Cuirmean
(beagan de dh'obair Mhaighread / a sample of some of Margaret's recent work)
Sing Me A Story / Cuir Seinn Ri Seanchas (Celtic Connections 2022)
Stories, myths & musings from the Scottish Gàidhealtachd
These are some of the stories the Gaels have passed on through the generations, and which captures their sense of the world and Scotland’s place in it. A celebration of the storytelling tradition in the Highlands and Islands and the music and song that goes with it, featuring Allan Henderson, Margaret Stewart, Ewen Henderson, Sileas Sinclair, Ewan Robertson and Duncan Chisholm. Tales of hidden treasure, fairies and apparitions mingle easily with stories both humorous and tragic. Why was the death of a Swedish king mourned so deeply in the Gaeltachd and who was the Gaelic speaker that ran with the John Dillinger gang? All will be revealed, to the accompaniment of some of the best traditional music and song around. 
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Seinn air a' Phìob, Celtic Connections 2019, Glasgow - 18 An Fhaoilleach (January) 2019
Review: The concert was called ‘Seinn (Sing) air a’ Phìob’ because in Gaelic pipers sing on their pipes. Singing and piping are inextricably linked and indeed singing ran throughout the concert, with the piping coming mostly in the second half. In the first half Maighread Stewart and Ingrid Henderson performed a stunning set of songs and solos with voice and harp. What a partnership they are with the harp sounding so refreshing and colourful that you could almost taste it. In general, for me it was in the singing that the greatest highlights were to be found. The song about Deirdre of the Sorrows, the first song in praise of whisky, and in the second half the charismatic singing of Alan Macdonald stood out memorably.
Rudolstadt Festival, Germany - 6 gu 10 An t-Iuchar (July), 2017
It was an amazing experience and a huge honour to be part of the troupe that brought a taste of the Tobar an Dualchais / Kist o' Riches archives to audiences which numbered in their thousands at the Rudolstadt Festival in Germany from 6th to 10th July.
As our project leader, Steve Byrne, wrote:- "From the various stages, we sang of Hairsts at Rettie and the Lothians, went up the Noran Water, eulogised Ailean Dearg and Bonnie Prince Charlie, recounted Ossianic lays, sodgers and St Kilda, lobsters and laurels, barfit heather skippers and Jeannie Meldrum stair-doon-trippers, single-row melodeon and locally-made jew's harps giving life to old-time west coast dance tunes, berryfields at Blair, Burreldale Moss, Harlaw, gadgies doon the road, Jamie Raeburn and Gypsy Laddies, bonnie Màiri Bhòidheach and bonnie laddies gangin by me, mo chailin mheall thu mi, the corncrake, Cromar, and cailleachs on holiday, eventually takkin the road when yella wis on the broom.
In doing so we held high the names of tradition bearers from days gone by who helped replenish the carrying stream to buoy us along to where we are today. Belle Stewart, Jeannie Robertson, Betsy Whyte, Jim Reid, James Scott Skinner, Peter Milne, Mary Morrison, Calum & Annie Johnstone, John 'Hoddan' MacDonald and numerous others.
Of course Hamish Henderson's words and influence were writ large, as in the encore we sang of peace, freedom and aa the bairns o Adam finding a place they can call home. In the introduction we raised our starry banner - the European Saltire - and the crowd rose to their feet and cheered and applauded and took copious photos each and every time and most of us wept as we saw their faces "get" what we were trying to say: Europa, wir sind noch hier. Following the concerts, countless people told us what a powerful statement it was.
Singers Joe Aitken, Paul Anderson, Shona Donaldson Scots Singer, Jim Malcolm, Margaret Stewart, Murdo 'Wasp' MacDonald, Gillebride MacMillan, Steve Byrne, Fred Morrison and Patsy Seddon were supported by a house band of true professionals - Steve Byrne, Aaron Jones, Mark Dunlop and Robbie Greig.
Glasgow Westend Festival, Binneas nam Ban - 22 An t-Òg Mhìos (June) 2017
Binneas nam Ban, featuring renowned Lewis singer Margaret Stewart, South Uist treasure Kathleen MacInnes and the all female line-up 'Sian' with new generation singers Eilidh Cormack, Ellen MacDonald and Ceitlin Smith in the beautiful venue Kelvinside Hillhead Parish Church promises to be a singer's dream.
With expert accompaniment from Jenn Butterworth and Ingrid Henderson makes this special concert one not to be missed!
With expert accompaniment from Jenn Butterworth and Ingrid Henderson makes this special concert one not to be missed!
Celtic Connections, St Andrews in the Square - 20 An Fhaoilleach (January), 2016
A full house at the beautiful venue of St Andrews in the Square for the Celtic Connections debut of The Margaret Stewart Trio (Margaret (vocals), Ingrid Henderson (harp) and Angus Nicolson (pipes) in a double bill event with Iain MacFarlane for his new CD launch, 'Gallop to Callop'. Thank you to all who chose to come to our event, given the huge choice available to them at Celtic Connections that night. Our hearts were particularly warmed by the number of young Gaels in the audience, particularly those who had travelled from afar especially for the concert.
Scoil Cheòil an Earraigh, Co. Kerry, Ireland - 18 gu 22 An Gearran (February), 2015
An extremely welcome invitation arrived some months ago from Country Kerry in Ireland, to take part in their annual 'Scoil Cheòil an Earraigh' which begins on 18th February.
Hup! I've returned in body, if not in heart and mind. What a wonderful cultural and musical experience I had at the Scoil Cheòil, something which my soul desperately needed. Minutes after my arrival, late on Wednesday evening, I was immersed in the 'Singer's Night', where I met some old friends and began to make new ones, amid our varied songs and singing styles. During the week I gave a talk on the 'Gaelic songs of Courtship and Night-Visiting', attended the sean-nòs singing class, held a Scottish Gaelic Song workshop, sang on an RTE radio programme and at the Friday night concert, as well as the many sessions and events which continued throughout the week and spilled into the weekend. The linguistic and cultural links between our two Gaeldom extremities should be fostered much more than they seem to be, and I was honoured to act as an ambassador for the Scottish Gaelic language and our song tradition for a few days at this event. This was my first trip to Scoil Cheòil an Earraigh and I sincerely hope it won't be my last (saving pennies already). Click on the blog link for one person's account of a few of the events and concerts:- Singer Blog
Hup! I've returned in body, if not in heart and mind. What a wonderful cultural and musical experience I had at the Scoil Cheòil, something which my soul desperately needed. Minutes after my arrival, late on Wednesday evening, I was immersed in the 'Singer's Night', where I met some old friends and began to make new ones, amid our varied songs and singing styles. During the week I gave a talk on the 'Gaelic songs of Courtship and Night-Visiting', attended the sean-nòs singing class, held a Scottish Gaelic Song workshop, sang on an RTE radio programme and at the Friday night concert, as well as the many sessions and events which continued throughout the week and spilled into the weekend. The linguistic and cultural links between our two Gaeldom extremities should be fostered much more than they seem to be, and I was honoured to act as an ambassador for the Scottish Gaelic language and our song tradition for a few days at this event. This was my first trip to Scoil Cheòil an Earraigh and I sincerely hope it won't be my last (saving pennies already). Click on the blog link for one person's account of a few of the events and concerts:- Singer Blog
Cailleach na Nollaige, Sgoil Bhreascleit - 16th An Dubhlachd (December), 2014
Margaret was invited to take part in yet another two-week 'Seall Seo' project in December 2014, with the host school being Sgoil Bhreascleit. The theme was Christmas of course, and we had great fun creating a Gaelic song to the tune of Jingle Bells, learning traditional songs and developing little action songs to both 'Dh'ith na Coin na Maragan' and 'Bha Gog Gog Gog aig a Chailleach ud a' Raoir'. Mairi Moireasdan directed the children in a hugely successful Gaelic parody of 'A Christmas Carol', in which Margaret also had singing part, while floating through the scenery as the black spectre of Christmas Yet To Come. Yet another hugely satisfying project for Margaret within a Gaelic Medium Unit; a precious but, sadly, too rare an opportunity to pass on social and cultural history to the island's youngsters via the huge corpus of traditional Gaelic song we are so fortunate to have in Gaeldom.
Gairm nan Gaidheal, WWI Commemoration Drama Project - Sgoil an Rubha - 27 & 28 A Mhairt (March) 2014
Margaret was recently involved in a two-week community drama project for Proiseact nan Ealan (the Gaelic Arts Agency), commemorating those from the Point area of Lewis who were involved in the First World War. Two plays were written by Chrisella Ross, one (Tilleadh Dhachaidh, focusing on the Iolaire disaster) was brilliantly performed by the children of the Gaelic Medium Unit at Sgoil an Rubha, and the other (Nach Fuar am Poll, dealing with a soldier's post traumatic stress and a mother seeking answers about her son who was 'missing presumed killed in action' ) by David Walker, Margaret Stewart, Sean MacLeod and Etta Bell MacMillan. Margaret was also musical director for the project, the highlights of the work being the immense satisfaction she received from working with such eager and talented young Gaels, and the creation of two small singing groups from the Gaelic Medium unit. In the space of two weeks the children learned and performed a complex play and a number of songs which they performed in a most professional manner. It was one of the most enjoyable and, ultimately, satisfying projects Margaret has been involved in for some time.
Fèis Bhlas (Blas Festival) 2013, Service of Cultural Thanksgiving - An t-Sultain (September), 2013
Blas Festival, 2013
INVERNESS – INBHIR NIS | St Andrews Cathedral
SERVICE OF CULTURAL THANKSGIVING WITH MUSIC AND SONG
More information and the history of St Andrew's Cathedral Inverness at this link http://www.invernesscathedral.co.uk Information on The Epsicopal Church Diocese of Moray Ross and Caithness at this link http://www.moray.anglican.org/
INVERNESS – INBHIR NIS | St Andrews Cathedral
SERVICE OF CULTURAL THANKSGIVING WITH MUSIC AND SONG
More information and the history of St Andrew's Cathedral Inverness at this link http://www.invernesscathedral.co.uk Information on The Epsicopal Church Diocese of Moray Ross and Caithness at this link http://www.moray.anglican.org/
The World's Room, Edinburgh, 15th An Gearann (February), 2013
'A superb meeting of Gaelic Scotland and Ireland at The World's Room in February. Margaret Stewart is a highly-respected tradition bearer from Lewis, known not only for the superlative calibre of her singing and collaborative works, but also as a fine teacher of songs in the Gaelic tradition.
Nell Ní Chróinin is an excellent young sean-nós singer from the Muskerry Gaeltacht in County Cork, whose wonderfully natural style has earned her acclaim and prizes at some of Ireland's most prestigious competitions.
The World's Room ' http://www.theworldsroom.com/en/coming-up/february-15th
Nell Ní Chróinin is an excellent young sean-nós singer from the Muskerry Gaeltacht in County Cork, whose wonderfully natural style has earned her acclaim and prizes at some of Ireland's most prestigious competitions.
The World's Room ' http://www.theworldsroom.com/en/coming-up/february-15th
SMO @ 40 - Celtic Connections, 2013 - 19 Am Faoilleach (January) 2013
19 January, Glasgow City Halls - SMO @ Celtic Connections
A special concert at Celtic Connections on Saturday 19th January at 7.30pm in City Halls in Glasgow to celebrate Sabhal Mòr Ostaig's 40th anniversary. The brilliant line-up includes Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas, Dàimh, Margaret Stewart, Mary Ann Kennedy, Julie Fowlis, Fergie MacDonald, Alan MacDonald, Christine Primrose, James Graham, Decker Forrest and Mìcheal O Suilleabhain. Some of the performers taking part in the 40th Anniversary concert at Celtic Connection 2013.
A special concert at Celtic Connections on Saturday 19th January at 7.30pm in City Halls in Glasgow to celebrate Sabhal Mòr Ostaig's 40th anniversary. The brilliant line-up includes Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas, Dàimh, Margaret Stewart, Mary Ann Kennedy, Julie Fowlis, Fergie MacDonald, Alan MacDonald, Christine Primrose, James Graham, Decker Forrest and Mìcheal O Suilleabhain. Some of the performers taking part in the 40th Anniversary concert at Celtic Connection 2013.
Air Aoigheachd aig Dàimh, (guest singer with Dàimh), An Dubhlachd (December), 2012
'Ho Ho Hòro Gheallaidh'
Findhorn, 24th November, 2013
Banchory, 7th December, 2013
A festive musical frolic with the talented and convivial members of Dàimh. A thoroughly jolly affair, and we even managed to get quite a bit of snow for the Banchory gig !
Latha nan Dròbhairean (Drover's Day), 6th October, Crieff, 2012
A series of events devoted to the music, songs, poetry and stories of the Drovers.
6th October, 9th October and 10th October, 2012
WORKSHOP
'GAELIC SONGS OF CATTLE & DROVING'
WITH MARGARET STEWART
06 OCTOBER 2012 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
ST FILLAN'S MEMORIAL HALL @ FORD RD, CRIEFF, PERTH AND KINROSS PH7
CONCERT
06 OCTOBER 2012 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
DROVERS, DEALERS AND CATTLEMEN:
STORIES, SONGS AND POEMS Oʼ THE ROAD
ST FILLAN'S MEMORIAL HALL @ CRIEFF, PERTH AND KINROSS PH7 3HN, UK
STORIES, SONGS AND POEMS O’ THE ROAD
An evening to remember featuring five of Scotland traditionbearers:
Essie Stewart, Margaret Stewart, George Gunn, Nancy Nicolson, Margaret Bennett.
6th October, 9th October and 10th October, 2012
WORKSHOP
'GAELIC SONGS OF CATTLE & DROVING'
WITH MARGARET STEWART
06 OCTOBER 2012 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
ST FILLAN'S MEMORIAL HALL @ FORD RD, CRIEFF, PERTH AND KINROSS PH7
CONCERT
06 OCTOBER 2012 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
DROVERS, DEALERS AND CATTLEMEN:
STORIES, SONGS AND POEMS Oʼ THE ROAD
ST FILLAN'S MEMORIAL HALL @ CRIEFF, PERTH AND KINROSS PH7 3HN, UK
STORIES, SONGS AND POEMS O’ THE ROAD
An evening to remember featuring five of Scotland traditionbearers:
Essie Stewart, Margaret Stewart, George Gunn, Nancy Nicolson, Margaret Bennett.
Blas Commission & Tour - 7 gu 15 An t-Sultain (September)
A’ BHANAIS GHÀIDHEALACH (THE HIGHLAND WEDDING)
by MARGARET STEWART
with
INGRID HENDERSON
IAIN MACFARLANE
ALLAN HENDERSON
ANGUS NICOLSON
The Blas Commission 2012 has been awarded to Gaelic singer Margaret Stewart, who has chosen to explore the theme of ‘The Highland Wedding’, through the ages. Margaret, from a previous role as Gaelic Song Specialist for the Tobar an Dualchais project, will draw on her knowledge of the genre, and include songs and music of love, loss and disappointment, flirtation, wooing, night-visiting, humour and dance.
The concerts include the cream of Highland musicians : Iain MacFarlane (fiddle and button box), Ingrid Henderson (clarsach), Allan Henderson (fiddle and piano) and Angus Nicolson (small pipes and Highland pipes).
Wine and canapes will be served at this opening night.
Fri 7th - Aigas House, Beauly
Sat 8th - Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Isle of Skye
Mon 10th - Poolewe Village Hall
Tues 11th - Nairn Community Centre
Sat 15th - Eden Court Theatre, Inverness
click here for a dedicated page for this commission
by MARGARET STEWART
with
INGRID HENDERSON
IAIN MACFARLANE
ALLAN HENDERSON
ANGUS NICOLSON
The Blas Commission 2012 has been awarded to Gaelic singer Margaret Stewart, who has chosen to explore the theme of ‘The Highland Wedding’, through the ages. Margaret, from a previous role as Gaelic Song Specialist for the Tobar an Dualchais project, will draw on her knowledge of the genre, and include songs and music of love, loss and disappointment, flirtation, wooing, night-visiting, humour and dance.
The concerts include the cream of Highland musicians : Iain MacFarlane (fiddle and button box), Ingrid Henderson (clarsach), Allan Henderson (fiddle and piano) and Angus Nicolson (small pipes and Highland pipes).
Wine and canapes will be served at this opening night.
Fri 7th - Aigas House, Beauly
Sat 8th - Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Isle of Skye
Mon 10th - Poolewe Village Hall
Tues 11th - Nairn Community Centre
Sat 15th - Eden Court Theatre, Inverness
click here for a dedicated page for this commission
Ceòl Mòr Ostaig
At Ceòl 's Craic in Glasgow
26th May, 2012
LIVE PERFORMANCE
7.30pm / £8 (£6)
Margaret Stewart has earned a reputation as one of Gaeldom's leading singers and has brought Gaelic song to audiences all over the world. Margaret is currently Musician in Residence at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and a visiting lecturer on the Gàidhlig and Traditional Music Degree Course.
Christine Primrose, regarded as one of Scotland's finest Gaelic singers, is a trailblazer who has been singing traditional Gaelic song all her life. Christine teaches Gaelic song at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
Music Students: A group of talented students currently studying on the BA Hons Gaelic & Traditional Music degree course at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig will perform a number of sets to enthrall the audience. A chance to hear tomorrow's traditional music stars with their teachers and mentors.
Angus Nicolson Trio: Renowned piper, Angus Nicolson along with musicians Andrew MacPherson & Murdo Cameron make up one of the freshest and most energetic acts on the folk scene today.
Peter MacKay has a PhD on the poetry of Seamus Heaney and William Wordsworth, and his poems have been widely published in the UK. He is currently Writer in Residence at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig Music Students- currently studying on the BA in Gaelic and Traditional Music degree programme, they performed at Celtic Connections in January.
26th May, 2012
LIVE PERFORMANCE
7.30pm / £8 (£6)
Margaret Stewart has earned a reputation as one of Gaeldom's leading singers and has brought Gaelic song to audiences all over the world. Margaret is currently Musician in Residence at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and a visiting lecturer on the Gàidhlig and Traditional Music Degree Course.
Christine Primrose, regarded as one of Scotland's finest Gaelic singers, is a trailblazer who has been singing traditional Gaelic song all her life. Christine teaches Gaelic song at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
Music Students: A group of talented students currently studying on the BA Hons Gaelic & Traditional Music degree course at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig will perform a number of sets to enthrall the audience. A chance to hear tomorrow's traditional music stars with their teachers and mentors.
Angus Nicolson Trio: Renowned piper, Angus Nicolson along with musicians Andrew MacPherson & Murdo Cameron make up one of the freshest and most energetic acts on the folk scene today.
Peter MacKay has a PhD on the poetry of Seamus Heaney and William Wordsworth, and his poems have been widely published in the UK. He is currently Writer in Residence at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig Music Students- currently studying on the BA in Gaelic and Traditional Music degree programme, they performed at Celtic Connections in January.
