Gaelic Language Plan Approved

Today (Thursday 5 April) The Highland Council agreed the Council’s second generation Gaelic Language Plan.

The Plan received cross-party support and during the debate Members’ thanked the public for submitting their comments whilst the Plan was out for public consultation.  They also emphasised the importance of increasing the numbers of pupils entering Gaelic Education and learning the language during the life time of the Plan.

The importance of marketing the successes of Gaelic and culture to the wider community was also highlighted.

The 2012-16 plan sets out the Council’s aims and ambitions for Gaelic over the next four years and details how these will be achieved.  This renewed and refreshed Plan does not replace our 2007-11 Gaelic Language Plan, but builds on the Council’s on-going successes and achievements in growing Gaelic.

Convener of The Highland Council Councillor Sandy Park said:   “When we launched our Gaelic Language Plan in 2008 we were proud to be the first public body in Scotland to do so. Since then a lot of work has been done to promote the Gaelic language and culture.

“Today by fully adopting the Plan we have reaffirmed our commitment to Gaelic and in doing so we recognise the importance it has to the life and culture of the Highlands.”

There are five themes in the Plan, all of which contribute to increasing the number of Gaelic speakers. The themes are aligned to the domains of the National Plan which is currently being developed by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the National Gaelic Development Agency.

The Themes are as follows Gaelic in the Home and Community; Gaelic in Education; Gaelic in the Arts Media and Heritage; Gaelic in the Workplace and Gaelic in Economic Development.

As the Gaelic Plan has been approved by the full Council it will be submitted to Bòrd na Gàidhlig for ratification in the very near future.

Copies of the plan are available from The Highland Council’s website http://www.highland.gov.uk/livinghere/gaelic/gaeliclanguageplan/
ENDS