More than 500 Gaelic Medium primary pupils from all over Scotland will gather in Aviemore Highland Resort on Thursday (1 November) for a Big Day for Gaelic activity to celebrate Highland 2007, the year that Scotland celebrates Highland culture.

Latha Mòr na Gaidhlig will celebrate the development of Gaelic medium education across Scotland over the past 22 years since the first Gaelic Medium Classes were established in Glasgow and Inverness. In Highland, more than 700 pupils attending 20 primary schools are taught via the medium of Gaelic.

In the morning of the gathering, pupils will participate in a range of activities, including workshops on storytelling, dance, music and puppetry.  The workshops will be led by experienced tutors in culture and music development.

In the afternoon, these pupils will be entertained by 170 pupils, who are participating in a stage production of a number of drama pieces linked to the theme of Gaelic through the ages.  This part of the programme will include participants from six schools, including Dingwall Primary School and the new Inverness Gaelic School.

The first of its kind, the event has attracted sponsorship from Highland 2007 and Bord na Gaidhlig.

Councillor Hamish Fraser, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Gaelic Committee, said:  “This is a very exciting event as part of our Highland 2007 programme.  Pupils from all over the country will be able to experience the enjoyment of workshop and drama activity together.  The day will allow pupils from all areas to share their experiences with each other and will make them more aware that their language encompasses the whole of Scotland, and is not just confined to their local school or village. I am sure this will provide a range of exciting opportunities for these pupils and will be a day which they will remember for years to come.”