An Comunn Gàidhealach Publications > Gaidheal > Volumes 46--48, January 1951--December 1953

ilaidheachd na h-Airde Tuath
NORTHERN ORGANISER’S NOTES
The Organiser paid a short visit to Wester
Ross at the beginning of March. At Laide 11
members were enrolled in the local Feachd.
; The boys play shinty with home-made camain.
At Melvaig a new Feachd was formed by Mr.
Hector MacKenzie, Gaelic Organiser under the
Committee for Gaelic Informal Education, who
accompanied Mr. MacPhail. The little school
at Sand has been closed, and the few children
remaining travel to Achtercairn School,Gairloch.
The Organiser was present at a meeting of the
Xocal Mod Committee at Gairloch, when the
arrangements for the Wester Ross Mod were
reviewed. On the following evening he presided
at a Ceilidh at Aultbea. This was in aid of the
Local Mod fund. The effort was very success¬
ful, and a sum of about £14 will be added to the
fund. The programme was all-Gaelic. A boys’
Shinty Club has been formed at Gairloch under
the supervision of the Headmaster, Mr. Duncan
MacLeod, M.A., a native of Achiltibuie.
Lochailort. On 11th March the Organiser-
visited Inverailort and inspected Comunn na
h-Oigridh camp equipment. He found that the
canvas material is affected by damp and will
require to be exposed to wind and sun to avoid
irretrievable damage. Some damage was also
caused to the buildings during the recent blizzard.
Tain. On 14th March Mr. Alasdair Fraser,.
M.A., and the Organiser paid a visit to the
Tain Branch. A Ceilidh had been arranged,
and Mr. MacPhail was invited to be Fear-an-
Tighe. The Church Hall was full to capacity,
and an excellent programme was submitted.
Mr. Fraser sang a number of songs, including
“ Moladh Beinn Dorain ” and “Tog orm mo
phiob,” to the delight of all present. The Hon.
President, Mr. A. R. MacKenzie, also sang
several songs.
Inverness. Meetings of the Northern Sub-
Committees were held on Saturday, 15th
March. The Propaganda Sub-Committee re¬
viewed the arrangements for the eight Provincial
Mods to be held this . Session and expressed
approval.
At the Education Sub-Committee sympathy
was expressed with the Vice-Convener, Mr. A. J.
MacAskill, MrA., who has been laid up by ill¬
ness for some time. The fervent hope was
expressed that he may soon be restored to his
usual health again, and the Organiser was re¬
quested to convey these wishes to Mr. MacAskill.
Glenurquhart. The Committee noted with
satisfaction that a commencement is to be made
with the teaching of Gaelic to learners at
Glenurquhart in the near future.
Portree. A letter was read, from the Portree
branch of An Comunn seeking guidance on how
to make an approach to have Gaelic taught to
learners at Portree. Satisfaction was expressed
at fhe action of the Branch, and it was decided
that the Convener, Mr. Kenneth Fraser, M.A.,
and the Organiser seek an interview with the
Director of Education to discuss the matter.
Badenoch-Strathspey. The Organiser de¬
voted two days to the Badenoch-Strathspey
Mod area. He visited Laggan, Dalwhinnie,
Kingussie, Newtonmore, Rothiemurchus, Nethy
Bridge, and Grantown-on-Spey. He found
that arrangements for this Mod are proceeding
satisfactorily and that funds are coming in
nicely. Thanks are due to Mr. and Mrs. Dugald
Matheson, Lochericht Hotel, for hospitality.
Inverness. Ceilidh nan Gaidheal an Inbhir-
Nis has just completed another successful
session. The speaker for the last of the series
of meetings was Mr. John MacGillivray, M.A.,
a native of Skye. His subject was “ Uilleam
Ros.” Mr. MacGillivray dealt with this subject
in a scholarly manner, and some of the Bard s
songs were afterwards sung.
Beauly. Beauly Branch has also completed
a very successful session.
Lochinver. The Lochinver Branch has held
regular meetings and Ceilidhs throughout the
session. A special Ceilidh is being arranged for
11th April, when the Organiser pays his annual
visit to the district.
Tongue. During this visit to Sutherland it
is hoped to reconstitute the Tongue Branch,
which has been dormant for some time.
Comunn Gaidhealach a’ Ghearasdain has had
a very successful session. The Branch is to be
congratulated on its latest venture—the pro¬
duction of a Gaelic Play at the March Ceilidh.
The play selected was one of those translated
into Gaelic by Donald Morrison, “ Am Poidsear.”
In a district which is rapidly becoming
industrialised the work of this Branch is of the
greatest value to the Gaelic Cause, and Mr.
Angus White, President, Mr. MacKinnon, Hon.
Secretary, Miss Maclnnes, Hon. Treasurer, and
a willing Committee deserve the thanks of all
for their good work
Uilleam Geur {bho t.d. 26)
fear de bhodaich Bhaltois ri Uilleam, “ Nach bu
mhath dhuit gu robh thu air druim an rathaid-
mhoir ? ”
Fhreagair Uilleam e : “ Nach tu a dh’fhkg
am fasgadh agam ! ”' M. McL.