Two more Gaelic schools will be up and running in the Highlands within the next four years, it was revealed yesterday, including a new purpose-built primary school in Lochaber.

The other will be a Gaelic secondary which is likely to share quarters with Inverness Royal Academy adjacent to the recently-completed £4million Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis, Inverness Gaelic primary school.

The Lochaber school is likely to be based on the Inverness model, which is Scotland's first purpose-built Gaelic primary.

The schools are part of the final draft of Highland Council's Gaelic Language Plan which was approved at a Gaelic committee meeting in Inverness yesterday.

It is based on the principle of giving Gaelic equal status to English and sets out a four-year development programme and proposals for a support structure.

Bilingual versions of the plan will be available on the Highland Council website, in public libraries and at council service points.  Copies will also be sent to key Gaelic and other public bodies.

Meetings to discuss the plan are likely to be held around the region next month. There will also be online consultation ahead of the council's final submission to Bòrd na Gàidhlig in October.

from the Aberdeen Press and Journal
July 13, 2007