Grimsay Community Assoc hosts its latest poetry event

Grimsay has a well-documented maritime and crofting history, but it wants to know more about the people who have lived and worked here, and their connections to the landscape, the built environment and each other.

Assisted by Grimsay native, Pàdruig Morrison, the association has been working throughout lockdown and the summer months on new and exciting projects to explore the intangible heritage of Grimsay.

The island’s poetic heritage is not known as well as it might be, and it is worth reflecting on the poems written by Griomasaich, both in the traditional bàrd baile style, as well as more modern styles.

Màiri na Buaile might be the best known poet from Grimsay, winning the bardic crown at the Royal National Mòd in 1951, but poetry must have been anns na daoine (in the people) as there’s also poetry from the likes of Màiri NicDhòmhnaill, Pàdruig Moireasdan, Seonaidh MacAsgaill, Leacsaidh Stiùbhart and many others.

Over two evenings, Pàdruig Morrison will discuss all of these poets and look at some of their poetry, aiming to highlight the rich poetic output of even small communities, such as that of Grimsay, and to look at the imagery and commentary which can be found embodied in the poetry.

The Grimsay Poetry Symposium will take place via Zoom on Wednesday and Thursday, November 25 and 26. Both events will begin at 7.30pm and will be similar in content.

However, the first evening, Wednesday 25 will be in English, looking at the topic more generally. The second evening, on Thursday 26 will be in Gaelic and look at the poetry in much more depth.

There will be a small charge of £5 to attend this event (£6 if you want to attend both sessions) and you should book your place by contacting Grimsay Community Association on 01870 603359 or email them at: [email protected] and they’ll send you the Zoom meeting login details.

Grimsay Community Association (GCA) was formed in 1999 to provide a focus for this island community and a platform for growth.

Since then t has documented the unique Grimsay workboat rescuing it from oblivion, created an archive on its history, plus local fishing and family histories, as well as a book and a series of publicly held exhibitions.

Grimsay’s concerts of traditional Gaelic music and song are well-known across the Uists, and much further afield.

Grimsay Community Association also provides an ongoing forum for island concerns from water quality to rubbish collection and encouraged the development of major local projects including the Grimsay Boatshed Trust and Uist Wool.