New Bursary to Help Gaelic Language Students

An ongoing partnership between Gaelic Affairs and the Scottish Government will allow five students to travel to Scotland to study Gaelic language and culture.

The Scottish Government announced the bursary program in Scotland today, Oct. 14, at the annual Gaelic Mod, a cultural festival that hosts competitions in music, song, spoken word and storytelling. It will fund the bursary program, which supports Gaelic language training and use in Nova Scotia.

"The commitment from the Scottish Government is sincerely appreciated and clearly demonstrates the value of our positive working relationship," said Maureen MacDonald, Minister of Gaelic Affairs. "The bursary program will help bolster the efforts of Gaelic Affairs and will have meaningful outcomes for the Gaelic community in Nova Scotia."

Alasdair Allan, Minister for Gaelic with the Scottish Government, said that he is pleased to announce a new link with the Nova Scotia Gaelic community.

"The 10,000 pounds a year in bursaries will allow a small number of Gaelic students to come to Scotland for summer language learning," said the minister.

The bursary will provide about $16,000 in Canadian funds.

"We are looking forward to finalizing the details of the program with our counterparts in Scotland," said Lewis MacKinnon, executive director of Gaelic Affairs. "Bursary recipients will have an opportunity to share their experiences with the Gaelic community in Nova Scotia."

In 2002 the province of Nova Scotia and the Highland Council in Scotland signed an agreement to support language and culture initiatives that focus on exchange, education, culture and economic development.

Nova Scotia is the lone remaining Gaidhealtachd, or living language and cultural region of Scottish Gaelic, outside of Scotland.