The Acair team, the staff and the Board, are together mourning the passing of Angus Morrison, their manager.
Following a career spanning 20 years teaching in Gaelic Medium Education, Angus joined the Acair team in 2021.
Angus was selfless. He was a meticulous, gentle man with an unending kindness in his heart.
We, as a collective, don’t have the words at the moment but our thoughts are with his wife, Janet, his mother and the family as a whole at this immensely difficult time.
Acair are delighted to announce a new series of fiction books called Feuch Ficsean which they will be publishing through a partnership with The Gaelic Books Council.
Feuch Ficsean is a new series of books aimed at attracting people to reading in Gaelic. These novellas are by different authors and about different topics, with a wide range of characters. Each title contains a glossary as well as online resources, audiobooks and soundbites.
The first book of the series, Soraidh Slàn le Hallaig by Maoilios Campbell, will be published in July at a launch
event which will take place at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. This will be held on Wednesday 23.07.25 at 7pm in Talla
Dhonaidh Chaimbeil where you’ll hear Maoilios in conversation about his new book, further information on this exciting new series of books from representatives of Acair as well as the opportunity to ask questions. There will also be some local entertainment and a warm welcome awaits everyone!
Angus Morrison, Acair Manager, said: “We are delighted to launch the first title in this new series of books which we hope will encourage people to read in Gaelic. There has been a need for a series of this type, which assists and encourages people to start to read in Gaelic. With resources such as a glossary and audiobooks, we are hopeful that this series will lead to an increase in the numbers of people reading and enjoying Gaelic literature.”
John Storey, Head of Literature and Publishing at the Gaelic Books Council, said: “We’re pleased to support Acair and their new series. There has been a lot of hard work behind the scenes developing these titles and we’re looking forward to seeing the books in print.”
Acair are grateful to the Gaelic Books Council and Bòrd na Gàidhlig for their support and funding.
Soraidh Slàn le Hallaig, 156 pages, Paperback, Acair, £9.99
Acair are delighted to announce the launch of their latest title which will be published next month.
We are thrilled to launch Travels in Another Country; A Guide to Gaelic Scotland by Coinneach Maclean on Friday 27th June 2025.
Until relatively modern times Scotland was largely a Gaelic-speaking nation. Areas that were described by Doctor Johnson in 1775 as being as remote and as unknown as Borneo or Sumatra became one of the first sites of modern mass tourism and the subject of more travel writing than any other part of Scotland. Recent learned writers have variously described Scotland as the ‘land of dreamtime’, the Highlands as ‘Fancy’s Land’, and the country as the site of the ‘invention of tradition’.
Unfortunately, that narrative often bears little relation to the actual lived experience of the native people. In this book Coinneach Maclean journeys through the present and former Gaelic-speaking areas of Scotland from the perspective of the native Gaels. Extensively illustrated with songs, poetry and place names, he introduces some of the gods and goddesses, witches and warlocks, heroes, heroines and villains who once populated these often largely emptied landscapes. Their own words give an insight into the Gaels’ hopes and aspirations, loves and losses, their soaring literary achievements and vivid depictions of their beloved landscapes, giving the reader a more rounded understanding of the history and culture of the Gaelic peoples of Scotland.
Coinneach Maclean is a Gaelic speaker from the island of South Uist. Although he initially trained as an archaeologist at Edinburgh and Cambridge Universities he has had a diverse career, including deer farming, rural development and working at a senior level in the heritage industry. After retirement he trained as a Blue Badge tourist guide which led to guiding work all over Scotland. He also successfully defended a doctoral thesis entitled ‘The Tourist Gaze on Gaelic Scotland’ at Glasgow University. He has been a Board Member of Historic Environment Scotland. Now living on the Isle of Skye, he gives talks to tourists, sharing his wide knowledge of Gaelic and Highland history with them.
A special launch event will take place at the Centre for Contemporary Arts in Glasgow. This will be held on Friday 27th June 2025 at 6pm. Coinneach will be in conversation with Alasdair C Whyte about his new book, with readings and there will also be an opportunity to ask questions. A warm welcome awaits and entry is free.
Angus Morrison, Acair Manager, said: “We are thrilled to publish Travels in Another Country and look forward to sharing Coinneach’s work with the public. The book contains a wealth of information and will be hugely popular with many.”
Acair are grateful to Bòrd na Gàidhlig, The Gaelic Language Promotion Trust, Urras an Eilein, Foundation Scotland, The Gaelic Books Council, The Andrew Tannahill Fund, The McCaig Trust and The Gaelic Society of London for their support and funding.
Travels in Another Country, 500 pages, Paperback, Acair, £20
Acair are excited to share details of their next publication which will be available from 31.03.2025. Ailig agus an Dalek Gàidhlig has been written by Shelagh Campbell and is her first children’s title.
Ailig is an 8-year-old boy who loves Dr Who. When his teacher arranges a Halloween party in school, Ailig knows that he wants to dress up as a Dalek. There’s only one problem though – his teacher says that the children must dress up as characters who speak Gaelic. Ailig’s mum offers to make him a Spàgan costume (Spàgan is the Gaelic translation of the ‘Monster’ books) but he is determined to go as a Dalek. They reach a compromise – if Ailig can find a Gaelic word for ‘Exterminate’ his mum will let him go to the party as a Dalek.
With full-colour illustrations by Merrill MacWilliam, this adventure story is both exciting and humorous and is sure to be enjoyed by many.
A series of events will take place across schools in Lewis with Shelagh visiting and discussing her new book with pupils on 24th and 25th April before holding the official launch event on Saturday 26th April at 11am at Stornoway Library. A warm welcome awaits all! Further events will take place in Glasgow over the coming months and information will be shared in due course.
Shelagh Campbell, author, said: “I can’t wait to see Ailig agus an Dalek Gàidhlig in print – I really enjoyed writing it and the wonderful illustrations by Merrill MacWilliam bring the story to life. I’m delighted that it will be published by Acair, who have done a fantastic job, and it will be great to launch it in Stornoway, and to visit schools and libraries in April.”
Angus Morrison, Acair Manager, said: “We are very much looking forward to publishing Ailig agus an Dalek Gàidhlig! We know that children are keen to see new Gaelic originations published and we also know the appeal of Daleks! Shelagh has written a fantastic book and we’re certain that it will be enjoyed by many children, and even adults!”
Acair are grateful to Bòrd na Gàidhlig, The Gaelic Books Council and the Outer Hebrides Community Led Local Development Youth Local Action Group (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar) for their support and funding.
Ailig agus an Dalek Gàidhlig, 80 pages, Paperback, Acair, £7.95
Acair were delighted to launch their latest title on Friday (28.02.2025). An Staran, edited by Petra Johana Poncarová was launched as part of World Gaelic Week.
The book comprises a selection of the Gaelic prose writings of Prof Derick Thomson (1921 – 2012). As well as being one of the most important Gaelic poets of the 20th century, Thomson, as the publisher and editor of the quarterly ‘Gairm’, shaped the development of Gaelic writing in the post-war period.
As an anthology of short stories, essays, reviews, travelogues and other genres of writing, the book aims to showcase lesser known aspects of Thomson as a writer – for example his skilful use of language, sharp intellect, his commitment to Gaelic and to Scotland and his incisive wit. There is also a short biographical introduction to Thomson.
A special launch event took place at Aros an Rubha on Friday 28th February 2025, as part of World Gaelic Week. Attendees heard Petra Poncarova talking about the book and her journey to putting it together, as well as a short interview with Catriona Dunn, readings from Anne Frater and Ruairidh MacIver and there was also an opportunity to ask questions.
Petra Poncarova said: “It was a pleasure and an honour to launch An Staran in Àros an Rubha – in the community where Derick Thomson himself was raised, and to hear about the man himself and the connections between his writings and the area from local people. Thanks to the Point Historical Society, we had a bust of Thomson, his typewriter, and a pair of glasses – I had never seen any of his personal belongings before, and that was powerful. I was delighted that we had a lot of laughs with the stories and humorous bits – and that we remembered Thomson as a writer who was light-hearted and humorous, in addition to his other talents. I hope that readers will find something new in the book, something they did not expect from Thomson.”
Acair are grateful to Bòrd na Gàidhlig, The Gaelic Books Council and Point and Sandwick Trust for their support and funding.
An Staran, 272 pages, Paperback, Acair, £12
Acair are delighted to announce the launch of their latest title which will be published this month.
We are thrilled to launch An Staran edited by Petra Johana Poncarová on Friday 28th February 2025, as part of World Gaelic Week. This is a collection of the late Derick Thomson’s work, brought together by Petra Poncarová, who has written extensively about his work.
The book comprises a selection of the Gaelic prose writings of Prof Derick Thomson (1921 – 2012). As well as being one of the most important Gaelic poets of the 20th century, Thomson, as the publisher and editor of the quarterly ‘Gairm’, shaped the development of Gaelic writing in the post-war period.
As an anthology of short stories, essays, reviews, travelogues and other genres of writing, the book aims to showcase lesser known aspects of Thomson as a writer – for example his skilful use of language, sharp intellect, his commitment to Gaelic and to Scotland and his incisive wit. There is also a short biographical introduction to Thomson.
The compiler and editor of the collection, Dr Petra Johana Poncarová, is an academic writer and researcher whose focus is on Scottish Literature and Culture, including modern writing in Gaelic.
A special launch event will take place at Aros an Rubha. This will be held on Friday 28th February 2025 at 7pm, as part of World Gaelic Week. You can hear Petra talking about her book and her journey to writing it, a short interview with Catriona Dunn, and there will also be an opportunity to ask questions. A warm welcome awaits and entry is free.
Angus Morrison, Acair Manager, said: “We are thrilled to publish An Staran and celebrate Derick Thomson’s writing. Petra has worked hard to compile this work and Acair are hugely proud to publish this special book, particularly during World Gaelic Week. We were fortunate to receive funding from Point and Sandwick Trust and felt it was suitably appropriate to launch the book in the district of Point, where Derick was raised.”
Acair are grateful to Bòrd na Gàidhlig, The Gaelic Books Council and Point and Sandwick Trust for their support and funding.
An Staran, 272 pages, Paperback, Acair, £12
Acair are thrilled to announce the short-listing of one of their publications in the prestigious Saltire Society’s National Book Awards 2024!
Somhairle MacGill-Eain: Na Bhriathran Fhèin by Màiri Sine Campbell, Jo Macdonald and Ishbel MacLean has been short-listed for the Research Book award. Somhairle MacGill-Eain: Na Bhriathran Fhèin was published in September of last year.
Although Somhairle MacGill-Eain wrote the poetry for which he is internationally renowned in Gaelic, there is no book written in Gaelic which would introduce the man and his work to Gaelic readers, until now. This book, entirely in Gaelic, addresses that deficit by providing:
The book contains a short biography of his late daughter Catriona and contents list of family songs performed by her on the accompanying CD. Somhairle MacGill-Eain Na Bhriathran Fhèin is also fully illustrated with black and white photos, including family photographs dating from late 1920s to the 1990s, landscapes and significant places in Raasay, Skye, Plockton, Edinburgh, Egypt, and professional photographs of Somhairle MacGill-Eain at various events from the 1970s to 1990s.
Angus Morrison, Acair Manager, said: “Acair are honoured to have Somhairle MacGill-Eain: Na Bhriathran Fhèin shortlisted for the Research Book Award in Scotland’s National Book Awards 2024! The historical value of this book cannot be measured, and we are delighted to see that being recognised with it making the shortlist for this prestigious award.
“It is an honour, for all of us here at Acair, when any of Acair’s books are recognised in any Awards but to have our publications short-listed in these prestigious awards for the second year running is simply wonderful! It is hugely encouraging for us all – fellow publishers, authors and readers alike, particularly to see our Gaelic titles standing alongside their English counterparts.”
“We wouldn’t have any of these books were it not for the authors and editors who create these pieces of writing and indeed the support we receive from other organisations – namely The Gaelic Books Council, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Creative Scotland. It is so important that Gaelic literature be acknowledged and celebrated in the same way as English literature and we are seeing an increasing market for bilingual books.”
Acair are delighted to announce the launch of their latest title which will be published next month.
We are thrilled to launch Unnad – Indigenous by Calum Angus MacKay on Thursday 24th October 2024. Based on his hugely successful exhibition held at An Lanntair during the Summer, this beautiful book brings together Calum Angus’ work as well as a background of knowledge and information on the thought process behind each piece, his own history alongside information on the many things which have had an impact on his work across several years.
Unnad – Indigenous is a bilingual publication with the Gaelic and English side by side.
A special launch event will be held as part of An Lanntair’s Faclan festival – a Hebridean Book Festival which the arts centre holds annually. This will take place on Thursday (24.10.2024) at 8:15pm where you can hear Calum Angus speak about his new book and his journey to writing it. A warm welcome awaits.
Angus Morrison, Acair Manager, said: “We are delighted to publish Unnad – Indigenous and support a local artist, at a local event as part of a local book festival! Each of these things raises the profile of our community and indeed of Acair’s work and we are hugely proud of the partnerships we have with various organisations to take this to fruition.”
“As a photographer, and in my professional capacity as a television creative director, I have always been aware of being immersed in people’s lives, and in their wealth of stories. It was a very healthy place to be, but the time was approaching, when I would myself, once more, get the opportunity to present my own creative perspective to a wider audience. That is where I have reached.” – Calum Angus MacKay
“This is more than just a thought provoking and exquisite collection of outstanding work. It’s a love letter to belonging, and it is beautiful from start to finish.” – Muriel Gray
Acair are grateful to Bòrd na Gàidhlig, The Gaelic Books Council, Creative Scotland and Maoin nan Ealan Gàidhlig for their support and funding.
Unnad – Indigenous, 240 pages, Hardback, £22
Acair are thrilled to announce a successful night at the Gaelic Literature Awards 2024, held in Cottiers Theatre in Glasgow last night.
A total of five Acair titles were shortlisted for the awards.
Tìgear an Iomagain, which was translated by Morag Stewart, won the award for Best Children’s Book. Tìgear an Iomagain was published in November of last year as part of the Bookbug series which Acair publish in partnership with the Scottish Book Trust. This enchanting story is full of mindfulness actions that anyone can take to feel calm. Tìgear an Iomagain is a gorgeously illustrated book that’s a joy to read aloud and will help children relax and speak about what might be feeding their anxiety.
Morag was unable to attend the awards ceremony but said: “Gaelic books for children are a special category and Tîgear an Iomagain was in wonderful company on the shortlist. It was a huge pleasure for me to translate this lovely book for Acair. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is about a topic that is increasingly important to children in today’s world.”
Gach Seòrsa Caraid, translated by Dolina Macleod and Na Còig Mathain, translated by Alasdair Campbell, were also shortlisted for the Award for Best Book for Children/Young People.
Two Acair titles were shortlisted for The Donald Meek Award for Best Non-fiction Book; Somhairle MacGill-Eain: Na Bhriathran Fhèin by Mairi Sine Campbell, Jo Macdonald agus Ishbel Maclean and Women of the Hebrides | Ban-eileanaich Innse Gall by Joni Buchanan.
Although Somhairle MacGill-Eain wrote the poetry for which he is internationally renowned in Gaelic, there is no book written in Gaelic which would introduce the man and his work to Gaelic readers, until now. This book, entirely in Gaelic, addresses that deficit.
The book contains a short biography of his late daughter Catriona and contents list of family songs performed by her on the accompanying CD. Somhairle MacGill-Eain Na Bhriathran Fhèin is also fully illustrated with black and white photos, including family photographs dating from late 1920s to the 1990s, landscapes and significant places in Raasay, Skye, Plockton, Edinburgh, Egypt, and professional photographs of Somhairle MacGill-Eain at various events from the 1970s to 1990s.
With a wealth of detail and intensive research, Joni tells the story of island women in Women of the Hebrides | Ban-eileanaich Innse Gall – their quick wit and political determination, hands that were deft with the loom and with the gutting knife, strong backs for croft work, endurance through times of tragedy and compassion and fortitude on the frontlines of war and disease.
The women in these pages travel the world, wage war against injustice and nurture their cultural heritage, all the time with two languages on their tongue, a light in their eye and undimmable spirit and humour.
It was Joni Buchanan who won the prestigious Domhnall Meek Award for Best Non-fiction Book for her work on Women of the Hebrides | Ban-eileanaich Innse Gall.
Collecting her award, Joni said: “This award, like the book itself, is a celebration of the island women it represents. It was a huge privilege to be given the opportunity to tell these women’s stories and I’m delighted that other people recognise the importance of this book in filling a long-term void in Gaelic and island literature.”
Angus Morrison, Manager at Acair said: “It is a huge honour for Acair to have had any title shortlisted, but to have had five is wonderful! We wouldn’t have any of these books were it not for the authors who create these pieces of writing and indeed the support we receive from other organisations – namely The Gaelic Books Council, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Creative Scotland.”
“We’d like to extend our thanks to The Gaelic Books Council for recognising these wonderful books and the authors involved in them. It is so important that Gaelic literature be acknowledged and celebrated in the same way as English literature and we are seeing an increasing market for bilingual books.”
All of the books named above can be bought on our website – www.acairbooks.com
Acair are delighted to announce their next publication of 2024.
Among the Layers of The Land has been written by Frank Rennie, who has previously published The Changing Outer Hebrides with Acair, a book which won the Highland Book Prize in 2020.
Among the Layers of The Land reflects on the different ways that we look at the natural environment, alternating thoughtful non-fiction pieces and short stories that explore a fictional perspective. This stimulating format celebrates our relationships with landscape and place from some surprising angles to uncover the layers of the land that enrich our understanding of the world.
Angus Morrison, Acair Manager, said: “We’re delighted to publish Frank’s latest book and are very much looking forward to the launch event. As always, our launch events are open to everyone and free of charge and we’d be delighted to see you there. Frank’s latest book is a great read and I’m sure it will be enjoyed by many. Frank has chosen to have all the royalties from this book donated to The Linda Norgrove Foundation to support women and children in Afghanistan.”
John Norgrove of The Linda Norgrove Foundation said: “We are very appreciative that Frank has chosen to donate the royalties from his new book to the Foundation. For the past 14 years we have run small, on-the-ground projects in Afghanistan that make a genuine difference to the lives of women and children. Please be assured that every penny we receive from the sales of the book will get to Afghanistan to help those most in need.”
There will be a book launch event held in Stornoway Library at 7pm on Friday (05.07.24) where you will have the opportunity to hear Frank in discussion with Annella MacLeod (BBC) about his book and his journey to write it. There will also be an opportunity for questions and signings. A warm welcome awaits!
Among the Layers of The Land, 198 pages, paperback, Acair, £14