Heritage
Ambition: Increase general knowledge of, access to, and participation in Uist Gaelic culture and heritage, so that it is prominent in our communities, education opportunities and economy.
Heritage
“I’m training to be an art teacher. I’m American and my husband is Uist. I’m not fluent yet but I’ve been learning Gaelic for three years. I learned in the garage when I was fixing cars, having a cuppa with Catriona MacIntyre, and on Duolingo every day for two years. I use Gaelic with the children and around the islands. I remember my father-in-law speaking Gaelic all the time and I miss the sound.
Everyone who comes here should learn a little or more Gaelic. The language is incredibly important to the community and culture. I hope I can hear and use more Gaelic.”- Tessa
Action
Groups who link with this action
Community Action
D1.1 Promote existing heritage resources and support – map what’s already available; share and use widely.
Comunn Eachdraidh Eirisgeidh
Ceòlas
Fèis Tìr a’ Mhurain Tir An Eorna +FnanG
UHI NWH- Uist Unearthed
Comann Dualchais Innse Gall
Museum nan Eilean
Comann Eachdraidh Uibhist a Tuath
Ceann na h-Àirigh
Taigh Chearsabhagh
Improvement Plan Sgoil Lionacleit
North Uist Agricultural Society
Lionacleit Library
North Uist Development Company
Host or attend local event, or volunteer with your local heritage group. Include use of these resources in projects.
D1.2 Develop CPD (Continuing Professional Development) for teachers and workers on Uist culture and heritage.
UHI NWH- Uist Unearthed
Comann Dualchais Innse Gall
Museum nan Eilean
Comann Eachdraidh Uibhist a Tuath
Ceann na h-Àirigh
Visit Outer Hebrides
Are you a teacher or professional? Ask for CPD linked to local heritage and dialect.
Do you have the skills to contribute? Contact one of the organisations to get things moving.
D1.3 Celebrate and promote local dialects across Uist – not just Gaelic, but your Gaelic.
Tobar an Dualchais, Comunn Eachdraidh Eirisgeidh
Ceòlas
Fèis Tìr a’ Mhurain Tir An Eorna +FnanG
Improvement Plan Sgoil Lionacleit
Uist Primaries
Early Years
North Uist Agricultural Society
North Uist Development Company
Record elders, collect place names, or help build a local dialect map similar to Stòras Shlèite – share songs, stories, create resources.
Create a facal na mìos resource on Uist Bèo or socials, highlighting some specifically Uibhisteach vocabulary.
D1.4 Grow intergenerational projects – e.g. storytelling, music, traditions, digital archiving.
Comunn Eachdraidh Eirisgeidh
Ceòlas
Fèis Tìr a’ Mhurain Tir An Eorna +FnanG
Comann Dualchais Innse Gall
Comann Eachdraidh Uibhist a Tuath
Ceann na h-Àirigh
Taigh Chearsabhagh
Improvement Plan Sgoil Lionacleit
Uist Primaries
Early Years
North Uist Agricultural Society
North Uist Development Company
Start a family project or bring a relative to share a story at school or an event.
What do you know about the history and traditions of your own township, the local landscape?
D1.5 Create a speakers’ list of local experts willing to share stories, crafts or skills with pupils.
Comunn Eachdraidh Eirisgeidh
Ceòlas
Fèis Tìr a’ Mhurain Tir An Eorna +FnanG
UHI NWH- Uist Unearthed
Comann Eachdraidh Uibhist a Tuath
Ceann na h-Àirigh
Taigh Chearsabhagh
Outer Hebrides Heritage Forum
North Uist Development Company
Have knowledge to share? Sign up as a speaker or encourage others to.
D1.6 Link heritage and education: develop or support delivery of subject choices like Cultar na Gàidhlig and IDL: projects in schools as standard parts of the curriculum.
Comunn Eachdraidh Eirisgeidh
Ceòlas
UHI NWH- Uist Unearthed
Comann Dualchais Innse Gall
Ro-Innleachd Sgoil Lionacleit
Pupils: ask to learn more about your own culture and history in class.
Offer your skills to contribute to such a module.
D1.7 Engage with folklorists and non-Gaelic speakers who hold deep knowledge of Uist heritage.
Comunn Eachdraidh Eirisgeidh
Ceòlas
UHI NWH- Uist Unearthed
Comann Dualchais Innse Gall
Ro-Innleachd Sgoil Lionacleit
North Uist Development Company
Lionacleit Library
Interview someone in your community and help record their story.
D1.8 Showcase heritage work through creative means – podcasts, mini-documentaries, audio walks, art exhibitions.
Comunn Eachdraidh Eirisgeidh
Ceòlas
Fèis Tìr a’ Mhurain Tir An Eorna +FnanG
UHI NWH- Uist Unearthed
Ceann na h-Àirigh
Taigh Chearsabhagh
Visit Outer Hebrides
MG Alba
North Uist Development Company
Start a project or pitch an idea – could you film your granny telling stories?
OUR VISION FOR 2030
Managing the Plan
The Uist Gaelic Stakeholder Group will oversee Plana Gàidhlig Uibhist, meeting quarterly to review progress, update actions, and respond to new opportunities. This regular review will keep the plan active and relevant, allowing it to adapt as local circumstances change. The Group will also include a representative of the Gaelic Youth Forum, once established.
www.planauibhist.scot will act as a central point for updates, practical tools, and examples of what’s working. It will also help individuals, groups, and organisations find ways to contribute or lead on particular actions.
Social media and regular updates in Am Pàipear will help keep Plana Gàidhlig Uibhist visible and connected to the wider community.
Local ambassadors will be appointed across the islands to encourage progress and to share progress on social media.
The aim is steady, continuing and practical progress and not just a one-off campaign soon put aside. By involving individuals, communities, and working closely with local organisations and public bodies, we can create the conditions for Gaelic to be more present and more widely used in everyday life across Uist.