Tormod MacLeòid

Neach-labhairt Gàidhlig. Ministear. Sgrìobhadair. Dìonadair nam bochd.

Na mhinistear comharraichte de dh’Eaglais na h-Alba, bha Macleòid cuideachd sàr-bhuadhach mar sgrìobhadair rosg sa Ghàidhlig, a’ stèidheachadh agus a’ deasachadh a dhà de na h-irisean Gàidhlig as tràithe, An Teachdaire Gaelach agus Cuairtear nan Gleann. Bha e àrd-èifeachdach ann an adhartachadh foghlam is sochairean luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig an dà chuid air a’ Ghàidhealtachd agus ann an Glaschu, far an robh e na mhinistear ann an Eaglais Naomh Chaluim Chille. Choisinn seo dha am far-ainm Caraid nan Gàidheal.

Norman Macleod

Gaelic speaker. Minister. Writer. Defender of the poor.

A distinguished minister of the Scottish Church, Macleod was also an enormously influential writer of Gaelic prose, founding and editing two of the earliest Gaelic periodicals, An Teachdaire Gaelach (The Highland Messenger) and Cuairtear nan Gleann (The Traveller of the Glens). He was highly effective in promoting the education and welfare of Gaelic-speakers both in the Highlands and in Glasgow where he was minister of St Columba’s Church of Scotland. This earned him the nickname Caraid nan Gàidheal ‘Friend of the Gaels’

Anna Nic a’Phì (NicIllEathain)

Neach-labhairt Gàidhlig. In-imriche. Mathair iongantach.

An dèidh don teaghlach a bhith air am fuadach gu fòirneartach dhen fhearann aca, aig 9 bliadhna a dh’aois choisich i na ceud mìle às a’ Chorpaich còmhla ri a màthair. Phòs i Dòmhnall MacIllEathain aig an robh Gàidhlig, agus bha seachdnar chloinne aca. Bha i na banntrach glè òg agus thog i a’ chlann a dh’aindeoin bochdainn is cruadalas, a’ stèidheachadh a luachan làidir fhèin annta agus a spèis do fhoghlam. Chaidh a mac a b’ òige, Iain, air adhart gu bhith na thùsaire de fhoghlam bhuidhnean obrach agus bha e cliùiteach mar aon de na prìomh shòisealaich san Roinn Eòrpa. B’ e an tiodhlacadh aige am fear bu mhotha a bha a-riamh ann an Alba.

Anne MacPhee (MacLean)

Gaelic speaker. Immigrant. Remarkable mother.

Family violently cleared from their land, at age 9 she walked the hundred miles from Corpach with her mother. Later married Gaelic-speaking Dòmhnall MacIllEathain (Daniel MacLean) and had seven children. Widowed young, she raised them despite poverty and hardship, instilling in them her strong values and respect for education. Her younger son, John, went on to become a pioneer of working-class education and reknowned as one of the leading socialists in Europe. His funeral was the largest ever held in Scotland.

An Ro-Urr. Tòmas M. MacCalmain

Neach-labhairt Gàidhlig. À baile Ghobhainn. Ministear. Sgrìobhadair.

Air a bhreith ann am Baile Ghobhainn, air oideachadh ann an Oilthigh Ghlaschu agus Colaiste na Trianaid, bha e na mhinistear ann an eaglais Naomh Chaluim Chille-Summertown ann am Baile Ghobhainn airson 35 bliadhna. Sgoilear, searmonaiche, diadhair, craoladair agus iomairtiche (air raon de chùisean Gàidhealach, a’ gabhail a-steach ath-leasachaidh an fhearainn). Chaidh a chrùnadh mar bhàrd a’ Chomuinn Ghàidhealaich aig Mòd Ghlaschu 1958 agus ann an 1969 bha e na Mhodaràtor air an Àrd-Sheanadh. An ‘sgrìobhadair Gàidhlig bu thorraiche a bh’ ann a-riamh’.

Very Rev. Thomas M. Murchison

Gaelic speaker. Govanite. Minister. Writer.

Born in Govan, educated at the University of Glasgow and Trinity College, Glasgow, he was  minister of St Columba-Summertown church, Govan for 35 years. Scholar, preacher, theologian, broadcaster, and activist (on a range of Highland issues, including land reform). He was crowned bàrd of An Comunn Gàidhealach at the 1958 Glasgow Mòd, and in 1969 was Moderator of the General Assembly. The ‘most prolific Gaelic writer of all time’.

Mairead Friseal Forbes

Neach-labhairt Gàidhlig. À Baile Ghobhainn. Imriche den 2na ginealach.

Thàinig a pàrantan à Duras ann an Siorrachd Inbhir Nis, anns na 1880an a shireadh obrach. Bha a màthair na searbhant-taighe ann an taigh mharsantach far an robh na searbhantan uile a’ labhairt Gàidhlig.  Bha a h-athair na shaor sna gàrraidhean iarainn. Dh’fhàs i suas ann an teanamant air a cuairteachadh le nàbaidhean le Gàidhlig. Phòs i Gall agus cha robh i a’ faireachdainn an fheum air a’ chànan a thoirt do a cuid chloinne. Cha robh fiù fios aig a ban-ogha fhèin gun robh Gàidhlig aice gu fada às dèidh a bàis. Bha a h-iar-bhan-ogha comasach air clasaichean oidhche sa bhaile a fhrithealadh, tha a ban-oghaichean den trìtheamh ginealach a’ frithealadh a’ chiad sgoil Ghàidhlig ann an Glaschu agus tha iad fileanta sa chànan. Tha an cànan air ais san teaghlach.

Margaret Fraser Forbes

Gaelic speaker. Govanite. 2nd generation migrant.

Parents came from Dores, Inverness-shire in the 1880s seeking work. Mother was a housemaid in a merchant’s house where all the servants spoke Gaelic. Father was a joiner in the shipyards. Grew up in a tenement flat surrounded by Gaelic-speaking neighbours. Married a lowlander and didn’t feel the need to pass on the language. Her own grand-daughter didn’t even know she spoke it till long after her death. Her great-grand-daughter was able to attend city-run evening classes, her great-great-grand-daughters attend Glasgow’s first Gaelic school and are fluent speakers. The language is back in the family.

Iain MacAonghais

Neach-labhairt Gàidhlig. Gnìomhaiche. Sgrìobhaiche.

À eilean Lios Mòir bho thùs, bha Iain MacAonghais ag obair ann an Glaschu mar ghobha gnìomhachais sna gàrraidhean-iarainn ann am Baile Ghobhainn, a’ gabhail a-steach Fairfield. Bha e fìor aithnichte ann an saoghal Gàidhlig Ghlaschu mar sgrìobhaiche is gnìomhaiche òrain is dàin, a’ gabhail a-steach àireamh de chuspairean gnìomhachasail leithid an rathad-iarainn ùr, togail-shoithichean, agus an Tramway. Chaidh cruinneachadh de dh’obair fhoillseachadh le clò-bhualadair is foillsichear ainmeil ann an Glaschu, Gilleasbaig Mac na Ceàrdaich ann an 1875.

John MacInnes

Gaelic speaker. Performer. Composer.

From the island of Lismore, Iain MacAonghais worked in Glasgow as an industrial blacksmith in the shipyards in Govan including Fairfield. He was well-known on the Glasgow Gaelic scene as a composer and performer of songs and poems, including a number on industrial themes such as the new railway, ship-building, and the Tramway. A collection of his work was published by the well-known Glasgow printer and publisher, Archibald Sinclair in 1875

Sir Cailean

Neach-labhairt Gàidhlig. Saighdear.

Air a bhreith ann an Glaschu ann an 1792 do phàrantan le Gàidhlig, chaidh am Màidsear-Seanalair Cailean Caimbeul, a’ chiad Baran Cluaidh, air adhart gu bhith mar aon de na saighdearan a b’ ainmeile a bh’ ann am Breatainn, ag èirigh gu rang Feachd-Mharasgal, an rang as àirde ann an arm Bhreatainn. Bha e an urra ris a’ Bhragàd Ghàidhealach aig an robh Gàidhlig sa mhòr-chuid. Leis a’ chùram a nochd e do na sochairean acasan a bha ga fhrithealadh, choisinn e am far-ainm ‘Seann Chùramach’ agus bha spèis fìor àrd aig daoine dha. Tha e air a chomharrachadh le ìomhaigh-cloiche mhòr ann an Ceàrnag Sheòrais.

Lord Clyde

Gaelic speaker. Soldier.

Born in Glasgow in 1792 to Gaelic-speaking parents, Major-General Colin Campbell, 1st Baron Clyde, went on to be one of Britain’s most illustrious soldiers, rising to the rank of Field Marshall, the highest rank in the British army. He commanded the predominantly Gaelic-speaking Highland Brigade. His concern for the welfare of those who served under him earned him the nickname ‘Old Careful’ and he was held in exceptionally high regard. He is commemorated by a statue in George Square.

Seòras Mac an Tòisich

Neach-labhairt Gàidhlig. Neach-gnìomhachais.

À Ros Cuithne ann an Taobh Sear Rois bho dhùthchas, stèidhich Mac an Tòisich a’ chiad fhactaraidh Cudbear sa bhaile ann an 1777. Na thùsaire gnìomhachais, leasaich e altan dathachaidh traidiseanta le crotal agus thug e gu bith an dath ainmeil aige, ‘Cudbear’. Gus am pròiseas dèanadachd a chumail dìomhair, thog e balla de 10 troighean a dh’àirde timcheall air làrach de 17 acairean, agus dh’fhastaidh e Gàidheil le Gàidhlig a-mhàin, a bha air am mionnan gu dìomhaireachd agus a chaidh tro ghairm gu obair ann an Gàidhlig gach madainn. Dh’innlich a mhac Teàrlach, an t-aodach dìonach a thug an t-ainm do chòta-uisge Mhic an Tòisich.

George Macintosh

Gaelic speaker. Industrialist.

A native of Rosskeen in Easter Ross, Macintosh founded the city’s first chemical works in 1776. An industrial pioneer, he developed traditional lichen-based dyeing techniques to produce his famous ‘Cudbear’ dye. To keep the manufacturing process secret he built a 10 foot high wall around the 17 acre site and exclusively employed Gaelic-speaking Highlanders who were sworn to secrecy and underwent a roll call in Gaelic every morning. His son Charles invented waterproof fabric and gave his name to the Macintosh raincoat.

Baintighearna Eilidh Chaimbeul

Neach-labhairt Gàidhlig. Ban-oighre. Gràdhaiche-daonna. Màthair chinn-cinnidh.

Ann an 1347, thug i seachad fearann airson drochaid ùr cloiche a thogail don Easbaig Rae tarsainn Abhainn Chluaidh agus phàigh i airson na b’ fhaide deas de dh’ochd boghachan na drochaide. Aithnichte mar an ‘Drochaid Mhòr’ no ‘Seann Drochaid Stockwell’, sheas i gu 1850. Tha i air a creideasachadh cuideachd leis a’ chiad ospadal ann an Glaschu a stèidheachadh. Coisrigte do Naomh Ninian, chaidh a thogail airson cùram lobharan air pìos beag eile de fhearann an teaghlaich air bruach deas Abhainn Chluaidh agus an iar air an drochaid.

Lady Helena Campbell of Lochnaw

Gaelic speaker. Heiress. Philanthropist. Mother of chiefs.

In 1347 she donated land for Bishop Rae’s new stone bridge across the Clyde and paid for the most southerly of its eight arches. Known as the ‘Great Bridge’ or ‘Old Stockwell Bridge’ it stood till 1850. She is also credited with founding Glasgow’s first hospital. Dedicated to St Ninian it was built for the care of lepers on another small parcel of family land on the south bank of the Clyde to the west of the bridge.

Anna Reid (Orr)

Neach-gnothachais. Foillsichear.

Nuair a bhàsaich an duine aice, Iain Orr, ghabh Anna an gnothachas foillseachaidh aige os làimh ann an 1766 agus bha i ga ruith gu soirbheachail airson deich bliadhna fichead. Bha an teaghlach a’ fuireach ann am flat os cionn na bùtha leabhraichean air oisean Margaidh an t-Salainn agus Caolshràid MhicGileabairt (Sràid Parnie). Dh’fhoillsich i 17 de na leabhraichean as tràithe a chaidh a chlò-bhualadh a-riamh ann an Gàidhlig, a bha sa mhòr-chuid cràbhach,   ged a tha coltas ann gur h-i am foillsichear a bh’ air dà leabhrachan le òrain Ghàidhlig sgainnealach an aghaidh an Dr Somhairle MacIain, ann an 1781.

Anna Reid (Orr)

Businesswoman. Publisher.

On the death of her husband, John Orr, Anna took over his publishing business in 1766 and ran it successfully for three decades. The family lived in a flat above the bookshop on the corner of Saltmarket and Gibson’s Wynd (Parnie Street). She published 17 of the earliest books ever printed in Gaelic which were mostly religious, although she is also likely the publisher of two pamphlets containing scurrilous Gaelic songs against Dr Samuel Johnson in 1781.

Gilleasbuig Mac Gille Fhaolain

Neach-labhairt Gàidhlig. Fear-gnothachais. Comhairliche. Gràdhaiche ealain. Gràdhaiche-daonna.

Rugadh e sa bhaile ann an 1795 do phàrantan le Gàidhlig, agus chaidh e air adhart gu bhith mar aon de phrìomh shaoranaich Ghlaschu. Gnìomhach ann am poilitigs agus ann an ‘saoghal’ na Gàidhlig, dh’adhartaich e ath-leasachadh air Àrd-eaglais Ghlaschu. Bha a’ mhòr-chuid de a shaidhbhreas air a chosg air cruinneachadh cudromach de dhealbhan peantaidh, ìomhaighean snaighte, leabhraichean agus òr is airgead. An dèidh a bhàis, bha sin na theis-meadhain air cruinneachadh ealain a’ bhaile. Tha ainm aithnichte fhathast tro Ghailearaidhean MhicGilleFhialain a thog e air Sràid Sauchiehall airson a dhìleab a ghleidheadh.

Archibald McLellan

Gaelic speaker. Businessman. Councilor. Art-lover. Philanthropist.

Born in the city in 1795 to Gaelic-speaking parents, he went on to become one of Glasgow’s leading citizens. Active in politics and on the Gaelic ‘scene’, he promoted the restoration of Glasgow Cathedral. Much of his wealth was spent on amassing an important collection of paintings, sculpture, books, and gold and silver plate. After his death, it formed the core of the city’s art collection. His name remains known through the McLellan Galleries which he built on Sauchiehall Street to house his bequest.

Màiri Mhòr nan Òrain

Neach-labhairt Gàidhlig. Bana-bhàird. Sgrìobhaiche òrain. Iomairtiche politigeach.

Ann an 1872 aig aois 51 bliadhna, rinn Mairi Mhòr imrich a Ghlaschu agus thug i a-mach trèanadh na banaltram-glùine ann an Ospadal Rìoghail Ghlaschu. Ann an 1876, ghluais i a Ghrianaig a dh’obair ach bhiodh i tric a’ tilleadh a Ghlaschu gu cèilidhean is cruinneachaidhean eile de dhaoine bho eilean a h-àraich san Eilean Sgitheanach. Ged nach do thòisich i a’ cumadh òrain gus an robh i sna 50an, tha i ainmeil an-diugh mar ùghdar air cuid de na h-òrain Ghàidhlig as motha air a bheil meas, mòran dhiubh a tha a’ cothlamadh a saoghal pearsanta fhèin leis an t-saoghal phoilitigeach. Bha i na gaisgeach às leth a’ chànain agus bhiodh i a’ sgrìobhadh a’ cur taic ri còraichean fearainn chroitearan a bha gu dìoghrasach air an deasbad aig an àm.

Mary MacPherson

Gaelic speaker. Poet. Songwriter. Political activist.

In 1872, at the age of 51, Mairi Mhòr moved to Glasgow and trained as a nurse-midwife in Glasgow Royal Infirmary. In 1876 she moved to Greenock to work but often returned to Glasgow for cèilidhs and other gatherings of people from her native Skye. Although she only began composing in her 50s, she is famous today as the author of some of the best-loved Gaelic songs, many of which fuse the personal and the political. She was a champion of the language and wrote in support of the land rights of crofters which were fiercely debated at the time.

Margaret Burnley Campbell

Neach-ionnsachaidh Gàidhlig. Eagraiche. Iomairtiche.

A’ chiad Bhana-Cheann-suidhe den Chomunn Ghàidhealach. Ann an 1913, stèidhich i ‘Biùro Cosnaidh’ gus luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig a bha a’ sireadh obrach ann an Glaschu, a thoirt còmhla le fastaichean a bh’ aice san amharc leis am b’ fheàrr daoine le Gàidhlig fhastadh. Ann an 1914, stèidhich i uàrd-ospadail ann an Ospadal Airm Allt an Fhuarain gus am faodadh saighdearan leònte, a bha a’ tilleadh bho Aghaidh a’ Chogaidh, cùram fhaighinn nan cànan fhèin.

Margaret Burnley Campbell

Gaelic Learner. Organiser. Activist.

The first female president of An Comunn Gàidhealach. In 1913 she established an ‘Employment Bureau’ to bring together Gaelic-speakers looking for work in Glasgow with potential employers who preferred to engage Gaelic-speakers. In 1914 she established a Gaelic-medium ward at Springburn Military Hospital so that wounded Gaelic-speaking soldiers returning from the Front could be treated in their own language.