Maoilios Caimbeul
Encyclopedia
Maoilios Caimbeul is an award-winning Scottish
writer of poetry
, prose
and children's literature
. He writes in Scottish Gaelic.
Caimbeul, whose given name means "servant of Jesus" in Scottish Gaelic, was born in Staffin
on the Isle of Skye to a Free Church of Scotland
missionary
father and spent much of his childhood travelling between the isles of Skye and Lewis.
He joined the Merchant Navy
at the age of sixteen and consequently experienced a wide variety of nations and cultures. It wasn't until he was 26 that he became fully literate in Gaelic (though he had always been a fluent speaker and capable of reading) and at 30 he graduated from the University of Edinburgh
and Jordanhill College
before embarking upon a career teaching Gaelic. He spent time teaching in Tobermory, Mull
and Gairloch
.
As well as being a prominent poet, Maoilios is also noted as a writer of prose
and children's literature
. He has won numerous prizes for his writing and is known for his writing both within Scotland
and internationally. He was crowned the Bard at the Royal National Mod
in 2002 and he is the writer in residence at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
for 2008.
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
writer of poetry
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
, prose
Prose
Prose is the most typical form of written language, applying ordinary grammatical structure and natural flow of speech rather than rhythmic structure...
and children's literature
Children's literature
Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...
. He writes in Scottish Gaelic.
Caimbeul, whose given name means "servant of Jesus" in Scottish Gaelic, was born in Staffin
Staffin
Staffin is a village , lying at the head of Staffin Bay on the northeast coast of the Trotternish peninsula of the island of Skye. It is located on the A855 road about north of Portree. Nearby is the rock formation of the Quirang and Staffin Island lies just offshore...
on the Isle of Skye to a Free Church of Scotland
Free Church of Scotland (post 1900)
Free Church of Scotland is that part of the original Free Church of Scotland that remained outside of the union with the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland in 1900...
missionary
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
father and spent much of his childhood travelling between the isles of Skye and Lewis.
He joined the Merchant Navy
Merchant Navy
The Merchant Navy is the maritime register of the United Kingdom, and describes the seagoing commercial interests of UK-registered ships and their crews. Merchant Navy vessels fly the Red Ensign and are regulated by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency...
at the age of sixteen and consequently experienced a wide variety of nations and cultures. It wasn't until he was 26 that he became fully literate in Gaelic (though he had always been a fluent speaker and capable of reading) and at 30 he graduated from the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
and Jordanhill College
Jordanhill College
Jordanhill Campus, in Jordanhill, Glasgow, Scotland, is now home to the Faculty of Education of the University of Strathclyde. Within the University of Strathclyde faculty of education, departments include Childhood and Primary Studies, Creative and Aesthetic Studies, Curricular Studies,...
before embarking upon a career teaching Gaelic. He spent time teaching in Tobermory, Mull
Isle of Mull
The Isle of Mull or simply Mull is the second largest island of the Inner Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland in the council area of Argyll and Bute....
and Gairloch
Gairloch
Gairloch is a village, civil parish and community on the shores of Loch Gairloch on the northwest coast of Scotland. A popular tourist destination in the summer months, Gairloch has a golf course, a small museum, several hotels, a community centre, a leisure centre with sports facilities, a local...
.
As well as being a prominent poet, Maoilios is also noted as a writer of prose
Prose
Prose is the most typical form of written language, applying ordinary grammatical structure and natural flow of speech rather than rhythmic structure...
and children's literature
Children's literature
Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...
. He has won numerous prizes for his writing and is known for his writing both within Scotland
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...
and internationally. He was crowned the Bard at the Royal National Mod
Royal National Mod
The Royal National Mod is the annual national mod, a festival of Scottish Gaelic song, arts and culture.The Mod is run by An Comunn Gàidhealach , and includes competitions and awards.-History:...
in 2002 and he is the writer in residence at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig is a Scottish Gaelic medium college located about north of Armadale on the Sleat peninsula of the island of Skye in northwestern Scotland. It is part of the University of the Highlands and Islands and also has a campus on Islay known as Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle.The college was...
for 2008.