Urras an Taobh Sear (Staffin Community Trust) hosts the first part of Gaelic broadcaster Roddy MacLean’s course Àrainneachd, Cànan is Dualchas next month.
The 10-day Gaelic in the environment course is aimed at fluent Gaelic speakers and advanced learners. It is supported byBòrd na Gàidhlig. This year it is offered in two five-day blocks and is suitable for countryside rangers, teachers, people employed in heritage and tourism in Scotland and beyond.
Part 1 runs from July 25 to July 29. Part 2 of the course is between August 1 to August 5. UTS and Roddy were nominated in the Community, Heritage and Tourism category at the Daily Record and Bòrd na Gàidhlig Scottish Gaelic Awards in November last year.
Students learn to recognise plants and animals by their Gaelic names, and in their natural habitats. They learn about ecology, and about traditional uses and folklore associated with native species. They also receive instruction in how to recognise and interpret fossils in an area famous for its fossil heritage. They are encouraged to pass on their knowledge to others – both Gaelic and non-Gaelic speakers – and to consider how it can be applied in education and cultural tourism. Some of the content is delivered in a classroom setting but daily excursions are made to a variety of habitats to see native species in their natural settings. Students have attended from all over Scotland and Nova Scotia.
Participants on the course.
Cùrsa mu nàdar is àrainneachd na h-Alba tro shùilean, agus tro chànan, nan Gàidheal. Chan fhaighear a leithid de chùrsa ann an àite sam bith eile! Air a chumail ann an Stafainn, ceann a tuath an Eilein Sgitheanaich.
Air a theagasg le Ruairidh MacIlleathain, le taic bho Dhùghall Ros agus Sìne Ghilleasbuig. Òraidean ann an Columba 1400, le cuairt gach latha gu caochladh àrainnean. Feumail do mhaoir-dhùthcha, luchd-iùil, tidsearan, luchd-ealain, luchd-saidheans, muinntir na turasachd agus duine sam bith aig a bheil ùidh ann an dualchas is beul-aithris nan Gàidheal.
Further information from UTS director Sìne Ghilleasbuig at sineg@cnag.org