Milestone for Gaelic medium degrees

An event has been held to mark 15 years since the start of Gaelic medium degrees at Lews Castle College.

Graduates from down the years gathered at the college to commemorate the milestone.

College principal, Iain Macmillan, welcomed the former students while the keynote address was given by Annie Macsween, a member of the inaugural team which launched Gaelic courses to university level.

In a pioneering move, teaching and learning was all done through the language.

Even now "Gaelic" degrees in Scotland's older universities continue to be delivered through the language of English.

For many island students, the ground-breaking development means they can study on home ground, opening up education opportunities for people with family or financial commitments who cannot decamp to the central belt for three or four years.

With some 92% of graduates finding jobs in higher paid degree-related roles, the Gaelic-medium degrees achieve a high success rate in preparing students for professional careers.

Milestone for Gaelic medium degrees

9 October 2016