Launch of £500 award for Gaelic arts students

Students are being offered the chance to secure a £500 award in a competition which aims to promote all aspects of Gaelic culture and education in the Gaelic language.

Urras Dhòmhnaill Iain – The Donald John MacKay Educational Trust – offers an annual award to mark the outstanding contribution Donald John MacKay made to Gaelic and industrial development throughout the Highlands and Islands.

The award is administered by Fèisean nan Gàidheal on behalf of the trust and the 2022 competition opened during Seachdain na Gàidhlig – World Gaelic Week – with a closing date for applications of Sunday May 15.

Donna Chisholm of Urras Dhòmhnaill Iain said: 'We would encourage students to think creatively about proposals to deliver one or more of the broad aims of the trust, which encompass a range of topics in which Donald John MacKay was interested or had an involvement.

'Proposals could augment work already being undertaken, as part of a course perhaps, or aim to deliver something completely new. The application process is as straightforward as possible, with just a few questions to answer, and we hope the award will support the successful applicant’s studies.'

The competition is open to any student in Scotland, in full-time or part-time study, at further or higher education level or working towards a doctorate. Proposals will be assessed by a panel including a representative of the MacKay family, at least one trustee, a representative of Fèisean nan Gàidheal and up to two other individuals invited by the trust.

The successful proposal will be published on Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s website with a copy of any work undertaken retained by the organisation, as well as in the library at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, for archival and research purposes. Where possible, the trustees may support further development of successful work delivered with the award. Further information, guidelines and an application form are available at www.feisean.org/djmt.