Gaelic Road-signs in Edinburgh one step Closer
A council committee passed a proposal for the language to appear on things like place names, bus stops and public buildings.
Bilingual Gaelic signage for Edinburgh could be one step closer, after the council's Gaelic Language Plan passed at committee yesterday, including amendments by the SNP group - committing to more signage for place names, bus and tram stops and council buildings.
Lesley MacInnes is an SNP Councillor for Liberton and Gilmerton, she said "it's really important that we reflect the history of Gaelic in Edinburgh and its current day form, which is a lot of pupils in Edinburgh undertaking Gaelic Medium Education, and the importance it has for us as a capital city".
"Gaelic is part of this city - Dalry, Craigmillar, Corstorphine, are all place names derived from the Gaelic language to name just a few"
"We wanted to very much reinforce the fact that Gaelic is part of this city - Dalry, Craigmillar, Corstorphine, are all place names derived from the Gaelic language to name just a few, we should be proud of our heritage and the impact of the language on the here and now, and that's why I want to see it more on our streets, not just in a few very limited locations"
There was also a Green amendment aimed at securing a site for a dedicated Gaelic medium High School in the capital: "The council will continue to engage with The Scottish Government, the Gaelic community in Edinburgh and other stakeholders to try to identify a site, and the requisite funding to deliver, a GME High School in Edinburgh."
Secondary Gaelic Medium Education in Edinburgh is currently provided by just one school - James Gillespie's. Calls for a dedicated institution in the city have been ongoing for a number of years now.
The Council's plan will now go to Bòrd na Gà idhlig (Gaelic Board) for approval.