Seachdain na Gàidhlig – World Gaelic Week 2025
Tha beagan Gàidhlig agam.
I speak a wee bit of Gaelic.
That might be a phrase you’ve heard before—or perhaps even one you’ve said yourself. Thanks to the rise of online resources like the Scottish Gaelic course on Duolingo, more people across Scotland and beyond are learning a wee bit of our beautiful national language.
Although Argyll (Earra Ghàidheal) is often considered the “heartland of Gaelic,” only about 5% of its residents actually speak the language. In contrast, around 60% of people in the Western Isles (nan Eilean Siar) are Gaelic speakers—a surprising statistic. If you attended the bustling Royal National Mòd in Oban last year, you might have assumed there was no shortage of Gaelic speakers in Argyll!
The excitement surrounding the Mòd highlights an important point: even if not everyone speaks Gaelic, its culture remains a vital part of our local identity. Whether you’re listening to traditional music in a lively pub, dancing at a ceilidh, or exploring Scotland’s stunning landscapes, acknowledging and using Gaelic can enrich your experience.
If you’re interested in Gaelic songs and storytelling, take a look at the incredible collection of audio recordings on Tobar an Dualchais. You might even discover a family member or a local legend has contributed to the oral history archives. It’s a fantastic way to hear Gaelic spoken in different dialects and to connect with our heritage.
For those curious about Gaelic place names in Argyll, the Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba project is an excellent resource. It helps uncover the meanings behind local place names, offering fascinating insights into the history and geography of the region. Gaelic place names can also help us to unlock our understanding of the ecology of the land – with Gaelic place names pointing to the indigenous trees, plants and animals – helping to rewild areas and contribute to healing our geography and addressing climate change.
Là Abairt na Gàidhlig / Say a Gaelic Phrase Day 2025
Today, Thursday, 27th February 2025, marks the fourth Say a Gaelic Phrase Day—an initiative designed to encourage people to speak Gaelic and use the words and phrases they already know!
Visit the Seachdain na Gàidhlig website to choose a Gaelic phrase, learn its pronunciation, and record yourself saying it. Then, share it on social media using the hashtags #LàAbairtNaGàidhlig or #SayAGaelicPhraseDay.
My Gaelic phrase (yours doesn’t have to be this long!) for today comes from the beautiful song Mo Ghleannan Taobh Loch Lìobhainn, written by Sandy Rankin in 1932:
Tha daoine cho coibhneil ‘s cho càirdeil ‘s a’ ghleann,
‘S chan eil adhbhar bhith dubhach no sgìth ann;
Ach cho fhad ‘s a bhios Gàidhlig ‘ga sgrìobhadh le peann
Bidh mi moladh mo ghleann taobh Loch Lìobhainn.
The people are so kind and so friendly in the valley
that there’s no reason to be sad or weary there;
and as long as Gaelic is being written with pens,
I shall praise my valley by Loch Leven.
However much Gaelic you know—whether it’s just a phrase or you’re fluent—today is the perfect opportunity to celebrate and share it. Be bold, speak Gaelic, and keep the language thriving!