Gaelic Language Information
About Gaelic
Gaelic is one of the national languages of Scotland and is a Celtic language which has been spoken in Scotland for a long time, dating back to at least the 6th Century AD.
The Gaelic place names throughout Scotland show how far Gaelic speakers and their language spread across Scotland.
Although Gaelic is still in decline, there is cause for hope with increasing numbers of pupils being educated through the medium of Gaelic, and with the advent of the Gaelic Act itself which gives legislative vigour to the campaign to sustain and preserve Gaelic and its culture. Gaelic is a precious inheritance which the people of Scotland should be proud of, and it is a living language which is relevant in every way in today’s world.
Facts & Figures
A total of 58,652 people in Scotland can speak Gaelic (according to the 2001 Census)
A total of 92,396 people have some Gaelic language ability (2001 Census)
There are over 46 million minority language speakers in Europe
There are 3,086 pupils in Gaelic Medium Education
A total of 3,641 pupils take Gaelic as a subject in secondary education
A total of 486,987 people visited BBC Scotland’s Colin and Cumberland webpage in its first week
More people with Gaelic language ability live in Na h-Eileanan Siar (18,420), Highland (18,360) and Argyll and Bute (6,520) than in any other local authority areas (Census 2001)
From Bord na Gaidhlig
Gaelic in Balloch
Place-names
See Gaelic place-names on the Balloch Local History website.
Gaelic speakers in Balloch
Link giving details, extract below, of Gaelic speakers in Balloch
Number and percentage of Gàidhlig-speakers - Taobh Loch Nis (Loch Ness Side ) - Part A
Map No Census output area 1981 1991 2001 58 Bealach (Balloch) a 31 6.9 % 48 7.3 % 27 3.8 % 59 Bealach (Balloch) b 32 8.2 % 25 5.7 % 17 4.3 % Gaelic classes
Gaelic Conversation Group
Leabhar-lann Chùil Lodair, Rathad na Ceapaich - Gach Disathairne 10m gu 12f.
Fàilte do gach duine aig a bheil ùidh ann an Gàidhlig.
Clì Gàidhlig, Seòmraichean 1 - 4, Taigh Rèile na Gàidhealtachd, Sràid na h-Acadamaidh, Inbhir Nis, IV1 1LE, Alba.
Fòn/ Facs: 01463 226 710Culloden Library, Keppoch Road - Every Saturday 10am-12pm.
Open to all interested in speaking Gaelic
Clì Gàidhlig, Units 1 - 4, Highland Rail House, Academy Street, Inverness, IV1 1LE
Phone/ Fax: 01463 226710