Gaelic names and naming traditions explored in World Gaelic Week talk

Running from Monday 23 February until Sunday 1 March 2026, Seachdain na Gàidhlig (World Gaelic Week) celebrates the Gaelic language and culture, helping to raise its profile locally and across the world.

As part of the week, Moray Council will host a free online talk at 7pm on Monday 23 February, led by Iain Taylor.

Delivered in English and with time for questions, the talk will explore both Gaelic first names and surnames. It will look at the origins of Gaelic first names, how surnames were formed both with and without Mac- and Nic- and points of particular interest to residents of Moray and the wider north-east.

The event is open to everyone, whether they are new to Gaelic or already have an interest in the language. Sign up to attend here.

While World Gaelic Week provides a focal point for celebration, Gaelic activity continues across Moray throughout the year.

Moray Council currently supports two evening classes for Gaelic learners, with strong demand and plans being explored for an additional beginners’ class. There is also a monthly Gaelic conversation group, Srùbag, held at Lhanbryde Community Centre on the second Monday of each month from 10am to 12 noon, as well as regular Gaelic Bookbug sessions at Elgin Library. Find out more about these events here.

Looking ahead, 2026 will also mark a significant milestone for Gaelic in Moray, with the first ever Moray Mòd taking place on 11 September at Holy Trinity Church Hall, organised in partnership with Moray Gaelic Group.

Moray Council Leader, Cllr Kathleen Robertson, said: "World Gaelic Week is a good opportunity to celebrate the Gaelic language and culture. Across Moray, a range of classes, events and conversation groups continue to support and promote the language throughout the year.”

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Sùil air ainmean agus traidiseanan ainmeachaidh Gàidhlig ann an òraid rè Seachdain na Gàidhlig

Fosglaidh comharrachadh Seachdain na Gàidhlig ann am Moireibh le seisean air-loidhne an-asgaidh a bhios a’ coimhead air ainmean agus traidiseanan ainmeachaidh Gàidhlig.

A’ tachairt eadar Diluain 23 Gearran agus Didòmhnaich 1 Màrt 2026, tha Seachdain na Gàidhlig a’ comharrachadh na Gàidhlig agus a cultar, a’ cur a h-ìomhaigh am follais barrachd an dà chuid gu h-ionadail agus air feadh an t-saoghail.

Mar phàirt den t-seachdain, cumaidh Comhairle Mhoireibh òraid air-loidhne an-asgaidh aig 7f air Diluain 23 Gearran, le Iain Mac an Tàilleir.

Air a thoirt seachad sa Bheurla agus le ùine airson ceistean às dèidh làimh, bidh an òraid a’ coimhead an dà chuid air ainmean agus sloinnidhean Gàidhlig. Bheir e sùil air tùs ainmean Gàidhlig, mar a chaidh sloinnidhean a chruthachadh, an dà chuid le, agus às aonais, Mac- agus Nic- agus coimheadaidh e air rudan anns am bi ùidh gu shònraichte aig muinntir Mhoireibh agus an Ear-thuath san fharsaingeachd.

Tha an tachartas fosgailte dhan a h-uile duine, chan eil e gu diofar a bheil Gàidhlig aca no ùidh aca sa chànan mar-thà.  Clàraich airson an t-seisein an seo.

Ged a tha Seachdain na Gàidhlig a’ toirt fòcas do chomharrachadh a’ chànain, tha gnìomhachd Ghàidhlig a’ dol air adhart air feadh Mhoireibh fad na bliadhna.

Tha Comhairle Mhoireibh a’ toirt taic do dhà chlas feasgair do luchd-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig aig an àm seo. Tha iarrtas mòr ann agus thathar a’ coimhead air planaichean gus clas a bharrachd a stèidheachadh do luchd-tòiseachaidh. Tha buidheann còmhraidh Gàidhlig ann gach mìos cuideachd air a bheil Srùbag, a thèid a chumail ann an Ionad Coimhearsnachd Lann Brìghde air an dàrna Diluain de gach mìos bho 10m gu meadhan latha, a bharrachd air seiseanan Bookbug Gàidhlig cunbhalach ann an Leabharlann Eilginn. Faigh a-mach barrachd mu na tachartasan an seo.

A’ coimhead air adhart, bidh clach-mhìle chudromach eile aig a’ Ghàidhlig ann am Moireibh ann an 2026, leis a’ chiad Mhòd Mhoireibh riamh a’ tachairt air 11 Sultain aig Talla Eaglais na Trianaid Naoimh, a chaidh a chur air dòigh ann an com-pàirteachas le Buidheann Ghàidhlig Mhoireibh.

Thuirt Kathleen Robertson, Ceannard Comhairle Mhoireibh: “’S e deagh chothrom a th’ ann an Seachdain na Gàidhlig gus a' Ghàidhlig agus a cultar a chomharrachadh. Tha sreath de chlasaichean, tachartasan agus buidhnean còmhraidh a’ cumail taic ris a’ chànan agus ga brosnachadh fad na bliadhna."