SABHAL MÒR OSTAIG AWARDS HONOURS FOR EXCEPTIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO GAELIC

Sir Iain Noble and Dr. John MacInnes were awarded with special honours for their exceptional contributions to Gaelic language and culture, at a dinner held at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig earlier this month.

Since creating the Eilean Iarmain Estate in 1972, Sir Iain Noble has played a considerable and significant role in the resurgence of the area, economically, culturally and especially the Gaelic language. Since instigating the first Gaelic courses to be held at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in 1973, Sir Iain has keenly followed and supported the further developments of the College.

At the ceremony itself, Sheriff Roddy John MacLeod, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, praised Sir Iain for his imagination, vision, encouragement, his never-wavering spirit and his support for Sabhal Mòr Ostaig over the years.

On receiving the accolade, Sir Iain Noble said:”I am both proud and humbled to be receiving this award. I am exceptionally pleased with everything that has been achieved by the college and would like to praise everyone who has been involved since its inception, and I wish them, and the college, every success in the future.”

Dr. John MacInnes was commended for his scholarly and personal contribution to Gaelic language and culture. Dr. MacInnes, a senior lecturer at the School of Scottish Studies at Edinburgh University until 1993, and who has also been involved in television and radio broadcasting, was praised by Meg Bateman, poet and lecturer at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig: “Many generations of students are thankful to Dr. MacInnes and hold him in great esteem for the way he took an interest in each one of his students. There can not be a more endearing nor insightful scholar than Dr. MacInnes.”

Both Sir Iain Noble and Dr. MacInnes were in attendance at the following night’s graduation ceremony where they were awarded with their accolades alongside Sabhal Mòr Ostaig’s graduates.