During his years as lecturer and reader in the Department of Celtic in the University of Edinburgh, William Matheson was regarded by the staff of The School of Scottish Studies as their most reliable consultant on questions of Gaelic oral tradition, especially on songs and their melodies.

William sings 35 Gaelic songs on the 2CD box set, which includes an extensive 68-page booklet containing information on the project, the songs and the lyrics, in both Gaelic and English.

The editor of the collection was Morag MacLeod of the School.

The Scottish Tradition Series consists of a selection of material previously held in the School of Scottish Studies Archives at the University of Edinburgh. The widely acclaimed collection is quite unique, and has been regarded as “the most important series of traditional recordings ever…”.

Tracklisting

18 tracks: Mile marbhphaisg air an t-saoghal * Mo run geal og * Theid mi le m’ dheoin * Feasgar Luain * Oran an t-Samhraidh * O Iain Ghlinn Cuaich * A Bhliadhna gus an aimsir seo * Oran Coire Cheathaich * Moch ‘s a’ mhadainn Di-Domhnaich * Moladh air piob-mhor Mhic Cruimein * Creach na Ciadaoin * Allt an t-Siucair * Tri fichead bliadhna ‘s a tri * Oran mor MhicLeoid * Nis o’n tha mi ‘m onaran * Domhnall nan Domhnall * Ged is socrach mo leaba.

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