JOHN SWINNEY MSP CELEBRATES SABHAL MÒR OSTAIG AT FIRST OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENT AS FIRST MINISTER

We were delighted to welcome First Minister John Swinney MSP last night (09 May 2024) to our Sabhal Mòr Ostaig Parliamentary Reception. This was John Swinney MSP’s first official engagement as First Minister.
First Minister John Swinney MSP said:
“…It feels somewhat fitting that my first engagement as First Minister is being here with you this evening to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this wonderful and unique Gaelic college.
“ I have really deep and fond affection for Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. I’ve been welcomed to the College on countless occasions in the past and the Cabinet has met at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig…
“…As we mark the 50th anniversary of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, as we celebrate the profound impact that the College has had on Scottish society and on nurturing the Gaelic language, can I give you the assurance that the Government that I lead will do everything it can to support the Gaelic language, to recognise if there is more we have to do, that we will do it. We will do it in partnership with those of good will who want to ensure that there is a bright future for the Gaelic language. Gaelic is part of who we are, part of where we have come from, and what makes us who we are. And it is important, vital, it is essential that any government that cares about nurturing our country and our society understands the importance of Gaelic. And I want this community, I want Sabhal Mòr Ostaig to understand that you not only have a Deputy First Minister with responsibility for the Gaelic language, but you have a First Minister who is passionately committed to the Gaelic language, to its nurturing, to its development and to its future and will do all that I can in my leadership of this country to make sure that that comes about.”
Our thanks go to Dr Alasdair Allan MSP who hosted this special event marking 50 years of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, with fellow MSPs and supporters of the Gaelic language and culture.