Arrochar Gaelic Gala Day hailed success by organisers

To celebrate World Gaelic Week 2026, the Arrochar Gaelic Language and Cultural Society (AGLCS) held their first Our Cruinneachadh Gàidhlig An Àrchair - Arrochar Gaelic Gala Day.

The Three Villages Hall played host to a Fèis workshop for children, a Mòd Choir Workshop, a craft fair and a ticketed ceilidh.

Organisers hailed the event on February 28 as a "great success" and said there was huge potential for the future.

Kevin Ross told the Advertiser: "We received funding support for this project from Bòrd na Gàidhlig at the beginning of February this year. Consequently, we will organise an annual Gaelic Festival, Fèis for Children and local Mòd Choir to compete in both local and the National Mòd.

Gaelic Singing workshop (Image: Ross Gardner)

Arrochar Crafts, with their woodcrafts, pyrography and ink artwork for sale, as well as manning the bake stand (Image: Ross Gardner)

Joy Temple from Joyful creations with her neice, selling her Bunting. All proceeds were going to their Nephew James' College- Treloar's, for disabled children (Image: Ross Gardner)

Hilda Morrison, from Painted at the Kitchen Table with her wonderful painted glass products (Image: Ross Gardner)

"Our group has been working with the Arrochar and Tarbet Community Development Trust (A&TCD).

"We found mutual opportunity and benefit in what they want to achieve and what we want i.e. activities for children in the area (Fèis), activities for adults (choir) and ways that those visiting the area will contribute more to the local economy (music festival).

"We believe the ‘Gaelic economy’ is not fully recognised or appreciated and can be a financial benefit as well as a cultural benefit.

"There was significant involvement from the local community both in terms of attendance and those offering services.

Arrochar Crafts (Image: Ross Gardner)

Councillor Math Campbell-Sturgess from Thorgil's Leather & Jewellery. Bespoke Jewellery made in Rosneath. Math also had on display a digital smart pocketwatch that he had designed and built (Image: Ross Gardner)

Gaelic Singing workshop (Image: Ross Gardner)

"At a time when the Gaelic language is formally recognised as an official language of Scotland, we believe the day’s event demonstrated Gaelic is not only of cultural value in our community but it offers an economic value as well as social activities for all ages."

Organisers plan to set up a local choir, music festival and school-term and summer workshops.

Language classes meet on Thursday evenings at the hall and all are welcome.