Scotland's Gaelic Language College Boasts Largest Graduation Class in its 40 Year History

Scotland's "Island News and Advertiser", which is linked below, reports that the Sabhal Mor Ostaig, the only college in the world which grants degrees entirely in the medium of Scots Gaelic, have graduated a record number of students. This is a significant milestone in the revitalisation of the Gaelic Tongue in Scotland.  The graduates will set forth on their life's work with a command of the the Gaelic language and the graduates will be de facto soldiers in support of the language as it fights to reclaim its rightful place as the language of the Scottish nation.

The College's Vice-principal and Director of Studies, John Norman MacLeod, is quoted as follows in the article: " We are very pleased that we have the largest cohort ever and that those graduating are from different parts of Scotland and beyond. Since the first graduation class in 1985, we have had over 800 graduates and undoubtedly they have had a huge influence in different spheres, including Gaelic speaking careers, research, language initiatives and community development work.  Student numbers continue to grow, with increased opportunities now available to undertake distance learning."

Alex Salmond, First Minister of Scotland and leader of the Scottish National Party, congratulated the Sabhal Mor Ostaig recently to mark the institutions 40th birthday: "What started as no more than a barn and an idea 40 years ago, now stands as an established globally recognised Higher Education Institution charged with protecting, promoting and celebrating Gaelic. It may not be our oldest University, but Sabhal Mor Ostaig has become the custodian of Scotland's oldest language."    

http://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk/gd/

http://www.islandnewsandadvertiser.co.uk/graduations-at-sabhal-mor-ostaig/