Fiona] Ma tha duine agaibh eòlach air Dòmhnaill Iain MacIlleDhuinn agus gu bheil sibh air fhaicinn thairis air na mìosan a dh’fhalbh, tha deagh theans ann gun robh e feuchainn ri tiocaid raffle a reic ribh. Sin dìreach aon dhe na h-obraichean a tha air a bhith aige mar charaiche air a’ chomataidh a tha air a bhith ag ullachadh airson Mòd Ghlaschu.
[Fiona] Fàilte oirbh a Dhòmhnaill Iain. Ciamar a tha na mìosan air a bhith suas chun an seo?
[Dòmhnall Iain] Uill, tha iad air a bhith gu math trang, chanainn. Tha sinn air a bhith a’ feuchainn ri a h-uile rud a chur air dòigh is gun tig muinntir na Gàidhealtachd is muinntir na Ghalltachd gu Glaschu agus gum bi deagh ùine aca mar thig iad an seo.
[Fiona] Eil thu a’ smaoineachadh gu bheil eadar-dhealachadh ann nuair a tha Mòd ann am baile mòr mar ann an Glaschu, an taca ri baile beag?
[Dòmhnall Iain] Uill, tha tòrr a bharrachd riaghailtean ann am baile mòr seach na tha ann am baile beag! Agus mar sin, dhuinne, mar a’ chomataidh ionadail, tha tòrr a bharrachd obair agam... againn, tha mi a’ smaoineachadh, a thaobh sin. Ach chan eil mi ag ràdh g’ eil e nas fhurasta na baile beag nas motha. Tha e gu math duilich a bhith a’ cur air dòigh a’ Mhòid air sàilleibh ’s e rud mòr a th’ ann; tha na mìltean de dhaoine a’ tighinn agus feumaidh a h-uile rud a bhith ullaichte.
[Fiona] ’S e rud gu math prìseil a th’ ann cuideachd dha na daoine a bhios a’ dol chun a’ Mhòid, nach e. A bheil thu a’ faireachdainn nàdar de dh’uallach ort gum feum a bhith dìreach ceart dhan fheadhainn a’ dol ann is an fheadhainn a tha air a bhith a’ dol ann bho chionn ùine?
[Dòmhnall Iain] Uill tha, air sàilleibh ’s e rud prìseil a th’ ann, eh, agus ’s e rud prìseil tha mi a’ smaoineachadh dhan … dhan mhòr-shluaigh a th’ ann, eh, Mòd, agus gu bheil sin ga chumail mar bu chòir dha a bhith, agus a’ dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil e cho làidir, cho math ’s as urrainn dha a bhith. Tha sinn a’ feuchainn ri rudan ùr a thoirt a-staigh cuideachd, air sàilleibh ’s, eh, anns an t-saoghal anns a bheil sinn beò, feumaidh sinn cùisean a ghluasad air aghaidh, agus a tha sinn a’ feuchainn a dhèanamh cuideachd. Agus tha mi a’ smaoineachadh gu bheil sinn air, eh, measgachadh, deagh mheasgachadh fhaighinn eadar … eadar an dà rud, chanainn.
[Fiona] Is tha thu air a bhith an sàs anns na Mòdan airson iomadach bliadhna, ach tha thu air a bhith a’ seinn cuideachd agus a’ farpaiseach. Dè na h-eadar-dhealaichidhean a tha eadar a bhith an sàs anns an taobh seo dheth, no a bheil e nas duilghe? Dè as duilghe?
[Dòmhnall Iain] Uill, chan eil e furasta a bhith nad fharpaiseach, agus tha mi a’ smaointinn... tha thu a’ dèanamh tòrr ullachadh airson a’ Mhòid agus tha mi a’ smaoineachadh gun... sin an rud nach eil daoine a’ faicinn, gu bheil daoine a tha a’ dol a-staigh, can, airson na buidhinn agus airson na farpaisean mòra a mar sin; tha iad ag ullachadh fad bhliadhna. Is mar sin ’s e rud mòr a th’ ann, eh, a bhith ag ullachadh airson a’ Mòid. Ach a bhith ga ullachadh airson, Mòd a‘ tighinn dhan bhaile, ’s e obair mhòr mhòr mhòr a th’ ann.
[Fiona] ’S e. ’S e.
[Dòmhnall Iain] ’S e obair mhòr a th’ ann. Agus chan eil mi a’ dol a ràdh ri duine sam bith nach e obair mhòr a th’ ann. Tha sinn an dèidh a bhith ag obair air a seo bhon a fhuair sinn a-mach gun robh sinn a’ faighinn a’ Mhòid bho chionn ceithir bliadhna air ais, agus a-nist tha e a’ ciallachadh e gum feum a h-uile rud a bhith ceart.
[Fiona] Uill, tha tuilleadh uallach oirbh a-nochd…
[Dòmhnall Iain] Tha fhios a’m!
[Fiona] …gu mi fhortanach leis na cairtean a tha seo mu mo choinneimh. Tha mi a’ toirt dhut dà thaghadh, agus ma thaghas tu feadhainn dhe na cairtean faighnichidh mi ceist air a’ chairt a tha sin. Dà rud air a bheil thu gu math eòlach air seo: “rèidio” no “TBh”.
[Dòmhnall Iain] Dè thèid sinn air a shon? An tèid sinn airson… rèidio.
[Fiona] Nuair a tha rèidio agad air, dè bhios tu a’ dèanamh ma chluinneas tu fèin air an rèidio? Am biodh tu ga chur suas no ga chur dheth?
[Dòmhnall Iain] Bidh mi ag èisteachd ris is bidh mi ag ràdh rium fhìn “carson a rinn thu siud?”
[Fiona] Aww! Is cinnteach nach eil sinn fìor, is tu air a bhith a’ dèanamh cho math ris an t-seinn.
[Dòmhnall Iain] Uill tha thu daonnan… tha thu daonnan a’ coimhead ort fhèin, tha mi cinnteach gum bidh thu fhèin a’ dèanamh a’ cheart rud ma tha thu a’ coimhead air prògraman ag ràdh “ò carson a dh’fhaighnich mi a’ cheist a bha sin”, no “carson nach do rinn mi siud?”. Ach, ag ràdh sin, aig amannan, ’s dòcha gum bi mi ga chur dheth aig amannan, is s’ dòcha gun can mi “ò uill, bha siud alright”.
[Fiona] Tha cuimhne a’m aon turas anns a’ chàr is an rèidio agam air agus chuala mi an t-òran a tha seo le còmhlan, agus bha mi a’ smaoineachadh “ò ’s caomh leam an t-òran sin. Cò a th’ ann a-rithist?” - còmhlan anns an robh mi fhìn an sàs! Cha robh càil a chuimhne agam air an òran.
[Fiona] Dè a-nis nuair a tha thu ag èisteachd ri rèidio, dè seòrsa rudan as caomh leat a bhith ag èisteachd ris, no dè seòrsa ciùil a tha a’ còrdadh riut?
[Dòmhnall Iain] ’S toigh leamsa rud... rud le ceòl. Tha e prionnsabalach dhòmhsa gu bheil ceòl ann, agus gu bheil fonn ann, agus gun urrainn dhut am fonn a tha sin a leantail mar gum biodh. Chan eil mi builleach cho... cho toilichte a bhith ag èisteachd ri rudan far a bheil thu ag ràdh riut fhèin “ca‘ bheil siud a’ dol? Carson a tha iad ga dhèanamh?”. So, bidh mi ag èisteachd ri ceòl… ceòl as toigh leam, ceòl a tha a’ toirt orm smaoineachadh, no rudeigin mar sin.
[Fiona] Glè mhath. Nise, a’ dol a ghluasad gu “uisge” no “grian”?
[Dòmhnall Iain] Eh... uisge.
[Fiona] Uisge. An do dh'adhbhraich e trioblaidean sam bith dhut a bhith a’ fuireach air eilean?
[Dòmhnall Iain] Uill an aon trioblaid a dh’adhbhraich e nach urrainn dhomh snàmh, no chan eil mi math air snàmh.
[Fiona] Ò! Trioblaid mhòr a tha sin! Uill dh’fhaodadh e a bhith.
[Dòmhnall Iain] Uill, air sàilleibh ’s mar a bha sinne òg chaidh e a ràdh rinn “feuch nach tèid sibh faisg air an uisge air sàilleibh ’s tha e cunnartach”. Agus, leis a sin, cha do dh’ionnsaich mise snàmh gus an tàinig mi gu tìr-mòr, agus fiù ’s chan eil mi cho math sin air.
[Fiona] Tha mi a’ smaoineachadh gun robh tòrr dhen a sin ann …
[Dòmhnall Iain] tha mi mar ròn mòr anns an uisge.
[Fiona] … ann an daoine, nach robh, nach … nach deidheadh iad faisg air an uisge is cus eagal orra.
[Dòmhnall Iain] Uill tha an t-eagal ormsa cuideachd, air sàilleibh bidh sinn air làithean saora is bidh a’ chlann ag ràdh “leum a-staigh dhan, dhan … dhan phool” agus cha leum! Tha an t-eagal orm!
[Fiona] Cà ’eil na armbands?! Agus a tha fios a’m tha tòrr dhaoine deidheil air surfing no bidh tòrr dhaoine a’dol a Thiriodh airson surfing. An do dh’fheuch thu fhèin e a-riamh?
[Dòmhnall Iain] Cha do dh’fheuch. Cha do dh’fheuch riamh. Air sàilleibh ’s thòisich surfadh dìreach mar a dh’fhàg mise an t-eilean, agus mar sin cha d’ fhuair mise an cothrom. ’S e sin an rud a bhios mi ag ràdh cò dhiù.
[Fiona] Agus an deigheadh tu air ais, eil thu a’ smaoineachadh, a bhith…
[Dòmhnall Iain] A dh’fhuireach?
[Fiona] Uh-huh.
[Dòmhnall Iain] Ehhh… cha rachainn. Cha rachainn. Rachainn air ais ’s dòcha airson trì mìosan, no ceithir mìosan, no sia mìosan, ach tha daoine an còmhnaidh a’ smaoineachadh “ò nach biodh e math, nach biodh e brèagha nan rachainn dhachaigh no… no gum bithinn a’ fuireach”. Tha geamhradh gu math fada, anns na h-eileanan…
[Fiona] Tha gu dearbha.
[Dòmhnall Iain] Agus chan eil daoine a’ tuigsinn sin. Nam bheachd-sa.
[Fiona] Uill cha ghluais sinn às a-riamh, tha mi a’ smaoineachadh. Tha mise… tha mise… gu math toilichte nam eileanach, feumaidh mi a ràdh.
[Dòmhnall Iain] A bheil thu a’ smaoineachadh?
[Fiona] Tha! Tha mi a’ smaoineachadh gu bheil.
[Dòmhnall Iain] Tha mise a’ smaoin… tha! Ghluaisidh tu aig àm air choireigin.
[Fiona] “Bogsa” no “Gun Bhogsa”?
[Dòmhnall Iain] Gun bhogsa.
[Fiona] Gun bhogsa. Dè an còmhlan-ciùil a tha thu a’ smaoineachadh a gheibheadh buannachd bho bhogsa a bhith aca? Lewis Capaldi does Cèilidh, ’s dòcha?
[Dòmhnall Iain] Eh… tha mi a’ smaoineachadh gun dèanadh e e.
[Fiona] Uh-huh?
[Dòmhnall Iain] Tha mi a’ smaoineachadh gun dèanadh e e, air sàilleibh ’s tha mi a’ smaoineachadh gu bheil e èasgaidh gu leòr, agus gum biodh e… gum feuchadh e rudeigin mar sin. Air sàilleabh ’s bha mise a’ smaoineachadh dè mu dheidhinn nan tigeadh Lewis Capaldi chun a’ Mhòid?
[Fiona] Agus dè mu dheidhinn, tha do bhràthair a’ cluiche ann an còmhlan nach eil?
[Dòmhnall Iain] Tha.
[Fiona] A bheil thu fhèin a’ cluiche ionnsramaidean?
[Dòmhnall Iain] Uill, ’s e rud a th’ ann, bha bogsa aigesan, agus chan fhaigheadh duine sam bith eil faisg air.
[Fiona] Ò.
[Dòmhnall Iain] Agus bha seann phiàna againn aig an taigh, ach cha b’ urrainn dhut… chan fhaigheadh tu [? ach] brag aiste air sàilleibh ’s bha e cho uabhasach air... ann an gleus… taobh… a’ dol a-mach à gleus. Agus cha d’ fhuair mise cothrom ionnsramaid mar sin ionnsachadh.
[Fiona] Nam biodh tu a’ dol a thagh ionnsramaid, dè an fhear a thaghadh tu airson…
[Dòmhnall Iain] Am piàna. Am piàna. Agus sin an rud tha mi a’ dol a dhèanamh mar a dh’fhàgas mi m’ obair tha mi a’ dol a dh’ionnsachadh a’ phiàna a chluich. Tha mi a’ dol a dhol chun, gu aon dhe na àiteannan residential a tha sin, agus tha mi a’ dol a chur seachad sia mìosan ag ionnsachadh a’ phiàna.
[Fiona] ’S dòcha gur e sin an ath-rud ma-thà — co-fharpais anns a’ Mhòd airson piàna. Tha sin …
[Dòmhnall Iain] Uil tha farpais ann airson piàna …
[Fiona] Ò a bheil? Airson … ?
[Dòmhnall Iain] Chan eil e airson inbhiche.
[Fiona] Ah.
[Dòmhnall Iain] Agus chanainn, cha phasaiginn airson cuideigin a tha sia bliadhna deug. Dè do bheachd?
[Fiona] Ò chan eil fhios a’m, chan eil fhios a’m. Tha thu gu math cruaidh ort fhèin. Uill tha mi ’n dòchas gun tèid a h-uile gu math leibhse, mìle taing airson tighinn a chèilidh oirnne.
[Dòmhnall Iain] Tapadh leibh son m‘fhaighneachd.
Chaidh am prògram seo, Nochd, a chraoladh an toiseach ann an 2019. Taing do Bees Nees
[Fiona] If any of you are familiar with Donald Iain Brown and you’ve seen in recent months, there’s a good chance he was tying to sell you a raffle ticket. That’s just one of the jobs he’s had as chair of the committee that has been preparing for Mòd Glasgow.
[Fiona] Welcome Donald Iain. What have the months been like up until now?
[Donald Iain] Well, they’ve been pretty busy, I’d say. We have been trying to put everything in order so that Highland folk and Lowland folk can come to Glasgow and that they have a good time when they come here.
[Fiona] Do you think there’s a difference when the Mòd is in a city like Glasgow in comparison to a small town?
[Donald Iain] Well, there are a lot more rules a lot more rules in a big city as opposed to a small town! And so, for me, as the local committee, I’ve got… we’ve got much more work I think, in terms of that. But I’m not saying it’s any easier in a small town either. It’s quite difficult to arrange the Mòd because it’s a big thing; thousands of people come and everything needs to be prepared.
[Fiona] It’s a very precious thing too for the people who come to the Mòd, isn’t it. Do you feel a sort of responsibility that everything has to be just right for those that are going and those that have been going for some time?
[Donald Iain] Well yes, because it’s a precious thing, eh, and it’s a precious thing I think for… for the majority, the Mòd, and that we keep it as it should be, and make sure that it’s as strong, as good as it can be. It is… we’re trying to bring new things in too, because, eh, in today’s world, we need to keep things moving forward. And I think we’ve got, eh, a mix, a good mix between… between both things, I’d say.
[Fiona] And you’ve been involved in the Mòd[s] for many years, but you’ve been singing too and competing. What are the differences between being involved in that side of it, or is it more difficult? Which is most difficult?
[Donald Iain] Well, it’s not easy to be a a competitor, and I think… you do a lot of preparation for the Mòd and I think that… that’s the thing people don’t see, that people going in, say, for (? the groups) and those big competitions; they prepare for a whole year. And so it’s a big thing, eh, to prepare for the Mòd. But to prepare for, eh, Mòd coming to town, it’s a big, big, big job..
[Fiona] It is. It is.
[Donald Iain] It is a big job. And I’m not going to say to anyone that it isn’t a big job. We’ve been working on this since we found out we were getting the Mòd four years ago, and now it means that that everything needs to be right.
[Fiona] Well you have another responsibility tonight…
[Donald Iain] I know!
[Fiona] ...unfortunately with these cards I have in front of me. I’m giving you two choices, and if you choose a few of the cards I’ll ask you a question from that card. Two things you’re quite familiar with here: “radio” or “TV”?
[Donald Iain] What will we go for? Let’s go for… radio.
[Fiona] When you have the radio on, what do you do when you hear yourself on the radio? Would you it up or turn it off?
[Donald Iain] Eh… I’ll listen to it and I’ll say to myself “why did you do that?!”
[Fiona] Aww! Surely that’s not true, what with you doing so well at the singing.
[Donald Iain] Well you always… you always look at yourself, I’m certain you do the same thing if you’re watching a programme saying “oh why did I ask that question?” or “why didn’t I do that?”. But, saying that, at times, maybe putting it off at times, maybe I’ll say “oh well, that was alright”.
[Fiona] I remember one time in the car the radio was on and I heard this song, and I thought “oh I like that song. Who’s that again?” — a band I was involved in myself! I didn’t have any memory of the song!
[Fiona] What about when you’re listening to the radio, what sort of things to you like to listen to, what sort of music do you like?
[Donald Iain] I like something… something with music. It’s important for me that there’s music, and that there’s a tune, and that you can follow that tune as it were. I’m not really so… so happy listening to things where you say to yourself “Where is this going? Why are they doing it?”. So I listen to music... music that I like, music that makes me think, or something like that.
[Fiona] Very good. Now, going to move to “water” or “sun”?
[Donald Iain] Eh… water.
[Fiona] Water. Did it ever cause you any problems living on an island?
[Donald Iain] Well the one problem it caused was that I can’t swim, or I’m not good at swimming.
[Fiona] Oh! That’s a big problem! Well it might be.
[Donald Iain] Well, because when we were young we were told “don’t go near the water the water because it’s dangerous”. And, because of that, I never learned to swim until I came to the mainland, and even then I’m not that good at it.
[Fiona] I think there’s a lot of that…
[Donald Iain] I’m like a big seal in the water.
[Fiona] …in people, that didn’t, that… that they wouldn’t go near the water because they were too afraid.
[Donald Iain] Well I’m frightened too, because we’ll be on holiday and the children will say “jump in to the pool” and I won’t! I’m afraid!
[Fiona] Where are the armbands?! And I know there are a lot of people keen on surfing or a lot of people go to Tiree for surfing. Have you ever tried it?
[Donald Iain] I haven’t. I haven’t ever. Because surfing started just as I left the island, and so I didn’t get the chance. That’s what I say anyhow.
[Fiona] And would you go back, do you think, to…
[Donald Iain] To stay?
[Fiona] Uh-huh.
[Donald Iain] Ehhh… I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t. I would go back maybe for three months, or four months, or six months, but people always think “oh wouldn’t it be lovely if we went home or … or if we stayed”. Winter is very long, on the islands…
[Fiona] Yes, indeed.
[Donald Iain] And people don’t understand that. In my opinion.
[Fiona] Well we won’t ever move, I think. I’m… I’m… quite happy as an islander, I must say.
[Donald Iain] Do you think?
[Fiona] Yes! I think so.
[Donald Iain] I think… yes! You’ll move at some time or another.
[Fiona] “Box” or “no box”?
[Donald Iain] No box.
[Fiona] No box. Which band do you think would benefit from having an accordion? Lewis Capaldi does ceilidh, perhaps?
[Donald Iain] Eh… I think he would do it.
[Fiona] Uh-huh?
[Donald Iain] I think he would do it, because I think that he’s willing enough, and he would… that he would try something like that. Because I was thinking “what about if Lewis Capaldi came to the Mòd?”. [better tx?]
[Fiona] And what about, your brother plays in a band doesn’t he?
[Donald Iain] Yes.
[Fiona] Do you play any instruments yourself?
[Donald Iain] Well, the thing is, he had an accordion, but nobody else could get near it.
[Fiona] Oh.
[Donald Iain] And we had an old piano at home, but you couldn’t… you wouldn’t get a pop out of it because of how terribly in tune it was… going out of tune. And I didn’t get the chance to learn an instrument like that.
[Fiona] If you were going to choose an instrument, which would you pick for…
[Donald Iain] The piano. The piano. And that’s the thing I’m going to do when I retire I’m going to learn to play the piano. I’m going to go to one of those residential places, and I’m going to spend six months learning the piano.
[Fiona] Maybe that’s the next thing then — a competition at the Mòd for piano.
That is…
[Donald Iain] Well there is a competition for the piano…
[Fiona] Oh is there? For…?
[Donald Iain] It’s not for adults.
[Fiona] Ah.
[Donald Iain] And I’d say, I wouldn’t pass for someone who’s sixteen. What do you think?
[Fiona] Oh I don’t know, I don’t know. You’re pretty hard on yourself. Well I hope everything goes well for you, many thanks for coming to visit us.
[Donald Iain] Thank you for asking me.
This programme, Nochd, was first broadcast in 2019.
Fiona] Ma tha duine agaibh eòlach air Dòmhnaill Iain MacIlleDhuinn agus gu bheil sibh air fhaicinn thairis air na mìosan a dh’fhalbh, tha deagh theans ann gun robh e feuchainn ri tiocaid raffle a reic ribh. Sin dìreach aon dhe na h-obraichean a tha air a bhith aige mar charaiche air a’ chomataidh a tha air a bhith ag ullachadh airson Mòd Ghlaschu.
[Fiona] Fàilte oirbh a Dhòmhnaill Iain. Ciamar a tha na mìosan air a bhith suas chun an seo?
[Dòmhnall Iain] Uill, tha iad air a bhith gu math trang, chanainn. Tha sinn air a bhith a’ feuchainn ri a h-uile rud a chur air dòigh is gun tig muinntir na Gàidhealtachd is muinntir na Ghalltachd gu Glaschu agus gum bi deagh ùine aca mar thig iad an seo.
[Fiona] Eil thu a’ smaoineachadh gu bheil eadar-dhealachadh ann nuair a tha Mòd ann am baile mòr mar ann an Glaschu, an taca ri baile beag?
[Dòmhnall Iain] Uill, tha tòrr a bharrachd riaghailtean ann am baile mòr seach na tha ann am baile beag! Agus mar sin, dhuinne, mar a’ chomataidh ionadail, tha tòrr a bharrachd obair agam... againn, tha mi a’ smaoineachadh, a thaobh sin. Ach chan eil mi ag ràdh g’ eil e nas fhurasta na baile beag nas motha. Tha e gu math duilich a bhith a’ cur air dòigh a’ Mhòid air sàilleibh ’s e rud mòr a th’ ann; tha na mìltean de dhaoine a’ tighinn agus feumaidh a h-uile rud a bhith ullaichte.
[Fiona] ’S e rud gu math prìseil a th’ ann cuideachd dha na daoine a bhios a’ dol chun a’ Mhòid, nach e. A bheil thu a’ faireachdainn nàdar de dh’uallach ort gum feum a bhith dìreach ceart dhan fheadhainn a’ dol ann is an fheadhainn a tha air a bhith a’ dol ann bho chionn ùine?
[Dòmhnall Iain] Uill tha, air sàilleibh ’s e rud prìseil a th’ ann, eh, agus ’s e rud prìseil tha mi a’ smaoineachadh dhan … dhan mhòr-shluaigh a th’ ann, eh, Mòd, agus gu bheil sin ga chumail mar bu chòir dha a bhith, agus a’ dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil e cho làidir, cho math ’s as urrainn dha a bhith. Tha sinn a’ feuchainn ri rudan ùr a thoirt a-staigh cuideachd, air sàilleibh ’s, eh, anns an t-saoghal anns a bheil sinn beò, feumaidh sinn cùisean a ghluasad air aghaidh, agus a tha sinn a’ feuchainn a dhèanamh cuideachd. Agus tha mi a’ smaoineachadh gu bheil sinn air, eh, measgachadh, deagh mheasgachadh fhaighinn eadar … eadar an dà rud, chanainn.
[Fiona] Is tha thu air a bhith an sàs anns na Mòdan airson iomadach bliadhna, ach tha thu air a bhith a’ seinn cuideachd agus a’ farpaiseach. Dè na h-eadar-dhealaichidhean a tha eadar a bhith an sàs anns an taobh seo dheth, no a bheil e nas duilghe? Dè as duilghe?
[Dòmhnall Iain] Uill, chan eil e furasta a bhith nad fharpaiseach, agus tha mi a’ smaointinn... tha thu a’ dèanamh tòrr ullachadh airson a’ Mhòid agus tha mi a’ smaoineachadh gun... sin an rud nach eil daoine a’ faicinn, gu bheil daoine a tha a’ dol a-staigh, can, airson na buidhinn agus airson na farpaisean mòra a mar sin; tha iad ag ullachadh fad bhliadhna. Is mar sin ’s e rud mòr a th’ ann, eh, a bhith ag ullachadh airson a’ Mòid. Ach a bhith ga ullachadh airson, Mòd a‘ tighinn dhan bhaile, ’s e obair mhòr mhòr mhòr a th’ ann.
[Fiona] ’S e. ’S e.
[Dòmhnall Iain] ’S e obair mhòr a th’ ann. Agus chan eil mi a’ dol a ràdh ri duine sam bith nach e obair mhòr a th’ ann. Tha sinn an dèidh a bhith ag obair air a seo bhon a fhuair sinn a-mach gun robh sinn a’ faighinn a’ Mhòid bho chionn ceithir bliadhna air ais, agus a-nist tha e a’ ciallachadh e gum feum a h-uile rud a bhith ceart.
[Fiona] Uill, tha tuilleadh uallach oirbh a-nochd…
[Dòmhnall Iain] Tha fhios a’m!
[Fiona] …gu mi fhortanach leis na cairtean a tha seo mu mo choinneimh. Tha mi a’ toirt dhut dà thaghadh, agus ma thaghas tu feadhainn dhe na cairtean faighnichidh mi ceist air a’ chairt a tha sin. Dà rud air a bheil thu gu math eòlach air seo: “rèidio” no “TBh”.
[Dòmhnall Iain] Dè thèid sinn air a shon? An tèid sinn airson… rèidio.
[Fiona] Nuair a tha rèidio agad air, dè bhios tu a’ dèanamh ma chluinneas tu fèin air an rèidio? Am biodh tu ga chur suas no ga chur dheth?
[Dòmhnall Iain] Bidh mi ag èisteachd ris is bidh mi ag ràdh rium fhìn “carson a rinn thu siud?”
[Fiona] Aww! Is cinnteach nach eil sinn fìor, is tu air a bhith a’ dèanamh cho math ris an t-seinn.
[Dòmhnall Iain] Uill tha thu daonnan… tha thu daonnan a’ coimhead ort fhèin, tha mi cinnteach gum bidh thu fhèin a’ dèanamh a’ cheart rud ma tha thu a’ coimhead air prògraman ag ràdh “ò carson a dh’fhaighnich mi a’ cheist a bha sin”, no “carson nach do rinn mi siud?”. Ach, ag ràdh sin, aig amannan, ’s dòcha gum bi mi ga chur dheth aig amannan, is s’ dòcha gun can mi “ò uill, bha siud alright”.
[Fiona] Tha cuimhne a’m aon turas anns a’ chàr is an rèidio agam air agus chuala mi an t-òran a tha seo le còmhlan, agus bha mi a’ smaoineachadh “ò ’s caomh leam an t-òran sin. Cò a th’ ann a-rithist?” - còmhlan anns an robh mi fhìn an sàs! Cha robh càil a chuimhne agam air an òran.
[Fiona] Dè a-nis nuair a tha thu ag èisteachd ri rèidio, dè seòrsa rudan as caomh leat a bhith ag èisteachd ris, no dè seòrsa ciùil a tha a’ còrdadh riut?
[Dòmhnall Iain] ’S toigh leamsa rud... rud le ceòl. Tha e prionnsabalach dhòmhsa gu bheil ceòl ann, agus gu bheil fonn ann, agus gun urrainn dhut am fonn a tha sin a leantail mar gum biodh. Chan eil mi builleach cho... cho toilichte a bhith ag èisteachd ri rudan far a bheil thu ag ràdh riut fhèin “ca‘ bheil siud a’ dol? Carson a tha iad ga dhèanamh?”. So, bidh mi ag èisteachd ri ceòl… ceòl as toigh leam, ceòl a tha a’ toirt orm smaoineachadh, no rudeigin mar sin.
[Fiona] Glè mhath. Nise, a’ dol a ghluasad gu “uisge” no “grian”?
[Dòmhnall Iain] Eh... uisge.
[Fiona] Uisge. An do dh'adhbhraich e trioblaidean sam bith dhut a bhith a’ fuireach air eilean?
[Dòmhnall Iain] Uill an aon trioblaid a dh’adhbhraich e nach urrainn dhomh snàmh, no chan eil mi math air snàmh.
[Fiona] Ò! Trioblaid mhòr a tha sin! Uill dh’fhaodadh e a bhith.
[Dòmhnall Iain] Uill, air sàilleibh ’s mar a bha sinne òg chaidh e a ràdh rinn “feuch nach tèid sibh faisg air an uisge air sàilleibh ’s tha e cunnartach”. Agus, leis a sin, cha do dh’ionnsaich mise snàmh gus an tàinig mi gu tìr-mòr, agus fiù ’s chan eil mi cho math sin air.
[Fiona] Tha mi a’ smaoineachadh gun robh tòrr dhen a sin ann …
[Dòmhnall Iain] tha mi mar ròn mòr anns an uisge.
[Fiona] … ann an daoine, nach robh, nach … nach deidheadh iad faisg air an uisge is cus eagal orra.
[Dòmhnall Iain] Uill tha an t-eagal ormsa cuideachd, air sàilleibh bidh sinn air làithean saora is bidh a’ chlann ag ràdh “leum a-staigh dhan, dhan … dhan phool” agus cha leum! Tha an t-eagal orm!
[Fiona] Cà ’eil na armbands?! Agus a tha fios a’m tha tòrr dhaoine deidheil air surfing no bidh tòrr dhaoine a’dol a Thiriodh airson surfing. An do dh’fheuch thu fhèin e a-riamh?
[Dòmhnall Iain] Cha do dh’fheuch. Cha do dh’fheuch riamh. Air sàilleibh ’s thòisich surfadh dìreach mar a dh’fhàg mise an t-eilean, agus mar sin cha d’ fhuair mise an cothrom. ’S e sin an rud a bhios mi ag ràdh cò dhiù.
[Fiona] Agus an deigheadh tu air ais, eil thu a’ smaoineachadh, a bhith…
[Dòmhnall Iain] A dh’fhuireach?
[Fiona] Uh-huh.
[Dòmhnall Iain] Ehhh… cha rachainn. Cha rachainn. Rachainn air ais ’s dòcha airson trì mìosan, no ceithir mìosan, no sia mìosan, ach tha daoine an còmhnaidh a’ smaoineachadh “ò nach biodh e math, nach biodh e brèagha nan rachainn dhachaigh no… no gum bithinn a’ fuireach”. Tha geamhradh gu math fada, anns na h-eileanan…
[Fiona] Tha gu dearbha.
[Dòmhnall Iain] Agus chan eil daoine a’ tuigsinn sin. Nam bheachd-sa.
[Fiona] Uill cha ghluais sinn às a-riamh, tha mi a’ smaoineachadh. Tha mise… tha mise… gu math toilichte nam eileanach, feumaidh mi a ràdh.
[Dòmhnall Iain] A bheil thu a’ smaoineachadh?
[Fiona] Tha! Tha mi a’ smaoineachadh gu bheil.
[Dòmhnall Iain] Tha mise a’ smaoin… tha! Ghluaisidh tu aig àm air choireigin.
[Fiona] “Bogsa” no “Gun Bhogsa”?
[Dòmhnall Iain] Gun bhogsa.
[Fiona] Gun bhogsa. Dè an còmhlan-ciùil a tha thu a’ smaoineachadh a gheibheadh buannachd bho bhogsa a bhith aca? Lewis Capaldi does Cèilidh, ’s dòcha?
[Dòmhnall Iain] Eh… tha mi a’ smaoineachadh gun dèanadh e e.
[Fiona] Uh-huh?
[Dòmhnall Iain] Tha mi a’ smaoineachadh gun dèanadh e e, air sàilleibh ’s tha mi a’ smaoineachadh gu bheil e èasgaidh gu leòr, agus gum biodh e… gum feuchadh e rudeigin mar sin. Air sàilleabh ’s bha mise a’ smaoineachadh dè mu dheidhinn nan tigeadh Lewis Capaldi chun a’ Mhòid?
[Fiona] Agus dè mu dheidhinn, tha do bhràthair a’ cluiche ann an còmhlan nach eil?
[Dòmhnall Iain] Tha.
[Fiona] A bheil thu fhèin a’ cluiche ionnsramaidean?
[Dòmhnall Iain] Uill, ’s e rud a th’ ann, bha bogsa aigesan, agus chan fhaigheadh duine sam bith eil faisg air.
[Fiona] Ò.
[Dòmhnall Iain] Agus bha seann phiàna againn aig an taigh, ach cha b’ urrainn dhut… chan fhaigheadh tu [? ach] brag aiste air sàilleibh ’s bha e cho uabhasach air... ann an gleus… taobh… a’ dol a-mach à gleus. Agus cha d’ fhuair mise cothrom ionnsramaid mar sin ionnsachadh.
[Fiona] Nam biodh tu a’ dol a thagh ionnsramaid, dè an fhear a thaghadh tu airson…
[Dòmhnall Iain] Am piàna. Am piàna. Agus sin an rud tha mi a’ dol a dhèanamh mar a dh’fhàgas mi m’ obair tha mi a’ dol a dh’ionnsachadh a’ phiàna a chluich. Tha mi a’ dol a dhol chun, gu aon dhe na àiteannan residential a tha sin, agus tha mi a’ dol a chur seachad sia mìosan ag ionnsachadh a’ phiàna.
[Fiona] ’S dòcha gur e sin an ath-rud ma-thà — co-fharpais anns a’ Mhòd airson piàna. Tha sin …
[Dòmhnall Iain] Uil tha farpais ann airson piàna …
[Fiona] Ò a bheil? Airson … ?
[Dòmhnall Iain] Chan eil e airson inbhiche.
[Fiona] Ah.
[Dòmhnall Iain] Agus chanainn, cha phasaiginn airson cuideigin a tha sia bliadhna deug. Dè do bheachd?
[Fiona] Ò chan eil fhios a’m, chan eil fhios a’m. Tha thu gu math cruaidh ort fhèin. Uill tha mi ’n dòchas gun tèid a h-uile gu math leibhse, mìle taing airson tighinn a chèilidh oirnne.
[Dòmhnall Iain] Tapadh leibh son m‘fhaighneachd.
Chaidh am prògram seo, Nochd, a chraoladh an toiseach ann an 2019. Taing do Bees Nees
[Fiona] If any of you are familiar with Donald Iain Brown and you’ve seen in recent months, there’s a good chance he was tying to sell you a raffle ticket. That’s just one of the jobs he’s had as chair of the committee that has been preparing for Mòd Glasgow.
[Fiona] Welcome Donald Iain. What have the months been like up until now?
[Donald Iain] Well, they’ve been pretty busy, I’d say. We have been trying to put everything in order so that Highland folk and Lowland folk can come to Glasgow and that they have a good time when they come here.
[Fiona] Do you think there’s a difference when the Mòd is in a city like Glasgow in comparison to a small town?
[Donald Iain] Well, there are a lot more rules a lot more rules in a big city as opposed to a small town! And so, for me, as the local committee, I’ve got… we’ve got much more work I think, in terms of that. But I’m not saying it’s any easier in a small town either. It’s quite difficult to arrange the Mòd because it’s a big thing; thousands of people come and everything needs to be prepared.
[Fiona] It’s a very precious thing too for the people who come to the Mòd, isn’t it. Do you feel a sort of responsibility that everything has to be just right for those that are going and those that have been going for some time?
[Donald Iain] Well yes, because it’s a precious thing, eh, and it’s a precious thing I think for… for the majority, the Mòd, and that we keep it as it should be, and make sure that it’s as strong, as good as it can be. It is… we’re trying to bring new things in too, because, eh, in today’s world, we need to keep things moving forward. And I think we’ve got, eh, a mix, a good mix between… between both things, I’d say.
[Fiona] And you’ve been involved in the Mòd[s] for many years, but you’ve been singing too and competing. What are the differences between being involved in that side of it, or is it more difficult? Which is most difficult?
[Donald Iain] Well, it’s not easy to be a a competitor, and I think… you do a lot of preparation for the Mòd and I think that… that’s the thing people don’t see, that people going in, say, for (? the groups) and those big competitions; they prepare for a whole year. And so it’s a big thing, eh, to prepare for the Mòd. But to prepare for, eh, Mòd coming to town, it’s a big, big, big job..
[Fiona] It is. It is.
[Donald Iain] It is a big job. And I’m not going to say to anyone that it isn’t a big job. We’ve been working on this since we found out we were getting the Mòd four years ago, and now it means that that everything needs to be right.
[Fiona] Well you have another responsibility tonight…
[Donald Iain] I know!
[Fiona] ...unfortunately with these cards I have in front of me. I’m giving you two choices, and if you choose a few of the cards I’ll ask you a question from that card. Two things you’re quite familiar with here: “radio” or “TV”?
[Donald Iain] What will we go for? Let’s go for… radio.
[Fiona] When you have the radio on, what do you do when you hear yourself on the radio? Would you it up or turn it off?
[Donald Iain] Eh… I’ll listen to it and I’ll say to myself “why did you do that?!”
[Fiona] Aww! Surely that’s not true, what with you doing so well at the singing.
[Donald Iain] Well you always… you always look at yourself, I’m certain you do the same thing if you’re watching a programme saying “oh why did I ask that question?” or “why didn’t I do that?”. But, saying that, at times, maybe putting it off at times, maybe I’ll say “oh well, that was alright”.
[Fiona] I remember one time in the car the radio was on and I heard this song, and I thought “oh I like that song. Who’s that again?” — a band I was involved in myself! I didn’t have any memory of the song!
[Fiona] What about when you’re listening to the radio, what sort of things to you like to listen to, what sort of music do you like?
[Donald Iain] I like something… something with music. It’s important for me that there’s music, and that there’s a tune, and that you can follow that tune as it were. I’m not really so… so happy listening to things where you say to yourself “Where is this going? Why are they doing it?”. So I listen to music... music that I like, music that makes me think, or something like that.
[Fiona] Very good. Now, going to move to “water” or “sun”?
[Donald Iain] Eh… water.
[Fiona] Water. Did it ever cause you any problems living on an island?
[Donald Iain] Well the one problem it caused was that I can’t swim, or I’m not good at swimming.
[Fiona] Oh! That’s a big problem! Well it might be.
[Donald Iain] Well, because when we were young we were told “don’t go near the water the water because it’s dangerous”. And, because of that, I never learned to swim until I came to the mainland, and even then I’m not that good at it.
[Fiona] I think there’s a lot of that…
[Donald Iain] I’m like a big seal in the water.
[Fiona] …in people, that didn’t, that… that they wouldn’t go near the water because they were too afraid.
[Donald Iain] Well I’m frightened too, because we’ll be on holiday and the children will say “jump in to the pool” and I won’t! I’m afraid!
[Fiona] Where are the armbands?! And I know there are a lot of people keen on surfing or a lot of people go to Tiree for surfing. Have you ever tried it?
[Donald Iain] I haven’t. I haven’t ever. Because surfing started just as I left the island, and so I didn’t get the chance. That’s what I say anyhow.
[Fiona] And would you go back, do you think, to…
[Donald Iain] To stay?
[Fiona] Uh-huh.
[Donald Iain] Ehhh… I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t. I would go back maybe for three months, or four months, or six months, but people always think “oh wouldn’t it be lovely if we went home or … or if we stayed”. Winter is very long, on the islands…
[Fiona] Yes, indeed.
[Donald Iain] And people don’t understand that. In my opinion.
[Fiona] Well we won’t ever move, I think. I’m… I’m… quite happy as an islander, I must say.
[Donald Iain] Do you think?
[Fiona] Yes! I think so.
[Donald Iain] I think… yes! You’ll move at some time or another.
[Fiona] “Box” or “no box”?
[Donald Iain] No box.
[Fiona] No box. Which band do you think would benefit from having an accordion? Lewis Capaldi does ceilidh, perhaps?
[Donald Iain] Eh… I think he would do it.
[Fiona] Uh-huh?
[Donald Iain] I think he would do it, because I think that he’s willing enough, and he would… that he would try something like that. Because I was thinking “what about if Lewis Capaldi came to the Mòd?”. [better tx?]
[Fiona] And what about, your brother plays in a band doesn’t he?
[Donald Iain] Yes.
[Fiona] Do you play any instruments yourself?
[Donald Iain] Well, the thing is, he had an accordion, but nobody else could get near it.
[Fiona] Oh.
[Donald Iain] And we had an old piano at home, but you couldn’t… you wouldn’t get a pop out of it because of how terribly in tune it was… going out of tune. And I didn’t get the chance to learn an instrument like that.
[Fiona] If you were going to choose an instrument, which would you pick for…
[Donald Iain] The piano. The piano. And that’s the thing I’m going to do when I retire I’m going to learn to play the piano. I’m going to go to one of those residential places, and I’m going to spend six months learning the piano.
[Fiona] Maybe that’s the next thing then — a competition at the Mòd for piano.
That is…
[Donald Iain] Well there is a competition for the piano…
[Fiona] Oh is there? For…?
[Donald Iain] It’s not for adults.
[Fiona] Ah.
[Donald Iain] And I’d say, I wouldn’t pass for someone who’s sixteen. What do you think?
[Fiona] Oh I don’t know, I don’t know. You’re pretty hard on yourself. Well I hope everything goes well for you, many thanks for coming to visit us.
[Donald Iain] Thank you for asking me.
This programme, Nochd, was first broadcast in 2019.