This follows a visit to Stornoway by Lewis MacKinnon, Chief Executive Officer of Nova Scotia's Office of Gaelic Affairs.

The spectacular Tattoo on Lews Castle Green on Friday, August 7 will feature seven pipe bands, including World Champions 78th Fraser Highlanders from Ontario and, of course, the highly popular Lewis Highland Games.

The following day will see the Carnival in the town, followed by a Grand Concert featuring Dougie Maclean, the 78th Fraser Highlanders, and Gaelic Choirs.

Said Lewis: "I met with the organiser of the Tattoo, Tony Robson about helping to promote the event in Nova Scotia and also throughout related organisations in North America.

"From my work, we would like to see opportunities or events that would tie in the Gaelic language and culture so that people involved in Gaelic in Nova Scotia could come and participate in events and programmes that had that local flavour at the Tattoo.

"We could help promote the Tattoo to broader Scottish groups that may be interested in attending by using our network to spread the word," he added.

Lewis was in the Western Isles 'on vacation' to publicise his book of original poems, Faimhair (Giant) and other compositions. The book, which has English translations of the poems, was officially launched at the Royal National Mod in Falkirk, but there was also a local launch at An Lanntair last week.

"We had a good discussion about the connections between Nova Scotia and Gaelic Scotland, particularly the Western Isles and what kind of exchanges and initiatives might be acted upon that could help develop the language and culture in both our countries," said Lewis.

"The main reason for my trip was to promote the book here in Lewis, but also to take the opportunity to connect with our Gaelic counterparts on the island and look at ways to create exchanges and learn from each other's experiences and access resources for further language development," he added.

Lewis said he thoroughly enjoyed coming to the island – he was here in 2004 – as he was made to feel very welcome.

"The Western Isles Council kindly welcomed me and I had the opportunity to visit Lews Castle College and see what was being done there in terms of Gaelic programming," he said.

He was very impressed with the Gaelic content and the amount of Gaelic use at the College.

Although Lewis, a longtime Gaelic-language promoter, had been acting in the position of CEO in the office of Gaelic Affairs in Nova Scotia, he was taken on as permanent CEO after winning a competition for the job.

At the time of the appointment, the Minister responsible for Gaelic Affairs in Nova Scotia, Angus MacIsaac, said: "As a Gaelic speaker, teacher, volunteer and advocate for further Gaelic development in the province, Lewis is the right person for this assignment. He has the perspective and experience required to address the important work of Gaelic renewal and development."

A former student union president at St. Francis Xavier University, Lewis graduated in 1992 with a major in political science and a minor in Celtic studies.

He served as president of Comhairle na Gàidhlig/Gaelic Council of Nova Scotia for seven years and has taught Gaelic on evenings and weekends since 1997 through programs offered by Comunn Gàidhlig an Àrd-Bhaile/Gaelic Society of Halifax. He is also a founding member of Sgoil Ghàidhlig an Àrd-Bhaile/Gaelic Language Society of Halifax and regularly assists as a language instructor.

The mandate of the Office of Gaelic Affairs is to develop greater awareness and appreciation for Gaelic language and culture, consult with communities on ongoing community-based Gaelic language programs, and the development of a Gaelic-language plan and policy directions for the province.

And how did he feel about the progress of Gaelic in Nova Scotia over the years?

He told the 'Gazette': "In Nova Scotia, it's an optimistic time for Gaelic. We don't have the numbers of Gaelic speakers that you have in Scotland, but we still have native Gaelic speakers, an active learner community which is growing, an extensive amount of archive materials from Gaelic speakers that offer a wonderful window into the Gaelic culture in Nova Scotia as it has developed over the past 200 years."

He pointed that that there was a concerted effort by the Department of Education in Nova Scotia to introduce Gaelic language programming in the public schools.

"There is a heightened awareness and sensitivity within the Government regarding Gaelic language and culture," said Lewis.

There were significant ties between Nova Scotia and Gaelic Scotland, including Highland Council, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and organisations promoting the language.

"We hope that our ties with the Western Isles will continue over many years. On both sides, we have Gaelic events and initiatives. People from here go to Nova Scotia and vice versa. We are anxious to bring that closer together," said Lewis.

Before he left the island, Lewis stated: "I am very grateful for the hospitality and assistance provided to me in launching the book. Although I was here on vacation, I was keen to discuss issues to develop our connections for the years ahead."

Lewis can be contacted on mackinle@gov.ns.ca and the Office of Gaelic Affairs website is www.gov.ns.ca/oga