Struggling councils must spend millions on Gaelic

BARELY 1 per cent of the nation speaks it and most of them also speak fluent English – yet councils across Scotland have been ordered to spend millions promoting Gaelic.

A 62-page report to Aberdeen City Council is proposing that road signs and council livery should include Gaelic translations.

Similar plans are being brought forward by all councils across the country after the Scottish Government demanded they act to preserve and promote the ancient language and give it ‘equal respect’ to English.

They must show that they are consulting relevant persons and, if the Scottish Government believes a council is not doing enough, it can step in and change the content of the language plans.

But the 2011 census of Scotland shows that only 57, 375 people in the country can understand the language and there has been a steady decline in fluent speakers. In Glasgow, home to 10 per cent of Scotland’s Gaelic speakers, the council plans to create a range of printed and online publications to promote events and learning opportunities.

But in Aberdeen, Liberal Democrat councillor Ian Yuill said: ‘It’s a long time since there was any need of Gaelic speakers in or near Aberdeen and I don’t think, particularly in the current economic circumstances, that you can justify spending money changing street signs or whatever where it is not a native language.’

TaxpayerScotland director Eben Wilson said: ‘It has always been obvious that the attempt to construct linguistic equality actually means giving privilege to some while using the taxes of others.’

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘A local authority or a public body will draw up a Gaelic Language Plan when requested by Bòrd na Gàidhlig. The plan should reflect local circumstances.’