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19 December 2025 - Christmas Advent Song

Song: Alasdair Mhic Cholla Ghasda

19th December – Alasdair Mhic Cholla Ghasda

This waulking song begins by praising Alasdair, son of Colla MacDonald and tells of a sequence of events including hearing that Glasgow was ablaze and Aberdeen had been plundered. 😬

Information on Tobar an Dualchais says that
Alasdair mac Cholla was fighting in the Montrose Wars in 1644-45. One of his main aims was to retrieve the island of Coll from the Campbells of Argyll.
Not the cheeriest of songs but a great melody and rhythm!

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Picture of Mairi MacMIllan

Mairi MacMIllan

Màiri was born and brought up on the island of South Uist in the Western Isles of Scotland. A native fluent Gàidhlig speaker, Màiri has been singing Gàidhlig songs from an early age. Màiri was awarded the Gold Medal for Gàidhlig traditional singing at the 2007 Mod in Lochaber. Her first solo album ‘Gu Deas‘, produced by Mhairi Hall was released in July 2021. In 2023 she released three songs commemorating the 100 year anniversary of the mass emigration of people from the Western Isles to Canada. Màiri composed the lyrics and melody of one of the songs – Gu Fada Dhan Iar.
Mairi MacMillan, Traditional, Scottish, Gaelic Singer

Mod Gold Medal winner Màiri MacMillan is a South Uist native and celebrated Gaelic singer, weaving the Gaelic language into a stunningly contemporary sound. With airplay on BBC Alba and a nomination for Gaelic Singer of the Year, she delivers captivating performances that are both deeply rooted and boldly innovative.

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