Public bodies in joint bid to boost Gaelic

Staff in offices, nature reserves and forest districts from Shetland to Dumfries and from Aberdeen to Tiree, will now be able to learn Gaelic by using an online Gaelic toolkit.

A group of Scottish public sector organisations are launching an innovative programme for their staff to learn Gaelic today, as part of a government commitment to support the language. Both Alasdair Allan, the Scottish Minister for Gaelic, and Dinny McGinley, the Irish Minister of State with special responsibility for Gaeltacht affairs, will be present at the launch.

The initiative, by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) and Crofters Commission, received funding from Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s Gaelic Language Act Implementation Fund.

Each toolkit, developed by the Skye-based company Cànan, includes a series of generic introductory lessons, as well as personalised glossaries of useful phrases, and terminology specific to each organisation.

They also include interactive maps showing office locations, forest districts and crofting counties, as well as a variety of puzzles and animations for easier learning. And more than 1,000 audio files allow the learner to hear, as well as see, the phrases.

Minister for Gaelic Alasdair Allan said:

“I am very pleased to see bodies which are key to Scotland’s rural infrastructure working alongside Bòrd na Gàidhlig to widen opportunities to learn the language and about how it relates to the day-to-day work of the organisations.

“We are determined to secure a sustainable future for Gaelic, and the involvement of public bodies with a strong presence in rural Scotland, particularly the North East, is key to moving forward.”

Dinny McGinley, the Irish Minister of State with special responsibility for Gaeltacht affairs, said:

“This is an exciting and innovative programme that demonstrates the positive benefits that can accrue from public sector companies working together on a shared vision. I commend all who were involved in developing this project and I have no doubt that there are valuable lessons we can learn from it in Ireland as we pursue the common goal of promoting increased awareness and usage of our native Irish language.”

Andrew Thin, SNH chairman, said:

“I’m sure the toolkit will prove invaluable to many of SNH’s staff. It’s another building block to make sure Gaelic not only survives but thrives in Scotland. This is so important for our culture and history – as well as practical for those working in the Highlands and Western Isles.”

John Angus Mackay, Bòrd na Gàidhlig chief executive, said:

“This is a truly innovative initiative and Bòrd na Gàidhlig congratulates the partner organisations on planning and implementing it. Its objectives, scope and scale are commendable. As well as the benefits the individual themselves will see both culturally and linguistically, each organisation is also investing in cultural diversity which better reflects today’s business environments, as well as raising the profile of our own national language.”

Simon Hodge, Forest Enterprise Scotland chief executive, said:

"Gaelic is an integral part of Scotland's heritage and national identity. We want to continue promoting the language externally but also internally to our own staff. The new online toolkit is a great interactive resource for staff which will help them build up a better knowledge of the language."

Argyll and Bute pubs fail the test

A high proportion of licensed premises across Argyll and Bute are failing to comply with relevant legislation.

A programme of visits by the council’s licensing standards team has revealed a startling level of non-compliance with the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005.

The situation is made even more serious by the fact that all premises were written to advising that a visit would be taking place. The letter detailed the areas which would be looked at during the inspection and provided advice and guidance on the Act’s requirements – including draft statutory notices which they could display if they were not already doing so.

In the event, just 12 of the 92 premises visited were fully compliant with the legislation, leaving 80 needing remedial action.

Councillor Daniel Kelly, chair of Argyll and Bute’s Licensing Board, said he was shocked by the failures, and would have no hesitation in urging the Board to review the licenses of any premises which failed to take all reasonable steps to adhere to the law.

“It is extremely disappointing that despite the efforts of our licensing team in supporting licensed premises across the area, it appears that many of them are failing to comply with the basic legislation,” he said.

“The feedback I am getting is that most of this non-compliance is not wilful, but rather the result of ignorance of the requirements. This is not an acceptable excuse. Not only have all these licensees had ample opportunity to familiarise themselves with the Act, but also all have received information and support from our officers in how best to comply with it.

“It is shocking that 87% of those businesses inspected – who all knew well in advance that the inspection would be taking place – are failing in their duties as licensed premises.”

The criteria under which the premises were tested included the display of various statutory notices, staff training/knowledge, security and children and young persons’ policies.

Councillor Kelly said: “Licensing standards officers will now embark on an enforcement strategy – informing all licensees of the findings and providing advice and instruction regarding the areas identified as requiring further attention.

“The premises which failed these initial inspections will then be revisited to ensure that they have rectified the situation, and we will also be visiting other licensed outlets which have yet to be inspected.

“As part of this strategy, licensees should be in no doubt that compliance notices will be issued if necessary, and that they could well find themselves up before the Licensing Board if they continue to flout the law.”

Residents urged to have their say in social work plans

Local people across Argyll and Bute are being urged to give their opinions on the delivery of social work services over the next five years.

The council is about to launch a two-month public consultation on its draft plans for the future delivery of services to some of the area’s most vulnerable residents.

However, the authority is keen to ensure that the plans reflect the needs of social work clients and their carers before progressing to the next stage.

During August and September, the draft Commissioning Strategy and Plans will be distributed to all interested parties for their comments.

These include clients and their carers, staff, parents and families of children for whom services are provided, external service providers, elected members and other council departments and partner agencies such as NHS Highland, Argyll and Bute Community Health Partnership, Strathclyde Police, the Community Planning Partnership and the Alcohol and Drug Partnership.

At the same time, meetings will be held across the area to ensure that everyone has the chance to have their say over the proposals. There will also be an opportunity to post feedback online on the council’s website.

Only once all the comments returned have been collated and considered will the final strategy and plan be drafted later in the year.

The particular issues which the documents aim to address are:


Identifying the demand for social work services both now and in the future
Identifying and agreeing with clients and carers how these services will meet their needs
Planning and designing services to meet clients’ needs in partnership with clients and their carers
Putting these services in place either through the council providing them or by buying them from other organisations

Councillor Andrew Nisbet, Argyll and Bute’s spokesperson for social affairs, said: “The draft documents have been developed in order to ensure that care services become increasingly flexible.

“The challenges we face of increasing demand, shrinking budgets and the need to provide more personalised services, mean that we have to find better ways of providing services in the future. What we are striving for is to be able to provide a better quality of life for the people who use these services, as flexibly and efficiently as possible.”

One example of the changes proposed is for outside organisations to provide care at home services for older people, rather than the council.

The council is also to consider tendering services for those with a learning disability. In addition, the proposed closure and smaller scale replacement of the Argyll and Bute psychiatric hospital in Lochgilphead means the council and its community health partnership partners will have to make the changes necessary to accommodate clients in the community.



The council also plans to support people in controlling their own social care budgets if they wish, to ensure that the care services they buy meet their own personal requirements and priorities.

Councillor Nisbet said: “I would urge all those with an interest in this critical area to give us their comments during the consultation period.

“The plans will not be finalised until the consultation period is over and the feedback received has been assessed and reported to the council.

“We will make whatever changes we can to reflect the needs of clients and their carers, within the constraints of best value. In the current challenging financial climate, it is obviously vital that we ensure that we spend our money in the most effective way possible, and on those who need it most.”

The draft documents will be posted on the council’s website at www.argyll-bute.gov.uk from Monday, August 15. The consultation will end on Friday, October 14.

The timetable of public meetings will be available on the website from August 15.

PLANNING A PRIORITY AS NFUS WELCOMES AGRI-ENERGY STRATEGY

NFU Scotland has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement that it will develop an Agri-Renewables Strategy, with planning and grid connections identified as key challenges for farmers and land managers.

The Scottish Government’s announcement comes just two weeks after NFUS wrote to Cabinet Secretary, John Swinney calling for an independent expert group on renewables, highlighting the troubles NFUS members are facing with planning applications for renewable projects and connection to the national grid.

NFUS is prepared to help wherever necessary in providing information and support to all those involved in drafting the Agri-Renewables Strategy, believing firmly that agriculture has a crucial role to play in helping the Scottish Government achieve its very ambitious targets for carbon reduction, climate change and renewable energy provision.

NFU Scotland’s President, Nigel Miller said:

“The Scottish Government’s announcement that it will draw up an Agri-Renewables Strategy, with the assistance of industry representatives, is welcome and could be valuable for all farmers wanting to make the most of the opportunities for producing green energy on their land.

“The Scottish Government’s manifesto commitment to develop this strategy and, in particular, to simplify the planning process, were spot on. Scottish farmers and crofters have already contributed a great deal in terms of cutting carbon emissions and installing the means of producing renewable energy on their land, however, inconsistencies and constraints in the planning system mean that many farmers are struggling to get energy projects off the ground.

“The ambitious target to be able to produce 100% of our electricity demand equivalent from renewable sources by 2020 could be attainable, but we need a clear steer from the Scottish Government in setting out nationwide planning guidance and priorities for those applying for and approving renewable projects.

“NFU Scotland has built up a long list of examples from among its membership of where the system is and is not working and will offer to work closely with the Scottish Government and other industry representatives in order to help our farmers and crofters contribute to Scotland’s renewable energy aims.

“We have already got the ball rolling in tackling the planning issue and, in addition to our contact with the Scottish Government, we are meeting Scotland’s chief planner next week with a view to addressing the obstacles and anomalies that exist within the planning system and between Scotland’s local authorities.”

Changes to bus services in Mid Argyll and Kintyre

Changes to three bus services in Mid Argyll and Kintyre will come into force from Monday 15 August 2011. The 421 service from Inverliever to Tarbert, the 449 service from Campbeltown to Lochgilphead and the 422 service between Ardrishaig and Lochgilphead are all affected.

The 421 service will now run between Inverliever and Kilmaluaig, South of Ormsary. The experimental extension to Kilberry and Tarbert is being withdrawn. The timetable will go back to what it was before the extension was introduced. As a result the 447 service will now run between Tarbert and Kilberry (Coulaghailtro) on schooldays at school times and will operate to its previous timetable.

The extended route stopped at Port Ban Caravan Park and Kilberry which means there’ll now be no direct link between these places and Lochgilphead. This route has been changed because after an initial increase in the number of passengers they are now down twenty percent. Ending the extension and going back to previous timetables will save £17,080 a year.

The 449 ‘commuter coach’ from Campbeltown to Lochgilphead which ran Monday to Friday leaving at 0730 and returning at 1705 will stop. People will be able to use the Scottish Citylink coach which leaves Campbeltown at 0630 and 0830 and returns from Lochgilphead at 1629. On schooldays there is also a bus leaving Campbeltown at 0725 and returning from Lochgilphead at 1500. Scottish Citylink has agreed to introduce season ticket rates on the 926 service which offers regular travellers a saving on the normal fare. Removing the commuter service will mean a saving of £46,148.32.

The total annual saving being made from these changes will be £63, 228.52.

These services don’t operate on a commercial basis and need a high level of council support to keep them going. They were originally funded with a special ring-fenced grant provided by the Scottish Government but this doesn’t exist anymore.

Transport Spokesperson, Councillor Duncan MacIntyre said “I’m sorry these services have been reduced and changed. There were some difficult decisions to make on how to make savings on public transport in Argyll and Bute. I’d encourage people to look at the council’s website to make a note of the changes.”

After the School and Public Transport Review and savings agreed by the council in February 2011 the transport budgets were reduced from £726,035 to £275,000. The decision on which council supported bus services would no longer be funded was made by the council’s Executive in April.

Timetables at bus stop information panels on the council’s website,www.argyll-bute.gov.uk , will be updated as soon as possible. Up to date information is also available from Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.

In a separate development West Coast Motors have told the council they will be reducing the frequency of the 422 service between Ardrishaig and Lochgilphead. It will now be hourly instead of half hourly.

Sgoil Shamhraidh Dhràma a’ sìor-neartachadh

Tha 24 deugaire gan deisealachadh fhèin gus toiseach-tòiseachaidh a dhèanamh air làithean-saora an t-samhraidh le bhith a' dèanamh air Port Rìgh anns an Eilean Sgitheanach airson na Sgoil Samhraidh Dràma. Air a cur air dòigh le Fèisean nan Gàidheal tha an sgoil fosgailte do luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig eadar 14 agus 18 bliadhna a dh’aois agus tha i ruith eadar Diluain 4 agus Dihaoine 15 den Iuchar.

A-nise na ceathramh bhliadhna, tha an sgoil air sìor fhàs nas motha le taic bho Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean agus Bòrd na Gàidhlig, agus tha comharran bronsachail ann gun cùm i a’ fàs san àm ri teachd leis an àireamh as àirde de thagraichean shoirbheachail a bh’ ann gu ruige seo.

Bidh na com-pàirtichean, a bhuineas do gach ceàrnaidh de dh’Alba, a' coimhead air adhart ri ceala-deug a bhios loma-làn spòrs anns am faighear bun-stèidh air leth ann an caochladh sgilean a bhios feumail do chleasaichean, luchd-sgrìobhaidh agus luchd-stiùiriche ùra airson an àrd-ùrlair agus air beulaibh a’ chamara.

Fo smachd Artair Donald mar stiùiriche-ealain na Sgoile, bidh e fhèin agus an sgioba ealanta de luchd-oide aige - Frank MacConnaill, Wilma NicUalraig, Daibhidh Walker, Ruairidh MacNeacail agus Catrìona Lexy Chaimbeul uile ag obair gu cruaidh gus tàlant nan com-pàirtichean a leasachadh le sùil gun tèid dealbh-cluich ùr a thaisbeanadh air oidhche mu dheireadh na Sgoile.

Gheibhear cothrom an tàlant aca a chur gu feum air fiolm cuideachd le taic bhon sgioba aig FilmG far an tèid sgilean deatamach agus uidheamachd a thabhann gus fiolm ghoirid a riochdachadh a fhreagras air a’ cho-fharpais aig FilmG airson 2011. Bidh dòchas ann gun soiribhich leotha sa cho-fharpais mar a rinn compàirtichean na Sgoile Samhraidh Dràma ann an 2010.

Thèid toradh an cuid obrach tron cheala-deug a thaisbeanadh don mhòr-shluagh air an oidhche mu dheireadh den Sgoil Shamhraidh aig Stiùidio Fàs, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig ann an Slèite air Diardaoin 14 Iuchar aig 7.30f.

Tha Fèisean nan Gàidheal air leth toilichte gu bheil MG ALBA gu bhith an sàs sa Sgoil Shamhraidh Dhràma airson a’ chiad uair, càirdeas a th’air a’ chothroim Stiùidio Fàs a chleachdadh mar àite thaisbeanaidh agus feum a dhèanamh à taic teicnigeach tron chuirm.

A bharrachd air dràma Ghàidhlig cluinnear pailteas de cheòl tradiseanta leis gun tèid an oidhche thaisbeanaidh a chumail ann an co-bhonn le compàirtichean bho Fhèis Alba a bhios a' gabhail àite air a’ Phloc aig an aon àm.

Cosgaidh tiogaidean airson an tachartais £6 agus £3. Gheibh clann còmhla ri inbheach a-steach an asgaidh. Airson fiosrachadh mu thiogaidean fònaibh gu 01478 613 555 no cuiribh post-dealain gu brath@feisean.org

Airson tuilleadh fiosrachaidh mun Sgoil Shamhraidh Ghàidhlig cuiribh fios gu Oifgear Dràma Fèisean nan Gàidheal Dougie Beck air 01463 225559 no air post-dealain dougie@feisean.org

‘S e iomairt Fèisean nan Gàidheal a th’ anns an Sgoil Shamhraidh Dhràma a tha a' faighinn taic bho Bhòrd na Gàidhlig, Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd ‘s nan Eilean, Alba Chruthachail, Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd agus Eden Court.

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 9 July – Friday 15 July 2011

Title: Blas 2010 Music Festival
Highlights from Donnie Munro's performance at the Blas 2010 festival. The concert also features Iain MacFarlane, Ingrid Henderson and Ewan Robertson.

Transmitted: Saturday 9 July
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm


Title: Cuirm @ Celtic: Taigh Ciuil - Paul McKenna
Julie Fowlis presents the Paul McKenna Band in concert from Glasgow's Fruitmarket during Celtic Connections.

Transmitted: Saturday 9 July
Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm


Title: Alleluia / Spiritual Music & Verse

A special compilation programme featuring a selection of hymns and psalms from across the series including Norrie MacIver and Sineag MacIntyre with Psalm 36, James Graham singing Och a Shlànaigheir Chaoimh and Calum Martin with Psalm 62.

Transmitted: Sunday 10 July
Time: 7.30 – 8.00pm


Title: Taghadh bho Na Trads

Music and chat from the Trad Award Winners – some of the finest traditional musicians in the country. Tonight’s show features Julie Fowlis and her band.

Transmitted: Monday 11 July
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm


Title: Trusadh – Gunnaichean ann an Alba / Guns in Scotland

The gun has played a major role in rural Scottish life for generations. To this day, the history and cultural heritage of hunting and shooting for sport generates a vital income, especially during the busy Autumn / Winter season. Non traditional seasonal activities such as clay pigeon shooting are also on the increase.

We meet those who shoot for sport, find out about how the police implement and control the issuing of firearm certificates at a local level, and discover that the art of gun making is still very much a lucrative part of rural Scottish life today as we meet some of these craftsmen at work.

Debate continues to surround gun legislation in Scotland though, following the horrors of Dunblane and more recent atrocities, including Cumbria last year . These incidents have added to the stigma of all gun holders in society, irrespective of their reason, or right to have a gun.

Transmitted: Monday 11 July
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm


Title: Dannsa

The latest Dannsa instalment, following six different dance groups from around Scotland through the highs and lows of rehearsal, competition and performance. The groups are highly diverse in location, style, aspiration, age and accomplishment, including The Space at Dundee College, the teenage girls of the Fusion dance class in Aberdeen, the Ballet West school in Taynuilt, Oban, the asylum seekers and refugees of the Maryhill Integration Network in Glasgow and the over sixties at Dance Base in Edinburgh.

In this programme, street-dancing crew Heavy Smokers welcome presenters Anne Morrison and Kevin Walker to Livingston.

All groups along with their teachers and choreographers face the challenge of putting a special dance piece together for a show which will see all six groups showcasing their talents on the same stage for one night only. Renowned Scottish contemporary choreographer Mr Andy Howitt will have the demanding task of incorporating all six groups for the end of series performance special at the Tramway Theatre in Glasgow.

Dannsa...........six groups, six different dance styles, one live dance show!

Transmitted: Monday 11 July
Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm


Title: A Rèir Na h-Aimsir – Uidhist a Tuath
More often than not the subject of the weather forecast is the first topic of conversation with people you have never met. We continue our weather adventure through the Western Isles in North Uist. On Clettraval we meet a man who paints the weather, it's all aboard for an evening sail with skipper Angus and in Clachan Sands we find out the best weather for thatching.

Transmitted: Tuesday 12 July
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm


Title: An Aghaidh an t-Srutha / Celtic Radicals

The Celtic influence on the birth of the Labour Party.

Transmitted: Wednesday 13 July
Time: 10.30 – 10.55pm