Projects and Events
Creative Connections Short Course, Cnoc Soilleir, South Uist
18-19 April 2024
Working in partnership with Ceòlas, Tobar an Dualchais has devised this 2-day short course titled ‘Creative Connections’ for creative people (visual artists, writers, musicians, budding-folklorists and creative educators) who would like to learn more about the resource, why the material was collected and by whom, and how and why it is of value today. This course will have a strong focus on Uist and the recordings made throughout the islands.
Participants will be introduced to the archives that supply the Tobar an Dualchais website (the School of Scottish Studies Archive, The Canna Collection & BBC Radio nan Gàidheal) as well as some of the many important tradition-bearers whose recordings populate the site. Tutors will look at how the recordings can be used to explore local creativity, cultural ecology, and environmental awareness as well as much more.
The course will be in English but will discuss themes intrinsically linked to Gaelic. It will be delivered by leading scholars and creative practitioners who have extensive experience with the material, including Dr Mairi McFadyen, Raghnaid Sandilands, Dr Domhnall Uilleam Stiùbhart, Dr Decker Forrest, Liam Crouse & Floraidh Forrest. The course will emphasise creative engagement. Participants will be encouraged to think about their own creative responses to the material and will be given the tools and inspiration required to begin exploring possibilities for their own work - whether a community-based project, artwork, piece of writing or musical performance.
Fees
The course fee is £25 for both days although participants can choose to attend for only one day, the fee will however remain £25.
Lunch will be provided by Wee Cottage Kitchen at a cost of £8 per person, per day. Particpants are however welcome to make their own arrangements for lunch.
To book your place please fill in this form. Payment is required via bank transfer at the time of booking - see booking form for information.
Please also read our Privacy Policy on how we'll use and care for the date collected through the booking form.
Timetable
Day 1 - Thursday 18th April 2024
9.00am- 9.30am: Registration
9.30am – 10.30am: Welcome & overview of archives - Flòraidh Forrest & Dr Mairi McFadyen
10.45 - 11.45am: Uist contributors on Tobar an Dualchais - Flòraidh Forrest (this session will be in Gaelic and open to the public)
12.00 - 1.00pm: Aiteal | A Glimpse; the living world and language in the Archives - Raghnaid Sandilands
1.00 - 2.00pm: Lunch
2.00 - 3.00: Archives, Community & Environmental Awareness - Dr Mairi McFadyen
3.15 - 4.15: What is Gaelic Music? With musical examples from TAD - Dr Decker Forrest
3.45 - 4.30: Gaelic proverbs creative workshop - Raghnaid Sandilands
3.45 - 4.30: Barley reed making demonstration - Dr Decker Forrest
Day 2 - Friday 19 April 2024
9.30 - 10.30: Archivers & Creativity - Raghnaid Sandilands
10.45 - 11.45: Uist's Gaelic Otherworld - Liam Crouse
12.00 - 12.30: Counter Map-making - Raghnaid Sandilands
12.30 - 1.30: Lunch
1.30 - 2.30: Citizen Fieldworker - Dr Mairi McFadyen
2.45 - 3.45: The Celtic Calender - Dr Domhnall Uilleam Stiubhart
4..00 - 4.30: Round table discussion
Tea and coffee will be available throughout the day.
If you have any questions or would like to know more about the course, please email Floraidh Forrest at: ff1.smo@uhi.ac.uk.
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Examples from Tobar an Dualchais:
- Mary Morrison recorded by John Lorne Campbell in 1950 singing the piobaireachd song, ‘A Cholla Mo Rùin’.
- Annie Arnott recorded by Calum Iain MacLean in 1953 singing a strathspey ‘Falbhaidh Mise ’s Padra Mòr’
- Angus MacLellan reciting ‘Duan na Ceàrdaich’ in 1949 for John Lorne Campbell