13: Gaelic sovereignty in the later middle ages

by Dr. Martin MacGregor

Synopsis

This talk will ask whether a pan-Gaelic sovereignty existed in the later middle ages. Three relevant concepts are identified and discussed: taigh is leth Albann or a ‘house and a half of Scotland’; airdcheannas Eireann or ‘the high kingship of Ireland’; Ceannas Gaoidheal (later Ceannas nan Gàidheal) or ‘the headship of the Gaels’. The root they share is not Dalriada, in modern eyes often seen as the sine qua non of Gaelic communion across the North Channel, but the MacDonalds or Clann Dòmhnaill of Scotland and their progenitor Colla Uais, one of the fabled three Collas. In the case of Ceannas Gaoidheal the Campbells also feature.

Image caption: Dunollie Castle, by Ronnie Leask. Source: Wikimedia Commons

About the speaker

Dr Martin MacGregor is a senior lecturer in Scottish History at the University of Glasgow, specialising in the history of the Highlands or Gaelic-speaking Scotland between 1300 and 1900.

How to participate

This talk will begin at 7.30 pm (GMT) and last up to one hour, followed by questions. As the audience for each talk will be limited to 100, please register in plenty of time by e-mailing us (click either on the ‘Register for Events’ button above, or click here click here ). You will then be sent a code to allow you to join the talk.

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