National Museums Scotland partners with Skye College on Gaelic content for major exhibition

Wild and Majestic: Romantic Visions of Scotland

26 June to 10 November 2019
National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh

nms.ac.uk/wildandmajestic

#WildAndMajestic

Wild and Majestic: Romantic Visions of Scotland will examine how Scotland became established in the popular imagination as a land of wilderness, heroism and history, and how tartan, bagpipes and rugged, wild landscapes became enduring, internationally recognised symbols of Scottish identity. It spans the period from the final defeat of the Jacobites at the Battle of Culloden in 1746 to the death of Queen Victoria in 1901. 

Gaelic language and culture feature throughout the exhibition, with the main narrative presented in both English and Gaelic. The exhibition explores the efforts made to protect and revive elements of Gaelic culture in the wake of the post-Culloden crisis in Highland society. During this period, Scotland’s relationship with the European Romantic movement transformed external perceptions of the Highlands and was central to the birth of tourism in Scotland. These developments would in turn influence the relationship between the Hanoverian royal family and Scotland, particularly George IV and, later, Queen Victoria.

Dr Stuart Allan, Keeper of Scottish History and Archaeology at National Museums Scotland, said

“We are delighted to be working with Sabhal Mòr Ostaig on this exhibition. The expertise of our colleagues there, Dr Domhnall Uilleam Stiùbhart and Professor Uisdean Cheape has brought an invaluable perspective to the story, which we hope will provide visitors to the exhibition with a real insight into a fascinating, turbulent period in our history.”

Dr Domhnall Uilleam Stiùbhart from Sabhal Mòr Ostaig said:

“We at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig warmly welcome our partnership with National Museums Scotland. We value the opportunities involved in enhancing this landmark exhibition by illustrating the influential role played by Gaelic culture in providing essential ingredients to modern Scottish identity, an identity recognised and celebrated worldwide in art, literature, and song.”

Experts from Sabhal Mòr Ostaig have also assisted on the panel texts which will be presented in both English and Gaelic. Each section of the exhibition will include exploration of themes from a Gaelic-cultural perspective, and throughout the exhibition filmed interviews will reflect a range of perspectives, including Gaelic voices, on some contested historical themes about the period.

Over 300 objects will be on display, drawn from the collections of National Museums Scotland and 38 lenders across the UK. They tell a story with a stellar cast, including Queen Victoria and Prince Albert; King George IV; Sir Walter Scott; Robert Burns; JMW Turner; Henry Raeburn; Felix Mendelssohn; William and Dorothy Wordsworth; Ludwig Van Beethoven and Lord Byron, whose 1807 poem Lachin y Gair (Lochnagar) is quoted in the exhibition’s title. Prominent Highlanders who feature include the Ossian author-translator James Macpherson, the soldier-historian David Stewart of Garth, the clan chief Mac Mhic Alasdair (Alasdair Macdonnel of Glengarry), and the folklorists Alasdair Gilleasbaig MacGilleMhìcheil (Alexander Carmichael) and Iain Òg Ìle (John Campbell of Islay).

Lenders to the exhibition, which is sponsored by Baillie Gifford Investment Managers, include numerous Highland and Island institutions such as The Museum of the Isles, Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, The Black Watch Museum, Blair Castle, The Highland Folk Museum, MacDougall of Dunollie Preservation Trust, and An Comunn Gàidhealach. The William Grant Foundation is supporting research into the Highland dress featured in the exhibition.

Sabhal Mòr Ostaig is also lending to the exhibition a copy of the Gaelic version of Queen Victoria’s Highland journal, published in 1878.

The relationship between objects and the history of the Gaelic language will be shown through a rich selection of material, including:

• The Red Book of Clanranald, written in Gaelic by the bards of Clanranald in the 17th and 18th centuries, containing poems and the traditional genealogy and history of the Macdonalds, one of the manuscripts which James McPherson consulted whilst researching Ossian
• A Pipe Banner of the Royal Highland Emigrants, a British Army regiment raised in North America, with Gaelic inscription, c.1776
• A handbill proclamation in Gaelic for the Repeal in 1783 of the Act of Parliament Prohibiting Highland Dress (1747)
• An early Gaelic dictionary dating from 1828 which was commissioned by the Highland Society of London
• The Lovat and Tullibardine Shield, made to the design of a highland targe, and named for two prominent Jacobites, which since 1903 has been the prize for best Gaelic choir at the Royal National Mod.

The University of the Highlands and Islands will also contribute to the events programme, including an event with former Runrig frontman Donnie Munro in conversation with UHI’s Dr David Worthington. 

For further information and images contact Susan Gray, Press Office, National Museums Scotland, 0131 247 4088, s.gray@nms.ac.uk 

Notes to editors

1. National Museums Scotland is one of the leading museum groups in the UK and Europe and it looks after collections of national and international importance. The organisation provides loans, partnerships, research and training in Scotland and internationally. Our individual museums are the National Museum of Scotland, the National Museum of Flight, the National Museum of Rural Life and the National War Museum. The National Museums Collection Centre in Edinburgh houses conservation and research facilities as well as collections not currently on display.

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2. The National Museum of Scotland is the most popular attraction in the country outside of London (source: Association of Leading Visitor Attractions). The National Museum of Scotland was awarded ‘Gold’ Level Green Tourism Visitor Attraction status in 2016.

3. National Museums Scotland published a new five year Gaelic Language Plan in November 2017, which was approved by the national Gaelic agency, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and the Scottish Government and supports National Museums’ contribution to sustaining the Gaelic language.

4. Bheireadh Oifis nam Meadhanan eadar-theangachadh Gàidhlig den bhrath-naidheachd seachad do bhuidhinn mheadhanan bharantaichte. Cuiribh fios do dh'Oifis nam Meadhanan airson bruidhinn air cinn-latha freagarrach.

Taighean-tasgaidh Nàiseanta Alba a’ com-pàirteachadh le Sabhal Mòr Ostaig air Prìomh Thaisbeanadh Ùr

Fiadhaich Glòrmhor: Seallaidhean Romansach de dh’Alba

26 Ògmhios gu 10 Samhain 2019
Taigh-tasgaidh Nàiseanta na h-Alba, Sràid Chambers, Dùn Èideann

nms.ac.uk/wildandmajestic

#WildAndMajestic

Tha Taighean-tasgaidh Nàiseanta Alba agus Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, a’ Cholaiste Ghàidhliganns an Eilean Sgitheanach a tha na com-pàirtiche ann an Oilthigh na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilean, air co-obrachadh a thoirt gu buil air susbaint an taisbeanaidh shamhraidh, Fiadhaich Glòrmhor: Seallaidhean Romansach de dh’Alba.  

Bidh Fiadhaich Glòrmhor: Seallaidhean Romansach de dh’Alba a’ sgrùdadh mar a chaidh Alba a stèidheachadh sa mhac-meanmna mar tìr nam beann, nan gleann ‘s nan gaisgeach, agus mar a mhaireadh an t-èideadh Gàidhealach, a’ phìob mhòr agus na beanntan àrda nan samhlaidhean air fèin-aithne na h-Alba, a dh’aithnichear air feadh an domhain. Thèid an linn eadar call mòr nan Seumasach air Blàr Chùil Lodair ann an 1746 agus bàs na Bànrigh Bhictòria ann an 1901 a thaisbeanadh.

Tha cànan agus cultar nan Gàidheal rim faicinn air feadh an taisbeanaidh seo agus aithris an taisbeanaidh ri chluinntinn anns an dà chànan. Thathar a’ sgrùdadh nan oidhirpean anns an robh eileamaidean den chultar Ghàidhealach gan gleidheadh is ath-bheothachadh an dèidh aramach nan Seumasach. Anns an linn seo, chaidh beachdan a’ mhòr-shluaigh Bhreatannaich is Eòrpaich atharrachadh gu tur mar thoradh air a’ cheangal eadar Alba agus an gluasad Romansach. ‘S ann air seo a bhiodh na ciad iomairtean turasachd ann an Alba stèidhichte agus bheireadh seo buaidh air an dàimh eadar Alba agus teaghlach rìoghail Hanòbhair, gu h-àraid Seòras IV agus a’ Bhànrigh Bhictòria.

Thuirt Dr Stuart Allan, Glèidheadair Eachdraidh is Arc-eòlas na h-Alba aig Taighean-tasgaidh Nàiseanta Alba:

“’S e toileachas mòr a th’ ann dhuinn a bhith a’ co-obrachadh le Sabhal Mòr Ostaig air an taisbeanadh seo. Tha sàr eòlas ar co-obraichean aig an t-Sabhal, Dr Dòmhnall Uilleam Stiùbhart agus Proifeasair Ùisdean Cheape, air sealladh luachmhor a thoirt don sgeul, agus sinn an dòchas gum faigh luchd-tadhail an taisbeanaidh eòlas ùr air linn inntinneach aimhreiteach san eachdraidh againn.”

Thuirt Dr Dòmhnall Uilleam Stiùbhart, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig:

“Tha sinn fhèin aig Sabhal Mòr Ostaig a’ cur fàilte bhlàth chridheil air a’ chom-pàirteachas le Taighean-tasgaidh Nàiseanta Alba. Tha sinn a’ cur luach air na cothroman an lùib leudachadh an taisbeanaidh seo agus sinn a’ mìneachadh dè cho cudromach ‘s a bha an cultar Gàidhealach nuair a chaidh fèin-aithne nuadh na h-Alba a dhealbhadh, cultar a dh’aithnichear air feadh an t-saoghail nar cuid ealain, litreachais is ciùil.”

Tha eòlaichean aig an t-Sabhal Mhòr air comhairle a chumail air teacsa nam pannalan a thèid taisbeanadh anns a’ Bheurla agus anns a’ Ghàidhlig. Bidh gach roinn den taisbeanadh a’ sgrùdadh nan cuspairean bho shealladh Gàidhealach, agus chithear agallamhan air feadh an taisbeanaidh le caochladh bheachdan, agus Gàidheil nam measg, air cuid de chonnspaidean eachdraidheil an linn.

Bidh còrr is 300 nì bho chruinneachaidhean Thaighean-tasgaidh Nàiseanta Alba agus 38 luchd-iasaid air feadh na rìoghachd gan taisbeanadh. Bidh iad a’ mìneachadh sgeul anns a bheil daoine barraichte mar a’ Bhànrigh Bhictòria agus am Prionnsa Albert; an Rìgh Seòras IV; Sir Walter Scott; Robert Burns; JMW Turner; Henry Raeburn; Felix Mendelssohn; William agus Dorothy Wordsworth; Ludwig Van Beethoven agus am Morair Byron, a rinn an dàn Lachin y Gair (Loch na Gàire) ann an 1807 bhon d’ fhuaireadh tiotal an taisbeanaidh seo. Bidh Gàidheil ainmeil air an taisbeanadh cuideachd a leithid sgrìobhadair/eadar-theangaiche Oisein, Seumas Bàn MacMhuirich, an saighdear is eòlaiche eachdraidh, Daibhidh Stiubhart den Chloinn Duibh-shùilich, an ceann-cinnidh Mac Mhic Alasdair (Alasdair MacDhòmhnaill de Chloinn Dòmhnaill Ghlinne Garadh), agus an luchd beul-aithris, Alasdair Gilleasbaig MacGilleMhìcheil agus Iain Òg Ìle.

Tha na buidhnean a leanas às a’ Ghàidhealtachd is na h-Eileanan am measg luchd-iasaid an taisbeanaidh, a th’ air maoineachadh fhaighinn bho Baillie Gifford Investment Managers, Museum nan Eilean, Taigh-tasgaidh is Gaileiridh Inbhir Nis, Taigh-tasgaidh an Fhreiceadain Duibh, Caisteal Bhlàir, Am Fasgadh - Taigh-tasgaidh Dualchas na Gàidhealtachd, Urras Gleidhidh MhicDhùghaill Dhùn Olla agus An Comunn Gàidhealach. Tha Stèidheachd Uilleim Ghrannd a’ cumail taic ri rannsachadh air an èideadh Ghàidhealach a chithear anns an taisbeanadh.

Tha Sabhal Mòr Ostaig a’ toirt lethbhreac air iasad don taisbeanadh den dreach Gàidhlig de leabhar-latha na Bànrigh Bhictòria a chaidh fhoillseachadh ann an 1878.

Bidh na ceanglaichean eadar na nithean agus eachdraidh na Gàidhlig gan dealbhadh tron bheairteas a thèid taisbeanadh a leithid:

• An Leabhar Dearg, sgrìobhte anns a’ Ghàidhlig le bàird do Chloinn Raghnaill anns an 17mh is 18mh linntean, anns a bheil dàin, sinnsearachd agus eachdraidh Chloinn Dòmhnaill, chaidh an làmh-sgrìobhainn seo a chleachdadh le Seumas Bàn MacMhuirich nuair a bha e a’ rannsachadh dàin Oisein
• Bratach pìoba air a bheil briathran Gàidhlig leis an rèisimeid, Na h-Eilthirich Rìoghail Ghàidhealach, a chaidh a thogail do dh’Arm Bhreatainn ann an Aimeireaga a Tuath mun bhliadhna 1776
• Bile naidheachd (1783) anns a bheil tagradh anns a’ Ghàidhlig airson ais-ghairm na h-Achd Pàrlamaid (1747) a thoirmisg an t-Èideadh Gàidhealach
• Faclair Gàidhlig a chaidh fhoillseachadh ann an 1828 agus a mhaoineachadh le Comunn Gàidhealach Lunnainn.
• Sgiath MhicShimidh agus Thulaich Bhàrdainn, ann an riochd targaid Ghàidhealach agus air a h-ainmeachadh air dithis Sheumasach ainmeil agus i air a toirt seachad mar duais don chòisir as fheàrr aig a’ Mhòd Nàiseanta bho 1903.

Bidh Oilthigh na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilean a’ cur ris a’ phrògram thachartasan cuideachd is a’ cumail tachartais anns am bi Donnie Rothach, a bha na sheinneadair sa chòmhlan Runrig, a’ còmhradh le Dr David Worthington aig Oilthigh na Gàidhealtachd.

23 Cèitean 2019

Tha an tuilleadh fiosrachaidh agus dealbhan rim faighinn aig Susan Gray, Oifis Naidheachdan, Taighean-tasgaidh Nàiseanta Alba, 0131 247 4088, s.gray@nms.ac.uk

Fios don luchd-deasachaidh

1. Tha Taighean-tasgaidh Nàiseanta Alba air aon de na prìomh bhuidhnean taigh-tasgaidh anns an RA is an Roinn Eòrpa agus bidh e a’ gleidheadh chruinneachaidhean nàiseanta is eadar-nàiseanta. Bidh a’ bhuidheann a’ toirt seachad iasadan, chom-pàirteachasan, rannsachaidh is trèanaidh ann an Alba agus gu h-eadar-nàiseanta. ‘S iad na taighean-tasgaidh againn Taigh-tasgaidh Nàiseanta na h-Alba, Taigh-tasgaidh Nàiseanta na h-Itealaich, Taigh-tasgaidh Nàiseanta na Beatha Dùthchail agus Taigh-tasgaidh Nàiseanta a’ Chogaidh. Tha goireasan gleidhidh is rannsachaidh cho math ri cruinneachaidhean nach eilear a’ taisbeanadh an-dràsta gan gleidheadh aig Ionad Cruinneachaidh nan Taighean-tasgaidh Nàiseanta ann an Dùn Èideann.

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2. ‘S e Taigh-tasgaidh Nàiseanta na h-Alba an t-ionad as mòr-chòrdte le luchd-turais san Rìoghachd Aonaichte taobh a-muigh Lunnainn (tùs: Association of Leading Visitor Attractions). Chaidh inbhe ‘Gold’ Level Green Tourism a bhuileachadh air Taigh-tasgaidh Nàiseanta na h-Alba ann an 2016.

3. Dh’fhoillsich Taighean-tasgaidh Nàiseanta Alba Plana Gàidhlig ùr anns an t-Samhain 2017, a chaidh aontachadh le Bòrd na Gàidhlig agus Riaghaltas na h-Alba agus a tha a’ cumail taic ri oidhirpean nan Taighean-tasgaidh Nàiseanta airson a’ Ghàidhlig a ghleidheadh.