There was an enjoyable meeting last night at the Netley Centre, with Dr. Finlay MacLeod speaking on “The Norse Mills of Lewis”. Finlay showed some photographs of the various mills from different areas of Lewis, on a Powerpoint presentation. All together there were 32 members and friends in attendance and we were pleased to welcome two new members to the Society.

We hope you all had an enjoyable and peaceful Christmas and new year. Already it’s the middle of January, and the first gathering of GSI in 2011 is tomorrow night (Friday 21/1/11). Graeme Mackenzie from Inverness will be our guest speaker, and his topic will be ‘Murdoch MacKenzie of Ardross and his account of Clan Chattan’. The talk will be held at the usual venue, the Netley Centre on Bishop’s Road (opposite Eden Court) and will start at 19:30. The talks are always very interesting and it’s good to meet up with friends and acquaintances on an otherwise cold January evening! Please come along to hear the talk if you’re in the area.

Bha fìor dheagh oidhche ann aig Cuirm Bhliadhnail Chomunn Gàidhlig Inbhir Nis an raoir, aig taigh-cluiche Eden Court ann an Inbhir Nis. Bha cha mhòr 400 neach an làthair airson èisteachd le na seinneadaran is luchd-ciùil ainmeil a bha còmhla rinn.

Last night’s Annual Event at Eden Court Theatre lived up to and indeed exceeded expectations. Almost 400 people came along to be entertained by the talented singers and musicians who were performing. The solo singers were: Kathleen MacInnes, Maggie MacDonald, Arthur Cormack and Paul MacCallum. It was wonderful to hear different styles of singing from each performer and the audience enjoyed hearing songs such as “Allt an t-Siùcar”, “Ceud fàilt’ air gach gleann” and many more which all fitted in with the “Seasons and Moods” theme. The excellent Monach Isles Ceilidh Band, led by Michael Macmillan, played rousing jigs and reels to get the audience in the celidh spirit, along with some lovely lilting waltzes. It was great to see so many youngsters singing with “Canntaireachd” – the youth choral group led by Eilidh Mackenzie. They sang beautifully and again were very popular with the audience. We were priviliged to have with us the Society’s Honorary Piper, Dr Angus MacDonald, who opened the show and played again in the second half. Brigadier Iain MacPhàrlain, the Society Chief for the coming year, delivered a short speech before the concert closed with performers and audience singing together the songs “Cànan nan Gàidheal” and “Soraidh leibh is oidhche mhath leibh”.

A powerpoint was displayed above the stage with a running translation between performances and each song was accompanied by landscape photographs by Cailean MacLean. The stunning photographs perfectly complemented each different song. Allan Campbell, Chairperson of the Society, did an expert job as Fear an Taighe.

Bha Murchadh Peutan as a’ Bhaile Mheadhanach san Eilean Sgitheanach gu mòr an sàs ann an deasachadh an turais agus, air Dihaoine 21mh Samhain, rinn e òraid mun turas aig Comunn Gàidhlig Inbhir Nis. Sheall Bill McGonagle tòrr dhealbhan mun turais agus chaidh fiolm ghoirid a shealltainn mu eachdraidh a 51mh.

In 2007 the Skye based charity “Urras an Eilein” organised a second visit to the First World War cemeteries in Flanders. This journey responded to demand which followed a successful tour in 2004, and on this occasion a special memorial service was held there in Gaelic. The tour included a visit to St Valery-en-Caux in northern France where the 51st Highland Division was forced to surrender in May 1940, resulting in so many young Highlanders spending five harrowing years as prisoners of war in Germany and Poland.

Murdo Beaton from Balmeanach in Skye was one of the organisers of the tour and Friday 21st November he presented a talk to the Gaelic Society of Inverness on the tour. Bill McGonagle illustrated the talk with pictures that were taken on he tour and a short film on the 51st Highland division was shown.

Our Annual Dinner took place on Friday 14th November at the Lochardil House Hotel, Inverness. A special event was held before the dinner — a preview of Catriona Lexy Campbell’s excellent new novel Samhraidhean Dìomhair — arranged by the Gaelic Books Council. The Gaelic Society of Inverness Chief, Seonaidh Ailig MacPherson, joined us from Cape Breton and gave a talk after the meal. Musical entertainment was provided by Margaret Callan (song) and David Boag (fiddle). A great evening was had by all.  Thanks to all those who came along.

Tha Dòmhnall a’ fuireach ann an Gleann Comhainn agus gu mì-fhortanach cha b’ urrainn dha bhith an làthair ach bha sinn air leth thoilichte gun robh a nighean Peigi agus càirdean eile còmhla riunn. Fhuair an luchd èisteachd cothrom an leabhar a cheannach agus abair gun do chòrd an fheasgar ris a h-uile duine a bh’ ann.