A five-year plan to increase the use of Gaelic and promote the language in Glasgow has been published.
The vision states: "By 2028 Gaelic will be more accessible, more widely spoken, more visible and more celebrated in Glasgow than in any other city in the world."
The plan includes more Gaelic in signs and council publications, and a monument somewhere in the city.
Glasgow is already home to around 10,000 Gaelic speakers and the number of Gaelic school in the city has increased.
The number of pupils enrolled in Gaelic education has more than doubled from around 450 to more than 1300 in the last ten years. Only Highland, with 1822, and Western Isles, with 1414, has more children in Gaelic education.
The number of pupils in all three categories of nursery, primary and secondary education in the city’s Gaelic establishments has increased in each of the last four ears.
The three aims of the plan are increasing the use of Gaelic, increasing the learning of Gaelic and promoting a positive image of Gaelic.
A council report states: “Demand for Gaelic Medium Education has increased year on year since the first unit in Scotland was opened in 1985 at Sir John Maxwell’s Primary School in Pollokshaws. Now, we have three nurseries at the Glasgow Gaelic School’s Berkeley Street GME campus (Anderston), Lyoncross (Pollok) and Rowena (Knightswood) along with private provision at Seudan Beaga and Òganan.
“Between them, in 2021, they provided early years Gaelic learning for 159 children. The council also manages three Primary schools at Berkeley Street, Glendale Gaelic PS (Pollokshields) and Govan Gaelic PS where a total of 781 children are taught; and we have one Secondary school, also at Berkeley Street, for another 424 young people.
“A fourth GME primary school is expected to open in 2024 at the former St James’ Primary School in the east end at Green Street, Calton.”
As part of the plan to recognise and promote the Gaelic language and culture there is a proposal to erect a Gaelic cairn, landmark or monument in a prominent location in the city in recognition of the history and achievements of the Gaels and the Gaelic language in Glasgow.
The signage plan would see when existing signage is to be replaced or new signage installed on any council or ALEO building, all signage will be bilingual (English and Gaelic).
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