Gaelic Residential Events
Our next Gaelic residential weekend for Gaelic speakers in P7 – S4 will be held from 5pm, Friday 17th May – 5pm, Sunday 19th May, at Fairburn Activity Centre, Muir of Ord.
Young people will get the chance to take part in a variety of workshops including Gaelic song, Group work, music recording, camera skills and video making, as well as orienteering and outdoor activities.
The next Gaelic Residential Weekend will take place at Fairburn Activity Centre in Muir of Ord, from 5pm, Friday 17th May to 5pm, Sunday 19th May. The event is open to all pupils, P7 – S4, who speak Gaelic. There will be workshops in Gaelic Songs, Music and Group Work with the wonderful Deirdre Graham and Innes White, as well as workshops in Camera Skills and Video Making delivered by Calum MacLean, and outdoor activities led by Kenny Rankin from Spòrs Gàidhlig. It is a fantastic opportunity for young people to spend a weekend immersed in Gaelic, and there will also be a social time to make new friends as well as learn new skills.
We are grateful to Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Screen Scotland and Astar Media for support towards this event.
We have a fantastic team of experienced tutors and supervisors lined up for this weekend:
Deirdre Graham
Growing up in a musical family on the Isle of Skye, Deirdre was steeped in Gaelic culture from an early age. She went on to study at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland before moving to China and Malaysia, where she embraced the local music and traditions. Since returning home Deirdre has been active in promoting Gaelic music. Since the release of her debut album, URRANTA in 2020, Deirdre has risen in prominence in the Scottish folk music scene. Deirdre’s passion for the story behind the songs resulted in her self-produced podcast series, Gaelic Song Stories (2021), in which she interviewed revered tradition bearers, historians, and local experts.
Innes White
Growing up in the Highlands of Scotland, Innes White has been immersed in traditional music from a young age. As well as being a native Gaelic speaker, his early experiences of music through his strong family heritage and the Fèis movement provided the bedrock for his professional career to flourish. White is one of the most sought-after multi-instrumentalists in the UK, having recorded on over 40 albums and toured extensively throughout the UK and abroad playing guitar and mandolin, with occasional appearances on piano, bouzouki and vocals.His nomination as ‘Instrumentalist of the Year’ at the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards in 2016 further solidified his reputation as one of Scotland’s most in demand musicians.
Kenny Rankin
Kenny, from Kyle of Lochalsh, is an a keen climber and runner, among other outdoor pursuits. He is also a television presenter, a lecturer at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and an outdoor instructor with, Gaelic development social enterprise, ‘Spòrs Gàidhlig’. “The things I love the most about this job are travelling all over Scotland getting to know new areas and communities, and providing truly memorable experiences to young people in Gaelic.”
Calum MacLean
Broadcaster & presenter Calum Maclean was brought up in Gaelic, first in Skye and then in Inverness, where he was educated through the medium of Gaelic. He earned a Diploma in Gaelic Media from Shabal Mòr Ostaig OGE.
Known for films of outdoor activities, Calum is often seen on television and social media, and is one of the main presenters of the SpeakGaelic learning series.
All of our tutors, supervisors and staff are experienced and skilled in working with young people and are members of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme administered by Disclosure Scotland. Young people are supervised at all times and we work in accordance with Child Protection and Health & Safety Guidelines.
We are grateful for the financial support from Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Screen Scotland agus Astar Media which allows us to make this event ‘Pay what you can’, meaning families are able to pay what they can afford.
On the booking site, you will see four payment options, starting with “I can’t pay anything and would like to get a free place.” If you can pay more, then you have options to pay £25, £50, £75, £100 or £125.
£125 represents the cost of accommodation, food, workshops (including materials used during the workshops) and evening activities. We want every child to be able to take advantage of this opportunity, so please choose the payment option that suits you. The weekend can also be paid for in instalments. If you would like to pay this way, please contact Lorraine.
Essential items are as follows:
• Any medication you need – this may be handed over to your supervisor for safekeeping. (Please notify your supervisor on arrival at your accommodation of any medication you are required to take)
• Re-usable water bottle
• Waterproof jacket
• Shoes for walking
• Enough changes of clothing for the weekend, pyjamas, slippers and a dressing gown or onesie
• Toiletries
• Hairdryer
• Towel
• Sports kit if you prefer, for dancing
• Voices for singing
• Apron or a spare shirt if you will be cooking
• Knitting needles, if you have them (otherwise we have some you can borrow)
• Your instrument(s) – labelled
• A folder for keeping music sheets tidy
• A notebook and pen or pencil
• Please bring a music stand if you prefer to read music rather than learn by ear.
• If you have spare strings for your guitar/fiddle etc., please take them with you
Please make sure all of personal belongings are clearly labelled with participant’s name.
For any further queries about the weekend, please contact: sophie.stephenson@feisrois.org