[Dòmhnall Moireasdan] Agus b’ ann an Glaschu a thogadh sibh?
[An Dr. Mairead NicFhionghain] Ò gu dearbh, rugadh is thogadh mi ann an Glaschu.
[Dòmhnall Moireasdan] Ach ann an dachaigh Ghàidhealach. Ann an dachaigh Ghàidhealach.
[An Dr. Mairead NicFhionghain] Ò gu dearbh, gu dearbh, bha m’ athair à Bhatairnis agus mo mhàthair às A' Bhràighe.
[Dòmhnall Moireasdan] Cò ris a bha e coltach a’ tighinn beò ann an Glaschu àm an Dàrna Cogaidh mar nighean bheag Ghàidhealach?
[An Dr. Mairead NicFhionghain] Uill, bha e okay, tha cuimhne agam, bha mi sa bhun-sgoil agus thuirt an tidsear aon latha, “ Margaret MacKinnon can you see if it is still raining?”, chaidh mi a-mach agus thàinig mi air ais agus thuirt mi “Well, it’s a fras.” Agus thuirt i “What?”, “It’s a fras.”, “What are you talking about?” Agus thuirt cuideigin air mo chùlaibh “Please Miss, that’s Gaelic for shower.” Bha dùil agamsa gun robh e ceart.
[Dòmhnall Moireasdan] Ciamar a bha fios aca-san, deagh cheist. Agus bhiodh a’ chlann eile, ann an dòigh cha robh iad a’ magadh oirbh ach a’ gabhail truas ribh gur ann dhachaigh a bhiodh sibhse a’ dol air saor-làithean?
[An Dr. Mairead NicFhionghain] Gu dearbh fhèin. Nise, a Dhòmhnaill, na can thu thu an àite sibh?
[Dòmhnall Moireasdan] Uill, ma thogras sinn.
[An Dr. Mairead NicFhionghain] Uill, tha sinn air a bhith pally o chionn iomadach bliadhna. Nise, bhiodh an tidsear a’ canadh “So where are you going?” “Oh to Madeira” no dhan Spàinn no àiteachan mar sin. “Margaret, where are you going?” “I’m going home.” Agus, ‘s e uill, bha mi aig Mòd air choreigin, uill bliadhnaichean air ais agus thuirt an gille seo a bha sa chlas còmhla rium, thuirt e “I don’t suppose that you knew that we used to feel so sorry for you.” Agus thuirt mi “Why?” “Because you were the only one who never went on holiday, you went home”. Bha mise a’ meanagadh an Eilean Sgitheanach.
[Dòmhnall Moireasdan] Bha gu dearbh agus a’ bruidhinn air an Eilean Sgitheanach agus home, am bràthair as sine agaibh, Teàrlach, sin far na thogadh esan ged a bha sibhse ann an Glaschu.
[An Dr. Mairead NicFhionghain] Aidh, rugadh e ann an Glaschu…
[Dòmhnall Moireasdan] Ach thogadh e anns an Eilean?
[An Dr. Mairead NicFhionghain] Ach thogadh e anns an Eilean.
[Dòmhnall Moireasdan] Carson a bha sin?
[An Dr. Mairead NicFhionghain] Uill, bha leanabh aig mo mhàthair dìreach às dèidh Teàrlach, Dòmhnall, ò leanabh uabhasach a bh’ ann. Agus bha iad dhachaigh agus, chan eil cuimhne agam ‘s e Antaidh Ceitidh, ‘s dòcha, a thuirt “chan eil sin fair air Teàrlach” oir bha am bèibidh ag iarraidh, ‘eil fhios agad, dè chanadh tu ris, chan eil fhios agam ach co-dhiù. “Fàg e, fàg Teàrlach an seo. Tha mise a’ tighinn a Glaschu as t-fhoghar no rudeigin.” Ach cha tàinig agus bha aca ri Teàrlach fhàgail an sin. Mar sin, cha tigeadh e còmhla riutha nuair a chaidh e dhachaigh air a shon.
[Dòmhnall Moireasdan] Agus thogadh esan an sin, ann an Bhatairnis ach bha dualchas agaibhse gu mòr ann an Bhatairnis cuideachd, nach robh?
[An Dr. Mairead NicFhionghain] Ò gu dearbh.
[Dòmhnall Moireasdan] Agus càite eile san Eilean?
[An Dr. Mairead NicFhionghain] Anns a’ Bhràighe, faisg air Penefiler, rugadh mo mhàthair an sin.
Chaidh am prògram seo, Thuige Seo, a chraoladh an toiseach ann an 2014.
[Donald Morrison] And you were brought up in Glasgow
[Dr Margaret MacKinnon] Absolutely, I was born and brought up in Glasgow.
[Donald Morrison] But in a Highland home. In a Highland home.
[Dr Margaret MacKinnon] Absolutely, absolutely, my father is from Waternish and my mother is from Braes.
[Donald Morrison] What was it like growing up in Glasgow during the Second World War as a little Highland girl.
[Dr Margaret MacKinnon] Well, it was okay, I remember, I was in primary school and the teacher said, “Margaret MacKinnon can you see if it is still raining?”, I went out and I came back and I said “Well, it’s a fras (shower).” And she said “What?”, “It’s a fras (shower).”, “What are you talking about?” And someone behind me said “Please Miss, that’s Gaelic for shower.” I thought it would be correct.
[Donald Morrison] How did they know, good question? And the other children, in a way, they did not mock you but took pity on you as you would go home on holidays?
[Dr Margaret MacKinnon] Absolutely. Now Donald won’t you say you (informal) instead of you (formal)?
[Donald Morrison] If we like.
[Dr Margaret MacKinnon] Well, we have been pally for many a year. Now the teacher would say “So where are you going?” “Oh to Madeira”or to Spain or places like that “Margaret, where are you going?” “I’m going home.” And, it’s well, I was at a Mod somewhere, well years ago and this boy who was in a class with me, he said “I don’t suppose that you knew that we used to feel so sorry for you.” And I said “Why?” “Because you were the only one who never went on holiday, you went home”. I meant the Isle of Skye.
[Donald Morrison] Absolutely and speaking about Skye and home, your oldest brother, Charles, he was brought up but you were in Glasgow.
[Dr Margaret MacKinnon] Aye, he was born in Glasgow…
[Donald Morrison] But he was brought up on the Island?
[Dr Margaret MacKinnon] But he was brought up on the island.
[Donald Morrison] Why was that?
[Dr Margaret MacKinnon] Well, my mother had a baby just after Charles, Donald, oh he was an awful baby. And they were home, I can’t remember, it was Auntie Katie, maybe, who said “that is not fair on Charles” or the baby was wanting, you know, what would you say, I don’t know anyway. “Leave him, leave Charles here. I’m coming to Glasgow in the autumn or something”. But she didn’t and they had to leave Charles there. Then, he didn’t come with them when he went home for him.
[Donald Morrison] And he was brought up there, in Waternish, but you had a strong link to Waternish too, didn’t you?
[Dr Margaret MacKinnon] Oh, absolutely.
[Donald Morrison] And where else on the Island?
[Dr Margaret MacKinnon] In Braes, close to Penefiler, my mother was born there.
This programme, Thuige Seo, was first broadcast in 2014.
[Dòmhnall Moireasdan] Agus b’ ann an Glaschu a thogadh sibh?
[An Dr. Mairead NicFhionghain] Ò gu dearbh, rugadh is thogadh mi ann an Glaschu.
[Dòmhnall Moireasdan] Ach ann an dachaigh Ghàidhealach. Ann an dachaigh Ghàidhealach.
[An Dr. Mairead NicFhionghain] Ò gu dearbh, gu dearbh, bha m’ athair à Bhatairnis agus mo mhàthair às A' Bhràighe.
[Dòmhnall Moireasdan] Cò ris a bha e coltach a’ tighinn beò ann an Glaschu àm an Dàrna Cogaidh mar nighean bheag Ghàidhealach?
[An Dr. Mairead NicFhionghain] Uill, bha e okay, tha cuimhne agam, bha mi sa bhun-sgoil agus thuirt an tidsear aon latha, “ Margaret MacKinnon can you see if it is still raining?”, chaidh mi a-mach agus thàinig mi air ais agus thuirt mi “Well, it’s a fras.” Agus thuirt i “What?”, “It’s a fras.”, “What are you talking about?” Agus thuirt cuideigin air mo chùlaibh “Please Miss, that’s Gaelic for shower.” Bha dùil agamsa gun robh e ceart.
[Dòmhnall Moireasdan] Ciamar a bha fios aca-san, deagh cheist. Agus bhiodh a’ chlann eile, ann an dòigh cha robh iad a’ magadh oirbh ach a’ gabhail truas ribh gur ann dhachaigh a bhiodh sibhse a’ dol air saor-làithean?
[An Dr. Mairead NicFhionghain] Gu dearbh fhèin. Nise, a Dhòmhnaill, na can thu thu an àite sibh?
[Dòmhnall Moireasdan] Uill, ma thogras sinn.
[An Dr. Mairead NicFhionghain] Uill, tha sinn air a bhith pally o chionn iomadach bliadhna. Nise, bhiodh an tidsear a’ canadh “So where are you going?” “Oh to Madeira” no dhan Spàinn no àiteachan mar sin. “Margaret, where are you going?” “I’m going home.” Agus, ‘s e uill, bha mi aig Mòd air choreigin, uill bliadhnaichean air ais agus thuirt an gille seo a bha sa chlas còmhla rium, thuirt e “I don’t suppose that you knew that we used to feel so sorry for you.” Agus thuirt mi “Why?” “Because you were the only one who never went on holiday, you went home”. Bha mise a’ meanagadh an Eilean Sgitheanach.
[Dòmhnall Moireasdan] Bha gu dearbh agus a’ bruidhinn air an Eilean Sgitheanach agus home, am bràthair as sine agaibh, Teàrlach, sin far na thogadh esan ged a bha sibhse ann an Glaschu.
[An Dr. Mairead NicFhionghain] Aidh, rugadh e ann an Glaschu…
[Dòmhnall Moireasdan] Ach thogadh e anns an Eilean?
[An Dr. Mairead NicFhionghain] Ach thogadh e anns an Eilean.
[Dòmhnall Moireasdan] Carson a bha sin?
[An Dr. Mairead NicFhionghain] Uill, bha leanabh aig mo mhàthair dìreach às dèidh Teàrlach, Dòmhnall, ò leanabh uabhasach a bh’ ann. Agus bha iad dhachaigh agus, chan eil cuimhne agam ‘s e Antaidh Ceitidh, ‘s dòcha, a thuirt “chan eil sin fair air Teàrlach” oir bha am bèibidh ag iarraidh, ‘eil fhios agad, dè chanadh tu ris, chan eil fhios agam ach co-dhiù. “Fàg e, fàg Teàrlach an seo. Tha mise a’ tighinn a Glaschu as t-fhoghar no rudeigin.” Ach cha tàinig agus bha aca ri Teàrlach fhàgail an sin. Mar sin, cha tigeadh e còmhla riutha nuair a chaidh e dhachaigh air a shon.
[Dòmhnall Moireasdan] Agus thogadh esan an sin, ann an Bhatairnis ach bha dualchas agaibhse gu mòr ann an Bhatairnis cuideachd, nach robh?
[An Dr. Mairead NicFhionghain] Ò gu dearbh.
[Dòmhnall Moireasdan] Agus càite eile san Eilean?
[An Dr. Mairead NicFhionghain] Anns a’ Bhràighe, faisg air Penefiler, rugadh mo mhàthair an sin.
Chaidh am prògram seo, Thuige Seo, a chraoladh an toiseach ann an 2014.
[Donald Morrison] And you were brought up in Glasgow
[Dr Margaret MacKinnon] Absolutely, I was born and brought up in Glasgow.
[Donald Morrison] But in a Highland home. In a Highland home.
[Dr Margaret MacKinnon] Absolutely, absolutely, my father is from Waternish and my mother is from Braes.
[Donald Morrison] What was it like growing up in Glasgow during the Second World War as a little Highland girl.
[Dr Margaret MacKinnon] Well, it was okay, I remember, I was in primary school and the teacher said, “Margaret MacKinnon can you see if it is still raining?”, I went out and I came back and I said “Well, it’s a fras (shower).” And she said “What?”, “It’s a fras (shower).”, “What are you talking about?” And someone behind me said “Please Miss, that’s Gaelic for shower.” I thought it would be correct.
[Donald Morrison] How did they know, good question? And the other children, in a way, they did not mock you but took pity on you as you would go home on holidays?
[Dr Margaret MacKinnon] Absolutely. Now Donald won’t you say you (informal) instead of you (formal)?
[Donald Morrison] If we like.
[Dr Margaret MacKinnon] Well, we have been pally for many a year. Now the teacher would say “So where are you going?” “Oh to Madeira”or to Spain or places like that “Margaret, where are you going?” “I’m going home.” And, it’s well, I was at a Mod somewhere, well years ago and this boy who was in a class with me, he said “I don’t suppose that you knew that we used to feel so sorry for you.” And I said “Why?” “Because you were the only one who never went on holiday, you went home”. I meant the Isle of Skye.
[Donald Morrison] Absolutely and speaking about Skye and home, your oldest brother, Charles, he was brought up but you were in Glasgow.
[Dr Margaret MacKinnon] Aye, he was born in Glasgow…
[Donald Morrison] But he was brought up on the Island?
[Dr Margaret MacKinnon] But he was brought up on the island.
[Donald Morrison] Why was that?
[Dr Margaret MacKinnon] Well, my mother had a baby just after Charles, Donald, oh he was an awful baby. And they were home, I can’t remember, it was Auntie Katie, maybe, who said “that is not fair on Charles” or the baby was wanting, you know, what would you say, I don’t know anyway. “Leave him, leave Charles here. I’m coming to Glasgow in the autumn or something”. But she didn’t and they had to leave Charles there. Then, he didn’t come with them when he went home for him.
[Donald Morrison] And he was brought up there, in Waternish, but you had a strong link to Waternish too, didn’t you?
[Dr Margaret MacKinnon] Oh, absolutely.
[Donald Morrison] And where else on the Island?
[Dr Margaret MacKinnon] In Braes, close to Penefiler, my mother was born there.
This programme, Thuige Seo, was first broadcast in 2014.