A new book bringing together five decades of Gaelic songs and poetry by the late Christina Macdonald of Bayble is being supported with a £2,000 grant from Point and Sandwick Trust.
The collection has been put together by Christina’s son, well-known Gaelic singer Donnie ‘Large’ Macdonald, and is being published by Acair under the title, Ar Baile.
Christina wrote poetry and songs in Gaelic over five decades, beginning in the late 1930s. The family moved from Ness to Upper Bayble in around 1966, where Donnie’s father was actively working the family croft. The new book brings Christina’s work together in print, with the original Gaelic songs and poems accompanied by English translations. It also includes biographical material, photographs and contextual notes giving the background to individual pieces.
Music is an important part of the project, with the book featuring 26 original melodies composed by Donnie, alongside musical notation. Donnie said his interest in bringing the collection together grew from a desire to preserve his mother’s work and make it available to a wider audience.
Point and Sandwick Trust awarded £2,000 towards the cost of producing the book as part of its support for projects benefiting the local community and helping to sustain the Gaelic language, culture and heritage.
DJ MacSween, General Manager of Point and Sandwick Trust, said: “We’re delighted to support this project. Christina’s songs and poetry capture so much of the language, culture and everyday life of our community in years gone by, and it’s great to see Donnie bringing them together in a form that can be enjoyed by a new generation.”
Donnie, who lives in California, said: “From 6,000 miles away, I first read about the charitable organisation Point and Sandwick Trust in the pages of the Stornoway Gazette. More recently, the Trust’s support for Acair has included the new Christina Macdonald songbook Ar Baile, which features 26 of my mother’s poems, set to music.
“I very much appreciate the remarks of DJ MacSween in his description of this Acair project. Mòran taing! There could be a comic twist in the changes that many of us have lived through, as a modern community-owned wind farm now gives a helping hand to a songbook that includes a Conversation between a Peat and a Lump of Coal!”
The book will be launched during this year’s Royal National Mòd, when Donnie will be in conversation with Maggie Cunningham and will perform a number of songs from the collection.
Stornoway-based publisher Acair said, "Acair are hugely appreciative to all the funders who help us bring these incredible books to print. It is so important to have the talent and skills of those who went before us recorded to recognise their contribution. Our culture, heritage and people have been at the heart of Acair's title list since 1977 and will continue to be so, going forward."
The Ar Baile launch event will take place at midday on Wednesday 14 October at City of Glasgow College.