The Scottish Gaelic Column

Tha an colbh Gàidhlig seo air a tharraing à "Cothrom", an ràitheachan dà-chànanach aig CLI. Thèid "Cothrom" fhaighinn an asgaidh le buill ChLI, an carthannas airson luchd-ionnsachaidh is luchd-taic na Gàidhlig.

This Gaelic column is drawn from "Cothrom", the bilingual quarterly magazine from CLI. "Cothrom" is distributed free to members of CLI, the charity for learners and supporters of Scots Gaelic

Marbhadh a' Chiuthaich The Killing of the Ciuthach
Anns an earrainn "Mar a Thuirt am Fear Eile" an cois seo tha iomradh air an fhuamhaire a ghabh còmhnaidh, a rèir aithris, ann an Dùn a' Chiuthaich ann an Uige Leòdhais. Seo tè dhen dà sgeulachd mu' bhàs fo làmhan na Fèinne a bha dol anns an sgìre sìos chun na linne seo, an dàrna tè gun taobh sam bith dhan Chiuthach, mar a chante ris, agus an tè seo bhon Urramach Calum MacLeòid le barrachd gean dha (gheibhear na dhà ann an Celtic Review 9, 1913-14, dd193-209). Bha e mòr ann am meud ach cuideachd ann am mòrachd - "cha bu diù leis làmh a chur ann an duine cumanta," ars an Urr MacLeòid. Ach thàinig gaisgich nan Gàidheal chun an Dùin a' tabhann "cogadh no cumhachan sìthe…." (teacs tùsail) In the accompanying "Mar a Thuirt am Fear Eile" section mention is made of the giant who resided, according to tradition, in Dùn a' Chiuthaich in Uig, Lewis. Here is one of the two tales told of his death at the hands of the Fenians that was current in the district right down till this century, one showing no sympathy for The Ciuthach, as he was called, and this one from Rev Malcolm Macleod with more empathy for him (both to be found in Celtic Review 9, 1913-14, pp193-209). He was great in size but also in dignity, said Rev Macleod, and would scorn to lay hand on a common man. But the Gaelic heroes came to his fort offering a choice of combat or conditions of peace…. (translation)
Cha do chuir e a dhiù annta na sheall e an taobh a bha iad, ach thàinig e a-mach as an Dùn agus morghath aige 'na làimh, agus chaidh e sìos an tràigh a mharbhadh leòbag a beul na tuinne. Chaidh seo air adhart fad seachdanach, Fionn is an Fhèinn a' toirt dùbhlan dha is gun esan a' cur a dhiù annta na shealladh e an taobh a bha iad. Ach fa dheireadh bha e air a thàmailteachadh leis a' ghràisg a thàinig a chur dragh air, agus smaoinich e a' mhadainn seo gun d'rachadh e agus gun dèanadh e sgoltadh a' chudaig air buidheann no dhà dhiubh. He didn't care enough about them to look their way, but came out from the fort with a fish-spear in his hand, and went down to the beach to kill flounders from the edge of the wave. This went on for a week, Fionn and the Fingalians challenging him, while he did not care enough about them to look their way. But at last he was affronted by the rabble that had come to trouble him, and he thought one morning that he would go and make fishmeal of a troop or two of them.
Chunnacas a' tighinn e, ach bha mòran dhen Fhèinn air falbh anns a' bheinn sheilg agus bha iad a' smaoineachadh nach tigeadh an Ciuthach an taobh a bha iad. Thàinig e nuas am machair, agus mar a bha iad a' tachairt ris, bha e sgudadh a chinn dhiubh gus an do ràinig e Fionn, ceann na Fèinne, ach chuir esan stad air. Ach ma chuir, cha b'fhada, is e gun Mhac an Luinn [a chlaidheamh]. Bha Osgar is gaisgich eile a' dèanamh cluich airm le Mac an Luinn air Cnoc na Cuthaig. Agus, ma bha, cha b'fheàirrde Fionn sin. Bha an Ciuthach ga chur gun sgur an comhair a chùil. They saw him coming, but many of the Fingalians were away in the hunting hill, and they thought that the Ciuthach would not come their way. He came down through the plain, and as they met him he loped off their heads till he reached Fionn, the leader of the Fingalians, and he stopped him. But if so, it was not for long, since Fionn was without [his sword] Mac an Luinn. Oscar and other warriors were at weapon practice with Mac an Luinn on Cnoc na Cuthaig. But Fionn was all the worse for it. The Ciuthach was ceaselessly driving him backwards.
"An-tà", arsa esan, "bu mhath a-nise Mac an Luinn"; is shèid e an fheadag. Is ma shèid, leum Osgar is dh'èigh e. "Tha mo sheanair an teinn, ach ma tha, cha bhi fada.... Sguch a-mach, a sheanair, is leig mi fhèin le Mac an Luinn 'nad àite". Bha Mac an Luinn a' gearradh is a' leòn is thòisich an Ciuthach a' dol an comhair a chùil, is b'e sin an dà latha. Rinn e air a' chiad chreig a b'fhaisge dha gus taic fhaighinn, ach leis an t-sian a bha air is Osgar le Mac an Luinn 'na dhèidh, chaidh e tron chreig, agus tha làrach a mhàis is a dhà shlinnean an Creag a' Chiuthaich gus an latha an-diugh. "Well" said Fionn, "good now would be Mac an Luinn"; and he blew the whistle. With this, Oscar leapt and cried, "My grandfather is in difficulty, but I assure you not for long.... Slip out, grandfather, and let me in your place with Mac an Luinn." Mac an Luinn was cutting and wounding, and the Ciuthach began to go backwards, which was a new thing for him. He made for the nearest rock for support, but what with the impetus of him with Oscar and Mac an Luinn after him, he went through the rock, and the mark of his buttocks and his two shoulders is in Creag a' Chiuthaich to this day.

You can find more articles in the archive under Gaelic Column and information on the organization at C.L.I.

Your browser is not Java enabled.
HomeNewContentsArchivesSearchEmail

Scottish Radiance
Designed and Copyright 1999
Innovative Consulting Services, Inc.
Since May 1, 1999