Gaelic Tree Alphabet Banners

Bugs, beasties, birds, birch trees, gorse and Gaelic are just some of the things that pupils in schools across Ross and Cromarty are finding out about this Spring.  The flurry of activity is part of a Gaelic Tree Alphabet banner-making project organised by the Council’s Ross and Cromarty Community Learning and Leisure team with financial support from Scottish Natural Heritage and the Community Initiatives Fund of Bòrd na Gàidhlig which is administered by The Highland Council.

The Gaelic Tree Alphabet contains 18 letters each of which was traditionally linked with a tree name.  The trees were used to help children learn the letters of the Gaelic Alphabet.  Twenty primary schools from Achiltibuie to Ardross and including Gaelic Medium units at Dingwall, Tain, Gairloch and Ullapool are taking part.  Each school has been allotted a tree or shrub from the alphabet and has the chance to find out more about the kinds of plants, bugs and birds which support them.  Four local artists; Jane Bregazzi, Eilidh Crumlish, Charlotte Mackenzie and Rosie Newman have been working with pupils to develop colourful banners using a variety of techniques including printing, painting and collage.

The banners will be printed onto a durable material to form bright and dramatic 3m high flags.  The full set of banners will be displayed at the Touchwood Festival which takes place on June 1st and 2nd at the Highland Football Academy and Jubilee Park in Dingwall.  The Festival aims to showcase the diversity of the Highlands’ trees, woods, forests and environment; it will also provide a promotional arena to those who work within them, use them and enjoy them.  

Touchwood is part of the Forestry Commission Scotland’s programme of events to celebrate Scotland’s Year of Highland Culture in 2007.