Gaelic trailblazers celebrated at 2023 Scottish Gaelic…

Gaelic trailblazers celebrated at 2023 Scottish Gaelic Awards

Last night’s Scottish Gaelic Awards saw a celebration of the nation’s most outstanding contributors to Gaelic language and culture. The awards, in partnership with title sponsor Bòrd na Gàidhlig, were held at the Glasgow Marriott Hotel, with the ceremony hosted by broadcaster Cathy Macdonald.

The awards, which also featured a performance by folk band Dàimh, saw winners recognized for contributions to Gaelic across a variety of industries, art forms and events - including Marcas Mac an Tuairneir who took home the Arts and Culture Award, An Comunn Oiseanach who won the Community Award, and Gaelic in Sport winner Màiri NicRisnidh.

This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award winner was Allan Campbell - a tireless champion of Gaelic for almost four decades now. Allan has held a variety of roles over the years - working as a broadcaster with the BBC, being appointed president of An Comunn Gàidhealach in 2017, and sitting on the board of a wide range of Gaelic organisations.

Allan has worked tirelessly to preserve Gaelic - championing the need for opportunities to use the language in all parts of life, and to provide support for Gaelic speaking communities that keep the language and culture alive. Allan also led the campaign that delivered the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act of 2005, and prompted the establishment of Bòrd na Gàidhlig - of which he was the first CEO.

Speaking about his win, Allan said: ‘’I owe a debt of gratitude to many exceptional people with whom I was involved over the years, many of whom have now passed but who I remember with great affection.’’

Gaelic pioneers like Allan are exactly who the awards are designed to celebrate, as we work to safekeep and build on a priceless cultural heritage. Mairi MacInnes, Chair of Bòrd na Gàidhlig said of the awards: “Gaelic belongs to everyone. It already enriches the daily lives of the people of Scotland and beyond. It creates benefits, both social and economic, and increases wellbeing for Gaelic users, learners and supporters, across Scotland and internationally.

We’re here this year, as part of World Gaelic Week, to celebrate some of the people and organizations who work hard within Gaelic and we’re so fortunate to have so many of them among us.”

The full list of winners is as follows:

Arts & Culture Award - sponsored by Creative Scotland