Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, an t-Ionad Nàiseanta airson Cànan is Cultar na Gàidhlig, a’ comharrachadh 50 bliadhna bho chaidh a stèidheachadh

Issued by Sabhal Mòr Ostaig

Tha Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, an t-Ionad Nàiseanta airson Cànan is Cultar na Gàidhlig, a’ comharrachadh a 50mh ceann-bliadhna an-diugh (Dihaoine 22 Sultain).

Leis a’ cheann-bliadhna seo, thathar a’ dèanamh gàirdeachas ri leth-cheud bliadhna shònraichte san deach ionnsachadh bogaidh air leth a thoirt seachad, agus san deach cothroman rannsachaidh is cultarach sònraichte a thabhann do dhaoine agus san ùine sin tha Sabhal Mòr Ostaig air soirbheachadh gu mòr agus air leudachadh nach beag a thoirt air an obair aca.

Tha atharraichean air tighinn air obair Shabhal Mòr Ostaig thar nam bliadhnaichean agus iad a’ tabhann taghadh farsaing de phrògraman is iomairtean gus freagairt air cor is cultar na Gàidhlig fhad ’s a bha saoghal nan Gàidheal fhèin ag atharrachadh.

Tha an t-Ionad Nàiseanta air a bhith ro dheònach dòighean-obrach innleachdach is ùra a chur an sàs fhad ’s a tha iad cuideachd a’ gleidheadh dualchas na Gàidhlig, agus ann an 2022-23, chuir iad fàilte air an àireimh a b’ àirde de dh’oileanaich a bh’ aca riamh le 1,600 oileanach ag ionnsachadh air làrach an ionaid agus air-loidhne, eadar cùrsaichean làn-ùine, pàirt-ùine agus cùrsaichean goirid.

Bho chaidh a stèidheachadh san Eilean Sgitheanach ann an 1973, tha Sabhal Mòr Ostaig air obair glè chudromach a dhèanamh san iomairt gus cànan is cultar na Gàidhlig a chur air adhart agus a ghleidheadh, agus tha na mìltean air tighinn thar nam bliadhnaichean gu na cùrsaichean goirid bliadhnail aca. Tha còrr is 4,000 neach-ionnsachaidh air crìoch a chur air a’ chùrsa chliùmhor air-loidhne aca, An Cùrsa Inntrigidh, agus tha cha mhòr 1,400 neach air ceumnachadh bho thòisich na cùrsaichean làn-ùine. 

San latha an-diugh, tha buaidh obair Shabhal Mòr Ostaig a’ sgaoileadh fada seachad air crìochan an Eilein Sgitheanaich gu iomadh ceàrnaidh dhen t-saoghal, agus iad a’ tàladh oileanaich à Alba agus co-dhiù 25 dùthchannan eile gach bliadhna.

Tha e air ainm a chosnadh dha fhèin mar shàr ionad Gàidhlig, agus tha obair is oidhirpean an t-Sabhail gus cànan is cultar na Gàidhlig a ghleidheadh air diofar mòr a dhèanamh ann am beatha dhaoine agus air buaidh nach beag a thoirt air cultar na dùthcha agus cor is brìgh a’ chànain.

Mar phàirt de thachartasan na seachdain seo, thèid an Ro-innleachd ùr aig Sabhal Mòr Ostaig airson 2023-28 fhoillseachadh a tha a’ togail air lèirsinn is amas a’ cheathramh Plana Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig: a bhith ag àrdachadh gu mòr an àireamh de dhaoine a tha a’ bruidhinn, ag ionnsachadh agus a’ cur luach anns a’ Ghàidhlig. Nithear sin:

• le bhith a’ toirt seachad foghlam Gàidhlig ann an àrainneachd bhogaidh Ghàidhlig, air an àrainn agus air astar,
• le bhith a’ rannsachadh agus a’ cur ri sgoilearachd agus co-phàirteachadh eòlais anns, agus mun, a’ Ghàidhlig,
• tro ar n-obair sna h-ealain Ghàidhlig,
• tro bhith seasmhach agus gar riaghladh fhèin, tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig,
• agus tro cho-obrachadh le daoine, coimhearsnachdan agus buidhnean, gu maith na Gàidhlig.

Thuirt an Cathraiche, Aonghas S. MacLeòid:

“Le bhith a’ comharrachadh 50mh ceann-bliadhna Shabhal Mòr Ostaig, chì sinn pailteas fianais air an obair a tha sinn air a dhèanamh agus air an dealas a th’ againn airson cànan is cultar na Gàidhlig. Tha sinn air ar dòighean-obrach atharrachadh gus freagairt air mar a tha feumalachdan ar coimhearsnachdan is oileanaich air atharrachadh agus chì sibh adhartas gu leòr mar thoradh air sin. Ràinig sinn a’ chlach-mhìle seo ri linn dealas is dìcheall an luchd-obrach is nan oileanach agus air sàillibh na taice leantainnich a tha na coimhearsnachdan Gàidhlig air a thoirt dhuinn.

“Tha sinn a’ coimhead air adhart ris an ath 50 bliadhna agus sinn air ceann na h-iomairt gus tuilleadh chothroman ionnsachaidh, rannsachaidh is cultarach a thairgsinn do dhaoine: nuair a bhios sinn ag obair còmhla ri ar luchd-compàirt gus na h-amasan farsaing a th’ aig Alba airson na Gàidhlig a choileanadh gus am mair i mar chànan beò aig a bheil cultar brìoghmhor.”

Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture, celebrates milestone 50th anniversary

Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture, celebrates its 50th anniversary today (Friday September 22).

The anniversary marks five decades of world-class immersive learning, research and cultural opportunities and serves as a testament to the enduring success and evolution of the institution. 

Sabhal Mòr Ostaig has evolved over the years to offer a wide range of programmes and initiatives reflecting the dynamic nature of Gaelic culture. The National Centre has embraced innovation while preserving the authenticity of Gaelic traditions, and in 2022-23, welcomed its highest number of students ever with 1,600 learning both on campus and online, on full-time, part-time and short courses.

Since its inception in Skye in September 1973, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig has played a pivotal role in promoting and preserving the Gaelic language and culture, with thousands attending its annual short courses, over 4,000 learners completing its flagship online Gaelic course, An Cùrsa Inntrigidh, and nearly 1,400 graduates since full-time courses began.

Today, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig has widened its reach beyond the Isle of Skye across the globe, attracting students from Scotland and over 25 other countries worldwide each year.

Recognised as a hub of Gaelic excellence, its commitment to preserving the Gaelic language and culture has shaped individuals and contributed significantly to the cultural fabric of the country and identity of the language.

As part of this week’s celebrations, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig launches its new Strategic Plan 2023/28, which aligns with the vision and aim of the fourth National Gaelic Language Plan to significantly increase the number of people speaking, learning and valuing Gaelic, by:

• delivering Gaelic education in an immersive Gaelic environment, both on campus and via distance learning
• researching and contributing to scholarship and knowledge exchange in, and about, Gaelic
• working in the Gaelic arts
• being sustainable and self-governing, through the medium of Gaelic
• working in collaboration with individuals, communities and partners, for the good of Gaelic

Aonghas S. MacLeòid, Chairperson, said:

"Sabhal Mòr Ostaig’s 50th anniversary is a testament to our enduring commitment to Gaelic language and culture. We have evolved to meet the changing needs of our community and students and this is reflected in our success. This milestone is a tribute to the dedication of our staff, students, and the unwavering support of the Gaelic community.

“We look forward to the next 50 years as a leader in Gaelic learning, research and cultural opportunities: working with our partners to achieve Scotland’s wider ambitions for Gaelic as a living language and a thriving culture.”