Promoting the Gaelic language

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is committed to promoting and developing the Gaelic language which is an integral part of the culture and heritage of the Outer Hebrides .

The Comhairle website offers an opportunity to highlight many aspects of that ongoing work. The Comhairle is also committed to moving towards a bi-lingual website within available resources.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar launched its revised Gaelic policy at a meeting of the Gaelic Language and Culture Forum on Monday 4 October 2004. The policy sets out the Comhairle's objectives and aspirations for the use and development of the language.

The overall aim of the policy is that the Western Isles should be a bilingual community in which Gaelic and English have equal validity as the languages of communication.

Statutory Guidance On Gaelic Education

This Statutory Guidance on Gaelic Education was issued by Bòrd na Gàidhlig (Opens in a new window or downloads a file) under Section 9 of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 and consists of two main parts:

• Part 1 -  provides guidance specifically relating to the Education (Scotland) Act 2016 and its provisions for the Gaelic medium primary education (GMPE) request process and the duty placed on education authorities to promote and support Gaelic education.
• Part 2 -  provides further guidance relating to the provision of Gaelic education in schools.

Statutory Guidance on Gaelic Education (513.2kB) (Opens in a new window or downloads a file)

Further Information from Bòrd na Gàidhlig (Opens in a new window or downloads a file)