Do ye ha’ a wee bit of Scots in your background or have you been watching Outlander and need to find out more about this fascinating country and the Gaelic language? Then visit Castlerock Museum in Alma, Wisconsin on Saturday, May 19th at 2pm, for a fascinating program by Sharon Byers. Visitors will walk away with a bit of history and knowing a wee smidge of Gaelic.
The Gaelic language was brought to Scotland from Irish settlers in the 4th or 5th century and became the official language of the Highland region. After the Battle of Culloden in 1746 and during the Highland Clearances, speaking Gaelic, wearing clan tartans, playing the bagpipes, and carrying weapons were forbidden. By 2011, less than 2% of the population still spoke Gaelic. Since then, Scotland has worked to revitalize the language.
While at the museum, visitors can also check out several authentic Scottish artifacts on display including a two handed claymore sword, a boarding cutlass, two dirks, and a skean dhu knife.
Sharon Byers has a lifelong interest in Scottish history and culture stemming from her own Scottish heritage. She is also a member of the Society of Creative Anachronism.
Admission is $6 for adults and $4 for students. Museum members receive a 50% discount. Seating is limited. Reservations are not required but appreciated. The museum will open at 1:00pm for visitors that would like to see the exhibits beforehand.
Contact the museum at 608-685-4231 or info@castlerockmuseum.com for more details.