By Jamie McDonald
A special one day conference exploring the ‘misrepresentation’ of Gaelic culture is to be held in Sleat next month.
Organised by the Islands Book Trust, the event at An Crùbh promises to bring some of Scotland’s leading Gaelic scholars together to examine how the culture and history of Gaels has been ‘systematically misrepresented’.
Chairman of the event, Professor Boyd Robertson, said:
‘Tha na Gàidheil, an dòigh-beatha, an dualchas is an dùthaich, air a bhith air an claon riochdachadh gu tric ann an litreachas, eachdraidh is na meadhannan thar nan linntean is tha a’ cholabhairt seo ag amas air sin a shoilleireachadh agus dealbh nas fhìora a chur an cèill. Aig àm far a bheil luchdturais a’ taomadh a-steach dhan Ghàidhealtachd gu slighe an NC 500, Loch Nis, Inbhir Nis is dhan Eilean Sgitheanach, tha e cudromach gum faigh iad dealbh chothromach agus fiosrachadh ceart mun sgìre, mun t-sluagh is mun chultar. Tha prògram na colabhairt farsainn agus bidh e tarraingeach dhan mhòr-shluagh.”
“Gaels, their way of life, their heritage and their land, have often been misrepresented and misinterpreted in literature, history and the media across centuries and this conference aims to explain that and to provide something of a corrective. At a time when tourists are flocking to the Highlands to the NC 500 route, to Loch Ness, Inverness and to the Isle of Skye, it is important that they get accurate information and a balanced view about the area, the people and the culture. The conference programme is wide-ranging and accessible to all.”
The programme includes sessions on placenames, Gaelic folklore and the involvement of some Gaels in the British colonialism.
The conference is on Saturday 30th May from 9.30am – 4pm and is open to both members of the Islands Book Trust and non-members.
