Scots Gaelic Heartlands Strengthen – Jump in Funding for Gàidhlig Cultural Centre

The Stornoway Gazette is reporting that the Bòrd na Gàidhlig has announced funding for the Cnoc Soilleir project in Uist.  The Cnoc Soilleir project is a partnership between both Ceòlas Uibhist and Lews Castle College (UHI) to establish a centre for Scots Gaelic Gàidhlig music, dance and cultural heritage.

Cnoc Soilleir project has been designed to support the growth of Ceòlas, which has been successful in using the Gaelic language naturally within a community setting and attracting national and international audiences to Gaelic arts and culture. Ceòlas is rooted within the Gàidhlig heartland of South Uist and is a distillation of the island’s culture and heritage. The organisation focuses on performance and education that celebrates and promotes local Gàidhlig culture and heritage, as well as the strong cultural links of the Gàidhealtachd Scots Gaelic diaspora.

Established in 1996 Ceòlas has grown from a week-long music and dance school to become one of Scotland’s leading Gaelic culture, heritage and arts organisations. Ceòlas is a key driver in the island’s social and cultural resurgence and is committed to promoting a vibrant Gàidhlig culture for future generations."

Bòrd na Gàidhlig has awarded funding of £150,000 towards the £7 million the project has already received through the Scottish Government. Bòrd na Gàidhlig was established as a public body by the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 and was launched on 13th February 2006. The legislation is designed to promote the use of Scottish Gaelic, secure the status of the language and ensure its long-term future. 

Ceòlas, one of the partners in the project, is rooted within the Gàidhlig heartland of South Uist and is a distillation of the island’s culture and heritage. The organisation focuses on performance and education that celebrates and promotes local Gàidhlig culture and heritage, as well as the strong cultural links of the Gàidhealtachd diaspora. Established in 1996 Ceòlas has grown from a week-long music and dance school to become one of Scotland’s leading Gaelic culture, heritage and arts organizations. Ceòlas is a key driver in the island’s social and cultural resurgence and is committed to promoting a vibrant Gàidhlig culture for future generations."

The new Centre of Gaelic culture will be located at Dalabrog (Daliburgh), South Uist. After the Jacobite rebellion the local population suffered persecution at the hands of the English conquerors. Playing the bagpipes and wearing tartan were outlawed, the Gaelic language was repressed and only English speaking teachers were employed to teach Gaelic speaking children. The Gaelic language continued to be prohibited in school well into the 20th century. However, despite centuries of persecution, South Uist’s first language is still Gaelic.

In describing the impact of the new cultural centre when the initial funding was announced in 2016, John Swinney - Deputy First Minister of Scotland and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills stated: "The establishment of a multi-functioning Gaelic education and arts centre in Uist will create over 40 full-time equivalent jobs in the coming years and generate significant benefits for the local economy.  It will also secure a sustainable future for Gaelic in the area, in line with this government's commitment to supporting the language in communities and in education at all levels across Scotland."

https://www.transceltic.com/blog/scots-gaelic-strengthens-heartland-of-c...

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http://www.stornowaygazette.co.uk/news/support-for-ambitious-new-project...