New post for Skye Professor at SMO

Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI in Skye, Scotland’s National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture, has appointed Professor Norman Macdonald as historian and researcher with the title Eòlaiche Eachdraidh agus Neach Rannsachaidh at their campus in Sleat.

The part-time post will involve some lecturing within the College’s undergraduate and postgraduate programmes on topics such as genealogy, emigration and history as well as supporting and advising on the promotion of the College’s international work, in particular, ties with Canada. He will also be involved in preparing new short courses on the history of districts of the Highlands, including a course on the history of Skye.

Professor Macdonald was born and brought up on the Isle of Skye and he has a deep knowledge of Highland history. An honours history graduate of Aberdeen University, his career to date has been spent in broadcasting, and in university research and teaching in Scotland and Canada, where he spent 15 years as a professor at Cape Breton University in Nova Scotia. He is involved with Sabhal Mòr Ostaig’s 40th anniversary celebrations and earlier this month delivered the inaugural Founders’ Day Lecture marking the anniversary of the College’s first course on 10th September 1973.

This new post, where the pattern of work will be defined by the College’s needs, will be under the direction of John N. Macleod, the College’s Vice-Principal and Director of Studies. Mr MacLeod said; “We are very pleased that Prof Norman MacDonald is to be working with us on a number of projects building on existing initiatives and links at local, national and international level. Prof MacDonald has shown a great deal of interest in the work of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig since it was established and his considerable skills will be utilised in developing additional archive material related to the College’s history. He has extensive knowledge in a number of spheres which will help to enhance the College’s academic reputation.”