The Hosts of Facing Our History

Scott Morrison is co-founder and Head Teacher of Sgoil Gàidhlig Bhaile an Taigh Mhóir.  Scott has been studying Gaelic for over 18 years. His teachers have included: Nick Freer, Liam Cassidy, Michael MacKay, Angus MacLeod (of Cape Breton), Professor Richard Cox, Dr. Meg Bateman, Professor John MacTaylor (all of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Gaelic College), and traditional singer/teacher Gillebride MacMillan (of South Uist).

Mr. Morrison has been teaching his four children Gaelic since he started learning back in 2003. His teaching credits include: a two-week bodhràn course at the Gaelic College in Cape Breton Nova Scotia in 2006, Instructor/regional representative for the Atlantic Gaelic Academy 2011-2013, VP and President of An Comunn Gàidhealach Ameireaganach  (The American Scottish Gaelic Society) 2011-2014, workshop instructor/organizer for the Northern Arizona Celtic Society’s Immersion Weekend in Flagstaff (2013), and numerous private lessons on-line via Skype.  He earned a B.A. in Gaelic Language and Culture from Sabhal Mòr Ostaig on the Isle of Skye in December 2018 through their distance learning program.

An accomplished musician, Mr. Morrison teaches percussion and Celtic Traditional music in his studio called Rimshots. In particular, he teaches the Bodhràn, the Tin Whistle, the Bones, and the Spoons. Mr. Morrison also sings many Gaelic songs (learned from Gillebride) and won the men’s traditional singing contest in the US National Mòd in 2011. Mr. Morrison has also won numerous awards at previous Mòds for Gaelic poetry writing, poetry recitation, and story telling including the coveted Argyll Cup for outstanding scholarship three times.

Richard Gwynallen is co-founder and administrator of Sgoil Gàidhlig Bhaile an Taigh Mhóir.  Rick began his Gaelic language learning with Scott Morrison in Liam Flynn’s Ale House on North Avenue in Baltimore, Maryland.  It was just Rick, Liam (the pub owner) and Rick’s daughter, with Scott as the teacher.  Believing that this small endeavor could and should grow, both he and Scott devoted significant time to building the organization. Rick’s professional background is in social change and community development with small to medium-sized non-profits. At different points in his life he has worked on labor issues, forest conservation, and support for Native American struggles, and recently devoted 13 years to working in urban revitalization in west Baltimore.