Goireasan/Resources

Cuiribh sùil air na goireasan airson barrachd fiosrachaidh a thaobh a’ lorg is ag athris sgeulachdan.

Browse our useful resources and background materials to find out more about finding and telling stories.

1. Goireas nan sgeulachdan – toiseach tòisichidh

Storytelling resource  – starting points

EnglishGàidhlig

Season 2 Episode 7

Seo agaibh a-nis eapasod sònraichte còmhla ri Essie Stiùbhart. Bidh Fiona is Essie a’ còmhradh mu dheidhinn sgeulachdan sa Ghàidhlig agus an obair a tha Essie air a dhèanamh thairis air na bliadhnaichean ag innse na sgeulachdan a bh’ aig an teaghlach aice. Bidh Essie cuideachd a’ bruidhinn mu dheidhinn a seanair, Ailidh Dall Stiùbhart, is daoine eile san teaghlach aice.

This time we have a special episode with Essie Stewart. Fiona and Essie discuss the Gaelic storytelling tradition and the work that Essie has done over the years to pass on her family’s stories. Essie also talks about her grandfather, Ailidh Dall Stewart, and his interest in stories.

Listen to the episode

Season 2 Episode 6

Seo Angela NicEachainn le ceithir sgeulachdan goirid mu dheidhinn Chlann ‘ic Ailein. Cluinnidh sibh sgeulachdan Dòmhnall Dubh na Cuthaige agus an Sagart, Bàs Dhòmhnaill Dhuibh an Canaigh, mar a chaidh Caisteal Ormacleit a thogail agus sgeulachd Nighean Mhic a’ Phì Cholbhasa agus Mac ‘Ic Ailein.

This episode we have four short stories relating to the Clanranald family told by Angela MacEachen. Angela tells the story of the infamous Black Donald of Clanranald and the Priest, the story about the death of Black Donald in Canna, the story of Castle Ormacleit and a story about MacPhee of Colonsay’s daughter and Clanranald.

Listen to the episode

Season 2 Episode 5

Seo Iain Seathach le dà sgeulachd a chuala e aig na Gàidheil ann an Ceap Breatainn. Cluinnidh sibh sgeulachd An Cù Glas Mheòbhail mu dheidhinn cù gu math dìleas a bh’ ann am Mòrar agus cuideachd ròlaist èibhinn mun t-Sagart Bàn agus an Sgadan. Bidh Iain cuideachd a’ bruidhinn mun obair a rinn e a’ cruinneachadh is a’ clàradh sgeulachdan is eile ann an Ceap Breatainn is ann an Alba.

This episode we have two stories from John Shaw that he heard from Gaelic speakers in Cape Breton. John tells the story of the faithful Grey Dog of Meoble, followed by a tall tale about the White Priest and the Herring. John also speaks about the work he has done over the years collecting and recordings stories and other material in Cape Breton and in Scotland.

Listen to the episode

Season 2 Episode 4

Seo agaibh Linda NicLeòid le sgeulachdan os-nàdarrach à Uibhist a Tuath. Cluinnidh sibh sgeulachd mu bhoireannach a chaidh a-steach do shìthean is cuideachd sgeulachd Bian an Ròin. Bidh Linda cuideachd a’ bruidhinn mun obair rannsachaidh a rinn i air na sgeulachdan os-nàdarrach ann am Baile Sear, Uibhist a Tuath.

This episode we have supernatural stories from North Uist told by Linda MacLeod. Linda tells a story about a woman who was trapped in a fairy hill baking for the fairies, followed by the story of the seal woman whose seal skin was stolen. Linda also speaks about the research she has undertaken on the supernatural stories of Baleshare, North Uist.

Listen to the episode

Season 2 Episode 3

Seo sgeulachd bho Àdhamh Ó Broin air mar a chaidh seana bhoireannach, Grannie Livingstone, a shabhladh bho thuil uabhasach ann an Gleann Chinn Ghlais, Comhghall, air sàillibh ‘s na comasan a bh’ aig a nabaidh aig an robh an dà-shealladh. Cluinnidh sibh beagan mun obair a tha Àdhamh a’ dèanamh ann an Earra-Ghàidheal tron obair aige le CHARTS cuideachd.

In this episode, Àdhamh Ó Broin shares a true story about an old lady called Grannie Livingstone who was saved from a terrible flood in Glen Kinglas, Cowal, on account of her neighbour’s forewarning through the gift of the second sight. Àdhamh also speaks about the cultural work that he does in Argyll both independently and through his role with CHARTS.

Listen to the episode

Season 2 Episode 2

Seo Dùghall Mac a’ Phì à Barraigh agus Ceap Breatainn le sgeulachdan is bàrdachd nan gaisgeach. Cluinnidh sibh sgeulachd à Gleann Sìth air mar a fhuair Diarmaid am bàs às dèidh dha a bhith a’ sabaid torc nimhe, agus Laoidh Dhiarmaid. Tha Dùghall cuideachd ag aithris Duan na Ceàrdaich air mar a chaidh Fionn agus na Fèinne gu ceàrdach shìtheadh airson an claidheamh a theamparadh, agus bidh Dùghall ag aithris pìosan den sgeulachd Cailleach an t-Sruth Ruaidh cuideachd.

This episode we have a mixture of heroic stories and poetry told by Dugald MacPhee of Barra and Cape Breton. Dugald tells the Glenshee version of the warrior Diarmaid’s death followed by the Lay of Diarmaid. Dugald then recites Duan na Ceàrdaich, a ballad about Finn MacCool and the Fianna visiting a magical smithy to have Finn’s new sword tempered, and also snippets from the story of the Hag of the Russet Stream.

Listen to the episode

Bonus episode

Fàilte gu am pod-craoladh speisealta seo mu dheidhinn pròiseact trì-chànanach air òrain is sgeulachdan na Fèinne. Tha TRACS air a bhith ag obair air a’  phròiseact seo fad dà bhliadhna còmhla ri buidhneann de sàr luchd-ciùil is aithris à Alba is Èirinn: Mhàiri Hall, Màiri Nic ille Mhaoil, Gráinne Holland, Éamon Doorley is Màrtainn Mac an t-Saoir.

Cluinnear agallamh leis a’ bhuidhneann tro mheadhan na Beurla còmhla ri Fiona NicDhùghaill bho TRACS is an uair sin, blasad de aon de na pìosan a chruthaich a’ bhuidheann còmhla, dreach ùr de na sgeulachd, An t-Amadan Mòr, a tha tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig is na Gaeilge.

Le taic bho Sgeama Cholmcille (com-pàirteachas eadar Bòrd na Gàidhlig is Foras na Gaeilge) & TRACS (Ealain Traidiseanta is Cultar na h-Alba).

Welcome to this special edition of Sgeul is Seanchas highlighting a trilingual project centred on the songs and stories of the Fianna.  For the past two years, TRACS have been working on this project with a group of leading storytellers, singers and musicians from Scotland and Ireland: Mhairi Hall, Mary MacMillan, Grainne Holland, Eamon Doorley and Martin MacIntyre.

Fiona MacDougall from TRACS discusses the background of the project with the group in an English language interview, then you will hear a draft version of a story the group created together called An t-Amadan Mòr/The Great Fool, which is in Scottish Gaelic and Irish.

The project is supported by Bòrd na Gàidhlig through their Colmcille scheme, which fosters cultural links between Scotland and Ireland & TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland).

Listen to the episode

Season 2 Episode 1

Fàilte chun an dàrna sreath den phod-craoladh còmhla ri Fiona NicDhùghaill bho TRACS. Seo agaibh sgeulachd à Eilean Leòdhais air a h-innse le Magaidh Nic a’ Ghobhainn.’S ann aig Na Leòdaich, Clann ’ic Leòid, a bha smachd air Eilean Leòdhais airson iomadh linn. Ach thug an Crùn seilbh air fearrann Leódhais ga na Sìophartaich – Clann ‘ic Choinnich, ann an 1611. Thug Iarla Shìophairt òrdugh gu feumadh na bhuineadh ga cinn-feadha na Leòidich, an cur gu bàs.

A rèir beul aithris na Sìophartaich fhein, agus na tha sgrìobhte chun an latha an diugh, chuir iad às ga cinn-fheadhna na Leòdaich agus na bhuineadh dha. Ach ‘s e an rud a rèir nam sgeòil seo, saoil na chur?

Welcome to the second season of the podcast with new host Fiona MacDougall from TRACS. This episode we have a story from the Isle of Lewis told by Magaidh Smith. The Clan MacLeod ruled the Isle of Lewis for many years.  But the Crown gave the lands in Lewis to the Seaforths – the Clan MacKenzie, in 1611.  The Earl of Seaforth ordered that anyone related to the chiefs of the Clan MacLeod should be put to death.

According to the oral history of the MacKenzies, and what is written in the history books, it is said that the MacKenzies extinquished all members of the Clan MacLeod.  But according to this story, did they indeed?

Listen to the episode

Season 1 Episode 7

Seo dhuibh sgeulachd pearsanta air a h-innse le Ruairidh Greumach às an Eilean Sgitheanach.  ‘s ann mu dheidhinn aon de na sinnsearan aig Ruairidh a th’ ann, Aonghas MacMhaolain à Leòdhas, a bha na shaighdear anns a’ Chiad Chogadh Mòr.  Choisinn Aonghas tòrr chliù airson a ghaisgeachd tron a’ chogadh is choisinn e an tiotal An Gaisgeach Bhuzancy bhon an t-Arm Frangach.

This month we have a personal story told by Ruairidh Graham from the Isle of Skye.  The story is about one of Ruairidh’s ancestors, Angus MacMillian from Lewis, who was a soldier in the First World War.  Angus was renowned for his bravery during the war and was acclaimed by the French Army as the Hero of Buzancy.

Listen to the episode

Season 1 Episode 6

Seo dhuibh sgeulachd a chruthaich Ariel Killick, Dàna-Thursan ri Aibideil nan Craobhan.  Tha an Gille Dubh/Glèidheadair na Coille cho dubhach is e ag ionndrainn nan craobhan is a chuideachd a chaidh am fuadachadh, gu bheil e air a dhachaigh anns a’ choille a thrèigsinn gus suidhe na aonar air barr beinne, a’ fàgail nan àilleagan uile aige aig Sìne, airson a sgeulachd innse is eòlas air bhuannachdan ar craobhan dùthchasach a sgapadh.

Here’s a new story created by Ariel Killick, Adventures with the Gaelic Tree Alphabet.  An Gille Dubh / The Guardian of the Trees, saddened by the clearing of his beloved trees and people, has left his forest home to sit alone atop the highest mountains, leaving his beautiful, prized possessions to our Storyteller to tell his tale and spread knowledge of the riches of our native trees.

© Ariel Killick 2020 ℗ Ariel Killick 2020

Listen to the episode

Season 1 Episode 5

Seo dhuibh sgeulachd eachdraidheil à Èirinn air a h-innse le Marcas Mac an Tuairneir.

Bha long Frangach, an Leon XIII, a’ seòladh eadar Portland is Corcaigh is chaidh a bhriseadh air na creagan faisg air Caoilte nuair a thàinig stoirm uabhasach.  Cluinnear mun oidhirp ghaisgeil a rinn muinntir Chaoilte gus na seòlaidearan Frangach a shabhladh.

This month we have a historical story from Ireland told by Mark Turner.

A French ship, the Leon XIII, was sailing from Portland to Cork and was driven against the rocks near Quilty in County Clare in the midst of a terrible storm.  The people of Quilty made a heroic effort to save the French sailors in the terrible conditions, risking their own lives during the rescue.

Listen to the episode

Season 1 Episode 4

Seo dhuibh dà sgeulachd èibhinn a chruthaich Tormod Mac’illeEathain, nach maireann, air an innse le Ruairidh Gray à Uibhist a Deas.

‘s e ‘A’ Bhean-Uasal NicÌomhair à Cnoc an t-Soluis air a’ Bhac’ tiotal a’ chiad sgeulachd, sgeulachd mu dheidhinn ban-Leòdhasach a tha a’ siubhal gu Tibet gus coinneachadh ri cuideigin sònraichte.

Agus ‘s e ‘Cladh Hàllain’ tiotal an dàrna sgeulachd, sgeulachd gaoil eadar Dòmhnall Phàdruig a’ Chnuic agus Peigi Iain Bhig ann an Uibhist a Deas.

This month we have two funny stories, created by the late Norman MacLean, told here by Ruairidh Gray from South Uist.

The first story is ‘The noble Mrs MacIver from Cnoc an t-Soluis air a’ Bhac’, a story about a noblewoman from Lewis who travels to Tibet to meet a special person.

And the title of the second story is ‘The Graveyard at Hallan’ which is a love story about two sweethearts in South Uist, Dòmhnall Phàdruig a’ Chnuic and Peigi Iain Bhig.

Listen to the episode

Season 1 Episode 3

Seo dhuibh sgeulachd Shrath Ghlais air a h-innse le Ceit Langhorne.  Chruthaich Ceit an sgeulachd seo le bhith a’ cur sgeulachdan bhon TGSI ri chèile.

Tha an sgeulachd a leanas ag innse mar a stad crodh Shrath Ghlais a bhith leigeil am bainne airson am bleoghainn.  Bhathar a’ creidsinn gur e bana-bhuidsich a’ fuireach gu h-ionadail a chur stad air a’ bhleoghann. Bha diofar dhaoine ag obair gus stad a chur air na bana-bhuisich, a bha a’ nochdadh ann an riochd maighich airson trioblaid adhbharachadh. Bha am fuasgladh a’ tighinn thuca ann an dòigh nach shaoileadh duine sam bith.

This month’s story, told by Ceit Langhorne, is a story belonging to Strathglass which Ceit put together from similar stories that appeared in the TGSI.

The following story tells how the cattle in Strathglass stopped letting their milk.  The community believed that the local witches were responsible, and that they were appearing in the form of hares all around the district to cause havoc. The community worked together to stop them but the solution comes in a way that no one could have anticipated.

Listen to the episode

Season 1 Episode 2

Seo dhuibh an dàrna sgeulachd san t-sreath seo, Gille Padara Dubh agus Mac ‘ic Ailein, air a h-innse le Màrtainn Mac an t-Saoir.

Bha fear Gille Padara Dubh a bha a’ fuireach ann an Uibhist a Deas.  Bha e fìor mhath leis a’ bhogha-saighde is thug an t-uachdaran Mac ‘ic Ailein dùbhlan dha airson feuchainn dè cho math ‘s a bha e dha-rìribh leis a’ bhogha-saighde. Chuir e ubh air ceann a mhic feuch am bualadh e i bho astar 100 slat air falbh.

The second story in the series is Gille Padara Dubh and MacDonald of Clanranald told by Martin MacIntyre.

There was a well known character called Gille Padara Dubh who lived in South Uist.  He was an exceptional archer and the landlord, MacDonald of Clanranald, challenged him to shoot an egg off the top of his son’s head from 100 feet away to find out how good he really was.

Listen to the episode

Season 1 Episode 1

Seo dhuibh Ruairidh Mac’illeathain à Inbhir Nis leis a’ chiad sgeulachd san t-sreath seo, An t-Iasg Òir.

Bha Màrtainn agus a bhean gu math bochd is bha iad a’ fuireach ann am bothan.  Cha robh biadh sam bith aca is aon latha, chaidh Màrtainn a dh’iasgach gus èisg a ghlacadh.  Cha do ghlac e ach iasg bheag òir aig an robh comasan labhairt.  Chuir Màrtainn an t-iasg air ais dhan mhuir nuair a gheallas an t-iasg gun toireadh e dha rud sam bith a tha e ag iarraidh.

The first story in this series is The Golden Fish, told by Ruairidh Maclean from Inverness.

Martin and his wife live on their own in poverty in a hovel. They have run out of food, so Martin goes to catch a fish for their supper.  All he catches is a small golden fish, which he returns to the sea as it speaks to him and promises to grant him anything he wishes.

Listen to the episode