Gaelic promotion ‘a waste of public funds’

Sir, - I am disappointed to see that there are still dyed-in-the-wool protagonists for the Gaelic language who are in denial of the reality and history of this minority language.

According to one source, only about 23% of the whole of the Scottish population spoke Gaelic in 1755.

In spite of that, our Government, who are adept at attempts in social engineering, blindly carry on inflicting us with Gaelic signs in areas where Gaelic was probably never spoken.

Personally, my paternal grandfather’s ancestors probably spoke Anglo Saxon (with a Geordie accent) and my paternal grandmother’s ancestors were Lowland Scots and likely spoke Lallans Scots, certainly not Gaelic.

On my mother’s side, her parents and their ancestors were pure Orcadian and would have spoken Norse, then Norn, but certainly not Gaelic.

Gaelic was introduced to most of the west of this land by invading tribes or clans of Scots from Ireland which resulted in the demise of the native Picts, their power, and their Celtic language.

I hasten to add that signs incorporating Gaelic in those parts of the West Highlands and Hebridean Islands are perfectly in keeping historically.

Elsewhere, however, they cause confusion and a wry smile of amusement at what must surely be a vain and purely romantic attempt to reintroduce a language which is, sadly, dying.

It is an expensive waste of public funds and is inappropriate

John D Ridley. 94 Spoutwells Drive, Scone.

Questions are being asked about spending on Gaelic promotion.