An Comunn Gàidhealach Publications > Deo-gréine > Volume 16, October 1920-September 1921

AN DEO-GREINE.
23
Miss Campbell, teacher in a side school in the
small township of Laid, on the shores of Loch
Eireboll, and who attended the Inverness Gaelic
Vacation Class. The children, with one or two
exceptions, are all Gaelic-speaking, and one
little girl, who had not been many days in
school, knew no English. Miss Campbell is
teaching Gaelic in the school.
The meeting held at Durness that evening
was well attended, and the Rev. Dr. Adam
Gunn presided. A Branch was formed, and
office-bearers and committee appointed. Dr.
Gunn is the president. Mr. Mackay, Gaelic
teacher, had been to Durness, and conducted
Gaelic and singing classes. The President
and Secretary were the guests of Rev. Mr. and
Mrs. MacDonald at the parish manse, and in
the morning visited Rob Donn’s grave in the
old churchyard at Balnakiel. An imposirrg
monument, erected to the memory of the Bard,
stands within a few yards of the grave. A
long motor run brought the deputies to
Rhiconich, where they were hospitably enter1
atined by Mr. and Mrs. Grant, of the Hotel
there. Two meetings were held in the after¬
noon at Oldshore and Inshegra, both places
situated on the north shore of Loch Inchard.
Rev. John MacAskill, U.F. Church of Kinloch-
bervie, presided at both meetings, and branches
were formed. As at Loch Eireboll, all
children are Gaelic-speaking. The two assistant
teachers at Oldshore are Gaelic-speaking, one
of whom, Miss Fraser, attended the Inverness
Class. Mr. MacRae, headmaster at Inshegra,
is also Gaelic-speaking, and some time is
devoted to Gaelic teaching in both schools.
The journey was continued to Scourie in the
evening, where a meeting was held in the School
under the chairmanship of Mr. Fraser, head¬
master. There was a fair attendance, and the
addresses listened to attentively. A Branch
was formed, with Mr. Fraser as president, and
Miss Urquhart, teacher, secretary. The
officials were the guests of Mr. MacDonald and
the Misses MacDonald at Scourie.
On Saturday morning the journey was con¬
tinued to Kylestrome, across Kyle Sku Ferry
and across country to Skeag Bridge, along Loch
•Assynt for some miles, and then on to Stoer.
The deputies vrere received at the Manse by Rev.
Mr. and Mrs. Mackenzie, where they remained
till Monday. The meeting in the School was
fairly representative, and a committee was
formed to call another meeting with a view to
the formation of a Branch. The headmaster
is sympathetic towards the teaching of Gaelic,
but unfortunately neither he nor his two
assistants know the language. Gaelic is the
everyday speech of obi and young. Mr.
Mackay preached at both diets on Sunday in
his native parish before a fair congregation.
A largely-attended meeting was held in the
Hall, Lochinver, on Monday evening (11th)—
Mr. Murdo Kerr presiding. A large and influ¬
ential Branch was established there, with Miss
Graham, M.A., as secretary. Miss Graham is
a competent Gaelic teacher, and also attended
the Inverness classes. Much is expected of
the Lochinver Branch, and Revs. D. Mackinnon
and D. Finlayson are prepared to conduct read¬
ing classes during the session. This was the
last public meeting in Sutherland, and Tuesday
saw the deputation en route for Ullapool, via
Inchnadamph. A call v'as made on the teacher at
Elphin, and a Gaelic song rendered very effec¬
tively by the children was much enjoyed. This
is Ruairi MacLeod’s native parish, and a short
visit was paid to the house where he was born,
now occupied by a younger brother. Highland
hospitality was accorded, and it was matter of
regret that it was not possible to hold a meeting
in the evening. Ullapool was reached in the
afternoon, and a large meeting addressed in
the School at night. Major Fraser of Leck-
melm presided, and the arrangements were
carried out by Mr. MacLeod, headmaster. The
Branch was re-formed; Miss Lucas, Gaelic
teacher, was appointed secretary. The influ¬
ence of Mr. Hugh MacLean’s music teaching is
still evident, as also the enthusiasm created by
the local Mod held at the close of the singing
classes in June, 1914. Mr. Morrison of Kin-
lochbervie entertained the officials at the Cale¬
donian Hotel during their stay at Ullapool.
The longest run of the tour was that under¬
taken the following day, viz., from Ullapool to
Gairloch. A most interesting visit was paid
to Mr. Mackenzie, headmaster of Aultbea
School. Here Gaelic is systematically taught
in all departments, and Mr. Mackenzie gave
convincing demonstrations of the value of bi¬
lingual teaching. Further on a halt was made
at Poolewe School, now in charge of Miss Blair,
who attended the Glasgow Gaelic Classes.
Gaelic is being taught in this school also.
Mr. John MacGillivray, headmaster, presided
over a fair gathering in Auchtercaim School,
Gairloch. The Branch was re-formed, and if
the enthusiasm shown is any indication, its
success is assured.
The mail coach conveyed the propagandists
to Auchnasheen, where they entrained for
Strathcarron, and from thence by mail car to
Shieldaig. They were the guests of Rev. Mr.
and Mrs. Currie at the Manse, and in the even¬
ing addressed a fair attendance in the School
over which Mr. Currie presided. Mr. Mac-
Cuish, headmaster, is Gaeliospeaking, and
Scripture lessons are read in Gaelic regularly.
There was some doubt expressed as to getting
the use of the School for meetings of the
Branch, and until such time as permission is