Air an 6mh latha den t-Sultain, dh’ainmich na trì comainn eachdraidh anns na Lochan (Ceann an Loch, Ceann a Tuath nan Loch agus Pàirc) Holley NicAoidh mar an Oifigear Leasachadh na Gàidhlig ùr aca airson na sgìre mar phàirt den phròiseact Gàidhlig trì bliadhna aca.
Bha Holley ag obair roimhe seo aig Sabhal Mòr Ostaig san sgioba Cùrsaichean air Astar. O chionn ghoirid, tha i cuideachd air a bhith soirbheachail anns an deuchainn Viva PhD aice le Roinn Àrc-eòlas Oilthigh Ghlaschu, far an do rinn i rannsachadh air àrc-eòlas agus dualchas gnìomhachas feamainn na h-Alba. Rinn i ceum air cànan is cultar na Gàidhlig, a bharrachd air MSc ann an Cultar Dùthchasach agus Eachdraidh na Gàidhealtachd aig Sabhal Mòr Ostaig a bhuannachd. ’S ann à Florida sna SA a tha i bho thus, ach tha i a-nis a’ fuireach ann an Col Uarach, Sgìre a’ Bhac agus tha i a’ dèanamh fiughair ri bhith ag obair ri buidhnean coimhersnachd, a’ cur air dòigh bùithtean-obrach agus tachartasan Gàidhlig a bhios a’ brosnachadh cànan is cultar na Gàidhlig, a’ tarraing air an eòlas aice le pròiseactan foghlaim for-ruigheachd is co-obrachail.
Air a mhaoineachadh le Bòrd na Gàidhlig, tha an dreuchd bliadhnail seo mar phàirt de phròiseact trì bliadhna eadar na trì comainn eachdraidh ann an sgìre nan Loch. Bidh Holley ag obair gu dlùth le prìomh bhuidhnean coimhearsnachd agus luchd-ùidhe gus plana Gàidhlig a leasachadh a bhrosnaicheas agus a tha a’ toirt taic do dh’iomairtean Gàidhlig air feadh sgìre nan Loch, a’ dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil feumalachdan na coimhearsnachd air an coinneachadh.
Thuirt Coinneach Ruaraidh MacAoidh, bho Chomann Eachdraidh Cheann an Loch “Seo cothrom air leth gus a’ chànain a gheidheadh is a’ fàs air feadh na Paraiste. Tha a’ Ghàidhlig na pàirt riatanach de ar dualchas agus ar coimhearsnachd agus tha sinne a’ dèanamh fiughair ri bhith ag obair còmhla ri Holley.”
Às dèidh dha measadh a dhèanamh an toiseach air suidheachadh na Gàidhlig anns na Lochan, bidh Holley a’ bruidhinn ri diofar bhuidhnean gus faicinn mar as urrainn dhaibh cleachdadh na Gàidhlig adhartachadh aig ìre na coimhearsnachd, a’ gabhail a-steach gnìomhachdan thar-ghinealach agus cothroman airson Gàidhlig ionnsachadh. Thèid fiosrachadh is gnìomhan cunbhalach tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig a cho-roinn air na meadhanan sòisealta, rèidio coimhearsnachd agus seanalan telebhisean.
Thuirt Donnie Moireasdan, MBE, à Comann Eachdraidh na Pàirce, “Tha Comann Eachdraidh na Pàirce air leth toilichte a bhith ag obair còmhla ri ar nabaidhean Comainn Eachdraidh Cheann an Loch agus Ceann a Tuath nan Loch mar phàirt de dh’iomairt a’ fastadh Oifigear Leasachadh na Gàidhlig. ’S e iomairt chudromach is ann an deagh àm a tha seo a tha a’ toirt taic do leasachadh is gleidheadh na Gàidhlig anns na coimhearsnachdan againn. Le bhith a’ faighinn cothrom air goireasan còmhla nan trì sgìrean sònraichte anns na Lochan, bidh deagh chleachdaidhean obrach gan toirt a-steach tro bhith a’ roinn bheachdan agus phròiseactan. Tha sinn a’ dèanamh fiughair ri sreath leantainneach de thachartasan co-obrachail a leasachadh thar ùine na sgeama.
Thuirt cuideachd Iain ‘Rusty’ MacDhòmhnaill, bho Chomann Eachdraidh Cheann a Tuath nan Loch, gun “cuir an t-Oifigear Gàidhlig muinntir nan Loch còmhla gus cuideachadh le bhith a’ brosnachadh agus a’ neartachadh na Gàidhlig sa choimhearsnachd againn.”
Bidh oifis aig Holley aig Comann Eachdraidh Eachdraidh Cheann an Loch, Baile Ailein. Ach, bidh i ag obair air feadh paraiste nan Loch, bho Ghriomsiadar gu Àirigh a’ Bhruaich, a’ dèanamh cinnteach gum bi buaidh fharsaing aice air an sgìre gu lèir.
Faodaidh buidhnean post-d a chur gu Holley aig: holley@kinlochhistoricalsociety.co.uk
Airson tuilleadh fiosrachaidh:
Coinneach R MacAoidh 07557384439
Lochs Historical Societies appoint a new Gaelic Development Officer
On 6th September, the three historical societies in Lochs (Kinloch, North Lochs and Pàirc) appointed Holley McCoy as their new Gaelic Development Officer for the district as part of their Gaelic project.
Holley previously worked at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in the Distance Learning team. She has also recently passed her PhD viva exam with the University of Glasgow Archaeology Department, where she researched the archaeology and heritage of Scotland’s seaweed industry. She studied Gaelic language and culture, in addition to gaining an MSc in Material Culture and Gàidhealtachd History at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. Originally from Florida, USA, she now lives in Upper Coll, Back and looks forward to working with local Community groups, organising Gaelic workshops and events that promote Gaelic language and culture, drawing on her experience with educational outreach and collaborative projects.
Funded by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, this year-long post is part of a Gaelic project between the three historical societies in Lochs. Holley will be collaborating closely with key community groups and stakeholders to develop a Gaelic plan that promotes and supports Gaelic initiatives throughout the Lochs district, ensuring the community’s needs are met.
Ken Roddy MacKay, of Kinloch Historical Society, said, “This is a great opportunity to retain and grow the language across the Parish. The Gaelic language is an integral part of our heritage and community, and we look forward to working with Holley.”
After initially assessing the situation of Gaelic in Lochs, Holley will consult with different groups to see how they can promote the use of Gaelic at the community level including inter-generational activities and opportunities for learning Gaelic. Regular updates and activities through the medium of Gaelic will be shared via social media, community radio and television channels.
Donnie Morrison, MBE, from Comunn Eachdraidh na Pàirce,said, “Comunn Eachdraidh na Pàirce are delighted to be working with our neighbouring Comainn Eachdraidh at Kinloch and North Lochs as part of an initiative employing a Gaelic Development Officer. This is an important and timely initiative that supports the development and retention of Gaelic in our communities. We look forward to developing an ongoing series of collaborative events over the duration of the scheme.”
John ‘Rusty’ MacDonald, Chairperson of North Lochs Historical Society added that, “The Gaelic Officer will unite the people of Lochs to help promote and strengthen the Gaelic language in our community.”
Holley will have an office at Kinloch Historical Society, Balallan. However, she will work throughout Lochs parish, from Grimshader to Aridhbruaich, ensuring a wide-reaching impact for the whole district.
Groups can contact Holley McCoy at: holley@kinlochhistoricalsociety.co.uk
For more information contact:
Ken R Mackay 07557384439
