Technical Notes 2026 - Issue 114 - Gaelic Language Plan 2026-31, and Progress Report

Plan a campaign in partnership with key council services to raise awareness of Gaelic generally and raise awareness of Cleachdi Initiative.  

A Gaelic Harvest Festival was hosted on the 31st of August 2025 at Mugdock Country Park, in collaboration with Council Services, Community Planning Partners, and both the Gaelic speaking and non-Gaelic speaking communities.

This event offered unique opportunity for everyone, regardless of language background to immerse themselves in Gaelic culture and language.  Attendees engaged in activities that promoted the Gaelic language awareness and highlighted its broader benefits.

East Dunbartonshire Council Provost raises awareness of the Gaelic motto on the Coat of Arms, and its meaning, when hosting schools for her Provost’s Quiz. 

Our Civic Crest is on all current Boundary Signs and includes the Gaelic motto.

Signpost for use the Cleachdi materials where appropriate.

We promote Cleachdi resources.

No application has been submitted this year for Seachdain na Gàidhlig ‘Small Grants Fund. We will review the position and potentially submit an application next year.

Increase posts on relevant campaigns and events in both languages on East Dunbartonshire Council Social Media channels.

In 2025:

• Seachdain na Gàidhlig 2025 (World Gaelic Week 2025) in February.  There were a range of social Media posts
• The Gaelic Harvest festival in Mugdock in August .  There were a range of social media and a poster was also produced in English and Gaelic
• East Dunbartonshire Gaelic Day - held in partnership with Bishopbriggs Gaelic Club – in September 2025. Social media produced posters in Beurla (English) and Gaidhlig for the event along with a media release.

When needed, change old or broken signs and information at places with signs that have two languages on them and increase the number of signs.

Road Network Services has not installed any dual language signs in the past year.

Looking at road signs we currently have, explore where we could add or change signs with two languages on roads across East Dunbartonshire including at the edges of our communities.  Ensuring the names of places are right by getting advice from Ainmean-Aite na h-Alba when needed.

There have been no indications that any changes are required.

Review the terms of reference for the Equalities Action Planning Forum.

Preparatory engagement and consultation are currently underway across services to identify relevant membership for the Equalities Action Planning Forum.

Equalities Action Planning Forum meets quarterly to plan delivery and monitor progress.

Preparatory engagement and consultation are currently underway across services to identify relevant membership for the Equalities Action Planning Forum.

Provide an annual report advising of progress of that year in relation to the Gaelic Language Plan (2026-31).

Officers supporting the delivery of the outcomes within the Gaelic Language Plan 2026-31 continue to monitor and report on progress. 

We will advertise and promote our delivery of 3-18 Gaelic Medium Education (GME) across the council area, as part of our campaigns for early years and P1 enrolment.

Parents/carers have the right to apply for a place at Meadowburn Primary School’s Gaelic Nursery, where children will learn in the medium of Gaelic.

All enrolment forms include the option to send child to GMPS. Social media platforms are used to promote and advertise this option, with a particular push during December/January.

The Sgoil Araich have a dedicated Twitter page – this is designed to both promote early years Gaelic Medium Education but also to share and celebrate the achievements of nursery learners.

Increasing promotion of Gaelic Medium Education through a range of media has also taken place – including EDC website, EDC publications and social media – Facebook and Twitter.

In addition, the Meadowburn Primary School Handbook has been updated to include an enhanced section on the benefits of GME to further support and promote Gaelic immersion.  This includes a full page of benefits along with signposts for parents to YouTube videos with further information.

Within our school improvement plans we will set specific goals for our Gaelic Medium Education and report impact through our annual standards and qualities reports.

Bishopbriggs Academy and Meadowburn Gaelic Unit set specific goals for GME through their School Improvement Plans. These are monitored throughout the session and reported on through their annual Standards and Qualities reporting document.

Ensure that GME parents/carers are informed of the offer available for continuing with GME during secondary education at Bishopbriggs Academy,

In line with the Council’s statutory requirement to ensure progression in Gaelic learning for children, the provision of GME at secondary level is provided within Bishopbriggs Academy. Children who reside in East Dunbartonshire, have attended the GME Primary Provision within Meadowburn and whose parents give a commitment to support their child’s learning in Gaelic, meet the entry requirements to the GME Secondary Provision at Bishopbriggs Academy.

The offer of continuing with GME during secondary education is advertised through social media platforms, on school websites, through annual parent information sessions both at Meadowburn Primary and Bishopbriggs Academy.

Bishopbriggs Academy’s Gaelic Twitter page is regularly updated and engaged with by many Gaelic speakers and the wider community who are learning about these opportunities. 

Development of Family Learning Opportunities and events.

See under ‘Recruit of FLA to work across all sectors and enhance the immersion experience for pupils and families.’

As the Gaelic Medium Early years and primary school roll increases, consult on how to further enhance the immersion experience for pupils.

Pupils have benefited from a wide range of opportunities designed to enhance and extend their immersion experience in Gaelic. These have included partnerships with external agencies, participation in national events, and a broad programme of curricular and extra-curricular activities.

Work with External Agencies – Sport and Culture
Pupils in Classes 4–7 participated in Cuach na Cloinne in Glasgow prior to the summer holidays. This Gaelic-medium football competition for primary pupils (Classes 4–7) is delivered entirely in Gaelic, providing a meaningful context in which children can apply and develop their language skills. In preparation, pupils also attended a Gaelic football after-school club.

Through Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Classes 4–7 engaged in drama workshops following attendance at a live performance by Meanbh-Chuileag. These workshops supported the development of expressive arts, listening and talking skills, and Gaelic language proficiency.

Music and Performance
Weekly music tuition continues to be delivered by a Gaelic-speaking tutor, with a focus on traditional Gaelic music. Instruction includes chanter and tin whistle, alongside a song/folk group for upper school pupils (Classes 5–7).

The Gaelic Choir, led by Mr Gurillo, rehearses weekly. The choir performed successfully at the local Mòd in June and will participate in forthcoming Christmas performances, including the EDC Carol Concert in December.

Gaelic Educational Visits and Activities
In April, Classes 6 and 7 took part in the annual Edinburgh Gaelic trip organised by Comunn na Gàidhlig, visiting Edinburgh Castle and the National Museum of Scotland.

Royal National Mòd – October 2025
A group of Meadowburn Gaelic pupils represented the school at the Royal National Mòd in Oban. All participating pupils achieved gold, silver or bronze awards across Poetry, Storytelling, Song and Art competitions. Notably, the overall winner of the Primary 2 Song competition performed her winning entry on BBC Alba.

Seachdain na Gàidhlig – February 2025
Seachdain na Gàidhlig was celebrated through a whole-school focus on Gaelic language and culture. Comann nam Pàrant delivered a highly successful Cruinn Còmhla event, strengthening engagement with parents and the wider Gaelic community. Plans are in place to build on this success next year, with a continued emphasis on community development.

The profile of Gaelic within Bishopbriggs Academy has been significantly strengthened through successful Seachdain na Gàidhlig events and an expanded extra-curricular offer, including a newly established Gaelic lunchtime club. Pupils are actively participating in national competitions such as FilmG, Deasbad and Farpais nan Gàidheal.

Comhairle na Gàidhlig continues to provide GME pupils with leadership opportunities, further enhancing the visibility and status of Gaelic across the school. Pupils in S1–S3 have also participated in sports competitions at Glasgow Gaelic School, and this provision has recently been extended to include GLE pupils.

Formal consultation regarding further immersion opportunities for GME pupils will take place during the lifetime of the Gaelic Language Plan.

Recruit of FLA to work across all sectors and enhance the immersion experience for pupils and families.

The Family Learning and Community Development Officer (FLA) post was established in January 2025. The FLA works across all educational sectors, as well as within the home and wider community, to support and promote Gaelic Education.

In this role, the FLA:

• Leads the strategic development of 3–18 Gaelic Education through a systematic and sustainable approach, with the aim of increasing the proportion of Gaelic learners across educational establishments
• Collaborates with partners to review and enhance learning materials and resources that support Gaelic Education
• Identifies and develops sustainable opportunities, in partnership with local stakeholders, to expand Gaelic education and promote language growth
• Designs and delivers a programme of events to provide meaningful opportunities for both fluent and learner pupils across all sectors
• Raises awareness of the educational, cultural, and career opportunities available to young people with Gaelic skills, encouraging continued progression in their Gaelic learning journey
• Promotes the use of Gaelic within the community, increasing visibility and supporting parents to make informed decisions regarding Gaelic Medium Education (GME)
• Contributes to and supports collaborative plans with existing groups to ensure an inclusive and coordinated approach to Gaelic development
• Provides guidance and support to community groups in relation to Gaelic language development and usage
• Promotes events, projects, and activities, including those supported through the Gaelic Specific Grant
• Develops and delivers Gaelic parent classes within the community to build confidence in supporting children in GME and to strengthen language use in the home
• Works in partnership with community groups to expand opportunities for GME pupils to use Gaelic in their local area
• Supports and collaborates with the Gaelic Mother and Toddler Group and Gaelic Playgroup provision established through Rionnagan Beaga
• Works with partners to create resources that support and encourage parents and carers to use Gaelic in the home and within early learning and childcare settings
• Ensures families have access to appropriate guidance and support when committing to GME for their child(ren)
• Identifies and develops opportunities to enhance parental engagement within the Gaelic community
• Increases parental awareness and understanding of Gaelic Medium Education
• Expands and strengthens family learning opportunities and events that promote joint engagement between parents and children.

Develop a consultation mandate in collaboration with stakeholders.

This is planned for implementation if the primary school roll increases significantly in the future.

Promote the work of the Gaelic Language and Culture within East Dunbartonshire.

Gaelic Language BookBug sessions were promoted via EDCLT social media channels, the EDLCT website, libraries newsletter and the Gaelic Festival promotional material. 
From 1st April 2025 to date, there has been 4 Gaelic BookBug sessions, which attracted a total of 14 children and 17 adults.  Two of the sessions were delivered in EDLCT libraries and two were outreach activities at Mugdock  Gaelic Festival.

EDLCT libraries stock a range of Gaelic language books for children and adults.  In the year from 1st April 2025, to date, 165 Gaelic languages books were issued; 78 junior and 87 adults.  

The profile of Gaelic has been raised in Bishopbriggs Academy following successful events throughout Seachdain na Gàidhlig and increased extra-curricular activities such as our new Gaelic lunchtime club. Pupils are participating in national competitions – FilmG, Deasbad and Farpais nan Gaidheal. Comhairle na Gàidhlig continues to provide GME pupils with leadership roles and increasing the profile of Gaelic in the school. Our S1-3 pupils have also been involved in Sports Competitions at Glasgow Gaelic School. This provision has been extended to our new GLE pupils. 

Commit to advertise and recruit additional teaching staff to enhance the delivery of quality secondary Gaelic Medium Education provision.

A full time Gaelic teacher has been appointed in August 2025 on a permanent basis in order to enhance the learning experience for GME and Gaelic Learners.

Increase the number of subjects offered to GME pupils.

In session 2023/24, we introduced Gaelic Learners as an L2 to English medium S1 pupils. It is an option choice for S3 pupils who are choosing to continue into N5. This session, we have our first Gaelic Learners National 5 class consisting of pupils who chose to study Gaelic learners in S3 last session. This expands access to the language to those who have Gaelic as an L2 from primary school and others who show an interest in the language. 

In addition to this, we now offer Social Subjects through Gaelic (History and Modern Studies). The Acting PT is also qualified to teach English through Gaelic which will extend the offer available to students further.

Develop a consultation mandate in collaboration with stakeholders.

This is an ongoing commitment that we continue to uphold.

Undertake an audit of current Gaelic provision as an L3.

Please see below.

Annually promote Gaelic as an L3 within the primary setting and support Career Long Professional Learning in Gaelic to all teaching staff.

This is reviewed every year.

Actively promote GLps training across the authority with a commitment to growing L3.

Emails offering GLPS CLPL sent out to all primary and secondary school Head Teachers to disseminate to staff. This is done twice a year. We currently have 2 teachers participating in GLPS training with Argyll and Bute Council.

Teachers who express an interest in Gaelic learning will receive appropriate training.

See above.

Annual information sessions offered, in collaboration with Meadowburn GME unit, to all interested East Dunbartonshire staff to promote Gaelic language and culture within schools.

Information sessions offered by Meadowburn GME unit to all EDC staff annually.
All schools encouraged to participate in World Gaelic Week (Seachdain na Gàidhlig). 
Information sent to all schools regarding National Seminars around the Literacy and Gàidhlig Curriculum Improvement Cycle.  

Logo and Brand
East Dunbartonshire Council logo and branding into both Gaelic and English.

The East Dunbartonshire Council logo is bilingual.  Civic logo is in Gaelic and English.

Signage
Signage will include Gaelic and English as part of any renewal process.

Bilingual signage is currently in place across East Dunbartonshire. There have been no indications that any changes are required.

Promotion
Positive messages that communication from the public in Gaelic is always welcome and regularly repeated.

We have a wide-ranging communication plan to promote Gaelic across our communities.  

Written Communication
Written communication in Gaelic is always accepted (post, email and social media), and replies provided in Gaelic in accordance with the general policy.

We shall strive to ensure mail and email received in Gaelic, will be responded to in Gaelic.  

Upon request, we will translate Council documents into Gaelic.

Reception and phone
Where Gaelic speaking staff can provide this service they are supported to do so.

The Council does not operate reception services at its buildings as a matter of course. The provision of phone services in Gaelic would require greater than basic language skills to be able to conduct a conversation and no Gaelic speakers have yet been recruited.

Public Meetings
Opportunities to hold public meetings bilingually or in Gaelic are regularly explored and promoted.

We will explore opportunities in collaboration with Gaelic speaking and non-Gaelic speaking communities to host Gaelic gatherings, building upon the success of our Gaelic Harvest Festival.

News Releases
Press releases and all news releases related to Gaelic are available in both Gaelic and English.

News releases relevant to Gaelic are published predominantly in English.  News releases would be available in Gaelic on request.

Social Media
Gaelic content distributed regularly through social media.

A far-reaching social media campaign, utilising a range of tools was delivered in collaboration as part of World Gaelic Week. The campaign raised awareness of Gaelic opportunities within East Dunbartonshire Council.

Website
Gaelic content should be available on the public authority’s website expanding potential reach.

Gaelic related publications translated and published on website.

Corporate Publications
Produced in Gaelic and English, with priority given to those with the highest potential reach and impact.

The Gaelic Language plan (2026-31) will be published bilingually.  All other corporate documents are available on request.

Language
A process is in place to ensure that the quality and accessibility of Gaelic language in all corporate information is high.

Our engagement and communication team coordinate the requests for Council documents to be translated.  Translation and interpretation for corporate information and documents is currently conducted by a qualified external third party, that adheres to SQA Orthographic Conventions.

Exhibitions
Opportunities to deliver public exhibitions bilingually or in Gaelic should be explored on a regular basis, with priority given to those with highest potential impact.

East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture provide a wide range of Gaelic books, additionally they deliver Gaelic book bug events raising awareness of Gaelic.

East Dunbartonshire Community Grant Scheme is open to non-profit organisations delivering activities within East Dunbartonshire.  Community grants have been awarded to organised Gaelic community organisations delivering activities and opportunities to both Gaelic and Non-Gaelic speaking community.

Internal Audit
Conduct an internal audit of Gaelic skills and training needs through the life of teach edition of the plan.

Plans are being developed to undertake an audit of Gaelic skills and training needs of employees.  This is separate to continued professional development for employees where Gaelic language is essential.

Induction
Knowledge of the public authority’s Gaelic language plan and training opportunities are embedded in new staff induction.

Plans are being explored to integrate awareness and key insights of the Gaelic Language Plan into the staff induction process.  E-learning induction module is in draft and a link to the Gaelic language plan has been included.

Language Training
Gaelic language skills training and development delivered to staff particularly in relation to implementing the public authority’ s Gaelic Language Plan.

We have implemented a continuous professional development (CPD) policy that empowers employees to identify and address their training needs regarding the Gaelic Language Plan.

We will explore learning opportunities and assess options for incorporating Gaelic language resources into our in-house learning platform, Moodle. However, priority will be given to ensuring compliance with statutory requirements.

Using Gaelic
Staff are encouraged to use Gaelic in their work.

Where relevant staff are encouraged to use Gaelic at work on a case-by-case basis, however, there has been no widespread communication regarding this. Where appropriate staff are encouraged to use Gaelic in their work through line management discussions, PDR/PRD, and customer needs.

Recruitment
Gaelic language skills are recognised and respected within the recruitment process throughout the public authority.

Gaelic named as an essential and/or desirable in job descriptions in order to deliver the Gaelic Language Plan and n accordance with the Bord na Gaidhlig recruitment advice.

Bilingual or Gaelic only job adverts for all posts where Gaelic is an essential skill.

Where there is a requirement for Gaelic language, this would be identified and an advert would be placed in Gaelic, as appropriate.

Gaelic Orthographic Conventions
The most recent Gaelic Orthographic Conventions will be followed in relation to all written materials produced by the authority.

East Dunbartonshire Council written materials are translated by a qualified third-party or EDC employee that adheres to SQA Orthographic Conventions.

Placenames
Gaelic place name and advice from Ainmean-Aite na h-Alba is sought and used

There have been no indications that any changes are required. East Dunbartonshire Council seeks advise from Ainmean-Aite na h-Alba as required.