Angus Council’s former leader has spoken out against the authority’s fresh effort to promote and encourage the Gaelic language.
Like every other council across the country, Angus is bound by the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act, which was passed by the Scottish parliament in 2005 with a view to creating a sustainable future for the language by raising its status and profile.
The Act also saw the setting up of Bord na Gaidhlig, with one if its roles being to require public bodies such as councils to prepare and publish Gaelic language plans.
Angus has drafted its document, but as a short period of consultation gets under way, independent member Bob Myles said he would be concerned if the initiative was to further stretch council finances for the promotion of a language he claimed has no ancient or modern history in the area.
“There is so little incidence of Gaelic in Angus less than a 0.5% speak the language. I have no problem in encouraging second languages, but where is the extra money to do this going to come from?”
He said he would be “very much against a proliferation of Gaelic road signs and documentation in Angus,” but was assured by council chief executive Richard Stiff there are no plans for a “big bang approach” that would see signs switched overnight to include place names in two languages.
Mr Stiff said: “The plan sets out how we will use Gaelic in the operation of our functions, how we will enable the use of Gaelic when communicating with the public and key partners and how we will promote and develop Gaelic.
“We would anticipate a progressive development of this.
“There is a reasonable anticipation that we can meet addition costs from within budgets, and where we cannot do that there are external funding options that we would intend to pursue with some vigour,” said the chief executive.
Greater enthusiasm for the plan was voiced by SNP councillor Donald Morrison, who used the language for his opening address.
He told members: “Tapadh leat convener bha agus tha Ghadhlig pars cuidromach d’on eachdrachaidh siorraidh Angus.”
“Thank you convener, Gaelic was and is an important part of Angus’ history,” he said in translation.
“As the son of a Gael, I welcome this report,” he added, hinting at the hope that Angus might even push itself forward for consideration as a host county for Gaeldom’s major annual celebration of song, arts and culture.
“I feel it would be great if we could have the National Mod held here in Angus, it would be a wonderful opportunity to promote what we have here, and bring a great boost to the area.
“Dundee and Blairgowrie have both hosted the Mod, so I don’t see any reason why we should not put Angus forward for consideration, and that is something I will be asking officials to look at,” he added.
Any chance of Gaelic singers, dancers and musicians making another Tayside foray for the annual gathering will have to wait until 2017 since Paisley, Inverness, Oban and the Western Isles respectively will host the next four events.
Councillor Rob Murray said: “The Act was introduced in 2005 and it’s only now we are being asked to produce a plan, so it is not something we are rushing down the road to implement.
“The finances of this council are in a certain position and it will have to take its place alongside the other duties and commitments we have.”