An Comunn Gàidhealach Publications > Gaidheal > Volume 41, October 1945--September 1946

An t-Samhuin, 1946.
AN CAIDHEAL.
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Hal], and Mr. Archd. MacDonald, President, was in the Chair.
A splendid programme of songs and bagpipe and violin music
was submitted and thoroughly enjoyed.
A Gaelic Class is being organised and the teacher, Mr.
Colin Morrison, gave a most encouraging report on the Class
held last year. The Gaelic Choir is being revived and Mrs.
Duncan Campbell will again act as conductor. The Branch is
in a very flourishing condition, and I was pleased to note the
presence of Messrs. Duncan Campbell (Secretary and Treasurer)
Neil MacVicar, Donald Morrison, Donald Urquhart, and the
President, all of whom were present when I formed the Branch
15 years ago. I was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. A. Anderson
during my stay. Mr. Anderson gives valuable assistance to the
Secretary in arranging meetings.
The Ayr Branch is arranging for a Gaelic Class and also
reviving the Gaelic Choir which helped so much at pre war
Ceilidhean. The first meeting of the Branch was largely
attended.
Largs Branch has also made an auspicious start with
Councillor Malcolm Black, President in the Chair. Mrs. J. R.
Colquhoun (Phemie Marquis) Hon. President, was also present.
I hope to visit most of the Branches in the Southern Area
this session and will be pleased to hear from secretaries as to
suitable dates.
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AN COMUNN CONCERT TOUR.
The first of the Concert Tours, in aid of the Central Fund
arranged for the Southern Area was an outstanding success,
financially, socially, and from a propaganda viewpoint.
Concerts were held at Strathyre, Dalmally and Taynuilt and
crowded halls at each centre were the order of the day. A
most enthusiastic and cordial reception was given to the party
at each concert and right well did the artistes respond.
At Strathyre, the local arrangements were in the hands of
Mrs. Edgar who left no stone unturned to ensure the success
of the evening. The Hall was specially decorated for the
occasion and the President of An Comunn, the Rev. Malcolm
MacLeod, presided over the proceedings in his usual capable
and dignified manner. A first rate concert was followed by an
equally successful dance and thus the tour was set agoing to a
wonderful start. On Thursday morning, before proceeding to
Dalmally, the party visited the ancient burial ground at
Balquhidder which is the final resting place of Rob Roy and
also paid a visit to the President and his good lady at the
Manse.
At Dalmally, the party was hospitably received by Rev.
Angus MacKinnon and Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Kennedy of the
Hotel. Mr. John Cameron and Mr. Archie Smith had made
excellent arrangements and, as a result, the Hall was packed by
an enthusiastic audience. Rev. Angus MacKinnon made an
excellent chairman and here also the artistes repsonded to
repeated demands for encores. On Friday morning, through
the courtesy of Mr. MacKinnon, the party visited Loch Awe
and the church of St. Conans in its beautiful surroundings. On
such a glorious morning and amid such beautiful scenery it
was indeed difficult to realise that we were living in a world
which is struggling to survive the horrors of the past six years.
It was with a tinge of regret that we left our good friends
at Dalmally to proceed to Taynuilt, but, our pleasure was
renewed, on being welcomed by my old friend and staunch
supporter of An Comunn, Mr. Peter Campbell. The weather
could not have been bettered in mid-summer and even Cruachan
in her majesty had doffed her cap of mist to extend a welcome.
Mrs. Bell and her Committee had everything arranged to
perfection and it was with difficulty that everyone managed
to gain admission to the Hall, and as I remarked later, the
attendance at the concert if it had done nothing else, had
proved that the spirit of Donnchadh Ban was still very much
alive. Rev. Murdo MacDonald was in the chair and right well
did he perform this duty.
The sincere thanks of An Comunn are due to Mrs. M. C.
Edgar, Strathyre; Mrs. C. Bell, Taynuilt; and Mr. John Cameron
and Mr. Archie Smith, Dalmally; for making such excellent
arrangements which contributed greatly to the success of the
tour and also to Mrs. Edgar and Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy,
Dalmally, for providing hospitality for the party and last
but not least to my good friends the artistes, Mrs. Peterine
Stewart, Miss Margaret MacMillan, Mr. Angus Whyte, Mr.
Angus Morrison, Miss Morag Bannerman, and Mr. Archie
Smith. I think it is safe to say that seldom, if ever, have they
excelled as they did on this occasion, and I shall always hie
proud to have been associated with such an excellent company
in this latest effort on behalf of An Comunn. At the time of
going to press, the Central Fund has benefited to the extent
of a sum slightly in excess of £100 as a result of this tour. Miss
MacMillan and I proceeded to Oban on Saturday and helped
to sustain the programme at the opening ceilidh of the Oban
Branch. The President of the Branch, Mr. Peter Fletcher
was in the chair and a very successful ceilidh was held.
Members will be glad to know that I called on that grand man
of Gaelic song, Mr. John MacDonald, late conductor of the
Oban Gaelic Choir who, I am pleased to say, is looking very
fit.
Mr. Shaw will be very pleased to hear from Branch
Secretaries if they wish An Comunn Concert Party to visit
their district. Alasdair.
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WAR MEMORIAL AND THANKSGIVING FUND.
A very successful concert and dance was held in the Shiel-
bridge Hall, Acharacle, on Monday, 22nd September. This
function was organised by Miss Lucy Cameron, Glasgow, on
behalf of the War Memorial and Thanksgiving Fund. Needless
to say Miss Cameron had the warm support of several local
enthusiasts for the Gaelic cause including Mr. John Cameron,
Raeland. Rev. Angus MacAskill was in the Chair and two
noted Gaelic singers in Mr. Alasdair Matheson and Mr. Angus
Whyte travelled from Glasgow for the occasion. They were
assisted by Local artistes who contributed in no small measure
to a most enjoyable evening. A vote of thanks to the Chairman
and artistes was proposed by Mr. Alex. Cameron (North
Argyll). The Fund benefited to the extent of £30 3s 5d. and
the Central (War Comforts) Committee is very much indebted
to Miss Cameron in this splendid effort.
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REV. DR. NEIL ROSS MEMORIAL.
A Memorial to the late Dr. Neil Ross, Ex-President, is to
be erected in Laggan Church, and it is felt that members of
An Comunn would like to have a share in this memorial.
Contributions, large or small, shall be received and
acknowledged by Mr. James T. Graham, C.A., Treasurer of
An Comunn, 5 St. Vincent Place, Glasgow, C.l.
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LITIR COMUNN NA H - OIGHRIDH.
Tha a‘ chuid mhor de m’ sheanachas air a’ mhios so mu
laoch air a bheil sibh uile gle eolach, an t-Ollamh, Domhnall
Seumas MacLeoid, feachadair, no fear-ceasnachaidh nan
sgoiltean air a’ Ghaidhealtachd, ’s a tha a nis a’ Jeigeil dheth
a dhreuchd. Is buidhe dhuibhse, a chlann, gun robh sibh
greis fo shiiil an deagh Ghaidheil ud. An uair a bha mise anns
an sgoil, bha daoine coire gun teagamh a’ tighinn g’ cr
ceasnachadh, ach ma bha a’ bheag no mh6r de Ghaidhlig aca
idir, cha ehuala mise facal dhi bhuapa riamh. Tha an
t-Ollamh MacLeoid a nis air ti bhur fagail, agus cho math ’s
’gam bi esan a tha ag gabhail aite, bidh esan a dh’ fhalbh ’na
chall dhuibhse, a chlann. Ach is mise tha cinnteach ged a tha
e a’ leigeil dheth a dhreuchd gum bi a chluas ri claisteachd
feuch ciamar a bhios a’ dol dhuibh. Mar sin, feuch nach bi
sibh a’ deanamh dearmad air an fhoghlum no gu seachd
sonraichte air a’ Ghaidhlig, a tha cho dluth d’ a chridhe-san.
A nis, is e am priomh aobhar a chuir gur e so an cuspair
a thagh mi air a’ mhios so gun d’ fhuair mi rannan bardachd