Contact
Kirsty Atkinson \u2013 07736 281 684<\/p>\n\n\n
Gaelic Ambassador of the Year Award made at launch of Royal National M\u1f78d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BBC presenter Kirsteen MacDonald has won the prestigious Gaelic Ambassador Award 2014 on the opening night of the Royal National M\u1f78d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inverness born Kirsteen was presented with her prize by Minister for Scotland\u2019s Languages Alasdair Allan at the opening reception of the annual celebration of Gaelic culture at the Town House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The former Millburn Academy pupil is well known as a broadcaster on shows spanning radio and television, including D\u00e8 a-nis?, An L\u00e0 and Seachd L\u00e0 on BBC Alba and as BBC Scotland\u2019s first Gaelic speaking weather presenter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Minister said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cReceiving accolades at the M\u1f78d is a regular occurrence for Kirsteen as a previous winner of the Gold Medal, the Traditional Medal and the Oban Times Medal. She has also plenty of experience on the other side of proceedings as the host of last year\u2019s Gaelic Awards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKirsteen is not only a familiar face on television but has also been an incredible advocate of the benefits of speaking and being educated in Gaelic. If we are really committed to preserving and celebrating Gaelic culture, it is young speakers that we need to reach out to and encourage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am delighted to present Kirsteen with this beautiful award, crafted by talented local silversmith Alan Baillie, in recognition of her support for Gaelic and the encouragement she has given to others to follow in her footsteps and use their bilingualism to enhance their career and achieve their ambitions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An Comunn G\u00e0idhealach President John Macleod said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKirsteen is a worthy recipient of the Gaelic Ambassador of the Year award, made with the support of the Scottish Government. She is a superb role model particularly for the younger generation of Gaelic speakers, having been educated in Gaelic, won the very highest awards for Gaelic singing, and presented children\u2019s and adult\u2019s programmes on BBC channels as well as bilingually hosting high-profile events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe is a great example of the cultural and broadcasting opportunities that are available to today\u2019s bilingual youngsters, having used her range of skills to promote Gaelic language and culture at the highest level. Her achievements and her continuing commitment to her adopted language proves that the current resurgence of Gaelic can successfully cross generational boundaries, and it gives us great pleasure to identify her for this prestigious award at the 2014 Royal National M\u00f2d in her home city.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kirsteen MacDonald added: \u201cI am honoured and humbled to be receiving this prestigious award. Being recognised as the Scottish Government\u2019s Gaelic Ambassador is something very special to me as the language has been a huge part of my life, from Gaelic Medium Education to using it on a daily basis in my place of work and in many other aspects of my life too. I would like to thank An Comunn G\u00e0idhealach and the Scottish Government for this award and would like to dedicate it to all the people who have helped me learn the language over the years\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Gaelic Ambassador of the Year was first presented in 2008. Each year an artist living in, or near to, the host town or city is chosen to design and create the award. Kirsteen\u2019s award was created by silversmith Alan Baillie. Examples of Alan\u2019s work can be seen at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Background
Previous winners of the Gaelic Ambassador of the Year Award are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2013 John Norman Macleod
2012 Ruairidh Maclean
2011 Donald Martin
2010 Allan Campbell
2009 Anne Lorne Gillies
2008 Julie Fowlis<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more information on the Royal National M\u1f78d visit https:\/\/ancomunn.co.uk\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Contact
Kirsty Atkinson \u2013 07736 281 684<\/p>\n\n\n
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