Term 2: In October/November 2023 S1-S6 Art & Design and Gaelic pupils enjoyed day trips to The National Museum of Scotland, The Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, The Hunterian Museum, and Loch Lubnaig. It was amazing to see the museum collections and the Scottish art and artefacts, such as paintings, tartan, weaponry, standing stones, and Jacobite glassware. Pupils produced drawings on The National Museum of Scotland trip, and listened to folktales and learnt more about Gaelic place names on the tour around Loch Lubnaig, Ardlui and Balloch. These trips were all made possible with the funding from the Heritage Lottery. A big thank you to all the National Lottery players!

Term 3: At the moment, S1-3 pupils are still learning more about Gaelic heritage and culture and are participating in some competitions, particularly in the Gaelic and Art & Design Departments. The deadline has been extended until the end of February for all competitions: drawing, design, colouring-in, photography, drama, and creative-writing (bi-lingual). Hopefully, there will be entries from our associate primaries and nurseries and local special schools. There have been some brilliant entries submitted so far! Judging will take place in early March, with prizes and certificates awarded shortly afterwards, and there will be an online exhibition featuring winning entries and other entrants.

Term 4: As part of Aithne there will be an illustration event for S1-2 pupils and Gaelic heritage-themed P7 transition events hosted by the Art & Design and Technical Departments in April/May. Hopefully, the mosaics created by GHS pupils and the artist Alan Potter will be installed outside the Gaelic department and the front exterior of the school – it will exciting to see the finished pieces! These mosaics are based on Gaelic folklore and the meaning behind the Gaelic name for Cumbernauld – ‘The Meeting of the Waters’. There is also a small mosaic for the Gaelic pupils at Condorrat Primary school. These mosaics should help to make Scottish Gaelic heritage more visible.

One of the main outcomes of Aithne is to make our Gaelic heritage more valued and we are hoping to create a 360-degree immersive experience for the NLC digital classroom which will showcase our competition winners and work by other entrants.

Click Here To Download the Competition Entrees

This project is sponsored by the Heritage Lottery Fund with a £10,000 grant!