26-05-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
Spotlight on Gaelic education in Edinburgh
The successes and challenges of Gaelic-medium education (GME) in Edinburgh will come under the spotlight at a discussion organised by the Gaelic community group Ionad Gàidhlig Dhùn Èideann.
GME has grown impressively since it began in 1988 and today more than 700 children are enrolled at the city's dedicated Gaelic primary school, Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce, and James Gillespie's High School.
The event will bring together current and former GME teachers in Edinburgh to reflect on their experiences and offer their thoughts about the future development of Gaelic education in the city.
Panelists will include Donna MacIver, Depute Head Teacher at James Gillespie's High School, Karen Reid, Depute Head Teacher at Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce, Mona Wilson, the first GME teacher in 1988 and director of Primary Education with Gaelic at Moray House, University of Edinburgh. Chairing the session will be Professor Matthew MacIver, former Chief Executive of the General Teaching Council for Scotland and former chair of Bòrd na Gàidhlig and the Gaelic Media Service.
The event will be held at the National Library of Scotland on Saturday 31 May at 2pm.
Wilson McLeod, chair of Ionad Gàidhlig Dhùn Èideann, said: 'Gaelic education in Edinburgh has been a remarkable success story but there have been many challenges along the way. This expert discussion will help put these developments in perspective and give insight on the future of Gaelic in the capital.'
This panel discussion is one of a series of four events under the banner 'Gaelic in Edinburgh: past, present and future', part of the Edinburgh 900 celebration funded by the City of Edinburgh Council.
Ionad Gàidhlig Dhùn Èideann is a charitable organisation that is working to establish a Gaelic cultural hub to support the Gaelic community in Edinburgh and provide a 'home' for the language in the capital. A large-scale survey last year showed very strong community support for this initiative and helped establish priorities for the centre's activities.
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