Thursday June 19th 2025
Sign in East Lothian with Gaelic writing
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp
The number of people with Gaelic skills in East Lothian has nearly doubled over the last 14 years, a new report has revealed.
East Lothian Council says the 2022 census found 1, 396 residents above the age of three had some ability to use the traditional language.
It added out of those, 638 said they spoke Gaelic with 452 people who said they could speak and read but not write Gaelic and 385 Gaelic literate speakers while 15 people said that Gaelic was their main language.
The local authority highlighted the figures as it launched a public consultation on its new Gaelic Language Plan, which covers the period 2025-30.
The draft plan, which the council has a statutory duty to renew, sets out actions to help meet a commitment to the aspirations and objectives included in the National Gaelic Language Plan and the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005.
And it reveals the results of the census show use of the language is on the increase.
In its report it says lowland Scots rather than Gaelic would have been spoken in East Lothian, however, there are some examples of place names in East Lothian having Gaelic origins, such as:
• Cuil Choinnich – Cockenzie (the neuk of Coinneach)
• Craobhbarraidh – Carberry (at the palisade)
• Fan Taisidh – Phantassie (at the damp slope)
• An garbh-Allt – Garvald (the rough burn)
The report says the Jacobite army that fought in the Battle of Prestonpans (1745) was largely made up of Gaelic speaking Highland clansmen and the interest in commemorating the battle has resulted in the provision of some bi-lingual road signs and place names around the battlefield site.
It says the council is now looking to build on its first Gaelic Language Plan, which covered the period 2020-25 and looked at ways to encourage and establish the use of the language and community engagement.
A council spokesperson said the council hoped to build on the progress of recent years by continuing to develop Gaelic language provision in East Lothian in a proportionate way.
They said: “The draft plan recognises how the council can playing our part in making Gaelic more visible, valued and accessible — ensuring it thrives as part of our diverse and inclusive cultural landscape.
“Since 2011, there has been an increase in the number of people with Gaelic language skills in East Lothian. Gaelic, however, continues to face a number of challenges and that is why organisations such as East Lothian Council are required to play their part in supporting collective efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability of the language. We would encourage everyone with an interest to respond to the consultation.”
The consolation can be found here and runs until August 4th.
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