Sabhal Mòr Ostaig (SMO) hosted an evening of celebration in Sleat on Friday October 5 as the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture enjoyed one of its most successful graduation ceremonies in its 45-year history.
In total, 64 students graduated from the undergraduate and postgraduate programme which the college off ers, with particular success in the increased number of students graduating with honours degrees and indeed the highest number of first-class honours awards achieved since SMO was established in 1973.
Chairman of the board of directors at SMO Angus Macleod addressed those present: ‘Forty-five years ago, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig was established to reignite Gaelic and create new opportunities. The underlying philosophy for the Gaelic language and culture was to protect, utilise, encourage and develop it. That is still our main aim, every day and every year.’ This year’s graduation welcomed a new principal and vice-principal, with Dr Gillian Rothach and Dr Marsaili MacLeod having recently taken over from Prof Boyd Robertson and John Norman Macleod.