Pupils at Condorrat Primary School in Cumbernauld have been presented with a new Gaelic book written by Murdo Morrison, President of The Allanton Jolly Beggars Burns Club.
Depute Provost Bob Burgess and Councillor Angela Campbell, Convener of Education, Children and Families presented the book to depute headteacher Marin MacLeod and pupils from the school.
The book delves into the rich history of two Hebridean villages, Bragar and Arnol, situated on the West Coast of the Isle of Lewis. It tells the tale of a century's worth of events, including the transformative impact of the post-war installation of electricity.
These villages are predominantly Gaelic-speaking communities, bearing a fascinating connection to the works of Robert Burns. While Burns himself did not speak Gaelic, he encountered the language during gatherings, particularly when Highland Drovers journeyed to Ayrshire markets.
What Burns did "borrow" from the Gaelic world were melodies that resonated with him, resulting in over ten of his songs featuring original Gaelic music. One such tune, "Rory Dalls Port," remains in use today and, as the author discovered at a Burns supper in Lanarkshire, has a Gaelic title, "Blind Roderick's Tune."
In Bragar, a village resident named Roderick Morrison, blind from birth, became renowned as a composer of Gaelic tunes. His career reached a pinnacle when he was appointed as the Harpist for the Chief of the Clan Macleod at Dunvegan, Isle of Skye. Robert Burns was deeply moved by one of Roderick's tunes, which he incorporated into his internationally acclaimed song, "Ae Fond Kiss."
The launch of this new book will feature this remarkable story, along with heartfelt poems from Bragar.
Bragar and its neighbor Arnol faced significant challenges, with the closure of the village Post Office, School, and Shop threatening to erode community spirit. However, the situation has improved, as the locals received a substantial boost with the conversion of the school building into a new community center. Additionally, the reopening of a major Harris Tweed Mill two miles away has breathed new life and spirit into the area, overseen by a local Trust.
The Trust stands as the primary beneficiary of book sales, and in the spirit of sharing this extraordinary history, a copy of the book was donated to Condorrat Primary School's Gaelic Medium Education program. This gesture aims to provide students with an in-depth glimpse into a hundred years of life in a typical Hebridean village.
Depute Provost Bob Burgess said: “This book will help pupils at the school with their studies as part of their Gaelic education programme and we are grateful to Murdo Morrisson for this kind donation to the school. I am sure this will prove to be a very useful and interesting resource that the young people will enjoy learning all about.”