Liam MacGillÌosa | William Gillies (23 December 1865, London – 23 July 1932) was deeply involved in the Gaelic cultural and political life in London, together with other contributors to Erskine’s Gaelic magazines, such as John G. Mackay, John Mackenzie, Louisa Elizabeth Farquharson and H. C. MacNeacail.
A close associate of Erskine’s, Gillies contributed to Guth na Bliadhna and Alba, and it is likely that he is the author of much unattributed and pseudonymous content in the magazines. They co-founded the Scots National League, and Gillies served as the first editor of the monthly Scots Independent, for which he also supplied Gaelic content. Gillies shared Erskine’s interest in drama and wrote Gaelic plays himself, including An Dùsgadh (1905), Gealladh a’ Ghàidheil (1907), and Ceithir Mallachdan nan Gàidheal (1907).
Publications in Erskine’s Magazines
- ‘Cuairt ann an Gallobhadh’ [essay, GD], Guth na Bliadhna, Volume XV, Issue 1 (Spring 1918)
- ‘Na Seana Ghàidheil agus na Gàidheil Nuadha’ [essay, GD], Guth na Bliadhna, Volume XVI, Issue 1 (Spring 1919)
- ‘Comunn nan Gàidheal’ [letter, GD], Issue 4 (24 January 1920)
- ‘Na Saighdearan aig Churchill’ [letter, GD], Issue 8 (21 February 1920)
- ‘Cùisean Gàidhealach’ [letter, GD], Issue 17 (10 July 1920)
- ‘An t-Oireachtas’ [article, GD], Issue 19 (11 September 1920)
- ‘Eire’ [article, GD], Issue 24 (June 1920)
- ‘Achd an Fhogluim Neo-Albannach’ [petition, GD; signed by Dòmhnall MacAoidh, Ruaraidh Arascain is Mhàirr, Seumas M. Calder, Dòmhnall Mac na Ceàrdaich, Aoghnas Dòmhnallach, Liam MacGillÌosa, H. C. MacNeacail, Art de Pratt], Issue 89, Volume 41 (Spring 1918)
Resources
- William Gillies, ‘Liam MacGill’Iosa: A Friend of the Gael,’ Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness LVI (1990).