Gaelic

1
1901 - 2001
Gaelic in the Census
2
Reasons for Research
The information is easily accessible. (SCROL)
Comparison with new research from Ireland
Hindley Ó Murchadha Coimisiún na Gaeltachta
Did early interpretations of the figures
disguise the situation?
?
Language development must be based on the the
language's true situation. (Hale Hinton)
If the Gaelic Language Bill is not rooted in
the needs of the Gaelic community, will it be
anything more than another "Higher Order Prop"?
(Fishman)
3
Explanation
The figures refer to speakers of Gaelic only.
The percentages relate to that part of
the population of a parish or area able to speak
Gaelic.
More attention is given to the islands because
the mainland contains few parishes where
more than 10 of the population speak Gaelic.
Parish means civil parish with legally
defined boundaries, e.g. Tongue.
Area or district refers to a smaller place
within a civil parish, e.g. Melness.
4
The colours below represent the percentage of
an area's population able to speak Gaelic.
For example
Farr 75
75
Killin 50-74
Cromdale 25-49
50-74
Braemar 10-24
Luss lt 10
25-49
10-24
lt 10
1901
5

• Census 2001
• General Figures
• Highlands agus Lowlands
• Gaelic in school
• Fìor Ghaidhealtachd

• 1901 - 2001
• Censuses 1901, 1921, 1971 2001
• Comparison between censuses

• Details for 2001
• The strongest areas and parishes
• The Islands
• The Mainland

6

• Census 2001
• General Figures

• 58,652 people speak Gaelic.

• 92,396 people speak or understand or read or
  write Gaelic.

• There are 3 areas where more than 80 of the
  population can speak Gaelic.

• 640 Gaelic speakers live in areas over 80.

• 3,510 Gaelic speakers live in areas over 75. gt

7

• Census 2001
• Highlands and Lowlands
• What does Highlands mean? Is it where Gaelic is
  spoken?
• Are people in areas where Gaelic was spoken a
  generation ago more favourably
• disposed towards Gaelic?
• 55.5 of the Gaelic population live in the
  traditional areas.
• 44.5 of them live in the "Lowlands".
• Are the "Lowlands" becoming ever more important
  to Gaelic?
• There are areas in the "Highlands" no more
  Gaelic-speaking than Coatbridge. gt

8

• Census 2001
• Gaelic in School
• Most primary schools in the study area have
  Gaelic education schemes.
• Do the parents of children in Gaelic education
  register them as Gaelic speakers? This
  happened in Perthshire in the 1980s.
• Are the Census figures higher than they should be
  as a result of this? gt

9

• Census 2001
• Fìor Ghaidhealtachd
• If over 75 of a community speak Gaelic, it would
  be expected that
• Gaelic is the community language
• children learn and use Gaelic in the home and
  community.
• There are 13 districts of this type in Scotland,
  with 3,510 Gaelic speakers living in them.
• (In 1981, there were 20,345 Gaelic speakers
  living in areas over 75.)
• (In 1901 there were over 100,000 Gaelic speakers
  living in them.)
• Do Gaelic speakers have the opportunity to speak
  the language?
• Who are the people recorded as such fluent
  speakers, beginners, school children?
• As a result of immigration is the community
  language shifting or do two separate
• "communities" exist?
• These questions cannot be answered without
  fieldwork to determine local language use.

10
General Figures Scotland as a whole
230,806
Year 1901
Gaelic speakers 230,806
28,106 Gaelic monoglots
11
1901
Civil Parishes
Reay 50-74
The west and north coasts from Appin to Farr 75

Cromdale 25-49
All other islands 75
Blair Athol 50-74
Mull (north) 50-74
Balquhidder 50-74
Saddell 50-74
Arran (west) 50-74
Arran (east) 25-49
12
General Figures Scotland as a whole
158,779
Year 1901 1921
Gaelic speakers 230,806 158,779

9,829 Gaelic monoglots
13
1921
Civil Parishes
Farr 50-74
Durness 50-74
Eddrachillis 50-74
Lochalsh 50-74
Small Isles 50-74
Glenelg 50-74
Ardgour 50-74 Morvern 50-74
Coll 50-74
Mull 50-74
North Knapdale 25-49
All other islands 75
Arran lt 25
14
Comparison between 1901 and 1921
1901
1921
15
General Figures Scotland as a whole
82,620
Year 1901 1921 1971
Gaelic speakers 230,806 158,779 82,620

477 Gaelic monoglots
16
1971
Civil Parishes
Stornoway 50-74
Lewis and Harris(minus Stornoway) 75
North Uist 75
Kilmuir 75
Benbecula and South Uist 50-74
Rest of Skye 50-74
Small Isles 25-49
Barra 75
Coll 25-49
Mull (north) lt 25 Mull (south) 25-49
Tiree 50-74
Colonsay 50-74
Jura 25-49
Rinns of Islay 50-74
Rest of Islay 25-49
Aplecross 50-74 the only mainland civil parish
above 50
17
Comparison between 1901 and 1971
1901
1971
1901
18
General Figures Scotland as a whole
58,562
Year 1901 1921 1971 2001
Gaelic speakers 230,806 158,779 82,620 58,652

? Gaelic monoglots
19
The Islands
2001
Lewis 56
Harris 69
North Uist 67
Benbecula 56
Skye 31
South Uist 71
Small Isles 17
Barra 68
Coll 12
Lismore 29
Tiree 48
Mull 13
Seil Luing 4
Colonsay 23
Jura 11
Islay 24
Gigha 14
20
2001
Mainland
Civil Parishes with at least 10 of
the population speaks Gaelic.
17 - Tongue
11 - Lochbroom
16 - Gairloch
19 - Applecross
17 - Lochcarron
20 - Lochalsh
19 - Kintail
17 - Glensheil
13 - Glenelg
12 - Arisaig Moidart
14 - Ardgour
18 - Ardnamurchan
14 - Morvern
21
Mainland 2001
Within the civil parishes are areas where at
least 25 of the population speaks Gaelic.
35 - South Applecross
32 - Acharacle
28 - Melness
28 - Sheilfoot Ardtoe
27 - Duirnish Drumbuie
27 - Aultbea
27 - Culkein
26 - Dalilea gt Mingarry Park
26 - Melvaig gt Peterburn
25 - Mellon Charles
25 - Ardnarff gt Stromeferry Station gt Achmore
25 - Erbusaig Badicaul
22
Census 2001
The areas of strongest Gaelic density
Scalpay Harris 322 84
Trumisgarry gt Newtonferry 106 84
Stoneybridge gt Kildonan 212 82
Daliburgh Garryhellie 208 79
Scaliscro gt Iarshader gt Linshader
66 79
Eriskay 133 78
Brue 131 78
Boisdale 427 78
West Harris 142 77
Eoligarry gt Ardveenish 147 76
Laxay gt Soval 136 76
Ness 1179 75
Bragar 301 75
Total 3,510
23
Census 2001
The strongest and weakest areas in the Islands
Lewis Scaliscro gt Linshader 79 Braigh 41
Harris Scalay 84 Aline gt
Ardhasaig 57
North Uist Trumisgarry 84 Lochmaddy 52
Benbecula Liniclete Torlum 74 Balivanich
37
South Uist Middle Quarter 82 Mingarry gt
Askernish 59
Barra North End 76 Vatersay 56
Skye Staffin 61 Colbost gt Galtrigil 18
Mull Fishnish 25 Aros 4
Islay Portnahaven 32 Gortontaoid 17
24
Census 2001
Density of Gaelic in Skye (31)
61 - Staffin
54 - Tarskavaig Achnacloich
48 - Kingsburgh gt Earlish
47 - Kilmuir
46 - Annishader gt Romesdale
45 - Bracadale
45 - Skinidin, Roag, Orbost
43 - Toravaig gt Ostaig
42 - Uig
41 - Drumfearn gt Camuscross
40 - Bernsidale gt Skeabost
38 - Elgol
38 - Mugeary gt Uigshader
37 - Portree
36 - Raasay
35 - Minginish
35 - Borve gt Skirinish
34 - Aird, Ord, Tokavaig
34 - Dunvegan
25
Census 2001
Density of Gaelic in Skye (31)
33 - Mol Sconser
33 - Greshornish gt Bernisdale Park
33 - Braes
32 - Torrin Heaste
32 - Vaternish
30 - Ose gt Ullinish
30 - Achachork gt Lealt
30 - Glendale
29 - Roskill, Harlosh, Vatten, Feorlig
29 - Breakish gt Broadford
29 - Sligachan gt Glenbrittle
29 - Armadale, Ardvasar, Calligarry
25 - Kyleakin
23 - Luib gt Old Corry
19 - Lusa gt Kylerhea
18 - Colbost gt Galtrigil
26
Census 2001
Density of Gaelic in Lewis (56)
73 - Ness and West Side
78 - Brue
75 - Ness
75 - Bragar
73 - Barvas
72 - Shawbost
70 - Galson gt Borve
69 - Shader Ballantrushal
59 - Arnol
70 - Carloway District
72 - Carloway
70 - Breasclete gt Lochganvich
68 - Tolsta a Chaolais
61 - Dalbeg Dalmore
68 - Uig
79 - Scaliscro, Linshader, Iarshader
68 - Gisla gt Brenish
64 - Great Bernera
27
Census 2001
Density of Gaelic in Lewis (56)
63 - Broad Bay
70 - Gress Glen Tolsta
70 - Tolsta
68 - Upper Coll
62 - Coll Back
51 - Tong
61 - Lochs
76 - Laxay - Soval
69 - Keose
68 - Cromore Marvig
66 - Ranish Crossbost
65 - Calbost, Gravir, Lemreway
60 - Grimshadar, Achmore
57 - Leurbost
53 - Arivruich, Eishken
51 - Balallan
50 - Garyvard gt Sheildinish
28
Census 2001
Density of Gaelic in Lewis (56)
56 - Point
64 - Knock Suardale
59 - Garrabost
56 - Sheshader
56 - Aird gt Portnagiuran
56 - Bayble
50 - Aignish
43 - Shulishader
44 - Stornoway District
49 - Newmarket gt Marybank
45 - Sandwick Parkend
44 - Stornoway
41 - Melbost Branahuie
29
Census 2001
Density of Gaelic in Harris (69)
84 - Scalpay
77 - West Side
72 - Hushinish gt Bunavoneddar
69 - Rhenigadale Urgha gt Kyles Scalpay
68 - Leverburgh
68 - Northton
64 - Bays
64 - Tarbert
62 - Rodel Strond
57 - Aline gt Maaruig gt Ardhasaig
30
Census 2001
Density of Gaelic in North Uist (67) and
Benbecula (56)
67 - North Uist
84 - Trumisgarry gt Newtonferry
73 - Sollas
71 - Grimsay
70 - Paible Bayhead
70 - Carinish
69 - West Side
67 - Clachan gt Baleshare
64 - Claddach Kirkebost
63 - Berneray
62 - Locheport
52 - Lochmaddy
56 - Benbecula
74 - Liniclete Torlum
70 - Creagorry gt Peter's Port
65 - Griminish Uiskevagh
62 - Gramsdale Uachdar
59 - Nunton
37 - Balivanich
31
Census 2001
Density of Gaelic in South Uist (71) and Barra
(68)
71 - South Uist
82 - Middle Quarter
79 - Daliburgh Garryhellie
78 - Eriskay
78 - Boisdale
70 - Iochdar
66 - Snishival gt Lochskipport
64 - Gerinish
60 - Lochcarnan
60 - Lochboisdale
59 - Milton gt Askernish
68 - Barra
76 - Eoligarry gt Ardveenish
74 - Northbay gt Brevig
66 - Tangusdale gt Castlebay gt Glen
62 - Cliad gt Borve
56 - Vatersay
32
Census 2001
Density of Gaelic in Islay (24)
32 - Portnahaven
29 - Port Charlotte
25 - Port Askaig Bonahaven
24 - Bridgend
24 - Port Ellen
24 - Keils
23 - Bowmore
22 - Ardbeg gt Ardtalla
22 - Gruinart, Kilchoman, Ardnave
22 - Bruichladdich
20 - Oa
18 - Ballygrant
17 - Gortontaoid
11 - Jura
33
Census 2001
Density of Gaelic in North Argyll Islands
13 - Mull
48 - Tiree
12 - Coll
4 - Seil
25 - Fishnish
7 - Easdale
3 - Luing
29 - Lismore
18 - Quinish
18 - Salen
17 - Gruline
16 - Loch Tuath
14 - Tobermory
13 - Craignure
11 - Bunessan

11 - Calgary
10 - Fionnphort
8 - Ardchivaig
7 - Brolass
5 - Dervaig
5 - Iona
4 - Mishnish
4 - Aros
34
Census 2001
These areas in Sutherland were in parishes above
75 in 1901.
28 - Melness
27 - Culkein
16 - Balchrick
13 - Durness
13 - Tongue
12 - Skerray
11 - Stoer
9 - Unapool gt Drumbeg
9 - Cape Wrath, Hope
9 - Far, Armadale
9 - Portskerra
8 - Aultiphurst
8 - Bettyhill
7 - Strathnaver
7 - Laxford
7 - Kinlochbervie
5 - Strath Halladale
5 - Scourie
5 - Lochinver
16 - Polbain 15 - Achiltibuie 15 - Ardmair gt
Elphin
4 - Achmelvich
3 - Melvich, Strathy
3 - Ledmore
35
Census 2001
These areas in Ross and Inverness-shire were in
parishes above 75 in 1901.
35 - South Applecross
27 - Duirnish, Drumbuie
27 - Aultbea
26 - Melvaig, Peterburn
25 - Mellon Charles
25 - Ardnarff, Stromeferry Station, Achmore
25 - Erbusaig, Badicaul
23 - Camusluinie gt Camuslongart
22 - Plockton
22 - South Lochbroom
21 - Ardelve gt Avernish
20 - Balmacara
20 - Inverinate
19 - Kyle of Lochalsh
18 - Glenelg Arnisdale
18 - Port Henderson gt Redpoint
18 - Ratagan gt Letterfearn
17 - Naast gt Cove
17 - Slumbay, North Strome
17 - Lochcarron
17 - North Applecross
17 - Torridon
17 - Laide gt Opinan
36
Census 2001
These areas in Ross and Inverness-shire were in
parishes above 75 in 1901.
16 - Gairloch
16 - Cluanie gt Sheilbridge gt Morvich
16 - Dornie Bundalloch
15 - Bualnaluib gt Ormiscaig
15 - Alligin, Diabaig
15 - Knoydart, Loch Nevis
14 - Kinlochewe gt Achnasheen
14 - Sand gt Mungasdale
13 - North Erradale gt Big Sand
13 - Strathcarron gt Achnashellach
11 - Achintraid gt Kishorn
11 - Auchtertyre gt Reraig
11 - Ullpool
10 - Poolewe
10 - Badluachrach gt Durnamuck
9 - Dundonnell gt Scoraig
8 - Loch Maree
7 - Braes of Ullapool
7 - Kerrysdale gt Badachro
5 - Braemore gt Leckmelm
5 - Sheildaig gt Balgy
37
Census 2001
These areas in Morar, Lochaber and Argyll were in
parishes above 75 in 1901.
32 - Acharacle
28 - Sheilfoot Ardtoe
26 - Dalilea gt Mingarry Park
23 - Drimnin gt Fiunary
19 - Morar
16 - Ardnamurchan
15 - Glenuig
15 - Arisaig
14 - South Locheil
14 - Strontian
12 - Lochaline
12 - South Loch Morar
12 - Liddesdale gt Inversanda
11 - Ardgour
11 - Mallaig
11 - Portnacroish
10 - Glencreran
10 - Anaheilt gt Resipol
All other areas now under 10.
38
Census 2001 100 years of decline
1901
2001
39
Census 2001
Notes - 1
Gaelic is declining extremely quickly, but there
is nothing inevitable about language death.
The north and west coasts of the mainland were
more strongly Gaelic in 1901 than the strongest
areas in the Western Isles today.
The media, immigration, travel and globalisation
were not as omnipotent in 1901 as they are today
but the effect of education was intense.
Remoteness per se was not enough to prevent
language shift.
There were thousands of Gaelic monoglots in 1901
with a huge impact on their communities.
According to the figures only, places like
Scalpay are almost as strongly Gaelic-speaking
now as they were a hundred years ago.
Over the past twenty years Gaelic has made great
progress in fields such as education, broadcasting
, awareness, status. It's not all bad news.
40
Census 2001
Notes - 2
Hundreds of languages are in a more perilous
state than Gaelic.
The situation of Gaelic is in no way unusual or
even without hope compared with many other
languages throughout the world.
Although not everyone recorded as a
Gaelic-speaker may be fluent, partial speakers
may be useful to the language in a political
sense, according to MacKinnon.
The figures do not tell us who the 58,652
Gaelic-speakers are.
Now that all Gaelic-speakers also speak English,
what is the effect uon communities?
The Government, local authorities, Gaelic
organisations and public bodies must develop and
implement language plans.
Other more advanced and professional language
movements in countries such as Canada, Wales,
Ireland, Catalonia, Latvia and the Basque Country
should be looked to for guidance.