The Bards o' Allan Water
Sheriffmuir
|
The book is now published on-line to download from Amazon Kindle and is also in the Kindle lending library free. To view or purchase click on the cover image:-
|
|
Paraig at Tibbermore, September 2015
©Pictures In Blood / Bart Masiukiewicz
Immediately to the left is a photo from series of excellent shots taken on Saturday 26th September, 2015 from 'Pictures in Blood' by Bart Masiukiewicz at Tibbermore Church near Perth. on a day of traditional Gaelic and Scots verse and tales on the Jacobites. Tibbermore Church,features in the new series
'Outlander'
Paraig, a recognised authority on Old Highland Dress, here wearing the Suitheanas Ban or White Cockade Jacobite white ribbon of the Stuarts, exemplifies how a Highland soldier of the '15 and '45' period would have dressed. The wearing of differing tartans then with 'no name' being the norm since the 'Clan Tartan' system had not yet at that time been invented for the later imperial, political, military and commercial expediency that fuelled the post-Culloden era.
For more of Bart's excellent photos click here
Below is what will be the first of many Sheriffmuir and the '15' songs on home-made You Tube videos with lyrics for those following this project to sing along to or learn the material should they wish to.
These were presented on 7th May at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, as part of a workshop as TradFest's ReSource programme. For details click: here
Reviews
I attended Paraig MacNeil’s showcase of this project featuring the songs and history of the ’15’ Jacobite rising (Kinbuck - phase & chapter II - August). This erudite presentation in story, exposition and song focussed on the events around the Battle of Sherriffmuir had the virtue of making and immediate oral appeal to the audience which ranged in age from about 11 year to 80. This direct infusion of history in this appealing and readily assimilated form is not only a continuation of an invaluable oral tradition but combined with the other features of Paraig’ project,i.e. the video and audio material makes in appealing and available to a wide range of people. Paraig has a well stocked memory of tales and songs. His songs have a communicative immediacy and his sense of humour adds to the mix.I heartily recommend support of any kind to this worthwhile work.
David Campbell, Traditional Storyteller, Poet, Broadcaster and reviewer Campbell, Traditional Storyteller, Poet, Broadcaster and Reviewer August, 2015
Campbell, Traditional Storyteller, Poet and reviewerJust a note of thanks for that wonderful and colourful slice of Scottish history and tradition. The residents thought it was fun.
Andrew Hennessay Events Coordinator, Bandrum Nursing Home Fife September 2015
Below are 10 songs from this chapter to click, watch the lyrics, and sing along to:-
This traditional song the first entry for the Sheriffmuir sub-page and this is the traditional song: 'Will Ye Go tae Sheriffmuir':
'Outlander'
Paraig, a recognised authority on Old Highland Dress, here wearing the Suitheanas Ban or White Cockade Jacobite white ribbon of the Stuarts, exemplifies how a Highland soldier of the '15 and '45' period would have dressed. The wearing of differing tartans then with 'no name' being the norm since the 'Clan Tartan' system had not yet at that time been invented for the later imperial, political, military and commercial expediency that fuelled the post-Culloden era.
For more of Bart's excellent photos click here
Below is what will be the first of many Sheriffmuir and the '15' songs on home-made You Tube videos with lyrics for those following this project to sing along to or learn the material should they wish to.
These were presented on 7th May at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, as part of a workshop as TradFest's ReSource programme. For details click: here
Reviews
I attended Paraig MacNeil’s showcase of this project featuring the songs and history of the ’15’ Jacobite rising (Kinbuck - phase & chapter II - August). This erudite presentation in story, exposition and song focussed on the events around the Battle of Sherriffmuir had the virtue of making and immediate oral appeal to the audience which ranged in age from about 11 year to 80. This direct infusion of history in this appealing and readily assimilated form is not only a continuation of an invaluable oral tradition but combined with the other features of Paraig’ project,i.e. the video and audio material makes in appealing and available to a wide range of people. Paraig has a well stocked memory of tales and songs. His songs have a communicative immediacy and his sense of humour adds to the mix.I heartily recommend support of any kind to this worthwhile work.
David Campbell, Traditional Storyteller, Poet, Broadcaster and reviewer Campbell, Traditional Storyteller, Poet, Broadcaster and Reviewer August, 2015
Campbell, Traditional Storyteller, Poet and reviewerJust a note of thanks for that wonderful and colourful slice of Scottish history and tradition. The residents thought it was fun.
Andrew Hennessay Events Coordinator, Bandrum Nursing Home Fife September 2015
Below are 10 songs from this chapter to click, watch the lyrics, and sing along to:-
This traditional song the first entry for the Sheriffmuir sub-page and this is the traditional song: 'Will Ye Go tae Sheriffmuir':
Below is part of John MacDonald's epic Oran nam Fineachean Gaidhealach - The Song of the Highland Clans, 1715 - the call to arms highlighting the anticipated muster roll of the clans and the nobles of the Lowlands also in the Jacobite Rising of 1715 culminating in the Battle of Sheriffmuir on 13th November that same year.
Next is James Hogg's very own Donald Macgillavry
Bellow is John MacDonald's Marbhrann do Mhac 'ic Ailein - Lament to the valliant Allan MacDonald, 14th Chieftain of Clanranald, who was mortally would at the Battle of Sheriffmuir, and died of his woulds that night at Drummond Castle. He was then quickly interred at Innerpeffrey Chapel, between Methven and Crieff. In 1900 his body was exhumed and re-interred in Eilean Fhionnain, Moidart, the traditional burial ground of the chieftains of his noble and ancient line.
Next is the satire 'Up an' Waur Them a' Willie' from the James Hogg 'Jacobite Relics' Collection.
'S mi fhin a tha ann anm sheinn Tha mi nam Chadal le Sileas na Ceapaich
It's myself(y) here singing (whihlst out on a morning run) by the Battle stone of Sheriffmuir, I am Asleep, by Sileas the bardess and daughter of MacDonnell of Keppoch. This is a song of the '15' and if you click on the wee You Tube box at the bottom of the small screen then it will go up in such as way that you can read the blurb (Gaelic only - sorry) but the traslation of the song is just below that.
It's myself(y) here singing (whihlst out on a morning run) by the Battle stone of Sheriffmuir, I am Asleep, by Sileas the bardess and daughter of MacDonnell of Keppoch. This is a song of the '15' and if you click on the wee You Tube box at the bottom of the small screen then it will go up in such as way that you can read the blurb (Gaelic only - sorry) but the traslation of the song is just below that.
Below is The Battle of Sherra-moor by Robert Burns
From James Hogg's Jacobite Relics, below is Lady Keith's Lament whose 2 sons fought at Sheriffmuir and live in exile, being deprived of her servants and status, as an old lady awaits the day when King James comes back and tries again.
Lasgairean Bhràghaid Albainn - The Gallant Men of Breadalbane, is a piobearchd song recited here recited by Paraig MacNeil with a translation, over 'Campbell’s Gathering' or 'Lord Breadalbane’s March' (Cruinneachadh nan Duibhaineach, --- Cruinneachadh Shìl Dhiarmaid, no Caismeachd Thighearna Bhràghaid-Albainn) in praise Duncan and John Campbell of Breadalbane and others who fought with with extra-ordinary bravery at the Battle of Sheriffmuir, 13th November, 1715, on the side of the Jacobites. Alison MacNeil tales this off with singing the first verse and refrain of the original 'Both Sides the Tweed' from James Hogg's Jacobite Relics.
Below is part of the epic, A Race at Sheriffmuir, a Race Fairly Run on 13th November, 1715, By Murdoch MacLennan or McLellan, 1715, minister of Crathie Parish Church, Braemar. This satirical ballad is based upon eyewitness accounts from clansmen coming home form the Battle of Sheriffmuir.
Click to set custom HTML
Finally La Sliabh an t-Siorraim - The Day of Sheriffmuir - not only the name of Sileas na Ceapaich's classic but Paraig's march re-enactment from Kinbuck to Sheriffmuir following the same route as Mar and his army on 13th November, 1715, and carried out at exactly the same departure and arrival times. Paraig here through a series of edited 'selfies' narrates the march in Gaelic.
Paraig also punctuates his 300 year journey with an excerpt from one of his 2,000 line epics 'The Broach, The Yarn and the Unicorn on the engagement of the Battle of Sheriffmuir whlist sing the 4 chosen verse of Sileas's brosnachadh (incitement).
During this momentous never-to-come again moment in time that he interviews Brigadier Iain MacPharlain about the structures and ethos of Slleas's verse which Iain decalimes around the Battle Stone in the presences of the cream of Highland and Lowland nobility. The Northumberland Jacobite Society were also present laying floral tributes.
Paraig also punctuates his 300 year journey with an excerpt from one of his 2,000 line epics 'The Broach, The Yarn and the Unicorn on the engagement of the Battle of Sheriffmuir whlist sing the 4 chosen verse of Sileas's brosnachadh (incitement).
During this momentous never-to-come again moment in time that he interviews Brigadier Iain MacPharlain about the structures and ethos of Slleas's verse which Iain decalimes around the Battle Stone in the presences of the cream of Highland and Lowland nobility. The Northumberland Jacobite Society were also present laying floral tributes.
Paraig MacNeil & Brig. Iain MacPharlain
On that glorious day we remembered those brave men who stood for what was right which, it is clear in 1715 almost all the nation did. Clan representatives came also from those clans also whose ancestors had suffered the heaviest losses on the unsupported Jacobite left, who faced four hours of onslaught from Argyle's heavy cavalry, and would not retreat. This included, the MacGregors, The MacRaes, the Stewarts of Appin, The Camerons and the MacPhersons.
Significantly the Clan Campbell representative laid wreaths for those brave Campbells who fought on both sides.
Around the MacRae Monument by the road, with the Clan MacRae association and other clans represented, floral tributes were paid followed by the Flower's o' the Forest on the pipes.
Next, the 1745 association had a small gathering around their small cairn where Jim King read his excellent scots poem in the antholgoy Allan Waater, extolling the "bonnie lads MacRaes" after which, the local minister of St. Blanes together with the the minister of St Mary's Episcopal church lead us all in singing the 23rd psalm after prayers.
After Iain's declamation of 4 verse's of Sileas's La Sliabh an t-Siorraim (The Day of Sheriffmuir), Blar Sliabh an t-Siorraim (the Battlefield of Sheriffmuir) pibroch was played around the ancient Battle or Gathering Stone as we were transfixed for a moment in time in an ancient world where it seemed that ever since all true virtue had been traded in for vanity.
Says Paraig "This was the most fitting tribute to the end of a very inspirational project".
Significantly the Clan Campbell representative laid wreaths for those brave Campbells who fought on both sides.
Around the MacRae Monument by the road, with the Clan MacRae association and other clans represented, floral tributes were paid followed by the Flower's o' the Forest on the pipes.
Next, the 1745 association had a small gathering around their small cairn where Jim King read his excellent scots poem in the antholgoy Allan Waater, extolling the "bonnie lads MacRaes" after which, the local minister of St. Blanes together with the the minister of St Mary's Episcopal church lead us all in singing the 23rd psalm after prayers.
After Iain's declamation of 4 verse's of Sileas's La Sliabh an t-Siorraim (The Day of Sheriffmuir), Blar Sliabh an t-Siorraim (the Battlefield of Sheriffmuir) pibroch was played around the ancient Battle or Gathering Stone as we were transfixed for a moment in time in an ancient world where it seemed that ever since all true virtue had been traded in for vanity.
Says Paraig "This was the most fitting tribute to the end of a very inspirational project".
