A Part of Who We Are - The Story of MacKay Country's Ceilidh Tradition
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- čas přidán 1. 06. 2014
- "A Part of Who We Are" explores the ceilidh tradition of the furthest North West corner of Scotland and the history that has shaped it.
Perched precariously above steep sea cliffs, the abandoned village of Poulouriscaig was created as a result of the infamous Highland Clearances, when in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, thousands of families were forcibly evicted from their homes and relocated to the coast to make way for large inland sheep farms.
For some, the only option was to emigrate - which led to waves of Scottish migrants making journeys to America (particularly Carolina), Canada (mainly Quebec and Nova Scotia), Australia and New Zealand. Those who stayed in places like Poulouriscaig had to adapt quickly to a whole new way of life, a whole new livelihood in a very inhospitable environment.
"They were moved down to the coasts; some of them emigrated abroad. But ceilidhs remained their bond"...
This film tells the story of how Poulouriscaig - despite its isolation and hardships - became famous for its ceilidhs.
It celebrates the ongoing role of ceilidhs across MacKay Country today: keeping communities connected by sharing music, language and culture in one of the most sparsely populated areas of Europe.
I wanna say Hi to all my distant relatives here!! Nice to meet you! Manu Forti! A Mackay from America 💖
Bucket list to see the land of my great grandparents
my sincerest thanks to Strathnaver museum for this video, and all the outstanding history and tradition of the Scotland heritage. The greatest challenge in my lifetime is to see, feel,hear,and smell the highlands of Scotland before I leave this earth.
Don Mackay me too Don as I trace my grandfather to Portmahomack and my dad to Inverness
I’m a Mackay from my mothers side, my heart and soul is their, my great uncle went to New Zealand when he was in his 20,s and returned when he was 74 died shortly after, he wanted a ceilidh is his home town of Loth of which we had, lovely memories, my heart is their, gods country, really is, proud to be a Mackay, never lose the tradition
It took me 15 years on youtube to finally find this.
To watch this is to understand why I've always done a thing I've done, from when I first left home until now, at fifty.
Ancenstral MacKay, my great great great grandfather came to Australia as a free settler when he was unhomed by the clearances.
The music. The tradition of visiting to stay connected, of taking joy in playing the generous host. The only thing missing is the community.
How strange to be so far removed, and yet relate to this as part of who I am too.
Hello from a Mackay in Australia. I so appreciate these videos. It gives me an insight into my ancestral connections on my father's side of the family. I learn so much and hope to come for a visit one day with my daughter.
Thank you for such very special information!.
Hello Fellow Mackay!!
i always loved coming across more information of the clan i am related to because so many people in my family have forgot our family history except the small part of what they think is important of use being from the south in america sadly that it. but for me i feel my attach spiritually to scotland then were i live right now so i always loved listening to bagpipes and watching videos of scotland and specially clan mackay.
I live in australia and my family has for nearly 7 generations, but ive heard such amazing stories of the beautiful highlands and of my own kins adventures from there to here in northern australia!
i hope to visit Scottland one day. i need to see our families heritage. Robert Mackay
Me too. The Highlands are absolutely beautiful, and I hope to visit the land where Im from
Very cool! My Great Grandfather was a Mackay from Nova Scotia, Canada.
I am a MacKay from Nova Scotia. Bet we are related!!
@@shawnamackay3701 My great grandfather was Alexander MacKay; I'm told he had a farm in Pugwash. My grandfather was James Alexander MacKay who emigrated to Watertown, Massachusetts. (When I visited Nova Scotia in my youth, a woman working in the tourist center said, "My Lord, you must be Jack's son!!").
My visit to the post office at Piet Le Grau, NS to get some cash out of ATM. Lady at counter asked our names. Fougere and Mackay. Bam! we were recognised and our surprise visit from New Zealand wasn’t a surprise. Someone called our relatives at told them we were in the area. Lunch and fresh coffee were out and ready and the who,e family who lived close by came to meet us as we pulled up at the house 15 mins later.
Looking at some pics of our short break up in the area, only last week, this prompted me to find out a wee bit more. We had a great day walking out to Poulouriscaig and sitting in the ruins having our 'piece' taking many of the pics similar to those in the video. We went over the rise and as far down as was safe overlooking Geodh' Ghamhainn.. The 'landed gentry' have a lot to answer for....profits over people.....what a society we have , even now. Wish I'd brought the old guitar out . Enjoyed the video very much, giving us a greater insight to the place and folk who lived , and live in this wonderful area. Thank you, JIm & Megan
My dad Morris macivor named our dog poulouriscaig he was from kirtomy .my mum's family is Mackay's in skerray and Eileen nan roan
i so wish i could live in Mackay country
Ditto... Highlands have called to me my entire life 🧬
My mother's grandfather came to America about 1870 from Motherwell. The generation that knew all the stories of Scotland and the MacKays were all gone by the time I came along. My mother remembered a little but most I've had to discover for myself. Productions like this are wonderful for putting not just words but speech, not just names but faces, to the history. One day maybe I or my son could make the trip to MacKay Country. Thank you for this very enlightening and touching video.
Motherwell is south north Lanarkshire, South-east of Glasgow in the central belt of Scotland. The Mackay clan territory is far noth-west of the Highlands of Scotland.
What I am saying is Motherwell and Mackay territory there is quite a distance between those two areas.
@@drrd4127 Yes, I appreciate the information.
How my great-grandfather came to be in Motherwell, I don't precisely know. My research and my family's stories do not offer an explanation. I am, however, fairly certain it was a result of the Highland Clearances and the subsequent lack of opportunity in the Highlands.
My family maintained the connection to the MacKay Clan, so I am certain that some of my Scottish ancestors inhabited that far northwestern territory. It is with no little sadness that I now must consider that I may never complete a journey there in my lifetime.
Great video, loved to hear about my history
Excellent
we are all connected
@ConnectionUnkown yeah we're all distant relatives
@TheViewer81 IKR! Its awesome! Its awesome to see so many people from my family
Cheer's Mackay
it so beautiful their
Thank you for posting. Absolutely lovely.
Robert McKay Sussex New Brunswick Canada good video hope to really visit some day
go by Robbie McKay
Hi Robbie, really glad you like the film and hope you can visit some day! The museum, which tells the story of the Highland Clearances and Clan Mackay has a website which is www.strathnavermuseum.org.uk - you can find us on Facebook too facebook.com/strathnavermuseum (you don't have to be a member of Facebook to see our page)
Hi Robbie my name is Robby MacKay just wanted to say how great this video is
Splendid presentation!
My clan.❤
Hi all, many thanks for your lovely comments. We've just produced another film with Arpeggio Films, this one commemorating the Strathnaver pipers of WW1 - you can see it here! czcams.com/video/Dp-5C5uMCrc/video.html
💖💖💖💖💖
Perfectly realised. Tapadh leibh gu dearbh.
My McKays were from County Down, Ireland, & we pronounce it with a long "a" sound, not a long "i". Also, most of the family are Catholic. Is it possible we're related?
Clan Mackay and Douglas
Gen z was here
My family is from meless and tongue
Manu Forti
Manu Forti!
With a strong hand
MANU FORTI!!!
What about the Mackays from Islay?