Gaelic promotion role for Community Planning Board

9th March 2015

During a meeting of the Partnership Board held in Inverness last week, the Highland Community Planning Partnership agreed to promote Gaelic in relevant areas of their work.

Organisations including The Highland Council, NHS Highland, HIE, SNH, Police Scotland, Fire and Rescue Scotland, UHI, Highlife Highland and the Highland Third Sector Interface agreed to adopt a joined-up approach to Gaelic Strategic Planning and Development through the sharing of experience, skills and resources. Through more collegiate working, the Partnership will also raise the profile of, and increase support for Gaelic across the Highlands.

Gaelic author and broadcaster Roddy Maclean gave the Partnership Board a well- received presentation which emphasised the important role Gaelic language and culture plays in many aspects of living and working in the Highlands.

He detailed Gaelic elements in the key themes of heritage and having a sense of place, the environment, education, health and the economy. He also flagged up the findings of the recent independent report commissioned by the Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and other partners that showed 60% of businesses surveyed felt that their use of Gaelic enhanced the value of the language within the community. Over half the businesses said that Gaelic is an asset in particular when used to promote the creative industries, tourism, food and drink. In addition, the Research also showed that the potential value of Gaelic to Scotland's economy was between £82 million and £149 million.

Leader of The Highland Council, Councillor Drew Hendry said: "Given the support for Gaelic across the Highlands and the importance of its future health and growth, Roddy did a great job in presenting the Board with a picture that captured just how important the language and culture is. It was very relevant as it underlined the link we have under the Single Outcome Agreement between the Highland Community Planning Partnership and the Scottish Government in terms of raising the profile of Gaelic as the Agreement particularly focuses on economic recovery, growth and early years which have all been identified as a priority.

He added: "Gaelic arts, culture and heritage are important contributors to employment, tourism and area regeneration and the recent survey clearly shows important role as a valuable economic and community asset, which has great potential to make a positive and measurable contribution to Scotland. From Roddy's presentation I was fascinated by the benefits of being able to speak Gaelic for young people’s learning across other subjects and in preventing ill health in older age, especially in the links with certain disease such as dementia."

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

29/9/2026 : Local Authority

Are We Trying to Save Britain’s Towns Without Planning Their Future?

Walk through almost any British town centre and you can see the evidence of change.   There are empty shops where there were once businesses.  

Today : Local Authority

Highland Council Ward 3 By-election - Voters urged to make sure their vote counts

Polling will take place on Thursday 1 October 2026 to elect one of five candidates standing in The Highland Council's Wick and East Caithness Ward 3 by-election.  Voters are being reminded to make sure they are ready to cast their vote.  

26/9/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

September is Scottish Start-Up Month – could your business idea become a reality?

September has become a month when Scotland's aspiring entrepreneurs are being encouraged to take a closer look at an idea that may have been sitting in the back of their minds for some time.   Scottish Start-Up Month, led by Business Gateway, has returned for 2026 with a simple message: if you have an idea for a business, this could be the month to take the first step.  

25/9/2026 : Educational Institutions

Fewer Children, More Difficult Decisions: The Future of Highland's Schools

For many years Highland Council has faced difficult decisions over small rural schools.   Some have closed, others have been mothballed, and communities have often argued that a village school is about much more than the number of children sitting in its classrooms.  

25/9/2026 : Local Authority

Glasgow’s 23,000 Council Workers Face a Major Pay Shake-Up

Glasgow City Council has taken a dramatic step in its long-running equal-pay dispute, giving notice that it intends to end existing pay arrangements for its non-teaching workforce unless an agreement can be reached with the trade unions.   Around 23,000 employees are affected.  

25/9/2026 : Employment Services

What Are the Options for Scottish Pupils Who Do Not Want the Traditional Academic Route?

Parents of teenagers in England are being told that they will need to understand a new range of vocational qualifications as their children approach the age of 14.   The Career Development Institute has welcomed the introduction of new Vocational GCSEs, which are due to start being introduced in England from 2029.  

24/9/2026 : Local Authority

The £27 Million Energy Bill Facing Highland Council – And NHS Highland's Hidden Cost

Rising energy prices are a problem for households and businesses, but there is another very large energy bill that receives much less attention.   Highland Council operates one of the largest public-sector property estates in Scotland, while NHS Highland runs hospitals, health centres, clinics and other facilities across an enormous geographical area.  

24/9/2026 : Local Authority

Public invited to Justice Service open days in Fort William and Wick

The Highland Council’s Justice Social Work teams in Lochaber and Caithness will be hosting open days in Fort William on Tuesday 6 October and Wick on Friday 9 October 2026.   The open days will provide members of the public with an opportunity to gain an insight into the Justice Service and find out more about the excellent work going on locally.  

23/9/2026 : Local Authority

Launch of New Transport Service for Renal Patients in Highland

NHS Highland and The Highland Council are pleased to announce the launch of a new bespoke year-round transport service for renal haemodialysis patients across Highland.   Funded through a grant from NHS Highland, the service marks the first phase of a new approach to patient transport delivery, designed to support the long-term development of a more sustainable, flexible and community-focused transport model for Highland.  

23/9/2026 : Local Authority

Economy and Infrastructure Committee to consider next steps on proposed Short Term Let Control Areas

Members of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee will meet next Monday (28 September 2026) to consider whether to progress proposals for new Short Term Let Control Areas across parts of Highland.   At the special meeting, councillors will be asked to consider the findings of a public consultation on proposed control areas covering Inverness City and a wider Highland Rural area, before deciding whether the proposals should be submitted to Scottish Ministers for approval.