The now complete extension to the Cnoc Soilleir learning, arts and events space in South Uist has been hailed as a significant and exciting milestone for community and culture.

A community open day was held last Friday (28 August) to celebrate the fully completed work on the Cnoc Soilleir campus in Daliburgh, marking a new beginning for Gaelic culture, arts and heritage in the region.

The open day featured live music and refreshments and a chance for the public to explore the newly expanded facility. The extension will create new opportunities for local performers and provide a venue capable of attracting national and international music, arts and theatre productions. The dance facilities will also support expanded tuition, including traditional step-dance.

The £200,000 Scottish Government contribution has supported the development which significantly expands the opportunities available to the local community, as well as to Cnoc Soilleir’s joint venture partners, Ceòlas and UHI North, West and Hebrides. 

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, said: “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.”

The centre opened in 2022 and has since provided a hub for Gaelic and traditional arts, culture education and community engagement. It has provided a space for the work of Ceòlas and modern teaching facilities for UHI North, West and Hebrides.

Local construction firm MacInnes Bros Ltd was appointed for both projects, with the building designed by John Renshaw Architects to cutting-edge PassivHaus standards. These are voluntary building standards for low energy structures that require very little heating or cooling.

Along with funding from the Scottish Government, the project was also completed with additional support from Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.