[Tionndadh Gàidhlig]

Join us for our Cruinn Còmhla Gaelic community day on Saturday 31 January! There will be something there for everyone, whatever your age and stage of Gaelic.

As at our last Cruinn Còmhla in November, we will be running Gaelic classes (see below to register) and there will also be free, drop-in activities, and a cafe where you can relax and have a cup of tea and a chat – see more below.

Come and join us, to meet others in the community, to speak and learn Gaelic, and to support the initiative for a Gaelic Hub in Edinburgh!

Cruinn Còmhla · Saturday 31 January 2026 10.00 – 16.00 · Darroch, 7 Gillespie Street, Edinburgh EH3 9NH

On this occasion, Cruinn Còmhla is also being run as part of the John Macleod Memorial Festival (29 January – 1 February) in collaboration with An Comunn Gàidhealach, Edinburgh University & Bothan Dhùn Èideann. Look out for more information on the different events planned over the four days!

Classes

We will be running Gaelic classes at three levels, from 10.00 – 12.30.

Cost £15 (£12 concession). To book a place, contact: ionaddhuneideann@gmail.com

Post Beginners

This class will be suitable for students with a basic understanding of Gaelic grammar, simple conversation skills and a willingness to speak Gaelic. See Comasan Labhairt ann an Gàidhlig level A2 for further information.

Tutor: Rona Lawson

Lower Intermediate

This class will be suitable for students who have a reasonable understanding of the language, and who are working to develop their fluency and knowledge. See Comasan Labhairt ann an Gàidhlig level B1 for further information.

Tutor: Andrew Gourlay

Upper Intermediate

This class will be suitable for students who have completed several Gaelic courses in the past, have a good understanding of the language, and are working to speak more confidently – working at the lower end of Comasan Labhairt ann an Gàidhlig level B2.

Tutor: Raonaid Alcorn

Other activities

Whether or not you are taking a Gaelic class, why not join us at our all-day cafe – with tea, coffee, cakes and biscuits on offer – with music, board games, and a chance to use your Gaelic in an informal context.

You can also find out more about the initiative to set up a Gaelic Hub in Edinburgh and join us as a member!

We will also be running a range of activities which will aim at allowing learners to extend their vocabulary, develop their understanding of Gaelic grammar, and practise their conversation skills, and for fluent speakers to take part in community activities of different types.

See the programme below (note that there may still be changes to subjects and/or times):

Cothrom Còmhraidh conversation group: 10.30 – 12.00
A chance to try out your Gaelic in an informal setting, with a cup of coffee. Led by Gaelic tutor and researcher Neil Macgregor

Cròileagan Dhùn Èideann drop-in crafts session: 11.00 – 12.30
Fun arts and crafts for wee ones.

Cùm Alba Bòidheach (Keep Scotland Beautiful):

· Creative Workshop – Make Connections with Nature: 11.00 – 12.00
Fun session on the environment (primary pupils)

· Video Project: How we keep Scotland Beautiful: 13.00 – 15.30
Opportunity to create a short video (up to one minute) on the subject of ‘keeping Scotland beautiful’ (secondary pupils)

Led by Jonathan Angell, Gaelic Officer for Keep Scotland Beautiful. Both sessions will be in Gaelic. They are free, but registration is required. Contact: sarah.ionadde@gmail.com

Seinnidh Sinn song session: 13.30 – 14.30
Informal Gaelic song session. Led by Catriona Nicolson of the Seinnidh Sinn song group

Gaelic grammar workshop: 13.15 – 14.15
Workshop looking at irregular verbs. Led by Professor Wilson McLeod.

Gaelic arts and crafts: 13.30 – 15.00
Fun arts session for primary school aged children. Led by our Comunn na Gàidhlig Iomairt Officer, Calum Murray

Gaelic place-names around Edinburgh: 14.30 – 15.30
Find out about the fascinating topic of Edinburgh’s Gaelic place-name heritage in the company of Dr Jake King, Researcher for Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba, the national advisory partnership for Gaelic place-names in Scotland, and author of ‘The A to Z of Whisky Place-Names: Landscape, Language & Invention’ and editor of ‘Scottish Gaelic Place-Names: The Collected Works of Charles M. Robertson.’ 

Cruinn Còmhla · Saturday 31 January 2026 10.00 – 16.00 · Darroch, 7 Gillespie Street, Edinburgh EH3 9NH