Learn Gaelic in Scotland
This holiday is operated by a company based in the holiday destination and they will be able to provide expert local knowledge. They will be able to tailor make your holiday to suit your requirements not only concerning the dates of travel but also typically the standard of accommodation, and thus price. It is rare for local operators to be able to help with the booking of your flights.
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
Argyll & Bute Council have a very good recycling programme. Every household has recycling bins, and there are numerous public areas with recycling bins. We recycle plastic, paper, glass, tins, cans. Also, I have a compost heap in my garden. The travel and events company is run from my home. Most of my advertising and communicating is done on line, thus minimising the use of paper. I buy my electricity from Scottish Hydro Electric, this is a renewable source of power.
The five star farmhouse accommodation at Kilmeny, is powered by their own windmill. The Oystercatcher B&B in Port Ellen practise water saving, guest are able to make their own toast so only what is needed is made, they buy local produce for their breakfasts, their power is from Scottish Hydro.
When we are out on adventures and excursions I ensure no litter is left around, and no damage is done to anywhere we go. By living close to the earth a respect is inherent, I feel I am belong to this land and as such I want to take care of it. I believe we are not separate from the land or the birds or animals. We are part of the whole. You didn’t come into this world, you came out of it, like a wave from the ocean. You are not a stranger, here’ Alan Watts. This is the way I see it.
Community
The tour company is run by myself, Rachel. I am originally from Colonsay, but was brought up on Islay, spending my childhood on Daill Farm, Bridgend in the heart of the island. All the people involved with your holiday are people living on Islay. I know all the people you will be staying with during your time on Islay. I know the people in the Finlaggan Centre, in the Musuem of Islay Life. Either myself or my friend will be your Gaelic Tutor. Looking after visitors is the way we make our living.
We take you to the cultural establishments that protect and promote our heritage. The committee of The Finlaggan Trust are entirely voluntary. By visiting Finlaggan, not only are you learning the history of the Lords of the Isles, you are supporting the voluntary committee who have worked tirelessly for years preserving and sharing this rich cultural heritage of Islay and Scotland and indeed, Britain.
This tour contributes to maintaining and encouraging the local language and culture. By sharing with others it strengthens the focus on Gaelic and culture. The more people who learn about the language the better. It is when people are not interested that traditions and languages disappear. It is vital for future generations and for the planet, that different ways of life and different ways of looking at the world and understanding life are maintained and shared. We have to rail against the homogenising of the world. We hope that this tour lets visitors support and share the Gaelic culture of Islay.
My whole concept of the travel and events company is eco-friendly and ethical. The food provided is made by either myself, or by people I know. I use locally made jam. I make the scones myself. Maria Bruce makes the Shearer’s cake. The eggs for my baking are supplied by Babs, Babs and Babs, my friend Norma’s hens. I use the local newspaper office The Ileach to get my printing done. My costs are dearer because I don’t buy in bulk from the mainland, or get cheap items. I buy local, and quality. As part of our tour we visit the Museum of Islay Life – this is another community project. All the heritage and leisure establishments we visit (except the distilleries) are community run, they have charitable status. We get work from the distilleries and they bring people from all over the world to Islay. Islay wouldn’t be Islay without the distilleries. They are part of our history, we have so many distilleries because the Campbells of Islay were the Kings men, and when everywhere else was over seen by external authority in relation to their distilling –Islay initially could oversee its distilling itself. Hence our distilleries were able to establish early and not be forced to close due to overpayment of taxes.
We visit the Round Church in Bowmore, which is run by volunteers and donations, so I factor in a donation for every person to the cost of the trip and give it to the Church. Whither we believe in the religion of this church is not so important, but this church has been here for generations offering a physical and emotional support to people at times of extreme need during bereavement, or in times of happiness by marrying them. I like to support it. It is all a web of life, and by coming on this tour you are part of it. So we can live and work here we need people to come and visit, but so people can come and visit they need people who live here. It is an harmonic relationship.
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