13-05-2025
Over £35 million announced to help promote Gaelic
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said £35.7 million would be invested into initiatives to promote the language in 2025-26, alongside the introduction of the proposed Scottish Languages Bill.
Ahead of a visit to Stornoway as she marked one year as Scotland's first Gaelic Secretary, Forbes said: 'The Scottish Government recognises that urgent action is needed to grow the Gaelic language in communities where it is traditionally spoken.'
The Scottish Languages Bill — which is still awaiting its third reading in the Scottish Parliament — aims to strengthen support for Gaelic and Scots by requiring national language strategies, enhancing education provisions, setting standards for public authorities and recognising areas of linguistic significance.
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Alongside this multi-million pound investment, additional funding has been allocated to Gaelic projects in the Hebrides.
MG Alba (The Gaelic Media Service) will receive a grant of £110,000 to modernise studios used by BBC Alba whilst a Stornoway Gaelic cultural centre, An Taigh Ceilidh (The Ceilidh House), will receive £10,000 to purchase musical instruments and renovate the space.
Forbes added: 'This investment will support Gaelic community events in Stornoway and ensure that Gaelic broadcasters can continue to develop high-quality programmes.
'This follows the success of BBC Alba's crime thriller series An t-Eilean (The Island).'
The investments have been made available through the 2024-25 Gaelic Capital Fund allocations.
Independent research showed MG Alba supports more than 300 jobs in Scotland, including 160 across the Scottish islands.
