Gaelic hub planned for Inverness site

Plans to build a multi-purpose Gaelic hub alongside the Inverness Gaelic School have taken a step forward after a detailed planning application was lodged with the Highland Council.

The new facilities, proposed by the Inverness Gaelic Forum, will provide a space for a Gaelic wrap-around nursery, office space into which the main Gaelic organisations will be relocated, and a social space where speakers can meet and where Gaelic events and exhibitions can be held.

Inverness south councillor Roy Pedersen, chairman of the steering group, said: “The Inverness Gaelic School has been a huge success and will be full in two years.

It has already had to be extended to accommodate its rapid growth.

“Taking the nursery out of the school and relocating it in the hub will allow the school to absorb more primary classes.

“The new Gaelic medium nursery will cater for all pre-school ages from babies upwards.

“Bringing the Gaelic bodies together under one roof will bring financial savings through sharing facilities in a more energy efficient space.

“Combining all these drivers will create a vigorous new approach to promote the linguistic, cultural, and economic development of the city.”

Inverness Gaelic Forum chairman Colla MacDonald welcomed the project, adding it had the support of the main Gaelic bodies in the city including Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Comunn na Gàidhlig, An Comunn Gàidhealach, Clì Gàidhlig, Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Curam Chloinne, Comunn na Gàidhlig Inbhir Nis. The project was designed by Synergie in partnership with Colin Armstrong Architects, with initial funding from Bòrd na Gàidhlig and with active support from Highland Council.