Murdo Macfarlane
Encyclopedia
Murdo Macfarlane (Gaelic: Murchadh MacPhàrlain) known as 'Bàrd Mhealboist' (the Melbost Bard) he was a published poet and campaigner for Scottish Gaelic, especially during the 1970s, when the ceartas movement was gaining strength.
Born and brought up in Melbost
, Isle of Lewis, he was taught Latin
, English
and French
but received no education in Gaelic, his mother tongue. He spent some time working for Lord Leverhulme on various schemes but eventually left to travel to North America in the 1920s and spent many years in Manitoba
but did not like the place. In 1932 he returned to Scotland
and went on to national service
in World War II
during the years 1942-1945. Following the end of the war he spent the rest of his life in Lewis and never married.
In the 1970s, with the Gaelic Resurgence, Murchadh wrote many poems, songs and pipe tunes for the cause, such as Òran Cogaidh, Màl na Mara, and Mi le m' Uillin air Mo Ghlùin. Allan MacDonald
, in his pipe book A' Cheud Ceud, refers to Murchadh as the Crann Tara of the Gaelic Movement.
His poetry was taken up by a young band Na h-Oganaich
in the 1970s this exposure led to bands such as Runrig
and Capercaillie
being inspired by his work.
He was also a strong campaigner against the enlargement of Stornoway Airport
into a NATO base in the 1970s. He is the subject of a BBC documentary 'Murchadh MacPharlain; Bard Mhealaboist' which won the Celtic Film and Television Festival Award for best Arts documentary in 2001.
Born and brought up in Melbost
Melbost
Melbost is a traditionally Gaelic-speaking village to the east coast of the Isle of Lewis, in Scotland's north-west. It is largely a crofting township and is about 2½ miles east of Stornoway at the head of an isthmus connecting with the Eye Peninsula...
, Isle of Lewis, he was taught Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
, English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
but received no education in Gaelic, his mother tongue. He spent some time working for Lord Leverhulme on various schemes but eventually left to travel to North America in the 1920s and spent many years in Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
but did not like the place. In 1932 he returned to 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 went on to national service
National service
National service is a common name for mandatory government service programmes . The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or more years in such programmes...
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
during the years 1942-1945. Following the end of the war he spent the rest of his life in Lewis and never married.
In the 1970s, with the Gaelic Resurgence, Murchadh wrote many poems, songs and pipe tunes for the cause, such as Òran Cogaidh, Màl na Mara, and Mi le m' Uillin air Mo Ghlùin. Allan MacDonald
Allan MacDonald
Allan Nicoll MacDonald was an Australian politician and government minister.MacDonald was born at Lochee, Forfarshire, Scotland and educated at Arbroath High School. He migrated to Western Australia in 1911 and worked at Collie before moving to Perth in 1914, where he was employed as an accountant...
, in his pipe book A' Cheud Ceud, refers to Murchadh as the Crann Tara of the Gaelic Movement.
His poetry was taken up by a young band Na h-Oganaich
Na h-Òganaich
Glasgow based Gaelic folk group Na h-Òganaich formed early in 1971, following a concert in Dunoon where Mod Gold Medallist singer Margaret MacLeod first met guitarist Noel Eadie...
in the 1970s this exposure led to bands such as Runrig
Runrig
Runrig are a Scottish Celtic rock group formed in Skye, in 1973 under the name 'The Run Rig Dance Band'. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included songwriters Rory Macdonald and Calum Macdonald. The current line-up also includes longtime members Malcolm Jones, Iain Bayne, and more...
and Capercaillie
Capercaillie (band)
Capercaillie is a Scottish folk band, founded in the 1980s by Donald Shaw and fronted by Karen Matheson. They have seen four of their albums placed in the UK Albums Chart, and continue to perform and record to the present day.-History:...
being inspired by his work.
He was also a strong campaigner against the enlargement of Stornoway Airport
Stornoway Airport
-Other Tenants:* Maritime and Coastguard Agency - 2 Sikorsky S-92 helicopters operated by CHC Helicopter-Accident and incidents:...
into a NATO base in the 1970s. He is the subject of a BBC documentary 'Murchadh MacPharlain; Bard Mhealaboist' which won the Celtic Film and Television Festival Award for best Arts documentary in 2001.
External links
- BBC Bio - Làrach nam Bàrd
- Photograph
- Bàrd Mhealaboist (Biography in Scottish Gaelic)
