Jean-Didier Hache is a frequent traveller between Paris and Uist, having the good fortune to have a home in each location. He is also a writer and historian, among other things, and so is perfectly placed to offer Tommy Macdonald a French perspective on the Bonnie Prince Charlie story.

Early in the new year the two sat down for a dram and a brief chat, in which Jean-Didier added more biographical detail on the comings and goings of the multilingual Uibhisteach Neil MacEachan, the prince’s constant companion during his travels in Uist. We also learn more about Neil’s son, “The French MacDonald”, who rose to high rank in the French army during Napoleonic times, and about whom Jean-Didier has written this book.

Tommy and Jean-Didier spoke first in English. The conversation is split into two parts, the first dealing with the father, the second with the son.

On Neil MacEachan:

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/616552533″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=true&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

 

On Alexandre MacDonald:

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After that Jean-Didier delivered a précis in French, for the benefit of Francophone listeners, while adding some more detail on specific events and sites in France that relate to the tale.

En Français:

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The developing An Radio website took another step forward yesterday with the launch of its “On Demand Audio” section. You’ll find it just below the An Radio Player, and just above the link to Island Voices. If you click on the dropdown menu in the sidebar you’ll find a choice of very interesting and informative interviews with local people about local venues and events.

Of course, at this stage of An Radio’s development these are just examples of the kind of thing that the station, as a genuine community enterprise, aims to develop and expand upon. Its success will be crucially dependent on active input from as many people as possible, and the door is always open to more volunteers!

Among the interviews available “On Demand” are two clips from Gordon Wells, Island Voices Co-ordinator.

Gordon talks in English and Gaelic about what this project aims to do, and what it might have to offer to anyone who may be feeling tempted to get involved with An Radio, but perhaps feels they could use some extra help to get started. As Island Voices followers will know, the project has already been helping community members to contribute to the online Guthan/Voices page of Am Pàipear. Nearly fifty separate items have been published there in the last couple of years. Now An Radio is offering a great new opportunity to develop more community voices in an exciting new medium!

You can hear what Gordon has to say here.

 

In his ongoing series of stories and conversations about Bonnie Prince Charlie Tommy Macdonald sat down with Paul Mc Callum from North Glendale in South Uist recently, for a yarn or two and a song.

The prime focus of attention was on Macdonald of Boisdale – “Alasdair Mòr nam Mart” – held to have given honest advice to the Prince, but whose own reputation was not high amongst local people.

Paul explains why in English here, and goes on to discuss different poetical accounts of the times and how some might be more reliable than others.

Conversation in English:

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/616548714″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=true&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

 

Cluinnear an dithis a’ deasbad an seo sa Ghàidhlig, ach le sgeul no dhà a bharrachd air an cur ris na chualas sa Bheurla.

Còmhradh sa Ghàidhlig:

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/616547928″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=true&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

 

Paul has a fund of local tales, but is probably even better known as a singer of remarkable talent. Underlining his own feelings on the events in question, the session finished with this beautiful rendition of Mo Rùn Geal Òg, attributed to Christina Chisholm, widowed at Culloden.

Gaelic song:

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/616551375″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=true&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

The new Uist community radio station “An Radio” took a major step forward over the weekend when it started broadcasting online. Just go to their website at www.anradio.info and then click on the “An Radio Player” icon. It’s still early days for the station, but you’ll find plenty of music, interspersed with samples of local features and interviews. An Radio has already started recruiting volunteers to get involved in the project. If you’re interested you can get in touch through the website.

Clearly, there are and will be plenty of opportunities to get involved in making it a genuine community venture, and maximising local content. Island Voices/Guthan nan Eilean can help too! You will already hear some examples from our archive on the An Radio playlists, and we stand ready to assist anyone who wants to “dip their toe in the water”…. Good luck!

Tommy Macdonald has added to the store of local tales about Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Hebridean adventures in a conversation with Donald MacPhee, who renovated and now runs the Nunton House Hostel.

Here is where Flora Macdonald, Lady Clanranald, and other local notables planned the escape “over the sea to Skye”.

The “big house” has changed in function and ownership many times since those days, with Donald’s part of it now given over to accommodating tourists and visitors, but, even in the latest renovation, some tantalising hints and clues came to light about what life may have been like in the immediate aftermath of Culloden.

Listen to Tommy and Donald’s fireside chat here:

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More stories, and perhaps a song or two, will be added to the collection in the coming weeks.

Watch this space!

Today was the first day of recording of local Bonnie Prince Charlie stories for Stòras Uibhist. Tommy Macdonald “compared notes” with Alasdair Maceachen, who has a family connection with the Prince’s companion Neil MacEachan, on the accounts of the Prince’s movements around Benbecula after the defeat at Culloden.

The discussion took place at Nunton Steadings. As the conversation reveals, there are historical connections with the story.

Tommy and Alasdair spoke first in Gaelic:

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/616526271″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=true&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

 

And this is their “reprise” in English:

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