Promoting the culture of the Highland environment

This year is the year that Scotland celebrates Highland culture (www.highland2007.com). As part of the celebrations, Scottish Natural Heritage is planning a programme of activities to promote the Highland environment and its intimate relationship with people.

From spring to autumn, a series of 'Treasure Trails' for schools and families will take place at around a dozen National Nature Reserves across the country. A travelling 'Green Machine' will visit schools and community events promoting the natural heritage as an asset to enjoy, as well as a possible career choice. This is a joint initiative between SNH and Forestry Commission Scotland.

A series of three nature workshops in the medium of Gaelic will take place at Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve, for Gaelic primary schools in the central belt. And SNH will also be supporting the Touchwood Festival in Dingwall, organised by Forestry Commission Scotland.

In June at SNH's new purpose built head office, Great Glen House in Inverness, there will be an Open Day and an exhibition of the work of Highland Naturalists. In the autumn there will be a major environmental artworks event.

SNH is also supporting a range of other activities around the Highlands that have been organised as part of the Year of Highland Culture celebrations.

SNH north director Susan Davies, who leads the group that has established SNH's Highland 2007 projects, said: "The natural environment of the Highlands has been throughout history, and continues to be, an integral part of Highland culture. The suite of projects that SNH is directly supporting demonstrates this link. The events will also provide a great opportunity for people to get out and learn more about their local environments, and to have fun doing so. I am delighted SNH is able to contribute to Highland 2007 in this way."

Ag adhartachadh àrainneachd na Gaidhealtachd

Am bliadhna tha Alba a’ comharrachadh bliadhna na Cultar Ghàidhealach (www.highland2007.com). Mar phàirt den bliadhna cultarach, tha SNH a’ cuir air dòigh tachartasan airson àrainneachd na Ghaidhealtachd agus an càirdeas a th’ann eadar seo agus na daoine a’ bhrosnachadh.

Thèid sreath de “Treasure Trials” a chuir air dòigh airson sgoiltean agus teaghlaichean eadar an Earrach agus an Fhoghar mun cuairt mu dhusan Teàrmainn Nàdair Nàiseanta. Bi “A bhus Uaine” a’ tadhal air sgoiltean and tachartasan ionadail a tha a’ brosnachadh an dualchas nàdair mar rud phrìseil a bharrachd air dreuchdan. Tha an iomairt seo eadar Dualchas Nàdair na h-Alba agus Coimisean nan Coilltearachd na h-Alba.

A’ gabhail àite aig an Tearmann Nàdair Nàiseanta Loch Laomainn bi sreath de bùithtean-obrach nàdarrach tro mheadhan na Gaidhlig airson sgoiltean Gaidhlig a Ghlaschu. Iomairt eile air bheil SNH a’ toirt taic ‘se pròiseact ealain Gaidhlig a tha àrd-sgoil Ulapul a’ cruthachadh. Cuideachd tha SNH a’ toirt taic dhan fhèis Touchwood ann a Inbhir Pheofharain a tha Coimisean nan Coilltearachd na h-Alba a’ sàs ann.

Air an 23mh den t-Òg Mhios bi Taigh a’ Ghlinne Mhòr, an togalach ur mòr aig Dualchas Nàdair na h-Alba ann an Inbhir Nis, fosgailte dhan phoblach air fad le taisbeanaidhean dhen obair a bh’aig luchd-nàdarra Albannach, a bhitheas anns an togalach airson tri mìosan. As t-Fhoghar, bi tachartas mòr a thaobh na h-ealain is an àrainneachd a gabhail àite cuideachd.

Tha Dualchas Nàdair na h-Alba cuideachd a’ toirt taic do tachartasan eile mun cuairt a’ Ghaidhealtachd a tha air a chuir air dòigh airson Bliadhna na Cultur Ghàidhealach.

Thuirt Stiùiriche a Tuath SNH, Susan Davies, a tha a’ stiùireadh a’ bhuidheann a tha air na pròiseactan Gaidhealtachd 2007 a’ steidheachadh “Tha an àrainneachd na Gaidhealtachd air a bhith tro eachdraidh agus a tha a’ leantainn air a bhith mar phàirt cudtromach den Cultar Gàidhealach. Tha na pròiseactan a tha Dualchas Nàdair na h-Alba a cuir taic ris a’ sealltainn an ceangal seo agus a’ toirt cothrom do dhaoine faighinn a-mach agus barrachd ionnsachadh mu dheidhinn na h-àrainn ionadail aca agus tlachd fhaighinn bhuapa. Tha mi toilichte gu urrainn Dualchas Nàdair na h-Alba cuir ri Gaidhealtachd 2007 anns an dòigh seo.