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The Essay Podcast

The Essay

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Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

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The Essay: Islands

The Essay: Islands: Episode 4: Raasay

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Episode 4: Raasay

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Raasay

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Kenneth Steven on Raasay, an island close to Skye and once home to poet Sorley MacLean.

Poet Kenneth Steven discusses Raasay, an island close to Skye which was once home to the great Gaelic bard Sorley MacLean.

Poet Kenneth Steven writes on Raasay, an island close to Skye once home to the great Gaelic bard Sorley MacLean. Kenneth describes the history of this 'fiercely traditional island', with its continuing belief in the sanctity of the Sabbath Day - Sunday. 'This was prevalent until recently all across the Highlands and islands; it has faded with increasing secularisation, but on Raasay (as in other Outer Hebridean islands in particular) it remains firm'.
Kenneth looks at two famous sons of Raasay, both born in 1911. Calum MacLeod is famous for building a road across the island when requests for its construction had fallen on deaf ears. 'Over a period of about ten years he constructed one-and-three-quarter miles of road, using little more than a shovel, pick and wheelbarrow.'

But his main interest is in the work of Sorley Maclean, Gaelic poet. 'Gaelic was his mother tongue, the language of the heart, and the poetry he wrote was out of the burning fires of the heart. This was no gentle poetry. Sorley Maclean's people were from Raasay and Skye and the memory of their struggle for justice and for land beat within him like a living drum.'.

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Poet Kenneth Steven explores Scottish island life, responding to the landscapes in poetry.

Poet Kenneth Steven explores Scottish island life, responding to the landscapes in poetry

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