On 22nd June 2023 I travelled from my current home in Elphin, Assynt, to interview two Gaelic speakers I had identified in or from the Durness area. Johnny Morrison came to a talk I gave for the North West Highlands…
From my earliest days, I was probably more familiar with the sight of Bute than I was with that of Cowal, despite having grown up there. From the double dormer window of the house at Rubha Bàn, I sat in…
Lochaber No More In honour of Andrew Wiseman and his efforts to maintain the legacy of Calum. I MacLean agus do mhuinntir Alba Nuaidh a chumas beò cainnt Loch Abair fhathast. My sources of information were not to be…
Language / DialectRevival / Revitalisation 101 Àdhamh Ó Broin | GáiligDhail Riada (Dalriada Gaelic) | www.dorlach.scot 28 / 07 / 2018 This quick start guide begins as if the would-be revivalist / revitaliser knows absolutely nothing about the language /…
The following article first appeared in Dòrlach magazine Iomradh (Samhuinn 2019) Popular representations of the Highlands often revolve around mountains, hills and castles. Yet, any Gael knows that the Highlands are not the Highlands without the sea, without the lochs…
IAIN A DHÀ IAIN #2 Assynt is one of those areas which seems somehow to have escaped the academic eye. When it comes to the far north of Scotland, you can start in the south of Rosshire and work your…
IAIN A H-AON IAIN #1 Caisteal Àrd Bhric I came back to my car after my wander round the castle soaked through but feeling good. There’s nothing like a cold shower to get shot of the last throes of a…
(The Gaelic Dialect of Assynt) SGEUL TALE I left Taobh Mhealnais (Melness) feeling decidedly better than when I arrived. If nothing else, I had been there, spent time with two wonderful people who spoke from out of the marrow of…
MIC THREUN’ AOIDH THE MIGHTY MACKAY It was time to find out exactly what the state of the Gaelic language in the MacKay Country was. After all, that had been why I’d made the trip and not just gone back…
BEATHA LIFE Mrs Gallagher? Yes. An almost regal-looking lady, with a youthful complexion, white hair and a keen eye, regarding me with curiosity, but not suspicion. I’m sorry to bother you. I’m cutting about looking for people with the local…
(THE GAELIC DIALECT OF THE MACKAY COUNTRY) BÀS DEATH Steven headstone, Watten My connection to the north is a Gallaibh (Caithness) one. This comes from the fact that just about all my mother’s people hailed from the north-eastern tip of…
The Gaelic Dialect of Strathspey There’s a gnawing at me most days. Nothing to do with hunger or thirst I’m in the very privileged position to say. It’s not a drug or alcohol addiction either. I somehow managed through my…
Join us over the next week here at DÒRLACH as we revive our old blog and tell you all about our travels in the north of Scotland. I’ll take you on a journey from Strathspey south of Inverness to the…