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Panel Selected for Gaelic Debate
Does Gaelic play a part in the culture and history of Caithness?
A panel of 5 community representatives and a public audience will debate the role that Gaelic has to play in the culture and history of Caithness this Saturday 27th March 2010 in the MacKays Hotel, Wick.
Hosted by journalist and broadcaster, Lesley Riddoch, the panel will consist of well know Caithness faces James Campbell (Thurso) and Harry Gray (Wick). Harry was awarded Caithness Citizen of the Year in 2006 for his support to the community and James has previously contributed to public forums on the introduction of the Scottish Government’s Gaelic Act 2005. Chief Executive of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Arthur Cormack, has been charged with rolling out the Scottish Government’s Gaelic Plan and will be on the panel while other panel members will include Rob Gibson, MSP and Neil Robertson, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Caithness Chamber of Commerce.
An open invitation has been given to all members of the public to attend and ask questions and already a number of people have indicated their attendance including local councillors, recording artists, senior representatives of Gaelic organisations and local historians.
The debate has been organised by the Local Organising Committee for Mòd Ghallaibh 2010 as a prelude to the first National Mòd, Scotland’s premier Gaelic Festival, to be held in the county this October.
Raymond Bremner, Convenor of the Local Organising Committee said “I am delighted with the response. With the community looking to diversify the economy in the run down of Dounreay, it’s important that we understand how we best consider the part our heritage has to play in our future and Gaelic in particular. The debate will allow everyone who has a point of view to put it forward.
“This certainly seems to have captured the imagination of many people and in view of recent concerns reported in the Press I would like to stress that we are not looking for a public slanging match. I have spoken to a number of our Councillors recently, who are fully supportive of the LOC and the Mòd in Caithness this year, and some of them have said they are looking to attend. We want a good, honest and structured debate and I really hope that members of the local community turn up and make their views known.”
Guests and members of the public will be invited to gather at 1pm for a chance to meet and chat. A finger buffet is being provided by the Local Organising Committee and the debate gets underway at 2pm.
Lesley Riddoch will open the debate with key questions that have been raised recently in the public arena and on internet discussion forums.
Published: 29th Mar 2010« Back to Mod News List
