Turas-Sgoile gu Inbhirnis agus don Eilean Sgitheanach:4-7 Màrt 2008
Gaelic trip to Inverness and the Isle of Skye: 4-7 Mar 2008
A group of S3 and S4 Gaelic students have just recently returned from a very successful and enjoyable study trip to Inverness and the Isle of Skye. The purpose of the trip was to immerse pupils in Gaelic throughout the trip and enabling them to improve their communications skills. The pupils were accompanied by Mr MacInnes, Ms MacInnes (Gaelic teachers) and Mr Ross (parent)

Our first visit was to the new Culloden visitor centre just outside Inverness. A feature of the tour was the increased usage of Gaelic at the centre with prominent interpretation and even a Gaelic PDA spoken version of the tour.

In the afternoon we visited Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the new body responsible for the oversight of the development of the language, in Inverness. They generously gave us the majority of the funding for the trip of which we are very grateful. They had organised for other Gaelic agencies (CnaG and Clì) to come along to speak about their work and the pupils were informed about the wide variety of jobs available for Gaelic speakers.

Na sgoilearan agus an luchd-teagaisg aig Bòrd na Gàidhig ann an Inbhir Nis

(The pupils and teachers at Bòrd na Gàidhlig in Inverness)

We then headed up to Skye to spend the night at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the Gaelic college on the island. The next day we had a very informative tour of the college and the pupils particularly enjoyed the chance to sample some hands on programme making in the purpose built T.V studio. Ms MacInnes also took the chance to reprise her days as a TV presenter (what do you mean you didn’t know she used to be a T.V star?)

Merrin,Catriona,Niamh,Sam,Iona,Lewis,Katherine agus Calum aig Sabhal Mòr
(The pupils at the Gaelic college)

In the afternoon we visited Portree High School where the pupils visited several classes doing other subjects such as Science and History through the medium of Gaelic. They also had the chance to speak to some of their peers to discuss the differences and similarities between island and city living. 

The following day was the highlight of the trip with a visit to the Whitewave Outdoor Activity Centre in the north of Skye. The pupils practised their archery, did some team building activities and then practised their mountain rescue techniques in the afternoon (with Ms MacInnes very convincing as the stricken casualty!)

Friday was basically a day of travel although we had to return to Portree to get a mobile phone which had been left on the breakfast table. This however left us running a bit late but to the amusement and excitement of the pupils, we did manage to get back with seconds to spare for the ones who had to get their buses home.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ms MacInnes for doing most of the excellent organisational work for the trip, Mr Ross for his invaluable help and careful driving skills throughout and the pupils who were very well behaved and attentive for the vast majority of the time. A big thank you also to all the organisations and establishments we visited and for all their hospitality.

The success of this trip means that we have made a lot of friends in Inverness and in the Isle of Skye during our time there as everyone that we met commented on the pupils’ excellent use of Gaelic and polite manners – we will definitely be returning to see them all in the future.

Tha mise, Ms NicAonghais,  cuideachd airson taing mhòr a thoirt do Maighstir MacAonghais airson an obair a rinn e fhèin airson an turais agus airson an taic a thug e dhomh. Taing cuideachd do Maighstir Ross airson a bhith na dheagh dhraibhear air an turas agus na dheagh oileanach! (an dòchas gun cùm e air ag ionnsachadh deagh Ghàidhlig Uibhistich!). Dh’ obraich a h-uile rud a-mach uabhasach fhèin math agus chòrd an turas rinn uile. Tha mi airson taing mhòr a thoirt don a h-uile duine a choinnich sinn ris agus airson an aoigheachd a fhuair sinn aig na h-àitichean far an do thadhail sinn. Mu dheireadh, taing mhòr, mhòr don chloinn fhèin airson a bhith cho modhail, laghach agus càirdeil – tha mi fhèin agus Maighstir MacAonghais gu math mollteil à sgoilearan Gàidhlig Acadamaidh Hazlehead. Tapadh leibh uile.
(p.s. ma tha duine sam bith gam iarraidh airson naidheachdan a leughadh no mar neach leòinteach, feuch nach cuir sibh fios thugam !)

Tòrr spòrs agus fealla-dhà aig a h-uile duine !