Margaret Fay Shaw was born in 1903 near Pittsburgh. A talented piano player, she loved music from a young age. Arriving in South Uist in 1929 to collect Gaelic songs, she fell in love with the island, and spent the remainder of her days collecting songs and stories, whilst taking photographs and filming a way of living which was ceasing to exist.
She married John Lorne Campbell in 1935, and two years later, they purchased Canna. Margaret stayed in Canna House until her death at the age of 101 in 2004.
In this programme, Canna House archivist Fiona J Mackenzie gives a fascinating insight into the life of Margaret Fay Shaw, told through her own photographs, films and audio recordings.
Rugadh Mairead Fay Sheathach ann an 1903 faisg air Pittsburgh. Bha ùidh mhòr aice ann an ceòl is bhiodh i a’ cluich a’ phiana. Thàinig i a dh’Uibhist a Deas ann an 1929 gus òrain Ghàidhlig a chruinneachadh is thuit i ann an trom gaol leis an eilean. Chuir i seachad a’ chorr de beatha a’ cruinneachadh sgeulachdan is òrain, is a’ togail dhealbhan is filmichean air dòighean-beatha a bha a’ dol a-mach a bìth.
Phòs i Iain Lathurna Caimbeul ann an 1935, agus dà bhliadhna as dèidh sin, cheannaich iad an t-eilean Chanaigh. Dh’fhuirich Mairead ann an Taigh Chanaigh gus an do bhàs i aig aois 101 ann an 2004.
Anns a’ phrògram seo, tha tasglannaiche Taigh Chanaigh, Fiona J Mackenzie, a’ toirt sealladh iongantach dhuinn air beatha Mairead Fay Sheathach tro na dealbhan, na filmichean is na clàraidhean aice fhèin.
