Thinking about holiday gifts? Bradan Press has plenty of options this holiday season! We recommend shopping as early as possible to make sure your order arrives in time. Our holiday gift guide will help you find the perfect present for everyone on your list, with a wide variety of books to gift friends and family. See something you want for yourself this holiday season? Let your friends and family know by sharing this list on social media! Bradan Press books are available to order from our online shop for Canada, by e-mail order to the USA, from Amazon, and through many other online booksellers!
For lovers of language, art, and self-expression
Language and symbols are beautiful ways to connect to Gaelic and other Celtic cultures. Bradan Press has several different titles that help you make that connection.
The Tattoo Handbook Series
Perfect for the tattoo lover or crafter in your life! Nobody wants to get a typo on their skin that can’t be erased, or spend hours on a calligraphy or cross-stitch project only to discover that they spelled it wrong… With The Scottish Gaelic, Irish Gaelic, and Welsh Tattoo Handbooks, learn how to incorporate Scottish Gaelic, Irish, or Welsh words and phrases into a tattoo, gift, artwork, or jewelry that honours the Celtic languages and cultures. The ultimate “think before you ink” guide to Celtic word art!
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Fàilte! A Colouring Book of Scottish Gaelic Phrases & Proverbs
This colouring book offers a wealth of Gaelic phrases and traditional proverbs, intricately decorated with flowers, foliage, birds, and beasts, and ready to colour. Includes 30 black-and-white drawings printed on one side only. We suggest this gift for older children, teens, and adults due to the intricacy of the designs. A deluxe edition printed on thicker 70-pound paper is available directly from Bradan Press, while the standard edition printed on 50-pound paper is available through Amazon and other online bookstores.
For lovers of Outlander and history
Iain of New Scotland
This book features a foreword by none other than Outlander author Diana Gabaldon! Thirteen-year-old Iain Robertson is homesick for the Highlands of Scotland. It’s September 1773, and he has just arrived in Nova Scotia with his parents and little sister after the long, disastrous, Atlantic voyage of the ship Hector. They wanted a new life in New Scotland—but the land agent lied to them. With no money, no food, no shelter, and winter fast approaching, how will they survive? Author Margaret MacKay of Pictou County, Nova Scotia, draws on the experiences of her ancestors to weave a tale of the first Gaels to settle in Nova Scotia. At 200 pages, Iain of New Scotland is suitable for Grades 4 and up–and historical fiction lovers of all ages.
For graphic novel fans
Graphic novels combine the visual appeal of a comic book with the plot and characters of a novel or short story collection. Talented Nova Scotian authors have created Bradan Press’s graphic novels, three in Gaelic and one in English:
Dorsan
There are things known, and things unknown, and in between…are the doors! Fifteen short stories of eldritch horror and fantasy slip through doorways in and out of parallel worlds: a Stone Age village, the Viking mythos, a fairy glen, a mysterious shop. Tales of revenge, redemption, harm and healing play out in ocean, fen, and forest, in castle and city street. Dorsan is the second all-Gaelic graphic novel from Cape Breton author-artist Aonghas MacLeòid (Angus MacLeod).
Ás a’ Chamhanaich
The debut graphic novel by Cape Breton Gaelic author-artist Aonghas MacLeòid (Angus MacLeod), Ás a’ Chamhanaich features a dozen short tales in Gaelic. Tales of creatures magical and human, worlds strange and familiar, fantasy and a touch of horror are inspired by old tales, history and ancient beliefs of the Gaels, and the author’s imagination. There’s also a free audiobook recorded by the author that you can listen along to while reading!
Out of the Twilight
Angus MacLeod’s debut Gaelic graphic novel Ás a’ Chamhanaich, now translated into English as Out of the Twilight, is a collection of a dozen original short tales. Angus draws inspiration from the storytelling, history, and ancient beliefs of the Scottish Gaels, Lovecraftian horror, and vintage comic books.
Ròs Fiadhaich
Set in rural Ireland and London in 1790, Ròs Fiadhaich reimagines a haunting Irish folksong as a tale of love and revenge. When Eliza Day is seduced and betrayed by a wealthy English lover, she soon finds out that the restrictive society in which she lives has no place for defiant women who break with convention. With the help of Adam Stone, a free Black man, Eliza has a chance to make a new life for herself after the loss of her innocence – but to do so, she will have to be braver than she could ever have imagined. Ròs Fiadhaich is the Gaelic translation of the independent comic book series “Wild Rose” by award-winning Nova Scotian romance novelist Nicola R. White.
For children, caregivers and teachers
These children’s books teach children about Nova Scotia’s Gaelic culture and heritage, and are approved for teachers to use in Nova Scotian schools.
Fionn MacCool and the Salmon of Knowledge, 2nd edition
Available in English and French, this new and improved second edition is the perfect gift for the child, teacher, or caregiver in your life! Help them learn Gaelic through a story about the Gaelic hero Fionn MacCool, and the Salmon of Knowledge which is depicted on the Gaelic flag of Nova Scotia. Children’s books are a fantastic starting point for anybody learning Scottish Gaelic. Fionn MacCool has a variety of free resources for teachers and youth group activity leaders as well!
G is for Gael in 3 languages
Learn more about the Gaelic heritage of Nova Scotia through the alphabet picture book, G is for Gael. Written by Nova Scotia educator Shelayne Hanson and illustrated by Etta Moffatt, this book is a first step towards connecting with Gaelic history, culture, and identity in Nova Scotia. This book is a must-have for parents and caregivers who want to show young children the richness and diversity of Nova Scotia’s Gaelic culture. Available in English, French, and Gaelic.
Luran and the Mermaid & Luran agus a’ Mhaighdeann-mhara
Long ago, the Gaels brought the tale about Luran and the Mermaid from the Isle of Barra in Scotland to Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. A favourite of Cape Breton Gaelic tradition bearer Michael “Mickey” MacNeil, this tale tells the story of Luran, a farmer and fisherman who had cattle, sheep, and horses, and a good boat too. One thing was bothering him: the fairies kept coming every night and stealing his animals. He didn’t know what to do. But one day when he was out fishing, a mermaid came to his boat…
Canadian classics for Gaelic speakers & learners
For the fluent Gaelic speaker or Gaelic learner in your life! Support their learning journey and love of Canadian literature this holiday season with Canadian classics and a classic in the making, all translated by award-winning Gaelic author Mòrag Anna NicNèill.
Bana Phrionnsa a’ Phoca Phàipeir
Enjoy a Canadian favourite, The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch, in Scottish Gaelic! Follow Bana-phrionnsa Ealasaid (Princess Elizabeth) on a quest to rescue Prionnsa Raghnall (Prince Ronald) after a dragon attacks her castle and carries the prince away. Enjoy the story in a whole new way with this translation. Children’s books are the perfect way to practice Gaelic reading skills!
Anna Ruadh
Anna Ruadh is the perfect book for a love Gaelic literature. The Scottish Gaelic translation of the beloved Anne of Green Gables follows the story of Anne Shirley, a young girl with enough passion and imagination to make a lifelong impression on readers.
Mòr-thubaist aig na Geamannan Gàidhealach
This Canadian classic in the making is the translation of Disaster at the Highland Games by award-winning Atlantic Canadian author Riel Nason. Kate loves going to Highland dance class each week and is thrilled when her teacher suggests she compete at the Highland Games for the first time. Kate agrees to practice, but quickly changes her mind when she finds out that dancing at home by herself is not as much fun as dancing with friends in her class. And, besides, she figures her dancing is already good enough. Everything will be fine. Or will it?
For poetry lovers
For the fluent Gaelic speaker or Gaelic learner in your life! Support their learning journey and love of Canadian literature this holiday season.
Òr a Mhaireas / Lasting Gold
This new collection published in May 2022 features new Gaelic poetry from eleven writers with Nova Scotian connections. In formats both modern and traditional, the authors explore joy and loss, connection and disconnection…and cookies! The poems demonstrate the tenacity of the Gaels and their language in the diaspora. Poems are presented in Scottish Gaelic with parallel English translations.
Ràithean airson Sireadh / Seasons for Seeking
Available in both audiobook and paperback, this collection of poetry follows the Gaelic cultural calendar in Nova Scotia. The poems are written by Sufi mystic and poet Rumi, interpreted by Coleman Barks, and translated into Gaelic by Lewis MacKinnon.
Our audiobook, read aloud by the author in a rich baritone, is accompanied by Saeed Foroughi on hammered dulcimer, Persian setar, harp, and flute, and Wayne MacIntyre on acoustic guitar, to blend Persian, Irish, and Scottish traditional and spiritual music with Rumi’s poetry. This audiobook makes a perfect stocking stuffer for the Gaelic learner or poetry lover in your life.
For Scholars
Gaelic Language Revitalization Concepts and Challenges
This academic book delves into the main concepts and the social and linguistic challenges of Gaelic language revitalization in modern Scotland. Perfect for scholars, including undergraduate and graduate students interested in anthropology, linguistics, sociolinguistics, Celtic studies, and education. The essays in the book include the author’s previously published articles and book chapters spanning the period 2005-2013, as well as three previously unpublished papers, focusing on issues like “discourses of death and denigration” about Gaelic in the Scottish media (which inspired the anti-Gaelic bingo card illustration on the cover).
For those who love all the possibilities
Bradan Press Gift Card
Can’t decide what to buy for that special person? Or that special person hasn’t picked out their favourite books yet? Get them a gift card for our Canadian online shop or our US online shop! Gift cards can be purchased in any amount of $10 or more, and are good for one year from date of purchase. Gift cards can be used to buy Bradan Press books, book boxes, and Nova Scotia Gaelic flags!
