Bòrd na Gàidhlig
Bòrd na Gàidhlig was established as a public body by the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 which was commenced on 13th February 2006.
The legislation is designed to promote the use of Scottish Gaelic, secure the status of the language and ensure its long-term future. The Act sets out 3 main aims for Bòrd na Gàidhlig:
- to increase the number of persons who are able to use and understand the Gaelic language;
- to encourage the use and understanding of the Gaelic language; and
- to facilitate access, in Scotland and elsewhere, to the Gaelic language and Gaelic culture.
Acair
Acair is a publishing organisation based in the Isle of Lewis producing a wide range of Gaelic, English and bilingual books. I published a wide range of Gaelic books for children, particularly for children under the age of 5. Acair has also developed a list of general interest books for children and adults. Acair has an online shop.
An Comunn Gàidhealach
An Comunn Gàidhealach runs the Royal National Mòd and local mods. Many children in Gaelic education compete in local and national mods. It’s an excellent opportunity to participate in singing, instrumental, oral, drama and literacy competitions.
An Lòchran
An Lòchran develops and promotes Gaelic arts in Glasgow. An Lòchran strives to celebrate the rich cultural traditions and aims to bring this culture within reach of a wider population. It works with Iomairt Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu and offers Gaelic activities for children and parents.
Clì Gàidhlig
Clì Gàidhlig is the Gaelic Learners Association. CLI was established to assist adult learners of Gaelic in becoming fluent Gaelic speakers. CLI run courses throughout the country, for different levels, with an emphasis on conversation. CLI also organise a range of specialist courses including Ùlpan courses (a fast and effective way to learn a language) as well as Gaelic Awareness courses.
Learngaelic.net is a new website for anyone interested in learning Scottish Gaelic. It includes information and links to resources for learners at different ages and levels of fluency. The website also has loads of resources that parents can use with children – songs, rhymes, games etc.
Comann nam Pàrant Nàiseanta
Comann nam Pàrant, which means “Parents’ Organisation”, consists of a network of around 30 local groups, representing the interests of parents whose children are educated through the medium of Gaelic. Click here to find more out about Comann nam Pàrant and/or setting up a group in your area.
Comhairle nan Leabhraichean (The Gaelic Books Council)
Comhairle nan Leabhraicheanwas established to develop and encourage Gaelic writing and literature, to enhance the image of Gaelic books and to create opportunities to bring creative works in a variety of genres to publication level. The bookshop is based in Glasgow. CDs as well as Gaelic books suitable for all ages and stages of Gaelic fluency. Comhairle nan Leabhraichean has an online shop.
Comunn na Gàidhlig (CnaG)
Comunn na Gàidhlig (CnaG) at present have Iomairtean Gàidhlig (Gaelic Initiatives) operating in 7 areas: Lochaber, Glasgow, Edinburgh, North-east Skye, Uist and Eriskay, Lewis, and Islay and Jura. They work with the community to strengthen Gaelic in each area. They have programmes of events running in these areas.
Comunn na Gàidhlig also do a lot of youth work including Gaelic Youth Camps, Sradagan and running a student work placement scheme. Sradagan is a Gaelic club for primary children. Follow this link for more information about Sradagan.
Deiseal Earranta (Ùlpan)
Deiseal Earranta (Ùlpan) provide Gaelic learning through Ùlpan. Ùlpan, the new system for learning Gaelic, is a revolutionary language learning system first pioneered in the Middle East. Since then, it has been used to teach Welsh and Breton and has now been adapted for Scottish Gaelic. Currently Deiseal has over 1,400 students learning Gaelic, with 119 tutors trained to teach nationally. Courses are offered throughout the country.
Fèisean nan Gàidheal
Fèisean nan Gàidheal supports the development of community-based Gaelic arts tuition festival throughout Scotland. At a Fèis your child can develop skills in the Gaelic arts – song, dance, drama, and traditional music on a wide range of instruments. Tuition is fun, but professional and effective. The focus of activity for most Fèisean is an annual, week-long festival, but increasingly Fèisean offer a full programme of year-round follow-on classes to ensure sustained provision. Follow this link to a mapshowing where a Fèis all the Fèisean in Scotland.
Fèisean nan Gàidheal also supports the Meanbh-chuileag Theatre Company, which tours schools with plays focussing on Gaelic culture and history. They also offer drama workshops for children.
Pròiseact nan Ealain
Pròiseact nan Ealain (PnE) or the Gaelic Arts Agency based in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. PNE initiatives have received many awards over the last 10 years including the Scottish Event of the Year Award (Traditional) – Scottish Events Awards for Hiort: St Kilda – A European Opera in 2007.
Stòrlann Nàiseanta Na Gàidhlig
Stòrlann Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig create resources for Gaelic education.
They have a range of free interactive resources for families including Gaelic4parents, where families can also access support for homework and other issues relating to Gaelic education. Gaelic4parents has a wealth of resources that parents can use with children.
An Seotal is a project managed by Storlann. It develops terminology for the teaching of a range of subjects in the secondary school through the medium of Gaelic.
Useful Websites
Companaidh Theatar Meanhb-chuileag
