Tribute to the work of Gaelic Early Education and Child Care Officer

During a meeting of The Highland Council’s Gaelic Committee, acting Chairman, Councillor Jimmy MacDonald paid tribute to Lochaber based Gaelic Early Education and Child Care Officer, Catriona MacIntyre who retires at the end of March after 40 years working with young people in the Highlands.

Catriona MacIntyre started her career as a teacher in 1968 in Lochboisdale Primary School which at the time was under the auspices of Inverness-Shire County Council.  From 1971 - 1991 she was teaching in Fort William and also had a career break to raise her family.

In 1991-1992 she undertook Gaelic development duties within the Lochaber area and through her efforts the demand for Gaelic Medium Education increased. 

From 1992 – 2000 Catriona was a Gàidhlig Medium Education teacher in Acharacle Primary School.  Following this she moved on to a job providing both learning support for Gaelic medium classes and also to pre-school groups in Fort William, Mallaig, Acharracle and in many other areas in the Highlands.  She has been in her current post since 2003.

Although Catriona was unable to attend the Gaelic Committee due to a prior commitment, on behalf of the Members of the Gaelic Committee, Councillor Jimmy MacDonald thanked her for her hard work and dedication in promoting the Gaelic language to young people.  He said:  “Catriona has played a very important part in providing young people and their families the opportunity and support to learn Gaelic from a young age.  I am sure many of the young people who she has helped and taught over the last 40 years will fondly remember her and the role she played in their lives.  She unfortunately cannot be with us today as she is delivering training to primary school teachers in Argyll and Bute but we all thank her for her years of hard work and wish her every success in her retirement.”