Alba - Gàidhlig / Scotland - Gaelic Language

Scottish Gaelic is one of the three Celtic Gaelic languages along with Irish Gaelic and Manx Gaelic. Following the invasions of the Scotti (Scotti is a Latin name for the Gaels) from Ireland and the ultimate unification with the Picts the ‘Old Irish’ Gaelic language supplanted what is believed to have been the Brythonic Celtic language of the Picts. The ‘Old Irish’ Gaelic Celtic language gradually evolved into what is now Scottish Gaelic. As with most languages there are dialect variations within Scottish Gaelic.

Here on this website brief information will be provided about Scottish Gaelic and its dialects with links to many other more detailed websites. We will also share information and links to organisations and groups working to preserve, share and promote Scottish Gaelic.

’S e Gàidhlig na h-Alba aon de na trì cànanan Ceilteach còmhla ri Gàidhlig na h-Èireann agus Gàidhlig Mhanainn. Às dèidh ionnsaighean nan Albannach (’s e ainm Laidinn a th’ ann an Albannaich airson nan Gàidheal) à Èirinn agus an aonachadh mu dheireadh leis na Cruithnich, chuir a’ chànan “Seann-Èireannach” às an àite na thathas a’ creidsinn a bha na cànan Ceilteach Brythonic aig na Cruithnich. Mean air mhean dh’fhàs a’ chànan Cheilteach “Seann-Èireannach” gu bhith na Gàidhlig a-nis. Mar a tha le a’ mhòr-chuid de chànanan, tha caochlaidhean dualchainnteach ann an Gàidhlig na h-Alba.

An seo air an làrach-lìn seo, thèid fiosrachadh goirid a thoirt seachad mu dheidhinn Gàidhlig na h-Alba agus a dualchainntean le ceanglaichean gu mòran làraich-lìn eile nas mionaidiche. Bidh sinn cuideachd a’ roinn fiosrachadh agus ceanglaichean gu buidhnean agus buidhnean a tha ag obair gus Gàidhlig na h-Alba a ghleidheadh, a cho-roinn agus adhartachadh.

Like the other Celtic languages of the United Kingdon Scottish Gaelic is classed as an indigenous language under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. Now ratified by the UK Government the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 established a language-development body, Bòrd na Gàidhlig. The passing of the Scottish Languages Act 2025, Gaelic, alongside Scots, has become an official language of Scotland.

Coltach ri cànanan Ceilteach eile na Rìoghachd Aonaichte, tha Gàidhlig na h-Alba air a seòrsachadh mar chànan dùthchasach fo Chairt Eòrpach nan Cànanan Roinneil no Mion-chànanan. A-nis air a dhaingneachadh le Riaghaltas na RA, stèidhich Achd na Gàidhlig (Alba) 2005 buidheann leasachaidh cànain, Bòrd na Gàidhlig. Le Achd nan Cànanan Albannach 2025, tha a’ Ghàidhlig, còmhla ri Albais, air a bhith na cànan oifigeil ann an Alba.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig is the main public body in Scotland responsible for advancing the state of the Gaelic language and as part of that we advise Scottish Ministers on Gaelic matters.

Our aim is for Gaelic to be seen and heard on a daily basis across Scotland, to the point where it is recognised as a fundamental part of the lives of the people of Scotland and as a valuable language that contributes to the country's culture and economy.

’S e Bòrd na Gàidhlig a’ phrìomh bhuidheann phoblach ann an Alba ris a bheil e an urra cor na Gàidhlig a thoirt air adhart agus mar phàirt de sin bidh sinn a’ toirt comhairle do Mhinistearan na h-Alba air cùisean Gàidhlig.

’S e ar n-amas gum bi a’ Ghàidhlig air a faicinn is air a cluinntinn gu làitheil air feadh Alba, chun na h-ìre ’s gum bi i air a h-aithneachadh mar phàirt bunaiteach de bheatha muinntir na h-Alba agus mar chànan prìseil a tha a’ cur ri cultar is eaconamaidh na dùthcha.

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SCOTLAND GAELIC Language Organisations