Community at the heart of Gaelic events

Gaelic language, community and culture is set to take centre stage at the annual John McLeod Memorial Festival.

An image of Duncan MacLeod

Leugh seo sa Ghàidhlig

Ceilidh dancing, a walking tour and a writing workshop are among the line-up of fringe events supporting this year’s John MacLeod Memorial Lecture, named after a notable figure in the Gaelic Community.

The Memorial Lecture will open the programme on Thursday 30 January and will be presented by Gaelic singer and musician Duncan MacLeod.

The lecture, which will be delivered in Gaelic with simultaneous interpretation to English, will explore what language decay tells us about Gaelic.

A recent graduate of the University of Edinburgh’s Celtic and Linguistics MA programme, Duncan and his younger sister Rona have formed a musical duo and frequently compete at Scotland’s premier Gaelic festival, the Royal National Mòd.

The expanded programme will take place between Thursday 30 and Sunday 2 February 2024. 

Events are open to all – from Gaelic enthusiasts, to those looking to gain more of an understanding of Gaelic language and culture.

Events programme

A series of fringe events will follow the annual Lecture, with a writing workshop hosted by the University of Edinburgh’s Gaelic Writer in Residence, Niall O’Gallagher, and a ceilidh taking place on Friday 31 January.

Other events attendees can enjoy over the four-day programme include a tour of famous Gaels of Edinburgh at Dean Cemetery and a panel discussion on the Scottish Languages Bill, which gave Gaelic and Scots languages official status in Scotland in 2023.

View the full events programme on the An Comunn Gàidhealach website:

John Macleod Memorial Festival programme - An Comunn Gàidhealach

Gaelic advocate

The Memorial Lecture was established in 2019, following the death of John MacLeod (Iain Macleoid), former president of An Comunn Gàidhealach, an organisation that promotes Gaelic language.

Originally from Lewis, MacLeod was active in the Gaelic community of Edinburgh, working to promote the language and culture.

In 1996 he re-launched the Edinburgh branch of An Comunn Gàidhealach. He was presented the “Sàr Ghàidheal” award from Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in 2017 for his work and dedication to the Gaelic language. 

The series – hosted by the University of Edinburgh and An Comunn Gàidhealach – builds on McLeod’s work to develop opportunities for Gaelic use in the city.

An Comunn Gàidhealach are delighted to again collaborate with The University of Edinburgh to deliver the John Macleod Memorial Festival. He undertook outstanding work on behalf of the Gaelic community in Edinburgh and the Festival duly commemorates his work.

Tags

2025