Issued: 12 May 2008
Driving Forward the Gaelic Language Plan
The Highland Council has appointed a new Gaelic Development Manager to spearhead its promotion of the Gaelic language and culture. He is Donald MacNeill, a native Gaelic speaker who has wide experience in the public sector and in the media. Brought up in Inverness within a Gaelic-speaking household. Donald was educated at Crown Primary School and Millburn Academy before going to Glasgow University.
He had a ten year career in broadcast journalism (1988-1998) - in both radio and television - the bulk of which was in Gaelic. This included working with BBC Radio nan Gaidheal (Inverness), Grampian Television (Aberdeen & Inverness) and Scottish Television (Glasgow).
Since then, Donald has gained experience of development working in the public sector within Highlands and Islands Enterprise, initially in press and public relations, but latterly promoting the case for investment in the area's transport networks.
Donald said: "I am very much looking forward to getting to grips with this new role. There is no doubt that Gaelic is a fundamental part of what makes the Highlands different and special. It's an integral part of the area's heritage, but it's also making a real contribution to the area's economy and vibrancy in the 21st century. The Council's Gaelic Language Plan has real potential to enhance the language's status within the next three or four years."
The need for statutory Gaelic Development plans flows from the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act of 2005 and The Highland Council was one of the first public bodies in the country to be charged with the requirement to produce a Plan. It is hoped this will be formally approved shortly allowing the development work to get underway. The Plan is far-reaching and is intended to cement and improve the role and use of Gaelic across all the Council's services from education to road signs, or from promoting its use in the home and community to working to enhance its contribution to cultural activity and the arts.
Independent Councillor Hamish Fraser, Chairman of the Gaelic Committee, welcomed the appointment.
He said: "Mr MacNeill's background and experience in both the media and public sectors makes him well qualified to take the plan forward on behalf of the Council, and he will be fully supported by the Gaelic Committee and council officers in implementing what is acknowledged to be a well balanced and achievable Plan. Mr MacNeill's appointment further consolidates the Council's commitment to supporting and promoting the language and culture of the Highlands with particular emphasis on the education system, our young people and our communities."
A' gluasad Plana na Gàidhlig air Adhart
Tha Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd air Manaidsear Leasachaidh ùr airson na Gàidhlig fhastadh gus a bhith air ceann adhartachadh na Gàidhlig agus a dualchais. Is esan Dòmhnall MacNèill, a tha fileanta sa Ghàidhlig agus aig a bheil eòlas farsaing san roinn phoblaich agus sna meadhanan. Thogadh e ann an teaghlach Gàidhlig ann an Inbhir Nis agus bha e ann am Bun-sgoil a' Chrùin agus ann an Acadamaidh Allt na Muilne mus deach e a dh'Oilthigh Ghlaschu.
Thug e deich bliadhna ag obair sna meadhanan craolaidh (1988-1998) - ann an rèidio agus telebhisean - agus bha a' mhòr-chuid dhen obair aige sa Ghàidhlig. Bha seo a' gabhail a-steach obair aig BBC Radio nan Gàidheal (Inbhir Nis), Telebhisean Grampian (Obar Dheathain & Inbhir Nis) agus Telebhisean na h-Alba (Glaschu).
On uair sin, fhuair Dòmhnall eòlas air obair leasachaidh san roinn phoblaich aig Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd is nan eilean. Bha e an toiseach ag obair ann an dàimh phoblach is na meadhanan ach, mu dheireadh, bha e an urra ri tasgadh ann an lìonra còmhdhail na sgìre.
Thuirt Dòmhnall: "Tha mi a' coimhead air adhart gu mòr ri bhith a' dol an sàs san obair seo. Chan eil teagamh nach eil a' Ghàidhlig bunaiteach dhan Ghàidhealtachd agus gur e sin a tha ga dèanamh cho sònraichte. Tha i na pàirt bhunaitich de dhualchas na sgìre ach tha i cuideachd a' cur gu mòr ri eaconamaidh is beatha na sgìre san 21d linn. Tha an comas aig Plana Cànain na Comhairle air inbhe a' chànain a chur am meud sna trì no ceithir bhliadhnaichen a tha romhainn."
Tha Planaichean Leasachaidh na Gàidhlig ag èirigh bho Achd na Gàidhlig (Alba) 2005 agus bha Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd air fear de na ciad bhuidhnean poblach le dleastanas plana a dhealbhadh. Thathar an dòchas gun tèid seo a dhaingneachadh gu foirmeil a dh'aithghearr agus gun tòisich obair leasachaidh an uair sin. Tha am Plana farsaing na amasan agus tha e san amharc gun tèid cleachdadh na Gàidhlig a dhaingneachadh agus a leasachadh thar gach seirbheis sa Chomhairle, eadar foghlam is soidhnichean rathaid, agus a' brosnachadh a bhith ga cleachdadh san dachaigh agus sa choimhearsnachd gus gum bi i a' cur barrachd ri cùisean cultarail agus ri na h-ealain.
Chuir an Comhairliche Neo-eisimeileach, Hamish Friseal fàilte air an dreuchd.
Thuirt e: "Tha eachdraidh is eòlas aig Mgr MacNèill an dà chuid sna meadhanan agus san roinn phoblaich agus, mar sin, bidh e math airson am plana a chur air adhart às leth na Comhairle. Gheibh e làn taic o Chomataidh na Gàidhlig agus o oifigearan na Comhairle gu bhith a' cur plana cothromach an gnìomh. Le bhith a' cur Mhgr MacNèill an dreuchd, tha e a' sealltainn dealas na Comhairle a thaobh taic is brosnachadh do chànan is do dhualchas na Gàidhealtachd, gu h-àraidh a thaobh foghlaim, ar n-òigridh agus ar coimhearsnachdan."