SNH launches consultation on Gaelic Language Plan

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) today launches a public consultation on its
draft Gaelic Language Plan. The Plan has been produced by SNH to guide how the
organisation will promote and develop the use of Gaelic in its functions and
communications with the public and key partners.

The Plan has been prepared within the framework of the Gaelic Language
(Scotland) Act 2005 and sets out guidance and opportunities for SNH staff on the
use of Gaelic. It also commits the organisation to increasing delivery of its
functions and information in Gaelic as well as English. The consultation will
run for eight weeks and SNH hopes to attract a wide response to the Plan from
the public across Scotland.
SNH Chairman Andrew Thin said:

“SNH’s Gaelic Plan reflects our responsibility to use the language of
Scotland’s landscape in our work to conserve and promote the benefits of the
natural heritage to people. In place names alone, Gaelic gives us a unique key
to understanding our interaction with nature and wildlife down through the
ages.”

“In the present day, Gaelic is in daily use in many communities across the
country and it is only right that public bodies such as SNH reflect those
communities in the language we use. We encourage people across Scotland to
respond to this consultation to ensure we deliver a Gaelic Plan that best
supports the use of the language and the work of SNH.”

Some key commitments contained in SNH’s Gaelic Language Plan are:

● To give Gaelic and English equal respect both in our operations and in
our communications activity. Increased use of Gaelic in this way will increase
the profile of both the language itself and of its value as an integral part of
Scottish culture.

● To increase use of Gaelic in our publications and interpretation
materials, thereby providing an added breadth of insight and understanding of
nature in Scotland, for both English and Gaelic speaking audiences.

● To adopt an appointments policy that recognises Gaelic as a desirable
job skill and proactively promote career opportunities externally.

● To redevelop the current Gaelic section of SNH’s website and expand
it to include more Gaelic publications, news releases, an events calendar and
corporate information.

● To provide Gaelic Awareness sessions for all SNH staff and provide
Gaelic language training for staff in priority Areas that have the majority of
users and Gaelic medium units and schools.

The launch of the Plan coincides with Gaelic Awareness initiatives held for SNH
staff in Edinburgh and Oban. These events are designed to raise staff awareness
of the language’s importance and its role in Scottish culture. The programme
of Gaelic Awareness days encourages staff to learn more about the historical
background to the language, its significance in the Scottish landscape and
SNH’s role in preserving the language.

SNH Operations Manager for Argyll & Stirling, Andrew Campbell said: “There is
real enthusiasm from our team here in Oban and throughout Argyll to understand
and learn more about the special identity of the west coast. In many places
Gaelic indicates not only the nature of the landscape but the iconic species to
be found there.

“For instance, one of our current tasks is consulting on behalf of the
Scottish Government in designating Special Protection Areas for golden eagles,
and it’s no surprise to come across ‘iolaire’, meaning eagle, amongst the
place names for corries in these hills and glens.”

The public have until the 29th of January to submit their views on the plan,
copies of which are available online at
http://www.snh.org.uk/gaelic/languagePlan.asp
Hard copies will be in all SNH offices and available on request to anyone
interested in receiving a copy. A consultation response form is also available
on the Gaelic website so that the public can submit their comments.