John Macleod Memorial Festival 2025

Published: 17 Dec 2024

The late John Macleod and Donnchadh MacLeòid
The late John Macleod and Duncan MacLeod

​The John Macleod Memorial Festival will return early next year, with the annual Memorial Lecture taking place on Thursday 30th January, followed by a string of events over the weekend which will celebrate Gaelic language, community and culture in Edinburgh.

Duncan MacLeod will present the Memorial Lecture (in Gaelic, with simultaneous interpretation to English for those attending in person)- “Beachd a’ Chànanaiche: Dè tha crìonadh cànain ag innse dhuinn mun Gàidhlig? ¦ Thoughts of a Linguist- What does language decay tell us abut Gaelic?” at 7pm in the Project Room, Central Campus, The University of Edinburgh, EH8 9JU.

An Comunn Gàidhealach has been hosting this event in partnership with Edinburgh University since 2019, when the John Macleod Memorial Lecture took place for the first time.

Throughout his life, John Macleod was heavily involved in Gaelic development work in Edinburgh. He became President of An Comunn Gàidhealach in 2007 and continued in that role for 10 years. In 1996 he re-launched the Edinburgh branch of An Comunn Gàidhealach and in 2017 he was presented the “Sàr Ghàidheal” award from Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, for his work and dedication to the Gaelic language. Having also worked as a police man his whole working life, he spent his whole life in public service.

We plan to livestream the lecture on our Facebook page.

On Friday 31st January:

  1. Writing workshop, with Niall O’Gallagher, Gaelic Writer-in-residence, the University of Edinburgh
  2. Panel Discussion on the Scottish Languages Bill, with questions
  3. Famous Gaels of Edinburgh: Gaels and ‘friends of the Gaels’ who were buried in the Dean Cemetery
  4. Bothan Dhùn Èideann: Cèilidh at Scottish Storytelling Centre, 7:30pm. Tickets available here.

Saturday 1st February: Walking Tour, Dean Cemetery

Sunday 2nd February at 12:30: John MacLeod Memorial Service, Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh

These events are being arranged in collaboration with The University of Edinburgh and Bothan Dhùn Èidean.

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