Highland Council announces Gaelic Homecoming writing competition

Entries can take many forms, from poetry to drama, short stories to creative non-fiction. All must be inspired, however, by the theme of homecoming.  In order to assist pupils in doing this, a poster is being supplied to all schools with twelve prompts or ideas, designed to help young people create new, exciting and original work for the contest.

Writer and teacher Donald S Murray will also be visiting a number of Highland schools at various times throughout the year. He will begin his tour of primary schools in Skye and Lochalsh in the week beginning 10th March before travelling to the Inverness and Lochaber area the following week.

He will be visiting both secondary schools and other areas at the beginning of June, inspiring and helping to prepare pupils who want to enter long before the closing date of the competition which is the 12 September 2014.

Chairman of the Council’s Gaelic Implementation Group, Councillor Hamish Fraser  said: “The Council’s Gaelic Plan has five strategic themes, one of which is Arts Media and Heritage. One of our actions under this theme includes the development of Gaelic creative writing within Gaelic education.

"This Homecoming Writing competition offers a fantastic opportunity for young people to engage, and one that will stimulate both originality and creativity in Gaelic writing. We would urge all schools and pupils to become involved in this venture.”

Anyone keen to enter looking for further information should e-mail Gaelic@highland.gov.uk

END