From supporting Gaelic learning and community initiatives to securing funding for key development posts, a report going before councillors this week highlights the progress being made to promote and strengthen Gaelic across Argyll and Bute.
The report covers the period from 16 December 2024 to 16 December 2025 and forms part of the council’s annual reporting requirements to Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
The council has a statutory duty under the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 to develop and implement a Gaelic Language Plan. The current plan runs from 2022 to 2026 and aligns with the National Gaelic Language Plan approved by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the public body responsible for promoting Gaelic development in Scotland.
The report highlights progress achieved through the collaborative efforts of a number of council services, including Education, Development and Economic Growth, Community Planning, Communications, Roads and Infrastructure Services, and Property Services. The council also continues to support Gaelic through both direct delivery and by enabling and supporting community groups and individuals with an interest in the language.
Among the achievements noted is the successful award of a three-year grant worth £117,300 from Bòrd na Gàidhlig to support delivery of the plan. The funding contributes towards a Gaelic Development Worker post, the annual Gaelic Gathering, online Gaelic learning opportunities for teachers and support for the Furan Centre Development Worker.
The report also highlights the council’s active Gaelic Forum Facebook group, which provides a platform for people across Argyll and Bute who are interested in Gaelic to connect and engage with Gaelic-related activities and opportunities. In addition, a cross-service officer group meets regularly with the council’s Policy Lead for Gaelic to monitor implementation of the plan and share progress updates.
Councillor Luna Martin, Policy Lead for Gaelic, said:
"Gaelic is an important part of Argyll and Bute’s culture, heritage and identity, and I am pleased to see the positive progress highlighted in this report on delivery of our Gaelic Language Plan. The report demonstrates the commitment of staff, partners and communities to supporting and promoting Gaelic in meaningful ways.
"From education to customer services and cultural activities, Gaelic continues to play a valuable role in our area.
"As we look ahead to our next Gaelic Language Plan, I would encourage anyone with an interest in Gaelic, whether they are fluent speakers or learners to take part in our current public consultation. Your feedback will help shape our priorities for the years ahead and ensure Gaelic continues to thrive across Argyll and Bute."
The consultation on the draft Gaelic Language Plan is open until September. To find out more and submit your views, visit: https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/draft-gaelic-language-plan-consultation.
Read the full report (item 13)
Adhartas dearbhach ann an lìbhrigeadh a’ Phlana Ghàidhlig
Bho thaic do dh’iomairtean ionnsachaidh is coimhearsnachd gu maoineachadh fhaotainn airson prìomh dhreuchdan leasachaidh, tha aithisg a’ dol air beulaibh chomhairlichean an t-seachdain seo a tha a’ togail air an adhartas a tha dèante gus Gàidhlig adhartachadh agus a neartachadh air feadh Earra-Ghàidheal is Bhòid.
Tha an aithisg a’ còmhdach na h-ùine bho 16 Dùbhlachd 2024 gu 16 Dùbhlachd 2025 agus a’ cumadh pàirt de riatanasan aithris bhliadhnail na comhairle.
Tha dleastanas reachdail air a’ chomhairle fo Achd na Gàidhlig (Alba) 2005 gu Plana Gàidhlig a leasachadh agus a bhuileachadh. Tha am plana làithreach a’ ruith bho 2022 gu 2026 agus a’ co-thaobhadh le Plana Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig a tha air aontachadh le Bòrd na Gàidhlig, am buidheann poblach air a bheil uallach airson leasachadh na Gàidhlig adhartachadh ann an Alba.
Tha an aithisg a’ togail air adhartas a chaidh a choileanadh tro oidhirpean co-obrachail an lùib àireamh de sheirbheisean comhairle, a’ gabhail a-steach Foghlam, Leasachadh is Fàs Eaconamach, Planadh Coimhearsnachd, Conaltraidhean, Seirbheisean Rathaidean is Bun-structair, agus Seirbheisean Seilbh. Tha a’ chomhairle cuideachd a’ leantainn air taic a chur ri Gàidhlig tro lìbhrigeadh dìreach agus tro bhith a’ comasachadh agus a’ cuideachadh bhuidhnean coimhearsnachd agus daoine fa leth aig a bheil ùidh sa chànan.
Am measg nan euchdan as cudromaiche, tha buileachadh air an tabhartas shoirbheachail trì-bliadhna de £117,300 bho Bhòrd na Gàidhlig gus taic a chur ri lìbhrigeadh a’ Phlana. Tha am maoineachadh a’ dol a dh’ionnsaigh dreuchd Obraiche Leasachaidh Gàidhlig, an Cruinneachadh Gàidhlig bliadhnail, cothroman ionnsachaidh Gàidhlig air-loidhne do thidsearan, agus taic do dh’Obraiche Gàidhlig airson Ionad Furan.
Tha an aithisg a’ togail cuideachd air buidheann Fòram Gàidhlig Facebook na comhairle, a tha a’ solarachadh àrd-ùrlar do dhaoine air feadh Earra-Ghàidheal is Bhòid aig a bheil ùidh ann an Gàidhlig gus ceangal a dhèanamh agus com-pàirt a ghabhail ann an gnìomhachdan is cothroman co-cheangailte ri Gàidhlig. A thuilleadh air sin, tha buidheann oifigearan tar-sheirbheis a’ coinneachadh gu cunbhalach le Stiùiriche Poileasaidh Gàidhlig na comhairle gus sùil a chumail air buileachadh a’ phlana agus ùr-fhiosrachadh air adhartas a’ phlana a roinn.
Thuirt an Comhairliche Luna Martin, Stiùiriche Poileasaidh Gàidhlig:
"Tha Gàidhlig na pàirt chudromach de chultar, dualchas, agus dearbh-aithne Earra-Ghàidheal is Bhòid, agus tha mi toilichte an adhartas dhearbhach fhaicinn a tha air a thogail san aithisg seo a thaobh lìbhrigeadh a’ Phlana Ghàidhlig againn. Tha an aithisg a’ taisbeanadh dealas luchd-obrach, com-pàirtichean agus coimhearsnachdan ann an cur taic ri agus adhartachadh na Gàidhlig ann an dòighean brìoghmhor.
"Bho fhoghlam gu seirbheisean chustamairean agus gnìomhachdan cultarach, tha a’ Ghàidhlig a’ leantainn air prìomh àite luachmhor a choileanadh san sgìre againn. Tha sinn taingeil airson taic Bhòrd na Gàidhlig, a tha gar cuideachadh le togail air an obair seo agus barrachd chothroman a chruthachadh do dhaoine a thaobh an cànan ionnsachadh, a chleachdadh agus tlachd a ghabhail às.
"Mar a bhios sinn a’ coimhead air adhart ris an ath Phlana Ghàidhlig againn, mholainn do neach sam bith le ùidh ann an Gàidhlig, eadar gur e fileantaich a th’ annta, luchd-ionnsachaidh no luchd-taic don chànan, pàirt a ghabhail nar co-chomhairleachadh poblach làithreach. Cuidichidh an ais-fhhiosrachadh agaibh le ar prìomhachasan don na bliadhnaichean ri teachd a chumadh, agus le dèanamh cinnteach gun lean a’ Ghàidhlig oirre a’ soirbheachadh air feadh Earra-Ghàidheal is Bhòid.”
Tha an co-chomhairleachadh air an dreachd Plana Gàidhlig fosgailte gu an t-Sultain. Gus tuilleadh fhaighinn a-mach agus ur beachdan a chur a-steach, tadhailibh air: https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/draft-gaelic-language-plan-consultation.
