An Incredible Musical Heritage!
- In 2021 and 2022 FAAGG members worked with the Glenmoriston Improvement Group to secure funding for research into the largely forgotten musical heritage of Glenmoriston.
- Other Glen of the Bards funders include Bòrd na Gàidhlig, The Highland Council, Fort Augustus and Glenmoriston Community Company and NatureScot.
Before the project got underway, few would have predicted the huge amount of musical heritage material awaiting the team.
Using the book ‘Story and Song from Lochness-side’ written by Glenmoriston bard Alexander Macdonald in 1914 , researchers Munro Gauld and Ceit Langhorne initially identified over 300 poems and songs. However, the second phase of the research revealed many more are filed away in the National Library of Scotland awaiting discovery!
This was due to the records left by 19th Century Collector Alexander Macdonald -and others- who certainly appreciated the music of Glenmoriston and considered it special.
The sheer amount of material gathered- and which therefore survived - is astonishing.
Glenmoriston is a treasure trove of song, story and culture.
Well deserving of its title...
Glen of the Bards, Gleann nam Bàrd
So here's the bit when all that hard work went 'public'!
- The project culminated in three public events in May 2022. Music and stories from the area were shared with communities in Fort Augustus, Invermoriston and Dalchreichart. The Glen of the Bards was also warmly received over in North Uist, while Invergarry was host to a Winter Concert at the end of 2022.
The stories and songs were beautifully told and performed by Ceit Langhorne, Munro Gauld, Charlie Grey and Neil Bailie.
Gaelic was the language of the Glen back then, and it is a wonderful language to hear sung and spoken. Few in the Glen still speak Gaelic today, but as the audiences will tell you, performances were thoroughly enjoyed - and totally understood by all!
- ''Hearing these songs for the first time in a hundred years give us a unique perspective of the life in our glens. Thanks to the work of local Gaelic Poets of yesterday'' -Joyce Gilbert
In fact- have a listen for yourself!
Donald MacDonald of Invermoriston's wonderful website hosts a full concert video,
plus individual audio tracks. (Thanks go to Donald for his editing skills!)
Please do follow the links to find out more about this special bit of local history.
The end...
This is the bit where we tell you how brilliant everyone was and say thanks very much!
- Thank you to the community for supporting the project. This has been a community project first and foremost, and everyone involved has appreciated your support and feedback.
- Thank you to the various organisations who saw the value in the project and awarded funds.
- Thank you to the musicians. It's true to say, they found this project to be a very special and memorable one. They leave their own wonderful legacy in the recordings and research documents they have made. Thank you so much to them, for fulfilling the project brief to such a high standard. With talent and skill they have brought the past to life so beautifully.
- Also thanks to Joyce Gilbert and all the members of and connected to the FAAGG, and to everyone who assisted and supported the whole project.
- Performances were funded by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, TRACS- Traditional Arts- Culture Scotland, Trees for Life, The Scottish International Storytelling Festival and Nature Scot.
...and finally, here's the rogues Bard's Gallery!
The Gathering / An Cruinneachadh Community Arts Project has been made possible by the generous grants received from; Fern Community Funds, Beinneun Wind Farm. Along with match funding from The Fort Augustus and Glenmoriston Community Company.
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