This weblog is devoted to the reminiscence of poet Aonghas MacNeacail, who sadly handed away in December 2022. Born in Skye in 1942, MacNeacail established himself as a poet and author upon transferring to Glasgow. He penned songs and operas, in addition to writing for the display screen and recurrently showing on Gaelic radio. Within the many years that adopted, MacNeacail grew to become a number one determine in Gaelic poetry and was an vital supply of inspiration and encouragement for Gaelic writers.
In MacNeacail’s obituary, the Scottish Poetry Library observe how historical past and “the story of people that got here earlier than” was a key theme in his poetry. Certainly, MacNeacail contributed a poem when Stanley Mills opened as a Historic Scotland attraction again in 2008.
“Water operating by means of my ideas” explores the expertise of the Gaelic staff employed within the the 18th century cotton mill on the banks of the River Tay. You may learn the translated poem in full beneath. The unique Gaelic model may also be learn on the weblog.
“Water operating by means of my ideas”
Being locked up right here in a barbarous roar,
eye by means of the glass sees torrent and greenness –
distant the properties we’d want,
greenness of progress and sheen of the air,
now all drowned in a white fog of lint
Not with willingness nor trace of enjoyment
we turned away from land and gear,
herds of cattle or spirited sheep,
oats and barley heavy with ripeness –
that’s what our reminiscence introduced with us
We harvested and ploughed
and by no means lacked fruit or nuts.
We span and we wove
within the glen of our hopes and rights –
fleece of ewes and flax harvests
There’s no rock or den or woodland
within the glen of my start that I don’t like,
there’s no thistle, docken, nettle
on its spherical slopes that wouldn’t delight
me, may I be there to assemble flax
Our people stayed dwelling for Charlie’s 12 months –
there was sufficient wrestle for them on the farm.
Our glen wasn’t laid waste with
the Butcher’s military’s lethal sweeping
however this disturbance drained our technology
The wheel’s whack on a clear stream,
mountains’ sap churned into energy,
combing and carding cotton fibres
eternally by means of these residing cycles,
leaving us the mud and roar
However at day’s finish in my repose,
the water’s noise runs by means of my ideas,
and wrapping the total spindle of sleep,
my neat labour’s thread’s a satisfaction:
power of the respect we introduced with us.
Visiting Stanley Mills
For 200 years, Stanley Mills harnessed the facility of the River Tay to supply textiles. Constructed within the 1780s, the mill complicated was altered many instances to maintain up with the business’s altering calls for, earlier than it lastly closed in 1989.
As we speak, guests can discover the mill buildings to find the various adjustments that befell over the centuries and get an perception into the lives of the mill staff.
Stanley Mills is open between April and October. You may plan a go to on the Historic Atmosphere Scotland web site. For extra from the mills, head to our weblog about the experiences of staff in Stanley in the course of the Second World Warfare.
