Argyll and the Islands Enterprise (AIE), part of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise network, has pledged £200,000 towards the cost of developing a Gaelic centre on the Island of Islay.

Ionad Chaluim Chille Ile (The Columba Centre), is a £1.8 million project which aims to further the development of the Gaelic language through the study, interpretation and enjoyment of the language, culture, history and heritage. The centre is set to build on other national initiatives designed to boost Gaelic and because of its location, it is hoped it will also promote stronger links between Scotland and Ireland.

When open, Ionad Chaluim Chille Ile will create 4 full-time, year-round jobs and service up to 12 full-time students and four post-graduate research students annually, with a range of short courses also on offer. In addition, the facility will house a number of interpretative exhibitions attracting tourists and locals alike to the centre.

The new facility, which is due to open in September 2001, will be housed in a converted cottage hospital at Gartnatra, near Bowmore, the building and land having been donated by Argyll and Bute Council. The charitable company driving the initiative, also called Ionad Chaluim Chille Ile, has directors drawn from Sabhal Mor Ostaig - the lead partner in the project - the Islay Development Company, Co-roinn Gaidhlig Ile, Dhuira 's Colobhasa, Islay and Jura Council for Voluntary Services, the University of the Highlands and Islands project, and Comunn na Gaidhlig.

Robin Currie, chairman of the board of Ionad Chaluim Chille Ile, said: "With this commitment AIE is showing its faith in a project which is very important culturally and economically for Islay and Argyll. We are in the process of applying to the Millennium Commission and we also hope to have European funding, but this is the first building block to be put in place.

"Donations for the project have also come from Highland Distillers, Islay Estates, Gleaner Oils and Islay Estates Ltd."

AIE chief executive, Ken Abernethy said: "Argyll can, with some justification, claim to be the cradle of Scottish Gaeldom. This project has the potential to reinforce and boost the Gaelic culture of Islay and in part, have an economic impact on the island such as what Sabhal Mor Ostaig has achieved on the Sleat peninsula on Skye.

"Ionad Chaluim Chille Ile will not only enhance the value of the Gaelic culture and heritage but will help people to develop IT skills through distance learning. It also presents the island with a new and interesting tourist attraction."