On behalf of The Highland Council, High Life Highland this week confirmed an award of £5,000 has been made by Bòrd na Gàidhlig to support the appointment of Gaelic Cultural Advisors to the Inverness Castle – Spirit of the Highlands project.
As Inverness Castle is transformed into a new visitor attraction to create a gateway for Highland tourism, the Gaelic Cultural Advisors will provide advice on integrating Gaelic language and culture into the design of the visitor experience, in line with The Highland Council’s Gaelic Language Plan.
Brian Ó hEadhra, Partnerships and Funding Manager at Bòrd na Gàidhlig said:
“We commend High Life Highland on their work to embed Gaelic language and culture in this important development.
“We look forward to Gaelic having a prominent position throughout the project and High Life Highland’s work towards the National Gaelic Language Plan aim that Gaelic is used more often, by more people in a wider range of situations.”
Fergus Ewing MSP, co-chair of the Inverness Castle – Spirit of the Highlands Delivery Group said:
“I’m delighted to welcome this support from Bòrd na Gàidhlig on behalf of the Inverness Castle – Spirit of the Highlands project Delivery Group.
“Through this grant we will be well-placed to showcase how Gaelic language and culture plays an important and key role in shaping the spirit of the Highlands, past, present and future”.
Helen Carmichael, Provost of Inverness and Area, and co-chair of the Inverness Castle – Spirit of the Highlands Delivery Group said:
“I’m pleased that Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s contribution will ensure the Inverness Castle – Spirit of the Highlands project helps to contribute to the Highland Council’s focus on promoting Gaelic in our area.
“As a key project that will create a tourism gateway for the Highlands, and one of the Inverness and Highland City Region Deal projects, we aim to enhance the profile of Gaelic for many years to come.”
The transformation of Inverness Castle is supported by £15 million Scottish Government and £3 million UK Government investment through the Inverness and Highland City Region Deal.
It will create a gateway for Highland tourism, contributing to reinvigoration of tourism across the area and providing much needed investment for the industry to aid the recovery from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The project will support economic growth throughout the Highland area, creating a sustainable, viable and “must-see” attraction that will celebrate the spirit of the Highlands.
The Inverness and Highland City Region deal is a joint initiative supported by up to £315m investment from the UK and Scottish governments, The Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and University of the Highlands and Islands, aimed at stimulating sustainable regional economic growth.
