The ‘Gaelic-only’ neighbourhoods ...that could ban English speakers from living there
‘Divisive’ vision backed by SNP Minister
SCOTS who do not speak Gaelic may be banned from living in certain areas of the Highlands and Islands under controversial plans backed by a senior member of the SNP Cabinet.
Campaigners want the Scottish Government to create residential enclaves in which only those fluent in the Celtic dialect can settle.
Only around 1 per cent of the population can speak any Gaelic, figures suggest, meaning most Scots would be barred from applying to live there.
Now, despite admitting the proposals could be ‘perceived’ as ‘discrimination’, Finance Secretary Kate Forbes has signalled she is ‘very supportive’ of the plans. But critics last night branded her backing as ‘dangerous and divisive’.
Scottish Tory housing spokesman Alexander Stewart said: ‘Housing should be available on a needs basis for Scots, not on if you speak English or Gaelic over the breakfast table.
‘With the SNP Government on track to miss their affordable housing target, the focus should be on delivering roofs over people’s heads rather than unhelpful ideas.’
Ms Forbes, 30, who speaks Gaelic fluently, has lamented the demise of the language and the ‘constantly receding’ Gaelic communities.
During a recent online discussion with residents of Skye and Raasay, the MSP – who represents Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch – reiterated her ‘grief and anguish’ at the idea that far fewer people are speaking Gaelic.
But she added there was a ‘strong will and desire’ on the part of the
Scottish Government ‘not to let it die on their watch’. She added: ‘My forebears would have grown up in a community in Applecross where it was just naturally spoken. Now it won’t be.’
Amid concerns about the increase of holiday let cottages and second homes in the Highlands and Islands – meaning entire villages are nearly empty for long periods of time – residents suggested that the Government look at initiatives to encourage people to buy their main residence in the area.
Some Gaelic campaigners, such as the group Misneachd, have called for Ministers to consider launching Gaelic-speaking housing developments.
Asked what she thought of the proposals, Ms Forbes said: ‘This is probably the most controversial thing I’ll say to you – I would be very supportive of that.
‘There are big issues in terms of conflict with equalities legislation, because of perceived discrimination. But I think we need to take increasingly positive action and intervene in trying to support Gaelic-speaking communities.’
She added: ‘The one caveat I’d make to that is that you cannot artificially create communities. So right now I would far rather focus on saving what we have.’
Ms Forbes said that without action, Gaelic could be lost in the next decade – even in communities where it is widely spoken, such as in Staffin and Kilmuir in the north of the Isle of Skye.
Last night, she said: ‘Gaelic is extremely fragile right now.
‘A series of community meetings were held in which proposals were made for more socio-economic interventions, like affordable homes, economic opportunities and good access to services.
‘There is no suggestion of anything or anybody not being welcome. Instead, it’s about the provision of adequate support for rural communities where Gaelic remains a default language.’ Ms Forbes’s intervention follows warnings over the language’s future.
A recent research paper, The Gaelic Crisis In The Vernacular Community, states: ‘If we continue along the trajectory we are on... in ten years there will be Gaelic speakers in the islands but there won’t be communities of speakers.’
However, the number of people learning Gaelic has soared during the pandemic.
Since lockdown began, 154,000 students have signed on for lessons at education website Learn Gaelic.
Language app Duolingo also reported a huge interest in the Gaelic course it launched last year. Users learn by playing games and typing words and phrases.
‘You cannot artificially create communities’