Gaelic Language and Culture
Gaelic is one of the national languages of Scotland and is a Celtic language which has been spoken in Scotland for a long time, dating back to at least the 6th Century AD. The Gaelic place names throughout Scotland show how far Gaelic speakers and their language spread across Scotland.
A total of 58,652 people speak Gaelic in Scotland today according to the last Census, and more than half of them live in the traditional areas (the Western Isles and the West Highlands) and the remainder live in the rest of Scotland.
Gaelic is still a community language in several areas of Scotland and the Scottish Government, through legislation, and Bòrd na Gàidhlig are trying to promote and develop the status of the language. Gaelic is evident in different areas of modern Scottish life such as: education, broadcasting, employment, heritage and the arts. Bòrd na Gàidhlig strives to increase the access people have to Gaelic in every aspect of life in Scotland.
Although Gaelic is still in decline, there is cause for hope with increasing numbers of pupils being educated through the medium of Gaelic, and with the advent of the Gaelic Act itself which gives legislative vigour to the campaign to sustain and preserve Gaelic and its culture. Gaelic is a precious inheritance which the people of Scotland should be proud of, and it is a living language which is relevant in every way in today’s world.
Homecoming Scotland 2009 and Gaelic language and culture
Culture, Heritage and Gaelic arts are productive areas, and as well as attracting people to Gaelic, they raise the profile of Gaelic nationally and internationally. It is very important that Gaelic speakers have a cultural life of substance.A number of the Homecoming Scotland 2009 events have a strong Gaelic theme running through them, most notably:
Culloden – From Battle to Exile
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival
Tattoo Hebrides 2009
St Kilda Day: Latha Hiort
Blas Festival – Celebrating the Highlands
Isle of Barra Whisky Galore Festival
The Royal National Mod
Highland Homecoming
For more information about the role of Gaelic language and culture in Scottish society, go to http://www.bord-na-gaidhlig.org.uk/welcome.html%20