A chàirdean, tha sinn air cruinneachadh an seo an-diugh airson cuimhneachadh orrasan a chaill am beatha mar thoradh air a’ bhlàr a bh’ air an làrach seo air an t-siathamh latha deug den Ghiblein, seachd ceud deug, dà fhichead ’s a sia. Tha sinn a’ cuimhneachadh air gach neach a dh’fhuiling mar thoradh air na thachair air raon Chùil Lodair agus tha sinn cuideachd a’ cuimhneachadh air a’ bhuaidh a thug am blàr, agus na thachair as a dhèidh, air ar dòigh-beatha mar Ghàidheil agus air ar cànan.
’S e urram a th’ann a bhith aig an t-seirbheis shònraichte seo agus bu mhath leam taing dhùrachdach a thoirt do Chomann Gàidhlig Inbhir Nis airson an cothrom a thoirt dhomh. Tha Blàr Chùil Lodair cho fuaighte ri eachdraidh nan Gàidheal ‘s na Gàidhlig ‘s le sin, ’s dòcha gu bheil e buileach iomchaidh a bhith a’ beachdachadh air Cùil Lodair air a’ bhliadhna shònraichte seo, dà mhìle ’sa seachd-deug - bliadhna a tha ga comharrachadh ann an Alba mar Bliadhna Eachdraidh, Dualchas agus Arc-eòlas.
As I’m sure most of you will know 2017 has been designated in Scotland as the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology. As Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, wrote: “Our heritage and archaeology capture the imagination of millions, many of whom travel thousands of miles to experience our rich heritage and trace their ancestral roots”.
There are few places that capture the imagination more than Culloden and much has been written about the battle, the reasons for it, the key players, the bloody aftermath and it’s long-term effects on the Highlands and Islands and on Gaelic language and culture. Professor Hugh Cheape, my predecessor as Ceannard of Comann Gàidhlig Inbhir Nis wrote the following in the year 2000 in an article entitled “Doubts and Delusions of Charlie’s Year” -
…Although historical truth is ever elusive, we can at least try to look behind the curtain of legend and myth and look into the eyes and minds of those who witnessed these events at first hand and whose reactions and attitudes have been elided by the writing and re-writing of Scottish history since the 18th century. (Hugh Cheape, ‘Doubts and Delusions of Charlie’s Year’, in Cencrastus, The Curly Snake Issue 65 (2000).41-42).
The Gaelic songs and poems written at the time of the ‘45 enable us to look into the eyes and minds of those who witnessed these events at first hand – or indeed suffered as a result of them. As John Lorne Campbell wrote in the preface to his Highland Songs of the ’45 “This anthology is an attempt to show what their thoughts and feelings, as revealed in their vernacular poetry, really were.”
The major Gaelic poets of the eighteenth century are represented in Highland Songs of the ’45 …Alasdair Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair - principal propagandist for the Jacobite cause; his friend John MacCodrum from North Uist; Iain Ruadh Stiùbhart – one of the Jacobites’ best military strategists; Donnchadh Bàn Mac an t-Saoir who fought on the Hanoverian side at Falkirk as a substitute for Archibald Fletcher of Cranach who lent him his sword and promised him the sum of three hundred marks; Rob Donn MacAoidh from Sutherland whose chief supported the Hanoverians but who wrote at least two pro-Jacobite poems. A dozen poets are represented in Highland Songs of the ’45 and perhaps unsurprisingly only one is a woman. But songs and poems composed by women who were affected by Culloden have survived, and, briefly, I’d like to share some of their views with you.
Òran air Teachd Phrionnsa Teàrlach - A Song on the coming of Prince Charles - is ascribed to Nighean Aonghais Òig- the Daughter of Young Angus, described in Clan Donald as Nighean Mhic Aonghais Òig , the only daughter of Angus MacDonald of Achadh nan Coichean, on the south bank of the Spean in Brae Lochaber, a grandson of the tenth chief of Keppoch. Nothing more is really known about her, not even her first name, and although she is referred to in Clan Donald as a well-known poetess this seems to be the only surviving poem of Nighean Mhic Aonghais Òig. In it she welcomes Prince Charles Edward Stewart with what John Lorne Campbell described as “a refreshing enthusiasm for the Prince’s cause.”
An ulaidh phrìseil bha uainne
'S ann a fhuair sinn an dràst' i,
Gum b' i siud an leug bhuadhach
Ga ceangal suas leis na gràsan;
Ged leig Dia greis air adhart
Don mhuic bhith cladhach ad àite,
Nis on thionndaidh a' chuibhle
Thèid gach traoitear fo 'r sàiltean.
Our priceless lost treasure is now restored to us, the jewel of virtues, set around by the graces. And though God for a while let the swine go rooting, now that the wheel has turned we’ll trample every traitor under our feet.
She goes on:
Slàn don t-saor rinn am bàta
A thug sàbhailt' gu tìr thu;
Slàn don iùl-fhear neo-chearbach
Thug thar fairge gun dìth thu;
Gum b' e siud am preas toraidh
Thug an sonas don rìoghachd,
'S lìonmhor laoch thig fo d' chaismeachd
Bheir air Sasannaich strìochdadh.
Here’s health to the shipwright whose boat brought you safely and one to the helmsman who unerringly steered you across the sea. You are the fruitful tree who brought joy to the kingdom and many a hero will follow you to conquer the English.
She praises some of the clans supporting the Prince but is not afraid to criticise Sir Alexander MacDonald of Sleat who had not fulfilled his promise of support and she finishes with a rallying call and a prayer:
Sgrios le claidheamh gun dearmad
Air gach cealgadair brèige,
Tha o dhuine gu duine
A' cur bun anns an eucoir;
Nis on thàinig an Rionnag,
Teannaibh uile ra chèile,
'S leibh clach-mhullaich a' chabhsair
Anns gach àite don tèid sibh.
With your swords wholly destroy every double-faced liar who from one man to another puts his trust in injustice. Now the Star has arrived gather closely together. The crown of the causeway will be yours wherever you walk.
Dèanaibh cruadal le misneach,
'S ann a-nis tha an t-àm ann,
On a thàinig an solas
Thogas onair na-h Alba;
Fhir a sgaoil a' Mhuir Ruadh
'S a thug do shluagh troimpe sàbhailt',
Bi mar gheàrd air a' Phrionnsa,
Air a chùirt, 's air a phàirtidh.
Be bravely valiant for now the time has come. Since the light who will raise Scotland’s honour has arrived. O thou who divided the Red Sea and brought your people safely through it - protect the Prince, his court and his party.
Nighean Mhic Aonghais Òig was composing in the early, no doubt heady for some, days of Bliadhna Theàrlaich, the Year of the Prince.
It’s in stark contrast to an anonymous song usually called Achadh nan Comhaichean – the Field of the Covenant – which describes the aftermath of Culloden as experienced by one traumatised young woman. She and her family have suffered dreadfully yet she implies that had Charles been victorious her grief would not be so great. But she also wishes that she had never set eyes on him.
A Theàrlaich òig, a mhic Rìgh Seumas,
’S mise bha brònach gad fhògradh aig bèistibh -
Iadsan gu subhach 's mise gu deurach,
Uisge mo chinn tighinn tinn o m' lèirsinn.
Mharbh iad m' athair, mharbh iad mo bhràithrean,
Mhill iad mo chinneadh is chreach iad mo chàirdean,
Loisg iad mo dhùthaich is rùisg iad mo mhàthair
'S cha chluinnte mo mhulad nam buinnigeadh Teàrlach.
A Theàrlaich òig a' chuailein chiataich,
Thug mi gaol dhuit, 's cha ghaol bliadhna,
Gaol nach tug aon do mhac diùic no iarla
B' fheàrr leam fhìn nach faicas riamh thu.
Young Charles, son of King James, I was so sad that you were banished by beasts. They are so cheerful and I am so tearful, crying incessantly.
They've killed my father, they've killed my brothers; They've destroyed my clan and plundered my kinsfolk; They've burned my country and stripped naked my mother but if Charles won my grief would not be heard.
Young Charles of the beautiful hair, I gave you love, not the love of a year (but) a love that’s never been given to duke's son or earl's son - I’d much prefer that I'd never seen you.
The effect of the ’45 is also evident in a lament composed by Mairearad Nighean Lachlainn, Margaret MacLean from Mull,- a lament for Sir Eachann MacLean of Duart, chief of the MacLeans. Sir Eachann came from France to Edinburgh at the beginning of June 1745 intending to join the Prince but on the 5th of June he was betrayed by a man named Blair with whom he was lodging, and he was arrested. He was then taken to London and remained in prison there till May 1747 when he was released as a French prisoner. He died in Rome in 1751.
Despite the existence of at least 11 poems composed by Mairearad nighean Lachainn, all songs of praise for MacLean leaders, very little is known about her. But as a poet of the Duart family she had to be a Jacobite. In Cumha Shir Eachainn Mhic Gilleathain (Lament for Sir Hector MacLean) she describes Sir Eachann as having been “sgiath air uilinn Phrionns’ Teàrlaich” – a shield on the elbow of Prince Charles. The poem must have been composed after the battle of Culloden.
Dh'aithnich latha Chùil Lodair,
Gu 'm bu dosgach na Gàidheil;
'S gun robh thus’ ann an Sasann
'N dèidh do ghlacadh led nàmhaid;
Ach nam bitheadh tu aca,
Mun do chaisgeadh an àrach
Cha rachadh fir Shasann
Slàn dhachaigh gu 'n àite.
The day of Culloden was calamitous for the Gaels, and you were in England having been captured by your enemy. But had you got at them before the battle was lost, the men of England would not have gone home safe and well.
She laments the terrible losses of the MacLeans:
Chan e cumha na caoireachd,
Tha mi caoineadh san earrach,
Ach ri iargain nan daoine,
Ris am faodainn mo ghearain;
It is no lament or dirge that I bewail in the spring but I weep for the men to whom I could bring my complaint.
The poet Sorley MacLean said of Mairead that she was “weighed down and wearied all the time with the great distresses that Clan Illeathainn suffered because of their loyalty to the Stewart Family.
Chaill thu t’ oighreachd is t’ fhearann
'S thug thu thairis gu lèir e;
Airson seasadh gu rìoghail -
‘S rinn do shinnsearachd fhèin sin.
You lost your inheritance and your lands and you gave it all up to take a royal stand; and your ancestors always did the same.
I’m sure Mairearad regarded herself as a clan poet, obliged to support her clan chief. In contrast tah author of Mo rùn geal òg – my fair young love had no such obligation when she created the song that Dr Anne Lorne Gillies described as “the abiding Gaelic memory of the battle of Culloden; a woman left behind, weeping for the husband she has lost and for the life she will now have to lead.”
The song is usually attributed to Christina Ferguson from Contin in Ross-shire who composed it for her husband William Chisholm. William Chisholm fought at Culloden and according to tradition after the battle he led the remains of his clansmen to the refuge of a nearby barn. He stood bravely at the entrance warding off Cumberland’s soldiers with his sword until he could fight no longer.
In her book Songs of Gaelic Scotland Dr Gillies describes Mo Rùn Geal Òg, my fair young love, as:
“a deeply intimate and poignant picture of a loving relationship cruelly torn apart and of a woman who has lost her raison d-etre and status in the world…..she reflects not only the grief of any woman left to fend for herself and find a new role in society but also the feelings of the Gaelic speaking people as a whole, facing massive changes which were to culminate in hardship, famine and for thousands, exile. “
Och, a Theàrlaich òig Stiùbhairt,
'S e do chùis rinn mo lèireadh,
Thug thu bhuam gach nì bh' agam
Ann an cogadh nad adhbhar;
Cha chrodh, is cha chaoraich
Tha mi caoidh ach mo chèile,
Ged a dh' fhàgte mi 'm aonar
Gun sian san t-saoghal ach lèine,
Mo rùn geal òg.
Young Charles Stuart, it 's your cause that has grieved me; you took everything from me in this war in your interest: it's not sheep, it's not cattle that I miss, but my first-love, though I were left all alone with nothing but a shift.
She asks –
Cò nis thogas an claidheamh,
No nì chathair a lìonadh?
'S gann gur h-e tha air m' aire
O nach maireann mo chiad ghràdh.
Ach ciamar gheibhinn o m' nàdar
A bhith 'g àicheadh nas miann leam
Is mo thogradh cho làidir
Thoirt gu àite mo rìgh math,
Mo rùn geal òg?
Who now will lift up the sword or fill the throne? All that hardly concerns me since my first-love is no longer alive. Yet how can my nature go against what I long for, since my own strong desire is the king's restoration.
In a series of deeply poignant verses she describes her dead husband – good-looking, broad-shouldered, skilled at hunting and fishing, generous with drink but able to hold it and faithful to his now bereft wife.
Gura mise th' air mo sgaradh,
‘S ge do chanam, cha bhreug e,
Chaidh mo shùgradh gu sileadh
O nach pillear on eug thu.
Fear do chèille 's do thuigse
Cha robh furast’ ri fheutainn;
'S cha do sheas an Cùil Lodair
Fear do choltais bu trèine,
Mo rùn geal òg.
I am distraught and that’s not a lie. My joy has turned to weeping since you can never return from the graveA man of your sensitivity and understandingwas not easy to findand there stood at Culloden no man your equal nor any more valiant.
Bha mi greis ann am barail
Gum bu mhaireann mo chèile,
'S gun tigeadh tu dhachaigh
Le aighear is le h-èibhneas,
Ach tha an t-àm air dol thairis
Is chan fhaic mi fear d' eugais
Gus an tèid mi fon talamh
Cha dealaich do spèis rium,
Mo rùn geal òg.
For a while I believed that my husband was alive and that you would come home bringing joy and gladness; but time has gone by and I don’t see anyone who looks like you. Till I am buried beneath the ground your love will never leave me - my fair young love.
Mo rùn geal òg is one of the great masterpieces of Gaelic song and how terrible it would be if in the future no-one could fully understand Christina Ferguson’s great lament in the language in which it was written. Gaelic is part of our history and our heritage. It’s also an important part of life in Scotland today.
I was privileged to be part of the team that delivered the Gaelic content for the Culloden Visitor Centre - a collaboration between the National Trust for Scotland and BBC Radio nan Gaidheal ’s Gaelic Department who produced and recorded the voices and the songs you hear in the Visitor Centre today and on the CD Òrain is Guthan Bliadhna Theàrlaich – Songs and Voices of the ’45.
Much of the interpretation was funded by Bòrd na Gàidhlig I’m sure in the expectation that Culloden might have served as a model and an inspiration for interpretation in other historic locations.
Bòrd na Gàidhlig is required by the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 to prepare and submit to the Scottish Ministers a national Gaelic Language Plan, including a strategy for promoting the use and understanding of the language, and Gaelic education and culture. The draft plan for the next five years is available for public consultation until the middle of May and I would urge you all to engage with it. Its clear aim is to increase the number of people speaking, using and learning Gaelic in Scotland and the number of situations in which Gaelic is used. That aim cannot be fulfilled by one organisation or community. Many groups, organisations and individuals such as yourselves can have a role in securing the future of the Gaelic language. I would ask you to make that commitment in this year of History, Heritage and Archaeology.
J. NicDhòmhnaill 13.04.2017