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SGEULACHDAN ÀS EILEAN IARMAIN / STORIES FROM EILEAN IARMAIN

25 March 2022 by
50 bliadhna air ais thàinig Sir Iain Nobail a dh’fhuireach san Eilean Sgitheanach nuair a fhuair e seilbh air an fhearann a bh’ air fhàgail de sheann oighreachdan nan Dòmhnallach ann an Slèite agus an t-Srath ann an 1972.
B’ e fear gnothachais gun samhail a bh’ann an Sir Iain agus fear aig an robh lèirsinn air leth. Gus dèanamh cinnteach gun tigeadh airgead a dh’ Alba agus gum biodh obraichean air an cruthachadh ann an raointean a leithid malairt, ionmhas agus gnìomhachas, stèidhich e sreath de dh’ iomairtean farsaing, àrd-amasach agus ùr-ghnàthach bho obair na h-ola agus luingearachd gu ionmhas, bancaireachd agus uisge-beatha.
Bha e daingeann a thaobh a bhith ag ath-nuadhachadh cànan is cultar na Gàidhlig agus ag ath-bheothachadh na h-eaconamaidh agus le sin chuir e cuideam air a bhith a’ cruthachadh chothroman obrach dha daoine ionadail, a bhith a’ cumail daoine a seo an àite a bhith gan call gu na bailtean mòra agus a bhith a’ cleachdadh a’ Ghàidhlig san àite obrach, sa choimhearsnachd agus ann am foghlam.
Mar phàirt de na h-iomairtean aige stèidhich e Sabhal Mòr Ostaig ann an 1973 – aithnichte gu h-eadar-nàiseanta an-diugh mar Ionad Nàiseanta Cànan is Cultar na Gàidhlig agus an aon institiud de a leithid san t-saoghal. Mar chomharra air cho cudromach sa bha Sir Iain ann an ath-bheothachadh na Gàidhlig, chaidh OBE a bhuileachadh air ann an 1989.
Am bliadhna tha Fearann Eilean Iarmain, còmhla ri corra ghnìomhachas eile sa choimhearsnachd, a’ comharrachadh ceann-bliadhna sònraichte agus le Seachdain na Gàidhlig a’ tighinn gu crìch, bu mhath leinn a ràdh – Iain, a charaid, tapa leibh.
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50 years ago Sir Iain Noble of Ardkinglas and Eilean Iarmain came to live in Skye when he acquired the remaining lands of the ancient MacDonald Estates in Sleat and Strath in 1972.
Sir Iain was one of Scotland’s most farsighted and influential entrepreneurs. Through his foresight to ensure Scottish investment and career opportunities in areas of commerce, finance and industry he set up a succession of wide ranging, ambitious and pioneering enterprises from oil exploration and shipping to finance, banking and whisky.
In his commitment to restoring the language and culture of Gaelic and reinvigorating the economy he focused on creating local employment and career opportunities, reversing the brain drain and re-instating Gaelic in the work environment, in the community and in education.
As part of his initiatives he founded Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in 1973 – recognised internationally today as the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture and the only institute of its kind in the world.
In recognition of the significance of Sir Iain’s contribution to the revival of the Gaelic language he was appointed OBE in 1989.
This year Fearann Eilean Iarmain, along with a few other golden oldies in the community, mark our 50th anniversary and as World Gaelic Week draws to a close, we would like to say – Iain, a charaid, tapa leibh.