About
Find out more about the initiative, the 2026 theme, and the team
Seachdain na Gàidhlig celebrates 5 years as Scotland’s official nationwide language and culture week
Established in 2022, supported by Bòrd na Gàidhlig and spearheaded by the Scottish traditional culture and music organisation Hands Up For Trad, Seachdain na Gàidhlig draws inspiration from other minority language movements such as Seachtain na Gaeilge in Ireland and Mìos nan Gàidheal in Nova Scotia.
The week-long initiative was the first official nationwide language week of its kind in Scotland, providing a platform for Scottish Gaelic speakers, learners, and advocates to honour and promote the language locally and globally, fostering greater national awareness and recognition.
Around 170 events were staged in Scotland and worldwide for the 2025 iteration, generating participation and attendances of 40,000, while participation in the schools programme reached 16,700 – a 32% increase on the previous year. People celebrated World Gaelic Week in Argentina, Australia, Canada, Finland, Germany, England, New Zealand, Northern Ireland and the USA.
Who can take part
Anybody can take part or run their own event – the initiative offers opportunities for Gaelic speakers, and those without the language, to get involved in a way that suits them. Whether you are in Scotland or further afield – get in touch if you would like to discuss an idea – or submit your event on our online calendar.
Events can include anything – from performance, music, song, dance, film screenings, book readings, poetry nights, ceilidhs, exhibitions, workshops, themed walks, sports events, quizzes, discussions, digital events and more – and can take place in Scotland or further afield.
The Events Calendar will go live in November 2025, allowing you to add your own event. Now is the perfect time to start planning how you’d like to contribute to Seachdain na Gàidhlig 2026.
Use It or Lose It (Cleachd i no caill i)
Our theme for 2026 is Use It or Lose It (Cleachd i no caill i). It is a call to action, for people across Scotland and beyond to actively engage with Gaelic to ensure its preservation and growth.
Cleachd i, no caill i is pronounced Klechk ee, no Kyle ee. (ch like loch) Phonetically this is klɛxg i nɔ kaiLʲ i. Hear it spoken here.
The 2026 theme Use It or Lose It (Cleachd i, no caill i) carries particular poignancy, highlighting the critical importance of actively engaging with Gaelic to ensure its preservation and growth.
What We Do
Working together with our partners, we provide:
- A platform for both the Gaelic speaking and learner community to take part and run their own events, supported across the Seachdain na Gàidhlig social media channels and website.
- A curated programme supported through a Maoin nan Tabhartas Beag (Small Grants Fund). This fund provides support of up to £500 to individuals, community groups, and schools, which in 2025 supported more than 50 events (out of a programme of over 170 events), across 17 Scottish council areas, as well as abroad.
- A schools’ online workshop programme and resources, including School Planners for both Gaelic learners and fluent speakers.
- A design a-T-shirt competition, which attracts more than 500 entries each year.
- Coordination of the hugely popular Say a Gaelic Phrase Day which engages thousands online each year and will be back on Thursday 26th February 2026.
Our Team
Seachdain na Gàidhlig is run by a small, dedicated team, led by presenter, broadcaster and Gaelic educator Joy Dunlop, under the supportive umbrella of Hands Up For Trad.
Meet the Team
Joy Dunlop
Director
Joy Dunlop is a popular television & radio broadcaster; presenting the weather on both BBC Scotland & BBC Alba, in addition to being the main host of SpeakGaelic, the new and multi-faceted learning brand, offering the most comprehensive approach to learning Scottish Gaelic in a generation. With her trademark poise and depth of knowledge, Joy’s warmth and enthusiasm have made her increasing in-demand in television and radio broadcasts alike, presenting the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year competition and being a frequent host and panelist on a wide range of music, current affairs and light entertainment programmes.
A fluent Gaelic speaker, with an honours degree in Gaelic language and culture, she is also a multi-award winning Gaelic singer, winning both the coveted Royal National Mòd Gold Medal and the Oban Times Gold Medal and releasing multiple highly acclaimed albums. Her music has led her all over the world; from major Celtic festivals, to touring the UK, Europe, Canada, USA, Japan and New Zealand. She also conducts the Alba Choir, Scotland’s first and only Eurovision entry, who participated in the 2019 Eurovision Choir of the Year finals in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Suzi Maciver
Administrative Producer
Suzi Maciver has an honours degree in English Literature and Theatre Studies and has worked extensively in cultural development and as a creative producer for a range of organisations across the arts, third sector and local authority areas. Most recently, Suzi produced the Fringe programme for Scotland’s premiere Gaelic festival the Royal National Mòd (Mòd Phàislig) 2023, which sparked her keen interest in Gaelic language and cultural development.
Suzi has been working with Renfrewshire Council as Creative Events Producer since January 2017 developing and programming the region’s annual event portfolio including Paisley Halloween Festival, Sma’ Shot Day, the Spree festivals and Christmas events; and supporting major visitor events such as the UK premiere of sound and light show About Us as part of Unboxed 2022 and the short listing of Paisley’s bid for UK City of Culture 2021. Suzi has previously led arts and cultural development for Scottish Refugee Council and worked as a producer for a range of arts organisations such as Ankur Arts Productions, The Arches and the MAC in Belfast.
Grant McFarlane
Manager, Small Grants Fund
Grant McFarlane is an accordion player, arts practitioner and Gaelic learner from Paisley. Grant studied traditional music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and performs and teaches across Scotland and further afield. He has performed in a number of groups and in countries across the world including Australia, India and Barbados. In 2015, he founded Fèis Phàislig which now delivers a year-round programme of opportunities in traditional music and Gaelic for young people in Renfrewshire. Grant has been learning Gaelic for around 3 years now and is passionate about creating opportunities for everybody to engage with the language, no matter what level they’re at.
Aimee Toshney
Fundraiser
Aimee is a soprano, choir leader, teacher, and fundraiser from Scotland with a deep passion for helping others find their voice. She studied at the University of Glasgow and the Royal Northern College of Music and is an alumna of the English National Opera’s ‘Opera Works’ scheme. Aimee has built a diverse career in performance, education, and community arts, working with organisations such as the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and Sistema Scotland. She has performed traditional Scots songs at venues worldwide, including the British High Commission in Canberra and Auckland Town Hall. She is also an experienced project manager and fundraiser, securing significant funds for arts and educational initiatives. Aimee’s contributions to dementia care projects have earned her recognition, including the Evening Times Community Champion Award. A keen linguist and advocate of Scottish culture, she is currently developing her Gaelic skills and is excited to join the Seachdain na Gàidhlig team as a funding specialist.
