Accounts

Focus area

Gaelic (Gàidhlig)

Publication date
10 November 2026

What Gaelic is

Gaelic has been spoken in Scotland for more than 1,500 years and, although its use has declined over the centuries, it remains a valuable part of Scotland's cultural identity. 

We continue to work closely with Bòrd na Gàidhlig, who's aim is that "Gaelic is seen and heard on a daily basis across Scotland, such that it is widely recognised as an integral part of Scottish life and a national cultural and economic asset."

Dè th' ann an Gàidhlig

Tha daoine ann an Alba air a bhith a' bruidhinn na Gàidhlig airson còrr is 1500 bliadhna agus, ged a tha i air crìonadh thar nan linntean, tha i fhathast na pàirt mhòr de fèin-aithne Albannach.  Tha sinn ag obair gu dlùth le Bòrd na Gàidhlig, aig a bheil an t-amas gun tèid Gàidhlig air a faicinn agus air a cluintinn gu làitheil air feadh Alba.  

Mar sin, thèid Gàidhlig aithneachadh mar phàirt bhunaiteach de bheatha Albannach agus mar rudeigin buannachail airson na h-eaconomaidh agus cultar nàiseanta na dùthcha.

What we're doing

We're committed to actively promoting Gaelic in our organisation and in our communities. Gaelic is an integral part of our shared heritage and national identity, and we're proud of its rich cultural tradition. We'll support our communities to celebrate this and realise the benefits that embracing Gaelic presents. Doing so will help us safeguard the future of Gaelic in Renfrewshire as a language that is visible, utilised, and respected.

The 2022 census results for Gaelic language skills in Renfrewshire's communities are now available. The census reveals Renfrewshire has a small number of residents with Gaelic skills, with the number of people who understand, speak, read, or write Gaelic having increased from 1586 in 2011 to 2935 in 2022. Renfrewshire's population has increased significantly in the period (5.1%), so this relates to a rise from 0.3% of the population to 0.7%. Significant rises occurred in all combinations of skills in Gaelic language. Renfrewshire has a small Gaelic community, but we're committed to providing sustainable support and learning opportunities matched to their needs and aspirations.

Our Gaelic Language Plan, Plana Gàidhlig Comhairle, identifies our ambitions for Gaelic over the period of 2024 to 2029.

The Education (Scotland) Act 2016 places a duty on education authorities to promote and support Gaelic Medium Education (GME) and Gaelic Learner Education (GLE) and establishes a process by which parents can request Gaelic Medium Primary Education (GMPE) from their education authority. Since August 2022, GME has been offered to primary aged pupils in Renfrewshire.

See more details on learning and education in Gaelic.

Dè tha sinn a' dèanamh

Tha sinn air cur romhainn ri Gàidhlig a leasachadh agus àrdachadh anns a' Chomhairle agus nar coimhearsnachdan.  'S e Gàidhlig pìos cudromach de dualchas agus fèin-aithne na sgìre agus tha sinn pròiseil às a' chànan agus a beartas cultarach.  Bheir sinn taic do na coimhearsnachdan againn gus Gàidhlig a chomharrachadh agus àrdaichidh sinn na buannachdan a bhios Gàidhlig a' riochdachadh.  Tha sinn airson Gàidhlig a bhrosnachadh mar chànan a tha feumail, beò agus urramaichte.     

Tha na toraidhean bhon a' chunntas-sluaigh 2022 a-nis air foillseachadh.  Tha na toraidhean a' sealltainn gu bheil àireamh bheag de dhaoine ann an Siorrachd Rinn Friù aig a bheil sgìlean Gàidhlig le meudachadh ann an sgilean labhairt, leughaidh, sgrìobhaidh agus tuigse air a' Ghàidhlig bho 1,586 ann an 2011 gu 2,935 ann an 2022.  Tha an àireamh-shluaigh ann an Siorrachd Rinn Friù air meudachadh rud beag eadar nam bliadhnaichean seo (5.1%) mar sin tha àireamh de dhaoine aig a bheil sgilean Gàidhlig air èirigh bho 0.3% gu 0.7% den sluagh air fad.  Chaidh àrdachaidhean mòra faicinn ann an gach sgil agus gach co-measgachadh dhiubh.  Chan eil ach coimhearsnachd bheag Ghàidlig ann an Siorrachd Rinn Friù ach tha sinn airson taic a thoirt dhaibh a bhios freagarrach airson am feumalachdan agus amasan.

Chithear na h-amasan airson Gàidhlig thairis air na bliadhnaichean 2024-2029 an-seo: Gaelic Language Plan, Plana Gàidhlig Comhairle.

Tha an Achd Foghlam (Alba) 2016 a' cur na h-ùghdarrasan ionadail fo uallach gus taic a thoirt do dh'Fhoghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig (FMG) agus Foghlam Gàidhlig do Luchd-ionnsachaidh.  Tha pròiseas stèidhichte far am faod pàrantan is luchd-cùraim iarrtas a dhèanamh airson foghlam bunsgoile ann an Gàidhlig.  Thòisich FMG ann an Siorrachd Rinn Friù ann an Lunastal 2022.

Tha barrachd fhiosrachaidh an-seo a thaobh Ionnsachadh agus Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig.

More information

The following are partners through our Gaelic Language Plan:

Barrachd Fhiosrachaidh

'S e na buidhnean a leanas com-pàirtichean na Comhairle tron Phlana Ghàidhlig againn:

Service request

Learning and education at Gaelic school

Find out what Gaelic Medium Education at primary school is, who can register for Gaelic school, how to register, and how you can support your child’s Gaelic education.