A GAELIC language revival is set to be ramped up in Dumfries and Galloway over the coming months.
A pilot Gaelic education plan has been drawn up and will be tested with pupils in one secondary school. If successful, it could potentially be rolled out to other high school pupils.
Plans are also close to being signed off on new road signs that will feature the slogan “Scotland Starts Here”, along with Gaelic wording to help promote the country’s traditional language.
These steps were given the thumbs up by councillors at the Dumfries and Galloway Council’s education committee last week as they were updated on the region’s Gaelic Language Plan for 2022-2027.
Stranraer and the Rhins Councillor Ben Dashper said: “I really welcome this. I’m a big proponent of the Gaelic language and I think we should be doing a lot more locally and nationally.”
Dee and Glenkens Councillor Dougie Campbell asked for more details on the Gaelic language pilot scheme at Dalry Secondary School.
Stephen Jack, the council’s lifelong learning manager, explained that Gaelic teaching plans at Dalry are currently on hold due to staff absence.
He added: “I’ve been liaising the lead officer from education on that and we’re going to identify an additional school to try that pilot.
“There have been additional resources developed in terms of Gaelic language that can be used with pupils etc.
“So, we’ve had to pause the Dalry one at the moment and we’ll work with another school – yet to be identified – to take forward the pilot.
“We’ll review that and, if there’s wider interest amongst secondary schools, we’ll take that forward.”
Councillor Campbell also suggested another way that the council could help to promote awareness of the Scots traditional language.
He said: “Driving in this morning I saw a couple of ambulances and a police car that have Gaelic on their livery. I’m just wondering if that’s something that’s being looked at or considered wtihin the context of the Gaelic language plan.
“Because the police and ambulance vehicles certainly stand out. If our council vehicles were marked up in some way I think it would raise public awareness that the Gaelic language is something that the council is committed to.”
Stephen Jack confirmed that councils are encouraged by Bòrd na Gàidhlig (the national body leading Gaelic language plans) to incorporate Gaelic language as much as possible, including in signage and vehicles.
He added: “This is the first request that has been taken forward as a starting point, and we’re certainly looking at the Gaelic signage at the moment on the trunk roads.
“But if there’s a will from members, and Bòrd na Gàidhlig, to look at other areas of council signage and other branding to be rolled out further, we can certainly do more investigation and scoping work.”
