Gaelic schools thrive while native language declines

The Scottish government has promised additional funding to secure the jobs of 27 staff working in the community.

An initial payment of £175,000 was to be provided to the Gaelic development agency Bòrd na Gàidhlig to maintain the role of the community officers, who work to promote the Gaelic language and culture through local projects.

Government sources point towards the Scottish Languages Bill currently making its way through parliament as further evidence of their support.

Ms Forbes, who also has responsibility for Gaelic, said she was “extremely optimistic” about the future of the language but conceded it would take a “generational shift”.

She said it was still a “language of everyday use” in her constituency of Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch but said there was a “positive direction of travel” across Scotland.

“If you look at the last 10 years – think of the way Duolingo has taken off, Speak Gaelic, external – more learners studying the language and using the language.

“I use the language in my work and I took the oath to start this job as deputy first minister in Gaelic just last week so this is part of our modern, diverse Scotland and I think it is in the interests of all of us to continue to support it.”

For those embracing the Gaelic language and culture, particularly in Gaelic schools, they carry much responsibility on their young shoulders.

There is an increasing fragility surrounding it. The word cugallach, meaning uncertain, sensitive or precarious, is in some ways perfect to describe it.

Those pupils might wonder if there still time before the end of the decade to bridge that gap between education and community and ensure that the Gaelic language remains with us for many generations to come.