New research launched into Gaelic’s role in economic and community development

A new research project is under way to explore the economic, social and cultural impact of Gaelic across Scotland.

The work is led by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in partnership with The Scottish Government, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and VisitScotland.

HIE has commissioned GC Insight together with Reference Economics and Lasair Ltd to gather detailed information from businesses, communities and social enterprises which are currently using Gaelic.

The project will identify where targeted investment can deliver the greatest benefit for Gaelic, its speakers and Gaelic-speaking communities.

Importantly, it will also explore how regional and local development initiatives support the language’s long‑term viability and how Gaelic can contribute to broader goals for economic prosperity and community sustainability.

This includes measuring Gaelic’s economic impact in tourism and assessing current and future business use of the language.

HIE and its partners will use the findings to target support where it will have the greatest impact, contributing to the social and economic goals set out in recent legislation.

The research will also help progress recommendations from the Scottish Government’s Gaelic Short Life Working Group and align with national policy frameworks, including the Future of Gaelic (FROP) and Transforming Outcomes for Gaelic (TOG).

Together, these initiatives provide a more coordinated approach to supporting Gaelic, strengthening community use, and ensuring the language contributes to Scotland’s social and economic wellbeing.

HIE’s director of area operations, Joanna Peteranna, said:

“Gaelic is an integral part of Scotland’s cultural identity and a valuable asset both economically and socially. This research will help us understand where support can make the biggest difference, especially in a resource-constrained environment. By identifying opportunities and barriers, we can ensure Gaelic continues to thrive while contributing to sustainable growth.”

The findings will inform future strategies for Gaelic development and regional development across the Highlands and Islands and beyond.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said:

"This new research, announced during World Gaelic Week, will help us identify where investment in Gaelic can have the greatest impact to ensure the language thrives.

"The findings will also explore how we can use Gaelic to attract tourists and boost visitor spending in communities across Scotland.

"Our Scottish Languages Act gave Gaelic official status and we are backing this commitment with an extra £1.8 million for Gaelic initiatives in the draft Scottish Budget for 2026-27."

Rob Dickson, VisitScotland’s Director of Industry and Events, said: 

“Scottish Gaelic brings a unique and authentic layer to Scotland’s visitor experience, and being part of this research is hugely important to VisitScotland. Understanding the economic, social, and cultural impact of the language across Scotland will help us better highlight and utilise its role within the country’s visitor economy.

“As the national tourism and events organisation, we are committed to showcasing the language as a meaningful part of a visit to Scotland, enriching our communities and deepening visitors’ connection to the places they explore.

“We look forward to working in partnership with Bord na Gàidhlig, Scottish Government and HIE on this research, and to the insights it will bring to strengthening the value of Gaelic across the tourism and events sector and beyond.”

Ealasaid Dhòmhnallach, Ceannard Bòrd na Gàidhlig, said:

“Bòrd na Gàidhlig is pleased to support this important research which will inform our approach to investing in Gaelic and in supporting Gaelic as an economic catalyst for our communities. The funding partners in this research are committed to working together to ensure a wider understanding of how Gaelic investment can and does deliver against a wide range of community and national outcomes. This research will provide a platform for targeted investment, agency and community collaboration, and a better understanding of how to take advantage of the economic opportunities for Gaelic, whilst also understanding the challenges facing our communities.”

A public link will be available soon where people can find out more about the research.

Sa Ghàidhlig gu h-ìosal 

Rannsachadh ùr air àite na Gàidhlig ann an leasachadh eaconamach is coimhearsnachd

Tha pròiseact ùr air shiubhal gus buaidh eaconamach, sòisealta is cultarach na Gàidhlig air feadh Alba a rannsachadh. 

Tha an obair air a stiùireadh le Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd ’s nan Eilean (HIE) ann an com-pàirteachas le Riaghaltas na h-Alba, Bòrd na Gàidhlig agus VisitScotland.

Tha HIE air GC Insight fhastadh còmhla ri Reference Economics agus Lasair Earranta gus mion-fhiosrachadh a thional bho ghnothachasan, coimhearsnachdan agus iomairtean sòisealta a tha gu làithreach a’ cleachdadh Gàidhlig.

Comharraichidh am pròiseact far am faod inbheisteadh targaidte a’ bhuannachd as àirde a lìbhrigeadh don Ghàidhlig, don luchd-labhairt agus do choimhearsnachdan Gàidhlig. 

Gu cudromach, rannsaichidh e mar a tha iomairtean leasachaidh roinneil agus ionadail a’ cur taic ri ion-obrachadh fad-amail a’ chànain, agus mar as urrainn don Ghàidhlig cur ri amasan nas fharsainge airson soirbheachadh eaconamach is seasmhachd choimhearsnachdan.

Tha seo a’ gabhail a-steach tomhas air buaidh eaconamach na Gàidhlig ann an turasachd agus measadh air cleachdadh gnothachais air a’ chànan gu làithreach agus san àm ri teachd.

Cleachdaidh HIE agus a chom-pàirtichean na toraidhean gus taic a chuimseachadh far am bi a’ bhuaidh as motha aige, a’ cur ris na cinn-uidhe shòisealta is eaconamach mar a tha mìnichte san reachdas.  

Cuidichidh an rannsachadh le molaidhean bho Bhuidheann Obrach Geàrr-bheatha Gàidhlig Riaghaltas na h-Alba adhartachadh, agus le co-thaobhadh air frèaman-obrach nàiseanta, a’ gabhail a-steach Gàidhlig san Àm ri Teachd (FROP) agus Cruth-atharrachadh Bhuilean don Ghàidhlig (TOG).

Còmhla, tha na h-iomairtean sin a’ cleachdadh modh-obrach nas co-òrdanaichte ann an taic don Ghàidhlig, a’ neartachadh cleachdadh coimhearsnachd, agus a’ dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil an cànan a’ cur ri sunnd shòisealta agus eaconamach na h-Alba.

Thuirt Joanna Peteranna, stiùiriche obraichean sgìreil aig HIE:

“Tha a’ Ghàidhlig na pàirt amalaichte de dhearbh-aithne chultarach na h-Alba agus na maoin luachmhor an dà chuid ann an seagh eaconamach agus sòisealta. Cuidichidh an rannsachadh seo sinn gu tuigsinn far am faod taic an diofar as motha a dhèanamh, gu h-àraid ann an àrainneachd far a bheil goireasan cuibhrichte. Le bhith a’ comharrachadh chothroman agus chnapan-starra, faodaidh sinn dèanamh cinnteach gun lean coimhearsnachdan Gàidhlig orra a’ soirbheachadh fhad ’s a tha iad a’ cur ri fàs seasmhach.”

Fiosraichidh na toraidhean ro-innleachdan airson leasachadh na Gàidhlig agus leasachadh roinneil san àm ri teachd, air feadh na Gàidhealtachd ’s nan Eilean agus air an taobh a-muigh.  

Thuirt Ceit Fhoirbeis, Leas-Phrìomh Mhinistear:

"Cuidichidh an rannsachadh ùr seo, a chaidh ainmeachadh aig Seachdain na Gàidhlig, sinn le comharrachadh far am faod a’ bhuaidh as motha a bhith aig inbheisteadh ann an Gàidhlig, gus dèanamh cinnteach gum bi an cànan soirbheachail.   

"Rannsaichidh na toraidhean cuideachd mar as urrainn dhuinn Gàidhlig a chleachdadh gus luchd-turais a tharraing agus cosg-airgid luchd-tadhail ann an coimhearsnachdan air feadh Alba, a bhrosnachadh.

"Thug Achd nan Cànan Albannach inbhe oifigeil don Ghàidhlig agus tha sinn a’ cur taic ris a’ ghealltanas seo le £1.8 millean a bharrachd airson iomairtean Gàidhlig, ann an dreachd Buidseat na h-Alba airson 2026-27."

Thuirt Rob Dickson, Stiùiriche Gnìomhachais is Thachartasan aig VisitScotland: 

“Tha Gàidhlig na h-Alba a’ tarraing filleadh air leth agus ùghdarrail gu eòlas luchd-turais na h-Alba, agus tha a bhith mar phàirt den rannsachadh seo làn-chudromach do VisitScotland. Cuidichidh tuigse do bhuaidh eaconamach, sòisealta agus cultarach a’ chànain air feadh Alba, sinn le àite na Gàidhlig a thogail agus a chleachdadh taobh a-staigh eaconamaidh luchd-tadhail na dùthcha.

“Mar am buidheann turasachd is thachartasan nàiseanta, tha sinn dealasach mu thaisbeanadh a’ chànain mar phàirt bhrìgheil de thadhal air Alba, a’ saidhbhreachadh ar coimhearsnachdan agus a’ doimhneachadh ceangal luchd-tadhail leis na h-àiteachan a bhios iad a’ rannsachadh.

“Tha sinn a’ coimhead air adhart ri bhith ag obair ann an com-pàirteachas le Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Riaghaltas na h-Alba agus HIE air an rannsachadh seo, agus ris na h-in-sheallaidhean a bheir e gu neartachadh luach na Gàidhlig tarsainn na roinne turasachd is thachartasan, agus air a taobh a-muigh.”

Deireadh