Each month we will be featuring a guest writer and this month it is Angus Campbell. He was born and brought up on the Hebridean Isle of South Uist, third eldest of seven, went to the local Garrynamonie School ,sadly now demolished ,but well known through the Book' A School in South Uist '.

He has always had an interest in poetry, although very little in Gaelic during my early years primarily due to being taught through the English medium,and only after leaving school did he get to know more and more about the local bards and their works .

He has been writing both Gaelic and English poems for about thirteen years or so,and have been inspired by many local poets of worth such as Donald Allan MacDonald, and Roddy Campbell of Lochboisdale.The following poem written in both English and Gaelic was written at the opening of the Eriskay bridge.

Here is his poem in both English and Gaelic.

Rathad Caolas Eirisgeidh	The Road To Eriskay
Tha rathad air caolas EIrisgeidh dol gu Eilean Grinn na H-Oig Far an d' fhuair a prionnsa a cas air tir mar dh'inseadh an eachraidh dhuinn, 'S far a bheil na soibhraihean a fas,ann a gheanamhaich iseal reidh, Beannachd Dhe gu'n stiurr sibh null gach la, Air rathad caolas Eirisgeidh.	There is a road to Eriskay ,to Eilean Grinn na H-Oig To where the prince first stepped ashore ,well known in song and lore, And where the grass is always green,on the island so serene, God Bless and guide you every day, on the Road To Eriskay.
Dol seachad Cillebhridhe air do chuairt, Chi thu traighean geal fo d 'shuil, 'S fada bhuat null tarsunn cuan bidean biorrach Eilean Rum, Dol sios ri Taobh -a- Chaolais, chi thu Ludaig 's Sgeir-an -Fheidh 'S bith thu fianais Eilean Bharraigh, air rathad caolas Eirisgeidh.	Passing by Kilbride along your way, you can see the silver sands, Or view the rugged mountains, on the distant Isle of Rhum, And going on by Ludaig, to your port lies Sgeir-an- Fheidh, Barra Isle is on your starboard side ,on the Road To Eriskay.
Tha daoine bha gasda a tighinn fo m'smuain, 'S mi an seo a sgriobhaidh duan, Se sin na seoid bha 'g aiseag sluagh,le cairdeas, gaol, 's stuaim Bith cuimhne orra an tir na,m beo ,'s mile beannachd as an deidh, ' S gu fag sinn soraidh slan aca , le rathad caolas Eirisgeidh.	As i write these words i do recall your gallant ferrymen, Faithfull servants one and all ,down the years from way back when, And now its time to pay tribute, so let us sin there praise, " Farewell " we shall remember you on the Road To Eriskay.
Aonghas Caimbeul	Angus Campbell

If you would like to contact Angus he can be reached here

You can find more articles in the archive under Guest Writer's Corner