Àrd-Sgoil Phort Rìgh a’ Buannachadh Deasbad Nàiseanta Loganair nan Àrd-sgoiltean

Tha Beth Chaimbeul agus Eubha Chaimbeul bho Àrd-Sgoil Phort Rìgh a’ toirt dhachaigh prìomh dhuais Deasbad Nàiseanta Loganair nan Àrd-sgoiltean.

Airson faighinn troimhe chun na cuairte-deireannaich, shiubhail Beth agus Eubha a Steòrnabhagh airson cuairtean tòiseachaidh còmhla ri 19 sgioba eile bho air feadh Alba. Thug na britheamhan seo sìos gu ceithir sgiobaidhean airson a dhol air adhart chun na h-iar-cuairte-deireannaich ann an Taigh-òsta MhicDhòmhnaill Thaigh an Ròid ann an Dùn Èideann.

Fhuair Àrd-Sgoil Phort Rìgh troimhe chun na cuairte-deireannaich agus, mus deach an ainmeachadh mar bhuannaichean iomlan, bha iad an lùib deasbad ann am Pàrlamaid na      h-Alba a bha air a chraoladh beò air BBC Radio nan Gàidheal.

Thuirt an Comhairliche Calum Rothach, Cathraiche Comataidh Gàidhlig Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd: “Bha Deasbad Nàiseanta na bliadhna sa sàr-mhath ann an iomadh dòigh, eadar àrd-sgoiltean air feadh na h-Alba a bhith a’ togail ceangal le chèile, mar a chaidh an tachartas a stiùireadh is a chur air dòigh, agus cuideachd an co-obrachadh eadar ùghdarrasan ionadail agus roinn a’ ghnothachais.

“Tha mi fìor thoilichte gun do bhuannaich Àrd-Sgoil Phort Rìgh agus gu bheil iad a’ toirt na duaise dhachaigh dhan Eilean Sgitheanach.” Lean e air adhart, “Tha na sgoilearan nan sàr thosgairean Gàidhlig is cultair, chan ann a-mhàin dhan sgoil is dhan eilean aca, ach dhan Ghàidhealtachd air fad.

“Bu mhath leam an cothrom a ghabhail taing a thoirt do na sgiobaidhean is do na tidsearan àrd-sgoile air feadh na h-Alba a ghabh pàirt san tachartas Ghàidhlig chliùiteach seo agus tha sinn an dòchas ur faicinn an-ath-bhliadhna.”

Thuirt an Comhairliche Iain MacFhionnlaigh, Cathraiche Comataidh Foghlaim Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd: “Mar aon de Chomhairlichean an Eilein Sgitheanaich agus mar Chathraiche Foghlaim, tha mi air mo dhòigh glan cluinntinn mun t-sàr shoirbheachas seo agus tha mi a’ cur meal an naidheachd air Beth agus Eubha agus air Àrd-Sgoil Phort Rìgh. Tha mi cinnteach gum bi muinntir an eilein air fad moiteil asta fhèin agus às an dealas a th’ aca a thaobh na Gàidhlig.”

Gaelic National Schools Debate win

Beth Campbell and Eubha Campbell are bringing home a win for Portree High School as they come out on top at this year’s Gaelic National Schools Debate.

To make it to the final, Beth and Eubha journeyed to Stornoway for the preliminary rounds with 19 other teams from across Scotland. The judges whittled it down to 4 teams to progress to the semi-final stage which took place in the MacDonald Holyrood Hotel in Edinburgh.

Portree High School then became finalists and, before being declared the overall winner, debated in the Scottish Parliament which was broadcasted live on BBC Radio nan Gàidheal.

Cllr Calum Munro, Chair of the Highland Council Gaelic Committee said: “This year’s Deasbad Nàiseanta (National Debate) was excellent in many ways, including the engagement of Secondary Schools’ across Scotland, the management and organisation of the event, and also the collaboration and partnership working between local authorities and the business sector.

“I am absolutely delighted that Portree High School are the winners and are taking the award home to Skye.  He continued, “The pupils are excellent Gaelic and cultural ambassadors, not only for their school, the Island, but indeed the Highlands.

“I wish to take this opportunity to thank all the Teams, and teachers in secondary schools across Scotland who took part in this prestigious Gaelic initiative and hopefully see you all next year.”

Cllr John Finlayson, Chair of the Highland Council Education Committee added: “As both a Skye Councillor and Chair of Education, I am delighted to hear of this very positive success and I send my congratulations to both Beth and Eubha and to Portree High School. I am sure everyone across the island is very proud of the girls’ achievement and their commitment to Gaelic.”