Support for Gaelic in the Highlands

The Chairman of The Highland Council’s Gaelic Committee has been heartened by the support shown for Gaelic at the six recent consultation meetings on the Council’s Draft Gaelic Plan.

Councillor Hamish Fraser chaired meetings in Inverness, Dingwall, Portree, Bonar Bridge, Ullapool and Fort William at which more than 100 people attended.

The deadline for written submissions to the Council is 31 August. The Gaelic Committee will then meet on 20 September to review and finalise the plan in time for submission to Bord na Gaidhlig in October.

Councillor Fraser said: “I am delighted with the numbers who took the time to attend our meetings and also with the positive and constructive comments and observations contributed during the consultation process. While all sections of the plan generated valid views and questions, education generated the most robust debate. The value of bilingualism to our young people was also a point clearly agreed to be important.

“The enthusiasm for the Plan, and the language generally, is an indication that Gaelic in the Highlands has major public support. Comments and points which were raised at all the meetings have been noted and will be considered, along with written submissions, by the Gaelic Committee in September before the Plan is submitted to Bord na Gaidhlig in October.”

Comments can be submitted on line via the home page of the Council’s web site http://www.www.highland.gov.uk/;