Sir, I am writing with regard to the article written by Jack McKeown, Worth the struggle? (July 17), and the nonchalant view towards Gaelic displayed by many in Scotland.
What the writer failed to state in his article was that both the Inverness and Glasgow Gaelic schools have had such a huge success rate with pupil numbers that there are talks and hopeful plans to build either an extension or another GME school in both cities.
Edinburgh has recently opened its first GME school, which also has a full take of pupils.
The race is long and the plan is for a five-year period of growth. I believe it’s far too early to be critical of it, and it is not as if there is a decline.
There was a 6% increase in students being educated through the language. Let’s wait and see over the whole timeframe before we start criticising. You wouldn’t hear a Formula 1 commentator dismissing Vettel after 10 laps.
For decades Gaelic was underfunded, its use was discouraged and in some extreme cases beaten out of people. Gaelic receives only 0.7% of the Scottish Government’s budget.
It’s a small price to pay for what is a hugely important, beautiful part of Scotland’s culture and an official language of Scotland.
Kevin Gillies. 42a Barry Road, Carnoustie.
Thousands are enjoying it and more will join
Sir, In your edition of July 17, Jack McKeown poses the question, Worth the struggle? with regard to the teaching of Gaelic.
The thousands of parents whose children are enjoying the benefits of education through the medium of Gaelic clearly think so, as do, presumably, upwards of 20,000 people across Scotland who are currently learning Gaelic at all ages and stages
The article, however, raises a further question: would a reasonable person expect that the effects of centuries of language suppression and institutional neglect can be overturned within a decade of the establishment of the first Gaelic Language Act?
Regarding funding, in this context, it should be noted that apart from what is spent on Gaelic education and broadcasting it could be argued that the majority of the Scottish Government’s £30 billion budget promotes English in one way or another.
Finally, children receiving their education through the medium of Gaelic derive additional benefits from this experience associated with bilingualism. Arguably, Gaelic-medium education gives better value for money than the alternative. The 428 new entrants to P1 Gaelic-medium education in 2012/2013 will be followed by many others.
John A. MacKay. Ceannard (CEO), Bord na Gaidhlig, Great Glen House, Leachkin Road, Inverness.
Cowed into silence
Sir, What I find intriguing as yet more scandals unfold is why so few of those observing such deplorable activity in the NHS felt able to blow the whistle or raise some warning flags?
Sadly, it appears decent workers were cowed into silence not only by the management but by a Labour government who had come to view the NHS as an electoral asset.
Again and again such life and death issues remain hidden until it becomes impossible to continue the cover-up because people prefer to believe they are helpless.
Yet it is absolutely essential to have the likes of a Climategate whistleblower uncover nefarious activity going on behind the closed doors of public institutions.
Dr John Cameron. 10 Howard Place, St Andrews.
It works both ways . . .
Sir, I am grateful to Morag Stephen for pointing out that Carnoustie Ladies is also a ladies-only golf club. (Letters, July 17)
I had previously pointed this out to Gavin Corbett, a Green councillor in Edinburgh, who was trying to discredit the Conservative councillors because they disagreed with Alex Salmond’s boycott of the Open at Muirfield.
I asked him if he would be as vocal with ladies-only clubs and other organisations. Silence.
Ladies are perfectly entitled to have ladies-only organisations and long may they continue and prosper.
Clark Cross. 138 Springfield Road, Linlithgow.
Not Silver but Dark Green?
Sir, In response to the recent picture of the day by Eric Niven of a butterfly near Tullybaccart, I would say it is more like a Dark Green Fritillary than a Silver-washed Fritillary. The Dark Green has a distinctly smaller spot in the centre of the row and more arrow shaped row below these. I am not an expert, though, and would suggest Eric send his photograph to David Lampard at the McManus Gallery for an accurate identification.
Art Sangster. Community Safety Hub, West District Housing Office, 3 Sinclair Street, Lochee, Dundee.