Welcome to the National Gàidhlig Debate Competition

The main aim of the National Gàidhlig Debate Competition is to encourage the development of pupils communications skills through the medium of Gàidhlig and encouraging connections between pupils all over Scotland. This year the heats will take place in Stornoway on the 4^th and 5^th of November.

The four teams with the highest points will make it through to the semi-finals in Edinburgh and the final rounds will take place on the 27^th and 28^th of November. 

The excitement is building as the 2025 Gaelic Schools’ Debate Competition returns to An Lanntair, Stornoway, on Tuesday the 4th and Wednesday 5th November 2025. The public are warmly invited to attend and support the next generation of Gaelic speakers as they demonstrate their linguistic skill, confidence, and critical thinking in this year’s competition.

Now in its 26^th year, the debate brings together talented young speakers from 18 secondary schools across Scotland, competing for the prestigious national title. Over two days, pupils will debate a range of topical and thought-provoking motions in front of a live audience and an esteemed judging panel.  The four teams with the highest points from the two days of debating will progress to the final stages which will take place in Edinburgh on the 26^th and 27^th of November.

This year’s panel features three new judges from the world of Gaelic language and culture. Donald ‘Ryno’ Morrison, Catriona Mackinnon and Roddy Angus Munro. Donald currently works as Chief Executive of the Gaelic education resource agency, Stòrlann Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig. The opportunity to participate in the inspirational, youth centred, Deasbad Nàiseanta nan Àrd-sgoiltean, is an honour for Donald. Catriona MacKinnon has worked in broadcast media for over 20 years. She now produces the BBC Scotland news programme Reporting Scotland.  Gaelic has always been an important part of her life and she is delighted to be part of the judging panel this year. Roddy Angus Munro has been in broadcasting for almost thirty years. Educated at Sgoil an Tarbeirt, Aberdeen University and Castle College, Roddy is thrilled to be joining this panel of fantastic judges.

The first round will take place in An Lanntair at 1230 on Tuesday 4^th November. The order of debates for the two days are as follows:

• Àrd-sgoil MhicNeacail V Sgoil Ghràmair Dhùn Omhainn - Cha b’ urrainn na b’ fheàrr na bhith ainmeil. (There is nothing better than being famous.)
  
  
• Sgoil Sir E Scott V Àrd-sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu - Tha teicneòlas a’ milleadh ar comas air còmhradh ri chèile. (Technology is ruining our ability to speak to each other.)
  
  
• Àrd-sgoil Sheumais Ghilleasbaig V Acadamaidh Hazelhead - Tha làithean-saora na Nollaige nas fheàrr na làithean-saora an t-Samhraidh. (Christmas holidays are better than summer holidays.)
  
  
• Sgoil Lìonacleit V Acadamaidh Rìoghail Bhaile Dhubhthaich - Tha luchd-teagaisg air smachd a chall air an rùm-sgoile. (Teachers have lost control of the classroom.)
  
  
• Àrd-sgoil an Òbain V Àrd-sgoil Inbhir Theòrsa - Chan eil feum sam bith air leabharlann sa là a th’ ann. (There is no need for libraries in this day and age.)
  
  
• Sgoil Bhàgh a’ Chaisteil V Acadamaidh Dhrochaid an Easbaig - Tha barrachd saorsa aig deugaire às a bhaile mhòr na tha aig deugaire air an dùthaich. (Teenagers have more freedom in cities than in rural areas.)
  
  
• Àrd-sgoil Greenfaulds V Acadamaidh Rìoghail Inbhir Nis - Tha rannsachadh fànais na sgrios airgid. (Space Exploration is a waste of money.)
  
  
• Àrd-sgoil Phort Rìgh V Àrd-sgoil Gheàrrloch - Bu chòir dha a bhith comasach dha sgoilearan air S5 / S6 a bhith ag obair bhon taigh. (S5/S6 pupils should be allowed to work from home.)
  
  
• Àrd-sgoil Àird nam Murchan V Acadmaidh Inbhir Pheofharain - Tha seirbheis nàiseanta do dhaoine òga aca ann an dùthchannan eile, tha còir dha seo a bhith againn ann an Alba. (Other countries have national service, Scotland should have the same.)

The second round will see all teams debating the same topic on Wednesday 5^th from 1030: Tha misneachd nas cudromaiche na foghlam san là a th’ ann. (Confidence is of more use than education in this day and age.)

• Sgoil Ghràmair Dhùn Omhainn V Àrd-sgoil Port Rìgh
  
  
• Àrd-sgoil Gheàrrloch V Sgoil Bhàgh a’ Chaisteil
  
  
• Àrd-sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu V Àrd-sgoil Àird nam Murchan
  
  
• Acadamaidh Rìoghail Bhaile Dhubhthaich V Àrd-sgoil Greenfaulds
  
  
• Acadamaidh Rìoghail Inbhir Nis V Àrd-sgoil an Òbain
  
  
• Acadmaidh Inbhir Pheofharain V Àrd-sgoil MhicNeacail
  
  
• Àrd-sgoil Inbhir Theòrsa V Sgoil Sir E Scott
  
  
• Acadamaidh Hazelhead V Sgoil Lìonacleit
  
  
• Acadamaidh Dhrochaid an Easbaig V Àrd-sgoil Sheumais Ghilleasbaig

Organisers wish to express heartfelt thanks to the event’s sponsors and partners, whose continued support makes this staging this annual event possible. Their commitment ensures that young people have opportunities to showcase their talents and use Gaelic with pride and purpose on a national stage.  Sponsors for 2025 are Spiorad na Mara, The Scottish Government, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, SQA, Highland Council, Skills Development Scotland, Stòrlann Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig, BBC Gaelic Broadcasting, Glasgow City Council and Bòrd na Gàidhlig. 

For more information contact us via email: deasbad@gmail.com