What is the Gaelic Resource Database?

The Gaelic Resource Database (GRD) was established by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Scotland) in 1990 with Scottish Office funding through Specific Grants for Gaelic. In 1992 it was given an inter-authority aspect with several mainland authorities contributing.

Originally accessed via stand-alone PC systems, it is an expanding database of information on the availability of Gaelic related educational resources. This work has been done in consultation with HMI, Teaching, Curriculum Development and Library Staff. Educational resources are categorised according to 3-14 National Guidelines, Secondary 3-6 stages and Higher Still where applicable. Ongoing user feedback contributes to the checking, updating and cross-referencing process. There are currently over 17,500 searchable records with additional resources being processed. The database is updated at least twice a year.

The Internet version of the GRD was launched in February 1999 allowing full access for schools and further education as part of the National Grid for Learning (NGfL).

The production of multi-media database resources is ongoing. The multi-media section which has links to the database can also be accessed separately on the GRD menu. It has short articles on Scottish history, oral tradition, bards, animals, birds, songs, rhymes and riddles for children etc. – many of them with illustrations.

The inclusion of song/rhyme lyrics, stories etc. in records, subject to permission being granted by copyright holders is also ongoing. The following have granted permission for specified works and the project would like to acknowledge their cooperation, contribution and support in this work:Acair Ltd, An Comunn Gaidhealach, various Comainn Eachdraidh, Gairm Publications, Runrig, Sgoil Eòlais na h-Alba plus many individuals. This has allowed for lyrics and additional stories/historical accounts, etc. to be included in more records.

Gaelic learning, research and reference resources, whether produced over a hundred years ago or more recently through teacher secondment, need no longer become stranded or lost in school cupboards and public library archives. Whether produced by Curriculum Support Staff, Local Historical Societies or University Professors, once indexed on the GRD, resource information including details on author, content, theme, availability and curriculum categories (where applicable) can be searched for and obtained via the Internet.

The following are the main database categories:

• An Gaidheal - details of articles etc. in the monthly magazine published by An Comunn Gaidhealach.
• Bàrdachd, song & hymn books - alphabetical listings of titles in a selection of books. Also details of songs from An Comunn Gaidhealach Mod Booklets.
• Comainn Eachdraidh – details of articles, photographs etc. published in newsletters.
• Curriculum resources - details of books, booklets, teaching units & packs, videos, posters, CD's etc. recommended by Pre-school, Primary and Secondary Curriculum Development Staff.
• Facal air an Fhacal (oral tradition) - database records consisting of Gaelic words, phrases, proverbs, idioms, stories etc. Much of this material was collected for inclusion in the BBC Radio nan Gaidheal series "Facal Oirbh".
• Gaelic bards - brief life histories along with listings of the bards' work and bibliographies. ‘Bàrd Bharabhais’ which was published in 1920 has been rewritten in modern Gaelic and all the stories and bàrdachd are now accessible in database records. There are also records containing previously unpublished bàrdachd.
• Gairm Periodicals - details of all articles etc. from the first publication in 1952 to the latest.
• Historical and oral tradition materials taken from the "Leabhraichean Leughaidh" series published in the 1940's by An Comunn Gaidhealach. The language and orthography in these stories have been modernised and the complete stories are included in the database records. These stories have been adapted both for Secondary 1-2 pupils and also for older pupils.
• Lews Castle College Library - details of all Gaelic related publications (including the Frank Thompson Collection and the Shawbost Collection).
• Museum nan Eilean - details of resources held.
• Music - a significant section of the database is allocated to Gaelic music. This includes details of all tracks from over 330 music tapes and CD's (songs, music, rhymes, hymns, psalms etc.) held by Stornoway Library. Lyrics have also been included in many database records along with reference to those published in books.
• Oral tradition/local history – details of stories/accounts published in a selection of books.
• Scottish Gaelic Studies - details of all articles in all 19 volumes of Gaelic studies published by Aberdeen University.
• Stornoway Library - details of publications (lending and reference) relating to Gaelic and Gaeldom.
• Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness (TGSI) - details of all lectures etc. from volumes 1-48.