Thanks to generous funding from Bòrd na Gàidhlig, pupils at Lasswade High School have been able to participate in another trip to Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Scotland’s only Gaelic college, for the third successive year. Once again they enjoyed lively Gaelic lessons every morning from experienced teacher Catrìona Nic An t-Saoir. This year the pupils’ awareness of the Gaelic world was enormously enhanced through further lessons from Kathleen Reddy from Nova Scotia.

After a long train journey from Waverley beginning at 7am, pupils settled into their comfortable accommodation (ensuite showers and toilet facilities) then learned how to order their evening meal in Gaelic. This year, Gaelic lessons began at 7pm on the same Monday evening. This was necessary because it was planned to visit Bun-sgoil Shlèite on the Tuesday morning. Bun-sgoil Shlèite, formerly Sleat Primary School, was the focus of considerable media attention in 2006 when it was proposed that the school move over completely to Gaelic media education.

As it happened, the pupils of Bun-sgoil Shlèite decided to go on strike to express their disappointment at financial cuts in their school. Their strike took place on the very day the Lasswade pupils planned to call. Undeterred, the Lasswade teenagers were delighted to visit the headteacher Mrs Culbertson and her staff. The Midlothian youngsters were particularly impressed by the wall displays in the classrooms as well as the international outlook of the Skye children. Teri Fairbairn of the fourth year wrote to Mrs Culbertson, “It was interesting to find that, as well as speaking Gaelic, children are taught French and German. These children seem to pick up languages well.” Many Lasswade pupils expressed the desire to return to the primary school and witness Gaelic medium lessons in action.

After visiting a Gaelic university and a Gaelic primary, the Lasswade students took a trip to Plockton High School for an introduction to shinty, the sport of the Highlands, from Mr Rob MacAskill, a teacher of religion there. The Lasswade pupils were particularly fortunate in that three schools from Belfast were visiting Plockton at the same time in a project which brings together schools from the different religious traditions in Belfast. The Lasswade pupils were able to watch a shinty-hurling match in which Plockton High won 9 to 3 against the Irish team combined from the three Belfast schools.

Outside educational institutions the Lasswade students continued expanding their horizons. Siobhan MacFeate of the fifth year said, “It really helped coming up here to learn Gaelic rather than just learning it in a classroom.” One of the favourite activities was an afternoon trip on the boat “Seaprobe Atlantis”, sailing under the Skye Bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh to just a few yards away from island homes to baby seals, born only a couple of weeks earlier. The helpful guide offered a fascinating commentary on birds and other wildlife to be spotted in the area. After watching the seals, pupils descended into the hull where large windows in the keel allowed the observation of life underwater as well. Their eyes were opened to another world below the waves as the guide indicated jelly fish, shoals of fish and vast underwater forests of seaweed kelp, explaining the many product uses of seaweed and what to do if stung by a jellyfish.

Following Gaelic lessons every morning, pupils became steadily more familiar with Gaelic culture in the evenings. On the Wednesday they watched “Seachd”, the only full length Gaelic feature film and were particularly fortunate in being able to interview Pàdruig Moireasdan, the 14 year old star of the film who just happened to be at the college on a drama course for young Gaels.

No introduction to Gaelic culture would be complete without a taste of highland song and dance. Once again Keri demonstrated step dance to boys and girls eager to continue their new found interest back home. A tutor from the Appalachian Mountains in the USA taught pupils two port à beul classics “Tha Fionnlagh ag innearachd” and “Chuirinn air a’ phìoba”, then all pupils learned the words of “O fhlùir na h-Alba” and performed it as a choir on the last night at a cèilidh sponsored by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, where the Midlothian teenagers met up with young Gaels.

Places are filling quickly for June 2011 and all pupils have expressed concern that financial constraints may curtail such trips in future. Craig Thomas of the fourth year wrote to Bòrd na Gàidhlig, “Gaelic is a language that all Scottish pupils should learn. I feel the trip to Bun-sgoil Shlèite has opened my eyes to the struggle that Gaelic people are facing. They achieve one project but another is waiting for them. With the grant you give us, we can help them in the Lowlands and get Gaelic more recognition in our area.”