Mallaig Gaelic Provision

THURSDAY 19 JANUARY 2006

The Highland Council’s Education Culture and Sport Committee agreed today (Thursday) that the 37 Gaelic Medium pupils attending Lady Lovat Primary School, Morar, should, from August this year, transfer to available accommodation at Mallaig Primary School.

The Committee voted in favour of this option, ruling out the status quo and another option which would have seen a dedicated Gaelic Medium School established at Morar, with the English Medium pupils attending Morar moving to Mallaig.

Chairman Councillor Andy Anderson moved adoption of the Mallaig option which defeated by 17 votes to 6 an amendment by the Council’s Gaelic spokesman, Councillor Hamish Fraser, that a dedicated Gaelic Medium Unit be established at Morar.

Councillor Charlie King, the local member, spoke in favour of the transfer of the Gaelic Medium pupils from Morar to Mallaig. He highlighted that 25 of the 37 Gaelic Medium pupils attending Lady Lovat Primary travelled each day from Mallaig.

There were two unused classrooms at Mallaig, which could accommodate the Gaelic Medium Unit. A third classroom, currently used half a day per week for music tuition, was available should numbers increase.

He was confident there was sufficient growth in the Morar population to sustain an English Medium school at Morar.

Councillor Fraser moved that Lady Lovat Primary should be developed as the Highland’s first dedicated Gaelic Medium School. He was supported by Council Vice-Convener Michael Foxley.

At the end of the debate, Councillor Anderson agreed that the Committee should investigate the issues involved in establishing a bilingual school in Highland, with Mallaig a possible pilot.

As the decision will change the pattern of provision for Gaelic Medium pupils from Arisaig, which is excess of five miles from Mallaig Primary, the matter requires referral to the Scottish Executive.