Fiosrachadh/ information
Talla Bhreacais (Breakish Hall) are running a programme of events to mark the hall’s 100-year anniversary. These will include workshops, cèilidhs, performances and an oral reminiscence project. The oral history project focuses on photographs, memorabilia and memories of the community of Breakish and will culminate in an exhibition at the hall.
Pròiseact Cuimhneachain Bhreacais (Breakish Memories Project) was launched in June 2025 and will continue until 2026. The project is being funded by Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s ‘Taic Freumhan Coimhearsnachd’ fund and a National Lottery Community Fund.
The aim of the project is to document and celebrate the oral history of Breakish by creating an archive and exhibition of photographs and memories from the community. Several public events will take place at Talla Bhreacais during the project and people of all ages are invited to take part in the project, documenting the hall and community from the past to the present day. Children are especially encouraged to take part.
Who we are
Lis Phillips is the current chair of Talla Bhreacais committee. As a musician and Gaelic speaker, she plays in the Breakish Ceilidh Band and often organises ceilidhs and concerts at Talla Bhreacais. In 2015, she helped establish the Breakish Folk Club along with fellow Breakish musicians, which has been instrumental in promoting musical activity and collaborations in the village and in south Skye. A retired community nurse, she is very active in the community of Breakish and South Skye. She set up South Skye Sea Kayak club several years ago, an organisation that provides kayak training and outings to people of all ages and abilities.
Iseabail Strachan is a member of the Talla Bhreacais committee. She is a music tutor, producer and community musician who has worked in the arts for the last 8 years. She is experienced in project management, co-ordination and as a workshop facilitator. In 2021-2022, she worked as a Story Gatherer for the 'Coast that Shaped the World' project https://coast.scot/ where she collected stories from south Skye. A fluent Gaelic speaker, she runs monthly 'Seinn Còmhla' sessions at Talla Bhreacais which is a space for local singers to come together and share and learn Gaelic songs. She has organised many a cèilidh and has played at numerous events at Talla Bhreacais over the years, often along with her sister, fiddler Ester Strachan, and with the Breakish Ceilidh Band. Earlier this year, she launched her debut album, Uiseag Aiseig at the hall alongside various musicians from Breakish.
Frances Wilkins is Senior Lecturer in Ethnomusicology at the Elphinstone Institute, University of Aberdeen. She has wealth of experience of interviewing people within community settings. She has a working knowledge of Gaelic and experience in organising workshops and ceilidhs. She organised two Gaelic singing workshops at Talla Bhreacais for Seachdain na Gàidhlig in 2023. She has curated four exhibitions to date and websites including https://seinn.org/, an online digital archive from the project, ‘Seinn Spioradail: Sacred Soundscapes of the Highlands and Islands’. She is also a musician who plays regularly at Talla Bhreacais at ceilidhs and other events.
Ronan Martin has been designing and publishing heritage projects for over 25 years. He has curated Exhibitions including ‘Seinn Spioradail: Sacred Soundscapes of the Highlands and Islands’ (currently on tour) and ‘The Story of Coigach’ which is due to be installed in Achiltibuie 2025. In partnership with Taigh na Teud Music Publishers Ronan has designed many historically important music books including The Eliza Ross Collection, Rob Donn MacAoidh, The Patrick McDonald Collection and The Coigach & Assynt Collection. Ronan is one of Scotland’s finest fiddlers and plays regularly in the community including his local venue Talla Bhreacais.
Kirsteen Graham was responsible for setting up Fèis an Earraich and managed its development in Skye over 18 years. A Gaelic singer, teacher and artist with a wealth of experience in community work and teaching, she will help ensure that Gaelic language and culture is at the forefront of the centenary celebrations.
