Learn Scottish Gaelic and Gaelic Song in the Sun!

Fancy having a Spring Break in the Sun and learn something new at the same time - or brush up on older skills? Join myself and Uist singer and tutor Gillebride Macmillan in the beautiful surroundings of the Alto Genal, deep in the heart of lovely Andalucia, Spain. Learn Gaelic, improve your Spanish (Gillebride is a fluent Spanish speaker as well as Gaelic) , learn some beautiful Gaelic songs, even if you're not a singer, and learn something of the Andalucian culture, cuisine and countryside at the same time. April 28th - May 2nd 2010, Juzcar, Andalucia, 1 1/2 hours from Malaga. Fully inclusive, travel excepted. More details . Siuthad! Join us for some fun, food and ferias!

http://www.fionamackenzie.org/Events

Day 1 1/2 in the Burnsong House!

All arrived in the House now apart from Nuala, Ziggy & Yvonne. Weather very wet,as it has been in Dumfries for the last few days - extensive flooding as reported in the media, very wet and lots of stranded sheep and cows! W're not really affected at Barncrosh though as we're up on the hills - the llamas will look after us.........
Jennie ( our 'minder' for the week) is looking after us us beautifully and we're all settled into our rooms - the house i beautiful and full of creative potential! Methinks there will be lots of great artistic debate this week and everyone seems lovely.
Joe ( Bennett) wants us to get to work tonight ( hes also going to blog the week - http://joebennett.wordpress.com/2009/11/08/and-so-peaceful-until/- but says he'll be gentle with us as some of us are pretty tired from travelling - 2 from the US, Emily and AJ included- but we're having a musical 'get to know you circle' - bit more fun than the usual 'dynamics' session........

Autumn in the Highlands

Weathers getting gradually colder- a lovely fresh crispy morning yesterday with a sharp frost on the grass, but back to grey wetness today. We're still very lucky to live here though, its beautiful whatever the weather!

Scottish National Party Final Day @Conference - Gaelic Song!

Just preparing to go off for sound check at Conference- singing Cuir Culaibh ri Asainte- an emigrant song from Sutherland - and the classic Scots 'anthem'- Scots Wha Hae. It is rumoured that Mr Salmond has a very fine singing voice! More news later!

Good Suit at Brodie for A'Chraobh- Highland Homecoming

Update on the Good Suit Recital at Brodie Castle on Sunday 25th October for Highland Homecoming. Am delighted that I am going to be joined by young Inverness contemporary dancer Gemma Giubarelli, who will 'translate' some of the songs for me- a new departure for Gaelic Song.Gemma will interpret the songs for the audience using her beautiful , elegant and emotive style of dance. I will also be joined by Ross-shire fiddler Eilidh Ramsay who will play sets of tunes from The New World.
There will also be photos on display relating to the new World and a display of art by local school pupils, inspired by sessions I have been working on with the pupils, on the songs of emigration.
Get you tickets soon - they are extremely limited !

Oran an Latha= Gaelic Song of the Day

Todays song is 'Cladaich Loch Iu" - The shores of Loch Ewe ( Ross-shire)http://www.imeem.com/people/wOw0u9L/music/rOQ9Q4dE/fiona-j-mackenzie-09-cladaich-loch-iuwma/

Ri Taobh Cladaich Loch Iu

Ri taobh cladaich Loch Iù, leag dhomh siubhal gun èis
Am miosg mo luchd-dàimhe ’s mo chàirdean gu lèir
Ann an dùthaich mo shinnsear, miosg dhilsean cho dlùth
Nach tlachdmhor an tir seo, mu Chladaich Loch Iù.

Bho àm sith-thàimh na maidne, aig bristeadh an là
Gu uair laighe na grèine, le flatheileachd àrd
Tha a’ Chruithneachd a’ dòrtadh òirnn seoladh as ùr
Gach latha agus oidhche, mu chladaich Loch Iù.

Far bheil eunlaith na mara, le cainntearachd cuain
Agus eòin bheag a bhaile, le caithream nar cluais
Tha n t-àile ghlan chùbhraidh, an ionad cho ciùin,
Toirt cuireadh as ùr dhuinn, gu cladaich Loch Iù.

Tha na beanntaichean àrda cuir dion air an t-sliabh
Gu cruinn, corrach, sgorrach s iad dùbh-ghorm is liath
Tha dubhan sgòthach, s na neòil, os ar cionn
A’ roghnachadh dreach dhuinn, mu chladaich Loch Iù.

Fhad’ s bhuaileas na tuinn, air muir-làn no muir-tràigh
Air na cladaich as fheàrr leam, ann an dùthaich mo ghràidh
Tha sior mhàisleachd nadir gach là mu ar gnùis
Toirt ùrachadh làitheil mu chladaich Loch Iù.

By the shores of Loch ewe let me wander and roam
Beside my own dear ones my croft and my home
In my own native Country where friends are still true
How peaceful to walk by the shores of Loch Iu


From the still of the morning at break of the day
Till the sun goes to rest with its glorious display
There nature presents her adorable view
Each day and each night by the shores of Loch Iu

Wheer the seabirds cry out and the song birds are sweet
And the sea breezes mix with the tang of the peats
The atmosphere pure will prove rightly to you
That life is still sweet by the shores of Loch Iu

The high peaked mountains stand guard o’er the scene
Serrated and rounded all blue grey and green
The heavenly shadows determine the hue
Which waters reflect by the hsores of Loch Iu

While the sound of the waves beats an endless encore
On the shores that I love and the land I adore
The creation has something to offer anew
To charm and delight by the shores of Loch Iu