A virtual reality experience which will “pull viewers into another world” will be created on one of Scotland’s islands to grow the use of Gaelic.
Islay’s Gaelic Centre is to receive £150,000 to create an interactive exhibit which will teach visitors about the island’s history, heritage and geography.
Projectors, touch-walls and a virtual reality headset will create a 360-degree experience of Gaelic Islay, recreating the sights and sounds of the island as they explore a library of stories, songs and language.
A further £8,000 is being made available for the construction of an outdoor classroom at Bowmore Gaelic Medium Primary school, to be used for plays, poems and other drama activities.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has announced the funding ahead of the opening of the Royal National Mòd in Oban.
“Our investment in a virtual experience at the Islay’s Gaelic Centre will help to create a star attraction which will bring new opportunities for the island.
“We are working collaboratively across Parliament to progress the Scottish Languages Bill with the aim of building a sustainable future for Gaelic. This includes creating a system which will enable all parents to apply for Gaelic early learning and childcare services and introducing measures to strengthen Gaelic education in secondary school.”
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Manager of Islay Gaelic Centre Sìne NicEalair said: “We are delighted and very grateful to receive this grant enabling us to complete the second phase of our digital project.
“We see this as a great asset to the Gaelic and non-Gaelic community in Islay and off the island.”
The news follows the announcement of a new Gaelic strategy, specifically aimed at promoting Gaelic among a new generation of young Scots.
The two-year-long £150,000 plan is being run in partnership between Bòrd na Gàidhlig and youth development group Comunn na Gàidhlig (CnaG).
The process will run until March 2026, when the Gaelic Youth Strategy is due to be completed.
Two steering groups are presently being established to guide the development of the strategy.
The first will be drawn from people and organisations with experience in Gaelic language development, Gaelic education, and youth work. There will be youth representation on this group.
The second will involve young Gaelic speakers from across Scotland, including those who went to further education as well as those who left Gaelic Medium Education at an earlier stage.
The project will also focus on youth and extra-curricular work and directly involve young people in discussions. CnaG chief executive Donald MacNeill said: “Having them at the heart of this process will be a priority for us, to be sure we hear what they believe will be needed to bring more of Scotland’s young Gaelic speakers to a greater level of fluency, and a greater willingness to use the language.”
Ealasaid MacDonald, chief executive of Bòrd na Gàidhlig said: “Bòrd na Gàidhlig are delighted that CnaG are leading on this critically important work in relation to young Gaelic speakers, It is essential that these young people understand they are a key focus of ours as we look to the strength of the Gaelic language in the future.
“Youth voices will need to be at the heart of this work, and as a foundation for the strategy which will outline development priorities for this age group.”
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