NEART: Strength
The Neart project, led by Fèisean nan Gàidheal, aimed to empower young people in the Western Isles, inspire educators, and reinvigorate Gaelic as a vital community asset. Working across four secondary schools—The Nicolson Institute, Sir E Scott School, Liniclate Secondary, and Castlebay School—the project explored the role of Gaelic in education, community, and future careers.
Neart set out to achieve three primary outcomes:
Empowering Young People: Building confidence in Gaelic language skills and demonstrating its cultural, social, and professional value.
Re-inspiring Educators: Encouraging innovation and engagement to better support Gaelic learners.
Reinvigorating Communities: Promoting Gaelic as a positive and inclusive part of everyday life.
The project began in early 2024 with research and consultations, including a survey of young people aged 16–25 and findings from the Short-Life Working Group on Gaelic. Fèisean nan Gàidheal staff visited schools and engaged with educators and students to gather insights into the current status of Gaelic in their lives.
In April and May 2024, full-day workshops were held at each school. These sessions combined creative activities and discussions to explore Gaelic’s role in three key areas:
Gaelic in the Community: Students reflected on the connections between language, culture, and opportunities in their local communities. Discussions addressed both challenges and potential solutions to strengthen Gaelic’s presence.
Gaelic in Schools: Historical context, such as the 1872 Education Act, was used to discuss the evolution of Gaelic rights in education and explore ways to improve its role in secondary schools.
Gaelic in Careers: Workshops highlighted diverse career paths where Gaelic could be an asset, moving beyond traditional roles like teaching and media.
While the workshops varied in engagement levels, they provided valuable insights into how young people viewed Gaelic and its relevance in their lives.
In June 2024, focus groups from the schools came together in Harris and Uist to envision a Sàr Sgoil (Dream School) with Gaelic at its core. These sessions encouraged creativity and critical thinking about school design, curriculum development, and community inclusion.
Participants worked on various aspects, such as designing the physical environment, creating business plans, and exploring the role of media through a crash course in citizen journalism. The sessions ended with students writing letters to their future selves about how Gaelic might shape their lives, to be revisited in 10 years.
The Neart project highlighted significant variations in the experiences of Gaelic learners across the Western Isles. It revealed a decline in positive perceptions of Gaelic between primary and secondary education and underscored the importance of innovative approaches to supporting the language.
Through open dialogue, historical context, and creative engagement, the project encouraged young people, educators, and communities to reflect on Gaelic’s role and potential. By amplifying young voices and fostering collaboration, Fèisean nan Gàidheal laid important groundwork for sustaining and growing Gaelic as a vibrant part of life in the Western Isles.
The project planned to conclude with Online Cafés, connecting young people with Gaelic-speaking professionals to further explore the language’s relevance in modern careers and communities. This final step aimed to inspire new possibilities for Gaelic in the years to come.