Have your say on latest Gaelic Language Plan

The Scottish Parliament has published its draft Gaelic Language Plan, which lays out its commitments to supporting and promoting the use of Gaelic within the organisation.

It is consulting on the plan and is looking for views from members of the public on the proposed priorities set out before a final plan is published later this year.

Announcing the draft Gaelic Language Plan, presiding officer The Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP said: “Gaelic is an integral part of Scotland’s heritage, national identity and cultural life.

“Since this Parliament passed the Gaelic Language Act of 2005, public bodies in Scotland have had a legal duty to promote the increased learning and use of Gaelic. This draft plan sets out how we propose to do that over the next five years.”

Members of the public can tell Parliament what they think about the Gaelic Language Plan through an online consultation platform.

Fluent speakers, and those learning the language, are especially invited to share their views on both the continuing, and new commitments, made in the plan. The link to the consultation platform can be found at yourviews.parliament.scot/pco/glp2023.

The Scottish Parliament’s Gaelic development officer, Dr Alasdair MacCaluim, said: “From visible signs around the building, to the provision of a Gaelic email and telephone service for the public to contact us on, we are proud of the prominence that Gaelic has at Holyrood. We’ll be expanding offerings under the new plan as interest in the language grows.

“We invite Gaelic speakers and learners to let us know what they think of our current provisions, and some of the new commitments we’ll be undertaking over the next five years.

“The feedback we receive will help us to improve the plan and provide an even better service for everyone.”