Praise for music school’s Gaelic commitment

Highland Councillors have lauded the commitment to Gaelic which is underpinning the work at Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd – the acclaimed Centre of Excellence for Scottish Traditional Music at Plockton High School.

After an update on Gaelic education for the council’s Gaelic Committee today (Wednesday 27 August) members agreed to recognise the leadership shown at Sgoil Chiùil to grow interest and foster Gaelic as part of the ethos in the school.

Pupils from the school performed outside the Highland Council chamber in Inverness before the meeting.

At Wednesday’s meeting members also noted areas of growth in Gaelic 3-18 years education – with particular focus on the early years age group.

Chairman of Highland Council’s Gaelic committee, Cllr Drew Millar,  said: “I add my congratulations to Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd for all the work and achievements over the past 25 years.

“The school has produced a succession of great musicians, is strongly engaged in the local community and has Gaelic language and culture central to all its activities and success. It is a hugely important asset to Plockton, the Highlands and Scotland.

“I also welcome the update on pupil numbers in Gaelic education.

“The council’s Gaelic language plan includes a strategic priority to deliver continued promotion and growth in both Gaelic medium education and for Gaelic learner education and the figures suggest the trends are moving in a positive direction.

“It is encouraging to note the progress, demonstrating the council’s continued commitment to support the Gaelic language.”

Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd is the only Centre of Excellence in Scotland dedicated to Scottish Traditional Music.

As well as high quality musical tuition, all pupils have access to Gaelic medium or Gaelic learner pathways.

On Thursday 19 June, at a special concert at Eden Court in Inverness, Sgoil Chìuil celebrated 25 remarkable years of music, mentorship, and community.

Mike Vass, centre manager at Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd, said: “Gaelic plays a major role in the school. We have fluent Gaelic speaking students and tutors, while students also have an opportunity to learn Gaelic at the school.

“Knowledge and appreciation of Gaelic helps to connect to the music and the culture around it.

“In the school where Sorley MacLean was once headmaster it’s very fitting that Gaelic should inform so much of what we do.”

The following statistics for 2024-25 were also presented in relation to Gaelic education in Highland:

• In academic year 2024-25 there were 2065 secondary school pupils receiving Gaelic learner education - 16.14 percent of the total pupil roll of 12791.
• 460 pupils (3.6 per cent) were in secondary school Gaelic medium education.
• There were 1092 primary pupils (6.82 per cent) in GM education
• In early learning and childcare 356 pupils attended a Gaelic medium Sgoil àraich (accounting for 9.89 per cent of the total)

Key findings included:

• Gaelic Learner Education (GLE) showed a one per cent rise in percentage terms from 23/24.
• Gaelic Medium Education (GME) Secondary numbers rose by 0.4 per cent from 23/24.
• GME Sgoil-àraich – at 9.89 per cent of pupils this was the highest percentage enrolled in GME Highland ELC to date. It was an increase of 0.6 per cent from 23/24.
• GME Primary – this showed a small increase of 0.1 per cent in total primary numbers from 23/24, continuing an upward trend of enrolment in GME.

An infographic provided an insight into trends between 2017/2018 and 2024/2025.

Some key takes included:

• GME numbers were up overall in 13 of the 20 Highland schools where it is offered.
• At Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Phort Rìgh the roll rose from 121 to 171.
• At Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Loch Abar the roll rose from 78 to 150.
• The largest numbers receiving Gaelic medium education in secondary school are found at Portree – 196 pupils in GM education along with a further 206 in Gaelic learner education in 2024-25.

In 2025/26, The Highland Council will be marking 40 years of Gaelic Medum Education.

The reports which came before the Gaelic committee can be found here.

Luaidh ga dhèanamh air dealas Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd a thaobh na Gàidhlig

Tha comhairlichean na Gàidhealtachd air luaidh a dhèanamh air an dealas dhan Ghàidhlig a tha air cùl obair Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd – an t-Ionad Sàr-mhathais airson Ceòl Traidiseanta na h-Alba aig Àrd-Sgoil a’ Phluic.

Às dèidh cunntas fhaighinn air foghlam Gàidhlig aig Comataidh Gàidhlig na Comhairle an-diugh (Diciadain 27 Lùnastal), dh’aontaich buill aithne a thoirt dhan cheannardas a chaidh a shealltainn aig an Sgoil Chiùil gus ùidh fhàs agus a’ Ghàidhlig àrach mar phàirt de spiorad na sgoile.

Chluich sgoilearan an Sgoil Chiùil ann an seòmar Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd ann an Inbhir Nis ron choinneimh.

Aig a’ choinneimh, thug buill cuideachd fa-near do na raointean fàis ann an àireamhan sgoilearan ann am foghlam Gàidhlig 3–18 – le aire shònraichte do bhuidheann nan tràth-bhliadhnaichean.

Thuirt Cathraiche Comataidh Gàidhlig Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd, an Comhairliche Drew Mac a’ Mhuilleir: “Tha mi a’ cur meal an naidheachd air Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd airson an cuid obrach is choileanaidhean thar nan 25 bliadhna a chaidh seachad.

“Tha an sgoil air sreath de shàr luchd-ciùil a thoirt am bàrr, tha i gu làidir an lùib na coimhearsnachd ionadail, agus tha cànan is cultar na Gàidhlig aig teas-meadhan nan gnìomhan is nan soirbheachasan aice air fad. Tha i na so-mhaoin air leth dhan Phloc, dhan Ghàidhealtachd, agus do dh’Alba.

“Tha mi cuideachd a’ cur fàilte air a’ chunntas às ùr mu àireamhan sgoilearan ann am foghlam Gàidhlig.

“Tha Plana Gàidhlig na Comhairle a’ gabhail a-steach prìomhachas ro-innleachdail gun tèid brosnachadh is fàs leantainneach a lìbhrigeadh an dà chuid ann am Foghlam tron Ghàidhlig agus Foghlam Luchd-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig agus tha na figearan a’ sealltainn gu bheil àireamhan a’ dol suas.

“Tha e a’ toirt misneachd dhuinn a bhith a’ toirt fa-near dhan adhartas, a’ sealltainn dealas leantainneach na Comhairle a thaobh a bhith a’ toirt taic dhan Ghàidhlig.”

’S e Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd an aon ionad sàr-mhathais ann an Alba a tha gu sònraichte airson ceòl traidiseanta na h-Alba.

A bharrachd air sàr oideachadh ciùil, tha cothrom aig na sgoilearan uile air slighean ionnsachaidh ann am Foghlam tron Ghàidhlig (FtG) no Foghlam Luchd-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig (FLI).

Air Diardaoin 19 Ògmhios, aig consairt sònraichte aig Cùirt an Easbaig ann an Inbhir Nis, chomharraich an Sgoil Chiùil 25 bliadhna iongantach de cheòl, oideachadh, is coimhearsnachd.

Thuirt Mike Vass, manaidsear ionaid aig Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd: “Tha àite mòr aig a’ Ghàidhlig anns an sgoil. Tha sgoilearan agus oidean againn san sgoil a tha fileanta sa Ghàidhlig, agus tha cothrom aig oileanaich a’ Ghàidhlig ionnsachadh san sgoil.

“Tha eòlas is meas air a’ Ghàidhlig a’ cuideachadh gus ceangal a thogail leis a’ cheòl is leis a’ chultar a tha mun cuairt oirre.

“Anns an sgoil far an robh Somhairle MacGill-Eain uaireigin na cheannard, tha e iomchaidh gum biodh a’ Ghàidhlig a’ stiùireadh na h-uimhir de na rudan a tha sinn a’ dèanamh.”

Chaidh an staitistearachd a leanas airson 2024–25 a thoirt seachad cuideachd a thaobh foghlam Gàidhlig sa Ghàidhealtachd:

•            Sa bhliadhna acadaimigich 2024–25 bha 2065 sgoilear àrd-sgoile a’ faighinn Foghlam Luchd-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig (FLI) – 16.14 de chlàr iomlan nan sgoilearan de 12791.

•            Bha 460 sgoilear (3.6 sa cheud) ann am Foghlam tron Ghàidhlig (FtG) san àrd-sgoil.

•            Bha 1092 sgoilear bun-sgoile (6.82 sa cheud) ann am FtG.

•            Ann an Tràth-ionnsachadh is Cùram-chloinne bha 356 sgoilear a’ frithealadh sgoil-àraich FtG (9.89 sa cheud dhen àireamh iomlan).

Bha na leanas am measg nam phrìomh thoraidhean:

•            Sheall FLI àrdachadh aon sa cheud bho 23/24.

•            Sheall àireamhan FtG àrd-sgoile àrdachadh 0.4 sa cheud bho 23/24.

•            FtG Sgoil-àraich – aig 9.89 sa cheud de sgoilearan, b’ e seo an àireamh sa cheud a bu mhotha a bha clàraichte ann an Tràth-ionnsachadh is Cùram-chloinne FtG sa Ghàidhealtachd gu ruige seo. B’ e àrdachadh 0.6 sa cheud a bh’ ann bho 23/24.

•            FtG bun-sgoile – sheall seo àrdachadh beag de 0.1 sa cheud ann an àireamhan iomlan bun-sgoile bho 23/24, a’ leantainn gluasad àrdachaidh a thaobh clàrachadh ann am FtG.

Sheall grafaig-fiosrachaidh mar a bha àireamhan a’ gluasad eadar 2017/2018 agus 2024/2025.

Bha na leanas am measg nam prìomh phuingean:

•            Chaidh àireamhan FtG suas gu h-iomlan ann an 13 de na 20 sgoiltean far a bheil e air a thabhann.

•            Ann am Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Phort Rìgh dh’èirich clàr no sgoile bho 121 gu 171.

•            Ann am Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Loch Abar dh’èirich clàr no sgoile bho 78 gu 150.

•            Tha na h-àireamhan as motha a tha a’ faighinn FtG ann an àrd-sgoiltean rin lorg ann am Port Rìgh – 196 sgoilear ann am FtG cuide ri 206 eile ann am FLI ann an 2024–25.

Ann an 2025/26, bidh Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd a’ comharrachadh 40 bliadhna de dh’Fhoghlam tron Ghàidhlig.

Chithear na h-aithisgean a chaidh fa chomhair Comataidh na Gàidhlig an seo.

Crìoch.