New college courses launched by a Western Isles woman could help tackle a severe shortage of Gaelic teachers across Scotland.
Highland Council has been unable to find a permanent Gaelic-speaking head teacher for its flagship Gaelic primary school in Inverness.
At the end of last year, the local authority issued appeals for more Gaelic speakers to register as supply teachers.
And the Gaelic agency, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, announced a major new push to meet the demand for Gaelic teachers at last year’s Mod.
Now Morag McDonald, who is originally from North Uist, is hoping the new courses she is launching at Newbattle Abbey College in Midlothian from September will encourage more people to take up the language and develop an interest in Celtic studies.
The courses – a national certificate and an access to higher education course in Celtic studies – have been developed with the help of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Skye, and Lews Castle College, Stornoway and both will include mandatory Gaelic units for learners and native speakers.
Ms McDonald, said: “There is so much happening with regards to Gaelic in Scotland at the moment and, with that, comes many opportunities for people who are familiar with the language.
“In Scotland, there’s definitely a big demand for people who are qualified to work in the Gaelic industry as it’s hard to find people who have a good grasp of the language and are confident with it.”
Students on the courses will be given the opportunity to learn about a wide range of subjects including politics, history, art and literature.
Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s head of education and learning Mairi McMillan said: “There is an abundance of career opportunities currently available in Gaelic-medium education.
“Scotland aims to strengthen the infrastructure of Gaelic education and learning generally by supporting the recruitment of a confident, appropriately trained workforce in order to service the expansion of Gaelic education.”
Beth MacPhail, who was born on Lewis and hopes to become a Gaelic primary school teacher, has already signed up for the course.
She said: “Gaelic seems to have become more popular nowadays and I think that’s a great thing so I’d love to be involved.
“When I was younger, speaking Gaelic was quite unusual, but now children from all over the world are learning it, so I’m really looking forward to starting the Celtic studies course in September.”