A total of six more public bodies have been notified by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, to prepare Gaelic Language Plans.

The announcement was made in the Scottish Parliament by Minister for Gaelic, Linda Fabiani. The news comes as Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Argyll and Bute Council launch their newly approved Gaelic Language Plans.

The six bodies to prepare Plans are: 

• City of Edinburgh Council
• Scottish Funding Council
• UHI Millennium Institute
• Learning and Teaching Scotland
• Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of education
• Scottish Qualifications Authority

In a PQ answer, Minister for Gaelic. Linda Fabiani said:

“The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 gives Bòrd na Gàidhlig the power to require Scottish public authorities to prepare Gaelic language plans which will set out what they will do to support the use of Gaelic in delivering their core services. 

“Bòrd na Gàidhlig has held discussions with a number of public authorities about preparing Gaelic Language Plans and the Bòrd today issued statutory notices to six public authorities, requiring them to prepare Gaelic Language Plans.

“I am confident that these plans will contribute to raising the status of Gaelic and promoting its use throughout Scotland.  In addition a number of other Scottish public authorities have also commenced the preparation of Gaelic language plans in advance of receiving a statutory notice from Bòrd na Gàidhlig.”

Bòrd na Gàidhlig has the power to issue formal notice under Section 3 of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 to public authorities, requiring them to prepare and submit Gaelic Language Plans within an agreed timeframe. Bòrd Chief Executive, Kenneth Murray said:

“Gaelic Language Plans reflect the aspirations of the National Plan for Gaelic and will mean that Gaelic speakers and learners can access some public services in the language more often and help to ensure that Gaelic is more visible in the authority’s operations. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Argyll and Bute Council have produced Plans that will work to achieve this goal.

“It is important to remember that Gaelic Language Plans are not about imposing Gaelic on organisations or people, they are about facilitation not coercion.  The Bòrd, and the organisations we work in partnership with, are keen to create more opportunities for Gaelic speakers and those interested in Gaelic to use the language in as many everyday situations as possible.”

The two public bodies launching their Gaelic Language Plans today are Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Argyll and Bute Council.

Agnes Rennie, Chair of the Comhairle’s Gaelic Language Plan Implementation Committee, said:

“Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Gaelic Language Plan was approved by Bòrd na Gàidhlig in June and the Comhairle will now move into the implementation phase of the plan, working with Gaelic organisations and the community in the Western Isles to revitalise the language in what is the true heartland of Gaeldom.

“Since the Comhairle was established in 1975/76, it has championed the Gaelic language on many fronts and will continue to enhance the Gaelic ethos of the Council at every opportunity. All the committees of the Comhairle, including the full council meetings are conducted through the medium of Gaelic, a scenario that is unique in the world.

“Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has been very supportive of Bòrd na Gaidhlig and will continue to work closely with the Bòrd in the exciting times ahead for the language.”

Argyll and Bute Council Leader, Councillor Dick Walsh said:

“The recognition and development of, and support for the Gaelic language has been a priority for the Council for many years. Gaelic language and culture are an integral part of Argyll and Bute’s heritage, economy and education. Historically, Argyll and Bute is the heartland of Scots Gaelic and Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail (The Royal National Mod) was first held in Oban in 1892.

“Gaelic education in particular is extremely strong in Argyll and Bute. Gaelic Medium Units and the teaching of Gaelic as a second language are already in place in Tobermory, Oban, Tiree and Islay High Schools as well as Bowmore, Tiree, Salen, St Columba’s, Sandbank and Strath of Appin primary schools.

“Argyll and Bute Council is committed to building on the current enjoyment of Gaelic and to re-establish the use of the language throughout Argyll and Bute. We have always endorsed the promotion of Gaelic and we are continually looking at ways to encourage people to use our national language by expanding the range of services and resources available.”

The Highland Council launched its Plan recently and others are in the pipeline from the Scottish Parliament, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and The Scottish Government.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig is the statutory Gaelic Development Agency, established under the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 to promote Gaelic both in Scotland and abroad.

Supporting quotes from some of the six bodies notified to prepare plans are below. 

• Anna Walker, Oifigear Leasachaidh Ro-innleachd airson na Gàidhlig, Institiùd OGE nam Mìle Bliadhna, (Gaelic Strategy Development Officer, UHI Millennium Institute) said:

“UHI is honoured to be the first higher education institution in Scotland to be required by the Bòrd to produce a Gaelic Language Plan.

“We consider this to reflect the strategic importance of UHI's role in regenerating the language not just within our own region but nationally, and recognise that supporting the language will also strengthen the economic and cultural vitality of our communities. 

“We are aware of the importance the Bòrd places on education as a means for strengthening the language and of our central role in this as the only learning and teaching institution included in this second tranche of bodies required to prepare plans.” 

·         John Kemp, Interim Director of Learning Policy and Strategy, Scottish Funding Council said: 

“The Funding Council is looking forward to preparing its Gaelic plan.  We have been working closely with Bòrd na Gàidhlig for some time in developing our support for the Gaelic language and the plan will be an opportunity for us to bring this together into a strategic framework.”

·         A spokeswoman for Learning and Teaching Scotland said: 

“LTS is committed to supporting the development of the Gaelic language and culture in Scotland and is delighted to be within the second tranche of public bodies to develop their Gaelic Language Plan.

“Last year we published experiences and outcomes in Gaelic for children and young people as part of Curriculum for Excellence and also have a dedicated Gaelic Online area within our website to support teachers and learners throughout Scotland, ensuring we are well-placed to develop this further across the organisation.

“We look forward to working with all those involved in Scottish education to take forward our Gaelic Plan and raise awareness of the language and culture.” 

·         Frank Crawford, Chief Inspector, HMIE said:

“HMIE is fully committed to implementing a Gaelic Language Plan. We see this as an opportunity to help develop and extend the use of the Gaelic language even beyond current expectations.” 

·         Councillor Deidre Brock, Culture and Leisure Convener at the City of Edinburgh Council said:

“Gaelic is a unique language, an important part of Scottish culture and an increasingly valuable economic asset. As the nation's capital city, we have a legal and, indeed, a moral responsibility to protect and enhance this asset. Edinburgh has the fifth highest number of Gaelic speakers of all Scottish local authorities.”

·         Marilyn Waters, Qualifications Officer, SQA National Qualifications said:

"SQA welcomes this opportunity to build on its existing Gaelic language planning activities as preparatory work on a Gaelic Language Plan for SQA has been underway for nearly a year. Qualifications for Gaelic (Learners) and Gàidhlig have been offered in centres for many years, in addition to a number of subject examinations being made available in the medium of Gaelic. With these and other developments in mind SQA looks forward to the benefits that a fully established Gaelic Language Plan will bring to the organisation and its many stakeholders."