Hats off to new Gaelic guides at castle

Published on Tuesday 14 June 2011 16:26

Schoolchildren have finished their training to become Historic Scotland's first Gaelic-speaking Junior Guides at Edinburgh Castle.

The pupils from the city's Tollcross Primary School performed a 16th century royal banquet scene in Gaelic in front of an invited audience in the Great Hall on Monday.

Afterwards, they were presented with graduation certificates as fully fledged Edinburgh Castle Gaelic Junior Guides.

The guides can now conduct historical performances for their peers at key times of the year, and have the chance to appear in an educational film featuring their guided tour.

The film marks the 500th anniversary of the completion of the Great Hall, and is aimed at Gaelic speakers and learners of all ages.

Alasdair Allan, the minister for learning and skills, said: "Numbers of Gaelic learners and those in Gaelic medium education are growing and it is fitting that Edinburgh Castle, so significant in terms of national identity, is responding to demand."

Anne MacPhail, principal teacher of Gaelic at Tollcross Primary School, added: "This project provided a unique opportunity for pupils to learn on-site about the castle and its people, while developing their own talking, writing and drama skills."