Barra and South Uist Community Events

Tobar an Dualchais held two community events between March and April funded by Creative Scotland through the Maoin nan Ealan Gàidhlig fund, which is supported by Fèisean nan Gàidheal.

A concert in Barra was organised in collaboration with Castlebay Community School (teachers and pupils), local Gaelic singer Claire Frances MacNeil, and Sabhal Mòr Ostaig’s music students in March. The event celebrated the rich musical heritage of the island through the recordings available on the Tobar an Dualchais website.

An event at Cnoc Soilleir in South Uist was held the following month in which a selection of recordings from the south end of the island were played.

In preparation for the concert in Barra, Claire Frances MacNeil spent time on the Tobar an Dualchais website selecting songs associated with Barra which she then taught to secondary school pupils at the school. Some of the songs included were those sung by Barra tradition-bearers on the website such as Annie Johnston (Anna Aonghais Chaluim), Calum Johnston (Calum Aonghais Chaluim), Mary Morrison (Màiri Eòghainn Mhòir), Nan MacKinnon (Nan Eachainn Fhionnlaigh) and Captain Donald Joseph MacKinnon (An Eòsag).

Pupils from Barra Community School gathering on stage to perform local songs. / Tobar an Dualchais

Alongside this, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig music students chose some Barra-related tunes and songs from the website to perform on the night. The students also accompanied pupils during some of their performances.

Some of the Sabhal Mòr Ostaig music students who performed at the concert, / Tobar an Dualchais

Other Barra organisations and residents who performed at the concert included the Barra Pipe Band, Fèis Bharraigh, Lisa MacNeil, John Joe MacNeil, and Ann Marie MacLean. Among the songs and tunes which were performed live on the night were: ‘Smeòrach Chlann Raghnaill’; ‘Fàgail Bharraigh’; ‘Fr John MacMillan of Barra’; and ‘’S fheudar dhomh bhith togail orm’.

Local singer John Joe MacNeil singing at the concert. / Tobar an Dualchais

Recordings played at the South Uist event included the following: Kate MacDonald (Bean Eairdsidh Raghnaill) from Garryhallie singing ‘Duan na Ceàrdaich’; Patrick MacPhee (Pàdraig an t-Saoir) from Frobost telling a story about two men who encountered a strange dog; Donald Allan MacDonald (Dòmhnall Ailean Dhòmhnaill na Bainich) singing ‘Ceud Fàilte air Gach Gleann’; Neil MacLennan (Neilidh Eairdsidh) singing ‘Bha Gog Gog Gog aig a’ Choileach Ud A-raoir’, Mary Munro (Màiri Sheonaidh a’ Ghobha) singing ‘’S ann a Bhruadair Mi Raoir’ and Duncan Currie (Donnchadh Aonghais ’ic Sheumais) singing ‘Fear a’ Chòta Ruaidh'. The last four contributors on the list were from Daliburgh.

Margaret Walker looks at photographs of her father, contributor Captain Donald Joseph MacKinnon, at the South Uist event. / Tobar an Dualchais

Flòraidh Forrest, TAD's director, commented: "We think it is very important to engage with the communities from the recordings originated and find it to be mutually beneficial in lots of different ways. The concert in Barra was very well attended and it was great to see four generations of islanders coming together to share their precious cultural heritage. It was also very moving to hear everyone singing ‘Teannaibh Leam Fhearaibh’, a Barra homeland song, with great gusto at the end of the evening. We were delighted with the attendance at the event in South Uist and with the level of engagement from those attending. It was lovely to have so many people present who were connected to contributors from this part of the island. Some of those attending were also able to give us additional information about contributors as well as helping us trace contributors not yet on the website. ”