Sorley MacLean, Photographed in 1996 by Cailean MacLean

The poetry of well-loved former bard of the Society, the late Sorley MacLean, is being put to music as part of the Celtic Connections festival, the Press & Journal reports.

Taking place on the 18th of January in Glasgow City Hall, the event — entitled ‘Hallaig: A Celebration of Sorley MacLean’ — will be directed by Ken Thomson, and compèred by Mary Ann Kennedy, who will also be performing.

More information on the event can be found at the Celtic Connections website.  Tickets are priced £16, and can be bought online from Celtic Connections directly, or via telephone from Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, on 0141 353 8000.

Those wishing to brush up on their Sorley prior to the event could do worse than visit the excellent Sorley MacLean Online, where ‘Hallaig’ is this month’s featured poem.

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.

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.

On Friday 7th November, Denis Rixson will deliver a lecture entitled “The Hebridean Traveller”. The lecture will be held at 7.30pm at the Netley Centre, Bishop’s Road, Inverness. All welcome.

Gaining this many viewers is a large step in the right direction for the newly-formed channel. Head of BBC Alba Margaret Mary Murray went on record saying that this was “an excellent start”.

Nine out of the area’s ten councillors have come out against bilingual signage in their area.  

Speaking on the subject Independent councillor David Bremner said:

The council should respect the differences that exist within the different counties of the Highlands. We’re not anti-Gaelic, but let’s not waste public money on something the public don’t really want here.

Whilst Caithness council seems to be forming a bloc of opposition to the bilingual signage policy, the issue is unlikely to be resolved any time soon.

While the interview is neither long nor particularly deep, it is still worth a read, if only as an opportunity to get to know the language’s new ambassador slightly better.