17 December 07 Gaelic Song Fellow
Sings Carols in Germany Fiona
Mackenzie, The Highland Council's Mairi Mhòr Gaelic song Fellow, based in
Dingwall, will be travelling to Bonn, Germany, this weekend to sing Gaelic
Carols at the Kulturzentrum Theatre. The Mairi Mhòr Gaelic Song Fellowship
recently launched the world's first Scottish Gaelic Christmas album, Duan
Nollaig in cooperation with Greentrax Records and Fiona will be performing
several of the tracks at the Kulturzentrum Theatre in Bonn on Saturday
22nd December.
Councillor Hamish Fraser Chairman of The Highland Council's Gaelic
Committee said: "It is important to inform our European cousins that
Gaelic is part of the fabric of life in Scotland. The Gaelic language,
Gaelic songs and also the dance styles of the Highlands and Scotland all
provide a platform for identity especially as we are surrounded by ever
increasing globalisation. The Highlands host many ambassadors of our
language and the Mairi Mhòr Fellowship is fulfilling its role in this
respect."
Fiona said: "I was delighted to be invited to perform some of the Duan
Nollaig Carols in Bonn this Christmas. I am particularly looking forward
to singing 'Ciùin an Oidhche' with German Gaelic Singer Michael Klevenhaus.
Of course, this carol was originally a German carol - Stille Nacht, or
Silent Night - and Michael actually sings a verse in German on the album.
It will be lovely to sing it in Gaelic, in its own homeland as there is a
huge and enthusiastic community of Gaelic learners in Germany.
"It is important that we make Gaelic songs of all genres as accessible, to
as many people in all corners of the world, as possible and this is a
particularly nice way of being able to achieve that. While Gaelic Carols
have not been well known as a tradition in their own right, we hope that
people will now take these songs to heart and establish them as a new
tradition. A good indication of this is the fact that the album is at the
top of all of the Scottish Music charts at the moment. The Carols will
also hopefully be a useful resource for teachers in all Highland Schools,
Gaelic Medium and mainstream education."
The album, produced by Irvin Duguid, well known nationally as a film score
composer and Musical Director, originally from Macduff and now based in
Glasgow, was showcased at a major concert in Glasgow's St Andrews in the
Square recently and was shown on National Television this week. Many of
Scotland's top musicians participated including James Graham, John Goldie,
Gary Innes, Ross Ainslie, Hamish Napier, Jim Drummond, Katie Mackenzie and
Simone Welsh.
9 December 07 A Gaelic Christmas in Glasgow The world's first Scottish Gaelic Christmas album will be showcased in
concert on Monday 10th December in Glasgow.
Tracks from the ground breaking Duan Nollaig CD will be covered in the
concert including an interesting and innovative version of Leonard Cohen's
song 'Alleluia', which was made popular by Jeff Buckley and featured in
the film Shrek, now translated into Gaelic by Inverness's Eilidh
Mackenzie.
Traditional translations of favourite Christmas Carols like 'Silent Night'
and 'Away in a Manger' will also be performed, many for the first time.
Duan Nollaig is a collection of thirty five songs suitable for all ages
and musical tastes, old and new songs and songs which incorporate elements
of other cultures, including Manx, Latin and German.
Fiona Mackenzie, The Highland Council's Mairi Mhor Gaelic Song Fellow and
Mod Gold Medallist will lead, Duan Nollaig - The Gaelic Christmas Concert
at St Andrews in the Square, Calton, Glasgow on Monday 10th December
from 8pm.
Accompanying Fiona will be 2008 Mod Gold Medallist James Graham from
Lochinver; Nairn-based Irvin Duguid; Jim Drummond; John Goldie; Gary Innes
from Spean Bridge; Ross Ainslie; Mark Thomson; Katie Mackenzie RSAMD
Honours Student from Dingwall; Ed Mcfarlane; Hamish Napier from Grantown
on Spey; Simone Welsh and Inverness-based Mod medallist Morven Macleod.
Minister for Culture Linda Fabiani said: "The Gaelic Christmas Concert is
a celebration which will be enjoyed by all. I look forward to hearing the
traditional Christmas carols and contemporary songs live ~ the CD is
great. I encourage both Gaelic and non Gaelic speakers to attend this
must-see concert."
Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of The Highland Council's Education,
Culture and Sport Committee said: "The concert is not just for the
Highland Diaspora now living in Glasgow - anyone can come along and hear
this magical live performance of Duan Nollaig. The CD and concert is a
great step forward in Highland Council's commitments to supporting the
development of the Gaelic language and culture. Being the world's first
Christmas Gaelic CD it will also help to promote the language, as I am
sure it will be a great hit and a great stocking-filler during the festive
season."
Fiona Mackenzie, TheHighland Council's Mairi Mhor Gaelic Song Fellowship
Officer said: "I have been inundated for the last five years with requests
from all over the world for a collection of Christmas songs and Carols in
Gaelic, which can be played at Christmas time. We are delighted to be able
to fill this gap in the market.
"We wanted to produce a collection which reflected the diversity of
Highland culture today and so have used influences from all musical
genres, not just the traditional ones. Some of the most popular tracks
with the young people and children are the rock tracks such as Leonard
Cohen's Alleluia, which featured in the Shrek film.
"Other popular songs include the translation of 'In the Bleak Midwinter',
which has struck a chord as faraway as New Zealand. We had a very tearful
call from one woman living there now who remembered her mother singing it
to her in Gaelic when she was six and living in Thurso. The woman is now
85 and told us how many other childhood memories the song brought back to
her. So that shows you how far back many of our Gaelic traditions go."
Tickets for the concert at £10 / £6 including mulled wine and mince pies
are available from www.secxtra.com
tel: 0870 013 4060, St Enoch's Centre or at the door.
Anyone who cannot attend on the night can also see the performance
broadcast on Scottish Television (STV) on Wednesday 19th December, 2007
at 11:05pm.
15 November 07
Duan Nollaig – the Gaelic Christmas Concert
‘Duan Nollaig’, the world’s first Scottish Gaelic Christmas Album, by
Fiona Mackenzie, will be showcased in Glasgow at a seasonal concert on
December 10th 2007. Staged in the beautiful venue of St Andrews in the
Square, Calton, Glasgow, the concert will feature most of the musicians
who appear on the album, released recently by Greentrax, in conjunction
with Highland Council. Fiona Mackenzie said “This is a unique opportunity
to be at a world premier – many of these carols and songs have rarely, or
never, been performed live and we are looking forward to the chance to
perform this beautiful material live. St Andrews in the Square seemed like
the perfect venue for such a concert – being Glasgow’s Centre for Scottish
Culture. Having launched the album in the Highlands at the Royal National
Mod, the Màiri Mhòr Fellowship decided that it would be good to take the
concert to Glasgow in order to showcase the music to a large Gaelic
audience, in the City itself, particularly as the Scottish Winter Festival
will be in full swing by then. The programme consists of music for all
ages and musical tastes, whether they be for traditional music, something
a little more classical, country & western or even rock! There will be no
other Christmas concert like this one, in Scotland this year!“
The concert, beginning at 8pm will feature musicians and singers Irvin
Duguid, James Graham,Gary Innes, Hamish Napier, Ali Hutton, John Goldie,
Jim Drummond, Ed McFarlane, Simone Welsh and Katie Mackenzie. Mulled wine
and mince pies will be served. Tickets , £10/£6 available from
www.secstra.com , 0870103 4060, St
Enoch’s Centre or at door. More information from
www.fionamackenzie.org or e
mail info@fionamackenzie.org
5 November 07 WELCOME FOR GAELIC NOMINEES AT TRAD MUSIC AWARDS 2007
An Comunn Gàidhealach (The Highland Association) organisers of the Royal
National Mod have welcomed the inclusion of so many top Gaelic names in
the list of nominations for the Scottish Traditional Music Awards 2007.
The awards, now in their 5th year and which are to be presented in Fort
William on Saturday 1st December recognise excellence within Scotland's
thriving musical culture and include awards for Club of the Year, Composer
of the Year, Live Act of the Year and Album of the Year.
The Royal National Mod is itself nominated in the Event of the Year
category which is sponsored by VisitScotland while Mod Medallists Calum
Alex MacMillan and James Graham, are among those nominated in the Gaelic
Singer of the Year category along with Julie Fowlis and Mary Smith.
The various winners of the Scots Trad Music Awards are decided by a public
vote with voting closing on Friday 23rd November. Those people yet to vote
can do so by visiting
www.handsupfortrad.co.uk/tradmusicawards
Murdo Morrison, Promotion Manager for the Royal National Mod said "We are
delighted that the Mod has been nominated in the Event of the Year
category. The nomination has provided a great confidence boost to all
involved within the Mod organisation and we regard it as a great honour to
have been nominated. The Mod in partnership with Caledonian MacBrayne as
the main commercial supporters of the Mod has been successful in major
awards in the past having previously won the Brand Identity category at
the Scottish Arts and Business Awards and here's hoping that with the
support of the public we can be successful at the Trad Music Awards 2007"
Mr Morrison also congratulated those Gaelic representatives in other award
categories saying "There are a number of top Gaelic names in some of the
other categories and we wish them all every success. It is important that
we continue to highlight that the Gaelic language, music and culture is a
national cultural asset and awards such as the Trad Awards can help to
maintain a high national profile for Gaelic"
The Trad Music Awards 2007 will take place in the Nevis Centre in Fort
William on Saturday 1st December starting at 7pm and will include
performances from a host of top names including Catriona Watt, Kathleen
MacInnes, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers and Shooglenifty. Comperes for the
evening will be Mary Ann Kennedy and Stuart Cassells.
30 October 07 BT Debate Comes To New Gaelic School
The 10th BT Gaelic Schools Debate kicks off this year at the recently
opened Sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis on Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 November.
Sixteen teams representing fourteen Secondary Schools throughout Scotland
will be participating in this year's event which is being sponsored for
the ninth successive year by BT Scotland who are providing an award of
£15,000.
Chairman of the Organising Committee, Donald Martin said: "It is very
appropriate that, this year, we are able to come to Sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir
Nis for the opening rounds as last year's winners - Dingwall Academy -
came from The Highland Region. Once again, we are indebted to BT Scotland
for their continuing sponsorship of this popular event. The Debate
attracts much interest from the majority of Secondary Schools in Scotland
with Gaelic speaking pupils and for the first time we welcome Lochabar and
Ardnamurchan Schools. The climax of the Debate will again be fought out in
Scottish Parliament where the Final round will be held on Thursday 29
November, the night after the semi-final round which takes place in the
Conference Centre at Edinburgh City Council Chambers."
Brendan Dick, Director of BT Scotland, said: "BT Scotland is pleased to
once again support the National Gaelic Schools Debate and encourage young
people to speak the language. BT has invested £10m in its Better World
campaign which is designed to ensure all young people in the UK get skills
and opportunities to improve the way they communicate. Our goal is to help
people use communication to make a better world. The core communication
skills of speaking and listening are even more essential in the digital
age and there is a need for a renewed emphasis on developing these key
life skills in young people."
Councillor Hamish Fraser Chairman of The Highland Council's Gaelic
Committee is delighted that Sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis will be hosting the
opening rounds of debates. He said "Debating is an important skill which
can be used through life in many different ways and this competition is a
great way of encouraging young people to learn and develop their
abilities. Sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis is our first designated
purpose-built all Gaelic school and although only recently opened it has
already become a focal point for Gaelic learning in the Inverness area".
29 October 07
Bursaries Awarded by the Governors of the Catherine McCaig Trust At their recent meeting in Oban, the Governors of Catherine
McCaig’s Trust awarded the Argyll Bursary and six Open Bursaries to
students proceeding to study Gaelic at Scottish Universities. A further
Open Bursary was awarded for the first time to a student proceeding to
study Gaelic and Music at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in
Glasgow.
The
Argyll Bursary was won by Karen MacKenzie of Connel, a student of Oban High School who is going on to study at
Glasgow University.
The
Open Bursaries were won by Sean Ankers, Inverness, a student of Charleston
Academy, Niall Bartlett, Barvas, who attended The Nicolson Institute,
Stornoway, Claire L Innes, Portree, and Grace MacDonald, Staffin, both
students of Portree High School, and Suzanne Houston, Rachel Lincoln and
Shona Masson, all students of Plockton High School.
Sean
Ankers is going on to study at Aberdeen University, Niall Bartlett, Claire
L Innes and Grace MacDonald will attend Glasgow University, Rachel Lincoln
is going to Edinburgh University and Shona Masson to UHI. Suzanne Houston
will study at the RSAMD in Glasgow.
The
Governors were encouraged by the high number of well-qualified applicants
this year and noted that the standard of the best applicants was
exceptionally good. Once more, a number of excellent Gaelic students are
committing to a career in teaching through the medium of Gaelic in
subjects as diverse as science and music, which is indicative of a desire
among this generation to ensure the future of the language, while others
have expressed their interest in a career in media and in the law.
Councillor Hamish Fraser, a Governor representing The Highland Council,
said: “The Catherine McCaig Trust has over the years supported many young
people who have gone on to Universities to study through the medium of
Gaelic. I am heartened by the number of applicants who are now interested
in a teaching career through that medium. The fact that school leavers are
now showing a serious interest in secondary teaching qualifications is a
much needed and welcome boost for Gaelic medium education. The Trust can
be justifiably proud of the part it plays in funding those scholars, who
we hope will inspire the next generation to take the same valuable path
in the quest to strengthen the daily use and sustainable future of our
language.”
28 October 07
Latha Mòr na Gaidhlig - The Big Day for Gaelic
More than 500 Gaelic Medium primary pupils from all over Scotland will
gather in Aviemore Highland Resort on Thursday (1 November) for a Big Day
for Gaelic activity to celebrate Highland 2007, the year that Scotland
celebrates Highland culture.
Latha
Mòr na Gaidhlig will celebrate the development of Gaelic medium education
across Scotland over the past 22 years since the first Gaelic Medium
Classes were established in Glasgow and Inverness. In Highland, more than
700 pupils attending 20 primary schools are taught via the medium of
Gaelic.
In the
morning of the gathering, pupils will participate in a range of
activities, including workshops on storytelling, dance, music and
puppetry. The workshops will be led by experienced tutors in culture and
music development.
In the
afternoon, these pupils will be entertained by 170 pupils, who are
participating in a stage production of a number of drama pieces linked to
the theme of Gaelic through the ages. This part of the programme will
include participants from six schools, including Dingwall Primary School
and the new Inverness Gaelic School.
The
first of its kind, the event has attracted sponsorship from Highland 2007
and Bord na Gaidhlig.
Councillor Hamish Fraser, Chairman of The Highland Council's Gaelic
Committee, said: "This is a very exciting event as part of our Highland
2007 programme. Pupils from all over the country will be able to
experience the enjoyment of workshop and drama activity together. The day
will allow pupils from all areas to share their experiences with each
other and will make them more aware that their language encompasses the
whole of Scotland, and is not just confined to their local school or
village. I am sure this will provide a range of exciting opportunities for
these pupils and will be a day which they will remember for years to
come."
22 October 07 Groundbreaking Gaelic Christmas CD Launched The Mairi Mhor Fellowship for The Highland Council is once more breaking
new ground in making Gaelic song accessible to as many people throughout
the world as possible. The Fellowship has recently produced the world's
first ever double Gaelic Christmas album, Duan Nollaig, which was launched
today (20 October 2007) during the MOD and is being released on the Greentrax
label, in a bid to enable as many people to enjoy and learn Gaelic
Christmas carols and songs.
Fiona
Mackenzie, the Mairi Mhor Fellow said: "Since I began working in the
Fellowship 5 years ago, I have been inundated with requests from all over
the world from people looking for recordings and lyrics of Gaelic carols
but to date there is no such resource available apart from the odd track
on various "Celtic" compilation albums. There is no dedicated Christmas
collection. I was particularly struck by the lack of resources available
for teachers in the Highlands and Islands in Gaelic medium classes. I
decided that we should go ahead and make an album of songs but to look
beyond the usual "traditional" horizon and try to showcase Gaelic
Christmas music to audiences who would not normally listen to Gaelic or
folk music.
"To this
end, we obtained the services of Irvin Duguid from Glasgow, as producer,
who is a well known musical director on the musical theatre front across
Britain and also a very well known composer of film scores. He is also an
exceptional pianist and keyboard player in his own right. Irvin came to
the project with no pre-conceptions of what Gaelic song should be and so
was open to all musical styles and cultures. He brought with him several
very well known names from the musical world outside of Gaelic including
John Goldie, world renowned jazz and classical guitarist, Ed McFarlane,
well known session bass player and Jim Drummond, drummer and
percussionist, who plays in the Donnie Munro band amongst others. We have
also used the talents, of course, of many well known traditional musicians
and singers including Anna Massie, Gary Innes, Hamish Napier, James
Graham, Ronan Martin, Simone Welsh, Katie Mackenzie and Maggie Macdonald
and are delighted that we also managed to persuade Capercaillie's Karen
Matheson to guest with me too."
Chairman
of The Highland Council's Gaelic Committee Councillor Hamish Fraser said:
"As a Council we are strongly committed to the development of Gaelic
language and culture, this is apparent in the targets which we have set
out in our draft Gaelic Plan which was submitted to Bord na Gaidhlig
earlier this month. Language learning and development must be both
innovative and inclusive and Duan Nollaig fits these categories. It is
important to highlight that this Christmas CD is an additional resource
which has a contemporary theme and can be used by people of all ages in
relation to language development. The album presents 35 songs in a variety
of styles including classical, traditional and rock and has songs for
children and young people, and also for Gaelic learners so it really has
something for everybody making it the ideal Christmas gift."
Songs
include traditional carols in Gaelic such as Silent Night, In the Bleak
Midwinter, Away in a Manger, traditional Gaelic songs such as Heire Bannag,
Leanabh an igh, and new songs specially written for the album.
Fiona
added: "We have managed to produce cross-cultural material including
something from the Manx Gaelic tradition, some Latin and even a German
influence in the songs and are very keen that this music should be
showcased on a National scale as there is no reason why many of the songs
would not sit very nicely on Classic FM or Radio 2 or 3. It is just
beautiful Christmas music which just happens to be sung through the medium
of Gaelic. We even have a Gaelic translation of Leonard Cohen's classic
Halleluia, made popular by Jeff Buckley and featured in the film Shrek,
and this is performed in a very bright, contemporary, rock, manner to
attract young people to singing it."
Speaking
about the CD Ian Green of Greentrax said: "It has been a great pleasure
working with The Highland Council on this very unique recording project.
The recording of the double album, "Duan Nollaig" - "A Gaelic Christmas",
including the use of many session musicians, was only made possible by the
considerable financial assistance of the Council, the Scottish Arts
Council and Bord na Gaidhlig. A great deal of effort has gone into this
project and I have watched the album's progress to the final masters with
great satisfaction. The album is an absolute joy."
The
launch will now be followed by a major promotional concert in Glasgow's
venue, St Andrews in the Square on the 10th December at 8pm. Tickets will
be available from SECXtra.com and the St Enoch Centre.
15 October 07 Còmhradh air-loidhne air craoladh Gàidhlig san àm ri teachd Thathas ag iarraidh
air daoine sna gnìomhachasan cruthachail ann an Alba pàirt a ghabhail ann
an còmhradh air-loidhne mu na prògraman a thèid a chraoladh air an t-seirbheis
ùir dhidseataich Ghàidhlig.
Tha ullachadh airson na seirbheis telebhisean ùir a’
dol air adhart, agus tha Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig, a bhios a’
ruith na seirbheis ann an co-bhanntachd leis a’ BhBC, airson deasbad a
bhrosnachadh air cruth is cumadh na seirbheis ùir. Bidh an còmhradh a’
tòiseachadh Diardaoin 30 Lùnastal, ’s gheibhear ceanglaichean dhan
làrach-chòmhraidh aig www.gms.org.uk.
Bheir seo cothrom do dhaoine a tha ag obair sna
gnìomhachasan cruthachail ann an Alba – riochdairean phrògraman,
sgrìobhadairean, luchd-stiùiridh agus luchd-dealbhachaidh – beachdachadh
air an t-seirbheis ùir, anns am bi telebhisean, rèidio agus air-loidhne,
agus a bhios air an adhar ro dheireadh a’ Mhàirt 2008.
Tha Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig airson còmhradh
farsaing a chumail le daoine aig a bheil beachdan air cruth agus prògraman
na seirbheis agus air an t-slighe air adhart airson craoladh Gàidhlig.
A bharrachd air còmhradh leantainneach air prògraman
agus amasan na seirbheis ùir, bith cothrom ann airson Dòmhnall Caimbeul,
àrd oifigear Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig, a cheasnachadh nuair a
bhios e a’ gabhail pàirt beò sa chòmhradh gach Diardaoin eadar 3f agus 5f.
Tha an còmhradh seo a’ tachairt aig an aon àm ’s a
thathas a’ sireadh bheachdan air Measadh Luach Poblach aig Urras a’ BhBC
agus Measadh Buaidh air a’ Mhargaidh aig Ofcom. Bidh an dà eacarsaich
cho-chomhairle seo a’ ruith gu 7 Sultain agus bheir iad fios gu Urras a’
BhBC mus tig e gu co-dhùnadh air molaidhean airson na seirbheis.
Thuirt Dòmhnall Caimbeul: “Tha sinn aig ìre chudromach
airson na seirbheis ùir dhidseataich Ghàidhlig. Tha e riatanach gum
bruidhinn sinn gu dìreach leis na daoine a bhios an sàs anns an t-seirbheis
ùir, bhon choimhearsnachd Ghàidhlig, bhon roinn riochdachaidh neo-eisimeileach
agus bho na gnìomhachasan cruthachail ann an Alba air fad. Bidh obair aca
uile ri dèanamh ann a bhith a’ leasachadh na seirbheis ùir, a bhios na
buannachd airson cànan agus cultar na Gàidhlig, agus tha mi ’n dùil gum bi
còmhradh brosnachail agus beothail againn sna seachdainean a tha romhainn.”
15 October 07 Nòs Ùr - Farpais Òrain Roinneil Mhion-chànain ann an Inbhir Nis Bidh a’ chiad Fharpais Roinneil Mhion-chànain ann an Inbhir Nis san t-
Òg-mhios an ath bhliadhna, mar phàirt de cheithir fharpaisean
dheireannaich anns an Roinn-Eòrpa.
‘S e ‘Nòs Ùr’ ainm an tachartais agus tha dùil air òrain a chuir a-steach
sa Ghàidhlig, Albais, Ulaidh Albais, Gàidhlig Èireannach, Gàidhlig
Mhanainneach, Cuimreach, Còrnach agus Breaton. Thèid an neach-buannachaidh
troimhe gu farpais dheireannach Liet Lavlut Eòrpach ann an t-Suain san
Dàmhair an ath bhliadhna.
Chaidh Brian Ò hEadhra, neach-ciùil agus neach-eagrachaidh airson
tachartasan, fhastadh le goEvents airson stiùireadh na pròiseict.
‘S e am farpais an aon den seòrsa sa Roinn-Eòrpa, leis an aon chumadh
ris a’ ‘European Song Contest’, le seinneadairean agus còmhlain-ciùil
seasamh airson dùthaich, no airson mhion-chànain san fharpais seo.
Tha an fharpais ag amas cuir air adhart iomadachd chultarach agus ciùil
gu luchd-èisdeachd farsaing eadar-nàiseanta, le bhith cnuasachadh ùidh bho
sheinneadairean à coimhearsnachdan mhìon-chànanach.
An uiridh, chuir Brian òrain a sgrìobh e fhèin a-steach don fharpais
dheireannach Liet Lavlut Eòrpach anns an t-Suain agus chaidh an òrain air
taghadh airson a bhith anns an 11 mu dheireadh. Tha Brian an dòchas gun
tog an fharpais mothachadh a measg sgrìobhadairean mhion-chànanach. Thuirt
e: “Tha sinn ag iarraidh luchd-gnìomhachais a thuigse gu bheil ùidh mhòr
gu ìre nàiseanta agus eadar-nàiseanta anns ar cànain agus ar cultair, an
dà chuid traidiseanta agus co-aimsireach.
“Tha sinn cuideachd an dòchas barrachd dhaoine òga a thàladh gu’n
tachartais rè bùthan-obrach sgrìobhaidh-òrain agus gum bi ginealach ùr de
sgrìobhadairean òrain Ghàidhlig agus Albais air am brosnachadh.”
Thathar a’ moladh gum bi an fharpais dheireannach Eòrpach ann an Inbhir
Nis fhèin ann an 2010, fhad ’s a bhios an fharpais roinneil Eòrpach ann an
àite eile den Taobh Siar an Roinn-Eòrpa mar Eirinn no A' Chuimrigh.
Bidh Nòs Ùr ann an Cùirt an Aodainn, 21 An t-Og-mhios 2008, aig an aon
àm sa bhios co-labhairt Oilthigh na Gàidhealtachd, air mion-chànain.
Thuirt Brian Ò hEadhra: “Tàlaidh Nòs Ùr agus a’ cho-labhairt
luchd-èisdeachd ionadail agus eadar-nàiseanta agus tha sinn an dòchas gun
urrainn dhaibh an fharpais fhaicinn beò, air an rèidio, an eadar-lìon no
eadhon air an telebhisean. ‘S e cothrom mìorbhailteach a th’ann agus urram
airson Inbhir Nis agus a’ Ghaidhealtachd agus na h-Eileanan, tachartas den
seòrsa seo a chumail.”
Bidh làrach-lìn air cruthachadh far am bi barrachd fiosrachaidh air Nòs
Ùr agus thathas a’ sireadh luchd-urrais poblach agus malairteach and
dràsta.
Airson barrachd fiosrachaidh, bheir fios gu Brian Ò hEadhra air 01463
241622, info@anamcommunications.com, no dha Iain Hamilton air 01463
244463, Iain.Hamilton@hient.co.ukEnglish version
30 August 07 E-conversation to Shape the Future of Gaelic Broadcasting Scotland’s Gaelic and
creative communities are being encouraged to take part in an online
conversation dedicated to the creation of programmes for the brand new
Gaelic digital service.
As progress continues towards the new
Gaelic television service, Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig, which will
run the project in partnership with BBC Scotland, is keen to provoke
discussion and debate about how the new service will look. The discussion
will begin on Thursday 30 August, and links to the discussion site can be
found at www.gms.org.uk.
This will be an opportunity for those
working in Scotland’s creative industries, including programme producers,
writers, directors and designers, to shape the new digital television,
radio and online service which will launch by the end of March 2008.
Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gaidhlig is
eager to engage with people from all sectors and to broaden the discussion
on the service’s format, content and future strategy.
As well as an ongoing discussion about
the new service and its future direction, there will be an opportunity to
quiz Donald Campbell, Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig’s chief executive,
during a two-hour live webchat every Thursday between 3pm and 5pm.
The conversation comes at a time when
the BBC Trust and Ofcom are carrying out a Public Value Test (PVT) and
Market Impact Assessment (MIA) on the new service. The PVT and MIA
consultations run until 7 September and will inform the BBC Trust’s
decisions on the proposed service.
Donald Campbell said: “We are at a
crucial stage for the new Gaelic digital service. It is vital that we
engage directly with people who will contribute to the new service, from
the Gaelic community, the independent production sector and the wider
creative industries in Scotland. They will all have a key role to play in
this exciting new development for Gaelic language and culture and I look
forward to a lively and interesting discussion over the coming weeks.”
For further information, please contact
Iagan MacNèill on 0131 556 6649 / 07770 886 928.
The conversation will go live at 3pm on
Thursday 30 August. The link to the blog site is at
www.gms.org.uk
29 August 07 HIE Board Backs Ambitious New Age For Gaelic Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is aiming to put in place an
ambitious Gaelic plan which it hopes will embed Gaelic as a defining
feature of the Highlands and Hebrides and as a core element of the
region's development over the years to come.
The commitment was revealed in a
presentation to the HIE board at its regular board meeting which was held
in Orkney this week. The network's Gaelic policy manager Alasdair MacLeòid
delivered a draft of the organisation's Gaelic language plan, which is
currently the subject of public consultation.
HIE, which plans to invest more than
£2m to support Gaelic this year, is one of six public sector organisations
required by the Scottish Executive to draft and implement a plan towards
securing a sustainable future for the language.
The draft Gaelic plan for HIE focuses
partly on current Gaelic-speaking communities and islands, but also looks
to promote the Gaelic identity of the Highlands and Hebrides as a whole
and demonstrate equal respect to both Gaelic and English - a key element
of the recent legislation protecting the language and the rights of its
speakers.
An important element of the plan is a
commitment to capitalise on the significant opportunities arising from the
language's growth in taking forward the development of the HIE area -
including projects such as the new Fàs centre for the cultural and
creative industries being constructed at the Sabhal Mòr Ostaig campus in
Skye.
Members of the public can read the
plan and take part in consultation online at
www.hie.co.uk/gaelic-plan
until Wednesday, September 5. The final version will be sent for
consideration by Bord na Gàidhlig on October
The HIE board also gave final
approval for £402,500 assistance to Raasay Outdoor Centre on Skye for
equipment and furnishings. The centre is based in Raasay House which a
local community Trust is acquiring from HIE.
While on Orkney, members of the HIE
board visited a number of companies and initiatives such as Scotrenewables,
Aquatera, the European Marine Energy Centre, and Orkney College. Board
members also met those serving on the Orkney's Young People's Panel which
approves grant applications to the Big Lottery's Young People's Fund.
Bòrd HIE a' bacadh linn ùr don
Ghàidhlig
Tha Iomairt na Gaidhealtachd 's nan Eilean (HIE) a' cur ri chèile plana
Gàidhlig mòr-inntinneach a tha an dòchas stèidheachadh Gàidhlig mar
chomharradh cudromach den Ghaidhealtachd 's nan Eilean agus mar pàirt den
leasachadh nan roinn anns na bliadhnaichean a tha romhainn.
Nochd an dealas ann an taisbeanadh gu
Bòrd HIE aig a' choinneamh reachdail a bha ann an Arcaibh t-an seachdain
seo. Thug manaidsear poileasaidh Gàidhlig HIE Alasdair MacLeòid, seachad
dreach den phlana Gàidhlig a' bhuidheann, a chaidh a-mach o chionn ghoirid
gu co-chomhairleachaidh.
Tha plana aig HIE taic a thoirt don
Ghàidhlig le còrr air £2m am bliadhna seo. 'S e HIE aon de sia bhuidhnean
poblach aig a tha riatanas bhon Riaghaltas na h-Alba plana Gàidhlig
deasachadh, dèanamh cinnteach gum bi suidheachadh na cànain tèarainte san
àm ri teachd.
Tha dreach plana Gàidhlig HIE a' cur
fòcas air coimhearsnachdan a bhios a' bruidhinn Gàidhlig, agus na h-eileanan,
ach cuideachd a' coimhead ri cuir air adhart dearbh-aithne na Gàidhlig
anns a' Ghaidhealtachd agus na h-Eileanan agus sealltainn an aon mheas sa
tha air a' Bheurla - pàirt cudromach den reachdas airson a' chànan a
chumail dìon còmhla ri còraichean luchd-bruidhinn na Gàidhlig.
'S e pàirt cudromach den phlana,
dealas airson buannachd fhaighinn bho na cothroman a bhios a' tighinn an
àrda bhon a bhith a' toirt air adhart leasachadh ann an roinn HIE - a'
toirt a-steach pròiseactan mar Fàs, an ionad ùr airson gnìomhachdan
cultarach agus cruthachail, a bhios stèidhte aig Sabhal Mòr Ostaig anns an
Eilean Sgitheanach.
Tha am plana ri fhaotainn air loinne
aig www.hie.co.uk/gaelic-plan
gu Diciadain 5 An Sultain. Thèid an dreach mu dheireadh gu Bòrd na
Gàidhlig airson beachdachadh air a' chiad latha den Dàmhair.
Cuideachd, thug Bòrd HIE ceadachadh
airson £402,500 cuideachadh do Ionad a-muigh Eilean Rarsaidh anns an
Eilean Sgitheanach airson uidheam agus àirneis. Tha an ionad stèidhte ann
an Taigh Rarsaidh - an taigh a tha oighreachd choimhearsnachd ionadail a'
faighinn bho HIE.
Fhads a bha iad ann an Arcaibh, rinn
ball a' bhùird tadhail air grunn chompanaidhean mar, Scotrenewables,
Aquatera, European Marine Energy Centre, agus Colaisde Arcaibh. Choinnich
iad cuideachd còmhla ri daoine a tha air an Young People's Panel ann an
Arcaibh a bhios ag aontachadh iarratas airgead an lotaraidh
20 August 07
Gaelic Film Premiered In Edinburgh - See Clip Below
Seachd – The Inaccessible Pinnacle received its world premiere on the 16th
August at the 61st Edinburgh International Film Festival. The film was
directed by Simon Miller and produced by Christopher Young. The film is a
result of co-operation between Gaelic writers, actors, crew, vocalists and
musicians.
Seachd is about the power of storytelling and centres on a young boy Angus
and his quest for the truth about the death of his parents and his
grandfather’s incredible tales of folklore.
Shot entirely on the Isle of Skye off the West coast of Scotland, Seachd
was completed in 5 weeks and included filming on top of the Inaccessible
Pinnacle, a ridged pinnacle that sits on top of Sgurr Dearg, one of the
peaks of the famous Cuillin mountain range on the Isle of Skye.
Producer Christopher Young said of the festival selection that ‘as a
native of Edinburgh I’m thrilled that the festival has chosen to honour
the film by giving it its world premiere. I have a long association with
the festival having worked there and seeing my previous films screened
there, so it seems fitting that Seachd will also have a place in the
festival’.
To find out more visit the website:
www.seachd.com/
18 August 07 Tional
A Gaelic Language Gathering 1 - 2 September 2007, MacPhail Centre,
Ullapool
Ciamar a tha sibh?
Tha mi dìreach airson fiosrachadh a chuir thugaibh mu dheidhinn Tional.
Tha Tional a tachairt air 01/02 den t-Sultain Ann an Ulapul agus seo deagh
chothrom a tha Ann feadhainn aig a bheil ùidh as a Ghàidhlig tighinn
còmhla aig coinneamh. Tha sin air bileagan agus postairean a sgaoileadh
air feadh Na dùthaich agus aig an am seo chan eil againn ach coignar a tha
air formaichean a thilleadh.
Chan eil seo a coimhead math airson
saoghal Na Gàidhlig agus co dhui airson Clì mar a faigh sin barrachd
dhuine. Roinn sin rannsachadh bho chionn bliadhna agus bha iarratas mòr
Ann airson rudeigin mar seo. Chan eil fios de a thachras mar a tachair
Tional.
Tha mi a faighneachd dhuibh air fad a
facal a chur mun cuairt mu dheidhinn Tional agus tha Clì gu math feumach
air taic bhuaibh aig Ann am seo.
Le Dùrachd
DJ Mac an t-Saoir
Stiùiriche Clì Gàidhlig
How are you?
I would just like to give you an update on our Tional event. Tional takes
place on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd September in Ullapool, and is a
fantastic opportunity for Gàidhlig learners of all levels to come together
for a great weekend of activities all through the medium of Gàidhlig.
Clì Gàidhlig has distributed leaflets
and posters all round the country, and at this stage the confirmed
bookings is very low. We have to question to viability of the event.
This does not look good for the
Gàidhlig world and in particular Clì if we do not get more people booking
onto the activities. Last year we carried out some research and the
feedback from our membership was very positive. Many people asked for this
specific type of event. It will be difficult to work out what will be
ahead if such an event had to be cancelled.
I am asking you all to spread the
word about Tional and Clì very much needs your support at this time.
Remember that you can come along for a morning or a day's workshop. Book
online at www.tional.org , email us at
info@tional.org or phone us for
further information.
DJ MacIntyre
Director
Clì Gàidhlig
A charaidean chòir
Airson ur fiosrachadh 's e seo an seòladh na h-oifis ùr againn:
Clì Gàidhlig
Seòmraichean 1 - 4
Taigh Rèile na Gàidhealtachd
Sràid na h-Acadamaidh
Inbhir Nis
IV1 1LE
Alba
For your information, this is our new
office address:
Clì Gàidhlig
Units 1 - 4
Highland Rail House
Academy Street
Inverness
IV1 1LE
18 July 07
Gael Force at The International
Eisteddfod, Wales Fionnar, the Gaelic vocal
harmony group for young people, led by the Màiri Mhòr Gaelic Song
Fellowship for The Highland Council has just returned with an armful of
prizes from the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen, Wales. This highly
prestigious and colourful music festival attracts thousands of visitors
from all over the world and choirs and groups come from all over the
world compete and perform to large audiences over the course of six days.
Fiona Mackenzie, the Màiri Mhòr Fellow said:
“The girls in Fionnar have worked very hard over the last 6 months,
putting their stage sets together for the Eisteddfod, both for the
competitions and also for the stage performances which they were asked to
undertake during the Festival. The set they performed in the Celtic Small
ensemble class provided a snapshot of Highland Culture, showcasing the
Highland bagpipes, a Gay Gordon’s set and of course, Gaelic Song, where we
incorporated the use of the Golden Broom tartan, the official tartan of
Highland 2007.”
“The standard of the competition was very
high this year with groups participating from many Celtic countries and
the girls were thrilled to win 3rd prize and have it presented
on the huge Pavilion stage on the showground. Some of the girls also
competed in solo vocal and instrumental competitions and proved themselves
to be accomplished artists in their own right. We were also delighted to
be able, this year, to collaborate with the Kiltearn Feis Rois Fiddlers in
their set for the prestigious Massed Celtic ensemble, utilising a local
song from Evanton which the girls have just recorded on their new CD, An
t-Ionnsachadh Òg.”
“The whole group was absolutely delighted to
win first prize in that class against stiff opposition from Wales and
Ireland. Demonstrating their Gaelic culture to large audiences in excess
of 4000 is also excellent experience for the group and the girls certainly
relished the challenge, delighting the audiences with their lovely Gaelic
song, piping clàrsach and fiddle playing.”
Fiona Mackenzie herself was also successful,
winning second place in the highly prestigious Celtic Vocal Solo
competition and going onto perform on the SC4 stage for Welsh television.
Hamish Fraser, chair of the Highland Council
Gaelic Committee said: “Fionnar deserve all our congratulations for their
success in Wales. They are the face of Gaelic for the Future and we
heartily congratulate them and the Màiri Mhòr Fellowship for their success
in bringing profile to the Gaelic Culture, outside of the Highlands in
this special year of Highland 2007, when all of Scotland celebrates
Highland Culture.”
12 June 07
Clann na Gàidhealtachd a' sealltainn Dealbh Mòr do Phàrlamaid na h-Alba
English Version Below Aig cuirm ann an Dùn Èideann an-diugh, (12mh An t-Ògmhios), cuiridh
clann, à bun-sgoil san Eilean Sgitheanach, an làthair do bhuill de
Phàrlamaid na h-Alba, am pròiseact ealain coimhearsnachd aca.
'S e taisbeanadh ann an Gàidhlig is Beurla mun Eilean
Sgitheanach a tha sa phròiseact, air a bheil "An Dealbh Mòr." Chaidh am
pròseact a chur air dòigh 's a ruith le clann Lasair Ealain. Bha
sgoilearan is luchd-teagaisg à Bun-sgoil Shlèite an sàs ann còmhla ris an
neach-ealain ainmeil Julie Brook agus Kath NicLeòid, Oifigear Foghlaim An
Tuireann.
Seo a' chiad phròiseact mòr a rinn Lasair Ealain -
buidheann sgoilearan à Bun-sgoil Shlèite. 'S e an t-amas a th' aca
pròiseactan ealain inntinneach a chur air chois agus a stiùireadh còmhla
ri luchd-ealain dreuchdail bho iomadh meadhan.
Mar phàirt de Bhliadhna Chultarail na Gàidhealtachd
2007, tha Lasair Ealain a' toirt an taisbeanaidh aca, agus aithris mun
phròiseact, gu ruige Dùn Èideann, Glaschu, Inbhir Nis, Port Righ agus
Steòrnabhagh.
Ann a bhith a' stiùireadh agus a' ruith 'An Dealbh Mòr',
bha na sgoilearan ag obrachadh còmhla ri ceathrar neach-ealain gus
dealbh-tìre cheann a deas an Eilein Sgitheanaich a chomharrachadh. Eadar
An Giblean agus An Dàmhair 2005, chaidh na sgoilearan a-mach timcheall
cheann a deas an Eilein còmhla ri Julie Brook, Kath NicLeòid agus Sara
Sìne Nic an t-Saoir gus an dealbh-tìre a tharraing bho bhith a'
beachdachadh oirre.
An dèidh sin, rinn a' chlann dealbhan mòra le
gual-fhiodh agus rinn iad cuideachd obair le dathan uisge. Bha deagh
thaisbeanadh dhe na dealbhan sin anns An Tuireann, san Eilean Sgitheanach.
Chuir Lasair Ealain ceàrdlann air dòigh an uair sin gus sealltainn dhan
phoball na dh'ionnsaich iad. An lùib seo, thug iad daoine a-mach airson
latha gus dealbhan a tharraing. Chòrd seo cho mòr ri daoine 's gun deach
iarraidh orra a dhèanamh a-rithist. Thòisich na sgoilearan an uair sin air
dealbh mhòr, uabhasach - an obair dheireannach sa phròiseact seo. Chaidh
an dealbh a chur air ùrlar an t-seòmar-bìdh ann an Sabhal Mor Ostaig,
Colaiste na Gàidhlig san Eilean Sgitheanach.
Le bhith ag obair còmhla ri stiùiriche gluasaid, Clare
Pencak, agus fear-dèanamh ciùil, Piers Hellawell agus an luchd-ealain
lèirsinneach, rinn na sgoilearan an taisbeanadh aca air uachdar na deilbh
leis an luchd-amhairc a' coimhead a-nuas o na gailearaidhean gu h-àrd.
Thug an taisbeanadh sùil air atharrachadh nan creagan san Eilean
Sgitheanach agus bha e ag innse mu na spreadhaidhean bholcànach on deach
An Cuiltheann a chruthachadh.
Tha An Dealbh Mòr a' faighinn taic o Chomhairle na
Gàidhealtachd; Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Prògram Leader nan Eilean Siar, An Eilein
Sgitheanaich is Loch Aillse Comhairle Ealain na h-Alba; An Tuireann;
Comunn na Gàidhlig; Sabhal Mòr Ostaig; Urras Trèanaidh Telebhisean
Gàidhlig; Determined to Succeed; agus SEALL.
Highland children show Scottish Parliament the Big
Picture.
Children from an Isle of Skye primary school will present their
collaborative community art project to members of the Scottish Parliament
today (Tuesday 12th June) at a reception held in Edinburgh.
The visual arts and performance project, titled "An
Dealbh Mòr - The Big Picture" is a Gaelic/English production celebrating
the Isle of Skye. The project was organised and run by the children of
Lasair Ealain involving pupils and teachers at Bun-sgoil Shlèite - Sleat
Primary School on the Isle of Skye in collaboration with leading artist
Julie Brook and Kath MacLeod, An Tuireann (Arts Centre in Portree, Isle of
Skye) Education Officer.
The project is the first major undertaking of Lasair
Ealain (Gaelic for 'Blaze of Art') - a committee of school children from
Sleat Primary School who helped raise £84,000 to fund the project.
Their long term aim is to set up and manage innovative,
ambitious and exciting art projects in collaboration with professional
artists of differing disciplines.
Minister for Culture and Gaelic Linda Fabiani said:
"It's great to see our young people celebrating such a vital strand of our
heritage, culture and language as part of their education. Everyone
involved - especially the children - must be congratulated for their
efforts in producing such an artwork as An Dealbh Mòr - The Big Picture.
"Schools can play a vital role in the regeneration of
Gaelic and I look forward to seeing more of the benefits to local
communities and to Scotland that come from projects like this."
Julie Brook, the Lead Artist said, " The desire to
express ourselves creatively begins at an early age through drawing. At
the heart of An Dealbh Mòr lies the steady rhythm of the working
expeditions outside, over the first 7 months. The children's relationship
with the landscape, and their response to it, grows. They are literally
getting fitter. Their hand and eye are freer, their perceptions deeper."
Councillor Hamish Fraser, Chairman Highland Council
Gaelic Committee said, this is an extraordinary visual arts performance
project run by the young people, they are being inspired by the language,
landscape, technology, environment both built and natural, transport
services, and the residents of their own communities in the South end of
Skye. Dealbh Mòr has left a rich legacy for Sleat."
Speaking at the event, Bòrd na Gàidhlig Chairman,
Matthew MacIver said: "This is a wonderful project that brings together
Gaelic education, community and culture. These are some of the main areas
of the first National Plan for Gaelic that the Bòrd launched recently and
it's imperative that we encourage projects like An Dealbh Mòr if we are to
sustain and develop the Gaelic language in the months and years to come.
Bòrd na Gàidhlig helped fund this project and I'm pleased to see today
just how successful and inspiring it is."
In the organisation and running of An Dealbh Mòr, the
pupils worked in collaboration with four artists to celebrate the
landscape of South Skye. Between April and October 2005, the students went
out every week around South Skye with artists Julie Brook, Kath MacLeod
and Sarah Jane MacIntyre to draw the landscape from observation.
After that the children made large charcoal drawings
and also worked in water colour. A very successful interim exhibition of
these drawings and paintings was held at An Tuireann, Isle of Skye. Lasair
Ealain then organised and ran a workshop to teach the public what they
learned, which included taking them out for a day's drawing. This event
was so popular that they have been asked to do it again. The students then
began working on an enormous painting - the peak of this part of the art
project - that was placed on the floor of the cafeteria area of Sabhal Mor
Ostaig, the Gaelic College in Skye.
Maggie Maxwell Head of Equalities, SAC said," This is
such an excellent example of the best of contemporary art practice in
visual arts and performing arts, linking with the Scottish Executives
priorities in Gaelic and education. The sort of example you would hope
that 'cultural entitlements' may lead to...."
Working in collaboration with movement director Clare
Pencak, composer Piers Hellawell and the visual artists, the students
performed on the painting with the audience looking from the balconies
above. The performance explored the geological evolution of Skye, and
included re-enacting the volcanic explosions that formed the Cuillin.
12 June 07 QUALITY
PERFORMANCES AT PROVINCIAL MODS The
Provincial Gaelic Mod season is in full swing with events having taken
place throughout Scotland showcasing some of the major up and coming
Gaelic stars of the future. The Provincial Mods, supported by Caledonian
MacBrayne who are the main commercial supporters of the Royal National
Mod, the Royal Bank of Scotland, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and the Royal Mail Group
offer opportunities for potential National Mod competitors to rehearse
their Mod pieces.
13 March 07
Highland Council welcomes cash boost for Gaelic Education
The Highland Council welcomes the announcement from the Scottish Executive
that Gaelic Medium education in the Highlands is to receive an additional
£45,000 in the current financial year 2006/07 and £880,000 for 2007/08.
Councillor Hamish Fraser, Chairman of
The Highland Council~s Gaelic Select Committee said: "The council very
much welcomes additional funding to support Gaelic developments across
Highland. This is very much needed to support the significant work already
underway to revise our Gaelic Language and Culture plan launched at
Inverness Town House in May 2005.
"Following recent consultation on the
draft National Plan for Gaelic, staff within the Education Culture and
Sport service are revising our plan to address the new requirements of the
national planning framework. Highland is one of the first seven public
bodies in Scotland who have been requested by Bord na Gaidhlig to produce
a language plan in accordance with the requirements of recent legislation.
Highland Council is in the vanguard of Gaelic developments nationally and
this funding will enable the authority to further progress Gaelic services
for children, families and communities across Highland."
19 February 07
Air Splaoid! - Discover Gaelic! Air
Splaoid! is an exciting new campaign to encourage everyone to learn
Gaelic. It will be available during Highland 2007, the year when Scotland
celebrates Highland culture.
Air Splaoid! gives you the chance to take part in a
virtual tour attending different events during Highland 2007. On-line
there will be a year-long Gaelic course consisting of twelve lessons
packed with fun, games and brilliant animations.
When you take part you will choose a character to
follow around the Highlands as they travel from event to event during
Highland 2007. Your learning will be made easy using fun activities
interspersed with snippets of cultural and historical information.
Everything you need will be available online making this a different
learning experience.
The project aims to:
give people the chance to learn Gaelic
promote wider access to Gaelic across Scotland
increase the number of Gaelic speakers in the long-term
dispel myths and preconceptions about the Gaelic language and culture.
4 February 07
Careers Scotland event for Gaelic teachers
Gaelic teachers from across the Highlands and Islands have been invited to
a seminar at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Isle of Skye on Monday 12 February.
The event has been organised as part of Excellence in
Education through Business Links (EEBL) - a Scottish Executive national
programme, delivered by Careers Scotland.
All aspects of Gaelic will be highlighted during the
seminar, from language to culture, careers and skills, economy and the
environment. The Gaelic teachers will get the opportunity to foster links
with representatives from a range of Gaelic related organisations and
businesses.
EEBL programmes provide teachers with information on
how they can gain experience from participation on work placements. The
knowledge and skills that they learn can be put to practice with the
pupils in the classroom and foster career related learning.
Jenny Macrae, co-ordinator of the EEBL programme in the
Highlands and Islands said: "This seminar gives representatives of various
organisations, with Gaelic in their remit, a chance to explain to the
Gaelic teachers about the use of the language in their workplace. The
workshops will include practical participation such as preparing for a
Gaelic news bulletin and translating texts for publications.
"The day will raise awareness of Gaelic career
opportunities. The teachers can then take this information back to the
classroom, with a clearer idea of what opportunities are available in the
world of Gaelic work."
Work placement opportunities are also available for
Gaelic teachers
throughout the Highlands and Islands, through the EEBL programme. Next
year, there is a possibility of this seminar to include Gaelic primary and
secondary teachers across the whole of Scotland.
The event will reinforce schools curricular links in
light of the Curriculum for Excellence recommendations.
The Gaelic teacher placement seminar is part of a wide
range of EEBL placements in the Highlands and Islands. Last year, teachers
in the Highlands and Islands took part in placements within the forestry,
constructions and arts sectors.
Organisations and businesses contributing to the Gaelic
teacher placement seminar are:
Bòrd na Gàidhlig
An Comunn Gàidhealach
HIE
SNH
BBC
Cànan
Stòrlann
Lews castle College
Macdonald Brothers Ltd
CNAG
25 January 07
Pàrantan a' tadhal na Sgoile Gàidhlig Ùir
Tha togail Bunsgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis a' tighinn air adhart gu math air
an làraich faisg air Acadamaidh Rìoghail Inbhir Nis.
Disathairne (20mh Faoilleach), thadhail pàrantan agus
Comann nam Pàrant san Eadar-ama air an sgoil còmhla ris a' Cheannard a tha
air a h-ùr fhastadh. Bidh an sgoil fosgailte do sgoilearan san Lùnastal
2007.
Cllr Roderick Balfour; Alison Urquhart; Cllr Angus Dick; Kirsteen Keir
Acting Depute Head Teacher Central Primary School; Dr Donald MacVicar;
Kenneth Barker;
Front row (left to right): Iain MacIlleChiar Chair Interim Parent Council;
Janet MacLeod Head Teacher; Dawn Morgan Secretary of the Interim Parent
Council; Maria Cuthbert; and Bernie O'Donnel
Iain MacIlleChiar Chair Interim Parent Council; and Janet MacLeod Head
Teacher inspect progress at the new Gaelic School, Bunsgoil Ghàidhlig
Inbhir Nis.
Tha Iain MacIlleChiar, Cathraiche Comann nam Pàrant san
Eadar-ama toilichte leis an adhartas agus thuirt e: "Tha an sgoil ùr seo
na comharradh air misneachd phàrantan ann am foghlam tron Ghàidhlig agus
na sàr-ghoireas airson fàs cànain is cultar na Gàidhlig ann an Inbhir Nis.
Is math sgoil gu tur Gàidhlig fhaicinn ga togail ann am fear de
phrìomh-bhailtean fàsmhor na h-Alba."
Thuirt an Ceannard, Seònaid NicLeòid, nach eil Gàidhlig
idir aig pàrantan cuid mhath de na sgoilearan a tha air an teagasg tro
mheadhan na Gàidhlig: "Tha barrachd is barrachd phàrantan gun Ghàidhlig,
agus gun cheangal ris an dualchas, a' taghadh foghlam tro mheadhan na
Gàidhlig dhan chloinn aca. Tha clann a' fàs fileanta sa Ghàidhlig gu math
luath agus tha fianais làidir ann gu bheil clann a tha air an togail le dà
chànan a' dèanamh gu math san sgoil."
Pàrantan sam bith a tha am beachd a' chlann aca a chur
dhan Sgoil Ghàidhlig ùir, bu chòir dhaibh fios a chur chun a' Cheannaird,
Seònaid NicLeòid air 01463 663800.
Parents visit new Gaelic School
Construction of the new Gaelic School, Bunsgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis, is
well underway on its site near Inverness Royal Academy.
On Saturday (20th January), parents on the Interim
Parent Council visited the school, along with the newly appointed Head
Teacher, which is due to open to pupils in August 2007.
Chair of the Interim Parent Council, Iain MacIlleChiar,
was delighted with progress, he said: "This new school is a sign of
parents' confidence in Gaelic education and an excellent resource for the
promotion of the Gaelic language and culture in Inverness. It is excellent
to see the development of a total Gaelic learning environment in one of
Scotland's major growing cities."
Head Teacher, Janet MacLeod, said that a large number
of pupils who are taught through the medium of Gaelic do not have Gaelic
speaking parents: "More and more parents who do not have a Gaelic speaking
background or heritage are choosing a Gaelic medium education for their
children. Children very quickly become fluent in Gaelic and there is
strong evidence that children who are brought up speaking more than one
language perform very well at school".
Parents who would like to consider their children
attending the new Gaelic School are encouraged to contact Head Teacher,
Janet MacLeod on 01463 663800.
9 January 07 Nova Scotian opportunity for Gaelic speaker The Highland Council is currently trying to identify a Gaelic speaker
who would be prepared to live and work in Cape Breton for six months to
help with a Gaelic language learning project.
The recruitment drive to find a Gaelic speaker willing
to live and work in Nova Scotia is one of a range of joint initiatives
which are part of the "Memorandum of Understanding" (MOU) - an agreement
signed between The Highland Council and the Provincial Government of Nova
Scotia in 2002. The MOU provides the basis for a variety of cultural
initiatives between the two areas.
This project follows on from events last summer (July
2006) when a group of Gaelic speaking parents and young people from West
Lochaber travelled to Nova Scotia for a visit which aimed to set up a
Gaelic family learning project and strengthen the links established
between Lochaber and Cape Breton. The group from Lochaber liaised with
parents in three Nova Scotian communities so that the Nova Scotians could
experience at first hand what Gaelic pre-school and primary education is
like.
Dr Michael Foxley, Highland Council's Vice Convenor
said: "We are lending a helping hand to Feis Mhabu, based in Mabou, Cape
Breton, who are seeking an energetic, fluent Gaelic speaker with
experience of working with children. They are looking for someone to go
and live in the village of Mabou on Cape Breton's west coast, from January
till June 2007.
"The successful candidate will conduct two after school
programs for children, a pre-school program (with parents) and will be
expected to participate, but not lead, the adult Gaelic classes, which are
conducted entirely through the medium of Gaelic.
"Experience in planning children's programming and
leading children in Gaelic-based activities is essential while the ability
to sing in Gaelic would be an asset. The successful candidate will have a
keen interest in learning more about the Gaelic traditions and culture of
Cape Breton and a willingness to incorporate as much local dialect and
tradition into the children's courses as possible.
"This is an excellent opportunity for the right person
as much hospitality and support will be given by the Mabou parents, local
Gaelic speakers and Feis Mhabu."
Further information about the Mabou appointment can be
obtained by contacting: Catriona MacIntyre, Highland Council's Early Years
Development Officer [Gaelic]on tel: 01397 707397 or Morag Anna MacLeod,
Highland Council's Gaelic Development Officer on tel: 01478 613835.
