Speakers of Scottish Gaelic who wish to learn Irish Gaelic and speakers of Irish Gaelic who wish to learn Scottish Gaelic are being offered the chance to share in each other’s linguistic heritage through a series of summer courses in Skye and Islay this summer.
The courses, which will offer learners with a variety of levels of fluency the chance to enhance their skills, are being organised by Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in Skye and Ionad Chaluim Cille in Islay and will be held in throughout the summer months until September. Financial assistance through bursaries is being offered to support learners by the Colmcille project (formerly known as Iomairt Cholm Cille, ICC or the Columba Initiative), which is jointly managed by Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Foras na Gaeilge as part of their mainstream activities in Scotland and Ireland.
Colmcille’s Scottish development officer Mairi Murray said: “The courses we are offering provide Gaelic and Gaeilge speakers the chance to come together to improve their skills in each other’s language. This kind of initiative is the perfect platform for us to develop our activities jointly to promote the use of the Gaelic languages, Irish and Scottish Gaelic, in and between Ireland and Scotland. It helps us to raise awareness of the shared Gaelic heritage, language and culture of Northern Ireland, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland. Our common language is the shared heritage we all want to use to build a sustainable future and the more we can engage with each other in this way, the further we can take that shared heritage together.”
Financial assistance is available to learners to cover tuition fees for the courses and accommodation for the duration (5 nights). A contribution can also be made towards travelling costs. For residents of Scotland, living more than 25 miles away from the course venue, up to £25 is available. For those outside Scotland, but within the UK and Republic of Ireland, up to £75 is available. This is payable at the end of the course on production of receipts showing expenditure.
Residents of Scotland, aged 16 and over who earn less than £18,000 or who are on benefits, may be entitled to support of £200 from ILA Scotland. Please contact the course provider in the first instance.
Application forms for the courses and full details of the various levels, including dates and other arrangements are available at www.colmcille.net
The closing date for applications is Friday, 03 July at 5.00pm. However, as bursary numbers are limited, and they are awarded on a first come, first served basis, it is recommended that learners submit applications as soon as possible.