Ceanglaichean Coimhearsnachd / Community links

We are always keen to establish links both with the local Gaelic Community and the wider Gaelic world. We often invite visiting speakers to come and show our pupils how Gaelic has enriched their own lives and careers. We look for opportunities to involve our pupils in competitions, events and trips. Here are some examples.

FilmG has uncovered a wealth of talent since its launch in 2008 with a number of young participants going on to enjoy successful media careers. The competition is open to high school classes, independent filmmakers, and primary schools. Usually Gaidhlig medium pupils in S2 and Gaelic Learners in S3 take part in this competition, but pupils can also take the opportunity  organise themselves into a mixed group to develop their idea. Industry experts come in for two full days to help filming and editing. We have won the pop video category once and we have won nominations for various others. It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn a wide range of practical skills as well as using Gaelic language skills in a challenging but fun situation. Here is an example of one of our films.

Air an Airigh
​At the Shieling

The Shieling Project is an off-grid learning centre based in Glen Strathfarrar, near Beauly in the Highlands of Scotland.  The project is all about outdoor living – from looking after our livestock to making real buildings, from weaving baskets to making burgers from the meat we have raised here. The tradition of the shieling where folk lived outdoors all summer herding the cattle, gives us a window onto the past, but also helps us look forward to a sustainable future

We have taken Gaelic Learners' classes to the Sheiling where they have learned vocabulary connected with life "air an airigh", at the sheiling and with their local Highland landscape.

The National Schools' Gaelic Debating Competition

Each year we take two (sometimes four) pupils from S4 to S6 ( sometimes younger) to represent Dingwall Academy at this established debating competition. The first rounds are held in Stornoway and the final two rounds are held in the Scottish Parliament. Dingwall Academy have won the competition twice, in 2006 and 2013.