Bruidhninn Gaidhlig Nuair as Urrain Dhut
Use Gaelic Whenever You Can
Gaelic Medium Education (GME) enrolment numbers for the Western Isles have reached a historic high.
Draft role numbers for the 2025/26 academic session show that 49% of primary age pupils across the Western Isles are enrolled in GME, with an impressive 57% of this year’s Primary 1 intake choosing Gaelic as the language of learning.
The increase in enrolment is testament to the commitment of families and the wider community in supporting bilingualism and securing the future of Gaelic for the next generation.
At a recent meeting of Gaelic development agencies, the Comhairle’s initiative to strengthen the use of Gaelic in homes and communities was warmly welcomed and endorsed by all those in attendance. There was a shared understanding that the future of the language relies not only on formal education but on creating environments where Gaelic is heard and spoken naturally every day.
While schools play a vital role in language learning, the everyday use of Gaelic in the home and community is just as important. To truly thrive, young people need to hear and use Gaelic beyond the classroom. That’s why the Comhairle is encouraging everyone—parents, grandparents, neighbours, shopkeepers, bus drivers, football coaches, and friends—to use Gaelic in daily interactions with children and young people. Whether it’s a greeting in the morning, a short chat at the shop, or stories shared at bedtime, every Gaelic word contributes to a richer, more confident linguistic environment.
Anne Graham, Quality Improvement Officer at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and parent of two children in Gaelic Medium Education, said:
“This is a hugely positive moment for Gaelic in the Western Isles. The strength of GME lies not just in our schools, but in our communities. We are calling on everyone to take pride in the language and to use it with the young people in their lives. Gaelic belongs to us all—and its future depends on all of us using it.
Teàrlach Wilson from An Taigh Cèilidh in Stornoway, said: “We work to create welcoming spaces where Gaelic can be lived and enjoyed naturally. Whether through events, drop-ins, or intergenerational conversations, we see the difference it makes when young people experience Gaelic as part of everyday life. Partnership working with the Comhairle and other organisations is vital—together, we can build a strong, connected Gaelic community that supports and celebrates the language at every level.”
Tha Comhairle nan Eilean Siar moiteil ainmeachadh gu bheil àireamhan Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig (FMG) a-nis aig an ìre as àirde a-riamh.
Tha dreachd àireamhan clàraidh airson seisean acadaimigeach 2025/26 a’ sealltainn gu bheil 49% de sgoilearan aois bun-sgoile air feadh nan Eilean Siar clàraichte ann am FMG, le àireamh iongantach de 57% de sgoilearan ann am Prìomh 1 am-bliadhna a’ taghadh Gàidhlig mar chànan ionnsachaidh. Tha an àrdachadh ann an clàradh mar fhianais air dealas theaghlaichean agus na coimhearsnachd san fharsaingeachd ann a bhith a’ toirt taic do dhà-chànanas agus a’ dèanamh cinnteach gum bi a’ Ghàidhlig ann airson an ath-ghinealach.
Aig coinneimh de bhuidhnean leasachaidh na Gàidhlig o chionn ghoirid, chaidh fàilte chridheil a chur air iomairt na Comhairle gus cleachdadh na Gàidhlig a neartachadh ann an dachaighean agus coimhearsnachdan, agus chaidh aontachadh ris leis a h-uile duine a bha an làthair. Bha tuigse ann am measg a h-uile duine gu bheil soirbheachadh a’ chànain san àm ri teachd an urra ri, chan e a-mhàin foghlam foirmeil, ach ri bhith a’ cruthachadh àrainneachdan far am bi a’ Ghàidhlig air a cluinntinn agus air a bruidhinn gu nàdarrach a h-uile latha.
Ged a tha àite glè chudromach aig sgoiltean ann a bhith a’ teagasg chànanan, tha cleachdadh na Gàidhlig gu làitheil san dachaigh agus sa choimhearsnachd a cheart cho cudromach. Airson soirbheachadh dha-rìribh fhaicinn airson a’ chànain, feumaidh daoine òga Gàidhlig a chluinntinn agus a chleachdadh taobh a-muigh a’ chlas. ’S e sin as coireach gu bheil a’ Chomhairle a’ brosnachadh a h-uile duine—pàrantan, sean-phàrantan, nàbaidhean, luchd-bùtha, dràibhearan bhusaichean, coidsichean ball-coise, is caraidean—Gàidhlig a chleachdadh ann an conaltradh làitheil le clann agus daoine òga. Ge bith an e beannachd sa mhadainn a th’ ann, còmhradh goirid aig a’ bhùth, neo sgeulachdan a bhithear ag innse aig àm leabaidh, tha a h-uile facal Gàidhlig a’ cur ri àrainneachd cànain nas beairtiche agus nas misneachaile.
Thuirt Anna Ghreumach, Oifigear Leasachadh Càileachd aig Comhairle nan Eilean Siar agus pàrant dithis a tha ann am foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig: “’S e àm fìor mhath a tha seo don Ghàidhlig anns na h-Eileanan Siar. Tha neart FMG chan ann a-mhàin nar sgoiltean, ach nar coimhearsnachdan. Tha sinn ag iarraidh air a h-uile duine a bhith moiteil às a’ chànan agus a cleachdadh leis an òigridh nam beatha. Buinidh a’ Ghàidhlig dhuinn uile – agus tha a soirbheachadh san àm ri teachd an urra ris a h-uile duine againn a bhith ga cleachdadh.”
Thuirt Teàrlach Wilson bho An Taigh Cèilidh ann an Steòrnabhagh: “Tha sinn ag obair gus àiteachan fàilteachail a chruthachadh far am faod a’ Ghàidhlig a bhith beò agus far am faigh daoine tlachd às a’ chànan gu nàdarrach. Ge bith an ann tro thachartasan, daoine a’ tighinn a-steach, no còmhraidhean eadar-ghinealaich, chì sinn an diofar a nì e nuair a bhios daoine òga a’ faighinn eòlas air a’ Ghàidhlig mar phàirt de bheatha làitheil. Tha e deatamach gun obraich sinn ann an com-pàirteachas leis a’ Chomhairle agus buidhnean eile – còmhla, ’s urrainn dhuinn coimhearsnachd Ghàidhlig làidir, ceangailte a thogail a bheir taic agus aithneachadh don chànan aig gach ìre.”
