News
HRH visits Sabhal Mor Ostaig, Scotland's only Gaelic language college
27th September 2004
The Prince of Wales paid tribute to Gaelic culture and spoke of his hopes for keeping the language alive in a visit to Scotland's only Gaelic language college.
While visiting Sabhal Mor Ostaig on the Isle of Skye, The Prince told students and staff the work of the college was vital to people across the globe learning about minority languages.
As Patron of the college, The Prince, known as The Duke of Rothesay in Scotland, said: “If Gaelic dies in Scotland it dies in the world.
“If it flourishes here it sends out a message of inspiration and optimism.”
Wearing a green kilt in Lord of the Isles tartan, The Prince met pupils from the local primary school in Sleat on arriving at the college and was shown around the Arainn Chaluim Chille (the Saint Columba Campus) by college director Norman Gillies.
As a partner institute within the University of the Highlands and Islands, the college now offers three degree-level courses as well as beginner classes for those with an interest in the Gaelic language.
During his visit, The Prince visited a reference room in the college library and saw some of the rare Gaelic texts which have been acquired by the college with cash from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The MacCormick Collection is the life‘s work of antiquarian bookseller Donald MacCormick, who, with Donald MacFadyen of the college development committee, showed The Prince a number of important books which make the collection of Gaelic and Highland related works one of the finest in existence.
The Prince then visited three solar domes in the college gardens where Head Groundsman, Donald John Campbell, demonstrated how an innovative recycling scheme turns catering waste into organic fertiliser to grow vegetables for the college kitchens.
In his leaving speech, The Prince said he was very impressed with the project and congratulated the college on having “such well-trained worms” for its compost.
The Prince also visited classrooms and met many of the 110 students at the college, including six students who are undertaking a year long language course, before seeing a performance of Gaelic music in the Concert Hall.
Lecturer Christine Primrose, who took part in the performance, presented His Royal Highness with a copy of the college‘s CD, while harpist Marie Louise Napier and piper Liam Brown gave solo renditions of a number of Scottish tunes.
The Prince, who made a recorded translation of his book The Old Man of Lochnagar in Gaelic as well as some other languages, said in a short speech that he hoped the good work of the college would continue.
His Royal Highness said: “I am so glad to have had the chance to visit Sabhal Mor Ostaig today and meet some of the staff.
“The great thing about it is that it provides an opportunity to recognise that this college is a centre of excellence and a symbol of what can be achieved by people who care enough to turn dreams into reality.
“Scotland faces many challenges as well as great opportunities. And Scottish life is greatly enriched by the Gaelic dimension.
“The miracle is that Gaelic has survived at all.
“This college is a powerful statement of what Gaelic can achieve.”
After his visit to the college, The Prince visited Kyleakin on Skye, where he met a young boatman who received “start-up funding” for his boat repair business through The Prince's Scottish Business Trust , of which The Prince is President and Founder.
Click here to read the Gaelic section of the website.