Completion of Cnoc Soilleir extension marked with community open day
The completion of Cnoc Soilleir’s major extension was celebrated on Friday (28 August), at a community open day in South Uist, with the new 200-seat auditorium and a specialist dance studio now ready to expand opportunities for music, dance, Gaelic culture and the arts.
Cnoc Soilleir is a Gaelic cultural, educational and community centre in Daliburgh, South Uist. It is a joint venture between Ceòlas Uibhist and UHI North, West and Hebrides.
The community open day marks the completion of the final phase of Cnoc Soilleir’s development, bringing to life the vision for a dedicated centre for music, dance, Gaelic language and culture in South Uist.
The £200,000 Scottish Government contribution has supported the development, which significantly expands the opportunities available to the local community, as well as to Cnoc Soilleir’s joint venture partners, Ceòlas and UHI North, West and Hebrides.
The extension will create new opportunities for local performers and provide a venue capable of attracting national and international music, arts and theatre productions. The dance facilities will also support expanded tuition, including traditional step-dance.
Peggy Ann MacMillan, Ceannard of Ceòlas said:
“The opening of the auditorium at Cnoc Soilleir is a truly exciting milestone for our community. This remarkable new space will provide opportunities for creativity, learning, performance and connection, helping to celebrate and strengthen Gaelic language, culture and the arts for generations to come. We are delighted to see this vision become a reality and look forward to the many inspiring events, conversations and experiences that will take place here.”
Lydia Rohmer, Principal and Chief Executive of UHI North, West and Hebrides, said:
“The completion of the extension marks a significant milestone in the development of Cnoc Soilleir and represents a major investment in the future of Gaelic language, culture, education and community sustainability in Uist.
“The new facilities create exciting opportunities to expand learning, creativity, research, performance and community engagement, while strengthening Cnoc Soilleir’s position as a nationally significant centre rooted in the language, culture and heritage of the islands.”
Archina MacLellan, Engagement Lead at UHI North, West and Hebrides said:
“We look forward to continuing to work alongside Ceòlas, fellow members and the wider community to ensure these completed facilities and the opportunities they present are fully realised for the benefit of Uist, the Outer Hebrides and the wider Highlands and Islands as Cnoc Soilleir enters this exciting new chapter.”
Alex O'Henley, Chair of Cnoc Soilleir Board said:
“Many of our community are already familiar with the new, expanded facilities for performance and education at Cnoc Soilleir after a summer of sold-out events, but it was heartening to see so many new faces, especially young children, at the recent Open Day. From the outset the community of South Uist has been the driving force behind Cnoc Soilleir and we look forward to welcoming them back in future months and years to what is now recognised as a 'Gaelic space' which celebrates and safeguards our language, music and culture.”
Since opening in 2022, Cnoc Soilleir has flourished as a vibrant hub for Gaelic and traditional arts, culture, education and community engagement. The centre has become central to the work of Ceòlas, providing a permanent venue for its annual summer school alongside a year-round programme of music and heritage events, workshops and Gaelic classes.
It also provides modern teaching facilities for UHI North, West and Hebrides, including spaces for in-person and online learning and a high-specification recording studio used by HNC Music and BA (Hons) Applied Music students.
The building is also home to UHI North, West and Hebrides’ archaeology team, whose pioneering virtual archaeology work in Uist will soon expand to sites in Barra and Harris.
Cnoc Soilleir is a joint venture between Ceòlas Uibhist and UHI North, West and Hebrides. Built in two phases, the building officially opened in August 2022, with work on Phase 2 completed in June 2026.
Local construction firm MacInnes Bros Ltd was appointed for both projects, with the building designed by John Renshaw Architects to cutting-edge PassivHaus standards.
The overall project has been financed by the Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.
The community open day provided an opportunity for local people to see the completed facilities and celebrate the next chapter in Cnoc Soilleir’s development as a centre for Gaelic language, culture, education, music, dance and community life in South Uist.
To find more about the UHI North, West and Hebrides courses available at Cnoc Soilleir, please visit: https://www.nwh.uhi.ac.uk/en/about-us/campuses-and-centres/cnoc-soilleir/