A £1.8m (pounds) centre for culture, heritage and education, and the teaching of Gaelic language and culture has been opened on the Island of Islay.

Ionad Chaluim Chille Ile (The Columba Centre) is modelled on Sabhal Mor Ostaig, the Gaelic college on Skye. The centre employs four full-time staff and can cater for 15 full-time students and two post-graduate research students as well as offering a range of short courses.

Mike Watson MSP, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, officially opened Ionad Chaluim Chille Ile this morning (Friday 16th August).

The Minister said:  "As minister with responsibility for Gaelic it gives me great pleasure to officially open Ionad Chaluim Chille Ile.  This centre builds on the Executive's initiatives to further the development of the Gaelic language and culture through education, broadcasting and the arts and its clear aim to provide greater access to education, training and lifelong learning opportunities for all our communities."

Argyll and the Islands Enterprise (AIE) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) contributed over £400,000 (pounds) to the cost of the building, including £75,000 (pounds) towards installing photovoltaic cells on the roof - hi-tech sun-slates which convert light into electrical energy to power the building.  A further £200,000 (pounds) came from the Department of Trade and Industry's Renewable Energy Programme, making Ionad Chaluim Chille Ile one of the first buildings in Scotland to have a photovoltaic roof.

A former cottage hospital building and approximately two hectares of land at Gartnatra, near Bowmore were donated by Argyll and Bute Council and Islay Estates to establish Ionad Chaluim Chille Ile.  As well as being a centre for education, interpretation and enjoyment of Gaelic language and culture, the building also aims to appeal to a specialised conference market.

AIE chief executive Ken Abernethy said: "This is an extremely important day for the Gaelic language and culture and a significant day for Islay and Scotland.  Ionad Chaluim Chille Ile is set to benefit Islay in the same way that Sabhal Mor Ostaig has made a positive impact on Skye.

"Enhancing the value and culture of our heritage is a priority for AIE, as is the development of skills.  Ionad Chaluim Chille Ile, with its interpretative exhibitions and its multi-purpose and teaching facilities is an exciting new venture for the area and one which we hope will help to boost the local economy in the future."