Two individuals originally from Lewis have been named as Gaelic Ambassadors of the Year at the Royal National Mòd in Oban.
The Scottish Government award is presented annually to outstanding Gaels who have dedicated their lives to championing the language.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes bestowed the honour on educator and development expert Margaret Maciver, and posthumously to Gaelic activist Finlay Macleod.
Margaret MacIver has dedicated years to the study and sharing of Gaelic, teaching the language for 15 years in secondary schools in Beauly, Inverness, Glasgow and Oban before moving into Gaelic development.
She worked the length and breadth of Scotland with the then Highlands and Islands Development Board (HIDB) and Comunn na Gàidhlig.
Margaret was instrumental in the growth of Gaelic Medium Education – achievements included the set up of a Gaelic education action group, teacher recruitment campaigns and overseeing the first ever national survey ever on the needs of Gaelic learners.
She was responsible for the launch of the national parental organisation, Comann Nam Pàrant (Nàiseanta), which has now become the most influential community body operating on behalf of Gaelic education, and setting up the first professional Association of Gaelic Secondary Teachers, CLAS.
Later, she went on to become a Gaelic lecturer at Aberdeen University and has been involved with many organisations including as secretary of The Celtic Congress. This year marks 50 years since she first adjudicated at the Royal National Mòd.
Finlay Macleod spent his life campaigning for the Gaelic language and the introduction
of the language at pre-school age. He travelled extensively throughout the country,
lobbying politicians and parents, and was the first person to obtain funding from
the HIDB for a Gaelic language project.
Finlay opened his first Gaelic pre-school in Oban in 1981 and others quickly followed.
He went on to lead Comhairle Nan Sgoiltean Àraich for many years before setting up
his own Moray Language Centre, based in Banffshire, where he wrote and developed
courses for pre-school, early primary children and parents.
Finlay’s work has gained international recognition and seen him work with indigenous language partners around the world. Remembered as a missionary for Gaelic, Finlay attended the Royal National Mòd each year and was one of the great Gaelic activists of recent times. Finlay Macleod’s sister Margaret Wilks will collect the award on his behalf.
Margaret Maciver said: “I consider this award a huge honour and I am greatly indebted to An Comunn Gàidhealach for considering me a suitable recipient of this year's title of Gaelic Ambassador. It is indeed a most humbling experience for me.”
Margaret Wilks said: "I am proud to accept this posthumous award on behalf of my late brother Finlay. It recognises his lifelong work to help ensure the survival of the Gaelic language. Finlay would be delighted, as I am, to know that the award is shared with our cousin Mairead."
James Graham, chief executive officer of Mòd organisers, An Comunn Gàidhealach, said: “What a feeling to be back in Oban for this milestone Mòd as we welcome thousands of Gaels and Gaelic supporters to the town to honour our language and culture.
“The Gaelic language continues to have an irreplaceable place in daily Scottish life and over the next nine days we will see that strengthened and celebrated.
“I would like to pay tribute to our Gaelic Ambassadors for 2024 whose passion for Gaelic as an active, growing language richly deserves such recognition. The next nine days will be a real demonstration of how the language is thriving, underpinned by incredible cultural output and a strong sense of community.”
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “As a proud speaker of the language, it is an honour to see Gaelic champions recognised with the Scottish Government’s Gaelic Ambassador of the Year award.”
Gaelic ambassadors honoured at the Mòd
11 October 2024