Tha sgeul ri innse: there’s a story for the telling

Tha dualchas na Gàidhealtachd air a riochdachadh gu làidir anns na cruinneachaidhean Albannach aig Taighean-tasgaidh Nàiseanta na h-Alba, agus is ann à sin a thàinig mòran de na rudan a tha a nis gam meas nan ‘ionmhas nàiseanta’. Tha buaidh anabarrach air a bhith aig cruinneachadh agus eadar-mhìneachadh nan nithean seo ann a bhith a’ cumadh beachdan dhaoine air eachdraidh stuthach shònraichte na h-Alba. Ach a dh’aindeoin sin, cha robh an sealladh nàiseanta seo air rannsachadh stuthach ceangailte ri sgoilearachd na Gàidhlig, a chuimsich barrachd air litreachas agus beul-aithris, agus bha e gu tric air a sgaradh bhon Ghàidhlig fhèin agus beachd Gàidhlig air an t-saoghal.

An t-ùrachadh mu dheireadh: 25 Lùnastal 2025

Mun Phròiseact

Tha am pròiseact, 'Tha sgeul ri innse: There’s a story for the telling', a’ sgrùdadh raon de nithean bhon Chruinneachadh Nàiseanta tro phrosbaig cànan, coimhearsnachdan agus cultar na Gàidhlig. Am measg nan nithean tha criostal-creige meadhan-aoiseil a chaidh a chleachdadh mar chlach-seun nas fhaisge air an àm againn fhìn, crogan (no poit chrèadha) air a dhèanamh ann an Leòdhas aig deireadh an naoidheamh linn deug agus soidhne-rathaid bhon 21mh linn às an Eilean Sgitheanach. Tha an rannsachadh ag amas air na nithean a mheasadh an cois chlàran sgrìobhte, agus tro cho-obrachadh le coimhearsnachdan Gàidhlig san Eilean Sgitheanach agus Leòdhas, airson tuigse nas fheàrr fhaighinn air eachdraidh stuthan na Gàidhealtachd agus gus cothroman a lorg airson tuilleadh rannsachaidh agus phrògraman san àm ri teachd. 

Tha am pròiseact na cho-obrachadh le Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Ionad Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig agus a’ Chultair san Eilean Sgitheanach. ’S i Anna NicGuaire prìomh neach-rannsachaidh a’ phròiseict. Tha am pròiseact air a mhaoineachadh le Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

Am measg na choileanas am pròiseact tha: dà bhùth-obrach iomlaid eòlais san Eilean Sgitheanach agus Leòdhas; clàradh leasaichte de 100 nì; aithisg mhionaideach air taghadh de na 100 nì, air fhoillseachadh anns an Tasglann Rannsachaidh; agus artaigil Discover ag innse sgeulachdan 15 nì Gàidhlig bhon chruinneachadh.

The Scottish collections of National Museums Scotland strongly reflect the material heritage of the Gàidhealtachd, and many of what came to be perceived as the ‘national treasures’ originated there. The collecting and interpretation of these objects within a national story has had a disproportionate impact in shaping what is popularly understood to be the distinctive material history of Scotland. And yet, this national view developed in material research that was detached from Gaelic scholarship, which was historically more focused on literature and folklore, and often disconnected from the Gaelic language and worldview.

Last updated: 25 August 2025

About the project

'Tha sgeul ri innse: There’s a story for the telling' explores a range of objects from the National Collections through the lens of Gaelic language, communities and culture. Objects include a medieval rock crystal repurposed as a charm in the modern era, a crogan (or earthenware pot) made in Lewis during the late nineteenth century and a 21st century roadsign from Skye. The research centres on assessing the objects alongside supporting documentary records, and through collaboration with Gaelic communities in Skye and Lewis, to better understand the material history of the Gàidhealtachd and to scope opportunities for future research and programming. 

The project is a collaboration with Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture in Skye. The lead researcher on the project is Anna MacQuarrie. The work is funded by Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

Outputs from the project include: two knowledge exchange workshops in Skye and Lewis; enhanced object documentation for 100 objects; a detailed report on a selection of the 100 objects, published on the Research Repository; and a Discover article telling the stories of 15 Gaelic objects from the collection.

This project was funded by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, with support from Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn and Comunn Eachdraich Nis.