An Italian who started to learn Gaelic after a cycling tour of the Western Isles has been awarded a prestigious honour at the Royal National Mod.
Carmine Calajezzi moved to Scotland to work as a pizza chef in the Glasgow area in 2012.
He now works lives in Skye and works and studies at College Sabhal Mor Ostaig to perfect his language skills.
The 30-year-old is now fluent in Italian, English and Gaelic – and was presented with the Gaelic Learner of the Year award by Prince Charles during yesterday’s royal visit.
Mr Calajezzi hails from the small fishing town of Abruzzo on the eastern coast of Italy and was unaware of Gaelic until he discovered it when he moved to Scotland.
He said: “When I was still in Glasgow I was travelling quite a lot on the west coast and in summer 2014 I ended up camping in the Outer Hebrides and that’s where I found out about Gaelic.
“I didn’t have an interest in languages before Gaelic and I started learning not strictly for the language itself but because I wanted to keep a connection with the islands and the community.
“I think languages can be a good way to get in touch in people.”
He described his award from Prince Charles as a “good moment”.
Mr Calajezzi is now taking part in Gaelic programmes