CLÀR


CLÀR is a Scottish Gaelic publisher. Established in 1996, the company is run on a voluntary, independent basis and based in Inverness, Scotland. It is the publisher for the Ùr-sgeul project, specialising in new Gaelic fiction.

Publishing Policy

Tha company concentrates on Gaelic-only publications and rarely publishes English language or bilingual content. In addition to Ùr-Sgeul, CLÀR publishes Gaelic novels and short story collections including science fiction from writers such as Timothy C. Armstrong, author of the first hard science fiction work in Scottish Gaelic for adults, Air Cuan Dubh Drilseach, as well as non-fiction from authors including John Ailig MacPherson, Mary Smith and Lisa Storey. Poetry collections published by CLÀR include work by Niall O'Gallagher. CLÀR rarely publishes books for children.

International

CLÀR has engaged in international collaboration including Ecstasy, originally written by Irish author Ré Ó Laighléis, translated by Beathag Morrison, published in 2004. Ecstasy was a winner in the CBI Book of the Year Awards, the European White Ravens Literary Award, the North American NAMLLA Literary Award and the Oireachtas na Gaeilge Prize.

Scottish Gaelic authors

Scottish Gaelic authors published by CLÀR include Meg Bateman, Angus Peter Campbell, Alasdair Caimbeul, Norman Campbell, Catrìona Lexy Chaimbeul, Alison Lang, Mary Anne MacDonald, Martin MacIntyre, Peter MacKay, Tormod MacGill-Eain, Finlay MacLeod, Iain Finlay Macleod, Norma MacLeod and Des Scholes.

Awards

Several original titles published by CLÀR have been short-listed or achieved success at the Saltire Society Literary Awards. In 2003, the CLÀR/Ùr-sgeul title Ath-Aithne by Martin MacIntyre won the Saltire Society First Book of the Year Award. Gormshuil an Rìgh by Dr Finlay MacLeod won the first Donald Meek Literary Award in 2010. In 2013, Air Cuan Dubh Drilseach by Dr. Timothy Armstrong was shortlisted for the Saltire Society First Book of the Year Award, while Màiri Dhall, a collection of short stories by Duncan Gillies from London via Ness on the Isle of Lewis was shortlisted for the main award 2013 Book of the Year. The shortlist included Ali Smith and James Robertson. This was the first time two Scottish Gaelic fiction authors together achieved placings on the Saltire Society Awards. 2013 was also the first time a Scottish Gaelic publisher received two nominations in the one year.