Seachdain nan Teaghlach (Family Learning Week): 07 – 11 July 2025
We’re pleased to announce that Seachdain nan Teaghlach (Family Learning Week) will be returning to Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in the Isle of Skye 07–11 July 2025.
This is a week-long event which offers families with children in Gaelic-medium education the opportunity to develop their language skills together in an all-Gaelic environment and to mix with families from a similar background from different parts of the country. Parents will have the opportunity to attend Sabhal Mòr Ostaig’s language courses throughout the week, while their children take part in a wide range of Gaelic-medium activities, bringing families together in the evenings for a mix of family-friendly Gaelic-medium social events.
As in previous years, the bulk of the costs of Seachdain nan Teaghlach are met by the invaluable support provided by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, and by the organisers at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and Highland Council. There are a variety of accommodation options at varying costs and Meal Packages, with remaining fees to be met by parents are highly subsidised. See below for further details.
PARENTS
Language courses (£150 per person)
Language courses will take place on campus at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig at a variety of levels, appropriate to the language skills of participants. When applying, you should indicate the course level appropriate to each adult taking part and indicate any learning pathways you have been following and relevant levels which you will have reached prior to this event. For guidance regarding course levels and equivalencies, see here. Language courses are set at half price for Seachdain nan Teaghlach, made possible by the funding support provided by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, in addition to subsidy and in-kind support from Sabhal Mòr Ostaig.
CHILDREN
Primary school aged children: Play-scheme (£40 per child)
Children who attend Gaelic-medium primary school will be able to take part in a play-scheme, which offers a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities such as sport, drama, arts and crafts during the week.
Preschool aged children: Fàs Mòr (no charge)
It’s expected that children who are not yet in school will have the opportunity to attend Fàs Mòr, an independent Gaelic-medium childcare provider situated close to the Sabhal Mòr Ostaig campus.
Costs for provision of childcare facilities and play-scheme activities represent a major element of the cost of Seachdain nan Teaghlach, but we are pleased to be able to offer these facilities at a heavily subsidised rate, with financial support from Bòrd na Gàidhlig and the Highland Council.
You must indicate on the application form the name and date of birth of each child participating, as well as the name of the school or nursery which they attend (where appropriate).
Unfortunately, we do not have the facilities to accommodate secondary school aged children as part of Seachdain nan Teaghlach this year, but other young family members may be interested in the Under 21s Piping and Drumming course which will be taking place on campus at the same time.
ACCOMODATION
The below options are available. Please indicate your preferred accommodation in the booking form and we will do our best to accommodate. On-campus accommodation is one of our biggest limiting factors (in particular, the number of twin rooms available) and so please do take this into account when filling in your application and planning your trip.
Making your own arrangements
A list of accommodation in the local area is available for those wishing to make their own arrangements – please get in touch for further information.
Camping (tent or caravan)
Families may camp within Sabhal Mòr Ostaig grounds without charge, but please note that our campus is not an official campsite, therefore space available is limited, as are facilities. An information sheet outlining the arrangements for campers will be issued where appropriate. Families who choose to camp may also purchase a Meal Deal for their entire stay in advance or may purchase meals from the on-campus cafeteria on a pay-as-you-go basis.
COLLEGE ACCOMMODATION & MEAL PLANS
Most families stay in accommodation on Sabhal Mòr Ostaig’s campus, which is primarily made up of twin and single rooms. We will do our best to accommodate families’ preferences as outlined via the booking form and to keep family members in rooms close together, but this cannot be guaranteed.
ACCOMMODATION
Indicative costs for College accommodation are given below. The exact cost will be determined by the mix of accommodation which we are able to provide each family – the allocation of which can only be done after families have had their participation in Seachdain nan Teaghlach confirmed
Single room per night (ROOM ONLY):
- 1 adult = £38
Twin room per night (ROOM ONLY):
- 2 adults = £61
- 1 adult + 1 child = £55
MEAL DEALS
Accommodation is offered this year on a ROOM ONLY basis so that both residents and campers can purchase meals, including breakfast, for their entire stay in advance. There are three Meal Deal options available:
OPTION 1:
Sunday 06 July (dinner) to Friday 11 July (lunch)
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. First meal is dinner on Sunday, last meal is lunch on Friday.
- £80 per adult
- £50 per child
OPTION 2:
Friday 11 July (dinner) and Saturday 12 July (breakfast)
Includes dinner on Friday and breakfast Saturday. There is no lunch or dinner available on Saturday.
- £12 per adult
- £7 per child
OPTION 3:
Sunday 13 July (breakfast)
- £3 per adult
- £2 per child
Please indicate in your application form if you would like to purchase a Meal Deal. Please note that the Meal Deal will be applied to the entire length of your stay and cannot be purchased on a day-to-day basis.
We are unable to provide lunch or dinner on Saturdays, nor lunch on Sundays.
AMENITIES
If you wish to bring a cot for an infant, you should indicate this in the appropriate section of the application form. This will enable accommodation to be allocated appropriate to your needs, subject to availability. Sabhal Mòr Ostaig has a very small number of cots available to loan. Please get in touch if you wish to borrow one for the week, but note that you will have to bring your own bedding.
All rooms are en suite and have a kettle, tea and coffee. Some of the accommodation blocks have common rooms which contain a kettle, fridge and microwave for students’ use.
In cases of hardship, families may wish to approach their school or local authority education department to establish if financial support could be made available.
PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The event staff will provide formal supervision of children during their time at Fàs Mòr and at the Play-scheme. Parents are responsible for the supervision of their children at all other times.
All children under 16 staying overnight on campus (including camping) must be accompanied by a named adult.
Closing date for applications: Friday 04 May, 5pm