Gaelic officer to help with community engagement

Bòrd na Gàidhlig (BnG) and Community Land Scotland have appointed a new officer to begin work on increasing community engagement for strengthening Gaelic in the Western Isles and the islands of Highland and Argyll and Bute Council areas.

This follows on from the announcement in March that there would be a new partnership to provide funding and community-based decision making for Gaelic development by community landowners, heritage and other trusts.

The successful candidate, Chrissie Gillies from Raasay, will work with Community Land Scotland to both strengthen Gaelic in their own work and membership, and support applicants to develop and deliver Gaelic development projects.

Commenting on the appointment, Agnes Rennie of Community Land Scotland said: ‘Chrissie’s appointment and the launch of the pilot will be a significant step in enabling and supporting properly constituted groups, based within the selected areas, to take forward new projects strengthening the place of Gaelic language and culture in the community.’

New officer Chrissie Gillies added: ‘This is an exciting opportunity to work with communities to develop strong community led projects. I am certain we will have some excellent applications.’

Shona MacLennan, Ceannard of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, said: ‘This new approach builds on the strength of the wide range of community trusts already established in the islands who deliver a wide range of economic and social benefits. It will lead to increased opportunities to use and learn Gaelic in many aspects of island life and is shaped around the recognition in the National Gaelic Language Plan that island communities require different strategies which respond to their specific needs and aspirations.’

For details on the scheme, keep an eye on www.communitylandscotland.org.uk