Acair celebrates award success, major releases and a strong year for Gaelic publishing – find out what’s new

Strong showing at the Gaelic Literature Awards

Five Acair titles were shortlisted at the 2025 Gaelic Literature Awards, organised annually by the Gaelic Books Council. The shortlist featured work across a range of genres, including children’s literature, non-fiction, art and translation.

Acair excelled in the Donald Meek Award for Best Non-fiction Book, securing two shortlisted titles — with one going on to win. The award was won by An Staran: Rosg Gàidhlig by Ruairidh MacThomàis, edited by Petra J. Poncarová. The book brings together a rich selection of Gaelic prose by the late Professor

Derick Thomson, one of the most influential Gaelic literary figures of the 20th

century. The anthology highlights Thomson’s sharp intellect, commitment to Gaelic culture, and incisive wit, and includes a short biographical introduction.

Also shortlisted was Unnad/Indigenous by Lewis artist Calum Angus MacKay, a bilingual collection of more than 100 photographs charting his artistic journey through themes of grief, history, family and community. In her foreword, writer

and broadcaster Muriel Gray praised the volume as “a love letter to belonging… beautiful from start to finish.” The book received a Highly Commended recognition at the awards ceremony in Glasgow.

In the Best Book for Children/Young People category, Acair achieved an impressive three nominations. These included the original Gaelic titles Ailig agus an Dalek Gàidhlig by Shelagh Campbell and Uncail Dod agus Na Dìneasairean by Mary Gillies, the latter of which also has a free audio edition available. Acair’s translation Na Mailghean Millteach (The Eyebrows of Doom), translated by Morag Stewart, won the category.

All shortlisted and award-winning titles are available

From www.acairbooks.com and retail stockists.

Major new non-fiction release: In the Shadow of the Laird

Acair has also announced the publication of its final title of the year: In the Shadow of the Laird: Highland factors before and after Patrick Sellar by Judith Ross Napier.

The book re-examines the role of the factor — powerful but often overlooked estate managers whose influence stretched from the 18th century to the modern day. Drawing on diaries, archives, Napier Commission evidence and interviews, Napier explores a profession long overshadowed by the notorious Patrick Sellar. The resulting work rebalances the historical record, presenting a wider and more complex portrait of the men who shaped Highland communities.

Early praise describes the book as groundbreaking, engaging and a vital contribution to Scottish historical scholarship.

Launch events

Launch events will take place in Inverness and Stornoway:

● Drumossie Hotel, Inverness — Friday 5th December at 7.30pm (event completed)

We regret to announce that the following event has been cancelled:

● Stornoway Library — Wednesday 10th December at 6pm

Please note that this event has been rescheduled to Wednesday 10th December, instead of the previously advertised date of the 9th.

Publication was supported by The Stornoway Trust, Assynt Crofters’ Trust, Anderson MacArthur, Muaitheabhal Community Wind Farm Trust, The Gaelic Society of Inverness, Lewis Island Crofters Ltd (Dalmore Estate), Innes & Mackay Ltd, Grimersta Estate and Scottish Land & Estates.

New Christmas title and expanding Gaelic fiction series

Acair also continues to strengthen its children’s list with the release of Rèis Mhòr Craobh na Nollaige / The Great Christmas Tree Race, a festive picture book complete with a free audiobook.

The publisher’s new Feuch Ficsean series — designed to support a wide range of Gaelic readers — added two new titles this year, with a further two planned for the new year. The newly published titles are:

• Fo Fhasgadh Beinn Chianabhail by Mòrag Anna NicNèill

• Soraidh Slàn le Hallaig by Myles Campbell

Each title includes vocabulary support, glossaries, online resources and accompanying audiobooks.

A growing Gaelic publisher with a long history

Founded in 1977 and formally established as a Scottish charity in 2018, Acair continues to play a central role in Gaelic publishing. With hundreds of titles in print, spanning children’s books, social history, fiction, nature writing, bilingual editions and more, the publisher remains committed to producing high-quality Gaelic and Scotland-focused literature.

Acair’s work is supported by the Gaelic Books Council and Bòrd na Gàidhlig, reflecting its cultural importance and long-standing contribution to Gaelic literacy and storytelling.

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