The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) has had its Gaelic Language Plan – which sets out how the organisation will help enhance and promote the Gaelic language and culture – approved by Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
Since its inception in 2003, the CNPA has championed Gaelic with Gaelic language and Gaelic awareness raising training for staff and board and financial support for Gaelic projects including Fèis Spè and Fèis a’ Mhonaidh Ruaidh, offering traditional music and arts tuition to children across the National Park (https://cairngorms.co.uk/uploads/documents/Feis_Spe.pdf)
A place names leaflet was published in English which helps residents and visitors appreciate which popular place names in the Park have Gaelic language origins but also features translations and explanations in Doric and Scots. Furthermore, Gaelic is already used on visitor information and the larger National Park entry point markers. All the CNPA’s statutory and policy publications feature a Gaelic foreword and more recently the CNPA has re-designed its own logo giving equal status to Gaelic and English, which will feature on all corporate materials from stationary to clothing.
Among the CNPA’s commitments in the Gaelic Language Plan to help further promote Gaelic in the National Park in the future are more Gaelic courses and training for staff, board members, partner organisations and the public as well as encouraging the use of Gaelic in design guidance.
Grant Moir, CNPA chief executive said: “We recognise that Gaelic is an integral part of Scotland and the Cairngorms National Park’s heritage. It is part of our cultural identity and we are committed to encouraging staff, partners and the public to support activities which help promote the language and its rich culture.”
CNPA board member David Green commented: “I am delighted to see the Gaelic Language Plan approved. Gaelic is extremely importantly socially and culturally in the Cairngorms National Park.”
All public sector bodies in Scotland have a duty to prepare a Gaelic Language Plan. To view the CNPA’s Gaelic Language Plan please go to: https://cairngorms.co.uk/working-together/publications/publications?publicationID=266. The Plan will be translated into Gaelic and published on the website shortly. There is also a Gaelic version of this press release.
The CNPA’s Gaelic Language Plan comes as the Park’s celebrates its 10th anniversary for more information on 10 years of the Cairngorms National Park go here: https://cairngorms.co.uk/the-park/10th-anniversary/