Record Number of Students attend Gaelic Courses at SMO

Over 100 students from across Scotland enjoyed a week of intensive language learning at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the national centre for Gaelic language and culture, as part of the College’s Easter Short Course programme.

Students took part in Gaelic courses at every level, including a highly successful residential ٙlpan course, held at the College for the first time. There are currently more than 1,000 students learning Gaelic through ٙlpan across the country and demand for the course at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig was high, with places being filled in record time. 

Susanne MacDonald, Manager of the Short Course programme at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig said;’We are absolutely delighted at the increase in the number of students attending Easter courses at the College this year.  It is particularly pleasing to see the progress that students have made and their growing confidence in speaking Gaelic. 

‘The ٙlpan course was a welcome addition to our programme and we hope to be able to offer many more opportunities like these and make it easier for people to learn Gaelic.’

Dàibhidh Grannd, Director of Deiseal, the company behind the ٙlpan method of learning and tutor on the course, said;’The students worked incredibly hard all week and I was impressed by the improvement in the naturalness and clarity of their Gaelic.  We hope to be able to offer further residential courses here at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig to satisfy the demand that there quite clearly is.’

Katie MacKenzie from Edinburgh who attended the ٙlpan course said;’Sabhal Mòr Ostaig was a fantastic location and ٙlpan was fun, enjoyable and I can see results already.  If only I could have stayed on and done another week.’