Calum Ruadh Nicolson Collection
Dates
c. 1955-1993
Biographical history
The local poet, Calum Ruadh Nicolson, was born on 19 March 1902, in Gedintailor, Braes, Isle of Skye. He was renowned for his satirical songs and his laments, and it was from his mother and father that he inherited his poetic talent. His songs were published in An Gàidheal and Gairm, and a collection of his poetry was published by Gairm in 1974, entitled Bàrdachd Chaluim Ruaidh. He was recorded extensively in the 1960s by the Danish musicologist, Thorkild Knudsen, and some of these recordings were published by the School of Scottish Studies as an album and booklet entitled Calum Ruadh: Bard of Skye (Scottish Tradition 7). He lived in Camastianavaig where he was a crofter and salmon fisherman. He died in Broadford, 25 February 1978, aged 76.
Description
Three handwritten notebooks of Calum Ruadh’s memoirs; reel-to-reel audio tape recordings; photo album related to the 1967 recording on his work; Thorkild Knudsen’s published writings; letters; newspaper cuttings.
Library additions: various related extracts and publications.
Access
Open
Reproduction
Permission required
Language
Gaelic, English
Finding aids
- Contents list (varying levels of description)
- Draft of a transcription and translation of the bard’s memoirs
