Honorary Award for Sabhal Mòr Ostaig Director

Sabhal Mòr Ostaig was visited by members of the Saltire Society, last Saturday (28.06.08), as they were undertaking a train journey between Fort William and Mallaig and then Kyle of Lochalsh and Inverness.

Whilst visiting Sabhal Mòr they took the opportunity of awarding the College Director, Professor Norman N Gillies, with Honorary Membership of the Saltire Society. This Honorary Membership was awarded in recognition of services to Gaelic.

This is the second time that Norman has been honoured by the Saltire Society. Last year on St. Andrews Day he received an award in “Recognition of Excellence in the Contribution to the Understanding of Highland Culture” at an event staged at the Culloden Battlefield and Visitor Centre.

Professor Gillies, on receiving this latest award said;

“As Director of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig I am very pleased indeed to receive this award. This recognition from the Saltire Society marks the great work being done at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig to improve the status and standing of Gaelic in Scotland.

Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, as the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture has a major role to play in helping to achieve the aspirational aims of the National Plan for Gaelic.”

The ceremony of conferring honorary membership on Professor Gillies was carried out in Gaelic by Saltire Society member Roy Pedersen.

Photo: (From left: Roy Pedersen, Saltire Society Member, Professor Norman N Gillies, Hector MacDonald, Convenor Highland Branch, Saltire Society, Lorimer Mackenzie, Council Member, Saltire Society.)