Voyages to Schools 1999 and 2000

Gallery 1 Gallery 2

In 1999 and 2000 Comunn Birlinn voyaged to island and seaboard primary schools in the West Highland Galley Aileach -introducing children to the type of vessel which had dominated the Celtic Seas for several hundred years and been of immense importance in the formation of their communities.

In advance of the voyages, Comunn Birlinn equipped the schools with packs containing history notes, worksheets, song sheets and cut-out models. An innovative link to the schools' internal computer network involved the children in every stage of the voyage towards them.

The use of a working vessel as a 'living history aid' was very successful. The children were fascinated by the voyages and enjoyed the introduction to their maritime cultural heritage.

The voyages also sought to make the experience of galley-sailing available to anyone who wished to join the crew. They were funded to allow access without financial impediment - and structured to carry an experienced core-crew plus a number of beginners on each leg. This aspect of the projects brought together many diverse people to work towards a common aim.

The twin aims of the voyages were funded by Awards for All (Scotland), Argyll and the Isles Enterprise, Argyll and Bute Council, Cairndow Hall Millennium Fund and Loch Fyne Oysters.