Argyll and Bute Council together with Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle have been awarded £12,808 from Bòrd na Gàidhlig to continue their work in promoting the Gaelic language.

The money, which came from the Gaelic Language Implementation Fund will be used to increase Gaelic in Argyll and Bute through a series of projects.  Tutors will be trained using Ùlpan, which is the preferred method of learning Gaelic, though classes in Kintyre, Mid Argyll and Cowal.  Gaelic conversation classes will held at Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle.  These will encourage native speakers to converse with learners on a series of cultural field trips.  There will also be a pilot drama club run in Islay’s primary schools to encourage Gaelic learners from three to 12.

Spokesperson for rural and island affairs, housing and Gaelic Councillor Robin Currie said, “I am delighted that the council and Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle have been successful in obtaining this funding.   The Gaelic language is extremely important to us in Argyll and Bute.  What this funding will do is get more people speaking Gaelic , which can only be a positive thing.”

Head of Gaelic Usage at Bòrd na Gàidhlig  said, “Bòrd na Gàidhlig works closely with a range of public authorities across Scotland and support through our Gaelic Language Act Implementation Fund (GLAIF) allows many new projects to become a reality each year.  This particular project is a great example of co-operation, with Ionad Chaluim Chille Ile and Argyll and Bute Council working together to grow Gaelic learning and usage provision across the region.  Although these projects will be delivered locally across the Argyll and Bute council area, we are confident that the outcomes will assist in our vision of growing Gaelic nationally.”

Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle’s said, “Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle is committed to the vision of helping people increase their fluency in the Gaelic language.  This applies to learners of all ages and also to native speakers of the language who need a venue in which to  speak Gaelic.  Argyll and Bute Council’s current  GLAIF project reflects the requirement to train up language tutors and to allow students of all ages to acquire and improve their Gaelic skills.  ICCI is delighted to have the opportunity of helping to deliver this excellent project and looks forward to co-operating with the Council in similar imaginative projects.”