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11th-19th October 2024: Highland Art Prize, Royal National Mòd, Oban
The Highland Society of London and An Comunn Gàidhealach are delighted to announce that Travelling Alone by Jules Mather from Artmap Argyll is the winner of the 2024 Highland Art Prize. The winner was announced by competition judge Ishbel Murray, the artist and art teacher based on the Isle of Lewis, at the prize-giving ceremony in Oban on Friday 18th October.
Hosted at community arts and culture hub The Rockfield Centre, in conjunction with the Royal National Mòd, the prize-giving was attended by many of the 60 artists from 14 art organisations across the Highlands and Islands who had submitted artworks to this annual exhibition and competition. Inverewe – Branches Make Trees by Catherine Sargeant from An Talla Solais (Ullapool) was also highly commended by Ishbel Murray.
Attendees at the prize-giving were welcomed by Beth Anderson (Arts and Culture Manager, The Rockfield Centre), who thanked the trustees and volunteers of The Rockfield Centre for their help in facilitating the exhibition.
Introducing the awards ceremony, James Graham (CEO of An Comunn Gàidhealach, organisers of the Royal National Mòd) confirmed the importance of the annual prize as a welcome adjunct to the Mod programme, providing a platform for visual arts as part of the wider cultural landscape of the Highlands and Islands.
Announcing the winner, Ishbel Murray commented that: “As winner of this year’s Highland Art Prize, Jules Mather demonstrates in her beautiful composition what can be achieved when a high level of skill and imagination come together to produce an image that appeals both to the eye and the mind of the observer.” Ishbel Murray went on to say: “The wide variety and high quality of the work submitted for the exhibition this year confirms that, despite the many challenges faced, artists from across the Highlands and Islands continue to succeed in producing work that is inventive, thoughtful and engaging. There is something here for everyone and may even encourage others to begin to consider exploring their own creative potential as visual artists.”
The winning artist receives £1,000 (to be shared with their local art organisation) provided by the Highland Society of London, plus an exhibition opportunity at The Briggait in Glasgow, courtesy of Wasps, a charity and social enterprise that provides studio spaces to artists and creators across Scotland. The highly commended runner-up receives a £250 voucher from Cass Art, who also provided goodie bags to each of the 12 shortlisted artists.
9th October 2024: Dissertation Prize, University of the Highlands and Islands
The 2024 winner of the best dissertation on a Highlands and Islands theme by a student at UHI is David Higgon. David is studying BA Hons Gaelic Scotland as a part-time student and completed his dissertation in the first part of his fourth year. The dissertation title is Am Bradan: The Wild Atlantic Salmon In The Lives Of The People Of Wester Ross (Centred On Gairloch And Loch Broom), copies of which are available to Members of the Society by emailing info@highlandsocietyoflondon.org.
17th September 2024: Gaelic Literature Awards
The winners of the Gaelic Literature Awards 2024 have been announced at a ceremony at Cottiers Theatre, Glasgow, on Tuesday 17th September 2024. Prizes were awarded in four categories for books published between 1st May 2023 and 30th April 2024, and also for unpublished manuscripts for adults and for children or young people.
Best Book for Children/Young People
Winner: Tìgear an Iomagain – translated by Morag Stewart (Acair)
Highly commended: Na Còig Mathain – translated by Alasdair Campbell (Acair)
The Derick Thomson Prize for Best Poetry Book
Winner: Sa Chnoc – Rody Gorman (CLÀR)
The Highland Society of London Prize for Best Fiction Book
Winner: Far na Slighe – Shelagh Campbell (Luath Press)
The Donald Meek Award for Best Non-fiction Book
Winner: Women of the Hebrides / Ban-eileanaich Innse Gall – Joni Buchanan (Acair)
Highly commended: Somhairle MacGill-Eain: Na Bhriathran Fhèin – edited by Mairi Sine Campbell, Jo MacDonald & Ishbel Maclean (Acair)
Best Unpublished Manuscript for Children/Young People (in association with Acair)
Winner: Casan Dhonaidh – Gwen Bowie
Best Unpublished Manuscript for Adults
Winner: An Taobh Dorcha – Seonaidh Charity
Highly commended: Dàn nam Ban – Ceitidh Campbell
The Gaelic Books Council congratulates the winners and offers sincere thanks to all the people and organisations who have supported the Gaelic Literature Awards 2024, including Creative Scotland, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the Highland Society of London, Acair, Donald Meek, and the family of the late Professor Derick Thomson.
Left to right: Seonaidh Charity (Best Unpublished Manuscript for Adults), Shelagh Campbell (Best Fiction Book), Joni Buchanan (Donald Meek Award for Best Non-fiction Book), Gwen Bowie (Best Unpublished Manuscript for Children), Rody Gorman (Derick Thomson Prize for Best Poetry Book) and Angus Morrison from Acair Books on behalf of Morag Stewart (Best Book for Children or Young People).
3rd September 2024: Highland Book Prize Winner
Sea Bean: A Beachcomber’s Search for a Magical Charm by Sally Huband has been named as the winner of the 2023 Highland Book Prize.
Praised by the judging panel for its ‘engaging, subtle voice’, Sea Bean (Penguin, 2023) was selected from a shortlist of five. The judging panel were poet and essayist, Jen Hadfield; novelist and short fiction writer, Cynan Jones; and poet, lecturer and broadcaster, Peter Mackay.
Presented by the Highland Society of London and facilitated by Moniack Mhor, Scotland’s Creative Writing Centre, with support from the William Grant Foundation for public engagement, this annual award celebrates the finest published work that is created in or about the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. The prize aims to recognise the literary talent of the region, and the rich and diverse work inspired by its culture, heritage, and landscape.
Judge Jen Hadfield said, “Sea Bean finds fellowship between mortal souls in language that is luminous, transparent, uncluttered, precise, and poetic. Huband’s beach finds are revelatory and underline the interconnection of people, species and materials across the world; there is a delicacy in the way she treasures the most fragile and robust lives.”
Judge Cynan Jones said, “Sea Bean is a magic trick! It brought wave after wave of image, within which the concerns of the book are carried in ways that land with authenticity and compassion. Despite the careful craft in the writing itself, there’s a vulnerability in the text – a readiness to be honest – that makes it all the more affecting.”
Sally Huband said of the news, “I’m deeply grateful for this award. It will give me the impetus to keep writing about disability, a subject that has yet to receive the space that it deserves in the literary world. Sincere thanks to Moniack Mhor, The Highland Book Prize and to all the judges.”
16th June 2024: Best Work by a Highlander, RSA Annual Exhibition, Edinburgh
Each year, the Society presents an award for the best work by a Highlander in the Royal Scottish Academy’s Annual Exhibition in Edinburgh. Bringing together the finest artworks from members of the Academy and artists from across Scotland, the 198th RSA Annual Exhibition ran from 11th May to 16th June 2024, and highlights can be found on the RSA website.
This year, the RSA Awards Committee selected Bronwen Sleigh to receive the award, with our congratulations. Further examples of her work can be found on Bronwen’s website.
Kampala Road, by Bronwen Sleigh
16th April 2024: Islands Book Trust appeal, Isle of Lewis
The Society recently made a donation towards the Islands Book Trust crowdfunding appeal, to support the Islands Book Trust’s plans to increase their publications programme from one title last year to around eight books a year by 2027. Any Members who may be interested to make an additional personal donation should do so via the crowdfunder page.
20th March 2024: Duncan Ban MacIntyre memorial, Makar’s Court, Edinburgh
On 20th March 2024, Ionad Gàidhlig Dhùn Èideann (the Gaelic hub in Edinburgh) marked the 300th anniversary of the birth of the great Gaelic bard Donnchadh Bàn Mac an t-Saoir (Duncan Ban Macintyre), who had a strong connection to Edinburgh as well as his native Argyll.
Duncan Ban’s native region had no school and he remained illiterate throughout his life. Initially his work was committed to memory, before being written down by the minister of Lismore and later translated into English by such notable figures as Hugh MacDiarmid and Iain Crichton Smith.
Most of his poetry is descriptive and his experience as a gamekeeper in Argyll and Perthshire in the employ of the Duke of Argyll had much impact upon his work. Possibly his greatest poem, Moladh Beinn Dòbhrain (Praise of Ben Dorain), is an early ecological lament composed with a rhythm similar to ceol mor (piobaireachd). The significance of Duncan Bàn’s work is such that it has been described as “the zenith of Gaelic nature poetry”.
At 11.30am on a suitable dreich day, a memorial stone was unveiled in Duncan Ban’s honour in Makars’ Court in Edinburgh’s Old Town, with support from Clan Macintyre Trust, the Highland Society of London (represented by Fiona Houstoun, trustee), Lothian Gaelic Choir and the Learned Kindred of Currie, amongst others.
The stone for Duncan Ban included a quote from his famous song Cumha Coire a’ Cheathaich (Lament for Misty Corrie), which laments how the corrie has lost its former beauty and vitality:
’S e mùthadh air an t-saoghal
An coire laghach gaolach
A dhol a-nis air faondradh
A change has come upon the world
That the fine beloved corrie
Should now be desolate
The unveiling was followed by a poetry reading at the Scottish Poetry Library featuring well-kent Gaelic poets Pàdraig MacAoidh, Màrtainn Mac an t-Saoir and Marcas Mac an Tuairneir, and leading academic expert Dr Anja Gunderloch. Later that evening, there was a special concert at the Scottish Storytelling Centre featuring Mary Ann Kennedy, Gillebride Macmillan, Allan MacDonald and members of the Lothian Gaelic Choir.
10th January 2024: Fellowship programme, Circus Artspace, Inverness
Annual report from the team at Circus Artspace:
“We were able to give a Fellowship position this year to Jaden Anderson who has a strong interest in creativity and mental health in the Inverness area. Having Jaden on the team gave us new insights into societal issues within Inverness and gave him experience of exhibition set-up, facilitating an artist walk and meeting other like-minded people at a film and performance event we ran. Jaden also participated in Daylight, an LGBTQ+ youth project we ran with performance artist Gordon Douglas, which featured a trip to Edinburgh pride and the construction of a mobile performance piece for Inverness Pride. Jaden (as a young, mixed-raced, gay man from a single parent family) expressed many barriers to accessing the normal art career pathway; you can read more about Jaden’s time with us here.
“2023 has been something of a developmental year for us, with intensive periods of evaluation, future planning and application writing, and as such, we were unable to facilitate a second Fellowship. However, we have a placement lined up with a UHI creative writing student from January-April 2024. Going forward we propose delivering our Internship/Fellowship opportunities so they’re more closely aligned with future projects such as our Circus Associates programme. This strand of work aims to give new graduates / emerging artists the ability to establish stronger Highland peer-groups and a greater confidence in their own practice.
“We really appreciate the Highland Society of London’s ongoing support around younger artists, as we operate within relatively small budgets and currently 90% of our own work within Circus is voluntary. Our commitment to supporting younger artists and those from more disadvantaged backgrounds remains a core principle, and during 2024/25 we want to support a cohort of 8 emergent, Highland based artists over a year long period (this is subject to outstanding funding applications). Our work is always evolving in response to what past Fellowships have found useful; we feel this longer term approach is the right direction and hope that the Highland Society of London agrees.”
13th-21st October 2023: Highland Art Prize, Royal National Mòd, Glasgow
The Highland Society of London and Wasps Studios are delighted to announce that Crofts at South Dell/Croitean aig Dail bho Dheas by David Greenall from An Lanntair/Open Studios Hebrides is the winner of the 2023 Highland Art Prize. The winner was announced by competition judge Ishbel Murray, artist and art teacher based on the Isle of Lewis, at the prize-giving ceremony in Glasgow on Friday 20th October.
Winner: Crofts at South Dell/Croitean aig Dail bho Dheas by David Greenall from An Lanntair/Open Studios Hebrides
Hosted at Scotland’s provider of creative spaces Wasps’ venue The Briggait, in conjunction with the Royal National Mòd, the prize-giving was attended by many of the 74 artists from 16 art organisations across the Highlands and Islands who had submitted artworks to this annual exhibition and competition. Lady Of The Flowers by Leah David from the Society of Caithness Artists was also highly commended by Ishbel Murray.
Welcoming everyone to The Briggait, Audrey Carlin (CEO, Wasps Studios) said: “It is Wasps’ pleasure to host the Highland Art Prize this year, and be in a position to host 2022 Highland Art Prize winner David Page’s stunning exhibition. The Briggait has been bristling with colour and energy. We were delighted with such a strong turnout
on the day, making the Highland Art Prize announcement all the more enjoyable. Congratulations to our winner and to all entrants. The quality and diversity of works has been extraordinary. It seems that the Highland Art Prize has a bright future.”
Introducing the awards ceremony, Maggie Cunningham (President of An Comunn Gàidhealach, organisers of the Royal National Mòd) added that: “Visual arts are an integral part of Gaelic culture, and An Comunn Gàidhealach are delighted with the success of the Highland Art Prize and look forward to working together for many years to come.”
Audrey Carlin (Wasps), Alex Ogilvie (Highland Society of London), Ishbel Murray (2023 Highland Art Prize judge), Maggie Cunningham (Royal National Mòd).
Announcing the winner of the 2023 Highland Art Prize, Ishbel Murray commented that: “David Greenall’s artwork captures the atmospheric essence of this crofting location by the sea through a highly sensitive use of colour involving the demanding method of blending pigment and wax to achieve a shimmering effect in an image that has been beautifully reduced to its essential elements.”
The winning artist receives £1,000 (to be shared with their local art organisation), plus an exhibition opportunity at The Briggait in Glasgow, courtesy of Wasps, a charity and social enterprise that provides studio spaces to artists and creators across Scotland. The 2023 Highland Art Prize was also supported by Renfrewshire Council and Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
Highly commended: Lady Of The Flowers by Leah Davis from the Society of Caithness Artists.
Image from 2022 Highland Art Prize winner’s new exhibition entitled Highland Colours: Uaine by David Page from the Mull Highland Games.
14th September 2023: Best Fiction Prize, Gaelic Literature Awards, Glasgow
The winners of the Gaelic Literature Awards 2023 have been announced at a ceremony at Cottiers Theatre, Glasgow, on Thursday 14th September 2023.
Prizes were awarded in four categories for books published between 1st May 2022 and 30th April 2023, and also for unpublished manuscripts for adults and for children/young people.
Best Book for Children/Young People
Donaidh Dathach – Gwen Bowie (Spòrs)
The Derick Thomson Prize for Best Poetry Book (sponsored by the Scottish Poetry Library)
Doras gun Chlàimhean – edited by Catriona Murray (Acair)
The Highland Society of London Prize for Best Fiction Book
Crann-fìge: Sgeulachdan Goirid / Fig Tree: Short Stories – Duncan Gillies (Acair)
Photo: Fiction Prize winner Duncan Gillies, with Fiona Houstoun (trustee, Highland Society of London)
The Donald Meek Award for Best Non-fiction Book
Gun Sireadh, Gun Iarraidh: The Tolmie Collection – edited by Kenna Campbell & Ainsley Hamill (Acair)
Best Unpublished Manuscript for Children/Young People (in association with Acair)
Doris aig an Doras agus Sgeulachdan Eile – Shelagh Campbell
Best Unpublished Manuscript for Adults
CEUM – John D. Urquhart
The Gaelic Books Council congratulates the winners and offers sincere thanks to all the people and organisations who have contributed to the Gaelic Literature Awards 2023, including Creative Scotland, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the Highland Society of London, the Scottish Poetry Library, Acair, Donald Meek, and the family of the late Professor Derick Thomson.