Help Sitemap Home Skip Navigation Contact Us Disability Statement


Bright hopes for Gaelic's future across the Atlantic

Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image

Published Date: 15 October 2007
By MURRAY MACLEOD
AT THE ROYAL NATIONAL MOD
SCOTLAND'S Gaelic renaissance is being mirrored on the other side of the Atlantic in Canada.
Lewis MacKinnon, chief executive of the Office of Gaelic Affairs in the provincial government of Nova Scotia, was attending the Royal National Mod in Fort William when he spoke of the need to ensure Scotland's native tongue is preserved in his own pa
rt of the world.

Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island have long had a strong association with Scotland as it was in those provinces that many of the emigrants from the Highland Clearances settled in the late-1700s and up to the mid-19th century. While there are now only a small number of fluent Gaelic speakers left in Nova Scotia, Mr MacKinnon said he was "optimistic" for the future of the language.

"The office of Gaelic affairs is focusing on working specifically with the Gaelic community and one of the main areas of activity is adult-immersion language courses and the office provides support to communities where programmes are on-going," he said.

Mr MacKinnon revealed Gaelic was being taught for the first time at the local school in Antigosh County after a visit last year from a group of Gaelic-speaking parents from the Highlands who have direct experience of Gaelic-medium education.

Saturday saw the start of competitions at the Mod, with Graham MacKenzie from Inverness proving himself a master of the fiddle. The 15-year-old from Culloden Academy won the Robert MacCallum Memorial Trophy for 13 to 18-year-olds for the second year in succession.

His school also won the fiddle groups section.

MOD RESULTS – SATURDAY


PIPING

B360 Piobaireachhd (James R. Johnston Memorial Quaich)

1. William McCallum, Glasgow.
2. Pipe Major Gordon Walker, Ayrshire.
3. Angus D MacColl, Oban.
4. Niall Stewart, Kyle of Lochalsh.

B361 March, Strathspey and Reel (John T. MacRae Cup)

1. Angus D MacColl, Oban.
2. Pipe Major Gordon Walker, Ayrshire.
3. William McCallum, Glasgow.
4. Peter Hunt.

Sheelah J. Nicol Memorial Trophy (B360 and B361) – William McCallum, Glasgow.

B362 Hornpipe and Jig

1. Angus D MacColl, Oban.
2. William McCallum, Glasgow.
3. Pipe Major Roddy Weir, Edinburgh.

C130 March (16-18) (Royal Highland Fusiliers Cup)

1. Ashleigh Bell, Muir of Ord.
2. Steven Leask, Greenwood Academy.
3. Jonathan Graham, Bishopbriggs.

C131 Strathspey and Reel (16-18) (Col. Murdoch MacTaggart, Bowmore, Memorial Trophy)

1. Steven Leask, Greenwood Academy.
2. Ashleigh Bell, Muir of Ord.
3. Jonathan Graham, Bishopbriggs.

Dr D. S. MacLaggan Memorial Trophy (C130 and C131) – Jointly awarded to Steven Leask, Greenwood Academy, and Ashleigh Bell, Muir of Ord.

C108 March (13-15) (Roderick Munro Trophy)

1. Fiona Mitchell, Campbeltown Grammar.
2. Alexander Levack, Music School Plockton.
3. Scott MacLean, Lochgilphead.

C109 Strathspey and Reel (13-15)

1. Fiona Mitchell, Campbeltown Grammar.
2. Alexander Levack, Music School Plockton.
3. Ewen Henderson, Strontian.

C86 March (Under 13) (Roderick Ross Memorial Trophy)

1. Bruce Domhnullach, Bun-sgoil Phort Righ.
2. Ross MacKay Fraser, Craighill Primary.
3. Seumas Campbell, Sgoil Dhalabroig.

C85 Chanter (under 13)

1. Brighde Chaimbeul, Sgoil Shleite.
2. David MacLeod, Sgoil Ghaidhlig Ghlaschu.
3. Fraser Hogg, Corberry Park Pipers.

SOLO FIDDLE

C118 (13-18) (Robert McCallum Memorial Trophy)

1. Graham MacKenzie, Culloden Academy.
2. Ewan Zuckert, City of Edinburgh Music School.
3. Calum Zuckert, City of Edinburgh Music School.

C83 (under 13)

1. Alan M MacDonald, Sgoil Lionacleit.
2. Abigail Young, City of Edinburgh Music School.
3. Robbie MacKenzie, Culloden Academy.

FIDDLE GROUPS
C176 (under 19)
1. Culloden Academy Fiddlers.
2. Ardnamurchan Fiddle Group.

ACCORDION

B370 March, Strathspey and Reel
1. Andrew MacDonald, Fort William.

C178 (Under 19)

1. Craig McFadyen, Oban.
2. Robert Nairn, Acharacle.
3. Michael John MacMillan, Inverness.

C84 (under 13) (Daniel G. R. Burt Memorial Trophy)

1. Steven Barclay, Cradlehall Primary.
2. Sean MacCallum, Ard-sgoil Thiriodh.
3. Padruig JP Moireasdan, Sgoil Chairinis.

MELODEON

C88 (Under 13)

1. Annabel MacLennan, Coisir Og a’ Bhac.
2. Caitlin Nicolson, Bun-sgoil na h-Airde.
3. Sara MacIver, Coisir Og a’ Bhac.

PIANO

C116 (13-18) (Margaret Hill-Boyle Memorial Trophy)

1. Alistair Iain Paterson, Park Mains High School.
2. Mairi Chaimbeul, Sgoil Shleite.
3. Eilidh Munro, Glasgow Islay Junior Gaelic Choir.

C81 (Under 13) (Jenny M B Currie Kilt Pin)

1. Alan M MacDonald, Sgoil Lionacleit.
2. Lisa-Marie Parkinson, Oban.
3. Brighde Chaimbeul, Sgoil Shleite.

KEYBOARD

C117 (13-18)

1. Calum Zuckert, City of Edinburgh Music School.
2. Christina L MacLeod, Sgoil MhicNeacail.
3. Ewan Zuckert, City of Edinburgh Music School.

C82 (Under 13)

1. Sara MacIver, Coisir Og a’ Bhac.
2. Padruig JP Moireasdan, Sgoil Chairinis.
3. Lisa-Marie Parkinson, Oban.



Page 1 of 1

 
1

The Forgotten Princess,

BowandaddressmeasYourHighness 15/10/2007 01:47:14

Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island? Those have got to be gorgeous places!

2

Is it only me?,

Azerbaijan (for now) 15/10/2007 03:46:31

No.1 Yes, they are.

To Mr McLeod: That would be Antigonish County.

3

,

15/10/2007 04:56:49
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
4

49th State,

Looking out at the awful snow 15/10/2007 05:29:54

# 1

Forgotten

Read Anne of Green Gables. These stories take place on Prince Edward Island. and, YES, this island is very beautiful out of the cities. The only bad thing about the place is that Colonial Scots who did not support the American Revolution resettled there if they did not go back to Scotland. Anyway, visit in the late Spring.

5

EWB,

UK 15/10/2007 06:12:23

Let's hope they reverse the trend and halt what has to now appeared both in Scotland and Canada an inevitable process, namely the decline of Gaelic.

Any chance of an article on the state of Welsh in Patagonia?

6

,

15/10/2007 06:52:12
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
7

Is it only me?,

Azerbaijan (for now) 15/10/2007 07:13:19

No. 7

I've been visiting Nova Scotia for 25 years and now own a place on the Halifax waterfront. I grew up in the West of Scotland and still own a house there but I left mant years ago to travel and work all over the world, including a ten year spell living in Perth, Western Australia. I know Greenock and the Port well and agree the views across the water are lovely. However, how anyone from Scotland can call Canada a second world country is absolutely beyond me.

8

Calum Crubag,

15/10/2007 07:34:38

Archie, there's hardly any Gaelic left in Nova Scotia. A few hundred people at most. Here we have almost 100 000 with at least some understanding of it and thousands of kids in Gaelic medium education.

S mor am beud nach eil an tuilleadh ann ge-ta.

9

,

15/10/2007 07:47:31
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
10

Bien E. Bien,

15/10/2007 09:30:18

#7 - I agree completely. Much of Canada is a dismal wasteland. It is possible to spend a moderately interesting weekend in Quebec City, Toronto, or perhaps Vancouver, but all of the "lesser" cities that I have visited have been slums with few economic prospects.

11

J. E.,

15/10/2007 09:32:23

"SCOTLAND'S Gaelic renaissance".

The word “renaissance” as applied to the Gaelic language in Scotland is misleading: this is not 14th century Italy! From where I sit the only great outpouring I can see is of taxpayers’ money; not of cultural wealth.

The new dedicated Gaelic television channel, for example, is going to cost £18 million a year to run. This works out at a cost of around £300 for every speaker of the language. This sum of money could pay the annual salaries of over 800 nurses.

2001 CENSUS FACT: 58,552 of Scotland’s population spoke Gaelic.

This figure represents a fall of 10,958 speakers (16%) in ten years.


Link to recent article in Scotsman concerning the “revival” of Gaelic:

www.thescotsman.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1628732007

12

puskas,

East Kilbride 15/10/2007 10:02:28

Perth is a beautiful city.

Gourock, Greenock, Port Glasgow through no fault of the people who live in these areas ( other than voting Lib Dem and Labour consistently ) have been living in rundown areas for many, many years. The transformation from shipbuilding and the old cargoe ships to more modern employment that is vibrant and long lasting has been at best poor.

Where else in the world could we have the beauty of such as the Clyde and have ramshackled townships..
Wake up Scotland as what I say about this areas is repeated almost without argument throughout our country.


Anything that preserves a Scottish identity has to be good.. At least at this time of writing we don't get hung or shot . Maybe AM2 will try to change the law and include hung, drawn and quartered..

13

Calum Crubag,

15/10/2007 11:45:10

JE - have you nothing better to do than to come on here with your whinging?

Btw, check out the film 'Seachd'. Stunning. Bearing in mind that the BBC once spent £10million - our money (Scots too) - on televising ONE English world cup game, then £18m for an entire channel is nothing. It will also help the renaisannce that you say is lacking. What's the English for 'renaisannce' btw?

14

Brad,

Glasgow 15/10/2007 13:11:17

#17, JE is just pointing out that the article appears to be based on a false premise and that a lot of public money is failing to achieve the aims attached to it.

I'd like to see that film, it's supposed to be good. But I'll bet far more Scots (let alone English) watched that game than will watch this film. Sad perhaps but true.

15

Mr Lahey,

Edinburgh 15/10/2007 13:20:30

Well you need to watch Trailer Park boys to see the real Nova Scotia/Halifax...
http://www.trailerparkboys.com/
Possibly the funniest thing on television and shows another side of Canada as desribe by #11

16

Dave From Barra,

Western Isles 15/10/2007 15:48:31

Not a fan of Nova Scotia then Archie?

17

,

15/10/2007 16:19:30
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
18

pwd,

Borders 15/10/2007 16:26:56

In the article and posts there are references to Gaelic as Scotland's native 'language' and 'tongue'. Gaelic may be native to part of Scotland but the native language of the country in those large areas where Gaelic has never been spoken is English. Hopefully Gaelic will survive where it has traditionally been spoken but for the rest of - we'll stick with English thank you.

19

Calum Crubag,

15/10/2007 16:53:52

#22 - and which areas are those? Gaelic replaced Brythonnic in many areas of southern Scotland, especially in Ayrshire and Galloway. It was also spoken in many communities in the Borders and Lothians. We know this from the many placenames still extant in these areas and from historical records.

I wish these ignorant bigots would learn their history before posting here. Some pointers for reading and information:
Scottish Placenames Society, School of Scottish Studies at Edinburgh University, Watson's 'Celtic Placenames of Scotland' (which reveals there are acutally more Gaelic names than Brythonnic in the Peebles area) and Ferguson's 'the Identity of the Scottish Nation'.

Lastly if only English was spoken in these areas, perhaps you can tell us the meanings of Achincrow, Dunbar, Gullane, Drem, Glenkinchie, Melrose, Gala, Balnatrodach (now known as Temple), Roslin and many more?

20

johnnyo,

cobourg canada 15/10/2007 17:08:30

Archie did you not meet any friends anywhere in the world except Gourock ? Nae wonder with your upbeat joyous outlook on life. I especially love how you try to find all the good things from your travels.
I spent some time in Scotland this summer and to be sure some parts were not great but overall I found the people, the scenery, and the history beautiful. The world is what you make of it. Grow up son.

21

,

15/10/2007 18:05:15
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
22

Dave From Barra,

Western Isles 15/10/2007 18:30:47

Calum

Hi, not picking a fight but there is absolutely no history of Gaelic in the Orkneys or Shetlands. Old Norse is thier native and dying tongue.

23

Dunnie,

Canada 15/10/2007 19:24:31

25 - Dear Archie - all knowing and discerning; and just where the hell do you live?

I don't think you've been to Halifax in years.

As to the other insults you have hurled, I can tell you haven't been to other parts of Canada.

It's a big country, unlike your mind.

As to being a dreadful place to live, our cities and our country are consistently listed as being amongst the best in the world.

Please stay where you are. We need less one pig in the alleged sty.

24

Dave From Barra,

Western Isles 15/10/2007 19:40:52

It seems Gourock and the Inverclyde area has a higher crime rate than the whole of Scotland on average. Considering Scotland has the second highest crime rate in Europe, it's not a good stat.

It seems, on average, Gourock is a sh!te hole.

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/businessBullet...

25

George7,

15/10/2007 19:42:34

pwd 22 - good point!

This argument about where Gaelic was and was not spoken, and to what extent is was and was not spoken, has always intrigued me. The words of John Josephs, professor of applied sociolinguistics at the University of Edinburgh, however, are illuminating. He states:

“There is little validity in the claim that Gaelic is Scotland’s rightful mother tongue. . . Historically, Welsh has a better claim to be Scotland’s founding language than Gaelic has.”

26

Dileas_sean,

California 15/10/2007 19:51:50

Would any of you like to join the Celtic League, working for the promotion of of the six Celtic Languages still spoken --viz, Scots & Irish Gaelic, Manx, Welsh, Cornish & Breton. It publishes a very interesting quarterly magazine CARN. For more information see
www.celticleague.net, or Email me dileas_sean@yahoo.com

27

pone300,

scotland 15/10/2007 20:19:55

#22
In fak we'l haud wi Scots AN Inglis.

28

Calum Crubag,

15/10/2007 20:32:29

Dave, true. However, i get the feeling that if Norn was still alive then the usual whingers would complain about it getting money too.

#29 Josephs is widely known as a kind of 'loose cannon'. Check out Dr. Wilson Macleod at Edin Uni's Celtic Dept for confirmation of Gaelic's place in Scotland or the above references. Interestingly too, Professor John Purser's, Scotland's foremost musicologist states in his bestselling 'Scotland's Music' that many of our Lowland's Scots songs actually have 'Celtic' tunes (as opposed to the Anglo-Saxon of Scots or English) and were most probably originally Gaelic songs.

This whole arguement is ridiuclous anyway. Scottish culture generally is Gaelic based, with many other influences. Should we also say that people in the Borders (or Shetland) should not drink whisky, wear the kilt, dance at a ceilidh or call a lake a 'loch'??!!!! Maybe we should go all the way and change these damned Gaelic place names once and for all. Therefore, Dunbarr, becomes 'Hilltop Fort'. Drem becomes 'Back-like Ridge'.

Stop whinging and learn your history.

29

,

15/10/2007 20:38:45
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
30

,

15/10/2007 20:44:41
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
31

radge dug,

Dùn Eideann 15/10/2007 20:46:19

Any idiot can tell that this Jospehs guy dosen't know his erse from his elbow. Welsh was never spoken in Scotland. A language called 'Brythonnic', from which comes modern Welsh, Cornish and Breton, was. For a so-called 'socio-linguist' to use such erroneous terms is ludicrous. It is also likey that, the Gaelic settlers in Lothians (many came across from Fife in about 1000) could understand some of the now dying but fellow-Celtic Brythonnic tongue.

Any moron still doubting our linguistic heritage should join, and learn from the Scottish Placename Society. The Lowlands are literally covered with many small but significant placenames which tell us a lot of past communities, and Gaelic was certainly ONE of the Lowland tongues.
http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/institutes/sassi/spns/

#32 - good point. Maybe we should also outlaw Gaelic personal names in the Lowlands. Any name with 'Mac' in it is out for a start. Also... Alastair, Glass, Bowie, Rintoil, Gilchrist, Beaton, Duncan, Bain, Douglas (a Borders name, strange that?!), Ross, Vannan, Malcolm...

32

Dunnie,

Canada 15/10/2007 20:52:42

Archie - you're a troll - and not a very good one.

Now go back to selling your pencils.

You're another outstanding reason for birth control.

33

Pilrig.,

Livingston 15/10/2007 21:23:43

JE #14 - You grudge £18 m ? Come on that's the equivalent cost to the UK treasury of a couple weeks in Iraq.

34

Pilrig.,

Livingston 15/10/2007 21:27:35

pwd 'Borders' # 22 presumably the English Borders. Most people I know in the Borders (Scottish Borders that is) speak lowland Scots.

35

Pilrig.,

Livingston 15/10/2007 21:29:47

32 - well said Calum. What would Scotland be withoot the Gaels ? North Anglia.

36

d.j.,

16/10/2007 15:44:46

26 Dave from Barra

Unfortunately the Norn Language died out as a seperate language about 300 years ago because of the Doric/Scots/Inglis imported from North East Scotland.

Today only small fragments survive along with a host of individual words plus an accent.


 

Comment on this Story

 

In order to post comments you must Register or Sign In

 
 
RSS Feed of this article's comments
Delivery formats: RSS, Atom, Javascript & Email
 
  

 
 


Sister Newspapers:
Press Complaints Commission

This website and its associated newspaper adheres to the Press Complaints Commission’s Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then contact the Editor by clicking here.

If you remain dissatisfied with the response provided then you can contact the PCC by clicking here.