SUIL NA H'IOLAIRE

Newsletter of the Dalriada Celtic Heritage Society

(July/Aug '94)

AN TIR

Save the Aspen

Forestry Commission scientists are working on a project in collaboration with Scottish Natural Heritage to ensure the survival of the aspen, one of Scotland's lesser known native trees (and one of the trees of the Celtic Ogham alphabet). It is hoped that the research findings will eventually lead to a significant increase in the number of aspen trees.

Boundary Dispute

A nationalist protester from Fife was forced to pay œ250 in compensation after obliterating the word "England" from national boundary signs at Berwick. Ian McKemmie told magistrates that the boundary marker was in the wrong place and that the town of Berwick had been taken by force of arms from a Scottish state and illegally incorporated into England in 1836 - an act which is in breach of international law. He added that "It is wrong to try me in an English court for crimes which were committed in what is morally and legally Scotland...any trial here must be under Scottish law or else be a breach of the Treaty of Union." McKemmie is seeking legal advice regarding an appeal.

'Highland Mystery World'

March 1995 is the scheduled opening date for the proposed œ1 million Highland theme park, to be sited on the former Ballachulish slate quarry. Planning permission has already been granted to build a visitor centre. The park's main theme will be 'A Journey Beyond Belief' and it will explore the richness of Highland folklore of times past, both Celtic and Viking. The Ballachulish based Glencoe Adventure Ltd development hopes to attract over 100,000 visitors, creating fourteen new jobs for locals. It is expected to become one of Scotland's top ten paid tourist attractions.

Kintyre Heritage

A new heritage centre for the Mull of Kintyre was officially opened at the beginning of May by David Bellamy. The œ500,000 project, situated on the outskirts of Tarbert, is dedicated to man's relationship with the land and the sea, both past and present. It has taken over two years to complete. Now the finished centre has an impressive exhibition, a farm shop and restaurant and outdoor woodland walks. Plans are being made to hold regular demonstrations of craft and rural skills, including spinning, horse shoeing, sheep dog training and building a drystane dyke. The opening of the centre is due largely to the efforts of Neil and Ileene Duncan, who first conceived the idea and who run the 4,500 acre Stonefield Farm. They emphasised that the centre was not just another tourist attraction, but very much a part of their working farm.

Bronze Age Boat

What is believed to be the third oldest vessel in the world took to the sea again recently. A section of a 3,000 year old Bronze Age boat was carried by a P&O ferry from Calais to Dover. A fund has been launched to restore the vessel. It was abandoned by ancient Britons and had become buried in the silt of the Channel.

Pictish Legacy

The small village of Oyne in rural Aberdeenshire has plans for a major new heritage project. The Archaeolink Trust wants to build a œ3 million centre to bring the area's lost legacy to life. The area certainly has a claim on being one of the most important in terms of prehistoric sites, with about a quarter of the stone circles of Britain being located in the Grampian region. The centre would be a 900 square metre grass covered dome, which would be approached by a 'time tunnel' effect of audio visual displays of prehistory. Gordon District Council has provided a 40 acre site outside Berry Hill. In the main dome will be theatres, displays and views of the rest of the park, including a Neolithic long house and a Roman camp. An application for European funding is to be made.

Historic Trek

Linda Wilkinson from London is a long distance walker who has travelled widely exploring the cultures and religions around the world. She is currently undertaking a historic trek (begun in early May) along the old drove roads of Britain from Dunnet Head near John O'Groats to Lizard Point in Cornwall. Linda first became interested in the way of life of the itinerant drovers after reading H B Haldane's book 'The Drove Roads of Scotland'. Now she is planning to follow drove roads, packhorse trails and Roman roads in a north/south direction, paying visits to historical sites along the way. She expects the trek to take five or six months. The ultimate purpose of the journey is to write a book of her experiences 'In Search of Lost Britain on Foot'. If anyone could offer any friendship or help to Linda on her journey, write to: Linda Wilkinson, 3 Shaftesbury Avenue, Southall, Middlesex, UB2 4HQ, enclosing a stamp, and your letters will be forwarded to her.

CEOL IS DUALCHAS

Contest at Cowal

This year is the centenary of the famous Cowal Highland Gathering in Dunoon. To celebrate this special occasion an open competition is being held for the composition of a new Pipe March tune. The winner will receive a œ500 cheque and a Cowal Gold Medal. This year's gathering takes place on Saturday 27th August.

Raasay Piper Remembered

A commemorative plaque was recently unveiled in honour of the great Raasay piper John MacKay, who died at Kyleakin in 1848. John is regarded by many as the father of modern piping, who succeeded his own father as hereditary piper to MacLeod of Raasay, before becoming piper for Drummond Castle in Perthshire. In 1792 he won the Highland Society of London Pipe Prize at Edinburgh. He also composed pipe tunes and all four of his sons became distinguished pipers in their own right. The inscription on the plaque, in both Gaelic and English, says that he was "the last great piper to have had lessons from the MacCrimmons".

Storm Over Lone Piper

An Clann is a performing group who don full pre-Culloden Highland plaid to give shows for Edinburgh's many tourists. In recent weeks they have used a piper to play for 15 minutes, five times a day, to attract visitors to their venue in the Scandic Crown via Niddry Street. However, all is not well, for the manager of a neighbouring hotel has reported the matter to the police. A letter from his lawyer complained that the excessive noise was "causing extreme annoyance to both staff and guests". An Clann's manager Iain Murdoch said "I just can't believe this is happening. An Clann has never had a complaint in 10 years... After the '45 Rising the whole culture was banned for 30 years and now they are actually banning it again." He added that other businesses in the vicinity had welcomed the entertainment. He hopes that a diplomatic solution can be found before the summer season really gets underway.

Information for Artists

The International Cultural Desk was launched recently with the aim of providing information and advice to Scottish artists wishing to tour abroad. The desk, based at the British Council offices in Belmont Crescent in the West End of Glasgow, will publish a monthly bulletin of opportunities for Scottish artists overseas. The ICD is the first of its kind in the UK and has commitment and financial backing from the British Council, the Scottish Arts Council, the Scottish Museums Council, Scottish Enterprise National and the HIE. It is intended that the organisation will become self supporting within three years.

Highland Arts Festival Proposed

A œ20,000 study commissioned on behalf of local authorities, businesses and arts groups has supported the concept of a major 7-10 day arts festival to celebrate Highland culture. The first festival could take place in May or June 1996 and would be funded from both private and public sources. The festival would be based in Inverness but events would be extended out into a much wider area. The idea of an Inverness based arts festival was first raised about four years ago, however the growing awareness of links between the arts, cultural tourism and economic opportunities finally prompted the recent study to research its feasibility. The steering group has decided to take the project further forward.

New Arts Centre for Lewis

Morven Gallery is a converted steading in the grounds of Morven House at Upper Barvas on the Isle of Lewis. It is unique in that it was set up by art teacher Janis Scott specifically to exhibit and sell the work of local artists. It is recognised that there exists a wealth of artistic talent in the Western Isles that needs to be promoted. Ms. Scott, who has taught at the Nicolson Institute for the last 12 years, also plans to run workshops and courses. A funding package of œ29,000 was gained from the EC's rural development programme LEADER and also Western Isles Enterprise. It is hoped that the centre will attract interest from a wide range of people, including students, tourists, local organisations and businesses.

And some not-so-good news in Stornoway, as doubts are cast over the viability of Lews Castle College as the venue for a proposed arts centre. It was last October when the proposal that the castle should house an arts and heritage facility was first heard. A second public meeting held in March raised questions about the economic feasibility of siting a centre within this 19th century Grade A listed building that is currently needing much expensive repair work. Angus MacLeod of the National Gaelic Arts Project said they were quite happy to use the castle, but the needs of the community as a whole had to be looked at rather than just one building.

Celtic Film Festival '94

The International Celtic Film Festival was held at the beginning of April in Derry, Northern Ireland. The premier award of the Gold Torc, for the best production in a Celtic language, was won this year by Western Isles based media nan Eilean for the Gaelic film "Gleanntann Ecuador". This is a documentary about the work of Father Colin MacInnes from South Uist who helped to improve conditions for people living in the shanty towns of Ecuador. The film received funding from Comataidh Telebhisein Gaidhlig and was broadcast on national television earlier this year.

Another entry for the festival was the first ever Gaelic feature film "As an Eilean" . It is the story of a young islander, played by Iain Finlay MacLeod. The film will be broadcast nation-wide on Channel Four on Thursday 14th July at 11.40pm. (Hopefully it will be subtitled!).

Language was certainly on the agenda at this year's film festival. The Irish Arts Minister, Michael Higgins, suggested that the new Irish language television service should be transmitted to homes in the North. However, this drew a quick reaction from local Unionists, who see Gaelic as representing Republicanism, despite attempts by many to get the language on its own distinct cultural footing, separate from any political leanings.

Backing A Loser

The Scottish feature film "Chasing the Deer" is the first major production about the Battle of Culloden. It is financed by public subscription - for œ1,000 you get the chance to appear as a film extra! However, the organisers have been having a hard time of it, with most subscribers demanding to be on the side of the Jacobites! Chasing the Deer stars Brian Blessed, Iain Cuthbertson, Jake D'Arcy and rock star Fish. Filming has begun in several Highland locations and the initial screening is expected to be in September.

Braveheart Disappointment

Another up and coming new film is "Braveheart" - the story of national hero William Wallace and starring superstar Mel Gibson. However, there is anger over the decision to shoot most of the filming in Ireland. A medieval village is under construction in Glen Nevis and local people are hoping that the part of the film scheduled to be shot in Lochaber will go ahead as planned. Local regional councillor Iain MacDonald said: "We are talking about the Scottish hero's story not being filmed on his home soil. It is a disgrace." On the brighter side, the Highlands have won a ten week filming slot and are becoming a popular location for filming companies.

FROM SCOTTISH NEWSPAPERS

Euro Cash Hold Up

Of the œ260 million Objective One fund which has been earmarked for the Highlands and Islands, not one penny has yet been made available except on paper. The regional plan for Objective One was submitted by a Highlands and Islands partnership in November, but it has not yet been accepted by the European Commission who are now negotiating modifications.

Highland University

A University of the Highlands and Islands could bring benefits of more than œ70 million a year into the north of Scotland, according to senior economists. If the project goes ahead and becomes established towards the end of the decade, the region stands to make major economic, educational and social gains. The proposals are supported by HIE, local authorities and academic institutions and will encompass a vast network of regional campuses linked together via digital telecommunications.

Lullabies for Cattle

TV celebrity Canon Angus McQueen recently brought eight of the black Highland cattle over from Cape Breton to reintroduce them to Barra. He then hired a 'home help', Ena McNeill from North Uist, to act as the cows' midwife and sing them lullabies in Gaelic. Two of the cows have now calved. Canon McQueen is an enthusiastic promoter of the heritage of the islands, and he wants to see the old custom of women singing songs to the cattle to soothe them revived.

Clan Davidson Revival

The Clan Davidson Association has been dormant for the last 50 years, but is now being revived. A group of like-minded Davidsons have got together and so far have identified the heir to the chieftainship, appointed a clan historian, a genealogist and a piper, started the publication of an annual journal and held two gatherings. Anyone bearing a Davidson name (including Davison, Davis, Dawson, Davie, Dyson, Dow, Dean etc.) or descended from an ancestor of the name is eligible for membership, which costs œ10 a year. Contact Ian Davidson, Holly Wood House, Broom Way, Weybridge, Surrey.

GAIDHLIG BHEO

Campaign For National Radio Service

Pressure is being brought to bear on the BBC to work towards the provision of a Gaelic radio service. A major report has recently been commissioned by Commun na Gaidhlig (CNAG) from leading economist Cento Veljanovski, who helped in securing the œ9 million Gaelic TV fund. The report claims that a national radio service could produce benefits of up to œ10 million annually for the economy of Scotland. More than a third of the Gaelic community live in the Strathclyde, Central and Eastern regions, and this does not even take into account learners. Last September when the service to the Highlands and Islands was enhanced by the FM frequency, the amount of broadcasting hours to the rest of Scotland were reduced. CNAG feel that present Gaelic radio coverage is grossly inadequate for the cultural needs of the wider Gaelic community. Rev. Jack MacArthur, chairman of the Glasgow Gaelic Working Group, said that "Radio still plays a large part in the life of the Gaelic speaking community as it links the various Gaelic strongholds from the islands to the Borders. "

Minority Languages Conference

Researchers and promoters of European minority languages met recently at Sabhal Mor Ostaig on the Isle of Skye, to take the first steps towards creating an information network. Around 50 representatives of research communities in lesser used languages attended the conference, which was held on 5th-6th May, and a set of recommendations were drawn up for the future to ensure that authorities receive factual information on which to base their policy decisions.

Moves towards a "Gaelic Council"

Leading Gaelic groups and organisations are backing recent proposals for a single, official Gaelic council which would advise the Secretary of State on Gaelic development. Various organisations would meet together several times a year to work out joint strategies with all sectors of Gaelic development participating. The plans were set out on a recent Radio nan Gaidheal documentary series "Cunntas". Last year the Gaelic Television Fund was cut by œ1 million, seen by many as due to a weakening of the political clout of Gaelic. The need for formal, statutory structures to be set up is becoming paramount, particularly in the field of education and the provision of teacher training courses.

Reactions to HMI Report

The HMI report on secondary Gaelic medium education, which was mentioned in the March newsletter, has been unanimously criticised by parents, academics, teachers and Gaelic learners. On 21 May a protest demonstration by almost 60 parents and students from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth took place outside the Scottish office. A moving speech was made by Aonghas MacNeacail of the Edinburgh Comunn nam Parant against the report: "We have the right to argue that every penny denied to ourselves, our parents and our grandparents in the form of education through our own language is due to all of the present generation who want to reclaim that language for themselves."

The Gaelic College Sabhal Mor Ostaig and the Gaelic Learners Association Comann an Luchd Ionnsachaidh (CLI) have both reacted strongly against the HMI report. CLI described the report as "parochial" and "patronising", arguing that it is based on outdated and inaccurate information. College trustees' chairman Mr. Farquhar Macintosh rejected the "Gaelic cultural course" as a poor, unacceptable substitute, designed to cover up the lack of willingness to allocate the necessary resources needed to provide Gaelic medium education across the whole range of the curriculum. The trustees have set out a list of positive proposals for the way forward, including an emergency programme of teacher recruitment and training, a longer term programme based on projections of staffing requirements, and a national policy on Gaelic education together with adequate provision and funding required for its implementation.

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