There was the distinct possibility that this Lunch would not go ahead as there was no running water at Braidholm. However, a “Dunkirk” spirit prevailed and, after a fighting promise from the caterer and a unanimous vote from the gathered GROGS, the Chairman, Johnston Sime, confirmed normality would prevail, making a valiant opening statement in “pig” Gaelic. The audience didn’t have a clue what he said but the guest speaker might have understood him. If he did, he didn’t let on, maintaining a diplomatic smile throughout. The guest speaker was, of course, Hugh Dan MacLennan, the Gaelic language rugby commentator of BBC Alba fame. Though Gaelic is his first language, to everyone’s relief, Hugh Dan gave his talk in English, lapsing only once to explain that the Gaelic word for ‘penalty’ sounds very much like the male appendage, whilst assuring us that his commentaries were never as rude as they might sound. Hugh Dan turned out to be a very interesting, and accomplished, speaker. His personal sporting history isn’t one steeped in rugby, shinty being his premier sport. Nevertheless, he clearly has a deep passion for the game and waxed knowledgeable at many of its aspects and participants. He was educated at Lochaber High School where shinty ruled the sporting roost, until one day a new teacher appeared in class, twirling a rugby ball, with an invitation to “meet the future”! From then on, Hugh Dan had 2 sporting loves. There existed a school of thought that speaking Gaelic could hold one back, but not in his case. Before his broadcasting career, he had been a teacher of Gaelic and was heavily involved in Gaelic associations. Obviously, it features highly in his life and helped to start his career with the BBC in 1982. He talked through the learning curve of his early work aided and abetted by the legendary David Francey although he regretted never having collaborated with the even more legendary Bill McLaren. A firm believer in ‘free to view’ and not ‘pay to view’ rugby, HD hopes BBC Alba will retain broadcasting rights for rugby in Scotland, otherwise there might be no domestic rugby on TV. He is proud to be the Sports Writer in Residence at the National Library and ended by commending 2 of its aspects - the “Rugby’s Roll of Honour” book and the work of “Rugby Memories” enabling Alzheimer’s sufferers.