Gaelic Langauage Movements and Gaelic Development Policy in Scotland

This project is the first overarching study of Gaelic language movements and Gaelic language policy in modern Scotland. It combines research into the objectives, tactics, ideologies and assumptions of Gaelic language organisations in Scotland from the late nineteenth century to the present with an analysis of the changing policy responses from government, education authorities, broadcasters and public bodies. The principal emphasis of the study is on the period from c. 1975 to the present and the so-called ‘Gaelic Renaissance’, which has been marked by an upsurge in campaigning and promotional activity of different kinds and by increased provision for the language in the fields of education, broadcasting, culture and public administration.

The outcome of the project, to be set out in a forthcoming monograph, involves an account of the objectives, tactics, ideologies and assumptions of Gaelic language organisations in Scotland from the late nineteenth century to the present with an analysis of the changing policy responses from government, education authorities, broadcasters and public bodies. The principal emphasis of the study is on the period from c. 1975 to the present and the so-called ‘Gaelic Renaissance’, which has been marked by an upsurge in campaigning and promotional activity of different kinds and by increased provision for the language in the fields of education, broadcasting, culture and public administration.