Latest news with #Gaelic-medium
The National
07-07-2025
- Business
- The National
Work to start on £8 million Gaelic cultural centre on Skye
Work is due to start in the following weeks on the new centre – Ionad Thròndairnis (Trotternish Centre) – which will be built at Flodigarry in Staffin on the North-east peninsula of Skye. The centre will include a large function hall, classrooms for language, music and heritage education, and a significant library and digital archive, with the hopes of creating 10 full-time jobs. The Trotternish Centre will also include a cafe-restaurant and a scalable development of quality accommodation to serve not only the users of the centre, but also address the 'chronic shortage' of bed spaces in Skye. READ MORE: Copper cables worth 'tens of thousands of pounds' stolen from 2 wind farms The Staffin area of Trotternish is an internationally acclaimed site for dinosaur footprints and is also popular with Hollywood, with Ridley Scott's Prometheus and Macbeth, starring Michael Fassbender, shooting in the area. However, for the island locals, Trotternish's greatest claim to fame is its success in maintaining a Gaelic-speaking community, with those involved with the centre hoping it will continue to preserve the language amongst Skye's residents. Margaret Nicolson, chair of Ionad Thròndairnis (The Trotternish Trust), said the centre will be a great boost for the Gaelic community. She said: 'Gaelic is still alive as a community language in this area. I can speak Gaelic to many people, every day, in the shops and in the community. 'There are people moving into the community and – although they don't speak it themselves – very often they will send their children to the Gaelic-medium schools, and so I can speak Gaelic to those children. 'This is still a Gaelic community, and the new centre will be a great boost for the language.' Nicolson added: 'It will give the Gaelic community confidence in their language and culture. 'For visitors and new residents, it will also provide a gateway to the language and the culture, boosting their interest, offering a great opportunity to learn the language or at least explore and enjoy the culture.' (Image: The Trotternish Trust) The Trotternish Trust, which is leading the project, believes that the centre will play a vital role in keeping Scotland's language heritage thriving. 'The new Ionad Thròndairnis will provide a great economic boost,' Nicolson added. 'It will provide around ten new full-time jobs, which is very big in rural Skye, and further seasonal and part-time jobs.' She continued: 'And, as a community-run trust, money will stay in the community.' Although funding has not been fully committed, the trust believes the new centre will fit directly into Government policy, which could see the area designated an Area of Linguistic Significance, with plans for it to be operational by 2028. Linsay Chalmers, director of communities and operations at Community Land Scotland, the lead organisation representing community landowners across Scotland, added: 'This is a great project born of a lot of hard work by a lot of people from the community. "Supporting the rich Gaelic language and culture has always been a central part of our work with community groups. We all know the language adds significantly to the health of the communities where it is still used. 'A place like Trotternish is one of the Gaelic heartlands and it is fantastic that the community has taken the initiative to support and strengthen the language and in turn strengthen the economic and social wellbeing of the north Skye.'
Scotsman
07-07-2025
- Scotsman
Work to start on new £8m Gaelic centre on Scotland's most visited island
The new centre is projected to bring an economic boost to the island by providing full-time jobs Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Work is to start on a new £8m Gaelic language and culture centre hoped to boost the local economy and preserve culture in a region on Scotland's most visited island. The new centre – Ionad Thròndairnis (Trotternish Centre) – will be built at Flodigarry on the north end of the Trotternish peninsula on the Isle of Skye. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It aims to protect and develop the Gaelic language, provide jobs and encourage young people to stay in the region. A drawing from plans for the new centre | Supplied The building will include a large function hall, classrooms for language, music and heritage education, a library and digital archive and a cafe and restaurant. The community trust behind the development said accommodation will be included onsite for the users of the centre but also to address a chronic shortage of beds in the island region. Trotternish is amongst the most deprived rural areas in Scotland when it comes to measures of income, employment and access to services, according to the Trotternish Trust | Supplied While the area is internationally recognised for dinosaur footprints, with 160 million year old evidence of ornithopods, and its links to Hollywood after being a film location for blockbusters, including Macbeth starring Michael Fassbender and Ridley Scott's Prometheus, the Trotternish Trust said it is among the most deprived areas in rural Scotland when it comes to measures of income, employment and access to services. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad According to the centre's business plan, the development is due to employ 10 full-time staff and provide part-time jobs and seasonal work. Scenery on the Trotternish peninsula | Supplied The Trotternish Trust, behind the development, said it will also prioritise keeping young people in the area. Margaret Nicolson, chairwoman of Ionad Thròndairnis, said: 'Gaelic is still alive as a community language in this area. I can speak Gaelic to many people, every day, in the shops and in the community. 'There are people moving into the community and – although they don't speak it themselves – very often they will send their children to the Gaelic-medium schools, and so I can speak Gaelic to those children. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'This is still a Gaelic community, and the new centre will be a great boost for the language.' She added: 'The new Ionad Thròndairnis will provide a great economic boost. 'It will provide around ten new full-time jobs, which is very big in rural Skye, and further seasonal and part-time jobs. So maybe 15 people employed. And, as a community-run trust, money will stay in the community.' Preliminary work at the new site will start within the next few weeks with archaeology checks, drainage work and further planning at the site. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Trust said the new centre will fit directly into Government policy which could see the area designated an Area of Linguistic Significance. Community Land Scotland, the lead organisation representing community landowners across Scotland, is supporting the new development. CLS's director of communities and operations Linsay Chalmers said: 'This is a great project born of a lot of hard work by a lot of people from the community. Supporting the rich Gaidhlig language and culture has always been a central part of our work with community groups. 'We all know the language adds significantly to the health of the communities where it is still used. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'A place like Trotternish is one of the Gaidhlig heartlands and it is fantastic that the community has taken the initiative to support and strengthen the language and in turn strengthen the economic and social wellbeing of the north of Skye.'
The Herald Scotland
07-07-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Work to start on £8million Gaelic cultural centre on Skye
It will include a large function hall, classrooms for language, music and heritage education, and a significant library and digital archive. The Ionad Thròndairnis (Trotternish Centre) project includes a café-restaurant and a scalable development of quality accommodation to serve not only the users of the centre, but also address the chronic shortage of bed spaces in that part of Skye. Siuated to the north of Portree, The Trotternish Peninsula is home to some of Skye's most spectacular scenery. The Staffin area of Trotternish is now an internationally acclaimed site for dinosaur footprints, with the 160 million year old evidence of ornithopods drawing visitors to the rocky shoreline. Additionally, Hollywood comes to visit occasionally to enjoy the other-worldly pillars of rock on the Storr pinnacles, with movies such as Ridley Scott's Prometheus and Macbeth, starring Michael Fassbender, shooting in the area. For some, however, Trotternish's greatest claim to fame is its relative success in maintaining a Gaelic-speaking community, while most of the rest of the country has seen a significant decline in numbers. Margaret Nicolson, chair of Ionad Thròndairnis (The Trotternish Trust), said: 'Gaelic is still alive as a community language in this area. I can speak Gaelic to a many people, every day, in the shops and in the community. 'There are people moving into the community and – although they don't speak it themselves – very often they will send their children to the Gaelic-medium schools, and so I can speak Gaelic to those children. 'This is still a Gaelic community, and the new centre will be a great boost for the language." Trotternish is the northernmost peninsula of the Isle of Skye (Image: Getty Images) Ms Nicolson added: 'It will give the Gaelic community confidence in their language and culture. For visitors and new residents, it will also provide a gateway to the language and the culture, boosting their interest, offering a great opportunity to learn the language or at least explore and enjoy the culture.' Ionad Thròndairnis (The Trotternish Trust), which is leading the Ionad Thròndairnis (Trotternish Centre) project, believes that the centre will encourage the community to keep the Gaelic language alive and thriving. Given the attractions of dinosaurs and the cinematic landscape, it is perhaps surprising that Trotternish is amongst the most deprived rural areas in Scotland when it comes to measures of income, employment and access to services. 'That statistic shows the need for support and development in our community', Ms Nicolson said. 'The new Ionad Thròndairnis will provide a great economic boost. It will provide around ten new full-time jobs, which is very big in rural Skye, and further seasonal and part-time jobs. So maybe 15 people employed. And, as a community-run trust, money will stay in the community.' The new centre – Ionad Thròndairnis – will be built at Flodigarry in Staffin (Image: Ionad Thròndairnis) Preliminary work at the new site will start within the next few weeks with archaeology checks, drainage work and further planning at the site. The funding – currently estimated at around £8million in total – is still being worked on. The community believe the new centre will fit directly into Government policy which could see the area designated an Area of Linguistic Significance. 'We have had much help from Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Highlands and Islands Enterprise', Ms Nicolson said. 'We'd like to think we can have it all up and running by end of 2028 but we'll need to see how it all goes. It is a fantastic project and a great opportunity to do something practical to preserve our community, our language and culture.' Linsay Chalmers, Director of Communities and Operations at Community Land Scotland, the lead organisation representing community landowners across Scotland, added: 'This is a great project born of a lot of hard work by a lot of people from the community. "Supporting the rich Gaelic language and culture has always been a central part of our work with community groups. We all know the language adds significantly to the health of the communities where it is still used. 'A place like Trotternish is one of the Gaelic heartlands and it is fantastic that the community has taken the initiative to support and strengthen the language and in turn strengthen the economic and social wellbeing of the north Skye.'
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Scottish Languages Bill to give parents right to request new Gaelic-medium schools
Parents across Scotland are to be given the right to request that a Gaelic medium school be established in their area, the Scottish Government has confirmed. Legislation being taken forward by ministers would see local councils required to assess if requests are practical and affordable, with the government then able to direct the authority to proceed with the establishment of a new Gaelic school if assessments show that it would be viable. The plans have been confirmed by Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes MSP, who is also Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic, during a visit to Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis (Inverness Gaelic Primary School). The announcement coincides with the 40th anniversary of Gaelic medium education in Scotland. The proposed Scottish Languages Bill is expected to be considered by MSPs on Tuesday 17 June. As well as establishing the right of parents to request new Gaelic-medium schools, the Bill will allow for the creation of 'areas of linguistic significance in Gaelic communities which the government says will enable ministers to 'better target policies to support the language's growth.' The new law will also establish both Gaelic and Scots as official languages, introduce specific education standards for Gaelic and Scots, and enable parents across Scotland to apply for Gaelic-medium nursery provision for their children. Recent census statistics revealed that more than 130,000 people in Scotland have some Gaelic skills, a significant increase from the levels found in 2011. The number who understand or use Scots had also risen considerably. A world-first assessment and accreditation model for Gaelic learners is also due to be introduced in Scotland following development by Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture. A new strategy to support the development of Gaelic outside of school classrooms is also in development. However, there is a significant drop-off in uptake of Gaelic between primary and secondary school levels, and experts have previously warned that more must be done to promote the 'value of Gaelic' to parents and young people. READ MORE Scottish Government confirms extra £2m funding for new Glasgow Gaelic primary school 'We want to see Gaelic thriving': Council to launch free Gaelic language courses Dictionary detailing origins of every Gaelic word secures share of £500,000 During the visit to Inverness, Ms Forbes said: 'This Bill aims to build a strong foundation to support Gaelic's continued growth following an encouraging increase in Gaelic speakers and learners across Scotland. It would boost Gaelic education provision throughout Scotland and better establish Gaelic and Scots as national languages. 'Gaelic medium education enriches communities and offers good value for money. Gaelic medium schools frequently demonstrate above average performance with some local authorities showing better grades across all qualification levels despite costs being no greater than English medium schools. 'To support the growth of Scotland's indigenous languages, we are also providing an additional £5.7 million to promote Scots and Gaelic this year.' The Bill and its provision are also supported by Scotland's Makar (national poet) Dr Peter Mackay, who writes in both English and Gaelic: 'It's fantastic to have seen the growth of Gaelic medium education over the last 40 years: it's something we should be very proud of. 'It's vital that there's ongoing support to maintain and develop Gaelic as a community language in the Highlands and Islands and to give people all over the country every chance to learn and speak it – and also to encourage Scots speakers and communities across Scotland."
The Herald Scotland
09-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Parents to be given right to request new Gaelic schools
The plans have been confirmed by Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes MSP, who is also Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic, during a visit to Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis (Inverness Gaelic Primary School). The announcement coincides with the 40th anniversary of Gaelic medium education in Scotland. The proposed Scottish Languages Bill is expected to be considered by MSPs on Tuesday 17 June. As well as establishing the right of parents to request new Gaelic-medium schools, the Bill will allow for the creation of 'areas of linguistic significance in Gaelic communities which the government says will enable ministers to 'better target policies to support the language's growth.' The new law will also establish both Gaelic and Scots as official languages, introduce specific education standards for Gaelic and Scots, and enable parents across Scotland to apply for Gaelic-medium nursery provision for their children. Recent census statistics revealed that more than 130,000 people in Scotland have some Gaelic skills, a significant increase from the levels found in 2011. The number who understand or use Scots had also risen considerably. A world-first assessment and accreditation model for Gaelic learners is also due to be introduced in Scotland following development by Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture. A new strategy to support the development of Gaelic outside of school classrooms is also in development. However, there is a significant drop-off in uptake of Gaelic between primary and secondary school levels, and experts have previously warned that more must be done to promote the 'value of Gaelic' to parents and young people. READ MORE During the visit to Inverness, Ms Forbes said: 'This Bill aims to build a strong foundation to support Gaelic's continued growth following an encouraging increase in Gaelic speakers and learners across Scotland. It would boost Gaelic education provision throughout Scotland and better establish Gaelic and Scots as national languages. 'Gaelic medium education enriches communities and offers good value for money. Gaelic medium schools frequently demonstrate above average performance with some local authorities showing better grades across all qualification levels despite costs being no greater than English medium schools. 'To support the growth of Scotland's indigenous languages, we are also providing an additional £5.7 million to promote Scots and Gaelic this year.' The Bill and its provision are also supported by Scotland's Makar (national poet) Dr Peter Mackay, who writes in both English and Gaelic: 'It's fantastic to have seen the growth of Gaelic medium education over the last 40 years: it's something we should be very proud of. 'It's vital that there's ongoing support to maintain and develop Gaelic as a community language in the Highlands and Islands and to give people all over the country every chance to learn and speak it – and also to encourage Scots speakers and communities across Scotland."
