Reference Number42
TitleTir an Aigh
AuthorGrannd, Dòmhnall
EditorMacDhomhnaill, Iain A.
Date Of Edition1971
Date Of Languagemid 20c
Date Of Language Ed1900-1949
DateMacroMid 20th c.
Date Of Language Notes
PublisherGairm
Place PublishedGlasgow
VolumeN/A
LocationNational, academic, and local libraries.
Geographical OriginsCamuscross, Isle Ornsay, Sleat, Skye
Geographical Origins EdSkye
GeoMacroSkye, Raasay and Small Isles
GeoX-5.8099
GeoY57.1402
Geographical Origins Notes
RegisterLiterature, Prose and Verse
Register EdLiterature, Prose and Verse
GenreLiterature
MediumProse & Verse
RatingB
12 stories, 6 plays, and 7 poems by Dòmhnall Grannd.
Includes terminology relating to Highland life and people, both in the late 20th century and in history (e.g. crofting, fishing, Gaelic, clearances, Culloden).
The plays contain good examples of direct speech.
Alternative Author NameDonald Grant
Manuscript Or EditionEd.
Size And Condition21.5cm x 14cm
Short TitleTìr an Aigh
Reference DetailsEUL: PB1648.G68Gra
Number Of Pages243
Gaelic Text ByN/A
IllustratorN/A
Social ContextDòmhnall Grannd was born in Camuscross, Isle Ornsay, in Sleat, Skye in 1903. He went to Portree High School and then onto Glasgow University where he was awarded an M.A. He later gained an Ed.B. at Glasgow and a B.A. from London University. He spent a year doing a course in teacher training at Jordanhill in Glasgow before taking up a teaching post in Lochgilphead in 1926. In 1930 he moved to Glasgow, where he spent the rest of his teaching career until his retirement in 1968. In 1936, he married Mairearad NicAonghais, who had family connections with both Sleat and Knoidart. He taught in a number of schools in Glasgow, and reached the level of àrd-mhaighistir-sgoile (p. 7) at which time he was in charge of three large schools. Between 1951 and 1954 he also taught the Gaelic classes at Jordanhill College.

Grannd was a keen shinty player. He was captain of the Glasgow University team and also played for the Glasgow Skye shinty team. Grannd held a number of offical posts in various Gaelic bodies during the course of his career. For twenty-six years he was the secretary of Comunn Sgitheanach Ghlaschu, and from 1960 to 1963 he was their president. He was also involved with An Comunn Gàidhealach, serving on the Ard-chomhairle and other committees (p. 7). Between 1962 and 1964, he was the editor of An Comunn’s monthly magazine, An Gàidheal, and from 1966 to 1968 he was their president. He was also president of Aitreabh nan Gàidheal in Glasgow from 1958 to 1960, and was secretary, and latterly president, of the Scottish branch of Còmhdail nan Ceilteach (p. 8). In addition, he was a Committee member of the Urras Gàidhealach, and was involved with Comunn Oiseanach Oil-thaigh Ghlaschu, Céilidh nan Gàidheal, Comunn Ceilteach Ghlaschu, and Comunn Gàidhlig Ghlaschu. He also judged at many of the Mods and often was in charge of the children’s choirs at both local and national Mods.

Grannd was also a keen writer of poetry and prose, including plays. In 1935 he won the Bardic Crown at the Mod in Edinburgh, and in 1951 he won first prize for Gaelic poetry in a British Arts Council competition. He twice won a prize for best Gaelic play at Féill-dhràma Ghlaschu, and once won the prize for best actor. Under the auspices of An Comunn Gàidhealach, he translated a number of children’s books into Gaelic. Grannd died in 1970. This volume was published a year later.
ContentsThis volume comprises a selection of Grannd’s stories, plays, and poems, chosen by Iain A. MacDhomhnaill, who was President of Comunn Sgitheanach Ghlaschu at the time of publication. The volume begins with a Roimh-radh by the editor (p. 5), and an introduction to the author entitled Gaidheal gu Chul, by Tomas M. MacCalmain (pp. 7-8). The main body of the text comprises 12 short stories (Sgeulachdan, pp. 12-86), 6 plays (Dealbhan-Cluiche, pp. 87-209), and 7 poems (Bardachd, pp. 211-43).

A number of the stories are written in the first person, and deal with personal experiences and events connected with Skye, e.g. Am Measg nan Cudaigean (pp. 12-17) and Faisneachd Chaluim Bhuidhe (pp. 22-26). Many of the stories are set anns a’ Ghlaic Uaine, e.g. “An Gamhainn” (p. 51-57) and An t-Each Ban (pp. 72-78).

The plays are set mostly in the Highlands and cover a number of topics, such as the National Mod, e.g. Mòd Mhic an Toisich (pp. 88-106); crofting, e.g. Eadar Cùirt is Coimisean (pp. 152-74); and Gaelic, e.g. Air Trèan Mhalaig (pp. 205-09). An Eaglais Eile is set at the time of the Clearances, when tenants were being turned out of their homes and forced on board ships to America. Air Tir Am Muideart is set in 1746, shortly after the Battle of Culloden.

The poems presented in this volume cover a number of topics, from the Vikings in Co Leis An Dioghaltas? (pp. 212-16) to the Loch Ness Monster in An Uile-bheist is na Foghlumaich (pp. 229-39). In Turus Samhraidh (pp. 216-23), Grannd talks of returning to the Highlands on holiday, despite the empty glens and bad weather, and his friends’ advice to go abroad instead. The last poem, Abou Ben Adhem (pp. 242-43), is translated from the English of Leigh Hunt.
SourcesThere is no mention in this volume of any of Grannd’s work having been published previously. The introduction simply notes, ‘gun robh sgeul, an deidh a bhàis, air móran de a chuid sgriobhaidhean’ (p. 5).
LanguageThis volume contains a variety of vocabulary in Skye Gaelic from the mid-twentieth century. The Roimh-radh (p. 5) and Gaidheal gu Chul (pp. 7-8) contain some interesting vocabulary, such as do’n Phrofeasair (p. 5), Comhairle Ealdhain Bhreatainn (p. 8), and fo’n aogasg sin (p. 8).

Sgeulachdan

The stories contain a wide range of terminology, much of which is connected to Highland life and people in a modern context. Terminology of interest includes: làmh-an-uachdair (p. 12), ’na shòlas nach bu bheag dhuinn (p. 12), abartach (p. 12), mór-chliù (p. 12), a ruigheachd (p. 12), sòlas do-thuigsinneach (p. 12), am misionaraidh (p. 13), tìr nam beò (p. 13), bha mi ’nam ghiobhal anns an deireadh (p. 13), tac aig na slatan (p. 14), Bha aon aobhar agus da aobhar aige (p. 14), aidhireag de ghaoith an iar-eas (p. 15), le spochadh (p. 15), Bha spàglaich neo-iomchuidh a’ dol air adhart (p. 15), tiugainn a nuas (p. 16), beagan gorachail ’na sgòrnan (p. 16), mo sheal-sa (p. 16), sinn a bhà (p. 17), cha ghabhadh Domhnall an t-Srath’ ris a muigh no mach (p. 27), mar fhiachaibh air (p. 28), daoine saoghalta (p. 28), ’na fhleasgach (p. 29), a chur fo sgéith (p. 30), air an dòghannan (p. 30), có a ghoirealais nighinne (p. 30), mì-ghean (p. 30), geasagan (p. 31), sgiamhail (p. 31), Bha oighre anns a’ chreitheil (p. 31), am Fear Parlumaid (p. 58), am fear-dreuchd (p. 58), mu’n bhiadh shultmhor (p. 59), Do sheirbhiseach, ro-iriosail (p. 59), ’Fhir-siorrachd chòir (p. 60), a’ saothrachadh (p. 60), helicopterean (p. 60), na h-upagan (p. 60), Tha mise deimhinn (p. 62), Fear Comhairle (p. 62), gu siorruidh tuilleadh (p. 63), and latha na gogaireachd (p. 64).

Many of the stories are written in the first person, and contain a fair amount of direct speech, e.g. ‘“Tha balach tapaidh an sud agaibh,” arsa am maighstir-sgoile ri Màiri banntrach Alasdair aon latha Sàbaid is iad a’ tighinn dhachaidh as an eaglais, “na bith c’àit an d’ fhuair sibh e.” “Tha e sin,” fhreagair Mairi, “cha deanadh mac na b’ fheàrr.”’ (p. 39). A number of the stories contain fishing and boating terms, such as sgiobachan (p. 12), Chuir e Rudha na h-Adhairc fodha (p. 12), air iasgach shaoithean (p. 12), na fuaidreagan (pp. 12-13), a’ gabhail speil (p. 13), air na ràimh (p. 13), fhaighinn air an stiùir (p. 13), am fear a tha ag iomramh greis fhaighinn aig na slatan (p. 13), da liùtha (p. 13), Thog e dà smalag (p. 15), a’ leum air maghar (p. 15), rionnach (p. 16), na driamlaichean (p. 16), an dubhan (p. 17), An Caiptean (p. 27), puthairean guail (p. 27), a’ pollaireachd a measg nan sgeirean bho òb gu òb (p. 27), a’ leughadh na compaist (p. 27), fear-a-chidhe (p. 27), air a’ chairt-iùil (p. 28), muir-làn (p. 28), anns an acarsaid (p. 58), am bat-aiseig (p. 85), air a’ chruaidh a tharraing a steach (p. 111) and a’ togail na cruadhach (p. 117), is am bàta a’ tulgadh (p. 111), and mun tionndadh an làn (p. 112).

Dealbhan-Cluiche

The plays also contain terminology relating to Highland life and people, in both a modern and in an historical context. As mentioned above, topics covered include the National Mod, crofting, and Gaelic.

An Eaglais Eile is set at the time of the Clearances, when tenants were being turned out of their homes and forced on board ships to America. Vocabulary contained in this play includes, air an lianaig (p. 107), cumain (p. 107), a’ chuid as fheàrr (p. 107), a’ smaoineachadh gu’n cheann mu dheireadh (p. 107), cha dùraichdinn (p. 108), nuair a thig e gu h-aon ’s gu dha (p. 108), Mur a b’ e [...] bha i an dràsda ’na guaillean (p. 108), an t-Uachdaran (p. 109), lagh na rioghachd (p. 109), am maor (p. 109), a’ cur thighean ’nan teine (p. 109), craosan daithte nan cabar (p. 109), airson dìoghaltais (p. 109), deagh mhansa, mo shìopain agus mo ghlìob (p. 110), a’ Stàplaich a Nuas ’Gan Ionnsaidh (p. 110), siud e mach an comhair a chinn (p. 111), bidh an cuthach air an uachdaran (p. 113), ar dachaidhean a chur ’nan smàl (p. 114), an do bhean Alasdair ris (p. 114), ann am Freasdal Uile-Chumhachdach, Uile Thròcaireach (p. 114), doigh-eigin (p. 115), air d’ fhaiceall (p. 116), Sgailc a chuir peiseanadh [sic] air (p. 117), ris a’ chomhthional (p. 117), a’ dol a shearmonachadh (p. 117), a chuireadh a ghaoir ’na fheòil (p. 118), do’n tobar (p. 118), taighean rùisgte (p. 118), cùirt lagha (p. 120), dìoladh a’ cheartais (p. 120), Aite-suidhe (p. 121), air an obair dhligheach a dhearbadh [sic] ris (p. 121), cùis-spòrs (p. 123), mas fhior (p. 127), and tigh cùrtach (p. 129).

Air Tir Am Muideart is set in 1746, shortly after the Battle of Culloden. It includes terminology such as na Stiùbhartaich and Tearlach Stiùbhart (p. 175), Culodair (p. 175), bheir mi geall (p. 175), ’na dhiol-deiric [sic], fuar, fliuch, acrach, ’na chrùban am fròig air choireigin na ’na throtan air monadh is tathann miol-chon an airm dheirg ’na chluais (p. 176), air sgàth aobhar a’ Phrionnsa (p. 176), Mu chruaidh-chàs is allaban (p. 180), an comandair aca, Buidsear Chumarlan (p. 180), ris a’ chreideamh Phàpanach (p. 183), Criosduidhean (p. 183), Mairtinn Lutar (p. 184), seirdsean (p. 190), a’ lorg an reubalaich (p. 191), and Tha mi gu toirt thairis leis an acras (p. 193).

Other noteworthy expressions from the plays include: air an t-seise (p. 88), A’ cumail an t-snàth (p. 88), Ramalaig de dh’òran (p. 90), tractair (p. 131), Fear-na-Cathrach (p. 132), taing do Ni Math (p. 138), an drongair (p. 149), Séithear (p. 152), An Coimisean (p. 155), tuilleadh fearainn (p. 155), An Ridire (p. 156), gun fhiosda (p. 156), sùil ghorm (p. 159), m’uncal (p. 152), a’ dol fàs le cion àitich (p. 159), deagh chaob (p. 163), làmhachas-làidir (p. 163), Tigh nan Cumantan (p. 167), Taigh nam Morairean (p. 167), Loch Laomuinn (p. 205), braiceast (p. 205), a’ Chrion-laraich (p. 205), trean (p. 205), as a’ fhlasc (p. 205), an truaghan (p. 207), Malaig (p. 207), Bleadar boirionnaich (p. 207), a’ cnàmhan (p. 208), car dreamach (p. 208), and Cha chreid mi nach eil ròic agaibh (p. 209).

The strength of the plays, however, lies in their use of dialogue, for example, Tha siud gu leòir dhe do bhrosgul (p. 90), ’fhios agad (p. 94), Nach i a bha (p. 108), Seadh (p. 109), Na bitheadh cùram ort (p. 110), Dé as fheàirrde sin (p. 110), Saoil an tig e an rathad seo? (p. 113), Siuthadaibh mata (p. 115) and Siuthad ma tha (p. 145), mo thruaighe (p. 115), Nach ann oirnn a thàinig latha na bochdainn (p. 115), Ud (p. 116) and Tud (p. 208), Theagamh gun innis thu ann an cùirt e (p. 122), Ciamar seo? (p. 123) and Carson seo? (p. 141), Chunna’ mi sibh (p. 125), Deanaibh air bhur socair (p. 126), Am bi sibhse sàmhach le chéile (p. 127), Dé th’ agad an aghaidh (p. 130), ’S cìnnteach (p. 130), Thigibh air adhart. Deanaibh suidhe (p. 133), Greas ort (p. 135), ’S fhad’ o’n uair sin (p. 137), Tha dìreach (p. 139), An dean sin a’ chuis? (p. 139), ’S math sin (p. 139), Obh, obh (p. 142), Dé seo a tha mi ’cluinntinn? (p. 142), Cum thusa do theanga (p. 144), Leigeamaid leotha (p. 144), Na can guth ’s na gluais (p. 145), a chuireas gaoir ’na ur cluasan (p. 146), An ainm an àigh (p. 148), a luaidh (p. 152), Cha bhi mi tiota (p. 154), na bi ri fealla-dha (p. 157), Co-dhiubh, bitheadh sin mar sin (p. 158), Cha tig an latha! A dhaoine gun nàire! (p. 159), Leig leis a nise (p. 159), Cha ghabh no tea. Air falbh leis (p. 160), nach ann agad a tha a’ bhathais (p. 160), Mur a dean thu le d’dheoin e, nì thu a dh’ aindeoin e (p. 160), Feumaidh tu sin (p. 162), feumaidh sibh modh a chleachdadh (p. 166), Stad thusa (p. 175), a Mhamai (p. 206), Uisd a nise, coma leat (p. 206), and Nach cianail thu? (p. 206).

Bardachd

As noted above, the poems presented in this volume cover a number of topics, from the Vikings in Co Leis An Dioghaltas? (pp. 212-16) to the Loch Ness Monster in An Uile-bheist is na Foghlumaich (pp. 229-39). In Turus Samhraidh (pp. 216-23), Grannd talks of returning to the Highlands on holiday, despite the empty glens and bad weather, and his friends’ advice to go abroad instead: ‘“Séideadh stoirm is sileadh sruth, \ guth air gearain cha tig bhuam. \ Dhuibhse grian na h-àirde deas: \ dhomhsa gaillionn an taoibh tuath.” \ Làidir leosan fuaim a ghuth: \ chi iad solus ùr ’na ghnùis. \ Co-ionnan cuideachd ri a dhreach \ a chridh’ a stigh a réir a chliù’ (p. 217). Some of the poems are more philosophical and religious in nature, such as Abou Bein Adhem (pp. 242-43), Luinneag (pp. 241-42), and Comhfhurtachd (pp. 239-41), where we find ‘Mas e do chàil, \ air sgàth na sìth, \ An t-srìth a chur \ A beachd gu tur, \ Cha chuir ri d’chliù \ nach fiù leat gul. \ Cha chuir ri d’chliù \ An sùnnd a th’ort \ Ri toirt na gréin’, \ ’S an saoghal breun \ Gun chéill mu’n cuairt \ le bhruaillean fhéin’ (pp. 239-40).
OrthographyThe author’s Gaelic usage, including Skye dialect forms, can be judged from, e.g. a’ smaointeachadh (p. 31), a’ faireachadh (p. 205), a’ gaireachdaich (p. 98), mur’ eil (p. 60), An d’ fhalbh i? (p. 110), a dh’fholaich (p. 156), dhe’n bheachd (p. 13), obair na cruite (p. 14), air son na h-uaire mu dheireadh (p. 28), anns a’ bhùthaidh (p. 142), mu chealla-deug (p. 30), Tha ar n-obair a nise deas (p. 172), Dìreach mu’n d’ thainig thu steach (p. 163), and a cheart da rìreadh (p. 89). The author uses the genitive form obrach (p. 13) rather than oibre as used, for example, by Coinneach Ros, who was also from Skye. Grannd often uses cia rather than có, e.g. cia air (p. 31) and Cia as a thainig thu? (p. 110).

The orthography is typical of the later twentieth century prior to GOC. In a number of cases, the spelling of a word varies from text to text, for example, air an là-’rna-mhàireach (p. 12) and an la-iar-na-mhaireach (p. 85); mìorun (p. 15) and mìo-rùn (p. 122); C’ arson (p. 89) and Carson (p. 141); air a bhialaibh (p. 94) and air beulthaobh (p. 206); mata (p. 115), ma tha (p. 145), and ma ta (p. 152); and Tigh and Taigh (p. 167). Both grave and acute accents are used throughout the text.
EditionFirst edition.
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