In the summer of 2009, during visits to a number of events and organisations throughout the Highlands and Islands, the then Minister for Gaelic, Michael Russell MSP, emphasised the need to take radical steps to motivate more people to learn Gaelic and to address, as a priority, the issue of creating a new generation of Gaelic speakers. At a meeting with Bòrd na Gàidhlig in August, the Minister asked the Bòrd to draw up an Action Plan which would focus on rapid and realistic initiatives ensuring wise, and more effective, use of existing resources and structures.

The Action Plan “Ginealach Ùr na Gàidhlig” is the outcome of discussions between the Bòrd and Gaelic organisations representing the community, and delivery agents already involved in key areas of Gaelic development.

Arthur Cormack, Cathraiche (Chair) of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, said: “This Action Plan has tight, simple and achievable aims. It is about taking practical and urgent steps to increase the number of Gaelic speakers in Scotland and aspires to ambitious outcomes. It focuses on five key areas: Parental Support, Promotion, Adult Learning, Education (0-3) and Education (3-18), offering strategic actions within affordable financial parameters and clear timeframes. It will act as a bridge between the current National Plan for Gaelic and the next one.

Securing the future of a language cannot be achieved overnight or in a short timescale. Although some would say that efforts up until now have not been successful, there is evidence of growth in numbers at school-age level and a slowing in the decline of numbers of Gaelic speakers generally. This Plan puts in place some strategies to accelerate the growth in the number of Gaelic speakers. Key to encouraging the learning of Gaelic is an understanding of what motivates people to learn and positive attitudes towards the language must be fostered. Whether it is a matter of national pride, a sense of history, a desire to better understand the place-names of Scotland, helping children do their homework, understanding the words of a song, learning a language as a pastime or to secure employment, our aim is to make the learning of Gaelic attractive and accessible.

Importantly, Bòrd na Gàidhlig wants Gaelic speakers to help with this task. Gaelic speakers who have spoken the language all their lives have a great deal to contribute to the richness and quality of the language as it develops and is spoken by all.”

There are five Priority Action Areas in the Plan, the delivery of which will be Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s priority for the period January 2010 to June 2011.

Details of the proposals contained in the Action Plan will be made available following discussion with, and agreement from, Ministers and Bòrd na Gàidhlig hopes to be able to begin work on the outcomes of these discussions early in the New year.

Mr Cormack said: “I am hugely encouraged by the work done by staff at Bòrd na Gàidhlig and the Interim Senior Support Team in recent months. The submission of this Action Plan, on time and with ambitious targets, along with the fact that we have completed the tasks we set ourselves in restructuring the organisation, and employing new staff to ensure that the Bòrd itself is fit for purpose, is a major step forward. The Bòrd now has a range of possibilities to work on with an increased complement of staff in place for the start of the new year. I believe that will make it a much more reasonable task to find a new CEO to lead the organisation at the start of the year as was our plan.”