Approval for draft Gaelic plan
Moray councillors today approved a draft Gaelic language plan for public consultation.
All public bodies in Scotland are required by law to develop a plan to help promote Gaelic to the greatest possible extent.
The council’s policy and resources committee was told that according to results from the 2011 census approximately 1100 people in Moray have varying degrees of understanding of spoken or written Gaelic.
Although not recognised as a traditional Gaelic speaking area, Gaelic was spoken by most people in Moray until the late 18th century and the majority of place names are adapted from Gaelic.
The draft plan will go out to consultation and a further report will be brought back to councillors in December.
The legislation requires that the draft plan is translated into Gaelic, which the committee was told would cost £700.
Moray Council area stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Forres in the west. The council and its 4,500 employees respond to the needs of 92,500 residents in this beautiful part of Scotland, which nestles between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands.
Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live.
Headquartered in Elgin, the administrative capital of Moray.