| English  
History

A Chàirdein

Lothian Gaelic Choir was formed 20 years ago in November 1985 by a breakaway group from the Edinburgh Gaelic Choir, plus a number of people who joined the new choir at its inception or shortly after. The founder members were eager to learn more about Gaelic choral singing and the cultural heritage of the Highlands: many of them were themselves of Highland descent, and others joined for a variety of reasons. The young choir, while not forgetting its thirst for a greater understanding of Gaelic song, also wished to learn in a context of fun and companionship. Friendships forged in these early days still continue today.

The Choir consists of people of all ages and backgrounds and includes quite a few from abroad, who enrich the mix. The faithful band of honorary members also play an important part in the Choir. There has been a great turnover of membership, but there is a core, albeit small, of ‘originals’. Their experience and undiminished enthusiasm has helped to carry the Choir forward through thick and thin.

Successes there have been, but there have been disappointments too. The height of our success was, undoubtedly, the Lochaber Mod of 1999, when against all odds we won the coveted Lovat and Tullibardine Shield with a stunning performance. We have prospered at many a local mod since then, including, Vancouver this year, where we swept the boards in both choral and solo competitions.

I have calculated that I have attended 32 national mods with four different Gaelic choirs, and memories do tend to blur and become confused. Nevertheless, we all have favourite moments to cherish and this yearbook recounts some of them. Above all, there is a sense of true fellowship, not only with this choir, but with other Choirs, and fun in abundance.

Long may Lothian Gaelic Choir continue to grow and prosper!

David MacInnes Thornley
(Choir President, 2005)