An Urban Clansmans' Perspective

At some point in the future, GalGael will help pioneer Rural Skills Centre's along the West Coast of Scotland, restoring the Atlantic oak and Scots pine woodlands. We'll help create sustainable'communities with skills centre's where people can come to learn, work and aid in the restorative process. We will rebuild the viable working communities required to swing modern Scotland away from heavie handed and out of date patterns of land ownership.

Jut for now GalGael 'holds fast' the vision of rebuilding the Gaelic boats.or 'Birlinns' - a practical way of Bringing skills and hope back to the people of Govan at our Urban Skills Centre. On our logo you will see the image of a birlinn with the Tree of IifeTising from the mast and spreading its branches; a potent symbol of renewal inherited from the ancestral tombstones of West Coastal island clans.

GalGael is a thoroughly modern organisation with a practical answer to Social, Cultural and Ecological renewal in Scotland. Here on Clydeside, we have created a template for renewal that is being emulated around Scotland - an inspiration to other communities struggling against the negative side effects of modernity. We might live in the city, but we hold dear to our rural roots, and strive to make a valuable contribution to the rejuvenation of Scotland's natural legacy.

By weaving a tapestry of the Firth of Clyde on our traditional Galgael-built handloom, and sailing our boats on the river itself, the GalGael Voyaging Society has reconnected with many coastal communities. These voyages have a profoundly positive affect on participants who've perhaps never been on the river or even left the confines of the city. Along the way they've found self-respect, winning seamanship trophies in Hebridean and Irish waters.

The sight of a 140 horse power unimog truck and forestry trailer heading up the Govan road, into the GalGael yard loaded with reclaimed oak and elm is now familiar to most Govanites. For years now, using the planet's most sustainable resource: 'wood' - GalGael have created training opportunities for local people through the building of traditional boats and timber frame buildings.

GalGael's intervention has stopped hundreds of tons of hardwoods from around Glasgow from being dumped. Our SIP sponsored LT40 Wood Mizer sawmill, has helped us transform these logs into a fleet of community boats, and other works from our stockpiles which include wind blown ash, hawthorn, hornbeam, whitebeam and yew. In metal recycled from the shipyards we have forged works of art such as the democracy beacon on Calton Hill and the Pictish silver chain worn this year at the opening of the Scottish Parliament.

We are currently developing an ESF-funded training project called 'Navigating the Future'. Participants are trained to work wood, stone, metal and textiles. When proficient enough to make quality work, trainees are encouraged to develop entrepreneurial skills to increase their earning potential. Our urban vision is to engage the whole community in the common task of building an oak framed Hogback longhouse as a Skills Centre on the banks of the Clyde. This will include a granite quay wall and slipway opening up community access to the Clyde for leisure and recreation, expanding peoples' sense of territory and connection to the landscape around them. The design of our Hogback Skills Centre is based on an interpretation of Govan 's 10th century hogback stones, and with it we hope to celebrate the rich cultural and natural heritage of the river and our riverside community. This will act as a positive cultural anchor point as we tackle some of the toughest issues facing our society: loss of meaning, purpose and direction.

During the '30's, Govan Minister Rev George MacLeod won the hearts of the Govan people and engaged the unemployed in restoring lona Abbey, helping to bring our community back from the brink and providing us with a viable working model of town and country enriching one another with practical skills. We must continue this work by helping rebuild economically and culturally viable "communities", based on a reverence for all life. Rooted in this tradition, GalGael's work continues to grow.

Building Community From Within

• An organisation grounded in the community & in Scottish heritage
• An ethos of hope & aspiration for those who are disenfranchised or marginalised
• Space & opportunity for people to contribute to their local community
• Encouragement for people to become learners so that they can then become earners
• A willingness to embrace enterprise in its many forms

GalGael in Govan has:

Supported many people to make a transition from the margins of to become self-respecting & respected members of the community. Acceptance of people on terms to which the individuals can relate is the key here. The non-judgemental & encouraging approach sets the tone from the outset &, by its inclusiveness, permits participation. From this platform individuals can explore their capabilities & extend themselves to achieve more fulfilling (and less dependant) lives.

Grafted many fine traditional boats from locally sourced natural raw materials, using locally available labour & skills, & based in local premises. Other hand-crafted items are also produced. Having tangible products which are relevant to the traditions of the area is a key element of the GalGael formula. Such craft products are recognised as having value outwith the framework of mass production & better reflect the skills of individuals.

Encouraged an Entrepreneurial Spirit amongst programme participants. This has been through craftwork, cultural gatherings & sailing to traditional boat festivals. Recognising that, ultimately, people need to take control of their own future; GalGael encourages people to look for ways to exploit their talents positively to best advantage. This includes encouraging peer support & involvement in local community projects, as well as the crafts & heritage training programmes. By engaging with others in these ways, individuals acquire employable skills & develop their own support & contact networks. Their involvement in learning processes enables participants to make a shift of mind-set, away from the problems which (undoubtedly) beset them, towards the opportunities which they can create & access.

Developed methods that have proven particularly effective in working with excluded & disadvantaged people, bringing the unskilled & marginalised into the labour market & bringing dignity & pride, respect & recognition back to our community. From a platform such as this it an easier & more reasonable expectation that people will re-enter the mainstream of 21st Century life.

galgael

15 Fairley Street Glasgow G51 2SN 0141 4273070 mail@galgael.org www.galgael.org