Beurla gu h-ìosal // English below

Abair gun robh Seachdain na Gàidhlig air leth againn! Ghabh barrachd air 170 tachartas àite ann 27 sgìre chomhairle air feadh na h-Alba, le còrr agus 40,000 compàrtaiche agus neach-frithealaidh.  Chan ann a-mhàin ann an Alba a bha daoine a’ dèanamh luaidh air a’ Ghàidhlig, ach ann an Argentina, Astràilia, Canada, Eilean Mhanainn, Èirinn, Sasainn, Sealan Nuadh, san Fhionnlann, sa Ghearmailt agus sna Stàitean Aonaichte. Dha-rìribh, ’s e cànan agus cultar eadar-nàiseanta a th’ anns a’ Ghàidhlig.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ceanglaichean Gun Chrìch – agus Gun Chrìochan
Ged a bha an luchd-compàirt air an sgapadh fad is farsaing, tha sinn air ar ceangal le as cànan agus gu digiteach. Bha #SeachdainNaGàidhlig, #CeanglaicheanGunCrìch, #LàAbairtNaGàidhlig agus #LNLTGàidhlig a’ lìonadh na meadhan sòisealta fad na seachdanach! Bha na mìltean an làthair aig tachartasan (eadar tachartasan ann an coimhearsnachd, tachartasan air loidhne agus na seiseanan sgoile), agus bha na deich mìltean de ‘sheallaidhean’ againn air na meadhanan sòisealta – a’ sreap ri 200,000 ‘sealladh’!

Inbhe na Gàidhlig

Fhuair sinn cuideachadh o na ceudan gus inbhe agus cliù na Gàidhlig a thogail, agus tha sinn taingeil airson gach neach a thug taic dhuinn. Bha sinn air ar dòigh taic fhaighinn o chuid aig a bheil inbhe agus leantainn mhòr gu pearsanta airson an cuid taic agus airson Gàidhlig a thoirt gu aire an t-sluaigh. Nam measg, bha Ailean Cuimeanach, Eunice Olumide, Dougray Scott, Jai McDowall, Michelle McManus, Chanel O’ Conor, Alistair Heather, Phil McHugh, Ceitidh NicÌomhair agus Gareth Gates. Taing mhòr dhuibh uile, agus cùmaibh oirbh leis a’ Ghàidhlig!

 

 

An t-Ionnsachadh Òg, an t-Ionnsachadh Bòidheach
Ghabh 525 clas o 173 sgoil ann an 27 ùghdarras ionadail pàirt anns na seisean sgoile làitheil còmhla ri Joy Dunlop agus caraidean mar Ionatan Angell o Cùm Alba Bòidheach agus Pàdraig MacAoidh, Makar nàiseanta na h-Alba – le timcheall air 16,700 compàirtiche air feadh na seiseanan gu lèir. A thuilleadh air an sin, bha sgoiltean air feadh na h-Alba a’ leantainn na planaichean aca fhèin airson Seachdain na Gàidhlig a chomharrachadh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taic Dhuinn agus Taic Bhuainn
Tha sgioba Seachdain na Gàidhlig ro-thaingeil do gach neach a tha a’ cumail taic rinn. Thathas a’ dèanamh sinn ann an iomadh dhòigh, le taic airgid (gu sònraichte o Bhòrd na Gàidhlg, ach cuideachd a h-uile duine a thug airgead dhuinn agus a cheannaich stuthan on bhùth againn), taic a thaobh sanasachd, a’ sgaoileadh fiosrachaidh air na meadhanan sòisealta, na meadhan a rinn agallamhan, aithrisean neo aithisgean mun t-seachdain, agus ann an dòigh sam bith eile.
Tha sinn pròiseail gun d’ fhuair sinn air taic airgid a thoirt do bharrachd air 60 tachartasan am bliadhna tro Mhaoin nan Tabhartasan Beaga, air a mhaoineachadh le Bòrd na Gàidhlig. A thuilleadh air an sin, tha sinn toilichte agus taingeil gun d’ fhuair sinn air taic a thoirt do dh’ iomadach neach no buidheann gus an tachartas aca a shanasachd neo beagan brosnachaidh a dhèanamh orra.
B’ e Seachdain na Gàidhlig 2025 an tè as motha agus a bu shoirbheachail fhathast – gu 2026, tha sinn an dòchas!
Tha sinn an còmhnaidh an eisimeil air taic, agus ma tha thu deònach taic airgid a thoirt dhuinn gus Seachdain na Gàidhlig 2026 a dhèanamh nas fheàrr buileach, faodaidh tu sin a dhèanamh an seo.

A’ Coimhead Air Ais agus Air Adhart
Tha an t-uabhas ri lorg mu thachartasan na seachdanach air na meadhanan sòisealta – feuch an lorg thu @sngàidhlig air Instagram, Facebook, X agus Bluesky. A thuilleadh air an sin, bidh bhidiothan a’ nochdadh air an t-seanail YouTube againn a dh’ aithghearr. Thoiribh sùil, oir chan eil fhios nach lorg thu beachdan airson na h-ath-bhliadhna!
Tha sinn air ar dòigh le mar a chaidh Seachdain na Gàidhlig 2025; cha b’ urrainn dhuinn air a dhèanamh às ar n-aonais. Tapadh leibh, agus beannachd leibh uile.

Cumaibh na cìnn-là airson na h-ath-bhliadhna! 23mh Gearran gu 1mh Màrt 2026

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What a week we had with Seachdain na Gàidhlig 2025! With an estimated 170 events taking place in 27 local authority areas across Scotland and beyond, generating an estimated 40,000 instances of participation and attendance opportunities! Further afield, people celebrated Gaelic, in Argentina, Australia, Canada, England, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Isle of Man, New Zealand and the United States. Gaelic language and culture are truly international!

Building Connections
Although participants were scattered across the globe, we are all connected through our language and digitally. The hashtags #SeachdainNaGàidhlig, #CeanglaicheanGunCrìch, #LàAbairtNaGàidhlig and #LNLTGàidhlig were filling social media all week! Thousands attended events (whether in-person, online or the school sessions), and we had tens of thousands of views on our social media platforms – close to 200,000 views across the week!

Gaelic Promotion
Hundreds of you helped us to promote Gaelic and to raise her profile, and we are truly grateful to each and every one of you for doing so. We were delighted to have some famous faces with huge followings add their support by highlighting Gaelic to their fans and followers. Amongst them were Alan Cumming, Eunice Olumide, Dougray Scott, Jai McDowall, Michelle McManus, Chanel O’ Conor, Alistair Heather, Phil McHugh, Katie MacIver and Gareth Gates. Huge thanks to you all, and keep speaking Gaelic!

Starting Young
525 classes, from 173 unique schools from across 24 local authority areas took part in the daily school sessions with Joy Dunlop and friends such as Jonathan Angell from Keep Scotland Beautiful and Scotland’s Makar, Peter MacKay – delivering approximately 16,700 instances of pupil participation across the week. In addition, schools across the country delivered their own events and activities to celebrate Seachdain na Gàidhlig.

Supporting Us and Supporting You
The Seachdain na Gàidhlig team is immensely grateful for everyone who supports the project. You support is in many different ways, including financially (Bòrd na Gàidhlig, significantly, but also every single person who has donated or who has bought merchandise from our shop), support with promoting the week, sharing information on social media, mainstream media who carried out interviews and produced reports, and in many other ways.
We are proud to have been able to provide financial support for over 60 projects this year through our Small Grants Fund, funded by Bòrd na Gàidhlig. Beyond this, we are delighted to have provided support to many individuals and groups, whether by giving advice, promoting their event or simply by providing encouragement.
Seachdain na Gàidhlig 2025 was the biggest and most successful yet – until 2026, we hope!
We are always dependent on support, and if you are willing to provide financial support to make Seachdain na Gàidhlig 2026 even bigger, even wider and even better, you can donate here.

Looking Back and Looking Forward
You can find plenty about the events during Seachdain na Gàidhlig on our social media channels – just search for @sngàidhlig on Instagram, Facebook, X agus Bluesky. In addition, we’ll have videos appearing on our YouTube channel soon. Please have a look, and you might be inspired to plan an event for next year!
We are delighted that Seachdain na Gàidhlig 2025 has been such a success; we couldn’t have done it without your support. Tapabh leibh, agus beannachd leibh uile.

Save the dates for next year’s event! 23rd February – Sunday 1st March 2026

 

An inaccurate narrative that labels Gaelic as a dying language persists in Scotland. But this tale of decline couldn’t be further from the truth. While Gaelic has faced many challenges over the centuries, its story today is one of resilience, revival and vibrancy.

From digital platforms and Gaelic Medium Education to major events and cultural initiatives like Seachdain na Gàidhlig, the evidence is clear: Gaelic is not just surviving – it’s thriving.

Let’s debunk some Gaelic-related myths!

“People Aren’t Taught Gaelic Anymore”

One of the cornerstones of the future of Gaelic is Gaelic Medium Education (GME), which has been steadily growing across Scotland since 1985. From nurseries to secondary schools, GME provides children with the opportunity to be educated primarily in Gaelic, equipping them with fluency while fostering a deep connection to Scotland’s culture and heritage.

Schools like Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu (Glasgow Gaelic School) have seen increasing enrolments, demonstrating the demand from families who value bilingual education. Research has shown that children who are bilingual benefit cognitively, socially, and academically – making GME an attractive choice for parents, whether they have a Gaelic-speaking background or are entirely new to the language.

Beyond the classroom, GME plays a critical role in combating the decline narrative. It ensures that Gaelic is passed on to the next generation as a living, evolving language.

“Gaelic Was Never Spoken Here”

Another common misconception is that Gaelic was spoken only in remote parts of the Highlands and Islands, with no historical presence elsewhere. This myth erases a rich history of Gaelic speakers who lived, worked and flourished in areas across Scotland, from the bustling towns of the Lowlands to the industrial cities of the Central Belt.

Take Glasgow – Glaschu, for example. While the city today may not be immediately associated with Gaelic by those not in the know, its Gaelic-speaking population at one time was substantial. Many Gaels came to Glasgow during the Highland Clearances or to seek work during the Industrial Revolution, and they brought their language and culture with them. This legacy is reflected in local place names like Cathcart, derived from the Gaelic Cat Coille, meaning “wood of the cat,” and Balornock, from Baile Lorgan Nochd, meaning “farmstead of the bare shank.” These names aren’t just markers on a map – they’re connections to the lives and stories of the Gaels who once lived there. No wonder it’s historically known as Baile Mòr nan Gàidheal (The City of the Gaels)

Far from being confined to remote areas, Gaelic was once woven into the very linguistic fabric of Scotland as a whole. Understanding these place names enriches our understanding of Scotland’s landscape and heritage. They remind us that Gaelic is not foreign to much of the country – it is a language deeply rooted in its history, geography and identity.

“Only A Small Number of People Speak Gaelic”

One of the greatest tools in Gaelic’s modern resurgence has been technology, opening the language to new audiences around the world. Language learning apps like Duolingo have made Gaelic accessible to anyone with a smartphone. Since launching its Scottish Gaelic course in late 2019, Duolingo has seen over two million learners sign up, many of whom are international diaspora outside Scotland who can use Gaelic to connect with their roots.

Similarly, the Speak Gaelic initiative, led by MG ALBA, combines interactive online resources, video lessons, and podcasts, making language learning more engaging and inclusive. Offering free resources like video lessons, podcasts, and interactive courses, it supports beginners and intermediate learners alike. These platforms allow people of all ages to immerse themselves in Gaelic, whether reconnecting with their heritage or starting fresh and to learn or refresh Gaelic at their own pace. These platforms are proof that Gaelic is reaching millions of people everyday and the language is thriving in the digital age, reaching learners far beyond traditional classrooms.

The most recent Scottish census found that 2.5% of the Scottish population
“had some skills in Gaelic” – an increase of 21% that equals more than 130,000 people. With a further 46,400 reporting that they understand the language, 1 in 40 people in Scotland now have some level of understanding of Gaelic. Just as promising, was the finding that more than 25,000 people with some Gaelic were under 30 and urban communities showed the largest growth in the language, demonstrating the strength of Gaelic across Scotland we can expect into the future.

“Gaelic Isn’t Spoken or Heard in Daily Life

Numbers alone don’t tell the full story of Gaelic’s strength – it’s in the communities and conversations themselves. Across Scotland and internationally, local and online communities keep Gaelic alive and well.

Gaelic is spoken in pubs and cafes, at schools, in the workplace and at events. The language continues to have a growing presence in pop culture and be heard on the radio and TV and in blockbuster films. On social media platforms like TikTok, Gaelic influencers and content creators are garnering millions of views and followers from audiences around the world looking to engage with and understand the language. Some of our favourites include Calum Maclean, Kenny Boyle and Niamh Mackinnon – to name a few. 

The language is also brought to life for thousands of people through the continued rise in popularity of Scottish traditional music. Gaelic is shared with huge crowds, for example through the music of Mànran at Glasgow’s largest venue the OVO Hydro and Niteworks at the O2 Academy.

Wherever you look, Gaelic is visible, relevant and exciting and has an invaluable place in Scotland’s future.

“Gaelic Isn’t Important in Modern Scotland”

Gaelic is a source of pride and belonging among millions and is invaluable to Scotland’s national identity. 

Recent initiatives highlight the language’s growing popularity and its relevance today. Say A Gaelic Phrase Day brings people together across the globe, sparking conversations from Canada to Japan and proving that Gaelic serves not only as a cultural touchstone but as a bridge connecting communities worldwide.

The Royal National Mòd recently announced its 2024 edition in Oban generated a £3.6 million economic boost for the town and brought huge benefits to attendees’ mental health, encouraging them to engage socially and meet new friends. All of this demonstrates the Gaelic language’s crucial role as an economic and cultural asset.

The decline myth not only misrepresents Gaelic’s vitality, it overlooks the incredible achievements happening in Gaelic today. With growing communities, thousands of new learners, and hundreds of passionate advocates, Gaelic is alive, dynamic and thriving.

Whether you’re a lifelong native speaker, a curious beginner, or simply  interested in Scottish culture, now more than ever is the perfect time to engage with Gaelic. 

By learning a phrase, attending an event, or hosting a Seachdain na Gaidhlig activity, you’re contributing to a language’s story of resilience and helping bust those myths.

Suas leis a’ Ghàidhlig! Tha an cànan beò – the language is alive!

Ma tha tachartas sam bith agaibh co-cheangailte ri Seachdain na Gàidhlig (24 Gearran gu 2 Màrt), nach cuir sibh air a’ mhìosachan e? Mar sin, chì daoine fad is farsaing dè a tha a’ gabhail àite agus bheir e bhur tachartas gu aire an t-sluaigh beagan a bharrachd! Tha e furasta gu leòr a dhèanamh; dìreach cliog an seo: mìosachan Seachdain na Gàidhlig.

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If you are planning an event conencted to Seachdain na Gàidhlig (24 February to 2 March), why not add it to our calendar? Share your event with the whole world and join the Seachdain na Gàidhlig community, whilst also increasing the visibility of the event. It’s easy to do; just click here: Seachdain an Gàidhlig events calendar.