[Iain Macaonghais - Preseantair] Nise leigidh fear a bha na chìobair fad iomadh bliadhna air a’ Ghàidhealtachd dheth a dhreuchd aig deireadh na mìos, an dèidh 43 bliadhna. Airson greis mhòr tha Dòmhnall Macleòid air a bhith ag obair dha na Christiansens - teaghlach às an Danmhairg a tha am measg an fheadhainn as beartaiche san t-saoghal. Ach tha Dòmhnall, a bhuineas do Ratharsair, a-nis 83, agus 's fhada bho bha a bhean, Anna, ag iarraidh gun gluaiseadh iad gu àite far a bheil barrachd ghoireasan ann. Le tuilleadh, Seo Pàdraig MacAmhlaigh.
[Pàdraig MacAmhlaigh – Neach-aithris] Dòmhnall MacLeòid a’ biathadh chaorach ann an Srath Chonainn, rud nach bi e dèanamh mòran nas fhaide agus gun teagamh, bidh e ag ionndrainn a’ ghlinne.
[Dòmhnall MacLeòid] - Uill an atharrachadh as motha a tha mise cur air a’ Phàdraig ‘s e mar a dh’ fhalbh na caoraich ‘s an crodh a bh’ aca an seo agus chan eil iad ag obair na talmhainn mar a chleachd iad. B’ àbhaist a bhith ag obair na talmhainn seo, a’ fàs feur is tuineap ‘s buntàta. Chan eil càil dhen sin a’ dol an-diugh. Agus tha sluagh air falbh cuideachd. An fheadhainn a dh’ aithnicheadh mi ann an seo bho chionn còrr is 40 bliadhna chan eil iad ann an-diugh. ‘S e srainnsearan a tha tighinn a-staigh an-dràsta.
[Pàdraig MacAmhlaigh – Neach-aithris] Air ais aig an dachaigh aca aig Dail Breac tha bean Dhòmhnaill, Anna, toilichte air an aon làimh ach beagan brònach air an làimh eile.
[Anna NicLeòid] Ionndrainnidh mi e cuideachd. Ach ‘s toil leam a dhol sìos faisg air na bùithtean ‘s a h-uile th’ann. Tha am fear tha seo, bidh e ga ionndrainn gun teagamh ach, och uill. Tha sinn greis ann an seo a-nise co-dhiù.
[Pàdraig MacAmhlaigh – Neach-aithris] Ach ciamar a chuireas Dòmhnall seachad an latha nuair a thogas iad orra? Cha bhi monadh, ‘s cha bhi stoc no cù aige ann an Inbhir Pheofharain.
[Anna NicLeòid] Bidh e gu math lost às aonais a h-uile càil. Fàsaidh e used ris ge-tà. Chì sinn!
[Dòmhnall MacLeòid] ‘S e latha duilich a bhios ann ceart gu leòr nuair a bhios mi crochadh mo mhaide suas. An àite a bhith dol a-mach leis an Shepherd’s Crook bidh mi breith air a hoover a-nise, going round the room. Och feumaidh mi tòiseachadh a bhith caran domesticated a-nise.
[Pàdraig MacAmhlaigh – Neach-aithris] ‘S ann ann an Srath Chonainn a thogadh a mac, Niall, gu ìre. Chùm e a’ Ghàidhlig suas ged a tha e a-nise fuireach faisg air Glaschu.
[Niall MacLeòid] Tha fhios agam gu bheil mo mhàthair gu math keen a’ fàgail Srath Chonainn. Chan eil m’ athair ceart gu leòr, bidh esan ga ionndrainn. Chan eil esan keen dol chun nam bailtean. Cus solais ‘s cus similearan sa bhaile airson m’ athair! Ach co-dhiù feumaidh e leigeil dheth a dhreuchd agus tha mi toilichte gu bheil iad a’ fàgail agus an t-slàinte aca.
[Pàdraig MacAmhlaigh – Neach-aithris] Tha dìreach trì bliadhna bho chaidh 80 bliadhna Dhòmhnaill a’ chomharrachadh le cuirm anns an talla an Srath Chonainn agus muinntir a’ ghlinne cha mhòr air fad an làthair. Tha Dòmhnaill a-nise ge-tà a’ gabhail ris gu bheil an t-àm ann aghaidh a chur air earrainn eile de bheatha, pìos air falbh.
[Dòmhnall MacLeòid] Och, mar a tha iad a ràdh tha toiseach agus crìoch aig a h-uile càil agus seo agad a’ chrìoch agamsa, cìobaireachd co-dhiù. B’ fheàrr leamsa a bhith a bhos anns na glinn an seo. Sin mar a tha a Phàdraig, thig crìoch air a h-uile càil.
[Pàdraig MacAmhlaigh – Neach-aithris] Pàdraig MacAmhlaigh, BBC An Là, Srath Chonainn.
[Iain Macinnes – Presenter] Now, a man who has been a shepherd in the Highlands for many years will retire at the end of the month, after 43 years. Donald MacLeod has been working for the Christiansens, a Danish family who are among the richest in the world. But Donald, from Raasay, is now 83 and his wife, Anna, has for some time wanted them to move somewhere with more amenities. With more, here’s Pàdraig MacAulay.
[Pàdraig MacAulay – Reporter] Donald MacLeod feeding sheep in Strathconon, something he won’t be doing for much longer and he will undoubtedly miss the glen.
[Donald MacLeod] Well the biggest changes that have taken place Pàdraig, are that the sheep and cattle they once had here have now gone and they no longer work the land like they used to. The land was once worked, growing corn and turnip and potatoes. None of that happens today. And many people have left too. The people I knew here 40 years ago are no longer here today. Incomers are moving to the area now.
[Pàdraig MacAulay – Reporter] Back at their home in Dalbreac, Donald’s wife, Anne, is happy on one hand but a little sad on the other.
[Anne MacLeod] I’ll miss it too. But I like that we’re going to be down near the shops and everything there. This one, he’ll miss it without a doubt but, och well. We’ve been here a while now anyway.
[Peter MacAulay – Reporter] But how will Donald spend his days when they leave? There will be no moor and he’ll have no livestock or dog in Dingwall.
[Anne MacLeod] He’ll be very lost without it all. He’ll get used to it though. We’ll see!
[Donald MacLeod] It’ll certainly be a sad day when I hang up my stick. Instead of going out with the Shepherds Crook I’ll now be grabbing the hoover, going round the room. Och I need to start being a bit more domesticated now.
[Peter MacAulay – Reporter] His son, Neil, was partly raised in Strathconon. He continued to speak Gaelic although he now lives near Glasgow.
[Neil MacLeod] I know my mother is certainly very keen to leave Strathconon. My father isn’t right enough, he’ll miss it. He’s not keen on towns. Too many lights and chimneys in towns for my father’s liking! But anyway, he must retire and I’m happy they’re leaving while they are in good health.
[Peter MacAulay – Reporter] Only three years ago Donald celebrated his 80th birthday in Strathconon hall with almost everyone from the glen. Donald now accepts though that it’s time to close another chapter in his life and move on.
[Donald MacLeod] Och, everything has a beginning and an end as they say and this is my end, to shepherding anyway. I would prefer to be here in the glens. That’s how it is though, Pàdraig, everything must come to an end.
[Peter MacAulay – Reporter] Pàdraig MacAulay, BBC An Là, Strathconon.
[Iain Macaonghais - Preseantair] Nise leigidh fear a bha na chìobair fad iomadh bliadhna air a’ Ghàidhealtachd dheth a dhreuchd aig deireadh na mìos, an dèidh 43 bliadhna. Airson greis mhòr tha Dòmhnall Macleòid air a bhith ag obair dha na Christiansens - teaghlach às an Danmhairg a tha am measg an fheadhainn as beartaiche san t-saoghal. Ach tha Dòmhnall, a bhuineas do Ratharsair, a-nis 83, agus 's fhada bho bha a bhean, Anna, ag iarraidh gun gluaiseadh iad gu àite far a bheil barrachd ghoireasan ann. Le tuilleadh, Seo Pàdraig MacAmhlaigh.
[Pàdraig MacAmhlaigh – Neach-aithris] Dòmhnall MacLeòid a’ biathadh chaorach ann an Srath Chonainn, rud nach bi e dèanamh mòran nas fhaide agus gun teagamh, bidh e ag ionndrainn a’ ghlinne.
[Dòmhnall MacLeòid] - Uill an atharrachadh as motha a tha mise cur air a’ Phàdraig ‘s e mar a dh’ fhalbh na caoraich ‘s an crodh a bh’ aca an seo agus chan eil iad ag obair na talmhainn mar a chleachd iad. B’ àbhaist a bhith ag obair na talmhainn seo, a’ fàs feur is tuineap ‘s buntàta. Chan eil càil dhen sin a’ dol an-diugh. Agus tha sluagh air falbh cuideachd. An fheadhainn a dh’ aithnicheadh mi ann an seo bho chionn còrr is 40 bliadhna chan eil iad ann an-diugh. ‘S e srainnsearan a tha tighinn a-staigh an-dràsta.
[Pàdraig MacAmhlaigh – Neach-aithris] Air ais aig an dachaigh aca aig Dail Breac tha bean Dhòmhnaill, Anna, toilichte air an aon làimh ach beagan brònach air an làimh eile.
[Anna NicLeòid] Ionndrainnidh mi e cuideachd. Ach ‘s toil leam a dhol sìos faisg air na bùithtean ‘s a h-uile th’ann. Tha am fear tha seo, bidh e ga ionndrainn gun teagamh ach, och uill. Tha sinn greis ann an seo a-nise co-dhiù.
[Pàdraig MacAmhlaigh – Neach-aithris] Ach ciamar a chuireas Dòmhnall seachad an latha nuair a thogas iad orra? Cha bhi monadh, ‘s cha bhi stoc no cù aige ann an Inbhir Pheofharain.
[Anna NicLeòid] Bidh e gu math lost às aonais a h-uile càil. Fàsaidh e used ris ge-tà. Chì sinn!
[Dòmhnall MacLeòid] ‘S e latha duilich a bhios ann ceart gu leòr nuair a bhios mi crochadh mo mhaide suas. An àite a bhith dol a-mach leis an Shepherd’s Crook bidh mi breith air a hoover a-nise, going round the room. Och feumaidh mi tòiseachadh a bhith caran domesticated a-nise.
[Pàdraig MacAmhlaigh – Neach-aithris] ‘S ann ann an Srath Chonainn a thogadh a mac, Niall, gu ìre. Chùm e a’ Ghàidhlig suas ged a tha e a-nise fuireach faisg air Glaschu.
[Niall MacLeòid] Tha fhios agam gu bheil mo mhàthair gu math keen a’ fàgail Srath Chonainn. Chan eil m’ athair ceart gu leòr, bidh esan ga ionndrainn. Chan eil esan keen dol chun nam bailtean. Cus solais ‘s cus similearan sa bhaile airson m’ athair! Ach co-dhiù feumaidh e leigeil dheth a dhreuchd agus tha mi toilichte gu bheil iad a’ fàgail agus an t-slàinte aca.
[Pàdraig MacAmhlaigh – Neach-aithris] Tha dìreach trì bliadhna bho chaidh 80 bliadhna Dhòmhnaill a’ chomharrachadh le cuirm anns an talla an Srath Chonainn agus muinntir a’ ghlinne cha mhòr air fad an làthair. Tha Dòmhnaill a-nise ge-tà a’ gabhail ris gu bheil an t-àm ann aghaidh a chur air earrainn eile de bheatha, pìos air falbh.
[Dòmhnall MacLeòid] Och, mar a tha iad a ràdh tha toiseach agus crìoch aig a h-uile càil agus seo agad a’ chrìoch agamsa, cìobaireachd co-dhiù. B’ fheàrr leamsa a bhith a bhos anns na glinn an seo. Sin mar a tha a Phàdraig, thig crìoch air a h-uile càil.
[Pàdraig MacAmhlaigh – Neach-aithris] Pàdraig MacAmhlaigh, BBC An Là, Srath Chonainn.
[Iain Macinnes – Presenter] Now, a man who has been a shepherd in the Highlands for many years will retire at the end of the month, after 43 years. Donald MacLeod has been working for the Christiansens, a Danish family who are among the richest in the world. But Donald, from Raasay, is now 83 and his wife, Anna, has for some time wanted them to move somewhere with more amenities. With more, here’s Pàdraig MacAulay.
[Pàdraig MacAulay – Reporter] Donald MacLeod feeding sheep in Strathconon, something he won’t be doing for much longer and he will undoubtedly miss the glen.
[Donald MacLeod] Well the biggest changes that have taken place Pàdraig, are that the sheep and cattle they once had here have now gone and they no longer work the land like they used to. The land was once worked, growing corn and turnip and potatoes. None of that happens today. And many people have left too. The people I knew here 40 years ago are no longer here today. Incomers are moving to the area now.
[Pàdraig MacAulay – Reporter] Back at their home in Dalbreac, Donald’s wife, Anne, is happy on one hand but a little sad on the other.
[Anne MacLeod] I’ll miss it too. But I like that we’re going to be down near the shops and everything there. This one, he’ll miss it without a doubt but, och well. We’ve been here a while now anyway.
[Peter MacAulay – Reporter] But how will Donald spend his days when they leave? There will be no moor and he’ll have no livestock or dog in Dingwall.
[Anne MacLeod] He’ll be very lost without it all. He’ll get used to it though. We’ll see!
[Donald MacLeod] It’ll certainly be a sad day when I hang up my stick. Instead of going out with the Shepherds Crook I’ll now be grabbing the hoover, going round the room. Och I need to start being a bit more domesticated now.
[Peter MacAulay – Reporter] His son, Neil, was partly raised in Strathconon. He continued to speak Gaelic although he now lives near Glasgow.
[Neil MacLeod] I know my mother is certainly very keen to leave Strathconon. My father isn’t right enough, he’ll miss it. He’s not keen on towns. Too many lights and chimneys in towns for my father’s liking! But anyway, he must retire and I’m happy they’re leaving while they are in good health.
[Peter MacAulay – Reporter] Only three years ago Donald celebrated his 80th birthday in Strathconon hall with almost everyone from the glen. Donald now accepts though that it’s time to close another chapter in his life and move on.
[Donald MacLeod] Och, everything has a beginning and an end as they say and this is my end, to shepherding anyway. I would prefer to be here in the glens. That’s how it is though, Pàdraig, everything must come to an end.
[Peter MacAulay – Reporter] Pàdraig MacAulay, BBC An Là, Strathconon.