Historic manuscript of Gaelic love song to be showcased at new heritage centre

Comunn Eachdraidh Uibhist a Tuath (North Uist Historical Society) will receive £165,000 of Scottish Government funding to convert Carinish Old School and showcase items from its collection, many of which are currently kept in storage.

These include an original copy of Gaelic love song “An Eala Bhàn” (The White Swan). The song was written by a former pupil of the school during the Battle of the Somme and performed by local musician Julie Fowlis at a commemorative service at the Thiepval Memorial in France to mark the centenary of the Battle in 2016. It will be available for centre visitors to view.

Other items include historical artefacts from St Kilda, war memorabilia from local soldiers and press cuttings, posters and photographs from Gaelic rock band Runrig. The centre will also operate as a tourist information point and offer tours to the site of the Battle of Carinish and the ruins of Trinity Temple.

A further £200,000 will be made available to support the construction of an auditorium for Gaelic lectures and music events at Cnoc Soiller in South Uist.

Deputy First Minister and Gaelic Secretary Kate Forbes said: “Protecting and promoting the Gaelic language can attract tourists into the country, grow the economy and contribute to community wellbeing. This funding will enable people to learn about Uist’s Gaelic heritage from the Middle Ages up to modern day.”

Musician Julie Fowlis said: “The organisation and the wider community have collected and made safe hundreds, if not thousands, of precious items pertaining to cultural life in North Uist and the wider island community.

"It is only right and proper that these artefacts are brought home to this building, which has been at the heart of the community for decades. 

“It was a great honour and privilege for me to be asked to sing An Eala Bhàn by local bàrd Dòmhnall Ruadh Chorùna, at the 100 year memorial of the Battle of the Somme in Thiepval”.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar welcomed the award of £365,000 to the two heritage projects in Uist.

Councillor Paul Steele, Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, said: “As the area with the highest percentage of Gaelic speakers it is important that the Western Isles receives funding such as this to promote, develop and safeguard the use of the language within our communities. 

"Both these projects will offer important opportunities for visitors and local residents to engage with Gaelic and learn more about the history of the area. I would like to congratulate all involved.”

Councillor Uisdean Robertson, Comunn Eachdraidh Uibhist a Tuath, added: “I am delighted with the announcement of Scottish Government funding, which will greatly assist the Communn Eachdraidh’s aims to help sustain the Gaelic language and preserve and promote the rich heritage, history, culture and traditions of North Uist. Like the whole of North Uist, the Carinish district is steeped in history and tradition. 

"The site of the former school overlooks Trinity Temple, a seminary and college of learning built in the 12th century. Also, in proximity is the site of the Battle of Carinish fought in 1601 between the MacDonalds and the MacLeods.

"We hold copyright to one of the most famous Gàidhlig poems An Eala Bhan written by Dòmhnall Ruadh Chorùna (Donald MacDonald) during the Battle of the Somme. He was a former pupil of the school, and it was sung at the Thiepval Memorial Service on July 1, 2016 in front of a worldwide audience by Julie Fowlis, another former pupil of Carinish School.”