First Minister opens Scotland’s first purpose built Gaelic Medium School

Prìomh Mhinistear A’ fosgladh Na Ciad Sgoil Ghàidhlig An Alba A Thogadh A Dh’aon Ghothaich

Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond today (Friday) formally opened Scotland’s first purpose-built Gaelic Medium School at Inverness.

The £4 million Bun-sgoil Ghaidhlig Inbhir Nis is a focal point for Gaelic learning in the Inverness area, being available for a wide range of Gaelic-related events and performances.

There are 101 primary and 50 nursery pupils.

The school, which is located at Slackbuie, adjacent to Inverness Royal Academy, features 7 classrooms and a resource area.   The new building includes an enhanced school hall, larger than the usual for a school of this size, and this is equipped with specialist seating to create a mini venue for Gaelic Cultural events.

In addition there is a small recording studio, a parents' room for meetings and classes and accommodation for the Gaelic Community Learning Team which will be based in the new school.  The school also provides nursery and wrap around childcare for the Gaelic Community in the City.

Before unveiling a plaque to open the school, the First Minister said: “The opening of Scotland’s first purpose built Gaelic school is a significant moment – not just for Inverness but for the whole of Scotland.

“Gaelic is an integral part of Scotland’s identity and a vital part of the community life and culture in the Highlands and Islands. The Bun-sgoil Ghaidhlig Inbhir Nis – its pupils and teachers – has automatically become part of the international picture to promote Scotland, retain our history and realise the full economic potential of the Gaelic language.

“I have no doubt that together with our Gaelic schools in Glasgow and Sleat , Bun-sgoil Ghaidhlig Inbhir Nis will play a key role to increase the status and use of Gaelic in Scotland.”

Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of the The Highland Council’s Education Culture and Sport Committee, said: "This is a very special day for me as we meet to mark the opening of the first purpose built Gaelic Community School not just in the Highlands but in Scotland. This project records our commitment to securing the future of the Gaelic language."

Councillor Hamish Fraser, Chairman of the Council's Gaelic Committee, added: "This school will not just be about providing for the Gaelic Education needs of pre-school and primary age pupils, but will be a resource for the whole Gaelic community in Inverness, in Highland and across Scotland. A few years ago this would have been no more than a dream but it symbolises the massive steps that have taken place in Highland and across Scotland in Gaelic Medium education.

“It also reinforces this Council’s commitment to making sure that our children are given an opportunity to be bilingual at an early age and goes some way to allow our children to catch up with their European peers who, in many countries, speak at least three languages before leaving primary school.”

The First Minister was greeted at the school by piper Conall MacIllechiar, a Secondary 1 pupil of Inverness Royal Academy.  Primary 7 pupils at the new school – Shona Crosbie and Donnie Forbes - met Mr Salmond and invited him to sign the visitors’ book.

Mr Salmond was then given a tour of the new school by Head Teacher, Mrs Janet MacLeod before joining 200 guests at the opening ceremony in the school hall.

Primary 1 pupils, Niamh Kerr and Dominic Ferrier, presented the First Minister with the gift of a Gaelic calendar featuring the school.

Mrs MacLeod said: “This is of course a very important day, not only for Gaelic Medium Education, but for The Highland Council with the opening of Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis being testament to the vision of the Council for the development of Gaelic.   This school is also a tribute to the dedication of parents and members of the Inverness Gaelic community, some of whom were present today, some who were not, who worked so hard to progress Gaelic education to this stage.  I consider it a privilege and an honour to be Head Teacher of the first purpose-built, dedicated Gaelic school in Scotland.”