Guidance on Bilingual Signs

The Highland Council is to produce guidelines on the implementation of its policy on Gaelic/English signs as contained in its Gaelic Language Plan.

A report is to be produced within three months to:

• Clarify the decision making processes within the policy;
• Identify the cases in which there is a place for local decision making and/or consultation;
• Clarify the role of Ainmean-Aite na h-Alba, the Gaelic place-names of Scotland, in providing advice to the Council; and
• Identify a group within the Council to which any unresolved matters in the implementation of the policy can be referred.

The decision to produce the guidance was agreed at a full Council meeting following a debate on Gaelic signage.

Eight Caithness councillors gave notice of motion that bilingual signs in Caithness should be restricted to the Ord of Caithness and the towns of Thurso and Wick as well as John O’Groats.

This was defeated by 50 votes to 12 by an amendment by Councillor Hamish Fraser, Chairman of the Gaelic Committee, that the Council reaffirm its commitment to the Gaelic Language Plan and produce guidance on signage.

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