The Gaelic alphabet contains 18 letters, each of which was traditionally associated with a tree name. The resulting list of trees was used as an aid to remembering the alphabet for children. It is significant that such a list was based on the names of trees and illustrates their importance to Gaelic peoples, reflecting the central place of the natural environment in Gaelic culture.

A number of variations of this tree list can be found, but the one below was developed from a variety of sources and refined locally to reflect the dialect of the area. For each letter the table gives the old Gaelic name (which fits the alphabet), the modern local Gaelic equivalent, and the English name of the tree.

Here in Sunart a Gaelic alphabet trail is being created in the forest in Salen, using living trees wherever possible to mark each letter of the alphabet. In the event that a tree is missing we will aim to plant one of the appropriate species, or where this is not practical, install a specially commissioned sculptural representation of that tree. An artistic image for each site on the trail has been etched on copper marker plates by locally-based artist Jean Bowker.

It is hoped that the children from the Gaelic Medium Unit in Acharacle Primary School, and other children learning Gaelic, will help to develop this project further over the next few months.

Keep checking the website for progress, as we will be updating it as the project develops.

Tagh seileach nan allt, tagh calltain nan creag
Tagh fearna nan lòn, tagh beithe nan eas
Tagh uinnseann na dubhair, tagh iubhar na leuma
Tagh leamhan na brùthiach, tagh duire na grèine.

Choose the willow of the streams, choose the hazel of the rocks
Choose the alder of the marshes, choose the birch of the waterfalls
Choose the ash of the shade, choose the yew of resilience
Choose the elm of the brae, choose the oak of the sun

(A Carmichael, Carmina Gadelica)