Iain Mac an Tàilleir, 2004

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 disguisethe situation?

? Language development must be based on thethe language's true situation. (Hale & Hinton)

If the Gaelic Language Bill is not rooted in theneeds of the Gaelic community, will it be anythingmore than another "Higher Order Prop"? (Fishman)

Explanation

The figures refer to speakers of Gaelic only.

The percentages relate to that part of thepopulation of a parish or area able to speak Gaelic.

More attention is given to the islands because the mainland contains few parishes where morethan 10% of the population speak Gaelic.

Parish means civil parish with legally definedboundaries, e.g. Tongue.

Area or district refers to a smaller place withina civil parish, e.g. Melness.

75% +

50-74%

25-49%

10-24%

The colours below represent thepercentage of anarea's populationable to speak Gaelic.

For example:

Farr: 75% +

Killin: 50-74%

Cromdale: 25-49%

Braemar: 10-24%

1901

< 10%

Luss: < 10%

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

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%. >

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. >

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? >

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.

General Figures

Scotland as a whole

Year 1901

Gaelic speakers230,806*

230,806

* 28,106 Gaelic monoglots

1901

Mull (north): 50-74%

Arran (west): 50-74% Arran (east): 25-49%

All other islands: 75% +

The west and northcoasts from Appinto Farr: 75% +

Cromdale: 25-49%

Blair Athol: 50-74%

Balquhidder: 50-74%

Saddell: 50-74%

Reay: 50-74%

Civil Parishes

General Figures

Scotland as a whole

Year 1901 1921

Gaelic speakers230,806 158,779

158,779

*

* 9,829 Gaelic monoglots

1921

Small Isles: 50-74%

Coll: 50-74%

Mull: 50-74%

Lochalsh: 50-74%

Glenelg: 50-74%

Ardgour: 50-74%Morvern: 50-74%

All other islands: 75% + Arran: < 25%

North Knapdale: 25-49%

Farr: 50-74%Durness: 50-74%Eddrachillis: 50-74%

Civil Parishes

Comparison between 1901 and 1921

1901 1921

General Figures

Scotland as a whole

Year 1901 1921 1971

Gaelic speakers230,806158,779

82,620

82,620

*

* 477 Gaelic monoglots

1971

Rest of Skye: 50-74%

Rinns of Islay: 50-74%

Kilmuir: 75% +

Rest of Islay: 25-49%

Mull (north): < 25%Mull (south): 25-49%

Stornoway: 50-74%

Benbecula andSouth Uist: 50-74%

Coll: 25-49%Tiree: 50-74%

Colonsay: 50-74% Jura : 25-49%

Aplecross: 50-74%the only mainlandcivil parish above 50%

Lewis and Harris(minus Stornoway): 75% +

North Uist: 75% +

Barra: 75% + Small Isles: 25-49%

Civil Parishes

Comparison between 1901 and 1971

1901 19711901

General Figures

Scotland as a whole

Year 1901 1921 1971 2001

Gaelic speakers230,806158,779

82,62058,652

58,562

*

* ? Gaelic monoglots

2001

Lewis: 56%

Harris: 69%

Skye: 31%

Mull: 13% Seil & Luing: 4%

Jura: 11%

North Uist: 67%

Barra: 68%

Tiree: 48%

Colonsay: 23%

Islay: 24%

Coll: 12%

Small Isles: 17%

Gigha: 14%

Lismore: 29%

South Uist: 71%

Benbecula: 56%

The Islands

2001Mainland

20% - Lochalsh19% - Applecross

19% - Kintail

18% - Ardnamurchan

17% - Glensheil

17% - Lochcarron

17% - Tongue

16% - Gairloch

14% - Morvern

14% - Ardgour

13% - Glenelg

12% - Arisaig & Moidart

11% - Lochbroom

Civil Parishes withat least 10% of thepopulation speaksGaelic.

Mainland 2001

Within the civil parishes are areas whereat 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 > Mingarry Park

26% - Melvaig > Peterburn

25% - Mellon Charles

25% - Ardnarff > Stromeferry Station > Achmore

25% - Erbusaig & Badicaul

Census 2001

The areas of strongest Gaelic density

Scalpay Harris 322 84%

Trumisgarry > Newtonferry 106 84%

Stoneybridge > Kildonan 212 82%

Daliburgh & Garryhellie 208 79%

Scaliscro > Iarshader > Linshader 66 79%

Eriskay 133 78%

Brue 131 78%

Boisdale 427 78%

West Harris 142 77%

Eoligarry > Ardveenish 147 76%

Laxay > Soval 136 76%

Ness 1179 75%

Bragar 301 75%

Total 3,510

Census 2001

The strongest and weakest areas inthe Islands

Lewis: Scaliscro > Linshader 79%Braigh 41%

Harris: Scalay 84%Aline > Ardhasaig 57%

North Uist: Trumisgarry 84%Lochmaddy 52%

Benbecula: Liniclete & Torlum 74%Balivanich 37%

South Uist: Middle Quarter 82%Mingarry > Askernish 59%

Barra: North End 76%Vatersay 56%

Skye: Staffin 61%Colbost > Galtrigil 18%

Mull: Fishnish 25%Aros 4%

Islay: Portnahaven 32%Gortontaoid 17%

Census 2001

Density of Gaelic in Skye (31%)

61% - Staffin54% - Tarskavaig & Achnacloich48% - Kingsburgh > Earlish47% - Kilmuir46% - Annishader > Romesdale45% - Bracadale45% - Skinidin, Roag, Orbost43% - Toravaig > Ostaig42% - Uig41% - Drumfearn > Camuscross40% - Bernsidale > Skeabost38% - Elgol38% - Mugeary > Uigshader37% - Portree36% - Raasay35% - Minginish35% - Borve > Skirinish34% - Aird, Ord, Tokavaig34% - Dunvegan

Census 2001

33% - Mol & Sconser33% - Greshornish > Bernisdale Park33% - Braes32% - Torrin & Heaste32% - Vaternish30% - Ose > Ullinish30% - Achachork > Lealt30% - Glendale29% - Roskill, Harlosh, Vatten, Feorlig29% - Breakish > Broadford29% - Sligachan > Glenbrittle29% - Armadale, Ardvasar, Calligarry25% - Kyleakin23% - Luib > Old Corry19% - Lusa > Kylerhea18% - Colbost > Galtrigil

Density of Gaelic in Skye (31%)

Census 2001

Density of Gaelic in Lewis (56%)

73% - Ness and West Side78% - Brue75% - Ness75% - Bragar73% - Barvas72% - Shawbost70% - Galson > Borve69% - Shader & Ballantrushal59% - Arnol

70% - Carloway District72% - Carloway70% - Breasclete > Lochganvich68% - Tolsta a’ Chaolais61% - Dalbeg & Dalmore68% - Uig79% - Scaliscro, Linshader, Iarshader

68% - Gisla > Brenish

64% - Great Bernera

Census 2001

Density of Gaelic in Lewis (56%)

63% - Broad Bay70% - Gress & Glen Tolsta70% - Tolsta68% - Upper Coll62% - Coll & Back51% - Tong61% - Lochs76% - Laxay - Soval69% - Keose68% - Cromore & Marvig66% - Ranish & Crossbost65% - Calbost, Gravir, Lemreway60% - Grimshadar, Achmore57% - Leurbost53% - Arivruich, Eishken51% - Balallan

50% - Garyvard > Sheildinish

Census 2001

Density of Gaelic in Lewis (56%)

56% - Point64% - Knock & Suardale59% - Garrabost56% - Sheshader56% - Aird > Portnagiuran56% - Bayble50% - Aignish43% - Shulishader

44% - Stornoway District49% - Newmarket > Marybank45% - Sandwick & Parkend44% - Stornoway41% - Melbost & Branahuie

Census 2001

Density of Gaelic in Harris (69%)

84% - Scalpay77% - West Side72% - Hushinish > Bunavoneddar69% - Rhenigadale; Urgha > Kyles Scalpay68% - Leverburgh68% - Northton64% - Bays64% - Tarbert62% - Rodel & Strond57% - Aline > Maaruig > Ardhasaig

Census 2001

Density of Gaelic in North Uist (67%) and Benbecula (56%)

67% - North Uist84% - Trumisgarry > Newtonferry

73% - Sollas

71% - Grimsay

70% - Paible & Bayhead

70% - Carinish

69% - West Side

67% - Clachan > Baleshare

64% - Claddach Kirkebost

63% - Berneray

62% - Locheport

52% - Lochmaddy

56% - Benbecula

74% - Liniclete & Torlum

70% - Creagorry > Peter's Port

65% - Griminish & Uiskevagh

62% - Gramsdale & Uachdar

59% - Nunton

37% - Balivanich

Census 2001

Density of Gaelic in South Uist (71%) and Barra (68%)

71% - South Uist82% - Middle Quarter

79% - Daliburgh & Garryhellie

78% - Eriskay

78% - Boisdale

70% - Iochdar

66% - Snishival > Lochskipport

64% - Gerinish

60% - Lochcarnan

60% - Lochboisdale

59% - Milton > Askernish

68% - Barra

76% - Eoligarry > Ardveenish

74% - Northbay > Brevig

66% - Tangusdale > Castlebay > Glen

62% - Cliad > Borve

56% - Vatersay

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 > Ardtalla

22% - Gruinart, Kilchoman, Ardnave

22% - Bruichladdich

20% - Oa

18% - Ballygrant

17% - Gortontaoid

11% - Jura

Census 2001

Density of Gaelic in North Argyll Islands

13% - Mull

25% - Fishnish

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

48% - Tiree 12% - Coll

29% - Lismore

7% - Easdale

4% - Seil

3% - Luing

Census 2001

These areas in Sutherland were in parishes above 75% in 1901.

28% - Melness

27% - Culkein16% - Balchrick13% - Durness13% - Tongue12% - Skerray11% - Stoer9% - Unapool > Drumbeg9% - Cape Wrath, Hope9% - Far, Armadale9% - Portskerra8% - Aultiphurst8% - Bettyhill7% - Strathnaver7% - Laxford7% - Kinlochbervie5% - Strath Halladale5% - Scourie5% - Lochinver4% - Achmelvich3% - Melvich, Strathy3% - Ledmore

16% - Polbain15% - Achiltibuie15% - Ardmair > Elphin

Census 2001

35% - South Applecross 27% - Duirnish, Drumbuie27% - Aultbea26% - Melvaig, Peterburn25% - Mellon Charles25% - Ardnarff, Stromeferry Station, Achmore25% - Erbusaig, Badicaul23% - Camusluinie > Camuslongart22% - Plockton22% - South Lochbroom21% - Ardelve > Avernish20% - Balmacara20% - Inverinate19% - Kyle of Lochalsh18% - Glenelg & Arnisdale18% - Port Henderson > Redpoint18% - Ratagan > Letterfearn17% - Naast > Cove17% - Slumbay, North Strome17% - Lochcarron17% - North Applecross17% - Torridon17% - Laide > Opinan

These areas in Ross and Inverness-shire were in parishes above 75% in 1901.

Census 2001

16% - Gairloch16% - Cluanie > Sheilbridge > Morvich16% - Dornie & Bundalloch15% - Bualnaluib > Ormiscaig15% - Alligin, Diabaig15% - Knoydart, Loch Nevis14% - Kinlochewe > Achnasheen14% - Sand > Mungasdale13% - North Erradale > Big Sand13% - Strathcarron > Achnashellach11% - Achintraid > Kishorn11% - Auchtertyre > Reraig11% - Ullpool10% - Poolewe10% - Badluachrach > Durnamuck9% - Dundonnell > Scoraig8% - Loch Maree7% - Braes of Ullapool7% - Kerrysdale > Badachro5% - Braemore > Leckmelm5% - Sheildaig > Balgy

These areas in Ross and Inverness-shire were in parishes above 75% in 1901.

Census 2001

32% - Acharacle28% - Sheilfoot & Ardtoe26% - Dalilea > Mingarry Park23% - Drimnin > Fiunary19% - Morar16% - Ardnamurchan15% - Glenuig15% - Arisaig14% - South Locheil14% - Strontian12% - Lochaline12% - South Loch Morar12% - Liddesdale > Inversanda11% - Ardgour11% - Mallaig11% - Portnacroish10% - Glencreran10% - Anaheilt > Resipol

All other areas now under 10%.

These areas in Morar, Lochaber and Argyll were in parishes above 75% in 1901.

Census 2001: 100 years of decline

1901 2001

Census 2001

Notes - 1

Gaelic is declining extremely quickly, but there is nothing inevitable about language death.

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 nowas 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.

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 aretoday but the effect of education was intense.

Census 2001

Notes - 2

Hundreds of languages are in a more perilous state than Gaelic.

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 developand 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.

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 beuseful to the language in a political sense, according to MacKinnon.