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The Isle Of Harris & Ceol Na Mara |
By:
Phil MacDonald |
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The Isle of Harris & Ceol na Mara
Phil MacDonald
The Gaelic language is a most poetic ancient language still spoken in areas such as the Outer Hebrides/Western Isles of Scotland. The language includes some of the most beautiful phrases used to describe things that are rather common and generally considered, by modern society, as unimportant. One such phrase is Ceol na Mara which describes the sound of the sea and means "music of the sea". You may see a number of seaside guest houses bearing the name of "Ceol na Mara" as it is a highly popular name in places where the Gaelic is common.
The Isle of Harris is one of the islands of the Outer Hebrides which are found off the west of Scotland out in the North Atlantic Ocean a little further out than the popular vacation destination the Isle of Skye. Gaelic is the native language of this island which is widely spoken but most Hebrideans can also speak fantastic English, they speak it so well that you would think it their first language!
When the weather is fine the Isle of Harris is one of the most beautiful places in the world. The air is pure and the waters crystal clear and the countryside is incredible. However it is the beaches of South Harris which are the most famously beautiful parts of the island. Many parts of Harris are special sites of scientific and historical interest with a few important historical sites and plenty of ground known as machair (which is a rare type of fertile land on which many rare wildflowers grow).
Ceol na Mara (the music of the sea), and the islands close relationship with the sea, has played an important role in the shaping of the Hebridean culture. Many of the Gaelic songs make reference to the sea and many have lost their lives at sea with several disasters, such as the sinking of the Iolaire, having a profound effect upon many small villages. The harsh realities of the past and the long eventful history have helped create the most incredible character in the folk of the islands who are both strong and yet gentle and friendly. One of the most beautiful aspects of the culture is the way in which the Psalms are sung in the churches. Sung in the Gaelic the tunes are so profound that you will find it difficult not to be moved deeply when you first hear them.
The beaches of South Harris should be top of your list of places to visit on the Isle of Harris. Both the east and west coasts of Harris are incredibly beautiful but they are very different, to the west are the beaches and machair but the east coast is incredibly rocky with pebble beaches and rocky inlets. The medieval church at Rodel, found at the very south of Harris, is one of the most interesting places to visit and well worth picking the key up for from the local hotel. North Harris is very, very hilly.
If you want to enjoy Ceol na Mara you will need to pay a visit to the Isle of Harris. Fortunately there is a regular ferry service to the main town of Tarbert and also a ferry from the southern islands which docks in Leverburgh on South Harris. You can also travel, by ferry, to the main town of the Outer Hebrides/Western Isles, Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis (Lewis is attached to Harris). It is also possible to get flights to Stornoway airport if you so desire.
One of the best ways to enjoy the sounds of Ceol na Mara is to stay bed and breakfast in a guest house close to the sea. Fortunately there are plenty to choose from and all offer the most luxurious accommodation and the friendliest atmosphere you are ever likely to experience.
The hospitality is also noteworthy in all of the Harris hotel accommodation. Ardhasaig House is a small Harris hotel just outside Tarbert in North Harris. This hotel has some of the best views out of all the hotels and is extremely convenient for both South Harris and all of the Isle of Lewis. Although it is slightly too far from the sea to hear Ceol na Mara you do get wonderful views of the sea and out across the Harris Hills.
If you want to hear the sounds of http://www.enjoyhebrides.com/accommodation/Ceol-na-Mara-harris.html Ceol na Mara and visit harris then you should visit http://www.hebridesbedandbreakfast.co.uk/harris-bed-and-breakfast.html bed and breakfast on Harris
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Article Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article151229.html |
Article: The Isle of Harris & Ceol na Mara
Author: Phil MacDonald
Total Views: 40
Word Count: 753
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