Quarterly newsletter of Slighe nan Gaidheal Seattle’s Gaelic society Am Foghar No. 3, 2014

Cait’ a’ bheil Cnoc Chùsbaig? by Penny McLeod DeGraff

An till mi tuilleadh a Leòdhas? (Will I ever return to Lewis?)

An till mi dh’fhuireach no shealltainn? (Will I return to stay or to see [it]?) An till mi tuilleadh a Leòdhas? (Will I ever return to Lewis?)

No ’m faigh mi gu bonn Cnoc Chùsbaig? (Or will I get to the foot of Cnoc Chùsbaig?)

By William MacKenzie (1857–1907)

Ever since Donnie Murdo MacLeod taught An Till Mi Tuilleadh Leòdhas (Will I Ever Return to Lewis?) at Mòd Vancouver 2007, I’ve wondered where Cnoc Chùsbaig was located. The last line of the chorus and each verse of the song fondly describe Cnoc Chùsbaig, a hill on the croft of William MacKenzie, the Cnoc Chùsbaig bard.

Widowed after 20 years of marriage, the Bard mourned the loss of his wife, Màiri, and the happy times they shared together at Cnoc Chùsbaig. He reluctantly immigrated to Canada after much urg-ing by his family already living there. He bid a sad Continued on pg. 3

View of Broad Bay from the summit of Cnoc Chùsbaig. Photo by Penny McLeod DeGraff

farewell to his neighbors and lifelong friends in Cnoc Chùsbaig, knowing that in all likelihood he wouldd never see them again. He died three years later of tuberculosis in Canada.

I couldn’t find Cnoc Chùsbaig on any of the maps of Lewis I checked over the past seven years, even those in Gaelic. When I asked my Lewis cousins, Chrissie and Willie, neither of them knew where it was.

Will I ever return to Lewis? I’ve often wondered that myself whenever I’ve sung the song. Little did I know that when I was last there in 2002, it would be the last time I would see my beloved cousins, Willie and Chrissie. I didn’t know if I could return to Lewis without them being there.

Willie’s widow, Christina, and Margaret Joan, another cousin in Barvas, welcomed me back for a visit this summer. They asked me what I wanted to see and I told them Cnoc Chùsbaig! They weren’t sure where it was, but they knew that our cousin, Iain “Tonkan” MacDonald, lives by Cnoc Chùsbaig and would know.

Indeed, Tonkan did know and graciously volunteered to show us where it was. Turns out we had unknow-ingly passed it on the way to his house. There are quite a few structures on top of the hill with houses

Iain “Tonkan” MacDonald and Penny McLeod DeGraff admire Tonkan’s boat named after his granddaughter before they set out on their Cnoc Chùsbaig adventure.

Photo taken by Margaret Joan Macleod of Barvas

At Féis Seattle 2014, many people bought newly published copies of Michael Newton’s The Naughty Little Book of Gaelic: All the Scottish Gaelic You Need to Curse, Swear, Drink, Smoke and Fool Around, published in 2014 by Cape Breton University Press, 49 pages.

There is more to dirty Gaelic than pòg mo thon. You can be dirty dirty, literate dirty, erudite dirty, his-

torical dirty, witty dirty, poetically dirty, or ever so mildly risque. Sources are given in Newton’s book and the illustrations are fun.

An uair a bios an deoch a-staigh, bidh an ciall a-muigh.When the drink is inside, sense is outside.

Is iomadh rud a nì dithis dheònach.Two willing people can do many things.

by Ted Neveln

Many people become interested in Gàidhlig because they want to know what the lyrics of Gàidhlig songs mean. Here are two online resources that caught my attention recently.

First, here is a trove of PDFs compiled for a choir. They give the lyrics of popular songs and selected vocabulary is given alongside: http://largsgaelic.moonfruit.com/toms-translations/4544463565.

Second, there is Tobar an Dualchais. As they explain themselves, this website contains over 34,000 oral recordings made in Scotland and further afield, from the 1930’s onward. The items you can listen to include stories, songs, music, poetry, and factual information:http://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/.

Gaelic Tid-Bits

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Publication InformationAm Bradan Fiosa is produced on a quarterly basis for the members of Slighe nan Gaidheal by the Communications Committee and additional contributors. Editor: Anne Paulsen Layout: Linda Henry

Contributors to this issue: Penny McLeod DeGraff, Màiri Fears, Seumas Gagne, Gary Ingle, Nancy Neveln, Ted Neveln, Nan Pardew

Mission Statement: The mission of Am Bradan Fiosa is to provide the membership of Slighe nan Gaidheal with news and information about upcoming events and items of interest to Gaelic language learners, and to document the life of our community.

Slighe nan Gaidheal members and supporters are welcome to submit items for publication in Am Bradan Fiosa that are Gaelic-related and meet its editorial guidelines. Publication of such contributions does not imply endorsement of programs or events that are not sponsored by Slighe nan Gaidheal.

Next Publication deadline: December 15, 2014

Slighe nan Gaidheal’sBoard of Directors

Adam RobinsSecretaryadamrobins@slighe.comGroup 2 | term expires 2016

Slighe nan Gaidheal’sBoard of Directors

VacantDirectorGroup 2 | term expires 2016

Judy WebsterDirectorjudywebster@slighe.comGroup 3 | term expires 2014

Miriah HetheringtonTreasurermiriahhetherington@slighe.comGroup 2 | term expires 2016

Jason KiesDirectorjasonkies@slighe.comGroup 3 | term expires 2014

Penny McLeod DeGraff Directorpenny@slighe.comGroup 3 | term expires 2014

Rich HillVice Presidentrichardhill@slighe.comGroup 1 | term expires 2015

Seumas GagneDirectorseumasgagne@slighe.comGroup 1 | term expires 2015

Stacey GiermannDirectorstaceygiermann@slighe.comGroup 1 | term expires 2015

correct as of 9/14

Outgoing Board Member Notice

by Seumas Gagne

On August 17, 2014 the Board of Directors of Slighe nan Gaidheal received the unfortunate news that our longstanding Board President, Kate Freeburg, had elected to resign effective immediately.

Kate has contributed greatly to the growth of Slighe nan Gaidheal by serving as a co-Chair of Féis Seattle in 2008, 2010, and 2012. As we all know, the Féis is what drives the growth of our community, so those who have been willing to serve in a leadership capacity for our flagship event deserve special recognition. Kate is most certainly in that group.

We wish Kate continued success as she serves as the president of the Seattle Scottish Highland Games association and works to establish her new sewing venture, A Spools Errand. Tapadh leat, a Cheit!

Kate had only just been re-elected in 2013 to a three-year term, so the Board, at its September monthly meeting, decided to include the remainder of Kate’s term in the annual election.

Am measg nan leabhraichean a sgrìobh Fionn tha “The Celtic Garland” agus “The Celtic Lyre.” Am measg na h-òrain, “An cluinn thu mi, mo nighean donn,” “Ochoin a Rìgh, ‘s i mo ribhinn donn,” agus “Fuadach nan Ga`idheal.” Am bliadhna 1898 chuir e ri chéile leabhar eile, leabhar de sgeulachdan grinn is duanagan aighear-ach, “Leabhar na Céilidh.”

B’e Fionn a sgrìobh na “Litrichean Ghlaschu” don Oban Times air feadh iomadh bliadhna, agus e gu mór ‘s gu làidir air taobh còraichean nan croitearan, ged a bha sin an aghaidh beachd nan ùghdarrasan is luchd nam bailtean móra aig an àm.

Rinn Fionn agus a bhràthair Iain, “Iain Bhàn Òg” obair eile: eadar-theangachadh de sgeulachdan is naid-heachdan is òrain bho Bheurla gu Gàidhlig, agus bho Ghàidhlig gu Beurla. Is ann bho pheann Iain a bha cuid mhath de laoidhean air an cur gu Gàidhlig ann an cru-inneachadh “The Kelly Collection” agus esan na fhear-deasaiche a’ chruinneachaidh sin. B’e Iain cuideachd a sgrìobh sìos mòran de na h-òrain le Màiri Mhór nan Òran, òrain a chuala e bho bheul Mhàiri fhéin.

Fhuair Eanraig agus Iain peinnse-anan beaga bhon rìoghachd airson nan iomairtean a rinn iad a`s leth na Gàidhlig. Mar a thuirt neach a sgrìobh aiste-mholaidh do dh’Eanraig an déidh a bhàis, anns an iris Celtic Review, “together they furnished the unique spectacle of two members of the same family simultaneously enjoying State rewards for con-spicuous service in

the field of Gaelic letters.” Abair iongantach!

Fhuair Eanraig “Fionn” mac Ille Bhàin bàs am bliadhna 1913. Is iad seo na faclan air an leac aige: “Ghràdhaich e a’ Ghàidhlig agus sgrìobh e gu h-ealanta i. B’ e ghnàths eòlas air ceòl, bàrdachd agus eachdraidh a chinnidh a chraobh-sgaoileadh, an cùisean a chòmh-nadh is an còraichean a thagradh.”

Seo dhuibh sgeul beag grinn bho “Leabhar na Céilidh” le Fionn; tha e coltach gun d’fhuair e an sgeul bho a bhràthair Iain Bàn Òg:

SGEULACHD: Na fir-thurais, fear an taigh-òsda, agus a’ mhuile-mha`g

Is iomadh doigh iongantach a ghabhas a’ mhuinntir phàiteach air an i`otadh a chasgadh. Chunnaic mi o chionn bheagan bhliadhnaichean an sgeul a leanas, mu mhuile-mhàig no losgainn a bhith air a h’uisneachadh a-chum na crìche seo le dithis a bha a’ gabhail an rathaid san taobh deas. Bha iad a’ faicinn an taigh-òsda air thoiseach orra; bha iad a’ miannach-adh am mochthrath a fhaighinn, ach bha am poca falamh.

“Ni` seo an gnothach,” thuirt fear dhiubh, ‘s e a’ togail muile-mhàig o thaobh an rathaid. Thug e seo`ladh dha chompanach ciod a bha e ri ràdh nuair a thigeadh e a dh’ionnsaidh an taigh-òsda; thuirt e ris e a ghab-hail ceum socraich, agus chaidh e fhéin air adhart chun an taighe. Dh’iarr e guth de fhear an taighe; leig e fhaicinn a’ mhuile-mhàg agus dh’fheoraich e, am b’urrainn dha innseadh dha, ciod an seòrsa eòin a bh’ann.

“Chan e eun idir a tha agad, mo dhuine math,” ars an t-òsdair, “ach muile-mhàg.”

“Chan i ach eun,” ars am fear-turais.

“Chan eil annad ach burraidh a bhith a’ saoilsinn gur eun a th’agad,” fhreagair fear an taighe.

“Cuiridh mi bodach uisge-bheatha an geall riut gur eun a th’ann, agus fa`gaidh sinn a’ bhreith aig a’ cheud fhear a thig an rathad,” ars am fear-turais.

Chaidh an geall a chur, agus cha robh iad fada a’ feitheamh a’ bhreitheimh. Chaidh a ghairm a-staigh agus innseadh dha gu robh geall eadar am fear-turais agus an t-òsdair mun chreutair a bha aca – co-dhiubh a b’eun no muile-mhàg a bh’ann – agus gu robh e air fhàgail aigesan a ràdh co aca a bha ceart.

“Leigibh fhaicinn dhomh an creutair,” ars am brei-theamh; “cha chreid mi nach aithnich mi eun seach muile-mhàg.”

Thug iad an creutair a làthair, agus an déidh amharc air, thuirt e, “Is e eun gun teagamh a th’ann.”

Chaidh an geall air fear an taighe; dh’òl iad am bodach uisge-bheatha eatorra, ‘s thog iad orra.

J.W.Lag-na-h-Abhann, 1874

Eanraig mac Ille Bhàin, “Fionn”

Andrew MacAoidh Jergens has sent to Seumas Gagne another sizable gift of books and other educational materi-als for the Slighe nan Gaidheal library, in addition to the many books he donated earlier. This means that by now, a sizable number of our books, perhaps even a majority, come from his generosity. We are very thankful to Mr. Jergens to the contributions he has made to Slighe nan Gaidheal and the advancement of Gaidhlig studies.

One of the privileges of membership is being able to check out books. A small selection of books is brought to Gaelic Intensive Days. Volunteers for the library would also be welcome. ~Ted Neveln

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Committee Chair DirectoryAwards (vacant)Children and Parents Judith Cummings | judith@slighe.comCommunications Seumas Gagne | seumasgagne@slighe.comDevelopment (vacant)Féis Seattle Stacey Giermann | staceygiermann@slighe.com Rich Hill | richardhill@slighe.com

Gaelic Education Judith Cummings | judith@slighe.com

Gaelic Music Penny McLeod DeGraff | penny@slighe.com Seumas Gagne | seumasgagne@slighe.comLibrary and Archives (vacant)Merchandising (vacant)

Eastern view from the summit of Cnoc Chùsbaig includes the peaks across the Minch in Assynt. Photos by Penny McLeod DeGraff

An Sglèat, na Bràithrean Bàna, agus Losgann air Ite

le “taibhs’”

Ann an Earraghaidheal beagan an iar-dheas bhon Òban faodaidh tu deannan de dh’eileanan beaga fhai-cinn air a mhapa: na h-eileanan Luinn, Lunga, Siuna, Saoil, Éisdeal, Torsa agus Beul na h-Uamha, mar a bhitear gan cunntadh a ghna`th. Chuireadh an t-ainm “Eileanan an Sglèata” orra, oir is ann às na h-eileanan seo a thàinig cuid mhór den sglèat a chi thu air mul-laich air feadh na h-Alba agus taobh thall, eadhon cho fada thall ri Astràlia ‘s Seallain Nuadh, no Alba Nuadh ann an Canada.

Chan eil fhios cùine a tho`isich daoine ri tochladh an sglèata. Tha iomradh air a’ chu`is ann an Rerum Scoti-carum Historia le Seòras Bochanan, anns na caibide-ilean a sgrìobh an Deadhan Rothach (Donald Munro) dha, mun Innse Ghall., “Description of the Western Isles of Scotland.” Dh’fhoillsicheadh an “Rerum” am bliadhna 1582; mar sin tha fhios againn gu robh obair an sglèata ri siubhal roimh sin.

Is iomadh togalach mór no beag ann an Alba agus taobh thall a fhuair a mhullach de sglèat as na h-eile-anan beaga sin, gu h-àraidh á dh’Eilean Éisdeal, bhon latha an Rothaich: caistealan, togalan móra, eaglaisean; tha Prìomh-eaglais Ghlaschu nam measg. Is e Eilean Éisdeal a thug ainm don stuth fhéin, “Sglèat Éisdeil” no “Easdale Slate.”

Tro na linntean chladhaicheadh cuairidhean an sglèata gu math domhainn, mu 100 meatair fo ìre na mara. Ann an 1881 thachair tubaist ann an Eilean Éisdeal; eadar làn-mara neo-a`bhaisteach agus stoirm mhór, thàinig am muir thairis air na bal-

lachan agus a-steach anns na cuaraid-hean. Cha do chuir an tubaist stad gu buileach air an obair, ach cha do mhair gnìomha-chas an sglèata ro fhada as déidh sin;

thàinig e gu crìoch mu dheireadh thall trath san fiche-adamh linn ann an Eilean Éisdeal. Tha an sglèat ri fhaotainn fhathast bho na h-eileanan faisg air co-dhi-ubh.

Tha mu choig dùsan duine a’ fuireach anns an Eilean Éisdeal an-diugh, agus a chuid is motha dhiubh an sàs ann an turasachd. Tha ionad luchd-tadhail anns an eilean fo stiùradh buidhinn charthannaich. Am measg iomairtean eile, chuir iad air bhonn co-fharpais annasach anns na naochadan: “Co-fharpais na Cru-inne ann an Tilgeil Spitheagan.” Leis na th’ann de criomagan sglèata agus de cuaraidhean air an tuile-achadh, is e sin co-fharpais gu buileach nàdarrach don eilean!

Am meadhon an naoidheimh linn deug bha fear Iain mac ‘Ille Bhàin a’ fuireach ann an Eilean Éisdeal, agus e na mhanaidhsear ann an gnìomhachas sglèata. Am bliadhna 1852 rugadh mac dha, Eanraig mac ‘Ille Bhàin. Thogadh Eanraig anns an eilean ach ghluais e a Ghlaschu agus e na dhuine òg, agus ghabh e tre`anadh gu bhith na fhear-chlèirsneachd is cunnta-sachd.

Cha do chòrd obair na clèirsneachd dha idir, agus dh’atharraich e dhreuchd gu bhith na sgrìobhadair agus na fhear-naidheachd. Chuireadh e seachad a’ chuid is motha de a bheatha anns a’ bhaile; ach thàinig e gu bhith ‘s math dh’fhaodte an Gàidheal as ainmeile agus as cliùtiche de a ghinealach. Bha e aith-nichte fon ainm-peann “Fionn.” Sgrìobh e leabhrai-chean, òrain, agus artaigealan gu leòr an dà chuid sa Ghàidhlig agus sa Bheurla. Bha e an sàs gu mór ann am poileataigs, gu h-àraidh anns a’ chonnspaid mun fhearann agus còraichean nan croitearan.

Air feadh nam bliadhnaichean bha Fionn an sàs cuideachd ris A’ Chomunn Gaidhealach agus am Mòd Na`iseanta.

Màiri MacKenzie’s gravestone at Eaglais na h-Aoidh erected by her grandchildren to honor the memory of William, Màiri, and their family.

How do you get to the top of Cnoc Chùsbaig without climbing over a barbed wire fence? Just walk in the ditch along this fence!

Prìomh-eaglais Ghlaschu ca 1860; dealbh le George Washington Wilson

Eilean Éisdeal an latha an diugh

Cnoc Chùsbaig (Continued from pg. 1)

and fences surrounding it, so it was easy to miss without any signs.

When we got there, Tonkan drove back and forth, unsuccessfully looking for the path to the top amongst all the houses and fences. We stopped at the base of the hill, fo bhonn Cnoc Chùsbaig, and sang

An Till Mi Tuilleadh a Lèodhas together. What a thrill! Tonkan, a Mòd Traditional Gold Medalist, is well known throughout Lewis for playing accordion and traditional Gaelic singing.

Tonkan was insistent that I climb to the top, but I wasn’t too keen on traipsing through someone’s yard or crawling over a wire fence to get there. We finally found a woman at home who showed us a fence and said I could walk in the ditch along the fence all the way to the top without having to crawl over any fences. Fortunately, the ditch was dry that day.

My three cousins weren’t up for the climb, so I went by myself to take in the beautiful view that had meant so much to William MacKenzie. I’ve climbed taller hills, but seeing the glorious view of Broad Bay to

the West and the peaks of Assynt to the East, I could certainly understand his deep love for Cnoc Chùsbaig.

I was very surprised to learn that the Bard’s wife Màiri was buried at Eaglais na h-Aoidh, the same place where several MacLeod of Lewis chiefs are buried. William reportedly left one of his teeth in Màiri’s grave before he left for Canada so that part of him would be at home with her forever.

As we journeyed from Aoidh to Tolsta to see where a Vancouver friend, Murdo MacIver, grew up, we turned on the radio to listen to Féis presenter Aileag Bhaltos on Na Dùrachdan, the request show on Radio nan Gaidheal. Talk about seren-dipity: without any prompting from us, Aileag played An Till Mi Tuilleadh a Leòdhas and gave us the perfect con-clusion to our day of finally finding Cnoc Chùsbaig!

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Calendar of Events For the most up-to-date and complete information, always check www.slighe.com/calendar.php

Saturday, Oct. 4 Zero to Gaelic Intensive Day 1 | A new group of Gaelic adventurers will start on their 9:30 am to 3:30 pm way. Three levels of progressive instruction plus our Ceum Suas group for ongoing and advanced

learners. Members of Slighe nan Gaidheal are eligible to register for a full season of Zero to Gaelic intensive days for just $220. Single days are open to everyone for just $50.

Location: Lake City Presbyterian Church, 3841 NE 123rd St, Seattle, WAMonday, Oct. 6 Seirm Rehearsal: Singers | Our monthly singers-only rehearsal. Sunday, Oct. 12 Board of Directors Monthly Meeting | Members welcome with prior notice.6:30 pm to 8:30 pm Location: A private home; e-mail postmaster@slighe.com for detailsMonday, Oct. 13 Seirm Rehearsal: Band | Our monthly band-only rehearsal. Saturday, Oct. 18 Seirm at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Celtic Fling | Join Seirm as we make our third 11:00 am to 5:00 pm appearance at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church’s annual Celtic Fling Free! The line up includes

many Slighe nan Gaidheal members. Location: St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 111 NE 80th Street Seattle, WA Sunday, Oct. 19 Gaelic Education Committee Monthly Meeting | Come join the committee as we design7:00 pm to 9:00 pm and produce the Zero to Gaelic program. Location: A private home; e-mail postmaster@slighe.com for detailsMonday, Oct. 20 Seirm Rehearsal: All | Rehearsal for all members of Seirm. Sunday, Oct. 26 Annual General Meeting and Céilidh | Slighe nan Gaidheal members, friends, and guests1:00 pm to 6:00 pm will be celebrating Oidhche Shamhna a few days early. Children are welcome! Location: Kenmore Community Club, 7304 NE 175th Street Kenmore, WASaturday, Nov. 1 Zero to Gaelic Intensive Day 2 | Second Gaelic intensive day of the current program year. 9:30 am to 3:30 pm Register for a single day of Gaelic for the cost of only $50. Location: Lake City Presbyterian Church, 3841 NE 123rd St, Seattle, WAMonday, Nov. 3 Seirm Rehearsal: Singers | Our monthly singers-only rehearsal. Sunday, Nov. 9 Board of Directors Monthly Meeting | Members welcome with prior notice.6:30 pm to 8:30 pm Location: A private home; e-mail postmaster@slighe.com for details

Monday, Nov. 10 Seirm Rehearsal: Band | Our monthly band-only rehearsal. Sunday, Nov. 16 Gaelic Education Committee Monthly Meeting | Come join the committee as we design7:00 pm to 9:00 pm and produce the Zero to Gaelic program. Location: A private home; e-mail postmaster@slighe.com for detailsMonday, Nov. 17 Seirm Rehearsal: All | Rehearsal for all members of Seirm. Monday, Dec. 1 Seirm Rehearsal: Singers | Our monthly singers-only rehearsal. Saturday, Dec. 6 Zero to Gaelic Intensive Day 3 | The third intensive day of the current program year. 9:30 am to 3:30 pm Register for a single day of Gaelic for the cost of only $50. Location: Lake City Presbyterian Church, 3841 NE 123rd St, Seattle, WASunday, Dec. 7 Gaelic Song Workshops with Donnie MacDonald | Presenting a Gaelic song workshop 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm with Donnie MacDonald of Men of Worth. Just $30 for two hours of instruction from this

acclaimed tradition bearer and native speaker. R.S.V.P. to the Gaelic Music committee. Location: Lake City Presbyterian Church, 3841 NE 123rd St, Seattle, WAMonday, Dec. 8 Seirm Rehearsal: Band | Our monthly band-only rehearsal. Sunday, Dec. 14 Board of Directors Monthly Meeting | Members welcome with prior notice.6:30 pm to 8:30 pm Location: A private home; e-mail postmaster@slighe.com for details

Monday, Dec. 15 Seirm Rehearsal: All | Rehearsal for all members of Seirm. Sunday, Dec. 21 Gaelic Education Committee Monthly Meeting | Come join the committee as we design7:00 pm to 9:00 pm and produce the Zero to Gaelic program. Location: A private home; e-mail postmaster@slighe.com for details

Seirm rehearsals are held from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Lake City Presbyterian Church, 3841 NE 123rd St Seattle, WA unless otherwise stated.

Board of Directors Election Announcement A chompanaich choir,

It is time once again to elect three new board mem-bers for the 2014 to 2017 term and one board member for an uncompleted term ending in 2016. As usual, the election will take place at our Annual General Meeting. This year, it will be held on Sunday, October 26, 2014 at 1:00 pm at the Kenmore Community Club, 7304 NE 175th St., Kenmore, WA 98028.

If you would like to know more about what the job requires or how to run for election, please feel free to contact the Elections Chairpersons or any current or past board member.

If you would like to run for election, contact the Elections Chairperson for instructions on writing

Dùthchas ann an Oirthir Iar-Thuath (Loosely, “Our Gaelic heritage in the Northwest Coast”) by Nancy Neveln

“‘S iomadh cuimhne-mhath a th’agam dhen Fhèis 2014.” ["It’s many a good memory I have of the Fèis 2014.”]

One memory in particular is Michael Newton’s work-shop on Gaelic spoken by our predecessors in the Pacific Northwest, specifically in Seattle and Vancou-ver, B.C. We do have a Gaelic heritage in this region, whether or not we know it. But how do we talk about it? The central word dùthchas has multiple meanings.

Happily, Ruairidh MacIlleathain (Roddy Maclean) dis-cussed this in the recent past in his weekly radio broad-casts, Litir do Luchd-Ionnsachaidh. Litrichean #694–700 [corresponding to Litir Bheag #390–396] give us a good start. In his footnote to #696, Ruairidh cites Dr. John MacInnes, who, from a territorial perspective, writes about a holistic understanding which encompasses:

Not so much a landscape, not a sense of geography alone, nor of history alone, but a formal order of experience in which all of these are merged. What is to a stranger an expanse of empty countryside—magnificent or drab according to prevailing notions—to the native sensibility can be dynamic, per-haps even heroic, territory peopled with fig-ures from history and legend.

Thus, a merger of landscape, geography, history, and folklore (beul aithris).

Angus Watson, in his The Essential Gaelic-English Dic-tionary, defines the following closely related terms: dùthchas, dùthaich, dùthachasach, dualchas, dual, dualach, and duachasach. The subtle interconnections tell us a lot about the culture of the Gaels; looking these up would be time well spent. And as we continue learn-ing the language and strengthening our communal ties throughout “Cascadia,” let us try to see the world around us through two pairs of eyes, those of our Scot-tish ancestors and those of other ancestral peoples of our land. How do we talk about hiking our moun-tains? How do we name the plants, birds, and other wildlife that we encounter? Can we speak in Gaelic about global climate change? Do our “urban myths” have some counterparts in beul aithris? What heritage do we want to bequeath to the future?

Finally, I would commend Ruairidh’s photo essay to you: Gaelic in the Landscape: Placenames in the NorthWest Highlands / A’ Ghàidhlig air Aghaidh na Tìre: Ainmean-àite ann an Iar-Thuath na Gaidhealtachd, from June 10, 2013. A free PDF is available from www.snh.gov.uk. The photographs are gorgeous and the bilingual text is a great way to expand your vocabulary.

Litir do Luchd-lonnsachaidh:http://www.bbc.co.uk/alba/foghlam/learngaelic/litir/

An Litir Bheag:http://www.bbc.co.uk/alba/foghlam/learngaelic/anlitirbheag/

your candidate statement. Reminder: outgoing board members who wish to stand for re-election must also submit candidate statements.

Candidate statements are due to the Elections Chairperson on September 30, 2014. Please mail your typewritten statement to our PO Box (PO Box 31834, Seattle, WA 98103), or email it to the Elections Chairperson.

Is mise le meas,Elections Co-Chairpersons

Nan Pardew Nina Chambers(425) 398-8934 (206) 633-5091nan@twelfthmonth.org nchambers7@comcast.net