THE CHOIR MASTERS
SCOTLAND will soon learn who has come out top in this year’s Daily Record and Bòrd na Gàidhlig Gaelic Awards.
The finalists have been announced and the winners will be revealed at a prestigious ceremony next month.
The awards pay tribute to all aspects of Gaelic culture, education and language.
In one of the categories, two people have been named jointly as finalists for the Learner Award – Stiùbhart MacLeòid and Marcas Mac an Tuairneir, who are Gaelic tutors for the Lothian Gaelic Choir in Edinburgh.
Stiùbhart and Marcas, a Gaelic poet, help choristers pronounce and understand the lyrics they sing, and also write and deliver courses for beginner and intermediate level in their own time.
At last year’s National Mòd, the choir received the highest marks for Gaelic in two competitions, and they have high hopes for this year’s Mòd. Stiùbhart, from Lewis, said: “It’s great for the choir to get the recognition they deserve and for people to see that there is a lot of Gaelic activity in Edinburgh. If we lose the language, we lose the music.”
Finalists were selected by judges Mairi Kidd, head of literature, languages and publishing at Creative ScotRoyal land, Daibhidh Boag, director of language planning and developing communities, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Ruairidh Graham, Historic Environment Scotland, and judges’ chair Cathy MacDonald.
Shona MacLennan, chief executive of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, said: “We were delighted with the variety, number and quality of the various nominations which show that the Scottish Gaelic awards continue to grow each year.”
The winners will be announced on November 19 at the Glasgow Marriott Hotel.