UHI North, West and Hebrides and Point and Sandwick Trust give international students a unique insight into island life
UHI North, West and Hebrides and Point and Sandwick Trust recently welcomed a group of 11 linguistics students for an international study visit exploring island life, language and culture in the Outer Hebrides.
Travelling from Canada and various parts of the United States, the students came to Lewis to see first-hand how language, culture and community remain deeply interconnected in the islands.
The students were enrolled on the University of Saskatchewan's two-week experiential course, Languages in Contact: Multilingualism in Scotland, which attracts participants from universities across North America.
Through presentations, discussions and community visits, the group developed a deeper understanding of how island communities maintain their language and cultural identity while responding to modern economic and environmental challenges.
At UHI North, West and Hebrides, the students learned about efforts to promote, strengthen and revitalise Gaelic through the college's Gaelic Language Plan, while also gaining insight into the institution's contribution to the renewable energy sector. They heard from Alasdair Macleod, Engineering Lecturer, about how emerging energy storage technologies can support sustainable communities and help island areas maximise the benefits of their natural resources.
As part of the programme, the group also spent an afternoon with Point and Sandwick Trust (PST), learning how community-owned renewable energy contributes to local resilience and supports projects and services that benefit local people. Discussions explored both the opportunities and challenges associated with renewable energy development in island communities, while also highlighting the strong connections between community ownership, culture and place.
Hosted by PST, the afternoon also gave students the opportunity to meet with members of the local community, including Norman Macleod (Tormod a' Bhùth), and gain first-hand experience of local traditions and culture. On Swordale Moor, they worked together to cut a 50-metre peat bank, learning about a traditional source of fuel that has sustained island communities for generations. The day concluded with a ceilidh celebrating the area's rich cultural heritage, giving the students a unique insight into the language and traditions of the Western Isles.
Reflecting on their five days in Lewis, Dr Martin Kohlberger, University of Saskatchewan, said:
"It has been a tremendous privilege to bring our students to Lewis and to experience first-hand the incredible work being done by UHI North, West and Hebrides and Point and Sandwick Trust. What has impressed me most is the willingness of local organisations and community leaders to invest their time, expertise and resources in creating meaningful educational opportunities for our students. Experiences of this kind are only possible because of that generosity and commitment.
"We are deeply grateful for the welcome we have received, and I am hopeful that this visit will serve as the foundation for a long-term partnership built on shared interests in language, culture, education and community engagement.
"The visit also highlighted the connections between language, culture, community development and renewable energy, giving students a unique opportunity to experience Gaelic as a living language embedded within island communities today."
The remainder of their time in Lewis the students engaged with members from the Urras Coimhearsnachd Bhràdhagair agus Àrnoil, as the students were based at Grinneabhat on the West Side.
Jayne Macleod, Gaelic Officer at UHI North, West and Hebrides, who met the students and shared insights into the value of the Gaelic language and culture, said:
"Gaelic is a key priority for UHI North, West and Hebrides and the college is committed to playing a leading role in Gaelic education, research and community engagement, working closely with communities to support language learning and increase opportunities for Gaelic use in everyday life.
"Visits like this allow students to experience Gaelic as a living language and gain a deeper appreciation of the important role it continues to play in communities across the Outer Hebrides."
DJ MacSween, General Manager of Point and Sandwick Trust, said:
"We were pleased to welcome the students to Point and to share our experience of community ownership. Renewable energy can bring significant benefits to local communities when people have a direct stake in development, and it was encouraging to see such interest in how communities can use these opportunities to support their long-term sustainability.
"The visit also provided a valuable opportunity to showcase the culture, heritage and community spirit that remain at the heart of life in the Point and Sandwick villages."
For more details on the courses on offer at UHI North, West and Hebrides, please visit the Courses page. To find out more about Point and Sandwick Trust, please visit their website.