Welcome

Welcome to the first newsletter from Bòrd na Gàidhlig. We will use this publication to keep in touch with the wide range of individuals, communities and organisations that work in partnership with us to encourage, develop and support Gaelic. Each quarter we will send you an update on our work here at the Bòrd, and we hope you will find this useful.

The past few months have been an important time for the Bòrd and for Gaelic in general. In March we published the first National Plan for Gaelic, which provides a five year route map for sustaining and developing our language and culture. In addition to this we have just published formal Guidance to public bodies to help them develop their Gaelic Language Plans. This will help the Scottish Government, Local Authorities and other public bodies put together and implement formal Language Plans that will see Gaelic playing an increasingly important and public role in their everyday work and also provide opportunities for customers to use the language when accessing services. We are sure that this heralds the start of new opportunities and a collective drive to provide better services for existing speakers and encourage new ones.

The Guidance and National Plan provide the building blocks for a sustainable future for Gaelic and you can see both documents on our website www.bord-na-gaidhlig.org.uk or contact us for a hard copy from the address at the foot of this newsletter.

I hope you enjoy this newsletter and that you take the opportunity, using the details at the bottom of the document, to give us your feedback.

Kenneth Murray
Chief Executive

Bòrd news

Bòrd na Gàidhlig has appointed a new chief executive

Our new chief executive, writing in this newsletter, recently joined the Bòrd from a high profile role as Parliamentary and Cultural Programmes Manager for Forest Enterprise Scotland, part of the Forestry Commission.

Kenneth replaced Allan Campbell who retired in March and took up his post on 1 September 2007.

To find out more about this appointment visit the Latest News section at www.bord-na-gaidhlig.org.uk

Education

A First for Gaelic Probationer Teachers

Bòrd na Gàidhlig held its first Gaelic Probationer Teacher Conference in the Menzies Hotel in Glasgow on the 18th and 19th June. Students heard from a variety of speakers on topics which included Principles of Language Immersion, Developing Fluency in Gaelic Reading & Writing, Teaching Resources & New Terminology and Classroom Organisation & Behaviour Management. The newly qualified teachers also had the opportunity to meet with experienced professionals and teachers who recently completed their probationary year.

Education Manager Rosemary Ward said:

“We are greatly encouraged by the number of Gaelic teachers entering the profession and we wish them every success in the year ahead. We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the conference including the University of Strathclyde and the University of Aberdeen, Stòrlann Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig, CLAS, Learning & Teaching Scotland and Local Authority representatives.

“We would particularly like to thank the teachers who gave up their time to attend the conference and deliver presentations and workshops to the students. We look forward to building on the success of this year’s event and to establishing an annual programme of events for both new and experienced Gaelic teachers.”

A total of 20 Gaelic primary teachers and 9 secondary teachers will begin their probationary year in August 2007, and have been guaranteed an induction year within Gaelic-medium primary or secondary provision across the following local authorities: Aberdeen City, Argyll & Bute, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Glasgow City, Highland, Inverclyde, North Lanarkshire and Stirling.

Gabh an Cothrom

Angela MacGillivray, the Gaelic Teacher Recruitment Officer will be attending a number of UCAS careers events in August and September and will also be visiting schools, colleges and universities across the country to highlight Gaelic teaching and career opportunities. Anyone wishing further information should contact teagasg@bng.org.uk

Language Planning

With the publishing of the National Plan for Gaelic and the Guidance on Developing Gaelic Language Plans, the focus for language planning has shifted for the time being to co-operation with public authorities.

Six such authorities – the Scottish Parliament, Scottish Executive, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Argyll & Bute Council and the Highland Council – are currently preparing statutory Gaelic language plans, following notification under the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005. Advice and assistance is being given to these six as a matter of priority to ensure that plans that can be substantially approved by the Bòrd are received by the various deadlines set.

Similarly, the arrangements for the Gaelic Language Act Implementation Fund are now being made, distributing one-off Executive funding for capacity building and other development that will assist in the preparation and implementation of Gaelic language plans.

Development

Cearcaill na Gàidhlig, a groundbreaking project celebrating Gaelic culture throughout the Highlands and Islands was launched on 25th June

The Gaelic Rings initiative - a series of culture trails based on existing Caledonian MacBrayne ferry routes - is aimed at a global audience. The project has already won the support of nearly 200 tourist attractions, businesses, restaurants and accommodation providers within the first target area.

The first ‘ring’ will be based on a route taking in Oban to Barra and on to Eriskay; through South Uist, Benbecula and North Uist and over to Uig on Skye. The ring then moves through Skye to Armadale and the short sea crossing to Mallaig. Visitors can complete the culture trail by travelling through Lochaber and Lorne, back down to Oban.

The goal of the organisations involved in the project, is to highlight the scenery, heritage and culture, places of historical and modern significance as well as the best places to visit, stay, eat and drink on the very first cultural ring. Funders of the project include HITRANS, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Caledonian MacBrayne, VisitScotland, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Argyll and Bute Council and Highland Council.

More information is available on www.gaelic-rings.com

Gaelic school

The new Gaelic School opened in Inverness in August this year. We’d like to send our very best wishes to Headteacher Janet MacLeod, the pupils and staff.

Bunsgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis is Highland Council’s first designated purpose built all Gaelic school. It has seven classrooms and has been designed for a maximum roll of 150 pupils. The school includes a nursery with a childcare facility. The school also has a multi purpose hall with retractable seating, a sports pitch and parental resource room as well as accomodation for a Gaelic Development Officer.

The school will provide a focus for the future development of Gaelic in the capital of the Highlands and we look forward to working with staff, parents and pupils to achieve this.

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