Thursday November 5th 2026
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
A pioneering pilot project to teach Gaelic to a primary school class in the Borders took a significant step forward today – but will only be implemented if Scottish Government agrees to cover most of the costs.
Plans to establish the first Gaelic Medium Primary Education (GMPE) provision in the region moved closer to reality when members of Scottish Borders Council on Thursday, November 5, agreed in principle to establish a class in the Tweeddale area from August 2027.
But the decision is subject to the successful recruitment of suitably qualified staff and confirmation from Scottish Government that it will provide at least 75 per cent funding on an ongoing five-year basis.
Members were told that, although currently unspecified, there were “significant financial implications” associated with the proposals.
The Scottish Borders currently has no Gaelic Medium Education provision.
Families seeking Gaelic-medium education for their children can currently apply for places in neighbouring local authority areas, with the council providing transport where placing requests are successful.
The plan follow a detailed assessment of demand for Gaelic Medium Primary Education (GMPE), which began after the council received a formal request from a parent in July 2025.
Councillor Julie Pirone, SBC’s Executive Member for Education Youth Development and Lifelong Learning, said: “This is a positive step towards providing Gaelic Medium Primary Education in the Scottish Borders and responds directly to the interest expressed by local families.
“We note there is an interest in this type of education provision where children are completely immersed in the language at school.
“We now have an opportunity to work with families and our partners to see how we can establish a high-quality and sustainable service.
“There are still important practical issues to resolve, particularly around recruiting suitably qualified staff and securing ongoing funding.
“We will now focus on that work, with the aim of welcoming the first pupils to Gaelic Medium Primary Education (GMPE) in the Borders late next year.”
During the council debate, Councillor Marshall Douglas, SNP for Tweeddale East, said: “I think it is absolutely essential that we make this provision. The parent requested this over a year ago and it has taken some considerable time for the assessment.
“I think it is essential that Gaelic is within the overall cultural image of Scotland and if it dies here it dies in the world and that’s the words of our King, who is a great exponent of the Gaelic language.
“It’s not a political thing, it’s a cultural thing and it’s essential to the culture of being Scottish as pipes or kilts.”
In response to a assertion during the debate that Gaelic had “never been spoken in the Borders”, Councillor Douglas responded: “That is not correct, historically it was spoken in parts of Peeblesshire and there are many place names that owe their place names to the Gaelic language.”
As part of that process, the council contacted families who had expressed an interest in GMPE.
Eighteen families representing 24 children confirmed their interest, with the level of demand meeting the statutory threshold for progressing consideration of a new provision.
Based on current interest, the first class in August 2027 could include 13 children, comprising eight Primary 2 and five Primary 1 pupils.
The Tweeddale area was identified following consideration of where the majority of interested families are located.
GMPE uses an immersion approach, with Gaelic the sole language of learning, teaching and assessment from P1 to P3.
English is introduced from P4, while Gaelic continues to be the predominant language of teaching.
The council’s feasibility work considered a range of factors including demand, staffing, accommodation, transport, funding and the long-term sustainability of a service.
Education Scotland, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Comann nam Pàrant all supported the establishment of GMPE in the Scottish Borders in their responses to the council’s assessment.
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