Historic Environment Scotland’s (HES) vision to help safeguard and promote Gaelic language and culture is outlined in their newly released Gaelic Language Plan 2023-2026.
Community and partnership working sit at the core of the new plan and will build on the work the Gaelic team have undertaken to date. The previous plan created the role of Oifigear Adhartachadh na Gàidhlig (Gaelic Outreach Officer) that has been instrumental in building connections, listening to, and working with communities, groups, businesses, and public authorities. This work will continue as HES seek to support Gaelic speakers, learners, and those interested in Gaelic cultural heritage to connect with, celebrate, and enjoy the historic environment.
The new Gaelic Language Plan will run to November 2026 and builds on the success of the 2018-2023 plan. The work over the past five years has included launching the organisation’s first national Gaelic competition Sgrìobh is Aithris (Write and Recite) for children and young people aged 5 and 17, undertaking research on the connections between Gaelic language and culture and eleven HES sites, expanding the Gaelic retail offer for Historic Scotland and engaging with communities about Gaelic intangible cultural heritage (ICH). The Gaelic Language Plan 2023-2026 has been created following a consultation process, incorporating feedback from the public.
Over the next three years, the Gaelic Language Plan seeks to expand educational outreach and develop opportunities to further learn about topical subjects such as climate change, biodiversity and landscape through Gaelic. It also sets out plans to incorporate Gaelic into the organisation’s grants and funding activity and to raise awareness of funding and opportunities relevant to Gaelic-speaking areas and communities, or those promoting the language and culture.
Catriona Morrison, Gaelic Language Policy Manager at HES, said, “Gaelic has played a vital part in defining and shaping Scotland’s unique history and heritage. We look forward to continuing to work with communities, organisations and others to increase opportunities to learn and use Gaelic and celebrate Gaelic language and culture, so it can be shared with current and new audiences. The new Gaelic Language Plan highlights our commitment to ensuring we continue to play our part in supporting Gaelic to thrive for generations to come.”
Find the full Gaelic Language Plan 2023-26 on our website.
About Historic Environment Scotland (HES)
- We are the lead body for Scotland’s historic environment, a charity dedicated to the advancement of heritage, culture, education and environmental protection. It is at the forefront of researching and understanding the historic environment and addressing the impacts of climate change on its future, investigating and recording architectural and archaeological sites and landscapes across Scotland and caring for more than 300 properties of national importance. We are also the lead on delivering Scotland's strategy for the historic environment, Our Past, Our Future.
- Historic Scotland, Scran, Canmore, The National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP), The Engine Shed, Stirling Castle, and Edinburgh Castle are sub-brands of HES.
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For further information, please contact:
Julia Woolman
Historic Environment Scotland Media Office
07721 959 962
communications@hes.scot