Category: Consultations

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.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig has submitted a response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on an International Culture Strategy. Points raised include:

We would have expected some reference(s) to the role and contribution of Gaelic language and culture as a distinctive asset within Scotland’s international culture offering.  Bòrd na Gàidhlig will continue to work closely with other partners to ensure that Gaelic language and culture is fully integrated into the strategy to help ensure that its potential is realised. 

Read the full response here.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig has submitted a response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on Scottish Highly Protected Marine Areas.

The response included the following text:

We are responding to this consultation because the viability of the Gaelic language rests on viable Gaelic-speaking communities: particularly those in island and rural areas in the Highlands and Islands.
These communities are also tradition bearers for the language and their loss would have irreversible negative effect on the indigenous culture which has survived for hundreds of years.

The full response can be read here.

The Scottish Parliament is currently seeking to know more about what is happening in our local communities. What works well? And what barriers are there to putting on or taking part in cultural activities?  Bòrd na Gàidhlig submitted a response on 29 March 2023.  Among the points we raised:

Gaelic langauge and culture is for all to enjoy and engage with.  Bòrd na Gàidhlig and our partners are committed to supporting communities across Scotland in accessing Gaelic language and culture.  We do, however, recognise that there is still much work to be done to ensure communities and groups know about our Gaelic culture and feel able to meaningfully engage with Gaelic speakers and learners.  We will continue to encourage community engagement with Gaelic culture through our funding streams and delivery partners. 

The full response can be found here.

The Scottish Government is currently holding a consultation on electoral reform.  Bòrd na Gàidhlig has submitted a response and among the points raised, we said:

Scottish Government’s Gaelic Language Plan states that “for Gaelic to have a sustainable future, there needs to be a concerted effort” on the part of a range of bodies and individual Gaelic speakers-including “government”-to:

• Enable the use of Gaelic in a range of social, formal, and work settings.
• Expand the respect for, and visibility, audibility, and recognition of Gaelic.

Thus, extending the use of Gaelic to election materials would help to achieve Scottish Government’s own policies for the language. By increasing the use of Gaelic, it would also contribute to achieving the aims of the National Gaelic Language Plan.

This could include the use of Gaelic on election ballot papers in Scottish Parliament and local authority elections.

The full response can be found here.

On the 3 March 2023 Bòrd na Gàidhlig submitted a response to Aberdeen City Council’s consultation on their Gaelic Medium Education catchment area.

Among the points raised, Bòrd na Gàidhlig said:

The education authority has given due consideration to children & families that may be impacted by the proposed changes. For example, those outwith city boundaries, and highlighted that they will be able to continue with GME.

The education authority has highlighted how children & families living outwith city boundaries can access GME should they wish to do so.

Therefore, Bòrd na Gàidhlig welcomes the recommendation that a catchment area will be established for both Hazlehead Academy
Gilcomstoun School where there is GME provision.

The full response can be read here.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig has submitted a response to Highlands & Islands Enterprise’s new 5 year strategic plan.  This is a follow up survey.

Points raise by Bòrd na Gàidhlig include:

RE SWOT: There are no references to the specific challenges faced by islands. That is in the context of the National Islands Plan. Within the Plan, Scottish Government recognises the importance of the Gaelic language to many island communities, and the importance of the Gaelic speaking island communities to the survival and sustainability of Gaelic in Scotland. The Plan includes commitments throughout to supporting individuals, communities, and organisations in Gaelic speaking island communities in their use of Gaelic.

The full response can be read here.