Young Choir Sings For Gaelic Committee

Eleven young pupils from six different Lochaber primary schools entertained Highland Councillors at the start of yesterdays Gaelic Committee held in Inverness. 

Còisir Òg Lochabair is made up from young boys and girls all under the age of 13 from Banavie Primary School, Lochyside Primary, Caol Primary, Inverlochy Primary, Fort William Primary and Upper Achintore Primary.  All the singers are Gaelic learners and are led by Lochaber Gaelic stalwart, Chrissie MacEachen who was made a Freeman of Lochaber at the 2007 Mod.

Mrs MacEachen, competed in her first Mod in Dunoon at the age of 9 in solo singing, duets and dialogue and won a Traditional Gold Medal in 1982 at the Skye Mod.  She set up the Lochaber Schools Choir in 1985 and since then she has trained the choir as well as solo singers, duettists and those wishing to recite. 

The choir performed 4 songs.  They started with Dh’ èirich mi moch madainn chèitein then went on to sing Gur tu mo chruinneag bhòidheach and Mo Mhàiri Bhàn before ending with a Strathspey and Reel – Hò rò na Ribeanan and Thèid thu null air an Fhadhail.

Lochaber Councillor Donald Cameron, a member of the Gaelic Committee had extended the invitation to the choir to perform.  Following their rousing performance, he took the opportunity to thank Chrissie, on behalf of the Committee for her dedication and hard work before presenting her with a silver brooch.  The young singers were given goody bags and a loud round of applause.