Recommendations/References

Ambassadorial
.... " Coming from all parts of the world, the indigenous culture obviously struck a chord with them all and I’m sure they have gone home with very happy memories of Scotland"
....Roslind....... The Commonwealth Foundation, Commonwealth VIPs. Ross Dhu Priory.97.

Arts Festivals
... "and Paraig MacNeil.....resplendent in the authentic feile-mor or belted plaid..good value....MacNeil rock solid in the unself-conscious manner of the traditional tale-teller..."
John Fowler The Glasgow Herald review for the Edinburgh International Festival 1993

.... " I was very impressed by someone who could entertain all age groups ("frae nae hair tae grey hair") with stories riddles and songs".....
Margaret Craik, Childrens’ for the Cunninghame Storytelling Festival.

.... " So far, I’ve caught Paraig twice and there was no repetition of material. As mine host, he tells the first tale...... His guest was Alison Millen whose more homely style contrasted well with her companion’s....both performers are fine singers, and intersperse the stories with snatches of song and sometimes riddles"....
Joy Henry, The Scotsman – review - Edinburgh International Festival 93.

..... "thank you for working so hard to make the tour a success. The feedback has been very positive indeed and we look forward to working with you again.....".
Jane Spiers, Arts Co-ordinator, Central Region – Jacobite ‘15’ and ‘45’ Anniversary Tour 95/96

...... " The feedback I have received on the event has been positive and the folklore walk would appear to have been thoroughly enjoyed by those who attended."
Barbara Gillespie, Project Co-ordinator, The William Wallace Folklore Walk ‘Stirling 700’ 98.

.... "thanks for your storytelling at the 1996 Feis. Many favourable comments were passed on to the Committee by visitors and locals alike"
Anne Melrose, Islay Festival Association 96 (Feis Ile)

... "thankyou for your marvelous contribution.....The feedback from the audience has been very positive....the people from the elderly care home had a particularly enjoyable time. As the Storyfest was such a success.......repeat it next year"
Liz McMahon, Children’s Services Librarian, South Ayrshire Storyfest, 99

Book Festivals
"It was your enthusiastic involvement which made our programme so popular – thank you again!"
Rosie Holland , Edinburgh Book Festival 97.

... "And your contribution on Saturday was exactly right for the occasion. I only wish I’d had a little more time to publicize it better, because you deserved a throng of enthusiastic listeners"
Nancy Cameron, Atholl Festival ‘95’ – A Jacobite Pageant

"Thank you for your involvement in ‘Drumming up a Story’ which was a great success"
Rosalind Holland, Co-ordinator, Drumchapel Literacy Improvement Programme Group, 98.

Clan Associations/Societies
.... "Later we were entertained by Paraig MacNeil, The Honorary Bard of the Society with Gaelic poetry and song including the Route of Glen Fruin".
Clan Gregor Newsletter, Number 52

.. " followed by the society’s bard singing some of his own compositions in Gaelic and English. He gave a memorable rendering of the epic Battle of Glen Fruin (1603).
The Villagers, Balquidder, October 2001

..... "and an inspiring performance in story and song by our irrepressible Honorary Bard, Paraig MacNeil. What a wealth of tradition and what a memory this man has!"
Clan Gregor Gathering 2002 Report, Newsletter 54.

Combined Art/Cross Media
.... "Many thanks for being guest teller at a superb Guid Crack on Friday".
Donald Smith – Guid Crack Storytelling Club (includes song and music )– Edinburgh 97.

..... " its nice to be reminded that the power of the imagination is alive and well...and Paraig MacNeil.... accompanied on the clarsach or bohran by Norman Chalmers, the yarn spinners take us on mythical voyages and epic adventure, moving comic and gripping, through the power of speech alone"
Mark Fisher, review Edinburgh International festival 93.

Environmental
...... "Thankyou for helping to make our stand at the Royal Highland Show such a success. Once again your stories were excellent and much enjoyed by all."
Sharon Simpson, Public Relations Officer, Scottish Natural Heritage (Battleby Centre, 98).

Ethnology
.... " maybe he’ll be too successful! He deserves to be (I’ve just done a gig with him and no wonder he is so much in demand).....Paraig MacNeil is a professional storyteller, a burly Highlander, Gaelic speaker, who is totally devoted to traditional culture...."
Margaret Bennett, Folklorist, Singer, bard; Scotland, 2002.

Folk Festivals
... "I thoroughly enjoyed my two days going about the island – not to mention the tales and songs that you regaled me with over lunchtimes!.....Many thanks once again Paraig, you really are a star....."
Sheila Johnston, Children’s Services Officer, Isle of Arran. (Arran Folk Festival 99).

Gaelic/Gadhlig
" Tha mi a’ sgriobhadh a dh’innseadh dhut mun toileachas a thug thu do na clasichean againn feasgair an-diugh lies na sgeulachdan tarraingeach agad. Chord iad gu mor ris a chloinn’, gu sonraichte an fheadhainn aig an robh Gaidhlig. Moran taing airson an uine phriseil agad a chur seachad."
Floraidh NicPhail, Ard Sgoil, Tiriodh, Ceitean, 2003.

Galleries/Museums
........ "Thankyou for your special performance for the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Stirling Bridge. It was like hearing Blind Harry himself, and we could have had no better event ...."
Elspeth king Director Smith Art Gallery & Museum, Stirling (Scottish Election day 11th September, 1997)

..... "As always, the magical quality of Paraig MacNeil’s stories enthrall his audience"
The Late Margaret Bowden, Education officer, Callander House Museum, Falkirk, 97.

.... "the performances were much appreciated by everyone I have since received both phone calls and pupils’ drawings as a thank you"
Sam Curry, Museum Services, District Museum, Stranraer 96.

Hosting
"...Your presence added something special to the evening, and your ability to knit the show together under chaotic conditions was much appreciated"
Colin Jones – Summer Smoke (music) Festival, Carlops, 99.

Library services
.... "Our visit to Coll.......Your visit was very successful and extremely worthwhile. It is no mean feat to have English speaking children singing Gaelic after one day!....You have a phenomenal amount of background knowledge which could be utilized in that kind of situation"
Sharon Williams, former Young People’s Services Librarian, Argyll and Bute, 94.

...... ".It was great meeting you, and I know the children at all the libraries we visited were fascinated by your storytelling, and your Highland dress."
Sandra Reid, Young People’s Librarian, Stirling, 96.

.... "that the grammar school pupils spent the rest of the week telling stories to all their teachers – so there’s a great success too!"
Dorothy MacLennan, Argyll and Bute Library Services, 2001

.... ".a lot of positive feedback.. "Paraig was generally considered wonderful" and lastly, I have to add I enjoyed myself too"...
Marie MacFarlane, Saltcoats library, 93

National Heritage Sites/Oranisations
... " Please feel free to contact properties yourself.......but I suspect that a man of your talents will have no spare time to fill!"
Margaret Cameron – Former Head of Education and Interpretation, The Nation Trust for Scotland, 98.

Poetry Events/Book Launchings/Poetry Composition Feedback
"...thank you for turning up to the launch (Chapman 98) and giving such a lively performance. Your contribution was clearly well received and enjoyed by everybody"
Joy Henry – Editor Chapman (Scotland’s Quality Literary Magazine) June 2001.

.... "Scotland’s only clan bard has composed a lament to the late first minister Donald Dewar – Hero of the People in Gaelic...now translated into English...Scottish football star Ally McCoist who was visibly moved at Mr Dewar’s funeral, backed the idea as a "fitting way to pay tribute"
Scottish Daily Record November 20, 2000

... "What wonderful work your Metrical Mimic is. It is so well thought out....you can see why I am so delighted with your measured, informed and considered response. Thank you so much. It is a delight which has made much, much more than my day!"
( Feedback the Stirling Lines Composition by Paraig MacNeil/the late Robert Burns)
Elspeth King , Smith’s Art gallery & Museum, Stirling, 2003

Publications/Coverage

Scottish Life (USA), Scots Magazine, Living Tradition, Chapman, Glasgow Herald,

Resource Centres
.... "Your visit to Tigh na Drochaid on Tuesday was greatly enjoyed and has been a talking point ever since."
Pat Walsh, Tigh na Drochaid Resource Centre, Portree Skye. 96

Schools
.... "I very much hope that you get a run of good luck and some proper recognition of your talent."
Helen Gardiner – Teacher, Holmlea School, Glasgow, 97.

..... "It was a unique experience for them to hear stories of their heritage told in such an interesting way. The staff learned much also from your visit."
Margaret Clark, Headteacher St Joseph’s R C Primary school, Bonnybridge

" The feedback from the pupils .... considerable enthusiasm...staff thoroughly enjoyed the experience .............and, as always, your larger than life presence has left a very pleasant mark on the school" (Stories/songs of Wars of Independence)
Evelyn Ryan, Headteacher, Bridge of Allan Primary School, 2000.

..... "I really enjoyed your storytelling. It was amazing how you can remember all these stories. Your storytelling will help me a lot with my short story writing"
Isla McColl, pupil, Oban High School 98

... "Ta for the stories ye told us. They were really guid....the one aboot the giant with the one arm. I also enjoyed the songs you sung"..
Terri Young, pupil Parson’s Green Primary School Edinburgh, 96

.... "I liked how you brought the stories alive. You told us how Wallace and Bruce were heroes" Kirsty.......... "You told us so much more than our history books"Laura........
Pupils of Bridge of Allan Primary School studying the Wars of Independence. 95.

.. " ...the Jacobites..... I enjoyed how many things the plaid can do."Christopher McKenzie...
" Your songs were brilliant. I never knew you could talk Gaelic"
Lewis falconer........

"I liked your bonnet with the white cockade, but if I had to choose a part, mine would be the songs. I could listen to them all day"
Lisa Anderson

Mcneil McNeil is the best
C
Never say he isn’t
Everybody likes his stories
Interesting the little riddles
Love the little jokes

"Look down the side of the paper and you’ll see your second name"
Natasha P7, Fintry Primary school, Dundee, 93

"Thank you for telling us your wonderful stories and riddles. I wish you could have stayed longer to tell us more" Claire Galloway...... "I really liked your second story, I have never heard a viking story like it. Glen"... "I could have listened to them for three weeks"
Peter Harkes – all pupils at Sorbie School, Wigtownshire, 94

...."You are really fabulous at telling stories! I think the way you dressed was brilliant. I could really picture what it was like to be at a ceilidh"
Scott Blanche, pupil, p5 Williamston primary School, Livingston, 95

... "We enjoyed your magic stories, songs and your Jews harp"
Pupils, Pilton, Edinburgh, 2001

Social Themes
.... "..thanks very much for the workshop you provided at the Land Invasion on Saturday night.........The feedback has been very positive and I believe the event has begun to raise awareness of landlessness...."
Miriam McHardy, Youth Officer, SCIAF, 97.

Theatres
"Throughout these years your performances and dedication, Paraig, have been at the heart of taking forward the traditions..... Scottish storytelling needs both your talents and skills."
Donald Smith. Artistic Director, Netherbow Theatre and SSC, Edinburgh, 99.

Workshops/College
.... "Thank you for helping to make the ‘King to Collier 2001’ as successful as last years. The feedback was excellent and has shown that the event is not a one hit wonder. The children’s letters have been very enthusiastic and they obviously enjoyed the workshops..."
Claire White, Property Manager, Culross Palace, National Trust for Scotland.

"Thankyou for coming along to the childcare seminar...everyone....picked up new skills...as indicated "Storytelling was excellent", "Storytelling – pure dead brilliant"..."
Sheila Johnston Children’s Services Officer, Isle of Arran, 99.

... "Thanks so much for your entertaining presentation this morning...we will spread the word! Comments: "I liked everything" – Douglas. "it was funny and interesting" – Paul.
Gordon Bell, Headteacher Moray day Unit, Grangemouth (Museum Workshop) 97.

.. "We enjoyed having you with us......and keep up your fine teaching and storytelling"
Doug Orr, President, Warren Wilson College, N. Carolina for Swannanoa .Gathering Celtic Week July 2002