Category: Consultations

Bòrd na Gàidhlig has submitted as response to the Scottish Government consultation on New National Parks Appraisal Framework.  Amongst the points raised, we said:

Bòrd na Gàidhlig are responding to this consultation because we wish to see sufficient recognition of cultural heritage – of which Gaelic language and culture is a key element – within the appraisal framework.

Understanding the Gaelic landscape and increasing awareness of one of Scotland’s indigenous languages can strengthen attraction to and sense of uniqueness of the Scottish landscape and its linguistic and cultural heritage. By ensuring that any new National Park places importance on Gaelic language and culture at the outset, the Park, its residents, and visitors will benefit from a sense of place, an opportunity to use and learn Gaelic, an increase wellbeing through linking nature and language.

The full response can be accessed here.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig responded to the consultation by the University of the Highlands and Islands about Local Advisory Committees for a new merger of UHI colleges.

We said in our response:

In selecting members of Local Advisory Committees consideration should be given to the added value of recruiting individuals with Gaelic language skills and links to Gaelic communities and organisations.

Such individuals would extend the breadth of connections into local developments, opportunities, projects, and partnerships. They will also have an enhanced ability to act as ambassadors for the college and UHI in the local community.

The full response can be read here.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig has submitted a response to the Scottish Government’s public consultation on the Draft Planning Guidance for Local Living and 20 Minute Neighbourhoods.

Among the points raised:

The report Living Well Locally 20 Minute Communities in the Highlands and Islands8 is referenced in the consultation document. It notes concerns that the 20-minute neighbourhood concept “could lead to further centralisation of services” the impact of which “would be to reinforce poverty, inequality and outmigration”.

If Gaelic users then leave their community to live elsewhere this can have two impacts. First, a reduction in the number of Gaelic speakers in the affected area.

Second, affected households may move to an area where Gaelic is much less used, and over time, they may no longer regularly use the language – or may lose it altogether.

The result is a reduction in the use of Gaelic. That runs counter to the National Gaelic Language Plan’s aim that the language is used more often, by more people.

The viability of these communities requires appropriate and flexible planning measures. We therefore welcome the approach set out in the ICIA and the draft guidance: in particular, the following points made in these documents.

Read the full response here.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig has submitted a response to the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Draft Plan public consultation.

We generally support the Draft Plan’s themes of:

• Restoring Nature.
• Creating A Sustainable, Low-Carbon Destination.
• Enabling a Greener Economy and Sustainable Living.

However, there is an issue of the balance between the three themes and those relating to cultural heritage.

Read the full response here.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig has submitted a response to the consultation: Council tax on second and empty homes / Non-domestic rates.

Among the points raised:

A number of socio-economic issues impact the viability of Gaelic communities and thus the language. Bòrd na Gàidhlig are working to ensure the impact of such issues are recognised and addressed. One of the critical issues affecting viability of Gaelic speaking communities is housing – specifically its cost and availability. This is vital in retaining and attracting population – including Gaelic speakers.

Sustainable and thriving Gaelic communities require sufficient numbers of people to live there all year round and have a connection to the region and the culture and language of the place. Gaelic speakers – and others – have strong ties to the place where they were born and raised and it must be recognised that there is a need to maintain these ties. They need places to live and they need suitable housing to do this – along with locally available services – and these communities will not be sustained unless sufficient people can live there full time.

You can read the full response here.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig have submitted a response to the Scottish Government’s public consultation: National Event Strategy Review and Refresh.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig submitted a response to this consultation to highlight the importance of Gaelic language and culture within the totality of events in Scotland, and the contribution it can continue to make to a range of positive outcomes for individuals, communities, and Scotland as a whole.

You can read the full response here.

At the end of May 2023, Bòrd na Gàidhlig submitted a response to the National Outcomes Review 2023 public consultation.  Points raised included:

The contribution of using and learning Gaelic is increasingly recognised in supporting wellbeing. That is because language and culture create self-esteem, nurture self-confidence, define identity and improve quality of life. This increases wellbeing for Gaelic users, learners, and supporters – who have great pride in the language and culture. Gaelic contributes positively to what these people think and feel about their lives. Bòrd na Gàidhlig has commissioned research to further quantify the benefits and opportunities for Scotland and wellbeing from the language and culture.

The full response can be read here.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig has submitted a response the the Scottish Government’s consultation on Community Wealth Building. Among the points raised include:

We are responding to this consultation because the viability of the Gaelic language rests on viable Gaelic-speaking communities: particularly those in the islands and rural communities in the Highlands and Islands.

We believe that Community Wealth Building can be a powerful tool for supporting the sustainability of the Gaelic language. We urge the Scottish Government to consider how the needs and potential of Gaelic-speaking communities are integrated and made evident in Community Wealth Building.

The full response can be found here.