
Coinneach MacIver and Iain MacAulay.
Comunn na Gàidhlig (CnaG) has appointed a new chair.
Iain Macaulay – originally from North Uist – who retired earlier this year from his post as Director of Social and Community Services at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar takes over from Coinneach ‘Mòr’ Maciver, who has been chair of Comann na Gàidhlig since 2012.
Iain was brought up in North Uist and educated at Dunskellar School, Paible School and Inverness Royal Academy before graduating in Social Work from Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen in 1981.
Iain is a fluent Gaelic-speaker and is married to Anne with a family of two, Marion, who is currently a teacher at Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu and Andrew who has recently taken up a post as a social worker team-leader with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.
On standing down, Coinneach “Mòr” MacIòmhair said: “I have been a member of the Comann na Gàidhlig board of directors for nine years, the past four as chair.
“At a time when huge pressure on public funding is creating uncertainty year on year, I leave Comunn na Gàidhlig in a strong position, with an excellent board of directors and a team of loyal, diligent staff.
Iain Macaulay said: “I am very much looking forward to working with CnaG and all the key stakeholders in supporting Gàidhlig and make a positive contribution to the current work being undertaken in revitalising the language and increasing both the numbers using the language and also the levels of usage on a day to day basis.
“I recognise there will be many challenges, however, a lot of good work across the Gàidhlig community is being done and the forthcoming National Plan for Gàidhlig provides a great platform and opportunity in promoting the Gàidhlig language in our communities.”
Uibhisteach a’ gabhail an stiùir aig Comunn na Gàidhlig
Tha Comunn na Gàidhlig (CnaG) air cathraiche ùr a chuir an dreuchd. ‘S esan Iain MacAmhlaigh, à Uibhist a Tuath, ach a’ tha an diugh a’ fuireach air a Bhac.
Chaidh Iain a thogail an Uibhist a Tuath, agus chaidh oideachadh an sgoiltean Dhùn Sgealair agus Paible an Uibhist a Tuath agus an uairsin an Acadamaidh Rìoghail Inbhir Nis mun cheumnaich e an Obair Sòisealta an
Ann a bhith a’ seasamh sìos mar Chathraiche aig CnaG, thuirt Coinneach “Mòr” Macìomhair, “Tha mi air a bhi air Bòrd-stiùiridh ChnaG airson 9 bliadhna, 4 dhiubh sin mar Chathraiche.
Aig àm far am bheil airgead poblach a’ crìonadh, tha sin ag adhbharrachadh mi-chinnt bho bhliadhna gu bliadhna, ach, tha mi a’ fàgail ChnaG ann an deagh shuidheachdh, le Bòrd stiùiridh agus sgioba luchd obrach làidir.
Thuirt Iain MacAmhlaigh, “Tha mi gu mòr a’ coimhead air adhart ri bhith an sàs le CnaG agus an luchd-compàirteachais eile ann a bhith a’ cur taic ris a’ Ghàidhlig agus a’ cur ris an obair a tha a’ dol air adhart an ceartuair gus ath bheòthachadh a thoirt air a’ chànan agus àrdachadh a thoirt air an àireamh sluaigh a tha a’ cleachdadh na Gàidhlig agus cuideachd an ìre a thathas ga cleachdadh bho latha gu latha.
Tha mi ag aithneachadh gum bidh dubhlain romhainn bho àm gu àm, ach, tha obair mhath a’ dol air adhart sna coimhearsnachdan an ceartuair agus tha am Plana Nàiseanta Gàidhlig a bhithtear a’ foillseachadh sna mìosan air thoiseach oirnn a’ toirt deagh chothrom tuilleadh fhoillseachadh agus leasachadh a dhèanamh air a’ Ghàidhlig nar coimhearsnachdan.”