A Little Bird Blown off Course

Created and performed by Fiona J MacKenzie

Musical Director, Donald Shaw; Dramaturg, Bart Capelle; Video Designer, Colin Bell and Colin O’Hara, Design Associate.

Celebrating the life and Gaelic song collection of Margaret Fay Shaw, A Little Bird Blown off Course is a new piece of music–theatre by Fiona J Mackenzie, presented by the National Theatre of Scotland and Blas Festival in partnership with the National Trust for Scotland.

The production will open at the Culloden Battlefield Centre on 06 September and then tour the Highlands of Scotland. There will be a special final performance at Camus Arts Centre on the island of Canna on 14 September.

Margaret Fay Shaw was one of the most notable and important collectors of authentic Scottish Gaelic song in the 20th century, even though her name may not be well-known outside of traditional music circles.

Born in Glenshaw, Pennsylvania USA, Margaret came to Scotland as a teenager and spent a year at school in Helensburgh. She went on to study music in Paris and New York, but returned to Scotland and eventually settled on South Uist. Whilst living there, she met the Gaelic scholar John Lorne Campbell and they married in 1935. For the rest of their lives, the couple were to dedicate themselves to the collecting and preserving of Gaelic songs and folklore for future generations.

Lifting extracts from Margaret’s autobiography, letters, personal photography and previously unseen film footage of island life, A Little Bird Blown off Course will cast fresh light on the importance of this collection to Gaelic culture past and present, and examine the role new Gaelic speakers play in reinvigorating the language. The production will feature live music and song, including extracts from the Gaelic song collection that Margaret and John created and preserved and that form the rich legacy they have bequeathed to Scotland.

The production promises to be an intimate but ambitious new piece of contemporary theatre that melds music, text and video with installation, to highlight the importance of new Gaelic speakers to the survival of Gaelic language and culture, for generations to come.

The creation of A Little Bird Blown Off Course has been led by Fiona J Mackenzie, the BBC Scotland Traditional Music Personality of the Year (2004) and winner of the Burnsong International Songwriting Competition (2009).

This production marks the end of Fiona’s year long attachment to the Company as an Associate Artist (Gaelic), and is the Company’s second Gaelic drama production, following the commission and presentation of bi-lingual play Somersaults by Iain Finlay Macleod in 2011.

Fiona J McKenzie says

“Margaret’s book “Folksongs and Folklore of South Uist” was my first contact with Gaelic song many years ago and has remained my ‘bible’ ever since and having the privilege to work on the original material with Magda Sagarzazzu, the Canna archivist, has been one of the most enlightening and exciting experiences of my life. It is very heartening to see major national bodies such as the National Theatre of Scotland and the National Trust for Scotland working together with the Blas Festival, to produce a piece of work which will hopefully increase awareness and develop new audiences for Gaelic cultural events. I’m very much looking forward to touring the show throughout my own home, in the Highlands.”

Caroline Newall, Director of Artistic Development says

“The National Theatre of Scotland is delighted to be working together with the Blas Festival, in partnership with the National Trust for Scotland, to present Fiona J MacKenzie’s new music theatre production. As a national performing arts company, the National Theatre of Scotland is committed to developing and presenting Gaelic work of the highest quality, to provide for, and build, audiences for Gaelic performance. We are thrilled by the possibilities for incorporating traditional Gaelic arts into contemporary theatre performance, and A Little Bird Blown Off Course, is our first foray into this type of cross artform collaboration”

TOUR DATES

Wednesday 4 September – St Peters Hall, Daliburgh – South Uist at 7.30pm

Friday 6 September – Culloden Battlefield Centre at 7.30pm

Saturday 7 September – Arainn Shuaineirt/Sunart (strontian) at 7.30pm

Monday 9 September – Ardgay Village Hall at 7.30pm

Wednesday 11 September – Torridan Village Hall at 7.30pm

Thursday 12 September – McPhail Centre, Ullapool at 7.30pm

Friday 13 September – Strathpeffer Pavilion at 7pm

Saturday 14 September – Camus Arts Centre, Canna (NTS) at 4.15pm

Booking: all performances (aside from the South Uist performance on 4 September) can be booked via Eden Court Theatre.

Ticket Prices: £12 – £15 (performances from 6 Sept)

Box Office: 01463 234234 Online: eden-court.co.uk

Full info on Blas Festival programme: blas-festival.com

Please check the National Theatre of Scotland website for further information and booking info for the South Uist performance

Source: NTS

Catriona Lexy Campbell, a published novelist and poet from Lewis, will join Rosemary Ward from the Gaelic Books Council (Comhairle nan Leabhraichean) to explore the challenges and opportunities associated with Gaelic writing and publishing. Topics will include getting started on a book, how to approach publishers, the publication process and digital developments.

The talk, which will be delivered at Sgoil Lionacleit, Benbecula, later this month, is the last in a series of free Gaelic lectures taking place this year. Organised by the University of the Highlands and Islands, the series marks the 60th anniversary of Lews Castle College UHI, a partner of the university.

Based on the theme of Gaelic in modern life, the lectures recognise Gaelic as an integral part of Scotland’s heritage and national identity. Head of BBC ALBA, Margaret Mary Murray, spoke about Gaelic media in Glasgow in January and a lecture on Gaelic in education took place in Stornoway in May.

The talks also tie in with courses offered by the university, which include degrees in Gaelic language and culture; Gaelic with education; Gaelic and development and a higher education certificate in Gaelic and communication. All of these courses are offered through Lews Castle College UHI as well as Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI, where Catriona Lexy Campbell is the current writer in residence.

Speaking about the lecture, Catriona Lexy Campbell said: “Through my work with Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI, I have had many opportunities to meet people who are interested in writing in Gaelic and I’m very happy to be taking part in this project and building on that experience. I’m sure it’ll be a great day.”

Rosemary Ward said: “I am delighted to have been asked to participate in this important series of lectures that highlight the contribution the media, education and literature and publishing have made to the revitalisation of Gaelic. I am particularly pleased to be invited to deliver the lecture in Benbecula in front of a ‘home’ audience having, myself, been brought up and educated in South Uist.

“Comhairle nan Leabhraichean is committed to increasing the number, range and quality of Gaelic publications and our development strategy focuses on supporting Gaelic authors, editors and publishers to produce accessible, new and exciting Gaelic books. The upsurge in digital developments presents challenges and opportunities for us in our efforts to address the demands of readers to have Gaelic literature available in a variety of formats.”

James Fraser, principal and vice-chancellor of the university, welcomed the lecture, saying: “We are delighted that Rosemary Ward and Catriona Lexy Campbell are speaking about Gaelic in publishing as part of this lecture series and that they are doing so in Benbecula. The University of the Highlands and Islands is spread across the Gàidhealtachd and, through Lews Castle UHI, offers a number of important programmes in music and art in Uist and Benbecula. Adding this lecture to the other activities underlines our commitment to the whole of our region.”

The Gaelic in publishing talk will take place from 7pm to 9pm on Wednesday 19 June at Sgoil Lionacleit, Benbecula. The lecture will be delivered in Gaelic and simultaneous interpretation into English will be available through headphones. To book a FREE place, contact the university’s events team on 01463 279 344 or at events@uhi.ac.uk

To find out more about the university’s lecture series or Gaelic courses, visit www.uhi.ac.uk

Source: UHI

Cappuccino Concert

Saturday 18th May, 11am (coffee available from 10.30am) Tickets £5 at the door.

Kenna Campbell and Wilma Kennedy, Gaelic singers

Kenna Campbell is recognised as one of the principal tradition bearers of contemporary Gaelic Scotland. Born in Roag, near Dunvegan on the Isle of Skye, and now living in Glasgow, she belongs to a family of singers and pipers – the Campbells of Greepe. Her greatest passion is for the òran mòr or the “big song” in classical Gaelic tradition, and the family as a whole share a special talent in the singing of mouth music or puirt a beul.

Her love of song is matched by that of her desire to pass on this knowledge and skill to a new generation of singers, and her role as principal tutor in Gaelic Song at the RSAMD’s Scottish Music degree is characterised by a contemporary approach matched with a respect for the roots of tradition.

Her daughter Wilma Kennedy is also a renowned Gaelic singer, broadcaster and teacher. A double Mod Gold Medallist, she is very well known in Dundee as the director of the award-winning Dundee Gaelic choir and Gaelic song tutor for Friends of Wighton.

Source: Sheena Wellington

THAT this show had only been initiated five days before within the rehearsal space of the Tramway, with three days for the vocalists to perfect their parts, made it all the more strikingly different.

PERFORMED as part of the Tramway’s Rip It Up season of new commissions and work-in-progress pieces designed and executed within and with support from the theatre itself, Away With the Birds is a collaboration between artist and composer Hanna Tuulikki, choreographer Rosalind Masson and film-maker Daniel Warren.

Rosalind Masson in Away With The Birds

The core idea is simple, yet gives the impression of being intensely complex to actually arrange. A meditation upon both the sound of birdsong and that of Gaelic folk singing, the piece involves six female performers – Tuulikki and Masson amongst them, all dressed uniformly in simple black dresses and red tights – performing Tuulikki’s voice-only score ‘Voice of the Bird’ against a backdrop of films by Warren showing scree and cliffs, sea waves rushing by and the performers themselves on a desolate grey beach.

Backed by gentle but evocative field recordings made on the Small Isles by Geoff Sample, the performers vocalise the song of birds as a series of squawks and syllables which are lent a chorus-like quality when the voices merge together, and a real sense of relational interaction through Masson’s deft, delicate choreography. The performers are unhurried as they glide steadily around the stage, falling into a V-shaped flight pattern and away into pairs and trios who regard each other with curious interest.

Then on more than one occasion these voices coalesce into haunting Gaelic melodies – even more impressive given that not all of the singers are native speakers – and the effect is complete. This is not a high-concept experiment, more a complete and immersive evocation of place and sense, an attempted re-imaging of wilderness landscapes both without any human involvement and filled with the echoing resonances of history and tradition.

Even as a forty-five minute try-out it was mesmerising to watch and listen to. The nine-voice version at May’s Tectonics festival in Glasgow (Old Fruitmarket, 11 May) and the intended 2014 performance and installation on the Isle of Canna – a great inspiration for the piece – will be worth waiting for.

© David Pollock, 2013

Links

• Project website
• Tectonics Festival

Gach bliadhna, bidh Fèisean nan Gàidheal a’ deasachadh agus a’ toirt seachad trèanadh do luchd-teagaisg nam fèisean agus tha cùisean a’ tighinn air adhart gu snog airson seisean air leth aig Sabhal Mòr Ostaig air 23 agus 24 An Gearran 2013.

Tha an cùrsa stèidhichte air ceòl, ach tha na modhan-teagaisg, taic agus prìomhachasan fìor agus freagarrach do chuspairean eile cuideachd. Tha trì ìrean ann, agus tha e comasach do dh’òigridh eadar 16 agus 18 tighinn air a’ chiad ìre, le cead.

Tha seisean-ciùil ann oidhche Shathairne, agus cothrom pragtaigeach Didòmhnaich. Ged a tha an dà latha trang, chan eil sinn a’ seachnadh spòrs nas motha, agus tha sinn a’ gealltainn gun còrd e ris a h-uile duine. Tha cuspairean mar “Blàthachadh”, Deasachadh airson Fèis, Dìon Chloinne agus Gàidhlig air a’ chlàr-ama, air a theagasg le Andy Thorburn, Val Bryan agus eòlaichean eile.

Gheibhear tuilleadh fiosrachaidh an seo http://www.feisean.org/ga/proiseactan/index.php?ID=4

no bho Iona NicDhòmhnaill air 01478 614001 no iona@feisean.org

Training opportunity for Fèis Tutors

Every year, Fèisean nan Gàidheal organises and delivers training for fèis tutors and preparations are well underway for an excellent session at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig on 23 and 24 February 2013.

The course is based on music teaching, but teaching techniques, support and principles hold true for other subjects as well. There are three levels and young tutors aged between 16 and 18 are permitted on Level 1, by arrangement.

Subjects such as “Warm-ups”, Preparing for a Fèis, Child Protection and Gaelic are on the timetable, and taught by Andy Thorburn, Val Bryan and other excellent tutors.

An informal music session will be held on Saturday night (open to all), and an opportunity to practice teaching skills on Sunday. Although the two days will be very busy, we don’t forget the fun element and promise that everyone will have a most enjoyable time.

More information is available here http://www.feisean.org/en/projects/?ID=4

Or from Iona MacDonald on 01478 614001 or iona@feisean.org

Source: Fèisean nan Gàidheal

Now in its second year, 5 Latha will take place between April 8th to 13th and give pupils the opportunity to immerse themselves in a community where Gaelic is used naturally and in which crofting, fishing and the Harris Tweed industry play an important part in the lives of its residents. Each day participants will have the opportunity to gain a hands-on experience of traditional works, spending time with experienced individuals who will show them what is involved in their daily routines from lambing, looking after cattle, fishing, peat cutting to producing Harris Tweed. The participants will also have the opportunity to learn some traditional recipes through practical cookery sessions using locally sourced ingredients.

Though a musical ability is not essential to attend 5 Latha, there will be music and song workshops throughout the week which will be delivered by two of our finest musicians; well known fiddler Iain MacFarlane (Blazin Fiddles) and Gaelic singer Norrie MacIver (Mànran).

Alasdair Allan, Minister for Learning, Science, and Scotland’s Languages, visited the project during its first year. He said: “5 Latha is a fantastic opportunity for fluent Gaelic speakers, offering pupils from across Scotland the chance to learn new traditional skills whilst spending a week living on a island steeped in Gaelic heritage and culture. Where better to learn these new skills than in a Gaelic speaking community where such traditions are still so prevalent today?

“It was wonderful to see how much the first group of pupils enjoyed 5 Latha last year and I would like to congratulate Fèisean nan Gàidheal on the ongoing commitment to the project. It shows how our investment in Gaelic is creating exciting opportunities for people of all ages and is helping to secure a sustainable future for Gaelic while recognising the importance of Gaelic speaking communities.

Arthur Cormack, Chief Executive of Fèisean nan Gàidheal said: “This is a great opportunity for young people to use their Gaelic language skills and develop them further in an interesting, creative and fun environment at the same time as they will pick up skills from experts based in a Gaelic community. The community in the West Side of Lewis was extremely supportive of the event when it was established last year and we are looking forward to returning to Gearrannan where we got a great welcome.”

As Calum Alex MacMillan, Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s Development Manager explained: “Our idea was to give young people the chance to get involved with a Gaelic-speaking community and to learn about the activities which were, and still are, important in Highland life, using Gaelic all the time. This worked out very well for us last year and we had applications from many more people than we could accommodate. So we are expecting a good response this time round.

The call for applications to take part in 5 Latha comes ahead of a summit in Edinburgh on February 20th looking at Gaelic Medium Education.

Fèisean nan Gàidheal is grateful to Bòrd nan Gàidhlig and Highlands & Islands Enterprise for assistance with 5 Latha.

For more information please contact Calum Alex Macmillan on 01463 225559 or calum@feisean.org.

An application form is available here http://www.feisean.org/downloads/Foirm%20Iarrtais%20-%20Application%20Form%205%20Latha.pdf

5 Latha a’ tilleadh a Leòdhas

Bidh cothrom air leth air ògridh a tha fileanta sa Ghàidhlg an cuid sgilean a leudachadh tron tachartas 5 Latha aig Fèisean nan Gàidheal. Bidh seo a’ dol air adhart a-rithist am-bliadhna aig Na Gearrannan, Eilean Leòdhais eadar 8 agus 13 Giblean 2013.

Gheibh suas ri sia-deug com-pàirtiche, aois àrd-sgoile, a tha fileanta sa Ghàidhlig an cothrom còig latha a chur seachad ann an coimhearsnachd Gàidhlig far a bheil obair chroitearachd, iasgach agus obair a’ Chlò Hearaich na phàirt mhòr de bheatha muinntir na sgìre. Gach latha bidh com-pàirtichean a’ tadhail air daoine aig a bheil sàr eòlas air an obair aca ‘s gheibh iad an cothrom ionnsachadh mu na diofar ghnìomhan a tha an sàs annta, bho chaoraich aig àm breith nan uan, buain na mònadh, ag iasgach aig mùir, trusadh maorach agus beagan mu chòcaireachd, ag ionnsachadh fad na h-ùine bho dhaoine sa choimhearsnachd.

Ged nach fheum comas ciùil a bhith aig com-pàirtichean airson 5 Latha a fhrithealadh, bidh sinn a’ tabhann cothroman sònraichte ceòl is òrain ionnsachadh bho shàr luchd-ciùil na Gàidhlig cuideachd, nam measg am fìdhlear ainmeil Iain MacPhàrlain (Blazin Fiddles) agus an seinneadar Gàidhlig Norrie MacÌomhair (Mànran).

Thadhail An t-Oll Alasdair Allan, Ministear airson Ionnsachadh, Saidheans agus Cànain Alba air an tachartas an-uiridh. Thuirt e: “‘S e cothrom air leth a th’ ann an 5 Latha do luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig, ‘s e a’ toirt cothrom do sgoilearan bho air feadh Alba sgilean traidiseanta ùra ionnsachadh ‘s iad a’ fuireach ann an eilean a tha air a bhogadh ann an dualchas na Gàidhlig. Chan eil suidheachdh nas fheàrr na coimhearsnachd Gàidhlig airson nan sgilean ùra seo ionnsachadh, far a bheil iad fhathast am follais san latha an-diugh.

“Bha e air leth tlachdmhor fhaicinn cho math ‘s a chòrd cùisean aig 5 Latha ris a’ chiad bhuidhinn an-uiridh agus bu mhath leam meala-naidheachd a chur air Fèisean nan Gàidheal airson an tachartais seo a chumail a’ dol. Tha seo a’ dearbhadh mar a tha maoineachadh Riaghaltas na h-Alba airson na Gàidhlig a’ cruthachadh chothroman do dhaoine de gach aois agus aig a’ cheart àm ag aithneachadh àite nan coimhearsnachdan Gàidhealach ann a bhith a’ coileanadh seo.”

Thuirt Art MacCarmaig, Ceannard Fèisean nan Gàidheal: “‘S e cothrom anabarrach math a tha seo do dh’òigridh an cuid sgilean Gàidhlig a chleachdach agus an leasachadh ann an suidheachadh inntinneach, cruthachail, spòrsail aig an aon àm sa tha iad a’ togail sgilean eile bho eòlaichean ann an coimhearsnachd Gàidhlig. Bha muinntir Taobh Siar Leòdhais air leth taiceil dhan tachartas nuair a stèidhich sinn 5 Latha an-uiridh agus tha sinn a’ dèanamh fiughair a dhol air ais dha na Gearrannan far an d’ fhuair sinn fàilte chridheil roimhe.”

Mhìnich Calum Ailig Mac a’ Mhaolain, Manaidsear Leasachaidh Fèisean nan Gàidheal: “Bha beachd againn cothrom a thoirt do dhaoine òga a bhith mar phàirt de choimhearsnachd Ghàidhlig agus a bhith ag ionnsachadh mu na h-obraichean a bha, agus a tha fhathast, cudromach ann am beatha nan Gàidheal, a’ cleachdadh na Gàidhlig far an t-siubhail. Dh’obraich cùisean uabhasach math an-uiridh le barrachd òigridh ag iarraidh àite na b’ urrainn dhuinn a ghabhail. Tha dùil againn ri tuilleadh iarrtais am-bliadhna.”

Tha an gairm gu 5 Latha a’ tighinn air thoiseach air co-labhairt mu Fhoghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig a bhios a’ dol air adhart ann an Dùn Èideann air 20mh Gearran.

Tha Fèisean nan Gàidheal taingeil do Bhòrd na Gàidhlig agus Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilean airson taic le 5 Latha.

Source: Fèisean nan Gàidheal

FIRST on stage in the vaulted hall at the Glasgow Art Club was folk singer Ian Smith, originally from Kilmarnock but now resident in Donegal.

One self-penned song lamented the decline of his home town’s once vibrant city centre with a sad litany of shops and cafes that are no more. It must be some time since Smith went home as, ironically, on the other side of Scotland at St Andrews, Kilmarnock had just won the major Creative Places Award for 2013 for its transformation of closed retail and industrial premises into ‘thriving arts venues and their year round series of festivals’.

Fiona J. Mackenzie

The biggest of these music festivals is the Kilmarnock Edition, named for the famous 1786 collection of Burns’ poems in the Scots dialect, and one which inspired the name of the second act, a kaleidoscopic assembly of musicians from all sorts of genres who as individual winners of the Burnsong International Songhouse of 2009 were brought under one roof for a week of intensive songwriting collaboration. They’ve continued to make music together ever since, though chances for rehearsal for this far-flung crew, each busy with their own individual careers as singer-songwriters, are few and far between.

As a result their performance isn’t what you might call polished, but amid the gloriously exhilarating con-fusion of musical styles on stage, it simply didn’t matter. Yvonne Lyon, Lisa Rigby and Fiona J Mackenzie’s voices melted together irresistibly in beautiful harmonies strengthened by the warmth of Alex Hodgson’s voice and guitar, Roberto Cassani’s bass and Stuart Clark’s percussion textures. Additional delights were provided by Sarah on fiddle and producer David Lyon on box.

From Latin-y jazz to Gaelic song, from doo-wop to dub beats, it was a rich feast of musical elan. Hodgson’s humourous introductions were only outdone by Cassani. As he said, “My songs sound serious in my head, but when I sing them, people laugh”,and his lament for the angst of empty nest syndrome proved his point; comedy gold.

Dingwall-based Fiona J Mackenzie is the driving force behind the band; amid the cheers and whistles, her soft sweet unaccompanied Gaelic song had the power to hush the audience in seconds. As a complete contrast her paean to the smartphone, or little black box “Bocsaig beag dhu” was foot-tappingly catchy and, as with ‘Pay It Forward’ (the title track of their first album) the audience clapped along without any encouragement. That’s a cast iron indicator of a good gig, and the Kilmarnock Edition is certainly that.

© Jennie Macfie, 2013

Links

• Celtic Connections
• Jennie Macfie

The evening of quick fire wit and wisdom, chaired by comedian Susan Morrison, features four of Scotland’s leading language academics: Dr Donna Heddle, Director of the University of the Highlands and Islands’ Centre for Nordic Studies, Professor Rob Dunbar, Director of Soillse (the National Research Network for the Maintenance and Revitalisation of Gaelic Language and Culture), with guests Dr Christine Robinson, Director of Scottish Language Dictionaries and J Derrick McClure, Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen.

Dr Donna Heddle explained: “Scotland has a diverse indigenous cultural identity and language is very much the foundation of it. It is time for us to cherish the diverse linguistic heritage which underpins who and what we are, for in our past lie the seeds of our future, and without our tongue, we cannot speak for ourselves. I am very much looking forward to being in discussion with such eminent and lively colleagues who will have plenty to say on this fascinating topic!”

The ‘Origins of Our Tongue’ debate is one of a number of free Celtic Connections events organised by the University of the Highlands and Islands, an education partner with the festival. University students and staff will be involved in a variety of lectures and concerts. For more information go to our website.

Susan Morrison warned language enthusiasts not to miss out: “Be there or haud yer wheesht!”

‘The Origins of Our Tongue’ takes place from 7.00pm to 9.00pm on Wednesday 30th January in Glasgow City Halls. The event is free, but ticketed. To book a place or find out more, visit www.celticconnections.com

Source: UHI

Cruinn brings together four of Scotland’s premier Gaelic singers – James Graham, Fiona Mackenzie, Brian Ó hEadhra and Rachel Walker. As individuals they have earned high distinction for their musicianship and performances. Collectively as Cruinn they are fast earning a reputation for their presentations of songs in Gaelic, both traditional and contemporary, and are admired for their outstanding use of harmonies and superb arrangements.

These arrangements and harmonies come to the fore on Cruinn’s new album, entitled “Cruinn”, which was produced by the acclaimed producer Jim Sutherland and recorded by Stuart Hamilton in the prestigious Castlesound Studios, Pencaitland.

“The band has come a long way in just a year” states Lochaber based band member Rachel Walker. “We have worked hard in choosing a diverse mix of material for the album, including songs from Ireland, England, Hungary which are translated into Gaelic, as well as self-composed songs and traditional Gaelic ones.”

Source: Cruinn

Fellow band member, Inverness based Fiona Mackenzie is looking forward to the year ahead, stating, “We hope this album will broaden our audience at home and abroad. We already have bookings this year for the new Trad Fest Edinburgh/Dùn Èideann, the Ullapool Book Festival, and as resident band at the Blas Festival. We can’t wait!”

The album “Cruinn” by Cruinn is out the band’s own label on 31 January and will be available in shops and by download from 31st January. They are currently taking pre-orders for the album on their website: www.cruinn.net. Cruinn would like to thank Creative Scotland for supporting this project.

AT Sabhal Mòr Ostaig’s birthday party the honour of playing the first notes was given to a native of that well-known Gaelic enclave, California: Dr Decker Forrest, director of the Gaelic Music course and winner of many a close-fought piping competition.

HE also plays one of the most sweetly tuned set of pipes you’ll ever have the pleasure of hearing. Earlier in the day some of his students had delivered a thoroughly professional second half in the Solas ur Tobar an Dualchais concert at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, full of delightful arrangements, solid musicianship and close-knit vocal harmonies but also notable for their calm assurance and stagecraft. They were a real credit to him and their other tutors.

Julie Fowlis

Sabhal Mòr Ostaig has been tutoring students full-time for some 30 years. By contrast, the first half of the RCS concert featured the first-ever students of the Applied Music B.A at the University of the Highlands and Islands, a degree course which builds on Sabhal Mor Ostaig’s experience of distance learning. Tutorials are usually in person but if no accessible tutor can be found, Skype allows tuition from as far away, this year, as New York.

There is extraordinary potential for cross-fertilisation among musicians studying variously opera, rock, jazz , traditional Scottish music and everything in between. To start the process the students had been set loose in the treasure house of Tobar an Dualchais to research a piece of music, learn it, work in groups to create a work based on it and then perform it – with the added challenge that the collaboration, apart from the final rehearsals the day before, would take place online.

As Julie Fowlis highlighted in her introduction, the recording of these treasured archive works in the 1930s was due to then-new technology, and now today’s technology is allowing today’s students to revisit their ancestors’ heritage. The wheel turns; this fusion of ancient and modern is the power that fuels many of the finest artists working in Scotland today. The students, tentatively at times, drew on that energy with a programme that consistently challenged expectations.

Unaccompanied Gaelic ensemble singing was augmented by whistling, as though some young blackbird had decided to join in. A charmingly indie-fied version of the ‘Eriskay Love Lilt’ showcased some neat fingerstyle guitar. Banjo duetted with bodhran and flute with accordion. Later, immaculate electric guitar had this reviewer idly wondering what would have happened if Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour had gone to Glasgow School of Art … The lack of live rehearsal time showed in occasional rough edges, but did not tarnish the overall glow.

At Sabhal Mòr Ostaig’s birthday party later that night, there were many more demonstrations of experimentation rooted strongly in the tradition. Allan Macdonald of Glenuig opened the second half with a bravura demonstration of what freeform piping, loosed from the bonds of strict military meter, can be. Tightly fingered notes and gracenotes cascaded off the stage and took the audience’s collective breath away.

Julie Fowlis is fast becoming the international face of Gaeldom, but is also a former graduate and postgraduate of Sabhal Mor Ostaig and her rendition of ‘Bothan Àirigh am Bràigh Raithneach’ showed why. Deceptively simple, the simplicity that stems from dedicated professionalism.

The evening was studded with songs from Margaret Stewart (whose pure, silvery voice outshone even the sparkle of her jewels), James Graham, Alasdair Codona, Mary Ann Kennedy, and Christine Primrose, backed by the House Band, itself not short of formidable names including Iain Macdonald of Glenuig, Alasdair White, and Angus Nicholson, plus members of the Henderson family (musical director Allan and his sister Ingrid) without whom no Highland musical festivity is complete. (There is probably a bye-law to this effect in the depths of Highland Council).

On the tune side, Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas are never less than impressive but their dynamic, vibrant performance in the City Halls dazzled. Dàimh stepped up to the mark with their laidback, virtuosity while Fergie MacDonald’s brief turn centre stage demonstrated why he has been a legend since before Sabhal Mòr Ostaig began.

Last but not at all least, Michael O’Súilleabháin, Professor at the University of Limerick, conducted the orchestra of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in some bravura jazz-infused works that highlighted the superb soprano sax-playing of Kenneth Edge, before everyone crowded onstage to uplift their voices in one final anthem.

© Jennie Macfie, 2013

Links

• Celtic Connections
• Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
• Jennie Macfie

Speaking about the talk, Margaret Mary Murray said: “I am delighted to be able to spend some time during the Celtic Connections festival as a guest of the University of the Highlands and Islands to share some thoughts on the role and impact that Gaelic broadcasting has in Scotland, the UK and indeed across the world. BBC ALBA has been successful in taking Gaelic programmes to a wider audience and, in doing so, raising awareness of the Gaelic language and culture. The channel, which is delivered in partnership with MG ALBA, has also worked with a network of partners to support those learning and using the language. This event will also offer a very welcome opportunity to meet members of our audience to hear their views on the services we provide on TV, radio and online and the developments they would like to see in the future. ”

Margaret Mary Murray has been involved with the BBC’s Gaelic provision for almost 15 years. Brought up on the Isle of Lewis, she went on to complete an honours degree in Celtic Studies at the University of Glasgow. She joined BBC Scotland’s Gaelic department in 1988 and has since worked as a researcher, producer, editor and occasional presenter for numerous television and radio programmes, including current affairs show, Eòrpa. Margaret Mary held positions as BBC Scotland’s Gaelic department executive editor and head of Gaelic, before being appointed as head of BBC ALBA in 2008.

Margaret Mary’s talk, “The Gaelic Language in the media,” has been organised by the University of the Highlands and Islands, an education partner of Celtic Connections. University students and staff will be involved in a number of free talks and concerts over the two week festival, including a debate on the origin of Scotland’s indigenous languages chaired by comedian Susan Morrison.

“The Gaelic Language in the media” takes place from 7pm to 9pm on Wednesday 23 January at BBC Scotland, Pacific Quay, Glasgow. The talk will be delivered in Gaelic and a simultaneous English interpretation will be available on request. The event is free, but ticketed. To book a place or find out more, visit www.celticconnections.com

Source: UHI

Fonn: The Campbells of Greepe (subtitled Music and a Sense of Place in a Gaelic Family Song Tradition) tells the story of a Hebridean family with a gift for music which goes back generations – and pays tribute to the place and culture that allowed them to flourish.

A quick glance at their family tree reveals seven Mod medallists, including several winners of that prestigious ‘double’ in traditional Gaelic singing: the Gold Medal and the Traditional Medal.

Many of the Campbells, who hailed from Skye and latterly Glasgow, are household names throughout the Highlands and Islands and in the world of Scottish music. One of them, Kenna Campbell, famously sang the 23rd Psalm at the memorial service for the late Labour leader, John Smith.

Kenna, honoured with a doctorate from RSAMD in 2009, was part of folk group Na h-Eilthirich (The Exiles) in the 70s, along with her sister Ann and brother Seumas, while, in more recent years, other members of the family have sung together in Cliar.

The first of the Mod Gold Medal winners in the Campbell family was Kenna’s aunt, Seonag, who won in 1957. Other winners were Kenna’s sister Ann, Ann’s daughter, Maggie MacDonald, and Kenna’s two daughters, Mary Ann and Wilma Kennedy. They were both double medallists, just as their uncle Seumas was in in his day.

Fonn, which is being launched at Sabhal Mor’s 40th Anniversary Festival Concert in Glasgow’s City Halls, tells the story of the family in their own words and those of their friends.

The main part of the book is recollections based on interviews by journalist and broadcaster Morag Stewart. There are also pictures from the family albums, family trees, maps of the area of Skye they came from, press cuttings and record cards.

Fonn is completely bilingual, being presented in Gaelic and English throughout, and also features a large collection of traditional songs from the family’s repertoire, transcribed by Mary Ann.

There is also an accompanying CD featuring rare recordings of older family members, including some from the archives at The School of Scottish Studies dating back to the 50s.

A CD of the same name, Fonn, is available separately and features new recordings of the family together. It was produced by Jerry Boys to coincide with the book and is available from Watercolour Music.

A large number of people were involved with Fonn. The book’s introduction was written by Dr John Macinnes, formerly of Edinburgh University, while the project was initially co-ordinated by Skye-based photographer and broadcaster Cailean Maclean. The photographic images used for the cover designs were by Phil Gorton from Skye.

The idea itself came from the former manager of Lewis-based publishers Acair. Norma Macleod, who is now retired, also edited the book in close co-operation with members of the family. She described the finished product as “a magnificent record of a family who contribute such an amazing amount to Gaelic tradition, music and song”.

Acair manager Agnes Rennie said Fonn was “for anyone with an interest in Gaelic music and heritage”, adding: “It pulls together a lot of things that we, as a company, value and work to promote.”

Mary Ann Kennedy said: “If it weren’t for Norma Macleod at Acair, this would never have happened. We are incredibly grateful because various people have taken an interest in our music and our story.

“We really don’t regard ourselves as being special. The reason the family are who they are and do what they do is because of the community that they grew up in.”

Fonn: The Campbells of Greepe (Music and a Sense of Place in a Gaelic Family Song Tradition) is available from Acair – www.acairbooks.com – and all good book shops, priced £30.

Source: Acair

Throughout Celtic Connections 2013 the Gaelic tradition will be celebrated with some of the world’s finest Gaels taking centre stage at Glasgow’s annual folk, roots and traditional music festival.

There is the chance to see an abundance of Gaelic talent this Saturday, 19th January. During the afternoon a project between Tobar an Dualchais and the University of the Highlands and Islands will be showcased at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. The performance is under the musical direction of Julie Fowlis and Anna-Wendy Stevenson. It is an exciting collaboration to create a new musical suite to celebrate Scotland’s heritage of song and music

On Saturday night at the Old Fruitmarket the internationally-renowned Skye College Sabhal Mòr Ostaig will be celebrating with performances from past and current tutors, alumni and students. Performers will includie Julie Fowlis, Alasdair Fraser, Fergie MacDonald, Dáimh, Christine Primrose and Margaret Stewart – plus very special guest Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, of Limerick University’s Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, this promises one mighty 40th birthday ceilidh.

An alternative, perhaps more lively option for Saturday night but still within the Gaelic realm is Kila with Mánran at the O2 ABC when dynamic and fresh sounds from Scotland and Ireland will be performed.

Two of Scotland’s foremost Gaelic talents Maeve MacKinnon and Joy Dunlop will both be performing at the festival as will as Celtic Connections’ stalwarts Altan who performed 20 years ago at the inaugural festival. As ever they will be sure to give one of their fun-filled performances.

On 24th January winners of a 2012 Danny Kyle Open Stage Award, the young Glasgow five-piece Barluath – named for an ancient, fiendishly difficult piobaireachd embellishment – have garnered further plaudits for their debut album Source, a dynamic mix of Gaelic and Scots song with bagpipes, whistles, fiddle, guitar, bouzouki, bass, clarinet and piano.

There will be a world premiere of Dán on Thursday 24th January when the talents of 14 contemporary Celtic musicians unite – acclaimed bands Kan and Guidewires, Gaelic singer Alyth McCormack and the all-star Breton quartet of Jacques Pellen, Janick Martin, Etienne Callac and Geoffroy Tamisier – Dán is an ambitious, sea-themed collaboration seeking to rekindle ancient links and forge new ones between the kindred cultures involved. In tonight’s UK premiere, timeless traditional tunes and inspired improvisational passages interweave seamlessly in amongst freshly-penned compositions from Irish poet Theo Dorgan.

One of Scottish folk music’s most exhilarating live acts Dàimh will give a memorable performance at the O2 ABC on Friday 25th January. West Highland-based combo Dàimh recently opened another new chapter in their 15-year career. Having bade a regretful farewell to vocalist Calum Alex MacMillan, the band’s core instrumental quartet have now enlisted redoubtable Gaelic champion Griogair Labhruidh, with a new album due in early 2013, and tonight’s expanded line-up also featuring percussionist Donald Hay and double bassist Jenny Hill.

Flora MacNeill is the heir to a priceless family legacy of songs, absorbed at croft-house ceilidhs as a child on Barra, the great Gaelic singer was a veritable revelation for lowland, urban listeners at Hamish Henderson’s landmark Edinburgh People’s Festival Ceilidh in 1951. This performance will be an account of her remarkable life-story, which has subsequently included performances on the world’s most illustrious stages, is hosted by her daughter, singer and clarsair Maggie MacInnes, and features some of her most iconic songs, performed by the Boys of the Lough, Ireland’s Peadar Ó Riada and the Cúil Aodha choir, among other special guests – none more special, of course, than the lady herself.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum will be the perfect setting for Andy Thorburn’s beautiful choral work Tuath du Deas (North and South) on 27th January. Written in Scots, Gaelic, English and Latin for 12 singers this piece evokes Scotlan’s human evolution over two millennia. It features specially-written text by Aonghas MacNeacail, in honour of whose 70th birthday the original cast have reconvened, including Rod Paterson, Mary Ann Kennedy, Elspeth Cowie, Alyth McCormack, Christine Kydd, Mary Macmaster, Heather Macleod and Lindsey Black, Corrina Hewat and Rory Campbell.

Across the final weekend of Celtic Connections there are some more opportunities to hear Scotland’s native tongue. One of Scotland’s finest emerging singer songwriter’s, in Gaelic and English, Mànran and Bodega frontman Norrie MacIver launches his own band line-up at Oran Mor on Friday 1st February. Also performing on this night across the city in the Glasgow Art Club are Cruinn who bring together four of Scotland’s leading Gaelic singers – James Graham, Fiona Mackenzie, Brian Ó hEadhra and Rachel Walker. Cruinn also showcases their collective multi-instrumental talents, in a richly-appointed repertoire of traditional, contemporary and original material.

At Celtic Connections 2013 there is also the opportunity to attend a free talk on the Origins of our Tongue (Tùsan ar Cànain). Audiences are invited to join the University of the Highlands and Islands language specialists Dr Donna Heddle, Director of our Centre For Nordic Studies and Professor Rob Dunbar, Director of Soillse, with guests Dr Christine Robinson, Director of Scottish Language Dictionaries and J Derrick McClure, Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen, for a lively evening of discussion and debate about the origins of Scotland’s indigenous languages. The talk will be chaired by comedian and frequent television and radio contributor, Susan Morrison, this evening of quick-fire wit and wisdom, featuring four eminent academics confined in one room, is not to be missed.

For the first time in 2013 there will the Celtic Connections Song School at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum which offers a wide range of singing workshops which includes the opportunity to learn Gaelic Songs with Darren Maclean.

Source: Celtic Connections

Faileasan (Reflections) is the follow up to her critically acclaimed debut album ‘Dùsgadh,’ (Awakening); and the result of a personal project to explore and showcase the unique beauty and intricate depths of the local Gaelic song tradition that she inherited growing up in rural Argyll. As Joy states “I feel that often Argyll is somewhat of a forgotten area; people know about the Highlands and islands of Scotland, but maybe don’t realise that Argyll has an exceptionally rich Gaelic cultural heritage. As such, I decided to research traditional Gaelic material from rural Argyll communities and explore new songs that were created from local poetry to reflect the cultural heritage of the area.”

Joy wasn’t thinking of making an album at this point, she was more interested in researching Argyll’s local culture, a passion of hers. She was lucky enough to spend time in the archives of the School of Scottish Studies, and to trawl through old books and manuscripts to see what she could find. When she realised that she had a wealth of unheard material, she decided to undertake a concert tour in the area, showcasing the songs in the areas from which they derived. Through the success of this, the thought of an album appeared and it seemed the logical next step.

The material for Joy is the real focus of the album and she has made it as authentic as possible – every aspect of the album is sourced from the area – from the songs and musicians, to the CD design, photography and even the studio recording. The album itself was recorded at An Tobar on the Isle Of Mull, in the very room where Martyn Bennett created his masterpieces.

In doing this, Joy hoped to both provide employment for local businesses whilst supporting local enterprise (Argyll is heavily reliant on tourism) and prove that you can create high quality products in rural areas. She also succeeded in featuring the wealth of musical talent that has come from Argyll and collaborated with an array of its most famous exports, including Donald Shaw, Aidan O’ Rourke, Karen Matheson, Lorne MacDougall, Sorren Maclean, Rona Wilkie and her brother Andrew. Joy is heavily involved with Gaelic choirs in her spare time, so enlisted them for backing vocals, ensuring that Faileasan is a genuinely true showcase of west coast heritage, past and present.

Source: Joy Dunlop

A series of four concerts starts at 2pm when BA Applied Music and HNC Music students gathered from across Scotland for a residency as part of their studies, present Solas ùr an Tobar an Dualchais. Showing the creativity and high level of musicianship among students this concert features new work inspired by the unique and rich cultural environment of the Highlands and Islands where these students are located. With a spotlight on the Hebrides, programme highlights include new music and re-working of traditional material from Scotland’s ground breaking digital archive of song, stories, poetry and music; Tobar an Dualchais (Kist o Riches).

“We set the students a task to research their own area on the Tobar an Dualchais website and to select a recording of a story, song or tune etc. which they brought to our Perthshire November residency,” explained music tutor Anna-Wendy Stevenson. “ Here the group exchanged and formulated ideas, and collaborated to create new arrangements, compositions, settings etc of the material, introduced by Julie Fowlis, artist in residence for the Tobar an Dualchais project. She gave students a deeper understanding of the importance of the resource.”

Since this residency, there has been intensive online activity amongst the students, using the processes and recording tools of many a professional recording artists and producers to exchange ideas in preparation for what promises to be a bright new light on the Tobar an Dualchais treasure.

“It has been a great pleasure to introduce the students to the Tobar an Dualchais online archive and watch how they have engaged with this fantastic resource,” said Julie Fowlis. “It has been particularly gratifying to hear how some songs and stories have been a source of inspiration to the students, especially as many had no previous knowledge or connection to the archive. I am looking forward to hearing what they have created for this special performance at Celtic Connections.”

BA (Hons) Gaelic and Traditional Music degree programme students, who study at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI, will follow with their own musical showcase. This is the first of a series of concerts being performed by the students, who will be touring the Highlands and Islands in the spring along with musicians who are alumni of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI.

Dr Decker Forrest, programme leader for the Gaelic and Traditional Music course, said:”The performance of the students on the BA (Hons) Gaelic and Traditional Music programme will highlight the exceptional musical talent currently at the college. Listeners can look forward to hearing the students perform skilful, unfettered arrangements of music from the heart of the Gàidhealtachd, an approach which is central to the programme’s musical identity.”

This afternoon event will warm audiences up for the Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI 40th Anniversary Celebration Concert at the City Halls; featuring a cast of past and current tutors, alumni and students – including Julie Fowlis, Alasdair Fraser, Fergie MacDonald, Dàimh, Christine Primrose and Margaret Stewart – plus very special guest Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, of Limerick University’s Irish World Academy of Music and Dance.

The final concert of the day, at the Art Club, features three award winning composers and lecturers from Lews Castle College UHI, also part of the University of the Highlands and Islands. The Tune Book Trio is an exciting new music collaboration devised for the Celtic Connections Festival by music lecturer and fiddler Simon Bradley. Showcasing the music published by each member of the trio, Simon will be joined by Mairearad Green on accordion and Ross Ainslie on pipes and whistles. The trio are accompanied by Matheu Watson on guitar and Mhairi Hall on piano. All five performers are award winning composers and performers in their own right and have tutored on the music courses at Lews Castle College UHI in Benbecula.

Details of the University of the Highlands and Islands’ events are on our website. For more information on Sabhal Mòr Ostaig @40 at Celtic Connections and the rest of 2013 go to www.smo.uhi.ac.uk . Tickets for all events are available at www.celticconnections.com

Source: UHI

“ONE thing about the college I always remember is playing music week in and week out,” says the North Uist-raised singer, who recently sang on the soundtrack of the Disney film Brave, “singing at sessions, playing at sessions, late night ceilidhs. There was always music on the go, that was very much part of my life as a student.”

Julie Fowlis

YET Sabhal Mòr Ostaig has never completely left Fowlis behind, nor her it. After first studying there a decade ago, she recently returned for a Master’s degree in Material Culture and the Environment, and this year is artist with the Tobar an Dualchais/Kist O Riches national conservation, sound archiving and digitisation project, which is based at Sabhal Mòr. “I still feel like Sabhal Mòr Ostaig is very much part of my life in lots of ways,” she says with obvious affection.

Initially established in old steadings at Ostaig Farm in 1973 (the name translates as “the great barn of Ostaig”), the initial aim for Sabhal Mòr Ostaig was to build a Gaelic library and eventually to create an educational establishment which would allow both Gaelic speakers and Gaelic learners to be educated using the language and within the environment in which it flourished. The man behind it was Sir Iain Noble – founder of merchant bank Noble Grossart, holder of the first Gaelic cheque book and campaigner for Gaelic road signs, amongst many other things – and one of his original board members was Sorley MacLean.

Sabhal Mòr Ostaig

Since then the college has expanded to become a modern degree-level educational establishment, albeit with surely one of the most distinctive settings in Europe, and yet its strong and deeply-rooted links to and development of the cultural life of the Scots Gaelic community is such that a concert like this doesn’t seem out of place.

“The whole purpose of the college is the furtherance of the Gaelic language and culture,” says Allan Henderson, music tutor and recording studio manager at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, musical director of the 40th anniversary concert and a member of Blazin’ Fiddles, “and of course music and the arts are a huge part of that, you can’t have one without the other. The language can’t survive without music, and there are very good historical reasons for that within Gaelic culture as a whole.”

Allan Henderson puts his best foot forward with Blazin' Fiddles - Ian Macfarlane is on the far right

Henderson explains that the language’s profile has really grown since Sabhal Mòr Ostaig was established, that it was given no real status or prominence back in the early days when the college was established and that now it’s almost an affirmation for speakers that they can come to a place of learning whose selling point is that the first language is Gaelic. “You only have to look at what’s happened on the mainland,” he says. “There are now very few Gaelic speakers in Mallaig or Arisaig, but there are still significant numbers in the south of Skye. There’s no doubt that Sabhal Mòr has played a big part in that.”

Fowlis agrees. “I’m lucky enough to come from a Gaelic family,” she says, “but I didn’t have that much confidence to speak it, so it was a great boost to spend time where I could study the language in depth and study the culture and the history. Certainly I didn’t get the opportunity to study these at school level, the exploration into identity and culture and belonging. It formed a great part of the course (at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig) and it was a very enjoyable.”

Henderson notes that although the music course at Sabhal Mòr has only relatively recently been established, the musical heritage of the college is written into its DNA. “One of the things about the Gaels is that we’ve always made time for music,” he says. “We’re very appreciative of it, whether it’s part of our working life or our social life, it’s always there, it’s always key. It doesn’t matter whether we’re at a low ebb or things are going well, music is how we express ourselves.

“The college reflects that. Our music degree has been up and running for only five years or so, but music has always played a huge part in college life here. It’s incredible how many of our students and staff are actually musicians themselves.”

This month’s concert in Glasgow will reflect that breadth and richness of talent. Henderson picks out Fowlis herself as one of the artists of most widespread repute who will be appearing, while he also names house bandmember Iain MacDonald, up-and-comers the Angus Nicolson Trio, and fiddler and longtime Sabhal Mòr summer school tutor Alasdair Fraser as among the highlights.

Fowlis also names Fraser, as well as Margaret Stewart and singer Christine Primrose, while both are of course hearty in their praise for Irish concert pianist Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, from Limerick University. “He’s been a longtime friend of ours here,” says Henderson, “and very supportive of what we’re trying to do.”

Margaret Stewart (photo Euphoria Photography)

For Fowlis it will be just like her good old student days, which really weren’t so long ago. “There’s been a wealth of talent through the college,” she says, “so I think it’ll be a really nice atmosphere at the concert, just lots of friends getting together and playing music. It should feel like a very natural and organic thing to take to the stage together, it’s not going to feel forced at all, even though there are a lot of people who don’t necessarily play together that often. The type of music it is and the backgrounds we all come from, though, we’ll all have shared a lot of the music over the years at Sabhal Mor. So it’ll be a lovely gathering to put on stage.”

The Sabhal Mòr Ostaig 40th Anniversary Concert is at Celtic Connections at the City Halls, Glasgow, on Saturday 19th January.

© David Pollock, 2013

Links

• Celtic Connections
• Sabhal Mòr Ostaig

Kevin MacNeil (Love and Zen in the Outer Hebrides, A Method Actor’s Guide to Jekyll and Hyde)

Watercolour Music is delighted to announce the release of one of the most significant Gaelic albums of the year. Alasdair Whyte was brought up on the Isle of Mull surrounded by the Gaelic music and song that have become his passion. He is at the forefront of a new wave of Gaelic songsmiths, writing with a sophistication and depth that belies his young age.

‘Las’ was recorded in the inspirational surroundings of Watercolour’s studios in the West Highlands, looking down Loch Linnhe towards Alasdair’s native island. It was produced by the highly respected husband-and-wife team of musician and broadcaster Mary Ann Kennedy and producer-songwriter Nick Turner. Nick said: “It was important that we got the right contemporary setting for Alasdair’s songs – he knows where his roots are for sure, but he’s definitely looking to the future with his own songs.” The album was recorded by Alasdair’s own band, fellow Muileach Ross B. Wilson on piano, and Allan Nairn on guitar, with special guests Louis Abbott and Joe Rattray (Admiral Fallow, Rachel Sermanni Band) on bass and drums, Megan Henderson on Fiddle, Gordon Gunn on Mandolin, Robert Robertson from Lochaber and members of Alasdair’s very musical family on backing vocals.

The ten songs on the album are a mix of rare and popular traditional Gaelic songs from Alasdair’s own background in Mull and Morvern, but the four songs written by Alasdair himself set the album apart as something of a special event. The tumult of young love, fulfilled or disastrous, a passionate attachment to place, and a rare ability to play with the richness of the Gaelic language mark him out as a significant new writer in the language. Eilean na h-Òige The Island of Youth) is set to become a classic in the mould of Calum and Rory MacDonald, while Tuathal – a tale of love going off the rails – is an indie hit in the making.

“It was a real honour to be invited to record this album as one of the first projects that Stòras Watercolour supported. I was fortunate enough to receive Nick’s encouragement and insight with regard to my songwriting whilst working together with the support of Creative Scotland’s Demo Fund and it was pretty exciting to see this project come to fruition within the unique environment at Watercolour.”

The album was made possible through Stòras Watercolour, a not-for-profit enterprise set up by Mary Ann and Nick specifically to encourage new Gaelic music.

Alasdair, who is currently a PhD student at the University of Glasgow, will be performing at:

Glasgow Skye Association Gathering, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu – Fri 7th Dec (7.30pm)

Gaels Le Chèile, St Peter’s Hall, Hyndland St, Sat 8th Dec (8pm)

Source: Watercolour Music

FINDHORN’S Universal Hall was the settingfor Gaelic ‘supergroup’ Dàimh’s to launch their Ho ho ho-ro Gheallaidh’s tour.

DESCRIBED as bringing “seasonal cheer with Hymns, Carols, songs and tunes connected with Christmas, New year and Midwinter” it was certainly a night to warm the oncoming cold winter months.

Dàimh

The band – Ross Martin (guitar), Damian Helliwell (banjo and mandolin), Gabe McVarrish (fiddle) and Angus MacKenzie (pipes and whistle) – were welcomed onstage with a couple of special guests for the evening; renowned Gaelic singer Margaret Stewart and Malinky’s very own Steve Byrne. Future gigs promise guests from an equally impressive list; Kathleen MacInnes, Arthur Cormack & Griogair Ladhruibh, Calum Alex and Seonaidh MacMillan and Griogair Ladhruibh.

One of the problems of focusing on Christmas and the winter holidays, as Dàimh noted, is that there is very little traditional Scottish Christmas songs. As Christmas was generally treated as a working day the songs tended to focus more on the New Year celebrations. Equally, Scottish tunes are known to focus on the darker side of life, so stories of dead wrens and cheating lovers seemed to feature heavily throughout the set but that didn’t stop the boys finding some beautifully festive jigs and reels.

The gig started off with a spirited version of the English Carol ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’ before settling into a number of Irish reels, including ‘Christmas Eve’ and ‘New Year’s Day’ before Steve joined them with some East Coast tracks, including an atmospheric rendition of the 16th century song ‘Balulalow’ as collected by Dundee’s Wedderburn brothers.

A few feisty polkas followed before Margaret joined the group for the evocative ‘Tha Sneachd’ Air Druim Uachdair’ (‘Snow on Drumochter’). The first half concluded with a fine set of Shetland tunes; the gentle ‘Christmas Day Ida Morning’ was followed by a pacey ‘Da Cold Nights of Winter’ before setting on an almost rocky tune inspired by the island’s tradition of the Skekklers.

Maybe it was because it was still relatively early in the festive season, but the Findhorn audience were a little subdued during the first half, and Dàimh as a band a little reserved (only Steve was game to wear the Christmas paper hat) but after a short break Margaret took the stage for a solo spot delivering a moving Gaelic version of ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ which firmly established a festive spirit and the boys relaxed with some humorous banter.

The set list returned to Ireland for ‘The Mummers Jig’ which incorporated a number of tunes including ‘Robin’s Nest’, ‘Drops of Brandy’ and ‘The Humours of Whiskey’ before heading of to Northumberland for the reflective ‘The Midwinter Waltz’. Steve delivered a beautiful bothy ballad solo of Kirriemuir poet Violet Jacob’s ‘Hogmanay’ before joining the boys on a lively version of ‘Queen Mary’s Men’ and a set of warming strathspeys. The night wouldn’t be complete without it and the group came back on stage for an encore of the ‘Auld Lang Syne and a pipe-led version of ‘Ding Dong Merrily on High’.

‘Ho ho ho-ro Gheallaidh’ is still to tour Banchory, Skye, Stornoway, Peebles and Castle Douglas so if you are looking for a night of festive tunes and good craic then there is still time to catch the boys and their guests in the run up to Christmas.

© Billy Rough, 2012

Links

• Dàimh

Gloidhcean was written by Fèisean nan Gàidheal staff themselves, and tells the story of a young lad who neverfulfils his potential as a carpenter. Full of songs, laughs and jokes, it is performed by three members of the organisation’s staff – Angus Macleod, Christine MacIntyre and Dougie Beck. They are joined by Rachel Kennedy, whorecently graduated from the University of the West of Scotland with a degree in Drama.

According to Dougie Beck, Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s drama officer: “Meanbh-chuileag, our drama-outreach project, has always had as an aim that pupils in Gaelic-medium education should have the chance to see plays in their own schools if it’s not possible for them to travel, and that is what we are aiming at with Gloidhcean.”

Information about tickets for the following public performances can be had on 01478 613355 or from moreen@feisean.org.

3 December, 7.30pm: Acharacle Primary

4 December, 7.30pm: Talla Dhonaidh Chaimbeul, Sleat

5 December, 7.30pm: Carinish Hall

6 December, 7.30pm: Clan MacQuarrie Community Centre

7 December, 7.30pm: Spectrum Centre, Inverness

Gaelic-medium schools will be visited on the following dates:

3 December, morning: Fort William Gaelic Primary

3 December, afternoon: Rockfield Primary School. Oban

4 December, afternoon: Portree High School (with Skye primaries)

5 December, afternoon: Sgoil Dhalabroig, South Uist

6 December, afternoon: Sgoil Lacasdail, Lewis (with Lewis primaries)

7 December, afternoon: Dingwall Primary

10 December, afternoon: Tolcross Primary, Edinburgh

—

Tha e air do chùlaibh!

Bidh luchd-obrach Fèisean nan Gàidheal air an rathad eadar 3 is 10 Dùbhlachd leis a’ phanto ùr Ghàidhlig aca, Gloidhcean agus na Dèideagan Briste. Airson a’ chiad uair bho thòisich a’ bhuidheann a’ cur air dòigh panto gach bliadhna, bidh cothrom aig a’ mhòr-shluagh am panto fhaicinn gach oidhche a bhios an sgioba air an rathad, agus taisbeanaidhean poblach air an cur air dòigh air feadh na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilean.

Chaidh Gloidhcean agus na Dèideagan Briste a sgrìobhadh le luchd-obrach na buidhne. ‘S ann mu dheidhinn balach òg nach eil uabhasach sgileil a thaobh obair shaorsainneachd a tha an dealbh-cluiche, is tha e làn spòrs, fealla-dhà agus òrain. Bidh triùir de sgioba Fèisean nan Gàidheal a’ cleasachd ann an Gloidhcean – Aonghas MacLeòid, Christine Nic an t-Saoir agus Dougie Beck, agus còmhla riutha bidh Raonaid Cheannadach, a cheumnaich o chionn ghoirid bho Oilthigh Thaobh Siar Alba leceum le urram ann an dràma.

Thuirt Dougie Beck, oifigear dràma na buidhne, “Bha e riamh na amas aig Meanbh-chuileag, an iomairt dràma aig Fèisean nan Gàidheal, gum biodh cothrom aig sgoilearan ann am foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig dealbhan-cluiche fhaicinn sna sgoiltean aca fhèin mura b’ e ‘s gun robh e comasach dhaibh siubhal gu àiteannan eile, agus ‘s e sin an t-amas a th’ againn le Gloidhcean.”

Gheibhear fios mu thiocaidean airson nan seallaidhean poblach a leanas air 01478 613355 no moreen@feisean.org:

3 Dùbhlachd, 7.30f: Bun-sgoil Àth Tharacaill

4 Dùbhlachd, 7.30f: Talla Dhonaidh Chaimbeul, Slèite

5 Dùbhlachd, 7.30f: Talla Chàirinis

6 Dùbhlachd, 7.30f: Talla Bhuirgh

7 Dùbhlachd, 7.30f: Ionad a’ Spectrum, Inbhir Nis

Bithear a’ tadhal air sgoiltean Gàidhlig air na cinn-latha a leanas:

3 Dùbhlachd, madainn: Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig a’ Ghearasdain

3 Dùbhlachd, feasgar: Bun-sgoil Rockfield, An t-Òban

4 Dùbhlachd, feasgar: Àrd-sgoil Phort Rìgh (le bun-sgoiltean an Eilein Sgitheanaich)

5 Dùbhlachd, feasgar: Sgoil Dhalabroig, Uibhist a Deas

6 Dùbhlachd, feasgar: Sgoil Lacasdail, Leòdhas (le bun-sgoiltean Eilean Leòdhais)

7 Dùbhlachd, feasgar: Bun-sgoil Inbhir Pheofharain

10 Dùbhlachd, feasgar: Bun-sgoil Tolcross, Dùn Èideann

Source: Fèisean nan Gàidheal

The service is based around computer software which works a bit like a mobile phone when it comes across new words during texting. The programme stores previously translated text so it can suggest ready-made translations when new pieces are uploaded. By encouraging many different people and organisations to use the software, its bank of translated material grows, making the service increasingly effective.

TòMaS will be of use to both in-house and freelance translators as well as the companies that use them. Organisations that have already signed up to use it include the Scottish Parliament, Forestry Commission, NHS Highland, Scottish Natural Heritage and Stòrlann, an organisation that produces and distributes Gaelic curriculum resources.

TòMaS has been developed by the University of the Highlands and Islands learning and information services department. As the first Scottish higher education institution to implement a Gaelic Language Plan, the university is committed to communicating bilingually and frequently translates English into Gaelic. Staff initially intended to develop the service to ensure translations are consistent across its partnership of thirteen colleges and specialist research organisations, but soon saw the potential of making the service available to a wider audience.

Explaining why the university is launching the service, Ruairidh Mackay, Gaelic technology service developer, said: “With organisations implementing their Gaelic language plans and the expected increase in Gaelic publications that this is expected to entail, UHI felt there was an opportunity to bring organisations and translators together to develop a networked approach to translation processes. Service partners can access previously translated material which will help with consistency and save time. The money this saves can then go back into delivering more Gaelic material within the organisation.”

Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Bòrd na Gàidhlig have provided grants to set up TòMaS and it is hoped the service will ultimately become self-sustainable.

Speaking about the resource, David Boag, Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s head of Gaelic usage, said: “The TòMaS project will undoubtedly strengthen the consistency and efficiency of Gaelic translation work undertaken by Scottish public authorities, which will in turn result in a better service for the public. The development of resources such as TòMaS is consistent with our development priorities outlined in the National Gaelic Language Plan 2012-17 and this is proof of the important role that new technology plays in supporting and growing the day-to-day use and visibility of Gaelic.”

HIE is contributing £30,000 towards the development of the service. Neil Ross, head of community growth at HIE, said: “TòMaS creates an opportunity to increase the consistency and quality of translation as well as boost productivity and reduce translation costs. This will in turn lead to the possibility of greater volumes of material being made available in Gaelic. HIE is keen to see the web-accessed service quickly evolve into a commercially viable model, enabling subscribers and translators to contribute and benefit from it even from our most remote communities.”

You can find out more about the service at www.uhi.ac.uk/tomas

Source: UHI

Daimh’s (pronounced Dive) festive Ho ho horo Gheallaidh brings together songs and tunes connected with Christmas, New Year and Midwinter from all over Scotland. Songs, Carols and Hymns in Gaelic, English and Scots researched and performed by special guests Steve Byrne (Malinky) and Margaret Stewart from Lewis (who stays just down the road in Nairn), thrilling original tunes alongside carefully selected seasonal pieces from Daimh’s powerhouse pipe and fiddle led instrumental section – this seasonal show promises to be a cracker.

“One of the most exhilarating acoustic bands on the Celtic map,” Irish Music Magazine

Sat 24th Nov, 8pm, £12/£10concs/£8 U16’s.

Tickets at the Phoenix Stores 01309 690110 and online www.wegottickets.com/UniversalHall

Source: Universal Hall

ALTHOUGH it had its detractors at the time, the first national Year of Homecoming in 2009 was deemed such a success by the Scottish Government that they’ll be repeating the exercise in 2014, handily timing it to coincide with the staging of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

AGAIN, the format will be broad enough that it can accommodate populist events and unashamed exercises in drumming up tourism trade, while also finding room for artistic explorations of what it means to be Scottish, or of Scottish descent and dispersed around the world.

Jim Sutherland (photo Kerstin Gruenling)

One such event officially launches this month, and it will focus its attention specifically on the “Gaelic diaspora”, a distinct culture of travellers and settlers who often find their own rich history lost amidst the wider story of Scots migration. Conceived and artistically directed by composer Jim Sutherland, who was raised in Thurso and lives in Edinburgh, Struileag / Shore to Shore is currently beginning a long process of gathering testimony and artistic contributions from Gaels around the world ahead of a final performance incorporating poetry, music and film at Eden Court Theatre in Inverness in 2014.

“Struileag is quite an obscure word,” explains Sutherland, himself a Gaelic learner, “I’ve been asked what it means by quite a few native speakers. It refers to an imaginary boat which was used in storytelling sessions, a bit like pass the parcel. When somebody had taken their turn at a storytelling ceilidh they would pass on the struileag, the boat, to the next storyteller.”

Struileag logo

Pointing out that his initial discussions with bodies ranging from the Scottish Government to Creative Scotland have been overwhelmingly supportive and positive, Sutherland suggests that Struileag / Shore to Shore is so much more than just an arts event. “It’s a massive outreach project which will last for two years,” he says. “It will have community engagement in Scotland, particularly in the Highlands, and internationally, culminating in a week of events and finally the show at Eden Court.” The show, he says, will be streamed live around the world, and will live on as a book, a recording and a DVD after the fact.

The way Sutherland describes the process of uncovering stories and testimony for the event makes it sound almost like a huge piece of genealogy research, with his investigations leading him to people in Argentina, Australia, Nova Scotia and most recently to Mairi Og Koroleva, a lecturer in Gaelic at Moscow State University.

“You wouldn’t imagine Moscow State University having a lecturer in Gaelic, would you?’ he laughs. “It’s been a surprising project, but it’s a strange old business these days when you’re working internationally. If you’re on Facebook and things like Twitter and Blipfoto, you find all these connections in an almost social way, research becomes a totally different thing.”

It’s the same way, he says, that he drew his pan-continental orchestra La Banda Europa together in 2006, and already it’s led him to a pipe band in Buenos Aires, the man in Seville who translated Sorley MacLean into Spanish and a Canadian rapper who speaks Irish Gaelic and is learning Scots.

Sutherland is quick to point out that the work produced will be a contemporary exploration of the Gaelic diaspora, not an opportunity to dwell once more upon traditional culture. “We’re looking at people’s lives, at what’s going on now,” he says. “We’re looking at language and the speakers of it, whether they’re first or second generation. The diaspora is an ongoing thing, it’s not about the clearances.” He recalls people coming around the doors in the 1960s, trying to headhunt Scottish workers for emigration to Australia or South America, and he’s privately glad that his father turned down the chance.

Kevin MacNeil

Although the show will eventually incorporate elements of music, performance and film (which will be co-ordinated respectively by Sutherland, theatre director Dan Ayling on behalf of Cryptic and film and television director Douglas Mackinnon of The Flying Scotsman and Doctor Who fame), its origins will be in poetry.

“These poems will then become songs, speeches, dramatic monologues,” says Kevin MacNeil, the celebrated Outer Hebridean author and poetry director of Struileag / Shore to Shore, who is currently commissioning a number of pieces to set things in motion. “I see my role as being to catalyse new pieces of art. It’s not to tell the world that contemporary Gaelic culture has elements that are of world class quality, it’s to demonstrate it.”

“There will be, for example, a piece written by a Scottish poet and performed by a rapper from Vancouver,” he continues. “Another poet is writing a secular psalm to the sea, because Gaelic psalms invoke the sea in their inherent acoustic qualities, although it’s unusual to have a secular psalm. Religion will be represented, though, because it’s a large part of the culture that this arises from – we’ve commissioned a prayer too. There will be a haibun (a Japanese blend of prose and haiku), which is rare in the Gaelic literary tradition, but that’s important because we want to build upon the cultural heritage rather than simply rely upon it. We want to do something that’s dynamic and not merely passive.”

Sutherland echoes this point, flagging up the fact that the project will be an ongoing conversation over the next two years, both with Gaelic-speaking communities around the world (he’s keen to hear leads and suggestions via the project’s Facebook site) and via an escalating programme of homegrown talks, discussions and workshops in the build-up period.

“We’re keen to engage with young people in the Highlands and talk to them about diaspora,” he says. “We want to know whether they feel the need to leave home to work, to go to Edinburgh or Glasgow or London or New York or wherever to survive. We’d really like to get people of all ages talking, whether that’s primary school kids talking to their parents or grandparents in Gaelic, and we want to hear ourselves how and where the language has gone out into the world.

“We want to be a part of creating confidence in the language and culture, to do something that we can be proud of. It’s not about nationalism, it’s not about the hills. It’s about people.”

The full Struileag / Shore to Shore website will go live later in November.

© David Pollock, 2012

Links

• Struileag Facebook Site
• Jim Sutherland

The Gathering will be in conjunction with the Arisaig Highland Games and will be hosted by the Clan Ranald.  For more information visit www.arisaighighlandgames.co.uk  or email antilleadh2014@arisaighighlandgames.co.uk

Source: HOWLing Events

Date : 1st November 2012

Venue: The Universal Hall, Findhorn

Time: 5.15pm – 7.00pm

“My Mind is With The Drawing.”

Some notes on the artists of the Gaidhealtachd,1745 to present day

Presented by Will Maclean RSA

This academic year the University of the Highlands and Islands’ “Our Guest” series will focus on Highlands and Islands culture. The first lecture in the series will give some historical background to painting and sculpture in The Highlands; dwell in more detail on a number of prominent Highland artists of the 18th and 19th centuries and will highlight a number of contemporary Highland artists. An Honorary Fellow of the University of the Highlands and Islands, Will Maclean has long been hailed as one of Scotland’s leading artists with an international reputation. Undoubtedly he is the pre-eminent artist of the Scottish Highlands.

To book a place or enquire about video-conference facilities in your area contact the events team tel: 01463 279344 or email events@uhi.ac.uk

Ar n-Aoigh…

Ceann-latha: 1 Samhain 2012

Àite: The Universal Hall, Inbhir Èireann

Uair: 5.15f – 7.00f

“MY MIND IS WITH THE DRAWING”

Notaichean air luchd-ealain na Gàidhealtachd, 1745 chun an latha an-diugh.

Ri a toirt seachad le Uilleam MacIlleathain RSA

Is e cultar na Gàidhealtachd fòcas na sreatha “Ar n-Aoigh” aig Oilthigh na Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean airson na bliadhna acadaimigich seo.

Ann an ciad òraid na sreatha, cluinnidh luchd-èisteachd mu chùl eachdraidheil peantadh agus snaigheadh air a’ Ghàidhealtachd agus mu àireamh de luchd-ealain cliùiteach na Gàidhealtachd san 18mh agus an 19mh linn. Thèid aire a thoirt do luchd-ealain Gàidhealach an latha an-diugh cuideachd.

Agus e na Neach-Caidreachais Urramach do dh’Oilthigh na Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean, tha ainm aig Uilleam MacIlleathain o chionn fada mar fhear de phrìomh luchd-ealain na h-Alba aig a bheil cliù eadar-nàiseanta. Gun teagamh, is esan sàr neach-ealain na Gàidhealtachd.

Gus àite a ghleidhadh no fiosrachadh fhaighinn mu ghoireasan co-labhairt bhideo san sgìre agad fhèin, cuir fios gu Fòn 01463 279344 no cuir post-d gu events@uhi.ac.uk

This weekend’s Annual General Meeting of Fèisean nan Gàidheal, being held in Fort William on Friday and Saturday, will hear that the organisation’s work in 2011-12 engaged over 40,000 people with nearly 6,000 Fèis participants, more than 3,000 benefiting from traditional music tuition in schools and nearly 8,000 attending Cèilidh Trail performances throughout the Highlands and Argyll during the summer of 2011.

Although its main remit is to support the work of local Fèisean, or festivals, Fèisean nan Gàidheal has been involved for several years in delivering a range of arts and Gaelic language based education and community services. The umbrella organistion, which now supports activities among 44 separate Fèisean, is to extend its reach by offering new services.

The organisation will launch Fèisgoil at its Annual Conference – a new service that will pull together various strands of education and community work. Fèisean nan Gàidheal plans to expand its work in these areas to include a new Gaelic teaching service. Fèisgoil will offer local authorities a valuable service that could help deliver non-certificated Gaelic teaching and areas of the Curriculum for Excellence relating to Expressive Arts, Health & Well-being and Literacy & Gàidhlig. The service could also assist local authorities and public bodies deliver commitments in their Gaelic Language Plans.

Arthur Cormack, Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s Chief Executive, said: “Fèisgoil is a development of a new approach to managing the various issues which emerge from time to time in Scottish schools where there might be little or no experience of dealing with Gaelic. We believe Fèisean nan Gàidheal could offer expertise to local authorities as they embrace opportunities offered by the Curriculum for Excellence to support Gaelic medium education. There are also aspects of Scottish Studies which we feel might benefit from our knowledge and skills base. The Scottish Government’s aspirations to give Scottish children the opportunity to learn three languages is a great step forward and we believe that we are ideally placed to offer local authorities help in providing the resources and skills required to make the initiative work in relation to Gaelic.”

Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s Chair, Catriona MacIntyre, added: “We all know that there are some areas where local authorities are challenged in terms of teacher supply and training which means they cannot always meet parental aspirations. Fèisean nan Gàidheal can help address these issues in collaboration with the authorities whilst contributing in the wider sense to the campaign to increase the number of people learning Gaelic throughout Scotland. School children could increase their Gaelic awareness at a number of levels and then make appropriate choices as they go forward and the changes in the curriculum offer them new opportunities.”

The main areas that Fèisgoil could assist with include Creative Scotland’s new Youth Arts Strategy and Talent Development investment; expansion in Gaelic education required at all levels, supporting Gaelic medium education and strengthening areas for improvement identified in the 2011 HMIe report Gaelic Education: Building on the successes, addressing the barriers; expansion in the use of Gaelic at community level through the organisation of Gaelic medium activities and events as part of Iomairtean Gàidhlig and independently of them and the Curriculum for Excellence requirement for young people to experience Scottish culture.

Arthur Cormack concluded: “While the use of non GTC-registered teachers in schools was not encouraged in the past, Curriculum for Excellence encourages the engagement of people from communities and outwith schools to enhance the educational experience for young people. The Youth Music Initiative has proved that good quality educational outcomes can be achieved by cooperation between classroom teachers and tutors delivering specific programmes of work that enhance pupils’ experiences. One of the main advantages of the Fèisgoil service is that local authorities could deliver Gaelic classes in a very cost-effective manner. They would not, for example, have to train their own teachers with the associated costs of obtaining cover for them while they undergo training. Fèisgoil tutors will be trained to the same standard as classroom teachers are to deliver GLPS. Funding available for GLPS could, therefore, be used entirely for delivery and, since the classroom teachers would have to be present during lessons, they could learn along with the pupils and continue with some Gaelic after a series of Fèisgoil classes ends.”

Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s Annual Report for 2011-12 will be published at its AGM on Friday September 21. It details how the organisation engaged with around 43,000 people during 2011-12; 5,922 young people took part in Fèisean; 3,191 pupils benefitted from traditional music tuition through the Youth Music Initiative delivered by Fèisean in each locality; 2,122 took part in Gaelic drama activities; 16,798 attended the 2011 Blas festival; 7,920 people attended Cèilidh Trail performances throughout the Highlands during the summer of 2011; 44 Fèisean were members of the umbrella organization; £299,811 was granted by Fèisean nan Gàidheal to local Fèisean; and FnG’s total expenditure was £1,408,055.

Fèisean nan Gàidheal a’ leudachadh an dèidh bliadhna shoirbheachail

Tha còrr is 40,000 neach air a bhith an-sàs ann an obair na buidhne Fèisean nan Gàidheal thar na bliadhna a chaidh, le suas gu 6,000 a’ frithealadh nam Fèisean, 3,000 eile ag ionnsachadh ceòl traidiseanta ann an sgoiltean agus faisg air 8,000 an-lùib nan Cèilidhean air Chuairt air feadh na Gàidhealtachd agus Earra-Ghàidheal tron t-samhradh 2011. Sin a-rèir fiosrachadh a thèid a thoirt do Choinneamh Bhliadhnail na buidhne annns a’ Ghearasdan air an deireadh sheachdain seo.

Tha Fèisean nan Gàidheal mar bhuidhinn air a bhith an-sàs ann an obair ealain, foghlam agus coimhearsnachd tron Ghàidhlig son grunn bhliadhna mar tha, ach a-nis thathas a’ coimhead ri saothar na buidhne a sgaoileadh gu raointean nas fharsainge seach a bhith a’ cumail taic ri na Fèisean a-mhàin. Thèid seirbhisean agus cothroman ùra nis a thairgse a bharrachd air a bhith a’ co-obrachadh leis an 44 Fèis a th’ann mar tha.

Nochdaidh iomradh air an leasachadh ùr Fèisgoil aig a’ Chruinneachadh Bhliadhnail anns a’ Ghearasdan, a’ mìneachadh mar a thèid diofar earrannan de shaoghal an fhoghlaim agus coimearsnachd a tharraing còmhla. Tha e an rùn Fèisean nan Gàidheal a-nis a bhith ag obair anns na raointean sin, a’ tairgse seirbheis ùr teagasg an Gàidhlig. Gheibh ùghdarrasan ionadail taic is cobhair a dh’fhaodadh cur ri teagasg Gàidhlig neo-fhoirmeil agus ann an raointean sgoile far a bheil obair a’ bualadh air a’ Churraicealam airson Sàr Mhaitheis, leithid nan ealan, slàinte, litreachas agus Gàidhlig fhèìn. Bidh cothroman ann cuideachd ùghdarrasan ionadail a chuideachadh agus a stiùireadh ann a bhith a’ dèiligeadh ri leithid Phlanaichean Gàidhlig.

Thuirt Stiùiriche Fèisean nan Gàidheal Art MacCarmaig: “Tro Fèisgoil, tha cothrom ann coimhead ri dhol an-sàs an suidheachaidhean a tha a’ tighinn am bàrr ann an sgoiltean air feadh Alba far nach eil eòlas mòr sam bith air a bhith a’ dèiligeadh ri gnothaichean Gàidhlig, agus cobhair a thabhann le sealladh às-ùr. Tha an t-eòlas sin aig Fèisean nan Gàidheal agus faodaidh sinn cur gu mòr ri na leasachaidhean a tha san amhrac aig ùghdarrasan ionadail tron Churraicealam airson Sàr-Mhaitheis ann am foghlam Gàidhlig. Tha taic ann a dh’fhaodamaid a thoirt cuideachd ann a bhith a’ leantainn Eòlas na h-Alba. ‘S e ceum mòr a th’ann gu bheil e an rùn an Riaghaltais cothrom a thoirt do dh’òigridh an Alba trì cànain ionnsachadh agus tha sinne dhen bharail gu bheil sinn mar bhuidhinn ann an deagh shuidheachadh airson a bhith a’ cur ris an stòras agus eòlas a tha a dhìth air leithid comhairlean airson a bhith a’ toirt taobh na Gàidhlig dhen obair seo gu buil.”

Thuirt Cathraiche Fèisean nan Gàidheal Caitriona Nic an t-Saoir: “Tha sinn uile mothachail gu bheil suidheachaidhean ann far nach urrainn do chomhairlean iarrtasan phàrantan son leasachaidhean Gàidhlig a choileanadh air iomadach adhbhar, leithid gainne luchd-teagasg. Tha sinne dhen bharail gu bheil Fèisean nan Gàidheal ann an deagh shuidheachadh cuideachadh le iomadach taobh de na leasachaidhean sin gus an urrainn dhuinn taic a chumail ris an iomairt airson àireamhan luchd-ionnsachadh fhàs, agus cuideachd fios is eòlas mun Ghàidhlig a sgaoileadh gu math nas fharsainge, feadh na dùthcha gu lèir. Tha cothromam mòra ann dhan Ghàidhlig an-lùib gach atharrachadh a tha a’ tighinn air foghlam.”

A-measg nan raon far am faodadh Fèisean nan Gàidheal cuideachadh a thairgse tha Ro-innleachd ùr a th’aig Alba Chruthachail airson Ealan Òigridh agus Leasachadh Thàlantan; an leudachadh a tha a dhìth air foghlam Gàidhlig aig gach ìre; taic a chumail ri foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig agus a’ neartachadh raointean obrach a chaidh a chomharrachadh ann an aithisg a dheasaich buidheann nan HMIe ann an 2011 air Foghlam Gàidhlig: A’ Togail air Soirbheachadh, A’ dèiligeadh ri Bacaidhean; leudachadh air follaiseachd agus cleachdadh na Gàidhlig aig ìre coimhearsnachd tro thachartasan Gàidhlig agus an co-bhuinn le Iomartean Gàidhlig; agus cuideachd na cothroman a tha an-lùib a bhith a’ cur ris an eòlas a tha òigridh gu bhith faighinn air cultar na h-Alba tro leasachaidhean anns a’ Churraicealam.

Thuirt Mghr MacCarmaig: “Ged nach robhas comhfhrutail le bhith a’ cleachdadh luchd-teagaisg aig nach robh teisteanas GTC roimhe seo, tha leasachaidhean ùra a’ cruthachadh suidheachadh far a bheileas a’ moladh a bhith a’ cleachdadh sgilean agus eòlas bhon choimhearsnachd taobh-muigh na sgoile airson a bhith a’ cur ri saoghal foghlam nan sgoiltean agus òigridh. Tha Iomairt Chiùil na h-Òigridh air dearbhadh gun urrainnear moran bhuannachdan a thoirt gu buil tro cho-obrachadh eadar luchd-teasgasg agus luchd-oideachaidh a tha a’ frithealadh phrògraman fa-leth airson eòlas chloinne a leudachadh. Bhiodh buannachdan mòra ann do chomhairlean a bhith a’ cleachdadh taic a tha èifeachdach a-thaobh chosgaisean airson a bhith a’ lìbhrigeadh clasaichean Gàidhlig. Cha bhiodh aca, mar eiseimpleir, ri luchd-teagaisg a thrèanadh agus cha bhiodh cosgaisean trèanaidh a’ tighinn orra. Bhiodh luchd-oideachaidh nam Fèisean aig an aon ìre trèanaidh ri luchd-teagaisg sgoile airson a bhith a’ lìbhrigeadh GLPS. Tha cothrom ann leis sin a bhith a’ cleachdadh maoin a tha air a chomharrachadh son GLPS gu lèir airson an sgeama a lìbhrigeadh seach nach biodh aig luchd-teagaisg chlasaichean fhèin ri bhith an-làthair. Gu dearbh, dh’fhaodadh an luchd-teagasg fhèin a bhith ag ionnsachadh aig an aon àm agus a’ cur ri teagasg na Gàidhlig leis an eòlas sin an dèidh clasaichean nam Fèisgoil.”

Thèid Aithisg Bhliadhnail Fèisean nan Gàidheal airson 2011-12 fhoillseachadh aig a’ Chruinneachadh Bhliadhnail anns a’ Ghearasdan Dihaoine 21mh Sultain. Tha an Aithisg a’ mìneachadh mar a tha suas gu 43,000 neach air a bhith an-lùib obair na buidhne thar na bliadhna; bha 5,922 de dh’òigridh aig na Fèisean; fhuair 3,191 buannachdan an-lùib foghlam ciùil traidiseanta tro Iomairt Chiùil na h-Òigridh ann an diofar sgìrean tro na Fèisean; bha 16,798 neach aig tachartasan fèis Blas 2011; 7,920 neach an làthair aig na tachartasan Cèilidhean air Chuairt tron Ghàidhealtachd thar samhradh 2011; tha nis 44 Fèis fo sgèith na buidhne; chaidh £299,811 a thoirt seachad le Fèisean nan Gàidheal do dh’ Fhèisean ionadail ; agus bha cosgaisean na buidnne gu lèir aig £1,408,055 airson na bliadhna.

Source: Fèisean nan Gàidheal

Always a show-stopper, this year’s offering at the Highland’s premier Gaelic event was no exception, with the award-winning Battlefield Band, the Highlands’ own bowing stars Blazin’ Fiddles and the jaw dropping talent that is Fèis Rois delighting a packed audience. A highlight was the appearance of the cast of the beautiful Blas 2012 commission from Margaret Stewart, “A’ Bhanais Ghàidhealach – The Highland Wedding”, acclaimed for all its performances from the opening night at Aigas on Friday 7 September. The Highland Wedding of the year, the special commission which launched the Blas 2012 festival, captured the imagination and led the way for a triumphant week of audience pleasing events.

Blas organisers, building on the outstanding success of the 2011 event, this year attracted new sponsorship from RBS, Business Gateway and West Highland College to enable them to build a successful the platform for this year’s festival. The event was also supported by pubic-sector bodies Creative Scotland, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Highlands & Islands Enterprise and The Highland Council, which has consistently supported the festival’s growth.

Blas 2012 Director Donna Macrae said: “It’s been a blast at Blas, as ever. We have had a fantastic mix of talent from all parts of the globe but, as always, a special focus on the very best of Highland music and song. For all the challenges we face in terms of the current financial constraints, we have managed to pull off another remarkable week which has, on the evidence of our audiences, been a resounding success. Arthur Cormack and his staff and contributors from the Fèisean nan Gàidheal network have kept the machine well-oiled over the years and this year they have once again excelled themselves with their contribution. Throughout the Highlands we have entertained everyone with a great series of events and to see the reception we got at the closing concert in Inverness makes it all worthwhile.”

Donna Macrae added: “One of the most significant votes of approval we receive is the clamour to have some of our performances repeated elsewhere. I have no doubt but that “The Highland Wedding” and “Eilean Fraoich” – the tribute to Calum Kennedy may well be reprised at some point in the future and no-one can ask for any better. And that’s another series of major performances the young Fèis stars have under their belts as they set off on their musical careers. Perhaps that is the most satisfying aspect of Blas 2012.”

Arthur Cormack, Chief Executive of Fèisean nan Gàidheal paid tribute to all those involved in Blas 2012. He said: “We had a great bunch of artists, on the ball promoters at local level, a great team at Donna Macrae’s office and very enthusiastic audiences. We also hit our box office targets, which we have done almost every year since Blas began. But the nature of the festival is such that it will always require a level of external investment if we are to be able to bring good quality events to small venues. We are extremely grateful to all those bodies that continue to help us financially, even in these tough times. There is, of course, an economic benefit from Blas which gives employment to musicians, income to accommodation and food providers and to other areas of the creative industries. But the greater benefit is the opportunity to celebrate Gaelic culture and promote the language.”

Plans are already underway for Blas 2013 which will take place from 6 to 14 September. Among other events it is hoped to that there will be an appearance from one of Scotland’s foremost bands marking a significant anniversary next year.

Blas 2012 a’ coimhead chun na h-ath bhliadhn’ mar tha

Thàinig an t-ochdamh Fèis Blas gu crìch an Inbhir Nis air an deireadh sheachdain le cuirm shònraichte ann an Talla an Aodainn a chuir crioch air sia latha de chuirmean air leth air feadh na sgìre. Agus ‘s gann gu bheil an doras sin air dùnadh na tha sealladh air adhart bhon stairsnich gu 2013.

Tha e na chleachdadh a nis aig Fèisean Blas gu bheil a’ chuirm-chriochnachaidh na h-oidhche air leth, agus cha robh am bliadhna air chaochladh. A-measg na ghabh chun àrd-ùrlair bha an còmhlan Battlefield, Blazin’ Fiddles agus òigridh Fèis Rois. Mur biodh sin fhèoin son air togail a thoirt do dhaoine, chaidh sealladh eile fhaighinn air luchd na bainnse, a bha fhathast a’ rèiteach cuid de na ceistean is àmghairean, spòrs is fealla-dha a bh’air fhighe steach dhan Bhanais Ghàidhealach. Eadar a h-uile gnothach eile a chaidh a chur air adhart, chaidh aithris ionmholta a dhèanamh air coimisean fèis na bliadhna seo, a chaidh a dheisealachadh leis an t-seinneadair Maighread Stiùbhart.

A’ togail air fèis na bliadhn’-uiridh, fhuair Blas 2012 taic às-ùr bho bhuidhnean goistidheachd leithid RBS, Business Gateway agus a’ Cholaiste mun Iar. Fhuair an fhèis taic cuideachd bho bhuidnean poblach leithid Alba Chruthachail, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilan agus Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd, a tha air a bhith a’ cumail taic chun na Fèise grunn bhliadhnaichean.

Thuirt Stiùiriche Blas 2012 Donna NicRath: “Bha ceum an casan a h-uile duine aig Blas mar as àbhaist agus farum aig na bùird anns a h-uile talla. Tharraing sinn measgachadh air leth de thàlantan bho air feadh an t-saoghail, ach bha ar prìomh amas mar as àbhiast air fìor cheòl is òrain na Gàidhealtachd a chumail aig teis-mheadhain gach tachartas is àrd-ùrlar. Ged a tha cùisean air teannachadh orinn ann an iomadach dòigh thaobh staid an eaconamaidh agus gearraidhean eile, the e iongantach mar a chaidh againn air leithid de sheachdain a chruthachadh agus a lìbhrigeadh. Chan eil dearbhadh nas fheàrr againn air sin na an taic a fhuaras bhon luchd-amhairc. Cha ghabh luaidh a dhèanamh gu cothromach air Art MacCarmaig agus luchd-obrach Fèisean nan Gàidheal agus tha lìoradh nam Fèisean a-rithist air a bhith nan rionnagan ann an speuran nan ealan. Chuir sinn clàr air leth air adhart fad na seachdain agus tha mar a chaidh le gach tachartas air feadh na Gàidhealtachd, ach gu sònraichte leis a’ chuirm-chriochnachaidh na shàr thoileachas dhuinn uile.”

Bha Donna air leth moiteil as na rinneadh le cuirm no dha air an deach fèill air leth a bhuileachadh. “Chan fhaigh sinn moladh nas fheàrr an àite sam bith na daoine a bhith ag iarraidh ath-shealladh air cuirmean, agus an toirt gu àiteachan eile. Tha sin air tachairt mar tha a-thaobh na Bainnse Ghàidhealaich agus cuideachd “Eilean Fraoich” – far an robhas a’ luaidh beatha agus saoghal a’ Cheanadaich. Tha a h-uile dòchas again gun tèid dòigh a lorg airson an cur air adhart a-rithist. Agus aig deireadh an latha ‘s dòcha gur e an rud as mòtha a tha a’ toirt dhuinn de thoileachas gu bheil sinn air sruth eile de luchd-ciùil agus seinneadairean òga a leigeil ma sgaoil tro shaothair nam Fèisean. Sin a bhuannachd as mòtha a thàinig à Blas 2012.”

Rinn Ceannard Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Art MacCarmaig, moladh air a h-uile duine a bha an sàs ann am Blas 2012. Thuirt e: “Bha còmhlain, seinneadairean agus luchd-ciùil air leth againn, sgiobaidhean agus daoine aig àrd ìre anns na coimhearsnachdan a’ cur nan cuirmean air dòigh agus gam foillseachadh, sgioba air leth san oifis aig Donna NicRath agus sluagh a bha air am beò hlacadh leis na bha man coinneimh. Choilean sinn an teachd a-steach a bha a dhìth orinn, mar a tha sinn air a dhèanamh cha mhòr a h-uile bliadhna on a thòisich Blas a dh’aindeoin àmhghairean an eaconamaidh. Tha cosgais an lùib cuirmean mòra a chur air adhart ann an coimhearsnachdan beaga agus tha taic-airgid gu bhith a dhìth airson sin a dhèanamh. Tha sinn gu mòr an comain nam buidhnean maoineachaidh a tha a’ cumail taic thugainn, gu h-àraidh seach gu bheil gnothaichean gu math doirbh aig cuid dhiù iad fhèin. Tha iad ag aithneachadh gu bheil buannachdan ann dhan eaconamidh bho shaothair Blas, a tha a’ toirt obair do luchd-ciùil cho math ri teachd a-steach do thaighean- còmhnaidh agus ithe, agus do mheuran eile de na gnìomhachasan cruthachail. Ach tha a’ bhuaidh as motha a’ tighinn bho na cothroman a tha Blas a’ tairgse ar cultar a chomharrachadh agus aithneachadh, a’ cheart cho math ri bhith a’ brosnachadh agus a’ misneachadh dhaoine a-thaobh na Gàidhlig.

Thathas a-nis a’ coimhead air adhart gu Blas 2013 a bhios a’ dol air adhart bho 6 gu 14 Sultain. A-measg ghnothaichean eile, tha dùil gum bi còmhla ciùil ainmeil Albannach a’ comharrachadh ceann-latha shònraichte le bhith a’ tighinn chun na Fèise.

Source: Blas Festival

EVEN looking across its younger generational stratum, today’s folk scene often still appears a largely male-dominated realm, so the affirmative action embodied by the main touring double bill of this year’s Blas festival, joined here by young North Uist singer Linda Macleod, serves as a welcome counterweight.

ALL three acts – performing against the always enjoyable backdrop of evening flights taxi-ing into the arrivals terminal – had self-evidently been chosen first and foremost on the basis of outstanding musical merit, together with the complementary qualities of their music, factors which of course only strengthen the feminist subtext.

Vamm

Still in her early 20s, MacLeod is a justly rising star of Gaelic song, combining deep local and family roots in its traditions – especially through her late grandfather, Hugh Matheson, one of whose songs she included here – with extensive academic studies at Glasgow University, where she specialised in previously unpublished material from her home community of Baleshare, and now works for the Digital Archive of Scottish Gaelic. Not that there was anything remotely dry or scholarly about the two short sets with which she opened both halves of the show, just the natural assurance and expressive eloquence that comes from knowing and loving your stuff to bone-deep level, allied with a dulcet, delicate, yet subtly wiry voice and sure rhythmic instincts.

Vamm, meaning to bewitch or enchant in Shetland dialect, is the new trio partnership between those islands’ leading female fiddler, Catriona Macdonald (formerly of Blazin’ Fiddles), her Perthshire co-instrumentalist Patsy Reid (formerly of Breabach) and Marit Fält – from Norway, of Swedish parentage – on Låtmandola, an octave mandolin with an additional bass string and “various other extras”.

It’s barely a year since they launched the band, and their sound still resonates with the fresh delight of discovery, but in all other respects this is already richly-evolved, sumptuously sophisticated music, fuelled by a shared passion and exquisite discernment for beautiful tunes, drawn from across the full swathe of their collective heritage. Also capitalising fully on a formidable shared armoury of technical skills and individual approaches, they arrayed and reconfigured each piece this way and that, layering myriad harmonic, rhythmic and textural variations into radiantly protean sonic tapestries, encompassing moods and modes from lush classical elegance to funked-up high-speed dance medleys.

For another fiddle-fronted band, Kristan Harvey and the Sanna – the four-piece led by 2011’s Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year – could hardly have presented a more rewarding contrast. With the Orkney-born Harvey flanked by guitarist Tia Files, Megan Henderson on piano and the night’s token male, Adam Brown, on bodhran, their mostly uptempo set was resolutely anchored in chunky, springy rhythm work, enriched by Henderson’s melodic contributions and Files’s jazzy chord colours. This provided the perfect sparring-partner for Harvey’s brilliantly livewire playing – nimble yet muscular, effervescent yet exact – in a Scottish/Orcadian-centred tune selection vibrantly infused with bluegrass influences.

© Sue Wilson, 2012

Links

• Blas Festival

Cuairt nam Bàrd is a long-standing exchange between Scotland and Ireland and Fèisean nan Gàidheal recently took over its organisation from Comhairle nan Leabhraichean.

Arthur Cormack, Chief Executive of Fèisean nan Gàidheal, said: “Cuairt nam Bàrd, or Turas na bhFhilí, is a long-established cultural events featuring writers, musicians and singers from both sides of Sruth na Maoile and we are delighted to have been able to include the Scottish leg of the exchange in this year’s Blas festival. There brings a great line-up of poets, storytellers, singers and musicians as a very welcome addition to the festival programme.”

Brìd is now a full-time writer, having taught languages previously. She has won several awards for her poetry, and also for her prose when her M. Litt thesis was published. Ciarán is a professor of language, literature and civilization in St Patrick’s College Drumcondra, Dublin, and with many publications to his name in the field of poetry, novels and academic works. Caoimhín is studying for an MA in Irish at Cork, and was TG4’s Young Musician of the Year in 2012. Naisrín is a medical doctor, and the daughter of Treasa Ni Cheannabháin and native Egyptian Dr Saber Elsafty. Naisrín has won many competitions for seann-nòs singing and has appeared on several albums.

Scottish-based poets and musicians will include Calum MacLeod (Inverness), Peter MacKay and Rody Gorman (Sabhal Mòr Ostaig), Tarmod MacLeòid (Leòdhas), Lisa MacDonald (Ullapool), and Ronnie Campbell (Roy Bridge), with music from such Highlandluminaries as Rona Lightfoot, Angus Nicolson, Roddy-John “Rodaigean” Martin, Iain-Gordon MacFarlane and Sgoil-chiùil Loch Abar.

Cuairt nam Bàrd will visit the following venues:

Tuesday 11 September – MacLean Room in Eden Court Theatre @ 7.30pm [01463 234234]

Wednesday 12 September – Talla Dhonaidh Chaimbeil in Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Sleat @ 7.30pm [01471 888000]

Thursday 13 September – Clan MacQuarrie Centre in Borve, Lewis @ 7.30pm [01851 850397]

Friday 14 September – The Ceilidh Place, Ullapool @ 8.30pm [01854 612103]

Saturday 15 September – Roy Bridge Memorial Hall @ 7.30pm [01397 712371]

For more information about the full programme of events visit www.blas-festival.com

Èirinneach agus Albannaich còmhla aig Blas 2012

Fhad sa tha fèis Blas 2012 a’ dol air adhart am bliadhna, bidh Cuairt nam Bàrd, le taic bho Cholmcille, air fhilleadh dhan phrògram – cliar air a’ chlàr mar gum biodh. Bidh na Bàird Èireannach Bríd Ní Mhóráin agus Ciarán Ó Coigligh còmhla ris an t-seinneadair seann-nòs Naisrín Elsafty agus am pìobaire Caoimhín Ó Fearghail, agus sgrìobhaichean is luchd-ciùil à Alba a’ tadhal air Inbhir Nis, Slèite, Borgh (Leòdhas), Ulapul agus Drochaid Ruaidh.

Tha dlùth-cheangal agus co-luadar làidir air a bhith eadar Alba agus Èireann fad ghrunn bhliadhnaichean tro Chuairt nam Bàrd agus tha e nis air a fhrithealadh le Fèisean nan Gàidheal, a th’air a’ chùis a ghabhail os làimh bho Chomhairle nan Leabhraichean.

Thuirt Art MacCarmaig, Stiùiriche Fèisean nan Gàidheal: “Tha inbhe agus seasamh aig Cuairt nam Bàrd, no Turas na bhFhilí, air a bheil e airidh agus tha an Turas gu math soirbheachail ann a bhith a’ cur air adhart sgrìobhaichean, luchd-ciùil agus seinneadairean bhon dà thaobh de Shruth na Maoile. Tha sinn air leth toilichte gun d’ fhuair sinn cothrom meur na h-Alba dhen cho-luadar a thoirt a-steach gu Fèis Blas 2012. Tha a’ Chuairt a’ cur gu mòr ris a’ chlàr de thachartsan a tha sinn a’ tairgse, le bàird, sgeulaichean, seinneadairean agus luchd-ciùil a’ falbh mar chliar, fad is farsaing.”

Tha Brìd a-nis na sgrìobhaiche làn-ùine an dèidh a bhith a’ teagasg chànan. Tha i air grunn dhuaisean a bhuinnig airson a cuid bàrdachd agus cuideachd airson a cuid rosg nuair a chaidh treachdas M.Litt a sgrìobh i fhoillseachadh. Tha Ciaran na Àrd-Ollamh cànan, litreachas agus sìobhaltachd ann an Colaiste an Naoimh Pàdraig an Drumcondra, am Baile Ath Cliath, agus tha e air mòran fhoillseachadh mu bhàrdachd, nobhalan agus ann an raointean acadaimigeach. Tha Caoimhín an dràsta a’ leantain ceum ann an Gaeilge ann an Corgaigh agus chaidh ainmeachadh mar neach-ciùil òg na Bliadhna le TG4 ann an 2012, a-measg dhuaisean is tachartasan soirbheachail eile. Tha Naisrín na dotair meidigeach agus is i nighean Treasa Ni Cheannabháin agus an Dr Saber Elsafty a bhoineas dhan Èiphit. Bhuinnig Naisrín grunn math dhuaisean airson seinn san t-seann-nòs agus tha i air a bhith a’ seinn air iomadach clàr.

A-measg nan sgrìobhaichean agus sgeulaichean ionadail a bhios a’ cur ris a’ chuairt tha Calum MacLeòid (Inbhir Nis), Peadar MacAoidh agus Rody Gorman (Sabhal Mòr Ostaig), Tarmod MacLeòid (Leòdhas), Lisa NicDhòmhnaill (Ulapul), agus Ronnie Caimbeul (Drochaid Ruaidh), le taic bho shàr luchd-ciùil bhon Ghàidhealtachd leithid Rona Lightfoot, Aonghas MacNeacail, Ruairidh-Iain “Rodaigean” Màrtainn, Iain-Gòrdon MacPhàrlain agus Sgoil-chiùil Loch Abar.

Bidh Cuairt nam Bàrd anns na h-àiteachan a leanas:

Dimàirt 11 Sultain – Seòmar MhicIllEain ann an Cùirt an Aodainn, Inbhir Nis @ 7.30f [01463 234234]

Diciadain 12 Sultain – Talla Dhonaidh Chaimbeil ann an Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Slète @ 7.30f [01471 888000]

Diardaoin 13 Sultain – Ionad Chlann MhicGuaire ann am Borgh, Leòdhas @ 7.30f [01851 850397]

Dihaoine 14 Sultain – Ionad a’ Chèilidh, Ulapul @ 8.30f [01854 612103]

Disathairne 15 Sultain – Talla Chuimhneachaidh an Drochaid Ruaidh @ 7.30f [01397 712371]

Airson tuilleadh fiosrachaidh mu chlàr Blas 2012 airson a’ chòrr dhen t-seachdain, faicibh www.blas-festival.com

Source: Blas Festival

THIS year’s Blas Festival commission was handed to Lewis-born, Nairn-based Gaelic singer, Margaret Stewart.

FOR the last few years, she has been closely involved with the Tobar an Dualchais project as Gaelic Song specialist, resulting in a wealth of riches to draw on. Taking the theme of wedding traditions of the Highlands and Islands, she has created a feast of glorious singing and top notch music linked by gently informative narration and seasoned with the earthy humour that is the wellspring of Gaeldom.

Margaret Stewart (photo Euphoria Photography)

The earthiness was, it must be said, often supplied by the musicians, chiefly Allan Henderson, abetted by his fellow Blazin’ Fiddler Iain MacFarlane, Ingrid Henderson on clarsach, and piper Angus Nicholson. Cows were the chief catalyst, representing the major part of a bride’s dowry in the days when dowries were an integral part of a marriage.

But to begin at the beginning – the stage was set with a gentle lullaby, a song which lulls a baby boy to sleep telling him how, when he grows up and gets married, all the nobility of Gaeldom will dance at his wedding; followed by a sprightly song about lads going a-courting. This leads to an idiosyncratically Gaelic custom, ‘night visiting’, evoked by some tunes from the MacInnes Collection, a challenging volume of piping tunes where every sequence has a different variation, and there did indeed seem to be a noticeable air of concentration on the musicians’ faces.

Longing and Yearning was the next section, that stage in a relationship which leads to the proposal of marriage. Margaret Stewart’s a capella rendition of the answer to the proposal led into a pibroch by and duet with Angus Nicholson, the high point of the evening for this reviewer as her exquisite, pure silver tones mingled perfectly with the pipes. A set, it turns out, which were made specifically to match her voice – a practice which could be more widespread. It was fabulously good to hear.

An Cordadh – the dowry agreement – was historically expressed in the number of cattle the bride brought with her, and led to A’Reiteach (the betrothal) which was an occasion for considerable celebration. Each section of the evening was illustrated with projected images and for this Stewart had chosen a David Wilkie painting. As the musicians played a Cape Breton wedding reel, the figures almost seemed to be dancing along with it…

The second half opened with Stewart, solo, singing Salm XVI, the Royal Wedding psalm, in the Lewis style, a coup de theatre which was very moving in its simplicity, but as we moved on to ‘Clach a Phosach’ (the marriage stone) things were swiftly brought down to earth by a risque but very funny joke, featuring some of those dowry cows, from Allan Henderson… and so on to the actual wedding celebrations, and the wedding night itself, evoked by a charming video, nicely directed by Stewart. The evening finished with some tunes for ‘A Bhanais Taigh’, the second day of celebrations, traditionally held at the groom’s house.

As well as scouring the archives for suitable tunes, and unearthing many lovely treasures, Stewart had written several herself which more than stood comparison with them, and will hopefully encourage her not to hide that particular light under a bushel in future. An evening full of delights and surprises to begin Blas 2012.

© Jennie Macfie, 2012

Links

• Blas Festival
• Jennie Macfie

Gaelic singer Margaret Stewart’s version of one of the Highland’s great traditions, the wedding and all its accompanying events and issues, along with a tribute to the late, great Calum Kennedy, were two of the highlights on the opening weekend of the Highland’s premier Gaelic festival. And that has set the bench-mark for what promises to be a full-on week of engagement and entertainment from the far north to the west and to Badenoch and beyond.

Festival Director Donna MacRae said: “The Highland Wedding has been received with significant acclaim and full audiences at the opening night in Beauly and then at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in Skye. Already people are clamouring to see it again and it is not just the bride who is expecting further action during this week. Their imminent arrival in Polewe on Monday night and then Nairn on Tuesday will be eagerly anticipated. The wedding will also feature in our closing night concert at Eden Court on Saturday night and we expect that to be packed out. It’s no surprise that the Calum Kennedy tribute was also such a success and from Roy Bridge to Ardnamurchan and the Jacobite Cruise on Loch Ness Highland audiences have once again responded in great style to the festival’s line-up.”

That action steps up a gear this week with a toe-tapping range of international artistes and local talent performing the length and breadth of the area. Amongst the star attractions are the Gaelic-speaking, pipe and fiddle wielding Mackenzie brothers from Mabou, Angus, Kenneth and Calum. They started off in Roy Bridge on the opening night of the Festival, have socked it to them in Sunart, and will be making merry in Mallaig in the West Highland Hotel on Tuesday September 11. After that they head for Balblair’s Resolis Memorial Hall on Wednesday.

Amongst the best of Gaelic singers on the move this week is Maeve MacKinnon who is taking her Trio to Lochcarron on Friday evening (September 14). Along with Maeve will be The Elephant Sessions, who are rapidly making a huge impact on the Scottish music scene.

Maeve will also be appearing in a very special event “Guth” (the Voice) at Eden Court Theatre on Thursday evening and this could well be one of the major highlights of the week. Senegalese singer Samba Sene, will be with her, along with Maeve’s own band and Inverness Gaelic Choir under the baton of Mary Ann Kennedy, as well as Còisir G, the pan-Highland Schools Choir led by Eilidh MacKenzie. Topping it all, fresh from her triumph at Hampden leading the massed ranks of the Tartan Army on Saturday, (shame about the result!) will be Julie Fowlis and her band Dual.

Donna MacRae has again highlighted the need for tickets to be booked in advance wherever possible. She said: “We are very pleased with the audience response so far and we know that people are now leaving things until very late before going for tickets. To avoid disappointment however, I would urge everyone to secure tickets as early as possible. Some of the shows this week will attract verylarge audience and we want as many people as possible to be able to enjoy what promises to be a veritable feast of entertainment which should live up to the magnificent opening we have had over the opening weekend.”

For more information about the full programme of events visit www.blas-festival.com

Toiseach-tòiseachaidh air leth airson Blas 2012

Chuir A’ Bhanais Ghàidhealach – ‘s dòcha tachartas cho sònraichte de leithid air a’ bhliadhna seo, Fèis Blas 2012 air adhart le farum is brag a tha air ceum a chur an casan dhaoine son a’ chòrr dhen t-seachdain. Bha tallaichean luma-làn agus fàilte air leth air a chur air luchd na bainnse, an Coimisean sònraichte son fèis 2012.

Chuir a’ bhana-sheinneadair ainmeil Maighread Stiùbhart agus a cuideachd an dreach fhèin air a’ Bhanais Ghàidhealach agus na tha a’ tighinn na cois aig cridhe coimhearsnachdan Gàidhealach. A bharrachd air an oidhche iomraiteach sin sa Mhannachain, bha a’ chuirm a chaidh a chur air dòigh a’ luaidh beatha agus guth a’ Cheanadaich sònraichte cuideachd. Tha am fàilte a chaidh a chur air an dà thachartas agus gnothaichean eile air an deireadh sheachdain a-nis nan slait-tomhais son a’ chòrr dhen Fhèis, fad is farsainn air feadh na Gàidhealtachd.

Thuirt Stiùiriche na Fèise Donna NicRath: “Bha an luchd-amharc aig a’ Bhanais Ghàidhealach air am beò-ghlacadh le na thachair, an dà chuid air a’ chiad oidhche agus an uairsin aig Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. Tha othail mhòr mun cuairt son cothrom a bhith aig barrachd dhaoine a dhol chun na bainnse, biodh fiathachadh aca gus nach eil. Bidh iad uile am Poll-iù oidhche Luain agus an uairsin an Inbhir Narann oidhche Mhàirt, agus cò aige tha fhios dè an suidheachadh a bhios aca mas cruinnich luchd na bainnse a-rithist ann an Inbhir Nis aig a’ chuirm-chriochnachaidh oidhche Shathairne. Tha sinn an làn dhùil gum bi Talla na h-Ìompaireachd làn chun nan tobhtaichean son sin. Chan eil e na iongnadh sam bith gun deach cho math le Cuirm a’ Cheanadaich agus eadar na bha a’ dol bho Dhrochaid Ruaidh gu Ardnamurchan agus fo sheòl air Loch Nis, tha an luchd-amharc air dearbhadh dhuinn cho freagarrach agus sònraichte ‘s a tha an clàr againn aig an fhèis a tha seo.”

Tha ceum a’ bharrachd a-nis a’ dol dhan fhèis agus bidh tàlant eadar-nàiseanta agus ionadail a’ tighinn còmhla fad na seachdain air feadh na Gàidhealtachd. A-measg an luchd-ciùil is ainmeile agus as tarraingaiche tha na bràthairean MacChoinnich à Mabou, Aonghas, Coinneach agus Calum a bhios ris an fhidhillagus a’ seinn na pìoba. Thòisich iadsan ann an Drochaid Ruaidh oidhche Haoine agus tha iad a-nis air an slighe a Mhalaig son oidhche Mhàirt (Sultain 11). An dèidh sin tha iad a’ dèanamh air talla Ruigh Sholais son oidhche Chiadain.

Thabana-sheinneadairean Ghàidhlig gu leòr mun cuairt fad na seachdain agus nammeasg tha Maeve NicFhionghain a tha gu bhith an Loch Carran oidhche Haoine còmhla ris an Trio aice fhèin, agus cuideachd na Elephant Sessions, còmhlan a tha air cliù a bhuinnig dhaibh fhèin fad is farsaing.

Bidh Maeve cuideachd a-measg cruinneachadh de shàr luchd-ciùil a bhios a’ cruinneachadh gu Talla na h-Ìompaireachd Inbhir Nis oidhche Dhiardaoin son An Guth. Còmhla rithe bidh an t-seinneadair Senegalese Samba Sene, an còmhlan aig Maeve fhèin, Còisir Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis fo stiùir Mhairi Ann NicUalraig, agus cuideachd Còisir G, an còisir òg bho air feadh na Gàidhealtachd fo stiùir Eilidh NicChoinnich. Agus mur biodh sin fhèin gu leòr, nan cuideachd a bharrachd air sin tha Julie Fowlis, a bha air ceann an t-seinn aig a’ bhall-coise ann an Hampden an Glaschu air an deireadh sheachdain. Chan e coire Julie chòir a bh’ann nach do rinn Alba cho math ‘s a bha daoine ag iarraidh!

Thuirt Donna NicRath gu bheil e air leth cudromach gun dèan daoine an dìcheall tiocaidean a chomharrachadh agus a cheannach cho tràth ‘s a ghabhas. “Tha sinn air leth toilichte le na tha sinn a’ cluinntinn bhon luchd-amharc mar tha mu na tachartasan agus tha fhios againn gum bi daoine a’ fàgail an tiocaidean chun mhionaid mu dheireadh. Mholainn-sa do dhaoine gluasad gus tiocaidean fhaighinn son cuirmean a tha iad son a bhith a’ frithealadh cho tràth sa ghabhas, gus nach tig an tàmailt le cothrom a chall, seach gu bheil uibhir de dh’fhèill air tòrr de na tachartasan. Tha sinn airson is gum bi cothrom aig nas urrainn a dhol gu na tachartasan againn. Tha sinn air ar misneachadh gu mòr leis an toiseach-tòiseachaidh air an deireadh sheachdain agus tha làn-dhùil againn gur e sin barail a mhaireas chun chuirm chriochnachaidh oidhche Shathairne.”

Airson tuilleadh fiosrachaidh mu chlàr Blas 2012 airson a’ chòrr dhen t-seachdain, faicibh www.blas-festival.com

Source: Blas Festival

The competition based festival attracts competitors from Gaelic communities throughout the world.

The eight day festival is a celebration of Gaelic music, dance, drama, arts, literature and cultural heritage.

Local pubs, hotels and other venues in Dunoon will also host some of Scotland’s top ceilidh artists in addition to official Royal Mòd events as part of the Mod Fringe.

For full festival programme and details, visit www.acgmod.org or http://www.dunoonmod2012.org

Source: Royal National Mòd

The 2012 festival’s annual commission was awarded to Margaret and her ensemble and they were tasked with delivering four performances which would be highlighted in the festival programme. The Highland Wedding was the theme chosen by Margaret, who is currently Musician in Residence at the Gaelic College, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, on Skye.

Drawing on her extensive expertise as a Gaelic singer and collector, Margaret has chosen to explore various themes connected with the place of the Highland wedding in local society through the ages. Drawing on her knowledge of Gaelic music and song, particularly through her familiarity with the Tobar an Dualchais project, Margaret has assembled a multi-talented group of musicians who will help her explore love, loss and disappointment, flirtation, wooing, night-visiting, humour and dance.

The wedding will be consummated (for want of a better word) on the opening night of the 2012 festival at the unique location of Magnus House at the Aigas Field Centre hosted by Sir John and Lucy Lister-Kaye, owners of the nature centre.

Joining Margaret will be some of the best of the Highland’s musical talent: Iain MacFarlane on fiddle and box, Ingrid Henderson (clàrsach), Allan Henderson (fiddle and piano), and Angus Nicolson on the pipes.

Donna MacRae, Blas Director said: “It is now firmly established as one of the Blas traditions that we have an outstanding piece of work to launch the event and to set the tone. I am absolutely certain that Margaret Stewart and her musicians will provide us with another outstanding start to the Festival; for all that the preparations for this Highland wedding, as with any other, will be frenetic until the last minute. Not only will the wedding itself be memorable, but the location for our opening night could not be more spectacular and we are delighted that Sir John and Lady Lucy will be our hosts. Luckily for them, it’s a wedding they won’t have to pay for!”

As long as the marriage survives the opening night, its further consummation will continue in true Highland style (the best Highland weddings lasted more than one evening) and will go on tour to a number of other locations: Sabhal Mòr Ostaig on Skye, Saturday, September 8; Poolewe Village Hall on Monday, September 10 and finally Nairn Community Centre on Tuesday, September 11, with all the performances starting at 7.30pm.

Further information on the Blas programme is available from www.blas-festival.com.

A’ Bhanais Ghàidhealach ga rèiteach

Do neach sam bith a tha air a bhith a’ deisealachaadh suidheachadh bainnse, tha fhios gur iad na ceithir seachdainnean mu dheireadh an fheadhainn as frionnasaiche. Agus sin far a bheil an seinneadair Maighread Stiùbhart agus a cuideachd an dràsta agus iad gan cur fhèin ann an sunnd airson na Bainnse Ghàidhealaich aig Fèis Bhlas 2012.

Chaidh comisean sònraichte na bliadhna seo de ceithear cuirmean ciùil a bhuileachadh air an t-seinneadair Gàidhlig, Maighread Stiùbhart, a’ tha air mhuinntireas an-dràsta aig Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, mar ‘Ceòladair na Colaiste’. Thagh i ‘A’ Bhanais Ghaidhealach’, tre na linntean, mar chuspair.

Thèid toradh a cuid obrach obrach fhoillseachadh mar phrìomh thachartas Blas na bliadhna seo air a’ chiad oidhche dhen Fhèis, Dihaoine 7 Sultain, ann an suidheachadh fìor eireachdail, Taigh Mhànuis, Ionad Nàdair Èigeis, faisg air a’ Mhanachain. Thèid fàilte a chur air luchd na bainnse aig an ionad le Sir John agus Lucy Lister-Kaye, leis a bheil an t-ionad nàdair.

Ann a bhith a’ rèiteach na bainnse, bidh Maighread a’ cleachdadh an eòlais a’ th’aice air a cuid cultar, agus an stòras de dh’òrain agus ceòl air an robh i ‘g obair cheana, na h-Eòlaiche air Òrain Gàidhlig, air pròiseact Tobar an Dualchais. Bidh an oidhche luma làn de cheòl agus òrain a’ tha ceangailte ri gaol, call agus briseadh-dùil, sùgradh, suiridhe, caithris na h-oidhch’, àbhachdas agus danns’.

Bidh cuid den luchd-ciùil as ainmeile air a’ Ghàidhealtachd còmhla ri Maighread; Iain MacPhàrlain (fidheal agus bocsa-ciùil), Ingrid NicEanruig (clarsach), Ailean MacEanruig (meur-chlàr agus fidheal), Aonghas MacNeacail (a’ phìob Ghaidhealach agus a’ phìob-bheag). Ma bha rèiteach riamh ri dhèanamh air banais, bidh Màiread air obair latha a thòiseachadh mas cuir i ceann is casan air an fheadhain sin.

Thuirt Donna NicRath, Stiùiriche na Fèise: “Tha e na chleachdadh aig Blas a nis a bhith a’ cur chùisean air bhog le sàr oidhcheanan ciùil air am fasdadh tro choimisean. Tha mi dhen bharail gum bi Maighread agus a cuideachd air a cheart ìre de dh’àbhachdas agus toileachas a thabhann dhuinn sa thachair aig Fèisean roimhe seo mas bi a’ Bhanais deiseil air oidhche an fhosglaidh am bliadhna. Tha àite air leth aig a’ Bhanais a-measg nan Gàidheal agus tha mi cinnteach gur e deagh phòsadh a bhios ann eadar a bhith an cuideachd an luchd-ciùil as ainmeile agus aig a bheil uidhir de thàlantan, agus a bhith ann an suidheachadh cho buileach àraid ris an ionad nàdair. ‘S iongantach gu robh banais ann a bha riamh coltach ri seo.”

Fhad sa sheasas am pòsadh seachad air a chiad oidhche, (agus bidh sinn beò san dòchas), bidh a’ Bhanais Ghàidhealach a’ dol air thuras feadh na Gàidhealtachd gu Slèite (Sabhal Mòr Ostaig) Disathairne 09 Sultain, Poll Iù oidhche Luain (10mh) agus an uairsin a dh’Inbhir Narann, anns an ionad choimhearsnachd Dimairt an 11mh.

Tuilleadh fiosrachaidh mu phrògram Bhlas bho www.blas-festival.com.

Source: Blas Festival

THIS year’s Trad Trails, organized and run by Fèisean nan Gàidheal, came to a blistering conclusion at the Ironworks venue in Inverness on Saturday, when twelve of the young musicians from two of the Trails joined forces on stage to give us a rousing set.

ANOTHER five musicians were meantime bringing their Trail to a grand end over in Portsoy: a reminder that over the past six weeks or so, seventeen young people have taken our tradional music literally from one end of the county to the other – from Lochmaddy to London, from Cambridge to Carinish, writes Angus Peter Campbell.

Féis Rois Ceilidh Trailers at the Ironworks (© Fèis Rois)

These Trad Trails are now established in the calendar and give young people a wonderful opportunity not only to play music together, but to earn their stage craft and to learn from real experience what it’s like to tour round the country in a van as a ‘professional’ musician. This year’s Trail Tours were essentially organised by the indefatigable Fiona Dalgety, who is due an Olympian Gold Medal for the work she’s done with these youngsters.

Saturday’s concert saw the seven musicians from the Local Fèis Rois Ceilidh Trail take the the stage for the first half: Siannie Moodie from Conon Bridge on clàrsach; Robbie Greig from Edinburgh on fiddle, bodhran and voice; Becky Griggs from Gairloch on fiddle; Scott Duncan from Newtonmore on pipes and whistle; Innes White from Dingwall on guitar, mandolin and voice; Kaitlin Ross from Hill of Fearn on guitar and voice; and Megan MacKay from Tain on guitar.

They gave us a splendid range of music, with some lovely singing, and some excellent playing on the clarsach from Siannie Moodie, great tunes from Scott Duncan, and some very mature instrumentation from Innes White. What they perhaps lacked was a bit more of ‘presence’ and authority on the stage: that of course only comes through age and experience. The very thing which Fèisean nan Gàidheal is working hard to give them.

Tha second half of the concert was taken up by the more mature National Trad Trails group, who commanded the stage with musicality, and gave us a wonderful range of songs, tunes and stories. I particularly enjoyed Alasdair Paul telling us about his school music teacher who “kept insisting that ¾ time was exclusively a Waltz and couldn’t possibly be a March. Even though you’d just come from your piping lesson and had just learned one there! Were we hallucinating or something?” No Alasdair – your suspicions are right, that sometimes formal educationalists do their best to constrain, and take the spirit out of the music.

But what spirited playing from these five – Alasdair Paul himself, from Aultbea on guitar; Steaphanaidh Chaimbeul from Skye on clàrsach and voice; Eilidh Ramsay from Jamestown on fiddle and voice (as well as step-dancing); Sally Simpson from Portobello on fiddle; and Ali Levack from Maryburgh on pipes and whistles.

Steaphanaidh and Eilidh both gave us Gaelic songs – ‘Òran an t-Saighdear’ from Steaph and ‘Gura Tu Mo Bhean Chomain’ from Eilidh – while Sally Simpson’s fiddling was a delight. I especially enjoyed the duos played by Alasdair Paul and Ali Levack, who clearly demonstrated why he is rated as one of the very finest young pipers in Scotland.

I would have liked to have been in Portsoy too, where I’m sure the other young people gave an equally fine ceilidh. But you can’t be everywhere. Which leads me to asking: where really were all these people in Inverness last Saturday night, because these fine young musicians deserved a bigger audience? I know this is not the first time this issue has been raised (nor the last), but surely our young tradition bearers deserve better from the so-called capital of the Highlands?

I know from speaking to the young musicians that they had good audiences in some places – Cambridge and Edinburgh was good and as far as I could hear from them they were especially praising the Galloway area of south-west Scotland where folk really came out to give them great support.

But though last Saturday was the formal last night of the current Trad Trails, they can be seen and heard again soon – principally at the Grand Finale of the Blas Festival in Eden Court Theatre on Saturday 15th September. This reviewer will also be there that night, wearing one of my other bunnets as a poet: but despite that, come along and hear these excellent young musicians. And others.

© Angus Peter Campbell, 2012

Links

• Fèis Rois

Co-hosted by Calum’s daughter, the singer and television presenter Fiona Kennedy and Gaelic singer Arthur Cormack, “Eilean Fraoich” will revive many memories of the internationally acclaimed and much missed singer. Joining the hosts will be James Graham, Darren Maclean and Kristine Kennedy, along with old friends and acquaintances gathering together in song, story and evocative imagery, to create a picture of the legendary Calum Kennedy – most often referred to in Gaelic as “An Ceanadach” – THE Kennedy.

Calum Kennedy was born in Lewis on June 2, 1928 and established himself as one of the world’s great singers, whether it was in the halls of the Highlands, theatres across Scotland and abroad, or the platforms of concert halls in places like Moscow, his unique stage presence commanded huge audiences to critical acclaim.

There can be few Gaelic entertainers of the 20th century who created such an enduring and justified reputation and left such a powerful legacy. One of his most requested songs is “Eilean Fraoich”, about Calum’s native island, and its title has been chosen to mark this special event on Friday 7 September. The Strathpeffer Pavilion is the venue for the celebration which will be co-hosted by Fiona and Arthur Cormack.

Fiona Kennedy said: “I am thrilled to be taking part in this great tribute to Dad. Not a day goes by without someone saying to my sisters or myself how much they loved his glorious voice. He touched many hearts all over the world and its marvellous that Blas are doing this very special concert. All the singers involved in this evening were highly regarded by Dad and he would be very chuffed indeed to know that his music lives on through them and many others.”

Arthur Cormack said: “On a personal level, as a young Gaelic singer in the 80s, Calum Kennedy was one of my heroes and I was brought up listening to his singing at home. It was, therefore, a great thrill for me to perform alongside Calum on a number of occasions and I enjoyed his company greatly.”

“Calum was a unique talent and one of Scotland’s greatest entertainers. There are not many who could command an audience in the way Calum did and it is often forgotten that he took Gaelic to a world-wide audience long before it became fashionable to support the language. This event will offer his many friends and followers the opportunity to mark his contribution to the Gaelic world and to remind ourselves of the great talent and particular presence he had in our midst. This is a splendid opportunity to celebrate his memory and it will be a great privilege for me to contribute to the event on the opening night of Blas 2012.”

Eilean Fraoich: Blas a’ cuimhneachadh a’ Cheanadaich

Thig cruinneachadh de shàr luchd-ciùil na Gàidhealtachd, caraidean agus càirdean agus bho air feadh an t-saoghail còmhla a-rithist an ceann beagan sheachdainnean aig Fèis chiùil Blas, ann am Pùball Srath Pheofhair, a luaidh a’ Cheanadaich.

Cha robh feum ‘sa chumatas air ainmeachadh anns a’ chòrr dòigh ach air a shloinneadh leis a’ mhòr-chuid. Tha cliù agus inbhe an duine mar shàr-sheinneadair gu bhith air a chomharrachadh ann an cuirm shònraichte air a’ chiad oidhche de dh’Fhèis na bliadhna seo.

Rugadh Calum Ceanadach air an dàrna latha dhen Ògmhìos 1928. Chaochail e air an 15mh dhen Ghiblean, 2006. Anns an eadar-ama chuir e an saoghal fo chasan, eadar Moscow is Mangerstaidh, Eilean Leòdhais agus prìomh àrd-ùrlair na dùthcha. ‘S iongantach gu bheil aon neach eile san linn a chaidh a thug uidhir de bhuaidh air an t-saoghal mhòr le a’ chuid òrain Ghàidhlig (agus Beurla), staidhl’ agus pearsa.

Tha “Eilean Fraoich” air òran cho ainmeil sa thàinig bho bhilean Chaluim agus ‘s ann fon ainm sin a bhios a’ chuirm iomraiteach seo ga thairgse air oidhche fhosglaidh Blas 2012. Bidh Art MacCarmaig agus Fiona Cheannadach, nighean Chaluim nach maireann, a’ comharrachadh beatha seinneadair aig an robh cliù eadar-nàiseanta. Air aoigheachd aca bidh Seumas Greumach, Darren MacIlleathain agus Kristine Cheannadach, cho math ri treud de chàirdean is luchd-eòlaich eile a bhios a’ tighinn còmhla tro òrain, seanchas agus ìomhaigheachd gus dealbh eireachdail de Chalum chòir a chruthachadh.

Thuirt Fiona Cheanadach: “Tha mi air leth toilichte gu bheileas a’ comharrachadh saoghal m’athair mar seo. Chan eil latha a’ dol seachad nach eil cuideigin a’ faighneachd dhan teaghlach mu dheidhinn ann an dòigh air choireigin agus a’ luaidh a ghuth eireachdail. Dhrùidh sin air mòran air feadh an t-saoghail agus tha e miorbhuileach gu bheil Fèis Bhlas am bliadhna a’ cur air adhart cuirm a bhios sònraichte ga luaidh. Bha meas mòr aig m’athair air gach neach a bhios a’ seinn ann agus bhiodh e air leth moiteil gu bheil a’ chuid ciùil fhathast a’ tighinn beò agus air a lìbhrigeadh mar seo.”

Thuirt Art MacCarmaig: “Tha mi fhèin dhen bharail nach robh leithid riamh ann ri Calum Ceanadach agus bheir seo an cothrom do dhaoine an dà chuid a chliù agus a thàlantan aithneachadh agus cuimhne a chumail air na h-òrain a bh’aige air an do chuir e a dhreach mhìorbhuileach fhèin. Chan eil cus de shàr luchd-ciùil na h-Alba aig an robh làthaireachd Chaluim air àrd-ùrlar agus choisinn e cliù dha fhèin is dhan Ghàidhlig fad is farsaing, fada mas robh e fasanta a bhith a’ toirt taic dhan Ghàidhlig. Tha cothrom againn uile an seo na rinn e a chomharrachadh agus ‘s e urram a th’ann a bhith nar pàirt de dh’oidhche cho iomraiteach aig Blas 2012.”

Thèid Eilean Fraoich a chumail ann an Pùball Srath Pheofhair oidhche h-Aoine 7mh Sultain aig 1930.

Source: Blas Festival

This year’s festival will run from Friday September 7 until the 15th and will feature a wide variety of stage performances from the exotic to the exciting. Mixed in with the annual commission for the festival will be special tributes to the legendary Gaelic singer Calum Kennedy, the Highlands’ own Blazin’ Fiddles and the Senegalese singer Samba Sene. Not to mention Breabach, Kristan Harvey and Sanna and Linda Macleod, amongst a long list of notable others.

The opening night at the Empire, Saturday 8th September, will set the ball rolling with some of Scotland’s finest pipers musicians and dancers – high kicks, blistering reels, boundless energy, bagpipes and break dance. With Breabach, piping father and son Hamish & Fin Moore, high octane break dance and the full ahead musicianship of MOVE with John Saich, Neil Primrose of Travis, jazz guitarist John Goldie and Scotland’s number one Hip Hop crew, Random Aspekts. A special surprise will appear on the night.

There is no surprise in the excellence of the line-up on the evening of Thursday September 13 with Gaelic singer Maeve MacKinnon leading a celebration of the power and beauty of the human voice in An Guth – The Voice. Maeve presents her cross-cultural epic project “The Exile”, joined by Senegalese singer Samba Sene and the combined forces of Inverness Gaelic choir and Maeve’s own band. Multi award-winning Scots singer and songwriter Emily Smith, joined by her band, gives us her fresh and evocative interpretations of traditional Scots songs. Julie Fowlis and Muireann NicAmhlaoibh, together with Ross Martin and Eamonn Doorley, present DUAL, showcasing the links between Scots and Irish Gaelic song and culture. Còisir G, drawn from all over the Highlands and led by Eilidh Mackenzie, completes a stellar line-up.

The Blas Grand Finale is always a show-stopper and this year’s offering is no exception. Performing alongside the award-winning Battlefiield Band, the Highland’s own fiddle stars Blazin’ Fiddles and the jaw dropping talent that is Fèis Rois, the beautiful Blas 2012 commission from Margaret Stewart, “A’ Bhanais Ghàidhealach – The Highland Wedding”, will bring the Festival to an exhilarating close for another year.

Donna Macrae, Blas Festival Director said of this year’s programme: “I firmly believe that the events lined up for Eden Court and the other venues throughout the Highlands are as good, if not better than ever. There is a fantastic mix of talent from all parts of the globe, along with some of the very best of Highland music and song. The Empire Theatre will be leaping all week with something for everybody and I look forward to it all to kicking off. Earlybird tickets are available at reduced pieces until 31 July and we would encourage Blas festival goers to take advantage of the significant savings they offer.”

Blas organisers, building on the outstanding success of last year’s events, have attracted new sponsorship from RBS and Business Gateway to enable them to build the platform for this year’s festival. The event will also be supported by The Highland Council, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Creative Scotland and Highlands & Islands Enterprise.

For more information about the full programme of events and for the chance to buy earlybird tickets with significant savings up to 31 July, visit www.blas-festival.com

Tarraing san Talla Ìompaireachd tro Bhlas 2012

Thig cruinneachadh de shàr luchd-ciùil na Gàidhealtachd agus bho air feadh an t-soaghail còmhla a-rithist an ceann beagan sheachdainnean aig Fèis chiùil Blas, prìomh thachartas Gàidhlig na Gàidhealtachd. Agus thèid Talla na h-Ìompaireachd ann an Cùirt an Aodainn an Inbhir Nis a chleachdadh a-rithist mar phrìomh ionad tachartais.

Bidh Blas 2012 a’ tòiseachadh air Sultain 7 agus a’ dol air adhart gu Sultain 15. A-measg na th’ air a’ chlàr am bliadhna tha coimisean ùr bhon bhana-sheinneadair Mairead Stiùbhart, cuimhneachan air an t-sàr sheinneadair Calum Ceanadach, an ceòl a’ dol feadh na fìdhle còmhla ri Blazin’ Fiddles agus an triùir Eireannach Fidil, cuirm le sàr ghuthan Dual, Maeve NicFhionghain agus a’ bhana-sheinneadair à Sengal Samba Sene, agus a bharrachd air sin cuirmean gun chrìch an cuideachd Breabach, Còmhlan Battlefield, Kristan Harvey agus an Sanna, agus Linda NicLeòid, agus gu leòr eile a bharrachd orra-san.

Thèid cuirm fosglaidh na fèise “Kick Start” a chumail ann an Cùirt an Aodainn air oidhche h-Aoine 8mh Sultain, le cuid den luchd-ciùil is dannsairean as fheàrr ann an Alba, le breaban àrda, ruidhlichean luath, neart gun chrìoch, pìob-mhòr is dannsa break. An làthair bidh Breabach, am pìobaire Hamish Moore agus a mhac Fin, dannsa break agus an sàr chèol aig MOVE le John Saich, Neil Primrose bho Travis, cluicheadair giotàr diàs John Goldie agus prìomh sgioba Hip Hop na h-Alba, Random Aspekts.

A’ gluasad air adhart an uairsin gu oidhche Dhiardaoin (13mh Sultain) an Talla na h-Ìompaireachd bidh Blas 2012 a’ comharrachadh cùmhachd is binneas guth mhic an duine, le Maeve NicFhionghain agus “An Eilthireach”, pròiseact mòr eadar-culturach, ‘s i ag obair còmhla ris an t-seinneadair Shenegalach Samba Sene, còisir agus an còmhlan aig Maeve fhèin. Mur biodh sin fhèin gu leòr, bidh a’ bhan-seinneadair Albannach Emily Smith agus an còmhlan aice, a tha air iomadh duais a thogail, a’ toirt dhuinn mìneachadh ùr air òrain thraidiseanta Albais. Bidh Julie Fowlis, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Ross Màrtainn is Eamonn Doorley a’ lìbhrigeadh DUAL, pròiseact a chomharraicheas na ceanglaichean eadar dualchas na Gàidhlig is na Gaeilge, agus bidh Còisir G, a thàlas òigridh bho air feadh na Gàidhealtachd agus a tha air a stiùireadh le Eilidh NicCoinnich, a’ coileanadh sàr oidhche.

Ma tha seasamh nan cas idir aig daoine aig deireadh seachdain na fèise, chan urrainnear a dhol seachad air Talla na h-Ìompaireachd air an oidhche chriochnachaidh, Disathairne 15mh Sultain. Bidh am Battlefield Band, gaisgich na Gàidhealtachd Blazin’ Fiddles, an òigridh air leth tàlantach aig Fèis Rois agus Coimisean Blas 2012 fo stiùir Mhaighread Stiùbhart, “a’ Bhanais Ghàidhealach”, a’ toirt na fèis gu crìch mhìorbhailleach airson bliadhna eile.

Thuirt Stiùiriche na Fèise, Donna NicRath gu robh i dhen bharail gu robh clàr na bliadhna seo agus na tha ri fhaicinn aig na cuirmean an Inbhir Nis, cho math ri rud sam bith a th’ àir a bhith aig an Fhèis roimhe seo: “Tha measgachadh math againn de shàr luchd-ciùil bho air feadh na Gàidhealtachd agus bho air feadh an t-saoghail. Bidh brag aig an àrd-ùrlar an Talla na h-Ìompaireachd fad na seachdain agus tha mi an dùil gum bi tarraing gu leòr ann do dhaoine fad na seachdain, le sàr-thàlantan ciùil is guthan eadar-dhealaichte. Tha fadachd orm gus an tòisich an fhèis a-rithist. Gheibhear tiocaidean aig prìsean nas ìsle gu 31 Iuchar agus mholainn do dhuine sam bith a bhios airson a thighinn dhan fhèis feum a dhèanamh de na sàbhalaidhean a thèid a dhèanamh le bhith gan ceannach tràth.”

Tha luchd-stiùiridh na Fèise air luchd-taic ùra fhaighinn, a’ togail air mar a shoirbhich leis an Fhèis an uiridh. Tha RBS agus Business Gateway le chèile air taic aontachadh airson a’ chiad turas. Agus tha taic ann a-rithist bho Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd, Iomart na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilean, Bòrd na Gàidhlig agus Alba Chruthachail.

Source: Blas Festival

Each of the artists has won a place on the Company’s prestigious Bank of Scotland Emerge Programme, which annually supports emerging talent, enabling artists to develop their potential.

In the first of a series of intimate events, these artists are willing to share their work at its earliest stage and or talk about their placements with the Company.

This year the artists and directors are: Eilidh Daniels, Catriona Lexy Campbell, Martin O’Connor, Adura Onashile, Deborah Hannan, Rob Jones and Sarah Macdonald.

EMERGE is curated by Caroline Newall, Director of Artistic Development at the National Theatre of Scotland. Audiences are invited to join the Artistic Development team and artists at the CCA, to sample the work, express their opinions and carry on the conversation in the bar afterwards.

The evening will feature new work performed in Scots, English and Gaelic.

Zona Morriaté, written and performed by Eilidh Daniels; a tale about show business, fame and delusion. Performed in Gaelic for a Gaelic and non-Gaelic speaking audience.

Hela, written, performed and introduced by Adura Onashile. A solo work in progress exploring the extraordinary life of Henrietta Lacks, whose cells accidentally became one of the most important tools in medicine. Hela is pre-recorded and will be broadcast at the event.

A Story for a Storm, written and performed by Catriona Lexy Campbell in Gaelic. Handed down through generations of her family, Catriona tells the story of the day her great-great Aunt met the notorious murderer, Mac an t-Sronaich, on the moor on the Isle of Lewis. A story told by candlelight, a story for a storm.

Theology – a diptych of spoken word pieces by Martin O’Connor, celebrating the poetry of the Glaswegian dialect. At EMERGE Martin will perform the first stage, A Govan of the Mind (inspired by Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s A Coney Island of the Mind). Martin has set out to discover an oral history of Glasgow using found language and spoken word to explore industry, Empire, unemployment and familial ties.

Rob Jones, and Debbie Hannan will talk about their experiences working behind the scenes on the sell-out National Theatre of Scotland hits Macbeth and Enquirer and Sarah MacDonald looks forward to working on Glasgow Girls, the musical, coming to the Citizens in the autumn.

Venue, date & time: CCA, Glasgow on 20 July at 6.30pm

Booking: Free but ticketed. 0141 352 4900/ www.cca-glasgow.com

Vicky Featherstone, Artistic Director, National Theatre of Scotland said: “The National Theatre of Scotland’s success over the last six years has been built on the talent of Scottish artists who remain at the heart of our organisation. Bank of Scotland’s Emerge Programme at the National Theatre of Scotland is a vital organisational resource that helps us identify and nurture emerging and diversifying artists. We are committed to enabling a new generation of theatre-makers to become key players in Scotland’s successful cultural future. Our Pioneering Partnership with Bank of Scotland is spread across all aspects our Company’s programme of work and empowers us to achieve greater experiences and opportunities for the people of Scotland.

Susan Rice, Managing Director, Lloyds Banking Group Scotland says: “Through Bank of Scotland’s Pioneering Partnership with the National Theatre of Scotland, we support the next generation of theatrical talent. We’re always excited when we meet one of these new directors or aspiring artists; for some, our support is the only way they can manage to continue learning and gaining experience. It’s truly gratifying to be part of their journey with this focus on emerging talent, which sits in the core of our relationship with the National Theatre of Scotland”‘

Source: National Theatre of Scotland

The Sgoil Shamhraidh Dhràma was originally run by Pròiseact nan Ealan but, with financial assistance from Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Highlands & Islands Enterprise and Creative Scotland, was re-estaiblished by Fèisean nan Gàidheal five years ago, over which time more than 70 young actors have benefitted from training in a wide range of drama skills.

This year’s event has been held in Portree and, as usual, a strong team of tutors has been assembled to keep the young participants busy in workshops and other events over the past fortnight. Artair Donald is the director of the school this year and he has been ably assisted by well-known actor Davie Walker, Ruairidh Nicolson of Eden Court and Gaelic singer, musician and broadcaster Mary Ann Kennedy.

The 2010 students have come from all parts between Uist, Skye, Morar, Fort William, Glasgow and Edinburgh. These young stars, all between 14 and 18, have been working hard preparing for the final night performances but have had many experiences along the way, including film-making, street theatre and outdoor sports all conducted through the medium of Gaelic.

Arthur Cormack, Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s Chief Executive, said: “Drama is an important medium through which young people can express themselves in Gaelic and events like the Sgoil Shamhraidh Dhràma create opportunities for young Gaelic speakers to use the language in a range of activities. The successful re-establishment of the Sgoil Shamhraidh Dhràma five years ago has led to a large number of young people having gained new skills through a positive experience which can be put to good use in a variety of situations and we hope that we will be able to continue developing the event. Combining the final evening with young musicians performing alongside the Sgoil Shamhraidh participants was extremely entertaining last year and we are very happy to be working with MG ALBA to gain use of the excellent Fàs studio facilities at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig again this year.”

For further information on the Sgoil Shamhraidh Dhràma, please contact Dougie Beck on 07900 001117. For tickets to the final performances, please contact Fèisean nan Gàidheal on 01478 613355 or purchase them on the night.

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Soirbheas na Sgoile Samhraidh Dhràma thairis air còig bliadhna

Tha an Sgoil Shamhraidh Dhràma a’ tighinn gu crìch Dihaoine sa tighinn. Ron sin, bidh oidhche mhòr de dhràma is ceòl ga cumail ann an Slèite Diardaoin (12 Iuchar) aig 7.30f. Bidh sgioba na Sgoile Samhraidh is sgioba Fèis Alba a tha air a bhith a’ dol ann an Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd sa Phloc, a’ tighinn còmhla gus oidhche thaisbeanaidh air leth a chur ri chèile ann an Stiùideo FÀS, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig.

Ged a bha an i air a ruith le Pròiseact nan Ealan an toiseach, chaidh an Sgoil Shamhraidh Dhràma ath-stèidheachadh le Fèisean nan Gàidheal bho chionn còig bliadhna le taic-airgid bho Bhòrd na Gàidhlig, Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean agus Alba Chruthachail, is bhon uair sin tha còrr is 70 cleasaiche òg air trèanadh fhaighinn ann an taghadh farsaing de sgilean dràma.

Tha Sgoil Shamhraidh na bliadhna sa a’ ruith an dràsta ann am Port Rìgh, agus mar as àbhaist don iomairt tha sgioba làidir de luchd-teagaisg ann a chumas an òigridh trang le bùthan-obrach is tachartasan eile. ‘S e Artair Donald a tha os cionn ghnothaichean am-bliadhna, ach ag obair gu dlùth leis tha an cleasaiche aithnichte Daibhidh Walker, Ruairidh MacNeacail bho Chùirt an Aodainn agus an neach-ciùil, seinneadair agus craobh-sgaoileadair, Màiri Anna NicUalraig.

‘S ann às gach ceàrnaidh den dùthaich a tha oileanaich 2012 – Uibhist, An t-Eilean Sgitheanach, Mòrar, An Gearasdan, Glaschu agus Dùn Èideann – agus ged a tha na rionnagan òga seo, a tha uile 14 gu 18 bliadhna dh’aois, air a bhith ag obair gu cruaidh gus faighinn deiseil airson na h-oidhche mu dheireadh, tha iad air a bhith an sàs ann an iomadach tachartas thairis air cola-deug eadar filmichean ullachadh, theatar sràide agus spòrs air a’ bhlàr a-muigh, uile air an lìbhrigeadh tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig.

Thuirt Art MacCarmaig, Ceannard Fèisean nan Gàidheal: “Tha dràma air leth cudromach airson cothroman a thoirt don òigridh a bhith a’ cur an cuid faireachdaidhean an cèill tron Ghàidhlig agus tha an Sgoil Shamhraidh Dhràma a’ toirt dhaibh cothrom a bhith a’ cleachdadh na Gàidhlig ann an raon farsaing de thachartasan. The sinn air soribheachadh bhon a chaidh an Sgoil Shamhraidh ath-stèidheachadh bho chionn còig bliadhna agus tha àireamh mòra de òganaich air sgilean ùra a thogail a ghabhadh an cur gu feum ann an iomadach suidheachadh agus tha sinn an dòchas gum bi e comasach dhuinn a chumail a’ dol le leasachadh na sgoile. Dh’obraich cùisean gu math an uiridh nuair a chruinnich luchd-ciùil Fèis Alba còmhla ris compàirtichean bhon Sgoil Shamhraidh agus tha sinn gu math toilichte a bhith a’ co-obrachadh le MG ALBA airson cead fhaighinn an goireas air leth a th’ aca ann an Stiùideo Fàs aig Sabhal Mòr Ostaig a chleachdadh aon uair eile.”

Airson barrachd fiosrachaidh mun Sgoil Shamhraidh, cuiribh fios gu Dougie Beck air 07900 001117. Gheibhear fiosrachadh mu thiogaidean bho Fhèisean nan Gàidheal air 01478 613355 no bidh iad rim faighinn aig an doras air an oidhche.

Source: Fèisean nan Gàidheal

The Cèilidh Trail participants have been training and preparing their sets at Fèis Alba, being held at the Centre of Excellence for Traditional Music at Plockton High School for the forthcoming tours in their own areas.

This year there are 7 Cèilidh Trails taking place run by Fèis Chataibh, Fèis an Earraich, Fèis Lochabair, Fèisean a’ Mhonaidh Ruaidh, Fèis Rois, Fèis Latharna and, for the first time, Fèis Fhoirt are delighted to establish a Cèilidh Trail in the Stirling and Trossachs area.

During the fortnight at Fèis Alba, participants have the opportunity to receive training and support from some of the most talented Highland musicians including; Anna Massie, Mairearad Green, Ingrid Henderson, Donal Brown, Mary-Ann Kennedy and Blair Douglas.

Once they have completed their training in Plockton, the Cèilidh Trails will take to the road, touring local venues and providing events in their areas. Before that, the Cèilidh Trail groups will team up with the Gaelic Drama Summer School participants for a night of music, song an drama at the Fàs Studio in Sabhal Mòr Ostaig at 7.30pm on Thursday 12 July.

Arthur Cormack, Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s Chief Executive said: “The Fèis Cèilidh Trails provide an excellent opportunity for young people to hone their performance skills and to gain valuable training from some of our top performers. We are very grateful to Highland and Argyll LEADER programmes, Highlands & Islands Enterprise and Creative Scotland for their ongoing support of the Cèilidh Trails.”

“Not only do the young people get enjoyment and employment from the Cèilidh Trails, but tourists also get to hear some of our traditional music and songs and they are expected to play in front of at least 6,000 people”, he said.

For the latest information and gig listings go to http://www.feisean.org/downloads/CTBooklet.pdf

In another development, Fèis Rois will be working with the TMSA to deliver a series of events called Trad Trails to mark the Year of Creative Scotland. Further information can be found about the events at http://www.tradtrails.org.uk/.

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Ged a tha làithean-saora na sgoile air tòiseachadh, chan eil guth air fois le Fèisean a’ tachairt air feadh Alba agus còrr is 100 cèilidh ron òigridh a bhios a’ gabhail pàirt ann an Cèilidhean air Chuairt.

Tha compàirtichan nan Cèilidhean air Chuairt air a bhith a’ cruinneachadh aig Fèis Alba ann an Àrd-sgoil a’ Phluic far am bheil iad air ullachadh a dhèanamh airson nan seachdainean trang a tha romhpa nuair a thèid iad air an rathad.

Tha seachd Cèilidhean air Chuairt gu bhith air an ruith eadar Fèis Chataibh, Fèis an Earraich, Fèis Lochabair, Fèisean a’ Mhonaidh Ruaidh, Fèis Rois, Fèis Latharna agus airson a’ chiad uair am bliadhna bidh Cèilidh air Chuairt air a chur air bhonn le Fèis Fhoirt timcheall air Sruighlea agus Na Tròiseachan.

Fad chola-deug bidh an òigridh bho na diofar chuairtean a’ faighinn trèanadh bho shàr luchd-ciùil na Gàidhealtachd; nam measg Anna Massie, Mairearad Green, Ingrid NicEanraig, Donal MacIlleDhuinn, Màiri Anna NicUalraig agus Blàr Dubhghlas.

An dèidh dhaibh an trèanadh sa Phloc a chrìochnachadh, bidh na Cèilidhean air Cuairt a’ gabhail an rathaid mhòir le tachartasan anns na sgìrean aca fhèin. Air thoiseach air sin, ge-tà, bidh muinntir nan Cèilidhean air Chuairt agus compàirtichean na Sgoil Shamhraidh Dràma a’ tighinn còmhla airson oidhche de cheòl, òrain agus dràma aig Sabhal Mòr Ostaig Diardaoin 12mh Iuchar aig 7.30f ann an Stiudio Fàs aig a’ cholaiste.

Thuirt Art MacCarmaig, Ceannard Fèisean nan Gàidheal: “Tha na Cèilidhean air Chuairt a’ toirt cothrom air leth don òigridh an cuid sgilean adhartachadh airson na h-àrd ùrlar agus trèanadh luachmhor fhaighin bho shàr luchd-ciùil. Tha sinn gum mòr an comain LEADER air a’ Ghàidhealtachd agus ann an Earra-Ghàidheal, cho math ri Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean agus Alba Chruthachail airson taic a chumail ris na Cèilidhean air Chuairt.”

“Chan e a-mhàin an òigridh a bhios a’ faighinn obair agus tlachd bhuapa, ach bidh luchd-turais a’ faighinn blasad de cheòl agus òrain traidiseanta nan sgìrean far a bheil iad a’ tachairt agus dùil aca a bhith a’ cluich air beulaibh còrr is 6,000 duine”, thuirt e.

Gheibhear fiosrachadh mu na cèilidhean uile aig http://www.feisean.org/downloads/CTBooklet.pdf

Ann an leasachadh eile bidh Fèis Rois agus an TMSA co-obrachadh air sreath thachartas air feadh Alba fon ainm Trad Trails a’ comharrachadh Bliadhna Alba Chruthachail. Gheibhear fiosrachadh mun deidhinn aig http://www.tradtrails.org.uk/

Source: Fèisean nan Gàidheal

FOUR Dàimh-ers stroll on stage and, with a lift of fiddler Gabe McVarish’s eyebrow and a nod of guitarist Ross Martin’s head, launch straight into their first set at a cracking pace.

Dàimh

Living up to their name (Dàimh means ‘kinship’), they’re musical brothers in arms, enviably tight musically – but it seems impossible that they’ll be able to sustain that level of energy all evening. A couple of sets later, they get a bit of a breather when Calum Alex McMillan joins them to sing the first of several Gaelic songs threaded through the set list; but though the pace is slower, the energy levels remain high and the interplay of his voice with the other instruments, particularly Angus Mackenzie’s whistle, is quite beautifully judged.

And so the sets proceed, each one full of fine tunes, some discovered in old collections, many written by the band’s talented tunesmiths. There have been several lineup changes in recent years – the addition of Calum Alex in 2010, the departure of bodhranist James Bremner and the arrival of Damian Helliwell in place of founder member Colm Rua on banjo and mandolin last year. Helliwell is already contributing several sets’ worth of very fine tunes, opening the second half with an Eigg-y tune about a Rabbit and a green banjo.

There is more to a great gig than selecting the right music and playing it with great technical skill. Less obvious but no less vital skills include devising arrangements which use each instrument and its player to interpret and explain the heart of the music. There’s also the art of shaping and pacing the programme. Any aspiring young musician would be well advised to watch and learn.

All too soon it’s over and the OneTouch audience shows its appreciation for an invigorating evening of music which is a clear vindication of Dàimh’s claim to be a “Gaelic supergroup’.

© Jennie Macfie, 2012

Links

• Dàimh
• Jennie Macfie

The event was organised by the Gaelic Department of Portree High School who, with funding from Bòrd na Gàidhlig, were able to bring in Fèisean nan Gàidheal to offer music, dance and drama classes for all S2 pupils. Those fluent in the language received tuition entirely in Gaelic, while those in the Gaelic learners classes were taught bilingually. On offer were classes in Tin Whistle, Gaelic Song, Gaelic Drama and Step Dance with tutors Calum Macmillan, Dougie Beck, Angus Macleod, Calum McConnell, Ellen MacDonald, Debbie MacKay and Tara Rankin.

The afternoon saw the Fèis tutors joining forces with some of Portree High School’s pupils for a concert featuring Gaelic song, music, drama and step-dance, as well as Gaelic Bingo! And there was a special guest appearance – much appreciated by the audience of pupils – by Norrie MacIver of Gaelic supergroup, Mànran, who treated the young people to several songs with which they were familiar including Latha Math, Norrie’s own composition that was a hit for the band last year.

This is the second time that Portree High School, which recently won the Gaelic Language and Culture category at the Daily Record Scottish Education Awards, have offered this kind of event. Ruairidh MacVicar, Principal Teacher of Gaelic at the school said: “We wanted to organise a cultural event in school which would be accessible to both fluent Gàidhlig speakers and Gaelic learners and we have had a tremendous day with a very high level of enthusiasm and participation from the pupils. The tutors tailored their classes to the level of ability in the language and all pupils were made to feel a part of the event, both in the morning workshops and in the very entertaining afternoon concert. We are very grateful to Bòrd na Gàidhlig who assisted us with funding for the event and to Fèisean nan Gàidheal for providing the tutors and the expertise to make the day possible. This is our second very successful Meanbh-Fhèis and we hope that with continued support and co-operation, we can establish it as an annual event. ”

Arthur Cormack, Chief Executive of Fèisean nan Gàidheal said that the organisation was delighted to work with schools in strengthening Gaelic cultural activities. He said: “As part of our agreements with Bòrd na Gàidhlig, HIE and Creative Scotland we have undertaken to work with local Gaelic Initiatives. Schools are central to what is going on in communities. Fèisean nan Gàidheal has plans for a new Gaelic Arts in Education Service, Fèisgoil, and events such as the Meanbh-Fhèis we have organised twice now for Portree High School could be run in any school in Scotland, helping to deliver the outcomes of the Curriculum for Excellence and the aims of the National Gaelic Language Plan published today. The activities we offer afford further opportunities for young people to use their Gaelic language skills in an informal setting, thus assisting Gaelic medium education, and they also engage Gaelic learners with the language and culture, perhaps for the first time.”

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Sgoilearan a’ gabhail pàirt ann an cur-seachadan cultarail

Chuir sgoilearan na h-àrd-sgoile am Port Rìgh fàilte air deireadh na bliadhna sgoile aca le Meanbh-Fhèis a mhair fad latha, gan cur an sunnd airson an t-samhraidh.

Chaidh an tachartas a chur air dòigh le Roinn Gàidhlig na h-Àrd-sgoile, le taic bho Bhòrd na Gàidhlig. Chaidh Fèisean nan Gàidheal fhastadh airson clasaichean a lìbhrigeadh ann an ceòl, dannsa agus dràma dhan a h-uile duine anns an dàrna bliadhna (S2). Bha na clasaichean airson fileantaich air an cumail sa Ghàidhlig agus bha clasaichean dà-chànanach gan tairgse dhan luchd-ionnsachaidh. Am measg na bha air a’ chlàr bha oideachadh air an fhìdeig bhig, òrain Ghàidhlig, dràma agus dannsa-ceum, fo stiùir sgioba le Calum MacMhaoilein, Dougie Beck, Aonghas Macleòid, Calum McConnell, Ellen Dhòmhnallach, Debbie NicAoidh agus Tara Rankin.

Thàinig luchd-oideachaidh na Fèise còmhla ri cuid de na sgoilearan feasgar son cuirm le òrain Ghàidhlig, ceòl agus dannsa-ceum a chur air dòigh, agus a bharrachd air sin, gu h-annasach, Bingo tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig! Gun fhiost’ do na sgoilearan, bha cuireadh air a thoirt do Norrie MacÌomhair, seinneadair a’ chòmhlain ainmeil Mànran, agus chaidh fàilte chridheil a chur air nuair a sheinn e grunn de na h-òrain as ainmeile aig a’ chòmhlan, nam measg Latha Math, a sgrìobh Norrie fhèin, agus a shoirbhich cho math dhan chòmhlan an-uiridh.

Seo an dàrna turas a tha Àrd-sgoil Phortrìgh air a leithid seo de latha a chur air adhart. Bho chionn ghoirid, ghlèidh an sgoil duais na Gàidhlig ann an Duaisean Nàiseanta Foghlaim na h-Alba aig an Daily Record.

Thuirt Ruairidh Mac a’ Phiocair, Ceannard Roinn na Gàidhlig san sgoil: “Bha sinn airson tachartas a chur air dòigh far am faigheadh luchd-ionnsachaidh agus fileantaich an aon chothrom pàirt a ghabhail agus tha fìor dheagh latha air a bhith againn. Bha e follaiseach gun do chòrd e ri daoine agus gun robh iad ro dheònach a dhol an sàs sna clasaichean agus sa chuirm. Chaidh aig an luchd-oideachaidh air na clasaichean a thairgse aig diofar ìrean a rèir comas na cloinne. Tha sinn air leth taingeil airson taic Bòrd na Gàidhlig agus do dh’Fhèisean nan Gàidheal airson luchd-oideachaidh agus gach nì a tharraing ri chèile ann an dòigh cho tlachdmhor. Seo an dàrna Meanbh-Fhèis agus tha sinn an dòchas, le taic bho na buidhnean eile, gun lean sinn oirnn agus gun tèid a’ Mheanbh-Fhèis a stèidheachadh mar thachartas bliadhnail.”

Thuirt Art MacCarmaig, Ceannard Fèisean nan Gàidheal, gun robh e air leth toilichte gum b’ urrainn don bhuidheann taic a chumail ri tachartasan cultarail ann an sgoiltean. Thuirt e: “Mar phàirt de na cùmhnantan a th’ againn le Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean agus Alba Chruthachail, tha sinn gu bhith a’ co-obrachadh le Iomairtean Gàidhlig ionadail. Tha na sgoiltean aig cridhe gach coimhearsnachd. Tha planaichean againn mar bhuidheann airson seirbheis iomairt ealain tro fhoghlam fo bhratach Fèisgoil. Dh’fhaodamaid leithid Meanbh-Fhèis Phort Rìgh a lìbhrigeadh ann an sgoil sam bith air feadh na dùthcha agus bhiodh sin a’ cuideachadh le bhith a’ lìbhrigeadh amasan a’ Churaicealaim airson Sàr-mhaitheis cho math ri amasan a’ Phlana Cànain Nàiseanta Gàidhlig a chaidh fhoillseachadh an-diugh. Tha na tha sinn a’ tairgse a’ cur ri foghlam Gàidhlig ann a bhith a’ toirt deagh chothroman do dh’òigridh an cuid Ghàidhlig a chleachdadh ann an suidheachaidhean neo-fhoirmeil. Tha na Meanbh-Fhèisean cuideachd fìor tharraingeach do luchd-ionnsachaidh, a’ fosgladh sùilean agus cluasan chloinne do shaoghal na Gàidhlig, ann an cuide de shuidheachaidhean airson a’ chiad uair.”

Source: Fèisean nan Gàidheal