Talk will be entertaining

Scottish lecturer speaking in Orwell

Iain MacPherson is headed back to the Macphail Homestead in Orwell to deliver a lecture on the Gaelic language.

MacPherson is a lecturer in Irish and Celtic studies at the University of Ulster and a Scottish Gaelic speaker with roots in Prince Edward Island.

He has co-edited a collection of poems around the theme of Gaelic love.

His latest book — “An Leabhar Liath,” or “The Light Blue Book” — sets out to reveal a side of Gaelic poetry often left out of the history books.

The book offers poems that are erotic, rude, seditious and transgressive that deal with love, sex, the body, politics and violent passion. The poems are by turns humorous, disturbing, shocking and enlightening . . . .

MacPherson is an entertaining speaker and the topic promises to be provocative. The poems are in Gaelic, but he will translate and explain them.

A knowledge of the Gaelic is not necessary, but will add to your enjoyment.

MacPherson is also a documentary filmmaker, having presented, produced, written and co-directed three one hourlong Gaelic documentaries for BBC Scotland/BBC Alba; and a published poet and translator in English, Gaelic and French.

“My mum, Barbara Ann MacKinnon, was born and raised in the Murray Harbour train station,” said MacPherson, of his P.E.I. connections.

“All my maternal side of the family are from Prince Edward Island. My maternal grandmother was Grace Bell LeLacheur from Guernsey Cove who married my grandfather Ern MacKinnon from Hunter River.”

His Island roots certainly run deep, although he was born and raised in Alberta.

The lecture takes place Aug. 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Veranda Café at the homestead.

Reservations are advisable for both the talk and the meal: 902651-2789.