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Afternoon Reading

The Mystery of the Hills

Episode 3: Hallaig

Duration: 15 minutes

First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 Extra

By Iain Finlay MacLeod.

Read by Tony Kearney.

A man reflects upon the consequences of a decision made too lightly.

Hebridean writer Iain Finlay MacLeod completes this series of stories specially commissioned to mark the centenary of the birth of the Gaelic poet Sorley MacLean. The title of this story refers to MacLean's great poem "Hallaig", while lines from the poem "The Choice" are central to the story's theme. Both poems can be read in full on MacLean's official website (see link opposite).

Sorley MacLean was born in October 1911 on Raasay, a small island lying off the east coast of Skye, into a family immersed in Highland history and culture. Awarded the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry in 1990, he is regarded as the greatest Gaelic poet of the Twentieth Century, giving new literary standing to a language which at times seemed close to extinction.

Produced by Kirsteen Cameron. Show less

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