Gaelic's growing role in the Highlands and Islands

26th February 2026

Gaelic plays a significant role across the Highlands and Islands, contributing to community resilience, cultural development and sustainable economic growth.

Having a powerful social, cultural and economic role in the Highlands and Islands, its value to local people and businesses has never felt stronger.

More organisations are embracing Gaelic to celebrate identity, build connections with customers and create exciting new opportunities for growth, all at a time when demand for authentic cultural experiences is rising fast.

At HIE, we have long recognised the economic and social potential of Gaelic. Over six decades we've worked closely with Gaelic-speaking communities. The language has become an increasingly central part of our development approach.

We've welcomed the Scottish Languages Act and look forward to working closely with communities and partner agencies as the legislation is implemented. The Act will enable local authorities to designate Areas of Linguistic Significance, strengthening recognition of Gaelic within local planning and development.

Since the publication of our first Gaelic Plan in 2009, we have continued to explore how Gaelic supports key sectors such as tourism, food and drink, digital media and the creative industries. Today, businesses are using Gaelic to enhance brand authenticity and connect with audiences who value cultural heritage.

In the Outer Hebrides, the growth of the visitor economy, supported by developments such as the Stornoway deep-water port, has created new opportunities for Gaelic-led experiences. Cruise operators and service providers are responding to increasing demand for bilingual interpretation, genealogy-based activities and immersive cultural content.

Gaelic is also becoming a more visible part of business development, supported by partners including our local authorities and Skills Development Scotland (SDS).

As employers explore how Gaelic can strengthen their workforce strategies, SDS is helping to build the skills needed for long-term growth, from apprenticeships in tourism and creative media to employer support for cultural capability and bilingual customer service.

Bringing language, skills and economic development together strengthens rural communities, creates local job opportunities, and supports population retention in areas where it's most needed.

Many businesses across the region are embedding Gaelic into everyday operations, from signage and interpretation to digital storytelling and product development.

The redevelopment of the Calanais Visitor Centre in the Isle of Lewis is a great example. Once complete, it will feature a modern, bilingual visitor experience rooted in the landscape, language, culture and heritage of Lewis. Gaelic will be part of the interpretation as well as part of everyday spoken life in the running of the centre and the wider community, shaping how visitors are welcomed and how local stories are told.

Earlier this week, we commissioned new research to deepen understanding of Gaelic's economic, social and cultural impact. It is being led by HIE with the Scottish Government, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and VisitScotland and will gather evidence from businesses, communities and social enterprises using Gaelic across Scotland. It will identify where investment can deliver the greatest benefit and assess Gaelic's current and future economic contribution, particularly in tourism. The findings will help us and our partners target support where it matters most.

Across the region, I see daily how businesses and communities are using Gaelic in practical, meaningful ways, from producers strengthening brand identity to hospitality and community groups creating bilingual experiences and new income streams.

That’s why HIE is placing focus on the language within our development approach. As our economy evolves, Gaelic is becoming an important driver of confidence, creativity and opportunity.

The years ahead offer significant potential for Gaelic‑led economic growth, and we are committed to helping communities and businesses across the region realise that opportunity.

Joanna Peteranna
Director of Area Operations

Joanna Peteranna lives in Benbecula and was appointed HIE’s Director of Area Operations in July 2024. She was Area Manager for Innse Gall for two years after holding other roles with HIE including Head of Enterprise Support. Born and brought up in Paisley with a North Uist family, Joanna worked for Bank of Scotland in Edinburgh before settling in Benbecula in 2002. In 2014 Joanna completed the Entrepreneurship Development Programme at MIT in Boston.

Highland Council
Tachartasan air Feadh na Gàidhealtachd airson Seachdain na Gàidhlig a Chomharrachadh

Tha grunn thachartasan gu bhith air an cumail air feadh na Gàidhealtachd airson Seachdain na Gàidhlig a chomharrachadh.

Tha Seachdain na Gàidhlig, a chaidh a stèidheachadh ann an 2022 is a th’ air a maoineachadh le Bòrd na Gàidhlig, a’ cuideachadh gus inbhe a’ chànain a thogail tro iomairtean coimhearsnachd, com-pàirteachadh le sgoiltean agus raon de thachartasan brosnachail eile.

’S e Cleachd I no Caill I cuspair na seachdaine airson 2026. ’S e gairm a tha seo, do dhaoine air feadh Alba is nas fhaide air falbh, a dhol an sàs anns a’ Ghàidhlig airson a gleidheadh agus a fàs.

Air a’ Ghàidhealtachd, chaidh a’ ghairm seo a fhreagairt le dealas. Bidh cothroman ann dhan a h-uile aois a dhol an sàs ann an rudan tron t-seachdain, le tòrr a’ tachairt air feadh na sgìre.

Thuirt Drew Mac a’ Mhuilleir, Neach-cathrach Comataidh na Gàidhlig: "Tha e sgoinneil a bhith a’ faicinn prògram cho làn airson Seachdain na Gàidhlig, agus bu mhath leam a h-uile duine a bhrosnachadh a dhol gu fear de na tachartasan.

“Tha Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd a’ cumail oirre a’ toirt taic dhan chànan is ga brosnachadh sa h-uile dòigh - a’ cuideachadh gus fàs a thoirt air na cothroman a tha rim faighinn a thaobh a bhith a’ cleachdadh is ag ionnsachadh a’ chànain ann an sgoiltean, sa choimhearsnachd, ann an àiteachan obrach agus ann an dachaighean air feadh na sgìre."

Gheibhear prògram slàn airson Seachdain na Gàidhlig an seo: https://seachdainnagaidhlig.scot/whats-on/

Events across Highland to celebrate Seachdain na Gàidhlig

Dozens of events will be held across Highland to mark Seachdain na Gàidhlig, which gets underway on Monday (23rd February).

Established in 2022 and funded by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Seachdain na Gàidhlig (World Gaelic Week) helps raise the profile of the language through community initiatives, schools’ engagement and an exciting calendar of events.

The theme of the week 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.

In Highland that call has been answered with gusto. There will be opportunities for all ages to get involved throughout the week, with lots happening all across the region.

Chair of the Council’s Gaelic committee Drew Millar said: “It is great to see such a packed progamme for Seachdain na Gàidhlig (World Gaelic Week) and I would encourage everyone to get along to one of the events.

“Highland Council continues to support and encourage the language in every way – helping to increase the opportunities available to use and learn the language in schools, communities, workplaces and homes across the region.”

The full programme of Seachdain na Gàidhlig (World Gaelic Week) events can be found here https://seachdainnagaidhlig.scot/whats-on/