Tributes to renowned Gaelic scholar and author, Iain Murray
19 November 2018
Acclaimed Gaelic author, script writer and educationalist, Iain Murray, has died.
Mr Murray of Barvas, Lewis -
His wife Nora passed away in 2010.
After graduating from Edinburgh University he went into teaching, taking up a role at a school in Mussellburgh.
Short stories he wrote are regarded as the best in contemporary Gaelic literature such as Briseadh na Cloiche, which was made into a short film last year, and Feòil a' Gheamhraidh.
Like much of his work, both focus on a central character, harnessing imagery and symbolism to explore the inner mind and relationship dynamics.
Breaking away from the mainland control following local government reorganisation in the 70s , one of the prime ambitions of the newly formed Comhairle nan Eilean was to respond to parents’ demands to educate children in the native tongue of the islands.
Mr Murray departed as editor for the Gaelic Books Council to lead the council’s pioneering bilingual education project which aimed to bringing Gaelic into the classroom as the medium of education in addition to developing a curriculum acknowledging the children’s culture, environment and lifestyle.
Marking Breasclete School clocking up 30 years of GME in 2016, education director Bernard Chisholm, highlighted: “The drive shown by parents in those early days must be noted and without the commitment shown by educational leaders such as Dr Finlay MacLeod, John Murray and others together with those involved in the Van Leer project we would not be in the position we are in today.”
"They fought, at national level, to build a network and gain resources which enabled the comhairle to progress Gaelic medium education,” he stated.
Gaelic is now the principle language of instruction to nearly half of all pupils in the Western Isles and some ten island schools have official Gaelic status.
In the early days, the severe dearth of Gaelic books and learning resources was a serious obstacle. Iain Murray and Dr Finlay Macleod prompted a willing council to create a publishing company to fill the gap.
Iain Murray christened it Acair, meaning anchor, and became one of its founding directors.
Later, he was appointed assistant director of community education at the council,
spearheading a programme for promoting social development through Proiseact Muinntir
nan Eilean, an Gaelic supporting initiative which became the catalyst to launch community-
He went on to present current affairs in the early days of Gaelic TV, later becoming editor at Radio nan Gaidheal.
Tributes have been paid on social media.
Catriona Dunn, former education director at the comhairle said: “Very sad news. He did much work in education and in literature.”
Professor Donald Meek said he was an “exceptional person with marvellous intellect and writing skills without rival.”
Nan Smith wrote: “So very sad to hear this news. A gentleman to the end.”
Acair said they had “lost a dear friend” and praised his “foresight.”
“Iain was involved with the small group which launched Acair 40 years ago.
“We remember John with gratitude and great affection.
“He was working with the bilingual education project at the time and from that emerged the roots of GME as we know it today.”
Acair