Dè tha air a bhith a’ dol?
Children from Breakish interviewing Farquhar Graham at our first intergenerational event.
2026 has been a great year for Cuimheachain Bhreacais so far! We thought it was about time for an update on all the things we've been up to in the last few months.
January saw our fourth Strùpag 's Sgeulachdan event on the theme of Muir is Tìr (Land and Sea). People browsed the pop-up exhibition, enjoyed tea, coffee and homebaking and had a chat.
Strùpag ‘s Sgeulachdan, 31.1.26
We held a ceilidh in February, where lots of people enjoyed an evening of song, tunes and dancing. Ruairidh Graham was fear an taighe, and he introduced each performance bilingually. Young children from the community performed Gaelic songs and tunes, as well as various musicians from Breakish and further afield, and it was a warm and inclusive event. At every ceilidh, we set up a pop-up exhibition in the back of the hall, where people can look at photos and learn more about Cuimhneachain Bhreacais.
Ruairidh Graham, the Fear an Taighe at the ceilidh.
In April, we held an intergenerational event where children from Broadford Primary school came to the hall to interview three older people from the community. There were five children and three older people, as well as the volunteers/facilitators Frances Wilkins and Iseabail Strachan. The children formed two groups and asked questions they had written to the interviewees. The interviews were recorded and the recordings are now in the Cuimhneachain Bhreacais digital archive. 
Mairi MacLean and Wilma Miller are interviewed by Ada and Evie.
At the end of May, we held a walk in Ashaig led by local expert, Seonachan MacLeod. Eleven people attended this walk, both adults and children. Seonachan expertly guided us around several ancient sites including the neolithic burnt mound - the only one of its kind in Skye - the bull hut, Leac an Leabhar where Maol Rubha preached, the ancient well, a market garden and the commonwealth war graves at Ashaig graveyard. Both Gaelic and English were spoken on this walk.
Seonachan MacLeod giving a guided tour of Ashaig. Photo by Magnus Graham.
Committee member, graphic designer and exhibition expert, Ronan Martin is working on designing the exhibition, which will be launched in March 2027. We have been gathering information from the archive and all our events, which will used to shape the exhibition. The themes of the exhibition will include those the Strùpag 's Sgeulachdan events have explored, such as Bùthan Bhreacais (shops of Breakish) and Muir is Tìr (Land and Sea).
The Cuimhneachain Bhreacais committee started delivering leaflets to households in Breakish as part of a call out for people’s memories of Breakish. Perhaps you have memories of the hall or of Breakish you’d like to share to add to our growing archive. Contributions from days gone by to present day are most welcome! Please get in touch to find out more.
Local photographer, Rosie Woodhouse, is embarking on her own photography project alongside Cuimheachain Bhreacais’ work. Rosie is looking for participants who would like to be photographed outside their houses, as used to happen in the village in the past like in the photo below, of Rosie’s ancestors at 14 Upper Breakish. If you would like to have your photo taken outside your house, please send Rosie an email.
Rosie’s ancestors outside 14 Upper Breakish. Photo from Am Baile Highland history & culture.
The team is taking a break from organising events during the summer holidays. However, we will be back in August with a very special Strùpag ‘s Sgeulachdan event with a talk and the opportunity to make art - keep your eyes peeled on our website and Talla Bhreacas’ Facebook page for further information. There will be lots more events over the autumn and winter months too.
Thanks to all those who have supported our work and events.
We are also very grateful to our funders Bòrd na Gàidhlig, The National Lottery Community Fund and the Bùdhmòr Fund.
Le gach deagh dhùrachd,
Iseabail, Lis, Ronan, Frances is Kirsteen
Sgioba Cuimhneachain Bhreacais