Gàidhlig sna Críochan (360G-BNG-TFC-2026-02462)

Purposes - I would like to take forward some Gaelic development initiatives focused on:corporate &amp; creative networking in the Borders </li>an engaging public event, to raise support and interest</li>local Gaelic classes for post-beginner adults, to sustain community and use</li>Rationale - There is a good deal of interest in Gaelic language and culture in the Borders. Previous initiatives such as ‘Turas: Gaelic singing’ and ‘Gaelic in the Borders’ have a record of activities here; Wedale Books run a monthly conversation circle, has a mailing list, and sells Gaelic literature; there is a Gaelic meet up in Galashiels (which is partly the subject of this application); tourism has strong potental Gaelic links (e.g. Saints, Abbeys); there’s a busy trad scene (Stow, Darnick, Accordion club, Piping associations); there’s an international book festival (Melrose), several substantial venues (Tempest, MacArts, Heart of Hawick, Eastgate Theatre), a large group of parents are campaigning for GME near Peebles and there is a ‘mini-Mòd’ being planned at Galashiels Academy for SnaG.Overview of Project and Aims:I would like to take forward my Gaelic development work, using what I have learned in Edinburgh (and down here), and identifying ways to support organisations in the Borders - starting with the organisations and individuals who are part of the Scottish Borders Council Steering Group. In particular, this means working with the Great Tapestry of Scotland as the main venue for the first two activities named below, and local community schools for activity 3. Activities will involve CNAG, ACG and SBC, with others to join once we have funding.This also very much a community-building, public engagement and language-teaching project focused on increasing awareness, use of and support for the Gaelic language down here - starting in the area where I have lived and worked (for SBC) since 2022. ICT will be used to ensure the activities reach the widest possible range of people living in the Borders (SBC internal systems via schools) and surrounding area (advertising)Contextualising Gaelic as a language that has a long history in this region, and acknowledging the strong living heritage of Scots down here, I will support the delivery of a corporate/creative networking event, a fun public engagement day, and I will teach two terms of Gaelic lessons for adults. Over a period of approximately 6 months I will also scope out further challenges/opportunities for Gaelic in the Borders and will evaluate impact. In addition to undertaking these partly-funded activities I will continue to offer my time ‘in-kind’ to attend the SBC Steering Group, and will support other initiatives therein as they evolve.Activities:1. Evening Networking Event: ‘Working with Gaelic in the Borders’. A partnership event aligned with the Scottish Borders Gaelic Steering Group and supportive Edinburgh networks. Target audience: organisations, cultural practitioners and those with an interest in heritage. This is a semi-private corporate event with a conference format which will enable teachers, artists, development workers and local/national leaders to find ways to work together to promote the use of Gaelic. Keynote will be delivered by Fiona J Mackenzie from ACG.Likely date: March or at an appropriate time to build on the ‘mini-mòd’ momentum2. Public cultural engagement event. A celebration of local Gaelic connections - short talks focused on local context and Gaelic initiatives, a beginners Gaelic conversation lesson, participatory music/song/dance lead by an invited guest (likely to be from Lothian/Borders area) and signposting to other organisations. We will situate Gaelic as a respected equal to the Scots Leid in the Borders, with some friendly input from Scots speakers and some history of Gaelic diaspora and weaving heritage down here (provided by my own research, local history groups and the GToS museum itself - Julie Veitch).Likely date: March, same day as activity 13. Language Learning Programme.In August and September/October I piloted ‘Cèilidh Class’ and there is demand for it to continue. Funding will enable better provision of resources, increased preparation time, advertising and significantly lower lesson cost (increasing accessibility). These classes are currently housed in Cafe Recharge but they will move to a school space provided partly in-kind by SBC in due course.Likely dates: February to April