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Professor Derick Thomson talking to
former SNP President Dr Robert D McIntyre at Oliver Presentation
Gaelic poet and scholar Professor
Derick Thomson was a popular recipient of the second Oliver
Brown Award which was presented to him at a well attended dinner
in the Terraces Hotel, Stirling on 10 March 1984. Professor
Derick Thomson - Gaelic poet - Ruaraidh MacThomais - received a
cheque for £100 and an engraved crystal decanter, an capped a
splendid speech of acceptance with a reading of his own verse.
Main speaker of the evening was
Gordon Wilson MP, and the SI's special award for its own Agent
of the Year went to Jean McGavin of Argyll.
Scots Independent April 1984
Stornoway born ( 1921 ) Professor
Derick Thomson was a popular choice for the Oliver Brown Award
in recognition of both his poetry and leading role as a
Gaelic scholar. He was educated at the Nicolson Institute,
Stornoway; Aberdeen University; Cambridge University and
University College of North Wales, Bangor. He taught at
Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen Universities before returning to
Glasgow as Professor of Celtic in 1963. He founded and was
editor of the Gaelic magazine "Gairm" from 1952
onwards. Professor Derick Thomson was Chairman of the
Gaelic Books Council 1968-91; President Scottish Gaelic Texts
Society; former member of Scottish Arts Council and was the
first recipient of the Ossian Prize in 1974. Professor Thomson
was Chairman of the Scottish National Party's Gaelic Committee
in the Seventies. Author of numerous books including "An
Introduction to Gaelic Poetry", "The Companion to
Gaelic Poetry", "European Poetry in Gaelic", and
collections of Gaelic poetry, including his collected poems
"Creachadh na Clarsaidh" ( The Plundering of the Harp
).
His poem "Armann" (
Warrior ) appeared in the April 1984 issue of the Scots
Independent with a translation into Scots by Peter D Wright -
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Armann
Fear de
dh'armainn
Mhuile is docha
ann a linn eile,
Iain Mac'IllEathain;
ach thilg eachdraidh do
dhaoine
a cath as ur thu;
Iolach a' Ghaidheil
a' tighinn a cliabh na
Galldachd;
nam biodh seasmhaid as a lasair
sgriobhte "Saorsa" air
neamh Alba fhathast. |
Weiriour
In anither
eild
ye micht hae bin a
'Weiriour o Mull'
John MacLean;
the historie o yir fowk
thrawed ye
intil a noo tulzie;
the Gael's exultant yall
coman frae the breist o the
Laich Lans;
gin anerlie the lowe lestit
it wad skrieve "Fredome"
oan Scotland's lift yit. |
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