GALLERY
Morag Macleod
Rugadh Mòrag NicLeòid ann an Scalpaigh, Na Hearadh ann an 1936. Fhuair i foghlam ann an sgoil Scalpaigh, Acadamaidh Rìoghail Inbhir Nis, Oilthigh Dhun-Èideann agus Colaiste Chnoc Iòrdain an Glaschu. Ach chuir i seachad a' chuid mhòr de beatha-obrach an sàs ann an òrain Ghàidhlig ann an Sgoil Eòlais na h-Alba.
Aig Sgoil Eòlais na h-Alba, thòisich i air faclan òran agus sgeulachdan a sgrìobhadh far teip. An uair sin ghabh i os làimh an ceòl a sgrìobhadh mar a bha e ri chluinntinn air na teipichean. Nuair a chaidh Scottish Ethnology a stèidheachadh mar chuspair teagaisg san oilthigh, chuir i gu mòr ris an obair sin tron eòlas a bh’ aice air òrain Ghàidhlig.
Bha i gu mòr an sàs ann a bhith a' deasachadh stuth airson na h-iris Tocher, agus a' taghadh 's a' sgrìobhadh fios air na clàir Ghàidhlig san t-sreath Scottish Tradition, dà ghoireas aithnichte a thàinig à Sgoil Eòlais na h-Alba.
Bha i fortanach gu faodadh i tìde a chur seachad air gnothaichean eile bho àm gu àm. Bha i na ball de Chomataidh a' Chiùil aig a' Chomunn Ghàidhealach, bha i a' teagasg Gàidhlig aig sgoiltean samhraidh san t-Sabhal Mhòr agus an Dun Èideann agus fhuair i cothrom uair no dhà greis a chur seachad a' teagasg Gàidhlig ann an Ceap Breatainn. Airson deich bliadhna bhiodh i a' siubhal, bliadhna mu seach, còmhla ri bàird is luchd-ciùil à Alba air feadh Èirinn, agus a leithid cheudna le bàird is luchd-ciùil à Eirinn a bhos an seo. Chuir i seachad bliadhna ann an colaiste Chnoc Iòrdain a' teagaisg eachdraidh agus trì bliadhna an lùib a' Van Leer project (Foghlam Coimhearsnachd) anns na Hearadh.
Leig Mòrag dhith a dreuchd ann an 2001, agus thàinig i a dh'fhuireach ann an Scalpaigh far a bheil i a' cur seachad a tìde a' coimhead air telebhisean 's ag èisteachd ri, cha mhòr a h-uile prògram Gàidhlig, agus nì i moladh no càineadh do dhuine sam bith a bheir feairt oirre!
Born in Scalpay, Harris in 1936, Morag MacLeod had her primary education in the local school, attended secondary school in Inverness Royal Academy, then studied at the University of Edinburgh and Jordanhill College of Education. Most of her working life was spent at the School of Scottish Studies working on Gaelic songs. The work began as that of texts transcriber, then music transcriber. When the School became a teaching department, she played her own part in teaching about Gaelic songs.
She also became involved in the publications issued by the School, the magazine, Tocher, and the Scottish Tradition series of cassettes and later CDs produced by Greentrax.
She was lucky enough to be allowed time for other activities, including membership of the Mod Music Committee of An Comunn Gàidhealach, teaching and organising Gaelic in Summer schools in Sabhal Mor Ostaig and Edinburgh and was privileged to take part in Summer schools in Cape Breton. For ten years she accompanied poets and musicians on tours of Ireland and Scotland on alternate years. She was seconded for a session teaching Highland history in Jordanhill and worked for three years for the Van Leer Foundation for Community Education in Harris.
Morag retired in 2001 and moved back home to Scalpay in 2004. She spends her time watching television and listening to radio, especially Gaelic programmes, delivering praise and criticism to anyone who is willing to lend an ear!
Blas Festival 2017 Appearances
Scalpay Community Centre - Friday 1 September
