Welcome to Highland 2007

Fàilte Oirbh do Ghàidhealtachd 2007

the year scotland celebrates highland culture

a’ bhliadhna a chomharraicheas Alba cultar na Gaidhealtachd

Highland 2007

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Oidhche Challuinn (Challuinn’s Night) – A traditional New Year celebration! 12 January 2007

One community still continuing the tradition of celebrating the Old New Year is the island of Berneray in the Western Isles. On the night of 12 January local children disguise themselves with homemade masks and visit all the houses on the island quoting an old Gaelic rhyme. According to the tradition, they ask for food to help see the needy through the winter and when they receive their goodies they deliver a blessing in Gaelic before leaving. In 2007 the community is planning a special celebration with a ceilidh in the village hall following the children’s tour of the community. And this year the entire Oidhche Challuinn (Challuinn’s Night) event will be filmed: Project co-ordinator Ursina MacLellan says, “We need to look after our traditions in order to keep them going in the future. The older residents look forward to this special night which they remember from their own childhoods and we want to make sure we have a record detailing everything we know about it so future generations can continue to enjoy it.” The film will be released in the spring and will be available to purchase on DVD. You can find out more about Berneray on www.isleofberneray.com.