Loganair National Gaelic Schools Debate returns

01 November 2022 at 11:50:22

Preparations for the Loganair National Gaelic Schools Debate 2022 has begun and the organising committee has announced who will be competing against each other in the first round of the competition. This is the first time the Deasbad will be held since 2019, with Covid leading to its cancellation in the last two years, and it promises to be a good year: 20 teams from 15 schools have registered for the competition. The first two rounds will be held in Stornoway and members of the public are invited to attend.

The first round pairings are as follows:

8th November, Stornoway Town Hall, from 1pm
The Nicolson Institute B V Nairn Academy
Sgoil Lìonacleit V Sir E Scott School B
Dunoon Grammar School V The Nicolson Institute A
Castlebay Community School B V Bishopbriggs Academy A
Castlebay Community School A V Lochaber High School

8th November, Stornoway Town Hall, from 6:30pm
Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu (Glasgow Gaelic School) V Portree High School
Sir E Scott School A V Gairloch High School
Tain Royal Academy V James Gillespie High School
Ardnamurchan High School V Inverness Royal Academy B
Bishopbriggs Academy B V Inverness Royal Academy A

The second round will follow on Wednesday 9th November, again in Stornoway Town Hall, between 10:30am-1:00pm and again between 2:00-5:00pm. The four teams with the overall highest marks will progress to the semi-finals that will take place in Edinburgh on Tuesday 29th and Wednesday 30th November. The committee welcomes back Agnes Rennie as judge who will be joined by first-time judges Joy Dunlop and Angus Maclennan.

Evelyn Coull Macleod, Chairperson of an Deasbad Nàiseanta's Management Committee commented: "We are delighted to be back together organising the 2022 Deasbad. We would especially like to thank the following groups for providing funding and support this year: Loganair, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the Scottish Government, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Highland Council, Skills Development Scotland,  SQA, BBC Gaelic Broadcasting and Glasgow City Council."

Calum Iain Macleod, Member of the Deasbad committee agreed, adding "It is important for a number of reasons that the Deasbad is back, among them, that it provides pupils with the opportunity to mix with pupils from other parts of Scotland and gives them the opportunity to learn new skills. Debating skills are specialist skills - research skills, conversing in front of other people, working as a team and presenting arguments in a reasonable manner to bring people around to your point of view. These are skills that increase pupils' confidence and that will stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives. We are incredibly thankful to the schools for their hard work and support in participating in this competition at a time when they are busy with school work following two very challenging years."

Councillor Calum Munro, Chair of the Highland Council Gaelic Committee, further added, "We are delighted that the National Gaelic Debate is resuming after a challenging few years for pupils in schools across the area. The Debate is an important event on the national Gaelic and Cultural diary as it engages Secondary pupils who study Gaelic throughout the country and it provides an exceptional opportunity for young Gaelic speakers to use their linguistic and debating skills on both regional and national platforms." He continued, "I'm delighted that Loganair are continuing to support the Debate. This is a good example of both business and public sectors investing and collaborating in order to support and value the importance of our young Gaelic speakers, as they will be the Gaelic and cultural ambassadors of the future. I wish to take this opportunity to thank all the Teams who will be entering and taking part, and wish you all the very best".