Delivering for island communities!

First Minister John Swinney will travel to the Outer Hebrides to underline his commitment to ensuring a prosperous future for Scotland’s island communities.

Ahead of arriving in Lewis later today, Mr Swinney announced £690,000 to help safeguard the future of Gaelic media content. Scottish Government investment will help transform MG Alba Stornoway into a cutting-edge Gaelic media and creative hub, while supporting energy efficiency improvements to ensure the facility is fit for the future.

The First Minister will undertake a number of visits and engagements during his trip to the Outer Hebrides, including the deep-water terminal in Stornoway, Hebridean Housing Partnership, Western Isles Hospital, and community projects in North and South Uist.

First Minister John Swinney said:

“Scotland’s islands have a special place in my heart and as First Minister I will always stand up for our island communities.  Our islands have particular challenges but also remarkable potential and I am determined to ensure they are empowered to meet it.”

“Integral to supporting communities on islands like Lewis is safeguarding the future of Gaelic. Our £690,000 investment will create a new creative centre for Gaelic media at the site of MG Alba’s Stornoway headquarters, putting them ahead of the curve and ensuring they can continue to provide high-quality Gaelic content.”

“Our islands are also at the forefront of harnessing Scotland’s renewables potential to build a sustainable energy future. The deep-water terminal in Stornoway is a significant and impressive piece of infrastructure, supported by Scottish Government funding, that will unlock the island’s economic potential both as a green energy gateway and a cruise ship destination.”

The First Minister will arrive in Lewis on Thursday evening before undertaking engagements on Friday. He will then travel to North and South Uist on Saturday.

A’ lìbhrigeadh às leth choimhearsnachdan eileanach
Am Prìomh Mhinistear gus tadhal air Na h-Eileanan Siar.

Bidh am Prìomh Mhinistear Iain Swinney a’ siubhal do Na h-Eileanan Siar gus an cuir e am follais an dealas aige do choimhearsnachdan eileanach na h-Alba.

Mus ruig e Leòdhas nas anmoiche an-diugh, tha Mgr Swinney air £690,000 fhoillseachadh leis an tèid àm ri teachd nas tèarainte a thoirt do mheadhanan na Gàidhlig. Bidh an tasgadh-airgid seo bho Riaghaltas na h-Alba na chuideachadh do MG ALBA ann an Steòrnabhagh is iad a’ toirt cruth-atharrachadh air na h-oifisean aca gus am bi iad mar ionad mheadhanan is cruthachail Gàidhlig a tha aig fìor aodann a’ ghnìomhachais. Bheir seo cuideachd taic do leasachaidhean a thaobh èifeachdas cumhachd gus dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil an goireas aca freagarrach don àm ri teachd.

Thèid am Prìomh Mhinistear air grunn thursan is coinneamhan san ùine aige anns Na h-Eileanan Siar. Am measg iad seo bidh an cala domhainn ann an Steòrnabhagh, Ospadal nan Eilean, Com-pàirteachas Taigheadais Innse Gall agus pròiseactan coimhearsnachd ann an Uibhist a Tuath agus Uibhist a Deas.

Thuirt am Prìomh Mhinistear Iain Swinney:

“Tha àite sònraichte aig eileanan na h-Alba sa chridhe agam agus mar Phrìomh Mhinistear bidh mi an-còmhnaidh a’ seasamh an àrd airson ar coimhearsnachdan eileanach. Tha na h-eileanan againn a’ dèiligeadh le dùbhlain shònraichte ach tha cuideachd comas annasach aca is tha mi gu daingeann airson dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil a’ chumhachd aca sin a choileanadh.”

“’S e a bhith a’ glèidheadh àm ri teachd tèarainte don Ghàidhlig rud a tha riatanach ri bhith a’ cur taic ri coimhearsnachdan air eileanan mar Leòdhas. Tha an £690,000 a tha sinn a’ tasgadh ann am MG ALBA a’ dol a chruthachadh ionad cruthachail ùr do mheadhanan na Gàidhlig aig prìomh oifisean MG ALBA ann an Steòrnabhagh. Nì seo cinnteach gu bheil MG ALBA aig fìor aodann a’ ghnìomhachais is gun cùm iad orra a’ toirt seachad seirbheisean agus prògraman Gàidhlig de dh’àrd-ìre.

“Tha eileanan leithid Leòdhas cuideachd a’ cluich prìomh phàirt ann a bhith a’ toirt gu buil comas na h-Alba a thaobh cumhachd ath-nuadhachail agus a bhith a’ togail àm ri teachd seasmhach. ’S e an cala domhainn ann an Steòrnabhagh – a fhuair taic bho Riaghaltas na h-Alba – pìos bun-structair a tha cudromach agus airidh air moladh. Bidh seo a’ fuasgladh comas eaconamach an eilein – an dà chuid mar àite a bheir cothrom air cumhachd uaine san fharsaingeachd agus mar cheann-ùidhe airson soithichean-turasachd.

Cùl-fhiosrachadh
Bidh am Prìomh Mhinistear a’ ruighinn Leòdhas air feasgar Dhiardaoin mus bidh e a’ dol an sàs ann an coinneamhan air Dihaoine. Siubhailidh e an uair sin a dh’Uibhist a Tuath agus Uibhist a Deas air Disathairne mus fàg e na h-eileanan.

Main Image – MG ALBA Offices – Credit MG ALBA