New Gaelic research survey launched - News

Major push to chart Scottish Gaelic’s impact on visitor economy

Working in collaboration with key partners, we are encouraging tourism businesses, community groups, social enterprises and Gaelic‑led organisations across the country to take part in a significant new research project exploring the economic, social and cultural impact of the Gaelic language.

The study, launched in partnership with the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Scottish Government, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, and Skills Development Scotland, will build a detailed understanding of how the value of Gaelic to the visitor economy and where targeted investment can have the greatest impact.

Commissioned by HIE and delivered by GC Insight with Reference Economics and Lasair Ltd, the research will gather first‑hand insight from organisations using Gaelic in their day‑to‑day operations. The findings will support future policy decisions and help shape long‑term strategies that strengthen the language’s role in Scotland’s wider economic and community development.

Book end that reads failte

Gaelic Tourism Strategy Launch at the National Library of Scotland. Credit Phil Wilkinson / VisitScotland

Why this matters for tourism

Scottish Gaelic continues to play an important role in shaping Scotland’s identity, especially within the visitor experience. From place names and storytelling to festivals, community events and cultural attractions, the language provides a unique layer of authenticity that deepens visitors’ connection to Scotland’s landscapes and heritage.

“Scottish Gaelic brings a unique and authentic layer to Scotland’s visitor experience and being part of this research is hugely important to VisitScotland. Understanding the economic, social, and cultural impact of the language across Scotland will help us better highlight and utilise its role within the country’s visitor economy.“As the national tourism and events organisation, we are committed to showcasing the language as a meaningful part of a visit to Scotland, enriching our communities and deepening visitors’ connection to the places they explore.“We look forward to working in partnership with Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Scottish Government, Skills Development Scotland, and HIE on this research, and to the insights it will bring to strengthening the value of Gaelic across the tourism and events sector and beyond.”

Rob Dickson, VisitScotland’s Director of Industry and Events

National partners underline importance of the research

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes highlighted the role the study will play in directing future investment. “This new research will help us identify where investment in Gaelic can have the greatest impact to ensure the language thrives. The findings will also explore how we can use Gaelic to attract tourists and boost visitor spending in communities across Scotland. Our Scottish Languages Act gave Gaelic official status, and we are backing this commitment with an extra £1.8 million for Gaelic initiatives in the draft Scottish Budget for 2026–27.”

Ealasaid Dhòmhnallach, Ceannard Bòrd na Gàidhlig, added: “This important research will inform our approach to investing in Gaelic and supporting the language as an economic catalyst for our communities. It will provide a platform for targeted investment, collaboration and a clearer understanding of both the opportunities and challenges facing Gaelic-speaking communities.”

historic settlement surrounded by grass on a sunny clear day

Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, Isle Of Lewis. Credit VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

How to take part

Organisations, businesses and events that use Gaelic in their activities - whether regularly or occasionally - are encouraged to share their experiences. Their input will help shape future investment and guide how partners across Scotland can better support the language and its communities.

Take part in the survey

Iomairt mhòr gus measadh a dhèanamh air buaidh na Gàidhlig air eaconamaidh an luchd-tadhail

Tha sinne, ann an co-bhuinn ri prìomh luchd-compàirt, a’ brosnachadh ghnothachasan turasachd, bhuidhnean coimhearsnachd, iomairtean sòisealta agus bhuidhnean Gàidhlig bho air feadh na dùthcha gus pàirt a ghabhail ann am pròiseact rannsachaidh cudromach, ùr a tha gu bhith a’ toirt sùil air buaidh eaconamach, shòisealta agus chultarach na Gàidhlig.

Mar thoradh air an rannsachadh seo – a tha ga chur air bhog ann an com-pàirt ri Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilean (HIE), Riaghaltas na h-Alba, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, agus Leasachadh Sgilean na h-Alba – gheibhear tuigse mhionaideach air luach na Gàidhlig airson eaconamaidh an luchd-tadhail agus air mar as urrainnear làn-bhuannachd fhaighinn bhon airgead a chosgar air a’ chànan.

Tha an rannsachadh air a bharantachadh le HIE agus thèid a dhèanamh le GC Insight còmhla ri Reference Economics agus Lasair Ltd, agus bithear a’ cruinneachadh fianais is bheachdan bho bhuidhnean a bhios a’ cleachdadh Gàidhlig nan obair làitheil. Cleachdar toraidhean an rannsachaidh gus cuideachadh le co-dhùnaidhean a thaobh phoileasaidhean agus le ro-innleachdan fad-ùine a bhios a’ neartachadh àite is inbhe a’ chànain an lùib leasachaidhean eaconamach is coimhearsnachd ann an Alba.

a book end which reads Falite

Gaelic Tourism Strategy Launch at the National Library of Scotland. Credit Phil Wilkinson / VisitScotland

Carson a tha seo cudromach do thurasachd

Tha a’ Ghàidhlig fhathast na pàirt bunaiteach de bhun-aithne na h-Alba, agus tha sin gu math cudromach do dhaoine a bhios a’ tadhal air an dùthaich. Eadar ainmean-àite, sgeulachdan, fèisean, tachartasan coimhearsnachd agus àiteachan cultarach, tha an cànan mar shnàithlean dùthchasach, sònraichte de dhualchas na h-Alba a tha a’ toirt cothrom do luchd-tadhail ceangal nas làidire a dhèanamh ris an dualchas sin agus ri ar tìr.

“Tha Gàidhlig na h-Alba a’ tarraing filleadh air leth agus ùghdarrail gu eòlas luchd-turais na h-Alba, agus tha a bhith mar phàirt den rannsachadh seo làn-chudromach do VisitScotland. Cuidichidh tuigse do bhuaidh eaconamach, sòisealta agus cultarach a’ chànain air feadh Alba, sinn le àite na Gàidhlig a thogail agus a chleachdadh taobh a-staigh eaconamaidh luchd-tadhail na dùthcha.

“Mar am buidheann turasachd is thachartasan nàiseanta, tha sinn dealasach mu thaisbeanadh a’ chànain mar phàirt bhrìgheil de thadhal air Alba, a’ saidhbhreachadh ar coimhearsnachdan agus a’ doimhneachadh ceangal luchd-tadhail leis na h-àiteachan a bhios iad a’ rannsachadh.

“Tha sinn a’ coimhead air adhart ri bhith ag obair ann an com-pàirteachas le Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Riaghaltas na h-Alba, HIE agus Leasachadh Sgilean na h-Alba air an rannsachadh seo, agus ris na h-in-sheallaidhean a bheir e gu neartachadh luach na Gàidhlig tarsainn na roinne turasachd is thachartasan, agus air a taobh a-muigh.”

Thuirt Rob Dickson, Stiùiriche Gnìomhachais is Thachartasan aig VisitScotland

Luchd-compàirt nàiseanta a’ comharrachadh luach an rannsachaidh

Thug an Leas-Phrìomh Mhinistear, Ceit Fhoirbeis, iomradh air mar a nithear feum dhen rannsachadh gus co-dhùnaidhean a dhèanamh san ùine ri thighinn a thaobh ionmhas is taic-airgid. Thuirt i: "Cuidichidh an rannsachadh ùr seo, a chaidh ainmeachadh aig Seachdain na Gàidhlig, sinn le comharrachadh far am faod a’ bhuaidh as motha a bhith aig inbheisteadh ann an Gàidhlig, gus dèanamh cinnteach gum bi an cànan soirbheachail.

"Rannsaichidh na toraidhean cuideachd mar as urrainn dhuinn Gàidhlig a chleachdadh gus luchd-turais a tharraing agus cosg-airgid luchd-tadhail ann an coimhearsnachdan air feadh Alba, a bhrosnachadh.

"Thug Achd nan Cànan Albannach inbhe oifigeil don Ghàidhlig agus tha sinn a’ cur taic ris a’ ghealltanas seo le £1.8 millean a bharrachd airson iomairtean Gàidhlig, ann an dreachd Buidseat na h-Alba airson 2026-27."

Thuirt Ealasaid Dhòmhnallach, Ceannard Bòrd na Gàidhlig: "Tha Bòrd na Gàidhlig toilichte taic a chur ris an rannsachadh chudromach seo a bhios a’ stiùireadh ar dòigh-obrach a thaobh tasgadh sa Ghàidhlig agus a’ toirt taic don Ghàidhlig mar bhrosnachadh eaconamach dha ar coimhearsnachdan.

"Tha na com-pàirtichean maoineachaidh san rannsachadh dealasach a thaobh a bhith ag obair còmhla gus dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil tuigse nas fharsainge ann air mar as urrainn agus a tha tasgadh sa Ghàidhlig a’ lìbhrigeadh an aghaidh raon farsaing de bhuilean coimhearsnachd agus nàiseanta. Bheir an rannsachadh seo àrd-ùrlar airson tasgadh cuimsichte, co-obrachadh bhuidhnean agus choimhearsnachdan, agus tuigse nas fheàrr air mar a ghabhas brath a ghabhail air na cothroman eaconamach don Ghàidhlig, aig an aon àm a’ tuigsinn nan dùbhlain a tha an aghaidh ar coimhearsnachdan."

a historic settlement surrounded by grass

Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, Isle Of Lewis. Credit VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Mar a ghabhas sibh pàirt ann

Thathar a’ brosnachadh bhuidhnean, ghnothachasan agus thachartasan a bhios a’ cleachdadh Gàidhlig nan obair – gu cunbhalach no bho àm gu àm – gus fianais is fiosrachadh a thoirt seachad. Cuidichidh na beachdan is am fiosrachadh aca le co-dhùnaidhean a nithear gus ionmhas a chur an seilbh agus bheir iad stiùireadh do luchd-compàirt air feadh Alba nuair a tha iad a’ beachdachadh air ciamar as fheàrr as urrainn dhaibh taic a chumail ris a’ chànan agus coimhearsnachdan Gàidhlig.

Gheibh sibh tuilleadh fiosrachaidh an seo agus cothrom gus pàirt a ghabhail san rannsachadh.