Last night I had the great pleasure to meet Coinneach Macleod, the Hebridean Baker (https://hebrideanbaker.com), at two events in Stewarton. Coinneach was invited to the town by local book store The Book Nook (www.booknookstewarton.co.uk) and local Gaelic learners group An Teaghlach (www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550570384292), and at 6.30, about a dozen learners in the town first met him within The Book Nook for an informal session. Upon arrival Coinneach immediately gave those attending a copy of the lyrics to a Gaelic puirt-a-beul (mouth tune) called Seònaid NicGumaraid (Janet Montgomery), which he then spen half an hour teaching us how to sing, which was an unexpected but fun experience!
At 7.00 we all relocated to the library, where Coinneach was then interviewed by Sarah, the owner of The Book Nook, where he shared many stories with us of his life and work on Lewis, as well as his current career. At one point he sang three puirt-a-beul, and the Gaelic group, seated at the rear, were suddenly invited to act as his backing singers for the first of the three, yup, Seònaid NicGumaraid!
There then followed a Q&A, which I managed to ask a couple of questions - the first to pass on my condolences for the loss of wee Seoras, his wee Highland Terrier who recently passed away, asking him to sahre stories about him, and the other to ask about the state of Gaelic today. I told him I had tried thirty years ago to learn the language for a few years, but had felt very unsupported, but that this time, having decided to die on a hill trying to get to fluency, I had found it a completely different experience - I asked him if he had noticed whether here was such a change in Gaelic's fortunes, to which he agreed, stating that he thought so too, there's never been a better time to have a go!
After an entertaining hour we were able to get copies of Coinneach's book signed and to get selfies etc. I managed to have a chat with him for a couple of minutes in Gaelic about Cape Breton, which he had mentioned during his talk, and a place I visited when working for STV in 1999. At one point my wife mentioned to him that I used to work for Rhoda MacDonald at the company (who used to present the Gaelic learners' series Speaking Our Language), to which he responded "I'm having dinner with her tomorrow evening in London!", which was completely unexpected, so I asked him to pass on my best to her. It's a small world...!
Coinneach's new book The Hebridean Baker at Home is predominantly a recipe book, but also contains many stories and anecdotes from his family, as well as the history of the island, covering everything from the Fairy Flag of the Macleods to the sinking of the Iolaire after the First World War. It's a great read, and a worthy addition to your library!
Mòran taing a Choinneach, bha e math tachairt riut! (Taing cuideachd do Julia Preston aig An Teaghlach, agus dhan Book Nook)
Chris
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