Place-name researchers wanted

heb logoVolunteers with a keen interest in local history and place-names are wanted to help research a new bilingual booklet to be published by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).

The small group of fieldworkers are being recruited to carry out research into place-names in Colonsay and Oransay, which will be the focus of the next instalment in SNH’s award winning series Gaelic in the Landscape. The booklet will be the sixth in the series which celebrates the natural and cultural heritage of the Highlands and Islands.

Robyn Ireland, SNH Gaelic Officer said: “Understanding the meaning behind place-names gives us a fascinating insight into the landscape and its links with people and the Gaelic language. Fieldworkers will focus on local place-name knowledge passed down through generations and it is a superb chance for locals to get involved in preserving these connections.”

The project is a partnership between SNH, Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba (AÀA) and the national research network Soillse. A day’s training in Colonsay and continued follow-up support will be provided by AÀA, ensuring that fieldworkers are equipped with the skills needed to gather local knowledge of the islands’ place-names and their associated heritage.

Ideally volunteers should have a reasonable fluency in Gaelic and be able to commit approximately 16 hours to the research between May and July 2016.

Anyone interested in this opportunity should contact AÀA by 02 May on 01471-888120 or [email protected].

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