Clan Donald Gaelic Arts Week, Seachdain nan Ealan Gàidhlig aig Clann Dòmhnaill, is a celebration of the Gaelic traditional arts and their place in Clan Donald history.
The ancient Macdonald Lords of the Isles were great supporters of Gaelic culture. Armadale Castle, the ‘spiritual home’ of Clan Donald, is continuing this tradition with a new week-long programme that has something for everyone.
The programme opens with a family day on Saturday 1 June, where there will be musical taster sessions, games and craft activities on a Gaelic arts theme. During the week, pop-up traditional music performances will take place in and around the gardens and Museum. Performers include acclaimed Gaelic singer Christine Primrose MBE and piper Dr Decker Forrest (Head of Gaelic & Traditional Music at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Scotland’s Gaelic College). Dr Forrest will also give a talk-performance introducing the art of piobaireachd or ‘Ceol Mor’, the classical music of the great Highland bagpipe, on Wednesday at 6pm.
The culmination of the Week will be two prestigious music competitions: the Donald Macdonald Piobaireachd Competition (Friday evening) and Princess of the Isles Competition for Senior Clarsach (Saturday afternoon). Both competitions will be filmed and live streamed to a global audience. See below for full programme.
Clan Donald Gaelic Arts Week, Seachdain nan Ealan Gàidhlig aig Clann Dòmhnaill, is supported by Event Scotland’s Clan Event Fund and organised in collaboration with the Clan Donald Society of the Highlands & Islands, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and Gasta at Armadale Castle.
Programme at a glance
1-8 June / 1-8 An t-Ògmhios
Events are included with normal entrance ticket unless otherwise noted. Each weekday a performer in residence will give informal ‘pop up’ performances in and around the museum between 11:00 and 15:00 (approx). A special display in the museum runs all week.
1 Saturday Disathairne
11:00 – 16:30 Launch event & family day: Music taster sessions, performance, crafts and games
3 Monday Diluain
Performer in residence: Eilidh MacFadyen, accordion
4 Tuesday Dimàirt
Performer in residence: Christine Primrose MBE, Gaelic song
15:00-16:00 Gaelic taster – Free language lesson in the cafe
5 Wednesday Diciadain
Performer in residence: Ronan Martin, fiddle
18:00 – 19:30 Talk in the Museum. Dr Decker Forrest introduces the art of pìobaireachd or pibroch – the classical music of the Great Highland Bagpipe. Free, book online
6 Thursday Diardaoin
Performer in residence: Dr Decker Forrest, pipes
15:00-16:00 Gaelic taster – Free language lesson in the cafe
7 Friday Dihaoine
Performer in residence: Dr Meg Bateman, poetry tour
19:30 – 22:30 Donald MacDonald Cuach Piping Competition
8 Saturday Disathairne
14:30 – 17:00 Princess Margaret of the Isles Clàrsach Competition
Kindly supported by: