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Podcast Details:
Fri, 17 May 2013
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Letter 17 May: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 722
On the 12th of July 1746, there was an important interview on board a ship. The vessel was anchored off the shore of Applecross. Asking the questions was General John Campbell. He was in charge of the search for Charles Edward Stuart, after the Battle of Culloden. The woman answering the questions was Flora MacDonald. The pair were on board HMS Furnace. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 10 May 2013
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Letter 10 May 13: Litir do-ionnsachaidh 721
We’re still in the Great Glen this week. Ruiairidh will tell you about a guy who was living in Fort Augustus. He was famous as the ‘lion-hunter’. Find out about this most interesting of characters. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 03 May 2013
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Letter 03 May 13: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 720
Aig fìor cheann a deas Loch Lòchaidh, tha Magh Comair. Ann am Beurla – Mucomir. Tha baile-fearainn ann. Tha an t-ainm a’ ciallachadh magh no blàr anns a bheil dà abhainn a’ tighinn còmhla – ann an ‘comar’. ’S iad sin Abhainn Spiothain agus Abhainn Lòchaidh. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 26 Apr 2013
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Letter 26 Apr 13: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 719
Do you know what a ‘dochy’ is? It’s spelled, in English, D-O-C-H-Y. I’m certain that in Gaelic it’s spelled D-O-C-H-A-I-D-H. It is, or was, an oaken stick. It was short and thick. It was heavy, with a large hard head on it. Find out more about the dochy and when it was used in this week’s letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 19 Apr 2013
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Letter 19 Apr 13: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 718
Ruairidh was told us, last week, about the death of Iain Garbh Mac ’Ille Chaluim of Raasay. His birlinn sank off the north coast of Skye in 1671. This week Ruairidh turns his attention to how that loss people in the West Highlands deeply upset as he was well-respected and much-loved. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 12 Apr 2013
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Letter 12 Apr 13: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 717
Ruairidh has another story about Iain Garbh of Raasay. Find out what happened to him after he was tricked by MacLeod of Dunvegan. Did he heed warnings? Was he a cautious man? Did he marry? Ruairidh has all the answers in this week’s letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 05 Apr 2013
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Letter 05 Apr 13: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 716
Iain Garbh was living in Raasay. He was extremely strong. He wasn’t paying rent to MacLeod of Dunvegan. But he should have been. MacLeod was afraid to go and ask for the money. Find out how MacLeod used Iain Garbh in this week's letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 29 Mar 2013
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Letter 29 Mar 13: An Litir Bheag 715
Ruairidh mentioned the Isle of Bute last week. In the book – A Voyage Round the Coast of Scotland and the Isles – there is an account of Bute. James Wilson wrote the book and it was published in 1842. Wilson offers a view of the name Bòd - Bute. Ruairidh considers this view and others in this letter and it makes for fascinating reading. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 22 Mar 2013
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Letter 22 Mar 13: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 714
This week, Ruairidh begins the letter with an old saying – Chan ann am Bòid uile a tha an t-olc; tha cuid dheth sa Chumaradh Bheag làimh ris. Not all evil is in Bute; some is in Little Cumbrae nearby. We know that’s not true today, if it ever was, but it is a good introduction to this week’s subject; some islands in the Firth of Clyde. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 15 Mar 2013
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Letter 15 Mar 13: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 713
This week Ruairidh continues with the tragic tale of the Annie Jane. The skipper beached the ship in Vatersay. Waves smashed the boat. Find out what happened to the crew, the boat and the people of Vatersay and the community in this week’s letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 08 Mar 2013
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Letter: 08 Mar 13: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 712
In August 1853, the Annie Jane sailed from Liverpool. She was going to Quebec. There were four hundred people on board. The boat was carrying a load of iron – eight hundred tonnes of it. There were three hundred tonnes also of other goods. William Mason was the captain. Find out it he had a successful journey in this week’s letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 01 Mar 2013
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Letter 01 Mar 13: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 711
Ruairidh continues to discuss the clearance of Barra by Colonel John Gordon of Cluny, including the conclusion of the story of the Admiral. To find out more, you need to listen to this week's letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 22 Feb 2013
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Letter 22 Feb 13: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 710
This week Ruairidh begins the story of the Admiral, a vessel that sailed from the Western Isles to Quebec in 1851. To find out more, you need to listen to this week's letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 15 Feb 2013
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Letter 15 Feb 13: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 709
Have you ever come across the word gillaroo? You might find one in Loch Morar. This week, Ruairidh discusses the gille-ruadh: a freshwater fish not unlike a codling. To find out more, you need to listen to this week's letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 08 Feb 2013
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Letter 08 Feb 13: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 708
This week, Ruairidh continues with the story of Samson and Delilah. Find out what the phrase "guidheam ort" means, and examples of how it could be used. To find out more, you need to listen to this week's letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 01 Feb 2013
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Letter 01 Feb 13: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 707
This week, Ruairidh plans to tell us about a man in the Bible. He is named on the Scottish landscape. Ruairidh starts with a verse from the Bible about this man. Who is he? Ruairidh can tell you and has lots of information about his life. To find out more, you need to listen to this week’s letter.Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 25 Jan 2013
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Letter 25 Jan 13: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 706
This week Ruairidh begins his letter by taling about a paper that came out about the history of eagles in Britain and Ireland last year. The research was based on place names. He explains the difference between different eagles and how we can identify them. Ruairidh then offers us a surprise by talking about an animal that has since become extinct. Learn more about eagles and about this surpise animal in this week's letter.Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 18 Jan 2013
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Letter 18 Jan 13: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 705
This week, Ruairidh continues his quest to find even more place-names with the word torc, the Gaelic for boar, in them. He has plenty of fascinating areas to discuss. He then ponders why there are so many names that are boar-based in Scotland? Find out more in this week’s letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 11 Jan 2013
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Letter 11 Jan 13: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 704
In this letter, Ruairidh is looking at more place names which feature animals that are extinct in Scotland. He looks at the boar this week, find out more in this week's fascinating podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 04 Jan 2013
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Letter 04 Jan 13: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 703
Bones were found in a cave in Inchnadamph in Assynt. The animals died a long time ago. Scotland was cold at the time. What animals were they? Well, the list is interesting. find out more in this week's letter Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 28 Dec 2012
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Letter 28 Dec 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 702
Ruairidh was on two special small islands this year. One of them was of Gaelic heritage and the other was non-Gaelic. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 21 Dec 2012
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Letter 21 Dec 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 701
Christmas is almost on us again. And here is a Christmas story for you. It’s from Highland Perthshire. Its name is ‘Christmas Dance’. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 14 Dec 2012
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Letter 14 Dec 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 700
To the old Gaels, the hazelnut was the nut of knowledge. Ruairidh has a story from the Isle of Skye about the knowledge that people can acquire from nuts. The tale features Sgàthach and Cuchullin and their battle against each other. Find out how the hazelnut played its part in this week’s letter. Find out more in this week’s letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 07 Dec 2012
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Letter 01 Dec 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 699
Ruairidh continues to discuss the significance to Gaels of the hazel tree. A new book was published recently. Its title is Atlantic Hazel: Scotland’s Special Woodlands. The authors, Sandy and Brian Coppins, say that some woods have existed for centuries. Those woods are very old and that means they are very valuable. Find out more in this week’s letter. Find out more in this week’s letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 30 Nov 2012
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Letter 30 Nov 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 698
The hazel tree is special to Gaels and has strong folkloric connections. The nuts were popular and the wood was used for many purposes. In this week’s letter, Ruairidh looks at coppicing and how the hazel tree was coppiced and why it was done. Find out more in this week’s letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 23 Nov 2012
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Letter 23 Nov 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 697
Traveller Essie Stewart spent the summer months of her youth living in a tent around the north of Scotland. She explains to Ruairidh how, and why, they preferred to use hazel wood when creating a rod which was used for supporting tents. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 16 Nov 2012
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Letter: 16 Nov 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 696
Referring to a trilingual book titled 'Dùthchas na Màra', Ruairidh explores the definition of the word 'dùthchas'. Find out more in this week's letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 09 Nov 2012
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Letter: 09 Nov 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 695
Ruairidh was telling us how he saw a lot of fish in Ireland. The fish he saw were sprats, mackerel and saithe. The bay on the shore of Aranmore was full of them. That’s a small island off the north-west coast. Find out more about Ruairidh’s holiday in this week’s letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 02 Nov 2012
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Letter: 02 Nov 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 694
Árainn Mhór is a small island in Ireland. It’s off the coast of Donegal. Ruairidh was on that island in the nineties. His family was with him. They were on summer holidays. And an amazing thing happened on Árainn Mhór. Find out what that amazing thing was in this week’s letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 26 Oct 2012
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Letter: 26 Oct 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 693
The Soap Man. A man who made a fortune from soap. Lord Leverhulme. He was at one time the landlord of Lewis and Harris. Why is Ruairidh talking about Leverhulme? Well, several weeks ago, he was on another estate that belonged to the man. But he was in England, near Bolton. Find out more in this week’s letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 19 Oct 2012
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Letter: 19 Oct 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 692
Did puirt-à-beul originate because there was a ban on playing the bagpipes? The "ban" was associated with the Act of Proscription in 1747. Ruairidh investigates this and more in this week’s letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 12 Oct 2012
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Letter: 12 Oct 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 691
Ruairidh was telling you about Keith Norman MacDonald. He published the book Puirt-a-Beul: or Songs for Dancing as Practised from a Remote Antiquity by the Highlanders of Scotland in 1901. Was Keith Norman correct? Are puirt-à-beul very old? It’s difficult to be certain. Ruairidh looks at these questions and others in this week's letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 05 Oct 2012
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Letter: 05 Oct 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 690
Have you ever heard of Keith Norman MacDonald? He was a Skyeman. He was born in 1834. He was a doctor. But he was famous for collecting and publishing the music of the Gaels. This year, his collection of puirt-a -beul appeared anew in print. Find out more about the man in this week's letter.
Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 28 Sep 2012
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Letter: 28 Sep 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 689
This week, Ruairidh concludes the exciting story about The Boy and the Blacksmith. John, the blacksmith, had met a princess whose head was on backwards. He promised the king, her father, that he would fix her head. After the disaster with his own wife’s head, can this tale have a happy ending for John? Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 21 Sep 2012
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Letter: 21 Sep 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 688
Ruairidh began to tell us the tale of The Lad and the Blacksmith. John, the blacksmith, saw how a young man fixed a woman’s head, which had been on backwards. He attempted to fix his wife’s twisted neck in the same manner. Is he successful? You’ll have to read this week’s letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 14 Sep 2012
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Letter: 14 Sep 12: Litir do Luch-dionnsachaidh 687
There was once a blacksmith living in the Highlands. He was called John. He had a smiddy and he had a wife. She had a twist in her neck. One day, a young man came to John's smiddy. He had green clothes on. He was carrying a young woman on his shoulders. What is the significance of this couple? Find out in this week’s letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 07 Sep 2012
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Letter: 07 Sep 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 686
Between Loch Ness and the Isle of Skye, the passes through Glenmoriston. There is a cairn in the glen, beside the main road. The cairn commemorates a Jacobite hero, one Roderick MacKenzie. He was killed in that place in 1746. That was three months after the Battle of Culloden. But why was Roderick famous? Find out why in this week’s letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 31 Aug 2012
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Letter: 31 Aug 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 685
You’ll remember last week that Ruairidh was talking about Coinneach Odhar, or The Brahan Seer. Coinneach’s mother was given a special stone from the ghost of a Viking princess. The stone had a hole in it that Coinneach used to look through to foretell the future. What happened to the stone though? That is the subject of this week’s letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 24 Aug 2012
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Letter: 24 Aug 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 684
Ruairidh has another tale about Coinneach Odhar, or Brahan Seer. It is a story about his mother. She received a present from the ghost of a Scandinavian princess. Find out what that gift was and what she had to do with it in this week’s letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 17 Aug 2012
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Letter: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 683
Have you heard of Coinneach Odhar [“Sallow Kenneth”]? He’s known in English as The Brahan Seer. He had the second sight and made predictions. How did Coinneach get the second sight? Ruairidh reveals all in this week’s letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 10 Aug 2012
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Letter: 10 Aug 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnschachaidh 682
Here is a story for you – The One-eyed Miller and the mute Englishman. There was a Scotsman and an Englishman. “There is a mute man in England,” said the Englishman, “who can ask questions nobody can answer.” Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 03 Aug 2012
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Letter: 03 Aug 2012: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 681
Ruairidh has a story for us this week, it is about a man called Red-haired Donald and a skull. Let’s join Donald in the woods where he finds the skull. What is so special about the skull? Listien to this week’s letter to find out. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 27 Jul 2012
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Letter: 27 Jul 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 680
Ruairidh takes inspirationfor this week’s letter from a book about mammals in the Highlands. In this book there is a description of the Feral Goat: unlikely to be confused with any other British mammal. That’s true. Goats are different from sheep. They’re different from roe deer and red deer. But not everybody can tell the difference. In his book In The Shadow of Cairngorm, the Rev. Dr. William Forsyth gives an account of an English hunter. The hunter thought he had killed a roe deer. But it was a goat! Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 20 Jul 2012
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Letter: 20 Jul 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 679
In his book In The Shadow of Cairngorm, the Rev. Dr. William Forsyth says that families of goats would rank themselves in the fold when sleeping at night. At the top would be the mother. Then the daughter. Then the grand-child, and so on, down the generations. This lead Ruairidh to think about the Gaelic terms for the different generations among a person’s descendants. If it’s true for goats, it’s also true for people. Find out more in this week’s letter. Accompanying text is available in both English and Gaelic at bbc.co.uk/litirbheag |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 13 Jul 2012
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Letter: 13 Jul 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 678
You will remember that Ruairidh was telling us about Tannochbrae, Balamory and Glendarroch. They are three fictional places in Scottish television programmes. The names are all Gaelic or semi-Gaelic. This week Ruairidh looks at other popular fictional placenames based in Scotland. Find out more about places like Auchenshoogle and Sheildinch in this week’s letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 06 Jul 2012
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Letter: 06 Jul 12: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 677
Ruairidh has a question for you this week? What do Tannochbrae, Balamory and Glendarroch have in common? Well, they’re all Scottish towns/villages. They were all on television programmes. And they are not real places. The names were made deliberately for a book or TV programme. In each name there is at least one Gaelic element. Balamory and Glendarroch are entirely from Gaelic. Rauiridh takes a deeper look at the Gaelic elements in this week’s letter. Accompanying text is available in both English and Gaelic at bbc.co.uk/litirbheag |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 29 Jun 2012
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Letter: 29 Jun 12: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 676
Ruairidh continues to discuss the Knights Templar, following on from the rumour that they were at Bannockburn. He wonders what happens to them. They were declared illegal by the Pope in 1307 and their buildings, land and finance were confiscated. What happened to the knights themselves? Did they come to Scotland? This is what Ruairidh ponders in this weekâs letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 22 Jun 2012
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Letter: 22 Jun 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 675
The Battle of Bannockburn took place in June 1314. A Scottish army defeated an English army. Some people say that the Scots had a special force of knights. They were extremely skilful at fighting. They were the Knights Templar. Ruairidh can’t say that if the story is true, or not … Why not listen in this week’s letter to find out more? Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 15 Jun 2012
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Letter: 15 Jun 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 674
Ruairidh was talking about Iain Geal Donn from Lochaber. He was plundering cattle in Ross-shire in the seventeenth century. Alasdair Breac of Gairloch was out to stop him and hired Alasdair Buidhe MacAoidh from Strath Oykell. Alasdair Buidhe shot Iain in a shieling bothy in Scardroy in Strathconon. Find out more about this exciting tale in this week’s letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 08 Jun 2012
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Letter: 08 Jun 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh: 673
Ruairidh has a story about how a farm in Ross-shire got its name. The name is Scardroy, or Sgàrd Ruaidh in Gaelic. Ruadh refers to red and according to folklore, it’s the colour of blood. Ruairidh has the full story in this week’s letter.Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 01 Jun 2012
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Letter: 01 Jun 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 672
Ruairidh was in Strathconon in Ross-shire recently. The English name Conon. Part of the River Conon flows through Strathconon into the Cromarty Firth. There are bridges across the river there. When the first bridge was built, people called the place “Conon Bridge”. There is a town there today. Its name in Gaelic is not “Drochaid Chonainn”, it’s Drochaid Sguideil. It doesn’t mean what Gaelic speakers might first expect, Ruairidh ponders the name in this week’s letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 25 May 2012
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Letter: 25 May 12 Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 671
I was telling you about a Gaelic proverb in the book by Thomas Garnett: Is mairg a loisgeadh a thiompan ris. Pity the man who'd burn his harp for him. The proverb is based on an old story. Here's how Thomas Garnett reported it. Find out more in this week's podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 18 May 2012
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Letter: 18 May 12: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 670
Here is an interesting place-name from Mull – Maol Tobar Leac an t-Sagairt. The bare hill of the well of the flagstone, or gravestone, of the priest. But who was the priest? And why was the well named for him? |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 11 May 2012
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Letter: 11 May 12: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 669
There is a statue of Donald Dewar, Scotland’s first First Minister, at the top end of Buchanan Street in Glasgow. But more than two hundred years ago, a memorial was nearly erected there to somebody else. Who? |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 04 May 2012
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Letter: 04 May 12: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 668
Thomas Garnett wrote the book Observations on a Tour Through the Highlands and Part of the Western Isles of Scotland. He was on a journey in the Highlands in 1798. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 27 Apr 2012
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Letter: 27 Apr 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 667
Do you know Loch Innis mo Cholmaig? It’s an unusual place. Why? Well, the name of the loch in English is the Lake of Menteith. “The only lake in Scotland” as people often say – although it’s a “loch” in Gaelic. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 20 Apr 2012
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Letter: 20 Apr 12: Litir do luchd ionnsachaidh 666
Roddy was thinking about Thomas Garnett the other day. Garnett was in the Highlands at the end of the eighteenth century. He wrote a book about his journey – Observations on a Tour Through the Highlands and Part of the Western Isles of Scotland. But why was Roddy thinking about Thomas Garnett? Find out in this week’s podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 13 Apr 2012
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Letter: 13 Apr 12: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 655
There is a seiche in Loch Ness from time to time. Seiche is a word from Swiss French. It looks like seiche in Gaelic. But it doesn’t mean an animal’s hide. It means big waves in a loch. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 06 Apr 2012
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Letter: 06 Apr 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 664
Roddy was looking at old newspapers the other day. They were on the internet. He saw this from the Derby Mercury in November 1755. The report was from Amsterdam. What was in the report? Why did it interest Roddy? Find out in this week's letter! Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 30 Mar 2012
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Letter: 30 Mar 12: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 633
Roddy has traditional story for us in this week's letter - The Old Woman of the Nuts and the Tailor of the Boards. An evil Cailleach (old woman )was living in the Highlands. She got her nickname, 'The Cailleach of the Nuts' because she would always have a bag full of nuts.Find out more in this week's letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 23 Mar 2012
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Letter: 23 Mar 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 662
Have you ever heard the English word – graddaning? It comes from the Gaelic gradan. It means a method of making flour. Do you know the old ways of making flour? People were flailing the corn. They were winnowing it. In addition to the grain, they were getting chaff and straw. The straw was useful as food for cattle. It was also useful for bedding and house thatch. Find out more in this week's letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 16 Mar 2012
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Letter: 16 Mar 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 661
Blessed silverweed of spring, the seventh bread of the Gael. Blessed silverweed of spring, the seventh bread of the Gael. The old Gaels used to eat it regularly. Sometimes they cultivated it. The silverweed is the seventh bread. What are the other six? Find out in this week’s letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/liti |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 09 Mar 2012
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Letter: 09 Mar 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 660
Roddy was telling you about the brisgean, or silverweed. It can be found in sandy areas. There is lots on the island machairs. Roddy tried the silverweed once, he didn’t think much of it. The old Gaels ate it when food was scarce. Did they eat it at other times? Find out more in this week's letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 02 Mar 2012
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Letter: 02 Mar 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 659
Spring – the season of hunger. Well, traditionally, at least. Food was scarce in Spring. What did people eat? Well, a proverb tells us. In Spring, when the sheep is thin, the shellfish are fat. Find out more in this week's letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 24 Feb 2012
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Letter: 24 Feb 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 658
In 1768, Dugald Buchanan received some tragic news. Although, he was still in Edinburgh, his family was still in in Kinloch Rannoch and were suffering from fever. He decided the besting to do was go home. However, he contracted the fever himself. He died. He was just 52 years old. Find out how the community commemorated Buchanan's life in this week's letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 17 Feb 2012
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Letter: 17 Feb 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 657
Religion caused Dugald Buchanan distress. The Jacobite rebellion didn’t help him. Dugald was against the Prince’s cause. But he was angry about the way in which Highland soldiers were put to death in Carlisle. He wanted revenge. But he was also wanting to grant the murderers forgiveness. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 10 Feb 2012
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Letter: 10 Feb 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 656
Roddy continues with his tales of Dugald Buchanan, whose faith was not strong as a teenager. Roddy recounts a tale where Dugald’s life appears to have been saved by divine intervention.
Find out more in this week’s letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 03 Feb 2012
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Letter: 03 Feb 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 655
Roddy is reading from In the autorbiography of The Life and conversion of Dugald Buchanan a famous Gaelic spiritual poet. Dugald had crises of faith when he was young. He had been brought up in a very pious household. He was sent away to work when he was twelve. A significant incident happened whilst he was there. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 27 Jan 2012
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Letter: 27 Jan 11: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 654
Roddy takes inspiration for this week’s letter from a Gaelic autobiography. The author and subject is Dugald Buchanan, who was famous as a spiritual poet and helped translate the New Testament into Gaelic. Roddy investigates some of the spiritual things that Dugald saw. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Thu, 19 Jan 2012
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Letter: 20 Jan 11: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 653
This week Roddy brings you a story from a book that was published last year. He read it online. He is enjoying the book very much and ends with a puzzle. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 13 Jan 2012
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Letter: 13 JAn 11: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 652
This week, Roddy has a different story from last week, but with the same name, Luran. This story is from Barra, and the Luran at the centre of the story is a crofter. The choice of breakfast also becomes pertinent. Luran notices a cow or steer goes missing every Halowe’en! How can he stop this from happening and who is taking them? Find out in this week’s letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 06 Jan 2012
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Letter: 06 Jan 12: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 651
Roddy has a story from Barra and a different story from South Uist. They have one thing in common– the same title - Luran. This week Roddy begins the story based in North Uist. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 30 Dec 2011
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Letter: 30 Dec 11: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 650
Roddy reads another important part of the Declaration of Arbroath. It leads him to wonder what is the significance to Scotland of the Declaration and the importance to Gaels. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 23 Dec 2011
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Letter: 23 Dec 11: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 649
Roddy looks back into history for this week's letter. He looks into the history of the The Declaration of Arbroath. Roddy reads one of the most famous passages in Gaelic. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 16 Dec 2011
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Letter: 16 Dec 11: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 648
Roddy was in Wales recently. He noticed that the area was beautiful and that the language was strong. There is lots of language in that area that is easy for a Gael to understand. Snowdonia is the highest mountain, or Yr Wyddfa, in Welsh. It has a very unexpected meaning. Find out what that meaning is and the amazing story behind it, in this week’s letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 09 Dec 2011
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Letter: 09 Dec 11: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 647
Caithness was a miserable place under Campbell’s Earldom. Rent was unpaid, the Earl’s buildings were destroyed and his livestock was stolen. Campbell retaliated by sending military force. The Sinclairs of Caithness and the Campbells began a fierce battle. Who were successful and how did they celebrate their victory? Unlock the secret of the name of the place in this week’s letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 02 Dec 2011
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Letter: 02 Dec 11: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 646
Roddy has been on a walk in Caithness on a famous site. The name is in Gaelic and commemorates an event in 1680. The name is Altimarlach or Allt nam Mèirleach and translates as The Burn of the Robbers. There is a memorial stone there commemorating a battle that took place there. Who were the robbers and why is the battle being commemorated? Roddy sets the scene for the battle that took place there, the Battle of Altimarlach. Duelling lairds and a disputed title; 19th Century politics and intrigue, join Roddy and learn more with this week’s letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 25 Nov 2011
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Letter: 25 November 11 : Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh
Do you know the word geodha or geo? Geodha in Gaelic, geo in Scots. It’s plentiful in place-names in the north of Scotland. It’s especially plentiful in Caithness. There are a few examples of Gaelic names in Caithness, such as Geodha nam Fitheach. But most of them have a Scots or Scandinavian form. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 18 Nov 2011
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Letter: 18 Nov 11: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 644
Will the soldier ever make his way to the Kingdom of Coldness to find his lost love? Who will help him on his way and who will impede him? He will meet another man with a beard, a giant and an eagle on his way! Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 11 Nov 2011
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Letter: 11 Nov 11: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 643
As the story gathers pace, the beautiful woman escapes the clutches of the Awisks, she makes a promise with the soldier. However, he meets some very interesting people when he leaves the castle. A fairy woman, and some bearded men with very strange preening devices meet him on his way. Download the next instalment for more information. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 04 Nov 2011
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Letter: 04 Nov 11: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 642
Sometimes there is more to a beautiful woman than meets the eye! Part of the mystery of the beautiful woman who gives food to the soldiers, but takes away the light. Why does she punish kindness? Why is she in this castle? The final soldier enters the room? Will he meet her challenge and uncover the mystery! Find out more in this week’s podcast.
Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 28 Oct 2011
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Letter: 28 Oct 11: Litir do Luchd ionnsachaidh 641
AMHAISG – do you know what this word means? It means a very small person of bad intention. Roddy has a story for you this week which is called “Na h-Amhaisgean”, or the Three Soldiers.
The three soldiers in question are hungry after a quest and follow a big dog who promises them that there is a house close to them. Find out what happens at this house in this week’s podcast.
Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Sat, 22 Oct 2011
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Letter: 21 Oct 11: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 640
Hidden gold! Bonnie Prince Charlie! The Jacobites! Magic, mystery and mayhem. What more could you want from this week’s letter? Who found the hidden gold of the Jacobites and is it still there? Did it have an impact on the land, its legend and placename? There is only one way to find out; listen and learn!
Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 14 Oct 2011
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Letter: 14 Oct 11: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 639
Another fascinating tale from Loch Ewe – this week it’s about a fair-haired chap. He has gold and the news soon spreads round the region, but what are the consequences of this? Learn more about this tale involving mysterious people, French gold, a missing messenger and Bonnie Prince Charlie!
Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 07 Oct 2011
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Letter: 07 Oct 11: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 638
There is a loch in Wester Ross called Loch an Draing on the map. It’s near Loch Ewe. The meaning of the name, Loch an Draing isn’t clear. Local people don’t say “Loch an Draing”. They say “Locha Druing” no “Locha Dring”. Roddy has a story from the area about a fairy, listen to the podcast to find out more.
Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 30 Sep 2011
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Letter: 30 Sep 11: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 637
Papar – Gaelic-speaking hermits – were living in Iceland in the year 870. Íslendingabók tells us that. That’s the year the Norse appeared. The papar left. They did not return. They left bells and books on the island. Were they the only Gaels that went to Iceland and were to be found there? Find out in this week’s podcast? Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 23 Sep 2011
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Letter: 23 Sep 11: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 636
The Norse influenced the Gaelic language. But did the Gaels influence the Norse language? Well, yes, to a small degree. Roddy was in Iceland recently. There is a debate going on there – what effect did the Gaels have on the island? Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 16 Sep 2011
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Letter: 16 Sep 11: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 635
Roddy was in Iceland recently and saw interesting place-names. They reminded him of place-names in Scotland. For example, the capital city, Reykjavik. You’ll know the word in Scots and English – reek. Edinburgh had the nickname Auld Reekie. Reykja-vík means “reeky bay” or “smoky bay”. There are several places in Iceland with reykja- in the name. Those are places where smoke rises from the ground. He's got more information on the place-names of Iceland in this week's podcast.
Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 09 Sep 2011
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Letter: 09 Sep 11: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachadh 634
The Westmann Islands in Iceland are small but rugged. From the mainland, the view of the islands reminded Roddy of St Kilda. It’s submarine volcanoes that made them. That was eleven thousand years ago. Ruairidh has plenty of stories about them. Learn more in this week's podcast. Accompanying text is available in both English and Gaelic at bbc.co.uk/litirbheag. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 02 Sep 2011
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Letter: 02 Sep 11: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh
Roddy often goes to Scandinavia. A short while ago, he went to a Scandinavian country that was new to him – Iceland. He really enjoyed it. He found something that surprised him. It was how often he saw and heard things with connections to Scotland. Find out what these where in this week’s podcast. Accompanying text is available in both English and Gaelic at bbc.co.uk/litirbheag. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 26 Aug 2011
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Letter: 26 Aug 11: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 632
Roddy was telling you about cairidhean/yairs. There were lots of them in the Beauly Firth, west of Inverness. In olden times it was called Poll an Ròid in Gaelic. That means “the inlet of the rood or cross”. That’s the same Rood as in Holyrood House in Edinburgh. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 19 Aug 2011
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Letter: 19 Aug 11: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 631
There are cairidhean/yairs in many places in the Highlands. They are all old. People haven’t used them for a long time. Cairidh means a small stone wall that people were building on a beach. Fish were swimming over the wall with the flood tide. When the ebb occurred, the water left; but the fish didn’t leave. It was easy for people to pick up the fish from the sand. Find out more in this week's podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 12 Aug 2011
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Letter: 12 Aug 11: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 630
Here is a traditional story – "The Ox and the Donkey". An ox and a donkey were lived on the same farm. The ox had a poor life. He worked every day from dawn to dusk. But the donkey had a good life. He didn't do any work. He just rested. One day, the ox said to the donkey, "I'm fed up of working all the time." "You do too much," the donkey agreed. "You plough, you harrow and you pull a cart. I'll tell you what to do. Pretend you’re not well. Then you won’t have any work." Find out more in this week's podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 05 Aug 2011
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Letter: 05 Aug 11: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 629
This is in Dwelly’s dictionary – ùruisg: ‘being supposed to haunt lonely and sequestered places, water-god’. People were believing in urisks in many places. They were strong in Perthshire. A verse names the best-known ones in Breadalbane. Learn more about this verse and the characters in it, in this week'd podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 29 Jul 2011
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Letter: 29 July 11: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 628
Roddy was telling you about Taigh nam Bodach, or Taigh na Cailliche, near Loch Lyon. People put the stones out of the ‘house’ every Beltane. They bring them in again for the winter at Halloween. Find out more in this week's podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 22 Jul 2011
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Letter: 22 July 11 : Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 627
Bha mi ag innse dhuibh mu Thaigh nam Bodach – no Taigh na Cailliche – ann an Gleann Cailliche ann an Siorrachd Pheairt. Tha iomadh ciall air an fhacal cailleach. Seo na tha aig Dwelly: old woman, nun agus supernatural or malign influence dwelling in dark caves, woods and corries. Tha iomadh stòiridh againn mu na cailleachan a bha a' fuireach anns na beanntan. Lorg mi còrr is ceud ainm-àite ann an Alba anns a bheil am facal 'cailleach'. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 15 Jul 2011
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Letter: 15 July 11 : Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 626
Ruairidh tell us more about MacGregor's Leap. Gregor MacGregor jumped over it in the sixteenth century. There was another man who tried to do the same thing. He was an acrobat. But he didn’t succeed. He lost his life. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 08 Jul 2011
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Letter: 08 July 11 : Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 625
We're still in Glenlyon in Perthshire. West of Fortingall, the road is close to the river. There is a thick wood there. The river is in a gorge. It is fast-running and narrow. On the map it's called MacGregor’s Leap. Leum Mhic-Griogair. But who was the MacGregor? Why was he jumping? |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 01 Jul 2011
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Letter: 01 Jun 11: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 624
Roddy was telling you about Fortingall in Perthshire. The name means “the church of the fort”. Was the place sacred to the pagans, before there was a church there? Some people think it was because there is a famous yew tree growing next to the church. It’s very old. They say that it’s the oldest tree in Europe. It’s between two thousand and five thousand years old. It’s not whole now. But it’s still alive! Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 24 Jun 2011
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Letter: 23 Jun 11L Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 623
Ruairidh was recently in Glenlyon in Perthshire. That area is famous for history and oral tradition. And, according to oral tradition, the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, was born in the area. His father was in Scotland as part of the Roman army. Accompanying text is available in both English and Gaelic at bbc.co.uk/litirbheag. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 17 Jun 2011
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Letter: 17 Jun 11: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 622
This week Roddy tells us about a programme that he's been enjoying. It's from Denmark. It is called Forbrydelsen. That means “The Killing”. It takes place in Copenhagen. It’s about murder and the investigation the police make. It inspires Roddy to think about Danish, English, Scots and Gaelic words connected with death. Find out more in this week's podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 10 Jun 2011
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Letter: 10 Jun 11: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 621
Last week Roddy told us the story The Descendants of the Speckled Horse who was Never Wise. It’s from the Loch Lomond area. The story tells how the name Mac an Oighre or MacNair/Macnair came into being. Mac an Oighre means “the son of the heir”. This week he shares another story from the area. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 03 Jun 2011
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Letter: 03 Jun 11: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 620
What’s the Gaelic for MacNair/Macnair? Well, in Rossshire it’s Mac ̓an Uidhir. It means Mac Iain Uidhir. That’s the old form of Mac Iain Odhair or “the son of John of the sallow complexion”. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 27 May 2011
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Letter: 27 May 11: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 619
Roddy was telling you about the Bràisteach Mòr, George Gunn. He was the clan chief of the Gunns. Roddy told how he and seven of his sons were killed. That was in combat with the Keiths of Ackergill. The Keiths stole the famous brooch and a sword from the Bràisteach Mòr’s body. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 20 May 2011
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Letter: 20 May 11: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 618
Roddy continues his tale about George Gunn, the clan chief of the Gunns. He had a nickname – the Bràisteach Mòr [“the great brooched one”]. He was alive in the 15th Century. He had a castle at Kinbrace in Sutherland. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 13 May 2011
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Letter: 13 May 11: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 617
The village of Kinbrace is in the county of Sutherland. The Gaelic for it is Ceann a’ Bhràist. Find out more in this week's podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Sat, 07 May 2011
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Letter: 07 May 11: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 616
St Andrews is the English name for the town in Fife, Cill Rìmhinn. To begin with, "St Andrews" was connected only to the church. It wasn’t connected to the town.Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Sat, 30 Apr 2011
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Letter: 30 April 11 : Letter to Gaelic Learners 615
There is a town in Fife called Cill Rìmhinn. It’s not a big town. But it’s famous. It was important in the history of Scotland. And it’s still important to golf and golfers. It has a link to the patron saint of Scotland – St Andrew. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 22 Apr 2011
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Letter: 22 Apr 11: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 614
This week Ruairidh shares an old song with you. The song is old. It’s from the parish of Loch-carron in Wester Ross.Find out more in this week's podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 15 Apr 2011
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Letter: 15 Apr 11 Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 613
I was telling you last week about the song The Thistle of Scotland. It was the Loch Fyne bard, Evan MacColl, that wrote it. I was in the parish in which he was born recently. There is a memorial to him at Kenmore, on the shore of Loch Fyne. MacColl was born at Kenmore in 1808. The memorial was erected for him in 1930. Find out more in this week's podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 08 Apr 2011
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Letter: 08 Apr 11 Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 612
The Thistle of Scotland is a famous plant of virtues, Neat plant of the prickly tufts which are provenly hard; A magnificent emblem of my beautiful beloved land, Often its fame kindled a bonfire in my cheek. Do you recognise the verse? Find out more in this week's podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 01 Apr 2011
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Letter: 01 Apr 11 Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 611
A new book came out recently. It's called "Gnàthasan-Cainnt". That means "idioms". They are collected from people that belonged to Lewis, Harris, North Uist and Berneray. I'm going to give you an example or two from the book. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 25 Mar 2011
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Letter: 25 Mar 11 Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 610
I'm going to finish the history of the painting The Death of the Stag by the American painter, Benjamin West. Francis Humberston MacKenzie was going to hang the painting in his castle, Brahan Castle in Rossshire. Through the 1790s, however, the castle was being developed. Thus, the painting remained in London, in Benjamin West's studio. It was there for thirty years. Find out more in this week's podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 18 Mar 2011
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Letter: 18 Mar 11 Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 609
The painting The Death of the Stag is in the National Gallery of Scotland. It shows Colin Fitzgerald. He is saving the life of King Alexander III. Colin was the progenitor, according to oral tradition, of the MacKenzie clan. The MacKenzies were loyal to the Kings of Scotland. But the fifth Earl of Seaforth, William MacKenzie, supported the Jacobites in their rebellion in 1715. He lost his title and he lost his land. Find out more in this week's podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 11 Mar 2011
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Letter: 11 Mar 11 Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 608
The painting The Death of the Stag is in the National Gallery of Scotland. It's a large painting. It shows Colin Fitzgerald saving the life of a Scottish King. That was Alexander III. The King was in danger from an angry stag. But who was Colin Fitzgerald? He was an ancestor, according to oral tradition, of the man who ordered the painting – Francis Humberston MacKenzie. Find out more in this week's podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 04 Mar 2011
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Letter: 04 Mar 11 Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 607
Do you know the National Gallery of Scotland? It's in Edinburgh. In the big chamber, on your right, there is the largest painting in the gallery.
In the picture, a Scottish King has fallen from a horse. He and some others were hunting in the Highlands. The King – Alexander III – is lying on the ground. He is in danger from a stag. The stag is angry. Another man is going to thrust a spear into the stag. There are dogs, hunters and other horses.
The name of the painting is Alexander III of Scotland Rescued from the Fury of a Stag by the Intrepidity of Colin Fitzgerald.
Find out more in this week's podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 25 Feb 2011
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Letter: 25 Feb 11 Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 606
I'm going to finish the story Great Gulp. The Widow's Son wanted to marry the King's daughter. But the King wasn't willing to give him his daughter. Find out more in this week's podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 18 Feb 2011
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Letter: 18 Feb 11 Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 605
I'm telling the story Great Gulp. The Widow's Son wanted to marry the King's daughter. The King wasn't willing to give him his daughter. Find out more in this week's podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 11 Feb 2011
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Letter: 11 Feb 11 Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 604
I was telling you the old story Great Gulp. The Widow's Son built a vessel. He was hoping to marry the King's daughter. The vessel was good at sailing on sea or land. The Widow's Son was the skipper. Find out more in this week’s podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 04 Feb 2011
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Letter: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 603 04 Feb 11
Here's an old Gaelic story called Great Gulp. A king had a daughter. She was exceptionally beautiful. Many men wanted to marry her. But she was only going to marry a man who would build a ship that would sail on sea and on land. Find out more in this week's podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 28 Jan 2011
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Letter: 28 Jan 11: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh
The Rev James Stuart [also "Stewart"] made the first translation of the New Testament into Scottish Gaelic. He was the minister in Killin in Perthshire. The New Testament appeared in 1767. James Stuart was born in 1700 in Glen Finglas in the Trossachs. He became a minister in Killin in 1737. Find out more in this week's podcast. Find out more in this week’s podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 21 Jan 2011
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Letter: 21 Jan 11: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 601
Three people were heavily involved in bringing the Bible to the Gaels of Scotland in Gaelic. The first man was Robert Boyle, the son of the Earl of Cork. The second man was James Kirkwood, a minister who was once living in Perthshire. And the third person? He was Robert Kirk, minister in Aberfoyle in the Trossachs. Kirk brought out the Irish Bible in Latin script for the Gaels of Scotland in 1690. Find out more in this week's podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 14 Jan 2011
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Letter: 14 Jan 11: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 600
In the seventeenth century, many people in the Church in Scotland were opposed to the Gaelic language. Thus, no translation was made of the Bible into Gaelic. But the situation was better in Ireland. In the seventeenth century, the New Testament and the Old Testament appeared in Irish Gaelic. They had surplus copies of the Old Testament. They sent some to Scotland. Find out more in this week's podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 07 Jan 2011
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Letter: 07 Jan 11: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 599
I'm going to read a verse from the Bible. It's from the New Testament. Here it is: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. That is a new translation of the Gospel according to John, Chapter 1, Verse 1. Find out more in this week's podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 31 Dec 2010
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Letter: 31 Dec 10: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 598
People ask me, "Is Hogmanay a Gaelic word?" Well, no. Hogmanay came into English and Scots from French. Find out more in this week's podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 24 Dec 2010
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Letter: 24 Dec 10: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 597
The Gaelic for Christmas is Nollaig. We say, "Nollaig chridheil dhuibh" for "Merry Christmas to you". In the old days, there were two Nollaigs – the Nollaig Mhòr and the Nollaig Bheag. Find out more in this week's podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 17 Dec 2010
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Letter: 17 Dec 10: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 596
Have you ever heard of faire chlaidh? Graveyard watch. Faire chlaidh. People believed that the spirit of a person who had been buried kept watch over the dead. He did that until another man was buried. People didn't want that spirit to keep vigil too long. Find out more in this week’s podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 10 Dec 2010
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Letter: 10 Dec 10: Litir do Luchd-Ionnsachaidh 595
The Lochaber Bard, John MacDonald, was recorded by the School of Scottish Studies. He has stories and anecdotes on the Tobar an Dualchais website.
Find out more in this week's podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 03 Dec 2010
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Letter: 03 Dec 10: Litir do Luchd-Ionnsachaidh 594
Calum Maclean met John MacDonald, the "Lochaber Bard", in January 1951. Calum was famous for collecting Gaelic oral tradition. John was famous, at least locally, as a poet and storyteller. Find out more in this week’s podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 26 Nov 2010
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Letter: 26 Nov 2010: Litir do Luchd-Ionnsachaidh 593
I'm going to finish the traditional story, Billy. This young guy, Billy, was keen on thieving. The gentleman wanted to set him one more test. Find out more in this week's podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 19 Nov 2010
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Letter: 19 Nov 2010 Litir do Luchd-Ionnsachaidh 592
I'm contining with the story, Bilidh. Find out more in this week's podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 12 Nov 2010
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Letter: 12 Nov 10: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 591
This week Ruairidh has a traditional tale from Barra for you. The name of the story is “Bilidh”. The tale was collected with others in the 19th century. Billy was a farmer’s son who wished to become a master of thievery. Learn more about this character and his wily ways in this week’s podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 05 Nov 2010
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Letter: 05 Nov 10: Litir do Luchd-Ionnsachaidh 590
We have a nice song in Gaelic. It's a lullaby. It's name is Uiseag Bheag Dhearg. In the song a child is speaking to a lark. The lark tells where it was sleeping. It slept badly in the bramble bush. It slept badly at sea. But it slept well between two leaves. If it works well, the child will be asleep before the end of the song.
Find out more in this week’s podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 29 Oct 2010
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Letter: 29 Oct 10: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 589
I was telling you about the Bratach Shìth – or Fairy Flag. It’s in Dunvegan Castle on Skye. People were saying – when it’s raised at a time of conflict, that a fairy host will come. The fairies will give help to the people who have the flag. Find out more in this week’s podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 22 Oct 2010
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Letter: 22 Oct 10: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 588
The Fairy Flag is famous. It’s on the Isle of Skye. It belongs to the Clan MacLeod of Dunvegan. It’s in Dunvegan Castle. In English it’s called the Fairy Flag. The flag is made of silk. It’s very old. And valuable. Learn more about this famous artefact in this week’s podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Sat, 16 Oct 2010
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Letter: 16 Oct 10: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 587
The Gaelic for The Milky Way is Slighe Chlann Uisnich [“the path of the children of Uisneach]. Milky Way came into English from the Latin Via Lactea. Many languages took their name for the Milky Way from Latin. The Romance languages themselves are like that. In Italy, for example, it’s Via Lattea. The German Milchstraße and the Dutch Melkweg are trans-lations from Latin. As are the names in the Slavic languages. Find out more in this week’s podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 08 Oct 2010
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Letter: 08 Oct 10: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 586
The Scot Gregor MacGregor was in France. He had been involved in fraud. Many people went to Poyais in Central America. MacGregor was praising Poyais. But the country didn’t exist. The people lost a lot of money. Find out more about this scallywag in this week's podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 01 Oct 2010
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Letter: 01 Oct 10: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 585
The Scot Gregor MacGregor was involved in deceit. He created an imaginary country. That was Poyais. It was in the Gulf of Honduras in Central America. MacGregor was saying that he was His Serene Highness Gregor I, Prince of Poyais. Was he out of his mind. No. But he was dishonest. Find out more in this week’s podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 24 Sep 2010
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Letter: 24 Sep 10: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 584
More about Neil MacLeod of Lewis. He was a murderer. But he stood against the Fifers who were trying to take Lewis over. To some he was a hero. In the government’s opinion he was a criminal. Learn more in this week’s podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 17 Sep 2010
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Letter: 17 Sep 10: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 583
At the beginning of the seventeenth century, a group of Lowlanders from Fife went to Stornoway. They were the Fife Adventurers. They were going to set up a colony in Lewis. They had support from the King, James VI. Neil MacLeod, and other MacLeods, stood against them. The MacLeods destroyed the Fifers’ stronghold. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 10 Sep 2010
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Letter: 10 Sep 10: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 582
In the nineteenth century, there was a Procurator Fiscal in Stornoway called Thomas Drummond. He tried to change the name of the town. He wasn't pleased with Stornoway. Find out more with Ruairidh in this week's little letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 03 Sep 2010
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Letter: 03 Aug 10: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 581
Ruairidh likes the place name Steòrnabhagh. What is your opinion of it? Ruairidh reckons that it’s attractive in English as well. Stornoway. It’s a Norse name. It was Stjórnarvágr. That means the bay of the rudder or the bay of the steering – in English, rudder bay or steering bay. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 27 Aug 2010
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Letter: 27 Aug 10: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh
Here is the story An Nios agus an Sionnach. The Weasel and the Fox. An Nios agus an Sionnach. It’s from Loch Lomondside. Foxes are very crafty. But this weasel was craftier. Listen to this story in this week’s podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 20 Aug 2010
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Letter: 20 Aug 10: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 579
Last week Ruairidh was talking about the word samh. That’s the Gaelic for the common sorrel or sourock, Rumex acetosa. He was saying that perhaps the name came from Polish to Yiddish to English to Gaelic. This week, Ruairidh has a story about sorrel depicting its healing properties. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 13 Aug 2010
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Letter: 13 Aug 10: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 578
The plant Rumex acetosa is called samh in Gaelic. People call it common sorrel in English. The English name came from the taste of the leaf. It’s sour. In Scots its name is sourock. It’s not too clear where the Gaelic name came from. Does the plant have a strong smell? Find out more in this week's podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 06 Aug 2010
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Letter: 06 Aug 10: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 577
At the end of the last podcast, Ruairidh posed a question. I asked what Oidhche nan Seachd Suipearan (The Night of the Seven Suppers) is. Find out what it is in this week’s podcast! Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 30 Jul 2010
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Letter: 30 Jul 10: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 576
Ruairidh was speaking last week about Seachd Cadalaichean an t-Saoghail. They are The Seven Sleepers of the Earth – creatures that were spending the winter at home, hibernating. They weren’t leaving for a foreign land in the winter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 23 Jul 2010
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Letter: 23 Jul 10: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 575
Have you ever heard about Seachd Cadalaichean an t-Saoghail? The Seven Sleepers of the Earth. Ruairidh tells us more about them in this week's letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 16 Jul 2010
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Letter: 16 Jul 10: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 574
The Rev Alexander Pope was a minister in Reay in Caithness. That was in the eighteenth century. He collected Gaelic oral tradition in Caithness. That was around 1739. Learn one of these tales in this week’s podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 09 Jul 2010
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Letter: 09 Jul 10: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 573
The Rev Alexander Pope was aminister in Reay in Caithness. That was in the eighteenth century. He was a strong man. He had a stick.He was using the stick to “encourage” people to go to church. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 02 Jul 2010
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Letter: 02 Jul 10 Litir do luchd ionnsachaidh
Rev Alexander Pope was a minister in Reay (parish) in the eighteenth century. Reay is in Caithness. Mr Pope spoke Gaelic. It was a Gaelic congregation he had. He was a strong man. He had a stick. He was using the stick on the people of the congregation. Learn more about him in this week’s podcast! Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 25 Jun 2010
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Letter: 25 Jun: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 571
Sandy MacDonald was a gamekeeper in the Cairngorms early in the twentieth century. Sandy found something on the hill after the First World War. He thought it was a bomb, but it was a flare. How did it get there? |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 18 Jun 2010
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Letter: 18 Jun 10: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh: 570
In Perthshire, near Amulree, is Glen Quaich. In that Glen is a loch called “Loch Freuchie. How did the loch get its name? Is it derived from the plant – heather? Well, maybe not according to legend. Find out more in this week’s podcast.
Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 11 Jun 2010
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Letter: 11 Jun 09: Litir do Luchd ionnsachaidh 569
Black, white and red. Three colours that are well known to our ancestors and well used in stories. You will probably have heard of Deirdre and the Sons of Uisne and Ruairidh has a story that involves them and the three colours. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 04 Jun 2010
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Letter: 04 Jun 10: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 568
As Ruairidh was saying last week, he was in the Sami region in the north end of Sweden. He was skiing through the region where people still keep reindeer. He only saw two of them himself, but he saw many people out looking for reindeer. Find out more about hs adventures in this week’s podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 28 May 2010
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Letter: 28 May: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 567
Kebnekaise is the highest mountain in Sweden. Ruairidh visited there at Easter time and tells you more about the mountain this week. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 21 May 2010
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Letter: 21 May 10: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 566
Last week, Ruairidh was telling us about Conlaoch, the Scottish hero who was son of the Ulster hero Cuchullin. Conall, who was related to Cuchullin, according to legend. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 14 May 2010
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Letter: 14 May 10: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 565
This week Ruairidh is going to tell you of a special legend. It is about a strong hero called Conlaoch. He was a Scot. He was a stong hero with links to the Isle of Skye. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 07 May 2010
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Letter: 07 May 10: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 564
Last week Ruairidh was telling us about the different words for elephants and the image that celts had of these great African beasts when Hannibal’s army crossed the Alps to rome on 3BC. Ruairidh continues his theme of elephants in battle in this week’s podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 30 Apr 2010
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Letter: 30 Apr 09: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 563
Ruairidh has a challenge for you this week at the start of the letter. Here are some words from old dictionaries and they all mean the same thing ailp, ailpe, boir, borr and fil. You don’t know them? Never fear, neither did Ruairidh! Find out what they mean in this week’s podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 23 Apr 2010
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Letter: 23 Apr 10: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 562
This week, Ruairidh finishes the story
“The King and the Foal”. The
king said to the man, “Come here
tomorrow. If you don’t tell me
what is swiftest in the world, you’ll
lose your head.” Find out what happened in this week's podcast! Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 16 Apr 2010
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Letter: 16 Apr 10: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 561
Ruairidh continues last week’s story, The King and The Foal. Why not contiue the tale with him in this week’s podcast? Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 09 Apr 2010
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Letter: 09 Apr 10: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 560
This week, Ruairidh has a story for you. It is called "The King and the Foal". Why not listen to this week's story in this week's podcast? Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 02 Apr 2010
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Letter: 02 Apr 10: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 559
Ruairidh was looking at an old page in Mac-Talla. That’s an old newspaper. Mac-Talla was published in Nova Scotia. That was at the end of the 19th Century and beginning of the 20th Century. Find out what he discovered in this week's podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 26 Mar 2010
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Letter: 26 Mar: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 558
Last week, Ruairidh was talking about the lynx and how evidence was uncovered proving it was alive in Scotland in the First Century. This week, he looks at why the lynx left and how other countries which still have lynxes are affected by their presence. Learn more in this week’s podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 19 Mar 2010
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Letter: 19 Mar 10: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 557
When was the lynx last seen in Scotland? Ruairidh is certain that you are familiar with the lynx – a big wildcat that lives in the forests in Asia and Europe. It once lived in Scotland. But when and why did it leave? Learn more about the lynx and Celtic words for this mighty beast in this week’s podcast.
Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 12 Mar 2010
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Letter: 12 Mar 10: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 556
Ruairidh was looking at an electronic map, it was made between 1747 and 1755 by William Roy. Roy was brought up in Lanarkshire, he was in the Hanovarian Army at the time of the Jacobite Rising. Learn more about William Roy in this week’s podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 05 Mar 2010
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Letter: 5 Mar 10: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 555
This week Ruairidh talks of Creag nam Ban, which is near Balmoral, in Aberdeenshire. It's beside the River Dee. And it's above Abergeldie Castle. Creag nam Ban means “the rocky hill of the women”. People say that witches were burned to death there. People still remember the name of one of the witches – Kitty Rankine. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 26 Feb 2010
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Letter: 26 Feb 10: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 554
Last week Ruairidh was talking about John Fraser who was famous for categorising exotic plants. He was born in 1750. Four years later another Gael who was famous for the same reason was born. He was Archibald Menzies. The area was Aberfeldy in Perth. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 19 Feb 2010
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Letter: 19 Feb 10: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 553
Ruairidh is certain that you have heard Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia. She was in charge of Russia at the end of the 18th Century. She was powerful. It seems like she was quite fond of plants – find out more about Catherine the Great in this week’s podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 12 Feb 2010
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Letter: 12 Feb 10: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 552
There are a species of plant called Frasera – for example Frasera speciosa. They are named for a guy John Fraser. He was good at collecting plants. He was very famous. And he was a Gael. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 05 Feb 2010
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Letter: 05 Feb 10: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 551
Ruairidh has a new word for you, Barbag, well, he expects it’s a new word for many of you. If you are wondering what it is, it is a type of plant. Ruairidh will tell you all about this plant and others that are not native to this country and ponders, how did they get here?
Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 29 Jan 2010
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Letter: 29 Jan 10: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 550
This week, Ruairidh finishes the story The Black Bodach of Morven. It's from Braemore in Caithness. The men were in pursuit of the Bodach. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 22 Jan 2010
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Letter: 22 Jan 10: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 549
Braemore is the town nearest the highest mountain in Caithness – Morven. It is 706 metres above sea leve, it is not that tall, but is a lovely sight. It’s a crofting settlement, but it used to have a much larger population, and people used to tell each other stoies, just as they did all over the Highlands. Here is a story from Braemore – The Black Bodach of Morven. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 15 Jan 2010
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Letter: 15 Jan 10: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh
There are two villages in Caithness called Ballachly – the township of the cemetery. There is a Ballachly near Dunbeath. It’s quite well known as archaeologists found interestesting ancient artefacts there. It’s from that wee settlement that the story comes this week. Here is the story – “The Witch of Ballachly”. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 08 Jan 2010
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Letter: 08 Jan 10: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 547
We are still in Caithness looking at the area’s heritage through stories. A short tinme ago Ruairidh received some Caithnessian advice on the influence strong drink has on a person. The advice was what one glass hads on a person, two glasses and finally the effect three glasses has on a person. Ruairidh is talking about whisky here. Find out more in this week’s podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 18 Dec 2009
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Letter: 18 Dec 09: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 546
Ruairidh continues with his journey through Sutherland and Caithness, accompanied by stories from this area. He’s travelling over the border
of Caithness – to the area of Dunbeath; an area renowned for its rich Gaelic storytelling history. He brings us the tale of the three knots. Both the number three and knots are significant in Gaelic heritage. Learn more in this week’s podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 11 Dec 2009
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Letter: 11 Dec 09: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 545
Ruairidh has a story from Cataibh today, it’s about a crofter from Sutherland. Most Crofters were diligent at cutting peats for the cold winter nights and building their stacks. Not all were like this, this particular crofter, he was a thief. Find out about his wily ways in this week’s podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 04 Dec 2009
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Letter: 04 Dec 09: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh
Ruairidh has come across two trees that have Gaelic names, but no English names. He describes these in this week’s podcast. He also describes a tree called “The Làmh Tree”. Find out the origins of this name in this week’s podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 27 Nov 2009
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Letter: 27 Nov 09: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 543
Another letter from Canna this week. Ruaraidh was telling us about Coroghan Castle where the wife of Black Donald of the Cuckoo was held captive. This week, Ruairidh tells us more about this character, a clan-chief who would lock up his wife. Find out more in the podcast.
Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 20 Nov 2009
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Letter: 20 Nov 09: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 542
Ruairidh leaves the Isle of Eigg this week, but he remains in the Small Isles as he heads off to the Isle of Canna.
There is a place in Canna called Coroghon Castle. It’s not a normal castle. In Gaelic it’s called the Corra-dhùn. The steep fort or hill. Although it is not big, it is steep. The building is next to the shore. It is very old. It is in a poor condition. If somebody doesn’t do something soon, it won’t be there long.
Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 13 Nov 2009
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Letter: 13 Nov 09: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 541
The Isle of Eigg’s nickname is the Isle of the Big Women. According to oral tradition, it goes back to the Seventh Century. The island was still under the control of the Picts. Indeed, it was under the control of a Pictish queen. Find out more about Eìgg’s nickname and this Pictish queen in this week’s podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 06 Nov 2009
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Letter: 06 Nov 09: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 540
How familiar are you with Scotland’s islands? This week Ruairidh examines nicknames associated with three islands. Do you where The cross-wise island, The kingdom of the wild forest and The island of the big women are located? Find out in this week’s podcast.
Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 30 Oct 2009
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Letter: 30 Oct 09: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 539
Last week, Ruairidh was telling us about what the opinion Gaels had of goats in times gone by. That was that they were capable of killing and eating snakes. Well, it’s interesting how often the goat appears in Gaelic proverbs “The thing that kept the ivy from the goats”. What does that mean? Find out in this week’s podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 23 Oct 2009
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Letter: 23 Oct 09: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 538
How often have you seen a goat in Scotland? Ruairidh does not mean a big white goat behind a white fence, but wild goats who live in the moors. He has seen some many times, in places like the Black Isle, an Colonsay in Strath Spey and, more recently, in Kinlochewe in Ross-shire.
Learn more about these wild goats in this week’s podcast.
Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 16 Oct 2009
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Letter: 16 Oct 09: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 537
Over the past fortnight Ruairidh has been looking at the poetry and life of Rob Donn. This week, he will take one final look at a piece Rob Donn wrote. This piece is about the difference in attitudes between the Gaels and lowland Scots, in particular the Gaels of the MacKay country.
Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 09 Oct 2009
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Letter: 09 Oct 09: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh
Your ears do not deceive you, the introduction to this week’s letter is the same as last week’s, but Ruairidh just wants to say a little more about this poem. Specifically he wants to talk about the Glen that features in this poem, where there was a beautiful forest. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 02 Oct 2009
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Letter: 02 Oct 09: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 535
Ruairidh begins this week’s letter with a refrain from a famous Gaelic poem originating from one of the most northerly points of the Highlands, the MacKay Country (of North Sutherland). It was written by the famous Gaelic poet, Rob Donn. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 25 Sep 2009
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Letter: 25 Sep 09: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 534
Eric MacLeod and his family moved to Kerracher on the shore of Loch a’ Chàirn Bhàin in Assynt in 1976. The old house wasn’t in a good condition. They had to get a caravan to Kerracher, but unfortunately for them there was no road. Learn more about Kerrochar and the MacLeod family who lived there in this week's podcast.
Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 18 Sep 2009
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Letter: 18 Sep 09: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 533
This summer Ruairidh got the chance to go to a garden that he always wanted to see. It’s a public garden with lovely flowers and it has plenty visitors. In tha way, it’s like Inverewe Gardens or gardens of that type which are all along the Highland coast. There is one difference though, find out what that is, where the garden is and about a family there in this week’s letter. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 11 Sep 2009
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Letter: 11 Sep 09: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 532
More often than not, Ruairidh talks about subjects pertaining to the Highlands. However, this week he will talk to you about an event that occurred, outside the Highlands, although every mothers’ son will understand why this week’s subject affects Ruairidh. Learn what this is and a whole more in this week’s podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 04 Sep 2009
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Letter: 04 Sep 09: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 531
Last week Ruairidh started telling us about The lady of Lawers, who had second sight. It is thought that she lived in the seventeenth century. She planted a tree beside the church in Lawers and she made a prophecy regarding it. At around 1880, two men dug up the tree. As you would expect, things did not go too well for these two. Find out more in this week’s podcast. Accompanying Gaelic text, grammar points and vocabulary are all available at bbc.co.uk/litir. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 28 Aug 2009
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Letter: 28 Aug: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 530
Ben Lawers is above Loch Tay. It
is in Perthshire. The mountain is
very high. It’s covered with snow
in the winter. And it’s famous for
plants.
Lawers is also the name of a
small settlement and an area
adjacent to Loch Tay. Gaelic was
strong in that area at one time.
There was a famous woman once
living in Lawers. She had the
second-sight. Learn more in this week's podcast! |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 21 Aug 2009
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Letter: 21 Aug 2009 : Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 529
Ruairidh talks about the meaning of the word "farach" and The Doctrine of Signatures. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 14 Aug 2009
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Letter: 14 Aug 2009 : Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 528
Ruairidh talks of the the Island of Boreray in this weeks letter. Boreray
means "fort-island" in Old Norse.
It's close to North Uist and Berneray. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 07 Aug 2009
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Letter: 07 Aug 09: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh
Ruairidh discusses the name 'Eddrachillis Bay'. How did it come to be? It cames from Gaelic and in this letter, Ruairidh explains the meaning. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 31 Jul 2009
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Letter: 31 Jul 09: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 526
More magnificent placenames this week, Ruairidh ponders over Eddrachillis Bay. There is only one way to learn about this place and its Gaelic origins, listen to the podcast! |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 24 Jul 2009
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Letter: 24 Jul 09: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 525
Ruairidh recently took a cruise. One of the places he visited was Tobermory, in Mull. Beginning with a very wise proverb, Ruairidh explains some of the things that he saw on the cruise. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 17 Jul 2009
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Letter: 17 Jul 09: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 524
Iain Dubh, An Seòladair, has had some adventures. From rescuing and marrying the Princess of Spain from the band of robbers, to giving peace to three dead men. How will this tale end for the most remarkable of characters? Find out in this week’s podcast! |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 10 Jul 2009
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Letter: 10 Jun 09: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 523
Continuing the adventures of Iain Dubh an Seòladair. Iain is head of the bandits. Learn of what happens when Iain Dubh enters the forbidden room. What does he find? Don’t miss out as this story heats up! |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 03 Jul 2009
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Letter: 03 Jul 09 Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh
Ruairidh continues with his tale of Iain Dubh Leòdhasach, an Seòladair. Learn new phrases and words whilst being entertained by this tale of the sailor from Lewis. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 26 Jun 2009
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Letter: 26 Jun 2009: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 521
This week, Ruairidh invites you to listen to the tale of a sailor called Black-haired John! Sit back and relax and learn of this character from the Isle of Lewis. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 19 Jun 2009
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Letter: 19 Jun 09: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 520
Although the Cromarty Fisherfolk was a form of Scots, there were loads of words that came from Gaelic. Ruairidh runs through some of them. Have a listen to learn more. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 12 Jun 2009
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Letter: 12 Jun 09: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 519
Ruairidh got a new book recently; it's about a dialect in the Highlands that is becoming extinct. Interestingly, he's not talking about a dialect of Gaelic, but English. It’s the “Cromarty Fisherfolk Dialect”. Learn more in this week’s podcast. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 05 Jun 2009
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Letter: 05 Jun 08: Litir do Luchd ionnschaidh 518
Ruairidh moves away from Raasay and talks about a lochan in Islay called Lochan na Nigheadaireachd. He wonders if washing was carried out in this lochan. Flora Macdonald wrote memoirs of her youth in Benbecula, in this she describes the joy of clothes washing! Listen to this fascinating tale and learn new words, phrases and Gaelic similes in this week's podcast. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 29 May 2009
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Letter: 29 May 09: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 517
This wee Ruairidh takes us to Loch nam Mnà in Raasay. Find out how the loch got its name and who was the mysterious lady of this particular lake! |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 22 May 2009
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Letter: 22 May 09: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 516
This week, Ruairidh tells us a bit more about Gilleasbaig, or Archibald, Cook. He was a church minister who gave sermons in both English and Gaelic. Sometimes his sermons were so popular, they had to be held outside the church. He also had an opposing view to alcohol to many of his contemporaries. Learn more in this week's podcast. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 15 May 2009
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Letter: 15 May 09: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 515
This week Ruairidh introduces us to two more Gaelic characters; Archibald and Finlay Cook. Both were born on the island of Arran, but both spoke different dialects of Gaelic. Both brothers were ministers. Archibald travelled and preached in different areas of Scotland. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 08 May 2009
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Letter: 08 May 09: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 514
Among those who are buried in Inchmahome, near The Lake of Menteith, is Robert Cunninghame Graham, or Don Roberto as he was known in his second country, Argentina. Learn all about this man who came from the gentry and what happened on the very first ever day that came to be known as ‘Bloody Sunday’. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 01 May 2009
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Letter: 01 May 09: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 513
We have a treat at the start of this week's podcast! It's another Gaelic riddle, why not pause the podcast and try and solve it? After the riddle, we travel back in time to learn of an important left-wing figure in Scottish politics. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 24 Apr 2009
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Letter: 24 Apr 09: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 512
In the Norwegian town of Otta, there is a statue of a young woman named Pillarguri. She is well known in Norwegian history. In the statue she is blowing a horn. She is commemorating an attack on Scots in Sweden in 1612. In this week’s podcast, find out why the Scots were there and why the Norwegians had to attack! |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 17 Apr 2009
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Letter: 17 Apr 07: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 511
Have you ever heard of the Battle of Kringen? It is a famous Norwegian battle. Find out all about it and Scotlan's relevance to it, in this week's letter. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 10 Apr 2009
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Letter: 10 Apr 09: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 510
Roddy has been ski-ing in mountains in the Rodane in Norway. The Rodane became a national park in 1962. There are small huts and bothys in the Rodane and the Norwegian names for these are very similar to the English names. Find out about these lodges and one in particular with this week's podcast. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 03 Apr 2009
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Letter: 03 Apr 09: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 509
"Mark my word, Pat, she'll be an unlucky ship." This week, hear how Peter Morrison from Grimsay overheard two Irishmen talking as the Titanic launched in Belfast. Did one of the old men see an omen or supernatural warning? |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 27 Mar 2009
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File Size: 2.55 MB
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Letter: 27 Mar 09: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 508
Roddy has a new book, Thugam agus Bhuam, by Patrick Morrison. It is a collection of stories. A wee bit of Patrick's own tale is given and Roddy begins a new tale about when Patrick saw the Titanic. NEW! AN LITIR BHEAG, or The Little Letter is now available as a podcast! |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 20 Mar 2009
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File Size: 2.55 MB
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Letter: 20 Mar 09: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 507
This week, Roddy tells of a place close to Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh which is
called Croft-an-Righ. Not Croit an
Rìgh, but Croft-an-Righ. Without question, it’s a Gaelic name. How
did it get its title? Find out in this week's podcast. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 13 Mar 2009
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File Size: 2.56 MB
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Letter: 13 Mar 09: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 506
There is a route in Edinburgh
called Piper’s Walk. It’s on
Arthur’s Seat. Roddy will tell you
how Piper’s Walk got its name – at
least, according to oral tradition. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 06 Mar 2009
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File Size: 2.43 MB
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Letter: 06 Mar 09: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 505
This week, Roddy researches how Arthur's Seat, situated in Edinburgh's Holyrood Park, got its name and whether or not it's connected to King Arthur. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 27 Feb 2009
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Letter: 27 Feb 09: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 504
Roddy got a letter himself this week. The correspondent advised him to type in 'Caithness' into the online version of Dwelly. One hundred and twenty four words cropped up and Roddy takes us through the most unusual words |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 20 Feb 2009
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Letter: 20 Feb 09: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 503
A valuable resource for Gaelic learners over several generations has been Edward Dwelly's dictionary. There are many interesting words to be found within its pages, Roddy looks at some of these words and their origins. Two plucky people recently put the dictionary online, listen to how they achieved this mammoth task! |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 13 Feb 2009
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Letter: 13 Feb 09: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 502
Do you know the word muir? It
means “sea”. A’ mhuir – the sea.
Do you know the word tìr? It
means “land”. An tìr – the land.
Muir is tìr – the sea and the land.
Both are important in the
Gaidhealtachd.
Well, this week Roddy has a conundrum for you: what does 'Muir-thìreach' mean? He explains in the later and brings a whole host of intriguing words that appear in a new online dictionary. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 06 Feb 2009
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Letter: 06 Feb 2009: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 501
Do you know what the word Cùtach means? Many apply it to today's dialect of Gaelic. Do you agree? The word also leads Roddy to think about the dialect of Gaelic that orginated from Aberdeen. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 30 Jan 2009
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Letter: 30 Jan 09: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 500
Roddy is delighted to present the 500th Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh and would like to thank those who have contacted him regarding Litir.
This week's letter concludes the tale of Cù Fhearchair Bhà in. What exactly happened to Fraoch on that night? What was that devilish sound the couple heard? Find out by listening to this week's podcast. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 23 Jan 2009
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Letter: 23 Jan 09: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 499
Listen to the story of an amazing dog in Cù Fhearchair Bhàin. It is about a wonderdog called Fraoch who was an excellent sheepdog and was quite a character! In this tale, we'll hear of what happened to a couple who came to the master's house one eerie night........ |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 16 Jan 2009
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Letter: 16 Jan 09: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 498
We come to the end of our fascinating journey along the Antonine Wall. Roddy looks at the other names of Forts that may have originated from Gaelic. He finishes by ruminating that although the Romans only used the wall for a generation, the legacy has lasted much longer. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 09 Jan 2009
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Letter: 09 Jan 09: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 497
More fascinating stories emerge from the forts that run along the Antonine Wall. Are you familiar with how the name Bearsden came to be the name of the town. It was not the original name of the town and only came to be after a technological advancement. find out what it was and much more in this week's podcast. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 02 Jan 2009
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Letter: 02 Jan 09: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 496
Bliadhna Mhath Ùr! The first letter of the year and Roddy is looking at the biggest structure that the Romans ever built in Scotland, the Antonine Wall. A brief history of Antoninus is given, connections and comparisons to Hadrian are made, before Roddy gives us an introduction to the first couple of forts along the wall. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 26 Dec 2008
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Letter: 26 Dec 08: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh
Roddy examines more Galatian history and culture and wonders what sort of language they spoke |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 19 Dec 2008
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Letter: 19 Dec 08: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 494
Roddy looks at one of the most famous letters ever written, one that's been translated into many different languages. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 12 Dec 2008
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Letter: 12 Dec 08: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 493
As the sorry chapter of Robbie Northway ends, another opens about another bothy-dwelling character. The old fox, or James McRory Smith, lived in a bothy in Strathcailleach for thirty years. Listen to this week's podcast to learn all about his wiley ways! |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 05 Dec 2008
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Letter: 05 Dec 08: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 492
The final instalment of the strange tale of the Northways unfolds. The twists and turns unfold and unfurl, but does the tale of Robbie echo similar circumstances to events that happened years ago in the area? |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 28 Nov 2008
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Letter: 28 Nov 08: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 491
The strange case of the Northways and their animals moving into a bothy caused uproar with local crofters. It caused the authorities quite a headache. Learn more by listening to the podcast! |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 21 Nov 2008
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Letter: 21 Nov 08: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 490
This week, Roddy examines several Sutherland place names. Also, hear an unusual story about a couple who moved into Srathan Bothy in 2000 along with their animals. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 14 Nov 2008
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Letter: 14 Nov 08: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 489
This week Roddy re-acquaints us with an offical bird of state in America. The name of the bird looks like a Greek word, however the name originated from Gaelic. Find out about the name, the state and the mighty bird itself! |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 07 Nov 2008
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Letter: 07 Nov 08: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 488
The final instalment of the fascinating school, Keil School, is given. Rugby and Gaelic are added to the school's curriculum - two big, bold moves! |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 31 Oct 2008
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Letter: 31 Oct 08: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 487
The foundations of the school in Keil were laid by Sir William MacKinnon. Find out more about the Kintyre Technical School. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 24 Oct 2008
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Letter: 24 Oct 08: Litir do luchd ionnsachaidh
Campbeltown in Kintyre is the setting of this week's letter. Roddy points out a striking memorial in the town. The figure is of William MacKinnon, a wealthy mercant who originated there. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 17 Oct 2008
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Letter: 17 Oct 08: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 485
In this final instalment, we find out what effect McKenzie's policies had on the Maori. We learn which areas he was radical in and what area he was extremely conservative in. We also learn of how Sir John died. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 10 Oct 2008
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Letter: 10 Oct 08: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 484
Last week we found out what incident shaped Sir John McKenzie's policies. Find out this week about one of those policies and the "999 year lease". |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 03 Oct 2008
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Letter: 03 Oct 08: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 483
Sir John McKenzie, a famous Gaelic-speaking 19th century politician, is the subject of this week's letter. Find out how some etched names on a church window influenced him |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 26 Sep 2008
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Letter: 26 Sep 08: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh
The terrible consequesnces of the statutes of Iona are further explored in this week's letter. Find out the effects that this had on the Gaels and Gaelic. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 19 Sep 2008
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Letter: 19 Sep 08: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 481
A terrible event in the Gaels' history occurred 400 years ago. Roddy looks back on the Statutes of Iona and the terrible effect that they had on the Gaelic language. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 12 Sep 2008
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Letter: 12 Sep 08: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 480
Roddy travels to Wales this week. He is enchanted by the red kite. The hawk was obliterated in Scotland twenty years ago. The hawk has a rich history which is illustrated in this week's podcast. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 05 Sep 2008
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Letter: 05 Sep 08: Litir Do Luchd-ionnsachaidh
Roddy explores the history of Stanley in Perthshire this week. The region's Gaelic roots are explored as he looks to the area's cotton mills. The thistle's importance also stemmed from that area, saving Scots from a vicious end from some barefooted, bloodthirsty Vikings! |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 29 Aug 2008
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Letter: 29 Aug 08: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 478
An ancient feud between the MacSorlie family and Clan Chattan in the Glen Nevis area comes to a violent conclusion when an irate piper plays a war tune. You’ll find out what happened and how the cave, Uamh Shomhairle, played its part and got its name in this week’s podcast. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 22 Aug 2008
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Letter: 22 Aug 08: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 477
Continuing the theme of the Orkney islands, Roddy sails down the Òigh-sgeir in the hope of seeing some sharks, but what happens when he and his fellow voyagers get a bit more than they bargained for? |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 15 Aug 2008
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Letter: 15 Aug 08: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 476
Roddy is at sea for this week's letter. On a recent trip to Orkney he discovered seasickness for the first time. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 08 Aug 2008
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Letter: 08 Aug 08: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 475
Could the origin of the ancient Kirkwall Ba' game lie with the battle between two earls? This was a vicious and bloody battle in which even the victor ultimately met his violent end! |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 01 Aug 2008
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Letter: 01 Aug 08: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 474
The place-names of Orkney are examined this week, including the Glens of Kinnaird on Hoy. Roddy questions whether this name is of Highland origin, just as scholar Hugh Marwick had done years beforehand. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 25 Jul 2008
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Letter: 25 Jul 08: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 473
The similarities between Highland and Scandanavian place names are examined this week. During a recent trip to Orkney, Roddy discovered the majority of the island's place names derived from the old Norse language. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 18 Jul 2008
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Letter: 18 Jul 08: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 472
Find out what became of the prince in the final instalment of 'The Three Green Dogs' tale. Also, Roddy offers an explanation as to how the village of Luss on the banks of Loch Lomond got its name. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 11 Jul 2008
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Letter: 11 Jul 08: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 471
The fascinating tale of 'The Three Green Dogs' continues this week. In this part, the prince comes under the influence of somebody out to do him harm. Listen to this letter and find out what the wrongdoer does and how the mighty hounds react to this! |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 04 Jul 2008
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Letter: 04 Jul 08: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 470
A magic tale of three green dogs, Knowledge, Swiftness and Heaviness are the topic of this week's letter. They are bought by a prince and they help him catch deer, but can they help their royal owner overcome battle with some mischievous giants? |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 27 Jun 2008
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Letter: 27 Jun 08: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 469
Gaelic speakers in Scotland are confident that they have a Gaelic minister looking after the language's interests. Roddy looks to the nineteenth century, when there was a movement to protect Scottish and Irish Gaelic, in Canada! |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 20 Jun 2008
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Letter: 20 Jun 08: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 468
Cho beò ri eun, cho marbh ri cloich. Ruairidh brings you a wealth of Gaelic similies in this week's letter. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 13 Jun 2008
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Letter: 13 Jun 08: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 467
Gaelic has many names for the fingers! Roddy starts off this week's letter with a rhyme his kids learnt at nursery and muses on how the fingers got their splendid names. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 06 Jun 2008
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Letter: 06 Jun 08: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 466
This week's letter looks at the Isle of Skye's famous mountains, The Cuillins. There are many theories as to where their name came from, ranging from two Gaelic heroes, a plant, to ancient Norse words from Viking invaders! |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 30 May 2008
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Letter: 30 May 08: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 465
We all know of St Columba, who connects Scotland with Gleann Cholm Cille in Ireland, however, this week Roddy tells of another connection. Listen to this tale of a very famous Jacobite fleeing Culloden to Gleann Cholm Cille. Can you guess who it is? |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 23 May 2008
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Letter: 23 May 08: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 464
This week, a magic mist in a Donegal glen is explained in a St Columba folk tale. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 16 May 2008
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Letter: 16 May 08: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 463
The traditional tale of "The Lass that Was Sold" reaches its incredible conclusion. Prepare to be amazed as to what happens at the end of her epic journey! |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 09 May 2008
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Letter: 09 May 08: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 462
The traditional tale of "The Lass that was Sold" continues in this week's letter |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 02 May 2008
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Letter: 02 May 08 Litir Do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 461
The traditional tale, The Lass that was Sold, is the subject of Letter 461. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 25 Apr 2008
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Letter: 25 Apr 08 Litir Do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 460
This week, Roddy tells about the ghost of the redcoat soldier, Arthur Davies. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 18 Apr 2008
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Letter: 18 Apr 08 Litir Do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 459
Arthur Davies, a wealthy, well-liked redcoat soldier is the subject of this week's letter. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 11 Apr 2008
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Letter: 11 Apr 08 Litir Do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 458
Roddy continues the tale of the last Jacobite to die on Drumossie Moor at the Battle of Culloden, join him as he recounts the life and times of Patrick Grant! |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 04 Apr 2008
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Letter: 04 Apr 08: Litir Do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 457
The Battle of Culloden is visited in this week's letter. Roddy remembers Patrick Grant, the last man to die on the battlefield and recounts his story. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 28 Mar 2008
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Letter: 28 Mar 08 - Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 456
This week's letter discusses Springtime. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 21 Mar 2008
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Letter: 21 Mar 08 - Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 455
The original Gaelic names given to the months of the year are the subject of this week's letter. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 14 Mar 2008
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Letter: 14 Mar 07: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 454
Saint Paul's mystical powers over animals are the subject of this week's letter |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 07 Mar 2008
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Letter: 07 Mar 08: Litir Do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 453
A Celtic tale is disclosed, this week. Travel with Roddy to a Breton Monastery and learn about Saint Paul! |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 29 Feb 2008
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Letter: 29 Feb 08: Litir Do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 452
Letter 452 tells the story of The Beggar's Death. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 22 Feb 2008
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Letter: 22 Feb 08: Litir Do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 451
A Perthshire ghost is the topic of this week's letter. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 15 Feb 2008
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Letter: 15 Feb 08: Litir Do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 450
A gaelic song about curling is the subject of this week's letter. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 08 Feb 2008
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Letter: 08 Feb 08: Litir Do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 449
This week, Roddy tells us of a 19th century song written about curling. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 01 Feb 2008
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Letter: 01 Feb 08: Litir do luchd-ionnsachaidh 448
This week, Roddy looks at the shamrock and the unique position it holds in Irish storytelling. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 25 Jan 2008
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Letter: 25 Jan 08: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 447
Roddy visits a new exhibition about whales which leads him on to tales about a very famous whale! |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 18 Jan 2008
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Letter: 18 Jan 08: Litir do luchd-Ionnsachaidh 446
Various expressions, similar in both Gaelic and Scots, are examined. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 11 Jan 2008
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Letter: 11 Jan 08: Litir do luchd-Ionnsachaidh 445
The sailing boat, The Linnet, is the subject of this week's letter. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 04 Jan 2008
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Letter: 04 Jan 08: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 444
A tongue twister from Broomton is the topic of this week's letter. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 28 Dec 2007
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Letter: 28 Dec 07: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 443
A verse about Dornoch is the topic of this week's letter. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 21 Dec 2007
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Letter: 21 Dec 07: Litir Do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 442
19th century poverty is central to this week's letter. Roddy outlines the situation and describes a modern group that ensure the impact is never forgotten. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 14 Dec 2007
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Letter: 14 Dec 07: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 441
Find out what happens when Roddy accepts an invitation from an Irish Haad of State to visit the most beautiful place on the Emerald Isle`! |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 07 Dec 2007
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Letter: 07 Dec 07: Litir Do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 440
This week, hear all about Finan MacDonald from Knoydart who fought a bison with his bare hands and survived! |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 30 Nov 2007
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Letter: 30 Nov 07: Litir Do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 439
Another story abouth Boban Saor from Mingulay. This time Roddy explores the extraordinary way that his son got his wife. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 23 Nov 2007
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Letter: 23 Nov 07: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 438
From Mingulay to Cape Breton, Roddy gives us a different account of what happened to Boban Saor in this extraordinary tale! |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 16 Nov 2007
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Letter: 16 Nov 07: Litir Do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 437
A new book about the people of Mingulay is the topic of this week's letter. Although he's reluctant to give too much away, he shares a tale about one of the island's characters. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 09 Nov 2007
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Letter: 09 Nov 07: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 436
Johann Von Lamont's short biography comes to its interesting conclusion. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 02 Nov 2007
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Letter: 02 Nov 07: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 435
The transformation from to Iain MacIlleDhuibh Johnann Von Lamont, the famous Highland Anstronomer is outlined in this week's letter. A brief history is given on his amazing life. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 26 Oct 2007
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Letter: 26 Oct 07: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 434
You'll have stars in your eyes when you listen to this week's letter. Roddy indroduces the most famous astronomer to hail from the Highlands, however from the chap's name, you'd be correct to have your doubts! |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 19 Oct 2007
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Letter: 19 Oct 07: Litir Do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 433
Continuing the recent theme of saints associated with the lovely landscape of Loch Lomond, Roddy turns his attention to a buddy of Paisley. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 12 Oct 2007
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Letter: 12 Oct 07: Litir Do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 432
Roddy divulges last week's mystery and reveals the popular folklore and the the Scottish hero who's to blame! |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 05 Oct 2007
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Letter: 05 Oct 2007: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 431
This week, Roddy takes us on a journey to an island near Loch Lomond, Inchcailloch. He outlines the island's intriguing history and leaves us wondering what exactly is out there? |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 28 Sep 2007
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Letter: 28 Sep 07: Litir do Luchd Ionnsachaidh 430
Children's rhymes and sayings from the different areas of Scotland are on the tip of Roddy's tongue this week. Listen and love his comparisons and distinctions from all over Scotland! |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 21 Sep 2007
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Letter: 21 Sep 07: Litir Do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 429
Discover what happened in this month's letter when King James I invited the clann chiefs of the Highlands to meet him in 1427. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 14 Sep 2007
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Letter: 14 Sep 07: Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 428
Roddy revisits last week's 15th century poem and examines its inspiration - The Battle of Inverlochy. |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 07 Sep 2007
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Letter: 7 Sep 2007: Litir Do Luchd-Ionnsachaidh 427
A comparison between a 15th Century Gaelic poem and a traditional: proverb. Roddy wonders what came first? |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 31 Aug 2007
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Letter: 31 Aug 07: Litir do Luchd Ionnsachaidh 426
An tale of a spear with supernatural powers! |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 24 Aug 2007
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File Size: 1.78 MB
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Letter: 24 Aug 07: Litir do Luchd Ionnsachaidh 425
A tale of Cuchulainn's strength and might, as he battles warriors single-handledly in Ireland! |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 24 Aug 2007
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File Size: 2.80 MB
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Letter: 24 Aug 07: Litir do Luchd Ionnsachaidh 425
A tale of Cuchulainn's strength and might, as he battles warriors single-handledly in Ireland! |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 24 Aug 2007
Download File
File Size: 2.80 MB
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Letter: 24 Aug 07: Litir do Luchd Ionnsachaidh 425
A tale of Cuchulainn's strength and might, as he battles warriors single-handledly in Ireland! |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 17 Aug 2007
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File Size: 2.49 MB
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Letter: 17 Aug 07: Litir do Luchd Ionnsachaidh 424
Cuchulainn and Fionn MacCumhail make heroic appearances in this week's letter! |
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Podcast Details:
Fri, 10 Aug 2007
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File Size: 2.71 MB
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Letter: 10 Aug 07: Litir do Luchd Ionnsachaidh 423
The 18th Century Gaelic poet Alasdair Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair is the topic of this week's Letter. |
