Travelling is easy for a Dutch 29-year-old teacher from Moray, as she can speak four European languages.
Now Gaelic-speaking Scotland can be added to her holiday list as she has mastered the language, and her persistence has seen her become the first winner of the Gaelic Learner of the Year Award at the Oban Mod.
Inge Birnie, of Delane Cottage, Knockando, has lived in Moray for 12 years, since she arrived in Scotland to study applied physics at the Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen. Dutch is her first language, followed by English, French, German and Gaelic.
The award was introduced by the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS).
Mrs Birnie, head of physics at Speyside High School, was nominated by Skye Gaelic college Sabhal Mor Ostaig, where she takes lessons. She said of all her languages Gaelic was the most difficult to learn, but the most fun.
“Gaelic was the hardest to learn because it is so very different. And you can't go anywhere to speak it. Even if you go to the Western Isles everyone is speaking English to you."
She took a distance learning group at the college, where eight people all phoned in. Now she has set up a Gaelic conversation group at Forres and runs a Gaelic lunchtime event at her school.
She said: “The people I was learning with were so fantastic. I enjoy the different ways of using the language, working out what placenames actually mean.
“It has been exciting to be part of something that is so old and that so few people seem to value. I wanted to learn more about Scotland and become more Scottish."
She was presented with her award and a cash prize of £100 by RHASS chairman John Dykes. This first award was presented in the year of the society's 225th anniversary and marks an association with the Gaelic language, Gaelic and Highland culture going back to the society's establishment.
One of its original objectives in 1784 was to help preserve the language, poetry and music of the Highlands.
Mr Dykes said: “Although our objectives have changed over the years and now focus more on the promotion of agriculture and rural industry, it is good to re-establish our links with Gaelic culture.
“There is a lot of effort presently to encourage more people to take up Scotland's native language and we are pleased to contribute to Gaelic learning by making this award."