Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Scotland’s Gaelic College, Celebrates 30th Graduation Ceremony

Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Scotland’s Gaelic College, located on the Isle of Skye off Scotland’s west coast, has graduated fifty students in an October 3rd ceremony. Founded in 1973, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig has become internationally recognised as a National Centre for the Gaelic language and culture.  The College is an academic partner within the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), and provides high quality education and research opportunities through the medium of Scottish Gaelic.

In an article in the Island News & Advertiser under the headline “Sabhal Mòr Celebrates 30th Graduation Ceremony”, the College’s Vice-Principal and Director of Studies, John Norman MacLeod is quoted stating: “We are particularly delighted that so many students have achieved various degrees and certificates and, this year again, that students have achieved very high academic standards.”

Over the years Sabhal Mòr Ostaig has been fundamental to the revitalisation and regeneration of 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. Sabhal Mòr Ostaig has also significantly contributed to the resurgence of Scots Gaelic in Nova Scoria having seen a growing number of Cape Breton students. In a 2012 article on the renaissance of Scots Gaelic culture and language in Nova Scotia,the Canadian The Chronicle Herald reported: "Nova Scotia in particular now has the Oifis Iomairtean na Gàidhlig (Office of Gaelic Affairs) and the increasingly important Colaisde na Gàidhlig or Gaelic College at Baile Anna (St. Anne's), which links to Scotland’s Sabhal Mòr Ostaig".  

Supporting the college is the “Sabhal Mòr Ostaig Development Trust” which is a United Kingdom independent registered charitable trust and actively seeks support from the international Celtic community.  The SMO trust will in all circumstances arrange to ensure the most beneficial taxation treatment of financial donations and offers donors from the Unites States a registered 501C3 conduit to ensure the most beneficial treatment of donors.

http://www.islandnewsandadvertiser.co.uk/2014/10/sabhal-mor-celebrates-3...

http://www.transceltic.com/blog/celtic-languages-are-crossroads-canada

http://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk/en/naidheachdan/ceumnachadh-an-t-sabhail-2014