Skye Camanachd were this week toasting Fearann Eilean Iarmain who have gifted ownership of the Pairc nan Laoch pitch to the island club in honour of Sir Iain Noble.

Skye Camanachd already owns the Skye Camanachd Clubhouse and previously leased the surrounding land, including their shinty pitch. Shinty on Skye is thriving with seven teams playing out of the impressive facility and securing ownership of the associated land is a massive boost to the club’s plans going forward.

Sir Iain Noble was one of Scotland’s most far sighted entrepreneurs and arguably the most innovative businessman of his generation. At the heart of everything he did, Sir Iain was a passionate and active advocate of Gaelic, setting up in Sleat, one of the country’s earliest Gaelic playgroups and campaigning for Gaelic in mainstream education in Scotland.

Through his commitment to raising awareness of Scotland’s Gaelic heritage, and its key relevance in economic development, he founded Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in 1973 and his indomitable spirit played a key role in inspiring a younger generation. His legacy continues today; Scotland’s Gaelic University College is a key contributor to the local economy and is recognised internationally as the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture, and is an autonomous partner of the University of the Highlands and Islands. As part of his initiatives towards the cultural heritage of Gaelic, Hotel Eilean Iarmain became the focus for Seannachaidh Gatherings and was renowned for its ceilidhs and celebrations of Sean Bliadhna Ur. 

Sir Iain also worked tirelessly to reverse the negative effects, both cultural and economic, of young people having to depart from Skye to find employment or pursue career opportunities elsewhere. In establishing Fearann Eilean Iarmain in 1972, Sir Iain made a commitment to reverse the decline of Gaelic and reinvigorate the local economy, promoting Gaelic through business enterprises in Sleat and creating long term employment and career opportunities in the area.

Recognising the fundamental roles of both education and economic development in the regeneration of language, Sir Iain developed Gaelic through new business opportunities. Amongst his various enterprises, he set up Praban na Linne, the Gaelic Whiskies, and ensured Hotel Eilean Iarmain provided much needed local employment throughout the year.

Ensuring that Fearann Eilean Iarmain took a proactive role in providing affordable homes, Sir Iain initiated and was involved in various projects including the housing schemes at Armadale and Broadford. Along with developing the economy, he also set up a number of charitable trusts with the long-term aim of benefiting the island.

His significant contribution to Scottish industry and finance began when he established Scotland’s first Merchant Bank in Edinburgh, Noble Grossart. Sir Iain recognised that young Scots were taking their entrepreneurial ideas to merchant banks in England and starting their businesses there with the subsequent loss to the Scottish economy which was at particularly low ebb in the late 1960s. The creation of a Scottish merchant bank helped address this downturn and provided the necessary catalyst for the growth of business with associated employment and management opportunities.

However it was both his passion for the Gaelic language and culture and his commitment to its revival both locally and nationally that were his prime objectives, and for which Sir Iain will be best remembered in Skye. Among the wider range of activities in which Fearann Eilean Iarmain was involved, Sir Iain initiated and led the campaign which became known as “The Battle of the Road Signs”, petitioning vigorously for the erecting of the first Gaelic road signs in Scotland. He was also the recipient of the first Gaelic cheque from the Bank of Scotland after campaigning for its introduction.

In recognition of his services and contribution to Gaelic language and culture, Sir Ian was awarded the OBE in 1998. He passed away on 25 December 2010, aged 75, and is survived by his wife Lucilla, Lady Noble whom he married in 1990.

At his funeral, Iain Urachdan spoke of how Sir Iain organised bardic gatherings at Eilean Iarmain which presented a wonderful opportunity to transfer knowledge of story and song and of local history. The hospitality became legendary - Ceilidhs gu madainn!

Skye Camanachd Chairman Douglas MacDougall said: “Skye Camanachd has, over the last 125 years, been an integral part of life on Skye from the earliest days of local community teams all across the island to where we are today with seven active teams competing at regional and national levels. 

“Twenty years ago the club moved from the King George V playing fields to Pairc nan Laoch where, due to hard work and endeavour by numerous volunteers, we are fortunate to have one of the best club facilities in shinty. During this period, we have been tied to a lease but in our heart of hearts, it has always been a yearning desire to secure the future of shinty on Skye by owning the land we play on. 

“This approach by Lucilla Noble to gift this asset from Fearann Eilean Iarmain to Skye Camanachd in honour of her late husband, Sir Iain Noble, is beyond our wildest dreams. I’m sure the whole shinty community on Skye will join me in thanking Lucilla for her generosity in allowing us security of tenure thus preserving a strongly held island tradition.  

“Sir Iain was passionately committed to Skye; to its language and culture, its history and its future prosperity. Pairc nan Laoch - The Field of Heroes – has a new hero to which the Skye Camanachd is indebted.” 

Lucilla Noble said: “Sir Iain held shinty in high regard and had a great appreciation of the shinty playing tradition and its status in the cultural heritage of Gaelic.

“I am very pleased indeed for Fearann Eilean Iarmain to make this contribution towards securing a strong future for shinty in Skye and l am delighted to gift Pairc nan Laoch to Skye Camanachd in honour of Sir Iain.

“Through Sir Iain’s lifelong commitment to the language and culture of Gaelic, his innovative endeavours to ensure Gaelic in education, in the work environment and in the community, and his key contribution to the economic development of Skye, he was an inspirational figure to a younger generation.

“He would be delighted to see the increasing popularity of shinty today, with the high level of skills and the passion of all those involved providing great opportunities for the talented teams of Skye.

“Tha Fearann Eilean Iarmain a’guidhe gach beannachd do Sgioba Camanachd an Eilein airson na bliadhnaichean ri teachd.”

(Photo: Lady Noble shakes hands with Skye Camanachd chairman Douglas MacDougall below a portrait of Sir Iain Noble. They are flanked by Skye Camanachd’s committee member Donnie Martin and Marion Gillies, who is involved with Skye Camanachd Ladies)