1. Cò thu agus cò às a tha thu?

Is mise Raonaid Kellow, Tosgaire Òg na Bliadhna. ‘S ann à Inbhir Pheofharain a tha mi ach sna laithean seo tha mi a’ fuireach ann an Dùn Omhain.

 

2. Innis dhuinn mu do cheangal leis a’ Ghàidhlig.

Chaidh mise tron t-siostam fhoghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig bhon Chròileagan suas dhan Oilthigh. Chan eil Gàidhlig aig mo phàrantan ach cha robh sin na bhacadh dhomh idir agus tha mi glè thaingeil son na cothromanan a bh’ agam mo cheangal a dhaingeachadh leis a’ Ghàidhlig. A-nis tha Gàidhlig aig cridhe mo bheatha, ‘s i an luachan as motha agam is tha na cleachdaidhean is eachdraidh aig a’ Ghàidhlig air leth chudromach dhomh.

 

3. Dè am facal Gàidhlig as fheàrr leat?

Ceist dhoirbh! Feumaidh mi a dhà ainmeachadh, agus ‘s iad ‘brùideil’ ‘s ‘bùrach’ na faclan Gaidhlig as fheàrr leam. ‘S fìor thoil leam cho Albannach ‘s a tha ‘brùideil’ agus tha gaol agam air cho cumanta ‘s a tha am facal ‘bùrach’ fiu ‘s anns a’ Bheurla – ‘s fìor thoil leam nuair a bhios na ceangalaichean sin eadar na cànanan.

 

4. Innis dhuinn rudeigin annasach mu do dheidhinn – ‘fun fact’!

Aon rud a chuireas iongnadh air daoine, ‘s e nuair a dh’ionnsaicheas iad nach eil mise air a bhith ann an Ikea a-riamh…tha mi fhathast a’ feitheamh airson na meatballs ainmeil sin fheuchainn.

 

5. Dè an seòrsa tachartas a chòrdadh riut faicinn air Seachdain na Gàidhlig / am bi thu fhèin a’ ruith thacharts(an)?

Bu mhath leamsa tachartasan nàdarra fhaicinn. Sin tachartasan a dhèanadh sibh gu làitheil co-dhiu ach gu bheil a’ Ghàidhlig aig a chridhe, am fòcas as làidire. ‘S iadsan na tachartasan a bhios nas buailtiche cumail a’ dol as dèidh na seachdaine.

 

6. Dè a chanadh tu ri duine sam bith a tha airson pàirt a ghabhail san t-seachdain?

Ma tha sibh air a bhith a’ sireadh chothroman Gàidhlig a chleachdadh no a bhith a’ lorg do choimhearsnachd Ghàidhlig ionadail ‘s e seo an t-àm as fheàrr a bhith air do bhogadh ann. Theirg dhan duilleag Cleachd i agus cuir thu fhèin air adhart son gach rud a ‘s urrainn dhut. Cha tig ach buannachdan a-mach às!

Ma bhios sibh airson tachartas a ruith…tòisich beag. Chan fheum na tachartasan a bhith saoghlta is chan eil aon thachartasan ‘gòrach’ ann. Mar a chanas sinn…nì clachan beag càrn mòr.

 

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1. Who are you and where are you from?

I am Rachel Kellow, Young Ambassador of the Year. I come from Dingwall but these days I live in Dunoon.

 

2. Tell us about your relationship with Gaelic.

I went through Gaelic Medium Education from Cròileagan up until University. My parents don’t speak Gaelic but that never held me back and I am grateful for all the opportunities I’ve had to deepen my ties with Gaelic. Gaelic is now at the heart of everything I do, it’s my biggest asset and the traditions and history of Gaelic are hugely important to me.

 

3. What’s your favourite Gaelic word?

A difficult question! I’d need to choose two and they are ‘brùideil’ (beastly, brutal) and ‘bùrach’ (a mess). I love how Scottish ‘brùideil’ sounds and I love how ‘bùrach’ has become commonplace even in English – I really like when you see these links between the languages.

 

4. Tell us something about yourself – a ‘fun fact’!

It always amazes people when I tell them I’ve never been to Ikea…I’m still waiting to try those famous meatballs.

 

5. What sort of events would you like to see during Seachdain na Gàidhlig / will you be running events?

I’d like to see natural events happening – events which you’d attend on a daily basis anyway but with Gaelic at the heart of it and as the prime focus. Those are the events which will be more likely to recur after Seachdain na Gàidhlig.

 

6. What would you say to anyone who wants to take part in Seachdain na Gàidhlig?

If you’ve been seeking opportunities to use Gaelic or looking to find your local Gaelic community, this is the best time to become immersed in it. Go to the Cleachd i website and sign yourself up for everything you can. You will only benefit!

If you want to run an event…start small. The event doesn’t need to be too ambitious and there is no ‘silly’ event’. As we say… ‘Nì clachan beag càrn mòr,’ (small stones will make a big cairn.)