Choir from Argentina reflect Scots diaspora

There are 7,825 miles between Buenos Aires and Dunoon – but that hasn’t stopped one choir making a special trip to be part of the Royal National Mod.

Gaelic Choir Ceolraidh came to Scotland in 2018 to share the culture and language of third and fourth-generation Scots living in Argentina who keep the language alive. They have even translated the words of one tango into a Gaelic showstopper.

Language tutor and founding member Guillermo Santana MacKinlay spoke to The P&J, saying: “I set up the choir and language classes in 2010 because I wanted to have someone else to speak to in Gaelic.

“Many people do not know that there is a Scottish diaspora in Argentina. In the 1800s, people moved from Scotland to Argentina during an economic crash. There are now about 100,000 people who have Scottish ancestors.

“My great-great-grandfather moved to Argentina in 1863 from the Isle of Bute. Scotland is part of me and therefore I wanted to learn more about it.

“In my 20s I started to learn Gaelic and about Gaelic culture.

“I was always fascinated by Gaelic. I studied at Sabhal Mor Ostaig, and then in Canada. I then decided to tutor people.

“The group we have brought to the Royal National Mod is small. We are only eight, but sometimes we have 23 people in the choir. Our choir conductor is Claudio Cano who has been conducting for two years.”

The Ceolraidh choir from Argentina are making their first appearance at the Mod