Fòram na Gàidhlig

I've come across several different ways of pronuncing this name, according to various websites and sound files so would be interested to know what the general consensus is.

Thanks.

Consensus not needed. It's a clear-cut case even across dialects: /kalan/ with weak (English) l and weak (English) n and two clear /a/ vowels. It gets messier in the vocative/genitive though: a Chalein! /? xal?N?/ with a palatal /N?/ at the end and the c > ch and /a/ > /?/ change.

As akerbeltz says, Cailean is mainly pronounced like Kal-ann - however Sgitheanachs agus Uibhisteachs seem to prefer a sort of Kell-ann instead. Some Irish pals also would say Kay-lan - but I don't go with that one - Kal-ann is good enough for me

That's be the somewhat unpredictable /a/ ~ /?/ variation. Wouldn't worry about it. Any you're right about the strange Irish thing

/'kalan/ is how I pronounce it [both 'a' sounds roughly like English 'cat'] and indeed the way all of the Gaels I have spoken to pronounce it, so I would go with Akerbeltz as well.