YOUTH
Ambition: More young people confidently use Gaelic in life, school and work and are encouraged to live and work in Uist into adulthood.
Youth
“I listen to Radio nan Gàidheal most mornings – a great way for me to connect with Gaelic to start the day. I may not hear or speak Gaelic much then, depending on who I see or where I go that day. We have a bilingual household, with a mix of fluent, intermediate and learning levels. Gaelic Medium Education was very important in the children’s fluency and in giving them a sense of place in Gaelic culture, and it made their father learn! Now they are young adults, they don’t have as many opportunities to use the language but they are willing to do so when they can. Overall, bilingualism is great for the brain and supports cultural diversity, two great reasons to strengthen Gaelic use and encourage learners.” – Anna
Action
Organisations who link with this action.
Community Action
01.0 Link with Uist Youth and Young Leader Forums and to integrate Gaelic conversations about and into the planning and creation of youth activities.
Cothrom
Alba FC
Fèis Tìr a’ Mhurain Tir An Eorna Fèisean nan Gàidheal
Taigh Chearsabhagh
Sgioba Gàidhlig CNES
Ro-Innleachd Sgoil Lionacleit
Improvement Plan Sgoil Lionacleit
Repopulation Action Zone
Are you under 25? Participate in the forums and help shape the future of Gaelic in Uist.
01.22 Embed Gaelic in school work experience, ensuring GME pupils have access to Gaelic placements from April 2026.
Schools, CNES, SDS, DYW OH
Are you a business? Offer a work placement where Gaelic is encouraged or essential.
01.3 Include Gaelic elements into vocational courses from Sep 26. Embed Gaelic in school work experience, ensuring GME pupils have access to Gaelic placements from April 2026.
Cothrom
Alba FC
Ceòlas
Museum nan Eilean
Ceann na h-Àirigh
Taigh Chearsabhagh
CNES Gaelic Plan
Sgioba Gàidhlig CNES
Ro-Innleachd Sgoil Lionacleit
Repopulation Zone
Developing the Workforce
As a business owner can you offer incentives to attract Gaelic-speaking staff e.g. hospitality, mechanics, retail, engineering.
01.4 Ensure regular Gaelic camps are available and offered in Uist, bringing Gaelic speakers from elsewhere from July 2026. See Forum >>
CnaG,Cothrom
Alba FC
Ceòlas
Museum nan Eilean
Ceann na h-Àirigh
Taigh Chearsabhagh
CNES Gaelic Plan
Sgioba Gàidhlig CNES
Ro-Innleachd Sgoil Lionacleit
Repopulation Zone
Developing the Workforce
Offer to volunteer at the camps, they won’t happen without people on the ground.
01.5 Embed inclusion of Gaelic through out Careers events and programmes, including Career’s Fairs which showcasing a broad range of sectors from 2026.
Cothrom
Alba FC
Comunn Eachdraidh Eirisgeidh
Ceòlas
Museum nan Eilean
Comann Eachdraidh Uibhist a Tuath
Taigh Chearsabhagh
Sgioba Gàidhlig CNES
Ro-Innleachd Sgoil Lionacleit
Improvement Plan Sgoil Lionacleit
Repopulation Zone
Developing the Workforce
Are you an employer or role model? Come and talk to pupils about Gaelic in your job. Do you use Gaelic in your job? Talk about it on socials.
01.6 Increase Gaelic apprenticeships and post-school placements – aim for 10 new placements by Dec 2027.
Cothrom
Ceòlas
Fèis Tìr a’ Mhurain Tir An Eorna +FnanG
Comann Dualchais Innse Gall
CNES Gaelic Plan
Sgioba Gàidhlig CNES
Repopulation Zone
Developing the Workforce
Encourage your workplace to create or promote a Gaelic placement opportunity.
01.7 Develop peer networks that connect learners and fluent speakers through clubs, sports, music or art, from June 2026. Broaden offer of activities and experiences to support Gaelic use and acquisition
Alba FC
Comunn Eachdraidh Eirisgeidh
Ceòlas
Fèis Tìr a’ Mhurain Tir An Eorna +FnanG
Comann Dualchais Innse Gall
Taigh Chearsabhagh
CNES Gaelic Plan
Ro-Innleachd Sgoil Lionacleit
Improvement Plan Sgoil Lionacleit
Uist Primaries
Repopulation Zone
Set up a Gaelic interest club at your school or youth group.
01.8 Partner with Irish Gaeltacht, Canadian and other Gaelic youth groups to build confidence and exchange culture and ideas from Aug 2027.
Alba FC
Ceòlas
Fèis Tìr a’ Mhurain Tir An Eorna +FnanG
Comann Dualchais Innse Gall
Museum nan Eilean
Taigh Chearsabhagh
Sgioba Gàidhlig CNES
Improvement Plan Sgoil Lionacleit
Want to travel and speak Gaelic? Help plan an exchange programme or cultural link.
1.9 Lobby for expanding the scheme to allow free ferry travel to young people from Jan 2026 (to be equivalent to free bus travel for under 22s).
Could you represent the needs of Uist on Boards such as CalMac or Transport Scotland? Write to your MSP and MP.
1.9 Lobby for expanding the scheme to allow free ferry travel to young people from Jan 2026 (to be equivalent to free bus travel for under 22s).
Could you represent the needs of Uist on Boards such as CalMac or Transport Scotland? Write to your MSP and MP.
0.21 Broaden Gaelic’s presence in school leadership: create Gaelic school captains and integrate into pupil council agendas.
Ro-Innleachd Sgoil Lionacleit
Improvement Plan Sgoil Lionacleit
Uist Primaries
Pupils and Parents: speak up and suggest how Gaelic can be used more in school leadership.
Celebrate young people’s use of Gaelic through Uist Gaelic Ambassador Awards.
Volunteer Centre Uist
Comunn Eachdraidh Eirisgeidh
Ceòlas
Comann Eachdraidh Uibhist a Tuath
Ceann na h-Àirigh
Ro-Innleachd Sgoil Lionacleit
Nominate a young person for their contribution to Gaelic life. Encourage young people to use their Gaelic by engaging in conversation informally.
02.2 Lobby CNES, HHP and relevant bodies to create housing that is prioritised for young, Gaelic speaking families e.g. Kilbeg development in south Skye, where a housing burden retains properties in the community.
HHP, Small Communities Housing Trust, CNES, Riaghaltas na h-Alba.
Are you – or do you know of others – looking to stay in Uist and can’t secure accommodation? Contact these organisations. Help build a fuller picture of what is required.
Join the relevant Boards to ensure all voices are heard.
OUR VISION FOR 2030
Managing the Plan
The Uist Gaelic Stakeholder Group will oversee Plana Gàidhlig Uibhist, meeting quarterly to review progress, update actions, and respond to new opportunities. This regular review will keep the plan active and relevant, allowing it to adapt as local circumstances change. The Group will also include a representative of the Gaelic Youth Forum, once established.
www.planauibhist.scot will act as a central point for updates, practical tools, and examples of what’s working. It will also help individuals, groups, and organisations find ways to contribute or lead on particular actions.
Social media and regular updates in Am Pàipear will help keep Plana Gàidhlig Uibhist visible and connected to the wider community.
Local ambassadors will be appointed across the islands to encourage progress and to share progress on social media.
The aim is steady, continuing and practical progress and not just a one-off campaign soon put aside. By involving individuals, communities, and working closely with local organisations and public bodies, we can create the conditions for Gaelic to be more present and more widely used in everyday life across Uist.