Gaelic School win Debate

The Glasgow Gaelic School have been victorious for the first time in the annual BT Scotland Gaelic Debate, held in the Scottish Parliament, Just a day after the publication of the SNP’s white paper, the final stage of the competition saw two teams debating for and against the motion that the independence referendum is the most important event happening for Scotland’s young people in the coming year.

Glasgow Gaelic’s two-part team, consisting of fifth year pupils Sarah MacDonald and Molly MacGregor, were arguing for the motion, whilst the opposition- two pupils from Lionacleit School in the Western Isles- contested against.

The girls from Glasgow, both avid supporters of the Yes Scotland campaign, were hailed as the winners of the prestigious competition, which this year celebrated its 15th anniversary. With the BT Debate standing as the only all Gaelic nation-wide debating contest, this year’s particularly relevant subject matter has raised speculation of the future of Gaelic if Scots were to vote in favour of independence in next year’s referendum.

The language which has been described by Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael as “an enormously important part of Scottish cultural life”, has received recognition in the white paper.

On page 316 of the SNP’s guide to Scotland’s future, it reads: “We plan to create a secure future for Gaelic in Scotland by increasing the numbers learning, speaking and using Gaelic, through Gaelic education in all sectors and stages such as early years, primary and secondary education. We will continue our support for the work of Bòrd na Gàidhlig in promoting the use of Gaelic in Scottish public, cultural and community life. In addition, we will maintain our support for MG ALBA, which has brought significant benefits for Gaelic.”

Though somewhat vague, the SNP’s promise to continue the promotion of the Gaelic language across the country is undoubtedly a step in the right direction.

One half of the BT Debate’s winning team, Sarah MacDonald, welcomed the statement, saying, “Independence seems to be the only way for the future of Gaelic. After all, when have you ever heard David Cameron promoting the language?”

Official support from the Scottish Government gives the Gaelic language further opportunity to thrive, not just in education, but in the media, arts and general community too.

With the opening of Edinburgh’s first all Gaelic primary school in August, and the plans for a second Gaelic primary in Glasgow, it seems the language has never been so positively promoted in the central belt.

BBC Alba has viewing figures five times higher than the number of Gaelic speakers in Scotland, showing that enthusiasm for the language is not limited to the generally small communities who speak it.

In an independent Scotland, the prospects for Gaelic can surely only improve further.