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

Am Faoilteach, 1946.
AN GAIDHEAL.
33
Perth, and that a local Committee had been formed. A
certain amount of preparatory work had been done and is now
being resumed for the Mod of 1947.
The Chair was occupied by Chief Dempster who made
sympathetic reference to the absence of Mrs. Hutton owing
to indisposition. The usual programmes of Gaelic and Scots
songs was submitted, and bagpipe selections were played by
Pipe-Major MacPhie. Votes of thanks were moved in Gaelic
and English by Mr. John MacDonald.
In last number, I referred to the desire of the members of
the Millhouse Branch to resume activities and I attended the
first meeting of this Branch in the School, Tighnabruaich, on
30th November. Mr. Neil MacLeod, M.A., President, was in
the chair. The accommodation was fully taxed and the greatest
enthusiasm prevailed. A Ladies’ Choir, conducted by Miss
Macintosh, secretary, rendered several Gaelic songs and there
was no lack of talent among members of the audience. Bagpipe
selections were played by Mr. James Nicolson, Vice-President.
Tea was served by the lady members. It was altogether a
happy meeting, and the success of the Branch is already
assured. Several members of the Kilfinan Branch were present,
and arrangements are proceeding to restart meetings in this
Lochfyneside village and I hope to be present at the opening
meeting.
On Tuesday morning, 4th December, I made tracks for
Ardnamurchan via Fort William and Ardgour, and attended
a meeting of the Strontian Branch in the evening. Mr. Alex.
Cameron (North Argyll), presided over a good attendance of
former members and, during the evening, the Branch was
re-formed. Mr. John MacIntyre is President and Miss Phemie
Munro, Edinaline, Strontian, is Secretary. Several Gaelic
songs were sung during the evening and the lady members
served a nice tea.
On the following day I visited the School and enrolled 9
members (5 girls and 4 boys) into Comunn na h-Oigridh. I
addressed all the children in the School and hope to enrol a
few more members on my next visit.
On that same evening I travelled to Acharacle by bus and
on the following morning, accompanied by the Rev. Angus
MacAskill, I visited the local school and enrolled 13 members
(9 girls and 4 boys). Nearly all the children in this school
are Gaelic speaking but, unfortunately, neither the Head¬
master nor his assistant knows Gaelic. Mr. MacAskill is kindly
arranging to bring the children together, and preparing them
for an all Gaelic ceilidh of their own. The proceeds of this
Ceilidh will go towards the cost of badges.
After completing enrolment at Acharacle School I proceeded
across the Shiel to Inverness-shire and called at Mingarry
School. 'The number of children attending this school is 7
and all were enrolled into Comunn na h-Oigridh:—2 girls and
5 boys. The children are taught Gaelic in the school, and
Miss Macpherson, the teacher, also gives them Gaelic songs.
These children made a very successful appearance at the
Comunn Concert held in Acharacle in September.
Owing to recent deaths in the district no Ceilidh was held
in Acharacle this time.
I had intended to include Kilchoan in this itinerary but the
date did not suit local circumstances. I hope, however, to call
there later and have the Branch re-formed. It was also my
intention to call at Glenborrodale School on the way to Kilchoan
but this visit had perforce to be cancelled. The Rev. Mr.
MacAskill kindly agreed to deputise for me and to enrol the
Gaelic speaking pupils in this School where I had formed a
Feachd on a previous occasion. There is a good Gaelic teacher
in this school, Miss MacDiarmid, who acted for a term as
secretary of the Kildalton Branch in Islay. There were a
few children absent when I visited Acharacle School and Mr.
MacAskill will enrol these on a suitable date.
I retraced my steps to Ardgour on Friday, 7th December,
and attended a largely attended meeting in the Memorial Hall
there in the evening. The Hon. Mrs. MacLean of Ardgour
presided, and an excellent programme of Gaelic songs was
gone through. Mr. Donald Cameron of Salachan played
selections on the bagpipes. The Branch was reformed with the
Rev. A. D. MacLean, B.D., as President, and Mr. Donald
Cameron, M.C., Salachan, as Secretary.
The Ardnamurchan Provincial Mod Committee held a
meeting recently at Strontian and decided, owing to transport
difficulties and the lack of music instruction, not to hold a
Mod in 1946, but to make every effort to resume in 1947. The
Lochaber Provincial Mod is open to competitors from the
Ardnamurchan Mod area, and steps will be taken to take
advantage of this concession.
I returned to Headquarters, on 8th December, and left
again for the Lorn district on the 11th. A largely attended
meeting was held at Connel that evening presided over by the
Rev. D. A. MacCallum, to whom we are much indebted for
making all local arrangements. Mr. Donald Thomson, Oban,
acting Convener of the Propaganda Committee, was present
with a number of Gaelic singers and a piper. A first rate
programme was submitted by this party, and they had the
assistance of two local singers. After service of tea and
addresses by the Chairman, Mr. Thomson and myself the
Branch was re-formed. Mr. George W. Maclsaac is President,
and Miss Morag MacEachen, Burnside, Connel, is Secretary.
The Branch will do all it can to help the Mod at Oban in
April.
I visited Benderloch, on the 12th, and made preliminary
arrangements for a meeting of the Branch early in the new
year.
In the evening I attended a Ceilidh of the Appin Branch
presided over by the Rev. John MacDonald, M.A., Mr. Mac¬
pherson, President, was unable to take his customary place
in the chair owing to indisposition. Sympathetic reference
was made to the passing of Mr. Boa a strong supporter of long
standing. Songs were contributed by local members and tea
was served by lady members. A collection was taken during
the evening, and I was handed the sum of £2 5s. for the Central
Fund of An Comunn.
Mr. Alasdair Matheson was present at the third Ceilidh of
the Largs Branch, on 13th December. He was accompanied
by Miss Ina MacLeilan and both helped to sustain a fine
programme of Gaelic and Scots songs. The President, Mr.
Malcolm Black, was in the chair and he was accompanied by
Mrs. John R. Colquhoun, Hon. President. Meetings of this
Branch are well supported locally, and give much pleasure to
Highlanders resident in the vicinity.
It was found impossible to arrange a sequence of meetings
for the Concert Party referred to previously but arrangements
are made for an early visit to Kinlochleven and Mull.
MR. ALEXANDER FRASER.
We regret to record the passing of Mr. Alexander Fraser at
his home in Bishopton, Renfrewshire, on 12th December.
Mr. Fraser had been a member of the Executive Council of
A n Comunn for 40 years, at first representing the Glasgow
Inverness-shire Association and for 33 years an elected member.
He succeeded the late Provost MacFarlan as Convener of the
Finance Committee in 1920 and faithfully and diligently
carried out that duty until 1938, when he resigned owing to a
breakdown in health. He was most regular in his attendance
at meetings and took an active part in the discussions. During
his term as Convener of the Finance Committee he kept a
firm grip of the financial affairs of An Comunn. He was for
6 years a Vice-President of the Association.
Mr. Fraser was a good singer of Gaelic songs and was a
member of the Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association Choir.
He often acted as precentor at special Gaelic religious services
in and around Glasgow.
It can be truly said of Alex. Fraser that few members gave
more unstinted service to An Comunn, and the cause of Gaelic,
and those who were associated with him on the Council and
Standing Committees will readily grant him an honoured
place on the roll of our remembrance.
He was a native of Stratherrick and Gaelic was his mother
tongue.
The sincere sympathy of our members is extended to his
widow and son.