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. (...)Read More


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:
- More people are using and benefiting from Gaelic at work, at home and in the community
- Opportunities for people to develop their Gaelic skills at any age have increased and are more accessible
- More people in Scotland are positive about Gaelic language and culture
- 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