Duncan Ban now joins the illustrious company of Sir Walter Scott, Rabbie Burns, Robert Louis Stevenson and others at Makars’ Court where Scotland’s literary greats have been enshrined since 1988. He is widely acknowledged to have formed a key part of the golden age of Gaelic poetry in the 18^th century.

At today’s ceremony there were speeches from Culture and Communities Convener, Val Walker along with Chair of Ionad Gàidhlig Dhùn Èideann and Professor of Gaelic at the University of Edinburgh, Wilson McLeod. Dr Anja Gunderloch also from the University and an expert on Duncan Ban also spoke.

There was also a moving rendition of the poet’s songs from musician and singer Mary Ann Kennedy, one of Gaelic’s foremost modern exponents. The event was concluded by a touching bagpipes performance from Andrew MacIntyre, a descendant of Duncan Ban.

The flagstone contains the following text:

Donnchadh Bàn Mac an t-Saoir (Duncan Ban Macintyre)

1724-1812

‘S e mùthadh air an t-saoghal

An coire laghach gaolach

A dhol a-nis air faondradh

(A change has come upon the world

That the fine, beloved corrie

Should now be desolate)

From The Songs of Duncan Ban Macintyre (Edinburgh: Scottish Gaelic Texts Society, 1952), pp. 176-77.

The sponsor for the flagstone was Chair of Ionad Gàidhlig Dhùn Èideann and Professor of Gaelic at the University of Edinburgh, Wilson McLeod.

Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker said:

“Duncan Ban’s addition to Makars’ Court celebrates his seminal impact as a poet and he can now take his well deserved place alongside the finest minds in our nation’s rich history.

“Makars’ Court is an important stop on the Old Town tourist trail and allows our residents and visitors to reflect on these key figures. It was fantastic to be at today’s unveiling and to hear more about a true titan of Gaelic literature and society. I would like to thank the sponsor of this flagstone Professor Wilson McLeod for making this possible and for his unwavering commitment in promoting Gaelic here in Edinburgh and beyond.

“I’d also like to give special thanks to David Lindsay of Stoneworks who designed and built this flagstone, one of 44 over the years. We understand that this flagstone will be his last and we are incredibly grateful for his service, craftmanship and commitment over the years.”

Chair of Ionad Gàidhlig Dhùn Èideann, Wilson McLeod said:

“Duncan Ban was a real literary celebrity in his day and has remained one of Gaeldom’s best-loved poets through the generations. He had a strong connection to Edinburgh and has a special place in Edinburgh’s Gaelic heritage. He lived for many years just off the High Street, and his wife ran a pub in the Lawnmarket, so a celebration in Edinburgh and a permanent commemoration of his life and work in Makars’ Court are particularly appropriate.”