ciixil araidh o chionn fhada. Nuair ghaireachduinn, “na smaoinich thu air an so. a bhiodh ceol a chordadh ris an fhigheadair ’g 'S e dotair a th’annam.’’ a chluich a stigh thigeadh e nuas gu sgiobalta Cha do thuig e mi 'n toiseach. air an t-snath a bha crochte ri druim an tighe, “Seadh?’’ ars esan. ach nan toisichte air ceol nach robh cho riarach- “Nach eil thu a’ tuigsinn, a Dholain. ’S ail leis suas a ghabhadh e ’na dheann! e dotair a th’annam-sa.’’ 'S ann an nuair sin S.D.T. I LEARNER’S PAGE Bha fiodh priseil san latha sin, agus is beag Wood was valuable at that time, and one nach rachadh neach an cunnart a bheatha air would almost risk his life for the sake of a plank sgath deile a dheanadh ciste-laighe no a chuid- that would make a coffin or help to roof a house. icheadh gu ceahn a chur air tigh. Coma At all events, this night as Kenneth was march- co-dhiubh, an oidhche a bha an so agus ing up and down the Extensive Sand of Uig, Coinneach a’ spaisdearachd sios agus suas air his cap drawn over his eyebrows on account of Traigh Mhor Uige, a bhoineid sparrte mu a the force of the wind, what did he see as he mhoilean aig cruas na gaoithe, ciod e a chunnaic raised his head and looked seawards where the e an uair a thog e a cheann a mach rathad na huge waves were breaking into white foam on mara, far an robh na stuaghan mora a’ briseadh the sand but a wide ring of light! It was like ’nan cobhar gheal ri aghaidh na gaineimh, ach the circle round the moon and it covered about a’ bhuaileag mhor soluis sin! Bha i cruinn mar a rood of the sand. In the centre of the circle roth na gealaich, agus chomhdaich e mu rod stood what appeared to be a tower of light, and de’n traigh. Am meadhon na buaileig bha mar its edges shone like the rainbow; the circle gum biodh tiir soluis, agus bha na h-oirean itself throbbed like the northern lights. aice dealrach mar bhogha-froise; bha a’ Though Kenneth was strong in mind, his heart bhuaileag fhein a’ plosgartaich mar na fir- took a start and cold-sweat covered his forehead, chlis. Calma is mar a bha Coinneach ’na but, at any rate, his courage did not fail him. t inntinn, bhriosg a chridhe agus thainig fuar- He stood still, and he noticed that the appari- | fhallus air a bhathais, ach co-dhiubh, cha do tion was gradually moving in to the edge of the ' threig a mhisneach e. Stad e, agus mhothaich sea and making straight for the place where he e gun robh an rud a bha ann a chuid is a chuid a’ stood. My lad did not move. At last the light tighinn a steach gu beul na mara agus a’ stood in front of him, and when Kenneth deanamh direach air an aite anns an robh esan looked again he saw the tower in the centre of ’na sheasamh. Cha do ghluais mo liagh. Mu the circle changing into the form of a maiden. dheireadh stad an solus air a bheulaibh, agus He never set eyes on as beautiful a lass. Her an ath shiiil a thug Coinneach is ann a chunnaic body was elegant like the mountain hind, and e an tur am meadhon na buaileig a’ caochladh her curly hair flowed in golden locks over her \ gu cruth maighdinn. Cha do leag e a dha shiiil breast. She acted as if she wanted to speak to a riamh air maighdinn cho eireachdail. Bha a him, but she uttered not a word. It was he pearsa cuimir mar eilid nam beann agus a fait himself who spoke first. cuachanach ’na leadain br-bhuidhe sios mu a ‘ ‘ What is your news from the land of muineal. Rinn i mar gum biodh i air son shadows?” he said. “Come near me,” she bruidhinn ris, ach cha tainig smid as a ceann. replied, ‘ ‘and let me tell you a tale to which no Is e Coinneach fhein a bhruidhinn an toiseach. ear has ever listened.” ‘ ‘ Ciod i do sgeul a tir nan sgleo ?’' ars esan. ‘ ‘ Before I cast off the clay shell, , “Thig faisg orm,’’ ars ise, “agus innseam Norway of mighty ones was my dhuit sgeul ris nach d’eisdeadh riamh le native land. ; cluais’ ’ — I am Gradhag, daughter of Suaran, ‘ ‘ Mus do thilg mi an t-slige chre Who was king of the North.’ ’ B’e Lochlainn nan treun mo thir, ’S mise Gradhag, nighean Shuarain, Bha san &irde tuath ’na righ.’ ’ ‘ ‘ Sud an linn san robh mi beo,’ ’ ars ise, “ agus “That was the period when I lived,” said l thogadh mi le miiirn an ciiirt an righ. Is beag she, “and I was reared with pomp in the king’s jj a shaoil m’athair aig an am gum b’e grunnd a’ court. Little did my father at the time think chuain mo leabaidh-phosda. Thachair an that the sea bottom would be my marriage-bed. | deidh cath mor a chuireadh eadar feachd m’ It happened after a big battle fought between athar agus feachd Striimoin aig Baile na Beirghe my father’s forces and Struman’s at Bergen gun do ghlacadh am measg nam braighdean that among the captives was a priest called sagart do’m b’ ainm Arna a bha ’na fhiosaiche Arna who was a keen seer, for he had an geur, oir bha aige clach bhuadhmhor a tholl efficacious stone which Odin himself made a cruth Odainn fein le a mheoir. hole in with his finger. “ Nuair dh’iarradh neach sealladh iir, ‘ ‘ When one desired a new vision, Chuireadh e a shuil ris an toll, He would place his eye to the hole, ’S na bliadhnachan bhiodh fada uainn, And the years that were far off, Thigeadh iad gu luath a nail.’ ’ Would speedily come near.” — 89 Glasgow, and there are prospects of forming a Executive Council Branch in Whiting Bay. The Convener The Extraordinary Meeting of the Executive expressed disappointment at the poor response Council was held in An Comunn Office, on from members of the Council in the drive for Saturday, 25th June. In the absence of the new members. A tour of Kintyre has been President, Mr. Donald Grant, Vice-President, proposed by the Campbeltown Branch, ■ who was in the chair. Reference was made to have offered to make arrangements with various members who had passed away since the last townships to hold meetings with a view to meeting, and Mr. Grant paid tribute to the establishing Branches in suitable places. late Dr. Alexander Macdonald who had taken It was proposed that An Comunn should such prominent part in Highland concerns have an all-Gaelic ceilidh in Edinburgh during over a long period. the week of the Royal Highland Agricultural A Minute of the Advisory Committee re- Society in future years. For propaganda ported on a meeting held between the President, purposes, it was decided to send copies oi An Mr. Donald Grant, Mr. James Thomson, Gaidheal to school libraries in the Gaelic area. Provost Donald Thomson and officials repre- Regular visitation of Branches was recom- senting the S.E.D., the Department of Agri- mended, and the Convener suggested that culture and Fisheries, the Scottish Council Branches should be encouraged to hold at least (Development and Industry) and the Scottish one Gaelic church service each year. Tourist Board. The following recommendations were made:^—{1) That the Tourist Board be At a meeting of the Mod and Music Com- asked to invite two spokesmen from An Comunn mittee held in April, Mr. Bannerman welcomed to join in a conference of representatives of representatives of the Association of Gaelic Local Associations in the autumn to indicate Choirs who came to discuss common problems. the willingness of An Comunn to assist in the It was agreed, because of cost, to print songs promotion of ceilidhs, to determine the correct for choral competitions in solfa notation only. forms of place names and the accuracy of Choirs could make staff copies for their own use. guide books. (2) That a Gaelic phrase book The Committee felt that more intelligent be prepared and that assistance to meet the adjudications could be expected, if language cost be sought from the Tourist Board. It was and music adjudicators sat together. Views decided that a memorandum would be sub- in favour of separation were expressed by Mr. mitted to the Standing Council of Youth McConochie, a representative of the Association Service outlining purposes for Comunn na of Gaelic Choirs. In so far as time allowed, h-Oigridh, this to be prepared by Mr. J. A. adjudicators should give pertinent comments Macdonald. on the songs at the close of competitions. The The Minute of the Publication Committee attendance of all choirs at both Grand Concerts noted with satisfaction that already 2331 was considered essential for the success of these copies of the new Gaelic Comic, Sradag, were concerts. ordered, mostly by schools. • The price was The draft Account of the Dundee Mod showed fixed at 1/- per copy. The first issue will be a surplus of £3,665. On this occasion again on sale in September. Further consideration Mr. Moffatt-Pender paid Junior Choir expenses, was given to the need for and preparation of amounting to £150 15s 6d. a comprehensive Gaelic-English and English- The minute of 20th June noted that literal Gaelic Dictionary, and it was agreed to approach translations of the 1960 Mod songs would be the appropriate Universities for their support provided. The Federation of Gaelic and High- financially and otherwise. land Societies of Canada forwarded £100 to In a Minute of the Propaganda Committee, provide two silver pendants each year for ten reference was made to the efforts of the Northern years for senior learners Vocal Solo Finals. Organiser to encourage schools in the Lochaber The Royal Celtic Society offered a prize of area to take part in the local Mod. No new £5 5s to be called “The Royal Celtic Society school decided to participate. The Northern Prize” on the occasion of the Mod being held Committee are concerned at the clashing of in Edinburgh. Mod dates in their area, and steps will be taken to prevent this happening in the future. It was agreed to send the President and another member to visit the Manchester Branch The Celtic Congress will be held early next Session to discuss common interests. in Aberystwyth A new Branch has been formed in Falkirk, and an effort will be made to form one in Port from 8th to 13th August, 1960. Starting with a plain sheet of paper, he wrote Learning Gaelic by down each Gaelic word, with the familiar Lowland equivalent where given, abhuinn Sight and Sound or amhuin with Avon or Almond, cnoc and knock, or baile and bal—. For each thing Arthur Geppes and its name we sketched a simple symbol: ENTHRALLED from childhood by the -for allt a single sinuous line; for abhuinn a sweep of Gaelic songs heard on voice and double winding line; for anbher or inver two violin, on broadcasts and records, and sinuous lines joining, or one emerging on to a loving the land and the croft on which he goes loch, by inlet or by delta, sugach or to work in holidays, a young Edinburgh school- “SuccOuth” ; and for the rough shape of each boy said to me, “How can I learn Gaelic?’’ hill or hillock he knew by name, progressively Not as one more “school subject,” I thought more pointed from meall and cnoc to tulach, to myself; “not with still more grinding from mam to cioch, from cam or cairn-fringed home work. ’ ’ Then, how ? How do young steep to creag, craig or crag. The image of the people come to grasp the words of a language inner eye and the expressive sound to listening so that real things embodying the spirit of an ear, were linked and became “one.” Instead intimate tradition can become alive to them, of the grammarian’s cold blooded lists as become their own ? One answer is that words items to memorise, each known thing naturally come pver by sounds linked to sights, when the called up its visual symbol (however crude) vision of the thing named can be linked to the and its heard (and written) sound. It is not noun and actions linked to the verb, then both for a geographer (such as the Writer) to pretend come true, alive through the ‘ ‘living word. to supplant the trained language teacher; yet our linguistic colleagues do learn their trade Beinn to Cladach indoors in class rooms, not out of doors where Things and the names for them come first, Gaelic begins. I hope the hint will add, not on the whole, and it is with one simple step in any way detract from the language teacher’s that this note is concerned. My schoolboy special skill. had asked for maps of Blair Atholl and Glen Now “No good idea is new,” brand new; Tilt which he knows, so as to see it as a whole in and the excellent Gaelic course of the B.B.C. his mind’s eye, and these were easily got: by John Bannerman with its attractive pamph- a one-inch (and half-inch) to mile map, and a let rightly brings in place-names. All that six-inch map with every croft and field, with we tried together, the boy and I, was tc take the place-names he knew and others he could it a step further, using the simple means at soon learn of, but of which he could not tell hand ; the map of a place we knew with one the meaning. Here might be a start for him. of these handy Glossaries. Highland schools Now, with the one-and-half-inch maps of are encouraged to buy the local maps for the the Highlands and Isles a “Glossary of Gaelic children. Many or most of our rural teachers (and Norse) Place Names” is issued as a four- from Dee and Spey to the Outer Isles know page leaflet by H.M. Ordnance Survey and little Gaelic, yet most are ready to learn and by Messrs. Bartholomew, the great Edinburgh very few are hostile to the native tongue. map makers. So with its map before us and a Highland Directors of Education are sympa- leaflet at hand, we turned together to the glen thetic. Here may be one small way of “co- we knew and named each place, each glen and ordinating” learning for the rural bairns who, ben (gleann agus beinn), river and burn (‘avon’ one hopes, may grow up to be rural workers or abhuinn 'us allt), pointed hill and knobby and co-operators, whether “abroad” or, best knock or hillock {tom 'us cnoc), moss and of all, at home. meadow {moine ’us cluaine), “from beinn to cladach” or pebble bed of stream and shore. Translation for the Learner Eagerly the boy spoke and then wrote down Those to whom the willing recruits of An each word which, one by one, he recognised Comunn (such as the writer) owe the fine work and identified by the spots he knew, with many done by our native-speaking organisers, editors he liked or loved. The .sights he knew were and committees, may sometimes not be fully translated into sounds, recorded and recognis- aware of our difficulties. The need to translate able in writing. In half-an-hour he found he is greater than native speakers quite realise. had the fair beginning of an essential vocabulary For example, we recruits would wish not only of the commonest elements of Highland life, to maintain the Gaidhlig section of An Gaidheal. the land itself, his own land, a dhuthaich fhein. but to see the purely Gaelic periodical Gairm The next ambition was to work right through be noised abroad. Yet when, we turn to a the little Glossary in a new, but simple way. scholarly series of essays in An Gaidheal such 91 — as Derick Thomson’s ‘ ‘Gaelic poets of the 18th A Contribution century” we learners are stopped short just when we most want help, for lack of trans- One solution I have attempted, with some lations in the verses quoted in Gaelic. Yet success at home and overseas, is to have our surely the critic would agree that since the Gaelic songs sung in their own tongue and purpose of his critique is to add to understanding of the verses, poem by poem, that understanding selected from a single small and cheap song should not be withheld. book with the translations and the music, The scholarly series of volumes of Gaelic printed in staff for the high brows and solfa bards with prose translations help immensely for the rest of us. This—if I may be forgiven and the more literal the prose for this purpose, for mentioning it—is the aim of ‘‘The Songs the better. For the rhythm and feeling of our of Craig and Ben : lays, laments, love songs bdrdachd, our sung poetry, the example set by and lilts of our mountaineers and cragsmen” J. L. Campbell of Canna’s Gaelic Bards of the (of which the second volume is in the press with '‘Forty-five” is too rarely followed. This is Maclellan, Glasgow, C.2.) to print all the available airs, with a first All of us who care for the maintenance of our stanza printed below. Gaelic tongue and the traditions it stands for, and who wish not merely to defend it in retreat, Song and Translations but to advance its cause among all who are So, last, a reference to the highest aim of ready to share in enjoying it, be they Scots language learning: initiation into the spirit, in the Lowlands and overseas, or strangers from the heritage of a people. The tradition of the South or from the Continent, must help Gaelic is oral above all and even more significant the willing learner, not rebuff him. When we than the written, is the spoken, the living oi An Comunn do not even go so far as every word. And beyond this the rhythm and other concert organisation in the land by supply- flowing pattern of sound-waves, the word ing translations, are we truly seeking to recruit music of the language linked to melody, in for our cause? Or are we simply rebuffing song. And here, as one with Gaelic forebears those who do not already know the language? who has had to learn every one of the few The Annual National Mod finely fulfils one words he knows, may I plead once more for great national need: to keep alive our language translation, above all translation in song ? and music, ar ednain ’ s ar cedi, among all who Few in the movement for Gaelic song, ceilidh know and among all who can give full time and and concert, have as yet recognised the need effort to learn a song, even though they are not for something no organiser of classical or modern native speakers. But a wider circle is almost concert or recital would do without, a ignored: those who cannot themselves sing programme with translations. Musical to the standards expected in the Mod but who audiences in our cities expect to hear songs in would fain understand the poetry of the songs the language in which they were composed. in order to enjoy it. But they do not pretend to understand all the A second branch of the song promotion by languages, German, French, Italian or Latin, An Comunn to be linked with the Gaelic they may hear in a single recital in a winter Classes it supports, is surely to make arrange- season or an International Festival. However ments for Ceilidh and concert in the ever less ‘ ‘highbrow’ ’ they may be—and the higher the and less Gaelic-speaking Highlands and in the better—most individuals may not even be Lowlands, in country and in town, accom- familiar enough with one of the languages panied by translation. It we sincerely wish to used to follow it in song. So programmes are make the Gaelic tradition real, alive and specially printed with the words in translation, enjoyed among our young folk, we must meet and if possible with the original, side by side. their needs, and wishes. We all know that These are always considered part of the necess- only a small minority of Highland children ary organisation—and expense—of concert or from Strathtay to Cape Wrath still speak recital, and are paid for, in part or whole, Gaelic. We must envisage ways and means. by the organisers, whether ‘‘commercially” In the first part of this little article I have tried or assisted by the Arts Council of Great Britain. to show one of many needed ways to learn the Alternatively, for instrumental music, the Gaelic in a living way. In this, the second themes (or leading melodies) are printed, for part, I would plead for a freer and greater use understanding and enjoyment. Can our Gaelic of translation. One use is in good articles on movement do either of these things, or is the Gaelic, such as those just cited. Above all, expenses too great ? Expense is undoubtedly I would plead for aid by translation of our high. songs, in Gaelic ceilidhs. — 92 — Donald took comfort in this and asked the The Black Bothy on stranger who he was and how he knew what was in the grave. To this the stranger replied, Wyvis “It does not matter what my name is, and it is few graves that I do not know what is in them. ’ ’ IN the Parish of AlnesS, Ross-shire, about Donald answered, “You will be a minister or a three-quarters of a mile north of the Black doctor then, and out for a bit of sport like Rock, and just below Marshall’s Gate myself. ’ ’ The stranger said, ‘ ‘Maybe, but there is a very old churchyard, now overgrown what I want is for you to take me to your with trees, among which the old-fashioned bothy and let me see how you draw the whisky, gravestones can still be seen. One of these for I hear you are the best in all Scotland at gravestones Was of particular interest to the it.’’ This was true, for when a special brew famous smuggler, Old Donald Fraser, and his was due to be taken off Donald was often sent cronies; for below the stone there was a grave for by the other smugglers. This remark of empty except when a wee barrel or two rested the stranger pleased Donald greatly, and he in it. Between the churchyard and the Black went nearer to him. He saw he was a tall, Rock, below Assynt House, are the White dark man wearing a long Inverness cloak down Wells where it was known the Little People to his heels, with a reddish tam-o’-shanter came at night to drink of the glorious water on his head. Donald said to him, “I would and dance on the huge water-lily leaves. Old be very pleased indeed to let you see me at my Donald in his nocturnal journeyings to and work, but our Worm is broken just now and from the Black Rock and the old churchyard won’t be ready for a week yet. But if you’ll often saw the little People, and it was they who meet me three nights hence at the same time taught him to make tea from the Grandavy at the east end of Loch Glass I’ll take you to a Plant that grows at the White Wells, and which place where you’ll be welcome, and you’ll was in great demand in the North as a cure for see all you want to see.’’ To this the stranger eczema. agreed, and they parted. Donald’s Black Bothy was in the Black Rock Donald went on his way to the Black Rock, just above Pool-Luchish, and was so well hid and when passing the White Wells he heard that it was never discovered by the gaugers. the Little People whispering to him. ‘ ‘Be In fact, this bothy was so safe that other careful, Donald Fraser. ’ ’ Donald thought smugglers in the district, although they did they meant his descent into the Rock with his not actually know where the place was, used burden, and thought no more about it. At the to take their spirits to the old churchyard, appointed time he was waiting at the east end where Donald collected it, took it to his bothy of Loch Glass. He felt ill at ease although he and disposed of it as occasion arose. One of the often met his friends there. The Loch tonight smugglers was known as Wyvis John, and a seemed darker and more foreboding than ever. particular friend of Donald’s. His bothy was It was dead calm, and not a sound could be on the north-west shoulder of Ben Wyvis, heard. Donald was looking at the water, 2000 feet above Loch Glass, and could only when suddenly there was a sound at his back be reached by a secret path known only to a like the sigh of the wind in the heather, and select few, among them Donald. Wyvis John when he turned, there was the stranger dressed was one of those who used the empty grave, in the same way as when they first met. ' T did but when he was on one of his trips there he not hear you coming,’’ Donald said, and the was never seen on the road, but it was known stranger smiled. ' ‘You are a bit late, ’ ’ Donald he crossed Sooro-halter in the dead of night, continued, “but I thought you might have which brave men would hardly tackle through lost your way. ’ ’ ‘ ‘Oh no, ’ ’ replied the stranger, the day. One night before the New Year, “I had other business on hand but now I am Old Donald got a message that there was some- ready, so we’ll go.” Donald and he set out thing in the grave, and accordingly, as was his on their two mile walk along the lochside wont, at twelve midnight he went to collect before they could reach the secret path. They it. He moved back the gravestones, and had talked as they went along about the brewing just pulled the barrel out of the grave when he of whisky concerning which the stranger noticed a figure standing by watching him. seemed to know quite a lot.' When they reached Immediately, Donald thought that this was the path, Wyvis John was waiting for them; none other than a gauger, and that he was he had received word that Donald was bringing caught. The figure, however, seemed to a friend. John welcomed the stranger, but no guess what was in Donald’s mind, for it spoke name was asked as he thought he was some and said, “Have no fear, Donald, for I am no ‘ ‘toff’ ’ out for a bit of sport. After a pull at gauger, but a man after your own heart.’’ the bottle which John had brought they com- — 93 — menced the 2000 feet climb up the mountain. Golspie Branch .. At last they reached the cave and went inside. The Highland Lawn There they met half-a-dozen others—shepherds Tennis Club, Edin- and gillies from round abuut, and a well known Williamburgh ..Hume, Esq., innkeeper from Garve. ClanGlasgow Ferguson Society. . Smuggling at that time was carried on in a £576 4 6 big way. After the hospitality of the cave Received at Glasgow— had been duly sampled the main business of the Previously acknowledged night was started. The brew was ready, and Miss L. E. Cox, M.B.E., Old Donald took his seat at the end of the Dunkeld Worm and commenced to draw off the ‘ ‘Foreshot. ’ ’ This proceeding requires a great Milngavie deal of skill coupled with strong lungs, and Mr. & Mrs. John Mac- takes some time, but at last the job was done Donald , Glasgow and the clear spirit proper began to drip slowly Miss C.Margaret Macdonald, MacPhee, Glenelg from the Worm into a stone jar. Donald then Glasgow sat back well pleased with his effort, and turn- A. Munro, Esq., Inver- ing to the stranger he said, “How’s that?” The stranger replied, ‘‘Grand, but I think I Mrs.Edinburgh Louis de Glehn, could get a bigger flow. ’ ’ Donald was at once Neil Leitch, Esq., on his metal, and said, ‘ ‘Here, have a go at it. ’ ’ MissL.D.S., M. L. Glasgow MacDougall, R. Macdonald Robertson. JohnEdinburgh A. Smith, Esq., {To be continued) Glasgow Mrs.Kyle M. A. Matheson, . DonaldDunkeld MacNiven, Esq., NATIONAL MOD—EDINBURGH, 1960 Mrs.Kirn Euphemia Whyte, Entries Misses Dudgeon, Mussel- Juniors Seniors Dr.burgh Dugald . . Ferguson, Literary ...... 18 33 Connel Oral 263 67 Collection at Shinty Solo and Duet Singing 221 501 Match-—CelticCup Final—per Society Mrs. Choral ...... 39 100 Edgar Music Compilation 1 Donald A. MacNeill, Clarsach .. 13 Esq., Colonsay Instrumental (Pianoforte MissM.Bishopbriggs C. MacKenzie, . . and Violin) . . 17 10 David Skae, Esq., Cardiff Art and Industry . . 12 23 H. H. Foers, Esq., ForresStockton-on-Tees Branch 570 748 D.Aberdeen MacArthur, Branch Esq., St. Total Entries—1318. Andrews MissDundee C. A. Macfarlane, Mrs.cloich, Stewart So. Africa of Fasna- Treasurer’s Notes NATIONAL MOD—EDINBURGH, 1960 Received at Edinburgh— COMUNN NA H-OIGRIDH MatthewPreviously acknowledgedP. Kidd, ^505 8 — GairlochPreviously Branch acknowledged. . £11523 114 -— StirlingEsq., BranchGlasgow . . . . 911 5 —0 ForresDingwall Branch Branch .. 124 2 — JohnStirling Murchison Gaelic Society & Coy., . . 25 — BeaulyBrora Branch Branch Ltd., Dunoon ■. 11 — TheAssociation Clan MacPherson . . .. 3 3 — Total for Year to 31st March, 1960 94 — AN GAIDHEAL THE GAEL Editor — ]. THOMSON. M.A., F.E.I.S., 116 WEST SAVILE TERRACE, EDINBURGH to whom all correspondence should be addressed except that concerning advertising, which should be addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer, 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C.2 Telephone: DOUglas 1433. Leahhar LY AN T-SULTUIN, 1960 Aireamh 9

NA GAIDHEIL A BH’ANN SO cunntas aithghearr air na Gaidheil a aon inneal seolaidh air a chleachdadh leotha. bh’ann o chionn ceithir cheud deug Bha curraichean beaga is mora a’ giiilan bliadhna air ais—an tigheadas, an crann- bathair agus daoine eadar diithaich is chur agus an doigh-beatha a bha aca, mar a duthaich, eadar eilean is eilean. Ach bha lorgar sin anns an eachdraidh a thainig a nuas eathraichean agus bataichean air an togail le thugainn troimh na linntean dorcha. deileachan fiodha, agus feadhainn air an cladh- Gheibhear a’ chiad iomradh a tha againn air ach a mach a stcc nan craobh, ni tha nochdadh Alba ann an sgriobhaidhean na Greige agus na gu robh craobhan dosrach tomadach a’ fas Roimhe. Agus an cunntas as mionaidiche a mu na cladaichean aig an am. Tha e air aithris tha againn air Gaidheil an ama a dh’ainmich gu robh curraichean aca ri slaodadh craobhan mi gheibhear sgriobhte ann an Laidinn mar an mora troma o Thir-Mor gu Eilean I, airsen ceudna, ach chan e Romanach ach Eireannach thighean is airneis agus shoithichean seolaidh a sgriobh e, Ard Aba a chuir seachad moran de de gach seorsa. bheatha am measg nan Gaidheal. Chan eil an teagamh as lugha nach robh 1. Na Gaidheil air muir: Tha sinn mion iasgach a’ dol air adhairt anns na baigh agus eolach air euchdan nan Gaidheal air cuan, araon mu na h-eileanan leis na h-eathraichean so, an cogadh agus an sith, ’nar latha agus an oir fhuaradh dubhain chnamh agus umha latha ar sinnsre. Chan ann an diugh no’n de anns na seann laraich an cois na mara. a chuir iad an cas air sal air tiis. Their cuid 2. Na Dachaidhean: A nis faodar a’ cheist gur h-ann o na Lochlainnich anns an naoith- a chur, Caite an robh na bailtean air an suidh- eamh linn a fhuair na Gaidheil eolas na mara eachadh, agus de seorsa thighean a bha aca? an toiseach. Ach ’s e tha fior gu robh na Cha robh an sluagh lionmhor anns a’ Ghaidh- Gaidheil eolach gu leor air muir ceudan bliadhna caltachd aig an am-sa, agus air an aobhar sin mus tainig soitheach Lochlainneach air aruinn cha robh bailtean mora ann. Cha robh aim nan cladaichean againn. ach croileagain thighean thall ’s a bhos, aig Bha maraichean o chriochan Tir a’ Gheall- beul aibhne, aig ceann locha, no am fasgadh an aidh a’ sgaoileadh eolas na mara anns na puirt tuim, no gu trie air cladaichean a Siar na duth- a Deas o chionn da mhile bliadhna, agus co cha agus anns na h-eileanan, an coin na mara aige tha iios cuin a chunnacas soithichean an achlais gach baigh—aite sam bith a bha seolaidh an cois cladaichean a Siar Alba an goireasach airson feurach spreidhe. toiseach. Tha fios math againn nuair a thoisich Bha na tighean suarach gu leor—na balla- na naoimh a’ craobh-sgaoileadh an t-soisgeil chan air an deanamh le slatag-beithe no caol ’s a’ cheathramh linn air taobh an iar na is criadh, clach is iiir, no fiodh as a’ choille. duthcha gur e an cuan an rathad mor a bh’ aca Bha an ceann tughte 1c cuilc no luachair no a chionn cha robh rathad eile ann. Agus anns fraoch, agus an lar de thalamh no de chriadh. an t-siathamh linn bha dol is tighinn eadar An uinneag a leigeadh a steach an solus leigeadh Eirinn is Alba, eadar Alba agus duthchannan i mach an deathach nach deanadh a rathad na Roinn E6rpa daonnan. Bha barrachd air troimhe ’n dorus no troimh mhullach an tighe. Cha robh iarraidh air moran airneis. Nam anns na dachaidhean agus a’ deanamh chur- biodh leabaidh agus stol ann agus cumain fiodha aichean leotha. Bha craiceann agus cloimh airson uisge agus bainne chumail agus inneal nan caorach aca airson aodaich, agus feoil cocaireachd, cha robh feum air a’ chorr. chaorach agus muc-fheoil airson bidh. Bha na tighean furasda an togail agus soirbh (b) A thuilleadh air arach bheathaichean, bha an cumail, agus a theagamh nach biodh daoine cuid de’n t-sluagh co-dhiubh ri’aiteach fearainn. stigh annta ach nuair a b’ fheudar. ’S e coirce is eorna an da bharr sonruichte bha 3. Am biadh: Cho fad’s a chi sinn, bha iad a’ togail. Cha tainig am buntata dh’ na Gaidheil air an deagh bheathachadh. Chan Albainn gu ceudan bliadhna an deidh an eil e duilich idir a thogail o’n eachdraidh de ama-sa. am biadh a chleachd iad ged nach eil iomradh Mar a dh’ainmich mi cheana bha muillnean sonruichte air a dheanamh air. Bha coirce uisge ann gu bhith bleith a’ ghrain, ged is e agus corna a’ fas aca agus tha iomradh air athan na brathan laimhe bu trice a chiteadh, agus gu tireadh a’ ghrain, agus brathan laimhe anns na h-athan beaga aca fhein rinn iad an agus muillean uisge gus a bhleith. tireadh. Nis, ged nach eil e air innseadh gu robh iad Bha nadur de chaol aca airson nan curach a’ fuine bhonnach tha fios gu robh a’ mhion fo ria craicinn, agus bha iad a' togail na dh’ air a cur am feum air an doigh-sa. Agus tha fheumadh iad de’n chaol-sa chan ann a mhain sinn cinnteach gu fobh iad a’ deanamh lite airson an aobhair sin ach mar an ceudna airson oir chi sinn gu robh na Romanaich a’ tilgeadh fasraichean nan each a bha iad a’ fighe le air na Gaidheil fada roimh an am-sa gu robh lamhan fhein, agus airson dorsan do thighean iad sultmhor le lite! fasgaidh nam beathaichean ri an-uair agus. Cha robh teaghlach gun chrodh agus ’s e iomadh inneal feumail am broinn tighe. bainne a’ chruidh biadh cho pailt agus cho Chan eil teagamh nach robh iad a' togail luachmhor ’s bha aca. Bha iad a’ deanamh lusan air nach eil cunntas againn, oir tha ime is caise agus gruth daonnan. iomradh air garradahean againn an cois nan A chionn ’s gu robh crodh gu leor aca, a abaidean. Agus tha fios gu robh doighean na thuilleadh air caoraich is mucan, bha pailteas h-abaid a’ ruighinn na tuatha. fed la aca. Tha e coltach gur ann rosda a bha (c) Tha e soilleir mar an ceudna gu robh iad ag itheadh na fed la gu bitheanta. Bha am luchd ceairde lamhcharach a’ faighinn oil- beathach air a rdsdadh slan a muigh. Chan ann eineachadh oir gheibh sinn iomradh air a’ gun aobhar a bha so idir. Cha robh moran ghobha, an saor ’s an clachair, am fuinneadair cleachdaidh air salann fhathast, agus gun ’s an tughadair ann an eachdraidh Eilein I. salann cha seas fedil amh fada blasda. Tha luaidh air a dheanamh air na h-innealan Tha e soilleir gu robh iasg ur air clar mar an de gach seorsa agus cumadh a bha air an deanamh ceudna, bradan agus geadas a abhainn, agus de umha is iarunn, de fhiodh, de chraicionn eisg eile a ghlacadh leotha an cois a’ chladaich agus de chriadh. Bha iad a’ deanamh achfuinn le linn is dubhain, agus anns na cairidhean cogaidh—sleaghan, biodagan, agus claidh- nuair a thilleadh an lan. Cha robh dith bidh eamhan—agus goireasan feumail airson oibr- no annlainn air na Gaidheil anns an la ud oir each—sginnean, lamhthuaidhean agus tail. Gu cha robh iad aon chuid aineolach no leisg, agus bhith ’giulan agus a’ cumail uisge agus bainne, do bhrigh nach robh an sluagh ach tearc an bha iad a’ deanamh innealan freagarrach le aireamh agus gu robh saorsa chuain agus fars- fiodh is craicionn, le umha agus criadh. uingeachd bheann is ghleann aca, cha robh (d) Ged tha fios againn gu robh obair aobhar aca acras fhulang. iasgaich air chois anns na h-aibhnichean agus 4. An Obair: (a) Tha e furasda gu ledr a ris na cladaichean, chan eil e furasda lorg thuigsinn de ’n rian cosnaidh bu docha leotha. de’m meas a bha iad a’ cur air an iasgach. ’S e arach bheathaichean am priomh obair a (e) Bha an cuan fosgailte eadar Gaidheil bh’ aca. Cha robh teaghlach nach robh togail Alba agus diithchannan na Roinn Eorpa. Cha chruidh, an da chuid timcheall nam bailtean, do chaill na Ceiltich cuimhne air bias an fhiona agus re an t-samhraidh, air an airigh, air slios air dhaibh an Roinn Eorpa fhagail air an cul. nan cnoc ’ s nam beann. Tha iomradh san eachdraidh, air fion na Spainne ’S e teaghlach bochd aig nach biodh ach sia agus na h-Eadailte gu minic, agus gu trie mart, agus cha bhiodh duine air a mheas thainig fion airson craicinn agus an eiric saoibhir aig nach biodh corr is ceud ceann soithichean dealbhach air tir air cladaichean cruidh. an far Alba. Bha luchd soithich a’ falbh agus Chum an crodh riutha bainne, is feoil, is luchd soithich a’ tighinn o am gu am. seicheannan, cuid a bha iad a’ reic thar chuain Foghnaidh na sgriobh mi gu bhith nochdadh agus cuid a bha iad ag cur am feum iad fhein nach robh sluagh na Gaidhealtachd idir ain. eolach, agus gu bhith dearbhadh gun d’fhuair ceall aca air an comharrachadh a mach an iad eadhon anns an t-siathamh linn oilein- iomadh cearnaidh de’n Ghaidhealtachd gus an eachadh an iomadh gne ceairde a dh’ fhag iad la an diugh. an tomhais mhor neo-eisimeileach agus a Sin, mata, criomag de’n eachdraidh a thainig choisinn dhaibh na bha feumail airson an a nuas thugainn mu na Gaidheil a bh’ann. teachd-an-tir a sholair. 5. Subhailcean: (a) Gheibhear freumhan cuid de na subhailcean a mholar am beatha a’ Ghaidheil ’ nar la fhin anns na Gaidheil a bh’ ann. Bha iad sonruichte airson cho aoidheil ’s a bha Ceist iad ris an fheumach no ris a’ choigreach. Chuala mi eadar-theangachadh air bardachd Tha na naoimh a bha siubhal leis an t-Soisgeul Robert Burns ’s e sgriobhadh air “Bu dix do’n air feadh farsuingeach na tire agus a’ seoladh duine am bron.’’ Tha amharus agam gur ann gu eileanan iomallach a’ chuain ag aithris air am miosachan eaglais a chaidh a chlo-bhualadh failte is furan nan Gaidheal—cho ullamh ’s a an toiseach. Bhithinn fada an comain duine bha iad aig gach am gu bhith ’freasgairt orra sam bith aig a bheil lorg air gu h-iomlan nan le biadh is deoch is leabaidh, agus cho tiarainte innseadh e dhomh caite am faigh mi an corr ’s a bha iad-san ’nan imeachd ’nam measg. deth. Tha marsantan a Eirinn a bha seoladh tim- So aon rann an cainnt a’ bhaird fhein, agus cheall a’ Chairbh air an slighe gu duthchannan mar a chuireadh sios an Gaidhlig e: thairis agus a’ gabhail fasgaidh ri stoirm am bsugh ’s an lochan Inns-gall a’ fagail an aon If I’m designed yon lordling’s slave— teisdeanas orra, agus chan eil atharrachadh By nature’s law designed— beachd aig a’ chuid aca bha siubhal d’an cois Why was an independent wish o chladach gu cladach tarsuing Druim Alba air E’ er planted in my mind ? an turas do’n Olaind no do Lochlainn. Tha If not, why am I subject to iad uile aonaichte anns a’ bharail nach robh His cruelty and scorn ? sluagh eile ann a b’aoidheile na na Gaidheil. Or why has man the will and power Gheibheadh fear na faighe comhnadh mar To make his fellow mourn? gheibheadh e ’nar la fhein. {b) Bha iad mar an ceudna air am meas Ma chaidh mo chruthachadh san rim dtleas do’n gealladh. Bha neach a’ bhriseadh Bu dii dhomh bhith ’nam thraill fhacal air a mheas mar neach a rinn droch Carson a fhuair mi ciall is tiir ? ghniomh, agus air a pheanasachadh gu trom. B’ e staid na briiid a b’ fhearr. [c) Agus ma bha iad dileas do’m boid bha ’S mar deach carson a tha mi’n drasd iad sgoinneil, fearail an gniomh, agus ullamh Fo smachd is sixil fir mhoir ? airson an coirichean a sheasamh. Carson tha cead aig neach tha lathair (d) Tha Gaidheil ar latha-jie, agus gu A bhrathair chuir fo bhron ? sonruichte muinntir nan Eileanan a Siar, Fear-farraid . ainmeil airson cho fosgailte ’s a tha iad do sgeul an t-soisgeil, agus gu bheil iad mar thoradh air sin uasal agus iriosal ’nan doigh. Chan e ni ur tha sin idir. Gheibhear e anns na 1. Bha astar math aig Domhnall beag ri dhol daoine o’n tainig iad—o chionn iomadh linn do’n sgoil. An la bha so cd a choinnich e ach air ais. ministear na sgire. “Seadh a ghille bhig, Na naoimh a ghluais ’nam measg leis an agus de an t-ainm a tha ort fhein an diugh?” t-soisgeul o’n cheathramh dh’ionnsaigh an “A Dhia beannaich mi,” ars am balach, “na t-siathamh linne dh’fhag iad cunntas air am dhiochuimhnich sibh m’ainm mu thrath? mor mheas a bh’orra anns gach cearnaidh 's Nach eil fhios gle mhath agaibh gur sibh fhein na thadhail iad, agus an cothrom a fhuair iad a bhaist mi?” a dhol far an togradh iad gun duine cur dragh 2. Cha robh beachd coir aig Iain air cluich an orra. fhir eile, agus chaineadh e oidhirpean gu Agus nach d’fhuair na manaich a sheol gu sgairteil. “Seall air,” ars esan, “cha chuir- minic mu na cladaichean aca, a thadhail orra eadh e am ball-coise troimh phaipear fliuch.” ’nam feum, agus a shuidhich an cill anns gach Lean an cluich is lean an caineadh gus an tug ionad fasail air Tir Mor agus an eileanan a' an slaodaire sgailc laidir do’n bhall gun suil chuain, an dearbh aoidheachd agus an dearbh cait an robh e dol. Bhuail e Iain an clar an shaorsa gus am beatha chaitheamh mar bu aodainn. Le briosgadh sgrog esan a bhoineid mhiann leotha, an ionadan aonaranach far air a cheann, agus thuirt e, “Their mi so riut nach laigheadh siiil orra. Tha laraichean nan co-dhiiibh, chan eil ceum dhiot bodhar’ ’. — 97 — NIALL MACGHILLEATHAIN (Niall an Tailleir) leis An OIL Urr. Alasdair MacFhionghuin THA teann air da fhichead bliadhna bho’n e ? Tha, a chionn gur e fior dhuine, fior Ghaidh- chacchail Niall Mac ’Ill-Leathain, no eal agus fior Chriosduidh a bh’ann; agus cho Niall an Tailleir mar a bu trice a theirte fhad ’s a ruitheas uillt gu cuan, bithidh an ris, ach dhaibh-san d’am b’aithne e agus a tha seorsa sin a’ seasamh os cionn chaich mar fhathast bed, tha a phearsa ghasda, is a ghnuis cheannardan-iuil, na mar thighean-soluis. Bha fhlathail ag eirigh fa’n comhair cho soilleir is moran mhilltean Ghaidheal an Glaschu ’na ged a b’ann an de a chunnaic iad mu dheireadh thim-san ann; ’nam measg uile, bha Niall an e; agus ged a fhuair a’ mhor-chuid de’n ghin- Tailleir comharraichte airson a choltais; bha ealach d’ am buineadh e an t-aiseag, tha aireamh e mor, calma, direach ’na bhodhaig, le feusag nach beag fhathast, de Ghaidheil nan Eil- dhonn m’a ghnuis reidh—coltas fior ursann- eanan gu sonraichte, a bhitheas ag eiridinn a chatha an am feuma. Ach ma bha e laidir ’na chuimhne, agus a’ cur clach air a charn aige choluinn, bha mar an ceudna inntinn shoilleir, an drasd is a rithist cho fad’s is bed iad; oir gheur ann, le comas a’ bhaird air cainnt chunnaic iad annsan buadhan, feartan, agus thlachdmhor a chur air a smuaintean, agus maise neo-chumanta; agus thug e eiseimpleir air na chitheadh e—duine fearail, comasach, dhaibh air fior chliu a chinnich Ghaidhealaich. air an laigheadh an t-suil le tlachd. Rugadh Niall anns a’ Chao las, an Eilean Ach mar Ghaidheal, bha eud neo-chumanta Thiriodh anns a’ bhliadhna ochd-ceud deug leth- laidir ann airson eachdraidh, canain, ceol, cheud is a h-aon, do Lachluinn Tailleir. B’e cleachdadh agus leasachadh cor a shluaigh a mhathair Anna N ic’ Illeathain, nighean brathar f6in. Bha eachdraidh nan Gaidheal beo ’na do bhard Thighearna Cholla—Iain MacTll- inntinn; bha euchdan Chloinn’Illeathain feadh eathain. Mar sin, b’e MacTlleathain a bha nan linntean mar gum b’ann an de; agus bha ann an Niall air taobh athar is mathar; agus iomradh cliuiteach nan reiseimaidean Gaidh- bha fuil a’ bhaird ’na chuislean. An deidh ealach anns na linntean as faisge dhuinn ’na dha’n sgoil fhagail, chaidh e gu muir; ach cha aobhar uaill dha. A thaobh na canain, cha do lean e a’ mharachd; agus dh’ionnsaich e robh Gaidheal riamh aig an robh barrachd an t-saorsuinneachd ann an Glaschu; agus bha speis dhi, na a chleachd i na bu dilse, no a e ’na fhear-ciuird comhlionta. Mun am ud bha rinn barrachd oidhirp air a cumail ann an iomradh mor air Africa mu dheas, mar dhiithaich cleachdadh, agus saor o thruailleadh. B’esan a bha a’ tairgse cothrom fharsuing do luchd- a reir mo thuigse, aon de phriomh luchd- ciiiird, agus thog Niall air, agus shaothraich steidheachaidh Ceilidh nan Gaidheal—an aon e san duthaich sin fad cheithir bliadhna. Ach Chomunn anns an robh agus anns a bheil ma bha am paigheadh maith,-b’e sin uile na fhathast a’ Ghaidhlig a mhain ’g a cleachdadh bha cdrdadh ris de chor. Ann an duan a rinn a h-uile Sathuirne sa’ Gheamhradh ann an e air a shuidheachadh, tha e ag raitinn:— sgriobhadh, an leughadh, an deasbod, agus “Tha mi’n diugh a measg nan Duitseach ann an seinn chan ann a mhain an Glaschu, Nam Basutach ’s nan Coranach ach an Albainn uile, no is docha, anns an Nam Maisengach, ’s nan Suluach; t-saoghal uile. Cha mhor nach robh Niall cho ’S beag a tha mo shunnd ri abhachd.” dileas do’n Cheilidh oidhche Di-Sathuirne ’sa Teas is tioramachd, Duitsich is daoine-dubha bha e do dh’eaglais Chaluim Cille Di-domh- —dh’ fhas e sgith dhiubh; agus thill e dhachaidh. nuich; agus ar learn-sa gum b’ ann a bha e a’ Leis na choismn e an Africa chuir e air bonn faotainn comhfhurtachd agus blaiteachadh da gnothuch saorsuinneachd ann an Glaschu anns ghne gu leir le fuaim chaoin na canain mhath- an do lean e gu soirbheachail fad a chorr d’a aireachail ’na chluasan ann an oraidean agus bheatha. Phos e bana Mhuileach, Catriona seanachas agus ann am binneas nan duan agus NicPhaidein, piuthar a’ Bhaird ghrinn de’n nan dan. Anns an pran a rinn e air a’ cheilidh, ainm agus thog iad teaghlach, aon mhac agus tha fhaireachduinn anns a’ chiad rann:—- ceithir nigheanan. Chaochail e anns a’ bhliadhna ‘ ‘ Hi-liu hoirinn, hug is hoirinn naoi ceud deug agus naoi deug. ’S mi tha coma de their each ris Ach carson a tha a chuimhne cho laidir, ’S toigh learn fhin bhi anns a’ Cheilidh leanailteach a dh’aindeoin na tuil eachdr- ’S eisdeachd sgeulachd anns a’ Ghaidhlig.” aidh 'is upraid anns an Domhan o na dh’fhalbh Anns an t-seanchas an deidh nan oraidean, bu ghasda leis a phairt a ghabhail agus a bheachd ’S ged a thogamaid earn aig do cheann a a thoirt seachad; agus dheanadh e sin gu bhiodh ard cothromach, agus am bitheantas le feala-dha Cha leighis gu brath ar diiithail.” nach tugadh oilbheum do dh’aon, is a bheireadh Ach rinn Niall iomadh duan eile is iorram nach toileachadh do’ n chomhdhail uile. Tha cuimhn’ deachaidh riamh ann an clo. Bhitheadh e fein agam air deasbod a bha’nn oidhche air a’ ’gan seinn anns a’ Cheilidh; agus b’e oidhche chuspair—“Am bheil tamhaisg ann?” Bha mhor a bhitheadh ann nuair a gheibhte bran cuid ag raitinn gu bheil, agus ceud nach eil, ur bhuaithe—mar bha ‘ ‘ Oran na Dunara’ ’, seadh, nach e spioradan nam marbh, no nam agus “Tha Oom Paul air tighinn a nail” — beo a tha taibhearan a’ faicinn. Dh’eirich an uair a chualas gun do theich Kruger an uair caraid do Niall, d’am b’ainm Eachann, agus a thuig e gun do chaill e an cogadh. B’fhearr thubhairt e gu bheil tamhaisg ann, is gun Niall mar bhard na mar sheinneadair; ach is robh riamh. “Nach eil cuimhn’ agaibh” ars’ ainneamh oidhche ann an uile chiirs’ am beatha esan, “air an triiiir fhear a thaghail air an a chluinneas daoine pran ur o bhilean an athair choir Abraham air Mamre, a thoirt fios ughdair. Thug Niall an t-ioghnadh agus an dha gu’m biodh mac aig a mhnaoi, Sarah, a toileachadh sin do chuideachdan nach bu bheag dh’aindeoin a h-aoise? De eile a bh’annta sud uair is uair; is cha b’ ioghnadh ged a bha e cho ach trx tamhaisg, no spioradan?” Bha’m ainmeil mar Ghaidheal agus mar bhard. Leis beachd ud gle chudthromach, agus coltach ris a sin is gann a bha Comunn Gaidhealach sa’ a’ cheist a chur a dh’aon taobh, gus an d’eirich bhaile—Reach, no Muileach, Sgitheanach no Niall, a bha air an taobh eile anns an deasbod. Lathumach, no eile nach bitheadh ’ga chuir- An toiseach, thug e air aghaidh a riasain air eadh gu ard-urlar a’ chruinneachaidh mhoir son a bheachd nach eil tamhaisg ann idir, 'se bhliadhnail; is b’ainneamh gnuis nach beoth- sin, nach e spioradan dhaoine a th’annta ach aicheadh le aoibhneas ’ga aithneachadh. cruitheanfaileasach a bhaag eirigh a inntinnean Ach dh’fhag mi a’ chuid a b’fhearr de chliu dhaoine. Chomh-dhuin e mar so: “chaidh an duine fhearail, bhardail, ghasda so gu deir- mo charaid Eachann, mar is abhaist dha, do’n eadh m’iomraidh. B’e sin an spiorad uasal, Bhiobull a dhearbhadh gu bheil iad ann. brathaireil, Criosduidh anns an do chaith e a Thug e air aghaidh an triixir choigreach a bheatha. Chan e a mhain gun robh e ’na fhear- thaghail air Abraham. De eile a th’ann-ta sud aoraidh dileas, agus ’na fhoirbheach eaglais dh’fharraid e, ach spioradan no tamhaisg. fad fichead bliadhna, ach a bharrachd, bha a “Tamhaisg gu dearbh !” arsa Niall. “B’iadsan bheatha gu leir air a beothachadh agus air a na tamhaisg! Chaidh iad a stigh leis an duine riaghladh le deagh-ghean do bheag is do mhor. choir agus dh’ ith iad laogh’ ’. Chaidh argumaid Chomhfhurtaicheadh agus mhisnicheadh e Eachuinn ma sgaoil ann an luath-ghair na gillean is nigheanan oga, diuid nan eileanan a cuideachd. Sin agaibh deadh eiseimpleir air choinnicheadh ris sa’ bhaile. Chuireadh e iad cho deas, cuimseach, geur, agus abhachdach gu dhachaidh, gu eaglais, agus gu comhdhailean 's a bha fhacal. eile, mar sin ’gan cuartachadh le cairdeas. Ach a bharrachd air a sin, bha innleachd na Ghabhadh e dragh, is chosgadh e uairean bho bardachd aig Niall; agus cha bu dragh leis a ghnothuch fein, a dh’fhaotainn obair do chuid cleachdadh cho luath is a chitheadh no a dhiubh, agus sheoladh e feadhainn eile, le chluinneadh e na ghluaiseadh e. Tha a’ chuid litir ’nan laimh, gu maighistirean-obair air an as fearr d’a shaothair ri fhaotainn anns an robh e eplach. Is e mo bheachd gun robh na leabhar—“Na Baird Thirisdeach” a dh’- dusain anns a’ bhaile aig am sam bith de ullaicheadh leis an Urramach nach maireann, sheirbhis-san ann, a fhuair an cothrom agus Eachunn Camshron. Tha coig ar fhichead dan an suidheachadh an toiseach, air tailleamh is duan le Niall anns a’ chomh-chruinneachadh eud-san agus athchuing-san as an leth. Sin mheasail ud, air iomadh cuspair, cuid dhiubh leamsa deagh dhearbhadh air fior spiorad a’ cudthromach, cuid dhiubh eibhinn, mar a Chriosduidh—gradh, comh-chomunn agus fhreagradh. Mar tha a Chumha do Shir Eachunn seirbhis dhraghail a fhrithealadh gu toileach, Domhnullach—so rann dhi:— a reir cothroim agus suidheachaidh duine. “Thu bhi d’shineadh do’n phloc, dh’fhag Bithidh feum agus cliu air na feartan sin gu gun eibhneas mi 'nochd. brath. As an eugmhais, chan eil ann am 'S iomadh aon tha fo sprochd ’nad dhuth- beatha dhaoine ach saothair gun tlachd, gun aich. aoibhneas, gun chiatachd, gun dochas, gun ’ S e thusa bhi balbh ann an cunntas nam marbh toradh. Mar sin, le m’uile chridhe tha mi a’ Dh’fhag liuthad fear calma, tursach. moladh dhuibh cuimhne agus eisempleir an Tha na miltean de’n t-sluagh dol a choimh- diiilanaich ghasda, mo dheagh charaid fein, ead air d’ uaigh Niall an Tailleir—agus a’ cur na cloiche ’ S a sgapadh mu bruaich fluran charraich so ri charn, LEARNER’S PAGE Bu mhath leinn an nochd a bhith meamh- To-night we would like for a short time to rachadh car tamuill air cuid de na nithean anns ponder over some of the things for which they an robh uidh aca-san, agus air am bu trice a cared, and which they oftenest discussed among bha luaidh aca an cuideachd a cheile. Bha aon themselves. There was one thing which they ni ann nach diochuimhnicheadh iad uair air never forgot to refer to. That was the history bith lamb a thoirt air. B’ e sin eachdraidh agus and genealogy of the people from whom they sloinntearachd nan daoine o’n tainig iad. Is came. Great is my wonder many a time how mor m’iongnadh iomadh uair an greim mion- detailed their knowledge of the honour and aideach a bha aca air cliu agus eachdraidh am story of their race to far off generations really fine dh’ionnsaigh nan ginealach o chian. Bha was. This winter itself I was in the company mi air a’ gheamhradh so fhein an cuideachd fir of one who carried me back 250 years in search a chaidh air ais learn da cheud gu leth bliadhna of the roots of his ancestors. a’ lorg friamhan a shinnsearachd. Dh’aithnichinn gu ro mhath seann bhean I knew very well a fine old lady who was choir a rugadh roimh Bhlar Uatarlii, agus bha born before the Battle of Waterloo, and she cuimhne aice air a seanair a bha bed anns na remembered her grand-father who lived in Hearadh aig an am, agus a chunnaic, faodaidh Harris at the time, and who possibly saw e a bhith, Prionnsa Tearlach air a thurus o Prince Charles on his way from Scalpay, Harris, Sgalpaidh na Hearadh gu Loch Siophart agus to Loch Seaforth and through the Park of troimh Phairce nan Loch gu ruig Loch Lochs on his way to Stornoway Loch seeking Steornabhaigh a’ sireadh soithich sedlaidh air a sailing boat in which he could escape to an teicheadh e do’n Fhraing anns a’ bhliadhna France in the year 1746. It is wonderful how 1746. Is iongantach cho fad agus a shineadh far back they could see. Iain Tuathanach was iad an lamh air ais. Bha Iain Tuathanach ag telling me a little time ago that he frequently innseadh dhomh o chionn ghoirid gur iomadh heard his mother relating the stories which uair a chuala e a mhathair ag aithris nan his great grand-father, Donald, son of Duncan, naidheachdan a bhiodh a shinn-seanair, Domh- told at his own fireside about the troublesome nall Mac Dhonnchaidh, ag innseadh aig a’ times which he himself experienced in the chagailt aige fhein mu na h-amannan carraid- Napoleonic Wars. each troimh an deach e fhein an Cogaidhean Napoleon. Bu tlachdmhor leis na bodaich, mar an The old men also delighted in praising the ceudna, a bhith moladh euchdan nan sonn o’n brave deeds of the heroes from whom they tainig iad, agus gu sonruichte euchdan nan descended, and particularly the feats of the saighdearan preasaidh a sheas cho dileas agus press-gang soldiers who stood so faithfully and cho duineil coir an duthcha ann an tirean ceine so manfully for their country’s rights in foreign mu dheireadh na h-ochdamh linne deug. Cha lands towards the end of the 18th century. leigeadh iad idir air diochuimhne tapachd is They would on no account forget the energy, fearalas is calmachd nan daoine do’m buineadh the manliness and strength of their relatives. iad. Bha iad anabarrach deidheil cuideachd a They were also very desirous of discussing bhith labhairt ’nam measg fhein mu chairdeas among themselves friendship and friends. agus mu chairdean. Cha fobh teaghlach anns There was no family in this village or in the a’ bhaile so, no anns a’ bhaile a b’fhaisge, next village whose history they were not able nach cuireadh iad an eachdraidh aige air do to unfold—whether that story was good or bad. bhois—co dhiu a bha an eachdraidh sin math “Do you see that fellow? There, then, is the no dona. “A bheil thu faicinn an fhir ud? great grand-son of Finlay Piper who lived for Sud agad mata iar-ogha do Fhionnlagh Piobaire many trying years in Northern Canada, and a chaith iomadh bliadhna anrach san Talamh who returned at the end of his days to renew Fhuar agus a thill an deireadh a laithean gu his old acquaintances in glens and bens and bhith ag urachadh a sheann eolais am measg villages, and who in his old age married the ghleann is bheann is chlachan, agus a phos daughter of your grandmother’s sister who lived ’na sheann aois nighean piuthar do sheanmhar alone in Millbay.” The least thing was not a bha fuireachd leatha fhein an Ob na Muilne. forgotten. Cha robh an ni bu lugha dol air diochuimhne. — 100 — thachair dhasan no do’n chorr de’n phiob? Uaimh An Oir Cha bhi fios air sin gu brath. Is iomadh sgialachd a chuala mi bho bhodaich Iosaph MacNeill, Inbhirnis. a’ bhaile againn fhein; sgialachdan a’ toirt iomraidh air eachdraidh, air laoich, air taibh- sean agus air iomadh rud eile, rudan, gu math trie, a bha doirbh a chreidsinn. So aon aca. Gaidhlig Obiit 2000 A.D. Tha uaimh mhor arm an ceann a deas Eilean Bharraidh ris an cante Uaimh an Oir. Anns na Chan eil ar canan a cheana linntean a dh’fhalbh bha an sluagh a riamh air Mar a dh’ iarradh Goill son faighinn a mach de cho fada steach ’s bha Chuir cul ri cainnt an seanar— an uaimh so. A nis, bha uaimh eile an ceann Pearraidean gun sgoinn. eile an eilein, agus bha e ’na iongnadh mor air daoine am b’e so ceann eile Uaimh an Oir. Faidh-Breige. Cha robh air ach faighinn a mach. Latha bha so chaidh a’ chiad fhear a steach do’n uaimh, ach cha deach e fada. Ged chiuinich stoirm tha’n cuan Chaidh an dara fear a steach, ach thill e gu Gun chlos gun tamh math luath. An sin chaidh an treas duine a Sior iarraidh fois’ air creagan steach, agus cha b’esan a b’fhaide a thug air Cruaidhe bhaigh; falbh. Carson a bha iad a’ tilleadh cho luath? Le sruladh siorruidh mu’n charraigh An e an Droch Spiorad a mhaoidh orra, no an Liaghagach bhan deach an cur fo gheasaibh? Cha d’fhuaras Ag iomairt gun iaradh mu rudhachan sin a mach a riamh. Liath-ghlas, ’s air traigh. Thachair gu robh ann am Barraidh, aig aon am, fear de na piobairean ainmeil ud, Clann MhicCruimein. Cha robh an uaimh a’ dol a dh’ fhaighinn buaidh air-san idir! Thubhairt e ri sluaigh an eilein gu rachadh esan a steach The Black Bothy on a’ cluiche na pioba, agus gu leanadh iadsan an ceol os cionn na talmhainn. Chaidh Mac- Wyvis Cruimein a steach do’n uaimh a’ cluiche na (Continued) pioba, agus lean a chir e. Bha an sluagh gu Nothing loth, the other took Donald’s place, h-ard a’ leantainn ceol binn na pioba. Dh’ put his mouth to the Worm and started to suck, atharraich an ceol; bha iad a’ cluinntinn a nis but first he asked that some more fire be put “Cha till MacCruimein.’’ Cha robh iad ach under the still. After several intakes of breath letheach tarsainn an eilein nuair a stad an the stranger drew breath and when he did so ceol buileach glan. Cha chualas an corr. the eyes of his audience nearly popped out of Chaidh an sluagh air an glirinean gu leir, their heads, for instead of the spirit dripping agus thoisich iad a’ gal ’s a’ caoidh air son from the end of the Worm it was pouring in a MhicCruimein, ach is beag a rinn sin dhaibh— stream! The Stranger then called for a horn, chan fhacas MacCruimein gu brath tuilleadh. and filling it half up he added cold water and Thachair latha no dha an deidh sin gu robh handed it to Wyvis John saying “ Try that." ciobair araidh a’ coimhead air a chuid chaorach John took the horn and drank it off. A look timcheall na h-uamha a bha an ceann eile an of the greatest pleasure crossed his face and he eilein. “Gu de tha sud,” ars esan ris fhein is smacked his lips. He said nothing, however, e a’ coimhead a steach do bheul na h-uamha. but handed his horn back, at the same time Chaidh crith troimh a cholainn. De so a bha pointing to the others. Again and again the deanamh a rathaid gu mall a mach as an uaimh horn was filled, till each one had drunk—all ach cu caol truagh gun ribe climtaich air, except the stranger. Then tongues were loosened agus mala pioba ’na bheul? Is math a bha and everybody was talking at once. Never fios aig a' chlobair caite am faca e am mala had whisky been brewed like that they had now ud roimhe, agus is math a bha fios aige co leis tasted. The stranger said, “Drink up, my a bha an cu. Cir MhicCruimein! Thainig an friend, I can get gallons more from here," cu a mach, chrath e earball, shin e a spog do and then began the greatest drinking bout that Dmh a’ chiobair, leig e as am mala agus thuit was ever seen in the country, while the stranger e marbh. Agus MacCruimein fhein? Gu de looked on with a sardonic smile. Soon the — 101 talk, cleverly led by him, turned to the sports Wells, and there is still an empty grave below so dearly beloved by the Highlander—running Marshall’s Gate. jumping and feats of strength. The stranger suggested it would be a great jump from the (As told to me by a native of the district.) cave to the loch below. “What!,” said one R. Macdonald Robertson. of the younger gillies, mad with drink, “I could jump to the other side from here. ’ ’ “So could I” shouted one of the others, and Our River Names again a third and a fourth till the whole lot, WHEN man first arrived in the country even Donald, were willing to take the master the first thing he did was to give leap. The stranger egged them on, saying. names to the prominent features of the “To the one who jumps farthest I’ll give the landscape, as the historian Hallam says:— secret of how I drew the whisky.” “Helvellyn and Skidaw are the mute memorials The gillie who first said he would make the of a race that has long passed away’ ’. The names leap then without more ado ran to the back of of these mountains are as great a mystery as is. the cave to give himself a running spring from the language of the people who bestowed them. the ledge at the mouth. He Was on the point Next came the rivers and streams. Man first of starting when something happened. From made his settlements on the banks of our pleasant out of the darkness at the back of the cave streams, the surrounding country being heavily came a snow-white ptarmigan that Wyvis John clothed with timber and any vacant spaces had found the August before with a broken wing, being swamps, he had little option but to and had taken to the cave where it had stayed build his stockade beside the water where the ever since. Little did he know that the bird haughlands provided him with tillage ground was to be the means of saving his life and that for his simple agricultural needs. of the others. As it came forward it gave the To early man the river was the water, the strange cry of the moorfowl—go-back, go-back. stream, the brook, there was no need to give When the stranger saw what was in the cave he it a specific name. Just as we today when sprang back to get away from it, and the men speaking of our local river simply refer to it saw him change. The tippets of the Inverness as “the” river and everyone knows what cloak now seemed to be a pair of black, shining stream we mean, but when we refer to one at wings, while the face and head appeared to be a distance we have to give it its geographical that of the Devil himself! name to make ourselves understood. There The ptarmigan cried again, and then with a is little doubt but that the old names of our horrible yell of baffled rage and despair rivers which are such a puzzle to placename ‘ ‘DomhnaU Dubh’ ’ hurled himself from the edge experts mean little more than water, or stream, into the loch below. The inn-keeper, who was or river, or brook, or the like. nearest the entrance, shouted to the others, If we study a large scale map of Great Britain “My God, look—the loch's on fire.” Sure carefully we find that nearly all our rivers enough they saw that where the stranger had and streams have names of only one syllable; entered, the loch round about seemed to be a few have two; while those of three syllables ablaze, and the cascading water from the are rare. Of course there are many compound splash seemed like shooting flames. It remained names but these do not count. We have the like that for a moment or two, then darkness Ness, Spey, Dee, Don, Esk, Tay, Tweed, fell once more. The fright the occupants of Tyne, Ure, Nidd, Wharf, Ouse, Wye, Rye, the cave got sobered them, and when Wyvis Axe, and scores of others of one syllable. Of John looked at his Still and Worm he found two syllables we have the Mersey, Severn, but a molten mass of copper, and not a trace Dikler, Tarrant, Devon, while there are the of the glorious whisky in the stone jar. Devilish, Deverill, Minuram, and Peover of When the story was told afterwards it was three syllables. said that they all got drunk, and that the fire The experts on placenames are very cautious had melted the copper, and that it was the when dealing with river names. It is difficult morning sun shining on the loch they had seen. to deal with names when we do not know what But as Donald said—whoever saw a peat-fire race or races first bestowed them. Then they melt copper, and whoever saw the morning have passed through the alembic of succeeding sun shine on Loch Glass in the dead of winter! races, speaking a different language, who, And when Donald passed the White Wells perhaps, preserved the sound as nearly as the again the Little People were singing; and genius of their language permitted but not the they even helped him to carry the little barrels. sense. An example of this occurred after 1066 The Grandavy Plant still grows at the White when the Norman-French found difficulty in — 102 — the pronunciation of English village names have the same characteristic, slow, sluggish so they moulded the sound to suit their tongue. water, like that river of which Ceasar tells Undoubtedly a very large proportion of our us “the Arar flows with incredible smooth- river names are Celtic, but from a branch of ness’ ’. Is there any etymological connection that language not now spoken anywhere. between Peffer and Arar ? In England the First the Romans decimated the country by forms appear to be Peover, Cheshire, Perry, enrolling the fit into the legions and sending Shropshire, and Peterill, Cumberland, and them overseas. They knew better than to there may be many minor brooks bearing a enrol them in the legions guarding Britain. name of similar import. None of the Peffers Then they sold many as slaves. Then came are of any importance. the hosts from the opposite coasts of the Controversy has raged often as to whether continent with fire, sword and indiscriminate the lassie draigled her petticoats coming through slaughter, so that the entire population was a river Rye, or a field of rye, the grain or in almost annihilated, the few that remained coming over a moor where bog myrtle grew. being penned up in small communities here It is so called in one of the ballads in the and there, and their language became that of Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border, original the conquerors. The old Celtic language was edition, volume II. Subsequent editors have lost and forgotten. deleted the word without any explanation. I The Dee of Cheshire has been made famous understand the song was originally an English by Charles Kingley’s song, and both it and the one of the north country, so perhaps the river Aberdeen one have been held to commemorate Rye in Yorkshire is referred to. There is also a goddess, who filled them from the milk one in Ayrshire and there may be other minor clouds of the heavens. The Welsh declare her streams of the name. to have been a “ War-Goddess” . No doubt There is the Swale in Kent, The Swale in the there is a hidden meaning in the name. It North Riding of Yorkshire, and the Swale in may have something to do with the run of Berkshire, all of which we may compare with salmon in the spring. the Schwale of Germany. The till of Floddon Other streams have been held to mean the battle fame may be compared with the Tille ‘ ‘ dark one’ ’, the Douglas in Lancashire and in France. The Ure of Yorkshire may be several in Scotland; the “red one”, the related to the Usura, now Isar, a tributary of Rowther in Kent; several are known as the the Danube. The Arrow of Herefordshire may “bright one”, the “clear one”, the “silvery have the same source as the Arva, now the one”, the “gentle one”, while the Brent, Avre, France. The Cherwell may be the same Middlesex, is the “holy one”. Perhaps there as Karbach, a common name of streams in is a reference here to a water goddess. Germany, the Gary may be the same as the One of the most pleasant sounds in the world Cher, Chiers, France. This list could be much is the babbling of a stream over its bed of extended. rocks and pebbles, and it does not require a When talking of streams speaking above great deal of imagination to invest the restless we omitted to give some examples. The Laver, water with life. Those.who lived and moved Yorkshire, West Riding, is the “vocal one”, on the banks of our streams were much alive the “speaker”, the Loud, Lancashire, is the to this impression. An impression that seems ‘ ‘ loud one’ ’, the Minuram of Herefordshire is to have survived even to Shakespeare’s day the “babbling one”, and there are several as he makes the melancholy Jacques hold com- others whose names have the same import. munion with a brook. The people even went The Lave in Arden is in the Shakespeare further and held the idea that the brooks spoke country. The names of these rivers come from to each other on pleasant evenings. Old English sources. The terminal element in the river Deerness Our river names come from many sources, of Durham should be compared with our river some from a language now unknown, some from Ness. There is the Allan in Perthshire. Over a Celtic tongue not now spoken anywhere, the border we find the Allen, Allan, Ptolemy’s some from early English, some from the Danish, Alauna, Ain, Alne, Alnham and Alwin. There Dutch, and Norse languages, and some have is the Leven in Lancashire and several lochs been imposed in modern times. and rivers of the name in Scotland. The old J.E.S. name of Loch Lomond was Leven. Here also may belong the Peffers, or as they are more commonly known locally, the Pows. There The National Mod will be held in are over a dozen of them in Scotland and all Edinburgh from 3rd to 7th October, 1960 THE STUDY OF THE FOLKLORE (Continued) The prince repudiates the false bride, and 3. Generally there are but two persons in a marries the lowly kitchen-maid, whose mother, scene at one time. Even if there are more, in the shape of a brown calf, and later of a only two of them are active simultaneously. bird, had come to help her. 4. Contrasting characters encounter each The Cinderella tale occurs in Malayan, other—hero and villain, good and bad. Indo-Chinese, Indian, Near Eastern, Balkan, Italian, Spanish-Portguese, Slavonic, Baltic, 5. If two persons appear in the same role, Latvian, German, French, Irish-Scots and they are represented as small or weak. Scandinavian tradition. It has been the sub- 6. The weakest or worst in a group turns out ject of two studies, the first by Marian Roalfe to be the best. The youngest brother or sister Cox in 1892 and the second by a Swedish is normally the victor. scholar, Anna Birgitta Rooth in 1951. The 7. The characterization is simple. Only Scottish versions we have already met with such qualities as directly affect the story are show traces of Scandinavian influence. The mentioned; no hint is given that the persons calf as helper, the killing of the stepsister, the in the tale have any life outside. ride and flight on the calf’s back, the making of the coatie of rushes and the employment of 8. The plot is simple, never complex. One the heroine in the royal palace all occur in story is told at a time. Scandinavian tradition. 9. Everything is handled as simply as While it is not so easy to decide how the possible. Things of the same kind are described other Scottish versions arrived in this country, as nearly alike as possible, and no attempt is when they did not come from Perrault and made to secure variety. Grimm, it is fairly safe to assume that the The translation of the original Danish is above tellings of the tale had some connection from Stith Thompson’s book The Folktale. with Viking settlements on our shores. In I shall not attempt to give any further her study of the tale, Miss Rooth came to the definition of what folk literature is apart from conclusion that the final stage of the migration saying that it could be termed as the expression must have taken place before 1000 A.D. in story, legend, song and popular saying of The latest recorded Scottish version of the the creative genius of a people uninfluenced by tale was recorded in Benbecula in the summer a written tradition and unacquainted with of 1950 from the great old story-teller the printed books. That part of the matter of folk late Angus MacMillan. It is the only tradi- literature can find its way into books and MSS. tional version we have in the School of Scottish cannot be denied, for tales and songs can go Studies. I would not say that other versions from oral into MS. and book tradition and may not be recorded still. back out again. The life history of a tale may be completely unaffected by the existence of a A noted Danish scholar Axel Olrik, following MSS. version and much the greater part of upon a detailed study of the tales of many Gaelic tales have survived purely in oral lands, listed the main characteristics that all tradition. In Gaelic Scotland oral literature genuine folktales have in common and which preceded written MS. literature as surely as distinguish them from sophisticated literature. the power of human speech preceded the ability Olrik enunciated what he called the “epic to transfer speech to symbols. Gaelic oral laws’ ’ of folk-literature. literature then is that body of song, verse, 1. A tale dees not begin with the most tale, legend and popular saying that has passed important part of the action and it does by word of mouth from generation to generation, not end abruptly. There is a leisurely undergoing superficial changes from age to age introduction; and the story proceeds beyond but remaining in essence the same. The early the climax to a point of stability or rest. Irish versions of the story of Deirdre may be 2. Repetition is everywhere present, not of greater interest to philologists than the ver- only to give the story suspense but also to fill sion collected by Carmichael from Iain Donn it out and afford it body. This repetition is MacNeill in 1871, but from a literary standpoint mostly threefold, though in some countries, the Barra version is vastly superior. I do not because of their religious symbolism, it may think it can be proved in this case that the be fourfold. modern version can be traced to MS. originals, I p both stem from something much older. That named they are not historical and many have ; tales went from MS. tradition and later from fictitious names such as Righ an Eilein Uaine, ; printed books is plain to any folklorist. Some Righ nan Uinneagan Daraich, Righ nam Beann- ! of the prayers, charms and incantations in tan Gorma. Old men and women figure in | Carmina Gadelica and the Religious Songs of many different types of tales, and many have | Connaught can be traced back to medieval a didactic function. (5) Children’s tales— j prayer books; chapbook literature gave us presumably the stories dealing with animals, : stories, for instance, about George Buchanan, birds and fish and the formula tales such as ! and to-day in many parts of the Highlands one Monachan agus Meanachan; (6) Riddles and can meet with material that has come from later puzzles; (7) Proverbs; (8) Songs; (9) Romantic \ Gaelic books, such as Leabhar nan Cnoc, the popular tales—the tales that form the bulk of i Gaelic translation of the Arabian Nights, his published collections. ■ Fionn’s Naidheachdan Firinneach and even Neil Considering the time it was done, the classi- j Macleod’s Clarsach na Doire. In Benbecula I re- fication is extremely good. In the light of what corded an account of Blar na Leine and the has been collected since, not much modification l death of Raghnall Gallda. It tallied almost is required. i word for word with the story in print. Twenty I divide spoken narrative Gaelic tradition j miles away in South Uist there was another into the following subdivisions. Tales and ? version, quite different and better, but purely traditions dealing with Cuchulainn, Deirdre, from oral sources. Both versions had, however, Fraoch and the Feinn. Hero tales. Folk tales i come to the tellers from an oral source. In comprising the animal tale, the wonder tale, spite of the influence of printed matter we the romantic tale in which the element of can assume that three-fourths of the material magic does not occur, the religious tale, the in current tradition now has a purely oral type of tale dealing with the stupid giant— lineage, even the current tradition of peopk- Mac Riisgaich, stories of the joke and ancecdote I who are able to read. The inability to read, type about fools, married couples, parsons and however, does not preclude the entry of matter so forth, tales of lying and formula tales. from printed sources into a story-tellers or These are the international tales but in each singer’s repertoire. category there are a large number of tales As to the content of popular oral literature, which are common in Scotland and Ireland j' lam Og He divided it into different branches only. The animal tale is not so common in (1) Seanchas na Feinne. In this category he, Gaelic tradition; what is common is the presumably, includes the traditions dealing imitation in words of animal and bird sounds. with Cu Chulainn, Fraoch and Deirdre; (2) Hero The long and complex tale.of magic can still tales—the recounting of the adventures of one be' heard in the west and among the tinker given character such as Fear na h-Eabaide communities, the long romantic story is still Duibhe, Mac Righ Lochlainn or Manus Mac told in certain areas and appears to have Righ an Eilein Uaine; (3) Historical Tradi- gained popularity at the expense of the tale tions—in which lam Og himself was not quite of magic, which people no longer believed. so interested; (4) Folk tales not belonging to The humorous stories of the Gaels require a any definite time or place, dealing with old category by themselves, as does another literary men and women and having a hidden meaning. form, the prose and verse story often telling p He says that there are many examples of such of the meeting of two bards, or two people i and includes two in his published volumes, with the power of quick retort. I use the j One was the story of the person who went to term legend to denote the short type of story I look for three persons as wise as his wife was not regarded as purely fictitious and dealing foolish—a variant of the international tale about with definite people, times and places. The i the man who went in search of three people term is not a good one, I admit, but it may be | as foolish as his wife; and the other is the tale explained as local tradition and illustrates the f of The Three Noble Acts—Aa,—Th. 976—a belief in mythological and supernatural beings novella or romantic tale dealing with robbers. as well as dealing with historical events and It is difficult to see why he puts these two into persons. The legend may explain the origin a distinct category from what he calls romantic of certain creatures, such as pigs, rats, etc.; popular tales, such as Am Brathair Bochd agus the formation of natural features such as rocks; am Brathair Beairteach and others such. A religious legends about the Life of Christ on very great number of what he calls Romantic earth; the miracles of the saints; mythological Popular Tales belong to neither a definite time legends and stories about hags, giants, fairies, f nor place. Bha righ ann uair .... Bha and other supernatural beings, such as ghosts f mac banntraich ann uair. Even if kings are and the sluagh and so forth—the stories that — 105 — belong perhaps more to the world of belief and practice rather than literature. Finally Ardnamurchan Provincial Mod there is the historical legend and this is to-day 1960 the. finest and best preserved of all narrative Adjudicators: Music, Miss Evelyn Campbell, traditions in the Highlands—the story of the L.R.A.M., Mr. K. J. MacPherson, L.R.A.M.; clans, and clan heroes. Gaelic:Kinnon, Rev.B.E.M., K. M.M.A., MacMillan, and Mr. M.A.,Malcolm Mr. Mac’eod.L. Mac- As to the story-tellers and their art I must say a few words. We in this rather sophisticated Prize List:— Junior Section age may find it difficult to understand how much Reading at Sight—1. Morag Cameron, Acharacle; the sgeulachd, the naidheachd and the whole 2. Alister Mackenzie, Acharacle: 3. Alister Henderson, field of seanchas appealed to the older genera- Acharacle. tion . The early collectors spoke of story-tellers Cameron,Gaelic AcharaeleSpeakers’ and Recitation—1.Hughena Cameron, equal—Alister Acharacle. taking a whole night to tell one single tale, 2. Alister Henderson, Acharacle ; 3 , Evan Camichael, and of persons waking up in the morning to Lochaline. find that a tale had been going on all night. Learners' Recitation—Fa’t I (Under 10 years)— In South Western Ireland there was talk of a Lochaline;1. Elma MacPhail,3. Marian Kilchoan;Sorley, Claggan; 2. Elizabeth 4. Elizabeth King, story that had taken a whole week to tell. MacMaster, Mingary. Unfortunately it was not recorded. It perished Part II (10 years and over)—1. Flora MacDonald, before the Irish Folklore Commission was Mingary; 2. Margaret Boyd, Ardgour; 3. Fiona Laurie, founded. The best Irish story-tellers can Lochaline.Conversation-—1. Alasdair MacDonald, Strontian ; continue non-stop for a whole hour. Scotland, 2. equal—Jacky Cameron, Strontian and Archie however, is said to have had the longest tale MacGillivray, Acharacle; 3. Morag Cameron, Stron- ever recorded; Leigheas Coise Cein, which ran tian. to 30,000 words. With all due respect to Iain 2. MoragSolo Singing, Cameron, Girls—1. Acharacle. Jessie Fletcher, Claggan; Og He, Hector Maclean and the story-teller Solo Singing, Boys—1. Alister MacKenzie, Acha- Lachlan MacNeill of Paisley, a longer tale was racle ; 2. Evan Carmichael, Lochaline. recorded in February 1949. In fairness to the Solo Singing, Learners—Part I (Under 10 years)— memory of the fine old Gael, Angus MacMillan Kilchoan;1. Catherine 3. Park,equal-—Elizabeth Strontian; 2.King, Donald Lochaline Carmichael, and of Benbecula, his story Alasdair mac a’ Cheird Lind Livingstone, Lochaline. ran to 58,000 words. MacCoPart quodale, II (10 Lochalineyears and andover)—1, Lewis equal—MarianSmith, Locha- It has been stated also that story-tellers of the line; 2 equal—Robeit Laurie, Lochaline and Alexander present era have almost lost the art compared Richardson, Polloch. to what it was in 1860. Those of us who knew Junior Choirs— Donnchadh Clachair of South Uist and read A. -—Unison. Mr. Craig’s Sgeulachdan Dhunnchaidh know Choir1. Lochaline and Claggan School SchoolChoir ; Choir.2. equal—Strontian School that that is certainly not the case. Despite B. —Harmony. everything there are still story-tellers left as Lochaline School Choir. good as any we had in 1860 and onwards. Senior Section That they are fewer we must reluctantly admit, Reading at Sight—1. Donald Cameron, Ard- but then in this field, when large stretches of tornish. Scotland still remain terra incognita, no one SoloRecitation—1. Singing, Ladies,Donald Came:on,Own Choice—1. Ardtornish. Christina can be absolutely sure of anything. In Lcchaber, MacPhee, Mingary; 2. Mary Fiaser, Strontian. for instance, over 600 legends were recorded Solo Singing-—Men, Own Choice—1. Peter Mac- from one man alone, and one might easily Queen, Ardgour. have assumed that he had only 6 to narrate. StrontianSolo Singing—Unpublished . Song-—1. Morag Brown, In South Uist over 180 songs, with very fine Solo Singing—Morvern Song (Prizes presented by melodies and very full texts, were recorded the Glasgow Morvern Society)-—1. Maty Fraser from a certain lady. The husband, who had Strontian; 2. Morag Brown, Strontian; 3. Christina been married to her for over 30 years, did not MacPhee,Solo Singing—Prescribed Mingary. Song—Ladies—1. Chris- know she had more than one song until the tina MacPhee, Mingary; 2. Mary Fraser, Strontian. summer of 1951. Recently very fine folktales Duet Singing—Own Choice of Song —1. Mary have been recorded from the tinker communities Fraser, Strontian and Moiag Brown, Strontian. and other sources in Aberdeen and Perthshire, Brown,Solo Singing—FormerStrontian; 2. Christina 1st Prize MacPhee,Winners—1. Mingary. Morag and this material has, been . recorded in Scots- English. There appears to be less on the Borders, Junior Choir SPECIALwith highest PRIZES number of marks for but then extensive areas await investigation. Gaelic. Prize presented by Mr. Alasdair Cameron, Calum Maclean, Bunalteachain.—LochalineArdnamurchan . Mod Silver School Pendant,Choir. Ladies— [To be continued) Highest18—Christina aggregate MacPhee, of ma'ks Mingary. in Competitions 14 and. AN GAIDHEAL THE GAEL Editor — J. THOMSON, M.A., F.E.I.S., 116 WEST SAVILE TERRACE, EDINBURGH to whom all correspondence should be addressed except that concerning advertising, which should be addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer, 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C.2. Telephone: DOUglas 1433. L«abhar LV AN DAMHAIR, 1960 Aireamh 10

CO-GHRUINNEACHADH NAN CEILTEACH BHA riochdairean as na sia duthchannan mhisde sinn anns na duthchannan eile an Ceilteach cruinn an Aberystwith toiseach eisimpleir a leantainn. | an fhoghair. Fad seachdaineach bha iad Ged nach robh cuid againn a riamh roimhe an comunn a cheile lei an deidh la, a’ meamh- anns a’ bhaile, agus ged a bha a’ mhor-chuid rachadh air na nithean sonraichte anns a bheil de na bha an lathair ’ nan coigrich dhuinn nuair j uidh aca mar chinnich, air na subhailcean a a rainig sinn, dhealaich sinn riutha mar ri tha toinnte ’nan nadur, agus air an coraichean dluth chairdean air am bi cuimhne chiibhraidh ! is an seasamh a measg sloigh na Roinn-Eorpa. againn air son iomadh la. B’ fhiach e dhuinn Nochdadh fior spiorad carranach is coibhneil an earraig a thoirt ged nach tugadh sinn air I chan ann a mhain leis na coigrich a thainig ais linn ach cuimhne air dilseachd gach fine I astar fada ach mar an ceudna, agus air mhodh fa leth do’n coir-bhreith, do’n dileab mhath- I ctraidh, leis na Cuimrich a thug cuireadh agus aireil—an canain—agus do chach a cheile. I aoidheachd fhialaidh do gach neach a bha an Ach dhioghlaim sinn o gach facal seaghail | lathair. Cha do dh’fhagadh rum diomolaidh taitneach ris na dh’eisd sinn, agus o gach pong I air laimh seach laimh. ciuil o bhilean- is o chlarsaich a rinn cagar ’nar cluais, agus o na h-aitean a thadhail sinn agus I Chan eil e ’nar rim iomradh a dManamh an gach ni a bhlais sinn, eblas nach robh againn, | so air gach cuspair air an tugadh lamh, no air misneachd ’nar oidhirpean, agus mothachadh b ceol is caidreamh, air fleadh is ceilidh, air air comain nach bi soirbh a phaidheadh . Tha I sugradh is aighir, ged a bha gach ni dhiubh e do-sheachnaichte feumail gum biodh muinntir lj sin gun soradh. Tha dochas againn gum bi nan tirean Ceilteach ag urachadh is a’ neartach- | seanachas solusach mionaideach anns an ath adh cairdeis, a’ roinn 'nam measg fhein nan | iireamh air gach ni a thachair. dileaban sonraichte a bhuineas dhaibh, agus | Bha an duthaich mu’n cuairt, le a beanntan a’ misneachadh a cheile ’nan oidhirpean gu |) glasa agus a glinn fheurach fo spreidh is a bhith cumail bed fa chomhair an t-saoghail || raointean fo throm bharr, taitneach do’n oighreachd an spioraid a tha cho muirneach K t-suil. Cha robh an aimsir air dheireadh a aca fhein. || bharrachd ann a bhith lionadh cridhe le solas. Mar chinnich an tirean beaga, mar oighrea- fl| An Oil-thigh a’ bhaile far an robh sinn a’ chan agus luchd-gleidhidh seann ghnathsan 1 coinneachadh bha gach comhfhurtachd is saors- luachmhor, tha feuman nan Ceilteach agus an R ainn a bha feumail. Cha robh neach a’ toirt doigh-beatha ’gan tathadh ri cheile ged nach R birr air na h-oideachan foghluim agus cinn-iiiil ionnan an eachdraidh no an suidheachadh aig K a' bhaile ann a bhith frithealadh nan coinneamh- an am. Agus tha rudan againn an tasgaidh 1^ an agus a’ freasgairt air feum nan uile fa ’nar cridhe is ’nar spiorad air a bheil an It leth. Tha iad so airidh air moladh; cha bu saoghal an diugh a’ cur feuma. — 107 — GILLEAN BAILE SGARBH Le Iain MacGilleathain SANN aig reiteach ann am Baile Sgarbh— Bheil fhios agad, a dhuine, nach eil air fhagail baile beag ann am fear de na h-eileanan de’n phiob ach an dos mor?” iomallach san lar—a laigh mo shuil an Cha do dh’abair Uilleam truagh diog, ach toiseach air Domhnall Gleusda, agus, gu dearbh, thug e am baile muigh air, agus a mhustash ’s e fhein a bha coimhead fraiceil an oidhche ud. ruadh aige a nis geal le blathaich. Lean mise Thachaic greis roimhe so gun do dh’fhalbh mo charaid suas gu cnoc breagha gorm a bha ‘ ‘Fear nam Butan’ ’ no, mar a their iad sa’ goirid o’n tigh far an robh Seumas Beag cheana Bheurla, “polisman” a Baile Sgarbh, agus co ’na shuidhe ’ga dhotaireachd fhein le arag thainig 'na aite ach balach 6g snasail tlachd- ghlan de ghaoith a tuath. mhor, ged a rugadh e a mach os cionn Lunnainn Shios ann an glaic bhig aig bonn a’ chnuic an aiteiginn. Thuit am balach 6g ann an bha giullan 6g gu trang a’ ruideas an null ’sa trom ghaol air Annag, nighean Fhearchair, agus nail le struighlear agus cha bu bheag a’ fuaim ’s e sin a dh’fhag reiteach anns a’ bhaile bheag a bha e a’ deanamh. “Chan eil na balaich an oidhche so. Sasunnach ann no as, ‘'polisman” ag coimhead ach gu math tixrsach an diugh” , ann no as, dh’fheumadh e cumail ri riaghailtean arsa Seumas. “Och tha sinn na’s fhearr a an eilein, agus co dhiu bhiodh a’ bhanais mor nis”, fhreagair Uilleam agus e ’ga leigeil no beag, no ged nach biodh banais idir ann, fhein sios gu socair air a’ chnoc. “Ach gu dh’fheumadh an reiteach a bhi ainmeii. dearbh b’fhearr leam fhein gun toireadh am Bha mise fuireach airson lathaichean comhla balach ud am monadh air leis an t-sruighlear. ri mo charaid, Uilleam Piobaire, agus fhuair Tha a fuaim aige direach a’ dol troimh’n mi cuireadh, no mar a chanadh iad, fiadhachadh smior-chaillich agam. Ach co leis e co dhiu?” thun na reitich. Mu ochd uairean feasgar “Mata sud” , arsa Seumas Beag, “a’ fear is shuidheadh sios aig bord gu biadh is deoch, bige aig Dbmhnall Gleusda.” “An damiti” agus, air m’onair, bha bruidhinn gu math mar a h-e’ ’, ars Uilleam, ‘ ‘agus tha sin direach ealanta dol air gach taobh, gus mu dheireadh a’ toirt gum chuimhne gun do gheall mi dhut an do ghealladh lamh Anna do’n choigreach ille”, agus e tionndadh riumsa, “sgeul innse choir. Cha do thoisich an reiteach doigheil dhut mu Dhbmhnall Gleusda’ ’. uige sin—brain is dramannan is ruidhlean mu “An nis mun teid, mi na’s fhaide feumaidh seach. mi innse dhut gu bheil Dbmhnall uamhasach Bha gillean gasda agus nigheanan riomhach deidheil air saoidhean. Fuar no blath; in- an sud an oidhche ud, ach ’s ann air leth-sheann no goirt; cruaidh no saillte bha Dbmhnall coma; duine a laigh mo shuil. Bha e air eideadh ann cha mhor nach itheadh e amh e. Seadh mata an deise ghorm le gainnsidh gorm Gaidhealach, bha sinn air cheilidh aon oidhche an tigh agus 'se e fhein a bha sgiobalta.mu na casan. Sheumais Bhig an so. Bha Ruaraidh Dubh, Cha robh gille 6g a thigeadh suas ris. Thug a bha daonnan a’ buaireadh dhaoine gu triob- mi aire gu robh fear a’ phige gu math dha, agus laid, ’na shuidhe air cliabh mbnadh a’ tarruing gach uair a gheibheadh e te, bha an gaire a air sutag pioba gu math tosdach, ach labhair bha boillsgeadh aodainn a’ fas na bu mhotha. e as a chiil-tamh, Cha b’e sin a mhain, ach ’s e cheud fhear a “Tha mi fhein de’n bheachd a Dhbmhnaill bhiodh air an urlar anns gach ruidhle. gu bheil an fhior am agad pbsadh, a Dhbmhnaill. ‘ ‘Co tha sud ?’ ’, arsa mise ri Uilleam Piobaire. Chan eil thu ach ag call do shuim leat fhein ‘ ‘Sud’ ’ ars esan, ‘ ‘Dbmhnall Gleusda. Chan thall an sin le deagh thigh agus stoc math, eil uine agam an drasda innse dhut mu ’dheidh- gun duine ag coimhead as do dheidh. Tha inn ach innsidh mi dhut am maireach. Feum- dearbh fhios agam fhein gu bheil te no dha an aidh mi falbh agus an Coe Ard a chluich air a’ Sgorr Buidhe a tha, cho deidheil ort ’s a tha phlob’ ’. faoileag air sgadan. Nam faigheadh tu te Uairean beaga na maidne mun do dh'fhag dhiubh, bhiodh tu gu math toilichte lamh mise, bha deannan math as mo dheidh. ’S rithe ’nad shuidhe aig do theine fhein”.—Sin a’ mhadainn cha robh mo charaid, Uilleam, a’ mar a thubhairt Ruaraidh. faireachdainn ro mhath ach thug a bhean air “Chan e mo bheachd,” arsa Dbmhnall gu cuman lan de bhlathaich 61 agus i ag radh ris, socair, “gu bheil thu fhein cho deidheil sin a “Gu dearbh fhein, mm a b’e reiteach “polis- bhith aig do theine fhein; chan eil thu da man” a bh’ann an raoir, bhithinn a’ falbh an oidhche sa’ bhliadhna nach fhaighear thu air drasda ’gad thoirt a mach as a’ phriosan. chbilidh, agus a bharrachd air a sin, bha thu fh6in seachad air a bhith ’nad Dhonnachadh Og tacain eile ach thubhairt Ruaraidh gu robh mun do phos thu’ ’. gnothaichean a’ fas ro dhoirbh buileach agus ‘ ‘Bha’', arsa Ruairaidh, ‘ ‘ach mise bha thall nach ruigeamaid Sgorr Buidhe an oidhche ud. ’s a chunnaic agus air a phosas tusa, a Dhomh- “Mata’’, arsa mise “’s e rud as fhearr a naill, bithidh thu ag radh mar a tha mise an ni sinn tadhal shuas an so san tigh aig Sebras drasda—B’fhearr learn gun do rinn mi e bho Riaslach, agus fanaidh sinn an sin gus an tig chionn fhada” . Co-dhiu, fagaidh mi sin agad an oidhche na’s fhearr agus an stad an sneachda’ ’ fhein an drasda, ach ma ni thu suas d’inntinn, Cho mor ’s gun robh ’n deonbhaigh aig Ruaraidh falbhaidh mi fhein comhla riut a dh’iarraidh air tigh Fhionnlaigh an Sgorr Buidhe a ruighinn lamh Sheonag Fhionnlaigh sa’ Ghleann Mhor’ ’. dh’ aontaich e gum bu shabhailte dhoibh gun Dh’fhag sinn an tigh ceilidh leis an so, ach dol na’s fhaide. An uine ghoirid rainig sinn nuair a bha sinn air an starsnaich, thug Domh- fasgadh an tigh Sheorais agus gu dearbh cha nall riobag asam fh6in, ag radh, “Chan eil mi ruigeamaid a leas bualadh aig an dorus. Rinn ag radh, Uilleim, nach fhaodadh gun deach na sinn starban gu leoir air an starsnaich a’ feuch- bliadhnaich agam a null thun na croite agad, ainn ris an t-sneachda a chrathadh dhinn, agus agus ’ s fhearr dhomh coimhead a null’ ’. tha mi creidsinn gun do shaoil Seoras coir gu Nuair a bha sinn a nis ceumannan air falbh robh eich Baile Sgarbh air tighinn chun an bho chach, thubhairt Domhnall rium, doruis aige. Ach co-dhiubh ghabh sinn a “A nis, Uilleim, bha mi riamh ag coimhead steach. ort mar dheagh charaid nach fhosgladh a bheul Bha Seoras Riaslach ’na shuidhe mu choinn- nuair nach bu choir dha, ach a bheil thu eamh an teine agus ’s ann air eiginn a chitheadh smaointinn an gabhadh Seonag Fhionnlaigh tu a cheann glas leis a’ smuid a bha os a chionn turus rium? A leotharra rachainn g’a h- agus e tarruing gu trang air piob chreadh. Bha iarraidh am maireach, nam bithinn a’ smaoin- Floraidh, a nighean a bha coimhead as a dheigh, tinn nach diultadh i mi' ’. an oir an teine a’ leughadh. “Och, a dhuine,’’ arsa mise, “ged is i “Tha sibh ann, a chAirdean’’, arsa Seoras. caileag cho grinn ’sa tha san eilean, nach eil ‘ ‘Thigibh a steach agus suidhibh sios’ ’. thu fhein gu math dheth le crodh is caoraich “Nach ann an sin tha’n oidhche,'’ arsa agus deagh dhachaidh; agus ged a tha thu rud Floraidh’s i ag eirigh sios gu ceann iochdrach beag sean san adhairc, tha mi gle chinnteach an tighe. nach diultadh i thu’ ’. Thug mi fhein an aire nach robh Floraidh Leis na faclan sin thog Domhnall frog an air uamhasach fhein boidheach ged nach d’fhuair agus thubhairt e—“Seadh, a charaid, matk mi ach sealladh dhith. Bha sron mhbr ghorm ni sinn plan; falbhaidh mi fhein 's tu fhein oirre agus car ann an te de na suilean aice, agus Ruaraidh Dubh suas oidhche Diar-daoin agus bha a gruag ’na strabh mar nach fhaiceadh gu Sgorr Buidhe a choimhead air Fionnlagh, i cir bho chionn seachdain. Co-dhiubh, bha agus bheir sinn deur beag leinn. Nis chi mi faclan againn air fad ri Seoras mu’n t-side; fhein Ruaraidh am maireach. Cum fo’n urlar mu ghanntar fodair agus mu phailteas an na thubhairt mi riut agus tachraidh tu rium iasgaich gus an do leig Seoras eubh as—“A fhein 's ri Ruaraidh aig ceann an rathaid Fhlbraidh, nuas is dean balgam ti’’. “Tha oidhche Dhiar-daoin aig coig uairean’ ’. mi tighinn’’, thainig guth a iochdar an tighe. So mar a bha. Mu choig uairean feasgar Nochd Flbraidh a nuas agus m’anam fhein, Diar-daoin, dh’ullaich mise mi-fhein agus thog cha b’e sud Floraidh a chaidh sios. Bha fait mi orm gu ceann an rathaid. Bha Ruaraidh air a chireadh gu riomhach air ais agus e ’na ’na sheasamh an sin a’ lionadh na pioba agus chuidhe an cul a cinn; bha gruaidhean breagha bha Domhnall a’ spaisdaireachd air ais ’s air dearg agus bha an t-sron ghorm a nis banail aghaidh. Bha othail mhor air Domhnall gu Mn. B’e mo mhor bharail fhein gur ann a deanamh air falbh, ach thubhairt mi fhein biith nan drogaichean san Oban a thiinig na riutha nach robh oirre ach coltas an t-sneachda dathan a bh’air aodann Floraidh. agus gum b’fhearr dhuinn deanamh air Bealach Chunna mi Ruaraidh Dubh a’ toirt suil na Lice, oir ghearradh so mile no dh& bh&rr oirre agus chiag e shuil ri Dbmhnall. Lean an rathaid mhoir gu Sgorr Buidhe. suilean Dhomhnaill i bho’n dorus gus an Sin direach mar a rinn sinn ach cha robh d’ rainig i ’ n teine, agus nuair a choimhead e gu sinn bharr da mhile air falbh nuair a thoisich fuadain ormsa, 's ann a chiag mise mi fhein cur is cathadh, agus bha choiseachd a’ fas gu mo shixil. An sin thug Dbmhnall crathadh math na bu duilghe. Bha mi fhein agus Ruaraidh beag air fhein, ag radh gum b’fhearr dha airson tilleadh dhachaidh, ach cha chluinneadh sealltainn ach an robh an oidhche na b’fhearr. Domhnall iomradh air. Lean sinn oirnn car ‘ ‘Tha i nas miosa na bha i riamh’ ’, ars esan ’s e tilleadh a stigh. “Coma co-dhiu feuch dhomh gloine, a Fhloraidh, agus gabhaidh sinn Am Feachd Gaidhealach deur beag’ ’. Fhuair Floraidh a’ ghloine agus ghabh gach San Eiphit fear againn deagh dhram a botul Dhomhnaill CHAN eil fada bho leugh mi briathran fir agus mhol sinn gu math an sugh a bh’ann. a bha a’ gearan nach do rinneadh moran “An da’’, arsa Seoras, “fhuair mi fhein botul bardachd Gaidhlig mu’n chogadh mu a Peairt an de agus bho nach do dh’fheuch mi dheireadh. ’S esan nach leigeadh a leas sin fhathast e, 's e so an t-am” . a dheanamh. Chan e an fheadhainn a bha ri Ma bha a’ chiad dhram math, ’sea bha uchd teine is docha an cab a bhith air an gualainn math an darna fear. Bha gach duine a nis ach iadsan nach deach na b’fhaisge riamh air a’ fas na b’fhearr gu bruidhinn ach mar nach cunnart na eibheall a thuiteam orra as a’ robh Ruaraidh Dubh riamh air deireadh, ’s ghriosaich. Co-dhiu, chan eil fosgladh beoil ann a dh’eirich e ’na sheasamh, is thug e leth- agam nach fhaca is nach cuala mi bardachd bhodach a mach as a phoca. Thug e suil air Ghaidhlig a rinn fir a bha an cunnart am beatha Floraidh agus ma thug cha b’e sin an t-suil air muir ’s air tir agus anns an adhar (ged nach fhuadain. “Mata Dhomhnaill, tha mi fhein do rainig na Domhnallaich an airde sin fhathast) sa’ bheachd nach ruig thu a leas a dhol nas —agus, co-dhiu, fagaidh mi sin aig an fheadh- fhaide air do thurus’ ’. Leum Domhnall air ainn a tha a’ deanamh an aoraidh uir do’n a chois, rug e air laimh air Ruaraidh agus ghrein is do’n ghealaich—iadsan a tha fiachainn thubhairt e, a dhol ’nan rathad. “Tha thu gle cheart, a charaid, tha mi gle Bha reiseamaid de na Camshronaich sa’ dheonach’ ’. cheathramh Roinn Innseanach, agus bha beachd ‘ ‘Seadh mata’ ’, arsa Ruaraidh agus e toirt caraid is namhaid orra mar shaighdearan gloine do Sheoras, “tha Domhnall ’na dheagh sgoinneil. So frith-chainnt a chuala mi gu dhuine ag iarraidh laimh bhur nighinn Floraidh minic san Fhasach-an-Iar: ‘ ‘Co tha sa’ cheath- mar bhean phosda.’’ “Ma-ta gu dearbh,” ramh Roinn Innseanach ?” “ Na Camshronaich arsa Seoras, “ma tha iad riaraichte, ni mise —’s iad na Camshronaich an ceathramh Roinn mor ghairdeachas; de tha thu ag radh, a Flor- Innseanach!” Thug mi greis comhla ris an aidh?” . dara Roinn-airm a New Zealand, agus chuala “O” , arsa Floraidh ann an guth beag banail mi so aig oifigich agus aig saighdearan: ‘ ‘Tha ‘ ‘nach mise tha sona’ ’. fhios againn gu bheil saighdearan matha againn ach chan eil leisg no naire oirnn an ceann-toisich Cha robh san tigh ach a’ choigear againn, ach a thoirt do na Camshronaich.” ged nach robh, rinn sinn reiteach beag laghach Chan urrainn duine nach robh san laraich a dhuinn fhein. Thraigh sinn na botuil. An sin chreidsinn a’ bhuaidh a thug an Roinn Ghaidh- thuirt Floraidh, “Tha mi smaointinn gun ealach air spiorad is air misneachd an Ochdaimh cuir mi air buntata agus saoidhean’ ’. Ma Airm nuair a rainig iad an Eiphit. An teis- bha Domhnall Gleusda ann an teagamh roimhe meadhon a’ chogaidh bha mi ann an camp so, gu cinnteach bha fios c’aite an robh a shaighdearan aig Amzria, eadar El-Alamein chridhe an nis. Leum e null gu Floraidh, agus Cathair-Alasdair. Bha an namhaid air chuir e lamh mu h-amhaich agus e ag radh, ruaig an duine dhuibh a chur air na saighdearan ‘ ‘Sin thu fhein a ghradhag agus fhad ’s a bhios againne, agus thuit an sud ’s an sad air a chuile iad a bruich ni sinn ruidhle. Rinn mi fhein duine. Thigeadh na fogaraich thugainn a la is Ruaraidh Dubh, Domhnall agus -Floraidh ’s a dh’oidhche agus an aon imcheist chianail ruidhle agus bha Seoras fhein ag cluich an air gach fear aca—“Ciamar a gheibh sinn fheadain. teicheadh mun cuir na Gearmailtich an Eiphit Sin mar a thachair do Dhomhnall Gleusda a fodhpa fhein?” An tuiteam na h-oidhche air dh’fhag an tigh a’ dol a dh’iarraidh lamh feasgar araidh bha na bha sa’ champ cho Seonaig, nighean Fhearchair agus a reitich ri balbh, dubhach ’s a dh’fhoghnadh. Cha robh agus a phos Floraidh nighean Sheorais. Tha moran feala-dha na fearas-chuideachd air lorg iad gu math toilichte an diugh le an cuid cloinne, aca. ged tha mi smaointinn gu bheil an t-sron aig Thainig oifigeach Sasunnach a steach far an Floraidh a’ sior fhas gorm agus mor. robh sinn. Cha bu luaithe a nochd e a shron ’S e Domhnall Gleusda a rinn an t-iasgach na dh’eubh e iird a chlaiginn, “The 51st is an oidhche ud—fhuair e am biadh agus gu here!” Thug fear is fear suil air mar gum h-araid an t-iasg a b’fhearr leis agus air an aon b’e tabharnach a bha ann. Nuair a ghabh iad dubhan bha Floraidh aige cuideachd. a steach brigh a sheanachais thoisich neoil na [Dh'innseadh an sgeul-sa air an radio.) diobhail-misnich air sgapadh. Cha robh fada — 110 — gus an do nochd triuir oifigeach Gaidhealach grein, ach na bi ro chinnteach gun ith thu iad; ’nam feilidhean, agus ma nochd, cha do rinn- tha creutairean falachaidh eile a’ feitheamh eadh barrachd toileachaidh ri ainglean! Chaidh riutha, agus suarach aca co ris a tha dull an camp a bha mar tigh-aire gu bhith ’na agad-sa. Thig an cal air adhart, 's e thig, thigh-bainnse. Is iomadh rud a chunnaic mi ach faodaidh, mur a toir thu a’ cheart aire, a chuir iongnadh mo bheatha orm, ach is e an gur h-e namhaid a thig air sg6ith aig am bi t-atharrachadh so sixileagan bu mhotha a fhuair e, agus nach bi agad ach an gad air an robh mi riamh. Faisg air an aon am thachair rud an t-iasg, Agus air son tomatoes, seachainn eile—bha Ard-cheannard iir aig an Ochdamh iad mur a h-aithne dhut barrachd mu’n deidhinn Arm. Co is urrainn a radh le cinnt an e ormsa. Cha ghann nach geall iad, ach 's e Macgomaraid no an Roinn Gaidhealach a chuir rud eile a tha ann an gealladh a choimhlionadh. spiorad na buaidhe is misneachd catha san Chan ionann iad sin idir is craobh nan ubhal. Ochdamh Arm. Is e mo bheachd gu robh cuid Tha ise seasamh leatha fhein an taobh an liosa mhath aca dheth le cheile. So agaibh rud a a’ giulan toradh trom bliadhna an deidh thuirt oifigeach gaisgeil, sgrinneil a mhuinntir bliadhna. Chan eil duine sealltainn as a Chalanais rium an oidhche mun do thoisich deidh mur gearrar barran nan geug mu shamh- Blar Alamein: “Bheir sinn a nis fead orra!” ain, ach chan aithnichear sin air aireamh na Chan fhaca mi Iain coir bho sguir an cogadh meud na dreach nan iibhlan leis a bheil i cho ach chuala mi gu bheil e air ceann sgoile an luchdaichte. Cha chum i dad air ais ged nach Siorrachd Rois. Ged nach b’e sin a ghnath- eil i faighinn moran aire mar a tha lusan is obair ’s e saighdear is oifigeach deanta a bha measan eile a’ gharraidh. ann, agus is icmadh fear a fhuair ard-urram ’S aithne dhomh feadhainn eile aig a bheil nach robh cho geal an airidh air ris-san. Tha fios cho math rium fhin gu bheil craobh thorach mi an dochas gun d’ fhuair e os cionn gach leoin agam anns an lios. Thig iad an deagh am, a rinneadh air, agus nach dean e feannadh-builg mar a thig a’ chuthag sa’ Cheitein na an traon ma dh’aithnicheas e co tha sgriobhadh so. san Og-mhios, gu cul a’ gharraidh; cumaidh Chuir fear a bha thall ’s a chunnaic rainn ri iad aon suil ormsa agus suil eile air a’ chraoibh. cheile mu’n rud air a bheil mi a’ bruidhinn, “Chan eil iad abaich fhathast,” canaidh iad agus tha cead agam a chur an ceill. Cha dean (tha mi cinnteach) riutha fhein. “Thig sinn e math dhomh innse co a rinn iad ged a tha mi a ris.” Agus ma thuirt, thig. Chan ann aig cho eolach air is a tha mi air mo leth-chois. na balaich bheaga a thoisich miann air iibhlan So caob de na rainn. an toiseach. Tha sin a’ toirt ’nam chuimhne Chan eil eis no inneas air na gillean ’s iad la anns an sgoil Shabaid. Saoilidh mi an diugh 'nan eideadh, gur h-ann an saoghal eile a thachair e, agus ’S a choisicheas gu curranta air gainn- nach b’e mise a dh’eisd idir. Bha an t-eildeir eamh glas na h-Eiphit. coir ag innseadh dhuinn aon uair eile mar a Cha b’e Macgomaraid a dh’aindeoin.brag thug itheadh na h-iibhla eiginn is sgrios air is eigheach daoine. Rinn an eachdraidh deargadh air ar Thug cumadh churaidhean air feachd ’s e n-inntinnean maotha. Air an rathad dhachaidh ’n impis geillidh bha sinn a’ tighinn air na nithean a chuala sinn. Ach teachd an airm Albannaich a b’ ainmeile So a’ bhreith a thug mac an eildeir air an fhear measg threun-fhear a dh’ith an ubhal: “Nach b’e am bug . . . Gus ruaig a chur air Gearmailtich ’s Rommel Adhamh.” chur ’na eiginn, Ged is e Macgomaraid le iuil a thog a Eirinn Chuir rian is doigh air barailean nach Calum Iain MacGilleathain deanadh idir streuchdadh. Gun-ainm. Nach Mairean Bithidh ionndrainn air an t-sar sgoilear, Calum Iain MacGilleathain, M.A., a chaochail an Dalabrog, far an robh e air chuairt, o chionn A’ Ghraobh Ubhal sia seachdainean. Chan ann a mhain san Chan e fior gharradair math a tha annamsa diithaich so a bha meas air, ach an iomadh idir ged is mor an uine a tha mi call anns an diithaich eile, far a bheil tlachd aig daoine lies. Is iomadh briseadh-dixile a tha mi ann an eachdraidh agus am beul-aithris an faighinn re an t-samhraidh gach bliadhna. Na t-sluaigh. nithean as gealltanaiche aig toiseach fais nach Is ann fo stiuireadh Comunn Bealoideas trie a liiigas is a sheargas iad mus tig iad gu Eireann (Irish Folklore Commission) a thoisich fearachas. Seasaidh na currain gu stobach ri e a’ cruinneachadh sheanchas agus uirsgeul o chionn ceithir bliadhna deug; ach cho luath fosglaidh e dorus a steach do rioghachd an ’s a ghabh Oil-thigh Dhun Eideann os laimh t-sonais agus na saorsa nuair nach bi duil agad a’ cheart obair a dheanamh o chionn naoi ris. Bheir e misneachd dhuinn nuair a tha ar bliadhna thainig e air ais do’n duthaich so, dochas ’gar treigsinn. Mur biodh e ’s ann far na shaothraich e tuilleadh. dorch a bhiodh an saoghal dhuinn aig amannan. Bha e neo-chumanta math air an obair, agus “Bha an stoirm cruaidh,’’ ars esan, “agus e cho doigheil, snasail, cho cinnteach ri a chaill na maraichean am misneachd agus an bhith eolach, fiosrach, anns na rinn e. Duine treoir, ach bhris an la agus bha cala tiarainte sfeimh iriosal, le fearas-chuideachd air leth ann a’ fosgladh rompa.’’ a measg eolach; agus an am tinneis is fulangais Air an laimh eile tha am facal-sa deiseil gu bha e an comhnuidh foighidneach, misneachail. bhith togail air ar beulaibh iomnaidh an aite Sgriobh e leabhar grinn mu’n Ghaidhealtachd, sithe, agus eagail is ball-chrith an aite samh- a thainig a mach an uiridh, agus bithidh e aig chaire is foise. “Bha mi air mo dhoigh,” daoine mar chuimhneachan mhaireannach air. thuirt fear rium, ‘ ‘ach chuir cuibhle an fhortain car eile dith. Bha mi aon uair air mo thobht- B’e Calum Iain an treas fear bu shine de aichean mora ach seall a nis, chan eil annam choignear bhraithrean, agus a h-uile fear aca ach truaghan bochd.’’ So facal agus nuair a ’na sgoilear barraichte. Is ann do Ratharsaidh chi thu e faodaidh tu a bhith cinnteach nach a bhuinneadh an teaghlach. Tha co-fhair- eil cuisean idir mar a bha diiil agad; an dara eachdainn againn ri a bhraithrean agus a dhithis cuid tha d’fhortan deante, no tha la an aigh pheathraichean, agus gu h-araid ri a mhathair seachad. ’ S e geata a tha ann eadar rioghachd a bha a’ fuireach comhla ris an Dun Eideann. is rioghachd, agus gu trie bidh an duthaich a Cha robh e ach da fhichead bliadhna ’s a eoig. tha thu fagail tur eadar-dhealaichte ris an te A.D. do bheil thu dol.

Facail Bheaga Our Gaelic Heritage ’S e facal beag gniomhach a tha anns an THE main question that concerns us here fhacal ach. Togaidh e balla romhad, no leag- is how best to preserve our Gaelic aidh e fear ri lar air son ceum-coise dhut. heritage. Those who are deeply in- Bheir e suil air a’ bheachd as daingnichte mus terested in the traditions and culture of the gabh e ris, agus cuiridh e teagamh anns an Gaelic speaking people of Scotland are anxiously eolas as doimhne agus as farsainge gus am bi asking themselves the question, How can we e fhein lan riaraichte. Ma gheibh ach an stem the tide that is threatening to engulf our cothrom as lugha gu bhith cur cas-bhacaig ort Gaelic heritage? They know that this is a glacaidh e e. “Tha thusa creidsinn sin,’’ vital question, and one that demands urgent their e, “ach so mo bheachd-sa. Dean thusa attention. They know, too, that delay in an rud a tha thu faicinn iomchuidh ach cha stemming the tide now means ultimate and tugainn-sa a’ chomhairle ort falbh idir.’’ Sin irrevocable loss. But the solution to the dol-a-mach a bhios aig an fhacal-sa co-dhiubh. problem is by no means easy. Tha suil an amharais aige fosgailte daonnan. The forces at present arrayed against the Chan eil muinghinn aige ann an ni sam bith preservation of the Gaelic language and culture gus an seall e air an clar an aodainn an toiseach. are formidable, and only carefully planned and Cha trie a bhios e air an aon ramh ris an sgioba vigorously executed counter action will be of oir tha a shuilean air a ghualainn tuilleadh ’s much avail. The strongest enemy of all, a’ choir. Lorgaidh e an leisgeul as lugha gu perhaps, has been, and still is, the general bhith cur maille ’nad cheum, agus ged nach apathy of the people most intimately concerned. biodh leisgeul aige cuiridh e casg air do chomh- Gaelic speakers themselves do not appreciate radh. the true value of their ancient heritage. Too Nuair a gheibh thu steach air ach agus a often they failed to support those who were leughas tu a chridhe chi thu nach eil e idir cho ready to press their legitimate claims and feineil no cho beag faireachadh ’s a shaoileas rights because they never fully realized the tu. ’Sea dhilseachd do’n fhirinn agus a importance of having two worlds of thought and dhurachd a thaobh ceartas gach cuise agus language to move in. Perhaps they will never seasmhachd gach beachd is aobhar nach math awake to a real sense of what they are losing leis ceum a thoirt an cabhaig no duine a ghabhail until it is too late. This apathy must in some air fhacal gun fhianuis. way be shaken or the battle is already lost. Tha e teo-chridheach ris an fheumach, agus {Continued on page 116) I

LEARNER’S PAGE Is ann mar sin a bha. Cheangail an dealan- That is just what happened. The Butterfly de crios oir mu a chois dheis; chuir e tri fastened a golden belt round his right foot; he maighdeagan lainnearach am bac easgaid; placed three polished scallop shells in the sgaoil e a sgiathan breacain ri gaoith bhuig hough of his leg; he spread his tartan bhlaith an an fheasgair is thog e air. Chuir e wings in the soft warm wind of the a chul ris an airde tuath is aghaidh ris an airde evening and set off. He set his back to the deas, is fad sheachd sheachdainean samhraidh north and his face to the south, and during dh’ imich e gun a sgios a leigeil thar aimhnichean, seven summer weeks he journeyed without thar achaidhean, thar iomairean, thar bheann, resting, across rivers, over plains, over fields, thar ghleann, thar chuaintean gus an do rainig over mountains, over glens, over oceans until e an t-eilean uaine, far nach laigh grian is he reached the green isle where sun does not nach eirich gealach is far nach cualas set nor moon rise, and where no sound was ever riamh ach fuaim an taibh is guileag heard save the sound of the sea and the note na h-eala bhain a tha ’na suidhe air tolman of the white swan which is sitting on a green uaine ’na theis-meadhoin. Seachd seachd- knoll in the centre of it. For seven weeks this ainean ni an eala so cadal gun dusgadh; ach swan sleeps without wakening; but on the air an t-seachdamh Domhnach duisgidh i is seventh Sunday she awakes and utters three ni i tri guileagan cho binn is gun eisd an cruinne notes so sweet that the world listens and the is gun toir clasair nan cnoc osna bhroin as le harpist of the hills moans sorrowfully through eud. Rainig an dealan-de an cnoc; rinn e jealousy. The butterfly reached the hill; he iteag tri uairean mu thimcheall na h-eala; flew three times round the swan; he leant on leig e a thaic air bileig fheoir; chuir e maighdeag a blade of grass; he placed a shell under his fo cheann is rinn e cadal. Bhruadair e gun head and slept. He dreamt that he was in a robh e an caisteal righ far an robh sparran an king’s castle where the rafters of the house tighe air an deanamh de shnath sioda, is were made of silk thread on which the king’s nigheanan an righ a’ dannsadh orra is bad de daughters were dancing with a tuft of herbs luibh-chneas am broilleach gach te dhiubh. in the bosom of each. He heard the sweetest Chuala e an t-aon cheol a bu bhinne chuala music that ear heard or heart imagined; music cluas no a smaointich cridhe; ceol a dhuisgeadh that would stir up love; music that would gaol; ceol a dh’fhogradh eagal; ceol a bheireadh drive away fear; music that would draw milk bainne bho’n chrodh sheasg. Ciod e a bha from barren cows. What was this but the swan’s an so ach guileag na h-eala is i a’ dusgadh. note as it awakened. The swan lifted a silver Thog an eala cuiseag airgid ’na gob, is cha stalk in her beak and no sooner had she lifted luaithe thog na thainig neul dubh air aghaidh it than a dark cloud covered the face of the na greine, is thoisich gach roinne feoir a bha sun, and every blade of grass on the island air an eilean air crathadh. Ciod a bha an so began to quiver. What was this but a flock ach sgaoth dh’eunlaidh cladaich a bha a’ of shore birds that answered the swan’s note, freagairt guileag na h-eala is a bha tighinn le and which were coming with food and drink biadh is deoch gu aoigheachd a dheanamh do’n to entertain the butterfly. dealan de. “Is mise,” ars an dealan-de, “mac iillidh “I,” said the butterfly, “am the comely nan speur a’ siubhal o dhiithchannan tuath gu son of the skies, journeying from northern tir mu dheas an toir air riar mo chridhe. countries to southern land seeking my heart’s Feumaidh i a bhith cho boidheach ri sobhrach desire. She must be as beautiful as the nan gleann; cho math gu banas-tighe ri seangan primrose of the glens; as good at housewifery garaidhean.’’ Thuirt an eala gun deanadh as the ant of the gardens.” The swan said she i cadal nan seachd seachdainean gus am faigh- would sleep for seven weeks to acquire the eadh i eolas nan tri saoghal is an sin gun tugadh knowledge of the three worlds: and that she i dha tri comharran leis am faigheadh e riar would then give him three signs by which he a chridhe. could discover his heart’s desire. Is ann mar sin a bha. Chuir an dealan-de That is just what happened. The butterfly seachad an uine ’g a fhailceadh fein is a’ passed the time bathing and despising the deanamh taire air a’ bhogha-froise a chionn rainbow because there were not as many colours nach robh uibhir de dhathannan ann is a bha in it as were in his wings. ’na sgiathan-san. — 113 — GAELIC POETS OF THE I8th CENTURY (5) John MacCodrum JOHN MacCodrum is to be identified, more these categories have this in common : the poetry than any of the widely acknowledged is “public” poetry, designed to edify or amuse eighteenth century boards, with the old the company to which it is recited. The poet Gaelic order. He was nurtured in a Gaelic is not communing with his own soul, or main- society, and spent his life in it; he belongs taining any pretence of investigating private unequivocally to the Gaelic literary tradition, feelings. His poetry is part of a communal and both the models for his songs and the activity which is completed only when it is occasions of these songs are native. Mac recited to the company and appreciated by the Mhaighstir Alasdair, Dugald Buchanan, William company. Not all poetry needs these con- Ross and Ewen MacLachlan all had some ditions . English schooling, and non-Gaelic influences are clearly to be seen in their works; Donnchadh The eloquence of this poetry, in both the Ban lived half his life in the Lowlands; even categories mentioned above, is beyond dispute. Rob Donn, with a less mixed background than MacCodrum uses a wide range of vocabulary the others, is further removed than MacCodrum and a rich idiom, which make his work an from the traditional order. important source for students of the Gaelic One should hasten to add that in literary language. His use of language is often vivid matters this Gaelic order was already far and usually dexterous. But it would not be decayed by the time of MacCodrum’s hey-day. unjust to say that his work shows a dexterity He was born in North Uist c. 1700 and died in using existing forms of language rather than in the year 1779. His editor, the Rev. William a truly creative handling and development of Matheson, is of the opinion that few of his language. The Oran mu’n Eideadh Ghaidh- extant songs can be dated earlier than 1749, ealach, whose eloquence is reminiscent of Mac and it seems to have been in late middle life Mhaighstir Alasdair’s work, is a good example that he made personal contact with the Mac- to take. Here an instance of creative use of Mhuirichs of South Uist, the descendants of a language, which seems exceptional in this long line of bards and the custodians of some poem, is an dedrrsadh chlogad (“their sheen of their manuscripts and of their historical and of helmets”). Examples from other poems are genealogical traditions. It is fairly clear that Fradharc a’ chuain uaibhrich chuislich (655)*, MacCodrum derived both stimulation and ’S trie a dh’ fhadhbhaich na sporain (566), Fear factual knowledge from these contacts with the ri geallaim ’s cha tbraim (575). This creative MacMhuirichs, and it is quite clear that his use of langauge can be distinguished from the appointment in 1763 as bard to Sir James verbal wit and dexterity which is found in MacDonald of Sleat put him on his mettle, generous measure in MacCodrum’s work, but and orientated his work in the direction of the especially in the humorous and satiric songs literary rather than the oral tradition. whose subjects give the best scope for his MacCodrum’s work falls clearly into two talents. The strength of a song such as Oran main categories. On the one hand there are na h-Aoise lies in the telling phrases, the the poems which he composed in virtue of his invective which we know is not malevolent— office to Sir James, and arising out of the in other words in the wit. In Caraid agus interests which he seems to have cultivated on Ndmhaid an Uisge-bheatha the cut and thrust accepting this office: poems such as Oran do of argument suits his style particularly well, Shir Seumas MacDhdmhnaill, Tdladh Iain allowing him to use the vivid colloquial lan- Mhiiideartaich, Moladh Chlann Dbmhnaill, Mar- guage of which he was a master. (Perhaps bhrann do Shir Seumas MacDhdmhnaill and deliberately, there is more wit in the stanzas Oran do Mhac ’ic Ailein. On the other hand in defence of whisky than in those attacking it. there are the more numerous songs which he We have the impression that the initiative rests composed for more local occasions, for a wedding with the Caraid, and of course it is the friendly (Duan na Bainnse), to satirise members of the poet who is making the running.) The same N. Uist community (Aoir Dhbmhnaill Friseil, linguistic dexterity can be seen in the descrip- A' Chbimhstri, Diomoladh Pioba Dhbmhnaill tion of the process of distilling whisky, a Bhdin, Oran nam Bantraichean, Aoir nan description which is masterly in its brevity Tdilleirean) or to give a humorous account and conciseness: of his own predicaments (Gearan air a Mhnaoi, * Line references are to Wm. Matheson, The Songs Oran do’n Teasaich, Banais MhicAsgaill). Both translationsof John MacCodrum are given (Edinburgh,of all the songs. 1938), where — 114 — Ge be thionnsgain no dh’ inntrig Chlann Dbmhnaill is a competent enough Air an ionnsramaid phriseil, professional job, but it is flat, as versified ’S duine grunndail ’na inntinn history often is. Oran do Mhac ’ic Ailein is a Bha gu h-innleachdach glic: poorer instance, and the Oran do Shir Seumas Thug o arbhar gu siol e, MacDhomhnaill, after a fairly promising be- Thug o bhraich gu ni ’s brigheil’, ginning in elegiac style, again deteriorates into Thug a prais ’na cheo Hath e undistinguished “clan” verse, with some Mach throimh chliath nan lub trie. bathetic imagery, such as taghadh gach speuclair (11. 581-8.) (1. 1573) and Na cairdean cho dileas The same wit appears in Diomoladh Pioba ’S a bha ’n inne ris a’ phaipeir. Dhdmhnaill Bhain, but the humour is more (11. 1685-6.) hilarious here. The use of canntaireachd terms Tdladh Iain Mhiirdeartaich is in somewhat adds to the hilarity of the piece. Domhnall different case. This unusual lullaby develops, Bcin, third-rate artist that he is, has to be in a not unfitting manner, into a resume of content with a sooty kiln as his concert-hall, MacDonald history, which includes this vivid, and he sits on the edge of the fire-place with a stark, and rather horrible reconstruction of the bundle of straw at his back, blowing his dis- scene after the battle of Inverlochy, in which sonant and evil-smelling pipes: MacCodrum follows Iain Lorn, but contrives to Chan fhaigh a’ chuis-bhuirt ud outdo him: Talla ’m bi muirn B’ iomadh fear cleoc agus abaid Ach ath air a muchadh Bha chota cho fliuch ri chaiseart, Le dubhdan 's le suidh; Foghlum an t-snaimh nach robh aige, Cha bhi s^ithear aig Domhnall, Air an aigeal laigh iad air ghur; ’S chan eirich e comhnard, Cha robh daol a’ faochnadh an cuirp, Ach suidh air an t-sorn Oir bha ’n aodach caol agus tiugh, Agus sbpag ri dhruim - Ni nach b’ iongnadh, aognaidh ’s e fliuch (11. 948-55.) (11. 1778-84.) The satire in this song is incisive, effective and The last four lines of this stanza make a brilliant above all humorous, although like many Gaelic exception to the statement made above that songs from the period it goes on too long. MacCodrum lacks imaginative power. Oran do’n Teasaich again gives MacCodrum The Marbhrann do Alasdair MacDhbmhnaill scope for his descriptive gifts, his wit, and is an bran mdr type of poem, which MacCodrum (in a restricted sense) comic imagination. The composed in 1760. Perhaps it was this song emaciated condition of the victim of fever is that helped to single him out as a likely can- well described; the legs are shrunken and didate for the office of bard to MacDonald of splayed, resembling more the flat blade of an Sleat. It is amazing how widespread competence oar than its rounded shaft: in this form of verse was in the eighteneth Gur pailt liagh dhaibh seach lunn— century. There seems to have been a corpus Cha bhean fiar dhaibh nach lub. of what might be described as “stock senti- (11. 2372-3.) ments’ ’, natural of course to such an elegiac The hair of the head falls out, the ears seem situation, but these do not readily become to have grown much bigger: cliches in their solemn and sonorous context. A’ bhonaid dha uiread ’s a bhi i The bards seem to have the bran mdr style Air uachdar curraic nach alainn, ‘ ‘ at call’ ’, however different it may be from Cluasan gun uireasbhaidh fasa, their usual style. One of MacCodrum’s more Ceann cho lorn ri cridh na dearna. unusual metaphors occurs in this poem. Speak- (11. 2382-5.) ing of death’s visitation he says: ’S goirt an sgriob a thug fiaclan an t-saibh Although one may grant that MacCodrum (1. 1272.) shows comic imagination, a more general By contrast with this or an mor type of elegy, imaginative power is lacking in most of his the Marbhrann do Shir Seumas MacDhbmhnaill work. It must be admitted that there is a is an effective elegy in the more intimate style depressihg lack of independence and originality of e.g. Iain Lorn’s lament for Aonghas Mac in much Gaelic verse. Although these qualities Raghnaill Oig na Ceapaich. This poem has can be over-rated, their patent absence from echoes of bardic verse, poetic sgeula and Biblical a poem must often be deplored. MaeCodrum and classical allusions, and passages of simple is one of the many practitioners of “clan” and strong feeling reminiscent of the 17th verse in the eighteenth century. His Moladh century folk songs: — 115 — Cha do dhuineadh an cota, it must be brought home to them that they are ’S cha do ghiulain na brogan losing something of real value themselves, and Neach an cunntadh iad comhla do phairtean. that they are depriving their children of their rights. Perhaps the most effective way of This is probably one of MacCodrum’s best bringing this truth home to them would be by serious poems, but it cannot be called great giving Gaelic its proper place in the curriculum poetry. It is the work of a very competent of primary schools in the Gaelic speaking craftsman, with an intimate knowledge of the districts. If Gaelic were used as the medium tradition he is working in. of instruction in the early stages of the school, It seems likely that MacCodrum’s reputation at least, and taught as a specific subject through- should ultimately rest on his humorous, satiric out the whole school course it would give the and witty poems. He is to be bracketed with language of the people the required-prestige, Rob Donn rather than with Ross or Mac and would certainly benefit the children at the Mhaighstir Alasdair or Buchanan, and both same time. There was a time when Gaelic MacCodrum and Rob Donn are the 18th Century was forbidden in the school and in the play- ancestors, par excellence, of the witty local ground! That veto was bound to create a bards who are fortunately still with us. complex in the minds of parents and pupils Derick Thomson. alike. The children, instead of being taught to honour and love their birthright—the speech, the traditions and culture of their forebears— were, deliberately or otherwise, encouraged to Our Gaelic Heritage belittle the way of life of their homeland. Continued from p. 112 The present day policy of school centralisation The spread of English throughout the cen- is in real danger of producing similar results, turies has inevitably led to the gradual shrinking and may eventually seriously weaken community of the Gaelic realm. English has been the life in rural areas. language of the State for hundreds of years. Only those in authority can initiate and It has been the language of industry and business encourage the change of educational policy throughout the length and breadth of the land suggested here, and it might be very desirable all that time. The basic subject of education, on the part of An Comunn to consider this at all stages, is English which has been the proposition, and if so resolved, to prosecute medium of instruction since the Education Act it at the appropriate level. of 1872 and long before. While not cavilling To arrest depopulation in the Highlands, and at that historical fact it is pertinent to point to restore contented communities in the isles out the effect this policy was bound to have on and glens now desolate, more than an appeal the status of Gaelic and its prestige in the eyes to sentiment is required. Without remunera- of those who still spoke it. tive local employment we shall plead in vain The cumulative influence of the Daily Press, for people to make their permanent homes there. so widely read within the Gaelic area as else- Crofting is not in itself sufficient to enable the where, and the endless variety of English matter people to live comfortably. Suitable ancillary available has had its baneful effect on the use industries in addition to crofting are needed. and purity of Gaelic. And broadcasting within There are two alternatives for creating and recent years has had a similar effect. The establishing the necessary light industries: wonder is that spoken Gaelic is standing up 1. The provision of special inducements for as it is to these frontal attacks. private enterprise to establish industries, for instance the improvement in transport facilities, One has to remember also that there has been and the reduction or tapering of transport a constant drain of manpower over a very long charges; 2. The appointment of a Develop- period, and the flow of emigrants through ment Corporation with the necessary authority economic stress or call of adventure has by no and knowledge together with adequate funds. means ceased. All these causes add up to a The success of the Harris Tweed Industry in the mighty force against which battle has to be Western Isles of recent years is evidence that it waged to retrieve lost ground, and to con- is possible, by private enterprise, to create solidate possible gains. vastly improved conditions, but to produce How can this be done ? It can only be done quick results more money is required than the by combined local and national effort. To Highlands can find at present. arrest the apathy of the Gaelic speaking people S.D.T. tellers to shed a good deal of it. There is a The Study of the formalistic opening, e.g. There was a king at one time as there is, as there was and as there Folklore will be, as the pine grows, some of it bent and some of it straight, and he was the King Continued of Ireland. There is also the stylistic ending, In Shetland, however, much valuable material e.g. And I left them, and they gave me butter has been recorded and many international on a cinder, porridge kail in a creel, and paper ! tales and legends have been noted down. shoes; and they sent me away with a big gun j| The study of Shetland material still reveals bullet, on a road of glass, till they left me i how close the cultural contacts with Norway sitting here within. ! must have been. As a Highlander, perhaps, Then there are the stereotyped passages that I could be accused of partisanship, but as a are introduced here and there and occur in ] folklore student I realise that I ought to be the same form in different, unrelated tales. - equally interested in the traditions of the These are the “runs” in Gaelic “ruithean” : Scots and Scandinavian areas as in those of and are also a feature of Irish and Icelandic Gaelic Scotland. The last 10 years have con- tales. t vinced me absolutely that the material in the There is the voyage run. ;? Gaelic-speaking areas is by far the richest, And he launched the long ship and he set I and probably the richest in any European her prow to the sea and her stern to land. J country except Hungary. In other countries, And he raised the speckled, towering sails to jj I admit, much more has been collected, but the long, enduring masts in such a manner that [ then there have been generous subventions there was no mast that was not bent and no I from Governments, e.g. in Ireland, Finland, sail that was not torn as he traversed the white, | Sweden, Norway and Denmark. A sub-section briny ocean and the steep, threatening billows. | of a small department of one Scottish University The music that sent him to sleep and rest was is no answer to our problem here, it is a machi- the flapping of gulls and the writhing of eels, nery hopelessly and ludicrously inadequate to the largest whale eating the smallest and the ; deal with an immense task. I could give the smallest doing as best it could, the bent, dun ; rest of my life to the collection of material in whelks of the ocean-bed clattering upon her } South Uist alone, and know that I could never deck. So well did he steer that he did the ,( be sure that the work was completed. The work of a helmsman in her stern, a pilot in I wealth of material I encountered during a two her prow, he would loosen the cable that was II months’ visit to South Uist this winter (1959-60) tied and tie the cable that was loose until he has astounded me completely. In 1947 Angus reached haven and harbour in the Eastern ! MacMillan of Benbecula took the world of World. And he drew the ship up its seven | [ folklore science in Western Europe and America lengths on dry land, where the tide would not jl by surprise by recording tales that took not wash it away, where the sun would not crack one hour to tell, but three, four, six and its timbers, where the cheeky, little boys of H sometimes as many as nine hours to tell. the big city would not make fun or mockery of 1 Last summer a variant of the Tain Bo Cuailnge it until he himself returned. I A^as recorded from Angus Maclellan of Frobost, Then there is the combat run. I South Uist, the tale of Cu Chulainn that took And the Son of the King of Norway and the 1) shape in the 7th century or probably earlier Giant fell upon one another and when the Son I and that was the subject of study by every of the King of Norway saw that he was close I? great name in the Celtic scholarship of Europe to enemies and far distant from friends, he 1 from Windisch and Thurneysen onwards. Even gave himself that sprightly, light lift with the I the magnificent material recorded by the late tips of his fingers on the end of his lance and Dr. Alexander Carmichael from 1870 onwards caught the giant and put him on the flat of |j is still there, even the wonderful religious his back on the heavy ledges of the earth and legends about the Flight of Our Lord into broke a rib beneath and a forearm above. Egypt, the Cursing of the Tinkers for making There is a slightly rarer but rather vivid the nails to go in the Saviour’s hands and run to describe the approach of a hag. feet, the legend about the spider’s web woven And it was not long till he heard a tremor across the mouth of the cave where the Virgin in the earth and a rumbling in the heavens and Child were hidden, the web that completely caused by the Hag of the Deep-green Mantle deceived the soldiers of Herod. of ugliest form, shape and appearance as she The most characteristic feature of the Gaelic came. Her left breast shot over her right tale in Scotland is its ornamentation, although shoulder and her right breast shot over her there is a tendency now on the part of story- left shoulder, her longest tooth was her stab — 117 — for travelling the highway and her shortest Miss C. H. Campbell, tooth was her poker for the fire. And he thought Glasgow — 5 — he could see her heart and her liver quivering Miss Margaret A. within her body as she panted while climbing MacKinnon, Greenock — 10 — the slope towards him with a spear on each of Mrs.D. J.E. EwingT. Junor, Hunter, Perth 3 3 — her shoulders. And terror took hold of him. FredEsq., A. HelensburghMaclver, Esq .. , 2 2 — Calum Maclean. Aberdeen MissAberfeldy C. S. McLellan, — 5 — 194 9 3 Treasurer’s Notes NATIONAL MOD—EDINBURGH, 1960 COMUNN NA H -OIGRIDH FUND Received at Edinburgh— Forres Branch ^10 - - Previously acknowledged ^576 4 6 Cromarty Branch Mid-Argyll Provincial InvernessAberdeen Branch ColonelMod Committeeand Mrs. Neil.. 70 Mrs.MacLeod, S. Matheson, Broadford Betty- 2 Portreehill Branch .. .. 25 6 — CENTRAL FUND Mrs.Edinburgh E. M. — ProceedsCowper, Dunoon Branch £5 - - of Coffee Morning .. 15 MissAyr BranchJean B. Stewart, Ballintuim 10 10 - Miss Russell-Fergusson, Oban .. —5 10 - Received at Glasgow— Robert Coupland, Esq., Aberdeen Previously acknowledged BlairJames AthollM. Rodgers, Branch Esq., Belfast JamesInverness Gardiner, Esq., DundeeLogierait Highland Branch .Society . Mrs.Rev. MacPhee,Wm. Matheson Glasgow , GolspieDr. Mary Branch Shaw, Perth...... TheEdinburgh Glasgow Lewis and AberdeenCromarty Branch .. TheHarris Royal Association Celtic Society, .. LargsGairloch Branch Branch .. Dr.Edinburgh A. McC. Campbell, MissesClarkston Morag and Margaret McLean Edinburgh MissInverness Helen Branch Bell, Edinburgh.. Mrs.Balallan Jessie A. MacLeod, Portree Branch A. CheshireMacPherson, Esq., NorthumberlandSociety and Durham Caledonian Mrs.Inverlochy A. Macdonald. LochtaysideJohn Mackay, Branch Esq., Linlithgow Archd.Tiree Maclean,.. Esq., W.Miss Mackintosh, S. Carmichael, Esq., Lochgilphead London NormanEsq., GlasgowM. Campbell, Dr.Forbes-Sempill, The Hon. AlfordEwan MissLochaline C. M. MacVicar, MAGAZINE FUND JohnLochaline MacDiarmid, Esq., MissG. E. Jean Anderson, B. Stewart, Esq., BallintuimToronto MissDornie M.. . Urquhart, F. CheadleG. Thompson, .. Esq., F.S.A. (Scot), Mr.Maclachlan, and Mrs. D.Balla- A. JamesMrs. Margaret Gardiner, E. Esq.,P. Thompson, Inverness Cheadle Misschulish Dolly Smith, DerickWm. Gemmel, S. Thomson, Esq., Esq., Bonawe Old Aberdeen. . Lennoxtown .. MissHugh S. D. Carmichael, Welsh, Esq., Lochgilphead Aberdeen Mrs.Achnasheen M. MacKenzie, Murdo Macleod, Esq., Dunbar Mrs.Tarbert Jessie J. Macphail, Mrs. S. Mcllchere, Campbeltown MalcolmTobermory MacLean, Esq., — 118 - AN GAIDHEAL THE GAEL Editor — ]. THOMSON, M.A., F.E.I.S., 116 WEST SAVILE TERRACE, EDINBURGH to whom all correspondence should be addressed except that concerning advertising, which should be addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer. 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C.2. Telephone: DOUglas 1433. Leabhar LV AN T-SAMHUIN, 1960 Aireamh 11

CUIDEACHD rT",HA feadhainn ann agus chan eil cuideachd ach dhuisg ceileir na h-uiseig air sgeith san j aca as docha leotha na an cuideachd iarmailt sealladh eile agus smaointean a bha | ■*" fhein. Ann an aonaranachd trusaidh iad car nine ’nan cadal—raointean gorma fo dheal- an solas a tha dhith orra, agus dimaidh iad an radh greine, an clachan ail cois na traghad, a’ 1.dorus air draghan is uallaichean chaich. Cha chlann bheag greadhnach luaineach am beul chuir caochlaideachd an ama mor imnidh orra, na tuinne, an sgoth fo lan aodach a’ tighinn cha bhi duil aca ri leasachadh, agus cha toir gu cala, agus an ealtainn air mhire san speur. co-fhaireachdainn fasgadh cridhe dhaibh uair Shiolaidh a’ chiad sealladh, agus thainig air bith. Ma tha iad so sona is math a ghltidheas sealladh eile, sealladh a lion cridhe le ath- iad an sonas dhaibh fhein, ma tha gu leoir aca chuimhne air nithean a bha fo ghlais car tacain. chan ann gus a roinn air na feumaich, agus mur Tha an toil-inntinn a gheibhear an cuideachd eil camadh ’nan crannchur cha leughar sin leabhraichean an crochadh air an rim leis an ’ nan gnuis. tadhail thu orra. Is iomadh balach coir a Is aithne dhuinn cuid nach bi riaraichte sharaich agus a dh’fhuadaich iad; is lionmhor SI ach an comunn nan eun, nan lus, no nan te a thug a mallachd orra. Ach nach taitneach ,! ainmhidhean. Ma tha an talamh a’ cur barr an ni gu faod neach, aig amannan, a chuideachd i math dheth bidh an sealladh san t-samhradh a thaghadh, an leabhar nach cord ris a dhimadh ’na lan-sula dhaibh, agus an iodhlann san no a chur an tairgse fir eile, agus am fear anns I fhoghar ’na solas. An cois na spreidhe la an a bheil tlachd aige a chumail ri a laimh. ; deidh la, cha dean iad dearmad orra ’ nan cadal Bheir leabhar math dluth thu air inntinn fhars- 'mo ’nan duisg. Arsa fear aca aon uair is e am aing agus air beachdan domhain an duine nach i bruaillean tinneis, “Bha mi an raoir fhein a’ fhaca tu a riamh agus nach cluinn thu ri do (faicinn na ba ri mo thaobh anns an leabaidh.’’ bheo. Gheibh thu ann, ma dh’fhaoidte, an • Bheirinn maitheanas do neach sam bith a seoladh as feumaile, an t-eolas as luachmhoire, ■ thalaidheadh ceol milis nan eun an ciaradh an agus a’ bhreith as cothromaiche. Ma tha fheasgair air dhoigh 's nach e an t-ionad anns atharrachadh beachd agad air cuid de na nithean |an robh e ’na sheasamh a bha e faicinn ach a chi thu ann faodaidh tu do shaorsainn a i raointean oige fo ur-dhealt an anmoich agus chleachdadh ann a bhith togail do bheachd : osag bhlath a’ luasgadh an eorna mar thonn air fhein, agus chan abair e diog ach na thuirt e 1 thonn ’na dheann gu traigh. Dhirich mi an cheana. Cha chronaich e thu nas motha, cha oidhche roimhe cnoc ard air cul an tighe am fhreagair e thu tuilleadh, cha diult e dhuit meadhon a’ bhaile-mhoir. Bha aitreabhan cothrom casaid no cothrom molaidh. Faodaidh boidheach am measg nan craobh air gach laimh, tu na thogras tu a radh leis no ’na aghaidh, is sraidean le iomairt dhaoine is charbadan aeh thuirt esan na their e. Faodaidh tusa cho fad ’s chitheadh siiil, agus an Cuan a Tuath bruidhinn ach cha chuir sin diomb no gairdea- Te uchd ri grein mar a bha i dol a fianuis san chas airsan tuilleadh. An leabhar nach cord doimhne. Bha an sealladh alainn gun teagamh, riut faodaidh tu fhagail far a bheil e; am fear — 119 — is math leat bheir e dhut na nithean as fhearr fior fheumail comunn leabhraichean, chan eil a tha aige air cho trie ’s a leughas tu e. Tha cuideachd ann coltach ri comunn chairdean. cur-seachad ann an leabhar taitneach, tha Tuigidh iad sin d’iarrtas is d’fheum, d’anmh- iirachadh ann a bhith ’g a leughadh, agus tha ainneachd is do chomas, d’fhalamhachd is beatha ann do’n inntinn is do’n chridhe. d’ionndrainn. Freagraidh iad do cheistean, Ach ged is miiirneach le fear a bhith leis seblaidh iad do cheum, agus bheir iad seachad fhein, agus le fear eile a bhith an cuideachd gu toileach. nan creutairean, ged is fior thaitneach agus Is math an sgathan suil caraide.

AM MOD, 1960 ORAID A’ GHINN-SUIDHE A MHNATHAN IS A dhaoin’ uaisle—’S e mo aca ’nan coir-bhreith. Co e an Gaidheal, ma’s cheud dhleasdanas failt’ chridheil a chur oirbh airidh e air an ainrfi, nach aidich nach hrd, ann an ainm a’ Chomuinn Ghaidhealaich agus nach uasal, agus nach measail an t-aobhar a tha mi ’ n dochas gum bi Mod againn ann an Dun tha am Mod a’ foillseachadh is ag cur an ceill. Eideann a bhios soirbheachail do aobhar na Gu bhith a’ tuigsinn beagan de na tha An Gaidhlige, sona do gach aon, is air am bi Comunn a’ deanamh, dh’iarrainn oirbh suil cuimhne chiibhraidh againn uile. a thoirt air an lomradh Bhliadhnail, is a Thigeadh dhomh taing a thoirt dhuibh air leughadh gu curamach, a chum is gun toir sibh son mar a chuir sibh urram a bhith ’ nam Cheann- fa’near na tagraidhean a tha na Comhairlean suidhe orm-sa. Tha mi toilichte gun do chuir Sheasmhach a’ deanamh as ar leth. Chi sibh mi eolas air, is gunvb’ aithne dhomh, cuid de an sin na tha de leabhraichean Gaidhlig ’gan na sair a steidhich An Comunn. B’ aithne clodh-bhualadh, is cha bheag a’ chosg. Ma dhomh, mar an ceudna, a’ mhor chuid dhiu- tha neach sam bith air son tiodhlaic no cuimh- san a choimhlion an dreuchd a tha a nis an neachain a thoirt do charaid ciod a b’fhearr na earbsa rium-sa. Bha iad eudmhor, dealasach, aon de na leabhraichean sin? dileas, agus is e mo mhiann is mo dhiirachd gum bi mi airidh air an eisimpleir a dh’fhag. Chi sibh cuideachd cho eudmhor dicheallach iad agam agus ie comhnadh ’uaibhse ni mise is a tha Comhairle an Fhoghluim ag cumail mo dhicheall a chum is gun cum sinn suas geur shuil fhurachail a chum is gum bi a h-aite deagh chliu a’ Chomuinn is nan daoine bho’n dligheach aig a’ Ghaidhlig anns na sgoilean. d’thainig sinn. Tha Comhairle a’ Chraobh-sgaoilidh a’ Is cinnteach gu bheil am Mod a nis air a steidheachadh is ag cumail take ris na meuran dhaingneachadh mar aon de chuirmean is de agus a’ gabhail curaim de na Modan duthchail, thachartasan mora na h-Alba. Tha e a’ nochd- is bu choir ainmeachadh gu bheil tri deug de adh do’n t-saoghal saoibhreas is maise ar na Modan sin ’gan cumail gach bliadhna, cuid dualchais mar Ghaidheil. Chan eil cearn de’n dhiu a’ mairsinn da latha. duthaich anns nach eil fios aca gu de th’ anns Is e a’ chlann agus an Campa a tha ’ga a’ Mhbd, agus cha teid latha de’n t-seachduin ullachadh dhoibh gach bliadhna ann an Cncc so seachad anns nach cluinnear air an Radio nan Ros a tha fo aire Comhairle Comunn na is nach leughar anns na paipearan naidheachd h-Oigridh. Agus tha mi’n dochas, mu’m bi sgeul air na bhios a’ tachairt an so. Maille an t-seachduin so seachad, gun teid gach aon ris a sin bithidh e ri fhaicinn anns na dealbhan aig a’ Mhod a dh’ amharc air gach iomadh obair a tha ’gan craobh-sgaoileadh do gach dachaidh. laimhe le dealbhan Ceilteach a tha ’gan tais- Tha sinn gu mor an comain Buidheann Breat- beanadh le Comhairle an Ealdhain. Leis a sin unnach a’ Chraobh-sgaoilidh agus luchd nam chi sibh ged is e am Mod as motha a tha a’ paipearan-naidheachd uile air son nan sochairean tarruing aire dhaoine, gur mor a’ bharrachd a sin. tha An Comunn a’ deanamh a chum math is Anns a’ bhuaidh a tha aig a’ Mhod an coit- leas na Gaidhlig. cheannas tha cunnart ann gum bi eadhon sinn Am measg gach saothair dhiu sin uile tha fhein ag gabhail ris gur e am Mod nil’ obair An Comunn air teannadh ri paipear ur a chlodh- agus priomh shaothair a’ Chomuinn, ach chan bhualadh air son na cloinne, ris an abrar eil anns a’ Mhod ach aon de na meadhonan a Sradag, paipear inntinneach anns a bheil tha an Comunn a’ cleachdadh gu bhith a’ brosn- dealbhan eibhinn le sgeulachdan is iomraidhean achadh dhaoine gus am barrachd hidh a bhith taitneach air nithean a bhuineas do eachdraidh — 120 — il nam fineachan. Tha an sean-fhacal ag radh: gu bheil a’ GMldhlig a chum feum. An do “Is trie a las sradag bheag teine mor’’, agus rinn i coire, no an do chuir i bacadh no grabadh tha sinn uile an dochas gun cuidich sibh leis a’ air gach iomadh neach de ar daoine, agus is phaipear so, gun ceannaich sibh e, gun toir lionmhor iad, a rainig inbhe ard air feadh an sibh do’n chloinne agus gum faic sibh gum bi t-saoghail? 'S ann a bha i ’na buannachd e anns gach dachaidh gach raithe mar a thig. dhoibh. Co nach aidich, mar a dhearbhadh Is ann ris a’ chloinn a tha ar n-earbsa agus is leotha-san as ughdarasaiche, agus as fiosraiche, e ar dleasdanas a bhith ag cuideachadh leotha gu bheil da chanain aig neach ag cur ri farsuing- a chum is gum bi an coir-bhreith aca mar eachd is buadhan na h-inntinne? Car son, oighreachd a bhios luachmhor dhoibh. 'S e mata, nach eil sinn a’ toirt a’ chothroim a bu ar dochas gu’n las sradag teas ghradh ’nan choir do ar cloinn fhein a bhith cho coimhlionta cridhe do an canain fhein. is a ghabhas iad a bhith gu am beo-shlainte Is duilich nach urrainnear a radh le firinn chothachadh is an dualchas a chum ail? gu bheil cor na Gaidhlig mar bu mhath leinn Nach iomadh iad is aithne dhuinn a thainig is mar bu choir. Tha aireamh an t-sluaigh a gu ire is iad a’ sior chaoidh an ionndrainn a tha bhruidhneas i a’ sior dhol an lughad. An e gu ’nan cridhe a chionn is gun d’aicheadh dhoibh bheil am beachd mearachdach sin againn fhathast mar chloinn an t-eolas a bu mhiann leotha a nach eil a’ Ghaidhlig a chum feum no stath bhi aca air cainnt an athraichean. Car son a sam bith ? Sin mar a bha air a radh leotha-san tha sinn a’ toirmeasg an t-ionnsachadh a tha air feadh nan linntean leis am bu mhath a’ cho furasd’ dhuinn a thoirt dhoibh ?—An Ghaidhlig a mhuchadh a bith. Tha eachdraidh t-ionnsachadh a bu dual a bhith aca agus a ag cur an ceill nach do shoirbhich leotha. An chuireadh riutha cho mor. e, mata, gu bheil sinne sinn-fhein ’dol a Thigeamaid uile comhla, is cuidichibh leinn leigeil leatha sioladh air falbh? Chan fhaod ’nar dleasdanas do ar canain a tha os cionn e bhith gun abair na ginealaich a thig ’nar deidh gach ni eile ’gar comharrachadh mar shluagh gun robh sinn cho dearmadach no gun dit iad fa leth am measg a’ chinne-daonna uile air sinn air son ar caoin shuarachais! Tha fhios feadh an t-saoghail.

CUIMHNEACHAN AIR DONNGHADH BAN Air Di-luain, an treas la de’n Damhair, bha chursa a ruith. Cha robh e ach mar aon de’n cuideachd mhath cruinn aig uaigh Dhonnchaidh iomadh, a bha ag cosnadh a loin gu dicheallach Bhain an Dun Eideann gu bhith a’ ncchdadh agus air bheag de chuid an t-saoghail. Ach cha . an speis dha agus gu bhith cur urraim air mar b’ ann air maoin no storas aimsireil a choisinn bhard sonruichte. e a chliu. Tha sin taisgte gu curamach ann Labhair Ceann-suidhe A’ Chomuinn Ghaidh- an cridhe gach neach aig a bheil meas air ealaich, Eoghan Mac a Phi, an toiseach anns moralachd is maise a bhriathran ann a bhith ag a’ Ghaidhlig anns na briathran a leanas. An cur an ceill meud nam buadhan sonruichte a t sin chaireadh blath-fhleasg air an uaigh, agus bhuilicheadh air. I chluicheadh air a’ phiob-mhoir “Caoidh Rugadh is thogadh e ann an ioraslachd— MhicCruimein. ” an ioraslachd anns am faighear an fhior uaisle, [ Oraid a’ Chinn-suidhe: a tha cho soilleir ri fhaicinn anns na briathran | A chairdean, a dh’fhag e againn. Mar a tha an fhirinn ag innseadh dhuinn is C6 againn, eadhon ged nach do streup sinn e ar dleasdanas a bhith a’ moladh nan sar. Is e riamh ri aodann beinne, nach do dh’imich sin is aobhar dhuinn a bhith ag coinneachadh maille ris, is nach do dh’fhairich aignidhean an so an diugh, gu bhith a’ deanamh luaidh air air an gluasad le maise, oirdhearcas is ailleachd aon a chuir snas air cainnt ar daoine agus a an t-seallaidh a bha ri fhaicinn am Be inn choisinn dha fhein cliu a bhios buan an eachd- Dorain, is nach robh dubhach maille ris an raidh a dhuthcha. uair a b’fheudar, le anfhuinneachd na h-aoise, Tha corr is ceud gu leth bliadhna bho’n a a chill a chur ri sealgaireachd nam frithean? ? chuireadh Donnchadh Ban ’na laidhe ann a so Tha Coire Cheathaich lorn, uaigneach, an diugh \ is e an deidh a laithean a chuartachadh is a agus is beag do’n aithne an t-ionad, ach do’n — 121 — t -siiil leirsinneach air na nithean sin a tha anns dol am meud leotha-san a tha ag cur luach air an dealbh a thug e dhuinn, bithidh ciilleachd a’ cainnt ar daoine, oir is uasal agus is muimeach chruthachaidh ’na uile mhaise, an comhnuidh leotha a’ mheud is a chuir e ri ar litreachas. ri fhaighinn anns a’ choire sin. Thigeadh e dhuinn, mata, is sinn a’ teannadh Tha cliu Mhairi Bhan Og fhathast ’ga luaidh ri obair a’ Mhoid a tha romhainn, a bhith ag agus bithidh cho fada is a ghleusar oran is a cuimhneachadh air, is ag cur an ceill ar speis sheinnear dan. air na rinn e. Agus ann a bhith ag cuimhneachadh Chan eil facal ’na bhardachd uile a bheir air gu’m bi sinne, mar an ceudna, ag cur meas oilbheum do neach air bith oir bha e a’ sruthadh agus ag gabhail tlachd anns a’ chanain anns a a cridhe a bha glan, is a inntinn a bha fallain bheil e fhathast a’ labhairt ruinn. suilbhir. Ged a bha e air bheag foghlum bu Gu de a b’ iomchuidhe na gu’m biodh ar gheur a bhreithneachadh, a thuigse, is a speis, ar taingealachadh is ar comain air an chomasan. Cha do shir is cha d’iarr e ach a nochdadh gu follaiseach le Seumas MacThomais, bhi beo ann an co-chomunn cairdeil ri cho- a’ cheud bhard do’n tugadh Sar Urram a’ chreutair. Cha b’e dreuchd no inbhe air an Mhoid; aon a choisinn dha fhein aite dligheach robh e an toir. Ach, mar a tha gach bliadhna agus seasmhach ann an cuideachd nam bard. dol seachad tha cliu Dhonnchaidh Bhain a’

SRADAG Tha Sradag air sgeith. Co aige tha fios caite seanachais air clair a dhuisgeas miann air an laigh i no de an connadh a lasas i. Feumar tuilleadh; agus gheibhear criomagan eolais agus siiil fhurachail a chumail oirre air eagal gum eachdraidh nach bu chall dhuinn a bhith againn. muchar i mus tig i gu ire; feumar a stiuireadh Tha Sradag ann an culaidh dhealraich, mus tuit i far nach duisg i suas ach smudan sgoinneil—taitneach do’n t-sixil agus blasda gun bhlaths gun solus. Far an laigh an t-sradag do’n chail. Tha sinn gu mor air ar mealladh faodaidh lasair eirigh, ach mur eil an connadh mur toir an luchd amhairc agus an luchd freagairach the id an teine as. leughaidh am beannachd air an fhear a dhealbh Chualas glaodh aig Mod Dhun Eideann nach i agus orrasan a chuir a mach i. So ceum ur, cualas a shamhail a riamh roimhe an tir na agus ceum a bharrachd ann an dion ar cainnt Gaidhlig: “Ceannaich Sradag; is math is mhathaireil, agus ma gheibh a’ chlann aig fhiach i sin.” an dachaidh agus anns an sgoil cothrom na So iris abhachdach do’n oigridh a choisneas Feinne bithidh Sradag ’nan lamhan gach aire na cloinne bige, agus nach misde na raith gus, fa-dheoidh, nach bi iad riaraichte h-inbhich a bheil suil oirre. Tha dealbhan mur faigh iad i gach mios no eadhon gach ioma dathach an so air nithean air nach eil seachduin. clann na Gaidhealtachd aineolach; tha iomradh “An t-ionnsachadh 6g an t-ionnsachadh air laoich, is docha, air am bi cuimhne aig an boidheach.” oigridh nuair a thig iad gu fearachas; tha S.D.T.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The A.G.M. was held in the Music Room, newly elected office-bearers and members of on 8th October. The President, Mr. Hugh Council were announced. MacPhee, presided over a large audience. He paid suitable tribute to all who contributed to There were two invitations for the 1962 Mod, the great success of the 1960 Mod, making one from Oban and the other from Perth. The special reference to the Provost and Magistrates Perth invitation was withdrawn in favour of of Edinburgh, the Local Mod Committee, the Oban where the 1962 Mod will be held. Office Staff, Adjudicators, Competitors, In- At the close of the meeting the newly con- structors and Stewards. stituted Executive met and appointed Conveners The Annual Reports of Committees were and members of the various Standing Committees approved, and thereafter the names of the for the current session. — 122 — “CLACH AIR A CHARN” SEUMAS GRANND MAR a tha fhios acasan a bhios a’ frith- dhotair agus Uilleam a bha ri cosnadh eile, ealadh Mod Naiseanta a’ Chomuinn agus bha Alfred agus Uilleam ’nan cinn-suidhe Ghaidhealaich, am measg nan co- air Comunn Gaidhlig Lunnainn. Bha fear eile, fharpaisean a tha a’ fosgladh na slighe a Eoghan (no Evan mar a theireadh iad ris anns dh’ionnsaigh buinn oir a’ Mhoid, tha aon a’ Bheurla), ’na mhinistear fad shia bliadhna cho-fharpais sheinn anh air son bhoireannach, fichead an Govan an Glaschu, an Eaglais agus tha na duaisean anns a’ cho-fharpais sin Chaluim-Chille, anns a’ choimhthional far a air an ainmeachadh mar •‘Chuimhneachan air bheil mi fhin air a bhith a nis o chionn bliadhna Seumas Grannd.” ar fhichead. Co e, no cd a b’e, an Seumas Grannd sin, Chaidh Padraig agus Seumas do Ghlaschu aig a bheil a ainm air a chumail air chuimhne far an d’fhuair iad air adhart gu maith. B’e bliadhna as deidh bliadhna leis na duaisean Seumas, mar a thubhairt mi, an neach a bu so? 'S fheudar gur e a bha ann Gaidheal a shine anns an teaghlach. Rugadh e anns a’ bha sonraichte ’na latha fhein, fear aig an bhliadhna 1847, agus chaidh e do Ghlaschu an robh uidh ann an obair a’ Chomuinn Ghaidh- uair nach robh e ach beagan is a dha no tri ealaich agus a’ Mhoid, agus fear a choisinn a bliadhna ar fhichead a dh’aois. Bha sin mu’n leithid de mheas bho dhaoine eile agus gun do rimaich iad a chuimhne a chumail air bhliadhna 1870. mhaireann anns an doigh so. Fhuair Seumas Grannd cosnadh ann am B’e sin a bha ann an Seumas Grannd, duine birth-marsantachd ainmeil, Arthur and Com- sonraichte, duine uasal, fior Ghaidheal. Fad pany, agus b’ann ann an seirbhis na cui-deachd iomadh bliadhna, bho’n a thoisich am Mod sin a chuir e seachad an corr de a bheatha gus an toiseach, chite Seumas Grannd am measg an do chaochail e. Bha e da fhichead bliadhna na cuideachd, duine deas ard foghainnteach, agus a h-ochd comhla riutha, agus do bhrigh eireachdail, anns an deise Ghaidhealaich, agus a dhilseachd agus a shaothair agus a bhuadhan aoigh is blaths ’na ghnuis an comhnaidh. Tha mar fhear-gnothaich, dh’ eirich e ceum air da fhichead bliadhna bho nach fhacas Seumas cheum gu inbhe agus ixghdarras anns an t-seirbhis Grannd aig Mod no an aite eile, oir chaochail sin. Fad mhoran bhliadhnachan bha e ’na e anns a’ bhliadhna 1918. Tha feadhainn ann fhear-siubhail (commercial traveller, mar a fhathast aig a bheil deagh-chuimhne air, ach theirear anns a’ Bheurla) comhla riutha, a’ do’n mhor-chuid an diugh chan eil ann dheth cur chuairtean air feadh Alba uile agus air ach an t-ainm, ainm a tha air a thogail gach feadh ceann a tuath Shasainn mar an ceudna. bliadhna an co-cheangal ri co-fharpaisean Bha Seumas Grannd, mar sin, gle eolach, seinn a’ Mhoid. agus bha eolas aig daoine air, ann am moran Bhuineadh Seumas Grannd do shiorrachd aitean, agus e a’ tadhal orra gu fritheilteach Inbhir-Nis. Rugadh e anns a’ Ghleann bhoidh- air cheann ghnothaich. Agus anns gach aite each ud, Gleann Urchardain, anns a’ bhliadhna bha mor-speis dha agus mor-mheas air. Ach 1847. Tha Granndaich ann an Gleann Urchar- b’ann an Glaschu gu sonraichte bha aithne aig dain o chionn iomadh linn, agus bha daoine air, agus e ’na sheasamh a mach mar sinnsireachd Sheumais anns a’ Ghleann fad cheann-iuil glic agus deanadach an iomadh corr is ceithir cheud gu leth bliadhna. Fhuair deagh obair am measg Gaidheil a’ bhaile. athair agus mathair Sheumais aois mhor. Bha Is iomadh Gaidheal 6g d’ an d’ fhuair Seumas iad corr math is leth-cheud bliadhna posda Grannd cosnadh is obair, cha b’ann a mhain mus do dhealaich an bas iad, agus cha do anns a’ bhuth-mharsantachd anns an robh e dhealaich am bas fada iad, oir cha robh ach fhein, ach ann an cosnaidhean eile cuideachd. deich miosan eatorra, esan an toiseach agus a B’iomadh iad a bha fo mhdr-chomain dha air bhean as a dheidh. son nan cothroman a fhuair e dhaibh agus air Bha seachdnar de theaghlach aig parantan son a’ chuideachaidh agus a’ mhisneachaidh a Sheumais—siathnar mhac agus aon nighean. thug e dhaibh. Phos an nighean—Anna a bh’oirre—agus dh’ Cha b’e a mMin gum b’e fear-gnothaich math fhuirich i anns a’ Ghleann. Thug na gillean an a bha ann an Seumas Grannd. Agus cha b’e saoghal fo’n ceann. Chaidh fear dhiubh, Iain, a mhain gun rachadh e gu uchd a dhichill anns a null gu na liosan-tea anns na h-Innsean. an t-seirbhis a bha an earbsa ris, agus gum Chaidh dithis a Lunnainn, Alfred a bha ’na bu tlachd leis lamh chuideachaidh a thoirt do dhaoine eile. Bha e mar an ceudna, fad a Bha doigh ghrinn aige air a ughdarras a chur bheatha, dileas is dealasach anns gach cuis is an cleachdadh agus rian a chumail air daoine oidhirp a chum math nan Gaidheal agus na mi-riaghailteach. Gaidhealtachd, agus a chum cumail suas cliii Anns gach ceum is cuis ’na bheatha dhearbh is canain is ceol nan Gaidheal. Seumas Grannd e fhein a bhith a’ leantainn gu Is gann gu robh comunn no cuideachd no dluth ri cliii a shinnsir, agus gu sonraichte bha buidheann co-cheangailte ris a’ Ghaidhealtachd e dileas do na cleachdaidhean matha uasal a no ri aobhar na Gaidhlig anns nach robh lamh dh’ionnsaich e ’na oige ann an tigh a athar is aig Seumas Grannd; agus bu ghlic a chomhairle a mhathar anns a’ Ghleann. Is e duine a bha daonnan, bu siobhalta a ghiiilan, agus b’ ann aig an robh gradh do Dhia agus d’a chomh- aoigheil a ghnuis ann am broilleach na cuid- earsnaich. Tha cus de na Gaidheil, an uair a eachd. Bha e air a radh nach robh Gaidheal theid iad do’n bhaile-mhor (agus eadhon anns eile ’na latha air an robh barrachd eolais no a’ Ghaidhealtachd fhein) a’ deanamh dearmad barrachd speis na bha air Seumas Grannd. air Dia an athraichean agus na seann chleachd- B’ esan a chuir air chois Comunn nan Grannd- aidhean beusach suairce anns an do thogadh ach an Glaschu, agus fad uine bha e ’ na cheann- iad. Cha b’ ann mar sin a bha Seumas Grannd. suidhe air a’ chomunn sin. B’ esan a chuir air Bha e dileas ann an aoradh Dhe, agus fad chois Comunn Siorrachd Inbhir-Nis an Glaschu, fhichead bliadhna bha e ’ na fhear-dreuchd anns agus bha e ’na cheann-suidhe air a’ chomunn an eaglais d’am buineadh e ann an Glaschu. sin. Bha e ’na cheann-suidhe air Comunn Bhuilicheadh buadhan sonraichte air Seumas Gaidhlig Ghlaschu, agus air Croilean Gaidh- Grannd, an corp is inntinn is spiorad, agus ealach Chaledonia, agus air Comunn Ceolraidh rinn e lan-fheum de na buadhan sin. Bha e Ghaidhlig Ghlaschu (an “G.G.” mar a their trang, easgaidh, saothrachail gus an la mu sinn). Bha e ’na bhall de chomhairle Comunn dheireadh, ach cha robh e cho trang is nach Ceilteach Ghlaschu agus Croilean Gaidhealach robh tide aige a bhith cairdeil ri daoine. Chan Ghlaschu, agus aireamh de chomuinn eile. aithne dhomh gu robh tinneas air riamh. Chite e gu trie aig co-chruinneachaidhean nan Chaidh e mu thamh aon oidhche, slan fallain, Ceilteach, thall an Eirinn, anns a’ Chuimridh, agus am feadh is a bha e ’na chadal thainig an Lunnainn, an Dun-eideann, agus an Glaschu. a’ ghairm nach gabh diiiltadh. Bha sin anns Bha ixidh aige ann an camanachd agus ann an a’ mhios Mhairt anns a’ bhliadhna 1918. Bha ceol na pioba. e tri fichead bliadhna agus a h-aon deug a Fad mhoran bhliadhnachan bha e ’na bhall dh’aois aig an am. de chomhairle-riaghlaidh a’ Chomuinn Ghaidh- Chaidh Seumas Grannd a thiodhlacadh ri ealaich, agus bho’n cheud Mhod, agus air son taobh a pharantan agus a shinnsirean ann an iomadh bliadhna as deidh sin, chite e ’na seann chladh na Cille-Moire an Gleann Urch- dheise Ghaidhealaich a’ cur eireachdais air a ardain, agus bha caoidh is ionndrainn air ann h-uile Mod a bh’ann. an iomadh cridhe. Greis mus do chaochail e Fad corr is coig bliadhna deug b’esan am chruinnich a chairdean, aig an tigh is an tirean fear-cathrach, no “fear-an-taighe” (mar a ceine, suim airgid a phaidh air son a dhealbh their sinn), aig Ceilidh Ghaidhealaich a bhatar a tharraing is a thoirt dha mar theisteas-speis. a’ cumail a h-uile oidhche Shathurna ann an An deidh a bhais chruinnicheadh airgead a talla air Bath Street an Glaschu, far am biodh• chum cuimhneachan maireannach a dheanamh Gaidheil as gach aite agus de gach seorsa a’ air. Chuireadh clar cuimhneachain ann an tighinn comhla gu oidhche chridheil chairdeil eaglais na Cille-Moire an Gleann Urchardain, a chur seachad an cuideachd a cheile, ag eisd- agus steidhicheadh na duaisean air son seinn eachd ri ceol nan Gaidheal agus ri oraidean aig a’ Mhod Naiseanta a tha a’ dol fo’n ainm, Gaidhlig. Anns na laithean ud cha robh “Cuimhneachan Sheumais Ghrannd.’’ taigh-nan-dealbh no radio no telebhisean ann, So a nis rannan a rinneadh m’a thimcheall no iomadh meadhon cur-seachad mar a tha aig mu dheich bliadhna mus do chaochail e, agus daoine an diugh, ach bha cus ann de chothroman tha mi de’n bheachd gur e Donnchadh MacGille- air ana-caitheadh a dheanamh air ixine agus ruaidh a rinn iad: airgead. Mar sin, bha an ceilidh ud ’na ni Ar roghainn ort, a Sheumais Ghrannd, feumail, agus b’e Seumas Grannd a bha, mar de shliochd na Coire-Moine; a thubhairt mi, fad uine mhoir air ceann nan Gur saoghal fada sona dhuit— cruinneachaidhean sin. Chumadh e smachd ’s e sin ar guidh’ an comhnaidh. air na peasanan mi-mhodhail agus na h-amadain Gur toigh leinn thu, a Sheumais choir, a bhics air uairean a’ deanamh dragh ann an cha ruigear leas bhith ’g innse; cruinneachaidhean de’n t-seorsa sin, ach chum- Gur airidh thu air speis is cliu ; adh e smachd orra le aoigh is le ciiiineachd. do dhearbh thu sin le d’ ghniomhan. Gu h-uasal, ceanalt’, agus grmn, Mod Week am measg nan Gaidheal ’s ann tha thu; On Sunday, 2nd October, the usual pre-Mod Is ainm do shinnsir chum thu suhs Gaelic Service was held in the Gaelic Church, le urram is le deagh-chliu. when the Rev. John Macleod preached acceptably Do choibhneas do gach uile neach to a large congregation. Mr. Hugh MacPhee tha aithnicht’ math gu leor dhuinn; and Mr. Finlay Maclean read the lessons, ’S mar shaothraich thu as leth nan Gaidheal, and Mr. Duncan Mackenzie was the precentor. air son am maith ’s an coirean. On Monday morning An Comunn paid tribute Is taitneach leinn thu aig a’ bhord, to the well known Gaelic poet, Donnchadh ri deasbad is ri comhradh; Ban. A wreath was laid on the poet’s grave Bidh thusa daonnan sithcheil ciiiin, in Greyfriars cemetery by Mr. James Thomson, ged bhios an corr ri connspaid. and the President gave appropriate orations both in Gaelic and English. A piobaireachd, Cha robh eolas pearsanta agamsa air Seumas “MacCrimmon’s Lament’’, was then played Grannd ann. Buinidh mise do ghinealach na’s by Mr. John Hannah of Islay. oige. Ach is aithne dhomh feadhainn aig an In the afternoon of the same day a special robh mdr-eolas air, agus gu sonraichte bha mi exhibition of Gaelic and other Celtic books and gle eolach air a bhrathair, an t-Urramach manuscripts, arranged by the National Library Eoghan Grannd an Govern. Chan eil ach seachd of Scotland, was opened and remained open for bliadhna bho chaochail esan, agus e ceithir the Mod week. Mr. Donald A. Macdonald, fichead bliadhna agus a tri-deug a dh’aois. Assistant Keeper of manuscripts, gave an Chan urrainn dhomhsa dad as fhearr a interesting address, tracing the history of the dheanamh na criochnachadh leis na facail Library, and referring in some detail to the iomchuidh a chaidh a radh mu thimcheall various cases of exhibits. Sheumais Ghrannd, an uair a chaochail e, The Official Opening took place on Monday leis an Urramach Alasdair MacFhionghuin ann evening when the Senior Magistrate, in the an cubaid Eaglais Chaluim-Chille an Glaschu. unavoidable absence of the Provost, welcomed “Is ainneamh iad an so nach eil duilich an in generous terms the Mod to Edinburgh and diugh air son bas Sheumais Ghrannd .... wished it every success. The President, Mr. B’e fein an Gaidheal gasda, araon ’na choslas MacPhee, made suitable acknowledgment. agus ’naghne. Chuireadh e sgeimh air cuideachd, Delegates from the Eisteddfod in Wales and thogadh e fonn air cridhe; bha iirachadh from the Oireachtas in Eire expressed the spioraid ’na fhailte agus ’na fhuran. Bha e greetings of their respective countries. A very direach, fosgailteach, treibhdhireach ’na enjoyable ceilidh followed. dhoigh. Bha spiorad farsaing saoibhir cuid- The Junior competitions were held on eachail ann. B’ainneamh iad aig an robh Tuesday. It was obvious that the children gradh cho teth d’ an duthaich agus d’ an sluagh. were there to enjoy themselves, and the evening Bu charaid e do mhor agus do bheag, do shean concert was an indication, by the good atten- agus do 6g, do bheartach agus do bhcchd. Is dance, that their efforts during the day were lionmhor iad a chuidich a fhccal agus a eadar- appreciated. ghuidhe-san gu suidheachadh math agus comh- Wednesday was devoted mainly to soloists. fhurtachail. Bu chleas dha an comhnaidh a The finalists in the Gold Medal competitions bhith a’ neartachadh nam braithrean laga, were selected from the competitors that took agus a’ tagradh cuis an fheumnaich. Tha gach part in the day’s competitions. comunn Gaidhealach anns a’ bhaile so na’s Senior orals were held on Thursday morning. fuaire agus na’s bcchda an diugh a chionn nach The number of competitors was, as usual, small, till e tuilleadh .... Bhuineadh e dhuinn mar and the number of listeners was smaller still. bhrathair foghainnteach ann an creideamh, A goodly number of Rural Choirs competed anns gach saothair mhaith, agus ann an cuisean in the afternoon. The winning choirs and guest cumanta an t-sluaigh; agus mar sin tha e artistes provided excellent entertainment at the iomchuidh dhuinn a’ chlach so a chur ri a well-attended evening concert. ch&rn.’’ Instrumental music, duets, quartettes, and Sin agaibh briathran grinn cothromach mu choral singing took up the morning and after- dhuine coir cliiiiteach a bha lan airidh orra. noon of Friday, when a record number of choirs Agus an nochd, da fhichead bliadhna as deidh competed. The afternoon was devoted to the a bhais, is urram agus tlachd dhbmhsa clach Margaret Duncan and the Lovat and Tulli- eile a chur ’na charn. bardine competitions. Two evening concerts (Dh’innseadh an naidheachd-sa air an radio.) were held, at both of which the Usher Hall T. M. MacCalmain. was filled to capacity. LEARNER’S PAGE De ach bha Deirdre agus na mnathan- What but Deirdre and her attendant women coimheadaidh la muigh air a’ chnoc cul an were out one day on the hill behind the house tighe a’ gabhail seallaidh agus ag 61 na greine. sight-seeing and basking in the sun. Whom Co chunnaic iad a’ tighinn ach gum b’e triiiir should they see approaching but three men fhear air astar. Bha Deirdre dearcadh air na travelling, Deirdre was observing the men daoine bha tighinn agus i gabhail iongnaidh who were approaching, and wondering at them. diu. An uair a dhluthaich na daoine riutha When the men came near them Deirdre remem- chuimhnich Deirdre air cainnt an t-sealgair, bered the words of the hunter, and she said agus thuirt i rithe fhein gum b’iad so triuir to herself that those were the three sons of mhac Uisne agus gum b’e so Naois, agus bha Uisne, and that this was Naois, and that he os cionn cromadh an da shlinnean aige os cionn was head and shoulders taller than all the fir Eirinn uile. men of Ireland. Ghabh an triuir bhraithrean seachad gun The three brothers passed by without paying suim a ghabhail diu, gun suil a thoirt os an them any attention, without looking up at the cionn air na h-ainnirean air a’ chnoc. De maidens on the hill. What but the love of ach gun do thalantaich gradh Naois ann an Naois rooted in the heart of Deirdre so that cridhe Deirdre gus nach b’urrainn i fuireach she could not stay but follow him. She gathers gun falbh as a dheidh. Trusar i a trusgan agus up her dress and follows the men who passed falbhar an deidh nam fear a ghabh seachad bonn by at the foot of the hill, and she leaves the a’ chnuic, agus fagar na mnai-coimheadachd attendant women where they were, be they an sud, biodh iad buidheach no diumbach. pleased or displeased. Chuala Aillean agus Ardan mu dheidhinn Aillean and Ardan heard of the woman whom a’ bhoireannaich a bha aig Conachar, righ Conachar, king of Ulster, had, and they thought Ulla, agus smaoinich iad nam faiceadh Naois, that if Naois, their brother, saw her that he am brathair i gur ann a bhiodh i aige fhein, would have her himself, particularly as she seachd araidh o nach robh i posda aig an righ. was not married to the king. They noticed the Mhothaich iad dha’n bhoireannach a’ tighinn woman approaching, and they asked one agus dh’iarr iad air cach-a-cheile ceum a another to walk apace as they had a long chumail ann is astar mor aca r’a dheanamh, distance to cover and darkness of night was agus ciaradh na h-oidhche a’ tighinn. Rinn falling. They did this. She shouted, “Naois, iad so. Ghlaodh ise, “A Naois, mhic Uisne, son of Uisne, is it planning to leave me you an ann a’ brath m’ fhagail a tha thu?” “Gu are?” “What shout is that which my ear de an ghlaodh sud a chuala mo chluas nach eil heard, which is not easy for me to answer or soirbh domh a fhreagairt, agus nach eil furasda to refuse ?’ ’ said Naois. “ It is only the quacking dhomh a dhiultadh?” orsa Naois. “Chan eil of the wild water-ducks of Conachar,” said ach lachraich nan lacha-luin aig Conachar,’’ his brothers. “But let us speed up and hurry ors a bhraithrean. “Ach luathaicheamaid ar our steps, for we have a long distance to cover cas agus graideamaid ar ceum, agus an t-astar and the darkness of night is falling.’ ’ They did mor againn r’a dheanamh, agus ciaradh an this, and they were widening the distance fheasgair a’ tuiteam.’’ Rinn iad so, agus bha between themselves and her. Then Deirdre iad a’ sineadh an astair eadar iad fhein agus shouted, “A Naois, a Naois, son of Uisne, is ise. Ghlaodh an sin Deirdre, “ A Naois, a Naois, it planning to leave me you are?’’ “What mhic Uisne, an ann a’ brath m’ fhagail a tha shout is in my ear and has touched my heart, thu?” “De an glaodh a tha ’nam chluais which is not easy for me to answer or to refuse ?’ ’ agus a bhuail mo chridhe, nach eil soirbh dhomh “It is nothing but the cry of the grey geese a fhreagairt .agus nach eil furasda dhomh a of Conachar,’’ said his brothers. “But let us dhiultadh?” “Chan eil ach glaodh nan geadh walk apace for we have a journey to do and glasa aig Conachar,’’ ors a bhraithrean. “Ach the darkness of night is falling.’’ They did cumamaid ceum ann agus a’ choiseachd againn this, and they were widening the distance r’a dheanamh agus diibhradh na h-oidhche between themselves and her. Then Deirdre tighinn.” Rinn iad so, agus bha iad a’ sineadh shouted the third time, “Naois, Naois, Naois, an astair eadar iad fhein agus ise. Ghlaodh an son of Uisne, is it planning to leave me you sin Deirdre an treasa turas, ‘ ‘A Naois, a Naois, are?” “What is the loud, pained cry the a Naois, mhic Uisne, an ann a’ brath m’ sweetest my ear has heard and the loudest that fhagail a tha thu?” “Gu de an glaodh gointe has touched my heart, of all the cries that ever cruaidh is binne chuala mo chluas agus is leached me?” said Naois. cruaidhe bhuail mo chridhe dheth na h-uile glaodh a rainig mi riamh?” orsa Naois. — 126 — THE CELTIC CONGRESS ABERYSTWITH, 1960 By Angus Duncan. THE meeting of the Celtic Congress in she mentioned some Irish books, including Wales during the second week of August .“The Islandman’’ and “Twenty years a- was obviously regarded as an important growing’’ (English titles) which describe life national occasion. How else can one explain on the Blasket Islands, now deserted. the personnel of the strong local committee, Observing that literature reflected the lives which had the Principal of Aberystwyth of the people, Mr. Donald Grant spoke of the University College as president, the professor output of books in Scottish Gaelic, remarking of Celtic languages as chairman, and the town that in Scotland, we still have our bards. The clerk as secretary? A warm welcome was progress of Gaelic drama was noted—a play extended to members by the Mayor of Aberyst- of his own was broadcast by Radio Eireann— wyth , Alderman H. Ivor Owen, while Professor —and the publication of important new books, Caerwyn Williams, University College of North such as the fifth, and penultimate, volume of Wales, Bangor, welcomed visiting members on Carmina Gadelica, and “More West Highland behalf of the Welsh branch, of which he is Tales, Vol. IF’ from J. F. Campbell’s un- president. published manuscript collection,were mentioned. This year’s programme showed several The Scottish Gaelic Texts Society had changes. The real business began on Tuesday recently issued two substantial volumes of morning, August 9th, with an inaugural prose. The list also included “Gaelic Words lecture by Eibhlin Ni Chathailriabhaigh, an and Expressions from South Uist and Eriskay’’ able substitute for Oscar MacUilis, who was collected by Fr. Allan MacDonald (1859-1905), abroad, and, therefore, not available. Eibhlin’s and published two years ago by the Dublin subject was “ The History of the Celtic Con- Institute for Advanced Studies. A novel item gress’ ’ ; but she was not content to state its was the forthcoming Gaelic comic, which will constitution and aims, but characteristically appear quarterly. went on to make practical suggestions, em- Brittany also reported a live literature, phasising the value of the theatre and the Breton folktales being re-told, and Breton production of plays that show how the people plays written. The speaker, M. J. R. F. live. Principal Thomas Parry, who presided Piette, revealed that one of their plays had at this first session, spoke of the contribution been translated into Irish, and produced in Wales was making. Several Welsh plays, he Dublin. told us, had been translated into English, and Mr. Richard G. Jenkin, until this year broadcast. Congress Secretary, reported on Cornwall, An example of the subject brought up in saying that all available funds were used for this way was seen at a concert the same evening, reprinting the older Cornish literature. Two when a Welsh version of J. O. Francis’s “Birds magazines publishing stories and verse in of a Feather’’ was included. The play has Cornish were mentioned. Mr. Jenkin spoke of the late Mr. Morton Nance, Grand Bard of the been translated into both Scottish and Irish Gorsedd, describing him as the greatest of Gaelic, and produced in both countries. modern Cornish writers. Speaking of the present- day contribution to English literature, Mr. Contemporary Celtic Literature Jenkin said that this included poetry, short The second day’s session was a very full stories, biography, and travel. They also had one, the whole forenoon being taken up with a a few novelists, but none comparable to Quiller- discussion of contemporary Celtic literature in Couch, or the brothers Joseph and Silas each of the six Celtic nations, the scholarly Hocking. Mairin Ni Mhuirgheasa leading off for Eire. The longest report was given by Professor Modem Irish literature, she said, began with Thomas J ones. It was a comprehensive account, the founding of the Gaelic League in 1893, dealing in turn with the crisis facing the Welsh and the publication of the Gaelic journal; and, language by the invasion of English; the de- after dealing with the development of drama clining number of Welsh speakers, while the as a means of preserving the native language, population of Wales was on the increase; and — 127 — the renascence, in the modern period, of Welsh Annual Meeting literature of many types. Wales had her At the annual business meeting held at noon, country poets, living close to the land, and the President, Chief Justic Conor Maguire, was fulfilling a social function, but there is now, persuaded to accept re-election, especially as in all classes of literature, a marked swing next year’s Congress will be held in Dublin. from regionalism to concern for Wales as a Mrs. Bebb, of Wales, whose husband was nation. The modern Welsh poet is, therefore, Congress treasurer at the time of his death, grim rather than romantic. was elected secretary, and Mr. Euan Mac- Members were pleased to see Mr. David Diarmid, M.A., C.A., president of the Scottish Craine, who came alone this time, having branch, treasurer. Members stood for one suffered a sore bereavement in the summer. minute’s silence as a tribute to the memory He spoke with his usual eloquence and charm of Mrs. Craine, Isle of Man, Mr. Angus MacLeod, on his beloved Isle of Man. Did not Sir John M.A., B.Sc., F.E.I.S., Edinburgh, and Mr. Rhys call it, “ The pearl of the Celtic nations’ ’ ? R. Morton Nance, of Cornwall. No ancient manuscripts in Manx have survived, The same afternoon, delegates were taken in and the earliest printed Manx dates from the special buses to the National Library of Wales, eighteenth century, when Manx poetry, based Aberystwyth, a handsome building on a on biblical episodes, followed the translation to commanding site overlooking the town and the Bible into Manx. Today, a core of young bay. All the members of the staff, we were people are proficient in Manx, he told us. told, are Welsh-speaking. Mr. Craine might have mentioned his own In the evening a grand inter-Celtic concert fine book, “Manannan’s Isle”, though written was held in the King’s Hall, the Scottish in English. artistes taking part being singers May Margaret MacMillan, Cathie MacNiven, and John A. An enjoyable entertainment, in the form MacRae, with Pipe-major Angus MacDonald, of a Youth Festival, was given in the evening Glasgow City Police, and Sheena MacDonald in the large King’s Hall, Aberystwyth. Although of Glasgow, world champion Highland dancer. the programme was mainly sustained by teenage During the performance, the President arrived singers and dancers, artistes from both Scotland from Dublin, where he had been detained on and Eire took part. Court duty, and addressed the audience during the interval. He was introduced by Professor Contemporary Celtic Music Jones. The following day, a very full session was devoted to a discussion of contemporary music Influence of Press and Broadcasting in the various Celtic countries, Lady Amy Both morning and afternoon sessions were Parry-Williams presiding. held on the final day (Friday), the first, on the The opening speaker, who represented Wales, Visual Arts in the Celtic countries being led gave an address on the position of music there, off by Mr.George Bain, the well-known Scottish and Sean O Riada did the same for Eire, both artist and designer. This was followed by a covering much ground in well-prepared session on Youth Movements, when Mr. Alwyn addresses. Jones (who took the part of the bishop in Our own representative, Mr. John A. MacRae, Tuesday night’s play) gave a most encouraging outlined the history of Gaelic musical publica- address on the growth of the Youth Movement tions from the Rev. Patrick MacDonald’s in Wales. That the movement also flourishes “Collection of Vocal Airs” in 1781 to the elsewhere was shown by a young delegate from volume, “Folksongs and Folklore of South Brittany, Mme. V. de Bellaing, who read a Uist” , by Margaret Fay Shaw five years ago. ten-minute report in English, telling of the In a reference to the School of Scottish Studies, success of the movement in her own country. University of Edinburgh, he told of the large The publication of a thirteen-page illustrated number of Gaelic songs recorded by Nan Quarterly for the young Bretons is a remarkable MacKinnon (Nan Eachainn Fhionnlaigh), of achievement. Vatersay, Barra, which are being prepared for At the afternoon session, the subject was, publication by Mr. James Ross, Carnegie ‘ ‘The influence of the Press and of Broadcasting Research Fellow, and Mr. Francis Collinson, on the national cultures of the Celtic countries’ ’. Mus.B. The songs, numbering four hundred Mr. E. D. Jones, librarian, National Library and fifty, will be set out in groups, or types, of Wales, chaired this meeting, which was each song showing, as far as possible, the addressed by Mr. Alun R. Edwards, Cardigan- environment that fashioned it. shire County librarian, and Mr. Michael 'll Kennedy, secretary of the Eire branch, on the shorter than usual, but all were eminently Press; and on Broadcasting, Mr. A. B. Oldfield- satisfactory. There is only space to add that Davis of the B.B.C. Welsh region, and Mr. the Congress concluded with a concert of vocal Sean MacReamuinn of Radio Eireann. and instrumental music by Welsh composers, As so much information had been given at a signal proof of the musical genius of this earlier meetings, secretaries’ reports were great Celtic people.

THE LORE OF WELLS A DOMINANT aspect of religion in early as being effective in the cure of particular ills. pre-Christian Britain was the belief in The Western Isles abound in “toothache” animism, and especially was this so wells. Sometimes the waters were drunk by where waters, large or small, still or running, the patient and sometimes they were used for formed a prominent topographical feature of a bathing, and always must the well be approached particular district. Each glen with its stream, after sunset and before sunrise. Silence during each ben with a small dark lochan hidden in a the performance of the ritual was strictly • corrie, each brooding unfathomable loch was observed. If a person was too ill to visit the 1 credited with a water-spirit which could work well, his nightshirt was soaked in the waters : for the good of Man, if propitiated, or equally and afterwards taken home and wrapped about well for his doom, if aroused to anger. him. Dr. Alexander Carmichael, in Carmina To propitiate the spirit residing in the I Gadelica mentions instances where a water- waters, small tokens of good faith were left. ' spirit dwelling in a running stream was invoked Small pieces of cloth, coins, papers with charms as a witness to the truth of what a person might written on them, were thrown into the well. ; say at a forthcoming Mod or Court of Justice, Occasionally, a nearby tree or bush was used i Springs were particularly endowed with a as a mediator between the suppliant and the ! magical element because of their appearance, well-spirit, and “clootie’ ’ wells became popular f Bubbling out from the very heart of the earth with visiting folk, whether native or traveller. I or rock, they were regarded as bringers of Scotland possesses many wells attributed with magical powers. Six hundred was the number j health. estimated at one time when a survey was made With the “new broom’’ of Christianity about 100 years ago. Some wells were visited sweeping early Britain, many beliefs came under only on certain auspicious days, usually the the censure of itinerant missionaries. But they day of the associated saint. Others were found that to brush aside completely the beliefs visited at any time, either for the cure of an of former pagan religions only served to retard ailment or just for “luck”. Nowadays most , the progress of their own mission. So it was wells are visited for “luck” .... but who that certain aspects of the replaced religion knows what a fellow-visitor may be doing were subjected to an exorcism to be subse- at a well? ( quently endowed with a Christian significance, To mention one or two Scottish wells: In sij Prominent in this new aspect of combining the Caithness, St. John’s Loch, at Dunnet, was 1 old with the new were well and springs. The visited on the first Monday of May. Its waters i! latter were allowed to be regarded as possessing were used for healing ailments, and coins were a natural healing power and were ‘ ‘ re-dedicated’ ’ thrown into the well. Needless to say, this to the service of the Church. formed a lucrative source of income for small I In many instances, wells, in the re-dedication local boys who feared not a possible “ghostie” [ process, were associated with a particular saint. in the waters. Craigie Well, in the parish of \ Other wells became associated with a saint Avoch, had its nearby bush which was always because of his connection with the immediate covered with threads and pieces of cloth in- locality. Also, if the well was near a “holy’’ tended as offerings to the well-spirit. One place, a hermit’s cell for example, the nearby well, the waters of which were once regarded well became “holy’’. as being efficacious in the cure of insanity, Once the Christian element had been estab- was the Holy Pool of St. Fillan, at Strath \ lished, people began to use the wells and their Fillan. It was visited after sunrise on the water for divers purposes, but mainly for healing first day of the quarter and the waters were ^ of an ailment. Certain wells were regarded used for drinking and bathing. After a 129 —- patient was bathed, he was taken to St. Fillan’s rative cairn. Before the Reformation, the Chapel and laid there on his back, bound to well was known as St. Mary’s Well and the a stone. If, when morning came, the stone ceremony performed there in these early days was loose, the patient was considered to be a still survives. First, a coin must be thrown cured man. At St. Maol-rubha’s Well, in into the well and then a sip of water taken, Ross-shire, whenever it was visited, it was the to act as a charm against evil. A wish is custom to leave rags on nearby bushes and to wished and a small rag is then tied to a branch drive nails, or occasionally copper coins, into of a nearby tree. This latter part of the ritual the trunk of an oak tree. Similar practices is now considered of importance, so much so were performed at wells in most of the Northern that, from the countless rags seen there, the Counties and in the South, in Dumfries and well is known as the “Clootie Well’’. Renfrewshire. But the caution is necessary: to remove a Of the many wells still visited at the present clootie will bring bad luck, if not a transference day, probably the most popular is that at of the very ailment of which the previous Culloden, a “must’ ’ for the hundreds of visitors owners had been trying to rid themselves! who go there each year to visit the commemo- F. G. Thompson, F.S.A., Scot.

REVIEWS SRADAG. this small volume. The language and idiom The first issue of Sradag is now for sale and are homely products, and the phraseology and may be had from An Comunn Office, price, 1 /-. expression are always pleasing. The thought This so-called Gaelic Comic is quite a novel is not at times quite so apparent. This is venture in the Gaelic world, and promises particularly true of certain of the short poems exceedingly well. Its aim is to encourage the included in this volume. Indeed, the average use of Gaelic in speech and reading, particularly reader will frequently find some difficulty with by the young. At present it is a four-page the thought content of many of Mr. Smith’s quarterly production, the outside pages showing poems both in Gaelic and English. This may coloured pictures illustrating amusing incidents in part be due to the mysterious originality of that should interest juniors. Featured on one his imagery, and in some measure to the of the inside pages is the first instalment of a influence of modem English verse in which he traditional tale illustrated with well executed is so deeply steeped. One has to read his poetry pictures in black and white, and on the second with an alert mind and with a flexible imagina- page is a description, in humorous vein, of the tion to keep step with him; but the venture is first phase of a frog-race—a parody on the rewarding. Summit Conference, or, it may be, on the Nine stories and twenty short poems are sensational John O’ Groats to Land’s End included in this book. The paper is of good race. In addition there is a first lesson for the quality, the print is clear, the editing is care- learner carefully arranged, nature notes, in- fully done, and for 5/6 the buyer has his money’s telligence game tests, and other interesting worth. information. The President of An Comunn commends the “In the first half of the nineteenth century venture in shrewd words. emigration from the Outer Isles was resumed What is needed now is a wide circulation on an extensive scale. The commencement of among young people and learners to make a that century was marked by a ‘boom’ in reduction in the selling price possible. kelp-making, the inflation in the value of kelp being mainly due to the war with France. Cum a dol i Fhir-dheasachaidh. When the slump came the proprietors were BURN is ARAN, le Iain Mac a’Ghobhainn, ruined, for the had spent their profits extrav- Gairm 227 Bath Street, Glasgow, 5/6. agantly. Inevitably, an impetus was given Iain C. Smith, the author of this collection to emigration, all the islands of the group of short Gaelic tales and poems, is one of our contributing towards the outflow (which was younger and promising writers. He has fre- encouraged by the needy proprietors and quently been heard on the radio relating some accentuated by famine) about the middle of of his original Gaelic stories depicting life the century. Nova Scotia and Cape Breton among the people he knew so well in his early profited by the loss to the Isles.’’ days, and some of these stories are included in The Western Isles. TREASURER’S NOTES NATIONAL MOD—EDINBURGH, 1960 Angus Maclnnes, Esq., Received at Edinburgh— Edinburgh 2 2 — Previously acknowledged .. .. £670 10 6 D. W. MacRitchie, Esq., Comunn Gaidhealach an Obain .. 10 MissHelensburgh M. F. Mac .. Arthur, — 10 — Mrs.Lantern M. M.Slide Clark, Display Bristol by .. Calum.. 1 Glasgow 1 1 — Morrison, Ceilidh and Dance 21 16 3 HumeCromarty D. Branch Robertson, 3 3 — DingwallArchd. MacEwan, Branch Esq.,.. Mauchline.. .. 13 13 — Esq., Kiltarlity — 10 — Lochinver Branch ...... 7 7 — P. Wakefield,C. Fletcher, England Esq., .. — 9 — HughAmulree Paterson, Branch Esq.,.. Kyle.. .. 25 Miss Jean McEwan, Fal- Net Proceeds of Grand Feill .. 2,372 10 1 Mrs.kirk M. MacDonald, includingMrs. Hobbs, following Inver- donations:— Longforgan 1 1 — lochy £25 Donald M. MacLeod, — 10 — General Sir Philip ElginEsq., Branch Strathpeffer 5 Rev.Christison John Macleod 45 45 — Wm. Ross, Esq., Elgin 1 17 — Lady Jean Fforde 3 Mrs.Stornoway M. Morrison, — 9 — ColonelCameron D.of LochielW. 3 3 — Miss M. McCaffer, Lon- Miss Catriona Mac- Missdon M- A... R. Cameron,.. .. — 10 — Thelean Earl of ArdgourHaig .. 3 3 — Glencoe — 5 — Clan Macpherson Mrs.Bearsden Hugh Macphee, 2 2 — JohnAssociation Murchison & 3 3 — D. W. Christie, Esq., Co. Ltd., Dunoon 1 1 — MissCarluke Catherine Campbell, 2 MissDame Whigham Flora MacLeod 2 2 — Taynuilt — 5 — of MacLeod 5 Mrs.Taynuilt Elizabeth Mackenzie, — 5 — TheSociety Royal Celtic 50 Evan Mackay, Esq., Ross and Cromarty Mrs.Dingwall M. F. Souter, 1 10 — NeilAssociation Shaw, Esq. .. 6 Dingwall 1 1 — Lord Astor 5 5 — MissKilmarnock Jessie T. D... Nisbet, DonaldEsq. MacVicar, 3 3 — Mrs.Macdougall Macdougall of 5 £3,317 6 1 Clan Mackay Society 20 CENTRAL FUND Mr. & Mrs. S. Camp- Previously acknowledged .. .. £67 18 9 Thebell Misses Car- 10 Henry McE. Matthews, Esq., New York 1 1 — michael, Lochgilp- HectorWilliam McFadyen, Christie, Esq.,Esq., DundeeNew York .. •—-46 15 —10 Misshead M. F. Nicolson, 5 Dingwall Branch ...... 3 3 — Skye 2 2 — RobertComunn Coupland, Gaidhealach Esq., Leodhais Aberdeen .. .. —5 4 — Wm.Esq. Herdman, Kildalton Branch ...... 10 Mrs.Mackenzie, E. Clodagh Skye 2 £94 6 7 MissEdinburgh M. C. McGlashan, 3 4 — MAGAZINE FUND J ames Shaw, Esq., Mrs.Previously Margaret acknowledged MacDonald, Longforgan S .S .C., Edinburgh 2 2 — £3,094 7 10 Miss Mary F. Mac Arthur, Glasgow Received at Glasgow— Mrs. H • M. Campbell of Airds, Amersham Previously acknowledged £194 9 3 Rev. John MacKay, M.A., Glasgow .. D.deen Logan, .. Esq.,.. Aber-.. — 10 — £6 2 — Donald Campbell, Esq., COMUNN NA H-OIGRIDH FUND Mrs.Dundee Cath. Kennedy,.. .. — 2 — Previously acknowledged .. .. £27 7 — Minard . . — 5 — GlasgowFlag Day Central Collection Branch at Brora...... 10 105 — Mrs.Gardyne, R. ForfarGreenhill- .. — 18 — NeilNewport-on-Tay Matheson, Esq.,.. — 4 — — 131 — MOD PRIZE LIST Junior Section MacMillan,Poem on Inverness.any subject (Ailsa Trophy)—Alex. John 1 Literature Short Story (the Hugh MacCorquodale Fingal | Ferguson,Group DRoyal Essay Academy, on Life Inverness.of Abraham—1. Dolina Memorial Prize)—John A. Macpherson. Group E Essay as prescribed—1. Norman Maciver, JohnLong A. StoryMacpherson. (Gaelic Society of Glasgow Prize)— j The Nicolson Institute. Essay—John A. Macpherson. Oral Delivery Songs for Children (the Robert MacMillan Prize)— 1: Reading Prose—1. Annie MacKinnon, Castlebay John A. Macpherson, Tigharry. J.S. School. Prose (under 12)—1. Murdo F. J. Mrs.Compilation K. Douglas, of unpublishedKilmuir, Skye. Gaelic vocal music— 1 WoodsideMacDonald, Sec.Glasgow. School. Narrative—1. Reading—1. Allan Campbell,Elizabeth Arrangements in harmony of a song (the Angus I Gallacher, Greenock High School. Recitation— SkyeRobertson Association)—Constance Memorial Prize presented MacKenzie, by the GlasgowLochs, I} Reading1. Marion at M.sight—1. MacLeod, Annie Castlebay MacKinnon, J. S.Castlebay. School. Lewis. Conversation—1 • Kenneth MacKinnon, Castlebay J .S. Art and Industry School. Reading—1. David W. MacLeod, Loch Awe. Hand-woven scarf—Mrs. Catherine Brown, Mallaig. 1 Reading (under 12)—1. Farquhar MacGregor, Kyle. Kilt hose—Miss Eliz. Macrae, Golspie. Lochinver.Reciting from Memory—1. Caroline MacKenzie, Tobermory.Original Celtic design—-Miss Katie Macdougall, • Glasgow.Reciting Verse-speaking—1.from Memory—1. DonaldOban C.High Macfarlane, School. Comhradh—1. Flora MacDonald, Oban High School. Aberdeen.Pair of chair backs—Miss Catherine Mackenzie, 9 RecitationRev. George (boys)—1, W. Mac Kay,Farquhar D.D., MacGregor, Memorial Cup—Kyle. Set of four table mats—Captain Hay of Hayfield. 1 Allan Campbell, Woodside Secondary School. MissSupper Eliz. Macrae,cloth embroidered in Celtic design— 9 Solo Singing An Comunn Gaidhealach Trophy—Miss Katie 9 Solo singing of an unpublished song—1. Ann MacDougall, Tobermory. —SilverGillies, ObanMedal—Mary High School.C. MacLean, Solo Castlebaysinging (girls) J.S. Dundee.Embroidered work bag or apron—Shonagh Macleod, 9 School. (boys)--Silver Medal—1. Stewart Graham, Milking stool—M. Freedman, Glasgow. MacNeill,Dunblane. Colonsay.Sold singing (boys)—1. Donald M. Hand-knitted gloves—Shonagh Macleod. Boys and girls—1. Jessie Stone, Campbeltown. CrookstonPorker Castleor toasting S.S. School.fork—Timothy Thomas, Solo singing (girls)—1. Moira C. MacMillan, Glasgow. Silver cup—Shonagh Macleod. Solo& District singing, Highland own choice Association (boys and girls)—SkelmorlieQuaich—1. Ann Gillies, Oban High School. Duet singing—1. Sandra Oral Delivery Gardner, Ayr; Margaret MacCulloch, Ayr. Solo Reciting from memory, “An talla bu ghnath le Matthews,singing (girls Ayr. over Solo 14 singingand under (girls 16)—1. over 12Francis and MacLeoid’’—Mary Morrison, Glasgow. underCup presented 14) — 1. byMorag Mrs. M. Helmut McLure, Schroder—Mary Glasgow. Silver C. NanReciting MacLeish, from Perth. memory, “Gun sgios gun fhois”— MacLean, Castlebay. Reading at sight—Mary Pringle, Lochs. Unison Singing MurdoThe F.Glasgow J. Macleod, Skye Edinburgh.Association’s Gold Medal— Mrs. Campbell Blair Trophy—1. Glasgow Gaelic Recitation of poetry composed by the competitor Musical1. Castlebay Association. J.S. School.Action song—ShiantChoral singing—Oban Shield— —Donald A. MacNeill, Colonsay. Times Challenge Trophy—For highest marks in Gaelic Smith,Folk Lochs.Tale—Anglo-Chilean Trophy—Kenneth D. Mrs. Hobbs of Inverlochy Trophy—Glasgow Gaelic Speech—Kenneth D. Smith. MusicalChoir. AssociationUnison singing—Rhona and Oban HighMacVicar School Trophy— Gaelic Reciting from memory, “Do Mhac Fhionghuin an Millar1. Ayr Trophy—1.Junior Gaelic Ayr Choir. Junior GaelicChoral Choir. singing—Mrs. t-Stratha”—Cona M. MacLean, Glasgow. Nisbet,Recitation Kilmarnock. of prose (own choice)—Jessie T. D. Instrumental Music Reading at sight—Jessie T. D. Nisbet. Playing of slow Gaelic air and march on the piano- Speech—Jessie T. D. Nisbet. forte—MargaretRhona C. MacKay, Hill-Boyle Clarkston. Memorial Trophy—1. Dr. John Cameron Trophy—Jessie T. D. Nisbet. Senior Section Clarsach Playing Literature twoPlaying songs, chosenof two byGaelic the competitor—Charlesairs or accompanying Mac- of 9m of Cassillis—JohnSilver Cup presented A. Macpherson, by the Earl Tigharry. and Countess Eachran Memorial Clarsach—Isobel Lamb, Edinburgh. m Accompanying of a singer on the cl&rsach— J Macpherson.The Miss Millar Weir Gold Medal—John A. Gwendolen McGill, Ayr. — 132 Playing “Mo nighean chruinn donn” and a Duet Singing M.contrasting Urquhart, piece Edinburgh. of the competitor’s choice—Alice Duet singing (own choice)—Janet Macdonald, Solo singing with self-accompaniment on the clarsach Lochs; Bruce Burns, Lochs. —Alice M. Urquhart, Edinburgh. Instrumental Music Solo Singing Playing of a Highland March, Strathspey and Reel Folk songs—Scotia Trophy—Margaret A. MacKin- Targe—Nina(bagpipe setting) MacTavish, on the Bunchrew.pianoforte—Aberdeenshire non, Brora. Playing of a Highland March, Strathspey and —KennethPort-a-Beul—Duncan Maclver, London. Johnston Memorial Trophy Reel on the violin—Sutherland Cup—Margaret Mur- Solo singing of “Theid mi ’gad amharc’’ vmen) doch, Blairgowrie. —Louis K. Stewart, Glasgow. AngusPlaying Grant, of aLochailort. Strathspey and Reel on the violin— Whitehcuse.Waulking songs (women)—Mary M. M. MundelL Solo singing of “Tiugainn do Scalpaidh’’ (women) Choral Singing ,r —Kathleen N. Henry, Tarbert. Choral singing of “Hi ri ’m bo” and Hi ri ri Rowing songs (men)—Bruce Burns, Lochs. highesttha e tighinn”—Lornmarks in Gaelic—Laxdale Shield & DalriadaGaelic Choir. Cup for Trophy—GeorgeOran Mor (men)—F. J. Clavey, S. Edinburgh.Cameron-Head Memorial Women’s rural choirs—Bowmore Gaelic Choir. Choral singing of “Sine BMn” and “Chunna —AnneSolo singingC. MacQuarrie, of “ An gille Prestwick. dubh ciardhubh’ ’ (women) mi’ ’ndamhdonn's na h-eildean”—Sheriff MacMaster Oran Mor (women)—Rhona MacLeod, Glasgow. CampbellChoir. Memorial Quaich—Lochgilphead Gaelic Clavey,Solo Edinburgh.singing of Coille Chaoil (men)—George J • Choral singing of “Mo rim geal 6g” and “Gaol Solo singing of Eilean mo Chridh—Joan C. anGreenock t-seoladair” Gaelic Choral(women)—Esme Society. Smyth Trophy— MacNeill, Colonsay. Choral singing of “Cailleach liath Ratharsaidh” Stornoway.Learners’ final competition (men)—Bruce Burns, and “Bodaich na h-Odh”—Greenock Gaelic Choir Learners’ final competition (women)—Kathleen Cup—Aberdeen Gaelic Choir. Henry, Tarbert. andChoral “Domhnall singing anof dannsair”' ‘Smeorach (men)—MullChlann Domhnaill” & Iona Eite’’Solo and singing “Maisa of Latha“A’ Bealltainn”—Glasgowchailin tha tkmh mu ObanLoch Shield—Greenock Gaelic Choir. & Lorn Gold Medal—Anne C. MacQuarrie, Prestwick. ChoirQuartette A. “An t-ailleagan’ ’—,Glasgow-Islay Gaelic Edinburgh.Solo singing (own choice)—Murdo F. J. Macleod, Choral singing of “Caol Muile”, and ‘’S ai mo Solo singing of an unpublished song—Calum run” (Lovat and Tullibardine Trophy)—Campbeltown Cameron, Glasgow. Gaelic ChoirChoir (358(359 points). points); Runner-up—Greenock Solo singing of ‘' Long mo bhruadair ’ ’—Nova Scotia Gold Medal—Mabel Kennedy, Glasgow. Gaelic—Stornoway' ‘ Weekly Scotsman Gaelic ’ ’ Quaich Choir. for highest marks in (717Gold pts.); Medal runner-up—Catherine (women)—Rhona MacLeod, A. MacNiven, Glasgow Choral singing of “Mo chaileag Shuaineartach” Glasgow (713 pts.). Trophy—Dingwalland “An gille guanach”—Margrat Gaelic Choir. Duncan Memorial (711Gold pts.) ;Medal runner-up—A. (men)—George M. Ross, Clavey,Lochinver Edinburgh (696 pts./ in Gaelic—DingwallJohn McNicol Memorial Gaelic TrophyChoir. for highest marks

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AN GAIDHEAL THE GAEL Editor — ]. THOMSON, M.A., F.E.I.S., 116 WEST SAVILE TERRACE, EDINBURGH to whom all correspondence should be addressed except that concerning advertising, which should be addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer. 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C.2. Telephone: DOUglas 1433. Leabhar LV AN DULACHD, 1960 Aireamh 12 ATH-CHUIMHNE Nuair a bhios duine ’na shuidhe leis fhein is Chuireadh a’ gheola air bhog, leum sinne iomadh smaoin a ruitheas troimh an inntinn innte, ’s cha b’ fhada a bha na ceithir raimh a’ gun fhios de dhuisg iad aig an am, no carson deanamh a’ chinn-uidhe dheth. Streap sinne— a thainig iad no de a’ chrioch a bhios aca. na balaich bheaga—air bord gun fhuireachd Dhuisgeadh mise as mo chadal-cearnach, mus ris an sgioba a bha maille ruinn. Bha coinn- robh mi idir buidheach, le fuaim na treana san eachadh aig cairdean an sin ; bha fasgadh dol seachad. Co-dhiubh is e nach fhaca mise lamh ann ; bha naidheachd air aithris ’s air i, 's gun mo shuil air an uinneig, no nach robh iarraidh. Nuair a bhuail sroin na geola am miann sam bith agam a bhith innte am feasgar mol a ris 's a leum na fir gu tir chaidh poca a bha sud a b’ aobhar dha chan aithne dhomh, bola le briosgaidean cruaidhe cruinne a dhortadh ach ’sea chuala mi nuair a dhuisg mi gair nan air a’ mhol airson nam balach. Sud na tonn air an tr&igh, sgriach nan eun air iteig, briosgaidean a bha milis agus saor. Bha gach agus greadhnachas ard-fhuaimneach nam fear brogach a’ bleith lan a phluic, agus a’ dinneadh air a’ mhol. Bha mi air ball ann an saoghal ’na phocaidean. Cha robh fuaran no sruthan eile gun fharadh a phaidheadh, gun aiseag, uisge air an t-slighe dhachaidh nach robh gun chlaoidh, gun mhulad. gob balaich tomte ann a’ casg an iotaidh. Nach iongantach an smaoin fhein a Chaidh a’ chuibhle mu’n cuairt, agus sguir dh’fhosglas dorsan a’ phriosain agus a bheir othail is iomairt aig beul an lain. Tha gair oighreachd na saorsa gu do chasan. Bha nan tonn air an traigh mar o chian, tha sgriach gleadhraich a’ bhaile-mhoir ceithir thimcheall nan eun anns an aile ach caite a nis a bheil na orm ach cha robh cluas ann a dh’eisdeadh. laoich, agus cuin a thilleas na balaich dhach- Bha cabhsair cruaidh fodham, ach bha mise aidh ? Ach chan eil an sin ach ceist eile. aon uair eile am measg nam balach am beul Leanaidh sinn iad 'nar smaoin anns na an lain a’ feitheamh ris an iiibhraich fo a cuid bailtean mora, air feadh raointean Chanada, aodaich 's i sitheadh direach air a’ chala. Cha air na lochan, anns na coilltean, agus gu robh balach beag no mor an sud nach robh fios aige gle mhath co an te a bha ann. Bha cumadh sonruichte anns na puirt mhara an cois a’ an t-siuil mhoir ’ga brath, agus bha fios againn Chuain Sheimh —. uile gur h-e Calum Og a bha air an stiuir. Is Cha mhuch an cuan no coilltean dluth’ ann a Gallaibh a bha am bata ri tighinn le An durachd is an gradh gillean sgoinneil air bord. Cha robh iomnuidh Do thir an duthchais fada thall oirnn a thaobh a’ chosnaidh a rinn no nach do Far eil an geall orr' tamh. rinn iad, biodh sin orrasan. Cha robh teagamh Ged thuinich iad an tirean cein’ againn nach gabhadh iad ruinn gu toileach Cha chaochail speis gu brath nuair a phaisgeadh iad na siuil agus a leigeadh Do’n chlachan chaomh san robh iad 6g iad sios an acair am bun-na-fadhlach. Mun d’fhogradh iad thar sail. — 135 “ DIOGHALTAS” Le Iain A. Mac a’ Phearsoin, Uidhist a Tuath. (A’ chiad duals aig a’ Mhod,) AN uair a chaill siol Ghorraidh seilbh air An uair a ghluais an droch run Gilleaspuig Uibhist a Tuath anus a’ cheathramh Dubh gu innleachd bais Dhomhnaill Hearaich linn deug dh’ eirich casaid chruaidh a a dhealbh dh’fhasdaidh e comhailteach d’am thaobh uachdaranachd an eilein. Bha Clann b’ainm Pol gus na bha ’n a rim a thoirt gu Raghnaill agus Clann Uisdein, is e sin Domh- buil. Diughlaidh cealgach, ceacharra a bh’ann nallaich Shleibhte, an ugannan a cheile feuch am Pol, agus le gealltanas mir fearainn anns co aca a gheibheadh seilbh air fearann Uibhist. an sgir Phaibhich thug Gilleasbuig a thaobh e Thainig an fharpuis a bha eatorra gu trilleach agus dh’innis e dha an innleachd a bha aige ann an 1505 an uair a thabhainn Iain mac anns an amharc gus Domhnall Hearach a Uisdean ’ic Alasdair, ogha do threas Tighearna dhochann. nan Eilean, an oighreachd do Chlann Raghnaill. Cha robh for aig Domhnall Hearach gu robh Bha triiiir bhraithrean aig Iain so-—Domhnall a naimhdean fo liiirich a’ toirt a mach binn a’ Hearach, Domhnall Gallach agus Gilleasbuig bhais. Bha e mar chleachdadh aige bhith Dubh—agus bha iad doimheadach gun do tairgse aoigheachd d’ a chairdean ’ n a dhachaidh chaill iad seilbh air an coraichean air a leithid agus bhiodh iad a’ tighinn an comhair gach so de dhoigh. Bha Gilleasbuig Dubh gu ama a chur lathaichean seachad ’na chuideachd. h-araidh air a ghonadh agus chuir e roimhe gun Bha e ’n duathar airson gu robh cuid de na sguabadh e as an rathad gach cnap-starra bha h-aoighean so a’ feitheamh a’ cheud chothrom eadar e agus seilbh air Uibhist. Gu so a thoirt gus lamh a chur ’ na bheatha, agus ghabh e aca gu buil mharbh e a leth-bhrathair Domhnall gu cuireadach, coibhneil mar a b’abhaist. Gallach anns an Eilean Sgitheanach agus, sin Cha bhiodh soradh air fialaidheachd 's air deanta, chuir e as do a leth-bhrathair eile, fearas-chuideachd fhad’s a bhiodh a’ chomhlan Domhnall Hearach. Ach cha b’fhada mheall cruinn. Agus chan eil teagamh nach biodh e an cumhachd a choisinn e ri linn nan euchdan briathran Silis na Ceapaich fior dh’ an taobh- ana-cneasda sin. Rug an dioghaltas air. Latha san cuideachd— ’s iad a’ sealg air Beinn Li thainig faclan eadar “ ’Nuair a tharlamaid le cheile e fhein agus Domhnall Gruamach, mac Dhomh- B’e Sleibhte toiseach ar seanchais.” naill Ghallaich, agus ’se bhuil a bh’ann gun Latha bha sud, ’ s iad air cruinneachadh ann d’ fhuair Gilleasbuig Dubh am bas a thoill e an dachaidh Dhomhnaill Hearaich, chuireas air an laraich ris an abrar bho’n uair sin romhpa gum feuchadh iad farpuis luth-chleasan, Bealach an Sgail. ged a bha lan fhios aca gun toireadh Domhnall An uair a thill a’ chomhlan sheilge dhachaidh Hearach fead air an fhear bu treasa dhiubh, dh’fhaighneachd bean ’Illeaspuig ciamar a oir cha mhor a bha cho lixthmhor agus cho bhuilich iad an latha. ‘ ‘Mharbh sinn an damh subailte ris. Thubhairt aon de’n chuideachd a b’airde bh’anns an fhrith,” fhreagair iad. gu feuchadh iad an toiseach air leumainn aird, Thuig i air ball de bh’air tachairt, agus so a cleas anns an robh mo liadh air leth ealanta. briathran:— Bha doigh araidh aca air an leum so a dhean- ‘ Ts truagh nach mise bha ’s a’ ghleann amh—bha iad a’ crochadh craicionn caorach air Far an d’rinneadh feoil, ’s dhoirteadh fuil ; na sparran agus toll cruinn air a ghearradh 'n Far an do leagadh an damh duilleach donn; a theis meadhon. Bhatar a’ feuchainn feuch Mo chreach lorn! nach robh mi muigh.’ ’ co leumadh cho ard ’ s gun cuireadh e a cheann Anns an latha bh’ann cha robh lagh a’ troimh 'n toll so. riaghladh ach am fear bu treasa agus bha Bha ullachadh uidheam na leumainn aird euchdan ana-cneasda r’an cur as an leth- an latha ud an urra ri Pol, comhailteach ’Illeas- san a bha airson leasachadh a dheanamh air puig Dhuibh, agus cha robh cion an ullachaidh an cumhachd is air an cuid. Ach gle thric air. Bha esan air iall leathrach a roladh mu bha dioghaltas garbh a’ tuiteam air na reubal- thimchioll an toill anns an t-seicidh. Air a aich aig a’ cheann thall. Dh’ainmich mi cheann so de’n eill bha dul ruitheach easgaidh cheana Domhnall Hearach. Gus m’fhacal a agus bha an ceann eile a’ tuiteam air cul a’ theannachadh a thaobh dhroch euchdan agus bhalla-tharsainn a bha am meadhon an t- dioghaltas d’an reir, bu mhath learn sgeul a seomair. bhais a libhrigeadh dhuibh. An uair a thainig na farpuisich a steach liiig — 136 — I! Pol gu fiataidh gu cul a’ bhalla-tharsaing, far Air an fheasgar fhoghair sin bha Pol na h-Eille an do chum e a chluas ri claistneachd eadar- ann am mullach cruaich arbhair ann am Paiblis- , ’a-bhi na comhla. Thoisich an fharpuis ach gearraidh ’nuair a chunnacas duine conadail . air airde na leumann cha ruigeadh duine air an a’ tighinn tarsainn a’ mhachaire bho Sgeir a’ toll a bha ’ s an t-seicidh. An sin thuit an crann Chotain le ceum uallach aigeannach agus e a’ ; air Domhnall Hearach. Sheas e air an stamad- deanamh ball-dlreach air an iodhlann far an air, shocraich e a shuil air an toll agus ghearr e robh iad a’ dluthadh. ; an leum gu sguabanta mar a b’ abhaist. An Thuit a shud ’s a shad air Pol na h-Eille. uair a bha a cheann troimh ’ n toll thug Pol Ar leis gu robh am a dhunaidh a’ teannadh air. draghadh air an eill agus theannaich an dul mu Sheall e thuige ’s bhuaithe ’s dh’eigh e riutha- 'sgornan an fhir a leum. Bha Dbmhnall air a san a bha mu bhonn na cruaiche, “ De an aird thachdadh arms a’ chroich. Ach chan fhoghnadh bho’n robh a’ ghaoth an de? ’’ “Bho’n ear,’’ le Pol na h-Eille ach an gniomh oillteil a thoirt fhreagair iadsan. “Soirbheas gasda do bhata a , gu ire na bu mhiosa. Thug e iarrainn dhearga dh’fhagadh an t-Eilean Sgitheanach gu cala as an teine agus sparr e iad ann an suilean a’ thoirt a mach air cladach Uibhist,’’ arsa Pol. '' chairbh. “Mur eil mi air mo mhealladh theirinn gur e Aig a’ cheart am thainig bantrach Dhomhnaill mac Dhomhnaill Hearaich a tha a’ tighinn , Hearaich an lathair agus an uair a thuig i mar tarsainn a’ mhachaire.’’ a dh’ eirich thionndaidh i ris na mortairean le Cha robh am facal ach gann as a bheul ’nuair frionas feirge. ‘ ‘Ma bhruich sibh e carson nach a thug e dudar leum as a nuas as a’ chruaich. ’do dh’ith sibh e ?,” ars ise. “Chan eil fhios Mach a thug e tarsainn a’ Ghearraidh Mheadhon- j nach eil fo mo chrios na thogadh a thorachd aich agus sios Traigh an Locha. Bha e deanamh fhathast! ” Mar a thubhairt b’fhior. Theich direach air comraich eaglais Chille Mhoire a a’ bhantrach gu ruige Rbnaidh. As an sin bha mu mhile dh’astar air falbh. Nam buann- ; fhuair i almsadh air aiseag do ’n Eilean Sgith- aicheadh e tearainteachd a’ chinn-uidhe so cha i eanach, far an do rugadh leanabh mic dhi tigeadh beud no dochainn air aruinn. Saoil an } beagan mhiosan an deidh bas a fir. gleidheadh e a’ chomhraich ? B’e sin cnag S Trath thainig an gille so—Aonghus Fionn— na cuise dhasan! \ —gu aois tuigse dh’ innis a mhathair dha mar a Thug Aonghus Fionn an aire dha a’ teicheadh Ithacbair dha athair agus an uair a thainig e gu agus thuig e co bha aige. Mach a ghabh e as a fearalas bhoidich e gun deanadh e dioghaltas dheaghaidh. Bha na bliadhnaichean air trom- air na mortairean. achadh a thoirt am ceum Phoil agus bha Chuir e bata fo uidheam agus dh’ fhasdaidh e Aonghus Fionn a’ buannachd air leis a h-uile sgioba ann an Trondaimis. Sheol iad gu sinteig, ged a bha e air a chuingealachadh le |cladach IJibhist ri soirbheas o’n ear. Bhuail bogha ’s le truaill shaighead a bha crochte i iad talamh tioram ann an Eubhal ri marbhan r’ a chrios. ia’ mheadhoin oidhche. Eadar iad ’s leus B’ e sruthan a bha air taobh deas na h-eaglais Ichunnaic iad bothan sgrath os cionn a’ chlad- a bha deanamh criche na comraich. Nam i aich agus rinn iad air. Ged bhuail iad an dorus faigheadh Pol thar an t-sruthain so bha aran cha d’fhuair iad freagairt sam bith ach air an fuinte ; chan fhaodadh am fear torachd a dara bualadh chual’ iad guth fann a’ feorach leantuinn na b’fhaide. Ach cha robh an ;“ Co tha sud ? ’ ’ t-seasgaireachd sin an dan do Phol na h-Eille. j ‘ ‘Tha Aonghus Fionn mac Dhomhnaill Hear- Mun tug e mach an sruthan spion Aonghus Fionn taich,’’ ars iadsan. “Mo ghradh airsan,’’ saighead as an truaill agus rinn e cuims’ air ichuala iad. ‘ ‘Fanaibh gus an toir mi an easpach leis a’ bhogha. Bha Pol a’ leum an t-sruthain ‘bharr na comhla.’’ ’n uair a chaidh roinn na saighde 'na shail, { Cha robh anns a’ bhothan ach aon chailleach agus thuit e 'na chonablach, a chasan 's an fach abair thusa gun d’fhuair Aonghus Fionn uisge ’s a cheann 's a bhodhaig air talamh agus an sgioba gabhail aca ’n uair a chual’ i tioram comraich na h-eaglaise. fath an turuis. Fhuair iad biadh is fois na Bha seann duine a’ fuireach faisg air Cille h-oidhche far an robh iad, ach cha robh cadal Mhoire ris an cante Goll, comhdhalta do Dhomh- Aonghuis Fionn ach luaineach. Bha e air nall Hearach agus rag-namhaid do Phol na bhioran gu bhith air an fhalbhan. Ann an h-Eille. Bha e dall mar thoradh air gun do glasadh an latha chuidhtich e a chompanaich chuir Pol an da shuil as le iarainn theinteach. agus thog e air tarsainn na mointich troimh An latha so thainig a nighean a bha gabhail Chairinis agus na Cladaichean gus an tug roimhe a steach ’s a h-anail ’n a h-uchd. “Tha ;e mach Ceann a’ Bhaigh. As a sin ghabh e Pol na h-Eille ’n a shineadh aig an t-sruthan, ’ ’ ..‘fiaradh tarsainn an Druim Aird gus an tainig ars ise, “agus tha fear ard ban a nuas chun an ^e am fianuis Chnoc an Torran. tighe le bogha shaighead.’’ “Aonghus Fionn — 137 — mac Dhomhnaill Hearaich! ” ghlaodh am Chaidh mo mhealladh is mo dhalladh bodach le gairdeachas. “ Thoireabh a mach Le na bha de cheo ann. mi ’s trebraichibh gu Pol mi,” ars esan, ’s e ’g Gun Fhaobhar. a sgioblachadh fhein. Gun Bheos. Bha Pol a nis anns an lagaranaich agus cha b’ fhada gus an do thilg e an anail mu dheireadh. Tacharan an anmuich a’ tachais mo chluais’, Cha tug e ’mheirg bharr fhiacaill ’n uair a Tannasg na maille ’gam thaladh ’nam shuain, chunnaic e Goll a’ tighinn air aruinn. Bha Talamhaidheachd m’ anam an tanalachd uair’, fhios aige nach robh maitheanas ri bhith ann. ’ S uireach na h-uine umam dunadh gu luath. Chuir Goll lamh ’na bheatha le gniomh cho Gun Decs. ana-cneasda 's nach biodh e riatanach dhomhsa Luch. iomradh a thoirt air. ’ S eolach mise air do sgrubail Sin mar a chaidh bas Dhomhnaill Hearaich a ’ S na cixiltean an comhnaidh. dhioghladb • Gus an lath a ’n diugh ’s e leathad ’S trie thu ’g imlich na h-iiireach Phoil a theirear ris an tolman air am bheil ’ S ’ g a biirach le d’ spogan. Cladh Chille Mhoire agus seann eaglais na sgire air an suidheachadh. Tha thu salach ’nad nadur, Tha Goll air chuimhne cuideachd. ’Se Mar is gnath le do sheorsa. Gollair a theirear ris a’ bhaile bheag thri ’S ann le fabhar bha dha dhiobh tighean a tha laimh ri Cille Mhoire. Tha San airc a bh’ aig Noah. caibeal anns an t-seann chladh ris an abrar Mac-Tall a . caibeal Bhaile Raghnaill, agus air balla tuath a’ chaibeil so tha leac liomhte gheal air a bheil cunntas . sgriobhte air ginealaichean teaghlach Bhaile Raghnaill troimh na linntean. Is e Cnoc Nan Arm Domhnall Hearach a’ cheud ghluin de’n Bho chionn fhada nan cian, anns na linntean fhreumhaig air a bheil iomradh. dorcha a dh’fhalbh, bhitheadh na Lochlannaich gu math bitheanta a’ spuilleadh is a’ togail creiche mu chladaichean Alba. So mar a thachair do na daoine borba ud nuair a tMinig Seoladair Is Saighdear iad thar sail agus a chuir iad a steach ann am bagh Hoglan an Tigh a’ Ghearraidh air Thainig long chaol an uachdarain turus chon taobh an iar IJibhist a Tuath. an Tairbeart, agus sgioba Scarpach innte. Thachair gur e la fionnar, tioram a bha ann, Bidh muinntir na Hearadh a’ fanaid air na agus bha fir a’ bhaile sa’ bheinn a’ buain Scarpaich a chionn gu bheil Gaidhlig aca (agus mhonach. Nuair a fhuair na mnathan a’ chiad Beurla leis) nach eil aca fhein. ’S e Alasdair sealladh de na sgothan Lochlannach a’ cur Fhionnlaigh a bha air an stiuir. Nuair a steall a Caolas an Eilein, rinn iad mar a b’fhearr tMinig iad air tir choinnich Iain Saighdear a b’ urrainn iad air aite falaich. riutha aig amhach an Tairbeirt. ’S e Iain a Ann an tiota bha na Lochlannaich air talamh bha an urra ris a’ mhuileann-chardaidh an tioram agus air na bataichean acrachadh. An uair sin, agus thuirt e ri Alasdair gur e droch sin thog iad orra gu tighean na sgireachd, agus fhear-stiuiridh a bha ann. Cha do dh’innis ghoid iad gach ni air na chuir iad lamh. Cha Alasdair coir dha mar a dheanadh e pearrd, robh na mnathan ’nan tamh am feadh a bha so ach thuirt e so ris : a' dol air aghaidh, agus cha robh iad idir cho “Bha mise seoladh mharannan beag feuma ’s a shaoil na spuinneadairean. Ann an iomadh aite Chuir iad fios cabhagach gu na fir anns a’ bheinn. Na bu ghabhaiche na eadar Stac-an-duilisg An sin rinn iad air na bataichean Lcchlannach Agus Dubh-sgeirean Ard-h-Asaig, agus chuir iad am falach na raimh agus na 'S chan fhaca mise muillear h-airm. Le sgumas dubh na cardaich Cha b’ fhada gus an robh na fir aig baile, agus Ris an canainn “So an stiuir, nuair a chunnaic na Lcchlannaich so rinn iad ’S mi 'n duil gur tu as fhearr oirr’.” air na bataichean cho luath ’s a tharradh iad An Taran. airson an cuid arm, ach cha robh aca ach an gad air an robh an t-iasg. A bharrachd air sin Gun Aobhar. cha robh rathad aca air cur gu sal oir cha robh Dh’fhag mi an tannasg, ’s e gun anam, ramh air fhagail. Cha robh air ach aghaidh a Ach an robh dad de dheo ann. chur air muinntir Hoglain. Cha do lagaich fir na bliadhnachan, agus gu sonruichte a thaobh a* bhaile gus an robh an Lochlannach obair an eisg ghlais agus an sgadain. Fagaidh mu dheiredh ’na chorp air a’ chluain. sinn iasgach na h-adaig a bha gu minic an urra Dh’adhlaiceadh gach aon diubh ann an aon ri balaich oga agus ri seann daoine a bha air na sloe ann am badan name os cionn a’ chladaich bataichean a leigeadh seachad, agus iasgach a far am bitheadh fuaim a’ chuain air an robh ghiomaich ris na cladaichean, agus iasgach a’ iad cho eolach gu maireannach ’nan cluasan. bhradain nach robh cho faicsinneach do ’n Turns a bha sud, iomadh la is bliadhna an t-suil, gu am iomchuidh eile. deidh so, bha fear de mhuinntir an aite a’ Bha na h-eathraichean mora dol gu sal treabhadh air a’ mhachair os cionn a’ toiseach an earraich agus bha iasgach an truisg chladaich. Thainig e air lamhag chloiche, ’ s na langain a’ leantuinn gu toiseach an aitich. agus chan fhaca e cail a b’fhearr na a toirt Sheasadh balach aite fir leis an lion bheag, ach dhachaidh leis. Ach an 14air a bha an duine cha robh feum ann air chul raimh ann a’ coir gu blath socair ’na leabaidh aon oidhche sgoth Niseach agus cha b’ e druim maoth chuala e guth ag radh, “Till mo lamhag.” balaich a chuireadh gu fairge i no bheireadh Ghabh e an rabhadh, agus ’sea’ chiadchara do’n bhruthaich i. Dh’fheumadh i neart rinn e sa’ mhadainn an lamhag a chur air ais laoich r’a sliosaid agus feithean ruighinn airson far an d’fhuair e i. Cha do chuireadh an nan ramh. Bha an obair trom, saruichte a corr dragha air an duine tuilleadh. chionn nach robh laimrigean freagarrach ann Gus an la an diugh theirear “Cnoc nan airson ballaist a chur air bord no iasg a thoirt Arm ’ ’ ris an tom bheag ud ri taobh na mara gu tir, no eathar a chur air bhog. Ach bha na ann an Hogan. fir ud edlach air duathais agus iongantach A. NicCoinnich, toilichte le’n crannchur. Inbhirnis • Ged nach robh airgiod mor as an iasg ghlas— oir bha a’ phrxs daonnan iosal—bha e feumail airson biadh an teaghlaich, agus a chionns gu robh an t-iasg pailt bha beo-shlaint an t- “An Tir Bu Mhiann sluaigh cinnteach. Bha an trosg agus an langa cho lionmhor agus nach togte sgait bharr a' Leam” mhuil, agus dheanadh iad lonnan de na h- easgannan. Obair An lasgaich Chi sinn an deidh so carson a leigeadh an obair fheumail so seachad, agus a dh’fhasaich- OCHIONN corr is leth-cheud bliadhna air eadh puirt iasgaich na Gaidhealtachd ionnus ais, nuair a bha an t-iasgach aig airde nach fhaicear an diugh an iomadh cala beag an Gaidhealtachd Alba agus anns na ach crainnseach nan eathraichean agus nam h-Eileanan a Siar, bha am m6r shluagh an bataichean anns a' ghainmhich. urra ri tacar na mara airson earrann mhath Is e iasgach an sgadain bu mhotha ris an de’n teachd-an-tir. Cha robh 6b gun eathar robh togail aig na Gaidheil anns la ud. Am no cala fasgach gun bhata iasgaich; cha robh fear nach robh ann am bata cha b’fhiach e balach beag nach iomramh, no gille nach duine radh ris. 0 mheadhon a’ Cheitein gu stiuradh. Cha robh tigh gun uidheam iasgaich deireadh Lunasdail bha na fir air muir an cois no baile puirt gun a chomhlan fhein de inn- an sgadain, aig an dachaidhean fhein no anns ealan seolaidh. na puirt a sear. Bha an cuid de bhata aig Agus chan e mhain gu robh na fir uile lean- feadhainn ach bha moran a’ dol gu’n cosnadh tuinn an iasgaich ach ’s e giollachd an sgadain do bhataichean choigreach. Mur cuireadh an t-aon rian cosnaidh aig caileagan na Gaidh- sgadan airgiod am pocaid fir cha robh ni eile ealtachd mar an ceudna. Cha robh port ann a dheanadh e. iasgaich eadar Sealtainn agus Sasunn nach cuala Nuair a bha uidh cho mor aig na Gaidheil anns an drain aighearach Ghaidhlig gu minic. Agus gach seorsa iasgaich, agus nuair a bha iad cho b'fheairrde dachaidhean an Taobh Tuath duais mor an urra ris airson an teachd-an-tir, de is an saothrach. Is iomadh cist lan a thainig air ais aobhar air nach eil an diugh, duine as an fhichead a’ toirt a bhi-beo as an fhairge. Chan nach d’fhalamhaicheadh gu buileach fhathast. ann gun aobhar a thainig an t-atharrachadh. Am fear no an te nach robh a’ leantuinn an Thoisich soithichean mora ag iasgach far am iasgaich aig an am ud cha bu chuis fharmaid iad b'abhaist fir a’ chladaich a bhith cur. Thainig idir. Bha taire air a dheanamh orra. innealan sgriobaidh a sgudadh leotha 's a’ Bheir sinn siiil aithghearr an toiseach air creachadh leabaidh an eisg dluth do na clad- eachdraidh an iasgaich anns an linn a dh’ fhalbh aichean. Chaill na Gaidheil am misneachd agus air na h-atharraichean a ghabh aite leis agus thoisich fear is fear a’ cur cuil ri obair a bha nis air fas ro theagbhallach airson tigh is a chur air an neach a dh’itheas an t-iasg, oir teaghlach a bhith an crochadh oirre. Sguir is esan a tha paigheadh an iomlain. Mur dean iarrtas a bhith air a ghintinn an cridhe na an Riaghaltas so cha bhi cuisean ach air shiudan h-6igridh, agus ri nine bhasaich an cleachdadh. mar bha, agus cha bhi muinghinn no soirbh- A thaobh an sgadain thug tighinn nan driftearan eachadh cinnteach ann. a’ cheud bhuille bais do shaothair nan iasgairean A ris, feumar ullachadh freagarrach airson Gaidhealach. Leis na h-innealan iasgaich a an t-iasg a chumail ur gus an ruig e an ceann bha aca cha robh e an comas dhaibh aite cur no uidhe, chum’s nach caillan t-iasgair a shaothair cala ruighinn ach air an deireadh, agus an nuair a bhios an t-iasg nas pailte na bhios la bhiodh an sgadan pailt chailleadh iad a’ iarraidh air aig an am. Bu choir tighean mharcaid. A thuilleadh air sin, bha na eighean a bhith far eil feum orra, agus an sin soithichean ura leis na bha iad ag oibreachadh ruigeadh iasg blasda daoine mar a bhiodh am de lin a’ glacadh barrachd sgadain aig amannan feum ri seasamh, gun anacaitheamh dheanamh na bha reic air. Gu trie cha robh aig na h- air saoibhreas a’ chuain. iasgairean a bha an urra ris na bataichean (b) Cha till na Gaidheil ris an iasgach gu seolaidh airson an saothrach ach an sgadan a brath mur faigh iad comhnadh math bho’n thilgeadh air ais do ’n fhairge, no thoirt seachad Riaghaltas airson eathraichean is bataichean, a nasgaidh airson na h-6craich. agus acfhuinn iasgaich fhreagarrach. Chan Dhuin an cogadh mor na marcaidean a b’fhearr, urrainn iad fhein na h-uidheaman sin a cheann- agus sguir iarrtas air sgadan saillt idir. Dh’ fhas ach an diugh. an t-iasgach neo-chinnteach mar theachd-an- Is ann aig an iasgair fhein is fhearr tha fios tir, agus chuir iasgairean na Gaidhealtachd an de an seorsa inneal iasgaich as freagarraiche aghaidh air oibrichean eile far am faigheadh dha ’na shuidheachadh. Ach tha aon ni iad cosnadh. cinnteach—cha till na bataichean seolaidh ’S i cheisd a nis, Am biodh e feumail do’n tuilleadh, ni motha theid fear gu sruth air Ghaidhealtachd an t-iasgach a chur air a chasan chill raimh. Feumaidh inneal sparraidh a as ur, agus ma tha feum ann agus iarrtus air, bhith an deireadh gach eathair is bata. cionnus a ghabhas leasachadh deanamh ? A thuilleadh air sin, cha deanar moran air Chan eil ach aon fhreagairt do’n cheud chuid an iasg ghlas mu na cladaichean gus an teid de’ n cheisd. Bhiodh e do-sheachnaichte feumail laimrigean freagarrach a thogail airson fasgaidh araon do’n Ghaidhealtachd agus do’n rioghachd an taice riutha leis gach tide-mhara agus ri obair an iasgaich anns an t-seadh as fharsuinge an-uair. a chur air steidh chinntich, sheasmhaich. Ma gheibh oigridh na Gaidhealtachd an Tha an t-iasg cho pailt agus a bha e riamh, cothrom sin—uidheaman feumail, laimrigean agus tha daoine cheart cho feumach air agus freagarrach, marcaidean conbhallach agus a bha, agus a thuilleadh air sin tha Gaidheil riarachail airson iasg is sgadan ur is saillt, oga gu leoir ann, gu sonruichte anns na h- agus dion ceart o aintighearnas nam bataichean eileanan, a thilleadh am maireach gu sal nam sgriobaidh a tha an diugh a’ milleadh leabaidh biodh suidhichidhean fabharach ann, oir tha an eisg dliith laimh agus a’ sgudadh leotha na taladh na mara fhathast air cridhe nan eileanach tMrras as an cois nan cladaichean ; ma gheibh agus is mairg nach fhaigheadh iad cothrom na na Gaidheil na nithean sin bidh iasgairean Feinne. soirbheachail, sona air a’ Ghaidhealtachd Is e iasgach soirbheachail aon de na h- fhathast; bidh na glinn air an aiteach mar o oibrichean a dh’fheumas a bhith ann ma tha chian; agus bidh Alba nas beartaiche ann an sluagh lionmhor gu bhith tathaich sa’ Ghaidh- gaisgich uasail dhuineil. ealtachd. Cionnus, mata, thig leasachadh Seumas MacThomas. riarachail air iasgach na langain agus a’ sgadain ? (a) Feumaidh an toiseach Riaghaltas na Diithcha, no Bord an lasgaich air an son, an Miosachan: A. Maclaren & Sons, 268 Argyle t-uallach a ghabhail gu bhith fosgladh an Street, Glasgow. Price, 5/6, post, 6d. rathaid mar a nithear a thaobh oibrichean eile This is a Coloured Gaelic Pictorial Calendar na rioghachd, air a' leithid de dhoigh ’s gum for 1961. It is neatly bound in good quality bi muinghinn aig an iasgair anns an obair mar paper, and the names of the months and days theachd-an-tir. Chum na criche sin tha da ni of the week are all in Gaelic, in very clear type. air agradh : an toiseach, pris iomchuidh a Each page has a good sized picture of some well shuidheachadh air an iasg agus air an sgadan, known West Highland scene, and the colouring a bheir ceartas do’n iasgair air tus, agus mar is delightful. This is the most attractive an ceudna do’n cheannaiche, gun cus uallaich calendar we have seen for a long time. — 140 — LEARNERS PAGE Saoilidh cuid gur e eilean iomallach a tha an Some think that Tiree is a remote island, but Tiriodh, ach chan ann mar sin a tha. Tha am that is not the case. The steamer reaches it bata-siubhail ’g a ruighinn tri la san t-seachdain three days a week from Oban, and the plane as an Oban, agus an t-soitheach adhair a h-uile every day except Sunday. Although you only la ach la na Sabaid. Ged nach toir thu ach take three quarters of an hour flying between tri cheathramh na h-uarach air sgeith eadar Glasgow and Tiree you leave one type of world Glaschu is Tiriodh tha thu fagail aon saoghal behind you and you open your eyes and ears air do chul agus a’ fosgladh do shuilean agus do in a difierent world. The noise is gone, and chluasan ann an saoghal eile. Tha a’ ghleadh- peace and rest reign. The bustle of the city is raich seachad, agus tha samhchair agus fois silent, and the whispering of the billows on the a’ riaghladh. Tha iiinich a’ bhaile mhoir ’na white sand and the singing of the birds entice thosd agus beolragaich nan tonn air traigh you. Hurry and worry drop to the ground, and agus ceileireadh nan eun 'gad thaladh. Tha freedom without yearning fills your heart. drip is uallach a’ tuiteam gu lar agiis saorsa gun fhadachd a’ lionadh do chridhe. Co-dhiixbh ’s ann mar sin a thachair dhomhsa At any rate, that is what happened to me anns an Og-mhios a chaidh 's mi air chuairt that June I went to the land of delight. At an tir-an-aigh. An ceann ceithir la deug thill the end of fourteen days I returned refreshed mi air m’ ais air m’urachadh agus air mo bheath- and nourished in mind and body, believing achadh an corp ’s an inntinn, a’ creidsinn gu that the people of the islands have privileges bheil sochairean aig muinntir nan eilean nach which cannot be bought with gold, and joy ceannaichear le or, agus sonas is riarachadh and satisfaction of spirit the value of which spioraid air nach urrainnear luach a chur. cannot be measured. Thug mi dhachaidh learn da chuimhneachan I brought home with me two recollections a leanas mi fad iomadh la. An toiseach, cho that will follow me for many a day. First, toilichte is cho cairdeil ’s a tha muinntir an how happy and friendly the people of the island eilein 'nam measg fhein agus cho aoidheil 's are among themselves and how hospitable a tha iad ri coigrich, agus a rithist, ath- they are to strangers, and again, the memory chuimhne air raointean de ghaineimh ghil an of stretches of white sand in the bend of each achlais gach baigh leis a’ chuan trom-dhathte bay, while the sea, deeply coloured in shining le dealradh gorm is uaine a’ sgaoileadh thairis blue and green, spreads over them. In the Bay orra. Anns an Ob air cul an tighe anns an behind the house where my wife and I stayed robh mo cheile agus mise fuireach chx mi I still see the seals, early and late, swimming fhathast na roin, mcch is anmoch, a’ snamh and rolling round the skerries near at hand, ’s a’ cur nan car dhiubh mu na sgeirean dluth without a soul disturbing them. I see Barra air laimh, gun duine bed cur dragha orra. Chi raising its head above the Western Ocean, and mi Barraidh a’ togail a chinn os cionn a' Uist and Harris on the horizon. I see Mull of Chuain a Siar, agus Uibhist is na Hearadh air the cold, high mountains a short distance away, faire. Chi mi Muile nam fuar bheann arda Iona low-lying beside it, and Rum behind the astar goirid air falbh, I Chaluim Chille r’a rest in the north. thaic gu h-iosal, agus Ruma air chul chaich san dirde tuath. Chan aithne dhomh ddigh as fhearr gu bhith I do not know a better way for giving a toirt dealbh inntinne air doigh beatha an mental picture of the way of life of the people t-sluaigh na suil a thoirt orra troimh an uinneig. than to have a look at them through the window. Tha buth a’ cheannaiche fosgailte trath sa’ The merchant’s shop is open early in the mhadainn, ach 's ann anmoch feasgar a chi morning, but it is late in the evening I see the mi an luchd ceannachd a tighinn, cuid air an buyers coming, some on foot, some on bicycles casan, cuid air rothairean air an rathad mhor on the highway or on the sand, and others in no air an trhigh, agus cuid eile 'nan caraichean. their cars. In Tiree there is plenty of time Tha uine gu leoir an Tiriodh as deidh naoidh after nine o’clock in the evening to do business uairean feasgar airson gnothaich a dheanamh with the merchant. There is plenty time for ris a' cheannaiche. Tha uine gu leoir ann conversation with any one who comes along, airson cdmhradh ri neach sam bith a thig an and to have a long enough ceilidh next door rathad, agus gu ceilidh cuimseach a dheanamh after that. anns an ath dhorus as deidh sin. — 141 — As the Report of the Crofters’ Commission National Mod, 1960 of 1884 comments—“They had been treated OFFICIAL OPENING as if endowed with the gift of unknown tongues, President’s Address and men entrusted with the duty of superin- 1FEEL now somewhat constrained in that I tending their education considered this reason- must continue in what is to me an acquired able for reasons satisfactory to themselves.’’ language. That, then, was the situation An Comunn As I said in my Gaelic address, I am sought to remedy. Although small in number encouraged by the progress made by An Comunn at its commencement in 1896, it set itself since the first Mod in Edinburgh. That was resolutely to its task of securing the teaching in 1899. The entry on that occasion was 130, of the birthright language to the Gaelic child which was then described as a very satisfactory in school. total. Victory came in 1918 with the passing of the This year there are 1318 taking part in the Education (Scotland) Act of that year. Then,, various competitions, and, in the Junior for the first time in history our children in the section alone there are 570 which is 440 more Gaelic speaking area received the statutory than the entire total 61 years ago. We are right to be instructed in their own language. proud that the grand total for the Edinburgh How changed the mood from those earlier Mod is the largest since the Jubilee Mod at experiences. It is with gratitude and thankful- Oban seven years ago. ness we mention that Gaelic is now taught, The increase in the numbers taking part in with excellent results, in Norton Park School, the Mod and the extent of its acceptance as one Edinburgh, Bellahouston Academy, and of the principal festivals in the calendar of Woodside Secondary School, Glasgow, and also Scottish affairs are not the only stimulating in Greenock High School. With the memory changes that have resulted from An Comunn’s of my own early school days, still vividly efforts throughout the years. imprinted on my mind, I cannot applaud too It may be well to realise that the first National highly the wise decision of the Inverness-shire Mod in Edinburgh was held just eight years Education Authority and their director, Dr. after An Comunn was formed, at a time when John MacLean, a native Gaelic speaker, with Gaelic was very much discountenanced. the full approval of the Scottish Education There still persisted the harsh and libellous Department to begin the education of the Gaelic attitude contained in the Privy Council edict speaking children through their own language, of 1541, and later confirmed by the measures for I was one of those who knew no English, of 1609 and 1616, which described Gaelic as a and I shall always be grateful to the patience barbarous language that had to be abolished and perseverance of my teacher who sought so and removed. It was also the attitude of that earnestly to relieve the lack of comprehension Society of noble endeavour, the Society for the and sense of frustration which were so clearly Propagation of Christian Knowledge. For evident. the first sixty years of its teaching in the In this acceptance of Gaelic and the place Highlands, it resolutely persisted in the de- it now occupies in our schools, An Comunn mands made to its teachers that Gaelic was may rejoice in its achievements. It has given not to be allowed in their instruction. It was those who speak Gaelic a pride in their own strictly forbidden. language and has earned a respect for it from It is to the credit of Dr. Samuel Johnson an ever-widening public. that, following his visit to the Highlands, he But, all is not as it should be. The census pointed out the error of their ways to the figures show a continuing decline in the number Directors, and it has to be admitted that this of Gaelic speakers. The figures are disturbing Society made more than honourable amends. to An Comunn. It was not until 1865 that Gaelic received its Far too long have we had Committees of first tardy recognition as a school subject. Enquiry, advisory bodies with little or no In that year the Scottish Education Commission executive power, making reports and recom- deemed it worthy to say of Gaelic that it was mendations into what has been described as, permissable to teach it with drill and cookery. and still remains, the Highland problem. Such scant and optional acknowledgment These we have had in abundance with little scarcely called for action in the class-room, result. Despite their pleadings, findings, and, as is well known, our parents suffered the and intentions, the drain on population still painful indignity of being punished if they persists. It is stark realism that our Highland were heard uttering the only language they youth continues to be our main export. No knew within the precincts of the school. country can prosper in which an area somewhat less than half its extent, is maintained largely first of our native Universities to have a chair by grants, subsidies, and pensions. of Celtic studies gees to Edinburgh. It is now An Comunn, conscious of the truth that one of the subjects available in all our Scottish economic well-being must be a critical factor Universities, except the oldest of all. if Gaelic, or Gaeldom, is to survive, is willing and anxious to lend its influence to and co- It is with gratitude we acknowledge the operate with all well founded organisations, excellent work being done by Edinburgh whose purpose it is to secure a greater measure University School of Scottish Studies in collect- of economic security. New industries have ing and preserving for posterity, the old songs been introduced, some small perhaps in their and tales which are accepted among the finest scope, but significant in what can be achieved. and most imaginative in Europe. The promoters are the pioneers who, we hope, Last year Carl Marstrander of the Chair of will lead the way and show what can be Celtic at Oslo University, who is deeply established by men of faith and vision. interested in Scottish Gaelic, inaugurated a In the Tourist industry the Highlands have new and learned periodical, inspired and much to offer the stranger. The scenic grandeur produced by Norwegian scholarship, but is unsurpassed. The modern age with all its exclusively devoted to Celtic studies. This is means of transport makes for easy access, while what the Glasgow Herald has to say about holidays with pay provide the means for a it . . . greater number than ever before to enjoy the “It is a notable mark of respect for every- beauty and quiet of the countryside. Beauty thing the Celts have meant in European may satisfy the soul and the spirit may find history and prehistory. Is it not a sad refreshment in the stillness but, it is only in commentary that understanding and appre- acceptance by the people that fullness can be ciation of this should come from a foreign achieved. That comes surely when the visitor and non Celtic land.’ ’ is enabled to comprehend the character of the How rewarding it would be if it were generally people, their customs and the language that realised that by taking Gaelic as one of their has made poetry of place-names. Then, how subjects, our Scottish youth would find the rich the sojourn. key to a fuller understanding of their history An Comunn is well equipped to assist in this and their native culture. It would certainly direction. In its branches throughout the open up to them a wealth of literature that Highlands there is an organisation which is derives from the ancient past. A literature well able to promote entertainments and that, during the last century has engaged the present those facets of our culture of which they attention of European scholars. are the custodians. Through these branches and by this means, strangers will be able to We have now the opportunity to study these enter more fully into the life of the community. interesting subjects, which are so much in There is much that could be done in this way. keeping with the genius of our people and yet And, An Comunn is ever willing to help. how neglected the opportunity. In maintaining and fostering the Gaelic Who has attended the Edinburgh Festival language, An Comunn has surely done no more Military Tattoo and not been thrilled by the than preserve what was once the principal magnificence of the scene as the men of our language of our country. There is ample Scottish regiments march to the music of the evidence in the place-names to indicate the pipes. There before us with their kilts and extent to which Gaelic was spoken, yet it has their music do our hearts not warm to the to be admitted that its value as a subject in spectacle ? We are proud that that should Celtic studies was recognised on the continent be so, but these things are the mere ornamenta- before it was admitted to any of our Scottish tion; what is more important is that, in our Universities. rightful pleasure in kilt and drum, pipe and The first chair of Celtic in Europe was estab- tune, we do not neglect the language, which lished in the College de France. Then, the is the living tree from which these branches universities of Berlin and Rennes followed. have grown. It alone perpetutates the thought It is an interesting fact that American Uni- of those who gave us these tokens of our versities notably Harvard, Columba and country’s fame. Washington were offering courses in Celtic It is fitting that we should preserve the at least as early, if not earlier than the intro- ancient monuments and habits that are uniquely duction of the subject in the curricula of ours, but is it not more of a national duty to Scottish Universities. The credit of being the preserve the language, which gives us our — 143 — individuality as a race and makes us linguistic- ally distinctive among the peoples of the world. Branch Reports Yet, it is left to An Comunn, ministers, teachers, and writers to maintain that national inheri- KILLIN tance . Is Scotland going to remain indifferent ? KillinThe Branch.first ceilidh Mr. ofNeil the MacGill,session was president, held by wasthe Is its survival to be left merely as An Comunn’s fear-an-tighe, and the programme was sustained by a concern, for let us realise that once it is gone party from Greenock assisted by the Glen Players. nothing can restore it. Teaattendance, was served and byan the excellent committee. programme There waswas greatlya good It will become a study for the delectation and appreciated. Votes of thanks were proposed by Miss the dissection of the savants. But whatever E. Walker. happens An Comunn will never give up its FORRES. advocacy on behalf of the ancient language of Forres Branch had a fine turnout at their first our country, its song and its literature nor will theceilidh president. on October, Dr. H.25th M. in Morgan the Victoria in the Hotel,chair. withHe if forsake its regard for the people who speak extended a warm welcome to all members and friends it and preserve if for their children and for and particularly mentioned the artistes who travelled Scotland. from Barra and Helmsdale. A varied programme was Suas Leis A’ Ghaidhlig. presented consisting of songs, music, dancing and stories.for a vote Vice-president,of thanks to the Alisdairchairman Campbell,and artistes. called AYR. The Mod was very much in evidence at the opening A.G.M. attendanceceilidh held of in members Ayr, on and 14th friends October, had awhen most aenjoy- large The following items of news were unavoidably able evening listening to the artistes, all Ayrshire held over from the last issue:-— peopleFraser, andchairman competitors for the atevening the Mod. congratulated Mr. Alister Mr. 1. The names of the newly elected office- Donald Maclsaac on the success of his choir at the bearers and members of Council were as follows: recent Mod. In his usual cheerful manner Rev. President, Mr. Hugh MacPhee; Vice-President, Archie Beaton, Dundonald, cal led for a vote of thanks, Mrs. M. C. Edgar. competitorsmaking special at the mention Mod in ofEdinburgh. the successes of local Members: Mr. J. M. Bannerman, Rev. A. Beaton, Miss L. Cameron, Mr. D. A. Mac- ABERDEEN. donald, Rev. J. Macdonald, Rev. A. C. A wealth of talented artistes ensured the successful MacGillivary, Mr. I. R. Mackay, Mr. J. Mackay, Grandlaunching Ceilidh of the in newthe sessionRoyal Hotelwhen thein October.Branch held The a Mr. F. Macrae, Mr. J. A. Macrae, Miss K. president, Mr. James Macleod, welcomed a large and Matheson, Mr. I. M. Millar, Mr. N. Shaw. appreciativeintroduced the company artistes. of membersThe following and friends,singers and 2. Change of Constitution— Johninstrumentalists MacDougall, entertainedCarol Galbraith, the Missescompany: C. Morrison, Piper [a) A Motion that For Rule 30 substi- M. Macleod, Marjory Macleod; Messrs. Iain Mac- tute ‘ ‘At the Preliminary Meeting in each Sween, Donald MacLarty, Duncan MacLennan, year the Executive Council shall appoint DonaldA most Stewart, interesting Hamish and Russell, varied and syllabus Alistair has Hunter. been for each Standing Committee a Convener compiled for this winter. and a Sub-Convener who shall hold the same office for not more than three suc- cessive years" was not approved. GAELIC DRAMA (b) A Motion “That the Editor of An Gaidheal be an ex officio member of the annualThe generalGlasgow meetingGaelic Dramaheld inAssociation the Highlanders’ at their Executive of An Comunn" was approved Institute recently gave unanimous approval to its unanimously. rulesare to and promote constitution and ■foster The objectsthe Gaelic of the language Association by At the Preliminary Meeting the various and,encouraging if possible, the writing by holding and acting a festival of Gaelic of dramaplays Standing Committees were appointed with the annually. following Conveners: TV. Finance: Mrs. A. Whyte; Education: Mr. The post-Mod television show by the B.B.C. D. Thomson-; Publication: Mr. J. Thomson; proved to be the most successful advertisement for Propaganda: Mrs. J. M. Bannerman; Art and havethe Highlands, yet seen. theThe language children andfrom the Castlebay Mod that choir we Industry: Mrs. M. C. Edgar; Mod and Music: were superb and were the essence of candour in their Mr. J. M. Bannerman; Clann an Fhraoich: interviews, the excerpts from the children’s ceilidh Mr. D. A. Macdonald; Comunn na h-Oigridh: and the Mod Grand Concert were first rate, and the Mr. J. A. Macdonald. endinginterview to anwith excellent Mr. Hugh programme. MacPhee was a fitting of Ireland in which he praised the skill of the The Story of the Harp Irish harpers and their advanced ideas of modulation and technique. Then he went on in Scotland to say of the Scots harpers—“It is to be from the Sixth Century to the present day observed that both Scotland and Wales exert THE harp is by far Scotland’s oldest themselves with the greatest emulation to musical instrument, and for twelve rival Ireland in musical excellence. In the hundred years it was known and loved opinion of many however, Scotland has not throughout the land. only attained to the excellence of Ireland, but It all began with the missionary monks has even, in musical science and ability far who landed from Ireland on the West surpassed it; insomuch that it is now to that coast of Scotland, bringing the knowledge of country they resort as to the genuine source Christianity, and singing their chants to the of the Art.’’ This tribute was given by accompaniment of a harp, so small that it Giraldus before the University of Oxford in full could hang from a man’s girdle. This harp was convocation. called, in the Gaelic tongue, a cruit, and it had It appears that playing or singing to the harp from three to eight strings, plucked by the was considered an almost indispensable accom- fingers in earliest times, and later played with a plishment in cultivated people in the Middle bow. As time went on and the instrument was Ages, and that at Festivals and gatherings the carried all over the country, it developed into harp would be handed round from one to the a larger affair of 28 to 30 strings, and so it has other to share in the entertainment of the remained ever since. It was then called the company. But it was acknowledged that it clarsach, literally “ sounding strings ” in the took seven years of severe training to make the Gaelic, which was the language spoken through- professional. The Court, the nobles, gentry out the land for many centuries. But in the and burghs, and prior to the Reformation, the Scots tongue which came later in the Lowland Church, all had paid musicians in their employ, areas, the instrument was simply called a and these always included a harper. There are harp, and the players harpers. When the records of payments made to harpers in the revival came in the 20th Century, I feel it was documents of many families, and in the accounts a great mistake to have used only the Gaelic of the Scottish Treasury, and those of practically name, which naturally implies to the uniniti- every county in Scotland. For as well as these ated that it was purely a Highland instrument, more or less static performers, there were also which is quite inaccurate. itinerant harpers who would become temporarily By the 7th Century it is on record that bands attached to great houses or hostelries, most of harpers were playing together, and in widely welcome entertainers and bearers of news and scattered parts of Scotland there are carved gossip. Many of the great ballads speak of stones depicting harps, dating from the 8th, these men ; indeed they must have been the 9th, and 10th Centuries, notably at Dupplin makers of most of these incomparable stories and Scone in Perthshire, at Altbar in Forfar, that recreate for us those stirring, bloodthirsty Kilcoy Castle, and Nigg in Ross-shire, St. and usually tragic times. Indeed the more Oran’s Chapel on Iona and at Keill Castle dramatic and terrible the times, the better the in Knapdale. quality of the ballad. It seems that for a long time Scots harpers The Highland Chiefs also had their harpers, had to go to Ireland for inspiration and instruc- often held as a hereditary office, and they too tion in the art of playing. For, of course, made the great Gaelic songs of their clan, and even in those early days, Ireland had a long many a stone commemorates the . place where tradition in music, to be traced back through the harper sat to play, possibly before a battle the papal music-school, founded in a.d. 460, or clan-raid. One of the last of these was the which was the culmination of Roman and great Ruari Dali, harper to Macleod of Macleod Greek art; beyond that to the early Christians in the 17th Century. And his pupil, Murdo with their legacy of tradition from the great Macdonald, was harper to Maclean of Coll temple in Jerusalem, where as many as 1,000 until at least 1734. harps were played together to the glory of There were two schools of thought as to the God. Beyond that again, there were the stringing of the harps. In 1565, “they delight centuries of association with Egypt where the much in music, especially in harps of their harp was highly developed by B.C. 1260. own sort, of which some are strung with brass Four hundred years passed, and in 1187, wire, others with the intestines of animals ; with William the Lion on the throne of Scotland, their only ambition seems to be to ornament the Welsh historian Giraldus, whom presumably their harps with silver and with precious we can consider unbiased, wrote his Topography stones; the lower ranks instead of gems, deck — 145 — theirs with crystal.” In that connection, a Dali in old MS collections and many old tunes lady now living in Aberdeen, Miss Christine played by various harpers were learnt by ear Webster, is the lucky owner of an old instru- by traditional country fiddlers, and handed ment with a great piece of crystal set in the down thus, then taken down and published fore-pillar. by a music-seller in Perth, called Bowie about If the harps were strung with gut, they were 1795, at the end of a collection of reels, strath- played with the cushion of the finger, and held speys, etc. It contains Ruari Dali’s Port and against the right shoulder, so that the treble his ‘‘ Am bacach buidhe.” was played with the right hand. If on the other The harp seems to have fallen out of favour in hand, they were strung with wire, they were Scotland about the beginning of the 18th held on the left side, the left hand taking the Century, though in Ireland there were several treble. Also in this case, the strings were players as late as 1839 when a Gathering took plucked with the nails, grown long for the place. purpose. If a harper had displeased his master But at the National Gaelic Mod in 1931, it and he played on a wire-strung instrument, it was decided to revive the playing of Scotland’s was an easy and humiliating punishment to harp, and a Society was formed with that have his nails cut, so that his harp was silent object in view, called (as mentioned above) till they grew again! The only structural the Clarsach Society. alteration that has occurred to the instrument A fine violin-maker in Glasgow, Mr. Henry is the introduction in the 17th Century of Briggs, agreed to make some instruments blades screwed into the neck of the harp, which based on the old dimension. Then Mr. John turned until they press against the strings, Morley in London, long associated with the raise these strings by a semitone and make harp-making firm of Erard, followed suit. possible chromatic intervals. This system Branches of the Society were formed in still applies in the modern instrument. Royal Edinburgh, Glasgow, London and elsewhere, performers have been King James I and King and regular competitions were held annually James IV. Of the first, Major’s Annals at the Mods. (published in 1521) had this to say—‘‘He was Now, half-way through the 20th Century, a skilful musician .... on the harp he was and in spite of the intervention of a great war a second Orpheus; he excelled the Irish and since the beginning of the revival, there is the Highland Scots, who are esteemed the best more interest, more players and more future performers on that instrument.” James IV than at any time since the 17th Century; is recorded as playing the harp himself at the a tribute not only to the enthusiasm of a few reception to his English bride. And in 1590 people of vision, but to the very real charm of when Anne of Denmark entered Edinburgh as this most sympathetic accompaniment to Scots bride of James VI, ‘ ‘thair was Hautbois and the and Gaelic song. harp playing maist swete and pleasant springs.’ ’ It seems worth while to include this extract In the Edinburgh Museum of Antiquities from John Evelyn’s Diary (1620-1706) which, there are two splendid old harps. One is said though not referring to the Scottish harp, is to have been brought to Lude House at Blair certainly applicable to it Athol in 1460 by a Miss Lament when she ‘‘Came to see me my old acquaintance married Robertson of Lude. The other, known and the most incomparable player on the as the Queen Mary harp, was given by Mary, Irish harp (Mr. Clark) after his travels. He Queen of Scots, to Miss Beatrice Gardyn in was an excellent musician, a discrete gentle- 1563 at a very magnificent party following man, born in Devonshire (as I remember). on a hunt in Athol. Miss Gardyn afterwards Such music before or since did I never heare, married Farquharson of Invercauld and one of that instrument being neglected for it’s their descendants married Robertson of Lude extraordinary difficulty; but in my judg- and brought the Queen’s harp with her as part ment it is far superior to the Lute itself, or of her dowry. Both harps were kept ready for whatever speaks with strings.” playing evidently until the beginning of the Elsewhere he speaks of a Mr. Clark 19th Century, though the Queen Mary harp (presumably the same performer) as being was dispoiled of several gems and an inset from Northumberland, and says of the instru- portrait of the Queen, together with the Royal ment :■— Arms of Scotland during the Rising of 1745. ‘‘Pity ’tis that it is not more in use; It was sold by auction in 1904 and bought by the but indeed to play well takes up the whole Museum for eight hundred and fifty guineas. man, as Mr. Clark has assured me, who, Unfortunately very little authentic harp though a gent of parts and quality, was yet music has come down to us, and it is almost brought up to that instrument from five impossible to imagine the old style of playing. years’ old, as I remember he told me.” There are a few tunes known to be by Ruari Jean Campbell 1959. Hn (3ai6beal: (Formerly AN DEO GREINE) The Monthly Magazine of An Comunn Gaidhealach

Volume LVI January, 1961, to December, 1961, inclusive

AN COMUNN GAIDHEALACH 65 West Regent Street, Glasgow CONTENTS

GAELIC DEPARTMENT Page Page Aimhreit Aignis - - - - 14 Iain L. MacDhonnchaidh, An t-Ollamh 39 “Air Aineol ’S Air Allaban” - - 51 Iain M- Moffatt-Pender - - -77,89 Aithrisich Ard-ghuthach - - - 87 Idir ------63 Aitreabh Ur Nan Gaidheal - - 93 Leac na Bean-nighe - - - 92 ‘ 'Ath-leasachadh’ ’ - - - - 74 Leac Nam Feart - - - - 73 Bodaich Eibhinn - - - - 60 Leine Gheal, An - - - - 50 Boireannach Neonach - - - 77 Lon-dubh, An - - - - 30 Braithrean, Na - - - - 40 Mac Righ Eirinn - - - - 52 Bu Tearc a chaisgeadh duaidh gun “Mairi Challaird’ - - - - 36 chasgradh - - - - 91 Mod, Am ----- 71 Calum MacGilleathain, An -Urr. - 18 Morair is Ban-tigheama - - - 42 Ceistear ------63 Niall Mac’Ille Sheathanaich - - 41 Cha Teid Tuilleadh - - - 62 Obaireadhain is A’ Ghaidhealtachd - 3 Ceol sa’ Gheamhradh - - 17 Oighreachd nan Ceilteach - - 37 Coilltean Dosrach - - - - 61 Oraid A’ Chinn-Suidhe - - - 72 Comhdhail nan Ceilteach - - - 59 Grain Ghniomha - - - - 13 Comunn Gaidhealach Leodhais - - 6 Peata Uain, Am - - - 64 Comunn na h-Oigridh - - - 30 Port Abrach ----- 60 Cuala Tu So ? An - - - - 16 Rocais, An - - - - 53 Doighean Ura - - - - - 25 Ron Glas, An - - - - 66 Drochaid Ur, An - - - - 77 Rudha Nam Marbh - - - 29 Dubhlan _____ 3 SgeulA’ Bhodaich - - 90 Eala Bhan, An - - - - 90 Solas, An - - - - - 17 Eoin an Saobh-chrabhadh nan Gaidheal 48 “SoMaraBha” - - - - 26 Faclairean Gaidhlig- - - - 47 Siul Air Adhart ----- 35 Faidheadaireach _ _ _ _ 5 “Tha An Samhradh Air Tighinn ” - 49 Gaidheal A Bh’Ann, ’ ’ “Na - - 63 Thachair So ----- 75 Gaidheil air Choigrich - - - 1 Toimhseachain - - - - 30 Gaidhlig is Geidhlig mu seach - - 16 Tunis Nan Giomach - - - 75 Gnathasan Cainnte - - - 62 Uibhist a Tuath - - - 43, 54, 66

Bardachd Page Page Aiseirigh------31 Gheugag Fhraoich, A - - - 29 Anfhois ----- 51 Mo Dhiirachd ----- 73 Ar Cainnt Mar Chraobh-dharaich - 2 Ro Fhad Air A’ Mhullach - - 44 Calum Iain MacGilleathain - - 53 Seun nan Sion - - - - 17 Cluinn Thu mi Mo Ribhinn Chiiiin, An 63 Slabhraidh, An t- - - 76, 88 DoChalum - - - - 39 ENGLISH DEPARTMENT Page Page Allan, I would go with you - - 94 Interesting Recital - - - 71 An Comunn Gaidhealach— Learner’s Page 7, 19, 32, 43, 45, 54, 56, 68 Annual General Meeting - - 94 National Mod— Executive Council - 10, 35, 44, 58 Entries - _ _ _ _ 42 Treasurer’s Notes 11, 24, 45, 60, 70, 71 Mod Prize List - - _ _ 83 Book Review - - - - 48, 59 Mod Week ----- 78 Branch Reports 12, 24, 31, 48, 59, 84, 98 President’s Address - - - 95 Campbell’s West Highland Tales - 20 Obituary— Celtic Congress - - - - 46, 67 Mr. Euan Macdiarmid - - - 11 Clarsach Society, The - - - 58 Currie Dubh An Ropa 70 Point of View - - - - 23 Deathbed of Manx Gaelic, The - - 33 Psalm Tunes of the Highlands - 81 Education in Iceland - - - 46 Publication Committee - - - 21 Eigg ------82 Putting Gaelic on the Record - 8 Ferindonald - - - - 47, 57, 69 Ribheid Chiuil, An - _ _ 81 Forestry Tour ----- 84 Ross and Cromarty Music Committee Gaelic at the Festival - - - 69 Report ----- 98 Gaelic Poets of the 18th Century - 65, 79 Royal Celtic Awards - - - 59 Genuine Gaelic Ballads, The - - 36 ‘ ‘Scottish Gaelic Studies’ ’ - - 64 Gilder oy - - - - 68 Scottish Studies - - - - 45 Glimpses of the Past - - 53 Songs of Craig and Ben, Vol. 11, The 98 Herbal Lore - - - - 57 Statistical Account of Argyll - - 36 Highland Problem, The - - 80 View from the Terrace, Windsor He Ghorm an Fheoir - - - 55 Castle, The - - - 22 VOLUMES Limited number in Stock Price 12/6 each Postage Extra MAY BE HAD FROM THE SECRETARY OF AN COMUNN GAIDHEALACH 65 West Regent Street GLASGOW AN GAIDHEAL THE GAEL Editor — ]. THOMSON, M.A., F.E.I.S., 116 WEST SAVILE TERRACE, EDINBURGH to whom all correspondence should he addressed except that concerning advertising, which should be addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer. 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C.2. Telephone: DOUglas 1433. Leabhar LVI AM FAOILLEAGH, 1961 Aireamh 1

GAIDHEIL AIR CHOIGRICH Re a’ gheamhraidh is trie a gheibhear na h-eileanaich, nach leig leotha fuireachd aig Comuinn Ghaidhealach cruinn ann an cuid de an tigh ma bhios cead an cois aca. Tha an na bailtean mora air feadh Alba, agus an suilean air iomallan an domhain air chor ’s duthchannan ceine. Is suarach an nine o bha nach lorg iad luach nan sochairean a tha ’gan mi an cuideachd corr air da mhile duine a cuairteachadh anns a’ ghleann na an cois a’ siorrachdan na Gaidhlig gu leir, ach gu son- chladaich. Feumaidh iad an casan a thoirt ruichte a Leodhas agus Na Hearadh. B’e leotha gun fhios efiite, na lorg air ionad taimh. sud a’ chuideachd a bha coibhneil, cairdeil, Is docha nach ann nas fhearr ach nas miosa a gun ghruaim gun sochair, lan gean is gaire. bhios iad ri linn falbh. Ach mar a bha an oidhche dol seachad agus a’ Bha iad an sud cuideachd a bhrist na cean- chuirm-chiuil a’ blathachadh thuig mi gur glaichean a bha orra aig an t-seann dachaidh, h-e na h-6rain bu tiamhaiche bu mhotha a bha agus a dh’ fhalbh an toir air criochan a glacadh aire agus a’ cosnadh cridheachan an b’fharsainge, air cothroman a bheireadh ceartas luchd-eisdeachd. Anns na h-6rain bu mheasaile is riarachadh do na talantan agus na buadhan bha ionndrainn air tir ’s air daimhean; air a thug iad leotha a steach do’n t-saoghal, agus laoich a dh’fhalbh ’ s nach do thill; air maighd- a bha diultadh beatha chrion, sheargte a chur eanan a dh’fhuirich aig an tigh. Bha iargain seachad gun eirigh gun direadh. Chan iarradh anns a’ cheol an toir air eileanan a’ chuain, sinn iad sud fuireachd ann an cochull an air bothan grinn am fasgadh an tuim na an anacothruim nuair a tha cumhachd an taobh a achlais a’ bhaigh. stigh dhiubh fhein ’gam brosnachadh gu bhith fosgladh dorsan a bha diiinte orra, agus gu An teis meadhon a’ ghreadhnachais bha an bhith cosnadh aite is inbhe leis am b’urrainn inntinn luasganach, siiibhlach, a’ sitheadh iad a bhith ’nan cinn-iuil ann an saoghal a tha thar chuaintean an t-saoghail ag iarraidh le cur feuma cho mor air an seorsa. rim-cridhe an ni nach tachair gu brath—ath- Ach tha amharus agam gu robh a’ mhor- thilleadh doigh-beatha nan ciad Dithean anns chuid a bha an lathair anns an talla an oidhche a’ chlachan aig nach eil bith an diugh ach anns ud air an tearbadh bho’n dachaidhean a chionn an aigne agus anns an inntinn. nach b’urrainn iad tamh na b’fhaide annta. Chuir mi a’ cheist rium thin: Carson a tha Cha chum saorsa, na ceangal-diithcha, na sluagh cho mor—fir is mnathan, 6g is aosda is gradh brathaireil daoine bed. Feumar barrachd meadhon-la-—cruinn an so am meadhon a’ air sin. Gun teachd-an-tir a choinnicheas ri bhaile mhoir, fada bho thir am breith is an feuman laitheil an duine is eiginn dha gluasad araich? Chan ann gun aobhar a thachair e. a mach far an coisnear e. Is e dith cosnaidh Chan ann idir. dluth air an dachaidh a dh’fhag a’ Ghaidh- Bha iad anns a’ chuideachd nach leigeadh a ealtachd cho fasail, agus a dh’fhuadaich an bhith ann, cuid a dh’fhaodadh gu leor a bhith oigridh sgoinneil, ghasda gu tir-na-fadachd-as, aca aig an tigh. Ach tha an-fhois tointe ann an tir na h-ionndrainn, agus tir an fhuadain. nadur nan Gaidheal, agus gu sonruichte anns So am fonn nach beathaich siol na Gaidhlig gu brath. Faodaidh an siol fas car nine, ach Is bheireadh an oigridh tachdar e na loisgear e mus giulain e toradh. Am boidean da cheil’. Thusa tha eudmhor mu chor na Gaidhlig, a Fear Hath ann le Leabhar bheil thu cluinntinn? A’ liubhairt mar b’ abhaist Am Facal bu ghrasmhor Do dh’ anraich na treud’. Ar Cainnt Mar Chraobh Bha connadh am pailteas An tasgadh na crionaich, Dharaich Is b’ aoidheil gach cagailt An dachaidh nan sonn. “Is trie an t-eug oirnn a’ gearradh Thigeadh geamhradh le bagairt Taghadh nan darag as airde.’’ Clach mheallain is siantan, B’uabhrach an darach Ach chluinnteadh ’ s gach fardaich Aig dorus mo shinnsir; lomairt ghair’ agus fonn. Cuid dheth bha crion Ach bha fhriamh ann a sas. Cha b’e frasan o’n iar Is trie rinn e dhomhsa A shiolaich a’ ghaoid innt’ Comhdach o’n dilinn; Ach fear fuilteach nan creuchd Is minic a shreup mi ’ S claidheamh geur air a thaobh. Na geugan a b’aird’. Sgap e na diulnaich ’S na suinn nach d’rinn claonadh. An toiseach mo latha Is shath e chalg ghuineach Bu chaomh le mo mhathair An cuisle na craoibh’. M’ uirigh a charadh Fo sgail na mor-chrann; Ach bhuadhaich an t-earrach ’ Gam thaladh gu cadal Le bharr-guc as ur oirr’ ; Bha cagar na Maighe Tharmaich na sir bhaird A’ sioladh troimh’ n duilleach Fo a sgath dheanamh rann. Be turram gu fann. Chluinnteadh am farum, Ach bu ghoirid an uine. Ach ni mi gearr aithris Thainig muige le crannadh Air eachdraidh na caomhaig, O Mhachair nan Gall. Mar a chinn i air tiis Ann an duthchannan coin’, Thadhail fear fuadain Mar dh’aisig an aimsir Le tuagh air a ghualainn, Sgealb dhith an taobh so Sar nam fear uasal Fhuair aoidheachd o’n bhiirn Le fheileadh gu grinn. Agus tliisachd na grein’. Cha do thuig i aon lideadh De’n bhriodal bu dual dhuinn, Is leudaich am meoir Bha Bheurla cho fuaraidh Ann am fonn a bha baidheil, Ri clach uagha sa’ chill. Is sgaoil i a gairdein Ri eunlaith an ail’. Cha b’e faillean na siochaint B’aoibhinn a’ choisir Bha dhith air a’ ghirlach, Aig toiseach an t-samhraidh, Oir ghearr e ’n crann-mullaich ’ S thug maoth-ghaoth na Bealltainn Dhe’n churaidh a b’fhiach. Gach meanglan fo bhlath. Chuir e ftodh leamhain, Faidh-bhil’ agus larag; Dh’ fhas i mar ghallan B’iad tearmann a b’fhearr Is dh’ altruim ar daoin’ i; Do chuid chaorach is fhiadh. Sios troimh na linntean Bha cuimhn’ oirr’ is luaidh, Tha fuidheall ar cinnidh Is sheas i mar ghaisgeach An diugh air an reubadh; Gun fhasgadh san aonach; Cuid their gu speiseil Bu shuarach leath’ gaillionn Ciod am feum bhith ’g a dion. No’n Gearran le fhuachd. ’ S ann thug i bhuainn sealladh Air talamh na feudail, Is minic a dhannsadh Far eil or anns na clachan A’ chlann bheag fo h-ailleachd, Is gach achadh fo dhias. Ach bheirinn-sa rabhadh chumail fo 'n uisge, ach chum esan greim teann Do chlannaibh ar sinnsir air m’ amhaich agus le a spuirean is le fhiaclan Gum biodh iad gu dileas chath e gu guineach, a’ sgiamhail gu farumach. A’ faire lan end. Bha an cath cruaidh is doruinneach, ach mu Mur gleidh iad le urram dheireadh, le sileadh fala, threig neart mo An ulaidh cho priseil namhaid agus fhuair mise saorsa. Tha Cha bhi ac’ san taobh tuath craicionn a’ chait ud agam fhathast. Ach crann duaichnidh nan deur. Sheas mi an iomadh cath cruaidh, ach cha robh mi ann an gabhadh cho mor ri sud a Is trie mi ’nam shean-aois riamh, agus cha mhotha a rinn eagal a leithid de Air tulach ’ nam aonar. ghreim orm roimhe no as a dheidh. Mo lamh ri mo fhradharc S.D.T. Dur amharc an cian; Mo dhiiil ris gun tigeadh Dian spiorad ar daoine A sgaoileas gun athadh Obaireadhain Is A’ Dhuinn bratach nan cliar. Ghaidhealtachd Alasdair Mac Gille Mhaoil. A OBAIREADHAIN, o chionn suas ri leth (A’ chiad duais aig Mod, 1960.) cheud bliadhna, chualas Gaidhlig air an radio airson a’ chiad uair is chan t il teagamh nach do bhioraich Gaidh- il an Taobh- tuath an cluasan. Bha an saoghal a’ cur car Dubhlan dheth gun teagamh is smaoin a’ bhaird gun robh Gaidhlig aig na h-eoin an ire bhith coimhlionta, Lorgar an cat fiadhaich fhathast anns na oir is ann troimh an adhar bho cheudan mile air glinn dosrach agus anns na bealaich am measg falbh a bha a’ Ghaidhlig a nis air a cluinntinn beanntan an iar na Gaidhealtachd, agus tha an am Barraidh is an Uibhist, am Muid' art, an creutair-sa guineach, cunnartach ma thig Cataibh is air a’ Ghaidhealtachd air fad. Rud cruaidh air. So naidheachd car mar a nach do thachair riamh roimhe ach a tha a nis dh’innseadh i le seann saighdear calma, neo- cho cumanta ’s nach saoil cuid againn nach sgathach : robh an radio ann bho thus: is tha moran- Bha mi air mo shlighe dhachaidh an deidh Ghaidheal oga aig nach eil cuimhne cuin nach an oidhche a chur seachad fo mo bhreacan san robh e comasach do neaeh platan a thionndadh fhraoch. Rainig mi Allt-na-beist air nach chum cuirm-chiuil Ghaidhlig no deasbud no robh drochaid aig an am. Bha leacan tana san comhradh ’nan cainnt fhein a chluinntinn aig tanalach airson ceum tarsaing dh’ ionnsaigh an uair shonruichte. taobh eile. Cha luaithe a chuir mi cas air a’ Thainig so mu’n cuairt an toiseach bho chiad chloich na leum cat cho mor ri cu a mach Obaireadhain nuair a bha an Gaidheal coir, as an doire, agus sheas esan romham air cloich Niall MacGilleathain, an ceann an radio sa’ mu mo choinneamh air an taobh eile. Airson bhaile sin. Cha robh e ach 6g aig an am ach dion shuain mi mo bbreacan mu m’amhaich chuir e roimhe oidhirp a chur air bonn chum agus le greim teann air an sgithinn chaidh mi leas na Gaidhlig, is ma tha an obair so a nis air an comhair mo namhaid. Chum e suil bhiorach fas mor an aite bhith beag na deanamaid dear- orm, agus a chionn nach robh teicheadh ro mad air dicheall Neill. Is e obair la shabhailta dhomh thug mi ceum ’ na choinneamh. toiseachadh. Bha mi an dochas an sgian a chur troimhe An iomadh doigh bha -e ro-iomchuidh, aig leis a’ chiad sathadh, ach bha an cat na bu an am, gur h-e Obaireadhain a chuireadh na sgiobalta na bha mise. Leum e orm le leithid Gaidheil fo fhiachaibh as leth na Gaidhlig. de chabhaig agus le cumhachd cho mor ’s gun Is e fuil Ghaidhealach, co-dhiii, fuil Cheilteach, do leag e mi san t-sruth is greim teann aige air an tomhas ro mhor a tha ruith an cuislibh Tuath m’ amhaich. Bha e feumail dhomhsa gun robh na Siorrachd. Is ann ’nar la fhein a sguir a’ am breacan far an robh e. Cha do leig an cat GMidhlig a bhith ’g a labhairt gu coitchionn as a ghreim nuair a thuit sinn le cheile san am Braigh Mhairr agus tha ainmean nan uisge, agus an uair a thainig sinn an uachdair aitean is nan daoine san t-siorrachd a’ dearbh- ’s ann air mo shuilean a thug e oidhirp le a adh gur h-i a’ Ghaidhlig a bha aca feadh spuirean. Dhion mi mi-fhin le mo ghairdean cheudan bliadhna. Is e Siorrachd Obaireadhain cli, agus shath mi an sgian ’na chorp. Rinn a dh’fhag againn Leabhar Abaid Dheir le mi sin a ris agus a ris ; dh’ fheuch mi ri a cuibhrionn de’n Ghaidhlig as aosda an Alba, Gaidhlig na dara linne deug is Gaidhlig a a bhith cinnteach gun robh glaodhaich is dhearbh an t-Ollamh MacBheathain a bha iorghaill sa’ Ghaidhlig air gach taobh. Dh’eug nuair sin air bilibh an t-sluaigh sa’ chearnaidh larla Mhairr an Inbhirnis is chaidh adhlacadh sin. Tha an ath Ghaidhlig sgriobhte an Alba sa’ bhaile sin. Nuair a thill an righ a ceithir cheud bliadhna nas fhaisge oirnn fhein, Sasuinn far an robh e ’na phriosanach, fhuair Leabhar Dheadhain Liosmhoir. Feumar Domhnall a He na coraichean a bha e sireadh. cuimhneachadh cuideachd nuair a steidhicheadh Is iomadh Gaidheal iomraideach a bharrachd Oilthigh mor Obaireadhain aig deireadh na a thuinich an Obaireadhain. Chuir Donnchadh coigeamh linne deug gur h-ann, measg aobh- Ban fhein seachad iiine ann nuair a bha e ’na airean eile, chum feum is oilcan fhinneachan shaighdear an Reiseamaid Bhradalbain oir bhorba an Taobh Tuath a chaidh gnuis a thoirt is ann an Ceann Phadruig, mar a tha e ag do’ n oidhirp. Agus am measg seann riaghailtean innse dhuinn, a bha e an uair a thainig fios Ard-sgoil a’ Ghramair an Obaireadhain, gun robh an Reiseamaid gu bhith air a cur chithear ged bha an dual-chainnt Beurla a bha fa sgaoil. Is cha b’arin gun tursa a chuala coitchionn air a toirmeasg mar mheadhon am bard a’ bhinn sin. labhairt measg nam foghlumach oga gun robh Is ann an Obaireadhain cuideachd a thug a’ Ghaidhlig ceadaichte mar bha canainean cuid mhor de na sgoilearan mora Gaidhlig as eile. ainmeile a mach am foghlum. Eoghann Mac- Bha na seana Ghaidheil trie air fonn is air Lachlainn a Lochabar, am bard nach robh a machair Obaireadhain, an cogadh ’s an sith, choimeas mar sgoilear Gaidhlig ri latha is agus airson iomadh linn bha luchd-eachdraidh a’ bha e cheart cho ionnsuichte an canainean teagasg a thaobh blair oillteil Cath Gairbheach eile ’s a bha e sa’ Ghaidhlig; an t-Ollamh sa’ bhliadhna 1411, cadar Domhnall a He le Alasdair MacBheathain, cha ruig mi leas ach dheich mile curaidh Gaidhealach, an aghaidh ainmeachadh, an t-Ollamh Seoras Calder, larla Mhairr is feachd uaislean na Machrach, Oide-oilein na Gaidhlig an Glaschu aig aon mar theirte, gur h-e bha so stri eadar Goill is am, Iain Strachan, Sgoilear Gaidhlig ro Gaidheil ach co aca a choisneadh Alba. Mar a chothromach a chuir a mach leabhraichean dhearbh an t-Ollamh Uilleam MacAoidh is e feumail is foghluimte; Iain Friseal a Urchad- bha ann comhstri de sheorsa eile. Rinn ainn, ceud oide-oilein na Gaidhlig an Oil- Domhnall a He an oidhirp so chum coraichean thigh Obaireadhain, Uilleam Iain MacBhatair, a mhnatha, ban-iarla Rois, a dhion oir bhuin- an Gaidheal foghainteach, oide-oilein na eadh moran fearainn dhith an Sgire Bhuchain Gciidhlig an Dun-eideann, is Iain Domhnullach, a bha an Diiic Murchadh, a bha riaghladh Alba oide-oilein na Gaidhlig an Oil-thigh Obaireadh- aig an am, a spiiilleadh bhuaipe chum a thoirt ain aig an am, sar-sgoilear, a dheasaich is a do a mhac fhein. Chan eil ni a’ comharrachadh dh’fhoillsich, Dain Eoghainn MhicLachlainn a mach gun chuir Domhnall a Tie roimhe baile an doigh a chord ri a luchd-diithcha, a thaobh Obaireadhain a smaladh is a chreachadh ged grinneas is eireachdas. Is esan cuideachd bha othail gu leor air MacMhuirich ’na bhros- Fear-deasachaidh Scottish Gaelic Studies, an nachadh catha. Is co bh’ann larla Mhairr t-aona leabhar de'n t-seorsa a chitear an Alba ach Gaidheal eile, cheart cho Gaidhealach ris an diugh. Tha Oil-thigh Obaireadhain mar sin an Ileach ris an robh e an dluth dhaimh. Bu a’ toirt aite dligheach do’n t-seana chanain is mhac e do Alasdair Mor mac an righ, Faol tha bhuil air. O chionn ghoirid shuidhicheadh Chu Bhaideanach, agus is e bana-Ghaidheal dithis de fhoghlumaich oga an Domhnallaich a Baideanach bu mhathair dha. Is e bard mar luchd-teagaisg na Gaidhlig, Anna math Gaidhlig bha san larla Mhairr so, agus NicCoinnich bharr a Bhac an Leodhas an oil- is e dh’fhag againn, an deidh an teich a chur thigh Obaireadhain, is Ruairidh MacThomais, air aig ciad bhlar Inbhirlochaidh an ceathramh deagh Mhac an deagh athar, an oilthigh so is e air seacharan sa’ Ghleann Ruadh: Dhuneideann. Is ged is i a’ Ghaidhlig, an Is math an cocair an t-acras, drasda, is buntanas gneitheil Obaireadhain ris ’ S mairg a ni tarcuis air biadh; a’ Ghaidhealtachd, mo chuspair, tha moran Fuarag eorna an sail mo bhroige Ghaidheal a’ toirt a mach am foghlum an Biadh a b’fhearr a fhuair mi riamh. Obaireadhain a tha leantainn is a’ soirbheachadh Maille ri larla Mhairr bha Gaidheal eile gu mor an dreuchdan eile. Is-chan urrainn ’na cheannard, Probhaist Obaireadhain, sinn gun chuimhneachadh gur h-ann an Obair- MacDhaidh, a Baideanach cuideachd, mar a eadhain da bhliadhna air ais a bha Mod cho nochd MacAoidh, is on bha a’ Ghaidhlig air soirbheachail ’s a bha a riamh aig a’ Chomunn a labhairt bho cheann gu ceann de Shiorrachd Ghaidhealach is cha b’urrainn sin a bhith gun Obaireadhain aig an am, agus cumhachd aig na chuideachadh mor bho shluagh Obaireadhain. morairean an sluagh a thional mar bha aig Agus b’e ar comain mar an ceudna luaidh a Cinn-fheadhna nan Gaidheal, faodaidh sinn dheanamh air Ruairidh Arascain is Mhairr, nach maireann, cul-taice cho mor ’s a bha aig dh’atharrachadh eadar tuiteamas is tuiteamas a’ Ghaidhlig ’nar la-ne. Cha do chumhaifrg ach na tha beachdan is gnathasan dhaoine esan aona chuid a sporan no a bhuadhan ann a fhein a’ cur a chaochladh air an dreach. Tha bhith. clo-bhualadh leabhraichean taitneach priomh bhrigh agus, gu trie, priomh thoradh anns an robh sgeulachdan, fior eachdraidh, aon chlach-chriche ann an eachdraidh a’ agus seoladh air iomadh cuspair feumail is giulan coltais ri brigh is toradh a leithid eile gnetheil; Icabhraichean mar tha An Sgeulaichc, ged dh’ fhaodadh ceud na eadhon mile bliadhna An Rosarnach agus Guth na Bliadhna, leabh- a dhealachadh a bhith eatorra an aimsir. Chan raichean luachmhor an diugh agus iad gu eil aobhar eile air a so, cho fada ’s as urrainn h-iomlan an deagh Ghaidhlig. B’ann a duine a thuigsinn, ach gu bheil an nadur a’ Siorrachd Obaireadhain a bha ar caraid. Bu chinne daoine fein laghan diomhair a tha, mhor is bu mhath a chuir esan is iadsan a eadhon d’a aindeoin, a’ treorachadh a cheuma dh’ainmich mi ri cor ar canain is ar daoine. an cursa eachdraidh. Rathad, leathann faodaidh e a bhith, ach gun amharus rathad Domhnall S. MacLeojd. aig a bheil fal suidhichte ’s nach fulling ach uibhir so de fhiaradh. Ma tha so fior, ma-ta, agus ar leam gu bheil, carson nach biodh e ’nar comas, chan e a Faidheadaireachd mhain cixrsa eachdraidh a roimh-innse, ach a BUADH cho iongantach ’s as urrainn a roimh-chumadh a reir feuman dhaoine is bhith aig mac an duine, spiorad na rioghachdan. Chan eil feumail ach gum faisneachd. Bha na sinnsearan a’ lan biodh againn an t-eolas eachdraidh a bha aig chrcidsinn gur h-e talant na comas mhi-nadurra H. G. Wells—is chan aidicheadh esan gum a bh’ann, ach 1c meudachadh eolais chaidh b’fhaidh e fein anns an t-seadh choitcheann— breithneachadh dhaoine am farsaingeachd ’s agus mion-eolas air priomh laghan nadur an chan eil sinn an diugh cho fior chinnteach as a duine gu bhith faicinn air thoiseach oirnn ’s a’ so. tuigsinn cuin a bha ascnadh dualach aite Tha mi fein de’n bharail gu bheil e comasach ghabhail an cuairt roth eachdraidh. do neach le mion-sgrudadh a dheanamh air na Tha luchd rioghlaidh agus daoine foghluimte, chaidh seachad de eachdraidh an t-saoghail co-dhiiibh ’nan sealladh fhein, a’ caitheamh cixrsa na h-cachdraidh a leantainn le cuimse moran uine agus saothrach a’ riasladh ri cuisean chothromaich. Chan eil mi ag radh gu bheil e nach eil idir ’nan cuisean eigneach. ’S e idir furasda cursa beatha aon duine na eadhon priomh fheum luchd-stiuraidh nan rioghachdan aon rioghachd a roimh-innse gu mionaideach gun tuigeadh iad gu de a tha ann am eiginn ach le beagan saothrach is faicill chan eil e na teanntachd oir is ann aig amannan de’n do-dheanta a leithid sin a dh’eachdraidh a t-seorsa a tha eachdraidh air a cumadh. Bheil leantainn am farsaingeachd. Tha gach linn slat tomhais ann as urrainn iad a chleachdadh a’ nochdadh chomharran is chriochan aig gu bhith dearbhadh na h-aimsir ? Saoilidh mi amannan sonruichte an doigh a tha toirt dhuinn gu bheil; slat a tha cothromach agus simplidh. iighdarras a bhith creidsinn gu bheil lagh Fhad’s a tha barrachd air da roghainn ann fa farsaing ann a tha riaghladh gach tuiteamais is chomhair ceist na suidheachaidh chan e am ascnadh sgeoil a tha cuibheall eachdraidh a’ fior eiginn na teanntachd a tha ann. Am toirt mu’n cuairt. Mar sin chan eil teagamh briathran eile chan am e a tha dualach atharr- ann, nan robh neach mion-eolach air eachd- achadh mor a dheanamh air cursa eachdraidh. raidh a thriall ’ s air gnathasan dhaoine mar Is ann nuair a tha daoine agus rioghachdan mhor-chuideachd, nach rachadh aige air air an co-eigneachadh gu aon de dha shlighe a tachartasan cudthromach a chomharrachadh a roghnachadh a tha cuibheall eachdraidh air a mach roimh laimh. tulgadh cho mor ’s gu bheil toradh na roghainn Their cuid nach eil an eachdraidh ach cearcall a’ sineadh a buaidh thairis air na ginealaich a mor a tha gabhail lan chuairt an aireamh araidh tha gun bhreith. Ach caite bheil so uile 'gar bhliadhnachan; gu bheil na nithean ceudna treorachadh? Tha a dh’ionnsaigh a’ chomh- ’gan nochdadh fein a rithist agus a rithist dhunaidh so, gu bheil e an lamhan dhaoine mar a tha an roth a’ tionndadh. Chan eil mi fhein eachdraidh an t-saoghail a dhealbh a deonach mo lan aonta a chur ris a’ bheachd so chum buannachd, sithe is soirbheachaidh anns anns an t-seadh gur iad na h-aon tachartasan a gach linn is ginealach. An aite bhith leigeil tha tighinn mu’n cuairt daonnan, ach their mi le sruth eachdraidh ruith air falbh leinn is e ar so, gu bheil e dualach gu lean eachdraidh an coir-bhreith is ar dleasdanas a bhith a’ cleach- cursa air an do shuidhich mac an duine snathad dadh nan talantan ’s an eolais a fhuair sinn gu a chombaiste o’n toiseach ’s nach eil a bhith tionndadh an t-srutha sin a dh’ ionnsaigh na crlche is fearr do ar cor fein. Faodaidh gu bheil so ag amharc doirbh ach chan eil c dad Comunn Gaidhealach nas duilghe na cluich tailisg do’n fhear aig a bheil an eanchainn air a shon. Leodhais Tha fear cluiche ealanta a’ faicinn gu bheil Literary Competitions in Gaelic iomadh doigh anns am faod e na cnagan a ghluasad air a’ bhord-tailisg, ach ’na ghluasad Prizes of 50/-, 30/- and 20/- will be awarded in tha e ag amharc chan ann air ciad thoradh a’ each of the sections. cheuma tha e gabhail ach mar an ceudna air Sections 1 and 2: Open. de an ceum a tha am fear eile dualach a ghabhail Section 1. A STORY based on historical inci- an coinneamh an t-suidheachaidh ixir a tha nis dents or local legends of interest fa chomhair. Chan urrainn teagamh a bhith pertaining to Lewis and extending againn gu bheil an comas aig an fhior fhear- to approximately 2,000 words or cluiche a’ chuis a roimh-fhaicinn. Is e dearbh- more. adh a’ ghnothaich gun coisinn e gach cluich a Section 2. A POEM on any subject of not less dh’aindeoin gach deifir doigh anns an gluais than TWENTY lines. am fear a tha stri ris. Sections. Collection of Place Names (con- Le eolas farsaing is breithneachadh cothrcm- fined to rural schools in Lewis). ach dh’fhaodadh daoine coinneachadh ri gach (a) Schools of Three Teachers and dubhlan an eachdraidh anns an doigh cheudna. under. A bharr air sin bheireadh "faisneachd” an (b) Schools of Four Teachers and eolais iiine choltach do dhaoine gu bhith over. meorachadh air an roghainn roimh laimh Place names of school district, chum is gum biodh iad lan chinnteach as an parish or other clearly defined area ceum nuair a thigeadh am na teanntachd. An with additional notes of historical diugh tha innleachdan is innealan iongantach or local interest. air an dealbh a dh’innseas gu cuimseach ceann gach sgeoil ma bhiadhar a steach annta pailtcas Rules. eolais mu na tha fhios againn air mu’n chuis 1. Entries in all three sections must be original araidh air a bheil sinn a’ deanamh sgrudaidh. and unpublished productions. If necessary, Carson nach biodh e comasach dhuinn eolas competitors must be in a position to furnish eachdraidh a chur chun an dearbhaidh so; proof of the genuineness of their work. an clar breithneachaidh a ghleusadh le fiosrach- 2. All Entries must be submitted under a pen- adh na h-eachdraidh a thriall agus foghlum gu name which should be clearly written at the de an coltas gum biodh am ascnaidh ann an head of each sheet. A sealed envelope taobh a stigh de uibhir so a bhliadhnachadh. containing competitor’s name, pen-name and A thuilleadh air sin chan eil e do-dheanta gu address must accompany each entry. The lorgamaid de an toradh araidh a bhiodh aig outer cover of this envelope should show roghainn thar roghainn eile chum ar leas. only Pen-name and competition section. 3. Work submitted in Section 3 must be A’ h antainn an reusanachaidh so gu crich attested by the signature of the schoolmaster chan eil aobhar carson nach rachamaid o cheum or member of staff of school. gu ceum mar neach a’ direadh faraidh gus an 4. The copyright of manuscripts submitted toirte cursa eachdraidh gu coimhliontachd. Is will become the property of Comunn e mo lan bheachd gun tugadh dhuinn ar reusan, Gaidhealach Leodhais. ar tuigse, is ar mac-meanmna chum na crichc Entries to be forwarded to:— so, is gu bheil an saoghal anns an staid bhochd Mr. K. D. Smith, ’s a bheil e a chionn nach do bhuilich sinn ar Mod Secretary, talantan gu bhith leughadh na duileige nach c/o Education Office, deach fhathast a thionndadh. Stornoway. Cailean T. MacCoinnich. Closing date of entries 31st March, 1961.

1. Fo lamhan a cheile, in a spirit of rivalry. 4. Cairich an leabaidh, make the bed. 2. A’ leigeadh ris dut, showing you. 5. Tha e air leigeadh roimhe, he is quite 3. Tha e math air a lamhan, he is a handy exhausted. man. 6. Tha mi a’ deanamh dheth, I understand. — 6 — LEARNER’S PAGE Is iomadh sgeul a tha aig na bodaich mu Many a tale the old men have about the dheidhinn a’ Phrionnsa agus is e aon diubh sin Prince, and one of these is how he planted, mar a chuir e, anns an aite ris an abrar an diugh in the place called today the Prince’s Knoll, Coilleag a’ Phrionnsa, na lusan alainn a thug the beautiful plants which he brought with e nail leis as an Fhraing. Tha “fluirean a’ him from France. The “Prince’s flowers,” Phrionnsa,” mar a their muinntir an eilein as the people of the island call them, are riutha, a’ fas air na bruthaichean gainmhich growing on the sand banks along the shore, a tha an cois na traghad agus tha e ri radh and it is said of them that they will not grow mu’n deidhinn nach fhas iad an aite sam bith anywhere else in the world but there. air an t-saoghal ach an sud fhein. Dh’fhag am Prionnsa iad mar chuimhneachan The Prince left them as a memento of the air a’ chiad phloc de rioghachd athraichean air first spot of the kingdom of his ancestors on an do chuir e a chas ach tha iad a nis air cnamh which he set foot, but they have now decayed, ’s air seacadh air falbh, direach mar a tha am and shrivelled just as the Prince himself has Prionnsa fhein air sioladh a cuimhne nan faded away from the memory of all the Gaels. Gaidheal gu leir. Tha larach an tighe anns The site of the house where the Prince slept is an do chaidil am Prionnsa ri fhaicinn fhathast still to be seen though not a single stone of it is ged nach eil aon chlach air muin cloiche dheth. in position. We do not have Charles’ cave Chan eil uaimh Thearlaich againn an Eirisgeidh in Eriskay at all, as they have in Uist and in idir mar a tha aca an Uidhist ’s am Beinn a’ Benbecula, but we did better than that, we Bhaoghla ach rinn sinne na b’fhearr na iad sin, gave him a house. thug sinn dha tigh. Tha eilean beag aig ceann a deas Eirisgeidh There is a small island at the south end of ris an abrar an Staca, agus tha caistcal air an Eriskay called Staca, and there is a castle on eilean so air a bheil an t-ainm Caisteal an this island named the Robber’s Castle. Accord- Reubadair. A reir eachdraidh nam bodach ’s ing to the old men’s tales this robber was a man e fear a bha anns an reubadair so a bhiodh a’ who passed the Staca. On winter nights he dol seachad air an Staca. Air oidhcheannan would light a fire by the seashore, and any geamhraidh lasadh c solus ri taobh a’ chladaich, vessel that was in trouble in the Minch would is long sam bith a bhiodh an deuchainn sa’ make for the light and would be broken to pieces Chuan Sgith, dheanadh i air an t-solus is on the rocky shore of the island. The Castle bhristeadh ’na biorain i air cladach garbh an is built on the top of a high rock with a narrow eilein. Tha an caistcal air a thogail air barr and dangerous road going up to it along the creige airde agus rathad caol cunnartach a’ dol face of the rock. There is a heap of stones at suas aodann na creige g’ a ionnsaigh. Tha the foot of this road and the old men call it torr chlachan aig bonn an rathaid so agus their Sack of the White Mare. It was with a white na bodaich ris Sac na Eaire Baine. Is ann le mare that the robber transported up the face lair bhain a bhiodh an reubadair a’ tarraing of the rock the stones with which he built the suas aghaidh na creige na clachan leis an do castle. But one day he placed such a big load thog e an caisteal. Ach an la bha so chuir e on the mare that it dropped dead under it, and sac cho mor air an lair 's gun do thuit i marbh the stones are still there, a heap on each side fodha, ’s tha na clachan an sud fhathast, torr of the road as a memorial to the Sack of the air gach taobh de’n rathad dhiubh mar chuimh- White Mare. When the robber built the castle neachan air Sac na Laire Baine. Nuair a thog he needed a wife, and since the Boisdale Farmer an reubadair an caisteal bha bean a dhith air, had a beautiful daughter he thought that he agus on bha nighean bhriagha aig Fear would steal her. He carried her on his back Bhaghasdail smaoinich e gun goideadh e i. from Boisdale to Kyle-side. He swam across Tharraing e air a mhuin i a Baghasdal gu Eriskay sound with her; he carried her across Taobh a’ Chaolais. Shnamh e caolas Eirisgeidh Eriskay; he swam across Sound of Staca with leatha; tharraing e tarsaing Eirisgeidh i; her and from there he brought her to the castle, shnamh e Caolas an Staca leatha agus tharraing and as the old man who told me it said, indeed e as a sin i chun a’ chaisteil, agus mar a thuirt he had not much of her as a free gift. am bodach a bha ’g a innseadh dhomh, gu dearbh cha robh cus an asgaidh aige dhith. PUTTING GAELIC ON THE RECORD By Professor K. Jackson THE Linguistic Survey of Scotland Was set time to discover the last remaining old people, up by Edinburgh University in 1949 in their 80’s who could still speak Gaelic, as a research department charged with surrounded by a population which no longer the duty of collecting and studying specimens knew it. of Scots and Gaelic dialects and publishing the In this way, excellent material, such as it results. After ten years of active field work, would probably now no longer be possible the Gaelic section is now nearing the end of its to get at all, was gathered in ‘ 'urgent’ ’ areas first phase, that of primary collection, and it is like Caithness, the Black Isle, the Nigg appropriate to summarise what has been done peninsula, the Moray-Nairnshire borders, so far. Braemar, Strathardle, Strathbran, Balquhidder, the Trossachs, Cowal, Arran, and Kintyre, to The purpose of a linguistic survey is to gather mention only these. material adequately illustrating pronunciation, It was essential to take care that the infor- grammatical forms, sentence construction, mants chosen were really speakers of the idiom, and vocabulary from every area which genuine local dialect. When a Gaelic speaker has a distinctive dialect. Scottish Gaelic has was met with in a place where no one else a number of such dialects, but very little spoke the language, it often turned out that he information about them as a whole was available was an immigrant, or, though he himself was to students of the language, and nothing what- born there, his parents had been immigrants. ever about some of them. Yet they are all of In either case he could not be used, since a the greatest interest linguisitically, and besides child of immigrant Gaelic-speaking parents, there is much to be learned about the history though born and brought up in a place, cannot of Gaelic, and indeed about the history of the be a speaker of the local dialect if that dialect Highlands in general, from their study. is dead of field or even moribund, but only of Why, for instance, has it turned out that his parents’ Gaelic. some dialect features coincide closely with the This means that many of the Gaelic speakers present county boundaries and others strikingly in places such as southern Kintyre, Dunbarton- pay no attention to them whatever? Exactly shire, Nairnshire, and so on, to whom references what are the border lines of these features, were kindly sent in to the Survey by friends, and what were their historical causes? What turned out on inquiry to be unsuitable. part did the clan areas play in this? The method of recording is two-fold. First, Moreover, what is the spoken Gaelic language tape-recordings are made of the informant in really like, throughout the country where it conversation, or preferably if possible telling exists, as distinct from the literary language a story, or other continuous speech. In this of books or the speech of some particular well- way specimens of the actual spoken language known Gaelic community such as Lewis? are preserved for study. A considerable library These are a few of the questions that the Survey of these tapes has been built up, and a repre- hopes to answer. sentative selection covering the entire country so far worked has been transferred to metal Urgent task discs which are believed to be permanent, Already, in 1949, the task Was known to be whereas tape slowly deteriorates with time. urgent. Studies made in the 1870’s show that There are now 25 of these double-sided Gaelic was then commonly spoken everywhere long-playing discs, and they will be added to in the Highlands, but the last Census before as the work progresses, so that even a century 1949 (that of 1931) and other sources made it from now it will still be possible to listen to frighteningly clear that this was by now far the actual Gaelic speech of almost any parts of from being the case, and that in some parts the Highlands. it would probably be impossible to find local But this alone is not enough. It sometimes Gaelic speakers any longer. happened even in a fairly long recording that The Survey went to work at once on these no instance at all of some particular local dialect urgent districts, and by great good fortune it sound, verb-form, or the like is included, was able to find suitable informants almost and it is much too risky to leave such tilings everywhere, with a few exceptions such as the to chance. Besides, recordings vary con- Isle of Bute, southern Kintyre, and upper siderably in clarity and usefulness, and do Dunbartonshire. Often it came only just in not supply uniform material for study. Secondly, therefore, the Survey has proceeded with the original informants where possible. by using a questionnaire, filled up in phonetic The third stage will involve entering the script by the field collector from the informant’s results on maps, and writing complete phonetic replies. It is designed so that it provides for and grammatical studies on each dialect, all the sounds, important grammatical forms, together with a historical account of the growth and so on that any Gaelic dialect is likely to of these dialects from the original parent possess, and shows the historical divergence “Common Gaelic,’’ as it is called. of each dialect from the common origin. Finally, there will be the problem of publica- For instance, a short list of words containing tion and of raising the necessary funds for what the vowel written “ao” in literary Gaelic is is bound to be a very expensive undertaking. put to the informant, and the way his dialect However, that is a task for the future, and it will treats that sound is noted from his pronunciation be a good many years yet before this question in phonetic script. has to be faced. This method has the advantage over the tape It would be premature to attempt any general recordings that the results are set out in a way account of the results so far obtained, but it and on a basis which is uniform through.out may be said that the problem of defining the the Highlands, and therefore provides material Gaelic- dialects has turned out to be more for easy comparative study. complicated than had been expected. Some This field questionnaire has 1200 items, and few features support the popular belief that the takes about eight hours to work through. In language has two main dialects, a Northern and addition to all this, a printed questionnaire a Southern, whose dividing line runs roughly illustrating matters of vocabulary was sent along the northern borders of Argyll and out through the post to school teachers and Perthshire. others, who filled it up by consulting local Gaelic speakers, and also provided some Different picture valuable information about the extent to which But others give a very different picture, Gaelic was spoken in their area. especially a series of pecularities which separate the mainland Highlands neatly into East and Co-operation West, sometimes with a salient from the West All this has meant a considerable inroad on pushing north-eastwards up the Great Glen the time and good-will of the informants, and to the neighbourhood of Inverness. Problems the Survey takes this opportunity of thanking of historical geography will emerge in this way, again very warmly all those people throughout and their answers—if they can be answered— the Highlands without whose cheerful co- should throw some interesting light on Scottish operation in this exacting task the research history, and from a source which has never been could never have been carried out. The almost investigated till now. universal kindness, patience, courtesy, and On the whole, it seems probable that we must hospitality shown to the Survey’ s field collectors reckon with a large and comparatively uniform who have visited personally thousands of Gaelic Central dialect comprising most of the Hebrides speakers all through the Highlands, has been and a considerable part of the mainland, from beyond all praise. the Sutherland-Ross borders south to Mid- The first stage of the task, that of field Argyll; and round the outskirts of this, from collection, is now nearing its end, with about Sutherland and Caithness through part of 190 complete field questionnaires already Easter Ross, Moray, Braemar, and south-east gathered in and some 300 speakers tape-recorded Perthshire to Arran and Kintyre, a series of as well as a quantity of random notes taken in smaller dialects, showing a good many features phonetic script illustrating points of special in common. dialect interest in the various places investi- These peripheral dialects are on the whole gated . more archaic than the Central one, which Nothing remains now to be explored but the suggests that innovations grew up somewhere Outer Hebrides, where some material has in the centre and spread until they reached already been gathered in previous years. Mr. almost as far as the borders of the Gaelic world T. P. McCaughey is already at work there, but not quite as far, except that some of them and with luck it should be possible to complete penetrated to the North Sea at Inverness. the Survey’s field task this season, with some For instance, the peripheral dialects preserve 20 further questionnaires. the very archaic peculiarity (shared also with The second stage will consist in transcribing Irish Gaelic and Manx, and certainly original tapes, sorting and analysing the whole body of that in words like sop, bata, and mac they do material, and checking any doubtful points not introduce the strong breathing before the p, t, and c which is so characteristic of the new car for the Northern Organiser and sell the Gaelic of the Centre. old car in part payment. Estimates for five Problems such as these will emerge as the of the Standing Committees were submitted next stage of the Survey progresses; the final as follows: results may be expected to throw much light Art and Industry £60 on the character and history of the Gaelic Education £150 language. Publication .. £1,700 By courtesy of “The Scotsman.” Propaganda .. £1,800 Note Clann an Fhraoich £50 Since I have been criticised for not doing so, A Minute of the Education Committee noted I should like to mention here that some of the comments by Mr. J. A. Macdonald regarding features which distinguish an Eastern and a the Summer School held at St. Andrews last Western area were of course pointed out long July. It was agreed to explore the possibility ago by the Rev. C. S. Robertson. Ever since of having a Gaelic Summer School in Oban I began the study of Gaelic dialects and be- next summer under the auspices of An Comunn. came familiar with all his works nearly 20 Copies of the data received from the Scottish years ago, I made up my mind that if ever I Education Department concerning the teaching wrote a book on this subject I would dedicate of Gaelic in Highland counties were deferred it to his memory; and this will be done when for consideration at a later meeting of the the Linguistic Survey’s material is published, Committee when members of the deputation together with any and all other acknowledg- who had met officers of the Department were ments that may really be due. It would have able to be present. been impossible and unnecessary in a semi- The Minute of the Publication Committee popular article, severely limited to about stated that the President and Convener were 1,500 words, even to begin to acknowledge to approach the Scottish Universities concerning sources. The situation is that a number of the the proposal to produce a Gaelic English/ facts collected by the Survey simply confirm English Gaelic Dictionary. After discussion what has already been noted by previous it was recommended that a representative from Writers, though they confirm in far greater and the advertising agents, Messrs. Mackenzie, more precise detail. One way in which the Vincent, Ltd., be invited to meet the Committee Survey really does provide a mass of information to discuss advertising in An Gaidheal, Sradag almost entirely new, being scarcely touched by and the Mod Programme. It was decided to older writers, is in drawing the precise have a joint'meeting of the Publication Com- boundaries of each individual peculiarity and mittee and the Propaganda Committee to in defining the exact dialect areas, which has consider future policy regarding the production not been attempted before except in a desultory and sale of Sradag. way, for lack of complete material. It is this A report of an interesting conference between which is the basis of the claim that new light the Propaganda Committee and representatives may be thrown on the history of the Highlands, of Branches in the South was submitted. It since dialect differentiations have historical was felt that a similar conference with Branches causes, and the exact delimitation of the dialect in the North was very desirable. areas may be expected to suggest what some of The Convener of the Art and Industry Com- these causes may have been. mittee thanked all who helped at the Exhibition during Mod week. The silver Quaich for the best exhibit in the Junior Section was awarded to Miss Shonagh Macleod, Dundee, and in the Executive Council Senior Section to Miss Katie MacDougall, A meeting of the Council was held on 19th Tobermory. Mrs. MacLeod (Donalda Robert- November, the President in the chair. Minutes son) and Mr. Donald U. Johnston Were invited of the eight Standing Committees were con- to join the Committee as co-opted members. sidered and approved. Two Minutes by the Mod and Music Com- In the Minute of the Finance Committee mittee were approved. The Convener congratu- reference was made to the grants amounting lated all concerned for the great success of the to £69 10/- obtained from the local authority Edinburgh Mod. It Was decided that the towards the heating of the office premises. Kennedy-Fraser competition must have an The rateable value of An Comunn’s premises accompaniment, and consideration will be will be raised from £180 to £230 from Whit- given to providing suitable songs for men and sunday, 1961 to 1966. It was decided to buy a women. Better arrangements are desirable — 10 — for staffing the bookstall at future Mods. Mr. Neil Shaw was elected as Editor of Mod song Treasurer’s Notes publications. The following were recommended as Music Adjudicators for 1962 Mod:—Dr. NATIONAL MOD—EDINBURGH, 1960 Maurice Jacobson, Mr. Francis Collinson, and Received at Edinburgh— Mr. J. Gilmour Barr. Previously acknowledged^ ,094 7 10 The Committee decided to suggest to the Glasgow Central Branch 25 Oban and Tom Association to submit a list Inverness Branch 15 of songs from which a choice could be made, Lewis Branch .. or to submit the titles of the two songs they Miss Betsy MacLeod proposed for the 1962 Mod as soon as possible. Skye 7 7 — Two Minutes of the Propaganda Committee Dr.Manchester and Mrs. McCallum 34 were approved. It was noted that a meeting Mr. and Mrs. M with the Secretary of the Royal Highland Maclean, Easdale Agricultural Society would be arranged at the Dr. Arthur Geddes earliest opportunity to discuss matters of Edinburgh common interest. It was agreed to write to Ian Campbell, Esq the Directors of Education for Argyll and Ross- Skye shire, enclosing copies, and enquire if they could Mrs. Ian Campbell use An Gaidheal in schools, and, if so, invite Skye them to place orders for it. Attempts will be MissEdinburgh Jean Dalgleish — 10 — made to hold Mods in Tiree and in Castlebay Balmaha Branch 10 and Daliburgh. Further information is awaited Edinburgh Gaelic Choir 10 regarding the proposed propaganda tour of Gaelic Society of Perth 5 Kintyre, and Mr. Neil Maclean and the Mrs. E. Murray—Raffle 5 12 6 Convener are to give further consideration to Mrs. Angus, Edinburgh 10 - the question of resuscitating the Rothesay ■ Branch. Aberfeldy Branch MissEdinburgh Margaret MacLeod, Rev.Edinburgh Angus Duncan, 1 1 — Per Miss Hoy, Edinburgh — 10 — Mr. Euan Macdiarmid Strath Branch .. Mr. Euan Macdiarmid, M.A. , C.A., a very Mr. and Mrs. Walter prominent member of the Highland community Malcolm, Muir of Ord 2 2 — in Edinburgh for many years, died suddenly on David M. Lloyd, Esq., the 12th of December on the way home after Edinburgh 2 2 — presiding at a meeting of the Celtic Union of Captain and Mrs. Donald which he was President. His passing will be Galbraith, Edinburgh a great loss to the many societies with which he Nether Lorn Branch .. was associated in the city, where he has been A J.Friend MacLeod, per Murdo Esq., F. in business for a long time. Edinburgh .. A native of Aberfeldy, Mr. Macdiarmid Edinburgh Argyll Asso- took a leading part in all worthwhile activities ciation 1 12 6 that had to do with Highland matters in Largs Branch 5 5 — Edinburgh. In addition to being President Twoness Members Branch of. . Inver- — 5 — of the Celtic Union he was for several years Glasgow Mod Committee President of the Scottish Branch of the Celtic of 1958 43 1 — Congress, and an honorary pipe-major of Mrs. Mary MacRae, the Royal Scottish Pipers’ Society. He also Edinburgh 5 acted as treasurer of the local committee of Kildalton Branch 26 14 6 the National Mods held in Edinburgh in 1935, Mrs.Edinburgh D. S. Rabagliati, 2 5 — 1951, and 1960. Dundee Highland Society 57 17 — Unassuming and efficient, he always went Baleraminmore Colonsay about with a happy smile. We who knew him Branch .. so well will miss him. Our sympathy goes out Dr. and Mrs. Bannerman, to his sister, Mrs. Durward, and to his.other Balmaha Tea Party close relatives. Money,(including ^5) .. Raffle Miss I. F. Campbell, MAGAZINE FUND Sydney, Australia 1 1 — Previously acknowledged .. .. £6 2 — Mrs.ness—Surplus D. J. Laing, on Inver-Ceilidh 20 Archie M. McDonald , Esq., Bearsden — 4 — Local Committee Outing to Lauder 13 5 — £6 6 — Mrs. P. Watson—Ceilidh 13 Mrs. Cowper—Coffee CENTRAL FUND Morning 12 Previously acknowledged .. .. £94 6 7 BazaarTourist and Rooms Ceilidh in 82 — 10 Mrs. Flora E. Rhodes, Ontario .. 1 Cornu nn Tir nam Beann, Angus C. Paterson, Esq., Campbeltown — 14 — Duneideann, Surplus Paisley Highlanders’ Association .. 10 on Ceilidh 2—8 Beauly Branch ...... 10 Whist Drive 20 7 6 Sutherland Provincial Mod Committee 30 Ceilidh arranged by Cruachan Branch ...... 2 2 — George Clavey, Esq. 32 16 6 George Campbell Hay, Esq., Edinburgh l 11 _ ^3,647 7 10 Mrs. E. G. Croll, Cheltenham, England 16 6 6 Mrs. A. MacLean, Wells, Canada .. — 72 Received at Glasgow— Dr. W. Mackenzie, Bromley, England .. — 3 6 Previously acknowledged £222 18 3 5 AngusAppin-Duror C. Paterson, Branch Esq., .. £166 10 9 Campbeltown .. PaisleyAssociation Highlanders ’ COMUNN NA H-OIGRIDH FUND Beauly Branch .. Previously acknowledged .. .. £48 2 — Mrs. Mary H. M. Gilmour, Netherlorn Branch ...... 5 Invershin £53 2 — Mrs.Blairgowrie Isobel B. ..Denny, MissTongue K. A. MacDonald, Cruachan Branch 5 5 — Cruachan Branch 2 12 6 Branch Reports Cdr.Oxford, J. Dundas-Grant,England AYR Kilmarnock Branch GaidhealachAt a ceilidh on held December by the Ayr9 the Branch Ayr ofJunior An Comunn Gaelic Novaof ScottishScotia Association Societies Choir made their first appearance since their successes Mrs. H. M. Campbell of toat thetheir Mod. conductor, Their singingMr. Donald was delightful D. Maclsaac. and a credit Airds,England Amersham, 3 Former president of An Comunn, Mr. Farquhar Glasgow Celtic Society 4 10 — theirMacRae, welcome, was chairman. Mr. MacRae In thankingspoke of allhis presentdelight forin Mrs.Hamilton Jean C. Anderson, — 10 — watching the children as they gathered round their Anonymous — 5 — conductor, their eyes steadfastly on him as they sang Anonymous 1 10 — with expression the Gaelic airs. Mrs. Ann G. Draper, hadMr. been MacRae, introduced who by was' the president,accompanied Mr. by Maclsaac. his wife, Aberdeen Gaelic songs were very much in the majority and R.Glasgow M. Montgomery, Esq., were enjoyed by an appreciative audience. LadyLochalsh Matheson of KILLIN Missneill, Campbell M.B.E. of Inver- A well-attended ceilidh was held in McLaren Hall Anonymous 2 programmewith Mr. Neilof pipeMacGill selections, presiding. instrumental A fine varietymusic Mrs. Colvin M. Gates and solos was sustained by a party from Callander. Mrs. A. E. Matheson .. Mr.in Kinlochleven,J. S. Cunningham, rendered a former Gaelic headmaster, songs. Local now artistesMr. William were MissesAllan withLeslie Mrs. Stitt, Mitchell Fiona Campbellat the piano, and £3,955 3 7 Programme was arranged by Miss A. C. MacIntyre Andersonand votes • of thanks were proposed by Mr. James — 12 — AN GAIDHEAL THE GAEL Editor — ]. THOMSON, M.A., F.E.I.S., 116 WEST SAVILE TERRACE, EDINBURGH to whom all correspondence should be addressed except that concerning advertising, which should be addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer. 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C.2. Telephone: DOUglas 1433. Leabhar LVI AN GEARRAN, 1961 Aireamh 2

GRAIN GHNIOMHA THAINIG orain is ceol gus a bhith air am Cha robh brain ann bu trice a chlumnte sa’ fighe gu domhain ann am beatha nan chlachan na na h-brain luaidh. Neadaich iad Eileanach. Anns na seann laithean so anns a’ chib, araon anns a’ chuire agus anns b’ e an obair aca, gu trie, an fhearas-chuideachd an dliith. Ghleidheadh air chuimhne iad fada a b’fhearr a b’aithne dhaibh, agus cha robh an deidh brain eile a dhol air dearmad. ionndrainn air a’ chorr. Bha an obair, a bha Cluinnear iad fhathast ged nach ann mu’n trorii agus saraichte aig amannan, a’ cur chleith. Tha brain luaidh eadardhealaichte feuma air faothachadh; agus rinn na h-6rain air an seinn a teir gne na h-oibreach. Gus na ghniomha, a bha cho muirneach aca agus cho mnathan a bhlathachadh ris an obair seinn idh trie air am bilean, an obair na b’aotruime, an iad brain-teasachaidh ; an sin bithidh brain- oidhche gheamhraidh na bu ghiorra, agus teannachaidh aca gu bhith toirt na h-oibreach comunn chairdean na bu shona. Cha robh gu ire; a rithist togaidh iad brain-sugra:dh obair anns an robh iad an sas nach robh fuinn airson cothrom molaidh do na caileagan air na fhreagarrach air a son, agus mar bu dripeile an leannain; agus gu bhith a’ cumail a’ chib obair is ann bu chridheile an t-seinn. aig an aon leud seinnear brain-sinidh is brain- Am feadh ’s a bhiodh a’ bhanachag a’ baslachaidh, agus gu bhith cur crioch air an bleoghann air airigh na aig tigh bha seis nan obaii seinnear brain-coisrigidh is brain- oran aice cumail ceuma ri gluasad nan lamh. coinnleachaidh ann am beannachadh agus ann Tha fuinn fior thaitneach is aighearach air na am pasgadh an aodaich. h-6rain-sa, agus tha ruith nan rann a’ co- Faodaidh nach eil anns an rann ach aon fhreagairt ris gach fasgadh is iomairt. Bha e sreath, ach air an laimh eile faodaidh aireamh eadhon air aithris gu robh an crodh Gaidhealach nan sreath a bhith cho ard ri a h-ochd. Tha deidheil air ceol fonnmhor milis, agus ullamh an rann air a sheinn le aon neach, agus an gus am bainne thoirt seachad cho fada ’s a t-seis leis a’ chuideachd uile. Chan e an t-aon bha an t-seinn a’ cordadh riutha, ach deonach chumadh a tha air na rainn na air na fuinn a chleith mur faigheadh iad rogha ciiiil. Bha anns gach aite idir. Tha dbigh air leth, tuathanaich aig an robh crodh le cluas-chiuil faodaidh e a bhith, aig gach ionad fa leth. cho, iongantach a’ roghnachadh banachagan Tha iomadh cuspair aig na h-brain mar an a bha beothail ’nan doigh agus ealanta air ceudna—gaol, cogadh, ionndrainn, moladh, seinn. gaisge, agus eadhon bb.s. Cha mhbr nach dean Bha brain sniomhe aca gu bhith cumail bran sam bith a’ chuis ma tha an rann goirid coiseachd ri caran an dealgain, ri rothan an gu lebr agus an t-seis fada gu lebr. liaghra, agus ri cuairtean na cuibhle is siubhal Ma bha brain cuideachaidh aig na mnathan nan lamh. Cha b’ e erbnan cadail bu lugha air tir bha an cuid fhein aig na fir air muir air an robh feum anns an lath a ud airson sith ’s air tir, agus ged nach robh an t-seinn a bhith ann 3 an uchd agus anns V chreathaill. acasan cho buileach fonnmhor, bha i pailt Cha robh gainne air fuinn talaidh airson cho sgairteil. Nuair a bhatar air bbrd soithich saothair na banaltruim fh&gail na b’ fhasa. na eathair a’ slaodadh nam ball agus a’ togail — IS — an t-siuil bha feum air orain ghluasadach, mith-brain as docha leotha. Ma tha sin fior thaiceil. Ach is e iorram nan ramh as fhearr a thaobh brain sam bith tha e gu cinnteach air a bheil cuimhne againne. Bha an sgoth fior a thaobh nan bran gniomha. Gheibhear rag ’na h-imeachd ri feath agus is e buillean annta mac-talla nan nithean a chuaileanaich nan ramh a bheireadh iad gu ionad cura na mu chridheachan nan ginealach a dh’fhalbh, gu laimrig. Bu sharaichte air latha reota agus a ni greim fhathast air an sliochd anns toiseach earraich astar cuain air chul nan gach aite am faighear iad. Lorgar annta na ramh, ach bu deonach, tapaidh na fir agus tograidhean agus na ruintean agus na beachdan b’ard-ghuthach iad a’ togail an fhuinn. Air a dh’altruim ar sinnsearachd am brbn ’s an an achadh-bhuain cha robh iad gun brain aoibhneas, an carraid is an teanntachd, an fhreagarrach mar an ceudna. Le siubhal is caochlaideachd ’s an imcheist. Tha brain is aomadh nan rann bu reidh siubhlach iomairt fuinn nan Gaidheal toinnte gu domhain ’nan nan corran agus siixdan nan speal. gne. Ma chailleas iad an dileab luachmhor-sa Tha e air a radh nach eil ni eile ann as caillear cuibhrionn mhor de ’n eachdraidh ; fhearr a nochdas nadur na gne sluaigh na na agus cha cha dean ni eile suas an call.

AIMHREIT AIGNIS, AN RUDHA, LEODHAS CHAN EIL duine beb an diugh a ghabh thurchair gun robh aon de na croitearan, compairt anns an iorghaill a bh’ann Calum Fhionnlaigh, le car ’na bheul bho’n an Aignis, san Rudha, Leodhas aig bhroinn. Shaoil leis an Rothach gur e diombadh deireadh na naoidheimh linne deug. Chaochail a bh’air ris fhein. “Tasdan ort airson do am fear mu dheireadh aca de na priosanaich o ghreann,” ars esan, “air neo bi mach as do chion'n dha no tri a bhliadhnachan, Iain thigh gun dail.’’ Bha an Rothach, cuideachd, Macaoidh a Aignis (Cabhais), brathair mo aig an am so air ordugh thoirt seachad nach sheanar. Chan eil ach fior chorra fhear anns fhaodadh mac mathar san Rudha posadh mur an sgire aig a bheil cail ach fior chuimhne air a biodh fearann aige gus an tugadh e a bhean. an latha ud air am bi luaidh fhadaann an eachd- Bha, cuideachd, eirigh na Pairce, far na raidh an eilein is anns na theab cinn a bhith chreach muinntir nan Loch fritheaii na mnatha air am briseadh is fuil air a dhbirteadh. Chan uasail Platt gu biadh do’n teaghlaichean, ixr fhaighear, mar sin, an diugh cunntas mhionaid- ann an cuimhne an t-sluaigh is thug iad mu’n each air a’ chilis ach mar a chaidh a sgriobhadh aire gun sheall muinntir nam bailtean mora 1e fear Seumas Camshron, a bha ’na fhear- moran co-fhaireachdainn ri muinntir nan Loch fhianuis air na thachair an latha ud, ach tha aig am na cuirte aca is an deidh an leigeil fo fhathast corra sgeul ri faotainn bho bheul- sgaoil. Bha fir an Rudha geurchuiseach gu aithris an t-sluaigh is ann an aon thachartas leoir gu faicinn gu robh siiilean na rioghachd air a bheil Camshron a’ luaidh chi sinn nach air bochdainn an eilein is gum b’e so an t-am do thog e ceart de chaidh a radh. iomchuidh nan robh iad a’ dol a sheasamh Aig Sealbh tha brath de a dh’aobhraich an airson an coraichean. Bha bochdainn anns an aimhreit an latha ud ; chan eil duine ro eilean gun teagamh ach cha chreid mi gun robh chinnteach, ach saoilidh mi an deidh a bhith a’ ghoirt a riamh ann cho fada ’sa bhiodh ann an cbmhradh nam bodach is bho bheul- iasg an cuan, maorach air cladach, mult air aithris nach b’ e aon rud na da rud a b’ aobhar sliabh is bo air steill. do’n eirigh a chaidh a dheanamh. Bha a’ Chuir a h-uile cail a bha sin bdilich air Ghaidhealtachd gu leir air bhoil aig an am bho muinntir an Rudha is thainig a’ chuis gu aintighearnas nan uachdaran is bha cuimhne ro aona-cheann. Cha robh iad gu bhith bliadhna ghoirt aig na bh’air fhagail air fbgradh an eile gun cheartas a thagradh air an sgath athraichean. Bha barrachd speis do chrodh fhein agus air sgath an cuid chloinne. B’e is chaoraich na do bheatha duine. Cha robh MacAlasdair aig an robh taca Aignis aig an seilbh sam bith aca air an fhearann a bha iad am, a dhiol air a so, oir bha esan mar shamhla ag aiteachadh is bha am mal fada seach an air an ughdarras a bha ’gan sarachadh. Chuir rathad air na b’ fhiach na feannagan bochda iad an comhairle ri cheile is chaidh fios a chur aca. Mar shamhla air lamhachas laidir an gu oifis (Baillidh) an fhearainn an Steornabhagh ama sin tha an sgeul so againn air an Siamarlan gu robh iad a’ dol a sgiiirsadh spreidh Mhic- Rothach am fear-millidh a chuir Lebdhas bun Alasdair aig uair araid air a leithid so an latha. os cionn. Bha e togail a’ mhail am Pabail is Bha fior fhios aig an Rothach nach b’ann ri — 14 — feala-dha a bha na seoid is leig e ris do na Chaidh na saighdearan is na maoir sithe ’ nam maoir-sithe an lideadh a fhuair e. Bha buidh- bad is bha sabaid chruaidh ann a lean corr is eann shaighdearan de na Royal Scots, fo iiiil leth-uair a thide. Faodaidh beachd a bhith Chaiptean MhicFhearchair steidhichte an againn air an othail ’san upraid le eigheachd Steornabhagh air taille aramach de’n t-seorsa so nam ban, meilich chaorach, nuallaich chruidh is fhuair e fios deanamh air Mealbost cho is fuaim nam buillean. Chaidh aig an t-sluagh fathach is a thigeadh aige air gu bhith ann air an spreidh a theicheadh romhpa ach chaill mu’n tigeadh na daoine. Dh’fhalbh na iad an t-sabaist is chaidh duine no dhithis aca saighdearan am marbh na h-oidhche is chaidh a chur an sas. Bha fior-bheachd aig na maoir iad air fiaradh na machrach gus na rainig iad cd na ceannardan a bh’ orra is rinn iad ionnsaigh an ceann-uidhe is chaidh an cumail an sin gun air an cur-san fo cheannsal co-dhiubh, ach fhios nach deidheadh aig na croitearan air an fhuair fear no dha dhiubh as. Leum Iain spreidh a ruagadh cho fada ri sin. Aig leth- Ruairidh dig mhor an Uillt Dhuibh is cha uair an deidh sia air madainn bhriagha thainig leumadh duine a bha as a dheidh i, is tharr e fir as a’ chabhlaich rxoghail fo stiuireadh as. Chaidh Cailean Fhionnlaigh a ghlacadh Caiptean Plumbe air tir aig beul an Locha air a bruaich. Tuath is shnaig iad, a null beul na mara is Bha an sluagh a nis aig oisinn a’ Gharraidh tarsuinn nan dim gainmhich gus na ghearr Ghil—aite cumhang eadar da gharradh ard iad tarsainn aig seann chladh na h-Aoidhe is aig toiseach a’ Bhraighe. Their iad chun an chaidh iad am folach an saibhlean na tuatha. latha ’ n diugh gum faodadh iad a bhith air na Eadar seachd ’sa’ h-ochd thainig ochd maoir- saighdearan a chur fodha an so nam b’e ’n toil sithe as a’ bhaile is aig briseadh faire nochd an e, gun chothrom tionndaidh aca. So far na Siorram Friseal is Iain Rois, fear-tagraidh a’ theab an call a bhith. Thug an sluagh ionnsaigh chriiin, aig tigh na taca. Bha gach ni a nis an chruaidh air na priosanaich thoirt bho na ordugh gu coinneachadh a dheanamh ris na maoir is tharraing Iain Ros an daga aige. bheireadh a’ mhadainn mu’n cuairt. Chuir so an tuilleadh corruich orra. Leum Bha an seachdamh latha de’n Fhaoilleach, iad air is dh’eugh fear aca ’nan deidheadh ochd ceud deug, ceithir fichead ’sa h-ochd peilear a losgadh gun cuireadh iad na saighd- (1888), a reir eachdraidh, mar latha eadar dha earan dhachaidh lomnoch. Tharraing na shian. Aig deich uairean sa’ mhadainn bha saighdearan na biodagan ach choisich na mu choig ceud duine eadai fhear is bhean, seoid chuca gus an robh an staillinn ri’m cruinn air leathad a’ chnuic os cionn na taca. broillichean. Leugh an Siorram Achd na Bha caman aig grunn aca ’nan laimh is aig cuid h-Aimhreit am Beurla ’san Gaidhlig is ghuidh eile clachan a bha iad air a thogail bho’n e gu durachdachd riutha iad a sgur air sgath talamh anns an dol seachad. Bha an fhior Ni Maith. Cha robh fios de a bha dol a thach- chuthach orra ach bu bhochd an armachd so airt ach ruisg Caiptean MacPhail a bhroilleach gu dhol a choinneamh luaidh is st&illinn nan is thuirt e ris an t-saighdear a b’fhaisge, saighdearan nan tigeadh orra sin a dheanamh. “Sath an sud do bhiodag. ’ ’ An uair a dhiiilt e Tha an Gaidheal mall gu fearg ach bha iad so dh’eugh an Caiptean ris na saighdearan, air an cur chuige le aintigheamas ann an “Falbhaidh is marbhaibh na cearcan; chan doigh is gur e miorbhuil nam miorbhuilean eil an corr a dh’fheum annaibh.” Thog nach deach fuil a dhoirteadh. Cha robh an Camshron so cearr. Co dhiu chord a’ bharail Siorram Friseal idir gun lan bheachd aige air a bh’aige air na saighdearan ris an t-sluagh. an so; bu Ghaidheal e fhein is tha iomadh Rinn iad lachan gaire is cha deach a’ chuis na rann molaidh air gus an latha an diugh Chan eil bu mhiosa. teagamh sam bith mar tha Camshron ag radh, Chaidh fios a chur air na saighdearan a bha gun robh am meas a bh’aig an t-sluagh air feitheamh am Mealabost gu cuideachadh chaich mar dhuine fior agus ceart, mar mheadhon ach a dh’aindeoin an comhnadh a rinn iadsan air sith a chur air an aisith. Bha crith ’na dhoibh ’sann air fior eiginn a chaidh na priosan- laimh agus tuar air aodann an latha ud nach robh aich a chur an laimh is an toirt air falbh. Anns bho ’n aois a mhain ged a bha e air a thighinn an iorghaill uir so chaidh an tuilleadh a gu latha mor. ghlacadh, aon aca co-dhiubh aig nach robh Cho luath ’s a ghluais na croitearan thug e cuid no gnothach ris na thachair. B’e Iain fhein is Iain Ros ceum abhsaidh 'nan coinneamh Macaoidh air an tug mi iomradh an toiseach is thug e earal dhoibh mu na cunnartan anns an t-aon a b’oige aca. Bha e ’na ghille 6g a’ an robh iad ’gan cur fhein ’san teaghlaichean dol a dh’iarraidh biadhadh maoraich do’n is dh’aithn e dhoibh sa’ Ghaidhlig iad a traigh is chaidh e shealltainn, de mar a bha thilleadh dhachaidh ach cha tugadh na seoid dol dhoibh. ’Se bun a bh’ann gun robh e air feart air is thoisich iad a’ trusadh na spreidhe. aireamh nam priosanach, aon duine deug aca, a chaidh fheuchainn an Dun-Eideann ’s a fhuair bliadhna phriosain an duine. Bha Gaidhlig Is Geidhlig chuid tm mhotha aca as an Aird is an corr a Pabail, is their beul-aithris fhathast nach robh Mu Seach leithid a fhrithealadh orra ’nam beatha ’s a bh’orra am priosan Chaltoin an Dun-Eideann. An Stoirm Oidhche Bha am biadh cinnteach dhoibh co-dhiubh. ’ S math dh’ fhaoidte nach robh moran eifeachd Is geur anochd fuaim na gaoithe, aig an am anns na rinn iad air an latha iomraid- is tu ’cluinntinn na geithe. each so ach thug iad aire.a’ mhor-shluaigh as Amaireach ’ s ameireach ur gu suidheachadh bochd an eilein is gu an bidh e ffeathail, ’s mi eabhach. crannchur, is rinn iad oidhirp air an saorsa is An deidh na h-idhche ’s na h-oidhche, an cbraichean dligheach a ghlacadh. Bu nuair thig soillse na grein’ oirnn, bhuaidh sin fhein. Rinn iadsan am miosradh ni mi eirigh is irigh ach b’e na h-ail a lean iad a bhlais air an im. gU h-ibhinn ’s gu h-eibhinn. Iain MacArtuir. Na Gealagan Is iad sin na fir chalma feadh ham baghan’s nam beaghan , An Cuala Tu So? le lion-ghealag ’s na sgailean, Thainig fear a steach do’n bhuth shithean ’nam meairlich’s ’nam meirligh. agam le aodann cho fada ris an la am maireach. “Is crion a’ chixil as nach goirear,’ ’ agus tha Bha mi cinnteach gur h-e blath-fhleasg airson na rannan sin a’ tighinn bhuamsa as leth bas caraide a bha e ag iarraidh, ach bha mi Tairbeart Locha Fine. Thuirt Obanach rium fada cearr. Cha robh a dhith air ach sithean bho chionn ghoirid gu’n robh facal mu seach d’ a mhnaoi airson co-ainm la a’ phosaidh aca. aige de’n Ghaidhlig ’s de’n Bheurla nuair ‘‘Agus de an la a bha sin ?’ ’ arsa mise. “Bha a chaidh e do’n sgoil air tus. Air doigh a tha an de, ” fhreagair e. car coltach ri sin, bha a’ Ghaidhlig riaghailt- each agus Gaidhlig Na Tairbeirt le cheile am Bha .an treana direach a’ gluasad a mach beul nan daoine. Corr uair theirte “eirigh,’’ nuair a rainig triuir dhaoine nach robh buileach corr uair “irigh,’’ ged nach cuala mi neach aca fhein aros na treana. Bhruthadh dithis aca riamh ag radh ach “idhche” (oidhche.) air bord, ach cha robh uine ann airson an treas Theirte “leabag ’’ no “leobag,” mar bu trice fear a mhalpadh innte. “Tha mi duilich' “ leobag,’’ agus theirte “riunnaich,” arsa fear a bha sin ris an fhear a dh’fhagadh. “riunnaigh’’ no “reannaigh. ’ ’ Fad a “Bidh iad fhein duilich cuideachd,’’ fhreagair bheatha slan thuirt an aon fhear Beagh A’ esan, “is e mise a bha each a’ faicinn air Chomhraig agus Bagh Osda (Ascog Bay.) falbh. ’ ’ Tha Bagh Osda thall ’sa Cheathramh (an Comhal), agus, mar sin, gheibheadh e “bagh’’ Toimhseachain gu riaghailteach, a chionn nach robh e cho eolach, duthchasach. Theirte “na balaich’’ Glinneachan, glinneachan, duine beag dubh, a cheart cho trie ri “na balaigh,’’ ach is ann Tri chasan fodha, ’s boineid bheag fhiod’. annamh a chluinneadh tu “a bhalaich’’ an aite “a bhalaigh.’’ A reir coltais, tha an Theid e a null air an abhainn, ’ s thig e a nail cleas ceudna aca an He. Mhinich Ileach air an abhainn; gearraidh e am feur ’s chan dhomhsa mar so e: “Their sinn ‘dh’eirich ith e e. mi,’ mu’n am a chaidh seachad, ach their sinn ‘irich!’ mu’n am so ‘lathair.’ Tha Dbtuman, dotuman a’ mire am bun sruth, da shreath de bran Ileach a chluinnear mar Teadhair m’a mhuineal, ’s gun .anail ’n a so:— ghuth. Le iiilleadh na muic-mhara Chi mi, chi mi fada bhuam chaidh na balaigh air an daoraich. (Corr Tri mile mach air chuan uair “daoraigh.’’) Fir gun fhuil, gun fheoil, gun anail Agus bho Ileach faodaidh tu cluinntinn:— Ruith ’nan deahn air feadh nan stuadh. gun chrodh laoigh, gun chaoraigh agam. An cuid de na sgeulachdan Ileach, a chruinnich ’S airde e na tigh an righ, Iain Og a tha air ainmeachadh air an eilean sin, ’S as mine e na an sioda. gheobh thu “eiridh,’’ ’s e clo-bhuailte, an aite “eirich.” Bha “oineach” aig baird an Air an corra-bioda bha am brix-dhearg, an Dain Dirich mu’n do bhuail iad air “eineach” glais-eun, an druid, agus breac-an-t-sil dliith a radh, agus, cosmhuil riutha, tha “ceileach” air laimh a’ taomadh an cridheachan ris a’ againn an aite ‘ ‘ coileach. ” Cha n-ann ’nar ghrein. Ach sguir an ceol gu grad nuair a n-aonar a tha sinn; tha fios. An aiteachan air nochd an cat glas e fhein. tir-mor san Taobh Tuath their iad “go ’ail” Faire. no “gabhail.’’ Tha “gabhail’’ sa’ Ghaidhlig riaghailtich, agus tha e beagan na’s spaideile. Mac Iain Dheorsa. An Solus CHUNNAIC mi an solus ur an raoir a mach air an uinneig. Arsa mise rium fhin, Seun Nan Sion “An i sud an solus ur a bhiodh againn An t-eilean ’n a chadal gu suaimhneach anns na h-Eileanan a Star nuair a bha sinn An achlais amar nan stuadh; 6g ? ’’ Shaoil leam gu robh i na bu neulaiche Innis bhiadhar glaiste o bhuaireas na chleachd i a bhith, ach is docha gur h-e Far do chinnich o chian mo shluagh. ceo a’ bhaile mhoir, na sgleo na h-aoise a bha tighinn eadar mise 's a’ ghniiis shoilleir air an Fo uireach a theampuill tha sinte robh mi cho eolach. Bha i cho cumte, tana ri Na fir thug am beath’ as a’ chuan. bogha ann an laimh fear ealaine. .Gu h-ard Chi mi ’n ceuman air aisridh nan linntean, anns an speur, bha i aonaranach cho fada ’s a Air leacan a chumadh le stuadh. chitheadh suil. Cha robh reul ’s cha robh neul air faire, ach ise leatha fhein le a cul anns an Beo ann am bruadar m’ aisling aird an iar. Cha chuimhne leam a riamh a’ An oigridh a’ ruith mu do bhruaich; ghealach ur fhaicinn ach le a cul anns an aird Dealbh thig thugam air astar an iar. Carson nach cuireadh i a cul an drasda Mar mhanadh ag eirigh o ’n uaigh. ’s a rithist ris an aird an ear? Sin ceist a Gaillionn a’ gheamhraidh le teanntachd, dh’fhagas mi aig an neach nach do smaoinich ’S a dhion o aisith ’s mi-rian ; a riamh gu robh neonachas sam bith an so. Samhchair an t-samhraidh ’gam thaladh Nach fhada a nis o chunnaic mi an solus ud Le abhachd gu calaid mo mhiann. an toiseach. Bha i a’ falbh is bha i a’ tighinn gach mios o’n uair sin, agus a dh’aindcoin An Tar an. cho trie ’s a bha i a’ dol as an t-sealladh bha mo shuil a mach ri a tilleadh, agus cha robh amharus sam bith agam gun cleitheadh i a solus nuair a thigeadh i. Na smaoinich thu Geol Sa’ Gheamhradh riamh cho fialaidh ’s a tha a’ ghealach? Ged So mar a chunnaic ’s a chuala mise. Bha a’ nach eil aice ach solus iasaid cha chum i mir ghrian a’ dealradh anns an adhar, agus ghlac dheth air ais, ach taomaidh i na gheibh i air mi au cothrom gu bhith gearradh bhioran aig mithean is air maithean, air a’ bhochd ’s air bun craoibhe a tha fas faisg air an tigh. Air a’ bheartach, air iosal is uasal anns gach an talamh aig mo chasan bha cuid de’ n duilleach diithaich fo’n ghrein. Agus nuair a roinneas i ’na laighe, agus cuid eile air crannadh ’s air a chuibhrionn ris gach neach a bhos lirigidh i tiormdadh donn 6r-bhuidhe an dreach. Le na bheir i leatha thall. siudan nam meangan air ghluasad le osaig fhann o’n iar bha ceol an duillich a bha an Chan eil aois a laighe oirre; tha i cho urar, sas ’gam thaladh. dealrach, glan ’s a bha i a’ chiad latha. Tha i Gun. suil ris, chuala mi pongan ciuil, os cho iasgaidh, siubhlach 's a bha i a riamh, iosal mar gum b’eadh, a’ tighinn o aon de na agus cha leig i creutair bed seachad gun a chas- geugan a b’isle. Shaoil mi an toiseach gur cheum a nochdadh dha. Solus cuimseach, h-e guth a’ ghlais-eoin a bha ann, ach bha mi earbsach, freagarrach—sin an tiodhlac aice. Cearr, oir air, meur chaol de’n gheig cha robh Ach chan ann air a’ ghealaich uir a bha mi agam ach bodha\g chuimir breac-an-t-sil. an diiil labhairt aig an am, ach air a’ ghealaich Lean an ceol car tiotadh, agus anns. an uine lain agus air na nithean a bhios a’ ghealach lan sin dh’eisd mi ri pongan muchte agus, eadar- a’ cur ’nam chuimhne. Nach math gu bheil dhealaichte a’ ruith thairis mar shruthan uisge rudan sdnraichte a’ seasamh a mach romhainn fo bhilich an fhraoich. Bha ath-aithris gun a bhios a’ dusgadh na cuimhne air nithean a sgur gun tamh anns a’ cheol. tha an cunnairt a dhol as an t-sealladh oirnn. Bheir suil air a’ ghealaich smaointean domhain na siorruidheachd an uachdar. Chi sinn ann An t-Urr. an so mar a chi sinn ann an nithean as fhaisge laimh, cixram agus cumhachd agus gliocas an Calum MacGilleathain Ti a tha riaghladh. Is fhada a bhitheas caoidh is ionndrainn air Calum MacGilleathain, ministear na Toiseachd Tha mise an nochd an sealladh na h-inntinne agus Bhaile Mhairi, a chaochail air a’ mhlos a a’ faicinn sruth bras an traghaidh a’ ruith ’na dh’fhalbh. Caraid dileas blath-chridheach leum eadar sgeirean corrach geura, agus an air an robh eolas math aig iomadh duine air oitir chunnartaich, an t-eathar fo lan aodach a’ feadh na rioghachd agus an Eirinn mar an deanamh direach air goil nan uisgeachan, ceudna. Fior sheanchaidh nach iarradh ach agus a’ ghealach a’ bristeadh troimh sgoth comhlan chairdean a bhith aige do’n innseadh nuair bu mhotha an fheum. Na dhiochuimh- e sgeulachdan eibhinn mu dhaoine a b’aithne nich am fear a bha air an stiuir gealach na dha. Chuidich e iomadh iris Ghaidhlig ’na h-oidhche ud? Nach tug e buidheachas uair latha le sgriobhaidhean taitneach gun lochd. agus uair fada an deidh laimhe ? Bu mhac e do Dhomhnall Og agus rugadh e an Chi mi an clachan leth-oireach gun rathad cilean beag Scarpa anns a’ bhliadhna 1895. gun iuil, agus fir is mnathan air cheann-turuis Theireadh e fhein, is e cho math air sloinntear- san oidhche dhuirch. Nach mor an togail a achd, “Is mise Calum Mac Dhomhnaill Oig rinn iadsan ri tighinn na gealaich ’na h-am. mhic Dhomhnaill mhic Chaluim mhic Iain An iongantach ged a bhiodh luaidh aca oirre Duibh.’’ Cha robh e fichead bliadhna a gu minic re a’ gheamhraidh, agus ged a bhiodh dh’aois an uair a thoisich a’ chiad chogadh gairdeachas orra nuair a dhealradh i ’na lan mdr, ach cha b’fhada gus an robh e san arm, sholus ? Bha iad a’ coimhead oirre mar agus an uine ghearr ’na oifigeach an reisimeid chreutair daonnda, ullamh gu freasgairt air nan Camshronach. Chaidh a lot gu h-olc san an fheumach. Bha i riamh cinnteach a h-aite Fhraing; agus cho luath ’s a thug e mach am a sheasamh, gun a bhith latha air dheireadh, foghlum agus a chaidh a shuidheachadh an gun a solus fhagail air a cul. Eaglais Aonaichte na Comraich phos e an dearbh bhanaltrum a bha aige an tigh-eiridinn Ach tha mise a’ faicinn an nochd as ur an airm an Sasuinn. balaich sgairteil, thapaidh a muigh air an An deidh a’ chogaidh chaidh e do Oilthigh raon agus solus na gealaich ag iadhadh umpa. Dhun Eideann, far an robh an sgoilear mor, Tha iad sona le am fearas-chuideachd nach do MacBhatair, a’ teagasg na Gaidhlig aig an am. dheasaich neach eile dhaibh, agus chan eil Riamh o’n uair sin bha meas aig an Ollamh an saoghal mor farsaing a’ cur uallaich orra. air an oileanach 6g as na Hearadh. Chan e a Carson a chuireadh is uine gu leor ann? Chi mhain gu robh min-eolas aig Calum Chonain, mi iad a rithist a’ ruith mu na cruachan coirce mar a theireadh na Scarpaich ris, air a’ Ghaidh- is eorna, a’ leum nan allt, a’ streap nan cnoc, lig againne agus air a litreachas ach bha toil no a’ siubhal gu h-aotrom, socrach air an mhor aige do’n Ghaidhlig Eireannaich, agus deigh. Chi mi iad an solus na gealaich, sean sgriobhadh e an teanga, mar a their iad fhein, is 6g, a’ deanamh ball direach air an tigh- cho math ri aon sgoilear a tha an Eirinn. cheilidh far am faigh iad sugradh gu’n toil, Sgoilear Gaidhlig barraichte, sgriobhaiche tait- oilean gun phaidheadh, agus far an cluinn iad neach, agus fear labhairt ion-mhiannaichte eachdraidh is cliu nan daoine o’n tainig iad. aig an robh ceangal mor ris na Gaidheil agus Is alainn an sealladh gealach lan a’ ri’n dualachas. Cha b’aithne dhuinn duine turracadaich troimh sgothan dorcha ’s a’ eile cho easgaidh air sgriobhadh ris—litrichean ghaoth a’ seideadh, ach is boidhche na sin fada lan seanchais ann an Gaidhlig bhlasda leadan na gealaich air oidhche sheimh air bheothail agus iad an comhnuidh a’ copadh uisgeachan balbha a’ bhaigh, na air lochan thairis air comhdach na litreach. airgeadach fo shail a’ chnuic uaine agus an Bha an co-chruinneachadh mor, as gach crodh-laoigh mu’n airigh, am fraoch badanach, cearnaidh, a bha an lathair aig an adhlacadh gorm fo dhriiichd, agus luinneag aig banachaig a’ nochdadh cho farsaing ’s a bha aithne air air creagan boidheach leatha fhein. agus am meas a bha air mar charaid caomh, S.D.T. cairdeil. Chaochail a bhean o chionn coig bliadhna, agus tha an dithis nighean aca posda, te an Africa agus te eile an Dun Eideann. Tha co-fhaireachdain aig na cairdean uile ris Cha do mhill foighidinn mhath duine riamh. an dithis nighean, ri dhithis bhraithrean agus An rud nach binn le duine cha chluinn duine. a thriixir pheathraichean. Cha bu ruith ach leum. A.D. LEARNER’S PAGE Mar a thigeadh do dh’Eileanaich bha iad As became Islanders they were expert seamen. ’nam maraichean barraichte. Is ann an tigh It was in the ceilidh house I got my first lesson. na ceilidh a fhuair mi mo chiad leasan. Cha I was but very young when I understood that robh mi ach gle 6g nuair a thuig mi gun robh the world was a little larger than our small an saoghal beagan na bu mhotha na’n t-eilean island. I knew there were other places such as againn fhein. Bha fios agam gu robh aitean the Isle of Skye, Eigg and Rum which could eile ann mar a tha an t-Eilean Sgitheanach, be seen grey and strange beyond the sea, and Eige is Rum a bha ri’m faicinn gu hath neonach I was often considering what kind of people air taobh thall a’ chuain, agus bu trie mi a’ lived in them. It was as I listened to the old meorachadh ciod an seorsa dhaoine a bha a’ men that I learned that there were other large fuireach annta. Is ann ag eisdeachd ris na "countries behind the islands in which were bodaich a dh’ fhiosraich mi gu robh duthchannan large towns, with busy and bustling railways. mora eile ann, thall air ciil nan eilean far an To me it was a wonderful thing to hear them robh bailtean mora, rathaidean iarainn le speaking about the towns where they dwelt traingead is ixpraid. Bha e ’na iongnadh learn and the sights they saw. There was one boy a bhith 'gan cluinntinn a’ toirt iomraidh air in their company, I may say, who paid great na bailtean anns an robh iad agus na seallaidh- attention to what they had to tell about the ean a chunnaic iad. Bha aon bhalach ’nam trips they had. We very often complain of measg faodaidh mi a radh, bha gabhail mor how difficult it is for us to move from place shuim air ciod a bha aca ri radh mu na turusan to place, particularly among the islands, air an robh iad. Bithidh sinne gu math trie but we have great privileges compared with our a’ gearan air cho duilich is a tha dhuinn gluasad ancestors of old. It was no pleasure to travel bho aite gu aite gu sonruichte a measg nan far in those days. They left the island eilean, ach nach mor na sochairean a tha againn in skiffs. To my knowledge some of them set seach mar a bha aig ar n-athraichean bho shean. out for Glasgow about the end of autumn with Cha robh e ’na shugradh moran siubhail a any merchandise they had to sell. There is dheanamh ’s na laithean sin. Is ann le sgothan mention still of one trip made by Murdo, Red a bha iad a’ fagail an eilein. A reir m’ eolais John’s son, in an old Lewis skiff. He had set bhiodh cuideachd dhiubh a’ togail orra gu out from Canna with a good breeze from the Glaschu mu dheireadh an fhoghair le bathair east, expecting to be in the north end of Mull sam bith a bha aca ri reic. Tha iomradh before night overtook him. He had not gone fhathast air aon turus a rinn Murchadh Mac very far when he heard a strange wrenching. Iain Ruaidh, ann an seann sgoth Leodhasaich. He looked down to see what happened, and he Bha e an deidh cur a mach a Cannaidh le srann noticed a huge crack between two of the boards, math gaoithe a’ seideadh o’n ear, agus diiil through which he could push his fingers. There aige a bhith an ceann a tuath Mhuile mu’n was nothing he could do but continue on his tigeadh an oidhche air. Cha deach e ro fhada course and keep the cracked side to windward gus an an d’fhairich e stracadh neonach far until he reached Mull. Fortunately the wind nach bu choir dha a bhith. Thug e sixil fodha did not change, but he was in a serious plight. feuch gu de a thachair agus an sin mhothaich e Where are they to be found to-day who would sgaineadh m6r eadar a dha de na cuairtean anns sail a skiff from any of the islands on a sea am faodadh e a mheuran a chur. Cha robh journey as far as Glasgow? aige ach cumail air a chiirsa agus taobh an sgainidh a chumail ris an fhuaradh gus an do Have I not often heard what happened to rainig e Muile. Gu fortanach cha do Lachlan, Archibald’s son, on his way back dh’atharraich a’ ghaoth, ach nach b’eagalach from the Lowlands. The journey from Glasgow a shuidheachadh. Caite a bheil iad an diugh was a long one in those days, and he and two a bheireadh sgoth a aon air bith de na h- friends took a short cut on a boat which was eileanan air astar cuain cho fada ri Glaschu. passing through the Crinan. Nach trie a chuala mi cuideachd mar a dh’eirich do Lachlann Mac Ghilleasbuig air a rathad air ais as a’ Ghalldachd. Bha an t-astar a Glaschu fada anns na laithean sin Fhuair e latha mor, he lived to a good old age. agus ghabh e fhein is da charaid ath-ghoirid Ag cumail suas teaghlaich, providing for a air bata a bha dol troimh ’n Chrionan. family. CAMPBELL’S WEST HIGHLAND TALES By Angus Duncan ALTHOUGH the three volumes of this common in our place-names, as Gaelic terms J|| famous collectien of traditional tales that had suffered a sea-change. Campbell, '1 bear the date 1860, internal evidence too, is at a loss when confronted with a place- ' I seems to indicate that they were not published name of Norse origin, for we find him dividing until the following year, many of the stories the name, Diura (Jura) into three short Gaelic 1 having been collected as late as September words: Dean Munro, or, rather, the sixteenth- 1 and October, 1860. J. F. Campbell himself, century natives of Jura, could have told him f tells that he took two printed volumes of the had he consulted the dean’s book, that the 1 tales with him during a visit to the West name simply meant, “Deer-island.” Highlands in the autumn of 1860, and these It is clear that Campbell, a world-wide t volumes would, no doubt, show the date, traveller, was fully aware that folktales were 1 1860, which would not be changed when the preserved in every land, and that many of the | whole edition was printed off. popular tales, even in widely-separated cdun- || Brought up in a Gaelic-speaking community, tries, had a strong family resemblance; and i and with Gaelic-speaking tutors, Campbell he also believed, contrary to the opinion of » knew the language of the Gael from infancy, some other folklorists, that the tales told in 1 and he confidently undertook the task of any particular country had been orally trans- 1; translating into English the Gaelic tales taken mitted, and not learned from published books. 1 down by a few collectors, or sent to him by So strongly did he hold this view that we find ■ such well-wishers as Dr. Alexander Carmichael, him reiterating it in signed and dated entries I of Carmina Gadelica fame, and Dr. Thomas in his personal copy of Dasent’s Tales from the a MacLauchlan, the scholarly minister of the Norse, published in 1859, with a second edition ■ Gaelic Free Church, Edinburgh. His regular the same year. One of those notes has a sad 1 collectors whom he “employed,” to use his interest, the date showing that it was written ■ own word, were John Dewar, a labourer who exactly a year—one year to the day—before ■ moved from place to place on the northern Campbell’s death on February 17th, 1885. | side of the Clyde estuary; Hector Urquhart, Sir George Webbe Dasent (1817-1896), who 1 a native of Poolew'e, Wester Ross, who was a had a distinguished career in law, literature, 1 gamekeeper on one of the Argyll estates on and government service, was encouraged by 1; Lochfyneside; and Hector MacLean, parish Jacob Grimm to take an interest in Scandina- a schoolmaster of Kilmeny, Islay, who collected vian literature and mythology, with the result 1 much material in his native island, and made that he applied himself to this study while 1 long trips for the same purpose to the Outer Secretary to the British Envoy in Stockholm I Hebrides. during the years 1840 to 1845; and, as Dasent 1 Hector MacLean’s share of the work should was thus encouraged by an experienced collector, 1 have earned for him the name of collaborator, he, in turn, encouraged Campbell who had sent I rather than collector or scribe, for to him was him specimen tales from this country where ■ entrusted the duty of making correct copies of Dasent’s most popular work was first published. I the Gaelic tales for publication, and of seeing Campbell’s own example and influence can- I them through the press. MacLean, who not be over-estimated. Before the end of the I retired from teaching as soon as the public same century, Lord Archibald Campbell ■ school superseded the parochial school in initiated and directed the Argyllshire. series ■ 1872, when he was only 54 years old, was a of tales known as Wails and Strays of Celtic ■ most scholarly and versatile man. A good Tradition, edited by competent Gaelic scholars ■ linguist, he made a special study of Ethnology who were also keen folktale collectors. This ■ his published lectures showing an intimate series ran into five volumes. The huge volume 1 knowledge of the literature of the subject, as entitled Records of Argyll, published by Lord 1 well as an independent mind in accepting or Archibald in 1885, also contains many tales, rejecting the views of contemporary scholars. ip translation, from different parts of the I He was a member of the Anthropological country, including eight Islay stories.received ■ Institute, which accounts for the. letters, M. A. I. , from Hector MacLean in November, 1883. 9 sometimes found after his name. I am sorry When Campbell gave the public the first ■ to add that he had a blind spot, namely, an fruit of his labours, and that of others, he may ■ entire ignorance of Norse. It is pitiful to see be said to have followed the fashion of the ■ his efforts to explain simple Norse words, time by the prominence given to the English ■ — 20 — versions of the traditional Gaelic tales. The Fortunately, the material, in this case, is tale was, apparently, the thing; and so we given in its Gaelic form, Campbell’s intention find the English translation given first, followed being to publish a second volume of English by notes on the tale, and the original Gaelic translations. This is why the single volume version coming last. When abridgment was we have is marked Vol. 1. I should say that necessary, the Gaelic version was omitted, and a numbered list of the Gaelic tales in his only the English translation printed. In this possession in 1862, both published and un- way, the long story of Conall Gulban only published, is given at the end of Vol. iv. The appears in English dress, with the explanatory volume is valuable on this account. note: “At the earnest request of the publishers the Gaelic of this long tale is omitted to make Islay can claim a number of men who have room for other matter.’’ What other matter enriched our Highland and Gaelic literature. oould be more important, both as literature One thinks of William Livingston and Duncan and folklore than the original Gaelic tale ? Johnstone; Neill Pattison and Dr. Nigel Even when Campbell changes his method, in MacNfill; but, in the island’s affection and the case of the long Lays of Volume III, and regard, John Francis Campbell takes first prints the Gaelic and English versions on place. That is why the name, Iain Og He, opposite pages, the English translation appears sounds different when spoken by a native of on the left-hand page, thus claiming first Islay. attention. The proper way to present those I should have mentioned that we have, tales is shown by the editors of More West in Edinburgh, the first two volumes of West Highland Tales, of which two volumes have Highland Tales from Hector MacLean’s library, now been published. In these volumes, the first volume being inscribed, “To Hector consisting of a selection of tales from Campbell’s MacLean from his friend J. F. Campbell.’’ unpublished manuscripts in the National These books were sent to the writer for the Library, the Gaelic and English versions face School of Scottish Studies, six years ago, by each other at one opening, with the original the late Miss MacLachlan, Ballygrant, Islay, Gaelic tale on the left-hand side, and an English who remembered MacLean well. translation on the opposite page, The longest tale in the Campbell collection is that known as Leigheas Coise O’Cein, or The healing of O’Kane’s leg, which was taken Publication Committee down by Hector MacLean from an Islay man, Lachlan MacNeill, who was a shoemaker in Two of the principal objects of An Comunn Paisley. Only short versions of the tale from are to promote and encourage other sources have been included in the pub- (1) The teaching and the use of the Gaelic lished Campbell volumes, but MacNeill’s language, and, version was copied by Dr. George Henderson (2) The study and cultivation of Gaelic and contributed to the Transactions of the literature, history, music, etc. Gaelic Society of Inverness, Vol. xxv, and by To further these objects the Association Mr. K. C. Craig, who published it by itself publish books, especially school texts. But ten years ago. A photograph of the story- for the past efforts of An Comunn to produce teller and scribe seated at a small table, with and publish suitable school text-books it Campbell between them filling his pipe, is an would be impossible to make adequate progress interesting reminder of the event we now with the teaching of Gaelic in the schools to-day. commemorate. All papers, literary and musical, awarded At one time, the present writer felt vexed prizes by the Association are the property of that Campbell should have devoted the fourth An Comunn, and may, if considered suitable, volume in the series of the West Highland be published by the Association in a form Tales to a discussion of the Ossianic controversy accessible to the public. and miscellaneous essays instead of giving the It is the duty of the Publication Committee public some more of his collected tales. The to select, direct and supervise all the publica- outcome may, however, have justified this tions of the Association, and to arrange sales, hiatus in the series of stories for Campbell In conjunction with the Editor this Committee proceeded to bring together genuine heroic have control of the Official Magazine which ballads found in manuscripts and oral tradition, provides the necessary medium for literary and published in 1872, the large volume efforts and is the main publicity agent of entitled, Leabhar na Feinne, which, some An Comunn. scholars have described as his magnum opus. Convener. — 21 THE VIEW FROM THE TERRACE WINDSOR CASTLE WE need not be surprised at Windsor country churchyard,’ ’ perhaps the most polished 1 Castle being the favourite residence poem in the English Language. Further away |: of our Queen and her family. The towards the right is Runnymede, where the castle stands on the summit of a rock that barons forced King John to sign Magna Charta. ] heaves itself up from the surrounding plain, About the middle of the 18th century it was | this overlooking the whole countryside makes contemplated to erect a memorial column to f for one of the finest sights in England. There mark the spot, the poet Akenside putting | are those who think that the one from the top himself to the trouble of writing an inscription I of Richmond Hill is better. Both are fine for its base. The matter not being thought of I scenic sights but I think, having seen both, much importance the scheme fell through. I that the one from the Terrace at Windsor Castle However, there is now a handsome memorial I surpasses that of Richmond Hill. erected at Runnymede to the men and women I Few places have grouped around them so of the Royal Air Force who died during the | many associations, legendary, historical and Hitler War. poetical as Windsor Castle, from the time of Much nearer is the little village of Datchet, I William the Conqueror down to our present famous as the scene of Sir John Falstaff’s I reigning sovereign. The beginnings of the ducking in Shakespeare’s comedy “The Merry I castle were built by the Conqueror as a hunting- Wives of Windsor.’’ which, like the Terrace | booth for his convenience in following the we are standing on was constructed to the order j chase in Windsor Forest. A Scottish king was and for the gratification of Queen Elizabeth. 1 held captive here, Cromwell held his courts People have been known to consider it the J within its walls, Charles I. lies buried within better performance and likely to last the longer a its chapel, and here have been celebrated some of the two. ' of the most splendid pageants and ceremonies Immediately facing us is Slough, a busy 1 recorded in history. manufacturing and market town, and one of the i Below the Castle lies the pleasant little town cleanest and tidiest towns it has ever been our 1 of Windsor. From its High Street we take the lot to visit. Here was the residence of the i steep avenue that leads up to the royal residence, noted astronomers, Herchels, father and son. a passing on our way the quadrangle with its In front of the castle is the sunken garden | equestrian statue of Charles I. and on through so called, in reality its level is that of the Home 1 an archway to the Terrace, constructed by Park, out of which it was enclosed. Its sunken 1 ‘ Queen Elizabeth I. The day is beautiful, appearance being due to the raised embank- 1 clear and sunny, with no haze to obstruct our ment that encloses it and carries the Terrace 1 view. Over the parapet we see a vast panorama, along in a circular sweep in front of the Castle 1 as far as the eye can reach all flat, the faint to the south side. blue horizontal line, scarcely to be distinguished One object of interest which the visitor to 1 from the clouds, so distant is it, as straight Windsor Castle will fail to see is Hearne’s 9 as the boundary of a calm sea, and yet how Oak, for it has long ago gone the way of all I infinitely varied. Everything is in perfect living things. The ageable interest attached 1 harmony. Windsor Forest, celebrated in to this famous tree is well known. It is sup- J Pope’s only nature poem, can scarcely be said posed to be the identical tree immortalized by a to exist now, but before us are trees of every the mention of Shakespeare as the scene of 1 kind and growth, single, in clumps and in rows, Heame the Hunter’s unamiable exploits. everywhere. Rising above their green tops are There is an old tale goes that Heame the I the spires or the grey towers of village churches, Hunter, and faintly discernible in the distance are the Some time a keeper here in Windsor Forest, i smoke stacks of factories. Doth all the wintertime at still midnight Close at hand towards our left across the Walk round about an oak with great ragged I Thames is the college of Eton, founded in the horns, year 1441 by Henry VI. for the education of And then he blasts the tree and takes the 1 twenty-five poor scholars, it is now devoted cattle, to the education of scholars who are not so And makes milch cows yield blood, and 1 poor. Further away is Stoke Poges, celebrated shakes a chain as the scene of Gray’s “Elegy written in a In a most hideous and dreadful manner. There is no satisfactory legend of Hearne the preparations for the Gaelic revival which Hunter. Vague tradition states he was a should come next century. If Gaelic dies the keeper in the Forest during Elizabeth’s reign, World loses a great heritage of unique cultural who, having committed some crime, which value; but if Gaelic can be revived to play its occasioned his dismissal, hung himself on this proper part in the life of Scotland, then Gaelic tree. The old tree stood in the enclosure known music, culture and folklore will enrich the as Little Park. World. J. E. S. But a long term view must be taken. Efforts to revive Gaelic are duties which should be undertaken by the schools and universities. If the children of Scotland can grow up bi- Point of View lingual they should not find it hard to learn AN Comunn Gaidhealach’s chief object is other languages. If Scotland is interested in to preserve and revive the Gaelic Home Rule, then she should take an interest language, culture, music, folklore and in her history, her culture, her music and her heritage of Scotland. This Century, however, heritage and traditions. As Nigel Tranter has seen an alarming decline in the Gaelic has said, those who scorn their country’s language. heritage make a poor impression as World Gaelic Mods, singing Gaelic songs, Ceilidhs, citizens. Man does not live by bread alone, etc., are admirable in themselves, but they will and Nations cannot live without culture. not save the language of the Gaels from ex- Gaelic provides Scotland’s major contribution tinction . Faced with a need to earn a living, to the World of music. the majority of people must give top priority But reviving Gaelic must be done in easy to studies which will help them find jobs. We stages. First concentrate on Gaelic’s natural must face up to the fact that this century is an breeding ground—the West Highlands and age of professionalism, careerism, job-hunting Islands of Scotland! If Gaelic dies out there, and money-making. There is hardly a job in there is nothing anyone can do to revive it. Scotland for which a knowledge of Gaelic is But if Gaelic can play its proper part in the essential. A large area of the Gaelic-speaking life of the West Highlands and be brought parts of Scotland have been jet-propelled from into practical use, there is hope of recovery. the age of oil lamps, horse transport, etc. to If People will try to converse in Gaelic—and the age of motor cars, telephones, electricity, the best method of learning any language is aeroplanes, wireless and television. These through attempts at conversation—it will inventions of science, which have transformed be a step in the right direction. The greatest human life, present a challenge and an oppor- danger is apathy, complacency and indiffer- tunity. Wireless and television belong to the ence on the part of our own countrymen; yet Servants’ Halls as much as they belong to the the strange thing is that interest is often shown Drawing Rooms; they can be used to destroy in the most unexpected quarters. Gaelic culture or they can be used to revive We want to encourage tourism in the High- it. Careerism and job-hunting have done more lands. Why not put on Ceilidhs for the benefit to destroy Gaelic than all the viscious legislation of visitors from overseas? Why cannot the of the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries. local Gaelic choirs be a major attraction for When the Lord made time he made plenty tourists? If one visits Italy one wants and of it. But the Lord works in milleniums, and expects to see something of the Italian way we are only on this Earth for a short period of of life; the same principle applies to Spain, eighty to a hundred years. We are reaching France, Brittany or any country. Surely a the end of the Second Christian millenium, visitor to the Highlands would like to see and the next thousand years may see a great something of the Highland way of life ? What change which should work for the better. better opportunities could there be than seeing During the next millenium we should really our Highland hotels making use of the local learn the art of living as opposed to keeping Gaelic choirs and singers to provide Ceilidhs ourselves alive. Work will—as it should be— and entertainment for the benefit of visitors become a means of service and not just a from Home and abroad? The talent is there, means of livelihood. If Gaelic can be kept the opportunities are there. alive for the next forty years—and it is going The West Highland Museum at Fort William to be a very hard struggle—then the next has it on record that ships from France, Spain century should see a Gaelic.revival. But at the and many other countries used to sail up Loch present moment it is only possible to make Linnhe for purposes of trade. Galway, in — 23 — Eire, used to trade with Spain. Evidence indicates that the Highlands and Islands used Treasurer’s Notes to have a thriving trade with countries overseas. NATIONAL MOD—EDINBURGH, 19 60 Gaelic must have played quite a prominent Received at Edinburgh— part in the World of commerce. ReceivedPreviously at Glasgow— acjcnowledged .. £3,64 7 7 10 But the spiritual side is the more important. Previously acknowledged ^307 15 9 We brought nothing into this World, and we Miss Jean Campbell, will take nothing out of it. Things of material Edinburgh—Fee as value are dead and useless; clothes wear out, quishedAccompanist relin- 10 10 — buildings decay, machines wear out, instru- Gordon Asher, Esq., ments have to be replaced, and so on: but Edinburgh 10 10 — things of spiritual value live and enrich the World; music lives, songs live, stories live, £3,976 3 7 and so on. Gaelic is part of our heritage, which God has entrusted to our care; and He CENTRAL FUND will hold us responsible for what He has en- Previously acknowledged .. .. £166 10 9 trusted to our care. It is surely our duty Aberleldy Branch ...... 4 towards Scotland to lay the foundations for £170 10 9 Gaelic recovery? If Gaelic culture, music, heritage and folklore can play their part in COMUNN NA H-OIGRIDH FUND building God’s kingdom in Scotland, they can Previously acknowledged...... £53 2 — play their part in helping to build God’s JohnGlasgow—Edinburgh A. Macdonald, Esq., Mod M.A.,Travelling kingdom on Earth ! Expenses relinquished . . . . — 19 — H. R. Baillie. Miss Lucy Cameron, Glenmoriston— relinquishedEdinburgh Mod ..Travelling .. Expenses.. .. 5 £59 1 — Branch Reports ‘ ‘Many of the Highland tales must have been matured under the spirit that the crusades into PORTREE the east invoked in the west. They became The Portree Branch of An Comunn held an old the popular literary sustenance of the people, JanuaryNew Year’s when Night there ceilidh was a inlarge the attendanceMasonic Hall with in supplying the want which is met by the popular people coming from as far as Talisker and Kilmuir. works of fiction of novels of the present day. Alasdair Nicolson and Roddy Morrison played with We find every phase of character exhibited in vitality the part of hosts, and their neighbour, Kirsty their outlines, extravagant as many of them Mrs.Anna Finlayson,and the engaged provided couple an amusing Donald contrast. Maclean Theand often are. They still await classification’ ’. piper, Dugie Macleod, along with accordionist, Willie Mr. J. F. Campbell was for years a very Nicolson, together with innumerable soloists supplied enthusiastic collector of these tales. He tra- the music. The president. Rev. Donald Macleod, versed more than once the whole of the Highlands called for a generous vote of thanks. to gather up these fragments of bygone Celtic life. His success far exceeded his sanguine AYR anticipations. His volumes constitute the Thanks to Martin Mackay and his party from the monument of his success, as well as of the afterGlasgow the GaelicNew Year Musical was Associationa happy one. the Gaelicfirst ceilidh songs industry, talent, and scientific spirit which he proved most popular, the audience joining in the brought to bear upon the work. He had many choruses. Alex. Mackenzie entertained with his own hearty assistants in all parts of the Highlands, songs and stories. Nina McCallum was in excellent whom he inspired with much of his own fromvoice. Bums. Two youngThe chairman violinists was from Alister Ayr gave Fraser. selections enthusiasm. Mr. Hector MacLean, Ballygrant, Islay, an able Gaelic scholar, and a man of BOWMORE real culture and literary talent, helped him in A successful ceilidh was held in the public hall, transcribing the Gaelic while he himself trans- Bowmore, when the chairman was Mr. I. A . Macfarlane, ferred the tales into literal, idiomatic, English. who congratulated the Bowmore Gaelic Choir on their It has been fortunate for our limited Gaelic success at the Edinburgh Mod, and also the Junior literature that Mr. Campbell has left so much conductorChoir soloists. of the He Senior paid Choir,tribute and to toMrs. Mr. Penman, T. M. of our popular prose in these goodly four Crawford, leader of the Junior Choir. During the volumes, and so much of genuine ballad poetry evening a most enjoyable programme was sustained in his “Leabhar na Feinne.” beingby both Mr. choirs,Crawford. the accompanist for the evening Macneill . — 24 AN GAIDHEAL THE GAEL Editor — ]. THOMSON, M.A., F.E.I.S., 116 WEST SAVILE TERRACE, EDINBURGH to whom all correspondence should be addressed except that concerning advertising, which should be addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer. 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C.2. Telephone: DOUglas 1433. Leabhar LVI AM MART, 1961 Aireamh 3 DOIGHEAN URA THA e soilleir gu leor gu bheil nos ur a’ caochladh na tha alt labhairt. Faodaidh doigh togail a chinn ann an alt sgriobhaidh labhairt sluaigh atharrachadh gu mor gun rosg mar a thachair am bardachd chaochladh idir a thighinn air an alt sgriobh- Ghaidhlig o chionn nine nach eil fada. Chan aidh. Thachair sin barrachd air aon uair an eil sinn an aghaidh sin idir, sinn nach eil; Alba agus an Eirinn. Bha litreachas sgriobhte ’s ann a tha sinn ro thoilichte. Ma tha dad nan duthchannan sin co-ionnan fada an deidh cearr air doighean ura a tha adhartach, math an dbigh labhairt aomadh fad o cheile. Tha chan aithne dhuine, ach cuimhnicheamaid alt sgriobhaidh an iomadh canan ag atharrach- nach eil na doighean a bhith annasach, ur ’g adh o linn gu linn. Bha seann Ghaidhlig an am fagail math na dona, mur eil ann ach sin. Alba nach iarradh sinn fhaicinn na chluinntinn Tha cuid de’n bheachd nach fhiach gnaths tuilleadh, agus ged a chitheadh sinn i cha na cleachdadh a tha nas sine na iad fhein. tuigeadh sinn i nas motha na thuigeas sinn ‘' Doigh mo sheanar; beachd mo sheanamhar; boilich nan Ruiseanach. Thoir suil air sinn- sealladh a’ leinibh bhig,” their iad. Gabh searachd do Ghaidhlig fhein air feadh nan air do shocair, ’ ille bhig. Thoir suil eile mus tirean Ceilteach an diugh agus feuch a lorg thu leum thu. Tha eachdraidh nan ginealach an an Cciirdeas. ceann do sheanar, agus ealain nan linntean am Is suarach an t-atharrachadh a thainig air meuran do sheanamhar. doigh sgriobhaidh ann an Gaidhlig fad reis Thoireamaid ar ceart aire, aig an am cheudna, beatha aon againn. Chan eil teagamh nach nach dean sinn tair air doighean ura a chionn bu choir do’n mhodh sgriobhaidh a bhith car gu bheil iad ur. Is iomadh cail ur anns a c&irdeach do’n chuspair ris a bheil ar gnothach. bheil feum; is iomadh cail ur air a bheil feum Tha uaisleachd ann am modh sgriobhaidh na againn. Chan fhag annas a’ chleachdaidh agus G&idhlig as fhearr nach bu mhath leinn fhuadach. neonachas na doighe iad math na dona. Is e Ach c6 dh’ iarradh dol air ais gu alt sgriobhaidh a ni sin a’ ghne d’a bheil iad, c6 as a dh’eirich “Caraid Nan Gaidheal,” (tha so thugam!), iad, agus de a’ bhuaidh a bhitheas leotha. agus bu mhath am fear Gaidhlig e ? Agus, ag So ceistean bu mhath learn fhaighneachd: aithris air trod dithis Hearach, c6 a leanadh (1) A bheil an luchd leughaidh air fas sgith cas-cheum Gaidhlig a’ Bhiobuill, agus c&ite a do’n t-seann doigh sgriobhaidh, agus ag bheil nas fhearr? Ma thig an t-atharrachadh iarraidh doigh eile? leis an fheum, tha feum air atharrachadh. Mas (2) A bheil an doigh ur nas taitniche, nas e fas nadurrach a tha ann leig leis. Chan e so-thuigsinn, nas blasda, agus nas dluithe air cron a ni e ach feum. Mas e iks fuadain a tha cainnt laitheil an t-sluaigh? ann—fluth grannda gun seagh—gearr air falbh Sin ceistean a tha airidh air freagairt; agus e mus dean e call. Thoir do cheart aire nach ann an solus nam freagairtean a bheir sinn e comhdach Gaidhealach a tha thu caradh air bithidh e nas fhasa breith chothromach a thoirt luirgnean Gallda. air an ni a tha f’ar comhair. Leig cead an coise le do smaoin agus le do Tha eachdraidh ar litreachais a’ deanamh chainnt, agus leigidh sinn ris dhut luath na soilleir gu bheil alt sgriobhaidh nas leisge air mall a bheil iad a’ cordadh ruinn. “SO MAR A BHA” SEUMAS MAC-A-PHEARSAIN AGUS BARDACHD OISEIN le Ruairidh MacThomais B* ANN direach da cheud bliadhna an ama hraich, gu bhith air ceann na sgoile an sin. so a thoisich a’ chomhstri mh6r mu B’ ann an uair sin a thoisich e an da-riribh air bhardachd Oisein. Tha e duilich bardachd a sgriobhadh—bardachd Bheurla— dhuinn an diugh a thuigsinn gu robh bardachd agus chaidh beagan dhith a chur an clo mu’n Ghaidhlig, no iomradh oirre, air bilean nan am sin. urracha mora an Albainn, an Sasuinn, sa’ Chadochoisinn imorancliudha, ach is docha Ghearmailt agus ’san Fhraing, agus sin gle gun do chuidich i leis ann a bhith a’ cur eolais ghoirid an deidh Bliadhna Thearlaich, an deidh air feadhainn, gu h-araidh ann an Dun Eideann, do na Gaidheil a bhith air an claoidh aig an aig a robh uidh ann an litreachas. Fheoladair Cumberland, an deidh bacadh a Ged nach robh moran t&laidh anns a’ chiad bhith air a chur air an armachd is air an aodach. bhardachd so a chuir Seumas MacMhuirich an losal 's ’ga robh staid nan Gaidheal ’nan clo, cha b’ fhada gus an do lorg e rian air aire diithaich fhein, bha iomradh orra fad is farsaing an t-sluaigh a tharraing. Anns a’ bhliadhna a measg luchd-litreachais. seachd ceud deug agus tri fichead chuir e an Ciamar a thachair so? Sin a’ cheist a th’ clb leabhran beag fo’ n ainm Fragments of Ancient againn an nochd, agus gus a freagairt feumaidh Poetry collected in the Highlands of Scotland and sinn rurach a dheanamh ann an eachdraidh na translated from the Gaelic or Erse language. h-ochdamh linne deug, agus gu h-araidh ann Ma b’fhior ’s e eadartheangachadh de sheann an eachdraidh-beatha a’ Ghaidheil oig sin a bhardachd Ghaidhlig a bha so, agus chuir e Baideanach, Seumas Mac-a-Phearsain, no iongantas nach bu bheag air daoine foghlumaichte Seumas MacMhuirich mar a theireadh cuid ris. an Albainn 's an Sasuinn—leithid an fhealls- Ged nach robh e ach ’na fhior dhuine 6g anns anaich Daibhidh Hume, am bard Sasunnach a’ bhliadhna seachd ceud deug agus a tri Tomas Gray, agus an ollamh ri litreachas fichead, b’ esan a chuir a’ chomhstri mhor so air Uisdean Blar an Dun Eideann. B’e Uisdean bhonn le eadartheangachadh Beurla, ma b’ Blar a thoisich air airgead a chruinneachadh ach fhior, bho sheann bhardachd Oisein a chur an an deidheadh MacMhuirich air turus do aitean clo. Thoisich na ceistean an uair sin. An e iomallach na Gaidhealtachd, a lorg tuilleadh fior eadartheangachadh a bha so ? A robh de’n t-seann bhardachd so, is a thional nan bardachd Oisein cho fior shean 's a bhathas a’ lamh-sgriobhainnean anns a robh i air a tasgadh. cumail a mach? An do rinneadh i da-riribh Tha dorlach math chunntasan againn air mar anns an treas linn an deidh breith Chriosd? a thachair do Sheumas Mac-a-Phearsain air a Caite robh na lamh-sgriobhainnean is de cho thurus air feadh na Gaidhealtachd agus nan scan ’ s a bha iad ? A robh a’ bhardachd so air Eileanan. A reir teisteanas luchd-eolais ann bilean an t-sluaigh fhathast? Ciamar a b’ an Dun Eideann cha robh e ro dheonach an urrainn e bhith gu robh litreachas arsaidh agus toiseach an turus a ghabhail. Cha robh a’ foghlum aig an t-sluagh bhorb sin a chuir dearg Ghaidhlig aige fhein ach ma-laimh, agus is eagal am beatha air cuid de na Sasunnaich docha gun robh eagal air gun deidheadh e an nuair a thug iad an ionnsaigh chunnartach sin sas ro dhomhain ann an Gaidhlig nan Eileanan. air Sasuinn, agus air na leth-Ghearmailtich Agus ged a bha e falbh a lorg lamh- sgriobh- a bha air righ-chathair na duthcha, am Bliadhna ainnean, agus dochas ard aig muinntir Dhun Thearlaich ? Eideann gu faigheadh e iad, dh’fhaodadh gu Rugadh Seumas MacMhuirich anns a’ robh iomagain air nach tugadh e moran asda bhliadhna seachd ceud deug fichead ’s a sia ged a dh’fhiachadh e ri an leughadh. Agus deug ann an Ruadhainn, baile beag deas air Cinn- sin direach mar a thachair dha. a-Ghiuthsaich. A reir coltais r^inig e seann Air a shlighe troimh Uibhist-a-tuath tha- oilthigh Obar-dheadhain nuair a bha e sia chair e ri Iain MacCodrum, gun fhios aige c6 bliadhna deug, agus an deidh dha tri bliadhna bh’aige, agus dh’fhaighnich e dheth a robh chur seachad anns a’ bhaile sin thog e air a dad aige air an Fheinn, a’ ciallachadh leis a Dhun Eideann, a thoirt a mach dreuchd na sin a robh sgeulachdan no bardachd aige mu ministrealachd. Ach cha robh e an dan dha laochraidh na Feinne. Ach thug MacCodrum a’ chiibainn a ruighinn, agus thill e gu baile ciall eile as a’ cheist, agus 's e am freagairt a — 26 — thug e dha, “Chan eil, is ged a bhitheadh cha Deadhon Liosmoir air a sgriobhadh ann an doigh ruiginh a leas iarraidh a nis. ’ ’ Tha e coltach cho annasach ’s gur h-e fior sgoilear math gun dh’aithnich Mac-a-Phearsain gu robh Gaidhlig a bheir brigh as an diugh. Chan eil MacCodrum a’ magadh air a dhroch Ghaidhlig, mi’n duil gun tugadh Seumas Mac-a-Phearsain agus sgar iad bho cheile gun an corr conaltraidh. a bheag as, ach a mhain gun tuigeadh e gu Mar sin dh’fhag Mac-a-Phearsain gun bhlasad robh iomradh ann air Fionn ’s air Oisean is oirre tobar fhiorghlan as am faodadh e bhith a leithid sin. air moran eolais a tharraing a thaobh sgeul is Is dbcha gu robh e uair de’n bharail gu robh bardachd na Feinne. aige an so dan fada, air a roinn ’ na earrainnean, Ach cha robh a thurus do na h-eileanan gun air eachdraidh na Feinne. Bhiodh e na b’ tairbhe. Tha e coltach gun thill e le ultach fhasa dha cuideachadh fhaighinn gu leabhraich- de lamh-sgriobhainnean. Anns an Eilean ean Chloinn Mhuirich a leughadh, agus tha e Sgitheanach chuir e seachad lathaichean a’ ag aideachadh gu robh feum aige air cuid- sgriobhadh bardachd bho aithris Alasdair eachadh de’n t-seorsa sin. Air dha tilleadh Mhic-a-Phearsain, a bha ’na ghobha, agus aig a Innse Gall thadhail e air Anndra Gallic, a robh deagh eolas air bardachd Oisein. Fhuair misionaraidh a bha ann am Braigh Bhaideanach, e bhuaithe cuideachd seann lamh-sgriobhainn agus thug iad le cheile ionnsaigh air na lamh- a bha an gobha air fhaighinn ’na oige ann an sgriobhainnean. Loch Carrain. Tha amharus laidir againn gur Bliadhnachan mbra an deidh sin, an deidh h-e bha anns an lamh-sgriobhainn so Leabhar bhs Mhic-a-Phearsain, sgriobh Gallic iomradh Deadhan Liosmoir, ’s e sin, leabhar de sheann air na coinneamhan sin a bh’aca ri cheile. bhardachd Ghaidhlig cho priseil ’s a tha air Thug Mac-a-Phearsain a mach, ars esan, grun- mhaireann an diugh. nan leabhraichean a fhuair e bho Mhac Mhic Mura b’e Mac-a-Phearsain tha e a cheart cho Ailein, cuid dhiubh air a sgriobhadh le Cathal docha nach biodh sgeul againn an diugh air an MacMhuirich, mu thoiseach na ceathramh linn leabhar so—ni a dh’fhagadh beam mhor air deug. Bha iad air a sgriobhadh gu snasail, ar n-eolas mu litreachas nan Gaidheal. air craicinn laogh no chaorach, is cuid de na Ann an Uibhist a rithist, agus ann am Beinn- litrichean le dath dearg, is buidhe, is gorm, a-Bhadhla, tha e coltach gun d’fhuair e dorlach is uaine orra. Bha e ’n comas Ghallie aig an eile de lamh-sgriobhainnean Gaidhlig, cuid am ud an leughadh, le beagan trioblaid, agus dhiubh bho thriath Chloinn Raghnaill, agus aig amannan bhiodh connspaid eadar e fhein cuid eile bho Niall MacMhuirich, iarmad nam is Mac-a-Phearsain mu mhineachadh fhacal bard ’s nan seanchaidh a bha aig Clann Ragh- anns na lamh-sgriobhainnean. Uaireannan, naill fad linntean. Is docha gur h-e trusadh arsa Gallie, nuair a bhiodh Mac-a-Phearsain Mhic-a-Phearsain a shabhail dhuinn beagan ’gan leughadh, ghriosadh e, ag radh mu’n de shaothair nan daoine foghlumaichte sin, t-seann bhard a sgriobh iad, “An donas air, oir, anns a’ bhliadhna ochd ceud deug thuirt ’s e fhein tha labhairt an drasda, ’s chan e Lachlann MacMhuirich, mac Neill, gu faca e Oisean. ’ ’ dha no tri de na seann lamh-sgriobhainnean. Aig an am so, nuair a bha Mac-a-Phearsain “aig taillearan ’gan gearradh sios gu criosaibh a’ fuireach comhla ri Gallie, bha e a’ deanamh tomhais’ ’. an eadartheangachaidh a chuireadh an clo aig Nach bu shuarach a’ bhuaidh a thug na deireadh na bliadhna seachd ceud deug tri fasanan Gallda, agus ceannairc nan Gall, air fichead ’s a h-aon. Duine eile a bha ’nan seann fhoghlum ar daoine! Tha Lachlann cuideachd aig an am, ’s e Lachlann Mac-a- so ag innse dhuinn gum b’esan an t-ochdamh Phearsain a Srath Mhathaisidh, bard comasach glun deug bho Mhuireach Albanach, am bard agus duine aig a robh mion-eolas air a’ Ghaidh- Eireannach bho na shiolaich Clann Mhuirich. lig. Chan urrainn dhuinn gun amharus a Bha a’ chuid mhor de a shinnsearan ’nam baird bhith againn gu robh lamh aige-san ann an ’s ’nan seanchaidhean aig Clann Domhnaill fad saothair Sheumais Mhic-a-Phearsain. Bha choig linntean, bho’n tritheamh linn deug gus luchd-cuideachaidh eile aige, mar a bha an ochdamh linn deug, ach cha b’urrainn Eoghan Mac-a-Phearsain, a chuidich leis anns da-san leughadh no sgriobhadh a dheanamh, an Eilean Sgitheanach agus an Innse Gall, araon an Gaidhlig no am Beurla. agus Alasdair MacGhilleMhoirc, a chuidich Bha cuimhne mhath aig Lachlann ‘ ‘ gun tug leis an uair sin agus an deidh sin an Lunnainn. Mac Mhic Ailein air athair an Leabhar Dearg Co dhiiibh, chuir Mac-a-Phearsain amach an a thoirt seachad do Sheumas MacMhuirich a leabhar aige fhein, fo’n ainm Fingal, air dha Baideanach’ ’. tilleadh as a’ Ghaidhealtachd, agus da bhliadhna Nise, de a b’urrainn Mac-a-Phearsain a thoirt an deidh sin chuir e amach leabhar eile, fo’n as na seann leabhraichean ud? Tha Leabhar ainm Temora. Bha e a’ cumail amach gur h-e eadartheang- aig sgeulachd is bardachd Oisein ri Eirinn, agus achadh bho sheann bhardachd Ghaidhlig a bha ma bha bardachd de’n t-seorsa so an Eirinn anns an da leabhar so. Ach cha b’fhada gus gur h-ann diolain a bha i . Chuir e mar sin an do chuireadh teagamh as an agradh a bha eachdraidh Albainn is Eirinn bun-os-cionn, so, agus bha na sgoilearan an amhaichean a ach an tigeadh i na b’fhearr ri a bheachd fhein. cheile, cuid ag radh gur h-e eadartheangachadh Agus nuair a bha a’ ghlaodhaich aig a h-airde a bh’ann, agus cuid eile ag radh gu robh a’ dh’fhag Mac-a-Phcarsain aca i, is theann e ri bhardachd so air a h-ur-dheanamh le Mac- obraichean eile. Gha bu bheag an obair a a-Phearsain e fhein. Bha bloigh de’n fhirinn chuir e as a dheidh anns na deich bliadhna aig gach buidhinn. fichead an deidh sin; sgriobhadh eachdraidh, Thainig an deasbad so gu bhith ’na chogadh greis an Ameireagaidh, a’ sgriobhadh leabhran litreachail, air an dara laimh eadar Albainn is a’ cur an ceill beachdan an Riaghaltais, agus Sasuinn, agus air an laimh eile eadar Albainn a’ cumail smachd air na paipearan-naidheachd is Eirinn. Fiachaidh mi ri adhbhar an da do’n Riaghaltas, ’na bhall-Parlamaid an Lunn- chogaidh sin a chur ann am beagan bhriathran. ainn, agus ’na fhear-gnothaich aig Nabob Bha rud air fhagail de’n t-seann ghamhlas eadar Arcot as na h-Innseachan. Rinn e earn m6r Albainn is Sasuinn, agus bha gu leor an Sasuinn airgid, thog e tigh mor ann a Ruadhain, is am beachd gum b’e sluagh borb a bha anns na cha robh dith fortain no cliu air. Gaidheil—sluagh gun shiobhaltachd, gun Bha bardachd Oisein ’ga h-eadar-theang- litreachas, gun fhoghlum. B’e an t-Ollamh achadh thall ’sa bhos—anns an Eadailt, anns Maclain ceannard nan Sasunnach aig an am a’ Ghearmailt agus anns an Fhraing. ann an gnothaichean litreachais. Cha b’fhiach Chaochail e fhein, ’s gun e ach tri fichead, leis-san bardachd Mhic-a-Phearsain co dhiubh anns a’ bhliadhna seachd ceud deug ceithir —cha robh e a’ faicinn brigh innte—agus fichead ’s a sia deug, agus dh’fhag e mile not cuideachd, bha e gu laidir de’n bharail nach gus a’ bhardachd Ghaidhlig aig Oisean a chur robh ri fhaotainn an Albainn lamh-sgriobhainn an cl6—ni a bha a naimhdean is a chairdean an Gaidhlig Albannaich nas sine na ceudbliadhna ag iarraidh air a dheanamh bho chionn deich a dh’aois. Bha e am mearachd. Ged a bha bliadhna fichead. Rinneadh sin anns a’ eolas farsaing aige air iomadach ni bha e bhliadhna ochd ceud deug ’s a seachd, is tha aineolach anns a’ chuis so. Nan robh e air iad ann fhathast a tha a’ ere ids inn gur h-e so cuairt a ghabhail gu buth an leabhar-reiceadair bardachd Oisein an da-riribh. Becket ann an Lunnainn, anns a’ bhliadhna Ach ma bheir duine siiil chiiramach air a’ seachd ceud deug tri fichead ’sa dha, bha e bhardachd so, agus air eadartheangachadh air lamh-sgriobhainnean fhaicinn a bha na bu Mhic-a-Phearsain, agus air a’ bhardachd shine na sin—pairt de na thruis Mac-a-Phear- Oiseanaich a tha againn ann an lamh-sgriobh- sain. ainnean Albanach is Eireannach, no ma dh’ Bha daoine fiosrachail ann an Albainn aig eisdeas e ri corra sheann bhodach aig a bheil an am a bha air a chur as a bharail nan robh a’ bhardachd so bho bheul-aithris, chi e nach e air comhairle a chur riutha—mar a bha Mac . ionnan na tri seorsachan idir. Tha e an diugh Mhaighstir Alasdair agus Domhnall MacNeacail, an ire mhath air a dhearbhadh gur h-ann mar ministear Liosmoir. Bliadhnachan an deidh so a bha a’ chuis; thionail Mac-a-Phearsain do’n Ollamh cunntas a thuruis a dh’Albainn brirdachd bho bheul-aithris agus bho lamh- a chur an clo, thug MacNeacail freagairt sgairteil sgriobhainnean, agus tha dearbhadh againn gu dha, ach bha an ceol air feadh na fidhle fada bheil pairt de’n bhardachd Oiseanaich, co roimhe sin. Bha Mac-a-Phearsain fhein gu dhiubh an Eirinn, a’ dol air ais chun an dara math dur. Mar bu mhotha bha dearbhadh ’ga linn deug; rinn Mac-a-Phearsain feum de phairt iarraidh air gum b’ann o sheann bhardachd dhe so, mar a thuigeadh e i ’s mar a bha i a’ Ghaidhlig a thug e na sgriobhaidhean aige tighinn ri a chai 1; chuir e moran rithe nach fhein, ’s ann bu lugha a theireadh e. Cha buineadh rithe idir bho thus; chuir e an t- tugadh e bonaid a nuas do dhuine geal, is bha eadartheangachadh Beurla so ri cheile, is chuir an luchd-deasbud ann a sin, lan iongantais is e dh’obair feadhainn, mar a bha Lachlann aineolais. Chari eil iomradh againn guri dh’ Shrath Mhathasaidh, a dheanamh eadarth- fhiach duine aca ri Gaidhlig ionnsachadh. eangachadh Gaidhlig de’n Bheurla aige-san, agus gu trie chan eil an t-eadartheangachadh Bha an gearain fhein aig na h-Eireannaich. sin coltach ris an t-seann bhardachd no ri Mac-a-PhearsainA dh’aindeoin upraid, a’ soirbheachadh, no leis an upraid, agus bhaleis saothair Mhic-a-Phearsain. an t-soirbheachadh dh’fhas e na bu daine. Bha An do rinn Mac-a-Phearsain feum? Rinn e a chuibhrionn fhein de dh’ aineolas aige cuid- feum is rinn e call. Rinn e feum ann a bhith eachd , agus chum e mach nach robh gnothaich a’ sgaoileadh ainm nan Gaidheal fad is farsaing, agus thug e sealladh ur, gu h-araidh air obrai- de na Lebdaich, air do’n bhata tighinn gib chean Naduir, do bhaird eile. B’esan bu dhluth do na creagan. ‘ ‘ Chan aithne dhomhsa,’ ’ choireach, ann an toxnhas mhor, gun do chuir- fhreagair esan as a ghuth thamh, ‘ ‘ gu robh ainm eadh barrachd uidh ann an lamh-sgriobhainnean air gu so, ach an deidh so canar Rudha Nam Gaidhlig, agus am bardachd Ghaidhlig air fad. Marbh ris a chaoidh tuilleadh,” agus anns na Rinn e call a chionn ’s gun do thalaidh e cuid facail leum e bharr na tobhta chun nan creagan. de na Gaidheil gu bhith a’ deanamh ulaidh de Chailleadh am bata an oidhche ud agus bhath- sheorsa bardachd anns a bheil cus gaoithe, cus adh na bha innte. Agus direach mar a thubhairt fhacal gun bhrigh, ro bheag de smuain. Tha e Iain canar Rudha Nam Marbh ris a’ ghob ud cubhaidh gu bheil da chuimhneachan againn gus an latha an diugh. air amach air na sgriobh e; tha e ’na shineadh Mairi B. NicDhomhnaill, fo lie ann an Abaid Westminster, dluth air Sgoil Inbhirnis. ‘ ‘ Oisean nam Bard’ ’, agus tha na lamh- sgriobhainnean a chruinnich e, cuid dhiubh, sabhailte ann an Leabharlann Naiseanta na h-Albann an Dun Eideann. Thugadh an t-iomradh so air an radio. A’ Gheugag Fhraoich Oidhche dhomh ’s mi gabhail cuairt An Glaschu cruaidh nan sraid Gun thachair ormsa ni bha neonach Bhith air sheol san ait’ — Rudha Nam Marbh Geugag fhraoich a thog mi suas Nuair a b’abhaist do na Leodaich agus do Bharr cabhsair cruaidh gun bhlaths, na Domhnallaich a bhith cho mor a mach air ’S bha faileadh ciibhraidh gleann mo ghaoil a cheile cha robh gu dearbh moran foise aig Air geugaig fhraoich mo ghraidh. cruitearan Uibhist a Tuath o Leodaich an Eilein a bhitheadh an comhnuidh a’ tighinn a ghoid O gheugag fhraoich ’s e d’ iomhaigh ghaoil an cuid spreidhe orra. Bhitheadh gach creach As boidhche learn thar chaich, is ruaig a bheireadh na Leodaich a’ deanamh Gun d’ dhuisg thu smaointean ann am chom call mor air na daoine bochda aig nach robh A thogas fonn do m’ dhan, beoshlainte ach an cuid bheathaichean. Ach ’s* e am faileadh tha bho d’gheig Latha de na laithean, air feasgar dorcha A rinn mi fein a chradh, foghair, gu de a thigeadh a steach do’n t- Toirt ’nam chuimhne luchd mo ghaoil seolaid air taobh an iar Uibhist eadar Eilean Tha measg an fhraoich a’ tamh. Chircioboist agus tlr ach bata le sgioba as an A gheugag fhraoich nach bruidhinn thu rium Eilean. Cha do thuig na h-Uibhistich co a ’ S nach cuidich thu mo dhan. bha ann oir b’ann an comhnuidh o thaobh eile Gu de an t-aite measg nam beann a thigeadh iad. Ach nach iad na Sgiathanaich ’ S nan gleann san robh thu tamh ? a bha bragail. Air dhaibh tighinn a steach An robh do dhachaidh fada shuas do’n phort far an robh na daoine air cruinn- Os cionn nan cruach gu h-ard ? eachadh an coinneamh nan ‘ ‘ iasgairean’ ’ dh’ iarr Nan robh thu tamh an cois a’ chuain iad fear-iuil a shealladh na h-oitirean iasgaich Le osnaich bhuain gu brath ? dhaibh. Fhuair iasdan sin, brod an stiuiriche, Iain Beag a Cladach Chircioboist. A gheugag fhraoich am bruach an loch’ Aon uair ’ s gun robh Iain aca sa’ bhata bha iad An robh do mhoch ’s do thrath air an dbigh tuilleadh. Cha do thuig Iain Ag eisdeachd slapraich a’ bhric bhric gle mhath an gnothach an toiseach gus an do ’S e tighinn a steach o’n t-sal? dh’iarr iad air an toirt gu cladaichean Heisgir An robh thu ’g amharc air fo’n bhruaich far an robh agus far a bheil priomh bheathaichean ’ S e dol gu luath gu thamh Uibhist air an arach. Rinn Iain mar a dh’ iarr An lochan ciuin am measg an fhraoich ach cha do rinn e air an acarsaid a bu choir Far eil na laoich a ghnath ? dha. An aite sin stiuir e iad air a’ bhad bu A gheugag fhraoich os cionn an t-sruth’ chunnartaiche a b’urrainn dha smaoineachadh An robh thu crocht’ a’ fhs, air, far an robh creagan biorach dubha ag 'S tu faicinn aibhnichean gun sgur eirigh as an uisge. ’Nan ruith ’s ’nan leum gu traigh, Bha am feasgar a nis a’ ciaradh agus am muir A’ giulan naidheachd chon a’ chuain— ag eirigh searbh. Dh’fhag Iain an stiuir agus Gach maise ’s buaidh tha’n sas chaidh e suas chun na tobhta braghaid. “De Ri beanntan gorma tir mo ghaoil chanar ris an aite uamhasach so?” arsa fear Nach cuir an aois gu bas ? — 29 A gheugag fhraoich gur truagh an nochd Is tu gun loch mar bha, 2. Theid e do’n teine ’s cha loisgear e; A dhol ’gad spionadh as an uchd Theid e gu bord an righ ’s cha chaisgear e. San robh do thaic ’ s do bhlaths: (solus greine.) Na c6 idir lamb, gun truas 3. Chi mi, chi mi muigh mu thuath A bhuain thu far a’ bharr Fir gun fhuil gun fheoil gun anam Airson do thilgeadh sios gun iochd Dannsadh air an talamh fhuar. Air clachan glas' na sraid’. (clachan meallain.) A gheugag fhraoich, ma bhios mi buan Gun toir mi cuairt thar sail’ Do na h-Eileanan an lar Far eil a’ ghrian cho blath, Comunn Na h-Oigridh ’ S gum paisg mi thu gu socair ciiiin, Mr. Alistair Mackenzie, Heathmount, Tain, ’S mi caoineadh air do sgath, provided money prizes for “the best letters Am broilleach caomh nam beanntan fuar’ , written in Gaelic’ ’ from the children who ’ S cha dean iad uaill mi d’ bhas. attended the Fluent Speakers Camp at Cnoc- Murchadh Moireastan. nan-R6s last summer. The following is the prize list, and the best letter is shown below:— 1st. Norman MacAskill, Daliburgh J.S. An Lon-Dubh School. Robh fios agad gu faodadh an lon-dubh a 2nd. Roderick MacNeill, Castlebay; bhith bed cho fada ri fiadh ? Ma bha, cha robh Ewan Campbell, Castlebay; fios agam-sa. Ach ged a dh’fhaodas lon-dubh Valerie MacPherson, Daliburgh J.S. latha fada fhaighinn tha e air a dhearbhadh nach School; eil barrachd air aon as a’ cheud a’ faicinn ceann Mary MacDonald, Torlum J. S. School. nan deich bliadhna, agus tha fios aig an fheadh- 3rd. Morag MacDoanld, Torlum J. S. School; ainn aig eil fios air a h-uile ni, nach eil ach James MacDonald, Daliburgh J.S. mu leth al na bliadhna a’ mealtainn crioch School; na h-ath-bhliadhna. Neil MacLean, Castlebay. Tha an coileach cho coltach ri coileach sam bith eile, agus a’ chearc ri cearc sam bith eile A Charaid, agus gu faod sinn a bhith smaoineachadh gur Tha mi gu math toilichte gun d’fhuair mise h-e an t-aon charaid a tha tadhal oirnn anns an cothrom seo innse mar a chord Campa an lios chuil air an earrach-sa ’s a bha cho Comunn na h-Oigridh aig Cnoc-nan-R6s rium. cairdeil ruinn mu’ n am-sa an uraidh. Faodaidh A chionn agus gur h-e seo an dara turus agamsa gur h-e, ach co aige tha fios ? Mur eil comharr- a bhith aim bha mi na b’eolaiche agus fada na adh sonruichte agad air na h-eoin-sa cionnas bu toilichte. Bhitheamaid a’ cluich ball- as urrainn dut a bhith cinnteach? coise a h-uile latha, agus ag iomain. Nuair Ma bhios tu gu math do’n lon-dubh fad a’ a dh’fhasamaid sgith de sin thoisicheamaid air gheamhraidh, cha diochuimhnich e thu san dannsa. Bhiodh ceilidh goirid againn a h-uile earrach. Thig e chun na h-uinneig agad airson h-oidhche. Tha mi cinnteach gun cuala a criomag arain, agus mus teid moran laithean h-uile duine an ceilidh a bh’air an radio a seachad bheir a ghob as do laimh na bheir thu Cnoc-nan-R6s. An rud a chord ruinn uile dha. Ma bheir thu ceum chun na nide aige math gu leor b’e a’ chuairt do Bhaile Dhubh- bithidh e romhad an sin a chum failte a chur thaich far an robh na buthan nach fhagadh ort, agus cha ghluais e ged a shliobadh tu a sgillinn ’nad sporan. dhruim min, blath. Nis on tha mi gu criochnachadh chan fheum- Is iomadh nabaidh as miosa na’n lon-dubh. ainn an deagh chocaire a dhiochuimhneachadh. S.D.T. Fhads a bhiodh ise an sud cha bhiodh an t-acras air duine beo. Chaidh na deich latha ann an Campa Comunn na h-Oigridh seachad mar aon Toimhseachan latha anns an sgoil. Tha mise an dochas gum 1. Chaidh mi do’n bheinn is fhuair mi e; faigh mi an cothrom a dhol do Chnoc-nan-R6s Shuidh mi air bruaich is dh’iarr mi e; turus eile. A chionn nach d’fhuair mi e thug mi Is mise le deagh dhurachd, dhachaidh learn e. Tormod MacAsgaill, (bior sa’ chois.) Sgoil Dhalabrog. 30 — Chunna mi’n gleann, cladh mo dhbchais, Aiseirigh ’ S chuir e sgail’ air aigne mo dhuil. Ach ’na aiseirigh chinn m’eagal faoin. Anns a’ ghlcann na cnamhan tioram— Dh’ath-nuadhaich e dhomh gealladh mo Dubh-chas rainich, miaran lom’ sholais An fhraoich, crom, aisneach, ciar. 'S lan chinnt neo-bhasmhorachd chlann An caorunn seachda, slatan seilich daoin’. Air diobhail fasgaidh o ghuin nan sian. Cailean T. MacCoinnich. An co is na slighe preasan riiisgte Gun bhrat duilich, liiigach crion Am bron geamhraidh marbh-phaisgt’ fuar; Prasgan bhioran ’feitheamh dusgaidh An Comunn Gaidhealach Sa’ ghutha dhiomhair bhriseas suain. NATIONAL MOD—STIRLING, 1961 Kennedy-Fraser Vocal Solo Preasan ciar-dhubh as eughmais duilleig, Competition Mulad bais ’ na ealach trom As “Deirdi’s Farewell” , prescribed for Le dhubhachas a’ lubadh gheug, the above is out of print, competitors Anail gaoith’ troimh’n ghleann a’ tuiream— will be allowed to sing their own choice Clarsach ghlac a pong o'n eug. of song from the Kennedy-Fraser volumes. Competitors must sing with piano accom- Shir mi cosagan dluth diomhair paniment and a copy of the song, in the ’S cha d’fhuair mi gealladh beatha ann ; appropriate key, must be provided for Peirceal odhar reot’ nam bruach the accompanist. Fo lion-eudach na coinich chiarghlais; Culaidh bhais air dhreach na tuaim. Alltan glaist’ fo’n stalainn reota, lasg gun bhrisgeadh, druidheachd bhalbh Branch Reports Cur fo gheasaibh smuais an surd. LEWIS Ealtainn na speur gun bhinneas ceolraidh; The seating capacity of the Masonic Hall was Neamh is talamh fo bhrat na tuirs’. firststrained ceilidh to the of utmost1961. by the large attendance at the ’S mar a sheas mi tr.om dubhach supportedPiping by selections pipers K.by PipeMacleod Major and Donald M. Mackenzie Maclean An cill naduir gun sgcul beatha ann, came as a pleasant introduction to a programme of Bhean oiteag carraich blath ri m’ ghruaidh; solo and quartette singing by members of the Stornoway Anail chubhraidh a rinn mi subhach Gaelic Choir and accordion music by Murdo Macleod. Le cogar ur-bheatha ’n am chluais. Colinand songs Morrison of Domhnall gave an Chraisgein,interesting thetalk Barvas on the bard. life John Macarthur, president of the Branch, pre- Chuala cnamhan marbh’ a’ ghlinne sided and Murdo Morrison proposed the vote of thanks. A’ chaismeachd shochdair gu bhi air ghluas’d. Chaidh clisgeadh aiseirigh troimh’n ghleann. DUNOON Bhris an guth dusail na cruinne The first ceilidh of the year held in the Imperial A’ cur sgaoileadh air a cuibhreach theann. Hall attracted a very good attendance. The pro- grammeJames Macdonald, was sustained welcomed by local theartistes. company The andpresident, intro- Air meanglan nochd gucag na h-iir-bhreith, duced fear-an-tighe, Neil Maclean, the noted Gaelic Ghluais sugh beatha ’s na cuislean marbh’. singer. Gaelic and English songs were rendered, Dhiiisg eunlaith le seirm a’ choisridh chiiiil. readingswas Robert and Lament, recitations the werepiper given. was Billy The Maclean, accordionist and Tharruing grian o uinneag nan speur an Mrs. Maclean played the accompaniments. cuirtear, ’ Cur gu fogradh na duibhre le muirn. TIREE A. H. MacPhail was fear-an-tighe at a well An t-alltan ri briodal, saor o gheasaibh supported ceilidh sponsored by the Cornaig Branch Cronan socair a thaladh min; entertainmentin January. Thosewere whoall local contributed artistes, to and the theyevening’s were lasg meadhrach cluich ’s gach cuartaig reidh. well received by the audience. The aims of the Ceol, beatha ’s gluasad a’ co-fhreagairt Branch were re-stated and new members were enrolled. Lagh gun chaochladh a’ chruinne-che. andIt is March. planned to have further ceilidhs in February — 31 — LEARNER’S PAGE Bha balach a Tarasaigh latha arm am birth A boy from Taransay was in a shop in Tarbert air an Tairbeart, agus, arsa bodach a bha sa’ one day, and, said an old man who was in the bhirth ris, “Caite as an tainig thu bhalaich?” shop to him, “Where did you come from, “Thainig mi a Tarasaigh.” ‘'Agus co leis boy?” “I came from Taransay.” “Whose thu an Tarasaigh?” “Tha mi le a leithid so son are you in Taransay?” “I am the son of a dh’fhear.” ‘'Agus a bheil fhios agad, a so and so. ” “ And do you know, lad, that you bhalaich, gu bheil thu cairdeach dhomhsa?” are related to me?” “Am I?” “Yes, lad; ‘‘A bheil?” “Tha, bhalaich; tha mi fhin I and your grandmother are second cousins.” agus do sheanamhair anns an h-iar-oghaichean. ’ ’ “John,” said the merchant, “what a good ‘ ‘ Iain,’ ’ ars an ceannaiche, ‘ ‘ nach tu tha math genealogist you are.” “Do you know,” said air sloinntearachd!” “A bheil fhios agadsa,’’ John, “what I was doing the other night as I ars Iain, “de bha mi deanamh an oidhche had nothing else to do; I was trying to go as roimhe agus gun an corr agam ri dheanamh; far back as Adam. ’ ’ bha mi fiachainn an deidhinn air ais gu Adhamh. ’ ’ Tha daoine san t-saoghal so agus iad a’ There are people in this world who pride deanamh uaill a sloinneadh an cuid chon, themselves over the lineage of their dogs, their chaorach is each, agus chan eil fhios agam sheep and horses, and I do not know but they nach eil a sloinneadh chat is chearc, agus chan do over the lineage of cats and hens, and they eil fhios aca de an sloinneadh a bha air an do not know the surname of their grandmother seanamhair na de chiad ainm a bha air aon nor the first name of one of their great-grand- sinn-seanair a bha aca. Bha te sa’ Scarpa a fathers. There was a woman in Scarp I knew b’aithne dhomh agus shloinneadh i gu Mac- and she could trace her genealogy to MacLeod Leoid Dhunbheagain. Is e teampull a chanar of Dun vegan. The cemetery is called the sa’ Scarpa ris an aite adhlaic. Tha eachdraidh temple in Scarp. History is woven into that san fhacal sin. Bha daoine sa’ Scarpa mu’n word. There were people in Scarp, at the time am a fhuair mise na fiaclan a chunnaic an seann I got my teeth, who saw the temple with a roof chaibeal agus am mullach air. Leag maighstir on it. A schoolmaster who came from Lewis sgoile Gaidhlig a thainig a Leodhas an caibcal raised the temple to the ground and he built agus thog e tigh-comhnuidh le na clachan. a dwelling place with the stones. Tha eilean an loch mor am meadhon an There is an island in a large loch in the centre Scarpa, agus an uair a phosadh caraid sa’ of Scarp, and when a couple married in Scarp Scarpa chuirte iad a chadal do’n eilean so they were sent to sleep in the island for the airson na ciad oidhche co dhiubh. Is docha first night at all events. Possibly the people leam gun robh Scarpaich sa’ linn sin cho fada of Scarp were as far from church as Diabhaig was bho eaglais agus a bha Diabhaig o lagh, agus from the law, and I suspect that island had tha amharus agam gun robh eachdraidh air an its own story, and that it was associated with eilean ud, agus ceangal aige ri crabhadh is piety and worship of ancient times. aoradh bho shean. Mas math mo bheachd so mar a bha na As far as I know this is how they named the linntean sa’ Scarpa: linn mo sheanar; linn nan eras in Scarp: my grandfather’s generation; creach; linn Oisein ; agus linn Chailbhein. Is the age of raids; the era of Oisean; and the age docha leam gur h-ann mu linn nan creach a of Cailbhein. I suspect that you would prefer b’fhearr leibh beagan a chluinntinn. Is ann to hear a little about the period of the raids. an deidh do MhacDhomhnaill nan Eilean a It was after MacDonald of the Isles lost his choraichean a chall agus a jih’fhagadh an tir rights, and the country far and wide was un- fada agus farsaing gun stoladh a bha linn nan settled, and that real period of raids existed, creach ceart ann, agus mar a thuirt Domhnall and as Donald Finlayson of the Songs said: MacFhionnlaigh nan Dan: “Numerous were wars and raiding, “Bu lionmhor cogadh is creachadh, In Lochabar at that time. Bha’n Loch-abar san uair sin.” Bha gu leor aca san Eilean Fhada, agus bha There were plenty of them in the Hebrides, iad pailt feadh Leodhais is na Hearadh, agus and they were numerous throughout Lewis and is e Leodhas bu mhiosa dheth na na Hearadh, Harris. Lewis was worse off than Harris for oir thainig cuisean an Leodhas gu bhith buileach matters in Lewis reached a very gloomy, gruamach, fuilteach agus borb. bloody and fierce state. — 32 I THE DEATHBED OF MANX GAELIC (By Iain MacKinnon.) SOME ten years or so ago students of Celtic This was standing at the death-bed of a language. Languages were grieved to discover that Soon time will touch the retired sailor and the only a handful of Manx native speakers old lady in her fuschia strewn cottage, and existed, the youngest of them being 70 years when they are gone I will feel like the woman of age and the eldest 89. Recordings were then in the north of the island who told me she had taken of their voices. Whether there are any tried to learn the Manx, but had given it up. of these people alive today I do not know. ‘ For there is no one to talk to’. ’ ’ Actually these people are, or were, exceptional Gaels are no doubt aware of the attempts in the generation to which they belonged, for of the Dean of Lismore to write Scottish Gaelic they had been brought up by their grandparents according to English phonetics. It did not who spoke Gaelic, Manx having virtually died succeed, as there already existed a Gaelic out many years ago. Besides these native literature, though it may not have been of speakers there are however other Manx people any considerable extent. No such literature who can speak Gaelic, roughly about a hundred however was known to exist in the Isle of Man. students of the language classes held in the Clergymen coming there mainly from England island. These students, in order to gain as found themselves at a disadvantage in that, at much knowledge as possible of the language, that period, the early 17th century, very few used to cycle round the island visiting the people understood English. It was therefore remaining native speakers. They plan to necessary with the assistance of their Manx obtain as many recruits as possible in order to colleagues to translate sacred books into Gaelic save the language from utter extinction, though in order to administer their services. As their efforts do not always meet with approval Gaelic is as unlike English as French, the by some Manx people. “You don’t speak orthography,,, as may well be imagined, was Gaelic the way my father used to’ ’ , they are chaotic. occasionally told, just as if a Highlander Manx is nearer to Scottish Gaelic than Irish, expected a Lowlander to be able to speak for Manx and Highland fishermen used to Gaelic without flaws or faults. understand one another quite well in the old In 1948 a Welshman, Mr. A. Stanley Davies, days. From my own knowledge of Scottish visited the island, and afterwards published a I can read Manx fairly well, even allowing for brochure entitled ‘ ‘ In Search of an Ancient the spelling. Here are some words at random | Heritage’ ’, dealing with his investigation into to illustrate the point:— the state of the language. All former associa- Scots Manx English tions with the language, he found, had long Drochaid Droghad Bridge since disappeared from the churches, although Dona Donney Bad , he did find at Lezayre Church a memorial tablet Pron. (Donna) to the late William Kneale Lace, Parish Clerk Saor {Ir. orSeyr Sc. Pron.) Joiner (1856-1940). On it appeared the inscription: Dubh Doo Black ‘ ‘ Nee e harvaantyn eshyn y hirveish as hee Searbh Sharroo Bitter i ad yn eddin echey” (His servants will serve Gobhainn Gaaue Blacksmith a him and they shall see his face). I further Smeur (Gayoo)Smeyr Bramble \ quote from his experiences: “In the north (of (Smair) j the island) there were three native speakers There is a great proximity to Scottish Gaelic, I alive. In the south they only numbered especially in the use of the Negative Particle l half-a-dozen, and they were people who had cha in preference to the Irish ni. But it shares | been brought up by their grandparents. I was with Irish the use of Eclipsis and the shifting ) deeply shocked. I came in the spirit in which of the stress to the last syllable, which in s Edward Lhuyd (eminent Celtic scholar of his Scots is practically always stressed on the first. I time) visited Cornwall, to study the living It has of course many features distinct from either language. I found myself like Daines Barring- of the other two Gaelic languages. ton (Welsh judge and scholar who went to During the seventeenth century and most of Cornwall to hear Dolly Pentreath speak Cornish) the eighteenth English was not generally hearing the last of the language from the lips known in the Isle of Man except by the gentry ; of one of the remaining few to whom English and, later on, the traders. Church services ) is an acquired tongue. This was not, I realised, had to be conducted in Gaelic. First Bishop ) enquiring into the remnants of a language. Phillips in 1610, and later the Manx Clergy 33 — under Bishop Wilson in 1765, published the In the time of Bishops Wilson and Hildesley Manx version of the Prayer Book, but it was no young man could enter holy orders without not until 1775 that the Manx Bible was printed. having good Gaelic. In ’24 it was entirely There must have been some amusing occasions Gaelic that they had—and in the time of in church when howlers were made by one or Judges Kaye and Crellin no solicitor need come other of the clergy insufficiently versed in one before them who was unable to argue in Gaelic. or other of the languages. For instance In my own recollections, in the days of my “Flail, King of the Jews” was translated as youth it was in Gaelic that we all spoke to our “Sniaghtey claghagh, Ree ny Hewnyn” , that horses and our cattle. Even the dogs them- is in Scots using Sneachd-clachach (or Meallan) selves would not work for us unless we spoke instead of Failte, or in English applying the to them in Gaelic, but would look about in noun “hail” instead of the interjection. the greatest surprise wondering what we were Another clergyman gave his flock a sermon on wanting them to do for us. The poor dogs the Prodigal Son, describing the fatted calf themselves did not understand English, for it (yn Iheiy beiyht) as the drowned calf (yn was all Gaelic they had, and they were not Iheiy baiht). ashamed of it either. For a long time now there had been English About this time a private census of the schools throughout the island as Bishop Wilson language was held by Mr. Henry Jenner of the mentions, but the language was not understood British Museum, London. He addressed his by two-thirds of the people, “so hard is it to questionnaire to clergymen in various parishes change the language of a whole country. ’ ’ in the island. English was the general lan- When English services were first introduced guage used in church, although in one or two into the churches they met with considerable places Manx services were held once a month. opposition from the people. With the dawn The children as a rule spoke English, though of the nineteenth century, however, started the there were a few places where they also spoke gradual decline of the language. People began Gaelic. One sometimes had three generations, to regard their mother-tongue as uncouth, and the old people speaking Gaelic only, the to despise it generally. Consequently its parents Gaelic and English, and the children decline was rapid. It may be of interest to English only. Servants kept up the Gaelic Scottish Gaels to compare the following passage as a class language not understood by their and its English translation with their own masters. Manx was no longer essential for the Gaelic. discharge of parochial duties. In 1872 the Rev. J. T. Clarke wrote: “Ta As the century closed the language had ard-reiltee Vannin noi’n Ghailck. Ta shir- reached such a pitch of neglect that sympa- veishee yn Ghoo jeh dy-chooilley chredjue noi thisers felt it necessary to do something about cck. Ta aegid troggit seose nish ny’s meehush- its preservation, and accordingly in 1899 Yn tee jeh chengey ny mayrey na va maase y Cheshaght Ghailckagh (Manx Language Society) vagheragh cliaghtey ve. was founded. Literature has never been a Ayns traa Aspickyn Wilson as Hildesley, cha strong point in Man, and there has been voddagh dooinney aeg erbee geddyn stiagh ayns considerably less published in Gaelic than in oik y taggartys fegooish Gailck vie ve echey. Scotland. Reasons for its decline can be Ayns ynChiaire-as-feed she Gailck ooilley v’oc attributed to the attitude of the Church, the —as ayns traa ny briwnyn Kaye as Crellin cha immigration of many non-Manx people which b’loys da turneyr erbee cheet kiongoyft roo soon swamped the natives, emigration of Manx nagh voddagh arganey ayns Gailck. people themselves, and of course the apathy Ta cooinaghtyn aympene, ayns laghyn of the Gaelic speakers. The Isle of Man may have m’aegid, dy re ayns Gailck va shin ooilley a separate government, but its rules being of loayrt rish nyn gabbil as nyn ollagh. Eer ny alien origin, self-government hardly counts. moddee hene mannagh loayragh shin roo ayns Despite the efforts to arrest its decline that Gailck, cha j innagh ad cloh doom—agh jeeaghyn decline continued. In 1901 Gaelic speakers myheart y moo, goaill yn yindys s’moo ’sy numbered 4,419; by 1921 that number had theihll c’red va shin laccal ad yannoo doom. dwindled to 896, roughly from 8 per cent of Cha row ny moddee voghtey hene toiggal Baarl, the population to under 2 per cent. son she Gailck ooilley v’oc, as cha row ad What are the lessons to be drawn from all goaill nearey jee noadyr. this? The deplorable thing is that a govern- The Manx Government are against Gaelic. ment finding more than one language on its Ministers of the Gospel are believed to be wholly soil considers a small language as a nuisance against it. Young people are now brought up and tends to introduce uniformity. Thus in more disdainful of their mother-tongue than Scotland there are children who hear nothing the beasts of the field used to be. but Gaelic until they go to school when they are required to adjust themselves all at once the teaching profession. Good wishes were to speaking an entirely new language, to them expressed for her future in her chosen career. like a foreign language, and which few people On the recommendation of the Education in this country see anything wrong with. Surely Committee it was decided not to have a Gaelic it would be better to give the child an oppor- Summer School in Oban this year but to make tunity of education in his own tongue for two every endeavour to hold a Summer School years before being required to learn English. there in 1962. Anyone interested will be Again, if a language is in danger of extinction, welcome at the Course in Celtic Studies, under there will always be enthusiasts who will keep, the auspices of the W.E.A. and An Comunn, or endeavour to keep, it alive as long as possible, in St. Andrews, from 22nd to 29th July of this nay, in some cases as in Cornwall, even try year. Full particulars can be obtained from to revive it. In spite of our Gaelic Jeremiahs Mr. G. Amot, W.E.A., 177 Hill Street, and our utilitarians our language will survive Glasgow, C.3. the youngest of us, if not on the mainland at It was agreed that in the event of a fifth least in the islands. It may even be spoken university being established in Scotland, An for centuries to come. Languages no longer Comunn should give full support to Inverness. go into oblivion as was formerly the case. It was also agreed, with the co-operation While Manx may no longer be a native language, of the Edinburgh Branch, to make full investi- it is still spoken by the enthusiastic band of gation of the position with a view to making students already mentioned. Whether one a further approach to Edinburgh Education agrees with them or not is another matter. Committee to introduce the teaching of Gaelic in a Secondary School. At a joint meeting of the Publication and Propaganda Committees serious consideration was given to the cost, distribution and sales of Executive Council Sradag. Investigations are proceeding with a Thirty-six members were present at a meeting view to securing advertisements for this quar- of the Council held on 14th January. The terly. It was agreed that every effort should President, Mr. Hugh Macphee, was in the be made to try and reduce the price and publish Chair, and after extending a warm welcome to the paper once a month. members, many of whom had travelled long The Propaganda Committee are making a distances, he wished them all a Happy and drive to recruit members for An Comunn, and Prosperous New Year. books of enrolment forms were distributed to Sympathetic reference was made to the passing members of the Council. Anyone interested in of Mr. A. N. Nicolson, the well-known Secre- the aims of An Comunn is cordially invited to tary of the Gaelic Society of Inverness, Her apply for membership—5/- per annum for Grace The Duchess of Atholl who showed such Ordinary Members and one payment of three an interest in the Gaelic cause, Mr. Euan guineas for Life Members. A minute of the Mod and Music Committee MacDiarmid, an enthusiast in Gaelic and recommended that the ceremony of the Crowning Piping circles, and Mr. Malcolm G. McCallum, of the Bard should be the second last item the eminent conductor of Campbeltown Gaelic (before French) on the programme of the first Choir. house of the Grand Concert but the Committee It appears that there are good prospects of retained judgment as to its position at the having Gaelic concerts at this year’s Edinburgh second house. Festival, and while awaiting confirmation from Two minutes of Comunn na h-Oigridh Com- the authorities concerned, a Sub-Committee of mittee were submitted. Arrangements have the Advisory Committee have given considera- been made to hold the annual camps for fluent tion to draft programmes for a Concert and speakers and learners of Gaelic. A large number Ceilidh. of learners is expected this year and it is likely A minute of the Finance Committee revealed that two camps may be necessary. that application is to be made to secure some The Committee recommended that the relief from payment of Rates for Headquarter’s Northern Area Sub-Committee should hold a premises, the Inverness office, and Cnoc conference of Gaelic-speaking teachers from the nan Ros. Western Isles and the North, in connection Miss Macleod has resigned from the office with Comunn na h-Oigridh activities, along staff and she is leaving on 31st curt, to take up with the Northern Area Branch Conference, at educational studies with a view to entering Cnoc nan Ros during the Easter holidays. The President, on behalf of An Comunn, church services in Gaelic; and the gradual accepted with gratitude a photograph of the decay of the Gaelic language in the mainland founders presented by Mr. Farquhar Macleod, parts of the county makes distressing reading. Edinburgh. Argyll, as far as the Gaelic language and cul- It was arranged to hold the Gaelic meeting ture are concerned, is at present in the transition of the Executive Council in Glasgow on Satur- stage. What the future pattern will show is day, 11th March, at 10 a.m. becoming more and more evident with the At the close of the meeting Mr. Donald Grant, years. Vice-President, proposed a vote of thanks to S.D.T. the President for his conduct of the meeting. Corrections 1. In the second last paragraph of the article Statistical Account of on Campbell’s West Highland Tales in our February issue the names of Neil Macalpine Argyll and Hector MacLean were omitted, and The recent Statistical Account of the County Pattison’s Christian name should be Thomas, of Argyll, under the able editorship of Dr. not Neil. Colin M. Macdonald, makes interesting and 2. The genealogy of the Rev. M. Maclean informative reading, though, in parts, de- should read, “Is mise Calum MacDhomhnaill pressing too. The task, which, in a county Oig mhic Dhomhnaill mhic Chaluim mhic Iain like Argyll with such vast contrasts and mhic Gille Phadraig mhic Iain Duibh’’. changes, has not been an easy one but has been accomplished with marked success. Depopulation, prevalent throughout the High- land counties, makes a sad enough story here too, but should the pace of depopulation stop The Genuine Gaelic short of depleting the manpower of the glens and hamlets beyond economic recovery there are Ballads real possibilities that those who remain have “The place in time occupied by these com- every chance of making a comfortable living positions is one of considerable length—it of it. extends at least as far back as the third century The way of life has changed almost out of of our era. It is very interesting to note that all recognition within the last half century. this body of oral popular literature has been The crofter-fishermen has practically ceased to loved, preserved, and rehearsed by the Gaelic exist, and apart from Oban there is no important clans of Albin for at least a thousand years; fishing port now in the whole county. Agri- for a much longer period, indeed, if we rely culture, though different in form, is still on fairly credible tradition. important. Notwithstanding the fact that ’The inter-tribal straggles described in these excessive freights are a pressing burden and ballads—the patriotic resistance against the distance from the markets is a deterrent, the Norse attempts to obtain supremacy, mixed up renewed interest in cattle-rearing, and the as they are with the encroachments of Christia- good profits from sheep-farming are encouraging. nity within the realms of heathenism—took The importance of forestation is rightly place mainly within the Albinic area. The stressed. The Forestry Commission has done geographical limits of this area in those early good work in planting so extensively, but it is times were very vague and shifting. In a doubtful whether further extension is desir- general way they may be said to have embraced able, especially if it has to be made at the the Western Isles, the North-West, and part expense of good agricultural land. The Tourist of the central Highlands, as well as the Isle Industry, so valuable in both rural and urban of Man and Ireland. Over all these regions we areas, is being encouraged, and the need for watch in these ballads the shadowy movements better trunk roads and modem piers is not of our brave ancestors. We hear faint echoes overlooked. of their names, and the fame of their deeds, Less encouraging is the tale of closing schools the war-cries and voices of their almost semi- in rural districts, the ageing population in mythic heroes.’’ many communities, the lack of provision for Macneill. — 36 — AN GAIDHEAL THE GAEL Editor — }. THOMSON, M.A., F.E.I.S., 116 WEST SAVILE TERRACE, EDINBURGH to whom all correspondence should he addressed except that concerning advertising, which should he addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer. 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C.2. Telephone: DOUglas 1433. Leabhar LVI AN GIBLEAN, 1961 Aireamh 4

OIGHREACHD NAN CEILTEAGH THA e soilleir gu leor gur h-e na Gaidheil, Tha e iomchuidh gum biodh fios againn no na Ceiltich, a’ chiad rioghachd mhor fhin de tha sinn a’ ciallachadh leis an ainm a bha tuath air na h-Alps, agus gur h-e “Ceilteach.” Chan eil cinneach Ceilteach so am fonn as na dh’eirich na rioghachdan a ann an diugh, nas motha na tha Sasunnaich dh’fhas suas an deidh laimhe air taobh an iar fior-ghlan ann; agus tha teagamh againn nach agus am meadhon na Roinn Eorpa. Tha e eil doigh-beatha Ceilteach ann a bharrachd, airidh air aithris mar an ceudna nach eil nas ged nach fhaod sinn sin a radh anns a h-uile sine na litreachas nan Gaidheal, a dh’fhan beo cuideachd. Tha aon ni cinnteach; tha spiorad o chian ann an Eirinn agus anns a’ Chuimrigh, Gaidhealach no Ceilteach ann fhathast, anns an Roinn Eorpa air fad ach litreachas na sealladh beatha a tha Ceilteach 'na nadur. Greige agus na Roimhe. Tha e do-sheach- Is e an spiorad Ceilteach-sa agus na doighean naichte feumail air an aobhar sin gum bi lan anns a bheil e faighinn cleachdadh a tha sinn eolas againn air eachdraidh nan Gaidheal ma a’ ciallachadh leis na facail “oighreachd nan tha sinn airson sealladh tuigseach a bhith Gaidheal.” Chan eil e furasda subhailcean a’ againn air friamhan sluagh na Roinn Eorpa Ghaidheil a cheangal an taobh a stigh do nuas troimh na linntean. chriochan hraidh. Faodaidh aghaidh Gaidheil Feumar cumail air chuimhne nach eil na a bhith air duine gun spiorad a’ Ghaidheil a Gaidheil gu h-iomlan a’ labhairt cainnt nan bhith aige, agus faodaidh spiorad ceart a bhith Gaidheal, agus nach e Gaidheil a tha anns na aig neach air a bheil gach ni tarraingeach eile h-uile a labhras an canain. Chaidh na Ceiltich air chall. a bith mar chinneach am m6r-roinn na h-E6rpa Bha a’ bhuaidh a bha aig na Gaidheil air an deidh an sgrios a thug lulius Cesear orra. cinnich eile na Roinn Eorpa, agus air an Is ann am Breatainn is an Eirinn a mhain a t-saoghal mhor, a’ sruthadh bhuapa chan ann lean aireamh mhath sluaigh an dliith cheangal mar shluagh aonaichte ach gu h-araidh troimh mar chinneach gu bhith gleidheadh oighreachd a’ ghn6 spioraid a bha ’gan riaghladh. Leis nan Gaidheal. an inntinn mhisneachail sheolta a bha nadurrach Chan eil e ’ nar sealladh idir iomradh a dhean- dhaibh, agus le neart am macmeanmna dhealbh amh air gluasad nan Ceilteach agus air an iad cruthan eugsamhlaidh ’nan litreachas aig t-soirbheachadh a lean iad roimh am eachd- an robh buaidh mhor air litreachas na Roinn raidheil. Fagaidh sinn sin aig neach sam bith Eorpa agus litreachas Ameriga. Bha comas a tha an duil gu bheil e mion eolach air nithean inntinne anabarrach aca, agus chan, fhaodar falaichte. Tha e fada nas riarachaile iomradh na h-uirsgeulan a chuir iad ri ch6ile agus air a dheanamh air na nithean a ghabh hite o a bheil iiidh aig moran a thilgeadh an dara chionn cheudan bliadhna, nithean air a bheil taobh mar nithean nach fiu. Bha e 'nan comas dearbhadh againn, agus taic a leigeil gu son- na smaointean a b’airde is bu doimhne a chur raichte air cliu is oighreachd a’ chinnich as an cruth aghmhor, taitneach. ainmeile a measg nan Gaidheal—Gaidheil Shruth an caomhalachd agus an daimh cho- Alba. fhaireachail a bha aca ri n&dur, anns gach cruth, o ’n spiorad fhaireachail agus o ’n cuala mu Leabhar Kells} So far na rainig mhacmeanmna a bha ’gan riaghladh fhein. ealain a’ Ghaidheil ard ire. Is mor an ranns- Ghlac iad solas nach bu bheag ann a bhith dol achadh a rinn luchd ealain mus do dh’fhag iad air leth leotha fhein agus le an smaointean aig na ginealaich a thainig ’nan deidh saoibhreas fhein, cleachdadh a tha tur eadar-dhealaichte luachmhor an leabhair so. ri doigh nan daoine aig nach eil ach an comh- Mar a nochd na Ghaidheil am f aireachdainnean fhurtachd fhein san amharc, agus a tha air an tre dhathan nochd iad an spiorad a bha annta slugadh suas le saoghaltachd. tre cheol, agus gu h-araidh tre mhith-cheol. Ghluais an spiorad ceudna na Gaidheil anns Tha an ceol-sa a gheibhear gun soradh anns na gach cecirnaidh gu bhith toirt aite dligheach h-Eileanan gus an latha an diugh, agus a ghlac do na mnathan, agus gu bhith riochdachadh aire luchd-ciuil cho mor air feadh an t-saoghail, ’nan litreachas an dealbh-inntinne a bha aca a’ toirt an fhuinn as na dh’fhas e gu soillear air mnathan coitcheanta, eisimpleir a leanadh fo ar comhair. Na tuinn a tha siubhal troimh gu mor ann an litreachas na Roinn Eorpa. ghluasad nam fonn sa’ cheol Ghaidhealach ’s Bha a’ bhuaidh a lean an sealladh a bha aca e tuinn a’ Chuain a Siar fhein a tha ann. air inbhe is coir nam ban ’ na bheannachd nach Dh’fhasgain iomadh ginealach na h-6rain anns gabh tomhas. Cha bu choir do mhnaoi sam am motha gheibhear de ghluasad a’ chuain, bith a dhol seachad air Gaidheal air an taobh agus anns an lorgar na bha an cuan a’ ciall- eile, oir tha i fo fhiachan dha gu siorraidh achadh do na seinneadairean. Tha taladh a airson an t-saorsa a rainig i agus an inbhe bharrachd anns a’ mhith-cheol, agus tha cumh- ard a tha aice anns an dachaidh agus a measg a’ achd ann mar am faileadh cubhraidh gu bhith mhoir-shluaigh. dusgadh aoibhneas gun ghaoid. Tha mothachadh Tha an saoghal anns a bheil sinn bed an a’ Ghaidheil air ailleachd anns an t-seadh as diugh, saoghal a tha leigeil taice cho mor air fharsainge ’ga nochdadh fhein ’na ealain, ’na maoin is cumhachd, a’ cur feuma air moth- brain, agus anns a’ bhreithneachadh spioradail achadh a’ Ghaidheil air ailleachd, a shealladh a tha aige. air an ni a tha ion-mholta, a shireadh air an ni Tha spiorad a’ Gaidheil-sa ’ga chomharr- nach gabh glacadh, agus air an doimhneachd achadh a mach o chinnich eile an t-saoghail. spioradail a tha ’ na ghne. Co aige tha fios nach Tha aomaidhean domhain spioradail nadurrach cuidich fior spiorad a’ Ghaidheil agus an dha. A chionn gu bheil e teb-chridheach tha t-oileanachadh a tha aige, ann a bhith fuasgladh aignidhean furasda an gluasad araon le aoibhneas nan ceanglaichean a tha sannt, feinealachd agus is le brbn, agus tha co-fhaireachadh laidir aige amharus a’ cur air rioghachdan an t-saoghail. ris an neach a tha anshocrach, feumach, ni a Co aige tha fios nach eil aig na duthchannan tha ’ga fhagail ullamh gu bhith sineadh lamh- beaga Ceilteach an iuchair a chuireas an saoghal chuidich an deagh am. saor o eagal? Tha e gle chinnteach nach e Tha airde is doimhne ’na ghne mar thoradh eolas dhaoine air a’ chruitheachd, no an spairn air gu bheil e air a thogail a measg nam beann, 's an saothair, no maoin no cumhachd, no no an aonaranachd nan gleann, no an cois a’ seoltachd no feall, a bheir buaidh mhaireannach chuain mhbir. Fo chomhair a shula daonnan a mach. Cha tachair sin ach troimh choibhneas tha dathan an fhuinn agus nan uisgeachan a’ agus deagh-ghean, agus troimh fein-aicheadh caochladh gun sgur; tha srann na gaoithe ’na ann a bhith cuideachadh leis an fheumach. chluais gu minic, agus borbhan nan sruth a’ Ann an gne a’ Ghaidheil tha uaisleachd a labhairt ris ’na chadal agus ’na dhuisg; ruigidh thaobh fialaidheachd, ceartas eadar duine is beblragaich nan tonn air traigh e a latha is a duine, agus treunachd. Chan eil na subhailcean dh’oidhche, no cumaidh buillean troma a’ sin marbh idir. So an dearbh spiorad a chuain air na creagan ’na dhuisg e. Mar sin ghleidheas an saoghal o ghrodadh. Tha an chan eil teicheadh ann dha o nadur m’a thim- saoghal mor fo chomain do dh’inntinn is do cheall, agus tha ceangal diomhair eatorra. ghne a’ Ghaidheil airson na buaidhe tha aca Chan urrainn e spiorad an iongnaidh a leigeil air doigh-beatha dhaoine. air dearmad uair air bith. Tha mac-talla ’na Ma tha na Gaidheil ladarna tha iad sin a chridhe a’ co-fhreagairt do na guthan a tha thaobh gu bheil iad fada ’nan ceann, agus nach bualadh air o gach taobh. Leanaidh guthan e a h-uile dad a bhacas iad. Chan eil iad gun a sheann eblais e do gach aite do’n teid e. mhothachadh air an ni tha ceart; chan eil iad Labhraidh iad ris ’na smaoin agus ’na chridhe. saor o shaobh-creideamh; agus cha mhbr an Togaidh na beanntan an cinn as ur nuair is rud a chuireas iad air bhoil a chionn gu bheil fhaide bhuapa e, cluinnidh e gair a’ chuain iad beothail ’nan aignidhean. Fhuair, agus mhbir agus gaoir nan eas, no borbhan an uillt gheibh iad fuasgladh o fhaireachdainnean broin air a thurus gu traigh. An ceangal a bha aige troimh ailleachd naduir m’an timcheall, tre ris an dachaidh chan fhag e air a chill. chebl agus tre dhathan loinnreach. Co nach Chan eil e duilich idir a chreidsinn gu bheil neach a tha cho fosgailte do dh’iongnaidhean diithchannan Geilteach mar a tha aca sa’ agus do mhorachd naduir ullamh gu bhith Ghearmailt agus an Lochlainn? Carson nach gabhail le aoibhneas agus le lan chre ideas ris tig? na taisbeanaidhean as motha a choinnicheas ris. Is dbcha gur h-e an t-seirbhis as motha a Gheibh maitheas is creideamh fonn freagarrach rinn Gaidheil Alba do shluaigh an t-saoghail a’ an inntinn agus an aignidhean an neach a tha cho bheannachd a shruth uapa an lorg an aite a furasda a ghluasad le ailleachd an t-saoghail thug iad do Dhia ’nam beatha laitheil, agus anns a bheil e beb. Tha an Gaidheal iongantach ’nan obair. Tha Alasdair MacTlle Mhicheil, beothail ’na smaoin agus ’na fhaireachdainn; a bha cho mion eblach air cridhe nan Gaidheal ann an gnuis naduir lorgaidh e samhlaidhean a measg na ghluais e air tir-mbr agus anns na is iongnaidhean a chumas meomharachadh ris. h-eileanan a Siar, a’ deanamh iomraidh air an Air a thogail am meadhon suidhichean far a aite a bha fior spiorad na diadhachd a’ faighinn bheil feum cho mor air dian shaothair airson a ’nan cleachdadh. Lean sin gus an latha an theachd-an-tir a chosnadh dh’ionnsaich e a diugh. Mar luchd-aitich an tirean ceine, mar bhith riaraichte le beagan. An ionadan lighichean, mar luchd-teagaisg, mar luchd- aonaranach na Gaidhealtachd, a measg gach ceaird, agus mar mhinistearan an iomadh cruaidh-chas, dh’araicheadh daoine is mnathan duthaich thug iad daoine anns gach fine aghaidh le inntinnean geurchuiseach, le cumadh an ri aghaidh ris na nithean as uaisle agus as kirde fheallsanaich, comasach ceistean domhain a am beatha an duine. rannsachadh agus a fhreagairt gu pongail, solus- Aig an tigh bha barrachd laimhe aig Gaidheil ach. Seasaidh iad so an aite ge b’e cuideachd Alba ann a bhith togail an duthcha chum an anns a faighear iad, gun sochair gun deireas. ire a rainig i na tha cuid againn an duil. An Chithear gun do dh’fhoillsich an spiorad air cois gach gleann is eilean a theid fas anns a’ na rinn sinn iomradh e fhein ann an iomadh Ghaidhealtachd tha canain susbainteach, agus doigh, ach gu sonraichte anns na doighean a dbigh-beatha uasal a’ crionadh agus a’ dol leanas. Lorgar e ’na chainnt, ’na litreachas, air diochuimhne. ’na brain agus ’na chebl. Tha cainnt sluaigh Thug sinn iomradh mar a tha a’ ghnb aite daonnan a’ nochdadh ciod a’ ghne dhaoine a anns na dh’araicheadh na Gaidheil a’ toirt a tha ’ga cleachdadh. Ma tha iad laghail agus chumaidh fhein air sealladh beatha an luchd- cruaidh-chridheach bithidh an cainnt fuar is aitich. Is dbcha gur h-e an t-aite mor a thug cruaidh; ma tha iad ealanta ’nan gniomharan iad do’n Bhiobull Ghaidhlig anns an dachaidh bithidh an cainnt sgoinneil, liomhaidh; ma agus anns an eaglais o chionn suas ri da cheud tha iad 'nan luchd-aoraidh mar na h-Iiibhaich bliadhna nis a dh’fhag iad ’nan daoine son- bithidh an cainnt crabhach, uasal, ard. raichte troimh bheil buaidh eifeachdach a’ Aig na Gaidheil, a tha saoibhear ann am ruighinn trompa air an t-saoghal ’nar latha faireachdainnean uasal agus a tha coibhneil, fhin. cairdeil ’nan dbigh, gheibhear cainnt a tha blath agus tairiseach agus anns a bheil t&ladh is fagaisgeachd. Ann an litreachas a’ Ghaidheil lorgar tobar an Do Ghalum eblais agus a’ ghliocais, maille ri abhacas gun Dh’ fhalbh mo charaid dileas lurach; ghb. ’Na uirsgeulan gheibhear farsaingeachd Thug e sgriob do thir a’ bhais. gun chrioch. Tha doimhne is fad an cuid aca Thuit am blath is shearg an duilleag a tha nochdadh nach robh dlth seallaidh no Bha mar thuis air machair ’fas. uine air a’ mhuinntir a thug bith dhaibh, no a rinn aithris orra. Shil na nebil an debirean mulaid, 'Na bhardachd tha cebl is toinisg mar as Sheid a’ ghaoth orm as gach aird. trice a’ coiseachd lamh air laimh. Gheibhear Dbruinn m’inntinn!—sint’ san tulach— innte mar an ceudna dealbh-inntinne ealanta Leth mo bhrbin, mo chridhe sgainnt’. solusach, aignidhean sbnraichte, dealtradh gach dath, agus a nadur speisealta fhein. Anns na Cuimhne chubhraidh air a’ churaidh, mith-brain, a tha beb fhathast agus air bilean Rogha seanachaidh ’s an sar bhard. an t-sluaigh, co dhiiibh anns na h-eileanan, tha A’ bhith ’s a’ bhuaidh a bh’aig an urra cebl is milseachd is tarraingeachd. Ged nach Seasadh suaint’ ri m’ bheatha ’sis. eil na h-brain ghniomha air an cleachdadh an cois na h-oibreach mar a bha, tha mbran diubh ’S diomhain dhbmhs’ a bhith fo mhulad, fhathast air an seinn. Saoil sibh am biodh e Cha dean brbn mo chridhe blath. cus dbchas altruim gun tig an latha anns am bi Soiridh leat an drasd ’s tu ullamh ' sgoilean-ciuil air an steidheachadh air mith- Gu’n coinnich sinn an Tir an Aigh. i chebl air an cur air chois an cuid de na S.S. “NA BRAITHREAN” Le Pol MacAonghais. THOG an t-eathar, le sraon math oirre, so agus cha robh, gu dearbh na Fearchar Mor jj a mach o’n laimrig agus smeid na bha fhein, ged nach tuirt e moran. na broinn ’s na bha de shluagh aig oir Co dhiubh, chuir Seoras mu seach dorlach |H a’ chladaich ’g an coimhead . Bha h-uile duine math airgid aig a chosnadh so agus an ceann jl riamh de na bha air tir, co dhiubh—ag eubhach ceithir bliadhna thainig e dhachaidh, thog e || comhladh ’s a’ lasganaich gu cridheil agus, buth mhor shnasail aig ceann an rathaid, agus M os cionn fuaim an eathair, chualas rudan thoisich e air marsantachd. Shoirbhich gu math |l conasach, di-bhearsaineach ’ga thilgeil as leis agus rinn e airgiod mor. Bha h-uile duine ;i| deidh na muinntir a bha falbh. ag radh gum bu mhath an airidh, cuideachd. I Bha triuir san eathar, Seoras Fhearchair Bha meas air Seoras. Mhoir agus Mairi, a bhean 6g a phos e aig Bha Calum e fhein math air deanamh airgid. || meadhon-latha an lath’ ud fhein agus, shios Feadhainn a chanadh gu robh e deanamh nan || air tobhta na stiuireach, le lasadh an uisge- ceudan ann an aon raithe air giomaich ’s air (I bheatha ’na shuil, a bhrathair, Calum. sgadan ach cha robh e, air a shon sin, ro mhath in air a ghleidheadh. Bhachuidbumhothadolann I Nuair a thog iad beagan o thir, ’s nach an goraiche agus chanadh iad mu dheidhinn f cluinnte tuilleadh an eubhach san othail uaireannan gu robh e caran deigheil air a’ I chridheil o luchd na bainnse, thuit samchuir bhotul. Faodar a thigsinn nach robh cosg an I eatorra agus th&inig nadur de ghruaim, nach airgid a’ cur uallaich mhoir sam bith air j robh uile gu leir freagarrach air bathais fear- Calum coir. Bha toireadh sa’ chuan agus cha 11 bainnse, air aodan Sheorais. Cha robh gnoth- robh moran anns na h-eileannan an iar—ma ll uichean a’ cordadh idir ris. Cha bi so idir bha duin idir ann—d’am b’fhearr a b’aithne an t-eathar anns am bu choir dha a bhith togail thoirt as na e fhein. Bha shlainte aige agus I air, le mnaoi oig ri ghualainn, agus gu dearbh, deagh mhisneachd agus, gun bhosd sam bith, I nuair a chluinneas sinn barrachd, faodaidh gun bha fios aige fhein gu robh e ’na dheagh mhar- I gabh sinn a leisgeul airson am beachd sin a aiche. Carson mar sin a bhiodh uallach air I bhith aige. mu airgiod a chur mu seach? Cha robh teagamh nach robh h-uile duine Nan tigeadh gnothuichean teann air (rud I measail air Seoras agus air Calum, dithis nach tigeadh) nach fhaigheadh e iasad o Shebras, ghillean Fhearchair Mhoir. Bha’n dithis cho direach mar a gheibheadh esan bhuaithe-san I eu-coltach ’sa bha’n latha bho’n oidhche, ach, e nan tachradh e bhith aige ’s nan tachradh air a shon sin, bha iad ’nan gillean laghach le do Sheoras iarraidh air? De b’fhiach a bhith J cheile. deanamh airgid, co dhiubh, gun beagan spors Bha an t-eadar-dhealachadh so, a bha cho a bhith ’na chois? m6r an diugh, follaiseach eadhon nuair a bha Beagan an deidh do Sheoras toiseachadh air H iad a’ dol do’n sgoil. Bha Seoras socair, stolda, marsantachd, chaochail an seann Ghranndach i|| caran samhach ’na dhoigh agus Calum—uill, agus thainig M&iri, nighean 6g a Earra- .1 bha Calum ’na Chalum—toirmeasg ma rugadh Ghaidheal a chumail sgoile air an eilean. Chan I fear riamh gun churam aige do ni sam bith. e mhain gu robh Mairi so 6g ach bha i cho jj Cha' robh mi-mhodh no conas a’ dol nach maiseach ’s gun do chuir i droch thuaineal an | fhaighte Calum ’na mheasg ach bha e de’n ceann gach fireannach a bha san aite. Thuirt J treubh sin air nach gabhar grain am feasda ged na cailleachan (rud beag, biodach farmadach) | air bith de ni iad. Bha eanchainn mhath aca nach biodh cion suiridheachan air an te ud, co j le cheile ach cha robh teagamh nach b’ ann aig dhiubh. Thuirt na bodaich—uill, thuirt iadsan j Seoras a bha an te b’ fhearr. Rinn am maighstir- iomadach rud agus feadhainn a dh’aidich gu’m I sgoile a dhicheall ris nuair a thuig e gun deanadh b’ ole an rud an t-seann aois; mur biodh i bhiodh Ti Seoras deagh sgoileir agus cha b’fhada gus an iad fhein shuas mu’n tigh-sgoile! deach a chur do’n Ard-Sgoil far an do rinn e Ach, co dhiubh, ’s e bun a bh’ann gu robh j cho fior mhath ’s gun robh mo it mhor air Seoras is Calum Fhearchair Mhoir an toir oirre j athair, air a’ mhaighstir-sgoile agus gu dearbh le cheile agus fad uine mhoir cha robh fios aig i| air gach duine bha san eilean. duine c6 fear de mhic Fhearchair a phosadh i j Ach nuair thainig am dol do’n Oil-thigh, air a cheann thall. Cha robh cinnteach ach | rud ris an robh duil aig gach duine, is ann a aon rud—bha i measail orra le cheile. chaidh Seoras, mo liadh, a dh’obair do bhuth Ann an suidheachadh de’n t-seorsa so feumar J marsantachd ann an Glaschu. Cha robh an taghadh a dheanamh uaireigin ; cha ghabh e J seann Ghranndach air a dhoigh nuair a thachair cur a thaobh o latha gu latha agus nuair a B — 40 rinn Mairi a roghainn mu dheireadh thall, b’e leis an t-sruth leotha, cha b’fhada gus an robh Seoras fear d’ an tug i a lamh. iad a’ teanadh faisg air an eathar eile. Bha Rinneadh ullachadh mor airson na bainnse dithis innte is gun aca ach aon ramh. Leis agus, mar a shaoileadh freagarrach, rinneadh an uigheam bhochd so bha fear dhiubh a’ ullachadh cuideachd gu falbh air an turus air deanamh a dhichill air an cumail o’n sgeir is am bith luchd an iir-phosaidh a’ falbh am am fear eile ’na fhalus crom am meadhon an bitheantas an diugh. Nuair a bhiodh a’ eathair, a’ feachainn ri rudeigin a charadh bhanais an deagh ire, bha an dithis 6g a’ dol a gu cabhagach. Cha ruigte leas innse dhaibh thogail orra ann an eathar Thormoid Bhain gur ann cunnartach a bha’n staid—-bha fios aca agus bhiodh iad ann an Loch Romasdal roimh fior mhath air. dhol fodha na greine, far an glacadh iad am “Gu dearbh, ’s ann ’na uair a thainig sinn” . bata bheireadh gu tir-mor iad. arsa Calum, ’s e ag eirigh ’na sheasamh, “So, Ach, mo chreach, nuair thainig an uair, cha a Sheorais, gabh an stiuir agus thoir ruaig a b’urrainn do Thormod aon dig a thoirt as an stigh cho faisg ’s as urrainn dhut. Chan eil eathar. Eathar Mhurchaidh? Bha ise thall am ball agam ach goirid ’s mar a faigh mi aig saor na h-airde an iar. Cha robh dol as mar thuca e sa’ mhionaid bidh iad air a’ chreig!” sin ann ach iarraidh air Calum, a bhrathair, an Leum e do’n toiseach ’s phaisg e’n rop an t-aiseag a thoirt dhaibh gu Loch Romasdal. deisealas agus chuir Seoras a h-aghaidh air an Agus ’s e sin bu choireach gu robh an triuir sgeir. Bha fuaim eagalach bharr a’ bhogha nis aca a’ togail a mach as a’ bhagh an is is gun agus leis an dlon-thrathadh b’ ann na bu mhiosa fhacal eatorra. Ach ma bha an suidheachadh bhitheadh e. Bha na stuaghan a’ sior eirigh so a’ toirt mi-thlachd do Sheoras ’s do Mhairi, le cireanan eaglach orra—’gam bualadh fhein cha robh e, a reir choltais, a’ cur dragh sam air an stalla le fuaim a tha mar thurtar gunna bith air Calum. Thoisich e air piolachan mh6ir,’s nuair a shuighte air ais na h-uisgeachan drain agus nuair a nochd iad a mach air a’ bha seitean oillteil aca mar anail nan uile- ghrioba 'sa chunnacas mu’n coinneamh an bheist. t-eilean seimh Sgltheanach taobh thall a’ Troigh air throigh dhluthaich iad ris an eathar chuain dhaibh, lion a chridhe le solas agus eile. Nis, feumar a chuimhneachadh nach robh shaoil e, air an fheasgar ghrianach ud, gu robh Seoras idir tur aineolach air gnothuichean mara eireachdas air a’ chruinne. agus, mar sin, thuigeadh e cunnartan cuain Ged a bha ’m feasgar socair bha an cuan na bu luaithe na moran mharsantan. Cha rudeigin an-fhoiseil o’n t-seachdain 'sa chaidh ghann a ghabh e’n stiuir na dh’fhairich e le agus bha’n t-eathar a’ deanamh bogadaich gu iomagain, mar a bha a’ mhuir a spionadh an ledr nuair a chaidh a srdn a mach air an eathair ’s a’ deanamh a toil fhein oirre agus gu t-sedlaid. Thug Calum sixil air M&iri ach cha de bha dol a thachairt nuair a rachadh iad na robh an tulgadh-mara a’ cur uallach sam bith b’fhaide stigh? A Thigearna, de mar a oirre. rachadh aige air a toirt as ? Bhruchd fallus fuar Bha e deanamh deiseil gus an t-eathar a chur troimhe ’s e feitheamh ri focal o Chalum. air a tarsainn agus a tionndadh do’n tuath Dia ’gar gleidheadh, carson nach robh e toirt nuair a thug e’n aire do dh’eathar eile mu comharradh dha a’ cumail a mach—an ann mhile deas orra agus, ’na bheachd-san, b’ann as a rian buileach glan a bha e? Agus Mairi gle fhaisg air bogha na beist a bha i. Agus gu —robh for aige idir air Mairi, san eathar chaol de bha fa-near do na daoine idir ? Le sruth mar so a bhiodh an ceartuair ’na biorain air a’ so bha coir aca an deagh aire thoirt air a’ chreig mur a tilleadh iad ?. bhogha agus a sheachnadh gu math. Dh’ fheith Dh’fheith Seoras cho fad ’sa b’urrainn dha e greis agus mar a b’fhaide choimheadadh e ’s ach mu dheireadh ged a bhiodh a bheatha an ann bu chinntiche bha e gu robh an t-eathar crochadh ris cha b’urrainn dha dhol 6irleach ’na stad. Ma bha dad cearr, bha na fearaibh na b’fhaisge air a’ chaoch uamhasach ud a bha ann an cunnart—chluinneadh tu am bogha goil ’s a’ beucadh mu choineamh. Le uile bristeadh agus abair nuallan! Chuir e’n t- neart chuir e’m falmadair a null cho fad ’sa eathar a deas, cho luath ’sa bh’aige agus thug rachadh e agus gu h-ealamh thionndaidh an e dhith lan a h-astair. Nuair a sheall Seoras t-eathar caol a h-aghaidh a mach. is Mairi air, sheall e dhaibh am bata ’s dh’inns Shuas anns an toiseach theab Calum a dhol e mar a bha. thar na cliathaich leis mar a chaidh an t-eathar “Uill, rachamaid g’ an cuideachadh gun cho ealamh air a tarsainn. teagamh’ ’, arsa Seoras (rud a bha iad a’ “Cum a stigh i, ’n ainm Dhia riut, cum a deanamh) “ach feach nach cuirear maill ro stigh i!” dh’eubh e os cionn fuaim nan uisg- mhor oimn. Air chor sam bith, cha’n fheum eachan, ach cha tug Seoras feairt. Cho luath sin am bata a chall’ ’. Cha tuirt Calum dad. ’sa ghabhadh deanamh thilg Calum am ball Gu fortanach bha eathar Chaluim luath agus cho fad ’sa b’urrainn dha gu na truaghain a bha 41 — ms ri oir a’ bhogha ach ged a ruith an rop a uair eile, chuir e eathar fhein air adhart cho mach gu direach reidh cha ruigeadh e buileach luath ’’sa rachadh i, ’si putadh na t-eile roimpe. na lamhan a bha sinnte mach ’ga fheitheamh. Rinn na bha san d& eathar an umuigh bu Gun mhaill tharraing Calum air ais e agus durachdaiche rinn iad riamh oir chual’ iad uile dh’eubh e. am fuaim uamhasach air an culthaobh. Nuas “Mu’n cuairt i, mu’n cuairt i, cuir a ceann as an deidh thainig am bristeadh bharr a’ a stigh!” bhogha. Ach bha’n t-eathar caol a’ deanamh Thug Seoras mu’n cuairt i cho luath ’sa a dichill, agus ged a rinneadh loineadh math thigeadh i ach cha ghann a bha h-aghaidh air orra, thug i as iad ’na uair. ais a stigh na dh’ eirich a’ mhuir fo ghualainn Abair gu robh comhradh ann, nuair a thainig an eathair a bha mu’n coinneamh agus spionadh an da eathar comhladh pios o’n bhogha! air falbh i mar gun spiontadh bata-sealasdair Fhuair Calum gu leor a radh ris agus ged a mhol agus chaitheadh ris a’ bhogha i! iad a mhisneachd fhuair e dheagh chaineadh Cha do ghluais duine an eathar Chalum. o’n dithis choigreach airson an rud a b’uamh- Ach .... dad ort .... A Thi Naomha, cha asaiche ’s bu lugha tur a chunnaic iad riamh ghabhadh e creidsinn! Bha’n t-eathar eile ’g a dheanamh aig muir a dheanamh. Cha do fhathast sabhailte—co dhiubh gus am beireadh rinn Calum ach gaire dheanamh. Bha fios an ath stuagh oirre. Ach ciamar air thalamh aige gle mhath de bha ’nan cridhe aig an am bhuan . . ? ud. Cha tuirt Mairi no Seoras dig mu dheidh- B’ann nuair a shiolaidh a’ stuagh mhor a inn. An deidh balgam uisge bheatha agus thog an t-eathar eile, a thuig iad gu robh seorsa crathadh no dha air a ceann bha Mairi ann an chachlaidh dhomhain ann an teis meadhon a’ deagh charadh a rithist. bhogha agus le fior mhiorbhuile, chaidh aig An deidh togha thoirt do’n eathar eile gu an eathar air seoladh troimh ’n chlai chumhang Rudha an Fheidh, rinneadh air Loch Rom- so agus bha i nis, Dia beannaich sinn, air an aisdeal cho luath ’sa ghabhadh deanamh agus taobh thall—air bhog, ’s gun eadhon larach bha’n t-samchair eadar an triiiir cho trom’sa oirre! Ach cha b’fhad’ a mhaireadh so. Mur bha i nuair a dh’fhag iad. a togadh iad a mach as an t-saor-uisge a dh’ Bha am bata mor a’ togail a mach o bheul aithghearr chuireadh bristeadh no dha bharr a’ an Locha nuair a nochd iad, ach stad an sgiobair bhogha do’n ghrinneal iad. dhaibh nuair a chunnaic e Calum a’ smeideadh. Anns an eathar aige fhein ruith Calum chun B’aithne dha an t-eathar caol gle mhath agus na stiuireach is ruaig e Seoras suas far an robh am fear leis am bu leis i. Le snodha gaire Mairi. Bha Seoras air eubh a thoirt as, oir chrath an sgiobair a cheann ’s thug e daingean bha iad ro fhada stigh a nis ’s cha robh duine air an telegraph. Bha e cuimhneachadh air bheireadh as i ach Calum fhein agus bhiodh a oidhche mhoir a bh’ aca bho chionn da bhliadhna dhiall aige. Fad na h-uine cha do leag Calum mu’n tainig beagan gliocais thuige. A shiorr- a shiiil bharr a’ bhogha agus far am fac e an uidh, nam biodh fios aig a mhnaoi aige cho sgoltadh. Chrom e ris an engine agus thug e gorach ’ sa bha e uaireanan! dhifa h-astar. Thoisich na pluitheanean air Fhuair Seoras is Mairi air bord agus thugadh turtraich ’s air deanamh cop fo sliasaid agus cuideachadh dhaibh leis na bagaichean. Nuair theann-ghreimich e’n stiuir. a thog eathar Chaluim air falbh mu dheireadh Cha b’e eubh a rinn Seoras ach sgiamh nuair thall cha b’urrainn Mairi gun a bhith dol fo a chunnaic e de bha dol a thachairt, ach cha smaointean. Agus gu de bha ’na beachd?—- tug Calum feairt sam bith. Cha robh dol as De ach gun robh i sior fhas cinnteach gun ann a nis agus rug a’ mhuir orra gu sgoineach do thagh i ’m fear cearr de mhic Fhearchair mu’n do thar dhaibh anail a tharraing, agus Mhoir. suas air druim na stuaidh chaidh an slaodadh. Dh’innseadh an naidheachd-sa air an radio. Thug iad leum asda nuair a chuala iad an d'osgan a rinn cliathach an eathair air te de na sgeilpichean oillteil a bha fo cruachan, ach taing do Dhia, cha robh ann ach sliobadh beag agus, mu’n abradh tu dig, bha iad air taobh Morair Is Ban-Tighearna thall a’ bhogha! Bha ban-tighearna nan Gordanach cho Cha robh iiine aig Calum air stad nuair a cumaidh dealbhach ’na bodhaig ’s a dheanadh chulmaic e Mairi a’ tuiteam bharr na tobhta ann Alba air dad, agus bha i eireachdail da reir. an laigse. Bha e trang ris an engine ’s bha Ghabh morair Sasunnach an t-sealg is an e cho math gu robh, neo bhiodhtadh air an t-iasgach air an oighreachd. Ged nach robh sadail air muin an eathair eile. Chaidh aige, e riamh roimhe san diithaich bha moit mhor co dhiubh, air a toiseach a chur ri deireadh na air airson cho math ’s a thog e a’ Bheurla t-eile gun sgailc ro mhor a thoirt dhi agus aon Albannach. Mu’n deach e air ais a Lunnainn — 42 — rinn e cuirm mhor do mhaithean an aite, agus bhur n-aire a dh’ ionnsaigh aon de eileanan Innse bha a’ bhan-Gordanach sa’ chuideachd. Rinn Gall—Uibhist a Tuath. an Sasunnach uaill airson cho math ’s a bha Is ann mu’n am anns an robh na h-Eileanan a cainnt nan Albannach aige, agus chuir e geall Siar fo chuing nan Lochlannach a gheibh sinn nach robh duine an lathair a chanadh ris rud a’ chiad iomradh earbsach air eachdraidh nach tuigeadh e. Thuirt ise ris, “ Cum pree Uibhist. Bho riaghladh nan Lochlannach ma mou ma canty callant’ ’. An deidh laimhe bhruchd Tighearnas nan Eilean, agus re iomadh bha esan air a dhorranachadh nach do thuig bliadhna bha Uibhist ’na aobhar connspaid e de bha i ciallachadh. Mur eil a’ Bheurla aig na fineachan a bha sireadh seilbh air, gu Albannach aig duine agaibh, is e sin an dearbh h-araidh na Domhnallaich agus na Leodaich. chuireadh a thug an t-Eirionnach do’n bhan- Mhair an connsachadh gu deidh bliadhna altruim a bha sealltainn ris is e air a leon anns Thearlaich, nuair a theann ughdarras nan a’ chogadh. Thuirt esan ris an te a bha ceann-cinnidh agus dilseachd nam fineachan frithealadh dha, “Tabhair pog mo chailin 6g’ ’ . air seacadh. Aig toiseach na seachdamh linne Ach is beag a bha dh’fhios aige gun robh Iain deug rinneadh oidhirp air ceannaircich nan Domhnallach, a thuigeadh e, san ath leabaidh eilean a chur fo smachd agus dh’fhagadh riagh- ris. ladh cuid dhiubh an urra ri larla Huntlaidh. An Taran. Chaidh mal ceud punnd Albannach a chur air airson fearann Uibhist. B’e Caitligeach a bha anns an larla, agus nuair a chunnaic na Prosd- anaich an inbhe anns an do shuidhicheadh e Uibhist A Tuath: dh’eirich i shuas orra is cha ghabhadh iad ris gearr-chunntas air maoin-eachdraidh an a muigh no mach. Mar sin cha b’fhada gus eilein an do chaill e an t-iighdarras a fhuair e. Thug luchd-aiteachaidh Uibhist bho thus am (A’ chiad duais aig Mod, 1960.) beo-shlainte as an fhearann. Anns na linntean THUIRT fear d’ am b’ aithne gu robh maoin- a dh’fhalbh bha iad an crochadh air talamh eachdraidh na duthcha gu ire bhig na aitich na bu mhotha na bha iad air talamh bu chudthromaiche na gach seorsa ionaltraidh. Ach airson uine mhdr cha robh eachdraidh eile a chionn gu robh ceangal an t-adhartas a rinneadh ach mar laimh. Bha do-sgaraichte eadar i agus an sluagh gu leir an talamh air a threachaid anns an t-seann rian anns gach linn. Thatar an diugh a’ deanamh ris an cante “roinn-ruith” , agus ann am baile moran sgrudaidh air maoin-eachdraidh agus tha no dha .tha iarmad dheth fhathast. Bha am an rannsachadh so a’ tilgeil soluis air caithe- modh tuathanachais so ’na cheap-tuislidh do beatha ar sinnsrean agus air gach eadar- leasachadh sam bith a dh’fhaodadh tighinn an dhealachadh agus coimeas a tha eadar sinne rathad. Bha cnap-starra no dha eile ann agus iadsan 'nar crannchur agus 'nar n-obair. cuideachd. Uair no dha thainig bochdainn A' thoradh air a bhith iomallach b’fheudar agus uireasbhaidh an luib tinneas gabhaltach a do na h-Eileanan a bhith leagailte ri cion bhiodh a’ bualadh a’ chruidh agus a’ toirt cosnaidh bho thus, agus gu ruig an latha an beam mhor ann an aireamh na spreidhe. Bho diugh cha do bhuannaich iadsan am beartas a am gu am, cuideachd, bhiodh an lan-reothairt fhuair an corr de’n diithaich ri linn obair is ag eirigh cho ard ’s gun robh e cur moran de ealain. Ach chan eil sin a’ ciallachadh nach thalamh aitich bho fheum. Thug an Cuan Siar buin maoin-eachdraidh do na h-eileanan cho caochladh nach bu bheag air fearann Uibhist. cinnteach ri aiteachan eile. Ged nach robh Anns a’ bhliadhna 1542 chaidh mal Uibhist a na cothroman mor bha an sluagh daonnan Tuath a lughdachadh mar thoradh air gun do dripeil an sas anns an teachd-an-tir bhochd a bhris a’ mhuir a steach air cuid de’n fhearann. bha aca. B’e muir is fearann bu chul-taice Roimhe so bha am fearann air a mheas aig trl dhaibh, ach thigeadh obraichean eile an rathad ficheadh marg, agus chaidh so a leagail gu da an comhair gach ama a bheireadh cobhair. Ni fhichead marg agus a sia. airc innleachd, agus gu dearbh tha sin fior a Da cheud bliadhna an deidh sin thachair an thaobh caithe-beatha nan eileanach. Chan ann dearbh rud a rithist. Ann an litir a chaidh a sheo- suas ri calpa na rioghachd a bha na seann laoich ladh a Uibhist a Tuath anns a’ bhliadhna 1721 a idir. Mu’ n timcheall dh’ fhaodte radh le cinnt, dh’ionnsaigh Luchd Ughdarrais nam Fearann “Le falius do ghruaidh ithidh tu aran.” Arbhartaichte tha iomradh air plaigh a bhith Anns an oidhirp so air beagan de mhaoin- a measg a’ chruidh anns na bliadhnachan 1717 eachdraidh aon de na h-eileanan a libhrigeadh, agus 1721. Bha an calltachd air a mheas aig tha mi an dochas gun soilleirich mi cho fior ’s corr is seachd ceud mart, suas ri sia ceud a tha an radh sin a thaobh ar n-athraichean. beathach eich agus corr is ochd ceud caora. Gus m’fhacal a theannachadh treoraicheam Anns a’ cheart bhliadhna, 1721, aig an Fheill Bhrighde bhris a’ mhuir a steach air an radh gu feumte ceithir eich gus an crann fhearann ‘ ‘ a’ leagail moran thighean agus a’ treabhaidh a tharraing agus da each gu bhith cur dhaoine ann an cunnart am beatha’ ’. slaodadh inneal eile a bhiodh a’ bristeadh a’ An comhair gach ama dheanadh an droch ghlais mus rachadh an crann air. Air a’ shide milleadh air a’ bharr agus bhiodh an mhodh so dh’fheumadh duine aig am biodh talamh dithreabhach ri na siantan. Bha eis leth-peighinn fearainn coig eich air a’ char bu is cion bidh a ghnath a’ tighinn an luib an lugha. Ann an 1793 bha mile agus sia ceud driod-fhortain so. Anns a’ bhliadhna 1817 each ann an Uibhist a Tuath. b’fheudar do’n Riaghaltas cobhair a dheanamh Roimh an naoidheamh linn deug bha an air caochladh aiteachan feadh na Gaidhealtachd t-uachdaran a’ leigeil a mach na h-oighreachd le bhith cur arbhair dh’an ionnsaigh. Bha ’na tacaichean. An sin bha fear na taca, no Uibhist air fear de na h-aiteachan sin. fear a’ bhaile, a’ roinn an fhearainn air an tuath Tha e air innseadh dhuinn gur h-e eoma agus agus iadsan a’ paigheadh mail, uairean le coirce beag an da arbhar a bhatar a’ giollachd, airgead tioram, uairean le toradh na talmhainn eorna gu h-araidh. Aig deireadh na h-ochdamh agus uairean eile le laithean oibre. Bhiodh linne deug bha mu cheithir mile bolla grain air iadsan aig nach robh fearann 'nan sgalagan air am bleith gach bliadhna ann an tri muilnean mhuinntearas aig na tuathanaich. na sgire. Bha na muillearan a’ faighinn an B’ann air aonta a bha am fearann aig fir nan treas cuid deug de’n ghran so mar mholltair, tacaichean. Bithear uaireanan a’ cur cion agus as a sin bhatar a’ toirt naoidh fichead adhartais as an leth agus theirear gur h-e bolla do’n uachdaran. A’ bhliadhna nach giorrad na h-aonta agus dith na tearainnteachd cinneadh barr dh’fheumte siol a thoirt bharr ’na chois a dh’aobharaich an suidheachadh sin. tir-mor aig prisean 17/- agus 24/- am bolla. Gu coitcheann bha uachdarain Uibhist a Tuath B’e am buntata an aon bharr eile bha fcis. a’ toirt aonta fhada. Bha beul-aithris ag An uair a thugadh a Eirinn e ann an 1743 cha radh gum biodh seilbh aig Clann MhicCuinn air ghabhadh na h-eileanaich cuid no gnothach ris. Oransaidh ' ‘ fhad ’ s a bhitheas bainne aig boin An uair a bhiodh an t-uachdaran ’gam faochnadh dhuibh is Cnogaire MhicCuinn ’na bun” . Cha gu bhith ’g a chur is e am freagairt ceacharra a b’ann mar sin buileach a bha. Ann an 1619 gheibheadh e, “ Bheir thu oimn a chur ach cha thug Domhnall Gorm Oransaidh do Choinneach toir thu oimn itheadh!” Gidheadh, roimh MacCuinn r& “ da fhad beatha duine agus naoidh dheireadh na linne b’e am buntata biadh nan bliadhna deug ’na dheidh” . Uibhisteah fad dara leth na bliadhna. B’e crodh, caoraich agus eich an spreidh a Iain A. Mac A’ Phearsoin. bhatar a’ togail, ach fad ixine mhoir cha do {r’a leantainn) rinneadh adhartas ann an arach spreidhe ri linn cion margaidh. Ged a thoisich na h- eileanaich ri feilltean na Galldachd a fhritheal- adh roimh 1566 cha robh an ceannachd agus Ro FhacT Air A’ Mhullach an reic mdr. Bha feill chruidh, feill Chnoca Seo do threis de Choir’ Odhar, Breaca mar a theirte, anns an sgir da uair sa’ ’s tu ’nad ghobhar air torr bhliadhna—anns an luchar agus anns an Lunas- Air Slia; ’s an stailc ort, dal. A reir coltais bhiodh drobhairean a’ am fan thu ri d’bheo? tighinn bharr tir-mor chun na feille agus a Thig an ceoban gu ciuin ort, dh’aiseag a’ chruidh air ais gu Galldachd. thig an ciuran ’s an ceo, Ann an 1794 dh’aisigeadh tri cheud beathach thig am feasgar gun fhios ort; cruidh thar a’ Chuain Sgith gu iomain na Gall- och, glidigh ’s bi folbh. dachd an deidh feill Chnoca Breaca. Chan eil iomradh gu robh feill mhor sam bith Thig am feasgar gu clis ort, air caoraich ged a bha aireamh cuibheasach thig an Grioglachan oir, dhiubh anns an eilean. Cha robh eich idir a’ thig an oidhche gun ghealach fagail Uibhist ach bha na ceudan a’ tighinn a a’ falach gach foid. steach. Tha Calum Gray, anns an leabhar Bi tearnadh, a bhalaigh; “Maoin na Gaidhealtachd’’ ag radh, “Anns och, caraigh, ’s bi coir. an ochdamh agus an naoidheamh linn deug bha Thig an ceathach ’s an dubhar; cuid de na h-eileanan trang ri malairt each. Bha He, Arainn is Eige ’g an cur a dh’Eirinn; glidigh thusa, ’s bi folbh. Leodhas agus na Hearadh a dh’Uibhist a Tuath”. Coir’ Odhar an Cnapadal, air slios a tuath Chan eil teagamh nach e am modh aiteach- Shliabh Gaoil (Slia’.) Glidigh; glidich—agus aidh a bu mhathair-aobhair do’n mhalairt so. mar sin air aghaidh. Anns a’ chiad Statistical Account thatar ag Mac Iain Dheorsa. — 44 — LEARNER’S PAGE Air do’n Arm Dhearg a chluinntinn gun robh After the Red-Coats heard that the Prince am Prionnsa an Ratharsair leum iad air an was in Raasay they attacked the island like a eilean mar ealta fhitheach, agus rinn iad a flock of ravens, and they searched so hard, leithid de sgriidadh, de gharbh spuilleadh, agus ravaged so terribly and pillaged in such a de chreachadh, agus nach d’fhuair an tuath os manner that the peasants did not get over it a chionn fad iomadh bliadhna. Chaidh tri for many a year. Thirteen townships were set bailtean deug an cur ’nan teine, agus cha on fire, and not a boat was left intact on the deachaidh bata fhagail slan air cladach ach beach but one that was concealed near the aon a fhuaras fhalach faisg air ceann a tuath north end of the island. The manor-house was an eilein. Chaidh an tigh mor a chur ’na also burnt to the ground. smal cuideachd. An uair nach d’fhuaireadh am Prionnsa When the Prince was not found a serious thugadh oidheirp dhian air greim a dheanamh attempt was made to capture MacCallum, but air Mac’Ille Chaluim, ach chaidh aige-san air he managed to escape to Knoidart. Thus the teicheadh do Chnoideart. Mar sin thuit cixram care of the race was placed on the shoulders of a’ chinnich air guaillean Chaluim MhicLeoid, Calum Macleod, and many of the enemies agus bha moran de na naimhdean de’n bheachd were of the opinion that he was the chief. gum b’esan an ceann-feadhna. Is e sin a That was the reason why the pressure of the dh’ aobharaich teanntachd na toire a bhith cho pursuit of this warrior was so keen—as cruaidh air an diulnach so—fear cho misneach- courageous and powerful a man as the Highlands ail, tapaidh agus a dh’araich a’ Ghaidhealtachd reared in his time. It is still said about him ri a linn. Theirear fhathast mu a dheidhinn that he was as steadfast as the mountain oak, gun robh e cho seasmhach ri darag na beinne, as straight as the fir of the glen, and as supple cho direach ri giuthas a’ ghlinne, agus cho as the willow of the marshes. subhailte ri. seileach nan Ion. Agus chuireadh e uile fheum air a thapachd And he needed all his strength and his skill agus air a theomachd oir bha an toir a nis cho for the pursuit was by this time so vehement dian air agus gur ainneamh a b’ urrainn da eadhon that he was seldom able to spend a night in his oidhche a chur seachad ’na thigh fhein. Ged own house. Though he had the habit of a bha e ’na chleachdadh aige aite falaich changing his place of concealment frequently, atharrachadh gu trie, cha do chum sin e bho that did not save him from danger. On an ghabhadh. Air madainn mhoich, agus e ag early morning, as he crept to the mouth of the ealadh gu beul na h-uamha anns am bitheadh cave where he passed the day, he came upon e a’ cur seachad an latha, thainig e air comhlain groups of Red-Coats, and it was due to real de na saighdearan dearga, agus b’ann le fior speed of foot that he managed to escape from luathas nan eang a chaidh aige air tarraing them. He made for the high summit of the bhuapa. Rinn e air mullach ard an eilein, island, but as misfortune was his fate, what ach mar a bha am mi-shealbh an dhn da, ciod but he met with another body of the king’s air an tigeadh e ach cuideachd eile de arm an troops consisting of between fifty and sixty righ anns an robh eadar leth-cheud agus tri men. A pack of greyhounds never chased the fichead duine. Cha robh graisg mhial-chon deer as vigorously on a mountain summit as riamh cho dian a’ ruith an fheidh air creachan those soldiers pursued Macleod, thinking that beinne agus a bha na saighdearan sin an deidh this was certainly MacCallum. But in spite MhicLeoid, agus iad de’n bharail gum b’e so of their tricks and their chase he managed to gu cinnteach Mac’Ille Chaluim. Ach dh’ give them the slip, and to find his freedom aindeoin an cuilbheartan agus an ruagadh, once more. He did not enjoy it for long; fhuair e car mu chnoc a ghabhail orra agus a that very night, faint with hunger, he set out shaorsainn fhaotainn aon uair eile. Cha b’fhada for a friend’s house to get food and shelter. a mheal e i; an oidhche sin fhein agus e air He got that and to spare, and retired to rest. fannachadh le acras rinn e air tigh caraide gus At daybreak the lady of the house noticed the biadh agus fasgadh fhaotainn. Fhuair e sin soldiers making for the house, and immediately agus ri sheachnadh, agus ghabh e mu thamh. she shouted. An camhanaich na maidne thug bean an tighe an aire do na saighdearan a’ deanamh air an tigh agus air ball thog i an iollach. — 45 — can still be educated at home until he is fifteen Education in Iceland but in practice this option is rarely followed. THE history of education in Iceland The itinerant teacher, however, is allowed to strangely reminds us of the story of practise his art, and in isolated communities education in the Highlands of Scotland. his services are welcome. Parents who are As in the Highlands, the Church in Iceland aware of the defects of this system of education played a prominent part at the initial stage, are demanding the establishment of boarding and for a long time thereafter. schools, fees for which they are willing to pay. As far back as the middle of the eleventh These boarding schools cover courses from century a Church school was established in primary to grammar schools, and produce southern Iceland, and fifty years later another results comparable with those shown in the was founded in the north of the Island. These day schools in the smaller towns. They are schools functioned until the time of the Re- very popular. formation when Latin schools were substituted It must be noted, however, that in sparsely for them. We are not too clear as to the course populated rural districts itinerants teachers are of instruction in these two types of schools. still employed, and needed. The aim has been At the beginning of the 19th Century the Latin to establish a national basis for the Island’s schools were replaced by a single school in the educational system and to secure a recognised capital of Iceland. standard of instruction throughout the whole The meagre provision for education up till country. Iceland is increasingly aware of the now was at no time adequate for the needs of necessity of educating its people if they are to the people. In fact only a small fraction of the hold their own in the world’s competitive population directly benefited. Hence parents struggle. were constrained to pass on to their children At the age of seven the children begin their the maximum of what they themselves knew. primary education, and at thirteen they go to During the 19th century itinerant teachers held a secondary school which they are free to leave classes in farmhouses wherever the demand for at the age of fifteen. Two types of secondary education existed, and in this way the leavening schools make suitable provision for those who gradually proceeded. desire to continue beyond this age, In sparsely It was not till 1880 that the first law prescrib- populated areas provision is made for two-year ing compulsory education throughout the Island courses, but anyone wishing to continue can was passed. Instruction in writing and arith- attend for a further year in a three-year second- metic was obligatory. Twenty seven years ary school. The Higher Middle Schools in later, that is in 1907, primary education was the larger towns have a four-year course making made compulsory, and in 1930 general provision provision for those who hope to enter a Grammar was made for secondary education. Two years College or a University. previously a Teachers’ Training School was The following points are significant: 1. The established, followed in 1911 by the founding of generous provision of different types of oppor- the first University in Iceland. This University tunity; 2. The large percentage of pupils who gathered within its fold three faculties which remain at school beyond the minimum leaving already existed. age; and 3. The attempt to provide adequate In 1946 a big step forward was taken. training in practical subjects for those not Important laws were passed in this year dealing mentally equipped for academic courses. with general education and the national school system, followed by others dealing with teachers’ J. Thomson. training and vocational education. During the last fourteen years education in Iceland had made great strides. Provision for nursery schools is increasing, particularly in Reykjavik. Celtic Congress Primary schools in the Capital are so taxed The Scottish Branch of the Celtic Congress for accommodation due to the increase of held their A.G.M. on the 18th of February, population that double shifts are necessary. when the following office-bearers were appointed: School buildings of the latest designs are being President, Rev. T- M. Murchison; Vice- put up and equipped with all the modern Presidents, Mr. James Thomson, and Mr. John requirements. Macrae; Secretary, Mr. Donald Grant; Treas- Even now, however, there exists in Iceland urer, Mrs. C. Dunlop. some distinction between compulsory education It was resolved to hold at least one function and compulsory schooling. Provided he can in Scotland every year to maintain funds. pass an appropriate school examination, a child This year’s International Congress will be held — 46 — in Galway, Ireland, from 14th to 19th August. took its place. The meaning of Kilteam is A joint meeting with the Welsh Society in doubtful. In his “Place Names of Ross and Glasgow will be held in the Conference Rooms Cromarty’ ’ Professor Watson considers various on 15th March when the principal speaker will theories and concludes that ‘ ‘ the most feasible be Mr. John Smith of Jordanhill College. explanation is a dedication to Tigheamach” . The Munro chiefs have been buried here since the Reformation; before then they were buried at Chanonry near Fortrose. The Western part Ferindonald—The of the present parish was of old a separate parish, called Lemlair; the combination seems Country of the Munros to have taken place at the time of the Reforma- By Frank Maclennan tion. The most noteworthy of a long lino of FERINDONALD, the Munro country, you ministers is Rev. Thomas Hog, who for his are unlikely to find marked upon a map. opinions suffered imprisonment in the Bass It comprises the parishes of Kiltearn Rock in Covenanting times. and Alness, on the northern shore of the Cro- The one village in Kiltearn parish is Evanton, marty Firth; and a Munro may be excused for which came into being in 1805-6. It is said claiming that it is a good country. Over seven to take its name from Evan Fraser, son of the miles of sea-shore; between that and the foot- Laird of Balconie who was instrumental in hills, two miles of fat land, level or easily founding it. In its planned lay-out of streets rising. Three glens extend inland, glens of and house ‘ ‘ lots’ ’ , it is probably unique among good croft ground, giving access to mile after Highland villages. Prior to Evanton, the mile of high swelling moor, which culminates parish metropolis was half-a-mile to the west, to the west in the sprawl of Ben Wyvis, 3429 on the farther bank of the River Skiach. It is feet high. Good arable land, good sheep now difficult to recognise any remains there, country; and, one must add, considering the although two or three cottages lingered until timber which clothes much of the lower ground, about fifty years ago, and the old parish school good tree country. continued there until the 1850s. That old Ferindonald is the anglicised form of Fearann village had two markets yearly. Tradition says Dhomhnaill, Donald’s land. The Donald thus they were held in a field close by, known now commemorated was one of the earliest, perhaps as ‘ ‘ the Aonach’ ’ ; the Gaelic is “ An t-Aonach’ ’. the earliest, of the Munro chiefs: he is assumed aonach meaning a place of assembly, a fair or to be the founder of the House of Foulis, the market (Watson). Evanton stole away the main stem of the line, from which, through markets from what was to become truly another the centuries, a considerable number of cadet Auburn, a deserted village; and in Evanton branches have sprung. they flourished throughout most of the 19th Foulis Castle as it is today is a comparatively century, to fade out at last in the early years recent structure, on the site of the Tower of of this century. Foulis, which was built in the 12th century, Alness, the eastern parish, according to and gave the clan its rallying cry, Caisteal Watson owes its name to a low damp area Folais ’na Theine. It is said of the present close to the parish church: from Gaelic Alanais, building that it has a window for every day a boggy place. The village of Alness is cut of the year; for this the writer hesitates to in two by the River Averon. That part on vouch. It stands inconspicuously amid wood- the eastern bank is in the parish of Rosskeen,’ land, a mile from the sea, and about four and therefore outside the bounds of what was, miles from Dingwall. strictly, Ferindonald. Alness had three mar- Balconie Castle, perched on a low cliff above kets yearly, and in addition it had a monthly the River Skiach, two miles east of Foulis, has cattle-market held from April to November. somewhat of the aspect of a grim mediaeval As in the neighbouring village, these markets keep. In its initial purpose it was a stronghold flourished until towards the end of the 19th of the Earls of Ross, who were, until the Earl- century. Two factors contributed to the decay dom came to an end in 1476, feudal superiors of those local fairs: the coming of the railway to the Munros. A Munro family held it there- in 1863, and the establishment of weekly after for about two hundred years. auction-marts in Dingwall in the 1890s. The parish of Kilteam takes its name To the traveller passing through by road or from what was the ecclesiastical centre for rail, the most prominent feature of Ferin- many centuries, Kilteam on the shore of the donald is Cnoc Fyrish with its monument. It Firth. The old parish church still stands; it is the rule that a monument is erected to was in use until a few years ago when a more commemorate something or somebody. The convenient building in the village of Evanton peculiarity of this monument is that it com_ memorates nothing. In the latter part of the lorist of international reputation. Mr. Maclean 18th century Novar estate—which includes devoted many years to the study and collection Cnoc Fyrish—belonged to General Sir Hector of folklore both in Ireland and Scotland. “It Munro, who in course of a long military career has been estimated that the enormous Gaelic had amassed a large fortune in India. He spent collection made by him amounts to nearly a much money—£120,000, it is recorded—on hundred miles of tape”. His book, The improving his property. After all the utilarian Highlands, gives a picture of the Highlands as work was done, there naturally followed a seen from within by an understanding High- certain amount of unemployment in the district. lander, and is unique among books on this To alleviate this somewhat, Sir Hector had subject. those great pillars built on the summit of the An article by J. H. Delargy, Professor of ridge behind Novar House. To the same end Irish Folklore, University College, Dublin, he had two or three small “forts”—they are deals with the contribution to folklore by the merely hollow shells—on the lower grounds. Three Men of Islay—J. F. Campbell of Popular Ferindonald boasts of three rivers—the Skiach, Tales of the West Highlands, Hector Maclean the Averon, and the Granda. The Skiach and his collaborator, and Lachlan MacNeill who Averon are typical Highland streams, the was considered in his day to be one of the best former originating in the south-western flank story tellers in Western Christendom. A of Ben Wyvis, the latter flowing out of Loch picture of the three of them at work round a Morie on the north-eastern boundary. The Allt table with scroll, pen, and bottle is an interest- Granda is of a different nature. It comes from ing find. Loch Glass, which lies curled round the base Thomas Davidson, research physicist, writes of the great mountain. After flowing for two exhaustively on the subject Animal Treatment miles it tumbles over the Conneas, a series of in Eighteenth-Century Scotland. He lists the spectacular cascades. For two further miles many forms of folk cures—charm cures and it goes quietly through Glenglass. Then it amuletic folk-cures—^practised widely in the suddenly passes into a waterworn chasm, called past. the Black Rock. This chasm is over a mile long; the average depth from ground level to A Collection of Riddles From Shetland, the surface of the water may be taken as 100 is the title of a treatise by Calum I. Maclean feet. The width varies from 15 to 40 feet at and Stewart F. Sanderson, Director of Folk the top, and narrows to very little at the Life Survey, University of Leeds. Over 300 bottom. From only a few vantage-points is it riddles in Shetland English are listed by them. possible to see the water, as it surges through These riddles reflect in some measure the typical a tortuous and restricted passage. The Black way of life in Shetland in the past; but in skill Rock is an awe-inspiring sight, and to it the and aptness they compare unfavourably with river owes its name, Allt Granda, the Ugly their counterpart in Gaelic Scotland. Stream. At length emerging from its prison, Interesting Notes and Comments, and Book through a rocky portal of titanic grandeur, Reviews also find a place in this attractive the river flows a final two miles peacefully and volume. pleasantly, and runs into Cromarty Firth a few hundred yards east of the mouth of the Allt Skiach. It would be strange, and the Branch Reports Munros would not be Highlanders, if there were no legend associated with the Black Rock. A party from the HighlandSTIRLING Society at Dunfermline [to be continued.) sustained the programme at the recent monthly meeting tighein the were Burghmuir carried outHall, by when Mr. Alastairthe duties Lister, of fear-an- Presi- wasdent givenof the toDunfermline the visitors Society. by Mrs. A C. cordial Mackenzie, welcome a Book Review kinnonmember proposedof the local votes committee, of thanks and to Mr. all Allan who Mac-had Scottish Studies, Vol. 4, Pt. 2 : [University contributed to the evening's entertainment. of Edinburgh). LUING This issue of Scottish Studies which is The Nether Lorn Branch held their February ceiiidh published twice a year provides interesting and in Toberonochy, when Mr. Niall Iain McLean, Dal- informative reading on a variety of subjects. mally, presided over a goodly audience. The artistes Two short articles, one in English by B .R .S .M., were—A.Linda MacDougall, Campbell, Barcaldine;Oban; Misses Anne MacLaren Gillies, Oban; and and the other in Gaelic by A ,D., give touching MacKay, Oban; and the instrumentalists were Erik accounts of the life and work of the late Mr. Spence, Alastair Brown, J- A. McLean and Niall Cahim I. Maclean, the distinguished folk- aIain vote McLean. of thanks. Mr. Jim Cleland accorded the artistes AN GAIDUEAL THE GAEL Editor — ]. THOMSON, M.A., F.E.I.S., 116 WEST SAVILE TERRACE, EDINBURGH to whom all correspondence should be addressed except that concerning advertising, which should be addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer. 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C.2. Telephone: DOUglas 1433. Leabhar LVI AN CEITEIN, 1961 Aireamh 5 “THA AN SAMHRADH AIR TIGHINN” Tha fios gun duisg briathran a’ bhaird t-sruthain air a thurus gu cuan; agus las a smaointean eadar-dhealaichte an aignidhean na shiiil le gloir nam blhth. chluinneas no na leughas iad. Is iongantach Is math turus-samhraidh na cuimhne nuair mur tog iad dealbh-inntinne fa chomhair gach nach eil na ’s fhearr ann. Ach ’s e tha muim- aoin a bheil suil orra a reir a chor aig an am, each agad an t-astar a chur as do dheidh, agus no a reir na cuideachd anns a bheil e agus an suil eile fhaighinn air beinn ’s air fireach, air ionndrainn a tha air a chul. gleann is allt, air eilean is cuan; agus, le Bha am bard fhein, aig an am, ag iarraidh failte is furan, fasgadh laimhe fhaighinn air dhachaidh; co dhiubh, bha a thogradh 'g a seann eolaich. Is fheairrde bra a breacadh. thaladh air ais gu dachaidh na cuimhne. Cha Uraichear cairdeas gach uair a choinnicheas mhuch ixinich a’ bhaile mhoir no dian shaothair luchd eolais gu bhith a’ roinn an naidheachdan, na h-oibre anns a bheil e an shs cuimhne nan agus leanaidh ath-chuimhne fad iomadh latha ciad laithean anns a’ ghleann no an cois a’ gu bhith fagail na slighe na’s fhasa, agus na chladaich. Tadhlaidh ise, gun fhios gun rabh- cuideachd na’s sona. adh, far an aill leatha agus gu trie far nach Ma tha tighinn an t-samhraidh ’na am saoilear. Duisgidh i an ionndrainn a bha car saorsa do chuid, tha e do mhoran eile ’na am uine ’na cadal, agus glacaidh i sealbh gun uallaich is gniomha. Tha connadh na bliadhna chuireadh gun iarraidh. r’a arach—buain is togail is tarraing mhbnach. Rinn am bard breacan a baile—'na inntinn Tha buntata r’a ghlanadh, feur r’a chaoin- —le tighinn an t-samhraidh mus do rinn e eachadh, spreidh r’a ionaltradh, caoraich r’an ullachadh sam bith airson an turuis. Thog e rusgadh, agus fichead rud eile air nach do air is lorg e a’ chuideachd a bha a dhith air smaoinich muinntir a’ bhaile mhoir a riamh. gun iomradh air turus-cuain no anradh na Ach cha mhill sin an samhradh air sluagh nan slighe. Thuit ceanglaichean an t-saoghail gleann ’s nan eilean. Ma tha comunn a’ dheth mus do charaich e a larach nam bonn, gheamhraidh gu math a stigh, tha cuideachd agus fhuair e e fhein far am bu mhiann leis shuairc furasda lorg a muigh nuair a tha blaths fuireachd “air uilinn air mullach Dim-Sgeith.’’ an t-samhraidh ag iadhadh gach tulaich is Dh’eisd e aon uair eile ri ceileireadh nan eun raoin. Agus carson a mhiichadh an geamhradh am measg nam preas; chuala e borbhan an nach tainig an samhradh a tha grianach, ail! idh ?

‘Ar learn gum faic mi fada bhuam Is boidheach an uair dh’ eireas grian, Eilean Leodhais san taobh tuath, Uibhist nam beann gleannach ciar’ ; Tir nan gallan smiorail cruaidh, Barraidh am beucaich A’ Chuain Shiair , Nan ardaibh stuadhach ’s nam fear mor’. Is Eilean Sgiathanach a’ Cheo.’’ AN LEINE GHEAL Le Alasdair Mac Gille Mhaoil NUAIR a fhuair Ruairidh Dubh a chas air ’S ann le lachan-gaire a dh’fhailtich Mairi e. Tir-mor, agus an Cuan Sgith eadar e file in is Seonaid, b’aotrom, aighearach “ ’ S e so Saint George fhein,’ ’ ars ise, “ abair a cheum. Chuir e a’ phiob-mhor an gleus, Saint l, Ruairidh Dubh, ogha mo sheanar.’’ am mal blath carthannach fo achlais. Sgal na “Fagaidh sin an dluth dMimh sinn,’’ creagan liatha le sunnd air a’ mhadainn ud, fhreagair e, “agus gu dearbh is mor m’fheum “A’ toirt nan gobhar as a’ chreig, air carthannas mo dhaoine an dr&sda fhein.’’ ’S e feileadh beag bu docha leam.” “’S eolach mise air do chuilbheartan is do Agus’s e sin da-rireadh a thachair aig a’ cheart mhiodal’’ thilg Mairi ’na aodann. “Cha b’e am. Thog am boc goibhre a bha shuas an so a’ chiad uair a chunnaic sinn thu air an Creag-an-Fhithich a cheann. Thug e cruinn- allaban. Ach suidh suas agus thoir dhuinn leum as sios an catha agus ann am mionaid do naidheachd. Ciamar a dh’fhag thu bha cas-cheum aige ri pongannan a’ chiuil, Seonaid?’’ “Dh’fhag gu sunndach, le fonn air s&il Ruairidh. suigeartach air a bilean,’’ thuirt e. “Tha Thainig clann a’ bhaile a mach, le frogan, mi cinnteach gu robh,’’ fhreagair i. “Fhuair agus mu dheireadh bha treud bhrogach is i faochadh nuair a chunnaic i cul do chinn.’’ chaileagan ’nan deidh. Cha robh mothachadh “Caite bheil Calum?’’ dh’fheoraich esan gu aig a’ phiobaire mar a bha ciiisean air a chiilaibh, siobhalta. “Tha an ceann a chosnaidh far mu ach air a’ cheann thall, leis gach upraid a bha choir dhutsa bhith. Mas math mo bharail ann, chaidh an gobhar bochd as a rian. Gu tha e an drasda air a thurus bho Ghrianaig le de bh’ anns gach beiicail is donnalaich ach ‘Mairi Laghach!’’’ “Le ‘Mairi Laghach’,’’ diibhlan gu cath marbhtach. Le sin deth thuirt e le athadh, “nach cinnteach mise gu sheas an gobhar riabhach air a chasan deiridh foghnadh aon Mairi Laghadh dha.’’ “Cha agus le roid sgaiteach bhuail e Ruairidh mu robh thusa, bhroinein, air a’ chnoc an latha na h-iosgaidean. Chaidh an ceol air feadh bhatar a’ roinn na ceille,’’ ars ise. Ach rinn na fidhle. Mus d’fhuair Ruairidh air a chasan i an ni soilleir dha. bha a’ bhruid le suil cholgach ag ullachadh gus an ath ionnsaigh a dheanamh. ’S ann B’e ‘Mairi Laghach’ am bata ur a bha Calum air a’ phiob a nis a bha aire. Shath e adharc air a cheannach, agus leis an robh e nis a’ foipe agus thog e an airde i agus anail bheag deanamh deagh ghnothaich eadar na h-Eileanan fhathast sa’ mhal. Thug a’ phiob an gog a Siar le gual, aol, na luchd sam bith eile a deireannach aisde agus ’s e an torghan sin a thigeadh ’na luib. chuir am beathach air a’ chuthach dhearg. “Nach bu choir dhut-sa,’’ chomharraich Dhanns e is leum e’s a’ phiob an crochadh ris. Mairi, “fiachainn ri aite fhaighinn sa’ sgioba Rinn Ruairidh cruaidh spairn gus cobhair a nuair a thig iad gu cala?’’ Cha do rinn dheanamh air an aon chul-taice a bh’aige. Ruairidh moran gairdeachais ris an earal so, Shrac iad a null’s a nail, am piobaire an uachd- ach thug a’ chuis rann beag gu a chuimhne. air an drasda, agus a rithist an gobhair le teine Nam biodh agam bata biorach, ’ na shuil agus seidrich bho chuinnlean fuilteach. Sgioba ghillean agus raimh, ’Na sheasamh a thaobh a’ gabhail ealla ris Rachainn a null air an linne an tuasaid bha Seumas Beag Chaluim Bhuidhe. Shealltainn bheil an nighean slan. Ruith e dhachaidh agus le anail ’na uchd thug Rinn e snodha gaire nuair a smaoinich e air e an naidheachd dh’a mhathair. “Bheil fhios Seonaid, a bhean, a’ nighean air na chuir esan agaibh,” thuirt e, “gu de chunnaic mise an car-mu-chnoc, thall am Breasaidh. diugh ?’ ’ Agus gun cothrom freagairt a thoirt Cha robh iarraidh sam bith aige air siaban dhi chum e air. “Chunnaic mi,’’ ars esan, is cathadh-mara mu shroin. B’fhearr leis gu ‘ ‘ shios air an Leathad Bhan Saint George agus mor an rathad fada cruaidh fo chois, ’s a’ an dragon a’ sabaid ri cheile. Cha robh iad phiob air a ghualainn. Is ann mar sin a idir coltach ris an dealbh a bhios aig na chuir e seachad a’ chuid bu mhotha de bheatha. Sasunnaich oir bha da adhairc agus feusag Cha robh a dhuais ach beag air uairibh, ach liath air an dragon agus ’s e feileadh beag a bha saorsa an aonaich agus cead a choise priseil bha air Saint George.” aige. Ach ’s e thainig as a’ ghnothach gu Ach ann am meadhon na sgeoil thainig robh Ruairidh comhla ri gillean sgairteil na gnogadh chun an doruis, agus co dh’ealaidh ‘ Mairi Laghach’ air feasgair breagha samhraidh a steach ach Ruairidh. is iad a’ deanamh iuil dhith sios an Linne — 50 — Sheilich. Bha e ’na sheasamh san toiseach, chall. Theich Ruairidh, oir cha robh e idir a shuil air a’ mhuir far an robh e gearradh- cinnteach gu de a thachradh nuair a thigeadh geal ri sroin a’ bhata. Agus, mar a b’abhaisf, Coinneach as an tuainealaich a dh’fhag gun cronan aige ann an co-sheirm ri monmhar nan trebir e. Rainig e an sebmar iosal far an robh uisgeachan. Iain Mhurchaidh gu dripeil ag iiilleadh gach acfhuinn a bha ri sathadh na ‘ ‘Mairi Laghaich’ ’ “Nach; toir thu dhuinn port a Ruairidh,” gu ruige a ceann uidhe san Oban. Os cionn thuirt Calum, a’ cur a chinn a mach as an na glaothair a bha sin chaidh aig Ruairidh air tigh-chuibhle. Chrath Ruairidh a cheann. an t-seanachas a chur an cluais Iain. Agus le “Bithidh buaireadh air bord ma ni mi sin.” sin bha an sgioba gu leir air an stuigeadh anns ‘‘Ciamar a tha sin?” fhreagair am fear eile. ah t-Sasunnach. Nuair a ruigeadh iad cala’s ”0, tha cuid ann nach taobh ri ceol uasal e siubhal gun siiicair a bha feitheamh air a’ Gaidhealach. ’ ’ chbcaire. Ach chuir freasdal car eile an ‘ ‘ Co iad sin ?” Cha robh fios aig Calum mar ruidhle a’ bhodaich. a bha cuisean. “Nach eil am bleidire sin, an cbcaire Sasunnach a tha agad air bord,” arsa Gus an so bha an latha geal grianach, leis Ruairidh. Rinn Calum sgal gaire. “Coma leat, a’ ghaoith o’n iar, ach mu fheasgar, is iad sios thoir dhuinn A’ fagail Ghlinn Urchardainn” . ri cladach Lios Mdr, thainig ciiiran uisge. “Tha sin gle mhath,” fhreagair Ruairidh, Thuit a’ ghaoth agus ann an uine ghoirid ‘ ‘ ach a bheil fhios agad gu de thuirt an trusdair thionndaidh an t-uisge min gu ceb dhumhail a rium an raoir? Thuirt gun cuireadh e a’ dh’fhag gun sealladh fearainn iad. Leig iad chorea mhor a bha aige troimh ’n mhal; agus dhi beagan astair, agus le cluasari furachail chum leum e airde fhein leis a’ chuthach. Ma iad air adhart gu socrach, fiatach. Bha Calum chuireas a bhalaich bithidh mal chuideigin eblach gu lebr air na caolais so agus fhad’s aig na fithich.” nach robh soitheach eile san t-seblaid cha robh ‘ ‘ Och, leig leis,’ ’ arsa Calum, ‘ ‘ nach fuaraich iomagain mbr sam bith air. Ach b’e sin an e sa' chraiceann anns na dh’fhas e teth.” dearbh chunnart a bha an cbmhnaidh an cois “Sanas beag ’nad chluais,” thuirt Ruairidh, ceb mara. a’ cur a chinn a steach air an uinneig. “De “Thoir rhn air an dudaich, a Ruairidh/’ tha thu ’g radh!,” fhreagair Calum le eigh arsa Calum, “agus cum a’ dol i gun fhios gu ghointich nuair a chuala e an naidheachd. de tha romhainn.’ ’ “Cha chreid mi guth dheth.” Eadar gach tarraing dh’eisd iad gu mion- aideach agus cha b’fhada gus an d’fhuair iad “Creid no nach creid, sud mar a bha.” rabhadh a chuir Calum air fhaicill. Thainig “Nach b’e an dearg mhadadh e,” chnag torman trom o dheas a chriothnaich an iarmailt. Calum ’na fheirg. “Ach mo bhoid dhut chan Chum Calum air falbh, agus dh’eigh e ri fhada gum faigh esan ciil an doruis.” Ruairidh, “Sgal goirid eile oirre.” Ach a Dh’fhag e Calum a’ goil ’s a’ dranndail is dh’aindeoin gach dichill, smid cha tigeadh as thug e ceum socair sios chun an deiridh far an an fhideag. ‘ ‘ Beannaich mise,’ ’ arsa Ruairidh robh Coinneach Mor. “Gu de tha cearr air is fhallus ’g a dhalladh leis an eagal, “chan Calum?” dh’fhaighnich e do Ruairidh. “An eil smeach aice.’ ’ Bha an diidach gun teagamh e an deideadh a tha cur dragh air a rithist?” gun fheum agus rudeigin ’g a tachdadh. “Tha na’s miosa na sin a’ cur dragh’ air, Chluinneadh iad a nis beagan astair bhuapa rudeigin a chumas greiseag cagnaidh ris,” slacadaich dhian an roth-sathaidh aig an arsa Ruairidh. “Dh’innis mi dha mu na t-soitheach eile. Sheas iad'nan cbmhlan san chunnaic mi an raoir. Anns an dol seachad toiseach agus thog iad iolach ard an duil gun dhomh nach d’thug mi siiil a steach do’n deanadh sin cobhair orra. Ach bha an guth Ghalley. Bha prais mhor a’ goil gu briosg ann air a mhiichadh san dumhlachd agus bha fuaim an sin. Thog mi an ceann dith an dixil gun na dunaidh a’ tighinn na b’fhaisge. robh an gille caol ag ullachadh suipeir annasach 'S ann a nis a ghrad leum Bertie, an cbcaire, dhuinn. Agus, a Choinnich, a bheil fhios agad a thaobh agus ’na dhearg-dheann theich e an gu d6 bha bruich ’s a’ plubairtich innte?” iosal. Shaoil leotha gun do threig a mhisn- Stad Coinneach ’s a shuilean a’ biorachadh ’na eachd e, agus cb chuireadh coire air. Ach bha cheann. Lean Ruairidh air gu ceann an t- iad cearr. Le spid na loin ’na shailean thainig seansLchais. “Bha,” ars esan le sgreamh, e an airde, agus a’ phiob mhor aige. Sparr e ‘ ‘ leine an t-Sasunnaich!’ ’ i an laimh Ruairidh, agus ann an Gaidhlig Leig Coinneach as an rop a bha ’na laimh cho math 's a leigeadh a theanga Ghallda leis le clod air a’ chlar, agus thug e ceum air ais ’s ghlaodh e, “Seid suas a Ruairidh.” Tuigidh adhart mar dhuine a bhitheadh air a thur a fear leughaidh leth-fhacal, agus ann am priobadh — 51 — bha a’ phiob air doigh. Sheid Ruairidh agus each a mach. Ach co dhiiibh is ann mar sin dhanns a mheoir le ceol drithleannach luath, a bha an Domhnach so. Fhuair i leatha co mar gum biodh gach beatha air bord an crochadh dhiiibh gun duine a thighinn a mach far a robh ris gach beum—mar a bha. A null air an i. Ach an ath Shabaid a chaidh i ann thuirt linne sgaoil an ceol bagarrach; shrad e air ais Mac Righ Eirinn ris fhein, “ Uill, feumaidh mi bho gach ailbhinn chais, fiachainn ri dhol a bhruidhinn riut an diugh Gabhaidh sinn an rathad mor co dhiubh,’ ’ agus e an deidh noisean a ghabhail Ole air mhath le each e. dhi. Co dhiubh, mar a dh’eirich ise mach Rainig e gu cinnteach cluas an fhir a bha air chaidh Mac Righ Eirinn as a deidh ach cha stiiiir a’ bhata choimhich. Is docha gun do d’fhuair e greim ach air a’ bhroig aice nuair shaoil e gu robh e a’ deanamh direach air talla- a leum i mharcachd. Agus thuirt e sin ris danns’ Thobair Mhoire. Co dhiixbh chaidh e fhein, “Uill,” ars esan, “cha phos mi te a thaobh. Beag air bheag chaill gillean na sam bith,” ars esan, “ach te ni bhrog so feum “Main Laghaich" fuaim nam buillean a chuir dhi.” an teinn cho mor iad. Agus is ann mar sud a bha. Thoisich e dol mu’n cuairt agus a’ bhrog aige agus e fiachainn Thainig clos air a’ chebl. Thug iad sixil na broige air na h-igheanan, agus cha robh i mu’n cuairt. Cha robh lorg air Bertie, ach a’ freagairt dhaibh—cha robh a’ bhrog a’ freag- thainig faile cubhraidh bho’n ghalley. Agus airt dhaibh. Ach bha e tighinn a dh’ ionnsaigh b’e sin an t-suipeir, eadar feoil is iasg, gun an tighe so cuideachd agus bha peathraichean ghuth air a’ bhotul a chuir Calum fhein am ag radhainn rithe, ‘ ‘ Ho! cha phos e thusa co meadhon a’ bhiiird. dhiubh.” “Ma tha, chan eil fhios ’am,” Dh’61 iad slainte Bhertie is Ruairidh. Bha ars ise. “O gu dearbha posaidh e i,” ars a ceol aca cuideachd. Agus ma mhotbaich muime, “ma fhreagras a’ bhrog i.” duine aca cho breagha slan 's a bha leine air Agus thainig e agus bha i so a cheart cho gasda druim an t-Sasunnaich cha d’thainig lideadh ris an da phiuthar nuair a thainig Mac Righ as am bial. Eirinn. Agus dh’fhiach e oirre a’ bhrog, agus Dh’innseadh an sgeul-sa air an radio. bha a’ bhrog mar gu fasadh a cas innte. Uill bha sud mar sud co dhiubh. ‘‘Uill,’ ’ ars esan “chuir mi boid orm fhin,” ars esan, “nach posainn te ach te a fhreagradh a’ bhrog so dhi, agus is tusa nise tha mi dol a phosadh.” “ O, Mac Righ Eirinn uill,” ars ise, “nach fheum sinn a bhith leagte BHA ceithir mnathan ann, triiiirnighean agus ris a sin ma tha.” am mathair. Agus ’ s e Niiill Fhionn agus Ach co dhiubh phos iad is bha iad gle mhath Nihil Dhonn, agus Nihil Charach agus dheth tacan agus thuirt a muime ris nuair a Nihil Gheal, atheireadh iad risnaboireannaich. phos e, “Nis,” ars ise, “nuair a thig am Agusbhadanighinn diubh ’nan nigheanangasda, pathadh ort anns an oidhche,” ars ise, “cha agus cha robh i so cho gasda. Agus cha robh bhi agad ach gearain agus silidh na meoir aice,’ ’ iad airson gu rachadh i latha na Sabaid dh’an ars ise, “rud a chuireas am pathadh dhiot.” eaglais chmhla riutha idir on nach robh i cho “A, uill,” ars esan, “nach eil sin fiadhaich gasda tiutha fhein. Agus bha i Di-D6mhnaich math.’ ’ —latha na Sabaid—bha i fiadhaich duilich dhi fhein nach fhaigheadh i do’n eaglais comhla Agus bhiodh a piuthar ag obair oirre daonnan. ri each. Agus thuirt a muime rithe, “Fan Cha robh e fior chordadh rith-se a bhith comhla thusa,” ars ise, “agus ma bhios sinn a lathair ri Mac Righ Eirinn, agus bhiodh a piuthar seachdain o’n diugh,” ars ise, “gheibh thusa ag radhainn rithe, “Nach leig thu mi fhin do’n eaglais agus cha bhi nighean anns an ann.” Uill, a’ latha so co dhiiibh dh’aidich eaglais as gasdaiche na thu’ Agus is ann mar i gu leigeadh i a piuthar ann, agus chaidh a sud a bha. Chuir a muime air doigh i agus piuthar ann. Agus feumaidh gu robh iad gu dh’fhalbh i do’n eaglais. Agus bha sluagh math coltach ri cheile nuair nach do chuir Mac mor anns an eaglais agus bha Mac Rxgh Eirinn Righ Eirinn umhail oirre. Ach an oidhche so anns an eaglais agus bha e gleidheadh a shhil bha iad ’nan laighe agus thainig an pathadh air a’ bhoireannach ghasda a bha so. Ach co air agus cha tigeadh diar as na meoir. Ach co dhihbh bha aice-sa ri eirigh roimh chach a dhiubh bha sud mar sud, agus thuirt a muime thighinn a mach agus bha each dubh aice agus ri Mac Righ Eirinn, diollaid aice air a bha i marcachd a dol ann. “An do shil na meoir,” ars ise, Bha aice ri eirigh roimh chach mu’n tigeadh Na’n do ghoir na h-eoin, Na bheil an t-each dubh air a chuid, Na subhach Mac Righ Eirinn?” Calum Iain Agus fhreagair esan i agus thuirt e, MacGilleathain ‘ ‘ Cha do shil na meoir’ ars esan, Dhubh an la o bhith grianach, ’S cha do ghoir na h-eoin, Chinnich faileas air iarmailt ar n-abhachd. ’S chan eil an t-each dubh air a chuid, Trom a’ bhuille 's gur piantail ’ S cha subhach Mac Rxgh Eirinn. ’ ’ A liubhair uirigleadh sgeula do bhais dhomh Iain MacUaraig. Ged bha dbchas air miichadh Gum biodh e debnaicht' dhut urachadh (Le cead Sgoil-Oilein na h-Alba.) slainte, Nuair thainig naidheachd na criche Gun tug i gearradh ’nam chridh’ mar gu An Rocais sabht’ e. Mar a tha fios againn uile tha ebin ann a tha ’S a Chaluim Iain ’ic Ghilleathain, I, comharraichte airson boichead an culaidh, agus Tha ’n diugh a’ crionadh fo leathad an i cuid airson binneas an ciuil, agus feadhainn t-Halain, eile a chionn nach fhaicear is nach cluinnear iad Tha carragh-cuimhne nach tuislich - ach ri aimsir bhlath an t-samhraidh. An cridh’, an cuinnseas ’s an cuislean do | Cha chuala mi riamh duine a’ moladh an chairdean I rocais airson cho dubh ’s a tha e, na a chionn Air sar churaidh na tuathadh, f gu bheil e daonnan maille ruinn, agus lionmhor Grainne-mullaich na h-uaisl’ ann an nadur: | an aireamh. Agus nan canadh neach rium gu ’S creach do dh’Alba ’s dh’an linn so I robh tlachd aige ’na cheol bheirinn suil an Do bhodhaig thalmhaidh cho iosal bhith I uamhais air! ’n caradh. B| Tha da ni fior a thaobh an rbcais. Tha e ’S creach do dh’Alba gu siorraidh I furasda aithneachadh a measg nan eun eile. Thu bhith air falbh as a fianuis cho trath | Is iomadh eun boidheach nach aithnich sinn, oimn. | ach balach na nighean nach aithnich rocais bu Far na shaothraich thu dian-mhath k choir dhaibh fuireachd aig an tigh. Mur Na h-aobhair gaoil eadar iarmad is canain. | aithnich thu e air a dhath na air a chumadh is 'S mor an ulaidh ’g a dith thu, | cinnteach gun aithnich thu e air a ghuth. Chriothnaich bunaitean dilinn na Gaidhlig; | Chan eil eun san ealtainn a ni atharrais air a Thuit clach-iuchrach a h-iuil-sa | ghuth aige—guth dha fhein, guth crochanach ’S gun fear eil’ ann a dhuineas a’ bhearna. i cruaidh, guth anns nach lorgar baidh na | carthannas, agus nach meall neach a chluinneas Trath an cursa do reise | e. Cha chuir an rbcais car ’na chbmhradh Gun chuir thu d’uidh ann an euchdan do ! airson iosal na uasal; anns an ni so tha e dileas nasain. ! dha shinnsre. B’e do bheachd-sa bu leirsinnich’ | Cha trie a chithear an rbcais leis fhein; air Ann an cleachdaidh, am beusan ’s an | sgeith na air fonn is math leis cuideachd ged gnathsan. U nach bi e an cbmhnuidh reidh ris a’ chuideachd Le saothair thug thu buaidh dhuinn, | a bhios aige, co-dhiiibh aig am neadachaidh na ’S gun thog thu bratach ar sluaigh bhhrr an h mu’n chuirm. Aig am de’n t-sebrsa sin chuir- lair dhuinn, I eadh e eagal air gealtaire, na’n duisgeadh ’S bidh linn ri teachd ann ad fhiachaibh canran is iispairn eagal. Airson na dileib ro-fhiachail a dh’fhag thu. Is math leis an rbcais a nead a charadh far Do thir nam beann thug thu biuthas, ! nach ruig na spuinneadairean oirre. Gu trie Gun dh’ innis do pheann a cuid ixisealachd | ceangailidh e i am barr craoibhe air dhbigh ’s araid. Jj nach spion an doineann as airde sheideas i. Bha spiorad aiteis do dhixthcha I Tillidh e bliadhna an deidh bliadhna do’n ’Nad bhallaibh pailt a’ so-dhrixghadh do I t-seann dachaidh, lorgaidh e a Ion far am bi e, chnamhan. 1. agus bheir e neo-ar-thaing do’n fhear as airde Air feadh Alba ’s an Eirinn I mhaoidheas air. A chaoidh bidh t’ainm air a leughadh le S.D.T. b laths ann — 53 — Mar aoigh, mar oilean, ’s mar nasal, an t-sluaigh a’ meudachadh. Ann an 1841 Mar shamhla duinealais ’s uachdar nan chaidh Comhairle Thaghte a steidheachadh gus sar-fhear. sgriidadh a dheanamh air aireamh agus cor an t-sluaigh air Ghaidhealtachd. Chaidh a chur Com na h-onair ’s na h-uaisle; fa’n comhair gu robh feum air cartadh agus Gliocas, modh agus stuamachd am pairt nach bu mhisde Uibhist a Tuath e nan rachadh riuth’ ; da mhile agus coig cheud duine a leigeil air an Tuigs’ is foghlum thar chunntais, allaban gu duthchannan ceine. Bha aireamh Gu robh gach aon diubh ’nad ghiiilan mar an t-sluaigh air a mheas aig ceithir mile agus sgathan; sia ceud. Samhl’ a’ cheartais ’nad sheanachas A cheana bha am ‘ ‘ fuadach’ ’ air toiseach Nuair bhiodh eachdraidh fo argumaid laidir. toiseachaidh a dheanamh. Theann an tuath, ’ S na bhuilich Dia ort de bhuaidhean mean air mhean, ri cul a chur ri Uibhist mu 1770, an deidh do uachdaranachd an eilein Cha d’rinn thu riamh an cur tuathal air tuiteam air Ridir Alasdair, Triath Shleibhte. aithne. Cha robh uidh aige-san ann an cor ’s an crann- chur an t-sluaigh mar a bha aig a shinnsrean, Learn is urram ro-luachmhor agus cha robh san amharc aige ach buannachd Gun d’ thug thu buileachadh buan domh dhe mhor dha fhein. Chuir e suas am mal air ball d’ chairdeas. agus cha b’fhada gus an do thuit cuid de na ’ S gibht’ an tasgaidh mo smuaintean bailtean ann am fiachan. Is e bhuil a bha ann Meamhair air aiteas gach uair an co-phairt gun deach corr agus da cheud duine air imrich riut. eadar 1771 agus 1775. Sa’ ghiorra-shaoghail a mhiich thu Chan e aintighearnas an uachdarain a mhain Cha d’fhuair sin aont’ air bhith ’n duil ri a bha brosnachadh an fhalbhain. Bha aireamh nas aill leinn an t-sluaigh a’ sior dhol am meud. Anns a’ Ged dh’eadar-sgar i le uir sinn bhliadhna 1775 bha suas ri da mhile duine ann Tha spiorad maireann air giulan cho- an Uibhist a Tuath; ann an 1765 bha 2465 ann; bhraithrean. ann an 1796 bha 3218 ann agus ann an 1821 bha 4973 ann. Bithear gu coitcheann a’ toirt Ach crioch gach comunn bhith sgaoileadh da aobhar air cho cas ’s a bha an sluagh a’ Mar a lomar a’ chraobh de cuid bhlathan. meudachadh. An toiseach, bha fir is mnathan ’S crion clach-ursainn ar n-aonta a’ posadh aig aois na b’oige agus mar sin bha Re ar tursan air saoghal nan sgail so; na teaghlaichean a’ fas na bu mhotha. Agus ’S ged tha do cholunn fo fhodaibh a rithist, cha robh beatha duine cho diombuan Mo ghuidhe t’anam bhith ’n gloir anns na ri linn a bhith cur na banacraich, a bha casg h-ardaibh, tinneis is fiabhruis. An uair a bha an sluagh ’S a siol a’ mhathais a phlannt thu a’ dol an lionmhorachd mar so chan eil rian Gu meal thu toradh neo-ghann deth do gu robh e furasda dhaibh uile teachd-an-tir a ghrasan. thoirt as an fhearann. Thug droch fhoghar no dha an tuilleadh rosaid air crannchur nan Domhnall Iain MacDhomhnaill . diolacha-deirce. Mar is trice bidh sinn a’ leagail coire airson nam fuadaichean air druim nan uachdaran. Saoilidh mise gu robh fir nan tacaichean mdran Uibhist A Tuath na bu chiontaiche, oir is ann riutha-san a bha riaghladh na h-oighreachd an urra. Ann an (2) . 1763 bha mal Uibhist air a shuidheachadh aig AIG toiseach na naoidheamh linne deug £1200. Ochd bliadhna an deidh sin bha e air chaidh oidhirp a dheanamh air fearann a dhol suas gu £1800. Ar learn gu bheil e air aitich a roinn air an tuath. Ach bha am leth sonraichte gur ann anns a’ bhliadhna 1769 freasdal aig an am a’ cath an aghaidh an leas- a thainig an t-ardachadh. Sin an dearbh achaidh so, agus b’fheudar tilleadh air ais gu bhliadhna anns an do chuir an t-uachdaran “roinn-ruith.” Ann an 1880 bha fearann naoidh bliadhna deug ri aonta nan tacaichean! Uibhist gu leir air a threachaid air a’ mhodh Bha caochladh tuair a’ tighinn air tuathan- so: na h-iomairean air an roinn air an tuath achas cuideachd. Bhatar a’ toiseachadh a’ as ur gach bliadhna. De bu choireach gun do gabhail am barrachd suime do thalamh mhair an “roinn-ruith” an Uibhist cho fada? ionaltraidh agus na bu lugha do thalamh Ar learn gur h-e cnag na cuise mar a bha aireamh aitich. An deidh plaigh a’ chruidh ann an — 54 — ll 1771 chunnacas gum biodh cumail chaorach anns an sgireachd cuideachd. Anns an ochdamh ! moran na bu bhuannachdaile. Chan fheumte agus an naoidheamh linn deug bha moran a’ nis uiread de sgalagan agus ’sea’ bhuil a bha deanamh am beo-shlaint air obair na ceilpe, ’ann gum b’fheudair do mhoran diubh sin an cugallach ’s g’an robh i aig amannan. B’e [saoghal a thoirt fo’n ceann. Roimh mheadhon Uisdean MacDhomhnaill, no Uisdean a’ Bhaile na naoidheamh Unne deug bha na seachd Shear, n thug obair na ceilpe a dh’Uibhist a dunaidh air tighinn air cixisean. Bha an Tuath ann an 1735. Dh’fhasdaidh e Eireann- ' imrich a’ sior dhol am meud. ach, Ruairidh MacDhomhnaill, gus an obair Anns a’ bhliadhna 1849 chaidh tuath an a chur air chois. ’S e Ruairidh na luathadh ’;fhearainn Sholaisich a ruagadh as an tighean am far-ainm a fhuair e. A reisd faodaidh sinn le lamhachas-laidir. Aig an am bha ceud a thuigsinn nach do shoirbhich leis an toiseach. keaghlach agus a deich an Solas, agus sia ceud An am losgadh na feamad air an urnais cha robh ! duine agus a tri. Bha £382 de mhal orra, ach de thoradh ann ach luath ghlas an aite ceilpe. I ann an 1849 bha iad air tuiteam ann am fiachan Gidheadh, an uair a fhuaras athan ceilpe fo gu ire £624. Bha Padruig Cupair, bailidh an uidheam agus a chaidh an obair an ire b’ ! uachdarain, a’ cumail a mach gu robh am fonn fheairrde tuath agus tighearna toradh na : cho neo-thorach ’s nach gabhadh leasachadh saothrach. rdeanamh. Bha na h-urracha mora air a chul Ann an 1770 chaidh 400 tunna ceilpe a I agus ann an 1852 chaidh aca air da mhile duine ghiollachd ann an Uibhist a Tuath; ann an fhuadach as an eilean. Thug a’ chuid mhor 1790 rainig an aireamh thunnachan 1200; agus 'de na h-eilthirich an aghaidh air an Talamh fichead bliadhna an deidh sin 1500 tunna. liFhuar, ach bha cuid eile ann nach deach seach Ann an 1824 cha robh uiread de dh’fheill oirre icriochan Alba. Eadar 1803 agus 1831 fhuair agus ’s e 1200 tunna a chaidh gu margadh. Is feadhainn aca almsadh air cosnadh aig cladhach e b’aobhar dha so gu robh barilla na Sphinne 4slighe-uisgei Chaledonia. Bha feadhainn eile ’g a reic am Breatunn aig pris bu shaoire na rair an cur a dheanamh rathaidean mora feadh pris na ceilpe. ina Gaidhealtachd—obair air an do chosgadh B’ann eadar an deicheamh latha de’n Og- |' £540,000 aig an am. Mu mheadhon na naoidh- mhios agus an deicheamh latha de’n t-Sultain eamh linne deug thoisich ciiisean air a dhol am a bhithte ris a’ cheilp. Bhiodh na croitearan |feabhas an Uibhist. Ann an 1855 cheannaich agus na coitearan a’ deanamh na h-imrich gu ian Ridir Iain Orde an oighreachd agus leis a airighean an cois a’ chladaich. Ann an 1837 ; sin fhuair an sluagh a'’ chiad togail. bha ceithir cheud teaghlach an sas an obair na Beag air bheag chuireadh air bonn riaghail- ceilpe an Uibhist, agus gach duine deanamh mu ;[ tean ura chum leas an fhearainn. Chaidh cheithir puinnd Shasunnach anns a’ bhliadhna. [ Lbailtean ura a steidheachadh, le “constabull” Chuir Alasdair MacDhomhnaill mu choinneamh <: anns gach fear gus rian a chumail air an tuath na Comhairle Taghte ann an 1841 gun d’fhuair t j: agus air an obair. Thugadh barrachd tear- an t-uachdaran £14,000 airson ceilpe eadar ainnteachd do’n chroitear agus fhuaras tairgse 1808 agus 1810. A reisd feumaidh gu robh e ilair; cuideachadh bho na h-urracha mora. An deanamh £18 de bhuannachd air gach tunna. ' uair a shuidhicheadh “Bord a’ Chongest’ ’, mar Mu’n bhliadhna 1862 chaidh tigh-cedirde 1 a theirte, ann an 1897 theann iad air tuathan- iir a thogail an Glaschu gu bhith giollachd na jLachais anns an robh meudachd chuibheasach a ceilpe agus fhuair urrachan an tigh-cheairde jjbhriseadh ’nan croitean. B’ann an Uibhist a aonta air cladaichean Uibhist bho Ridir Iain i Tuath a rinn iad toiseach toiseachaidh, agus Orde airson mile punnd Sasunnach sa’ bhliadhna. (Adhearbh iad nach robh ann am Padruig Cupair, Ann an 1865 chaidh da mhile tunna aiseag gu | a bha radh nach robh am fearann freagarrach Cluaidh, an luchd-obrach a’ faighinn eadar [ air croitearan, ach an dearg shlaoightire. Bhris coig tasdain fhichead agus tri puinnd ’s a’ tri 15iad sios fearann Sholais ’na dha chroit dheug, an tunna. Cha robh rian aig a’ cheilp farpuis de £10 mail air gach te, agus fearann Ghreinat- ris a’ bharilla, agus ri uine chaidh obair na lobht ’na dha chroit thar fhichead le £5 mail ceilpe a bith buileach glan. | air gach te. Thug am Bord £2296 mar chuid- Iain A. Mac a’ Phearsoin. • eachadh airson togail rathaidean, utraidean, j challaidean agus thighean comhnuidh. Ann r’a leantainn an 1912 bha am mal paighte agus cha robh i isgillinn fhiach air an tuath. < Ged a b’ann a obair fearainn a bha na h- Bha iad a’ cur air nach robh e ann gu leir. ijUibhistich gu cunbhalach a’ toirt an Chuir e roimhe a bhith air mo neo-ar-thaing. 1’ teachd-an-tir bha ceairdean is ealainean eile Teich mus teid thu fo mo shui.L — 55 LEARNER’S PAGE Bha bodach ann an sud a roimhe a’ fuireach Once upon a time there was an old man ann am bothan beag air ciil beinne. Cha robh living in a small bothy behind a mountain. mbran de mhaoin an t-saoghail aige, agus bha He did not possess much of the world’s goods, gach ni a bha anns an tigh gle aosda. Latha and everything in the house was very old. de na laithean bha a bhean bho’n tigh agus One day his wife was away from home and the b’fheudar do’n bhodach a bhiadh fhein a old man had to prepare his own food. He was dheasachadh. Bha e gle mhi-sgiobalta agus very untidy and through clumsiness one of the leis a’ chlibisteachd thuit aon de na praisean pots dropped from his hand and it broke. as a laimh agus bhris i. Anns a’ mhadainn dh’ fhalbh e chun a’ bhailc In the morning he set off to the town to buy mhoir a cheannach te eile; fhuair e sin agus thog another one; he got one and set off home with ; e air dhachaidh leatha is i ceangailte air a it tied on his back with a string. On the way dhruim le sreing. Air an t-slighe thachair a friend—Big Donald—whom he knew very !| caraid—Domhnall Mor—ris air an robh e gle well met him. Donald was as full of fun as i' eolach. Bha Domhnall cho lan abhachdais is the egg is of food, and he tried to have sport j a tha an t-ugh de bhiadh, agus rinn e airson at the old man’s expense. fealla-dha a bhith aige air a’ bhodach. “Ach,” ars esan, is e a’ sealltainn air druim “But,” said he, looking at the old man’s] a’ bhodaich, “ciod a tha cearr air a’ phrais back, “what is wrong with your new pot?” iiir agad?” “Ciod a tha cearr oirre?” fhreagair am fear “What is wrong with it?” replied the other j eile le feirg. in anger. ‘ ‘ Chan eil oirre ach tri casan an aite ceithir’ “It has only three legs instead of four,” | arsa Domhnall. said Donald. “Nach b’e an trusdar am fear a reic rium-sa ‘ ‘ What a rascal is the fellow that sold it to ] i i ?’ ’ ars am bodach, ‘ ‘ ciod a ni mi ?’ ’ me,” said the old man, “what can I do?” ! “Till leatha, a dhuine bhochd!” fhreagair “Turn back with it, poor man,” replied ]]' Domhnall. Donald. “Sin direach,” ars esan, “ach ma gheibh “That is the very thing,” said the other, ] mise greim air mac ” “but if I catch the son of—” “Stop? Take it j; ‘ ‘ Stad! Dean air do shocair,’ ’ arsa Domhnall, easy,” said Donald, “what are you going to l “ciod a tha thu dol a dh’iarraidh?” ask for?” “Tha direach,” ars esan, “prais le ceithir chasan agus chan e te le tri nach seas comh- “Just,” said he, “a pot with four legs and . nard.” not one with three which cannot stand straight. ” j “Ceart,” ars am fear eile, “gabh romhad.” “Right,” said the other one, “go ahead.” ij “Rainig am bodach a’ bhiith air ais agus The old man arrived back at the shop, and ] loisg.e air an fhear-reice. he scolded the merchant. ‘ ‘ What is this you j “Ciod e so a rinn thu ormsa an diugh a’ have done to me today you crook,” said he, ! chealgair?” ars esan, “prais le tri chasan an ‘ ‘ a pot with three legs instead of four; a thing i aite ceithir; rud nach seas comhnard air lar.” that will not stand straight on a floor.” “Leig sios chun an lair i,” ars am fear-reice. ‘ ‘ Let it down on the floor,’ ’ said the merchant. j; Rinn e mar a dh’iarradh air agus sheas a dha He did as he was told, and both his eyes stood j shuil ’na cheann le iongnadh; bha a’ phrais stock-still in his head in wonder; the pot was j \ cho comhnard ris fhein. Rinn am fear-reice as straight as he himself. The merchant gloc m6r gaire, thog am bodach a’ phrais air guffawed; the old man lifted the pot on his a mhuin agus dh’fhalbh e. An uair a bha e back and went away. While he was passing a’ dol a mach an dorus chuala am fear-reice e through the door the merchant heard him saying j ag radh air a shocair ris fhein; ‘ ‘ Mac na truaighe, gently to himself; ‘ ‘ Wretched man, Big Donald. j Domhnall Mor. Cha bhi aon chas fhein ortsa You will not have even one leg if I catch you, ( ma gheibh mise greim ort. A mhic nan car. trickster. Ah! Ah! was I not a stupid fool, j Tri chasan, ceithir chasan. Ha! Ha! nach bu But, Big Donald, I will catch you!” mh ise an t -amadan gorach. Ach, a Dhomhn a i 11 Mhoir, gheibh mise greim ort! — 56 — FERINDONALD— THE COUNTY OF THE MUNROS (continued) At some unspecified date in the past, the the fish; but Donald had no desire for the fish. story goes, there was a Lady of Balconie who “My Lady,” he exclaimed, “you must come ! was a witch. It would seem that she was a away from this horrible place!” “I cannot,” ( daughter of the Castle: for the first public she replied. “And you — I fear me you will l whisper of her power came when she was a be hard put to it to get away yourself. Look ’ young girl. Her nurse was a witch who trained behind you.” Donald looked and trembled. , her in the black art. One day visitors were Within the entrance, one on either side, were [ at the Castle. They walked, chatting, on the chained two huge dogs. They snarled at him. j lawn. The talk turned to witchcraft, and some How, indeed, was he to get past these brutes? ; scoffing remark annoyed the girl. “See what They had let him in — but out, no! I can do!” she exclaimed; and in answer to her gesture the Castle rose several feet from “Maybe I can help you,” said the Lady. | its foundations. The startled party beheld, She threw a lump of dough to each dog. “Now I between the building and the ground, the run,” she cried, as the dogs leaped on the I Cromarty Firth out beyond, the sunlit slopes tit-bits. Donald ran, and got safely away and j- of the Black Isle, the far distant blue moun- out of the chasm. But afterwards neither he ; tains. Then the Castle settled gently back, nor any one else could find the path that had [ and not a stone out of place. taken him in and out. And that was the last ! time mortal eye saw the Lady. The story leaps a few years. The girl became It is still said, when mist rises from the ' Lady of Balconie. As a result of her long water and lies along the course of the Black [ commerce with the forces of evil the time came Rock, that it is smoke from the Lady of i when she was required to rendezvous with the Balconie’s fire, and a sign that she is baking 1 Devil himself at midnight on a bridge that —baking bannocks for her master the Devil. [ spanned the Black Rock, two miles from Of course we smile at such tales nowadays. ! Balconie. The Lady brought her maid along But we must bear in mind that in the old days with her, and made her tie her apron strings in the practice of witchcraft had a grim and front. The maid went first on the bridge; purposeful influence on the lives of our ancestors. close behind, the Lady kept firm grip of the In the annals of Ferindonald there is a strange apron. The canny wench loosened the strings factual record which might almost pass for I and held them together in her hands. fiction. ; The Devil swooped upon them and seized Two cases concerned with witchcraft were , the Lady. The maid let go the strings, and tried in Edinburgh on the same day, 22nd July, her mistress was whirled into the abyss. In 1590. The “private prosecutor” in the first ■ the air, she flung from her the Castle keys, which was Hector, XVIIth Baron of Foulis, chief of ' she wore on her girdle. One struck an immense the Munros; and the accused was his stepmother, } boulder which to this day perches on the brink Katherine, Lady Foulis, widow of the XVth i of the chasm. It made an impression as if the Baron, Robert Mor, who had died on 5th " stone were soft wax. The maid fled home with November, 1588. The second trial was that of the story. Baron Hector himself. Some years after, one Donald, servant to a The case against the Lady referred to events | lady in the district, was fishing in the river of thirteen years earlier. It is likely that ■ below the Black Rock on behalf of his mistress. respect for her husband, a man of high repute, He hid a part of his catch by the river bank, had shielded her during his lifetime. The ; to take it to his old mother later on. But when indictment detailed how, but employing witches 5 he returned the fish was gone. A trail of scales and warlocks and their spells and poisons, she offered a clue, which he followed until he found had sought to destroy her stepson, Robert, heir r himself at last in the depth of the chasm, at to Foulis, and the young wife of her brother, I the mouth of a cave. Thither led the trail; George Ross, Laird of Balnagown; her intention I boldly he went in. being to make a match between her brother S There was the lost Lady, chained to the wall, and the stepson’s widow. [ and baking over a great fire. And there lay Balnagown, Katherine’s native place, is but — 57 — a few miles from Tain. To Tain she resorted the province of Moray. The name comes into for at least some of her accomplices—she used the clear light of history for the first time in several. For obvious reasons she would have 1232, when George, Vth Baron of Foulis, avoided approaching any of the witches native witnessed a Sutherland charter. His mother to Ferindonald. It is a strange and involved seems to have been a daughter of that Hugh story. From John Macmillan in Dingwall she Freskyn of Moravia (Moray) who became Thane bought an elf arrow-head for four shillings. of Sutherland and progenitor of the Earls of She gave a man eight shillings to go to Elgin Sutherland. The Earl of Ross was, in the to buy rat poison. William Macgillivray, beginning, their feudal overlord. But that Damh of Tain, sold her a box of witchcraft. earldom, as mentioned above, came to an end Marjorie or Neyne McAllister, alias Laskie in 1476, and thereafter they were direct vassals Loucart, also of Tain, played her part'by of the Crown. It is in consequence of this that shooting elf arrow-heads at images in clay and their tenure of certain lands was dependant on in butter which represented the victims-. supplying the King, when so required, with a Laskie was no markswoman; most of her shots, snowball at midsummer. That was no unfair it is stated, missed. The heir of Foulis came condition, for Ben Wyvis in most years retains to no harm at the time; but the Lady of Balna- snow in some of its northward facing corries gown “contracted deadlie sickness’ in 1577, until mid-August, and sometimes even all the and was “yet incurable” in 1590. Two of the year round. witches, Macgillivray being one, were tried by Always remembering that Ferindonald does a Ross-shire court on 28th November, 1577. not properly extend outside of Kiltearn and They confessed, and were burned at the stake. Alness parishes, it is interesting to find various The famous warlock, Coinneach Odhar, the properties, as far north as Caobisdale on the Brahan seer, was apparently implicated, but Sutherland border and westward to Lochbroom, was not brought to judgment. The Edinburgh held at various times by the Chief, or by cadet court of 1590 found Lady Katherine innocent branches. and acquitted her. Frank MacLennan. Baron Hector then took her place in the dock. He had been bred to the ministry, but had (To be continued) resigned from holy orders when his older brother, Robert, died about eight months after succeeding to the Barony. It was charged against him that he had employed a witch to cure him of sickness by transferring it to his Executive Council stepbrother, George, Lady Katherine’s eldest The Gaelic Meeting of the Council was held son. Hector pled not guilty, and was acquitted. on the 11th of March, the President in the chair. It may be of significance that in both cases There was a good attendance, and keen interest the juries were composed of Ross-shire people, was shown in the proceedings. who would be either friends of the accused or Dr. Bannerman presented the Minute of the sensible men not wishful to incur the displeasure Mod and Music Committee which listed the of powerful neighbours by giving an unfavour- prescribed songs for choirs and soloists for the able yerdict. From such intimate glimpses— 1962 Mod in Oban. These were all approved. and they are few—we may see that social life Two Minutes of the Finance Committee were in Ferindonald was much the same as that in approved without discussion. The treasurer, any Highland district. Miss Young, mentioned that she was now in a The same may be said of its pre-history. position to make a statement regarding the Stone cairns in Boath in the Alness valley; a finances of the Edinburgh Med. The post of stone circle in Clare in the Skiach valley; a assistant in the Office was offered to and accepted stone circle (unfortunately demolished this by Miss Margaret A. Macinnes, at the initial century) at Woodlands west of Foulis; the salary of £234 per annum. stories these tell, the archaeologist deciphers The convener of the Publication Committee for us. Are the natives of Ferindonald the submitted a Minute referring to the proposed descendants of the men who reared those stones ? Gaelic/English and English/Gaelic Dictionary, We do not know; it may well be that, in part, the efforts made to extend the sales of Sradag they are. and the recent publication of Gaelic Poems For Tradition makes the Munros incomers. It Interpretation. It is hoped that increased sales is said that they came from Ireland; it is said, in primary schools and through shops may make with more probability, that they came out of it possible to reduce the price of Sradag. The Minute of the Art and Industry Com- mittee, presented by Mrs. Edgar, noted the Book Review various competitions both for seniors and Gaelic Poems For Interpretation: (An juniors arranged for the 1962 Mod. Comunn Gaidhealach.) This valuable text book meets a long felt need, and should prove Mr. Donald A. Macdonald reported on the an interesting and useful aid in the teaching of meeting held by Clann an Fhraoich recently. Gaelic in Secondary Schools. There are twenty- This meeting took the form of a Brains Trust two short Gaelic poems suitable for Lower and proved very successful. It was arranged Grade work, and twenty for Higher Grade to have another meeting in March. classes. In addition there are Specimen Papers and S.L.C. Papers—Higher, Lower and Ordi- Arrangements are being made for the summer nary, together with a list of subjects suitable camps for Learners and Fluent Gaelic Speakers. for Gaelic compositions. Searching and ade- It was agreed that the convener of Comunn na quate questions, in English, to be answered in h-Oigridh Committee should prepare a State- English or Gaelic, are asked on each passage to ment of the aims and work of the Committee, guide the reader and to test his grasp of the and that a copy be sent to the Scottish Advisory contents. The questions on grammar suggest Committee on Youth work. that the extent of grammatical knowledge It was reported that Gaelic was to find an expected of the pupils at the various stages is honoured place in this year’s Edinburgh somewhat limited. International Festival. A grand concert will One would welcome a sprinkling of brighter be staged in the Usher Hall and a ceilidh in passages; there is a preponderance of the cumha Leith Hall. The following were appointed to variety, and, perhaps, too little material that draw up suitable programmes: Mr. Hugh is new or unfamiliar or fairly recent. MacPhee, Dr. J. M. Bannerman, Mr. Donald The general set-up of the book is pleasing, Grant, Mr. James Thomson and Mr. Donald the paper and type are good, and the editing MacPhail. throughout is excellent. An Comunn Gaidh- ealach who sponsored the work, the Central Gaelic Committee of the E.I.S. who selected Royal Celtic Awards the poems for interpretation, and the general Pipe-Major Donald Macleod, of the Queen’s editor deserve much credit for a very useful Own Highlanders, won the “Royal Celtic and desirable piece of work. Society Prize’ ’ of five guineas which is awarded at the discretion of the Colonel of the Highland Brigade to the pipe-major, piper n.c.o., or piper within the Highland Brigade who has Branch Reports each year done most to foster the objects of the society either by his piping or by teaching of STRONTIAN piping, Highland dancing, the use of the The Ardnamurchan Mod executive committee Highland dress and -the proper use of Gaelic decided to hold a Mod at Strontian on 27th June. toasts. Meansmusic teacherof raising were funds discussed. and the The provision Hon. Mrs. of a MacLeanComunn The Society also award a prize of five guineas of Ardgour, convener, presided. which goes in alternate years to the best ACHARACLE all-round piper either at the Argyll Gathering Under the auspices of the College of Piping, a or at the Northern Meeting. For 1960 the ceilidh was held in the Shielbridge Hall recently at prize has been awarded jointly to Hugh which Fr. Joseph Campbell, Mingarry, presided. McCallum, Campbeltown, and Ronald Lawrie, The artistes were—Messrs. John MacFadyen and Glasgow Police, for piping at Oban. Mr.Seumas John MacNeill, MacRae, piping:and Mr. MissIain InaDarroch, MacDiarmid, singers. The report of the Council noted that during FALKIRK 1960 donations were made as follows:—10 A very successful ceilidh was held on 24th February. guineas to the Edinburgh Celtic Society, 5 Piper A. Mochar opened the proceedings with a stirring guineas to the Gaelic Society of Inverness, selection, and the programme was sustained by Miss 3 guineas to the North Uist Highland Gathering, Betty Sinclair, Bo’ness. Miss A. McDougall, Glasgow, 2 guineas to the Clarsach Society, and 5 guineas fermline.Mr. Ian Carmichael, The accompanist Islay, andwas Mr. Mr. Ian Jack Watt, Roberts. Dun- to the Argyll Gathering. A donation of £50 Mr. Calum MacLeod, secretary of An Comunn, con- was made to the funds of the National Mod veyed the best wishes of the Association and compli- of 1960. mentedin Gaelic the and branch to raise on their funds efforts for the to promoteStirling interestMod. AYR Ceilidh at Dunblane At the filial ceilidh for the session in Troon the 20/5/60 14 President made a plea to have the National Mod Received at Glasgow— £623 19 7 hotelsin Ayr andat an halls early indate. Ayr, HePrestwick said there and are Troonplenty toof Locheamhead Branch £10 providefor the theevening, necessary Rev. accommodation A. M. Beaton, • The created chairman the SutherlandMod Committee Provincial .. 10 — — pretationceilidh spirit of theby hisGaelic amusing songs anecdotessung • The and artistes inter- TheGlasgow Gaelic Society of 5 wereChristine Piper Grant, Andrew and Jean McKissock, Dawson, allAlasdair from Glasgow. Grant, D.Skye MacLean, Esq., — 14 — readingsThe Ayr byJunior Frances Gaelic Mathews Choir wereand Aileenin good Fraser voice, were the MissMr. Duff,E. S. MacKerracher,Corpach .. 3 3 — wellthe artistes.received, and Norma M. Campbell accompanied H.Stirling D. Welsh, Esq., — 18 — DUMFRIES CeilidhAberdeen Nan Gaidheal.. .. 51 1 — the TheFebruary President, ceilidh. Rev. Mr.John Neil Fletcher, Shaw presidedrepresented at £35 16 — the Propaganda Committee and conveyed greetings £659 15 7 heto thewas hundred to meet members three members present. who He were said present how pleased when hethe formedHon. President, the branch Donald 31 years Morrison, before. aged These 91 years, were NATIONAL MOD—EDINBURGH, 1960 Neil Alex. MacVicar and W. Wilkie. Colin Morrison, Received at Edinburgh— theThe secretary,guest artistes conducts were Sheilagha progressive MacPhail Gaelic and class. Iain Previously acknowledged .. .. £3,647 7 10 toThomson, the programme Glasgow. and Local stirring singers selections also contributedof Scottish Received at Glasgow— airs were given by the Ceilidh Branch. Previouslyacknowledged £328 15 9 J ohnGlasgow—Arranging A. MacRae, Esq., GlasgowFee Relinquished Oban & Lorn .. 2 2 — Treasurer’s Notes Col.Association Maule Horne, 3 — — NATIONAL MOD—STIRLING, 1961 Dorset 10 Received at Stirling— £343 17 9 WhistCeilidh Drive 5/11/59 on 20/11/59.. £104 1812 69 £3,991 5 7 CeilidhRafHe—Star 3/12/59 Bar ... . 121 102 — MAGAZINE FUND Donation-—Mr. J. P. Previously acknowledged .. .. £6 6-— HighlandRoss, Stirling Ball 13/12/59 .. 9920 10 — Anonymous ...... — 14 ^— From Football Cards 19 7 6 £7 Raffle13/11/60 at .. Ceilidh.. 7 16- Ceilidh 28/1/6017/11/60 .. 1417—7 8 6 COMUNN NA H-OIGRIDH FUND Whist Drive 22/2/60 .. 15 15 — Previously acknowledged .. .. £59 1 — Donation-—W.Coffee Morning 5/3/60J. 10 14 4 Proceeds of Ceilidh (held by Pupils of McDonald .. .. — 10 — Inverness)Royal Academy and Concert and High (Mr. School, A. J. RaffleTrade Danceat Licensed 9/3/60 28 13 6 MacLean’s) ...... 10 Coffee-—Ladies’ Com- £69 1 — Donation—Missmittee . . Annie. . 45 4 — Fraser, Stirling . . 3 CENTRAL FUND Mrs.Whist McNicol—House Drive .. 14 2 — Previously acknowledged .. .. £170 10 9 Rafflebell per Peter.. Camp-.. 4—9 SkelmorlieGovan Branch and .. District.. Highland.. .. 10 — — ProceedsCeilidh 24/3/60 of Dinner.. 9 14 3 AnonymousAssociation ...... —-7611 — Concert—AlbertDance 18/3/60 Hall,.. 35 17 — KilmarnockKinross Branch Branch ...... 105 7 6 PrizeStirling Draw on15/4/60 20/4/60 .. 1962 151 — DumfriesDunkeld BranchBranch ...... 3 •— — Mannequin15/4/60 ..Parade .. 45 —6 Mrs. Marion Gillies, Ballinluig .. — 5 — Donation—Mr.Oliver James.. ■— 10 — £203 11 9 AN GAIDHEAL THE GAEL Editor — ]. THOMSON. M.A., F.E.I.S., 116 WEST SAVILE TERRACE, EDINBURGH to whom all correspondence should be addressed except that concerning advertizing, which should be addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer. 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C.2. Telephone: DOUglas 1433. Leabhar LVI AN T-OG-MHIOS, 1961 Aireamh 6

COILLTEAN DOSRACH IS mor an t-airgead a tha an rioghachd a’ fhearr leinn gu mor gun gleidheadh sinn na cosg air fiodh a tha a’ fas ann an duthch- daoine far a bheil iad an toiseach na a bhith annan ceine nuair a dh’fhaodadh earrann lionadh nan aiteachan falamh uaireigin le | mhath de na thatar a’ cur am feum a bhith a’ cosnadh ro anmoch. B’ fhearr leinn cainnt | fas anns a’ Ghaidhealtachd. Tha miltean agus doighean ar sinnsearachd a dhion an diugh, ; acair fearainn a’ coimhead an athair anns a' mus bi e ro fhadalach, na bhith 'g an teagaisg i cheamaidh sin de’n duthaich, gun suil ann a do choigrich am maireach. chi iad mur laigh suil eh in air iteig orra. Air Anns na h-Eileanan an lar, far a bheil an slios nam beann air feadh nan Garbh-chrioch, daingneach mu dheireadh aig Gaidhlig Alba agus an iomadh kite eile air feadh na Gaidh- an diugh, is docha nach deanadh cur chraobh \ ealtachd, tha rum gu leor fhathast aig Bord moran atharrachaidh ann a bhith toirt oibrich- * Nan Craobh airson an obair mhath ris a bheil ean do’n t-sluagh. Chan fhas a h-uile seorsa iad a chur am farsaingeachd. Ged is mor an craobh ro mhath far a bheil stoirmean a’ obair a rinn iad a cheana air feadh Alba, chan seideadh cho trie agus far an ruig cathadh- eil i ach beag an coimeas ris na dh’fhaodadh mara iad leis gach rotach. Ach tha craobhan j iad a dheanamh nam biodh an Riaghaltas a’ ann a sheasas ri fuachd is gaillinn, agus ged cuideachadh leotha mar bu mhath leinn, agus nach deanadh iad sin fiodh math bheireadh iad mar bu choir. Ann an iomadh clachan anns fasgadh do bharr is do spreidh. Agus nach mor » na glinn air Tir-m6r, agus ann an eileanan a’ an fheum a tha air fasgadh ann an eileanan a’ ) chuain, tha moran a’ glaodhaich airson oibreach chuain. * ’s gun an obair ann. Tha aireamh an t-sluaigh Tha sinn toilichte a chluinntinn gu bheil sior chrionadh a chionn nach eil e furasda a cuireadh aig luchd-teagaisg an kite a ghabhail 5 bhith beo an diugh air na choisnear dluth air ann an sgoil oileanachaidh Bord Nan Craobh | baile. Mur cothaichear beoshlainte aig an ann am Beinnmhoir, an Earraghaidheal, o'n I tigh ’s e falbh a dh’fheumar, agus fad nam deicheamh latha gus a’ choigeamh latha deug | bliadhnachan lionmhor ’s e falbh a bha ann. de’n luchar. Gheibh na sgoilearan eblas air ? Is docha nach eil obair eile ann a chumadh gach seorsa craobh aithneachadh, bidh cothrom aireamh an t-sluaigh gun sioladh as buileach, aca craobhan oga a chur 's a laimhseachadh, agus a bheireadh air ais cuid de na dh’fhalbh, agus nochdar dhaibh na feuman eadar-dheal- coltach ri aiteachas chraobh. Tha an uine a’ aichte gus a bheil fiodh air a chur. Tha cinnt ruith; agus tha tighean ann am bailtean againn nach cum an luchd ionnsachaidh duthchail na Gaidhealtachd a’ tuiteam ’nam na dh’fhoghlumas iad anns an sgoil fo ghlais; broinn gun duine ann a thogas iad, an fhasach agus co aige tha fios nach fhaicear kl 6g ag , a’ sior sgaoileadh, agus an fhalamhachd a’ eirigh air feadh Earraghaidheil aig am bi glaodhajch ’s gun i faighinn eisdeachd. B’ uidh ann an obair coille. t-sruth sluaigh a bha tighinn 'nan deann ’nam Cha Teid Tuilleadh choinneamh. A’ chiad chothrom a fhuair mi thug mi ceum gu taobh eile na sr&ide ,ach ma thug ACHIONN nach robh an corr agam ri dhean- cha robh sin an an-fhios do aon fhear carbaid amh thug mi sgriob leamfhinsios am baile. co-dhiu. Cho luath ’s a chunnaic e mi rinn e Mus robh mi fada air mo thurus b’fhearr orm ’na char loinneil, mar gum biodh e ag leam air na chunnaic mi riamh gu robh mi air radh ris fhein: Beiridh mi ortsa co-dhiu. fuireachd am broinn an tighe. Ach is ann a Feuch thusa na rug! Ach ghabh mi barrachd bhiodh ‘ ‘cha teid tuilleadh’ ’ agam mur bithinn eagail na ghabh mi riamh anns a’ Chogadh air coinneachadh ri mo charaid caomh air an Mhor. Bha an truthair seachad orm mus dean mi iomradh mus bi mi ullamh. Ghleidh d’fhuair mi air m’anail a tharraing, agus cha esan mi bho thubaist agus bho dhragh do chach. robh fo mo chothrom ach maoidheadh air le Dh’fhaodainn a bhith air cumail romham, leis mo chromaig. Mu mo choinneamh bha dithis na smaointean faoine a bha agam aig nach bhraisichean ’nan suidhe gu doigheil air being robh ceangal idir ri ionad mo choise, agus co a’ glocadaich ghaireachdainn mar gum biodh aige tha fios caite an robh mi air stad air a’ iad toilichte cho faisg ’ s a chaidh an c&r air mo cheann thall, caite an lorgainn mi fhin, na mharbhadh. Nam biodh duine eile ’nam c6 lorgadh mi fa-dhe6idh. chuideachd bha mi air foighneachd mar a rinn Bha sluagh gun aireamh air an t-sr&id nuair fear eile ann a leithid de chunnart, “Cia meud a rainig mi, mar gum biodh deagh fhios aca a mharbh am fear ud?” Cha do leig mi orm gu robh mi tighinn; ach cha b’e sin idir a thug gu robh iad ann, ach chum mi mo shuil air a mach iad air a’ mhadainn ud. Cha robh fear fleasgach beag a bha le pasgan phaipeirean a bha dol seachad nach robh ’na dheann mar naidheachd aig oisinn na sraide. Bha esan a’ gum b’e sud a’ mhionaid dheireannach aige glaodhaich aird a chlaiginn mar nach biodh air an talamh. Na leig duine aca air gu robh duine dol seachad air nach robh mall an claisn- mi ann? Feuch thusa na leig. Dh’fhaodainn eachd. Am meadhon na sraide, astar beag air a bhith anns a’ ghealaich airson na bha dh’fhios falbh, bha cuanal fhear shios chun nan cluasan aca; dh’fhaodainn a bhith air fuireachd a ann an toll a chladhaich iad a’ lorg phioban. stigh san tigh airson na bha de iarraidh na de Ma fhuair iad lorg orra cha robh cabhag sam ionndrainn orm. Ma bha fios aca fhein caite bith orra dad a dheanamh riutha. Am fear an robh iad a’ dol chum iad sin am falach nach robh le piob ’na phluic bha a shuil air ormsa. Ma bha sixil aca ri companach cha bu a ghualainn mus rachadh duine seachad gun mhise bha san amharc aca. Chum iad orra fhios- dha. seachad orm mar gum biodh an teine air an Ghabh mise seachad mus eireadh na bu craiceann, direach mar nach bithinn air an aon mhiosa dhomh, ach a dh’aindeoin na thachair sriid riutha. rium—agus cha b’e sin am beag—chan fhaca Cha b’e sud an seorsa air an robh mise eolach mi creutair beo a chanainn a chunnaic mi riamh. nuair a bha mi 6g. Sin seoid nach ruitheadh Bha mi cho aonaranach ’s ged a b’ann a saoghal seachad ort gu bog, balbh air meud na cabhaig. eile a bhithinn air tighinn air a’ mhadainn ud. Dh’fhagadh iad beannachd agam anns an dol Aonaranach am meadhon a’ bhaile mhoir! seachad agus te eile anns an tilleadh. Air a’ Bha agus na b’aonaranaiche na ged a bhithinn mhadainn ud cha do leig duine air gu robh mi leam fhin ann an eilean iomallach a’ chuain. air an talamh; cha do dh’fhoighnich aon aca Chuimhnich mi rithist air a’ chlachan anns a’ dhomh caite an robh mi dol na co as a thug mi a’ ghleann, agus air comunn blath na cuideachd choiseachd; chan fhaca duine gu robh ad ur bhig a bha chomhnuidh ann. Chaill mi sealladh air mo cheann agus bata cromagach ’ nam laimh. air ball air tighean arda, ribheach a’ bhaile Bu cho math dhomh a bhith air am fagail air mhoir; chan fhaca mi, car uine, luchd imeachd mo chul airson na bha de chiiram air luchd na na sraide, cha chuala mi gleadhraich nan sior choiseachd, agus ma theid mise an t-slighe carbaidean na uinich oibrichean. Bha samhch- ud a rithist is e am fagail aig an tigh a ni air a’ ghlinne ’nam uchd, seinn nan eun ’nam mi. chluais, agus buille fhann a’ chuain air cladach Ma bha cabhag air na fir, cha robh cabhag air a’ miichadh na falamhachd a bha agam am an t-saoghal air na mnathan agus air na cail- measg a’ mhor shluaigh. Nuair a thainig mi eagan. Bha iad an sud, sean is 6g, Hath is thugam fhin, co bha 'na sheasamh air mu daite, direach is crubach, suairce is gruamach, bheulaibh ach fior charaid dhomh nach fhaca ’ s iad uile a’ goradaireachd a steach air uinneagan mi o chionn iomadh bliadhna. Sud far an robh nam buthan aodaich mar nach biodh stiall aca an fhailte chridheil. An deidh beagan c6mh- a chuireadh iad umpa. Ach dh’fhag mise iad raidh lorg sinn tigh-bidh far an d’fhuair sinn far an robh iad, agus chum mi orm troimh an cothrom is bine gu leor airson eachdraidh .nan seann laithean aithris is eisdeachd, a’ deanamh ath-chuimhne air fir is caileagan air an robh An Quinn Thu Mo sinn eolach le cheile, air gach sugradh is cleas a bhiodh againn ’nan cuideachd, air gach Mo Ribhinn Ghiuin caochladh is ionndrainn a thainig leis na bliadhnachan. Chaidh an latha seachad, ach An cluinn thu mi mo ribhinn chitlin ? cha do theirig seanachas. Ma bha mise aon- Nach eisd thu rium an tr&th so, aranach anns a’ mhadainn, thug an comunn ’S nach gabh thu suim de m’ chor an diugh; caomh a bha againn r£ an latha cuideachd air ar Ochoin! cho truagh ’s a tha mi. beulaibh—cuideachd nach fhaca ’s nach cuala An cuimhne leat an uair a bha duine bha stigh aig bord ach sinn fhin. Thu rium-sa daonnan c&irdeil, Chan e duilleag na dha a dh’fheumte, ach ’S a gheall thu dhomh gun d&il do l&mh, leabhar tomadach, mus tugte iomradh mion- ’S nach diobradh tu gu br&th mi ? aideach air gach cuspair air na rinn sinn iom- radh mus deach a’ ghrian fodha. Cha robh an Nach beachd leat fhein am feasgar s&imh latha samhraidh fada gu leor airson na h- A dh’imich sinn do’n bhr&ighe, eachdraidh a chaidh seachad aithris gu leir. ’S a thuirt mi riut am briathran blcith’, Bha duil agam nuair a thoisich mi dealbh O's tu a ghaoil is aill learn? cubhaidh a sgriobhadh air madainn Sathuirne air sraid iomraideach a’ bhaile mhoir. Chaill Bha coisir bhinn na coill air ghleus, mi am baile leis na bh’ann an cuideachd an Gun teud neo-reidh san aireamh; t-seann eolaich, ach fhuair mi moran a bharr- Mi fein le solas, meas do bheus, achd air na chaill mi. ’ S tu luaidh ri caidreamh lamh rium. Eileanach. Ach threig an samhradh ’s ce61 nan geug; Thuit duibhre geamhraidh trath orm, ’ S tha mise ’ n diugh ’ s mo chridh’ fo leon, Ceistear ’ S gun Anna Bhan ’ s a gradh rium. Bha dithis sa’ bhaile againne, seann fhear agus balach, agus ged is e an t-aon ainm agus Chan eil fois a stigh na muigh, sloinneadh a bha orra cha robh iad trie air an 'S chan fhaigh mi tamh san anmoch, aon r&mh. ’S e Iain a bha orra le cheile, agus ’ S mo smaoin cho trie air dealbh is cruth b’ainneamh da Iain air an aon iteig. Chanadh Na maighdinn 6g a chraidh mi. muinntir a’ bhaile mu Iain Og gun robh e solta, samhach, ach nuair a chluinneadh na caill- Their cuid gur goraiche do neach eachan sin theireadh iad, “Cha do dhragh thu Bhith nochdadh bron san doigh so, fhiasag.” Co-dhiii bha teanga sgaiteach aige Ach ’s galair saraicht’ leon a’ ghaoil; nuair a thogradh e fhein. Bha an seann duine Tha bhlath sud air mo shnuadh-sa. math air ceasnachadh. Taobh-tuath Earraghaidheil . Chaidh am fear 6g latha ’na dheise, agus rinn e breacan a baile. ’S e air tilleadh bho a chuairt, co a’ chiad duine a choinnich ris ach Iain ud eile. Ars am bodach, “Cait as an tug Idir thu a’ choiseachd ?’ ’ “As na casan,’ ’ fhreagair am balach. Thuirt an seann duine, “’S e tha Is docha gu bheil sibh eblach air di chu a mi ciallachadh, cait as an tiinig thu?’’ Ach bha aig Fionn—Luath agus Bran. Ach bha ’s e am freagairt a fhuair e, “Fear as an robh coin eile aige dh’an tuilleadh. An tuig sibh mi.” Dh’ fhoighnich am bodach, “Cait eil de an t-ainm a bha air cu bho’n toimhseachan ’ thu dol ?” Thuirt am balach ’s e toirt a chasan so? leis an taobh a bha e dol, “Dh’an ait tha Chaidh Fionn do’n bheinn ’s cha romham; agus am biodh e modhail dhomhsa deach idir; na ceistean sin a chur oirbh fhein?” Thiodhlaig e a bhean, 's cha do S.S. thiodhlaig idir.” Bha fear eile ann agus cu aige air an robh Idir. Cha robh a leithid idir ann, agus chuir 1. Cha do leig i oirre gu robh mi ann. na ciobairean eile suil ann. Latha bha so 2. Thug e an saoghal fo a cheanh. chaidh Coinneach chon na feille agus Idir ’na 3. Is fhada o bha sin agam air mo theangaidh. chois. Seach nach robh e cho glic air an fheill 63 — ’s a bhiodh e aig baile 's ann a reic e an cu. air an oighreachd. Bha mo sheanair a’ fuireach Mu’n robh an fh6ill seachad thog e air dhachaidh ann an Ceann t-Siile aig an am, agus, mar a agus e air f&s beagan na bu ghlice. Cha robh e dh’eirich do chich, b’fheudar dha am beagan air a dhol fada nuair a dh’ionndrainn e an cu. chaorach a bh’aige a chur air falbh. Gu Sheas e air mullach cnuic os cionn na feille, fortanach dha-san bha fior dhuine gasda, agus e ag eubhach ard a chlaiginn, “Cha robh Alasdair Macllleinnein, a thug cead do m’ feill mhath ann an diugh idir, idir, idir.’ ’ Cha sheanair na caoraich aige a chur cuide ris na b’fhada gus an robh an cu air ais ’na chois. caoraich aige fhein. S.T.B. Is iongantach mar a thachair. Latha bha sud chaidh mo sheanair a bhuain na m6na. Air an rathad eadar Lianasaidh is a’ Mhoraich thug e an aire do dh’ uan beag ri taobh na h-aibhne. Am Peata Uain Thug e suil air agus cha robh teagamh sam bith Le Domhnall MacRath gu’m b’e so fear a chaill a mhAthair. Air dha AChairdean, tha mi cinnteach gur trie tilleadh dhachaidh thug mo sheanair leis an a chuala sibh mu Linn an Aigh:— t-uan so ’na uchd an taobh a stigh a sheacaid. An uair a rainig e dhachaidh dh’innis e An uair bha Gh&idhlig aig na h-e6in do m’ sheanamhair mar a fhuair e e. Ghabh Bha am bainne air an Ion mar dhruchd, ise truas de’n uan is thoisich i air a bhiadhadh A' mhil a’ fas air bharr an fhraoich le bainne agus an uair nach robh bainne ann, ’S a h-uile ni cho saor ’s am bum. bhuaileadh i suas ugh is siucar is bheireadh i sin dha. ’ S e fhein a ghabh gu togarrach ris a so. Cha robh daoin’ a’ paidheadh m&il, Ghabhadh e na gheibheadh e. Cha robh c&in orra no cis; Mar a dh’fhaodas sibh a thuigsinn dh’fhAs lasgach, sealgach agus coill an t-uan gu bhith ’ na pheata agus bha Murchadh, Aca gun fhaighneach is gun phris. brathair m’ athar, a dh’ innis an eachdraidh so dhomh ’na bhalachan beag aig an am. Tha Nach grinn an dealbh a thog am bird. Chan Murchadh, tha mi toilichte a radh, gu slan eil teagamh nach robh maise is pailteas, baidh fallain fhathast an Cinn t-Saile is ged a tha e is cairdean ’na bhriathran ach tha mise dearbhte ceithir fichead is a deich tha an deagh mheomh- nach ann air a’ Ghaidhealtachd an linn ar air aige. Mar sin tha lan dearbhadh agam seanar a bha e a’ bruidhinn. Is beag de chuid uaithe-san air na lean an deidh do’n uan a an t-saoghail a bh’aig ar daoine 's na laithean bhith a’ ruith am mach is a stigh thar na sin. Cia mar sam bith a dh’ fhaodadh e bhi mu starsnaich. Cha robh aon de’n teaghlach nach na h-eoin is an cuid Giidhlig tha aon rud leanadh e is ghabhadh e suas air uairean do’n cinnteach agus is e sin nach robh uiread is cead bhiith ghreusachd a bh’aig mo sheanair agus aig mo sheanair-sa uiread ri peata uain a chan eil teagamh nach bitheadh e ag criomadh chumail. bideagan feoir a bha a’ fas ri taobh an rathaid Gu sgeul an uain a thoirt dhuibh air, innsidh san dol seachad. B’e an t-ioghnadh mar a’ mi dhuibh direach mar a thachair. Aig an am deanadh e sin. Gu de an aithne a bh'aig an air a bheil mi a’ bruidhinn ghabh Ameriganach uan bhochd mu’n ordugh a thug Maighstir mor beartach, fear Winans, oighreach Chinn Winans nach robh sin ceadaichte dha. t-Saile air mhil ri aon bliadhn’ thar fhichead, Chuala Maighstir Winans mar a bha an bho’n Ridire Tdmas MacCoinnich, an t- t-uan ag ithe an fheoir a bha air an oighreachd uachdaran. aige-san agus ’se cheud fhiosrachadh a fhuair Bha a chomhnuidh aige-san ann an Gleann mo sheanair air gu de bh’an din dha, an latha Muice an Siorramach Obair Dheathain. Bha a thiinig Uilleam Ros, an geamair, agus Iain oighreachd Chinn t-Siile m6r farsaing, a’ Mac an Leigh, aon de’n luchd faire air an sineadh air son di cheud mile acair bho’n oighreachd, far an robh e, le rabhadh teann Mhanachainn gu Ceann Loch Diithaich. 'S e gu’m feumadh e faighinn cuideas an t-uan. fior dhuine beartach a bh’ann an Winans so. Dh’innis mo sheanair dhaibh mar a fhuair e Rinn e airgead mor ann a bhi a’ togail rathaid- an t-uan agus mar a bha e nis ’na pheata aig a’ ean iaruinn 's na Stitan Aonaichte. Cha robh chloinn. Cha tug iad eisdeachd sam bith dha, e fada gus an do leig e ris co aige a bha an bha an dleasdanas aca-san ri dheanamh, t-ughdarras. Bha e de’ n bheachd gu’m faodadh thubhairt an Rosach, agus mur a deanadh mo e deanamh mar a thogradh e. B’e an t-sealg sheanair mar a dh’iarradh gu’m faigheadh bu mhiann leis is chan fhaodadh dad sam bith Maighstir Winans ordugh cuirte no “interdict’’ gnothach a ghabhail ris a sin. Cha cheadaich- a bheireadh air an t-uan a chur air falbh. eadh e do dhuine uiread is beathach ionaltradh Cha b’e fear a bha ’nam sheanair, ged a bha e gu math socrach ’na nadur, a ghabhadh ri Chuir e na fir lagha an greim a rithist agus b’e maoidheadh de’n t-seorsa sin is thionndaidh e a bhuil gun deach an gnothach a chur air air an Rosach agus ars esan—‘ ‘Aon roinneag de beulaibh an Ard Shiorraim Mac an Toisich an chalg cha chuir mis’ air falbh air son Winans no Inbhir Nis. B’e a’ bhreith a thug esan gun airson neach eile agus faodaidh tu sin innseadh robh na cumhnantan a bha a’ toirmeasg do m’ dha bhuam-sa. Is beag na th’ aige ri dheanamh sheanair crodh no caoraich a chumail air an mas e uan bochd a tha ag cur dragh air.” oighreachd a reir an lagha agus gu’ n robh aige- san ri cosguis na cuirte a sheasamh. Bha a’ An sin thubhairt Mac An Leigh ris gum chuis a nis seachd uairean na bu mhiosa na feumadh e a bhith furachail gu de bha e ag bha e riamh, oir cha robh comas idir aig mo radh—“Cuimhnich” ars esan, ‘‘tha Maighstir sheanair air a leithid sin de dh’airgead a Winans saoibhreach agus cumhachdach.” phaidheadh. ' ‘Biodh e cho beartach is a tha e,’ ’ fhreagair mo Cha robh ann ach duine bochd. Ach cha sheanair, ‘‘tha Dia agus daoine na’s cumh- robh e gun chairdean. Chaidh an naidheachd achdaiche na esan.” Le sin dhoibh an clar an mu’n pheata air feadh na tire agus thoisich aodainn thog iad orra. an sluagh air airgead a thional agus le comhairle Beagan laithean an deidh sin, air an fhich- an Urramaich Ruaraidh Moireasdan, ministear eadamh latha de mhios deireannach an t- na sgire, agus MacCoinnich, an t-uachdaran, samhraidh sa’ bhliadhna ochd ceud deug cho-eignich iad mo sheanair le gealladh gu’m ceithir fichead is a ceithir fhuair mo sheanair biodh iad 'nan cul taice dha a’ chuis a dhearbh- litir bho luchd lagha an Inbhir Nis gu’n robh adh aig ciiirt nam Morairean Dearga an Dim aige ri gealladh a thoirt is a chumail nach Eideann. Bha ceathrar de na Morairean mora cuireadh e crodh no caoraich air an talamh, 'nan suidhe an sud air an treas la de mhios oir nan deanadh e sin gu’m bitheadh an lagh meadhonach an t-samhraidh sa’ bhliadhna ac’ air. Cha tug mo sheanair suim sam bith ochd ceud deug ceithir fichead is a’ cdig—Am do’n litir so, is cha robh an cbrr air gus an Morair Mac a’ Chleirich, am Morair Young, d’thainig dithis a h-uile ceum a Inbhir Nis Am Morair Craighill agus am Morair Ruther- le paipear aca a’ toirmeasg dha, le ordugh ford, urrachan mora an lagha. B’e a’ cheist cuirte, beathach a chur air oighreachd Winans. a nis gu de bhinn a bheireadh iad-san. Bha eagal air a nis gu’n cuireadh iad sa’ Faodaidh sibh a bhith cinnteach gu’n robh phriosan e agus cha robh air ach gu’m b’ fheudar mo sheanair fo throm churam is fo iomagain. dha an t-uan a chur air falbh ged a bu ghoirt Mu dheireadh an deidh mean-sgrudadh a leis sin a dheanamh a chionn am bristeadh dheanamh air na bha fa’ n comhair labhair iad. cridhe a bh’ann do’n chloinn a bhith a’ deal- Chaidh iad thairis air eachdraidh an uain; achadh ris. thug iad tarraing air coirichean an t-sluaigh Cha b’ urrainn a leithid so a chleith agus fad agus a’ tighinn gu cnag na cuise leig iad ris an fhoghair ud bha moran a’ tadhal an tighe gu soilleir gun robh a’ bhuaidh gu h-aona agus b’e a’ chomhairle a bha iad uile a’ toirt ghuthach aig mo sheanair, agus iomlanachd na dha, a’ chuis a chur air beulaibh an t-Siorram cosguis air Winans. a chum is gu’n rachadh eisdeachd ri ghearan. Bha iomradh na cuirte anns gach paipear- Sin mar a thachair. Fhuair mo sheanair fios naidheachd agus anns an ‘‘Albannach,” pai- gu’m biodh a’ chiiirt air a cumail ann an Inbhir pear mor Dhun-Eideann, bha e air a radh Pheofharain air a’ choigeamh 1& fichead de’n “gun robh a’ mhdr chuid de’n luchd diithcha Fhaoilteach. Cha b’ann gun iomagain a thog de’n lan bheachd gu’n robh Winans air di- e air. Rinn e tigh na cuirte dheth agus bu chomhairle a leithid de ghnothach a thoirt gu mhilis an sgeul dha an uair a chual e an Siorram lagh idir,’ ’ agus cha b’e an cliu a b’fhearr a thug Hill ag radh gu'n robh a’ bhua.dh aige-san iad dha airson mar a rinn e. Bha so de mhaith- agus gun robh cosguis na cuirte a’ tigh.nn air eas air na rinn e gun robh moran de na thubhairt Winans. Faodaidh sibh a bhi cinnteach gu’m na Morairean mu choirichean sluagh na Gaidh- bu choma leis an ochd mile deug a bh’aige ri ealtachd air gabhail ris an Achd nan Croitearan choiseachd air an rathad dhachaidh troimh an a chaidh a steidheachadh an ath bhliadhna. t-sneachd bho Port an Troim gu Ceann Loch Thainig cosguis an lagha gu corr is tri mile Duthaich. punnd Sasunnach. B’e a.rgead mor a bha sm Bha an ceol air feadh na fidhle nis ma bha e ’s na l&ithean sm. Gomid an deidh do’n chuirt riamh. Cha b’e fear a bh’ann an Winans a a bhith seachad, chaidh W.nans far an robh mo bha dol a ghabhail ri binn de’n t-seorsa sin. sheanair agus ars esan, “Well, chaidh an latha Nach do phaidh e airson an oighreachd agus leat agus bhiodh e na bu shaoire dhomh-sa nach robh na h-uile coir aige iighdarras a iomhaigh an uam mhosaich sm agad a thoirt shealbhachadh thairis air na bhuineadh dha. dhuit ann an6r.” — 85 — Cha b’fhada gus an do chuir e a chul ri Cinn bradan anns an lion as cinntiche dha. Tha sin t-Saile. Is coltach gun robh an t-eagal air dha fhagail a’ cuairteachadh nan lion anns am fuireach oir bha e air a radh aig an am gun bi na bradain an greim. Chan fheith e gus deach an carbad aige a chlachadh a’ dol troimh am bcisaich am bradan a tha an sas; stiallaidh Inbhir Pheofharain. Thog e air do cheann a e caob as a’ bhe6 agus fagaidh e an corr aig an deas Shasuinn far an do chaochail e. iasgair bhochd. Gu trie chan eil aig an iasgair Cha robh an tarbh a b’fhearr is a b’airde pris air fhagail ach conablaich gun fheum, na am Peairt riamh cho iomraideach ris an uan so. cnamhlaich gun siigh. Is e sin is coireach gum Bha MacCoinnich, an t-uachdaran, cho toilichte faic thu fear nan lion a’ gluasad gu fathach am leis mar a thachair is nach deanadh dad an beul na tuinne an ciaradh an fheasgair le ghunna gnothach ach gu’m feumadh e thoirt leis gu fo achlais. Gleann Muice. Bha cead aig an uan an sin gach criomag is bileag a chriomadh mar a Is mdr an luach airgid a tha iasgairean Alba b’aill leis agus cha robh neach a thigeadh a’ call ri linn nan ron, ach suarach sin acasan an rathad nach biodh a’ tighinn ’ga choimhead. ma bhios am broinn fhein Icin. Bha e an sud gus an d’ fhuair e bas nadurrach. S.D.T. Chaidh a chllu an sgriobhadh agus is iomadh neach a rinn luaidh air. ’Nam measg bha am bird, Coburn, a sgriobh ceithir rannan deug thar fhichead mu’n pheata a dh’aobharaich a Uibhist A Tuath leithid de dh’ aimhreit. Biodh sin mar a tha e, (3) tha so fior, nach robh uan riamh air Gaidheal- Bha corr cheaird eile anns an eilean cuid- tachd a thug fianuis mar a rinn esan ann an eachd, ach ’s e beagan a bha an crochadh orra Cuirt nam Morairean Mora gu ceartas a thoirt airson teachd-an-tir. Ann an 1794 bha an do dhaoine bochda agus a chuidich cho mor gu luchd-ceaird so anns an sgireachd: da ghreus- coirichean ar daoine a dhaingneachadh ann an aiche, tri breabadairean fichead, coig goibhnean, lagh na rioghachd: mar a rinn am peata uain coig taillearan fichead, tri muillearan, deich a bh’ aig mo sheanair. saoir luinge agus tri clachairean. Dh’ innseadh an sgeul so air an radio. Fad na siathamh linne deug bha Loch nam Madadh, ceann-bhaile na sgire, ’na phort iasgaich. Ach aig toiseach na seachdamh linne deug sguir na bataichean a bhith freasgairt a’ phuirt. Tha iomradh anns an Register of the An Ron Glas Privy Council gu robh e fo amharus mar chala a Tha an fheadhainn do’n aithne ag innseadh bha toirt fathamas do spiiinneadairean mara dhuinn gu bheil corr math air deich mile agus gun d’fhuair cuid de na bataichean fichead ron, eadar rbin ghlasa is roin chumanta, bairlinn iad a bhith 'g a sheachnadh. Anns an air ais is air adhart timcheall cladaichean Alba. ochdamh linn deug bhiodh e ’na acarasaid Is math is aithne dhaibh caite an tadhail iad aig soithichean Eireannach a bhiodh air an airson bidh. Chan eil oitir na bun aibhne turus do’n Bhaltaig. far am faighear iasg nach ruig iad; chan eil Aig deireadh na h-ochdamh linne deug lion air chruaidh na air bhacan nach lorg iad. theann an t-iasgach air seargadh agus a thoradh Agus bidh an cuid fhein acasan mus fhaic an air sin cha robhas a’ togail tuilleadh bhAt- t-iasgair toradh a shaothrach. Tha sin a’ aichean. Ann an 1794 bha naoidh fichead f&gail naimhdeas nach beag an cridhe an iasgair sgoth an Uibhist agus a h-uile h-aon aca air do na creachadairean. a togail anns an eilean. A reir cunntas na Is muirneach leis an ron iasg beo sam bith bliadhna 1837 bha aireamh nan soithichean air airson a loin, agus cha diult e iasg sligeach nuair tuiteam. Bho’n sin faodar a thuigsinn gu robh nach bi nas fhearr ann. Tha an rbn cumanta obair an iasgaich air lughachadh. Chan eil coma de seorsa eisg a bhios mu choinneamh, cinnt agam de a’ bhuannachd a bha aig an ach is e am bradan tarr-gheal roghainn an uachdaran a obair . an iasgaich. Tha mi roin ghlais. Fagaidh sin an ron glas a’ smaoineachadh gur e hr nan tacaichean bu cuachail gu minic, aig amannan sonraichte de’n mhotha rinn an seacaid dh’ a thoradh. Thug mi bhliadhna, an cois a’ chladaich, anns na tarraing a cheana air MacCuinn Oransaidh. baigh aonaranach, na am beul an t-srutha far Tha cunntas againn gum biodh esan a’ togail am bi na bradain 'nan cliathan air an turus cis uapa-san a bhiodh a’ cutadh agus a’ saill- gu loch uisge. eadh eisg air an oighreachd aige. Tha cunntas Ged is siubhlach an r6n agus ged is luath e againn cuideachd gun d’fhuair e seilbh air an deidh na creiche tha lorg mhath aige gur h-e coraichean iasgach bhradan. Is e so an aon iomradh air breacach a tha againn anns na tha Anns na linntean doirbhe a dh’fhalbh dh' sgriobhte de sheann eachdraidh Uibhist. fhuiling an sluagh cruaidh-chas is anacothrom nach bu bheag. Anns na h-amannan carraid- 3ho ainmean aiteachan tuigidh sinn gu robh each roimh na fuadaichean bha moran suas air lion a' fas an Uibhist a Tuath aig aon am, ach deirc bho Bhord nam Bochd. Mu dheireadh tha e an duathar oirnn co-dhiubh bha an obair thairg am Bbrd so airgead cuideachaidh gus an buannachdail gus nach robh. Ann an 1793 sluagh a chur do Chanada—punnd Sasunnach chuir a’ bhean-nasal, Mairead NicDhomhnaill, airsbn nan inbheach agus deich tasdain airson a Sleibhte, tigh-ceairde lin air chois an Loch na cloinne. Bha an t-uachdaran a’ toirt fiach nam Madadh ach sguir an obair an ceann beagan £60 de mholltair nam muilnean do’ n fheadhainn bhliadhnaichean. Chan eil teagamh nach do bu truaighe ’nan crannchur. Cha robh moran mhair obair lin mar obair tighe greis an deidh bidh r’a sheachnadh, ged a dh’fhaodadh e bhith so. Is e Cnoc an Lin a theirear fhathast ri aon gu robh sail! roin is aran eorna taisealach le de bhailtean na sgire Phaiblich. cion a chaochlaidh. Faodaidh mi gearr-iomradh a thoirt air caochladh obraichean eile a gheibhte anos an Theirear gu trie gur h-e cion rathaidean mora eilean, a reir cunntasan 1791 agus 1837. is goireasan siubhail is malairt a chuir cas- Roimh dheireadh na h-ochdamh linne deug bha bhacaidh air adhartas anns na h-eileanan. coig goibhnean anns an sgir. JBha Clann ’ic Chan eil teagamh nach eil trian de’n fhirinn Riiiiridh ’nangoibhnean is ’nan luchd deanamh an sin, ach chan e sin uile gu leir an cnap- arm aig Domhnallaich Shleibhte. Tha beul- starra. Ann an 1837 bha ceithir fichead mile aithris a’ cumail a mach gum biodh iad a’ de rathad ann an Uibhist a Tuath. Ri linn deanamh lann ann an ceardaich an Uibhist sin fhuaras almsadh air bathar a ghiulan le roimh bhliadhna Thearlaich. Chi sinn cuid- cairt bho aite gu aite. Bha naoidh fichead cairt eachd gu robhas ri calanas is ri taillearachd. anns an eilean ann an 1837 ged nach robh ann Gu toiseach na linne so fhein bha iomadh beairt- ach ochd ann an 1794. Ihighe ann an Uibhist air am bithte deanamh Mu mheadhon na naoidheamh linne deug clo, drogaid agus plaideachan. Tha an t- thoisich pacaid-aisig, am Perseverance, a’ Ollamh Eanruig Hamilton ag radh, ‘ ‘Anns an seoladh uair sa’ cheithir latha deug eadar Loch Eilean Fhada bhatar a’ deanamh phlaideachan nam Madadh agus Dunbheagain. Ri tide bha is bhreacan; bha iad sin a’ dol gu paidheadh i ruith tri uairean san t-seachdain, gus na roinn de’n mhal air oighreachd Dhomhnaill thoisich, ann an 1876, aiseag eadar Uibhist MhicDhomhnaill an Uibhist a Tuath ann an agus an t-Eilean Sgitheanach gach latha. 1718”. Ceud bliadhna an deidh sin bha Deich bliadhna an deidh sin thoisich bataichean breabadaireachd a’ teannadh ri dhol a cleachd- Mhic a’ Bhruthain a’ freasgairt Innse Gall agus adh, nuair a thoisich cotan is calico air tighinn a’ dol gu ruige Mallaig is Caol Loch Aillse. as a’ Ghalldachd. Anns an linn so thainig caochladh mor air Anns an t-saoghal anns a bheil sinne bed tha tuar an eilein, gu h-araidh mar thoradh air na moran ghoireasan nach robh aig na daoine bho goireasan ura. Eadar 1930 agus 1939 chaidh shean. Rha iadsan riamh lamhchaireach gus leasachadh a dheanamh air rathaidean. Chaidh an ire a b’fhearr a thoirt as na bhari an laimh. rathad mor an Righ a thearradh agus chaidh Cha bhiodh iad gun chonnadh taisealach fhad’s utraid a chur gu ruige gach baile. Is ann air a bha moine is feanntach air monadh; cha bhiodh an fhearann a thatar a’ deanamh a’ mhor- iad gun tughadh fhad’s a bhiodh muran air chuid de theachd-an-tir fhathast, ach tha corr bearradh cladaich; agus nam biodh maorach is obair ann mar chul-taice. Tha tigh-ceairde feamainn ri’m faotainn bheireadh iad an cuid an Loch nam Madadh airson giollachd feamad. as an traigh. Thatar a’ buain na monach fhath- Tha muileann sniomhe is cardaidh ann an Loch ast, agus bithidh an da latha so, fhad’s a bhios Ephort. Bha chionn bliadhna no dha thainig pris a’ ghuail cho ard 's a tha e. Thatar a’ beagan cosnaidh an luib cabhsair na Fadhlach cur a’ mhurain gu feum cuideachd. Chaidh a Tuath. a chur an toiseach airson casg a chur air siabadh A reir coltais chan eil an oigridh air an taladh na gainmhieh; bhithte ’g a chur gu feum a’ gu obair fearainn agus tha moran a’ sireadh tughadh thighean, a’ deanamh iris deth agUs beo-shlainte air tir-mor. Mur tig obraichean acuinn each. ura agus cosnadh riatanach air aruinn an eilein Bhatar aon uair a’ deanamh feum anabarrach faodaidh gun tig faisneachd an fhiosaiche gu de’n fheamainn. Bhiodh iad a’ bruich na teachd: “Bidh Uibhist a Tuath fhathast air feamann chirean agus 'g e toirt do chrodh air fhasachadh; bidh e ’ na lag-tamh aig na geoidh am biodh tiormachd. Is math an tobhar a ghlasa’ ’ . dheanadh i. Iain A. Mac A’ Phearsoin. — 67 — LEARNER’S PAGE Chan eil fhios again c6 thubhairt an toiseach I do not know who first said, “My own j “Mo chomunn fhein comunn nan ceard,’’ ach fellowship, the fellowship of the tinkers,’’ ! bu dearbh bhrathair dhomhsa e. Riamh on a but he was my real brother. Ever since I could | b’urrainn domh coiseachd bha colas math walk I was well acquainted with them, both in « agam orra, an da chuid anns na h-eileanan the islands and on the mainland. We do not | agus air tir-mor. Chan e bodach a their sinn ri call an old tinker who commands a troop of ! seann cheard a tha 'na cheannard air sgaoth de sons and daughters and grandchildren, the j|| mhic agus de nigheanan agus de dh’ oghachan— old man—we call him The Big Tinker, though | is e their sinn ris, An Ceard Mor, ged nach bu he were not bigger than a starling. But the Big j|! mhotha e na druid. Ach an Ceard Mdr air a Tinker of whom I speak tonight, is not one il bheil mi toirt iomraidh an nochd, chan e aon man but twenty. duine a tha ann ach fichead. Is trie a their sinn ri each a cheile, “De an We often say to one another, “What kind saoghal a tha agad an diugh ?’ ’ mar gum biodh of ‘World’ have you today?’’ as if every man a h-uile duine agus saoghal aige dha fhein. had a world of his own. That is true, at all jj Tha sin fior co-dhiu a thaobh nan ceard. Tha events, concerning the tinkers. They have a jj saoghal saor farsaing aca dhaibh fhein, agus free, wide world all to themselves, and they 1 tha iad a’ cur seachad an laithean ag gleachd pass their days wrestling with that other world ris an t-saoghal sin eile a tha fantainn ann an that dwells in houses—the World of the gadgie | tighean—saoghal nan gadgie (nam fear-tighe) (house-dwellers) as the tinkers themselves jj mar a their na ceardan fhein. Thubhairt mi ag say. I said wrestling, but it is a game, and gleachd, ach is e cluich a tha ann, agus chan not real wrestling. e gleac da rireabh. “Mata, a ghaolaich,” ars an Ceard Mor “Well, my dear one,” said the Big Tinker ; rium latha, “is beag a fhuair mi fhein riamh to me one day, “little I myself ever got as a air tailleabh mo shaothrach, ach is iomadh result of my efforts, but I got many a thing by j rud a fhuair mi le beul-bochd 's le beul- begging and flattery.” boidheach.” Ma tha a’ chluich a’ dol air a’ cheard corr If the tinker loses the game occasionally, j uair, cha chuir sin gruaman sam bith air. that will not leave him in the least sad. ‘ ‘ Once , “Uair a bha sid,” ars esan, “smaointich mi upon a time,” said he, “I thought in my own am inntinn fhein nan iarrainn na bu lugha gum mind that if I asked less I would get more; faighinn na bu mhotha; agus nan tairginn and that if I offered payment for what I asked ! paidheadh airson na dh’ iarrainn gur h-e for that the result would be that I would keep bhiodh ann gun cumainn an da chuid, m’ airgead my money and my reputation. But, not a bit 1 agus mo chliu. Ach feuch thusa na chum. A’ of it. The first housewife to whom I made the i chiad bhean-tighe dh’an tug mi tairgse ghabh offer took my money, and she did not leave i mo chuid airgid, agus chad’fhag i agam-sa with me my good name. She was not imperfect, | mo chliu. Is i nach robh cearbach, a’ cheart that very one. If you ever go on the move, my ; t6. Ma theid thusa gu brath air an t-siubhal a dear, leave bigness behind, and take ‘poor- ghaolaich, fag beul-mor as do dheidh, agus mouth’ along with you.”—an advice which j thoir leat am beul-bochd’ ’ —comhairle a gheall I promised to follow when the time came. mi gun gabhainn an uair a thigeadh an t-am. Ach co iad na ceardan? Tha mi deanamh But who are the tinkers? I consider that j dheth nach eil ach gle bheag de dh’fhuil nan theie is but little gipsy blood in our tinkers, i gipsies anns na ceardan againn fhein. Gun Doubtless many of them are as black as the teagamh tha moran diubh cho dubh ris an raven, but plenty small dark men are to be j fhitheach, ach gheibhear gu leor de dhaoine found in the west of Scotland and in the west |j beaga dubha air taobh siar Alba agus air taobh of Ireland, but they are of the Iberians. The || siar Eirinn, ach is ann de na h-Ibirianaich Big Tinker, whether right or wrong, would say i iadsan. Theireadh an Ceard Mor, ma bha no that the red tinkers came from Galloway, and I nach robh e ceart, gur h-ann a Galla-Ghaidheil that most of the Highland tinkers set out on j a thainig na ceardan ruadha, agus gun do the road when the clans were attacking one i thoisich a’ chuid bu mhotha de na ceirdan another. Gaidhealach air an t-siubhal an uair a bha na fineachan an sgornanan a cheile. — 68 — Ness above the islands, he was overtaken by Ferindonald a strong force of Mackintoshes. Some men (continued) were sent ahead with the cattle; the remainder In 1410 George, Xth Baron, succeeded turned at Clachnaharry, and there was a fierce to lands so far away as Lybster in Caith- conflict. Many fell on each side. We may ness, through his mother who was a say that victory lay with neither, but the granddaughter of Sir Reginald Cheyne, a advance of the Mackintoshes was stayed. The wealthy potentate. This Baron George, with Tutor was badly wounded, losing an arm, his eldest son, was killed at the Battle of whence he got the cognomen Baclamhach. This Bealach nam Brog in 1452. The events which action is commemorated by a monument, now led to this battle are an example of the unruli- in much disrepair, on a prominent spur on the ness of the times. Euphemia, Dowager hillside above Clachnaharry. Countess of Ross, was desirous of marrying Robert Mor, XVth Baron, was Chief at the Alexander Mackenzie, Vlth Chief of Kintail. time of the Reformation and was among the She invited him to her residence in Dingwall. foremost in promoting the new faith. The first Unsuspectingly he came, and on his rejecting Reformed preaching is said to have been in her advances she threw him into prison. the Chapel of St. Bride, on the shore by the Thereupon Mackenzie’s vassals made a foray western border of Ferindonald. All that into Easter Ross, and seized Walter Ross, remains of the old chapel is a shapeless mound j Laird of Balnagown, a close relation of in a narrow area between the road and the shore Euphemia, with the intention of exchanging rather more than two miles from Dingwall. 1 him for their Chief. The Earl of Ross at once In the ’ 15 and the’45 the Munros were on the sent a force, including many Munros, in Hanovarian side. Sir Robert, XXIVth Baron, pursuit of the western men; it came up with was killed at the Battle of Prestonpans; he ithem in the middle wilds of Ross-shire. A was the seventh chief of the Munros to lose his fierce battle ensued, with much slaughter. But life in battle. It is said that when the Duke the Mackenzies got away with Balnagown, and of Cumberland was in Inverness after the Battle in time were able to exchange him for their of Culloden the Munros sent him, in his capacity : Chief. Bealach nam Brog, Pass of the Brogue, as representative of the King, and with reference | got its name, it is said, from this action, because to the ancient rental, not a snowball but ‘ ‘ some many of the combatants tied their brogues snow from Ben Wyvis,” to cool his wine. upon their chests to act as breastplates. Two The Munros were never but a small clan. years later the clan fought again at Clachna- The Forbes of Culloden Report of 1745 credits harry near Inverness; here again we have an them with a fighting strength of 300; a tiny instance of the turbulence of the age. The new force alongside the 2,000 Sutherland, the chief, John, was a minor. His uncle, John 2,500 Mackintoshes. Even the Rosses, their Munro of Milntown, was his guardian and so immediate neighbours to the east, could muster was known as Tutor of Foulis. The Tutor had 500. Rosses, Mackenzies, and MacDonalds been on some business in the south, and, on predominate in numbers in the Ferindonald of his return journey, spent a night in a field in today; but the old district name, which you Strathardale in Perthshire. The owner of the may seek on your map in vain, will always be field resented this and cut off the tails of their associated with the Munros. horses while the Munros—a small party— slept. Nothing could be done at the moment to avenge this insult, and we can appreciate in what mood the Munros hurried home. When, at the head of over 200 men, the Tutor returned Strathconon Branch to Strathardale and helped himself to all the cattle he could lay lands on. Homeward Hold Class bound, he passed through the territory of the The Strathconon Branch held another Class Mackintoshes, who asked him for a “road in “Gaelic Language and Song’’ during the collop’ ’, a share of the plunder in payment for Session 1960/61, which was well supported, the privileged of crossing their lands. and was under the Tutorship of Mr. and Mrs. Munro offered 24 cows and a bull. The Kenneth MacLeod, lately of Stornoway. Mackintosh dealing with the matter would not The Mixed Voice Gaelic Choir continued to accept this, and demanded a third of the whole. support local functions. (One account says a half.) Munro laughed at Branch held their own Ceilidh and Dance on the absurd demand. “You get none,” he 10th February, 1961, in aid of Funds: this said, and carried on. After fording the River was voted a great success. 4. Bhuail i air an traigh Currie Dubh An Ropa Far nach d’fhas an duileasg; (Black-Haired Currie of the Rope) Leum thu dhith a ghraidh, MANY years ago, the beautiful daughter ’S shabhail thu iad uile. of the then Laird of Glendhu and 5. Ged gheibhinn Coille Strom, surrounding districts (Sutherland) fell An tigh mor ’s am fearann, in love with a fierce sea-captain of the name of B’annsa learn bhith air bord Currie, who belonged to Gairloch in Ross-shire. Measg nan rop le Currie. According to the legend, Currie’s ship—a fishing vessel—hit a rock somewhere near 6. Theid mi thar a’ Chuirn Bhain, Kylesku on her way into Loch Glendhu, but the Ni mi aite suidh ann skipper managed to run her aground and save Coimhead air an Stor the crew. It was while waiting there for repairs Far an seol na long an. that he made the acquaintance of the Laird’s daughter, and their friendship quickly ripened 7. Am MacCoinnich ur into love. Before Currie left Loch Glendhu A’ togail suil ri gunna; for far-away ports she had promised to wait for Ach Currie a’ Chuain tuaith, him, and he swore to be true to her and to Thug thu bhuaith’ an t-urram: marry her the next time he came back on his ship to Kylesku. They arranged to correspond 8. Cha b’ann an sabhal feoir regularly when he was away. Fhuair mi ’n tos a bhruidheann, Sir John Mackenzie of Achmore, Assynt, was Ach an seomar ard also seeking the girl’s hand in marriage and An tigh b&n a’ ghlinne. although she had no fancy at all for Sir John, 9. B’ 6g a thug mi dhuit an gaol her father was very anxious that she should ’ S daor a rinn mi cheannach; marry him, and did his utmost to make her Cha b’e gaol gun uaill forget her seaman lover. Dh’fhag mo ghruaidhean cho tana. The Laird in those days had certain powers even over the mails, and was able to intercept 10. Ged gheibhinn leaba ur all letters between Currie and his daughter, so ’ S i dfeanta suas le itean that she despaired of ever seeing him again. B’fhearr leam leaba chaol In her soreness of heart, she is said to have ’ S an darna leth aig Currie. sung the following song (which has since been Black Currie of the rope set to music and is still a popular one in the Who whould feel sorry for him ? district), The heart’s desire of the son of the gentleman 1. Currie dubh an ropa Would be walking out with his cloak and his gun. C6 bhiodh bronach uime ? I will not sleep Ach b’anns’ le mac an t-seoid I will do no courting, I will take no pleasure] Falbh le cleoc 's gunna. I will not sleep to-night Chorus: My dear one is coming— Cadal cha dean mi Sleep I will not. Sugradh cha dean mise; Currie and the fair fellow Nochd cha chaidil mi. I gave my love to both, Tha mo luaidh a’ tighinn, I lost my appetite Cadal cha d£an mi. And am now love-sick. 2. Currie’s am fear b&n The wind blew from the North Fhuair mi gradh bho’n dithis; Up Kylesku; Thug iad bhuam mo ch&il, You turned her about, ’S chan eil mo shlainte fligheadh. And she struck on a point. 3. Sh6id a’ ghaoth o’ n tuath She struck on the shore Suas an Caolas-Cumhang; Where the dulse did not grow; Thug thu i mu’n cuairt, You leaped out of her, my love, ’S bhuail i air an rudha. And you saved them all. Although I would get the wood of Strome, The ghost of the murdered skipper is still The big house and the land, said to haunt Lochan Dubh; and those who I would far rather be on board ship have passed by Achmore late at night when the Among the ropes with Currie. moon is full, declare that they have seen the pale wraith of the unhappy bride, and have I will go on foot to Caimbawn, heard the strains of her plaintive song— I will make a place to sit there “Currie Dubh an Ropa.’’ Looking at Stoer Head Where the ships sail. R. MacDonald Robertson. The new Mackenzie (Sir John) Is aiming his gun, Oh, Currie in the Northern Ocean Interesting Recital You beat him in deserving honour: A recital of “The Songs of Craig and Ben’’ was given recently to the Perth Gaelic Society. It was not in the hay-bam The Gaelic of the songs was finely sung by the That I got the beginning of the talking Skye singer, Mrs. Flucker; some of “the But in the high room Runes of Worship’’ were spoken in native Of the white house of the glen. speech by the Rev. Mr. Robertson; and the translations into English were led, to the I was young when I fell in love, violin, by the translator and editor of Volume But it was a hard bargain; 1 of “The Songs,’’ Dr. Arthur Geddes. It was not love without honour Thus instead of a Gaelic concert of which the That left my cheeks so thin. poetry of the songs remains unknown and meaningless to most of the audience, those Though I would get a new bed, gathered together listened with growing under- And make it up with feathers, standing and enjoyment, and took part in I would rather have a narrow bed ringing chorus. This participation was effected And share it with Currie. simply by using Volume 1, a slim volume, at the low “Community Price,’’ guaranteed At last, however, she yielded to her father’s under the auspices of the Outlook Tower, persuasions and married Sir John. Edinburgh. Some time afterwards, Currie came back to It has been Dr. Geddes’ aim to make trans- Loch Glendhu and was told about the grand lations true to sense and sound, to life and marriage of the Laird’s daughter. Furious feeling. With every song is printed its own with anger, and determined to prove that he story, retold to listeners. In this way, the at least had been faithful, he shouldered his Gaelic—understood by ever fewer and older gun and set off for Achmore. When Sir John folk—is renewed by help of translation. And saw him approach he fled in seeming terror even for those who cannot study the Gaelic, to the hills. Currie spent all that day and the the spirit of the bards is renewed in English, next night with his former sweetheart, and which to all but a few Scots, is now their own then set of for Kylesku. expressive mother tongue. Knowing that now she could never be his, he While Volume 1 contains thirty songs and tried to drink himself into a state of oblivion poems of “Daring, praise and worship,’’ at Kylesku Inn, and being in a fuddled condition Volume 11 (in the press) gathers “Songs of as he left for the shore, he did not notice Sir farewell, of love and of laughter.’’ John, who having only feigned terror, had concealed himself until Currie left Achmore and had followed him to Kylesku and then shot him through the heart as he was leaving the Treasurer’s Notes inn. He dragged the body up to Lochan Dubh NATIONAL MOD—STIRLING, 1961 by the road to Kylesku Post Office, and dumped Received at Stirling— the remains into the lochan (now the small Previously acknowledged ^623 19 7 reservoir that supplies Kylesku Hotel with Ceilidh at Dunblane, water). Dance,20/5/60 Golden Lion Hotel 251 1110 — He then returned to Achmore where, after Mannequin Parade, 20/4/60 5 14 — shooting his faithless wife, he turned the gun Proceeds of Garden Tea .. 48 14 — on himself. W.R.I.Ceilidh Federation,Raffle, 16/6/60 Kippen .. 56 —8 — Ceilidhmore, and16/6/60 Dance—Gart- .. .. 14 5 — MissLothian Jessie Celtic ChoirF. Mac- GardenDonation—Mrs. Tea, Powis Robertson Mains 1382 10 — Mr.Kinnon, David ScottEdinburgh of Glen- .. Dance,Raffle, Golden12/9/60 Lion.. Hotel,.. 3 2 6 Mrs.aros, Wm. Mull Denny, Blair- Ceilidh10/9/60 at Kippen •. 6915 162 — Anonymousgowrie .. Donor SaleMrs. of WhiteR. A. BurnettHeather, Per. . 8 Mr.Leod, & Tighnabruaich.Mrs. Neil Mac- . CoffeeHope, Evening,Bridge of AllanMount .. 42 Proceedsat Craigton of Concert School held.. Ceilidh,Family, 25the Belmont Cameron St., RaffleGlasgow at Ceilidh, 30/9/60...... 95 14 - Barnbarron Dance .. at Cambus-. . . . 78 15 6 CENTRAL FUND MiscellaneousCeilidh at Stirling, Donations 30/9/60 .. 3 Donation—Mrs.Muirhead Isabella 5 Total as at 31st March, 1961 . Ceilidh at Bridge of Allan, MAGAZINE FUND Donation—National25/10/60 . . Far-. . 25 13 — Previously acknowledged mers Union, Port -of-Men- Total as at 31st March, 1961 . £7 - Proceedsteith of Blairdrummond...... 2 Concert, 28/10/60 .. 18 COMUNN NA H-OIGRIDH FUND RaffleDonation—Miss at Whist McFarlane Drive, -— 10 — Previously acknowledged .. .. ^69 Whist21/11/60 Drive, 21/11/60.. .. 23 1311 86 Total as at 31st March, 1961 .. ^69 Donation—M.Donation—Mrs. C. McAlpineD. Dos- 5 Remittance from Alloa and District Area An Comunn Gaidhealach GartmoreBranch, 30/11/60Ceilidh, .. 10 LIFE MEMBERS 30/11/60 —£l ,194 13 9 Received at Glasgow— 1053 ValePreviously of Leven acknowledged Branch .. £355 16 — Less Deceased ...... 21 Blythnian &Society District . . Caledo- 3 3 — On Roll at 31st March, 1961 .. 1032 Miss B. Mackay, Lairg.. 1 ORDINARY MEMBERS NeilGlasgow Leitch, Esq., L.D.S. — 9 — On Roll at 31st March, 1960 2176 Mrs.Donald, & Mrs. Edinburgh W. Mac- .. 1 1 — Additions to Roll ...... 213 ThomasMoffat Hope, Esq., 1 2389 MalcolmInveraray MacAffer, Esq., — 10 — Less transferredMemberships, to Deceased,Life and ResignedRepresentative and MissGlasgow Mary C. MacKenzie, Lapsed .. .. • • ■ • .. 622 Mr.Glasgow & Mrs. M. P. Kidd, 1 1 — On Roll at 31st March, 1961 .. 1767 CharlesGlasgow Fraser, Esq., 1 1 — JUNIOR MEMBERS Rev. & Mrs. Blackwood, On Roll at 31st March, 1960 123 MullCampbeltown and Iona ..Associa- 1 1 — Additions to Roll ...... 7 tion 5 130 BrianYork G.. . Lane, Esq., — 5 — Dr. Mary Shaw, Perth . . 1 — — Less transferred to Ordinary Membership, DonaldEsq., GlasgowM. Cameron, — 10 — Resigned and Lapsed .. .. • • 43 Miss Kelso, Glasgow 1 — — On Roll at 31st March, 1961 .. 87 WilliamFife Adams, Esq., • AN GAIDHEAL THE GAEL Editor — ]. THOMSON, M.A., F.E.I.S., 116 WEST SAVILE TERRACE, EDINBURGH to whom all correspondence should be addressed except that concerning advertising, which should be addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer. 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C.2 Telephone: DOUglas 1433. Leabhar LVI AN T-IUCHAR, 1961 Aireamh 7

“LEAC NAM FEART” MA chreidear muinntir an aite fbein chan Aon oidbche shocair, sheimh, gun ghuth air eil ionad eile air uachdar na cruinne sgeith an aile ach torman nan allt agus buille . no an rioghachd na doimhne a bheir shithcheil na tuinne air cladach bha Coinneach ! barr am maise 's an dreach air Uig an Eilein Odhar leis fhein an cois na traghad, le smaoin i Fhada. Ged is lionmhor traigh dhreachmhor air an t-solus neonach mu’n cuala e iomradh \ bhan an achlais nan 6b is i Trai&h Mhor Uige o laithean a leanabachd ach nach fhaca a shuil i an aon traigh san duthaich. Bha i an sud, a riamh. “Tha mi am barail,” ars esan, f aosda an laithean, eolach air ceol agus atair- ‘'nach eil ann ach taoineas sgeoil, uirsgeul gun ji eachd bhuan nan tonn mus robh duine ann stath.” “Uirsgeul gun stath,’’ fhreagair an j a dh’eisdeadh. tonn ’s i briseadh ’na cobhar gheal mu a chasan. i! Ghiullainneadh thar bheann is mhonadh an Ag uidhearachd os cionn a’ bhaigh agus a’ ![ lhailte chuir i air laoich a’ chuain mhoir nuair sior thighinn na bu dluithe air an aite san robh | bu chruaidhe sheideadh gailionn a’ gheamh- e 'na sheasamh bha leus fann soluis a’ sgaoil- | raidh, agus chualas i air uair le eoin na mara eadh mar leadan na gealaich air uachdar nan | a’ beolragaich gu cairdeil ri suigh a’ bhaigh uisgeachan. An tiota chaochail a shnuadh I leis am bu mhithich an anail a leigeil an aiteal agus sheas air a bheulaibh ainnir chuimir a I na greine air a h-uchd min-gheal. b’ aghmhoire na blath nan gleann. Gun fhiamh I Fada mus d’aiticheadh na criochan mu’n gun eagal, ged is iomadh gaisgeach treun an | cuairt, fada mus cualas geum ba no tathunn cath fuilteach nan lann nach obadh geilt a | ghadhar thadhladh an Traigh le ainnir fhin- ghabhail, thug Coinneach ceum an coinneamh K ealta, ghrinn, oighe thug barr an dreach air a’ na h-6ighe, agus thuirt e, “An e sith do chlann i mhaighdinn mhara, agus bu ghile cneas na daoine,- no bas, fath do thadhail a’ nochd?’’ r sneachda nan earn. B’aonarach i an cois a’ Fhreagair i am briathran fonnmhor, tiamh- | chladaich, b’fhuar a tuineachas an aigeal a’ aidh, milis agus mar so labhair i: I chuain, ach choimhlionadh aimsir a broin “Is mis Gradhach, nighean Righ Lochluinn | nuair a liubhairt i a sgeul air an Traigh Mhoir. thar chuain. Cha d’ araicheadh mac no nighean I Gu minic, an dorcha nan trath, nuair a a riamh bu mhuirniche gabhail na bha mise l bhiodh sgaile air a’ ghealaich, chiteadh leus aig Suaran nam buadh. Cha robh sonas a J soluis a’ snamh gu fann air uchd nan tonn dhith orm an luchairt m’athar; cha robh 'I barra-gheal, air uairibh luaineach mar neach comunn suairce nach robh agam. As gach a’ sireadh na chaill, ’s a ris ’na stad an cois duthaich mu’n cuairt thainig armuinn is laoich [ a’ mhuir-lain. ard an inbhe agus buadhmhor an cath a shireadh B’iongnadh le luchd aitich an fhuinn an mo laimhe, ach ’ nam measg cha d’ fhuaradh | sealladh; labhair iad os iosal r’a cheile, agus leamsa riar mo chridhe. 1 dhuisg eagal an cridhe nam ban oir thuig iad Chaidh cuibhle an fhortain mu’ n cuairt, agus nach b’e manadh a’ bheo bha tighinn air a* dh’fhas mi suas mar chrann sa’ choille. Dh’ leithid de dhoigh. •fha's m’ afhair ann an cumhachd gus nach robh an Lochlainn air fad nach do mheataich roimh An ceann la is bliadhna bha gach birlinn deas a ghnuis ach Struman, gaisgeach flathail, le cuid ramh is sheol is acfhuinn. An camh- eudmhor. Chuir esan Suaran gu dubhlan, anaich na maidne thionndaidh gach long ach thuit e air an araich am broilleach a a sroin ri Eire gorm an fheoir, Suaran le bhrat- dhaoine. Am measg an luchd braighdinn bha aich air thoiseach na cabhlaich. Leum mise Sagairt Odainn, faidh mor sin Arna, do’m air bord na luinge mu dheireadh a thog siiiil b’eol nithean ri teachd ach cha bu leoir sin bhaidealach arda ri soirbheas, comhdaichte an a chum a theasairginn o fhraoch m'athar. trusgan oigeir an toir air euchdan. Cha Thug e ordugh Arna a chur gu bas—binn nach chumadh onfhadh fairge no eagal tuasaid air fhaoidte cur ’na h-aghaidh. ais mi o shireadh an armuinn an Tir nam Ruisg mise m’uchd do’n ghath a bha’n dan Beann Arda. am faidh a chur gu bas. Chaisg an righ an Bu shiubhlach a ghluais an cabhlach, b’ gaisgeach a bha tarraing a bhogha agus iollagach a dhanns na tuinn ri earrlainn gach thugadh a shaorsa do’n phriosanach. Mus birlinn. Fa dheoidh dh’eirich an doineann, d’fhag e luchairt an righ chuir e cagar ’nam sheid na gaothan garga, is fhreagair an fhairge chluais. “far orm,” ars esan; “is gheibh thu le gair. Sgapadh an cabhlach agus chaill an riar do chridhe oir dhomhsa rinn thu gniomh long san robh mise sealladh air each. an diugh a mhaireas san aithris gu brath.’’ Fad la is oidhche luaisneadh i air bharr nan “Thoir dhomhsa,’’ fhreagair mi, “Leac nam stuagh mar neach a chaill coir air imeachd- Feart, agus bheir mo dhuais ban air mo cuain. Bha nuallan na gaoithe am measg nam ghniomh.’’ heart ’s nan crann ruisgte faramach, ard; bha “Is duilich learn,’’ thuirt e, “gur e sin beucaich na fairge bha ruith seachad ’na deann d’iantus a nis. Gheibh thu do mhiann ach ’s a’ goil mu thimcheall na luinge mar thorrunn bidh dolaidh san dan.’’ tartarach nan speur; bha slacraich nan tonn Bha Leac nam Feart ainmeil fad iomadh ri gualainn na h-iubhraich is diosgail a slios a’ linn. An neach do’m buineadh i bha eolas coimeasgadh sa’ ghairich dhoscuinnich, uamh- aige air nithean a bha gu teachd, ach bha uinn. Ach chath an iubhrach gu sgairteil fad deuchainn daonnan ’na lorg. Phaisg mi gu la is oidhche. “Cho fada ’s a sheasas bord ri mixirneach seachad i am measg usgraichean cheile seolaidh mise an cuan,’’ agus le sin thog luachmhor eile. Chaidh iomadh la seachad is a sron os cionn nan uisgeachan uaibhreach is mu’n d’thug mi am follais i dh’fheuchainn a chrath i a ceann, agus le buille thruim a sgain- brigh. Chuir mi mo shuil ris an toll a bha ’na eadh na creagan bhris i cirean na tuinne bha teis meadhon, agus feuch beanntan arda, uaine teicheadh roimpe. gu’m mullach, agus an cuan mor le thonnan Roimh mhadainn an ath la neartaicheadh uaibhreach gun fhois ag iadhadh umpa. Air feachd an oitir-sa le eachraidh co-gheal druim slios nam beann arda chunnaic mi feachd a’ chuain, agus mus d’eirich a’ ghrian air na do-aireamh de ghaisgich, ar learn, bu churanta beanntan ud thall chinn an iubhradh sgith, a chunnacas a riamh. Bu cholgarra an seal- fann. Chrom i ceann le cudthrom a broin. ladh, ’s an sixil air an traigh far an robh Ghabh an namh an cothrom, dh’eirich e air a cabhlach an namh ’san cuid armuinn a’ chorra-biod is shluig e leis i eadar bheart is bruchdadh gu tir. acfhuinn is dhaoine. Dh’amhairc mi ris agus dhearc mi air seal- Is fuar tuineachas mo chaomh chairdean o’n ladh nach di-chuimhnich mi gu dilinn—Clann oidhche ud, air an tolgadh le onfhadh fairge is Lochluinn san ruaig aig Fionn agus Magh air am bioradh air aigeal anshocrach a’ Chuain Leinidh daithte le fuil. a Siar. Ach dhiult an cuan sealbh a ghabhail Am measg nan curaidh bu deinne san toir air Leac nam Feart a thug dhomhsa cheud bha aon a thug barr air each an cruth ’san sealladh air a’ churaidh nach thaic mi gu dreach agus dh’aithnich mi gur e Diarmad a brath, agus a lion mo chridhe le solas. Bha an bha ann—Diarmad mu’n do sheinn na baird, leug ’nam bhroilleach o’n la dh’fhag mi cuspair gaoil nam ban. Lionadh mo chridhe Lochlainn gus an do chaidil mi air uchd min- le gradh, is bu mhiann leam sgiatb a’ chalmain gheal na tragbad-sa far an trie mo thadhal mu chum itealaich thar chuain dh’ iarraidh m’ - dhorcha-nan-trath a dh’fhaicinn tuineachas ulaidh, mo rim. na lice far an d’ adhlaiceadb i leis a’ chuan mhor Nuair dh’innis mi do’n righ an sealladh a nach gabhadh a curam. Thig agus faic ionad chunnaic mi, thug e aithne d' a fheachd cruinn a taimh.’’ Leis na briathran sin ghluais an a thoirt a coille a dheasachadh cabhlaich a ainnir riomhach, shuairce; chaochail a snuadh sheoladh thar chuain gu Mdr-bheinn nan sruth. ruiteach, is theich i mar cheo nam beann roimh Thoisich an iomairt—liomhadh nan crann, eirigh na greine, agus an sin chaidh i as an bualadh nan ord, agus sniomh nam heart. t-sealladh. 74 — Chladhaich Coinneach Odhar an traigh far an bha an greim aig a’ ghath-muinge a bha san do chomharraicheadh dha leis an ribhinn, agus lothainn.’ ’ fhuair e an sin slan mar a bha i o thus Leac nam ’ S cinnteach nach e so an seorsa greime a bha Feart no Clach na Fiosachd mar a theirear le aig Domhnall coir: cuid. Thug a dhachaidh leis i gu ciuamach, Greim air sgeith air muc-mhara agus tha fios aig an t-saoghal mar a bha an Bu shleamhain sud riamh, deidh sin. Greim air cliathach na luinge Seumas MacThomais. 'S i dol ionnan ’s a gniomh, Greim air earr air a’ bhradan Dol an coinneamh sruth dian. An Taran. Turus Nan Giomadh 1. Bidh e a’ cur uamhais orm uairean cho beag seagha ’s a tha cuid de na bhios a’ searm- onachadh an t-soisgeil. Canaidh feadhainn aig Thachair So am bu choir mothachadh a bhith rudan gle THACHAIR so o chionn fhada ’n t-saoghail, neonach. agus chan eil duine bed de na bha air Thainig soisgeulaiche turus do’ n Scarpa, agus bdrd ach mise ’nam aonar. Tha gach nuair a chunnaic e gun robh muinntir an eilein ni mar a bha cho soilleir ’nam inntinn agus ged cho fritheilteach air na meadhonan thoisich e a b’ann an de a bhicdh ann. Chan e idir cho cumail choinneamhan a h-uile h-oidhche de’n deidheil ’s a bha mise air muir a ghluais mi, t-seachdain. Bha sin ceart gu leor fhad’s bu ach bha sinn a’ miannachadh annlann blasda gheamhradh e, ach bha fhios a’ chaochlaidh aige leis a’ bhuntata ur. Agus caite a bheil annlann nuair a thainig an t-earrach. As t-earrach na’s fhearr leis na adag no leobag ur? bidh na Scarpaich a’ deanamh cur-latha air na An deidh an lion-beag a bhiathadh gu ddigheil cleibh-ghiomach, agus eadar an da chur bidh anns an sguil le coilleagan mora, bana na fadh- iad ri curachd eile. Am beagan cadail a ni lach thog mise orm leis an sguil fo m’ achlais, iad is ann san fheasgar. Chuir an soisgeulaiche agus rinn mi air a’ chladach far an robh an am umhail daibh nach tigeadh na h-iasgairean t-eathar geal air a gualainn air a’ mhol. Bha do’n choinneamh. Bha e oidhche an tigh dithis de’n sgioba, Iain Dhdmhnaill Ruaidh Aonghais Mh6ir, agus thainig Domhnall Riiadh agus Ddmhnall Og, a chaith am beatha air muir, a steach le airgead ghiomach. Thuirt an a nis air fas suas ann am bliadhnachan ach diadhaire, ’ s e tilgeil saoghaltachd air Domhnall sunndach, fearail gu ledr airson obair an lin- “Fiach nach bi greim aig fear aca air sgornan bhig. Cha robh Donnchadh moran n? bu ort an Ifrinn” . Bha fear gearrte, conasach ’na shine na mi fhin; cha robh edlas air gnothaichean shuidhe air ceann na beinge agus fhreagair e iasgaich cus air thoiseach air an edlas agamsa as a ghuth thamh, is e a’ leigeil ann fhein, agus bha sin suarach gu ledr. Airson "Cha ruig iad bed againne Billingsgate fhein Shutharlain deth cha b’fhearr e aig an am na gun luaidh air Ifrinn?” partan-tuathalan. Ach cha do leig an dithis laoich, ris an robh an t-eathar agus an ddigh GREIM iasgaich an urra, orra nach robh tri lamhan 2. Chaidh Domhnall Ruadh agus dithis eile tapaidh aca air an cul. a Uibhist aTuath turus a thrusadh do Heisgeir. Chuireadh a mach an t-eathar agus an deidh Thug iad air ais leotha as an eilean beothach eich balaiste a shocrachadh eadar na reangan anns an eathar bheag a bha aca. Cheangail iad chaidh an crann a thogail agus an t-aodach a an loth gu ciiramach air urlar na gedla. Bheoth- sgaoileadh ri soirbheas o dheas. A’ sitheadh aich a’ ghaoth an ceann orra, agus dh’fhuasgail gu h-aotrom air bharr nan uisgeachan chumadh an ceangal 's bha cunnart gum biodh iad fhein a srdn ris an aird an ear gus an tug i mach an ’s na bha san eathar air grunnd nach traigheadh oitir iasgaich. Cha b’urrainn loch saile a nan cuireadh an t-each a ladhran troimh iirlar bhith na bu chairdeile ri droch mharaiche na na geo la. Dh’eirich Domhnall agus chuir e an bha an Loch a Tuath air an fheasgar ud. Cha loth air slaisnich a droma san leabaidh-amara robh caitean air aghaidh a’ chuain a bha sineadh agus chum e an sud i gus an tug an dithis eile gu rdidh o chladach gu cladach; na nedil a bha a mach tir. Nuair a tharraing iad an t-eathar sedladh os a chionn, cha robh cabhag orra no thuirt fear aca, ‘‘A Dhomhnaill, is tu a dh’ gruaim; agus bha dearrsadh na greine eadar sinn fhaodadh a radh gur ann agad a tha na greim.” ’s an aird an iar a’ fdgail dreach an oir air na Fhreagair am fear treun, “Ged tha, ’s ann a cnuic a bha togail an cinn ri faire. Is math a bha fhios aig na seanairean caite bha innte, air fiaradh a’ chaolais a bha nis a’ an cuireadh iad na 1m; bha lorg ro mhath aca fas tana. Cha robh dad fo ar comas ach falbh air comharraidhean nan grunnd iasgaich anns far an togradh an sruth an-iochdmhor a toirt. an loch. Air an turns-cuain dh’ionnsaigh aite Bhuail an t-eathar air clachan cruaidhe an aigeil cura bha an dithis bhodach a’ deanamh ath- le buille cho uamhasach ’s gun cuala iad aig na aithris air na bliadhnachan a chaith iad ri tighean e. Thuig iadsan an cunnart anns an obair iasgaich le lin-bheaga is le lin-mhora robh sinn, agus rinn gach mac a chuala air a’ anns na h-eathraichean, agus ag iasgach a’ chladach ’na leum. sgadain leis na bataichean mu chladaichean an Eilein agus anns na puirt a sear—an Gallaibh, Chunnaic mi gun do sparr na bodaich na am Bun Ilidh, an Ceann Phadraig agus anns a’ raimh fo an achlaisean gus an cumail air uachdar Bhruaich. Cha robh aird as na sheid gaoth, an uisge nan tachradh na bu mhiosa. Rug leotha no an ceann, nach robh sgial aca air Donnchadh air a’ bheul-mor, agus rinn mise an deidh bliadhnachan mora a dhol seachad. greim bais air gualainn Dhonnchaidh, oir cha Cha robh cur math a bha aca air dhearmad, no robh an cbrr faisg orm; co air a rug Sutharlan pris iosal, agus nach ann iosal a bha i an chan fhaca mi. An tiotadh bha an t-eathar comhnuidh, nach robh deagh lorg aca air air a cliathaich air bodha falaichte, agus fhathast. Fhuair an triuir bhalach sealladh, thaom an sal a steach innte. An gleidheadh i a air an turus ud, air cuideachd agus air puirt greim? Sin a’ cheist a bha agamsa agus aig iasgaich nach fhaca iad a riamh le an suilean, each uile tha mi creidsinn. Thug an sgiobair dh’fhoghluim iad leasain nach do thog iad a rabhadh dhuinn gun ghluasad air eagal gun leabhar, agus dhuisg togradh falbh, nuair a deanadh e call. Bha gach mionaid a bha dol thigeadh an t-am, gus an aite a sheasamh mar seachad a’ fagail misneachd bheag air a cul, a rinn an daimhean rompa. Bha cuideachd oir bha an t-uisge air a’ bhodha a’ fas tana. agus comhradh nam bodach dh’an deasachadh Bha na daimhean air a’ chladach beagan astair gu diomhair airson farsaingeachd an t-saoghail air falbh ach cha robh doigh aca air furtachd mhoir. sam bith a dheanamh oirnn. Cha robh ’nan Sguir na naidheachdan agus na bruadairean comas ach an cinn a chromadh ann an urnuigh car uine oir bha a nis na lin ri an cur gu doigheil dhurachdaich as ar leth. Gu h-obann chunnaic is gu faicilleach. Ged nach robh na gillean mise sealladh nach fhaca mi iamh roimhe. oga math air cur na togail dheanadh iad fannadh Air mo bheulaibh sheas cuideachd air an robh fhad’s a bha lamhan an dithis eile an sas. An mi eolach agus ris an robh mi ceangailte, troimh deidh tideachadh iomchuidh thbisicheadh a’ m’inntinn ruith nithean a thachair o chionn tarraing lion an deidh I'm gus an robh na coig fhada, agus cha robh mi faicinn air thoiseach air bord. Bu bhoidheach an sealladh adag is orm ach falamhachd gun steidh. Bha Donnch- leobag a’ tighinn air bord ’ nan grunnanan, ach adh ag innse dhomh an deidh laimhe gu robh cha robh sgrobadh an eisg, a bha an urra rinne, esan a’ deanamh deiseil airson greim a ghlacadh cho taitneach. air an fheamainn a bha e faicinn air a’ ghrunnd Cho luath ’s a thugadh am puta cinn a steach le solus na gealaiche! De bha each a’ fair- chaidh an seol a chur ris an eathar agus chumadh eachdainn chan aithne dhomh oir ghleidh iad a h-aghaidh ri cala. Bha an siubhal dhachaidh sin aca fhein. mall oir bha am fannan fann. Mus do rainig Fa dheoidh thraogh na h-uisgeachan eadar sinn bun-na-fadhlach bha an oidhche air sinn is tir agus fhuair sinn gu cladach le casan tuiteam, ach fo sholus na gealaiche bha an cala fliucha. Bha greadhnachas aig a’ mhuinntir reidh soilleir romhainn. An uine ghearr bhiodh a bha feitheamh rinn. Nuair a rinn e lionadh sinn air casan tioram air a’ mhol. Ach cha b’e math dh’fhalbhadh le eathar eile a dh’iarraidh sin a bha san dan. Bha an caolas eadar gob na te a bha sathte air a’ bhodha. Cha luaithe na traghad agus cluas na sgeire air ghoil le a thugadh dheth i na chaidh i fodha, a’ seoladh sruth traghaidh ’ na dheann. Thuig an sgiobair eadar dha-lionn. Sin an uair a thuig sinn gu nach robh e sabhailte feuchainn troimhe fo soilleir an gabhadh anns an robh sinn. Air shebl, agus mar sin thug e brdugh a phasgadh dhuinn an t-eathar a shlacdadh chun a’ mhuil agus na raimh a chur a mach. Rinneadh sin chunnaic sinn gun do shracadh an t-sb’ge bho’n air ball agus chum sinn cho dluth air gob na druim leis a’ bhuille a fhuair i air na clachan. traghad ’s a sheoladh an t-eathar oir bha Rainig an dithis iasgairean aois mhor mus sgeirean corrach, giara, air an laimh dheis. do chaochail iad. Chailleadh Donnchadh an Dh’aindeoin sineadh is fasgadh air chill nan Cogadh a’ Chesair, agus bhathadh Sutharlan ramh cha robh adhartas mor ’g a dheanamhs air cladaichean a’ Chuain Sheimh. Tha mise Anns an tionndadh ri slios a tuath na traghad ann an so fhathast, ach cha deach mi riamh fhuair an sruth greim air an eathar agus dh’ tuilleadh le lion gu muir. fhalbh e leatha, mar gum b’e slige bhairnich a Gealtaire . — 76 — “AN DROCHAID UR” Le Mairi NicGhilleathain NUAIR a thoisich obair na drochaid ann ’Na seasamh anns an dorus air madainn an Gearraidh cha robh teagamh aig ghrianaich ann an deireadh an Fhoghair bha muinntir an eilein nach bicdh iad fhein Curstaidh fhein, agus i ’coimhead a mach airson agus an cuid air an smaladh do’n iarmailt leis a’ phuist. Boireannach boidheach. Bha a an iomairt uamhasaich a bha dol air adhart cho h-aghaidh fhinealta da-rireamh tlachdmhor. faisg air laimh. Bha mulad orra a’ faicinn nan Ach bha sgailean araidh air ciil nan suilean crocain bhoidheach ’gan sadail as a cheile le seimh a bha dearbhadh gun deach i troimh sgairneach chruaidh. An diugh, far am b’ £mhghar an t-saoghail charraideich so. Cha do abhaist Eilean nan Ron agus Sgeir Ghlas a phos i riamh, oir dh’fhalbh Ruairidh Ban, a bhith, cha robh ri fhaicinn ach sluic ghrannda rogha am measg nam fear, do’n cheud Chogadh le slugain dhubha , dhomhain a chuireadh eagal Mhor, agus cha do thill e tuilleadh. air duine. Agus cha b’e sin uile gu leir a bha Rinn ‘'Cuachag” tabhann beag, agus an cur dragh orra. Bha e ri radh gun robhar a’ ceann tacain nochd am post le ’mhaileid air a faicinn solus direach aig ceann na drochaid dhruim. ‘‘Madainn bhriagh”, ars esan, oir (solus m:-thalmhaidh) agus bha e ’na aobhar ’se duine gearr-chainnteach a bh’ann, nach eagail gu robh rudeigin neo-chumanta a’ dol a cosgadh leth-dusan facal far an deanadh a dha thachairt anns a’ bhad sin. an gnothuch. ‘ ‘ Tha madainn ghrinn, againn Co-dhiu, bha an obair a nis deas, agus bha a Chaluim’ ’, fhreagair Curstaidh, an gaire easg- an drochaid ur ’na laighe gu geal, dearrsach, aidh a’ lasadh suas a suilean, ‘Ts e side cho fad ’s a chitheadh an t-suil, agus i a’ ceangal phrlseil a tha ’ n so” . Dail-uaine, thall, agus Gearraidh, a bhos, ri ‘‘Tha ’n t-am aice”, fhreagair Calum gu cheile. Cha b’ fhiosrach neach gun do thachair dur, ’s e sineadh dhith pasgan litrichean, “tha sgiorradh air bith ri linn na h-obrach, a dh’ moran de dhroch shide air tighinn. Tha am aindeoin mhanaidhean. Bha iomadh rud beag barr air a dhol a dholaidh’ ’. eibhinn timcheall oirre, air a shon sin, rudan “Na biodh curam ort mu dheighinn sin, a a thug gaire air daoine. Am blast mor ud a thug Chaluim”, ars ise, “chuir an Cruithfhear am air Bellag a’ Bhealaich tuiteam anns a’ pholl, barr gu fas dhuit, agus tha e comasach air a le poca mor de mhoine chruaidh dhuibh air a thoirt air aghaidh gus an teid a chur fo dhion’ ’. druim! (Cha robh daoine ro ghaolach air ‘ ‘ Huh’ ’ ars esan agus e ’ coiseachd air falbh. Bellaig bhcchd agus tha eagal orm gur h-e Thug e ceum air ais. “A Churstaidh”, fealla-dha a rinn iad de’n tubaist sin.) An ghlaodh e, “bha mi fhin agus Cailean Ciobair t-Eireannach beag, peallach, a thainig a stigh ag iasgach a raoir. Nuair theid mi dhachaidh do bhutha Iain Oig, agus ann am Beurla cho cuiridh mi nuas a’ chlann le adag na dha neonach ’s cho mabach ’sa chuala duine riamh, thugad” . Thug e ’chill dhith mu’m b’urrainn a dh’ iarr da ubh ri’ n ceannach! Da ubh! Co dhith taing a thoirt dha. chuala riamh a leithid? A’ chaileag 6g a Cha robh duine ann an Gearraidh a bu Glaschu a bha ’g obair ann an oifis fear de na choibhneile na Calum Post, ach bha e ruideigin h-ard dhaoine, agus aig an robh—’se sin a bha grad ’na nadur, agus aig an dearbh am so, bha na cailleachan ag radh, co-dhiu—peant air a e fo uallach mu obair an fhearainn, a bha aige gruaidhean, agus cascara ’na suilean! Bha ri dheanamh a leth-obair air a phostachd. Mar moran de na nithean sin a cumail ceol-gaire ri a bha e coiseachd suas am Bidein Mor, bha e muinntir Ghei rraidh, fada an deidh do’n obair ’g radh ris fhein, nam b’e te sam bith eile a a bhith seachad. bha air bruidhinn ris mar sud mu’n t-side ’s Is e tigh Curstaidh Robastan a b’fhaisge air mu’n Chruithfhear gun robh e air i fhein innse an drcchaid uir. Cha robh ceann na drochaid dhi! “Ach”, thuirt e ris fhein, ’s e toirt ach mu fhichead slat o cheann an tighe, agus na piob-thombaca as a bheul ’sa cuimseachadh bha an rathad mor a’ ceangal rithe an sin ’s smugaid air lorg mairt, “chan urrainn dhomh a’ gabhail tarsuinn an eilein a dh’ ionnsaigh an bhith crosda ri Curstaidh’ ’. taoibh eile. Bhiodh carbadan is rothairean gu Chaidh Curstaidh a stigh. Thoisich i air trie air an rathad feadh an latha, agus cha leughadh nan litrichean. Bha grunnan math leigeadh Cuachag, an cii aig Curstaidh, gin ann dhiubh, oir b’e ’n diugh co-ainm latha a dhiubh seachad gun ruith as an deidh mar gum breith. Tri fichead bliadhna ’s a’ deich! Thug biodh diiil aice cumail suas riutha gus an ruig- i greis air leughadh nan litrichean ’s nan cairt- eadh iad an ceann-uidhe. ean briagha fhuair i, agus an sin dhuin i a suilean. Thoisich i air beachd-smaoineachadh Trath feasgar thainig an dithis chloinne bige air a’ liuthad caochladh a bha air tighinn air aig Calum Post a stigh agus gad eisg aca, a eilean a g'aoil o bha i ’na h-ighinn oig. Is math shin iad gu moiteil do Churstaidh. Bha a’ a bha cuimhne aice air an am, nuair nach robh chlann uile deidheil air a bhith ’na cuideachd. guth air drochaid, a dh’ fheumadh iad an Nigheanan beaga, ceithir ’sa’ coig de bhliadh- Fhadhail Mhor a ghrunnachadh cas-ruisgte, naichean, agus balaich mhora luirgneach a’ agus ’s docha, fuireach uair a thide ann an streap ris na ceithir bliadhna deug—bha iad Eilean nan Ron gus an tigeadh an traghadh. uile gaolach oirre! Eilean nan Ron; An Sgeir Ghlas; Eilean an Cha robh an fheadhainn bheaga fada stigh Fhaing. Ainmeah a bha beartach le ceill ’s a nuair a mhothaich i gun robh iad gle shamhach le brigh dhise ’s d’a co-aoisean, ach nach robh seach mar a b’abhaist dhaibh a bhith. Dh’ ciallachadh ni do oigridh an latha ’n diugh. fhaighneach i dha’n ghille an robh dad cearr. Ghabh a h-inntinn an uairsin ciirsa eile air Dh’eirich na deoir ’na shuilean. “Bhasaich raointean a bu dluithe. Bha na bliadhnaichean Lassie’ ’, fhreagair e gu muladach. mu dheireadh doirbh. Dh’fhas a h-uile rud “O, Iain, a ghaoil, tha mi duilich’ , arsa cho daor. B’fheudar dhi an radio agus pairt Curstaidh, a’ cur a gairdein timcheall air— de a cuid leabhraichean a reic. Agus an diugh ‘ ‘ Cuin a thachair sin ? fhein thug e ’n aire gun robh feadhainn de na “Feasgar an de”, thuirt am fear beag, sgleatan air fas dona air cliathaich an tighe. “thiodhlaic mi fhin ’s Mairi i fo’n Bhidein Thug i suil air a fon. Bha eagal oirre gum Mhdr”. “Na bi caoineadh idir, a luaidh. feumadh sin falbh cuideachd, oir cha robh e Gheibh thu cu eile. An cbrdadh ‘Cuachag’ furasda dhi a bhith ’ga cumail suas. Ciod a agam-sa riut?” dheanadh i nan tigeadh tinneas oirre gu cabh- Sheall Iain agus Mairi air a cheile. ’Se agach, agus gun i faisg air dotair, nan toirte Mairi a fhuair a guth an toiseach. “Nach bi air falbh am fon ? An diugh fhein bha i feum agaibh fein air Cuachaig?” “Chan eil faireachdainn sgith ’ n am eirigh sa’ mhadainn, mi smaointeachadh gum bi, agus is ann agad agus bha tuaineal neo-abhaisteach ’na ceann. fhein ’s aig Iain a b’fhearr learn a fagail, ma .... Agus thug an smuain sin air ais i dh’ ghabhas sibh i” . “Am bheil sibh a’ falbh?” ionnsaigh na litreach a bha i leughadh mu dh’fheoraich Mairi, a suilean mora ag amharc dheireadh. suas le iongnadh. Is ann o Mhoraig, nighean a peathar, a bha ‘ ‘Tha eagal orm gum bheil . . . .” . Ach leis posda ann an Sasuinn, a bha an litir. Bha na facail sin stad Curstaidh, agus cha b’urrainn Morag a’ toirt cuireadh coibhneil dhi a dhi a dhol air adhart. Cha b’urrainn dhi thighinn a dh’fhuireach comhla rithe fhein ’s bruidhinn air an dealachadh chruaidh a dh’ ri teaghlach los nach bitheadh i ’ na h-aonar ann fheumadh aite ’ghabhail ann an uine ghoirid. an deireadh a latha. Rinn Curstaidh osna. B’ Thainig an cu beag a stigh ’na ruith agus ghabh fhearr dhi, thubhairt i rithe fhein, deanamh i direach gu Iain. Air ball bha a ghairdean mar a bha Morag ag iarraidh oirre, agus a bhith timcheall oirre, agus a bhus air a leigeadh an taingeil gun robh neach ann a dheanadh taice ri ’ceann a bha cho min ris an t-sioda. comhnadh leatha. Ach, O!—cho searbh ’ sa ‘ ‘Tha mi smaointeachadh gum bi sibh gle bha e a bhith smuaineachadh air Gearraidh thoilichte, comhla”, arsa Curstaidh, le gaire. fhagail ’s gun tilleadh gu brath. Cha robh “O bithidh, gu dearbh” , fhreagair an gille. fios aice ciamar a b’urrainn dhi na bannan “Cuin a bheir mi leam dhachaidh i ?” graidh a bha ’ga ceangal ris an eilean ’s ris an “Faodaidh tu tighinn a nail ’ga h-iarraidh t-sluagh a reubadh as a cheile. Bha sgail anns a’ mhadainn”, thuirt Curstaidh. iomaguineach air a h-aghaidh airson tacain, “O, tapadh leibh-se” , ghlaodh iad le cheile. ach cha robh e fada ann, oir dh’fhoghluim Dh’fhalbh iad sios a chluich chun na drochaid Curstaidh o chionn iomadh bliadhna co thuige far am biodh roinn mhath de chloinn an eilein rachadh i leis gach uallach is dragh. Chaidh i a’ cruinneachadh a dheanamh chleas. Chaidh sios do’n rum, far nach cuirte dragh oirre, ged Curstaidh a mach agus shuidh i anns a’ ghrein thigeadh neach a stigh. Nuair a thill i nuas ri taobh an tighe. Thoisich “Cuachag” air bha gach ni gu math, oir bha i air gnothuch a dranndan, agus an ceann tacain nochd Bellag dheanamh ris an Athair Neamhaidh, agus bha a’ Bhealaich a nuas an rathad, le colg greannach i mothachail air a lathaireachd maille rithe. oirre mar a b’abhaist. “Do thoil-sa gu robh deanta” . B’e sin an ‘ ‘C&ite ’n robh an da bhleigeard ud a’ dol ?’ ’ suaicheantas a bha air bratach na beatha aice, B’e sin an fhailte a chuir i air Curstaidh. ‘‘An agus bha fhios aice ma bha Esan air an stiiiir, e Iain is Mairi? O, na creutairean beaga, nach biodh eagal do’n luing, ged a dh’fhaodadh gaolach. ’S cinnteach gur h-ann chun na sloisreadh garbh nan tonn riasladh a thoirt dhi drochaid a chaidh iad. Bha iad cho duilich car uine. an diugh. Bha Iain ag innseadh dhomh gun do bhasaich an cii aige” . “’S bochd nach Fhuair iad anns a’ mhaduinn i ’na sineadh basaicheadh feadhainn eile dha seorsa” , arsa aig ceann na drochaid ’s Cuachag ’na laighe ri Bellag gu dorcha, is i a’ toirt sgailc do ‘ ‘Chuach- ’taobh a’ deanamh faire. Bha na stuadhan aig”, “agus airson clann an aite so chan eil beaga a’ sruthladh gu seimh mu na puist annta ach na dearg thrusdair’ ’. Mar gum iaruinn. Bha na faoileagan ag itealaich gu bicdh i airson a briathran a dhaingneachadh h-ard. Bha a’ ghrian ag amharc a nuas le shad i dhith a’ bheannag, agus sguab i bharr a cungadh slainteil ’na gathan 6r-bhuidh. Ach guailleadh i. “Ma tha, Bhellag”, arsa cha robh ni ann a dh’ innseadh cuin no cionnus Curstaidh, “is toigh leam fhein a’ chlann uile, a thainig an Teachdaire a dh’ iarraidh Curstaidh. agus is fhior thoil leam Iain is Mairi—dithis Tlachdmhor ’na beatha bha i maiseach anns phaisdean laghach . a’ bhas, an sgeimheachd sholuimte a bha air “Da pheasan gun mhodh, ’s cha b’e cheann- a h-aghaidh a’ taisbeanadh gun robh dolasan ach a rinn iad’ ’, spoch Bellag, ‘ ‘ged nach biodh na beatha so air an call gu brath ann an solas ach am balgaire ’s athair dhaibh’’. na siorruidheachd. Bha samhchair ann airson mionaid no dha, agus an sin dh’fhaighneachd Curstaidh: Dh’innseadh an sgeul so air an radio. “Ciamar a tha an loinidh agad, a Bhellag, san am so?’’ “Gle thruagh. Chan eil fhios agam de ghabhas deanamh. Tha mi air mo phianadh leatha’ ’. (Continued from page 84) “Nach bu choir dhuit an dotair fhaicinn’’, From all this it might be inferred that a new thuirt Curstaidh, “tha iad ag radh gum bheil set of Long Tunes could be in process of forma- am fear 6g ud gle mhath’ ’. tion in the Isles. Unfortunately however there “Bu cheart cho math leam coilleach-gaoithe are signs that this unique way of singing the ris!’’ spreadh Bellag gu feargach, “ach tha ’n t-am agam a bhith togail orm. Feasgair Psalms may pass away in its turn. At one math leaf ’. Congregational practice where I went to record Leatha fhein a rithis chaidh Curstaidh a I found this old way so much modified that I stigh. Bellag bhochd! Bha truas aice rithe. asked the precentor what the reason could be. Bha doigh neonach, choirbte aice, agus mar Slurs and grace-notes thoradh air a sin bha na coimhearsnaich gle choma dhi. Ach bha aite aig Curstaidh He told me that he had been doing his best dhi ’na cridhe fialaidh. to get the Congregation to drop their slurs and Thuit an oidhche. Bha deagh theine air, grace-notes, and to sing the tunes in what to agus na cuirteinean air an tarruing gu comh- him was a more civilised manner. I begged him fhurtail. Suas mu dheich uairean thuit i ’na to restore them for this once for the purpose of cadal agus thoisich i ri bruadar. Ar leatha my recording, which he did by simply asking gun robh neach-eigin air an drochaid a bha the Congregation to ‘ ‘sing as they used to do.’ ’ glaodhaich air a h-ainm—neach aig an robh But as he shook hands with me afterwards, he gnothuch sonraichte rithe. Dhuisg i. Bhc an shook his head reprovingly at the same time aisling cho soilleir dhi’s an glaodh cho fuaimn- and said that I had “undone six months hard each fhathast ’na cluasan ’s gun robh i air a work. ’ ’ co-eigneachadh gus a dhol a mach chun na One could wish that this unique, devout and drochaid fiach co bha ’ga h-iarraidh. Thog i essentially Scottish Highland way of singing leatha leus-dealain bharr a’ bhuird, agus chaidh the Psalms should continue in strength and i mach. Rainig i ’n drochaid ach cha robh without interference. With the existence of so dad ri fhaicinn no ri chluinntinn. Bha gach many factors in modern communication to ni seimh agus aig clos, agus i fhein mothachail influence and change the old ways however, air sith neo-chriochnach ’na h-anam. Gu including, perhaps most of all, church singing h-obann thuit sgios mor oirre, agus dh’ of a more conventional character over the radio, fhairich i an tuaineal ’na ceann a rithist. one fears that this ancient style of Praise may Dh’fhairich i reodhtachd anacneasda ’ga cuairteachadh, agus an duaichneachd thiugh eventually go the way of the Long Tunes. ’ga tarruing dliith ’na ghlacaibh. Chuir i suas By courtesy of the ‘ 'Scotsman' ’. a lamhan mar gum biodh i a’ cumail bhuaipe ni a bha deanamh greim oirre. Ach aig an aon am chuala i guth tlusail ciuin ag radh, “Na bitheadh eagal ort, is Leam-sa thu’ ’. Agus The lamented death of Mr. Neil Shaw, O.B.E., dh’fhalbh an tuaineal agus an doilleireachd agus is announced as we go to Press. Appropriate am fuachd .... tributes will be paid in the next issue. the spirit of adventure, or the world-wide The Highland Problem depression of the period between the two World Wars. Within the last half century 500,000 THE Highland Problem is complex and have left the Highland counties, either drifting many-sided. It is mainly economic, into the cities of the south or going overseas. but the social implications are by no Now, less than one quarter of the population means unimportant. The main causes of the of Scotland occupy three fifths of the whole present situation have their roots deep in area of the country, a fact which cannot be Highland history, and in order to understand regarded as in any way satisfactory. and appreciate them we must examine at least The application of the National Insurance some of the salient factors. regulations in rural areas exercises serious effects on the life of a considerable section of the Depopulation is a disquieting sympton of the people of the Highlands. Framed to meet the present position, but it is also a major problem needs of industrial areas, these regulations in itself for many communities both on the impose higher burdens for smaller benefits on mainland and in the islands are so depleted crofters and other so-called self-employers with that it is becoming increasingly difficult to meagre means, with the certain result that maintain the old way of life any longer. depopulation will be still further accelerated. The patriarchal regime which was in force The effect of good or bad transport are for many centuries terminated with Culloden.' reflected both in the social and economic Under this system the subtenants cultivated conditions of the people. Trade and industry their small plots, herded their cattle on the are necessary to maintain people in adequate common pasture, and rendered seasonal help numbers anywhere, but these cannot prosper in return for the privileges which they enjoyed. where transport is too costly or deficient. They lived simple and contented lives, while Excessive freight charges, such as prevail in land and sea furnished them with the bare most Highland districts today, have a throttling necessities. influence on industry. Why should isolated National policy after the ’45 aimed at reduc- areas be so burdened by oppressive freight ing the arbitrary power of Highland chiefs charges? While these remain it is difficult to and landed proprietors who were no longer encourage or improve existing industries, and allowed to maintain powerful retinues. Large impossible to attract new ones. landowners had to find new ways for maintaining One after another of the basic industries of themselves and their families, and many of the Highlands have been fading out gradually. them decided to sell or rent extensive areas Fishing, at one time of prime importance, has of their estates to the highest bidders. Lowland ceased to be a major industry there any longer farmers were ready to buy or pay high rents for and unless drastic Government action comes to sheep farms in the north. This led to wholesale the rescue very shortly the prospect of a healthy evictions to make room for sheep farming, and revival is doubtful. Crofting is no longer at a later period for deer forests. Some of the regarded as an attractive industry in the North, dispossessed settled on inferior land on the foot- nor does it produce very high dividends at hills or by the seashore to eke out a precarious present. It has, however, definite advantages living as best they could, while many more in that the crofter has security of tenure, at crossed the seas to foreign lands where their least at the moment, a cheap home and the descendants are to be found to this day. The requisite qualification for Government grant Highhuid clearances during the latter part of or subsidy to provide better housing conditions the 18th century left desolate glens in many and agricultural improvements. districts. Little was done by the State to Tweed manufacture has proved an excellent support either those who remained or those who ally to crofting in some of the islands of the were compelled to leave their homeland. Bitter west. Whether any great expansion of this memories smouldered long, and the tragic industry is possible depends largely on world story of those times has not been forgotten and markets, which again are at the mercy of may still be colouring the political allegiance fashion. of Highland people. Afforestation has made great strides in Rapid decline in population began first in recent years over wide areas in Scotland, Sutherland, and affected the whole Highlands and should provide increasing employment and before the end of the 19th century. There have good prospects. There are extensive territories been successive waves of emigration throughout in the North, particularly in the mountainous the present century, some due to failure of one regions, which offer plenty of scope for this basic industry or another, seme resulting from valuable industry, and which are not well I suited for any other form of farming. We |shall await further developments with interest. Psalm Tunes Of I A variety of light and widespread industries * is required to provide economic stability, but The Highlands : inadequate transport and ccmmunication mili- i, tate against the establishment cr success of By Francis Collinson ^ private or public enterprise. In certain areas IT would be an omission to conclude an | in the Highlands now electric power and man- account of the Scottish Psalm Tunes of f power are available, but other essential facili- the Reformation without reference to the Psalm tunes of the Highlands and to the ties arc lacking; and these are dependent on Highland way of singing them, a way of singing l Government action. that is as unique as it is impressive. I Now the serious problem of the preservation Particular mention must be made of the old I of the Gaelic language and culture is very Gaelic “Long Tunes” which were sung within [ closely linked with the economic and social living memory in the counties of Caithness, [ problems that we have been considering. Gaelic Sutherland, Ross and Inverness-shire, and J is identified with the Highland people living which were undoubtedly sung all over the i in the Highlands. Continued depopulation Highlands before that. I there leads inevitably to the final disappearance There were originally six of these Gaelic l of Gaelic as a living language. Long Tunes, and they all bore the names of J. Thomson. well-known tunes of the Scottish Psalter— French, Martyrs, Stilt, Elgin, Dundee and Old London. Yet beyond the identity of name, all resemblance, as far as the ordinary hearer An Ribheid Chiuil could tell, seemed to end. S This is an interesting and in some ways an The most notable feature of these tunes, as ; arresting collection of Gaelic poetry by Iain their name implies, was their length, which to Archie Macaskill of Berneray, Harris, mostly the Lowlander seems frankly inordinate. Taking [composed during the author’s stay in Western the tune “Martyrs” as an example, we find i Australia from 1924 to 1933 when he died at that the Highland tune of the name is more than | the early age of thirty five. The poems deal three times as long as the Lowland, even leaving- 1 in the main with common everyday topics, out of account the preliminary chanting of [ and arc strongly patriotic and nostalgic in every line of the Psalm by the precentor before | treatment. Many of them are set to well the Congregation sing it; while as far as the known tunes which do not always suit the melodies are concerned, they seem to be quite j! sentiment. The form is traditional, the rhyth- different tunes. t mic structure is pleasing, but end rhymes are It was long thought in the Highlands that 1 not always true. Good imagery is employed the Long Tunes were in fact of different origin i in places, and descriptive gifts are in evidence. to those of their lowland namesakes. In even The command of correct idiomatic Gaelic is a comparatively recent publication authorised i [ worthy of note, but the quality of the poetry by the Free Church, we find the following \ rarely reaches a very high standard. Frankness ingenious suggestion regarding them:— j)and forthrightness are attractive features. “It may be stated as a possible origin of these | Greater consistency in the use of accents Long Tunes that they are Swedish airs picked [*is desirable. up from fellow soldiers by the the Highlanders ; There is a most interesting Introduction by who served in the army of Gustavus Adolphus the Editor which pictures the seasonal changes in the early part of the seventeenth century. ,in Berneray and provides the necessary back- The fact that the tunes were confined entirely }ground for the detailed biography of the poet to those districts of the Highlands from which n in that island, in Glasgow and in Australia. the soldiers were recruited makes the conjecture The Notes on personal and place names which of this origin almost a certainty.” : occur in the Introduction, and those on references , in the poems themselves have both a strong Research ignored [local and general interest. It is impossible of course, for the musicologist [ This handsome volume, price 12/6 post free, to agree with any such reasoning which does ‘may be had from the Editor, Alex. Morrison, not attempt to explain the fact that the tunes ; f21 Herriet Street, Pollokshields, Glasgow, or bear the well-known names of tunes in the 'tfrom Alex. Maclaren & Sons, 268 Argyle Scottish Psalter, and which ignores published ■ ,Street, Glasgow. musical research upon them. The first man to investigate the Long Tunes Committee of the Free Church of Scotland, by from a musical standpoint appears to have been T. L. Hately, who achieved celebrity as the Joseph Mainzer. In succession coal-miner, precentor who led the singing at the first meeting priest, abbe, opera-composer, musical journalist of the Free Church Assembly at Tanfield at and apostle of a popular singing method for the Disruption. the masses, Mainzer came to Scotland in 1842. The tunes as noted by Hately again bear the He lived in Edinburgh for five years, during names of French, Martyrs, Stilt, Dundee and which he applied unsuccessfully for the Reid Old London. He sets down two different Chair of Music at Edinburgh University versions of the tunes—the version as sung in following the fiasco of Henry Bishop’s tenure of Ross, and that as sung in Sutherland and the office. Caithness, Hately’s notations were reprinted During his stay in Scotland, Mainzer made in the 1910 edition of the Free Church Psalmody, and published a painstaking study of the Gaelic where they can readily be found by the interested Long Tunes. By this he was able to demonstrate reader. that these were in fact profusely ornamented Comparisons between these transcriptions, and extended versions of the Old Common noted down in different districts and at different Tunes of the Scottish Psalter whose names times, is illuminating, for it shows just the they bore. kind of differences one would expect to find in The ornamentation of them by the singers an oral tradition, particularly that of a people of the Highland Congregations had grown and with the Celtic genius for ornamentation, as in become elaborated during the passage of time the classical example of Pibroch in music, and to such an extent that there remained eventually in the sculptured stones of Iona and the West only the slenderest connection between the Long in a visual medium. Tunes and their originals, a connection that Translation into Gaelic could only be detected by the musicologist. The Psalms in metre were not translated Each note of the Psalter tune indeed may into Gaelic till 1659, 100 years after the correspond to as many as ten of the Long Tune, Reformation. Until they did appear in that all ten being sung to one single syllable of the language, the singing of them in the Highlands words of the psalm, the melody of the Long where it could be attempted at all, must have Tune twining around the notes of its Psalter been a woeful performance; for the only original like a Celtic knot-pattern. language available was of course the English Mainzer was able to show however that the of the Psalter, which was a tongue little less two sets of tunes corresponded with each other foreign and infinitely more unfamiliar than the in the following essential points:—(a) the notes Latin which the Reformation had suppressed. of the Psalter tune could be found among the This state of things is well indicated in the notes of the Long Tune : (b) wherever the Psalter Minutes of the meeting of the Synod of Argyll tune rises or falls the Long Tune does likewise: at Rothesay in May, 1653, at which it was (c) the first notes of each line of the two tunes formally decided that the Psalms should be nearly always correspond to each other—to translated into the Gaelic tongue that they which the writer would add that the end-notes might be understood of the people. The of each line significantly only fail to correspond Minute reads:— also wfiere the last note of the Psalter tune is “The synod thinks it convenient that the one that the Highland ear, with a partiality for psalmes to turned to Irish (i.e., Gaelic) mitre its own gapped scales, finds ungrateful and hard so as they may be soonge with the comon to accept; (d) finally, the tunes bear the same toones, in regard . . . that the ordinance of names in the Highlands as in the Lowlands, singing, through want of the Irish mitter, these being in English and not Gaelic. never has bein gone about by such as are Mainzer arranged one of the Gaelic Long ignorant of the English language . . . therefore Tunes, “French” for voices in four-part ordanes the psalmes be translated.” (The harmony; an arrangement which, though of Synod’s own command of English seems not dubious propriety to the folk-musician, para- to have been without its own Highland doxically now probably provides the only piquancy). survival of the Long Tunes in actual congrega- In point of fact, the actual metre employed tional performance, being sung by the massed in the task could scarcely be described as Gaelic choirs at the closing concert of the annual metre in the real sense of the term, for the National Gaelic Mod. method used was to set the Psalms (to quote The Gaelic Long Tunes were noted afresh and the published preface) ‘ ‘in Gaelic metre that published in 1862 (20 years after Mainzer’s fits the Lowland tunes to which it is customary notation) at the instance of the Psalmody to sing them in churches and in households.” — 82 — —A type of metre which, it is admitted by the Early Introduction translators was "strange and unknown to the It is fairly evident from the above, with its Gaelic tongue." references to Lowland and "common toones" that the tunes of the Scottish Psalter were It was a metre which forced even the aban- introduced into the Highlands, in however donment of internal rhyme, which unlettered rudimentary a fashion, at an early period bards to-day are still careful to observe, to following the Reformation. quote an eminent Gaelic scholar to whom the These would of course be learned orally and writer referred the point, and who continues, not from the printed music, for to this day the "these tunes and translations must have been Scottish Gael makes little use of music—staff considered a horrible innovation in the seven- notation, preferring the sol-fa system—perhaps teenth century, by persons who knew the rules because it is more nearly akin to his ancient of Gaelic metres and the tunes to which poems ‘ ‘canntaireachd, ’ ’ the notation of pibroch music in the old metres were sung (which I take to be by vocables. It may be surmised that it was similar to the chants to which the Ossianic at that early time that the process of orna- ballads are still sung in Uist)." mentation and eventually, of complete metamorphosis of the tunes began; a process Geneva parallel which crystallised finally in the Long Tunes— though perhaps crystallised is not the ideal It was a curious parallel to that which went word, for as we have seen, they retained a certain on at pre-Reformation Geneva, when English fluidity between one locality and another. and Scots versifiers laboured to write in metres The Gaelic Long Tunes apparently went out which would fit existing French psalm-tunes, of use towards the end of last century. For- and turned out a good deal of pedestrian tunately this most interesting Scottish folk doggerel in consequence. music (for that is what it is) still survives here Under such conditions the task of trans- and there in the memories of those who heard lating the psalms into Gaelic did not proceed their parents sing the tunes, and it has been over rapidly. It took six years for the Synod recorded by the School of Scottish Studies. to bring to publication the first 50 psalms, and Though the full flowering of musical decora- another five to complete them; the 50, or tion may have gone out with the passing of "Caogad" appearing in 1659 and the whole the Long Tunes however, the process which 150 psalms in 1694. evolved them is still very much alive in the Highlands m the singing of such tunes as Tor- Before these last were completed however wood, Martyrdom, St. David’s, Stornoway and the complete psalms appeared in Gaelic in- the like, as well as in the short Psalter versions dependently from the hand of Robert Kirk, of the tunes which gave rise to the Long Tunes. the celebrated minister of Balquhidder. A few years ago, the writer was privileged, Robert Kirk is to be remembered also as the by the kindness of the Free Church authorities, first man to translate the Bible into the Gaelic to be allowed to record congregational Psalm tongue, an achievement which in its own way .singing in the Isle of Lewis. It was a most must rank with that of Tyndale, Coverdale stimulating and uplifting experience. There and all the great translators who made the the custom still survives of the reading, or Bible available to the English speaking peoples. rather chanting to each line of the Psalm in full by the Precentor, to a strange, sometimes Robert Kirk seems to have been a remarkable almost oriental-like chant independent of and man. To keep himself awake at his huge musically unconnected with the Psalm tune self-imposed task, he is said to have invented itself with which it alternates. a device which, when he dozed off into sleep, The attitude and demeanour of the precentor splashed cold water in his face from a bowl in these Highland churches is impressive. nearby, and so awakened him to the continuance Often he sings with eyes closed, rolling out the of his labours. softly sonorous Gaelic of the Psalm from memory What makes him perhaps equally remarkable sometimes in a curious nasal quality of voice in the popular imagination is that, being a reminiscent of the old Puritans. The Congre- seventh son of a seventh son, he was locally gation sing in unison as is the custom of the credited with powers of communication with Gael, but with the melody profusely orna- the fairies, a belief which did not lose credence mented with grace-notes ("slurs" they call from the fact that he followed his labours upon them), each singer improvising his or her own the Scriptures with an account, set down in pattern of ornamentation of the tune as the considerable detail, of the life and doings of spirit moves him. the Little Folk—" The Secret Commonwealth The result is astonishing, for it creates a of Elves, Faunes, and Fairies." shimmering kaleidoscopic harmony of its own, a harmony which bears a strange resemblance EDINBURGH to the echoing acoustics of a cathedral, and The ceilidh held towards the end of May in aid against which the tune stands out in great of the funds of the forthcoming National Mod in strength and dignity. In the slow, quantitative Stirling was a great success. The programme, rather than rhythmic measure of the tune, it is arranged by Mr. Archie Maclean, was presented almost unavoidable that some voices should byand Mr. Larbert Angus Branches. Mackenzie, The president following of artistesthe Stirling took move on to the next note before the others, part:—Pipe-Major George Stoddart, Misses Ina and the resulting effect is obviously one which Macdiarmid, Catriona Fraser, Moira Connacher, the Congregation like to create deliberately for Agnes Henderson, Lottie Seggie, and Messrs. John the sake of its further clashing harmonies. Kidd,gave selectionsKenneth MacRae.on his accordion.Mr. George Mrs.Henderson Blair To crown the whole musical structure, the Oliphant of Ardblair Castle told stories with a precentor often breaks in with the next line charming Irish lilt, and a team from Edinburgh before the Congregation have come to the end UniversityMr. Finlay gaveMaclean a proposedfine exhibition a generous of dancing.vote of of theirs, causing a further deliberate collision thanks. of tones. From the description one might imagine that it must result in ear-splitting MANCHESTER cacaphony; in actual fact the whole effect is This Branch closed its winter’s activities with of quite astonishing and unforgettable beauty. Callum)its usual inceilidh aid of (arrangedMod funds. by ApproximatelyMrs. Hugh Mac- 100 [Continued on page 79) members and friends attended, the guest artiste Winifredbeing Mrs. Davies, Bernadine both ofLees, whom accompanied are well known by Miss in Northernsuccess socially concert and circles. financially, The eveningresulting was in a profitgreat inof due£42 course.5s 6d, which will be forwarded to Stirling Forestry Tour The activities of the Branch were saddened by To mark the planting of 100,000 acres in the the death of three active members — Mr. Peter county by the Forestry Commission a special MacLeod, Lewis (one of the early members of the visit to forestry areas in Argyll was arranged Branch and Secretary for many years), Mrs Seaton, for May 24th. The tour will help to indicate withwife ofthe Mr. Branch A. W. since Seaton its (whoinception), has been and associatedMr. Alec the economic and social benefits which extensive Hamilton. operations can bring to a district. On this At the first ceilidh in October the President and occasion visits were made to a modern sawmill his wife (Dr. and Mrs. Geo. Morrice) accepted on Loch Fyneside and to a forester training on behalf of the Branch the very beautiful badges school at Benmore. The Commission’s of office which had been presented by Dr. J. Chas. plantations lying between those two places were Miller,Kerr in late(Secretary) of Helensburgh. in memory After of hissupper wife, one Jean of also seen. colouredour own slidesmembers, of Barra. Mr. J. Cornock, showed some fromIn Mr.November Hugh MacPhee, we had Presidentthe pleasure of An of Comunn, a visit friend,the guest Kenneth artiste MacRae. on this occasion being our old Branch Reports At other ceilidhean we had as guest artistes, BUNESSAN KennaGillies, Campbell, Rhona MacLeod and Alistair Bunessan and Pennyghael Branch held a success- annualMr. picnicand Mrs. to beMaclean held at areSutton, now nearplanning Maccles- the Lament,ful ceilidh president, in Bunessan extended Hall in a May,cordial when welcome Mr. Hugh to field, on Saturday, the 10th June, when we hope Mr. Hugh MacPhee and to Dr. and Mrs. J. M. year.the weather will be as kind to us as it was last Dr.Bannerman Bannerman, who whohad presidedcome to in visit his usualthe Branch.breezy The Manchester Gaelic Choir (under Mr. P. D. tomanner, the Branch made for an theirideal efforts chairman. to maintain He paid the tributeGaelic CircleCurley, under Newtonmore) Mr. Girvan and MacKay the Manchester continue to Gaelicmake ceilidh,language. stressed Mr. MacPhee,the value whoof teaching recorded Gaelic part ofto the good progress. Propagandachildren, and CommitteeMrs. Bannerman, of An convenerCpmunn, of alsothe addressed the audience. AFFILIATED SOCIETIES pipingMr, D.selections. Lament andSongs Mr. wereM. MacPhersonsupplied byplayed the On Roll at 31st March, 1960 following:—MissesElsie Ann Lament, Mrs.Jenny C. Morrison,Briggs, Mrs. Betty J. Watson,Logan, Additions to Roll bell,Messrs. J. MacleanH. Lament, Fullarton Neil MacDqnald,and Dr. Bannerman. Anda Carpp- t'he Less^Lapsed selectionslocal Gaelic were Choir rendered gave their by support,Mr. Angus and Campbell.accordion On Roll at .31st March, 1961 AN GAIDHEAL THE GAEL Editor — ]. THOMSON, M.A., F.E.I.S., 116 WEST SAVILE TERRACE, EDINBURGH to whom all correspondence should be addressed except that concerning advertising which should be addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer. 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C.2 Telephone: DOUglas 1433. Leabhar LVI AN LUNASDAL, 1961 Aireamh 8

SUIL AIR ADHART IS docha gu bheil na Gaidheil tuilleadh is uinn Ghaidhealaich a thaobh na Gaidhlig ullamh gu bhith cumail an sula air an fa’n comhair. i gualainn, agus ’g an call fhein ann an Chan eil an teagamh as lugha nach e meadhon | dalla-cheo na h-ath-chuimhne. Gun teagamh eifeachdach a bhiodh anns an radio chum leas tha feum air suil air ais a chum feuman an ama na G&idhlig anns an dachaidh agus anns an | a tha an lathair a dheasachadh gu cothromach, sgoil nam biodh iiine gu leor air a cheadachadh 1 agus a chum sealladh soilleir fhaighinn air na do’n Ghaidhlig. Ach fhathast chan eil an ixine 8 tha falaichte aig faire. ach suarach; agus gu so cha chualas lideadh an Tha cor na Gaidhealtachd agus na Gaidhlig Gaidhlig ann an sgoil ann an Alba. I an diugh mar thoradh air an t-siol a chuireadh Tha fios gu ruig an television taobh an iar na leis an Riaghaltas anns na linntean a chaidh Gaidhealtachd agus na h-Eileanan a Siar luath seachad; agus tha freumhan cion-toil agus no mall, ach co aige tha fins de an t-aite a bhios eu-dochas mhorain ’nar latha fhin an sas gu aig a’ Ghaidhlig anns a’ ghnothach nuair a [ domhain ann an eachdraidh nan ginealach a thachras sin. Tha e iomchuidh gun cumadh j dh’fhalbh. Ach chan eil feum no stath ann sinn suil air a’ mhuinntir a bhios ann an | an eachdraidh mur a cuirear gu feum i. ughdarras, agus nach bi sinn balbh nuair a bhios feum air comhairle agus air tagradh. Tha Ma tha sinn mar Ghaidheil ag iarraidh ar e ceart gun dleasadh sinn ar coraichean agus canain agus ar doigh-beatha a dhion ’s a neart- nach leigeadh sinn fois le cumhachd sam bith i) achadh feumaidh sinn, gu duineil agus gu a tha cumail uainn ar dlighe. Chan ann le aon | h-aona-ghuthach, a bhith faireil a chum ar bhuille a leagar a’ chraobh; agus cha chumar f coraichean dligheach a thaobh cranchur is tigh le beul duinte. | cainnt a ghlacadh. Chan eil soirbheachadh ann Mas e Beurla a mhain leis an tig television i an leigeadh-seachad. Aig an am is e dion ar thugainn ’s e buille-bais do’n Ghaidhlig a [ canain—a’ Ghaidhlig—a tha air ar n-aire. Tha bhios ann. Ach ma ruigeas e sinn ann an | e iomchuidh agus ceart gach meadhon feumail Gaidhlig airson oigridh is inbhich tha fios gun I a chur gu buil, agus gach cothrom a chur deanadh sin feum mhor gu bhith taladh aire | an cleachdadh. an luchd-eisdeachd dh’ ionnsaigh feartan ar I Tha Comunn Rannsachaidh, le ughdarras canain, agus gu bhith cosnadh dhi an uidh | an Riaghaltais, air geur-fhaire a thoirt o agus an t-aite air a bheil i airidh. Faodaidh l chionn ghoirid do obair a’ Bh.B.C. agus an Gaidhlig ar ruighinn le droch bhlas direach mar | deidh an comhairle a chur ri iomadh buidheann a dh’fhaodas cainnt sam bith eile. Is e guth I aig a bheil uidh anns an obair so. Bidh na an fheadhainn do’n aithne agus anns a bheil | doighean a mholas iad air an cumadh ann an earbsa aig ar cinn-iuil bu choir eisdeachd | tomhais leis na beachdan a fhuair iad ’nan fhaighinn ann a bhith ag ullachadh loin do | rannsach; dh. Chuireadh beachdan a’ Chom- gach seorsa cuideachd. — 35 — “ MAIRI CHALLAIRD” Le Niall MacDhomhnaill THA mi creidsinn nach eil duine agaibh dhoilgheas dhi. Le i bhi faicinn na h-uibhir 1 nach cuala uair no uaireigin mu’n de luchd a h-eolais air bheagan bidh ghoirtich j phlaigh uamhasaich a bha ann an Lunnain briathran a h-athar i cho mor is gun do chuir | direach tri cheud bliadhna an ama so, nuair a i roimpe falbh. Dh’fheith i gus an do ghabh a bha na miltean ’gan sguabadh air falbh gach an teaghlach mu thamh is an sin sgioblaich | latha leis a’ ghalair so. Tha iomradh ann an Mairi i fhein agus ghabh i an rathad a mach as | eachrdaidh cuideachd air a’ cheart thinneas a’ bhaile. Choisich i gus an d’ rainig i tigh 1 so a bhith anns an Eadailt, agus anns an t-Suain, brathair a h-athar ann an Lunndabhrath an I ’s chan eil teagamh nach robh a’ cheart phlaigh Lochabar, fliuch fann agus gle sgith. Mar a 1 so anns a’ Ghaidhealtachd; ciod eile a theireadh dh’fhaodar a thuigsinn ghabhadh rithe gu jfl sibh a thachair ann an Callard? coibhneil, ach nuair a chual’ iad an t-aobhar j§ Bha Donnchadh Camshron (Fear Challaird) airson na dh’fhag i tigh a h-athar cha robh iad 1 ’na thuathanach aig an robh seilbh air baile idir toilichte, agus chomhairlicheadh dhi 1 fearainn, agus ged is lom uaigneach an dixthaich tilleadh dhachaidh. Cha robh i idir deonach ;| sin an diugh bha i mu’n am air a bheil sinn so a dheanamh ged a bha brathair a h-athar ag | a’ labhairt, a’ toirt loin is teachd-an-tir gu radh rithe gum biodh iad cho toilichte a faicinn I pailt saibhir do mhoran dhaoine. air ais sabhailte ’s nach canadh iad aon fhacal Am measg an teaghlaich aig Donnchadh na h-aghaidh. bha Mairi, nighean 6g bhriagha a bha ro- Timcheall mu’n am so thainig soitheach | mheasail aig gach aon. Cha robh te eile anns Suaineach do’n aite dh’iarraidh cloimhe, agus i| a’ bhaile a thigeadh suas rithe; chan ann a nuair a ghabhadh aig a’ bhata cha robh duine | mhain airson a boidhchead ach airson a coibh- ann an Callard nach deach air bord innte, cuid j| neis agus a baidh. Cha robh neach air am a dh’fhaicinn an t-soithich eireachdail so agus jj biodh dith no eis air nach deanadh ise fuasg- cuid eile a reic an cuid cloimhe. Am measg i ladh. Bha i iriosal uasal ’na giulan agus an fheadhainn a chaidh air bord le cloimh bha I blath-chridheach, coibhneil ri gach aon a Donnchadh Camshron. Reic e chuid cloimhe | thigeadh an rathad. Cha robh tigh anns a’ agus a bharrachd air sin rinn e ceannachd innte. | choimhearsnachd anns nach robh i eolach, far Thill Donnchadh Camshron dhachaidh le | a faigheadh i failte chridheil bho gach aon, lan ciste de dh’ aodach riomhach grinn; aodach | scan is 6g. nach fhacas riamh roimhe a leithid ann an | A’ bhliadhna bha so thachair gun robh gorta Callard, agus is esan a bha lan toilichte leis | mhor anns an tir; bha droch bharr air an achadh a cheannachd a rinn e. agus an aite ’m pailteas a bhi aca mar a chleachd ’Nuair a rainig e dhachaidh, agus mu’n do l| iad, cha robh leth gu lebir aca nis fa chomhair bhlaiseadh air greim bidh chaidh a’ chiste I feum nan teaghlaichean re a’ gheamhraidh. aodaich fhosgladh, agus abradh sibhse greadhn- | Mu’n d’ thainig an Dubhlachd a stigh cha robh achas am measg teaghlach Dhonnchaidh air an | baraille no ciste mhine san aite nach robh gu fheasgar ud. Thoisicheadh a’ fiachainn orra | bhith' falamh, agus far am b’abhaist gaire is nan deiseachan, agus cha robh beag no mor, | siigradh a bhith, cha robh ann a nis ach caoidh scan no 6g, a stigh air an dorus nach robh air | agus mulad air gach taobh. an sgeadachadh leis an aodach ghrinn ud; bha | Cha robh neach a bhiodh ’ na eiginn nach ann an dara neach a’ coimhead na bu riomhaiche |[ air tigh Dhonnchaidh Chamshroin a chuireadh na neach eile. e aghaidh, agus mar bu trice ’s i Mairi a bhiodh An oidhche so fhein thill Mairi air ais a | a’ frithealadh dhaibh, ’s cha do thill Mairi Lunndabhrath, ach an aite suil a thoirt air an | duine riamh air falbh falamh; bha ise a’ toirt aodach ghrinn a bh’air a’ choir de’n teaghlach, | dhaibh gu pailt ’ s gu fialaidh de chuid a h-athar. thug i oirre gun ghuth no facal a radh suas do’n I Latha de na laithean gu de ach gun d’thug t-sebmar uachdrach far am biodh i cadal. | e’n aire gu robh an siol a b’fhearr a bh’aige Chuir i seachad an oidhche leatha fhein ann | .... an siol cura bha e gleidheadh gu curamach an uaigneas, agus air dhi diisgadh sa’ mhadainn | airson an Earraich, aig Mairi ach beag air a cha b’ urrainn dhi faighinn a mach air dorus | thoirt seachad. Ghluais so a nadur gle mhor, an t-seomair aice .... bha ni air choireigin agus dh’ aithn e dhi gun a leithid sud a dheanamh air a chul. Mu dheireadh chaidh aice air i | tuilleadh. fhein fhaothachadh a mach air an dorus, agus | Cha robh e ceadaichte dhi nis frithealadh air de a bha sud air cul an doruis ach corp a h-athar, | duine a thigeadh an rathad, ni a bha 'na ’s e fuar marbh air an lar. Thug i suil mu’n cuairt agus chunnaic i Loch Eite ’s a’ sruth leotha agus as a sin suas sealladh a chuir uamhas oirre—bha a mathair a’ Linne Sheilleach. Am bristeadh an latha ’s a piuthar ’s a coignear bhraithrean 'nan chaidh iad a falach ann an Camus an Taillear, sineadn marbh fa comhair. Ghuil Mairi gu is b’ann dhaibh a b’fheudar oir cha bu tilleadh goirt agus leis an sgios ’s am bristeadh cridhe slan dhaibh nan d’fhuaradh fath air na bha thuit i seachad ’na cadal. rompa a dheanamh. Nuair a thfiinig am Cha robh duine ri fhaicinn a’ gluasad mu feasgar shiob a’ bhirlinn gu curamach faicill- thimcheall tigh Dhonnchaidh Chamshroin air each do’n t-sruth a bha ruith gu bras troimh a’ mhadainn so, ni a chuir iongnadh air muinntir ’n chaolas. a’ bhaile. Chruinnich na fir agus an deidh Bha teine mor air an rudha mu’n coinneimh beachdachadh air a’ chuis cha b’fhada gus agus fear eile air an taobh eile le luchd faire an tainig iad a dh’ionnsaigh a’ cho-dhunaidh a’ cumail geur shuil nach fhaigheadh duine gu’n robh a’ phlaigh air tighinn do’n aite ged seachad. Anns an dorchadas a bh’ann, agus nach robh lan dearbhadh aca air. Dh’fheum- am beagan soluis a bha na teineachan a’ adh iad casg a chur air a’ ghalair uamhasach so, deanamh shnaig Diarmad ’s ghillean seachad. agus ged bu chruaidh e cha robh ach aon doigh Suas seachad air clach Phadruig far an do air an gabhadh sin a dheanamh; an tigh ’s na bhathadh Prionnsa Lochlannach, a mach gu bha na bhroinn a chur ’na theine. B’e cheist camas Eoghainn far an do shaoradh Lochiall a nis co a ghabhadh an obair so as laimh. Cha bho’n bhuidseach, gus mu dheireadh an deidh robh duine ri fhaighinn a bha deonach agus mu iomadh iomagan an do bhuail i a stigh air Port dheireadh dh’aontaich iad c6 air bith air an Eachainn far an robh tigh Dhonnchaidh Cham- tuiteadh an crann b’esan a dh’fheumadh an shroin fa’n comhair. tigh a chur ’na theine. Leum Diarmad gu tir agus thug e roit suas Thuit an crann air Raonall Mor agus b’ann a dh’ionnsaigh an tighe. Bha Raonall an sid le cridhe trom a chaidh e gu tigh a’ charaid an deidh tilleadh is e a’ feitheamh ris na a chur ’na smal. Rinn e tri cuairtean air an chuireadh roimhe a dheanamh. Cha tigeadh tigh ag eubhach fad na h-uine feuch an lorgadh aon neach eile ah coir an tighe. Dh’eubh e aon duine beo a bhith air fhagail ann mu’n Diarmad ri Mairi, agus ann am beagan bhriath- rachadh e ri gn'omh. B’ann air an treas ran dh’fhailtich iad a cheile. Dh’iarr e oirre cuairt a thug e an aire do lamh a’ crathadh gu a h-aodach fhein a thoirt dhith agus i fhein a fann aig uinneig an uachdar an tighe. shuaineadh sa’ bhreacan aige-san; i ’ ga nigheadh B’e lamh Mairi a bha sud agus chaidh aice fhein san allt agus an sin an t-aodach a fhuair air innse do Raonall a mach troimh ’n uinneig e bho a phiuthar a chur oirre. Is e sin a rinn mar a bha cuisean a stigh. Dh’iarr i air fios i agus cha b’ann roimh’n am oir bha a’ chabh- a leigeil gu a leannan, Diarmad MacDhonnch- anaich dliith. Cha luaithe a fhuair i do’n aidh (Mac Caimbeulach Inbhir-Atha). Dh’ bhirlinn na sid na fir le buillean laidir easgaidh fhalbh Raonall le each diollaide nuair thainig an greim ’s na raimh le luathas an eagail. an dorcha gus a theachdaireachd a chur an Nam faigheadh muinntir Challaird fios air gu ceill. Bha an t-slighe fada agus doirbh. Ach de bha iad ris cha bhiodh dol as ann doibh. is iongantach mar a thachair; bha Diarmad an Rinn iad Eilean nam Ban deth agus an sin dearbh fhear ris an robh a ghnothach air a chaidh iad am falach. Thainig solus an latha shlighe gu Callard. Ann an cadal luaisgeanach agus solus eile leis, tigh Challaird a’ dol suas chunnaic Diarmad aisling agus bha e fo mhor ’na theine. Rinn Raonall a dhleasdanas ach amharas nach robh cuisean le Mairi mar bu cha b’ann gus am fac e Mairi gu sfibhailte le a choir. Choinnich Raonall ris shios taobh Loch leannan. B’e sealladh a bh’ann a dhriiidh air Crearar. An deidh dhaibh failte chur air a cridhe Mairi is nach do dhl-chuimhnich i cheile, dh’innis Raonall dha fath a thurais. ri beo. Nuair a chuala Diarmad an naidheachd Air do’n oidhche tuiteam, thill iad uile do’n bhronach, chuir e chuip ris an each, agus thill bhirlinn is thog iad orra agus gun aon tubaist e air ais gu Inbhir-Atha. Dh’fheumadh esan no sgioradh rainig iad Inbhir-Atha gu sabhailte. Mairi a thoirt a mach as an tigh ud, agus sin Nuair a chuala Caimbeulach Inbhir-Atha mar gun cus dalach a dheanamh. Dh’fheumadh e a bha, is gun robh Diarmad a’ dol a phosadh aodach a thoirt leis gu Mairi agus thug a Mairi Challaird, cha do chord an naidheachd phiuthar dha aon de na deiseachan aice fhein idir ris; cha robh Mairi math gu leoir dh’a air a son. mhac-san, ach a dh’aindeoin gach bacadh a Fhad ’s a bha Diarmad a’ faighinn deiseil chuireadh an rathad Dhiarmaid cha striochdadh bha sgiobadh tapaidh ag uidheamachadh a’ e do iarrtas no comhairle a bha athair a’ toirt bhirlinn dha. Nuair a bha gach ni an ordugh dha. aige sheol e fhein ’s a ghillean air falbh gu Goirid an deidh do’n phosadh a bhith seachad luath samhach am beul na h-oidhche. Sios b’fheudar do Dhiarmad bean 6g a ghaoil — 37 — fhagail agus armachd a thogail air taobh a Saoil nach mise th’ air mo sgaradh, cheann-cinnidh gu coinneachadh ri Montrois. ’S ioma rud a rinn mi fhaicinn; B’ e sud turas a’ chraaidh fhortain do Dhiarmad; Chunna’ mi bhi roinn do bhreacain, air an latha mhor ud aig Inbhir-lochaidh, nuair A’ tiodhlacadh do ghunna glaice. a dh’aom na slbigh an coinneimh a cheile bu lionmhor com gun cheann a bh’air lar. Fhuair Diarmad, ’s e air ceann a dhaoine droch leon Fhuair mi dusan de d’ chrodh bainne, agus ged a rainig e dhachaidh beo cha b’fhada ’S ceud na dha de d’ chaoraich gheala; gus an do thuit e anns a’ chadal as nach tig Ach ged fhuair chan fhada mhaireas, dusgadh. Chaidh adhlacadh maille ri dhaoine Theid mi leaf gun dail fo’n talamh. an seann chladh Aird-chatain. Bha Mairi a nis gu h-aonaranach truagh, gun Theid mi ann mu’n odhraich t’ anart, chul-taice no aon a shealladh rithe 'na h-eiginn, Bidh mi leat an cixirt nan aingeal; agus a’ caoidh fear a graidh a latha ’s a dh’ ’S fhearr bhi leat na ’n so air m’ aineol, oidhche. ’Fhir bu chaoine guth na ’n cainneal. Thug am Prothair no am Prior anns an Eaglais Thug thu ginidh air mo bhrbgan, Mhoir an Ard-chatain an aire dhi agus bu trie Coig dhiubh air mo bhreacan pbsaidh; a chual e i ri caoidh is ri bron leis an ionndrainn a bha ’na cridhe. Bha truas mor aige rithe Cha d’ fhuair mo leithid a bha beb e, agus dh’fheuch e ri gach comhfhurtachd a Saoil am b’ ioghnadh mi bhi brbnach. b’urrainn dha a thoirt dhi. Mar sin bha e ’ga faicinn is a’ bruidhinn rithe gach latha. ’S a Mhic Dhonnachaidh Inbhir-atha, Thuit e an trom ghaol oirre. ’S coimheach a ghabhas tu ’n rathad; Dhiult i iomadh tairgse posaidh uaidh ach Bho ’n tha Mairi Chamran romhad, mu dheireadh thug i dha a lamh. Chaidh ’S bg a chaill mi riut mo ghnothach.” cuirm mhor ullachadh airson na bainnse, agus ged a bha ceol is aighear am measg na cuideachd Sin dhuibh mar a dh’innseadh dhbmh-sa agus air an fheasgar ud cha robh togail sam bith ann ged a tha larach seann tigh Challaird ri fhaicinn do Mhairi, bha ise fo throm smuain gun ghean fhathast dha-san do’n leir, faodar a radh gu gun ghaire. bheil am feur is a’ chbinneach air brat a chur Am meadhon an t-subhachais a bha dol air thairis air an ardaich san d’fhuair Mairi a adhart chaidh Mairi suas gu a seomar fhein, h-arach agus far an d’ fhuair mise brlgh mo agus air dhi sealltainn a mach troimh’n uinneig sgebil. chunnaic i far an robh a ceud ghaol ’na laighe Chualas an sgeul so air an radio. fo’n fhod ’s an uaigh aige comhdaichte le sneachda, is ise a nis posda aig fear eile. Chaidh an smuain so mar ghath bais gu a cridhe, agus ghabh i an t-6ran sin a tha aithn- {Continued from page 45) ichte mar oran Mairi Challaird, ’s faodar a radh gun do shnamh a h-anam air falbh air The characteristics, possible origins and fhonn g’a ionnsaigh-san a bha 'ga feitheimh air functions of the songs in the collection are an taobh thall; agus so mar a tha briathran an commented on, and the changing social con- brain a bh’ aice air tighinn a nuas g’ ar n- ditions in the Highlands during the last two ionnsaigh air rud a thachair bho chionn tri centuries reflected in the songs are noted. cheud bliadhna. The Musical Aspects of the songs of Nan Mackinnon are succintly analysed by Francis “Eudal a dh’fhearaibh na dalach, Collinson, who says that her traditional songs Thug thu mi a tigh na plaigheach: “embrace an almost complete cross-section of Far an robh m’ athair, mo mhathair, the whole of Gaelic song-culture, ’ ’ and, Mo phiuthar, a’s mo choignear bhraithean. ‘ ‘presents material for complete study of M’eudal, m’ aighear, is m’ annsachd, Gaelic folk-music.’’ This repertoire is a ’S ann ad thigh nach biodh a’ ghainnteir; unique contribution to the study of Gaelic song Gheibhte sithionn ghlas nam beanntan, and melody. In addition this excellent production contains ’S na geala bhradain a bu reamhra. informative articles on Sub-letting in the Saoil nach mise th’air mo sgaradh, Crofting Community’ ’ by Alan Gailey, and on Bhi ’dol le fear eile ’laighe; “Some Shielings in North Skye’’ by Malcolm A ’s m’ fhear fhein air cul a’ bhalla, Macsween. Notes and Comments on a variety Sealgair nan damh donn ’s nan aighean. of topics are also included. { AN T-OLLAMH IAIN L. MACDHONN- CHAIDH Le Seumas MacThomais HOG an t-Ollamh Iain Linsay Mac- duine coinneachadh ris ann an cuideachd no Dhonnchaidh, no an Robastanach, mar air sraid gun ath-shuil a thoirt air. Mar * bu trice a shloinnte e an Leodhas, fhear-labhairt bha e barraichte, agus bha carragh-cuimhne dha fhein anns a’ Ghaidhealt- barrachd abhacais ’na dhoigh na lorgte ’na achd le sar obair a bheatha, agus bu mhath ghnuis. ’S iomadh sgeul annasach a thog e leinne an nochd clach bheag eile a chur air a ’na chuairtean agus ’s iomadh te a dh’ aithris I charn. Tha e airidh air cliu agus urram o e ann an cuideachd. i gach Gaidheal a bha beo ’na latha, agus o ’Se duine fad-sheallach a bh’ann, le shiiil ' shliochd nan daoine sin gus an latha an diugh. daonnan air math na Gaidhealtachd, ullamh Rugadh e ann am baile Steornabhaigh o chionn gu coirichean nan Eileanach a sheasamh, agus corr is ceud bliadhna, anns a’ bhliadhna 1854. an dlighe a dhleasadh do gach mith agus maith, Thainig cuideachd athar mas math mo gun claonbhaidh ri iosal no uasal. Duine |. chuimhne, a Machair Rois, agus rinn iad nead toinisgeil, muinghinneach, le inntinn fhosgailte, dhaibh fhein ann an Steomabhagh far na agus gniomhach ’na dhoigh. L shoirbhich leotha gu math. Bha athair Iain Chuir mise a’ cheud eolas air ’s mi ’nam rud ’na chaiptcan soithich mar a bha iomadh fear beag, socharach air cul suidheachain ann an i eile anns a’ bhaile-puirt ud r’a linn agus bha sgoil Ard Thunga, agus esan a’ stabhachd air ais soithichean malairt leis a’ seoladh nan cuaintean ’s air adhart air an lar a’ cur cheisd nach robh : fad is farsuing. Bhuineadh a mhathair, o’n soirbh am freagairt. Chi mi fhathast le suil jj d’ fhuair e an sloinneadh Linsay, do Mhontrose na h-inntinne an t-seacaid bhreac chlo aige ’ far na choinnich athair rithe air a thuruis agus a bhriogais ghoirid teann mu na gliiinean, timcheall cladaichean an ear Alba. an ceum sgoinneil, an sealladh bior-shuileach, Cha robh slighe an fhoghluim ro fhurasda le guth sgairteil nach leigeadh cadal fada le | ann an Leodhas ’nuair a bha an Robastanach duine againn. Chuir mi eolas air fad an deidh ! ’na bhalach, agus bu tearc iad a fhuair an laimhe mar charaid agus mar chomhairliche, v t-sochair iad fhein a dheasachadh mar sgoilearan. agus dh’fhag sin mise air aireamh na muinntir a I Ghlac esan an cothrom a fhuair e agus ’na bha deanamh uaill as mar dhuine foghainteach, j ghille 6g mus deach e riamh do’n Oil-thigh, mar ghaisgeach dileas dha dhualchas agus do I [ bha e teagasg an sgoil bheag Steornabhaigh. dhoigh beatha a shinnsearachd, fior earbsach, I Anns an Oil-thigh thug e mach foghlum dicheallach, agus soirbheachail anns an obair ftr-lagha, agus a thuilleadh air sin chriochnaich mhor anns an robh e sas. e gu soirbheachail am foghlum a bha feumail Aig an am cha robh parantan na cloinne anns i airson fear-teagaisg no fear-ceasnachaidh. a’ Ghaidhealtachd, co-dhiubh anns na h-eilean- Bha e mar sin l&n uidheamaichte airson na an, a’ faicinn luach ann am foghlum cho mor J h-oibreach a roghnaich e, agus cha b’ fhada gus ’s a chunnaic iad an deidh sin. ’S ann a bha j an do nochd e gu soilleir an t-ughdarras a bha eagal orra gun tugadh a’ chlann an casan ’ ’na ghne agus’na ghuth. Cha robh eagal aige leotha air feadh an t-saoghail nam faigheadh t roimh dhuine geal; cha leigeadh e a thaic air iad sgoil—agus sin an ni mu dheireadh a dh’ ' neach eile, agus cha shuilicheadh e o aon de iarradh iad. Chunnaic An Robastanach gle , a luchd cuideachaidh obair sam bith nach robh mhath gu robh an t-am a’ tighinn anns am } e fhein ullamh gu bhi s&s innte nam fheudar e. feumadh moran de na Gaidheal cul a chut ris I Choisinn e air an aobhar sin, deagh-ghean na na seann dachaidhean oir bha an sluagh a’ 'l bha fo a riaghladh o am gu am. sior fhas lionmhor, agus cha robh teachd-an-tir | B’e obair shonraichte a bheatha dreuchd r’a sholar mar a dh’fheumadh iad aig an tigh. f fir-ceasnachaidh an sgoiltean na Ghidhealtachd, Ach chunnaic esan mar nach fhaca each gur ; agus fad iomadh bliadhna bha e air ais ’s air e sgoil mhath anns gach sgire agus baile an \ adhart air feadh gharbh-chrioch is eilean a’ cothrom a b’fhearr airson muinntir a dh’ | neartachadh lamhan nam muinntir ris an robh fheumaclh luath no mall a dhol a mach do’n ! teagasg na clpinne an urra, agus a’ deanamh t-saoghal mhor a chosnadh am beo-shlainte. i gach ni a bha ’na chomas airson cothrom na Bha esan airson dorus fosgailte a chur rompa. i Feinne a bhith aig an oigridh. Bha e ’na Cho fada ’s a bha e ’na chomas-san fhuair I dhuine ard, eireachdail; calma ’na bhodhaig, oigridh na Gaidhealtachd cothrom iad fhein a L agus laidir, greumail ’na inntinn. Anns a dheasachadh chum an aite sheasamh gu duineil ; h-uile seadh bha an ceann ’s na guaillean aige agus gu feumail am measg choigreach air feadh ji os cionn an t-sluaigh chumanta. Cha b’ urrainn rioghachdan an t-saoghail. Agus co their nach do rinn iad sin, air muir agus air tir? Gheibhear Siorramachd Rois, agus Inbhimis. Bhearbh e sliochd nan daoine air na chuir e eolas ’na anns an t-seasamh-sa mar an ceudna gu robh imeachd, agus a chuidich e, anns gach inntinn ghiomhach aige, gu robh e fad-sheall- rioghachd, cuid diubh, araon fir is mnathan, ach, curamach is dicheallach agus bha an ann an ionadan inbheil, agus a’ mhorchuid t-adhartas a lean e ’na shaothair uile soilleir diubh’nan cuimhneachain bheo air an t-slighe r’a fhaicinn. Dh’ aidich an fheadhainn a b’ a dh’ fhosgail esan rompa. fhearr fios gu robh lamh-thoisich aige-san anns Mar a chithear o na thuirt mi cheana chuir an toradh ionmholta a dh’ fhas air oidhirpean an Robastanach seachad a’ chuid mhor de nan Comunn a bha so. ’Nuair a leig e dheth bheatha ann an siorramachdan na Gaidhealt- a dhreuchd anns a’ bhliadhna 1923 chuir achd. A thuilleadh air an ard ughdarras a bha riochdairean nan ceithear siorramachdan a dh’ aige anns a’ cheamaidh fharsuing sin de’n ainmich mi urram air a’ cheann-suidhe le diithaich an gnothuichean an fhoghluim bha cuirm ghreadhnach ullachadh dha am baile Leodhas, na Hearadh, an t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Inbhirnis. Thaom iad sruthan molaidh mu na an t-Eilean Dubh, agus Mor-thir Siorramachd cluasan aige airson cho seaghail, duineil 's a Inbhimis air a churam mar fhear ceasnachaidh. sheas e aite, agus airson an adhartais a thainig Lean so gus an d’ fhuair e an inbhe a b’airde an cois a shaothrach. bha fosgailte dha ’na dhreuchd—an t-ard cheann Bha e air a radh gur ann tearc a gheibhte a air uile luchd-ceasnachaidh Alba. Mar sin bha leithid mar fhear gnothuich an aite sam bith. eolas mionaideach aige air cor na Gaidhealtachd ' 3. Ma chuir e a’ Ghaidhealtachd gu h-iomlan anns an fharsuingeachd, agus sealladh soilleir fo fhiachan leis gach seirbhis mhath a rinn e air feum gach ceamaidh fa leth, eolas a chuir as a leth, chuir e Leodhas fo fhiachan da-fhillt e ann an cleachdadh anns na meadhonan a mhol airson gach doigh anns na nochd a cho-fhear- e gu bhith cur ri leas an t-sluaigh. achdainn ri suidheachadh an Eilein, mar a Nis, de na nithean sonruichte a rinn an thuig e feuman an t-sluaigh ’na latha fhein agus Robastanach a choisinn dha speis Bord an anns na bliadhnachan a bha air thoiseach orra, Fhoghluim an Lunnainn ’s an Dun-Eideann, agus mar a dhleas e dhaibh sochairean foghluim agus leis na thalaidh e deagh-ghean nan Gaidheal nach robh aca riamh roimhe. ’na latha? So cuid diubh: Bha e fabharach gun do shuidhicheadh sgoileir 1. ’Nuair a thuit cuid de Bhuird Sgoile nan taghte, inntinneach, geur-sheallach mar a bha Eilean ann am fiachan cho domhain ’s nach b’ Uilleam Gibson, air an robh cuid a tha ’g urrainn dhaibh an casan a shlaodadh as an eisdeachd gle eblach, gu bhith air ceann Ard lathaich, chuir runaire Bbrd an Fhoghluim mar Sgoil Steornabhaigh aig an am a bha an Robast- uallach air aite sheasamh air ceann gach anach ann an ughdarras. Le cheile, agus nach buidheann, airson an casan a shocrachadh air trie a chunnaic mi iad an cuideachd a cheile, carraig as ur. steidhich iad meadhonan airson ard fhoghluim 'Se obair nach robh idir soirbh a bha so, a chur an tairgse oigridh Leodhais o chionn agus chan ann gun uine, gun saothair, agus gun corr is tri fichead bliadhna air ais. fhoighidinn a bha e comasach a toirt gu buil. Cha robh saothair sam bith tuilleadh ’s a’ Ach ceum air cheum shoirbhich leis ’na oidhirp, choir leotha airson gum biodh dorus fosgailte agus chan e a mhain gun do chuir e na Buird aig gach balach is caileag air feadh an Eilein Sgoile air an casan a ris ach chum e air an a b’ urrainn feum a dheanamh de’n chothrom. casan iad. Cha robh ard sgoil an Leodhas gu so anns an Chari eil teagamh nach robh luchd teagaisg robh e comasach do sgoilear e fhein a dheasachadh ann nach robh an comhnuidh buidheach leis airson an Oil-thigh. An beagan a roghnaich a’ ghleidheadh agus leis an ro-churam a bha an inbhe sin a raighinn dh’ fheumadh iad air a nochdadh ann a bhith suidheachadh bliadhna no dha a chur seachad ann an sgoiltean tuarasdail agus ann a bhith roinn goireasan nam bailtean mora. Cha robh so gun chosgais, feumail air na sgoiltean. Ach bha lan fhios agus ’ se beagan aig an am a bha comasach a’ aige-san caite an robh e dol, agus ann a bhith chosgais a phaidheadh. A so suas bha e na ruighinn a’ chinn-uidhe choisinn e fabhar agus b’ fhasa do chlann Steomabhaigh iad fhein ard mheas an luchd riaghlaidh. uidheamachadh. Ach de mu dheidhinn clann 2. A ris, ’nuair a chaidh Comuinn lonadail na tuathadh? Cha robh sgoil fhreagarrach (Secondary Education Committees) a chur air aig na dorsan acasan. Bha sgoil Steomabhaigh leth an deidh Achd an Fhoghluim anns a’ fada air falbh agus cha robh e furasda do bhliadhna 1908 gu bhith ri suidheachadh no chroitearan no iasgairean Leodhais cosg air a’ leasachadh ard ihoghluim ann an sgoiltean na chloinn an Steornabhagh ged bu mhath le cuid duthcha b’e an Robastanach a shuidhicheadh aca iad fhein aicheadh air an son. mar cheann-suidhe air ceann nan Comunn sin Chunnacas iomchuidh leis an Riaghaltas an Gallaibh, an Duthaich MhicAoidh, an comhnadh airgid a thoirt do sgoilearan as gach Sgoil air an duthaich a dhearbhadh anns a’ cheasnachadh gu robh iad comasach feum a Niall Mac Ille dheanamh de ard fhoghlum. Cheum air cheum ghlac clann as gach baile an cothrom agus fada Sheathanaich roimh an diugh gheibhear moran a bharrachd Air an t-seachdain-sa chaidh thriall Niall de chloinn na tuathadh anns na clasan arda Mac Ille Sheathanaich air an t-slighe bhuain. an Sgoil Steomabhaigh na gheibhear de chloinn Rinneadh luaidh air gu farsainn le sgriobhadh, a’ bhaile mhoir. labhairt is craobh-sgaoileadh agus cha leig mise Rinn Sgoil Steomabhaigh aite dhith fhein am leas gabhail orm gun cuir mi mdran ri luach beatha an t-sluaigh fo riaghladh Ghibsoin agus no seadh nam briathran sin. Ach aig coinneamh an Robastanaich anns na bliadhnachan a lean, Aird Chomhairle a’ Chomuinn Ghaidhealaich agus chuir i a seile air na ceudan a choisinn tha e gu sonraichte iomchaidh gun cuireamaid inbhe is cliu air feadh an t-saoghail o chionn dail air ar gnothach re sealain gu cuimhneachadh leth-cheud bliadhna is corr. air ar caraid nach maireann. Ged a dh’fhuiling e gaisidhean follaiseach 4. Ged a streap an Robastanach suas gu anns na bliadhnachan mu dheireadh le call a inbhe aird, agus ged a chuir e seachad a’ chuid cheile ghradhaich agus le tinneas, cha bu trie mhor de a bheatha air Tir-mor bha a chridhe aite falamh aig coinneamh na h-Aird Chomh- daonnan an Eilean a bhreith, agus ghleidh e airle ; ged nach togadh e a ghuth ach ainneamh, cuimhne chubhraidh air na daoine o’n tainig bha a bhith ’ga fhaicinn anns a’ chuideachd e agus air a’ chuideachd a bha ag eirigh suas ’na neartachadh dhuinn, agus ’na bhrosnachadh comhla ris ’na bhalach. Rha e tadhal an gu cumail oimn a dh’aindeoin gach diachainn Eilein cho trie ’s a bha sin ’na chomas a dh’ a dh’fhaodadh a bhith air thoiseach. iirachadh eolais air na seann chairdean agus An suilean moran, araon air Gaidhealtachd air bradain na h-aibhne agus dubh bhreac nan is Galldachd, b’e Niall Mac Ille Sheathanaich loch. An Comunn Gaidhealach. Nuair a rachadh An Mus do chaochail e chuir e suim mhath airgid Comunn ainmeachadh, b’ e dealbh aphearsa allail air leth gu bhith comhnadh le cuid a b’ aithne agus seirm a chomhraidh dheis-bhriathraich a dha an Steomabhagh nach robh cho doigheil thigeadh gu aire na cuideachd. Bhe e feumail ’nan crannchur ’s a bha iad uaireigin. Bha do’n Chomunn gu robh sin mar sin, oir bha iad sin a’ fas lionmhor oir cha robh obair cho an dliith-cheangal a bh’aige ris an obair so pailt anns an latha ud, agus Cha robh an fad moran bhliadhnachan ’na dhearbhadh nach Riaghaltas cho fialaidh gu bhith sineadh a gabhadh ni suarach no leibideach a chur as a laimhe do’n bhochd. Tha luchd riaghlaidh a’ leth. bhaile a’ coimhead as deidh an airgid-sa Gaidhealtachd is Galldachd, thuirt mi. Ged fhathast. Is iomadh creutair bochd gus an a bha suil Neill cho furachail air adhartas na latha an diugh a tha guidhe beannachd air Gaidhlige cha d’fhag sin a bhreithneachadh ceann an fhir a dh’ fhag ullachadh cho troc- cumhaing air chor sam bith. Bha eolas aireach. farsaing aige air litreachas is cleachdannan dhixthchannan eile, eolas a choisinn e chan ann Bha daoine is mnathan an Leodhas a bha a mhain mar thoradh air a thursan air feadh roghnachadh o am gu am a dhol a shireadh an an t-saoghail, ach o dhoimhneach ’na thuigse fhorstain do thirean ceine do nach robh e a bha dualach dha. furasda am faradh a phaidheadh. Fhuair cuid Ach ' s ann mar Ghaidheal is toigh leinne a aca comhnadh as an ullachadh cheudna. bhith a’ smaointeachadh air. Bhuineadh e Chuir an Robastanach air leth airgead airson dhuinne ann an seadh air leth. ’S toigh learn cuideachadh le gillean a Leddhas leis am bu fhin a bhith a’ cuimhneachadh air na sgeulach- mhath dreuchd lighiche a thoirt a mach an dan beaga eibhinn a bhitheadh e a’ cruinneach- Dun-Eideann. Tha fear is fear as aithne adh air a thursan, agus air an toil-inntinn leis dhuinn air feum mhath a dheanamh de’n an aithriseadh e iad coltach ri sgeulaiche eile, t-sochair so. a charaid Domhnall Mac-phail nach maireann. Chuir Oil-thigh Dhun-Eideann an t-urram Bha am fearaschuideachd sin ann, an t-abh- LL.D. air ar caraid goirid an deidh dha a achdas a bha ’na thomhas air geiread inntinn. dheagh-ghean a nochdadh anns an doigh-so, Bu mhath leinn ar co-fhaireachdainn a urram air an robh e lan airidh. Tha cuimhne nochdadh ris na daimhich. Saoilidh mi mhaireannach air ainm an Leddhas, agus tha cuideachd ann a bhith a’ tighinn thairis air na muinntir Stedrnabhaigh uasal as na bha e, buadhan a bhuilicheadh air Niall gum bu choir agus as na rinn e. Chan eil duine bed aca nach dhuinn ar co-fhaireachdain a nochdadh ri fear cuireadh clach air a cham. a dh’ ionndrainneas e cho mor ri duine, Calum Macleoid. Cha* n fhaodar stad aig co-fhaireach- the length and breadth of Gaeldom he infused adh, oir de a dh’iarradh an Runaire nach his own ardent zeal into the many branches maireann na b’fhearr na gun toireamaid he had formed. To a great extent the influence dearbhadh do Runaire an latha an diugh gun An Comunn was able to exert was largely due teid sinn uile air adhart comhla ris a ghleachd to the vigour of his work. The affection and ris an obair a tha romhainn. Seasamaid mata respect in which he was held were strengthened tacan a dll’ fhoillseachadh, chan e bron, ach and deepened by the courtesy and tact which speis do ainm agus buidheachas airson eis- were so much a part of his nature. There was eamplair. a dignity in all that Neil Shaw did. He was Domhnall Grannd. truly a tower of strength to the Gaelic cause. This was made abundantly evident by the large company which assembled in his honour when he retired from the Secretaryship in 1953. Neil Shaw Never was compliment more sincerely made or CHA till e tuille’ ’. The poignancy of regard more truly uttered than by the speakers that phrase makes permanent the sense on that occasion. His elevation to the presi- of loss sustained by the passing of a dency was the natural sequence to devoted great man. With the depth of feeling it service. conveys it may truly be applied to the passing In 1957 the honour of O.B.E. was bestowed of Neil Shaw, for he too was a great man. upon him. He also had the distinction of being Indeed, there was no one of our generation elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries whose name was more respected and esteemed. of Scotland, this in recognition of his qualities Born in Kilmartin, yet it was to Jura he gave as a bard and prose writer who wrote easily his allegiance, for it was there he was reared with a flow of rich, idiomatic Gaelic. and nurtured in a home where Gaelic traditions Neil Shaw has gone to his rest. His sojourn were maintained and the moral standards of with us is over but his memory will endure as Christian living were the daily example. In one of the great men of our race. His name will his school days he was fortunate in having as be mentioned with honour by those who have his teacher one who understood that the intel- regard for all that is noble and true in our lectual development of the Gaelic-speaking traditions. It is fitting that we should record child could best be achieved by imparting our gratitude for his work and for the inspiring instruction in the only language known to his example he has bequeathed to us. A CHUID charges. There was no pupil in that small DE PHARRAS DHA. E.M. school at Inverlussa more eager or responsive than Neil Shaw, while his place was seldom vacant in the local ceilidh houses where song NATIONAL MOD—STIRLING, 1961 and story held spellbound attention. These Entries influences were the chief factors in the moral, Junior intellectual and aesthetic qualities which were Literary ...... 11 so marked a feature of his character. As a young man the sea called him. He voyaged Oral 202 to the distant lands far beyond the horizons Solo and Duet 281 of home, yet his thoughts were ever centred on Choral ...... 40 the faihiliar scenes of his childhood and the Instrumental (Pianoforte) .. .. 8 kindly folk he knew. This is manifest in his Art and Industry ...... 74 early pieces in which the love and longing of his heart found expression. His gifts as a bard 616 and as a singer won recognition at National Senior Mods, while as a piper his notes were true and Literary always fingered with fine rhythmic quality. Arrangement 4 He was certainly richly equipped in experience, Oral 93 culture and personality for the Secretaryship of Solo and Duet 369 An Comunn to which he was appointed in 1913. Choral 90 Neil scarcely had time to become familiar Instrumental (Pianoforte and Violin) 16 with the duties of his office when the first World Clarsach 15 War began. He volunteered and served with Art and Industry The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders and 23 The Scottish Horse. On his return much leeway had to be made up but he undertook the 628 task with enthusiasm. In his visits throughout Total—1244 LEARNER’S PAGE Albainn aosd’ air uchd an t-s&il, Old Scotland on the bosom of the sea, Tir nan cruach ’s nam fuarbheann ^ird’, Land of hills and high cold mountains; Is t’eileanan mu’n iadh an tr&igh. Your islands encompassed by sand, Is tu mar lach le h-al air 6b. And you like a wild duck with her brood on the bay. Ar leam gum faic mi fada bhuam I seem to see far away Eilean Leodhais ’san taobh tuath, Isle of Lewis in the north, Tir nan gallan smiorail cruaidh, Land of brave and hardy lads, Nan ardaibh stuadhach ’s nam fear m6r’. Of wavy points and tall men. Is boidheach an uair dh’6ireas grian, Beautiful when the sun rises Uibhist nam beann gleannach ciar; Is Uist of mountains with dark glens; Barraidh am beucaich a’ Chuain Shiair, Barra midst the roaring Atlantic, Is Eilean Sgitheanach a’ Che6. And the Misty Isle of Skye. Tha Rum is Eige fada shios, Rum and Eig are far to the south, Ris an eirich stoth ’na mill; Against which the billow rises in spray; Is Cola creagach sheasas sian , And rocky Coll that stands the storm, Ri taobh tir iosal mhin an eorn’. Close by the low, smooth land of corn. Ged is beag e, Eilean I— Though the Island of Iona is small— Creathall foghluim agus sith— Cradle of learning and peace— Is Muile morbheannach ’ga dhion; With Mull of lofty mountains sheltering it; ’S i sud an tir an cinn am por. That is the land where the crop grows. Nuair a sheolas mi troimh ’n chaol When I sail through the sound Chi mi’n sin Lios Mor an aoil, I see there Lismore rich in lime, Cearara, Sgarbaidh, Luing is Saoil, Kerara, Sgarba, Luing and Saoil, Is Siuna sam bi chraobh fo chroic. And Shuna where the tree bears foliage. Colonsay round which the storm blows, Colbhasa mu’n seid an stoirm, Oronsay where the hill slope is, Orosaidh mu’ m faighte ’ n learg, Narrow Jura of rugged, heather covered Diuraidh caol nam fraochbheann garbh’, mountains, Is laimh ris He ghorm an fheoir. And close by green grassy Islay. Tha mo ghaol air tir nan sonn, I love the land of warriors, Innsean nam bo-laoigh ’s nam meann. Islands of cattle and kids, Is fiurain as deise shiubhlas fonn, Of youths who move the readiest on land, Air bharr nan tonn iad mar na roin. On the wave tops they are like seals.

Cha deanainn lideadh a mach de na thuirt e. I could not make out a syllable of what he Chuala mi sud aice o chionn fhada. said. Bha an ceann aige mach air an uinneig. She told me that long ago. Bha e bruidhinn ris fhein gach ceum a bha e His head was out of the window. deanamh. He was soliloquising every step he made. Is ann dlthse b’fheudar fuireach an ceann a’ It was she who had to stay in charge of the ghnothaich. business. Tha an t-am ann a bhith toirt ceum as. It is time to get a move on. — 43 a surplus almost entirely due to the success ; Executive Council of the Edinburgh Mod. Again An Comunn is The Extraordinary Meeting of the Executive deeply indebted to Mr. Moffatt-Pender for his Council was held on 24th March, and in the generosity in meeting the cost of grants towards President’s absence, Mr. Donald Grant, Vice- expenses of Junior Choirs which was exception- President, was in the chair, and he extended ally high. a welcome to members. A minute of meeting of the Education Tribute was paid by Mr. Grant to the late Committee was presented. The Council, Mr. Neil Shaw, O.P.E., F.S.A. (Scot.), approved of the Committee’s action in writing former Secretary and Ex-President. (Mr. to the Scottish Universities’ Entrance Board Grant’s remarks in Gaelic appear elsewhere in asking that the footnote on page 35 of the New ;[ this issue). Regulations be deleted. The Minute of the Gaelic meeting of the In the absence of the Convener, Mr. James Council (11/3/61) was unanimously approved. Thomson, Mrs. C. M. B. Dunlop moved the Two minutes of the Advisory Committee were adoption of a minute of the Publication Com- submitted. At the meeting held prior to the mittee . After a lengthy discussion the i Council Meeting it was reported that a deputa- Committee was asked to reconsider the whole ' tion consisting of Rev. T. M. Murchison, Mr. position concerning its proposals regarding a I Donald Grant, Provost Donald Thomson and Gaelic-English dictionary and a comprehensive ' Mr. James Thomson, appeared before the dictionary bearing in mind standardisation of Pilkington Committee on 7th June in support spelling and vocabulary. The Council agreed j of the memorandum previously submitted and that a complete scheme of work, including plans ! were favourably received. The issue of the to meet the cost of such a project, should be ’ Pilkington Report is awaited with expectancy. submitted. Reviewing the Census figures recently re- A statement on the first three issues of leased An Comunn Gaidhealach regrets that Sradag indicated a deficit (subject to alteration) the figures indicate a further, but not an of £264. unexpected decline, in the number of Gaelic By a majority decision the Council agreed f speakers in Scotland. It was felt that the to continue publication of Sradag for another i census figures do not reflect the full extent of year and to reduce its retail price to 6d. interest in Gaelic. Although Gaelic does not The Publication Committee was asked to ] yet enjoy the position it should have never- appoint from its members a Sales’ Committee J theless it has a better place in the educational to look after the distribution and sales of the j system than ever before. An Comunn further quarterly comic with a view to increasing its I points out that the decline in the number of circulation and securing advertisements. Gaelic speakers is not unconnected with the Two minutes of the Propaganda Committee continuing drastic depopulation of the Gaelic were presented. The Convener, Mrs. Banner- speaking areas, and calls for effective action man, mentioned the lack of enthusiasm shown ^ by the Government in view of the serious rural by members of the Council in recruiting members j; depopulation of Scotland. for An Comunn. An Comunn had had a stand at the recent I Further, An Comunn recognises that the Highland Show. Its position was not favour- i situation constitutes a challenge to rethink its able and the number of visitors and the business | [ own efforts for the attainment of its objects. transacted was very small but it brought An \ The Advisory Committee recommends to the Comunn to the notice of many people who were Annual General Meeting the appointment of an unaware of its existence before. independent committee to review the present Reference was made to an excellent conference ; organisation of An Comunn Gaidhealach and of Branch representatives in the North held at j make recommendations. Cnoc nan Rbs in April. The minutes were unanimously approved. Two minutes of meetings of the Mod and A minute of the Finance Committee was Music Committee were submitted and approved. ! submitted and approved. The Committee had The Executive Council asked the Publication | considered Draft Balance Sheet of the Associa- Committee to consider investing the amount 1 tion as at 31st March, 1961, and relative Income shown in the Malcolm MacLeod Memorial Fund j t and Expenditure Account for year ended that and make recommendations. date, together with Supplementary Statements, Reports of Standing Committees for the year [ also first Draft of the Edinburgh Mod, 1960, 1960/61 were submitted and approved. which showed a surplus of £5,186. The Balance Thirteen nominations were received for eleven j Sheet and Statement of Income and Expendi- vacancies on the Executive Council. At last j ture for the year indicated a surplus of £1,472, year’s Annual Meeting a change was made in — 44 f | the Constitution to the effect that the Editor Ballachulish Gaelic Choir £5 5 - i, of An Gaidheal be an ex-officio member of the R. L. K. Common — 7 f Council. The Council agreed that as a result Ceilidh per D. Ferguson, i the present Editor, Mr. James Thomson, need FilmBuchlyvie Show—-Miss 15 10 - I not stand election. Christine MacLean, Two notices of proposed alterations to the Dunipace Constitution were submitted:— LadiesSale Committee Jumble j! {a) By Mr. Donald Grant—Rule 14. Alter Cruachan Branch “five” to “ten” and alter “June” Clyne Branch to ‘ April’ ’. BunessanDunoon Branch and Pennyghael (ft) By Mr. I. R. Mackay—“In terms of Oban Branch Article 53 of the Constitution I hereby The Celtic Union, Edin- give notice to you of proposed alteration Missburgh Fraser, .. Causeway- to the Constitution, namely, to the effect head that Article 27 should be altered by the Ladies Committee—Pro- inclusion of an additional Standing ceeds of Stall at Local Committee to be known as the ‘ ‘Northern LadiesExhibition Committee Coffee Committee’.” Evening A vote of thanks to the Chairman, Mr . Donald Logierait Branch Grant, terminated the meeting. ComunnDuneideann Tir nan Beann, BridgeW. Macfarlane Evening per Gray.. Mrs. 52 1 — ! Scottish Studies, Vol. V, Part I. Prizemond Draw—Mrs. .. Drum- 101 In a brief review it is quite impossible to do Dance —■ Golden Lion justice to the wealth of information and variety Hotel 26075 53 — of themes dealt with in this volume. PrizeBazaar, Draw Albert by Hall R. R. Francis Collinson gives a detailed survey Henderson Ltd. 224 17 6 from printed, manuscript and oral sources of Concert at Lochearnhead 53 1 — J, the oyster dredging songs of the Firth of Forth, G. HotelGrier, Esq... 5 5 — quoting snatches from these labour songs with Miscellaneous Donation 1 melodies in several cases. History and local Broadcast Fee at Ceilidh 18 7 6 lore connected with these songs is interesting Highland Ball, Golden and informative. MiscellaneousLion Hotel Donation 96— 1017 —11 An intimate study of Nan Mackinnon of Mrs. Janet S. McAlpine 100 Vatersay’s extensive repertoire of Gaelic songs, Mrs. George Reid 1 1 — over 450 in all, is given by James Ross. The CeilidhHotel — Golden Lion tradition of oral transmission, he thinks, is Mannequin Show-—-Gol- coming to an end, for “the audience of avid den Lion Hotel young listeners, which alone can perpetuate a Mrs. Robertson . . tradition, is absent’ ’. Such traditional songs WhistKelly Drive per Mrs. 3 1 7 must be considered in association with the Amulree Branch j typical environment and work of the people Ruskie W.R.I 2 2 — that produced them. Helensburgh and Clan i AssociationColquhoun Highland [Continued on page 38) MaryhillHighland and AssociationDistrict CornaigmoreGaelic Society Branch of Perth.. Treasurer’s Notes Ceilidh—CrieffElgin and District and Branch Dis- National Mod—Stirling, 1961 tiontrict Highland Associa- Received at Stirling— CollectedFalkirk Branch by Kinross . . and AdjustmentsPreviously acknowledged^! .. .. ,19412 13 —9 Clackmannan Area .. Mrs. Drummond’s Draw 2 10 — ClanNewtonmore Cameron Branch Society, .. CeilidhRoadhouse at Rob.. Roy.. 47 17 6 Glasgow Arnprior West per Ladies Hon-Ardgour Mrs. MacLean of CeilidhCommittee and Dance.. at.. 28 Greenock Gaelic Choral Buchlyvie .. .. 50 MissSociety.. May Walker — 45 — Edinburgh Branch Miss M L. MacDougall, MissAultbea Marion Branch C. de Glehn 1 1 — Alex.Edinburgh J. Macleod, Esq., & Seumas MacGaraidh, San Harris .. 1 1 — VancouverBruno, California Branch Miss Mena M. Whigham, Marks & Spencer Ltd., 7 1 10 Mrs.Edinburgh Stewart (Fasna- 2 2 — Donation39 Port Street,per StirlingMrs. 1 1 — cloich) S. Africa 2 McKenzie 1 5 — AberdeenElgin Branch Branch 102 10 — BarnFarm Dance at Hillhead 64 4 -- P. D. Forsyth, Esq., Dance—Plaza Ballroom 12 10 — JamesTexas, C. U .S.A.Hay, Esq., 3 10 4 CeilidhRaffle at and Rob Dance Roy at Hotel Rob 17 7 6 California — 7 1 Roy Hotel 33 17 — Mrs.Lewis Jessie .. A. MacLeod, £3,003 9 7 Mrs. JJoan . Matheson, C. MacNeill, Kyle — 10 — Received at Glasgow— MissIsle Deirdfe of Colonsay S. C. Mac- — 116 MissPreviously Flora acknowledged Macmillan, £76 - - Leish, P?rth .. — 10 — Glasgow 1 1 — JamesCallander F. Anton, Esq., Gen-Christison, Sir A. Bt., F. Mel-P. —^ £176 4 5 2 2 — £3,179 14 — J ohnGlasgow A. Smith, Esq., Glasgow Lewis and Harris Central Fund Mrs.Association Mary H. M. Gil- 25 mour, Sutherland 1 — — StirlingCruachan Branch Branch RobertAyrshire McQuaker, Esq., — 10 — Dunoon Branch Dr. Alasdair Mcl. Smith, CromartyA. Munro, Branch Esq., Sutherland.. MissPort Margaret Ellen A. Mac- 1 1 — Dundee Highland Society Kinnon , Greenock .. — 10 — RobertPort Glasgow Coupland, Branch Esq., Dumfries-shire Wm.Dr. H. Hume, M • Morgan, Esq., ForresGlas- 2 James M. Rodgers, Esq., Belfast gow 1 1 — TheLarbert Misses Branch McLean, Glasgow .. Mr.Forres and Branch Mrs. D.. . Mac- 10 Falkirk Branch Niven, Dunkeld — 10 6 CornaigmoreKenneth D. Smith,Branch Esq., Stornoway MissCameron, Margaret Aberfeldy M. — 5 — Donald McKefrell, Esq., Islay. . Miss Catriona Macdonald, MissNorthumberland Jean B. Stewait, and Durham Blairgowrie Caledonian Mrs.Kyle C. M • Donaldson, — 10 — Society.. 5 — Dornoch — 10 — LargsAberdeen Branch Branch .. 2 — Arch.Tiree MacLean,.. Esq., — 10 — Kenneth McA. MacKinnon, Esq., Essex Mrs.Holland Raatgever-Fraser, MissStornoway I. A. MacLeod, — 10 — Dr.Connel, Dugald Argyll Ferguson, Magazine Fund Neil B. McNeill, Esq., MissG. E. Jean Anderson, B. Stewart, Esq., BlairgowrieCanada MissColonsay Margaret Macphee, MissGlasgow Christina A. Smith, — 10 -r- D.Dunoon S. Stewart, Esq., 2 2 — MissWarks Katherine . . M. Bar- — 10 — Comunn Na N-Oigridh Fund Mrs.bour, A.Pitlochry M- Davis, 2 2 — Proceedsper Missof Concert Kay Mathesonand Dance at Poolewe LochalshStranraer Gaelic Choir —2 102 — CromartyForres Branch Branch . . 2 2 — The Tiree Association • - 10 Aberdeen Branch .. 25 105 — StanleyNewcastle-on-Tyne Johnson, Esq., .. Elgin Branch Missesburgh Dudgeon, .. Mussel- — 10 — AN GAIDHEAL THE GAEL Editor — ]. THOMSON, M.A., F.E.I.S., 116 WEST SAVILE TERRACE, EDINBURGH i to whom all correspondence should be addressed except that concerning advertising which should be addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer. 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C.2 Telephone: DOUglas 1433. Leabhar LVI AN T-SULTUIN, 1961 Aireamh 9

FACLAIREAN GA1DHLIG Ma tha neach ann a their nach eil feum mhain, agus cha robh beachd coir againn air a againn air faclairean Gaidhlig a bharrachd air riamh. ’S fhearr fuine thana na bhith falamh nas aithne dhuinn an diugh, chan eil fhios aige uile, ach co bhios riaraichte le fuine thana? co air a tha e bruidhinn. Cha ghann nach Chan ann nas lugha a bhios feum air faclair deach faclairean Gaidhlig a chur an clo fad math Beurla gu Gaidhlig a’ dol oir is ann nas . na linne dh’fhalbh. Bha iad uile feumail, lionmhoire tha luchd ionnsachaidh gun Ghaidh- agus ’nan cuideachadh mor do luchd leughaidh lig a’ fas. Bu choir a h-uile dicheall a dhean- ; is luchd ionnsachaidh. Bha cuid aca na b’fhearr amh gu faclair cothromach, earbsach, coimh- na cuid eile, ach cha robh gin aca, a reir ar lionta de’n t-seorsa so a dheasachadh. Chan barail, coimhlionta. Mar a thachair do leabh- ullaichear e gun saothair mh6r na gun chosgais ' > raichean Gaidhlig eile cha do leanadh air an mhor dh’a reir. Ach bidh sinn easbhuidheach ■ cur an clo as ixr mar a bha feum ag agradh. Agus as aonais. Caite am faighear duine a tha a nis is gann a gheibhear leth-bhreac de’n freagarrach airson na h-oibreach agus a tha ! chuid mhoir aca idir. deonach an t-uallach mor a ghabhail os laimh, ; Tha feum mhor air faclair math Gaidhlig agus cionnus a phaidhear a’ chosgais? Sin 3 airson sgoilean, faclair anns am faighear gach ceistean bu choir dhuinn a rannsachadh gu facal beag na m6r a tha sgriobhte anns na dicheallach oir tha iad ag iarraidh freagradh. ’ leabhraichean a thatar a’ cleachdadh anns na Chan urrainn An Comunn Gaidhealach an j sgoilean, agus gach facal eile air an cuir na suilean a dhimadh air an dleasdanas anns a’ i'h-oileanaich feum. O chionn ghoirid tha chilis; cha mhotha a tha sinn a’ creidsinn gun 'faclair MhicEachainn air a chur an clo as ur. dean iad sin. Tha fios, mar an ceudna, nach jTha e so mdr gu leor, saor gu leor, agus feumail caill na h-Oilthighean anns a bheil Gaidhlig jfhathast mar a bha e anns na bliadhnachan a air a teagasg sealladh air an fheum. Ma jchaidh seachad. Ach tha esan a’ cur feum air chailleas cha cheil sinn ar beachd orra. Tha {leasachadh oir chan eil e uile coimhlionta. feum air misneachd, creideamh agus dian '.'Nan robh an fheadhainn a chuir a mach e air shaothair o gach aon aig a bheil uidh ’nar | leasachadh a dheanamh air cuid de na facaix canain gu bhith reiteach na slighe agus gu imar a mholadh dhaibh le sgoilearan do’m bhith togail air bunait earbsaich, cheart. [aithne b’fheairrde an leabhar an cartadh. An latha a bhios faclair Beurla gu Gaidhlig Gun teagamh tha faclair Dwelly tomadach, ullamh mar bu mhath leinn bidh an t-am ann toirteil, ach tha e ro chosgail airson a bhith an toiseachadh air saothair fada nas motha agus laimh gach sgoileir, agus tha an sgriobhadh a nas dorra—deasachadh faclair Gaidhlig gu Jtha ann ro mheanbh airson na cloinne. Beurla a dhleasas aite a measg faclairean [ Chan eil faclair le Beurla gu G&idhlig ri inbheach na rioghachd. Ach chan eil an sin' •fhaighinn ann am buth an diugh, ach aon a ach sgial eile. — 47 Eoin Shealbhach Agus Mhi-Shealbhach Ann An Saobh-Chrabhadh Nan Gaidheal Le Tormod Domhnallach ANN am measg fineachan lionmhor an de dhbigh is gum bi e gle dhoirbh leis a radh c6 domhain, cha robh iad ach tearc, ma an aon a ta toirt barr-urraim air an aon eile. bha iad idir ann, aig an robh eolas cho Is ciatach seirm na smebraich sa’ mhadainn farsuing ’s a bha aig na seann Ghaidheil air mhoich agus ann an ciaradh an fheasgair, obair naduir, agus aig an robh dol a steach cho ach is ro thaitneach a bhith ag obair a muigh breithneachail anns gach diomhaireachd a sa’ mhonadh re an latha ri cebl na h-uiseig. bhuineas dhi. Tha iomadh aobhar ri bhith Ta da phort aig coileach na smebraich; an air a thoirt seachad air a sin. aon a chluinnear aige mu Fheill Bride, nuair a Anns na laithean bho chian, bha ar ta e a’ togail ri leannanachd, agus am port n-athraichean a’ caitheamh a’ chuid bu mhotha a ghabhas e san Og Mhios do’n isean an deidh de’m beatha air a’ bhlar a muigh. Bho mhoch dha an nead fhagail ’s a bhitheas e fathast am gu dubh, bha an obair laitheil 'gan cumail a feum a bhiathadh. Ta rudeigin de eadar- mach air feadh raoin, sleibhtean, is an cois na dhealachadh eadar na dha. Ta beagan a tuinne. A dh’aindeoin na bha ri dheanamh, bharrachd phoncan no thionndaidhean ann an cha robh iad riamh cho dripeil ’s nach faigheadh bran an Og Mhios. So mar a chualas e anns an nithean eile aire mar leth-obair. Cha robh Eilean Sgitheanach: cuing greigheir a’ cumail an cinn anns an lar Tile ruaidh bhig, ’s ’gam fagail bodhar, dall, do na bha gabhail ’Ille ruaidh bhig, aite ceithir thimcheall orra. Tile ruaidh bhig, An ceann gach gniomh, biodh e beag no mor, Trobhad dachaidh, bha uile bhuadhan na h-inntinn a’ dol air Trobhad dachaidh, ghleus 's a mac-meanmainn a’ deilbh mar a Trobhad dachaidh, bha an lamh ri saothair. A dh’ ionnsaigh do dhinnear ! Bha an cluas a ghnath fosgailte do gach guth De’n dinnear? a thigeadh air sgiathan na gaoithe; gair a’ De’n dinnear? chuain, torman nan allt, ceileir nan eun, a’ De’n dinnear? togail an aire ’s a’ labhairt mar gum b’ann Bloigh boiteig, ’n an canain fein. Bloigh boiteig, Chan eil eun anns a’ Ghaidhealtachd mu nach Bloigh boiteig. eil sgeulachd iongantach air innse. Ann an Is trie a sheas mi mar aon-obair a chur ceol nan eun, chluinnte puirt Ghaidhlig a bu dearbhadh air an t-seanachas so am feadh a choimhlionta ranntachd. Uime sin, fhuair bhiodh an smebrach a’ ceileireadh gu surdail cuid de na h-eoin an ainm a reir na seinn no an air barr preas agus shaoilinn gur e na dearbh gloc a dheanadh iad. bhriathran ud anns a’ Ghaidhlig a bha i feuch- ’Se ni gle mhi-shealbhach a ta ann nead eun ainn ri luaidh. sam bith a chreachadh agus bho’n is i a’ Is e sgolachan a theirte ri isean sam bith Ghaidhlig as fearr leis na h-eoin a bhith seinn, mum fag e an nead. bha e air innse dhuinn gle thric gurt do rinn an uiseag an rann toirmisgte so : AN CALAMAN Big big bigein, Chan eil e iongantach ged a bhiodh an Co chreach mo neadan ? calaman air a mheas ’n a eun beannaichte a Ma’s e duine beag e bharr air e bhith ’n a eun sealbhach. A reir Cuiridh mi le creig e! gach sgeul a chaidh aithris mu dheidhinn, bha Ma’s e duine mor e e a riamh a’ riochdachadh gach aigh agus Cuiridh mi le Ion e! maitheis. Gidheadh, ’s e eun gle leiteachail, Ma's e duine gun tiir gun bhhigh e. coimheach a ta ann; chan eil e deidheil air gum Fagaidh mi aig a mhathair fein e! biodh eun sam bith ach a shebrsa fein a mhain Chaidh a’ cheist a chur, ’s cha d’thubhairt a’ sireadh a chomuinn. Nach minig a chuala mi nach eilear ’ga cur fathast : “Saoil co as sinn e gu h-ardanach a’ glaodhaich ri cearc a binne a sheinneas an uiseag no an smeorach?” rachadh ’n a rathad: Faodaidh sinn a freagairt mar so. Nuair a ta Chan e mo chuideachd thu! aon ag eisdeachd da bran bhriagha Ghaidhlig Chan e mo chuideachd thu! air an seinn, ta buaidh fa leth aig gach aon Ach co againn a bheir beum do’n chalaman diubh air inntinn ’s air a spiorad air a leithid bhochd airson a bhith deanamh uaill a chinneadh! ’Se gun cailleadh e a’ Ghaidhlig thug iad fainear gum bheil aon eun co-dhiii, a bheireadh atharrachadh a chleachdadh. Agus anns an tir chein so aig am bheil port Gaidhlig. sin aon rud nach dean e, ge b’e air bith ciamar a ni an cinneadh daonna. AN COILEACH Bha nighean 6g Ghaidhealach uair air leab- Bu chaomh leis na seann daoine an coileach a aidh a bais a’ labhairt ri a mathair mu aoibh- chluinntinn sa’ mhadainn mhoich. B’fhearr neas agus mu ghloir na beatha sin a bha i gu leotha e gu mor na uaireadair. Ach bha e ’na bhith sealbhachadh cho luath agus a thigeadh dhroch comharra nan sineadh e air gairm mu uair a h-aiseig. “JBheir mi so dhuibh mar aird fheasgair an deidh gabhail mu thamh. dhearbhadh,” ars’ ise, “fosglaibh an dorus B’e sin teachdaireachd dhuilich a’ tighinn a an uair a chi sibh mi a’ toirt suas an deo, ma’s chum a’ bhaile. ann gus an ionad shona ud a theid mi, thig Nam biodh an latha fliuch, mosach, ’s gun calaman a steach air a sgeith, ruigidh e mo teannadh an coileach air gairm ’s e caismeachd leabaidh agus grad phillidh e a mach air ais. a bha ann gun robh an latha a’ dol a thionndadh Mur a faigh mi thun an aite sin ris am bheil mi math. Nam biodh e a’ sior ghai .i . air sam an duil, thig fithcach a stigh.” bith eile, 'se naidheachd mhath a bha dol a Chuir a mathair beachd air a cainnt. ’Nuair thighinn. a thainig a’ chrioch dh’fhosgladh an dorus A’ CHUTHAG agus an sin thachair a cheart ni mar a thubhairt Shaoileamaid gum biodh gach buaidh is a’ chaileag. Thainig calaman a steach, rainig piseach co-cheangailte ris a’ chuthaig an saobh- e leabaidh a bais agus phill e mach leis an chrabhadh nan Gaidheal, a thaobh 's gur luathas cheudna. h-ann an tus an t-samhraidh a mhain, a chithear AN FH AGILE AG ’s a chluinnear i. Ach chi sinn nach ann mar Nan tigeadh grunnan fhaoileagan bharr na sin a ta ’chuis. mara agus gun laigheadh iad ’n an aon treud Dheanadh na seann daoine solas mor ris a’ cruinn air an raon, dh’fhaodadh neach a bhith chuthaig a chluinntinn a’ chiad uair san cinnteach nach robh uisge agus droch shide t-samhradh aig am sam bith de ’n latha ach fada air falbh. Ta an fhaoileag a reir beul- mun gabhadh iad biadh sa’ mhadainn. Nan aithris a’ toirt barr air gach eun ’s an ealtainn cluinneadh iad a “Gu, gug,” mum blaiseadh ann am fialaidheachd, ni a thug an seanfhacal iad air aran, bu ni cinnteach gun rachadh a’ fainear; 'Cho coir ris an fhaoileig.” Cha bhliadhna sin ’n an aghaidh. Cha robh mart luaithe bheir aon fhaoileag an aire do bhiadh a bhasaicheadh, gamhainn a rachadh am poll ann an ionad sam bith air muir no tir, na no call sam bith a thigeadh ’n an caraibh, theannas i air sgreuchail ri each gu tighinn a nach i a’ chuthag a rinn sud. chum na cuirm maille rithe: Nuair a thigeadh an t-earrach a stigh gu Cruinnichibh, cruinnichibh, math, bha uiread de eagal roimh an chuthaig Cruinnichibh, cruinnichibh! is gu robh e ’n a chleachdadh a bhith cur caob Ged nach biodh faoileag eile ri faicinn, an taobh de aran coirce fo’n chluasaig airson gun toirte a stigh de thri mionaidean cruinnichidh i dha- greim as cho luath sa’ dh’fhosgladh daoine an dheug timcheall orra. siiilean. Theireadh iad ris a sin—■ “Greim ’N am faicte faoileag ’n a seasamh air cuthaig.” cragaisgean, no air gath-drema tigh comhnuidh, AM FITHEACH theirte gu robh bas cuideigin de’n teaglach ’ga Cha bu toigh le daoine am fitheach bho thus. chur air mhanadh. Anns gach sgeulachd a chaidh a thoirt a nuas SPIDEIR bho na linntean a dh’aom, ta e air a chomh- Is ann do Ameriga a bhuineas spideir. Chan arrachadh mar eun mi-shealbhach. fhac e Alba riamh, ach ged nach faca, ta e a Is mor an t-eagal a chuireadh e air cuid, cheart cho Gaidhealach ’n a dhoigh agus 'n fitheach fhaicinn ag itealaich timcheall air a chainnt ri aon eun a ta tuath air a’ chrich long ’ s i ’ dol gu fairge. ’ Se taragradh bathaidh Shasunnaich. ’Se eun beag, boidheach a ta a bha an so. Tha e air aithris mu Iain Garbh ann mu mheudachd na h-uiseig. Is ann r. null Mac Ille Chalum a chailleadh anns a’ Chuan an am drip an earraich agus toiseach an t- Sgith, a’ dol a Leodhas gu Ratharsair, gu facas samhraidh a bhios e ’seinn a phort milis, goirid, da fhitheach a’ sgiathail mun bhirlinn mun anns na craobhan. Their e: do sheol iad bho’n chala agus dh’aithnich na Spid oirbh, daoine an uair sin fein, gum b’e sin turus a Spid oirbh! chreiche do Iain Garbh. a cheart cho coltach ris na facail 's a ghabhas e A’ tilleadh dhachaidh, sheid a’ ghaoth, cur. dh’eirich na tonnan dubh-ghorma, agus le Cho luath 's a thainig na h-eilthirich a Alba, fiadhantachd na h-aimsir, chaill na bha air bord an neart 's an treoir ag iomramh. Airson reir an suidheachadh anns an nochd ’see greis bha iad air an luasganadh a null ’s a nail fein a’ chiad uair 's an earrach. Is droch le iomachathaidhean o’n eara-dheas is reubadh sanas e fhaicinn air ‘ ‘garadh toll.” Is ann fo stuadh a bha ’ toirt froineadh air a darach, gus chloich mhoir a ta e ’neadachadh agus ma fadheoidh an deach a’ bhirlinn ’s na bha innte chluinneas e duine no creutair a’ tighinn faisg a shlugadh suas le garbh bhairlinn, taobh a faire dha, eirigh e gu grad do’n iarmailt a’ muigh Loch Stafain. B’e sud an oidhche a glaodhaich—‘ ‘Seachainn, Seachainn!’ ’ chamadh a’ mol a ta air cladach Staiseall thun an latha an diugh. Roimhe sin, a reir AN DRUID beul-aithris, cha robh ann ach gaineamh mhin. De gach eun de’n d’fhuair mi a riamh taire, Mar a thachair do gach duil bheo, ta a mo sheachd grain-sa air na druidean! Chan e mhath fein co-cheangailte ris an fhitheach ages a mhain gun robh iad ro thric a’ cumail obair deagh shealbh, a cheait cho cinnteach ri mi- rium le bhith a’ neadachadh an luidhear mo shealbh. Nach e fitheach a bheathaich ’s a thighe ’s ’gam thachdadh le toit, gach uair a chum bed am faidh o shean, moch is anamoch bheirinn oidhirp air teine a chumail air, ach, gu cunbhalach am feadh ’s a bha a cho-luchd cho luath ’s a rachainn a mach a rannsachadh duthcha a’ basachadh leis a’ ghorta. Chan ceann-fath na deathaich, chithinn caigeann eil ann ach beagan bhliadhnachan bho na rinn diubh gu h-ard air spiris agus fiach thusa riut, fitheach gniomh feumail do mhinistear Gaidh- an aite coltas diuide, athach a bhith air na ealach, agus cha b’ann an cosaibh nan creag, beistean airson an do-bheairt, is ann a theann- no ann an iomall glinne, ach an teis meadhon adh iad le cheile ri aithrisbhialain orm, agus baile mor Ghlaschu! airson am barrachd cuthaich, mholadh iad a’ Air maduinn Di-sathuime, bha am ministear mhadainn dhomh gu ladama ann am Beurla! gu luasganach a’ coiseachd sios is suas air Mar a ta fios aig a’ chuid as motha, is ann an urlar an t-seomair leughaidh aige. B’e aobhar toll dorcha, domhain, ann an seann bhalla, a luasgain gu robh e ’feuchainn ri ’inntinn a no tobhta tighe, a ta an druid a’ deanamh a nid. a leagadh air searmon a chur an eagan a’ cheile Bheir i a mach barrachd agus aon linn anns an fa chomhair an latha maireach. raith agus anns an dearbh am anns am bheil a’ Bha gainne tombaca air mar a bha air iomadh chiad alach a’ dol air imrich, ta i a’ breith an fear a bharr ann an am a’ chiad chogaidh mhoir. tuille:dh uibhean. Cha robh uair a rachadh e a dh’ullachadh Cha luaithe ta an druid a’ mothachadh gum searmoin nach feumadh e a’ phiob a lasadh bheil an linn air tighinn gu ire airson a bhith airson a chuideachadh, ach an latha so, cha ’ ga fagail na ta i a’ dol gu saothair mhor a chum robh an tombaca ann, is ceann cha ghabhadh an taladh a mach as an toll dhubh. Nuair a cur air searmon. thig i le lan a guib de bhoiteagan g’ an ionnsaigh An deidh tacan a thoirt air ais is air adhart cha teid i idir a steach thuca mar a bha i anns an t-suidheachadh sin, sheas e an teis 'deanamh an toiseach am feadh ’s a bha iad meadhon an t-seomair agus nach ann a thainig beag, lapach. Seasaidh i nis aig beul an tuill fitheach a steach thar barr leth-ard na h- .’s cha teid i oirleach nas faide. uinneig a bha fosgailte, is caob mor tombaca Ann an sin bheir i caithream air an gairm aige ’na ghob. Leig an t-eun sud as air an thuice, gus mu dheireadh gun tig aon mu seach urlar is phill e mach air ais is cha robh an a mach am fradharc an t-saoghail mhoir, a ta corr seallaidh air. Is gann gun creideadh am cho ur, annasach dhaibh. Ni an druid so ma minisfear a shiiilean leis an toileachadh a rinn dh’fhaodte ceithir no coig de uairean, air a e ris an tombaca. Cha deach mionaid dalach leithid de dhoigh ’s gum bheil an fheadhainn a chur air lasadh na pioba agus is cinnteach bga a’ fas dana ’s a’ sior dhol uidh air an uidh mise, mun robh uair an uaireadair seachad, gun nas faide bho’n nead, agus fadheoidh a’ togail tainig an deagh shearmon as a’ bheairt. an sgiathan ’s a’ dol a sholar dhaibh fein. Cha bheo an duine coir. Fhuair mi an sgeul Thug mi an aire uair do sgolachan a dhiiilt gu bho aon do’m b’aithne am ministear. tur an nead fhagail. Thug an da sheann druid Chuala mi uair agus uair mu ‘ ‘Fhios An a bha ag iarraidh an tuill airson an ath linn, Fhithich.” Cha b’e na Gaidheil an aon sluagh fad da latha a’ cusadh an coin as aite. Och an a bha ’creidsir.n gu robh fios nam faidh air na riasladh ’s an sgriachail 's an rbiceil a bh’ ann ta ’n dan ’na ghuth. Nach robh Odin, Dia sin! Chluinnte a’ chathalaid fada mun ruigte mor nan Lochlannach, an eisimeil da fhitheach an t-ionad. Is e bu deireadh do ’n isean rag airson a bhith toirt sgeul-ruin thuige gach gun tug iad a mach marbh e ’n a mheanbh latha. Bha an aon bheachd aig na Romanaich. chriomagan! AN CLACHARAN AN AOG Ta an clacharan air aon de na h-eoin a ’Se eun geal a bha anns an aog, mu uiread dh’fhaodas rath no ml-rath a chur air neach a circe ann am meudachd agus is ann uine ghearr mum biodh bas anns an teaghlach a chite ’tighinn a chum an dachaidh e. Bha a’ leithid “Air Aineol ’S Air de eagal aig sean is 6g roimh an eun gheal fhaicinn is gur ann uaithe sin a dh’eirich am Allaban” facal—'“Grain an aoig.’’ Le Coinneach Camaran Bha sud uair, dithis sheann daoine, fear ’s a CHAN EIL aon de na duthchannan a bheanas bhean, a’ fuireach leotha fein ann am bothan do Bhreatunn anns nach eil sliochd nan beag an aon de na h-Eileanan an far. Gaidheal. An uair a thoisich iad air Dh’ innseadh a’ chailleach do a ceile, is tioma dol thairis corr ’s da cheud bliadhna air ais a’ tighinn oirre ,cho diongmhalta, treibhdhir- rinn iad air Ameriga; agus gu trie mar a each 's a mhair a gradh dha a riamh agus cho bhitheadh iad fhein ag radh san oran bhitheadh mor ’s a bhiodh i ’ga ionndrainn nan toireadh iad ‘ ‘a’ dol a dh’ iaxraidh an fhortain do North am lias air falbh e roimpe fein. Carolina.’’ Dh’eisdeadh esan rithe gach am gu tosdach, Anns na laithean sin agus gun sonruichte an samhach, ach mu dheireadh thall, thubhairt e deidh Bliadhna Thearlaich, bha “long mhor ris fein gun cuireadh e dearbhadh air a gradh. nan eilthireach’’ a’ fagail nan cladaichean an Anns an inntinn so, chaidh e mach agus fhuair lar loma-lan de Ghaidheil—daoine a bha air an e cearc bhan a chuir e steach roimhe air an sgiiirsadh leis an luchd-riaghlaidh aig an tigh dorus. Tiotan beag ’n a deidh, chaidh e fein ach nach do dhiochuimhnich riamh an daimh a steach. a bha aca ris a’ Ghaidhealtachd. Leig an te bha ’n a suidhe shuas ri taobh an B’e aite tlachdmhor a bha an Carolina— teine is i car beag goirid anns an fhradharc, fearann grianach ag cur thairis le coilltean, glaodh ard aisde— ‘ ‘A Chagair, A Chagair, beothaicheah, coin agus eisg. A dh’ aindeoin de an t-eun mi-nadurra coltas a ta mi ’faicinn deuchainnean fhuair gach duine earrann mhath an sud ?” ‘ ‘Ta’ ’ arsa a companach ‘ ‘An Aog!’ ’ de chuid an t-saoghail so. Bha moran dhiubh “Teich bhuam thu Aoig, teich bhuam thu a’ fuireach faisg air bruachan na h-aibhne Aoig,’’ dh’eigh a’ chailleach, “ihoir leat Cape Fear timcheall air a’ bhaile ris an can esan, thoir leat esan!’’ sinn an diugh Fayetteville, agus anns na coig siorramachdan mun cuairt cha mhor gun robh ach na Gaidheil. Gu mi-fhortanach bha riaghladh Bhreatuinn Anfhois ro throm air luchd-aitichidh nan duthchannan Ged chiuinich stoirm tha ’ n cuan sin, agus mu dheireadh dh’eirich a’ mhor- Gun chlos gun tamh chuid de mhuinntir Ameriga an aghaidh a’ Sior iarraidh fois’ air creagan Chruin. Lean na Gaidheil gu dileas. Chruin- Cruaidhe bhaigh, nich iad ’nam miltean an Reisimeid Ghaidh- Le sruladh siorruidh mu’n charra ealach Charolina. Ach ged a rinn iad na bha Liaghagach bhan ’nan comas bha cus ’nan aghaidh. B’ fheudar Ag iomairt gun iaradh mu rudhachan geilleadh. Chaill Righ Seoras a Tri a ghreim Liath-ghlas ’s air traigh. air na Staitean Ameriganach, agus thainig air na h-oifigich Ghaidhealach teicheadh. Muir tr&ghaidh is lionaidh a riamh ’Nam measg bha caiptean sgairteil do ’m Air cladach an 6b’ b’ ainm Iain MacArtuir. Ged a chaidh a A’ direadh ’s a’ sioladh mar uchd shadadh do phriosan Cross-Creek dh’ amais e Fo iargain broin, le neart ’s le innleachd toll a dheanamh air a’ Gun anacail, cadal no suain, bhalla fiodha. An oidhche sin fhein rainig e A’ faire gu 16 dhachaidh. Bu ghann a rinn a bhean, Beathag, Ri iomairt nan stuagh o chuan toileachadh ris ’nuair a chuir e a’ cheist oirre Gun iomall gun choir. an teicheadh i leis gun dail. Caite? Bha an cuan mor far an tadhladh soithichean-mara Tha ’n cridhe gun urras, gun iiiil Bhreatuinn sia fichead mile air falbh. Air an Luasganach, fann; t-slighe bha coilltean mora le craobhan direach, Bidh dubhar air Ion is gealach irda nach falaicheadh creutair, bogalaich Fo sgoth gach am. chunnartach agus droch rathaidean air an robh ’S e sealladh air faire ard na naimhdean a’ faireadh. A bharrachd air Thar mhullach nam beann sin, bha duais mhor air a gealltainn do’n neach Bheir sonas is sith do’ n ti a ghlacadh e. Tha ’g imeachd sa’ ghleann. A dh’aindeoin gach droch-sgeul thog iad orra mu mheadhon-oidhche—beagan bidh aig S.D.T. Beathag, an naoidhean agus an gunna aig Iain. Shiubhail iad air a’ ghainmhich far an robh a’ gu curamach. Chaidh iad air cuairt do’n choiseachd cho mall ’s gum b’ fheudar dhaibh choille agus chunnaic iad fosgladh anns nach ! an rathad-mor a leantuinn. robh craobhan comharradh gun deach an leagail | Sa’ mhadainn chunnacas gun robh am agus gun robh tuathanas faisg air laimh. j priosanach ma sgaoil. Chaidh saighdearan Gheibheadh iad aoigheachd mur b’e an t- air muin each air a thoir, agus fios aca-san eagal dol air adhart. gle mhath de bha ’na bheachd. Chuala na Am prioba na siila sheas nathair mhor air am Gaidheil iad a’ tighinn agus leum iad a steach beulaibh—beothach oillteil, slatan de fhaide. j do’n choille. Fasgadh cha robh innte! Thainig Bha i gun phuinsean ach shuaineadh i i fhein j iad air an ais agus ri taobh an rathaid chaidh timcheall air creutair agus bhuaileadh i gu ’ iad 'nan cruban fodha gu na gluinean ann an bas e le a h-earball. Chuir Iain an gunna lochan beag agus fo sgail phreasan. Stad na rithe. An cuala caraid no namhaid am fuaim ? | saighdearan. Am faca iad na truaghain a bha Thainig bodach dubh ’nan coinneamh agus e am falach ? ’ S ann a bha iad a’ toirt uisge do an duil gum b’e so a mhaighstir air tighinn J na h-eich. Chualas gach facal a bha iad ag dhachaidh. Co dhiubh, threoraich e iad gu a radh—“Am madadh Albannach,’’ “Bata bhothan fhein far an do chuir a bhean failte Breatunnach,’’ “Ma gheibh sinne greim air an orra. Bha a leithid de othail oirre-se ’s gun t-slaoightir ladarna!” do thuit a’ phiob-tombaca aice ’na bloighean || Bha teamadh caol orra. B’ fhearr dol thun air an lar. Bha i mor aiste fhein gun tigeadh na h-aibhne ged a bha i deich mile air falbh. daoine geala a chur urraim air an tigh aice-se. Bha Iain cho eolach air an uisge ri tunnaig Gun teagamh sam bith bheireadh i biadh is ! agus dh’fhaoidte gum faigheadh e bata beag. deoch dhaibh; agus fhads’ a bha i ’ga dheas- | Gu dicheallach chaidh iad air adhart—bronach, achadh chaidh each a mach. Fo sgail craoibhe j lag, fliuch, salach, air an reubadh le drisean 's thuit iad ’nan cadal. 'Nuair a dhuisg iad bha j gach bad acdaich air a stialladh as a cheile. sunnd math orra agus dh’ith iad feoil agus : Mun deach a’ ghrian fodha rainig iad an measan de gach seorsa. Air dhaibh a bhith abhainn. buidheach thug iad taing do’n t-Slanuighear a B’ fheudar campachadh far an robh iad. cheannaich gu daor ’ sa thug seachad gu saor. Fo chraoibh mhoir fhuair iad fasgadh o’n Bha aird an fheasgair ann a nis agus bha e | driuchd, agus rinn iad teine a chum nathraichean freagarrach falbh a ris. Thug iad eallach bidhe i is biastan fiadhaich o thighinn ’ nan coir. Dh’ ith leo. Bha na daoine dubha air am paigheadh iad na bha aca de bhiadh. Shin Beathag i gu fialaidh agus anns an dealachadh thug fhein air breacan, a nighean bheag 'na gair- Beathag fainne oir do’n chaillich dhuibh. deannan, agus an tiotan bha iad ’nan suain- Dh’fhosgail ise a beul le ioghnadh, thainig chadail. na deoir ’na siiilean agus ghuidh i gach bean- Bha Iain a’ sraideamachd air ais 's air nachd ’nan lorg. Ghuidh am bodach dubh gach adhart, a’ meorachadh ciamar a shiubhladh buaidh is piseach a bhith orra. iad air an abhainn. Mu dheireadh shuidh e Bha neart agus misneach ur ’nan cridhe agus agus thainig h chd cadail air agus chaidh tri bha e ’nam beachd cumail air adhart fad an uairean seachad. mun do dhuisg e. Leum e air dorchadais. Mu mheadhon-oidhche chunnaic a chois. Bha gach ni gu math agus each Iain ann an solus fann na gealaich’ bata mor fhathast 'nan cadal. Thug e ceum sios gu eile faisg orra. Cha robh ach dol am falach ri bruachan na h-aibhne agus bu ghann gun taobh na h-aibhne. Chuala iad comhradh an creideadh e a dha shuil. Chunnaic e bata beag sgioba agus fear dhiubh ag radh, “A dhuine no mar a chanas iad “canoe” a’ tighinn a chridhe, nam faighinn-sa an duais sin bu mhi an nail o thaobh thall na h-aibhne. Cha robh duine toilichte agus rachainn direach dhach- innte ach aon duine dubh a thainig air tir aidh do Shasuinn. ’ ’ Bu mhath a bha fhios aig ’ s a dh’ fhag i an sud ri oir a’ Chladaich. Iain de an duais a bha e ag ciallachadh. Chuala Cha robh ruith ach leum! Dhuisg e a bhean e feadhainn eile a’ maoidheadh air an t-seoladair agus am beagan mhionaidean bha an canoe agus dh’aithnich e dithis—Alasdair agus air bhog agus an teaghlach innte. Shuidh Aonghas. Cha robh math dad a leigeil air; Beathag san toiseach, an leanabh aice fo sgaile bhitheadh iadsan dileas dha ach nach faodadh o’n ghrein. Bha Iain san deireadh agus aon feadhainn eile a bhith miannach air an airgiod ramh ’na laimh air an robh da liagh agus e a’ mar a bha an seoladair Sasunnach. bogadh fear mu seach dhiubh air taobh cli is Bha baile-puirt do’m b’ainm Wilmington taobh deas a’ bhata. a’ tarruing dluth ach bha e astar o’n chuan. Cha tainig maille orra gus am faca iad bata B'i a’ cheist ciamar a rachadh iad seachad air mor a’ teannadh dliith orra. Bha a h-uile —am b’ann air muir no air tir? Roghnaich coltas gum bitheadh Gaidheil innte ach nach Iain fantuinn air an abhainn agus cothrom na faodadh naimhdean a bhith oirre cuideachd. h’oidhche a ghabhail. So an cunnart a bu Cha robh ach dol air tir agus an canoe fhalach mhotha a thainig 'nan car fhathast. Bha an suidheachadh cugallach. Nam faiceadh neach Bha e doirbh a chreidsinn gun robh iad iad dh’eigheadh e na creachan agus bhitheadh sabhailte mu dheireadh. Chaidh failte ’s saighdearan ’nam bad. furan a chur orra. Thog am bata an acair agus Bhuail e an ramh gu sgiobalta san uisge. dh’fhag i cladaichean Charolina. Rainig iad Chaidh e seachad air bataichean mora ri taobh Breatunn agus fhuair iad dachaidh an aon de nan ceidheachan, an tras ’sa ris bhuail soluis eileannan na Gaidhealtachd. Tre uine thainig na laimhrig air, agus rud bu mhiosa chaidh am paisde gu ire mnatha agus phos i. Tha e da long bheag tarsuing an abhainn air thoiseach coltach gur iomadh oidhche a bha muinntir air. Nach b’ e an rud fortanach gun robh a’ na ceilidh ag eisdeachd ri Iain ag innseadh mun mhor-chuid de mhuinntir a’ bhaile ’nan suain. chogadh a bha an Ameriga agus mar a bha e Cha b’fhada gus an dh’fhag e am baile ’na fhein agus a theaghlach air aineol ’s air allaban. dheidh. A nis bha faile a’ chuain a’ tighinn leis a’ ghaoith ’s eoin-mhara ag itealaich mun cuairt air, agus bha an lan ’ga ghiulain gu bras. Air an laimh eile bha na tuinn a’ fas na bu Glimpses of the Past mhotha, bha am bata beag a’ roladh agus a’ turraman agus i a’ bagairt dol fodha. FROM 1753 to 1762 the Board of Trustees B’fheudar dhaibh dol gu cladach agus an for fisheries and Manufactures in Scotland canoe fhagail—rud nach robh iad am beachd established and maintained linen stations a dheanamh cho luath sin oir bha iad beagan at Lochbroom and Loch Carron. Before the mhiltean fhathast o cheann na slighe. Dh’ establishment, reports were submitted by fhag iad an canoe an sud, a’ dealachadh rithe Richard Neilson, General Surveyor of the mar gum b’ ann ri caraid. Thug Iain leis an Manufactures in the Highlands of Scotland. ramh mar chuimhneachan, mar a thubhairt Also submitted was a letter from William Tod, e fhein, “Bha e na b’ fheumaile dhomh na one of the Managers of the British Linen Com- claidheamh a chaidh riamh a chur ’ nam laimh. ’ ’ pany. The purpose of these stations was to Thug iad a’ choiseachd a nis leotha gus an relieve the destitution in the Highlands fol- d’rainig iad faisg air beul na h-aibhne far am lowing the disastrous results of the 1745 faca iad baile beag ris a’ chladach. Ach nach Rebellion. Some extracts from these reports b’e sud an sealladh gasda! Bha bata Brea- make interesting reading. tunnach a muigh sa’ bhagh an impis seolaidh. The trustees considered that when “idleness Nan ruigeadh iad i bhitheadh gach cunnart and lawless practices had too long taken place seachad orra. Bha tearainnteachd cho faisg and when people were easily deluded and orra ’ s gun do choisich iad sios thun na traghad prevailed upon by incendaries from abroad to gu follaiseach. Cha robh fhios aca gun robh ruffle the tranquility of his majesty’s reign no naimhdean sa’ bhaile so cuideachd ’gan lorg. means so effectual as industry could be devised Rainig Iain ’sa theaghlach an cladach. to civilise the wild and unruly spirit nursed and Chunnaic iad fear-aiseig agus a sgalag dhubh cherished by their abritrary chiefs.’ ’ So it was ann am bata. Dh’fhoighnich Iain an toireadh hoped, under the wise guidance of the Trustees e iad a mach far an robh an soitheach mor. to make of the Highlanders useful members of Bha droch amharus air an duine ach thubhairt Society. In 1753 Parliament passed an act for Iain gun robh aige ris an sgiobair fhaicinn mus encouraging and improving Linen Manufactures seoladh e agus gum faigheadh esan paigheadh in the Highlands of Scotland, and a sum of math air sgath a shaothrach. Chaidh an /3,000 yearly for a period of nine years was t-eathar a chur air saile.Bha iad leth an rathaid allocated for this purpose. Neilson who was k an uair a thug na saighdearan an aire dhaibh, appointed Surveyor of Manufactures in the i| agus ruith iadsan thun a’ chladaich ag eigheach Highlands of Scotland was accompanied by a [' ’s a’ maoidheadh, agus o nach dh’ thuair iad person with a knowledge of Gaelic and by a [ freagairt thoisich iad air losgadh leis na gunn- Mr. Wm. Tod. | achan. Here are extracts from Neilson’s Reports: Cha d’ rinn iad cail de chron ach ghabh fear With reference to Lochcarron he states—“The a’ bhata an t-eagal oir thuig e gun robh am inhabitants during the summer season live on priosanach a theich air bord aige-san. Thubh- milk, butter, cheese and fish such as salmon, airt e gun robh e a’ dol a thilleadh oir gun robh ling, scate, whiting and herring. Also veal e fhein an cunnart a bheatha. Thilg Iain bonn with which they are from time to time supplied oir air a bheulaibh ag radh, ‘ ‘Feumaidh mise by a custom they have of killing at eight days an sgiobair fhaicinn mun seol e.’’ Aig a’ old one half of all.their calves. The remaining cheart am thog e a ghunna. Cha robh aige ris half is suckled by the cows in general. They a’ chorr a radh. Chaidh na fir ris na raimh observe the same custom with regard to their agus an uine ghoirid bha iad air bord an goats. In the harvest season they live on t-soithich. {Continued on page 58) — 53 — LEARNER’S PAGE Tha a’ Ghaidhlig air a cleachdadh fhathast Gaelic is still used as the language of the fire- mar chainnt na cagailte arm am mor roinn nan side in most of the Western Isles, along the Eileanan-a-Siar, an cois a’ chladaich air Tir- coast of the Mainland of Scotland north of mor Alba tuath air Maol Chinntire, agus an the Mull of Kintyre, and in other places in the aiteachan eile an siorramachdan Earraghaidh- counties of Argyll, Ross and Perth. In many eil, Rois agus Pheairt. An iomadh cearnaidh places throughout the world where descendants air feadh an t-saoghail far a bheil sliochd nan of the Gaels who left their homes, or were driven Gaidheal a dh’fhag an dachaidhean, no a into exile by force and who sailed across the dh’fhogradh le lamhachas-laidir agus a sheol ocean to seek their livelihood, the old language thar chuain a shireadh an loin, cluinnear an is heard at times alive and vigorous. But t-seann chanain gu beo, sgairteil air uairean. gradually its rights are snatched from it. Ach beag air bheag tha a coraichean air a spuinneadh bhuaipe. Dh’fhalbh an latha aims an cluinnteadh a The day has gone when its sound was heard fuaim an luchairt an righ, agus an cuirt nam in the king’s palace, and in the court of the maithean. Tha i tosdach far an trie a bhrosn- lords. It is silent where the old saints urged aich na seann naoimh an sluagh borb gu aill- the barbarous people to live a noble life, and eachd beatha, agus cha chluinnear a mac-talla its echo is not heard in the haunts of the bards an ionad tathaich nan cliar mar o shean. of old. Co ris a tha ar gearan? Is e ar barail gur Against whom is our complaint? It is our h-e muinntir a teaghlaich fhein fior naimhdean opinion that the members of her own family na Gaidhlig. Is iad sin a ghleidheadh beo, are the real enemies of Gaelic. It is they who sultmhor i nam b’e sin am miann. Is iad sin would keep it strong and lively if that was their agus cha b’e muinntir eile a leig bas di ceum desire. It is they and not others who allowed air cheum. Mura seas sluagh na Gaidhealtachd it to die gradually. If the people of the High- cainnt an athraichean, mura labhair iad i ri lands do not support the language of their an cloinn agus mura labhair an clann i, cha fathers, if they do not speak it to their children dean stri a luchd tagraidh anns na bailtean and if their children do not speak it, the mora a dion. the vigorous efforts of those who plead on its behalf in the cities will not shield it. Is e beachd coitchionn a’ Ghaidheil nach eil The general opinion of the Gael is that there mor stath anns a’ Ghaidhlig mar mheadhon is not much use in Gaelic as a means of learning foghluim agus nach fheairrde ach gur misde and that he is not better off, but worse off, for neach aige i nuair a theid e an ceann a chosn- having it when he engages in work. Now the aidh. Nis chan eil steidh aig a’ Ghaidheal no Gael or any other one has no foundation for aig neach eile airson nam beachdan a tha sin. these views. They are completely wrong. And Tha iad tur cli. Agus chan ann a chum buann- it is not to the advantage of our children that achd ar cloinne a tha e gum biodh iad air am they should be fed on such errors. The stumb- beathachadh le leithid a mhearachdan. Chan ling block frequently is not the amount of Gaelic e uiread na Gaidhlig ach cion na Beurla an but the lack of English; and who will convince cnap-starra gu minic, agus co dhearbhas ormsa me that English cannot be learned without nach ionnsaichear Beurla gun a’ Ghaidhlig a forgetting Gaelic, or that knowledge of Gaelic chall, no gun antromaich eolas na Gaidhlig will make the learning of a strange language foghlum an cainnt choimhich. more burdensome. Nan tuigeadh agus nan creideadh na Gaidheil If the Gaels understood and believed that gur h-e a’ Ghaidhlig an soitheach anns am Gaelic is the vessel in which the spirit of their faighear taisgte spiorad nan daoine o’n tainig people is deposited, that it preserved for us iad, gur h-i a ghleidh dhuinn na subhailcean those virtues in the history of our ancestors sin an eachdraidh ar sinnsre air am miann leinn which we like to think about, that it is beachdachadh, gur h-i a tha toirt cunntais air Gaelic that gives an account of the good qualities grasan ar n-athraichean, tadhal an dochais of our forebears, the haunting place of their agus an ruintean, agus a luaidh air gniomh an hope and their purposes, and that mentioned lamh; nan tuigeadh iad sin agus nan creideadh their works; if they understood that and if they iad gu bheil aca an sin luach thar nithean believed that they have there value greater diomain mar a tha airgead agus or, cha bhiodh than transitory matters like silver and gold, iad caoin-shuarach a thaobh an coir-bhreith they would not be indifferent regarding their agus cha mheasadh iad mar chairdean an dream birthright and they would not regard as friends a spionadh an dileab o’ n dligheach. those who would snatch the legacy from the one to whom it is due. ILE GORM AN FHEOIR This is the first of a reries of articles on Scottish Isles that have made a significant contribution to the making of Scotland socially, economically, or culturally. ISLAY has been called “The Queen of the It was from Islay that Aonghas Og took the Hebrides’ ’, a title of which Ilich are justly men who helped Bruce to gain the victory at proud but on which we need not dwell for Bannockburn; it was from the harbour in some of our readers may remark with Fraser Lochindaol that the ships set out which im- Darling, ‘ ‘She could and should be’ ’ or dispute perilled Scotland’s very existence and it was the claim as a sign of insular arrogance. We at Dunyveg that the last struggle took place do not argue the point, for Islay has other and Clan Donald became just that. With the claims to fame. Unfortunately the past glories morality, or the politics we are not concerned, of the island are largely forgotten and its only with the glory and the grandeur now history is unknown even to many born within departed. sound of Traigh Mhachair or sight of Beinn Rather unexpectedly Islay came to the Tartabhail. Apart from some sculptured stones forefront again towards the end of the 18th in old cemeteries and the great Celtic Crosses century. Malcolm Gray, who has made a of Kildalton and Kilchcman there are few special study of the Highland economy of those traces of the glory left. Who looking at a white times, put it like this, ' ‘Islay had its day when stone on a dull stretch of moorland road would its glory as a centre of agricultural enlighten- imagine that here lies Godred Crovan, a great ment was shouted by the improving propo- Norse warrior who, after defeat in one kingdom, gandists.” In other words the island shared set out to create another for himself. For- in the glory and gain brought to Scottish tunately he provided inspiration for a modern agriculture by the “improvers” and still Islay bard, Duncan Johnstone, and is now retains an important place in the farming immortalised in the song of the royal voyage world. Even when Pennant visited such farms from Man to Islay, a voyage oft repeated for as Balinaby and Sunderland in 1772 he could Godred was King of Man and of the Western see that wheat, flax and potatoes were grown Isles. in addition to the staple crops of oats and bear. At Sunderland he found an apple orchard, Or stand on the shores of Loch Finlagan and which bore fruitfully and “a planting of look at the ruins across the water—ruins of strawberries.” The new methods of agricul- chapel and castle—and try to picture the place ture which had been tried and proved in some as it was in, say, 1400. It is indeed difficult parts of the Scottish Lowlands, as well as in to imagine that here was the seat of a ruler who England, were in process of being introduced sent ambassadors to Westminster and whom a into Islay. Campbell of Sunderland was a King of England sought as an ally against the notable “improver”, and the main proprietor . King of Scots. Who would guess that here were in the island, Campbell of Shawfield, had the 1 installed those Lords of the Isles who dominated same idea. This gentleman, incidentally, the western seaboard of our land and whose acquired the island with money grudgingly given l writ ran from the Butt of Lewis to the Point by the city of Glasgow: it was compensation i of Man? Who would associate that insigni- for damage done to his mansion at Shawfield by fficant little island in the loch with their place the city mob protesting against the malt tax. lof council? But even yet its name, Eilean na Campbell, one of their own members of Parlia- 'Comhairle, has an echo of past greatness. The ment, had voted for the tax. To the £9,000 , Council of the Isles would have many things to of compensation he added £3,000 of his own, [discuss and sometimes the subjects would lead and the Calder family was very glad to part !an intruder to believe that here was an inde- with the island for £12,000. This was in 1726. ipendent power. That, indeed, is what Mac- Of Shawfield’s zeal as Islay’s laird Malcolm ; Donald tried to be during part of the medieval Gray remarks that he drove through a complete period, and it was here, on Islay, that he had re-organisation of agriculture with the aid of two of his principal residences—the Castle on a band of fanners who combined elegant manners Eilean Finlagan and the stronghold on Dun- with professional assiduity. I take it that these naomhaig with a less important fort, strongly represented the class called tacksmen who in defended, on Loch Gorm. other parts of the Highlands within the next The family was styled ‘ ‘de Isla’ ’ before they fifty years were to become leaders of the first rose to greater pretensions and when the great movement to Canada and the New England Lordship was forfeited to the Crown and the colonies. One or two figures may be quoted in iglory departed they were still “Of Islay’’. support of the above assertions. Anyone really Bogha-mor interested in this phase of Islay history should of £1000. It occupies a splendid position at || study the great Ramsay productions ‘ ‘The Book the head of the main street ‘ ‘and provides the !| of Islay’ ’ and particularly ' ‘The Stent Book of right measure of well-mannered dominance over | Islay” along with Malcolm Gray’s work. the surrounding houses’ ’. We learn from the | In 1775 the island imported 3,000 to 4,000 New Statiscal Account that in the twenty jl bolls of meal; by 1786 it was exporting 5,000 years from 1820 to 1840 the other Campbell || bolls. Cattle were now properly wintered and proprietor, Sunderland, had more than trebled J no longer would numbers die in March for want the value of his property—by draining, en- of fodder. In 1795 eight hundred black cattle closing, and improving waste land. But in | were sold out of the parish of Kilcoman alone, the midst of all this the parish minister of | and horses too were a valuable export. “As Kilchoman notes that already Gaelic was losing it the country is champaign and the roads good ground as English was the language of the 1 an Islayman will scarcely stir from home without educated and of the incomers. his pad.” (Old Statiscal Account.) The in- Islay’s third claim to fame derives from its !| creasing prosperity is reflected in the population contribution to Gaelic literature and folklore. | figures. According to Webster the population About the middle of last century, according to J of the island in 1755 was 5,344; the Old Sheriff MacMaster Campbell (preface to “The i Statiscal Account (1794) shows a total of Literature of the Highlanders”) the island was 'I 9,500, an increase of over 4,000 in these forty of all districts in the Highlands the most | years. This increase continued till 1841 when distinguished. One of the earliest of folklore | the total was 15,161. Land pressure then collectors as he was one of the greatest, fit to j compelled emigraiton, and though there were take his place beside Grimm and Hans Andersen, l no clearances in Islay many young Ilich joined was John F. Campbell of Islay. His “Popular | their fellow-islanders from Lewis and Skye and Tales of the West Highlands” first published | set off for new worlds. It should be mentioned in 1860 is one of the great classics in this field that about the same time as the Campbell of study. It may be noted that one of his most j improvers were at work a Mr. Fairbaixn became valued helpers was the schoolmaster of Bally- | interested in the old lead workings near Bally- grant, Hector MacLean. grant. He took them over in 1873 and began Neil MacAlpine produced one of the earliest | to develop the lead mining industry on scientific Gaelic dictionaries; Nigel MacNeill, a native | lines. of Portnahaven, published a standard history j From this period dates the village of Bowmore of the literature of Gaelic Scotland; Thomas I which was laid out in 1768 and built to a Pattison translated many of the great Gaelic | regular plan to replace the old village of poems of the 18th century masters into English | Kilarrow which had stood near the head of verse, and his work “Gaelic Bards” can bear I Lochdaal. The circular church, a development comparison with any other such translation. I of the octagonal buildings erected at Eaglesham Not very far from Skerrols where Pattison was J and Dreghorn, was opened in 1769 at a cost born lies the farm of Gartmain where William j — 56 — Livingstone wrote one of the finest pieces effectiveness was not complete unless the aid of produced by a minor poet in Gaelic “Fios the Trinity was invoked. And again, the illness thun a’ bhaird.” Professor Magnus MacLean had to be attended to by certain persons, such called him ‘ ‘the most forceful poetic personality as the seventh son of a seventh son. of the Gaelic poets of the 19th century.” His As a result of much natural observation and longest poem tells, in dramatic fashion, the experiments of a trial-and-error nature, a large story of the Danes in Islay. A fervent lover amount of superstitious beliefs and practices of his native island, he wrote of battles long centres around the ailments of the human body past like that of Traigh Ghruinaird and of the and the remedies effective in their cure. Before prowess of the Celt in his own day. the development of medicine as a scientific A few years ago a society for the study of the subject, people in the past had to rely on local archaeology and natural history of the island sources for the relief of their troubles: herbs was established and we look forward to valuable and their use by traditional healers. material being made available from their No doubt today we would smile at some of the researches. remedies and so-called cures which were applied J. Macintyre. to relieve the body’s ailments. But we should remember that it was once taken for granted that the “cures” would be effective. In many cases they were. Belief in a cure (perhaps there Herbal Lore was an element of faith-healing) was thus the normal and rational attitude of those who used By F. G. Thomson, F.S.A.(Scot.) it. The lore of plants (herbs) has a firm place in A GLANCE at the ‘‘Doctor Replies” pages folk tradition. In olden times, those persons of many newspapers and magazines will in possession of herbal lore were valuable reveal that the old cures for aches and members of any community. Such a person pains are still going strong, despite the many was the herb-woman (bean na luibheanna) useful medical aids that modem science has who travelled about the countryside, within a made available to us. Many of these old cures, well-defined area. She combined with her and the materials used in the effect, have been knowledge of the medicinal value of plants the in existence for many centuries now and will use of charms, and therein lay the reason for the probably never cease to be popular because they “mystery” of cures. The common folk were are based on generations of practical experience always kept in ignorance of how such matters in their use and their legitimacy is most always were obtained, with the result that the herb- based on results. woman was regarded with fear and respect. One often hears about such concoctions as MacBeth’s witches were alleged to have brewed Travelling people, too, were skilled healers : in their bubbling pots of double trouble: a natural thing for them to be because they had spiders’ webs, frogs’ legs, crows’ hearts, toads’ to depend on their own resources. skins and such like. No doubt the result was It was often said that a child bom after the an evil-smelling mixture, and whether it ever death of its father wou1 ■ possess great curative cured anything or anyone is a matter for con- powers. Also, a woman whose surname was the jecture. same in single and marriedT life was thought to Many traditional cures are attributed to the be able to effect cures fo 'ilments. Some herb- use of herbs and plants of a widely-varying doctors were supposed to nave been given their nature. Sea-plants, for example, are a real healing gifts by fail' ..-, but this derivation of food and also possess some recognised medicinal curative powers must be believed by those who properties. Corraigin is one sea-plant which can wish to do so. be eaten raw, though it requires a strong and Most of the plants to b~ found in bogs, hedge- patient mouth for its chewing. It also forms rows and fields are said to possess special cura- the basis of a dish that was once well-known in tive and medicinal properties. Of such is the the Western Isles. bog-bean, which can be used as a blood purifier and as a remedy for boils. Bog-sorrel was used Almost every common wild plant, bush or for heart troubles. Burdock was often used in tree is supposed to be effective in the cure of poultice form for ringworm and could also rid something. Sometimes their medicinal pro- one of pimples. And Camomile, in the form perties were attributed to their supposed asso- of a “tea,” was used as a tonic and a remedy ciation with a saint. In other cases, their for pleurisy and consumption. — 57 — Centaury, Chich-weed, Comfrey, Dandelion, Glimpses from the Past Nettle, Dock-leaves, Ferns, Figwort, Foxglove, [Continued from page 53) Groundsel and Henbane are only a few of the mutton and goat which with fish is their winter other herbs which were, and still are in some provision. Their meal is so very scarce that country districts, used in a variety of cures they seldom use it in bread but mostly in for ailments such as warts, sudden pains, weak brochan or water gruel. The people here live hearts, sprains and sore feet. It seems to have much better than in other parts of the country been a case of “Say what you have and there’s we were in. The price of meal just now at a cure for it somewhere!’’ Dingwall is 9 merks per boll. The carriage of it to Lochcarron varies according to the season Certain shrubs, bushes and trees were also of the year. In summer the hire of a horse used for medicinal purposes. The leaves of the which will carry about 126 lbs. wt. is 2/6; in elm were used to make poultices for swellings. harvest and winter 3/4 and in spring and seed Those of the holly were used in the cure of time 4/- to 5/-. asthma and other similar complaints. Nine Few ships come up this loch, but ships are pieces of the boor-tree were used to get rid of sometimes freighted from Leith to the Isle of warts. This cure was a novel one. The nine Skye with malt, bean and meal. Freight pieces were buried in the ground and as they charges for meal is from 8d to lOd per boll, gradually rotted away, so did the warts dis- and 1 /4 to 1 /8 for malt and bear. Farm produce appear. Sometimes, nine pieces of straw were is sold to drovers and pedlers, but twice a used in the same way. Wood from the bug- year there are two great fairs at Contin and deal was used to cure whooping-cough. Clay Redcastle to which the inhabitants go with their from under an elm tree was often applied to an produce. Servants are engaged by the half aching tooth. year and are allowed for wages 8 to 9 merks and Not all of a plant was used. Sometimes it was three pairs of boots each pair worth 1/-. They the root, the stem, the leaves, the flower or the are allowed one peck of meal every four days fruit. Some plants had to be picked at a for their maintenance. The women for the half certain time or else they would be of no use in a year receive 3 to 4 merks, an apron to the value cure. The figwort was one plant that had to be of 1 merk, two pairs of shoes valued at 8d picked at the flow of the tide. Other plants, each, and a peck of meal every six days. like the yarrow, were hung up inside the house Inhabitants employed by the day receive to ward off sickness. 4d to 6d.’’ j Cameron. One important feature in the use and effective- ness of herbs was the saying of a charm, which usually took the form of an invocation to some The Clarsach Society saint. St. Bride, for example, would be asked It is well known that the clarsach, the oldest to aid in the relief of toothache. St. Columba musical instrument used in Scotland, preceded and Michael were variously asked to help in the the bagpipe by several centuries. The clarsach cures of other ills. The Trinity, the Sacred was for long played throughout Scotland from Three, were asked collectively to turn their the extreme north to the Border counties. good influences to make a cure effective. Every chief of note had his own harper to cheer Apart from their uses for medicinal purposes, his guests and sing the praises of his heroic many plants were used as a food, in times of deeds. In return the harper was held in high plenty but more often in times of famine. esteem, and was a distinguished member among Many persons of an older generation, some within his followers. living memory, were forced to trek to the bogs The Clarsach Society, as we know it today, or the shores for what edible plants they could was founded in 1931 to re-establish the clarsach find. Farther inland, chick-weed, dock-leaves as a national instrument, and good progress and club-moss were used for food and, though has been made since that date, particularly in they may have contained some nourishment, the cities. It encourages learners by lending- were certainly not fit for human beings. instruments, by subsidising teachers, and by Tradition gives us a reason why certain herbs publishing suitable music. are so difficult to identify because of some These are some of the objects of the Scciety- similarity to poisonous ones. The Devil is (1) to promote and encourage the use of the supposed to have made these near duplicates clarsach; (2) to establish its proper place in the in order to confuse people when they searched national life of Scotland; (3) to collect, around for a plant to cure an ailment. Which produce, and distribute music for the clarsach is just the kind of thing he would be expected as funds permit; (4) to give demonstrations to do. and arrange competitions as opportunity offers. — 58 — AN GAIDHEAL THE GAEL Editor — ]. THOMSON, M.A., F.E.I.S., 116 WEST SAVILE TERRACE, EDINBURGH to whom all correspondence should be addressed except that concerning advertising which should be addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer. 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C.2 Telephone: DOUglas 1433. Leabhar LVI AN DAMHAR, 1961 Aireamh 10

COMHDHAIL NAN GEILTEACH TOISEACH an fhoghair chruinnich riochd- is e canain na dbigh beatha ar sinnsre a tha ann. airean as na sia duthchannan Ceilteach Tha nithean an sin a tha nas luachmhoire na j ann an Gaillimh an Eire gu bhith ag airgead agus or, agus nas buannachdaile na I urachadh an scan eolais air each a cheile, agus inbhe agus cumhachd. I gu bhith beachdachadh aon uair eile air na Is mor an t-eadar-dhealachadh a lorgar anns * nithean sonraichte a tha ’g an ceangal cho dluth na duthchannan beaga Ceilteach a thaobh - agus ’g an comharrachadh a mach o chinnich eachdraidh is a thaobh staid. Ach tha iad uile I eile an t-saoghail. a’ cur urraim nach beag air nithean anspioraid, i Bha an aimsir fabharach; bha coibhneas agus gun a bhith air an glacadh tuilleadh 's a’ choir I fialaidheachd an t-sluaigh ion-mhiannaichte, le farmad is sannt is eud is do-riarachas. Tha I agus bha Ion cuirp agus inntinne an lathair gun an spiorad a tha iad ag altrum a thaobh an j soradh. Chan e facal san dol seachad a phaidh- eachdraidh a tha air an cul 'g an tathadh ri | eadh na bach an fo na chuireadh sinn leis gach cheile ann an co-fhaireachadh agus ann an eud ' deagh-ghean agus curam a nochdadh dhuinn fad speiseil. Na foghlumadh na rioghachdan mora, S na seachdaineach. Tha cridhe an Eireannaich cumhachdach gur treise agus gur maireannaiche [ ann am fasgadh a laimhe, a shuilbhireachd an dilseachd is caomhalachd is tairiseachd na ? sealladh a shula, agus eud 's a dhurachd 'na maoin is sealbh is cumhachd, nan tuigeadh iad ghluasadan uile. mar a tha na Ceiltich a’ tuigsinn gur fearr ceol u A bheil feum ann an co-chruinneachadh nan na taimeanaich, agus ceum goirid na duibh- | Ceilteach o bhliadhna gu bliadhna ann an leum, is docha gun tigeadh iad gu 'n ceill mus duthchannan a cheile ? Agus ma tha, co dha ? bi e ro anmoch. 1 Tha urachadh inntinne agus cridhe ann an Cha bhi buannachd aig na Ceiltich fa-dheoidh i comunn chairdean a tha tuigsinn a cheile agus ann a bhith coimhead air ais agus a’ gleidheadh | a’ miannachadh math a cheile, ni air a bheil dhaibh fhein an coraichean. Chan ann le I mor fheum anns an t-saoghal charraideach anns bhith dleasadh ach le bhith roinn ri muinntir If a bheil sinn. Chan eil teine a lasair nach las eile a ghleidheas iad na nithean a tha luachmhor | teine; chan eil smuain choir a dhiiisgear nach aca, agus a bhios iad a chum buannachd do’n I gluais aigne chaomh, choibhneil; chan eil rim t-saoghal mhor. Tha feum aig an t-saoghal | math gun mhilseachd air a chul. air na gheibhear gun an ceannach, a ghleidhear I Faodaidh nach fhaicear moran soirbheachaidh le bhith 'g an toirt seachad, a riaraicheas gun ( an cois nan cruinnichidhean-sa an diugh na searbhadas 'nan deidh. Chan eil na riogh- j maireach. Ach far am bi daimh is dochas cha achdan beaga Ceilteach a’ sireadh oighreachdan i bhi call, agus far am bi dilseachd do’n choir chaich, chan eil iad ach a’ dion an oighreachd 11 cha bhi naire. Is math an ni a bhith lorg luach fhein agus a’ dleasadh cothrom na Feinne. Tha | anns an dileab a dh’fhagadh againn, co-dhiubh e ceart is feumail gum biodh muinntir nan — 59 — tirean Ceilteach a’ cuimhneachadh air na freumhan as na dh’fhas iad, air na dileaban Bodaich Eibhinn Nan luachmhor air a bheil iad ’nan oighreachan, agus air a’ bhuaidh a leanas, luath na mall, Laithean A Dh’Aom ann a bhith togail fa chomhair aintighearnas nan cumhachdach an oighreachd a tha falaichte Le Tormod Domhnallach anns a’ chridhe fhialaidh, iriosal. Ged nach Co bhuaithe thug an Gaidheal an eirmseachd can sinn gu bheil na Ceiltich nas fhearr na neo-fhaillinneach a ta cho nadurra dha ? muinntir eile, tha sinn a’ creidsinn nach misde An ann anfein adh’eirichi, noantainig an saoghal iad a bhith ann, agus tha sinn cinnt- i bho dhualachas ? Ta mi deanamh dheth gun each gu bheil lan fheum aig cinnich eile an d’fhuair an Gaidheal trian de ’eirmseachd bho t-saoghail an diugh air spiorad tairiseach, dhualachas, trian bho chruaidh-chas a bheatha fialaidh, duineil mar a lorgar an oidhirpean nan fein, agus a’ chuid eile bho bhearradaireachd is rioghachdan beaga do’m buin sinn. fealla-dha a’ cheilidh. Ta an diugh an ceilidh air dol gu ire bhig a cleachdadh agus ’n chois chailleadh chan e a mhain cuir-seachad is fearas-chuideachd cheolmhor, ach mar an ceudna moran de sheann Post Abrach eolas, beul-aithris, is oideas a bha ro fheumail Ged a tha mu cheud bliadhna o bha Mac-an- airson geurachadh buadhan na h-inntinne. Toisich beo bithear ag innse fhathast seanachasan Co-dhiu a b’ann an cois na slighe, no an eibhinn uime. Nuair a bha mi fuireach faisg druim a’ chosnaidh a thachradh iad, bu ro air Gearasdan Dubh Inbhir Lochaidh so da thoigh leis na seann bhodaich geuranachd cainnt sheanachas a chuala mi mu a dheidhinn. agus an rud a ghabhadh daoine an diugh gu Bha Fear Chalaird an seirbhis a’ Chriiin thall goirt anns an t-sroin, cha robh e dhaibhsan ach thairis. Turns is e air tighinn dhachaidh bha ’n a dheagh cheol-gaire. apa na muncaidh aige ’na chois agus bha e air ionnsachadh do’ n bheothach mar a dh’ fhosgladh Air latha fuar earraich, bha mo sheann is a dhitineadh e an dorus nuair a thigeadh daoine charaid nach maireann, Uilleam MacCoinnich, chon an tighe. Latha a bha so agus an t-uachd- maighstir-sgoile Bhaltois, a’ gabhail an rathaid aran aig an uinneig chunnaic e am post a’ nuair a thachair e ri fear a mhuinntir an aite tighinn a nuas an ceum chon an tighe. Smaoin- a bha ’dol dhachaidh a’ giulan eallach mor ich e gum faigheadh e spors air Mac-an-T6isich. mine air a dhruim. ‘‘Ta an t-eallach trom,” Dh’fhalaich e e fhein air cixl an doruis bhig ars Uilleam. ‘‘Bidh e trom mu Bhealltainn !” agus chuir e an t-apa a dh’fhosgladh an doruis fhreagair am bodach, ’s e cumail air. mhoir do’n phost. Nuair a chunnaic am post Cha robh an t-airgiod ach gann anns an la an “duine” annasach a bha roimhe shin e bh’ann. B’e Bealltainn aon de na h-aman thuige na litrichean ’ s e ag radh, ‘ ‘So a bhalaich, anns an robh beagan dheth a’ ruigheachd thoir sud dha d’athair!” chroitearan, nuair a reicte na gamhna, ach bha Bhitheadh iad a’ cur air Mac-an-T6isich gun a' chuid bu mhotha de sin a’ dol an coinneamh robh e deidheil air an uisge bheatha. Latin a’ mhail ’s an corr ’ga thoirt seachad an iomlaid na Bliadhna Uire bha e caran tioram, agus bidh, aodaich, caisbheirt, is beagan ghnoth- seach nach robh aite eile freagarrach dha aichean eile. smaoinich e nach b’e turus an asgaidh dha a Ged nach robh guth sgoile an ceann moran dhol a cheilidh air an Urr. Alasdair Stiubhard. de na croitearan, cha rachadh sgoilearan an Thuig am ministear fath a thuruis. Cha b’ann latha an diugh ann an uisge na stiiirach dhaibh as a leth-lamh a bheireadh esan seachad rud, an am reic mart, each, no gamhainn. Gus am agus thug e gloinne le taosg math innte do’n faighte mu dheireadh thall an t-airgiod a chaidh phost. Nuair a dh’61 e na bha innte thuirt e, iarraidh, chumadh iad connspoid fad leth “A mhinistear, ’s toigh learn sibh—’s fhearr latha ri drobhair cruaidh, carach, a dh’ learn sibh na Dia fhein.” ‘Ts cinnteach, ’ fheuchadh ri beothaichean nan truaghan a ars an Stiubhardach, ‘‘gur ann orm fhin as cheannach ion ’s a nasgaidh. eolaiche thu!” Bha bodach Sgitheanach uair a’ reic deagh An Taran. ghamhainn agus is e da phunnd Sasunnach an tairgse a chuir an drobhair ’n a cheann. ‘‘Da phunnd Sasunnach ars am bodach le frioghan, Tri casan nach gluais, ‘ ‘is fhiach na ta de ghaoisid air a’ bheathach Da chluais nach cluinn, agamsa barrachd is sin!!” Beul mor nach bruidhinn. Chaidh balach ann an Leodhas, a bha 'suirghe Prais. greis air cailin, g’a h-iarraidh air a h-athair air son a posadh. Rainig e tigh na ighne mu ’n a laighe fo na siantan ann an cocannan ’s aird fheasgair agus an deidh nine a thoirt a’ an golagan, air do aiteal tioram a bhith ann. r seanchas mu iasgach, side, is iomadh ni a “Crath thusa e,’’ ars an ceistear, “agus bharr, fhuair e fa-dheoidh de mhisnich na leig caoinichidh an Cruithear e,’’ “U ma ta, ’ ■ ris na bha aige anns an amharc. fhreagair am bodach, ‘ ‘dh’ fhairtlich e oirnn le ■ “Thainig mise,” ars am fleasgach, “an so cheile am bliadhna!!’’ Rinn an ceistear gaire an nochd a dh'iarraidh bean!’’ “Seadh,’ agus chum e roimhe. fhreagair fear an tighe is fiamh a’ ghaire a’ Air latha fliuch, fiadhaich Faoillich, choinn- ' brisdeadh air aodann, “chan eil ann an so ich an ceistear ceudna ri bodach eile a ghlaodh , ach an aon bhean agus chan fhaigh thusa i!!’’ aird a chinn anns an dol seachad: “Nach * J3ha Eileanach eile ann aig an robh uidh ann anabarrach dona an side ta ann! ’ ’ Bha cota-ola . am posadh ach an deidh sin ’s ’n a dheidh, cha a’ cheistear a’ ruigheachd a shailtean agus ‘robh e a’ dol ’n a char. Air do athair an theagamh nach robh gaillionn a’ cur moran Ijoganaich a bhith iomadh uair ’ga chomh- dragh air. B’e am freagradh a thug e co-dhiu: ;; airleachadh airson bean fhaotainn, thubhairt e “Nach math nach e teine is pronnasg a ta 11 ri mhac an latha so: ‘ ‘JS, ach iongantach ieam ’tuiteam!’’ “Nam b’e,’’ ars an aon eile, I! fhin nach eil thu a’ dol a dh’ iarraidh te seach “cha mhor a dheanadh an cota-ola dhuit!!’’ I: te de na ta de nigheanan boidheach anns an sgire. ’S e ministeaxan Gaidhealach, bho Alba, a ! \ Nuair a bha mise mu t’aois, is mi nach do bha air tits air an suidheachadh ann an uile i chuirmailleannsanghnothach.’’ “O athair,’’ sgireachdan Cheap Breatunn, an Canada. Cha I fhreagair am tear 6g, “is e a phos sibhse ach robh sin iongantach nuair a b’i a’ Ghaidhlig i mo mhathair!!’’ an aon chainnt a bha luchd aitichidh na cearn 1 Bha da bhodach a’ bruidhinn mu thear a b’ ud a’ bruidhinn. ’S e duthaich choillte- j ( aithne dhaibh a bha latha no dha roimhe sin ach a ta an so agus anns a la ud bha criomag •air caochladh. “An saoil thu na dh’fhag e fearainn air an robh coille aig gach ministear. idad as a dheidh?’’ dh’fheoraich aon dhiubh, Mhothaich pears-eaglais aoin de na sgireach- fa’ ciallachadh maoin no airgiod. “Nach do dan uair gu robh cuideigin a’ toirt leis a chuid [ dh’fhag e a h-uile rud a bh’ann as a dheidh!!’’ chraobhan agus air do’n chall dol air adhart i fhreagair a charaid. car fada smaoinich e gu robh an t-am aige stad j Mun do thogadh na sgoilean air feadh nan a chur air. sgireachdan Gaidhealach, is e duine gle ainn- Dh’fheoraich a’ ministear de fhear de ’n - ( eamh am measg an t-sluaigh a b’urrainn leugh- choithional an robh amharus aige co a bha a’ [ adh no sgriobhadh. ’S e sud a dh’fhag go id an fhiodha. I ceistearan an latha cho trang a’ ceasnachadh Nis bha e soirbh gu leoir do’n duine so luchd I agus a’ teagasg ceistean Leabhar Aitbghearr na diobhail ainmeachadh ach do bhrigh ’ s j nan Ceist, do shean is 6g. nach robh e airson iuath is dioghaltas a chosnadh j Choinnich fear dhiubh so ri bodach a mhuinn- dha fein, dh’fhreagair e a’ cheist ann am I tir an t-Srath air an rathad mhor. Chuir an briathran eibhinn agus seolta gun oilbheum a > ceistear roimhe gun ceasnaicheadh e an seann thoirt dhasan a chuir i: “Is sibh fein a mhin- 1 duine, ach aig a’ cheart am bha e airson cothrom istear an aon duine anns an sgire so a ta air a thoirt da, agus cha do chuir e air ach a’ cheud bhur paidheadh airson a bhith ag innse ’n | te a ta anns an leabhar: ‘ ‘Ciod is crioch araidh fir inn!’ ’ j do’n duine?’’ Air latha seachdain, bha boirionnach a’ ,) Cha chuala an croitear a’ cheist cheudna a comhradh ri seann mhinistear coir a bha air * riamh agus is e am freagradh a thug e: ‘ ‘Chan a bheatha gu leir a chur seachad anns an aon I eil criochan a’ cur call de dhragh oirnne bho sgire ann am fear de na h-Eileanan an lar. ! dh’fhagas sinn Ealaghollo gus an ruig sinn ‘ ‘A chiall a mhinistear, ’ ’ thuirt ise, ‘ ‘cha ! crioch Camusfhionnairidh!!’’ chreid mi fhin nach cuala mi an ceann-teagaisg 1 Bho chionn corr is deich bliadhna fichead air a ghabh sibh an de anns an eaglais, da uair j ais bha samhradh anabarrach fliuch aca anns agaibh roimhe.’’ “Seadh, seadh,’’ fhreagair | an Eilean Sgitheanach. Fhuair daoine taire esan, “agus am bheil cuimhne agad gu de na mhor mus deach aca air an cuid feoir a chaoin- cinn a bha agam?’’ “O dearbh chan eil,” ! eachadh, agus b’eiginn do gach neach aig an d.h’aidich a’ bhean. “O mur am bheil,” ars robh a’ bheag air an t-strac, a bhith ag gabhail am ministear, “feumaidh mi a thoirt dhuit a h-uile fath, goirid 's ’gam bitheadh e, eadar fathast!!” j na frasan troma airson beagan tiormachaidh a Choinnich da bhodach Heach ri cheile a muigh I dheanamh air. an aiteigin air latha anabarrach fliuch. Bha An latha so, thuit do cheistear a bhith a’ am bred chota-uisge air an dara fear ach cha :j| gabhail an rathaid nuair a chunnaic e bodach robh air a charaid. 1 ’n a dhrip a’ toirt ath chrathadh air na bha Thubhairt esan a bh’air a chomhdach airson an t-side: “C’arson nach robh cota ort?” a dh’fhaodas sinn a thuigsinn, bha buthan is “Chan eil mise am feum cota a chaitheamh ge margaidhean car ainneamh, fada bho cheile. b’e air bith de cho garbh ’s a bhios an aimsir, ’ ’ Air an latha so cheannaich cailleach Ghaidh- dh’eibh am fear eile. “Nach ann do shiol ealach boesa lasadanan anns an bhuth. Nuair Adhamh a bhuineas thusa mar a bhuineas sinn a chaidh i dhachaidh, dh’fheuch i ri fear mu uile?’’ “Chan ann, is ann a bhuineas mise seach dhiubh a lasadh ach cha deachaidh leatha do fhior shiol Chlann Ghill ’Eathain Locha- agus is e bu chrioch do na h-oidheirpean gun do buidhe’’, thuirt an duine tapaidh aig nach chaitheadh am paipearcarrach bharr cliathach robh feum air cpta!! a’ bhucais. Is minig a fhuaireadh eirmseachd eadhon am Chaidh am boirionnach an ath latha air ais measg nan daoine bochda anns an tigh-chuth- leis a’ gheotan gun sta agus thubhairt i ri fear aich. na butha: “Chan eil ni de fheum anns na Air do fhear dhiubh so a bhith ag obair air lasadanan so a fhuair mi bhuat, feumaidh tu feasgar anns an lios, chunnaic e sgalag tuath- m’ airgiod a thoirt dhomh air ais.’’ anaich an taobh a muigh de ’n gharadh ard Dh’fhosgail an ceannaiche am boesa, thug e chloiche a bha a’ cuartachadh an tighe mhoir a mach aon de na bha ’n a bhroinn, shuath e ud. Tharlaidh gun robh an sgalag a deanamh gu cruaidh ri shliasaid e agus las an lasadan na h-obrach ann an rathad cearbach, tuath- an aird ann am priobadh na sula. “So, so,’’ aisteach. “A dhuine,’’ dh'eibh am fear a ars a’ chailleach, “thoir dhomhsa air ais mo bha anns an lios, “ta thu air an taobh chearr sgillinn. Chan urrainn mise idir a bhith a’ de’n bhalla!!’’ coiseachd da mhile a sgriobadh do mhasan-sa Ach c’ ait an do dh’ fhag sinn na boirionnaich ? gach uair a bhios feum agam air aon diubh sin Cha bu trie leo-san a bhi air dheireadh air na a lasadh!!’’ fix le deasfhacal. Lionadh na chuala mi.de naidheachdan de’n Chaidh duine tinn a sgireachd Ghaidhealach t-seorsa-sa iomadh leabhar. is aithne dhomh, mu dheas uair do aon de na tighean-eiridinn airson laimhseachadh leigheil. An deidh-laimh thhinig banacharaid dhaibh a dh’fheorach de bhean an fhir so ciamar a GNATHASAN CAINNTE fhuair a ceile air adhart. Thubhairt bean an Thog e air bho chuir e roimhe posadh. tighe is i a’ toirt mion iomraidh air mar a bha Is fhada bho bha i an geall air aite dhi fhein. dol leis: ‘ Ta e a’ tighinn air aghaidh gu math Am beul an latha thog iad Muirneag air faire. a nis, buidheachas do’n t-sealbh. Nuair a Chuir an raon barr math dheth am bliadhna. dh’fhosgail na lighichean e chunnaic iad a’ Co bu leis an t-each a chaidh air chall? chogais aige!!’ ’ Roghnaich mi a bhith learn fhin. Anns an la anns am bheil sinn beo, am feadh Cha tug i guth air a’ chall a thainig oirre. ’s a ta a leithid de iomairt mhi-chneasda air Bha iad a’ cur air nach robh e riamh gle carbadan luatha de gach seorsa, air an talamh mhath air a lamhan. agus anns an athar, chan eil e soirbh le daoine Tha cuid a’ tilgeadh air gu bheil e leam-leat. oga a chreidsinn gu robh am ann is cuimhne le Chuir e drein air nuair a thuig e nach feadhainn a ta fathast luath, laidir, anns nach deidheadh leis. robh uidheam no inneal giulain anns an Ghaidh- ealtachd na bu luaithe na an rothair (bicycle). Bha eadhon an rothair fein air sgath a luaiths ’n a mhor ioghnadh do bhodaich ’s do chaill- ‘ ‘Chan eil aite an trice am bi mi, no an trice eachan a chunnaic e airson a’ cheud uair, mar an robh mi, na anns a’ ghoirtean-fhogharaidh a thachair do’n charaid a bha a’ fuireach ann is anns an airigh. Bha tighinn-beo a’ chlachain am bothan beag ri taobh an rathaid anns an riamh anns a’ ghoirtean is anns an airigh. Eilean Sgitheanach. B’annas an t-sitheann is b’annlann an t-iasg; Air feasgar sonraichte, air do’n chaillich a bu mhath a’ chobhair ach bu bhochd an sabhal bhith ’n a seasamh anns an dorus mhor, nochd iad; b’e ar teachd-an-tir, mar a dh’innseas an duine uasai a’ marcachd rothair dliith do’n t-ainm, eorna gu bonnach is feur gu bainne. Is tigh. Ghlaodh i ris an fhear a bha stigh: b’fhearr corran, no cuman na clarsach gu scan “Thig a mach, thig a mach, ta Satan a nuas is 6g a chur gu seinn is gu cridhealas. Is an rathad a’ marcachd cuidhle-shniomh agus iomadh horo-gheallaidh a chunnaic mi fein mur a greas thu ort bidh e anns na Hearadh anns a’ ghoirtean, ged nach do thachair dhomh mum faigh thu a’ cheud sealladh dheth!!’’ bhith ann an latha thainig a’ Ghruagach Is ann an Ontario a chualami an naidheachd ’S a rug i ’na laimh air a’ chorran, mu dheireadh. Cha robh na h-eilthirich 'S a lion i le sonas an sguab.’’ Ghaidhealach ro fhada anns an tir, agus mar CoiNNEACH MacLeOID. “NA. GAIDHEIL A BH’ANN” Teaghlach MhicNeacail SAOILIDH mi gii bheil moran de ar luchd B’e Padruig an t easmac. Chaidh esan a leughaidh leis am bu mhath cunntas sheoladh gle 6g, mar a chaidh iomadh fear a aithghearr fhaighinn air an teaghlach bharrachd air as an la ud, agus ri uine bha e i fhiuthail-sa a thog cuimhneachan maireannach seoladh le shoithichean fhein eadar na h- i air an deagh-ghean do bhaile an araich, agus a Innseachan agus Astralia, far na rinn e dhach- I chuir sluagh Leodhais fo fhiachan siorruidh aidh air dha am muir a leigeadh seachad. , dhaibh airson ard-sgoil MhicNeacail a dh’ ’S e Ruaraidh an ath fhear de’n teaghlach. [ fhosgladh leotha am baile Steornabhaigh anns Bha e ’na mhinistear an toiseach sa’ Chomr- i a’ bhliadhna 1873. aich, agus an deidh sin ’na mhinistear airm An la dh’fhosgladh an sgoil so, a bha am an Lunnainn airson fichead bliadhna. Chuir j beagan nine gu bhith cho ainmeil sa’ Ghaidh- e seachad a’ chuid mu dheireadh de bheatha an | ealtachd, dh’fhosgladh gu farsuing dorus am Tigh na Bruaich, an Earra-Ghaidheal, ach I mach do’n t-saoghal mhor do oigridh Steom- thug e iomadh cuairt do thirean ceine ’na la. t abhaigh agus an Eilein, agus tha fios againn an B’e Coinneach am mach a b’oige. Bha esan \ diugh a liuthad fear agus te a ghluais leis na ’na thuathanach an ceann a deas Alba, agus a bliadhnachan troimh an dorus-sa gu bhith ris an ceann a deas Africa. Nuair a bhasaich 1 seasamh an aite gu buadhmhor agus gu duineil a bhrathair, Cailean, anns a’ bhliadhna 1877, an iomadh gairm agus ionad. thainig e steach air na raointean cotain a bhuin- 1 So agaibh mata, gearr iomradh air an teaghlach eadh dha, agus an deidh bais Aonghais anns a’ uasal do bheil na h-uibhir againne an Leodhas bhliadhna 1896 fhuair e sealbh air na muillnean ! fo ihiachaibh cho mor. cloimhe aige an Sasunn. B’e Alasdair Moireasdan, an coigeamh mac, [ Bhuineadh seanair an teaghlaich, Aonghas a thug an toiseach mu’n airidh cuideachadh le MacNeacail, do sgire Uig agus bha e posda aig oigridh Steomabhaigh. An deidh fhoghluim te a’ Chlann MhicAoidh a Carlabhagh. Bha a chriochnachadh am baile a bhreith agus an | tuathanas fearainn aige an Col agus an Tolstadh Aird Sgoil Ghlaschu, thug e mach a cheaird bho Thuath, ach tha cuimhne air gu h-araidh mar innleachdair an Abhainn Chluaidh far ; airson an aite toisich a bha aige an obair an an d’ fhuair iomadh gille eile oileanachadh. iasgaich anns an Eilean, agus airson nan luingeas Cha robh e fada gus an d’fhuair e obair le deagh aige a sheol na cuaintean. Dh’fhag e suim thuarasdal air aibhnichean Shinaidh. Am beagan mhath airgid airson bochdan a chinnidh fhein. bhliadhnachan bha sealbh aige mai'lle ri caraid Bha mac aige do’m b’ainm Ruaraidh, aig an dha air aite togail shoithichean ann an Shanghai. - robh soithichean bathair e fhein, agus a bha aon Anns a’ bhliadhna 1862, aig aois naoi biiadhna uair ’na thuathanach an Col Uarach. fi.ch.ead, bha cor a cho-aoisean an Steornabhagh r ’S e mic Ruaraidh cuspairean ar sgeoil. Bha gu mor air aire, agus gu minic bha e cnuasachadh seisear aca ann, agus dhearbh iad uile an gradh air an doigh a b’ fhearr air leasachadh crannchur ; do thir am breith, agus thaisbein iad gearchuis agus cothrom an sliochd. agus uaisleachd nach bu bheag. Rinn e tiomnadh aig an am-sa. Bha treas Bha Aonghas, am mac bu shine, ’na innl- earrann a mhaoin an deidh a bhais gu bhith air \ eachdair (engineer). An deidh a thide thoirt a chur ri creideas na sgoile bu mhotha chuid- \ a mach an Glaschu shoirbhich leis an Sasunn icheadh le uireasbhuich oga baile Steornabh- j nuair a bhatar a’ leagail nan rathaidean iaruinn aigh, chum, an dbigh air choireigin, gu freas- san duthaich sin air tus. Bha e car uine ’na gradh e air clann nam balach a bha maille ris [ shiamalan, agus a ris ag arach chruidh, ach ’s fnein anns an sgoil. t ann air muillnean cloimhe an Scipton, far an Fhuair e bas aithghearr le tubaist air bord I do chaochail e anns a’ bhliadhna 1896, a rinn te de na soithichean aige fhein ceithear bliadhna ; e an t-airgiod. an deidh so, aig aois tri bliadhna deug ar Fhuair a bhrathair, Cailean Iain, oileanach- fhichead. Chuireadh a chuid airgid (£6000) do adh mar ionmhasair an Glaschu cuideachd. thigh an ionmhais an Lunnainn, agus thug na Thog e air gu ruige Orleans ’s na Staitean far triiiir bhraithrean, Ruaraidh, Coinneach agus ; an d’ fhuair e sealbh air raointean cotain an cois Aonghas, a bha beo fhathast an t-airgiod so abhainn mhor Mhississippi. Bha e’na oifigeach do’n Ridire Seumas MacMhathain a bha ’na ard san aim ri am an ar-a-mach ’s na Staitean. uachdaran air Leddhas aig an am, agus a bha An deidh iomadh fiosrachadh cruaidh bhris air cosg air da sgoil anns a’ bhaile mhor, sgoil nan i a shlainte agus chaochail e sa’ bhliadhna 1877. caileag, agus sgoil Iain Mhic Aoidh. — 63 — Chomharraich esan an t-airgiod akson an ionadan inbheach an Alba ’s an Sasunn, leasachadh le sgoil MhicAoidh, ach bha an agus an tirean ceine cuideachd. Is beag sgoil-sa aosda agus am maighstir sgoile ’na cearnaidh de’n dixthaich nach lorgar luchd sheann duine. Air an aobhar sin thug an teagaisg a dh’dileanaicheadh innte, agus cha Ridire larach seachad airson sgoil ur, agus mhdr sgoil an Eilean Lecdhais aig an am nach thogadh i an cois rathad an Rudha amis a’ eil fo ughdarras muinntir a fhuair ard fhoghluim bhliadhna 1873, agus shuidhicheadh Iain an sgoil mhdir MhicNeacail. Sutharlan air a ceann. An cuimhneachan as luachmhoire air teagh- Bhaisteadh an sgoil tri uairean, ach lean an lach nasal MhicNeacail gheibhear e air a t-ainm “The Nicolson Institute’’ rithe o’n thasgadh domhain an cridhe an t-sluaigh, bhliadhna 1901 gus an la an diugh. agus air fhighe anns an t-seirbhis a tha an Anns a’ bhliadhna 1888, dh’ihag Macmhath- luchd fiach a’ deanamh gun tamh ann an ain riaghladh na sgoile aig Bord na Sgoile an ceithear ranna ruadh an domhain. Sgire Steornabhaigh agus chuir e an t-ionmhas uile ’nan lamhan. Dh’fhas an sgoil o bhith Seumas MacThomais. ’na sgoil bhig le 105 de chloinn gus an inbhe aig a bheil i an diugh le cbrr air mile, eadar bhalach is chaileagan. So mar a thainig oighreachd Chlann Mhic “Scottish Gaelic Studies” Neacail gu bhith steidheachadh agus a’ togail This periodical is published annually by the suas aird fhoghluim an Leddhas. University of Aberdeen, and is edited by Derick Nuair a rainig naidheachd bais a bhrathar, S. Thomson. Vol. IX, Pt. 1, recently pub- agus an tiomhadh a rinn e, Aonghas, chuir e lished, maintains a high standard of scholarship £500 ri mao in Alasdair. Rimaich Padruig gu and research, and contains varied articles which faigheadh a bhraithrean, Ruaraidh agus are both stimulating and informative. Coinneach, a shealbh-san an deidh bas na The late Calum I. Maclean has an article on bantraich aige. Thug iasdan na thuit orra, the song “Is Daor A Cheannaich Mi ’N T- £7000, do Bhord na Sgoile, cuid Ruaraidh gu lasgach’’ noted down in Benbecula. Other bhi cuideachadh le foghluimichean an Eilein versions are noted and compared, and the anns na h-oil-thighean, agus cuid Choinnich version in the McLagan M.S. is given Literatim. gu bhi leasachadh feuman na sgoile an Steorn- R. L. Thomson gives a detailed dissertation abhagh. Chosg iad le cheile air an tiir agus on two Manx songs contained in the McLagan air an uaireadair a tha ’na mhullach a thog iad Manuscript 180, and gives copious quotations mar chuimhneachan air am brathair, agus thog with translations. iad tigh luchdchleas laimh ris an sgoil uir. ‘ ‘The Royal Payment of Mackay’s Regiment’ ’ Dh’fhag Coinneach aig am a bhais anns a’ is the title of a paper by Ian Grimble in which bhliadhna 1907 na muillnean cloimhe an he traces the exploits of a regiment raised in lamhan Bord na Sgoile, agus reic iadsan iad air- 1626 by the Chief of Mackay and serving under son £13,000, oir cha robh e laghail dhaibh na Christian IV of Denmark in the Thirty Years’ muillnean a chumail a’ dol. Tha treas earrann War in Germany. riadh an airgid so a’ cuideachadh obair ealainn The R.I.A. Text of the “Birlinn” is ana- sa’ sgoil, agus an corr airson comhnadh le lysed at great length by J. L. Campbell. feumaich innte. Comparison is made with other well known Tha an t-iomlan a’ tighinn gu £20,000, agus Texts of this poem. The R.I.A. Text is given tha riadh an airgid sin uile ann an doigh air in full and generous notes are appended. choireigin airson math nan sgoilearan a tha A Note on “Feasgar Luain’’ by Iain C. dol troimh’n fhoghluim an sgoil Steornabhaigh. Smith underlines the improbable nature of Nis, chan eil ard sgoil an Leddhas ach sgoil John MacKenzie’s account of the incident that MhicNeacail a mhain agus air an aobhar sin inspired the poet. He makes brief comments on chan eil balach no nighean a tha leantuinn the imagery of the poem. an fhoghluim san eilean nach eil greis innte. A short article by the Editor on the phrase Tha mar sin daimh aig gach sghe is clachan ‘ ‘Bualadh Bhrog’ ’ is based on written ref- rithe, agus a math a’ sgaoileadh am measg an erences to this practice, some dating as far back t-sluaigh uile. as 1702, and establishes the original and Is mdr am barr a chuir sgoil MhicNeacail dith metaphorical usages of the words, thus cor- o chionn tri behead bliadhna; is lionmhor iad recting dubious interpretations. a dh’fhag i gu bhi ’gan ullachadh fhein an The current issue is well worth 9/-, the price dreuchd na ministrealachd, an lighiche, agus of single parts, or 15/- per volume, consisting jachd ealain de gach seorsa. Gheibhear iad sin of two annual parts, post free. — 64 — GAELIC POETS OF THE 18th CENTURY (6^ Alasdair Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair Derick S. Thomson NONE of the Gaelic poets presents such a dair’s work, we may now attempt some sort vast craggy image as Mac Mhaighstir of orderly consideration of that work and of its Alasdair. In a poet, or in any man, significance in the history of eighteenth century [built on so generous a scale it is vain to look Gaelic poetry. too closely for a pattern of consistency. It is (even more misguided to attempt to force his To give a few biographical details first, the .work into any preconceived mould. It will poet came of notable MacDonald stock, being inot do to present him as a Gaelic patriot, or as a great-grandson of Ranald MacDonald of , a Jacobite, or as a life-long rebel. We may come Benbecula and of Mary, daughter of Angus ■near to the truth in some of these generalisa- MacDonald of Dun Naomhaig in Islay, and itions, but we must not expect them to be thus claiming descent from Robert II, King of (infallible. For there are emotional, and per- Scotland. The famous Flora MacDonald was haps intellectual, forces which transcend what- Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair’s first cousin. lever logical system we erect to contain his Alasdair was the second son of Maigjistir [work: explosive elements which destroy the Alasdair, minister of Islandfinnan. It is convenient departments in which the work of thought that he was born about 1690, but we jfpoets is too often confined. know little of his movements until 1729, when 1 he is on record as the teacher of a charity school Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair’s work is nearer the at Islandfinnan, and as catechist in the same centre of the Gaelic literary tradition than that parish. We have references to his work in : of any other of the eighteenth century poets. these capacities at various times between 1729 I tThere can be no doubt that he cultivated his and 1745, when he deserted his post then (in • knowledge of that tradition. This is evident Corryvullin) and devoted his energies to the : from his poetic vocabulary, his knowledge of Prince’s cause, later receiving a Captain’s ] Gaelic metrics, and from references in his commission in the Prince’s army. ] poetry. Robert Forbes (The Lyon in Mourning, There is a strong tradition that he spent some ' Vol. 1, 354) refers to his skill in Gaelic, in- time as a student at the University of Glasgow, cluding the old script : “He is a very smart, but that an early marriage (to Jane MacDonald I acute man, remarkably well skilled in the Erse, of Dalness) cut short his academic career. His ! for he can both read and write the Irish language son Ranald was acting as substitute for him i in its original character, a piece of knowledge in the school at Corryvullin in 1744, but we almost quite lost in the Highlands of Scotland, have no indication of Ranald’s age at that ! there being exceedingly few that have any skill time. Nor can we be certain that Mac Mhaigh- > at all in that way.” stir Alasdair took part in the ’ 15 rising. There This gives us one aspect of Mac Mhaighstir seem to be no references to such participation in Alasdair: the man of letters, the scholar. his surviving poetry, although if we accept his , Reid, the author of Bibliotheca Scoto-Celtica, authorship of the Journall and Memoirs of P—— i gives us another aspect: “In person McDonald C Expedition into Scotland, etc., 1745-6 ! was large and ill-favoured. His features were (Lockhart Papers, Vol. 11 (1817) it would seem j j)coarse and irregular. His clothes were very likely that he was involved in that campaign-. 'sluggishly put on, and generally very dirty. This writer (who was almost certainly Mac [ His mouth was continually fringed with a Mhaighstir Alasdair (says: “. . . . we were most i | stream of tobacco-juice, of which he chewed a chearfully welcom’d by the Duke of Athole to [ very great quantity’ ’. Donald Mackinnon’s whom some of us had been known in the year > i ctmment on this description is also well worth 1715” (p. 480). And later, “It was in this I quoting: ‘ ‘This description seems to us a not neighbourhood that many of our lathers and inept representation of his mental and moral severalls of us now with the P. fought for the | endowments. Large, strong and powerful his same cause just thirty years ago at the battle mind was, beyond most, if not all, modern of Slieriffmuir.” (p. 486). ' Gaelic poets; but its texture was coarse, and Probably Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair was a the filth and tobacco-juice appear frequently at student at Glasgow before the ’15 Rising. the core, and not merely on the fringes” (1892 While there are a fair number of bookish echoes ed. of Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair’s poems, p. vi). in his classical references to the Muses, Phoebus, ) Having indicated something of the complexity etc., there is little else to recall his student days, [ of the task of assessing Mac Mhaighstir Alas- except a line that will be quoted in a reference ! I Cf to his use of English loanwords, and an interest- till the act of indemnity appeared, and in the ing couplet from Oran Rioghail a’ Bhotuil: time of their skulking from place to place his ’S binne no cluig-chiixil ud Ghlascha poor wife fell with child, which proved to be T fhuaim le bastal dol sa’ chom a daughter, and is still alive” (The Lyon in (Ais-eiridh, p. 80). Mourning, 1, 354). From 1749 onwards he did The Rev. T. M. Murchison had shown (An not settle for long in any one place, but moved Gaidheal (1952), 79) that Mac Mhaighstir from Canna to Eignaig, and thence to Knoydart, Alasdair had probably set two of his songs, Morar and Arisaig. It is not known when he Allt an t-Siucair and Oran a’ Gheamhraidh, to died: 1770 is sometimes given as the approxi- airs which used to be played by the chimes in mate date. He did not have the good fortune' the Tolbooth Steeple at Glasgow Cross, near of Donnchadh Ban—to die in Edinburgh. the old College in the High Street. The poet’s There is much of the fanatic in Mac Mhaighstir reference to “those musical bells of Glasgow” and the life of the fanatic is almost doomed to serves to underline Mr. Murchison’s conclusion. end in disappointment. The fulfilment of the Why are there these large lacunae in our ambition must always be denied: natural forces knowledge of Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair’s career? prevent systems and societies from conforming Partly, no doubt, because the subject has not to the fanatic’s dream. On both the political been studied thoroughly enough, at any rate and the literary planes his ambitions were not in published work. But we may be sure also fulfilled: the ’45 failed, and was followed by that' much of the relevant material is lost, or repressive measures; he was unable to follow was never written down. It seems likely that up his publication of 1751 with the anthology the surviving body of Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair’s he then promised in the Preface. Perhaps at work represents only a fragment of his output, one time he had imagined that he would be a and it is easy to believe that he was no self- Gaelic Poet Laureate: he had been close to the important scribbler, noting down biographical Prince once, and the Prince might have become details and personal reactions for posterity King. (although he was prepared to do something of What pattern does his verse make? Much of this sort on the express injunction of Bishop it is public verse, linked to public and political Forbes). Nor does he seem to have been a events, and often having a propagandist pur- conscientious, or consistent toiler, like the pose. This is in the same tradition as Iain eighteenth century collectors of Gaelic material, Lorn, who undoubtedly influenced Mac Mhaigh- James McLagan or Donald McNicol. Cer- stir Alasdair. The greatest public event of tainly he compiled the Gaelic Vocabulary, the period, in the Highlands, was the ’45 Rising, published in 1741, and this represents a spurt and it was inevitable that this should be his of dedicated activity. He also wrote down some central theme. More than a third of his of his own poetry: Gaelic MS. 63 in the National surviving poems are concerned either directly Library is in his own hand, and contains a with the ’45 or with the clans which took part, number of his poems; he prepared the first including the Campbells on whom he pours his edition of his poems for the press in 1751, and scorn as scathingly as Iain Lorn had done a Dr. J. L. Campbell has suggested (Scottish century earlier, but with a bitter satiric humour Gaelic Studies, IX, 41) that the text of the which is more effective than Iain Lom’s bitter- Birlinn recently discovered in the Royal Irish ness. Academy collection goes back to a fair copy of Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair’s Jacobite crusade the poem, while the text in the Eig Collection was conducted with a religious fervour. In goes back to a rough copy. It may be, then, proposing a toast to the Old Pretender he refers that to some extent the surviving poetry is what to the glass as a' chailis naomh “the holy Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair wished to survive. chalice ’ : But one would hesitate to press this argument Ach ma ta giamh air bith ’nur stamaig very far. A’ chailis naomh na truaill The conditions in which he lived his life (Ais-eiridh, 51). were not conducive to an orderly development Much of his poetry of exhortation has an or to excessive documentation. He seems to evangelical flavour, as in this verse from a song have embarked on matrimony hurriedly, and made in 1746: to have lived, with his growing family, on scant O sheanachaidhnibh nan clann, resources. In 1741 he is repoited as being Suas deanaibh eachdraidh eifeachdach! absent from his school, having gone from home O sheanachaidhnibh san am, to provide meal for his family. On one of his Glacaibh dubh is peann! several visits to Leith he told Bishop Forbes So a’ bhliadhna chorr that “all his effects had been plundered and An tilg a’ ghrian le meadhbhlaths biadhchar pillaged’ ’. After the ’ 45 he and his wife and Gathain chiatach oirnn: children ‘ ‘wandered through hills and mountains Bidh driixchd air bharr an fheoir, I Bainn’ is mil gun luach, gun mhargadh, Na no mheala mise casag, I Airgead agus or. No mo chota gearr do’n tartan, (Ais-eiridh, 117-8). Mar h-eil mi toileach a dhol d’a sracadh The subtle, singing metre in such poems casts Chartadh Dheorsa Hanobhar dhachaidh. a persuasive spell over the mind. One cannot !but be struck by the fluency and eloquence of his Na no mheala mi mo leine, iverse argument, and be the mesmeric quality Gidh h-i ’s blaithe th’ orm d’am eideadh, of the rhythm. Mar h-eil mi sanntach a dhol ’ga speiceadh [ The movement of the stirring rallying song A dh’fhogradh Dheorsa ’s a chrunadh Sheum- 0 hi ri ri, tha e tighinn is also well suited to its ais. ^purpose (here I may confess that I find difficulty • in agreeing with Dr. J. L. Campbell’s doubts Na no mheala mi mo bhreacan, ‘that this song is by Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair). M’ uile mhaoin, mar sin ’s mo phearsa, '‘Evangelical fervour appears again in Oran eile Mar h-eil mi toileach an iobradh ’n ceartuair, \ don Phrionnsa (i.e. Hug o lathaill o). The An aobhar an righ ’s a’ cheartais. .‘various songs entitled Brosnachadh git eirigh le 1! Prionnsa T ear lack have vigour and fluency, and An t-anam fein, ga geur ri radh e, ;! some heady writing, as in the stanza in which Na no mheala mise raith e, 1 the poet lists some of the earlier battles in which Mar h-eil mi toileach, le rim chairdean, : I the Gaels had given short shrift to their oppo- A dhol ’ ga sgiachdadh an aobhar Thearlaich. jnents: Gur h-ann diiibh La Bhanocburn (See Scottish Gaelic Studies, IV, 82 for tran- An dug sinn deannal cruaidh; scription of MS. 63 text.) Is Latha Choille-chnagaidh sin 'N do chnag sinn iad d’ an uaigh. [to he concluded.) (1294 ed., p. 136). ! Sometimes the gory details are supplied with 1 great vividness, as in this remarkable verse i; from Oran nam Fineachan Gaidhealach: The Celtic Congress ; ’ S mor a bhios ri corp-rusgadh Nan closaichean sa’ bhlar, 1961 Fithich anns an rocadaich Meetings of the Celtic Congress were held in Ag itealaich ’s a’ cnocaireachd, Galway from 14th to 19th August, and were Ciocras air na cosgarraich voted a great success both socially and cul- Ag 61 ’s ag ith an sath. turally. There was a record attendance, there - Och! ’s tursach fann a chluinntir moch- being about 50 delegates from Scotland alone, thrath and the interest shown in all the proceedings Ochanaich nan ar. was very gratifying. {Ais-eiridh, 58). A royal welcome was extended to delegates i. Anger and patriotism often seem to lie on Monday evening by the Galway Chamber of behind Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair’s most stirring Commerce. This get-together informally f1 and moving verse. No doubt verse of this created an auspicious atmosphere, and provided kind succeeded in its purpose of creating a mood an opportunity at the outset for renewal of ) of excitement, of inciting the Gaels to join the acquaintances and linking of new ones. *! Prince’s cause, or to fight on once they had On Tuesday a visit was paid to the Arran jj joined it. Is the poetry too much thirled to Islands, some 30 miles out in Galway Bay, and ; that aim, too utilitarian in its conception, to entailing a three hours’ sail there and back. 1 be good poetry ? It is hard to give any absolute The day was ideal and the stay on the Islands | or dogmatic answer to this question. was a delight. The Gaelic natives shared in the ! One of the most moving in this whole series festivities and entered into the free and easy of public poems is the poem on the Disclothing spirit of the visitors. Act of 1747. There is an impressive bitter After church services on Wednesday morning, ; vehemence behind the lines, but one can also the Official Opening was staged when addresses sense in them the sadness of approaching of welcome were given by Tiarna Easpoig na i disillusionment. Perhaps it is this personal Gaillimhe, Gearoid Uas. Mac Phartholain, note (so often subdued in Mac Mhaighstir Michail Mac Carthaigh, Fintan O Cuagain Alasdair’s poetry) that adds depth to the poem, (Mayor of Galway), and the President of the and releases it from the predominating elo- Galway Branch. The early afternoon was ' quence and rhetoric of the Jacobite verse in devoted to addresses on the development of ^ general. Celtic Studies by speakers from Scotland, — 67 — Wales and Britanny. These accounts were ballad is supposed to be written by his sweet- highly appreciated. Dr. Annie Mackenzie heart . spoke for Scotland, Bobi Jones for Wales, and In none of the accounts connected with this M. Per Denez for Briotain na Fraince. A robber’s career and trial is he ever referred to symposium of Celtic Music followed. An as Gille Roy but always as Patrick Roy, nor is t-Athair Oirmh. C.O Scathail led the discussion any mention made of his wife, if he had one, on Irish Folk Music. Folk Songs of Wales or of a sweetheart. were dealt with by a Welsh lady who illustrated The able critic William Motherwell when her remarks by singing typical songs feelingly printing the ballad in his collection took and attractively. May Macmillan and her Gilderoy to stand for Gille Roy as those before sister, Helen, did full justice to Scottish Folk him had done, yet Motherwell had the clue Song and Music. before his eyes as to who Gilderoy really was. Delegates met in the Ostan C.I.E. Gaillimh He missed the connection. for the Congress Dinner Reception at night when It takes some ingenuity to transform Gilderoy representatives of the six Celtic Countries spoke into “Gille Roy’’. There is that stubborn "d” in elegant and humorous vein. which refuses to budge from its position. To On Thursday morning the National Secretaries the older etymologists it presented no trouble, outlined activities and linguistic developments they looked the difficulty boldly in the face and in their respective countries-; Thereafter an marched on, but we are more scientific in these informative lecture on the reforming of Irish days and the ‘‘d’' must be accounted for. Gaelic was delivered by An t-Ollamh Tomas O The name stands for what it is Gilderoy, that Maille, professor of Irish in Galway. Discussion is Gilde-roi, the last element being French roi, followed. The afternoon was devoted to papers king, not Gaelic roy, red. The bearer of the on Irish literature and Folk Lore by Dr. Tomas name was a Frenchman, a robber, footpad, and O Broin and An Seabhac. At night a most cheat. He is even credited with the picking enjoyable International Concert was held, of Cardinal Richelieu’s pocket while he was including vocal and instrumental music and celebrating High Mass in the King’s presence country dancing. at St. Denis. Knowing the Cardinal’s ven- Friday morning was free for shop-gazing and geance would be swift he fled to England, relaxation. In the afternoon three large buses where he continued his career of footpad and took the delegates through the largely desolate highwayman. At Bamet, opposite the Green Gaelic districts of Conemara. After a visit to Man Inn, on the Great North Road, stood a Pearse’s holiday home in bygone days a sump- very large oak tree behind which tradition tous tea was provided in a local school, and this relates Gilderoy lay in wait for his victims. was followed by the presentation of two short This oak was still there about fifty years ago plays by local actors. For many a day one will but a search for it drew a blank a few years ago carry happy memories of the little boy in one as the area is now all built up. Justice, how- of these plays for his unconcerned and con- ever, overtook Gilderoy, he was caught, tried vincing acting. Bha e fwr mhath. The return and hanged. journey to Galway after midnight will remind Highway robbery led to execution, and the some of us of the Irishman’s contempt for time. ballad makers always had one ready when a notorious criminal was to be executed. These songs, set to familiar airs, were hawked through the streets the evening before the hanging and among the crowd gathered to witness the event. Gilderoy Gilderoy was honoured with a ballad, which, however, was couched in a very vulgar strain, IN the “Lyric Gems of Scotland’’ and in a and so bad was it that even early eighteenth hundred other places there appears a tune century editors pruned and toned the words entitled “Gilderoy’’ along with some down, so that it is now polished and elegant. words selected from a ballad bearing the same Some one, exactly whom is not known, rewrote name. The tune is without doubt old but the the ballad as if it was spoken by Patrick Roy’s words now associated with it are modem. sweetheart, and this is the version usually Without showing any proof writers on the found in our collections. The words in the older ballad have claimed it as Scottish. It is true collections vary exceedingly. that the song as we now know it is in a Scottish The air first appeared in print about 1650, dress, and the hero Gille Roy, hanged at but there is no doubt it is older. D’Urfey Edinburgh, 1738, along with several of his gives it in his “Pills to purge Melancholy.’’ accomplices, head of a gang of robbers creators 1719, but so badly barred as to make nonsense. of much strife in the north-east Highlands. The Allan Ramsay in his Tea-Table Miscellany — 68 — directs the song “Ah, Chloris could I but sit" An Comunn Gaidhealach, who presided, wel- |to be sung to the air “Gilderoy." This song comed the large audience and promised a feast . 'is not by Ramsay but by Sir Charles Sedley of good things. The generous applause after jand appears in his play “The Mulberry each item provided ample evidence of real Garden.’’ Since Ramsay’s time the tune has appreciation and enjoyment. While it was appeared in many collections. impossible to do full justice to every type of | In all the collections the tune varies much, song in Gaelic a good representative collection being not only ornamented with passing and was presented. ( grace notes, according to the fancy of the editor, The artistes, most of whom were past Gold 0 : but also undergoing radical changes in the Medallists, were in good form, and did full i: * melody itself. The air was popular and wide- justice to their contrasting songs. A brief spread in England. There are at least four summary of the history and contents of each ‘Christmas carols sung to versions of it. It is song given on the official programme helped | the air of ‘ ‘The Red Bam or the The Murder the listeners to appreciate all the more what of Maria Martin.’’ Other songs sung to it was sung. The singing, the Highland and [ are ‘ ‘The thresher and the squire, ’ ’ ‘ ‘Cold Country Dancing, and the instrumental music t ! blows the wind, ’ ’ ‘ ‘Our general, bold captain, ’ ’ provided a first class entertainment. The | and some other folk songs. In Kerr’s (Glasgow) choral items by the Greenock Gaelic Choir, . I Collection of Merry Melodies it is entitled “The the Greenock Gaelic Choral Society, the Glas- shores of Amerikay,’’ the name of an Irish gow G.M. Association, the Edinburgh Gaelic -i song. Other Irish songs to versions of the air Choir and the Lothian Celtic Choir were highly : i are ‘ ‘Oh, love it is a killing thing, ’ ’ ‘ ‘When applauded. ( first I left old Ireland.’’ Dean Christie gives The artistes were:—Rhona Macleod; Donald ; a fine variant to a sea song “The Minerva," Macvicar; Iain R. Douglas; Joan Mackenzie; ; which he collected in Buchan. Chappell gives James C. Smith; Florence V. Wilson; Evelyn J a version he noted down in the streets of London. Campbell; Kenna Campbell; Archie Maclean; ( It is almost the same as that of Kerr’s. Pipe-Major John Maclellan; Jean Campbell, There are three or four other Irish songs sung accompanist. to variants of Gilderoy than those mentioned The Royal Scottish Pipers’ Society Pipers j above. In Scottish Gaelic the air is claimed played traditional airs; The Scottish Official 1 as the basis of the tune to Duncan MacIntyre’s Board of Highland Dancing supplied music for ij song to his bride, Mairi Bhan Og. This air Highland dancing, and the Royal Scottish ! is number 173 in Patrick MacDonald’s collec- Country Dance Society played appropriate , tion and number 73 in Fraser’s. There are dance music for the Reel, Medley and Jig. | no notes in MacDonald but Fraser says the Ceilidh:—The Leith Town Hall was packed j tune was well known in his day. He claims no to the door, and the less formal nature of the antiquity for the tune, which is unusual for entertainment made a strong appeal. John M. him. Bannerman, fear-an-tighe, strove hard to ! ‘ A history of Gilderoy and his deeds is given approach the traditional form of ceilidh, but in History of notorious highwaymen, etc., with such a mixed audience this proved diffi- London, 1719, and in one or two similar cult. The standard of singing and the great publications. No doubt these accounts of him variety of songs rendered proved most popular; are highly coloured. the puirt-a-beul and more traditional type were J. E. S. great favourites. To be called upon to perform without previous notice was a characteristic of the old ceilidh. On this occasion, Joan Mackenzie and Donald Ross, whose names did Gaelic at the Festival not appear on the programme, responded An Comunn made history in staging two very manfully to the summons of fear-an-tighe and successful functions at this year’s Edinburgh warmed the hearts of all present. International Festival, a Gaelic concert in the The official artistes were:—Archie Maclean; Usher Hall on 1st September, and a Gaelic Aunice Gillies; Carol Galbraith; John Macrae; Ceilidh in the Leith Town Hall on 8th Septem- Catherine Macniven; Neiliann Maclennan; ber. The remarkable support received from Nina MacCallum; Hugh Macinnes. native Gaelic speakers drawn from far and near The Edinburgh and Lothian Choirs, The and from visitors from many countries at both Royal Scottish pipers’ Society Pipers, and The functions augers well for the inclusion of Gaelic Royal Scottish Country Dance Society all gave items in future Festivals. their support generously. Memories of this Concert:—Mr. Hugh MacPhee, President of homely ceilidh will long linger with us. — 69 — Treasurer’s Notes Mrs.Islay Flora .. McNh NATIONAL MOD—STIRLING, 1961 MissAberfeldy C. S. MacLellan Received at Stirling— D.Ballachulish A. Maclachlan, . . Esq., Previously acknowledged^3,003 9 7 Dr. Donald Macdonald Theciation Glasgow Islay.. Asso-. . 10 — — Stornoway ProceedsBannockburn of Concert per Mrs. at J. Buchanan .. 46 — — MissGlasgow Anita T. Selfridge Greenock Gaelic Choir . . 5 Malcolm MacLean, Esq. TheGlasgow Arran Society.. of.. 5 — — Mull Stirling Branch . . .. 30 — — Miss C. H. Campbell Edinburgh Argyll Asso- Glasgow ciation . . .. 5 5 — Mrs. E.A. T. M- Junor, MacLeod Perth ManchesterMrs. MacCallum Branch per.. 42 5 6 Mull Proceeds of Ceilidh and Mrs.Inverness B. G. Johnstone GartmoreDance, Blackbull, .. .. 24 16 6 Johnshire Welsh, Esq., Ay] Proceeds of Ceilidh— MissEdinburgh Ella M. Johnston StirlingGolden Lion .. Hotel,.. 9 16 11 ProceedsGolden of ShareLion ofHotel, Dance Stirling CENTRAL FUND Mrs. Robertson .. Previously acknowledged Net Proceeds of Mod Inverness Branch 472 19 1 Dr. W. MacKenzie, London Ceilidh at Kinlochard, Blair Atholl and Struan Branch perand Mrs.Mrs. MLaing • MacGregor W. B. Campbell, Esq., Midlothian Dingwall Branch Henry McE. Matthews, Esq., New York Skelmorlie & District H. H. Foers, Esq., Co. Durham Highland Association Rev. B. B. Blackwood, Argyll .. Ceilidh at Perth organised Dingwall Branch .. by Mr- & Mrs. Ian W. H. Mackintosh, Esq., London MacLeish John MacKay, Esq., Linlithgow Edinburgh Southern Miss I. MacDonald, Tighnabruaich Association Miss Mairi Matheson, Newport-on-Tay D.Gartmore Ferguson &.. Son,.. Gartmore Ceilidh Collected by East Dis- MAGAZINE FUND trict Treasurer at Previously acknowledged at Braco 366 7 10 James Gardiner, Esq., Inverness Alexander Macaulay, Esq., Fife Received at Glasgow— Arthur W. Miller, Esq., Pitlochry Previously acknowledged ^176 4 5 Hugh D. Welsh, Esq., Aberdeen Inverness Branch Murdo MacLeod, Esq., Dunbar James Gardner, Esq. William Gemmel, Esq., Connel, Argyll Inverness Mrs. Mcllchere, Campbeltown .. H.Portree. MacKenzie, . Esq., 1 1 - Mrs. Campbell of Airds, Amersham, Aber John Welsh, Esq., Kilbirnie, Ayrshire

Mrs. W. R. Malcolmson COMUNN NA H-OIGRIDH FUND Milngavic GairlochPreviously School, acknowledged per Miss K?.y Matheson.. .. /7129 17- GilbertGlasgow Sinclair, .. Esq, Inverness Branch ...... 20 MissCambridge C. R. Wanklyn — 70 — AN GAIDHEAL THE GAEL ^Editor — }. THOMSON, M.A., F.E.I.S., 116 WEST SAVILE TERRACE. EDINBURGH to whom all correspondence should be addressed except that concerning advertising which should be addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer. 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C 2 Telephone: DOUglas 1433 Leabhar LVI AN T-SAMHUIN, 1961 Aireamh 11

AM MOD ' rT'lHA Mod eile nis air ar cul. Saoilidh sinn air a leughadh gu tuigseach, coimhlionta, na I nach biedh e seach an rathad aig an ri bardachd air a liubhairt gu fearail, driiidh- am-sa suil as ur a thoirt air buaidh is teach. Chan eil a dhith air na Gaidheil as luach A’ Mhoid anns gach oidhirp a tha sinn aithne dhuinne ach ceol is sugradh gun dragh. imar Ghaidheil a’ deanamh o chionn icmadh Tha sinn ro thoilichte gu bheil moran ann Jbliadhna gu bhith a’ dion ar n-oighreachd. a tha air an taladh le drain mhath Ghaidhlig; (Facdaidh nach lorgar buaidh choir sam bith chan eil dad cearr air an sin. Tha fios gu bheil an cois A’ Mhoid Naiseanta ann a bhith cur gach deasachadh a tha air a dheanamh air imaille air an t-seargadh a rinn greim air a’ cloinn agus air gach coisir beag na mor fa i Ghaidhlig mar chainnt na dachaidh anns a’ chomhair gach Moid ’na chuideachadh math Ghaidhea tachd. Ma tha Gaidhlig beo, fallain ann a bhith dion agus a’ neartachadh cor na air bilean an t-sluaigh an diugh ann an cearn- Gaidhlig anns gach aite far a bheil an obair aidh sam bith chan cil sinn fo chomain ro mhor sin a’ dol air adhart. Ach bhiodh sinn buileach I do na tha gabhail aite aig A’ Mhod, ann an aon toilichte a bhith faicinn luchd labhairt is luchd seagh co-dhiubh. Nach eil e fior gu leor gun eisdeachd Gaidhlig a’ dol an lionmhorachd. cuireadh e iongnadh oirnn nan cluinneadh sinn Chan eil sin a’ tachairt idir. ia’ Ghaidhlig air a cleachdadh gu dana, neo- Tha e cinnteach gu leor gu bheil An Comunn eisimeileach aig cuirmean A’ Mhoid Naiseanta? an crochadh gu mor air A’ Mhod Naiseanta agus An aite a bhith sgairteil leatha mar bu choir na Modan lonadail mar na meadhanan as ps ann a gheibhear moran bog, balbh. Anns eifeachdaiche a tha aca gu bhith toirt gu buil a’ Chuimrigh agus an Eirinn, air an laimh eile, an obair a ghabh iad os laimh. Faodaidh gu ;tha an canain Ceilteach a’ faighinn a’ chiad bheil doighean eile ann bu fhreagarraiche |aite, agus aite mor, anns gach gnothach a bhios agus bu bhuadhaiche air nach d’fhuaradh lorg i fa’ dol air adhart aig na cuirmean aca. Is coma fhathast. Meis an luchd-labhairt anns na duthchannan sin Chan eil sinn lan chinnteach gu bheil buaidh b'co a bhios an lathair nach tuig an comhradh— mhor an cois A’ Mhoid ann a bhith gleidheadh ■biedh sin orrasan! 's a’ daingneachadh doigh-beatha nan Gaidheal | Gun tcagamh tha co-fharpuisean a;g A’ ’ nan tir fhein, agus cha mhotha tha e comasach. Alhcd a chum a bhith brosnachadh luchd dhuinn a radh gur h-e a’ mhuinntir as trice a I sgriobhaidh is luchd aithris gu bhith cur an chithear aig A’ Mhod as dluithe a tha leantainn ^gniemh na talanta a tha aca. Ach co tha ’g ri cliu an sinnsre. Biodh sin mar a bhios e, ' eisdeachd riutha, agus co a tha faighinn math ach so da ni a tha fior:— •an saothrach? Chunntadh tu air do mheuran, 1. Is math is fir ach Am Mod Naiseanta a 'mar is trice, na thig a dh’eisdeachd ri sgialachd bhith air a chumail bliadhna an deidh bliadhna. /mhath Ghaidhlig air a deagh aithris, ri rosg So feisd chiiiil ion-mhiannaichte aig a bheil taladh mor air Gaidheil gu bhith tional an ceann an cois oidhirpean A’ Mhoid. Am measg a cheile dh’fhaotainn toilinntinn gun lochd, a nithean eile tha feum air leabhraichea11 dh’fhaighinn iirachadh is neartachadh eolais Gaidhlig, agus gu sonraichte air leabhraichea^ air each a cheile, a lorg ann an tomhas bhcag sgoile. Is e An Comunn a tha deasachadh a’ na mhor gne agus luach an dileib, agus a chuid as motha dhiubh, agus is ann le airgead gheurachadh ath-chuimhne uair sa’ bhliadhna A’ Mhoid a tha a’ chosgais air a coinneachadh. gu bheil nithean ann as luachmhoire na or a Mur biedh saothair is uallach A’ Chomuinn is theid am mugha. gann a chite leabhar Gaidhlig ann am birth an Tha Am Mod do’ n t-saoghal mhor mar uinneig diubh. Tha ultach de brain bhlasda Ghaidhlig troimh am faigh iad sealladh taitneach air agus de fhuinn thiamhaidh agus aighearach ann uaisleachd ar canain, ’na h-6rain agus ’na an clb nach biodh idir am follas nan robh An ceol. Mur biodh e bhiodh milseachd ar fonn Comunn Gaidhealach ’na thamh. agus grinneas ar n-6ran air chall air a’ mhor- Tha an Comunn agus Am Mod cho toinnte shluagh. ’na cheile airson uino cho fada a nis agus nan 2. A rithist, cha bhiodh e an comas A’ leigte seachad Am Mod chaillte cuimhne air Chomuinn Ghaidhealaich a bhith cur air adhart A’ Chomunn. Chan oil teagamh nach eil gu nan nithean airson na steidhicheadh e air tiis lebr ann a tha de’n bheachd gur h-e Am Mod mur b’ e an comhnadh a tha tighinn gach bliadhna An Comunn.

ORAID A’ CHINN-SUIDHE AMHNATHAN is a dhaoin’ uaisle— sin mar uallach air neach eile no air Comunn F&ilte, mile failte oirbh uile. Tha sinn sam bith. uile air tighinn cbmhla an nochd gu bhi ag cur an ceill ar speis do’n chanain sin a Is fhada bho’n a bhuin An Comunn Gaidh- tha mar chomharradh daingeann air ar daoine calach ris a’ ghnothach so. Chan c mhain troimh na linntean bho thus ar n-eachdraidh. gu’n do ghabh An Comunn gnothach ri suidh- Tha i a nis an earbsa ruinne agus ’s e ’cheist eachadh na canaine ach bhuin e mar an ceudna a tha f’ ar comhair an diugh agus a dh’ fheumas ri staid na Gaidhealtachd. Faedaidh sinn sinn a fhreagairt—am bheil sinn mothachail uaill a ghabhail anns na rinn An Comunn gus air meud ar dleasdanais d’a taobh? Tha an t-aite a thigeadh dhith a bhith aig a’ cunntas an t-sluaigh a fhuair sinn bho chionn Ghaidhlig, agus uaill cuideachd airson gach ghoirid a’ leigeil ris gu soilleir gu bheil aireamh tagradh a rinn An Ccmunn a chum leas muinntir na muinntir a tha dileas do’n Ghaidhlig a’ dol na Gaidhealtachd. an lughaid gach bliadhna mar a thig. Tha Sheas An Comunn coir na Gaidhlige an uair iomadh aobhar air a sin agus tha sinn buailteach nach robh na cairdean ach tearc. Nach bu air a bhith a’ cur a’ mhor-chuid de’n choire air trie a chuala sinn bho ar parantan mar a cion ghoireasan agus gach ana-cothrcm eile a bhuineadh riutha na’n cluinnteadh iad a’ tha a’ tighinn an luib sin. labhairt san aon chanain a bh’ aca san sgoil? Cha ghabh e aicheadh gu bheil suidheachadh Bha e air a dhinneadh annta bho’n bige nach na Gaidhealtachd ag co-eigneachadh mbran gu robh anns a’ Ghaidhlig ach cainnt bhorb, gun dol air imrich an tbir air sochairean a’ bhaile fheum, gun stath, a chuireadh grabadh orra mhoir far am faigh iad cosnadh cinnteach is far ’nan dol a mach air feadh an t-saoghail. Dh’ am faigh an teaghlach cothrom a bharrachd gu fhalbh an latha sin agus nach mor an t-atharr- an Ion a chothachadh. Ach, mar a tha’n sean- achadh a tha ri fhiosrachadh a nis ! Clann na fhacal ag radh—“Chan ann am Bbid uile tha’n sgoile ann an Siorramachd Inbhir-Nis aig a t-olc’’—agus is fior gu bheil roinn de’n choire bheil a’ Ghaidhlig mar chainnt mhathaircil a againn fhein. Chan eil sinn cho eudmhor no bhith ’gan teagasg is ’gan trebrachadh anns a’ cho dealasach as leth na canaine is a dh’ chanain as fhcarr a thuigeas iad. Tha ar fhaedamaid a bhith. Tha a leigheas fhein aig taing aig an deagh Ghaidheal, an t-Ollamh Iain gach neach, ach tha’n galar a’ dol na’s miosa. Mac’Illeathain, Fear-stiiiiridh an Fhoghluim, Am measg gach lethsgeul a chluinnear, agus airson sin. Ncchdamaid ar buidheachas dha. sin gu trie, theirear gur e cor na Gaidhlig Ach, cha tachradh sin mar a b’e mar a bha An gnothach a bhuineas do’n Chomunn Ghaidheal- Comunn a’ stri gun lasachadh as leth na Gaidh- ach agus fagar a’ chuis mar sin. Ach, a chaird- lige. ean, mar a tha fios agaibh uile, cha seachainn B’e An Comunn, le cbmhnadh bho na h- neach sam bith a dhleasdanas le bhith a’ cur Eaglaisean, agus cairdean ughdarrasach, a ; dhaingnich ann an lagh na Rioghachd a h-aite gu’n toir daoine fa-near nach eil An Comunn dligheach a bhith aig a Ghaidhlig anns na sgoilean idir ’na thamh. ’Sea’ cho ire as motha a far a bheil i mar chainnt an t-sluaigh. Is gann gheibhinn-sa dha nach eil gu lebr de dh’ airgead • leabhar teagaisg nacfi b’ann fo laimh agus air againn gu bhitii a’ deanamh na bu mhath leinn. i; cosgais a’ Chomuinn a chaidh a chlodh- Tha aon rud sonruichte a bu mhath leam a bhualadh agus tha An Comunn ris a sin fhathast. chur f’ar comhair. Tha sinn an so aig a’ Gu dearbh, tha comhairle air a bheil Ard Mhod agus le ar lathaireachd a’ cur an ceill is Oidean foghluim na Gaidhlige ’sna h-Ard a’ deanamh follaiseach ar speis do’ n Ghaidhlig. [Oilthighean a’ beachdachadh air faclair nr Nach e sin a tha ’na aobhar is ’na steidh do’n Gaidhlig a chur an tairgse dhaoine a bhitheas, Mhod ? Mar sin, nach e ar dleasdanas eiseimp- - ;ma thig e gu buil, na’s coimhlionta na aon a leir a thoirt air cho fior ’s a tha ar speis dhith chlodh-bhualadh fhathast. le bhith a’ labhairt ri each a cheile ann an * Tha mi cinnteach gur beag a shaoileadh iad- Gaidhlig. Cha chumar beo i le bhith ’ga e .san a steidhich An Comunn gu’n tigeadh an moladh anns a’ Bheurla. latha, mar a thainig bho chionn mios air ais, Bu mhath leam-sa gu’n nochdamaid ar . I’sam biodh cuirmean-ciuil againn ann an dilseachd dhith anns an aon dbigh a tha a chum -i ’Gaidhlig a’ lionadh na tallachan as motha an stath sam bith agus is e sin a bhith ’ga cleach- 'Dun Eideann a mach air an dorus agus a dadh ri each a cheile aig gach cothrom. Ma i bheireadh riarachadh agus tlachd do mhoran nithear sin, chan e mhain aig a’ Mhod ach aig la diithchannan eile a tha frosrach an ceol. gach am is gach uair air feadh na bliadhna uile, Is mise tha dearbhte gur beag a shaoileadh bheir sin beothalachd agus togail do’n iad-san a bha ann an Coisir-Chiitil Eaglais chanain againn. Mhisnicheadh agus bhrosn- 3 Chaluim Chille, bho chionn corr is tri fichead aicheadh sin iad-san a tha meadh-bhlath aig | bliadhna is a deich air ais,gu’m fiosraicheamaid an tigh agus o’n tigh. Na’n deanamaid sin isin, oir thubhairteadh riutha gu’m bu dana rachadh againn air a’ Ghaidhlig a chumail gu dhoibh feuchainn ri Cuirm-Chiuil gu h-iomlan slan fallain gun chuideachadh sam bith eile j an Gaidhlig a chumail ann an Talla a’ Bhaile, ach cuideachadh nan cairdean leis an ionmhuinn | an Glaschu. Cha deach a’ leithid de rud i. ’S e cion cleachdaidh am measg a daoine ! fheuchainn riamh roimhe. Bha muinntir a’ fhein a tha ’ga cur fodha. bhaile an coitcheannas, agus moran Ghaidheil I’nam measg, cho taireil mu’n Ghaidhlig aig Tha mi cinnteach gur e an neach a tha lan ■ an am sin, gur beag duil a bh’ aig neach sam mhothachail gur e a dhleasdanas a bhith dileas, bith gu’n soirbhicheadh leis an oidhirp. seasmhach d’a chanain, an neach a choimhl- Is cinnteach gur mor an gairdeachas a rinn ionas a dhleasdanas d’a dhiithaich. Bith- i .muinntir na Coisire an uair a fhuair iad na eamaid dileas dhith agus nochdamaid le’r I dhiol a’ chosguis dhoibh is beagan a bharrachd. cainnt is le’r giiilan gu bheil sinn airidh air na . Nach mor an t-atharrachadh gu dearbh! theagaisg ar n-athraichean dhuinn. Cuimh- ' r Theagamh gu’n abair sibh nach eil an sin uile nicheamaid gur Gaidheil sinn ! , ach seann eachdraidh ach, a chairdean, cha toirinn mar fhreagairt dha sin ach briathran an t-sean-fhacail: “Is searbh a’ ghloir ris nach fhaodar eisdeachd. ” Tha e ’ na thomhas dhuinn Mo Dhurachd co-dhiubh air meud an adhartais a rinneadh. f A thaobh crannchur ar daoine, chan eil is cha Le suigeart is aoibh dh’fhalbhainn an drasd’ j-'bhi ceangal sam bith aig A’ Chomunn ri Gu tir mo chairdean is m’ eolais, I buidheann sam bith a tha ag agairt creud Gu tir nam beann ard’ is dachaidh nan sar, I Parlamaid, ach chan eil e ach iomchuidh gu’n Is tir nan aibhnichean boidheach. [ leiginn ris dhuibh nach eil An Comunn idir | riaraichte leis mar a tha ciiisean air feadh na Chithinn na coilltean sam biodh na h-eoin | Gaidhealtachd. An uraidh thaghadh comhlan A’ seinn ’s a’ beadradh le suaimhneas, , a chaidh gu oifis Riinair na Staide gu bhith a’ Chithinn na fuarain an creachan nam beann 1 leigeil ris dha cho ic mchuidh is a tha e gu’m ’S fo sgaile nam barrach uaine. | biodh guth a’ Ghaidheil ri chluinntinn anns L gach tagradh a tha na Comhairlean a tha a’ Ach eadar mi fhin is muinntir mo dhaimh toirt earail dha mu na tha cubhaidh dha a Tha uisgeachan mor’ a’ beucadh, dheanamh gu bhi a’ leasachadh cor na Gaidh- Tha frithean is beanntan sgapt air gach taobh ( ealtachd. Is coilltean dluth’ ag eirigh. Leis a sin tha mi’n dochas gu’n tuig sibh is I, NicAoidh. — 73 — :! “ATH-LEASACHADH” BHA mi fhein agus nabuidh bun-na-h-ursainn tionail gu bhith beachdachadh air nithean cho ]r:: agam, Domhnall coir, an deidh an deatamach agus cho susbainteach. Ach sud f ionnairidh a chur seachad a’ comhradh far na choinnich sinn mu mheadhon oidhche agus 1: a null’s a nail mu chor an t-saoghail, agus a’ each ’nan cadal. cnuasachd mar a b’ fhekrr a b’aithne dhuinn Chuir sinn fad mu’n teine agus shuidh sinn | na doighean a bu fhreagarraiche airson an Tmcheall air gu gairm a’ choilich a’ cur an I t-saoghail a chur ceart. Bha sinn aonaichte t-saoghail air doigh, direach mar a bha mi T gu leoir gur e dall da rireadh, agus duine gun fhein ’s tu fhein an nochd. ’Se sin an dearbh T eanachainn ’na cheann nach lorgadh gu leoir ni a thug gu mo chuimhne e aig an am’ ’. de nithean dochair anns an la anns a bheil sinn “Gabh air d’ adhart”, arsa mise, “agus | beo, gu h-araidh anns an al 6g a bha ’g eirigh cabhag orm. Greas ort mus fhaic mi an te | suas o bha sinne ’nar balaich. Agus cha robh tha feitheamh an dorus an tallain air mo 1 fear seach fear againne gun an da chuid, fradharc thoir” . “Shuidh sinn mu’n teine mar a dh’ j| agvs eanachainn. Co b’ fhaide agus bu doimhnc innis mi”, ars esan, “agus thoisich fear an | chitheadh na sinn, agus caite faighte fear a deidh fir a’ toirt a bheachd fhein air em aon | bheireadh breith far nach grunnaicheadh sinne do-gh anns an gabhadh na bha cearr a chur | le cheile. Air an aobhar sin cha robh sinn a’ ceart. Mar tha fios agad fhein gle mhath, | faicinn dad cearr nach robh ’nar lan chomas chan eil athadh aig Coinneach Ban ro dhuine | a chur ceart nam faigheadh sinn daoine dh’ geal. Bheireadh e a bheachd do’n righ gun ! eisdeadh ruinn. Ach sin far an robh a’ cheisd. sochair gun mhaille. ’S esan a bhruidhinn an J! “Nach iongantach” , arsa mo charaid rium toiseach”. “Tha mi deimhinnte” arsa j fhein, “cho tearc ’s a tha iad ’nar measg an Coinneach “nach tig an la anns am bi sith air j diugh, agus anns a’ bhaile as fhaisge, a dh’ an talamh, agus riarachas is adhartas am measg | eisdeas ri comhairle a’ ghliocais no chreideas dhaoine gus an caiil am fear an t-ughdarras j gur aithne dhuitsa nithean a tha’n dubhar a ghlac e o’n cheud la agus a dhleas e mar choir orrasan, no gu bheil iocshlaint agadsa air a’ gus an la an diugh. O chruthaicheadh an ghalair a dh’fhairtlich orra fhein”. “Sin e duine an toiseach nach e am fear ceann na } direach” arsa mise, “thug thu na facail as mo mnatha, agus nach e dh’ fheumas a bhith air | bheul ach de dh’iarrar air sluagh an la an diugh, ceann gach gnothuich uasal no iosal, co-dhiubh nach eil iad mar a tha iad?” is aithne dha a ghnothuich no nach aithne. | Chuir sinn beachdan chaich air chul an oidh- Agus nach eil a’ bhuil. Tha na bha ceart a’ ' che ud, agus mheas sinn suarach an oidhirpean dol cearr agus na bha cearr a’ dol nas miosa j air gnothuichean an t-saoghail a leasachadh, gach la. An aite sonas agus saorsa a bhith [ agus lean sinn fad na h-ionnair'dh mar a dh’ tighinn, mar a ghealladh, nach ann a tha ainmich mi a’ reiteach ’nar mac-meanmna na mi-riarachadh a’ sgaoileadh ’s a’ sgaoileadh. ■ bha cli agus cha b’ e sin am beag. Cha tig leasachadh gu brath gus an tilgear am l ’S ann direach nuair a sheas mise an ceann fear a nuas bharr na cathrach, agus an crunar a’ lair airson tilleadh dhachaidh ’s a’ ghealach ’na aite an te a dh’ ionnsaich coiseachd dha i air dol fodha, ’s gun fhios nach biodh bean an air tus, a bheathaich e’s a dhian e, agus a roinn j tighe ’gam ionndrainn, ’s ann an uair sin a ris eolas agus gradh a cridhe’ ’. thoisich Domhnall gu socair, samhach, “Stad Thug Murchadh Beag suil air Coinneach, ji1 ort” , ars esan, “cha do dh’ innis mi riamh agus thug e sin suil ormsa, a’ crathadh a chinn, dhuit,” thubhairt e rium ’se toirt dhcmh an ach cha dubhairt e biog. Cha do leig Coinn- stuil air an robh e fhein ’na shuidhe agus e each air gu faca e e, ach lean e air adhart. i' sparradh a dha laimh ’ na phocaidean chon nan “Innsidh mi rud eile”, ars esan, “bu choir uillnean, “cha do dh’ inn’s mi riamh dhuit atharrachadh. An aite a bhith cur cis throm mar a dh’ fhrsgail mi fhein agus dithis eile air air 61 is tombaca agus air nithean feumail eile an robh mi eolach o m’ oige ceisdean do nach d’ gu bhith tional airgid na rioghachd, chuirinn-se fhuair na chaidh romhainn freagairt, agus nach cis air gach facal amaideach agus gach i tuig na thig as ar deidh. Tha iiine nis o thach- cleachdadh truagh a tha cho lionmhor ’nar la. I air e ach cha d’ thuirt mi facal ri duine beo mu Ann an ciirsa na bliadhna bheireadh sin a | dheidhinn gus an nochd. Chan eil fhirs agam steach airgead gun chrioch’ ’. fhathast cionnus a dhuisg smaoin cho cud- “Co”, arsa mi fhein air mo shocair, “a thromach an inntinn an triuir aig an aon am, chumadh lorg air a h-uile facal diomhain agus • agus chan urrainn dhomh a thuigsinn cionnus air gach amaideas ris am bi oigridh an diugh ?’ ’ I a dh’ eirnrs sinn, gun ar comhairle chur r’a “Nach eil conastabuil againn” , fhreagair e, cheile roimh laimh air tigh mo sheanar mar aite “anns gach baile, ’s iad air an deagh phaigh- i — 74 — eadh, gun moran aca ’ga dheanamh. Nach ‘ ‘Agus de ’n doigh tha sin ?’ ’ arsa Murcha dh . : math a dh’fhaodadh iadsan a bhith dol timch- “Tha direach an toil fhein a leigeil leis gach ' call le telebhisions. Tha iad ag innseadh scan is 6g, gach firionn is boirionn. Tha cus ’ dhomhsa, an fheadhainn aig am bheil iad, gu laghannan anns an t-saoghal an diugh. Tha ' faic agus gun cluinn iad a h-uile ni tha dol air “dean sud ’s na dean so, fag so agus gabh sud’ ’ * adhart. Agus mus sguir mi, canaidh mi so a’ dusgadh an droch spioraid a tha ’na chadal ! cuideachd. Bu choir feadhainn mar sinne a an cridhe gach neach. Seall air na beathaich- f tha call a’ chadail a’ coimhead as deidh ean, chan eil lagh orra, agus ’s ann ainneamh a gnothuichean dhaoine eile tuarasdal suidhichte theid iad a mach air a cheile’ ’. ; fhaighinn. Bhiodh sin beag gu leoir dhuinn’ ’. “A thoil fhein do gach duine ! An e sud a i Rinn sud a’ chuis le Murchadh. Cha b’ thuirt thu? ’S mi a thagh a’ chuideachd an \ urrainn e eisdeachd na b’ fhaide. “Ud! ncchd. An dara fear ag iarraidh an t-ughd- I Ud! a Choinnich” , ars esan, “nach tu tha air arras gu leir a thoirt do na mnathan, agus am | thu fhein a chall. Tha mi’ n dochas nach cluinn fear eile ag iarraidh a thoil fhein fhagail aig an t-eildear facal a thuirt thu an so an nochd. na h-uile. Tha thide agamsa bhith falbh Bheireadh tusa riaghladh an tighe agus comh- dhachaidh mus eirich nas miosa dhomh’ ’. I airle na rioghachd do na boirionnaich’ ’. “Tha mise ag innse dhuit, a Mhurchaidh, nach 1 “Bheireadh am maireach fhein’ , fhreagair tig an la thig an duine gu chiall gus am faigh 9 Coinneach, ‘ ‘agus cha b’ fhada gus am faiceadh e thoil fhein an toiseach, agus an teid e mach tusa sith is rian air an talamh nan tachradh sin’ ’. do’n t-saoghal far an coinnich e daoine eile 1 “Rian agus sith far eil na boirionnaich a’ ’s an toil fhein aca, gach fear a’ deanamh mar riaghladh” , arsa Murchadh, “co chuala riamh is aill leis, a’ dleasadh ’s a’ glacadh mar is it a leithid?” miann leis. ’S ann an uair sin a thuigeas e “Nach eil fhios agad” , thuirt Coinneach a nach eil an saoghal farsuing gu leoir airson ; rithis, “gur fhada o fhuair iad riaghladh an daoine air an toil fhein buileach, nach eil sith I fhir agus an teaghlaich anns an dachaidh, agus no fois no tearuinteachd ann dha. 'S ann an . nach eil thu faicinn le do dha shiiil gur e sin uair sin a chreideas e gu bheil feum air maighstir an t-aon aite anns am bheil sith is rian is as fhearr na e fhein a threbraicheas e gu glic adhartas an diugh. Muigh anns an t-saoghal agus gu ceart. Gus am faigh an duine maigh- mhor far eil na fir a’ riaghladh chan fhaigh thu stir air a chridhe fhein bidh naimhdean a stigh ach mi-rian is mort is milleadh’ ’. a dhuisgeas aimhreit a muigh’ ’. 'S ann a ghabh Murchadh eagal gu robh rud- “De thachras,” arsa Coinneach, “mus eigin an ceann Choinnich nach robh gu math, fhaigh daoine gu leoir de’n toil fhein? Na co-dhiubh 'se corr na bliadhn’ hire no rud bu smaoinich thu air an sin?” mhiosa na sin, cha b’ urrainn dha thuigsinn, “Tachraidh direach so. Bidh gach neach ach air eagal gun tigeadh an tuilleadh amaideis cho searbh de bheatha ’s nach iarr e gu brath as a bheul, thionndaidh a rium fhein ag radh: tuilleadh a bhith beo far nach eil cis no lagh’ ’. “De do bheachd-sa a Dhomhnaill? ’Se duine Bha Murchadh ’na thosd car uine, a’ druid- . tuigseach, geur-chuiseach a th’ annadsa, agus eadh a bheoil agus a dha laimh mu cheann, 'se tha deagh fhios agam nach eil thu gus an so feuchainn ni-eigin a thuigsinn de na bha mi gun a bhith cnuasachadh gu domhain agus gu ciallachadh. Mu dheireadh dh’ fhosgail e | minic air suidheachadh an t-saoghail uile anns dha shiiil agus ag amharc suas a dhruim an i a bheil sinn beo, agus ma tha thu coltach ris tighe thuirt e: “Chan eil teagamh agam nach i na daoine o’n d’ thainig thu chan eil thu gun eisd iad ri do shearmen anns an eilean-sa, ach ( lan earbsa agad anns na beachdan a th’ agad. air feadh na rioghachd far nach oil iad a’ 3 Nach e do sheanair air taobh do mhathar a bha cluinntinn searmon as fhiach an t-saothair fad ’g radh nach fhaca e riamh duine a chuireadh am beatha cha toir iad bonn-a-ochd air na j e air thoiseach air fhein ? Seadh mata, de tha thuirt thu. ’S ann a ni iad gaire fanoid ort | thusa ag radh?” agus de mu dheidhinn cinnich bhorba an domh- :j “Bha mo sheanair a dh’ ainmich thu gle ain? An eisd na Ruiseanaich dhubha, na l mhath ’na la, agus tha seanair agam an ceann h-Eiphitich, agus Buidheanaich bheaga Shina eile an tighe nach eil ceum air dheireadh. Ach ri d’ amaideas? Ma chreideas tu sin creididh ’se tha na dubh-cheisdean a tha againn an tu gur e caise tha sa’ gheallaich? “Cluinnidh nochd ag iarraidh inntinn fharsuing, bhreithn- sinn do bheachd fhein a reisd’ ’ , fhreagair an eachail gu bhith ’gam fuasgladh. Is fhada o dithis againne a beul a cheile. Sheas Murchadh thuig mise gle mhath de tha cearr air sloigh air a chasan, 'ga shineadh fhein gach oirleach an domhain, agus tha fios agam cionnus a dhe choig troighean is tri oirlich—agus gu chuirear na nithean a tha cearr ceart nam faigh- sgairteil thug e sin dhuinn. ? inn duine dh’ eisdeadh rium. Ach chan fhaigh, “Chuala mi sibh le cheile” , ars esan, “agus chan eil a’ chiall sin aca” . chan eil mise ag radh nach robh la ann anns a measadh iad glic na thuirt sibh, ach ’s fhada Shaoileam gu robh iomadh diomhaireachd ri’ o dh’ fhalbh an la sin. fuaight’ An tuilleadh ughdarrais do na mnathan, tha Nach fhaodainn fhuasgladh ged b’e sin mo Coinneach ag iarraidh. An cuala e riamh an dheoin. rud a theagaisgeadh dbuinne ’nar cloinn, gur ann leotha thainig mathair an uilc a steach do’ n Nam bithinn fileanta mar bhard nan rann, t-saoghal an toiseach. Nach do rinn iad call Na briathran faisg dhomh, ’s brigh mo gu leoir le sin gun an tuilleadh cothrom thoirt smuain d’a reir, dhaibh ? Luiginn a chur an ceill an cainnt neo-ghann An toil fhein do na h-uile, tha Domhnall a’ A liuthad bann nach fhuasglar dhomh fo’n moladh, chum ’s gu’n ionnsaich iad air an cosg ghrein. fhein de tha freagarrach is ceart” . Ach ’se tha Murchadh ag radhso. “Deanaibh ri muinn- A liuthad ceist nach minichear a chaoidh, tir an ath bhaile agus ri sluagh na rioghachd Air nach eil buaidh aig eanchainn chloinn againn fhein mar a thogras sibh, ach thugaibh nan daoin’ ; dhomhsa boms mhora Ameriga airson am frasadh A mhaireas diomhair gus ar cridh’ a chlaoidh mu chluasan nan Ruiseanach agus nan cinneach A’ stri ri freagairt, ’s gun am freagradh saor. fiadhaich eile dh’ ainmich mi. Cha dean dad eile an cur ’nan tamh ach sin. Ni frasan de na Cha robh ’ nam laimh ach slabhraidh aosda balaich sin pronnadh nam meanbh-chuileag bhreun, orra, agus gheibheadh an saoghal cartadh math A chunnaic latha b’fhearr ’s a chaill a cli; agus fois’ ’. Spuin reim na h-aimsir grinneas bhuaip’ is Leis na facail sin dh’ eirich Murchadh air a’ feum, chorra-biod agus bhuail e buille le dhorn air ’S thug dreach na meirge caochladh air a li. an dreasair. Leis a’ bhrag a thug e dbuisg am fear a bha shuas anns a’ chulaist agus le lonann learn a cor ri cas an t-saogh’l, glaodh nan creach leum e mach as a leabaidh Ri cas mo dhiithcha is mo dhaoine fhein; ’se an diiil gur e manadh a bhais a bha e cluinn- Bha uair nach fhaichte air a siubhal gaoid, tinn aig an teine. Ach a nis, mar sinne, bha i chaochladh gne. Dhuisg mise cuideachd agus dh’ aithnich mi Bha tuar na meirg’ a’ truailleadh mo dha gur e bruadar a bh’ agam, :e6rsa de throm laimh, laighe, agus thuig mi gu robh giomach mhor ’S mi laimhseachadh gach dul le meoirean Rhearnaraidh a dh’ ith mi air mo shuipeir caomh’, ro-laidir air mo shon. Eagal ’s gum briseadh iad o cheil’ ’s nach “Thu fhein ’s do ghiomach ! Nach sibh a fhaighte slan bh’ ann a Hiort le cheile. An iongnadh mise An t-iarmad dh’fhagadh de’n an t-slabhraidh ach ag eisdeacLd cho furachail ri sgeul na aosd’. firinne mar a shaoil learn ’nam amadan 'schan Shaoileam gu robh diomhaireachd arsaidh ann ri uirsgeul cadail. ’S ann a bhios am rithe fuaight’. bom a’ feitheamh ormsa ma gheibb mi De b’fheum dhi no co as a thainig i bho , dhachaidh an nochd’ ’. thus ? S.D.T. Am fac i cothachadh is triall nan iomadh al Mun do chnamh a neart le seacadh anns i an iiir? An t-Slabhraidh ’S iongantach mur robh i uair de chruaidh na Spainn, A’ chiad duals aig a’ Mhod A dhealbhadh ann an neart’s nach toireadh Thug rinn na spaide gliong nuair bhuail i geill cruas, Mun do chinnich gaiseadh, le cion suim is ’ S mi ruamhar fuinn air gairtean buan na croic tair, Bha ’n talamh beo, is b’iongnadh learn r’a Thug laigs’ is meirg is breothadh leis ’na luaidh cheum. Mar dhuisg mi as a’ chluain an t-slabhraidh bhreoit’ . Co-ionann sin’s ar daoine troimh gach linn. An tus ar sinnsir bha iad direach slan, Thog mi faicleach i, le iomadh smuain Ach shiolaich gaoid a spuin an uile chli A’ sruthadh bho’n mhac-meanmnain luath ’S a dh’fhag iad meata, balbh gun chomas gun treoir; spairn. ‘S e sin a’ chuibhrionn fhuair a’ Ghaidhlig agus gu dearbh bha eagal agam roimpe, agus choir; bha an t-eagal so air a neartachadh nuair a Dh’fhag cion na diii i seachte breun ’nar chaidh mi air chall sa’ cheb. linn: Shuidh mi sios aig taobh tomain agus thug Bha uair a chualas i an ciiirt Chinn Mhbir; mo chridhe breab as oir shaoil learn gum faca An diugh cha chluinnear i ach cearc ’nar mi i dol seachad air druim maighich. Nis, tir. shios anns a’ mhachaireadh bha cladh ach an diugh tha e air a chbmhdachadh le feur. Chaidh Co-ionann ris an t-slabhraidh ud a dhuisg a’ chailleach fhaicinn a’ biirach anns a’ chladh mo smuain so air a’ mheadhon oidhche togail “bodach Chaill i a smuais nuair theothaich dhi mi-rim; creamhach” , agus ’g a thoirt dhachaidh do’n Chinnich a’ mheirg is leigheas dhi cha t-sebmar anns an robh na buideil. Coma d'fhuair, co-dhiubh bha mo lebr eagail ormsa, agus an Chaill i a buaidh gu neo-chiontach san uir. ath latha nuair a dh’iarr mo sheanamhair orm dol cbmhla rithe bha cas a’ falbh is cas a’ Mun do theasd gach smuain a ghluais san tilleadh agam, ach fhuair nebnachas lamh an aigne bheb uachdair agus thug sinn ceum chon a’ bhothain. Bha fa mo chomhair sealladh air mo dhaoin’ — B’e sud an te a bha coibhneil ruinn agus fhuair Am faileasan tighinn eadar mi ’s an toic sinn ar deagh ghabhail againn. An ceann De dh’ iarann meirgeach fotusach ri m’ thaobh. greis thuirt i ri mo sheanamhair, “A bheil cuimhne agad air do sheanair a chaidh a bhath- Chuir mi na ceistean ris na tinnean balbh’ adh? Ma-ta fhuair mise a chorp nuair a bha Nach b’urrainn freagairt libhrigeadh gu mi air mo shiubhal. Na faidhnich de ’n reidh, dbigh. Fhuair mise e agus tha sin mar sin. Ach a dh’fhan ’nan tosd le clos an tir nam Thigibh agus chi sibh. Thug i sios sinn gu marbh, sebmar nam buideal far am faca sinn am “bo- Is mise stri ri fosgladh chur an ceill. dach creamhach’ ’ ’ na shuidhe ann an cathair! Bha fiamh a’ ghaire air aodann na caillich cho (r’ a leantainn) granda ’ s gun do theich mi le mo bheatha, agus cha robh mo sheanamhair fada as mo dheidh. Iain A. Mac a’ Phearsain. Shiubhail mo sheanamhair seachdain as deidh sin. Airson na caillich, tha i ann an sud fhathast gu sunndach, agus bithidh airson iomadh bliadhna. Boireannach Neonacb A ’ chiad duais am Buidheann E. (sgoilean). Le Morag NicDhomhnaill Shios anns a’ mhachair a tha aig ceann a tuath a’ bhaile againn tha bothan beag geal agus anns a’ bhothan sin tha cailleach aosda Iain M. Moffatt-Pender fuireach. Chan eil fhios aig duine de cho scan Chaochail Iain M. Moffatt-Pender air an treas ’s a tha i, ach tha i seachad air ceithir fichead latha deug de’n Di mhar an deidh a bhith car bliadhna co-dhiubh. Chan eil aithne aig duine iiine gu foighidneach air an leabaidh. So far mu’ n cuairt air a sinnsearan, no co as a thainig an robh an duine uasal ’ na ghne agus ’ na dhbigh, i no cuin a thainig i do’n bhaile againn, ach tha seimh ’na ghluasad agus tairiseach, ciuin ’na i an sud gu sunndach agus bithidh airson iomadh dheiligeadh ris gach creutair. Cha chluinnte bliadhna fhathast. a ghuth air a ghualainn ann an cuideachd no Tha a fait hath, riobach, ach a h-uile samh- a ghearan an aghaidh dhaoine eile aig am sam radh bithidh blathan ’g a sgeadachadh. Tha bith. Bha e dileas do a chairdean agus a luchd a h-acdach gle sgiobalta, tha a brogan fasanda eblais, ullamh gu bhith freasgairt air an fheum- ged tha an tigh lan dhamhan-allaidh. Tha fios ach, cuimhneach air a dhleasdanas agus air a agam a chionn gun robh mo sheanamhair eolach ghealladh, agus iasgaidh, togarrach anns gach oirre agus bhitheadh sinn a’ dol air cheilidh. deagh obair. Air uairean bheireadh i sinn gu seomar beag Chuir mise eblas math air o chionn da, aig cul an tighe, agus anns an t-seomar sin bha fhichead bliadhna, agus a riamh o’n chiad latha botail agus tubaichean, agus chunnaic mi cat a choinnich sinn fhuair mi e ’na dhlixth charaid mor dubh ann a chuir beagan eagail orm. Bha dhomh, suilbhir, carthannach daonnan, le an oigridh a’ cumail a mach gur e buidseach a sealladh duineil ’na shuil agus le fiamh a’ bha innte agus gum bitheadh i ri rudan nebnach ghaire air a ghnuis. Ann am fbsgadh a laimhe anns an t-seomar ud. Bha mise creidsinn so, bha fior ghradh. Chuir cuid eolas air mar ghaisgeach treun distinctive heritage of the Gaels. He made a anns an arm, agus cuid eile mar dhuine calma challenging demand for better economic a’ siubhal bheann is ghleann na Gaidhealtachd opportunities and social conditions in the fo bhreacan an fheilidh. Lorg An Comunn Highlands without which depopulation could Gaidhealach ann sar chiil-taice ’nan saothair not be arrested nor the treasured heritage of a’ dion dileib a’ Ghaidheil—a’ Ghaidhlig. language and culture maintained. He em- Ged nach b’e a’ Ghaidhlig cainnt na dachaidh phasised the fact that language, culture and aige ’na oige ghabh e tlachd innte a measg nan people were bound together, and that suitable Leddhasach anns a’ Chiad Chogadh. An nine industry was essential for the Highlands in nach robh fada fhuair e greim math oirre. order to secure a stable and contented popu- Leughadh is sgriobhadh e i gu coimhlionta, lation there. agus labhradh e i air a shocair fhein gu cothr- Delegates from the Welsh Eisteddfod and omach. from the Irish Oireachtas gave greetings from Chosg e moran airgid fad bhliadhnachan a’ their respective countries. Thereafter an in- cuideachadh leis a’ chloinn ’nan dol is ’nan teresting ceilidh organised by the local Mod tighinn chun a’ Mhoid Naiseanta ge be aite Committee created a homely atmosphere. am biodh e. Choisinn e duaisean airson Tuesday was the children’s day—a real royal sgriobhaidh agus beul-aithris aig iomadh Mod, day for them. They were present in large agus anns a’ bhliadhna 1956 fhuair e ard urram numbers from widely scattered districts, but a’ Mhoid nuair a chrunadh e mar Bhard A’ the fringes of the Gaelic area rather than the Chomuinn Ghaidhealaich. centres where Gaelic is still the vital language Bidh cuimhne bhlath air Moffatt-Pender air of the home were most in evidence among feadh na Gaidhealtachd fada, fada airson a competitors. The continuance of Gaelic as a dhilseachd do’ n canain, agus airson a choibhneis spoken language rests with the young, and their ’s a chaomhalachd. Tha ar co-fhaireachdainn place in the Comunn’s plan of campaign must aig a mhnaoi ’na h-aonaranachd agus ’na bron. always have priority. S. MacThomais. The Junior Concert in the evening, presided over by Mr. William J. Goldie, Director of Education, was sustained by the prize winners, and gave much enjoyment. Mod Week The results of the written conpetitions for AS an appropriate prelude to the Official Seniors and Juniors were announced, and prizes Opening of the Mod in Stirling there for individuals and choirs were distributed by was a special broadcast service in Gaelic Mrs. J. M. Bannerman. from the Church of the Holy Rude on Sunday, The whole of Wednesday was devoted to 9th October. Rev. M. MacCorquodale, Vocal Music in the Senior Section, the main Callander, and Rev. J. MacDougall, Falkirk, con- attractions being the Learners’ Final Com- ducted the service. The Provost, Magistrates petition and the three competitions for men and and Councillors were present, and a large ladies qualifying for the Final Competition in representative congregation was in attendance. the Gold Medal series. Thirty men and twenty- On Monday evening at the formal opening- four ladies entered for the Gold Medal Com- in the Albert Hall the President of An Comunn petition but quite a number of these withdrew. Gaidhealach, Mr. Hugh MacPhee, presided over In practically all the competitions throughout a large gathering. After prayer by Rev. M. the day large numbers took part, and the packed MacCorquodale, the President before calling on audiences in the various halls testified to the Provost Wm. Macfarlane Gray to address the marked public interest. audience complimented the people of Stirling In the evening a Civic Reception in the and surrounding district on the very successful Municipal Buildings was well attended by preparations for their second National Mod. representatives of An Comunn and of the Town Provost Macfarlane Gray extended a royal Council and citizens of Stirling. Provost welcome to all who during the week were to be Macfarlane Gray, who presided, extended a associated with the great gathering and gave cordial welcome to all present, and compli- his blessing to the week’s proceedings. mented the Local Committee on their fine and Mr. MacPhee, speaking first in Gaelic and successful team work. After refreshments a then in English, detailed with assurance and homely and informal ceilidh followed. Mean- conviction, the outstanding services rendered while an official ceilidh, with Mr. Angus by An Comunn to the cause of Gaelic and the Mackenzie as fear-an-tighe, was in full swing — 78 — in the Albert Hall where well known artistes [j and local singers took part. Gaelic Poets of the It may be noted here that during the week i an interesting exhibition of old Gaelic books Eighteenth Century ! and manuscripts was given in the Public (6) Alasdair Mac MhaigHstir Alasdair Library, and a very creditable display of (continued). handwork featuring Celtic art and designs was Derick S. Thomson i housed in the Highland Bothan in the Albert THE poems on the Campbells, although t Hall. they are closely connected with the f■ Excitement was running high by Thursday Jacobite poems, fall into a slightly morning in anticipation of the Gold Medal different class. There is more than a hint of i Finals. The Albert Hall was packed before the old clan enmity in these, but that is not the competition was due to start. The musical their mainspring. We can appreciate this | adjudicator paid high tribute to the rich quality more readily when we consider a poem such of the men’s voices, and described Miss as Moladh an Leoghainn, ostensibly a Clan ! MacNiven’s performance as “something quite MacDonald poem. It is eloquent enough, but superb which deeply moved us all.’’ is more of a set-piece than many of the purely | In the forenoon Oral Delivery competitions Jacobite songs. For all its wordiness it lacks were held. The number of entries in several fire. It would seem that for Mac Mhaighstir of these was quite good, but disappointing in Alasdair, clan was not put before cause. He \ others. The standard of performance was high; did not share the myopia that leads some modern the interest shown by the public was as usual Highlanders to clan-idolatry and a total neglect meagre. of the more important aspects of the Gaelic heritage. Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair’s dislike ; Forty entered for the Gold Medal presented of the leading Campbells of his day sprang from ’ by the Nova Scotia Association of Scottish other considerations. He emphasises their ! Societies, four in three of the Clarsach Com- greed and desire for wealth, and history is on petitions, and five choirs competed in the Ladies’ his side here. He regards them as traitors to [ Rural Choirs Competitions. the Highland cause, and in Aoir do na Caimb- 1; The final day of the Mod was devoted in the eulaich he pours scorn on them, suggesting forenoon to Duet and Quartette Singing, strongly in the earlier section of the poem that f instrumental Music, Men’s Choirs and Ladies’ they are far better trencher-men than fighters. Choirs. Giving a sardonic twist to his theme he con- siders the feast they will make for the Maiden, In the afternoon interest was focussed on the or Scottish guillotine. In Aoir do na Caimb- Margrat Duncan Competition which attracted eulaich airson an reubainn air diithaich Chlann ten choirs, and on the Lovat and Tullibardine Raghnaill he is again insistent on Hie Campbells’ Competition in which ten other choirs from partiality for certain foods, such as tripe and Stornoway in the north to London in the south sowans. They are warriors in the MacCon- took part. The standard in both language and glinne tradition. It is evident that the poet music was very favourably commented on. enjoyed giving rein to this biting, scathing The Grand Concert on Friday night had to humour, and this goes far to explain the be spread over two houses, and the Regal Cinema genesis of such poems. The poem An Airce i was filled to capacity on both occasions. is another calculated denunciation of prominent !i Provost Macfarlane Gray presided over the first people in Argyll, many of them Campbells, j concert and Brigadier Lome Campbell, V.C., who had opposed the Jacobite cause. From the presided over the second. The generous historical point of view it has considerable | applauses gave evidence of the satisfying fare interest; it is of no significance as poetry. provided by the artistes. In Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair’s work humour The concert ended with the impressive cere- tends to be confined to poems of a certain type, mony of the crowning of the Bard, Mr. John and is strikingly absent from the rest of his , A. MacPherson, North Uist, and the singing work. For him it is an aspect of literary from a Gaelic psalm to the tune French. composition, not an all-pervading attitude of mind. Psychologically this is easily under- standable. The cast of the poet’s mind was serious, or perhaps even fanatical. There was Publication of the Magazine this month no urbanity in his make-up. In considering was unavoidably delayed through waiting such a mind it is almost meaningless to talk of for accounts of Mod proceedings. light relief. There can be no light relief for — 79 — a mind in which tremendous tensions are built that the following poems are also pre-1745:: up—only an explosive release of the tension. Moladh an Ughdair do' n t-Sean chinain GhaidhA The form which this relief takes, poetically, in lig, Guidhe no Urnuigh an Ughdair do'n\ Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair’s case, is the com- Cheblraidh, Moladh Moraig, Mi-mholadh\ position of bitterly humorous songs such as Mcraig, Oran nam Fineachan, Oran Nuadh, those to the Campbells, on the one hand, and Moladh air piob-mhir Mhic Cruimem and Oran bawdy songs on the other hand. To remove a rinn duine nasal d’a cheile. (It is doubtful! these from the corpus of his work is to amputate, if the last named is a young man’s song; on and that is no part of the literary critic’s, or internal evidence it seems to belong to the the literary historian’s, task. Ncr is it his period around 1740.) task to censor. We fail to understand the The following sequence for his poems may be poet’s work if we consider only certain aspects suggested (although this still needs to be of it. worked out with considerable care and detail): 1. Pre-1745. Poem to Gaelic; Poem to the It is true that some of Mac Mhaighstir Muses; the Nature poems; MoladhMdraig; Alasdair’s poems are extraordinarly lewd, the initial poems in the political series; ! notably Mi-mkoladh Mcraig and the Ao r certain of the bawdy and humorous Eile do Bhan-bhdrd an Obain (1924 ed., p. 334). songs. There is little to commend such poems apart 2. 1745-51. The main series of political from the richness of their vocabulary. The poems, together with the satires on the case is different with others of the bawdy Campbells. poems, such as Oran a rinneadh do dhd bhodach 3. Post-1749. The Birlinn. draid a bha ann an Ardnamurchan or even 4. Post-1751. A fairly small group of Tinneas na h-Urchaid, the account of an out- pcems, e.g. Faille na Mdrthir; Smedrach break of sexual disease in Ardnamurchan. Chlann Raghnaill; Imrich Alasdair d The former provides the poet with the sort of Eigneig and A oir a Chnocain. situation in which he can give full rein to his It is unlikely that many, if any, of his early bawdy, satirical humour. Even Marbhrainn pcems survive. We make his acquaintance as na h-Aigeannaich, lewd though it is, is partly an experienced, mature poet, with definite redeemed by its cleverness and wit. The views about Gaelic poetry, but still dis- vocabulary used in these poems is quite re- satisfied with his own work as a poet. The markable, as is the general dexterity of pcems of the first group are the work of a expression. literary man, experienced in technique. In It has to be remembered that the taste for the second period he puts that technique to use bawdy verse (despite the evangelical tendencies for mainly political purposes. In the third of certain sections of the Gaels) is quite wide- category is the Birlinn, in which he may be spread , and runs right through the Gaelic said to have reverted to the status of ‘ ‘ literary | literary tradition, as it does through the Scottish man’ ’, using his subtle technique and great tradition also, not to go farther afield than that. experience to full advantage. In the fourth . Yet it is with a peculiar sense of relief that group we have only occasional poems. His one turns from the political and the bawdy creative impetus is apparently over, but some poems to consider the rest of Mac Mhaighstir of the old themes recur, and the old anger and Alasdair’s output. The suspicion lingers that bitter humour are still at call, especially in | here we will find the essential core of his poetic Imrich Alasdair and Aoir a’ Chnocain. Another [ achievement. I think we can find it here, side of the poet’s nature, recalling that seen although I should not care to be dogmatic about in the earlier Nature poems, is evident also in the reasons for its being in this part of his work. the so-called Faille na Mbrthir, which in fact Chronological and biographical reasons might consists of a series of short evocations of Morar lead us to expect that his poetic development —its scenery, flora, fauna, people, food and was far advanced before the great series of drink. The touch is light throughout. It is political and exhortatory poems began in the a joyful, sunny poem, and this may be part middle 1740’s. By 1745 Mac Mhaighstir of the evidence for his MacDonald editors’ Alasdair must have been at least forty-five statement that in his later years, spent in years of age—probably in fact over fifty. We Morar and Arisaig, Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair can be reasonably sure that the poems on mellowed considerably. Summer and Winter, and Allt an t-Siiicair, It seems likely that it was in the poems of ■ were composed in the late thirties or early the first group named above that he established forties of the eighteenth century. There are the right, in his own eyes, to be called a poet. some strong reasons for thinking that the These poems are still central to his reputation. poems in Ais-eiridh follow in the main a Of the two surviving seasonal poems Oran an chronological sequence, so that we may suspect t-Samhraidh is much the better. In Oran a’ Gheamhraidh, which is more laboured, Winter making this prayer he was implying a criticism is seen largely as the antithesis of Summer, of some of the Gaelic poetry he knew, and it is which may argue that the poem on Winter a valid criticism. For his own part, he was written after that on Summer, and written apparently feels that he is not learned enough with waning enthusiasm. (If has been argued in his craft, and perhaps what he implies is that that Oran a Gheamhraidh was composed in he lacks the training of the professional poets. 1743 (Scottish Gaelic Studies, VIII, 53).) The Yet here, as in Allt an t-Siucair and Oran an description of Summer gives a wonderfully vital t-Samhraidh, the orderly development of the impression of teeming activity. It is full of poem is notable. Each of the Muses is addressed movement and sound and colour. The metre in turn, and asked for help in one special and consonantal music contribute largely to particular. The Celtic artist’s desire for com- this impression of movement and vitality. pleteness can perhaps be seen in this, but the The salient words have a sharp consonantal points are for the most part relevant enough. cut-off, so that the poem reminds one of a After this piecemeal consideration of the gifts pipe-tune cleanly played. Indeed it can be the poet needs, he goes on to cons dering the regarded as a pattern in sound, with the type of end-product he wants, and to reflecting emphasis on the consonants. Vowel music is on his own poetic shortcomings I know of no emotional music; might we say that this other eighteenth century Gaelic poet who consonantal music is more intellectual than subjects himse f to this sort of rigid self- emotional? Nature is here described as much examination, although Dugald Buchanan and in sonic as in visual terms. Some of the above William Ross may have had inklings of such a points may be illustrated by this quotation: critical approach. Sud na puirt as glan gearradh The intellectual approach to a poem is also 'S as ro ealanta roinn, illustrated by the poem in praise of Gaelic. Chuireadh m’ inntinn gu beadradh, The successive themes are (1) the purpose of Cliath-liith t’ fheadain m’ an eadradh .... language. (2) the antiquity of Gaelic, and its In Allt an t-Siucair there is rather more emphasis former extensive sway in Scotland. (3) a on visual imagery. The poet sees natural comparison with Latin, Greek and French. objects as forming a lovely visual pattern: (4) its usefulness for poetry (including satire), Is grinn an obair ghrabhail business, incitement (to battle), and pleading Rinn Nadur air do bhruaich. at the bar, and (5) its characteristics, especially The usual name for this poem is really a mis- of vocabulary. Although the poet claims that nomer, and one for which Mac Mhaighstir Gaelic does not need to borrow, he is notably Alasdair was not responsible. He entitled it free-and-easy in his own attitude to using Oran a rinneadh do bhail’ dr aid ann an Ardna- borrowed words. His poems are speckled murchan, do’n ainm Coire-mhuilinn, agus do with English loanwords, many of them intro- dh’ alltan a tha ruith roimh ’n bhaile sin, do'n duced by himself for the first time into. Gaelic gairear Allt an t-Siucair. The advantages of verse. One line from his poem to Raghnall Og the shorter title are obvious! Rut the poet in (Phas a chiirs an Colaist cruadail) would pass fact describes the surrounding countryside, the for mid-twentieth century Gaelic! The majo- corrie, the bay, and so forth, giving an idyllic rity of his borrowings are nouns, but he uses picture of plenty. (Who would have thought verbal loans also, another example being Ged that he had to go from home to seek meal for nach fhaiceadh tu do namhaid\Ach air fair', gun his family?). There is some telling selection starta tu. Part at least of the truth of the of detail here, as well as some exhaustive treat- matter is that he was too big a man to be a ment of particular aspects. Yet even in the pedant. “exhaustive” passages each epithet adds to the The longest and most ambitious poem in this picture. It is not a case of language running early group is Moladh Moraig. The command of riot. vocabulary and rhythm here is very striking, There can be no doubt that Mac Mhaighstir and on metrical grounds alone the poem is- of Alasdair, at least at this period, tried to follow considerable interest. It has been denied his own precept, given in his prayer to the recognition to some extent because it is not all Muses, where he asks the Muses not to give virginibus puerisque, and the adult public for him a poetry which resounds in the ear, but Gaelic poetry is very small. The poem has lacks content:— great verve, more humour than we normally Na tugaibh dhomh saothair ni glagan sa’ expect of Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair, a lively chluais feeling for Nature, some very effective imagery ’S de thuigse bhios fhs. (as for example the piping metaphor, cleverly There is sound enough, but the words are the introduced into a poem which is itself construct- instruments of the sense, not of the sound. In ed as though it were a piobaireachd), and a — 81 — touch of bawdiness. Its ambience is thus Ross and Ewen MacLachlan followed in the greater ihan is usual with Mac Mhaighstir tradition of seasonal poetry which he initiated; Alasdair’s poems. Donnchadh Ban initiated, and developed, his But undoubtedly his greatest poem is the piobaireachd metre, picked up some of his Birlinn. Only a few inadequate remarks can mannerisms in Nature poetry, and was pro- be made about it here. This is terse business- bably inspired by his example in other ways; like verse, with a hard and brilliant, a granitic his fellow poets composed drinking songs and texture. The clean rhythm of the lines seems clan songs after the pattern of his; they followed to have the movement of cold sea-water along his lead in printing their poems. Yet for all the side of a boat. The poem contains a great that he appears to us as a lonely figure, too deal of technical detail, and close observation forceful in his prime to be lovable, an unkempt both of the parts of the galley and of the prophet whose dreams are still unfulfilled, functions of the various members of the crew. coarse and irregular, and very large. But one of its most interesting features is the vivid description of the physical appearance of the men, and the connections that are estab- lished between appearance and character. The Eigg human observation may sometimes be obscured by the technical detail, but this is a human THE significant contribution made by the drama, and ultimately it is this which gives small Island of Eigg to the life of Gaelic the poem its power. Scotland and beyond cannot be better It is particularly noticeable also that, despite expressed than in Dr. Kenneth Macleod’s own the extravagant nature of the storm, the poet words. is in complete control of his subject all the “ Canna Isle, now so unknown owing to time. The words do not run away with him, quicker transports by steamers which are even at the height of the storm. There is no always passing by, was then the midway port slackness or flabbiness of thought or expression between the Outer Isles and the mainland, and, here. It is the ultimate demonstration of Mac as such, was a ve: itable mart of lore and music. Mhaighstir Alasdair’s hard, exact intellectual The folk of the isle never hung pot of fish or power. potatoes on crook without putting into it the It is difficult to believe that the man who stranger’s share, and seldom, if ever, went that wrote this poem had developed his gifts erra- share unclaimed. The herdman, night, which tically. What is erratic is our knowledge of brings all creatures home, brought the boats his development. Yet we know enough about of all the isles into the harbour; and for kindness him to demonstrate his central position in the received, the strangers ever paid handsomely, Gaelic poetic tradition. He both absorbed and if not in gold, at any rate in song and tale. radiated influence. He had undoubtedly learnt The writer owes something to Canna Isle and from the moralistic Nature poets represented in to the boats which struck sail in its harbour. the Fernaig MS, and from such seventeenth He owes even more to his native Eigg, the century poets as Iain Lorn, An Ciaran Mabach little island, six miles by three and a half, and perhaps Iain Mac Ailein. The folk-tales which now dreams in the Western Sea, of the had coloured his diction. Study of the work time when it was an independent kindgom, of the classical Gaelic bards, such as the with a queen of its own! In its day it has been MacMhuirichs, had influenced his style and the scene of dark deeds, picturesque ceremonies, outlook. (Probably in the Oran do Raghnall and plots without number. The martyrdom of Og Mac Mhic Ailein it is justifiable to see the St. Donnan in the sixth century, the crowning direct influence of Cathal MacMhuirich’s poem of a Lord of the Isles in the fifteenth, and the of welcome to Domhnall Og, also a brave burning of all the inhabitants by the Macleods soldier and a member of the Clanranald family.) of Dunvegan in the sixteenth, are but the Yet he had learnt also from Thomson’s Seasons, outstanding events in the history of an island and to some extent from Latin writings. He which for centuries was the recognised centre was an innovator, for example in the specific of the Clanranald territories. Such a place was type of seasonal verse which he pioneered in the natural home of tale and ballad, and tales Gaelic, in his introduction of the p'obaireachd and ballads there were, as plentiful as the metre in Moladh Mcraig, and in his imaginative blaeberries—so plentiful, indeed, that a man masterpiece, the Birlinn. But he was also might live his full fourscore years in the island, the most deeply versed of the eighteenth century and yet hear something new at the ceilidh every poets in the Gaelic tradition. As to the ways night of his life. The writer was fortunate in which he radiated influence: Donnchadh enough to spend his boyhood in Eigg just before Ban, Rob Bonn, Dugald Buchanan, William Continued < n page 86 TUESDAY Mod Prize List Junior Section LITERARY COMPETITIONS Oral Delivery Adjudicators—Ttev. Malcolm MacCorquodale, Adjudicator—John M. Mathieson, M.A., M.A.; Donald A. MacDonald, M.A.; Derick S. F.R.G.S. Thomson, M.A., B.A.; Donald Grant, M.A., B.A., MacMillan,Reading ObanProse High (Fluent) School; (12-16)—1,2, Ethne Nicholson,Kenneth M.A.,Ed.B.; F.E.I.S.John A. MacDonald, M A.; J . N. McConochie, Greenock High School; 3, John Macdonald, Oban Junior Section HighSecondary School; School; 4, 5,Marion Christopher MacGillivray, A. Anderson, Woodside Bally- Boys—1,Group “D”—GaelicCalum Robertson, essay onFerrindonald the life of PublicIsaac. grant and John Morrison, Oban High School (equal). | School; 2, Donald J. Macleod, Sir Edward Scott Brown,Reading Port Prose—Learners Charlotte. (under 12)—1, Ishbel M. : Macdonald,Junior Secondary Ferrindonald School. PublicGirls—1, School; Margaret 2, Mary A. Narrative—Fluent-—1, Elizabeth Weir, Bally- ‘ Macdonald, Ferrindonald Public School. grant;School; 2,3, RoderickCalum MacKinnon, McLeod, Woodside Secondary i a localGroup incident, “E”—Gaelic or a essayplace onof ahistorical local personality interest School. j (Prizes presented by Col. Maule Horne). 1, Morag Reading at sight—Learners—1, Mairi MacCallum, I MacDonald,Cornaigmore. Cornaigmore; 2, Nancy Kennedy, Oban High School; 2, Farquhar MacGregor, Kyle of Senior Section 4,Lochalsh; David MacLeod,3, Elizabeth Oban Cairns, High Greenock School. High School; ( Short Story: The Hugh MacCorquodale (Fingal) Memorial Prize—Mrs. Christina MacLeod. Long M.A.,Adjudicator—Lachlan F.E.I.S. MacKinnon, B.E.M., Story: Prize presented by the Gaelic Society of Glasgow Reciting from Memory—Fluent—(Prizes presented ' ■—Mrs.Essay Christina on any MacLeod.subject—Mrs. Christina MacLeod. by the Cruachan Branch)—1, Morag Morrison, Glas- Arrangement in harmony of a Gaelic song (Angus Woodsidegow ; 2, Kirsteen Secondary Grant, School. Glasgow; 3, Roderick Maclced , RobertsonPoem on Memorial any subject Prize)—Constance (Ailsa Trophy)—f, MacKenzie. John A. Reading at sight—Fluent-—1, Mairi Morrison, [ Macpherson; 2, John A. Macpherson. Oban3, Morag High McLarty, School; Greenock2, Elizabeth High Weir, School; Ballygrant; 4, John ART AND INDUSTRY GreenockMorrison, HighOban School.High School; 5, Ethne Nicholson, Taylor,Adjudicators—Miss Mr. James T. Paterson, Margaret all of Rodden,Corporation Miss of Conversation—Fluent—1, John Macdonald, Oban Glasgow Education Department. HighRev. School; George 2, MoragW. MacKay, Morrison, D.D., Glasgow. Memorial Cup Senior Section for the highest aggregate marks in Oral Ccmpetiticn Section “A”—Home Industries. (1) Lady’s or (Fluent)—John Morrison, Oban High School. i gent’sHeeps, pullover Stirling; in 2, double-knitting Mrs. Agnes R. Macinnes, wool—1, Mrs.Bunessan; Mary Adjudicator—John MacDonald, M.A. (2) Wool doormat—1, Murdo Macdonald, Stirling; ObanReading—Learners High School; 2, Farquhar(12-16)—1, MacGregor, David MacLeod, Kyle of 2, Mrs.Section Agnes “C”—Handcraft. R. Macinnes, Bunessan.(1) Incorporating the Lochalsh; 3, Katharine A. M. Ross, Lochinver J.S. use of tartan and a clan crest embroider a small School;5, Donald 4, C.Mairi Macfarlane, MacCallum, Glasgow. Oban High School; cushion—2ndPaisley; (2) Ladle, Prize scoop award, or similar Miss articleC. MacPherson, made from Reciting from memory—Learners (Girls)—1, Ishbel a block of wood—Captain Hay of Hay held, Turriff. M.Glasgow; Brown, 3, PortChristine Charlotte; MacLeod, 2, IonaLochinver MacDonald, J.S. Set Sectionembroidered “D"—Set in Celticof four tabledesign—1, mats orMiss a Duchess Katie School. 1 MacDougall, Tobermory; 2, Mrs. Margaret J. K. HighVerse-speaking—1, School, Group A;Oban 3, HighGreenock School; High 2, Greenock School, Logan,Section Stirling. "E”—Shepherd's crook or walking stick Group C. , t—JohnAn ComunnMacKendrick, Gaidhealach Campbeltown- Trophy for the most M.A.Adjudicator—Rev. Malcolm MacCorquodale, ;i outstandingHeeps, Stirling- article in Sections A-E—Mrs. Mary Davies,Reciting Troon; from 2,memory-—Learners-—1, David MacLeod, Oban Mary High R. Junior Section FarquharSchool; 3, MacGregor, Ishbel M. KyleBrown, of LochalshPort Charlotte (equal). and , Design^l,Section "F”—(1)Margaret TrayclothA. MacRae, embroidered Inverasdale; in Celtic 2, Reciting from memory—Learners (Boys)—1, Oliver ? Rose A. Mellor, Inverasdale; 3, Jane Cameron, Lochinver.MacKenzie, Lochinver; 2, Kenneth Mackenzie, Inverasdale;Glenwood Secondary (2) Tea-tray School; in wood—1,2, Andrew John Henderson, Cassidy, Reciting from memory (under 18)—1, Mary Glenwood Secondary School; 3, John Fisher, Glenwood Macinnes,Oban High Oban School. High School; 2, Flora Macdonald, SecondarySection School.“G”—(1) Hand-knitted tea-cosy—1, C. Conversation (under 18)-—Mary Macinnes, Oban Colville, Alloa Academy; 2, E. A. Alexander, Alloa HighSchool School(equal). and Flora MacDonald, Oban High toasting-fork—1,Academy; 3, J. Gibb,R. Harvie, Alloa CrookstonAcademy; Castle (2) Poker School; or Instrumental Music 2, Iain Lassen, Crookston Castle School; 3, John Muir, R.S.A.M.,Adjudicator—Jack L.T.C.L. Roberts, Dip.Mus.Ed., Glenwood Secondary School. Playing of a slow Gaelic air and March on the G—C.Silver Colville, Cup for Alloa the bestAcademy. exhibit in Sections F and pianoforte-—1, Andrew J. Sutherland, Brora; 2, 83 — Barbara Metcalf, Clyne J.S. School; 3, Katharine A. Adjudicators—Gaelic: Rev. Arch. M. Beaton, M- (MargaretRoss, Lochinver Hill-Boyle J.S. MemorialSchool. Trophy and Kilt Dr.M.A., Herbert Rev. MalcolmWiseman. MacCorquodale, M.A. Music: pin presented by Mrs. J. M. B. MacLean, JR) Choral singing of “Diiira thall ud” and “Tha Vocal Music Millarsmeorach Trophy)—1, ’sa’ mhadainn Ayr Junior chitlin,”—Learners Gaelic Choir; 2, Clyne(Mrs. Kenzie,Adjudicators—Gaelic: M.A. Music: Dr. HerbertRev. Donald Wiseman- W. Mac- J.S. School Gaelic Choir. Solo singing of an unpublished song—Fluent—1, CampbellDuet singing,and Jeanette own choice—Fluent—1,Morrison, Lagavulin. Christine Mary C. Maclean, Castlebay; 2, Margaret I. M. Adjudicators—Gaelic: John MacDonald, M.A. MacLeod,Solo singing Peterhead; of “Mo3, Patricia nighean Torrance, dubh’’ Glasgow.(Boys). Music: Dr. Herbert Howells. Silver Medal Competition—1, Roderick MacRitchie, Unison singing of “Thladh,” “Seinn o churadail HighBellahouston School; Academy;3, Kenneth 2, MacMillan,John J. Mackay, Oban ObanHigh MacVicaro,” and “A Trophy)—Learners—I, chur nan gobhar as a’Ayr chreig,” Junior (RhonaGaelic School.Solo singing of “Luchd nam breacan” (Girls). Choir; 2, Cabarfeidh Choir. Silver Medal Competition—1, Murdina Campbell, WEDNESDAY Ness;M. MacLeod, 2, Patricia Peterhead. Torrance, Glasgow; 3, Margaret I. Senior Section of Dunlossit,Silver Cup, Islay, presented for the by highest Mrs. Helmut marks inSchroder Gaelic Vocal Music in Silver Medal Competitions—Roderick MacRitchie, Mathieson,Adjudicators—Gaelic M.A., F.R.G.S., and and Music: John MacDonald,John M. BellahoustonSolo singing Academy. of ‘ ‘ An IMr bhan’ ’ (Boys, Learners)— M.A. 1, Cowan Payne, Ayr; 2, Andrew Campbell, Ayr; MacDonald,Folk Songs Lochboisdale; (Scotia Trophy)—1, 2, Neil ChrissieMacCalman, M. Glasgow3, Donald (equal). M. MacNeill, Colonsay and Angus MacLean, Ardrishaig; 3, Hugh Lament, Bunessan • Adjudicators—-Gaelic: Rev. Arch. M. Beaton, Solo Port-a-Beul (Duncan Johnston Memorial M.A. Music: Dr. Herbert Howells. Trophy)—1,S. Ross, Glasgow; Neil MacCalman, 3, John Campbell, Ardrishaig; Perth. 2, Calum Solo singing of “Bothan an fhuarain” (Boys and Girls 16-18)—Queen Elizabeth Coronation (1937) MacKenzie,Adjudicators—Gaelic: M.A., Rev. Arch.Rev. M. Beaton,Donald M.A.W. Trophy—1, Frances Matthews, Ayr; 2, Anne Gillies, ( Music: Dr. Gordon Slater. ObanSolo High singing School; of “Ho3, Deirdre mo luran” S. C. (Girls)—1,MacLeish, Perth.Morag Solo singing of “Nighean mo ghaoil” (Men)— M. Mackay, Clarkston; 2, Rhoda MacKenzie, Cabar- Learners—1,2, Niall Iain RonaldMacLean, H. MacRae,Lochgilphead; Kyle of3, Lochalsh;Alex. B. feidh Choir; 3, Laureen Jack, Cabarfeidh Choir. Mollison, Dundee. 1st SoloPrize-winners—Skelmorlie singing, own choice (Boys and andDistrict Girls), Highland Former Waulking Songs (Ladies)—Learners—1, Margaret Association Quaich-—1, Margaret I. M. MacLeod, C.Bowmore; Mitchell, 3, DeirdreGreenock; S. C.2, MacLeish,Marion M. Perth. MacLeod, School;Peterhead; 3, Mary2, Barbara C. Maclean, Davidson, Castlebay. Inveraray Grammar dale,Adjudicators—Gaelic: M.A., Rev. John MacDougall, Rev. Malcolm M.A. MacCorquo- Music: M.A.Adjudicators—Gaelic: Music: Dr. Gordon Slater.Rev. John MacDougall, Dr. Herbert Wiseman. Solo singing of “Tha mo rim air a’ ghille” (Girls Solo singing of “Thug mi gaol do’n fhear bhtin” 14-16)—1, Kathleen Weir, Ardrishaig; 2, Catriona 2,(Ladies)—Learners—I, Alexis MacLeod, Oban Catriona High M.School; Fair, 3,Lochgair; Deirdre Steele,Glasgow. Oban High School; 3, Morag M. McLure, S. C. MacLeish, Perth. Solo singing of “Tile dhuinn” (Girls 12-14)— MacRae,Rowing Kyle Songs of Lochalsh;(Men)—Learners-—1, 2, Brian M. Ronald Duxbury, H. 2,1, MargaretBarbara McVicar,Davidson, Ardrishaig; Inveraray 3, GrammarWilma McGregor, Scnool; London; 3, Kenneth Ross, Dingwall. ' Ardrishaig. IonaSolo Association singing Prizes)-—1,of an unpublished Elizabeth song M. Cattanach,(Mull and B.E.M.,Adjudicators—Gaelic: M-A., F.E.I.S. Music: Lachlan Dr. Gordon MacKinnon, Slater. Mull; 2, Shelagh M. MacPhail. Iona. Unison singing of “A bhanarach chaoin,” “I B.E.M.,M.A..F.E.I.S.,Adjudicators—Gaelic: Music Lachlan: Dr. Herbert MacKinnon, Howells. Campbelldall ud dall,” Blair Trophy)—Fluent—1,“Null thar nan eileanan Glasgow ” Gaelic(Mrs. The Oran Mor (Men) “Cath Ghaireadhach”. The Musical Association; 2, Oban High School Gaelic HeadBessie MemorialCampbell Trophy—) Memorial 1, Prizes—(F.S.D. Raibeart McCallum,Cameron- Choir.Choral singing of “Ba ho mo leanabh’’ and “Null Campbeltown; 2, Ian A. Carmichael, Glasgow; 3, thar an aiseig’ ’. (Oban Tirnes Challenge Trophy)— AlasdairSolo singingMacKechnie, of “An Bunessan. gille dubh cha tr6ig mi” MusicalI, Oban HighAssociation. School Gaelic Mrs. ChoirHobbs ; 2, Glasgowof Inverlochy Gaelic (Ladies)—James Grant Memorial Prizes—1, Joan C. Trophy for highest marks in Gaelic—Oban High MacNeill,3, Catherine Colonsay; A. MacNiven, 2, Marion Glasgow. C. M. Gray, Lenzie; SchoolAction Gaelic song Choir. (Shiant Shield)—1, Clyne Junior Solo singing, own choice (The Mrs. Quintin Secondary School Gaelic Choir. MacLennan2, Ronald MacKellaig, Prizes)—1, RuthGlenf.nnan- M. Cameron, Glenshee; MacKenzie,Adjudicators—Gaelic: M.A. Music: Dr.Rev. Gordon Donald Slater. W. Adjudicators—Gaelic: John MacDonald, M.A., Duet singing—own choice (Learners)—I, W. GordonRev. Donald Slater. W. MacKenzie, M.A. Music: Dr. Macdonald and M. Macrae, Cabarfeidh Choir; 2, The Oran M6r (Ladies) “Oran do Iain Bieac J.Katharine RossS and Rosemary. School. MacKenzie, Lochinver MacLeoid”—The Jessie N- MacLachlan Memorial — 84 — SocietyPrizes (Trophyin memory presented of Mr. byand theMrs. Dundee Archibald Highland Mac- Adjudicator—John MacDonald, M.A. Donald, Longforgan)—1, Margaret Hulse, Stornoway; aggregateDr. John marks Cameron in Oral Memorial Competitions—Learners— Trophy for highest Macdonald,2, Catherine Lochs. A. MacNiven, Glasgow; 3, Janet Cona M. MacLean, Glasgow. 1 Solo singing of “Tiugainn learn a ribhinn 6g” —1,Reciting Cona M-from MacLean, memory, Glasgow;"Miann a’ 2,bhkird Anne aosda”, Bone, I (Men)—ThePrizes—1, Hugh L./Cpl. MacQueen, Lachlan Luing; MacLean 2, Ken Watt Sutherland, Memorial Glasgow. iBrora; 3, James Crockett, Stornoway. MacLean,Recitation Glasgow; of prose, 2, Jessie own T. choice—1, D. Nisbet, ConaKilmar- M. M A.,Adjudicators—Gaelic: Rev. Malcolm MacCorquodale, Rev. Arch. M.A. M. Beaton,Music: nock . I Dr. Herbert Howells. JessieReading T. D. atNisbet, sight-—1, Kilmarnock. Anne Bone, Glasgow; 2, f Solo singing of a song (own choice) from any of Speech-—1, Cona M. MacLean, Glasgow; 2, Jessie iofthe Mrs.Kennedy-Fraser Kennedy-Fraser)—1, collections. Bruce (Prizes Burns, in memoryLochs; T. D. Nisbet, Kilmarnock. 2, Alasdair M. Grant, Blanefield. M.A.,Adjudicators—Gaelic: Rev. John MacDougall, Rev. M-A. Arch. Music: M. Beaton, Dr. Learners ’ Final Competition Gordon Slater. andSolo "Mo singing rim-sa of Maili ‘ ‘Mac bhoidheach" 6g an larla Ruaidh’(Men). ’ The(Ladies) late MedalSolo and singing Cash Prizesof "Gleann by the NovaBhaile Scotia Chaoil,” Association (Gold A£\Mr. 10/-)Charles awarded Campbell to the M.B.E.,first prize-winner Memorial in Prizeeach of2, ScottishAnne Gillies, Societies)-—I, Oban High Kenneth School; Ross, 3, Calum Strathpeffer; S. Ross, ^section-gaining the(Silver highest Pendants marks for in the the lady series. and gentleman Glasgow and Mary A. Currie, Glasgow (equal). Ladies—1, Margaret C. Mitchell, Greenock; Gold Medal Finals 2, Deirdre S. C. MacLcish, Perth. Adjudicators^—-Gaelic: Rev. Donald W. 2, KennethMen—1, Ross,Ronald Dingwall. H. MacRae, Kyle of Lochalsh; MacKenzie,M.A., F.E.I.S. M.A., Music: Lachlan Dr. MacKinnon,Herbert Howells, B.E.M., Dr. Mitchell,Finals Greenock;(Learners)—Ladies—1, 2, Deirdre S. MargaretC. MacLeish, C. Herbert Wiseman- Perth; 3, Charlotte L. Beaton, Kirkintilloch. (Ladies),Solo singing"Cailin of donn "Gur a’ mochchuailein rinn reidh”mi dusgadh” (Men), 2, KennethMen—i, Ross,Ronald Dingwall; H. MacRae, 3, Niall Kyle Iain of Lochalsh;MacLean, MacNiven,and a song Glasgow;of own choice. 2, Joan Ladies—1, C. MacNeill, Catherine Colonsay. A. Lochgilphead. RaibeartMen—1, MacCallum, Ian A. Carmichael,Campbeltown- Glasgow; 2, D. M,A.,Adjudicators—Gaelic: John M. Mathieson, M.A.,Rev. JohnF.R.G.S. MacDougall, Music: Final aggregate marks in Gold Medal Competitions: Dr. Herbert Wiseman. Ladies—1, Catherine A. MacNiven, Glasgow Solo singing of "Caisteal a’ Ghlinne’’, or "Coire Colonsay(G. 358; M.(G. 354;346; Total M. 343;712); Total2, Joan 689); C. MacNeill,Margaret thea’ Cheathaich," Glasgow Oban (Gold and Medal Lorn andAssociation)—1, Prizes presented Anne by Hulse, Stornoway (G. 348; M. 336; Total 684). Gillies, Oban High School; 2, Hugh Lament, Bunessan. M. Men—1,352; Total Ian 710);A. Carmichael, 2, D. Raibeart Glasgow MacCallum, (G. 358; THURSDAY Campbeltown (G. 343; M. 350; Total 693); 3, Alasdair Senior Section andMacKechnie, Ken Sutherland, Bunessan Brora (G. 344;(G. 342;M. 344; M. 346;Total Total 688) Oral Delivery 688) (equal). Rural Choirs F.R.G.S.Adjudicator—John M. Mathieson, M.A., Adjudicators—Gaelic: Rev. Malcolm MacCorquo- Gold Medal (Presented by the Glasgow Skye Herbertdale, M.A., Wiseman. John MacDonald, M.A. Music: Dr. CompetitionsAssociation for(Fluent)—Nan highest aggregate MacLeish, marks Perth. in Oral Choral singing of "Till, till oigh mo ruin,” and Reciting from memory, "Marbhrann do Iain Choirs"Na Gaidheil from Rural an Districtsguaillibh with a cheile”—confined at least 50 per cent, to MacLeish,Garbh MacGilleChaluim Perth; 2, Christina Ratharsaidh,"—1, MacLeod, Cupar. Nan ofChoir; Gaelic 2, speakersLochs Gaelic (Lorn Choir; Shield)—1, 3, Kilchoman Laxdale Gaelic Reciting from memory, "An Cat”—1, Nan Choir;Pennyghael 4, Bowmore Choir. Gaelic Choir; 5, Bunessan and MacLeish,School. Perth; 2, Mary Maclnnes, Oban High GaelicDalriada Choir. Cup for highest marks in Gaelic-—Laxdale MaryReading A. Hutchison, at sight—1, Perth. Mary Pringle, Lochs; 2, Adjudicators—Gaelic: Rev. John MacDougall, Adjudicator—Rev. Malcolm MacCorquodale,.M.A Dr.M A., Gordon Rev. Slater.Donald W. MacKenzie, M.A. Music: (CalumRecitation Macfarlane of Poetry Memorial composed Prizes)—1, by the Donaldcompetitor A. Ladies’ Rural Choirs, Choral singing of "Gille MacNeill, Colonsay; 2, Kenneth D. Smith, Lochs. Gaelicmo luaidh”, Choir; and 2, "GaolLochgilphead nam fear Gaelicdubh,”—1, Choir; Lochs 3, MacLeod,Folk Tales Cupar; (Anglo-Chilean 2, Murdo MacLeod, Trophy)—1, Glasgow. Christina Kilchoman Gaelic Choir and Badenoch Gaelic Choir Speech—1, Murdo MacLeod, Glasgow; 2, Mary A. (equal). Hutchison, Perth. da-ruadhail,”Choral singing (Sheriff of "Ailltc” MacMaster and Campbell "Clachan Memorial Ghlinn- FloraDialogue Macdonald, by two Oban performers-—1, High School, Mary Maclnnes and GaelicQuaich)—I, Choir; Badenoch 3, Lochalsh Gaelic Gaelic Choir; Choir. 2, Lochgilphead Clarsach 3,Islay Glasgow Choir Gaelic(equal). Musical Association and Glasgow Adjudicators—Gaelic: Lachlan MacKinnon, Adjudicators—Gaelic : Rev. Malcolm MacCorquo- Macpherson.M.A., F.E.I.S. Music: Miss Rhoda dale, M A., Lachlan MacKinnon, B.E.M., M.A., Playing of two Gaelic Airs or accompanying of Slater.F.E.I.S. Music: Dr. Herbert Wiseman, Dr. Gordon two songs chosen by the competitor (Charles Mac- Choral singing (Lovat and Tullibardine Trophy)— ReidEachran Christie). Memorial Prizes Clarsach by Argyll presented Branch by of Rev.Comunn J. 1, Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association; 2, Aberdeen na Clarsaich and Mrs. Fairbairn and extra Prize by 4,Gaelic Greenock Choir Gaelicand Campbeltown Choir. Gaelic Choir (equal); —1,Patuffa Ishbel Kennedy-Fraser MacLean, Plockton; to winner 2, Madeleineof Competition- Lloyd- Bogie, Stewarton. Gaelic—GreenockWeekly Scotsman Gaelic Quaich Choir. for the highest marks in piecePlaying of competitor’s ‘‘Duthaich choice m’bige,” (Prizes and by a Mrs.contrasting A. E. Adjudicators—Gaelic: Rev. John MacDougall, Matheson, and Silver Tulip Brooch presented by Mrs. Dr.M.A., Herbert Rev. DonaldHowells. W. MacKenzie, M A. Music: M-2, MargaretRaatgever-Fraser)—1 M. Low, Oban. , Gwendolen McGill, Ayr; —1,Choral Dingwall singing Gaelic (Margrat Choir; Duncan 2, Dunoon Memorial Gaelic Trophy) Choir; ClarsachSolo singing(Hilda M-with Campbell self-accompaniment Clarsach, and on Silver the 3, Lothian Celtic Choir. Brooch).l, Gwendolen Prizes McGill, by Mrs Ayr; H.M. 2, Margaret Campbell M. Low,of Airds— Oban • John McNicol Memorial Trophy for the highest Memorialmarks in Gaelic Fund—1st and two Prize cash and prizes Trophy—Dunoon from John McNicol Gaelic FRIDAY Choir; 2nd Prize—Dingwall Gaelic Choir. Duet and Instrumental Adjudicators—Gaelic: John MacDonald, M.A., Music:Lachlan Dr.MacKinnon, Herbert Howells.B.E.M., M.A., F.E.I.S. Continued from page 82 the old order of things had quite passed away. andDuet Archie singing, MacTaggart, own choice—1, Glasgow; Cameron 2, Carol McKichanGalbraith Several of the folk could boast that their and Ann MacLean, Aberdeen. parents had been taugh+ a little reading and writing, and a great deal of poetry by Raoghall Adjudicator—-Jack Roberts, Dip.Mus.Ed., Dubh, sen of the famous bard, Alasdair Mac R.S.A.M., L.T.C.L. Mhaighstir Alasdair, while everybody in the Co-Adjudicator—D. Martin Matheson. island over sixty years of age had been them- Playing a Highland March, Strathspey and Reel selves pupils of Iain Og Morragh, poet, musician, (bagpipe setting) on the pianoforte (Aberdeenshire dancer, courtier, and, last of all, dominie. Targe).—I,Madnnes, Bunessan.N. MacTavish, Bunchrew; 2, Agnes R. My thousand blessings on Iain Og Morragh— may his soul have found rest. Adjudicator—George C. McVicar. Eigg was in those days, and until recently, Playing of a Highland March, Strathpsey and Reel a nest of antique Celticism. Every inch of it onKinlocheil; the Violin 2, Margaret(Sutherland Murdoch, Cup)—1, Blairgowrie; Angus Grant, 3, was alive with legends and other-world beings. Farquhar MacRae, Inverailort. Mysterious tales made the caves and the kirk- Playing of Strathspey and Reel on the Violin yard a terror by night; the sealwoman crooned (Mrs. Quintin MacLennan Prizes)—1, Angus Grant, on the reefs; the mermaid bathed in the creeks; Kinlocheil; 2, Farquhar MacRae, Inverailort. the fairies sang and piped in the knolls. Such was the Eigg night under the stars. Within Choral Singing doors, however, at the ceilidh, the folk told Adjudicators—Gaelic: Rev. John MacDougall, the tales and sang the ballads of the Feinn, or M.A., John M. Mathieson, M.A., F.R.G.S. Music: of the less ancient heroes, the Lord of the Isles, Dr. Gordon Slater. Macleod of Dunvegan, and "our own treasure, Choral singing (Men)—Mull and Iona Shield—■ Clanranald, ’ ’ with for Sundays and holy days, Choir;1, Greenock 3, Stornoway Gaelic Choral Gaelic Society; Choir. 2, Glasgow Islay beautiful legends of Iona and Oronsay. Put ever, whether on holy or on other eve, as mid- Quartette (Mixed Voices)—f, Cruachan Quartette; night drew nearer, the tales and the songs, and 2, Lochs Gaelic Choir. the distant roar of the Western Sea grew weirder, Adjudicators—Gaelic: Rev. Arch. M. Beaton, until at last song and tale ceased, and the fire M A., Rev. Malcolm MacCorquodale, M.A. Music: smouldered, and the cruisie-light flickered and Dr. Herbert Wiseman- the folk whispered, while over the ceilidh crept Choral singing (Ladies)—Esme Smyth Trophy— the shadow of night and the mysteries hiding Islay1, Glasgow Choir; Gaelic3, Greenock Musical Gaelic Association; Choir. 2, Glasgow therein. "Sweet is the song of the lark at dawn," said the Eigg folk, "but sweeter the CampbeltownChoral singing Gaelic (Greenock Choir; 2, AberdeenGaelic Choir Gaelic Cup)—1, Choir; crow of the cock at midnight." AN GAIDHEAL THE GAEL Editor — ]. THOMSON, M.A., F.E.I.S., 116 WEST SAVILE TERRACE, EDINBURGH to whom all correspondence should he addressed except that concerning advertising which should be addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer. 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C.2 Telephone: DOUglas 1433 Leabhar LVI AN DUBHLACHD, 1961 Aireamh 12

AITHRISICH ARD-GHUTHACH Le Ruairidh MacFhionghuin SAN t-saoghal charraideach chabhagach a Ann a bhith leughadh an leabhair so, chan e th’ ann, chan eil moran nine gu leughadh gu robh oidhirpean air an deanamh gus foghlum leabhraichean, agus is mor am bend sin, Alba a chur fodha tha cur an iongnaidh oirnn, | oir tha fhathast iarmad bheag sgriobhadairean ach cho obann, dian, diorrasach ’s a bha na i ’nar measg a tha sgriobhadh airson gu bheil h-oidhirpean air an deanamh, agus gach clic ‘ rudeigin aca r’ a radh, chan ann airson gu is car a bh’air an cleachdadh gus doighean | bheil rudeigin aca ri chosnadh. coimheach a sparradh oirnn a dheoin no dh’ E Aig an dearbh am so tha mi a’ gabhail a aindeoin, eadhon gu ire a bhith cumail o na I chuile cothruim air leabhar a leughadh a tha air h-Oilthighean Albannach an t-airgead a bu [ iir thighinn a mach, agus a tha a’ cur soluis dligheach dhaibh—agus so uile gun speis do | gle iongantach air iomadh ni a bha chuige so fheabhas no do mhathas. Agus nuair a rainig i an cleth oirnn. ’S e ainm an leabhair, The an gnothach Tigh nan Cumantan ’s gann gu Democratic Intellect, agus tha e air a sgriobhadh robh guth o na buill A'bannach air taobh an leis an Ollamh G. E. Davie, fear-teagaisg an duthcha—direach caran mar a tha ciiisean ealain-reusanachaidh agus ard-fheallsanachd an an diugh fhein. Gidheadh, bha feadhainn an ! Oilthigh Dhun Eideann. Tha ainm is pris an Oilthighean Alba a sheas gu daingeann air leabhair ’na aghaidh, oir tha ’n t-ainm a’ cur taobh an doighean, an cleachdaidhean ’s an bagraidh air daoine meata agus, aig da phunnd coirichean. Ach gabh beachd air a so: fhuair- ’s a deich, tha a’ phris trom air a’ phocaid. eadh ainm dhaibh. ’S e seann “aithrisich Nuair a gheibh sinn thairis air an da chnap- ard-ghuthach’ ’ (vociferous traditionalists) a ‘ starra sin, tha raointean ura m’ ar coinneamh theirteadh riutha. i a chumas annlan ri ar smuaintean fhad ’s beo Tha e coltach gu bheil na daoine neonach so I sinn. (vociferous traditionalists) sa’ Chomunn Ghaidh- J An cainnt ghoirid, tha an leabhar a’ sealltuinn ealach cuideachd—an diugh fhein—co-dhiii dhuinn, riamh o aonadh nam parlamaidean ’s e sin a tha Fionnlagh MacDhomhnuill ag nach do lasaich na Sasunnaich dheth bhith innse dhuinn sa’ Weekly Scotsman ’s e deanamh I sparradh an doighean ’s an nosan fhein air iomraidh air coinneimh bhliadhnail a’ | Oilthighean ’s air Ard-sgoilean Alba—agus Chomuinn. Bha e riamh fasanta a bhith 1 chan e Sasunnaich a mhain a bha ris an obair cnagadh nan athraichean agus ’s fhearr a so ach Albannaich mar an ceudna—ach chan bhith dhith a’ chinn na bhith dhith ’n fhasain. eil sin a’ cur iongnaidh sam bith oirnn, Ach tha aon rud a bhitheas an comhnaidh a’ oir tha sinn an comhnaidh a’ mothachadh ma cur iongnaidh orm fhin: ged nach leig na tha dad sam bith a bhuineas do dh’Alba ri Sasunnaich le leud an rbine de ’n dualchas chur an dimeas nach eil Albannach fad air falbh tuiteam gu lar chan eil “aithrisich ard- gus an di-mholadh a ghabhail os laimh—ni ghuthach’ ’ ann an Sasuinn idir! B’ abhaist a tha toirt dearbhaidh dhuinn as ur gur h-ann dhaibh a bhith an Eirinn: chan eil iad a nise , an comh-shinteachd ri ruintean Lunnainn a tha ach an Alba agus sa’ Chuimrich! Tha iomadh : rathad an adhartais. dbigh air dualchas a chur an neo-bhrigh. Co aig tha fhios nach eil an t-am aig na h- Gaidhlig air bhonn ceart anns na sgoiltean air j aithrisich ard-ghuthach an guth a thogail chor ’s gun tig crioch air suidheachadh anns a | beagan nas airde ? bheil clann Ghaidhealach a’ fagail sgoilean T Tha an leabhar aig G. E. Davie a’ cur Gaidhealach ’s iad eu-comasach air Gaidhlig i smuaintean eile ma sgaoil. Nach robh an cath a leughadh no sgriobhadh. ’ S docha gu faigh I ceudna an aghaidh na Gaidhlige? Carson a iad seol air Gaidheil a bhruidhneas Gaidhlig | bhiodh Gaidhlig air a teagasg anns na sgoiltean ? a chumail anns na glinn. ’S docha gun innis 'S e bha dhith air clann na Gaidhealtachd ach iad dhuinn nach fan canain fada beo gun lan claiginn a Bheurla—agus nam b’e Beurla fhaclair anns a faighear gach facal a dh’iarrar. chruaidh Shasunnach a bhiodh ann ’sib’ Gu dearbh fhein, ’s dbcha gur e lamhan is cinn fhearr buileach! ’S i Bheurla dheanadh an nach buin do’n Ghaidhealtachd idir a ni t-ai.rgead. An ceann da fhichead bliadhna furtachd air ar feum. Co aig tha brath ? : nach biodh Gaidhlig marbh co-dhiu ? De Mar sin, chan eil mise an aghaidh na i, feum a th’ air facalir ur Gaidhlig agus faclairean Comhairle so idir. Tha sinn eolach gu leor : againn a mhaireas da fhichead bliadhna ? ’S air Comhairlean air feadh na Gaidhealtachd, ! ma bhitheas na seann aithrisich ard-ghuthach agus cha b’ e so a’ cheud uair a fhuaireas r cho rag-mhuinealach ’s nach bi iad leagte ri ’m Comhairle a’ toirt comhairle air Comhairle! ! binn, nach eil doighean eile air deileigeadh ’S e tha annam-sa ach “aithriseach ard- riutha? Nach gabh duthaich cur fas agus ghuthach’ ’ a th’ air fas gle amhrusach—agus ! sluagh a sgapadh air feadh an t-saoghail? amhrusach buileach on a leugh mi an leabhar aig | Tha iomadh doigh air so a dheanamh gun a G. E. Davie. ’S e sin is coireach mi bhith i bhith 'gan lionadh am bataichean ’s ’gan de’ n bheachd gum bu choir siiil gheur a chumail ! giulan thar sail. air Comhairle sam bith a chuirear air bonn a i So an suidheachadh anns a bheil An Comunn chum leas Gaidhlig no Gaidhealtachd. Tha i Gaidhealach a’ dol a chur comhairle air bonn sinn eolach o shean air a’ ghaoith tuath, agus r gus sgrudadh a dheanamh air obair a’ Chomuinn tha fhios againn gu bheil i fuar ge b’e aird as ■ Ghaidhealaich. an tig i! Bidh i uaireanan a’ tighinn o’n I ;S docha gun innis iad dhuinn ciamar a chuirear deas! Tha iomadh feum gu’n cuirte slabhraidh An t-Slabhraidh chruaidh— Gu neartachadh, gu crioslachadh ’s gu cur fo Air a leantainn chis; Ach bheir ruith na h-aimsir caochladh air a Carson a dhealbhadh thu an tus do reis ? snuadh, An ann gu cur ri neart an ni bha fann ? Thig anfhannachd is fois an deidh an sgios. Le ceangal daingean diongmhalta nach geill Ged theannadh streupair bagradh briseadh Co-ionnan sin ri eachdraidh chorraich ghairbh bhann. Nan laoch bha mu na cailbhichean so tamh; Ge mor an treis’ bha’mbeath’ anshocair searbh, Mar sin a sheas ar n-athraichean air tiis, ’ S cha d’ fhuair iad fois mur d’ fhuair am plosg Guaillean ri cheil’ cur casg air namhaid borb; a’ bhais. Ach tharmaich laigs’ thug sgaradhair na laoich, ’S bhruchd naimhdean mi-runach thug gaoid Tha ’r cainnt ’s ar cleachdaidhean an diugh air ’nan lorg. chall, Mar bha an t-slabhraidh bhreoit ’na tosd fo’n ’S doch’ gur e d’ fheum bhith cur fo chuing 's uir: fo chis, Smal na meirg’ toirt bhuaip a dreach aig a’ Cur chuibhrichean air neach a dh’ iarradh cheann thall, saors’, ’G a fagail fann ’s a’ brosnachadh a muig. ’S bristeadh gu ’shith ’s gu ’shonas bho gach stri Shaoileam gun cluinn mi tuiream anns a’ Bha ’ga thoirt gu inbhe b’isle cus na bruid. ghleann— Dunal gun fhois ag caoidh na dh’fhalbh ’s nach I Dhearc sixil a’ mhic-meanmainn fad an cian till, Air deoraidh’ bhochd’ fo chuing nam maighstir’ Cumha na chaidh air faondradh bhuainn ’s air meallt’ — chall, Uireasbhach, lag, an coluinnean fo phian, ’S nach tog an ceann troimh dhoimhneachd Fo chuip fhir-fuadain fhuair an cuid le feall. bhuain na cill. I Bha’n t-slabhraidh mheirgeach fhathast ’na i mo laimh, Iain Moffatt-Pender ! Smuain air muin smuain a’ ruith troimh ’ n B’ ANN an am do’n Mhod abhith aig airde 'j. eanchainn bheo, iomairt air feasgar Di-h-aoine, na lomagain is briseadh duil toirt buaidh air c^ch, cairdean a bu mhiiirneach leis a’ ^|| An lorg na samhla dhuisg mi as a’ chos. nochdadh an speis do’n chanain do’n tug e gradh, is an ceol a bu mhilse ’na chluais ag ^ Samhla air neart is lagchuis, taobh ri taobh, eirigh o’m bilean, a bha Iain Mor na Gaidhlige '\i Samhla air cuibhrichean gu cur an sas, a’ siubhal air falbh do’ n dachaidh bhuain. Bu l; Samhla air cumhachd gramail chaill a luths, mhor an call do aobhar na Gaidhlige e bhi ’gar ;i Samhla na diomhaireachd toinnte ri ar n-al. fclgail, oir cha robh neach eile a nochd mar a rinn esan a dheigh do’n chanain ann an doigh ) I Samhla i air aonachd dh’fhacdadh a bhith buan a bha an da chuid cho fialaidh is cho tarbhach. A’ filleadh canain, daoine ’s nos ri cheil’ , Cha robh e de ar daoine agus b’ e a mheas air ; Aonadh nach gabhadh briseadh sios ’na bhruan euchdan nam fiiiran deas calma a bha cuide ) Ge mor a’ bheithir bhagradh bhith ’ga reub. ris san Fhraing sa’ Cheud Chogadh a bhros- naich e gu tighinn na’s dluithe dhoibh an I Ach cha chrioch mo sgeoil cion misnich ’s daimhealachd. Bu trath a bhreithnich e nach • f briseadh dixil, bu chomasach dha sin as eugmhais a’ chainnt j Ach plathadh dochais tighinn gu fann air a bha mar thobar as an robh an smuaintean 1 sgeith; is an gluasad a’ sruthadh. Chuir e roimhe | 1 An t-samhla cur tuar slainte ’na mo ghnuis, gu’m biodh e mar aon leotha, agus b’ e meud j! ’S a’ sluaisreadh aigne bheo taobh stigh mo a dhurachd nach bicdh e fada gus an robh a’ 5 chleibh. Ghaidhlig gu siubhlach air a bhilean ag cur an ceill rim cridhe. i Ghiulain mi dhachaidh learn an t-slabhraidh An deidh a’ chogaidh ghabh e a’ cheud chriond’ , chothrom air a chomhnaidh a dheanamh maille ’ S ri leac an teintein dh’ fhuadaich mi a meirg; riutha agus mar bu mhotha a bha e ’ nam measg, Le buillean bras’ an ixird ’s le faobhar giar * s ann a bu mhotha a bha e a’ toirt fa’ near nach ,1 Dh’uraich mi ’n loinn a bhuin dhi seal ’s a robh cothrom na Feinne idir aca ann an cuisean t their’g. aimsireil mar a bh’ aig sluagh coitchionn na dixthcha. Sheas e tri uairean ’ga thairgsinn ] Fo tmal na meirg’ bha dul is dul gun ghaoid, fhein mar Fhear Parlamaid gu an crannchur a j Drithleannach uair, an tuar a nis air falbh, leasachadh. Anns gach tagradh a rinn e b’ e a’ ! Ach iarmad ann de’n neart ’s de’n treis’ a Ghaidhlig a mhain a chleachd e anns gach dh’ aom, foillseachadh a rinn e air a riiintean. Ged nach Fuidheall air nach do bhuadhaich lobhadh do shoirbhich leis cha do lagaich is cha do , marbh. mhuigich sin a chaomhalachd. B’ ann goirid an deidh sin a sgriobh is a Smalar gach teine ach mairidh sradag beo; chlodh-bhuail e an leabhran grinn sin “Mo Seargaidh an ros, ath-chinnidh e fo’n driiichd; nighean donn bhoidheach’ ’ anns an do nochd e Fo chlamhainn shion thig aiteal grein’ troimh a ghradh d’a mhathair. An am dha bhi sgoth; ’fuireach ann am Poll lirbh chuir e eolas air 7 ’S an tinneas bhreun thig breoch-shlaint mur Alasdair Camshron, Bard Thiirnaig, agus bu ‘ tig aog. trie dhoibh a bhi an cuideachd a cheile, esan ag eisdeachd is a’ brosnachadh a’ bhaird agus Ruaigeamaid sal na meirg’ le spairn bho’r tir, am bard ag cur ris a’ mheud is na sgriobh e Dh’ aiseag na loinn’ a bhuineadh dhi bho chian; roimhe gu bhi ag cur ri solas a’ charaid. As a’ I Mosglamaid as an sgleo a chomhdaich sinn, chompanas sin thainig an leabhar ‘ ‘Am Bard’ ’ ; | Bicdh spionnadh ur a’ smuaisleachadh ’nar leabhar inntinneach anns a bheil dealbhan cliabh. eireachdail. B’ e an leabhar mu dheireadh a thainig bho losal ge bheil ar staid, lapach ar rim laimh ‘ ‘ Lorna’ ’ co-chruinneachadh de na comh- 1 Gu togail tbrachd na tha ion ’s air dith, raidhean air cuspairean eachdraidheil leis an Bicdh eibhleag bhras na h-oighreachd tha d’ fhuair e priomh dhuaisean aig Modan : dhuinn dlixth Naiseanta. Tha e ’na chomharradh air cho . A’ beothachadh le surd nach much ri tim. ionmhuinn is a bha e mu’n Ghaidhlig gu’n tug e aon de’n leabhar so, saor is a nasgaidh, do Iain A. Mac a’ Phearsain. mhlle balach is nighean anns na sgoilean ann an Gaidhealtachd na h-Alba is ann an Gaidhealt- nuair a chuala i guth ag radh, “Gabh air do achd na h-Eireann. shocair agus chi thu sealladh nach fhaca tu B’ esan gu dearbh fior charaid na Gaidhlige riamh agus nach fhaic thu a chaoidh tuilleadh.” agus chan ann do neach eile ach dha-san a An sin chunnaic i a’ chreag a’ tosgladh, agus dh’fheumar cliii a thoirt gu “Clann an ceudan de shithichean beaga a’ dannsadh mu Fhraoich” a thoirt am bith. Cha robh e thimcheall oirre. Ghabh i eagal a bheatha, riaraichte leis cho beag Gaidhlig is a bha ’ga agus chuala i guth ag radh, “Till thusa tuill- cleachdadh, eadhon aig coinneamhan a’ Cho- eadh agus chan fhaic thu do dhachaidh gu muinn, agus cha do stad e gus an do ghabh brath.” Ruith i cho luath’s a b’urrainn dhi. An Comunn ri Comhairle sheasmhaich iiir Cha do chreid moran an sgeul aice agus leis anns nach biodh ach Gaidhlig a mhain mar an sin chaidh i as a cuimhne fhein cuideachd. chainnt gnothaich. B’ ann as a’ Comhairle sin lomadh seachdain an deidh sin chaidh i a a thainig Comunn na h-Oigridh. Thuig esan, steach do thigh nan cearc agus cuala i an upraid mar nach do thuig moran eile, nach ’eil mdran a b’ uamhasaiche. An sin, am mease nan tairbhe ann am briathran mar ’eil toil agus cearc, bha bodach beag, eibhinn ag eigheachd gniomh ’gan dearbhadh. aird a chlagainn. “Mach a so, mach a so,” B’ ann gu samhach is gun fhios do neach sam ghlaodh ise. “Gu de a thuirt mise riut-sa bith a chaidh e do Oihs a’ Chomuinn is a dh’ roimhe so?” ars am bodach. “Cha do rug iarr e cead an roinn sin de’ n chosgais a bha aig mi ort fhein ach beiridh mi nise air do chear- a’ Chomunn ri sheasamh gu bhith ag cuideachadh can.” leis na coisirean oga a tha a’ tighinn a Mharbh e iad gu leir, agus ruith an ceann dh’ionnsuidh a’ Mho id a phaidheadh, rud a baile as a dheidh suas an cnoc chun na creige. rinn e bliadhna an deidh bliadhna. Is ann an sin a chreid each sgeul na caillich mu Cha robh urram eile ’na bheatha a thug na sithichean. Chan fhacas iad a riamh tuill- uibhir thoileachais dha ri Crirn na Bardachd eadh, ach gus an latha an diugh ’s e Creag nan aig a’ Mhod. B’ e sin clach mhullaich an Sithichean ainm na creige ud.” t-solais dha. D. A. NicRath. Duine ciuin, baigheil, fialaidh ’na nadur, uasal macanta ’na ghiulan agus an comhnuidh aoidheil ris na h-uile. B’ e math na Gaidhlig agus an t-sluaigh do’m bu chainnt i rim a’ An Eala Bhan chridhe. Bu dileas e do’n rim sin. Bithidh . Cha leig duine a leas a bhith a’ smaoineachadh sinne ’ga ionndrainn is ’ga chaoidh agus is gur e na baird fhein a sgriobh gu h-iomlan na airidh e air ainm a chumail air chuimhne bhitear a’ cur as an leth. Cha mhotha na sin am measg fior chairdean na canaine. Tha ar is e an rud a chluinneas a’ chluas na chi an co-fhaireachduinn aig a bhantraich. C. S. t-suil a bha aca anns an amharc. Bha cainnt ruiteach, shiubhlach, dhealbhach an gnath- chainnt an t-sluaigh a bhiodh feadhainn san robh naduir ciiiil a’ sniomh is a’ toinnibh an rann- Sgeul A’ Bhodaich aigheachd. Mar sin faodaidh da bhard nach ’S e latha dorch geamhraidh, bho chionn cuala riamh iomradh air a cheile a bhith gle bliadhna,' a bh’ann, agus bha mise ’nam choltach ri cheile ’nam bardachd. Chan eil shuidhe ris an teine gu tursach, bronach le teagamh a bharrachd nach eil feadhainn ann a droch chnatan. Cha robh mi air a bhith anns tha deanamh atharrais air cuid chaich, agus an sgoil o chionn seachdain. “Nach b’ mar is trice tha sin furasda gu leor aithneachadh. fhearr leam-sagun tigeadh Domhnall a steach,’ ’ Aig mod na banais, nuair a chluinneas sinn arsa mise ri mo mhathair. ‘ ‘ Bithidh Domhnall fear na te a’ seinn an “Eala Bhan” bu choir coir aig na caoraich an diugh, ach carson a tha dhuinn a bhith tuigsinn nach e eun na leannan thu ’g a iarraidh co-dhiubh?” “Sgeul a bha aig a’ bhard san amharc. Ri Linn nan bhuaithe agus bhithinn sona a chaoidh tuill- Creach bha bata ainmeil air an robh an Eala eadh. Eisd ! Domhnall, an dearbh dhuine.” Bhan, agus nuair a bha i togail na creiche “Chuala tu fhein,’’ thoisich esan, “iomadh mu chladaichean na h-Alba faodaidh sinn a duine a’ bruidhinn mu dheidhinn na creige chreidsinn gun robh iorram aig an sgioba agus moire ud air taobh a’ chnuic, agus iad ag radh aoir aig an fheadhainn a bha iad a’ creachadh. gur ann aig na sithichean a bha i. ’ ’ “ Chuala, ’ ’ Is fhada o’n da latha sin a bha an Eala Bhan arsa mise, “ach innis thusa dhomh.’’ a’ buain nam bairneach thall mu Orasaig agus “Ceart gu leor. Bho chionn fhada nan cian, is fhaide na sin o bha an lubhrach Bhallach le nuair a bha an saoghal gle 6g, bha boireannach a breidean sgallach mu Rudha na Caillich. Ni bcchd a’ coiseachd sios taobh a’ chnuic agus sinn seanachas orra le cheile uair eile. crith innte leis an eagal oir bha e dubh dorch, S.T.B. Starting with a plain sheet of paper, he wrote Learning Gaelic by down each Gaelic word, with the familiar Lowland equivalent where given, abhuinn Sight and Sound or amhuin with Avon or Almond, cnoc and knock, or baile and bal—. For each thing Arthur Geddes and its name we sketched a simple symbol: ENTHRALLED from childhood by the -for allt a single sinuous line; for abhuinn a sweep of Gaelic songs heard on voice and double winding line; for anbher or inver two violin, on broadcasts and records, and sinuous lines joining, or one emerging on to a loving the land and the croft on which he goes loch, by inlet or by delta, sugach or to work in holidays, a young Edinburgh school- “SuccOuth” ; and for the rough shape of each boy said to me, “How can I learn Gaelic?’’ hill or hillock he knew by name, progressively Not as one more “school subject,” I thought more pointed from meail and cnoc to tulach, to myself; “not with still more grinding from mam to cioch, from cam or cairn-fringed home work. ’ ’ Then, how ? How do young steep to creag, craig or crag. The image of the people come to grasp the words of a language inner eye and the expressive sound to listening so that real things embodying the spirit of an ear, were linked and became “one.” Instead intimate tradition can become alive to them, of the grammarian’s cold blooded lists as become their own ? One answer is that words items to memorise, each known thing naturally come over by sounds linked to sights, when the called up its visual symbol (however crude) vision of the thing named can be linked to the and its heard. (and written) sound. It is not noun and actions linked to the verb, then both for a geographer (such as the Writer) to pretend come true, alive through the ‘ ‘living word. ’ ’ to supplant the trained language teacher; yet our linguistic colleagues do learn their trade Beinn to Cladach indoors in class rooms, not out of doors where Things and the names for them come first, Gaelic begins. I hope the hint will add, not on the whole, and it is with one simple step in any way detract from the language teacher’s that this note is concerned. My schoolboy special skill. had asked for maps of Blair Atholl and Glen Now “No good idea is new,” brand new; Tilt which he knows, so as to see it as a whole in and the excellent Gaelic course of the B.B.C. his mind’s eye, and these were easily got: by John Bannerman with its attractive pamph- a one-inch (and half-inch) to mile map, and a let rightly brings in place-names. All that six-inch map with every croft and field, with we tried together, the boy and I, was to take the place-names he knew and others he could it a step further, using the simple means at soon learn of, but of which he could not tell hand ; the map of a place we knew with one the meaning. Here might be a start for him. of these handy Glossaries. Highland schools Now, with the one-and-half-inch maps of are encouraged to buy the local maps for the the Highlands and Isles a “Glossary of Gaelic children. Many or most of our rural teachers (and Norse) Place Names” is issued as a four- from Dee and Spey to the Outer Isles know page leaflet by H.M. Ordnance Survey and little Gaelic, yet most are ready to learn and by Messrs. Bartholomew, the great Edinburgh very few are hostile to the native tongue. map makers. So with its map before us and a Highland Directors of Education are sympa- leaflet at hand, we turned together to the glen thetic. Here may be one small way of “co- we knew and named each place, each glen and ordinating’ ’ learning for the rural bairns who, ben (gleann agus beinn), river and burn (‘avon’ one hopes, may grow up to be rural workers or abhuinn ’us allt), pointed hill and knobby and co-operators, whether “abroad” or, best knock or hillock {tom ’us cnoc), moss and of all, at home. meadow {moine ’us cluaine), “from beinn to cladach” or pebble bed of stream and shore. Translation for the Learner Eagerly the boy spoke and then wrote down Those to whom the willing recruits of An each word which, one by one, he recognised Comunn (such as the writer) owe the fine work and identified by the spots he knew, with many done by our native-speaking organisers, editors he liked or loved. The .sights he knew were and committees, may sometimes not be fully translated into sounds, recorded and recognis- aware of our difficulties. The need to translate able in writing. In half-an-hour he found he is greater than native speakers quite realise. had the fair beginning of an essential vocabulary For example, we recruits would wish not only of the commonest elements of Highland life, to maintain the Gaidhlig section of An Gaidheal. the land itself, his own land, a dhuthaich fhein. but to see the purely Gaelic periodical Gairm The next ambition was to work right through be noised abroad. Yet when, we turn to a the little Glossary in a new, but simple way. scholarly series of essays m An Gaidheal such — 91 — choinneamh a’ cur an comhairle ri cheile airson Bha sud a’ dol air adhart an ceann gach greis, de bu choir a dheanamh ris a’ chiomach. oir mhothaich an gille gu robh na coin a’ stad ’s a’ deanamh maille anns gach bad de’n Is e thainig as gu robh a’ chuideachd gu leir t-slighe anns an robh an fheoil ’s an t-aran. an run a chumail gus an dioladh 'athair dhaibh Mu dheireadh thall, thainig e am fradharc maoin is spreidh an eirig na chaill iad. Ghlinn Eilg is ’anail ’na uchd agus gach blabhd Am feadh ’s a bha a’ bhruidhinn so a’ dol cruaidh a bheireadh na beistean ud asda air air adhart,. dh’ ealaidh fear de na bha lathair gach faire, a’ cur gairisinn fhuar tre ’fhuil ’s gu ciil an tighe is thoisich e air rusgadh an tre ’fheoil. tughaidh ’s na sgrathan gus an do rinn e toll Chaidh e seachad an sud ’s an so air bothan mor troimhe. Sheall e ptigh is chunnaic e an dhaoine a b’ aithne dha, ach cha leigeadh eagal t-Abrach ’na shuidhe gu h-isealfodhaagus lamh a bheatha leis dol a steach oir bha fios aige gun air gach glim aige, a’ leigeil dheth a sgios. toireadh na coin na dorsan agus na bha ’ n taobh Tharruing an Sgitheanach a’ bhiodag is chuir a stigh dhiubh, as a cheile. e anns an fhear eile i eadar a dha shlinnean, is Mu dheireadh thall thilg e dheth a pheitein, dh’fhag e marbh gun sgrid e air an laraich. shuain e so timchioll air na bha air fhagail de’n Bha each gle dhiombach airson a’ ghniomh bhiadh is dh’fhag e air druim a’ cheum e. so oir cha robh iad idir ann an diirachd a bheatha Mar a bha an t -agh san dan dha, thainig e an thoirt de’ n Abrach ged a bha iad air an ruigh- ceann uine ghearr am fianuis na mara aig Caol eachd gu ro mhor. Reithe. Bha eathar an sin a’ feitheamh agus Anns a’ bhad, chaidh litir a sgriobhadh gu nuair a chunnaic an sgioba cottas a’ bhalaich ’ athair ag innse gun deach a mhac a mharbhadh air a chlaoidh, theann iad air dol suas ceum agus a’ toirt cothrom dha airson tighinn air bho’n chladach ’na choinneamh ach ghlaodh tailleabh a’ chuirp. am fear eile riutha iad a dh’fhuireach far an An sin, sheall iad a mach airson teachdaire robh iad ’s am bata a bhith deiseil. smiorail, luath, a rachadh leis an litir gu Cha robh am fear turuis ach gann air e fein Lochabar. Fhuair iad so ann am baile gun a thilgeadh a stigh air an tobhta nuair a nochd a bhith ro fhada air falbh, gallan luthmhor, a’ chilis-eagai 1. treun, mu aois se bliadhna deug. Chuir each gu grad na raimh oirre agus cha Cha robh an t-astar bu ghiorra is bu diriche robh iad sion ach ann am meadhon a’ chaolais do Lochabar ach mu bheagan is da fhichead nuair a chunnaic iad na madaidh gharga ’nan mile bho Ghleann Eilg, le bhith ’gabhail na suidhe air an casan deiridh air an traigh ’s an frith-rathadan is na ceuman coise tre na beal- sron ri athar agus an donnalaich aca a’ toirt aich. Thugadh a’ chomhairle air an oganach fuaim air mactalla nan creag a chionn nach b’ e a ghabhail air a shocair a’ falbh, ach aig a’ urrainn dhaibh dol mir na b’fhaide. cheart am, aithne theann e a dheanamh na An ath latha thainig an tuathanach le each, cabhaig bu mhotha rinn e riamh a’ tilleadh, carn-slaod, agus comhlan chairdean, chuir iad oir bha amharus gum biodhte air a thoir. am marbh air an uidheam-ghiulain is thugadh Thug am fleasgach leis deagh phasgan de dhachaidh mar sin e gu Lochabar. fheoil ’s de aran-coirce, a chumadh a chridhe Riamh bho ’n latha ud, cha deach creach ris an cois na slighe, is thog e air. eile a thogail anns an Eilean agus fhuair fear Nochd e ri Lochabar trath an ath mhadainn ar sgeoil air sgath a threubhantais gabhail bheag agus bha e aig tigh an tuathanaich nuair a bha fearainn saor a grunnd, a bha mar sin aige na bana-chosnaichean a’ cur a’ bhiadh maidne, fein cho fad ’s bu bheo e, agus aig na thainig truinnsearan lite is bainne, air a’ bhord. a mach bhuaithe airson iomadh linn. Sheas mo liagh anns an dorus. Gun diog a radh thilg e an litir a null am measg nan soithichean bidhe is rinn e gu bras ri gorm. Air do fhear an tighe teachdaireachd dhuilich Leac Na Bean-Nighe na litreach e leughadh, chaidh e air bhoil le feirg is ardan. Dh’ eibh e air na coin mhora Bho chionn iomadh bliadhna air ais bha duine a bha aige airson na seilge, chuir e an litir ri anns a’ bhaile againn ris an canadh iad Alasdair am bus airson a snotach agus an sin thug e a Ban. Aon latha briagha samhraidh dh’fhalbh mach iad is stuig e na madaidh fhuileachdach e chun na mbintich air toir chaorach oir bha air lorg an ruithiche. faing an riisgaidh gu bhith ann. Dh’fheumadh Cha robh esan moran mhiltean air adhart e a dhol deagh astar oir bhiodh na caoraich ag an uair a chual e a’ chomhartaich a b’ oillteil ionaltradh mar bu trice mu’n am-sa bhliadhna as a dheidh, ach smaoinich e air innleachd a timcheall air na Tulaich Ghlasa mar a theireadh chuireadh beagan dail ann an toireachd nan iad. Uaireannan bhiodh dithis no triiiir a’ gadhar. Dh'fhosgail e am pasgan is thilg e falbh a dh’ iarraidh nan caorach, ach an latha beagan de’n bhiadh air gach taobh de’n rathad. ud cha robh duine aig Alasdair ach e fhein. — 92 — Lean e a mach an cois na h-aibhne gus an a’ chogaidh ach ann an eachdraidh an t- d’ thainig e tarsainn air boireannach le aodach saoghail.” fada dubh a bha i nighe air lie anns an abhainn. B’ e Priomhfhear eile, Maighstir Churchill, ■’Sea chulaibh a bha rithe agus cha do rinn e ach ann a bhith a’ toirt iomraidh ann an Tigh nan a lamh chli a chur air a gualainn. Thionndaidh Cumantan air an deagh sgeul mar a bhuaileadh ise air le feirg agus thubhairt i, “ ’ S ann cearra- is a sgapadh an namhaid aig El Alamein, a | gach a rug thu orm. An lamh a rug ormsa cha thubhairt:— bheir i air neach eile.” Leis na briathran so “De na saighdearan Breatunnach as an ! chaidh i as an t-sealladh. duthaich so, sheas na Reiseamaidean Gaidh- ’ Thog Alasdair air dhachaidh leis na caoraich. ealach tromlach a’ chatha agus choisinn iad ' Nuair a rainig e an fhaing dh’ eibh e air Aonghas, urram as ur do’n tir a dh’araich iad.’ ’ j caraid dha, agus dh’ innis e dha mu thimcheall An am do Sheanalair de Gaulle a bhith ag cur ‘ a’ bhoireannaich. Cha deach an corr a radh an ceill gu de thug air cumail air an uair a jinu’n chuis, agus chaidh Alasdair a steach striochd an Fhraing, b’ ann mar so a labhair e : i do’ n fhaing comhla ri a chompanaich. “B’ e am braithreachas catha eadar na j Thachair gu robh caora dhubh aige a’ reiseamaidean Frangach air an robh e mar ■ bhliadhna ud, agus ’ s i a’ chiad te air na dhearc urram agam-sa a bhith ’nam Chomandair |e.1 Rug e oirre leis a’ chearraig. Ach ma rug, agus na reiseamaidean curanta Gaidhealach thuit e marbh as a sheasamh. Gus an latha an anns a’ bhlar aig Abbeyvi lie a bhrosnaich mi diugh theirear Leac na Bean-nighe ris an lie gu cumail orm a dh’ aindeoin gu de thachradh.’ ’ Jud am bruaich na h-aibhne. Sin agaibh teisteanas dhaoine do’m b’ aithne Morag NicDhomhnaill. na feartan a tha fuaighte ri ar daoine; na feartan air a bheil an Aitreabh so a’ deanamh luaidh. Cuimhnicheamaid cuideachd gur e so talla na h-ionndrainn do iomadh neach a tha ag caoidh nam fiiiran deas, calma, a dh’fhalbh is Aitreabh Ur Nan nach do thill. ’ S ann mar chuimhneachan orra- san gu sonruichte a tha an Aitreabh ur so. Gaidheal Mar sin, bitheamaid airidh air na tha an ! Dh’ fhosgladh an Aitreabh so an Glaschu air an Aitreabh so ag co-sheasamh dhuinn. Cuidich- ' naoitheamh latha deug de’ n Damhair. A measg eamaid leotha-san a shaothraich gu toirt gu na muinntir a labhair gu cubhaidh aig an am buil agus bitheamaid mothachail air iomchuid- bha Ceann Suidhe A’ Chomuinn Ghaidhealaich, eachd ar dleasdanais ann a bhith ag cumail na agus so mar a labhair e: h-Aitreibh so mar ionad anns a bheil taisgte A Mhnathan is a dhaoin’ uaisle, cliu mhaireannach ar laochraidh. Is e so Aitreabh ur nan Gaidheal agus le Gach deagh shoirbheachadh do’n Aitreabh so ar lathaireachd an so an nochd tha sinn a’ bho gach aon anns a’ Chomunn Ghaidhealach. : deanamh aidmheil air gach cuimhne a tha an liichairt so ag ath-bheothachadh dhuinn agus a’ daingneachadh ’ nar cridheachan. 1. A’ bhliadhna bha so cha robh toradh na ’Nar gairdeachas ann a bhith a’ deanamh talmhainn cho math idir, idir: cha robh airson luaidh air na sochairean a tha an Aitreabh so a’ dhfi na tri de bhliadhnachan an deidh a cheile, ,'buileachadh oirnn is cubhaidh dhuinn a bhith Thubhairt ministear an aite gum bu choir do da’ toirt fa-near an t-aobhar sonruichte airson dhaoine a bhith ’g urnuigh airson toradh ?'an do steidhicheadh e. fhaotainn mar a b’ abhaist. Fhreagair bodach a Tha e gu bhith ag cur an ceill dhuinne agus bha an lathair, nach b’e urnuigh a bha an dhoibh-san a thig ’nar deidh nach fhaodar talamh a’ feumachdainn ach tobhar. | dearmad a dheanamh a chaoidh air na rinn is na 2. Bha bata siiiil latha a’ tighinn a Uig an Idh’fhuiling ar n-6igridh Ghaidhealach, fir agus Eilein Sgiathanaich tarsainn a’ chuain gu i mnathan, a chum is gu’m biodh sith agus fearann na Hearadh. Mu leitheach slighe bha i saorsa aig na h-uile dhaoine. a’ ghaoth a’ seideadh gu laidir ionnus gu robh B’ ard a thog iadsan cliu ar daoine. Nach am bata beag le cruban siuil ann an cunnart. j b’ ann mu’n athraichean anns a’ Cheud Chogadh Mu dheireadh thugadh dhith an seol buileach airson an do thogadh a’ cheud Aitreabh, a agus ligeadh ruith leatha le crann riiisgte. Bha i thubhairt Priomhfhear na diithcha an uair a an t-acras air na fir a bha air bord ach cha ! bu deistinniche an cunnart:— leigeadh eagal am beatha anns a’ chunnart “Bithidh iomradh air an euchdan buan anns an robh iad leotha dad a dheanamh. Mu ! • mhaireannach, chan e mhain ann an eachdraidh dheireadh thoisich fear aca deanamh bonnach — 93 — stapaig eadar a bhoisean. Thionndaidh fear eile ris agus thuirt e, “A Dhomhnaill, an ann Annual General Meeting air sin tha d’aire ’s tu an cunnart do bheatha OF AN COMUNN GAIDHEALACH, a chall?” Fhreagair am fear eile, ‘‘Ged a SATURDAY, 14th OCTOBER, 1961. chailleadh tu do bheatha fhein bu mhath Mr. Hugh Macphee, President of An Comunn, dhuit do bhroinn a bhith lan. D .R .M. was in the Chair, and 178 members attended the meeting. In his opening remarks, the President referred to the loss sustained by An Comunn Allan, I would go with in the passing of Mr. Neil Shaw, and paid tribute to his work on behalf of Gaelic. The you members joined the President in this tribute. An apology for absence was intimated from T ranslation from Miss May Margaret Macmillan. “Ailein Duinn shiubhlainn leat.” In his address the President made reference to the importance of members attending the By Iain C. Smith Annual General Meeting and welcomed those I feel no joy tonight, but pain, present. Minute of last meeting was accepted brooding on the wind and rain as read. which drove him out to sea again. Intimation of result of Election of Office- 0 Allan, most beloved of men, Bearers was read by the Secretary. Provost 1 heard that you had crossed the sea Donald Thomson offered to serve on the Execu- in a narrow boat of the oaken tree tive Council for two years, and ten members and you were wrecked on the Isle of Man. were appointed to serve for three years. Such port would not have been my choice The President recorded thanks to the local but Stiadair Strait in the Isle of Harris committee in Stirling for such a successful Mod. or Miabhaig Loch in the hills alone. It was most gratifying to An Comunn that such a welcome was extended to the Mod by the 0 Allan, sweetheart of my youth, people of Stirling. Mr. McCaskie, who was 1 loved you with the truest faith. present at the meeting, was asked to accept the Bitter the message of your death. grateful thanks of An Comunn to all his com- It’s not the death of cattle but mittee members for the magnificent efforts they the soggy wetness of your shirt, made in raising the Mod Fund, and for their and whales tearing you apart. assistance during Mod week. Mr. McCaskie suitably replied. No rich rewards can cure this loss, Thanks were recorded to our Gaelic judges no happy herds of brindled cows. who come each year to the Mod, and give I would not ask for another man their services free. Their work is not easy but to be with you on top of the ben. and to them grateful thanks are given. Adoption of Reports and Accounts was moved Allan whom I loved is drowned. by Mr. Allan Cameron, and unanimously Would that I had been at hand agreed. whatever reef ebbed you ashore, The Secretary read two letters, one from the whatever tide has slacked you there. Town Council and one from the committee of the And I would drink, in spite of kin, Gaelic Society of Perth, inviting the 1963 Mod not from the red wine of Spain to Perth. Rev. Ronald Robertson addressed but of your blood to slake the pain. the meeting, and the invitation to Perth was accepted unanimously with thanks. May God Himself in heaven see Motion by Mr. Donald Grant to alter Rule 14 the wealth of talk you’ve given me, of the Constitution, “five” to “ten” and your bountiful generosity. “June” to “April” was fully discussed and Lengths of silk I cannot make seconded by Mr. George Sutherland. This into fine dresses for your sake. alteration was unanimously agreed. The suggestion that An Gaidheal be issued free to This is my prayer to God above • Ordinary Members was remitted to the Execu- not to be placed in shroud or grave tive Council on the motion of Provost Donald nor in a pit of the dusty ground Thomson, seconded by Mr. Roderick Mac- but where, dear Allan, you were drowned. Kinnon . Motion by Mr. I. R. Mackay to foim an Allan, I would go with you. additional Standing Committee to be known as the “Northern Committee’’, was seconded by Miss Kay Matheson. A lengthy discussion President’s Address followed and several members gave their views. Finally the motion was agreed. National Mod of An Comunn Gaidhealach, Mrs. J. M. Bannerman explained the Advisory Stirling, 1961 Committee’s recommendation regarding the IT is my duty, and a pleasant one it is, to appointment of an independent committee and welcome you to the Fifty-Eighth National a lengthy discussion followed. The members Mod of An Comunn Gaidhealach. I hope of such a committee would be appointed by the it will provide happy memories of our visit Executive Council. Several members gave to Stirling. I am sure it will inspire us all their views on the matter, and Mrs. Bannerman to united effort in the cause we strive to serve. was asked to withdraw the word ‘ ‘ independent’ ’ It is appropriate, too, to acknowledge our from the recommendation—this she agreed to deep sense of indebtedness to the local Com- do. The outcome of the discussion was that mittee for all that they have done, not the least the Advisory Committee was asked to appoint being that the financial success of the Mod has a committee to review the present organisation been well secured by their efforts. We thank of An Comunn Gaidhealach and make recom- them and all those who have worked with them mendations. This was approved. most sincerely. Intimation was given to the members that Mr. James Thomson was retiring as editor of As you have said, Mr. Provost, fifty-two years An Caidheal, and thanks and appreciation were have passed since the Mod made its first visit to recorded to him for all he has done in this this historic town, and a comparison between connection. A cordial welcome was extended the entries then and those of today will indicate to his successor Mr. Donald Grant. The the growth of interest in, and the influence of President congratulated the editors of Gairm the Med during the past half century. which is now in its tenth year, and hoped that In 1909 the entry of 600 was considered very Mr. Finlay J. MacDonald and Mr. Derick satisfactory. This figure showed an increase Thomson would continue this good work. of 168 over the previous year. Nine Junior and Mr. Donald Grant, referring to his acceptance thirteen Senior Choirs came forward. of the Editorship of An Gaidheal said that the This year, the entries number 1,236 and the survival of the magazine depended on the Junior Choirs alone exceed the entire Choral members of An Comunn. He would accept the entry of fifty years ago. A gratifying feature office for a period of two years and it would is that these junior singers should be so repre- depend on the support given him as to whether sentative of all Gaeldom. We are heartened or not he would continue beyond that period. by their presence, for the custody of the Mr. Finlay MacLean suggested that an up language is in their keeping in the years that to date copy of the Constitution and Rules of lie ahead. With the senior entry of 34 in- An Comunn should be available to members. dividual choirs no fewer than 56 Gaelic Choirs The President intimated that all suggestions will be heard in Stirling this year. should be given in writing to the Special While the Mod directs attention to the Committee once it had been formed, and that musical aspect of An Comunn’s work, it is this committee would look into all matters much more than a musical festival. We would concerning the organisation of An Comunn. like it to be realised that it is only one of the Provost Donald Thomson referred to the many efforts An Comunn is making continuously ' increase of ordinary membership subscriptions, on behalf of Gaelic. and how it would affect Branch Members. This The entries in both the Senior Oral and was remitted to the Propaganda Committee for Literary sections indicate the emphasis that is consideration—suggestion by Mr. Donald Grant placed on proficiency in the language, and we was 2/6 for Branch Membership and 7/6 to would appeal for as large an attendance as | Headquarters for Ordinary Membership. possible at the Oral competitions. : Members who raised a number of points under I can assure you all that you will find it a ‘ ‘ any competent business’ ’ were asked to submit stimulating and rewarding experience. these in writing for consideration. Here are some of the names in the prize list Rev. M. A. MacCorquodale gave thanks to Mr. at the Stirling Mod of 50 years ago. Murdo MacPhee, President, for his leadership from Morrison, the Barvas Bard; The Rev. D. W. the chair and Mr. J. M. Bannerman thanked MacKenzie, whose widow, the subject and the President for all his work during Mod week. inspiration of his well known song “An cluinn Thanks were also given to the office staff. thu mi mo nighean donn’ ’, is happily still with This concluded the business of the meeting. us as an active member of the Stirling Local M.M. Committee, — 95 — Then there was John MacFadyen, “An Whether the modern song will commend itself t-Eileanach’Duncan MacNiven, Islay, the and survive is a question for posterity. As that Kilchoman bard; John MacCormick, that gifted great/authority on folk music, Sir Hubert Parry, and prolific writer from Mull; Hector Mac- first President of the Folk Song Society, said: Dougall, Coll; and in that company our late “Folk song grew in the hearts of the people and much respected Secretary, Neil Shaw, has .... and it grew there because it pleased an honoured place, for he, too, was a prize- them to make it, and because what they winner in the language competitions. made pleased them; and that is the only These are names that have a worthy and a way good music was ever made.’’ permanent place in Gaelic literature. If only for the encouragement and confidence Many of the Mod songs have passed the test it has given to such Gaelic writers throughout of that high authority. the years, the Mod has earned the gratitude While we may take justifiable pride in what of all who value the language and all that it the Mod has accomplished, we are nevertheless represents in the culture of our people. conscious of the background against which we One of our former Presidents, Malcolm have to maintain the cultural elements of our MacLeod, a great leader of his time, spoke race. wisely when he said:— All concerned with the welfare of our native “Even were the Mod exclusively a Musical land must surely be dismayed by the continued Festival, justification for its existence could decline of the rural population. The figures be found in the great amount of work of revealed by successive census returns give an first class importance it has done for Gaelic imperative call to all who set any value on music. the preservation of what was once the National “It has raised Gaelic singing to a high level, language to lend their support to ensure that while preserving its native characteristics; it will be maintained as one of the most dis- it has rescued from neglect many of our tinctive features of our Scottish heritage. loveliest melodies; it has helped effectively During the past hundred years the population to reveal to the world the great wealth and of the counties of Argyll, Inverness, Ross and variety of Gaelic music and song, and it has Cromarty and Sutherland fell by 61,365. From given Highlanders themselves a new interest the turn of the century the loss amounted to and an enhanced pride in these possessions 41,817, and from the last census in 1951, that of theirs. ’ is during the past ten years, the drop in popu- How true that is when we realise that 75 years lation in these counties came to 8,650. ago, just prior to the institution of An Comunn, The Gaelic speaking Island of Barra provides the promotion of an all Gaelic concert in a good example of the cause and the effect of Glasgow, with its large Gaelic population, was this situation. Up to the beginning of the considered a bold and somewhat rash experi- first world war it was a prosperous fishing ment, as Gaelic was then so little countenanced community, but after the war this lucrative on the public platform. industry which provided full employment Gaelic song collections in those days were disappeared. The effect of this on the island’s few indeed, scarcely half a dozen, and, when economy can be imagined. procurable, the price was beyond the means This was made manifest to me when I visited of the people. How changed the situation the Junior Secondary School at Castlebay. It today with so many collections available. has a roll of 230 pupils and the average number The universal acceptance now accorded to leaving each year is 25. When I asked what our music through the agency of An Comunn opportunity these children had of employment was amply demonstrated by the crowded and at home, I was told that, with very few ex- appreciative audiences at the Gaelic concerts ceptions, they would have to leave the island presented this year under the auspices of the and prepare themselves for their livelihood Edinburgh International Festival of Music elsewhere. The result is an unbalanced and Drama. population, comprised mostly of elderly folk. In addition to all that, one of the features Need we be surprised that this island of 1476 of the Mod is the manner in which our music inhabitants lost 22 per cent, of its population is sustained as a living tradition. The songs during the past ten years, and it is not the of the modern bards find a place with the works most seriously affected. of the old masters. How encouraging it is to know that the first By so doing, it is ensured that the language Barra boat built under the Outer Hebrides in this mode of expression is not stultified by Fishery Scheme has now entered the water with over emphasising a reverence for the past to another being built. Lewis, too, is taking the neglect of the present, with all its importance advantage of this scheme. It is to be hoped and urgency. that the heavy charges that have to be met to repay the loans will not destroy the initiative matters concern us deeply, for we do realise and the determination of these islesfolk to seek that language, culture, and people are a living for themselves and their families. indivisible. While always eschewing politics, Their only capital is in their labour. We wish as our constitution demands, we shall use all them well. the influence we possess to ensure that justice ; One noteworthy fact does emerge from the shall be done, that Gaels have their share of ! census figures. It is that the decrease in the the benefits, opportunities and amenities en- - number of Gaelic speakers in the counties I joyed by most of the people in our land. i have mentioned is 2,026 less than the total We shall be made aware soon of the reports j decrease in the crofting counties. of the Scottish Council of Development and . There are slight increases in certain areas Industry; that of the Toothill Committee on its and where these occur they indicate what is study of Scottish economy, and the report of : j essential if the population is to be maintained, the Eogood Committee on natural resources. j ‘ In each case the increase is due to opportunities We shall look forward with special interest to j of employment. the report of the Enquiry made into Highland i, Industry is essential if a stable and viable transport and that of the MacKenzie Committee ) population is to be made secure, but what on Power supplies. incentive is there to industry in continually Never, may I say, have so many reports been j rising charges? Let me give an instance. A made on the living of so few, with so little " friend required a small quantity of bricks to evidence that time is on our side, even though | complete a job at his home in a village on the measured by the calendar. ) West Coast of Mull. The cost at the brickworks That the Gael is ready and willing to help j was £5, but the transport charge would raise himself is well exemplified by a noteworthy ' that figure to £20. A similar freight oncost Lewis experiment. It has been described as a i has to be added to the essential purchases made miracle in land regeneration. It began in 1957. * in the village store. In the first year, by a process of surface seeding j The economic factor consequent upon the 273 acres of sour, almost barren, peat land were [ drop in population may make a re-organising transformed into pasture for sheep and cattle. [ of the transport service desirable, but no That new grazing area has now, within four j curtailment should be permitted to take place years, been extended to 5,730 acres. * without an adequate alternative being provided This has not been achieved without much ' sufficient for the needs of all communities. labour, and in many cases, where mechanical ' These facilities are essential, and to reduce aids could not be employed, the shell sand and ! them would be to strangle all hope for the future. lime had to be carried on their back by these The interruption in the plans of The North crofter folk, sometimes for a distance of several of Scotland Hydro Electric Board fill us with miles. This shows that the present generation dismay. We shall always be grateful to the of Highlanders, given the opportunity, can Board for the miles of roadways they have built, secure a livelihood for themselves and be as for the employment that has been provided, enterprising as were their pioneering kinsfolk : and especially for having banished the paraffin who had crossed the seas and won prosperity | lamp era. The housewife in most parts of the for themselves and their descendants from the 1 Highlands can now enjoy the advantages of clearings they made in the forests and from j the modern aids which are commonplace their labours in making fertile the empty plains. | throughout the country. The achievements of these emigrants are We hope the Board may continue until the recognised in history, but what is so en- !, islands and all the areas that are still without couraging to us is that their descendants should j electricity receive this benefit. By all means still take pride in their Gaelic origins. The | let us preserve the beauty of our countryside, Gaels of Nova Scotia, who have their own ' so that it may be admired and enjoyed by the annual Mod, have made tangible their unity ; visitors who come and make a short stay in our with us in the medals they have presented for j midst, but never at the expense of denying to several years for annual competition. Now, ■ the people who stay there the whole year round this year, at the Stirling Mod, medals presented those things that are regarded as vital amenities by the Federation of Highland and Gaelic of modern living. Societies of Canada, will be awarded for the | If I have stressed the material things that first time. ; make for comfort and contentment; if I have The area represented by this Federation referred to the frustrations and expense of the extends across the Dominion from East to transport service—it is because they so seriously West, along the MacKenzie trail. The request * affect the life of our people. These factors are that these medals should be awarded to the s the basic causes of the depopulation which now winners in the Learners’ competitions, is * presents a serious national problem. These indicative of the support and appreciation given to the Mod by entrants other than those native ROSS AND CROMARTY MUSIC COMMITTEE born. These medals enable us to acknowledge Here is a short quotation from the above Report :—- how much An Comunn appreciates the interest ' ‘ It has been said that the language of the Gael is of the thousands now devoting their leisure to slowly but surely fading out, and that it holds little acquiring a knowledge of Gaelic. This aware- or no interest whatever to those who are living outwith ness by so many of the importance of this ancient Gaelic-speaking areas. Indeed it has been stated language as a means of providing a fuller apatheticthat, in regardinggeneral, Gaelic-speakingtheir mother tongue, parents that are it sois understanding of the history and culture of only in exceptional cases that the children are taught their native land, is one of the most encouraging the language by the parents themselves. That the and inspiring results of An Comunn’s efforts faultgreatly does increased not rest number with ofthe competitors youth is shown in the byGaelic the throughout the years. - section of the 1961 County Musical Festival. No less On that note, which embraces and welcomes than 478 competitors took part in classes which all who esteem Gaelic, and who seek to buttress included Piping, Speech, Vocal Solos, Duets, Quar- our racial edifice, I shall end. tettes and Choirs. The standard attained in recent Into our keeping have been placed the owingyears atin Provinciallarge measure Mods to has the been competent very satisfactory, work done traditions of our race which, in themselves, in schools under qualified and enthusiastic teachers. enshrine much of the spirit and the soul of Scotland. Let us be worthy of these traditions competitorsThe National from Ross-shire.Mod continues The Educationto attract Author- many so that, come what may, future generations ity and the County Music Comm'ttee continue to may say of us that we held true and kept encourage and assist An Comunn in its work. Storno- vigilant regard for all that has been entrusted way, Kyle and Gairloch once more held successful to us. Let us then express that faith not in Mods.” words alone but also in our actions. Cuimh- The set-up in Ross-shire regarding Mods and nicheamaid na daoine bho’n d’thainig sinn agus Festivals is as follows :— leanamaid an comhnuidh gu dluth ri cliu Annual'—Provincial Mods in Stornoway, Kyle and ar sinnsribh. Gairloch. Biennial—Countywith Area FestivalsMusic Festivals held in inStornoway, Dingwall Branch Reports Kyle and Easter Ross. FORRES The1962. Black Isle will have its first Area Festival in withThe a ceilidh.winter sessionThe interest was opened in the Gaelicon 19th movement October solois maintained. by Mr. J . MacdonaldThe proceedings of Forres opened Pipe Band.with bagpipe Vocal and instrumental items were given by Mrs. Mackenzie, The Songs of Craig and Ben, Vol. 11, by Arthur Dingwall; Miss Campbell, Nairn; Messrs. J. C. Geddes : W. Maclellan, 240 Hope Street, Glasgow. Campbell,Ross, Dingwall; London; Ian Macgregor,R. Macdonald, Nairn; Inverness; Ron Wilson, K. Kinloss; Ian Johnston and G. Gourlay, Forres. 1, isThis made Volume, up of whichthree groupsis the complementof songs—farewells of Volume to andDr. theH. accompanistM. Morgan, waspresident, Miss B. wasMe William.fear-an-tighe, The the bens ; love of the hills ; laughter, lilts, and dance vote of thanks was proposed by Iain Macarthur. alongsidemusic. In the a Englishfew cases rendering, the original but most Gaelic of theis givensongs OBAN are in translation only • It is true that the translations The opening ceilidh in aid of the 1962 National arebut notthe alwayssentiment literal and or rhythmvery close, of atthe least original in parts, are Modhad towas beso accommodatedwell attended thatin anotheran overflow room. audience The successfully reproduced. artistes gave of their best to both audiences and were howThere labour is agave very rise interesting to appropriate Introduction songs, indicating and how andenthusiastically Jenny Currie, applauded. Catherine TheyMacNiven were—Neil and Ian McLean Car- music gave labour its rhythm. It points out that michael. These were ably supported by Anne Gillies suggestswhile Gaelic that translationis in retreat, may traditionshelp to restore live theon, link.and andChoir Hector contributed, Campbell. and Theinstrumental Oban Male selections Voice Gaelic were How life in the Highlands is reflected in popular ?ong given by Colin Campbell’s Band, and Piper Hugh andmade melody to ‘ ‘ model is carefully principles. traced, ’ ’ and some reference is paniments.MacFarlane, whileFir-an-tighe Mrs. Macdonald were Provost played D. the Thomson accom- and Mr. D. Morrison. songsThe given main arecharacteristics summarised ofunder the theirthree respectivegroups of AYR headings, and the story of each song is related in The President, Mr. A. Fraser, welcomed a large outline. The music is rendered both in staff and sol-fa. ceilidh.audience Theof members Junior Choir,and friends conducted to theby openingMr. D. non-GaelicThe main speaker object in of Scotland this collection some idea is ofto thigive 3 part the Payne,Mclsaac, Mary sang aRose number Davis of Gaelicand Francessongs as Matthews,did Cowan throughof his nationaltranslation, heritage to arouse of song hi- andinterest, music, and and. his Margaretmembers Macdonald.of the choir, The and visiting Kathleen artistes Mooney were Modand desiregone to to the perpetuate production it. of thisA great book, dealas well of aslabour no small has MedallistsDiarmid, Greencck.Alasdair Grant, Glasgow, and Ina Mac- pricemeasure of 7/6;of scholarship. 5/- for the CommunityIt is well worth issue. the modest Hn ©albbcal: (Formerly AN DEO GREINE) The Monthly Magazine of An Cornunn Gaidhealach

Volume LVI1 January, 1962, to December, 1962, inclusive

AN COMUNN GAIDHEALACH 65 West Regent Street, Glasgow CONTENTS

GAELIC DEPARTMENT Page Page Aig a’ Chruinneachadh Bhliadhnail 17 Litir: Ainjnean Gaidhlig - - 65 Ainmean - - - - - 90 Litir: Rhum na Rum - - 63 Beatha Agus Obair _ _ _ 133 “Mac An t-Sionnaich” - - 2 Beurla ------104 Maileid A’ Phuist - - - 41 Bho Ard-sgoil MhicNeacail - - 111 Ministear’s an t-Amadan, Am - - 126 Bodaich Ghleusda nan Laithean a dh’ Mod, Am ----- 121 aom - - - 38, 50, 74 Oraid A’ Chinn Suidhe - - - 136 Call Ghaig ----- 26 Paigheadh Najn Fiach - - - 109 Cat Buidhe, An - - - - 116 Profeasair Aonghas MacMhathain “Clann-Sgoile Le Gaidhlig” - - 13 Nach Maireann, Am - - - 134 Comhradh - - - - - 62 Rathad Mor Na Feille - - - 137 Daoine Bh’ann,” “Na - - 1 Seanfhacail - - - - - 97 Each Ban, An t- - - - 101 Seann Larach, An t- - - 4 Eilean Shothaidh - - - - 75 Siud ’San Seo, An- - - - 113 Faclan Ura ----- 37 Suas'—-No Sios - - - - 25 Pels An Drama - - - - 85 Taladh A’ Chuain - - - - 7 Feis-Drama Ghaidhlig - - - 73 Taog Mor MacCuinn - - - 98 Fleadhachas An Fhoghair - 124 Tarbh-Uisge, An - - - - 20 Gaidhlig agus Gaeilge - - - 101 Tearlach A’ Phosta - - - 78 Gearasdan Bhearnaraidh - - 15 Tir is Teanga - - - - 87 lomadaidh Ann Diubh, Na - - 78 Toimhseachain - 65, 77 lomain-Chaman - - - - . 61 Tomas Shantar - _ - _ 5 Laogh a Rug a’ Bho Riabhach, An 86. Turus Do’n Chuimhrigh - - - 112 Leasachadh Na Canain - - - 49 Uaislean Uige - - - 54 Leasain Ghaidhlig - - - - 138 Ulaidh A’ Chuirn Mhoir - 6

Bardachd Page Page Buaxn na Dha- - - - - 89 Fliir Nan Cailin 78 Caolas Ud Thall, An - - - 41 Garain Ghallach, Na 90 Crannag A’ Mhinisteir _ - - 134 Hannah - 30 Cumha Do Niall Mac Gille Sheathan- Ho Ho Ro Chailin - 64 aich ----- 53 Laoich, Na 122 Cojnhfhurtachd - - - - 89 Laoidh Do’n Ghaidhealtachd - 14 ‘ ‘ Da Rogha Bhuaidh Le Na Seoid’ ’ - 53 Suil Air Ais - 2 Dealbh ------90 Taladh Dixthcha 14 Diarmad ri Grainne - - - 64 Turas Adhair Do Albainn 28 Do M.I., Bade Ailein - - - 77 ENGLISH DEPARTMENT Page Page Anglo-Scottish Language Difficulty - 105 Letters to Editor - 29, 56, 95, 104, 119 An Comunn Gaidhealach— Love Song ----- 34 Executive Council - - 8, 24, 58 MacBain, M.A., LL.D., Alexander - 66 Treasurer’s Notes 11, 21, 59, 71, 72, 84, National Mod— 96, 108, 128, 144 Entries ----- 94 Approach to Scottish Gaelic Literature, Mod Prize List - - - - 129 An ------42,54 Musings at the Mod - - - 105 Ar Canain - - - - - 23 Opening of National Mod - - 127 Ar Canain (Canned) 45 New Gaelic Vocabulary - - - 7 Ardnamurchan Mod - Northern Area Conference Report - 68 Book Review _ _ _ Notes from a Highlander’s Log - 22, 35 Braes of Strathblane, The 70 Notes on recent publications - - 95 Branch Reports _ _ _ 30 “Oin Ell Renig Leish” - - - 21 Celtic Congress, The - 107 Old Yule-Tide in Scotland - - 130 Clan Tartan, The - - - 92 Ord ------117 Clhrsach, The - 10, 18 Parental Responsibility - - - 118 Comunn Gaidhealach Loch Fin 57 Persistence of Superstitions Practices Conference Report - 79, 91 in connection with Cattle - - 130 Corriechatachan _ _ _ 96 Spread of Gaelic, The - - - 59 Editor’s Comments -36, 72 To See Ourselves As Others See Us - 82 Extracts from Gaelic Poetry - 93 Trevadennad An Buhez Keltiek - 45 Faigh A’ Ghaidhlig Bas, Am - 9 Tribute, A - - - - - 126 Glasgow Gaelic Drama Association 22 Visit to the Island of Rhum, A -32,46 Interpret, Bard, My Dreams to me 67 Welsh Youth Movement, The - - 142 VOLUMES Limited number in Stock Price 12/6 each Postage Extra MAY BE HAD FROM THE SECRETARY OF AN COMUNN GAIDHEALACH 65 West Regent Street GLASGOW AN GAIDHEAL THE GAEL Editor — ]. THOMSON, M.A., F.E.I.S., 116 WEST SAVILE TERRACE, EDINBURGH to whom all correspondence should he addressed except that concerning advertising which should he addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should he sent to the Treasurer. 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C.2. Telephone: DOUglas 1433. Leabhar LVII AM FAOILLEACH, 1962 Aireamh 1 NA DAOINE BH’ANN NUAIR is cuimhne leam fhin, gun a dhol Cha robh baile gun tighean ceilidh ann, agus nas fhaide air ais na sin, bha mor- cha bhiodh aon diubh gun a chomhlan fhein. shluagh an eilein againn tur Cha bhiodh an oidhche fhada gheamhraidh fada > eadar-dhealaichte ’nan doighean, ’nan crann- dol seachad le seanachasan, le drain, toimh- j chur agus ’nan run-cridhe, ris an al a th’ann seachain, is ceol, le gearr-ghobaich is siigradh , an diugh. Chan eil mi ag radh gu robh iad gun lochd. Ach ceum air cheum thoisich ; na b’fhearr, na bu ghlice, no na bu sheolta, cleachdaidhean ura tighinn a steach; uidh air . ach canaidh mi so: bha iad moran na b’ n-uidh dhiiineadh na tighean ceilidh agus cha i iasgaidhe agus na bu shona. do dh’fhosgail na b’fhearr. Cha robh suil aca ri teachd-an-tir ach na Co as a bha an sluagh a’ toirt an teachd-an- 3 choisneadh an da laimh, agus ged bu doirbh tir? Bha an da chuid as an talamh agus as 'i air uairean na dh’fhoghnadh a sholar, cha an fhairge. Bha muinntir an eilein gu leir, 1 b’ann gruamach, canranach a gheibhte iad. gillean is clann-nighean, a’ leantainn an iasg- Ar leam nach robh sluagh eile ann a bha cho aich. B’e ard iarrtus a’ bhalaich bhig peitean toilichte riutha. Dh’fheitheadh iad ri bhith mdr an iasgair fhaighinn air a dhruim, agus I sona ged bhiodh an obair cruaidh agus an duais gheibheadh a’ chaileag luath-chasach polca beag. Nuair a b’isle an staid bha dochas aca teann is beannag. An gille 6g no am braisiche ri latha na b’ fhearr a thighinn. Dheanadh iad a dh’fhuireadh aig an tigh re miosan an t- a chixis le beagan agus cha robh iarraidh no samhraidh, nuair a bha each uile anns na puirt ionndrainn aca air moran. Bha iad sona a sear ag iasgach an sgadain, theirte gur h-e chionn ’s gu robh iad saor. Agus de an dh ni leth-chiallach a bha ann. as luachmhoire do’n duine nadurrach na saorsa Bha acfhuinn iasgaich an ceann gach tighe agus sonas? Cha robh iad fo chuing na daorsa —linn bheaga is linn mhdra, putan dubha agus 1 aig duine riamh, agus co air bith a dh’fheuch ri linn sgadanach. Dheanadh am balach beag ■idronnag na daorsa a chur orra b’fheudar cliucair mus b’ airde e na’m bata, agus chaireadh teicheadh le luathas nan eang. an seann laoch lion fhad’s a chitheadh e mogal. De an fhearas-chuideachd a bha aca? Cha B’e am a’ gheamhraidh am caradh nan lion robh ach cuideachd a cheile, agus bu leor sin. agus am aithris nan sgeul air iasgach Ghallaibh, Air an airigh am miosan an t-samhraidh bha A’ Bhruaich, Inbhir-Sheorsaidh agus Bhun sixgradh, manran is ceol-eridhe gu ’n toil aig Illidh. Cha robh airde as an seideadh gaoth, na banachagan, maille ri slainte cuirp is innt- no ionad anns na chuir iad lion, no basgaid inne, gun churam gun uallach. Re a’ gheamh- sgadain a mharbh iad nach cuireadh iad an raidh, am marbh na bliadhna, nuair a bha gach cuimhhe a cheile bliadhnachan an deidh laimhe beag is mdr aig baile, b’e an tigh ceilidh an mar gum b’ann an de a thachair e. oilthigh aca mar an ceudna far an robh iad a’ Bha obair fearainn r’a dheanamh ’na h-am— teagasg a cheile an eolas gnothaichean mara is aiteach, cur is buain, feur is connadh. Ach’s tire, na nithean sin anns an robh an tlachd. ann air na mnathan a bha tromlach na h- Cha robh moran foghluim eile aca no idnndrainn oibreach-sa a’ tuiteam. Eadar moine is Ilf air. talamh, feur is spreidh, cha robh aon aca diomhain. Bhiodh na fir aig baile ri am na buain. Nuair a bha an t-arbhar anns an “Mac An t-Sionnaich” iodhlainn agus am buntata anns an t-sluic b’ e FAILTE stigh.” B’e sin mo bheann- sin am foise nuair a dh’ fhaodadh fear a lamhan achadh a’ fosgladh an doruis ’s mi a chur ’na phocaidean agus am fagail annta gu tighinn air cheilidh. “Failte oirbh Nollaig. fhein,” fhreagair bean an tighe. Agus bu Ged nach robh mor shaoibhreas a’ tuiteam chridheil an crathadh-laimhe a fhuair mi o’n air an t-sluagh bha iad iongantach riaraichte teaghlach gu leir ann an dachaidh choibhneil le’n staid, agus mur do dh’fhag iad moran chomhartail Dhomhnaill ’ic Alasdair an maoin aig an cloinn, dh’fhag iad aca dileab a Gearraidh-cro, mar anns a h-uile tigh a thadhail | b’fhearr—saorsa, spiorad neo-eisimeileach, mi air mo chuairt an eilean mo ghraidh is ■ carthannachd is iochd; dh’fhag iad aca eisim- m’araich. Shuidh sinn cruinn comhla mu’n ; pleir uasal air cruadal is fearachas, air dilseachd chagailt, a’ gabhail naidheachd a cheile. | is ceartas, air uaisleachd is fialaidhachd gun Thug mi tarraing air an atharrachadh a thainig [ tomhas. air obair an fhearainn on chaidh mi air imrich f gu Tir-mor; cho gann ’s a bha na h-eich far am [ b’abhaist na ceudan a bhith. ‘‘Chunnaic mi . Suil Air Ais tri agad fhein, a Dhomhnaill, is iad mar bu I trice ’nan tamh. Chan eil gin agad an diugh ’s i Nach mise ’n drasd bhiodh sona tha do shuidheachadh nas fhearr na bha e | A measg a’ chomuinn ghaoil, riamh.” ‘‘Tha tractor agam, ” arsaDomhnall, ' Le cairdean uasal m’ oige ‘ ‘ ’ s e cus as fhearr sa’ h-uile doigh. Chan fheum ’Gam chomhdach air gach taobh, e fiu ’ s deoch ach nuair a tha e ’ g obair. Chuala Ach dh’fhalbh iad uile air turus mi gur h-ann o’ n Laidinn a thugadh an t-ainm. ’ ’ Gu duthaich fad as fhearr, “’S ann,” thuirt mise, ‘‘is tha cheart uibhir Far nach eil sgeul air mulad, a choir aig a’ Ghaidhlig air ’s a tha aig a’ ’S gach la de aoibhneas lan. Bheurla Shasunnaich.” ‘ ‘Tha cuimhne agaibh air a’ Chlaidsdail a bha agam, ’ ’ ars esan.! Nach iomadh oidhche thoilicht’ “’S e bha cosgail dhomh; dh’itheadh e a’j Bha againn measg a cheil’ chain a chuir Padruig air Eirinn. Chan e A’ bardachd, seinn ’s ag aithris, mhain sin ach rachadh e am poll far an coisich- ’S a’ danns ri puirt-a-beul; eadh an fheadhainn eile gu seasgair. An cuala ’Nar suidhe mu an chagailt sibh mu’n each a fhuair Seumas Ruaraidh a Ri seanachas is ri gair. Obairdheadhain o chionn fhada ? ” ‘ ‘Cha chuala A Righ gur duilich, duilich learn facal,” arsa mise. Nach till iad rium gu brath. ‘ ‘An ta, tha sin a’ cur iongnaidh orm. | Shaoil leam gu robh e am beul na h-uile duine, ’ ’ ' Ach dh’fhag sibh.mise cuimhneachadh fhreagair Domhnall. ‘‘Ciamar a bha,” dh’; An gleann nan deoir leam fhin, fheoraich mi. ‘‘Och, cha robh ach gu robh Is dh’fhalbh sibh astar fada uam each sgairteil nach biodh gealtach ’s a bhiodh Gu cathair an Ard Righ. saor a dhith air Seumas, ach bha e a’ fairtl- Ach bha e ’n dan duinn dealachadh, eachadh air fear a chordadh ris a lorg. Mu ’S cha choinnich gu la luain. dheireadh thall de leugh e ann am paipeir ach Tha sibh an trath so falaichte criomag a chuir Mac an t-sionnaich ann ’s e ’S a’ ghrian ’gur cumail bhuam. a’ reic air £20 each soitheamh nach teicheadh Catriona Nic Gille Moire. am feasda, agus gun cuireadh e a’ chairt ’s an acfhuinn ’na chois. Cha bu leir do Sheumas facal tuilleadh le cho math ’s a chord an tairgse Cha robh dad air mo lamhan ach tilleadh air ris. Ruith e is chairich e an t-suim bog pailt! mo chas cheum. air falbh leis an telegraf, eagal gun cailleadh e Chuir e roimhe an saoghal a thoirt fo cheann. cothrom cho iongantach. Cha mhor gun d’ Co ris nach cordadh a bhith air a thoil fhein ? fhuair an duine bochd norra cadail, a’ smaoin- Tha aithne gun chuimhne agam ort. Ach co eachadh a h-uile h-oidhche air an each leis thu? ghallda, cho briagha ’s a bhiodh e, agus a’ Thog i a dealbh gun fhios carson. farmad a bhiodh aig a choimhearsnaich ris Theab mi tuiteam as mo sheasamh. nuair a chluinnte farum nan rothan ura air Bha ceannach aige air a dhol-a-mach. rathad mor an righ. Mar tha fios agaibh ’s e Bhuail e ’nam inntinn gu robh bias na Beurla Aonghas Beag aig an am ud, leis a’ char bu air a’ Ghaidhlig aice. mhotha bha san duthaich, a bha ruith na saic — 2 — litrichean bho Lochboisdeil a tuath gu Faodhail- Bha Seumas a’ sgriobhadh airson a chuid na-Peighinn (agus gu dearbh bu laghach ann e). airgid gus an tug e thairis. Fhuair e litir o Bha postaireachd bailtean a’ mheadhoin so an Mhac an t-Sionnaich ag radh mas e each nach urra riumsa. A’ mhadainn ud, nuair a bha teicheadh a bha dhith air gun d’fhuair e sin, e a’ sineadh dhomh mo chuid de’n luchd, agus nach robh an corr ach an asgaidh. dh’iarr e orm brath a leigeil gu Seumas gun Dh’fhaighnich mi an robh gnothach aige do chuir am bata beothach leis air tir an raoir, fhein uair sam bith ri Mac an t-Sionnaich. agus gum b’ fhearr dha a churam a ghabhail air “Bha, roimhe sud”, dh’aidich Domhnall, ball mum briseadh e mach as a’ chro ’s gun ‘ ‘bhithinn a’ faicinn trealaich aige anns a’ deanadh e call.” phaipeir, rudan a bha mi samointeachadh a Thuirt mi gu faicinn Donnchadh Ban, a ghabhadh cur gu feum. Bha an crann treabh- bhrathair, agus gu faodadh esan an teachdair- aidh a bha agam aig an am ro aosda. Is aithne eachd a chur thuige. Nuair a rainig mi dhuibh an talamh a tha agam ri threachladh— Dalandroma bha Donnchadh ’na sheasamh air riasg is luachair, moran deth. Sgriobh mi gu an stairsnich agus dh’innis mi dha gun d’ Mac an t-Sionnaich ’s thuirt mi ris gum bithinn thainig an t-each aig Seumas. Dh’fhosgail fada ’na chomain nan cuireadh e thugam crann Donnchadh a shuilean gu farsaing mus do math iaruinn. Dh’innis mi gu robh fir a’ dh’fhosgail e a bheul. ‘‘Chan eil fhios agam bhaile air toiseachadh, ach nach deanainn-sa de an fhearas-mhor a tha air an duine chearbach sgriob gus an tigeadh an crann ur, agus e a chur sin,” ars esan, ‘‘chan eil ait aige far an teid leis an Dunara gu Lochansgiobair cho luath a leithid sin a bheothach a stigh. Feumaidh e ’s a b’urrainn da. Fhreagair e gun deanadh e ard-dorus an stabuill a thogail troigh no dha sud gu toilichte nuair a gheibheadh e ceithir co-dhiubh. B’fhearr dha cus bean a thoirt puinnd ’s a deich. Chuir mi sin thuige gun dhachaidh, gun a bhith ’na thruaghan leis dail, agus gu dearbh is mi a ghabh an fhadachd fhein, cho math ’s ’g a bheil e air obair a stigh a’ feitheamh a’ chroinn. Chuala mi mu ’s a muigh. Ach cha leig thusa no mise a leas dheireadh thall gu robh an Dunara a’ tighinn comhairle a thoirt air.” air an rathad (mar a bha Caristiona Chaimbeul). Sheall Domhnall Post orm le fiamh'gaire ’s Leum mi air an each iaruinn agus tharraing mi thuirt e; ‘‘Cha leigeamaid a leas iomagain a air Lochansgiobair cho luath ’s a ghabhadh bhith oirnn mu’ n teachdaireachd. Bha Seumas rothan cur mu chuairt. Co thachair rium air falbh an glasadh an latha air an earalas. letheach slighe ach Coinneach I leach is luchd Rainig e Lochboisdeil ’na chabhaig is thug e aige air an laraidh o ’n bhata. suil timcheall a h-uile h-aite gleidhidh, ach “Na chuir i crann leamsa air tir?” dh’ chan fhaca e coltas beothaich idir. Chaidh e fhaighnichmi. “Chuir, ” fhreagair e. “Carson bhuth Fhearghuis is dh’innis e fath a thuruis. nach tug thu leat e?” Cha d’thuirt e diog; ‘‘An tug thu cliabh no poca no bara leat?” thainig snodha gaire air aodann ’s dh’fhalbh e. Seall sios a rithist, agus mur a faigh thu na tha Smaoinich mi gur h-ann ro mhor a bha an crann thu sireadh is docha gu faic thu rud a chuireas airson a chur air mullach na bha aige. Chum iongnadh ort.’ Cha b’urrainn e a thuigsinn mi air adhart chun a’ chidhe. Bha iomadach de bha e ciallachadh ach thug e cuairt eile dh’ an rud sgaoilte air, ach cha robh crann ri fhaicinn. chro agus fhuair e ann an oisein, ri fasgadh Bha mi bagairt air falbh nuair a thug mi an sguaib arbhair, creutair beag biodach air aire do phoca falamh air uachdar rudeigin. leth-shiiil a’ cnamh a chire, ’s e air faighinn Thog mi e, ’s de bha fodha ach crann—’s b’e seachad air an tinneas-mhara, Sealtanach sin an crann. Cha robh e moran na bu mhotha similidh, ’s cha robh air an t-saoghal na bu na clobha ceardaich. Cha robh ann ach rud a lugha mur a robh searrach eile aig a mhathair rinneadh airson clann bheag a bhith cleasachd o chionn ghoirid. Dh’ eigh e air fear a’ chidhe leis. Cha b’aithne dhomhsa gu robh e airson ’s thuirt e ris nach robh aige ach an dosgaidh feum fo’ n ghrein, agus dh’ fhag mi e far an robh e phealagach bhronach ud a thilleadh an taobh An ath uair a chunnaic mi an.t-Ileach shin o’n d’thainig e, nach gabhadh esan cas dheth. e dhomh bileag phaipeir. “De tha so?” arsa ‘ ‘Troghad ort, ’ ’ ars am fear eile, ‘ ‘tha tuilleadh mise. “Tha,” ars esan, “cunntas 15/- a tha leat fo dhion an so.” Thog e pilleag cainbe agad ri phaidheadh, faradh a’ chroinn a’ tighinn a bha comhdach duin bathair, agus shlaod e ’s a’ falbh air an Dunara.” mach cairt bheag. Rinn Domhnall gaire is “De thuirt thu? Coig tasdain deug a thuirt e rium, “Is cinnteach gu faca sibh pram bharrachd air na chaill mi mar tha! ’S mi uaireiginn?” “Chunnaic,” fhreagair Seumas, nach dean dad dheth.” Nochd e dhomh gu ‘ ‘thog sinn seachdnar ann a dha no tii dhiubh.’ ’ feumadh esan am faradh a thogail agus nach ‘ ‘ Ma tha,” arsa Domhnall, “cha robh a’ chairt robh dol as agam. Sin mar a bha: cha robh cho ard sin no dad na bu luchdaile.’ ’ agam ach an t-earball a leigeil leis a’ chraiceann Smaoinich mi gun toirinn an t-iomlan a Mac e cosgail r’ a thogail ged nach ann gun saothair an t-Sionnaich. Ach bha mi fhathast gun fas mhor a sgealbadh na clachan as a’ chreig, no eolach air an doigh malairt a bha aige-san. as a’ mhonadh, no as a’ chladach, agus ged a Sgriobh mi litrichean gu leor ag iarraidh mo thuit iomadh boinne falluis gu lar a’ feannadh chuid airgid air ais ’s a’ maoidheadh lagha air; nan sgrath agus a’ cladhach glutaidh airson ach bu cheart cho math dhomh iarraidh air an nam ballachan a chumail ’nan seasamh. fhear a tha sa’ ghealaich. An ceann mios no dha fhreagair e nach robh e anns na riaghailtean Ged nach robh an tigh dubh boidheach an aige idir a bhith tilleadh pris ni sam bith a reic sealladh na sula, bha e iongantach coltach ri e, ach gun cuireadh e thugam luach an airgid cumadh na talamhainn air an robh e steidhichte, ann an stuth sam bith eile a dh’ainmichinn, agus bheireadh e dubhlan do’n ghaoith a agus gu robh e an dochas gun tigeamaid cho b’airde a sheideadh. Nuair a bha e air a dluth air a cheile ann an cordadh ri da bhrathair. dheagh thubhadh le pailteas connlaich fo lion ’S ann a thug e orm a chreidsinn gur e bh’ann is fo acraichean chuireadh e dheth na tuiltean fior dhuine ceart agus coir. Thug mi taing bu mhotha dhortadh air. Ged a bhiodh ah mhor dha is dh’iarr mi sinteachan treabhaidh, aimsir fuar chumadh an teine mor craosach air seach gun robh an t-sean fheadhainn agam air a’ chagailt blaths is deathach a stigh. Cha robh fas meirgeach ’s air cnamh. Ach nam faiceadh dith connaidh ann ’s an riasg cho faisg air an sibhse dreach na h-iomlaid a chuir e orm! Da dorus, agus fir is mnathan iasgaidh ann gu shlabhraidh iaruinn ’s a h-uile failbheag dhiubh bhith ’g a bhuain agus ’g a arach. Bha o cheann gu ceann ’nan cop ’s ’nan cnapan sochairean nach bu bheag an cois an tigh’ dhuibh, meirge. Cha do rinn mi ach an tilgeadh a agus neo-ar-thaing greadhnachas agus sonas. mach air an loch, far nach tigeadh iad am frad- Ach chan ann air an tigh fhein bu mhath harc am feasda tuilleadh. Sud mar a rinn Mac learn iomradh a dheanamh aig an am ach air an t-Sionnaich ormsa agus air Seumas, agus air doighean agus subhailcean nan daoine a bha a’ iomadh fear eile, ged nach cuala sinn sin gus comhnuidh ann. Theireadh duine do nach an ribh e ro anmoch. b’ aithne na b’ fhearr gu robh sluagh na Gaidh- Arsa Domhnall, ’s e lasadh na pioba, “Chan ealtachd somalta, leisg, gu faodadh iad a bhith eil sion air an t-saoghal cho saor ri rud a dh’ fada na b’inbheile na bha iad nan sineadh iad fhaodar a sheachnadh. Riamh o’n uair ud tha an lamhan agus an casan na bu bhitheanta. mi deanamh cinnteach as mo cheannachd mus So beachd a’ bhalaich bhig air Domhnall dealaich mi ri m’airgead.’’ Iain. Gun teagamh bha Domhnall coir “’S e sin a dh’fhag Seumas cho cixramach is ainmeil anns a’ bhaile airson a shlaodaireachd. a tha e an diugh,’’ arsa mise. “Och, bha an Aon latha bha seanair a’ bhalaich a’ cur leasan duine sin curamach riamh, ’ ’ fhreagair Domh- a’ Bhiobuill roimhe. “Agus’’, ars esan, nall. “’S e farmad a bha cur air. ’S math a “eiridh iad uile aig an Aiseirigh.’’ “Ta,’’ bhith curamach, ach seachainn thusa a bhith fhreagair am balach, “chan eirich Domhnall farmadach.’’ Thug mi mo ghealladh dha, is Iain.’’ Cha chanadh duine gu robh an thog mi orm. Is math a chord mo cheilidh sluagh leisg a chunnaic iad a’ saothrachadh an rium-sa. Bha a’ ghealach a’ dearsadh air an fhearainn le cliabh is spaid is cliath, no air uinneig nuair a dh’eirich mi o bhlaths na chill nan ramh, no a’ caradh nan lion sgadanach cagailte. ri droch sholus. Cha chanadh duine a bha an Calum Laing. cuideachd nam ban gu robh iad neo-sgoinneil fo’n chliabh mhonach, no a’ sniomh ’s a’ figheadh ’s a’ fuigheal nuair bu choir dhaibh a bhith ’nan leapannan. Cha robh an latha fada gu leor leotha airson na bha ri dheanamh gu An t-Seann Larach bhith cumail biadh is aodach i$ connadh IS iomadh smaoin thiamhaidh, agus smaoin riutha fhein. thoileach cuideachd, a tha an t-seann Bha an sluagh-sa toilichte le’n crannchur, larach a’ diisgadh air an fheasgar so, agus sona an cuideachd a cheile. Cha d’ smaointean nach iarrainn a mhiichadh no a fhuair iad a riamh eolas air tuilleadh ’s a’ dhi-chuimhneachadh. Far eil an larach uaine choir de na goireasan a bha moran de shluagh ud an diugh tha suil na h-inntinne a’ faicinn na rioghachd a’ mealtainn, agus mar sin cha an tighe a bha aon uair lan de chuideachd robh iad idir duilich an riarachadh. Fhad ’s shuilbhir, sgoinneil nach robh aon chuid a gheibheadh iad na dheanadh a chuis an diugh canranach no do-riaraichte le’n crannchur. ’S cha robh an latha maireach ’na uallach orra. e tigh a bha ann a thogadh le lamhan nan daoine Cho fad ’s a dheidheadh aca air na fiachan a leis an robh e, no le comhnadh fir-ceairde nach phaidheadh cha robh suil aca ri airgead san d’fhuair oilean no duais fir-ceairde. Cha robh sporan. ; Nuair a bha an obair ri deanamh, agus cuin Na raointean fo luachair | nach robh, b’i an obair fhein am fearas- ’Sam facar am fochann fo dheis, ! chuideachd. Gus an obair aotromachadh Na buailtean gun mhainnir I1 sheinneadh iad luinneagan freagarraeh air gach ’S na cluaintean falamh gun spreidh. I saothair. Bha an iorram-chuain a’ deanamh : an iomraidh agus togail an t-siiiil na b’fhasa. An sruthan gun mhaille I Bha na h-6rain shiubhlach, aighearach a’ Ruith seachad gun aire gun smaoin. i fagail na cuibhle shniomha, agus luadh a’ Gun ionndrainn air ceile chlo, na b’aotroma, agus bha bran beadraidh Gun amas air steidh-thigh nan laoch. i ’na chur-seachad do’n bhanachaig mar a bha I an t-6ran talaidh a’ cumail na creathlach air Na h-eoin anns an doire ghluasad. Gu briodalach, beadarrach, caomh, B’e an ceilidh a chruinnicheadh 6g is scan Gun chluas ann a dh’eisdeas, I re a’ gheamhraidh. Bhiodh sgeulachd is bran Gun chridhe bhios eibhinn ri’n gaoir. mu seach timcheall an teine mbnach; bhiodh naidheachdan na duthcha air an aithris, ceisdean Tha fograich le’n cuimhne rannsachail air an cur, beachdan air an toirt lorram nan laoch air an ramh, h seachad, agus lamh eile air a thoirt air na Is luinneag air buaile rinneadh agus na chunnacas anns na puirt Aig banaraich ghuanach an ail. iasgaich. Cha bhiodh being no seis no stbl nach cuirte feum air, agus cha robh ionndrainn ’Nam faire ’s ’nam bruadar air cebl no aighear an sin oir bheireadh iad Tha dachaidh is raointean an gaoil, fhein a steach leotha na bha feumail. Cho seasgair ’s cho urar— Is e luadh a bhith sa’ bhaile an aon ni a An sealladh an sul anns an fhraoch. bheireadh faochadh do’ n tigh cheilidh. Chruin- nicheadh sin cuideachd agus bu chridheil iad Tha sixilean ri sileadh an ceann a cheile. A’ bhliadhna a bhiodh an ’S na coilltean a siar fada thall t-iasgach gu math bhiodh bainnsean ann. Far Nach amhairc gu siorruidh am biodh banais bhiodh cuannal an lathair, Air tadhal am miann anns a’ ghleann. agus cha lorgte gainne air biadh no deoch no annlan. Leanadh an greadhnachas troimh ’n S.T. t oidhche ’s gu madainn an ath latha. Cha robh umhail aig duine ann an duine eile; bha iad a mach ’s a steach a tighean a cheile. Cha robh glas air dorus no air preas. Bha Tomas Shantar “ “failte stigh,” agus, “thig a steach is suidh Mu cheud bliadhna air ais bha fear ris an a nuas, ’ ’ air bilean an t-sluaigh moch is anmoch abrar Tomas a’ fuireach maille ri a mhnaoi ann agus meadhon latha. Bha iad ftalaidh am bothan beag ann an aite aonaranach an ceann le’n cuid agus cairdeil, cathrannach ri cheile. a deas Alba. Cha robh aca ach bo chaol agus • Nam biodh fear no te sa’ bhaile falamh ruigte each beag bochd. Bha an t-each aca airson a iad le cbmhnadh mine, no febla, no eisg bho’n bhith toirt Thomais do’n bhaile mhor, ach gu coimhearsnaich, agus nam biodh teaghlach lag h-araid airson a bhith ’g a thoirt dhachaidh oir air dheireadh le obair earraich na fhoghair bha esan ro dheidheil air an deoch laidir. ’S e gheibheadh iad lamh chuidich air gach taobh. Seonaid an t-ainm a bha aig Tomas air an each. j Bheireadh an ceannaiche seachad air dhail Bu trie a thuirt a bhean ri Tomas gun tachradh :i-gun eagal nach fhaigheadh e a chuid luath no rudeigin dha oidhche dhorch air choireigin mur mall, agus shineadh e a lamh ris an fheumach a sguireadh e dh’ 61. Ach cha tug esan a riamh gun suil ri paidheadh. Bha iad mar sin ’nan cluas dhi. Fhuair e mach aon oidhche fhuar j cixl-taice dha cheile, a’ giulan uallaichean a gheamhraidh nach robh i fada cearr. 1 cheile. Cha robh fiamh air duine fheum a Bha an tigh-osda direach a’ dimadh nuair a nochdadh agus comhnadh iarraidh. dh’fhag Tomas ’s e faireachdainn gle shona ged Na dh’fhagadh riim di-molaidh idir air a’ a bha phocaid falamh. Bu shuarach aige ged chuideachd-sa? Dh’fhagadh, ach dh’fhalbh a bha an oidhche fliuch, fiadhaich le tairnean- an sruth-lionaidh leis! aich is dealanaich. Cha b’fhada gus na dh’ fhag e fhein is Seonaid am baile air an culaibh. . Tobhtaichean uaine A steach troimh choille a bha eadar iad ’s an Gun dorus gun uinneag gun bhlaths, tigh chaidh iad. Ri taobh an rathaid bha seann 1 ’S a’ chagailt gun sguabadh eaglais, agus nuair a bha iad a’ dol seachad oirre I Cho aognuidh, fuaraidh, fas. mhothaich Tomas gu robh solus anns an eaglais. 5 — Aig an aon am chuala e ceol na pioba. Cha Ged nach robh sgillinn ruadh de mhaoin aig robh ciall aige eagal a ghabhail, ach is ann a a’ chaillich bho’ndara bliadhna gus a’ bhliadhna leum e bho 'n each agus suas leis chun na eile, cha robh cus eis oirre co-dhiu, eadar toradh h-uinneige a dh’fhaicinn de bha dol air adhart na criomag fearainn a bha i fein gu saothrachail a stigh. De bh’ann ach danns. Is e a chuir a’ ruamhar agus stuth a’ chladaich is anns na iongnadh air Tomas gu robh a h-uile duine a bliadhnachan ud bha an cuan fein mar nach eil bha e faicinn air basachadh o chionn fhada. e an diugh, lan de iasg. Bu choma leis sin oir bha a fhein ag iarraidh a T& an seanfhacal, agus chan aithne dhomh steach chun an dannsadh. Dh’eigh e aird a gun d’fhuaireadh riamh cearr e, ag radh nach chinn, “Thigeadh cuideigin a dh’fhosgladh an eil cuairt beatha an diol-deirce fein as eugmhais doruis.’ ’ latha a’ chothrom. Ged is beag a shaoileadh Air ball chaidh na soluis as agus sguir an neach e, thainig latha a’ chothrom mu dheireadh ceol. Thainig Tomas thuige fhein agus leum thall ann am beatha na caillich, mar is gnath e air an each. Mach a ghabh Seonaid na bu leis tighinn a chum nan uile, is i ann an ceum luaithe na ruith i riamh roimhe. Bha feachd a’ chosnaidh. de dhaoine geala mi-nadurrach a’ sruthadh a Air oidhche shoilleir gheamhraidh, bha i mach air dorus na h-eaglaise ’nan deann as an ’ teamadh sios ’ n a cabhaig ri oir a’ chuirn am deidh. Bha fios aig Tomas nach fhaigheadh beachd dol do’n traigh a chruinneachadh sithichean no daoine mi-nadurrach sam bith duileasg agus faochagan. Bha gealach lan air tarsaing air uisge a bhiodh a’ ruith, agus rinn a coinneil ann aird an adhair, a’ soilleireachadh e air allt nach robh fad as. Bha Seonaid a nis gach aite cho meadhrach ’s nach mor nach a’ fas sgith, agus bha aon bhodach a bha fad faiceadh duine rud cho beag ri bior giogain a air thoiseach air each gle fhaisg air a h-earball. rachadh an s&s ann am bonn a choise. Direach nuair a chothaich i an t-allt rug am Thuit do bhean ar sgeoil sealltainn air a bodach air earball oirre. Leig Seonaid sitir fiaradh a null air a’ charn. Cha bu tharr dhi aisde agus leum i. Airson mionaid ghabh so a dheanamh ach gann an uair a laigh a suil Tomas eagal nach ruigeadh iad taobh eile an air plathadh de’n ghealaich a bha ’toirt air uillt, ach ’s e nach leigeadh e leas. Ged a ni-eigin dearrsadh le solus neo-abhaisteach air dh’fhag Seonaid a h-earball ann an laimh a’ mullach te de na clachan mora. bhodaich rainig i an taobh thall agus bha i Rinn i air an t-solus, agus air dhi a ruigheachd fhein agus a maighstir sabhailte. de fhuair i anns an dearbh aite ach coire anns Chan fhaca an t-6sdair Tomas a riamh tuill- an robh deagh mheudachd. Cha bu luaithe a eadh, agus thug esan barrachd eisdeachd thog i an coire na dh’ fhairich i gu robh cudthrom d’a mhnaoi. ann nach bu bheag. Thug i an ceann as gu Caileag Og. h-ealamh agus bu mhor a h-ioghnadh am feadh ’s a chunnaic i gun robh e loma lan de bhuinn oir. An aite falbh dhachaidh direach leis an Ulaidh A’ Chuirn Mhoir ulaidh anns an robh fortan dhi cho fad ’s bu bheo i, is ann a chuir a’ chailleach roimpe air Le Tormod Domhnallach dhi mothachadh do’n lionadh a’ tighinn, gun SHIOS fo chreagan Chul-nan-cnoc, ta deanadh i air an traigh agus gun cuireadh i an leathad mor, farsuing, a’ ruigheachd bho coire am falach fo’n chloich airson a bhith cheann a deas Bhaltois gu Port Earlais. tearuinte gus an tigeadh i air ais. Is ann mar Ta aghaidh an leothaid so gu leir ’n a aon sin a thachair. gharbhlach aimhreiteach le clachan anns am An deidh do bhean na Buaile an coire fhagail bheil garbh mheudachd agus eatorra ta saobh- fo’n chloich cheudna, chum i oirre do’n chlad- aidhean is tuill dhomhain, dhorcha, as am fas ach an lan chinnt gum faigheadh i e air an gu briagha an righ-raineach, craobhan cailtuinn, t-slighe ’dol dhachaidh. Cha b’eagal gun seilich agus drisean. rachadh i iomrall, oir nach robh am boillsgeadh Mu Latha Feill Sheathain san t-samhradh, de sholus na gealaich a bha a’ de&lradh air a’ bu ghasda learn seasamh air an ard bhearradh chloich, ’n a leor chomharra. agus amharc bhuam a null air a’ Charn Mhor, An ceann greis, thill a’ chailleach as an mar a theirear ris an ionad so, ’nuair a bhios traigh air dhi a riarachadh fhaotainn de dhuil- gach preas fo bhlath, le ’uchd clachach, easg is de fhaochagan agus chum i oirre a sornach, am fianuis a’ chuain. steach do’n charn thun an ionaid anns an do Faisg air da cheud bliadhna air ais, bha shaoil leatha a dh’fhag i an ulaidh, ach mo cailleach bhochd a’ fuireach ann an tigh beag thruaighe leir, cha robh sin cho soirbh a dhean- ann am Buaile Eamol, shuas os cionn a’ amh. ehuim. Tacan roimhe sud chaidh a’ ghealach fo na neoil a bha nis air an adhar a lionadh. Dh’ t-eilean beag, iomallach cho muirneach ris an fhalbh an comharra. Gu tubaisteach dhi- tir as fharsainge. Cuairtichidh e gach fear chuimhnich ise an fhior chlach far an do diubh, agus pogaidh e iomall a thrusgain; dh’fholuich i an fhaodail is thug i an corr de’n thig e steach do’n gheodha as cuinge cho math oidhche, is iomadh oidhche a bharr oirre, a’ agus cho trie ’s a thadhaileas e am bagh as jlsiubhal bho chlach gu clach, ’s bho tholl gu doimhne agus as farsainge. Chan eil leth- toll ag amharc airson a’ choire is ged a chaith- bhreith ’na dhoigh. : ; eadh i a’ chuid eile de a beatha ris an aon Eisd ri guth ciuin a’ chuain a tha sgaoileadh saothair, cha bhiodh ann ach diomhanas. a bhroillich ri luchd siubhail a chum ’ s gu ruig [ J3ha na ceudan ’s na miltean an sud de iad duthaich an ruin ’s gum faigh iad am fchlachan aibheiseach is tuill timcheall orra miann. Cuir an iiibhrach air saile agus cum 11 ach cha robh fios gu de an te dhiubh a ghabh i a sroin air tir an dochais, le cairt-iiiil a threor- j mar chomharra air an toll anns an do chuir i aicheas tu gu cala sabhailte. Gabh an soirbheas jam fortan. Dime sin, cha robh aice ach dol mar a thig e; gleidh am fasgadh ri an-uair, ’s I [air ais gu a bothan cho bochd ’s a dh’fhag i e, bi faireil ri ra-dorcha. Agus ma bhuaileas an [ ach le cridhe a bha cus na bu truime air dhi an stoirm gun fhios dhut glac misneachd, iarr ■ ulaidh fhaotainn ’n a glaic agus a call gu brath comhnadh, is dean dicheall. Ma bhithaes na I an deidh nan uile ni. tri nithean sin agad, ged a ghlacte thu le i Co aige ta fios nach tig cuideigin fathast, air teanntachd is sarachadh, ruigidh tu an taobh oidhche gheal ghealaich, air ionmhas a’ Chuirn thall gun dochann. sMhoir, ach feumar a chumail air chuimhne nach Tha an cuan mor ’ na thosd ri am featha do’ n jfaighear ulaidh le h-iarraidh ’s nach lorgar i neach a chi troimh an sgail. Cluinnidh esan le sireadh. an guth caol, ciuin leis an labhair e, agus chi ! Ma ta e an dan do neach a bhith cho rathail e le sixil na h-inntinne nithean nach fhaic suil j ’s gun amais e air an toll anns am bheil i, is a’ chinn. ' e mo chomhairle-sa dha ge b’ e air bith meud S.D.T. a chabhaig no de an obair eile a bhios air aire j aig a’ cheart am, e a sguabadh a’ choire oir i leis cho luath’s a ni e fhaicinn agus gun stad I air an t-slighe ged a chluinneadh e eigheach- New Gaelic Vocabulary f tathaisg na caillich, gus am faigh e an t-ionntas A new Vocabulary of modern and technical ! a chur fo ghlais ’s fo iuchair ann an culaist Gaelic words has been prepared by Mr. Girvan a thighe. McKay, Principal of a Manchester school of languages and some Scottish organisations are co-operating in a scheme to publish it. Although there are already a number of Gaelic dic- Taladh A’ Chuain tionaries they do not include many words that ! Bha cagar a’ chuain mhoir air an traigh ’ nam have recently come into the language. If a | chluais. Dh’fhoghluim e an seol-labhairt ud language is to live it must keep pace with new | nuair nach robh na gaothan garga ’g a luasgadh developments, and coin or adapt terms to ’s ’g a mhaistreadh agus ’g a scailceadh ris na express new ideas. Technical and scientific t creagan cruaidhe, corrach. Am beul na h-osaig terms are sadly lacking in modern Gaelic. [ chain, bl&th cha robh lorg air an anradh as j cuibhrionn dha ri am tuasaide. Nuair a tha The Vocabulary, which has taken several | sith nan eun ann carson a chuimhnicheadh e air years to prepare, will include words like I an oidhche ghruamaich, iidlaidh, ghreannaich? aeroplane and helicopter, atom bomb and \ Carson nach biodh saorsa aige anail a leigeil telegraph, chemical names and medical terms. 'j air a’ ghainimh bhuig, reidh ? Carson nach Many of these were coined in Nova Scotia, I cuireadh e cagar ’nam chluais a dh’ innse mu na where the language is still spoken widely. tirean fada thall air nach laigh mo shuil tuill- Several Scottish publications are supporting eadh gu brath? Nach eil esan a’ ceangal this new venture. duthaich ri diithaich mar a dhluth-cheanglas m&thair a clann ri cheile; nach math leis fios a’ bheo a thoirt do’n bheo a dh’eisdeas, is naidheachd na slthe aiseag ’s a mholadh am We extend a cordial welcome to Mr. feadh ’s a tha sith ann. C6 dh’eisdeas ri cagar Donald Grant, M.A., B.A., Ed.B., who j caomh na slthe nuair a tha an aimreit air a has been appointed Editor of “An Gaidheal,” : bonn? Ann an sealladh a’ chuain tha an and wish him much success. — 7 — On the motion of Provost Thomson the '! Executive Council Council agreed to send telegrams to the Scottish J Forty members attended a meeting of the Universities Entrance Board and the Scottish Council held in An Comunn Office, Glasgow, on Education Department requesting that they | Saturday, 18th November, 1961. The Presi- receive a deputation from An Comunn in dent, Mr. Hugh Macphee was in the Chair. connection with the new regulation governing The Chairman extended a warm welcome to Ordinary Gaelic as it will affect learners of i members, particularly those who were attending the language. a meeting of the Council for the first time. A minute of the Finance Committee was Fitting reference was made to five distin- submitted and approved. guished members of An Comunn who had passed In dealing with a minute of the Publication away in recent months. These were:—Mr. Committee the Council agreed that the Publica- John MacLean, a former General Secretary and tion and Special Dictionary Committees should Organiser of An Comunn Gaidhealach, Mr. Neil proceed as originally planned with their Cameron, Sunderland, a native of Mull, Dr. investigation and work in regard to a Gaelic- Donald MacDonald, Lewis, Miss Jessie Mac- English dictionary for schools and on English- Kenzie, Inverness, and Mr. Iain M. Moffatt- Gaelic dictionary. Pender. A minute of the Propaganda Committee made Regret was expressed at the illness of Rev. reference to a request from Mr. Edgar Macintyre John Mackay, Gorbals-John Knox Church, a that a mother branch of An Comunn be set up member of Council, and the wish was expressed in Los Angeles, which branch would be respon- that he would have a speedy recovery. sible for forming branches throughout the . Minutes of two meetings of the Executive United States. The Council agreed, on the Council were unanimously approved. recommendation of Mr. Farquhar MacRae, that Minutes of two meetings of the Advisory the Los Angeles Branch should be called 1 Committee were submitted, the main business Comann Gaidhealach nan Stdidean Aonaichte at the first meeting being the impending (The Highland Association of the United i resignation of Mr. James Thomson from the States). Editorship of An Gaidheal. Members were Mr. John A. MacDonald recommended that j gratified to learn that Mr. Donald Grant, discussion groups should be sent to rural areas ! Vice-President, was prepared to undertake the in the Highlands and Islands in order to create | duties of editing the magazine for a trial period an interest in the work of An Comunn. of two years, it being stressed that continuance A minute of the Art and Industry Committee [J in that office depended on the support by way gave a review of the exhibition staged in jl of literary contributions he would receive from Stirling during Mod week and thanks were * members and others. A special appeal was expressed to competitors, exhibitors, local i[ made to members to lighten the Editor’s task people and Committee members who contri- i i by submitting contributions. buted to its success. . ] I At the second meeting consideration was Two minutes of the Mod and Music Committee I ; given to who should be invited to serve on the were submitted and approved, the first minute' ] !t Special Committee which is to be formed to dealing with arrangements for the Mod in I! review the present organisation of An Comunn Stirling. The second minute primarily dealt .( and make recommendations. The Council gave with arrangements for the 1962 and 1963 Mods. t. full powers to the Adivsory Committee to Clann an Fhraoich: Shocraicheadh Ceilidh le P invite persons to serve on the Special Committee. sgialachdan is brain a chumail an Aitreabh nan !l Acting on a recommendation from Comunn Gaidheal air an 6mh latha de’n Dixlachd. A’ V Gaidhealach an Obain and the Mod Local cumail ri priomh run na Comhairle cha chleach- il Committee (Oban, 1962) the Council approved dair ach Gaidhlig a mhain aig a’ Cheilidh so. f that a tablet, with a Gaelic inscription, to Tha a’ Chomhairle a’ beachdachadh air | commemorate the founding of An Comunn coinneamh Gaidhlig eile a chumail ’sa’ 1 Gaidhealach be set up at a suitable place in Bhliadhn’ Uir. Thatar an dbchas gum Oban and unveiled on Monday of Mod week. fritheil na h-uile aig a bheil speis do’ n Ghaid alig After a lengthy discussion it was agreed that na ceilidhean sin. An Gaidheal should be sent free to Ordinary A minute of Comunn na h-Oigridh Committee 1 1 Members and at an annual subscription of 5/- was presented by Miss Kay Matheson, the new ) to Life Members. This decision will become Convener, who was accorded a special welcome. 1,1 effective at the beginning of the next magazine by the President. The minute referred to two |l year, August, 1962. successful camps held last summer at Cnoc nan ' ; Rds and gave the dates fixed for next year's i camps and arrangements are being made to Am Faigh A* Ghaidhlig bring the camps to the notice of schools. The 'Council approved the recommendation to Bas? [ provide practice shinty sticks for the use of the i; Feachdan in Poolewe and Minard. Le Garbhan MacAoidh (Girvan McKay) i The meeting noted with interest that the CAN the Gaelic language be saved from ; Convener is to visit schools in Lewis in con- extinction ? Like many of those who nection with the work of Comunn na h-Oigridh. regard our ancient tongue with affection, ’ Gratitude is expressed to the Directors of I have been pondering this question and ! Education of Ross and Cromarty and Inverness- endeavouring to bring to bear on it some of j shire who are both co-operating with the the experience gained as a teacher of languages. ; Committee. In the first instance I should like to make it I Two minutes of a new Standing Committee, clear that the opinions expressed in this article lithe Northern Committee, were submitted and are my own and should not be taken as a ; j approved on the motion of the Convener, reflection of An Comunn policy. | Mr. I. R. Mackay. The Council approved the For many years An Comunn Gaidhealach has I : purchase of a tent to be used for Propaganda been quietly pursuing its aims, taking care to j purposes at Highland Gatherings and holiday remain aloof from other Scottish bodies with I resorts in the Northern Area. The President similar objectives but with a political bias. I 'paid tribute to this Committee for the many While the advantages of this policy are obvious, ; interesting and worthwhile projects which its it is completely at variance with that of the i(members have in mind. language movements in other Celtic countries. The next meeting of the Executive Council It is difficult to see how, in countries where i will be held in Glasgow on Saturday, 13th official policy is definitely not in favour of January, at 10 a.m. A vote of thanks to the fostering the Celtic languages, it is possible to 1 President for presiding terminated the meeting. eschew those public activities which are most instrumental in deciding the fate of minority languages. However much we dislike the idea (and some of us dislike the idea very much indeed), it is self-evident that the Highland and Book Review Island problem—and hence the future: of the Selected Highland Folktales, by R. Macdonald Gaelic language—is largely a political and Robertson: Oliver and Royd, 16/-. economic one. Many folktales have a perennial vitality, and The initiative taken by An Comunn with not a few, with minor modifications, are found regard to the R.B.C’s. Gaelic programmes is in widely separated districts throughout the admirable, and could perhaps be extended to Highlands. Such tales, while they may have other bodies. It may well be that Gaelic’s ancient origins, are often related as if closely greatest need is to have effective “public connected with quite recent happenings. relations officers’’ after the American pattern. For a quarter of a century the author of this Unless a language is expanding, it is declining, ^collection has garnered his material at first hand and one of the many reasons for the decline of dn many parts of the Scottish Highlands and the Gaelic is its unfamiliarity and ‘ ‘foreignness’ ’ ^Islands. The selection in this volume is part to the vast majority of Scots. Few.people like Jof a rich oral tradition, and Mr. Macdonald to feel strangers in their own country, and the Robertson in providing such interesting evidence Highlander is no exception. In their own of the spiritual fibre of the Celts deserves our attempts to revive the Gaelic, the Irish people gratitude. have made many mistakes, but one important I The tales, commendably short, are classified lesson we can learn from them is the efficacy under seven headings—fairies; haunted houses; of making the language familiar to the greatest witchcraft; monsters; merfolk: second sight; number of people in the shortest possible time. ! and miscellaneous. They are told in a clear, There is probably no one living in the Republic ' convincing manner, and the reader is left to of Ireland today who is not familiar with the draw his own conclusions. The stories, gener- written appearance and sound of the Gaelic ally speaking, are fascinating in themselves, tongue. This is far from being the case in and should prove interesting to natives and Scotland. There are no doubt several members J visitors alike. of An Comunn who can recollect experiences J l The book is handsomely produced; the print such as that of the Gaelic speaker who was i and paper are of high quality. referred to as a foreigner in an Ayrshire — 9 shop! There is no reason whatever why Gaelic and all that is finest in racial inheritance. We] should be such a closed book to most Scots. are experiencing this phenomenon in the? Even the southernmost counties of Scotland, Western Isles. As the Gaelic is abandoned,! such as Kirkcudbrightshire, are full of Gaelic so is religious faith together with moral stan-i place-names and the old language has an dards and good taste. The same defects of| influence out of all proportion to the number character which make us despise our language of its speakers. can make us atheists, puerile television addicts I would like to suggest—with a certain degree and even vandals and criminals. The decay, of diffidence—that an approach be made to the once it has started, does not stop. more public-spirited Scottish manufacturers It will not be sufficient to persuade a few asking them to include some Gaelic on their people to pay lip-service to the Gaelic cause. 1 labels and the packaging of their goods. This We must strive with all our might to pass on is already done to a limited extent by at least to a generation without an ideology, the price- ! one knitwear manufacturer and two distillers. less moral, linguistic and cultural structure ' It may come as something of a shock to the built up over the generations by centuries of more abstemious supporters of the Gaelic cause thought, trial and error, and wisdom learnt of to observe that a certain amount of advertising experience. Our Gaelic inheritance must be in Gaelic is carried out by liquor and tobacco our gift to the whole of Scotland, and thus our firms, while less controversial manufacturers are contribution to the rich pattern of human) extremely backward in recognising the existence culture. Without it, it would indeed be litth t of the language. A recent article in a promi- tragedy if we were to perish like the Babylonians i nent Gaelic magazine* stressed the value of of old. such advertising to the propagation of Gaelic, and called for more written Gaelic in public places. Our lives are ruled by written exhor- tations : NO SMOKING, ENTRANCE, EXIT, The Clarsach DO NOT WALK ON THE GRASS, and many others. Could we not follow the example of The Instrument, its Music and its Players the Irish and put these inscriptions in Gaelic By F. G. Thompson, F.S.A. (Scot.) j as well as English, even outside the Gaelic- speaking areas ? If the written language is not TO make music by plucking strings has beer] made familiar to Gael and non-Gael alike, it the pleasure of Man for counties^ i will certainly die. In a highly technical world generations. There exists today ar L the purely oral languages are doomed, and to astonishing variety of stringed instruments usee b many a Gael his language is an unwritten one. by people in all parts of the world. And th« More towns could follow the example of Storno- harp, one of the oldest of stringed instruments^ way in having their street names in Gaelic as has been associated with the Celts and theij [ well as in English. It should not be impossible racial forebears for thousands of years. 1 to persuade a public-spirited town council in Ireland at the present day is still identifiec Stirling and Inverness to enahnce their town’s with the harp, both as a device used in IrisL tourist attractions by putting up Gaelic in- heraldry and on coinage since the fourteentK scriptions . The writer knows of more than one century. But before this date the hr.rp was j visitor who has made the trip to Stornoway familiar instrument and the popular conceptioi; mainly for the “thrill” of being “abroad” of a bard as an old white-bearded gentlemai [ without the disadvantages of a Continental in flowing robes playing a harp, lyre or cruit ! journey. Bilingualism is one of the fascinations is not too far wrong, although the bard thej|. of such cities as Brussels and Montreal. Could was not usually a harp-player. In the social!1 - not Glasgow, and even Edinburgh, be made to structure of the Celtic tribes in the Ireland o . follow suit? over two thousand years ago the bard was : The fact that Gaelic is in its present weak prominent member of a chief’s household. Th| state should not deter us in our struggle for our order of precedence was: house steward anj L most valuable cultural asset. The Celtic men, the bard, the seannachie, the harper anii language of our distant cousins in Cornwall gillie and then the piper and his gillie. became totally extinct a few generations ago. The harp in its many forms has been men It is now experiencing a remarkable revival, tioned in literature from ancient times. Amon schoolchildren and adults alike taking up the the many writers who have praised the music study of Cornish with the greatest enthusiasm. making qualities of the instrument arf A Cornish writer has pointed out that when Heccataeus, the ancient Egyptian historian an) language dies, it takes with it faith, culture compiler of the Dinusenches (544 A.D.), Si: * Gairm Adamnan (chronicler of St. Columba), Ekkhaim. I f (1040 x\.D.), Tighemach (1080 A.D.), Gerald He was born in Lewis in the late seventeenth tli i Barry and Dante. The latter has written that century, the son of an Episcopal minister in the -J| [ the Italians got the harp from the Irish, Island. He was sent to be educated at Inverness i f When the Irish tribes began to colonise ancient and was probably prepared for a preaching or i; Caledonia very early in the Christian era they teaching career. But his career was cut short i: most certainly brought the harp with them. by a severe attack of smallpox which left him 3 It was then only a short step in the development totally blind. Faced with a bleak future, he 'i of the social structure of the Celtic tribes to the resolved to make the best of his affliction by j | social arrangement of the later Scottish clans becoming a harper, a decision not so unusual as a i with the bard now combining his traditional it may seem because blindness was a characteris- a! duties with those of the seanachaidh and the tic of most harpers. i [ harp-player, orclarsair. The clarsair remained So Morrison made his way to Ireland for a > ■ an important member of the household of the period of tuition on the instrument which lasted if Highland chief until the beginning of the several years. Eventually he made his way «' sixteenth century, when the Statutes of Iona back to Scotland after having proved himself i \ made outlaws of many retainers. So it was an excellent clarsair and a composer of no small *! that the harper was forced to make his living merit. While in Edinburgh his playing was 11 as best he could by travelling about the country- heard by the Laird of MacLeod of Dunvegan j ? side. who offered him the position of harper in his :1c The devolution from bard to itinerant harper household. An Isleman at heart, the Clarsair as i in Ireland was very similar to the enactment of Dali took up the offer at once and went with the English Statutes of Kilkenny (1367), which MacLeod to Dunvegan. There he devoted his outlawed those retainers who had no visible time to composing for the instrument. 1 means of support. So also in Ireland was the ' harper a familiar figure in the countryside and, (To be continued) ■ despite English laws, the profession of itinerant harper was a fashionable one up until the middle r59 of the nieteenth century. With the gradual emergence of the Highland Treasurer’s Notes 31 clans from comparative obscurity to martial NATIONAL MOD—STIRLING, 1961 8 roles, the clarsair was replaced by the piper ' who, with his loud war-pipes, was able to Received at Stirling—• r * make a noise that was ideal for stirring up the Previously acknowledged ^4 ,C 13 9 ® Highland warriors to fighting pitch. Thus the Mr. and Mrs. Mclnnes, ^ piper gained prominence in the social structure ComunnDaliburgh Gaidhealach 1 — t of the Highland clans, a state of affairs which Leodhuis (Lewis d continued until harp-players native to Scotland Branch) were few and far between. Most of those seen Loch Tayside Branch • • in Scotland were usually Irish players, many PerLargs Callander Branch Committee 2 of whom made regular and extensive tours of Glenrothes Branch Scotland, testifying to the fact that peoples’ Mrs. Janet Gray, St. ears were still tuned to the strains of the Ninians clarsach. Stirlingmittee—Coffee Ladies Com-Evening Some of these it inerant harpers even j ourneyed Stirling Gaelic Choir .. as far afield as Lewis. In the Uig district of G. D. Donald, Esq. .. the Island there is a patch of land known as Ceilidh held at Strathyre “Feannag a’ Chlarsair”, with a gruesome story on 28/8/61 attached to it. CeilidhDance in held Plaza at Ballroom, Killearn One Irish harper in particular was blind Denis Stirling Hempson (1695-1805). He toured Scotland on Collected by South two occasions, on the second of which he played Stirlingshire Com- his harp before Prince Charles Edward at Glasgowmittee Central.. . .Branch . . f Holyrood Palace in 1745. Another Irish harper Lochinver Branch was Ecklin O’Cahan, alluded to by Boswell in Mrs. Joan McLean his ‘ ‘Tour of the Hebrides’ ’. Golspie Branch .. Of the very few harpers native to Scotland, DumfriesDundee Branch Branch .. I probably the most famous, at least the last of Aberfeldy Branch iii| any note, was Roderick Morrison, popularly Inverness Branch 5U known as Rory Dali, or the Clarsair Dali, the Glasgow Highland Club W:[ Blind Harper. TobermoryMrs. MacAskill Branch .. — 11 Ceilidh at Aultbea, Wester Ross .. MissClydebank Flora Hewitt, Mrs.Buchanan McDonald Branch—pro- . . MissKilmarnock Jessie . .Nisbet, ceedsRoy Roadof Ceilidh House at Rob 50 Evan Mackay, Esq., Collected by Ladies Com- LairgDingwall Branch 51 5 — McNicolmittee per Mrs. 3 1 3 MissCromarty K. A.Branch MacDonald, 3 3 — Received at Glasgow— — ^5,139 9 10 Col.Lairg Maule Horne, Dor- 5 set 5 Mrs.Previously Anne acknowledgedMacDonald, ^212 7 11 Mrs. H. M. Campbell of Fort William — 10 — Nova Airds,Scotia BucksAssociation David Skae, Esq., of Scottish Societies .. 19 2 6 MissCardiff Mary MacArthur, 2 2 — Wm. Kellock, Esq., Glasgow 1 1 — Mrs.West Robertson, Lothian.. Jura .. —5 105 — Highlandfermline Society of Dun- Mr. and Miss Fletcher .. Iain MacLeod, Esq., 5 Col. M. B. H. Ritchie, Conon-Bridge Mr.Acharacle and Mrs. Goldie, Mrs. Jessie A. MacLeod, Stirling — 10 — GourockLewis . . Highland Miss C. Kelso, Glasgow 1 Association 2 2 — ComunnBeauly Branchna Clarsaich .. .. 106 D.Lothian Rankin, Esq.,• • West — 8 — £340 14 6 Dr.Edinburgh A. M. Campbell, 1 1 — £5,480 4 4 Mrs.Edinburgh Flora E. MacLeod, CENTRAL FUND P. fieldFletcher, Esq., Wake- .Previously acknowledged £77 6 9 Norman Campbell, Esq., MissW. D. Elizabeth Murray, M. Esq., Robertson, Yorkshire Edinburgh 1 Glasgow 2 2 — Lochtayside Branch —2 92 — MissBallachulish Mary Cameron,.. — 5 — Logierait Branch .. 2 2 — Miss M. Urquhart, Kyle 2 Mrs.Dumfries E. Croll,Branch Cheltenham .... 2 Mrs. May Bell, Muir of Golspie Branch ...... 162 26 —6 MissOrd Mary H. Crawford, Lairg Branch 1 1 — Dunoon SutherlandLewis Branch Provincial Mod Committee.. DavidCarluke W. Christie, Esq., 2 Strathconon Branch Colin Macinnes, Esq., AberfeldyJohn MacDiarmid, Branch .. Esq., Morven Glasgow 1 Lochalsh Gaelic Choir . . 42 2 — AngusCruden Carmichael, Bay .. Esq., 1 1 — Beauly Branch 10 JamesKinross H. Ramsay, Esq ., 2 2 — £161 11 3 Miss K. Barry Milner, MAGAZINE FUND Plockton — 11 — Previously acknowledged DonaldEsq., ColonsayA. MacNeill, — 17 7 ^ Andrew Torrance, Esq., Johnstone M’ ss Mairi MacCaffer, W.Miss D. Mary Murray, MacArthur, Esq., YorksGlasgow .. . PaisleyLondon Highlanders. William Christie, Esq,, Dundee Association 3 3 — ArchieRev. John M. MacDonald,MacKay, Glasgow Esq., Bearsden PaisleyAssociation Highlanders. 10 Rev. J. L. Munro, Edinburgh Miss Morag Bannerman, MissW. MacLean, Jean C. Campbell,Esq., Canada Edinburgh . D.Glasgow W. MacRitchie, Esq., — 10 — Helensburgh .. —8 11 — CruachanColonsay BranchBranch 2 12 6 COMUNN NA H-OIGRIDH FUND Mrs. M. F. Souter, Ding- 1 1 — Previously acknowledged Murdowall MacLeod, Esq., William Gemmel, Esq., by Connel Glasgow — 10 — LairgDumfries Branch Branch ...... AngusEdinburgh Duncan, Esq., 1 1 — Glasgow Central Branch MissClydebank Isabella Hewitt, — 5 — 12 — AN CAIDHEAL THE GAEL Editor—DONALD GRANT, B.A., 95 MUNRO ROAD, GLASGOW, W.3, to whom all correspondence should he addressed except that concerning advertising which should be addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should he sent to the Treasurer. 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C 2 Telephone: DOUglas 1433 Leabhar LVII AN GEARRAN, 1962 Aireamh 2 “CLANN-SGOILE LE GAIDHLIG” THA leabhar air a’ chuspair seo* air iir- h-aireamhan air an cur sios an seo fo iomadach thighinn a mach fo ughdarras “Buidh- ceann gu h-6rdail. eann-Rannsachaidh air Ceisdean Cho math ri figirean tha mapaichean a’ toirt Foghluim an Alba.” A reir an roimh-radh dhuinn dealbhan soilleir air na h-earrannan anns an leabhar, chuir a’ Bhuidheann seo o de’n duthaich anns a’ robh a’ Ghaidhlig beo, a chionn coig bliadhna Comhairle air bonn as reir fiosrachadh nan cunntasan naiseanta bho ur gu a bhith a’ beachdachadh air a’ bhuaidh 1881 gu 1951. Ged a thainig an leabhar a araidh a dh’fhaodas tighinn air daoine bho mach roimh innseadh mu chunntas 1961, tha eolas air da •chanain. ’S e Fear-Gairme na dearbhadh againn a nise nach d’ thainig maille Comhairle seo Mgr. Iain Mac-a-Ghobhainn, ’sam bith air lughdachadh aireamh na Gaidhlig lar-Phrionnsapal Colaisde Jordanhill, agus ’ga anns na deich bliadhna bho 1951. chuideachadh tha naoinear eile aig a bheil, Theagamh gun cuir cuid de leughadairean ann an caochladh dhoighean, obair shonraichte an leabhar seo na ceisdean; De am feum a co-cheangailte ri teagasg sgoilearan is oileanach ni rannsachadh dhe’n t-seorsa seo? Am —is sianar dhiubh le Gaidhlig. b’fheudar do na sgoilearan comasach seo Tha am Fear-Gairme a’ nochdadh gu bheil uiread de dhragh a ghabhail a chum tighinn gu cuid a thig as an Roinn-Eorpa agus as na codhunaidhean mar seo (t.d.46) “A h-uile h-Innsean a’ gleidheadh an canain fhein uair as i a’ Ghaidhlig cainnt na dachaidh, tha comhla ri Beurla, ach chan ’eil aireamh ’sam Gaidhlig, gu ire bhig, aig an dithis pharantan ?” bith dhiubh sin (’s math nach ’eil) a’ tighinn Agus a rithist, ‘ ‘Tha an earrann dhe na parantan faisg air an aireamh aig a bheil Gaidhlig is le Gaidhlig nach ’eil a’ cleachdadh Gdidhlig ris Beurla. Mar sin chuir a’ Chomhairle rompa, a’ chloinn moran nas motha anns na cearnaidh- mar an ceud dleasanas, beachdachadh air ean far a bheil a’ Bheurla laidir am measg an suidheachadh nan canainean anns na h-eileanan t-sluaigh.” Codhunaidhean, faodar a radh, a agus air taobh siar na Gaidhealtachd. Rinn tha follaiseach do na h-uile gun rannsachadh iad da sgriidadh, a’ cheud fhear anns na bun- idir. sgoilean ann an 1957, a’ gabhail ealla gu Ach ’s e aon rud a th’ann barail aotrom a sonraichte ri cloinn coig gu seachd bliadhna a bhith aig duine air staid na Gaidhlig, agus dh’aois, agus an dara fear ann an 1959, a’ rud eile na h-aireamhan a bhith an seo mu a cur cheisdean air na h-ard-sgoilearan anns a’ choinneamh an dubh ’s an geal. Nach toir cheud bliadhna aig an robh beag no mor de’n a leithid seo crathadh air cogais, ma tha a Ghaidhlig. leithid air fhagail? De chlann nam bun- Chuireadh paipearan le ceisdean araidh gu na sgoilean, sgoilean, aon phaipear airson na sgoil gu anns na Hearadh, le Gaidhlig, 94%, h-iomlan agus aon air leth mu choinneamh anns an Eilean Sgitheanach, 51%, gach sgoilear. Nuair a thill na freagairtean ann am Mu lie, 8%. rinneadh mion-sgrudadh orra agus tha na A thaobh nan ard-sgoilean Gaidhealach, chan “Gaelic-speaking Children in Highland Schools," ’ eil anns a’ cheud bhliadhna aig a bheil Gaidhlig ♦ University of London Press, 10/6. ach 17% de’n iomlan; tha sin nas lugha na aon ’s a’ chiad de chlann na bliadhna-thoisich 4. Gun long gun bhata gach cladach ’ s baghan an Alba air fad. Gun acfhuinn sail gun seol Ach cha b’ann idir airson ar misneachd a Gach bothag iasgaich air dhol air di- thoirt bhuainn a chaidh an leabhar seo a chuimhn’ sgriobhadh. Tha e ag radh, ged a chaidh Gun charadh lion na rop canainean a bu laidire mar a bha Sanskrit is Far ’n robh beo-shlaint’ aig bun na tragh’d Laidinn a bith, nach leig sinn a leas codhunadh Le fealla-dha gun gho gun tachair a cheart ni do’n Ghaidhlig. Tha Tha nise fasach ’s gach tobht ’na laraich eachdraidh chanainean eile, mar a tha Cuimris, ’ S cha chluinnear gair na spors. Greigis, Lochlainnis, is Afrikaans, a’ sealltainn nach leig e leas tachairt, ma tha luchd-labhairt 5. O thir ar canain ar siinnd ’s ar cairdean na Gaidhlig deonach nach tachair e. A dh’ araich luthmhor seoid A dhearbhadh nach do chaill iad fhein air Armuinn ’s diulnaich bu dhealbhach muinte chor sam bith a misneachd, tha ughdair an B’fhearail cuirteil doigh leabhair seo ag radh nach robh anns an oidhirp Co-chomunn gradhach gun fhoill gun a rinn iad ach toiseach toiseachaidh. Tha iad straiceas eolach air na h-oidhirpean a tha a’ do! air Gun fhiaradh grannd’ gun leom adhart anns a’ Chuimrigh agus an duthchannan Ach dileas daonnan do’n tir's do’n daoine eile. Tha iad a’ dol a bheachdachadh a nise Gun faoineis chlaon gun bhosd. air meadhonan a bhitheas feumail, gu h- 6. ’S droch thionnsgainn aimsir a chur air araidh anns na sgoilean far a bheil fuigheall theirbheart na Gaidhlig fhathast. Guidheamaid soirbh- ’S a thearb bhuat sean is 6g eachadh le an saothair. ’S a rinn do mhuchadh gun chothrom dusgaidh Gun luth gun surd gun deo - Ach biodh ar n-urnuigh ri Righ nan Duilean Ag iarraidh stiuraidh ’s foir Laoidh Do’n ’S E gabhail curam de’r tir ’s de’r duthaich ’S E thoirt dhith iuil is treoir. Ghaidhealtachd I. A. M. 1. A thir arsaidh nam beanntan arda . Nan tulach aill ’s nan cos Is cianail craiteach an diugh do bhlathsa Gach leathad alainn ’s 6b Le iargainn ’s ionndrainn air gach laimh Taladh Duthcha Fo phramh ’s gun duil tighinn beo 1. Do lamhan paisgte mu’m sgornan Far ’n robh lan abhachd, muirn is manran ’Gam phogadh le simnd is aighear Cairdeas, diithchas ’s ceol. Faileasan boillsgeach, lainnir oirdhearc Do dhealbh-bhrat bhoidheach ’gam 2. Do ghlinn bha ciatach torach miadhar mhealladh. Le connadh biadh ’s le por An diugh gun tuar gun bhlaths gun bhuaidh 2. Rionnagan seudach air guirm do speuran Fo ghruaim gun bhuar gun doigh Teud-chleasachd e ibhinn am reothaidh ’ S gach fardaich ghaoil gun loinn gun fhaoilt Muir shamhach a’ drilseadh fo thonnagan Gach cagailt aognaidh reot’ mingheal Air caochladh tha do dhreach ’s do ghruaidh Le’m bogadaich shiobhalt ’cur m’ inntinn ’S do thuar bha faoilidh coir. gu fodhail. 3. Bu trie a chualas caithreim ’ s cluaineis 3. Ag amharc air d’ iomhaigh throm-dhait uile- Air airigh ’ s cluan nam bo chiatach Bu lionmhor guanag a’ siubhal bhuailtean 'S ag eisdeachd do bhriathran as ceutaiche Le cuman, buarach ’s corn sanas Bhiodh spreidh a’ nuallan ri uchd nam fuar- Togaidh gach pian dhiom gach buaireas is bheann riasladh ’S an gleannan uain’ an fheoir Thig sith-thaimh mar dh’ iarrainn ’n ait Bhiodh laoigh a’ ruagail le mireag ’s luathad iargain a’ bhaile. Gu finealt, uallach coir. I.A.M. 14 — GEARASDAN BHEARNARAIDH Le Tomas M. MacCalmain Abheil fhios agad, a leughadair, cart didein do shaighdearan an Riaghaltais. a bheil “Gearasdan Rhearnaraidh” ? Chan urrainnear a bhith cinnteach cuin “An e Bearnaraidh Leodhais,’’ arsa a thogadh Gearasdan no Daingneach tusa, “no Bearnaraidh na Hearadh, no Bearn- Bhearnaraidh. Bha a’ bhliadhna gearrte air araidh Bharraidh?’’ cloich mhoir os cionn an doruis mhoir, ach cha Chan e gin sam bith dhiubh sin, ach leughar an diugh ach “17—.’’ Bhiodh e Bearnaraidh Ghlinn-Eilge. Ged as e “Bearn- coltach gum b’ann eadar 1719 agus 1722 a chaidh araidh’’ an t-ainm a tha air barrachd is aon an Gearasdan a thogail. Anns an Leabhariann eilean ann an Innse-Gall, chan e eilean a tha Naiseanta an Dun-eideann tha dealbhan is am Bearnaraidh Ghlinn-Eilge ann, ach gleann planaichean a chaidh ullachadh fa chomhair a’ fosgladh suas eadar Traigh Bhearnaraidh togail a’ Ghearasdain, agus chaidh an clo- agus Glas-bheinn, dluth do Chaol-Reithe, an bhualadh anns an Scots Magazine o chionn corr caolas eadar an t-Eilean Sgitheanach agus tir- is coig bliadhna ftchead comhla ri eachdraidh mor. a’ Ghearasdain a sgriobh mi fhin am Beurla. Ma thachras dhuit a bhith air bord bata a’ Bha saighdearan anns a’ Ghearasdan bho ’n do! eadar Malaig agus Caol Loch-Aillse, thoir la a dh’fhosgladh e gu timcheall air 1790— sixil gu cladach na mor-thir am Bagh Gh'iinn- mu thri fichead bliadhna agus a deich. Ged a Eilge, direach mus tig thu gu Caolas an Lamh- tha corr is da cheud bliadhna bho thogadh e, achaidh, far a bheil an sruth mara a’ ruith gu tha na ballachan ’ nan seasamh an airde fhathast, bras troimh Chaol-Reithe. Thoir siiil gu agus chithear gur e aitreabh eireachdail a bha cladach na mor-thir, agus chi thu seann togail ann. Bha e air air a thogail ’na dha thaigh air comhnard dluth do’n chladach beagan a mhor, le ceithir stoiridhean anns gach taigh, tuath air Eaglais na Sgire—togail de chlachan a’ deanamh ceithir seomraichean ar fhichead dorcha, ballachan gun mhullach, coltach ri uile gu leir, a chumadh da cheud saighdear. seann chaisteal. Sin agad, ma tha, Gearasdan Is coltach nach robh riamh da cheud saighdear Bhearnaraidh, aitreabh a tha a nis corr math aig an aon am anns a’ Ghearasdan, ach bhiodh is da cheud bliadhna a dh’ aois. ’s docha suas ri ceud ann an toiseach, agus as Chan e seo an t-aite no an t-am gu dol a deidh Bliadhna Thearlaich ghearradh an air- steach gu mionaideach ann an eachdraidh na eamh sios gu na’s lugha na dusan. An 1772 cha Gaidhealtachd. Foghnaidh a radh gu robh robh ann, a reir leabhar Thomais Pennant, ach deidh mhor aig an Ard-riaghaltas anns an aon oifigeach (corporal) agus siathnar shaighd- ochdamh linn deug air na Gaidheil a chumail earan. An ath-bhliadhna, agus an t-OUamh fo cheannsal—na Gaidheil a bha ’nan dragh Somhairle Maclain agus Seumas Boswell air cho mor do dhaoine siobhalta leis mar a bhiodh chuairt, tha iomradh air aon oiftgeach (seirdsean) iad a’ togail na creiche agus a’ sapaid ri cheile agus “beagan dhaoine’’ a bhith ann. An 1786 agus a’ diultadh geilleadh do reachd na Riogh- thadhail fear-turuis d’am b’ainm Iain Knox achd. anns a’ Ghearasdan. “Fhuair mi aoigheachd Bha da dhoigh gu sonraichte aig an Ard- bho’n ard-oifigeach agus bho’n ghearasdan riaghaltas gus na Gaidheil a’ chumail fo aige,’’ sgriobh e. “B’ e an t-ard-oiftgeach smachd. B’ aon dhiubh buidhnean de gillean seann chorporal, agus b’e an gearasdan bean Gaidhealach a ghabhail a steach do ’n arm, a’ chorporail, agus b’i an aoigheachd a fhuair agus an ordachadh mar ann an reisimeid ainmeil, mi snaoisean agus uisge-beatha!” “Am Freiceadan Dubh,’’ a chumail faire agus Toiseach Limasdail 1745 sheol an long- a ghleidheadh na sithe air feadh an taoibh chogaidh Fhrangach, “La Doutelle,’’ gu tuath tuath. Bhiodh na saighdearan seo daonnan a’ troimh Chaol-Reithe, an deidh dhi am Prionnsa siubhal, ’nam buidhnean, bho ghleann gu gleann Tearlach a chur air tir an Loch nan Uamh a agus thar nam monaidhean. B’ i an doigh eile thogail a bhrataich aig ceann Loch Seile. doigh a ghabh Cromwell air tiis, agus b’ e sin Sgriobh sgiobair na luinge ’na leabhar-latha : daingnichean a thogail an aitean sonraichte. “Aig meadhon-la chunnaic sinn thall bhuainn Ri linn Chromwell chaidh daignichean a thogail aitreabh mhor air comhnard eadar da mhonadh, an Inbhir-nis agus an Inbhir-lochaidh, agus agus chunnaic sinn saighdearan a’ dol mun as deidh sin chaidh feadhainn eile a thogail an cuairt.” Cha do chuir saighdearan dearga a’ Ruadhainn am Baideanach, an Cille-chuimein, Ghearasdain cus eagail air an Fhrangach, oir agus am Bearnaraidh Ghlinn-Eilge. Bha na beagan iiine as deidh sin rainig e Rubha na daingnichean sin mar aitean-fuirich agus aitean- Caillich agus ghlac e ceithir soithichean- seolaidh Sasannach, lan mine, agus chuir e a* mhin gu armailt a’ Phrionnsa. gu snasail agus “1730” gearrte oirre, air uaigh An ath-bhliadhna (1746) ann an Gearasdan aoin de oifigich Gearasdan Bhearnaraidh. Bhearnaraidh chaochail an Ridire Alasdair Is e “Grunnd an Righ” a their muinntir MacDhomhnaill, ceann-feadhna Ddmhnallaich Ghlinn-Eilge fhathast ris na h-achaidhean mun Shleibhte. Ghabh esan taobh an Ard- cuairt air a’ Ghearasdan. Tha e air aithris gu riaghaltais an aghaidh Thearlaich, agus choisinn robh e mar chleachdadh aig fir oga na sgire a sin dha fuath luchd-leanmhainn nan Stiiibh- bhith a’ dol uair ’s an t-seachdain do ’n Ghear- artach. Rinn iad rann Beurla m’a dheighinn, asdan a dh’fhaotainn teagasg-airm. an uair a chuala iad gun do bhasaich e, a tha B’ann air gliob a’ mhinisteir a chaidh an ag radh rud-eigin mar seo: “Ma tha neamh Gearasdan a thogail, agus b’fheudar do’n toilichte an uair a sguireas peacach de ’n uachdaran, MacLeoid Dhun-bheagain, gabhaltas pheacadh, agus ma tha ifrinn toilichte an uair fearainn eile a thoirt do’n mhinistear. Thug a ruigeas peacach an t-aite uamhasach sin, e dha tuathanachas Bhuarblaich, eadar tri cheud agus ma tha an saoghal toilichte a bhith is ceithir cheud acair fearainn, a tha mar cuibhteas a leithid de mhealltair—tha iad a ghliob aig niinistear Ghlinn-Eilge gus an la an nis uile toilichte, oir tha an Domhnallach anns diugh. an uaigh !” Tha e air a radh, ann an togail a’ Ghear- Gu mi-fhortanach chan ’eil Leabhar-Seisein asdain, gun tugadh na clachan a caistealan na Ghlinn-Eilge a’ dol air ais cho fada ris an Feinne, seann duin anns a’ Ghleann-bheag an ochdamh linn deug, ach ann an leabhraichean Glinn-Eilge. Tha e air aithris mar an ceudna, Cleir Loch Carrann, a chuireadh air chois an an uair a thogadh an Eaglais Shaor an Glinn- 1724, tha iomradh aireamh uairean air Gear- Eilge an 1846, gun do chuireadh orra sgleatan a asdan Bhearnaraidh. Bha feadhainn de na thugadh de’n Ghearasdan. saighdearan a fhuair iad fhein an crois agus Dh’fhag na saighdearan an Gearasdan, mar thogadh casaid orra fa chomhair an t-Seisein a thubhairt mi, timcheall air 1790, ach greis agus na Cleire. Tha iomradh cuideachd, ann a bhliadhnachan as deidh sin, an uair a chaidh an 1744, air Alasdair Watt, Deputy Barrack moran de’n t-sluagh a chur a mach as an fhear- Master, a bhith a’ ceasnachadh clann na sgoile ann aca, fhuair feadhainn dhiubh dachaigh, comhla ris a’ mhinistear aig a’ cheasnachadh air son uine ghoirid co-dhiubh, anns a’ Ghear- bhliadhnail. A rithist an 1756 rinn Iain Forbes, asdan no ann am pairt dheth. B’aithne dhomh Barrack-master Depute, an dleasdanas sin. fhin seann duine an Glinn-Eilge, a chaochail Ann an Glinn-Eilge gus an la an diugh tha o chionn corr is coig bliadhna fichead, agus teaghlach d’an ainm MacGilleathain a shiolaich dh’ innis e dhomh gum b’ann anns a’ Ghearasdan bho shaighdear a bha anns a’ Ghearasdan. B’e a rugadh a mhathair fhein. Tha e air a radh an saighdear seo “An Corporal Dearg,’’ gur e tughadh a bha air a’ chearn de’n Ghear- agus bha mac 6g aige, Aonghas MacGilleathain. asdan anns an do ghabh na daoine bochda Thug an Corporal Dearg Aonghas do fhear-an- fasgadh, agus gun do loisg am baillidh an taigh-osda an Glinn-Eilge, MacGhille-bhrath, tughadh gus an cur a mach. gus a thogail dha, agus ars esan, “’S docha, Is toigh learn fhin sgriob a thoirt mu sheann an uair a dh’ fhasas e suas, gum pos e an nighean bhallachan a’ Ghearasdain, is mi a’ gabhail agad fhein.” B’ann mar sin a bha. Phos beachd air far an robh an taigh-fuinne agus Aonghas MacGilleathain, mac a’ Chorporail, staball nan each agus ionad-tasgaidh nan arm. Anna NicGhille-bhrath an 1799, agus tha an Tha drisean is deanntagan air na cabhsairean siathamh ginealach a thainig bhuapa ann an far an do sheas na saighdearan dearga cho Glinn-Eilge an diugh. eireachdail is cho easgaidh. Bidh mo mhac- Dh’fhag na saighdearan cuimhneachan eile meanmna a’ falbh air sgiathan a steach gu ceo anns an sgir, agus is e sin cleachdadh sonraichte nan ginealaichean, agus saoilidh mi gun cluinn a tha aig muinntir Ghlinn-Eilge. Aig mi guth ard a’ glaodhaich bho oir a’ bhalla, adhlacadh an Glinn-Eilge tha an sluagh a’ no fear-faire ag eigheach, “Co tha sin?” no coiseachd air thoiseach, agus tha a’ chiste ’ga each a’ sitrich, no airm a’ gliongarsaich. giulan aig deireadh na cuideachd. Anns na Ach chan ’eil dad fa mo chomhair ach seann sgirean eile mun cuairt, mar a tha Gleann-seile bhallachan, coinean beag a’ ruith mu’n dorus agus Cinn-t-saile, tha a’ chiste ’ga giulan air mhor, agus ann an ciaradh an fheasgair cailleach- thoiseach, agus an sluagh ag imeachd as a oidhche gu h-ard air bonn-uinneig agus suil deidh. Tha e air aithris gu bheil cleachdadh amharasach aice orm. Far an robh daoine Ghlinn-Eilge a’ leantainn cleachdadh nan curanta treuna, an deise an righ, a’ cumail faire saighdearan a bha anns a' Ghearasdan. Anns a la is a dh’oidhche, chan ’eil an diugh ach an t-seann chladh, timcheall air Eaglais Ghlinn- coinean is cailleach-oidhche agus srann na Eilge, tha leac-lighe bhriagha, air a grabhaladh gaoithe anns na simileirean arda fosgailte. Ruairi : Nan robh thusa air leigeil learn ‘ A Aig a* Chruinneachadh chairdean ionmhainn’ a radh an aite ‘A mhna- than agus a dhaoin uaisle’ cha robh seo air Bhliadhnail tachairt. Mairi: O, bi samhach. Dh’ fhaodadh tu a (Ruairi mac Alasdair, Ceann-Suidhe a’ radh gun do cheann as an adhar mar a bha e. Chomuinn, leis fhein ann an seomar beag anns Ruairi: Cuidich mi leis an stud seo. Tha mi an talla, a’ spaidsearachd air ais ’s air adhart, an dbchas gum bi i air ais agam mun tig Fear- ’s a’ sealltainn air fhein ann an sgathan an na-Cathrach. Chan urrainn dhomh mo lamh drasda ’s a rithist. Tha tiichadh air.) a chur fo’n leine mhallaichte seo. Gu ma Ruairi: Cait a bheil mo phaipear? Seo an h-anamoch dhith. cothrom mu dheireadh air ionnsachadh: ‘ A chairdean ionmhainn, tha mi a’ cur failt Mairi: Thoir an aire no bithidh i uile fosgailte oirbh an seo an nochd . . . .? (B’fhearr learn agad. Fag thusa agam-sa i. Sin agad i a gun tigeadh Mairi leis na lasaingearan.) nise. Tha an t-am aig an Runaire sin tighinn. .... agus gu h-araidh oirbhse a thainig air Ruairi: Tha mi ’n dbchas nach tachair siud astar . . . . ’ (Chan’eil an t-ablachrunaire ’s mi 'nam sheasamh air an ard-urlar. Nach againn an seo fhathast) . . . ‘ Tha an Comunn e Uilleam Eachainn a dhianadh an lasgan. againne a’ dol a dhianamh nas urrainn dhoibh Mairi : Na bitheadh curam ort mu Uilleam airson rathaidean mora agus cidheachan Eachainn. fhaotainn o Rimaire na Stata . . . ’ (Saoil Ruairi: Ciamar seo? cuin a thig Fear-na-Cathrach; tha mi ’n Mairi: Cha bhi esan ’gad eisdeachd. Thainig dochas nach bruidhinn e ro fhada. Cait an e dhe ’n aon bhus rium fhin agus ghabh e a robh mi ? . . . . Rathaidean mora agus cidh- nunn tarsainn na sraide. eachan.) (Gnogadh aig an dorus.) Seo Ruairi : Cait an robh e a’ dol ? Mairi. Nach tu a thug an uine, abhean. An Mairi: A ghabhail cupa tea, tha mi cinnteach. d’fhuair thu na lasaingearan? Ruairi: Nach’ eil e a’ tighinn gu ’n chruinn- Mairi: Fhuair. eachadh . Ruairi: Thoir dhomh fear dhiubh ’s m’ Mairi: O tha. Thig e a steach aig leth-uair amhach cho tioram. an deidh a h-ochd, nuair a bhitheas na h- Mairi Seo: ’S ann a tha thu ’nad fhallas. braidean seachad. Ruairi: A bheil moran a’ cruinneachadh a Ruairi: Nach ’eil sin glan .... De ... . Am muigh? Am faca tu an Runaire ? No Fear- buamastair .... nuair a bhitheas na h- na-Cathrach? Eisd ri m’ braid ach am faic braidean seachad gu dearbh! mi a bheil cuimhn agam oirre. Mairi: Duine glic, a reir mo bharail-sa. Mairi: Dian air do shocair. Tha an sluagh a’ Ruairi: An Runaire! Cait a bheil e? Fhalla, feitheamh 'nan sreithean gu oisean na sraide a Mhairi, is seal! a bheil e a’ tighinn. (Mairi ach chan fhaca mi Runaire no Fear-na- ag eigheach ri fear-eigin a muigh, Iain, am Cathrach. Ach tha e trath dhe ’n fheasgar faca tu an Runaire? Ruairi a’ monmhar ris fhathast. De tuilleadh a tha a dhith ort ? fhein. ‘A mhnathan agus a dhaoin uaisle. Ruairi: An eisd thu ris an braid? A mhnathan agus a dhaoin uaisle’. Mairi: O, an braid sin! ’S cinnteach gu Mairi: (A’ tilleadh). Chan ’eil sgial air bheil i agad air do theangaidh a nise. fhathast. Ruairi: A chairdean ionmhainn .... Ruairi: Obh, obh! Tha mi ’n dbchas gum bi Mairi: Nach d’ thuirt mi riut gun sin a radh. e seo roimh Fhear-na-Cathrach. Their thu, “A mhnathan agus a dhaoin Mairi: ’S fhearr dhut suidhe a dhianamh na a uaisle . . . . ” bhith a’ coimhead ort fhein anns an sgathan Ruairi: Carson? ’Se, ’A chairdean ionmhainn an sin. as fhearr leam-sa. Ruairi : Chan urrainn dhomh suidhe leis an Mairi: Coma learn de as fhearr leat-sa. ’S e leine seo. Cha shuidh mi gus an fheudar ‘ A mhnathan agus a dhaoin uaisle’ as coir dhomh. ‘A mhnathan agus a dhaoin uaisle, dhut a radh agus ’sea tha thu a’ dol a radh. tha mi a’ cur failte . . . .’ Ruairi : Ceart gu lebir. (a’ cur a mach a Mairi: Mar a tha mi leat, a dhuine. Cuir air bhroilleach). A mhnathan agus a dhaoin falbh am paipear sin agus cum trl cinn ’na uaisle. Seall a mise mar a rinn thu .... do chuimhne. Abair riut fhein, a’ cheud an stud air falbh a broilleach na leine. cheann, failte, an dara ceann, Fear-na- Mairi : De an cothrom a bh’ agam-sa air a sin ? cathrach, agus an treas ceann, suidhe. — 17 — Ruaiki: Suidhe. Chan ’eil mi a’ dol a bhruidheann air suidhe. The Clarsach Mairi : Chan ’eil. Ach feumaidh tu cuimhn- The Instrument, its Music and its Players eachadh air suidhe. Tri cinn, bithidh sin By F. G. Thompson, F.S.A. (Scot.) gu leoir. (Ccntinued) Ruairi : O, cha bhi, a Mhairi. Dhi-chuimhnich During his stay at Dunvegan he took a number thu na rathaidean mora is na cidheachan. of pupils under his care. One of his most Mairi: A nis, a Ruairi, cha toir thusa guth air promising was Murdoch MacDonald, who after- aon chuid rathaidean mora na cidheachan, wards became harper to the family of the Coll Ruairi: Ta ’s mi a bheir. MacLeans. Mairi: Thoir an aire. Tha thu ag at leis an With holding the position of harper in the fheirg a rithist. Tha an stud mheadhonach MacLeod household, Roderick Morrison lived deiseil gu leum. on the standing of a gentleman until his death Ruairi : Ach bu mhath leam-sa mo bheachdan early in the eighteenth century. In death he a thoirt dhaibh air rathaidean mora is returned to Lewis, his remains being buried in cidheachan. the old churchyard of St. Columba at Aignish. Mairi: Uisd a nise. Fagaidh tu na cuspairean The present whereabouts of his grave is unknown sin aig Fear-na-Cathrach. and, indeed, would be impossible to find because of the overgrowth of weeds and lack of care and Ruairi: O, tha mi ag iarraidh aon dhiubh attention of the grounds. co-dhiu. Rruidhnidh mise air rathaidean Of his compositions, at least six have been mora agus fagaidh mi na cidheachan aige- published. All possess great merit and show san. Cumaidh sin e o bhruidheann ro fhada. an individual musical ability. Possibly his Mairi: Fiach nach bruidhinn thu fhein ro best-known work is his lament on the death of fhada. Nach cuala tu mar a thuirt Domhnall his master, a work which was arranged for the Fhearchair ? clarsach by the late Francis George Scott. The Ruairi: O am bumailear sin. De thuirt e? airs of many of his songs are still familiar to Mairi: Thuirt e nan d’rachadh tu seachad air Gaelic traditional singers. Other compositions tri mionaidean gun toisicheadh e air casad- of the Clarsair Dali include “The Terror of aich shios am meadhon an talla. Death’ ’, ‘ ‘The Lament of Rory Dali’s Sister’ ’, Ruairi: Mac a sheanmhar. Ma gheibh misc ‘ ‘The Fiddler’s Content’ ’, and ‘ ‘Lude’s Supper.’ ’ greim air bheir mi casadaich air. Ach de In Scotland, after Rory Dali’s death, there an uair a tha e? An Runaire sin! was no harper of great merit to keep alive the fast-declining interest in the clarsach. In Mairi: Thu fhein ’s an Runaire. Thig e, thig Ireland, however, an interest was, for a time e. at least, maintained by the popularity of such Ruairi: Ciamar a tha mi ag coimhead, a excellent harpers as Hempson, Carolan and Mhairi ? A bheil mo cholair ’san aite cheart ? others. Interest in the instrument took on a Mairi: Tha, tha e mu d’amhaich, far am bu political colour when a harp festival was choir dha a bhith. organised in 17P2 by the Society of United Ruairi: Agus an t-fheileadh. Ciamar a tha e Irishmen in Belfast. But, despite the efforts ag coimhead? to revive Irish traditional music and music- Mairi: Tha taghta. making, the decline of the harp continued until Ruairi: Chan ’eil e ro fhada? Chan ’eil e ’san professional harpers became an extinct race and fhasan ma tha e ro fhada. the instrument itself became almost a museum Mairi : O, bithidh e goirid gu leoir nuair a piece. shuidheas tu air an ard-urlar. An ainm an At the turn of the last century, a revival in aigh, fiach gun cum thu do ghluinean ri the Irish Gaelic heritage began and efforts were cheile co-dhiii. made to give the language, music and literature (Gnogadh aig an dorus.) a new lease of life. Among the cultural Ruairi : O, an Runaire mu dheireadh. Tha an interests revived was that in the clarsach. t-am aige—A mhnathan agus a dhaoin uaisle Gradually the instrument gained a restricted (Mairi a’ fosgladh an doruis.) Thig a stigh, popularity in Ireland and in Scotland. In the iile. Gu de an saoghal! O, ’s e Fear . . . . latter country, interest was furthered by the na . . . . Cathrach a th ’ann agus a’ bhoan. publication of the collections of Gaelic songs A mhnathan agus a dhaoin uaisle—chan e— by Marjory Kennedy Fraser, from which it A chairdean ionmhainn—Tha mi a’ cur failt became apparent that the most suitable medium oirbh. for the accompaniment of traditional songs was D.G. the clarsach. This was one of the reasons — 18 — | behind the formation of Comunn na Clarsaich can be found which make use of an imagery in 1931. with a particular relationship to the sister craft < The Society faced a difficult task. It was of making music. The bard expresses his love I not just a case of continuing and expanding a for the chosen of his heart with reference to i' restricted interest in the instrument, but it the things of which he has a direct knowledge: Jl had to build up a repertoire of music and “Leigh mo cheille ’s teud mo dhain’’; “Mo . increase the number of players. There was theud ciuil ’s gach ait am bithinn’’; “Bu - also a considerable amount of public apathy bhinne na teud chiuil a guth’ ’. | to be overcome, a state of affairs that is only 1 now beginning to show signs of waning. There are also references to the existence of As a solo instrument, for the accompaniment a form of the present-day major and minor n of songs and for the provision of background modes or keys. The harpers of old, it seems, U music for verse recitals, the clarsach is now had a fondness for extemporising and exercising ! heard quite often and the present-day extent their prowess on the instrument by using the | of the public awareness of this small harp is due “string or sound of power’’—“lur-ghleus’’. !| solely to the efforts of the Clarsach Society. And that they practised the musical form of The present-day form of the clarsach is the variations of tunes in the major mode is also * result of a continuous development of the alluded to in literature. * instrument from a very simple form such as The technique used by the old harpers for ! that found at the Sutton Hoo Viking burial- playing the strings of their instruments was i ship (c. 800 A.D.). The shape of this early with their fingernails, which they always kept i harp is as three sides of a rectangle with tlmee as long as was comfortable to them. The Irish ! strings provided. From the development of harper, Denis Hampson, already mentioned, | this form emerged the crwt or cruit and, with was one of the last to use this now-forgotten the addition of a greater range of strings, the technique. He was steeped in the Irish [ harp eventually reached a fairly stable design musical tradition and certainly his adherence ; form in mediaeval times. That the resultant to the traditional ways of the clarsair resulted j form is very similar to that known today is in his justified reputation as the best harper | evidenced by references in illuminated manu- of his day and since. jj scripts and sculptured monuments. Edward Bunting, the Irish folksong collector, | There were two types of harp: a small who met Hempson, then aged ninety-five, said I instrument, the cruit, which could be carried of the latter’s technique: “In playing he about and held on the knee while the player caught the string between the flesh and the ! plucked the strings to provide a chordal nail; not like the other harpers of his day who § accompaniment to verse and prose recitals. pulled it by the fleshy part of the finger alone. : The number of strings was around twenty. He had an admirable method of playing staccato The other type, the clarsach, was larger with and legato in which he could run through rapid j the number of strings ranging from twenty-nine divisions ih an astonishing style. His fingers t7 to fifty-eight and designed for the accompani- lay on the strings in such a manner that, when ment of songs and for use as a solo instrument. he struck them with one finger, the other was The early music of the clarsach was developed instantly ready to stop the vibration, so that } j from the bardic traditional use of modes for the the staccato passages were heard in full per- [ chanting of verse, each mode being appropriate fection. In fact, Hempson’s staccato and T for the accompaniment of a particular verse- legato passages, double slurs, shakes, turns, form. There is evidence that this aspect of graces, etc., comprised as great a range of | the use of modes was continued by the later execution as has ever been devised by the I harpers. In Gaelic poetry, both Scots and most modern improvers’ ’. ! Irish, what the harpers called “teud” (a | musical string) meant or represented a mode, That long nails were essential tools to the ’ tone or tuning and a particular string was clarsair of old is known by the stories of harpers “ selected as being the most suitable accompani- who were punished by having their nails cut, i ment for a song, melody or the musical setting thus depriving them of their living and repu- j of verse spec ially written to be spoken or chanted. tation. > There are many allusions in Gaelic literature i to “teud an dain’’—the string of the song or r poem—and to “teud a’ chiiiil’’, meaning the ALTACHADH O RAIBEART BURNS I string of the melody in the same way that one Tha biadh gu leoir aig cuid gun chad, i speaks of the “key of a song’’. Tha cail aig cuid le gainne, As might be expected in a literature possessing Fhuair sinne biadh is cail le cheil, | a large volume of love poetry, many references ’S le gras Dhe bidh sinn taingeil. briagha samhraidh ri taobh Loch Cleip. Am An Tarbh-Uisge feadh’s a bha i ’n a suidhe air bruaich ann am CO ’nar linn fcin, no ann an iomadh linn ftanuis a’ chruidh is a’ leughadh a’ Bhiobuill, roimpe, nacli cuala iomradh mu uile- chual i fuaim mor mar fhuaim tairneanaich a’ bheist Loch Nis? Cha mhdr gu bheil tighinn bho’n taobh a ta ’n loch. Air dhi a bliadhna ’dol seachad. nach eil duine no dithis suil a thogail bharr an leabhair, chunnaic i ciD-dhiii, ’ga faicinn airson aiteil ghoirid, ann druim dubh a’ dol fodha gu grad anns an uisge an aite air choireigin de’n loch, agus airson beagan mhionaidean bha luasgadh . Ta mi-fein air aon dhiubhsan a chunnaic i anns an dearbh laraich anns an deach a’ bhiast agus de a thug i ’nam chuimhne aig an am ach a sealladh, a chuir tuinn uaithe gu cladach. am bodach air an do chuir na sithicheah ha Do bhrigh ’s gu robh aire na mnatha cho mor h-ochd croitean! Theirinn gun robh an air leughadh, cha d’ fhuair i sealladh ceart t-eadar-dhealachadh so ann co-dhiu, Chaidh de’n chreutair. na croitean a stacadh air a’ bhodach bhoclid Ta loch ris an abair iad Loch an Druim ’nan aon charn air muin a cheile. Is anri a Bhain, air a chuartachadh le sliabh aonaranach, bha croitean Niseig (chunntais mi a sia) air an deas air an Atha Leathann. Bha lorgan an caradh gu h-brdail air fad a droma, te as deidh tairbh-uisge ri’m faicinn ceithir thimcheall a te, bho bhun an earbaill gu ruig an amhaich, bhruachan. Bha na lorgan ceudna tur eadar- agus lag farsuing eadar gach croit. |Bhh an dhealaichte ’s lorgan beathaich sam bith eile da chuid, an ceann agus an t-earball, fodha is a reir coltais bha an tarbh-uisge a’ gabhail anns an uisge. comhnuidh ann an siod cuideachd ’s a’ deanamh ’Se latha ciuin earraich a bh’ ann, ann am call am measg aighean. mios a’ Ghearrain, agus mi ’nam sheasamh ann Chaidh fir le gunnachan iomadh uair air toir an cladh ur na sgire a ta gle fhaisg air bruachan na beist ach mar is trie a ta tachairt, ’nuair a Loch Nis. ta an gunna lan is deas, cha bhi sealladh air an Thug mi suil air thuaiream thar na linne ni a bhithear a’ sealg. agus bha Niseag ann an sin ann am meadhon an Mu dheireadh thall, chuir Fear a’ Choire locha a’ snamh aig astar gun a bhith ro luath agus feadhainn eile rompa gu sgriobadh iad ’s a’ deanamh direach air cladach Foithir. an loch. Bha mi ’ga h-amharc faisg air deich mionaidean Feasgar sonraichte, chaidh iad a mach leis mun deach i a sealladh. gach acfhuinn is uidheam a shaoileadh iad a Ma ta, gus nach eil, Niseag ’n a cadal, no ’ga bhiodh feumail ach cha d’ fhuair iad ni. falach fein fad’ a’ gheamhraidh, is minig a Mhothaich iad an uair sin do lorgan an ainmhidh nochd si i fein airson a’ cheud uair anns an a’ fagail an uisge. Lean iad na lorgan astar bhliadhna, ann am mios a’, Ghearrain. goirid is thuig iad gun do dh’ fhag e an t-ionad Ach cha’n ann an Loch Nis, leis fein, a bha ud airson aiteigin latha no dha roimhe sud. daoine a’ faicinn uile-bheist bho chionn ceud Ta lochan beag, dorcha eile, nas faisge air bliadhna air ais. Cha mhor gu bheil loch an rathad-mhor na Loch an Druim Bhain. fioruisg air comhnard monaidh no ann am Bho chionn corr mor is ceud bliadhna roimhe mointeach uaigneach anns an Eilean Sgithean- so, bha bean a bhuineadh do sgire an t-Srath ach, anns nach robh cuid a’ faicinn na beist sin air latha samhraidh a’ togail na mona ri ris an abradh iad an tarbh-uisge. taobh aoin dhiubh. Thachair do phaisde Chan e mhain gu robh an tarbh-uisge ’.n a nighinne leatha fein, mu aois ceithir bliadhna chiiis-eagail mhoir do fheadhainn a bhiodh a’ gu leith, a bhith maille rithe. Chaidh an dol seachad air na lochan anns an robh e nighean sios a chluich gu bruaich an uisge agus ’gabhail comhnuidh, ach ta e air aithris gu robh ’nuair a dh’ionndrainn a mathair i ’s a thug i e ’deanamh call ann ammeasgnaspreidhe, agus fainear far an robh i, ghlaodh i rithe le eagal gu sonraichte air aighean oga a bha ’fuireach gun eireadh rud dhi, “Is fearr dhuit tighinn a a muigh air a’ mhointich fad na bliadhna. nuas as an sin mus faic thu an tarbh-uisge!’’ Bha e air a radh gu coitcheann gu robh laoigh Cha robh a’ bhean ach air na faclan a radh aig na h-aighean bhuaidhe, agus b’e sin na ’nuair a chunnaic a’ chaileag bheag beathach laoigh ghrannda! Chan eil iomradh air al a fiadhaich a’ leum as na craobhan seiiich a bha bhith aig a’ chrodh bu shine bho’n bheist cho ’fas mu’n oirthir. Chaidh a’ bhiast seachad fior thric. orra ’n a deann, thug i duibhe leum a mach gu Ta loch anns an fhrith air ciil Steinnseil, air meadhon an uisge agus le aon tumadh chaidh taobh sear Eilean a.J Cheo, ris an abair iad Loch i a sealladh. Cleip. A reir coltais bha an tarbh-uisge a' Air do’n te bhig a bhith cho faisg air an fuireach ann. tarbh-uisge, ghabh i sar bheachd air. Thachair do bhoirionnach a bhuineadh do Bha am beathach mu mheudachd hoc goibhre Stafain a bhith a’ buachailleachd air latha agus gle choltach ri boc ann a,n seaUadh. Is ann donn a bha a dhath; bha gaoisid fhada, ghibeach air is bus fada, nas fhaide na bus “Oin Ell Renig Leish” goibhre, ach cha robh aon adharc air. Thug i (Aon eile ’rinneadh leis) an aire cuideachd gu robh da shuil fhiadhaich To the tune of ‘ ‘ Over the Mountains ’n a cheann. AT page 70 of Reliquae Celticae, vol. 2, An ceann aireamh bhliadhnachan an deidh there is printed a song from the Fernaig sud, bha bannabaidh aig an nighinn cheudna Manuscript bearing the above heading. aig an robh agh a bha faisg air am breith. Cha Calum Macfarlane transliterated it from the robh bo-laoigh eile aice. Latha araidh ghairm phonetic spelling of the compiler, and published a’ bhean air a nighinn a steach do’n bhathaich. it in the Celtic Monthly for January, 1915, “Thig a stigh,” ars ise, “is faic gu de a' prefixed by the following note. ; chuis-eagail a rug an t-agh agam.’’ “There is, as far as known, no tune having Chaidh a’ chaileag a steach mar a dh’ iarradh this name, but in William Gunn’s Bagpipe oirre agus chunnaic i an sud dearbh chruth is Music Book, there is a tune called ‘ Fad as thar coltas an tairbh-uisge a choinnich rithe ri taobh nam beann,’ far away over the mountains, an locha bliadhnachan roimh an am ud. which fits to an exactness the words of this Bha an creutair cho fiadhaich ’ n a choltas is song. The probability is that this is the tune ’ n a nadur ’ s gu robh e furasd aithneachadh nach named.’ ’ ann do bheathach nadurra a bhuineadh e. Leig That the name of the tune intended for the e aon sgreuch chruaidh as a chuir uamhas air song is given in English should have warned 1 na. boirionnaich is bha da shuil a b’fhiadhta Calum Macfarlane that it had to be sought ’n a cheann. after in English sources. The tune is not Thug a’ bhean a stigh daoine a chuir as do’n only in print for three centuries but is, or was laogh is b’eiginn dhi an t-agh a rug e fhagail a a popular air with ploughmen in various parts muigh anns a’ mhonadh gus an d’fhuaireadh of Scotland, who sang the words associated ; cuidhteas e ri tide. with the air at greater or lesser length, for it ’ S e so cunntas as fearr a chuala mi riamh mu is a long song. In . the 17th century the choltas is mu ghne an tairbh-uisge. excellence of a song was in its length. It Tormod Domhnallach; . is the other way about today, and few could listen with patience as the singer went through verse after verse. “Over the mountains’’ is the 45th song in Treasurer’s Notes the Aberdeen Cantus, 2nd edition, 1666, CENTRAL FUND twenty years before the Fernaig Manuscript was compiled. The melody is an excellent one, PreviouslyHector MacFadyen, acknowledged Esq., New York.. City.. ^1616 1115 34 and was very popular down the years. My Mrs. A. Maclean, Canada .. .. — 7 — opinion is that it came, from far south of the M L3s Lucy Cameron, Gaol (Mod Travelling Borders, where it was well known. Several Expenses relinquished) .. .. 3 — — songs were set to it and sung at Vauxhall ^171 13 7 Gardens and other places of public entertain- ment during the 18th century. I have handled MAGAZINE FUND an old broadsheet containing a plaintive little Previously acknowledged .. .. £13 3 — song entitled ‘ ‘ The Beggar Girl, ’ ’ set to the i Anonymous ■ ...... — 3 6 tune, ‘ ‘ sung with great applause at Vauxhall by Mrs. Bland.’’ On another broadsheet of ^13 6 6 the 18th century that I have handled is another song set to it, but the tune and the words do not COMUNN NA H-OIGRIDH FUND fit very well ; probably the printer is at fault. , Previously acknowledged .. .. £135 8 — The title of the tune that Macfarlane has taken from Gunn’s bagpipe collection bears a £135 8 — strong resemblance to that of a tune in the ballad opera “The Cobbler’s Opera,’’ 1729. NATIONAL MOD—STIRLING, 1961 My copy of Gunn is on loan at the moment Received at Stirling— and not available for comparing, the tunes. T Previously acknowledged .. ..£5,139 9 10 The original ballad to ‘ ‘Over the mountains’ ’ rf ReceivedPreviously at Glasgow— acknowledged £340 14 6 is very long. At the same time it has great Kilmarnock Branch .. 10 literary merit. It is now rather late in the day - 35C 14 6 to inquire who wrote it or who composed the tune, as both may go back a long time before £5,490 4 4 1666. It seems to have escaped the eagle eye of Robert Burns but Allan Cunningham lighted The croft is still in the family, a cousin of|| upon it and was loud in his praises. Robert mine being the occupier. Like other places! Ford found it among farm workers and noted changes have taken place in Auchentraad. i11 both words and air down from their singing. The old schoolhouse is a hostel although the It may be that the excellence of the song kept meeting house sees a sermon oftener than in it fresh in men’s minds down the centuries. my young days. Still stands the pulpit of that; / Dr. Callcot arranged the opening stanzas for great divine Rev. Lachlan Mackenzie of Loch- three voices and this was often sung in the carron, who, when Napoleon was defeated at Glee Club (London) towards the end of the Waterloo that Sunday morning exclaimed out ; 18th and beginning of the 19th centuries. loud from the pulpit. “Taing dha’n Tighearna , gun deachaidh dubhan a chur am beul an J. E. S. uilebheist,’’ and it was 24 hours later that Britain heard of the victory at Waterloo. 1 Another story I heard of Mr. Lachlan in my f young days was to prove that he was speaking^ Notes from the truth he said, “You will see from where I \ am now speaking a tree will grow up to bear h a Highlander’s Log me witness.’’ I have seen that tree myself. John Boyd, retired Master Mariner Lochcarron like the rest of the Highlands !> I WAS born and brought up on the west coast kept to the simple form of worship of their f of Ross-shire, only a few yards from the forebears. Many and many the Sunday I have I sea at high tide. It’s not surprising that walked six miles from Kishorn to Lochcarron I followed the sea for a living. As a matter of to sit from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to listen to a l, fact the only two professions spoken of when sermon I was too young to understand, and L I was a boy were the sea and the army. Again then walk back home another six miles, more i I came of a race of sailors going back on my often than not without anything to eat being father’s side to the Middle Ages. He himself too shy to go into a house although we were | j was Captain in sail and in command of some strongly invited to do so. During the Com-1 ;: fine ships, the last being the four-masted munion held once a year in those far-off days | barque the Cedarbank. from the Thursday to Monday ail services' i I was born in the little village of Auchentraad were held in the open air the ministers having | on the shores of Loch Kishorn, received the a box erected to preach from and the Lord’s [ best part of my education under a Mr. Donald Tables served in the open air and having to do ! Ross at the school there. “Tolan,” as he was all that I thought no hardship. Again in my ! called, a hard taskmaster but a grand teacher. young days we were not allowed to go to school Gaelic was spoken by all of us then. There in the morning nor to retire at night without were, in those days, over seventy years ago,, family worship or “The Book’’ being said. 60 to 70 pupils attending school, to-day none. ('/'o be continued) Mr. Ross couldn’t speak the language and he tried hard to stop us talking in Gaelic. He said that we were ignorant and it kept us back in our studies. I remember once him remarking, “Look out there. Do you see those sheep Glasgow Gaelic Drama grazing ? Well the only difference I can see in you and them is you have no tail.’’ That Association was all he thought of his scholars’ intelligence. The sixth Gaelic Drama Festival will be held 11 However he certainly could hammer education in the Highlanders’ Institute, Glasgow, on into one. Wednesday and Thursday, 9th and 10th May, My grandfather had a few acres of a croft, 1962. Teams from any part outwith Glasgow I and I was well acquainted with working at will be welcome. planting, sowing, and reaping and looking after Entry forms and all particulars may be f cows as we could keep three, and a few sheep, obtained from the Hon. Secretary, on the croft. Yes, it was a fine healthy life (Mrs.) Nan C. Douglas, for a boy to grow up in and free as air. 20 Belsyde Avenue, I was 15 when I went to Inverness. I attended Glasgow, W.5. the Raining School and then Inverness High Closing date for entries:—Saturday, 17th School and then I started my sea life, keeping March. at it for 40 years, eleven deep sea and thirty Support the Glasgow Gaelic Drama Asso- out east. ciation and so help the Gaelic cause. by the most beautiful language in Europe—our Ar Canain own Scottish Gaelic—by using it on every occasion to their children; the children lose it Arch. Macpherson because they can’t stand up to the pressure of the all-English-speaking, at play, and in school, ' ! How many of us have not seen that Gaelic outside the home. This is most clearly the ‘ ‘enthusiast’ ’ with sentiments and optimism case when a family is either in a shrinking i as joyful as some poor devil standing blindfold Gaeltachd area—or have moved out of the and sweating with fear, against a wall, waiting Gaeltachd altogether. This is another problem for the officer-in-charge of the firing-squad to that must be overcome. ^shout the fatal “Fire!”? Thirdly : where one of the parents is wholly t This .‘‘joy” and “confidence” goes back a English-speaking and cannot, or won’t, learn llong way. Craig, the famous lawyer and our speech—most adults find it pleasanter to i;!‘jurist, wrote, nearly four hundred years ago, grow their teeth in again than learn a new j that in his day indigenous Gaelic had dis- language, thoroughly! We can’t blame them. iappeared from Ayrshire, Dunbartonshire, We can only find a way round this problem. ^Stirlingshire, etc. and as far as he could see Jit would all be gone, even from the Isles, by What do we do? Look around for help. 1699! Without, of course, giving any con- Another twentieth century invention—the ; jstructive remedy. Well, chan eil sinn marbh nursery school—probably we have one in our v. Sfhathast! We’re no’ deid yet! own town, probably with a waiting list of 1 This twentieth century has brought great anxious mothers glad to see their wee Johnnies 1 changes to which we must adapt ourselves into them for the day. But listen to the n because our organisation and form of battle- language and music that they use—all, ex- ■ ’formation is geared to the nineteenth century clusively, in English. • J |days of the steam train, the learned journal Experience in Israel has shown that, with - land the local school-board. Cavalry just can’t complete freedom to the home language, the ■ [stand up to tanks. child is able to enter school speaking the native ; ‘ ‘Ar canain ’ s ar 'ceol’ ’ has been our proud language (in our case Gaelic), if all its Nursery ’ boast for the best part of a century. “Ar school time is spent speaking and playing in : cedi”—our music—has certainly caught on, that language. Presuming that this Gaelic is land has made a tremendous impact on the used as the language of instruction throughout /[whole of Scotland and even far beyond our his or her school-days (and college too, if they ^Borders. But have we as much to boast about go there) in all school subjects then the child on the side of “Ar canain”—our language? will grow up imbued and loving Gaelic and the The census figures are enough to decry that. culture that belongs to it. Of course, this How many shop-signs do we see in Gaelic, or does not prevent the child from gaining a i even bi-lingually in English and Gaelic ? complete mastery of the English, French or any No, don’t reach for your hankie or poison- other language as long as the native language 5 bottle in despair! Although the twentieth is used as the medium of instruction. This : century has brought the English language— would in no way undermine Gaelic, no matter |fl T.V., paperbacks and films, etc., it has also if the other language instruction began as early Efirought a new sputnik-age means of, not only as Primary Three for an hour or two a day. ’saving “Ar Canain,” but spreading it to every Public opinion, another great twentieth- jsingle pair of lips the whole length and breadth century force when well-led and well-organized ! !of Scotland—human lips, that- is. gets things done. Unless we preach and teach [ In re-organizing the defence of our language the resurrection of our language throughout Get us look at the three fundamental reasons for the whole of Scotland we are doomed. Remem- dts decline and see how best this particular ber the views of the converts at the parish- ‘remedy will help turn the tide. Though mark pump to-day are the laws and public money you, this is not the only remedy nor the only appropriations of the parliament-house to- [difficulties that must be overcome. morrow . We are no longer living in an English- ; Firstly : by Gaelic-speaking parents using speaking Empire but are moving into a multi- only English to their children; we needn’t go lingual Europe. Change is painful, but the ■'if ‘into the crank defeatism that makes them do penalty for failing to re-adjust ourselves to .this, we must find a way round this problem. these changes is DEATH, as the Dinosaur 11 Secondly: though the parents do their duty found out. Piping. The fee for the Course, which will be , Executive Council held in Oban High School from 2nd to 7th July, 1 Thirty-four members attended the meeting of is £2 2/-. The local Branch of An Comunn will the Executive Council held in An Comunn assist in finding suitable accommodation for Office, Glasgow, on Saturday, 13th January. students. The President, Mr. Hugh Macphee, was in Tribute was paid by the President and the the Chair, and he conveyed to members good Convener of the Publication Committee to Mr. wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year. Roderick Mackinnon, Editor of ‘ ‘ Sradag, ’ ’ Sympathetic reference was made to the passing who has intimated his resignation on completion Of the following who were all staunch supporters of the eighth issue of the paper in June. Provost | of the Gaelic cause—Mr. Duncan Macmillan, Thomson associated himself with what was said Portree; Miss Mary Cameron, Caol; Miss and he also expressed thanks to Mr. Donald Cathie Cameron, Glasgow; Mrs. Mary Barron, Grant for his work in translating and preparing* Glasgow; Mrs. John Cameron, Glasgow. After the series of illustrated Gaelic readers. the President’s tribute members observed a A minute of the Propaganda Committee t period of silence to show their respect. dealt with projects the Committee have in mind ! to spread the influence of An Comunn to the 1 The Executive Council agreed to give a grant Outer Isles, an area where it is felt the Associa- of £100 to the Special Dictionary Committee tion has up till now made little or no impact. I to cover the initial cost of this project. It was recommended that new Branches in On the recommendation of the Advisory some areas could be formed through the good | Committee the Council agreed that a special offices of existing Branches, a recommendation [( meeting should be arranged between those which will be considered later by the Propaganda | invited to serve on the Special Committee and Committee. the Advisory Committee. Gratitude was expressed to the Glasgow Lewis |[; Tentative arrangements have been made to and Harris Association for their gesture in [ hold a ceilidh and a Gaelic concert at this presenting a Gold medal which will in future [ year’s Edinburgh International Festival of be awarded annually to the Bard at the National Music and Drama. Mod. A party of Bretons will be visiting Glasgow The Mod and Music Committee was asked, j on 12th February, and the Council agreed that in view of the increased ordinary membership | hospitality should be extended to the visitors subscription (10/- as from 1/4/62), to consider i; if time and circumstances permit. reducing Mod entry fees. A minute of the Finance Committee revealed Miss Matheson, Convener of Comunn na p that by Will of the late Honourable Mrs. Esme h-Oigridh Committee, intimated that recently, p Smyth, Ness Castle, a legacy of £2,000 was left she had established three new feachdan. Her) to individuals for their own benefit but in the proposed trip to Lewis had to be cancelled due to hope that it would be used for the encourage- to inclement weather but she hopes to go there t ment and advancement of the Gaelic language, at Easter. Of special interest was the news I Literature, Music and Celtic Art and Handi- that Miss Matheson has been invited by Dr. a crafts . An Comunn has now received the legacy MacLean to attend a representative Youth! 1 and is indebted to the original beneficiaries for Conference in Inverness next month. their thoughtfulness. Mr. Donald M. McPhail intimated that the u The decision at the November meeting of the name of Duncan Ban Macintyre has now been j Council to issue An Gaidheal free to Ordinary included on the board which gives the names L members as from August, 1962, is causing of illustrious persons buried in Greyfriars £ concern in view of the estimated expenditure Churchyard, Edinburgh. which will be involved. This matter led to a 11 lively discussion at the meeting, but it was Provost Thomson reported that the monument! J pointed out that the decision could not be to Duncan Ban Macintyre in Dalmally was in a ' rescinded until a period of six months had state of disrepair and the Advisory Committee - elapsed. were asked to consider ways and means of| »i( The Education Committee is arranging a collecting subscriptions to cover the cost of! Summer School of Gaelic, which will include repairs. classes in Gaelic at all stages, Clarsach, Art and The next meeting of the Council will be held Crafts and Music appreciation, including in Glasgow on Saturday, 31st March. AN GAIDHEAL THE GAEL Editor—DONALD GRANT, B.A., 95 MUNRO ROAD, GLASGOW, W.3, ito whom all correspondence should be addressed except that concerning advertising which should be addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer. 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C.2 Telephone: DOUglas 1433. Leabhar LVII AM MART, 1962 Aireamh 3 gum b’ ann air an oigridh a bhitheadh am Suas—No Sios priomh aire, rim ’s docha, a choisinn dhaibh BHA mi Di-satharna aig Mod Knightswood, beagan cliu bhuatha-san a bha ’gearan an no Mod Coille-nan-Ridirean, mar a toiseach. Chum iad orra agus o chionn dusan < their cuid. bliadhna thoisich iad air Mod a chumail, far ' Anns an dol seachad i se mo bheachd nach ’eil am bitheadh balaich is caileagan a’ seinn, ag e a’ cuideachadh na canain a bhith a’ cur cruth aithris, agus a’ piobaireachd. B’e am Mod s'Gaidhlig air a leithid seo de ainm aite. Tog- aig an robh mise an treas fear diag dhiubh sin. [aidh an t-ainm seo fhein na ceisdean: ; Co na ridirean a bha seo ? Tha oidhirpean dhe’n t-seorsa seo, ma tha r An robh iad a’ fuireach ann an coille agus, iad a’ dol a shoirbheachadh, an crochadh air ; ma bha, carson? misneachadh bho fheadhainn aig a bheil de J Cia meud a bh’ann dhiubh ? dh’iiidh anns a’ chilis na bheir orra tadhal agus ; No, gu dearbh, an robh gin idir ann? eisdeachd. Tha feadhainn mar sin a’ cuid- ! Agus, mura robh, a bheil e gu feum ’sam eachadh le an cuid airgid, ach tha iad a’ ibith a bhith ag ainmeachadh an aite orra? cuideachadh an doigh eile. Ged a rachadh iad Chan ’eil e dad nas pongaile, tha mi a’ smaoint- a steach do’n talla a nasgaidh, rud nach ’eil i! eachadh, na Poll-a-ghriuthain a radh ri Liver- farasda, tha talla lan, no eadhon leth-lan, ’na pool, no eadhon B6-na-C6innich ri Moscow. bhrosnachadh anabarrach do neach ’sam bith, Is cinnteach gu bheil feadhainn ann aig a 6g no sean, a theid a labhairt no a sheinn air bheil beachdan laidir air ceisdean dhe’n ard-urlar. i t-seorsa seo, agus beachdan eadar-dhealaichte. Fo’n t-slait-thomhais seo bha Mod Knights- Ma tha, bu mhath learn cluinntinn uapa agus wood fior-shoirbheachail anns na ciad bhliadh- am barailean a chur gu follaiseach anns a’ nachan. Ach chan ’eil e farasda dealas nan ciad t Ghaidheal. Seo an t-aite. Feumaidh mi bhliadhnachan a chumail aig airde. Tha cuid l1'aideachadh nach d’fhuair mi moran dhe’n a’ fannachadh fo chomhair uallach agus teas t-seorsa thuige seo, ach ’s docha nach ’eil e an latha. | ach trath dhe’n bhliadhna fhathast. B’ann mar seo a thachair do’n Mhod bheag ! A nise carson a bhitheadh Mod aig Knights- seo am bliadhna. A mach air na co-fharpais- >wood? Weil tha moran Ghaidheal anns a’ ich fhein cha robh dusan uile gu leir ag eisd- i chearnaidh seo dhe’n bhaile agus an deidh eachd. Agus sin anns a’ bhaile, tha iad ag radh, ! cogadh Hitler steidhich feadhainn dhiubh as Gaidhealaiche air an t-saoghal. ’S cinnteach ; comunn dhaibh fhein. Gun teagamh faodaidh nach robh each uile le cnatan, no mu choinn- cuid a radh nach e an gliocas a thug orra sin a eamh an T. V. , no ag amharc air a’ bhall-coise. dhianamh, ri linn 's gu bheil gu leor, agus A’ faicinn a leithid sin de dhimeas cuiridh an faodaidh e bhith, tuilleadh ’s a’ choir, de Comunn seo, agus Comuinn eile, a’ cheisd riutha r chomuinn ann mar tha. Mar a tha fhios agaibh fhein an fhiach e an t-saothair a bhith a’ cumail cha sheachainn An Comunn Gaidhealach fhein air adhart Modan dhe ’n t-seorsa seo. Tha fhios air uairean beum dhe’n t-seorsa seo. againn gun do chuireadh a’ cheisd sin mar tha Ged nach robh Comunn Knightswood mor an an aiteachan agus gun d’thugadh an fhreagairt aireamh bha iad beothail. Chuir ;ad rompa nach fhiach. Tha feadhainn a’ cumail a mach nach ’eil na t-sealgair a mharbhadh le a leannan neo- Modan fhein a’ cuideachadh an aobhair. Their thalmhaidh. B ’ ann an so a choinnich Muireach iad sin mu’n Mhod Mhor fhein. Feumar Mac Iain air a’ bhana-bhuidseach oillteil ud, freagairt a thoirt do’n luchd-casaid sin cho Cailleach an Lagain. B ’ ann an so a thachair modhail ’s a ghabhas dianamh, agus ’s docha, a’ ghniomh as bun do’n rann: mas e modh a dh’fheumas a bhith ann, gur Chi mi ’n toman caoruinn cuilinn fhearr dhomh-sa an fhreagairt sin fhagail aig Chi mi’n toman caoruinn thall cuideigin eile. Chi mi’n toman caoruinn cuilinn Feasgar an latha a dh’ainmich mi chum ’S laogh mo cheill air uilinn ann. Comunn Knightsv ood an ceilidh abhaisteach. B’ ann an so—ach c’arson a sharaichinn sibh An turns seo bi.a an talla lan. Fhuaras leis a ’ chorr. Tha na creagan dub ha taobh Loch cuideachadh o dha Chomunn eile, a chuir dheth an t-Seilich ’s an ruintean diomhair fhein ’nan an ceilidhean fhein gu a bhith an lathair. Aig earbsa. a’ cheilidh chuala mi fear a’ bruidhinn air a’ An aite iomallach eadar Gaig is Cinn a’ chiad chuid dhe’n latha. “Cait”, ars esan, Ghiuthsaich bha aon uair bothan-airigh. Ged “an robh an fheadhainn a bhitheas cho fonn- is e subhachas is abhachdas as trice a tha mhor a’ seinn, ‘Suas leis a’ Ghaidhlig’?’’ co-cheangailte ris an airigh b’ fhada uaidhe so a ghabh e aon oidhche ’sa’ bhothan so. A null mu dheireadh an fhoghair ’s a’ bhliadhna 1799 bha bean is teaghlach 6g ’nan cadal suain. Am marbh na h-oidhche chuala iad iipraid is Call Ghaig stairirich mar gu’n robh comhlan dhaoine mu'n Le Iain MacFhionghain dorus. Chaidh iad a grad chochull an cridhe. Airson na chunnaic i riamh cha d’ rachadh a’ [Chaidh seo a chraobh-sgaoileudh) bhean a shealltainn de bh’ ann. Aig gormadh AN uaigneas tiamhaidh nam beann mu an la, thug i suil a mach ach cha robh ni siorruidh dhusan mile deasair Cinn a’ Ghiuthsaich r’a fhaicinn ach mar bha gach maduinn eile. tha frith rioghail Ghaig—-“Gaig dhubh Fior ghnothach neonach gu dearbh! Chaidh namf eadan fiar”, “Gaig nan creagan gruamach” an naidheachd feadh Bhaideanach, agus creid- mar thuirt na baird. Chi thu an sin ceann eadh sibhse gur h-iomadh breithneachadh a uachdrach glinne mu mhile air leud, air a thugadh aisde. Bha mios no dha r’a dhol dhaingneachadh air tri taobhan le beanntan seachad mu’s do thuig daoine de bu chiall do’n casa, creagach, fiadhaich, 'san aodann air a upraid 's do’n stairirich. riabadh’s air a riasladh le siantan gailbheach a’ Mu am na Bliadhna Uire bha an Caiptean gheamhraidh. Air urlar reidh a’ ghlinne tha Iain Mac a’ Phearsain is feadhainn eile an diiil tri lochan ’gan sineadh fhein gu balbh, seimh r’a dhol a Ghaig a shealg an fheidh—sithionn fo dhion na callaid bheanntan. An so tha thu Bliadhn’ Uire. A nis ’san dol seachad, facal da-rireadh air cul an t-saoghail, ann am no dha air a’ Chaiptein. Am feadh ’s a bha e priosan a dheilbh nadur ’nuair shuidhicheadh an seirbhis a’ chruin chuir e seachad greis de a’ chruinne air a bunait. Tha sith is samhchair shaoghal am Baideanach fhein. B ’ e a dhleas- shdlumaichte an so nach buin do’n t-saoghal danas a bhi trusadh bhalach do ’n arm. Tuigidh againne. An Gaig tha thu mar phaisdean a’ sibh mar sin nach robh iarraidh sam bith aig dluthachadh air cladh am marbh na h-oidhche. na mathraichean fhaicinn a’ tighinn rathad an Is e so gu cinnteach gleann dorcha sgail a ’ bhais. tighe. Bha eagal amharasach aca roimh an An lathaireachd mhorail uamhasach Ghaig, tha Othaichear Dhubh mar a bh’ aca air, agus cha thu lan mhothachail air neoinidheachd dhiblidh b’ fheairrde a chliu sin dad. ’Nuair a dh’ fhag an duine an coimeas ri cumhachd obair a’ e an t-arm thoisich e ri tuathanachas am Baile chruthachaidh. Tha iomlaineachd an t-seall- Chrothain—baile fearainn ri taobh Chinn a’ aidh driiidhteach, tha e eagalach, tha e maiseach Ghiuthsaich. A chionn ’s gu’m faca e beagan —ach maise oillteil, anacneasda. de’n t-saoghal mhor theann e ri doighean lira, B ’ ann anacneasda bha e riamh aig muinntir neonach fheuchainn an obair fearainn. A nis Bhaideanach. Uruis ean, is amhuisgean, eich- cha robh Gaidheil an la ud dad na bu deidheile uisge, buidsichean, is gach creutair neonach eile air fasain ura na tha Gaidheil an la’n diugh. bha an dachaidh an Gaig. Agus co theireadh ’Nuair a chunnaic iad an obair nodha ris an nach b’ iomchuidh an t-aite comhnuidh a robh e, shaoil leotha gur e dith-ceille a bh’ air. roghnaich iad? B’ ann an so a chaidh an Mur e sin a bh’ ann, ’s e’n droch-fhear a bha Cuimeanach o shean a riabadh gu bas leis na ’ga stiiiireadh ’s ga threorachadh. Gu dearbh, bana-bhuidsichean an riochd da iolair. B ’ bha cuid ag radh nach robh ’san Othaichear ann an so a dh’ eirich an cleas-cianda do’n Dhubh ach an Satan ’san fhebil. Dh’ eireadh a’ bhochdainn dha la-eigin—cha robh ni na bu ’s na h-iarmailtean. Bhiodh cuid eile ’g radh chinntiche na sin. Bhiodh a pheanas fhein an gu’n do chuir an Droch Fhear gaoth-chuartain luib an dol a mach a bh ’ aige. Rinn iad seorsa a rinn leir-sgrios air a’ bhothan. Agus iad-san de bhochdan dheth. Cha robh ach an t- a dhiult a dhol a shealg leis an Othaichear tha e Othaichear Dhubh a’ mhaoidheadh air a’ coltach gu’n d’ fnuair iad rabhadh o shaoghal chloinn ’s bhiodh iad cho modhail, umhail ris nan spiorad air na bha ri tachairt. Nach bu na h-uain. Co-dhiubh, gu mo sgeul. shuarach iad gu dearbh nach do chuir a’ Thainig an la air an robh na fir ri dhol a choignear eile ’nam faireachadh! An la bha Ghaig air lorg an fheidh, ach ged thainig an na cuirp ’gan toirt dhachaidh, dh’ eirich gaoth la, cha tainig na fir uile. Bha fear ag gearain ghreannmhor, ghuineach, gheamhraidh. Dh’ sud, ag gearain so, is roghnaich iad fuireach aig iarr fear de’n luchd-giiilain corp an Othaichear a’ chagailt. Beagan laithean an deidh laimhe Dhuibh a thoirt gu toiseach na giulan. Mar a thuig daoine carson a dhiult iad siubhal. Ach dh ’ iarr rinn. Thainig fiath nan eun. Nach bu Di-luain a mach am monadh an t-Othaichear bhochd nach robh a’ chumhachd eifeachdach so Dubh is ceathrar chompanach chalma leis. a bh’ aige ’na bhas aige ’na bheatha! Bhiodh iad air faibh la no dha, a’ sealg re an Ma bha an t-Othaichear Dubh dubh roimhe la ’s ag cur seachad na h-oidhche ann am bha e a sheachd dhuibhead a nis. Ma bha Gaig bothan-seilge. Di-ciadain thainig stoirm oillteil, ana-cneasda roimhe, bha e nis ’na ghaoithe le cur is cathadh nach robh cuimhne lutharn air thalamh. ’S e duine as a rian air air a’ leithid am Baideanach. Am briathran an tigeadh an dorchadas ann—gu h-araidh mu ’n a’ bhaird: Bhliadhna Dir. Oir an diibhradh nan trath, Dh’ eirich stoirm anns na speuran cha bhiodh e idir ’na aonar. Bhiodh comp- Theich na reultan ’s a’ ghealach air chall anaich neo-fhaicsinneach ri eigheach, ri seinn, Cha robh grian ann r ’a fheuchainn ’s ri abhachdas mu ’n cuairt air. Mur b ’ e sin Chluinnteadh farum aig geugan le srann. chluinneadh e fir a’ sgriachail ’s ag glaodh B’ uamhasach a bhi muigh G leithid a’ dh’ airson meachainn, is coin ri caoineadh tiamh- oidhche; b’ uamhasach buileach a bhi an aidh is ranaich sgreataidh. Co bha so ach an uaigneas oillteil Ghaig. Ach bhiodh na fir t-Othaichear Dubh ’s a’ chompanaich? tearuinnte gu leoir 's a’ bhothan, ’s bhiodh iad Feumaidh mi fhein aideachadh gu’n robh mi dhachaidh Di-haoine. Thainig Di-haoine uair no dha an Gaig aig dubhradh nan trath ach cha tainig na fir. Bha iad-san aig an tigh ach chan fhaca mi fhathasd ’s cha chuala mi fo iomagain—saoil an d’ eirich dad dhoibh? duine na bu mhiosa na mi-fhein. Gun teagamh Bha cuid eile ri cul-chainnt is cagarsaich r’a cha b’ ann aig am Bliadhn’ Uire a bh’ ann. cheile—Nach d’ thubhairt mi riut gu’n eireadh Chaidh moran faoineis aithris mu bhas an a’ bhochdainn do’n Othaichear Dhubh ’s a Othaichear Dhuibh. Ach ’nuair sheideas chuid chleasan ? A mach a Ghaig ceathrar ach oiteag chaoin na firinn ceo na faoin-sgeul an saoil de thachair, agus cha b’ e’chuairt shamh- dara taobh, chi sinn mar thachair. A reir raidh a bha rompa. Rinn iad air a’ bhothan- eachdraidh sgriobhta cha robh an Caiptein Iain sheilge ach bothan cha robh ann. Far am bu Mac a’ Phearsain dad na bu mhiosa no na b’ choir dha bhith, cha robh r ’a fhaicinn ach torr fhearr na thusa no mise. Dh’ fhaoidte gu’n sneachda ’san fhasaich dhumhail, ghil. Air rooh e car adhartach airson an ama san rooh e ais a Chinn a’ Ghiuthsaich fear de na fir cho beo. De thachair dha fhein ’s na bha comhla luath ’s a leigeadh a chasan e a dh’ innse mar ris? A reir coltais, bha iad a’ gabhail mu bha. An ath la, bha gach duine a bha air thamh nuair thainig tuiteam sneachda le chomas a mach a Ghaig, agus fios aca gu ro bruthach mar bheum-sleibhe a chuir an togalach mhath gu robh am na cobhair seachad. Cha ri lar. Fhuair iad an t-Othaichear Dubh ’na bhiodh aca ach an gad air an robh an t-iasg— shineadh ah a bheul fodha air an leaba. Bha na’m biodh sin fhein. Rainig iad. Thoisich dithis eile ’nan laighe ’s an gairdeanan thairis a’ chladhach ’s a’ bhurach is ri uine fhuair iad air each a cheile. Bha an ceathramh fear 'na ceithir cuirp raga, reota—cha robh sgeul idir chrixban mar gu’n robh e cur dheth a bhrog. air a’ choigeamh. Fior ghnothach duilich, Beagan sheachduinean an deidh so, fhuaireadh fior ghnothach doruinneach. an coigeamh fear ’nuair a dh’ fhalbh an srieachd. Chaidh sgeul bais nam fear fada is farsuing Bha e beagan cheud slat o’n bhothan. Bha na an Baideanach 's an cearnan eile de’n Ghaidh- gunnaichean ’s gach ni eile a bha ’s a’ bhothan ealtachd. Is iomadh fiaradh a chaidh innte air am briseadh ’s air am pronnadh, ’s bha na air a turus. Thuirt cuid gur e breitheanas o clachan air an sgapadh ceudan slat uaidhe. shuas a thainig air an Othaichear Dhubh 's a Nach ann a bha an an-uair! chompanaich—nach b’ fhada o chuireadh sin Air an t-slighe dhachaidh leis na cuirp stad air mhanadh dha! Chuir an t-Uile-Chumh- a’ ghiulain a ghabhail analach agus greimean achdach a nuas teine-adhair a shad am bothan bidhe. B ’e ’n t-aite shonraich iad am bothan- — 27 — airigh a dh’ ainmich mi cheana. B’ e so an upraid ’s a’ stairirich a chuir eagal a beatha ’S iomadh aite bha air m ’iiidh, air a’ bhean’s a teaghlach mios nodha airais. Far an d’ araicheadh mi 6g; An abair sinn faoin-sgeul no fior sgeul ri so? Gearrloch Tuath is Port-righ, Fagaidh mi fuasgladh na ceisde sin sgaibh fhein. ’S mi dol cas-ruisgt gun bhroig. Tha Gaig an sud fhathasd—duatharach, bagrach, mar a bha, araon ri dearrsadh aoibhinn Ann an Earbasaig, Loch-Aillse, grian an t-samhraidh agus ri siantan gailbheach Chaith mi ann laithean-feill, o dhoinionn a’ gheamhraidh. Tha ’n damh Mu’n do dh’fhalbh mi mu sgaoil, ruadh ’s na h-eildean air na firichean mar bha A dh’fhagail Alba gu leir. riamh; tha am breac an Loch an t-Seilich, ’s Bha mo pharantan a ’ tamh, an iolair ’s na creagan dubha. Tha Call Mu dha mhile bho na caoil, Ghaig am beul an t-sluaigh fhathasd, agus tha ’S bidh mi cuimhneachd gu brath, an t-Othaichear Dubh ag gabhail a thaimh Laithean sona ri an taobh. siorruidh fo lie an seann chladh Chinn a’ Ghiuthsaich— ’S ann air Gearr-loch bu mho, Thainig buille ro-throm, ‘ ‘ lolach na seilge chan eisd e Leis na cogaidhean searbh, Guth aoibhinn na maidne cha chluinn e Toirt na laoich as na glinn. Cha ghluais e le gaoir a’ chatha Thainig bas do na seo id, ’Na leabaidh gun latha gun reulta. ’ ’ A bha curanta treun; ’S chuir iad nise fo ’n fhoid Na bha ciurrt ’ as an deidh. Turas Adhair Do Albainn Thainig atharrachadh truagh Air an tir ’dh’fhag mi cein; Le Iain a’ Chaoil Luchd m’eolais nis fo’n fhoid, Fonn. Mo nighinn dhonn, ho ro hu Anns gach cearnaidh fo’n ghrein. Rainig mi Tir nam Beann, Ghoid a Ghallachd ar n-6ig, Ann an duthaich nan Sar; ’Gar fagail bacach is fann, Mar am peileir le luathas, ’S leis a sin ’s am bas, Chaidh an “Jet” troimh an adhar. Dh’fhag e m’inntinn-sa trom. Rinn i astar thar chuan, Ann am feile beag sracht, Mar sheillean ruadha ’san ghaoith, Bha mi sgeadaichte le pro is, ’S cha b ’ fhada bha sinn a mach, Boineid bhiorach air mo cheann, Gus robh Breatuinn ’tighinn dluth. ’S gach ni eile mar bu nos; Leth chiad bliadhna air falbh, Chuir e ioghnadh air na h-ighnean, Ghabh mi luing mhor a null; Co an coigrich a bh’ann; Ca-la-deug aii a mhuir, ’N ann a Sasuinn a thainig e, Bha na h-a'sigich ’siubhal, Ri seilbh fhaotainn ’sa ghleann. Nis an deidh oidhch’ is la, Bha cruth ur air Port-righ, Bha mi measg chairdean buan, Leis an dealan ’s na ‘:Cars’ ’ Cuid na b’airde na an stoirm, Saoil am b ’e so mo thir fhin, A rinn cobhar air a chuan. Neo an d’rainig mi “Ma^s’’. Thainig sinne sios do ghrunnd, ‘ ‘ De ’fear uasal a tha siud ? ’ ’ ’N uair a ruig sinn Sra-Cluaidh, Chualas boireannaich ag radh, ’S bha sinn taitneach gu leor, “ Se th ’ann ‘ Canadian ’ spaideal mor ’ ’ A ruiginn slan ar ceann-uidh. A thainig nail air son tra. Ann an Glaschu Mor na smuid, Bha mi measg chairdean dluth Mu iomall Phort-righ, ’S thug sinn seachdain na corr, Far ’eil cridheachan blath, ’Dol ma thimcheall nam biith. Cha robh Gaidhlig a dhith, ’S Clann MhicLeoid mar a bha. Cha robh duine seo ’nam ebl, Fhuair mi failte bhlath choir, Ach da phiuthar ri mo thaobh, Mar bu dual daibh a bhith, ’S b’fheudar domh a dhol tuath, ’Sa h-uiie h-anam le miiirn, ’S tide ’falbh mar a ghaoth; Ag cur graidh mhoir ’nam chrldh. — 28 — Bha gach tigh-osda lan, Le luchd turuis o Dheas, Letter to Editor ’S iad cho fuathasach daor, 22 Craig Street, Airdrie. Nach do dh ’fhan mi ach greis; \&th January, 1962. Chuirinn suas leis an tuath, The Editor, Air robh m’eol o chionn chian; An Comunn Gaidhealach, Buntat is sgadain le tea; 65 West Regent Street, B ’e sin biadh do mo mhiann. Glasgow, C.2. Bha ann deagh uisge-beath’, Chuireadh blaths an cridhe fuar; Dear Sir, Bha e moran na b ’fhearr We read with interest the article in the Na bhi slugadh greim tur. current issue of An Gaidheal by Girvan McKay Bha fear-an-tighe air a dhoigh, regarding the use of some Gaelic on manufac- ’S bha’m biadlitachd gu leor, turers’ labels, etc. We seek no publicity, but Agus fada bidh mi ’smuain would respectfully draw his attention to our Air an oidhch ’san Taigh-mhor. own little efforts in that matter. We enclose a price ticket which we use with Rock which A Mhairi Dhonn An Tir nam Beann, we make for holiday resorts, carrying the ’S fhad bho ghlac mi do lamh. Gaelic “Fior Deantas Albannach”. We send Ach ’nam bhruadar thar chuain, this card to all parts of Scotland with that Trie Icat, luaidh, bhithinn ’tamh; particular size of Rock, and we also print the Taitneach nasal anns gach doigh, same words on Tartan Cartons of Rock when Thainig liathadh do chinn, it is for a Gaelic speaking area, or if there is at Alainn mar a bha thu riamh, least some spoken in the area. We know it Le clar-aodainn glan min. is unlikely that the locals will buy tin. Rock, as it is mainly for taking home as a wee present Trie mu thimcheall Caisteil Maoil, for the family or neighbours, but we think it Bu ghna leinn a bhi triall, will arouse some curiosity in folks who do not Dun ro-ainmeil na la fhein, have the Gaelic, and therefore we are one firm ’Son nan daoine ’bha fial, outside the distillers and tobacco lords who Riamh an Eilean a’ Cheo perhaps help to make the Gaelic more familiar. Rinn e faire is dion; Though it may be considered heresy, we some- Nis ’na laraich lorn treigt, times think a simplification of Gaelic spelling Udlaidh, crannda is crion. would go a long way to making it more popular. Ann an Eilean a’ Cheo, When we consider how difficult many people Chithear fardaichean fas; find the spelling of English, it is understandable Rainneach comhdach nan cluan, that they are put off attempting to understand Far robh uair saorsa sas. Gaelic. Few people even know how to pro- ’S e chuis-truagha a th’ann, nounce “Slainte Mhath.” It would certainly Agus suarach a ’ bhuaidh; be easier for children to study in a simplified An deidh trioblaid is broin, form, phonetic perhaps, and it is surprising Faighinn caradh ’s an uaigh. how many adults we meet who can speak but Ann an Leodhas tir an fhraoich, cannot read or write in Gaelic. We offer these Tha na beairtean air ghluais, observations in a constructive spirit in the hope Le cloithean ’s aodaich a ghna, that they will be of some interest to those who Ag cumail teaghlaich le duais; have the maintenance of Gaelic at heart. ’S ged tha’n iasgachd car lom, Yours faithfully, Tha so-fhaotainn gach loin ’S aig an tigh tha ann leas, For and behalf of Bha roimh-laimh anns an doimhn’. Wm. Kidd & Sons (Confectioners) Ltd. The id a’ chuidhle mu’n cuairt. Matthew N. Kidd An deidh oidhche thig an la, Director. Ach chan fhaicear a chaoidh, Nithean tuille mar a bha; The use of Gaelic in advertisements is to be Tha gach tir fo na ghrein, encouraged, but directors of firms who have A ’ dol air adhart le aigh, this in view ought to seek the best advice Ach tha muinntir a’ ghlinn, available before deciding on wording. A’ sioladh as mar an traigh. Ed. 29 — Hannah Branch Reports Gleus G. Faclan. Le Dunnachadh MacNiomhain. Report on Branch Conference (Southern Area) held (Bkrd Chille-chomain.) inJanuary, An Comunn 1962. Office, Glasgow, on Saturday, 20th Seisl. Fonn le Iain MacRath. Forty representatives from twenty-two Branches {| s,: - : d | n : - : s, | n : - : r | d : s,: - } wereConvener, present. and Infive addition, members Mrs.represented J . M • Bannerman,the Propa- Och nan och, gur mor mo mhul-ad, ganda Committee. The President, Mr. Hugh Macphee, was in the || d:-: r|n:-: s|f:-: n|r:-:-j. Chairin attendance. and the Secretary, Mr. Malcolm Macleod, was Och nan och, ’se leon mi’n gaol. by TheMr. representativesHugh Macphee, were President, given a andcordial Mrs. welcome M- C. {| s : - : f | n : - : d | r : - : d | l,s f,: - } pleasureEdgar, Vice-President. at seeing such a Thelarge President gathering expressed and stressed his Och nan och gur m6r mo mhul-ad, thenot importanceonly represented of the factBranches that manyin cities of those and presenttowns, || s,: - : d | n : s,: - | n : - : r | d : - : -|| butmade rural the pointand more that Branchesisolated areaswith asrepresentatives well. He also on 'S mi air m’uil-inn anns an fhraoch. behalfthe Executive of their Council,Branches hadand tothat make it was decisions only with on thatthe closethe Gaelicco-operation language of Branchescould be andmaintained. Headquarters || d:-: r | n : -: s | 1 : - : s|s:-:nj. Representatives were then invited to give reports 1. Thu - sa theid an null do’n Chkrn-aich, on the points discussed at the previous Conference and onimplement the success the recommendations.with which Branches were able to {|d:-:r|n:-:s|n:-:r|r:-:-} Rev. D. Cameron reported that a Joint Gaelic Thar nan krd-bheann do Loch Bhraoin, AthollService Branchesheld by the had Logierait, been highly Dunkeld successful. and Blair || n: - : r| d: s,| l,s - : d | 1,: s, } the Mrs.auspices McNicol of the intimated Stirling that Branch a Gaelic would Service be under held Thoir an t-sor - aidh so gun dail ann in May, a practice which the Branch had established toeight interest or nine quite years a numberago • The of itsBranch members had inbeen joining able || d: - : r | n: - : s, | r : - : d|d: - : -|| Anlater Comunn on the Branch as Branch hopes representative to interest these members in becoming and Dh’ionnsuidh Hann-ah, nighean mo ghaoil. sellingOrdinary 50 members.copies of Theeach Branchissue of was Sradag. responsible for Mr. Shaw reported on the activities of the Dunkeld 2. Innis dhi gu bheil mo ghradh dhi Branch, and said that two ceilidhs were held last Buan mar bha e anns a’ chaol, year, both being well attended. The Branch promoted Far an trie le m’ghaol a bha mi Aa GaelicGaelic class choir of which 30 members as yet underconsisted Further of 12Education. members Anns na laithean sona’ dh’aom. had been formed. Branch,Mr. Donaldreferred Smith,to the partreporting played on by the the FalkirkBranch 3. Na’n robh mise mar a b’abhaist, in raising the 1961 Mod Fund. Through their efforts 'S agam bata fo a siuil, they had raised the sum of ^600. At the same time Ruiginn fein Tigh-Sgoil na Carnaich, the Branch continued its own activities which were Ged robh cair gheal air Loch-Bhraoin. successful. Branch membership stands at 96, there is28 amembers. Gaelic class of 40 members and a Choir with 4. Nuair a gheibhinn thu ’nam ghlacaibh, Branch,Mrs. Angusa comparatively MacKenzie young said Branch,that the started Larbert as ’S mi ’ga t’altrum air mo ghluin, a result of having a Gaelic class in the town. The Chluinninn fein le mend mo thlachd dhiot, Branch is small but enthusiastic and last year con- Mo chridhe plapadh ’na mo thaobh! tributed to the Stirling Mod Fund. increasedThe membership by 15 last year.of the Mrs.Dunoon Murray Branch referred had to 5. Nach bu sholas dhomh air thalamh, the impending departure of Mr. and Mrs .Neil MacLean, Thu bhi d’laighe ri mo thaobh, Seniorboth of Choir whom have had been been fortunate stalwart in securingsupporters. a teacher The Ged a b’e tom fraoich mo leaba, to take over as conductor in place of Mr. MacLean. Ann am ghlaeaibh taobh Loch-Bhraoin. The Junior Choir has a membership of 46, none of whomfrom Octoberis a native till speaker.April, when The monthly Branch isceilidhs in session are 6. Mo cheud mile soraidh slan leat, held and in addition an annual concert. Ge b’e aite ’gam bi thu Arising from Mrs. Murray’s report the President Cha di-chuimhnich mi gu brath thu saiduse ofthat Education Branches Authority wherever teachers. possible Heshould suggested make Gus an cairear mi’s an uir. reading classes and practice in writing Gaelic from |j ciationwhich wouldof the followlanguage. an understanding and an appre- by theMr. KinrossMacKenzie Branch referred in tocarrying the difficulty on it its experienced first year, f The President said that An Comunn was anxious a(present difficulty membership, happily 19)surmounted. has been inA existenceGaelic class for i )j possibleto learn howto increase Branches sales. regarded Sradag and if it were six years. The Branch has an attendance of up to 1! Mr. Donald M. McPhail presented a report of the 70 at its ceilidhs and are able to sell 24 copies of activities of the Edinburgh Branch. The Branch ableSradag. to contributeBeside its to own the activities1961 Mod theFund. Branch were ; organises 8 ceilidhs, followed by a short dance, each Mrs. Carmichael referred to the Kildalton Branch i j| session.introduce Attemptsa 15 minutes’ had talkbeen atmade these on ceilidhs. occasion The to as a strong branch and the only active branch of An n. [ Branch gave some support to the two Senior Choirs in concernedComunn in unfortunately Islay. As farno asGaelic-speaking Church Services minister were . ■f theChoir. City A andgrant were and responsiblebooks were givenfor a annuallyJunior Gaelicto the is available. Mrs. Carmichael urged that representa- | Gaelic class in Norton Park J .S. School. The Branch tivesto resuscitate from Headquarters Branches and should encourage visit themIslay to and take help an Ii !i doublehas a membershipthat number approaching attend Branch 100 functions;and more than active interest in the work of An Comunn. The Mr. Finlay MacLean, reporting on Gaelic services, saleBranch of Anup tillGaidheal now hadhad notceased ordered some Sradag time agoand butthe . j: direction-conveyed that no progress had been made in that Mrs. Carmichael said that sale of these publications The President intimated that the Branch had would be considered. Gaelic Choirs in the island are j given a ceilidh in an hospital, a commendable gesture availableindependent to ofconduct the Branch a Branch and Choir.a music teacher is not j j, worthMr. the MacLean consideration Fullarton of other in hisBranches. report on the The President stressed the importance of Comunn ; Bunessan and Pennyghael Branch spoke of the bena h-Oigridhmade very and welcome said that at thechildren annual from esmp. Islay would r! ThereRoss of was Mull a asresuscitation being one of ofthe interest last outposts in the of language Gaelic. The Ayr Branch programme, as reported by 1 in the area following the visit of Mr. Macphee and Mrs.‘‘Haggis Davies, Night”. consisted The ofBranch the usualhas 80 ceilidhs members and and a ; I aMr. memorandum and Mrs. Bannerman sent to thelast Educationyear. As aCommittee result of a number of adherents. The junior Choir, promi- j, j Gaelic is now taught in Bunessan School. nentmembership prize-winners of 70. atSradag the isNational not popular Mod, with has thea [ BranchMr. Colinheld successfulMorrison ceilidhs,said that one theof whichDumfries was children who are unable to read it. housed in Annan, and a Whist Drive. The Branch In reply to a question by the President if the time hadBranch 106 Representativepaid up members, Members. a number So farof whichthe Branch were taughtwas now in ripeschools to makein Ayrshire, an approach Mrs. toDavies have agreed.Gaelic ‘: !' I hadBranch been undertook unable tothe organise sale of a numberGaelic Service. of Sradag. The In presenting the recommendation that Branches Mr. Donald Morrison referred to the Oban Branch explainedshould try thatto vary the theirPropaganda programmes, Committee Mrs. wereBannerman rather i ■| Branchas being was the responsiblefirst branch for and holding one of monthlythe largest. ceilidhs, The concerned. | one of these being a Donnchadh Ban night, and a local not Membershelp to promotefelt that theceilidhs, language. although Consequently enjoyable, thedo S.J] placesannual inMod. the areaVisits and anwere invitation paid by had the been Branch received to Committee suggest that short talks, limited to 20 | to visit Bunessan. Sradag was sold in Oban High minutes,local circumstances, or so, in English should andbe introduced.Gaelic according Local to I1 School and to a Gaelic class in Easdale but Mr. bards and local place-names would make interesting ■ ! MorrisonBranch ceilidhs. thought that copies could also be sold at subjects for such talks. Story-Telling should be k i , The President said that other Branches should encouragedinterest. Mrs. by BannermanBranches and said wouldthat anybe suggestionsan added j ; honourfunction the at memorywhich songs of other of local Gaelic bards bards would by holding form the a from representatives would be welcomed. j programme. translationsMr. Finlay of MacLeanPlace-names said andthat SurnamesBrains Trusts, had beenand v visitsHe betweenalso commended, Branches. wherever, possible, exchange tried out by the Edinburgh Branch. Some Branches k \ Miss Nisbet reported on the activities of the Headquartersused lantern slidesshould on compile occasion. a list It of was suitable agreed colour that t 'i Kilmarnockdrew people fromBranch neighbouring which were Branches well attended and places and films which were available on hire. Mr. MacRae \ outwith Kilmarnock. A Senior Gaelic Choir, under hirereferred fee toof afive film guineas, on bird which protection, he proposed available to bookat a ; | ' theflourish conductorship and there isof a Mr.Gaelic Mclsaac, class taughtcontinues by theto for the Blair Atholl Branch. Branch President, Rev. Arch. M. Beaton. Branch programmesMr. Smith should recommended be devoted thatto community part of singingceilidh i | membershipnot resident all(60) the fluctuates time in as Kilmarnock. some are nurses For who a time are and he enquired if An Comunn would provide song the Branch tried to sell 50 copies of Sradag, the order sheetsRev. with D. Cameronphonetic spokeGaelic. of the difficulty experienced 11 promisedfor which that has a newbeen effort discontinued, would be madebut toMiss encourage Nisbet by some Branches in getting a ‘ ‘ free” evening because | sales. A letter had been sent to B.B.C. on behalf of theycontend had with. so many other interests and associations to ! ; the Mr.Branch, R. S. asking Trevor for gave a repeat a brief of reportthe Gaelic on the lessons. work Mr. MacLean Fullarton recommended visits to of the Branch in Logierait. A Gaelic Choir has stimulateisolated Branchesand maintain by concert interest. parties Mrs. inBannerman order to t isbeen conducted formed byand Rev. is makingD . Cameron progress, and Brancha Gaelic ceilidhs class intimated that singers had been invited to participate are very well attended. The Branch miss very much toin suchbe made a scheme at the and next that meeting definite ofarrangements the Propaganda were 1 | ! theMrs. leadershipTom Gilmour, and enthusiasmwho had left of theformer area. President, Committee. — 31 — Mr. Donald Morrison said that dialogues and plays part of the interesting history of this lonely! would be welcome additions to Branch programmes. island. writingRev. John of Gaelic MacDougall plays should agreed be encouraged. and said thatMention the Rhum, with its neighbouring islands of Eigg, ) was made that An Comunn has a stock of over 20 Muck and Canna, is in the Parish of Small | one-act plays. Isles; it is in the Inner Hebrides, in the County Mr. Colin Morrison said that not being a qualified of Inverness and sixteen miles west of Mallaig, Gaelic teacher he and others like him who undertook the nearest mainland town. It is the biggest teachingon teaching in eveningthe language classes from would Gaelic welcome teachers. “hints” of the four islands being eighteen to twenty ] i The Propaganda Committee recommend to the miles in circumference. Its coastline is magni- ^ ■ representatives to consider the formation of Branches ficent and recalls the stern beauty of the l in suitable places in their areas. Norwegian coast with peaks towering from ocean u The President appealed to the representatives to level to hide their summits in cloud. The ! ! make the Summer School (2nd - 7th July, in Oban) peaks bear Norse names such as Halival,|[ known to potential students. Rev. D. Cameron Askival, Orival, and Trallaval, and these,] proposedforms should that inbe thisprepared connection and senta supply to Branches of enrolment and peaks must have been prominent landmarks to j Committee.it was agreed to refer this proposal to the Education the old Vikings when they sailed the seas j Representatives agreed to the President’s sugges- around Scotland. tion that partly-printed posters, provided by An The origin of the name is not clearly defined, j Comunn, would help in advertising their activities. In the Statistical Account of Scotland, dated I In view of the importance of such a meeting and 1846, the suggestion is made that it may have ti in order to allow more time to give full consideration been derived from the Gaelic equivalent signi- ] [• to Branch affairs it was unanimously agreed that the fying roominess or capacity but Johnston in lit next2.30 p.m.conference should begin at 1 p.m. instead of his Place Names of Scotland appears, in my I The President, in conclusion, said that it gave him opinion, to come nearer to a true definition in ; great pleasure to see such a good attendance and that stating that the name is derived from the Gaelic |; couldit was feelat athe gathering pulse of such the asmovement. this that HeadquartersIt also gave i-druim (ridge) meaning the Isle of the Ridge, j an opportunity to hearten and strengthen each other. In olden times Rhum formed part of the [ Mr. Macphee expressed grateful and sincere thanks to lands of the proud Clanranaid branch of the ] f the representatives for their attendance and their illustrious Clan Donald. It is mentioned as I ' contributions to the proceedings. having in the thirteenth century provided for ! I" Vice-PresidentA vote of thanksfor providing was accorded tea to Mrs.to Mrs. Bannerman Edgar. King Robert the Bruce a ship of twenty-six ; } as Convener of the Propaganda Committee for arranging oars with its complement of men and victual. jr the Conference and to the Secretary for his attendance. In the early 19th century we find the island r Mrs. Edgar thanked the President for taking the listed among the possessions of the McLeans of ; chair at the meeting. Coll, a neighbouring island, and housing a f? population of about 400 persons. The McLeans k were considered sympathetic and kind land- 1‘ owners but the agricultural value of the land | 1 A Visit to the Island of ‘Rhum was not sufficient for the maintenance of a large peasant population and it is not surprising to i Iain Cameron read that in the year 1826 almost the total I (Some account of the island by one whose home population went from there to seek fortune in ] reservewas there under for themany control years. of theIts Nature latest Conservancy,phase, as a Nova Scotia. is not dealt with here.) The McLean lairds adopted the Presbyterian f The Island of Rhum—‘‘The Forbidden Isle” religion and so strong a convert was one of the ; —so named, no doubt, by those who looked McLeans that he did not hesitate to urge / with longing and desire at its rugged outline reluctant followers by physical means and the has, during our time, sheltered behind a screen liberal, use of his yellow walking stick prompted r other than the mists which so often enshroud the Rhum tenantry to call Presbyterianism r its peaks; a screen which prevented the tourist ‘‘The Religion of the Yellow Stick”. from setting foot on and exploring its hills and At the time of the McLeans’ ownership it is ts valleys. The curtain of privacy which sur- interesting to note that there were 600 persons rounded this island gave birth to many stories over six years of age in the Parish of Small which bore no relation to the true facts and Isles who could neither read nor write. There ' which led the uninformed to look on Rhum as was only one school in the Parish and it was on f something in the nature of a settlement where the Island of Eigg. The pupils attending , the natives slaved in the employment of a numbered between twenty and thirty. The harsh master. Rev. Donald McLeod of that period makes r: I hope to draw aside this screen and reveal reference to ‘‘ . . . . the present schoolmaster . (being not noted for his attention to the scholars island from early times to the present century and often finds himself with none as ‘parents it is with the period covering Sir George’s consider they make no progress under him”. proprietorship I now wish to deal. Considering that the schoolmaster’s salary was Previous to the 1914/18 War the weekly £30 per annum it is not suiprising that he was sailing to Rhum was from Oban via the Outer not over-attentive to his duties. Hebrides and the mail boat’s time of arrival McLean of Coll disposed of the island to the at Rhum was erratic and uncertain being Marquis of Salisbury in 1840 and the population often during the veiy early hours of the Shad by this time again, risen to the number of morning. It was on this route that the once 400 persons. During his period of ownership well known mail stamer Plover was attacked fthe island was heavily stocked with blackfaced between Rhum and the Island of Barra by a (sheep and, at the end of the 19th century, German submarine in 1917. Carrying, as she carried a stock of between eight and ten thousand always did during these war years, a heavy giving employment to six shepherds housed at complement of passengers there was no shortage iHarris, Dibidil, Kilmory and Guridil, lonely of military and naval passengers to support the joutposts, miles from each other. It was captain in his brave decision to engage the generally recognised at that time that it was submarine with his fore and aft guns. Civilian [difficult to find throughout the Highlands passengers were ordered away in the life boats •quality to equal that of the mutton supplied and landed safely on the island of Rhum while from this stock. I can confirm, from my own the Plover steamed on engaging the submarine ^knowledge, that during the early part of the as best she could. She was not sunk, but on 20th century the standard was indeed high. her arrival at Rhum two days later sne was During the period immediately following the seen to bear distinctive marks of the engagement. [first World War the sheep stock was consider- After this engagement, the Battle of Jutland •ably reduced in order to give more scope to the was considered by the islanders as being of red deer which abound on the island. secondary importance. Bloodstone Hill on the north side of the Leaving Mallaig by the Lochmor about 1.30 island derives its name from a mineral stone p.m. we pass the Point of Sleat in Skye and [which exists there and which was quarried on head westwards towards the Island of Eigg, the island during the Marquis of Salisbury’s the first island call after leaving Mallaig. The time. This stone when polished was of a high captain, a man of vision and humour, had ornamental value and a table made from the always his topical comments to make on the stone was presented by the Marquis to Queen weather and in this part of the country he gets Victoria. The continuance of quarrying was a varying issue. On my last visit to Rhum in apparently to be uneconomical and was 1950 he summed up the general situation in abandoned. Today pieces of bloodstone are to these few words, ‘‘Aye, we get nine months be found in the river beds and it is possible that winter and three months bad weather up here a source of revenue for an enterprising person .... but what can one expect from a Labour still lies in this hill. Government?” Whether a change of Govern- The Marquis of Salisbury, in an attempt to ment has brought a corresponding change in improve the fishing on the island rivers and the weather on our western seaboard I have lochs, erected a dam of stone and lime across not been able to ascertain. On leaving Eigg, the upper reaches of the main island river. where goods, mails and passengers have been )Due to the heavy rainfall from the' steep hill taken ashore in a small ferry boat, we travel sides the dam collapsed and was never rebuilt. along the coast of that peculiarly shaped island Salisbury Dam” remains to this day in the for a considerable distance before clearing the [form of a breached wall across the river about headland known as the Sgurr of Eigg which four miles from the village, a silent tribute to has afforded us considerable shelter from the the power of nature. Atlantic waves rolling uninterrupted from I In 1888 the island was purchased frcm the Ardnamurchan Point, the most westerly point ' Marquis of Salisbury by Mr. John Bullough of of the Scottish mainland, through the Sound of Meggernie, Perthshire, on whose death it Rhum. As the Loc/zmor receives the buffeting passed to his son Sir George Bullough, whose of the seas the words of the well known ‘‘Skye enterprise and love for this lonely island created Boat Song’' :— an island paradise housing priceless treasures ‘ ‘ Mull was astern, Rhum on the Port, from all over the world and maintained wholly Eigg on the starboard bow; as a private estate welcoming only invited Glory of youth glowed in his soul; ■ guests to enjoy what it had to offer in the way Where is that glory now’ ’ ? > of sport and scenery. become very real and the rugged outline of Having touched briefly on the state of the Rhum is now closely seen. Within a very 33 — short time and with a few short sharp blasts on the siren, which rouse thousands of seabirds Love Song from the rocky shore to wheel suspiciously before alighting again, the steamer enters Loch Translation by Iain C. Smith Seri sort, a well sheltered anchorage about three miles long. The pier at the head of the loch Three things will come without seeking, is not suitable for steamers and, in reply to the jealousy, terror, and love. siren blasts, we see approaching us the modern Nor is it shame to be counted motor ferry boat in contrast to the ferry boat among those whom such agonies grieve, of earlier times which was manned by oarsmen since so many great ladies who for hours on mail days in stormy weather have suffered the crime that I have, battled against rain and wind in their constant being exiled by passion. endeavour to maintain contact with the outer They gave but they did not receive. world before the advent of the wireless receiving set brought the islands within the circle of You who are climbing the defile modernisation. These men are due a place in bear my love to the glen of the north: history which their descendants of modern times take this vow to my sweetheart: can hardly lay claim to. “I am his while I live on the earth. From the steamer a magnificent view is I will marry no other obtained of Kinloch Castle built at the end of nor allow such news to go forth. the 19th century by Sir George Bullough and Till, my dear, you’ve denied me occupying an imposing site at the head of Loch T11 distrust the words of their mouth.’ ’ Scrisort, surrounded by lawns and woodland. As the Lochmor leaves Loch Scrisort and continues on her westward journey to the Outer You, of the blue eyes beguiling, Hebrides we approach the pier in the ferry boat (from the glen where the mists would arise) and as we set foot on Rhum are forced to comp- your eye-brows showed courteous mildness pare the present state of neglect and loneliness like the moor-cotton dewed from the skies: with the high degree of maintenance and human when you aimed as you lay on your elbow activitv which existed throughout the island the stag would be caught by surprise: up to the 1914/18 War. my love, if you lived in my dwelling, Kinloch Castle is beautifully and lavishly none could mock or despise. furnished and contains to this day articles of priceless value collected from all over the world My dear, if I saw you arriving during yachting cruises undertaken by Sir and knew that it really was you, George and his guests in the steam yacht my heart’s blood ascending Rhouma. One article of unique design is an would break like the sun into view: ivory eagle of life size said to be the only one and I’ll give you my promise of its kind in existence. On close examination each hair that was grey would renew one finds an almost impossible achievement in its greyness to yellow art as everv single feather and feature of the like the flowers that the waters pursue. smallest degree has been separately carved. During the earlier vears of this century a staff It was not for your riches of twenty-four people found full employment and not for your numerous herd: in the castle. Today it is looked after by a it was not for a weakling caretaker who, in the course of his daily duties, that my heart was troubled and stirred: must find much from a byegone age to interest but the son of a noble him. who conquered a land with his sword: The employment of eighteen gardeners before we’d suffer no hunger 1914 maintained the gardens, green houses, for many would furnish our board. lawns and policies in excellent condition. A walk through the gardens with their range oj If you’re never returning glass houses extending to between five and six I’ll know an exchange has been made, hundred yards made it difficult to believe that that being more healthy one was on a Western Atlantic island. Palms another has suited your trade. and bamboo plants, which one usually imagines I’d not give my courage, to be the products of warmer climates, were to my wisdom, the love you betrayed, be found flourishing in the open. for a field of bright cattle, (To be continued) and a girl without sense at their head. — 34 tugs. Towed to West Indian Dock, London. Notes from a Highlander’s Log Timber discharged and ship dry-docked. New (Continued) rudder. Thoroughly overhauled and then sold to Italians who loaded her for Port Elizabeth. By John Boyd By that time I had left her. She got out to I was sixteen when I first went to sea in a S. Africa and was lost on the E. coast. three-masted barque as an apprentice to While I was in the Erroll we were chartered China to a place up the Gulf of Tonkin called by the Russians to transport some of their Houghay belonging to the French. I joined troops to Odessa on the Black Sea. The ship in London Ordnance Wharf where she Russo-Japanese War had finished and when was loading pitch. Port Arthur fell the Russians had thrown their We took five months to get there round the troops into Vladivostok and we took 200 of Cape of Good Hope. I remember when we them (Cossacks) to the Black Sea. Some had anchored off the island of Java I was aloft one never seen the sea before, having been marched morning. The sound of singing came across across Siberia, but they were a very quiet lot. the water. This was a boat with Javanese Once left Marseilles loaded with oil-cake coming to our ship. They were selling all for the Baltic in the three-masted Mobile Bay, kinds of fruit. I bartered a shirt for a monkey registered at Glasgow. Loaded timber and left which I had for two years. Baltic. With deck load ship was cranky Discharging our cargo we had to dig it out owing to not having taken enough ballast to as it had melted in the tropics. Then took in counteract deckload. While in Norkopping, ballast for Hongkong where we loaded general Sweden, three negroes we had shipped in cargo for Callas, in Peru. It took three months Marseilles ran away. The Swedes being well tp get there round S. Australia, and New Zea- in the country had never seen blacks before and land, across the Pacific. had some peculiar ideas about them and were This was my first time round the Horn, the afraid. first of four times in sail and one in steam. After loading left for S. Africa, Port Durban. On the way to Falmouth called at Gibraltar. While in the Elsinore Straits clearing the Baltic, The trip round the world took two years. This we ran down another ship lying at anchor. This was in 1901. did a lot of damage to the after-end of our ship, On our last trip in sail, homeward bound, we denting a number of plates. Had to go into ran out of drinking water. Water-tanks had dry-dock in Elsinore for 2 months. been filled up west coast of S. America. It After we left and got into North Sea found turned black, was undrinkable. All hands had to take down upper yards top gallant and put on one pint of water per day. royals on fore and main masts. Ship very In tropics south of line in heavy rain squalls, cranky. We had to sail to S. Africa in that we managed to fill tanks. Rain water took us rig for 130 days. to Falmouth. Ran out of salt beef and salt Discharged and loaded ballast for Rangoon pork. All hands on short rations, one pound to load rice for S. America, Valparaiso and salt pork per week; next week one pound salt coast ports. Ran into cyclone in Bay of beef. Fortunately we had enough hard tack Bengal. Got into trouble, lost a full suit of to last to Falmouth. It took us 180 days. sails, good weather ones. Had they been used The reason for the short rations was that oft near Cape Horn the ship would have been Cape Horn in S.E. gale the steering screw dismasted. broke, casting rudder loose and bending shearing screw. It took 24 horns to secure rudder, the ship lying hove-to under goose-winged main lower topsail. The gale moderated in 48 hours. EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL Repaired steering gear and steered ship by FESTIVAL OF MUSIC AND DRAMA capstan on poop. Following An Comunn’s successful partici- This time did not sight land nor ships for pation in the 1961 Edinburgh Festival, two 180 days until we sighted Land’s End before evenings have been allocated again this year. entering Channel. Dropped anchor in Fal- A Ceilidh will be held in the Leith Town Hall mouth, expecting all our troubles over, but on Friday, 24th August, 1962, and a Grand not a bit. It came on to blow from S.E. a Gaelic Concert will be held in the Usher Hall howling gale. Vessel started to drag her anchor. on Friday, 31st August, 1962. This went on all night. The ship’s port anchor Tickets may be obtained from the Edinburgh held only quarter-mile off rocks. Gale mod- Festival Society Office at 11 Cambridge Street, erated. Hove up and was taken in tow by two Edinburgh. lavatories. But the authenticity I should call Editor’s Comments in question. Some recent publications Even with the help of these notorious sub- In the latest issue of the Scottish Geographical sidies the authentic crofter cannot spend money Magazine Joy Tivy gives the results of an in the bars on the scale described here. Even exercise in Geographical field studies in which when drunk he is unlikely to be cajoled into groups of students surveyed four small Scottish entering the caber competition; even if he burghs, Aberfeldy, Biggar, Dingwall, and consents he is unlikely to be admitted. In the Pitlochry. These towns are compared with most primitive village hall the platform is respect to such features as site, social services, unlikely to collapse so that the kilted Sassenach shops, residences, industries, and administra- entertainer may conveniently expose his tion. Dingwall, third in point of population unconventional underwear to the public gaze. (3367 in 1951, 3752 in 1961) is found to have All this and the sneering at Church personages the largest “sphere of influence’’ measured on leave an unpleasant taste. The author com- the basis of areas served from the town. Its plained when one reviewer came to the “urban field’’ extends beyond the county conclusion that he did not like island policemen. boundary and includes part of the hinterland I would go further and conclude that he did of Inverness. not like anyone else on the island either. For The Scottish Council for Research in Educa- surely a book claiming authenticity ought to tion have published The Level and Trend of include at least one likeable character. The National Intelligence, a summary of the results author certainly has made it very difficult for of mental surveys made in 1932 and 1947. In the islanders to like him. these years group tests were given to 11-year It is a relief to turn from the ways of the old children and individual tests to a small islanders to the ways of the tinkers told by sample of these. The Council is still following F. Rehfisch in Marriage and the Elementary up the careers of 1000 persons who sat the 1947 Family among the Scottish Tinkers, appearing individual test. in Scottish Studies, The Journal of the School A general drop in average intelligence in the of Scottish Studies. To carry out this piece years between 1932 and 1947 had evidently of field work the writer and his wife lived for been anticipated, but the average group-test some time in a tinker encampment. Rehfisch score was actually higher in 1947, and there puts the number of tinkers in Scotland at was no significant change in the average 20,000 to 40,000. individual-test score. The 1947 survey was There is often confusion in the literature used to obtain information about such questions between gypsies and tinkers, and great difficulty as the intelligence of large and small families, in obtaining reliable information, due to the intelligence and social conditions, comparison tinkers’ reserve in the presence of “flatties”, of twins and of siblings (children of the same as they call all non-tinkers. family]. The Rehfisches gained their confidence, and There was a general trend showing the highest record what they saw and heard in a way which average score in the South East and the lowest should make their observations useful to all in the North-West! James Maxwell, who who are concerned with the solution of an compiled the results for the Council, hesitates admittedly acute social problem. The general to take the obvious explanation that children conclusion is that “in spite of the fact that in the North and West are less intelligent. He fantastic moves are attributed to the Tinkers, says that if the data are accepted at their face their customs are in no way extraordinary”. value “there are some implications for educa- Scottish Studies also contains Funeral tional practice and provision”. Resting Cairns in Scotland by B. R. S. Megan; The writer of The Islander, Allan Campbell Tohar nam Maor (near Dunvegan, Skye) by McLean, has, according to the wrapper, gained Anne Ross; A Folk-Tale from St. Kilda, with a reputation as a writer of exciting boys’ English translation by John Macinnes; and a stories. The Islander itself begins excitingly review by Derick S. Thomson of More West enough with a poaching episode in which a Highland Isles, Vol. II. policeman comes off second best. So far so good, but does this and the rather disreputable commentary which follows deserve to be des- cribed as taking place in the “authentic FIFTY-NINTH MOD AT OBAN, Highlands” ? Good for sale returns, yes, with its furtive allusions in the modern style to 2nd-5th October, 1962 bodily functions in the heather and the Mod Entries close on 28th May, 1962. AN GAIDHEAL THE GAEL Editor—DONALD GRANT, B.A., 95 MUNRO ROAD, GLASGOW, W.3, to whom all correspondence should he addressed except that concerning advertising which should be addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer. 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C 2 Telephone: DOUglas 1433 Leabhar LVH AN GIBLEIN, 1962 Aireamh 4 aig a’ cheart am a’ gintinn an inntinn an Faclan Ura fhir eile an dimeas a dhuisgeas eucordadh THA moran aobharan a’ cumail dhaoine eatorra. aig a bheil a bheag no mhor de Ghaidhlig O seo leanaidh gur i mo bheachd-sa (agus, o a bhith ’ga bruidhinn ri a cheile, cion tha mi cinnteach, beachd feadhainn eile) gur suim ’s docha, no leisg, no a’ bharail gu bheil e deasachadh agus taghadh fhaclan lira Gaidhlig i a’ milleadh na Beurla. Tha a’ Bheurla a an gnothach as cudthromaiche a tha mu choin- nise cho laidir is cho beartach am faclan, is air neamh a’ Chomuinn Ghaidhealaich agus buidh- a’ cleachdadh air raon cho farsaing, is gu bheil nean eile aig a bheil iarratas a’ ch&nain a e ’na bhuaireadh do dhaoine a bhith ag earbsa neartachadh. 'S fhada gun teagamh o thogadh ris a’ cMnain seo a mhain, is a bhith a’ cur cuil a’ cheisd seo an toiseach agus tha i a’ tighinn ri gach canain eile. an uachdar o am gu am, ach chan ’eil duine no comunn fhathast le ughdarras gu leor ’ga Chan fhaodar aicheadh nach ’eil lethsgeul gabhail os laimh. math aca-san a chleachdas Beurla an aite Chan e gnothach farasda a tha seo. Chan’eil Gaidhlig. Chi thu fear a’ fiachainn ris na tha e farasda an toiseach na faclan lira a thaghadh. ’na bheachd a chur an ceill an Gaidhlig. Cia Chan’eil e farasda a rithist na faclan sin a chur meud uair a dh’ fheumas e stad, a mheorachadh fo chomhair an t-sluaigh ann an doigh a cho- de an ath fhacal as fhearr a chuireas an ceill eignicheas iad gu an cur gu feum. an smuain a tha a’ tighinn gu ’aire. Tha a’ cheisd seo ann an tomhas mu choin- Aithnichidh tu air ’aodann an t-srith a tha a’ neamh na h-uile canain. Feumaidh a’ Bheurla dol air adhart a staigh. An cuir e am feum am fhein an drasda ’s a rithist faclan ura a dheilbh facal Beurla air a bheil e eolach agus a thuigeas airson cumail suas ri innleachdan a’ chinne- am fear a tha 'g eisdeachd gu h-ealamh, no an daoine. Tha na faclan ura sin ’nan cuis- dian e sgrudadh ’na inntinn a lorg facail air a ioghnaidh airson uine ghoirid, ach chan fhada bheil seorsa de bhlas is cruth na Gaidhlig ? gun gabhar a steach iad an luib na canain. Gun teagamh faodaidh am fear a tha ’g Tha a’ Ghaidhlig a’ gleachd am measg chaich eisdeachd a bhith foighidneach agus feitheamh airson aite, theagamh aite iriosal, ach co-dhiu gu modhail gus an tig am facal a tha air chall. cothrom mairsinn beo. ’Se an cnap-starraidh Ged a bhitheas e sin, nach grainneil leis an as motha a tha mu a coinneamh cion nam facal, fhear-labhairt na tiotaidhean, goirid ’s gam deiseal air an teanga. An coimeas ri canainean bi iad, anns nach ’eil guth air a radh air taobh eile thuit i fada air dheireadh anns an doigh seach taobh. seo. Co a Ilonas a’ bhearna ? Tha an sbairn chruaidh seo gu facal a lorg e Seo, tha mi ’smaointeachadh, dleasanas fhein a’ milleadh na socair agus na sith air a a’ Chomuinn Ghaidhealaich. Bithidh daoine bheil feum anns an leithid seo de chruaidh- glice a’ magadh air comhairlean (no coimitidh- chas, agus a’ sineadh uine na samhchair, math ean). Ach tha feum air Comhairle iiir a dh’ fhaoidte a’ cur an dithis (no corr) an cunnart ghabhas an dleasanas seo os Ihimh. a dhol a mach air a’ cheile. Tha an uine a’ ruith. Anns na deich Fiachadh am fear a tha ag eisdeachd ri a bliadhnachan, 1951-1960, chailleadh cdig mile charaid a chuideachadh le facal a chur air diag de luchd-labhairt na Gaidhlig. Cia meud adhart e fhein ; ’s docha nach fheairrde a’ a chaill sinn o 1960? Tha an uine a’ ruith. chuis sin dad, oir tha e anns an doigh sin ’ga Na dianar dearmad air oidhirp 'sam bith a ardachadh fhein an coimeas ri a charaid agus thraoghas an sruth. cha robh coltas gun amaiseadh a’ chiiirt air Bodaich Ghleusda nan suidhe ann an Loch na Madadh ! ! Laithean a Dh* Aom An aite cain a dhol air a’ bhodach, chan’eil fios nach ann a dh’fhaodadh esan cain a chur Le orra-san a chum e a muigh air an Loch ann am Tormop Domhnallach bata beag, fosgailte, airson iiine cho fada, AITHNICHEAR am fxor Ghaidheal air a nuair a dh’fheumadh e bhi air ceann a ghleusdachd. Ach ta gleusdachd is chosnaidh. gleusdachd ann. Gheibhear gleusdachd A riamh tuilleadh, cha robh brath gu mod ar cinnidh daonnan aig a feabhas an am nach robh air a sgriobhadh na b’fhaicilliche gabhaidh, no a’ fuasgladh dubh-cheist. agus an t-ionad ’s am feumte a fhrithealadh Ta beul-aithris is seann eachdraidh a’ cur air ainmeachadh gu pongail, doigheil : “Ann an ceill nach robh baile, no co-dhiu sgire, de’n an tigh-cuirte Loch na Madadh ” ! ! Ghaidhealtachd anns nach robh uaireigin saoidh Chan ’eil ann ach mu cheithir fichead bliadhna a bha a ghnath deiseal airson a bhi ’reiteach bho na bha tuasaid mhor an fhearainn anns an chuisean a bha cho cruaidh, duilich an tuigsinn Eilean Sgitheanach. B’ aithne dhomh gu ’s gu robh iad air tur fhairtleachadh air an math an aireamh bu mhotha de na cinn-iiiil a co-luchd-duthcha. dh’eirich gu duineil, treun, an aghaidh an anacothroim uamhasaich a bha croitearan bochda Ta cuid de na daoine glic so, mar a bha Taog na Gaidhealtachd a’ fulang tuilleadh a’s fada MacCuinn, eadhon fathast ro ainmeil airson am agus is iomadh ceilidh mor Geamhraidh a breith chothrom agus an comhairle eagnaidh. chuir mi seachad ag eisdeachd ris na seoid a Gheibhear uiread de thabhaill ann am breith- bha ri uchd bualaidh ’ s a fhuair taire nach bu neachadh Thaoig ’s nach b’urrainn dha bhi dad bheag a’ tagradh an coraichean dligheach mun na bu choimhlionta tighinn bho bhilean deachaidh cuisean leotha fa-dheoidh. Socrates. Anns a’ cheud dol a mach, chuireadh mu Bhuineadh Taog do’n Eilean Sgitheanach. choinneamh maoirshith an Eilein casg a chuir Chithear thun an latha an diugh tobhta an tighe le ainneart air guim nan croitearan. anns an robh e a’ fuireach, faisg air Port Do bhrigh ’s gur e lan Ghaidheil a bha anns Righeadh. na maoir ud gu leir, aig an robh taobh is truas Seadh, is gleusda gach Gaidheal an am ri an co-chreutairean, leig iad gu leoir mun cruadail is cruaidhchais. Cha bu bheag an cluais de na bh’air agairt orra max dhleasnas. aireamh sgeulachdan eibhinn a dh’fhagadh Mu dheireadh thall, chuireadh fios air feachd againn a ta ’toirt lan fhoillseachaidh air a sin. de mhaoir a Glaschu smaladh ceart a dheanamh. Uair a bh’ann, fhuair bodach ann an aon de Cha robh na diiinlaoich sin fada a’ faighinn na h-Eileanan an lar fios gu robh aige ri ciiirt a mach nach e cluich a bh’air thoiseach orra lagha a sheasamh ann an Loch na Madadh air ann an Eilean a’ cheo ! Chaidh an ruaig gu latha is uair a chaidh ainmeachadh. dubh air na Goill. Mun do thill iad air ais Nuair a thainig an t-am, thug am bodach do’n taobh deas, fhuair moran dhiubh de geill gu modhail, umhail, do’n ghairm agus cho dhroch ghiollachd a dheanamh orra anns gach luath ’s a rainig e am baile ceudna, chaidh e arrabhaig a bh’ann, na chuir bho fheum an sios thun a chladaich agus dh’fhasdaidh e t-saoghail iad. iasgair airson a thoirt a mach air a’ mhuir anns Cha b’urrainn gur e an t-Agh a chuir an an eithear aige. ceann dha de na maoir ud a dhol a ruith Iain Chum an laoch an t-iasgair ag iomaradh sios brathair m’athar, latha ’s e siubhal an t-sleibh. is suas an loch bho mhoch gu anamoch ’us cha Cha robh Iain ach 6g, mu bheagan a’s fichead do cuir e cas air iirlar an tighe chuirte fathast. bliadhna de aois is ann an treine a neirt is a Shuidh am breitheamh air a’ chathair, ’s an spionnaidh. fheadhainn eile de’n luchd lagha 'n an aite Cha bu luaithe mhothaich e do a luchd fein, ach sgial. cha robh air an aon ris an robh torachd na rinn e ’na shinteagan air aite iad an diiil. cunnartach de mhonadh an Taobh Sear, ris De nis a thachair? An deach cain throm a an abrar am Blath-Lon. Chan ’eil anns an leagail air an neach a shaoil leo-san a rinn Bhlath-Lon ach aibhnichean, glumagan is cuis-bhurta dhiubh ? Cha deach flu aon sgillinn siiilean-cruthaich, oir ri oir, 's cha d’fhuaireadh ruadh. Cha robh fear-lagha air thalamh a riamh grunnd aig aon diubh. b’urrainn cain no rud eile chuir air. Thug am Bha fios aig an dearbh laoch far an treoraich- bodach geill do’n t-sumanadh, choimhlion e eadh e an fhaghaid, c’aite an robh an deagh gu mean na bh’air a chuir mu choinneamh. rioba ’gam feitheamh! Dh’fheith esan ris an luchd lagha gu foidhidinn- Is gann gun cumadh na maoir faiie air Iain each ach ged a bhiodh e an sud gu siorruidh. a’ cheud chuid de’n astar. Bha e luath air a chasan, cha robh cho luath eadar da cheann na thuilleadh air na dh’ainmich mi, b’e fior sgire, no iomadh sgire eile. charaid nam bochd e. Thug brathair m’athar fainear gum feumadh Chan e aon eilean leis fein air an robh Alasdair e cothrom a thoirt do luchd na ruaig faighinn a’ freasdal. B’ esan ’na latha, priomh leigh faisg dha, cho faisg ’s a ghabhadh deanamh nan Eilein air fad. Thigeadh daoine gun dol an cunnart gum beirte air. Siod mar easlainteach thuige as na cearnan a b’ a thachair. iomallaiche. Ta aon linne anns an aite do nach toir neach Mar a thachair do iomadh fear a rinn obair an aire gus am bheil e gu ire bhig aice, a chionn fheumail a’ furtachd gun diobradh air bochdainn a bruachan a bhi ard air gach taobh. Ta de crannchuir nan iochdarain, bha naimhdean fharsuingeachd anns an linne so ’s gun toireadh aig an Dotair Bhan. Dhuisg de ghamhlas is e a dhiol do’n fhear a b’fhearr luth leum thairis fharmad dhaoine eucorach ’n a aghaidh nach orra. Direach nuair a leig Iain leis na maoir biodh a chaoidh sasaichte gus am faighte air tighinn ceithir no coig de shlatan bhuaidhe, sheol-eiginn a chuir as an rathad. thug e an rotach ud as, is bha e cho aotrom ri Thugadh cuireadh do’n lighiche gu diothad. eun air taobh eile an uisge. Ghabh esan gu suilbhir ris an fhiadhachadh ged Leum na maoir as a dheidh. Ma leum, is a bha amharus fein aige mun rim a bh’ air a iadsan nach robh air an stiiiireadh. Chaidh an chul agus bu mhath dha-san gun robh. dithis aca fodha 's a sealladh ann an teis Mun do dh’fhag e an dachaigh, chuir an meadhon na doimhneachd eagallaich. Is ann Dotair da uinnean leth ri chraiceann, aon ann aig Ni Math fein a ta fios ciamar a tharr na am bac gach achlais. culaidhean-truais a lathaich cho gabhaidh. Le An deidh dha seomar na h-aoidheachd a mor spaim rinn iad an gnothach air a’ bhruaich ruigheachd ’s a theann e air gabhail a bhidhe, a dh’ fhag iad a ruigheachd. Le tuilleadh dichill cha do dh’fhagadh Alasdair fada an teagamh chaidh aca air faotainn gu tir is mile sruth mu dhiirachd na h-aiteam a bha’n lathair. asda. Bha Iain ’na sheasamh thall mun coin- Fhuair e bias an phuinnsein is b’fheudar dha neamh ’s e ’dol ’na luban a’ gaireachdaich ag sguir de ithe ! Cha do leig MacLeoid dad air, amharc cor nam maor. ach cho luath ’s a thill e dhachaigh, thug e na h-uinneanan a mach bho achlais agus bha na Mar a ta leabhar Iain Bhunain a’ toirt fo ar dha cho dubh ri cnapan siiith! B’e sud a comhair a thachair do Shocharach air dha chaomhainn a bheatha. Moire, ’s ann airsan faighinn a mach a Lathach Na Mi Mhisnich, a chaidh an caol thearnadh ; a thaing sin da thill an da churaidh air ais an rathad a thainig ghleusdachd ! Cha b ’e an Dotair Ban am fear iad, cus na bu fhluiche agus rud beag na bu mu dheireadh ris an do dh’fheuchadh anns an ghlice na dh’fhag iad e ! dearbh dhoigh ! Bha seann lighichean na Gaidhealtachd ’n an Thainig bas aithghearr air an urradh dhlleas, daoine cho gleusda ’s air am bheil iomradh. fheumail so ann an Cnoideart. Chaidh e le Chan ioghnadh idir ged a bhiodh iomadh creig, air oidhche dhorcha ’s e dol a dh’amharc cuimhneachan buan againn air luchd sgile an air duine tinn. Ri linn Alasdair, cha robh a leithid Alasdair MhicLeoid, no an ‘ ‘Dotair leithid de rud ann ri biucan-dealain a shealladh Ban,” mar a theirte ris, agus Iain Mac- an ceum-coise dha. Lachlainn,— ‘‘Dotair Raththuaith.” Ma chumas na bailtean fearainn a thionndaidh Nuair a chuimhnicheas sinn air an t-soirbh- an Dotair Ban a chum leas an t-sluaigh, a eachadh mhor a lean an saothair, a dh’ aindeoin chuimhne air mhaireann, cha teid di-chuimhn’ an cian astar a bha eadar na sgireachdan anns air MacLachlainn cho fad’ ’s a bhios a’ bheag an robh an comhnuidh agus bailtean na Galld- air am fagail a sheinneas drain GMidhlig. B’e achd le an goireasan, chan urrainn dhuinn gun fein am bard ceolmhor nuair a readh e gu a bhi ag gabhail annais ciamar a chaidh aca ranntachd. air a liuthad neach a leigheas gun chungaidhean, Chreidinn gu robh ceolraidh MhicLachlainn a ’ acfhuinnean, no gach cothrom a bhi meudachadh deanamh a’ cheart uiread de fheum ri a chun- an eolais a bha aig an coimpirean mu dheas. gaidhean ann an tigh an tinneis. Ta aon rud B’ ann do Leodaich Rigg, anns an Eilein cinnteach, cha bhiodh gruaimean an sud na Sgitheanach, a bhuineadh an Dotair Ban. ’S b ’fhaide aon uair ’s gu nochdadh an leigh anns e meur de Leodaich Ra’arsear a bh’anns an an dorus. Air dha ceartachadh a dheanamh teaghlach uasal so. Dime sin, bha fuil iomadh orrasan a bha ’n a fheum, shineadh Mac- triath reachdmhor a’ ruith ’na chuislean. Lachlainn sios air a dhruim-direach air seis, no Chan e mhain gu robh an Dotair Ban ainmeil air leabaidh fhalamh agus bheireadh e hugan ’na dhreuchd fein, ach rinneadh beairtean eilleadh air oran an deidh drain a sheinn. miorbhaileach leis a’ leasachadh fearainn an Is ann ’n an sineadh mar so a bha na seann Uidhist ’s an dixthaich a shinnsearachd. A bhaird Ghaidhealach a’ deanamh am bardachd. Geb’e de an aite anns an duisgeadh a’ cheolraidh Mu leitheach slighe, thachair crodh ris ag Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair, a muigh air liana ionaltradh air reidhlean agus tarbh mor, ghuirm, no am broinn an tighe, laidheadh e air briagha Gaidhealach ’n an teis-meadhon. Cha fad’ a dhroma agus leac mhor chloiche air a do laigh suil MhicLachlainn ach gann air an bhroinn. Gun teagamh ’sam bith, ta suidhich- tarbh na theann solus air bristeadh air ’inntinn. ean sonraichte ann anns an suidh no anns an Air do’n bheathach a bhi solta, coir, laidb. a’ bhodhaig, a ta toirt barrachd cuid- dh’iomain Iain sios e gu oir na mara, chuir e an eachaidh do’n inntinn agus do’n eanchainn, tarbh air an t-snamh, leum e fein air a mhuin mar a ta na h-Iogaich, feallsanaich nan Innsean, agus chaidh aige air an ainmhidh a stiuireadh a’ teagasg thun an latha an diugh. fodha gu tearuinte gus an d’ fhuair e gu traigh a Bha nighean 6g ann mu naoi no deich de chinn-uidhe. Rainig an Dotair Raththuaith an bhliadhnachan, a bhuineadh do Eilean Mhuile, te bha ri saothair ann an deagh am agus chaidh a fhuair a sarachadh le glun ghoirt. Ged a gach cuis air aghaidh mar bu mhiann leotha. thugadh caochladh lighichean a choimhead orra, Cha bu rud ur e idir do tharbh Gaidhealach, dh’fhairtlich orra gu leir a dheanamh a mach caolas a shnamh. Thachair e gu bitheanta do de bu mhathair-aobhair do’n chradh. Anns na bheathaichean a bh’air an togail ri oir na mara laithean ud cha d’ fhuaireadh eolas air a’ ghath anns an Eilean Sgitheanach, ’s an aiteachan chumhachdach sin a sgrudas taobh stigh a eile, gun snamhadh iad na caoil, air ais agus chuirp eadar feoil is chnamhan. air adhart gu somalta, easgaidh an geall air Ri tide, chuireadh fios air MacLachlainn atharrachadh feuraich. Is ann air an t-snamh tighinn ’ga faicinn. Air do’n leigh sealltainn a bha an crodh bho shean air an aiseag bho car uine air an aite anns an robh an giamh, iomadh eilean gu tir-mor. bha e greis ’n a thamh. An sin dh’fheoraich Bha ann roimhe so, tighearna fearainn aig e de’n chailinn an robh i a’ buachailleachd mun an robh mor shaibhreas. A bharr air a bheartas, do thoisich a glun air cur dragh orra. Thubh- bha aon nighean aige do’m b’ainm Fionnaghal, airt ise gu robh. “B’e mo bharail e,” ars’ a bu bhriagha na te eile a chunnacas a riamh esan. “An robh e ’n a chleachdadh agad a bhi ann an seachd siorrachdan na Gaidhealtachd. ’n a do shuidhe is do chas fothad air bruaich ? ’ ’ Mar a dh’fhaodas sinn a thuigsinn, cha robh ‘ ‘ Bha, da rireabh, ’ ’ fhreagair ise. ‘ ‘ Siod agadsa cion feill air an righinn aig maithean is mithean, ceann-fath do thrioblaid,” mhinich an Dotair. fada as is faisg orra. Cha robh oganach a dhearc “Air latha de na laithean air an robh thu air ailleachd a h-aodainn chiuin-ghil, ’s a ’buachailleachd chaidh gartan an sas ’n a pearsa dhealbhach, annsanta, nach i bu bhru- d’fheoil. An ceann uine dh’oibrich e roimhe adar dha re an latha ’s a chion cadail air an gun d’fhuair e a steach fo’n fhailmean far an do oidhche. ghabh e tamh. Feumaidh sinn am failmean a Am b’ioghnadh idir nach robh oighre og.air thogail. ’ ’ taobh tuath na h-Alba nach robh ’ga h-iarraidh Rinn an lighiche mar a thubhairt e. Fhuair air a h-athair airson a posadh. Dh’fhag a e an gartan far an do shaoil leis a bha e, sgriob liuthad tairgse bho ard uaislean na tir, an is ghlan e mach an at is ann am' beagan sheach- tighearna ann an trom imcheist co dha a dainnean cha robh ni cearr air a’ chois. bheireadh e an nighean. Mu dheireadh thall, Uair eile, chunnaic MacLachlainn teine- smaoinich e air doigh anns am b’urrainn dha eiginn air a lasadh air mullach cnoic, an taobh ceile a thaghadh dhi. thall de’n Chaol, ann am Muile. B’e sud an Air an laimh eile, bha ailleagan ar sgeoil air doigh anns an robh teachdaireachd chabhagaich a roghainn a dheanamh bho chionn fada. B ’e air a craobh-sgaoileadh fada mun d’fhuaireadh so oigear mun aon aois rithe fein, aig an robh aithne air fios-an-dealain. bade beag tuathanachais ris an abradh iad Cha robh an Dotair gun a bhi ann an duil ris Baile an Dail, air oighreachd a h-athar. an teine fhaicinn, a chionn’s gu robh bean anns Ged bu bhochd a chrannchur, bu diulnach an ionad ud a bhiodh gun dail air an laidhe- esan a bu fhlathail coltais agus naduir na gu siubhla. Ge b’e air bith c’ait an deach fear leoir de na bha h-athair a’ cuir am fiacham aiseig an aite le a bhata, cha robh a h-aon dhi. C6-dhiu, chan fhaiceadh an ainnir dath diubh ri’m faotainn ’s cha robh fios de an air mac diuc no iarla ach e fein. taobh an deach iad. Rinn am morair cuirm mhor. Thug e cuireadh Cha b’urrainn an lighiche a thuigsinn ciamar a dh’ionnsaigh an fhleadh do gach uasal a bha a rachadh aig air faighinn thar a’ Chaoil. Ged an geall air a ’ chailin agus thug ise fainear gum nach robh an linne farsuing ann an siod, cha faigheadh fear a cridhe am fios ceudna a fhuair rachadh aige air a snamh. each. Cha do shaoil am morfhear cail de Am feadh ’s a bha an cas anns an robh e ’ga iarrtas na te oig, anns an am, oir cha d’thainig chumail a’ cnuasachadh, thug an Dotair ceum fathann fathast gu chluasan mun a’ ghaol slos thun a’ chladaich. falaich a bha eadar a’ charaid. — 40 — Air feasgar na cuirm rainig gach marcaiche Tha iad an diugh air an sgaoileadh, ’s cha treun, cridheil, ’n a lan earradh riomhach, an taobh iad ’nam choir. caisteal, ’s gun ni air aire ach an aon ni, aiteal Ged nach faicear am fraoch air do raontan gearr a mhealtainn ann an cuideachd na h-6igh a’ fas, a rinn a bhuaireadh. Tha do reileanan torrach’ toirt cinneas air barr (Ri a leantainn) Is do mhachraichean comhnard fo chomhdach nam flur Nach glormhor an sealladh, ’gam faicinn An Caolas Ud Thall fo’n driiichd. Le Niall MacD. Brownlie Nuair thig ciaradh air m’ fheasgar ’s an uair a’ tighinn dluth ’S tim dhomh dusgadh a suain. Gu bhi Thoir dhomh neart gu dol dhachaidh gu luaidh ann an dan, eilean mo rixin. Air an Eilean is a ill’ air bheil grian a’ cur Nuair thig crioch air mo laithean’s a dhuineas sgail, mo shuil, Sin an tir a’ rinn m’ arach ’n am phaisde gle ’S ann ’na uir theid mo thasgadh ’sa’ chadal Aiteog, comhnuidh an t-sluaigh a tha uasal nach duisg. is coir. Tha cairdean mo ghaoil thar a’ chaolais ud thall, Anns an eilean bheag uain’; thug mi luaidh Maileid A’ Phuist dha thar chaich. Peel Park, Tha daingneachd nach fuasgail g’am bhuair- Busby, eadh gach la, Lanarkshire. Gu ’n dachaidh is miann learn, an Tiriodh Am Mart 21, 1962. mo ghraidh. A charaid choir, Tha mi an dochas gun gabh sibh mo leisgeul Tha cuid dhiiibh ’s an uaigh ann an suain- air son sgriobhadh chugaibh air rud mach ’eil, chadal bais, theagamh, ro mhor. A shaoraich le dichioll an Tir-iosal mo ghraidh, Chan ’eil mi ach ag ionnsachadh na Gaidhlig Tha m’ athair ’s mo mhathair a’ cnamh anns agus tha mi a’ leughadh “An Gaidheal’’ gu a’ chill, riaghailteach. Ach bidh mo mhiann agus m 'iiidh anns an Cha chomasach mi air tuigsinn na tha sgrio- iiir ’s bheil iad sint’. bhte ann ur miosachan uile gu leir agus tha fios agam gum bheil mi a’ call morain air ashon sin. A sealltuinn mu chuairt dhomh, ’s e’ tha Leugh mi “An Gaidheal Og’’ an uair a bha gluasad mo bhroin e air mhaireann agus tha mi ’ga iondrainn Na laraichean fuar air bheil an cluaran a’ fas, gu mor. Leac-an-teintein’s i falamh gun lasair ’s Am bheil e coltach gum bi sibh ’ga chur a gun fhailt, mach a rithist ? ’S na f iiirain bha sgairteil air an sgapadh’s Fhuair mi moran math dheth agus tha e gach ait’. cinnteach gum bheil iomadh duine eile cosmhail riumsa. Ach ’s e aobhar mo ghearain, bhi cho fad Is mise, le urram, bhuait an drasd George F. B. Hill, Mi a’ comhnuidh 's a’ bhaile, gun aighear Fhir-dheasachaidh ’s gun chail. An Gaidheal. ’S trie tha m’ inntinn a’ tilleadh gu innis nam bo, Tha mi an dochas gun cum Mgr. Hill air a’ Far an trie rinn mi mireadh ’nam bhalachan leughadh is a’ sgriobhadh na Gaidhlig. Tha e soillear gun d’ rinn e adhartas mor mar tha. og- Bhitheadh e ’na chuideachadh mor nan 'N uair a’ bha mi ’nam bhalach gun smalan gabhadh aon de luchd-teagaisg nan sgoiltean, ’s gun gho no neach ’sam bith eile, as laimh aon taobh- Le companaich ghasda, bha seasmhail is coir, duilleig gach mios a sgriobhadh airson feum ,’S beag a shaoil mi gu’n caochladh an saoghal luchd-ionnsachaidh. cho mor. F.D. — 41 — Glaschu , 2/4/62. An Approach to Scottish Gaelic A Charaid, Literature Bu toigh leam comhnadh a dheanamh leat anns an obair ur a thog thu. Ghuidhinn gach By Derick S. Thomson soirbheachadh a bhith leat. [The above with minor modifications, is the text Tha mi nasal asad air son an liodairt a thug of a talk given at the Gaelic Teachers' Con- thu air Mac Ghilleathain agus a bheachdan air ference, sponsored by Jordanhill College of na Sgiathanaich. Is geal a thoill e an dolan- Education, and held at Portree in July, 1958. achadh a thug thu dha, agus is riatanach gun WE suffer, as has often been said in the cuirteadh a’ ghlasghuib air sgeigearan d’a past, from a lack of adequately graded sheorsa; agus rinn thu-sa sin gu sgoinneil. and varied school text-books in Gaelic, Thug thu cuireadh do d’ luchd-leughaidh am and on Gaelic subjects. This lack is particu- beachdan a chur an ceill mu’n chleachdadh a larly noticeable in the field of literary criticism, tha gu trie aig cuid, gu eadartheangachadh a where the existing histories of literature are dheanamh air ainmeannan aitean o’n Bheurla by now out of date, old-fashioned in their gu Gaidhlig; agus sheall thu cho baoth agus a language, and ponderous to use in schools. I dh’fhaodas an oidhirp a bhith. Ach an deidh think that the only one I would except from sin ’s an dheidh, tha moran dhaoine de’n this sweeping condemnation is Donald Maclean’s bheachd gun deachaidh tuilleadh agus a’ choir short study, The Literature of the Scottish Gael, de ar n-ainmeannan a shiolpadh bhuainn gu and it is perhaps too closely concerned with Beurla agus nach b’eucoir idir an aiseag air bibliography for school use. These literary ais chun a’ chanain dhlighich anns an robh iad histories need to be replaced by one comprehen- air an ainmeachadh o thus. Carson, mar sin, sive book, providing a detailed account of the a cheadaicheamaid focail mar tha, Middleton, development of Scottish Gaelic literature in all air son Baile Meadhonach, Cornhill, air son its branches, beginning with the emergence from Cnoc an Arbhair, Blackmount, an aite Monadh the stage of Gaelic-Irish literary unity, and Dubh, Broadford, airson Ath Leathann, agus proceeding right down to the middle of the gu h-araidh feadhainn a tha cho cearrail ri twentieth century. This book would be a Freetown, air son Allt na Frithe, faisg air compendium of our knowledge of Gaelic writers Tom Aitinn. and Gaelic literary works, and would consider Nis chan ’eil teagamh nach robh a’ Ghaidhlig in detail the professional bardic verse, with the gu math siubhlach anns a’ chearn ris an canar social organisation that lay behind it, during Knightswood an diugh an uair a chuireadh ainm the period of its strength and of its decline; it air an ionad sin an toiseach. Mar dhearbhadh would consider the folk-poetry which appeared tha na h-ainmeannan Gaidhlig: Dalmuir, at the other end, so to speak, of the bardic Duntocher, Cochno (a fhuair an t-ainm o na hierarchy, and the stages which lie in between; cuachan agus na cearcaill, cup and ring mark- it would give an account of the content, the ings, leis am bheil creag mhor dhilinn air a nature and the achievement of Gaelic poetry in comhdachadh), Yoker, air a choirbeadh o the various periods, whether these be distin- Eochair (bruach aibhne), agus nach ’eil Bruach guished as centuries or otherwise; it would Chluaidh (Clydebank) r’a thaobh. discuss poetry which can be distinguished by Thugadh Knightswood mar ghabhail- type, or genre, such as the or an mor, satire, fearainn do bhuidheann de Knights-Templars a nature poetry, etc. ; such a book would also shuidhicheadh an seo ri linn a’ Chogaidh trace the development of Gaelic prose, dis- Naomha (Crusades). Tha an clachan beag cussing its affinities with the prose of the Middle (Temple) agus, cuideachd, Jordanhill mar Gaelic or Early Modern Irish period, and chuimhneachain orra, air chor agus nach considering the influence of English prose on bitheadh “Coille nan Ridirean” idir as an it, especially in the 18th century and afterwards; rathad mar ainm Gaidhlig air an aite. it would discuss the translations into Gaelic Leis gach durachd bhlath, which have done so much to mould the later Gaelic prose style, and to influence the vocabu- Is mise, lary generally (I am thinking especially of the A. MacNeacail. translations of the Bible); it would consider the essay form in Gaelic, and the changes in fashion which have affected this form; it would treat of periodical literature generally, of the FIFTY-NINTH MOD AT OBAN, development of the short story, of the 2nd-5th October, 1962 stunted growth of the novel, and the meagre Mod Entries close on 28th May, 1962. development of dramatic work. 42 — | In attempting all this, the book I have in What then, is the outline, or the framework, fimind would not only be a compendium of which such a pupil should have in his mind? (factual knowledge (and perhaps some conjec- (1) He should have some notion of the early iiture!); it would also contain opinions, or organisation and content of Gaelic literature, literary assessments, which would be clearly here using Gaelic to include Irish as well as distinguishable from facts. Scottish Gaelic. It is of importance to stress the aspect of organisation for two reasons | A history of Gaelic literature on this scale (a) because this gives us an opportunity to ,|has never been attempted before. It would be consider a system very different from that we a most useful tool in the hands of teachers, of know today (with regard to law, religion, whatever stage in the school, and it might be social obligation, etc.), and a system, moreover, I directly usable by senior secondary pupils. that was characteristically Celtic, and so of ' 'But a more modest text-book is required for the interest to the descendants or representatives i use of the pupil in school, and such a text-book of the Celtic people, and (b) the literary organi- ^should concentrate on literary movements, sation, with its scribes, bardic schools, ranks j menre, and the more notable authors. The and types of bard, influenced the type of (experiment of writing such a book in Gaelic literature which was produced for centuries in •should be tried. Ireland and Scotland, and may still influence • We lack this literary tool at the moment, Gaelic poetry, perhaps unknown to the writer. What I propose to do here is to sketch, in a But this aspect of literary history would little more detail, the form that such a book probably, in schools, be dealt with in very might take, and to suggest some of the areas general terms. ijOf Gaelic reading which might profitably be (2) Every student of Gaelic should, secondly, [Undertaken in schools. For part of that reading know something about the folk songs which ;no suitable school texts are at present available, form such a valuable and interesting part of ' but if we were to reach some measure of agree- the Gaelic poetic heritage—verse which was, in iment on a desirable programme, the provision the earlier part of our period produced by of the texts, or some of them, might be a less non-union members, so to speak, or perhaps Troublesome undertaking than we sometimes occasionally by bards who did not have their Imagine. union cards on display. This poetry can be ; I would hold it as an axiom that no student brought vividly alive in different ways. Much who professes Gaelic as a subject throughout of it, indeed, needs no bush: the poetry is | the Senior Secondary course should be ignorant vital and pulsating; the story is vivid, the of the main developments in Scottish Gaelic emotions are bared. Take as an example the [literature from the 16th century to the present song dealing with the rough treatment which -day. The mass of this literature is not over- Uisdean Mac Gille-easbuig Chleirich meted out !whelming, and in this mass, there is, as in to the MacVicars of N. Uist in the late 16th ' most literatures, a fairly substantial proportion century: |of literary work which is highly derivative, A fhir mhoir o shliabh a’ Chuilinn ^repetitive, or of little account, as literature, in ’S laidir thu fein, ’s treun do bhuille; | some other way. When due account is taken Mo sheachd mollachd aig do mhuime jof this, it should not be impossible to introduce Nach d’ leag i glim ort no uileann ischool pupils to specimens of the worth-while Mun d’ mharbh thu na braithrean uile. ^literature of most periods, and also, possibly, ******** . to develop more deeply their knowledge and Ghabh Domhnall Odhar a’ chuartach, [appreciation of one or more special periods, or ’S ole am faothachadh a fhuair e, Tthe work of several individual authors. But the ’Ga ruith le biodagan fuara, (net result should surely be that the pupil ’S na coin mhor ’ga chur gu ruagadh, [ leaves school with a broadly accurate picture Na coin sheanga, loma, luatha, ^ in his mind of the nature and extent of the ’Ga chur fo chruidhean each uaislean. >, literature of his own country—general picture ******** I of the content, style and social background of Uisdein mhoir ’ic Leasba Chleirich, I that literature, and a reasonably accurate Far an laigh thu slan na h-eirich, | notion of its chronology. He will have ac- Sgeul do bhais gu mnathan Shleite, fc quired, by the way, some knowledge of where Do mhionach a bhith ’n cirb do leine, to find books or passages which he may want Agus dhomhsa mo chuid fhein dheth. j; to return to, for pleasure or for other purposes, [Carmina Gadelica, V) j If this were not the result of his years of Gaelic There was no need for this poetess to invent | study, we would have to ask whether that study plot or situation, no need to make an imagi- was a profitable one, in a literary sense. native reconstruction of the instincts for — 43 — vengeance: this is a direct, passionate tran- of usable texts. The’admirable edition of Mary scription from life, and it brings vividly alive MacLeod’s verse has been out of print for years. for us an aspect of 16th century life in the An exhaustive edition of Iain Lom’s poetry is Highlands. It is not a pretty aspect, but there to be published shortly, edited by my colleague , is no reason why we should not look at it. at Aberdeen, Dr. Annie Kackenzie, and I Certainly it is. less sordid than the Manuel understand that Mr. William Matheson is well trial, which provided literary pabulum for this advanced with his edition of An Clarsair Dali. country for some weeks in the summer of 1958. When these books appear, the position will be : Some of this poetry, certainly, would not be greatly improved. But the difficulty of much easy to read in school, as for example the curse 17th century poetry will still remain a formi-i (pronounced by a woman who had lost her dable obstacle for school purposes. Yet the children) on another woman who had defamed importance of the history of the 17th century her: Highlands is very great, and some attempt musli A bhean a chuir orm an ailis be made to have this literature more adequately ■ Cha ghuidh mise sgrios dha t ’anam, represented in Gaelic curricula. Much of this Ach bhith agad fios mo ghalair, literature is a commentary on the history of the ! Do chioch bhith lan ’s do ghluin falamh. Highlands, and the study of both literature and Chuir mi cuignear anns an talamh, history should here be very closely integrated. Una ’s Sine, Mor is Alasdair,. The poetry throws light on clan feuds and Ailean a’ chuil rinn mo sgaradh. politics, e.g., Iain Lom’s on the Campbell- 1 (MacDonald Collection, 254) MacDonald feud, Eachann Bacach’s on the Clanj But much of this song-poetry can, I think, Maclean. It gives us some of the Highland be read with profit in school, and can be used background to national events—the Montrose ' to illumine Highland history and the Gaelic Wars, the Restoration, the Revolution of life of earlier centuries. Consider this vivid 1688-9, the Union of the Parliaments at thej caption to a picture of cattle-raiding: beginning of the 18th century. But perhaps! A mhnathan a’ chruidh, an crodh a’ geum- more important, this poetry was written out naich, of a thoroughly Gaelic background, before the! Gaoir nan creach ’gan cur o cheile. Anglicising of the chiefs had gone very deep, i (MacDonald Collection, 242) Or, to take just one more example, consider before Evangelism, or national schemes of Mary MacLoed’s idyllic picture of Dunvegan: education, had brought non-Gaelic influences toi 'S ann ’na thigh mor bear on the people. The poetry of the 18th! A fhuair mi am macnas, century is usually studied in preference to this J (i Danns ’ le simnd air because it is more comprehensible, less foreignj Urlar farsaing, to our. now semi-Gaelic culture. But it should In An fhidhleireachd ’gam be our aim to arrive at a fuller understanding of Chur a chadal, the Gaelic way of life. A’ phiobaireachd How is this to be achieved ? The matted : Mo dhiisgadh maidne. needs much careful thought, and I can offer only in That picture can be contrasted, mournfully, a partial solution here. Much work remains tol with the narrow way offered by some contem- be done in studying this period, and building . porary Highland ecclesiastics. up a picture of life in the Highlands in the i But I need not linger too long over this type 17th century. Without doubt, such later of poetry, as its interest is better acknowledged collections of folk-literature and J. F. Campi now than it was a few years ago. What I wish bell’s West Highland Tales, and Alexander i to stress is this: by judicious selection a Carmichael’s Carmina Gadelica, together with| valuable school anthology of this verse could the collections made in this century, are vitally la be made, with poems that would serve as important sources of information in this u landmarks in the pupil’s mind, pin-pointing connection. We should attempt to distil from historical events, social (or anti-social!) cus- such sources the essence of Gaelic civilization p toms, ways of thought, among his Gaelic in the early modern period. It would b€ ancestors; and poems, too, that would tell- an desirable to include fairly copious selections tt exciting story with a remarkable economy of from such collections in Gaelic school anthologies words and of detail. accompanied perhaps by explanatory and n (3) Coming to the better-known poetry of the illustrative notes. If the aim in Gaelic studies i. 17th century, we find a number of difficulties is to comprehend the Gaelic way of life as a whole, in the way of studying it in schools. It is, as the study of individual aspects, as of language ; yet, imperfectly and incompletely edited and or poetry, will become less arid, more fruitful. published, so that there is a chronic shortage [To be continued) used the same speed, and now send each other Ar Canain (Canned) a good “letter” in Gaelic without scraping a Gillehsbuig MacMhuirich stone or a piece of paper. To be quite frank, this matter of writing, HAVE you ever wished that you could though more enduring than the tapes (what is recall a long-dead friend’s words? the Gaelic for tape-recorder?) is only the ghost Have you ever wished that you had of speech. What learner can possibly learn the put down your own ideas even for such a trivial correct bias, or the thick Celtic “Is”, or asso- thing as shopping needs? Yes? then you are nance from writing? What teacher, could .not alone; mankind has been trying to can words possibly endure repeating his words as often to keep keep them ever-fresh in the same way as a tape-recorder can ? A book of poetry is a as he has been trying to keep food. dead thing compared to the living words. Who In the days of the Druids our only record was can compare the dead printed page of Ben sgrlob—scratching or scraping. These words Dorain and Agus ho Mhorag to hearing the live were written right to left in a series of notches voices singing them or even reciting them. I on, above or below a line. This kind of look forward to the day when An Comunn will writing was called Ogham, and has come down have a tape lending library, sending tape- to us on beautifully carved stones and in commentaries of Grammar books and complete manuscripts but not in the Druid fan-rib tapes of all our great Gaelic literature, bardachd books that the early Christians burned. and beul-aithris ? Most people would not mind [ Christianity aspirated the last letter of paying a moderate fee to buy or borrow such sgriob, to give us the verb “to write’’,—• tapes. How many an isolated crofter or \-,Sgriobh and this solitary, anti-social means of shepherd, who knows the language well, would recording has been the only one open to us from not be delighted to gather with his family . the days of Colm Cille and his Iona monks till round the tape-recorder to hear the latest to-day. sgeulachdan and ceilidh that has come through All of us went through hell in school learning the post? how to can words with a pencil and decode At the moment the only use of the tape- ;; words that printers had canned for us, in our recorder has been to collect and store all our ; reading-books. As like as not, our instruction wonderful songs and beul-aithris in the School was wholly in the English language. (If we of Scottish Studies. The School’s publication did indeed have any instruction in what of three records does not even scrape the surface Alasdair MacMhaighstir Alasdair calls “Seann of the wealth of beul-aithris available. While Chanain Albannach’’—the old Scottish Lan- it is most worthy to have a central store of nuts, guage, you can be sure that it was taught in like a squirrel, that can be looked up now and the English language.) again; again like the squirrel—is it not more For many centuries food was kept sort of life-giving to sow all the varied treasures of “fresh” only by drying or salting it. Now we Gaelic oral tradition where they will grow? have cans and deep-freeze. None of us will Namely, in the ears of those of us who know the deny that this is a boon—even if they haven’t language already, of the learners and of the got as far as putting the labels in Gaelic yet! children that will come after us? (Because we haven’t attacked and wheedled „ them into doing so.) f That is service to the mouth for eating. What about that higher product of the mouth— ! speaking ? The service to speaking ought to Trevadennad An Buhez Keltiek bind us together in our fight for Scotland’s own language which is fighting desperately for its A New Celtic Movement life at this very minute ? These post-war years By Garbhan MacAoiph (Girvan McKay) I have seen a weapon that most of us haven’t yet AMONG the many suggestions which have discovered, and one that is within our financial been put forward with the object of treach—the tape-recorder. preserving the Gaelic language, perhaps A vast array of all different sizes and kinds the most ambitious was that made by somebody are in the shops to-day, either for electricity who, according to press reports, proposed that mains or torch batteries. some body such as An Comunn should purchase Tape-recorder uses are legion; I heard of a Scottish island and establish an all-Gaelic two friends, thousands of miles apart—neither centre there. It now appears that a group of had been taught in these all-Engiish institutions Celts (mostly Bretons) have been thinking along i: called “schools” how to read and write Gaelic, similar lines and have come up with what is . so they each bought a tape-recorder. They perhaps the most drastic proposal made by any — 45 — Celtic association. This group, which calls itself Trevadennad an buhez keltiek (‘ ‘ The Celtic A Visit to Rhum Life Colony”) has abandoned all hope of saving Iain Cameron the Celtic languages from within the areas where The varying temperatures, tropical or other-i they are now spoken. It is therefore proposed wise, governed by the plant life existing in each! to recruit a nucleus of speakers of the Celtic greenhouse as well as the wide variety ofi languages from Brittany, Scotland, Isle of Man fruit being grown, carried one far beyond thel and Cornwall (and possibly Ireland) with a view boundaries of western Scotland. Turtles and* to establishing an all-Celtic colony far from tropical reptiles were to be found, surroundedi the influences of English and French linguistic by tropical vegetation, in huge glass covered! pressure. Trevadennad apparently has in mind water tanks. Sea water, heated to the properl something on the pattern of the Gaelic Com- temperature, was pumped from the seashore toi munity in Cape Breton or the Welsh of Pata- fill the tanks. In time some of the reptiles! gonia, but of a much more autonomous nature. became dangerous and it was found necessary] It is hoped that such a community may thus to dispose of them. Some of them contained: be able to keep alive the Celtic languages long in jars of preservative spirit are still to be found after they have become extinct in their home- on the island. A huge glass conservatory lands, and perhaps even inspire persons in contained tropical birds of all descriptions whose: those homelands to re-adopt their ancient gay plumage and varied calls gave one an: languages. The leader of this “extremist” insight of bird life in lands far removed from! wing of the Celtic language movement is a Rhum. young Breton, Alain-Yves Le Goff—or, as he The home farm modelled on modern lines] prefers to call himself, Alan Youinn (‘ ‘ Eoghan ’ ’) was run at a high level of efficiency and the; Ar Gow—who is is at present working with the breeding of Highland ponies produced more than’ Department of Agriculture at Andapa, Mada- one animal which returned from several High-! gascar. Mr. Le Goff is disappointed with the land Agricultural Shows throughout Scotland] effects of modern life on the Celtic areas and carrying premier awards to the island. In the: wishes to see a return to something more closely book Highland Ponies by John Macdonald, an] resembling the way of life of our ancestors. As authority on the subject, it is suggested that] an agriculturalist he would like the Celtic the ponies, which are still to be found roaming! peoples to go back to pastoral farming and in a group of between twenty and thirty on the fishing, supplementing their income with art island, are descended from Spanish ponies which] work and other pursuits of a traditional nature. came ashore from boats of the Spanish Armada'j He does not feel that the Celtic nations can wrecked on the coast. The boats from the: compete with other highly industrialised com- Armada wrecked on Rhum would appear to munities, nor does he think it desirous for have carried ponies instead of gold and treasure] them to attempt to do so. It appears that the which is said to lie awaiting salvage at the' choice of a location for this pastoral community bottom of the sea not far distant from Rhum.; has not yet been finally settled, but already During Sir George Bullough’s proprietorship^ several persons in various countries are reported the introduction of new blood from the New to have expressed interest in the scheme, and Forest in England improved the breed immensely! advertising for recruits has already commenced and these ponies formed a valuable reserve from:: in the French, Scottish and Cornish press. It which hill ponies used in the deer stalking!: now remains to be seen whether this plan will season were drawn as well as providing through-!; have any more success than the many schemes out the year an endless source of enjoyment to > which have been started with a view to im- the youths in the island when ponies were being j proving the lot of the Celtic peoples or their ‘ ‘ broken ’ ’ for general farm work. languages, and of which little is now heard. Around the farm was developed the village] i It may well be that any form of enthusiasm of Kinloch comprising cottage-type houses ofi; for the language and culture of the Celt is to modern design bearing not the least relation! be welcomed in these days of apathy, and to the thatched cottages so common at that ■ certainly Mr. Le Goff is to be admired for his time in Western Scotland. Roads were con-j zeal, however utopian his ideas may seem to be. structed from the village to Kilmory and Harris!: Even those who do not agree with his con- seven and five miles distant respectively and!: clusions will find his views stimulating. His the introduction of two Albion motor cars]: address is: Monsieur A. M. Le Goff, Service de completed the transformation from the old to:;1 L’Agriculture, Andapa, Madagascar, and he is the new. Rhum must be one of the few places, always pleased to hear from Scottish Gaels and where at that time motor cars were run ; to exchange ideas with regard to mutual without Road Fund licences and without | linguistic problems. Certificates of Insurance which comply with 46 — Part 3 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930. Gradually well acquainted with the varying scenes of city the island, so long described as a lonely and life in the far off days. A query from the barren Atlantic outpost, became, to those islander as to the reason for a large crowd being fortunate to be within its bounds, a haven of gathered at a certain spot brought the reply comfort and beauty and to those to whom entry that a man was being hung for sheep stealing. was denied, a lavish rich man's playground The islander, shocked at this method of dealing absorbing without any profitable return the with a sheep stealer, stopped in his tracks and profits of the Lancashire cotton mills in which exclaimed, “Man, Man; hanging a fellow for Sir George Bullough had controlling interests. stealing sheeps! Could he no have bought the . The intention of Sir George Bullough was, damn things and no paid for them?”. : of course, to make Rhum his permanent home but circumstances, and possibly the influence Sir George Bullough built a modern school of Lady Bullough decreed otherwise and he and church combined on the island. Before and made his home at Newmarket where his interests during the 1914/18 War the school attendance in horse breeding and racing met with con- was in the region of twenty-five pupils. The t siderable success. Each year the event eagerly numbers have gradually decreased until now looked forward to by his employees in Rhum, there are two pupils attending. There is no l particularly the children, was the arrival in resident doctor on the island as the one doctor Loch Scrisort of the yacht Rhouma, in May, serving the Parish of Small Isles resides in to commence a season extending to October in Eigg. He can make the journey to Rhum, if i which house parties including many celebrities called on and if the weather is good, by motor of the day, roused from their beds each morning boat in less than an hour. It is not uncommon ■ at 8 o’clock by a piper in full Highland dress though for the doctor, in bad weather, to make ■ playing round the castle, took part in yachting, use of the post office telegraph to obtain his : fishing, deer stalking and grouse shooting. The patient’s symptoms and pass on his medical | annual sports run solely for the enjoyment of advice in the same manner. Although Rhum [ the employees and families were on an expen- is, like many other places, too thinly populated : sive scale and competition between gardeners, to justify a resident doctor the authorities may l farm workers, gamekeepers, shepherds and the be guided by the following few lines in which, ; crew of the Rhouma, numbering forty-three, no doubt, lie some truth:— ' maintained excitement which gave the onlooker “The surest road to health, say what they [ the impression that more than local prestige will, was at stake. Is never to suppose we shall be ill. The importation of new stock from English Most of the evils we poor mortals know ; forests soon brought the deer on the island to From doctors and imagination flow. ’ ’ a high standard and it was as the importance of The Island of Rhum breeds, I am afraid, the deer forest increased that the privacy of more midges than any other place I know. The ! the island was rigidly enforced. Poaching raids same density of insect life appears to have been ! from the mainland became a menace and, on present in the very early days and it is said that ! one occasion, in the wake of a boat returning the midge pest was made use of as a means of f from the shores of Rhum to Mallaig sixteen punishment. The story is told of a man who \ deer skins were counted. This indicated the was stripped of his clothes and tied hand and * result of one profitable raid on the island where foot to a tree and within the hour was found . no respect would be paid by the poachers to the dead, covered by midges. The tale surrounding f class or standard of deer slaughtered. Could a this unfortunate man’s punishment and death | proprietor, who had carefully built up a deer is that, with another man, he was sent to the | forest stock and who took care to shoot only village churchyard at Kilmory, about five miles jj the poor heads, be blamed in such circumstances from Kinloch, to bury the body of a child. | for taking precautions to protect his own The journey was on foot and a snowstorm j property just as a poultry keeper would be overtook the men, who decided to bury the i forced to take precautions to prevent damage by child on the hillside halfway to the churchyard. | persons raiding his stock? I understand that Some time later the two men quarrelled and < during the present time sheep stealing from the one told the story to the child’s father who, in \ tenant who rents the island for grazing is not anger, seized the other man, stripped him and uncommon and is carried out in the same tied him to a tree. His wife, hearing of this, [ manner—raids by boats from the mainland. pled with her husband to release the man and ; Sheep stealing would appear to have been he was prevailed upon to do so but before he ; commonplace in much earlier times as is borne got back to him he was dead. What truth -> out by the story of a native from Rhum on his there is in this story I do not know but today ; first visit to Glasgow being shown round by one the midge menace is formidable and a child's gravestone stands on the hillside in an isolated other private estates throughout Scotland, spot between Kinloch and Kilmory. which had provided homes and employment for For the first fifteen or twenty years of this large families, had reached their peak and were century Rhum was recognised as a progressive obviously on the decline. though strictly private estate and a common The hiker and the geologist have in recent period of service by the employees was between years found their way to Rhum and with twenty and thirty years. The outbreak of the permission have been permitted to stay on the 1914/18 War, however, brought many changes island for a few days, the hiker to explore the and within months of its outbreak the garden hills and glens previously reserved for deer staff was reduced to three while the remaining stalkers and the geologist to collect interesting male population of military age was corres- information about this island to which so few pondingly depleted. The Rhouma disappeared reference books give space. Day trips from to take up naval patrol service and the house Mallaig by motor boat are arranged during the parties which had so enlivened the summer summer months allowing one hour ashore. The seasons were no more. Loch Scrisort became well known post office telephone kiosk made its a regular base for patrol boats and mine sweepers appearance in Rhum in 1951 for the first time and vegetables from the gardens along with and the number ‘ ‘ Rhum 1 ’ ’ appearing in the venison were supplied in season to supplement telephone directory is surely another step in the food reserves on these boats. Sir George abolishing Rhum’s policy of isolationism which visited the island rarely during the war years has been the subject of so much criticism and and so matters were left pretty much in the a contact with the mainland far in advance of hands of an estate factor whose popularity the old telegraph system which an old High- decreased with his length of service. There is lander so aptly described to his less well a lot of truth in what an old gamekeeper said informed neighbours in the following manner:— in describing the two worst forms in vermin “Look you’’, he said, “this telegraph line in the highlands. He placed the factor first is like this; if you wass to stretch my collie and the hoodie crow second. Any one who dog from Rhum to Arisaig and if you wass to knows the menace of the hoodie crow in a tread on its tail in Rhum and it barked in gamekeepers’ life can imagine the popularity Arisaig—that’s the telegraph’’. or otherwise of the factor. And so, as we leave Rhum by the only As the war years progressed it was evident outward steamer on a Thursday morning, we that Rhum would never again regain its look back on a island where there is no housing standard of wealth so apparent in its short shortage but on an island which in the short twentieth century life; the gardens soon showed period of twenty years or so rose from obscurity signs of neglect; the green houses, through lack and loneliness to an unbelievable state of of heating and repair, soon became a liability wealth and comfort and which has, just as and gradually different portions were allowed rapidly, descended to perhaps a poorer state, to fall into dususe. The lawns around the economically, than that in which we found it castle, once as smooth as bowling greens and at the beginning of my talk. the pride of those who cared for them were now As we leave the Lochmor at Mallaig to join used to produce hay crops, while roads and the train for the south we look across the sea avenues received little attention. The Rhouma to the outline of Rhum, an outline which time had disappeared for good and, after the war, has not changed throughout the centuries but Sir George on his short visits to Rhum travelled we hesitate to forecast what the future holds by ordinary mail steamer and perhaps chartered for this land of majestic hills and mist filled a small motor yacht for a few weeks to cover corries. Only history as yet unwritten, can his stay. As the years progressed between the supply the answer. wars the shadow of neglect fell more and more across the island. Parents, whose life on the island extended to forty and fifty years and whose families had grown up and left to seek GLASGOW LOCAL MOD employment on the mainland only to return for short annual holidays, thought it was time in The Highlanders’ Institute to make a move and gradually the number of on 14th, 15th and 16th June, 1962. occupied dwelling houses became less and less and some, which had been occupied by one Joint Secretaries: family from the time of their construction, have Miss Catherine A. MacNiven, remained unoccupied since that family moved 492 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, C 3. out. The curtain slowly but surely began to Miss Catriona MacLeod, come down on an era in which Rhum and many 7 Houston Street, Glasgow, C.5. AN GAIDHEAL THE GAEL Editor—BON ALB GRANT, B.A., 95 MUNRO ROAD, GLASGOW, W.3, to whom all correspondence should he addressed except that concerning advertising which should be addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer. 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C 2 Telephone: DOUglas 1433 Leabhar LVII AN CEITEIN, 1962 Aireamh 5 air gus an ruig e an staid mhuladach air an Leasachadh Na Canain d’thug mi iomradh mar tha. CHAN ’eil a’ Ghaidhlig farsainn gu leor Ma nithear saothair a. chum a’ chanain a chur airson feuman an latha an diugh. Tha air an aon steidh ri canainean eile, bheir sin a 1 faclan ura a dhith oimn agus chan ’eil dhi neart iir. Ni e inneal ghleusda dhith nach iad ri am faotainn. Chan e nach ’eil cuid a’ cuir naire air dume ’sam bith, oir bithidh i cumail a mach nach e cion nam faclan ura as comasach mu chomhair gach suidheachaidh a miosa, ach call nan seann fhaclan. Feumar dh’fhaodas eirigh. I aideachadh gun teagamh gu bheil na seann Tha e furasda a radh gu bheil faclan lira a ’! fhaclan a’ dol a cleachdadh. De a their sinn dhith oirnn ach chan ’eil e cho furasda innseadh mu Ghaidhlig an fhir a bha ag innseadh mu’n cia as a thig iad. Tha comuinn is sgoilearan [ bhata a’ seoladh troimh an chaol, “Dhropaig ris an obair. Thogadh a’ cheisd iomadh uair. | i ’n t-anchor agus dh’ fhoulaig i ’n cable”. Tha moran meorachaidh a’ dol air adhart, agus I Cha b’e aon chuidaineolas air na faclan a bh'ann, beagan saothair, ach chan ’eil an toradh no cion nam faclan a dh’fhaodadh a bhith ann, follaiseach. ' a bu choireach an seo, ach fior-shuarachas mu A leigeil ris aon de dhuilgheadasan na ciiise,. | na faclan a tha againn fhathast (’s math gu faodar a thoirt fanear gu bheil tri faclan air an bheil) ann am pailteas. cur air adhart airson aeroplane—itealan, soith- Tha a’ Ghaidhlig a’ fas meirgeach, ach chan each-adhair, agus pleuna. Tha iad sin a’ ’eil i cho meirgeach sin buileach. Tha i a’ foillseachadh nan tri doighean anns a bheil ' fas meirgeach far a bheil i air a cleachdadh mar daoine a’ dol an sis anns an obair, facal ur i dhara canain. Faodar a ladh gur e Gaidhlig a dheilbh aig a bheil buntannas ris an ni air a mheirgeach as fhearr na a bhith gun Ghaidhlig bheil sinn a’ bruidhinn, da fhacal a chur ri ! idir, ach far an ruig a’ mheirg an ire a dh’ cheile (doigh a tha gu trie slaodach), no cruth fhoillsich mi shuas, chan urrainn a’ chrioch Gaidhlig a chur air an fhacal Bheurla. a bhith fad air falbh. Agus cha leig sinn a An dean e a’ chuis na faclan fhagail aig an leas aithreachas a ghabhail: chan fhiach a t-sluagh gus an dean iad fhein roghainn? ’S \ leithid seo de Ghaidhlig a bhith air a caomh- docha gum b’ e sin an doigh cheart nam bitheadh ; nadh. na faclan a’ tighinn gu ’n cluasan no gu ’n 1 Chan e sin deireadh an sgeoil. Tha moran siiilean trie gu leoir, ach mar a tha cuisean an ann fhathast a tha deonach a’ Ghaidhlig a drasda, theagamh nach e gin dhe na tri faclan bhruidhinn agus a’ cur am feum anns gach sin a rachadh a thaghadh ach am facal Beurla suidheachadh anns an doigh as fhearr a ghabhas fhein gun mhiithadh ’sam bith. 1 deanamh. Tha iad seo airidh air cuideachadh Bithidh clann-sgoile uaireannan a’ cleach- 1 agus ’s e dheasanas nan uile aig a bheil ixidh dadh da sheorsa seol-bruidhne, aon anns an sgoil anns a’ chanain a bhith 'ga h-uidheamachadh agus aon eile ri an companaich. Tha eagal ( air son feum an latha seo fhein. orra, ma chleachdas iad na faclan cearta a’ Mar a tha gnothaichean an drasda, tha leisgeul bruidhinn air a’ bhlar-a-muigh, gum bi c&ch math aig an neach a chleachdas a’ Ghaidhlig a’ sma.ointeachadh gu bheil ia.d a’ fas car mor agus a’ Bheurla a measg a’ cheile. Ma their asda fhein agus gum bi iad a’ magadh orra. e nach ’eil a’ chanain coimhlionta, cha ghabh Tha an ni ceudna a’ tachairt mu inbhich a’ sin aicheadh. Aon uair ’s gun nochd sinn labhairt na Gaidhlig. Cha mhath leotha gun i co-fhaireachadh leis anns a’ bheachd seo, chan cuirear fearas-mhor dhe’n t-seorsa seo as an ; ’eil fhios cait an stad e. Faodaidh e cumail leth. — 49 — Chan ’eil rathad reidh ri fhaicinn as an bhuadhan ort, cha mhotha bhios dith saoibhreis lathaich a tha seo. Faodaidh sinn ionnsachadh ort bho so a mach ! ’ ’ o dhiithchannan eile. Tha faclair ur aig na Thogadh ard iolach ! Mun tainig an oidhche h-Eireannaich. Tha am B.B.C. a’ deanamh gu crich, bu lionmhor deoch slainte a chaidh cuideachaidh. Tuilleadh leabhraichean a 61 gu duineil, caithreamach do’n dithis a fhuair dhith oirnn, tha mi cinnteach, leabhraichean a coimhlionadh do aon achan dhurachdach an theid a leughadh. Searmonan Gaidhlig: cridhe. dealbhan-cluiche. Phos an charaid an iiine ghearr, agus cho fad’ ’s is fiosrach mise, bha iad tuilleadh cho sona ’s a bha an laithean cho fada. Bodaich Ghleusda nan Nuair a bhithear ag agairt nan Caimbeulach airson mort Ghleann Cumha, feumar a chuimh- Laithean a Dh’ Aom neachadh mur a b’e oircheas Caimbeulaich oig, Le ghleusda, nach robh duine idir air tarragh as Tormop Domhnallach bho’n chlaidheamh air a’ mhaduinn dhobhaidh Dh' ullaich an triath cuirm mhdr dhaibh-san ud. So mar a thachair. a bha an geall air a nighinn . . . Chuireadh na saighdearan air am mionnan nach Bu ghasda comhdhail nam fiuran a shuidh innseadh iad do neach na bh’air aithne dhaibh slos mu na buird a lion an seomar aoidheachd. a dheanamh le an ceannardan cuilbheartach. Ghabh an tighearna ’aite aig ceann an aird Chuir an ceanaltas ’s an cairdeas a nochd na bhiiird agus ri thaobh chunnacas a’ deal adh h-aoidhean, muinntir a’ Ghlinne tur a barail mar aon reult an fheasgair, suil a’ mheallaidh, gu robh foill 's am bith fainear dhaibh is cha uidh gach leannain. robh dachaigh anns ah aite nach do dh’fhailtich Anns a’ cheud dol a mach, sheas am flath a an t-arm le furan. chuir failte fhurbhailteach air a’ chomhlan. Bha aon saighdear de’n fheachd chealgaich Air dha am beatha dheanamh, mar bu mhath anns an robh fiughantachd is moralachd inntinn a b’aithne dha, labhair e na briathran a leanas: nach robh ann an each. Chuir esan roimhe ‘ ‘ Nuair a chuireas an luchd frithealaidh na nach soirbhicheadh le cluipearachd an- trinnsearan bidhe air gach bord, seididh iad as iochdmhor chladhairean ’n an gabhadh e na coinnlean gu leir. An sin, sinidh gach leasachadh. fear a mach a lamh is ni e greim air cnap feola Bu shar phiobaire e agus dh’eirich e gu ro da fein. Theid na coinnlean a lasadh a rithisd mhoch, uine mhath roimh an uair a bh’air a agus am fear aig am bi an cnap as motha chuir a mach airson an sgrios. Sheid e suas a’ gheibh esan Fionnaghal mar a mhnaoi. phiob mhor is chum e air ’ga cluich tre’n Thainig na trinnsearan a steach agus cha bu Ghleann. trinnsearan ach iad! Bha de mheudachd anns Cha chualas am port a bh’aige riamh roimhe, gach aon diubh agus anns a’ charn feola de na do bhrigh’s gur e fein a rinn e airson an aobhair : h-uile seorsa a bh’air an uachdar ’s gun tug e a Mhnathan a’ Ghlinne so, leoir do dhithis fear gach trinnsear a ghiulain Mhnathan a’ Ghlinne so, eatorra. Mhnathan a’ Ghlinne so ’s mithich dhuibh Chuireadh na soluis as. An ceann tiotadh eirigh ! ghlaodh an tighearna: “Am bheil sibh deiseil? ’S mis’ rinn a’ mhocheirigh, ’s sibhse chuir Am bheil laoch gun fheoil ’n a laimh ? ’ ’ Ghlaodh feum air’. na h-uile: “Ta sinn deas ! ” Thachair gu robh boirionnach anns an Lasadh na coinnlean 's b’e sud an sealladh ! Ghleann aig an robh cluas-chiiiil. Nis, ’se Cha robh mac mathar gun deathad feola ’n a buaidh iongantach a bha anns a’ chluas-chiuil laimh. Am fear aig nach robh ceathramh agus is ann air neach anabarrach ainneamh a caorach bha tunnag no giadh aige, ’s an aon bhairigeadh i. aig nach faicte eun chite maigheach no muc- Ta cluas-chiuil a’ ciallachadh barrachd agus fhebil, no caob feidh ’n a spoig. Ach a dhuine geiread claisneachd gu ceol a thogail’s a chumail chridhe, co bha thall air cul cathrach na h- air chuimhne. Ged nach cluinneadh a’ chluas- ighne is a ghairdeanan foghainteach gu teann chiiiil ach a mhain an ceol ’ga chluich, thogadh mu timchioll, ach gum b’e ceathairneach is thuigeadh i briathran a’ phuirt mar an Baile an Dail ! ceudna. ' ‘ Mo liagh thu fein ! ’ ’ ghlaodh am morfhear, Cho luath’s a dhiiisg am port a’ bhan-Domhnal- “Ged nach eil maoin no m6ran seilbh agad, lach, thuig i an teachdaireachd. Cha robh de chan’eil cion eanchainn no misnich ort. Choi- thide aice ach air na dliith choimhearsnaich a sinn thu lamh Fhionnaghail! Is tusa a rinn chuir ’n am faireachadh agus b’e sud an greim air a’ chnap feola as luachmhoire ta fa aireamh bhig a rinn air na bealaich, 's a fhuair ar comhair an nochd. Mar nach eil dith am beatha leotha. Is trie a chaidh gleusdachd a’ Ghaidheil a linntean ud roimh Achd an Fhoghluim a thuit dhearbhadh an cixirt stait is eaglais. e ’n a thighead. j Nach e croitear ann an Duthaich MhicAoidh, Anns an t-seann aimsir, cha robh na bu a thug do aon de na morfhearan dearga an lugha na tri oil-thaighean air taobh an iar na fhreagairt bu gheire a fhuair e riamh. Am Gaidhealtachd, oil-thaighean cho math ’s a feadh ’s a bha an croitear ag innse aig aon de bha ann an cearn eile de Bhreatuinn. Bha aon chiiirtean an fhearainn, cho caol ’s a bha an diubh sud ann an Aird-Chatain, an Earragh- crodh aige, dh’fheoraich am breitheamh de cho aidheal, aon eile ’s an Mhanachain (Beauly) caol ’s a bha iad. ‘ ‘ Cho caol ri crodh caol na agus an treas fear ann an Cairinnis, an h-Eiphit!” ars’ am bodach. “De cho caol ’s Uibhist a Tuath. a bha iadsan ? ’ ’ dh’fhaighneachd am morfhear. Bha uair a bhruidhneadh Gaidheil Aird- ‘ ‘ Cho caol ’s nach faiceadh tu iad ach ann am Chatain, na Manachainn, agus Chairinnis an bruadar !’’ fhreagair an Caoidheach. Laidionn a cheart cho fileanta ri cainnt an Bha te uaireiginn anns an Eilean Fhada ris duthcha, a’ Ghaidhlig. an abradh iad Cailleach Barnaidh. Bhiodh am B’e Domhnall Ruadh Caolas Bhearnaraidh, boirionnach so a’ dol le cairt is each bho aite an sgoilear mu dheireadh a chaidh oileanachadh gu aite, leis gach seorsa bathair air an ann an oil-thaigh Chairinnis agus bu ghleusda, smaoinicheadh tu, agus am measg a h-uile ionnsaichte an duine e ! iomasgaoileadh eile, bha i ’reic deur de dheoch Cha robh Domhnall ach ’n a threise, an am laidir. bliadhna Thearlaich. Sheas e gu dileas air Uair de na h-uairean a thadhail i ann am baile taobh a’ Phrionnsa agus nan robh Tearlach iomallach de Leodhas, fhuair bodach a bha ann air a chomhairle a ghabhail an oidhche roimh an sin beagan ghlainneachan thar na bhlar Chuil-lodair, bha a’ bhuaidh air a bhi dh’fheumadh e bho’n chaillich, a chuir an leis gu cinnteach. An aite deanamh mar a dubh dhaorach air. Thainig an rud a bh’ann ghuidh Domhnall air, is ann a chuir am PriOnnsa gu cluasan an t-seisein agus chuireadh tips earbsa ann an stiuireadh fir eile a b’airde inbhe thun an bhodaich airson tighinn fa’n comhair. ’s morchuis agus b’e sin a chuir air an B’eiginn da so a dheanamh. An deidh do’n a’ t-seachran e. choinneamh a bhi air a fosgladh, sheas esan Bhuineadh Domhnall do theaghlach morair- mar a dh’iarradh air an lathair nam foirbheach. ean Chloinn Domhnaill Shleibhte, aig an robh Bhruidhinn am ministear air a’ mhodh so: an comhnuidh ann an caisteal Dhuntuilm, “Chaidh a radh ruinn gun robh thu air an agus an deidh 1730, ann am Mogstat, an Cille- daoraich aig cairt Chaillich Barnaidh. Feum- Mhoire. B’esan an treas mac aig Raonull aidh tu innse gu fior de uiread ’s a dh’61 thu Domhnallach, Fear Bhailesear, an Uibhist agus carson a dh’61 thu uiread ! ’ ’ “Ni mi sin, a Tuath. B’e an Raonull so mac diolain do a mhinistear. Le bhi ’fuireach air an fhirinn, Sir Seumas Mor Shleibhte. gun ni a chumail an cleith, dh’61 mi coig Rugadh Fear Bhailesear anns an bhliadhna ghlainneachan,’’ dh’aidich am fear eile. 1660, no dluth do’n am sin, ann an Cille- ‘ ‘ Coig ghlainneachan! ’ ’ dh ’aithris an ceasna- Mhoire, far an deach a thogail. Air dha chair le uamhas. Nan 61ainn-sa lan aon eirigh suas, ghabh e fearann Bhailesear, far an ghlainne fein chuireadh i air slaic mo dhroma do dh’fhuirich e re na cuid eile de a bheatha. mi !’’ “ A mhinistear,’’ fhreagair am bodach, Bha e airson grunnan bhliadhnachan ’n a “Is fearr gu mor aon ghlainne de’n uisge- bhailidh air oighreachdan fhir-cinnidh Sir bheatha agaibh-se na coig de’n digh’ aig Domhnall MacDhomhnaill, ann an Uibhist. Cailleach Barnaidh ! !” Fhuair Domhnall Ruadh a’ cheud chuid de Chaidh an seisean uile gu gaireachdaich, is fhoghlum bho Iain Mac-a-Phearsoin, maighistir- leigeadh am bodach mu sgaoil gun aichbheil, sgoile Orboist, faisg air Dunbheagain. Bha gun ascaoin. Maighistir Mac-a-Phfearsoin ainmeil airson Ann a bhi ’leughadh an iomlain leabhraichean ’fhoghluim anns na seann chanainean, Laidionn a chaidh a sgriobhadh mu’n Ghaidhealtachd, agus Greigis. bheireadh iad a chreidsinn oirnn gu robh dith B’e Iain an dara mac do’n Urramach sgoile cho mor air ar duthaich is gun robh an Diighall Mac-a-Phearsoin, M.A. , ministear sluagh gu leir, anns gach linn, fo dhoille an Dhiuranais an Eilean a’ Cheo. Bha Clann aineolais, gus an do dhaingnicheadh Achd an a-Phearsoin so ’nam ministearan anns an Eilean Fhoghluim eadar na bliadhnachan 1872-76. fad’ aireamh linntean. Fhuair iad cliii mor Chan’eil teagamh nach robh na Gaidheil mar sgoilearan Laidionn. B’e fear diubh, an airson ceud no dha bliadhna air bheagan fogh- Urramach Iain Mac-a-Phearsoin, M.A. , D.D. , lum coimheach, ach bha am foghlum fein aca ’s a bha ann an Sgire Shleibhte, nuair a thadhail cha bu shuarach idir e. Ma dh’iadh dorchadas an t-Ollamh Maclain air agus a rinn e a leithid an aineolais air ar sluagh, is ann anns na de mholadh air a’ phears-eaglais Sgitheanach — 51 — airson a chomasan. Mar sin, cha bu ghann nach fheitheamh, a’ deilbh gach innleachd bu d’fhuair Domhnall Ruadh deagh oilean. Mar sheolta na cheile, airson a dhion, gus an a thubhairt sinn cheana, chuir e crioch air d’fhuair e a liobhraigeadh gu sabhailte fo sgeith ’ionnsachadh ann an Cairinnis. thearmuinn Caiptin Chaluim MhicLeoid Chan e mhain gu’n l.eughadh agus gu’n Ratharsair, gle mhoch ’s an mhadumn Di- sgriobhadh Domhnall Ruadh ann an Laidionn Mairt, a’ cheud latha de mhios deireannach an agus ann an Greigis, ach rinn e na h-uireid de t-samhraidh, 1746. bhardachd anns an Laidionn.. - An oidhche roimhe sin, bha Domhnall agus Ged bha dachaigh Dhomhnaill ann an Fionnaghal Nic Dhomhnaill a’ feitheamh Uibhist, bha e air ainmeachadh cho fad’ ’s Thearlaich ann an tigh-osda Phort Righeadh. bu bheo e air Cnoc O, aite tuinidh a dhaoine. Choisich am Prionnsa a Cinnseborg thun an Thachair do fhear ar sgeoil a bhi maille ri a ionaid-chdmhlachaidh so, maille ri buachaille dhluth charaid Sir Alasdair MacDhomhnaill, Fir Chinnseborg, balach mu aon-bhliadhna-deug ann am Mogstat, nuair a thainig am Prionnsa de aois, do’m b’ainm MacCuinn. Air do uisge do Alba anns an bhliadhna 1745. Anns an trom a bhi ann, fad’ na slighe, dhruidh air dearbh latha thainig an teachdaireachd, bu Tearlach gu na seiche. Fhuair e co-dhiu, mhiann leis falbh a chuideachadh Thearlaich, deathad bidhe is ’aodach flinch a chuir dheth ach chuir Sir Alasdair stad air. agus thug Domhnall dha fheileadh fein a bha Cha chumadh comhairle no earail chairdean blath tioram. Is ann anns an tigh-osda so, ’s bacail air Dbmhnall Ruadh aon uair ’s gun cha b’ann air a’ chladach, mar a ta an t-OUamh cual e gun d’fhuair am Prionnsa a’ bhuaidh Urramach Alasdair MacGriogair ag radh ’n a aig Prestonpans. Rinn e air tir-mor gu leabhar, a ghabh Fionnaghal beannachd leis a’ h-ealamh. Chum e roimhe mu dheas gus an Phrionnsa. B’ann air a’ chladach a dh’fhag tainig e suas ri Clann MhicFhionghuin an e beannachd aig Domhnall. t-Srath, faiSg air baile Chraoibh. Ri tide, thill Domhnall Ruadh air ais do Cho luath ’s a rainig an Domhnallach Dun Uibhist, far an do dh’fhosgail sgoil anns an Eideann, ghabh e ann an reiseamaid Fir na robh e a’ teagasg clann nan uaislean, iomadh Ceipich. An deidh Rlar na h-Eaglaise Brice, bliadhna. Is ann dha fein a thigeadh! Nan chaidh ardachadh gu bhi ’n a chaiptin, ann an deanadh eolas chanainean e, bu mhath a ghnoth- reiseamaid Chloinn Raonuill, a lean e gus an ach ris an dreuchd. deach a Icon anns a’ chois ann am blar Chuil- Biodh sin mar a bhiodh e, cha chumadh Lodair. an tuarasdal ud neach ach ann am beoshlaint’ Leointe ’s mar a bha e, chaidh aig a’ Chaiptin mheadhonach, oir cha b’urrainn gu robh air coiseachd coig mile gu Bun-Chraoibh aireamh nan oganach aig an rachadh air paidh- (Bunchrew) far an d’fhuair e each a rinn e a eadh airson sgoile, ro lionmhor anns an latha mharcachd gu Caol Loch Aillse. An deidh bh’ ann ,agus cha b’ioghnadh ged a ghabh an faotainn thar a’ Chaolais rinn e direach air Domhnallach tuathanachas Caolais Bhearnar- taigh an lighiche Iain MhicGill’ Leathain, ann aidh, an ceann a tuath Uibhist, goirid roimh an Shulista, dluth do Dhuntuilm. Dh’fhuirich an bhliadhna 1764. Domhnall ann an taigh an lighiche cheudna gus Saoilidh mi gu robh na briathran anns an do an deach a chas am feabhas. mhol MacCodrum Sir Seumas- MacDhomhnaill, Bha aithrichean MhicGill’ Leathain uine a cheart cho freagarrach do churaidh a’ Chaolais: fhada ’n an lighichean ann an Shulista, far an Mo rim an sar ghaisgeach, robh baile fearainn aca. Fear 6g a’ chuil chleachdaich, ’S e sgoilear mor Laidionn agus Greigis a Fear mordhalach gasda bh’anns an leigh Iain, agus chuir an Caiptin Gun ghaiseadh gun taire ; seachad a thide 'n a dhachaigh gus an d’fhuair Curaidh nam brataichean—• e na b’fhearr, a’ leughadh bardachd Homer Guineach ri’m bagairt iad— anns an Ghreigis. Mar leithobair, rinn e dain Chuireadh an t-sradag anabarrach math anns an Laidionn, do'n a’ ’N a lasair gun smaladh, chois chrixbaich. A bhuaileadh a’ chollaid Ta an t-iomradh so, mar a ta iomadh iomradh Mu’n chluain air an cromadh iad, eile, a’ sealltainn dhuinn an inbhidh aird gus Ghluaiseadh gun somaltachd an tainig sgoilearachd ann an dachaidhean ’N coinneamh nan namhaid, dhaoine cothromach air feadh an Eilein Le Spainneachaibh loma, Sgitheanaich, anns na laithean ud. Le musgaidibh troma, Fa-dheoidh, nuair a rainig Tearlach Cille- Le fudar caol meallach Mhoire, bha Domhnall Ruadh ann an sin ’ga ’N am teannadh ri lamhach. M Da Rogha Bhuaidh Cumha Do Niall Mac Gille Le Na Seoid” Sheathanaich RUGADH mi is fhuair mi m’arach ann an eilean beag is a chiiil ri Aimeirioga agus Na facail agus am fenn le ’aghaidh ris na Hearadh. ’Se am Eoghann Mac Laomuinn, Bun-Easain. bith-beo a bha aig sluagh an eilein a bhith ag Gleus F. iasgach ghiomach. Cha robh laimrig no cala ri fhaighinn ach mar a dh’ fhag an cruthachadh { d | n s,| 1,: S|:-.l,| d :-.n: n | r : d : - j. an cladach. B’fheudar na h-eathraichean a Mo thruai - ghe is m’airsneul o’n dh’eug oimn au gais-geach tharraing gach oidhche suas air mol cas, agus uairean cha bhitheadh an sgioba ach gann. Bha bodach ’s a’ bhaile ris an canadh iad {n |s :-.n : s| 1 : s :-.l | r : - : - } Aonghas Ruadh. ’S trie a chunnaic mi e am Bha diir-achd-ach cumh-achd-ach treun; bearradh a’ chladaich is e a’ faicinn beagan dhaoine an spaim is a’ dol gu uchd an dichill, { d | n s, | 1,: s,: -.1,| d s,| 1,: d agus theid cha teid aca air eathar suas am mol. ’Se ’gam brosnachadh, dh’ eigheadh e, “Da Neo-ghealt-ach’s neo-sgatli-ach, ’s cul-taic - e nan Gitidh-eal rogha bhuaidh le na seoid’ ’. Nam bithinn-sa ’na mo shearmonaiche—rud nach ’eil—’s e sin { r . r | n :-.r: n | 1 : s :-.S|| d : - : - j. an ceann teagaisg a chuirinn air na rainn-sa:— ’S Uonmhor cridh - e tha brili-te ’nad dheigh. De is ciall do’n t-srann ’tha ’togail sunnd An uchd nan treubh mu thuath— An e gu bheil an Fheinn ’nan diiisg 2 As ur o 'n tamh ’s an uaimh? O’n chualas gun dh’eug thu tha smal air mo O sud na feachdan 6g a’ gluasd leirsinn, Do ’n dual bhith ’seasamh teann Is cadal cha tig air mo shiiil; Air chill gach beus ’tha fillte suas ’S gur mise tha deurach o’n chaill mi mo An dualchas tir nam beann. speiread— Tha m’aighear is m’eibhneas air chul. Rinn Clann an Fhraoich co-cheangal leinn A dhaingneachadh ’g ur miann. As seo bidh sinn ’nar rogha Gaidheil 3 ’S cha chaill sinn feasd d’ a chionn. S ann an Tir nam Beann Arda a fhuair thusa Ach coma ged nach tig air laimh t’arach. Aon saibhreas, duais, no stath, Ann an cuideachd do chairdean ’s luchd- ’Se toirt gu crich na gheall sinn daibh daimh; ’Ni saibhir sinn do ghnath. ’ S o’ n sheas thu gu dileas ri d’ chanain ’ s ri Ni sinn ar n-inntinn ardachadh d’ shinnsear Le bardachd ’ s aithris beoil, Gheibh thu dioladh am Parras nan Naomh. Na gnathan-cuimhne altrumadh A b’ aill le ar sinnsrean coir; 4 Ar cuirp le cruas a thoirt gu gleus Nan seann laoch treun a dh’ aom, Tuilleadh ’sa’ cheilidh cha chluinn sinn do 'S ar n-aigne a chumail striochta seimh sgeulachd, ’S chan eisd sinn ri eibhneas do luaidh; Gu feum ar cinne-daond. O’n tha thu nis sinte aig socair is siochaint Ach ni sinn surd air iomain biiill An caol-chiste dhiiinte na truaigh. Air campaichean ’s air spors, Air cleasan aighearach ’s dealbh-chluich, Is cuirmean-cnuic ’s an corr. 5 Thoir dhuinn gach ni ’nar canain chneasd— Cha till thusa tuilleadh ged thilleas an duill- Oir ’s ceart a cumail slan— each, ’S chan iarr sinn ach bhith beb am feasd Cha till thu gu duthaich nan sonn; ’Nar beatha Ghaidhealaich lan. Oir tha thu ’san aireamh ’tha cadal gu sabhailt’ Sgeir-a-C«rogaire. 'S nach duisg gus an seidear an tromb. poetry, and the understanding of human nature Uaislean Uige and Human failings, to read a poet’s work Chan ’eil duine a tha eolach ann an Leodhas entire. This can sometimes be very depressing, nach tug an aire an t-eadar-dhealachadh mor a but young people are resilient, and may come tha eadar muinntir Uige agus sluagh eile an to no harm by reading the whole of Donnchadh eilein. Nuair a bha an troimh-a-cheile mu Ban or Rob Bonn, or even Wordsworth or easaontachd nan eagiaisean ann an Leodhas, Tennyson. By such an exercise we can form thug Camshronach a’ Bhac ratoillidh air a’ a more complete, rounded estimate of a poet’s choithional aige agus thuirt e seo, “Tha clann achievement and worth, and can then begin to an dorchadais ann an Uig nas soilleire na clann appreciate why some poems are anthologised, an t-solais ’sa’ choir de Lecdhas’ Chuala mi and not others. By having consumed so much Nisich is Rudhaich agus muinntir nan Loch ’nan roughage, so to speak, we can by contrast enjoy cois a’ toirt seachad am beachd air na h-Uigich, the dessert or the savoury. Also, the interplay ach gu dearbha chan ’eil mi fhein buileach of biography and poetry, which is often interes- cinnteach fhathast an e cho faisg is a tha na ing although not always relevant, can begin to h-Uigich air na Hearadh no cho i'ada ’s a tha be more meaningful when we are dealing with iad o an Eilean Sgiathanach a dh’fhag iad mar a poet’s entire works. a tha iad. Such an exercise, again, may encourage the S.T.B. growth of discrimination and taste. T. S. Eliot, in his essays on The Use of Poetry and An Approach to Scottish Gaelic the Use of Criticism, says ‘ ‘ I doubt whether it is possible to explain to Literature school children or even undergraduates the By Derick S. Thomson (Contd). difference of degree among poets, and I doubt As regards the main representative 17th whether it is wise to try; they have not yet century poets, the selection made by Watson had enough experience of life for these matters in Bdrdachd Ghdidhlig was excellent, and perhaps to have much meaning. The perception of why the main point to stress here is that for an Shakespeare, or Dante, or Sophocles holds the adequate understanding of 17th century poetry, place he has is something which comes only this selection should be regarded as a minimal very slowly in the course of living . . . . ” one, to be supplemented by additional poems (p. 35) by the major bards, and some of the folk-poetry That seems certainly to be true, but the mentioned earlier. discrimination I have in mind is a much more (Perhaps this is as suitable a place as any modest one. We have no author of the stature to state a belief which I hold almost passionately of Shakespeare or Dante or Sophocles in Gaelic —that we should strive by all means to avoid literature, but we can surely hope that pupils leaving pupils with an impression that Gaelic will appreciate the distinction between, let us literature is contained within the covers of two say, Mdiri Bhdn Og and Ceanug Mbir, and go or three books. Some people have gone through on from there to make ever finer distinctions! school and University hardly realising the Besides studying a poet, or poets, in depth, existence of other Gaelic books beyond Bdrdachd I would suggest that we make some attempt, and Rosg, and sometimes taking a flying leap in schools, to study a genre, or more than one from these straight into Old Irish. But there genre of literature in depth. But perhaps genre are more things in Heaven and Earth than are is too wide a term for what I have in mind. dreamt of in that philosophy!) Gaelic poetry, like most other poetries, is full (4) I need not, I think, say very much about of themes which have been bandied about from the choice of 18th century poetry. Here we one poet to the next. It is useful, and interesting have adequate editions of the main poets, and to take one such theme, and follow it throughout this poetry is much more wide'ly read in schools the course of Gaelic poetry. T. F. O’Rahilly than 17th century poetry is. But there are did this with a limited period of Irish love- two topics in particular that may be worth poetry, in his Ddnta Grddha, and the same discussing. The first is the advisability of could be done with Scottish Gaelic love-poetry, studying in depth the work of one poet or of ranging, let us say, from Iseabail Nf Mhic more than one. Anthologies are sometimes like Cailein’s Mairg d’an galar an grddh to a poem Readers’ Digests, conducive to superficial know- like this one of Iain Smith’s, which recalls, I ledge, in this case of a poet or a period. Also, suppose, an old love affair, where the lady has the idiosyncracies of the anthologist may become as elusive (in a mental rather than a produce an unbalanced picture. It is a help physical sense) as the treasures of the Spanish towards the understanding of the nature of ship sunk in Tobermory Bay, and where the 54 — poet pictures himself as a diver, searching the Cnoc an Fhradhairc or a poem by George floor of the sea, and hoping to bring the old Campbell Hay on Kintyre. treasure to the surface: This kind of treatment helps to give unity and perspective to the study of Gaelic literature. Gun fhios dhomh tha thu air aigeann m’ When we come to the 19th century, and inntinn particularly after the middle of that century, mar fhear-tadhail grunnd na mara the content of Gaelic literature alters to a le chlogad ’s a dha shuil mhoir, considerable extent. De-nationalising in- ’s chan aithne dhomh ceart t ’ fhiamh no fluences have done much by this time to change do dhoigh the character of Gaelic life; the particular an deidh coig bliadhna shiantan brand of evangelism popularised in the 18th time dortadh eadar mise ’s til: century and reinforced in the 19th by a crude fanaticism, have produced guilt complexes about beanntan biiirn gun ainm a’ dortadh some cultural activities; the drift from the eadar mise ’gad shlaodadh air bord Highlands has gathered great momentum, and ’s t’ fhiamh ’s do dhbighean ’nam lamhan much of the printed literature is by now com- fann. posed by Gaels living in the cities, or exiled Chaidh thu air chall overseas; after 1872 the structure of Highland am measg lusan diomhair a’ ghrunna education puts English on a pedestal, and helps anns an leth sholus uaine gun ghradh, to foster an inferiority complex about Gaelic and its literature. The century had brought ’S chan eirich thu. chaoidh air bharr cuain, much strife and bitterness to the Highlands— a chaoidh’s mo lamhan a’ slaodadh gun sgur, sectarian strife, and strife connected with ’s chan aithne dhomh do shlighe idir, evictions of the tenantry. It would seem as if thusa ann an leth sholus do shuain the energies of the people had been sapped to a a’ tathaich aigeann na mara gun tamh large degree, and many of the men of intelligence ’s mise slaodadh ’s a’ slaodadh air uachdar and energy who were left in the Highlands cuain. devoted their talents to social reform. Some of [Gairm, Vol. 1, issue 2, p. 87) the poets were reformers also, as William It seems to me that one can see an interesting, Livingstone and to a lesser extent Mairi Mhor and indeed exciting, progression from the 16th nan Oran. But many of them were content to to the 20th century, in this theme of poetry. make sweet little nostalgic songs. Many of the Other themes show a less violent fluctuation. love-songs of this period seem to arise out of Some, indeed, show a depressing monotony, as induced moods; many of the songs of exile, in the case of “clan-poetry, i.e. , the sort of even, have an artificial ring, and they have verse in which a chief is indirectly praised by been ringing out in the ceilidh halls for fifty saying that this and that clan would come to years, ousting many better songs. his banner in time of battle. You can see this In some respects, then, the 19th century type of theme in Mary MacLeod’s An Crdnan: shows us the spectacle of a culture in decline. Is leat MacShimidh o’n Aird, Yet there were distinct elements of growth too. Is MacCoinnich Chinn t-Sail.... Periodical literature began to thrive before the Iain Lorn indulges in this sort of versifying too, middle of the century, and continued to thrive as do Iain Dubh Mac Iain ’ic Ailein {Oran nam until the time of the first World War. Instead Fineachan Gaidhealach), Alasdair MacMhaighstir of the almost exclusively religious prose of the Alasdair, Donnchadh Ban and John MacCodrum. 18th century (most of it translation from No doubt the best-known example is Cabarfeidh. English), a much more varied prose literature As poetry much of this is tedious enough, but began to grow, with Caraid nan Gaidheal and if questions on clans and their chiefs are still Donald MacKechnie of Jura as two of its most set in the ‘ ‘ Highers ’ ’, this is a way of preparing distinguished figures. By all the laws this for them, and at the same time learning how development in prose should have produced bad habits can be copied by poets as well novelists, as were produced in Wales, but as good! apparently the Gaelic community was not More instructive, perhaps, would be a study quite strong enough to foster any significant in depth of Nature poetry in Gaelic. This development in this way. But these develop- should properly begin with Old Irish poetry, ments, or the lack of them, belong to the 20th but even in Scottish Gaelic a good range can century—in the 19th the essay was the charac- be got, from the incidental natural imagery in teristic prose form. There is room for a good religious verse of the 16th and 17th centuries, anthology of 19th and early 20th century through the great period of the 18th century, essays, and with a good introduction, both and down to such a poem as Angus Robertson's historical and critical, this could be a valuable tool in teachers’ hands. As it is, of course, such books as MacKechnie’s Am Fear Ciuil Letter to Editor and the prose writings of Donald Mackinnon and Donald Lamont can be used. It seems to 33 CORSTORPHINE HlLL AVENUk, me particularly important that more prose Edinburgh, 12. should be studied in schools, since Gaelic \m April, 1962. literature gives the impression of being lop- The Editor, sided, with its heavy emphasis on verse. Also An Gaidheal. pupils should be encouraged, or indeed required, Dear Sir, to read Gaelic more widely at home, partly Mr. Iain Cameron, writing about the Island . because it is unreasonable to expect to read of Rhum in the March issue oi An Gaidheal, widely enough in school hours, and partly to points out that the name is of obscure origin combat the idea which I mentioned earlier— and very rightly rejects the derivation from that Gaelic reading is a ritual which can be rum proposed in the Statistical Account. This observed only when holding a red or a green word is simply the English ‘ ‘room’ ’ , and or a black-covered book in the hands, Bdrdachd anyway does not agree in vowel quantity with Rosg or the Bible. the Gaelic name which is Rum, genitive Ruim. To sum up, then, what seem to me to be the For a true homonym it would be better to main requirements in school courses on Gaelic take rumach, defined as “a slimy tough kind literature, they are these: of marsh or puddle”, together with the adjec- 1. The achievement of a reasonably clear tive Rumach seen in an Cuilinn Rumach, the picture of the development of the litera- Coolin of Rhum; indeed, Blackie’s Dictionary ture, with reference to periods and of Place-Names interpreted Romney in Kent by movements, together with a reasonably reference to ‘‘Gael. Rumach” (Isaac Taylor: accurate notion of the chronology. “ruimne”, sic), a marsh, but this could not 2. The reading, either in school or at home, apply equally to Rhum in any case. The of a sufficient volume of work from each genitive Ruim appears as Ruimm in the older of these periods to allow the pupil to Irish literature, where the forms Ruimean and assimilate the flavour of each period. Ruiminn also occur (W. J. Watson, History of This may involve a somewhat larger the Celtic Place-Names of Scotland): compare prescription of 17th century verse, both Dean Munro’s spelling “Ronin”. In its folk-poetry and the work of recognised earlier prehistoric form the name would be bards, than is normal in most schools. RUMM(EN)—or something like that. It may involve also more systematic Since the loss of an unaspirated initial “d” reading of 19th century texts than is could not be accounted for phonetically, we usual. must also discard Johnston’s construction 3. The study of the works of one poet, or ‘T-druim” although Ratcliffe Barnett, in The more, in extenso, with the provision of Road to Rannoch and the Summer Isles, agrees adequate biographical and historical back- with Mr. Cameron that ‘‘the Isle of Ridges” ground. This, to use an Irishism, would would be appropriate for Rhum. Evidently be a horizontal study in depth. no satisfactory explanation of the name is 4. The study of some trends of schools in forthcoming from Gaelic. Perhaps therefore I literature, either prose or poetry, but may be permitted to carry the search further normally in poetry, e.g. , Nature poetry among the sister languages of the group that in Gaelic. This would be a vertical study comprises British or Welsh, ‘Tritenic” or in depth. Pictish, and Gaulish. 5. The development, by the above means, of Now the History of the Britons, first compiled powers of discrimination and taste. about the year 685, states that Ruim (or in a variant reading Ruoihm) was the British name for the Isle of Thanet: hence allegedly Ramsgate, ‘ ‘the passage of Ruim’ ’. One is tempted to believe that both islands bore forms of the same GLASGOW LOCAL MOD name; yet, close as the resemblance appears, in The Highlanders’ Institute it proves to be impossible to reconcile the on 14th, 15th and 16th June, 1962. vowels of Ruim and our Rum. Precisely from Joint Secretaries: that period—the second half of the seventh Miss Catherine A. MacNiven, century (K- H. Jackson, Language and History 492 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, C.3. in Early Britain)—the long “e” of Common Miss Catriona MacLeod, Celtic representing original “ei” became “ui” 7 Houston Street, Glasgow, C.5. in British; e.g., luit, Welsh Iwyt now llwyd, grey, Early Irish and Gael. liath. Comm. Celt. between these two islands goes back at least LETOS, originally (P)LEITOS, cf. Sanskrit to the middle of the 16th century, when Dean , palitas. Probably therefore Ruim stands for Munro wrote that Rhum ‘ ‘pertains to Mckena- an Old British or Gallo-Brittonic REMA, brey of Colla”—i.e., Maclain Abrach or | REMO-, cognate with Old Irish riam, before, MacLean of Coll. Buchanan, who followed [ formerly, Ir. and Gael, riamh, ever (of past Munro’s descriptions, mentions “the high [time), Orig. Celt. (P)REIMO-, cf. Lithuanian rocks of Rum’ ’ [History of Scotland); and [ ( pirmas and Gothic fruma, Old English forma although the meaning of pre-Celtic RUMM [ (PRMO-S), first. It would mean literally is irrecoverably lost, we may perhaps surmise “Foremost Land”—the North Foreland of that it bore some reference to those “high \ Kent is in Thanet. Likewise the Remi, a rocks’ ’ or the characteristic high peaks of | powerful tribe in Belgic Gaul, would be the which Mr. Cameron writes. : ‘ ‘Foremost People’ ’. Yours faithfully, On the other hand Rum cannot be from ' REMO-, unless just possibly it can be shown K. B- Jamieson, i to have entered Gaelic somehow through the (Coinneach Brus MacSheumais) 1 medium of Pictish. Such a thesis might be (maintained if, as Professor Jackson thinks ! possible on the basis of the names Uuid (Wuid) and VEDA [The Problem of the Piets, ed. Comunn Gaidhealach Loch Fin < Wainwright), Pictish had changed long “e” A meeting of all interested persons was held in f to “ui” even earlier than British. The the Public Hill in Ardrishaig for the purpose of f Gaelicised forms of Pictish Uuid—Foith, Fathe, forming a branch of An Comunn Gaidhealach in the j etc.—tell against this, however, while two suchLoch organisation.Fyneside area, Thewhich, meeting for manycommenced years, hadwith noa other names Brude Uip (Wip; Caledonian and Ceilidh during which the business of electing Office i Gaulish VEPO-S, O. Ir. fiach, Orig. Celt. bearers, etc., took place. Present at the meeting were [ WEIQOS, raven (of battles), cf. Icelandic vigr, Mr. Malcolm MacLeod, Secretary of An Comunn I fit for war) and Uipoig uainet or Vipog-ueneth Gaidhealach and Mrs. Edgar, Vice-President. Mr. , (translated Fiacha the White-. Wipoig-Fiacha is AlasdairMr. MalcolmMacLeod, MacLecd Achnaba, gave was an Fear-an-taighe. introductory talk j for VEPAX-VECAX orig. WEIQAK-S, on the aims of An Comunn while Mrs. Edgar spoke [ “Crow” ?) illustrate the regular Pictish deve- of the work of the Propaganda Committee. Both ; lopment of long ‘ ‘e’ ’ to “i” . No doubt the welcomednew branch the and interest wished show^i it every in the success. formation of the \ Piets would have said Rim rather than Ruim. The following Office Bearers were elected:— | Stokes valiantly tried to save Rhum for President: Mr. William Galbraith, Ardrishaig. | Indo-European philology by identifying it with Vice-Presidents: Mrs. Isabel Campbell, Lochgilphead. ' Greek rhombos, rhumbos, whirling motion, Secretary:Mr. Alasdair Miss MacLeod, Jean Ross, Achnaba. 16 Argyll Street, Loch- [ bull-roarer, a lozenge-shaped figure, although gilphead . [ the last is a derived meaning and the verb Treasurer: Mr. Harry Fyfe, Tayvallich. , rhembein proves by “e/o ablaut” that the form Committee: Mrs. M- MacVicar, Ardrishaig. l with “o” is original. True, our island does Mr. A. Henry, Tarbert. | present a somewhat rhomboid shape on the MissMr. DuncanMacKay, MacDonald, Tarbert. Tayvallich. j map, but we must remember that the people Mr. John Macdonald, Lochgilphead. ! who named it possessed neither maps nor As there was no one present from the Craignish, aeroplanes. mitteeKilmartin members and Minard already areas, elected it wasto co-opt left to representa- the Com- f The remaining possibility is the one mentioned tives from these areas and at their first committee I already by Professor Watson that ‘ ‘Rum may meeting, it was decided to send invitations to persons I be pre-Celtic’ ’. This solution seems the more who were known to take an active interest in Gaelic. I acceptable because several other islands of the ToC. MacIntyre,date, invitations Minard, have and beenRev. accepted N. MacKay, by Mrs. Craig- E. \ Inner Hebrides, notably Coll (Colosus) and nish. | Tiree (Land of Eth), probably also Mull The first function to be organised by the branch [ (Malaios), and perhaps Islay [He), have pre- was a Ceilidh in Tayvallich on the 4 th of May, followed I served what may be their prehistoric non-Celtic, byhoped a Whist to hold Drive functions in Cairnbaan in all theon areas15th May.represented It is ■ non-Indo-European names through the Old in the branch. I Gaelic and Norse periods and down to the At the inaugural meeting and Ceilidh, singers from L present day. Almost certainly the correct Lochgilphead,Accompaniments Ardrishaig were provided and Tayvallich by Mrs • J. took J. Craw-part. !r ancient name of the Hebrides, Ebudae, is ford, Lochgilphead, music for dancing was supplied non-Celtic too. The Hypothesis that both by Fraser McGlynn, Tarbert, and Pipe music by Pipe ; Rhum and Coll represent a late pre-Celtic Major Neil Crawford, Lochgilphead. Tea was served , language survival may be in some measure by the ladies of Ardrishaig Gaelic Choir. The branch ; strengthened by the fact that the connection arefor agrateful very generous to the Mid-Argyll donation toAssociation the fund. in Glasgow — 57 It was intimated that delivery of a reprint Executive Council of the third illustrated Gaelic reader and of the The Gaelic Meeting of the Executive Council fifth and final reader of the series is expected was held in An Comunn Office on Saturday, shortly. 31st March. The President, Mr. Hugh Macphee, The Committee felt the need for a publicity was. in the Chair, and he extended a cordial and sales committee and three members — welcome to the twenty-seven members who Mrs. J. M. Bannerman, Mr. Roderick were present. Mackinnon, Mr. Calum Morrison—were nomi- Sympathetic reference was made to the nated to serve on this sub-committee. passing of five staunch supporters of the Gaelic In the minute of the Propaganda Committee cause. These were Miss J. C. MacDonald, it was intimated that music teachers had been sister of Colonel J. MacDonald, Viewfield, engaged for the Mods in Ardnamurchan and Portree; Mrs. J. A. MacLeish, Chieftainess of Sutherland. A new Branch, the Lochfyne the Gaelic Society of Perth; Rev. John Robert- Branch, was recently formed at Ardrishaig. son, Strathtay, who associated himself with the The minute of the Art and Industry Com- Gaelic cause in Perthshire and particularly the mittee, presented by the Convener, Mrs. M. C. Aberfeldy Mod; Mr. MacDougall, a native of Edgar, gave details of the competitions pre- Mull, and a brother of Rev. John MacDougall, scribed for next year’s National Mod in Perth. Falkirk; and Mr. Angus Mackay, who was Local The Council approved the recommendation made Treasurer of the National Mod held in Dunoon by the President to send details of these com- in 1950. petitions to schools in the Highland Counties. Minutes of two meetings of the Advisory A minute of the Mod and Music Committee, Committee were submitted. The Advisory giving the songs prescribed for the 1962 Mod, Committee had met those invited to serve on the was approved. Special Enquiry Committee to discuss the remit. Thug am Fear Gairme, Mgr. Domhnall A. Members were pleased to learn that An Comunn MacDhomhnaill, iomradh air A’ Cheilidh had again been invited to arrange a Gaelic Concert “Oidhche sgialachdan is oran” a ghleidh and Ceilidh at this year’s Edinburgh Festival. Comhairle Clann an Fhraoich ’san Dulachd. The Concert will be held in the Usher Hall on Rinneadh ullachadh gu Ceilidh eile, fo’n ainm Friday, 31st August, and the Ceilidh in Leith “Grain le’n eachdraidh’’, a chumail air an Town Hall on 24th Ajrgust. ath mhios. The Council agreed to the recommendation Bha cunntas ’san iomradh air rim Mhgr. to make an appeal for contributions at the Oban Mhurchaidh Mhic Tile Mhoire a thaobh coinn- Mod to a fund to repair the monument to Duncan eamh a chumail fo riaghladh a’ Chomuinn ri Ban Macintyre. Members were also asked to riochdairean bho Chomuinn Ghaidhealach assist in the maintenance of the monument and Ghlaschu gu beachdachadh air clasaichean grave of Rob Donn Mackay. Gaidhlig a steidheachadh air an ath gheamhradh. The Committee congratulated the B.B.C. on Le riochdachadh iomchuidh bho Chomhairlean introducing Gaelic programmes on Television. an Fhoghluim agus a’ Chraobh-sgaoilidh dh’ As a result of representation made by An aontaicheadh coinneamh a chumail aig a’ cheud Comunn, Scottish Television will begin to chothrom gu aire a thoirt do’n chuis. transmit Gaelic programmes at an early date. Miss Kay Matheson, Convener, Comunn na A minute of the Finance Committee, dealing h-Oigridh Committee, referred to a Conference with matters relating to Cnoc nan Rds and the she had attended in connection with the Duke decoration of the Inverness Office, was submitted of Edinburgh Award Scheme and sought the and approved. The Council agreed that An Executive Council’s permission to include Comunn should meet the rentals of the house Comunn na h-Oigridh in the Scheme. The telephones and the cost of legitimate calls Council approved. made by the Secretary and Northern Organiser. Mr. R. Mackay, Convener, gave a brief In presenting a minute of the Publication review of matters which had been considered Committee the Convener, Mr. James Thomson, by the Northern Committee. The Council said that so far the Committee had no one in agreed that consideration of the Northern view to undertake the editorship of Sradag in Organiser’s salary be remitted to the Finance succession to Mr. Roderick Mackinnon. Mr. Committee. It was also approved that the Thomson appealed to members to give serious badge and tie of An Comunn should be sold in consideration to this matter. the Inverness Office and by Branches of An Tribute was paid to Mrs. Bannerman and her Comunn who were prepared to undertake sales. assistants for the handsome sum raised to The next meeting of the Executive Council support the publication of the children’s paper. will be held in Glasgow on Saturday, 9th June, Gaelic is more than a detail in our national The Spread of Gaelic life, but it will not spread if everyone waits for Iain G. Macnair-Smith someone else to move. We are living in an SOME people may say : why not let Gaelic age when nothing physical seems impossible, die a natural death and decline like many but ambitious projects like interplanetary other languages of the world and reduce flight coast astronomical funds, whereas we can them to two: English and Russian? People spread Gaelic and revive our culture without who say such a thing would doubtless be any funds at all, though of course the latter hastening the end of the world if nothing else, would certainly come in useful too. for this could be best achieved by dividing We should point out that Scots Gaelic is humanity in two blocs opposing each other by easier to learn than Celtic languages of the this megalomanic centralization, whereas one Southern group, through the comparative of the main forces that prevent such a catast- absence of “mutations.” Welsh and Cornish rophe are the existance of other languages and are like mountains only for expert climbers, customs that diminish international tension whereas our language is not only accessible to through diverting attention to other forms of the linguist. But in some ways Gaelic is too civilization and culture. oral and in others it is not written enough: to It has often been said there can be no sound spread the language it needs to be used in all international life till there are proper nations, walks of life, not only in poetry and song, but and is Scotland not a nation? If so then in business and public life. However, to make everything that is characteristic of our land Gaelic attractive is a very individual as well as should be fostered and cherished. Those who a collective task. think that Scotland can preserve its identity without keeping its language are victims of an illusion. Not only Scotland would be poorer Treasurer’s Notes for the loss of Gaelic, but the rest of the world National Mod Oban, 1962 besides: do the English (or does anyone, to be Received at Oban— philosophical) really know what they want JumbleMrs. M. SaleC. Edgarand Wheel of £5 when they discourage the use of Gaelic? Dr. Fortune .. .. 72 16 9 Johnson was one of the most energetic oppo- James Livingstone, Esq... nents of Scottish life, yet when he visited the Ceilidh-—Oban Highlands he lamented the decline of local J.Dance—Oban Kennedy and Neil Mac- customs and language. No! One cannot both Lean , Dalmally.. have one’s cake and eat it! Ceilidh—Ballachulish We should, however, not blame the English Ceilidh—Oban High School 10 10 — so much as ourselves if Gaelic declines, for in ConcertCeilidh—Oban at Tarbert 133 1418 —6 this country many are victims of the pessimistic Ceilidh—Creagan .. 50 “Culloden complex” or rather it should be An Comunn—Oban called ‘‘Culloden simplicity”. On account of Ceilidh—Minard .. a battle they consider that the history and Ceilidh—KilninverDance Committee .. identity of the country came to an end in many Concert—Oban High School respects. What nonsense! What was lost in Jumble Sale—Oban a few hours can be regained in a few hours. Dance Committee .. Besides, is it so certain that Scotland lost J. Kennedy, Esq. . . anything at Culloden? After this “defeat” CeilidhEntertainments at Easdale Committee 3 5 2 Scotland has just as many friends if not more Ceilidh at Toberonochy . . 6 3 9 than before and if we look at the matter ‘ ‘sub Dr. K. Burn Murdoch — 10 — specie aeternitatis ” it is only love and affection Lecture—ObanStop Watch Competition 764 107 —1 that accounts. Nobody can force anyone to Dance—Taynuilt .. 50 love anything, but suffering and toil is usually Lecture—Oban 12 13 3 the money with which friendship is bought. Dance—-Oban 14 Those who pin such faith in a united Europe Wheellecture—-Oban of Fortune and international synthesis, might first bear in Dance—Oban mind the importance of attention to detail: Lecture—Oban and in their hurry to unite they discard the Lecture—Oban elements that make uniting attractive. It is Mr.Lecture—Oban & Mrs. J . Livingstone like starting a building with the roof: the detail Lecture—-Oban of digging the foundations may seem hard and Mrs. Hilda M. Campbell of dull work at times, but then we don’t want the Airds building to collapse by neglecting details. Ceilidh—DurorSpotlight of Sport—Oban — 59 — Ceilidh—ObanDance—Oban Previously acknowledgedCentral Fund.. .. ^17113 7 LochearnheadMiss Ewing Hotel — 10 — P.Anonymous Sandeman, Esq.,.. Edinburgh...... — 107 —11 ClanMr. &Maclean Mrs. H. Association Maclean . 5 5 — SkelmorlieVale of Leven & District Branch Highland . . . Associa-. .. . 5 Ceilidh—KilchrenanCeilidh—Cairndow Dunoontion Branch...... 51 — — Ceilidh—EasdaleDance—Oban .. Kilmarnock Branch ...... 10 — — Lecture—ObanRaffle 6 15 — Total as at 31st March, 1962 .. £193 11 6 Ceilidh—ObanWheel of Fortune 2346 56 9 Magazine Fund Prize Draw 116 16 7 AndrewPreviously Torrance, acknowledged Esq., Johnstone, £13 6 6 Ceilidh—ObanAn Comunn—Taynuilt . 2019 16 6 understated in January Magazine .. 6 Dance—Oban 10 16 — Mrs.Anonymous Mary MacLeod, Skye — 14 — Ceilidh—CairnbaanCeilidh—Kilmartin 17 14 — Anonymous — 18 — Ardrishaig Gaelic Choir . 10 10 - Total as at 31st March, 1962 .. 4 - Mrs.(Individual Stewart—Knitting Efforts) Greenock Gaelic Society . Previously acknowledgedComunn na H-Oigridh £135 8 — Ceilidh—ObanA. M • Davidson W. Graham, Esq., Lennoxtown — 8 — Oban High School—F .P Total as at 31st March, 1962 . . £135 16 — AnAssociation Comunn—Dunoon Ceilidh—BallachulishCeilidh—Oban Ceilidh—LochaweBallachulish Choir . . 2510 1 — An Comunn Gaidhealach ClanCeilidh—Oban Colquhoun Association 63 12 6 Life Members Ceilidh—LochgilpheadMrs. M. C. Edgar (Indivi AdditionsOn Roll at to 31st Roll March, ..1961 . . • • 103242 Glasgowdual Efforts) Sutherland Asso 1074 Anelation Comunn—Taynuilt Less Deceased ...... ■ ■ 27 Mr.(Concert, & Mrs. A.Oban).. E. Cameron On Roll at 31st March, 1962 .. 1047 AnKinlochleven Comunn—Kinross School Ordinary Members Salen Gaelic Choir AdditionsOn Roll at to 31st Roll March, ..1961 ...... 1767249 2016 ‘' MatterMull of O] Comunn Tir nai Less transferredMemberships, to Deceased,Life and RepresentativeResigned and Ceilidh—KillinEdinburgh 35 Lapsed ...... • • • • 341 £\ ,992 19 1 On Roll at 31st March, 1962 . . 1675 ReceivedSutherland at Glasgow— Prov. Mod MissCommittee C. A. Macfarlane,.. ■ • ^10 Junior Members D.Dundee G. Duff, ..Esq., ..Oban ... . —•3 153 —^— OnAdditions Roll at to 31st Roll March, ..1961 .. .. ■ • 5887 EdinburghComunn na ClarsaichBranch ..of 2 2 — 145 MissVale M.of LevenM. Morrison, Branch Ayr. . 51 —•1 — Less transferredLapsed .to . Ordinary. . Membership.. . . and• • 16 Blythnian &Society District . .Caledo- . . 3 3 — On Roll at 31st March, 1962 . . 129 MissGourock B. Mackay, Highland Sutherland Associa- 1 Affiliated Societies Mulltion & Iona.. Association .. ■.. . 53 — — AdditionsOn Roll at to 31st Roll March, . 1961...... 651 Thomas Hope, Esq., Edin- 66 burgh ...... 1 — —• Le$s Lapsed ...... • • • • 5 £2,028 3 1 On Roll at 31st March, 1962 .. AN GAIDHEAL THE GAEL Editor—DONALD GRANT, B.A', 95 MUNRO ROAD, GLASGOW, W.3, to whom all correspondence should he addressed except that concerning advertising which should he addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer. 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C.2 Telephone: DOUglas 1433 Leabhar LVH AN T-OG-MHIOS, 1962 Aireamh 6 A dh’aindeoin truimead nam bliadhnachan is lomain-Chaman math le feadhainn dhiubh-san a th’ air an oir BHA mi an latha roimhe air raon an iomain. a bhith a’ toirt a chreidsinn orra fhein, nam Ma dh’innseas mi an fhirinn—tha mi b’e ’s gun earbadh duine caman riutha, gun ’cneidsinn grtr i as fhearr—-cha robh mi deanadh iad moran na b’fhearr leis na an air an raon, ach aig an oir. Bha latha eile fheadhainn aig a bheil iad. ann, nuair nach bitheadh duine idir ’na sheas- amh aig an oir. Bhitheadh a h-uile fear, ’s Thug mi an aire do thri seorsachan dhiubh docha certd air gach taobh, le caman ’na laimh seo. am meadhon an achaidh. Chan ’eil cunntas An toiseach tha feadhainn ann aig a bheil a’ againn air na crevlchdan a dh’fhrtilingeadh anns bharail seo orra fhein, ged nach leig iad sin na laithean sin a dh’fhalbh. Chan ann orra fhaicinn le facal a radh. Aithnichidh tu orra, a tha mise a’ bruidheann, ach air an latha airson sin, ciamar a tha cuisean a’ cordadh roimhe, mar a thuirt mi. riutha. Ma tha bata aig fear mar seo, is glice Tha cuid ann, nuair a dh’ainmicheas tu dhut sixil a chumail air, mun tig e ort gun iomain riutha, a bheireadh ort a chreidsinn rabhadh anns an aobrann. Tha iad seo, am mas fhior, gU bheil iomain an latha ’n diugh a bitheantas, gun lochd ’nan cridhe. cheart cho mi-riaghailteach ’s a bha i ciad A rithist tha an fheadhainn a bhruidhneas bliadhna air ais. Cha toir iad sin a chreidsinn fad na h-uine, uaireannan riutha fhein, Uair- air moran oir tha amharus againn nach ’eil eannan ri duine ’sam bith eile a dh’eisdeas iad ach a’ tarraing asad, airson spoirs dhaibh riutha air an oir, agus Uaireannan ris na fhein. Chan ’eil iad fhein ’ga chreidsinn. cluicheadairean fhein. Ge b ’e co ris a bhruidh- ’S bochd gU dearbh nach d’rachadh tuilleadh neas iad, tha iad a’ leigeil fhaicinn cho math a choimhead na h-iomain an diilgh. Cha ’s a dh’aithnicheas iad cluich mhath seach toirear camain ach do cheithir duine fichead cluich shuarach. Gun teagamh tha an t-eqlas anns gach geama, ach tha na camain a tha air sin aca an comhnaidh. Bheir iad seo comhairle an cleachdadh an diugh cho daor ’s gtf bheil air na cluicheadairean, gU trie ’gan ainmeachadh feum air moran cuideachaidh bhuatha-san nach air an ainm. Tha fhios aca seo gle mhath bi ach a’ seasamh no ’s docha a’ gabhail cuairt nach toir duine feart air an comhairle. Air timcheall na pairce. son aon rud chan ’eil na cluicheadairean ’gan Ged a thigeadh neach gtt aois anns a bheil cluinntinn; airson rud eile, ged a chluinneadh, bata airson taice dha ’ghliiinean nas fheumaile ruigeadh a’ chomhairle iad greiseag an deidh na caman, ’se ni thachdmhor a th’ann, mar a an ama anns am b’urrainn daibh a cUr gu buil. bh’ann air an latha nd a dh’ainmich mi, a Tha an seorsa amharcair seo nas neo-lochdaiche dhol a dh’amharc na h-iomain. Siud far an eadhon na a’ cheud sheorsa. coinnich thu ri seann eolaich nach fhaic thu an Chan ’eil an treas seorsa ro phailt aig an aite sam bith eile. Cuiridh an fhailte a gheibh iomain. Airson fhaicinn aig airde dh’fheum- thu uapa as do bheachd iomagain ’sam bith a adh tu a dhol gu ’n chluich ris an abair iad dh’fhaodadh a bhith ort mu’n am ud a thug thu ball-coise. Seo am fear a bhruidhneas fad na an caman dha’n fhear ud anns an lurgainn. h-iiine, ach chan ann le guth ciuin ri cluichead- Anns a’ cheart doigh bithidh tu fhein deonach airean nach ’eil ’ga chluinntinn, ach le guth gach buille a dh’fhuiling thu a dhiochuimh- ard borb a chluinneadh na h-uile gu furasda. neachadh. ach nach ’eil soirbh a thuigsinn do bhrlgh — 61 — nadur nam facal agus do bhrigh gu bheil barr- Mairi.—Uisd'a nise, coma leat. achd is aon dhe’n ghne seo ag eigheach comb la. Iain.—Chuir sibh piosan dhe’n chirc an Tha an seorsa seo cvtnnartach; chualas iad a’ cuid dhiubh, nach do chuir? deanamh gu frionasach as deidh cluicheadair Mairi.—Chuir, chuir, caidil a nise. nach toir feart orra. Iain.—-’Se sin an seorsa as fhearr leamsa. Aig an iomain a chunnaic mise an latha Ud, Mairi.—-Ceart gu leor. Duin do shuilean bha strith chruaidh le camain bho thoiseach gu a nise. deireadh, ach chan fhacas duine le aobhar Iain. Agus gheibh mi pios c£ic cuideachd? gearain air beum no bruthadh. Mairi.—Gheibh, gheibh. Iain.—Agus brioscaid? Mairi.—Gabh gu fois a nise, a ghraidh, agus chi thu ’nuair a dhuisgeas thu. Iain.—Tha mi a’ dol a . . . . {An guth a’ Comhradh fas fann is a’ tuiteam ’na chadal). Sand- “Air Trean Mhalaig” wiches agus ceic agus .... Seumas. — A bheil sinn faisg air a’ Chrion- eadar Mairi, laraich fhathast, a Mhairi? SeUmas, an duine aice, Mairi.—Xhan’ eil fhathast. Chan’ eil seo Iain, an gille aca, ach trath. {A ’ crdnan “An Rathad chun nan agUs Mor, bana-choimhearsnach. Eilean. ’ ’) Seumas.—(A’ leughadh anns a’ phhipear.) Mairi. — Nach e Loch Laomuinn fhein a tha Seall seo. Murt uamhasach eile. Dithis ann eireachdail an diugh! an taigh comhla. Seumas. — A bheil sinn ach aig Loch Laom- Mairi.—Obh obh! uinn fhathast? Seumas.—Ach b’ann an Sasunn a bha e. Mairi.^—Uisge an locha mar a’ ghloinne agus Chan’ eil sin cho dona. na cnuic, iad cho gorm. Duilleach boidh- Mairi.—-Nach cianail thu? {A’ cumail each nan craobh. Fosglaidh mi an uinneag oine leis an bran.) rud beag eile. Iain, a nise, cum do chasan Seumas.—Agus coig mile diag air a ghoid sios dhe’n t-suidheachan. air beulthaobh banca. Sin agad naidheach- Iain. •—Cuin a ghabhas sinn ar braiceast ? dan dhut! Cuin a bhitheas sinn anns a’ Mairi. — Tha e trath fhathast, Iain. Stad Ghearasdan ? gUs an ruig sinn a’ Chrion-laraich. Siud Mairi.—Cha bhi gu deich uairean. Tha agad crodh shios agus caoraich cuideachd. Iain beag ’na chadal mu dheireadh, an Seall. truaghan. {“A” bruidhinn gu socair, iseal.) Iain.—Ge ta tha an t-acras orm. Seumas.—B’ fhearr learn gu robh sinn ann Mairi.—Innsidh mi de a ni thu. Sin thusa am Malaig. Tha aon ni feumail, gun d’ thu fhein anns an oisean sin agus caidil, agus fhuair sinn an t-aite seo dhuinn fhin co-dhiii. ’nUair a dhuisgeas thu gheibh thu .... Mairi.—Tha. Bha diiil agam an toiseach tea .... gum bitheadh Mor Mhor comhla ruinn. Am Seijmas. — Chaidlinn fhin nam bitheadh sibh faca tu aig an steisean i? samhach. Sin dhomh am paipear, a Mhairi. Seumas. — Chunnaic, ach thug mi an deagh ’S mi a tha sgith dhe’n tr&an seo. (A’ aire nach fhac ise sinne. gabhail a’ phaipeir.) Mairi. — A nise cha robh sin laghach dhut. Mairi.—Uch, ’s toigh learn fhin an tr£an Seumas.—Laghach! Tha an turus seo fadal- gU Malaig. Tha mi a’ faireachadh mar gum ach gu leor mar a tha e, ach chuireadh Mdr bitheadh ciibhraidheachd nan eilean ’ga mo Mhor an truaighe buileach air. chuairteachadh mar tha. Sin thu a nis Iain, Mairi.—Ma ta air a leithid seo de thurus, bheir mi dhiot do bhrogan agus caidlidh tu bhithinn fhin aoidheil ri Mor Mhor fhein an gu snog. Cha chuir duine dragh ort. diugh. Iain.—Agus an Uair a dhuisgeas mi gabhaidh Seumas.—Bleadar boirionnaich cho mor ’s sinn ar braiceast. a chunnaic mi riamh ! Gu dearbh fhuair mise Mairi. —Gabhaidh. mo leor dhith an oidhche mu dheireadh a Iain. —Agus gheibh mi tea teth as a’ fhlasc ? bha i staigh againn. Cha chluinn thu aice Mairi.—Gheibh gu dearbh. ach “Seonaid againne an siud, agus Seonaid Iain.—Agus ithidh sinn na sandwiches? againne an seo’ ’. Mairi.^—Ithidh, ithidh. Siuthad a nise, na Mairi.—Boirionnach bochd a’ fuireach leatha can an corr. Caidil. fhein. Iain. —Cia meud sehrsa sandwich a rinn Seumas. —Agus a faca tu mar a chaidh i ris sibh, a Mhamai? an tea ? Cha mhor nach do chuir i crioch air — 6$ — na bh’ air a’ bhord. A’ frtbreach leatha Gabhaidh tu fhein cupa comhla ruinn, a fhein! Co a ... . ? Mhor? (Fuaim aig an dorus agus M6r Mhdr a' Mor.—Gabhaidh, ma thogras sibh, air tighinn air adhart.) sgath na cuideachd. Mor.—{A ’ bruidhinn le guth mdr, Ididir.) Iain.—C’ ait a bheil na sandwiches} 0 tha sibh an seo. Chitnnaic mi aig an Mor.—De thuirt thu? Sandwiches, facal steisean sibh ach bha a leithid de chabhag Berrla. A bheil iad ag ionnsachadh Gaidhlig oirbh. Tha mise a’ falbh a ghabhail mo dhut idir, ’ille? Nam bitheadh sibh a’ dol bhraiceist. Chan ’eil sibhse a’ dol sios? do’n Cheilidh coltach ri Seonaid againne Mairi.—Chan’ eil. Tha e ro dhaor .... gheibheadh sibh a’ Ghaidhlig cheart air a Seumas.—Ach cha bhi sinn ’gad chumail, h-Uile facal. a Mhor. Seumas. — De a’ Ghaidhlig cheart a th’ air Mor.—0 tha e daor do chuid, tha mi sandwiches ? cinnteach. Ach mar a thuirt Seonaid againn Mor.—Nach’ eil sanbhuidsearan? fhin riiim an uiridh is i ’gam thoirt a ghabhail Iain.—Tha mise ag iarraidh na sandwiches braiceist anns an trean “Tud, a Mhor” ars’ eile. ise, ‘‘chan ’eil e tachairt a°h uair ’sa Mor.—Tri seorsachan sanbhuidsearan! Cha bhliadhna. ’ ’ chreid mi nach’ eil roic agaibh. Agus Mairi.—O, ghabh sinne ar braiceast mu’n sanbhuidsearan firce. d’ fhag sinn. Ach’s docha gun gabh sinn Seumas.—De tha sin, sanbhuidsearan firce? cupa tea aig a’ Chrion-laraich. Mor.—Feol-circe —firce. Tha sin furasda Mor.—Seo Iain bcag. A bheil e ’na chadal? gu leor ionnsachadh. Gu dearbh cha ruig ’Se cuis-eagail a th’ ann an cloinn ann an mise leas braiceast no braiceast an deidh seo. trean. A bheil e na chadal? Nam faiceadh Seonaid againne .... Seumas.—Tha e ’na chadal, ’se a tha. Tha sinn uile a’ dol a dh&anamh greiseag chadail Seumas.—Chan fhaic ge ta. an ceartuair. Iain.—Tha na sandwiches math. Mor.—O, tha e ’na chadal, a bheil? O, Mairi.—Sanbhuidsearan, a luaidh. clann an latha diugh is iad cho mlobhuil. Chan’ eil ni a dh’ iarras iad nach fhaigh iad. An cuala sibh mar a rainn peasanan a’ bhaile air Seonaid againne? Rhum No Rum Seumas.—Chuala, chuala. Thilg iad .... Mor. —Bha Seonaid ag radh nan gabhadh A Charaid, iad am bata dhaibh na bu trice gun deanadh Leugh mi gu fiughaireach litir Choinnich e feum dhaibh. Bhruis Mhic-Sheumais ann an Gaidheal a’ Seumas.—Cha chuala mi gu robh duine Cheitein, ach feumaidh mi a radh nach robh cloinne aig Seonaid agaibhse. mi moran na bu riaraichte an deidh stad na bha Mairi.—Chan’ eil a SheUmais, ach tha mi toiseachadh. Bha mi, mar bha, eolach air fhios agad fhein beachdan Stokes agus Mhic Bhatair, agus a Iain.—(A’ dusgadh.) Tha mi ag iarraidh thaobh Mhic Iain (R. B. Johnston) saoilidh mi mo bhreacaist. nach misde neach air Uairean beagan de bhlas Mairi.—Uisd a nise. Caidil greiseag eile. a bhidh (salann) a bhith lamh ris nuair a bhitheas Mor.—O ’se nach caidil. Chan e cadal a e ’ga chnuasachd, th’ air ’aire. Faodaidh nach ’eil mathair no athair an Iain.—Chaidil mi mar tha agus thuirt sibh ainm ri fhaotainn ann an canain Ceilteach, ach gum faighinn tea agus .... ged a bhitheadh sin fior, saoil nach ’eil “h” Mairi.—Gheibh, gheibh thu tea. Seo agad ’na dhilleachdan ann. A bheil i gu feum do Antai Mor. Thig is beir air l&imh oirre. “R” ’s na cuideachadh do “u”? Mor.—Trobhad an seo, Iain. Nach toir Theagamh nach fiach seo aire, Dhomhnaill, thu pog do Antai ? ’s gu bheil mise ’fas maol-cheannach, neo car (Iain a’ cndmhan.) coltach ris a’ bhean-tighe a bha a dhith air Seumas.—Tha e car dreamach, ach thig e seann “Seventy” a bha an Sron-an-t-Sithein, thuige an ceartuair. gun tiir, gub toinisg, gun tuigse. “Chi sinn”, Iain.—Tha mi ag iarraidh mo bhreacaist. mar a thuirt an dall. Mairi.—Stad ort ma ta. Sin a nail am baga, a SheUmais. Seo, beir air na cupannan. Taobh-Tuath Earraghaidheal. — 63 — pears’ aotrom gun ainnis, gun mhaille, gun Diarmad Ri Grainne bhruailean, Threig mi mo mhuinntir; suigeartach, uallach, aighearach, bg. Chaill mi m’ oighreachd ’s mo chair- Fait dualach, donn, bachlach a’ crathadh m’a 1 dean; gUaillean, Chaill mi coibhneas is gradh mhilinntir mar thonnan na mara an cala gun bhuaireas; Eirinn ’s an Fhiann; da shuil as glain’ sealladh a mhealladh na Chaill mi taitean an ceol h-uaislean, Agns solas am bardachd, ghoid i mo shuaimhneas maille ri m’ chebl. ’S gach meas a bh’aig each domh, Tha grUaidhean na maldaig’ cho nadurra •—air sgath d’ ana-mianns’; sioladh, mar lili an fhasaich nan cairteadh am fion i; § Fo’n choill roimh mo dhaoine beul milis mar shirist o’m milis thig bria- Chaill mi ’n t-urram bha dual dhomh; thran, Fo gheasaibh na bhuair thu, m ’ ard-Uaisleachd m’ulaidh’s mo mhiann bhith mire ri Mbir. gun stath; Ged bhitheadh tu astar bhuam tacan de ’S nUair chrionas do bhuaireas dh’uine, Bidh talla dhuit fuasgailt, cha lughdaich mo thlachd dhut, cha lapaich 1 Ach dhomh-sa—bidh tUaileas is mo run-dhut, fuachd tall’ a’ bhais. bidh duil a’m ri d’litir thigh’nn trie le do dhiirachd, Am Bard Bochd. sgriobhte gu dluth le grinneas do mhebir’. Seist. Gleus Eb || n : -.r : n | d i-.t,: d | r :-.d: r | n : - : d | Ho Ho Ro Chailin || n : -.r : n | d :-.r: d | d1 :-.t: 1 | s : - j d'| I Le Tearlach A’ Phosta || n : -.r : n | d d | r :-.d: r | n : - : d | Ho ho ro chailin tha carachd ri m’ inntinn, bheirinn dhut gealladh’s cha b’aithreach || 1 : -.t : d'l s :-.f: n|f:n:r|d:-:-[| learn fhin sin; bg-bhean as luraiche chunnaic no chi mi, Bhuineadh Tearlach Mac Mhathain, no b’aighearach mi’ bhith sireadh do phog. Tearlach a’ Phosta, mar theirteadh ris, do I Bhraighe Phort-righ anns an Eilean Sgiath- I Nam faighinn-sa gealladh o’n chaileig a anach. Bha a athair (Dbmhnall Mbr, duine chlaoidh mi, cho gasda agus a dh’iarradh coimhearsnaich) j dh’fhalbhadh gach galar is anshocair theinn- ’n a phosta fad iomadh bliadhna anns a’ tich. Bhraighe, a’ dol ’g a chois, a shide math ’s a I Chuir Cupid am char i le sealladh o miog- dhroch shide, seachd mile gu leth air ais ’s | shuil’, air aghaidh gu Portrigh, trl latha anns an i 's thug i fo chis mi tuilleadh’s a’ choir. t-seachdain, gun ghuth air a bhith a’ ruith air Tha buadhan na h-ainnir, ’gam tharrainn ’s na taighean anns na h-ochd bailtean. a’ strith rium, Nuair a chuir an aois grabadh air a obair, J on fhuair mi oirr’ sealladh tha m’aigne fo ghabh Tearlach a mhac a aite agus ma bha meas } imeheist, air an athair air son a threibhdhireis agus 1 ’s mi’m barail nach meal mi mar leannan earbsa, cha bu lugha an tlachd a bha air a’ I dhomh fhin i, mhac air son fearas-chuideachd agus deas- | ’s fleasgaich na tire Uil’ air a toir. chainnt, aig gach dorus anns an tadhlaidheadh e. Cha do phbs Tearlach riamh ach, mar j Liuthad buaidh th’air a’ chailin chan thachair do gach fleasgach eile, cha d’ fhag sin | fharasd dhomh luaidh orr’, e saor o lebn a’ ghaoil, mar tha an t-bran seo ij a bharr air a h-ailleachd’s a n&dur tigh’nn gu soilleir a’ taisbeanadh. SUas ris, A. McN. Bha Mic Shithich an Earra-Gaidheal. An Ainmean Gaidhlig ann air teaghlaichean sonraichte diubh a bha A Mhiadhaich, am fo-ainm “ Mac Gille Sheathanaich ” ? agus ANNS an Scots Magazine tha Seumas S. am b’e “Mac Shithich”, is cha b’e “Mac- Grant a’ sgriobhadh a bharailte mu Gille Sheathanaich” a thainig gu ‘ ‘Shaw’ ’ aca. ioma ni ’bhios ann, ’nar re fein. AgUs Mhothaich mi “an t-Aos-dana Mac Shithich” mar as mince, is math mar a chordas a bharailte agUs ‘ ‘Mac Gille Sheathanaich” agUs ‘ ‘ Shaw riumsa. Arail de mhiosan seachad, rinn e air an aon duine. beagan iomradha air ainmean Gaidhlig air sraidean Chlagain, mu Ghearastan Dubh Inbhir- Bha Clann t-Sithigh an Eirinn, agUs bha Lochaidh. Anns an dol seachad, thuirt e gur beulaithris ag radh gum bu bhuannadha, no e“Shaw” asainmmeadhonach da fein, agus gu amhais, iad (i.e. dream a chog air tuarastal) a bheil a eolaich, aig am bheil Gaidhlig, ag thainig o Earra-Gaidheal an Albainn. Bha innse dha gUr e “Mac Gille Sheathanaich’’ a “Ua Sithigh” (O Sheehg) ann, cuideachd. Ge gheibhear an Gaidhlig air an ainm sin. Theag- b’ionann an t-ainm (Sitheach) cha b’ionann amh gu robh e’ leigeil ris cia dumhail, clupach fine; amhail nach b’ionann Mac Dhomhnaill sa bhios ainmean Gaidhlig air uairibh. Cha (Albannach) o ghleanntan AontrUim agus Ua duirt e gu robh “I” againn air “Iona”; Domhnaill a Tir-Chonaill. “6” againn air ‘‘grandson’ ’; “a’ ’ air “that, Bha ainm SasUnnach ann, ‘ ‘ Shaw ’ ’ nach which, whom’’, etc. Ach chan e sin fath is tainig1 a Gaidhlig idir, ach a focal Sasunnach cuspair mosgriobhaidh. Seoe. Ane“Shaw’’ ‘ Shaw ”, air “ barraich Uaine ’ ’—-tattie shaws, am beurla Shasainn, a riochdaicheas “Mac turnip shaws—ach a bha air ‘ ‘ rosach, no preas- Gille Sheathanaich” an Gaidhlig? No, an e ach, maoth Uaine” mUs tainig buntata do an “Mac Gille Sheathanaich, an Gaidhlig, a tir seo riamh. Thainig an t-ainm-sloinnte o riochdaicheas ‘ ‘ Shaw' ’ am beurla ShasUinn ? ainm-aite, ach cha bu iolarra an dream air an Rinneadh atharrais de an ainm sin, le robh e. sgriobhairean na beurla SasUnnaiche, mar seo— Bha ‘ ‘ Seadhgh ’ ’ air ‘ ‘ Shaw ’ ’ aig Mac Mclllshennoch, Mclllhennoch, Shennoch, Shan- Bheathain. Air fire, cha robh a leithid ann noch, ach chan ’eil dearbhadh agam gun tainig riamh. Cha robh ann, co-dhiu, ach atharrais e gu “Shaw” aig neach ’sam bith. saobh-Ghaidhealach air fuaim an ainme Shas- Bha duine coir, nach maireann, ag goirsinn Unnaich, coltach ri “Robastan” air “Robert- deth fein “Shaw” am beurla ShasUinn, agus son” an ionad “ MacDhonnachaidh ” no “Mac Gille Sheathanaich” am beurla Ghaidh- “Mac Roba” ; no “Moireastan” air “Morrfson’’ eal. Cha robh sin a’ dearbhadh ni sam bith, an ionad “Mac Mhoiris” (a Leamhanach) no oir tha duine coir eile ag goirsinn deth fein “Mac Gille Moire (a Leodhas). “Murchison” (=Mac Mhurchaidh?) am beurla Le sin uile, is barail learn gur e “Mac- ShasUinn, agus Mac Calmain, an G&idhlig. Shithich ’ ’ a bha air sinnsearan na coda bu Chan ’eil co-cheangal ann eadar an da ainm sin, mho de an dream air am bi “Shaw”, am ach gun d’fhuair a dhaoine, anns an t-sean beurla ShasUinn, a nis; agus, a mach o an aimsir, an dara ainm o shinnsear sonraichte, ainm fhior-Shasunnach, nach bu phailt, agus an t-ainm eile o shinnsear eile, agus thainig “Shaw” o an ainm “Sitheach” sin “Murchison” (Mac Mhurchaidh) ach air roinn aca; agus is e “ Mac Shithich; is chan e ‘ ‘ Mac de na Mic Calmain. Gille Sheathanaich”, an Gaidhlig, a riochd- Fo an ionnas cheudna, tha dream ag goirsinn aichear le ‘ ‘ Shaw ’ ’ am beurla ShasUinn, ged diubh fein “Mac Dhonnachaidh’ ’ an Gaidhlig, nach ann le ‘ ‘ Shaw’ ’ a mhain a riochdaichear e. agus “Robertson” (=Mac Roba?) am beurla ShasUinn. Glasach. Anns an leabhar sin “Clans and Tartans of Scotland”, le Robert Bain, air a ath-rian le Mairead Nic Dhughaill, nach maireann, a Baile Inbhir-Nis, gheibhear seo. Toimhseachan Shaw (Gaelic—Mac Gille Sheathanaich) agus, Chan fhaicear e ’s chan fhairear e; an uair sin, thatar ag aisneis eachdraidh Chloinne Cha chluinnear e ’s cha shamhar e; Sithich a Rata-Murchuis, air nach robh an t- E ciil nan reul, is go na cnuic, ainm “Mac Gille Sheathanaich” riamh. E ’n doimhne cuain, e ’n doimhne sluic; Thainig ‘ ‘ Mac Shithich ’ ’ aca-san gu ‘ ‘ Shaw ’ ’, Aig deireadh beatha tuath is righ, an Sasnaig, ge gheibhte “Shiach, MacKeoch, Roimh thoiseach Tim ’s a’ leantuinn Tim. McGeoch ’ ’, etc. ‘ ’nan atharrais Shasunnach de an ainm, an cearnan eile. An dorchadas. — 65 wide choice of subjects of which he was master. Alexander MacBain, M.A., LLD. Next in importance to his dictionary is the By Angus Duncan newspaper and magazine articles which his TAKEN all in all, it may be said that Dr. friend and former neighbour, Professor W. J. Alexander MacBain of Inverness was the Watson, gathered in one volume, and published greatest Celtic scholar Scotland has in 1922. Captain Thomas, R.N. , whose manu- produced. scripts are in the Signet Library, Edinburgh, MacBain was born in humble circumstances had paved the way for the study of the Norse in Badenoch in the year 1855, and after attending element in place-names, while Professor Insh parochial school and serving for a short MacKinnon, first occupant of a Chair of Celtic time on the Ordnance Survey, he went to Old in Scotland, had awakened interest in Gaelic Aberdeen Grammar School with a MacPhail place-names by a series of eighteen articles bursary when he was nineteen years old. Two contributed to The Scotsman seventy-four years years later, he entered King’s College, Aberdeen, ago. MacBain’s contribution, which, of as second bursar, graduating in 1880; and, after course, covers every aspect of the subject, is a few months’ teaching experience, he was Underlined at many points by his insistence that appointed Rector of Raining’s School, Inverness. the Piets, whether aboriginal or the earliest When the school, then run by the Highland settlers of oUr country, spoke a Celtic language Trust as a free school, was taken over by the of an early Brythonic type. This, if true, rules School Board in 1894, MacBain was put in out the view that they spoke Gaelic. MacBain charge of the secondary department of Inverness on many a page and principally, in criticism High School, where he taught until his death of the historian, W. F. Skene, maintains that, early in April, 1907, while in Stirling arranging in Professor Kuno Meyer’s picturesque words, for the publication of a second edition of his ‘ ‘ No Gael ever set foot on British soil save from Etymological Gaelic Dictionary. a vessel that had put out from Ireland ’ ’, the MacBain, who received the honorary degree last clause referring to small numbers of Irish- of Doctor of Laws from his Alma Mater in men who came to oUr shores in the first century 1901, is best remembered in Inverness and the of our era, and to the settlers from Dal Riata, North for his work in Raining’s School. Here, in Ulster, who formed the Scottish colony of young lads from the Western Isles were pre- Dalriada in the second century. Dr. Whitley pared for the University, some of them coming Stokes in England and oUr own Professor W. long distances, attracted by the fast-growing J. Watson agreed with MacBain in this, and fame of the school. When MacBain graduated this is also the view of present-day scholars. in 1880, he was a first-rate classical scholar, MacBain lived all his working life in Inver- and was already familiar with the work German ness, where he was far from city and university scholars had done in the scientific study of libraries, where he could have kept Up, with Gaelic. At home, the Rev. Alexander Cameron, less labour and expense, with the advancing LL.D. , of Renton, and later of Brodick, who tide of Celtic scholarship on the continent. He also belonged to Badenoch, had contributed a did not study abroad like his contemporary at valuable series on Gaelic philology to the old Aberdeen University, Professor John Strachan, Gael, a series that was to form the nucleus of an LL. D., who was in the front rank of classical Etymological Gaelic dictionary, but, as Dr. scholars, and did much work on Welsh and Cameron, at his death in 1888, had only covered Early Irish, nor like his former pupil, Dr. a third of what such a dictionary should con- George Henderson, whose personal copy of tain, MacBain's dictionary, first published in MacBain's dictionary, full of annotations, 1896, was an entirely new work. It was the notes, and references, is in the Scottish National first Etymological dictionary produced in any Library, and not under lock and key with the of the Celtic countries. Four years later, Henderson collection of books in the Burns Victor Henry published a similar dictionary of Room of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow, where Breton, the main difference being that the one would expect to find it. In the event, latter gives at the end an index of the cognate MacBain had to learn French and German words from other languages cited in the text, at home. the Scottish Gaelic list alone running to five It was, however, fortunate, if not providen- hundred words. The editor’s debt to MacBain tial, that Inverness had an active Gaelic Society is acknowledged in the Introduction as follows: when MacBain came to the town, and, in this, "Le recent Dictionary de M. MacBain m' a he not only found, ready-made, such company ete d' un immense secours”. as he would anywhere desire, but also a forum Dr. MacBain was a tireless worker in his for the expression of his views on the subjects chosen field. A full list of his published books, that interested him most. As an organisation articles and addresses would at once reveal the with many influential members, a close watch was kept on the tardy movements made by the eleventh and twelfth centuries, and adding Government for the teaching of Gaelic, MacBain general notes, linguistic notes, and a full himself, as one would expect, taking a leading vocabulary. This long lecture, which Professor part in negotiations that led to the better Watson calls one of his most important papers, provision of Gaelic instruction in Highland is published in Volume XI of the Society’s schools. To his interest in the teaching of Transactions. Truly a great scholar, to whom Gaelic, we owe the Gaelic Reader, with a his native land owes an enduring debt! concise, but full Grammar, published in 1905, and revised, to meet changed regulations, by In the present writer’s opinion, the most the late Dr. D. J. MacLeod in 1919, also the original work done by MacBain was his study publication in 1902 of a revised and enlarged of Highland Personal Names, a study to which edition of MacEachen’s Gaelic Dictionary, two papers are devoted in the Transactions and along with John Whyte, the well-known one in The Celtic Review (No. 5). Truly a librarian of Inverness. This small and handy great scholar, to whom his native land owes dictionary has now run into five or six editions. an enduring debt! Nor should it be forgotten that MacBain was editor of The Celtic Magazine for the last four years of its existence as a monthly periodical, its date being 1875-1888, and for five years joint editor of the Highland Monthly, which Interpret, Bard, ran from April 1889 to June 1893. My Dream To Me Even during his early years as student, MacBain aimed at a full knowledge of any Iain G. Macnair-Smith subject with which he dealt in public, and the standard of perfection he himself attained, he Beneath the life of ceaseless toil, looked for in every writer who undertook to Business, pleasure, active all, present his views to others. In this way, he Lies a heart that slumbers deep was a severe critic of more than one writer on And sets at naught what meets the eye. oUr Scottish place-names, who did not have For outwards nothing strikes a flame, the necessary training, or did not know the I listened for that hidden voice, living language; but he was no mere critic but But all around no echo came. ready, and even eager, to help those whom he felt obliged to criticise. As an example, the In my distress I sought the Bard Rev. J. B. Johnstone’s Place-names of Scotland And in my naguish said to him: may be cited, the first edition of which, in “In my heart I nurse a dream 1892, was made a subject of sport by MacBain, Nor shake it off, nor can or may. but the second edition, published eleven years Interpret now in secret night later, acknowledges the assistance received from What none dare utter in the day”. MacBain right up to the time of his death. A third edition, published in 1934, again acknow- Methought I felt a gentle touch ledges Dr. MacBain’s help, and expresses regret Upon the cords of my heart’s lyre at his all-tco-early death. And timid tunings brought to light Just as MacBain brought to full fruition the Strange meodies that he laid bare. etymological studies of Dr. Cameron, he The long lament of Scotland’s glens, undertook, along with a third Badenoch man, Silenced by mysterious wand the Rev. John Kennedy, also of Arran, to edit Of music that charms more than ear, the mass of manuscript material Dr. Cameron For it reveals the inmost heart. had on hand when he died in 1888. All this Though little of the land remains, material, which included a full transcription The land of which my heart does dream. of the Book of the Dean of Lismore, our oldest The day will come when a new Spring Gaelic Ms. and the Fernaig Ms., which is our The pristine glories all restore. second oldest source for Scottish Gaelic, as well Scotland’s tongue and dress and song, as the Red Book and the Black Book of Clan- Will flourish and be heard again. ranald, was published in two volumes, Under See not the grey ashes of today, the titles, Reliquiae Celticae, in 1892 and 1894. All those tears are not in vain, On February 4, 1885, MacBain gave an For the Phoenix will arise address on The Book of Deer to the Gaelic Making strangers see with awe Society of Inverness, transcribing and trans- Scotland’s comely type made clear. lating the Gaelic entries, which he assigns to Nothings lost .... it is but hid! education, with camping, mountain climbing, Conference Report walking, swimming, athletics, canoeing, etc. i , Report on the Conference of the Northern The League had formed a bridge between North 1 p Area of An Comunn Gaidhealach, held at and South Wales, and was a staunch supporter ■ : Cnoc-nan-Ros, Tain, 23rd-24th March, of the annual Goodwill Message of the youth i i 1962, and Recommendations of Comunn na of Wales to the Youth of the World. Every i | h-Oigridh Committees and Northern member took a threefold promise of loyalty to ' i. Committee. Wales, to fellow-man and to Christ. In the Chair.—Mr Hugh Macphee, President The years 1920/40 were the period of growth. I] of An Comunn Gaidhealach. Organisers were paid partly or wholly throcgh . . Guests.—Mr. Hywel Roberts, Principal Government and Local Authority grants. With j I Lecturer in Education and Bi-lingual Studies the influx of non-Welsh speakers caused by ilj in City of Cardif Training College for Teachers; war-time evacuation schools were established 1. Mr. R. W. Munro, Editor of the Highland News in which everything except English was taught ' I Group; Dr. J . A. Maclean, Director of Education through the medium of Welsh; the first of ij for Inverness-shire; Mr. Ronald Macleod, H.M. these, of which the speaker was headmaster 1 Inspector of Schools; Mr. Murdo Macleod, Until the local authority took it over, started || Gaelic Supervisor for Inverness-shire; Mrs. with only seven children (every one of them || John Bannerman; Rev. Fr. Ireland, Kingussie; passed to the Grammar School) and now there j| Mr. Derick Thomson, Aberdeen; Mr. J. A. were 240, and the pupils secured from 88 up i Smith, Vice-Principal of Jordan Hill Training to 94 per cent marks in English papers. It had j| College; Dr. D. J. Macdonald, former Rector been proved beyond doubt that, by teaching i| of Inverness Royal Academy. people in Welsh they could hold their own j There were thirty delegates from Branches, with other children and did not suffer in any ! Comunn na h-Oigridh and the Northern Com- way. There were now 53 of these Welsh medium mittee . schools, including one in London. Purposes of the Conference.—That the Membership of the movement cost Is., per : delegates should consider (1) An Comunn’s work annum and the badge 2s. 6d. The branches for the language, particularly through Comunn in schools were the most successful. To help j na h-Oirgidh, (2) An Comunn’s propaganda and isolated members they held weekend meetings use of the press, (3) An Comunn’s failure in the when they did not mind coming into the town 1 Western Isles and (4) the methods and success or village. If they were keen they brought the ; of the Inverness-shire Education Scheme in magazine Yr Aelwyd, which kept rural boys ! Gaelic. and girls in touch with the movement. They j also had priority when summer camps were ; First Session, 23rd March, 1962. organised. ‘ ‘ If you have any boys or girls who j Mr. Hywell Roberts spoke on the Welsh would like to come to our camp this summer 1 Youth Movement or Und Gobaith Cymru. you are wlecome to send them”, Under 14 to j The following is a short precis of his talk:— the seaside camp at Llangrannog, on Cardigan f Mr. Roberts said he was born and brought Bay, and over that to the Gian Llyn camp hear | up in a small village at the foot of Snowden, Bala Lake in Merioneth. ‘‘You could ask f among almost 100 per cent Welsh-speaking Local Authorities for financial help to send boys 1 people, and had grown up in the Welsh youth and girls to camp. ’ ’ Special weeks are allocated J movement. A change of attitude to the Welsh to learners. The League depended largely on | language had been brought about among Welsh voluntary leaders—members of the teaching | people and educationalists by the late Sir Owen profession had been the best, and ministers and Edwards, Chief Inspector of Schools in Wales, curates had been very faithful—and he did whose son (now Sir Ifan ab Owen Edwards) had not think there were more than half a dozen ; founded the Welsh League of Youth (Urdd full-time leaders in Wales; their salaries were f Gobaith Cymru) in 1921. The speaker was one paid partly by the Urdd and partly by Local of the founder members at the age of 11. The Authority and the Ministry. The League’s j movement spread like wildfire, especially in depended on subscriptions and donations, I the Welsh-speaking districts, with branches in proceeds from functions such as dances and folk | schools (they would never have prospered festivals, the National Eisteddfod, and a 1 without the teachers), churches and chapels, handsome grant from the Ministry of Education. ;| etc. They competed in local, county and The movement was non-sectarian and non- national festivals, and they had many different political , had no connection with the nationalist j activities, such as singing, drama, history, political movement; but included members of j book drives, and the new tradition in physical that and all parties. The following points were noted at random France, so why not to Wales? ’’ Gaelic would during the talk:— never become a national language like Welsh, but it was taking a more prominent part in Activities: training young people than it had ever done Book Drives: On St. David’s Day, the in our schools, but that must be supplemented children sell Welsh Books and literature from by such movements as Urdd. door to door. Replying to Miss Matheson, Mr. Roberts said Physical Training: includes canoeing, they hoped to make a great deal of Use of the camping, climbing, fell walking. Duke of Edinburgh’s scheme in the movement, but they had only appointed a P.E. organiser Camps: one result is to reunite Wales and last year. The movement began with the heal divisions Separated camps for Welsh language and would always emphasise it: It fluent and non-fluent speakers. was the cornerstone of their heritage. There Spiritual Life: Urdd special religious ser- was no one method of arousing and sustaining vices—Peace Will Sunday. interest among learners, and in the end it Membership: subscription 1/-, badge 2/6d. depended on the enthusiasm of the teacher. A Certificates issued, entitles children to compete survey made last year showed that 17.6 per at competitions. Isolated members are kept cent of the children under 15 in Wales spoke in contact by letters, week-end groups, they Welsh in 1961, compared with 21 per cent in are given priority in getting to camps 1950. There were increases in some unexpected areas, probably because of the founding of Welsh Adolescents : follow-on movement for them, medium schools. club rooms, pleasant places with adult com- Mr. Roberts illustrated his talk with a film, mittees in the background Choirs—Public film strips, publications and magazines, handed speaking competitions choral speaking, folk round, and by means of wall maps showing and other dancing distribution of language in Wales. His Magazines : fur adolescents, for children and enthusiasm, fluency and interesting matter held for non-Welsh speakers. his audience during the three hours of his talk. Leaders: Teaching profession, some half dozen full-time leader organisers. 24th March, 1962. Mr. Roberts spoke on Publicity for the Welsh Finance and Funds : Voluntary donations, language. The following is a short digest of covenants, money-making functions. his talk:— Grants—Headquarters £5000 approximately, Mr. Roberts said Wales was bristling with Ministry of Education—leaders and premises, linguistic problems, and it was not easy to Local Authority. apply one policy throughout the country. Language: In English speaking areas medium There were islands and boxes of English- English—always attempt to teach Welsh Rise speaking areas inside 100 per cent Welsh- of Welsh medium schools on demand of Welsh speaking, and changes due to the arrival of a speaking parents. / University, industry, military installation, and summer visitors. The biggest job was to The following points mom the discussion convince people in the English-speaking parts were noted. of Wales that there must be some reclamation Mr Macphee said they would like to have the and people must not be allowed to drift away. same official assistance in Scotland, and Unless they did that now it would be too late. suggested An Comunn send an official or It was important to save these areas, which deputation to Urdd Headquarters or camp so were Welsh at heart, and the only way was that they come back and tell what was done to be bold enough to tackle Welsh not as a and how. second but as a first language. After two years During discussion, Dr. Maclean said that hard work the “Glamorgan scheme” had been with Scotland’s scatter of population children adopted by the Education Authority and had to be gathered into centres for education, accepted by the teachers; the policy was that and such activities as were undertaken in half of the teachers must be Welsh speakers. ComUnn na h-Oigridh might be incorporated ‘ ‘ What Glamorgan does today Wales will do in the school even if it necessitated the leng- tomorrow. ’ ’ Cardiff had now agreed that there thening of the school day. Education Authori- should be one specialist teacher of Welsh in ties were never slow to give financial help to every school. Importance of coloured and movements with leaders of enthusiasm. “We up-to-date posters, use of film strips, television, assist people to go to Germany, Norway and etc. The following noted at random:— The Braes of Strathblane Rocket Ranges, etc. , alter the linguistic THIS is the title of a song that enjoyed '’I character. Difficult to apply same policy all wide popularity among country people | over Wales. from the misty glens of Argyll to the fair | Non -Welsh speaking areas : Children must and fertile fields of Moray. It is yet widely be saved for Wales—Welsh taught as second and frequently sung in the area, though it may ?|J language—this must be done between 1960-70. be stated that it is in less request since the 11 Glamorgan Scheme: Series of charts and advent of radio. It is not easy to account for 1 pictures, with lists of names: these can be the song’s popularity as the words are poor, fl purchased by others. pure doggerel in fact; so it is not surprising that l| Support for the Cause: Lobbying of no author has come forward to claim the song. 11 councillors, full Use is made of Television, The first appearance of the song in print, as 1 great support given by B.B.C. and particularly far as I can discover, is in Genuine Scottish jl I.T.V. in Cardiff. Melodies, 1866, and I can find no further | Educational Policy: Authorities in full printing of it Until the late Robert Ford I collected it among the farm workers in his 9 sympathy, and many have language organisers native parish in Perthshire, and published it | to help teachers to conduct refresher courses, in his Vagabond Songs and Ballads at the J etc. beginning of the century. He was probably I In answer to questions relating to the problem unaware that it had previously been printed 1 of indifference and hostility amongst people to in Genuine Scottish Melodies as he makes no 1 the language, Mr. Roberts emphasised that they reference to this printing. were dealt with at child level. The state of the The song probably got into circulation by 1 language had been raised by declaration that being printed on broadsheets which pedlars 1 Welsh was desirable for public posts, for college hawked at fairs, feeing markets, and other jH appointments, etc. rural gatherings, and also from door to door, 1 Mr. W. G. Munro gave a talk on The Press and sold at one penny. This traffic in broad- 1 and the Gaelic Movement. The following is a sheet songs appears to have come to an end I precis of it:—• during the Kaiser War; at least I have never 1 come across any sellers of them since. Those who believe in the Gaelic movement The tune is an Irish one known as “Down l could obtain publicity for it, and at the same among yon green bushes’’, from the first line | time help the Press to perform more completely of a song set to it, a much better song than the f its function of being a mirror of the life of the “Braes of Strathblane’’, and, oddly enough, community, by sending to local papers reports this song is also popular among rural people il of meetings, Mods, and other activities. They on the north-east coast and in the Kintyre I would be welcomed, especially if they contained district of Argyll. It was probably brought I new ideas, and names of those taking part; over in the pre-reaping-machine times. It is I senders should not be discouraged if they were strange to find this tune in a collection that 1 out, held over or omitted, as there might be professes to give only Scottish tunes, but to i various reasons. Press representatives could give the editors their due they admit that it 1 be helped to report events by making prize- is Irish. lists available, identifying speakers, and even In one of the later volumes of the Celtic fl translating or spelling Gaelic words. More Monthly there is a tune to a Gaelic song fl factual news of An Comunn activities would be (‘ ‘ Twas on a Wednesday evening’ ’ is the title I an inoffensive but perhaps influential form of in English) which has a strong resemblance to 1 propaganda amongst those who know little the Irish tune, “Down among yon green § about them, as was done for example, by the bushes’’, and suits the “Braes of Strathblane’’ ] S.W. R.I. (in which each Institute appoints even better than the Usual one. a Press secretary to send in regular reports). Perhaps it was due to the popularity of the | Reports could also be issued at area and national “Braes of Strathblane’’ that an Islay man I level, to promote Understanding and aware- named Orr translated it into Gaelic and had it l| ness of the movement. published in the “Highlander” newspaper in | the 70’s of last century. His translation does I not appear to have caught the taste of singers ! New Approaches in the Western Isles as I have never heard it sung. Even singers fl with more Gaelic than English preferred the I An account of Mr. Derick Thomson’s talk on original version. this subject will be given in the next issue. J.E.S. | — 70 — Treasurer’s Notes TheGlasgow Gaelic Society of NATIONAL MOD—OBAN, 1962 W.Anonymous Graham Esq., Lennox- Received at Oban—- Mrs.town Louis de Glehn, KnightswoodPreviously acknowledged^! Highland ,992 19 1 Edinburgh Association — Ceilidh R.Glasgow Macaskill, Esq., Obanheld Branch at Oban .. .. 20216 — Mrs. T. H. Macdonald, Alex. McLeod, Ganavan 1 R.Edinburgh F. Mollison, Esq., C.E. A.Mackenzie, Hutchison, Stirling Appin 2 2 — Edinburgh (Individual Effort) .. 15 MissKyle Catriona Macdonald, TheLarbert Music Branch Shop, .. Inver-. 5 5 — Mr. & Mrs. D. MacNiven, Mr.Dunkeld & Mrs. N. Macleod, MissHon- J.Mrs. F. Mackinnon Maclean of- 1 1 - Tighnabruaich MissArdgour Campbell of Inver- ColinDumfries Morrison, Esq., Edinburghneill .. Branch Miss.Edinburgh M. L. MacDougall, DonaldLochmeddy J. Macdonald, (Indi- JamesMusselburgh Brodie, . . Esq., Dr.vidual A. M. Effort) Smith, Port WilliamDr. H. M. MacKay, Morgan, MorayEsq., Ellen Mr.Inverness & Mrs. Angus Dance Committee—ObanCommittee —- Matheson, Glasgow .. Grantown-on-SpeyLochgilphead Branch R.Ayrshire McQuaker, Esq., Mr.Film D. ShowV. Webster— ElginBranch.. & District Mr.Film D. Show V. Webster— MissKent R. B. Purvis, RoderickKilmallie BranchSmith Ltd Alex.Harris J . ..Macleod, Esq., G.Stornoway D. Donald, Tiree MissKyles I.of ButeMacdonald, Mr.Film D. ShowV. Webster MissMrs. H. M.Murray, Nicolson, Fife .. Newtonmore Branch JamesFife Gardiner, Esq., Edinburghciation Argyll Asso- Inverness LochtaysideCeilidh at Oban Branch MissGlasgow Flora Macmillan, AndrewCardiff Buchanan, Esq., ReceivedPreviously at Glasgow— acknowledged Mr.Jura & Mrs. Robert Shaw, The Celtic Union, Edin- Mrs.shire David Boyle, Ayr- MissGlasgow Anita T. Selfridge, Misslingshire Dolly Smith, Stir- Missbridge C. Wanklyn, Cam- AberdeenForres Branch Branch .. AnonymousDr. D. J. Macdonald, Mrs.Gwendolen J. C.McGill, MacNeill, Ayr BrianInverness G. Lane,.. Esq., Mr.Colonsay & Mrs. Chas. Smith, Dr.York D. Ferguson, Connel J . ArgyllM. Rodgers, Esq., N . MissAultbea Mary MacKenzie, GlasgowIreland. Lewis . & Harris WilliamFife Adam, Esq., Rev.Association B. B. Blackwood, .. Miss Margaret Macphee, Campbeltown 5 — Dr.Glasgow Alex. A. Kirkland, JohnVancouver G. Nicolson, Esq., 17 1 MurdoDundee MacLeod, Esq., MissDunoon F. H- Kennedy,.. MissGlasgow Isabella A. Mac- /154 10 7 Leod, Stornoway /2,349 13 10 — IV — Editor’s Comments questioning some of Mr. MacAulay’s statements I THE subscriber to Scottish Gaelic Studies and maintaining, say, that a certain letter in j will find good value for his money in a certain line on a certain page should be not the latest Volume IX, Part 2, issue. N, but n. I am sure Mr. MacAulay would also There is something here, if not to suit all tastes, welcome such an intrusion. at least to engage the attention of persons of From the Educational Company of Ireland wide ranges of scholarship. come three compact little books, excellently Professor Magne Oftedal of Oslo University bound, which cannot fail to have a ready sale contributes a chapter on “Frequency of Norse among learners of the Irish language. They Loanwords in Scottish Gaelic’’ in which he are (1) Learner’s Grammar of the Irish Lan- shows that the influence of Scandinavian Upon guage, a simple outline of the grammatical Scottish Gaelic vocabulary, as distinct from structure of the language; 48 pages for 2/-. place-names, is not nearly as strong as is (2) Learner’s Irish-English Pronouncing commonly supposed. Scandinavian students of Dictionary, 7,500 words in common Use, 4/9. Scottish Gaelic might expect, from the historical (3) Learner’s English Irish Dictionary, 4,000 evidence of Norse domination in the Hebrides words in everyday Use, with phrases, 3/3. for over four and a half centuries, to find a All three have been compiled by the enthu- [ language abounding in Norse loanwords. siastic veteran statesman and scholar, An ' Professor Oftedal discounts much of the Seabhac. evidence adduced in this connection by George While these are intended mainly for learners Henderson in his book on Norse influences. of Irish Gaelic, they would, at an inclusive I He concludes that “the number of Norse cost of 10/-, be an excellent investment for those loanwords in the narrower sense hardly exceeds who are concerned with Gaelic in schools and I 300 in present-day Gaelic’ ’. On the other hand evening classes, and with the task of making Norse has influenced English to a far greater Scottish Gaelic vocabulary meet present-day j| extent, while Latin and English have influenced requirements. Gaelic vocabulary far more than Norse has. Scottish Studies (not to be confused with I Supplementary discussions are provided by Scottish Gaelic Studies) is a twice-yearly journal a Professor Oftedal himself, W. B. Lockwood and issued by the School of Scottish Studies, 27 ] Anthony Dilworth respectively on the etymo- George Square, Edinburgh, and published by j| logy of harp (N. hvarf), Ugsa, and Strathavon Oliver and Boyd. The annual subscription is j (Srath Athfhinn or Srath Abhainn?). £1; single copies, 12/6. Volume 6, Part I is 1 David Greene of Trinity College, Dublin, a mine of interest for students of the Highland | supplies a poem, with English translation, economy, folklore, and language. Along with J taken from the Book of the Dean of Lismore, articles on pibroch, the wells and severed heads ; “Na leig mo mhealladh, a Mhuire’’, stated to cult, Barra resettlement schemes, and notes on be one of a type of Mary-poems common in two short poems, ascribed to Duncan Ban, I found Irish and European literature from the 12th most absorbing, and particularly relevant in I century onwards. view of recent work in the same field, James j Included also in this volume are excerpts Ross’s account of Bilingualism and Folk Life, from the sermons of the Rev. John Mackay, dealing with English penetration of everyday ! who was ordained at Durness in 1707 and speech in Glendale in Skye. translated to Lairg in 1714. According to the Also to hand are Reclamation, published | editor it is likely that we have here ‘ ‘a genuine (2/6 and 3/- post free) by the Scottish Peat and specimen of Sutherland Gaelic of the first half Land Development Association, and Taintean, j of the 18th century’’. the lively and well-got-up magazine of Lionel Somewhat more concentration than is required Secondary School, Lewis. for any of these articles must be brought to bear on “Notes on some noun initial mutations in a dialect of Scottish Gaelic’’, by Donald Treasurer’s Notes—Continued MacAulay of Trinity College, Dublin. The CENTRAL FUND dialect referred to is that of Mr. MacAulay’s Neil Leitch, Esq-, Glasgow .. .. — 10 — own native island, Bernera, Lewis. While Stirling Branch .. .. • • • • 10 many (including this editor) will have to take CruachanAyr Branch.. Branch .. .. ••.. •••. 102 102 — the writer’s abstruse arrangement of symbols Robert Coupland, Esq., Lockerbie .. — 10 — for granted, it is good to know that our own Larbert Branch ...... • • 3 3 — native scholars are now active in fields often Grantown-on-SpeyDunkeld Branch .. .. •.• • • • 53 5 — reserved for workers in other countries. For Lochtays'ide Branch ...... 2 2 — the sake of the reputation of the rest of Us I must confess that I should like to find someone £37 2 — — 72 — AN GAIDHEAL THE GAEL Editor—DONALD GRANT, B.A., 95 MUNRO ROAD, GLASGOW, W.3, to whom all correspondence should he addressed except that concerning advertising which should he addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer. 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C.2 Teleohone: DOUglas 1433 Leabhar LVII AN T-IUGHAR, 1962 Aireamh 7 Feis-Drama Ghaidhlig Anns a’ Cheitean a chaidh chumadh dhe na Goill, car teagamhach mu dhealbhan- an t-siathamh Feis-Drama Ghaidhlig an cluiche agus car amharasach mu ’n ghnh Glaschu. Aig a’ chiad Fheis an 1957 bha duine aig a bheil gnothach ri taighean- othail agus tarraing-inntinn timcheall air rud cluiche. Faodaidh gu robh barrachd aobhair hr, ni nach d’ fhiachadh an aite sam bith airson na barail sin aon uair na th’ ann an riamh roimhe. Anns na bliadhnachan a dh’ diugh; faodaidh gu bheil beagan aobhair air fhalbh bba corra dhealbh-chluich air tighinn a son fhathast. Tha moran pharantan air am follais an siud ’s an seo. Rinn Ceilidh Gaidhealtachd ’s air Galldachd leis nach bu nan Ghidheal agus buidhnean eile an oidhirp- mhath duine dhe ’n teaghlach fhein fhaicinn ean fhein. Thairg an Comunn duaisean gach a’ sireadh am beo-shlaint a obair nan taighean- bliadhna airson sgriobhadb dhealbhan-cluiche. cluiche. An suilean an leithid sin chan ’eil Ach Feis-Drama cha robh ann gu 1957. anns an obair sin ach, ann an seadh, obair an Cha robh e furasda a leithid a chur air t-Satain. ghluasad, ach rinn daoine dealasach an Tha feadhainn eile a’ creidsinn nach ’eil e gnothach. Chan’ eil e furasda a leithid a ann an nadur a’ Ghaidheil a bhith a’ gabhail chumail air ghluasad, oir tha a’ chiad uidh a pairt ann an dealbhan-cluiche. Ach chan th’ aig daoine ann an rud hr buailteach air urrainn dhuinn aontachadh leis a’ bheachd fas fann. Mar sin tha feadhainn air an call. sin gus am faic sinn iad a’ faotainn a’ Air an laimh eile tha na bliadhnachan a’ cur chothroim an toiseach. Cha robh an cothrom ri eolas an luchd-cluiche, agus tha an aca a chionn nach robh na dealbhan-cluiche t-adhartas seo a’ taladh feadhainn a ghabhas aca, direach mar nach robh sgrlobhaidhean iute na feadhainn a chailleadh. A thaobh na eile dhe ’n t-se6rsa aca ’nan canain fhein. Feis-Drama seo, tha iadsan aig an coir fios Tha comas an actair eadar-dhealaichte bho a bhith ag radh gu bheil an luchd-cluiche a’ chomas an sgriobhaiche. Nuair a gheibh e an fas nas ealanta gach bliadhna. cothrom cha tig an Gaidheal gearr air each Ged a tha an Fheis seo air mairsinn sia ann an comas an actair. ’S aithne dhuinn uile bliadhna a nise, cha d’ fhuair i fhathast an feadhainn dha ’n tig e gu nadarra innseadh taic ris an robh dhil aca-san a th ’air a chi. facal air an fhacal mar a thuirt am fear seo Theirear gu minic an oraidean is sgrlobhar gu no am fear ud eile, agus sin gun a bhith an trie air phipear gur e dealbhan-cluiche aon cbir sgoil-actaireachd riamh. Chunnaic sinn dhe na dbighean as ^ifeachdaiche air a’ uile cuideachd mar a rinn ar co-Cheiltich an Ghaidhlig a neartachadh. De as aobhar mar Eirinn agus anns a’ Chuimrigh air an raon seo. sin do shuarachas a’ mhbir-shluaigh mu’n Tha feisean Drama a nise air an cumail gach chothrom a dhol a dh’ ^isdeachd ri dealbhan- bliadhna an caochladh aiteachan air a’ cluiche? Ghaidhealtachd agus anns na h-eileanan. ’S e Tha craobh-sgaoileadh (fuaim is dealbhan) feisean Beurla a tha seo, fo ughdarras an an diugh a’ toirt dealbhan-cluiche gu aire S.C.D.A. (Scottish Community Drama dhaoine nach d’ fhuair fiosrachadh dhe ’n Association). Corra uair aig na f&sean thig t-seorsa riamh roimhe. ’S e buannachd a tha buidheann air adhart le dealbh-chluich an sin a tha aig a’ cheart hm a’ cumail dhaoine Gkidhlig. aig aft taigh agus a’ fagail nan tallachan A h-uile bliadhna on a thoisich F&s-Drama falamh. Ghlaschu, fhuaras misneachadh is cuid- Tha cuid dhe na Gaidheil, mar a tha cuid eachadh bho ’n S.C.D.A. thug iad siiil ghearr a null ’s a nail, agus cho Bodaich Ghleusda nan fad’ 's a bha iadsan comasach air faicinn tre Laithean a Dh’ Aom leus fann an latha a leig uinneag bheag gu h-ard air a’ ghlas-ceap a steach air eiginn, agus ceo Le Tormop Domhnallach an teine mona air meadhon an urlair, cha robh Nuair a bha am Prionnsa Tearlach ’n a sion a’ dol air aghaidh anns an fhardaich fhogarrach bochd air feadh eileanan agus tir-m6r dhiblidh ud ach creutair de bhoirionnach neo- na Gaidhealtachd, cha b’ ann aon uair, no da chiontach a’ deanamh oidhirp air a leanabh uair, a chaidh caol thearnadh air bho a naimh- canranach a chuir a chadal. Thill na saigh- dean lionmhor. Gheibhear gu leoir de naidh- dearana mach chosamhach,balbh ’sab’urrainn eachdan mun chuis ann an leabhraichean dhaibh ’s fhuair an Suaineas Ban a chasan as. eachdraidh. Ach a dh’aindeoin na chaidh a Ta ar sgeul a’ leigeil fhaicinn dhuinn gur e sgriobhadh mu theasraiginn a Phrionnsa, fior phort rioghail a ta ann am Maolruainidh chluinnte air bilean an t-sluaigh, eadhon ri mo Glinneachan. Mur do chuir e mac an righ ’n cheud chuimhne fhin, sgeul na dha nach deach a chadal an latha ud, ar leam nach do dh’fhag a riamh a chlo-bhualadh. Ta sinn a’ cuir sios e’ eascairdean gu ceart 'n an duisge! aon diubh so mar a leanas. Theirinn nach robh am an eachdraidh anns Rainig Tearlach Lochabar, dixthaich nan an do thaisbean an Gaidheal am barrachd cairdean nach do lasaich ’n an dilseachd bho’n gleusdachd na ann an laithean nan cuil- a’ cheud latha anns an do dh’eirich iad fo a mhutairean, mar a theirte ris an fheadhainn a bhrataich ann an Gleann-fionain. bha ’deanamh an uisge-bheatha gu falachaidh. Mar a dh’fhaodas sinn a thuigsinn, cha robh Bha an obair ud a’ dol air adhart anns gach tigh mor no beag air feadh na duthcha nach eilean is sgire agus cha bheag an ceol-gaire robh fo amharus agus fo shuil fhurachar an airm dhuinn a bhi 'beachdachadh air a liuthad uair Shasunnaich. Anns na laithean ud bu mhor an a thug cuil-mhutairean nach sgriobhadh an cunnart do neach fasgadh a thoirt do dhuine ’s ainm, an car a gaidsearan is earraid a’ chruin. am bith a rinn aithnichte gu robh claonbhaigh Mun do dh’fh&g an tuath Eilean Phapaidh, aige ris na Stiubhartaich, gun tighinn air fhuaireadh a mach gun robh muinntir an aite aoidheachd a thoirt do fhear dhiubh fein. ris an uisge-bheatha. Rinn na gaidsearan air Ach chuir aon Abrach acfuinneach roimhe an Eilean ’s cha mhor nach robh na cuil- nach biodh Tearlach 'n a allaban truagh am mhutairean air an glacadh gu h-obann. freasdal uamhan froighnigh nan creag mar ’S an cheart am am facas an namh air fa ire, ionadan dion, cho fad’ ’s a bhiodh e anns a’ cha robh de thide aig na Papaich na chuireadh chearn ud co-dhiu. am falach gach prais-dhubh, soitheach is braich Air do’n Abrach a bhi ’n a dhuine snasmhor, a dheanadh an diteadh. “Leigeadh sibhse rinn e creathall mhor air cumadh creathall leamsa,” arsa fear de na bha’n lathair, “theid ieanaibh. Bha de fhad innte’s gum faodadh am agamsa air an saodachadh gu ceann an Eilein firionnach bu mhotha meudachd e fein a agus gheibh sibhse pailteas uine airson a h-uile shineadh ’n a broinn gun a bhodhaig a bhi ro rud fhalach anns na h-uamhan!” nochta. Thog am bodach toesaid fhalamh, chuireadh Fhuaireadh cothrom air a’ Phrionnsa a ball cainb mu timchioll air a dhruim, is sheoladh gu tearuinte gu bothan an t-saoir. dh’fhalbh e gu cnoc far am faiceadh na A chionn ’s nach robh fios c’uin a dh’fhaodadh gaidsearan e. foireann tighinn orra, bha feum a ghnath air Cha b’fhada gus an do nochd iadsan ri baile! faicill. Airson bhrathadairean a chuir a barail, Anns an mhionaid ’s an tug fear na toesaid an shuidheadh cuideigin ri taobh an aoidh ’ga aire dhaibh theich e cho clis 's a dheanadh a thulgadh, cho luath ’s a ghabhadh e mu thamh. chasan e thun a’ bhaid a b ’fhaide as de Phapaidh. C6-dhiu no co-dheth, cha robh e an dan do Thug na g adsearan a mach gu bras ’n a Thearlach fois na creathall a mhealtainn ro dheidh. Chum iad a’ ruagadh a’ bhodaich gu fhada. An ceann latha no dha thainig fear de diorrasach fad’ fin-foinneach an latha, nuair a na freiceadannan a steach is ’anail 'n a uchd, shaoileadh iad a bha e air bhial a bhi air a a dh’innse gu robh dithis de shaighdearan an ghlacadh, rachadh esan a fianuis is chaillte e. Diuc a’ deanamh air an tigh. Is e thainig as gun d’fhuair na cuil-mhutairean Gu grad laigh am Prionnsa sios ’n a elite eile an diol iiine airson an soithichean a chuir didein agus bean an tighe crom thairis air a’ far nach faigheadh coigreach iad a chaoidh. cheann-adhairt a’ cuir falach air na bha 'n Fa-dheoidh, leig gaisgeach a’ bhuideil ieis a bhroinn, a da laimh gu trang a' tulgadh agus na gaidsearan greim a dheanamh air, ach cho surd math orra a’ seinn ceithreamhan de luath ’s a mhothaich na balaich nach robh air ‘ ‘ Mhaolruainidh Glinneachan,' ’ mar oran a mhuin ach soitheach falamh! .... cha bu talaidh. leoir e a radh gun do ghabh iad an cuthach! Nochd fir an eididh dheirg anns an dorus, 'Se ghabh iad an cuthach bideineach! Eilean Shothaidh Eilein Sgiathanaich, le na h-eileanan beaga Le Calum Camshron gu deas; Blath-bheinn agus an Cuilionn gu Chaidh seo a chraobh-sgaoileadh tuath. Tha sinn a’ cluinntinn gu math trie an Cha robh e soirbh faighinn gu Sothaidh, no diugh mu aiteachan anns a’ Ghaidhealtachd faighinn as air son sin, ged a bha dhigh no dha far am bheil obraichean ura air toiseachadh air. Dh’ fhaodadh neach a thighinn na mar an Tiriodh agus an Cataibb, gu bheil ceithir mile thar nam monaidhean a Gleann an sluagh air a mheudachadh, agus duil aig na Bhreatail; smuid a dheanamh an uair sin aig Gaidheil ri barrachd cosnaidh anns na aite ris an canar Na Lice, agus feitheamh a h-aiteachan sin. sin gus an tigeadh gehla ’gad iarraidh. ’Se comharradh math a tha so. Bithidh Eathad eile, le bus gu ruige Ealaghol agus sinn an dbchas gun teid gu math dhaibh, gun fios a chur as a sin le oifig-a-phuist a dh’ teid iad air adhart gu aimsir bheartach, agus iarraidh aiseig. An uair a bha m’ athair ’na gum bi iomadach eilean is baile Gaidhealach bhalach 6g, b’ abhaist dhaibh an t-Eilean eile ri aithris fhathast air naigheachd cho fhkgail aig ceithir uairean anns a’ mhaduinn, taitneach. agus na seachd-mile-deug gu Malaig iomradh Ach gu de mu dheighinn nam bailtean a tha air son trean Ghlaschu. Cha robh mise riamh falamh mar tha, is nach gabh cuideachadb cho cruaidh so. ’Se rathad Mhalaig mar bu tuilleadh. Bu tboil leam-sa innseadb dhuibh trice a bhitheadh na Sothaich a’ gabhail do’n a nochd mu aon bhaile, aon eilean mar so, dachaidhean, air an eathair thapaidh sin, na air an robh mi gu math eblach uair dhe mo “Marys” a bha ag aiseag eadar Sothaidh agus latha. Malaig a h-uile Di-Mairt. Ged a tha Sothaidh ainmeil an diugh air ’Se slighe gu math taitneach a bha sin, Gaidhealtachd agus air Galltachd, an uair a b' na do shuidhe ’san toiseach air toscaid aithne dhomhsa ’s mo chuideachd an toiseaeb “paraffin,” peile faisg air laimh air son nan i, cha robh a dhealbh cho trie anns na creutairean bochda air am biodh an tinneas- paipearan naigheachd. Tha Eilean Shoth- mara. A h-uile frithealadh a dh’ iarradh tu. aidh a’ laighe mu mhlle deas air tir-mor an Seoladh seachad air Eudha Shleibhte, air Eige Eilein Sgiathanaich. Bidli beagan a bharrachd agus Rum, agus fad na tide fear-eiginn a’ air mile fhaid ann, agus leth-mhile leud. piobaireachd an deireadh na h-eathar, neo Tri no ceithir a mhiltean de chladach Alasdair Caimbeul e fhein a’ dalladh air “Bu creagach, an cnoc is airde tri-cheud troigh, chaomh learn bhi mireadh” gu h-iosal. agus alltain gu leir a’ ruith gu cuan. ’Se Air oidhche Di-Mairt ’s ann anns a’ bhaile MacLeoid Dhunbheagain a bha ’na Uachdaran ’bhiodh an aighear. Na “Marys” air acair air Sothaidh, ged a bha an t-eilean air mid anns an loch, dhachaidh & Malaig, a h-uile aig tuathanaich mar bu trice. duine cothromach anns an Eilean cruinn mu Chan ’eil cinnte sam bith cuin a chaidh oifig-a phuist a’ feitheamh litrichean agus daoine a dh’ fhuireach dh’an Eilean. Anns ghnothaichean eile a tir-mor. ’S iomadh a’ bhliadhna 1792 cha robh ann ach buachaille, oidhche a dh’ fhuirich mise ’s mo sheorsa ’nar an drasda ’sa rithist air son obair cruidh, duisg gu math anmoch fiach am faiceamaid crodh-dubh tha mi cinnteach. Ach anns a’ na “Marys” a’ tighinn a -stigh. Bhiodh mu bhliadhna 1830 bha teaghlaichean air an dheich duine fichead, eadar sean agus 6g air Eilean, agus rugadh mo sheanar fhein ann, Sothaidh, na mo latha-sa a tamh ann an deich anns a’ bhliadhna 1837. Thainig aon teaghlach tighean faisg air a’ chladach, cuairtichte mu a Rudh-an-Dunain, agus teaghlach eile a Chamus-nan-Gall. Ri am m’ athar bha ebrr Minginis, ach dh’ fhaillich e ormsa fhaighinn is ceud neach air an eilean ach lughdaich so a mach co as a thainig mo chuideachd fhein, eadar an da chogadh. ’Se tighean matha agus an corr. Mu thoiseach na linn so chaidh geala a bha aca, a chosg iad fhein ri’n togail. moran de na Gaidheil a’ sguabadh as na Coig sehmraichean co-dhiubh agus tighean a croitean, ’s an dachaidhean, air son aite a muigh a bharrachd, le uisge ruith a stigh aig dheanamh do chaoraich. Tha mi cinnteach gur cuid. Anns an sgoil, mu cheithir sgoilear deug e so a thachair do na Sothaich. ag ionnsachadh an sin gus an tigeadh orra Air cul-thaobh an Eilein, ’se sin air' an falbh a Phortrigh aig aois nan tri-bliadhna- taobh tuath, tha acarsaid far am bitheadh deug. sgothan nan Sothach anns a’ gheamhradh ach ’Se ' an Eaglais Shaor a bha a’ cumail ’s ann air an taobh an Ear, ann an Camus- misionaraidh air an eileah, ach chuireadh na nan-Gall, a bha na tighean agus na daoine. h-eaglaisean eile fear teagaisg ann aig Cuairtichte mun a’ chamus so bha mu amannan cuideachd. Tha cuimhne agam dheich taighean, a’ coimhead a mach gu fhathast air maduinn na Sabaid, an deidh Ealaghol, tri mile air falbh, air tir-mor an dhuinn an Leabhar a’ leughadh, a bhith a’ — 75 feitheamh gus an d’ racliadh an teaghlach tamh anns na lochan so, ach le aois thainig sonraichte so seachad air beul-thaobh an tighe, misneachd; ’s minic a chosg sinn feasgar sona bha an t-am againne an uair sin a bhith falbh a’ snamh annta. ’S fheudar gun do theich cuideachd. na h-eich uisge. Nam biodh ministear a’ teagasg uair sam Ged is e cuimhne shona a tha agamsa air bith, dh’ fhaodadh gun tigeadh luchd-eathair Sbthaidh, bha’n cuid thubaistean aca, mar a no dha a tir-mor an Eilein Sgiathanaich ’ga tha aig bailtean eile. ’Se latha duilich a bh’ eisdeachd. Bha’n eaglais bheag gheal loma- ann, ’nuair a chaidh na “Marys” air an robh lan a mach air an dorus an latha sin. mi’ bruidhinn mar tha ’na teine air a curs ’S ann air croitearachd agus iasgach a dhachaidh a Malaig. Gu fortanach chaidh bhatar a’ deanamh am beo-shlaint’ re na na daoine a bha air bbrd a shabhaladh, ach bliadhna. Ag obair cruaidh moch is anmoch, chaillear am bata, na bh’ innte, agus aiseag le pris bhochd air na giomaich uaireannan, Shbthaidh ann a leth-uair a thide. Neo an agus teaghlaichean mora ri thogail. Bha croit latha Geamhraidh, nach do thill Padruig leis a h-uile tigh, a dha’sa tri le cuid ’s docha. Macrath as a’ mhonadh. Seachdainnean an Crodh agus caoraich Shealtanaich air a’ deidh so, fhuaras a chorp fuar ’na laighe ri mhonadh agus cuideachadh gu leoir bho gach taobh cnuic. ’Nuair a bhris eigh chomhnard nabaidh ’nuair a dh’ fheumar e. Loch-an-nuadh-chrom fo chasan Choinnich Aig aite ris an canar Leac na Faoilinn tha Chaimbeul is e air a rathad goirid a’ ghabhail “quarry” anns an d’ fhuaras leacan air son thairis an loch. Chan e aon tigh a bha fo nam bailtean mu dheas, ach sguir an obair so bhrbn aig am mar so, ach am bade air fad. ro am a’ chiad chogaidh. B’ abhaist iasgach ’Nar n-oige cha robh sinne ri ceilidh sgadain gu lebir a bhi ann cuideachd, corrr is thighean, ach re nam bliadhnaichean a bha da fhichead cutair aig an am bu trainge, agus sinn a’ fas suas, fhuair sinn an toiseach cho Camus-nan-Gall lan bhataichean. fada ri Doire-nam-bo gus mu dheireadh An deidh a’ chogaidh mu dheireadh, ’nuair a bha a’ bhriogais fhada suas, rainig steidhicheadh iasgach chearaban air Sothaidh sinn tigh Neill MhicKath, ard-thigh ceilidh Chaidh fardach ur a thogail air cul an eilean, Shbthaidh. So far am biodh na bodaich agus agus bha duil gun toireadh so obair gu lebir fir bga a’ bhaile a’ cruinneachadh. do’n bhaile. ’S duilich ri radh, cha do mhair Dh’ fhaodadh gun tacadh ceo an tombac’ e moran is da bhliadhna. As t-samhradh a thu anns an dol-a-stigh ach aon uair ’s gun rithist, iasgach bhradan’ na thaice dhaibh. do thbisich na sgeulachdan agus na naigh- Mu’n am so dhe’n bhliadhna cuideachd, air eachdan cha robh neach a’ cur uibhreachd da latha dhe’n t-seachdainn bha Daibhidh sam bith air. Chan e sgeulachdan mora mar MacBhruithinn a’ ruith bata-smuide do Loch a tha aca ann an Uibhist, ach aighearachd Sgathabhaig le luchd-turuis a dh’ fhaicinn agus fealadh-dha an latha fhein. So far na Choiruisge agus an Cuilionn. chuala mi air son a’ cheud uair: “Fear a ni Bha so a’ ciallachadh da rud; gu robh a teine math dha fhein, is math an airidh e nise doigh eile air faighinn a Sbthaidh, agus air a dheagh gharadh fhaighinn” neo “Cha bha fir an eilein a’ faighinn obair a chionn’s tbid cuileag ann am beul duinte,” agus gur iad a bha ag aiseag eadar bata-na-smuide iomadach sean-fhacal eile. agus tir. ’Se mo bheachd-sa gu robh sinn car gann Cha robh rathad idir air Sbthaidh, ach de dh’ brain ann a Sbthaidh ach ged a bha, ceum ris an robh sinn ag radh rathad mbr, cha chuala mi “Oran an Eireannaich” ann a’ leantuinn bho’n acarsaid, seachad air cul- an aite sam bith ach an seo fhein. Ciamar a thaobh a Cheann-a-stigh, sios troimh ’n nise tha e dol? bhaile cho fada ri tigh a Charraidh. Dh’ aindeoin na gainnid so, thug aon Aig toiseach a’ gheamhraidh gur ann a bha ghaisgeach carbad-ola do’n eilean air son sinn mbine a thoirt dachaidh, agus rinn i sin gu Le smaointeanan trom air cho gann ’sa bha dichiollach dha, iomadh latha. ’n tlr Ged nach ’eil Eilean Shbthaidh ach beag, ’S ag radh mun tigeadh an t-Earrach gu mar a thuirt mi, air na monaidhean tha tri- crich lochan-deug. Tha cinnte agam as a so, a Gum biodh am baile le gainn’ air a chlaoidh. chionn ’s gun d’ rinn caraid agus mi fhein cuairt orra uile ann an aon oidhche air son Chan urrainn dhomh radh nach e burraidh geall. Lochain beaga taitneach le ainmeanan a bh’ ann blasda Gaidhealach mar a tha Loch-na- A chaidh gad do leigeil air cladach a nail teangadh-riabhach; Gair-nan-Goil; Doire- Gun d’ thug e dhuit acaid nach teid as do cneamh agus an cbrr. Aig toiseach a latha bha chuimhn’ eagal againn roimh na h-eich uisge a bha ’S gun toir e air d’ aisnean falbh bho’n druim. ’Nuair a chunnaic ’sa leugh sinn am beud a robh an dealachadh ri thighinn. Cho duilich bha arm is gu robh sinn a’ fagail eilean ar breith, cha ’S mur a faicte gu feum i gum b’ eiginn a b’ urrainn dhuinn fuireach. call Coltach ri bailtean eile, thogte na fir bg ’S arm thug na fir aotrom leum air a crann anns a’ chiad chogadh, fir agus mnathan anns Is chuir iad ri cheile na breidean a bh’ ann. a’ chogadh mu dheireadh. Dhiubh sin bha ann nach do thill idir, do na thill bha obair Tha ’n t-bran so mu dheidhinn bata na b’ fhearr dhaibh air tir-mor agus anns na Eireannach a chaidh air sgeir faisg air eilean bailtean mu dheas. C6 chuireadh bacadh Bum, gu fortanach do na Sbthaich aig an am. orra? C’ bite eile, an cualas “Oran na Tunnag Cha mhaireadh na daoine bha air fhagail gu Fhirionn” a rinn Aonghas Mac an t-Saoir a brMh, na sean daoine a’ fas na bu shine, Malaig, mu obair nebnach a thachair anns a’ gus latha air choir-eiginn nach biodh ann ach bhaile aon latha, far an d’ thuirt e ann am aosda, gun neart gun chothrom. Tha na bardachd cho geur ’sa thogradh tu: daoine a’ b’ aithne dhomhsa ann a Sbthaidh sgapte feadh na duthcha an diugh. Guidheam Chan’ eil an duine beannaicht’ ach sonas maireann dhaibh. Mar neart a’ chinne-daonnadh ’S beag air bhi toirt seachad rud ’S ann air Sbthaidh a bha na daoine ’S ro-mhaith leis a bin slaodadh cMrdeil a bh’ ann, a bhitheas mise Dh’ ith e’n tunnag agamsa cuimhneachadh ri m’ bheb. Gun fharraid no gun fhaotainn Gu’m bu dubh an latha gheibh E gearradh dheth troimh chaolan. Nise bha aon latha dhe’n a’ bhliadhna a Do M. L, Baile Ailein sheas a mach a bharrachd air each. B’e sin Gairich nan tonn air creagan na h-Airde; latha geamachan Shbthaidh. Cha b’ fhiach Monmhor nan allt air monadh nan airigh; geamacb,an Phortrigh no Thobair-Mhoire horo gheallaidh ri’n taobh. Thigeadh iad a Ceileireadh fialaidh nan eunlaith ri dan Aineort, Carbost, Breatal, Ealghol agus a domh— h-uile cearnaidh mu’n cuairt cho fad air falbh Lon-cridhe m’ araich an earrach mo la: ri Malaig. Tha monmhor nan allt, is ceilear nan eunlaith, B’e sin na co-fharpaisean, bhtaichean beaga ’S gairich nan tonn, sior chaochladh, gun is mor, a’ strith air muir, agus daoine beag is chrionadh, mbr a’ strith air tir. A’ ruith, a’ leum, a’ Is ged a tha sneachda ro-gheal air mo chiabhaig cur nan clach, agus aig an deireadh thall Bidh bg-gheas an trianaid am’ chliabh cogadh-nan-rbp, le Sbthaidh air aon cheann gu la bhrath. agus an saoghal air a’ cheann eile. ’S ann Am Bard Bochd. oirnne bhiodh an curam mur a deanadh Sbthaidh an gnothach air a’ chuis. ’Nuair sin gu biadh. Chan ’eil fhios gu de cho blasda ’sa bha a h-uile greim an latha ud seach latha eile. Feasgar, bhiodh dannsa T oimhseachain mor anns an t-sabhal aig Alasdair Caimbeul, Tha i gun ghuth ach eighidh i; direach mar a bha aca ann am Portrigh, ach Tha i gun sgiath ach sgeithidh i; gu robh na b’ fhearr. ’S duilich ri radh bha Tha i gun spuir ach reubaidh i, mise car bg air son sin mu’n am ud. Tha i gun bheul ach sgeilmidh i. Bhiodh e soirbh gu lebir dhomhsa a h-uile tigh a bha anns an eilean ainmeachadh, oir A’ Ghaoth. fhuair mi’n aon fhbilte chridheil anns gach aon E beb gun anail, dhiubh, ach cha leig uine learn. ’S cho fuar ri rag; Gu de thachair do Shbthaidh agus do na Gun tart na ghne, Sbthaich, an uair a b’ fheudar dhaibh E ’g bl gun stad; dealachadh an deidh a bhi cho reidh ebrr is ’S ge mor a luaths ’na dheise shligeach, ceud bliadhna? Cha chluinn thu guaim, cha chluinn thu gliog Thug iomadach aobhar an gnothach gu aig. ceann ach tha mise a’ smaointeachadh gu Iasg. Tearlach A’ Phosta Buidheann euchdmhor, cbolgarr’, cbinnteacb, Mar thugadh cheana fainear ghabh Tearlach Reidheadh gu treun a dhion na rioghachd; a’ pliostachd air do a athair a dhol air chluain; S fad bha n eachdraidb air a sgriobhadh ach bha e soilleir, o thoiseach, nach robh uidh Sios le pinn o linn Mhic Ailein. aige anns an obair agus a’ mhuir a ghnath ’g a thaladh. Gur h-e suaicheantas nan armann: Nach bu trie leis a bhith, agus a uchd air Leomhann, lamb dhearg, fraoch nan krd- garradh na buaile, le prosbaig r’a shuil, a’ bheann, dion amharc air na bataichean a bhitheadh, Craobh, is bradan thig far saile, ’s an am ud, a’ sebladh, tuath agus deas, Long nam breid, nan sparr ’s nan crannag. troimh an Linne Ratharsairich. Cha robb smuain air obair fearainn, agus carson a Fhir a sheblas as mo dhuthaich, bhitheadh, oir cha d’ fhag diombanas Thoir mo shoiridh leat le m’ dhurachd; The&rlaich an obair riamh an eis, agus gillean ’S ma thadhlas tu am Poll a’ ghrudhain, na sgoile ro easgaidh gu buntata a chur agus Beannachd dubailte gu Beileig. a ghlanadh, gu togail uime agus a bhuain ’n a am, air sgath nan bran ura a bhitheadh Bidh mi criochnachadh mo dhain dhut, Tearlach a’ seinn dhaibh. Oidhche mhath leat, soiridh slan leat; Latha bha siud, agus sgaoth de gheataichean Tha gach sebrsa maise fas ort fo ’n lan shebl, a’ cath an aghaidh gaoithe Nach cuir buadban baird an ealaidh. agus, a reir coltais, a’ fiachainn geallreis, bha Tearlach, mar b’ kbhaist, le glaine fhada, Seisd luachmhor a fhuair Dbmhnall Beag (dill- eachdan a thog iad) an iasad o fhrithear a bha {d:-:r|n:s:-|s:-:d|l:s:-j. air ur-thighinn do’n aite. Thainig Dbmhnall air Tekrlach gu h-obann agus, le spochadh {s:-:s|l:s:-|s:-:d|n:r:-j. cruaidh, thubhairt e: “Cuir bhuat a’ ghlaine sin agus tu an dbidh glag-bheairt a dheanamh |d:-:r|n:s:-js:-:n| 1 : s : - j. dith.” “Seo dhut i,” fbreagair Tekrlach air a shocair, “agus bu cho math learn maide-tbn- Rann eich rithe.” {n:-:s|s:-:sjl:-:l|l:s:-}. ^ns-sslss-rslls-slld'ir1:-]. Flur Nan Cailin { n1: - : n1 | n1: - : r'| d1: - : d'| d1 : s : - Air dha a phostachd fhagail thug Tearlach a’ mhuir air, agus rinn e an luinneag ghrinn seo do { 1 : - : 1 | d1: - : 1 | s : - : d | n : r ; - } nighinnan do chuir Ghaidhealaich e eolas ann (Iseabai'l an Liverpool-—A.MacN. Nio Dhomhnaill) air Seisd: — Flur nan cailin ’s tu gun leanainn, Suil a’ mheallaidh, uidh gach leannain; Na h-Iomadaidh Ann Diubh Flur nan cailin ’s tu gun leanainn. Bha ceistear uaireigin an Cataibh agus chaidh e a choimhead air banntrach Ebgbainn O gur h-i mo ghaol-sa ’ghruagach is i a’ fuireach am bothan beag leatha fhein. Dh’ fhas cho faiceallach ’n a gluasad; Chuir e a’ cheisd oirre, “Cia meud pearsa a Thug mi speis a mhaireas buan di tha ’s an Diadhachd?” Fhreagair i, “Tha na Nach dean astar cuain a sgaradh. h-iomadaidh ann diubh. Nach ’eil Mgr. Flur nan cailin, etc. Ruairidh, Domhnall Deucon is Tormod Tha a cruth, a dealbh ’s a h-lomhaigh Eildear is ur leithid fhein!’’ “O!” arsa an Tigh’inn an cbmhnaidh beb am fhianais, ceistear, “nach e seo a tha dorcha!” agus Suilean taitneach, laiste, lionta, fhreagair a’ chailleach, “Nam faiceadh sibh e ’S gile bian na cliabh na h-eala. mun do chuir Eoghann an uinneag ann! ’ ’ Chan ’eil fada o choinnich seann fhear- Gur h-i mo cheist a’ mhaighdean bhbidheach ceasnachaidh sgoiltean ri fear a bhitheas a’ Chaidh a shniomh o shlol Chloinn Dbmhnaill; sgriobhadh fo iomadh ainm-pinn. Thuirt am Dream nach striocadh do luchd do-bheairt fear-ceasnachaidh ris, “Nach tu a sgriobh an ’S nach dean fbirneadh air an ainnis. rud ud (is e ’ga ainmeachadh) ann an Gairm?” — 78 Cl midi) am fear eile as aicheadh. Thuirt am Gaelic speakers in the homogeneous Gaelic fear-ceasnachaidh, “Cha leig thu a leas a area going to continue to decline? This is the bhith ’gad fholach fhein orm-sa. Aithnichidh only foreseeable reservoir for the supply of mi do chuid o thug thu freagradh Gaelic in Scotland — if it runs low, or dry, caimeadalach orm is mi a’ ceasnachadh sgoile that will be the end. an S . . . ! Carson nach bitheadh tu mar If An Comunn has ever made this seemingly dhaoine eile agus a bhith riaraichte le aon simple analysis of the situation, it has ainm, gun ainm fa leth gach uair a bhitheas certainly not acted on it. Of the fifty-two tu a’ sgriobhadh?” Fhreagair am fear eile, branches listed in the 1960-61 Report of An “Ma ghabhas mise comhairle duine as glice Comunn (not a complete list), only eight can agus as fiosraiche na mi fhein, nach dean mi be said to be in the Gaelic area, and it is sin — Legion.” doubtful if some of these eight are properly Seo a’ cheist agus freagradh a’ bhalaich. speaking in Gaelic areas. But the startling ‘ ‘ Ma gheibh mise fichead sgadan air ochd thing is that only one branch (the Lewis one) sgillinn deug agus punnd disg air coig sgillinn appears for the Outer Isles as a whole. In deug, de an aois a tha mi?” Gun sbradh the Inner Isles there are six branches (Mull thuirt am balach, ‘‘Da fhichead.” ‘‘Ciamar (2), Islay, Tiree, Colonsay, Portree). It is this a tha thu a’ deanamh sin a mach?” arsa an situation in the islands, particularly in the ceistear. Fhreagair e, ‘‘Tha leth-chiallach ’s Outer Hebrides, that I want to look at more a’ bhaile seo air am bheil am Bourach. Tha closely to-day. esan mu fhichead agus mar sin feumaidh gu There are various reasons for the existence bheil sibhse dk fhichead.” of this situation: (1) historical reasons — An An Taean. Comunn was founded in the southern Gaelic area, and had an Argyllshire bias for the early part of its history, and through the late Neil Shaw this bias continued, to some extent subconsciously, until very recent times; (2) Conference Report psychological reasons — in the last two Report on the Conference of the Northern hundred years at least, concern for Gaelic has Area of An Comunn Gaidhealach, held at usually been stronger where the language was Cnoc-nan-Ros, Tain, 23rd-24th March, weaker. An Comunn took root most easily, 1962, and Recommendations of Comunn na therefore, in areas where Gaelic was dead or h-Oigridh Committees and Northern dying (apart from immigrants). It took root Committee. also in areas where Gaelic could be a hobby, not a part of everyday life. After all, in Air. Derick Thomson spoke on ‘‘New Glasgow one could dress up to be a Gaelic Approaches in the Western Isles.” The enthusiast, whereas in Skye perhaps one would following is a report: — dress up to go and speak English to Dame There are two approaches to the question Flora AlacLeod or some such dignitary. At of how to work for the revival of Gaelic: the beginning of this century in Harris, e.g., (1) by interesting the maximum number of it might have seemed just as sensible to found Lowlanders (e.g., by Mods, Television, etc.), an Association for the Encouragement of (2) by trying to strengthen and then to Breathing as to found a branch of An Comunn. revitalise the existing Gaelic areas. They spoke Gaelic anyway, just as they I believe that any hopes we can have must breathed. be based on the second of these approaches. There is an element of exaggeration in what To think otherwise is a form of escapism or 1 am saying now, but it does help to under- self-deception, practised by many people line one important point. An Comunn had living outside the Gaelic area: they may be not, and has not, found the right approach in carried away by their own enthusiasm, or the Gaelic areas. The Gaelic people have their hard work, into thinking that activities been in the position of the grandmother whose in the Lowlands, among Lowlanders, are going grandchildren came to her and tried to teach to affect the future of Gaelic in a vital way. her how to suck eggs. She thought they were (This might be the case if we had a strong very foolish, and hadn’t grown up. Similarly, pro-Gaelic government in Scotland, but I need the Islanders sometimes thought that An not stress that we have neither a pro-Gaelic Comunn officials and representatives were soft government nor a government in Scotland.) in the head, and that living in the cities had Activities in the Lowlands, then, are of gone to their heads. marginal value. I do not suggest that they Unfortunately, in some ways they were are valueless. Far from it. But they hardly right! • touch the vital question — is the number of The Hebrideans, in general, are not — 79 attracted to theoretical argument. Perhaps way I have suggested, but it is essential that jj there is one large exception, in the case of there should be selected people in each parish \ Calvinistic and Evangelical religion — but or island.) generally speaking the Hebridean (especially in the Northern Hebrides) is of a practical (1) Propaganda, e.g. (a) by press activity j turn of mind. He will not undertake pasture (letters, etc.), (b) by posters — the ’ regeneration because he has been told it works, posters could be sponsored by the parent or how it works, or that it is profitable. But body, or perhaps better, an attempt j he will undertake it if he sees it working in could be made to co-operate with existing | the next village. If he wants to do it he will bodies. Thus, the North of Scotland , work like a slave to see it through. But if he College of Agriculture might be interested | has not been convinced by example, he will in using Gaelic posters to help on the make elaborate fun of the reformer, and will surface — seeding campaign, or campaigns pass the time profitably in that way. for better stock management. ' The Thus it is worse than useless to go out into Crofters’ Commission might be interested the Hebrides to make speeches about the in this also. Similarly, the Education future of the Gaelic language, and the Committees, the Tourist Board (or Local foundation of branches to save our ancient Tourist Associations), Agricultural Shows, culture. The typical reaction to such an Football Clubs, and the Churches. The ) apostle is likely to be “A/ amadan na network of members, or cells, to be used bidseadh.” to distribute posters, as well as to initiate All this does not mean that nothing con- new ideas for local propaganda. structive can be done. What I have been (2) The same body might form the nucleus { concerned to do up to now in this talk is of a scheme for the distribution of Gaelic emphasise that there are hazards, of an literature of various kinds, and might I historical and of a psychological nature, in the help with the scheme of improving Gaelic | way of spreading Gomunn branch activities to library facilities, already started. With the Hebrides. If these hazards are ignored regard to the general expenses of the there is not likely to be much progress. Gaelic literature scheme, these might be Indeed, I am very doubtful if there should met by commissions on sales, and also by ! be any campaign to found new branches in an initial levy on publishers taking part J the Hebrides — at least for the present, until in the scheme. ifc can be seen whether An Comunn is willing (3) The members of this body might make to change its way of thinking about branches. local arrangements for entertainment You may well say that some way of canalising tours of various kinds throughout the |l activities is desirable. It might be worthwhile Gaelic area, e.g., for thinking about setting up an informal body (a) small concert parties; within the Comunn, or the Northern Area of (b) touring plays (perhaps in conjunction An Comunn — a sort of Council of the Isles, with the Glasgow Gaelic Drama ! except that representatives of truly Gaelic Festival, or the Inverness Group, or , areas on the mainland should be included. the Ossianic Society of Glasgow i This body would not meet as a committee at University, etc.); all, although it might have an annual (c) touring exhibitions of various kinds, j conference. But it could have a very small, e.g., Celtic arts and crafts, books. rotating executive, which could meet two or (4) It might be possible to make arrangements three times a year, to sift business and whereby these representatives acted as suggestions received by post from the larger news correspondents for the Gaelic body. I would suggest that this larger body Department of the B.B.C., or were used should have a member in each parish or from time to time in B.B.C. Audience island in the Gaelic area, and that each Research in their own areas. There may member should form a small local committee be a much greater opportunity for this of people prepared to work in the Gaelic sort of co-operation when the new V.H.F. cause. This body should work almost anony- Stations are set up in the Gaelic area, and mously, reserving all the publicity for the when Gaelic T.V. spreads its wings work done, not for the workers or the further. organisation. I would make it an inflexible (5) An attempt should be made to establish rule that all members of this body must be new types of evening classes in Gaelic, fluent Gaelic speakers (whether native or not). run in the Education Committees, with I now want to put forward suggestions as to local interest being stirred up by the work these people could do. (It is not members of this proposed body. These essential that they should be organised in the classes could be of the following kinds: — (a) Classes in Gaelic reading for older remarkable progress has been made in some people. schools, where the existing text-books are (b) Gaelic song circles—i.e., appreciation supplemented by simple reading lessons based classes in Gaelic music. on oral composition, resumes of the material (c) Gaelic literature circles, e.g., reading contributed by children during daily “news- Gaelic literature generally, and periods,” suitably modified English text-books, making collections of local songs. labels attached to objects, captions attached (d) Local lore and history. to pictures, etc. Generally speaking, the Church is a strong- In a small number of schools the introduction hold of Gaelic — particularly the Free to reading in English has been postponed, Church. Why do we not try to meet it half- with extremely favourable results in the way and effect some sort of link with this acquisition of the reading skill in both powerful Gaelic agency? languages. The most outstanding progress in Gaelic Mr. Murdo Macleod spoke on “ The reading has been at the middle primary stage, Inverness-shire Education Scheme in Gaelic where no provision was formerly made for the and the following is a full report: — teaching of Gaelic. The new series of text- 1. General Application.—Gaelic is now books produced by An Comunn Gaidhealach being used in a much wider context than was has proved attractive and stimulating. These formerly the case. Whereas it was for many books have been most effective in those schools years the rule to use Gaelic only when where the content has been developed and necessity demanded, i.e., when the children enlarged. were completely unfamiliar with English, the At the later stages of the primary school, scope of the language has now been extended the reading material available in print is to all stages throughout the primary school, in inadequate in quality and scope, but the Skye and the Outer Isles. More emphasis is importance of supplementing the existing now placed on, and more time devoted to, the text-books is being recognised, and some teaching of Gaelic as a subject, and in certain schools are devising suitable material, more schools a limited use is made of Gaelic as a relevant to their own situation. medium of instruction in the teaching of other (b) Written Work. In the infant classes subjects. this is of a very elementary nature, consisting 2. Aims.—(a) To provide for the Gaelic- of simple sentences, captions for pictures, speaking pupil a fuller and more appropriate transcriptions of the reading lessons, etc. education by making as much use as is reason- Many schools have introduced the practice of able of his mother-tongue, and by incorporating having the formal writing lessons occasionally in the curriculum his own culture, environment in Gaelic instead of in English, and this helps and experience to establish familiarity with the written word (6) To assist in the perpetuation of Gaelic in Gaelic at an early age. as a spoken language. It would appear that the best stage at which This second aim, while important, is to establish skill in the writing of Gaelic is in incidental to the first. It is to be hoped that the middle primary classes. It has been the an increased emphasis on the use of Gaelic in experience of many teachers that children at school activities will result in a more this stage generally find Gaelic spelling less sympathetic attitude towards the language, difficult than do pupils in the late primary but the main purpose of the education scheme classes. The difficulty presented by the Gaelic is to provide better educational facilities. spelling system is ofen due to pre-occupation Underlying the efforts of the schools to promote with English spelling rules, and can be the use of Gaelic is the principle that a child anticipated by regular practice in writing at is effectively taught only if adequate use is an early age. made of his native language. The purpose of Some pupils have achieved a remarkable the scheme of instruction in Gaelic is not to facility in the writing of Gaelic in a compara- exclude, or even to restrict, provision for the tively short time, in schools where little acquisition of English, which would be emphasis was formerly placed on this aspect unreasonable, but to enhance progress in all of Gaelic teaching. Various devices are used subjects, including English, by using Gaelic for promoting this skill, e.g., transcription of whenever it is appropriate to do so. rhymes, poems, stories, etc., formation of | 3. Methods. — (a) Reading. There is a simple sentences involving words frequently ’ severe shortage of suitable text-book material met in the reading lessons, simple interpreta- in Gaelic, and this scarcity is felt particularly tion questions, commentary on pictures, by those teachers who would like to introduce supplementary lessons on cards containing infants to reading in Gaelic. Nevertheless, reading and writing exercises, reproduction of reading lessons, etc. Many schools encourage integral part of the curriculum as a whole,; pupils to produce individual work-books con- many schools are producing suitable material taining a miscellany of items of the pupils’ own to provide a Gaelic milieu, e.g., illustrated choice, one school regularly produces a small versions of rhymes, poems, stories, e.c,, charts magazine devised and printed entirely by the showing personal names, surnames, names of pupils, and several schools have engaged days, months, trees, flowers, animals, birds, successfully in the inter-school correspondence fishes, shells, insects, etc., maps showing schemes in Gaelic. While it is true to say that placenames in Gaelic, Gaelic calendars, diaries, the emphasis is chiefly on reading in most news-sheets, posters, etc. All these help to schools, there are encouraging signs that the promote the status of the language and to writing of Gaelic is not being neglected. persuade children that Gaelic is just as (c) Oral Expression. The promotion of relevant to the classroom situation as English. fluent, natural oral expression in Gaelic is 4. Effect on the Spoken Language.— important at all stages, but particularly at the There is little evidence that the increased infant level. Encouragement to make free emphasis on Gaelic in the classroom has had use of the Gaelic medium not only increases any measureable effect on the general position, the confidence of the Gaelic-speaking child of Gaelic in the community. It is true that but contributes towards the acceptance of a great deal of enthusiasm for the new methods Gaelic as an appropriate part of the of teaching has been generated among school curriculum. This freedom of expression is children, but it is not always the case that fostered in various ways, e.g., stories provided this interest has been maintained and pursued by the teacher or the pupils, followed by outside school. It is frequently found that interpretation questions and occasional drama- even fluent speakers of Gaelic tend to use tisation, recitation of rhymes and poems, English in their play activity although the “news-period” activity, when the child is home language is Gaelic. This tendency seems encouraged to comment on his own experience to be increasing generally, and it is difficult to and to introduce the topics which interest him say whether the influence of the schools will most. The Gaelic lesson in the past was too be able to arrest it. It is, however, interesting often an academic exercise, confined to and encouraging to find that several pupils mechanical reading and translation. The who were monoglot English speakers and emphasis is now generally on interpretation, would normally have taken no interest in the which provides a more natural and useful language, have become fluent speakers and approach. readers of Gaelic as a result of the provision (d) The Use of Gaelic as a Medium of made in the schools. Instruction. The recommendation that certain subjects should be taught through the medium of Gaelic is generally difficult to follow. In many schools it is felt that the heavy demands To See Ourselves As Others of other subjects preclude a generous use of the Gaelic medium. This is particularly the See Us case in the smaller schools, where children Becently I took a trip to Seattle to see ranging in age from 5 to 12 are taught by the “ The World’s Fair,” and while there I visited same teacher, and in schools where there is their public library and became interested in a wide variety in the linguistic background. a book, “The Races of Mankind,” from which Encouraging progress has been made, generally 1 will give you a few extracts in the section however, in the teaching of religious education dealing with Scotland. This very large book, and nature-study in Gaelic, and several schools published by Hutcheson & Co., is a veritable have used Gaelic to good effect in the teaching mine of information for the uninformed, as it of geography. There is a greater emphasis contains 776 pages and 442 illustrations than formerly on Gaelic songs, which are a sponsored by Britain’s most eminent very important means of arousing the interest specialists, including Sir Harry Johnston, of children who are not fluent Gaelic speakers. G.C.M.G., K.C.B., E. Lydekker, F.R.S.,. In one school history is taught exclusively in Dr. A. H. Keane, F.R.G.S., H. N. Hutchison, Gaelic, and it has been found that the impact B.A., F.E.G.S., A. H. Savage Landor, made by the lesson is stronger and more Dr. R. W. Shufeldt and Professor Longford. permanent than was formerly the case, when “According to the Westminster Confession history was taught through the medium of (1905), p. 139,” states Professor Donaldson, English. “it shews that Highlanders have a (e) Visual Aids. To ensure that the formal Protestantism of their own, which can be Gaelic lesson is not treated as an isolated described as distinctly hostile to that of the activity, and that Gaelic is regarded as an Lowlanders, and the Church of Scotland, which nearly all left after the Disruption of 1843. They even stoned those who ventured Ardnamurchan Mod to go on Sundays to the Parish Churches, Ardnamurchan Provincial Mod was held at which they regarded as the haunts of the Music—MissStrontian on 26thMadge June,. Campbell 1962. AdjudicatorsBrown, Edinburgh; were :— Devil. They were deeply steeped in the Mr Donald Mdsaac, Ayr. Gaelic—Rev. Donald Mac- atmosphere of Jewish thought, and their Kenzie, Inveraray; Rev. Hector Maclean, Balla- religion was closely akin to that of Kruger and chulish; Mr Malcolm MacLeod, Secretary, An his Boers. The Devil would appear to various Comunn Gaidhealach. members of a community in widely separated PRIZE LIST. dist icts at one and the same time, and Junior Section. frighten them by unearthly noises, like heaps Competition 2—Reading at Sight—1, Alastair Mac- of stones rattling. He would blast their fields 3,Kenzie, David Acharacle; Smith, Acharacle. 2, Flora MacGillivray, Acharacle; at the instigation of witches and prey upon the Competition 3—Gaelic Speaker’s Recitation—1, credulous, and was ever present with believers Robert Laurie, Lochaline; 2, Elma MacPhail, Kil- disturbing their devotions and making mischief choan;Competition 3, Alastair 4—Learner’s MacKenzie, Recitation Acharacle. (Part 1, under in one way or another” (p. 595). 10 years)—1, Isobel Mary MacKenzie, Lochaline; 2, ‘‘The Highlanders are an extremely mystic Gillespie Cameron, Kilchoan; 3, Catherine Boyd, people like their Breton kindred, and are MacMillan,Ardgour. (PartMingary; 2, 102, yearsDonald and MacLaren, over)—1, Polloch;Sandra noted for other delusions such as a firm 3, Elizabeth King, Lochaline. belief in second sight which plays such a large Competition 5—Conversation—1 (equal), Flora part in Gaelic lore and legend. This ‘gift,’ MacGillivray, Acharacle, and Alastadr MacKenzie, regarded almost as a speciality of the AnneAcharacle; Cameron, 2, JohnAcharacle. Allan Cameron, Acharacle; 3, Highlanders, has, strange to say, been Competition 6—Solo Singing—Girls—1, Catherine attributed to poor and monotonous fare, such Park, Strontian; 2, Linda Livingstone, Lochaline; as oatmeal porridge, potatoes, fish, and even 3, Anne Cameron, Acharacle. seaweed or carrageen moss.” The picture of an Competition 7—Solo Singing—Boys—1, Alastair old Scots salt which accompanied this MacKenzie,tian ; 3, Robert Acharacle; Laurie, 2,Lochaline. Donald MacIntyre, Stron- harangue was anything but complimentary, Competition 8—Solo Singing—Learners (Part 1, showing a dirty, unshaved wretch with a clay under 10 years)—1, Gillespie Cameron, Kilchoan; 2, pipe in his mouth and a night-cap on his head. CarolineHerbert, MacCrone,Polloch; MalcolmLochaline; Laurie, 3 (equal),Lochaline, Robert and Mr. Hope Moncrieff in his book, ‘‘The High- Iseabel MacDonald, Strontian. (Part 2, 10 years and lands and Islands,” published in 1906, states over)—1 (equal), Helen Richardson, Polloch, and that the crofter fisherman leaves most of the Lochaline;Donald Fairhairn, 3 (equal), Polloch; Elizabeth 2, Oaroline King, MacCrone,Lochaline; hard work to the women folk who, with the John Burgess, Kilchoan; Isobel Sinclair, Locha ine. ceaseless drudgery, soon grow haggard, their Competition 9—Duet—1, Donald Fairbairn, Polloch, eyes bleared with the smoke of their huts. In and William Fairbairn, Pol’och; 2, Helen Richardson, these hovels, hardly to be distinguished from Polloch,Competition and Donald 10—Junior McLaren, Choirs—Unison—1, Polloch. Lcch- the neighbouring peat stacks, one can still see aline School Choir; 2, Acharacle and Mingary Schools the quern mill and the cas-crom or crooked Choir; 3, Kilchoan School Choir. Harmony—1, spade — relics of the stone age. In the Island Lochaline School Choir; 2, Glenhurich School Choir. of Lewis the dwarfed horses, cows, sheep and Senior Section. poultry share with the family the wretched Competition 12—Reading at Sight.—1, Mrs. Mac- abodes, the heat and smoke of which are Laren,Competition Glenborrodale. 13—Recitation—Mrs. MacLaren, Glen- intolerable to strangers. Feminine softness, borrodale. so highly characteristic of the English lady, is Competiton 14—Solo Singing—Ladies, own choice— rarely met with in Scotland, where the woman 1, Mary Fraser, Strontian; 2, Morag Brown, Stron- seems to us as a rule rather hard featured, tian. but Sometimes a peculiar comeliness is seen in 1, JamesCompetition Millar, 15—Solo Lochaline. Singing—Men, own choice— natives of the lower class, particularly New- Competition 17—Solo Singing of a Morvern Song— haven fishwives (see p. 597). Her drawn-up Prizes presented by Glasgow Morvem Association—1, striped skirt, shawl and apron are character- Mary Fraser, Strontian; 2, Morag Brown, Strontian. istic. Nor will a fair share of the domestic Ladies—MaryCompetition Fraser,18—Solo Strontian. Singing—Prescribed Song, virtues be denied-to the thrifty Scotch house- Competition 20—Solo Singing—Learners—1, James wife making the scones, brose and herring Millar, Lochaline; 2, Donnie Macpherson, Strontian. broth which constitute the ordinary cottage Competition 24—Solo Singing—Former First Prize fare. Of course, the national dish, bf which Winners—1, Mary Fraser, Strpntian; 2, Morag she is So proud, is all her own, made of sheep’s Brown, Strontian. Special Prize. liver, lights, hearts, tripe, etc., which we call Junior Choir with highest number vof, marks for offal. Even the word ‘‘haggis” is taken from Gael to—Prize preise/ntipd by Mis Alastair Caaneron, the French ‘‘tacis.” “North Argyll”—Lochaline School Choir. Eilthirbach. MacleanHon. Secretaryof Ardgour. of the Mod was Miss Catriona L. — 83 Treasurer’s Notes DonationBranch from Logierait 10 National Mod — Oban, 1962 Ceiiidh organised by Mrs. Received at Oban— TighantruishBessie McArthur, Hotel at... 10 Ladies’Previously Committee acknowledged :—Coffee ...£2,195 3 3 DonationKnipoch from Mrs. Mellor, ... 5 Morning — Station Hotel 37 13 6 £3,207 7 2 Illustratedain Rescue” Talk given on “Mount- by Dr. Received at Glasgow— Duff in Esplanade Hotel 10 4 — Previously acknowledged .. CoffeeHotel Morning — Balmoral 26 13 1 Mrs. Raatge’ Talk on “ Old Oban,” by Mrs.Holland M. K. "Logan,' DemonstrationDr. Ivor Campbell by “Dorothy ... 23 18 6 Stirling Gray’ ’ representative — MissDundee C. Macfarlane, CoffeeColumbia Morning Hotel — Palace 8 1 — Mrs. Mary H. M. Gilmour, Hotel 62 13 — Mrs.Sutherland M. A. Matheson, CoffeeHotel Morning — County 26 11 1 Ross-shire Baby Show and Afternoon MissLeish, Deirdre Perth S. C. Mac- CommitteeTea run by Ladies’ 19 14 6 John A. Smith, Esq., Cruise on Loch Etive — by MissGlasgow Mary C.... MacKenzie, Salecourtesy of Workof Mr. — LunnLadies’ ... 31 19 8 Glasgow Committee and Raffle Mrs.Dunblane Anne ...M. Graham, Dancearranged organised by Mrs. by BlackMrs. 325 15 6 Thomas A. Roberts, Esq., McLean, Knipoch ... 9 Rev.Glasgow M. Laing, Alness ... Mannequinised by Mr. Parade T. Stewart organ- in Miss D. J. MacKay, Columba Hotel ...... 19 4 6 MissCaithness I. Campbell, Perth “ MatterParish Churchof Opinion Hall ” —... 15 19 — The Glasgow Islay Associa- DanceBessie organised McArthur, byKilmore Mrs. 21 CeilidhSteele organisedand Miss byFraser, Mrs. £3,382 4 3 County Hotel 20 14 6 Central Fund, CeilidhBlack, organisedTorwood by Miss 9 5 — Previously acknowledged £37 2 - Dancing Display by Mrs. Largs Branch ... 53 3- RestBarel’s Pupils in Corran 13 12 9 PortAberdeen Glasgow Branch Branch 2 2- Coffee Morning — Station Cromarty Branch ... 2 102 —- WhistHotel Drive —- Royal 23 17 10 FalkirkDundee HighlandBranch Society 5 Hotel ... 25 5 — Miss Chrissie MacGillivray, Oban 21 1 — WhistMiss DriveMcPhee, organised Kilchoan by DingwallMrs. Isabella Branch R, H. Duke, Dumfries 10 Hotel 15 £70 DonationMcKenzie, fromArgyll Hotel,Mrs. Oban 15 Magazine Fund. DonationMottram, Mrs.from Morrison,Mrs. Lochtayside Branch £2 2 — DonationMrs. McLeod from Crieff High- 60 G.James E. Gardiner,Anderson, Esq.,Esq., InvernessCanada — 95 — Concertland Associationorganised by Mrs. 30 £2 16 — TalkAtholl on Robertson“ Old Oban,” by... 14 14 6 Dr. Ivor Campbell ... 17 19 6 Comunn na H-Oigridh. CoffeeHotel Morning — Palace 70 Lochtayside Branch Ceilidh at Barcaldine, Aberdeen Branch (for Summer Camps) 52 52 — organised by Miss C. ForresCromarty Branch Branch 10 ConcertMcGillivray organised by Mrs. 13 4 6 Dumfries Branch 2 Atholl Robertson. Party £21 9 — Mrs.of Artistes Petrine arrangedStewart by... 20 3 — — 84 — AN GAIDHEAL THE GAEL Editor—DONALD GRANT, B.A., 95 MUNRO ROAD, GLASGOW, W.3, to whom all correspondence should be addressed except that concerning advertising which should be addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer. 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C.2 Telephone: DOUglas 1433 Leabhar LVII AN LUNASDAL, 1962 Aireamh 8 Feis An Drama Thug mi tarraing air feis an drama anns Aig a’ chearf am tha an suidheachadh no an an luchar. Bu mhath leam beagan eile a dealbh anns a bheil an luchd-labhairt a’ radh mu ’n chuspair seo. Ni mi sin ged seasamh agus. a’ gluasad a’ cur gu m6r ri chuireadh cuid a’ cheisd, “Am faod ni math tlachd na cuideachd. Mar sin, tha sinn a’ ’sam bith tighinn as a’ bhaile mhor?’’ faotainn rudeigin a bharrachd. a dealbhan- Feumaidh muinntir a’ bhaile mhoir cluiche anns a’ chollainn na gheibh sinn o bruidheann air na thig fo ’n combair. Bheir fhilmichean no o chraobh-sgaoileadh no iad fanear, aig an aon am, deanamh air a’ eadhon o ’n television fhein. Ghaidhealtachd, mar a gheibh iad cothrom, De cho feumail ’s a tha co-fharpaisean airson urachadh spioraid, agus, tha mi ’n drkma? Tha cuid aig a bheil suim an dbchas, urachadh Gkidhlig. dealbhan-cluiche ag rkdh nach ’eil iiidh aca an co-fharpaisean. Their iad nach ’eil B’e c6ig buidhnean a th&inig air adhart gu duaisean a dhith orra. Cha dean duaisean, a feis na bliadhna-sa. Chualas trl dealbhan- reir am beachd-san, ach mi-run a thogail. cluiche air a’ chiad fheasgar agus a dha air Theagamh gun eirich tomhas de mhi-run is an dara. Thugadh breth air na trl a’ chiad de fharmad anns a h-uile suidheachadh anns oidhche agus air a h-uile dad a bh’ ami aig am bi daoine a’ strlth cbmhla. Cluinnear an deireadh. A thaobh breithneachaidh, chan cuid a’ cur slos air duaisean anns na sgoiltean ’eil e farasda breitheamh fhaotainn aig a bheil air son an aobhar cheudna. Ach aig a’ an d& chuid eblas air Gaidblig agus air cheann thall is cinnteach gu bheil co- dr km a. Am bliadhna chuireadh am priomb fharpaisean an raon an drkma, mar an dhleasanas an earbsa ri fear gun Ghkidhlig, raointean eile, a’ dkanamh mdran barrachd de ach bha fear eile le pailteas Gaidhlig ri a iheum na de mhilleadh. Co-dhi.u nach ’eil na thaobh gu a chuideachadh. duaisean gu trie cho pailt ’s gu bheil gach Nan d’rachadh kireamh nam buidhnean aig sgioba a’ faotainn comharraidh air choireigin, an fheis na bu lugha na c6ig, theagamh nach agus mar sin tha na h-uile air an dbigh? b’ fhiach e ’n t-saothair feis a chur air Thuirt mi gum b’e c6ig buidhnean a bha adhart idir. Cha tig luchd-^isdeachd a mach an Ikthair aig an fheis mu dheireadh. Anns mur a bi feasgar chuimseach aca ’san amharc. na sia bliadhnaichean o na thbisich an fhdis Cha t&d a leithid seo fada as aonais luchd- b’e a h-ochd an kireamh a bu mhotha a eisdeachd. Tha cosgais timcheall air an obair, thkinig air adhart. Chan ’eil ’san amharc air cosgais an talla fhein, cosgais dhreup is sholas chor ’sam bith gum bitheadh an fh&s airson is gach airneis eile. Dh’ fhalbh latha an muinntir Ghlaschu a mhkin. Tha an cuireadh ard-urlair luim, is macmeanmain na cuideachd a’ dol a mach fad is farsaing. Aon bhliadhna a’ togail sheallaidhean mu ’n coinneamh ih^in thainig buidheann a h-uile ceum & Siabost, mar a b’ fhearr a dh’ fhaodadh iad. an Leddhas, agus buidheann eile a Boghmor. B’ iad na briathran a labhradh a bu an He. Bliadhna eile thkinig cbmhlan tapaidh chudthromaiche an uair ud; ’s iad as a Peairt. Am bliadhna fhdin bha buidheann cudthromaiche fhathast agus as motha a an Ikthair a Portnanlong anns an Eilean bheir de thoil-inntinn do na tha an Ikthair. Sgitheanach. — 85 — a’ coimhead gu math bochd — bha e direach An Laogh A Rug A’ Bho ’na chloc! Riabhach Chuir so ioghnadh air Dunnchadh agus An d^idh m&ran bhliadhnaichean a chur ’sann a thionndaidh e riumsa gu fiadhaich a’ seachad anns a’ bhaile mh6r smaoinich foighneachd, “Am bheil thu cinnteach gun Dunnchadh gum bu toil leis greiseag uine a tug thu deoch theth dha mar a dh’iarr mi nis a chur seachad ri obair fearainn. Fhuair ort?” sinn tigh beag clobair anns na Garbh 0 thug gu dearbh,” arsa mi fhein, “ thug Chrlochan leis an robh b&thach mhor mi grunnd dha.” fharsuinn. Cheannaich sinn coig mairt a “Cha robh e cho dona ’s gun leigeadh e ghealladh dhuinn a bba ri breith aig amannan leas a bhi anns a’ staid tha so a nis,” arsa &raid anns a mhlos a bha romhainn. Ach c6 Dunnchadh. “Feumaidh mi fios a chur air dhiubh a bha sinne air ar mealladh no ’se an a Vet.” crathadh a fhuair iad anns a’ laraidh a’ tighinn Thainig a’ Vet anmoch an oidhche sin fh&n o’n mhargaid no bha’n t-eud ’gam bualadh agus an deidh moran sgrudaidh is bruthaidh ma seach ’nuair a bha i a’ faicinn an ri is fasgaidh thuirt e nach b’urrainn dha taobh le laogh, ’s ann a rug a h-uile b6 riamh thuigsinn gu d^ bha cearr air a’ bheothach an oidhche sin fh^in. Bha na laoigh a idir idir. Bha e ann an sin air a dhk ghluin tighinn ’nan deann agus leis a’ chabhaig ri taobh an laoigh, a’ sliobadh a chinn agus a’ ruith le deochanan blkth is le feur, a chuis a’ cur ionghnaidh mhoir air. a’ bleoghainn beagan o gach te is a h-uile Tharruing e anail gus eirigh ’na sheasamh ach h-upraid a bh’ann, feumaidh nach do stad e gu luath agus chrom e rithist chun a thioramaicheadh fear dhe na laoigh cho math laoigh agus tharruing e an ath anail. ’s a bu chbir agus fhuair e fuachd. Chunnaic mi fhein a shuilean cha mhor a’ leum Tha’n laogh sin a nis air sinne dheanamh as a cheann. ainmeil air feadh an aite agus tha Dunnchadh Gru de bha thu toirt dha ri 61?” dh’ a smaoineachadh gum biodh e cho math dha fhoighneachd e de Dhunnchadh. tilleadh do’n bhaile mh6r. “Mo bhean a bha ’ga dhotaireachd,” arsa An la-arn-a-mhaireach thkinig air Dunnch- Dunnchadh. adh a dhol a chuideachadh nkbaidh a’ “Cha tug mise dha ach deoch theth mar a . cruinneachadh chaorach agus thuirt e riumsa dh’ iarr thu orm agus druthag uisge bheatha deoch de bhainne bl&th a thoirt dh’an laogh. innte,” thuirt mi fhein. Chuimhnich mi fh^in gun robh e ’na “ Cia mheud a thug thu dha fad an latha? ” chleachdadh aig mo sheanair a bhi toirt ugh dh’ fhoighneachd a’ Vet. air a bhualadh agus uisge-beatha do “Mu sheachd na h-ochd,” arsa mi fh6in, bheothach nach biodh gu math agus agus beagan soluis a’ tighinn air a’ chuis. smaoinich mi gun toirinn sin do’n laogh. Leig a’ Vet lasgan mor gaire. Bhuail mi ugh, theasaich mi bainne agus “Tha laogh agaibh ’ga sheann dubh chuir mi lan spiiin-bhuird de Thalasgair dha’n dhalladh,” arsa esan, “is iomadh bliadhna deoch. Dh’hl an laogh seo a botul, ’se dh’61, o’n thoisich mise air obair bheothaichean ach agus anns a’ mhionaid bha e air a chois cho cha’n fhaca mi an leithid so riamh. Tha smiorail, cha mh6r, is a bha e riamh. ’Nuair cuibheas air a h-uile rud. Leigibh fois cadail a chunnaic mi cho math is a thkinig an leis agus bithidh e ceart gu leor an ceann deoch ris, smaoinich mi gun cuireadh t-eile latha no dha.” dlie’n aon t-seorsa a feobhas gu buileach e Dh’ fhalbh a’ Vet an deidh dha a chuid agus thug mi dha an ath dhos. An deidh fhaighinn dhe’n stuth a theib foghnachdain na t£ so 61 bha e car cearbach air a chasan dh’ an laogh agus e fhathast a’ gaireachdaich agus bha mi an duil nach robh na suilean ris fhein. aige cho soilleir ’s a bu choir. Chuir mi ’na Bha e gu math faisg air meadhon-oidhche shlneadh e agus plangaid air uachdar agus an mus do dh’ fhalbh e ach cha robh duine a bha ceann uair a thlde thug mi dha an ath tachairt ri Dunnchadh an la-arn-a-mhaireach dheoch. ’S docha gun robh beagan crith anns nach robh a’ faighneachd dheth, is fiamh a’ a’ Ikimh agam agus gun robh beagan a ghaire air aodann, “Agus ciamar a tha an bharrachd air a’ spain-bhuird dhe’n uisge- laogh agaibh shuas an sin an diugh?” bheatha a’ dol dha’n deoch, oir bha am botul Fad an latha mar a bha muinntir a’ bhaile a’ dol sios gu math luath. Lean mi air an a’ tachairt ri cheile ’se am beannachadh a bh’ dotaireachd a bha seo an ceann a h-uile aca, “An cuala sibh cho math ’s a tha bean h-uair ach aig ciaradh an fheasgair, nuair a Dhunnchaidh Oig dha na beothaichean? ” thainig Dunnchadh dhachaidh, cha dreachadh Cha leig an naire liumsa nochdadh air an aig an laogh air a cheann a thogail. Bha e W.R.I.! C. C. D. fairichean dlomhair, an fhaisneachd iongan- lir Is Teanga tach, fhaguisgeachd do na saoghail neo- Le Tormod Domhnallach fhaicsinneach, a tk ’cur a leithid de eadar- “Tlr is teanga,” sin cuspair a ta daonnan dhealachadh eadar e fdin agus iadsan do nach dluth do chridhe agus do aignidhean an fhlor ebl a chainnt? Faodaidh mise bhi cekrr ach Ghkidheil, agus thachair e do fheadhainn a is i mo mhor bharail gu bheil dkimh do- bha caoin-shuarach mun da chuid tir is thuigsinneach aig cainnt a’ Ghkidheil ri teanga, am feadh a bha an cbmhnuidh fathast ’innsgin ’s ri mhac-meanmainn bheb, a thur far an do rugadh ’s na thogadh iad, gur ann ’s a thuigse nkdurra. bliadhna no dha an deidh dhaibh dol air imrich Mar sin, is i a’ Ghkidhlig, no an comas a do thirean cein a thainig iad gu bhi ’faicinn bhi ’ga labhairt, a tk ’deanamh neach ’na luach an dixthchais agus gu bhi a’ cuir meas Ghkidheal, agus cha ’n i fuil bhodhaig. na corach air. Is trie a chuala sinn gum bheil fuil a’ cuir Saoilidh mi gum bheil dhimh ro dhiomhair eadar-dhealachadh eadar treubh is treubh, eadar an dk ni, tir is teanga. Cha b’ ann idir mar gum biodh fuil air leith aig gach treubh le tuiteamas a thainig a’ bhardachd as dha f^in a tk tur eadar-dhealaichte bho fhuil buadhmhoire agus as cebhnhoire as na treubh eile. Chan ’eil ann an seo ach beachd sgireachdan sin de’n Grhaidhealtachd anns am mhearachdach air leith. Chan ’eil am maisiche obair naduir. Cha ’n ioghnadh mughadh as lugha eadar an fhuil aig duine learn ged do ghleus Mairi Nighean Alasdair dubh, no duine dearg, no duine buidhe, agus Ruaidh a clarsach le leithid de bhuaidh ann fuil an duine ghil. Sin ri radh, chan ’eil an an Dun Bheagain agus anns na h-Earadh; duine ’ga bhreith a’ toirt a steach do ’n ged a thainig bardachd Mine Mhaighstir t-saoghal leis fuil treubh seach a’ cheile. Alasdair & diithaich aillidh nan Garbh- Chan ’eil an leanabh eadhoin a’ toirt leis chriochan, agus brain Dhonnachaidh Bhkiu thun an t-saoghail boinne de fhuil athar. bho mhonaidhean maiseach Dhruimliaghart Faodaidh an da fhuil a bhi gle choltach ri agus Dhail-Mhailidh. Nach dubhairt Mac- cheile ’nuair a dh’ amhaircear orra fo na Codrum: — ghlaine-mheudachaidh, ach cha dubhairt sin Ma mholas gach eun a thlr fein, gur fuil an athar i. Ann a bhi ’labhairt mun Ciod am fath nach moladh mise, a’ chinne-daonna anns a’ choitcheann, chan Tir nan curaidh, tir nan char ’eil ann ach an aon fhuil, fuil an duine. An tir bhiachar, fhialaidh, mheasail, Dime sin, chan urrainn an Gkidheal a rkdh ’N tir is bbidhche tk ri fhaicinn, gur Gkidheal e do bhrlgh ’s gu bheil fuil a’ ’M bi fir bg an cbmhdach dreachmhor, Ghkidheil ann. Is i a’ Ghkidhlig, no a bhi Pailt ni ’s lebr le pbr na machrach, a’ labhairt na Gkidhlig, a tk ’deanamh neach Spreidh air mbintich; or air chlachan. ’na Ghkidheal. Ta an duine a rugadh ’s a Cha robh Murchadh MacLebid dad air thogadh ann am meadhoin Lunnainn, no ann dheireadh ann a bhi taisbeanadh meud a an Ameriga, no ann an Africa, ’s a tk a’ ghraidh do a dhuthaich fein: — labhairt na Gkidhlig, a cheart cho cinnteach Gach duine ’bha riamh ann ’na Ghkidheal risan nach do dh’ fhkg na Bha ciatamh ac’ dha, h-Eileanan an lar a riamh. Gach ainmhidh air sliabh ann, D£ tuilleadh a their mi air a cheann seo? Cha’n iarr as gu brath; Is i a’ Ghkidhlig iuchair-eblais, no iuchair- Gach eun ’thbid air sgiath ann tuigse nan seann chknainean. Fhuair mi Bu mhiann leis ann tamh; fhin cuideachadh nach urrainn mi innse ’S bu mhiann le gach iasg bhuaipe ann a bhi ag ionnsachadh Gr^ugais A bhi cliathadh ri ’thrkigh. agus Eabhra. Bha mi uair ag ^isdeachd krd- ollamh a bha a’ teagasg Eabhra ann an Sin agaibh buaidh obair nkduir air inntinn Ameriga — sgoilear mor a bha min eblach air an duine ’ga cur fein an ceill gu cubhaidh. iomadh cknain. Is ann an Eabhra a bha e Ach ma tk dkimh dhiomhair eadar tlr is a’ labhairt ruinn an latha ud agus thkinig e teanga anns an t-seadh gur ann fo bhuaidh thairis ’na leughadh air gnhths-cainnte Eabhra grkidh a’ Ghkidheil do ’n an sg^imh eugsamhuil a bha rudaiginn annasach agus duilich eadar- a tk e ’faicinn timchioll air duthaich a theangachadh gu Beurla. Ars’ esan, “cha ’n bhreith is kraich, a chuir e ri chkile an roinn aithne dhomh cknain anns am bheil mac- as fekrr de ar litreachas, ar learn gum bheil samhuil a’ ghnkths-cainnte seo.’’ dkimh nas dlomhaire buileach eadar teanga, Cha b’urrainn mise gun freagairt agus no cknain, agus buadhan inntinn is anama. thubhairt mi: “ Sin dlreach mar a their sinne C6 bhuaithe a fhuair an Gkidheal na e anns a’ Ghkidhlig, tk a cheart gnkths- — 87 — cainnte sin againn-ne ’ga chleaehdadh ’na nr bhaile gu baile, bho sgire gu sgire. Thachair cknain fhin.” duine coir air uair a bha ann an rim a bhi fialaidh ris an diol-deirce. Chuir e a lamh “Ta mi toilichte sin a chluinntinn, ” ars’ ’na phocaid is shin e ochd-sgillinn-deug dha. esan, “is minig a chuala mi gu bheil an da Nuair a chunnaic an t-amadan an t-airgead is chainnt, an Eabhra agus a’ Ghaidhlig, car ann a thubhairt e: “Cuir an ochd-sgillinn- coltach ri cheile.’’ deug ’na do phoca agus thoir dhomhsa An i seo a’ chainnt bheannaichte, bhuadh- tasdan!” Air do’n tasdan a bhi geal, bha e mhor, air an do rinneadb a leithid de ’smaoineachadh gu robh e rud m6r na bu thaire anns na laithean a dh’ fhalbh — luachmhoire nan ochd-sgillinn-deug air iuchair-eolais is tuigse a ta ’toirt dhuinn dol dhaibh a bhi ’n an sgillinnean. ’Se sin a dh’ a steach ann an iomadh diomhaireachd a fhag cho ullamh e gu iomlaid cho gorach a bhuineas do’n t-saoghal seo agus do’n dheanamh. t-saoghal ri teachd; a tii ’toirt dhuinn tuigse shoilleir air na nithean as deacair anns na Nach lionmhor iadsan a rinn iomlaid a canainean as aosda, nithean a chumas cheart cho amaideach mun canain fein, a’ cagnadh ri daoine eile agus a chumas a’ Ghaidhlig. Saoil de theireadh iad nan rachadh cnuasachadh iad gu latha am bais. Nach innse dhaibh nach eil canain eile air thalamh firinneach, iomchuidh, briathran a’ bh&ird as uaisle na i; gur ann aice a ta an ceum- MhicGilleathain: — toisich, ann an oirdhearcas a h-oideachd, air “ S mor an onair anns gach am s'nreamh mhoir de theangannan an t-saoghail. Do ’n aon a labhras i le ceartas.’’ An t-bran mara as fearr a chuir filidh riamh ’S iad na G&idheil fein naimhdean as motha ri cheile, is ann an Gaidhlig a ta e — Birlinn ta aig a’ Ghaidhlig an diugh, agus fada roimh Chlann-Raonuill, le Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair. an diugh. Bha moran ann a dh’fh&g a’ Am moladh bu chomasaiche a rinneadh air Ghaidhealtachd le ro bheag de Bheurla ’n an beinn, is ann an Gaidhlig a ta e fhein—Moladh ceann, agus cha bu luaithe a rinn iad an Beinn Dorain, le Donnachadh Ban. sixilean anns a’ bhaile mhor na chuir iad a’ Cha cheadaich uine dhuinn cus a r&dh mu Ghaidhlig tur air chill. Cha b’fhiach ’s cha ar rosg. Gun teagamh ’sam bith chan ’eil na b’fhiii leotha i; cha robh iad airson sgriobhadh ann an rosg Gaidhlig ach beag aideachadh a muigh no mach gu robh ann an coimeas ri litreachas thirean eile, ach lideadh Gaidhlig aca, am feadh ’s a bha e gheibhear ann an cuid dheth, mar a t& soilleir gu lebir do ’n t-saoghal nach b’ aithne saothair Char aid nan Gkidheal, alt air dhaibh ro mhath an cbrr. “An cabhsair, an sgriobhadh do nach d’fhuaireadh coimeas ach cabhsair,’’ ars’ a’ chailleach a bh’ ann gle ainmig ann an eachdraidh. Gheibhear ’na roimhe, “ far an do chaill mi Ghaidhlig ’s oibribh snas, grinneas, tiamhaidheachd, agus nach d’fhuair mi Bheurla!” teb-chridheachd anns a’ chainnt as druitiche. Gheibhear annta na comasan as eirmsiche gu Ach t& feadhainn eile ann, luchd a bhi toirt nan linntean a dh’ fhalbh fo ar chothlamaidh neonaich, agus bu mhath learn comhair; an crannchuir shaoghalta, an teine-sionnachain a chuir ris na h-earbaill aca. caidreabh nadurra, agus am fearras-chuid- Ma labhras iadsan naoidh faclan, feumaidh sb eachd, cho geur-riochdail ris an dealbh as dhiubh a bhi ’n am Beurla! Tb a 'leithid sud flrinniche a thainig riamh bho laimh de shluagh air am barrachd de chron a dealbhadair. Cha b’ioghnadh idir ged a dheanamh do’n Ghaidhlig na rinn a’ mheud thubhairt an t-Ollamh Iain Macllledhuibh, a ’sa dhiiilt a bhi ’ga labhairt idir. bha teagasg na Greugais ann an bil-thigh Dhun Nach mi-sheasmhach, neo-dhuineal a’ Eideann, gur e Tormod MacLebid bu dluithe mhuinntir a ta deanamh taire air an cbnain thainig anns na buadhan sin a dh’ ainmich mi, mar chomunn-airidh ri daoine uaimhreach, do ughdaran mora na Greige, mar a tb Plato aineolach, a ta de’n bharail, agus is ch a’ agus Lucian, na ughdar eile air an do chuir bharail i, nach eil anns a’ Ghaidhlig ach esan eblas. cainnt shuarach dhaoine borb, diblidh nach Ged nach rachadh sinn buileach cho fada tainig riamh gu inbhe. Nam b’fhior seo, is ris an t-seann bhbrd Ileach, Uilleam Mac- mise nach toireadh beum do neach ’sam bith Dhunlbibhe, cha b’ann gun aobhar a thubhairt a leigeadh a’ Ghaidhlig gu luath a cleachdadh. e agus e toirt comhairle air caraid dha mar Ta luchd-aichidh na Giudhlig a’ toirt bu chbir dha ullachadh a dheanamh airson naidheachd ghearr mu amadan ’na mo latha bars, breitheanais agus siorruidheachd, chuimhne. Bha an duine truagh seo deidheil “Cum thusa a’ Ghaidhlig riutha,” ars’ esan, air a bhith daonnan air an t-siubhal, bho “agus biodh Sar Obair Nan B&rd Ghaidh- ealach agad air do mheomhair, agus theid mise an urras nach cuir iad ite asad!” Comhfhurtachd Is fada bho’n a chuala sinn gu bheil a' Mas e do chkil, Ghaidhlig coltach ri duine a bhiodh air laidhe air sgath na slth, na leapa le tinneas marbhteach, fadalach, An t-srlth a chur agus a ta nis an geall is fhiach e. Cha’n A beachd gu tur, urrainn dhuinn a radh mu sin ach seo, ge b’e Cha chuir ri d’chliu de a dh’ eirich do’n duine bhochd, ta a’ nach fih leat gul. Ghaidhlig ann fathast, agus mar a thubhairt sar Ghaidheal a rugadh ’s a thogadh thall ann Cha chuir ri d’chliu an Ceap Breatuinn: “Bithidh i ann cho fad’ An sunnd a th’ort ’s a bhios sinne ann!” Ri toirt na grein, Thuit an oidhche gu dubh air ar cknain, ’S an saoghal breun ach ta ar suil ris an aseirigh. Thig am seinn Gun cheill mu’n cuairt nan eun fathast gu ar ghnn, ar srathan, agus le’ bhruaillean fhbin. ar Gaidhealtachd. Theid an roth mun cuairt agus an ceahn ceud-gu-leith bliadhna eile, Air saoghal breun bidh daoine aig nach eil i a’ cur faclan Nach treig a dhbigh Gaidhlig air feadh na Beurla, a’ nochdadh An cbir do thaic gum bheil iad flor fhoghluimte. A bhith cho trie? Chan ’eil ann ach aon dbigh air a’ Am bi do sgeul Ghaidhlig a chumail gun dol bks agus tha e Cho deurach sin? mar fhiachaibh air gach Gaidheal a chuid Kin a dheanamh a chum na criche seo, le bhi A bheil an sgeul gu cunbhalach ’ga bruidhinn. Ma ta a’ Gu Kir gun dreach, Ghaidhlig ri bhi buan-mhaireann ’na ar tlr, A’ teachd gu d’chluais feumaidh i bhi daonnan air bilean an t-sluaigh Mu’n bhagradh chruaidh, aig am bheil i. De is fearrde a’ Ghaidhlig mise Bho’n fhuair thu fios bhi ’ga moladh mur a labhair mi fhln i nuair Air sgrios bho shuas? a ta mi ann an comunn neach a labhras rium i. Mur a dean mi sin, chan ’eil ann a bhith Tha fiosan clis tagradh as a leith aig coinneamhan is A nis ’s a’ ghaoith cruinnichean a mhain, ach comhairle bhuam Air claoidh is lebn nach d’fhuaireadh agam. Is sluagh ri brbn. Do shblas fhein Air treigsinn fbs. Do shblas fhbin Buam Na Dha ’Bha rbidh a’ fks A’ gabhail ceill Dain direach ’s dain eile, Bho cheol nan eun, Dealbhan brist air fuaran sleibhe— Ged leireadh cuid Atharrais air leanabh as a leine. Le spuirean geur. Ged Kireadh cuid, Rannaigheachd ro-comarcach beag, Cha sguir an cebl. Is rannaigheachd ro-dhialtach mor, Ged lebnadh paisd Seudna agus uaithne ’gan seideadh Air sr&id gu b&s ’s ’gan suaineadh Is trath a’ chlann Mu chamagan bileagach febir. Le fonn mar bha. Buamasdaireachd bluaisdearan Mar chithear clann Tha clann nan daoin Cha ghluais iad mi le ’n danaibh. A’ faotainn brath Le burn is aran biadham iad Mar thuirt Ni Math, Am priosan-sail Cheannphadraig. Gum fag E ghnath Am bas gun ghath. Buamasdaih. D Cha ruigear leas a bhith mo is ragbharaileach A inmean mu ainmean. Gheibhear atharrais, is eadar Chualas trie, “De chuir am fear sin ri theangachadh, is coirbeadh air ainmean a bha labhairt Gaidhlig, no ri plobaireachd, no ri Gaidhealach an toiseach. Co a shaoileadh gu caitheamh feilidh, agus ainm co Sasunnach rachadh “Mac Ambrois" atharrachadh gu air? ’ ’ “Cambridge’’; no “Mac Guirmein” gu Cha chualas, “.De chuir am fear eile sin ri “Blue” (an Ceann-tlr); no “Mac Mhuirich” labhairt beurla Shasuinn, no ri caitheamh gu “Currie” (an Arainn). brigis, no ri cluich acordeon, agus ainm Nach Sasunnach am fasan-sloinnidh bhios Gaidhealach air?’’ oirnn uile, tan ghoirear “Macdonald” de Carson? Nach e an t-aon ni a th’ ann? bhoireannach? Co is deagh Ghaidheal — am Air fire, chan ’eil ainmean-sloinnte, de an fear a labhras Gaidhlig, agus ainm ghne bhios oirnn a nis, a’ dearbhadh mbrain Sasunnach air? No, am fear aig nach ’eil do thaobh duthcha, no cainnte, no sinnsear- Gaidhlig idir, no speis dith, ach atharrais de achd, o an eadar-phbsadh is measgadh pobuill ainm-sloinnte Gaidhealach air? bhios anns gach tir, is anns gach cinneach Cha bu doing domhsa na ceistean sin a ’san la an diu. fhreagairt, ach is claonbhreitheach mise umpa, Tha ainm Gaidhealach air Prlomh- oir tha ainm Sasunnach orm fein, agus bha mhinistear Shasuinn, mar a ghoir e de f^in Gaidhlig agam riamh. trobh bha siud, ach tha esan co Sasunnach ’sa ghabhas. Tha ainm Gaidhealach (Eireannach Mac Choinnich Bhig. is Albannach) air Ceann-suidhe nan St&itean Aonaichte Americeach, ach tha na Pacastan- aich an Stebrnabhagh na ’s Gaidhealaiche na esan. Chan ’eil ainm-sloinnte Sasunnach buileach tearc am measg an dreim a ghabhas tiidh an Na Garain Ghallach Gaidhlig Albann — Bannerman, Thomson, Morrison, Smith, etc. Gun teagamh, cuirear An seacaid slos gu ’n iosgaidean bideadh Gaidhealach air urmhor de . na ’S am f&leadh sios mu ’n sailean— h-ainmean sin, ach creidim gur e an rian Truaghain ’thog an trusgan ud Sasunnach sin a gheibhear air cairt-breth is leabhar-pension aca. Chan iongnadh sin, o O ’n Turcach ’s Ali Baba. is cian o fhuair beurla nan Sasunnach lamh an uachdair anns an Ghaidhealtachd mhoir, a Spealtan chas a’ dol ma seach shin gun bhriseadh o Chataibh gu Corcaigh Fo aodach grinn an fheilidh, anns an t-sean aimsir, re ceudan de Calpan cruinne gun bhith cuimir bhliadhnachan. Learn gur sud as eibhinn, Tha dithis pharantan aig gach gin, agus ’S Caschasaich Arabia air sr&id ceathrar sheanpharanta. Dime sin, sfe gluin Ann an Duneideann. seachad o neach sam bith, bha seasgad ’sa S. S. ceithir de dhaoine ann, fireann is boireann, o an do shiol an neach sin. Theagamh gu robh an t-ainm bhios air-san air tuille na aon diubh sin, ach b’ ann o aonar a mhain a thainig an t-ainm chuige, anns an rian dhireach fhireann. Le sin, faodar a bhith gu robh 63 de Dealbh shinnseara Gaidhealach aig gin eigin (se gluin seachad uaidhe fein) agus Ian a chinn de Lite gun salann Ghaidhlig aige uatha, agus aonar de Air stailleart na h-anntlachd shinnseara Sasunnach o an tainig ainm- Meidhean gun chothrom sloinnte Sasunnach chuige. An Sasunnach A’ tomhas na canntrachd, esan? Poit-dhubh gun strup oirr Do an leth eile, faodaidh atharrais Shasunnach de ainm-sloinnte Gaidhealach a Cur thairis ’s i ’dranndan— bhith air neach, gun dad bhios Gaidhealach ’S fir-bhreig a’ cur ciiil uime ach an t-ainm sin fein is gun ann ach Hi an cuid canain. atharrais. An Gaidheal esan, a rbist? S. T. B. — 90 — Conference Report The President closed the Conference with a Report on the Conference of the Northern vote of thanks to the speakers and guests and Area of An Comunn Gaidhealach, held at to Miss Kay Matheson and the ladies who Cnoc-nan-Ros, Tain, 23rd-24th March, catered for the conference and others who had 1962, and Recommendations of Comunn na helped. h-Oigridh Committees and Northern The delegates expressed great appreciation Committee. of the talks, but it should be recorded that THE INVERNESS EDUCATION their own enthusiasm and friendliness con- SCHEME. tributed greatly to make the Conference a 5. General Conclusions. most enjoyable experience. (a) The language enjoys a greater scope Recommendations of Comunn Na H-Oigridh in the schools than ever before. Committee on Report of Conference. (b) The general attitude of pupils An Comunn Gaidhealach should consider the towards the use of Gaelic in the deep implications of Mr. Roberts’ talk on the classroom is more favourable than Welsh Movement, particularly: — formerly. 1. The powerful union between the Move- (c) The general curriculum has been ment and Educational Authorities. enlivened and widened by the 2. The existence of a small staff of full-time addition of fresh interests. officials and larger body of leaders drawn (d) The presentation of lessons in Gaelic from the teaching profession and paid. shows more variety and imagination. 3. The payment of grants towards salaries (e) There has been an obvious improve- of staff and leaders. ment in Gaelic reading, writing and 4. That the Movement is run by the staff recitation. and the leaders — the lay committee • f) No ill effect on the acquisition of meeting as a whole only once a year. English has been observed. There is, 5. That the work of laymen is largely fund- indeed, some evidence that a raising to implement the grants. judicious use of Gaelic promotes 6. That the Welsh Movement is spon- progress in the second language. taneously patriotic and that they know Finally.—The Convener of the Northern where they want to go. Committee reported briefly on the last year, 7. That there is an open invitation to our noting the following points : — children to attend the Urdd camps. The Creation of the new Standing Com- 8. That our leaders would benefit from a mittee—The Northern Committee. visit to the Urdd and would be welcomed Informal Education in the Branches.—Mr. in Wales. John Mathieson has circularised all the On contrasting Comunn na h-Oigridh there branches on this subject and had received is noted: — helpful and appreciative letters. There is a 1. A complete absence of grants. great need of simple lessons in the manner 2. Not one full-time organiser and very few of those in “Gairm” and also conversation leaders. lessons. 3. Until recently no relations with the Gaelic Libraries. — Mr. Farquhar Mac- Education Authorities. intosh reports good response to his circulars 4. Apart from the Annual Camp and the and the branches have contributed £48. The Gairloch and Minard Feachds, no Directors for Inverness-shire, Ross and activities. Sutherland will now be consulted as to the 5. A lay committee has met regularly in most suitable schools. Glasgow during the last 25 years, but Propaganda.-—A small committee has been there is little to show for the great amount formed to prepare suitable posters and hand of trouble and thought involved. During out literature — a suitable tent will be pur- 1961-62 meetings have been in Inverness. chased, and an information booth will be set 6. The appointment recently of a convener up at Glenfinnan Games and other suitable who has had experience at Feachd leader locations. level and who has, by her successes, Drama. — Mr. Alex. Fraser reported on proved her ability. this. A group has been formed in Inverness It is the opinion of the Committee that and will play at Torridon this spring. It unless the Association agrees to re-organisation is also intended to try and spread the move- of Comunn na h-Oigridh so as to obtain full ment in the area and even to have a local co-operation with the Authorities, grants, staff Gaelic Drama Festival. and leaders, matters will not improve greatly, — 91 and the recent progress will, almost certainly, recommends that An Comunn should advise not be sustained. the Director of Education for Inverness-shire Recommendations of Northern Committee. that it has set aside £500 which will be payable Propaganda.—Mr. Roberts’ talk again raises to him or his nominee, on request, to aid the the question, “Is our propaganda to be for the Inverness-shire Education Authority in Association with the assumption that the right publishing text books. publicity for the language will automatically Note.—The Education Authority is not follow, or should we concentrate on the allocated any money to finance publishing, it language first and let the Association’s works may only purchase existing publications. speak for themselves?” Mr. Roberts’ insistence on the correction of bad trends “at child level” raises the question whether “An Comunn’s constitution and organisation is suitable to tackling anything The Clan Tartan seriously at child level. Are not its delibera- (Notes of a Talk given to the Glasgow Rotary tions much more concerned with adults?” Club by Arthur J. Lawrie) The importance of informal Gaelic classes In 1746, immediately after the Rising of run by branches cannot be stressed strongly the Clans under Prince Charles Edward enough and the need for suitable lessons. The Stuart, and as a result of it, the Government Glenmorgan Scheme charts might well be passed an Act prohibiting the use of Highland used in this. Could not the Education dress and the wearing of tartan. Apart Committee turn to this aspect of education from certain Army Regiments, no one was and perhaps create a great adult educational permitted to use tartan at all until 1782, when movement? the Act was repealed. Press Propaganda.—The treatment by the So meagre and unsubstantial therefore is the Big Dailies of the National Mod is sufficient History of Tartans before the nineteenth evidence of lack of Press relations. This should century that it is only possible to propound be taken up at all levels. and not dogmatize. The Western Isles.—An Comunn’s efforts The earliest reference to what we know as over many years have been a complete failure; tartan is in the Statutes of the Church of the fact that there have been no fewer than Aberdeen of the 13th century! The original four organisers visiting the Islands over this name was “Breacan,” which means “spotted period would suggest that what we have to or chequered” and is precisely the Gaelic sell is to blame rather than the organisers. descriptive adjective for an infantry camou- Mr. Thomson’s advice should be taken flage Denison smock. If, as has been seriously and An Comunn must work out a suggested, tartan was originally camouflage new approach. Having done so, it must bring and the purpose of camouflage clothing being it into operation quietly without fanfares. to “break up” a plain coloured surface, then All operations, other than Comunn na the imagination needs little stretching to h-Oigridh, should be suspended in the Outer appreciate how the complex patterns of tartan Islands until full consideration has been given evolved. In the last war it took little time to Mr. Thomson’s recommendations. for the Army to brighten up their drab Inverness-shire Education Scheme.—The battledress with regimental brigade, divisional Committee records its gratitude to Dr. Mac- and even Army coloured insignia. The High- lean and Mr. Macleod for their courtesy and lander of four hundred years ago was no less kindness at all times and for their most interested in and fond of colour in his wearing interesting and encouraging report. It recom- apparel. He would be an unusual Gael if he mends that it should be read by all. Here is were not. No one has raised any serious a great example of “correction and publicity objection to this theory. It is also generally for the language” at child level. accepted that at some period when com- The Committee believes that An Comunn’s munications were at their rvrorst certain greatest contribution to the language at child chequered or striped patterns were peculiar to level could be, apart from Comunn na certain glens or areas. h-Oigridh, in the financing of the text books Remembering that cloth was woven by the required by the schools. The Committee women of the family for use by the family particularly notes the section of Mr. Macleod’s and to suit their tastes, using the native dyes talk entitled “ Methods (a) Reading.” This available, this is a reasonable conjecture. It need is so urgent that time should not be lost, is common knowledge that these glens or areas waiting for others to finance these publications. were peopled by persons of one family or A generous contribution now could well be Clan, their Septs, dependants and followers. repaid by good results. The Committee It must have been possible then at one time to recognise in Oban a man from Glen Coe or that of wearing apparel. He made no bones Cowal by his clothes or at least guess at it about selling it indiscriminately, and a hundred and thus guess his Clan. Just as there is years before 1822 it was being steadily nothing to compel an American to wear the exported. clothes he does there was nothing to compel In “The Present State of Scotland” (1711) the Highlander to wear the popular pattern it says: “ . . . Plaids, a manufacture wherein of his area, but he was equally recognisable they exceed all Nations both as to Colour and when he did. Since there was no Heraldic Fineness. They have late been pretty much significance in these patterns whatsoever, the fancy’d in England and are very ornamental Highlander wore what he chose to wear. As as well as durable for Beds, Hanging Window- the years passed, and communications Curtains and Dressing Gowns for men and improved and social intercourse increased, it women.” was natural that if he could afford it and so To those whose name is associated with a wished, he would buy and wear tartan particular tartan sett, it is right that they patterns other than the one he was should wear it for reasons of sentiment. To accustomed to in his area or family or Clan. those who have no such association they are It is not difficult on this hypothesis there- equally entitled to wear whatever tartan they fore to understand how a particular pattern choose, judged by aesthetic standards. In of tartan was associated with a Clan and its doing so they are following historical precedent Septs, dependants and followers. Since this and at the same time complimenting the Clan association was not a livery the Johnsons of whose tartan they have chosen to wear. Coll and the Maclans of Ardnamurchan would by 1745 probably only wear the MacDonald tartan for sentimental or aesthetic reasons. Would anyone doubt that the Highlander is sentimental or aesthetically minded? Extracts from Gaelic Poetry No one can doubt that at the time of English renderings by Hugh Laing resurgent interest in tartan in 1822, many tartans were invented and categorically 19 Garden Street, associated with specific clans. Who can say which were and which were not? Swanbourne, Tartan was worn continuously from 1746 Western Australia. until 1782 by military formations, and although against the law was worn blatantly To the Editor of An Gaidheal, in the Highlands in 1778, and by men wholly Enclosed please find, for publication in loyal to King George. There was therefore An Gaidheal, if considered suitable, two free little real pause in the practice of wearing renderings of extracts from MacMhaigstir tartan clothes. Clan tartans did exist before Alasdair and Diorbhail Nic a’ Bhriuthainn. the ’45 and were “cashed in” on by weavers They are much on the same lines as previous and tailors who assisted the new wearers in renderings of mine which appeared in 1822 to build up a pseudo heraldic hocus-pocus An Gaidheal about two years ago — the original around them. It is interesting to note that in rhythm is retained (not an easy matter, a poem, “Tartan or the Plaid,” written in 1724 particularly in the case of extract from Mac by Allan Ramsay, no less than eight tartans D’s Birlinn) and the original sentiment is are mentioned by name. Who can doubt, retained, though liberties have been taken with after a study of what evidence we have, that the imagery. My aim throughout has been the enormous tartan smokescreen of the last an English version which, if not always 150 years had a fire behind it? poetic, at least has the appearance of being The belief of some people that tartan has poetic. My original intention was to render a semi-holy quality which limits its users, the whole of the Birlinn into English, but I and its uses, is quite clearly historically soon found out that, by retaining the rhyming completely inaccurate. The visitor to the of the long lines and the short lines, it would Highlands in the early 17th century certainly be the work of a life-time — and I am 72 years was obliged to wear tartan if he wished to be old now! socially accepted. In later days it was and I trust you are, as Editor of An Gaidheal, still is a compliment for a stranger to wear experiencing the co-operation which you hoped tartan. A man was entitled to wear a tartan for. if he had paid for it. As far as uses With every good wish, are concerned, at no time did the Highlander hesitate to use tartan for purposes other than Hugh Laing. — 93 — (a) From Dorothy Brown’s All the dyes of tartans varied “ Oran do Dh’-Alasdair MacColla.” In sky texture: Alasdair, my love, my idol, Grey, blood-red and sage-green, Whom saw you in distant Ireland? Purple, jet-black; Among her thousands, none your rival, Clouds, dog-driven by sharp freezing, None your peer in blood and fibre. Gust and cross-winds On starless moors your manly stride blazed Eazed the fevered, seething, sea-wastes Tracks for men and fired their pride in Storm in prospect. You, fair captain of war defiant, Then wide-open flew the casements Firm maker of peace abiding; Of the tempest Though Campbells daily may deride you And out leapt gaunt hounds unsated, Who so fit for kings to ride with? Blasts ill-tempered. Ocean donned his winter mantle, Unlike Glen Faochan’s shuffling land-lord, Easp-rough, jagged, Black Duncan and his ragged ganglers, Striding fast, cloud-peaked, deep-chasmed, Your sire, true scion of pure Hebrid clan-folk, Hell-bent on ravage, Nurtured you in castled grandeur, Opening dripping jaws voracious In port of ships and billowing canvas Demonic unnumbered, Where men from joyful galley-landings Breathing hard with will ferocious Drank wines of France and gaily sang there. And venom uncumbered. One evil wish, I hope, my last one: Twixt ridges, heaving spraying, rearing, Old Colin’s grizzled pate tight packed in Abysswards we speeded, Blood between my arm and ribs and dastard The plunging iron keel nigh searing “Crowner” locked and keyed. Which granted The shell-floored seabed. My soft white limbs I’d lay down gladly Great Whales and monsters of ocean, And sleep on rocks and no couch asked for! Pounded and beaten Lone hero—Earth has not your fellow— By rampant waters reposeless, No cow-herd you in starveling meadow, Moaned in self-pity. But ruling chief where fearless men are; As galley’s sharp plunging battered Eider of steeds of heart and mettle, And sea-jolts shivered Your men’s reward is crowns aplenty, Frail brains loose scattered For you they laugh at swords’ sharp menace. In wave-crests’ mirror. When you return, in sun and heather, Demons, inhuman, designing, My lips, awakening from quiescence, Buthlessly racked us; Will spill my soul in willing measure Blinded by salt spray flying, Of love that burns—though kingdoms perish! Deafened and dazzled Let gossips talk ... it is their pleasure! By thunder-bursts and lightning sportive In devil’s orgy, Your voice, like violin appealing While hissing meteor cinders scorched the Or harp strings quickening flesh and feeling Sails and cordage, Shivers the root-springs of my being. Half-choked by acrid fumes ascending In maiden days, by young love driven, From damp sheets burning, To none my shy kiss would be given, We fought, steel-willed, unbending But you ... No gift more willing! Foes evil, infernal. Dearer you are than ever man was And pedigreed without the brand of Eumours foul or whispered scandal. Ah, well I know your snow-white candour, Your streaming hair’s controlled abandon, National Mod, Oban, 1962 Your lissom wrists with gold-lace banded, ENTRIES. Your musket’s sober steel and walnut, Junior. Senior. Fit for a royal guardsman’s splendour, OralLiterary . . . And island maidens pale with envy! Vocal Solos and Duets (b) From Alexander Macdonald’s ClarsachChoral .. .. “ Birlinn Chlainn Baonuill.” Instrumental (Pianoforte and Violin) Sunbeams from their muffled day spring Arrangement Straggling thinly, Art and Industry Through urgent fury’s airy playground Tortured grimly; 94 — Celtic successors were linguistically nearest to Letter the Indo-European Italic dialects of Edinburgh, 17th July, 1962. “Latinian” and Umbro-Sabellic)? “Chi sinn,” Dear Sir,—I am sorry that your corre- gu dearbh.—Yours faithfully, spondent, “Taobh-Tuath Earraghaidheal,” is CoiNNEACH B. MacShEUMAIS. dissatisfied with my conclusions. While my chief concern was to prove the comparison between Eum(m), Ruim(m), etc., and British Ruim (0. Gael. *Riam, Piet. *Rim) to be a false one, I naturally wished to give due Notes on Recent Publications weight to every etymology before abandoning The appearance of a volume from the Celtic as a source of the island’s name. The Scottish Gaelic Texts Society is always a suggestion of E. B. Johnston, however literary event. With their latest publication, mistaken, had the merit of a simple aptness entitled Adtimchioll an Chreidimh, the in the meaning assigned, which encouraged Society have again put those who value Gaelic my final speculative remarks as to a relation scholarship in their debt. The main content of the pre-Celtic name to the distinguishing of this volume is a facsimile reprint of the physical features of the island. Again, as the Gaelic version of John Calvin’s Geneva “h” of Ehum does not appear in the Gaelic Catechism, which was written in Latin: the or any other old forms, it is certainly only known copy of this w'ork, the second inorganic, a recent intruder, or an “orphan” Gaelic book to be printed, is in the National as your correspondent puts it; nevertheless, Librafy of Scotland. Some religious poems are it may serve to remind us that if Eum were also reproduced from the MSS., and the 1659 originally Celtic, a prehistoric base *Prumm- second edition of the Gaelic Shorter Catechism would be theoretically possible. However, we is appended for purposes of linguistic com- have seen that the name is likely to have been parison. The whole is edited with introduction, adopted from an earlier population and in such notes and glossary, by R. L. Thomson of Leeds a case initial “p”, had it existed, would have University. Acknowledgment of generous been taken over and preserved. assistance is made to the Dublin Institute for Lest it be felt that the mountain has Advanced Studies. laboured and brought forth a mouse, one It had been assumed that Bishop Carswell, should perhaps add that further study may the author of the translation of the Book of identify pre-Celtic survivals not only in the Common Order, which was the first printed island-names of the West but in many place- Gaelic book, was also the author of this work. names of northern and eastern Scotland (The In dismissing this theory from linguistic and Problem of the Piets, pp. 153f.) — especially other evidence, and considering possible rivers. Nab-ar-os (Nabhar, the Naver) and authors, the editor makes a case for Neill Tu-es-is (renamed in Celtic Pictish *Spijat-i McEwen, son of the family bard of the Earl Spiath, the Spey) present the same formations of Argyll. as the apparently non-Indo-European It was at this time, the first half of the Tam-ar-os, Tamar and Italian Tammaro, sixteenth century, that written Scottish Tam-es-is, Thames, At-es-is, the Italian Gaelic began to diverge from written Irish. Adige, Bed-es-is in Emilia, and Ver-es-is in The Geneva Catechism conforms mainly to Latium. Similarly Watson compared Irish usage, whereas the Shorter Catechism, *Narava (Abhainn Narunn, the Nairn) with appearing about thirty years later, shows the the Umbrian river Nar, now' Nera. beginning of the development to modern There is also the non-Celtic language of the Scottish Gaelic. The spoken languages, on Pictish ogam inscriptions, to which a few of the other hand, had begun to diverge much the earlier names in the Pictish king-list would earlier. appear by their phonetic character to belong: Here, for comparison, are the opening e.g., Canutu-lachma and Blies-blituth (cf. question and answer in each work: — vowel structure of the Inchyra ogam Geneva Catechism (c.1623)— i-nehhetes tiet-dinhe, F. T. Wainwright, 1961). “Creud is crioch aride no phriondsipalta do What affinities did the pre-Celtic Bronze bheathaidh an duine?” Age people of our country possess with the “Ata na daoine fein abheith eolach ar andia rest of the British Isles and Western Europe? sin ler chruthuigheadh iad?” Can there be a link between them and the Shorter Catechism (1653)— pre-Indo-European linguistic substratum of “Creud is crioch arid don duine?” Danubian antecedents known in Italy as “Is i is crioch arid don duine Dia do “Raeto-Tyrrhenian” (somewhat as their ghlorughadh agus do mhealtin gu suthaine?” Co nach dean sogan ris “A’ Chabairneach,” Clan Cameron air ur-thighinn o Chomunn na h-Oigridh, Association Feachd Phortrigh? Cho cabach, aighearach, Mrs. MacArthur— ’s a bha e riamh, le rosg is rann, ague air a Lismore dheagh chlo-bhualadh (an Steornabhagh!), AyrshireChoirs Branches and tha e saor aig (co-dhiubh) leth-chriin. Manchester Branch So sgeulachd bheag as:—■ Cornaigmore Branch “Thainig Sasannach bragail, ard-ghuthach D. V. Webster, Esq.—Film aon latha a steach do bhutha ‘J. G.’ ann am DingwallShow Branch Portrigh agus ars esan ri fear na biitha, ‘A Dance Comlmittee—Oban bheil briosgaidean chon agaibh anns an toll Ladies’ Committee— ghrannda seo?’ ‘Tha gu leor,’ arsa ‘J. G.’, an Bus Outing — Loch Awe cuir mi ann am poca dhuit iad — no an ith Donation, Mrs. Gillies thu an seo fhein iad? Received at Glasgow— -£3,521 7 7 SkelmorliePreviously acknowledgedand District £174 17 1 MissHighland Christina Association A. Smith, 2 2 — Corriechatachan D. ArgyllJ. Ewing Hunter, Esq.. 2 2 — By the great house of Corriechatachan Helensburgh 11 — In Eilean a Ched, S. Johnston, Esq., Under the mists of Blaavin Brig.Newcastle-on-Tyne Lome Campbell, .. — 5 — And the Red Coolins’ Glow; V.C., Bucks 2 2 — By the old walls of Corriechatachan John MacLeod, Esq., I stood awhile entranced; Co. Durham 1 — — I heard the pibroch sound again Mr.G. Bryce,and Mrs. Esq., William Stirling 1 As the kilted clansmen danced. MacDonald, Edinburgh 1 5 — By the ruined stones of Corriechatachan, D. W. Christie. Esq., I thought of an earlier day, Carluke 2 Of how a Sage from England Mr. and Mrs. Alex Mac- Came venturing this way; MissesDonald, Dudgeon, Fort William — 10 — And how the road to the Hebrides Midlothian — 10 — Has uttered its ageless cry Aberfeldy Branch .. 7 — — To every man with a song in his heart Mrs, Beatrice G. Forman, And wonder in his eye. InvernessArgyll Branch —20 10 — And I took of the stones of Corriechatachan, And it goes now wherever I go, A stone from the House at the Edge of the £3,737 11 8 World, In Eilean a Cheo. Central Fund. Mac Illf. Bhain. J.Previously R. Dewar, acknowledged Esq., West Lothian £70— 5 — JohnThe NorthumberlandG. Nicolson, Esq., andBritish Durham Columbia 2 10 — InvernessCaledonian Branch Society 5 5 — Treasurer’s Notes £83 National Mod — Oban, 1962. Magazine Fund. Received at Oban— Previously acknowledged £2 16 — PreviouslyD. V. Webster, acknowledged Esq.—Film £3,207 7 2 William Gemmel, Esq., Argyll . . — 5 — Show 20 17 6 F. MidlothianG. Thompson, Esq., F.S.A. Scot., — 10 — DumfriesCollection andShinty Galloway— Final .. 2 18 6 J. G. Nicolson. Esq., British Columbia 2 10 — DanceAn ComunnCommittee-—Oban 385 9 3 £6 D. V. Webster, Esq.—Film Comunn na H-Oigridh. Mrs.Show H. B. Loggie 175 15 — Previously acknowledged £21 9 — Mrs. Isobel Stewart 2 William Gemmel, Esq.. Argyll . . 251— — - D.Glenorchy V. Webster, Branch Esq.—Film 33 — Inverness Branch .. TireeShow Association .. 1012 —10 — — 96 - AN GAIDHEAL THE GAEL Editor—DONALD GRANT, B.A., 95 MUNRO ROAD, GLASGOW, W.3, to whom ail correspondence should be addressed except that concerning advertising which should be addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer. 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C.2 Telephone: DOUglas 1433 Leabhar LVII AN T-SULTUIN, 1962 Aireamh 9 Seanfhacail Is- trie a chuala sinn mu luach nan muir-lan, ’s cinnteach, a’ seasamh airson seanfhacal. Nach ann anns na seanfhacail daingneachadh cairdeis eadar an dk dhuthaich Ghaidhlig gu h-araidh a tha freumh a’ ghliocais a chaidh ainmeachadh. CM mhath — ach agus smior na fir inn? Tha sin mar sin, ach dh’ fhaodadh am fear aig a bheil bar ail eile tha mise a’ dol a chur air adhart mo bheachd air a’ cheisd an seanfhacal a thionndadh mar fhin an seo, ’se sin gu bheil iad air uairean seo, “Cha tig muir-lan gun mhuir-traigh ’na air an cur gu mi-fheuro. dheidh.” Tha seo a cheart cho flor ach tha Co uair no uaireigin nach robh air a muir-tr&igh a nise air a chur aig an deireadh sharachadh leis an duine dheas-bhriathrach a agus tha sin mar earlas gur ann ri lasachadh, bheir dhut seanfhacail a fhreagras a h-uile chan ann ri daingneachadh, cairdeis a dh’ suidheachadh, sean-fhacail a tha gu trie calg- fhaodas duil a bhith againn. dhireach an aghaidh a cheile? Faodaidh tu a bhith ann an cuideachd far A bheil mi-run sam bith air a nochdadh an a bheil feadhainn a’ bruidheann a null ’s a aghaidh an fhir a bheir comhradh gu crich nail air cuspair cudthromach air choireigin— anns an doigh seo? Ni iongantach. Chan abair suidheachadh na duthcha againn fhin ’eil. ’S ann a tha a’ chliu air a mheudachadh agus suidheachadh na Ruis. Faodaidh cuid a gu mor am measg a ch&irdean. Nam faigh- bhith ag radh gum bu choir dhuinne cuireadh eadh e mar a thoill e, ’s ann nach bitheadh a thoirt do thuilleadh dhe na Ruiseanaich eairdean idir aige. tighinn a choimhead oirnne, agus cuid eile ag Chuala sinn uile am fear aig am hi an duan radh nach bu chhir dhuinn gnothach a ghabhail an chmhnaidh, “Tha a’ chhir mar a chumar riutha. Tha an comhradh a’ dol air adhart i. ” An innis duine dhuinn d£ tha seo a' gu h-inntinneach. ciallachadh? An e gu bheil ni ’sam bith Chan ’eil an luchd-labhairt a’ faotainn ceart agus cothromach ma tha daoine ’ga seol air gnothaichean an t-saoghail mhoir a dheanamh gu eunabhalach? Mas e sin brigh chur ceart, ach tha iad a’ cur de sholus air nam facal dh’ fhaodadh iad a bhith air an a’ chuis na thoilicheas iad fhein. Mar sin tha cleachdadh le fear ’sam bith dhe na daoine an comhradh a’ dol air adhart gu rianail gus borba sin mu ’n cuala sinn ann an eachdraidh, an abair fear-eigin nach do chuir mdran ris Mgr., N. no Mgr. FT, no Mgr. K., nam b’ e an deasbad thuige seo, “Cha tig muir-tr&igh ’s gum bitheadh fear ann ri an linn a gun mhuir-lan ’na dheidh.” Tha stad obann bhitheadh cho dana ’s gun canadh e riutha, a’ tighinn air a’ chhmhradh. Chan ’eil an “Chan ’eil sin ceart,” no “Chan ’eil sin a reir corr ri radh. Sgapaidh a’ chuideachd fear na chrach.” Nan gabhamaid ris an radh seo, as deidh fir gu socair, le seorsa de fhaireachadh dh’ fhaodamaid beannachd a ghabhail leis a’ gun do chuir iad seachad uine gun fheum. choir uile gu leir. Chan ’eil a leithid idir ann, Mu na facail a chuir crioch air a’ ghnothach. dlreach a’ cheart rud a chanadh na daoine Tha iad air an cur ri cheile an doigh cho borba sin a dh’ ainmich mi. snasail, le snuadh na h-aoise air laighe orra, Feumaidh sin a’ chuis a dheanamh an drksta. ’s nach ’eil de mhisneachd aig duine Togaidh mi cliu nan seanfhacal uair eile ma foighneachd de tha iad a’ ciallachadh. Tha gheibh mi an cothrom. — 97 — a’ Cheo. ’N a latha-san b’iad na h-uachdarain Taog Mor MacCuinn fearainn an luchd-lagha, ach nuair a bhiodh Le Tormod Domhnallach. cuisean ro dhuilich dhaibh an reiteach, rachadh iad gu MacCuinn airson comhairle. Cia liugha ainm boidheach Gaidhlig, air an Gheibheadh iad sin agus na snaimeannan deach dlochuimhn’ bho chionn fada, a bha cruaidh a dh’ fhairtlicheadh orra-san, dh' uaireigin coitcheann do fhir is mhnathan ar fhuasgladh esan iad da’n riar. Gaidhealtachd. C’&it’ an diugh an cluinnear Thainig dithis de’n tuath fa chomhair Taog, lomhair, Dearg, agus Aoidh, ’g an MhicLeoid Dhun-bheagan, latha, a’ tagradh eigheach ri cloinn no ri daoine inbheach. ris ceartas a dheanamh eatorra. Gidbeadh, gheibhte gach aon dhiubh sin air Bha eithear aig aon diubh ’n a laighe ann feadh an Bilein Sgitheanaich, ’s an eileanan am brkighe a’ chladaich, fo bhonn creige. eile, iomadh ceud bliadhna air ais. Thachair gun do thuit bo leis an fhear eile Mur a b’e gun do chum na h-kiteachan thar na creige ceudna agus cho luath ’s a anns an robh iad a’ fuireach, no ri saothair, bhuail i gu h-iosal am broinn a’ bhMa, air an cuimhne nan daoine ud buan, cha bhiodh fios tug i droch toll, bhksaich i. aig ar linn fein gu robh iad idir ann. Ach til Nis, bha esan do ’m buineadh an eithear Dun Deirg, agus Achadh Aoidh, air an Taobh ag agairt p&idhidh airson a challa, rud a bha Sear, aithnichte do na h-uile a ta a’ cbmhnuidh am fear a chaill am mart a’ diultadh air gach faisg orra. cor a thoirt seachad, do bhrigh ’s gu robh e Is lionmhor na mearachdan a rinneadh air de’n bharail gur e am bata a bhi far an robh tiis ann a bhi a’ sgriobhadh sios ainmean e, a b’aobhar gun do mharbhadh am beathach. aiteachan. Ta Achadh Qhaoith, mar a chaidh Cha b’urrainn MacLebid riarachadh a thoirt a litrigeadh, tur cearr. Is ann a bheireadh am dhaibh, ach thug e an da fhear maille ris gu facal Ghaoith a chreidsinn air neach gur e so tigh MhicCuinn. am bad as stoirmeil air clar na diithcha. ’N Dh’eisd Taog gu geur ris na tagraidhean. am b’ann bho shide no aimsir a dh’eirich Cha bu luaithe a chriochnaich iad na chuir ainm an ionaid, is e bu choir a bhi air ach e ceist ghearr: “Co leis a’ bho?’’ “Ta a’ Achadh Fasgach, oir cha b’urrainn aite eile a bho leamsa,” fhreagair am bodach bochd, gu bhi cho neo-ghaothar agus chan ioghnadh mall, faiteasach, oir bha e a lan smaoineachadh learn, nuair a ta monaidhean Mda as lethoir gun robh an lagh a’ dol ’n a aghaidh. a’ cheile, bho Bheinn an Stbir thun a’ “C6 leis an eithear?’’ arsa MacCuinn. “Ta Chuithe-Fhraing, a’ cur dion air bho gach an eithear leamsa,’’ choithich am fear doinionn a sheideas bho’n airde an iar agus agraidh ann an guth cruaidh, tapaidh, a chionn tuath. Air an taobh an ear agus a deas, t& e bhi cinnteach gun rachadh an gnothach leis. cnocan cas Bhaltois, Chulnancnoc, a’ “Co leis, ma t&, a’ chreag?” dh’ Bhreacraidh, agus Ghrealin, ’n an deagh fhaighneachd Taog. Cha do smaoinich aon dhldein a’ bristeadh nan siontan gabhaidh. seach aon air an te so. “Ta a’ chreag le Bha Achadh Aoidh anns an t-seann aimsir MacLebid,” thuirt gach fear a beul a’ cheile. ’ga shealbhachadh aig a’ bhuachaille-fasaich B’e so anns an t-seasamh bonn breith Thaoig: nuair a bha spreidh na tir air an cumail a “Ta mise de’n bharail gur e MacLebid a dh’ mach ris a’ mhonadh. Feumaidh gum b’e fheumas dloladh airson an da chall. Mur a Aoidh a’ cheud fhear dhiubh sin. biodh a’ chreag, cha robh a’ bhb marbh, is Ach cha robh MacCuinn am freasdal cnoic cha robh am b&ta air a mhilleadh.” no achaidh airson ’ainm-san fhagail air Chord a’ bhinn so ris an triuir, ri Mac- mhaireann. Bha Taog ro iomraiteach ’na Lebid cho math ris na h-iochdarain, oir bu latha fein, agus riamh bho’n uair sin, airson a chomasach esan air luigheachd fhreagarrach a bhuadhan inntinn eug-samhuil. chuir an aite na dh’ fhalbh. Ann a bhi rannsachadh a mach brigh an Uair eile air do dha fhirionnach a bhi ag fhacail Taog (can e Aodh, mar a chaidh a iasgach air creig faisg air Port Righeadh, chuir sios corra uair) thug mi fainear gur e dh’eirich sgairt mhath air gaoith. An ceann feallsanach, anns an fhior sheann Ghaidhlig, tacain, dh’ fhas i na bu mhotha agus mun is ciall d£t. Chi sinn le sin cho math ’s a tug fear aca an aire, thainig tonn mor a steach chaidh cuspair ar sgeoil ri ’ainm. air a sguab e mach air a’ mhuir. Cha Ta tobhta Thaoig fathast ri faicinn mu dha b’urrainn a charaid a ruigheachd, ach chaith mhile deas air baile Phort Righeadh. Is arm e an acfhuinn le cuimse mu thuairmse. Gu an sud a bha e ri tuathanachas mu thoiseach mi-fhortanach, chaidh an dubhan an sas an na h-ochdamh-linn-deug. siiil an aoin a bha ’n a eiginn. Le moran Ma bha an righ Solamh cliuiteach ann an spairn is foighidinn, fhuaireadh a shlaodadh Israel airson gliocas a chomhairle is a gu tir gu tearuinte, gidheadh, chaill an t-suil riaghailt, is amhuil a bha Taog, ann an Eilean a fradharc, rud nach robh iongantach. Chaidh beagan bine seachad, ach an latba uasal, agus co nach ’eil. An fheadhainn leis bha’n so, nach aim a chaidh an da iasgair gu nach b’fhiu an t-aran a chuir ’nam beul, bha dubh far a’ cheile. Is e bu chrioch do’n iadsan airidh air an ursgartadh a chaidh a aimhreit gun tug am bodach cam gu lagh an dheanamh orra! ’ ’ neach a mhill a shuil. An ceann beagan bhliadhnachan, nuair a Air latha na cuirte, dh’ fhairtlich air an chuala na h-uile mu dhearbhadh Thaoig air luchd-lagha breith chothrom a thoirt agus cha modh, cha robh neach nach gabhadh an caob robh ann ach gun b’eiginn dhaibh dol far an arain mu dheireadh bhuaithe, ni a thug an robh Taog. cronachadh gu crich. Air do MhacCuinn fath an turuis a ’S e fior sheann teaghlach a tk ann an chluinntinn, labhair e ris an dioghaltach anus Clann MhicCuinn Thrbtarnais, bho’n do na briathran a leanas: “Taghaidh tusa latha dh’ birich anns gach linn, urrachan buadhmhor a bhios a cheart cho fiadhaich, theid thu thun araon ann an seirbhis na h-eaglaise agus an na sgeire far an do thachair an tubaist dhuit, airm. Their beul-aithris gun tainig iad air leigidh tu thu fein a mach air a’ mhuir agus tus do’n duthaich maille ri Anna nighean a' ma theid agad air faotainn gu cladach gun Chathanaich, bantighearna Iain Oig He, chuideachadh, dleasaidh tu an uair sin a’ chain gaisgeach Blar Allt a’ Bhonnaich. Bha iad a tb thu ag iarraidh.” riamh fo sgeith Chloinn Dbmlmuill nan Eilean Cha leigear a leas a radh gun do chuir a’ agus measail aca. A reir coltais, b’e Muideard bhinn ud stad air a’ chonnspoid. Chan iarradh a’ cheud chearn’ de’n Ghkidhealtachd anns an esan a bh’ air an leith shuil dol an darna do ghabh iad tamh, ach roimh dheireadh na h-uair anns an dearbh ghabhadh! ! seathamh-linnrdeug, bha fearann Rig, anns an Bu duine Taog a bha mdr, laidir ann am Eilean Sgitheanach, aca. bodhaig, agus anabarrach fialaidh ’n a Bu torrach an talamh-aitich Rig, mar a ta dhachaidh. B’ainneamh latha nach robh Calum Ban Mac Mhannain, bard Shartail an cuideigin ’ga fhailteachadh aig a bhord. Air Taobh Sear, ag radh ’n a dhain. Chaidh an laimh eile, bha cleachdadh iongantach aige Calum, maille ri moran eile, do Eilean a’ a chuir neonachas gu lebir air a’ chuid Phrionnsa air an t-soitheach Am Polly, an aoidhean an am dealachadh ris. Rachadh 1803. ' Shebl long mhor nan eilthireach a MacCuinn maille riutha astar goirid de’n Port Righeadh agus a’ dol seachad air Rig, t-slighe agus an aite beannachd a ghabhail thug e an aire do cheo trom a’ tearnadh bho leotha, bha e a’ toirt garg sgiursadh orra. aghaidh an Stbir. Dhuisg an sealladh iomadh Tharlaidh gun robh duine sonraichte ag cuimhneachan taitneach: gabhail bidhe an tigh MhicCuinn agus air da Moire! ’s minig a bha a leithid a chluinntinn mu dheidhinn dbigh fir Mise treis air a sgath an tighe, bha e fad’ na h-uine a’ toirt a Ibn Ann an Rig, ’s gum b’e ’n t-aite bho e, fhaicill nach canadh agus nach deanadh e nl Nuair a thigeadh am Mkrt, a bheireadh oilbheum seachad. Bhiodh an crodh anns a’ Charn, Nuair a chuir an t-aoidh mu dhbidhinn ’S bhiodh na luibhean co-fhas ri nebinean.. falbh, choisich Taog sios an rathad maille ris. Bhiodh an luachair ghorm ur, An ceann aiteil stad e is ghabh e beannachd Nios a’ fas anns a’ bhurn leis a’ choigreach gu ciuin, coibhneil. Fo na bruthaichean cubhraidh, bbidheach, Chuir e uiread de loghnadh air an fhear Bhiodh na caoraich d’a reir turuis gun do tharr e fein as gun an Ann, ri mire ’s ri leum, laimhseachadh fhaotainn a fhuair each ’s gun ’S iad a’ breith, anns a’ dibit, uain bga. dubhairt e: “Ta mi faicinn nach ’eil sibh a’ B’e Aonghas Mor, drhbhair ainmeil, a’ dol a thoirt an smachdachaidh dhomhsa a cheud fhear de Chloinn MhicCuinn Rig air am fhuair feadhainn eile uaibh.” bheil iomradh againn. B’i Sine, nighean do “Chan ’eil mise,’’ arsa Taog, “uair sam Dhbmhnall Dubh, Camshronach Lochiall, bu bith a’ smachdachadh uaislean. Is duine bhean dha. Bha da mhac aig Aonghas, an uasal thusa, a dhearbh sin aig mo bhbrd. t-Urramach Eoghann, agus Coinneach aig an Nuair a bha sinn gu sguir de ithe, chuir mi robh Orasa, an Uibhist a Tuath, agus bade a’ im air crioman arain, shin mi sud dhuit agus Gharaidh-fhada, ann an Trbtarnais. thubhairt thu: “Bhon a chbrd am biadh rium Lean an Garadh-fada ri sliochd Choinnich cho math, feumaidh mi nis crioch cheart a airson tri cheud bliadhna. Thug am Morair chur air leis an chuid so a ghabhail as bhur Dbmlmallach dhaibh seilbh air “Cho fad’ ’s a laimh. Rinn thu sin gu modhail, a’ nochdadh bhuaileas tonn air traigh ’s a bhios bainne aig gun d’fhuair thu togail mhath. ’S i so an boin duibh.” Cha robh mal orra ach gum deuchainn a ta ’nochdadh dhomh co a ta feumadh iad a bhi cumail bhreac ri Mac- Miomimuiil gacli bliadkna. Cka robli an Nuair a bha a* cheud Bhlobull Gkidhlig *g dleasnas so trom agus cuan an Taobh Sear a eadar-theangachadh bho’n ch&nain Eabhra, agus Abhainn Chille Mhartainn, anns an robh leis an Ollamh Urramach Iain Stiubhart, Lus am pailteas eisg, gle fhaisg orra. (1783) agus sgoilearan eile, chuir iad B’e an t-Urramach Eoghann, air an tug feadhainn de na lamh-sgriobhaidhea'n, mar a sinn iomradh, sinnsear nan iomadh linn de ta Leabhraichean nan Aireamh, agus mhinistearan a rinn obair mhbr air feadh an Deuteronomy, gu MacCuinn airson an Eilein Sgitheanaich, Uibhist agus ionadan eile ceartachadh. Rinn an t-Ollamh Dbmhuall sud de Alba is Amerigea. Shuidhicheadh gu fior mhath, agus ta a phaipearan an diugh Maighistir Eoghann ann an Rodal, an 1604 ri’m faicinn ann an Leabharlann nan agus ann an Duirinis, ’s an t-samhradh 1614. Tagradairean (Advocates’ Library) an Dun Fhuair an t-Urramach Gilleasbuig Mac- Eideann. Ta mar an ceudna beagan de na Cuinn, tritheamh oighre Rig, ’fhoghlum ann sgriobh e ann an leabhraichean Comuinn an oil-thigh Ghlaschu, far an tug e mach an Gaidhlig Inbhirnis. inbhe M.A., anns an bhliadhna 1636. ’Na leabhar air eachdraidh na h-Eaglaise, Shaothraich esan mar aoghair, an toiseach ann chleachd an t-Qllamh Iain Erskine Dhun an Cille-Mhoire (Throtarnais) an 1659, agus Eideann, na facail ehothromach a leanas a’ ann an Sniothasort ann an 1660. Chaochail moladh MhicCuinn: “Ministeai' a’ chridhe Maighistir Gilleasbuig anns an bhliadhna mhoir, a chrun a bhuadhan nadurra le uiread 1684. Bha triuir mhac aige, de’n robh dithis de uaisleachd is ged a rachadh arach ann an ’n am ministearan, agus b’e an treas mac Taog cuirt an righ, agus le oilean cho ard is ged a M6r, mu an robh sinn a’ labhairt. b’e Oxford no Cambridge a b’ionad comhnuidh Anns an bliadhna 1688, rugadh mac do dha.” Thaog do’m ainm leremiah. Is ann aige-san Chaochail an t-Ollamh cliuiteach ann an a bha gabhaltas Ghlinn Bharagail, agus mar tigh Ratharsair, air a’ cheud latha de'n bu dual, thainig treud de a shliochd-san Ghearran 1785. Thadhail e.an sud air a shlighe cuideachd, gu bhi ’nam ministearan. ’S e aon thun na Comraich, a dh’amharc air a mhac dhiubh so a bh’anns an Urramach Iain Mac- Maighistir Iain, a bu mhinistear anns an Cuinn, a rugadh an Uig (1814), a shaothraich sglre ud. ’S e dluth chairdean a bh’ anns ann an Sron-an-t-sithein (1853-1867) ’s an an Ollamh agus ann am MacLeoid Ratharsair. Deimhidh (1867-1891) searmonaiche druidh- Bha iad arms na ceud oghaichean. teach mun dubhairt am bard: — Bhiodh e iomchuidh earrann no dh& de’n “ Chuir thu biadh air bord an t-soisgeil, Mharbhrann chiatach a rinn Iain Lorn, do’n ’S dh’innis thu gun robh ’n chosdas Ollamh Domhnall, a thoirt am follais mun paidhte.” crioch.naich sinn: — Ach c’aite ’n a linn, air Gaidhealtachd no ’S m6r bha thaitneachdan sula air Galldachd, an robh pears’-eaglais eile aig Ann do ghiulan, ’s do nadur, an robh buadhan agus ard fhoghlum an Chan fhaca fear riamh thu Urramaich Domhnall MacCuinn, M.A., D.D., Nach robh llonta le gradh dhuit, F.S.A.(Scot.), a bha cho comasach ann am Bha mais’ ann ad’ aoduinn, Beurla, an Laidionn, an Greigis, an Eabhra, Agus faoilte le cairdeas, agus a bha e anns an Ghaidhlig. Bha tarruing nan ceud ort, Co riamh a leugh an leabhar taitneach a ’ S mbran ceutaibh aig each dhiot. chuir Boswell a mach air a thurus maille ris D’fhalbh ar tuigse, ’s ar gliocas, an Ollamh Maelain, nach do mhothaich do’n Nuair a sgioblaicheadh uainn thu, tlachd a ghabh an Sasunnach oileanta ann an Bu neart air ar cul thu, comunn ’s an comhradh ministear Chille- Anns ’s gach cuis a bhiodh cruaidh oirnn, Mhoire. Nach e Maclain a ghabh an ceann Bu tu ceann-uidhe nam feumach, air nuair a dh’fhag e beannachd aige anns na ’S tu an deigh air am fuasgladh, ’• briathran so: “Uasail ionmhainn, na di- Tha d’ luchd leanmhuinn fudh smaointean, chuimhnich mi! ” ’S iad mar chaoraich gun bhuachaill. Chan e mhain gu robh Maighistir Domhnall, Nis o chaireadh an iilr ort, mar a theirte ris, ro eblach air seann ’S nach eil duil ri thu thighinn, sgoilearachd na Roimhe, na Greige, is nan Bu tu sgoltadh na cot'ach, Eabhrach, ach bha e min eblach air na bha Fhir chbraidich, chridheil, dol air adhart ann an litreachas a Agus iuchair na glaise, choimpirean. Cha robh leabhar nr a b’fhiach ’Nuair a rachadh tu bhruidhinn, fhaotainn nach robh e fein agus a bhr&thair, Agus casg na mi-riaghailt ministear Shniothasort, a’ ceannach. Ear an iart thu na d’bhritheamh. Xach bu mhiorbhaileach ma ta, a’ bhuaidh ’S tha blath mar dhruohd na h-iarmailt ort, mar a bha le Cloinn MhicCuinn Rig, agus de dhearrsadh grein air fonn. a’ chairint is urrainn meud an oibribh ann am There is the song of the young girl married fionlios am Maighistear a mheas gu ceart. to an old man, common to all languages: — Chuala mi mb theaghlaichean anns an robh ’Nuair fahitheas each ’sna bailtean ministear a’ leantail ministear gu na choigeamh A’ crathadh an cuid ghuntan no’n seathamh glim, an t-athair, am mac, an Bidh mise leis an t-seann fhear t-ogha, an t-iar-ogha, an dubh ogha, agus am ’Us srann aig’ air mo chulaibh ! i'ibnn-ogha; ach is gann gun tiiinig crioch idir Mac Maoldin not only cites an Irish parallel air pearsachan-eaglais a shiolaich bho to this — he does give many parallels from theaghlach-Rig.‘ Ta mi de’n bharail gu bheil Ireland when dealing with Gaidhlig poetry — iad fathast ri saothair db’n eaglais ann an but also quotes a Burns quatrain on the same • duthchannan taobh thall a' chuain. theme: — IHe never hums can an’ please he hankers, him, do he a’ fretsthat an’I can;he cankers; Oh,He’s doolpeevish on thean’ dayjealous I met of a’wi’ the an young auld manfellows— ! Gaidhlig Agus Gaeilge I am not myself a keen advocate of pan- Celticism, for the difficulties in any realistic Sean Mac Maoldin attempt to implement a pan-Celtic policy (Oifig an t-Soldthair, 3/-). seem to me greater in many cases than the This book, which has just been published in possible advantages. On the other hand, it Dublin, introduces some stories, songs and might well be a good thing to have some proverbs which have been brought out in machinery for exchange of new books in Irish Gaidhlig. Explaining that he has an old and Scottish Gaelic. The very widespread use affection for the Scottish Gaelic, Sean Mac of roman type in writing and printing Irish Maolain cjiscusses in Irish certain things which to-day should be a certain help. The Irish in he. has particularly enjoyed over the years, this book, by the way, is in Gaelic type, and, and quotes liberally from them, either giving a rendering in Irish or explaining such words whatever about the clash between the two as he thinks the reader of Irish may not readily types on the page, the contrast enables one understand. to distinguish quickly between the Gaidhlig Erom “Seanchaidh na Traghad,” by Iain and the Gaeilge. Maq Cormaic, he has taken “Sean This book can do nothing but good. At the Chuimhneacfian a’ Choire Ghlas’’ and “An very least, it reminds us of common features Gille Gibeach.’’ In addition to two other in differing traditions. ,stories by Mac,, Cormaic—. “Gu’n d’thug i Risteard 0. Glaisne. sp^is do’n Armunn” and “Oighre ’n Duin- Bhkin” — he also has a story by Rev. Dr. Norman MacLeod, “Litir o Fhionnlagh An t-Each Ban Pxobaire ,g’ a Mhnaoi,” “Clach na Lanainn.” Chaidh seo a chraobh-sgaoileadh. by , Caitrlona Nic-Ille-Bhain Ghrannd and a “Gu dearbh ’s iomadh uair a thuirt mi ris,” little,story by Aonghas Ban, “Taillear Dubh na arsa Seumas, “nach fhaca mi duine riamh cho Tuaighe. ” ; rag ris.” Bha Seumas ag innseadh dhomh , The. proverbs,he gives are, no doubt, a fair mu Dhbmhnull a bhrathair, is e an deidh general selection. Some : are succinct and togail air gu deas an latha roimhe siud. penetratingj,others pedestrian enough. “Is Chuir seo iongnadh nach bu bheag air trip a bha fortan air, luid, ’s a fhuair trusdar muinntir na Glaic-uaine, gus an cual iad mar bean.”1 “Cha riaraich briathrachas bits.” a thachair. Dh’ fhalbh Dombnull an cabhaig, “Trod chairdean agus sith naimhdean, agus cha robh fois aig duine anns a’ Ghlaic- da rud nach cbirt feairt a thoirt orra.” “Is glic uaine, gus an d’ fhiosraich iad aobhar na nach meallar, ach cha ghlic a mheallar trie.” cabhaig. Bha mi fhein cho eblach ri duine Sayings like these come of an ancient, acrid ’san aite air an dithis ud, ach cha robh dad wisdom. de dhuil agam gu’n cluinninn sgeul cho Some of the love poetry Se&n Mac Maolain nebnach ’s a chuala mi an lath ud. places before us is strongly reminiscent of Irish Bha a h-uile duine a’ smaoineachadh ’n love poetry: — ! uair a leig Dbmhnull dheth obair agus a A ghruagachmiannach leam.a’ chuil shniomhanaich, bhean 6g is thainig e dhachaidh a dh’ fhuireach comhla Do phearsa dhireach.. chumachdah, ’si chuir mi ort ri a bhrathair, nach fhalbhadh e tuilleadh. an geall; Cho fad ’s a bha fhios, bha an da bhrathair, Is maiseachgach am, banail cliuiteach thu, ’s ro -mhodhail aig is iad le cheile gun phbsadh riamh, coirte gu — 101 — leoir comhla. Ged a bha fathunn an drasda sgoilear a bh’ ann. Fad aireamh iomchaidh i ’s a rithisd air beagan comhstrith a bhith bhliadhnachan fhritheil e air clasaichean ] eatorra, bha iad a’ tighinn ri cheile gu nam feallsanach anns an Oil-thigh. An | doigheil. An t-am a bha Seumas leis fhein, deidh sin chuir e an ceill do’n t-saoghal gu’m ) cha robh aige ach taigh ropach. Airson sin, b’e duine ordail reusanta a bh’ ann fhein, 1 bha iad ag radh gu robh e fior-mhath air fear nach creideadh gu’m b’ urrainn ni | cocaireachd is air fuine. Cha toireadh tachairt mur a toireadh eanchainn dha urras • boirionnach ’s a’ bhaile barr air air deanamh air a shon. Bha e fad da fhichead bliadhna I aran coirce. a’ teagasg ann an sgoil Ghallda, agus re na Air an laimh eile, cha robh suim aig h-uine sin rinn e a dhichioll gus a’ cheart I Domhnull air an obair seo! Bha esan gun shebrsa reusonaehaidh a bh’ aige fhein a ' teagamh sgiobalta ’na phearsa, agus dh’ ghintinn an inntinnean a sgoilearan. fheumadh gach ni air feadh an taighe a bhith ‘‘Chuala tu mu mhinistear maide,” arsa j sgiobalta aige mar an ceudna. ’S iomadh uair Seumas. ‘‘Mata, cho Tobh ann an Dbmhnull a chuir e dorran air Seumas, is e a’ sior chur ach maighstir-sgoile cloiche.” badan aodaich is seithrichean is soithichean ’N uair a thainig Dbmhnull a dh’ fhuireach gu h-6rdail ’nan aite fhein. “De am feum a ’s a’ Ghlaic-uaine cha do sguir e a dh’ j tha anns an sgioblachadh seo?” arsa Seumas. fhiachainn ri adhartas a thoirt air muinntir a’ l ‘‘Aite fhein aig a h-uile rud agus a h-uile rud bhaile. Uair no dh& leig na coimhearsnaich J ’na aite fhein,” fhreagair Domhnull. “Ud,” an ceill do Sheumas nach robh searmonachadh j arsa Seumas, ‘‘chan ’eil cuimhne agam an Dhbmhnuill a’ tighinn uile gu leir ri an cail, j diugh cait a bheil ni. Bha mi mbran na b’ ach chuir Dbmhnull roimhe nach robh e an fhearr dheth ’n uair a bha a h-uile rud riamh cbmhnaidh a’ dol a dh’ aontachadh leotha an comhla am meadhon an urlair agus ma bha aghaidh a bhrathar fhein. Ged a bha beagan dad a dhlth orm cha robh agam ach mo lamh an drasda ’s a rithisd a’ tighinn eatorra, is a shineadh agus bha e an siud deiseil rium.” iomadh uair a bha moit air Seumas gu robh ( Cha b’e trod a bha seo ach seorsa de a leithid de bhrathair briathrach, ealanta aige. 1 tharruing as. Cha b’e seo a chuir Domhnull Cha robh ni a’ foillseachadh an t-eadar- j air imrich cho obann a dh’ ionnsuidh na h-airde dhealachaidh a bha eadar an da bhrbthair na j deas. Thuig mise gl6 mhath gur e rud-eigin b’ fhearr na na connspoidean a bhitheadh aca j moran na bu chudthromaiche a bh’ ann, agus gu trie mu shamhlaidhean, mo bhbcain, mu ] fhuair mi an sgeul gu leir an lath ud a thadhail thaibhsichean, mu eich-uisge, is an leithid sin. mi air Seumas. Bha Seumas, coltach ris a’ chuid eile de B’e Di-sathurna a bh’ ann, an latha an mhuinntir na Glaic Uaine a’ creidsinn annta I deidh do Dhbmhnull falbh. Bha mise gu daingean, ach cha bhitheadh gnothuch aig cairdeach do na braithrean; bha sinn anns Dbmhnull riutha a muigh no mach. ‘‘Eich na h-iar oghaichean, tha mi smaointeachadh. Uisge,” arsa Dbmhnull, ‘‘faoineas”! ‘‘An da Co-dhiu eadar an cairdeas a bh’ ann agus an shealladh. Buamastaireachd! A bheil an t-astar (mu sheachd mile) eadar ar da shealladh agad fhein? Chan ’eil. An , dachaidhean, bha an t-seann nos a’ suidh- aithne dhuit duine aig am bheil e? Chan • eachadh gun rachamaid a choimhead air a aithne. O cha leig thu leas innseadh dhomh j cheile da uair ’s a’ bhliadlma. Nan deanamaid mu bhodach an t-saibheir. Chuala mi trie I e na bu trice na sin, bheireadh e a’ cheart gu lebir mar tha e. Na dhi-chuimhnich mi uiread de oilbheum ’s a bheireadh e nan mar a thachair do Mhairi an Oib an oidhche ! rachamaid ann na b’ ainneamha. roimhe?” Gu casg a chur air briathran j Co-dhiu, b’e seo aon de na tursan agamsa, Dhbmhnuill agus an sgeul a ghiorrachadh, tha j agus bha eagal orm ’n uair a chuala mi gu’n e coltach gu’n d’ thainig Mairi seo dhachaidh j robh Domhnull an deidh falbh, gu’n d’ o bhith air cheilidh an tigh an t-saoir, agus | thainig mi aig am car mi-shealbhach, ach cha a h-anail na h-uchd agus a h-aodann cho geal do leig Seumas ris an dbigh ’sam bith nach ris an anart agus i ag radh gu’m faca i robh e toilichte m’ fhaicinn. Gun teagamh samhladh air lot Alasdair Chrubaich. Ge b’e bha mi air bhioran gus an cluinninn mar a air bith de a bh’ ann, bha Mairi an impis a thachair, agus bha mi gM thoilichte gun dhol a cochull k cridhe. Ach cha robh fhios cuala mi an sgeul gu ceann gun mhoran aice nach robh ann ach each ban a bha aig ceasnachaidh a dhfeanamh. Gu dearbh bha Alasdair Crubach airson toirt dhachaidh na | Seumas na bu debnaiche air a h-innseadh, nan mbna. Fhuair Alasdair iasad dheth o mhac gabhadh e bhith, na bha mise air a cluinntinn. brathar athar anns an Druim uaine. Cha robh j A reir Sheumais, cha robh an Dbmhnull ach e soirbh Mairi a chur as a barail. duine saoghalta, fear a bha a’ smaointeachadh ‘‘Coimhead fhein sin,” arsa Dbmhnull. gu’n robh beatha an duine gu l^ir fo bhuaidh ‘‘Each ban—cha robh ann ach each ban. riaghailtean faicsinneach an t-saoghail. B’e Innis thusa dhomhsa duine a tha ag rkdh gu’m fac e taibhse agus cuiridh mi geall riut t-each. Ghabh Dbmhnull a nunn troimh na nach robh ann ach each ban. Cha tachair preasan agus ’n uair a rainig e thall, b’e each rud sam bith gun aobhar, ma chleachdas a bh’ aige ceart gu lebir, each gun sgian gun duine foighidinn gu sealltuinn air a shon.” fhiamh. Sheas e an toiseach gu coir socair, Bha am facal mu dheireadh aig Domhnull mar agus choisich e gu ciuin gu taobh na bruaiche a b’ abhaist, ged a bha a bharail fhein aig ’n uair a rug Dbmhnull air mhuing air agus Seumas, ’s ann aige a bha. a threbraich e a nunn gu’n a’ bhruaich e, is Aon oidhche mu chealla-deug an deidh do e a’ bruidheann ris fad na tide leis na faclan Mhairi an Oib an t-eagal uamhasach a a bha e a’ smaointeachadh a bu choir do ghabhail, bha Seumas agus Domlmull air an dhuine a chleachdadh ri each. Cha robh rathad dhachaidh as a’ bhuthaidh mhoir. Dbmhnull comharraichte mar mharcaiche ’n Theireadh cuid gu’n robh barrachd iiidh aca uair a b’ bige bha e, ach mas e marcachd a anns an taigh-sheinnse taobh na biithadh na bha a dhith air, cha b’ urrainn da beothach bh’ aca anns a’ bhuthaidh fhein. Dh’ na bu shoitheamha fhaighinn na am fear ud. fhaodadh sin a bhith a thaobh Sheumais Sheas e ris a’ bhruaich gus an do shreap mu’n d’ thainig Domhnull dhachaidh, ach cha Dbmhnull le moran shairn air a mhuin agus robh Domhnull ach ga mheas ’na amaideas a ged a ghreimich Dbmhnull air a mhuing air bhith a' tadhal air an tigh-sheinnse idir. Nam eagal tuiteam dheth, cha leigeadh e fhein a faigheadh Seumas ruith a stigh an drasda ’s a leas e. Dh’ fhiaeh e ri ceann an eich a rithisd gun fhios da, cha robh an corr ann. thionndadh an rathad a bha e ag iarraidh a Co-dhiu bha an oidhche seo car dorcha, ach dhol agus cha robh feum air a’ chbrr. cha robh taire sam bith aig na seoid cumail air an rathad. Le suil a chumail air barr nam Bha duil aig Dbmhnull gu’n leumadh an preasan a bha a’ fas air gach taobh, bha e t-seach thairis air clais an rathaid agus rinn furasda gu lebir dhaibh cursa dhireach a e greim na bu daingeana air ’amhaich, ach stiuireadh. ’s ann a ghabh e a mach rathad a’ gheata Direach ’n uair a bha iad a’ dluthachadh gun mhoille ’na cheum. ‘‘ ’S fheudar nach air geata Alasdair Chrubaich stad Seumas an do dhuin Alasdair an geata an nochd,” arsa larach nam bonn. Chuir e lamh le greim teann Dbmhnull ris fhein. Chaidh an smuain seo air guallainn Dhbmhnuill agus thuirt e le guth as a chuimhne mar a thainig i, agus bha aire tuchanach: “Seall siud.” Thug Dbmhnull Dhbmhnuill gu h-iomlan air an ainmhidh siiil agus gu dearbh bha rud-eigin ann, cumadh ghrinn a bha fodha. Bha iad a’ nise a’ glas eadar iad agus leus air lochdar lot deanamh deagh astair, ach bha iad a’ siubhal Alasdair Chrubaich. Bha ceann aige, agus cho socair ’s gu’n saoileadh Dbmhnull gur bodhaig, agus casan. “Seadh, de th’ ann?” gann a bha casan an eich a’ bualadh an lair arsa Domhnull, ‘‘Tha an t-each a chunnaic idir. Shin e air mar gu’m bitheadh a’ ghaoth. Mairi an Oib, each ban Alasdair Chrubaich. ‘‘Gu dearbh,” arsa Dbmhnull ris fhein, ‘‘ ’se Gu dearbha, ga fhaicinn ’na sheasamh an each air leth a tha seo, no is e marcaiche air siud cho stolda anns an t-solus seo, cha leth a th’ annamsa is gun fhios agam air thuige chuirinn a’ choire air duine faoin ged a seo.” shaoileadh e gur e cumadh duine a bh’ ann. Cha robh uine aige leudachadh air na Ach thig thusa a null comhla riumsa agus cha smuaintean sin, oir siud e air a lot fhein. Stad bhi mise fada a’ dearbhadh dhuit gur e each an t-each direach mar a dh’ iarr e air shios a th’ ann.” ‘‘Nach tu a chaidh as do chiall! ” fo’n taigh, leig e le Dbmhnull tearnadh, agus arsa Seumas. ‘‘Gu dearbh ’s mi nach teid. ann am priobadh, mu’m b’ urrainn do Theid sinn a nunn air a’ gharradh air an Dhbmhnull co-dhunadh co-dhiu a mholadh e taobh eile agus gabhaidh sinn an rathad ard e an G&idhlig no am Beurla, bha e air falbh dhachaidh.” ‘‘Seo fear nach ’eil a’ dol a cho luath ’s cho skmhach ’s a tMinig e, theicheadh,” arsa Dbmhnull. ‘‘ ’S fhada o direach as an t-sealladh. bha mise a’ feitheamh ri cothrom de’n Bha Dbmhnull air a dhbigh. Mile gu leth t-sebrsa seo. Tha mise deimhin gur e each an seachd mionaidean. Cha robh siud dona, a tha siud. Agus stad ort, gus a dhearbhadh thairis air atharnaich is claisean is bruaichean. dhuit gur e each a th’ ann, tha mise a’ dol Dh’ fheumadh e foighneachd de Sheumas am ’ga mharcachd dhachaidh.” ‘‘Ma tha, dall b’ urrainn daibh fhein each a cheannach. Leis ort,” arsa Seumas, agus gun an cbrr suil a a sin co a chunnaic e ach Seumas fhein a’ thoirt an rathad an rud a bh’ ann, dhlrich e tighinn ’na leth ruith. Chuir iad failte air a an garradh agus thug e a chasan leis a nunn cheile gu sunndach, Dbmhnull Ibn de’n each an rathad ard. mhlorbhuileach aig Alasdair Crubach, agus Cha do chuir seo Dbmhnull a null no nail, Seumas car mar gu’m bitheadh naire air gu’n mar a thigeadh do dhuine rianail reusanta. do threig e a bhrathair ri aghaidh cunnairt. Thionndaidh e ris an each agus b’e sin an Bha e toilichte Dbmhnull fhaicinn slbn fallain, ged a thug e an aire air a rathad suas gu’n taigh gu’n robh coiseachd Dhomhnuill Beurla car na bu spagaiche na b’ abhaist: cha robh B’e “canain, cainnt” a bu chiall do an sin ’na iongnadh. fhocal “beurla” anns an chleachd againne, Chaidh iad mu thamh agus an la-iar-na agus bu trie learn cluinntinn “beurla na mhaireach bha Domhnull air a chois gu math Frainge, beurla Spiunte,” etc. Agus, do trath agus an deidh dha soithichean a’ reir gach coltais, bha an t-aon • chleachd anns bhreacaist a ghlanadh, thug e taigh Alasdair an t-sean Ghaidhlig, oir mhothaich mi ait- Chrubaich air. ’S dbcha gu’n robh ’na bheachd eigin, uair-eigin, “Berta Fene berla Cruithne, iarraidh air Alasdair a lethsgeul a ghabhail berla Lochlaind, Gallberla, Scotberla airson an t-each a thoirt leis, no theagamh nach ( = Gaidhlig) agus focail coltach ri “ilberta.” robh e ach a’ sireadh cothroim air a’ Ach mhothaich mi “Beurla” air “beurla bheothach iongantach seo fhaicinn ri solus Shasuinn” (a mhain) aig mdran a nis. latha. Theireadh na sean daoine againne gur Cha robh fhios aig Seumas de bha ’na mearachd e, a thionnsgain mar seo. Theirimid bheachd, ach ’n uair a thill Domhnull an uine an coitchinneas “Gaidhlig Albann, Gaklhlig gun a bhi ro-fhada, thug Seumas an aire nach Eireann, Gaidhlig Mhanann,” i, ainmean tire; robh e ach ann an droch shunnd, gun ghuth, ach “beurla Shasuinn” (i, language of cha mhor, aige ri radh. “Am faca tu Saxon) oir b’ ann air aonar fireannach de an Alasdair?’’ arsa Seumas. “Chunnaic,” chinneach sin a bha an t-ainm, ceudus is cha fhreagair Domhnull. “Am faca tu an t-each?” b’ ann air an tir aca, oir is doich gum b’ ann “Chan fhaca.” “C’ ait a’ bheil e?” arsa le Breatnaibh an tir dara thainig an t-ainm Seumas. “Anns an Druim-uaine,” fhreagair sin gu Gaidhlig ceudus. An uair nach biqdh Domhnull. “De tha thu ’g radh?” arsa an difir eadar Gaidhlig Albann is Eireahh fo Seumas, is e a’ faireachadh an fhuil a’ fagail mhonaid, is e theirte “Gaidhlig” ri a ghruaidhean. “Thug mac brathair athar “Gaidhlig Albann.” Le atharrais air sin, Alasdair dhachaidh an t-each a bhbin-de,” theireadh cuid “Beurla” an ionad “beurla arsa Domhnull. Thuig Seumas nach robh an Shasuinn,” gun sihuain aca nach robh an corr cbmhraidh ri cail Dhomhnuill agus dh’ t-ainm “Gaidhlig,” agus an t-ainmear fhuirich e samhach. coitcheann “beurla” air an aon roinn idir idir. “Sin mar a bha,” arsa Seumas rium fhein, “agus dh’ fhalbh e gu deas an de.” “Saoil Faodar bith gur deabhal, gorach na leanas, an tig e air ais tuilleadh?” arsa mise. “0 ach thug mise do m’ uidh e, o chuireadh thuirt mise ris,” arsa Seumas, “gu robh e beagan taice ris an chleachd againn, far hach di-beathte cbmhla riumsa uair sam bith. Ach bu dbich domh a leithid fhaotainn. mar a thuirt mi riut, bha e cho fada ’na Mu thbs geamhraidh, bha mi a’ freacadh bharail fhein, is duil aige gu robh fios aige air ceilidh aig meur Inbhir-Nis de an Chomunn gach ni fo’n ghrein. Chan ’eil cothrom air; Ghaidhealach. Bha Doctair Whittet anns an mur a bi agam ach mi fhein a’ cur a’ bhuntata, chathair aca, agus bu mhath a chord riumsa cha bhi ann ach mi fh^in ’ga itheadh.” a bhruidhinn. Thuirt e nach robh aige f^in D. G. ach gle bheagan de Ghaidhlig, agus mar abhcaid, dh’ innis e mu bhodach, ait-eigin, a thuirt ris am beurla Shasuinn, “that Gaelic was his first English.” Raidh an Doctair gu robh e fein do an aird eile agus “that English Rum was his first Gaelic.” (To the Editor) Ged bha an Doctair a’ deanamh abhcaid Sir,—I am much obliged to “MacSheumais” choibhneil deth, thuig mise gu robh am for his further observations. My chief concern bodach ceart gu lebir nan rbbh e a’ labhairt in writing was to raise the question of Gaidhlig; agus gu robh aige an cleachd a bha “Ehum” in preference to “Rum,” and I am againne; agus gum b’e bha ’na smuainte “gur pleased to note that he does not dismiss my i Gaidhlig a bu cheud bheurla (i, cainnt) dha”; “orphan” claim. I think we should adhere ge rinn e sgiorradh anns an eadar- to Rum till further proof that Rhum is more theangachadh, o charamasg eadar ah cleachd correct comes up. Official acceptances are not ceart aige fein, agus an cleachd cearr bhios co always correct as witness Acharacle for coitcheann aig iol-daoine a nis. Atharacle. Taobh-tuath Earraghaidheil. Baile Thearlaich. — 104 — compromise to look for Lowland Scots as a The Anglo-Scottish Language compromise between English and Gaelic. We do not suggest such infringement of Difficulty individual liberty as to force good English or I am not here referring primarily to Gaelic Gaelic on people, but at least let us keep or "even Broad Scotch, but to English words dialect out of print as far as possible and not that have a different meaning in Scotland to stimulate its use artificially. England. As long as these differences remain Let us insist on the truth that it is not and the real translation not understood, there difference of speech, customs or dress that can be no true friendship between the two keeps nations apart, but lack of understanding. countries. It is not difference of tongue that The moment there is a suspicion of propaganda separates: Gaelic, French, English or and desire of domination or absorption of one German speaking people can live together on country by another, let us call Halt! It is the best of terms, provided, of course, that variety that is the spice of life, not uniformity. each respects what belongs to the other. The latter has the force of lead while the Thus it is not a dictionary that we need so former is the very air we breathe. Suas leis a’ much as understanding, and without this all Ghaidhlig! the millions spent on industrial or social Ian G. Macnair Smith. improvement in Scotland is just money thrown out of the window. Those that are perhaps most to blame for lack of understanding are the educational authorities: instead of encouraging the youth of the Highlands to Musings at the Mod speak and develop their native tongue and By Kenneth Ross. customs, they (with some notable exceptions) The annual Mod has grown over the years tend to make them despise their parents’ to be a colourful song-filled upsurge of the language and tell children that without mystic Gaelic soul, free for an interval from English and English ways, they are not likely hill, croft and cow, and vowing to spread itself to get “on in the world.” among the unsuspecting townies. In the past century children were whipped Every year, as mature autumn labours to and victimised for speaking Gaelic even bring forth prodigal winter, and the lights are during their recreations, but since the going up, some brave town or city opens her beginning of the century we have had teaching gates — and presumably her heart — to the in schools and universities. However, this invader. They converge vocally from all teaching should be obligatory in order to make quarters, from the east and the west and the an act of reparation for past wrongs and north and — more sedately — from the far artificial depopulation of the Highlands. The south, determined to sing, sing, and sing teaching of Gaelic should also be extended to again, in hall, street, hotel and bar, and to the Lowlands, since ignorance of a language be, till daybreak on Saturday, if not ‘‘Gaidheil spoken within the borders of one’s own gu’n cul,” at least ‘‘Gaidheil ’san spiorad.” country seems strangely lacking in patriotism The anxious Provost of the favoured town and intellectual curiosity. convenes huddled councils, the burden being While every encouragement should be how best to tackle the kilted guests, whether given to languages such as Gaelic with a fine to overawe them into submission by flaunting literature in six Celtic countries (knowledge of the ancient dignity, or to be distantly friendly Scots Gaelic opens the door to Irish and and keep a stiff upper lip, or to be hail-fellow- Welsh culture) it seems strange that there well - met - slap - on - the - back - suas - leis- should be intellectuals who advocate the use a - Ghaidhlig, or just to Itiok the other way of a dialect such as Lallans, or Broad Scotch. and keep their powder dry; unless, of course, It is no argument to say that Burns wrote in the Provost himself happens to be a Gkidheal Lowland dialect. We have only to read the and ‘‘in league” with the invader — then insipid false sentiment, imitations of Binkie anything can happen! Whistle (who is an anthology of the best of At such a time in the city, with a variety Burns’ imitators; Lord preserve us from those of aspiring voices — plaintive, raucous, and of lesser worth) to realise that Burns is plain indifferent — mingling in my ears, I inimitable, just as ‘‘The Shropshire Lad” is have, as is my way, turned aside off the unique of its kind. tartan-lit street, into a nearby Art Gallery, to No! A dialect is nothing else but a pay my respects to some old friends, forever language badly spoken, and it is an absurd imprisoned in paint, but very much alive for <— 105 — all that. On entering I am suddenly shut oft on that table. She may purchase what she from the outside world, the voices fade, the fancies, of course, as there is no rush to buy city’s roar recedes, and the Mod could be in anything here. I pass a pleasant hour looking Manchester. In the still calm, the fair forms at some admirable things, and the lady-in- gaze down, radiant as of old — the elegant, charge seems glad to see me and to talk in the soulful, the masterful, the learned, the Gaelic once again, for she sees few people here, winsome, the quizzical, all gleaming and fresh she tells me — is lonely, in fact. But I expect as May Day. The handsome huntsman is she will be hardened to it, if she perseveres forever about to mount his magnificent horse, for a number of years; and she can, of course, with his hand on the saddle, the soldier’s grip read or knit or write a book. on his musket is unaltered, the lovely Raeburn lady still clutches, with that perfect hand of On ascending the stairs again, I have to hers, her fine ribbons, and noble old shove and shoulder my way through a seething Rembrandt, tragic as ever, looks again into my sea of people in the entrance hall, and I notice soul, because he looked long into his own. that the prominent notice of direction to the “The Mod?’’ they seem to say; and where is arts and crafts section has been knocked the Mhd?” “And where indeed?’’ I reply, down off its stand on to the floor. The singing glancing round the spacious room, innocent of competition is over. tartan — except, of course, for that splash on Walking down the street a short distance, Ramsay’s “Flora MacDonald.’’ No, it seems I enter a door marked “oral competitions’’ that my fellow-Gaels have not yet discovered and find myself in a small room where two you, my fine friends. Shall I go out on to the men are judging the reciting of prose and steps and shout to them to come quickly and poetry. I take my.seat among the dozen or meet my shining friends, before they go off so interested auditors and listen likewise. The again, to Barra and Lewis and Skye and Appin few competitors are keen, the matter for com- and Ullapool, perhaps never to return? They petition is good, but where is the audience? come but once in a decade and pass by the There is seating capacity for at least ten times home of the shining ones and the place of the number here. So I get to thinking that beauty in imaginative creation; which I begin singing must be the chief business of the Mod, to think a great pity. But the framed figures its being and essence, in fact. I would on the wall give me no answer; they hold their certainly jump to that conclusion if I were a counsel, for they inhabit their own individual visitor from some other country or planet. worlds. Then suddenly I remember that the Mod, Is our aim, I ask myself, or is it not, to of course, does have an arts section — an arts preserve a whole culture? And not only this, and crafts section. So, saying adieu to my but should we not, in doing so, belatedly brilliant, silent friends, I go out where the awake to some consciousness of the arts and town’s din assails me, and I am again among cultures of man? Not only “Leanaibh dluth the swirling tartans and the warm Gaelic. I ri cliu bhur sinnsir,’’ but “Thoiribh suil air make my way down past the great hall saothair chaich”? Should we not remind our- where vast orchestras play Bach, Beethoven, selves to take a note, however scrappy, of the Mozart, and a world of magic music (do the abundant wealth of the world’s cultures? We Modsters ever . . . ? No! foolish me) musing cannot do so, of course, as long as we persist that although we have nothing like the shining in the narrow, superficial, unimaginative habit ones, the Celts have an ancient and distinctive of plugging at one strand of our own culture, art of their own. I arrive at the focal centre to the neglect of the others. To preserve the of things, the arena of close contests, of whole is An Comunn’s aim, and we should harassed chairmen, of scribbling adjudicators, make an attempt to implement that aim. and elusive competitors, and, following the There is an affinity between the cultures of direction plainly indicated on the prominent all peoples. This is borne out for us in the notice in the main entrance hall, I step down work of our best contemporary Gaelic poets, the stairs to inspect our own artistic products. which is enriched and informed by the arts Here again, the stillness laps me round, and history of mankind. But when all is said although of a different texture this time. I and done, is there really a scrap of “culture” seem to be alone — but no, not quite — over about the happy songsters and their songs, and there are two ancient ladies admiring the am I just pipe-dreaming? embroidery, and oh, yes, a young lady is In the midst of my day-dreams, which the talking softly in very refined English to the patient reader — if he, or she, is still present — lady-in-charge, over in that corner. She seems will probably pronuonce pompous and far- to be admiring the attractive carved objects fetched, the competition ends. — 106 — The speaking at the various sessions was The Celtic Congress shared among the delegates. The Secretary, This year’s Celtic Congress was held in Mr. Donald Grant, gave a brief summary of Treguier, Brittany, from Saturday, 18th the educational provisions made for Gaelic in August, to Wednesday, ‘22nd August. Sixteen Scotland. Unfortunately, the Rev. T. M. delegates attended from Scotland, rather more Murchison, who is Chairman of the Scottish from Wales and Ireland, and a smaller Branch and also International Treasurer, was contingent from Cornwall. There were no unable to attend the Congress ; his masterly delegates from the Isle of Man this year, but survey of modern Gaelic literature was read a letter from the Manx secretary, read at the by the Secretary. Miss May Hunter, Fairlie, business meeting, showed that the branch took the chair at this meeting. there had been active during the year. Miss May Margaret MacMillan dealt with Treguier is a picturesque town situated on a the social and official position of Gaelic and slope rising from a tidal estuary, about five Mr. John MacRae with movements working miles from the open sea. It is distinguished for the language. Inevitably the remarks of for its impressive Gothic Cathedral which the speakers from all the countries overlapped dominates the town and dates back to the and the time taken by the Breton “inter- fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. The town preters,” who gave a summary of all the is also noted as the birthplace of Ernest Renan, English speeches in their own language, left whose niece is there to show visitors over his little time for subsequent discussion. house and explain, if one’s French is equal to The contributions of the speakers on the it, the numerous literary and personal relics Common Market as affecting the Celtic -displayed throughout the rooms. countries aroused a good deal of interest in After dinner and welcoming speeches on the press. Professor Liam O’Buachalla of the Saturday evening, the delegates were enter- Chair of Economics at Galway University and tained at a brief ceilidh. The usual Protestant Chairman of the Irish Senate, opened this and Catholic services were held on Sunday. discussion. He was followed by Mr William In the afternoon a visit was paid to Hume for Scotland. Most of the speakers Plougrescant, five miles to the north on the were guarded in their conclusions in view of coast, where M. Omnes, proprietor of a hotel lack of knowledge of the implications. The at which some of the Scottish delegates were Bretons seemed to expect most benefit from staying, provided tea and Breton-baked this development. delicacies. Mrs. Dunlop rounded off the Scottish On Monday the delegates got down to the contribution with some original, yet practical, real work of the Congress, and from then proposals for “inter-Celtic co-operation.” until Wednesday there were six sessions at There was a serious tone underlying the pro- which various aspects of the language problem ceedings throughout, and an obvious desire to were discussed at length. As was fitting, this achieve practical results. At the concluding was very much a Breton congress, the Bretons sessions the members heard an appeal sent out being in the majority at all the meetings, and by fifty Swedish professors, asking scholars in thus having an opportunity for the first time all countries to induce their National Unesco -of stating their case before an international Councils to intervene on behalf of a large audience. By their constant use of their own number of minority languages which are ) language and the obvious fluency with which threatened with extinction. The Congress they tackled all the subjects under discussion, gave unanimous promise of Support. Com- they demonstrated that Breton is still very mittees were formed (1) to consider the much alive. possibility of interchange of information about Their speakers told us that it is estimated language teaching methods and (2) the I that one million people speak the language. economic position of the Celtic countries. The French census provides no figures of One speaker advised that the countries ought Breton speakers either to elate or depress its to consult each other when forming new’ supporters, because the language has no official words. Irish speakers maintained that their recognition and is merely tolerated, if not language is now fully equipped to deal with actively discouraged, by the Government. The any subject. Breton itself, as has been said, Breton enthusiasts, however, are just as seemed to be a wonderfully efficient apprehensive as the friends of 'the other Celtic instrument of communication. languages about what will happen if a forward Mention should be made of the three concerts policy is not pursued now. which were held on the evenings of Congress week. They were particularly memorable Mrs. C. A. Macdonald, because they were held in the cloister of the Oban 3 3 Cathedral, the massive walls, the background Messrs. D. & J. Mac- formed by the stained-glass windows, and the dougall. Oban .. .. 10 — starry night sky above, combining to make an Mrs.Western MacRaild, Garage Clachan Ltd., 1 — impressive setting for the music. Oban 3 3 At the business meeting, M. Per Denez, “Scotch Spotlight Wool ” ShopProgramme 582 21 Brittany, Mrs. Eluned Bebb, Wales, and Miss M. McLaine, Oban .. 1 — 7 Bev. T. M. Murchison, Scotland, were Mrs. Chalmers, Oban 1 — re-appointed International President, Secre- A. Beaton, Esq., Kil- tary, and Treasurer, respectively. The Mrs.chrenan J. Ross, Oban — 10 members unanimously accepted an invitation Mrs. Steele, Bridge of to hold the 1963 Congress in Cornwall in the Awe — 5 week beginning Easter Monday. -£3,796 13 11 D. G. Received at Glasgow:— PreviouslyRev. B. B.acknowledged Blackwood, £216 4 MalcolmCampbeltown MacLean, Esq.,.. — 2 6 Treasurer’s Notes Tobermory — 19 6 Received at Oban— D. A. MacLachlan, Esq., Previously acknowledged ..£3,521 7 7 MissBallachulish Mary F. McArthur, 11 D. ShowV. Webster, Esq.—Film 13 17 6 D. GlasgowLogan, Esq., Aberdeen.. —11 10 Arran Society, Glasgow 5 Mrs.gowrie J. B. Denny, Blair- 1 — D. ShowV. Webster, Esq.—Film Mr. and Mrs. William Mr. and Mrs. H. Galt, Campbell, Plockton .. 11 Glasgow Dr.Mrs. N.E. Morison,Junor, Perth Dunkeld 31 —3 Lochaline, per Miss Mac- Miss A. Campbell, Vioar Dr.Glasgow H. F. Wilson, St. — 10 F. Ltd.W. Woolworth & Co., Fillans 2 10 Bunessan & Pennyghael MissDr. R. K. J. MacPhee, S. R. Campbell, Paisley — 10 Branch Blyth — 16 6 D. ShowV. Webster, Esq.—Film Miss Jean Campbell. DavidEdinburgh Skae, Esq., Cardiff.. 32 132 Messrs.Ltd. Montague Burton Mrs. G. M. Pollok, Rona- Messrs. J. D. Forbes, Oban Misschan E. McLeod, Fort 3 — D. ShowV. Webster, Esq.—Film William — 10 Dance Committee Mrs.ton, V.Manchester Grant Washing- .. — 7 R. M. Dickison, Esq., Oban Mrs. C. Kennedy, Minard — 3 6 Allan Munro. Esq., Oban - £240 4 1 Mrs.burgh Flora Macleod, Edin- £4,036 18 0 Ardrishaig Gaelic Choir.. Central Fund Miss M. Macintosh, Inver- Previously acknowledged .. £83 W.John S. Mackay,Murray, Esq.,Esq., LinlithgowYorks 1 1 Dr.Lurebost and Mrs. Macdonald, W. Gemmell, Esq., Connel — 3 — Mrs. R. Dougall, Oban .. £85 4 0 Missaray C. MaeCallum, Inver- 1 Mrs. D. Cameron, Connel Magazine Fund E. Brown, Esq., Taynuilt — 10 — PreviouslyMiss Mary acknowledgedF. McArthur, Glasgow.. £6— 151 — D. Henderson, Esq., Tay- Rev. Kenneth Ross, Lismore — 11 6 nuilt Rev.Mrs. JohnH. M. Mackay,Campbell M.A., of AirdsGlasgow . . — 5 — Johnbeg Stewart, Esq., Dun- Mrs. S. Mcllchere, Campbeltown Mrs. E. Carmichael, Oban Mr. A. M. McDonald, Kilwinning D. ShowV. Webster, Esq.—Film £8 11 6 AN GAIDHEAL THE GAEL Editor—DONALD GRANT, B.A., 95 MUNRO ROAD, GLASGOW, W.3, to whom all correspondence should be addressed except that concerning advertising which should be addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer. 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C.2 Telephone: DOUglas 1433. Leabhar LYII AN DAMHAR, 1962 Aireamh 10 Paigheadh Nam Fiach Bho’n sgeulachd Chuimreach “Y Taliad Olaf ” CHA1DH stoc na croite a reic an de. An diugh sa’ mhaduinn rinn Gruffyd agus Ffanni Rolant imrich dh’an taigh ur san robh iad a’ dol a chur seachad feasgar an laithean. Am beul na h-oidhche sheas Ffanni mu choinneimh a’ chloc ’s i sgioblachadh a h-aide air a ceann. Thug i suil luaineach air a’ chloc, mar phaisde a’ feuchainn ris an uair innseadh. Clar-Innsidh Chan e gun robh a fradharc bui leach cho fann ach, direach, gun robh a h-inntinn air a beo- CONTENTS ghlacadh aig smuaintean diomhair an latha I Gaidhlig bh’ann. Thug i greis mhath ’ga sgioblachadh Paigheadh Nam Fiach - - - 109 fhein agus ged a bha i nise deiseil bha i, mar gum b’eadh, a’ cur dail san turus a bha roimhpe. Bhn Ard-Sgoil Mhic-Neacail - - 111 Co dhiubh cha leigeadh i leas falbh an nochd ; I Turns Do’n Chuimrigh - - - 112 nach foghnadh am maireach na eadhon an ath sheachdainn. Ach is docha gum b’fhearr An Siud ’San Seo - - - 110 falbh. B’e seo an cleachdadh ’s bu cho math X An Cat Buidhe - - - 110 a bhith ris. Nach iomadh feasgar a dh’fhalbh i do’n bhuth mar seo air latha paighidh. Mar a English falbhadh i cha bhiodh air ach suidhe an taic an teine a’ feitheamh geum na gluasad na ba I Ord ------117 an ath-dhorus—geum na gluasad nach robh ann Parental Responsibility - - 118 —no a sior smaoineachadh air an t-seann taigh ’s na chuir i seachad corr is leth cheud bliadhna. I Letters to Editor - - - - 119 Rud eile dheth, cha b’fhuilear dhith bhith cur eolais air an rathad chun an taighe uir. Bha fear an taighe ’na shuidhe a’leughadh ri taobh an teine, cho comhfhurtail ’sa bha e riamh san t-seann taigh ; ’s gann a chreideadh tu nach robh ann ach coig uairean a thide bho’n chuireadh crioch air an imrich. Chluinnte Cover photograph: e an drasda sa rithis a’ monmhur ris fhein mar "Bailr cm Chain” a bha e a’ leughadh, is gathan na griosaich a’ by cleasachd mu chasan. ’S e bha cordadh ris. Webster of Oban Cha mhor a chuir an imrich airsan ; ’s ann. 109 — a bha e toilichte bhith cuidhte ’s a’ chroit ’s fhortan air choir-eiginn an rathad. Uair na gach riasladh a bha ’na luib. dha dh’fhaodadh i a bhith air a h-uile sgillinn Bhiodh barrachd uine aige airson leughaidh a a phaigheadh ach bu toigh le Ffanni aodach nise. Cha mho a chuir fagail na dachaidh san riomhach is gnothuichean beaga a chuireadh robh iad bho’n phos iad, dorran na curam air. dreach air an fhardaich. Cha b’fheairrde na Cha b’ionnan sin ’s do Ffanni ; bho’n cheud. fiachan sin. ’S ann dhith fhein a b’aithne rud latha bhruidhneadh air imrich bha ise air bhoil, math a cheannach. Bha cuimhne air seo uile air uairean dubhach, bronach, ach air uairean an nochd, cho tlachdmhor ’sa bha e bhith eile lan toil-inntinn is subhachais. An oidhche ceannach ach cho doirbh ’sa bha e phaigheadh. seo fhein bha ise sona da rireadh. Riamh An nochd, co dhiubh, cha bhiodh sgillinn roimhe bho’n phos iad cha deachaidh aice air oirre’s nach bu mhor an t-aobhar taingealachd a dhol do’n bhuth’s a cuid fhiachan a phaigh- e. eadh ceart cruinn comhla. Ach rinn iad airgiod ’S mor an toileachadh a thug seo dhith o math an de. chionn greise ach a nise ’s i aig an dorus cha “ Tha mi falbh,” ars ise, ’s i cur maileid fo a robh i buileach cho cinnteach. Thog i an h-achlais. “ Gle mhath,” thuirt esan ’: a cheann dealan is thug i ceum socrach sios eadar an da san leabhar. dhorus do’n bhuth. Thug i an aire do gach Nach b’iongantach a bhith cho somalta. ni mu’n cuairt is bu mhath a cuimhne air Cha robh i de’n bharail gun do chuir e riamh aileadh na h-ola is an t-siabainn. Cha robh eolas air doimhneachd broin na mullach solais ; an solus ach fann. Bha sgleo air an uinneig. bha e cho somalta. Dhuin i an dorus is bha i De na b’aithne dhith air an t-saoghal mhor, leatha fhein. Cha robh i de’n bheachd gun ar leatha nach b’aithne dhith aon aite eile cho robh moran ’ga tuigsinn, a nabaidhean na eadh- muladach’s cho tiamhaidh. on a ceile. Bha a smuaintean, mar gum b’eadh, Mar a b’abhaist bha moran ’sa bhuth Di- air leth agus leatha fhein. Ach bu choma ; haoine ; b’e boirionnaich a bu mho bh’ann is b’e an smuain bu chudtromaiche an nochd. gun iad uile cho samhach, mar nach b’aithne tigead.h i dhachaidh as a’ bhuth’s gun sgillinn dhaibh a cheile. Cha b’ionnan ’s mar a bha ruadh aig neach a bha beo oirre. iad ’sa mhaduinn, a mach ’sa steach ’sa comh- An uair a phos iad cha robh am Pentre Isaf radh ri cheile. ach an aon bhuth—a’ bhuth aig Emwnt—a Cho mi-thalmhaidh ’sa bha coltas na bha mu dha mhile bhuapa. A h-uile oidhche butha; bha fear na butha fhein le chota geal Di-Haoine thug i an sgriob sin a dh’iarraidh nan thall air a’ chill a’ sgrudadh nan leabhraichean gnothuichean ’s a h-uile mlos thigeadh an mar a thigeadh iad. Thug Ffanni siiil mu’n ceannaiche leis a’ mhin. cuairt air na fraighean ’s air na meidhean Mar a bha i a’ coiseachd roimhpe air an dubha ; air a’ bhord. gheal, ’s air gach boesa is fheasgar seo ’s ann air na bliadhnaichean a botul shios is shuas. Air an ath sheachduinn dh’fhalbh a bha a h-aire’s a smuaintean. Cha bhiodh i ann am biith eile, biith iir is iear- tainig Di-Haoine ach ainneamh nach tug i a’ biitha iir. cheart sgriob. Ri fuachd is gaillionn, ri tinneas is mi-fhortan choisich i an t-astar seo chun na Cha chluinnte diog ach “ feasgar math ” an butha. Bha cuimhne aice air aon Dhi-haoine an drasda ’sa rithis. Thug aon te siiil air an aid a uair a chuir an galair as do na mucan aca is gun bh’air Ffanni. An uair a shin i an leabhar cha fhios co as a thigeadh na phaigheadh am mal d’thuirt fear na biitha dad. Cha do leig e air na idir an ceannaiche. Air uairean eile bha an gun robh i a paigheadh a h-uile sgillinn. Thug t-airgiod na bu phailte, ach cha b’ann trie. Bha e dhith deich tasdain ’s gu dearbh cha robh am paigheadh bochd mios an deidh mios is diiil aice ri leithid. Cha do smaoinich i riamh bliadhna an deidh bliadhna. roimhe air na chosg i ’sa bhuth—corr is da Is docha, shaoil i, gur e an t-astar rathaid seo mhile punnd Sasunnach bho’n phos iad. a carragh cuimhne. Cha d’fhuair i riamh an Cheannaich i rud beag na dha eile is phaigh i cothrom a cuid fhiach a phaigheadh gu h- air an son. iomlan. Nan d’fhuair cha leigeadh i leas a “ Tha mi cinnteach nach bi mi tighinn an bhith gabhail an rathaid an nochd. A nise bha rathad tuilleadh,” thuirt i. Chrath e a cheann buthan gu leor am Pentre Uchaf, buthan a cheart a’ nochdadh gun robh e tuigsinn mar a bha, is cho math is pailt cho saor. Co dhiiibh, bha choisich ise mach eadar an da dhorus is dhuin beagan aig Emwnt oirre fhathast is b’fheudar i an dorus a muigh as a deidh. dith a dhol an rathad. Cha robh air ach sin, Thug i suil a steach air an uinneig agus is i nise tri fichead. bliadhna is a tri deug. Corr chunnaic i fear na butha a’ sgrudadh an ath uair bha i an ire mhath saor o fhiach ach, cha leabhair. bu luaithe thachradh sin na thigeadh driod- Iain A. MacDhomhnaill air an t-suidheachan gu fiadhaich. Bha an Bho Ard-sgoil Mhic-Neacail sluagh air an doigh. Bhuail iad am basan. ’S mi ’ghabh an t-iongantas. Bhuail ise iad na bu chruaidhe na duine. Thug Thainig a’ chailleach bheag a steach do’n i siucar eile as a’ phoc. Cha do ghabh duine talla agus ahuidh i. B’ e suidheachan oisein suim dhith ; duine ach fear na Parlamaid a bh’aice mu’n mheadhon. Cha robh i latha nuair a stadadh a shuil oirre an drasda ’sa na b’oige na tri fichead ’sa deich, agus dh’- rithist. aithnichinn air a h-aodann nach robh an saoghal air deiligeadh ro-mhath rithe. De bha i a’ Dh’eirich gach neach a rithist gus an do deanamh an seo co-dhiii ? Cha shaoilinn gun rainig fear Chleireaboist an dorus. Bha a’ cuireadh e dragh ’sam bith oirre co a bha a’ Bheurla chruaidh ’na cluasan. B’ ise a’ cheud dol a dh’fhaighinn a steach do’n Pharlamaid. te a bha am muigh. Rug i air fear na Parlamaid. Bha i a’ faighinn a’ pheinsein, agus bha taigh Chuir c a lamh mu a gualainn, agus d.h’fhalbh beag tughaidh aice am meadhon a’ bhaile. iad ’nan dithis. Thainig larla Chinntaile ’s a bhean, agus “ Tha mi uasal asad, a mhic,” arsa ise. shuidh iad ri a taobh. Bha a cota ruadh gle Norma Nic-Iomhair (V.) thana ri taobh seacaid bhianaich na mna uaisle. Chuir a’ chailleach iongantas orm, ach bha i An Sgoilear treun. Thaom ard-uaislean na duthcha a Domhnall : An t-urram thar gach rum aig an steach, a’ comhradh’s a’ cur failt air a’ cheile t-seomar seo, ann am Beurla chruaidh ; chiortlaich ise i fhein, Na ait sam bith fo’n ghrein ’sann agus cha dubhairt i smid. Bha ad dhubh oirre, is doigheil mi. agus da ite anns an taobh aice. Cadal fada seimh, a h-uile dad cho Sheas scan agus 6g. Sheas ise cuideachd agus reidh, dh’fhuirich i ’na seasamh gus an do rainig ’S e an t-ait as fearr learn bhith Ball-Parlamaid sgire Chleireaboist beulaibh an comhnaidh ann. talla, far am bruidhneadh e ris an t-sluagh. Am fear- Dh’fhas a h-aodann dearg agus thainig lasadh teagaisg : Nach coimhead thus an t-amadan, ’na suilean. ’Si a bha a’ coimhead moiteil, ’Na shuidh an siud ’sa’ chul, ach carson? Bha i a’ cur iongantais orm. Duisgidh e ’s na caileagan Shuidh i agus dhuin i a da shuil. Ghluais a A’ cluich a’ muigh fo ’shuil. bilean airson mionaid. Chan fhas e sgith de amharc orr “ A dhaoine agus a mhnathan uaisle,” arsa Gun tig mi suas ri ’thaobh, fear Chleireaboist, bruidhnidh sinn an nochd ’S gum feoraich mi de ’s aithne air an achd a chuir a’ Pharlamaid . . . .” dha Bha i ’ga choimhead. gu mion, mar gum bitheadh Mu Dhonnchadh Mac-an-t-Saoir. ni air choireigin eatorra. Bha esan mar gum Chan ’eil dad aig a chanas e— b’ann ’ga coimhead-se cuideachd, ach ann an Tha e nis air ais ’san t-saoghal. tiota thug e a shuil chun a’ phaipeir a bh’aige ’na laimh. Bha a’ ghrian a’ dealradh a steach Iain Domhnallach (V.) air an uinneig os a cionn, agus chithinn faileas Turns a’ ghobha do’n chreig. itean na h-aide air a’ bhalla. Dh’fheumainn B’e seo an Fhiann fhein, ’nan suain-chadal faighinn a mach mu a deidhinn. Choimheadadh air a bheulaibh. Ach anns an teas-mheadhon e gle mhath anns a’ phaipear agam, “ Seann bha Fionn MacCumhail agus a phiob fhiodha bhoireannach aig coinneamh Fear na Parla- r’a thaobh. Ghabh an gobha iongnadh. Co maide anns a’ bhaile mhor, am measg uaislean a riamh a smaoinich gum faiceadh e na laoich na diithcha. Dh’fheumainn a dealbh agus a seo a bha cho ainmeil ? Thog e a’ phiob—a’ beachdan fhaotainn. phiob sin a thogadh Fionn thein le a dha mheur Thug mi suil eile agus chuala mi a’ bhrag. agus nach togadh esan ach air eiginn. Sheid Bha siucar mor geal air tuiteam aig a casan, an e oirre. seorsa bhitheadh aice anns a’ choinneimh aig Chaidh a’ chreag air chrith. Sheid e a rithist an taigh. Thug i fear eile as a’ phoc, agus ach och o, ma sheid. ! Thog Fionn a cheann chuir i ’na beul e. agus rinn each mar an ceudna. “ Na’s miosa “Chan ’eil seo ceart,” arsa fear na Parlamaide. a tha sinn na bha! ” Bha siud gu leor. Leum an “ Bu choir dhuinn uile faighinn a mach gu de as gobha a mach, gun suil air a chulaibh, agus coireach gu bheil againne ri na tha an sin a cha do thill. phaigheadh agus . . . .” Bhuail e a lamh Dolina Nic-Rath (V.) — Ill Urdd Gobaith Cymru. Turns Do’n Chuimhrigh An deidh dhomh dealbh fhaotainn air mar a Nuair a tliairg An Comunn Gaidhealach an bha cuisean troimh shuilean luchd an cothrom dhomh a dhol do ’n Chuimrigh a dh’ fhbghluim thug iad gu Oifis an Urdd mi. Cha fhaicinn mar a bha Urdd Gobaith Cymru no b’ urrainn do Fhear-stiuiridh is do Fhir-deilbhe Comunn na b-Oigridh Chuimrich ag obrachadh, an Urdd gu lebr a dheanamh airson mo ghabb mi ris a’ ghnothach gu togarrach, on a chabharachadh is cha robh dad 'na dhragh bha mi gle dhebnach rud ’sam bith dhaibh. Thig thu a oifis an Urdd air d’ ath- ionnsachadh a dheanadh feum do Chomunn na bheothachadh is air do mhisneachadh as fir. b-Oigridh againne. Chan ’eil e a’ cur ioghnaidh ’sam bith orm Nuair a rainig mi Aberystwyth far a bheil an deidh dhomh eblas a chur air na dapine a an Ard-Oifis aca bba clar-eagair air a tha an sas an obair an Urdd gu bheil e cho dheasachadh a cbuireadb feagal air na beb fallain, a’ sior-fhas ’s a’ sgaoileadh. Chan fineacban. Coinneamhan le Fir-Stiuiridh an ’eil e ach deich bliadhna nas sine na Comunn Fhbghluim, luchd-teagaisg nan oilthaighean ’s na h-Oigridh ach tha e an deidh a fhreumhan nan sgoiltean, fear-stiuiridh is fir-deilbhe an a sgaoileadh mu dheas ’s mu thuath, an ear- Urdd, fear-deasachaidh leabhraichean an ’s an iar feadh na duthcha is anns na bailtean Urdd, na campaicbean, na sgoiltean, an mora. Ciamar a rinn iad seo? Thbisich Urdd Eisteddfod is Plaid Cymru. Fagaidh mi an Gobaith Cymru bho oisean beag anns an Eisteddfod on a bha cunntas air a thoirt air leabhar mhiosail “Cymraeg,” ag iarraidh air iomadach uair. Fagaidh mi cuideachd obair an bigridh a bhith ’nam buill de chomunn a an fhoghluim anns a’ Chuimrigb, ach a bha air a steidheachadh air gaol do’n mhain far a bheil e co-cheangailte ri obair an Chuimrigh, do ’n chanain, is air earbs ann am Urdd. braithreachas saoghalta. Thairg iad braisdean, Na Sgoiltean. is teist, is co-fharpaisean dhaibh. Gu dearbh tha obair an Urdd agus na Ghabh uiread ri seo is gun do thbisich sgoiltean cho co-cheangailte ri cheile ’s gu feachdan air am bonn fein. Le a bhith a’ bheil e gld dboirbh innseadh far a bheil aon a' sgriobhadh gu “ Cymraeg,” ’s ag innseadh toiseachadh ’s am fear eile a’ criochnachadh. mar a bha iad a’ deanamh, chum iad buntanas Tha iad a nis air sineadh air Cuimris a ri feachdan eile. As an tbiseachadh shimplidh theagasg do na leanaban fo aois na sgoile. Tha sin thainig Urdd Gobaith Cymru -— le seo air a dheanamh gu saor thoileach le campaichean, Eisteddfod is mabolgampau feadbainn a leig dhiubb obair-sgrudaidh nan (cleasan) air an suidheachadh eadar sgoiltean is a leithid sin. Tha iad a’ creidsinn, duthchannan, is 50,000 ’nam buill ’s a h-uile ‘ An leanabh nach fbghlum thu ri d’ ghlim duine dhiubh sin a’ paigheadh cis. ’S e fear- chan fhoghlum thu ri d’ chluais.” Eh’ teagaisg a bh’ anns an fhear-stiuiridh a th’ fhoighnich mi de Fhear-stiuiridh an Fhbghluim aca an drasda is bha e anns an Urdd bho ’n aim an Aberystwyth mu ’n chloinn gun fhacal a bha e ’na ghille beag ’san sgoil. Nuair a Cuimris a bha ’dol chun nan sgoiltean (air ghabh e ’n dreuchd an toiseach b’ fhetidar dha iarratas am parantan), far an robh iad a’ leth an tuarasdail aige a dheanamh suas le teagasg a h-uile cail anns a’ chanain Chuimris. oidhirpean fhein. Fhreagair e, “ Tha aca ri snamh no dol fodha.” Sin sin, no “ Bhuail mi mo dhorn air a’ Campaichean. bhonnach,” mar a their iad an Siorrachd Eois. ’S e te-dheilbh a tha coimhead an deidh nan Tha feachdan dhe ’n Urdd air an campaichean. Tha da aite campachaidh aca, steidheachadh ann na sgoiltean feadh na aon aig Gian Llynn am measg nam beann Cuimrigh, is tha an Urdd a’ cur luach mhoir is fear eile aig Llangranog ri taobb na mara. air deagh-ghean an luchd-teagaisg is an obair Bha timcheall air 200 aig gach campa nuair a tha iad a’ deanamh as leth na c&nain ’s na a thadhail mise orra. Tha campaichean h-Oigridh, ’s mar a tha iad ’gan deasachadli fileanta is campaichean ionnsachaidh aca is airson a bhith ’nan ceann-feachd anns na tha gach ni air ullachadh dhaibh gu curamach. cbmhlain-bigridh nuair a thig iad gu ire. Is Cha mhor gun cuala mi facal Beurla, fin aig tha an luchd-teagaisg iad fhein ’nan ceann- campa an luchd-ionnsachaidh. Chan 'eil e feachd anns na feachdan a tha air an cur air aca mar chanain a bheir iad a mach airson boon, airson bigridh 15-‘25 bliadhna a’ dh’ aois, an aird-urlair neo airson a dha no tri fhaclan a mach a uair na sgoile. Dhruidh e orm gu failte a chur air duine. Tha e gu siubhlach mor mar a tha luchd an Urdd is luchd an air am bilean fad na h-uine ge bith caite a Fhbghluim a’ tighinn air a’ cheile ’s ag obair bheil iad. Chan ’eil iadsan a’ deanamh cbmhla airson adhartachd is maith an duthcha leisgeul modha airson Beurla a bhruidhinn. ’san cknain. Tha iad ag radh gur iad na coigrich a tha tigiiinn beo 'san duthaich gun a’ cbanain ihaillinn neo-thorracii dhe *n chraoibh ionnsachadh a tha mi-mhodhail. Gu dearbh pharantail (An Comunn) a thbisich fada bho tha iad a’ creidsinn “beus na tuath, far am ’n talamh nadarra aige. Tha an t-am air bithear ’se nithear.” Nan toisichinn air tighinn gun cuireadh Comunn na h-Oigridh innseadh a h-uile dad mu na campaichean ’s sios freumhan dha fhein ann an talamh a tha e sgeul gu latha a bhitheadh ami. nas torraiche na cabhsairean a’ bhaile mhoir, ach fo sgail na seann chraoibhe, is air arach Clb-bhualadh. is air oileanachadh le daoine a tha an sas an Tha tri leabhraichean miosail aca mu obair bigridh na Gaidhealtachd anns a’ mheud “Gairm,” agus leabhraichean beaga Ghaidhealtachd. An sin eiridh ginealach de eibhinn cuideachd, ach ’s e “Cymraeg” as bhuill a’ Chomuinn Ghaidhealaich a chi nach soirbheachaile dhiubh. Tlia e air a dheasachadh bi duine ceangailte ris do nach aithne de tha is air a chld-bhualadh le comunn fo Bord an Comunn na h-Oigridh a’ ciallachadh. Oir Fhbghluim an Siorrachd Glamorgan, is le “far nach bi na fir-uchd cha bhi na fir- cul-taic Buird an Fhbghluim an siorrachdan fheachd. ’ ’ eile. Tha an leabhar air a chur am feum ann Ceiteirein Nic-Mhathain. an teagasg Cuimris anns na sgoiltean, agus tha cruinneachannan riaghailteach aig an Urdd is luchd an Fhbghluim. Chan ’eil iad a’ call air na leabhraichean, bhon a tha iad a’ cur duilleig chun nan sgoiltean gus am bi An Siud ’San Seo ihios aca de an aireamh a reiceas iad. Tha am Mod air ais a rithist anns an Oban, far an do chumadh a’ cheud chruinneachadh dhe ’n t-sebrsa o chionn tri fichead bliadhna Plaid Cymru neo Buidheann Naiseantach ’sa deich. Fhuaradh am baile seo freagarrach Chuimrigh. aig an am ud agus tha e mar sin fhathast. Tha Chuir e ioghnadh orm gu robh seo air a’ am Mbd air a bhith an seo deich tursan uile chlair-eagair dhomh, oir tha an Urdd mar An gu leir, barrachd ’sa bha e an kite sam bith Comunn — chan ’eil iad a’ gabhail gnothaich eile. Gheibhear ann na tighean-aoidheachd is ri polataics. Seo cruinneachadh de shar- na tallachan air a bheil feum. shluagh a tha ’toilltinn ard-urraim bho gach neach. Bha iad aig a’ cho-chruinneachadh Tighean is tallachan, cha dian am Mbd an seo a’ deasbaireachd anns a’ chanain aca gnothuch as an aonais an diugh. Tha fhein mu na nithean as fhearr a ghabhas maise ri fhaicinn timcheall air an Oban mar a deanamh airson an canain ’san duthcha fhein. bha e an 1892, muir is sleibhtean, feur is An t-eadardhealachadh bho an lethbhreac an duilleagan gorma a’ cur an dreach air an kite. Alba! Anns a’ cheud aite b’ i a’ Chuimris a Suidheachadh fasgach, kile glan a’ tarraing an bha iad a’ bruidhinn; ’san darna kite tha iad seo daoine as gach cearnaidh aig nach ’eil a’ toirt gu deagh bhuil nan ruintean ris an d' iiidh am Mbd no an Gkidhlig. aontaich iad. Chan e sin uile. Tha moran de ’n bheachd Thachair aon rud aig Plaid Cymru a chuir nuair a thig iad do’n Oban gu bheil iad a’ dragh is smaointinn orm. Thug mi coinnidh tighinn do ’n Ghkidhealtachd. ’S math gu do dhithis a bha ’nan teachdairean a Alba is bheil am faireachadh sin aca fhathast, oir a bha, air an aideachadh fhein, ’nam buill cluinnear a’ ghearain gu trie gu bheil am Mbd chearta de ’n Chomunn Ghaidhealach. Ach ro thric air Galldachd. Cha dean feum ach cha chual iad riamh mu Chomunn na baile an diugh, agus ’s i a’ cheisd a bheil baile h-Oigridh! Tha an fhirinn sin bho dhithis de Gkidhealach a tha mbr gu lebr againn. bhuill a’ Chomuinn Ghaidhealaich a’ Cha ’eil suidheachadh baile ’sam bith ro sealltuinn an difir eadar an Urdd Gobaith choibhneil ri cknain coltach ri Gkidhlig. Tha Cymru, a’ dol o neart gu neart, is Comunn na bailtean a’ tarraing g’ an ionnsaidb fhein na h-Oigridh, a’ fas nas laige ’s nas laige. bigridh nan ionadan duthchasail agus nuair a Thbisich an Urdd mar chraoibh bhig, big, gheibh iad greim orra, gan deilbh ri an cumadh fhallain, ann an talamh a bha nadarra dha, fhein. thog e maitheas as an fhonn sin, agus mar a Aig Mbd an iubaih anns an Oban an 195d, dh’ fhas e na bu laidire, sgaoil na geugan thugadh iomradh air na h-atharraichidhean a feadh na duthcha, is thug e brigh bho thkinig on a chumadh a’ cheud Mbd. chuspair ’sam bith a thigeadh an rathad cho Ghabhadh iornadh cothrom gu innseadh dhuinn fad s nach ruigeadh e a leas a dhreach mar a dh’ eirich aireamh nan co-fharpiiiseach atharrachadh. Tha Comunn na h-Oigridh mar re nam bliadhnachan, agus mar a dh’ fhks — 113 — ughdarras. Tha breitlmeachadh ur air dusgadh. Tha cunntas aja deidh cunntais a’ leigeil fhaicinn mar a tha luchd-labhairt na canain a’ dol an lughad. Tba moran a’ foighneachd a blieil An Comunn air an t-slighe cheairt. A bheil an t-saothair a tha iad a’ deanamh air a chur gu deagh bhuil? Cha ghabh na ceisdean sin cur an dara taobh. A thaobh a’ Mhbid, chan ’eil teagamh nach e soirbheachadh a tha ri aithris, ’s e sin ma bheir sinn geill do aireamhan. Tha luchd taghail

air an tarraing le cebl nan co-fharpaisean ’s nan ceilidhean. Tha an ceol gle mhath ’na kite the in, ach cha b’ ann airson seo a steidhicheadh An Comunn o thus. Molamaid ar Feis-Ciuil, carson nach moladh, ach mur a bi a’ chanain againn, am bi Feis-Ciuil againn nas mo an uine gurgun a bhith fada? ’S fhiach dhuinn cuimhneachadh gum b’ e Eisteddfod nan Cuimreach a bha ’san amharc a chuir am Mod air chois. Tha an Eisteddfod cho laidir ’sa bha e riamh, ach cha Mr. WILLIAM PEDDIK, d’ thug sin air na Cuimrich dearmad a Hon. Secretary, Mod Local Committee.(Webster of Oban) dheanamh air a’ chanain. An raon a’ chiuil clia tig moran suas riutha, ach clia

Thainig gum’ laimh a chionn ghoirid da g leabhar*, fear ag innseadh mu na Ikithean a R bh’ ann, direach mu am-tdiseachaidh A’ | Chomuinn, am fear eile air a dheasachadh fo I ehomhair feum an latha an diugh. Cha leig I mi leas innseadh de am fear as motha a thug | dhomh de thogail-inntinn. Bheir “Bardachd | Mhurchaidh a’ Cheisdeir ” smaointean an R- luchd-leughaidh air ais gu deireadh an i fhicheadaimh linn, agus is feumail an obair a I rinn an t-Urr. Aonghas Duncan (tha aon de Mr. R. C. HENDERSON, H nigheanan a’ bhaird pdsda aige) ann a bhith a' Hon. Treasurer, Mod Local Committee. f cruinneachadh na tha ri fhaotainn de (Laird Parker) — 115 — sgriobhaidliean an duine fhoghainticti ud, agus bitheadh fhios - againn gu robh ughdarras ann a bhith ag urachadh ar n-e?)lais air buidhne araidh air an cul, agus nam bitheadh Jjebdaicli sgalrteil nan Lochan. Bha (din orra dearbhadh againn gu robh sinn uile air an aon an eilean am breith. Tha sin orra fhathasi an ramh. iomadh eilean eile, agus air tir-mor, agus is Bithidh an fheadhainn a chi an leabhar seo gasda a bhith a’ fiosrachadh comhla ri ughdar an dbchas nach ’eil ann ach a’ cheud fhear de an leabhair gu bheil an gineal fhathast a’ cur shreath leabhraichean dhe ’n t-seorsa, agus ris a’ chliu sin ’nar measg. gum bi laithean de dhathan eile againn an Tha Murchadh a’ Cheisdeir comharraichte mar ughdar an drain (no an abair mi “ an nine gun a bith uamhasach fada. amhrain ”) ainmeil, “ Eilean an Fhraoich.” * “ BardachdGrant &Mhurchaidh Sons, 7/6). a’ Cheisdsir ” (John Chan ’eil e soilleir o ’n leabhar co rinn am “ Laithean Geala.” Murchadh MacLeoid, fo fonn, ma tha fios idir air. Tha moran eile dhe stiuireadh Oilthigh Obairdheadhain. na h-drain is na laoidhean aims an leabhar nach tig suas, ’nam bheachd-sa, ri “ Eilean an Ehraoicli.” C6-dhiu ’se chuireas ioghnadh air An Cat Buidhe daoine ciamar a ghabhas leabhar cho gasda a Bha na gillean-seilge a’ leigeil an sgios bhith air a chur mu ’r coinneimh aig 7/6, agus diubh, Di-domhnaicli ann, ’nan creisgin fein tha mi cinnteach gum bi feill air. mu chul an treabha, agus iad air siubhal a’ Bheir an leabhar eile A dh’ ainmich mi, mhonaidh o mhoch gu dubh gach la eile re na leabhar-leughaidh sgoile, leis an tiotal seachdaine. Bha iad, mar bu nos, ag agallamh thogarrach “ Laithean Geala,” oirnn a bhith is a’ deasbud mu iomn cuspair, agus thainig a’ smaointeachadh gu bheil iadsan aig a bheil orra brid fa dheidhinn gliocais no seoltachd iighdarras a’ tighinn g’ an ionnsaidh fhein, ann an ainmhidhean. Gu beachdaidh, ghabhta agus gu bheil iad a’ tuigsinn an fheuma a tha iongnadh de chuid sgeul a bha aca fa dheidhinn air leabhraichean dhe ’n t-sedrsa, ma tha sinn each agus bhuar agus chon. a cheart-da-rireadh mu theagasg na cloinne, Bha fear ann, agus MacEanruig a ainm, o; air a bheil neart na canain cho mor an Airceig no Lochaidh, agus cha robh guth aige crochadh. ach mu chat a chunnaic e ait-eigin. Thuirt Tha an leabhar ag innseadh mu theaghlach fear eile de na bha an lathair “ Innis duinn Gaidhealach agus mu gach ni a tha ’tachairt beagan mu dheidhinn a’ chait sin, mata.” dhaibh aig an tigh agus bho ’n tigh. Chan ’eil Fhreagair MacEanruig “Nl mi sin. Ach euchdan iongantach ri an aithris. Chan ’eil tuigibh nach comas domh innseadh dhuibh a leithid a dhith orra-san leis an aill uidh na ach mir bheag bheag; aon ni as a’ choig ceud, cloinne a thogail. Gabhaidh clann-sgoile ris na agus sin fein ach suarach, is doieh, seach ioma sgedil is ris na dealbhan. lonnsaichidh iad glonn eile a rinneadh leis.” Raidh am fear mar seo gun fhios daibh. eile, ‘‘ Foghnaidh beagan fein los a leigeil ris Tha ceisdean aig deireadh gach leisein. ce sebrsa de chat a bh’ ann.” Agus thbisich Bhitheadh cuid de luchd-teagaisg a’ meas MacEanruig air a sgeul. cheisdean mar sin an suarachas, a’ Bha an cat aig Eachann Ruadh a bha ’na smaointeachadh gun tigeadh ceisdean fada na aoghaire chaorach shuas an Gleann Allt, Creag b’ fhearr gu ’n aire fhein. Tha deagh leth- Innis nam Bo, agus tha fios againn uile ca sgeul air an son an seo, oir bithidh iad feumail bheil sin. Rugadh an cat an longart nan do ehloinn a th ’air am fagail leotha fhein, ni Comando, sios an Achadh-na-Caradh, far an as fheudar tachairt an iomadh aite an diugh. robh a pharantan a’ deanamh saoghail mhaith Tha beagan abhachdais a’ ruith troimh ’n dheth am measg nan rodan reamhar a bhios' leughadh cuideachd a chuireas ri aotromas na pailt mu gach aite de a leithid. h-obair. Tra chuireadh an longart fas, rainig an cat Tha mi toilichte fhaicinn nach ’eil eagal air sin taigh Eachainn, agus rinn e dachaidh da fear-deasachaidh an leabhair, Murchadh lein ann gun chead iarraidh o neach de na bha MacLeoid, faclan mar a tha rum., laraidh (am ann.- feum sinn an-dh?), cidsin, a chur am feum. B’e beothach tionnsgalach a bh’ann, agus Mholainn a dhanachd eadhoin nuair a chi mi bbidheach. Cat buidhe riabhach, agus na lot, polasman, silidh. Chan ’eil mi cho riabhan donnbhuidhe agus fionnbhuidhe cat- “einnteach mu platform , agus b’ fheudar dhomh mu seach, gle sgiamhach. sealltainn da uair co-dhiu air aidhs-criom. Bu mhath an sealgair e, agus mairg an Inch j Chuala mi gu robh an E.T.S. a’ deasachadh no rbdan a thigeadh toisgeal air. Ach bha e gebl-litreachaidh air faclan. Bu mhath sin math, os ceann gach cat riamh, air na coinein. fhaicinn. ’Se a’ chfiis, mar .a chi raise e, ged Bha coinean aige aig dorus an taighe gach a chitheamaid moran fhaclan nacli cord' rninn, maduinn ach Di-dbmhnaich; agus cha do bhitheahaaid debnach an cur am feum, nam chuir- e riamh spull no deud aeh air coinean Ssgairteil fallan a b’ fhearr a thigeadh do an Chuir Eachann rian air fein agus air a jaghann fhiuchaidh. phrospaic a chum fantainn gus am faiceadh e f Ach thainig la brcin. Cha robh coinean aig na thachradh. Thainig coinean a mach, gun jdorus an taighe, agus bha an cat air snagail deifir air, is e a’ deanamh mairn an siud ’san idachaigb air trj cosan. Cha robli fagta aige seo los bileag fheoir itheadh. Cha tug an cat ach gle bheagan de a dhara cois thoisich, monaid air. Is dbich nach robh esan de an iamhail gu robh e air a bhith ann an glacadan, stannart air an robh an cat ag cur iarraidh. J liar an d’ fhag e a chos. Chaidh e am feabhas Thainig brosgan de choinein bga as a’ bhrugh. tre thid, ach bha e mo is mall los coinean a Cha d’ rinn an cat smiogal. Gar beag iar sin, ghlaeadh tuilleadh. Dh’ fheumadh coinean a nochd coinean eile a mach, creutair dailceanta i bhith sean, agus loinidh is siataig ’ga ciulcach. Ag dol da-san seach a’ chloioh, thog , chlaoidheadh, mus beireadh an cat air. an cat a chos-lunna agus thug e sgleog leis do Feasgar de na thainig, bha deannan bhalach an choinean air cul a chinn, agus thuit an j lair ceilidh an taigh Eachainn, agus thoisich iad coinean ’na chlosaich. Bha faobhadach ri ,ri feuchainn an deanadh iad cos-fhiodha do an dorus an taighe air an mhaduinn sin a ris. chat. Dh’ fhartlaich orra an tus, ach dh’ Is e cat luimeil reabhail a bha ann gun ionnsaich iad gu feumadh i bhith na bu ghiorra teagamh. na chosan fein, is i gun lughadh gliiin, los Nuair a sguir MacEanruig de a sgeulachadh, jnach ruigeadh i lar roimh chach, a chuireadh thuirt fear de na bha ann “ Am bheil thusa dragh an ionad foir air a’ chat, agus los nach cinnteach, Mhic Eanruig, nach robh an cat cuireadh an cat air lar i ach tra thogradh e a’ feadaireachd ‘La Inbhir-Lochaidh’ agus e a’ l! fein. Fa dheire is fa dhebi, shoirbhich leo luinnsearachd air ais do an tigh agus closach a’ agus bha cos-fhiubhaidh air an ainmhidh agus choinein trasd a ghuailnean? ” asair leathrach mu a ghualainn ’ga cumail gu Fhreagair MacEanruig, “ Is furasa do d taiceil ri bun a choise millte. Ge bu liobasta bhaoghlan fanoid a dheanamh air gach uile ni, [car trill e a, b’fheairrde an cat a chos-chrainn a ach is i an fhlrinn a sheasas. Ach b’e an bhith air, agus b’asaide a choiseachd da. O ni a dh’ fhag Eachann fo iongnadh riamh, i ' an tan sin, cha robh e a’ sior-thuiteam fa gu robh an cat sin a’ bualadh nan coinean 1 tchomhair a shroin, mar a bha gu soithe sin, is anns an dearbh bhad sin, mu chill an amhaich, ij re an urra ri cois nach robh ann tuillidh. a theagaisgeadh do na comandoi an Acha-na- Treall an deidh sin, bha closach coinein ri caradh, los an naimhde, gu h-araidh 'i dorus na fardaich a ris, maduinn a bha ann; saighdearan-faire agus coimheadaich, a chur do | agus air an ath mhaduinn, agus an ath eug ohann an tosd agus an traide, nuair a bha imhaduinn a ris. Agus bha iad gun ailt orra na comandoi a’ deanamh till agus feachd air a leigeadh ris cionnas a mharbhadh iad. na h-eirthirean thairis. Is deagh-fhios duinne ;Koimhe, mus do mhilleadh cos a’ chait, bha ck d’ fhuair an cat an teagasg sin, ach Failt is siltean fola far an d’ fhuair deudach cionnas? ” ! rinngh^ur a’ chait greim bais air na coinein, Ach,” thuirt MacEanruig gu tasbach, iaeh cha robh a thionnail sin ann tuilleadh. theagamh gur furasa dhuibh, a luchd [ Ghabh Eachann iongnadh ce mar a bha an fochaid, a leithid sin a shorchairt oirnne.” [cat a’ deanamh na cuise, ach dh’ fhartlaich Bailie-liiib. 'i ; air fios fhaighinn gus an tainig maduinn i |araidh. An mhaduinn seo, rinn Eachann !r Tnoch-eirigh co trath ’sa bu leir dha, los suil Ord 's [a chumail air gruinne chaorach a dh’ fhag e . air an leathad fa chomhair an taighe am I will take the road that runs from Knock I Lfeasgar roimhe. Thog e air do chnocan iosal, To the sea where shines the marble rock, f [fagus do an taigh, agus a phrospaic aige. Bha Go down the glen that keeps in view e ag amharc an leathaid is e a’ deanamh rim The jagged peaks of Coolins blue, ] air na caoraich mar a bha e ’gam faicinn. And look across the endless bay : Fhuaras aireamh ceart diubh, agus bha e an To far off Camasunary; annar folbh air ais an taigh, nuair a mhothaich To Suishnish and Kilmaree 'lie do rud-eigin buidhe air an fhain, na bu And green Strathaird and Sgur na Stri; j Ldliiithe ris na bha na caoraich. Chuir e a See arching high in stricken air phrospaic air lagh los amharc a b’ fhearr Sgur Dearg and Sgur Alasdair: lhaighinn, agus mar bu duil leis, b’e an cat Then take the road with lightsome feet [a bh’ann. Bha e ’na chruban gu taimhidh air By Tokavaig to Point of Sleat, [ciil cloiche, baol ri blot-choinean, amhail gu By Tarskavaig and Bil na Bail ffirobh e a’ feitheamh air an tighinn a mach los The road that goes nowhere at all. 'jifailt a chur orra. Mac Ille Bhain. — 117 cultural potential than monoglot children. Parental Responsibility The writer was brought up to speak three By Gr. MacUilleim. languages and never found this a dis- As the father of a small child, I feel it is advantage — rather the contrary. high time that someone said a few hard words When we come to the question of education, to parents who are members of An Comunn. the matter is not so simple. Although we I shall no doubt be criticised for doing so, as have laid in a good stock of children’s books my own child is being brought up far from in Gaelic, our child will no doubt be tempted the Gaidhealtachd, but I am prepared to put to do most of his reading in English. His the cap on myself where it fits. As a member playmates will certainly discourage him from of An Comunn Gaidhealach I am tired of speaking Gaelic, unless he is fortunate enough hearing high-minded speeches on the need to to find other children whose parents preserve the language from persons who encourage them to speak it. This is a problem rarely, if ever, speak a word of Gaelic to their which is acute even in Gaelic-speaking areas, children. For years I have listened as anyone who knows Lewis will testify. On sympathetically to what the Irish call the other hand, it is often forgotten that Gaelic “friends of the language’’ (i.e., those who is an examination subject and, provided one protest how much they love the Gaelic but takes obligatory subjects such as English, who never use it in their daily life). I am proper study of Gaelic as a school subject can prepared to listen sympathetically no longer. only be an advantage, as the well-taught child In the field of Gaelic, as in the field of has a good chance of passing and thus religion, lip service can often do more damage enhancing his examination result. It is than open opposition. It was a very clever obvious that a child who is used to speaking man who suggested that the best way to and hearing a language is much more likely revive the Gaelic would be to ban it. to obtain a good examination result in it than Although I live in an English-speaking area, in a language like Latin which (for all its I have several Gaelic-speaking neighbours and value) is never heard as a spoken language. numerous acquaintances who are members of An additional advantage is that the number An Comunn. Of all these, I know of only one of school children studying Gaelic is relatively who intends to bring her daughter up to speak small, and the child is thus sure of almost Gaelic. Whether she will be successful is individual attention from his teacher. It is highly doubtful, as her husband speaks only well known that a student can increase his English. The rest make no pretence of chances of passing examinations by including intending to teach the language to their one or two subjects which are in little demand. children. Some state quite frankly that they He benefits from the smaller classes and from are opposed to the idea. the fact that the examination papers are not The atmosphere in which we live is not at deliberately made difficult in order to reduce all conducive, therefore, to the teaching of the number of students, as is often the case Gaelic to a child. Let me give an example: where too many students are studying one we were recently in the company of a number subject. of friends — all enthusiastic members of An If I may be excused for (if I may use the Comunn, professing to love the language and expression) “teaching others to suck eggs,’’ music of the Gael. A number of those present the first task of Gaelic associations would were horrified when they overheard my wife seem to me to be that of impressing on speaking to the child in Gaelic. They did not parents the need to speak Gaelic with their mince w’ords in expressing their disapproval. children. It will not be sufficient to endeavour They implied that we were hindering the to maintain the reduced number of persons child’s development by speaking to him in speaking our ancient language; it is necessary Gaelic. What on earth, they said, would we to increase that number. A language which do when the child had to go to an all-English is merely holding its own is dying, and Gaelic school? They were frankly incredulous when is not even holding its own. An increase can we said that he would probably speak English only come by teaching more children to speak better than the average Englishman by then. the language. Surely parents could set aside The fact that children in other countries grow a little time each day to read a page or two up to be bi-lingual and even tri-lingual did not of Gaelic to their children. Our forefathers impress them. He who wishes his child to never considered it onerous to read a passage speak the Gaelic must expect to be criticised. of Scripture every day. It is difficult to understand this fierce Impetus was given to the revival of Hebrew opposition. It is a proven fact that bi-lingual in Israel by parents who insisted on their children grow up brighter and with greater children speaking the ancient tongue. Hard — 118 — as this may have seemed at the beginning, seem wrong to ask for more English, but what Israel has seen the wisdom of this policy and are the facts — how many readers of Jewish children are now able to gain a higher An Gaidheal can read the Gaelic articles, and education in their own land and inherit a rich how many only the English? Of all members tradition. Ukrainian parents in this country of An Comunn, how many can only speak and still teach their children their native language. read English? I wonder if this is behind the If only Gaelic parents did the same, there lack of support for the one and only An would be no '‘Gaelic problem.” A child’s Comunn magazine. tongue, like his faith, is learned at his mother’s After my first Gaelic Mod in Inverness 1 knee. Surely it is not too much for members was appalled at the incorrect Gaelic stress of of An Comunn who are parents to say, ‘‘My singers in competitions — even among native child shall learn his own language and inherit speakers who should have known better. I the gift of his forefathers.” Without an was even more shocked when I found that An ethnic inheritance we shall have a nation of Comunn was publishing incorrect stress in the rootless “beatniks” and Teddy boys. To bring . Mod booklet. I therefore wrote some articles a child up without a background is dangerous and letters on this subject in the hope that folly. In spite of all opposition and persecu- they would stimulate discussion, and more tion, the Jewish people have never forgotten articles from Gaelic speakers with academic this. They have never considered that it was qualifications — for surely it is from them wasteful to teach an ancient language and lore that the criticism and teaching should come, to their children. Now they have their reward and not from a non-Gaelic speaker like in their own land. We must learn from them myself! ! There was no response whatever or perish as a separate race with a culture of from the right quarter. Since that time I its own. have discussed this stress problem with Gaelic Mod adjudicators, school teachers and ministers, and they have all led me to believe that I was right in my early criticisms. I Letters to the Editor have urged them all to do something about To the Editor. it at An Comunn committees, but they usually Since I first became a Life Member of An say it is no good, or the lack of money Comunn after competing in my first Mod prevents An Comunn from producing new (Inverness, 1949) I have regularly taken corrected Gaelic song editions. I was very An Gaidheal as I feel that it is only right to depressed at the lack of practical response, support our magazine. I have not," however, but I was greatly heartened when I saw in always found it very interesting, for too often Aon-Neach “Gaelic vowel values and stresses the articles have been mere reminiscences and take precedence.” I like to think that news. I have always felt that at least one perhaps I mav have had something to do with article each month should have an this! educational flavour to spread Gaelic knowledge During the years one thing has caused me to the readers. surprise and great regret — the apparent My own particular interest in Gaelic is its “iron curtain” between the University Gaelic song. Alas, though I have learnt enough scholars and An Comunn. Most An Comunn Gaelic, with the help of many An Comunn members I have met seem to have much friends, to be able to compete in the Annual enthusiasm but little academic knowledge. Mod and to take an active part in ceilidhs, I Some I have met, such as Lachie Mackinnon have not had the time or opportunity to be (my first teacher), Eev. Donald W. Mac- able to hold a conversation in Gaelic (although kenzie, Rev. William Matheson, Rev. John 1 have passed the Mod Gaelic test on two MacDougall, and the late Angus Ross, who occasions under the old rules!!). Gaelic song speak the same academic language and who being my main interest, I have always hoped seem to understand the problem. But they that An Comunn through An Gaidheal would (and others) don’t write educative articles for publish informative articles on various aspects the poor editor of An Gaidheal! of Gaelic song. You have recently published At the Perth Mod some years ago I was the words and music of some Gaelic songs, most interested in the illustrated lecture by but to my great regret the background Rev. William Matheson on “Traditional information has been entirely in Gaelic. Gaelic Singing.” This lecture was not pub- Surely such important articles as these should lished in An Gaidheal. There is an immense be in both Gaelic and English so that all amount of traditional Gaelic song and singing readers, learners as well as fluent Gaelic locked behind the walls of the ‘ ‘ School of speakers, can gain from the articles. It does Scottish Studies” in Edinburgh University — why cannot An Comunn and An Gaidhcal prevent anyone at all from designing an make use of some of this knowledge? To original sett and having it woven for himself hear “Coire Cheathaich” sung in the and his family. In recent years several new traditional way is a revelation, for it is nearly tartans have been registered at Lyon Office, unrecognisable from the modern version. I and this, while in no sense conferring copy- would like to see the traditional version written right, acts as a useful record which members down so as to see where the Gaelic stresses of the family may consult in years to come. come. I would also like to learn about Why then should it be necessary for anyone traditional grace notes so that I may be able to risk causing misunderstanding by wearing to put them back into some of our thoroughly a sett which has become closely associated “washed-out” modern versions. with a particular Clan or family? I hope this letter will give you something to think about. Ilay M. Campbell. Brian McD. Duxbury. To the Editor. To the Editor, Re: Ar Cahain f Canned), by Gillesbuig It seems a great pity that Mr. A. J. Lawrie, MacMhuirich, An Gaidheal, April, 196:2, notes of whose excellent talk on Clan tartans page 45. to the Glasgow Rotary Club appears in your I have read and re-read with intense August issue, should have struck such an interest the above-mentioned article regarding unfortunately wrong note in his peroration. tape-recording the Gaelic. He has so clearly traced the origins of Within the last year or two, while listening tartan, the decline of its use to a limited to a broadcast from Radio Station, Pullman, degree in the eighteenth century and its Washington, I heard the poem entitled “The resurgence during the early part of the 19th Highwayman,” by Alfred Noyes. Judge how century, and rightly points out that there are thrilled I was to learn at the conclusion of the no laws governing the use of individual setts, broadcast that it was the recorded voice of the nor historically is there precedence for pre- poet Noyes himself that I was hearing. How scriptive rights to individual tartans. wonderful it would be if this were undertaken But he seems to ignore the fact that 150 for Scots Gaelic. Two interesting fields are years or so is ample time for a greatly open in Gaelic poetry. One is to make tape- cherished tradition to have grown up, even recordings of the poetry of living contemporary though it may, originally, have been based on poets. This should be undertaken without misinterpreted fact. delay for men like Macdhunleibhe and Mac- Far from considering themselves compli- Garaidh are no longer young, and tape- mented by “strangers” adopting their tartan, recordings should be made before it is too late. most Clan members would tend to regard it, The second, the poems of Donnachadh Ban if not as usurpation, at least as being in very nan Oran should be put on tape, the readings bad taste. The feelings of others are always being made by the best Gaelic speaker to-day worth considering, and tact and good manners of the Gaelic of his district in Argyllshire, the are as important in the wearing of tartan as same being done for MacCodrum by someone in anything else. in the Outer Isles, for Rob Donn in the Reay Moreover it is entirely unnecessary for those Country, etc. One or more duplicates of wishing to wear tartan to adopt existing Clan these tapes could be made and loaned or setts. There are many “district” tartans rented to persons such as myself, who have available, some of which may well pre-date an earnest desire to improve the grasp of most of those now associated with specific Gaelic pronunciation. They would be useful families. in parts of Scotland where there are persons These can quite properly be worn by any eager to master Gaelic, but where teachers are who live in, or whose families hail from, the lacking. localities concerned. They include Huntley, I am sending a copy of this letter to Angus, Kinnoul, Strathearn, Lennox, Lome, Pretoria, with the hope that Donnachadh Glenurquhart and Lochaber. Macdhunleibhe will consent to join in this In addition to these there are a few “town program. I shall do likewise with Seumas tartans” — Dundee, Crieff, Dunblane and MacGaraidh. I hope something can be under- Fort William are among them. taken along this line in Scotland. Moreover there is absolutely nothing to Marcus J. Ware. m GAIDHEAL THE GAEL Editor—DONALD GRANT, B.A., 95 MUNRO ROAD, GLASGOW, W.3, to whom all correspondence should be addressed except that concerning advertising which should be addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer. 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C.2 Telephone: DOUglas 1433. Leabhar LVII AN T-SAMHUIN, 1962 Aireamh 11 Airson sin dheth, mur a faigh iad an Am Mod t-urachadh bodhaig ris an robh duil aca, ’s I B’i a’ bharail a bu trice chualas bho docha gum faigh iad urachadh air choireigin i fheadhainn a bh’ ann, agus feadhainn nach eile a ni suas airson dith fois is cadail. Tha [ robh ann, gu robli deagh Mhod againn anns sinn an dochas gu faigh. I an Oban. An t-Oban, baile tlachdmhor ri Bha cion aon talla mhoir, agus an t-astar a bh’ eadar na tallachan a bh’ ann, na chuis- I amharc air anns an dol seachad, agus gu dhragha dhaibh-san a ghabh os laimh I h-araidh measail aig luchd-turuis, mar a tha deasachadh nan co-fharpaisean is nan | aireamli nan taighean-seinnse is nan taighean- cuirmean ciuil. B’ iongantach nach robh ! aoidheachd eile a’ dearbhadh. An side barrachd gearain ann do thaobh seo, agus ’s | cuideacbd cho math ’s a dh’ iarradh duine; ann do ’n luchd-deasachaidh a bhuineas an jl dreaclx is fallaineachd is deagh-ghean air am cliu. f foillseachadh air gach laimh. Tha an aire a tha am Mod a’ tarraing a’ Rinn Comhairle a’ bhaile is a’ Chomhairle dol am meud gach bliadhna. Chan ’eil I ionadail na bha ’nan comas gu deagh-ghean teagamh nach ’eil suim a’ Bh.B.C. agus | a sgaoileadh. Sanasan-failte an Gaidhlig air nam paipearan ’na chuideachadh mor. Mar I gach taobh air feadli a’ bhaile. Bha na sin bitheamaid taingeil. Ach feumar I h-osdairean fialaidh mu uaireannan-tadhail. aideachadh gu bheil uidh paipearan Mar sin bha na ceilidhean pailt agus de a b’ naidheachd na Galldachd air a nochdadh I fhiach Mod an diugh gun cheilidhean. Bha nas motha ann a bhith ag innseadh mu I uair, ’s chan ’eil e uamhasach fada, nuair ni-eigin a theid iomrall, an aite a bhith a’ 1 nach toisicheadh ceilidhean gu deireadh na toirt cunntais mu ghnothaichean a tha a’ dol I seachdaine. Tha iad againn a nine feasgar air adhart gu reidh ordail. Tha iad, a reir | di-Luain. coltais, dhe ’n bheachd, agus ’s cinnteach gur || Cluinnear barailean eadar-dhealaichte mu ann aca as fhearr a tha fios, gur fhearr leis } na ceilidhean. Dhaibh-san a their gum bu na leughadairean a bhith a’ cluinntinn mu ’n [ choir An Comunn obaii- a chur air thoiseach aon duine a chumadh air ais anns a’ S air spurs an seachdain a’ Mhoid, cha bhi anns eheasnachadh na mu ’n fhichead a ehaidh air C na ceilidhean ach faoineis. An saoil iadsan adhart. j\Ia bheir am fear sin dhaibh faclan P a cliumas seachdain dhe an saor-laithean feargach mu bhreitheamh no mu’n Chomunn, [ bliadhnail, a dh’ aon chuid airson a’ Mhoid, ’s e sin as fhearr uile gu leir. Cha tig air a t gur e gliocas a th’ ann dhaibh sin a seo ach craiceann tiugh agus snodha gaire mu I dheauamh ? , ’S math dhaibh ma gheibh iad choinneamh fanaid. B aite-taimh far nach ruig fuaim na h-upraid Nuair a theid an corr air di-chuimhne I iad aig da uair no tri ’sa’ mhadainn. Mo hithidh cuimhne air Mod an Obain airson B thruaighe ma cho-eignicheiU' iad gu frithealadh nan riaghailtean ura a chuireadh am bonn- | nan ceilidhean iad fhein! ’S ann a bhitheas steidh a’ Chomuinn, agus gu h-araidh airson I iad nas fheumaile air saor-laithean aig an ullachaidh uir a rinneadh do Chomunn na E deireadh na seachdaine na bha iad roimhe. h-Oigridh. [Briathran a’ Chinn - Suidhe, Mgr. Eoghann maiseach agus prised ann an eachdraidh agus Mac-a-phi,dhaibhsan a aigsteidhich foillseachadh An Comunn a’ chuimhneachain Gaidhealach.] caitheamh-beatha ar daoine. A mhnathan is a dhaoin’ uaisle, Dh’fhag iad sin againn agus is e ar Is taitneach gu dearbh a bhi a’ faicinn na dleasdanas a bhi dileas do gach eiseimplear a h-uibhir an lathair an so is gu sonraichte thug iad dhuinn a chum is gum bi sinne airidh, Probhaist is maithean a’ bhaile. Tha sinne mar a bha iad-san, air gun gabhadh ruinn anns a’ Ghomunn Ghaidhealacli ag gabliail mar Ghaidheil a bha mothachail agus dileas ris mar urram mor gu bheil iad-san, mar a do dhualchas ar daoine. tha sibhse, ag cur bhur n-aonta ris an aobhar a thug an .eeahn atchcilA^mn an'5o an diugh. Mar a tha fios agaibh, b’ann anns a’ bhaile so a steidhicheadh An Comunn Gaidhealach. Tha tri fichead bliadhna is a dha-dheug Na Laoich ’uaithe sin, agus aig toiseach Moid mar so is cubhaidh dhuinn a bhith a’ deanamh luaidh [Rainn a chuireadh ri cheile le Seumas Mac air na sair a shaothraich cho dileas as leth ar Thomais agus a labhradh leis aig foillseachadh a’ canain, ar litreachais, is ar dualchais. Bu chuimhneachain. ] bheag suim a ghabhadh de’n chanain againn is na bha i ag co-sheasamh ’s na laithean sin. So laoich a bh’ ann, ’s a mhaireas beo Gu dearbh bu bhochd a cor. Bha fulang aice An oirdhearcas an gniomh’, air gach tair is fuath a rinneadh oirre. A leag an steidh gun chlach gun aol Tha eachdraidh ag cur an ceill gu’m b’e Ach dealas gaoil a’ dion run suidhichte na muinntir a bha an An dileib luachmhoir, uasail, aid’— ughdarras cur as dhith agus b’e an diteadh Crann-ubhal ard ar miann. oirre nach robh innte ach cainnt bhorb a bha ag aobharachadh easaontais is aimhreit. Cha Air chuimhne cumaidh sinn na suinn robh luach no maitheas innte. Leis gach diol A dhleas ’s na glinn a’ choir, a bh’ oirre is gach ana-cothrom a dh’ fhuiling A thog a’ bhratach suas ri crann, i cha chuir e ioghnadh oirbh gu’n robh a S a smeid air sean is og daoine fhein ’ga cur an suarachas agus ’ga Gu seasamh fearail, feasd, ’s gun taing, toirmeasg do an cuid chloinne. A dhion an cainnt ’s an ceol; B’e sin an suidheachadh a ghluais luchd- steidhichidh a’ Chomuinn gu gniomh Gun fhois gun thamh, mar thuinn air traigh, ionmholta, gniomh a tha ag cur an ceill meud Gun lasadh is gun sgios, an dealais is an dilseachd do chanain aosda A’ sparradh air gach linn ’nan deidh, bhrioghmhor ar sinnsre. B’iadsan na An cogadh is an sith, diulnaich nach do dhiobair i ’na cas. Bha Bhith dileas, daingean, durachdach iadsan mothachail air maise ar dualchais is Gun mhuthadh anns an t-stri. gu’m b’ i a’ Ghaidhlig an iuchair a bha a’ fosgladh na slighe gu raointean farsaing, An dileab ud a sheas na laoich, saibhir ar n-eachdraidh is ar litreachais. Nach airidh i air cliu?-— Nach mor an t-atharrachadh an diugh seach An soitheach anns na thaisgear dhuinn na laithean ’san do theann iad ri saothair. Cion-fath ar sluaigh, ’s an run, Tha ait’ agus inbhe aig a’ Ghaidhlig mar nach An spiorad duineil, abhachdach, robh aice riamh roimhe. Tha i mar chuspair Is manran ciuin a’ chiuil. foghluim ann an sgoilean na Gaidhealtachd agus ann an Oil-thighean na duthcha, ach aon Do’n mhaoin tha suaint’ an cainnt ’s an ceol, a mhain. Tha aithne agus meas air ar ceol ’S nach ceannaich or gu brath, air feadh an t-saoghail. Nach iobair sinn ar full ’s ar feoil Tha a’ chliu airson sin uile aig luchd- A nis le deoin gun sgath steidheachaidh a’ Chomuinn. Ainmicheamaid A chomhnadh .leis gach f'eachd is ti iad le uaill, is le urram: — A chumas cis air namh. Iain Caimbeul, Iain MacMhaighstir Caimbeul, Chan aithreach leinn an cath bhith cruaidh Eoghan MacComhain, Ma bheirear buaidh fa-dheoidh. agus An oighreachd chuannta, ailleasach Dughall MacIsaaic. Cha teid gu brath fo’n fhoid Thog iad aitreabh anns a bheil dion agus Ma leanas Gaidheil gnaths nan laoch tasgadh air na nithean sin a tha uasal, A sheas le faoilt’ an coir. Blieil Alba ’n diugli gu fann gun treoir, Ehir-dheasaichidh, ’Na laighe rent’ a’ tamh, Fhuair mise na sreathan a leanas bho ’S a’ fagail dileib shuairce, chaoimh chailin oig a thuirt rium nach robh aice ach Ri crionadh sios ’s a’ bhas? na sgriobh mise an seo dhe ’n oran a chuala An coigreach saltraidh i fo bhonn; i air a sheinn uair le a seanair nach maireann. Is tir nan sonn dol fas. Bha iad a’ dol rud-eigin mar seo: — An duisg mac-talla chaoidh a suain ’S beag orm do shuil, a rodain, Le seist is fuaim nan dan ’Tighinn air sailleamh mo chuid cosnaidh. An canain bhrioghmhoir Thir nam Beann Innsidh mise dhuit, a rodain, Air feadh gach gleann is aird? Falbh a nochd ’s na tig a chaoidh. A Ghaidheil, seasamaid gu dluth Le spionnadh nr is cail. Na tig idir far bheil Ruairidh ’N crann-taraidh greasadh air a churs’ Chan ’eil aig ach beagan chruachan A dhusgadh eud is spairn A sgaras cuibhrichean nach fiu . . . Neo-shuim, cion diu, is fair. Thig a mach far am bheil Eachann, Far am faigh thu biadh am pailteas Bha duine as an Rudha a’ dol dhachaidh ’S far am bi do chas air tir. air a’ bhus aon latha bho na h-ordaighean agus shuidh cailleach bhleideil a ’thaobh. Chan ’eil fhios nach fhaod aon de Dh’ fhoighnich i dheth, “Cia as a tha thu?” leughadairean, ‘‘A’ Ghaidheil” solus a chur “ Tha as an Rudha,” fhreagair esan. air (1) co a b’ ughdar do ’n oran, (2) cuin a ‘‘Agus de theirear riut an sin?” ars ise. rinneadh e, (3) cait am bheil e ri fhaotainn? ” Their feadhainn ‘Helo’ rium, agus Seadh, a bheil e an clo ann an leabhar sa feadhainn eile, cha chan iad cail idir.” Is e bith no an sgriobhadh? sin am freagairt a thug esan dhi. D. R. M. Mairi Nic Dhomhnaill, 2a (Sgoil MhicNeacail.) Fhir-dheasaichidh, Tha mi a’ fas seachd sgith a’ sireadh troimh “A’ Ghaidheal” airson rud is fhiach a O, nach mairg dhomhsa bhos anns a’ bhaile leughadh, agus air uairibh thig mi air rud K ghrannda seo! Ged a their cuid nach ’eil nach bu choir a bhi ann. Mar eiseamplair | aite ann an Eilean Leodhais cho boidheach ri na sreathan le “Mac ’Ille Bhain.” Anns an I baile mor Steornabhaigh, chan e sin mo duan seo tha e a’ bruidhinn mu dheidhinn I;7 bheachd-sa idir. Tha feadhainn eile a’ cumail ‘‘An t-Olla Mac Iain,” le a Bheurla, le a mach gur e an Gearradh-Cruaidh aite cho Laideann is Greugais-chainnte. Dh’ fhag , alainn ’sa chunnaic iad riamh, ach b’ fhearr stuth uaibhreas nan Gaidheal teanga a’ leam-sa fichead uair a dhol cuairt troimh ’n chananaich ud mall. An aite ’bhi ‘‘a Sage L mhonadh a thabhairt dhachaidh a’ chruidh, from England” cha ’n fhiach an duine bochd na dhol cuairt troimh ’n Ghearradh-Chruaidh. seo ’bhi air ainmeachadh am measg nan / Sud far a bheil an sealladh boidheach — fraoch Saoidh eadhon ’na dhuthaich fhein; cha robh I dearg, geal, agus gorm. Cait am faicear fraoch ann ach duine aineolach, agus bha e gu tur ? ann an Steornabhagh? Is e a’ mhuir an aineolach mu dheidhinn cainnt nan Gaidheal; t-aon ni a bhios a’ togail mo chridhe, an uair cha robh anns an dithis, Boswell agus [ a bhios mi gu leigeil thairis leis a’ chianalas, Johnson, ach dithis air mhisg. [ agus ged nach fhaigh mi mach ann an eathar, Tha aois nan Saoidh air dol seachad, eadhon ; ’se torr a tha ann a bhith a’ faicinn na mara am measg nan Gaidheal, agus daoine aig am ! a’ bualadh mu na creagan, direach mar a bheil Gaidhlig a’ toirt cliu daibhsan aig nach t chithear anns a’ bhaile againn fhin. Chan robh facal Gaidhlig — daoine nach fhiach I ’eil mi fhin a’ smaointeachadh gu bheil aite smuain. 1 ann an Eilean Leodhais cho boidheach ris a’ Is fhada bho’n a thuit na Gaidheil ’n an t bhaile bheag anns a bheil mi a’ fuireach— cadal, agus tha feum mor agaibh an dusgadh | Bun Charlabhaigh. a suas. Cairistioxa Nic Leoid, 3a, Le mor speis, (Sgoil Mhic-Neacail). Seumas MacGaraidh. — 123 — t-soisgeul thun na Gaidhealtachd, gun tug e Fleadhachas An Fhoghair comhairle air an t-sluagh a bhi seinn dhuanag aig gach gniomh agus gun deanadh sin an Le Tormod Domhnallach. obair na b’aotroma. Ach ’s e gle bheag a Ta ceann dubh an fheasgair ’ga shineadh gheibh sinn an diugh, an aite ’sam bith, de na fein ’s ag innse dhuinn gun do dh’ fhalbh an h-orain bhuana. Coltach ri nithean eile, Samhradh. Chithear cheana gne de chaocli- chaidh iad gu tur a mach a cleachdadh nuair ladh a’ tighinn air trusgan nan sleibhtean a thainig na h-innealan ur a ni an obair cus agus air gach bileag de dhuilleach na coill’. na’s cabhagaiche. Thriall uainn aireanah de na h-eoin a Chan ’eil gnaths a bha cho-cheangailte ri thainig air sgeith thar astar cuain is fearainn, obair an Fhoghair aig nach eil a chiall fein, a thoirt caismeachd dhuinn mu theachd an agus eachdraidh a ta anabarrach sean. Cha t*Samhraidh. Cbo luath ’s a labhair guth b’e na Gaidheil a’ cheud fheadhainn a bha ri naduir air mhodh diamhair riutha, thuig iad seinn air an achadh bhuana, is cha b’ann gu gun robh an ceilidh ’s na tirean so air tighinn leir airson aotromachadh na h-obrach a dh’ gu crich agus chaidh.clos air an ribheid bhinn eirich an cleachdadh ’n am measg. leis am bu trie a chuir iad failt’ air an og Thoisich seinn nam buanaichean anns an mhaduinn cheitein. Eiphit. Cho fad’ ’s gun teid sinn air ais ’n Dh’ ionndrainn sinn feadhainn dhiubh uainn an eachdraidh, bha na h-Eiphitich a’ creidsinn, bho chionn cunntas sheachdainnean. mar a bha na Gaidheil uine mhor ’n an deidh, A reir gliocas nan seanairean, bheir sinn gun robh anam no spiorad aig an arbhar. fa-near gu bheil latha araidh, mar gum biodh, Cho luath ’s a bha an coran no an speal a’ air a chuir a mach aig na h-eoin airson dol air toirt a’ cheud bheum, bha an spiorad a’ imrich do’n tigh Geamhraidh. Is trie a faighinn a’ bhais. Uime sin, thogadh na bha an chuala mi an seanfhacal—“ Nuair thig Latha lathair fonn tursach cumha gu bhi Teigeil Feill-Sheathain ’s an t-Samhradh, theid a’ fhaicinn am broin da, agus a’ tagradh ris chuthag ’na tigh Geamhraidh.” Air an latha tilleadh air ais thuca an ath bhliadlma. cheudna, a reir beul-aithris, cruinnichidh gach Gheibhear a’ bheachd so ’ga cuir an ceill cuthag ann an ionad sonraichte agus fagaidh anns an aon doigh, aig na Sirianaich, na iad an duthaich -n an aon chomhlan. Phrigianaich, na Phoenicianaich agus na Ta latha araidh aig na gobhlain-ghaoithe Bithinianaich. cuideachd, airson cruinneachadh, mum fag Ni motha a b’ann an Alba a thoisich na iad an tir. Bu trie a chunnaic sinn iad ’n an Gaidheil air gabhail nan oran bhuana, bha iad sgaoth mor ag itealaich mu mhullach nan riutha iomadh ceud bliadhna mun do dh’ fhag tighean agus gu cinnteach cha b’ann samhach, iad an Roinn Eorpa. balbh a bhiodh iadsan, ach a h-uile aon diubh Ta seann luchd eachdraidh Greugach, mar a’ beadradh aig an aon am mar gum biodh a ta Herodotus agus Diodorus Siculus ag deasbaireachd ’n am feadh mu dheidhinn na innse dhuinn gu robh orain bhuana nan slighe no na h-ionadan cein gu an robh iad a’ Eiphiteach air leith trom, muladach, ni a dol. thug Wordsworth fa-near mu cheol na Ach ged a ta chuid as motha de na h-eoin cailin Ghaidhealaich. ’X a ealaidh, ta e a’ cuir an cul ruinn ’s a’ sguir de cheilearadh ’leagail cudthrom sonraichte air tiamhaidh- an toiseach an Fhoghair, chan ’eil an raidhe eachd a h-orain. so idir gun a cheol ’s a thoil-inntinn fein. Bho Cha bu toil le cuid toiseachadh air gearradh chionn fada, nuair a rachadh na buanaichean an arbhair Di-luain: ‘‘An rud a ni thu air a mach ’s a theannadh iad le’n corrain ri Di-luain, bidh e luath no bidh e mall.” Ged gearradh an arbhair an oir na geadhail, nach buaineadh iad ach mu uiread sguab sheinneadh iad gu loinneil na h-orain bhuana. Di-sathuirne, ’s ann a b'fhearr leotha ’S e maighdean og, shunndach dhiubh sin a toiseachadh. chual’ an aon mun do leugh am bard ainmeil ’S e latha mor a bha aim nuair a rachadh Wordsworth, ’s e ’gabhail an rathaid agus an t-arbhar uile a ghearradh. Air an fheasgar ged nach do thuig e facal de a cainnt, sin, bha cleachdadh aig an fhear a bha deiseal gidheadh thug a ceol uiread de thogail buana, seorsa de chrois a dheanamh ris an inntinn dha ’s gun robh e ’n a mheadhoin air abradh iad ‘‘A’ Ghobhar Bhacach ” de’n bhad gun do chuir am filidh ri cheile dan mu deidh mu dheireadh de arbhar na geadhail a cho eireachdail ’s a ta sgriobhte anns a’ thilgeadh e a null air talamli a nabaidh nach Bheurla. robh fathast ullamh de bhuain. An uair sin Gheibh sinn seann eachdraidh ag aithris mu theireadh e ris le facal: “Chuir mi ghobhar Chalum Cille nuair a thainig e leis an bhacach thugad! ” no ann am briathran eile— “Kinn mi ’n gnothach ort a’ buain! ” a chaidh a bhuain air gach croit. Chleachd Ghabhadh na seann daoine ris a leithid so de stri dhian a bhi eadar na buanaichean og, feuch amhailtean gu soireiteach. Cha robh ann ach co a ghearradh a’ mhaighdeann; b’e esan, no fala-dha dhaibh taobh air thaobh. ise, a bu luaithe a phosadh. Ciamar a nis a dh’ eirich a’ bheachd so, no Dheante ceithir bhadan de na diasan, an ann aig na Gaidheil a mhain, a gheibhear i? rachadh bad a chuir cas mu seach air bad, air Thug sinn cheana fa-near gu robh treubhan cumadh ceithir-chearnach, agus stiomannan araidh bho chian a’ creidsinn ann an spiorad boidheach air dath gorm, no dearg, ’gan an arbhair. Bha na Gearmailtich, na ceangal ri cheile. Mar bu trice, b’e na diasan Babharianaieh, muinntir Lochlan, Phrussia bu truime sil a rachadh a thaghadh. agus Shitserland de’n bharail gun robh an Bhadar an sin ’ga crochadh air tarung os cionn spiorad ud gu minig a’ dol ann an riochd sgeilp an luidheir, far an robh i ri fagail a’ gobhair. Nam fasadh neach tinn a muigh a’ chuid eile de’n uine gus an rachadh an ath buain ann am Prussia, theirte mu dheidh: mhaighdean a chuir suas ’n a h-aite. “Thug a’ ghobhar utag dha!’’ Cha robh deagh shealbh nach robh Theireadh iad gur e a dh’ fhag a’ ghobhar ceangailte ris a’ Mhaighdein Bhuana. bacach, gun deach an spiorad a bha i Chumadh i ma b’ fhior buidsichean, ’riochdachadh a leon leis a’ chorran, no an sithichean, ’us iomadh ole eile air falbh bho’n speal, agus nuair a bha arbhar an dara croit dachaidh anns am biodh i. Chunnaic mi fhin gu leir air a ghearradh, gun robh a’ ghobhar a’ chruinneag rathail so, ann an Eilein a’ Cheo, a’ deanamh gu grad air barr na croit eile a cha b’ ann aon uair ach iomadh uair. bha fathast gun bhuain, gu bhi faighinn Ann an aiteachan de’n Ghaidhealtachd, fasgaidh agus biadh an sud. bhiodh cuirm chiuil aca an oidhche a bheirte Nuair a rachadh toradh na talmhainn uile dhachaidh a’ Mhaighdeann. Air ceann gach a chuir do’n iodhlainn, mheasadh daoine gun deoch-slainte, dh’ fheumte te shonraichte ol robh iad airidh an latha sin, air an tirbhuan— do’n te uasail, bhuadhmhor mun do chuireadh soitheach math lan de uachdar air a am fleadhachas air bhonn. mheasgadh le min chorea. B’e so aon de na Bu chleachdadh leotha a bhi ’bristeadh suas laithean sonraichte de’n bhliadhna anns an an Fhoghair ann an coig earrannan: Lunasdal, dleasadh luchd obrach stapag mhor uachdair. An luchar, Feill Moire, Latha Feill Roid, agus Is e fior chrabhadh, a rithisd, a bu an Fheill Micheil, ach do bhrigh ’s gum bheil bhunachas do’n tirbhuana. Cha’n fhiosrach na h-uireid de iomradh air a cheud cheithir mi gun robh duthaich air feadh na Roinn cheana air sgial, bheir sinn seachad na’s aithne Eorpa, anns nach robhas a’ deanamh min de dhuinn mu Latha Feill Micheil.. na sguaban corca mu dheireadh a rinn iad a Mar bu trice, bhiodh obair an Fhoghair gu bhuain. Dh’ fheumte a’ chuid ud de’n mhin leir ullamh mu Latha Feill Micheil agus bha ithe mar shacramaid, mar a bh’air a dheanamh e air a chuir air leith airson cleasan agus air an stapaig, anns an Eilein Sgitheanach. sugradh. Cha b’e so a’ cheud ainm a bha air An ionadan eile rachadh bonnach fhuine an latha idir. agus ithe. Mar sin bha iad gu samhlachail Is ann an deidh do’n chreideamh ag ithe spiorad an arbhair, a chum a bhi Chriosdail tighinn do’n aite, a fhuair e an ’cumail co-chomuinn ris, ni a bh’ air a mheas t-ainm Latha Feill Micheil. Roimhe sud ’s e ro eifeachdach. Latha na h-Odaidh, no Latha na h-Odainn, a Cha’n aithne dhomh gu robh duthaich air theirte ris. uachdar an t-saoghail anns nach robh an Air Latha Feill Micheil, bha e na luchd aiteachaidh ag gabhail de cheud chleachdadh aig sluagh an aite cruinneachadh thoradh na talmhainn mar shacramaid, oir air an traigh, ma bha gaineamh chomhnard b’e am beachd gun robh an spiorad, no an dia, oirre. An sin, theannadh iad air ruith reis, a’ an lathair anns an bhiadh. marcachd nan each ri taobh nan tonn ’s a’ Ann an aiteachan, ’s e cruithneachd, no criochnachadh le bhi dol a mach am beul na peasair, no rice, no measan bu tirbhuan mara cho fad’ ’s a rachadh an t-each agus a’ dhaibh, a reir gu de bu toradh do’n tir. stialladh an uisge le slatan feamainn. Cha robh cearn de’n Ghaidhealtachd anns Air cul gach fleasgaich, bhiodh a leannan nach faighte iomradh air a’ Mhaighdeann ’n a suidhe. Cha robh diollaid, srian no Bhuana, no dachaidh anns nach robhas ’ga brangas, air aon de na h-eich, ach gadag a cuir air ghleus le othail is greadhnachas nach mhain an lamh a mharcaich a’ stiuireadh a’ bu bheag. Faodaidh gun abair iomadh neach bheathaich. an diugh: “Ach co ise, no cia as di?’’ Is ann Gheibheadh an fheadhainn a dheanadh gu a chaidh a’ mhuirneag so a dheanamh de math anns an t-stri, bho na caileagan, lan duirn de na diasan arbhair mu dheireadh cnebiltean ioma dathach, a rinn iad fein fliighe airson an aobhair. Rheireadh na ghiulaineadh esan urram an tuathanaich a gillean dhaibhsan sgianan, no sporain, mar b’fhearr a’ bhliadhna sin. thiodhlac. B’ainneamh eilein, ma bba aon idir aim, amis nach robh marcachd nan each a’ del air adhart air Latha Feill Mhicheil. Am Ministear’s an t-Amadan Chan ’eil teagamh nach ann bho na Loch- Ri am mo sheanair bha mar bu trice leth- lannaich a thugadh an cleachdadh nuair a chiallach, no amadan, ri fhaotainn a’ dol bha na h-Eileanan an iar fo an riaghladh. B’e mu’n cuairt anns gach sgireachd. Bha an Odin priomh dhia nan Lochlannach, agus ta roinn fhein dliiu ’sa’ Mharbhairne ghleannach, e gle choltach gun robh an latha so air a agus aon diu neach ris an goirteadh Tearlach choisrigeadh airson aoraidh dha. A reir Pharuig. Rugadh agus thogadh Tearlach beachd a luchd leanmhuinn, bha uachdaran- ann an eilean beag an Loch Suaineard achd aige air muir agus talamh. B’e an do ’m b’ ainm Orasa. Chuir e greis de a dleasnas mar sin, a bhi a’ cruinneachadh an bheatha seachad ’na mharaiche, gus an d’ deireadh na bliadhna, nuair a thaisgeadh iad fhas e cho neonach ’s nach robh e comasach toradh na talmhainn, gu bhi ’toirt air ’aran laitheil a chosnadh ’san doigh seo. buidheachais dha air an traigh. Thoisich e an sin air dol mu’n cuairt bho aite An deidh do’n chreideamh Chriosdail gu aite anns na Garbh-chriochan. tighinn, thug an sluagh an t-urram so do Aig an am seo b’e am Fior-Urramach Iain Mhicheil, an aite Odin, agus a thaobh ’s gu MacLeoid, “ Am Ministear Mor,” mar robh a’ mhuir a nis fo churam-san, thugadh theirte, a bha ’sa’ Mharbhairne. Bhitheadh e ’ainm air an latha. fhein is Tearlach a’ tachairt gu trie agus Chuala mi an toiseach mun Odainn, is mi turus a bha seo thainig e an inntinn a’ air cheilidh air seann mhinistear Sgitheanach Mhinisteir feuchainn ri cuideachadh fhaotainn nach maireann. Thachair esan, nuair a bha e do Thearlach bho ’n “Mariners’ Society.’’ gle og, ri seann duine a mhuinntir Uibhist, Le seo ’san amharc thoisich e air a aig an robh deagh chuimhne air an Odainn cheasnachadh mu thimchioll soithichean air (no an Odaidh) fhaicinn an tus a latha. an robh e agus na sgiobairean a bh’ orra. Dh’ fhaodadh gum bheil cairdeas fad’ as aig Bha e’ faighinn air adhart gasda, gus an do Odaidh ris an fhacal Lochlannaich ota, sabaid chuir e a’ cheist, “De an long mu dheireadh no cath. Nach eil an aon bhrigh ann an ainm air an robh thu, agus c’ainm a bheir an an de Odin, a ta gu litireil a’ ciallachadh— sgiobair?” ’S e an fheagairt a fhuair e, ceannsalach ’n a fheirg ’s ’n a chorruich. “Tha e soilleir gu leoir gur sibhse as fhaide Co-dhiu, ta mi fein gu laidir de’n bharail ’s na casan, agus tha mi cinnteach gur sibh gur ann an urram do’n dia Lochlannaich a as fhaide ’sa’ cheann cuideachd, ’s mar sin thoisich marcachd na h-Odaidh (no Odainn) faodaidh sibh fhaotainn a mach.” ’us gur ann bho chrabhadh a dh’eirich e. Mur Cha deach MacLeoid na b’ fhaide agus cha a b’ann, carson a bha an Fheill Micheil air d’ fhuair Tearlach aon sgillinn. a cumail air an dearbh latha so? Ta fios aig Taobh-tuath Earraghaidheal. na h-uile gun robh e ’na abhaist aig Calum Cille, ’s an fheadhainn eile a thug an creideamh Criosdail do Alba, a bhi ag A Tribute atharrachadh ainmean nan laithean, feille a Those who were privileged to know Miss bh’ air an ainmeachadh air dee nan cinneach, C. M. Macpherson would learn with much gu ainmean nan naomh Chriosdail. regret of her untimely passing last month. Fadheoidh, nach leor an dearbhadh gun robh During the war years she served in An an Odaidh air a meas ’n a gniomh naomh n’ar Comunn office, assisting in the day-to-day a b’e so an aon latha de’n bhliadhna, anns work and in the charity efforts on which, at an robh e laghail gu leoir do neach each a that time, An Comunn was so much engaged. nabaidh a thoirt leis gun chead gun To all her undertakings she brought sincerity fhoighneachd, agus a mharcachd, ach aig of purpose and organising ability, and her crioch a choimhliongaidh, dh’ fheumadh e an enthusiasm and tireless energy contributed in t-ainmhidh a thilleadh gu a shealbhadair, gun no small measure to the success of many a dochann gun chioram. function. Of sterling quality, Miss Macpher- An oidhche rachadh crioch air buain a’ son worked hard for the cause — An Comunn bhuntata ’s an bhaile, chruinnicheadh na and all it stands for was ever near her heart. bodaich air cheilidh, gach aon diubh a’ Those who knew her respected her and those giulain ’n a phocaid am buntata bu mhotha who knew her well admired and loved her. a thachair ris ’s an gheadhail. Am fear de na Sympathy is extended to her relatives and chuideachd aig an robh am buntata a b’fhearr, friends in their grievous loss. M. S. Y. our Scottish Universities who have all agreed Opening of National Mod to assist with this project. The long list of Gaelic publications since the establishment of An Comunn, and Part of President's Address especially within recent years, bears witness This is the tenth occasion on which the to the favourable and sympathetic climate that [ Mod has come to Oban, the place of its has been created for Gaelic matters. This I origin. Despite the decline in the census encouraging state of affairs is to a large extent 1 figures, a gratifying feature of this year’s Mod due to An Comunn’s exertions to have Gaelic I is that the total entry of 1,601 is higher than fully recognised as a school subject. This was [ at any previous Mod held in this town, and accomplished in 1918, after many years’ I exceeds the figures for the Jubilee Mod of nine striving. I years ago by 165. A further development is now taking place, That, of course, is most satisfactory, and and we in An Comunn extend our thanks to while we take encouragement from this Dr. John MacLean, Director of Education for evidence of expanding interest in our affairs, Inverness-shire, and his Committee, for their we do realise that other factors have to be wisdom in ensuring that the education of our i considered if a true balance of progress has Gaelic-speaking children should begin through I to be made in such a movement as ours. the medium of Gaelic. To most people the Mod and An Comunn The results are already apparent in the are synonymous, but that is not truly the children’s progress to quicker and greater case. The Mod, which has now reached understanding. We hope that their example national status, and attracts participants from will be adopted as a general principle by the many distant parts, is but one of the agencies other Education Authorities in the Highlands. I through which An Comunn maintains its Our thanks are also due to Aberdeen , endeavours on behalf of our language. It is University for undertaking the publication of not, as is commonly believed, an entirely a new Gaelic text-book. This is the first time ’ musical festival. The fact that at this year’s that such a venture has been made by any ! Mod alone over forty per cent, of the entries of our Universities. ' in the Junior Section will take part in the The scheme for instituting Gaelic libraries | oral competitions is indicative of the desire of in schools is a new and significant contribution 1 our youth to become proficient in the language. by our Northern Committee. The authorities The main purpose of An Comunn has been, in Inverness-shire, Ross-shire and Sutherland i ^ and still remains, “ the teaching and use of are co-operating, and several of these school the Gaelic language.” From the very libraries have already been established. By- [ beginning that has remained our principal means of this scheme there will be a new and [ objective. At the first meeting of the original increasing demand for Gaelic literature for Executive Council, and that was before the both children and adult readers. The money i first Mod, it was agreed that one of the main to inaugurate the scheme was provided by the I essentials was to provide a suitable text-book branches in the area, and its continuance must i for the teaching of Gaelic in schools. And be ensured by all of us giving our fullest I Gaelic was then merely a permissible subject. support. The importance An Comunn attached to So the Mod is but one factor, and a very '•) this, its first venture, can be realised when important one, in An Comunn’s efforts to i the book, ‘‘Gaelic as a Specific Subject,” was stimulate a greater interest in our Gaelic i 1 prepared and published within the short language. It is through the Mod that we ' space of nine months. Since then An derive our income to prosecute our many L Comunn has issued a steady stream of text- other activities, and we have every right to i books suitable for all grades of instruction be proud of what it has achieved. To mention i from the elementary to the highest stages of one aspect only, there was not a single Gaelic ' learning. This work continues, and a further choir in the Highland area prior to the [ issue of illustrated readers has been made inception of An Comunn. This week twenty- ’ available recently to meet the increasing six Junior Choirs and thirty-three Senior | demand from the schools. Choirs will compete in Oban. To be added The proposal for a new and comprehensive there is the large number that take part in dictionary received immediate approval and a the Provincial Mods throughout the Highland [ Committee has been appointed to proceed with area. the work. We are grateful to the senior We cannot say that all is as it should be j | representatives of the Celtic Departments in in Gaeldom. The future is uncertain. The already inadequate transport service is under Edinburgh International Festival of Music threat of curtailment. We are glad to have and Drama. The success of our Ceilidhs and the assurance from the Secretary of State concerts and the widespread interest they that the transport services will not be impaired. create, support the idea that visitors to our Should that happen, the Highlands will be country and especially to the Highlands should rendered still more isolated and still further have an opportunity of hearing and seeing removed from the point of recovery. If the something of our traditional culture. railways close, the question which must be In all the sports that are referred to, no answered is — will the narrow roads in the mention is made of the attractiveness, the Highlands be able to maintain the essential excitement and the skill of shinty, the ancient needs of the people? The neglect of the past and traditional sport of the Gael, as some- adds its burden to the present, and that neglect thing that should be seen and experienced. is now seriously menacing the future. We, in An Comunn, realise — as one of our There is an enterprise now afoot to organise former Presidents said on such an occasion as . the many Scottish Societies at home and this: -— abroad to promote the marketing of traditional “In any reconstruction of social life which Scottish homeland products in world centres takes place in the Highlands, it will be the of trade. This organisation has moved beyond business of An Comunn to see to it that the preliminary stage, and I am glad to say the non-material, the impalpable, the that there is a consciousness of the value of spiritual interest for which it stands, shall Gaelic among the promoters and the need to be duly conserved and fostered.” maintain it is realised by their resolve to To-day we unveiled a Plaque to manifest encourage the native industries of Gaeldom. publicly our regard and indebtedness to the This organisation will be known as Enterprise founders of our movement. It has been my Scotland. May prosperity attend its efforts good fortune to have known three of them on behalf of our people. intimately. I am sure that in the simple The tourist industry also gives some ceremony we were drawn very close to the assurance for the future. It is now one of our important events in our history. It is proper most lucrative industries. We know that in that we should remember them, but to do so the peace, the quiet and the solitude of the in itself is not sufficient. Appropriate as it is, Highlands, the tired and jaded city and town it can only be an empty gesture to amend an dwellers will find ease and solace. ^But these omission unless we pledge ourselves to follow simple amenities can be found in the silent the founders’ example and be worthy always and empty places of which there are plenty. of our responsibilities to our language and Full enjoyment requires much more. It needs our race. No less is expected of us and to the presence of men and women who will give that we must remain true. a welcome and manifest a way of life that Industry and material prosperity may be makes for a new and happy experience for necessary, as indeed they are, but they in the visitors. In the pamphlet, “Scotland for themselves will not save the language. To the Tourist,” published by the Bow Group in do so we must match the founders’ deter- Edinburgh, it says: “One way of bringing mination with our own. The encouragement tourists to a place is by offering an organised of youth must be our aim. We must go programme of culture or sport which will forward boldly and with conviction. If we do attract visitors for its sake alone.” that, and only by doing that, shall we ensure! An Comunn has long been aware of this for Gaelic its rightful place in the homes, the necessity and has offered its assistance. It is schools and in the worship of our people. well equipped to give the strangers what they seek to make their sojourn in our midst a memory that shall be pleasant to dwell upon. With our Ceilidhs we can provide entertain- Treasurer’s Notes ments, such as are now being emphasised, as one of the examples that should be provided. Magazine Fund By such social gatherings where all meet and Previously acknowledged ... £8 11 6 get to know each other, we are maintaining Alexander Macaulay, Esq., Fife — 5 — our language and our culture where it is vital T. MacGregor Jamieson, jun., Esq., to do so. Knowing the value and the import- HectorEdinburgh McFadyen, Esq., New York — 1017 —6 ance of this co-operation, An Comunn has Neil Carruthers, Esq., New Zealand — 7 — already offered its assistance. Gaelic seems to Rev. H. C. Donaldson, Edinburgh — 5 — be well established officially as part of the £10 16 0 Mod Prize-List An Comunn Gaidhealach Trophy for the most LITERARY COMPETITIONS outstandingMacKechnie, articleBunessan. in Sections A-E—Alasdair Adjudicators—Rev. T. M. Murchison, M.A.; Junior Section F.E.I.S.;John MacKay, Donald M.A.; A.James MacDonald, Thomson, M.A.;M.A., Section “F”—(1) Handkerchief sachet em- Donald Grant, M.A., B.A., Ed.B.; Finlay Academy,broidered inAlloa; Celtic Design—1,2, Christine Sandra MacPherson, Hay, The L.R.A.M.MacNeill, M.A.; John A. MacRae, M.A., Achtercairn School; 3, Kay Murray, The Junior Section plants)—1,Academy, WilliamAlloa. Cassidy,(2) Wooden Glenwood stand Secondary for pot Solomon.Group “D”—GaelicBoys—1, John essayMacSween, on theLeverhulme life of School; 2, Rene Gordon, Glenwood Secondary Memorial J.S. School; 2, Donald Angus Mac- School.School; 3, Neil Mackay, Glenwood Secondary Vicar,1, Marion Leverhulme Maclennan, Memorial Leverhulme J.S. School. Memorial Girls— J.S. Section “G”—fl) All-wool knitted slippers—1, School; 2, Sheila Macdonald, Leverhulme KeninaChristine MacPherson,Chisholm, AchtercairnAchtercairn School;School; 2,3, MemorialGroup “E”—Gaelic J.S. School. essay on a local personality, Valerie Parrot, Woodside Secondary School. (2) a local incident, or a place of historical Anywood articleSecondary in School;wire—1, 2, JohnAndrew Sheddon, Leven, Glen- interest—1,Institute; 2, DonaldNorma E. Maciver,Meek, Cornaigmore The Nicolson J.S. wood Secondary School; 3, Roddy MacKenzie, School; 3, Alex. Gunn, Cornaigmore J.S. School. AchtercairnSilver Cup Secondary for the best School. exhibit in Sections F Senior Section and G—Christine Chisholm, Achtercairn School. andThe The Earl Miss and Millar Countess Weir Goldof Cassillis Medal Silverfor highest Cup TUESDAY Maryaggregate Macleod, marks Contin. in Literary Competitions—Mrs. Junior Section Poem on any subject (Ailsa Trophy. Gold ORAL DELIVERY Medal presented by the Glasgow Lewis and Adjudicator—Donald A. MacDonald, M.A. ston;Harris 2,Association)—1, Hugh McLachlan, Angus Glasgow. Maclnnes, Clark- Short Story: The Hugh MacCorquodale Kennedy,Reading CornaigmoreProse (Fluent) J.S. (12-16)School; — 1,2, MoragNancy Contin.(Fingal) LongMemorial Story: Prize—Mrs Prize presented Mary Macleod,by the MacDonald, Cornaigmore J.S. School; 3, Morag Gaelic Society of Glasgow—Miss Danina Langley, McLarty,Morrison, ObanGreenock High HighSchool; School; 5, Marion 4, MairiMac- Tiree.Play: Founders’ Memorial Prize presented by Gillivray, Woodside Sec. School. Ceilidh nan Gaidheal, Glasgow — Donald U. 1, ReadingDonald MacLennan,Prose (Fluent)—^Children Calgary; 2, Catriona under Mac-12— Johnston,Essay onGlasgow. any subject—Mrs. Mary Macleod, Fadyen, Kerrera; 3, Morag MacFadyen, Kerrera. Contin. PlocktonNarrative Sec. — School; Fluent—1, 2, John Elizabeth MacDonald, Nicolson, Oban Newtonmore.Songs for children—Mrs. Margaret MacLean, High School; 3, Morag MacDonald, Cornaigmore J.S.Reciting School. from memory (under 18)—1, John ART AND INDUSTRY MacDonald, Oban High School; 2, Mairi Adjudicators—Miss Margaret Rodden, Andrew Morrison, Oban High School; 3, Donald Mac- Nairn, James T. Paterson. Gillivray,Conversation Oban (underHigh School.18)—1, John MacDonald, Senior Section ObanHigh HighSchool; School; 3, Mairi2, Moira Morrison, MacDiarmid, Oban ObanHigh Section “A”—Home Industries. (1) Shoulder School. shawl in two-ply Shetland lace wool—1, Miss 2, Verse-speaking—1,Oban High School Greenock“A”; 3, ObanHigh HighSchool School “A”; ElizabethCampbell, Bonhill.MacRae, (2)Golspie; Wool doormat—1,2, Miss Ann Murdo L. Macdonald, Stirling; 2, Mrs. Agnes R. Macinnes, Adjudicator—Lachlan MacKinnon, B.E.M., M.A., Bunessan.Section “B” — Design — Mrs. Mary Keeps, F.E.I.S. Stirling; 2, Mrs.,r Margaret McLean, Newtonmore. sentedReciting by thefrom Cruachan memory —Branch)—1, Fluent (Prizes Elizabeth pre- sideSection lamp “Cin —Handcraft.Celtic Design—1, (1) ShadeMrs. Macphail,for bed- Nicolson, Plockton Sec. School; 2, Nancy Connel; 2, Miss Katie MacDougall, Tobermory. Kennedy,MacDonald, Cornaigmore Oban High School.J.S. School; 3, John from(2) Ladle, a block scoop ofor wood—Alasdairsimilar article made MacKechnie, by hand Conversation — Fluent — 1, John MacDonald, Bunessan. ObanCornaigmore High J.S.School; School. 2, Morag MacDonald, Design—1,Section “D”—Trolley Miss Elizabeth Set embroidered MacRae, inGolspie; Celtic Reading at sight—Fluent—1, John MacDonald, 2, Mrs. Macphail, Connel; 3, Miss Katie Mac- ObanHigh School;High School; 3, Ethne 2, Nicholson,Moira MacDiarmid, Greenock ObanHigh Dougall,Section Tobermory.“E” — Shepherd’s crook or walking School; 4, Mairi Morrison, Oban High School; stick—1, Allister Campbell, Tarbert, Argyll; 2, 5, Rev.Morag George MacDonald, W. MacKay, Cornaigmore D.D., Memorial J.S. School. Cup Campbell,John McKendrick, Tarbert, Argyll.Campbeltown; 3, Allister for the highest aggregate marks in Oral Com- — 129 — petitionsSchool. (Fluent)—John MacDonald, Oban High Learners)—1,Solo singing ofMargaret “ Chi mi McCulloch,bhuam ” (Girls Ayr; 14-16, 2, Adjudicator1—Alex. J. MacAskill, M.A. Barbara Davidson, Oban High School; 3, Leslie Reading—Learners (12-16)—1 (equal), Mairi Paterson, Ayr. Sandeman, Ardeonaig, Mary R. Davies, Troon; AdjudicatorsMusic—Dr. — Herbert Gaelic Wiseman.— Neil MacLeod, M.A. 32, (equal),Elizabeth Ishbel MacIntyre, M. Brown, Rockfield Port Charlotte,School; Solo singing of “ M’ionam air a’ ghille bheag ” DavidDuncan MacLeod, Brown, ObanOban HighHigh School,School; Fay 4 C.(equal), Mac- 2,(Girls Constance 12-14)—1, A. MacRae,Norma KyleMacLean, of Lochalsh; Jordanhill; 3, Kenzie,Mairi MacCallum, Oban, Farquhar Oban HighMacGregor, School. Kyle; 5, LindaSolo Taylor,singing Caberfeidh of “ Cronan Choir. Charsaig ” (Girls Kerrera;Reading—Learners 2, William Macphail, (under 12)—1,Calgary; Ian 3 (equal),Greig, Alisonunder 12)—1,Tough, AnneInveraray Maciver, Grammar Shawlands; School; 2,3, Dervaig;Iona Macdonald, 4, Ross McKay,Glasgow, Glasgow. Patricia Crawford, CatherineAlexander Park, Hamilton Strontian. Trophy for the highest MalcolmReciting Laurie,from memory—LearnersLochaline; 2, Ross (Boys)—1, McKay, 24bmark — in(equal) Gaelic Margaret in Competitions McCulloch, 23, Ayr; 24a Leslie and Glasgow;Reciting 3,from Ian Greig,memory—Learners Kerrera. (Girls)—1, Davidson,Paterson, Ayr;Oban SandraHigh School. Gardner, Ayr; Barbara Isobel M. MacKenzie, Lochaline; 2, Sandra Adjudicators — Gaelic — Rev. Hector MacLean, Lochaline.MacKenzie, Lochaline; 3, Linda Livingstone, M.A. Music—J. Gilmour Barr. Adjudicator—Rev. John A. MacDonald, M.A. “ FhirUnison a dh’ithsinging am bonnachof “ Soraidh mor,” “do Tha Mhuile,” toll air Brown,Reciting Port from Charlotte; memory—Learners—1, 2, Mary R. Davies, Ishbel Troon; M. Fluent—1,a’ bhata mhor Glasgow ” (Mrs. Gaelic Campbell Musical Blair Association Trophy)— 3, Reading—Learners—1,Mairi Sandeman, Ardeonaig. David Macleod, Oban JuniorThe Angus Choir; M. Ross2, GovanTrophy Juniorfor the highestGaelic marksChoir. HighSchool; School; 3, Mairi 2, MargaretC. B. Macintyre, Campbell, Glasgow; Oban High 4, Juniorin Gaelic—Glasgow Choir. Gaelic Musical Association FarquharOban High MacGregor, School. Kyle; 5, Mairi MacCallum, dhuthchaChoral ”singing and “ Tirof “nam An GaidhealBeann Ard’ a’ ”fagail (Oban a INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC Times Challenge Trophy)—1, Glasgow Gaelic Adjudicator—Mrs. Claire Kelday. SchoolMusical GaelicAssociation Choir. JuniorMrs. Choir;Hobbs 2,of ObanInverlochy High Playing a slow Gaelic Air and March on the GlasgowTrophy forGaelic highest Musical marks Association in Gaelic—(equal) Junior Choir Janpianoforte—1, MacKenzie, Andrew Loth; J. Sutherland,3, Derek Brora;Whyte, 2, and Oban High School Gaelic Choir. Kingussie. BeatonDuet singing,and Morag own McLure, choice—Fluent—1, Glasgow; 2,Katie Morag A. Kilt(Margaret Pin presented Hill-Boyle by Mrs.Memorial J. M. B.Trophy MacLean.) and MacFadyen and Iain MacFadyen, Kerrera. VOCAL MUSIC Adjudicator—Gaelic—Rev.M.A. John A. MacDonald, Duet singing, own choice—Learners—1, Kath- AdjudicatorsM.A. Music—Maurice — Gaelic — Rev. Jacobson. Hector MacLean, leen Mooney and Margaret McCulloch, Ayr; 2, Solo singing of an unpublished song—Fluent— WoodsideChristine Sec.MacLean School. and Catriona MacLean, I.1. M.Mary MacLeod, C. MacLean, Peterhead; Castlebay; 3, Ethne 2, Nicholson,Margaret Greenock High School. AdjudicatorsB.E.M., M.A., —- GaelicF.E.I.S. — LachlanMusic—Dr. MacKinnon, Herbert SilverSolo Medalsinging Competition—1,of “ Taladh PhabailMargaret ” (Girls).I. M. Wiseman. MacLeod, Peterhead; 2, Christina A. MacLean, “ ’SUnison ann ansinging He,” “ ofDomhnall “ Duanag beag an ant-seoladair,” t-siucair ” Glasgow;Solo singing 3, Morag of McLure,“ Moch Glasgow.Di-luain ” (Boys), (Rhcna MacVicar Trophy) — Learners — 1, Ayr Silver Medal Competition—1, Murdo J. Mac- JuniorGaelic Choir.Gaelic Choir; 2, Greenock High School donald,3, Ian Kennedy, Glasgow; Tobermory.2, Duncan MacRae, Lochaline; Action song (Shiant Shield) — 1, Kildalton Silver Cup, presented by Mrs. Helmut Schroder JuniorGaelic GaelicChoir andChoir; Contin 2 (equal), Junior Bowmore Group. Junior ofGaelic Dunlossit, in Silver Islay, Medal for Competitions—Murdothe highest marks inJ. Macdonald, Glasgow. Adjudicators'—Gaelic—Alex.Music—Maurice Jacobson. J. MacAskill, M.A. Solo singing, own choice (Boys and Girls Choral singing of “ Am bothan beag ” and Rhona16-18)—1, C. AnneMacKay, Gillies, Clarkston; Oban High3, DougalSchool; G.2, “ Leis an lurgainn ” — Learners (Mrs. Millar Campbell, Cromdale. 2,Trophy)—!, Ayr Junior Greenock Gaelic HighChoir. School The GaelicDugald Choir;Mac- Adjudicators—Gaelic—Dr.Music—J. Gilmour Barr. Annie M. MacKenzie. donald Quaich for the highest marks in Gaelic— GreenockSolo singing, High Schoolown choice Gaelic (Boys Choir. and Girls) Learners)—!,Solo singing Williamof “ Am McBride,Bata Rannach Dunoon; ” (Boys, 2, Former 1st Prize-winners — Skelmorlie and Alistair Stewart, Kinloch Rannoch; 3 (equal), C.District McLean, Highland Castlebay; Association 2, Morag Quaich M. —1, Mackay, Mary StanleyAberfeldy. Munro, Evanton, Willie Crerar, Clarkston; 3, Morag McLure, Glasgow. — 130 — WEDNESDAY Adjudicators—Gaelic—Alex.Music—J. Gilmour Barr. J. MacAskill; M.A. Adjudicators'—Gaelic—Alex.Music—Dr. Herbert Wiseman. J. MacAskill, M.A. Solo singing of “ Chi mi na mor-bheanna ” or Solo singing of “ Fagail Liosmor ” (Ladies)— “ Cumha nan gillean ” (Gold Medal and Prizes Learners—1, Morven N. MacKenzie, Aberdeen; Association)—1,presented by theJanet Glasgow A. Macdonald, Oban andLochs; Lorn 2, Rae,2, Alrod Kyle Macleod, of Lochalsh. Bowmore; 3, Margaret Mac- Mabel Kennedy, Glasgow. Rowing songs (Men)—Learners—1, Hector M. AdjudicatorsMusic—Dr. — Herbert Gaelic —Wiseman. Neil MacLeod, M.A. Burnett, Ardrishaig; 2, Brian McD. Duxbury, Solo singing of a song (own choice) from any Kincraig,London; 3and (equal), John McKendrick,Donald A. Campbeltown.MacDougall, of the Kennedy-Fraser collections (Prizes in Solo singing of an unpublished song (Mull and MacLeod,memory ofBowmore; Mrs. Kennedy-Fraser) 2, Sheila A. —McDougall, 1, Alrod Rae,Iona Kyle;Association 2, Anne Prizes)—1, MacLean, RonaldOban. H. Mac- Bearsden. Adjudicators—Gaelic—Dr. Annie M. MacKenzie. Learners’ Final Competition Music—J. Gilmour Barr. AdjudicatorsM.A., and — GaelicLachlan — DonaldMacKinnon, A. MacDonald, B.E.M., TheThe Bessie Oran CampbellMor (Men), Memorial “ Blar Prizes,na h-Eiphit.” F. S. M.A., F.E.I.S. Music—Dr. Herbert Wiseman. Cameron-Head Memorial Trophy—1, George T. EileanachSolo singing ” (Ladies) of “ Thugand “ miGhruagach mo lamh dhonn do’n ” 3,MacCallum, Angus M. Glasgow;Ruthven, 2,Melvich. Iain Thomson, Giffnock; (Men), and a song of own choice. The late Adjudicator—Gaelic—Rev. John A. Macdonald, Mr. Charles Campbell, M.B.E., Memorial Prize M.A. each(£1 10/-)section awarded (Silver toPendants the first for prize-winner the lady and in Solo singing of “ Oigfhear a’ chuil-dualaich ” gentleman gaining the highest marks in the (Ladies) — James Grant Memorial Prizes — 1, 2,series)—Ladiesi—1, Frances M. D Catriona. Mathews, M. Ayr.Fair, Lochgair;Men—1, Bearsden;Anne Gillies, 3, MargaretOban; 2,A. Sheila MacKinnon, A. MacDougall, Brora. Duncan Johnston, Oban; 2, Brian McD. Duxbury, Adjudicators — Gaelic — Neil MacLeod, M.A. London. Music—Maurice Jacobson. Fair,Finals Lochgair; (Learners) 2, Frances — Ladies—1, M. D. Mathews, Catriona Ayr; M. Solo singing of “ Eilidh ” (Men)—Learners—1, 3, Deirdre S. C. MacLeish, Perth. Men—1, DuncanBonar Bridge; Johnston, 3, Hector Oban; M. Burnett,2, Argo Ardrishaig.Cameron, London;Duncan Johnston,3, Hector Oban; M. Burnett,2, Brian Ardrishaig.McD. Duxbury, FrancesWaulking M. D.Songs Mathews, (Ladies) Ayr; —2, LearnersDeirdre S.— C.1, THURSDAY Golspie,MacLeish, and Perth; Helen 3H. (equal),D. Taylor, Jean Greenock. Sutherland, Senior Section Solo singing, own choice (The Mrs. Quintin ORAL DELIVERY Daviot;MacLennan 2, RuthPrizes) M. Cameron,— 1, William Glenshee. McIntosh, Adjudicator—Donald A. MacDonald, M.A. Adjudicators — Gaelic and Music — Donald A. AssociationGold Medal for presentedhighest aggregate by the marksGlasgow in SkyeOral B.E.M.,MacDonald, M.A., M.A., F.E.I.S. and Lachlan MacKinnon, Competitions — Fluent — Mary M. Macleod, Folk Songs (Scotia Trophy)—1, Ann Campbell, Barvas.Reciting from memory, “ Luach na saorsa ”— Glasgow;and Anne 2Gillies, (equal), Oban. Mary Macdonald, Dingwall, 1, Mary M. Macleod, Barvas; 2, Kenneth D. Solo Port-a-beul (Duncan Johnston Memorial Smith, Stornoway. Trophy)—1, Hugh Lamont, Pennyghael; 2, 1, RecitingMary M. fromMacleod, memory, Barvas; “ MacAsgaill 2, Hugh Lamont,Mor ”— Duncan MacCalman, Port Ellen. Pennyghael.Reading at sight—1, Mary M. Macleod, Barvas; AdjudicatorsM.A. Music—J. — Gaelic Gilmour — Rev. Barr.Hector MacLean, 2, Danina Langley, Tiree. Adjudicator—Lachlan MacKinnon, B.E.M., M.A., MhicGriogair”The Oran Mor — The (Ladies)—“ Jessie CumhaN. MacLachlan Ghriogair F.E.I.S. DundeeMemorial Highland Prizes, SocietyTrophy in memorypresented of Mr.by andthe petitorRecitation (Calum of PoetryMacfarlane composed Memorial by thePrize)— com- AnneMrs. C.Archibald Gurney, Prestwick;MacDonald, 2 (equal),Longf organ Sheila — A.1, 1, FolkDonald Tales A. MacNeill,(Anglo-Chilean Colonsay. Trophy)—1, Hugh Stornoway;McDougall, Bearsden,3 (equal), andJoan Margaret C. MacNeill, Hulse, Lochgilphead.Lamont, Pennyghael; 2, Isa A. McIntyre, Stornoway.Colonsay, Anne Gillies, Oban, and Sandra Watt, CoronationDialogue by1937 two Trophy)—!, performers C. (Queen L. Christie Elizabeth and Adjudicator—Gaelic—Rev. John A. Macdonald, Neil MacLeod, Oban; 2, Alasdair Macphail and M.A. Donellaand A. J.Murray, MacLean, Glasgow; Inverness. 3, D. A. Morrison (Men)—(TheSolo singing L./Cpl. of “ MoLachlan chruinneag MacLean Reach Watt ” Adjudicator — Rev. Hector MacLean, M.A. Memorial Prizes) — 1, D. Raibeart McCallum, Dr. John Cameron Memorial Trophy for burgh;Campbeltown; 3, David 2, C.Murdo MacBride, F. J. Glasgow.MacLeod, Edin- Learners—Kennethhighest aggregate marks Ross, inStrathpeffer. Oral Competitions— — 131 — Reciting from memory, “ Uaimh an oir”*—1, FRIDAY Ross,Cona M.Strathpeffer, MacLean, andGlasgow; Anne 2Bone, (equal), Glasgow. Kenneth DUET AND INSTRUMENTAL Recitation of Prose, own choice—1, Kenneth Adjudicators—Gaelic—Rev. John A. MacDonald, Kilmarnock,Ross, Strathpeffer; and Cona 2 (equal), M. MacLean, Jessie T. Glasgow. D. Nisbet, M.A. Music—Dr. Herbert Wiseman. Reading at sight—1, Anne Bone, Glasgow; andDuet Ann singing, Maclean, own Aberdeen; choice—1, 2, CarolElspeth Galbraith Cleland M.2 (equal),Orr, Glasgow; Catherine Charlotte Carter, L.Loch Beaton, Awe; Kirkin-Fiona and Nan Boyd, Luing. tilloch;Speech—1, Kenneth Kenneth Ross, Ross, Strathpeffer. Strathpeffer; 2, Cona AdjudicatorM.A. — Gaelic — Donald A. MacDonald, M. MacLean, Glasgow. Quartette, own choice—1, Greenock Gaelic Adjudicators—Gaelic—Alex.Music—Dr. Herbert Wiseman. J. MasAskill, M.A. Choral Society; 2, Lothian Celtic Choir A. Solo singing of “ Eilean Fraoich ” (Gold Medal Adjudicator^—Mrs. Claire Kelday. and Cash Prizes presented by the Nova Scotia Co-Adjudicator—Major Archie MacNab. Association of Scottish Societies)—1, Alrod Mac- Playing of a Highland March, Strathspey and Leod,3, Hannah Bowmore; Govan, 2,Lochgilphead. Catriona M. Fair, Lochgair; Reel (bagpipe setting) on the pianoforte Geld Medal Finals (Aberdeenshire Targe)—1, Anne Bone, Glasgow; Adjudicators—Gaelic—Rev. John A. MacDonald, 2,Connel. Agnes R. Maclnnes, Bunessan; 3, Alex. Low, GilmourM.A., Neil Barr, MacLeod,Maurice Jacobson.M.A. Music — J. Adjudicator—Dr. Atholl Robertson. “ BraighSolo singing Loch-iall of ” “(Men) An t-ailleagan and a song ” (Ladies),of own ReelPlaying on ofthe a HighlandViolin (Sutherland March, Strathspey Cup) — and 1, Margaretchoice. Ladies;—1, Hulse, Stornoway, Anne Gillies, and Oban; Sheila 2 A.(equal), Mac- Ardrishaig;Farquhar MacRae, 3, Angus Inverailort; Grant, Kinlocheil. 2, David Scott, Dougall,Callum, Glasgow;Bearsden. 2, DavidMen—1, C. McBride,George Glasgow.T. Mac- violinPlaying (Mrs. of aQuintin Strathspey MacLennan and Reel Prizes)'—1, on the Competitions:Final aggregate -— marks in Gold Medal Kinlocheil.Farquhar MacRae, Inverailort; 2, Angus Grant, Ladies—1, Anne Gillies, Oban (G. 369, M. 356, Total 725); 2, Sheila A. MacDougall, Bearsden Adjudicators—Gaelic—Alex.Music—J. Gilmour Barr. J. MacAskill, M.A. Stornoway(G. 368, M. (G.352, 366, Total M. 351,720); Total3, Margaret 717). Hulse, Choral singing (Men)—Mull and Iona Shield— (G.Men—1, 369, M. 350,George Total T. 719); MacCallum, 2, David GlasgowC. Mac- Choir;1, Comunn 3, GlasgowCiuil an GaelicObain; Musical2, Greenock Association. Gaelic Bride, Glasgow (G. 363, M. 348, Total 711); 3, Adjudicator — Gaelic — Neil MacLeod, M.A. TotalMurdo 709). F. J. MacLeod, Edinburgh (G. 369, M. 340, Rural Choirs Trophy—1,Choral singingGreenock (Ladies)Gaelic Choir;— Esme 2, GlasgowSmyth AdjudicatorsKenzie, Lachlan — Gaelic MacKinnon, — Dr. Annie B.E.M., M. M.A.,Mac- Islay Gaelic Choir; 3, Comunn Ciuil an Obain. F.E.I.S. Music—J. Gilmour Barr. AdjudicatorsKenzie. Music—Maurice— Gaelic — Dr. Jacobson.Annie M. Mac- m’aireChoral ” singingand “ ofOran “ O ’sdo tu Reisimeid’s gura tu th’airEarr- Choral singing (Greenock Gaelic Choir Cup)— Ghaidheal.” Confined to Choirs from Rural Glasgow1, Campbeltown Gaelic Musical Gaelic Association Choir; 2and (equal),Govan speakersDistricts with(Lorn at Shield)least 50 — per1, Laxdalecent, of Gaelic Gaelic Choir; 3, Glasgow Islay Gaelic Choir. chomanChoir; 2,Gaelic Ballachulish Choir; 4, GaelicBcwmore Choir; Gaelic 3, Choir. Kil- Adjudicators—Gaelic—Alex. J. MacAskill, M.A., Dalriada Cup for highest marks in Gaelic— HerbertRev. Hector Wiseman, MacLean, J. Gilmour M.A. Barr.Music—Dr. LaxdaleChoir (equal). Gaelic Choir and Ballachulish Gaelic Adjudicators — Gaelic — Rev. Hector MacLean, Trophy)—1,Choral singingGovan (LovatGaelic Choir;and Tullibardine2, Comunn M.A. Music—Maurice Jacobson. CiuilChoir anand Obain; Glasgow 3 (equal), Islay GaelicCampbeltown Choir. Gaelic “ CrodhLadies’ ChaileinRural ”Choirs and — Choral“ Chluinn singing mi naof Weekly Scotsman Quaich for the highest h-eoin ” (Trophy presented by Grampian Tele- marks in Gaelic—Govan Gaelic Choir. Lochsvision Limited>—1,Ladies’ Choir; Bowmore 3, Salen Gaelic (Mull) Choir; Gaelic 2, Adjudicators—Gaelic—Dr. Annie M. MacKenzie, Choir. Music—MauriceLachlan MacKinnon, Jacobson. B.E.M., M.A., F.E.I.S. AdjudicatorsM.A. Music—Dr. •— Gaelic Herbert— Rev. Wiseman.John Macdonald, Choral singing (Margrat Duncan Memorial Choral singing of “ Muile nam fuarbheann nockTrophy)—!, Gaelic Choir;Inverness 3, LothianGaelic Choir;Celtic Choir.2, Kilmar- mcr ” and “ A’ bheairt fhighe ” (Sheriff Mac- John McNicol Memorial Trophy for the highest headMaster Gaelic Campbell Choir; Memorial 2, Lochalsh Quaich)—1, Gaelic Choir;Lochgilp- 3, marks in Gaelic and two cash prizes from John Badenoch Gaelic Choir; 4, Grantown-on-Spey DincwallMcNiccl MemorialGaelic Choir;Fund—1st 2nd PrizePrize, and Inverness Trophy, DramaticGaelic Choir; Club 5,Gaelic Benderloch Choir. and North Connel Gaelic Choir. — 132 — AN 6AIDHEAL THE GAEL Editor—DONALD GRANT, B.A., 95 MUNRO ROAD, GLASGOW, W.3, to whom all correspondence should be addressed except that concerning advertising which should he addressed to the Secretary, while Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer. 65 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, C.2 Telephone: DOUglas 1433 Leabhar LVII AN DUBHLACHD, 1962 Aireamh 12 Beatha Agus Obair ni a bha soilleir bho ’n aireamh dhiubh a bh’ Tha comharraidhean ri fhaicinn gu bheil aig a’ choinneimh bhliadhnail mu dheireadh An Comunn Gaidhealach ’ga cheasnachadh anns an Oban. ’S e comharradh fallain a tha fhein ach ciamar a tha e a’ seasamh mu chomhair feuman an lath an diugh. Nuair Chuireadh An Comunn air bonn an toiseach a their ear sin, bhitheadh e iomchaidh a bhith a chum leas na canain. Bha criochan eile air cinnteach de tha sinn a’ ciallachadh leis na an ainmeachadh — ceol is ealdhain is eideadh faclan “An Comunn Gaidhealach.” An e gu is mar sin — ach ’s i a’ chanain crioch araidh bheil buill A’ Chomuinn gu leir, no a’ chuid A’ Chomuinn. Bha iadsan a bh’ air ceann mhor dhiubh, a’ cur na ceisd seo riutha fhein? A’ Chomuinn re nam bliadhnachan deonach Theagamh gum bi buill A’ Chomuinn a’ cothrom a thoirt do na h-uile an taic a chur cur moran cheisdean riutha fhein, ceisdean ’s ris a’ phriomh-aobhar seo. Le sin ’san run docha nach toir dad de bhuannachd an cha robh bacadh ri chur air duine do thaobh rathad A’ Chomuinn. Cha chluinn sinn moran a chreidimh no a bheachdan, abair, air dhiubh a’ foighneachd, “Cait a bheil An doighean-riaghlaidh. Bha feum air fior- Comunn a’ dol?,” ach cluinnidh sinn gu leor churam aig coinneamhan nach cuirteadh ag radh, “De as fheairrde dhomhsa a bhith beachd ’sam bith an ceill a bheireadh oilbheum a’ paigheadh mo chis airson na tha mi a’ do dhuine eile. faotainn as?” Tha an leithid sin an comh- A thaobh creideimh tha e ceart gun naidh a’ diochuimhneachadh gur ann orra gleidhear an riaghailt sin nuair a chruinnicheas fhein a tha an t-uallach a bhith a’ fiachainn muinntir A’ Chomuinn, ach a thaobh ri ceartachadh a dhianamh air na chi iad cearr. breithneachaidh mu chor aimsireil na Tha dleasanas eile a’ leantainn bho ’n duthcha, chan ’eil An Comunn ’na thosd mar uallach sin. ’Se sin gun tagh na buill daoine a bha e aon uair. a labhras air an son aig amannan iomchaidh Chan ’eil e gu feum ’sam bith a bhith a’ agus a chuireas gu buil na ruintean a tha air feuchainn ris a’ Ghaidhlig a chumail beo, mur an cur sios anns a’ bhonn-steidh. Nuair a a toirear geill do na suidhichidhean anns am theid na daoine sin a thaghadh, ’s iadsan a feum luchd-labhairt na canain an teachd-an- tha a’ co-sheasamh A’ Chomuinn an suilean tir a chosnadh. Aon uair ’s gun cuir na na feadhainn a bhitheas a’ toirt breith o’n suidhichidhean sin an teicheadh air an taobh a muigh. t-sluagh, faodaidh sinn beannachd a ghabhail Tha sin ceart agus riatanach fhad ’s a leis a’ chanain, air Gaidhealtachd na h-Alba chumas na daoine sin ’nan cuimhne gur e co-dhiu. riochdairean a th’ annta. Air uairean, araon Tha An Comunn mar sin nas trice a’ toirt an comuinn agus an duthchannan, bithidh seachad am beachd fhein mu chuisean mar riochdairean a’ gabhail ughdarrais thuca fhein a tha luchd-turuis, iasgach is croiteireachd. agus a’ fas suarach mu iarratasan na mor- Aig a’ choinneimh mu dheireadh thug iad am chuid. beachd air co-dhunaidhean Comatai Mhic- Tha sin furasda tachairt ma tha an sluagh Coinnich timcheall air obair an dealain. fhein dearmadach agus a’ leigeil ruith leis na Tha neart A’ Chomuinn, air a cheann thall, cothroman a th’ aca air an riochdairean a an crochadh air lionmhorachd agus faiceall stiuireadh mar as miann leotha. Cha chuirear nam ball. ’S iadsan a dhearbhas de an fheairt an suarachas seo as leth buill A’ Chomuinn, a b heir ear air. — 131 Am Profeasair Aonghas Mac- Grannag A5 Mhinisteir Mhathain Nach Maireami A’ bhardachd leis an do choisinn Chaill na Gaidheil agus Oilthaigh Ghlaschu Aonghas MacAonghais a’ cheud fior-sgoilear agus fear-teagaisg comharraichte duais aig Mod an Obain, 1962. nuair a chaochail Aonghas MacMhathain aig toiseach na mios a chaidh. Dhaibh-san do Mineachadh leis an ughdar: ’m b’ aithne mend a sgoilearachd bha an call R. Ill, 1. 6—“ Molluog,” an litreachadh a reir cruaidh thar tombais. Aig an aois a fhuair e, “ Book of Saints.” “ an Lios,” Liosmor. leth-cheud bliadhna, dh’ fhaodadh duil a bhith T. aca ri moran obair luachmhoir bhuaidhe Ged ’s lurach Beinn Laomainn fo ghathan na fhathast, an da chuid an teagasg nan grein’, oileanach, agus an cur sios an sgriobhadb ’S i taobh an loch’ aluinn ’tha ainmeil ’s gach toradh a bhreithneachaidh air nithean nuadh tir, agus scan. Is minig m’ air’ ort-sa, a Chrannag Rugadh Aongbas MacMhathain anns na ro-chaomh— Hearadh agus, an deidh bliadbnachan an ’S tu Crannag an Obain, barr cubhraidh ’nam Acadamai Inbhirnis, thug e dearbhadh air chridh’: uidh agus a chomas anns a’ Gbaidhlig an Bha thu mar fhear-teagaisg nuair bha mi gle Oilthaigh Dhuneideann. Aig crioch a cbursa an sin thug e a mach an t-urram a b’ airde. A og;nis, is mi aosd’, gur tu iocshlaint do Leis a’ chuideachadh a choisinn e an m’ smuain, ceasnachadh Urrais Mhic-Caoig fhuair e Ag urachadh eolais na chunna’ ’s na chual’ cotlirom air tuilleadh eolais fhaotainn air Mi le deoin air do chrunan ri aghaidh a’ chuain. Gaidhlig na h-Eireann agus air Cuimris an II. Oilthaigh Bhail-a-cliath. An deidh sin bha e De sin do cheud chuimhne, a Chrannag mo greis am Bonn anns a’ Ghearmailt comhla ris ghaoil— an sgoilear ainmeil Thurneysen. Theagamh teine a’ sputadh a beanntan nis An 1936 bha e air ais a’ teagasg nan mall? oileanach an Duneideann. An deidh da Is cinnteach gu’m faca tu Cruithnich gu leoir bhliadhna an sin chuireadh e air ceann teagasg A’ trusadh a’ mhaoraich ’san traigh bhos is nan canainean Ceilteach an Oilthaigh thaU; Ghlaschu. Is chual’ thu a’ Ghaidhlig mar ur-chainnt ’nar Chuir e Ceithir bliadhna seachad an seirbhis tir, an Riaghaltais an am a’ chogaidh agus aig ’Thug na Ceiltich a Eirinn — sar-chanain gun crioch na h-aimhreit bha e air ais an Glaschu. bheud, Bha oidhirpean ’gan dianamh a chum gum Cho ceolmhor ’na snas is cho snasmhor na ceol; bitheadh Profeasair Ceilteach air a shuidh- ’S i cobhair ar cridh’ nuair is iosal a ghleus. eachadh an Glaschu agus bu mhor uaill nan III. Gaidheal nuair a dh’ aontaich an Oilthaigh Bha bratach na Feinne air birlinn no dha sin a dhianamh. Cha robh e ’na chuis- A chunna’ tu ’marcachd na mara gu treun, ioghnaidh do dhuine nuair a chuireadh an Gle thric le luchd loin gu na Gaidheil ’san dith, t-urram air a’ Mhathanach a bhith air a ’S corr uair a’ cur ruaig air an namh’ a tir cein. thaghadh mar a’ chiad Profeasair Ceilteach an Ach chunna’, ’s tu chunna’ la barraicht thar Glaschu. chaich Tha moran de a sgriobhaidhean ri am Nuair rainig Molluog ’na churach an Lios: faotainn an siud ’san seo air feadh phaipearan Sheinn na h-eoin bhinn mar choisir, thog mac- agus leabhraichean-chomunn. Bithidh cuimhne talla am fonn, araidh air airson an deasachaidh a rinn e air a Le taingTachd do ’n teachdair’ a liubhradh choigeamh “Carmina Gadelica” agus an dara am Fios. “West Highland Tales.” IV. Bha an aireamh dhe a cho-luchd-teagaisg Mar a’ ghrian ’s i gu glormhor ’deigh eirigh anns an Oilthaigh agus de dh’ eolaich eile a ’san ear, bha aig an t-seirbhis chuimhneachain ’na A’ sileadh a blaiths air gach ni is gach ti, dhearbhadh air an aite ard a choisinn e dha Sgaoil Solus a’ Ghaoil Naoimh gu beartach is fhein. bochd, 134 — R. V, 1. 8—“ corcan,” corcan-coille. VIII. R. VIII, 1. 5—Chumadh croislin an reil seo ’S iomadh miorbhuil a chi thu, a Chrannag, “ orbit ” an t-saoghail. ’san oidhche— Lan-ghealaich thar ’Nebheis, righ bheann anns Chum slainte na h-uile, ’s na h-uile ’na dith. an rioghachd, Cha neo-thaitneach am mana ’bha ri tuiteam ’Grioglachan ’s ’Gath-linn, an treoraiche tuath, d’ ar daoin’— ’S reultan eile gun aireamh an cumhachd gun Misneach is Modh, Caoimhneas is Gras . . .; chrich. ’S iad deas, daonnan deas ’dhion ar corach ’s ’S beag, beag ’tha ar Saoghal seach an reul ar saors’, Betelgeuse, Is a sheasamh ar duthcha gu buaidh no gu has. ’Chumadh cursa an t-Saoghail fad aon chuairt mu’n grein; V. ’S chan ise as motha, chan i, chan i; Gur soilleir ’nam mheomhair, a Chrannag, a ris Nach e miorbhuil nam miorbh’lean an cruth’ Na blathan ’s na lusan o mhachair gu ard; chadh gu leir! Mo roghainn an canach, cho cruadalach, caoin, ’S am fraoch geal as grinne am falach mu’n IX. Charn. Aig na Greugaich, ’reir eachdraidh, bha Is chi mi gach coileach a’ togail a ghuth Parnassus—aon bheinn— ’S e ’briodal ri cheile ’na nead cuimir, cruinn; A mhosgail mac-meanma ’s a bhrosnaich na Cha bheag orm an rocais nach d’ fhuair baird. caileachd seinn, Car faisg ort, a Chrannag, tha iomadh meall Ach air son grinneis guth’, crun corcan an uchd mor dhuinn! A bheothaich am fileadh ’nar litreachas tlath: Air beanntan na Morairn’ b’ eolach Oisean na VI. Feinne, ’San iar-dheas, a Chrannag, ’S an Lighich’ MacLachainn, ’s sar-Charaid Bha bothan beag, ban— nan Gaidheal; B’ e sud tigh na ceilidh ’S nach measail baird Mhuile o iochdar nam ’S na h’ aiteis a ghnath; beann? Gann ged bha ’bheartas, B’ aig bun ghlan Beinn-Bhairneach a thogadh B’ e aros a’ bhaidh: MacPhail. Is coir dha bhi ’m chuimhne Gu latha mo bhais. X. Chan scalag sgeoil shubhach, ’Nar Lathurna loinneil tha ’chuis mar an Ghabh croitear deagh dhain, ceudn’: ’S chuireadh farmad air spideig, Le speis mhor d’ ar beanntan rinn Iain Binneas beanaig nam beus’. Camshron a dhan, Dannsadh duairc idir, idir, ’S b’ e Padruig na Leitir a sgriobh “Cruachan Cha robh anns an aite, Beann,’’ Ach seors’chan duthch’sach ’S mu Bheinn Dorain le deaschainnt sheinn ’Bha cliuiteach ’s gach ceum. Donnachadh Ban. Na ’s fhaisg ort, a Chrannag, bha Iain VII. Caimbeul, an run, A’ mheud ’s a tha ’Nadur cho fialaidh mu’n A rugadh ’san Oban ’s a chum ris ro-dluth, cuairt, Ged ’mhol e gach maise ’nar daoine ’s ’nar Is truagh leinn, a Chrannag, gach dream ’tha cainnt, cho bochd B’e fhein an eisempleir, lan-mhaiseach gu chul. ’Nach faic breaghachd beinne no cleach- dainnean cuain, No ’tha fanachd ’san eigh, no le teas ’tha fo XI. sprochd. An ionghnadh, a Chrannag, gur b’e t-Oban cho Ged ’s deuch’nach gailleann do gheamhraidh blath aig am, A chruthaich am Mod chum ar Gaidhlig ’bhi Tha t-aimsir a’ maisealachd t-iolla roimh ’n beo? chiar: Ach le bunaitean caithte, bidh an t-aitreabh Co nach cuimhnich Beann Cruachan aig eiridh fann. na grein’, Is clach-oisinn na Ghaidhlig’ — na bith’maid No Caol Muile cho morail’s i ’siaradh ’san iar? fo sgleo!— lomadh dachaidh ’ga bruidhinn is luchd- mu’n chagailt, aim an deagh shuidheachadh teagaisg do reir. is cotlirom aca gach sochair saoghalta a Greas, greas uime sin le gach innleachd is seol mhealtuinn, chan ’eil na nithean sin ged is A bheir toradh d’ ar duthaich ’s lan-cheartais do-mhiannaichte iad, a’ dol chur ri leas na d’ar sluagh; Gaidhlige mar a bi toil is gniomh follaiseach ’S buan, buan gu’m bi beatha ar Canain ’s ar gu a cumail. Faodaidh oibrichean ura a bhi Ceolf againn agus gach cosnadh a tha ’nan luib, is co nach iarradh sin? — ach tha e dearbhte XII. nach cum iad sin leotha fhein a’ Ghaidhlig Le umhlachd do t-iomhaigh, a Chrannag, a nis, beo. Tha sin an earbsa ruinn fhein is meud Cha mhulad ’tha ’m’ inntinn ach buidheachas ar speis dhith, agus maille ris a sin durachd lan, , seasamh gu daingeann air a sgath mar a rinn Oir dh’ ath-bheothaich thu m’ aisling air an luchd-steidheachaidh air an robh sinn ag morachd is muirn cuimhneachadh an diugh. An aite as aille ’san robh mi og, slan. Mu’n tig deireadh na seachduinne so bithidh Mar sin, ’dh’ aindeoin ’Laomainn ’s an loch am baile so is gu sonruichte gach talla a th’ aig a taobh, ann loma lan leis na bhios a’ tighinn a dh’ Tha mo dhuil ’tilleadh trie riut mar iocshlaint ionnsaidh a’ Mhoid, agus is sinne a bhiodh do m’ smuain, toilichte gabhail riutha uile na’m biodh sin A dh’ urachadh eolais na chunna’ ’s na chual’ comasach. Leis an t-iomlan a ghabhail cha Mi le deoin air do chrunan ri aghaidh a’ chuain. bhi an aireamh moran na’s lugha na a dha no tri mile. Bithidh uidhir sin is barrachd aig na cuirmean air oidhche h-Aoine. Tha sin uile a’ togail na ceiste, cia meud dhiu’ a tha ’nam buill de’n Chomunn? Agus anns an othail a bhios ann, gu de cho fior Oraid A’ Chinn Suidhe no cho maireannach is a tha an uidh a tha iad MOD AN OBAIN, 1962. a’ nochdadh do na tha am Mod ag cur an ceill is a’ co-sheasamh? Nach bu mhath na’n Eoghan Mac a phi. leanadh an spiorad uailleil a tha am Mod a’ A mhnathan is a dhaoin’ uaisle, brosnachadh fad na bliadhna! Nach bu mhor Tha bliadhn’ eile air dol seachad oirnn is a chuireadh sin ris a’ Ghaidhlig anns gach tha sinn aon uair eile aig a’ Mhod Mhor baile beag is mor air feadh na tire. Cia meud Naiseanta. An toiseach, ’s e mo dhleasdanas meur ur ris am faodadh duil a bhi againn, failte bhlath agus dhurachdach a chur oirbh. agus gach meur dhiu’ sin air a’ Ghaidhealtachd Tha bhur lathaireachd ’na bhrosnachadh gu sonruichte eudmhor agus easgaidh gu dol dhuinn oir tha sibh ag cur an ceill bhur an gniomh a chum is nach tigeadh gaiseadh dilseachd do aobhar na Gaidhlige a thug bith no crionadh air na tha sinn ag altrum. Na’n agus a tha !toirt brigh do shaothair a’ tigeadh iad ’nam buill maille ruinn agus an Chomuinn. Tha feum air na cairdean an diugh taic thoirt dhuinn bu mhor an cuideachadh mar nach robh riamh roimhe. sin gu casg a chur air a’ chion suim a tha ’na Chan urrainn dhuinn a bhi suaimhneach no mhathair-aobhair air an t-suidheachadh a tha riaraichte leis mar a tha cuisean, agus tha e ri fhiosrachadh an diugh. gu sonruichte fo m’ chomhair mar a tha Gheibhear an leth-sgeul nach ’eil An aireamh an t-sluaigh a’ dol an lughad. Ni Comunn Gaidhealach a’ deanamh dad sam sinn gearan air cor na Gaidhealtachd agus bu bith is fhiach. Chan ’eil a sin ach aidmheil chubhaidh sin dhuinn, oir is iomchuidh gu ’m an aineolais. The freagairt dha sin anns na biodh math an t-sluaigh againn daonnan ’san thachair ann a bhi ag ardachadh cliu na amharc — oir is e sin an aon bhonn-steidh air Gaidhlige bhon a steidhicheadh An Comunn. an cumar dion air a’ Ghaidhealtachd. Is e Bu bhochd is bu diblidh a cor an laithean ar ana-cothrom as motha a tha a’ fasachadh nan n-athraichean seach mar a tha i an diugh, agus gleann, nan eilean is nan srath far am bu dual tha a thaing sin aig a’ Chomunn Ghaidhealach. do ar daoine, luchd na Gaidhlige, a bhi. Ged Ma sheallas neach air aireamh nan nach ’eil sinne mar Chomunn ag gabhail leabhraichean a chlodh-bhuail An Comunn is gnothaich ri buidheann Parlamaid seach a a tha ri ’n ceannach an drasd’ fhein, chi e cheile, leig sinn ris far am bu mhotha beagan de na tha ’ga dheanamh gu bhi ag ughdarras ’nar tir ar beachdan mu’n chuis so. cuideachadh leotha-san a tha a’ teagasg na Ged is taitneach, mar bu mhath leinn uile canaine. Tha an aireamh ri fhaicinn air cul a’ gu’m biodh fir is mnathan, leis an oigridh Mhiosachain, “An Gaidheal,” agus chan ’eil — 136 — an treasa cind ann de na leabhraichean a tka Eeis a sin uile gu bhi a’ breithneachadh air aim an ainm A’ Chomuinn an sin. Mar bithidh mise ’gur fagail mar Cheann-suidhe eiseimpleir, tha e a’ leigeil ris gu’n deach da aig deireadh a’ Mhoid so. Tha mi a’ toirt dhealbh-chluich thar fhichead eadar theanga- taing dhuibh air son bhur fad-fhulangas rium chadh gu Gaidhlig gu bhi ag cuideachadh le agus gach cuideachadh a thug sibh dhomh. obair an Drama. Cuiream an ceill, mata, ’san dealachadh mo A thaobh cor na Gaidhealtachd, dh’ iarr —■ dhurachd dhuibh uile am briathran a’ agus fhuair — An Comunn cothrom gu bhi ag bhaird: — cur an ceill ar beachdan mu’n chuis so. Ged Tha eachdraidh ag innseadh a thugadh an deagh eisdeachd dhuinn cha do Mu mhorachd ar sinnsir choimhlionadh ar n-iarrtasan fhathast, ach tha ’S gu’n robh iad ’nan linntibh-san e romhainn cumail oirnn gus an teid cuid treunmhor; co-dhiu’ de ar ruintean a thoirt gu buil. An cliu a thaobh dilse Tha e ri aithris cuideachd nach do rinn An Cha leigear air di-chuimhn’ Comunn dearmad air cead iarraidh agus fianais Gus an sguirear de sgriobhadh ’s de a thogail air sgath na Gaidhlige fa chomhair leughadh. na Comhairle a bha a’ rannsachadh obair a’ Ach ’s beag ni e dh’ fheum dhuinn Chraobh-sgaoilidh air feadh na tire gu leir. Bhi luaidh air am beusan Ged nach deach a’ Ghaidhlig ainmeachadh gu Mur bi sinn fhein gleusda chum euchdan, sonruichte anns na mhol buill na Comhairle Ar giulan fior uasal, so theid geur shuil a chumail a chum is gum Ar n-onair gun truailleadh, bi a h-aite dligheach air a choimhead is a ’S ar gluasad an guaillibh a cheile.” chumail gu curamach. Tha sinn toilichte a radix gu’n do shoirbhich leis A’ Chomunn anns an tagradh a rinneadh. Rathad Mor Na Feille gu Gaidhlig fhaighinn air an S.T.Y. agus is Bha mi air chuairt ann an taobh-deas taitneach a nis gu bheil an craobh-sgaoileadh Siorrachd Pheairt, bho chionn ghoirid, anns aca-san ri fhaicinn ’san fheasgar an aite a’ an Athdhubh (ma dh’ fhaodas mi Gaidhlig a mheadhoin-latha mar a bha gu ruige so. chur air) faisg air Gleann-na-h-Eaglaise. Se cul-shraid a tha a nis anns an t-seann rathad Saoilidh mi gu’m faod sinn a radh gu bheil bho Bhaile Rioghail Auchterarder — am Baile na cuirmean Gaidhlig a nis steidhichte gu Fada anns nach eil ach aon sraid, da mhile soirbheachail ann am Feis Mhor Dhun- air fhad—troimh Shliabh an t-Siorraim gu Eideann. Bha Ceilidh agus Cuirm-chiuil Sruighlea, agus a cheann-uidhe anns an eireachdail againn am bliadhna agus gach talla Eaglais Bhric. Choisich mi thar cuid de ’n anns an robh iad loma-lan de ar cairdean Rathad Romanach bho Lindum, no mar a fhein is luchd-tadhail as gach cearn de’n theirear an diugh Braco, far am bheil aigean t-saoghal. Chuir Probhaist is maithean a’ domhain agus callaidean-togail arda, na bheil bhaile an ceill an taingealachd le cuireadh air fhagail de ’n Champa Romanach a b’ fialaidh a thoirt do’n luchd-seinn is iad-san fharsainge a bha am Breatann. Faisg air uile a chuidich leinn gu bhi air aoidheachd laimh tha Cars-Breac, far am b’ abhaist a maille riutha. Is e so an dara bliadhna do’n bhi’ cumail co-fharpaisean mora bhliadhnail Ghaidhlig a bhi air a cluinntinn aig an Fheis air an d-eigh. mar so. Bho chionn latha no dha thug mi tarraing Tha tuille mor a dh’ fhaodainn ainmeachadh air na seann roidean ri caraid a “ Tir mo ach saoilidh mi gu’n d’thubhairt mi gu leor Ghraidh,” agus thug e gu ar cuimhne gu bhi Teigeil ris gu soilleir gu bheil An “Fionnlagh nan Damh,” a bha uair a’ fuireach Comunn dicheallach agus dealasach gu dol an gle fhaisg air an t-seann tigh-sgoile anns an gniomh air sgath na canaine. Tha na tha ’ga robh mo sheanair a’ teagasg, an deigh imrich dheanamh airidh air gach taic is cuideachadh a a Muile. ghabhas toirt dha. Chan ’eil ach da ni ag cm' Bhiodh Fionnlagh a’ ceannach beagan bacadh air gu barrachd mor a dheanamh: ’s dhamh is aighean agus a’ coiseachd leotha a e sin cion airgid is cion an luchd-cuideachaidh. Gearraidh-a-Chladaich, ’gan aiseag gu Mar sin, dh’ iarrainn air gach neach aig a’ Dunbheagain agus ’gan saodachadh troimh an Mhod tighinn cuide ruinn. Tha feum orra Eilein Sgitheanaich, thar Druim-nan-Cleoc, gu uile. Gheibh gach comhairle agus eadhon gach Caol Re, far an robh iad a’ snamh aig isle- gearan a th’ aca an deagh eisdeachd, oir is mara gu tir mor. Bha an turus fada agus gle math a tha fios againn gur ann le bhi ag thric an-sheasgair troimh bhealaichean Chinn gluasad comhla a ni sinn adhartas. t-Saile, Mointeach mhor Raineach, agus ’s — 137 — math dll' fhaoidte Grianlonaig, gu Margadh orra. Cha togar puingean gramair ach cho Mor na h-Eaglais.e Brice. Ach, coma co an beag ’s a ghabhas deanamh gus am buanaich rathad, cha b’e sud a’ cheud turns a rinn na sgoilearan tomhas de fhileantachd. Fionnlagh e, ged a b’e an turns mu dheireadh. Chan ’eil fios agam de a chuir maille air A’ cheud leasan (the first lesson) Fionnlagh coir, ach nuair a rainig e ceann a an, the de, what thuruis — corr agus da cheud mile bho ’n oir, because cuine? when? dachaidh agus dluth air mios an deidh mor, big leabhar, book a fagail — nach ann a bha cnoc na feille agus, and a’ dol, going samhach, falamh agus an Fheill Mhor ach, but a’ leughadh, reading seachad! eile, other a’ sgriobhadh, writing De nis? Shuidh e gu sgith, croma-ceannach, an diugh, to-day a’ cluich, playing ri taobh an rathaid agus tharraing e am gille, boy a’ deanamh, doing breacan na bu tinne mu a ghualann. Ach gillean, boys toilichte, pleased socair beag! De’n uidheam ghiulain sgoil, school anns, in ghleadhrach a bha sud a’ tighinn gu cabhagach tha, is aig, at o’n Eara-dheas? Nach robh ceannaiche le chaneil, is not nighean, girl sporran trom a’ deanamh air a’ cheart laraich! deich, ten nigheanan, girls “Is ole a’ ghaoth sheideas . . ach rinn a’ da, two achadh, field choinneamh annasach seo feum do dhithis mar co, who nach robh duil idir aca. Cheannaich an Tha Mairi agus Iain a’ dol do’n sgoil an Sasannach a h-uile speir a bh’ aig an eileanach diugh. Tha iad toilichte a’ dol -do’n sgoil oir ann an larach nam bonn, agus thill Fionnlagh tha gillean agus nigheanan eile anns an sgoil. le ceum eutrom, agus co aige tha fios nach Chaneil an sgoil mor ach tha deich gillean agus robh a sporran na bu truime na bhiodh e nan deich nigheanan anns an sgoil agus tha iad robh an Fheill aig a h-airde! toilichte anns an sgoil. Tha leabhar aig Mairi ’Se da dhamh a chunnaic mise air Bathad ach tha da leabhar aig Iain. Tha iad a’ Mor Shruighlea fad mo chuairt, agus bha leughadh agus a’ sgriobhadh anns an sgoil ceithir maoir-shithe gan dion bho na carbadan agus tha iad a’ cluich anns an achadh aig an siubhlach a bha greasad seachad — seachd sgoil. ceud ann an uair a thide. Nam bu bheo iad, Co tha a’ dol do’n sgoil? de chanadh “Coirechoillidh,” agus de idir a Cuine tha Mairi a’ dol do’n sgoil? chanadh Fionnlagh! Co eile tha anns an sgoil? D. M. (Staffin). De tha aig Mairi anns an sgoil? De tha iad a’ deanamh anns an sgoil? De tha iad a’ deanamh anns an achadh? An dara leasan (the second lesson) Leasain Ghaidhlig cladach, shore ag iasgach, fishing abhainn, river gle, very le Iain A. MacDhomhnaill. iasg, fish cuideachd, also Tha sinn an comain Iain MhicDhomhnaill, blath, warm a bheil? is? fear-teagaisg na Gaidhlig an Colaisde an faisg (air), near bha, was Fhoghluim an Jordanhill, a chuir ri cheile na fuar, cold cha robh, was not leasain seo. Tha ceithir ann dhiubh agus tha Di-Sathurna, fad an latha, all day duil ris an aireamh cheudna a thoirt seachad Saturday iad, they gach mios fad geamhraidh is earraich co-dhiu. an de, yesterday i, she ’Se th’ anns an amharc gum bi iad feumail Tha achadh mor faisg air an taigh aig Iain do chlasaichean feasgair agus gum bi aon agus tha an cladach faisg air an achadh. Tha leasan aca fo chomhair gach seachdain. Cha abhainn anns an achadh agus tha iasg anns d’ rinneadh fuaim-litreacliadh sam bith air na an abhainn. Chaneil Iain agus Mairi a’ dol faclan an seo, oir tha suil gum faigh na do’n sgoil Di-Sathurna agus an uair a tha e sgoilearan na fuaimean direach bho labhairt blath tha iad a’ cluich anns an achadh agus ag an oide (teagasgair?), an doigh as cinntiche iasgach anns an abhainn. agus as fhearr. Air an aobhar cheudna, chan Tha iad gle thoilichte a’ cluich anns an fhacas feum air freagairtean nan ceisdean a achadh ach tha iad toilichte an uair a tha iad chur sios. anns an sgoil cuideachd. Rachadh an t-oide thairis air an leasan gu- Bha e fuar an de agus cha robh Mairi anns leir mum faic na sgoilearan sgribhte idir e, an sgoil. Cha robh i a’ cluich anns an achadh. is ni na sgoilearan aithris mar a dh’ iarrar Bha i anns an taigh fad an latha. Be tlia faisg air an taigh aig tain? Choisich iad sios an ratliad faisg air an sgoil Be tha anns an achadh? ach cha robh duine aig an sgoil agus cha robh De tha faisg air an achadh? duine a’ cluich anns an achadh faisg air an De tha Mairi agus Iain a’ deanamh sgoil. An uair a rainig iad an eaglais chaidh Di-Sathurna? iad a steach. Bha iad uile a’ seinn anns an Cuine tha iad a’ cluich anns an achadh? eaglais. A bheil iad toilichte anns an sgoil? An robh iad a’ cluich Di-Domhnaich? An robh an eaglais faisg air an taigh? An treas leasan (the third lesson) C’ aite an robh an rathad? a, her ad, hat An robh duine a’ cluich aig an sgoil? a mathair, her mother gorm, blue An robh achadh aig an sgoil? buth, shop geal, white De bha iad a’ deanamh anns an eaglais? buthan mora, cheannaich, bought big shops athair, father baile, town trang, busy anns a’ bhaile, ag obair, working in the town iad, they The Persistence of Superstitious cota, coat sgith, tired Practices in Connection with Bha Mairi agus a mathair anns a’ bhaile Cattle Di-Sathurna. Bha Mairi toilichte a’ dol do’n bhaile oir bha buthan mora anns a’ bhaile. Two sayings that still enjoy a wide currency An uair a bha Mairi agus a mathair anns a’ in the Highlands are:—Gun sealladh, an bhaile cheannaich a mathair cota agus ad. sealbh ort (May the sealbh look to you) and Bha an cota gorm agus bha an ad geal. Gun gleidheadh an t-agh thu (May the agh Cha robh Iain agus athair anns a’ bhaile. preserve you). Bha iad trang anns an achadh. Bha e gle When one enquires to whom these bhlath Di-Sathurna agus bha Iain sgith oir invocations are respectively addressed, it is bha e trang ag obair. Bha Mairi agus a rare to get a satisfactory answer, except that mathair sgith cuideachd oir bha am baile agus they may refer to some fanciful concepts or no buthan gle bhlath. Bha iad gle thoilichte to superstitious deities. an uair a bha iad aig an taigh. Again, while one often hears the saying: Ann an ainm an aigh (In the name of agh) as Co bha anns a’ bhaile? an exhortation or a rebuke, the parallel De bha anns a’ bhaile? injunction: Ann an ainm an t-seilbh is never De cheannaich iad anns a’ bhaile? extended to the term, sealbh. De bha geal? Adjectives derived from these words are: De bha Iain agus athair a’ deanamh? sealbhach, sealbhmhor and aghmhor, all Co bha sgith? meaning prosperous or fortunate; but the An ceathramh leasan (the fourth lesson) epithet, aghach, means warlike or courageous. Di-Domhnaich, rainig iad, Thus, while agh or ag, its early form, was Sunday they reached held to be the protector of the person, perhaps teaghlach, family chaidh iad, they went a god of war, sealbh or selb, of old, was eaglais, church a steach, into considered to be the guardian of property rathad, road a’ seinn, singing which, in primitive times, consisted of cattle, sios an rathad, c’aite an robh, and was thus a god of the flocks. down the road where was? A subsidiary to sealbh was gruagach, a caite, where an robh, was? supernatural goddess, often referred to in our duine, man/anyone do, to, towards folklore, both in prose and in verse. To he.r faisg air a’ chladach, was assigned the preservation of the produce near the shore. of the herds, particularly the young animals, Di-Domhnaich bha an teaghlach uile anns and the quantity and the quality of the milk. an eaglais. Cha robh an eaglais faisg air an In early Christian times, the attributes of taigh ach bha an latha blath agus choisich gruagach were, in many parts, transferred to iad do’n eaglais. Choisich iad sios rathad St. Bride. Accordingly, when stocks were faisg air an achadh agus faisg air a’ chladach. being driven to fresh pastures at the beginning Cha robh duine a’ cluich anns an achadh of summer j the owner would utter the wish: — Di-Domhnaich. Bha na gillean agus na Buachailleachd Bhride do’n tan: nigheanan eile a’ dol do’n eaglais cuideachd. buan is slan gun till iad. (The tending of the herd to fcride; surviving Purthermore, in 1678, the minister of Gairloch and hale may they return.) declared that he had ordered a father and his three sons to present themselves before the and: — Presbytery for offering up a bull on the same A Bhride nam basa mine, island, “that his wife who was a valetudinary dion dhomh an trend: might be restored to health.” It may be stated cum iad o chreag, o chath, ’s o allt, that a note occurs, further on in the o chadha cam ’s o mhilleadh sluic, Records,” to the effect that the accused had o chridh’ a’ mhioruin ’s o shuil an uilc. ignored even a fourth citation. (0 Bride of the smooth palms, defend for me Numerous instances of ceremonies observed my stock: save them from rock, from for the tending and the curing of animals snowdrift, from mountain-stream, from could be adduced as, for example, the methods tortuous pass and destroying pit, from the employed to countervail the effect of the heart of malice and the eye of evil.) “evil-eye,” the antidotes used against Despite these earnest entreaties, and poisoning by adders, and several more, all of numerous others that were addressed to which may be said to have now fallen into a Christian saints, the faith in the old doctrines state of desuetude, though the writer, as a persisted and the worship of gruagach boy, has a clear recollection of the remedies flourished. Thus, the Rev. Donald Mac- employed in the case of the two practices Queen, minister of Kilmuir in Skye and mentioned here. cicerone to Dr. Johnson when the latter visited the island in 1778, informed the But what one would particularly wish to traveller that he himself was the means of record is the survival of an amazing custom persuading the dairymaids on the Island of that is still observed, and of which I was Troday, to the north of Skye, to discontinue recently a witness. the practice of pouring milk into a hollow In that isolated and attractive valley, scooped out of the top of an erratic boulder, Gleann na Cailliche, enclosed by the ridges on Monday mornings before sunrise, as a of Beinn a’ Chreachain, Bean Achadh libation to gruagach, that the health of the Chaladair and Beinn a’ Mhanaich, and in herd and the yield of milk might be preserved. which the headwaters of the River Lyon take Such stones are still known all over the High- their rise, four figures carved from local stone— lands, and the writer knows of five of them am Bodach (the old man), a’ Chailleach (the in Skye alone. old woman) and An Da Nighinn (the two It is indeed remarkable that these super- daughters)—have been preserved by the herds- stitious practices, chiefy concerned with men there from time out of mind. Their stocks, should have persisted for so long a preservation is supposed to promote the time in the Highlands. When, for example, welfare of the live stock of the area and, a pestilence struck the cattle of a district, it accordingly, these objects are zealously cared was believed that the operation of burying for. They are housed in a shelter made of alive a young animal from the affected herd stone, the side and end walls of which slope would render the remainder immune. Sir inwards after the manner of beehive huts, so James Simpson, the first to use chloroform as that the roof can be covered by one slab. an anaesthetic, has recorded that his father, as Another slab does duty as a door. a young man, had taken part in offering up a Early' in May of each year, these graven heifer, over whose grave the rest of the cattle shapes are removed from their enclosure and were driven in order to stay the ravages of the taken to a near-by stream, where they are prevailing murrain. thoroughly washed. After the “fane” has Again, in the Records of the Presbytery of also received its “spring cleaning,” they are Dingwall, occur several entries detailing the returned to it with reverential care, and there practice of sacrificing bulls, preferably white they remain undisturbed until the following ones, for the purpose of restoring health to year. ailing humans. Thus, some men from Apple- While some may deplore the perpetuation cross, Lochcarron and Achnashellach, and of so heathenish a practice in a Christian land, whose names and addresses are given, were there are others who, in entertaining a mild cited to appear before the Presbytery at Ding- toleration for its continuance, will hope that wall in order to answer for their action in the remoteness of the site may be the means killing a bull on Isle Maree, on the 25th of of preserving these interesting relics of August, 1656, as an oblation to “St. antiquity from the attention of the iconoclast. Maelrubha, to whom that day was dedicate.” A. N. mothers on the laps of their daughters to Old Yule-Tide in Scotland commemorate Bridget, the “Aid-woman of By F. G. Thompson. Mary” and the “Foster-mother of Christ,” who was the first woman to take the infant Time was in Scotland when the celebration Christ into her lap to nurse him. The baking of Christmastide was forbidden by zealous mixture for the cakes did not contain any egg reformers; anyone observing any of the count- and was baked over the Yule log in the fire. less customs associated with the season did so The cakes were kept for as long as possible under threat of fine and heavy penalty. after Yule-tide because it was thought lucky From early times, the season of the year to do so. when the days lengthened and nights grew All household tasks had to be completed shorter was invested with a sacred significance. before midnight on Christmas Eve. All The sun was now overcoming its temporary manual work was stopped, except that which abasement by winter and would soon climb was deemed to be necessary. There was a high in the sky to give its warmth to mankind. tradition that any fern seeds which ripened on And this was the definite sign that dormant Christmas Eve and which were caught before life under the earth’s surface was stirring and they fell to the ground would enable the catcher the world would soon be covered with a green to get whatever he wished for. But on his mantle again. journey to where the ferns grew he had to take In ancient Borne, the Festival of Saturnalia care not to exchange words with anyone whom was held at this time of the year. People he chanced to meet on the way. wore garlands of evergreen and gave and Happenings on Christmas Eve were received gifts. Those who had servants regarded as being lucky or unlucky. Should waited on them, a custom reminiscent of the the fire go out, it meant ill-luck for all in the writer’s days in the army when the sergeant, house. To ward off the influence of an evil who had bawled out at him for the previous eye, it was customary to go to the byre and twelvemonth, woke him up at eight o’clock on say a prayer or read a chapter of the Bible to Christmas mornings and poured out a mugful the animals. In some parts of Scotland, the of steaming hot tea, wishing him a Merry belief was that ghosts could not appear on Christmas. Libation to propitiate the giver’s Christmas Eve; in other parts, it was believed good feelings during the coming year? I that they could appear. In the old ballad of wonder! “The Wife of Usher’s Well” we are told: — When Christianity was given official status The Hallow days o’ Yule are come, in Borne, the Festival of Saturnalia took on a The nights are long and dark, new meaning. It was a Festival of Light. So An in an’ cam her ain twa sons, what better than to rename it “ Christmas- Wi’ their hats made o’ the bark.” tide,” in commemoration of the birth of At midnight on Christmas Eve the animals Christ, the Light of the World? And this was were said to groan;, some knelt and some rose what happened: the once-pagan festival was according to the tradition prevalent in the given a Christian significance and accepted into district. Bees were said to sing out to leave the Church calendar of fixed festivals. the hive for an unknown destination at mid- But for all its new significance, many of the night, the hour when Christ was born. The customs associated with the Old Festival were bees return about three o’clock on Christmas retained, despite the fact that their origins morning. pre-dated the Nativity. Guisers often went about the country-side In Scotland, Christmas was never given the and were given gifts of food in return for importance afforded to it by other countries. blessings and good wishes for the coming year It was always outshadowed by the festivities on the house and household. But if no food associated with the New Year. The customs was forthcoming, the guisers bestowed their which were observed at Christmas were held curses on the house and its miserly occupants. more to mark the beginning of a season rather If the weather on Christmas Eve was fair than a specific religious date in the calendar. and clear, it was assumed by country-folk that This season lasted roughly three weeks and the ensuing year would be plentiful both in contained within that period of time of twelve wine and fruit. Adverse weather was not a days, the ‘‘twelve days of Christmas.” good sign and indicated that the year would Christmas Eve was known as the “Night of be full of hardship. the Gifts” and the “Night of the Cakes,” the On Christmas Day folk went from house to latter referring to the “Bridget Cakes” baked house giving and receiving presents. No work on the Eve and then placed by Highland was to be done on this day and children were — 141 — warned against crying or else there would be But a spirit still prevails during Yule-tide much crying in the coming year. No fire was admirably conveyed in a Christmas chant ever given to anyone whose fire had gone out. found one hundred years ago by Dr. Alexander This was to prevent the embers being used Carmichael on one of his collecting visits to in witchcraft and luck taken out of the house. the Western Highlands and Islands: — And if the fire burned brightly on Christmas The mountains glowed to Him, the plains Day, then prosperity in the ensuing year was glowed to Him, assured. As with the weather omen, a dull fire The voice of the waves with the song of the was a bad outlook. strand, An effort was usually made to wear some Announcing to us that Christ is born, piece of new clothing, however small. The Son of the King of kings from the land of livestock were given extra feed and an extra salvation, special dinner was made for the household. Shone the sun on the mountains high to As in countries furth of Scotland, the goose Him, was traditional Christmas fare in Scots house- All Hail! Let there be joy!” holds. The holly and the mistletoe were prominent features of the season: the holly because it was an evergreen and the mistletoe because the fairies who lived in it protected The Welsh Youth Movement those who sheltered under it. Keport by Miss K. B. Matheson, An unfriendly act was to enter a house Convener, Comunn na h-Oigridh Committee. without carrying some small thing, very like our first-footing visitors who never come in I.—INTRODUCTORY. empty-handed. With a view to gleaning information that Although no work was to be done on might be of help in determining the future Christmas Day, in the Western Islands it was development of Comunn na h-Oigridh, the incumbent on the youth of each village to row Executive Council appointed me to visit 707 strokes straight out from the shore and Wales to make enquiries about the corre- then drop their fishing lines. Whatever fish sponding youth movement in Wales, the was caught was then distributed among the Urdd. It was considered opportune that I poor and needy of the district in the name of should make the visit when the annual camp Christ, the King of the Sea, and of Peter, the of the movement was taking place and, king of fishermen. In Angus, however, it was accordingly, I left for Wales on 28th July and always thought to be unlucky to fish on the returned on 8th August. I found the visit Day. Anyone who did so was sure to catch interesting, informative, and generally profit- a blind haddock, a bad omen indeed. But this able, and I should like to put on record belief was unsubstantiated when some men officially in these notes my gratitude to all the did go out to fish, and of the fish they caught Welsh officials for the trouble they took to no blind haddock was to be seen. And that show me as much as possible, and for their was finis to the superstition. kind and gracious hospitality at all times. The period of time over which the Christmas festivities were observed varied considerably. II.—THE URDD. Sometimes they lasted for the week between (a) Foundation. Christmas and New Year. They also continued The Urdd (Welsh League of Youth) was to Twelfth Night (the ancient Scandinavian founded in 1922 by a distinguished Welshman festival of “Jol” lasted for twelve days) and who saw the tremendous possibilities for good “Up-Helly-aa Day.” Indeed, New Year’s Day of a national youth movement based on love was called in the Highlands 'Nollaig Bheag”— of country and faith in international brother- Little Christmas—indicating that the festivities hood, ideals that have always made a strong were seasonal and did not belong to one day appeal to the Welsh people. The new move- only. ment went from strength to strength at a Altogether, the Yule-tide season was one commendable speed; it soon came to be which featured much social activity, and regarded as the Welsh National Youth Move- despite present-day rationalism still presents ment, and in course of time it came to be an oblique view of the commemoration of the recognised by the State as one of the principal Birth of Christ. The fault of the festival in youth organisations of Great Britain. the past was that it retained a surfeit of (b) Organisation. customs, many of which were meaningless; The extent to which the movement has the fault to-day is over-commercialisation. developed is clearly indicated by the fact that — 142 — to-day it comprises 600 branches or clubs and (e) The Movement and the Schools. has a total membership of some 50,000 young Within seven years of its founding, the people. To maintain the administrative side Urdd as a movement passed into the schools, of the movement there is to-day a large from which it continues to get strong support. headquarters office at Aberystwyth, with a The leaders of the movement attach much subsidiary office at Swansea for South Wales. importance to this aspect of its development. The Urdd employs a large administrative and The teachers play a significant part in the clerical staff, a team of regional and county provision of suitable leaders, either by acting organisers, and a number of full-time club as leaders themselves, as many of them do, leaders. Nevertheless, I was assured that the or by encouraging the most promising of the vitality of the movement depended mainly club members to continue in the movement as upon the enthusiasm of hundreds of voluntary leaders. workers in all parts of Wales. (/) Government Recognition. The first full-time organiser employed by When the National Fitness Council was set the Urdd was appointed in 1932. He was a up by the Government, the Urdd was recog- teacher who was in the movement from its nised for Government grant for the first time inception, and it is perhaps significant that at on equal terms with the other national the outset he had to find half of his own voluntary organisations. It continues to be so salary. recognised. Local organisation consists of Junior Clubs Shortly after this, Local Education Auth- and Youth Clubs. The Junior Club is for boys orities began to make grants to clubs within and girls under fifteen years of age; it is often their respective areas. a school society, but is sometimes connected (g) Membership Subscription. with a church. The Youth Clubs cater Most of the large amount of money required primarily for young people who have left to carry out the programme of activities is school, although many senior secondary people gathered by the movement in a wide variety belong to them. The age-range is fifteen to of ways, but it is significant that part at least twenty-five years. Most youth clubs are of the money is derived from the subscription housed in independent premises, but many that all members must pay. meet in schools. (h) Camp Administration. (c) Activities. All arrangements in connection with the annual camps seem to be made in a most To achieve its object the Urdd has devised business-like way. There is full insurance many schemes. For the annual National cover for all personnel and for premises and Youth Eisteddfod, preceded by a network of furniture. All those attending camp must be some seventy district eisteddfodau, there is registered members of Urdd, whether fluent throughout the year intensive preparation in speakers or learners, and each is required to music, verse-speaking, action songs, folk- pay £3 10/- a week towards cost of camp. dancing, physical training, first aid, literature, All functionaries — organisers and domestic drama, public-speaking, and arts and crafts. staff — are paid, but there is a large army of (d) Language Medium. young people, mainly there at the request of The Urdd is primarily a Welsh-speaking colleges, to help with the programme of organisation, seeking through its clubs to activities. foster a love and understanding of the Welsh (t) Education Authorities. language and Welsh life and culture generally. In course of discussion with various persons Its work, however, is not confined to the in the educational service, one acquired Welsh-speaking areas nor to the Welsh considerable information about the use of language as a medium. Wherever it is Welsh in school, but since the purpose of necessary it conducts its activities in English. these notes is to give information about the Inherent in the movement is the belief that Welsh Youth Movement reference is made to Wales has a significant contribution to make the work of schools only in so far as it has a to the welfare of the peoples of the world, direct impact on the Youth Movement. and that she can render this service only if The Urdd publishes three different monthly her people are made conscious of their own magazines, one of which, Cymraeg, is edited heritage. It is this national basis and inter- and published in collaboration with the national aim that have fostered the idealism Glamorganshire Education Authority, which is and practical outlook that have led to the foremost in the teaching of Welsh. With the success of the movement. support of this Education Authority and others, orders for the magazine are assured. Mr. and Mrs. M. P. Kidd 1 1 — This magazine is used as a text-book by those Fort William Branch 10 learning Welsh as a second language, and to Mrs. Janet Mackenzie, ensure that the magazine continues on sound ColonsayEdinburgh Branch .. 105 5 0 lines there is a regular conference of repre- Proceeds of Fete .. 260 8 10 sentatives of the Education Authority, Proceeds of Raffle Language Lecturers, Inspectors of Schools, Received at Glasgow— -£4,673 18 6 and Teachers. Previously acknowledged £240 4 1 In a great many cases some of the activities Miss Margaret A. of the Junior Clubs are carried out in school, Mackinnon, Greenock 1 and not only do the Junior Clubs make use J. W. Shankland, Esq., of the Cymraeg but they contribute to it. In Dr.Dunoon A. McC. Campbell, 1 1 — some instances, Urdd and Education Auth- Cheshire .. orities teaching Welsh are so closely associated Ronald Macleod, Esq., that it is often difficult to find where the work Mrs.Inverness May Bell, Muir of Ord 21 of the one ends and that of the other begins. Miss E. M. Johnston, (To be concluded) Dr.Edinburgh D. S. MacLagan, — 86 CommanderGlasgow J. B. Dundas 2 2 — KennethGrant, D.Oxford Smith, .. Esq., — 36 GLASGOW Lewis GAELIC DRAMA ASSOCIATION MissLondon Mairi McCaffer, Mrs.Iain M.MacLeod, McKerrow, Esq., Lauder 1S63 Festival: Preliminary Notice Torgorm .. 5 Mrs.Dingwall M. F. Soutar,.. 1 1 The Seventh Annual GAELIC DRAMA A.Cruden H. Carmichael, Bay Esq., — 10 FESTIVAL will be held in the HIGH- Miss Mary H. Crawford, LANDERS’ INSTITUTE on 8th, 9th and 10th Mrs.Dunoon H. B. Loggie, — 5 — MAY, 1963. The Committee will welcome Fettercairn 5 entries from any part of Scotland, and are LargsMiss M. Branch L. MacDougall, 5 5 — prepared, where necessary, to pay part of Edinburgh travelling expenses. I. EdinburghM. Gilchrist, Esq., 5 Archd.Mauchline McEwan, Esq., — 10 — PaisleyAssociation Highlanders’ 13 3 — Treasurer’s Notes NeilColonsay B. McNeill, Esq., National Mod—Oban, 1962 Mrs. J. A. MacLeod, Lewis Received at Oban— GilbertBearsden Sinclair, Esq., — 10 — D.Previously V. Webster, acknowledged Esq., Film £3,796 13 11 Alexander Low, Esq., Show 26 MissConnel Lenora V. Perry, — 73 D.Loch V. TaysideWebster, Branch Esq., Film 32 17 6 Sandbank 2 2 — Show 37 15 • Grantown-on-Spey Branch 10 10 — 302 16 1 ObanAssociation and District Tourist 14 9 6 £4,976 14 10 TobermoryConcert at CaolBranch per Miss 10 10 — Lucy Cameron and Mr. Central Fund D. D.V. A.Webster, Macdonald Esq., Film 120 Previously acknowledged £85 4 — Show 22 11 9 LewisGolspie Branch Branch 52 —2- — A.Dundee Macdonald, Highland Esq., Society Lewis 101 Kenneth Mackinnon, Esq., Leigh on Sea — 7 — Mr. and Mrs. R. A. C. T. MacGregorEdinburgh Jamieson, jun., Esq., — 10 — MissMilne Pat Bolton, Taynuilt —2 12 — Beauly Branch 10 — — Mrs. MacAskill, Taynuilt — 12 — £103 3 - StirlingJohn Jack, Branch Esq., Oban . . 102 —2 — 144 AN GAIDHEAL OG MIOSACHAN COMUNN NA H-OIGRIDH Leabhar XII AM FAOILLEACH, 1960 Aireamh 1 “BHURSTAIG A5 FOOTBALL” AIR feasgar o chionn ghoirid is mi gabhail thigh. An duil an e na Gaidheil a thug a null cuairt leam fhin thainig mi air pannal leotha a’ chluich so is a dh’altrum gu inbhe bhalach sgoile is iad le an lamhan ’nam mhoir i? A thaobh a’ chat-a-bat, nach pocaidean ’nan seasamh gu tursach an dorus iomadh balach sgoile agus caileag cuideachd a cruaiche a bha ri taobh an rathaid. Sheas mi chuidich e leis a’ choigeamh cunntas. mu’n coinneamh is dh’fhoighnich mi dhaibh ’Nan am fhein thigeadh cluich nam putah carson nach robh iad ri cluiche air feasgar cho is nam marabailean, fear an deidh fir. Cha breagha. Fhreagair am fear bu lugha: ‘ ‘ Thainig tigeadh as dhaibh a thighinn comhladh oir cha toll air a’ bhall-coise 's cha ghabh e caradh.” robh pocaidean gu leor an earradh nam fear air Ged nach b’ e sin na dearbh bhriathran a labhair son sin. Nach iomadh bad aodaich a chaidh a e thuig mi gu de bha e ri ciallachadh. Sheall thogail a steach o’n sgaoiltich agus na putain iad am ball-coise dhomh, agus cha b’e a mhain adhairc air an sgudaigeadh asda. Is e sgudaig- gun robh an t-aotroman le toll air agus breac le eadh a bhiodh againn air a bhith ri toirt nam breidean ach bha a’ cheis leathrach air fas cho putan o bhall aodaich le sgian no, mar bu trice, tana ri paipeir. Bha an gille beag ceart; cha le ar fiaclan, agus uach iomadh fear a fhuair a ghabhadh e caradh. ghreadanadh air son na h-oibreach sin. A An deidh dhomh am fagail thoisich m’ inntinn thaobh nam marabailean, bhiodh tri seorsa a’ ruith air an liuthad atharrachadh a thainig cluiche ann—a’ bhuaileag mhor, a’ chluich air doighean cur-seachad na cloinne bho bha bheag, agus toll an tuine. Tha mi cinnteach mise mi-fhin aig aois nam balach ud. An nam biodh iadsan a bha ealanta air toll an diugh “bhurstaig a’ football” ’s tha an cur- tuine 'nan oige air cothrom fhaighinn air seachad marbh. Cha robh ball-coise air an bowls a chluiche ’nam bodaich gum biodh iad tuath ri mo lathasa ach bha an area pailt agus ’nan sar ghaisgich air a’ chluich sin. Tha fada, cha robh an caman doirbh ri fhaighinn. Cha fada bho nach fhaca mi a bhith cluiche le robh dimeas ’ga dheanamh air cabar beag marabailean, agus cha chluinnear an diugh sam bith ach a mhain an clar daraich anns an iomradh air popair no air neugail. Co an robh gaoir a chuireadh deurach suas troimh giullan sgoile a thuigeadh an drasda de tha ghairdean fir. Bhiodh an iomain air bonn ’ s cha purrasc, tog do dhuine, chaidh e thuice, no bhiodh luchd amharc ann. Nam biodh camain cha teid e eatorra ri ciallachadh? Bha neart aca bhiodh na bha an lathair a’ toirt do’n is cumhachd anns an ordaig mhoir air cul na area ’nam mal, ged a bhiodh fichead fear is marabail. corr air gach taobh. Bha sin a dh’aon mhath B’iad sin cuid de chleasachdan an latha, ach air cleasachd mo latha-sa, cha robh e gu difir bha feadhainn eile ann anns an ionnairidh— de an aireamh a bhiodh cruinn de do leithid warning, first-by, agus am madadh ruadh ’s a’ fhein ach cha bhiodh duine air a chumail a chearc. Bha mi gu bhith aig aois fagail na mach as a’ chluich, agus mur gabhadh dh sgoile mus do bhuail e thugam gur h-e facail sgiobadh cothromach a dheanamh le meud an Bheurla a bha ann a’ warning agus first-by, aireamh a bhiodh an lathair bha dithis bheaga bhiodh iad cho trie air ar teangaidh. Chan eil ri dol mu choinneamh aon fhear tapaidh. sion a dh’fhios agam an ann bho na Goill a Fhad’s a dh’fhanadh solus an latha bhiodh thainig iad ach bha iad 'nan cur-seachad aig an iomain, a’ chluich mhor agus cat-a-bat ’nan m’athair ’na bhalach. Bha first-by rud- cur-seachad ’nan trath fhein. Tha mi tuigsinn eigin coltach ri falach-fead ach gu robh an gur e seorsa de’n chluich mhoir priomh chleas- ceannard a bhiodh a muigh a’ suidheachadh a achd nan Ameriganach an diugh agus gu bheil sgiobaidh air dhoigh ’s gun tigeadh fear no dha an duine dubh a tha ealanta air a’ dleasadh dhiubh air fath air fear-an-tighe nuair a bhiodh urram nach nochdar do fheallsanach a oil- esan a’ ruith chun na dachaidh an deidh AN G AID HEAL OG cuideigin a bha a muigh a lorg. Nam beirte “Steach leat, ’ille bhig, cho luath ’s a bheir airsan mus ruigeadh e an “tigh” is e bhiodh do chasan thu, agus thoir an so da bhioran a stigh a rithist. Cha bhiodh a’ chluich a bha laiste as an teine.” Cha robh fios aig a’ ghille so aig amannan gun bhuaireadh, gu h-araid bheag gle mhath de theireadh e. Nach minic nuair a dh’eigheadh fear-an-tighe “Tha mi a thug a sheanair rabhadh dha cumail bho’n ’gad fhaicinn” is gun ni fa chomhair ach caora teine mus loisgeadh e e? Ach rinn e direach dhubh. Cha bhiodh e furasda sin a dhearbhadh mar a dh’iarradh air. Chuir an tuathanach an air. Bha cluich a’ mhadaidh ruaidh ’ s a’ chearc sin teine ris an arbhar, agus an uine nach robh ri toiseachadh le rabhd rabhaidh bho’n t- fada bha na buailtean ’nan smal. Ma bha, cha sionnach ach chan eil cuimhne agam ach air b’ fhada gus an robh an eigheachd shios anns a’ na facail mu dheireadh—‘ ‘An t-isean beag a chlachan oir chunnaic iad de bha dol air adhart bhios air dheireadh bidh e agam-sa ’ na chorp. ’ ’ air a’ chnoc. An tiotadh bha gach anam beo, Nuair a bhiodh cearc mhath ghreannach a’ dion fir is mnathan, balaich is caileagan, bodaich is a h-ail bhiodh deagh spors ann. clann, a’ bualadh nan lasraichean le suistean, le sguaban is le’n casan. Bha gach beag is Sin cuid de na ruith troimh m’inntinn an mor ’na fhallus, a’ glaodhaich is a’ bualadh deidh dhomh na balaich fhagail aig a’ chruaich. bhuillean, a’ ruith ’s a’ leum thall agus a bhos, “Bhurstaig a’ football,” is bha iad mar gum shios is shuas, nuall ’s a nail. Mu dheireadh biodh am bas anns a’ bhaile. Chan eil cleasachd chuireadh an teine as. aig na gillean oga an diugh ach an aon—am An sin thionndaidh a’ chuideachd air a’ ball-coise. Tha e ri toirt toil-inntinn mhor bhodach. ‘‘Seall an obair uamhasach a rinn dhomh fhin a bhith ’g amharc orra a’ cluiche, thu nis, amadain air do chasan. Fagaidh do ach bheireadh e togail agus blaths cridhe dhomh dhith ceille sinn gun bhiadh am bliadhna.” nan cluinninn uair seach an uair ris an rath- Rinn esan lachan mor gaire, agus a’ tomhadh dhorch warning no fead fad as no first-by; agus a chorraig tharraing e an aire chun a’ chuain. nan tigeadh rabhadh a’ mhadaidh ruaidh gu ‘‘Seallaibh sud,” ars esan, ‘‘bha sibh uile ann mo chluasan cha chreid mi nach deighinn a an cunnart mor.” Thog an sluagh an suilean chuideachadh na circe, lapach ’s mar a tha mi. agus chunnaic iad neul mor dorch anns an athar Tormod MacLeoid. agus tonn ard a’ siubhal mar each meanmnach, luath a dh’ ionnsaigh a’ chladaich. Gun fhacal gun smid dh’amhairc iad air a’ chuan a’ taomadh le gair air a’ chlachan shios fopa. Sguab an fhairge leatha gach dachaidh, is Gille Mo Ghnothaich dh’fhag i laraichean loma far an robh na tighean ’nan seasamh. 0 chionn fhada an t-saoghail bha seann Thuig iad an sin carson a chuir an seann laoch tuathanach glic an aon de dhuthchannan na an t-arbhar ’na theine. Bha fios gle mhath aird-an-iar, agus bha ogha 6g dha a’ fuireachd aige-san nach robh doigh eile air gach beag is comhla ris. Bha an tigh aca air mullach cnuic. mor a thaladh ann an cabhaig a mach as a’ bhaile Ceithir thimcheall an tighe bha buailtean ach an dearbh dhoigh a ghabh e, agus bha lan farsaing fo lan arbhair. fhios aige de thachradh dhaibh uile mur teich- Aig bonn a’ chnuic, agus an cois a’ chladaich, eadh iad le’m beatha an aird as an isle. bha tighean na muinntire a bha ’g obair air Bha an sluagh a nis caoin-shuarach a thaobh fearann an tuathanaich. Bha iad so a’ direadh call an arbhair, agus call nan dachaidhean. a’ chnuic gach madainn a dh’eireadh grian, B’fhearr an t-acras nam bas, b’fhearr a bhith agus a’ cromadh do’n chlachan nuair a thigeadh beo gun dachaidh na bhith an dachaidh shior- an t-anmoch. Bha iad cho sona is a bha an ruidh fo thuinn. Thuig iad, gun amharus, gun latha cho fada—obair gu leor is biadh gu’n do shabhail Gille Mo Ghnothaich am beatha le toil. a sheoltachd. Aon latha an deidh do’n luchd oibreach a S.D.T. dhol dhachaidh bha an seann laoch agus an t-ogha 'nan seasamh leotha fhein air barr a’ chnuic ag 61 na h-aile ciibhraidhe agus a’ geir amharc air a’ ghrein a bha dol fodha sa’ chuan 1. Cha dean Tiugainn ceum ’s cha do chailleadh mhor . Air faire chunnaic am bodach sealladh Theab. annasach a chuir mor iongnadh air; chunnaic 2. Tha aithne gun chuimhne agam ort. e neul dorch ag eirigh as an fhairge agus a’ 3. Foghnaidh salann salach air im roinneagach. deanamh orra ’na dheann. 4. Cha chuir duine a chall ’na sporan.