Category Archives: Gaelic Words

Great Scot! music for March, 14, 2014 – Runrig – Alba

I had a request for Runrig as our musical selection for the day and am happy to oblige. I was first introduced to Runrig by a dear friend in Cape Breton who is a huge Runrig and Bruce Guthro fan and I really enjoy their music.  Although an older song, I thought this particular track was truly appropriate for the Great Scot blog for several reasons.  First, it’s all about Scotland (Alba). Second, the lyrics in the video are presented in both the sung Gàidhlig as well as the English translation.  I find this very helpful both for knowing what the lyrics of the song mean and also to help fix the sounds of the Gàidhlig words in my mind.  I’m a very visual learner and adding music makes it  easier for me to remember things. I used to memorize formulas in school by setting them to music in my mind.  Hmm, maybe I should try singing my Gàidhlig lessons?

I hope everyone enjoys today’s music!

Runrig – Alba

Outlander BBC Radio Scotland Interview – English version

Turns out there was a piece about Outlander on BBC Radio Scotland – Good Morning Scotland in English yesterday. There are a few nice comments from Sam and we can actually hear Àdhamh speak about the importance of the Gàidhlig in English as well!

Listen to the entire piece here.  The Outlander piece begins at about 1:49 in.  Thanks to Je Suis Prest for the heads up!

Outlander Scottish Press Day roundup – Hint Sam speaks in English to BBC Radio

I don’t often post the general Outlander TV series related news but I figured today would be a good exception since most of the articles are calling out the attention paid to Gàidhlig language and culture in the production. I’m also including a link to the BBC Radio Nan Gàidheal program Aithris Na Maidne.

The Scotsman

The first article released yesterday was from The Scotsman. It’s a bit filled with hyperbole for my taste. The author makes it sound a bit like 2000 Outlander fans have been storming Doune Castle. Àdhamh isn’t credited as the Gaelic coach in this article but they did talk to Sam a bit about it and he highlights the Gàidhlig being an important part of the story. I am a bit worried now about exactly how bad Jamie’s scars are going to look after this quote from Sam:

Heughan, who admitted he has had to die his hair red for the part, said: “It feels like I get beaten up in every show. I do have hundreds of scars in the show. My whole back is covered in them. It looks really gruesome. We did a shoot last week when there was a crowd of extras there and people were almost passing out when they saw them. They look amazing.”

You can read the entire The Scotsman article here.

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Great Scot! music recommendation for March 12, 2014 – Griogair – Dail-riata

I found this piece thanks to a Cape Breton friend of mine. Thanks, Carole!  It’s a breathtaking piece. I wish I understood enough Gàidhlig to know exactly what it is saying but I love the introduction and his obvious love for his culture.  This video was recorded at the 2008 Celtic Connections Festival.  I really hope to make it to Celtic Connections some day.

Griogair – Dail-riata

http://youtu.be/4Bz77zNeHfA

Is Àdhamh trying to give Matt Roberts some competition for #POTD?

Not only do we get a lovely picture to start the day, we also get to add a new word to our Gàidhlig vocabulary.

He also responded to disbelievers who thought it looked a bit fliuch (wet) and fuar (cold):

I don’t know how it is where you are today, but here …Tha i glè brèagha an-diugh! (It is a very fine day today!)