New Chairperson announced for Sabhal Mòr Ostaig’s Board of Directors

Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI is pleased to announce that Aideen O’ Malley is to be the new Chair of its Board of Directors.  Aideen takes over from Lord Minginish, Roddy John Macleod, who retired as Chair of the Board at the end of 2015 after a highly successful seven years in post.

Aideen comes from an Irish-speaking Conamara family, and grew up in Dublin. She has worked as a teacher in Scotland, Ireland, Belgium and Italy, where she lived for 18 years and brought up a Gaelic-speaking family. Returning to Scotland in 2006, she became a Trustee and Board Member of Sabhal Mór Ostaig in 2007 and has been Vice-chair since 2010.

Speaking about her new role, Aideen said, “To be appointed Chair of the Board of Directors of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig is an honour of which I am very conscious but also proud.  It is a challenge as well as a privilege: it is now my task to ensure that the Board supports and guides the work of the Sabhal Mòr staff, devising a strategy that will enable the College to contribute fully to the development of the language, culture and way of life of the Gael and enhance Gaelic scholarly activity in, and beyond, Scotland.” 

Aideen’s expertise in languages and teaching at various different levels and competencies gives her an exceptional understanding of education and Gaelic, which will be invaluable in this new role.  

Welcoming her appointment, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig Principal, Professor Boyd Robertson, said “Sabhal Mòr Ostaig has been exceedingly well-served by the Chairs of its Board of Directors down through the years and that will continue with Aideen. She has an innate understanding and extensive experience of language and culture and of education, the public sphere and European agencies and that will be highly beneficial to the College in furthering the development of Gaelic in the days ahead”.

It was also agreed that Inverness-based lawyer, Angus Macleod, will become Vice-Chair.  Angus is lead partner with Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie, serving clients across the Highlands and Islands and beyond.  He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and won the Gold Medal at the 2014 Royal National Mod in Inverness.