Argyll and Bute Council has agreed its approach to meeting new duties under the Scottish Languages Act 2025, including plans for community-led consultation on potential Areas of Linguistic Significance.
Areas of Linguistic Significance (ALS) are places where Gaelic continues to have a strong presence, because a significant proportion of the population has Gaelic language skills, or because of factors such as Gaelic Medium Education, cultural activity or historic connections to the language. The Act places a duty on councils to consider whether such areas should be designated and to consult with communities about this.
At its meeting on 20 August, the Policy and Resources Committee agreed that consultation and engagement should focus initially on areas where 20% or more of the population have Gaelic language skills, as well as communities where Gaelic Medium Education is provided. These include Islay, Colonsay, Tiree, Mull, Lismore, Oban, Appin, Dunoon and Sandbank.
Local community groups will be supported to lead engagement and consultation activity, with the Council taking a coordinating role.
Subject to Scottish Government funding being made available, communities will be supported to develop proposals based on their own local needs and aspirations for Gaelic language development. The approach is based on the principles of community empowerment and subsidiarity.
The committee noted that detail remains to be confirmed about what ALS will mean in practice. While the Scottish Government has issued statutory guidance on the process for considering Areas of Linguistic Significance, there is currently limited detail on the duties and expectations that may apply for designated areas.
Policy Lead for Gaelic, Councillor Luna Martin, said:
“We are delighted to recognise the significance of Gaelic within our communities and are proud to be fostering a community led approach when shaping proposals. Gaelic is an important part of Argyll and Bute’s heritage, and we are pleased that ALS will allow for recognition of this within our communities. We require more detail on what the duties and responsibilities of ALS may entail in practice and we look forward to further engagement on this.”
A further report will go to the Policy and Resources Committee in October, setting out the proposed consultation and engagement process in more detail.
A’ Chomhairle ag aontachadh modh-obrach coimhearsnachd do Sgìrean Cànain Sònraichte
Tha Comhairle Earra-Ghàidheal is Bhòid air modh-obrach aontachadh ann an coileanadh dhleastanasan ùra fo Achd nan Cànanan Albannach 2025, a’ gabhail a-steach phlanaichean airson co-chomhairleachadh fo stiùir na coimhearsnachd air na Sgìrean Cànain Sònraichte a tha san amharc.
Is iad Sgìrean Cànain Sònraichte (ALS) àiteachan far a bheil làthaireachd làidir aig a’ Ghàidhlig a’ leantainn, a chionn ’s gu bheil co-chuid cudromach den àireamh-sluaigh aig a bheil sgilean Gàidhlig no air sgàth nithean leithid Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig, gnìomhachd chultarach no ceanglaichean eachdraidheil ris a’ chànan. Tha an Achd a’ càradh dleastanas air comhairlean beachdachadh air am bu choir don lethid sin de sgìrean a bhith air an comharrachadh, agus co-chomhairleachadh le coimhearsnachdan mun seo.
Aig a’ choinneamh air 20 Lùnastal, dh’aontaich a’ Chomataidh Poileasaidh is Ghoireasan gum bu choir do cho-chomhairleachadh is conaltradh cuimseachadh sa chiad àite air sgìrean far a bheil sgilean Gàidhlig aig 20% no barrachd den àireamh-sluaigh, a thuilleadh air coimhearsnachdan far a bheil Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig ga sholarachadh. Tha iad sin a’ gabhail a-steach Ìle, Colbhasa, Tiriodh, Muile, Lios Mòr, an t-Òban, Apainn, Dùn Omhain agus Taigh a’ Chladaich.
Gheibh buidhnean ionadail taic le stiùireadh conaltraidh agus gnìomhachd co-chomhairleachaidh, leis a’ Chomhairle a’ gabhail dreuchd co-òrdanachaidh.
A rèir maoineachadh bho Riaghaltas na h-Alba a bhith ri fhaotainn, gheibh coimhearsnachdan taic le leasachadh mholaidhean stèidhichte air am feumalachdan ’s an rùintean ionadail fhèin a thaobh leasachadh na Gàidhlig. Tha am modh-obrach stèidhichte air prionnsapalan cumhachdachaidh is sìneadas coimhearsnachd.
Thug a’ chomataidh an aire gu bheil mionaideachd fhathast ri dhaingneachadh mu dheidhinn na bhios ALS a’ ciallachadh ann an da-rìribh. Ged a tha Riaghaltas na h-Alba air stiùireadh reachdail a sgaoileadh mun phròiseas airson beachdachadh air Sgìrean Cànain Sònraichte, gu làithreach chan eil ach beagan fiosrachaidh mionaideach mu na dleastanasan agus dòchasan a dh’fhaodadh a bhith co-cheangailte ri sgìrean sònraichte.
Thuirt an Comhairliche Luna Martin, Stiùiriche Poileasaidh don Ghàidhlig:
“Tha sinn air leth toilichte aithne a thoirt do chudromachd na Gàidhlig taobh a-staigh ar coimhearsnachdan agus tha sinn moiteil a bhith a’ brosnachadh modh-obrach coimhearsnachd ann an cumadh ar mholaidhean. Tha a’ Ghàidhlig na pàirt chudromach de dhualchas Earra-Ghàidheal is Bhòid, agus tha sinn toilichte gun ceadaich ALS seo taobh a-staigh ar coimhearsnachdan. Tha feum againn air barrachd fiosrachaidh mu na dleastanasan agus uallaichean a dh’fhaodadh a bhith an lùib a’ choileanaidh air ALS agus tha sinn a’ coimhead air adhart ri tuilleadh conaltraidh mun seo.”
Thèid aithisg eile chun na Comataidh Poileasaidh is Ghoireasan san Dàmhair, a’ mìneachadh a’ cho-chomhairleachaidh agus a’ phròiseis chonaltraidh san amharc ann am barrachd mionaideachd.
