In this truly epic tale, a noble Lewis lady, also known locally (though outwith her earshot) as Bean Dhòmhnaill Ailig ‘Fat’, undertakes a long journey to Tibet, for a special meeting with a special person.

Norman Maclean narrates the gripping Gaelic adventure right through to its scarcely predictable conclusion.

This is the final instalment in his Sgeulachdan Thormoid collection.

The Island Voices/Guthan nan Eilean project is much indebted to Norman for these fantastic contributions. Clilstore versions for learners with clickable transcripts of several of these stories will be coming soon!

Update: All recordings in both the “Saoghal Thormoid” and “Sgeulachdan Thormoid” collections are now available on the “Norman Maclean” page.

Norman Maclean turns his attention to the Isle of Harris for the next instalment of Sgeulachdan Thormoid.

A grand dinner is held in Tarbert for the pensioners of Harris, with libations gu leòr.

The mouthwatering menu is described in loving gastronomic detail.

But one unfortunate omission leads to a possibly disagreeable outcome.

Norman reels off another hilarious story from his Gaelic collection…

Update: All recordings in both the “Saoghal Thormoid” and “Sgeulachdan Thormoid” collections are now available on the “Norman Maclean” page.

“Mary Claire! Mary Claire! Can you hear me?”

“Yes, I can… And so can everyone from Carinish to Ludag. What’s wrong?”

This couple have been 40 years married “as happy as two shoes”…

And Màiri Claire knows exactly how to deal with Dòmhnall Phàdraig’s crisis of confidence!

Norman Maclean entertains again, as only he knows how.

The fourth instalment of Sgeulachdan Thormoid.

Update: All recordings in both the “Saoghal Thormoid” and “Sgeulachdan Thormoid” collections are now available on the “Norman Maclean” page.

Politics, Verbosity (or its opposite), Love, and Death!

Here are all the dramatic ingredients you could need in this romantic story of the tongue-tied Fionnlagh Phàdruig a’ Chnuic and his sweetheart Peigi Iain Bhig.

And what could be a more appropriate setting than the famous and historic Cladh Hàllain in South Uist?

This is the third instalment of Norman’s collection – “Sgeulachdan Thormoid”.

And here it is on Clilstore (including a link to Google Translate if you don’t yet have Gaelic, but would like to get the gist…)

Update: All recordings in both the “Saoghal Thormoid” and “Sgeulachdan Thormoid” collections are now available on the “Norman Maclean” page.

We hear the story of Cabhag’s doggy heroics in an unsettling encounter on a misty mountainside in this second instalment of “Sgeulachdan Thormoid”.

If you’re out on the moor and the weather closes in, your canine companion may have other uses than just herding sheep – especially if you cross paths with an old woman with a strange finger formation…

If you enjoyed Norman’s rendition of “Àiridh na h-aon oidhche”, this Gaelic story should be right up your street. But if you’re of a nervous disposition, be assured there’s a happy ending!

Update: All recordings in both the “Saoghal Thormoid” and “Sgeulachdan Thormoid” collections are now available on the “Norman Maclean” page.

Fans of Norman Maclean are in for a treat! Norman recently invited Gordon Wells over to his house to hear and record a selection of Gaelic stories, related in his trademark style. What a privilege!

In his words of introduction, Norman explains his reasons for wanting to make the recordings, and expresses the hope they may be of use to learners.

The Guthan nan Eilean/Island Voices project is only too pleased to help by placing them online. They will make a fantastic addition to the ever-growing collection of locally sourced recordings that capture Gaelic as it is spoken.

Here’s Norman’s introduction.

And here’s his story of “Miracles in Barra” – a taste of things to come…

Watch this space!

Update: All recordings in both the “Saoghal Thormoid” and “Sgeulachdan Thormoid” collections are now available on the “Norman Maclean” page.