UOG welcomed Shona Macmillan to the team this month where she will work with community groups and businesses in the area to strengthen the use of the Gaelic language.

The new post which is supported by HIE and Bòrd na Gàidhlig will see the Urras focus on providing a range of activities which build on the interest in Gaelic heritage and culture in the community.

Shona’s role will focus on increasing access to and supporting the learning of the language and addressing the needs of the people who live and work in, and visit the area either for business or leisure purposes.

Shona said: “I will be working closely with community groups and businesses on the estate, and helping them to use Gaelic in everyday life to strengthen its use and identify opportunities to work in partnership. I have always wanted to work actively in the promotion of Gaelic and I am very much looking forward to what the coming months will bring.”

In January 2007, with financial support from HIE and the Scottish Land Fund, and with overwhelming support from the local community, UOG took ownership of the Galson Estate. The trust manages 56,000 acres on behalf of the community in the north west of Lewis.

The estate comprises 616 crofts in 22 crofting townships and is a great example of what a community buyout can achieve.

A successful community investment programme is used by the trust to invest funds from a renewable energy project back into the community. 

Here is Agnes Rennie, Chair of UOG speaking about the milestones of the Urras over the years and about plans for the future. 

Seo Agnes Rennie a' bruidhinn mu dheidhinn Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn thar na bliadhnaichean a chaidh seachad agus mu na planaichean a th' aca san t-àm ri teachd. 

Dh'fhastaich Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn Oifigear leasachaidh Gàidhlig - Shona NicMhaolain - 's iad a' cur air adhart pròiseact trì bliadhna far am bi iad a' toirt taic dhan chànain agus ga brosnachadh air feadh na sgìre.

Bidh an t-Urras a’ cur air adhart sreath de thachartasan agus iomairtean Gàidhlig. Thathar airson togail air an dlùth cheangal a th’ aig an sgìre ris a’ Ghàidhlig agus an ùidh a th’ aig daoine sa Ghàidhlig agus cultar na Gàidhlig mu thràth anns a’ choimhearsnachd.

Thuirt Shona: "Bidh mi ag obair le buidhnean coimhearsnachd agus gnìomhachais anns an t-Urrais agus dhan cuideachadh le bhith a' cleachdadh na Gàidhlig airson neartachadh a thoirt dhan chànan agus bidh sinn a' coimheadh airson dòighean airson ag obair ann an compàireachais. Tha mi a' coimhead air adhart ri na mìosan a tha romhainn."

Chaidh an t-Urras a chur air bhonn ann an 2007 agus anns an ùine fhada san iomairt Ghàidhlig seo tha iad airson fhaicinn ciamar a gheibh gnìomhachasan cothroman gus fàs a thoirt air an obair aca agus gus obraichean agus cothroman obrach saor-thoileach a bharrachd stèidheachadh san sgìre.