26th September 2008

Comunn na Gàidhlig (CnaG), the Gaelic development agency, has had a very successful year of productive activity, against a background of major Gaelic events, at an historic time for the language.

CnaG’s Annual Report, which details the agency’s activities in the period April 2007-March 2008, highlights a number of successes in key areas which have been overseen by a new Board and with several new staff.

Donald MacDonald, CnaG Chairman, says in his account of the year’s events, that while the agency has achieved a great deal, it is now looking forward with optimism to further activity. “It as been a very successful year for us, but it is clear that a great deal remains to be done at community level to ensure that Gaelic speakers have as many opportunities to use the language as possible.”

Mr MacDonald has in particular welcomed the new Partnership developed between the BBC and MG ALBA which has now seen the launch of the new digital Gaelic television channel. And CnaG’s Chief Executive Archie Maclean has added CnaG’s support to the call for th new channel to be available to viewers on the Freeview service. In his report, he says: “CnaG strongly believes that the new channel should be available on Freeview and we have always supported the campaign to have the channel set up in such a way that it could be properly financed from day one to enable it to expand and develop. We would like to congratulate everyone involved in bringing the channel to this stage.”

CnaG’s Annual report details the work done by the agency in its financial year in a number of key areas of Gaelic development: Gaelic Medium Education, Research in Wales, Student Training Schemes and Debating Competitions.

Speaking at the publication of the Annual Report, Chairman Donald MacDonald said: “CnaG is enormously encouraged by the interest shown in Gaelic by the private sector through support for a number of projects. BT Scotland has continued to support the National debating competition for schools. Scottish Widows has supported our Gaelic Youth Enterprise scheme for pupils in secondary schools and they also supported the establishment of a Gaelic Garden in the new Gaelic School in Inverness. Ferry operator CalMac has also continued to support and develop the Gaelic on Board initiative. These organisations are to be commended for their continuing support and they are a great example to others who should be contributing more effectively through good practice.”

Mr MacDonald continued: “We are always grateful to the organisations which have contributed to our activities financially, and especially Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Bòrd na Gàidhlig, and the local authorities and local development agencies which have supported us. We are acutely aware that many of these organisations have themselves faced enormous challenges and change throughout this year and we are all the more grateful that they have been enabled to continue supporting us and working with us.”

CnaG’s Annual Report was published on 25 September at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting in AROS Centre, Portree and copies are available from, Comunn na Gàidhlig, 5 Caolshràid Mhìcheil (Mitchell’s Lane), Inbhir Nis, IV2 3HQ and can be downloaded here.