Skye Gaelic poetry and song collections: Sorley MacLean

Gaelic Literature of the Isle of Skye: an annotated bibliography

Traditional poetry and song: collectors and collections

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MACLEAN, Sorley (Somhairle MacGill-Eain) (1911–1996)

Sorley MacLean was born in Raasay in 1911. Until his retirement he worked as a schoolteacher: firstly in Mull, then Skye and Edinburgh before becoming headmaster of Plockton High School. After his retirement he lived in Braes, Skye until his death in Raigmore Hospital, Inverness in November 1996.

Speaking of Sorley’s place in Scottish Gaelic poetry, Donald MacAulay has referred to his work as being the “vital and incomparable link” between the older, traditional poetry and the new, modern poetry (MacAmhlaigh 1976:54). Recognised not only as a major figure in Scottish Gaelic literature, Sorley MacLean was also recognised as a major figure in 20th Century European literature.

Sorley’s brother Calum (q.v.) was a distinguished collector of traditional Gaelic oral literature. Sorley himself had a deep interest in Gaelic oral literature and traditions. He introduces the article noted here with an account of his family’s genealogy on both his mother’s and his father’s side, a genealogy rooted in both Skye and Raasay. Among the traditions which he discusses, poetry and song feature prominently. The following is a list of the poems and songs featured, many of which came from his aunt, Peggie Maclean. Each is dealt with in more detail on an individual basis in the section for anonymous poetry or, where appropriate in the section for poetry and song of known authorship.

A Gaelic / English bilingual website, Somhairle MacGill-Eain Air-loidhne (Sorley MacLean Online), at www.sorleymaclean.org is devoted to the life and work of Somhairle.

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Sam MacLean. ‘Some Raasay Traditions’. TGSI, 49 (1974-1976), 377-397.

i ‘Mura b’ e mo cheann’, by Nic Othail

ii ‘Cumha Iain Ghairbh’, by Iain Garbh’s sister (Nighean Mhic Ghille Chaluim)

iii ‘Ciad soraidh bhuam fhìn gu m’ eòlas’ (‘Oran Mor Sgoirebreac’)

iv ‘Ciad furan ‘s ciad fàilte’

v ‘Moch Di-luain ghabh i ‘n cuan’

vi ‘Milis Mórag’

vii ‘Seo a’ bhliadhna dh’ fhàg mi dubhach’

viii ‘Coisich a rùin’

ix ‘A Tharmaid ‘Ain mhic Tharmaid’

x ‘Latha dhomh air Sliabh an Leirg [Deirg] an Eirinn’