Alba : Salmond - 'Create opportunities for the language to thrive'

The opening of a new facility at the Gaelic-medium college on Skye (Sabhal Mòr Ostaig) at a cost of £8 million has signalled the continuing commitment of the Scottish Government to the 'national language'.

Fàs – Gaelic for growth – is the centre for the creative and cultural industries. Its objective is to attract and support small - and medium - sized cultural enterprises.

Officially launching the facility, earlier this week, Scotland's First Minister, Alex Salmond pledged £260,000 which will fund digital TV production and post-production equipment and support the college's plans for a Gaelic historical dictionary.

The First Minister told those at the opening ceremony :

« There can be no doubt that Gaelic truly is a national language » and added « The new centre for creative and cultural industries at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig has the potential to emerge as the birthplace of a whole host of new and exciting Gaelic cultural products and services. »

He also said « What we must do is create the economic and cultural opportunities for Scotland's Gaelic speakers – and the language – to thrive ».

The Chairman of Highlands and Islands Enterprise, William Roe, one of the key funders of Fàs also pledged HIE support saying :

« HIE is really pleased to have made such a significant and leading contribution to Fàs, which is a hugely important project for Skye, both culturally and economically. At £3.6m overall HIE's support was our largest-ever investment in a single creative industries project anywhere in the Highlands and Islands, and was critical in ensuring that the project would progress. High quality jobs are being supported and a world-class business environment has been created in a rural area. »

« Developing quality learning infrastructure is fundamental to the long term growth and sustainability of the Highlands and Islands. The mix of cultural and business activity at Fàs will create a vibrant centre for creativity, promoting creative industry as well as creativity and the arts, in the context of Gaelic culture and language. »

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

18/04/08