An Comunn Gàidhealach Publications > Gaidheal > Volume 35, October 1939--September 1940

An Damhar, 1939.
AN GAIDHEAL.
13
language movement in Wales. He expressed himself
as highly pleased with the work being done and
contributed interesting items to the Ceilidh
programmes.
The usual concert was held in the Oban Old Parish
Church Hall. An excellent programme was
presented by the School and local artistes to a large
audience which would have completely filled the
hall had not the evening been so very fine as to
tempt people to remain out-of-doors. Financially
as well as educationally, the School was an
undoubted success. Acknowledgments and thanks
are due to the South Lorn School Management
Committee for the use of their commodious and well
equipped High School, to the Rector for the
facilities enjoyed, to Mr Neil MacLeod who acted as
Local Secretary, and to Mr James MacDonald,
Secretary of the local branch of An Oomunn for
constant help.
At a meeting of teachers and students held on
Friday, 11th August, the last day of the term, it
was cordially agreed to recommend the Education
Committee to arrange for the School to meet next
year in Grantown-on-Spey.
Neil Ohr.
0
MALCOLM MACFARLANE’S
MEMORIAL.
A Celtic Cross was unveiled over the grave of
Malcolm MacFarlane in Johnstone Cemetery on the
9th September. The unveiling ceremony was
performed by the Marquis of Ailsa, who spoke of
Mr MacFarlane’s diligence as a Gaelic scholar,, his
great skill as a composer of Gaelic melodies, and his
excellent bardic gifts. Some of his Gaelic songs
like “Mo Dhachaidh” will live as long as the Gaelic
language lasts, said his Lordship.
Mr A. N. Nicolson, Inverness, who acted as
honorary Secretary and Treasurer of the Memorial
Fund, said that subscriptions came from friends
and admirers throughout the country as well as
from abroad.
❖
THE LATE MR. HUGH MUNRO.
It is with sincere regret we have learned of the
death of Mr. Hugh Munro, the well-known artist.
Mr. Munro was of Skye parentage, but was brought
up in Glasgow. He won for himself a distinguished
position as an artist, but it was as an ardent Gael
and an authority on Celtic Art he was best
known to his fellow-Highlanders. He lectured
frequently on Celtic Art and other aspects of Celtic
culture. These lectures were notable not only for
their wide knowledge and critical acumen, but for
their eloquence and grace of diction. A selection
from his papers would make an interesting and
valuable volume. Mr. Munro contributed on various
occasions to this magazine. In Voices from the
Hills, there is an article by him on the Celtic
Craftsmen. That book also contains a reproduction
of one of his paintings.
EADARAINN FHIN.
A Dhuine Uasail Choir,—You are to be congratul¬
ated upon the splendid article published in July’s
“An Gaidheal” upon the duties of An Comunn’s
branches and there is little doubt that every right-
thinking member will heartily endorse everything
said in it. With your kind permission!, I "would
beg space in your columns for the following
comments upon the matter.
It would appear that it is no new experience of
An Comunn to find that some of its branches are
not (shall we say) over diligent in the pursuit of
their avowed objects and, even to the most casual
observer, the most obvious deficiency in their
activities is their failure to provide facilities for the
teaching of Gaelic. If, as appears to be the case,
branches are, by themselves, unable or unwilling
to undertake such work, surely the matter is of
sufficient urgency to merit the attention of the
Executive Council. There is no other body better
equipped to deal with it.
At the present time, the musical aspect of An
Comunn’s work is served by a number of teachers
sent out to the rural districts and who, I doubt not,
accomplish their work with a fair measure of
success. Is it too much to suggest that the teaching
of the language itself is a matter of equal, if not
greater importance and one which deserves a
degree of attention much greater than it at present
receives ?
An Comunn, since its foundation, has by its work,
brought about a great change in the attitude of the
public towards Gaelic and there is little doubt that
the language now possesses a greatly enhanced
status and prestige. In addition to, and in
consequence of this, there is now, even outwith the
present Gaelic area, a great interest in the language
and a quite considerable desire for instruction in it—
a desire, to satisfy which practically nothing has
yet been done. Let me quote the case of a small
society in this city. Its objects are the teaching,
learning and use of Gaelic and of its membership of
about 50, the vast majority are learners. I am
convinced that the membership could be easily
doubled but for the difficulty of obtaining helpers in
the work. Many societies and individuals known to
be capable of teaching the language have been
approached but with almost negligible response.
All honour is due to the few who have come forward
(some at considerable personal inconvenience) but
the present position of most of the work is the
unsatisfactory teaching of learners. Here is where
An Comunn could be doing a great service and at
the same time adding considerably to its member¬
ship.
While it is perfectly correct, as the writer of
your article points out, that the true theatre of any
Gaelic revival is the Highland area, the instruction
and encouragement of people outwith this area must
have a very definite place in the scheme of things
even if it does no more than show that Gaelic and
city life are not incompatible. In addition to the
prevailing ignorance of history and literature,
probably the greatest obstacle towards the
reinstatement of Gaelic in the Highlands is an all-
pervading inferiority complex, which regards it as
typifying the untutored and illiterate “bodach.”
If those outwith the Highlands were assisted and
encouraged in the acquisition of the language, their
coming in contact with resident Highlanders could
do much to dispel this erroneous and pernicious
idea and help them to realise that there is, after