Bòrd na Gàidhlig
Brath Naidheachd
Press Release
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‘Aos Dàna’ The Skye Book Festival – just one book!
16 June 2008
There are scores of book festivals around these shores with hundreds of authors and stacks
of books. On the Isle of Skye they do things differently. Aos Dàna, the Book Festival in July is
unique - it has only one author and one book. But this is not a minimal festival. In presenting
the book, the festival organisers have brought together a wealth of poets and musicians,
The four-day event takes its inspiration from musicologist, poet, broadcaster and Skye
crofter, Dr John Purser and his book ‘Scotland's Music. A History of the Traditional and
Classical Music of Scotland from Early Time to the Present Day.’ This book was presented by
the BBC in a 50-part radio series in 2007.
In a series of linked talks and concerts John Purser will talk about the distinctive music and
literature that emerged as Scottish society evolved over the centuries, and which
contributes to our sense of nationhood today. It starts with John playing bronze-age music
in front of a bronze-age cave. It finishes in the 21st Century with Donnie Munro.
The opening concert, on Saturday 12 July, at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Skye's Gaelic College,
introduces the music of Erik Chisholm, whose compositions were inspired by classical pipetunes and 18th century music from the Gaidhealtachd. These will be played by international
pianist, Murray McLachlan, the renowned American Scottish fiddler Bonnie Rideout and
piper Decker Forrest.
On Sunday after a Gaelic and English service in Kilmore Church featuring ‘Music of the Celtic
Church’, with the participation of renowned piper Barnaby Brown and Strath Gaelic Choir,
there is an illustrated concert of music related to Scotland’s landscape, from pre-history to
the present day.
The next day, ‘Four Poets and a Cello’ highlight the resurgence of Gaelic poetry and
literature. John provides a musical accompaniment to the poetry of Maoilios Caimbeul,
along with Skye-based poets Meg Bateman and Aonghas Pàdraig Caimbeul, who translates
his poetery into over 25 languages.
The evening session, ‘In Praise of Ben Doran’, reaches back to the 18th century and the the
poet from that golden age Duncan Bàn MacIntyre. Renowned piper Allan MacDonald and
singer and folklorist Margaret Bennett join John Purser for a concert and discussion.
Bòrd na Gàidhlig
Brath Naidheachd
Press Release
The Book Festival finishes and the full Skye Festival, opens on Tuesday 15 July with an
evening concert of contemporary Gaelic and Scottish music. This features Gaelic singer
Christine Primrose and Donnie Munro, well-known from his Runrig days, alongside John
Wallace, Principal of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, an international
virtuoso trumpeter, and one of the greatest Scottish musicians of his generation.
The Skye Festival then continues to Saturday 26 July with a series of concerts and
workshops.