Strengthening Gaelic with sessions in island communities
Gaelic Arts organisation Fèisean nan Gàidheal has been awarded a contract by Argyll and Bute Council to deliver in-person Gaelic sessions in three island communities – Coll, Tiree and Bute – and is now looking for island-based Gaelic speakers session leaders and interested learners.
Argyll and Bute Council secured funding from the Scottish Government’s Islands Skills Fund and three projects fall under the banner of Tabhaich.
The first is a series of six consecutive in-person conversation classes supporting online tutoring by Pàdruig Moireach.
Alongside these consecutive, progressive sessions, Fèisean nan Gàidheal is offering one-off drop-in Gaelic taster sessions for local residents and visitors wishing to learn about the culture and heritage while visiting the three islands.
Their formal education service, Fèisgoil, will be offering island schools the opportunity to engage in a special one-off workshop, showcasing opportunities available for learners and speakers of the language.
Councillor Robin Currie, leader of Argyll and Bute Council, said: “We are committed to promoting Gaelic and encouraging its use across the region. The language has played an important part in the history of Argyll and Bute and it’s in all our interests to help it flourish.
"Working with Fèisean nan Gàidheal is a great example of how we continue to work in partnership with other organisations to deliver on the Gaelic Language Act and ensure a long-term future for Gaelic in Argyll and Bute.”
Eilidh Mackenzie, Fèisgoil Manager with Fèisean nan Gàidheal said: “We would like to hear from locally-based tutors with a good knowledge of Gaelic language and culture if they would like to get involved in the Tabhaich programme. These are paid opportunities and offer an exciting opportunity to engage with Gaelic speakers of all levels who live in these island communities, from complete beginners through to first-language Gaelic speakers.”
For more information about learning and tutoring opportunities in the programme, please contact Fèisgoil Manager, Eilidh Mackenzie, at eilidh@ feisean.scot.