Our Background

Bòrd na Gàidhlig is an executive non-departmental public body, responsible through Ministers to the Scottish Parliament.
Established under the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 (The Act) Bòrd na Gàidhlig is the principal public body in Scotland responsible for promoting Gaelic development and providing advice to the Scottish Ministers on Gaelic issues.
Under the terms of the Act, Bòrd na Gàidhlig is required to exercise its functions with a view to securing the status of Gaelic as an official language of Scotland commanding equal respect to the English language through:

  • Increasing the number of persons who are able to use and understand the Gaelic language
  • Encouraging the use and understanding of the Gaelic language
  • Facilitating access, in Scotland and elsewhere, to the Gaelic language and Gaelic culture
  • Promoting – and facilitating the promotion of – the use and understanding of the Gaelic language, and Gaelic education and Gaelic culture
  • Providing advice (either on request or when it sees fit) to the Scottish Ministers, public bodies and other persons exercising functions of a public nature on matters relating to the Gaelic language, Gaelic education and Gaelic culture
  • Providing advice (on request) to other persons on matters relating to Gaelic
  • Monitoring and reporting to the Scottish Ministers on the implementation of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages dated 5 November 1992 in relation to the Gaelic language

Our Background

Bòrd na Gàidhlig is an executive non-departmental public body, responsible through Ministers to the Scottish Parliament. Established under the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 (The Act) Bòrd na Gàidhlig is the principal public body in Scotland responsible for promoting Gaelic development and providing advice to the Scottish Ministers on Gaelic issues. (...)

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Our Vision

Gaelic is seen and heard on a daily basis across Scotland, such that it is widely recognised as an integral part of Scottish life and a national cultural and economic asset.

Our Remit

Produce the National Gaelic Language Plan and co-ordinate its delivery

Oversee the development and implementation of Gaelic Language Plans by Public Authorities

Issue statutory guidance to develop Gaelic education

Advise Scottish Government Ministers on Gaelic issues

Distribute funds for the development of the Gaelic language

Provide leadership and advice in support of Gaelic language initiatives

Initiate and implement projects and initiatives

Promote Gaelic locally, nationally and internationally

Listen and react to the needs of communities

Our Priorities

By 2023 the outcomes we want to achieve are:

  1. More people are using and benefiting from Gaelic at work, at home and in the community
  2. Opportunities for people to develop their Gaelic skills at any age have increased and are more accessible
  3. More people in Scotland are positive about Gaelic language and culture
  4. Bòrd na Gàidhlig continues to develop how it works

Our Approach

Encourage innovation

Build partnerships

Be open and accountable

Promote positive messages

Deliver value for money

Make decisions based on sound evidence

Ensure good corporate governance

Adopt good practice

Learn from others