Coigach Music, Songs, Poetry & Memories

The Coigich Project

The Coigich Project, a name using the Gaelic for Coigach, is one that seeks to use the present and past historical, cultural and musical resources of the peninsula for the good of the present inhabitants. Modern techniques allow the presentation of material that places like Coigach have as part of their inheritance. Coigach has proved a remarkably rich depository and inspiration for historical, linguistic and geneological material and for music and song. That material is gradually being collected, collated and presented for sale using electronic media for sale locally and on the Internet. Profits go to a local fund, The Coigach Community Fund, open to all who live here.

The Coigich Project is active in the fields of history, language and music. Extensive facilities are already available through the local museum in Ullapool. In the field of history and geneology newly available on-line is the CD of the Coigach Gaelic Place Names, and in music on CD the Coigach Ceilidh Band, Raon Mor, the Gaelic songs of Alasdair Fraser, The Sands of Achnahaird, the first recording from Ali "Beag" MacLeod, the box-player with the Coigach Ceilidh Band, Springwell, the first recording from nationally-known Kevin MacLeod and Polbain to Oranmore, his latest album with Alec Finn, Coigach Music - Past and Present, the 2 CD set of the Coigach Ceilidh held at No. 5 Achiltibuie, Òran 'is Ceol-A Coigach Anthology, and Coigach Airs-The Fiddle Music of Kenny John MacLeod, plus the contemporary singing of James Graham -Suibhal and An Trubhal Na Mo Dhorn, the Songs and Poems of Neill MacLeod, the Polbain Bard. For more details, read on.

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HISTORY

Each year the thriving Coigach Heritage Group publishes a calendar. The photographs included are donated by the residents of Coigach and their families, now settled elsewhere. All the proceeds from the calendars go towards further historical research on our peninsula. The 2006 issue is available now. The cost of  is £5 each , including postage and packing. Order by clicking on the image below.

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MUSIC

Music is and traditional music has remained a strong feature on the Coigach peninsula. The late Bobby MacLeod's people are said to have come from here originally. One of the few Cowboy songs in Gaelic is the beautiful Mo Shoraidh Leis a'Coigich (Farewell to Coigach), written by Murdo George MacLean in the Rocky Mountains of America. Since recordings have been made Coigach people have had their tunes captured, including Roderick Macleod, Alasdair Fraser, John Alec Campbell, Kenny John MacLeod and Georgina Murray.

There are a number of excellent pipers and fiddle- and accordion-players living here and more still now living away but earning those livings playing music. Kevin Macleod lives near Edinburgh now but the family house, Springwell, the title of his first album, is in Polbain, which in turn has formed part of the title of his recent acclaimed second album with Alec Finn, Polbain to Oranmore . Kevin's father, Roddy, who was born and raised in Polbain has recently completed a booklet and CD in local Gaelic of the poems plus a translation into English, of the Polbain bard, builder, fisherman and much besides, Neill Macleod. An Trubhal Na Mo Dhòrn, a Trowel in my Hand, is a testament in Gaelic and to the Gaelic bardic tradition and and insight into recent Coigach life and history. Kenny Fraser, the grandson of Alasdair Fraser Raon Mor, lives now on Mull and is the fiddle player with Salsa Celtica. James Graham, who won the Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2004 for his Gaelic singing and has just released his first CD, Siubhal, is the great-nephew of Seordag (Georgina) Murray and tutored by Kenny Mackenzie of Lochinver and Achiltibuie.

A series of CDs of local singers and players is now being produced and published, again locally and is available for purchase here over the Net or directly from Briathra-Amhran-Ceol (B-A-C) in Polbain, Coigach. Most of our CDs are priced at £7.99, with others priced between £9.99 and £12.39. Currently available are:

The Coigach Ceilidh Band - "Single Tracking"

Ali "Beag" MacLeod - "The Sands of Achnahaird"

Kevin MacLeod - "Springwell"

Kevin MacLeod & Alex Finn - "Polbain to Oranmore"

James Graham - "Siubhal"

Alasdair Fraser - "Raon Mor - Volume 1"

Coigach Music & Musicians - "Coigach Music/Ceol na Choigich - Volume 1"

Seodag Murray, Hectoria MacLeod, John Alec Campbell, Kenny John MacLeod and others - "No. 5 Achiltibuie - The Coigach Ceilidh - Volumes 1 & 2"

Seodag Murray, Hectoria MacLeod, John Alec Campbell and Kenny John MacLeod - "Òran 'is Ceol - A Coigach Anthology"

 Kenny John MacLeod - "Coigach Airs"

The Songs and Poems of Neill MacLeod - "An Trubhal Na Mo Dhòrn"

COIGACH CEILIDH BAND - "SINGLE TRACKING"

Track List 1. The Heroes of Longhope  (R. Aim)  Naver Bay  Ronas Voe    (R.Cooper) 2. Roddy McCorley  Kelly, the boy from Killane  The Banks of Newfoundland 3. Leaving Assynt  Leaving Barra  Leaving Lismore  Leaving Stornaway 4. The King's House   (Bobby MacLeod)  Loch Maree    (MacLennan)  Castle Dangerous   (Haugh) 5. Jimmy Allen  Salmon Tails up the Water  Winter Gallop 6. The Musical Flowers   (Ali "Beag" MacLeod)  Lochbroom    (Ross)  Cailin mo Ruinsa   (Ross) 7. The Garden, where the Pradies Grow  Macnamara's Band  Lassie will you dance with me  (Grant/Stewart) 8. Glasleac Beag    (Ron Raine)  Sally's Waltz    (Ron Raine)  I'll be glad, when I have had enough (Ron Raine)  Gordon Dunn's big drift  (Ron Raine) 9. Scarce of Tatties   (N. MacLean)  Out on the Ocean  The Rakes of Kildare 10. Margaret Raine's Waltz  (Ali "Beag" MacLeod)  Ron Raine's Reel   (Ali "Beag" MacLeod) 11. Spancil Hill  Chadal cha dean mi  The Old Bog Road  The Mermaid's Song

A taste of the local music can be got from the album "Single Tracking" from the Coigach Ceilidh Band. Recorded locally in 1996 it is available on cassette and remastered CD on-line. It features local musicians on accordian, fiddle, guitar, the small pipes and whistles, bodhran and Northumbrian pipes. For details of where and how to purchase it on-line, click on CD cover . For other purchase methods, see the foot of the page. Ref: CCB

The Sands of Achnahaird Ali "Beag" MacLeod's first and highly-praised album, "The Sands of Achnahaird" is named after the beautiful beach, that features on so many Highland advertising campaigns and lies directly behind Ali's home in Achnahaird, one of the five Coigach villages. Ali "Beag" is a traditional Highland 2-row, melodeon player  He and his family are very well-known locally and he, himself has been a member of the Coigach Ceilidh Band for many years.  He features on the Ceilidh Band's album, Single Tracking. Gaelic and Scottish melodies are interspersed with a selection of Ali's own compositions, which reveal his great appreciation of Gaelic singers, pipers, fiddlers and accordionists. Many musical friends from Coigach joined him for the sessions in Achiltibuie - Alastair Fraser (pipes), the headteacher of the local school, Fraser McNaughton (fiddle), father of Adam, Mairearead Green (accordion), one of the daughters of David Green of the Crofting Commission, neighbour and former pupil of Ali's, singer Sandy 'Boots' MacLeod, of

CalMac and Radio Scotland fame, and finally Kevin Macleod on bouzouki, taking a break from "Springwell" and the "The Road to Oranmore". Lead by Ali, the friends trade group sets and solos, tunes and songs in Gaelic and Scots stylings. A fine time was had by all, as you may hear. A wee dram was surely taken and a permanent record of real local music made for all time. For other purchase methods, see the foot of the page. Ref: SofA

Neill Macleod - "An Trubhal Na Mo Dhòrn" James Graham from Lochinver is the great-nephew of Seodag Murray, who features on No. 5 Achiltibuie - Coigach Ceilidh and Oran 'is Ceol, and from whom he learnt many of the Gaelic songs featured on his first CD, Siubhal. He attended Lochinver Primary School, where he was tutored by Kenny Mackenzie, a previous head-teacher at Achiltibuie Primary School, and then Ullapool High School, where he was also tutored on the pipes. James won the Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year award in 2004. He is the male to win the award and the first Gael. Click to Buy Soon Play List Track 1.  A'Bhriogais Uallach - The Fantastic Breeks. Track 2.  Mo Bhò dhubh mhòr/Puirt - My Big Black Cow. Track 3.  Òran an t-Saigheir - The Soldier's Song. Track 4.        Maol Donn - The Brown Hornless One.

Track 5.        Breisleach - Delirium Track 6.        Sorchar nan Reul - The Lightener of the Stars. Track 7.        Aladdair Mhic Cholla Ghasda - Alasdair, son of Splendid Coll. Track 8.        Allt an t-siùcair - Sugar Brook. Track 9.        Nam aonar le mo smaointean - Alone with my thoughts. Track 10.        Muillaichean Rudha Stòir - The Summits of Rhu Stoer. Track 11.        An Rìbhinn Donn - The Brown-haired Maiden. Track 12.        O 's toil's gur ro-thoil leam - O I like, I do like you. Track 13.        Cumha Alasdair Dhuinn - Brown-haired Alasdair's Lament. Track 14.        Och òin mo chailinn - Och, my lass.      For details of where and how to purchase on-line, click on the CD cover . For other purchase methods, see the foot of the page. Ref: ATNMD

"SPRINGWELL" KEVIN MACLEOD

Kevin MacLeod's first and much acclaimed album, "Springwell" is named after his family home here in Polbain, one of Coigach's villages.  Track List 1. Scottish Jigs Dorothy Leurs Jig Hitler's Downfall Ness Bothan 2. Scottish Pipe and Fiddle Reels St. Joseph's Reel Mackay from Skye Miss Shepherd The Left-handed Fiddler 3. Seaforth's 9/8 Pipe Retreat Marches Oh! But will you come to town The Battle of the Somme The Grinder 4. Freeland's & Sandy Bell's Hornpipes Glen Fincastle Barn Dance Cullinghood Stables Sandy Bell's Hornpipe 5. Waltz from Orsa 6. Hawaiian Ragtime Melody Hapa Haole Hula Girl 7. Donald MacLeod's 6/8 Pipe Marches Falls of Glomach Balmacara 8. Austrian Zither Laendler Freudentanz 9. Donald MacLeod's Pipe Hornpipes The Lintie Jack Adrift Pipe Major Gordon Allan 10. Robert MacDonald's Schottisches The Smith's a Gallant Fireman Tilig an cuideal Cutty's Wedding Danns an t-sabhail Sabhail Iain 'ic Uisdean 11. Pipe, March and Reel Cock o' the North Old Pipe Reel 12. Scottish 3/4 Pipe Marches Lochanside Loch Maree Heroes of Vitoria Heroes of St. Valery 13. Flaco's Polka and Russ's Reel Polka Town Farewell to Eddy Street 14. Dance from Marmaros

15. Faeroese Waltzes Morten larsen Maivalsurin Vaks efter Per Rost 16. 2/4 March & Californian Reel Alistair McCallum of Cairndow Cruzatte's Reel   A multi-instramentalist, Kevin plays guitar, banjo, bouzouki and mandolin. He is joined on the CD by Alec Finn and Frankie Gavin of DeDananm, Malcolm Jones of Runrig, John Martin of The Tannahill Weavers, The Easy Club and Ossian and Freeland Barbour of The Occasionals and The Wallochmor Ceilidh Band in tumes from Scotland, Norway, America, Austria, Transylvania, the Faeroes and Hawaii.   For other purchase methods, see the foot of the page. More details of Kevin, his solo work and his work with The Occasionals and other bands is available by clicking here on his own web-site. Ref: SW

"POLBAIN TO ORANMORE" KEVIN MACLEOD & ALEC FINN

Kevin MacLeod's latest album, "Polbain to Oranmore", recorded with Ireland's Alec Finn, is named after the spiritual homes of the two performers, deep in the Gaeltacht.  Track List Track 1 Scottish Jigs Track 2 The North Atlantic Waltz The Springwell Waltz Track 3 The Glendaruel Highlanders Track 4 Slieve Gallen Braes Track 5 P.M. John Stewart Pipe Jigs Track 6 Miss Hamilton Track 7 Ali Beag MacLeod’s Set March Highland Reels Track 8 Helen Scott of Humbie Track 9 Scottish Reels Track 10 Dinny O’Brien’s Hornpipe The Burning Sands of Egypt Track 11 Slieve Na Mban Track 12 Dugald McColl’s Farewell to France Reels

Track 13 Neil Gow’s Set Jig, Strathspey Reel Track 14 Farewell to Cape Helles, Mackenzie Hay The Spey in Spate Track 15 The Bloody Fields of Flanders. To buy, click on the graphic For other purchase methods, see the foot of the page. More details of Kevin, his solo work and his work with The Occasionals and other bands is available by clicking here on his own web-site. Ref: PtoO

 

RAON MOR - VOLUME 1 - THE GAELIC SONGS OF ALASDAIR FRASER

Raon Mor The Frasers of Raon Mor in Achiltibuie have produced a number of musicians. One of the finest was Alasdair Fraser, a Gaelic singer, who performed several times on the radio in the 1950s. He was a man with a wonderful voice, who should have done well at the Mod, had he entered. However, he sang in the local Gaelic, with its local pronunciation, and was convinced that at that time he would have been marked down because of it. However, in 1955 he sat down with an early tape-recorder and sang his repertoire into it. Modern computer techniques have allowed that tape to be re-mastered and published as two CDs, the first of which is now available. Track 1 - Introduction Track 2 - Far an bi na faidhrichean (Going to the Fair) Track 3 - Am bata nach tamh leis an leisg (The boat that would not rest with laziness) Track 4 - An eala (The Swan) Track 5 - A'bhradag dubh (The Cheeky, Dark Girl)

Track 6 - An alltan dubh (The Black River) Track 7 - An tead thu leam mo nighhean donn (Will you go with me, my brown- haired girl) Track 8 - Taobh Loch Lobhainn (Loch Leven-side) Track 9 - Braigh Loch Eil (The Brae of Loch Eil) Track 10  Cumha Mhic Gille Calum (Lament for the Son of MacCallum ) Track 11- Ma thig thu leam (If you come with me) Track 12- Taladh (A Loch Broom Lullaby) Track 13- Oran Gaoil (Love Song) Track 14- Tog orm mi phiob (Lift up my pipes for me) Track 15- Manitoba Track 16- Leig dhiot an cadal (Wake up) Track 17- Se-o-al-e Se-o-al-i Track 18- Alasdair Mhic o ho (Son Alastair a-ho)   For details of where and how to purchase on-line, click on the CD cover . For other purchase methods, see the foot of the page. Ref: AF1

No. 5 ACHILTIBUIE - THE COIGACH CEILIDH - VOLUMES 1 & 2

No. 5 - Achiltibuie In September 1955 Calum Maclean , the brother of the great Gaelic poet, Sorley Maclean, came to Coigach with a large reel-to-reel tape-recorder, a machine almost unknown to the locals. He came to make recordings of the local  Gaelic stories, song and music as part of the project that now forms the basis of the School of Scottish Studies sound archive. At the time Coigach had no Community Hall. The building that was to become the old hall, now the Achiltibuie Piping School, still belonged to the Territorial Army. Moves to buy it for the community did not start for another two years or so, so Ceilidhs as we know them now were impossible. Instead, local singers and musicians would meet in each others houses to share tea and a few drams and create their own entertainment. For Calum Maclean just such a ceilidh was arranged in  the house of one of the best of the local singers, Seordag (Georgina) Murray, where she was joined by two more locals singers, John Alec Campbell and Hectoria Macleod, by the fiddle player, Kenny John Macleod, and even by Pat (no surname given), an itinerant Irish field-worker. All these details are supplied by Jim Muir, who stills lives on the peninsula and was himself at the Ceilidh. Hectoria also still lives in Achiltibuie. Iain Campbell, also a singer and John Alec's son, still lives just down the road from where the Ceilidh took place. John Alec himself died just three years ago. Kenny John died in 1985 and Seordag moved shortly after the recording to Lochinver and died just last year. Seordag's house, now owned by the Pattersons, was and still is known as Iris Side but was commonly known locally simply as No. 5 Achiltibuie.

No. 5 Achiltibuie  - the Coigach Ceilidh - comes in two volumes, each containing one long, uncut track. The start of Volume 1 was, we assume, recorded at Seordag's house prior to the Ceilidh. The second half features the Ceilidh itself, with all the rough edges and interruptions, blips and squeaks that live-recording entails. Volume 2 is entirely the Ceilidh. The flow of both volumes is such that we simply present it in its original form, with raw but beautiful tunes and plenty fun. Many of the tunes are characterised by one or other of the singers or musicians starting off, to be joined in the melody or the choruses by the others. Like all the CDs in the Music of Coigach series all profits go to the Coigach Community Fund for the use of local people on local projects. We hope you enjoy the tunes and the craic. The fiddle-playing of Kenny John, with the tunes separated into individual  tracks, is issued on a separate CD, "Coigach Airs", and the singing of Seordag, John Alec and Hectoria is also on a separate CD, "Òran 'is Ceol - A Coigach Anthology". For details of where and how to purchase on-line, click on the CD cover . For other purchase methods, see the foot of the page. Ref: No. 5-1 & 2

COIGACH MUSIC - VOLUME 1

Coigach Music - Volume 1 This CD, the first in the series, contains 13 tracks, from the 1920s to the present day. However, it is more than just a music-CD. To give each track a context and a history, both culturally and personally, each is preceded by a brief explanation.  The does not pretend to have all high-quality recordings. There are some professionally recorded tracks but even then some of the older ones, copied from 78s, show the signs of their antiquity. Some tracks have been recorded and re-recorded on a variety of machines by several people over the years before being to some degree re-mastered. Reproduction on some is not as good as it might be but is as good as can be achieved. Your indulgence is sought  and we hope you enjoy this first offering. Track 1 - Ron Raine - Glasleac Beag (The Wee, Grey Slab), Sally's Waltz, I'll be Glad When I have had Enough, Gordon Dunn's Big Drift) Track 2 - Roderick MacLeod - An Gleann' san robh mi 'Og (The Glen when I was Young) Track 3 - Alasdair Fraser - Thig am Bata an Siuil (The Sailing Boat will Come)  Track 4 - Sandie Fraser - Am Banais (The Wedding Feast)

Track 5 - Charlie Mackay - The Waters of Kyleasku Track 6 - Ullapool High School - Taladh Chroisda (Christ's Lullaby) Track 7 - Coigach Ceilidh Band -  The Musical Flowers/Lochbroom/Cailin mo Ruin-sa (The Maid I Adore)  Track 8 - Kevin MacLeod - Robert MacDonald Schottisches (Trad.) (P) 1999 Greentrax Recordings. The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Greentrax Recordings Ltd. and is used with their kind permission.  Track 9 - Anne Barnes and Lesley Muir - Rowan Tree Track 10 - Alasdair Fraser - Thug mi Gaoil (I Gave Love)/Over the Isles to America Track 11 - Iain Campbell - Te Bhan (The Fair One) Track 12 - "Sigi" Raghnall Campbell Whittle - Oran a'bhogha-fhrois (The Rainbow Song  - "I can sing a rainbow") Track 13 - Mo Shoraidh Leis a'Coigich (Farewell to Coigach) This version comes from David Wilkie's album, Cowboy Ceilidh and is reproduced with his kind permission.  For details of where and how to purchase on-line, click on the CD cover . For other purchase methods, see the foot of the page. Ref: CM1

ÒRAN 'IS CEOL - A COIGACH ANTHOLOGY

Òran 'is Ceol - A Coigach Anthology Calum Maclean , the brother of the great Gaelic poet, Sorley Maclean, came to Coigach in September 1955 to make recordings of local Gaelic stories, song and music. It was part of the project that now forms the basis of the School of Scottish Studies sound archive. For three days he moved aound the peninsula carrying a huge reel-to-reel machine, making recordings initially where he could. At the time Coigach had no Community Hall, the venue for ceilidhs nowadays. The building that was to become the old hall, now the Achiltibuie Piping School, then still belonged to the Territorial Army. Moves to buy it for the community did not start for another two years, so a ceilidh was also arranged in a local house. For Calum Maclean and posterity the results were a number of recordings of the traditional playing and singing of four of the best local musicians of their generation - the singers, Seordag Murray, Hectoria Macleod and John Alec Campbell, and the fiddle player, Kenny John Macleod.  All of these musicians are still very much with us, at the very least in spirit. Indeed, Hectoria  and her husband, Iain, still live in Achiltibuie, as do her sons. Her name is carried around the Summer Isles twice-a-day in summer on the boat that takes visitors on cruises from Badentarbet Pier. Seordag moved shortly after the recording to Lochinver, where she continued to be actively involved in music. She died just last year but just before she did she  had written the Gaelic introduction to our unique CD-ROM, Coigach Gaelic Place Names. John Alec himself died just three years ago and his son, Iain, also a singer, grandchild and great-grandchild, soon to be great-grand-children, still live on the peninsula.. Kenny John, also remained on the peninsula with Ruth, his wife, living in the old school house in Achduart until his death in 1985. Play-List Track 1.        Introduction. Track 2.    Georgina Murray - Mouth Music - 'Ille Chrubaich as a'Ghleann/Cailleach a'Ghobainn /Ribeinean Riomach Nighean an Fhidhleir. Track 3.        John Alec Campbell - An Cluinn Thu Mi Mo Chailin Donn.

Track 4.        Georgina Murray & Kenny John Macleod - Nuair Bha Mi  Og. Tracks 5, 6 & 7        Kenny John Macleod - Strathspey & Reel/Medley-Ged Tha Mi Gun Chrobh Aighean/An Eilean Shior Is Aille/Failte Rubhna Bhatarnais/Strathspey. Track 8.        John Alec Campbell - Coire Cheathaich. Track 9.        John Alec Campbell  & Georgina Murray - A Chailin Donn a Chuailein Reidh. Track 10.        Georgina Murray, Kenny John Macleod & John Alec Campbell -Caite Bheil i Ann An Albainn. Track 11.        Hectoria Macleod - Eilidh. Track s 12,13,14.    Kenny John Macleod - Stirlingshire Militia/March/Jig Track 15.        Georgina Murray & John Alec Campbell - Horo Mo Nighean Dubh Ghuanach. Track 16.        Georgina Murray & John Alec Campbell  - Am Bata Nach  Tamh Leis An Leisg. Track 17.        Georgina Murray & John Alec Campbell- A Nighneag A  Chuil Duinn Nach Can Thu. Track 18.        John Alec Campbell & Chorus- Cathair A Chuilinn. Track 19.        John Alec Campbell  - A Mhairi Bhan Og. Tracks 20,21.    Kenny John Macleod - Turgainn Liom, Turgainn  Liom/Stumpie, etc. Track 22.        Georgina Murray  & Chorus - Cuir Culaibh Asainnte. Track 23.        Kenny John Macleod - Mairi's Wedding. Track 24.        Georgina Murray & John Alec Campbell - Mo Nighean  Donn Na Buaile. Track s25, 26, 27 & 28   Kenny John Macleod - Gaelic Air/Highland Wedding/Mo Dhaichaidh/Unknnown Tune. Track 29.        Georgina Murray, John Alec Campbell  & Kenny John  Macleod - Soiridh Leibh is Oidhche Mhath. Track 30.        Kenny John Macleod - Direadh na Staigre (Haoi O Haiream) For details of where and how to purchase on-line, click on the CD cover . For other purchase methods, see the foot of the page. Ref: OC

COIGACH AIRS - THE FIDDLE-PLAYING OF KENNY JOHN MACLEOD

"Coigach Airs" - The Fiddle Music of Kenny John Macleod Kenny John Macleod, born on New Year’s Day 1907 at 127 West Polglass, Achiltibuie, was fourth and youngest child of William Macleod, the blacksmith, and his wife, Isabella. While still a schoolboy, he acquired his first fiddle from a friend by exchanging it for his bicycle. He showed innate musical ability by learning to play traditional music to a very high standard without any tuition whatsoever and was very well-known at ceilidhs in Achiltibuie, Ullapool and further afield. His other great talent was in things mechanical, inherited from his father. Although he had many opportunities to go south to become an engineer, he remained in his native village until his death in 1985. In 1952 he married Ruth Brock, a war widow who had bought the old schoolhouse in Achduart, near Achiltibuie and where together they created a delightful garden. Latterly his music was played on a splendid violin inherited from Ruth’s family. The recordings on this CD are part of the Coigach archive that we have able to copy from the School of Scottish Studies in Edinburgh to Coigach. The tracks were all recorded in September 1955 by Calum MacLean, the brother of the late, great Gaelic poet Sorley MacLean. They were made partly at the home of Kenny John and Ruth and partly at a ceilidh held at Iris-side, otherwise known as No. 5 Achiltibuie, the house of Georgina Murray. Some tracks have the ceilidh in the background. There was obviously good craic with contributions by Kenny John and Georgina themselves, John Alec Campbell and the chorus. Play List Track 1.  Introduction. Track 2.  Stumpie etc. - a foot stomping strathspey and other tunes, the first an un-named strathspey, the second, the reel, Mrs. Macleod of Raasay with two more reels, Deil Amang the Tailors and The Mason's Apron. Track 3.  Caite Bheil i ann an Albainn , with the voices of Georgina  Murray and John Alec Campbell. Track 4.        A Jig.

Track 5.        A Medley of three tunes, all Gaelic Airs - Ged tha mi chrodh gun aighean, followed by An t-eilean shior is aille and Failte  Rudha Bhatarnais and again Ged tha mi chrodh gun aighean? Track 6.        Strathspey and Reel. There are four short versions of the same strathspey on this disc. We leave you to choose the version you prefer. Track 7.        An Unknown Tune - Can you help? Track 8.        Strathspey (Second Version). Track 9.        Mo Dhachaidh, a Gaelic air. Track 10.        Mairi's Wedding. Track 11.        Another Unknown Tune - Can you help again? Track 12.        A March. Track 13.        Nuar Bha Mi Og (When I was Young), with Georgina Murray. Track 14.        The Left-Handed Fiddler? Track 15.        Stirlingshire Militia - a march. Track 16.        Soiridh Leibh Is Oidhche Mhath Dhuibh, described as "A Goodnight Song". Track 17.        Strathspey (Version 3). Track 18.        A Gaelic Air. Track 19.        Tiugainn Liom, Tiugainn Liom.         Here there two versions of the same tune. "Tiugainn Liom" In Gaelic means "Come with Me". Track 20.        Tiugainn Liom - A March. Track 21.        An Air. Track 22.        A'Chuthag - The Cuckoo. Track 23.        Highland Wedding, followed by the strathspey-reel, Laird of Thrums. Track 24.        Bean an droch nadair - a jig. Track 25.        Strathspey (Version 4). Track 26.        Mo ribhinn chroibhneil, a man's love song, with the voices of John Alec Campbell and the chorus. Track 27.        Direach na Staigre (Haoi o Haiream) For details of where and how to purchase on-line, click on the CD cover . For other purchase methods, see the foot of the page. Ref: KJM

James Graham - "Siubhal" James Graham from Lochinver is the great-nephew of Seodag Murray, who features on No. 5 Achiltibuie - Coigach Ceilidh and Oran 'is Ceol, and from whom he learnt many of the Gaelic songs featured on his first CD, Siubhal. He attended Lochinver Primary School, where he was tutored by Kenny Mackenzie, a previous head-teacher at Achiltibuie Primary School, and then Ullapool High School, where he was also tutored on the pipes. James won the Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year award in 2004. He is the male to win the award and the first Gael. Click to Buy Play List Track 1.  A'Bhriogais Uallach - The Fantastic Breeks. Track 2.  Mo Bhò dhubh mhòr/Puirt - My Big Black Cow. Track 3.  Òran an t-Saigheir - The Soldier's Song. Track 4.        Maol Donn - The Brown Hornless One.

Track 5.        Breisleach - Delirium Track 6.        Sorchar nan Reul - The Lightener of the Stars. Track 7.        Aladdair Mhic Cholla Ghasda - Alasdair, son of Splendid Coll. Track 8.        Allt an t-siùcair - Sugar Brook. Track 9.        Nam aonar le mo smaointean - Alone with my thoughts. Track 10.        Muillaichean Rudha Stòir - The Summits of Rhu Stoer. Track 11.        An Rìbhinn Donn - The Brown-haired Maiden. Track 12.        O 's toil's gur ro-thoil leam - O I like, I do like you. Track 13.        Cumha Alasdair Dhuinn - Brown-haired Alasdair's Lament. Track 14.        Och òin mo chailinn - Och, my lass.      For details of where and how to purchase on-line, click on the CD cover . For other purchase methods, see the foot of the page. Ref: JG

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The recent opening of the new Community Hall has now provided an excellent venue for local and visiting musicians. The hall's superb acoustics mean that a range of musicians are now coming out of their way, even from as far as Canada, to play the venue. Once the new Community Hall was built the old hall was not abandoned. Its conversion into the Achiltibuie Piping School has opened a new chapter in the musical life of Coigach.  It has a wide range of both courses and tutors, that place it at the forefront of piping, not just in the Highlands or in Scotland but worldwide. For more details simply click on Achiltibuie Piping School or on the banner below.

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More music CDs are in the pipeline and will be available on-line in the near future. For more details of their release and any other information, contact us by e-mail on: coigich@aol.com