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Festival celebrates Gaelic community

Whisky tastings, film screenings and traditional dance are some of the highlights of Edinburgh’s Gaelic Festival this November

The week-long festival called Seachdain na Gàighlig runs from 12 – 18 November.

Organisers hope to give people of all ages and language abilities an opportunity to enjoy Gaelic culture.

Packed programme

The University’s Water of Life Society will lead a whisky tasting event, during which experts will offer insight into the pronunciation and meaning of the Gaelic whisky names.

Two Gaelic films will be screened in the University’s 50 George Square. Tron Dura follows protagonist Ruaraidh’s attempt to get his affairs in order before he dies. Shepherds of Bernerary is a documentary about a community of sheep farmers in the Outer Hebrides. Both will be followed by question and answer sessions with the film-makers.

Literature events

Professor William McLeod will lead an event that maps the traces of Gaelic literature in poetry, song, prose and drama.

A new Gaelic magazine will hold its launch event during the festival. STEALL features established and up-and-coming new Gaelic writers, and will be launched at the University in partnership with publishers Clàr.

Further attractions include a tour of the University’s Talbot Rice Gallery, poetry readings and arts and crafts workshops held in St Giles’ Cathedral.

For the festival finale, the University’s Highland Society will host a ceilidh in the Teviot Row House.

Edinburgh collaboration

After two successful festivals run by the University in 2014 and 2015, it was agreed that Seachdain na Gàighlig should be extended to the wider community.

It is now run by a dedicated committee of volunteers and is supported by Gaelic officers from the University and the Scots Gaelic Community (Comunn na Gàighlig).

Related links

Seachdain na Gàidhlig - Edinburgh Gaelic Festival

The University’s Gaelic Language Plan

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