Provost welcomes Cape Breton Gaelic students
On Friday the Provost welcomed Gaelic visitors from across the Atlantic to Inverness Town House as part of their tour around the Highlands with pupils from Culloden Academy Ceilidh band performing for the guests.
The trip was planned so they could develop their Gaelic language skills and find out more about the history of the Highlands.
Their itinerary was co-ordinated in conjunction with the Council’s Gaelic Team. It included visiting Fort William and spending time at both Lochaber and Ardnamurchan High Schools before travelling to the Isle of Skye to visit Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and Portree High School before meeting students at the Traditional Music School in Plockton.
Before meeting the Provost in the Town House on Friday the group also visited Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis to see how Gaelic Medium Education operates in a purpose built Gaelic Primary school. They also visited the Culloden Visitor Centre and had the chance to explore the city.
Welcoming them the Provost said he was delighted that the Council’s Memorandum of Understanding with Nova Scotia was instrumental in building close links. He said: “It’s very encouraging to see young people with such enthusiasm and interest in the language, culture and history of the Highlands have this opportunity to come to the Highlands as the experience will be something they’ll remember for many years to come. The aims of the MOU are to advance cultural, educational and tourism links and in this brief visit the students have certainly done this. I’m sure they will all feel inspired and will continue with their Gaelic studies with renewed enthusiasm.”
After enjoying the music performed by the Culloden Academy Ceilidh Band with Head of Music Alison MacKenzie, Joanne MacIntyre thanked everyone for their hospitality. She said: “It has been great for the students to experience first-hand the connection of language and culture rather than just learning about it. It is inspirational to see how enthusiastic the young people we have met are and our eyes have been opened to the opportunities and possibilities there are for the Gaelic language.”
ENDS