Professor Donald Meek to present inaugural Sorley MacLean annual lecture
The inaugural Somhairle MacLean Annual Lecture, Òraid Shomhairle, will take place at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in the Isle of Skye on Wednesday 20th March.
This newly established event will begin a series of academic Gaelic lectures honouring the memory of one of Scotland's poets of national and international stature, Sorley MacLean.
As well as commemorating the work of the bard, the annual lecture is an opportunity to raise the profile of Scottish Gaelic scholarship in the fields of Gaelic literature, history, culture, and society.
Topics will reflect Sorley MacLean’s own varied interests, including Scottish Gaelic literature of all periods and genres; shinty and Gaelic sport; the crofting community and the economics of Gaelic society; folklore and tradition; the history of the Gàidhealtachd; and the priorities of Gaelic education past, present, and future.
Dr Gillian Munro, Principal of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig said:
“We are delighted that Professor Donald Meek has agreed to give the first lecture in this new series, on a subject ideally suited to our intentions, and relevant both for contemporary social and political discussion, and to Sorley’s own interests: ‘Na Maoir agus na Bàillidhean ann an Litreachas agus Beul-aithris na Gàidhlig’; [Factors and Bailiffs in Gaelic Literature and Folklore].
“Having Professor Meek speak on such an important topic sets a very high benchmark for this new series of lectures, and we look forward to establishing them as a key event in Sabhal Mòr Ostaig’s calendar.”
The lecture will be delivered in Talla Dhonaidh Chaimbeul in Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, with simultaneous translation into English, and it will also be available via livestream. Thereafter, the lecture series will be published in print, and on Sabhal Mòr Ostaig’s YouTube channel, which will make an important contribution to Gaelic-medium scholarship.
Sorley MacLean was an enthusiastic supporter of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, having played a central role in its founding in 1973 as one of the four original trustees. He was also filidh (Poet in Residence) at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in 1975–76 and served on its Board of Directors. Today, his personal library is preserved in a dedicated room, Seòmar nam Bàrd, in the Àrainn Chaluim Chille building.
Admission is free and tickets can be reserved for the in-person lecture by emailing runaire@smo.uhi.ac.uk, you can also .