Dùthchas Beò | Revitalising Reciprocity With The Gaelic Landscape 2024

Have you ever wondered about living indigeneity in the north-west fringes of Europe, what Gaelic ceremonial practice might look like, or whether land-based ritual has a practical application in today's world?

‘Dùthchas Beò, Revitalising Reciprocity With The Gaelic Landscape’ will provide an afternoon-long exposé addressing these very topics, reprising last year’s Spring Equinox event in partnership with Scottish Communities Climate Action Network (SCCAN).

Your interactive session will be led by CHARTS Gaelic Culture Officer Àdhamh Ó Broin, a tradition bearer and activist who has spent 15 years reclaiming and revitalising the native language and lore of Central Argyll and embodying its value system, bringing his children up as first language Argyll Gaelic speakers.

Over the last decade, Àdhamh has had the privilege of stepping into ceremony with dozens of guests from all around the indigenous world; the Maori of New Zealand, the Mohawk of Six Nations Ontario and the Karajá of Brazil's Amazon Rainforest, to name but a few! These experiences have assisted and inspired the process of re-establishing a working, reciprocal relationship with the land whose dialect Àdhamh has diligently retrieved from extinction through long hours spent with the last of the areas' native Gaelic-speaking elders.

If you would like to learn about how the symbiosis of Gaelic language and landscape operates in its natural context, please join us in Argyll around Beltane to visit some sacred spots, make offerings to the land and explore simple ritual practice.

This will be followed by a chance to break bread and share thoughts after the event at the George Hotel in Inveraray before retiring to Auchindrain Township for an evening of living tradition-bearing with local stories and songs and a chance to share lore from wherever you call home. 

Bithidh fàilte chridheil romhaibh!

(A hearty welcome awaits)

This event is free, and booking is required as spaces are limited to 12 people. Please book here.

What you will need

Due to the geographical nature of this event, a car is required. We encourage car sharing where possible.

Please note this event will take place outside; we suggest waterproof clothing and shoes. Please dress for all seasons and bring a towel and change of socks as some activities may be performed in bare feet in order to foster a connection with nature.

Please bring something to offer to the land. Ideally, this should be food or drink, certainly perishable, and, importantly, something that you would otherwise have enjoyed. This will be offered during the day. Please also bring a receptacle for gathering water.

The first half of the event will run for approximately 5 hours between two sites in Knapdale and Kilmartin Glen, and you may wish to bring something to eat. Àdhamh will be fasting until the end of the event for spiritual connection, but this is not a requirement unless you would prefer to do so.

Please direct any enquiries to Àdhamh Ó Broin at gaelic@chartsargyllandisles.org

This event is funded by The Argyll and Bute Climate Action Network (ABCAN) Hub, CHARTS Gaelic Culture Officer is funded by Bòrd na Gàidhlig and supported by Argyll and Bute Council. 

Loch Coille Bharr Car Park, Lochgilphead , PA31 8PS,