Grian is Frasan by Angus Peter Campbell sampler

aonghas pàdraig caimbeul / Angus Peter Campbell is
from South Uist. He went to Garrynamonie Primary School
and Oban High School, where his English teacher was Iain
Crichton Smith. After graduating in Politics and History from
the University of Edinburgh he has worked as a kitchen porter,
tree planter, builder’s labourer, lobster fisherman, journalist and
writer.

By the same author:
The Greatest Gift, Fountain Publishing, 1992
Cairteal gu Meadhan-Latha, Acair Publishing, 1992
One Road, Fountain Publishing, 1994
Gealach an Abachaidh, Acair Publishing, 1998
Motair-baidhsagal agus Sgàthan, Acair Publishing, 2000
Lagan A’ Bhàigh, Acair Publishing, 2002
An Siopsaidh agus an t-Aingeal, Acair Publishing, 2002
An Oidhche Mus Do Sheòl Sinn, Clàr Publishing, 2003
Là a’ Dèanamh Sgèil Do Là, Clàr Publishing, 2004
Invisible Islands, Otago Publishing, 2006
An Taigh-Samhraidh, Clàr Publishing, 2007
Meas air Chrannaibh/ Fruit on Branches, Acair Publishing, 2007
Tilleadh Dhachaigh, Clàr Publishing, 2009
Suas gu Deas, Islands Book Trust, 2009
Archie and the North Wind, Luath Press, 2010
Aibisidh, Polygon, 2011
An t-Eilean: Taking a Line for a Walk, Islands Book Trust, 2012
Fuaran Ceann an t-Saoghail, Clàr Publishing, 2012
The Girl on the Ferryboat, Luath Press, 2013
An Nighean air an Aiseag, Luath Press, 2013
Memory and Straw, Luath Press, 2017
Stèisean, Luath Press, 2018
Constabal Murdo, Luath Press, 2018
Tuathanas nan Creutairean, Luath Press, 2021
Constabal Murdo 2: Murdo ann am Marseille, Luath Press, 2022
Electricity, Luath Press, 2023
Eighth Moon Bridge, Luath Press, 2024
Donald & his Seven Cows, Luath Press, 2025
Peggy and the Fairy Knolls, Luath Press, 2026

Grian is Frasan /
Sunshine and Showers
ANGUS PETER CAMPBELL

First published 2026
isbn: 978-1-80425-351-9
Chuidich Comhairle nan Leabhraichean am foillsichear
le cosgaisean an leabhair seo.
The author’s right to be identified as author of this book
under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
has been asserted.
The paper used in this book is recyclable. It is made from totally
chlorine-free pulp produced in a low-energy, low-emission manner from
renewable forests.
Printed and bound by
Robertson Printers, Forfar
Typeset in 11 point Sabon by
Main Point Books, Edinburgh
Image page 5 by Liondsaidh Chaimbeul
© Angus Peter Campbell 2026

Le ruitheam ann am bàrdachd Gàidhlig cho làidir
agus tarraingeach, bha cunnart ann, tro ùine, nach
biodh againn ach fuaim. Gun cailleadh sinn tùis nan
dàn. Sin pàirt dhen adhbhar a tha mi dèidheil air
giorrachadh is ìomhaigheachd – mar shealladh air
Caolas Èiresgeigh is Caolas Bharraigh a’ deàrrsadh
air latha brèagha samhraidh. Tha mi an dòchas gun
còrd an sealladh àlainn sin ribh, agus – mar sgoth
bheag – gun gìulain cuid dhe na dàin ar n-òran
fhèin cuideachd.
With rhythm in Gaelic poetry so strong and alluring,
there was a danger, as time went on, that all we’d
have was sound. That we’d lose the incense of the
poems. That’s part of the reason I find minimalism
and imagism attractive – like a glimpse of the Sound
of Eriskay and the Sound of Barra on a lovely
summer’s day. I hope you enjoy that beautiful sight
and that – like a little boat – these poems can also
carry your own song.
Aonghas Phàdraig Caimbeul/ Angus Peter Campbell
An t-Iuchar/ July 2026
5

1
Aon latha
air sràid a’ bhaile mhòir
stad thu air a’ bhaidhsagal
is bhruidhinn thu rium
is bha e mar an latha
nam phàist’ air a’ mhachaire
nuair a thionndaidh an t-each
a threabhadh sgrìob às ùr.
One day
on a city street
you stopped as you cycled by
and spoke to me
and it was like the day
as a child on the machair
when the horse turned
and began ploughing a fresh furrow.
7

11
Tha mi sgrìobhadh
ann an inc do-fhaicsinneach na Gàidhlig
ga bogadh ann an ceimig na Beurla
gus faicinn dè thig am bàrr.
I write
in the invisible ink of Gaelic
dipping it in the chemical of English
to see what appears.
8

111
An dòigh ’s an cuireadh tu d’ uilinn air a’ bhòrd,
a’ lùbadh gam ionnsaigh
mar gun robh mo làthaireachd
nas blasta na na bobhlaichean spìosrach
air ar beulaibh,
a dh’fhàg sinn falamh
aig deireadh an diathaid.
The way you’d put your elbow on the table,
leaning towards me
as if my presence
was tastier than the spice bowls
in front of us,
which we left empty
at the end of the meal.
9

1V
Didòmhnaich, agus seilleanan a’ crònan mun lòsan
a-muigh, far a bheil madainn shamhraidh eile
air èirigh thar na beinne, is am fraoch a’ fosgladh
’s slighean na cairte dìosgail ’s gach caor’ a’ mèaran
air an casan-deiridh. Fad air falbh dhan iar
an crodh ag ionaltradh na slighe fhada tarsainn
a’ mhachaire a’ biadhadh air seamragan is feur milis,
am facal na fheòil abaich airson adhradh is Aifrinn.
Sunday, and bees hover against the window glass
outside, where another summer’s morning has
risen over the hills, and the heather now rustling
and the cart-tracks creaking while the sheep, yawning
struggle to their feet to graze. Far away to the west
the cows stir and make their day long journey across
the machair fed by clover and hay and sweet grass,
the word made flesh ready for worship and Mass.
10

V
Bu tu na kirby-grips
agus an sgueathar mud cheann
na sòbhragan beaga a’ fàs fo bhlàth,
nad chòta donn crioslaichte mud mheadhan
suas an Esplanade gu cathair-eaglais
fhiodh nan naomh, air a’ chnoc.
You are the kirby-grips
and the square about your head
the tiny primroses growing
under blossom, in your dun coat
belted across the middle
striding up the Esplanade to the cathedral
of the timber church of the saints on the hill.
11

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