Gaelic colleges form partnership
SABHAL Mòr Ostaig has teamed up with a Gaelic college in Cape Breton, Canada.
The National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture on Skye will be working closely with Colaisde na Gàidhlig in Cape Breton, Canada to develop the Gaelic language, culture and heritage. The Skye college principal has also agreed to partner with Taigh Chearsabhagh Trust in North Uist.
On a recent visit to Cape Breton, director of studies at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig John Norman MacLeod signed a memorandum of understanding between Colaisde na Gàidhlig and Sabhal Mòr Ostaig which commits both partners to work together.
They hope to explore options for extending Gaelic educational provision, support visits and exchanges and promote Gaelic oral heritage, music and the performing arts.
A' Ceangal nan Gàidheal (Linking of the Gaels), an international summit, was held at the Gaelic college in Cape Breton in July. This was the first meeting of its kind in Canada which brought together representatives involved in developing language, culture and economy in the Gaelic diaspora.
John Norman MacLeod said: ‘It is highly significant and appropriate that Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and Colaisde na Gàidhlig should enter into this formal agreement having already established strong collaborative links. This will provide shared opportunities to build on common interests and to engage in initiatives to further enhance the Gaelic language and culture in Scotland and in Nova Scotia.’
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig has also linked up with Taigh Chearsabhagh in North Uist to develop Gaelic language at the arts centre in Lochmaddy.
Professor Boyd Robertson commented: ‘North Uist and Sleat were historically linked through Clan Donald and this memorandum affords the two communities an opportunity to forge a new association.
‘As the National Centre for Gaelic language and culture, it is incumbent upon us to meet the needs of communities throughout the country and to run classes and courses wherever there is a demand. We were, therefore, more than happy to help Taigh Chearsabhagh establish a learners’ class in the centre and it is pleasing this group has now successfully completed our beginners’ course.’