New Gaelic nature resource
The cultural connections to nature through Gaelic are being promoted with new teaching materials from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).
Part-funded by Bòrd na Gàidhlig and produced in collaboration with social enterprise Earth For Life, the bespoke learning resource will help to connect young people with nature through sustainable foraging.
The resource will equip Gaelicmedium teachers with the necessary skills, knowledge and vocabulary for wild plant identification and use.
The project was launched last week at the Royal National Mòd in Dunoon by Angus Campbell, SNH deputy chairman.
Alasdair Taylor, from Earth For Life, has started using the education pack during recent foraging workshops at Gaelic-medium primary schools in Ullapool, Perth and Edinburgh.
The resource builds on the success of Rùrachd Lusan Fiadhain, or Foraging For Wild Plants. Written by Roddy Maclean, that booklet is an invaluable Gaelic resource on responsible foraging. This new learning resource will create opportunities for young Gaelic speakers to learn and use the language to connect with nature.
Robyn Ireland, SNH’s Gaelic officer, said: ‘We’re thrilled to launch this new learning resource and to be encouraging teachers to explore the close links that we have with nature.
‘This resource builds on a range of other foraging resources that we have already developed in Gaelic, including a training course, guided walks and recipe cards.’
The project was coordinated by a team from Scotland’s Natural Larder, an SNH-led partnership aiming to reconnect people with local, seasonal and wild food, and encourage sustainable use of natural food resources. The project with Bòrd na Gàidhlig was jointly funded under the Gaelic Language Act Implementation Fund 2018-19 programme.
The launch was followed by a special Mòd fringe concert, Clyde – Renewal of the River, which was commissioned by SNH to celebrate the natural and cultural richness of the Firth of Clyde. The varied programme of music and Gaelic song was led by well-known musician, singer and broadcaster Mary Ann Kennedy.