Past events

A curated selection of past events involving Celtic and Scottish Studies.

Celtic and Scottish Studies Seminar Series

Each semester, we welcome a fantastic range of guest speakers and colleagues in Celtic and Scottish Studies to present a lunchtime seminar on their work.

As the longest established department of its kind in Scotland, Celtic and Scottish Studies at Edinburgh is a major international hub for research, teaching and learning.

Please note that speaker titles and universities, as listed, date from the time of the event and may have changed.

Earlier events in the series

Please note that speaker titles and universities, as listed, date from the time of the event and may have changed.

Date	Title	Speaker(s)
7 May 2021	Creative Collaboration in Words and Music, a Fulbright Foundation Project	Dr Margaret McAllister & Aonghas MacNeacail
23 April 2021	Professor West Looks Back	Professor Gary West
9 April 2021	Norman Kennedy: The Warp and Weft of Tradition	Professor Margaret Bennett
26 March 2021	Highland tourism – the realm of Myth	Dr Coinneach Maclean
12 March 2021	The School of Scottish Studies @ 50: Struth an Eòlais, a collaboration with BBC Radio nan Gàidheal	Jo MacDonald
26 February 2021	"It’s ma job tae work and it’s yours tae mak it go roon": Women’s Lives in a Shipbuilding Community	Dr Hugh Hagan
12 February 2021	"They Soon had us Singing in their Language": The Macaronic Songs of Gaelic-Speaking Herring Gutters	Meg Hyland
29 January 2021	Robert Burns and the Discovery and Re-Creation of Scottish Song	Dr Emily Lyle and Dr Katherine Campbell
15 January 2021	The almost “medieval” world of Tomás O´Criomhthain	Professor Mairéad Nic Craith
4 December 2020	Donald Archie MacDonald: Gaelic Ethnologist and Fieldworker	Dr John Shaw (University of Edinburgh)
27 November 2020	‘The most fascinating sort of work’: The island of Scarp and early collecting by the School of Scottish Studies	Dr Hugh Dan MacLennan (Historian/Broadcaster) and Gillies Campbell (Retired HMI: Art & Design)
13 November 2020	John Lorne Campbell and Margaret Fay Shaw: 20th century pioneers in collecting the oral tradition of Scotland	Professor Hugh Cheape (University of the Highlands and Islands)
12 November 2020	Gaelic in Scotland: Policies, Movements, Ideologies	Wilson McLeod
30 October 2020	A Honeymoon in January 1934 and the School of Scottish Studies	Dr Margaret A Mackay (University of Edinburgh)
16 October 2020	From Field to Archive: The Realisation of the Irish Folklore Commission	Professor Emeritus Ríonach uí Ógáin (University College Dublin)
28 February 2020	eDIL 2019: Who changed what and why?	Dr Sharon Arbuthnot (QUB/eDIL project)
14 February 2020	"What’s love got to do (got to do) with it?" Depicting romance in medieval Gaelic literature	Robbie Anndra MacLeòid (University of Glasgow)
7 February 2020	A Composer’s Journey: From Sorley MacLean to Aonghas MacNeacail	Dr Margaret McAllister (Fulbright-Scotland Visiting Professor)
31 January 2020	Travellers in Kintyre c. 1930 to 1950: the Lantern Slides of Dugald Semple (1884-1964)	Dr Steven Sutcliffe (University of Edinburgh)
24 January 2020	'Dis Quiet' film screening and Q&A	Bruce Eunson (Education Scotland)
17 January 2020	Two Alexanders: Macbain and Littlejohn: Gaelic intelligentsia meets philanthropy through shinty in unique collaboration	Dr Hugh Dan MacLennan (Academy of Sport, University of Edinburgh)
22 November 2019	Wales in England 1914-1945: Recovering dual identifications in wartime	Dr Wendy Ugolini (University of Edinburgh)
15 November 2019	Four Pillars and In the Wake of Neil Gunn	Mike Vass (School of Scottish Studies Archives Traditional Artist in Residence)
8 November 2019	Librettos, graphic novels and TED talks: NLS Scots Scriever	Dr Michael Dempster (Creative Scotland's Scots Scriever, National Library of Scotland)
1 November 2019	‘It’s a part of me and I’m a part of it’: Ecological Thinking in Contemporary Scottish Folk Music	Rowan Hawitt (Trinity College, Cambridge)
25 October 2019	‘Á, ní tu an Conall athá mis’ a reá i n-ao’chor!’: the formation of the hero in the Conall Gulban story in Ireland and Scotland	Dr Síle de Cléir (University of Limerick)
18 October 2019	The Faclair na Gàidhlig Manuscript Corpus	Dr Martina Maher and Dr Eystein Thanisch (Faclair na Gàidhlig/ Dictionary of the Scottish Gaelic Language)
11 October 2019	No arms for Atalanta? Translating women in the Middle Irish Thebaid	Dr Mariamne Briggs (University of Edinburgh)
4 October 2019	Personal narratives and verbal performance in the foreign language classroom	Dr Licia Masoni (University of Bologna)
27 September 2019	Grimm Ripples: The Role of the Grimms’ Deutsche Sagen in the Collection and Creation of National Folk Narratives in Northern Europe	Professor Terry Gunnell (University of Iceland)
29 March 2019	“Simply the best, better than all the rest”: Islanders and their Gaelic dialects	Charles Wilson (University of Edinburgh)
8 March 2019	Celebrating the life and work of Professor Catherine Kerrigan in poetry and song on International Women's Day 2019	Professor Meg Bateman, Gerda Stevenson, Christine De Luca, Valerie Gillies and Dr Katherine Campbell
1 March 2019	John Murdoch, Gaels and the Left in Scotland, 1870-1890	Calum Cameron White (University of Glasgow)
15 February 2019	The Celtic Revival and Modern Spiritualism in Scotland: fairies, witches and haunted landscape	Dr Michelle Foot (University of Edinburgh)
8 February 2019	Dà dhàn “ùr” o Dhùthaich MhicAoidh, 1608, 1614	Dr Aonghas MacCoinnich (University of Glasgow)
30 January 2019	Ideological Shifts in Soviet Translations of Robert Burns’s poetry	Dr Natalia Vid (University of Maribor)
25 January 2019	John MacLean, Bàrd Thighearna Chola: print and the oral tradition	Professor Rob Dunbar (University of Edinburgh)
18 January 2019	'Tha Thu Air Aigeann M’ Inntinn' film screening and discussion	Catrìona Black
7 December 2018	'Ding Dong Dollar' - Then and Now	Stewart Black
23 November 2018	Aig an Iasgach: sustainability, language and heritage in Hebridean fishing	Dr Magnus Course
16 November 2018	Untitled	Gordon Cameron (University of the Highlands and Islands)
9 November 2018	Óðinn – One God or Many?	Professor Jens Peter Schjødt (Aarhus University)
2 November 2018	Untitled	Colleen Paton (University of Arizona)
26 October 2018	European voices in Edinburgh	Lin Li
19 October 2018	The Rob Donn Trail, the Rob Donn Songbook, and expanding the audience for Celtic scholarship	Dr Ellen Beard
12 October 2018	Public service reform and Irish language policy - tensions between "new public management" and language revitalisation efforts post-2008	Ben Ceallaigh (University of Edinburgh)
5 October 2018	Re-imagining and re-writing Finn mac Cumaill's death in an Early Modern Irish manuscript	Dr Martina Maher (Faclair na Gàidhlig)
28 September 2018	F. C. Diack (1865-1939): collector of Gaelic place-names and dialects from the North East Highlands’	Dr Jake King (Ainmean-àite na h-Alba)
6 April 2018	MSc Student Conference: Part Two	Students from our MSc programme in Celtic and Scottish Studies
30 March 2018	MSc Student Conference: Part One	Students from our MSc programme in Celtic and Scottish Studies
23 March 2018	Dancing with the divine hag: connecting cailleach lore across music, song, story and dance	Dr Lucy MacRae (University of Edinburgh)
16 March 2018	The value of fieldwork in contemporary ethnology	Dr Svetlana Pogodina (University of Latvia)
9 March 2018	At the fulcrum: Joe Heaney and the Folk Revival	Dr Virginia Blankenhorn (University of Edinburgh)
16 February 2018	Gaelic Medium Education choice in Barra: the educational, linguistic and political context	Dr Kirstie McLeod (University of Edinburgh)
9 February 2018	Heritage, motivation and cultural identity among new Gaelic speakers in New Scotland	Dr Stuart Dunmore (University of Edinburgh)
2 February 2018	Celtic Revivals and Reappropriations	Professor Murdo Macdonald (University of Dundee)
1 December 2017	Craobhscáoileadh coibhniusa: An Introduction and Progress Report on the IrishGen Project (Early Irish Genealogies as a Graph Database)	Dr Eystein Thanisch (University of the Highlands and Islands) and Dr Chris Yocum
24 November 2017	Revisiting ‘Mary O'Hara's Scotland’: a deferred moment in the early folk music revival	Dr Stuart Eydmann (University of Edinburgh)
17 November 2017	’s na cnàmhan gu bhith ris/a-nis: ways of reading contemporary Gaelic poetry	Dr Peter Mackay (University of St Andrews)
10 November 2017	Ways of Reading - themes and approaches in Conceiving a Nation	Gilbert Márkus (University of Glasgow)
3 November 2017	The Regional Ethnologies of Europe Project: Dumfries and Galloway	Caroline Milligan (University of Edinburgh), Mark Mulhern (University of Edinburgh) and Professor Gary West (University of Edinburgh)
27 October 2017	Hungarian Heritage House – Keeping the folklore alive	Boglarka Szabad (Hungarian Heritage House)
20 October 2017	Trends in the ‘new speaker’ discourse in the context of the Celtic languages: problems and suggestions	Christopher Lewin (University of Edinburgh)
13 October 2017	Orpheus Caledonius: Bringing William Thomson's 1725 Collection to Life	Žak Ozmo (Artistic Director of L'Avventura, London)
6 October 2017	My high heart is a knot of blood, my soul is tearing from my body: Bodies, emotions, and fosterage in medieval Irish literature	Thomas O’Donnell (University College London)
29 September 2017	Traditionalist and Moderniser	Professor Rob Dunbar (University of Edinburgh)
7 April 2017	Autoethnography in Dumfries and Galloway: Reflections on the Recent Work of the European Ethnological Research Centre	Caroline Milligan, Mark Mulhern, Dr Kenneth Veitch and Professor Gary West (University of Edinburgh)
31 March 2017	The Cult of Saints Kentigern and Cuthbert in Relation to Politics and National/Regional Identity in Scotland	Dr Greta-Mary Hair (University of Edinburgh) and Alan Henderson
24 March 2017	Fabric and Fashion in Gaelic Poetry	Dr Anja Gunderloch (University of Edinburgh)
17 March 2017	Chieftains and great men: The Rev. James McLagan's Gaelic collection and the Scottish Enlightenment	Dr Sìm Innes (University of Glasgow)
10 March 2017	Research with minority language practitioners in bilingual education: a trio of studies investigating Gaelic medium education	Dr Sarah MacQuarrie (University of Manchester)
3 March 2017	Last (wo)man standing: NLS MS 72.1.40 and the internal chronology of Ulster Cycle death tales	Abigail Burnyeat (University of Edinburgh)
1 March 2017	New speakers of Gaelic: perspectives from Scotia and Nova Scotia	Professor Rob Dunbar (University of Edinburgh) and Dr Stuart Dunmore (University of Edinburgh)
24 February 2017	Presenting the history of oral culture three-dimensionally in actual and virtual museums	Dr Emily Lyle (University of Edinburgh)
17 February 2017	Screening of ‘The Last Storyteller’ (2002) and panel discussion	Professor Desmond Bell (National College of Art and Design)
10 February 2017	Folklore, History and the Appin Murder	Ronald Black (University of Edinburgh)
3 February 2017	Death, Landscape and Water	Fañch Bihan-Gallic (University of Aberdeen)
27 January 2017	An Irishman, a Scotsman and the search for safe harbour in eighteenth-century Gaeldom	Dr Peadar Ó Muircheartaigh (University of Aberystwyth)
2 December 2016	Early Irish migrations to Scotland - Difficulties, Debates and DNA	Dr Catherine Swift (University of Limerick)
25 November 2016	Confessions of a Reformed Folk Singer	Bob Pegg
18 November 2016	Fionn mac Cumhaill in Gaelic Folklore	Dr Natasha Sumner (University of Harvard)
11 November 2016	Evenings of Wonder – Circus Stories from the Isle of Man in the Nineteenth Century	Sue King
4 November 2016	‘爱尔兰 & Seiria, from ‘the Island of Love’ to ‘the Land of Silk’: issues in translating Kuno Meyer's Selections from Ancient Irish Poetry into Chinese	He Qianwei (University of Edinburgh)
28 October 2016	The Humour of the Bard!: Dòmhnall Ruadh Mac an t-Saoir’s great satirical masterpiece “MacPhàil is MacThòmais”	Bill Innes
21 October 2016	The Patersons of Beauly: centenary reflections on rifles, romance, shinty and World War One	Dr Hugh Dan Maclennan and Dr Maggie Mackay (University of Edinburgh)
14 October 2016	Not the hearing way: defining ‘traditional’ in British Sign Language storytelling traditions	Dr Ella Leith (University of Edinburgh)
7 October 2016	"S e ’m fèileadh beag bu docha leam”: Trevor-Roper and the little kilt	Dr Coinneach Maclean (University of Glasgow)
30 September 2016	Authoritarian managerialism in medieval Gaelic educational institutions	Dr Eystein Thanisch (University of Edinburgh)

Language Policy Seminars

Researchers in Celtic and Scottish Studies at the University of Edinburgh are highly active in the area of future language planning and maintenance, particularly for Scottish Gaelic.

In spring 2019, we held a series of public seminars on language policy, with an emphasis on language in Scotland.

Please note that speaker titles and universities, as listed, date from the time of the event and may have changed.

Date	Title	Speakers
2 May 2019	A truthful reconciliation? Bill C-91, the Indigenous Languages Act and Canada's duty to its indigenous peoples	Professor Rob Dunbar (University of Edinburgh)
25 April 2019	Comasan Labhairt ann an Gàidhlig: developing a research-based resource for Gaelic learning and teaching	Dr Nicola Carty (University of Glasgow)
28 March 2019	The Scots language in superdiverse educational spaces: a critical discourse analysis of policy into practice'	Dr Karen Lowing (University of Stirling)
21 March 2019	Gaelic spaces, Gaelic in space: an approach to informal practice and learning of Scottish Gaelic	Fañch Bihan-Gallic (University of Aberdeen)
14 March 2019	Language provision and inclusion in Scottish mainstream education	Róisín McKelvey (University of Edinburgh)
7 March 2019	Leasachadh eacanomaigeach agus a' Ghàidhlig: o shealladh an latha an-diugh chun a-màireach	Iain Caimbeul (The University of the Highlands and Islands)
28 February 2019	The early days of a signing nation? Reflections upon the British Sign Language (Scotland) Act 2015	Professor Graham Turner (Heriot-Watt University)

Soillse Seminars

The Soillse Seminar series ran from spring 2016 to spring 2017. Lectures focused on minority language policy and sociolinguistics.

Please note that speaker titles and universities, as listed, date from the time of the event and may have changed.

Date	Title	Speakers
26 April 2017	A triple minority? Gay new speakers of Irish – legitimacy and identity	Dr John Walsh (National University of Ireland)
5 April 2017	Language as gatekeeper at the UK Border	Róisín McKelvey (University of Edinburgh) and Professor Rob Dunbar (University of Edinburgh)
29 March 2017	Language shift and neoliberalism – the Irish language in the wake of Ireland’s recent recession	Ben Ó Ceallaigh (University of Edinburgh)
22 March 2017	Becoming a (new) speaker of a minority language	Professor Bernadette O’Rourke (Heriot-Watt University)
15 March 2017	Promoting the Scots language as the National Library of Scotland’s Scots Scriever	Hamish MacDonald (Scots Scriever, National Library of Scotland).
10 March 2017	Research with minority language practitioners in bilingual education: a trio of studies investigating Gaelic-medium education	Dr Sarah MacQuarrie (University of Manchester)
8 March 2017	Minority languages and cultural representation: lessons from the Basque Country and Scotland	Dr Miren Manias (University of the Basque Country/University of Edinburgh)
1 March 2017	New speakers of Gaelic: perspectives from Scotia and Nova Scotia	Professor Rob Dunbar (University of Edinburgh) and Dr Stuart Dunmore (University of Edinburgh)
20 April 2016	The evolution of Canada's language rights regime	Stéphanie Chouinard (Université de Montréal)
30 March 2016	The accent in modern Scottish Gaelic spelling	Susan Ross (University of Glasgow)
23 March 2017	Telebhisean, cothroman cànain agus an dachaigh	Catrìona NicNèill (Sabhal Mòr Ostaig)
17 March 2016	Provision for a reviving language: the case of Cornish	Professor Kenneth MacKinnon (University of Aberdeen)
9 March 2016	New times, ‘new speakers’ of Faroese and multilingual ‘native’ speakers	Elisabeth Holm (University of the Faroe Islands)
2 March 2016	Accent aim and phonetic variation in new Gaelic speakers	Dr Claire Nance (Lancaster University)
24 February 2016	Money talks, but it might not speak Irish	Sara Brennan (Heriot-Watt University)

Conferences and symposia

Thinking About Mythology in the 21st Century

An annual conference jointly organised by the departments of Celtic and Scottish Studies and Scandinavian Studies at the University of Edinburgh.

Each year, the conference has a different theme related to Celtic and Old Norse mythology - previous themes include Myth and History, Boundaries, and Similarities and Differences.

Typically, the conference runs over two or three days and comprises a mix of panel sessions, keynote plenaries, workshops and networking opportunities.

Please note that speaker titles and universities, as listed, date from the time of the event and may have changed.

Dates	Theme	Venue	Keynote speakers
19 and 20 October 2019	Myth and History	50 George Square	Professor Joseph Nagy (Harvard University); Dr Emily Lyle (University of Edinburgh); Professor John Carey (University College Cork); Professor Jonas Wellendorf (University of California at Berkeley)
10 and 11 November 2018	Boundaries	50 George Square	Professor Ruairi Ó hUiginn (Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies); Professor Jens Peter Schjodt (Aarhus University); Dr Kevin Murray (University College Cork)
10 and 11 November 2017	Similarities and differences	50 George Square; David Hume Tower	Professor Stephen A. Mitchell (Harvard University); Professor Gregory Toner (Queen’s University, Belfast); Professor Jonathan Wooding (University of Sydney); Professor Jonas Wellendorf (University of California at Berkeley)
19 and 20 November 2016		50 George Square
24 and 25 November 2015		50 George Square	Professor Daniel Melia (University of California at Berkeley)
8 and 9 November 2014	Recent developments in Celtic Studies, particularly myth and oral culture	50 George Square

Rannsachadh na Gàidhlig

Rannsachadh na Gàidhlig is a biennial academic conference series established in 2000 to promote research through the medium of Gaelic and on any topic related to Gaelic.

Typically, the conference runs over three or four days and comprises a mix of panel sessions, keynote plenaries, poster sessions, workshops and networking opportunities such as visits to the School of Scottish Studies Archives, book launches and evening entertainment.

Please note that speaker titles and universities, as listed, date from the time of the event and may have changed.

Dates	Venue	Keynote speakers
28 to 30 August 2018	Informatics Forum; Appleton Tower; 50 George Square
23 to 26 June 2014	Informatics Forum; Appleton Tower	Professor Richard Sharpe (Oxford University); Professor Hugh Cheape (Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI); Dr Moray Watson (University of Aberdeen); Dr Meg Bateman (Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI); Dr John Purser (Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI)

More conferences and symposia

Music and Movement: British Forum for Ethnomusicology Annual Conference 2023

Dates: 13 to 16 April 2023

Venues: Alison House, Edinburgh College of Art; Reid Concert Hall

Keynote speaker: Professor Ama Oforiwaa Aduonum (Illinois State University)

In brief: Hosted by the Celtic & Scottish Studies department, this annual conference centred around the theme of Music and Movement. The conference ran over four days and comprised themed panel sessions, roundtable discussions, performances, and a keynote lecture by Professor Ama Oforiwaa Aduonum entitled 'Sankofa: Sonic Time Travel and Performative Journeyings in Walking with My Ancestors'.

Find more information and browse the full programme on the conference blog

Voice of the People #Hamish100

Date: 6 December 2019

Venue: The Queen's Hall, Edinburgh

Keynote speaker: Professor Ríonach uí Ógáin (University College Dublin)

In brief: A symposium to mark the centenary celebrations for Hamish Henderson. Events included the first Im Thurn Lecture given by Professor Ríonach uí Ógáin, titled 'Hamish Henderson, Tobar an Dualchais and the Irish Connection', and musical, scholarly and personal presentations on different aspects of Hamish Henderson's work and life. The symposium was followed by an evening concert celebrating Hamish Henderson's work on oral tradition and Scottish culture.

Crowded Out or Limitless Horizons? Minority Language-media in the Digital Age

A road sign with the words internet, radio, magazines, newspaper and television pointing in different directions

Dates: 16 and 17 October 2019

Venue: Informatics Forum (University of Edinburgh)

Keynote speakers: Rob Dunbar (University of Edinburgh); Josu Amezaga Albizu (University of the Basque Country (UPV / EHU)); Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones (Mercator Media); Alan Esslemont (Director of TG4); Itziar Azpeitia Iruretagoien (Basque Public TV (ETB))

Organisers: Miren Manias-Muñoz (University of Edinburgh / University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU)); Garbiñe Iztueta Goizueta (University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) / Etxepare Basque Institute)

In brief: Organised jointly by Etxepare Basque Institute and the University of Edinburgh, this two-day conference aimed to encourage knowledge exchange and collaboration between academics and professionals working on minority-language media. The conference was a part of Scotland Goes Basque, a programme of Basque culture promoted by the Etxepare Basque Institute in Scotland in 2019, and comprised speaker sessions, three plenaries, a roundtable discussion, a book launch and a screening of the documentary Mugaminak (2016).

Ulidia VI Fíanaigecht III

Dates: 13 to 18 June 2018

Venue: Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Isle of Skye

In brief: A joint meeting of the Ulster Cycle and Finn Cycle Conferences, hosted by the Scottish Celtic departments at Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and the University of the Highlands and Islands, to encourage Celticists to engage more closely with Ossianic scholarship.

Celtic Studies Students Conference 2018

Aerial shot of a group of Celtic Students holding the Celtic Nations flag

Dates: 2 to 4 March 2018

Venue: 50 George Square, University of Edinburgh; Teviot Row House, University of Edinburgh

Organisers: Students of Celtic Studies at the University of Edinburgh and The Association of Celtic Students of Ireland and Britain

In brief: The Celtic Studies Students' Conference has travelled throughout the Celtic world since 2012, and in March 2018, the conference returned to its original home for the first time since its inception. The conference consisted of 20-minute presentations on any aspect of Celtic Studies, including literature, language, linguistics, history, archaeology, art, music, ethnology and politics, by students of all Celtic languages and periods: ancient, medieval, early modern and contemporary.

Gaelic Broadcasting: issues, challenges and the way forward

Date: 15 March 2016

Venue: Outreach Centre, Holyrood Road, University of Edinburgh

Keynote speakers: Eithne O’Connell (Dublin City University); Professor Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones (Aberystwyth University); Professor Philip Schlesinger (Glasgow University); Representatives of campaigning group Gàidhlig-TV, MG ALBA/BBC ALBA

In brief: Gaelic broadcasting and the media were the focus of a one-day conference organised by the department of Celtic and Scottish Studies where campaign group members, broadcasters, and audience community representatives discussed current issues and potential future developments. The conference was open to any groups or individuals with an interest in the topic.

Lectures and talks

The Rebellious Truth Lecture

As part of the School of Scottish Studies Archives at 70 celebrations, Celtic and Scottish Studies partnered with Edinburgh Tradfest for the first Rebellious Truth Lecture in May 2021.

Through presentation and live performance, the Rebellious Truth Lecture explores the importance of traditional arts and the role of traditional artists of all backgrounds and practices in addressing societal concerns: environment, sustainability, identity, social cohesion, health, understandings of economy, employment, education, and diversity.

Rebellious Truth 2024: Archie Fisher

a close up image of a guitar lying on its back with event title overlaid

Date: 12 May 2024

Venue: Traverse Theatre (in person) or online via live stream

Event series: Rebellious Truth

In brief: The fourth annual Rebellious Truth lecture-recital in collaboration with Edinburgh Tradfest was given by musician, songwriter, producer and broadcaster, Archie Fisher. It was entitled 'Once Upon A Song: Seven Decades of Scottish Folk'.

This lecture was presented as a series of musical anecdotes with Archie bearing witness to the events, people and songs that epitomised 20th century folk culture in Britain, Ireland and beyond. Looking back at the scene over the past 70 years, he reflected on folk music as his constant companion through everything. The talk was chaired by Dr Lori Watson (Celtic and Scottish Studies) and featured performances from Archie and Traditional Artist in Residence Fraser Fifield.

Rebellious Truth 2023: Mischa Macpherson

Image of Mischa Macpherson with text reading Rebellious Truth

Date: 7 May 2023

Venue: Traverse Theatre (in person) or online via live stream

Event series: Rebellious Truth

In brief: The third annual Rebellious Truth lecture was in collaboration with Edinburgh Tradfest and given by Mischa Macpherson, Gaelic singer, composer, researcher and broadcaster. It was titled 'Balance and Belonging: The Unique Creative Life of Traditional Musicians / Cothromachd Agus Buntanas: Am Beatha Cruthachail Sònraichte Aig Luchd-Ciùil Traidiseanta'.

The talk concerned the mental pressures that traditional musicians face, and provided insight into the joys of playing the music you love. As well as the talk, the event included a short performance from Mischa and special set by our Traditional Artist in Residence Fraser Fifield.

Rebellious Truth 2022: Úna Monaghan

Rebellious Truth Lecture 2022 with Úna Monaghan

Date: 3 May 2022

Venues: Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh; Online (live stream on Edinburgh Tradfest's website)

Event series: Rebellious Truth

Keynote speaker: Dr Úna Monaghan

In brief: The second annual Rebellious Truth talk was given by harper, composer, researcher and sound artist Dr Úna Monaghan and entitled '121 Stories: The impact of gender on participation in Irish traditional music'.

In addition to the talk, the show included a recital by Úna Monaghan, a Q&A with the audience and a panel discussion on the mechanisms and structures favouring the contribution of men within the Irish and Scottish traditional music scene and what the next steps might be. The panel consisted of Catriona Macdonald (University of Newcastle), Christian Gamauf (Fèis Rois) and Martin Green.

Earlier events in the series

Speaker	Date	Venue	Summary
Karine Polwart	10 May 2021	St Cecilia's Hall, Edinburgh; Online (live stream on Edinburgh Tradfest's website)	Folk singer, songwriter and theatre-maker Karine Polwart explored the importance of traditional arts and the role of traditional artists of all backgrounds and practices in addressing societal concerns. The event also featured the premiere of 'The Order of Time' by School of Scottish Studies Traditional Artist in Residence Mike Vass, accompanied by Mairearad Green.

The O'Donnell Lectures

The O’Donnell Lectures on the Celtic aspect of the archaeology and languages of Britain were established in 1954 in honour of Charles James O’Donnell.

They are given in the universities of Edinburgh, Oxford, Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff, Swansea and Lampeter (Trinity St David). At the University of Edinburgh, the O'Donnell Lecture is hosted annually by Celtic and Scottish Studies.

Speaker	Date	Venue	Theme
Dr Fiona Edmonds (University of Lancaster)	9 May 2019	50 George Square	Gaelic around the Solway Firth in the medieval period
Professor Donald Meek (University of Glasgow)	31 May 2018	50 George Square	The Gaelic Literary Enlightenment: The Making of the Scottish Gaelic New Testament and Associated Books, 1760-1820
Professor William Gillies (University of Edinburgh)	16 May 2017	50 George Square	'The Mavis of Clan Donald': engaging with John MacCodrum

John MacLeod Memorial Lecture

Hosted by An Comann Gàidhealach in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh, the annual John MacLeod Memorial Lecture was established in 2019.

Originally from Carloway in Lewis, John MacLeod was a champion of Gaelic language and culture all his life and was actively involved in Gaelic development in Edinburgh. He was a member of the Lothian and Carloway Gaelic Choirs, and was the President of An Comunn Gàidhealach for ten years. In 1996, MacLeod restarted the Edinburgh branch of the Royal National Mòd, and, in 2017, was given the award of "Sàr-Ghàidheal" (Outstanding Gael) at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Gaelic college on Skye.

Speaker	Date	Venue	Title
Katie MacInnes	1 February 2024	50 George Square	One Croft, Many Opportunities / Aon Chroit, Iomadh Chothrom
Ruairidh Alastair MacLennan	26 January 2023	50 George Square	A’ togail guth ann an saoghal chruinneil: Ciall-chànain ri linn a lingua franca / Raising a voice in a globalised world: The meaning of language in the age of the lingua franca
Iona Whyte	27 January 2022	Online via Zoom	Mealladh Uaine is Fionn-Sgeul an Lorg Carbon / Green Washing and the Carbon Footprint Myth
Pàdruig Morrison	28 January 2021	Online via Zoom	Tìr nan Gàidheal? A’ beachdachadh air òigridh agus na h-eileanan anns an àm ri teachd / Land of the Gael? Considering young people and the islands in the future
Dr Alasdair Whyte (University of Glasgow)	30 January 2020	50 George Square	Fèin-aithne is Fèin-mheas nan Gàidheal
Kate Forbes MSP	24 January 2019	50 George Square	Dileab Thugainn, Dileab Bhuainn

Alan Bruford Memorial Lecture

Inaugurated in 1996, the lecture celebrates the life and work of Dr Alan Bruford (1937-1995), the School of Scottish Studies' longest-serving archivist and an eminent editor, author, collector and scholar of the folktale and storytelling.

It takes place annually as part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival.

Speaker	Date	Venue	Title
Professor John T Niles (University of Wisconsin)	25 October 2022	Scottish Storytelling Centre	Storytelling and Worldview: The Legacy of Duncan Williamson and Betsy Whyte
Dr John Shaw (University of Edinburgh)	24 October 2023	Scottish Storytelling Centre	John Francis Campbell and 'This New Science of "Storyology"'

More lectures and talks

Book Launch: A' Ruith Eadar Dà Dhràgon / Running Between Two Dragons

a blue feathery background with event title overlaid

Date: 19 April 2024

Venue: 50 George Square

Performers: Martin MacIntyre (Gaelic Writer in Residence), Ifor ap Glyn and Noèlia Diaz Vicedo

In brief: A book launch to celebrate the publication of Martin's newest poetry collection, 'Running Between Two Dragons'. In a first for Scottish poetry, it has been translated into Catalan, Welsh and English by Martin, Ifor and Noèlia. The poets read a selection of poems from the collection in all four languages and there was an opportunity to purchase the book from Francis Boutle Publishing. The event was chaired by Marion Sinclair, Chief Executive of Publishing Scotland.

Canna Lecture 2023

a snow-covered bothy on a hillside as the sun is setting with event title overlaid

Date: 6 December 2023

Venue: 50 George Square

Guest speaker: Dr Priscilla Scott

Title: 'Seinnidh mi le deòin do chliù': Praise of patrons, public figures, and personal friends in the songs of Màiri Mhòr nan Òran

Organisers: Celtic and Scottish Studies; The Scottish Gaelic Texts Society (SGTS)

In brief: The SGTS's annual Canna Lecture in 2023 was held within the University, and welcomed Dr Priscilla Scott to discuss the praise songs of Màiri Mhòr nan Òran / Mary MacPherson (1821-1898), the well-known Skye poet whose work was edited for the SGTS by Professor Donald Meek.

International Poetry Exchange

a mountain range background with event title overlaid

Date: 18 October 2023

Venue: The Saltire Society

Guest speakers: Sissal Kampmann, Ligija Purinaša and Martin Macintyre (Gaelic Writer in Residence)

In brief: An evening of poetry from three featured poets:

Sissal Kampmann, who read in Faroese from her book 'Darkening/Myrking'
Ligija Purinaša who read in Latgalian, a minority language of Latvia, from her co-written book 'The Last Model Pādejais modeļs'
Martin Macintyre who read in Scottish Gaelic

This event was hosted by the publisher Francis Boutle, and English translations were provided.

Popular Romance in late pre-modern Iceland

A close-up image of the spines of old books on a bookshelf with event title overlaid

Date: 10 October 2023

Venue: Chrystal Macmillan Building

Guest speaker: Professor Matthew Driscoll (Arnamagnæan Institute, University of Copenhagen)

In brief: A seminar by Professor Driscoll entitled 'Popular Romance in late pre-modern Iceland'. This event was hosted as a joint collaboration between Celtic and Scottish Studies and Scandinavian Studies.

Book launch: 'Gaelic in Scotland: Policies, Movements, Ideologies'

Book cover of Gaelic in Scotland: Policies, Movements, Ideologies by Wilson McLeod

Date: 12 November 2020

Venue: Online (Zoom)

In brief: Hosted by Professor Rob Dunbar (University of Edinburgh), the event celebrated the launch of 'Gaelic in Scotland: Policies, Movements, Ideologies' by Professor Wilson McLeod (University of Edinburgh), the first comprehensive study of Gaelic in modern Scotland.

A Night in the Fairy Brugh: Music and Dance through the Lens of Gaelic Storytelling

Date: 24 October 2017

Venue: Scottish Storytelling Centre

Speaker: Dr William Lamb (University of Edinburgh)

In brief: This lecture considered what can be learned about the Gaels’ traditional music and dance through their own inter-generational tales, drawing together sundry threads from Dr Alan Bruford’s substantial contribution to Scottish Ethnology, and providing a refreshing angle to a famous facet of Gaelic culture. The Alan Bruford Memorial Lecture is an annual event in memory of scholar and archivist Alan Bruford. The event was part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival and supported by the School of Scottish Studies Archives.

‘Suas leis a’ Ghàidhlig!’

Date: 8 May 2017

Venue: 50 George Square

Speaker: Dr Priscilla Scott (University of Edinburgh)

In brief: Ttitled "‘Suas leis a’ Ghàidhlig!’: The influence of innovative and forward-looking women in the development of the Mòd in the early years of the twentieth century," this lecture focused on the impact of a small group of dynamic ‘new women’ on the development of the Mòd and wider An Comunn Gàidhealach activities, as they sought to implement their own innovative ideas and to encourage a forward-looking and more inclusive organisation in support of Gaelic.

Film screenings, festivals, performances and workshops

Gaelic Writing Workshops

The University's Gaelic Writer in Residence, Màrtainn Mac an t-Saoir, ran a series of Gaelic Writing Workshops throughout 2023. These workshops encouraged attendees to share their writing, as well as work on new pieces individually and collaboratively.

Gaelic Writing Workshop 3	15 December 2023	40 George Square Cafe
Gaelic Writing Workshop 2	23 November 2023	50 George Square
Gaelic Writing Workshop 1	26 October 2023	50 George Square

Summer Cuirm

an out of focus photo of colourful lights with event info overlaid

Date: 22 May 2024

Venue: 50 George Square

Guest performers: Màrtainn Mac an t-Saoir (Gaelic Writer in Residence), Pàdraig MacAoidh, Linda NicLeòid

In brief: A celebratory cuirm of song, stories, and inspiration in honour of the end of the academic year, and of Màrtainn's last public event as Gaelic Writer in Residence. He was joined by poet and lecturer Pàdraig MacAoidh, and broadcaster and Gaelic language ambassador Linda NicLeòid as well as members of the Residency Gaelic Writing Group.

The Ardoch Suite / The Poor Had No Lawyers

a black and white image of a rural cottage and bare tree with event title overlaid

Date: 26 March 2024

Venue: 50 George Square

Guest speakers/performers: Fraser Fifield (Traditional Artist in Residence); Andy Wightman (author and former MSP); Ross Ainslie (musician)

In brief: An event of two parts: firstly, author, land activist and former MSP Andy Wightman gave a talk based on his acclaimed 2010 book, The Poor Had No Lawyers. Secondly, the University's Traditional Artist in Residence, Fraser Fifield, introduced a newly composed suite of music called 'The Ardoch Suite' that was performed with top traditional musician and piper, Ross Ainslie.

Mother Tongue: Mither Màthair Мати Ana

a blue background with a graphic of a red mouth saying 'mother' in an array of different languages, with event title overlaid

Date: 21 February 2024

Venue: Scottish Storytelling Centre

Performers: Màrtainn Mac an t-Saoir (Gaelic Writer in Residence), Elzara Batalova, Olga Niekrasova, Tim Porteus and Evie Waddell

In brief: An evening full of song, story and poetry from across the languages of Gaelic, Scots, British Sign Language, Ukrainian, Crimean Tatar and English. This event was in honour of International Mother Language Day. It was part of Seachdain na Gàidhlig (World Gaelic Week), and was in collaboration with TRACS, the University of Edinburgh Gaelic Writer in Residence and the Department of Celtic and Scottish Studies.

Cuirm Nollaige

a close-up image of a piano with reflections of festive lights on its surface, with event title overlaid

Date: 15 December 2023

Venue: 50 George Square

Performers: Màrtainn Mac an t-Saoir (Gaelic Writer in Residence), Alasdair Whyte, Kirsty MacDonald

In brief: A bilingual ceilidh of song, poetry, story and chat from featured performers to celebrate the festive period. The event was followed with a reception of mulled wine and mince pies.

Welcome/Fàilte event

a forest of orange autumnal trees with event title overlaid

Date: 8 November 2023

Venue: 50 George Square

Performers/speakers: Fraser Fifield (Traditional Artist in Residence); Martin MacIntyre (Gaelic Writer in Residence); Alice MacMillan; staff and students

In brief: An evening of songs, music, and poems to welcome in the new year. This event featured performers, colleagues, students and friends of Celtic and Scottish Studies at the University of Edinburgh, including Alice MacMillan, who won The Traditional Gold Medal for Gaelic singing at The National Mòd in 2022.

Scotland & Ireland: Songs & Stories of the Fianna

a loch on a sunny day with event title overlaid in English and Gaelic

Date: 20 October 2023

Venue: Netherbow Theatre

Performers: Màrtainn Mac an t-Saoir, Màiri NicIlleMhaoil, Mhairi Hall, agus Gráinne Holland / Martin MacIntyre, Mairi MacMillan, Mhairi Hall and Grainne Holland

In brief: A trilingual (Gaelic, Gaeilge and English) music, song and story performance that explored the tales of Fionn MacCumhnaill and the Fianna. This event was part of the 2024 Scottish Storytelling Festival and was supported by Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s Colmcille Fund.

One Great Circle

Background of two images, one of people with a harp and a fiddle, and one of a man with a whistle, with event title overlaid

Date: 6 October 2023

Venue: St Cecilia's Hall

Performers: Fraser Fifield (Traditional Artist in Residence) and Stout/McKay

In brief: A performance of new music by Fraser Fifield inspired by recordings of renowned storyteller and ballad singer, Stanley Robertson (1940 – 2009), as heard on the website, Tobar an Dualchais. Fraser was joined by renowned fiddle and harp duo, Stout/McKay.

Opening Fanfare: Grit in the Gardens

A soft red fabric background with event text and image of a microphone overlaid

Date: 6 August 2023

Venue: Princes Street Gardens

As part of: Edinburgh International Festival

In brief: A set from the thrilling GRIT Orchestra and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland at the Ross Bandstand. This final performance included an appearance from LLC's Traditional Artist in Residence, Fraser Fifield. Performing their unique blend of Celtic and world music traditions, and including a new world premiere accompanied by over 100 young people, GRIT kicked off the Festival with a truly memorable manifestation of the first week’s theme: community over chaos.

Piobaireachd - an evening of film, music and discussion

A banner with an image of a horse rearing up with a man on its back next to a man playing bagpipes

Date: 14 June 2023

Venue: 50 George Square, University of Edinburgh

Performers: Fraser Fifield, Traditional Artist in Residence (saxophone) and Dr Jack Taylor (bagpipes)

In brief: A multimedia event, involving a screening of 'MacCrimmon’s Gold' (Gérard Alle, 2019) which was followed by discussion and musical performance by Fraser Fifield and Dr Jack Taylor, all on the topic of 'Piobaireachd'.

Cuirm Shònraichte: Deireadh Dheuchainnean

An image of a smiling woman, illuminated by soft lighting

Date: 25 May 2023

Venue: Project Room 1.06, 50 George Square

Organiser: Màrtainn Mac an t-Saoir, Edinburgh University Gaelic Writer in Residence

Performers: Joy Dunlop; musical contributions from Edinburgh University students, including Mòd Gold Medalist, Màiri Callan; three members of Martin MacIntyre's Gaelic Writing Group

In brief: A stimulating bi-lingual event, full of lively discussion, song and music with special guest and well-know Gaelic singer, presenter and animateur, Joy Dunlop. There was also musical contributions from Edinburgh University students, including Mòd Gold Medalist, Màiri Callan. Three members of Martin MacIntyre's Gaelic Writing Group contributed new short pieces.

Celebrating Scottish Traveller Culture: Stories, Songs and Poetry

Banner reading 'Celebrating Scottish Traveller Culture' featuring photos of three performers

Date: 26 April 2023

Venue: Project Room 1.06, 50 George Square

In brief: An afternoon celebrating the culture, heritage and history of Scotland’s Traveller communities. It included live performances from community members Jess Smith, Joss Cameron and Sam Donaldson.

This event provided a short overview of Scotland's Traveller communities and showcased some of the cultural traditions they enjoy. Many recordings of the communities’ voices from the past can be found in School of Scottish Studies Archives and online through the Tobar an Dualchais/Kist o Riches resource.

Explore the School of Scottish Studies Archives

An Cuideachd: Marcas Mac an Tuairneir agus Rachel Walker

Image of Marcas Mac an Tuairneir agus Rachel Walker

Date: 24 March 2023

Venue: 50 George Square

Organiser: Martin MacIntyre (Gaelic Writer in Residence, University of Edinburgh)

In brief: An evening of music, song, poetry and chat with Marcas Mac an Tuairneir and Rachel Walker. It was a bilingual event in English and Gaelic.

Fraser Fifield and David Milligan In Concert: The Eliza Ross Manuscript

A man in a room full of instruments, smiling at the camera

Date: 26 February 2023

Venue: Reid Concert Hall

In brief: An in-depth reinterpretation of the Elizabeth Ross Manuscript, the earliest known manuscript of Highland music, collected on the Isle of Raasay in 1812. In 1954, the collection was secured by the School of Scottish Studies and subsequently published by Musica Scotia. The manuscript was performed by Traditional Artist in Residence Fraser Fifield and pianist Dave Milligan - they re-presented the music in exciting contemporary settings, putting a spin on the music’s ancient roots.

A Celebration of Scotland’s Music and Song Traditions

Date: 30 November 2022

Venue: St Cecilia's Hall

In brief: Celebrating St Andrew's Day in music and song at the University of Edinburgh's annual concert, organised in conjunction with Celtic and Scottish Studies and featuring Scots and Gaelic performers. The concert included performances from Fraser Fifield (Traditional Artist in Residence at the University of Edinburgh), Màrtainn Mac an t-Saoir / Martin MacIntyre (Gaelic Writer in Residence at the University of Edinburgh), Dr Lori Watson (Lecturer in Scottish Ethnology), Dave Milligan, Rona Wilkie and Màiri Callan.

School of Scottish Studies Archives - In Light

Date: 22 August 2020

Venue: Online (YouTube)

In brief: Online festival celebrating the School of Scottish Studies Archives, featuring specially commissioned new work from Scottish musicians Mhairi Hall and Rachel Newton, as well as film screenings and panel discussions, followed by an evening concert of music, storytelling and dance.

Watch the performances on Celtic and Scottish Studies' YouTube channel

Trad. Reclaimed - Women in Folk

Dates: 15 to 17 March 2019

Venue: Kings Place, 90 York Way, London

In brief: Co-curated with Rachel Newton, Trad. Reclaimed featured musicians and singers - including our own Lori Watson (Lecturer in Scottish Ethnology) - from the contemporary folk scene. Celebrating iconic female figures in the scene’s development, this event was the first time Trad. Reclaimed featured an all-female line-up in its programme of performances, workshops and talks. In celebration of International Women's Day.

Exploring, representing and utilizing the Edinburgh model of a Eurasian ten-god cosmology

Date: 12 November 2017

Venue: 50 George Square, University of Edinburgh

In brief: A free workshop by Dr Emily Lyle (University of Edinburgh) on cosmology and Celtic and Scandinavian mythologies. The workshop consisted of short presentations and group discussions, looking at the claim that Edinburgh model of a Eurasian ten-god cosmology underlies mythologies like those of the Celts and Scandinavians, as studied during the fifth annual colloquium on Thinking About Mythology in the 21st Century in November 2017.

Seachd - The Inaccessible Pinnacle

Date: 14 May 2017

Venue: 50 George Square

Organisers: Scottish Poetry Library, supported by the Celtic and Scottish Studies department

In brief: A film screening of "Seachd - The Inaccessible Pinnacle", featuring two of Scotland's leading Gaelic poets, Angus MacNicol and Angus Peter Campbell.

St. Andrew's Day Concert 2015

Date: 30 November 2015

Venue: Playfair Library

In brief: Celebrating St Andrew’s Day in music and song at the University of Edinburgh’s annual concert. Performers included: Allan MacDonald (Highland pipes); Katherine Campbell (Scots song); Patsy Seddon (clarsach); Gary West (Lowland pipes); Margaret Callan (Gaelic song); Padruig Morrison (accordion); a folk group of Will Lamb, Fin Moore, and Sarah Hoy (bouzouki, bellows pipes and fiddle).

This article was published on 2024-08-13