Council success at National Gaelic Awards

The Highland Council has won two of the categories at the first National Gaelic Awards, which covered all aspects of Gaelic culture, education and language, highlighting the excellent work undertaken to maintain growth and heritage.  The successful event was a celebration embracing a variety of traditional and modern entertainment, which captured the imagination of the large audience.

Organised by the Daily Record and Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the National Gaelic Awards featured 10 Award categories. The Innovation in Education category was won by Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis.  The Sport Award was won by Colm O’Rua, a teacher in Ardnamurchan High School.

Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis’s success came through their production of an imaginative Gaelic and English Recipe Book created by class P 4/5.  Head Teacher Jim Lyon and class teacher Kirsty MacVicar were in Edinburgh to be presented with the Award for this bilingual challenge to Jamie Oliver!  The book was written by the pupils and contains their own recipes, plus photographs of them preparing and cooking their own food.  The book has even been sold as far afield as Cape Breton and all the proceeds go to school funds. The enterprise has been so successful that another print run has had to be organised. 

Colm’s unstinting work to integrate Gaelic language use into his shinty classes clearly caught the imagination of the judging panel.  As well as being a keen musician, Colm’s passion for Gaelic in sport has rubbed off on his pupils who brave all weathers to practise their shinty and use Gaelic outside the classroom.

Councillor Alasdair Christie, Chair of the Council’s Adult and Children’s Services Committee,was delighted with the success.  He said:  “Against some stiff competition Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis really excelled and their success is a credit to the hard work and commitment of everyone involved.  I am sure the whole community in Ardnarmurchan will be pleased that Colm’s very creative way of incorporating sport and Gaelic has been nationally recognised and I wish him and the young shinty players he coaches all the best.”