Geamannan Gàidhealach Loch Carrann

‘Bha Eneas Sage cha mhòr na fhamhair – bha e sia troighean dà òirleach a dh’àirde, le sùilean is falt dorcha agus le neart nas motha na an àbhaist.’

Tha Geamannan Gàidhealach Loch Carrann air a bhith nam pàirt riatanach den bhliadhna cho fad ’s a tha an làn air a bhith a’ dol agus a’ sruthadh. Ach tha tabhartas an Urramaich Eneas Sage do na geamannan, don bhaile agus don eaglais a’ sealltainn cho ceangailte agus cho amalaichte ’s a tha na geamannan air a bhith ri cultar a’ bhaile. B’ e duine mòr a bh’ ann, nach d’ fhuair fàilte chridheil – chaidh oidhirp a dhèanamh a thaigh a losgadh air a’ chiad oidhche aige sa bhaile – choisinn e cridheachan is inntinnean muinntir an àite le bhith a’ buannachadh nan geamannan lùth-chleasachd agus a’ cur an ‘Ruaraidh Mòr’ ainmeil air a dhruim.

Choisinn e cliù agus spèis a’ bhaile; an uairsin thòisich e air daoine a bhrosnachadh gus a dhol don eaglais. Bhiodh e fhèin agus Ruaraidh Mòr a’ tighinn còmhla ris na daoine air raon nan geamannan air an t-Sàbaid, a’ slaodadh dhaoine fa leth don eaglais, gan glasadh a-staigh agus an uairsin a’ tilleadh airson tuilleadh gus an robh a h-uile duine an làthair aig an t-seirbheis.

Tha geamannan lùth-chleasachd air a bhith cudromach ann a bhith a’ toirt coimhearsnachd Loch Carrann còmhla! Ach cha b’ ann gu 1884 a chaidh comataidh a chruthachadh gus spòrs lùth-chleasachd ionadail a dhèanamh foirmeil agus a chuir air dòigh le duaisean de £24. Air a chumail an toiseach ann am Pàirc Bhattary, bha a’ chiad bhliadhna na soirbheachas mòr le còrr air 100 neach a’ gabhail pàirt. Agus gidheadh - mar a dh’ fhaodadh tu a bhith an dùil - bha e a’ sileadh gun sgur fad an latha. Ach, cha do shoirbhich leis an aimsir ann a bhith a’ cur bacadh air spioradan agus bha na geamannan nan àite tàlaidh bho bhailtean leithid a’ Chomraich, Loch Aillse agus Cinn Tàile a bharrachd air nas fhaide air falbh. Gu dearbh, bha na geamannan na shoirbheachadh mòr, am farpais làidir, an sluagh air a chumail suas agus an àm ri teachd air a seuladh - rugadh na ‘geamannan càirdeil’ anns a h-uile càil ach an t-ainm.

’S ann dìreach anns an treas bliadhna aca a fhuair Geamannan Loch Carrann tlachd às a’ ghrèin: mheudaich an sluagh agus chuir iad na geamannan nan àite maireannach air mìosachan ionadail. Agus chaidh na geamannan bho neart gu neart.

A-nis air an cumail ann an Gàrraidhean Attadale, tha ‘Na Geamannan Càirdeil’ a’ leantainn air adhart a’ tàladh sluagh agus a’ fàs bho neart gu neart. Tha iad a’ leantainn air adhart a’ comharrachadh agus a’ toirt a’ choimhearsnachd còmhla ach cuideachd a’ cur fàilte chridheil air luchd-tadhail bho chian.

Agus an aimsir? Uill, tha i fhathast gar cur fo gheasaibh agus gar n-iongnadh!

Gàidhlig Translation: Kirsty Elder

Written by Lyndsey Arkley

Research: Alasdair McDonald

Our grateful thanks to Kirsty Elder, Gàidhlig Teacher at Lochcarron Primary School for the beautiful translation of this fabulous work by Lyndsay Arkley. The history of The Games and the traditions of the Highlands are so important and we are proud to support the local Gàidhlig class.

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The History of The Lochcarron Highland Games

‘Eneas Sage approached the gigantic – he was six feet two inches in height, with dark eyes and hair and with more than ordinary strength.’

Lochcarron games has been a staple part of the year for as long as the tide has ebbed and flowed. But Rev. Eneas Sage’s contribution to the games, village and church highlights how entwined and integrated the games have been to the village culture. A colossal man, who was not warmly welcomed – an attempt was made to burn his house on his first night in the village – won the hearts and minds of locals by winning the athletic games and laying the legendary ‘Big Rory’ on his back.

His fame established and the respect of the village won; he then went on to ‘persuade’ people to the church. Himself and Big Rory would join the people on the games field on the Sabbath, drag individuals to church, lock them in and then return for more until all were present at the service.

Athletic games have been a corner stone in bringing the Lochcarron community together! But it wasn’t until 1884 that a committee was formed to formalise and organise local athletic sport with a £24 prize fund. Originally held on the Battery ground, the first year was a great success with over 100 entries. And yet – nothing but consistent – it rained incessantly all day. The weather however was unsuccessful in dampening spirits and the games were a drawing point from villages such as Applecross, Lochalsh and Kintail as well as further afield. Needless to say, the games were a great success, the competition fierce, the crowds entertained and the future sealed – the ‘friendly games’ was born in all but name.

Only in its 3rd year did Lochcarron Games bask in sunshine: the crowds swelled and committed the games to a permanent fixture in the local calendar. And the games went from strength to strength.

Now held in the Attadale Gardens grounds, ‘The Friendly Games’ continues to draw crowds and grows from strength to strength. It continues to celebrate and bring together community but also warmly welcomes visitors from afar.

And the weather? Well it continues to mystify and surprise us!

Gàidhlig Translation: Kirsty Elder

Written by Lyndsey Arkley

Research: Alasdair McDonald