A unique and vibrant, family-orientated Gaelic language gathering comes to Ullapool in the form of “Tional”. On 1st and 2nd September the Gaelic language will take the centre stage at the MacPhail centre thanks to Clì Gàidhlig, the organisation promoting and helping adult learners of the Gaelic language. Participants can take part in a variety of activities, but they will all be led in Gaelic with translations where necessary.

Try a Gaelic exercise class, football lessons or take a guided walk learning about nature and the surrounding area. For the less energetic, there will be the traditional Gaelic classes for beginners and intermediates and a chance to experience Ulpan, the new innovative way of learning Gaelic. For those with an artistic nature, there will be singing workshops, cooking demonstrations and a Gaelic theatre workshop. A number of workshops have been specifically designed for teenagers and there is a crèche facility for young children.

Speaking about the event, Director of Clì Gàidhlig, DJ Mac an t-Saoir said “This gathering is a great opportunity for a wide range of people to be immersed in a Gaelic environment and develop their skills and knowledge of the language. The programme of activities reflects a positive profile of Highland Culture and shows that the Gaelic language is very much alive”.

Speakers and tutors at the event include Ruairidh MacLean with his popular Gaelic nature talk and walk workshop, Gilbert McMillan from South Uist for the singing workshop, Davie Grant introducing Ulpan and Roddy Nicolson from Eden Court Youth Theatre.

This event is being organised by Clì Gàidhlig, the organisation who promotes learning and disseminates information on Gaelic and improves resources for adult learners. Funding towards this event comes from Highland 2007, Bòrd Na Gàidhlig, Comunn Na Gàidhlig and HIE Skye and Wester Ross.

Booking for the event is necessary, book online at www.tional.org or contact Clì Gàidhlig on 01463 226 710.

ENDS

Notes for the Editor

Contact details

DJ Mac an t-Saoir, Director of Clì Gàidhlig, Tel: 01463 226 710,
Email: dj@cli.org.uk

Clara Hickey, PR officer, Tel: 01997 421061, email: clara.hickey@talktalk.net

Clì Gàidhlig

Clì Gàidhlig is the Scots Gaelic access and promotion organisation. Its three aims are:

·         To promote the learning and national status of Gaelic

·         To disseminate information on Gaelic and Gaelic affairs

·         To act as the voice of Gaelic adult learners and non-native speakers

Clì Gàidhlig’s magazine Cothrom and the Clì Website www.cli.org.uk   are enjoyable ways in which to promote learning, information and campaigning.

Tional

Tional will be a gathering, an unique showcase event in the Highlands for Gaelic learners, that will last for two days.  It will include a programme of activities which will reflect a positive profile of Highland Culture and Language. This is a chance for a wide range of people, from learners of Gaelic to fluent speakers, to be immersed in a Gaelic environment and develop their skills and knowledge in the language.

All the activities will predominately be in Gaelic with translation facilities (electronic, spoken and written) available. The main emphasis will be for the principal participants, who are learners of the language, to sign up for two days of Gaelic workshops. In addition, a number of other activities will be open for friends/families or people who want to try different taster sessions.
In addition a Gaelic Help-desk, will be manned through the event, covering grammar and spelling. Computers with Gaelic dictionary and translation and audio facilities will also be available.