Rhona (Producer)

I’ve always found it interesting that the word seanair is still used so much in Oban. A conversation back in 2020 with Mhairi Wren sparked the thought in my mind again, and I decided to initiate this project.

It seems to me that using seanair, rather than any English alternatives, is quite a clear marker of identity, or even ethnicity. It’s a strong link to our Gaelic heritage, even if we’re no longer first-language speakers.

This project is my response to that: an exploration of the question, What makes up Gàidheal identity when so much of the language has gone? And of course, it’s no one thing. It’s lots of thing, and it’s a bit different for everyone, but through our conversations we’ve found there’s a lot that’s shared, too. We recognise it in each other.

I’m very grateful to all the other participants for taking part, and for being so open and generous. Tapadh leibh uile.