HIE publishes new Gaelic Plan

The Gaelic Plan 2023-28 builds on the progress made in the organisation's previous plan which covered 2017-22. Produced under the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005, the plan details how specific actions will be achieved by the economic and community development agency.

HIE has long recognised the opportunities that Gaelic presents as an important part of cultural, economic and social life in the Highlands and Islands. A strong track record has been established by the agency in supporting the cultural and commercial value of Gaelic through a broad range of activities.

This has included providing substantial funding for organisations that led the development and delivery of programmes that promote and celebrate the language and encourage its use.

HIE’s legacy of support has helped create and sustain the impact of many organisations which enable Gaelic to flourish - from partner agencies such as Comunn na Gàidhlig and An Comunn Gàidhealach, to the University of the Highlands and Islands, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and Fèisean nan Gàidheal. HIE also seeks to target investment and support to communities where Gaelic is in everyday use such as Cnoc Soilleir, Comunn Eachdraidh Nis and Taigh Chearsabhaigh.

The latest plan sets out a series of clear goals and measurable targets to ensure that Gaelic is respected and practised within the organisation. The plan also focuses on a commitment to capitalise on the significant opportunities arising from the language’s potential contribution in helping to drive economic growth in the region.

Corporately, HIE values Gaelic and promotes its use within the organisation. By providing its services, information, resources and opportunities in the medium of Gaelic, the agency continues to serve Gaelic-speaking customers in their own language.

Chief Executive of HIE, Stuart Black, said: “We’re pleased to publish our fourth Gaelic Plan, which shows our commitment to Gaelic, which is ongoing and for the long term will continue to be guided by strategic initiatives including national plans from the Scottish Government and Bòrd na Gàidhlig. We’re looking forward to working with our partner organisations across the Highlands and Islands and further a field to deliver the actions detailed in this Gaelic Plan.”

The Scottish Government Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said:

“I am very grateful to Highlands and Islands Enterprise for the work it is doing to bolster the standing of Gaelic and highlight its importance. Over recent years HIE has supported a number of key projects that are important for Gaelic and for the Highlands and Islands.

“The Scottish Government shares the commitments of HIE and we want to ensure that the language can thrive and grow across Scotland. That is why we will present our Scottish Languages Bill to Parliament this year to make sure that both Gaelic and Scots are recognised and valued in public and community life.”

HIE’s Gaelic Plan is available to read at https://www.hie.co.uk/our-region/regional-projects/gaidhlig-gaelic/

HIE a’ foillseachadh Plana Gàidhlig ùr

Tha Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd ’s nan Eilean (HIE) air Plana Gàidhlig ùraichte fhoillseachadh, a tha a’ mìneachadh cinn-uidhe is àrd-amasan na buidhne airson na Gàidhlig thar nan còig blaidhna ri teachd. 

Tha Plana Gàidhlig 2023-28 a’ togail air an adhartas a chaidh a dhèanamh anns a’ phlana mu dheireadh aig a’ bhuidheann, a bha a’ còmhdach na h-ùine bho 2017-22. Air a thoirt gu buil fo Achd na Gàidhlig (Alba) 2005, tha am plana a’ toirt seachad mion-fhiosrachadh air mar a bhios gnìomhan sònraichte air an coileanadh leis a’ bhuidheann eaconamach is leasachaidh coimhearsnachd.   

Tha HIE air aithne a thoirt o chionn fhada do na cothroman a tha Gàidhlig a’ toirt am bàrr, mar phàirt chudromach de bheatha chultarach, eaconamach agus shòisealta na Gàidhealtachd ’s nan Eilean. Tha cliù dearbhaichte làidir air a stèidheachadh leis a’ bhuidheann ann a bhith a’ cur taic ri luach cultarach is malairteach na Gàidhlig tro raon fharsaing de ghnìomhachdan.

Tha seo air a bhith a’ gabhail a-steach maoineachadh susbainteach do bhuidhnean a stiùir leasachadh is lìbhrigeadh phrògraman a tha ag adhartachadh agus a’ comharrachadh a’ chànain agus a’ brosnachadh a cleachdaidh.

Tha dìleab taic HIE air cuideachadh le buaidh nam mòran bhuidhnean a tha a’ comasachadh do Ghàidhlig soirbheachadh, a chruthachadh ’s a chumail suas – bho bhuidhnean com-pàirteachais leithid Comunn na Gàidhlig agus An Comunn Gàidhealach, gu Oilthigh na Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig agus Fèisean nan Gàidheal. Tha HIE cuideachd a’ coimhead ri cuimseachadh air seibheachd agus taic do choimhearsnachdan far a bheil a’ Ghàidhlig ga cleachdadh gu làitheil leithid Cnoc Soilleir, Comunn Eachdraidh Nis agus Taigh Chearsabhaigh.

Tha am plana as ùire a’ mìneachadh sreath de dh’amasan soilleir agus targaidean tomhaiseil gus dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil Gàidhlig a’ faotainn spèis agus ga cleachdadh taobh a-staigh na buidhne. Tha am plana a’ cuimseachadh air gealltanas gu calpachadh air cothroman cudromach a tha ag èirigh bho chomas tabhartais a’ chànain ann an cuideachadh le fàs eaconamach a stiùireadh san roinn.

Gu corporra, tha HIE a’ cur luach air Gàidhlig agus ag adhartachadh a cleachdadh taobh a-staigh na buidhne. Le bhith a’ solarachadh a sheirbheisean, fiosrachadh, goireasan agus cothroman tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig, tha am buidheann a’ leantainn air a’ frithealadh luchd-dèiligidh le Gàidhlig nan cànan fhèin.

Thuirt Stiùbhart MacIlleDhuibh, Àrd-Oifigear HIE: “Tha sinn toilichte ar ceathramh Plana Gàidhlig fhoillseachadh, a tha a’ taisbeanadh ar dealais don Ghàidhlig, a tha leantainneach agus a leanas san fhad-ama gu bhith air a stiùireadh le iomairtean ro-innleachdail, a’ gabhail a-steach phlanaichean nàiseanta bho Riaghaltas na h-Alba agus Bòrd na Gàidhlig. Tha sinn a’ coimhead air adhart ri bhith ag obair còmhla ri ar buidhnean com-pàirteachais air feadh na Gàidhealtachd ’s nan Eilean agus nas fhaide air falbh gus na gnìomhan air am mion-fhiosrachadh sa Phlana Ghàidhlig seo a lìbhrigeadh.”

Thuirt Jenny Gilruth, an Rùnaire Foghlaim aig Riaghaltas na h-Alba:  

“Tha mi glè thaingeil do dh’Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd ’s nan Eilean airson na h-obrach a tha iad a’ dèanamh gus inbhe na Gàidhlig àrdachadh agus togail air a cudromachd. Thar nam bliadhnaichean a dh’fhalbh, tha HIE air taic a chur ri àireamh de phrìomh phròiseactan a tha cudromach don Ghàidhlig agus don Ghàidhealtachd ’s na h-Eileanan.  

“Tha Riaghaltas na h-Alba a’ cumail ri gealltanasan HIE agus tha sinn airson dèanamh cinnteach gum faod an cànan soirbheachadh agus fàs air feadh Alba. Sin an t-adhbhar a chuireas sinn bile Chànanan na h-Alba chun na Pàrlamaid am-bliadhna gus dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil an dà chuid Gàidhlig is Beurla aithnichte agus luachmhor don phoball agus do bheatha na coimhearsnachd.”

Gàidhlig HIE ri fhaotainn airson a leughadh aig www.hie.co.uk/about-us/policies-and-publications/gaelicplan/