Just over a week left to shape new Gaelic research

As the final deadline of 13 July approaches, organisations across Scotland are being encouraged to amplify the use of Gaelic in their communities and workplaces by sharing their experiences, helping to ensure its value is recognised and celebrated.

The research, commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in partnership with Scottish Government, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, VisitScotland and Skills Development Scotland, is seeking input from businesses, social enterprises, community groups and organisations across Scotland.

Researchers say that more Gaelic voices are needed in our communities and our workplaces to ensure the full picture of the language’s impact is captured, in both economic and social terms.

They are particularly keen to hear from organisations that use Gaelic in areas such as branding, marketing, customer experiences, products and services, events, education, tourism, food and drink, creative industries and community activity.

The study aims to build a stronger evidence base on how Gaelic contributes to economic growth, employment, innovation and community wellbeing, helping to inform future policy and investment decisions.

Researchers are encouraging more organisations to take part. Joanna Peteranna, director of area operations at HIE, said:

“We’re aware that many businesses and organisations use Gaelic in ways that make a real difference to their customers, communities and identity, but those impacts are not always captured in the evidence.

“With just over a week left to take part, we’re encouraging anyone who uses Gaelic in any area of their work, whether that’s a small community organisation, a tourism business or a larger employer, to share their experiences and help us build a clearer picture of Gaelic’s contribution to Scotland’s economy and communities.”

Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic Màiri McAllan said:

“As well as being a fundamental part of our society and culture, Gaelic makes a distinct contribution to Scotland’s economy. It is part of what makes our music and events sectors so unique, is a significant draw for our tourism industry, and by lending provenance and authenticity it supports much of our food, drink and hospitality sector.

“Within broadcasting, recent productions like the award-winning drama An t-Eilean - The Island - shows that Gaelic media continues to punch above its weight while also being a major employer within the Highlands and Islands.

“This is why research on the Gaelic economy is so important, to provide the insights which will help us build upon the already significant contribution that Gaelic culture and language makes to Scotland’s success.”

The research team is looking for examples of how Gaelic supports business growth, attracts visitors, strengthens communities, creates opportunities and adds value to products and services.

If Gaelic plays any role in someone’s work, they are encouraged to take part. Every response helps build a clearer picture of Gaelic’s social and economic value from sectors including media, education, health and social care, community development, tourism, food and drink and creative industries businesses among others.

To take part, visit: Gaelic research | HIE

The survey closes on 13 July 2026.

Ends.

Faisg air seachdain air fhàgail airson rannsachadh ùr Gàidhlig  

Chan eil ach faisg air seachdain air fhàgail aig buidhnean a tha a’ cleachdadh Gàidhlig ann am pàirt sam bith de an obair, airson cur ri prìomh sgrùdadh a tha a’ dèanamh rannsachadh air àite a’ chànain ann an leasachadh eaconamach is coimhearsnachd.  

Mar a tha ceann-là deireannach an sgrùdaidh air 13 Iuchar a’ teannadh dlùth, thathar a’ moladh do bhuidhnean air feadh Alba cleachdadh na Gàidhlig sna coimhearsnachdan agus sna h-àiteachan-obrach aca a theinneachadh le bhith a’ roinn am beachdan ’s an suidheachaidhean, agus a’ cuideachadh le dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil luach na Gàidhlig air aithneachadh ’s air a chomharrachadh.

Tha an rannsachadh, a tha air a choimiseanadh le Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd ’s nan Eilean (HIE) ann an com-pàirteachas le Riaghaltas na h-Alba, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, VisitScotland agus Leasachadh Sgilean na h-Alba, a’ sireadh in-chur bho ghnothachasan, iomairtean sòisealta, buidhnean coimhearsnachd is buidhnean air feadh Alba.

Tha luchd-rannsachaidh ag ràdh gu bheil feum air barrachd ghuthan Gàidhlig nar coimhearsnachdan agus nar n-àiteachan-obrach a chluinntinn, gus dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil dealbh iomlan de fhìor bhuaidh a’ chànain ga ghlacadh, san dà chuid dòigh eaconamach agus sòisealta.

Tha iad gu h-àraid measail air cluinntinn bho bhuidhnean a tha a’ cleachdadh Gàidhlig ann an raointean leithid branndadh, margaideachd, eòlas chustamairean, bathar is seirbheisean, tachartasan, foghlam, turasachd, biadh is deoch, gnìomhachasan cruthachail agus gnìomhachd coimhearsnachd.

Tha an sgrùdadh ag amas air bunait fhianais nas làidire a thogail mu dheidhinn mar a tha Gàidhlig a’ cur ri fàs eaconamach, cosnadh, ùr-ghnàthachas is sunnd coimhearsnachd, agus a’ cuideachadh le poileasaidh agus co-dhùnaidhean tasgaidh fhiosrachadh don àm ri teachd.

Tha luchd-rannsachaidh a’ moladh do bharrachd bhuidhnean gu pàirt a ghabhail. Thuirt Joanna Peteranna, stiùiriche obraichean sgìreil aig HIE:

“Tha sinn mothachail gu bheil mòran ghnothachasan is bhuidhnean a’ cleachdadh Gàidhlig ann an dòighean a tha a’ dèanamh fìor dhiofar do an custamairean, coimhearsnachdan agus fèin-aithne, ach chan eil am buaidh an-còmhnaidh follaiseach san fhianais.

“Le dìreach seachdain air fhàgail airson pàirt a ghabhail, tha sinn a’ moladh do neach sam bith a tha a’ cleachdadh Gàidhlig nan obair, eadar gur e buidheann coimhearsnachd beag, gnothachas turasachd no fastaiche nas motha, an eòlasan a roinn agus ar cuideachadh a’ togail dealbh nas soilleire air tabhartas na Gàidhlig do dh’eaconamaidh agus coimhearsnachdan na h-Alba.”

Thuirt Rùnaire a’ Chaibineit airson Foghlam, Cultar agus Gàidhlig, Màiri NicAilein, na leanas:

“A thuilleadh air a bhith na bun-stèidh dhan chomann-shòisealta agus dhan chultar againn, tha Gàidhlig a’ cur ri eaconamaidh na h-Alba san dòigh aice fhèin. Tha i am measg nan adhbharan a tha na roinnean-ciùil is tachartais againn cho sònraichte, agus bidh i a’ tàladh tòrr dhaoine dhan ghnìomhachas turasachd againn. Cuideachd, cumaidh i taic ri pàirt mhòr dhe na roinnean-bìdh, -dibhe is -aoigheachd againn, tro bhith a’ toirt eileamaid de fhreumhachd is fìrinneachd dhaibh.

“Ann an craoladh, tha prògraman a chunnacas bho chionn ghoirid mar an dràma An t-Eilean – sreath a th’ air duaisean a bhuannachadh – a’ sealltainn gu bheil na meadhanan Gàidhlig a’ sìor-amas air targaidean mòra. Tha na meadhanan cuideachd a’ toirt tòrr chothroman-obrach do dhaoine taobh a-staigh na Gàidhealtachd ’s nan Eilean.

“Seo an t-adhbhar a tha rannsachadh air eaconamaidh na Gàidhlig cho cudromach, airson ’s gum faighear na staitistigean a bhios nan cuideachadh dhuinn le bhith a’ togail air na tha cànan is cultar na Gàidhlig a’ cur ri soirbheas na h-Alba – ’s iad a’ cur gu mòr ris mar-thà.”

Tha an sgioba rannsachaidh a’ coimhead airson eisimpleirean de mar a tha Gàidhlig a’ cur taic ri fàs gnothachais, a’ tarraing luchd-tadhail, a’ neartachadh choimhearsnachdan, cruthachadh chothroman agus a’ cur luach ri toraidhean is seirbheisean.

Ma tha àite aig Gàidhlig ann an obair neach sam bith, thathar a’ moladh dhuibh pàirt a ghabhail. Tha gach freagairt a’ cuideachadh le dealbh nas soilleire a thogail de luach sòisealta is eaconamach na Gàidhlig, bho roinnean a’ gabhail a-steach meadhanan, foghlam, slàinte is cùram sòisealta, leasachadh coimhearsnachd, turasachd, biadh is deoch, agus gnothachasan nan gnìomhachasan cruthachail am measg chàich.

Gus pàirt a ghabhail, tadhailibh air: Rannsachadh Gàidhlig | HIE

Bidh an t-suirbhidh a’ dùnadh air 13 Iuchar 2026.