Blogs

On the Isle of Skye (Scottish Gaelic: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach), the belief in the existence of fairies, or “the little people,” goes back to prehistoric times. Something that they share with some other Celtic peoples. A number of places on Skye are associated with this local legend. Locations like naturally occurring pools typically under waterfalls are seen as a favoured site for the little people to gather.

With the popular Cornish festival Lowender Peran on schedule for early November, Manx participants will soon be packing their musical instruments and dancing shoes for this annual extravaganza, but this year's invited group could prove to be a bit of a red herring.

Media realease from Culture Vannin:

Who has contributed most to Manx culture? RBV nominations underway

An annual cultural award named after our very own Celtic sea god, Manannan, the ‘Reih Bleeaney Vanannan’ or RBV is awarded to an individual or group who has made the greatest contribution to the Island’s cultural heritage. Nominations are open to the public throughout November, with the final decision made by representatives of various Manx cultural organisations.

Hark! The Glad Sound of Cornish Carols

Following the huge success of Shout Kernow – Celebrating Cornwall's Pub Songs, winner of the Waterstones’ Holyer an Gof Award (awaiting its third reprint in spring 2018), Sally Burley and Hilary Coleman have turned their attention to exploring the continuity and revival of the Cornish carolling tradition. They have travelled all over Cornwall – to pubs churches, chapels, town squares and private functions – recording stories, memories and local versions of carols.

The small Scottish Hebridean island of Sanday (Scottish Gaelic: Sandaigh) is to get its first road. When built it will replace a track that gets covered by water at high tide. The road will be a mile and a half long. Sanday is connected by a bridge to the larger neighbouring Isle of Canna. The Isle of Canna Community Development Trust is helping with a crowdfunding campaign to raise more than £31,400 to pay for the construction of the road.

A large Pictish stone carving has been uncovered during a road building project in Pertnshire (Scottish Gaelic: Siorrachd Pheairt) in Scotland. The carving features a walking figure with a distinctive hairstyle and holding a spear.  The weapon is typical of spears used in the mid first millennium AD. Contractors stopped works in the area to allow archaeologists from Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust and Culture Perth & Kinross to inspect the stone and the site of its discovery.

The University of St Andrews is the oldest university in Scotland and was founded between 1410 and 1413. It is in the town of St Andrews (Scottish Gaelic: Cill Rìmhinn) which on the northeast coast of the historic county of Fife (Fìobha). The university occupies historic and modern buildings located throughout the town, including St Salvator's Chapel. Noted as a rare and beautiful example of Late Gothic architecture it was founded in 1450 as a part of Bishop James Kennedy's College of the Holy Saviour. The University has two collegiate chapels.

The Welsh Language Society is in the forefront of the struggle to preserve, promote and protect the Celtic tongue of Wales. The group define themselves on their web page with these words:  “Cymdeithas is a group of people who seek equality of access to the Welsh language and campaign positively in a non-violent way for rights of people in Wales to use the language in every aspect of everyday life."

News From the Welsh Language Society:

Cyhoeddwyd gan Anhysbys ar Iau, Hyd 12th am 10:15 yb (October 12, 2017)

In late 2015 Galway City in the west of Ireland declared itself to be a bi-lingual city giving equal status to Irish alongside English.  It was ironic that the City Council made the effort considering Irish is already the official language of Ireland. But it was a welcome development nevertheless and based on the latest news from Galway the 2015 declaration has had a beneficial effect on the local economy.

A unfinished portrait believed to be of Mary, Queen of Scots has been found beneath a 16th Century painting. The hidden drawing was discovered by conservator Dr Caroline Rae from the Courtauld Institute. An X-ray revealed the image underneath the 1589 portrait of Sir John Maitland, Lord Chancellor of Scotland, painted by Dutch portrait artist Adrian Vanson for Mary's son King James VI, two years after she was executed. The Maitland painting is part of a National Trust collection and went on display this weekend at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh.