| Reference Number | 325 |
| Title | Bailtean is Ath-ghairmean a Tiriodh / Townships and Echoes from Tiree |
| Author | Brownlie, Niall M. |
| Editor | N/A |
| Date Of Edition | 1995 |
| Date Of Language | late 20c |
| Date Of Language Ed | 1950-1999 |
| DateMacro | Late 20th c. |
| Date Of Language Notes | |
| Publisher | Argyll Publishing |
| Place Published | Glendaruel |
| Volume | N/A |
| Location | |
| Geographical Origins | Barrapol, Tiree |
| Geographical Origins Ed | Tiree |
| GeoMacro | Mull, Coll and Tiree |
| GeoX | -7.0013 |
| GeoY | 56.4982 |
| Geographical Origins Notes | |
| Register | Literature, Prose |
| Register Ed | Literature, Prose |
| Genre | Information |
| Medium | Prose |
| Rating | B (TBC)
A good example of the Gaelic dialect of Tiree.
One of only a few guidebooks written in both Gaelic and English.
A good example of dinnseanchas where place-names around Tiree are explained, with the traditional stories that are attached to them. |
| Alternative Author Name | Neil M. Brownlie |
| Manuscript Or Edition | Ed. |
| Size And Condition | 19.5cm x 13.4cm |
| Short Title | Bailtean is Ath-ghairmean a Tiriodh |
| Reference Details | NLS: HP1.95.4168 |
| Number Of Pages | x, 160 |
| Gaelic Text By | N/A |
| Illustrator | Sue Anderson |
| Social Context | Neil MacKinnon Brownlie (Niall Iain Ruaidh, 1925-2015) was born on 8 September 1925 in Barrapol (Goirtean Dòmhnaill) in Tiree to John MacKinnon Brownlie and Flora MacDonald. After the death of his father, Brownlie left Tiree for Glasgow. Despite not having a university education, he was a gifted poet, song composer and writer of non-fiction. He also edited a collection of poetry associated with his native Tiree. Brownlie also had several successes in literary and song-writing competitions at the National Mod and elsewhere. He latterly lived in Larbert, Stirlingshire. Brownlie passed away suddenly in January 2015 and was survived by his wife Margaret Storrar. A collection of his best known songs and poetry was published posthumously as Smuaintean Bho Cheann a’ Bhara: Òrain agus Bàrdachd (2016). |
| Contents | Before the title page (p. iv), there appears a black and white illustration (p. iii) and on the previous page a biographical sketch of the author (p. ii). After the page on which the publication details are shown (p. v), there is a dedication to his wife (p. vi). There then appears a sketch map of Tiree (p. vii) followed by the contents list (p. viii), and then a foreword in Gaelic and English (pp. x-xi). This is followed by an introduction by the author in Gaelic and English (pp. 11-14). The main bulk of the text then appears, which is divided into four main sections as follows: ‘Gearr-Eachdraidh mu Thiriodh / A Short History of Tiree’ (pp. 16-21), ‘Na Bailtean / The Townships’ (pp. 22-135), ‘Facail, Ràdhan is Tòimhseachain à Tiriodh / Words, Riddles and Sayings from Tiree’ (pp. 137-51), ‘Ainmean bho Cheann a’ Bhara gun a Bodhachan Sliginneach / Names from Kenavara to the Shell Reefs (pp. 152-59) and finally an index (p. 160). |
| Sources | |
| Language | The text is written in commendably clear Gaelic as well as English. Given the subject matter the discernible influence of Gaelic storytelling register is present, as the author guides the reader around Tiree, an island with which he had an intimate and wide-ranging knowledge, and offers interesting traditional snippets of information (dinnsheanchas) and sometimes examples of prose or verse for a place-name.
There appear quite a few idiomatic phrase interspersed throughout the text, for example: thèid e às an t-sealladh mar mholl leis a’ ghaoith (p. 11), chan eil fios no fàth air an-diugh (p. 43), Ach cha robh ann ach duine gun mhiadh (p. 61), Nach b’ ann do Chlann Mhurchaidh a rug an cat an cuilean (81).
There appear a number of loan-words that have been Gaelicised, e.g.: cliopair-teatha (p. 25), sguadran (p. 33), plèana (p. 33), surfairean (p. 39), copair (p. 55), diostroidhear (p. 65), stèitsean-pumpaidh (p. 83), automataig (p. 91), panail (p. 103), mansa (p. 103), glìob (p. 103), ticead (p. 111), tractar (p. 119), conbhoidhean (p. 125).
There occasionally appear rare or unusual words such as spor (p. 11), creatlach (p. 47), spatha (p. 69), feall-fhalach (p. 75), bàbhan (p. 121). Many words reflecting the Gaelic dialect of Tiree are given in a list towards the end of the book.
The language reflects the Gaelic dialect of Tiree. |
| Orthography | The spelling conforms generally to the orthography of late twentieth century. Only grave accent is used. Accents usually appear on capital letters. |
| Edition | First edition. |
| Other Sources | |
| Further Reading | Brownlie, Niall M. & MacRath, Iain, A’ Chlàrsach Ùr: Òrain, Laoidhean agus Eadar-Theangachadh an Gàidhlig is am Beulra le Fuinn nan Taic (Glendaruel, 1999: Argyll Publishing,).
Brownlie, Niall M., Càth asnns a’ Ghaoith (Inbhir Nis, 2013: CLÀR).
Brownlie, Niall M. & Margaret NicFhionghuin, Meòrachadh (Glendaruel, 2003: Argyll Publishing).
Brownlie, Niall M., Na Cnuic ’s Na Glinn (Inbhir Nis, 1991: An Comunn Gàidhealach).
Brownlie, Niall M., Smuaintean Bho Cheann a’ Bhara: Òrain agus Bàrdachd (Isle of Skye, 2016: Taigh na Teud). |
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| Link Label | |
| Link | |
| Download File | |
| NumWords | 20187 |
