The Little Letter for Gaelic Learners

Roddy was telling you about the brisgean, or silverweed. It is plentiful where there is sand. There is lots on the island machairs. Roddy tried the silverweed once. Roddy didn’t think much of it. The old Gaels were eating it when food was scarce. But were they eating it at other times?

Spring – the season of hunger. Well, traditionally, at least. Food was scarce in Spring. What did people eat? Well, a proverb tells us. In Spring, when the sheep is thin, the shellfish are fat. Find out more in this week's letter Accompanying text is available in both English and Gaelic at bbc.co.uk/litirbheag

In 1768, Dugald Buchanan got bad news. He was still in Edinburgh. But his family in Kinloch Rannoch were suffering from fever. He went home. But he contracted the fever himself. He died. He was just 52 years old. Accompanying text is available in both English and Gaelic at bbc.co.uk/litirbheag

Religion caused Dugald Buchanan distress. The Jacobite rebellion didn’t help him. Dugald was against the Prince’s cause. He was angry about the way in which Highland soldiers were put to death in Carlisle. He wnated revenge. But he was also wanting to grant the murderers forgiveness. Accompanying text is available in both English and Gaelic at bbc.co.uk/litirbheag

Roddy continues with his tales of Dugald Buchanan, whose faith was not strong as a teenager. Roddy recounts a tale where Dugald’s life appears to have been saved by divine intervention. Find out more in this week’s letter. Accompanying text is available in both English and Gaelic at bbc.co.uk/litirbheag

Roddy is reading from In the autorbiography of The Life and Conversion of Dugald Buchanan a famous Gaelic spiritual poet. Dugald had crises of faith when he was young. He had been brought up in a very pious household. He was sent away to work when he was twelve. A significant incident happened whilst he was there. Accompanying text is available in both English and Gaelic at bbc.co.uk/litirbheag

Roddy takes inspiration for this week’s letter from a Gaelic autobiography. The author and subject is Dugald Buchanan, who was famous as a spiritual poet and helped translate the New Testament into Gaelic. Roddy investigates some of the spiritual things that Dugald saw. Accompanying text is available in both English and Gaelic at bbc.co.uk/litirbheag

This week Roddy brings you a story from a book that was published last year. He read it online. He is enjoying the book very much and ends with a puzzle. Accompanying text is available in both English and Gaelic at bbc.co.uk/litirbheag

This week, Roddy has a different story from last week, but with the same name, Luran. This story is from Barra. The choice of breakfast also becomes pertinent. Luran notices a cow or steer goes missing every Halowe’en! How can he stop this from happening and who is taking them? Find out in this week’s letter. Accompanying text is available in both English and Gaelic at bbc.co.uk/litirbheag

Luran was a man who lived in Stoneybridge. He was visited by a stranger, who outwitted him using porridge! How can this be? Find out in this week’s letter. Accompanying text is available in both English and Gaelic at bbc.co.uk/litirbheag

Roddy reads another important part of the Declaration of Arbroath. It leads him to wonder what is the significance to Scotland of the Declaration and the importance to Gaels. Accompanying text is available in both English and Gaelic at bbc.co.uk/litirbheag

Roddy looks back into history for this week's letter. He looks into the history of the The Declaration of Arbroath. Roddy reads one of the most famous passages in Gaelic. Accompanying text is available in both English and Gaelic at bbc.co.uk/litirbheag

Roddy was in Wales recently. He noticed that the area was beautiful and that the language was strong. There is lots of language in that area that is easy for a Gael to understand. Snowdonia is the highest mountain, or Yr Wyddfa, in Welsh. It has a very unexpected meaning. Find out what that meaning is and the amazing story behind it, in this week’s letter. Accompanying text is available in both English and Gaelic at bbc.co.uk/litirbheag

General misery was prevalent in Caithness. Rent was unpaid, the new Earl’s buildings were destroyed and his livestock was stolen. The Earl retaliated by sending military force. A fierce battle commenced between the Campbells and the Sinclairs of Caithness. Who were successful and how did they celebrate their victory? Unlock the secret of the name of the place in this week’s letter. Accompanying text is available in both English and Gaelic at bbc.co.uk/litirbheag

Roddy has been on a walk in Caithness on a famous site. The name is in Gaelic and commemorates an even in 1680. The name is Altimarlach or Allt nam Mèirleach and translates as The Burn of the Robbers. Who were the robbers and why are they being commemorated? Roddy sets the scene for a great battle that took place there, the Battle of Altimarlach. Join him and learn more with this week’s letter. Accompanying text is available in both English and Gaelic at bbc.co.uk/litirbheag