An Comunn Gàidhealach Publications > Deo-gréine > Volume 17, October 1921 to September 1922

116
AN DEO-GREINE.
Errata.
In the introduction to the poem given in
the April number, the last sentence cf the
first paragraph should read, “From the poem
we learn that another son of the Lord of the
Isles, whose name is not given, died in the
same year as Angus, but not by violence.
His mother’s name was Margaret.’’
On p. 106, the second paragraph should
have been printed as a note to “A chumha
giodh m6r a fuaim. ’ ’ On same page, 15 lines
from foot, read “MS. nar zalve.’’
0-
BRANCH VISITATION.
On 28th March I attended a meeting of
the Aberfeldy Branch in the Library Boom
of the Burgh Hall Major Scott, president,
presided over an audience of about 100
people, and I had the pleasure of lecturing
to them for 45 minutes on “Highland
Music,’’ with songs. Gaelic songs were also
sung by Mrs. Thomas Stewart, Miss Isa
MacDougall, and Mr. A. Stewart Bobertson
(gold medallist). Miss M. C. MacGregor
contributed violin selections, and Mr. Alex.
Stewart, Glenlyon, gave a short address.
This branch has a large membership and a
creditable bank balance. It has been
decided to hold a few such ceilidhs next
session.
I journeyed from Perth to Ullapool on the
30th and delivered the same lecture to an
audience which more than taxed the seating
accommodation of the School. Major
Fraser of Leckmelm, president, was in the
chair, and during the evening gave a fine
rendering of “Cumha Mhic an Toisich’’ on
the bagpipes, illustrating my remarks on
pipe music. The audience were much
interested in the lecture, and the Gaelic
songs made a special appeal to them.
Arrangements are being made to receive
Mr. Colin MacLeod, music teacher, when
he completes his term at Lochcarron. If
the show of hands at the meeting is an
earnest of the reception awaiting Mr.
MacLeod, and attendance at his class, then
the success of his visit is assured. It is also
hoped to have a local Mod in June.
The Committee of the Inverness Branch
invited me to their ceilidh on 31st March.
This delightful function was held in the
Palace Hotel and Mr. Alister MacDonald,
vice-president, presided. Gaelic songs
were sung by Miss Margaret MacLeod (gold
medallist), Miss Bhoda MacLeod, and Mr.
Boderick MacLeod. Other members of
Buairi's choir contributed Gaelic and
Scottish songs. I addressed the gathering
for about ten minutes in Gaelic and Enghsh,
and some time after Mrs. Hourston,
Glasgow, followed with an address on the
aims and objects of the proposed High¬
landers’ Institute in Glasgow.
I spent a very pleasant week-end with my
friends, Mr. and Mrs. MacDonald, in the
Highland capital, and on Tuesday, 4th
April, I journeyed to Tongue, via Lairg.
Here I had the largest meeting of this tour,
there being fully 200 people present. The
local committee arranged an attractive
programme of songs, and to which I contri¬
buted several. I spoke at some length in
Gaelic and English, my remarks in the latter
being chiefly confined to an exhortation to
members and friends of Gaelic to return to
the Education Authority only those who
were in favour of the mother tongue being
taught in the schools of the county. Bev.
David Lundie, M.A., presided over this fine
gathering. The collection amounted to £5.
Early the following morning I was speed¬
ing along the winding, and, in some places,
precipitous road to Bettyhill. A homely
welcome awaited me at the Free Church
Manse, jj arr, from my old friends, the Bev.
Mr. and Mrs. MacKay, and with whom I
stayed two nights. The meeting here was
presided over by Mr. Dugald MacKay, the
president, and a nice programme of songs
and instrumental music was gone through.
My remarks here, as at Tongue, were mainly
on the duties of voters at the poll on the
following day. My references to the teach¬
ing of Gaelic in the schools were heartily
applauded.
Although the Thurso Branch Committee
had had their closing ceilidh about ten days
previously, a company of about 80 people
gathered to receive me in the Temperance
Hall on the evening of Friday, 7th April.
The president, Bev. G. B. MacLennan,
presided. Tea was served, and a nice pro¬
gramme of Gaelic and Enghsh songs
followed. I thanked the members for
turning out in such large numbers, despite
the counter attraction at Halkirk. This
branch has carried on successfully since its
inception in October, 1920. A grand
concert, at which Mr. Colin MacLeod is to
sing, is being held on 28th April. Sir
A. H. M. Sinclair will preside.
It is very pleasant to report that my visit
to the various branches mentioned has very
materially strengthened the hands of those
responsible for their existence. A syste-