Winners announced for Deasbad 2025 at the Scottish Parliament
Sir E Scott air Deasbad Nàiseanta nan Àrd-sgoiltean Ghàidhlig 2025 a ghlèidheadh (English translation follows)
Chruinnich sluagh mòr aig Pàrlamaid na h-Alba air Diardaoin 27 Samhain 2025 aig a’ chuairt dheireannach de Dheasbad 2025 agus Acadamaidh Inbhir Pheofharain a’ strì an aghaidh Sgoil Sir E Scott. Às dèidh deasbaid air leth, chaidh Sgoil Sir E Scott às na Hearadh ainmeachadh mar luchd-buannachaidh Deasbad 2025. Is iad Acadamaidh Inbhir Pheofharain a bha nan aghaidh agus chaidh moladh mòr a dhèanamh air Katarina NicArtair agus Jessica Bridel a tha air an treas blìadhna san sgoil.
Chaidh moladh mòr a dhèanamh bho na britheamhan Ruairidh Aonghas Rothach, Dòmhnall ‘Ryno’ Mac’IlleMhoire agus Catrìona NicFhionghain.
Acadamaidh Inbhir Pheofharain - Dingwall Academy pupils Katarina MacArthur and Jessica Bridel
Mhol Màrtainn Whyte bho Spiorad na Mara, a’ phrìomh bhuidheann maoinichidh an fheadhainn a ràinig na cuairtean deireannach:
“Tha an tachartas seo air an ath ghinealach de luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig a thaisbeanadh a-rithist. Tha sinn air leth moiteil taic a thoirt do cho-fharpais a tha a’ comharrachadh misneachd agus cumhachd na cànain. Bha na farpaisich air leth math agus bu chòir dhaibh a bhith air leth moiteil.”
A’ bruidhinn às leth nam britheamhan thuirt Ruairidh Aonghas Rothach:
“Bha an deasbad aig sàr àrd ìre. Sheall na sgiobaidhean uile gu robh iad air deagh ullachachadh a dhèanamh. Bha e na thlachd dhuinn a bhith san èisteachd agus tha gach sgioba a ghabh pàirt airidh air a h-uile moladh”.
Thuirt Flora Scott agus Bella NicIlleathain bho Sir E Scott:
“Tha sinn air leth toilichte gun do bhuannaich sinn Deasbad 2025. Tha e air còrdadh ruinn bho thoiseach gu deireadh. Cha dhiochuimhnich sinn gu bràth a bhith a’ deasbad aig Pàrlamaid na h-Alba. Tha sinn glè thaingeil dha na tidsearan againn, luchd-taic, agus a h-uile duine a tha an-sàs ann a bhith a’ cuir an fharpais air dòigh.”
B’ e Bella MacLean cuideachd a fhuair duais neach-labhairt na bliadhna aig a’ BhBC.
****
Winners Announced for Deasbad 2025 at the Scottish Parliament
A packed audience gathered in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday the 27th of November to celebrate the grand final of Deasbad 2025.
After a closely contested debate, Sir E Scott school from Harris were crowned the winners of this year’s national Gaelic debating championship. Dingwall Academy reached the final of the competition and Katarina MacArthur and Jessica Bridel, both third year pupils at the school, were praised for their skill and fluency.
The finalists impressed judges, Roddy Angus Munro, Donald ‘Ryno’ Morrison and Catriona MacKinnon with their clarity of thought, fluency in Gaelic, and ability to tackle contemporary issues with maturity, humour and insight.
Martin Whyte, representing the main sponsor, Spiorad na Mara, praised the standard of the event:
“This event has once again showcased the next generation of Gaelic speakers. We are immensely proud to support a competition that celebrates confidence and the power of language. Tonight’s finalists were outstanding – a credit to themselves, their schools, and the wider Gaelic community.”
Speaking on behalf of the judges Roddy Angus Munro said: “The standard this year was exceptionally high. All teams demonstrated excellent preparation and real passion. The winners stood out for their command of argument and their ability to engage the audience and judges alike”.
Flora Scott and Bella MacLean from Sir E Scott expressed their excitement after the announcement: “We’re absolutely delighted to have won Deasbad 2025. It’s been an amazing experience from start to finish. Debating in the Scottish Parliament is something we’ll never forget, and we’re very grateful to our teachers, supporters, and everyone who makes this competition possible.”
Bella MacLean was also the recipient of the BBC speaker of the year prize.