History is made in Lesmahagow! Gaelic tuition returns!

For the first time in hundreds of years, Gaelic was being taught in Lesmahagow again!

Ulpan units 1-3 were taught on Saturday 2nd October to a few people interested in learning Gaelic who came from as far afield as Glasgow to participate in this historic day. Gaelic was one of the languages used in Lesmahagow since before the Abbey was constructed by Tironesian monks from Kelso in the 11th century, and Lesmahagow's name is itself derived from Gaelic. Indeed, there is an ambition to re-establish Lesmahagow as a centre of learning. Our secretary believes Lesmahagow is the ideal location for a Gaelic Centre of Excellence for the Lowlands, and with talk of a new Gaelic Academy on the grapevine, perhaps this may become a reality... Only time will tell.


Glasgow's Gaelic Meetup assisted with the organisation of the class, and our secretary was taken on board by the overall organising body, Lesmahagow Development Trust, to project manage 'Gaelic Lessons in Lesmahagow'. Lesmahagow Development Trust is a recently established independent and not-for-profit company with charitable status with the objective of funding and implementing projects to enhance the facilities and environment of the village. The involvement by Glasgow's Gaelic Meetup is part of the group's commitment to promoting Gaelic in and around Glasgow.

Rhoda Meek was the Ulpan tutor and can be seen in the photo passing on the Gaelic language in Lesmahagow's Resource Centre. The learners thoroughly enjoyed their experience of learning Gaelic through Ulpan.

To be kept updated on future Gaelic related initiatives in Lesmahagow please get in touch:

Text / Call  Jamie 07583655022 or Liz 07962181956
Leave a voice message on 0844 58 555 35 (24hrs)
Email: info@lesmahagowdevtrust.com
Lesmahagow Development Trust
Learning Gaelic in Lesmahagow             

11 Boughden Way

Lesmahagow

ML11 0BL

Clasaichean Còmhraidh Ghlaschu get off to a GREAT start!

With a fantastic turnout of over 30 Gaelic learners, Glasgow's newest Gaelic conversation classes got off to the perfect start. Our theme of then night was 'Gaelic Learning for All'. To begin with, the first twenty to register were given a free 'Learner Bag' including a notepad, pen, highlighter and the latest release of the Gaelic Orthographic Conventions. This was followed by a tour of Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu. Donalda McComb led a tour of  the bùn-sgoil and gave our learners a valuable insight into Gaelic Medium Education, the development of which Donalda played a key role. Secretary of Glasgow's Gaelic Meetup, Jamie Wallace said: "I think it's important that our learners get to meet some of the key players in the Gaelic community in Scotland. Not only do I believe that it helps to add to our learners' sense of purpose for learning Gaelic but I hope the opportunities we create will also help to create a bridge for learners of Gaelic to engage with Gaelic speakers which in turn I hope will increase self-esteem and confidence in our learners and speakers to engage with eachother and use Gaelic in and around Glasgow more often."

While the tour of the school was under way, our enthusiastic Gaelic tutors went about setting up the room for the conversation class. Cailean Masterton was charged with the Beginners, half of whom had no Gaelic and were keen to learn the language (see photo to the right). Adhamh O Broin looked after the intermediate level, pushing them to their limits on the first night! Ruaraidh MacIlleathain helped out by leading the conversation with our more advanced learners who were able to take advantage of the opportunity to chat away about a range of subjects.

All in all, the first of the conversation classes were carried out with professionalism and most importantly were carried out to the satisfaction of the Gaelic learners who came from ten different council areas in and around Glasgow as demonstrated by their testimonials:

 "I enjoyed the tour of the school but the second part of the night was really excellent the level of Gaelic required was demanding but not impossible.  Chì mi sibh an ath mhìosan." Gordon, Falkirk

"The Beginner's class was good fun, and I learnt a lot in a short space of time. The tour of the school was great too. [It was] really nice meeting other Gaelic learners and teachers. I really enjoyed my first Gaelic meetup, and think the group is great!" Francis, Glasgow

“Bha e math a bhith a' bruidhinn ri Ruairidh MacIlleathain 's daoine eile. Tha mi 'n dòchas gum bi an ath mhìos cho math ri sin.” Rick, East Dunbartonshire

The next conversation class is being held on Wednesday, 27th October 2010 at 7pm at Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu. For details of the programme for the night or if you have any questions, please visit http://www.eventelephant.com/gaelic-classes.