Roghainnean CànainLanguage choices BeurlaEnglish Gàidhlig ShìmplidhSimple Gaelic GàidhligGaelic
Ùidh agad a dhol an sàs sna buidhnean?Interested in joining groups? Faic buidheannanView groups
There are a whole range of groups and organisations whose work involves Gaelic. Some organisations aim to promote and develop the language, these include Bòrd na Gàidhlig (the Gaelic Language Board) and Comunn na Gàidhlig (the Gaelic Association); others work towards more specific aims such as the publication of Gaelic books, establishing closer links between Scottish and Irish Gaelic speakers, the development of Gaelic education, encouraging the growth of the Gaelic arts and countless other goals connected to the language and Gaelic culture.
There is also a growing number of public organisations who are incorporating Gaelic in their work, whether it be some Gaelic on their website, a chance to speak to Gaelic-speaking staff, Gaelic as part of their logo, or a concerted attempt to make Gaelic an important part of almost every aspect of their organisation’s work or activities. These groups are not seen as Gaelic organisations, but by the very act of using Gaelic in some way, they are helping to grow the language.
Adding to the growing number of groups who are deciding to reach out to Gaelic speakers, there is a smaller number who, through Bòrd na Gàidhlig, are being asked to produce Gaelic Language Plans. What these plans mean is that organisations such as the Scottish Parliament or local authorities are focusing efforts to embrace and use Gaelic in their working culture. They are making a positive statement about the language: use Gaelic with us.
And it’s not just official bodies that are reaching out to Gaelic, lots of community groups use or connect with Gaelic. For example many of the Historical Societies (Comainn Eachdraidh) in the Western Isles are steeped in the Gaelic culture and history that they record and study. Gaelic drama groups, Gaelic choirs, Gaelic reading circles, churches, and many other informal community groups use Gaelic when they meet. Cities such as Edinburgh and Glasgow have their own Gaelic social networks with club nights where you can meet people and enjoy a variety of Gaelic entertainment throughout the year.
Once you reach the community level, Gaelic appears across a whole range of groups which you might not think of as ‘Gaelic groups’. Gaelic is a language, not a hobby, and so groups that in the first instance appear not to be Gaelic can have a strong Gaelic element, or they can simply contain Gaelic speakers. If you’re interested, look around you, you’ll be surprised just how many Gaelic groups there are. You never know, you may already be part of one, there may be Gaelic speakers, or Gaelic enthusiasts in your group that you don’t know about!
