Young Gaels speak highly of camps
CAMPS for young Gaels have been such a success this year, organisers are considering arranging more.
Two camps for Gaelic speakers between the ages of eight and 12 were held in late July.
Organised by Comunn na Gàidhlig (CnaG), the first camp was held in Scaladale, Harris, and the second at Dun Floddigary, Skye. They attracted 23 and 26 young people respectively from across Scotland, including the Western Isles, Inverness, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling and Islay. At both camps, the youngsters enjoyed a week of activities as diverse as cutting peat, coasteering, visiting museums and other places of interest, arts and crafts and sports. They were doing all this while speaking Gaelic.
Donald MacNeill, CnaG chief executive, said: ‘ We are grateful to Bòrd na Gàidhlig for its support, enabling us to run the camps. It is important to have such events to allow the young people to use their Gaelic outwith the classroom in an informal, social environment among friends.’
Mr MacNeill added: ‘The camps have been going on for years but this year was one of the best as the youngsters were so enthusiastic. To begin with, it was just once a year, then it was two and now we have a waiting list and are thinking of increasing to three camps next year.’