Learning through Living Culture (Learning Gaelic in Flodigarry)
START: 13 July 2015END: 17 July 2015
COST: £275.00
COST (STUDENT): £185.00
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In partnership with Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Flodigarry Township Trust are running three of these community based courses in 2015. The 5-day residential course is designed for advanced learners of Gaelic who wish to improve their oral and literary skills as well as deepen their knowledge of Gaelic literature, history and culture in the heart of a thriving Gaelic community in North Skye. The week includes a mixture of tutors and contributors with outdoor education and class-based workshops. It is expected that this course will be of great benefit to learners who seek to reach fluency in their studies or profession as well as those who wish to reach fluency for personal development.
This is the fifth year of these succesful courses with over 90 students taking part and enjoying them so far. The courses are intended for upper intermediate or advanced learners of Gaelic, (for example SMO level 6 or higher). The week will include visits to museums and sights of special historical interest in the Trotternish peninsula where the students will have the opportunity to learn from local people who are specialists in one or more subjects such as palaeontology and placenames of North Skye, to give two examples. The course will also look at the local Gaelic speaking crofting community, its traditions and current practices, as well as some of the issues the people here face as a community. The course will be conducted in Gaelic and gives a unique experience and chance to meet people with a wealth of knowledge of their area and to hear the daily Gaelic spoken by the local community.
It is advised that partcipants stay in the local hostel where the course will be based, Dun Flodigarry Hostel. This will add to the course experience and is a great chance to meet with and speak to other learners. Altough the formal part of the course will finish around 14.00 on Friday afternoon, for 2015, the end of course cèilidh will take place in a local community hall either in Staffin or Kilmuir on the Friday night. It is recommended that you extend your stay to include this important social aspect as part of the experience as a chance to meet with more local people at the community dance as well as to hear fine examples of music and song from local artists.
As usual, the price of the course includes dinner Monday to Thursday, prepared by the Flodigarry ladies.
Timetable & attendance details:
The course will officially start with registration on Monday morning at 10.00. Course attendees are encouraged to arrive on the Sunday evening before the course starts where there will be an informal welcome session at the Hostel with teas and coffees and information from the Flodigarry Community Volunteers.
The formal course is due to finish around 14.00 but it is recommended that you stay until the Saturday morning in order to get the most from the community experience. There are only 15 places available on the course and as such it is recommended that you book early due to the high interest in the course.
Accommodation:
The main accommodation is provided in the Dun Flodigarry Hostel. Applicants are encouraged to stay in the Hostel, which is very comfortable and immaculately kept, in order to create a strong Gaelic environment conducive to fluency. Evening meals will be provided there by the Flodigarry Volunteers. In order to book your accommodation, students should contact Dun Flodigarry Hostel directly on 01470 552 212.
Their website is: http://www.hostelflodigarry.co.uk/
Should you wish to stay elsewhere, there are a number of B&Bs and the Flodigarry hotel in the local area.
Meals:
Although Mon-Thurs evening meals will be prepared and provided by the people of Flodigarry as part of the hospitality, it is worth thinking about bringing food with you to the hostel, especially for breakfast and lunch. There is however a kitchen at the hostel which you can use and you can also buy some food such as for breakfast. You can also find meals at a number of local establishments, such as the Flodigarry Hotel next door to the hostel or the Kilmartin Restaurant or Columba 1400 centre in Staffin.
Exact details of catering and other information will be provided once a place is booked on the course. and indeed information on
Clothing:
It is recommended and attendees are strongly advised to bring warm/waterproof clothing, and good robust walking boots for the walks and outdoor talks in the local area.
Entry requirements:
No previous knowledge or experience of community involvement is required but a reasonable degree of fluency in Gaelic is essential in order to follow the course content.
For further Information, please contact :
The Short Courses’ Team on 01471 888 240 or e-mail cg.smo@uhi.ac.uk