Gaelic for beginners in the Quiraing Lodge, Skye

***This course is now fully-booked.  Ask to be added to our waiting-list.***

Gaelic in the Quiraing Lodge is an exciting course developed by Sabhal Mòr Ostaig for Gaelic learners. This course is an opportunity for people to learn about the language whilst experiencing the culture of Skye. Participants will enjoy the comfort and exclusive access of a luxurious Highland Lodge situated below Skye’s famous Quiraing ridge, the backdrop to countless scenic photographs and Hollywood films, and the sea is at the bottom of the garden, literally!

The course is aimed at beginners of Gaelic who are looking for a stimulating course outside of the traditional classroom setting.  At the Lodge, students will be introduced to useful social phrases, simple grammar and language skills. Students will build up a varied vocabulary over the week which they will put into practice whilst out and about in Skye’s Gaelic communities.  The course will include visits to local museums, local arts and crafts businesses, famous castles and other places of cultural importance to Skye. There may be walking trips where you will learn about the Gaelic place-names. The course includes a whisky-tasting tour around the famous Talisker distillery.

The participants will receive a continental breakfast at the Lodge.  Participants will need to pay for lunches and refreshments whilst out and about and dinner arrangements will be detailed in the course timetable issued prior to the course starting.  Entrance fees to local Museums, attractions and the Distillery are also included in the course fee. Participants must make their own way to the Lodge in Staffin on Sunday 18th June 2017, between the hours of 4pm and 7pm, ideally by car as public transport can be unreliable due to the rural location.

Participants who play musical instruments are encouraged to bring them along too for informal music sessions at the Lodge in the evening – BYOB is also highly recommended! Students are also advised to bring walking boots/wellies and warm waterproof clothing, as outdoor activities will be weather-dependent. Course participants are expected to be comfortable walking about 1 mile with ease as the excursions are a key aspect of the course.

Muriel Fisher was brought up in Skye with Gaelic as her first language.  Whilst teaching at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig she also teaches Gaelic in the University of Arizona and around the world.  In recognition of her lifetime commitment to Gaelic, Muriel was named the 2015 recipient of the “Excellence in Community Linguistics” award from the Linguistic Society of America, for her “outstanding work with the teaching, promotion and documentation of Scottish Gaelic.”

Should you have any questions regarding this course specifically, please contact Martin MacLure, Short Courses Manager via email.

Additional Information:

The Lodge has been made available to us by Columba 1400.  The Lodge can only be used by education groups and Sabhal Mòr Ostaig are delighted to be able to use this great facility and help the work of Columba.