Council approves five-year plan to increase use of Gaelic in South Ayrshire despite 'little demand'

South Ayrshire Council has approved a new five-year plan that aims to increase the visibility, learning and use of Gaelic across the area – despite admitting there is little demand.

The Gaelic Language Plan 2025–2030 sets out how the council will use Gaelic in its operations, communications and public engagement, in line with national policy and the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005.

The plan will now be submitted to Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the national body responsible for promoting Gaelic.

Among its commitments are promoting Gaelic in schools, offering opportunities for staff to learn the language, and ensuring bilingual signage and publications are considered as part of renewal programmes.

The council also plans to encourage parents to explore Gaelic Medium Education (GME) options and raise awareness of the right to request Gaelic provision for young children.

A public consultation held between August and September this year attracted 190 responses, with views ranging from strong support for protecting Gaelic heritage to concerns over costs and relevance.

A dedicated focus group with the Prestwick Gaelic Group helped shape the plan’s community actions, and a separate staff language skills work revealed that while interest in learning Gaelic exists, practical barriers such as time and cost remain.

The report highlights growing local enthusiasm for incorporating Gaelic into cultural projects, including the Broadway Cinema redevelopment in Prestwick, which aims to feature bilingual signage and host Gaelic events with support from Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

Councillor Hugh Hunter said: “It’s obvious from reading the paper that there’s not a huge demand in South Ayrshire for Gaelic and, I think, not a great history of it being used either.

“However, there is legislation by the Scottish Government and we have to follow it and I think we do that very well.

“You can see from the paper that there are many opportunities for people to indicate an interest in learning Gaelic, and when that interest is sufficient then we are clearly able to provide that for them.”

Tourism and culture spokesperson, Councillor Alec Clark added: “I am glad to see any culture in Scotland being promoted.

“Sacred Heart School in Girvan ran a very successful season of Gaelic which went down really well. ”

He asked whether the Gaelic development officer would allow the language to permeate through the schools.

Susan McArdle, service lead of Performance, Community Planning and Sustainability, said that was also part of the education requirements, adding: “There’s a lot of work that does take place within the schools.”

Officials emphasised that the plan takes a “proportionate approach” recognising both the area’s Gaelic heritage and its current use of the language, while fulfilling statutory obligations under the 2005 Act.

The report was approved by Cabinet.