Fèisean nan Gàidheal established a new event at Garenin, Lewis, recently with a slightly different take on the usual Fèis activities.

16 participants from across the Highlands took part in 5 Latha (5 Days), where they got the chance to learn about traditional Highland activities through the medium of Gaelic.

Amongst the activities offered to participants by members of the community around Garenin were: work with sheep and cattle, peat cutting, fishing and weaving, as well as learning songs and music during the week from well-known musicians Iain MacFarlane and Norrie MacIver.

As Calum Alex MacMillan, Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s Development Manager explained: “Our idea was to give young people the chance to get involved with a Gaelic-speaking community and to learn about the activities which were, and still are, important in Highland life, using Gaelic all the time.”

Dr Alasdair Allan, Minister for Learning, Science, and Scotland’s Languages, said:  “I was delighted to have the opportunity to be part of such a unique event here in the Western Isles. The Scottish Government is committed to securing a sustainable future for Gaelic and recognises the importance of Gaelic speaking communities in doing so.

“5 Latha was a fantastic opportunity for fluent Gaelic speakers, offering pupils from throughout Scotland the chance to learn new traditional skills whilst spending a week living on a Island steeped in Gaelic heritage and culture. Where better to learn these new skills than in a Gaelic speaking community where such traditions are still so prevalent today?

“I would like to congratulate Fèisean nan Gàidheal for organising events at Garenin and trust that a great time was had by all involved.”

Fèisean nan Gàidheal is grateful to Bòrd nan Gàidhlig for the funding received from its Sgeama Thachartasan Còmhnaidh.

Head of Gaelic Usage at Bòrd na Gàidhlig, David Boag said: “The Bòrd has been working with various groups across Scotland to set up a new support programme especially for teenagers, within which they will be taking part in enjoyable Gaelic-medium activities.  It is essential that we have young adults who have the skills and confidence to use and develop our language in the years ahead of us.”

The week came to a close with a cèilidh on Friday 13 April with a family cèilidh in Carloway Hall, with entertainment provided by 5 Latha participants and local artists.

———

5 Latha de Ghnìomhan Gàidhealach

Chaidh tachartas ùr ‘5 Latha’ a chumail le Fèisean nan Gàidheal bho chionn greis anns na Gearrannan, Eilean Leòdhais, le blasad diofraichte bhon obair àbhaisteach aig a’ bhuidhinn.

Bha 16 com-pàirtichean bho air feadh na dùthcha an làthair ‘s iad a’ faighinn cothrom ionnsachadh tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig mu obraichean traidiseanta nan Gàidheal.

Am measg nan cur-seachadan air an toirt seachad le muinntir na coimhearsnachd timcheall air na Gearrannan bha an òigridh an-sàs ann an obair chaorach is chruidh, buain mòine, iasgach agus a’ Chlò Mhòr a bharrachd air a bhith ag ionnsachadh ceòl is òrain tron t-seachdain bhon luchd-ciùil ainmeil Iain MacPhàrlain agus Norrie MacÌomhair.

Mar a mhìnich Calum Ailig Mac a’ Mhaolain, Manaidsear Leasachaidh Fèisean nan Gàidheal: “Bha beachd againn cothrom a thoirt do dhaoine òga a bhith mar phàirt de choimhearsnachd Ghàidhlig agus a bhith ag ionnsachadh mu na h-obraichean a bha, agus a tha fhathast, cudromach ann am beatha nan Gàidheal, a’ cleachdadh na Gàidhlig far an t-siubhail.”

Thuirt an t-Oll Alasdair Allan, Ministear airson Ionnsachadh, Saidheans agus Cànain Alba: “Bha mi air leth toilichte cothrom fhaighinn a bhith mar phàirt den tachartas sònraichte a bha a’ gabhail àite an seo sna h-Eileanan an Iar. Tha Riaghaltas Alba air a chur romhpa suidheachadh seasmhach a dhaingneachadh don Ghàidhlig sna bliadhnaichean ri teachd, agus aig a’ cheart àm ag aithneachadh an àite a th’ aig coimhearsnachdan Gàidhealach ann a bhith a’ coileanadh seo.”

“‘S e cothrom air leth a bh’ ann an 5 Latha do luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig, ‘s e a’ toirt cothrom do sgoilearan bho air feadh Alba sgilean traidiseanta ùra ionnsachadh ‘s iad a’ fuireach ann an eilean a tha air a bhogadh ann an dualchas na Gàidhlig. ‘S e coimhearsnachd Ghàidhlig an t-àite as fheàrr airson nan sgilean ùra seo ionnsachadh, far a bheil na sgilean seo fhathast am follais san latha an-diugh.

“Bu mhath leam meala-naidheachd a chur air Fèisean nan Gàidheal airson na tachartasan seo a chur air dòigh, agus tha mi an dòchas gun robh spòrs aig a h-uile duine a bha an sàs.”

Tha Fèisean nan Gàidheal taingeil do Bhòrd na Gàidhlig airson maoineachaidh bhon Sgeama Thachartasan Còmhnaidh aca.

Thuirt Leasaiche Cànain Gàidhlig aig Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Daibhidh Boag, “Tha am Bòrd air a bhith ag obair le diofar bhuidhnean air feadh Alba gus prògram taic ùr a chur air dòigh do dheugairean gu sònraichte, far am bi iad a’ gabhail pàirt ann an tachartasan spòrsail tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig.  Tha e deatamach gu bheil inbhich òga misneachail agus sgileil againn, gus ar cànan a chleachdadh agus a bhrosnachadh anns na bliadhnaichean ri teachd.”

Thàinig an t-seachdain gu crìch Dihaoine 13mh Giblean le Cèilidh Teaghlaich ann an Talla Choimhearsnachd Chàrlabhaigh far an robh deagh shluagh an làthair airson èisteachd ri com-pàirtichean 5 Latha agus seinneadairean bhon sgìre.

Source: Fèisean nan Gàidheal