The wilds of the celtic heart, inspiration for writers.

Music - Art - Poetry - Movies

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Celtic Music

Steve McDonald

Can I even begin to describe how fabulous this man's music is, and how beautiful it was driving through Scotland listening to his CD 'Highland Farewell'? Nope- I can't. Let's just say that I was mobved to tears, and all the heart strings were singing right along with him.

He's a New Zealander, a Wellingtonian (like me), but that's not why he is fantastic. His CDs are wonderful and beautiful like jewels, and obviously appreciated in Scotland (I heard one being played in the gift shop at Edinburgh castle).

Loreena McKennitt
This lady produces the most haunting celtic inspired music you will ever hear. You'll have heard her work on Mists of Avalon, Roar and a hundred other celtic based films and TV series. She is one of my favourite artists to listen to while writing anything spiritual or magical.

Capercallie

Poor Steve was getting worn out in my car's CD player in Scotland, and so I picked up a copy of Capercallie's self titled album. Wow! They sing in Gaellic, and their lead singers voice is haunting and powerful. I'll admit to singing along to to it eventually, no doubt mangling the words, but it was wonderful stuff.

Celtic Art

Jim Fitzpatrick

This man's work is a combination of celtic and Art Nouveau. He has done some fabulous work on the traditional celtic stories. And now he's online!

Celtic Poetry

My Heart's in the Highlands Farewell to the Highlands, farewell to the North, The birth-place of Valour, the country of Worth; Wherever I wander, wherever I rove, The hills of the Highlands for ever I love. My heart's in the Highlands, my heart is not here, My heart's in the Highlands, a-chasing the deer; Chasing the wild-deer, and following the roe, My heart's in the Highlands, wherever I go. Farewell to the mountains, high-cover'd with snow, Farewell to the straths and green vallies below; Farewell to the forests and wild-hanging woods, Farewell to the torrents and loud-pouring floods. My heart's in the Highlands, my heart is not here, My heart's in the Highlands, a-chasing the deer; Chasing the wild-deer, and following the roe, My heart's in the Highlands, wherever I go. -Robert Burns

Ballad of Reading Gaol (extract) Yet each man kills the thing he loves, By each let this be heard, Some do it with a bitter look, Some with a flattering word, The coward does it with a kiss, The brave man with a sword! Some kill their love when they are young, And some when they are old; Some strangle with the hands of Lust, Some with the hands of Gold: The kindest use a knife, because The dead so soon grow cold. Some love too little, some too long, Some sell, and others buy; Some do the deed with many tears, And some without a sigh: For each man kills the thing he loves, Yet each man does not die. - Oscar Wilde

 

Celtic Movies

Braveheart
Though not true in many respects, this tale of William Wallace, at least bought to the attention of the world this Scottish hero, who spent most of history in the shadow of Robert the Bruce. And who can forget the amazing display of defiance of the Scots. Watch the movie, then visit Stirling where you can see practically all the sites of the major battles- and the sword of Wallace himself!

Highlander
OK- this might seem cheesy, but I'll never forget this movie. Sean Connery produced another sterling performance, and the scenery was just unreal. The castle that clan McLeod comes out of near the begining in Eilean Donan, which I actually got to visit. Only once in Scotland did I realise the full majesty of the place.

Rob Roy
Liam Neison in a kilt- a fabulous sight. This story was great because of the women though, his wife was a fine example of a strong celtic woman- such must have had to endure for centuries, yet survived through sheer force of will. Isn't she the hero rather than Rob Roy?