John Mackenzie, Lochinver, was scheduled to give a talk on Friday 3 December 2010 but it had to be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions. We are delighted to have rescheduled the talk for tomorrow evening (Friday 4 March 2011) at 19:30 in the usual venue of the Netley Centre. The topic is: “Assynt Crofters : the Mould Breakers”. John will also present some slides which were prepared for a seminar in Norway a few years ago. These essentially focused on a micro hydro-electric project that John managed to bring to completion on the Assynt estate in 2000 after 7 years of battle with the conservation agencies but there are a few that show the kind of landscape that they now possess in community ownership.

Writer and broadcaster Dr. Finlay MacLeod from Lewis will be delivering a talk tomorrow evening to the Gaelic Society at 7.30pm in the usual venue of the Netley Centre, Bishop’s Road. The topic will be “The Norse Mills of Lewis”. He has been researching the Norse Mills in Lewis for many years — their origin, structure and location as well as their significance in the social history of Lewis. Finlay’s book, Muilnean Beaga Leòdhais (published by Acair) — available in either a Gaelic or English version — will be on sale after the talk, priced at £15. The talk will be in Gaelic and non-members are most welcome to attend.

Tha an òraid aig 19:30 aig an Ionad Netley, Rathaid an Easbaig ann an Inbhir Nis.

On Friday evening (5th November), Bill Innes will deliver a talk to the Gaelic Society of Inverness. The talk is called “Two Neglected Masterpieces” and deals with two epic poems on similar themes by Donald Sinclair (Domhnall Mac na Ceardaich) and Donald Macintyre (Domhnall Ruadh Phaislig). It will be illustrated with pictures, projected translations and recorded excerpts. Bill will talk in English but read bits from the poems in Gaelic.

The talk is at 19:30 in the Netley Centre, Bishop’s Road, Inverness.

The following morning, on Saturday 17th April, the Annual Culloden Anniversary Service will be held at 11 am. Please assemble at the Culloden battlefield visitor centre by 10.30 am.

We look forward to hearing Mairi’s talk, entitled “Scottish Traditional Music”, as part of our Syllabus after the summer and will keep you informed of the new date.

We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

We look forward to hearing Graeme’s talk as part of our Syllabus after the summer and will keep you informed of the new date.

We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

We are once again preparing for our session of Members’ meetings. We look forward to welcoming you to our varied programme of talks, the first of which is on Friday 2nd October. We look forward to welcoming Mr.Calum Ferguson whose talk had to be postponed at short notice in October 2008.

The Syllabus can be viewed here.

Summer Outing to the Isle of Skye

Following the very successful Society trip to Lismore last summer, it has been agreed to make a similar trip this year. On Saturday 22nd August, we propose to travel to Sleat in Skye, and to visit Sabhal Mòr Ostaig where we will hear a brief history of the College development and view the latest developments on the campus.

It is also hoped that we may be able to have a brief insight to the College development vision for the next thirty years. We will then travel about a mile southwards towards Armadale and visit the Clan Donald Centre where those who wish it may have lunch. After lunch we will visit the Castle Gardens and the Museum of the Isles and hear some of the background to the development of the Centre.

A coach will depart Inverness at 8am and return for approximately 6.30pm.

If you are interested in joining the trip please get in touch with the Honorary Secretary.

Society Dinner 2009

We are happy to tell you that the Annual Dinner will once again be in the Lochardil House Hotel, Inverness and on Friday 13th November.

The Society Chief, Mr. Cailean MacLean, will address the company after the dinner, and this will be followed by some musical entertainment. Your order form for tickets is herewith enclosed and the Honorary Secretary looks forward to hearing from you in due course. As numbers are restricted and the tickets are available on a first come first served basis, you are requested to place your order as soon as possible and no later that Monday 2nd November.

Society Chief 2010

Council members are pleased to announce the appointment as Chief of the Society for the year 2010 as Brigadier Iain MacFarlane, Taynuilt. Further details to follow.

Annual Event 2010

We are happy to tell you that the next Annual Concert will be held on Friday 12th March 2010 in the Empire Theatre, Eden Court — be sure to put the date in your diary. As always there will be an excellent line-up of singers and musicians. Further details to follow.

Farquhar Macintosh Gaelic Scholarship Appeal

The Sabhal Mòr Ostaig Development Trust has set up the Farquhar Macintosh Gaelic Scholarship Appeal. Further information from the St. Andrew Society’s homepage:

Following the passing last year of our former President, Farquhar Macintosh, the Sabhal Mòr Ostaig Development Trust and his family decided to raise an appeal in his name. The Appeal is to raise funds for future scholarships to the Gaelic College on Skye. The Society feels that the Appeal in the name of one of our former Presidents is for a genuinely worthy cause very much in line with the aims of the Society.

To this end the [St. Andrew] Society has made a substantial contribution to the Appeal and would encourage likeminded inividuals and Societies to make a contribution. Further Information can be requested from and donations sent to:

The Farquhar Macintosh Gaelic Scholarship Fund
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig Development trust
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
Sleat
Isle of Skye

Farquhar was a life member of the Society and, having served as joint secretary with Hugh Barron from 1961 to 1963, he was appointed Chief of the Society in 2002.

The Society Library

We are grateful for the many donations of books etc. we receive for our Library and would again remind you that this material is available to all members by visiting our Library (within the Public Library) at Farraline Park, Inverness.

The Council members would like to thank Mr. Murdo MacLeod for his sterling work in maintaining the Library so efficiently for the last nineteen years. A warm welcome is extended to his worthy successor, Dr. Donald John MacLeod.

Membership

We would like to welcome our new members and hope that your association with the Society will be a long and happy one.

If any of our members would like any information regarding any of our events, or any other matter in connection with the Society, please contact the Honorary Secretary. Likewise, if any member has any suggestions for the Council to consider, we would like to hear from you.

Our Honorary Treasurer is grateful to all of you who have complied with our request to pay your subscription by Standing Order. Those of you who have not yet taken advantage of this facility are reminded that membership was due for renewal on July 1st. Membership fee remains at £15.

All correspondence should be addressed to the Honorary Secretary:

Shona Campbell,
9 Castlehill Court,
Inverness,
IV2 5GS.
Tel: 01463 792318
e-mail: shona_m_@hotmail.com

Bidh turus na bliadhna seo a dol gu ruige Slèite san Eilean Sgitheanach, agus a’ tadhal an toiseach air Sabhal Mòr Ostaig far an cluinnear geàrr-iomradh air eachdraidh na Colaiste agus chithear na leasachaidhean as ùire air an làraich. Tha sinn an dòchas cuideachd gum bidh ’s dòcha cothrom beagan a chluinntinn mu na planaichean a th’aig a’ Cholaiste airson nan deich bliadhna fichead romhainn.

Gluaisidh sinn bhon t-Sabhal a dh’ ionnsaigh Ionad Chlann Dòmhnaill mu mhìle sìos rathad Armadail, agus gabhar greim lòin an sin. An dèidh ar biadh bidh cothrom ann sùil a thoirt mu thimcheall Taigh Tasgaidh nan Dòmhnullach agus beagan a chluinntinn ma dheidhinn.

Tha sinn an duil gum fàg bus bho Phrìomh Oifis Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd aig 0800 sa mhadainn agus gum bidh sinn a’ fàgail Shlèite mu 1600 is air ais ann an Inbhir Nis mu 1830.

Following the very successful GSI trip to Lismore last summer it has been agreed to make a similar trip this year on Saturday 22 August.

This year we propose to travel to Sleat in Skye and to visit Sabhal Mòr Ostaig where we will hear a brief history of the College development and view the latest developments on the campus. It is also hoped that we may be able to have a brief insight to the College development vision for the next thirty years.

We will then travel about a mile southwards towards Armadale and visit the Clan Donald Centre where those who wish it may have lunch. After lunch we will visit the Castle Gardens and the Museum of the Isles and hear some of the background to the development of the Centre.

It is intended that the coach will depart from Highland Council HQ at 0800 and leave Armadale for the return journey about 1600, arriving in Inverness at approximately 1830.

The cost for the trip is still to be finalised, but is likely to be approximately £20 to £25 per person — inclusive of travel, and admission to the Castle Garden & Museum of the Isles. Morning coffees, lunch and other refreshments are not included.

If you are interested in joining the trip please inform GSI Secretary Shona Campbell as soon as possible so that we can plan the event.

Tel: 01463 792318

e-mail: shona_m_@hotmail.com

On Friday 6th December, Angus Peter and Lyndsay Campbell will give a talk and slide show about poetry and languages from around the world. The talk will be held at 7.30pm in the Netley Centre, Inverness. This meeting will be in Gaelic.