USE:  IMMEDIATE     ISSUE DATE:  MONDAY 30 MAY 2005

The Highland Council is leading the way in Scotland by publishing the country’s first Gaelic Language Plan, which sets out its commitment to promoting the language and culture.

The Plan was launched today (Monday) by Peter Peacock, Scottish Executive Minister for Education and Young People, at the Town Hall, Inverness.

It sets out how the Council proposes to:-

continue to develop and enhance the use of the Gaelic language and culture within The Highland Council and its partners.

Mr Peacock said: "The Gaelic Language Act was a milestone for the future of Gaelic – but it was just the start. Language plans, like The Highland Council’s, will help to give people the chance to use Gaelic in their daily lives. Only by ensuring that people can both learn and use the language can we give it a sustainable future in a modern Scotland.  I look forward to Highland Council developing their plan further in due course to meet the guidance Bòrd na Gàidhlig will issue in due course."

Council Vice-Convener, Councillor Michael Foxley, said: "We hope our Plan will prove a model and an inspiration for other public authorities. Gaelic has a rich language and culture and is undergoing a major renaissance in the Highlands.  We want to be at the forefront of this revival, not least through our support for Gaelic Medium Education, first introduced in 1985. Our Plan has been prepared in the spirit of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act and recognises the importance we attach to promoting the language and culture in the Highlands."

Gaelic Select Committee Chairman, Councillor Hamish Fraser, added: "Working in partnership with other key organisations, we will strive to ensure Gaelic, and its associated culture, plays a significant role in securing a prosperous and dynamic future for Highland. Highland 2007 – the year that Scotland celebrates Highland culture - provides us with a splendid opportunity to showcase our Gaelic language and culture."

"We look forward to working with Bòrd na Gàidhlig in the years ahead to ensure that our language continues to increase in stature, to endeavour to halt the decline in the number of Gaelic speakers, a legacy of the last century, and to move forward with a determination to make the 21^st century, the century that Gaelic is restored to its rightful place in our country.”

Duncan Ferguson, Chairman of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, said: "Bòrd na Gàidhlig congratulates Highland Council on all that it has done over the years to promote and strengthen Gaelic, and also on the publication of this Gaelic Language Plan today. This reinforces HC’s commitment to Gaelic and we look forward to seeing the plan implemented and Gaelic growing in their area.

"We also look forward to the development of the first National Plan for Gaelic, and Guidance on Language planning, which Bòrd na Gàidhlig will prepare in consultation with other parties. These documents, required by the Gaelic Act, will build on initiatives such as this Highland Council Plan, and provide national direction for future Gaelic language planning.

"The Bòrd is committed to working in partnership with Highland Council and other bodies, to achieve the revitalisation and new directions we all wish for Gaelic in Scotland."

-Ends-

Date Last updated : 30/05/05