Gaelic stories behind National Museum collection objects revealed

Images of the objects featured in the project can be downloaded here

To read this media release in Gaelic, click here

The stories are the product of a research project, Tha sgeul ri innse (there’s a story for the telling), which has led to object records being revised and improved to better reflect their connections to the people, places and language of their origin. This has been achieved through insights from Gaelic communities, including through community workshops held in Lewis and Skye earlier this year, as well as analysis of the objects themselves and their associated historical records.

The project, which in all has seen over 100 object records improved and enhanced, is led by National Museums Scotland in collaboration with Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture, and funded by Bòrd na Gàidhlig. Community partners have included Comunn Eachdraich Nis and Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn.

The15 objects highlighted in the new resource range from the medieval to the modern period and include;

• Highland bagpipe chanter of lignum vitae belonging to bard and piper Ian Dall Mackay, Am Piobaire Dall, c. 1656 - c. 1754. There is perhaps no more iconic ‘Gaelic’ instrument than the bagpipe. This chanter – the part of the bagpipe with finger holes, which creates melody – is the oldest one known. It belonged to Iain MacKay, or Am Pìobaire Dall, the blind piper, who lived from around 1656 to around 1754. He can be considered part of the aos-dàna, a select group of learned artists revered in Gaelic society. They operated at the highest level of skill and ability. His pìobaireachd (pibroch) compositions are renowned for their complexity and beauty.
• A horn spoon from Dunvegan in Skye. It was collected by Johanna, or Hanna, von Ettingshausen, an Austrian aristocrat who married into elite Highland society, becoming the second wife of Norman MacLeod, Chief of the MacLeods of Dunvegan. During her time in Skye, she funded and personally directed a number of archaeological excavations.
• The Maclean Leug, a rock-crystal charmstone set in silver. It is one of few medieval charmstones to have retained its Gaelic name. It originally belonged to the Macleans of Mull, and is likely to have originally been part of a different medieval object: perhaps a reliquary.
• A bible said to have been carried by an unnamed solder at Culloden. This edition was created in 1690 by the Perthshire minister Robert Kirk. It was among the first editions of the bible to be printed in Gaelic.

Other objects examined include a glass bottle associated with the sinking of the Iolaire, a phone book from Ness featuring nicknames to help differentiate people with the same names and a framed Gaelic proclamation from 1888 aimed at protestors attempting to reclaim croft land at the farm of Aignish in Lewis.   A full list of the objects and their stories can be found here: Tha Sgeul Ri Innse.

Lead Researcher Anna MacQuarrie said:

“It’s been a pleasure to work on this project, studying these fascinating objects first hand, and reconnecting them with the Gaelic perspectives and language that help us better understand them. Working with community members in Skye and Lewis has been a vital part of the process, their contributions shaping how we represent our shared Gàidhealach material culture, past and present.’

Dr Sarah Laurenson said:

“It’s important to us at National Museums Scotland to accurately and transparently reflect the true cultural associations, meanings and histories of the material in our care across the collections. It’s great that we are doing this with material connected to Gaelic culture, history and tradition and I’m delighted that there is a public output which will help raise awareness of the stories behind those connections”.

Professor Hugh Cheape from Sabhal Mor Ostaig said

“The wealth of material from the Highlands and Islands in the national collections has helped to define our ‘national treasures’ but they had fallen silent for the stories they could tell. The ‘sgeul ri innse’ project has offered a precious opportunity to re-awaken voices and demonstrate how communication and interpretation can be enhanced by words and language. For the value added by Gaelic, this can be just the start!”

Ealasaid MacDonald, Ceannard (CEO), Bòrd na Gàidhlig, said:

“This is a nationally significant project, ensuring that our shared history and heritage is understood and properly acknowledged. I congratulate everyone involved in ensuring that we are able to tell the stories of these items and ensuring that they will be enjoyed for generations to come.”