Residential weekends for S1 – S3
Fèis Rois and Highland Culture Collective are delighted to be organising a series of residential weekends in 2023. The weekends are a good opportunity to spend time with friends and meet new people, try different activities and learn a new Gaelic word or two.
28 – 30th April, Cromarty
The April weekend is aimed at young people in S1 – S3 who’ve not long started learning Gaelic (e.g. are getting lessons once a week in school or have started teaching themselves through LearnGaelic Duolingo or other). During the weekend, participants will hear and learn a new word or two from our team of fun and supportive tutors and supervisors.
23rd – 25th June, Cromarty
This event is open to S1 – S3 who are fluent Gaelic speakers and / or came through Gaelic Medium Education. Contact Karen if you wish to receive an email when booking opens.
Pricing & Booking
To book, follow the ‘April’ and ‘June’ tabs above and follow the links from there.
The weekends are on a pay what you can basis. On the booking form, you will see four payment options, starting with “I can’t afford to pay anything and would like a free place.” If you are able to pay more, then you will have the options to pay £50, £75, or £100. £100 represents a contribution of £100 towards 2 nights’ accommodation, all meals, professional tuition, activity materials and equipment and evening activities. We want every child to be able to access this opportunity, and you can choose your payment option at your own discretion.
It is possible to pay for places in instalments by setting up a monthly payment plan. If you wish to do this, please contact Lorraine to discuss a payment schedule.
We are grateful for funding from Fèisean nan Gàidheal and the William Syson Foundation towards the cost of the residential weekends, as well as contributions from participants.
If you encounter any issues in booking your place, please email Karen who will be able to assist you.
Safeguarding & accessibility
All of our tutors, supervisors and staff are experienced and skilled in working with young people and 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 committed to making creative activities accessible and to eliminate barriers for participation as much as possible.
We regret that the Old Brewery is not suitable for wheelchair access. There is one disabled toilet on the ground floor but all bedrooms and the Loft Studio are accessed by flights of stairs with no alternative options unfortunately.
We have skilled supervisors on hand to allow young people time out of tuition as required. If you would like to talk in confidence about support for learners or specific access requirements for your child, please contact Karen.
If you would like to talk in confidence about support for learners or specific access requirements for your child, please contact Karen.
For any further queries about the weekends, please don’t hesitate to contact Karen.
Drop-off & collection
Check-in at the accommodation (The Old Brewery, Cromarty) from 3.30pm – 4.15pm on Friday in both April and June.
Collection will be at 2.30pm from the The Old Brewery, on the Sunday of both weekends.
Things to bring:
• A refillable water bottle. There will be plenty of places to clean and refill bottles.
• Warm and waterproof clothing.
• Any medication you need, if applicable.
• Toiletries
• Hairdryer, if typically used.
• If choosing football– comfortable sports clothing and footwear for sessions outside.
• For those doing art – an old t-shirt you don’t mind getting paint on.
• For group-work – your music instrument, if you have one, and / or singing voice. We will have percussive instruments with us during the weekend. Contact Karen about borrowing another instrument.
Things you don’t need to bring:
• Towels & bedding
• Meals and snacks, as these will be provided though you may wish to bring a small snack or a small amount of money.
Book here. Closing date: 10th April 2023.
Activities & tutors
We are delighted to have a great team of tutors delivering a variety of activity sessions. They are:
Angela MacMillan – Art
Artair Donald – Drama
Calum Ferguson, FC Sonas – Football
Ewen Henderson – Group-work (music and Gaelic song)
Timetable
Friday (Dihaoine)
3.30 – 4.15pm: Arrival at accommodation (The Old Brewery, Cromarty*) and settle in
4.15 – 5.30pm: Welcome & ice- breakers
5.30 – 6.30pm: Dinner
From 6.30pm: Free time & evening activities
Saturday (Disathairne)
From 8am: Breakfast
10am – 1pm (with break): Music or art.
1 – 2pm: Lunch
2 – 4pm: Music or art
4 – 5.30pm: Free time
5.30 – 7: Dinner
7pm onwards: Evening activities
Sunday (Didòmhnaich)
From 8am: Breakfast
10 – 11.20am: Drama or football
11.20 – 11.40am: Break
11.40 – 1pm: Drama or football
1 – 2.30pm: Lunch, evaluation and closing activity.
2.30pm: Home time. Participants to be collected / make their own way home by prior arrangement.
*Accommodation address: Burnside Place, Cromarty IV11 8XQ. Arriving in Cromarty, follow the High Street down to the coast and turn right along Shore Street (sea on your left) for 400 yards.
For any further queries about the weekends, please don’t hesitate to contact Karen.
Book here. Closing date: 12th April 2023
Booking for fluent Gaelic speaker weekend on the 23 – 25th June is expected to open in April. Contact Karen if you wish to receive an email when booking opens.
