Duncan Ban Macintyre @ 300

On March 20th 2024 we celebrated the 300th birthday of the great poet Duncan Ban Macintyre, who had a strong connection to Edinburgh. We organised three events to showcase Duncan Ban’s poetry and songs and bring the Edinburgh Gaelic community together in different ways.

A Stone for Duncan Ban Macintyre in Makars’ Court

First, we held a ceremony to unveil a new flagstone with an excerpt from Duncan Ban’s famous song ‘Cumha Coire Cheathaich’ (Lament for Misty Corrie) at Makars’ Court in Edinburgh’s Old Town. We heard short speeches from Councillor Val Walker (Convener of the Culture and Communities Committee at Edinburgh City Council), Dr Anja Gunderloch (Edinburgh University) and our chair, Wilson McLeod, songs from the famous singer Mary Ann Kennedy and pipe music from Andrew MacIntyre, a direct descendant of the bard himself. About 50 people were present, with representatives from James Gillespie’s High School, the Scottish Poetry Library, Creative Edinburgh, Clan MacIntyre Society, Highland Society of London and other organisations.

Poetry reading: Scottish Poetry Library

In the afternoon, we had a poetry reading in the Scottish Poetry Library, involving the poet and novelist Martin MacIntyre, the poet Marcas Mac an Tuairneir, Dr Anja Gunderloch, by Dr Peter Mackay (University of St Andrews, and a member of our committee) in the chair. The event was a sell-out, with 40 people present.

Concert: Scottish Storytelling Centre

Finally, in the evening we had a special concert in the Scottish Storytelling Centre, with the singers Mary Ann Kennedy and Gillebride Macmillan, the piper Allan MacDonald and three members of the Lothian Gaelic Choir (Marcas Mac an Tuairneir, Jennifer Speirs and Julie Macfadyen). Peter Mackay was the fear an taighe. Once again we had a full house.

There was also an exhibition by Tom Astbury, who had photographed areas associated with Duncan Ban (Glen Orchy and Glen Lochy).

A special day to honour the great poet of Glen Orchy and Edinburgh!

With thanks to Graham Barnes, Tom Astbury and Marcas Mac an Tuairneir for the photographs.