Consider the Lilies

Cathy MacDonald visits Strathnaver in the north of Scotland – the Sutherland glen from which some 2000 people were forcibly removed during the Highland clearances of the early 19th century. This dark period in Highland history forms the backdrop to Iain Crichton Smith’s classic novel 'Consider the Lilies'. Cathy explores the fact behind the fiction in this moving tale.

It is through the character of Mrs Scott, an elderly and devout woman, that the author explores this time and place. Threatened with eviction from the only home she has ever known by the notorious factor Patrick Sellar, one of several real life characters to feature in the book, Mrs Scott is thrown into a crisis that prompts her to re-evaluate the touchstones of her life.

Tha Cathy NicDhòmhnaill a’ tadhal air Srath Nabhair an ceann a tuath na h-Alba, an gleann ann an Cataibh às an deach dà mhìle neach a ruagadh an aghaidh an toil, aig àm Fuadaichean nan Gaidheal, tràth san 19mh linn. ‘S e sgàil na lathaichean dorcha seo ann an eachdraidh na Gàidhealtachd a th’air cùl an nobhail “Consider the Lilies” aig Iain Crichton Mac a’ Ghobhainn. Tha Cathy a’ lorg na fìrinn air cùl ficsean na sgeulachd thiamhaidh seo.

Tha an t-ùghdar a’ sealltainn na thachras tro bheatha sheann bhoireannach dhiadhaidh, a’ bhean-phòsta Scott. Tha maor an droch chliù, Pàdraig Sellar – fear a bh’ ann dà-rìreabh - a’ maoidheadh a’ cur às an aona dachaigh a bha riamh aice: cùis-èiginn a tha ga gluasad gu ceistean a thogail mu na nithean a bha riamh nam bun-stèidh na beatha.

In Gaelic with English subtitles