FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2007
Halò! Fàilte a-rithist! We’ve been travelling around so much this year that it’s very, very strange that we’re not actually in a new place this month! We’re back in Lochaber, so you might think that there’s nothing new for us to do. That is not the case at all!
The Royal National Mòd is on this month, and is THE premiere festival of Gaelic culture. It should be a really great experience! There is going to be such a wide selection of singing and music, as well as literature and reading and all that! I’m really quite excited!
Today is a busy day for everyone. Tonight, Seanair is off to a concert, if you can believe that. Melodaidh is going to one as well, so I suppose that means Munro will be going with her! Munro’s been out learning a bit of history! Definitely a strange day! I think I’ll just go and put my feet up with a srùbag! It’s nice to get a moment’s peace and quiet.
Le gaol,
Morag
POSTED BY MORAG AT 15:17 PM - 0 COMMENTS
MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2007
There has been a lot going on here! The Mòd is well underway, and today we have the children’s competitions – it’s super to see and hear so many youngsters from all over Scotland nattering away in Gaelic!
I spent the weekend at a Green Woodworking Workshop! Green Woodworking was the main method of woodworking in the 18th and 19th centuries. It didn’t involve any power tools, but there were still some really impressive results! It’s amazing what you can do with a bit of wood and just the smallest bit of effort, if you know the right way to do it!
We learnt how to split a piece of wood, using just hand tools! The key is to do it while the wood is freshly cut from the tree, so there is still lots of moisture in it. Oak is the wood of choice, and it’s really incredible to see how the mighty oak can be so easily cut and used!
The aim of the course was to build a stool by the end of it. I’m not sure how successful a stool I made though. I’ll probably have Munro test it before I sit on it myself!
Le gaol,
Morag
POSTED BY MORAG AT 11:45 AM - 0 COMMENTS
MONDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2007
Another month almost over, and what an exciting one it’s been! The Mòd was a brilliant experience! I’ve never heard so much fine singing, poetry, and music in all my life! Piping, people playing the clàrsach, Highland dancing, story telling; there really was something for everyone!
Seanair finally dragged us up Ben Nevis again last week! Although it wasn’t exactly the way I would choose to spend a day, it wasn’t as terrible as the first time we went up! All the activity this year has made me a good deal fitter. I might give Seanair a run for his money yet!
We also had a nice trip to Mallaig, on the ‘Jacobite’ stream train! They’re such lovely machines, and make such a great noise! The train route from Fort William to Mallaig is considered to be the nicest in Britain! With a simply picturesque viaduct, it really is quite a romantic trip!
Yesterday we spent the day in Knoydart! What makes it special is that it’s not connected to the road network! The only way there is by sea or foot! It really is a lovely wee area, and well worth a visit!
Look at me go on! ’S fheàrr dhomh falbh, tha mi a’ sgrìobhadh cus!
Mar sin leibh,
Morag
POSTED BY MORAG AT 21:01 PM - 0 COMMENTS
