Bards and Bardesses

 

Joan Campbell was a Keldie before she settled in Melvich.  She is a singer-songwriter and although she doesn’t spend as much time singing as she used to she can be heard on the tape she produced – ‘My Home Sutherland’.  On this tape she sings the renowned song ‘Naver Bay’ which celebrates the beautiful Naver Bay and surrounding area.  The song was written by Jackie Craig, Skelpick, and is as popular today as it was when it was first written. 

 

 

The most popular Bard of the eighteenth century was Robb Donn.  He was born in Strathmore in 1714 and later became a cattle drover.  He had the ability to compose and recite poetry from the age of three.  Robb Donn was illiterate and in later life had to rely on friends to scribe for him.  Perhaps one of his most celebrated songs was Gleanna Gollaidh- a glen in Strathmore, the Bard’s birthplace.  This is a much requested song at ceilidhs and concerts today and the vocalist takes much delight when the audience joins in throughout the chorus. 

 

 

In more recent times there was the Bard, Hugh McIntosh, Portskerra, who compiled over two hundred poems and Hugh Macleod, Achininver, Melness, who comes from a family known locally for their lyrical skills.  ‘Boideach bhaisguil’, bicycle man describes the curious disappearance of a stranger who came to Melness during the war.  He rode a bicycle with a light, a rare sight in Melness at that time.  A couple of days later the bicycle was discovered and more peculiarly two little boys who were out ferreting were amazed when they found rabbit holes full of five pound notes, a large amount of money for that time.  It is very cleverly constructed and well worth reading for it records an important part of local history. 

 

 

Currently Bettyhill has a “Bardess” of her own by the name of Irene Ross.  Her work takes the form of odes and I would not like to hazard a guess as to how many she has written.  She now only writes her famous Odes if requested, which is fairly often as they are a must at birthday parties, Christmas parties, and latterly at the retirement do of our local Minister.  She must have created an Ode for just about everybody in the place.  Her work is brilliant I wonder what her next piece will be!

 

Concluding this look into Musicians and Bards of the Mackay Country it has to be said we have a wealth of talent which has been a bedrock for many years.  I have only mentioned some of the artists and hopefully I will be able to research many more in the future.