Gaelic in the Outdoors

In this 3 day immersion course, we will go on walks on the Isle of Skye and Lochalsh and speaking Gaelic all day. This area offers stunning scenery which will allow us to choose a variety of walks including at least one mountain walk.

The main aim of the course is to have the opportunity to speak Gaelic whilst seeing new places and enjoying the scenery.  There will be opportunities to learn a little more about plants, rocks, geology and the history of the places we visit.  Walks may include places like the Quirang, Ben Tiarnavaig, Suishnish and Boraraig, The Stòrr, the Red hills, the Point of Sleat and Leitir Fura depending on weather conditions.

This course will be suitable for people who love walking in Scotland, who have some experience in hill walking and who have a conversational level of Gaelic that lets them speak all day. There will be a mixture of shorter and longer days to allow the legs to recover. Shorter days will be filled with presentations or workshops relevant to the mountain environment.  There’s only space for up to 6 people on this course and participants should be 18 years old or older.

The following equipment is strictly necessary:

• Walking boots[1]
• waterproof jacket
• insulating jacket, e.g. fleece or down jacket
• walking trousers[2]
• waterproof trousers
• rucksack (day sack)
• layered clothing including fleece
• woolly hat
• gloves
• midge repellent
• sun screen
• re-fillable water bottle
• walking socks

We also advise taking the following equipment which might also be useful:

• OS Landranger map 23, 32, 33 & map case
• compass
• camara
• walking poles
• torch

Skills required

• fitness level that allows for 3 days walking between 3 and 6 hours each 
• comfortable on rough terrain, on high ground as found in mountain environments
• Gaelic at the level of An Cùrsa Adhartais and/or Short Courses Gaelic Level 6 or above
• keen to speak Gaelic all day

Below is an example of how this course will be set out and the trips/walks will be all weather dependent and therefor may change at short notice.   More detailed information will be circulated nearer the start of the course.   Lunch and dinner at the College is part of the course fee, however accommodation costs are not included.

Plan (subject to change depending on weather conditions):

Friday 3 May

After dinner, there will be an opportunity to meet all who will be on the course and get to know each other with cheese and wine.

Saturday 4 May

9:30 Leaving SMO for a trip that could last around 4-5 hours. Evening activity after dinner.

Sunday 5  May

9:30 Leave for a 3-4 hour trip. Workshop in the afternoon followed by an evening off to re-charge the batteries!

Monday 6  May

9:30 Leave for another trip which will be about 5-6 hours. Dinner followed by an evening activity.

Tuesday 7  May

Depart after breakfast.

Or

A chance to develop your kayaking skills with South Skye Sea Kayak . This is a great opportunity to explore the islands spectacular coastlines. For more information please contact South Skye Sea Kayak at southskyeseakayak@btinternet.com

[1] mountain boots, e.g. leather, which give ankle support; waterproof, e.g goretex

[2] fast-drying trousers; not jeans.