Episodes
Oct 19, 2023
Oct 19, 2023
1hr 22 min
The final episode in this series sees Deirdre Graham in conversation with renowned singer, Kim Carnie. They explore bloody murder through Gaelic song, choosing a song each that holds a gruesome tale behind them.
Produced by Deirdre Graham
Mixed by James Lindsay
Music from Deirdre Graham's album URRANTA
This series is supported through the 'Tasgadh' fund from Fèisean nan Gàidheal.
Further Information
www.deirdregraham.com
www.kimcarnie.com
And So We Gather
Virginia Blankenhorn Essay
Follow Deirdre on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Oct 12, 2023
Oct 12, 2023
1hr 8 min
Deirdre Graham in conversation with Rona Lightfoot about her upbringing in South Uist, the links between piping and Gaelic songs, and a canntaireachd lesson!
Produced by Deirdre Graham
Mixed by James Lindsay
Music from Deirdre Graham's album URRANTA
This series is supported through the 'Tasgadh' fund from Fèisean nan Gàidheal.
Further Information
www.deirdregraham.com
Follow Deirdre on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Oct 5, 2023
Oct 5, 2023
1hr 34 min
Deirdre Graham hosts a conversation with Gaelic singer and songwriter, Rachel Walker about two of her own compositions; Sgàthach celebrates the revered warrior queen from Skye and Gormshùil, the most powerful of the West Coast witches.
Produced by Deirdre Graham
Mixed by James Lindsay
Music from Deirdre Graham's album URRANTA
This series is supported through the 'Tasgadh' fund from Fèisean nan Gàidheal.
Further Information
www.deirdregraham.com
www.rachelwalker.co.uk
Despite the Wind and Rain
Heal & Harrow
Mairi Kidd
The Gaelic Otherworld
Songs of Gaelic Scotland
Follow Deirdre on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Sep 28, 2023
Sep 28, 2023
1hr 27 min
Deirdre Graham in conversation with Dòmhnall Ryno Morrison about some songs and poetry connected to World War 1, with a closer look at the communities that were affected at home, as well as the communities formed in the trenches.
Produced by Deirdre Graham
Mixed by James Lindsay
Music from Deirdre Graham's album URRANTA
This series is supported through the 'Tasgadh' fund from Fèisean nan Gàidheal.
Further Information
www.deirdregraham.com
Letter to an Unknown Soldier
Litir Chun an t-Saighdear Gun Ainm
Dòmhnall Ruadh Choruna: Òrain is Dàin
Julie Fowlis 'An Eala Bhàn'
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Sep 21, 2023
Sep 21, 2023
47 min
Deirdre Graham in conversation with Gaelic singer and screen star Kathleen MacInnes over Òran na Cloiche; the song that celebrates the retrieval of the Stone of Destiny from Westminster Abbey in 1950.
Produced by Deirdre Graham
Mixed by James Lindsay
Music from Deirdre Graham's album URRANTA
This series is supported through the 'Tasgadh' fund from Fèisean nan Gàidheal.
Further Information
www.deirdregraham.com
An Ceasnachadh: Interrogation of a Highland Lass
Bliadhna nan Òran
Tobar an Dualchais
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Sep 14, 2023
Sep 14, 2023
1hr 22 min
Deirdre Graham in conversation with Fiona J MacKenzie about the folklorist Margaret Fay Shaw who wrote the book, 'Folksongs and Folklore of South Uist', as well as contributing to an enormous legacy of archive recordings at Canna House with her husband, John Lorne Campbell.
Produced by Deirdre Graham
Mixed by James Lindsay
Music from Deirdre Graham's album URRANTA
This series is supported through the 'Tasgadh' fund from Fèisean nan Gàidheal
Further Information
www.deirdregraham.com
www.fionamackenzie.org
Canna House Archive
National Trust for Scotland
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Dec 23, 2021
Dec 23, 2021
53 min
Deirdre Graham is joined by her mother, Kirsteen Graham, a Gaelic singer and tutor who steeped Deirdre in songs and stories from childhood. Together they share a couple of songs connected to Skye as well as the lore surrounding them.
Full transcription of the conversation available here
You can support this podcast by way of a donation here
Follow Deirdre Graham on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Spotify
https://www.deirdregraham.com/gaelicsongstories
Credits
Hosted by Deirdre Graham
Recorded and edited by Deirdre Graham
Further editing and mix by James Lindsay
Transcriptions by Emilie Owens
Podcast artwork by Elly Lucas
Photographs by Magnus Graham
This project is supported by Creative Scotland
Dec 16, 2021
Dec 16, 2021
57 min
Deirdre Graham hosts a conversation with Gillebrìde MacMillan on the role of the cèilidh house as well as the unbroken chain of Gaelic song compositions.
Full transcription of the conversation available here
To find out more about Gillebrìde visit here
You can support this podcast by way of a donation here
Follow Deirdre Graham on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Spotify
https://www.deirdregraham.com/gaelicsongstories
Credits
Hosted by Deirdre Graham
Recorded and edited by Deirdre Graham
Further editing and mix by James Lindsay
Transcriptions by Emilie Owens
Podcast artwork by Elly Lucas
Photographs by Magnus Graham
This project is supported by Creative Scotland
Dec 9, 2021
Dec 9, 2021
1hr 1 min
Deirdre Graham chats with singer, musician and activist Rachel Newton about a couple of waulking songs that reveal injustices towards women, how women's voice was empowered, and what that means to performers today.
Full transcription of the conversation available here
To find out more about Rachel visit here
To find out more about The Bit Collective visit here
You can support this podcast by way of a donation here
Follow Deirdre Graham on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Spotify
https://www.deirdregraham.com/gaelicsongstories
Credits
Hosted by Deirdre Graham
Recorded and edited by Deirdre Graham
Further editing and mix by James Lindsay
Transcriptions by Emilie Owens
Podcast artwork by Elly Lucas
Photographs by Magnus Graham
This project is supported by Creative Scotland
Dec 2, 2021
Dec 2, 2021
53 min
Deirdre Graham is joined by lecturer and rare books collecter, Gilleasbuig Ferguson. Together they comment on the events surrounding the Battle of the Braes in April, 1882.
Full transcription of the conversation available here
To find out more about Gilleasbuig visit here
You can support this podcast by way of a donation here
Follow Deirdre Graham on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Spotify
https://www.deirdregraham.com/gaelicsongstories
Credits
Hosted by Deirdre Graham
Recorded and edited by Deirdre Graham
Further editing and mix by James Lindsay
Transcriptions by Emilie Owens
Podcast artwork by Elly Lucas
Photographs by Magnus Graham
This project is supported by Creative Scotland
About Gaelic Song Stories
Throughout this podcast series I will be looking at the stories and themes behind Scottish Gaelic songs. We have a rich repertoire of songs in Scotland that document life in the Highlands and much further afield in a way that the history books do not. As I delve into them I want to take you on a journey to explore the Scottish Gàidhealtachd and its seanchas, or lore, and I’ll be looking at the influences from Europe as well as looking into the Gaels’ reach across the world.
As a Gaelic singer myself, I have a lifelong affinity with the songs and stories that surrounded me growing up on the Isle of Skye, which are echoed across the Highlands.
“Deirdre’s singing is always assured and has a rare clarity; she makes you hear songs in a
different way.”
John Waltham, The Living Tradition
"Gorgeous and ethereal Gaelic vocal."
Music Republic Magazine
“These tales… acquire added drama and range from person-to-person intimacy through the rugged and filmlike to the rocking out of ‘Òran Mòr Scoirebreac’ before closing with the murmuring ‘Uamh An Òir’. “
⭐⭐⭐ Rob Adams, Songlines
These are songs that express love through an eloquence of poetry, songs that champion the ordinary people and praise the Clan Chief, songs that give a glimpse into the empowerment of women and songs that simply entertain. These have remained with us for hundreds of years through a carrying stream of tradition and are continually evolving today.
I look forward to sharing these stories with you on this journey.
Dùrachdan,
Deirdre x
Gaelic Song Stories is brought to you with support from Creative Scotland