GalGael Trust
Encyclopedia
GalGael Trust has become a well known landmark on Scotland
's community regeneration landscape.
Based in Govan
, Glasgow, near to the River Clyde
, once known around the world for its shipbuilding
. They have become best known for building and sailing wooden boats in celebration of Scotland's heritage. These and other ventures provide a focal point for community events.
GalGael boats take people along Glasgow
’s River Clyde out to the West Coast - allowing urban dwellers to experience nearby scenic beauty and expand their sense of territory.
The phrase originates from a term used to describe the 9th Century Norse
who had become intermingled with parts of Celt
ic Scotland, known as the GalGael from the words "Gall", meaning foreigner, and "Gael", meaning native. The GalGael Trust therefore stands for the principle of integrating old ways and new ways, the insider and the outsider, so that traditional culture can be transmitted in a way that is ethnically inclusive.
In November 2005, GalGael was devastated when they lost their inspirational founder and chieftain
, Colin Macleod. In eulogies from across Scotland and round the world, he was described as a poet
, prophet
and a warrior
. Colin dared to believe he could make a difference. Armed with the most meagre of resources - a hut
and a few chisel
s and a couple of giro
s, he and few volunteers started GalGael with a belief in the “buoyancy of the human soul” through which ordinary people rise above adversity to create beauty in a landscape of poverty and hopelessness. His sudden passing was such a devastating event for so many; Tam at GalGael said "we all still feel his presence guides us every day and we strive to the best of our ability to uphold everything he stood for and to uphold the legacy he has left in the form of GalGael". GalGael's continuation is the most fitting memorial to his life’s work.
See *More on Colin Macleod's life & passing
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
's community regeneration landscape.
Based in Govan
Govan
Govan is a district and former burgh now part of southwest City of Glasgow, Scotland. It is situated west of Glasgow city centre, on the south bank of the River Clyde, opposite the mouth of the River Kelvin and the district of Partick....
, Glasgow, near to the River Clyde
River Clyde
The River Clyde is a major river in Scotland. It is the ninth longest river in the United Kingdom, and the third longest in Scotland. Flowing through the major city of Glasgow, it was an important river for shipbuilding and trade in the British Empire....
, once known around the world for its shipbuilding
Shipbuilding
Shipbuilding is the construction of ships and floating vessels. It normally takes place in a specialized facility known as a shipyard. Shipbuilders, also called shipwrights, follow a specialized occupation that traces its roots to before recorded history.Shipbuilding and ship repairs, both...
. They have become best known for building and sailing wooden boats in celebration of Scotland's heritage. These and other ventures provide a focal point for community events.
GalGael boats take people along Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
’s River Clyde out to the West Coast - allowing urban dwellers to experience nearby scenic beauty and expand their sense of territory.
Origins
In the mid ‘90’s, a group of disenfranchised people, inspired by Glasgow man Colin Macleod, founded GalGael in Govan, Glasgow to restore a sense of "belonging" to the community.The phrase originates from a term used to describe the 9th Century Norse
Norsemen
Norsemen is used to refer to the group of people as a whole who spoke what is now called the Old Norse language belonging to the North Germanic branch of Indo-European languages, especially Norwegian, Icelandic, Faroese, Swedish and Danish in their earlier forms.The meaning of Norseman was "people...
who had become intermingled with parts of Celt
Celt
The Celts were a diverse group of tribal societies in Iron Age and Roman-era Europe who spoke Celtic languages.The earliest archaeological culture commonly accepted as Celtic, or rather Proto-Celtic, was the central European Hallstatt culture , named for the rich grave finds in Hallstatt, Austria....
ic Scotland, known as the GalGael from the words "Gall", meaning foreigner, and "Gael", meaning native. The GalGael Trust therefore stands for the principle of integrating old ways and new ways, the insider and the outsider, so that traditional culture can be transmitted in a way that is ethnically inclusive.
Chieftain
Chieftain
Chieftain may refer to:The leader or head of a group:* a tribal chief or a village head.* a member of the 'House of chiefs'.* a captain, to which 'chieftain' is etymologically related.* Clan chief, the head of a Scottish clan....
, Colin Macleod. In eulogies from across Scotland and round the world, he was described as a poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
, prophet
Prophet
In religion, a prophet, from the Greek word προφήτης profitis meaning "foreteller", is an individual who is claimed to have been contacted by the supernatural or the divine, and serves as an intermediary with humanity, delivering this newfound knowledge from the supernatural entity to other people...
and a warrior
Warrior
A warrior is a person skilled in combat or warfare, especially within the context of a tribal or clan-based society that recognizes a separate warrior class.-Warrior classes in tribal culture:...
. Colin dared to believe he could make a difference. Armed with the most meagre of resources - a hut
Hut
Hut may refer to:*Hut , a small and crude shelter*Hans Hut , Anabaptist leader*Hut Records, an English audio records company*Sunglass Hut International, largest American retailer of sunglasses...
and a few chisel
Chisel
A chisel is a tool with a characteristically shaped cutting edge of blade on its end, for carving or cutting a hard material such as wood, stone, or metal. The handle and blade of some types of chisel are made of metal or wood with a sharp edge in it.In use, the chisel is forced into the material...
s and a couple of giro
Giro
A Giro or giro transfer is a payment transfer from one bank account to another bank account and instigated by the payer, not the payee...
s, he and few volunteers started GalGael with a belief in the “buoyancy of the human soul” through which ordinary people rise above adversity to create beauty in a landscape of poverty and hopelessness. His sudden passing was such a devastating event for so many; Tam at GalGael said "we all still feel his presence guides us every day and we strive to the best of our ability to uphold everything he stood for and to uphold the legacy he has left in the form of GalGael". GalGael's continuation is the most fitting memorial to his life’s work.
See *More on Colin Macleod's life & passing