I am Zachary Wallace, a Canadian who has just arrived in North Uist and begun working as a film and visual arts trainee at Taigh Chearsabhagh. I learnt Gaelic on my own in Ontario, where my interest was first piqued by Gaelic songs. In my first week on the island, I picked and tried out razorclams and cockles. I liked the latter, at least!
So far in working at Taigh Chearsabhagh, I’ve subtitled a film about Grimsay lobster fishermen (wherein I received an introduction to the peculiarities of North Uist Gaelic!), filmed and interviewed Runrig-bound community members waiting at the ferry terminal, and helped to host a taigh-ciùil with Kirsty Law and the Uist Luadh Group.
I’ve had a great start at Taigh Chearsabhagh and received a warm welcome in North Uist. I look forward to documenting my experiences in Gaelic blog posts here, as I work and learn at Taigh Chearsabhagh and experience more of island and Gaelic life.