Latest five year plan to boost language in park
A strategy to raise the profile of Gaelic within the national park is set to go out to public consultation.
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is required by law to renew its Gaelic Language Plan every five years, with the latest draft about to go out to 12 week consultation from January 10.
The first five-year plan is said to have been delivered successfully, and the new version aims to build on its work, including developing work with schoolchildren and raising awareness among volunteers.
There will also be more opportunities for staff to learn Gaelic.
In a report to the national park board, officials said the first version of the plan focused on creating communication resources across core areas in the Gaelic Language Act including identity, branding, signage, communications, digital and publications, and awareness training for staff in the Park.
Gaelic was prominent and highly visible in the board’s corporate identity in print, online material, events , ranger and volunteer ranger knowledge, and signage throughout the park.
Activities have also included holding a Gaelic language awareness month.
Future work was designed to “bring the Gaelic history and culture of the park alive through in-person engagement and educational opportunities”.
Coursework and case studies will be developed for schools on the Gaelic history and culture of the park landscape to tie in with the curriculum.
Schools already come to the park to learn about geography, geology, biology and land use.
The report adds; “Gaelic awareness is also to be incorporated into delivery of existing volunteer, education and engagement work.
“This will focus on the Gaelic origins of many of the place names of mountains, rivers and towns in the national park.”
Gaelic language awareness training will also be offered to all staff every year at introductory and more advanced levels to ensure new staff receive training and existing staff build on their knowledge, and there will be both classes and digital learning opportunities offered to staff.
“The aim is that by 2022 the national park will have strong education and visitor engagement opportunities, supported by a wide range of physical and digital resources that bring to life the Gaelic culture of the national park for visitors and our communities,” explains the report.
Hard copies of the plan will be made available at Park HQ in Balloch and at public libraries throughout the park.
There will also be an electronic version will be accessible via the park authority’s website and social media.
Responses will be invited by post and email.
Following the consultation, the final plan will be submitted to the park board in June 2017. Final approval would be down to Bord na Gaidhlig.