Nova Scotians visiting select provincial museums, parks and cultural centres this month can learn the Gaelic names of plants, topography and more from author, broadcaster and educator Roddy Maclean (Ruairidh MacIlleathain).

Mr. Maclean is visiting from Scotland for Gaelic Awareness Month to share his knowledge and experience of the Gaelic language and culture, and how they relate to the environment.

He will be holding information sessions starting Friday, May 16.

“The Gaelic interpretation of nature is unique as Gaels have their own names for native species of plants and animals in the local environment,” said Mr. Maclean. “In many cases, these have unique and fascinating stories and heritage attached to them, and I enjoy sharing that with the people who come to my presentations and workshops.”

As the Scottish government’s Gaelic ambassador in 2012-13, Mr. Maclean has been recognized for promoting the Gaelic language to non-Gaelic speakers and developing a greater understanding within Scotland’s Gaelic-speaking population of the relationship between the language and culture to the local environment.

“We are very pleased to welcome Roddy Maclean to our province. His work is well known and very highly respected in the Nova Scotia Gaelic community,” said Randy Delorey, Minister of Gaelic Affairs. “His work in Gaelic development in Scotland is laudable and we are confident that his visit will further reinforce and build upon our Gaelic language, cultural resources and on the strong and warm ties that exist between Gaelic Scotland and Gaelic Nova Scotia.”

Mr. Maclean will deliver workshops and presentations at the Museum of Natural History in Halifax, Museum of Industry in Stellarton and the Two Rivers Wildlife Park in Sydney.

For a list of Mr. Maclean’s presentations and other Gaelic events, visit http://gaelic.novascotia.ca/events .

Source: Release