Gaelic ‘hall of fame’ set to welcome new greats

Talla gaisgich na Gàidhlig gu bhith a’ cur fàilte air aoighean ùra

(English translation follows)

Tha talla gaisgich nan Gàidheal ag ullachadh airson aoighean ùra, le pailteas de dh’urraman ion-mhiannaichte gan toirt seachad aig a’ Mhòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail ann an Loch Abar an-diugh.

Am measg na feadhainn as prìseile bidh na Duaisean Litreachais, a thòisicheas aig an Taigh-dhealbh Ghàidhealach a-mach o 12f. Tha iad seo a’ comharradh sgrìobhadh ann an Gàidhlig ann an iomadh roinn, agus os cionn gach duais litreachais eile – Bàrd a’ Chomuinn Ghàidhealaich, duais eachdraidheil, urram a bhuilichear air neach a chuir rudeigin comharraichte math do stòras litreachas na Gàidhlig.

’S e bana-bhàrd à Steòrnabhagh, Anna C. Frater, a gheibh an t-urram am bliadhna an dèidh Meg Bateman, òraidiche agus bàrd foillsichte, agus ’s e 61mh bàrd a’ Mhòid a bhios innte on a chaidh an t-urram a stèidheachadh còrr is 100 bliadhna air ais.

Rugadh i ann an teaghlach is coimhearsnachd Ghàidhlig ann am Pabail Uarach faisg air Steòrnabhagh ach dh’fhàg i Leòdhas is chaidh i a dh’Oilthigh Ghlaschu. Fhuair i ceum le urram an sin ann an Ceiltis is Fraingis agus rinn i an uair sin dioplòma ann am foghlam àrd-sgoile aig Colaiste Chnoc Iòrdain mus do thill i a dh’Oilthigh Ghlaschu far an d’fhuair i PhD ann am Bàrdachd Gàidhlig bhoireannach suas ri 1750.

Bha iomadh dreuchd aig Anna sna bliadhnaichean an dèidh sin sna meadhanan Gàidhlig, bha i na h-òraidiche aig Colaiste a’ Chaisteil is rinn i obair eadar-theangachaidh agus obair deasaiche. A bharrachd air na cruinneachaidhean bàrdachd aice fhèin, Fon t-Slige agus Cridhe Creige, nochd an obair aige ann an grunn cho-chruinneachaidhean eile cuideachd.

Chan eil Anna ùr aig a’ Mhòd, bhuannaich i urram an leabhair Ghàidhlig as fheàrr (1995-96) airson a’ chiad chruinneachadh de bhàrdachd aice, Font t-Slige, agus b’ ise a’ chiad neach a bhuannaich duais Dòmhnall J MacÌomhair airson Sgeulachd Goirid (2016) agus bha làmh aice san leabhar 100 Years of the Bards of the Gaelic Society, 1923-2023.

Thuirt Anna C. Frater: “Tha mi air leth toilichte a bhith a’ faighinn an urraim seo, gu h-àraid nuair a sheallas mi air an liosta de shàr bhàird air an deach a bhuileachadh ron seo, agus chan eil mi cinnteach a bheil mi airidh air a bhith a’ nochdadh nam measg.  Chan urrainn dhomh gun a bhith a’ smaoineachadh air na bàird chliùiteach a thug cuideachadh dhomhsa nuair a thòisich mi air bàrdachd a chur ri chèile, Ruaraidh MacThòmais agus Cairistìona Anna NicLeòid, agus mar sin tha mi an dòchas gum faigh mi an cothrom a bhith a’ brosnachadh sgrìobhadh sa Ghàidhlig, gu h-àraid anns na h-Eileanan Siar, anns a’ bhliadhna a tha romham.”

Am measg nan urraman mòra Gàidhlig eile a bheirear seachad an-diugh aig a’ Mhòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail tha rud air a bheil an sluagh ro-dhèidheil an-còmhnaidh, Dràma a’ Mhòid, a bhios air an àrd-ùrlar ann an Àrd-sgoil Loch Abar a-mach o 7f.

Air taobh thall na h-aibhne ann an Ionad Nibheis, bidh cuid dhe na seinneadairean fireann is boireann as fheàrr a th’ againn ann an saoghal na Gàidhlig air an àrd-ùrlar. Tha seo a’ gabhail a-staigh farpaisean-crìochnachaidh an aigeallain-airgid – the gràinne-mhullaich nan co-fharpaisean do luchd-ionnsachaidh inbheach, le fad a bharrachd a’ gabhail pàirt am bliadhna na bha an-uiridh – a-mach o 2f agus an uair sin prìomh fharpais, farpais-chrìochnachaidh a’ bhuinn-òir aig 7.30f.

Bha an fheadhainn òg aig ìre air leth àrd an-dè. Nam measg, ann an co-fharpais an t-seann nòis aois 13 gu 15, bhuannaich Seumas Alasdair MacLeòid, aois 13, o Sgoil Sir E Scott sna Hearadh Prìne-fèilidh Airgid an t-Seann Nòis, agus bhuannaich Chloe Chaimbeulach, aois 15, à Steòrnabhagh Aigeallan-airgid an t-Seann Nòis agus Cuach Cuimhneachan Anna Cheallaidh NicDhòmhnaill leis gun d’ fhuair ise an comharra as àirde.

Cuideachd ann an roinn na cloinne eadar 13 is 15, bhuannaich Calum Mìcheal Moireastan o Àrd-sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu Prìne-fèilidh Airgid a’ Chomuinn Ghàidhealaich. B’ i Sophie Stiùbhart, 15, à Drochaid Sguideil ann an Siorrachd Rois a bhuannaich Aigeallan-airgid a’ Chomuinn Ghàidhealaich an dèidh dhi co-fharpais seinn aon-neach fo aois 19 a bhuannachadh Diluain.

Ann an Cogadh nan Còmhlan, rinn Sealladh à Àird nam Murchan a’ chùis air co-fharpais mhòr làidir o chòmhlain eile a bhios ainmeil cuideachd ann an ùine bheag ach an-diugh, b’ iadsan a bhuannaich a’ chiad àite. Mar dhuais, fhuair iad seisean clàraidh ann an stiùideo ionadail, Cuach Ailein Tòmas MhicMhìcheil agus Duais Cuimhneachan John Robertson leis cho comharraichte math ’s a bha an taisbeantas aca.

Bha an t-seinn a bha ri chluinntinn ann an co-fharpaisean nan còisirean a cheart cho comharraichte math. Ann an roinn na feadhainn eadar 13 is 18, b’ e Sèisteil à Muile, Morbhairne agus Loch Abar a bhuannaich Geall-dùbhlain na M-Uas Chaimbeul Bhlàraich ann an co-fharpais nan còisirean aon-fhuaimneach fosgailte, agus Geall-dùbhlain Aonghais M Rois airson an sgòr as àirde ann an Gàidhlig agus Geall-dùbhlain Belle Chaimbeul sa cho-fharpais puirt à-beul còisir fhosgailte. B’ e Còisir Àrd-sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu a fhuair Geall-dùbhlain Tìm an Òbain ann an co-fharpais còisir co-sheirm fhosgailte.

Cha robh Còisir na h-Òige à Inbhir Nis, san roinn fo aois 13, fada air dheireadh is iad a’ buannachadh trì duaisean. Fo stiùireadh Iain Murchadh MacGilleMhaolain, bhuannaich a’ chòisir Geall-dùbhlain Meur Obar Phuill is a Coimhearsnachd ann an co-fharpais còisir aon-fhuaimneach nam fileantach, Cupan na M-Uas Schroder ann an co-fharpais còisir puirt à beul nam fileantach agus Geall-dùbhlain Cuimhneachan na M-Uas Anna Ghrannd an Lagain ann an co-fharpais còisir co-sheirm nam fileantach, agus ri linn sin, Geall-dùbhlain Susan NicPheadrais, Cailleannach Mac a’ Bhriuthainnis iad air na comharran as àirde a chosnadh anns gach roinn.

Sa cho-fharpais còisir aon-fhuaimneach fhosgailte, fhuair Còisir òg Mhuile Geall-dùbhlain Chomataidh Sgìre Bhàideanach agus Shrath Spè.

Cumaidh an ceòl beò a’ dol an-diugh, taing dhan Màrtainn Skene Dance Band agus aoighean sònraichte a bhios a’ cluich aig a’ Chèilidh sa Cheàrnag ann an Ceàrnag Chamshroin a-mach o 1f, agus an uair sin cèilidh dùbhlain, Gabh Òran le Robert Robertson a dh’fhàs ainmeil ’s e ann an Tide Lines mar fhear an taighe ann an Ionad Nibheis a-mach o 4f.

Thall san Taigh-dhealbh Ghàidhealach, gheibh gràdhaichean litreachais facal air an Ollamh Ùistean Cheape ann an A’ leantainn ceumannan Iain Luim agus Abraich eile ann am Bràigh Loch Abar a-mach o 2f agus thèid leabhar a chur air bhog, san dà chànan, le Fiona J. NicCoinnich – a bhuannaich bonn-òir i fhèin roimhe – The Cadence of a Song: the life of Margaret Fay Shaw, aig 4f.

Dhan fheadhainn òga, bidh seiseanan leughaidh spòrsail ann le Linda NicLeòid on BhBC ann an Eaglais Bhaile Dhonnchaidh, club Gàidhlig cloinne Sradagan agus cothrom a dhol an sàs gnìomhachdan air a’ bhlàr a-muigh le Spòrs Gàidhlig.

Thuirt Seumas Greumach, Àrd Oifigear A’ Chomuinn Ghàidhealaich aig an ìre-sa: “Meal a naidheachd mòr dhan bhàrd ùr againn agus gu dearbh, dhan a h-uile duine a bhuannaich is a ghabh pàirt an-diugh. Sean is òg, luchd-ionnsachaidh no fileanta, ’s ann taing dhan fheadhainn a chruthaicheas rudan, a chuireas rud air an àrd-ùrlar agus a chomharraicheas cultar na Gàidhlig a tha àite a cheart cho cudromach aig a’ chànan an-diugh ’s a bha riamh.”

Thuirt Iain Robasdan, Cathraiche Comataidh Ionadail Mòd Loch Abar: “’S ann air an fheadhainn a thig an làthair a chrochas soirbheas fèise sam bith. Leis a sin, às leth nan ceudan de dhaoine a chuir rudan air chois, a rinn obair shaor-thoileach is na h-ionadan sa chùlaibh, ur taing dhuibh uile ’s dhan a h-uile neach a chuir sìos ainm, gach britheamh is neach-ciùil, òraidiche is neach-amhairc a rinn Mòd na bliadhna cho spòrsail is beòthail. Guma math a thèid leis a h-uile duine a tha a’ feuchainn air duais sna co-fharpaisean an-diugh agus fàilte chridheil do bhana-bhàrd ùr a’ Chomuinn Ghàidhealaich.”

Thuirt Ceannard Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd, an Comhairliche Raymond Bremner: “Tha fealla-dhà is fothail gu leòr ann an Loch Abar! Tha Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd moiteil a bhith ag aithneachadh gu bheil àite fìor chudromach aig a’ Mhòd ann a bhith a’ brosnachadh is a’ neartachadh na Gàidhlig. Tha tachartasan mar seo, agus an cànan is an cultar a tha aig an cridhe, cho fìor chudromach a thaobh math sòisealta, cultarach is eaconamach sgìre na Gàidhealtachd. Tha soirbheachas a’ Mhòid Nàiseanta Rìoghail a’ sealltainn cho fìor tharraingeach ’s a tha cultar dùthchasach na Gàidhlig do dhaoine bho air feadh an t-saoghail.”

Fhuair am Mòd taic o EventScotland, na phàirt de VisitScotland, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd, Riaghaltas na h-Alba, Cailleannach Mac a’ Bhriuthainn, BBC ALBA, Alba Chruthachail agus SQA am bliadhna.

Tillidh Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail a Loch Abar ann an 2025, eadar 10mh is 18mh dhen Dàmhair. Gheibhear tiocaidean airson na tachartasan mòra aig https://buytickets.at/ancomunn.

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Gaeldom’s ‘hall of fame’ is getting ready to welcome new greats, with a host of highly sought-after honours being decided at today’s Royal National Mòd in Lochaber.

Amongst the highlights will be the Literary Awards, taking place at the Highland Cinema from 12pm. These celebrate Gaelic writing across a number of categories, culminating in the most prestigious of all the literature awards – the historic Bard of An Comunn Gàidhealach, an honorary title bestowed on individuals for their outstanding contribution to the Gaelic literary canon.

Receiving the Bardic Crown this year is Stornoway-born poet Anne C. Frater, who takes over the mantle from Meg Bateman, published poet and lecturer, to become the Mòd’s 61st Bard since the honour was first introduced over 100 years ago.

Born into a Gaelic-speaking family and community in Upper Bayble, Stornoway, Anne left the island of Lewis to study at the University of Glasgow. There, she graduated with Honours in Celtic and French, going on to gain a Diploma in Secondary Education at Jordanhill College before returning to Glasgow University where she achieved a PhD in Scottish Gaelic Women’s Poetry up to 1750.

In the years since, Anne has held various roles in Gaelic media, lectured at the then Lews Castle College, and worked as a translator and editor. As well as her own poetry collections, Fon t-Slige and Cridhe Creige, her work has appeared in various notable anthologies.

No stranger to the Mòd, Anne was awarded Best Gaelic Book (1995-96) for her first poetry collection, Font t-Slige, became the inaugural winner of the Donald J MacIver Short Story prize (2016) and contributed to the book, 100 Years of the Bards of the Gaelic Society, 1923-2023.

Anne C. Frater said: “I am delighted to receive this honour, especially when I look on the list of previous winners, and I’m not sure that I deserve to be amongst them. I can’t help thinking about the noted poets who helped me when I started composing poetry, Derick Thomson and Kirsty Ann MacLeod, and I hope that I will have the opportunity to encourage Gaelic writing, especially in the Western Isles, in the year ahead.”

Other top Gaelic honours being awarded at today’s Royal National Mòd include crowd favourite, the Mòd Drama Final, staged at Lochaber High School from 7pm.

Fort William’s Nevis Centre will provide the setting for some truly spine-tingling performances from Gaeldom’s top male and female singers. This includes the Silver Pendant Finals – the top competitions for adult learners, with entries up a third on last year – from 2pm, followed by the flagship Gold Medal Final at 7.30pm.

Yesterday saw juniors set a high bar. Amongst these, in the 13 to 15 year old traditional competitions, 13-year-old Seumas Alasdair Macleod from Sir E Scott School on Harris was awarded the Traditional Silver Kilt Pin, while 15-year-old Chloe Campbell from Stornoway won the Traditional Silver Pendant, along with the Ann Kelly MacDonald Memorial Trophy for achieving the highest marks.

Also in the 13 to 15 year old age group, Calum Michael Morrison from Glasgow Gaelic Secondary School won the An Comunn Gàidhealach Silver Kilt Pin. Sophie Stewart, 15, from Conon Bridge in Ross-shire took the An Comunn Gàidhealach Silver Pendant having won the under 19 solo singing competition on Monday.

In the Cogadh nan Còmhlan (Battle of the Bands), Sealladh from Ardnamurchan fought off fierce competition from the other up and coming acts to win the top spot. They won a recording session at a local studio, the Thomas Mitchell Trophy, and the John Robertson Memorial Artwork for their standout performance.

The singing on show in the choral competitions was every bit as stand-out. In the 13 to 18 year old category, Sèisteil from Mull, Morvern and Lochaber won Mrs Campbell Blair Trophy in the Choral Unison Open event, along with the Angus M Ross Trophy for the highest marks in Gaelic and the Belle Campbell Trophy in the Choral Puirt-à-Beul Open competition. Còisir Àrd-sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu was awarded the Oban Times Challenge Trophy in the Choral Harmony Open event.

Nipping at their heels in the under 13 category, Còisir na h-Òige from Inverness celebrated a triple victory. The choir conducted by Iain-Murdo MacMillan won the Aberfoyle & District Branch Trophy for the Choral Unison Fluent event, the Mrs Schroder Cup in the Choral Puirt-à-Beul competition and the Mrs Ann Grant of Laggan Memorial Trophy for the Choral Harmony Fluent event, which also earned them the Susan Paterson Caledonian MacBrayne Trophy for the highest marks across all categories.

In the Choral Unison Open event, Còisir òg Mhuile was awarded the Badenoch & Strathspey Area Committee Trophy.

The live music continues today courtesy of the Màrtainn Skene Dance Band and special guests performing at a Street Cèilidh in Cameron Square from 1pm, followed by a Cèilidh Singing Challenge (Gabh Òran) hosted by MC Robert Robertson of Tide Lines’ fame at the Nevis Centre from 4pm.

Over at the Highland Cinema, literature lovers can join Professor Hugh Cheape in Following in the footsteps of John Luim and other Abrich from 2pm and attend bilingual book launch of former Gold Medal winner Fiona J. Mackenzie’s latest work, The Cadence of a Song: the life of Margaret Fay Shaw, at 4pm.

For youngsters, there’s a fun-filled reading session with BBC presenter Linda Macleod at Duncansburgh Church, a Sradagan Children’s Gaelic Club, and opportunities to join Spòrs Gàidhlig for some outdoor pursuits.

James Graham, outgoing Chief Executive Officer of An Comunn Gàidhealach, said: “Huge congratulations to our newly crowned Bard and, indeed, to all our winners and competitors today. Young or old, learner or fluent, it’s thanks to all those who actively create, showcase and celebrate Gaelic culture that the language remains as relevant in the present day as it’s ever been.”

Iain Robertson, Chair of the Lochaber Mòd Local Organising Committee, said: “The success of any festival is shaped by those attending. So, on behalf of the many organisers, volunteers and venues working behind the scenes, our thanks go to each and every entrant, judge, artist, musician, speaker and spectator for helping make this year’s Mòd as fun as it is full-on. Good luck to everyone vying for an award in today’s competitions and a warm welcome to our new Bard of An Comunn Gàidhealach.”

Highland Council Leader Raymond Bremner said: “A fantastic celebration in Lochaber is in full swing! Highland Council is proud to recognise the very important role the Mòd plays in promoting and strengthening our Gaelic language. Events like the Mòd, and the language and culture which is at its heart, is hugely important to the social, cultural and economic fortunes of the Highland area. The success of the Royal National Mòd continues to show the enormous appeal that traditional Gaelic culture continues to have for people from across the world.”

This year’s event is supported by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Highland Council, The Scottish Government, Caledonian MacBrayne, BBC ALBA, Creative Scotland and SQA.

The Royal National Mòd returns to Lochaber in 2025, from 10 - 18 October. Tickets for flagship events at https://buytickets.at/ancomunn.