Echoes of the Gael
A Scholarly Exploration of a Pivotal Figure in Scottish Gaelic Literature and Jacobite History.
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Biography
A Multifaceted Genius
Alasdair mac Mhaighstir Alasdair, born circa 1698 and known legally as Alexander MacDonald, was a distinguished Scottish poet, satirist, lexicographer, and memoirist. His contributions significantly shaped Scottish Gaelic literature and provided a vital voice during a tumultuous period in Scottish history.
Highland Roots
Born at Dalilea, MacDonald's early education is believed to have been conducted at home, followed by a brief period of university study. He was proficient in multiple languages, demonstrating a deep command of the Scottish Gaelic vernacular, which he would later champion through his literary works.
Linguistic Pioneer
MacDonald's work as a lexicographer culminated in the publication of Leabhar a Theagasc Ainminnin (1741), the first secular book published in Scottish Gaelic. This glossary was instrumental in standardizing and preserving the language, drawing upon Irish language traditions for its orthography.
Family Background
Noble Lineage
Alasdair mac Mhaighstir Alasdair hailed from a lineage connected to Scottish nobility and Clan MacDonald of Clanranald. His ancestry traced back to prominent figures such as King Robert the Bruce and King Robert II, as well as the legendary Somerled, reflecting a deep connection to Scotland's royal and clan history.
Clan Connections
His father, Maighstir Alasdair MacDhòmhnaill, was a Tacksman from South Uist. Through his brother, Ranald MacDonald, Alasdair was the uncle of the renowned Flora MacDonald. He maintained ties to the Captain of Clanranald, underscoring his position within the broader Clan Donald structure.
Educational Pursuits
While records are debated, it is suggested that Alasdair attended the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. His marriage to Jane MacDonald of Dalness, from a family with notable literary interests, further contextualizes his intellectual environment.
Early Life & Education
Dalilea Beginnings
Born around 1698 at Dalilea, MacDonald's formative years were likely spent in a region with limited formal schooling, suggesting a significant role for his father in his early education. The historical presence of an oak tree he is said to have planted further connects him to his birthplace.
Mastery of Gaelic
Bishop Robert Forbes noted MacDonald's exceptional skill in Scottish Gaelic, including the ability to read and write it in its original script—a rare accomplishment at the time. His reputation as Scotland's foremost Gaelic poet was already established early in his career.
Musicality and Verse
Evidence suggests MacDonald set some of his poems to the melodies played from the Glasgow Tolbooth, indicating an early integration of his poetic work with musical traditions. His literary talents were recognized early, with some suggesting participation in the 1715 Jacobite rising even as a youth.
Protestant Missioner
SPCK Appointment
In 1729, MacDonald was appointed by the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge (SPCK) as a teacher and catechist. His duties involved educating and ministering across various locations in Moidart, reflecting the Society's efforts to spread Protestantism in the Highlands.
Teaching in Kilchoan
From 1738 to 1744, he taught at the school in Kilchoan. Supplementing his modest salary by farming at Allt Coire Mhuilinn, he composed the celebrated poem Allt an t-Siùcar, which remains popular in Gaelic cultural gatherings.
Lexicographical Endeavors
His compilation of a Gaelic-English vocabulary in 1741, commissioned by the Society, marked a significant milestone. While initially serving the Society's aims, this work may have also fostered his conviction in the importance of preserving the Gaelic language, potentially leading to a divergence from the SPCK's broader agenda.
Conversion to Catholicism
Shifting Faith
Similar to his brother Aonghas Beag, Alasdair converted from Protestantism to Catholicism during this period. While the exact date is unknown, historian John Watts suggests this conversion, possibly kept secret initially to protect his employment, occurred by 1744, coinciding with growing suspicions about his religious sympathies.
Influences and Support
The influence of his devoutly Catholic sister-in-law, Margaret Cameron MacDonald, and Bishop Hugh MacDonald, the underground Catholic Vicar General, are considered significant factors in these conversions. The latter provided a more supportive environment for MacDonald's poetry and political views compared to his Protestant employers.
Theological Writings
Surviving documents, such as his report on the suspension of a Catholic colleague, "Reasons for Laying on and continuing Mr Francis McDonnells suspension...", indicate his engagement with religious and ecclesiastical matters, even as his employment with the SPCK became increasingly precarious.
Jacobite Officer & Poet
Rallying the Clans
MacDonald's powerful Jacobite poetry, including works like Òran Nuadh and Òran do'n Phrionnsa, articulated the cause and the promises of Prince Charles Edward Stuart. These verses, translated and read to the Prince, are credited with playing a significant role in persuading him to launch the 1745 Rising.
The 'Tyrtaeus of the Highland Army'
Upon the Prince's arrival in Scotland, MacDonald was among the first to greet him. He became a fervent supporter and recruiter for the Jacobite cause, earning the moniker "Tyrtaeus of the Highland Army" for his inspirational war poetry that resonated deeply within the Highland communities.
Literary Translations
His collection Ais-Eiridh na Sean Chànoin Albannaich included translations of poems by James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose, demonstrating a connection between the Jacobite cause of the 1740s and earlier Royalist sentiments from the English Civil War.
Aftermath of Culloden
Fugitive Existence
Following the decisive defeat at the Battle of Culloden, MacDonald and his family became fugitives. His home and that of his brother were plundered by Hanoverian forces, forcing them into hiding in the Highlands until the Act of Indemnity was passed.
Documenting the Uprising
During his period of hiding, MacDonald met with Bishop Robert Forbes, providing detailed accounts of the Jacobite Rising and its aftermath for Forbes's seminal work, The Lyon in Mourning. These testimonies offered crucial firsthand perspectives on the events and the subsequent repression.
Personal Hardship
Bishop Forbes documented the severe hardships faced by MacDonald's family, including the loss of all possessions and the difficult conditions endured while evading capture. His wife reportedly fell ill and gave birth to a daughter during their flight.
Ais-Eiridh na Sean Chànoin Albannaich
Resurrection of Language
Published in 1751, Ais-Eiridh na Sean Chànoin Albannaich (The Resurrection of the Old Scottish Language) was the second secular book in Scottish Gaelic. Its title poem is a powerful call for language revival, modeled after similar works celebrating Celtic scholarship.
Controversial Content
The collection contained biting satires against the ruling House of Hanover and the Whig party, alongside frank treatments of sexuality. This led to the public burning of all known copies by the executioner at Edinburgh's Mercat Cross, though twelve copies of the first edition survive.
Literary Merit
The collection is recognized for its literary innovation and its role in inspiring subsequent Gaelic poetry. Despite its controversial nature, the work is celebrated for its linguistic sophistication and its reflection of Highland sentiments during the Jacobite era.
Literary & Cultural Legacy
Enduring Influence
Alasdair mac Mhaighstir Alasdair is considered one of Scotland's national poets, often compared favorably to Robert Burns. His sophisticated use of language, engagement with classical and contemporary literature, and passionate expression of Highland identity set him apart.
Voice of the Gael
His poetry captured the spirit and struggles of the Gaelic people, particularly during the Jacobite period. Works like Birlinn Chlann Raghnaill are lauded for their vivid descriptions and dramatic power, remaining central to the Gaelic literary canon.
Modern Recognition
The first complete, uncensored collection of his poetry was published in 2020, and his work has been featured in contemporary media, such as the TV series Outlander. Despite his significant contributions, there remains a notable absence of a national monument dedicated to him in Scotland.
Later Life & Death
Final Residences
Following his eviction from Eigneig due to objections over his poetry, MacDonald resided in various locations, including Inverie in Knoydart and Morar. In Morar, he composed a poem praising Bishop Hugh MacDonald and the students at the Buorblach seminary, who were more accepting of his work.
The Galley of Clanranald
During the 1750s, he is believed to have composed Birlinn Chlann Raghnaill, a narrative poem detailing the challenging voyage of a Highland war galley. This work is considered a masterpiece of Gaelic literature, noted for its vivid imagery and fantastical elements.
Resting Place
Alasdair mac Mhaighstir Alasdair died in 1770 and was buried in the cemetery of Kilmorie, near the Catholic church in Arisaig. Although the precise location of his grave is unknown, a memorial plaque was erected in 1927 by admirers recognizing his stature as a Gaelic poet.
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References
References
- name="Campbell 1971 pp. 33">Campbell (1971), Highland Songs of the Forty-Five, pp. 33â34.
- John Lorne Campbell (1979), Highland Songs of the Forty-Five, p. 35, footnote No. 3.
- Edited by Eberhard Bort (2011), Tis Sixty Years Since: The 1951 Edinburgh People's Festival Ceilidh and the Scottish Folk Revival, page 206.
- Charles MacDonald (2011), Moidart: Among the Clanranalds, Birlinn Limited. p. 131.
- The Scottish Poetry Library interviews Alan Riach about Alasdair mac Mhaighstir Alasdair, June 2016.
- Charles MacDonald (2011), Moidart: Among the Clanranalds, Birlinn Unlisted. p. 117.
- Charles MacDonald (2011), Moidart: Among the Clanranalds, Birlinn Limited. pp. 132-133.
- It's time to embrace the legacy of this rebel poet, by Cailean Gallagher, The National, 11 June 2023.
- Dachaigh airson Stòras na Gà idhlig: Mu Chomh-chruinneachidh Orannaigh Gaidhealch
- John Watts (2004), Hugh MacDonald: Highlander, Jacobite, Bishop, John Donald Press. p. 102.
- John Watts (2004), Hugh MacDonald: Highlander, Jacobite, Bishop, John Donald Press. pp. 108, footnote 76, p. 229.
- Daniel Corkery (1926), The Hidden Ireland: A Study of Gaelic Munster in the Eighteenth Century, page 129.
- Michael Newton (2001), We're Indians Sure Enough: The Legacy of the Scottish Highlanders in the United States, Saorsa Media. Page 32-33.
- Rev. A. MacDonald (1924), The Poems of Alexander MacDonald (Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair) |location=Inverness, Northern Counties Newspaper and Print and Pub. Co. pages=258â261.
- The Scottish Poetry Library interviews Alan Riach, June 2016.
- Bilingual Inscription on Cairn taken 15 years ago, near to Coilleag, Eriskay an Easgann & na Brugannan, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scotland.
- Chì Mi / I See: Bà rdachd Dhòmhnaill Iain Dhonnchaidh / The Poetry of Donald John MacDonald, edited by Bill Innes. Acair, Stornoway, 2021. Pages 120â123.
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