When Catherine Eunson taught music in Balivanich School, she noticed the speed and facility with which the then headmaster, Alasdair MacGillivray (now retired), would wrap parcels, for example when the annual nativity play came round. It reminded her of the same skills that her own shopkeeper grandfather had.
Recently, she went round to Alasdair’s house to find out how it started, and discovered the secret lies in his family background. Listen here to find out how and when he learned, and to witness a demonstration. Alasdair still puts his skills to good use, as his grandchildren will happily testify!
Here, Alasdair explains it all in Gaelic.
And here he does it again in English.