Have Your Say on the Future of Gaelic in Stirling

The draft plan sets out how the Council will support and promote Gaelic over the next five years, with proposed actions covering communities, education, families, culture, business, public services, and lifelong learning.

Gaelic is an important part of Scotland’s heritage and culture. Census data from 2022 showed an increase in the number of people in the Stirling area who could understand, speak, read, or write Gaelic, highlighting the growing interest in the language across our communities.

Partnerships between local Gaelic organisations and Stirling Council have also strengthened, fostering a greater awareness of Gaelic language and culture while expanding support and opportunities for Gaelic learners.

The Council wants to hear from as many people as possible to ensure the final plan reflects local needs and aspirations. All responses will be carefully considered and will help shape Stirling Council’s Gaelic Language Plan for 2027-2032.

You can access the consultation here via the Stirling Council website, and Citizen Space Consultation Portal: engage.stirling.gov.uk/en-GB/folders/plana-gaidhlig-2027-2032. Paper copies and alternative formats can be made available on request.

Stirling Council Leader Cllr Susan McGill said:

“Gaelic is a valued part of Stirling’s story, and it remains an important part of the area’s cultural life today.

“More people are choosing to learn and use Gaelic, and we want to make sure that growth continues in the years ahead. That’s why we’re inviting people from across Stirling to have their say, whether you’re a speaker, a learner, or simply interested in seeing Gaelic flourish.

“By sharing your views, you’ll help shape the future of Gaelic in our communities for the next five years.”

Cllr McGill added:

“Gaelic plays an important role in enriching learning and helping young people connect with Scotland’s language, culture, and heritage.

“We have seen growing interest in Gaelic education and learning opportunities across Stirling, and this draft plan sets out how we can continue to support that progress. We would encourage pupils, parents, carers, staff, and the wider community to take part in the consultation and share their views on how Gaelic can continue to thrive in our schools and communities.”

The consultation closes at midnight on Thursday 8 October. 

Tog do ghuth mu chor na Gàidhilg san àm ri teachd ann an Sruighlea
Tha daoine air feadh Shruighlea gam brosnachadh gus pàirt a ghabhail ann an co-chomhairle phoblach a chuidicheas le bhith a’ cumadh Plana Gàidhlig Comhairle Shruighlea airson 2027-2032.

Tha an dreachd plana a’ mìneachadh mar a bheir a’ Chomhairle taic dhan Ghàidhlig agus mar a bhrosnaicheas i i thar nan còig bliadhna a tha romhainn, le gnìomhan ann a thaobh choimhearsnachdan, foghlam, teaghlaichean, cultar, gnìomhachas, seirbheisean poblach, agus ionnsachadh fad-bheatha.

Tha a’ Ghàidhlig na pàirt chudromach de dhualchas, fèin-aithne agus cultar na h-Alba. Sheall dàta bho chunntas-sluaigh 2022 àrdachadh ann an àireamh nan daoine ann an sgìre Shruighlea a tha comasach air Gàidhlig a thuigsinn, a bhruidhinn, a leughadh no a sgrìobhadh, a’ dearbhadh gu bheil ùidh a’ fàs air feadh nan coimhearsnachdan againn.

Tha com-pàirteachasan eadar buidhnean Gàidhlig ionadail agus Comhairle Shruighlea air neartachadh cuideachd, a’ brosnachadh barrachd mothachaidh air Gàidhlig agus a cultar agus aig an aon àm a’ leudachadh taic agus chothroman do luchd-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig.

Tha a’ Chomhairle airson cluinntinn bho na ghabhas de dhaoine gus dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil am plana deireannach a rèir fheumalachdan agus mhiannan ionadail. Beachdaichear gu faiceallach air na freagairtean uile agus cuidichidh iad le bhith a’ cumadh Plana Gàidhlig Comhairle Shruighlea airson 2027-2032.

Gheibhear a’ cho-chomhairle an seo tro làrach-lìn Comhairle Shruighlea, agus Portal Co-chomhairle Citizen Space: engage.stirling.gov.uk/en-GB/pasganan/plana-Gàidhlig-2027-2032. Gheibhear am fiosrachadh seo ann an cruthan eile ma thèid seo iarraidh.

Thuirt Ceannard Comhairle Shruighlea an Comhairliche Susan McGIll: “Tha a’ Ghàidhlig na pàirt luachmhor de sgeulachd Shruighlea, agus tha i fhathast na pàirt chudromach de bheatha chultarail na sgìre san latha an-diugh.”

“Tha barrachd dhaoine a’ cur romhpa Gàidhlig ionnsachadh agus a chleachdadh, agus tha sinn airson dèanamh cinnteach gun lean am fàs sin anns na bliadhnaichean ri teachd.” Sin as adhbhar gu bheil sinn ag iarraidh air daoine air feadh Shruighlea am beachdan a thoirt seachad, co-dhiù a bheil thu nad neach-labhairt, nad neach-ionnsachaidh, no ma tha thu dìreach airson ’s gun soirbhich leis a’ Ghàidhlig.

“Le bhith a’ toirt seachad do bheachdan, cuidichidh tu le bhith a’ cumadh cor na Gàidhlig sna coimhearsnachdan againn airson an ath chòig bliadhna.”

Thuirt an Comhairliche McGill cuideachd “Tha a’ Ghàidhlig cudromach ann an neartachadh ionnsachadh agus a bhith a’ cuideachadh dhaoine òga gus ceangal a dhèanamh ri cànan, cultar agus dualchas na h-Alba.”

“Tha sinn a’ faicinn barrachd ùidh ann an foghlam Gàidhlig agus cothroman ionnsachaidh air feadh Shruighlea, agus tha an dreachd plana seo a’ mìneachadh mar a chumas sinn taic ris an adhartas seo.

“Bhrosnaicheamaid sgoilearan, pàrantan, luchd-cùraim, luchd-obrach, agus a’ choimhearsnachd san fharsaingeachd gus pàirt a ghabhail anns a’ cho-chomhairle agus gus na beachdan aca a cho-roinn air mar as urrainn dhan Ghàidhlig soirbheachadh anns na sgoiltean agus na coimhearsnachdan againn.”

Thig a’ cho-chomhairle gu crìch aig meadhan oidhche air Diardaoin 8 Dàmhair.

Main Image Credit – Stirling Council

Have Your Say on the Future of Gaelic in Stirling | Stirling Council