Tour of Gaelic College Development
Bha a’ choinneamh mu dheireadh de Chomataidh Thaghte na Gàidhlig aig Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd, mar a tha e an-dràsta, ann an Sabhal Mòr Ostaig san Eilean Sgitheanach Diahaoine seo chaidh (23 An Gearran). READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE IN GAELIC BELOW
The final Gaelic Select Committee of the current Highland Council took place at Sabhal Mor Ostaig College of the Isle of Skye last Friday (23 February). The Council has shown it’s commitment to the college by providing £1.2 million towards a total cost of £7.2 million to create the Centre for Creative and Cultural Industries, known as Fàs. The bulk of the Councils contribution is taken from the funding set aside for legacy projects developed in the Scottish Year of Highland Culture.
The meeting gave Members an opportunity to see the construction work underway at the new facility and to discuss its development as well as talking about other projects taking place at the college which are of special interest to the Council.
Chairman of the Gaelic Select Committee, Councillor Hamish Fraser said: “The Fás project is an exciting new concept which the Council are pleased to support. The new Centre will encourage a more holistic approach to Gaelic and it will link education and academic study to economic and community development through arts, culture, media, training and tourism. It was good to have the opportunity to see first hand how the building ios progressing.”
The overall development includes training and workshop space for artists, a fully fitted multiple media training studio, five units for new cultural businesses and an exhibition and gallery space. Once opened, the Centre will provide and sustain jobs for up to 70 people.
Professor Norman Gillies, College Principal was invited by members of The Gaelic Select Committee to give a presentation about the past, present and future of Sabhal Mor Ostaig before taking them on a tour of the Fás site.
He said: “Fás is an extremely important plank in Sabhal Mor Ostaig’s development strategy. It will create new jobs in new sectors and will play a major role in shaping a future Gaelic agenda. We would like to record our thanks to The Highland Council for the support they gave us in initiating the project. Without their constant support Sabhal Mor Ostaig would not be at the exciting stage of this development.”
Vice Convener of The Highland Council, Dr Michael Foxley said: “I am glad that work is progressing well and that the Council was able to provide support. I am sure Fás will play and important part inrejuvinating how we learn and appreciate our Gaelic language and culture.”
The Contractor for the project is the UBC Group. Project Manager Ron Doull said: “UBC are delighted to be involved in such a prestigious project as the Fàs Building and we look forward to delivering a quality building to the satisfaction of those who will use it.’
Sabhal Mor Ostaig was established in Skye in 1973 as Scotlands first Gaelic College and since then it has played a critical role in the preservation, maintenance and enhancement of our Gaelic language and Culture.
Dimàirt 27 An Gearran 2007
Cuairt air Leasachadh Colaiste na Gàidhlig
Bha a’ choinneamh mu dheireadh de Chomataidh Thaghte na Gàidhlig aig Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd, mar a tha e an-dràsta, ann an Sabhal Mòr Ostaig san Eilean Sgitheanach Diahaoine seo chaidh (23 An Gearran). Nochd a’ Chomhairle dealas a thaobh na Colaiste le bhith a’ toirt seachad £1.2 millean a dh’ionnsaigh nan £7.2 millean a tha e a’ cosg gu lèir Ionad nan Gnìomhachas Culturail is Cruthachail, ris an canar Fàs, a stèidheachadh. Tha a’ mhòr-chuid de thaic na Comhairle a’ tighinn o mhaoineachadh a chaidh a chur an dara taobh airson phròiseactan air an leasachadh rè Bliadhna Cultur na Gàidhealtachd an Alba
Fhuair Buill cothrom an obair togail fhaicinn a’ dol air adhart aig an togalach ùr, agus còmhradh a dhèanamh air an leasachadh, a bharrachd air pròiseactan eile sa bheil ùidh aig a’ Chomhairle agus a tha a’ gabhail àite aig a’ cholaiste.
Thuirt Cathraiche Comataidh Thaghte na Gàidhlig, an Comh. Hamish Friseal: “Tha Fàs na phròiseact ùr, inntinneach agus tha a’ Chomhairle toilichte taic a chur ris. Bheir an t-Ionad ùr làn bhrosnachadh dhan Ghàidhlig agus nì e ceangal eadar foghlam is sgrùdadh acadamaigeach agus leasachadh eaconamach is coimhearsnachd tro na h-ealain, dualchas, na meadhanan, trèanadh is turasachd. Bha e math cothrom fhaotainn air adhartas an togalaich fhaicinn.”
Tha an leasachadh a’ gabhail a-steach àite trèanaidh is obrach do luchd-ealain, stiùidio trèanaidh air a h-uidheamachadh airson nam meadhanan, còig ionadan airson ghnìomhachasan culturail, ùra agus àite taisbeanaidh is gaileiridh. Nuair a thèid fhosgladh, bheir an t-Ionad obair do 70 neach.
Thug buill Chomataidh Thaghte na Gàidhlig cuireadh dhan Àrd-oll. Tormod MacIllIosa , Ceannard na Colaiste, taisbeanadh a dhèanamh air Sabhal Mòr Ostaig an-dè, an-diugh agus san àm ri teachd mus deach iad air chuairt air an làraich aig Fàs.
Thuirt e: “Tha Fàs air leth cudromach ann an ro-innleachd leasachaidh Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. Bheir e obraichean ùra ann an roinnean ùra agus bidh e cudromach ann a bhith a’ dealbh clàr-gnothaich na Gàidhlig san àm ri teachd. Bu mhath leinn taing a thoirt do Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd airson na taic a thug iad dhuinn leis a’ phròiseact inntinneach seo. Mura b’ e an taic sin, cha bhiodh Sabhal Mòr Ostaig aig an ìre seo san leasachadh.”
Thuirt Iar-chathraiche Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd, an Dotair Mìcheal Foxley: “Tha mi toilichte gu bheil an obair a’ tighinn air adhart gu math agus gun deach aig a’ Chomhairle air taic a thoirt seachad. Tha mi glè chinnteach gum bi Fàs cudromach ann a bhith ag ath-nuadhachadh mar a tha sinn ag ionnsachadh agus a’ cur luach air a’ Ghàidhlig agus a dualchas.”
’S e Buidheann Togail UBC an Cùnnradair air a’ phròiseact. Thuirt am Manaidsear, Ron Doull: “Tha UBC air leth toilichte a bhith an sàs ann an sàr phròiseact mar a tha togalach Fàs agus tha sinn an dòchas gum bi sàr thogalach againn a bhios na thlachd dhan fheadhainn a bhios ga chleachdadh.”
Chaidh Sabhal Mòr Ostaig a stèidheachadh san Eilean Sgitheanach ann an 1973. B’ e seo a’ chiad cholaiste Ghàidhlig a bh’ ann an Alba agus, on uair sin, tha i air a bhith bunaiteach ann an gleidheadh, cumail suas is leasachadh na Gàidhlig is a Dualchais.
A’ CHRÌOCH