Parents across Scotland could soon play a direct role in bringing Gaelic education to their communities.
New legislation from the Scottish Government will give families the right to request the creation of a Gaelic school in their area.
Local authorities will be required to assess whether the request is practical and affordable.
If the council supports the idea, ministers may then direct that a new Gaelic school be established.
The proposals are part of the wide-ranging Scottish Languages Bill, which seeks to secure the future of both Gaelic and Scots.
One of its central aims is to introduce national educational standards for both languages.
The Bill would also formally recognise Gaelic and Scots as official languages of Scotland.
In a further step, the legislation plans to create areas of linguistic significance in Gaelic-speaking communities.
These zones will allow ministers to focus support where Gaelic remains strongest, helping communities to grow and thrive.
Parents across the country will also be able to apply for Gaelic nursery and early years education, even in areas where such provision does not yet exist.
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic, Kate Forbes, revealed the plans during a visit to Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis.
She was joined by Scotland’s first Gaelic-speaking national poet, Dr Peter Mackay, who is also known as the Makar.
The visit marked 40 years since Gaelic medium education first began in Scotland.
Ms Forbes spoke with passion about the need to protect and promote Scotland’s native languages.
“This Bill aims to build a strong foundation to support Gaelic’s continued growth following an encouraging increase in Gaelic speakers and learners across Scotland,” she said.
She described how the legislation would expand Gaelic education and better establish both Gaelic and Scots as national languages.
Ms Forbes praised the impact Gaelic schools have already made across Scotland.
She said that Gaelic medium education enriches communities and offers excellent value for money.
In many areas, Gaelic medium schools are seeing students achieve higher grades across all qualification levels.
Despite this strong academic performance, she stressed that costs remain broadly similar to English medium schools.
To support this growth, the Scottish Government is also investing an additional £5.7 million this year to promote both Scots and Gaelic.
Dr Mackay welcomed the proposals with warmth and pride.
“It’s fantastic to have seen the growth of Gaelic medium education over the last 40 years.
“It’s something we should be very proud of,” he said.
He emphasised the importance of continued support to help Gaelic flourish as a community language in the Highlands and Islands.
Dr Mackay also highlighted the need to encourage Scots speakers and communities across the country.
The Scottish Languages Bill represents one of the most ambitious efforts yet to secure the future of Scotland’s rich linguistic heritage.
There is now real hope that both Gaelic and Scots will continue to thrive for generations to come.
