Announcing Guthan Gàidhlig Chesapeake
Tha sinn air bhioran innse dhuibh uile mun phròiseact ùr againn!
Guthan Gàidhlig Chesapeake will be an annual publication of Sgoil Gàidhlig Bhaile an Taigh Mhóir featuring poetry, lyrics, stories, and essays. We are building Guthan Gàidhlig Chesapeake to showcase the creative engagement of North American Scottish Gaelic Learners with the language and culture in our contemporary setting. The scope of the publication will include both new voices and seasoned writers. In particular, current and former Sgoil Gàidhlig Bhaile an Taigh Mhóir students of all learning levels are encouraged to submit samples of their writing. We want to showcase how Gàidhlig learners are using their Gàidhlig in whatever form of writing. The inaugural issue will be published in Spring 2026.
Thigibh Còmhla Rinn Airson Cèilidh na Samhna – Join us for the November Cèilidh
Bidh a’ chiad chèilidh againn den bhliadhna san t-Samhain.
Bidh a’ chèilidh ann an Harford County.
An tig sibh? Glèidh àite dhut fhèin gu h-ìosal!
We will have our first cèilidh of the year in November.
The cèilidh will be in Harford County.
Will you come? Register below!
SG Students: Counts toward Contact Hours
Get to know each other ~ Use your Gàidhlig
Bring a poem, a song, or a story
Potluck feast – bring a dish
The address of the location will be provided closer to the date to those who register.
Glèidh àite dhut fhèin gu h-ìosal:
Your message has been sent
Heely & Knight to teach Sing Like a Gael!
Seinn mar Ghàidheal!
Òran Gàidhlig: A’ gabhail pàirt anns na cèilidhean agus aig a’ Mhòd
Sing Like a Gael!
Gaelic Song – Participating in Cèilidhs and the Mòd
We are excited to announce that the new Sgoil Gàidhlig Bhaile an Taigh Mhóir class teaching Scottish Gaelic songs will be taught by Seán Heely and Cynthian Knight.
Seán Heely is an award-winning fiddler, singer, harpist, and composer who holds the rare distinction of being both a U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion and a U.S. National Champion in Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) Song.
Seán has shared the stage with traditional music luminaries such as Liz Carroll, Bonnie Rideout, Natalie Haas, Cathy Jordan, Eamon O’Leary, Zan McLeod, Maeve Gilchrist, and Paddy Keenan.
Seán has studied Gàidhlig language through Sabhal Mòr Ostaig on the Isle of Skye, Gàidhlig song and music through Ceòlas on South Uist, and now Gàidhlig language with Sgoil Gàidhlig Bhaile an Taigh Mhóir.
In 2024, Seán won the NYC Tartan Week Mòd, the Grandfather Mountain North Carolina Mòd, the Chesapeake Mòd in Maryland, and the U.S. National Mòd.
Along with many other accolades in Traditional Music, in 2018 Seán was featured on the cover of the Fiddler Magazine Winter Issue as well as an interview article on Seán’s journey to one of the foremost young performers of his generation. In April 2023, Seán won the Dan R. MacDonald Memorial Prize from the Clan Donald Trust from the Gaelic Performing Arts. Seán was awarded 2023 Male Musician of the Year by the Ireland Tonight Radio Music Awards. Seán has recorded three full length internationally acclaimed albums: the latest of which (“Dramagical”) has been featured on BBC Radio nan Gàidheal, RTÉ Raidio na Gaeltachta in Ireland, and NPR’s Thistle and Shamrock.
Cynthian Knight has musical roots in both the traditional Celtic and classical worlds, but has found a particular passion in Scottish Gaelic song.
Cynthian won First place at the 2019 Richmond Highland Games Mòd (VA) after which she began studying Gaelic song more intensively with legendary singer, Kathleen MacInnes. In 2022, Cynthian attended the Ceòlas summer program in South Uist, Scotland, where she experienced Gaelic language and song from many of today’s great tradition bearers, including Cathy-Ann MacPhee, Gillebrìde MacMillan, Màiri MacMillan, and Eilidh Cormack.
In 2023, Cynthian was named Champion of the first NYC Tartan Week Mòd, and then, winner of both the Grandfather Mountain North Carolina Mòd and the inaugural Chesapeake Mòd in Maryland. Her participation in the NYC Tartan Week Mòd was then featured in a documentary aired on BBC Scotland (BBC Alba). Additionally, she has had the honor of being invited to sing at the Scottish Government’s Burns Night event at the British Ambassador’s Residence and for the Hebridean Baker’s Washington, DC book tour event at The Black Cat.
Cynthian has recently been heard in concert with the Seán Heely Celtic Band and in the 25th Annual Pipes of Christmas concerts in New York City and New Jersey.
CLASS SCHEDULE
Friday, 24 October 2025, 7:00 – 8:00 pm – Cynthian Knight
Friday, 21 November 2025, 7:00 – 8:00 pm – Cynthian Knight
Friday, 9 January 2026, 7:00 – 8:00 pm – Cynthian Knight
Saturday, 7 March 2026, 1:00 – 2:00 pm – Sèan Heely
Saturday, 18 April 2026, 1:00 – 2:00 pm – Sèan Heely
Saturday, 30 May 2026, 1:00 – 2:00 pm – Sèan Heely
TUITION
$235 Enrolled Sgoil Gàidhlig Bhaile an Taigh Mhóir students
$280 all others.
2025 Chesapeake Mòd Highlight – Meet Bèbhinn Shimada
Beverly Wilson Shimada (Bèbhinn) achieved Air Leth Math honors at the 2025 Chesapeake Mòd in the Bàrdachd Ùr | Original Poetry category, with her poem, An Tìr. Bèbhinn began her study of Gàidhlig in 2021, as did so many, on Duolingo, as a way to pass the time during Covid. She chose Gàidhlig because it is an endangered language and because her Scots-Irish ancestors may have spoken it. Wanting to learn to speak, she began classes with Colaisde na Gàidhlig online that fall, where she found a welcoming and fascinating community. Bèbhinn is a new student with Sgoil Gàidhlig Bhaile an Taigh Mhóir. She lives in New Jersey, and when not studying up on the genitive, enjoys gardening, cooking, knitting, aerobic dancing, playing the mandolin, and staring at the ocean.
Tha sinn a’ cur meal-a-naidheachd mhòr gu Bèbhinn!
An Tìr
Le Bèbhinn
Chuir iad na bòtannan aca orra
Dh’fhàg iad an tìr
Chuir iad an casan ann am bàtaichean
Dh’fhàg iad an tìr
Alba gu Èirinn
Dh’fhàg iad an tìr
Èirinn gu Ameireagaidh
Dh’fhàg iad an tìr
Chuir iad an cùirp air plèanaichean
Dh’fhàg iad an tìr
Cha do chuir iad freumhaichean sìos
Dh’fhàg iad an tìr
Cha do ghlèidh iad an dualchas
Dh’fhàg iad an tìr
Cha do bhruidhinn iad an cànan
Dh’fhàg iad an tìr
Ameireagaidh an ear, an iar, tuath, deas
Dh’fhàg iad an tìr
Dh’fhàs iad nan Ameireaganach
Dh’fhàg iad an tìr
Dè chiallaicheas an tìr nuair a dh’fhàgas sinn
cho tric i?
Dè chiallaicheas an tìr nuair a chaidh a ghoid
bhuainn?
(English Translation)
The Land
By Beverly
They put their boots on
They left the land
They put their feet on boats
They left the land
Scotland to Ireland
They left the land
Ireland to America
They left the land
They put their bodies on planes
They left the land
They didn’t put down roots
They left the land
They didn’t keep their culture
They left the land
They didn’t speak their language
They left the land
America east, west, north south
They left the land
They became American
They left the land
What does the land mean when we left it so
often?
What does the land mean when it was stolen
from us?
Seinn mar Ghàidheal! | Sing like a Gael! – New Song Class
Seinn mar Ghàidheal!
Òran Gàidhlig: A’ gabhail pàirt anns na cèilidhean agus aig a’ Mhòd
Sing Like a Gael!
Gaelic Song – Participating in Cèilidhs and the Mòd
Online companion course to our regular language classes
Open to non-students as well.
OUR TEACHERS
Friday, 24 October 2025, 7:00 – 8:00 pm – Cynthian Knight
Friday, 21 November 2025, 7:00 – 8:00 pm – Cynthian Knight
Friday, 9 January 2026, 7:00 – 8:00 pm – Cynthian Knight
Saturday, 7 March 2026, 1:00 – 2:00 pm – Sèan Heely
Saturday, 18 April 2026, 1:00 – 2:00 pm – Sèan Heely
Saturday, 30 May 2026, 1:00 – 2:00 pm – Sèan Heely
Prerequisite: Basic familiarity with Scottish Gaelic through beginners level.
Designed to:
- Help participants blend Scottish Gaelic culture into their language learning
- Build confidence in your Gàidhlig use
- Remove any inhibitions about singing, especially in front of people
- Develop a singing community
- Help prepare you to participate in a cèilidh or a Mòd
Scottish Gaelic culture is very much a participatory culture,
and a musical and a poetic one.
In fact, Gaelic song is often the first taste of the culture that puts people on the
road to learning the language.
Participation in cèilidhs is a part of Scottish Gaelic
community life. Singing waulking songs is a communal activity. If you are going to a
cèilidh you’ll appreciate the experience more if you can offer a song, a poem, or a story.
And you learn more when you use your Gàidhlig in front of others.
You’ll have a lot of fun!
Tuition:
$235 Enrolled Sgoil Gàidhlig Bhaile an Taigh Mhóir students
$280 all others.
Cuir d’ aimn a-steach gu h-ìosal / Register Below
(Your registration is only complete
after we receive your registration form and tuition payment.)
- By check or money order, made payable to Sgoil Gàidhlig, and mailed to Tim Thompson, 5158 Ilchester Road, Ellicott City, Maryland 21043. Tim is our Board of Trustees Treasurer.
- On line through Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/sgoilgaidhlig
Your message has been sent
2025 Chesapeake Mòd Highlight – Meet Addalyn Borghardt
Addalyn Borghardt achieved Air Leth Math honors at the 2025 Chesapeake Mòd in the Bàrdachd Ùr | Original Poetry category, with her poem, An t-Earrach.
Addalyn lives in Frederick County where she is the farm manager for her family’s farm, where they raise goats, sheep, and chickens. Many of our cèilidhean are held at their farm.
Addalyn will be in the Intermediate 2 class this year. If you have visited our Language Village at Mid-Atlantic area festivals you may well have met her as she and her family have become regular Language Village volunteers.
Tha sinn a’ cur meal-a-naidheachd mhòr gu Addalyn!
An t-Earrach
le Addalyn Borghardt
Mar a bhios na speuran glasa ‘s na làithean reòta a’ falbh,
tha na flùraichean ag èirigh bho na leapannan blàtha
agus plaideachan cofhurtail aca gun chùram.
chan eil an t-eagal orra gun till an reòthadh.
putaidh iad tron talamh,
tha iad a’ gabhail tlachd às a’ ghrèin.
tha eòlas aig na flùraichean ciamar a bhios iad a’ tighinn beò ‘s a’ fàs.
agus s’ dòcha gu bheil iad a’ togail an cinn ro thràth,
is ma dh’fhaoidte gun toir an reòthadh greim asta.
ach nan gabhadh na flùraichean eagal ron reòthadh,
cha bhiomaid gam faicinn a-riamh,
agus cha bhiomaid a’ faicinn an dòchais a bheir iad,
agus cha b’ iad a bhios a’ faireachdainn na grèine air an aodainnean a-chaoidh.
(English translation)
The Spring
As the grey skies and freezing days fade,
the flowers are emerging from their warm beds
and comfortable blankets without care.
they do not fear that frost will return.
they push through the soil,
taking delight from the sun.
they know how to live and grow.
and perhaps they are coming too soon,
and perhaps they will be bitten (by frost).
but if flowers lived in fear of frost,
we would never see them,
or the hope they bring,
and they would never feel the sun on their faces.
Jamie MacDonald joins Sgoil Gàidhlig Bhaile an Taigh Mhóir Faculty
Sgoil Gàidhlig Bhaile an Taigh Mhóir is excited and honored to announce that Dr. Jamie MacDonald has joined our faculty for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Jamie is a North Carolina native, a descendant of the original Highland Scottish settlers that immigrated to the Cape Fear River Valley in the 18th and early 19th centuries. His education includes a PhD from the University of Edinburgh in Scottish Studies and a degree in Gaelic and Related Studies from Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the Gaelic college in Skye.
Dr. MacDonald taught Celtic Studies at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia and has tutored many Gaelic learners individually. In addition, he has published a number of Gaelic learning materials and books. Jamie us the founder of the yearly Grandfather Mountain Gaelic Language and Song Week and the North Carolina Provincial Mòd. He was co-founder of the US National Mòd as well. Jamie has served on the board of directors for the Gaelic Council of Nova Scotia, the Antigonish Highland Society, and the Highland Village Museum in Iona, Cape Breton.
Naidheachdan Ùra! Cùrsa Bogaidh Samhraidh Ghàidhlig | NewNews! Summer Immersion Course in Scottish Gaelic
IMPORTANT NEWS!
THE ORIGINAL TUESDAY EVENING CLASS IS NOW FULL.
BUT WE HAVE OPENED A NEW THURSDAY EVENING CLASS!
REGISTER NOW FOR THE NEW CLASS!
Online conversational /activity-based learning with Amber Buchanan | Òmar Bhochanan. Woven into the course will be cultural activities and practices, such as songs, stories, dance, food, history, and folklore. Limited seating to enhance engagement. Register now.
Òmar is the director of EPIC Youth Peer Program, an after school program for youth across Cape Breton Regional Municipality. She has been teaching Gàidhlig language and culture for over 18 years across Nova Scotia and for 10 years worked at the Highland Village Museum in Iona, Cape Breton sharing language and culture with staff and visitors. Òmar is also a partner and consultant at Inside Out where she facilitates workshops and works 1:1 with people. She’s has a 16 year old daughter, is a weaver, and a Spanish speaker, and lives in Sydney, NS.
Cuir d’ aimn a-steach gu h-ìosal / Register Below
(Your registration is only complete after we receive your registration form and tuition payment.)
- By check or money order, made payable to Sgoil Gàidhlig, and mailed to Tim Thompson, 5158 Ilchester Road, Ellicott City, Maryland 21043. Tim is our Board of Trustees Treasurer.
- On line through Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/sgoilgaidhlig
Your message has been sent
Cùrsa Bogaidh Samhraidh Ghàidhlig – 2025 Summer Immersion Course in Scottish Gaelic
Online conversational /activity-based learning
with Amber Buchanan | Òmar Bhochanan.
Woven into the course will be cultural activities and practices, such as songs, stories, dance, food, history, and folklore. Limited seating to enhance engagement. Register now.
Òmar is the director of EPIC Youth Peer Program, an after school program for youth across Cape Breton Regional Municipality. She has been teaching Gàidhlig language and culture for over 18 years across Nova Scotia and for 10 years worked at the Highland Village Museum in Iona, Cape Breton sharing language and culture with staff and visitors. Òmar is also a partner and consultant at Inside Out where she facilitates workshops and works 1:1 with people. She’s has a 16 year old daughter, is a weaver, and a Spanish speaker, and lives in Sydney, NS.
Clàraich gu h-ìosal / Register Below
(Your registration is only complete after we receive your registration form and tuition payment.)
- By check or money order, made payable to Sgoil Gàidhlig, and mailed to Tim Thompson, 5158 Ilchester Road, Ellicott City, Maryland 21043. Tim is our Board of Trustees Treasurer.
- On line through Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/sgoilgaidhlig
Your message has been sent
Language Village 2025 Schedule
Saturday, 26 April
Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum, 10515 MacKall Road, St. Leonard, MD 20685
Fair Hill Celtic Festival
Saturday, May 17
4640 Telegraph Road, Elkton, MD 21921
Carroll County Celtic Festival
Saturday, 14 and Sunday 15 June
Carroll County Agriculture Center, 706 Agriculture Center Drive, Westminster, MD 21157
Penn Mar Irish Festival
Saturday, 21 June
12025 Susquehanna Trail S, Glen Rock, PA 17327
Virginia Scottish Games
Saturday, 30 and Sunday, 31, August
The Great Meadow
5089 Old Tavern Road
The Plains, VA 20198
Covenanter Scottish Festival
Saturday, 6 September
1199 Valley Road, Quarryville, PA 17566
Gnàthasan-cainnte agus Seanfhacail – Phrases and Old Sayings
Geur-bheachdan Gàidhlig – Gaelic Insights
Sgoil Gàidhlig Bhaile an Taigh Mhòir 