Margaret Campbell's Testimonial
My name is Margaret Campbell, and I’m 44 years old. I’m from Iochdair, on the Isle of South Uist.
I speak Gaelic fluently and try to use it as much as possible, especially with my family and the older generations in the community and around the island. I also sing Gaelic songs and am part of a small singing group that performs at local events. Over the past few years, this has given us the opportunity to sing at events in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and even London—a truly memorable experience.
My daughter, Mairead, is in Primary 3 at Iochdair School in the Gaelic Medium Education (GME) stream. Since I grew up speaking Gaelic, I felt it was important for her to have the same opportunity. For me, it’s vital to keep the language alive and to ensure that Mairead grows up with a strong connection to her cultural heritage.
I also believe that knowing Gaelic will benefit her in the future, opening doors to unique job opportunities. In addition to school, Mairead attends a Highland dancing class, where Gaelic is regularly used between the teacher and her friends.
Our community has a rich tradition linked to the Gaelic language, with festivals, fèisean, ceilidhs, and local Gaelic events. These gatherings bring people together to enjoy Gaelic songs, music, and stories, and I believe they play a crucial role in strengthening our community bonds.
I also work at Hebridean Jewellery, where Gaelic is part of my role. I design and create jewellery that often features Gaelic phrases, blending language and culture into each piece.
’S e Mairead Chaimbeul an t-ainm a th’ orm, agus tha mi 44 bliadhna a dh’aois. ’S ann às an Iochdair, ann an Uibhist a Deas, a tha mi.
Tha mi fileanta sa Ghàidhlig agus bidh mi a’ feuchainn ri cleachdadh cho tric ‘s as urrainn dhomh, gu sònraichte le mo theaghlach agus na ginealaich as sine sa choimhearsnachd agus timcheall an eilein. Bidh mi cuideachd a’ gabhail òrain Ghàidhlig agus tha mi nam bhall de
bhuidheann a bhios a’ seinn aig tachartasan ionadail. Thairis air na beagan bhliadhnaichean a dh’ fhalbh, tha seo air cothrom a thoirt dhuinn seinn aig tachartasan ann an Glaschu, Dùn Èideann, agus fiu’s Lunnainn – cuimhneachain air leth prìseil.
Tha mo nighean, Mairead, ann an clas Bun-sgoil 3 aig Sgoil an Iochdair ann am Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig. Bhon a dh’fhàs mi fhèin suas a’ bruidhinn Gàidhlig, bha mi a’ faireachdainn gun robh e cudromach an aon chothrom a bhith aice-se. Dhòmhsa, tha e deatamach an cànan a chumail beò agus dèanamh cìnnteach gum fàs Mairead suas le ceangal làidir ris an dualchas chultarail aice.
Tha mi cuideachd gu làidir den bheachd gum bi eòlas air a’ Ghàidhlig na buannachd dhi san àm ri teachd, a’ fosgladh dhorsan gu cothroman obrach is eile. A bharrachd air an sgoil, bidh Mairead a’ frithealadh clas dannsa Gàidhealach, far am bi a’ Ghàidhlig air a cleachdadh gu cunbhalach eadar an tidsear agus a caraidean.
Tha dualchas beairteach aig a’ choimhearsnachd againne co-cheangailte ris a’ Ghàidhlig, le fèisean, cèilidhean, agus tachartasan Gàidhlig ionadail. Bidh na cruinneachaidhean seo a’ toirt daoine còmhla le òrain, ceòl, agus sgeulachdan Gàidhlig agus tha mi a’ creidsinn gu bheil pàirt chudromach aca ann a bhith a’ neartachadh ar ceanglaichean coimhearsnachd.
Tha mi cuideachd ag obair aig Hebridean Jewellery, far a bheil Gàidhlig mar phàirt den dreuchd agam. Bidh mi a’ dealbhadh agus a’ cruthachadh seudraidh agus tric bidh abairtean Gàidhlig a’ nochdadh air an t-seudraidh againn, a’ measgachadh cànan is cultar an luib gach
