Ceanglan Chaluim Chille Mull Residency 2025

Ceanglan Chaluim Chille, Mull Residency, explored cross-cultural connections between Scotland and Ireland through field research into language and Lived Cultural Experience on Mull, with Dr Alasdair C. Whyte / Macillebhàin. This pilot residency has was created with communities in mind, with support from CHARTS Gaelic Culture Officer Àdhamh Ó Broin, CHARTS members, including KNOCKvologan Studio.

During the 3-day residency, Alasdair conducted field research from his base at KNOCKvologan Studio, extending his language and cultural inquiry into communities of Mull through walks, story-sharing, a visit to The Ross of Mull Historical Centre and house visits to reach across generations. The home visits to Gaelic Mull residents were accompanied by KNOCKvolgan and CHARTS Culture Officer and allowed for meaningful 1-to-1 cultural exchange through storytelling, music sharing, and hospitality. 

Alasdair’s time at KNOCKvologan was celebrated with a public event, where Alasdair presented hyper-local material related to Mull and spoke about the future of Mull, including plans for Ionad Gàidhlig an t-Sàilein (The Salen Gaelic Centre). The event allowed for audience questions and created space for conversation about how to deepen understanding of Gaelic Culture and language on Mull. The event was attended by Scottish Artist  Eòghann Mac Colla, who created a series of responsive zines in response to and ahead of his 2026 residency at Campbeltown Museum. 

The residency allowed space for meaningful research and conversation about how to strengthen cultural relationships with the land and community. 

“[Ceanglan Chaluim Chille] leaves behind more than an event; it strengthens a foundation. It demonstrated that our studio can be a welcoming space where Gaelic language and culture can be actively woven into new dialogues and creative practices. The project confirmed that our role, as relative newcomers to this cultural context, is not to speak for Gaelic culture but to listen, host, and create conditions where cultural exchange and lived experience can flourish. By doing so, we contribute to an ecology of culture that connects land, community, and artistic practice.” - Rutger Emmelkamp and Miek Zwamborn, KNOCKvologan Studio