An Comunn Gàidhealach Publications > Gaidheal > Volume 28, October 1932--September 1933

An t-Samhuin, 1932.
AN GAIDHEAL.
21
satisfaction. Also on this forenoon took
place the competitions in Oran M6r and
Puirt-a-Beul, as well as the Mrs. Quentin
Maclennan prizes and the awards given by
Duncan Macinnes, Chief of the Scottish
Clans of America. The afternoon saw the
great and friendly struggle of the rural
choirs. Thirteen choirs entered. The grow¬
ing strength and popularity of this class is
most remarkable. One feels that the rural
choir is a tower of strength for the cause, and
so ought to be encouraged. It is there that
the fruits of the labour of our music teachers
are amply manifest. At this Mod the
Lorn Shield presented by Col. and Mrs.
Iain Campbell (Airds) was won by the
Badenoch Choir (also at Perth in 1929).
There was good singing and a good sporting
spirit, no trace of unkindly jealousy; and if
there be any sense of rivalry at all, it is the
helpful rivalry to do better next time. Long
may the rural choirs and all choirs retain this
fine spirit.
The Rural Concert in the evening was
presided over by the President. The Prime
Minister was present nearly all the time, and
made an eloquent oration, in which he
emphasised the truth that a fine ideal is the
best basis for the solid facts of life. He
praised the Celtic ideals as pointing the way
in which the practical realities of our time
should mould and shape themselves. The
Shield and prizes were presented by the
Honourable Mrs. Iona Maclean of Edin¬
burgh.
Friday.
Friday was devoted to instrumental music,
piano and violin, vocal duets, quartettes,
men’s choirs, ladies’ choirs, choral unison,
and the full battle-royal of the advanced
choirs. It was a great day in choral work.
Nine choirs appeared. The judges were full
of appreciation. A careful analysis of merits
and faults was judicially submitted, and this
is most valuable. All wise conductors are
thankful for a straightforward evaluation of
work done, and suggestions for improvement
where such is possible. The Greenock
Choir won the Lovat and Tullibardine Shield
as well as the Mull and Iona Shield for male
voices, and the Esmfe Smyth Shield for
female voices—altogether a most remarkable
achievement!
On Friday evening two concerts were held
in the large hall extemporised from' the huge
garage. Over four thousand people were
entertained. What was lacking in comfort
was made up by a wonderful enthusiasm.
Sir Alexander N. MacEwen of Inverness
presided over the first house. He made a
striking speech in Gaelic, a unique feat,
since it is only recently that he became a
student of the language. He urged the use
of Gaelic on every possible occasion. He
pointed out the improvement in the economic
conditions of the Highlands, at which
members of An Comunn ought to aim.
During an interval in the concert the bard
of the year was crowned by the President.
The shields and medals were presented by
the Hon. Mrs. Maclean of Ardgour. The
second house had as chairman the Most Rev.
Andrew J. MacDonald, D.S.O., Archbishop
of St. Andrews and Edinburgh. The Arch¬
bishop declared that a people who lose their
language will ere long lose their individu¬
ality also. In the old days the capitals of
Europe were open to the Scot, and Scots had
done important work on the continent. The
Scot should retain his personal identity, and
the preservation of Gaelic speech and
culture was one means towards this end.
After the second house dances on a large
scale were held in the Highland Hotel and
in the Town Hall.
The ceilidh and community singing in the
various hotels and boarding-houses were also
a feature which causes the Mod Week to
linger as a fragrant memory in the recollec¬
tion of all who have taken part in them.
N. R.
AIT-A1NMEAN LOCHLANNACH
(SCANDINAVIAN PLACE NAMES)
Le K. W. G.
VH.
haugr (dim, dim iirach thairis air sean
uaigh) mar hoe, how:—Cop-na-hoe
(koppr = toll air chumadh copain); mar
kit-ainm ann an; How, Howmore, Hoe,
Toe, Howe, agus eadhon mar Oa.
holl (cnocan), mar, ol: Gidhur-ol (gjar, an
gen. case de “gja” bekm, no sgoltadh-
creige); Mircol (myrk = dorcha); tha ’m
facal ri fhaighinn cuideachd mar “el” ann
an Lionel (lin = llon).
holt (monadh garbh) mar; olt, alt: Erisolt
(Eirik = ainm duine); Neidalt (neyti =
feudail).
klettr (creag, sg6rr) mar; elete, cieit, cleite:
Haelete (har=krd); Rahacleit (raudr=
dearg); Gkscleite (gds=geadh).
hvi (cr6, mainnir), mar; cui:—Lianacui
(Hn = li6n); mar an ceudna aig toiseach
ainmean mar: qui, koi: Quinish (nes =
rudha); Koidale (dalr=gleann).