Does Gaelic play a part in the culture and history of Caithness?

A panel of 5 community representatives and a public audience will debate the role that Gaelic has to play in the culture and history of Caithness this Saturday 27^th March 2010 in the MacKays Hotel, Wick.

Hosted by journalist and broadcaster, Lesley Riddoch, the panel will consist of well know Caithness faces James Campbell (Thurso) and Harry Gray (Wick). Harry was awarded Caithness Citizen of the Year in 2006 for his support to the community and James has previously contributed to public forums on the introduction of the Scottish Government’s Gaelic Act 2005. Chief Executive of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Arthur Cormack, has been charged with rolling out the Scottish Government’s Gaelic Plan and will be on the panel while other panel members will include Rob Gibson, MSP and Neil Robertson, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Caithness Chamber of Commerce.

An open invitation has been given to all members of the public to attend and ask questions and already a number of people have indicated their attendance including local councillors, recording artists, senior representatives of Gaelic organisations and local historians.

The debate has been organised by the Local Organising Committee for Mòd Ghallaibh 2010 as a prelude to the first National Mòd, Scotland’s premier Gaelic Festival, to be held in the county this October.

Raymond Bremner, Convenor of the Local Organising Committee said “I am delighted with the response. With the community looking to diversify the economy in the run down of Dounreay, it’s important that we understand how we best consider the part our heritage has to play in our future and Gaelic in particular. The debate will allow everyone who has a point of view to put it forward.

“This certainly seems to have captured the imagination of many people and in view of recent concerns reported in the Press I would like to stress that we are not looking for a public slanging match. I have spoken to a number of our Councillors recently, who are fully supportive of the LOC and the Mòd in Caithness this year, and some of them have said they are looking to attend. We want a good, honest and structured debate and I really hope that members of the local community turn up and make their views known.”

Guests and members of the public will be invited to gather at 1pm for a chance to meet and chat. A finger buffet is being provided by the Local Organising Committee and the debate gets underway at 2pm.

Lesley Riddoch
will open the debate with key questions that have been raised recently in the
public arena and on internet discussion forums.

Mòd activities organised by the Local Organising Committee are gathering a
pace to help raise funds for the National Mòd which will be held in October
2010.
A youth disco has been organised in Skinandis on Friday 26th March and for
those that enjoy a different kind of music there’s a ceilidh in Strathy
Hall on the evening of Saturday 27th.
The ceilidh has a great line up of artists including Mary Ann Kennedy, well
known Gaelic singer/musician.
Mary Ann Kennedy said “Congratulations to the Mòd Ghallaibh team who have
been working so hard, not only to ensure the success of the festival in
October, but to leave a positive and lasting Gaelic legacy in Caithness as
a result of the Mòd.  I’m really looking forward to being in Strathy on
Saturday – it was one of the venues for an early “Cliar” gig and I have
fond memories of the hall, the area and, most importantly, all the folks in
the area.  I’m looking forward to coming back.”
Carol-Anne Mackay, Events Support Officer to the Local Organising Committee
of Mòd Ghallaibh said “The pace is starting to quicken as the Local
Organising Committee start to organise different events to raise funds for
the National Mòd.  There are a lot of local people giving up their free
time to organise a variety of events like these.  We really hope that
people will come out and support them.
“We’re always looking for ideas for fund raising events to support the Mòd
and if anyone has any ideas or wish to get involved I would encourage them
to get in touch with me.”

‘S dòcha nach eil sibh air pàirt a ghabhail ann an farpaisean Litreachais a’ Mhòid roimhe seo. ‘Se cothrom math a th’ ann dhuibh, na sgillean sgrìobhaidh agaibh a thoirt gu aire a mhòr-shluaigh agus, aig an aon àm, duais airgid no dhà a bhuannachadh dhuibh fhèin! Gheibhear tuilleadh fiosrachaidh bho Marina NicLeòid: marina@ancomunn.co.uk

01851 703 487

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Does Gaelic play
a part in the culture and history of Caithness?

The Local Organising Committee for Mòd Ghallaibh 2010 has organised a debate to let members of the public have their say on the role of Gaelic, Scots, English (and Norse) in modern Caithness, as a prelude to the first National Mòd, Scotland’s premier Gaelic Festival, to be held in the county this October.

The debate will be held on Saturday 27^th March 2010 at 1400 hrs in Mackays Hotel, Wick with a panel of five community representatives and hosted by award winning journalist and broadcaster, Lesley Riddoch. Members of the public are invited to come along, ask questions and air their views.

Raymond Bremner, Convenor of the Local Organising Committee said “There appears to be a wide range of views on whether embracing Gaelic culture in Caithness is relevant. We felt it was time to ask members of the local community what they think and we are really pleased that Lesley Riddoch has agreed to host the debate.”

The National Mòd 2010 is coming to Caithness in October and there are a lot of people working away behind the scenes now to ensure that visitors to Caithness are given a warm welcome. Holding an event like this, has provided significant benefits to the economy of Oban and the surrounding area where the Mòd was hosted last year and this debate gives people an opportunity to ensure their views are heard.”

Lesley Riddoch, whose mother’s family are from Wick, added, “I’m delighted to host this event. I know this is a really hot topic and hope that the local community will not hold back so we can have a lively, honest and constructive debate.

As someone who spent 16 childhood summers in Caithness, I know it’s a great place to stay with a unique blend of cultures. If the whole community gets behind the National Mòd 2010 then visitors will be talking about their Caithness experience for years to come.”

Local
support continues with the HomeAid outlet in Thurso making space available for
a Mòd Information point.

The
information point, which will be staffed by volunteers from the local
organising committee, will be open 6 days per week from 10.30am to 4.30pm and will have
merchandise on sale as well as providing leaflets and general information on
Mòd activities throughout the year.

Carol-Anne
Mackay, Events Support Officer said “This is a terrific opportunity to inform
everyone about the events that will take place in the run up to the National
Mòd in October. We hope that this will
allow us to keep everyone informed of the exciting events that are being
organised.”

Raymond
Bremner, Convenor of the Local Organising Committee added “We have been
extremely pleased at the number of volunteers that have come forward and if
anyone thinks they can offer help to man the information point or to help out
in other ways we’d be pleased to hear from them.”

“An
information point is essential in making sure everyone is informed of the
events being organised and general information on the National Mòd. We are extremely grateful to HomeAid staff in
helping to make this happen.”

HomeAid General
manager, Michele
Whibley, said “HomeAid was set up to help and
support our community. By hosting the
National Mòd in Caithness there will be undoubted benefits to the
area and because of this we had no hesitation in agreeing to provide space for
the local organising committee to promote the Mòd. We are very pleased that we have been able to
help.”