As most of you can tell by our selection of the song "Skye at Last" as the theme song for Scottish Radiance we like the Blair Douglas CD "A Summer in Skye," Blair captures the mood of the islands and he is one of the leaders in promoting Gaelic music. I reviewed the book "A Summer in Skye" this month and I could hear the beautiful melodies of this album in the every word of the book. This is a must for anyone who loves the islands and Gaelic music. It contains 14 original tracks.

This album costs $19.95 which plus $2.00 postage and handling. To order go to our secure credit card service.

1. A Summer in Skye Alexander Smith's celebrated book "A Summer in Skye, first published in 1886, is the inspiration behind this piece. "It is the cunningest harper that draws the sweetest music from the harp-string: but no musician that ever played has exhausted all the capabilities of his instrument - there is more to take for who can take." 2. The Skye Glen Waltz The Celtic Diaspora - the enforced emigration of the Gael in the 19th century. Skye Glen, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, was first settled by families form North Skye in 1830 - Beaton; Gillis; Nicolson; MacInnis; MacKinnon. 3,000 miles of ocean and 166 years of history may divide us "yet still the blood is strong." 3. The Second Sight (An Dà Shealladh) The Second Sight - the facility to discern objects invisible to other people. those gifted with this ability are called seers. 4. The Landlord's Walk Extracted from Ban Ghàid heal (A Highland Woman) by Somhairle Maclean. 5. A' Bhean lonmhainn (The Beloved Wife) In memory of Catriona MacDonald of Braes, Isle of Skye (1952 -1993) 6. lain Angus Douglas Welcome to the Big Wide World/The Woodworker/An Corran Glas A March composed to celebrate the arrival of my son in 1991. Two Reels follow - the first is for my late father Alasdair Douglas (1915 - 1993), a joiner to trade. An Corran Glas , on the shores of Loch Sligachan, was on one of my late father-in-law's childhood haunts. 7. The Gugahunter The return of the men of Ness in the Island of Lewis from their annual cull of the "Guga" - the young solan goose, regarded as a delicacy inspired this piece. Lẹdhasiach everywhere. 8. NicMhathain's "Thank You" Composed as a thank you to my wife. 9. An C̣caire Beag (The Little Chef) Composed for three great friends. the 2/4 march is in honour of Arthur Cormack's uncommon fascination with the "Brunch Breakfast". The first reel is for Donald Steward ("Mandy"), a Portree stalwart - what a man! The second reel is for Cailean Maclean of Aird Bhearnasdail, Skye - legend of the airwaves! 10 Skye at Last! This is Scottish Radiance's theme song. This piece evokes the "elation" of the journey homewards "...for before us rose a permanent vision of mighty hills, with their burdens of cloudy rack; and every now and then from an eminence we could mark , against the land, the blue of the sea flowing in, bright with sunlight." Play it! 11. Fear Beag a' Chridhe Mḥir (Little One of' the Big Heart) Lament for Calum Ian Maclean (1915-1960), one of the greatest collectors of folklore Scotland has seen. In a powerful elegy written by his brother Somhairle, Calum is referred to as "little heart of the big heart". 12. Nelson Mandela's Welcome to the City of Glasgow In celebration of Freedom. Dedicated to Madiba "Sikahlela indoda yamadoda" - we salute a hero of the nations. 13. Ora Nam Buadh (Hymn of the Graces) The words are adapted from incantations contained in Carmina Gadelica. 14. Miss Ina MacLellan's Air Composed for my mother. "Nighean Ailig 'illeasbuig"

You can find more articles in the archive under Notes on Celtic Music.