Appendix 1 - Gaelic Language Plan 2024-2029 Update 2026
Perth and Kinross Council · 27 May 2026
Back to Learning and Families Committee — 27 May 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Gaelic Language Plan – Update 2026 Plana Cànan Gàidhlig – Ùrachadh 2026 A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality Appendix 1
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Gaelic Language Plan - 2026 Update 2 A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality Contents PKC Gaelic Language Plan - Progress March 2026 ............................................................................................. 3 Using Gaelic .................................................................................................................................................... 3 Learning Gaelic ............................................................................................................................................. 11 Promoting Gaelic.......................................................................................................................................... 21 Seachdain na Gàidhlig / World Gaelic Week Programme in Perth and Kinross .............................................. 29 Appendices ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………..……31
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Gaelic Language Plan - 2026 Update A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality 3 This document provides an update on progress against the Gaelic Language Plan 2024/2029. The plan is constructed around the Three Pillars – Using Gaelic, Learning Gaelic and Promoting Gaelic. The key objectives of the plan were to: 1. Increase Gaelic Use - communities; public authority services; schools 2. Create opportunities to learn Gaelic in various ways - employees; Community members; Children and young people 3. Promote and Raise awareness of Gaelic language and culture ensuring visibility and appreciation Using Gaelic 1. In our communities, we are committed to: Update on Progress Mar 2026 • Boosting existing and budding Gaelic language and culture groups by enhancing awareness of their activities. We have continued to share posts from other Gaelic groups in Perth & Kinross on our Gaelic in Perthshire Facebook page, including The Gaelic Society of Perth, Comann nam Pàrant, Fèis Thatha, Perthshire & Angus Provincial Mòd, Birks Cinema and CPK Gaelic Bookbug. We have started a quarterly bi-lingual newsletter, including a ‘spotlight’ feature, which focused on The Gaelic Society of Perth in the Winter edition. Other groups featured include Perth Gaelic Choir, Aberfeldy Gaelic Choir (see Appendices) We are producing regular email updates for the new ‘Perth & Kinross Gaelic Network’ to highlight Gaelic happenings being facilitated by local groups, including a new conversation group in Kinross that we recently helped facilitate the start of. This is particularly useful to reach people who don’t use Facebook. We note that these emails have been re-circulated to an even wider audience via network members. • Collaborating with partners to augment Gaelic language learning opportunities. We have been working closely with AK Bell library in Perth to increase the stock of Gaelic books for all ages at Culture Perth & Kinross libraries and to raise awareness of these. The Gaelic Development Officer gave a presentation to Strathmore Stronger Communities on Gaelic learning opportunities in Perth & Kinross, which resulted in one member seeking details about our new self-study programme for their service users to access. PKC Gaelic Language Plan - Progress March 2026
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Gaelic Language Plan - 2026 Update 4 A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality • Boosting the use of Gaelic via musical, cultural, and linguistic activities in collaboration with local organisations including the Gaelic Society of Perth and Perform in Perth. Continued support for and marketing of Fèis Thatha (a Gaelic cultural event to give children and their families the opportunity to experience Gaelic music and culture) and Perthshire & Angus Provincial Mòd. The Gaelic Development Officer assisted with a conversation group and delivered a bespoke presentation on Gaelic in local placenames to the Portmoak Festival in June 2025. The Gaelic Development Officer held a launch event in partnership with AK Bell library (Perth) in the summer of 2025 to publicise the arrival there of new Gaelic books that were bought via Gaelic Development funds. A guide to finding Gaelic books at the library was developed, along with a list of all the new books. A Gaelic book and reading private Facebook group was also established at this event. CPK Libraries report that Gaelic book loans have increased by 70% during 2025, with the acquisition of Gaelic books having increased by 149% in 2025 compared to the previous year. For Seachdain na Gàidhlig / World Gaelic Week in February 2026, The Gaelic Development Officer provided CPK Libraries with details of a simple Gaelic action song that could be used by Bookbug leaders who normally deliver Bookbug through the medium of English, including simple phonetics to make this very accessible to non-Gaelic speakers. During 2025 we helped with the marketing of two Gaelic cultural events: A book launch event marking the anniversary of the 1st Gaelic dictionary at Kenmore Reading Rooms, that
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Gaelic Language Plan - 2026 Update A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality 5 included an afternoon event for GME (Gaelic Medium Education) pupils at Breadalbane Academy and also ‘Step into Dance’, a day-long event for World Gaelic Week organised by a local dance company with free bilingual workshops including Stepdance, song and stories. The Gaelic Development Officer took part in this event and spoke to participants about Gaelic learning options in Perth & Kinross. In 2026 we are looking forward to learning more about and supporting a new community project called A’ neartachadh dàimh na tìre, from local charity Growspace, who have been successful in obtaining funding to progress this initiative. Their project seeks to actively bridge the gap between older Gaelic speakers, local heritage, and the younger generation by facilitating the collection of at-risk knowledge, including recipes, placenames, songs, and environmental lore. • Exploring with partners the viability of Community Gaelic Hubs in Perth City and Highland Perthshire to spur the use of Gaelic in services and promotions. The Gaelic Development Officer has spent their first year building up and connecting with the Gaelic Network in Perth & Kinross, which is the initial stage in working towards Gaelic hubs, as this will need extremely strong buy-in from the community. A first step would be to develop ‘pop-up Gàidhealtachd’ type events, to create a temporary Gaelic hub, and then build on this to scale up and expand the model. • Nurturing the Perthshire & Angus Provincial Mòd committee by providing necessary support and explore the feasibility of establishing another provincial Mòd within the Perth & Kinross Council area. The Gaelic Development Officer is in close contact with the Mòd committee, and all their Social Media posts are shared via our Gaelic in Perthshire Facebook page. We were able to provide additional financial support for the 2025 Mòd to help with cost of venue hire. The Gaelic Development Officer will attend 2026 Mòd to provide help with the event on the day. Our GME pupils take an active part in the Mòd competitions, making up a substantial portion of entries, and there is a lunchtime Mòd club at Goodlyburn Primary to help pupils to prepare.
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Gaelic Language Plan - 2026 Update 6 A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality • Supporting the expansion of Fèis Thatha and continue to promote the event. The main Fèis Thatha event took place in November 2025. Support with a venue was provided by PKC, and the Gaelic Development Officer provided in-person support on the day at the Gaelic conversation café and on the Gaelic version guided walk along the riverside. During the past year, the Fèis committe has organised the following in addition to the main Fèis in November: • Music lessons for children aged 8+ at the weekend in fiddle and guitar • ‘Sunday session’ for all ages and instruments to play music together, including one session where Fèis Spè were invited along for a joint event • Concert (Rachel Newton and Mairead Green • ‘Cèilidh at the Castle’ in partnership with Comann nam Pàrant (GME parents’ group) Fèis Thatha events have been promoted via our Gaelic in Perthshire Facebook page and by email to our new Gaelic network. • Collaborating closely with Comunn na Gàidhlig, Fèisean nan Gàidheal, An Comunn Gàidhealach, and other Gaelic development bodies to ensure plentiful high- quality Gaelic usage opportunities. The Gaelic Development Officer presented Gaelic development aims at the AGM of the Gaelic Society of Perth in 2025, attends all cèilidhs in a professional capacity to strengthen community links, and provides the Society with marketing posters for their Cèilidhs. A spotlight feature in our winter bilingual newsletter highlighted the work of the Society. The Gaelic Development Officer has encouraged adults involved in learning Gaelic at our new short courses to attend the cèilidhs, and some are now regular faces. The Society also shares all our Facebook posts as well as our information emails to the Perth & Kinross Gaelic network with its own mailing list.
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Gaelic Language Plan - 2026 Update A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality 7 The Gaelic Development Officer has been in touch with Spòrs Gàidhlig and Comunn na Gàidhlig to investigate options for children and young people, and we have shared via Social Media or directly to GME teachers offerings from them such as Gaelic camps and online conversation opportunities for GME pupils. 2. In Business and Place Development, we will: Update on Progress March 2026 • Leverage research that underscores the impact of Gaelic on the Scottish economy for planning purposes. The Gaelic Development Officer keeps abreast of all national research and has looked at business toolkits available and asked Bòrd na Gàidhlig to consider developing a practical list of useful Gaelic vocabulary for businesses at a national level. • Champion the economic advantages of Gaelic for the local community and businesses. We are looking to develop more links with local businesses organically. The Gaelic Development Officer promoted and attended a public meeting held by Pitlochry Festival Theatre in May 2025 to discuss raising the profile of Gaelic in Highland Perthshire and shared our immediate plans for Gaelic Development in Perth & Kinross. • Enrich the visitor experience with Gaelic heritage and cultural offerings. The Gaelic Development Officer has adopted an organic approach to identifying opportunities initially, until a more formal plan is developed. Longer term aim to develop a ‘Gaelic Heritage Trail’ in Perth & Kinross, and information is already being gathered for this initiative. 3. In Communications, we will: Update on Progress March 2026 • Welcomingly accept communication in Gaelic and endeavour to provide replies in Gaelic that may include reception and phone services based on staff skills. The Council’s Gaelic enquiry mailbox, Gaelic@PKC.gov.uk , accepts Gaelic communications and replies likewise. The Gaelic Development Officer is happy to receive phone calls in Gaelic and has done so on several occasions. • Distribute and publish news releases, materials and important public information in both Gaelic and English. All posts on our Gaelic in Perthshire Facebook page are either fully bilingual or contain an element of Gaelic (depending on the nature of the content). Our new quarterly newsletter is fully bilingual, with the Gaelic content on the prominent left-hand side. • Regularly circulate Gaelic content through social media and improve Gaelic content on our website. Since its relaunch in Feb 2025 up to mid Feb 2026, the Gaelic in Perthshire Facebook page had made 366 posts (both original posts and reshares), which had received 87,129 views. Our post with the biggest reach was seen by more than 5000 people. Our posts are either fully bilingual or contain Gaelic. The number of FB page
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Gaelic Language Plan - 2026 Update 8 A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality followers had increased from 795 to 951 (up 20%), however 54.6% of our page views are from non-followers. The number of followers at 26/3/26 was up again to 972 following 2026 World Gaelic Week. The Gaelic Development Officer has also provided Gaelic content for CPK libraries FB page. The content on the PKC website relating to Gaelic in Perth & Kinross will be undergoing a full review, with the intention of increasing the amount of Gaelic content. • Include Gaelic in public and internal meetings when Gaelic is the main subject and Gaelic greetings in relevant civic and other events. Where feasible, meetings related to Gaelic are held in Gaelic (internal and external), and Gaelic salutations are encouraged where it is not. 4. In continuing to develop Language Corpus, we will: Update on Progress March 2026 • Ensure accessibility of Gaelic when used in published and communicated information. Accessible Gaelic is used on our Gaelic in Perthshire Facebook page and in our bilingual newsletter. • Adhere to the most recent Gaelic Orthographic Conventions guidelines in our written materials. Gaelic Orthographic Conventions guidelines will be followed. • Seek advice from Ainmean- Àite na h-Alba (Scottish Placenames) for signage and community collaborations. This will happen as required. 5. In Signage and Branding, we will: Update on Progress March 2026 • Adopt a bilingual corporate logo and brand, ensuring equal prominence for both languages in all communications. Bilingual PKC logo is in development, and the Gaelic name of the Council can already be seen on Social Media:
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Gaelic Language Plan - 2026 Update A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality 9 Bilingual ‘Gaelic in Perthshire’ rebranding is also in development and will become ‘Gaelic in Perth & Kinross’ to better reflect the whole of the Council area in 2026. • Include Gaelic and English in signage where appropriate, considering visibility enhancement during renewal opportunities in council buildings, town/village nameplates and schools. The Gaelic Development Officer liaises with Council Officers when approached re new bilingual signage. Several school signs that were due for replacement were made bilingual during 2025. 6. In Arts, Culture and Heritage we will: Update on Progress March 2026 • Utilise Gaelic in the re- launched City Hall and collaborate on projects related to the Stone of Destiny and with Arms' Length External Organisations (ALEOs). Any opportunities for collaboration will be considered. • Revive storytelling, folklore, and local heritage and cultural projects that foster a sense of place and community connection. We were recently contacted by The Dewar Project, who are working on a bilingual book of folklore concerning Perthshire and Loch Lomond, which is the second volume to be published from their work. We hope to be able to work with them to support the publication and launch of this exciting new volume in 2026. 7. In Organisational Development we will: Update on Progress March 2026 • Encourage staff to use Gaelic in their work. A new staff Gaelic network was established in Feb 2025, with such initiatives as ‘Gaelic word of the week’ and ‘Gaelic song of the month’. Gaelic events and opportunities are published on this network, and we have had a number of staff members attend our short introduction to Gaelic Course over the year. We are publicising opportunities for primary school teachers to be trained in delivery of Gaelic lessons to their classes. During World Gaelic Week, short Gaelic phrases with phonetic pronunciation and translation were left on desks and breakout areas within the education team, and people were heard testing them out! We have since offered these mini-leaflets at the marketplace event for new staff to encourage staff to start using
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Gaelic Language Plan - 2026 Update 10 A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality Gaelic, and people seem to enjoy the fact they can pick a saying of their choice and take it away in their pocket. • Introduce a standard bilingual email signature and out-of-office reply for all staff. This was previously launched and made available to staff.
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Gaelic Language Plan - 2026 Update A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality 11 Learning Gaelic 1. In Education we will: Update on Progress March 2026 • Support the growth and strategic development of Gaelic Early Learning and Childcare (Sgoil Àraich) in alignment with strategic planning for Gaelic Medium Primary Education (GMPE) provision. Transition activities within our GME classes remain strong, with a wide range of opportunities available to parents who are considering enrolling their children in the primary GME provision at Goodlyburn and Breadalbane. These opportunities include initiatives such as the Gaelic Community Café and Gaelic Open Mornings at Goodlyburn, which provide families with meaningful insights into the GME learning experience. Plans are being discussed to reinstate Gaelic Ambassadors from Perth Academy to support activities in Goodlyburn nursery and school. • Sustain the operation of two Cròileagain (Gaelic Playgroups) and Gaelic Bookbug, twice weekly in Perth City and Aberfeldy, promoting continuity into Early Years Gaelic. Both Cròileagan are currently being sustained, and we have had several ‘open days’ over the past year to encourage new families to attend. Following regular posts to raise awareness on Perth & Kinross Community pages, we have seen an increase in attendance at the Perth Cròileagan in particular, and the P1 Gaelic class at Goodlyburn Primary School has visited the Perth Cròileagan to help support transition to school. Gaelic Bookbug sessions are held monthly at AK Bell library in Perth, and monthly during term time at Goodlyburn Primary school. Bilingual Gaelic/English Bookbug sessions are held at Breadalbane Community library. We are looking at the possibility of increasing the number of Gaelic Bookbug sessions being delivered throughout Perth & Kinross, as well as increasing the number of locations. We are continuing to investigate opportunities for senior school GME pupils to get involved in the delivery of Gaelic Bookbug. The Gaelic Development Officer has joined the Perth & Kinross Bookbug steering group and raises Gaelic Bookbug issues there. • Implement a promotional strategy to increase the annual uptake of Gaelic Medium Education. The Council engages in regular awareness raising of educational opportunities relating to Gaelic Medium Education. Opportunities for parents considering GME to attend Gaelic playgroup, GME transition sessions at Goodlyburn school and Gaelic Bookbug are shared and promoted. All of these, as well as the regular Community Gaelic conversation cafés at Goodlyburn are promoted via the Gaelic in Perthshire Facebook page and to our Gaelic network. • Ensure high-quality learning and teaching across all aspects of Gaelic education, There are currently two ELC Gaelic provisions offered across Perth and Kinross, at Breadalbane Academy in Aberfeldy, and Goodlyburn in the centre of Perth. Currently the GME offer at
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Gaelic Language Plan - 2026 Update 12 A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality meeting the needs of all learners. Goodlyburn is only small group sessions with a Gaelic ECP. However, the plan from this term forward, is for Gaelic to be offered as more immersive experience, with a Gaelic speaking ECP leading the children’s learning for longer periods during the day, and the aim of moving to a Nursery & P1 ‘Onery’ from 2026/27 session. All children in both Breadalbane and Goodlyburn Gaelic nurseries are offered a planned and structured transition programme. This programme includes activities such as visits to the setting to view the environment and meet staff and other children and opportunities to become familiar with key spaces such as the lunch hall and gym hall. For some children, an individualised transition plan is developed to meet their specific needs, and parents/carers are actively involved throughout. Both ELC settings have their own identified quality improvement priorities, which have been created from robust self-evaluation, to ensure that improvements moving forward are reflective of the needs of the children, families and local communities. A GME teacher within the Goodlyburn GME class has continued in their post of a Gaelic Associate Assessor with HMIe. This has helped them to gain a wider perspective on quality assurance processes across the service for Gaelic and supports robust self-evaluation of the impact of Gaelic development. One of the teachers in Perth Academy is in the process of completed their final year on the MEd in Gaelic Education with Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and University of the Highlands and Islands. The same teacher is also working as a secondee Associate Teacher for the New Centre for Teaching Excellence established by the University of Glasgow, as part of the Gaelic Learning Hub, leading on practitioner enquiry and research-based pedagogy approach specific to Gaelic Immersion teaching. Teachers in Perth Academy are part of a Central Belt alliance working group, which brings together multiple schools that meet to moderate, develop and evaluate curriculum and extra-curricular experiences. All teachers are invited to participate in online and in person meetings. Perth Academy Lead teacher also runs the Gaelic Secondary Subject Network. • Ensure GME Secondary provisions provide annual improvement planning and progress reports tied to their standards and quality process in line with the national guidance on Gaelic education including the At Breadalbane Academy, Gaelic improvement has been within the Modern Languages Department Improvement Plan and following the whole school Improvement Plan in looking at learning and teaching. However this year there will be a separate Gaelic Improvement Plan. Within Perth Academy, Gaelic now has an autonomous section within the departmental (Modern Language and Gaelic)
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Gaelic Language Plan - 2026 Update A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality 13 extension into other GME curricular areas. improvement plan which feeds into the whole school improvement plans. Every department within the school now must ensure Gaelic is incorporated into their improvement planning. Gaelic has been discussed as a primary focus during inservice day activities within Perth Academy. Whole school staff questionnaires related to Gaelic and understanding of GME provision and statutory obligations have been completed and included as part of the QIR. • Grow Gaelic as part of Languages 1+2 delivery through staff training and development opportunities. Highland Perthshire primary schools are supported by a peripatetic Gaelic teacher who delivers Gaelic language as L2 to almost all primary schools. Non GME P6 pupils at Goodlyburn Academy receive a weekly Gaelic lesson from one of the GME teachers. Perth Academy Local Management Group primary schools have access to a 10-week L3 learners’ course through our Gaelic EDMS page, which has resource packs and video support. Schools can reach out to the Lead Teacher if they would like in-school support or twilight sessions. Communication has been shared with cluster primaries to raise awareness of learners’ course availability. Gaelic Learners and GME sites have been set up within EDMS to share resources and support materials with both primary and secondary colleagues. 3 teachers within Perth Academy have attended staff classes, run by the Lead teacher and hope to sit their N5 Gaelic learners qualification this year 25-26 • Develop the Àrd-sgoil A9 project (A9 High Schools Project) to enhance the GME secondary school experience with peers. This is currently paused. • Create a programme of activities and events that boost learners' confidence, self-esteem in Gaelic, and employability skills. At Goodlyburn Primary School they have a Gaelic Ambassadors group who support Gaelic across Goodlyburn including helping at Community Cafés, presenting at assemblies, supporting learners in nursery and P6 learner classes. There is a monthly after-school ‘Club Bàrdachd’ (poetry club) for pupils, parents and the wider Gaelic community.
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Gaelic Language Plan - 2026 Update 14 A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality There is also a ‘Club Mòd’ to help pupils prepare for their Mòd performances, and a ‘Club Gàidhlig’ for pupils in English medium at Goodlyburn Primary School who would like to learn Gaelic. The GME classes in PKC have participated in shinty competitions and G4-7 class at Goodlyburn has received training for this from students at Perth College. GME pupils have participated in shared learning days with PKC and Angus GME departments, with a focus on STEM, Art, Music and Sport. Via Comann nam Pàrant (Peairt) and in partnership with St Johnstone Community Trust, a series of bilingual football sessions was held. Through funding obtained from Bòrd na Gàidhlig last year, the two Comann nam Pàrant groups in Perth and Aberfeldy have arranged bilingual activities that included a family fun day, a Gaelic biking outdoor activity (weekend), Family Cèilidh at Castle Menzies (with Fèis Thatha), another Family Cèilidh and a family fun day that included a climbing session. Breadalbane Academy pupils attended an afternoon session connected to the book launch event marking the anniversary of the 1st Gaelic dictionary at Kenmore Reading Rooms and also attended a special Gaelic screening of the animation Yoyo and the Little Auk during Seachdain na Gàidhlig / World Gaelic Week. This was introduced by 2 Gaelic speakers from the RSNO, who played the sound track followed by a Q&A session. They also held a Gaelic Community Café during World Gaelic Week and took part in the Perthshire & Angus Provincial Mod in 2025. Breadalbane Academy pupils entered the FilmG Gaelic film competition in 2025 and are currently working on preparation of pieces for the Local Mòd at lunchtimes. Perth Academy pupils have taken part in cultural activities including Local and National Mòd competitions, Sgoil Shamhraidh Dhràma (a week long residential drama course on the Isle of Skye) and community cafés. A weekly lunchtime Cèic is Cabadaich (cake and chat) meeting with the home-economics department is well attended by pupils. The school again submitted an entry for FilmG, and World Gaelic Week whole school activities were led by the pupils. Gaelic Badges have been ordered for staff to wear as a visible feature as a ‘friend or learner of Gaelic’. Gaelic pupils also have to opportunity to be ambassadors in the department and through liaison work in the library. • Involve GME learners in curriculum design, school ethos, environment, and Ongoing work on this in all GME settings, including: At Goodlyburn Primary School a Gaelic Ambassadors group has
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Gaelic Language Plan - 2026 Update A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality 15 broader achievement experiences, making them ambassadors for Gaelic. been established and there is a Gaelic Pupil Committee at Breadalbane Academy. Pupils have participated in Scottish Book Trust & Mother Tongue Other Tongue literacy competitions. Breadalbane Academy pupils were involved in work with local Gaelic language broadcaster, Calum MacLean, to develop community links with school curriculum. They have also hosted a range of community events throughout the year, including Gaelic Cafés. Within Perth Academy:- Pupils are consulted on course choice, curriculum development and extra-curricular opportunities. Pupil voice led to the new established Gaelic zone within the library, as well as unique Gaelic learning award as part of Perth Academy annual awards evening. Lead Teacher is working on a Gaelic Ethos Policy for the school All new marketing is now bi-lingual. School slides and signatures for all staff are bilingual. School vision and values are bilingual and displayed in all classrooms. Gaelic has been imbedded into several departments by curricular design and opportunity (music, drama, social sciences, science and home economics). Gaelic pupils also now present an update on Gaelic events and achievement bi-lingually as part of the awards evening. Pupils are regularly included in the school Sway and celebrated on Perth Academy Instagram page as well as departmental pages Gaelic is used by senior staff during assemblies and official events. • Incorporate the needs of looked-after children and care leavers with Gaelic into Perth & Kinross Council policy. This will be incorporated into the next phase of the plan in conjunction with our Promise Improvement Lead Officer. • Explore the viability of reviewing the current catchment areas of Gaelic Medium Education (current catchment areas are defined as the catchment of the school within which GME is delivered). The current catchment areas for Gaelic Medium Education will be considered for review within the next phase of the plan. • Implement a staffing standard for Gaelic education, encompassing teaching and single-status A Staffing Standard for Gaelic staff will be developed with HR colleague support and guidance.
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Gaelic Language Plan - 2026 Update 16 A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality staff, in partnership with Perth UHI. 2. In Organisational Development we will: Update on Progress March 2026 • Further develop partnerships, including with ALEOs and community planning partners with Gaelic language plans, to promote Gaelic and support common approaches and commitments. Our partnership with CPK Libraries has continued to develop since the new Gaelic books launch in autumn 2025. At the end of 2025, CPK Libraries purchased an additional selection of Gaelic books for all age groups from a list provided by the Gaelic Development Officer, including many new releases. A launch of these new books was held during an open afternoon at World Gaelic Week in 2026, where the Gaelic Development Officer showcased the new books and delivered a number of mini- workshops, such as ‘learn a Gaelic phrase’ and ‘read a simple Gaelic book together’. This event was well attended throughout the afternoon and even attracted some visiting Gaelic learners from Paisley! As a result of this partnership and focus on Gaelic library books, the loan rate increased by 70% during 2025 compared to the previous year. We plan to continue working on increasing this during 2026. AK Bell library in Perth hosts Gaelic Bookbug and has agreed to host Gaelic conversation groups and Gaelic community groups in 2026. These will be led initially by a supply Gaelic conversation leader, funded via a grant from Bòrd na Gàidhlig. Loch Leven Library is hosting the new Kinross Gaelic conversation group (community initiative facilitated initially by the Gaelic Development Officer) We are investigating the possibility of partnership working with Perth & Kinross Countryside Trust in the delivery of community walks with a Gaelic element. • Enhance workforce capacity through recruitment to grow the Gaelic education workforce in line with national approaches and taking cognisance of output from the national workstream on recruitment within Faster Rate of Progress for Gaelic. Plan for implementation will be actioned in the next phase of the plan. • Increase the number of modern apprentices, graduate trainees, and Plan for implementation will be actioned in the next phase of the plan.
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Gaelic Language Plan - 2026 Update A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality 17 mentoring volunteers who engage with Gaelic in partnership with Skills Development Scotland ensuring positive post-school destinations. 3. We will provide language learning opportunities to: Update on Progress March 2026 • Employees of Perth & Kinross Council who would benefit from having an ability in Gaelic to undertake their duties. Two employees were provided with externally sourced Gaelic language training in 2025 to support their roles. We are looking to further support them and another two employees in 2026. Primary school teachers who would like to include Gaelic in their teaching will be notified of all training opportunities (two have already registered an interest). • Employees of Perth & Kinross Council who would like to work in Gaelic or learn Gaelic out of personal interests. In 2025, two new courses were launched for anyone living, working or studying in Perth & Kinross. The first is an in-person short introduction to Gaelic course, which takes eight weeks. It was developed as a pre-cursor to self-study, and was piloted in Aberfeldy, then moved to Perth at the end of 2025, Rattray at the start of 2026, and will be in Kinross prior to summer and back in Perth in the Autumn. It is planned to rotate venues around Perth & Kinross as long as there is demand. This is a highly interactive course which focuses on speaking Gaelic right from the start and gives learners a launch-pad to progress to the next new offering, which is a guided self-study programme. Where possible, a more advanced Gaelic learner from the local community is invited to come along to these classes to establish a community-based link with the new learners. It is hoped that following on from each course, the learners will continue to support each other to advance their Gaelic learning, so creating new Gaelic micro-communities throughout Perth & Kinross. There is evidence of this happening, as the Aberfeldy class is continuing to learn Gaelic together and incorporating new members, and some of the learners from the Perth class have started a WhatsApp group to keep in touch with each other. Both classes following the Aberfeldy pilot were fully booked with a waiting list, and as of 20/3/26, 58 people had accessed face to face training, with feedback received being 100% positive to date in terms of satisfaction with the course and wanting to continue learning Gaelic beyond the course. The next 2 courses in Kinross and then Perth again already had names of people wanting to join them via word of mouth prior to any advertising being done. During these courses, learners are encouraged to establish learning links with each other, with the hope that once the course finishes
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Gaelic Language Plan - 2026 Update 18 A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality they will continue to support each other in learning Gaelic via the Self-study programme. The self-study programme makes use of the national ‘Speak Gaelic’ online learning resources, which have been packaged into a programme of weekly learning via a digital booklet with clickable links and augmented with additional learning materials from the Speak Gaelic classroom resources. It allows people to learn Gaelic at their own pace wherever they want to, but with the backup of support if needed. Prior to the launch of this programme, a well-attended online evening information event was held for anyone who wanted to learn how it would work. Up to 20/3/26, 68 people had accessed the self-study programme. PKC employees have accessed both the short introduction to Gaelic course and the self-study programme. These are advertised publicly via social media and also via the staff Gaelic network and ERIC. • Members of local Gaelic choirs, local Gaelic interest groups, the Perthshire Gaelic Society, the Perthshire and Angus Provincial Mòd, and Fèis Thatha. Both new courses described above are available to anyone living, working or studying in Perth and Kinross. Members of Perth Gaelic choir have joined the short introduction to Gaelic Course, and as a result of this, some of the other learners joined the choir. • Parents of children and young people in GME, Cròileagan or accessing early years Gaelic. Both new courses are available to anyone living, working or studying in Perth and Kinross. The short introduction to Gaelic course was piloted with a group of GME parents (plus some community members) in Aberfeldy. This group has continued to meet weekly since the course ended and is now self-sustaining. The Gaelic Development Officer still provides occasional tutor input to the group. The next short course was held in Perth, and was widely advertised to GME parents there, although none chose to join. A post course meet-up for the Perth learners is planned, and some have already started the self-study programme. The next Perth course will coincide with the start of the new School year, so it is hoped that this will attract new and existing GME parents. • Community members who wish to learn Gaelic for personal or work interests and who would become active in the Gaelic community over time. As above, both new courses are available to anyone living, working or studying in Perth and Kinross, and there has been considerable interest from the community. In addition, a tutor guide has been developed for the 8-week short course with optional simple Powerpoint presentations, although these are not necessary, as the course was designed not to require any electrical devices so that it could be run absolutely anywhere, including cafés, or even outdoors. This course has been made available to community groups that are looking for a resource to help start beginners and have someone with a suitable amount of
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Gaelic Language Plan - 2026 Update A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality 19 Gaelic to deliver the course (this does not need to be a fluent speaker). A newly established community Gaelic group in Errol is piloting this at present, and initial feedback is positive. • Senior phase secondary school-aged young people, including Care Experienced and who may wish to follow a post-school pathway in Gaelic. The guided self-study course is available to anyone living or working in Perth and Kinross. 4. For learning Gaelic at home, we will: Update on Progress March 2026 • Encourage families to learn together in the home through partnerships and initiatives by organisations including Education Scotland, Comann nam Pàrant and Stòrlann, Fèisean nan Gàidheal and e-sgoil. We have developed an information leaflet detailing all available learning resources (and other learning options), either in or near to Perth & Kinross or online. This was first shared during World Gaelic Week 2026 at the AK Bell library drop-in event. Although most of these resources are for adults, there are some that are suitable for children and families. We are actively looking for more options to support families to learn together, and young people who want to learn Gaelic independently where it is not offered by their school. • Encourage the use of media and online Gaelic learning resources, including SpeakGaelic, LearnGaelic, GoGaelic, Gaelic for Parents, Duolingo, and other language applications. Our guided self-study course makes use of the Speak Gaelic resources, and we also promote the other options during classes and at community events – such as a mini workshop at AK Bell library during World Gaelic Week. We advertise these resources via our Gaelic in Perthshire Facebook page when they release new information. We have curated a list of adult learning options including those available to access online for anyone interested in learning Gaelic. • Create resources, including games and educational materials, to make Gaelic learning at home natural, enjoyable, and supportive of the GME experience. In February 2025 during World Gaelic Week, we collaborated with Community Greenspace to produce a bilingual leaflet for primary school children with advice for a safe visit in the countryside as well as a nature spotting and scavenger hunt game. This was shared online, and printed versions were distributed in schools. Spare leaflets are now being used at Gaelic awareness events, and this also raises the visibility of Gaelic in the community. Looking to develop further resources during the lifetime of the plan. • Considering available research and evidence, support families in using Gaelic more at home, especially if they have children in GME. Our new courses for adult learners have opened up more opportunities for adults to start learning and use Gaelic in Perth & Kinross. While the self-study programme is ideal for busy parents who can’t commit to weekly in-person classes, our 8-week in- person introduction to Gaelic for complete beginners has an emphasis on speaking Gaelic from the first class, and provides learners with useful, everyday Gaelic that they can start using
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Gaelic Language Plan - 2026 Update 20 A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality immediately. This has been accessed by parents of children not in GME, and some of these parents have been sharing the learning with their own children at home. We have recently publicised a new booklet developed by Comann nam Pàrant to help GME parents to use more Gaelic at home, and a link to this is included in our learning options leaflet. 5. In Business and Place Development, we will: Update on Progress March 2026 • Expand adult and family learning activities related to the Gaelic landscape of Perth and Kinross, developing accessible learning resources and guided outdoor opportunities, including digital trails. Thanks to a successful funding bid to Bòrd na Gàidhlig, during Spring/summer 2026 we will be facilitating 3 Gaelic hillwalks in Perthshire, in partnership with local business Walk Perthshire and Dundee based Boraraig Consultancy (Gaelic consultancy), to uncover the Gaelic hidden in plain sight in our Perthshire hills. These half-day walks will allow people to understand the connection with our Gaelic speaking past and add an extra dimension to our wonderful countryside. As part of this project, it is hoped to develop some leaflets that will allow people to enjoy these walks independently in the future, with a longer-term aspiration to look at the possibility of digital trails. In Feb 2025 we collaborated with Community Greenspace to produce a bilingual leaflet for primary school children with advice for a safe visit in the countryside as well as a nature spotting and scavenger hunt game. Countryside Leaflet_FINAL • Provide training for leaders and volunteers in outdoor learning and guided walks focused on our Gaelic landscape. Although our 3 Gaelic themed walks in the Perthshire hills mentioned above will not formally provide training for walk leaders, we are saving a space on each walk for someone who might have an interest in doing this in the future, as well as for local/partner organisations with an interest in being involved in future walks.
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Gaelic Language Plan - 2026 Update A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality 21 Promoting Gaelic 1. In Communications, we will: Update on Progress March 2026 • Convey the message that we welcome public communication in Gaelic. We use bilingual public communications routinely (Social Media) and include some Gaelic in emails to our Gaelic network distribution list, to help convey the message that we welcome communication in Gaelic. Autosignature of Gaelic Development Officer and Gaelic@pkc.gov.uk mailbox contains the following: 2. With Families, we will: Update on Progress March 2026 • Promote Gaelic language learning among children, young people, and their families by highlighting resources that support Gaelic learning. Via our Gaelic in Perthshire Facebook page we will highlight any new resources to promote Gaelic learning as they appear. We are actively seeking resources to better support families not accessing GME to learn Gaelic. 3. In Education, we will: Update on Progress March 2026 • Promote and highlight the work of organisations and groups that actively support teachers, young people, and parents in Gaelic education, including Stòrlann, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, e-Sgoil, Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Comann nam Pàrant, FilmG, Education Scotland and national bodies responsible for GME and GLE. We share relevant posts from these organisations on our Facebook page, and with our Perth & Kinross Gaelic network, in particular the courses and resources for GME parents offered by Comann nam Pàrant, and out of school learning and development opportunities for pupils. Teacher personal development and training opportunities from Sabhal Mòr Ostaig are forwarded to Gaelic Medium teachers. We will be promoting and encouraging the next round of courses aimed at primary school teachers who would like to include Gaelic in their teaching. The Gaelic Development Officer is attending the Gaelic Language in Primary Schools Consortium group in order to keep up to date with all training that is on offer. The Gaelic Development Officer has been in touch with Spòrs Gàidhlig and Comunn na Gàidhlig to investigate options, and we have shared via our Gaelic in Perthshire Facebook page or directly to GME teachers offerings from them such as Gaelic camps and online conversation opportunities for GME pupils. • Stay abreast of research concerning Gaelic development. The Gaelic Development Officer is subscribed to all relevant mailing lists and keeps a close eye on the news.
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Gaelic Language Plan - 2026 Update 22 A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality • Publicise the availability of Gaelic Medium Education in local press and on our website. The Courier newspaper attended Goodlyburn Primary School in Perth prior to Christmas, and interviewed staff and pupils. The subsequent article was widely shared on our Gaelic in Perthshire Facebook page once published, via a bilingual post to highlight the availability of GME in Perth & Kinross, and is now pinned at the top of the page: Goodlyburn Primary Gaelic pupils mostly from non-Gaelic families Photo credit The Courier/DC Thomson The article received an excellent 10 shares by people who viewed it, and a parent from Breadalbane commented: “Our youngest started GME at Breadalbane in Aberfeldy when he was four. We had no Gaelic experience and had just moved up from England. It gives a great start in life and lifelong language skills. They tend to catch up and surpass English Medium Educated children when they start learning English formally” Regular term-time Community Gaelic conversation cafés at Goodlyburn are promoted via our Facebook page and to our Gaelic network and are well attended. We also promote the regular Bookbug plus play and transition events for families considering GME for their children when they start school. The GME unit at Breadalbane Academy, usually in collaboration with the Nursery, has started to host a series of Gaelic events such as the Christmas show and Gaelic Café, which are usually very well supported. They held a Gaelic café and a Community Cèilidh during World Gaelic Week in 2026. • Arrange regular information sessions for prospective parents of Gaelic Medium Education, providing guidance on available options. Transition sessions for prospective new families are held on a monthly basis during term time at Goodlyburn Primary School. Breadalbane Academy hosts an open evening for all National 5 parents both within the Nursery and the local Private Nursery, ABC in November of the pre-entry year. This is advertised as an event introducing parents to both GME and mainstream offers in order to make informed choices before the P1 enrolment begins. Anyone new to the area or placement requests is offered a tour of the school and has the options given to them then.
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Gaelic Language Plan - 2026 Update A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality 23 All other transition events are with children only – but it is on the Breadalbane Academy plan to extend this to parents. • Foster a positive and inclusive attitude towards Gaelic in school communities, boosting confidence among children and young people. Initial visits to Perth Academy, Breadalbane and Goodlyburn were carried out in term 2 and 3 by Anne Lemon, Quality Improvement Officer. Children, staff and parents spoke positively of the overall experience in learning Gaelic. Breadalbane Academy was inspected In January 2025. During the visit inspectors highlighted that the Gaelic parents and community partners promote and support Gaelic culture. Working together with the staff has increased the sense of Gaelic identity. 4. In Organisational Development and Workforce Planning, we will: Update on Progress March 2026 • Promote careers that value Gaelic skills and raise awareness of apprenticeships, training programs, and career routes in Gaelic to broaden the Gaelic labour market. The Gaelic Development Officer provided advice to a Developing the Young Workforce school co-ordinator who was arranging a languages careers day. • Collaborate with agencies to plan and support events showcasing Gaelic-related careers. Collaboration will be considered whenever possible • Integrate knowledge of the public authority's Gaelic Language Plan and training opportunities into new staff induction. The Gaelic Development Officer will have a stand at ‘Marketplace’ events for new and existing employees. This will help to raise awareness of our Gaelic plan and give staff the opportunity to find out more about this and about options for learning Gaelic in Perth & Kinross. The first event with a Gaelic stand was on 10th March 2026 and proved to be an excellent way to connect with new employees and explain that our Gaelic Language Plan is everyone’s business. There is a longer term aspiration to develop a training module for new staff. • Include Gaelic as an essential or desirable skill in job descriptions related to delivering the Gaelic Language Plan. Gaelic skills have been integrated into job descriptions to ensure consistency in expectations. • Conduct internal audits of Gaelic skills and training needs. An audit was previously conducted. New training needs are dealt with as they arise. • Provide Gaelic awareness training to staff and elected members. Hoping to develop Gaelic awareness training resources during 2026
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Gaelic Language Plan - 2026 Update 24 A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality • Demonstrate equal respect for Gaelic and English in bilingual services and resources, promoting Gaelic services. Currently looking into the possibility of making the Gaelic section of the PKC website bilingual once the content has been fully refreshed. 5. In Communities, we will: Update on Progress March 2026 • Support the establishment of community groups and networks with shared interests in promoting Gaelic. A new Perth & Kinross network mailing list currently has almost 150 names, including a number of members who share our communications with their own large group networks. We also have a private Perth & Kinross network Facebook group with 57 members to allow members to communicate with each other, although this is not particularly active yet. As well as the Perth & Kinross wide Gaelic Network group, community sub-groups are starting to become established, along with a number of volunteer ‘Gaelic ambassadors’ who are willing to promote Gaelic within their own communities. We have Gaelic ambassadors identified for Perth, Kinross, Errol, Pitlochry, Aberfeldy, Blairgowrie and Crieff. New Gaelic community sub-groups have emerged in Aberfeldy, Kinross, Errol and Perth over the past year and it is hoped that an additional new group will be established following the current short introduction to Gaelic course in Rattray. • Collaborate to further reintroduce Shinty to Perth & Kinross Council communities and support the Shinty sessions at Goodlyburn Primary School. A primary schools shinty festival was launched in 2025 and will take place again in May 2026 at Bertha Park High School in Perth. This is a collaborative event between Active Schools P&K, the Camanachd Association and Perth & Kinross Council. In 2026 it is planned to invite schools from Perth & Kinross, Angus and Stirling, including a number of GME schools. An indoor primary school shinty festival was hosted by Active Schools P&K in collaboration with Stirling Shinty Club in December 2025. This involved schools from Crieff, Breadalbane and Stirling. It is hoped to organise a similar event in Aberfeldy towards the end of 2026.
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Gaelic Language Plan - 2026 Update A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality 25 A tournament for Gaelic speaking high school teams took place in Aberfeldy in 2025, with the furthest travelling team being from Ardnamurchan. A primary school shinty club has recently restarted, and a primary school GME team was sent to a tournament in 2025 as part of Cupa Iomain na h-Òige, which is a competition for Gaelic speaking schools. • Promote Cròileagan and Gaelic Bookbug to all families with children under five years old. Throughout the past 12 months, Cròileagan has been promoted both via our own Facebook page and Gaelic network mailing list and via the main PKC Facebook page, as well as on as many Perth & Kinross community Facebook pages as possible, and we will continue to do this to raise awareness of our free Gaelic playgroups. We have run several ‘taster sessions’ for new families, including an ‘open day’ during World Gaelic week in 2026 for both playgroups. Our regular Gaelic Bookbug sessions at AK Bell library in Perth are also promoted widely both by us and via Culture Perth & Kinross libraries’ social media, and when they are delivered, the leader encourages anyone who happens to be at the library to come over and join in. Goodlyburn Primary School in Perth holds regular Gaelic Bookbug sessions throughout the year, followed by games with the P1 class, and these are promoted via the school’s own network as well as via our Gaelic in Perthshire Facebook page and to our Gaelic network. Spare Gaelic Bookbug books from previous years were shared with the Early Learning team to share with families who have an interest in Gaelic. • Create a Perth and Kinross Gaelic Community Forum. A Perth and Kinross Gaelic network has now been established, with the aim of recruiting Gaelic ‘ambassadors’ from the Perth & Kinross communities, who will help to disseminate information about Gaelic events to people not on social media and potentially act as a Gaelic focal point in their communities if willing. These ambassadors will form the basis of a Community Forum in due course. • Enhance Gaelic visibility within our communities. The Gaelic in Perthshire Facebook page has joined as many Perth & Kinross community Facebook pages as possible, which
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Gaelic Language Plan - 2026 Update 26 A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality helps to make Gaelic visible to large numbers of people who might never have encountered it before via bilingual posts to promote events and courses. Any Gaelic posts on the main PKC Facebook page are particularly helpful in doing this, as the page has a following of 44k people, and unlike our Gaelic in Perthshire page, most of these people are not actively seeking out Gaelic events or opportunities. For European Day of Languages, we provided a Gaelic contribution from one of our local native speakers. The theme in Perth & Kinross was the favourite national dishes of residents whose first language isn’t English. These photos were shared on the PKC main Facebook page, so brought Gaelic awareness to their huge audience of 44k: As well as increasing the digital awareness of Gaelic within our communities, there has been a concerted effort to increase opportunities for people to hear Gaelic spoken within communities. During World Gaelic week the Gaelic Development Officer ran a drop-in afternoon in collaboration with AK Bell library in Perth, which included a prominent display of Gaelic books near the entrance, with a series of mini workshops taking place in a public area just behind this, including guided Gaelic reading and informal Gaelic conversation as well as a tour of the library to highlight where Gaelic books can be found.
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Gaelic Language Plan - 2026 Update A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality 27 We were successful in an application for funding from Bòrd na Gàidhlig to start running Gaelic conversation groups in Perth & Kinross, and the intention is that as many of these as possible will take place in public places, to increase the chance of Gaelic being heard spoken. The new Kinross conversation group is meeting in a public area of Loch Leven Community Library and a Perth conversation group is due to start in a public area at AK Bell library in 2026. New groups are encouraged to meet in public places rather than closed meeting rooms, and learners from the first Perth based ‘short introduction to Gaelic’ course held a reunion at AK Bell library in March, with the intention that this will be repeated in the future. We are also looking to encourage the establishment of conversation opportunities for advanced/fluent speakers as well as ‘pop-up Gàidhealtachd’ type gatherings, via some of our local Gaelic groups. • Continue to have a Gaelic spokesperson and ambassador for Council matters. Cllr John Duff, who is deeply involved in the Gaelic community of Aberfeldy, continues to be the PKC Gaelic ambassador. 6. In Business and Place Development, we will: Update on Progress March 2026 • Promote projects that enrich and sustain the Gaelic language, bolstering the confidence of Gaelic users. We will continue to seek opportunities for this. One such opportunity that has arisen in 2026 is the planned publishing of a bilingual book of folklore collected from the area encompassing Perthshire and Loch Lomond via the Dewar Project. We are hoping to support this project as it works towards publication of the book during 2026. • Promote VisitScotland's Gaelic Tourism Strategy to partners and within Perth & Kinross Council. The Gaelic Development Officer is familiar with VisitScotland’s Gaelic Tourism Strategy. • Develop a toolkit and guide for local businesses, including the tourism and hospitality sector, on the benefits of using Gaelic. As a first step, the Gaelic Development Officer has been examining toolkits already available, including one produced by our neighbours in Fife. The Gaelic Development Officer has spoken to Bòrd na Gàidhlig about possibility of developing at a national level a helpful list of useful Gaelic words and phrases that businesses might make use of to immediately start embedding Gaelic. • Promote Gaelic as an economic asset and its benefits in businesses, social enterprises, and the local authority. We will focus on cultural tourism, the The Gaelic Development Officer plans to visit a number of tourist sites within P&K during 2026-7, including some that have already used Gaelic, to understand better how this might work in practice. The Gaelic Development Officer is already in touch with a couple of businesses that are interested in including
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Gaelic Language Plan - 2026 Update 28 A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality food and drink industry and sustainable approaches to land management and renewables. Gaelic. 7. In Arts, Culture and Heritage we will: Update on Progress March 2026 • Collaborate with Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Creative Scotland to advance Gaelic arts and culture. The Gaelic Development Officer will continue to take advantage of any opportunities to collaborate in order to advance Gaelic arts and culture. • Work to host the FilmG Awards in Perth. This outcome within the plan is yet to be implemented. • Collaborate with local arts organisations to develop an annual programme of Gaelic events. This outcome within the plan is yet to be implemented. 8. With partners we will: Update on Progress March 2026 • Collaborate with other public authorities with Gaelic language plans to establish a network for joint actions and commitments. The Gaelic Development Officer attends meetings for Gaelic officers from throughout Scotland and liaises closely with officers from East of Scotland. The Gaelic Development Officer also attends National Gaelic Learning and Development Practitioners Network meetings. • Promote Perth & Kinross Council's good practices in Gaelic to national forums. The Gaelic Development Officer shares our good practices at Gaelic Officer meetings. • Re-establish the East Coast Gaelic Regional Group to share resources and good practices and to collaborate on common actions. This group now meets quarterly. 9. In the implementation and monitoring of the plan we will: Update on Progress March 2026 • Establish and maintain a Gaelic Language Plan Steering Group with representation from relevant Council departments. To be established in 2026
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Gaelic Language Plan - 2026 Update A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality 29 For Seachdain na Gàidhlig / World Gaelic Week in 2026, Perth & Kinross Council offered a range of Gaelic activities, as well as marketing Gaelic activities provided by other partners, groups and businesses in the area (shown in grey), which meant that a comprehensive schedule for the week was offered for all ages and levels of Gaelic: Date Event Mon 23 Feb Cròileagan Obar Pheallaidh – Aberfeldy Gaelic playgroup Perth Gaelic Choir regular weekly practice session Tues 24 Feb Cròileagan Pheairt – Perth Gaelic Playgroup Còmhradh Cheann Rois – new community led conversation group in Kinross Wed 25 Feb Gaelic Community Conversation Café, Goodlyburn Primary School, Perth Gaelic Community Conversation Café, Breadalbane Community Campus, Aberfeldy Celebrating World Gaelic Day at AK Bell Library – drop-in event, with a series of free mini workshops 1pm – Learn some simple Gaelic phrases together – suitable for beginners 1.30pm – Want to learn Gaelic? – advice on how to start and how to continue, and what the options are in Perth & Kinross and beyond. 2pm – Reading together from a simple Gaelic book – suitable for post-beginner to lower intermediate level Gaelic, but beginners are also welcome to listen in. Great opportunity to practise your pronunciation and learn some new words! 2.30pm – Let’s talk about books! We’ll be sharing recommendations for Gaelic reading at all levels and taking a closer look at some of the fab new Gaelic titles that have arrived at CPK libraries – what’s your favourite Gaelic read? 3pm – Cothrom còmhraidh – a chance to chat – Let’s speak some Gaelic together – all levels of Gaelic welcome for some informal chat. If you’re a Gaelic learner, come and try out your Gaelic in real life! Aberfeldy Gaelic Choir – regular weekly practice session Thu 26 Feb Cròileagan Open Day at both Aberfeldy and Perth Gaelic Playgroups Special Gaelic screening of Yoyo and the Little Auk, at Birks Cinema in Aberfeldy. This inspiring Scottish adventure was accompanied by a World Gaelic Week Programme in Perth and Kinross
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Gaelic Language Plan - 2026 Update 30 A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality session from the Royal National Orchestra, who wrote the film’s score. Fri 27 Feb Bilingual (Gaelic/English) Bookbug at Breadalbane Community Library Gaelic medium Education transition session at Goodlyburn Primary School, Perth Family Cèilidh – Aberfeldy Town Hall Sat 28 Feb Fosgail an Doras! Step into Gaelic! A full day of exciting workshops celebrating Gaelic language and culture for World Gaelic Week delivered through song, story, music and step-dance by local business Slanjayvah Danza in Rait with financial support from the World Gaelic Week small grants fund. The Gaelic Development Officer attended this and spoke to the attendees about options for learning Gaelic in Perth & Kinross. Sun 1 Mar Briathrachas Teachd an Tìr – an online presentation delivered entirely through the medium of Gaelic for advanced learners and fluent speakers, by local organic farmer and native Gaelic speaker Seonag Barbour, exploring the rich language of the crofting tradition that connected the people to their environment.
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Gaelic Language Plan - 2026 Update A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality 31 Appendix 1 – Bilingual Newsletter (Autumn 2025) Cuairt-Litir - Newsletter Am Foghar 2025 – Autumn 2025 Cùrsa Gàidhlig ùr do luchd-tòiseachaidh New Gaelic beginners’ course Tha sinn a’ feuchainn a-mach cùrsa ùr (8 seachdainean an làthair gu pearsanta) do luchd- tòiseachaidh inbheach ann an Obar Pheallaidh. Mholamaid an cùrsa an asgaidh seo do dhaoine gun fhacal Gàidhlig. Tha am fòcas air abairtean simplidh, feumail agus còmhradh sa Ghàidhlig gun a bhith sàraichte le gràmar. Bidh thu deiseil às dèidh a’ chùrsa seo gus am prògram stiùirichte fèin-ionnsaichte againn a thòiseachadh. Bidh sinn a’ tairgsinn a’ chùrsa ùir seo ann an iomadach àite san sgìre thairis air a’ bhliadhna a tha romhainn. Leig fios thugainn gu Gaelic@pkc.gov.uk ma tha thu airson pàirt a ghabhail. We are currently piloting a brand new 8-week in-person course for adult beginners in Aberfeldy. This free course is aimed at people who have no Gaelic whatsoever, and concentrates on basic useful phrases and speaking, without getting into heavy grammar. It’s an ideal stepping stone to learning Gaelic via our guided self- study programme. We will be offering this new course at various locations in Perth & Kinross over the coming year. Contact us at Gaelic@pkc.gov.uk if you would like to take part. Prògram stiùirichte fèin-ionnsaichte do luchd- tòiseachaidh Guided self-study programme for new learners Gheibh thu planadair seachdaineil le ceanglaichean do leasanan is goireasan Speak Gaelic air loidhne. Nì thu na leasanan Gàidhlig agad nuair a thogras tu, aig astar a tha freagarrach dhut. Chan e clas a tha seo - faodaidh tu stad a dhèanamh agus ath-thòiseachadh nuair a bhios tu deiseil. Carson nach ionnsaich thu còmhla ri càirdean no caraidean – nach biodh sin spòrsail?! Bidh taic ri faighinn, agus bidh buidheann Facebook phrìobhaideach ann gus am bi cothrom agad ‘coinneachadh’ ri luchd-ionnsachaidh eile. Tuilleadh fios: Gaelic@pkc.gov.uk Using the Speak Gaelic online resources alongside a weekly planner of suggested learning complete with links to resources, you do your Gaelic lessons at your own pace at a time to suit you. It isn’t a class, and it’s fine to take a break and start again when you are ready. Why not get together with a group of friends or family to learn for even more fun? Support is available if you get stuck, and there is a dedicated private Facebook group where you can ‘meet’ other learners in Perth & Kinross and share ideas. Contact us at Gaelic@pkc.gov.uk to find out more. Cothroman còmhraidh Gàidhlig A bheil thu a’ sireadh chothroman do chuid Gàidhlig a chleachdadh? Bidh sinn a’ tairgsinn seiseanan eadar-mheadhanach le stiùireadh agus ‘cafaidhean còmhraidh’ neo-fhoirmeil dha fileantaich. Cuir d’ ainm air an liosta sgaoilidh againn no lean an duilleag Facebook againn an-seo airson tuilleadh fios. Gaelic conversation opportunities Are you looking for opportunities to practise your spoken Gaelic? We’re planning to organise sessions with guidance for intermediate learners as well as informal ‘conversation cafés’ for advanced speakers. Join our mailing list to be the first to know or follow our Facebook page here.
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Gaelic Language Plan - 2026 Update 32 A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality Lìonra Gàidhlig ùr Pheairt is Cheann Rois Am bu toil leat a bhith an teas-meadhan leasachaidh na Gàidhlig ann am Peairt is Ceann Rois? Tha buidheann Facebook ùr againn airson daoine a tha dìoghrasach mu Ghàidhlig – clàraich an-seo no mura h-eil thu air Facebook, cuir d’ ainm air an liosta-sgaoilidh againn: Gaelic@pkc.gov.uk New Perth & Kinross Gaelic Network Would you like to be more involved in Gaelic Development in Perth & Kinross? We’ve created a new Facebook group to link everyone with a passion for Gaelic. Request to join here or ask to join our mailing list if you don’t use Facebook: Gaelic@pkc.gov.uk Spot-solas air Leabhraichean Gàidhlig Spotlight on Gaelic Books Ma tha thu airson leabhraichean Gàidhlig a leughadh, thoir sùil air na th’ aca anns na leabharlannan Culture Perth and Kinross! Bi leabhraichean Gàidhlig ùra do dh’inbhich agus do chloinn a’ nochdadh as t-fhoghar 2025 – seo cuid dhiubh! If you are interested in reading Gaelic books, take a look at what’s available at Culture Perth and Kinross Libraries! New Gaelic books for adults and children are arriving in Autumn 2025, and here are some of them! Faodaidh tu a bhith nad bhall den leabharlann ma tha thu a’ fuireach, ag obair no ag ionnsachadh ann am Peairt is Ceann Rois, agus tha e saor an asgaidh. Gheibh thu tuilleadh fiosrachaidh an-seo. Gheibh thu an catalog slàn air-loidhne an-seo agus faodaidh tu leabhar sam bith a thogail aig an leabharlann ionadail agad. You can join the library if you live, work or study in Perth & Kinross, and it’s completely free of charge to be a member. Follow the link here to find out more. You can access the full catalogue online here and request any book to collect from your local library.
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Gaelic Language Plan - 2026 Update A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality 33 Tha leabhraichean-d Gàidhlig ann cuideachd, agus gabhaidh iad luchdachadh a-nuas sa bhad – thoir sùil an-seo. Tha buidheann Facebook ùr againn do dhaoine le ùidh ann an leabhraichean Gàidhlig – clàraich an- seo! There are also Gaelic e-books available for immediate download – take a look here. We’ve set up a new Facebook group for anyone who loves Gaelic books – you can sign up here! Leig fios thugainn / Contact us – Gaelic@pkc.gov.uk
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Gaelic Language Plan - 2026 Update 34 A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality Còisir Ghàidhlig Obar Pheallaidh aig Mòd Loch Abar Aberfeldy Gaelic Choir at the Lochabar Mòd Appendix 2 – Bilingual Newsletter (Winter 2025-6) Cuairt-Litir - Newsletter An Geamhradh 2025-6 – Winter 2025-6 Seinneamaid sa Ghàidhlig! Let’s sing Gaelic! Tha sinn fortanach dha rìribh ann am Peairt is Ceann Rois is dà Chòisir Ghàidhlig againn, ann am Peairt agus Obar Pheallaidh. Tha seinn uabhasach math do shlàinte agus sunnd agus chan fheum Gàidhlig a bhith agad gus pàirt a ghabhail. Cha leig thu leas a bhith comasach air ceòl a leughadh nas motha, oir thèid an ceòl agus fuaimneachadh nam faclan a theagasg dhut. Tha seinn na deagh shlighe gu Gàidhlig cuideachd, agus na dòigh mhìorbhaileach do chuid Ghàidhlig a neartachadh. Bidh na còisirean a’ tòiseachadh air òrain ùra ionnsachadh sa Bhliadhn’ Ùr, mar sin dheth bhiodh seo na shàr àm airson buill ùra. Bidh Còisir Ghàidhlig Pheairt a’ cruinneachadh còmhla oidhche Luain aig North Inch Campus. Cuir fios thuca air Facebook no perthgaelicchoir1@gmail.com Bidh Còisir Ghàidhlig Obar Pheallaidh a’ cruinneachadh còmhla oidhche Chiadain ann an Talla a’ Bhaile, Obar Pheallaidh. Cuir fios thuca air Facebook no gu john.c.duff8@gmail.com Perth & Kinross is very lucky to have not just one, but two Gaelic choirs, based in Perth and Aberfeldy. Singing is great for your health & wellbeing, and you don’t need to read music or speak Gaelic to take part, as you will be taught the music and how to pronounce the words. Singing is also a great way to get into Gaelic, or to boost your Gaelic learning, and New Year is an ideal time to join, when the choirs are starting to learn new songs. Perth Gaelic Choir meets on a Monday evening at North Inch Campus - Contact them via Facebook or by email perthgaelicchoir1@gmail.com Aberfeldy Gaelic Choir meets on a Wednesday evening at Aberfeldy Town Hall. Contact them via Facebook or by email at john.c.duff8@gmail.com Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig Gaelic Medium Education A bheil ùidh agad ann am Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig dod phàiste nuair a thòisicheas e/i san sgoil? Tha e ri fhaighinn aig Bun-sgoil Goodlyburn ann am Peairt agus aig Acadamaidh Bhràghad Albainn ann an Obar Pheallaidh, agus chan fheum Ghàidhlig a bhith agad fhèin. Are you interested in Gaelic Medium Education for your child when they start school? We offer this at Goodlyburn Primary School in Perth and Breadalbane Academy in Aberfeldy, and you don’t need to speak Gaelic yourself. Perth Gaelic Choir performing at the Gaelic Society of Perth Còisir Ghàidhlig Pheairt a’ seinn aig Comunn Gàidhlig Pheairt
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Gaelic Language Plan - 2026 Update A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality 35 Gheibh thu tuilleadh fiosrachaidh air Gaelic medium education (primary education) - Perth & Kinross Council, no cuir fios thugainn: Gaelic@pkc.gov.uk You can find out more here: Gaelic medium education (primary education) - Perth & Kinross Council or contact us at Gaelic@pkc.gov.uk Seachdain na Gàidhlig 2026 World Gaelic Week 2026 Bidh Seachdain na Gàidhlig air a comharrachadh bhon 23 Gearran – 1 Màrt 2026, le tachartasan Gàidhlig air feadh na dùthcha agus an t-saoghail. Cùm sùil a-mach son ar prògram ann am Peairt is Ceann Rois, agus air Home - Seachdain na Gaidhlig World Gaelic Week will be celebrated from 23rd Feb – 1st Mar 2026, with Gaelic events throughout the country and beyond. Keep an eye open for our programme in Perth & Kinross, and find out about national events at Home - Seachdain na Gaidhlig Spot-solas air Comunn Gàidhlig Pheairt Spotlight on Gaelic Society of Perth Chaidh Comunn Gàidhlig Pheairt a stèidheachadh ann an 1880, mar àite cruinneachaidh airson luchd labhairt na Gàidhlig, a ghleidheadh an cànan is an cultar. ’S i “Clann nan Gàidheal an Guaillibh a Chéile” an t-sluagh-ghairm aca. Thairis air nam bliadhnaichean, tha iad air tòrr choinneamhan agus òraidean a chur air dòigh a tha co-cheangailte ri cultar Gàidhealach. Tha iad air taic a thoirt do dh’ionnsachadh na Gàidhlig agus òrain Ghàidhlig, agus tha iad air cuirmean-ciùil agus cèilidhean a thabhainn. Tha an Comunn fhathast an sàs ann a bhith a’ brosnachadh na Gàidhlig san sgìre an-diugh. Bidh cèilidh ann gach mìos tron Gheamhradh san Eaglais Naomh Mata ann am Peairt, agus bidh fàilte chridheil ron a h-uile duine, co-dhiù a bheil Gàidhlig aca no nach eil. Chan e seo an ‘cèilidh’ ùr-nòsach far am bi thu a’ dannsa Strip the Willow agus na Gay Gordons – ’s e cèilidh thraidiseanta a th’ innte. Bidh daoine le ùidh ann an cultar Gàidhealach a’ cruinneachadh còmhla airson tlachd a ghabhail ann an deagh cheòl, deagh chuideachd agus deagh bhèicearachd taighe san eadar-ùine! Thig cluicheadairean agus seinneadairean o feadh na dùthcha agus o Pheairt fhèin gus òrain, puirt no fiù ’s bàrdachd no sgeulachd a ghabhail, agus uaireannan bidh dannsairean ann, agus bidh pìobaire daonnan ann aig toiseach agus deireadh na h-oidhche. The Gaelic Society of Perth was formed in 1880, as a meeting place for Gaelic speakers to help preserve their language and culture. Their motto is “Clann nan Gàidheal an Guaillibh a Chéile” or “Highlanders! Stand Shoulder to Shoulder”. Over the years they have held many meetings and lectures relating to Highland Culture, supported the learning of Gaelic language and Gaelic song, and hosted musical evenings and ceilidhs. The Society is still actively involved in supporting Gaelic language and culture in the area today. ‘Ceilidhs’ (meetings) are held monthly throughout the winter at St Matthew’s Church in Perth, and anyone is welcome to attend, whether or not they can speak any Gaelic. This isn’t the kind of ceilidh we have become used to, where you dance Strip the Willow and the Gay Gordons - it’s a traditional Highland get-together, where people who appreciate Gaelic culture meet to enjoy some Highland entertainment and good company (as well as a feast of home baking at the interval!). Performers come from all over the country and from Perth itself to entertain with song, music and sometimes poetry/stories and dance, and there’s always a piper to start and end the night.
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Gaelic Language Plan - 2026 Update 36 A Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality Ma tha Gàidhlig agad, no ma tha thu ga h- ionnsachadh, bidh cothrom ann bruidhinn ri luchd- labhairt eile. Nach tig thu ann ach am faic thu dè tha dol? Bidh cèilidhean ann 12 Dùbh, 16 Faoi, 20 Gearr agus Màrt 20. Cosg: £10, no £6 ma tha thu nad bhall de Chomunn Ghàidhlig Pheairt. Lean iad air Facebook no faigh tuilleadh fiosrachaidh air: Welcome | gaelic-society And if you do speak Gaelic or are learning, there’s opportunity to practise with others during the break. Why not come along and see what it’s all about for yourself? Meetings during 2025-6 will take place on Dec 12th, Jan 16th, Feb 20th and Mar 20th. It costs £10 to attend a ceilidh, but if you become a member of the Society, that reduces to £6. Follow them on Facebook Or find out more at: Welcome | gaelic-society Ionnsaich Gàidhlig ann am Peairt is Ceann Rois Learn Gaelic in Perth & Kinross Ma tha thu airson Gàidhlig ionnsachadh, tha cùrsa goirid agus prògram fèin-ionnsaichte againn do luchd-tòiseachaidh. Leig fios thugainn aig Gaelic@pkc.gov.uk, agus lean ar duilleag Facebook. Tha liosta-sgaoilidh againn cuideachd airson puist-d. If you would like to learn Gaelic, we offer an 8-week introduction course for beginners as well as a Self- study programme. Contact Gaelic@pkc.gov.uk for more details or to join our mailing list, and follow us on Facebook. Leig fios thugainn / Contact us – Gaelic@pkc.gov.uk If you or someone you know would like a copy of this document in another language or format, (on occasion, only a summary of the document will be provided in translation), this can be arranged by contacting the Customer Service Centre on 01738 475000. You can also send us a text message on 07824 498145. All Council Services can offer a telephone translation facility. BSL users can contact us via Contact Scotland BSL, the online British Sign Language video relay interpreting service. Find out more on the Contact Scotland BSL website https://contactscotland-bsl.org