Sabhal Mòr Ostaig celebrates class of 2024

Guests, lecturers, staff and students gathered at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig’s Graduation Ceremony in Sleat last Friday night (4th October) to celebrate the class of 2024.

62 graduates received undergraduate and post-graduate awards from the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture, including seven First Class Honours degrees and eight special awards. The Higher Education awards are conferred by UHI, and the Professional Development Award in Gaelic Translation and Foundation Apprenticeships are conferred through SQA.

As part of the ceremony, the prestigious Sàr Ghàidheal award was presented to Dr Anne Lorne Gillies and Ruairidh MacLean for their outstanding contributions to the Gaelic language and culture.

Dr Gillian Rothach Sabhal Mòr Ostaig Principal said:

“Sabhal Mòr Ostaig is the only place in the world that provides Gaelic immersion across all learning programmes. Our talented graduates have been given a unique opportunity to transform their confidence in the language. I am extremely proud of every one of them, and I very much hope that they go on to live and work with Gaelic, and that they will contribute to the revitalisation of our language and heritage. Congratulations to them all.”

Tòmas Young from Dunoon in Argyll was awarded a First Class Honours BA in Gaelic and Traditional Music and received two awards on the night: ‘The Comunn na Gàidhlig Award’ (for the student who did most to promote Gaelic among other students), and ‘The Calum Bàn Award’ (in memory of our colleague Calum Robertson, awarded to the outstanding student in traditional music).

Tòmas spent four happy years in Sleat teaching piping with the Isle of Skye Pipe Band, enjoying walks in the Cuillin and taking part in several trips as part of the music course. He performed at a number of music events such as Sabhal Mòr Ostaig @50 at Celtic Connections.

Tòmas said:

“I am grateful to those who encouraged me to study at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and to all the lecturers and staff who helped me complete my degree. The BA in Gaelic and Traditional Music has given me a much greater understanding of the Gaelic language, music and culture. I very much enjoyed learning about all aspects of the Gaelic language, and I shall continue to learn more.

“I am now carrying on my studies on the PGDE (Secondary Schools) post-graduate course and continuing to teach piping and develop my teaching skills. Sabhal Mòr Ostaig has given me a brilliant foundation for my next step."