Highlands celebrating 40 years of Gaelic medium education

Events celebrating 40 years of Gaelic Medium Education in the Highlands are set to take place in the coming weeks. Sports events, exhibitions, community ceilidhs and a series of video interviews are being planned to mark the milestone and help reflect on the contribution that Gaelic education has made to the region in the past four decades. Following initial pioneering work in Glasgow, Central Primary School in Inverness was the first school in the Highlands to establish a Gaelic medium unit, when seven pupils enrolled for school session 1985–86. It was soon followed by schools in Skye and then right across the region.

The theme of celebration kicked-off with a youth football festival in Portree, held on April 25. Supported by Highland Council, coaches from Alba FA – The Alba Football Alliance – led the festival which brought together local youngsters from Gaelic medium schools. One of the driving forces behind the Alba FA project is former Central Primary School pupil Calum Ferguson, an ex-professional who played for Inverness Caley Thistle. A primary school shinty festival took place in Bught Park on Thursday (May 21) as celebrations continued.

Under the title of ‘An-dè agus an-diugh’ – past and present, there will be further sporting and cultural events planned to commemorate the anniversary. Still to come are exhibitions in Cultarlann Inverness (June 9) and at Portree Archive Centre (16–18 of June), telling the story of GME and Gaelic in education more broadly, as well as a series of interviews with some of those who have been involved in Gaelic education over four decades. Today, more than 1000 pupils attend 21 primary schools in Highland offering GME education. A further 15 associated secondary schools offer provision in Gaelic and the number of pupils achieving Gaelic qualifications in these schools is on the rise.

GME early years numbers are going up – they now account for some ten per cent of all the region’s pre-school pupils, the highest percentage ever enrolled. The last census in 2022 showed an increase in the number of people in the Highlands with Gaelic skills. The largest percentage increases were found in the age 3-15 and age 25–34 age groups. Highland Council leader Raymond Bremner said: “Marking 40 years of Gaelic Medium Education in Highland is a moment of real pride for our area. “What began as a small, pioneering class in Inverness has grown into a thriving, modern model of education that has strengthened our language and our communities. “The latest census figures show clear progress, especially among younger age groups, and Gaelic remains a living, every-day language across the Highlands.” Calum Ferguson, Development Manager at Alba FA, added: “If Gaelic hadn’t been part of my own journey, I would not be doing what I do today. “Our language is a core part of our culture and our identity in Highland. “Combining football and Gaelic is about creating opportunities to use the language outside the classroom in a social setting.

Gaelic shouldn’t stop at the school gate or at our front doors.” Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.