Home

Fàilte chridheil chàirdeil oirbh! Welcome to the Dòrlach website

(dòrlach – noun masc. /t̪ɔːrˠl̪ˠəx/ handful, bundle, good deal, considerable quantity or number)

Lean gu dlùth ri cliù do shinnsear! (Follow closely to the repute of your ancestors) Dòrlach is a Scottish micro-charity which seeks to encourage the building of intercultural solidarity across minoritised peoples worldwide and a return to indigenous practice in Gaelic Scotland.

Feel free to follow us on all the usual Social media channels @DorlachAlba and if you feel able to contribute to our work, please do so via the donation buttons at the bottom.

With support from Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

MAC-UAIMHE

A musical collaboration between Yt DiNGO and Àdhamh Ó Broin.

This is a new collaboration between our convener Àdhamh Ó Broin and talented Australian musician Yt DiNGO. The music video is out now and is available to buy. Yt DiNGO will donate 50% of the profits of the sale to Dòrlach.

A Forgotten Gaeldom

A new monthly blog sharing extracts from the diaries of Dàibhidh MacLeòid, great-grand-uncle of Dòrlach convenor Àdhamh MacLeòid Ó Broin, spanning the period 1874-1892 in the Parish of Latheron, Caithness. Beginning on the 148th anniversary of the writing of the diaries, the blog also contains supplementary information on genealogy, local history and the Gaelic dialect of Latheron Parish and surrounding area.

Silent Auction

We are auctioning this lovely painting by the very talented artist and rancher Brad Phares entitled An Gàidheal (The Gael). We asked Brad to paint a picture of the anonymous Gael in our logo.  We hope it isn’t too obvious who our model was!

Submit your bids to: rop@dorlach.scot
Minimum bid £200 – please put the amount you want to bid in the subject line. Bidding will close some time in the New Year.

Dòrlach Follow

DorlachAlba
dorlachalba Dòrlach @dorlachalba ·
19 Nov 2023

Tha sinn air a’ Bhloga againn ath-nuadhachadh.

We have renewed our Blog.

Going forward we will have more contributors writing for us – like the great first new post by Gemma Smith on Durness Gaelic.

http://dorlach.scot/blog

Reply on Twitter 1726301239586218064 Retweet on Twitter 1726301239586218064 4 Like on Twitter 1726301239586218064 12 Twitter 1726301239586218064
dorlachalba Dòrlach @dorlachalba ·
27 Oct 2023

Chaidh sàr alt mu ar deidhinn fhoillseachadh anns An t-Albannach.

An excellent article about us has been published in @TheScotsman.

Reply on Twitter 1717973323487838418 Retweet on Twitter 1717973323487838418 3 Like on Twitter 1717973323487838418 6 Twitter 1717973323487838418
Load More

Dòrlach

Dòrlach
An example excerpt from a session with Angus Peter MacLean of Moidart eliciting responses to the 50-word Gaelic lexicographical questionnaire designed to evidence the necessity for a comprehensive fieldwork programme to collect vocabulary. 05/07/2024 This contributor falls into the following status: • The contributor has given full permission for the material in this video to be used for public consumption. Terms of Use of Recording YOU MAY: Listen to the recording, including in a classroom setting for educational purposes. Quote material found in the recording in accordance with fair dealing and citation. YOU MAY NOT: (including but not restricted to) Copy or download sound files or videos Alter or modify the quality of any sound recording or video Give public performance, reproduce for personal gain or attempt to profit from any content, or use materials in a misleading context Remove, obscure or modify copyright notices, nor any text acknowledging identification of the copyright holder Any requests regarding publication or reproduction or any further use of material collected by individuals affiliated with Dòrlach should be addressed directly to the email address supplied: gaelic@dorlach.scot
MOIDART GAELIC with Aonghas Pàdraig MacGillEathain
An informal conversation with the late Catrìona NicMhathain (Kay Matheson) who talks of her love for Gaelic and of her background and upbringing at Inbhir Àsdail, Gairloch. Àdhamh sings a Gaelic song (Am Buachaille Bàn) for Kay and some other local Gaels present at Isle View Care Home, Aultbea. Brief mention of the liberation of the Stone of Destiny at close of recording. Interviewed by Àdhamh Ó Broin Aultbea, Gairloch Sept 2012 (c)Dòrlach This contributors fall into the following status: • One of these contributors have passed away and we are unaware of any living relatives. We are also unaware of who the other contributors are. If you are able to provide any information, or if you are a relative, please get in touch. Terms of Use of Recording YOU MAY: Listen to the recording, including in a classroom setting for educational purposes. Quote material found in the recording in accordance with fair dealing and citation. YOU MAY NOT: (including but not restricted to) Copy or download sound files or videos Alter or modify the quality of any sound recording or video Give public performance, reproduce for personal gain or attempt to profit from any content, or use materials in a misleading context Remove, obscure or modify copyright notices, nor any text acknowledging identification of the copyright holder Any requests regarding publication or reproduction or any further use of material collected by individuals affiliated with Dòrlach should be addressed directly to the email address supplied: gaelic@dorlach.scot
INVERASDALE GAELIC with the late Catrìona NicMhathain (2012)
A conversation in April 2010 with the late Donald "Billy" MacDonald of Golspie, the last fluent speaker of the village dialect. In this video, we hear about local words and phrases, the decline of Gaelic in the area, customs connected to fishing and the use of nicknames. Interviewed by Àdhamh Ó Broin Golspie, East Sutherland 16th of April 2010 Photos by Eilidh Ní Bhroin (c)Dòrlach This contributor falls into the following status: • This contributor has passed away and we are unaware of any living relatives. If you are able to provide any information, or if you are a relative, please get in touch. Terms of Use of Recording YOU MAY: Listen to the recording, including in a classroom setting for educational purposes. Quote material found in the recording in accordance with fair dealing and citation. YOU MAY NOT: (including but not restricted to) Copy or download sound files or videos Alter or modify the quality of any sound recording or video Give public performance, reproduce for personal gain or attempt to profit from any content, or use materials in a misleading context Remove, obscure or modify copyright notices, nor any text acknowledging identification of the copyright holder Any requests regarding publication or reproduction or any further use of material collected by individuals affiliated with Dòrlach should be addressed directly to the email address supplied: gaelic@dorlach.scot
GOLSPIE GAELIC with the late Domhall Domhnallach (2010)
A short subtitled excerpt of a conversation with the late Archie Kennedy of Taigh-Phuirt about the precipitous decline of Gaelic on Lochlevenside since the end of the Second World War. Interviewed by Àdhamh Ó Broin Glencoe, Argyll 4th of April 2010 Drawing by Caoimhe Ní Bhroin (c)Dòrlach This contributor falls into the following status: • This contributor has passed away and we are unaware of any living relatives. If you are able to provide any information, or if you are a relative, please get in touch. Terms of Use of Recording YOU MAY: Listen to the recording, including in a classroom setting for educational purposes. Quote material found in the recording in accordance with fair dealing and citation. YOU MAY NOT: (including but not restricted to) Copy or download sound files or videos Alter or modify the quality of any sound recording or video Give public performance, reproduce for personal gain or attempt to profit from any content, or use materials in a misleading context Remove, obscure or modify copyright notices, nor any text acknowledging identification of the copyright holder Any requests regarding publication or reproduction or any further use of material collected by individuals affiliated with Dòrlach should be addressed directly to the email address supplied: gaelic@dorlach.scot
GLENCOE GAELIC with the late Gilleasbaig MacUalraig (2010)
The late Màiri-Anna Dhomhnallach tells us about the situation of Gaelic (2011) compared to the days of her youth. She also assesses the ways in which everyday life in the island has changed during the preceeding decades. Interviewed by Àdhamh Ó Broin Cleadale, Eigg 20th May 2011 (c)Dòrlach This contributor falls into the following status: • This contributor has passed away and we are unaware of any living relatives. If you are able to provide any information, or if you are a relative, please get in touch. Terms of Use of Recording YOU MAY: Listen to the recording, including in a classroom setting for educational purposes. Quote material found in the recording in accordance with fair dealing and citation. YOU MAY NOT: (including but not restricted to) Copy or download sound files or videos Alter or modify the quality of any sound recording or video Give public performance, reproduce for personal gain or attempt to profit from any content, or use materials in a misleading context Remove, obscure or modify copyright notices, nor any text acknowledging identification of the copyright holder Any requests regarding publication or reproduction or any further use of material collected by individuals affiliated with Dòrlach should be addressed directly to the email address supplied: gaelic@dorlach.scot
EIGG GAELIC with the late Màiri-Anna Dhomhnallach (2011)
Performed by Iain MacRàth & Róna Dhomhnallach With the voice of Gillebrìde MacIlleMhaoil Thursday 12th January, 2017 CAILLEACH AN DÙDAIN (lit. carlin of the milldust) Read by Àdhamh Ó Broin Curious character dance, described as follows in Carmina Gadelica: "It is danced by a man and a woman. The man has a rod in his right hand, variously called slachdan druidheachd, (druidic wand) and slachdan geasachd, (magic wand). The man and the woman gesticulate and attitudinize before one another, dancing round and round, in and out, crossing and recrossing, changing and exchanging places. The man flourishes the wand over his own head and over the head of the woman whom he touches with the wand and who falls down, as if dead, at his feet. He bemoans his dead "carlin," dancing and gesticulating round her body. He then lifts up her left hand and looking into the palm, breathes upon it and touches it with the wand. Immediately the limp hand becomes alive and moves from side to side and up and down. He rejoices and dances round the figure on the floor. Having done the same to the right hand and to the left and right foot in succession, they also become alive and move. Though the limbs are living, the body is still inert. The man kneels over the woman and breathes into her mouth and touches her heart with the wand. The woman comes to life and springs up confronting the man. Then the two dance vigorously and joyously as in the first part. The tune varies with the varying phases of the dance. It is played by a piper or fiddler, or sung as a “port-a-beul" (mouth-tune) by a looker-on or by the performers themselves. The air is quaint and irregular and the words which are curious and archaic commence as follows: — "Cailleach an dùdain, dùdain, dùdain, cailleach an dùdain, cum do dheireadh rium." from "Dwelly's Pronouncing Gaelic Dictionary"
CAILLEACH AN DÙDAIN le Iain MacRàth, Róna Dhomhnallach, Gillebrìde MacIlleMhaoil & Àdhamh Ó Broin
The late John Angus Miller describes the situation of Gaelic in Latheron Parish when he was young, recites a phrase he remembers his mother using and talks about locals who had the language. It is likely that Gaelic ceased to be a spoken vernacular in the area sometime between 1955 and 1975. Interviewed by Àdhamh Ó Broin Photos by Eilidh Ní Bhroin Dunbeath, Caithness 15th April 2010 (c)Dòrlach This contributor falls into the following status: • This contributor has passed away and we are unaware of any living relatives. If you are able to provide any information, or if you are a relative, please get in touch. Terms of Use of Recording YOU MAY: Listen to the recording, including in a classroom setting for educational purposes. Quote material found in the recording in accordance with fair dealing and citation. YOU MAY NOT: (including but not restricted to) Copy or download sound files or videos Alter or modify the quality of any sound recording or video Give public performance, reproduce for personal gain or attempt to profit from any content, or use materials in a misleading context Remove, obscure or modify copyright notices, nor any text acknowledging identification of the copyright holder Any requests regarding publication or reproduction or any further use of material collected by individuals affiliated with Dòrlach should be addressed directly to the email address supplied: gaelic@dorlach.scot
LATHERON GAELIC with the late John Angus Miller (2010)
Àdhamh Ó Broin conducts collection work with the late Robbie MacVicar, the last original native speaker of the Bute, Cowal and Mid-Argyll dialect, in order to preserve and pass on the language of his childhood. Interviewed by Àdhamh Ó Broin Lochgilphead, Argyll 16th Dec 2016 (c)Dòrlach This contributor falls into the following status: • This contributor has passed away but has granted unreserved permission to do whatever is necessary with the material given for the preservation and promotion of his Gaelic dialect. Terms of Use of Recording YOU MAY: Listen to the recording, including in a classroom setting for educational purposes. Quote material found in the recording in accordance with fair dealing and citation. YOU MAY NOT: (including but not restricted to) Copy or download sound files or videos Alter or modify the quality of any sound recording or video Give public performance, reproduce for personal gain or attempt to profit from any content, or use materials in a misleading context Remove, obscure or modify copyright notices, nor any text acknowledging identification of the copyright holder Any requests regarding publication or reproduction or any further use of material collected by individuals affiliated with Dòrlach should be addressed directly to the email address supplied: gaelic@dorlach.scot
DALRIADA GAELIC with the late Ràibeart Mac a' Bhiucair (2016)
Àdhamh explains directly what the campaign is all about. Please visit http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/dalriadagaelic to help us make this happen!
SAVE DALRIADA GAELIC: a direct appeal from Àdhamh Ó Broin
Load More… Subscribe
Dòrlach is at Isle Of Scalpay.

4 weeks ago

Dòrlach
Tha Fañch, a tha a’ tàmh ann an Scalpaigh, air iomadh facail Hearach a chruinneachadh mu dheidhinn dùthchas nan Gàidheal, beathaichean ‘s lusan.Fañch lives in Scalpay and has collected many words in Harris concerning the natural world, animals and plants.Seo dhuibh criomag dheath, a’ nochdadh mar a dh’fhaodadh lus a-mhàin a bhith air ainmeachadh fo iomadh dhòigh san aon sgìre. Here is a wee snippet of it, displaying how just one plant may bear several names in the same area.#Gaelic #Gàidhlig #Dùthchasach #Tùsanach #Indigenous #Cleachdi #Alba #Scotland #Gàidhealtachd #Highlands #Gàidheal #Gael #Gaels #Highlander #Highlanders #Charity #Clan #Fieldwork #decolonisation #plants #trees #rowan #caorann … See MoreSee Less

Video

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Dòrlach

1 month ago

Dòrlach
An cuala sibh riamh an abairt“nas fhearr Gàilig bhriste na Gàilig sa chiste?”Did you ever hear the phrase“Better broken Gaelic than dead Gaelic?”(lit. in the coffin)Tha e fìor, ach am bu chòir dhuinn stad an sin ‘s an cànan beò air éiginn air iomall na Beurla?It is true, but ought we to stop there and the language barely alive on the margins of English?“Nas fhearr Gàilig chliste na Gàilig bhriste!”“Better nimble Gaelic than broken Gaelic!”Thug Àdhamh ‘s a nighinn Caoimhe seachad leasan air mar a bhruidhnear Gàilig as aonais buaidh na Beurla aig An Lòchran an oidhche bha sin ‘s nì iad ‘cheart leithid uair eile san 16mh de’n mhìos seo.Àdhamh and daughter Caoimhe dished out a lesson on how Gaelic can be spoken without the influence of English at An Lòchran Gaelic Arts the other night and they’ll do the same again on the 16th of this month.Nì sinn fiughair ris ur faicinn ann!We look forward to seeing you there!Gus an uair sin, seo agaibh blòg le Dàibhidh MacDheòrain mu dhéidhinn na chaidh ionnsachadh.Until then, here is a blog by Mansefield Park’s very own David about what was learned:www.anlochran.com/adhamh#Gaelic #Gàidhlig #Dùthchasach #Tùsanach #Indigenous #Cleachdi #Alba #Scotland #Gàidhealtachd #Highlands #Gàidheal #Gael #Gaels #Highlander #Highlanders #Charity #Clan #Fieldwork #decolonisation … See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Donate

£5
£15
£50
Choose Amount

Thank you

Le gach beannachd air an àm,

– Dòrlach

Dòrlach is Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation SC05016