Dh’fhoillsich AiligSalmond, a bha na Phrìomh Mhinistear na h-Alba roimhe, an tionndadh Gàidhlig dhen chunntas aige air iomairt neò-eisimeileachd na h-Alba, Mairidh an Dòchas, air Dihaoine 18mh dhen t-Sultain, bliadhna chun an latha bhon reifreann, ann am Prìomh Thalla an Oilthighe.

Aig toiseach na cuirme, bhruidhinn an t-Ollamh Roibeard Ó Maolalaigh, Iar-Phrionnsabal / Ceannard Cholaiste nan Ealain agus Ollamh na Gàidhlig air beulaibh luchd-èisteachd mòr agus suimeil de luchd-obrach, oileanaich, sgoilearan agus luchd-obrach bho Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu, luchd-poileataigs aig àrd-ìre agus cuid de choimhearsnachd na Gàidhlig. A bharrachd air a bhith a’ toirt iomradh air cuid dhe na tha a’ nochdadh anns an leabhar, bhruidhinn an t-Ollamh Ó Maolalaigh air mar a tha an eadar-theangachadh Gàidhlig dhen tiotal, Mairidh an Dòchas, air leth freagarrach agus mar a tha ciall a bharrachd air na dìreach ciall an tiotail ann am Beurla – rud a chòrd ris an Dr Salmond gun teagamh. Thug An t-Ollamh Ó Maolalaigh tìodhlac den leabhar Studies on the Book of Deer (deas. Katherine Forsyth), anns a bheil ath-mheasaidhean air Leabhar Dhèir, a thaobh co-theacsa agus sgrìobhainnean Gàidhlig a chaidh a sgrìobhadh anns a’ chumantas le eòlaichean bho Oilthigh Ghlaschu, don Dr Salmond.

Cuideachd, chuir an t-Ollamh Ó Maolalaighair dòigh gum biodh earrann bhidio air a sealltainn anns a bheil luchd-obrach saor-thoileach agus clann bho St Jeromes, carthannas a bhios ag obair le dìlleachdain agus feadhainn a tha a’ fulang ana-cothroman ann an Ceinia. Mhìnich e gun robh an Dr Salmond air tabhartas mòr a thoirt dhan charthannas a tha air a stiùireadh le Gemma Steele, tè òg à Uibhist aig a bheil Gàidhlig, bhon airgead a chaidh a thogail an uair a chaidh tìodhlacan a fhuair e nuair a bha e na Phrìomh Mhinisteara reic. Anns a’ bhidio, a chaidh a chlàradh le mac an Ollaimh Ó Maolalaigh, Màrtainn, tha a’ chlann a’ toirt taing don Dr Salmond ann an Gàidhlig.

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Anns an òraid aige thug an Dr Salmond – aig a bheil ceum urramach bho Oilthigh Ghlaschu – taing dhan Oilthigh airson an tachartas a chur air dòigh, agus thug e iomradh air a thaic dhan Ghàidhlig agus mar a bha e dhen bheachd gum bu chòir do thionndadh Gàidhlig a bhith ann de leabhraichean Albannach agus leabhraichean mu Alba anns an àbhaist.

Former First Minister Launches Gaelic Version of Book

The Former First Minister Alex Salmond launched the Gaelic version of his account of last year’s independence campaign The Dream Shall Never Die on Friday 18 September, the anniversary of the referendum, in the University’s Forehall.

The event was introduced by Professor Roibeard Ó Maolalaigh, Vice-Principal / Head of the College of Arts and Professor of Gaelic before a large, and very appreciative audience of staff, students, pupils and staff of Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu, senior politicians and leading members of the Gaelic community. As well as detailing some of the elements of the book, Professor Ó Maolalaigh spoke of how the Gaelic translation of the title, Mairidh an Dòchas (lit. ‘Hope Lives On’) was closer to the hope that will never die – something which obviously delighted Dr Salmond. Professor Ó Maolalaigh presented the former First Minister with a gift, Studies on the Book of Deer (ed. Katherine Forsyth), containing reassessments of the Book of Deer, its context and Gaelic texts written mostly by leading Glasgow University experts.

As an additional surprise Professor Ó Maolalaigh arranged for a video clip to be played featuring volunteers and children from St Jeromes, a charity which works with orphans and the disadvantaged in Kenya. He explained that Dr Salmond had made a substantial donation from the sums raised when he auctioned gifts he had received when in office to the charity which is run by Gemma Steele, an inspirational young Gaelic speaker from Uist. The video captured the children thanking Dr Salmond in Gaelic and was recorded by Professor Ó Maolalaigh’s son, Martin.

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In his speech Dr Salmond – who is an honorary graduate of Glasgow - thanked the University for arranging the event, and spoke of his commitment to the Gaelic language and how he thought that books of and about Scotland should “as a matter of course” have a Gaelic version.

First published: 22 September 2015

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