THE completion of Cnoc Soilleir’s new extension has been celebrated with a community open day in South Uist.
The Gaelic cultural, educational, and community centre in Daliburgh was designed to Passivhaus standards by John Renshaw Architects and built in 2022 by MacInnes Bros, with the local firm also delivering the extension.
The extension features a 200-seat auditorium and a specialist dance studio, allowing for opportunities in music, dance, Gaelic culture, and art to be expanded on. The Scottish Government backed the project with £200,000.
Peggy Ann MacMillan, ceannard of Ceòlas, said, “The opening of the auditorium at Cnoc Soilleir is a truly exciting milestone for our community. This remarkable new space will provide opportunities for creativity, learning, performance and connection, helping to celebrate and strengthen Gaelic language, culture and the arts for generations to come. We are delighted to see this vision become a reality and look forward to the many inspiring events, conversations and experiences that will take place here.”
Lydia Rohmer, principal and chief executive of UHI North, West and Hebrides, added, “The completion of the extension marks a significant milestone in the development of Cnoc Soilleir and represents a major investment in the future of Gaelic language, culture, education and community sustainability in Uist.
“The new facilities create exciting opportunities to expand learning, creativity, research, performance and community engagement, while strengthening Cnoc Soilleir’s position as a nationally significant centre rooted in the language, culture and heritage of the islands.”
Since opening in 2022, Cnoc Soilleir has flourished as a vibrant hub for Gaelic and traditional arts, culture, education, and community engagement. The centre has become central to the work of Ceòlas – providing a permanent venue for its annual summer school alongside a year-round programme of music and heritage events, workshops and Gaelic classes.
Furthermore, it also provides modern teaching facilities for UHI North, West and Hebrides, including spaces for in-person and online learning and a high-specification recording studio used by HNC Music and BA (Hons) Applied Music students.
The building is also home to UHI North, West and Hebrides’ archaeology team, whose virtual archaeology work in Uist will soon expand to sites in Barra and Harris. Cnoc Soilleir is a joint venture between Ceòlas Uibhist and UHI North, West and Hebrides.
