Record numbers flock to annual summer school
A record number of students flocked to South Uist for a week earlier this month to advance their Gaelic music, dance and language skills.
The island community welcomed 181 attendees of the 23rd annual Ceòlas summer school from across the world, shattering the previous highest attendance registered at last year’s school.
Over the past decade, the weeklong event has witnessed growth of around 80 per cent, in line with the targets set within the Cnoc Soilleir business case.
Gaelic language courses, which have grown to represent the largest student segment, have more than doubled in size, with new Gaelic-medium and fluent classes experiencing high-levels of interest. According to data collected during feedback, the total student spend provided a boost of more than £210,000 to the local economy, which is increased further through the spend of additional family and friends who also journeyed to Uist for the week.
Ceòlas would like to thank all those who made the school possible, from the voluntary board and committee, the canteen staff, those who donated raffle prizes, to those who hosted house cèilidhs and helped with the running of the week.
Ceòlas would also like to thank its funders, including Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Creative Scotland and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.