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What does the name mean? Shuaineirt is the genitive case
Gaelic original of Sunart. Àrainn is a new word,
probably with its origins in Sabhal Mor Ostaig in Skye,
denoting centre, surrounding area, campus, hence Àrainn
Shuaineirt – Sunart Centre. Gaelic pronunciation
varies from area to area and speaker to speaker.
For the benefit of non Gaelic speakers who would like
to use the Gaelic name, a guide to proper pronunciation
is essential, since for English speakers the Gaelic spelling
is not user friendly. After much discussion with local
speakers and Gaelic scholars from other areas, the closest
we have managed to get to a consensus is AAREEN HOO-AIN-YERSHT
– say it quickly with the emphasis on the HOO and
you’ll get there.
Set in the heart of the Gaidhealtachd, community interest
in and ownership of the centre is embodied by Àrainn
Shuaineirt, a constituted community organisation with
membership open to everyone living in the area. The centre
is managed by the Àrainn Shuaineirt Management
Committee, with representation from each of the five Community
Council areas within the school catchment area. This committee
advises The Highland Council on how it would like the
centre run, and also develops initiatives of its own based
on the centre’s activities.
Developments within
the centre include:
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A year-round
programme
of the performing and visual arts including
educational and outreach opportunities. |
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Letting
of the facilities for conferencing,
meetings, workshops etc. and of the school hostel will
bring in additional income which create new opportunities
for developments within the centre |
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Access by the community
and commercial users to a wide range of sporting
facilities, including: |
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Fitness
Suite |
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Games
Hall with three full-sized badminton courts and
equipment for many sporting activities |
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Fantastic
all-weather full sized football pitch complete with
full floodlighting facilities |
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Grass
shinty pitch |
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Lifelong
learning opportunities through Higher and Further
Education and vocational and recreational classes. |
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Ardnamurchan
Library |
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A
Youth Development Programme,
focusing on encouraging access to and use of all
the facilities outside school hours for the 8-16
year age range |
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