Elissa Hunter-Dorans
Introduction
Elissa Hunter-Dorans is a writer and artist from the Highlands, writing in Gaelic and English. She was the Scottish Poetry Library’s first Next Generation Young Makar for Gaelic poetry, and she has performed at the Dandelion Festival, StAnza, and The Edinburgh Fringe.
Elissa was recently awarded the Julia Budenz Commemorative Prize for Gaelic poetry. She is president of Edinburgh University’s Folk and Traditional Music Society, where she is currently studying History of Art. She has collaborated with the Royal National Mòd and Fèisean nan Gàidheal, and has a fascination with religious and folk visual culture.
A’ Chathair Fhalamh (Extract)
B’ e Oidhche Challainn a bh’ ann ann an Inbhir Nis air an oidhche mu dheireadh de na Seachdadan. Bha an taigh-baile Bhictòrianach a’ cuisleachadh le rong - mar bhreacan fighte de dh’fhuaimean a bha dearg, is uaine, is òrdha. Fìdhlean a’ seinn a-mach an ruidhlichean-seanmhar, bòtannan a’ bualadh duslaich bhon làr fhiodha gus ruitheam a chumail, agus guthan mar cheò ann an sèist chlabarach. Ann am meadhan an tulgaidh shuidh cathair fhalamh. Bha i sàmhach agus gun ghluasad, fear-faire na h-oidhche ann am fiodha agus leathair. Cha robh duine deònach a làimhseachadh, no suidhe innte. B’ i mo sheanmhair a chuir ann i, mar a rinn i gach Oidhche Challainn. Fàgaidh sinn cathair dhan Eaglais Shaoir, thuirt i a h-uile bliadhna. Cha robh fios againn dè idir a bha i a’ ciallachadh, ach leig sinn leatha cumail oirre mar a thogradh i.
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Audio
Hold tight! Audio coming in June, in Taiwanese, Mandarin, English and Gaelic!
Preorder the paperback!
In June 2025, Tâigael: Stories from Taiwanese and Gaelic will be published in handsome paperback edition, as well as in EPUB. Four stories by four writers in four languages, with linked audio here on this website! Pre-order here!
