BY DANIEL CULLEN
A group of senior pupils at Plockton High School have launched a new social enterprise aimed at promoting Gaelic language and culture through locally-designed merchandise.
The project, titled ‘Muir’ (Gaelic for ‘sea’) was developed as part of a new social enterprise elective, where pupils were challenged to create a small business that would give back to the community.
Starting from scratch, the group chose to focus on Gaelic culture, something they say felt both natural and important. The Free Press spoke to some of the group: Sorcha (S5); Elisabeth (S6); Lily (S5); Isabella (S6) and Tilly (S5) (pictured).
“Gaelic is so relevant to our lives,” Elisabeth explained, “we live in the Highlands, so it’s pretty much already a part of us. We see it everywhere, so we might as well just strengthen those connections a bit.”
The pupils described Gaelic as something embedded in everyday life, visible not only in school but across the wider landscape.
“We see it around the school, it’s on road signs, it’s everywhere,” they added, “and also, some of us are fluent speakers, so it’s a big part of our families as well.”
While levels of fluency within the group vary, they spoke about the language as a shared cultural thread, with Tilly noting that Gaelic plays “a massive part in our school community and at events, particularly with the music school side of things.”
Sorcha, a fluent speaker from Barra studying at the music school, said: “I think they both feed into each other. If you use Gaelic you’re maybe more likely to be into traditional music.”
Tilly agreed: “Traditional music is connected to the land and the people, and is a vital part of who we are and where we are. Gaelic is the same.”
Their enterprise centres around a range of products including tote bags and greeting cards, all featuring Gaelic phrases, proverbs and song lyrics. Some of the designs draw directly on contemporary Gaelic music from the likes of Trail West and Mànran – with the pupils contacting artists to seek permission.
“We emailed them asking if they’d be okay with us using their lyrics,” Isabella explained, “and they were really positive and said they’d love to see what we’re doing, so that was really nice.”
The designs themselves reflect both everyday language and cultural expression, with the pupils aiming to create items that would feel familiar and meaningful to Gaelic speakers. Since launching, the group have sold their products at school events, Christmas fairs and community gatherings, as well as supplying local outlets.
“We’ve sold them around school to teachers and things like that, we’ve been to Christmas fairs, and a coffee morning in the primary school,” they said, “and then we reached out to some local small businesses to see if they wanted to stock them.”
Their products are currently available locally, with plans to expand further, Lilly said: “You can get them directly from us if you contact us on Instagram and through our email or you can get the gift cards at chocolates of Glenshiel and Uisge in Kyle stock our stuff – and we’re hoping to start selling the bags and cards in new places too.”
The project has been supported by Gaelic teacher Mrs Lander, who said she had found the experience both rewarding and inspiring.
“I’ve really enjoyed it, it’s been something totally different,” she said. “Not just being a Gaelic teacher, but doing something different that is beneficial to the culture and the language that I use.”
“I’m really proud of what they’ve achieved this year and their success, they’ve worked really hard.”
For the pupils, the project has offered not only practical business experience but a new way of engaging with their own culture.
By placing Gaelic at the centre of a modern, creative enterprise, Muir reflects both the continued presence of the language in everyday life, and the role young people can play in shaping its future.