Linda MacLeod from North Uist has been named Scotland’s Gaelic Ambassador of the Year.
The annual Scottish Government honour was awarded to the celebrated Gaelic singer, researcher and broadcaster to mark the opening of the Royal National Mòd in Paisley.
Originally from North Uist and now based in Glasgow, Gaelic is songstress Linda MacLeod’s first language.
She studied Gaelic at Glasgow University, graduating with a first class honours degree in 2010.
Linda researched Gaelic songs associated with her family and native homeland, and went on to continue this work, gaining an MPhil in Gaelic in 2011.
Since then, Gaelic language has been at the centre of Linda’s professional life. She has worked with the University of Glasgow’s Celtic and Gaelic Department, Glasgow’s Gaelic arts organisation An Lòchran, Fèisean nan Gàidheal, The Gaelic Books Council and freelanced on a number of Gaelic media, teaching, singing and community projects.
Over the years she has presented and voiced many BBC Alba programmes and now works part-
Linda has been Comhairle nan Leabhraichean’s Young Gaelic Reading Ambassador since 2016 and in 2015 was awarded Bòrd na Gàidhlig and The Daily Record’s Young Gaelic Ambassador of the Year award. In June 2023 she was named on the Saltire Society’s inaugural ‘40 under 40’ list, for her contribution to the Gaelic language.
Linda MacLeod said: “It is a huge honour and a lovely surprise to be named Gaelic Ambassador of the Year.
“The Gaelic language has been a constant in my life and is very important to me, without it I don’t know where I’d be or what I’d be up to today. I have been very fortunate to have worked on various Gaelic projects and with every age in the community.
“I have learnt so much from kind, encouraging people who have helped me over the years and from my own family too, and I am so grateful for all their help.
“This award has encouraged me to learn more from these people and to be involved in other projects in the future. The Gaelic language is very dear to me and I’m proud and thankful that it is such a big part of my life.”
Popular TV presenter Linda MacLeod named Gaelic Ambassador at Royal National Mòd
13 October 2023