Scottish Government Supports Gaelic Language Learning For Nova Scotians - Edinburgh Announces 2015 Scholarships

In late 2011 Alasdair Allan, Scottish Government Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland's Languages visited Cape Breton in Nova Scotia. Minister Allan’s visit to the heartland of the Gaelic language beachhead in North America included an announcement on the start of a scholarship program funding Gaelic speakers in Cape Breton to visit Scotland and study Gaelic at the expense of Edinburgh. 

The 2015 Scholarship program has been jointly announced by the Scottish Government, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and the Nova Scotia Office of Gaelic Affairs. Below find the full text of the Press Release.

Each recipient will be visiting Scotland to study at the prestigious Sabhal Mòr Ostaig (SMO), which translates to “The Big Barn of Ostaig”.  Over the years SMO has been fundamental in the revitalisation and regeneration of the Scots Gaelic language and culture.  Having graduated over 800 students since its founding, the College has greatly contributed to the number of Gaelic speaking graduates in the workplace in Scotland and with the continuation of the partnership between Scotland and Nova Scotia the same can soon be said about the impact of SMO on the restoration of the Gaelic tongue to its rightful place in Canada’s Maritime.

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Bursary Supports Gaelic Language Learning for Nova Scotians

Communities, Culture and Heritage

January 30, 2015 1:57 PM

Nova Scotians are getting the opportunity to further their study of Gaelic language and culture in Scotland.

The bursary program is funded by the Scottish Government and administered by Gaelic Affairs. Now in its third year, the program supports Nova Scotians attending language training in Scotland with travel, meal and accommodation costs or distance learning costs.

"The program provides further opportunity and motivation for Nova Scotians to acquire Gaelic language and cultural skills through international travel and study or distance learning," said Gaelic Affairs Minister Randy Delorey. "The province appreciates the Scottish Government's support and is pleased to help promote this program through Gaelic Affairs and its community partners."

Recipients will enroll in Gaelic-language study at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, a national centre for Gaelic language and culture on the Isle of Skye, Scotland and attend formal classes. Recipients may also enroll in a distance learning course.

"This scheme stands as one of the many strong links between Scotland and Nova Scotia," said Dr. Alasdair Allan, Minister for Scotland's Languages, The Scottish Government. "I encourage Nova Scotians to apply and to contribute to strengthening both the Gaelic language and the links between both our communities."

Applicants must be at least 18 years old and permanent residents of Nova Scotia to qualify for the bursary. The deadline for applications is Feb. 20.

For more information about applying to the bursary program, contact Lewis MacKinnon at 902-424-4298 or lewis.mackinnon@novascotia.ca .

http://www.transceltic.com/blog/scotland-supports-gaelic-tongue-cape-bre...

http://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20150130008