Màrtainn learned Gaelic to fluency while working in Glasgow as an architect on major public projects, including health and social care buildings, galleries, and museums.

Full statement

Being a Gaelic speaker, he was offered the opportunity to move to Skye to work with Dualchas Architects in Sleat. After two years with Dualchas he embarked on a new career at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig where, in his current role as Adult Learning Manager, he has been involved in writing the Duolingo and SpeakGaelic courses. He got married in Portree last year and lives on their family croft near Skeabost. He shares his wife’s passion for the Gaelic language, education, and their community in Skye. His main motivations are Scottish Independence, our language and culture, addressing the rural housing crisis, reforming land ownership and crofting, and campaigning for sustainable rural communities.

------------

Dh’ionnsaich Màrtainn Gàidhlig gu fileantas fad ’s a bha e ag obair ann an Glaschu na ailtire air pròiseactan mòra poblach, a’ gabhail a-steach thoglaichean slàinte ’s cùram sòisealta, gailearaidhean, agus taighean-tasgaidh. Thoradh ’s gun robh Gàidhlig aige chaidh an cothrom a thabhann dha gluasad don Eilean Sgitheanach airson obair le Dualchas, ailtirean ann an Slèite. An dèidh dà bhliadhna le Dualchas thòisich e air dreuchd ùr aig Sabhal Mòr Ostaig na Mhanaidsear Ionnsachaidh Inbhich far a bheil e air a bhith an sàs ann an sgrìobhadh nan cùrsaichean Duolingo agus SpeakGaelic. Phòs e ann am Port Rìgh an-uiridh ’s iad a’ fuireach air a’ chroit theaghlaich aca faisg air Sgeitheabost. Tha e fhèin ’s a bhean le chèile dealasach mun Ghàidhlig, mu fhoghlam, agus mun choimhearsnachd aca san Eilean. Is iad na prìomh chùisean a tha ga spreigeadh; neo-eisimeileachd na h-Alba, ar cànan is cultar, a’ fuasgladh na stainge taigheadais dùthchail, ag ath-leasachadh fearainn agus croitearachd, agus ag iomairt airson coimhearsnachdan dùthchail seasmhach.