Youth Workshops

Meeting Centres

2022 so far De tha dol bhon uair ud?

Tea and Technology Lochs 2022

November 2021 News

Online Music Session Hebrides 

Cabraich Community Arts  have been awarded funding by the Corra Foundation to support musicians and audience to upskill, to join a weekly Hebrides online music session.

Bayhead Sessions, the long running, weekly live event, was hit by the pandemic restrictions in March 2020. Now organisers aim to co-ordinate and support new technology skills, to re-unite the thirty participants in a new online setting.  

This support for Cabraich Community Arts, will provide one to one workshops, for people using their own device, to access and use Zoom and other online platforms.

Cabraich co-ordinator Magaidh Smith said ‘Many new friendships and community networks were created through the open door, weekly music nights at Bayhead Sessions in Stornoway. The pandemic has left many people isolated and our new weekly online event, is a chance to re-establish those links and create new experiences.

Although we aim to reach out to the musicians who played together at Bayhead Sessions pre-Covid and their audience, we also welcome anybody interested in learning new technology skills and participating in a local music setting”

More information on technology support from magaidhsmith@gmail.com or 01851 860204.

Weekly Ceilidh

Tales from the Blackhouse-New play 2020

Online Support

Cailleach an Deacoin

D A Matheson Gaelic Songs

Plays available on Sound Cloud

Harvest 2018

Ceilidh na Gaidhlig Grinneabhat

Launch of Gaelic song CD

Suil Air Ais new CD

CD Fasan a dh'fhalbh

Gaelic Meet Up June -July 2018

Cabraich Events Feb-March 2018 

Stories from Hebridean Culture

Gaelic Cultural workshops

Gaidhlig Classes 

Autumn Workshops

Blue Men of the Minch -Na Fir Gorma

Tea and Technology

Tea and Technology

Laraich January 2017

Laraich Placenames and Stories Project

Tea and Technology 2017

November- December 2016

Open-Mic Womens' Nite

October events

Feedback Ceilidh na Gaidhlig

Cabraich have had the support of many people for the monthly all Gaelic event Ceilidh na Gaidhlig.

Ceilidh na Gaidhlig included two plays, many stories, songs and poetry in Seallam, Bragar and Arnol venue Grinneabhat, The Hut Back with support on the night from Comunn na Gaidhlig and Back Choir and Taigh Tasgaidh nan Eilean with support on the night from Mod nan Eilean 2016.

The plan was to run the monthly events in different venues up till June 2016 and then evaluate feedback.

Feedback so far : Gaelic learners valued the opportunity to be immersed in the language, the singers,actors, musicians and story teller had a ball, and audiences had a great night of entertainment.Also some of the feedback has resulted in the following daytime events:

Thursday 21^st July Ness Lunch Club , August venue /group tbc, September venue/group tbc and Thursday 6^th October the Young at Heart Club at the Clan MacQuarrie Hall in Borve.

The plays and stories will be there and any of our performers who can give of their time during the day to come and give us a song or tune or two, will be more than welcome.

The plan for winter 2016-17? Well again it depends on the feedback from the artistes and the audience…..

Many thanks to all our supporters and Bòrd na Gàidhlig for funding for venue hire and travel costs and the motley crew that give of their free time to make it happen.

New DVD Toradh

Stornowords the new poetry event Saturday 11th June Artizans, Stornoway 

Ceilidh na Gaidhlig Seallam, Friday June 24th Isle of Harris

Museum nan Eilean this Friday 13th May

Toradh New DVD

Updates

Ceilidh na Gaidhlig (2) Friday 29th April 2016

New Drama

Ceilidh na Gaidhlig Am Bac

Ceilidh na Gaidhlig

The new monthly event Cèilidh na Gàidhlig will include Gaelic drama, Gaelic songs and music. January’s ceilidh will be in Ionad nan Seann Sgoile Siabost on Friday 29^th at 7.30pm.

The evening’s entertainment will include two new short plays performed by Cabraich Community Arts members, Ali MacLennan and Maggie Smith. The plays are Tom ’s Jerry by Alasdair a Bhocsair, Ness and An Turas by Eric J MacDonald, Uig.

The all Gaelic event will be in a different area each month and include Gaelic singers and musicians who are living locally. Future dates are The Hut, Back on Friday 26^th February and Museum nan Eilean on Friday 11^th March, with April and May cèilidhs in Grinneabhat and Gearrannan.

Cabraich Community Arts spokesperson said “The group have been performing plays by island writers on local historical and contemporary themes, for the over 60s groups, for a number of years. The new event Cèilidh na Gàidhlig has several targets: to strengthen the use of Gaelic in the communities, to bring drama to a new audience and to enable Gaelic learners to be immersed in the language and island culture for an evening.

We are working with other community groups, who have a strong interest in maintaining the Gaelic language in each area; Clann an La an De Siabost, Iomairt Gàidhlig a Loch a Tuath Am Bac and the new Gaelic Museum nan Eilean at Lews Castle. Cabraich are grateful for the support of Bòrd na Gàidhlig and CNES”

Who said January is a quiet month?

Gaelic Event Shawbost 29th January

This new monthly Ceilidh na Gaidhlig will have drama, songs and music. The January event is in Ionad nan Seann Sgoile, Shabost on January 29th at 7.30pm.

The evening will include two new Gaelic dramas Tom 's Jerry written by Alasdair Campbell Ness (Alasdair a Bhocsair) and An Good Samaritan written by Eric J MacDonald Uig, performed by actors Alasdair MacLennan and Maggie Smiith.     Ceilidh na Gaidhlig will be in Back in February, March in Museum Nan Eilean, April in Grinneabhat and May will be in Gearrannan Blackhouse village.

All Gaelic events 2016 

The first in a series of all Gaelic events will be on Friday the 29th January at Ionad na Seann Sgoile, Siabost. The event will include plays, stories and songs. Future one off monthly events will be held in Back, Museum nan Eilean, Grinneabhat, Gearannnan Black House Village and Seallam from February to June 2016.

Slam poetry

Absent Friends Festival 10th November 2015

Absent Friends Festival 2015 workshop was at Ionad nan Seann Sgoile, Shawbost on Tuesday 10th November. Dawn Susan from Hebridean Baskets demonstrated and supported participants to make mini  hearts, wreaths and fish from willow in rememberance of an Absent Friend.

The workshop was attended by Clann an La an De the over 60s group and residents of Blar Buidhe supported by the Dementia Friendly Community.    

Songs and Tunes  

Cabraich's Maggie Smith  will be at the Pairc Social Club lunch at Ravenspoint Centre on Wednesday 7th October to provide entertainment. New local poems,new local songs and a tune or two on the box. 

Tonkan will be at Back Cairdeas group on Wednesday 28th October with classic Gaelic songs, tunes and some of his humorous stories.

Psalm Boat Phase 2

Psalmboats Events 3-5th September

Sailing the Loch: Thursday 3rd, Friday 4th and Saturday 5th September

After months of planning, we can now reveal that Falmadair and the Psalmboat Project will sail the fine big Sgoth Niseach boats in Loch Erisort, visiting the villages and sites of importance around Ceòs, Crosbost, Cromor and Eilean Chaluim Chille. 

We warmly invite you to participate in these historic sea journeys and invite psalmsingers to meet us on the quays: it's a bit early to predict the weather, but over those three days Ian Stephen, chief skipper, is confident we can capture the essence of the stories which have so generously been shared by local people. 

There are still several details to finalise. From the enthusiastic turnout at our original 2011 event on Ceòs pier, we know that many local people care deeply about these stories and will want to contribute in some way. 

Bidh fàilte chridheil ann dhuibh!

Psalmboats Booklaunch 8th September

New Drama Tom 's Jerry

New local films

Cabraich Community Arts are promoting new short films on local themes made by Isle of Lewis based writers, film makers and actors wishing to portray local stories and Gaelic identity in the Hebrides. There are ten Gaelic films of five minute duration which have been screened at Bragar and Arnol's Grinneabhat 18th April, Shawbost's Clann an La an De on 28th April, Back Cairdeas and Comann Eachdraidh Nis's Lunch Club in June. Films are by Uig Media and Aignish Riots. Audience feedback:  

" Chunnaic sinn taghadh mhìorbhailleach de filmichean goirid, uile dèante air an eilean le stiùirichean is cleasaichean a seo fhein.. A-measg an roinn seo bha gaireachdainn gu-leòr, clisg no dhà, is cuimhneachadh air tachartasan is dòighean-beatha tro eachdraidh an eilein. Chòrd na filmichean ris a h-uile neach a bha ann, cuide na h-òrain is meòrachadh annasach mu Eilean Leòdhais. Ceud mìle taing do Chabraich is nach till sibh a rithist?"

The films include Am/Aite, As d'aonais, Taigh Dhe, Iolaire, Taigh a Mhuirt, Fios Fithich, Gealladh a Bhard and Leabhar na Beatha. Some of the films can be seen here https://www.youtube.com/user/UigMedia

Island Traditions Friday at 5pm

Donald Macleod talented musician and singer

Fundraising Publication Balaich na Whalers

Screening New Local Films

Cabraich Community Arts are promoting new short films on local themes made by Isle of Lewis based writers, film makers and actors wishing to portray local stories and Gaelic identity in the Hebrides. There are ten Gaelic films of five minute duration which have been screened at Bragar and Arnol's Grinneabhat 18th April, Shawbost's Clann an La an De on 28th April and Back Cairdeas and Comann Eachdraidh Nis's Lunch Club in June. Films are by Uig Media and Aignish Riots. Audience feedback:  

" Chunnaic sinn taghadh mhìorbhailleach de filmichean goirid, uile dèante air an eilean le stiùirichean is cleasaichean a seo fhein.. A-measg an roinn seo bha gaireachdainn gu-leòr, clisg no dhà, is cuimhneachadh air tachartasan is dòighean-beatha tro eachdraidh an eilein. Chòrd na filmichean ris a h-uile neach a bha ann, cuide na h-òrain is meòrachadh annasach mu Eilean Leòdhais. Ceud mìle taing do Chabraich is nach till sibh a rithist?"

The films include Am/Aite, As d'aonais, Taigh Dhe, Iolaire, Taigh a Mhuirt, Fios Fithich, Gealladh a Bhard and Leabhar na Beatha. Some of the films can be seen here https://www.youtube.com/user/UigMedia

Psalmboat

Cearcall Seinn -Uig

Gaelic Conversation Circle

Film Night Sat 18th April

Urras Choimhearsanchd Bhràdhagair agus Àrnoil will host a film night on Saturday 18th April from 7-9pm. The event will also feature local musicians and singers in Grinneabhat the old school in Bragar.

The evening is in conjuction with Cabraich Community Arts who are promoting new short films on local themes made by writers, film makers and actors wishing to portray local stories and Gaelic identity in the Hebrides.

The Bragar and Arnol Community Trust was established in 2012 to preserve and enhance the cultural and environmental heritage of the area, and to retain the Grinneabhat building for the community. Further information on www.bragararnol.org

Oidhche na Gaidhlig

Oidhche na Gàidhlig

Isle of Lewis based arts group Cabraich will be bringing Oidhche na Gàidhlig to communities throughout the island this spring and summer. This event aims to encourage Gàidhlig learners and support volunteer community groups with a will to promote and run Gàidhlig events.

The evening event Oidhche na Gàidhlig kicks off with a Gàidhlig conversation group for all levels, a Gàidhlig singing circle and then an hour of entertainment including plays, poetry, film and song to appeal to native Gàidhlig speakers.

The first event will be at Taigh Dhonnchaidh, the Ness arts and music centre in Habost on Thursday 16th April. The evening begins with An Cearcall Còmhraidh a conversation circle at 6.30pm, followed by An Cearcall Seinn a singing circle from 7.30pm and then from 8pm, the entertainment will include a humorous play by Alasdair Campbell from South Dell.

Cabraich are planning future events with Urras Coimhearsnachd Bhràdhagair ’s Àrnoil at Grinneabhat Centre, Bragar and Taigh Tasgaidh nan Eilean the new museum at Lews Castle. The Gàidhlig entertainment evenings are also available to other community groups who may wish to promote the language and support Gàidhlig learners in their area.

Oidhche na Gàidhlig is supported by Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar . For more information contact Maggie Smith 07554665549 maggiesmith@hebrides.net or www.cabraich.org  

22nd March 2015

1st Cabraich drama online

Gaelic Conversation Circle and Song Circle

Gaelic Conversation Circle and Gaelic Singing Circle from 4.30-6.30 at the Bayhead Retirement Centre, Stornoway on Fridays 20th, 27th March and Friday 3rd April

Followed by the traditional music and song get together from 6.30-9pm

This friendly, informal gathering usually includes musicians on melodeon playing tunes in the Lewis style, Highland tunes on fiddle and guitar. Different styles of Gaelic songs from the tradition, can also be heard at this gathering which extends the hand of welcome to island visitors.

Admission £3.00

The Conversation Circle event is supported by Bord na Gaidhlig and Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar

Peggy-star of film at 87

Gealladh a Bhàird

A new local short film features Peggy Effie Smith from Kneep in Uig. The well-known singer and composer of Gaelic songs, reveals how she inherited the gift of poetry from her grand uncle on his death-bed. Peggy Effie aged 87 filmed recently, by Keith Stringer and local volunteers from Uig Media revealed in verse how the gift of poetry came with conditions that it should never be used to mock or scold..

Seo a thuirt bràthair mo sheanair rium

Air bu leabaidh bais dha,

Gu robh aige faireachdainn

Gun fhuair mi spiorad bàrdachd,

’S gun tug e mar earal dhomh

“Na cur i chaoidh gu càineadh”

Cha diobair mise an gealladh sin,

Gus an paisgear bhon an fhad mi.

The film Gealladh a’ Bhàird can be viewed online at http://youtu.be/X9Le5udTv38

Successful local film and live music night

The weekly music and song gathering on Friday 6th February at the Retirement Centre in Bayhead, Stornoway included several new short films created in the islands since 2007.

From Uist there was the film Machair Life-A Dion Machraichean na h-Alba. Which demonstrated that traditional crofting practices, have a sustainable future. The film focused on the immensely important conservation value of the unique machair habitat on the west coast of the Hebrides.

Next up was A Gift for King George by Matheson Productions, a humorous look at crofting and island life in the early 1900s. Iain Baba Maciver of Uig played the main character a manic crofter, peat cutter and seaweed gatherer.

The Circle of Life was the subject of Leabhar na Beatha by Keith Stringer and Eric J MacDonald, filmed on the stunning Uig Sands. The film, set just before World War Two, included in the cast Sean Macleod, Eileen MacLennan and Deirdre MacDonald.

The tragedy of the 1st of January 1919 was represented in a five minute film Iolaire written and directed by Alasdair MacLeod of Aignish Riots, Niall Mason and April Maclean were the main characters with supporting actors, filmed at Arnol Blackhouse and aboard a fishing vessel in Glumaig Bay.

Am/Aite Time and Place had a theme of young love, emigration, inheritance and love rekindled in old age. Among the characters were Cristin MacKenzie and Donald John Macleod. The script by Eric J MacDonald was an Aignish Riots production.

With the exception of Machair Life, all the films were made with no budget. Scripts were written, filming schedules prepared, executed and edited, by creative islanders with a desire to see their own heritage represented visually for the enjoyment of others. Their dedication will be partially rewarded with regular planned screenings of locally made films.

The new, local short film evening, was very much enjoyed by the Friday teatime audience, young and old alike. There is a plan to show more of the locally made films at the Friday get together during March.

The films were interspersed with live music on melodeon, guitar and keyboard with songs in Gaelic, Irish country music and popular songs. The musicians and singers on Friday were Roddy MacDonald, Donnie Disco, Alan Farquarson, Tony, Dan and Hazel.

Gaelic Conversation Circle and songs -New

Souvenir of Great Yarmouth-Story version

Local Films

Gaelic comedy

Friday music and song event

Psalmboat

Festive Traditional Music and Song

Friday 19th and 26th December and Friday 2nd January 2015 from 6-9pm

You are warmly invited to an open mic evening, held by local musicians and singers. There will be Scottish accordion music, local Lewis Melodeon Tunes, Irish songs, Scottish Gaelic songs and other songs from our community. Come and meet new people over a cup of tea.

This group meets every Friday with a mix of different musicians and singers, coming along each week. Thig a Steach!

Wind Farms

Writers Museum

Cabraich has been invited to attend a meeting to progress the suggestion of a writers' museum in the Hebrides. It would be terrific to have an archive of the rich tapestry of the output of many local poets and playwrights.  Beurla agus Ghaidhlig. Meeting postponed this week due to the bad weather. We look forward to the reconvened meeting in early January.

Season's Greetings

Cabraich wish all their supporters a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We are looking forward to February 2015, it will be a busy month with a visit to Clann an Latha an De in Shawbost, North Tolsta Over 60s group and the Silver Darlings in Lochs. Lots more news coming soon...

Friday night for live music and song

New Monologue by Alasdair a Bhocsair

Coinneach Tarmod-Mo Dhuine by Alasdair Campbell, Alasdair a Bhocsair, Ness is a Gaelic monologue performed by Maggie Smith of Cabraich. Cabraich will be visiting Back Cairdeas on Wednesday 29th October at the Hut in Back and Carloway Sunshine Club on Wednesday 5th November at 1.30 at the Health Centre.  

Previous performances: Saturday 16th August at Balallan Hall, at the Scottish Night organised by the Balallan and District Recreation Committee,Ness Lunch Club on Thursday 4th September and Breasclete ABC Club on Wednesday 17th September. Event supported by Living it Up and Bord na Gaidhlig

Eco Textiles workshops-26/27th September

Cuimhneachain To Absent Friends 7th November

Trad Music and Song In September

Coinneach Tarmod-mo dhuine New Play

Lochs Entertainment

Friday 15th August 2014
August: A World War One Commemoration Event, which will include music, songs
and Gaelic poetry from 1914-1918, will be held in the North Lochs Community
Centre, Leurbost at 7.30pm on Friday. The commemorative songs will be sung by
Kenneth Nicolson, Shonnie Beag Macmillan, Torquil Macleod, Mairi MacKenzie and
others. A warm welcome is extended to everyone and refreshments will be served.
Entry is free but donations to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the
Royal British Legion would be appreciated. 
Saturday 16th August 2014
August: There will be a Scottish Night in Balallan Hall at 7:30pm. The
singers and musicians include Iain MacKay, Iain Begg, Innes Begg, Murray Begg,
Highland Dancers Ciorstaidh, Molly and Mairi. The Country Gaels and Mairi
MacLennan. Maggie Smith will perform a new Gaelic play by Alasdair Campbell
from Ness, called Coinneach Tarmod Mo Dhuine. 
At the interval there will be stovies, oatcakes, home baking and tea.
There will be a raffle and BYOB.

Niall Odhar agus an Iorram Niseach

Have you heard the 400 year old  rowing song known as an Iorram Niseach and the bloody Clan Macleod story behind it? The tale was related by Niall Odhar the modern day Shawbost Pirate ( Murdo Macleod) last night at the Falmadair ceilidh. The song was sung Maggie Smith.

Iorram Niseach

Iomair thusa, chòinnich chridhe
Nèill a mhic 's na hò rò

Iomaraidh gu laidir rioghainn

Nèill a mhic 's na hò rò
Hay rò, hù ò rò.

Tha eagal mòr air mo chridhe
Gur e bìrlinn Nèill a' tha tighinn

No sgòth chaol mhic Thormoid oidhear.

Ach 's truagh nach robh mi fhìn 's Niall Odhar

An lagan beag os cionn Dhùn Odhail

Biodag am làimh 's Niall bhith fodham;

Dhearbhadh fhèin gun deigheadh i domhainn.

S gum biodh fuil a chlèibh na ghobhal,

Ceilidh Dance Falmadair

Ceilidh with Teddy

Traditional Music and Song

The Lewis Retirement Centre, Bayhead Stornoway will be the venue for Traditional Music and Song on Fridays; from 6-9pm for 6 weeks during July and August. This is for locals, visitors and everyone. Tunes, songs, a welcome and a cup of tea and cake . Lets share our music and song, come along to the Retirement Centre from Friday 18th July.

Ceilidh Wednesday 16th July Sea Angling Club

Supper Ceilidh 21st June

Coinneach Tarmod Mo Dhuine

Bannaimh nach Gann-new poetry book

Book launched on Saturday 7th June at 2pm at a Silver Darlings event in the Community Centre, Leurbost. Bannaimh Nach Gann the Gaelic secular writing of the Rev Murdo Smith (1878-1936) of 31 Leurbost includes nature poetry, humourous compositions and elegies, an extensive social history of the time.

This collection was written when travel was by boat, families were evicted to make way for grazing for sheep and emigration to Canada was encouraged. The words of the bàrd are often heard today in the popular love song Tè Bhàn,Tè Bhàn, Tè Bhuidhe Bhàn, An Seann Dachaigh and Fògradh ar Gaidheal
 The Comann Eachdraidh Cheann a Tuath Nan Loch publication by Clò Fuigheagan, costs £7.99 and is also available as an e-book.

Supper Ceilidh 17th May

Living it Up

Cucumber Sandwich- A new play

Cucumber Sandwich by Eric MacDonald was performed for the first time today 15th April at Cairdean Cordail Cheann an Loch in Balallan Hall. Next performance at the Back Cairdeas group meeting at The Hut, Back on Wednesday 30th April. Also at Ness Lunch club at the Old Cross School, on Thursday 1st May. Manor Residents on Tuesday 20th May, Uig Cairdeas at Uig Hall on 28th May.  More details about the new 20 minute play below.

Toffs . Well...that's what we called them "

 A death by drowning at a sporting lodge on the Isle of Lewis .

Supper-Ceilidh Saturday 17th May

For the Gaelforce in Glasgow

Supper Ceilidh Retirement Centre

Mach ann an 10

Arts nan Eilean-Theatre in Rural Venues

Inside Scottish Dance Theatre is a must for anyone interested in the process of making dance productions. Recommended for ages 5+.Monday  24th  March Balivanich Community Centre at 7.30pm
Bookings: 01851 700475 Tuesday 25th March Sir E Scott School,  Tarbert at 7.30pm  Bookings: 07584 578759 www.harrisarts.org Wednesday  26th March Spòrsnis, Ness at
7.30pm Bookings: 01851 810039, www.sporsnis.co.uk  

The Secret Life of Suitcases Larry works at the Suitcase Station, and he likes it very much. Every
day he inspects funnels and fixes pipes. And of course, he collects and sorts
out everyone's secrets as they arrive from all over the world. There are so
many of them! But he’s very good at his job and manages to keep them all safe.
Until one day, a secret escapes - and Larry has to go on a mission to get it
back... This magical and wondrous show is a new collaboration with the Unicorn
Theatre, the UK’s leading theatre for young audiences. Suitable for ages 5+ Thursday  3rd 
April 2014  Ionad Na Seann Sgoil,
Shawbost at 2pm, Bookings :10851 700475 Friday 
4th April  Tarbert Community
Centre, Isle of Harris at 2pm and 4.30pm. Saturday  5th April 
Balivanich Community Hall at - 3pm, Bookings 01851 700475

Farnham Maltings - In Praise of Elephants; a celebration of
the greatest animal on the planet and a touching story of a quiet man turning
60 trying to make sense of the world. Age Guidance : 8+ Wednesday  2nd April 2014 St Peters Hall, South Uist at
7.30pm Bookings: 01878 700154, www.ceolas.co.uk Thursday 3rd Clan McQuarrie
Centre, Borve at 7.30pm Bookings 01851 850397 www.borvehall.com Friday 4th  April Breascleit Community Centre at 7.30pm
Bookings: 01851 700475.  

Pirates and Mermaids - Poorboy Theatre. The technology in
their pockets keeps them constantly in touch but you can’t hold someone in your
arms over Skype and a text can’t show someone’s smile. A humorous and universal
story told on a very human scale. Wednesday 31st  April 
Castlebay Community Hall at 7.30pm, Bookings: 01851 700475. Thursday
1st  May 
St Peters Hall,  South Uist at
7.30pm Bookings: 01878 700154, www.ceolas.co.uk .Fri 2 May Taigh Dhonnchaidh,
Ness at 7.30pm Bookings: 01851700475 Saturday 3 May Bernera Community Centre,
at 7.30pm Bookings: 01851 612411  

Taigh A Mhuirt

Cucumber Sandwiches

Solus Geur

Films by local people on local themes

Afghanistan

A woeful tale

Spilling out from the lips of the accurate news-reader 
“Another soldier has been killed in Afghanistan
His family has been informed
The regiment commander said
He died a hero
Was awarded a medal
for fighting for his country
doing the work he loved
His remains will be flown home
and will be buried with full military honours”

My young lad!
Were you a hero in the pale cold throes of  death

What care you about war medals
Or long heavy eulogies

Or the crowds who congregate on the streets
Out of curiosity

Waiting

Staring
At the funeral procession

Throwing roses

White and red

The medals will tarnish
The flowers will fade

Words will be forgotten

The crowds will disperse

For a day’s work awaits them
Every one so busy!

And YOU will be remembered no more!
BUT
Deep down in your mother’s heart
Is an incurable scar
on which  no remedy
can have an effect
As she moves each day through the darkness of the deep
shadows
Where there is no light

Chrissie MacIver Breasclete 2012

Contemporary nature poetry

I saw Willie John Teddy today, one of our most prolific bards.  While leafing through his collection of poetry he discounted "Lotan Nadar" a poem about climate and environmental change as "nobody had put a tune to the words". This is one of the most powerful contemporary nature poems we have in Gaelic.

This is where Maggie Smith hangs her head in shame as she had set the words of "Lotan Nadar" to a tune some years ago. 

We have poetry which could enrich the lives of Gaelic learners and native speakers... if it was accessible. Is there anyone out there who would like to see new songs, using the poetry, written by the last of the village bards? Can we work together to put their writing out there as new songs... to the benefit of the environment and our mother tongue.

HMY Iolaire lost 1st January 1919

 190 Lewis sea men returning from WW1 lost their lives on the 1st of January 1919 when the HMY Iolaire grounded on the Beasts of Holm outside Stornoway Harbour. This was the theme young film maker Alasdair Macleod of Aignish selected when he made a no budget film in 2009. Here is the link.                                  http://vimeo.com/12895686 

Over 60s Clubs summer hols

Today's performance of A Souvenir of Great Yarmouth was at Cairdean Allt nan Gall in Garrabost/Knock. This was the last visit to the Over 60s groups until they return after the summer break. By November 2013 Cabraich hope to have a new play.  Bookings for visits in November have been lined up in Kinloch, Back Cairdeas, Young at Heart Clan MacQuarrie Borve and Cairdean Allt nan Gall in Point.

Today I met Mrs Morrsion a 94 year old herring girl from Point who told me she joined the Naafi when war broke out. Working at the building of the Drome in Stornoway, Breanais Uig and then in Tiree. She told me "that Tiree was where the good looking American pilots who flew to Belgium were based. They were not all destined to return"  We hope to record more of her wartime memories very soon. Everybody we have met at the island Cairdeas groups has a remarkable story to tell. 

Community Drama Aros 6th July

Taigh Dhe-Baile na Cille Church

Beautiful Day -New Film Uig Media

Bho Sgaile Suainabhal-New play Eric J MacDonald

Leabhar 's Craic Sat 23rd March CCA Glasgow

Mach ann an Deich 24 & 25th May

Feis Drama Skye 15&16th March

Crioch 2012

Song by a Lewis Herring Girl

Aig Ceann Camus Uig/Uig Bay

Town Hall Stornoway 29th Oct

Ar dualchas an de 's an diugh

Music Through The Ages

Lochinver

Met with Agnes an 82 year old herring girl originally from Shetland at the Assynt Festival. Agnes brought several pictures of herring girls and coopers at Wallsay harbour in 1952. Her freind Moira brought two skirts and a herring net  from her own family's collection of heirlooms. Herring girls were always knitting,Agnes still knits Fair Isle garments and has her own website.

Uig, Assynt +

Stories, songs and the Lewis herring girl at Museum nan Eilean tomorrow 29th. Recording the play for community radio Isles Fm Monday 1st, Uig Cairdeas Group Wednesday 3rd, then Assynt Festival 5th

on Friday. 

Happy Ness

Golden Oldies

Great Yarmouth

Assynt Festival

Tha Torr dhe Seors an Cabharstaigh New play

Tractor Ceilidh

Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival