Co-labhairt a’ cur comas eaconamach na Gàidhlig fon phrosbaig
Tha riochdairean a’ coinneachadh an-diugh (1 Cèitean) ann an Inbhir Nis aig co-labhairt a thathar a’ cumail ann an Cùirt an Easbaig airson sgrùdadh a dhèanamh air na buannachdan sòisealta is eaconamach a tha an lùib na Gàidhlig ann an sgìre na Gàidhealtachd.
Chaidh a’ cho-labhairt a mhaoineachadh le Maoin Soirbheachas Co-roinnte na Rìoghachd Aonaichte agus Sgioba Gàidhlig Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd.
Thuirt Ceannard Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd, an Comhairliche Raymond Bremner: “’S e prìomh amas na co-labhairt fianais ùr a thoirt seachad mun luach chultarach is mun chomas eaconamach a tha aig a’ Ghàidhlig ann an gnìomhachasan agus so-fhastachd air feadh na Gàidhealtachd.”
Thuirt an Leas-Phrìomh Mhinistear Ceit Fhoirbeis: “Tha a’ Ghàidhlig na so-mhaoin do dh’eaconamaidh na h-Alba agus tha am poileasaidh eaconamach againn riatanach gus dèanamh cinnteach gum bi coimhearsnachdan Gàidhlig traidiseanta a’ mairsinn.
“Gus taic a chur ri fàs a’ chànain, tha sinn a’ gabhail cheumannan air adhart gus taic a thoirt do luchd-tionnsgain agus spionnadh a thoirt air cothroman eaconamach ann an coimhearsnachdan dùthchail is eileanach far a bheilear a’ bruidhinn a’ chànain gu dùthchasach.
“Tha sinn cuideachd a’ toirt taic do dh’iomairtean gus a’ Ghàidhlig a bhrosnachadh, le £35.7 million ann an 2025–26.”
’S i Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd a tha a’ toirt aoigheachd dhan cho-labhairt agus cuiridh an Comhairliche Bremner fàilte air na riochdairean, bheir an Comhairliche Ailig Greumach foir-shealladh dhen cho-labhairt agus bidh Derek MacIlleDhuinn, Àrd-Oifigear Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd, a’ stiùireadh deasbad pannail. Bidh cothrom aig riochdairean pàirt a ghabhail ann an seisean cheistean is fhreagairtean.
Am measg nam prìomh luchd-labhairt, tha an Leas-Phrìomh Mhinistear Ceit Fhoirbeis (tro òraid chlàraichte); Joanna Peteranna, Stiùiriche Obrachaidh Sgìreil aig Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd ’s nan Eilean; agus Seumas Greumach, Àrd-Oifigear a’ Chomuinn Ghàidhealaich – Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail.
Is iad an luchd-labhairt eile:
- Iain Mac a’ Ghobhainn, Co-stèidheadair Taigh-staile Thiriodh.
- Calum MacIlleathain, Preasantair/Craoladair agus eòlaiche air na meadhanan sòisealta.
- Calum MacFhearghais bho Alba FA.
- Cornilius Chikwama, Eaconamaiche agus Stiùiriche Sgrùdaidh (tro cheangal bhidio).
- Alison Bell agus Amy NicLeòid, High Life na Gàidhealtachd agus Turas tro Chaisteal Inbhir Nis.
- Iain Moireasdan, MG Alba.
Thuirt an Comhairliche Bremner: “Tha sinn fìor thoilichte a bhith a’ toirt cheannardan gnìomhachais, buill choimhearsnachd, luchd-tionnsgain agus luchd-poileasaidh còmhla gus sgrùdadh a dhèanamh air na dòighean san urrainn dhan Ghàidhlig fàs eaconamach a bhrosnachadh, turasachd chultarach a neartachadh, agus cothroman seasmhach a chruthachadh do choimhearsnachdan ionadail.”
Tha a’ cho-labhairt a’ togail air aithisg1 neo-eisimeileach a chaidh a choimiseanadh le Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd ’s nan Eilean, Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd, agus com-pàirtichean ann an 2014 gus suirbhidh a dhèanamh air buaidh na Gàidhlig air gnìomhachasan agus iomairtean sòisealta. Lorg an aithisg sin gun robh 60% de na gnothachasan a bha san t-suirbhidh a’ faireachdainn gun robh cleachdadh na Gàidhlig aca a’ cur ri luach a’ chànain sa choimhearsnachd agus gur e so-mhaoin a tha sa Ghàidhlig nuair a thathar ga cleachdadh gus na gnìomhachasan cruthachail, turasachd, biadh is deoch a chur air adhart.
Thuirt Joanna Peteranna, Stiùiriche Obrachaidh Sgìreil aig Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd ’s nan Eilean:
“Aig Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd ’s nan Eilean, tha sinn air a bhith ag aithneachadh o chionn fhada gu bheil comas aig a’ Ghàidhlig a bhith na pàirt mhòr dhen bheatha chultarach, eaconamach is shòisealta againn sa Ghàidhealtachd is sna h-Eileanan. Tha a’ cho-labhairt a’ toirt am follais cho fìor riatanach ’s a tha a’ Ghàidhlig gu sòisealta is gu h-eaconamach anns na coimhearsnachdan beòthail againn agus a’ cur air adhart mar a dh’fhaodas a’ Ghàidhlig fàs eaconamach a bhrosnachadh.
“Le bhith a’ toirt na Gàidhlig an lùib ghnothachasan, gu h-àraid turasachd, biadh is deoch, agus na gnìomhachasan cruthachail, ’s urrainn do ghnothachasan is do choimhearsnachdan luchd-tadhail is luchd-ceannaich a tha a’ cur luach air cultar is dualchas a thàladh.”
Ann an 2022, lorg Buidheann-obrach Gheàrr-bheatha air Cothroman Eaconamach is Sòisealta don Ghàidhlig2 mu na ‘Cothroman Eaconamach is Sòisealta airson na Gàidhlig’ gum bu chòir barrachd a dhèanamh ann am prìomh roinnean gnìomhachais, a’ gabhail a-steach nan gnìomhachasan cruthachail, cultar, dualchas, turasachd, spòrs, biadh is deoch, seach gur iad na prìomh roinnean a bha a’ putadh air adhart cleachdadh na Gàidhlig gu sòisealta agus toraidhean eaconamach.”
Bidh sgoilearan bho Àrd-Sgoil Àird nam Murchan a’ toirt seachad taisbeanadh ciùil aig àm lòin.
Thèid toraidhean na co-labhairt aithris do choinneamh de Chomataidh na Gàidhlig aig Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd san àm ri teachd.
Conference spotlight on economic potential of Gaelic in business
Delegates meet today (1 May) in Inverness at a conference held in Eden Court to explore the social and economic benefits of promoting Gaelic language in businesses across the Highland region.
The conference has been funded by the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund and Highland Council’s Gaelic Team.
Leader of Highland Council, Cllr Raymond Bremner said: “The main aim of the conference is to provide fresh evidence of the cultural value and economic potential of Gaelic in business and employability across the Highlands.”
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “Gaelic is an asset to Scotland’s economy and our economic policy is vital to the survival of traditional Gaelic speaking communities.
“To support the language’s growth, we are taking forward steps to support Gaelic entrepreneurs and boost economic opportunities in rural and island communities where the language is traditionally spoken.
“We are also supporting initiatives to promote Gaelic with £35.7 million in 2025-26.”
Hosted by Highland Council, Cllr Bremner will give an introduction and welcome to delegates followed by Cllr Alex Graham providing a conference overview and Chief Executive of the Council, Derek Brown will facilitate a panel discussion. Delegates will have the opportunity to take part in a question and answer session.
Keys speakers include Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes (via a recorded speech); Joanna Peteranna, HIE Director of Area Operations; and James Graham, Chief Executive of An Comunn Gàidhealach – The Royal National Mòd.
Other key speakers are:
- Ian Smith, Co-Founder of Tiree Distillery.
- Calum MacLean, Presenter/Broadcaster and social media specialist.
- Calum Ferguson from Alba FA (Football Association).
- Cornilius Chikwama, Economist and Audit Director (via video link); and
- Alison Bell and Amy MacLeod, High Life Highland the Inverness Castle Experience.
- John Morrison, MG Alba.
Cllr Bremner added: “We are delighted to bring together industry leaders, community members, entrepreneurs and policymakers to focus on how Gaelic can drive economic growth, enhance cultural tourism, and create sustainable opportunities for local communities.”
The conference builds upon an earlier independent report1 commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Highland Council and partners in 2014 to survey the impact of Gaelic on businesses and social enterprises. That report found that 60% of the businesses surveyed felt that their use of Gaelic enhanced the value of the language within the community and that Gaelic is an asset when used to promote the creative industries, tourism, food and drink.
Joanna Peteranna, HIE Director of Area Operations said:
“At HIE, we have long recognised the potential of Gaelic as a significant aspect of our cultural, economic and social life in the Highlands and Islands. The conference highlights the vital social and economic role that Gaelic plays in our vibrant communities and promotes how Gaelic can drive economic growth.
“By integrating Gaelic into businesses, especially tourism, food and drink, and the creative industries, businesses and communities can attract visitors and customers who value cultural authenticity and heritage.”
More recently in 2022, a Scottish Government Short Life Working Group report2 on the ‘Economic and Social Opportunities for Gaelic’ found that there should be increased activity in key business sectors, including the creative industries, culture, heritage, tourism, sport, food and drink as the main drivers of social Gaelic use and economic outputs.”
Pupils from Ardnamurchan High School will give a musical performance during the conference break.
Outcomes of the conference will be reported to a future meeting of the Council’s Gaelic Committee.