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Graduates from Islay with university staff

Student teachers who were able to study for a university qualification from their home area have graduated.

Fifteen of the 36 students, including a number based in Islay and Stornoway, studied for their post-graduate diploma of education in Gaelic.

They received tuition online, by video conferencing and from visiting tutors.

Higher education institution UHI Millennium Institute and University of Strathclyde were involved in providing the training.

Senior education staff from Argyll and Bute Council and Western Isles Council (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar) contributed to the scheme.

Stornoway graduates with the Dean Iain Smith

Diplomas were presented at a closing ceremony in Glasgow.

All 36 studied for their diploma in different ways, but most without having to leave their home patches to go to university.

Five were able to work from their homes in Islay and four students were based in Stornoway. Others studied elsewhere and at Jordanhill in Glasgow.

Ian Minty, UHI education network leader, said: "We are delighted with the success of the scheme, especially for those students who might not have been able to pursue teaching careers otherwise."