Hallaig

Hallaig is a Scottish Gaelic poem set in the landscape of Raasay island that explores memory and loss through images of birch trees and deer. The work captures how nature and human absence connect across the Highland countryside.

Sorley MacLean wrote this poem roughly 100 years after the Highland Clearances, addressing the depopulation of Hallaig settlement between 1852 and 1854. This historical event of forced displacement shapes the emotional core of the entire work.

The poem uses Scottish Gaelic language and expresses the bond between Highland people and their homeland. Through its words, visitors sense how deeply connected communities remain to places their ancestors inhabited.

A walking route of roughly 30 minutes connects North Fearns Road to the former settlement of Hallaig, letting visitors experience the location firsthand. The path is manageable but demands sturdy footwear and readiness for changing weather conditions.

The poem inspired composer Peter Maxwell Davies to create an opera that brought the work to musical life. Beyond literature, a ferry serving the island was named after it, showing how deeply the work remains woven into local life.

Location: Highland

GPS coordinates: 57.37210,-6.01019

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:08