NatureScot's Gaelic Language Plan monitoring report 2023 - 2024

How many written communications have the organisation received from the public in Gaelic this year?

3 information requests

How many posts did the organisation distribute on social media in Gaelic this year?

78 posts (X and Facebook, with video content also posted on Instagram).

How many press releases did the organisation publish in Gaelic this year?

5 bilingual news releases

• 13/07/2023: Species on the Edge – Inner Hebrides and Argyll programme
• 20/09/2023: Heading For The Scottish Hills service
• 02/10/2023: Species on the Edge Youth Panel open for applications
• 15/03/2024: Species on the Edge Outer Hebrides Wildlife Festival registration for events
• 24/04/2024: Species on the Edge Outer Hebrides Wildlife Festival call for artists

How many staff received Gaelic skills training this year?

Workshops: 69 members of staff attended training in early 2024. The training was delivered by Ruairidh Maclean and the half-day covered Gaelic Awareness and Gaelic + nature sessions. With Ruairidh’s permission, we recorded the workshop and this is now available to all staff via our online training system.

Language learning: We direct staff interested in learning Gaelic to register for a SpeakGaelic account and use this method of self-guided, online learning to work through materials at their own pace. 

How many posts do you currently have where Gaelic is an essential skill?

1 post (0.6 FTE) – Gaelic Officer

How many staff currently within the organisation have Gaelic skills?

Due to a change in survey frequency within the organisation, we did not audit staff language skills during this reporting period. Our last audit was in May 2023 (see 2022/23 report for these results) and our next survey is scheduled for December 2024.

How many organisational publications have been published bilingually (Gaelic and English) this year?

How is the organisation increasing the use of Gaelic?

The following achievements are in addition to those already noted in the primary indicator data above.

Species on the Edge

Species on the Edge is a partnership programme led by NatureScot, with seven nature conservation charities dedicated to improving the fortunes of 37 priority species found along Scotland's coast and islands.

During this reporting period we have worked to provide strong Gaelic outputs, particularly in the Outer Hebrides and Inner Hebrides & Argyll project areas. This has been aided by the development of a bespoke Gaelic policy for the partnership in January 2024.

Our outputs have included:

• A bilingual recruitment campaign for Youth Panel members (inc. webpage, social media tiles, animation, email to stakeholders)
• World Gaelic Week campaign on social media
• bilingual pop-up banners for events
• short-neck oil beetle postcards in Gaelic
• bilingual short-neck oil beetle interpretation panels in Barra and Islay
• Gaelic Welcome to SotE video
• Gaelic SotE in Argyll & Inner Hebrides video
• Gaelic job titles, out of office messages, and greetings made available to partners
• bilingual newsletter mailout to promote Cimaite Change Hebrides’ Gaelic Convention in Nov 2023

Make Space For Nature

As part of our ongoing Make Space For Nature campaign, our seasonal tips for reversing nature and biodiversity loss are bilingual - spring, summer, autumn, winter.

Scottish Outdoor Access Code

In June 2024 we published 24 posters in Gaelic to promote the key principles of the Code. These files can be downloaded from our website. 

National Nature Reserves – leaflets

We updated our Craigellachie and Beinn Eighe NNR leaflets and they remain fully bilingual. For the first time our Corrie Fee NNR leaflet is now available online in Gaelic. All other bilingual NNR leaflets remain unchanged.

Peatland ACTION – interpretation

We have installed new, bilingual interpretation panels at the following Peatland ACTION restoration sites during this reporting period. Each site received two general information panels (covering topics such as flooding and water quality), as well as a site-specific board:

• Tormore, Skye (July 2023)
• Kirkconnell Flows, Dumfries (Jan 2024)
• Abronhill, North Lanarkshire (Feb 2024)
• Duchal Moor, Inverclyde (Feb 2024)

Wildlife management – promotion videos

In spring 2024 we released a series of four wildlife management videos with Gaelic voiceover and subtitles. They covered topics of urban deer management; agriculture; and grazing impact on Scottish rainforest.

Nature Restoration Fund – promotional videos

In May 2024 five promotional videos for our Nature Restoration Fund projects were released with Gaelic subtitles:

• Hero Film A
• Hero Film B
• River Peffery
• Reducing Entanglements
• Arkaig 

2023 State of Nature (Scotland) report 

We provided the Gaelic translation for the 5 page summary of the 2023 State of Nature (Scotland) report (starts on page 8 of the main publication). We also provided translations of social media content published by the RSPB, and subsequently shared by partners, to announce the report publication.

Scottish Fossil Code

In March 2024 we produced 7 postcards and posters to promote the Scottish Fossil Code.

Scone Game Fayre stall

Our wildlife management panels at Scone Game Fayre 2023 had bilingual titles (panels consist of titles and images only).

Website

Excluding news releases, as of June 2024 we had 31 bilingual webpages.

Blogs

We published 13 Gaelic-themed bilingual blogs on our Scotland’s Nature blog, along with 2 NCHF bilingual project blogs.

Interviews for BBC Radio nan Gàidheal and An Là

7 Gaelic interviews were recorded by our Gaelic Officer during this reporting period.

Multi-agency networks

We have continued to actively participate in the Gaelic Officers’ Network and Scottish Government’s Faster Rate of Progress group.

How is the organisation increasing the learning of Gaelic?

Workshops

69 members of staff attended training in early 2024. The training was delivered by Ruairidh Maclean and the half-day covered Gaelic Awareness and Gaelic + nature sessions. With Ruairidh’s permission, we recorded the workshop and this is now available to all staff via our online training system.

Language learning

We direct staff interested in language learning to enrol for a SpeakGaelic account and use this method of self-guided, online learning to complete materials at their own pace.

‘In Our Nature’ animations

In spring 2024, we ran a second series of animations exploring the literal translation of Gaelic names for plant and flowers. The six-part series included lus a’ chrom-chinn (daffodil), bròg an eich-uisge (marsh marigold) and flùr na gaoithe (wood anenome).

Each short video features bespoke design work and audio.

Teanga na Tìre

This is an ongoing partnership project with Historic Environment Scotland’s Gaelic team, and supported by Bòrd na Gàidhlig GLAIF funding, to explore the extent to which Gaelic placenames shape our understanding of an area’s natural and cultural heritage. Our project focuses on the impact of climate change, biodiversity, land use, resource extraction and industry on communities’ sense of place in Scotland today. Place-name research was carried out in the areas of Wester Ross, Glenmoriston, Luing and Fife. 

During this reporting period, we produced bilingual StoryMaps for Wester Ross, Glenmoriston and Fife. Furthermore we delivered a community event - Ainmean-àite, Bàrdachd is Ceòl aig a’ Chaisteal (Place-names, Poetry and Music at the Castle) - at Urquhart Castle on 22nd March 2024 to celebrate Gaelic in Glenmoriston and Glenurquhart. The evening included a Teanga na Tìre presentation, Gaelic audio-guide tour of the castle, and music and demonstrations from Gaelic-speaking Living History performers.

Further details are covered in a final report submitted to Bòrd na Gàidhlig in April 2024. 

Argyll Hope Spot

In June 2024 we supported the Argyll Hope Spot project by providing Gaelic translations of coastal species and habitats for use in their schools’ outreach work. 

How is the organisation promoting a positive image of Gaelic?

Coilltean Caillte / Forgotten Woodlands

Arising from a recommendation made in our 2021 ecosystem services and Gaelic scoping exercise, this is an ongoing partnership project with Forestry and Land Scotland and Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba (AÀA), with funding from Edinburgh University and Future Woodland Scotland. It has set out to map all Scottish place-names with the potential to reveal historical woodland coverage.

During this reporting period, AÀA completed their extensive place-name research, gathering over 15,000 names which contain words denoting ‘wood’, specific tree types, and woodland indicator species. The research was reviewed by Ruairidh Maclean and native woodland ecologists were consulted on the findings. In September 2023 the project was presented to Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s BOAG committee. 

The project was launched in August 2024 and details of our publication and engagement work will be included in our 2024/25 report.

Seachdain na Gàidhlig / World Gaelic Week 2024

Internal:

• Guest blog about the Forgotten Woodlands project and to ask staff to consider ways that the organisation can further its use of the language
• Forgotten Woodlands talk for staff by NatureScot’s Gaelic Officer and AÀA Researcher
• A series of daily intranet posts examining the Gaelic names for some of Species on the Edge’s priority species
• Half-day Gaelic Awareness workshop with Ruairidh Maclean

External:

• Species on the Edge x World Gaelic Week blog (was featured on NatureScot website homepage and was the most read document on NatureScot’s website during WGW)
• Daily social media posts celebrating links between Gaelic language, heritage, culture and nature
• Species on the Edge Gaelic phrases blog by youth panel member

‘Nature Heroes’ – From The Bird’s Mouth

Our Nature Heroes campaign celebrates people and groups taking positive action to protect and restore nature while tackling climate change. In October 2023 our partnership project ‘From The Bird’s Mouth’ was featured bilingually. 

Social media – midwinter magic

From 21 December 2023 to 7 January 2024 we ran a bilingual ‘Gaelic Midwinter Magic’ campaign on our social media channels. Posts covered concepts include Oidhche nan Seachd Suipearan, cadal a’ gheamhraidh, Lòchran Loch Iall, and Na Fir-chlis.

Internal comms – intranet

In October 2023 we began a feature on our intranet homepage entitled ‘Gaelic – it’s in our nature’. Each month our Gaelic Officer writes an article on a Gaelic-themed nature topic, exploring the inseparable links between the language and Scotland’s nature. The articles have been well-received by staff, and often link to other learning resources (such as LearnGaelic’s ’20 Words’). Topics have included – silverweed, wolf month (January), Là Buidhe Bealltainn, and the cuckoo. During the week of the Royal National Mòd we ran four additional articles, and a further guest blog to mark Halloween/Samhain.

In support of 2023’s Stress Awareness Month we ran a week of daily ‘moments of calm’ using the In Our Nature animations mentioned above.

Internal comms – Viva Engage (Yammer)

Our Gaelic community on Viva Engage continues to grow. In this period, we have shared 51 posts, and as of 20th June 2024 it had 59 members (though content can be viewed by all staff). We use the community to share a wide variety of content, from blogs and project updates to language learning resources and news stories.

Donnchadh Bàn @ 300

We provided financial and in-kind support to Fèisean nan Gàidheal for a guided walk and ceilidh to mark the 300th anniversary of Donnchadh Bàn’s birth in March 2024. The day-long community event involved a circular walk from Bridge of Orchy Hall to Druim Liart, birthplace of the bard. It was led by Ewen Henderson and along the route participants heard Ewen sing a selection of Donnchadh Bàn’s work. Once back at the Bridge of Orchy hall, Dalmally Historicial Assosciation provided refreshments and music was provided by young Fèis musicians.

Has your public authority identified any particular issues relating to equality of opportunity with regard to the development of Gaelic language?

We have no evidence of such issues.

Are there any equalities policies, procedures or measures that have been implemented by your public authority, or are in the process of being implemented, that are relevant to advancing the equality of opportunity in the development of Gaelic language? Can you tell us about them?

The following appears on all of our job adverts: ‘Although Gaelic Language is not a pre-requisite for this post, as part of our commitment to our Gaelic Language Plan, Gaelic Language is a desirable skill for all posts within NatureScot’.

Equal Respect: Gaelic language plan commitments delivered to an equal standard in both Gaelic and English.

We demonstrate equal respect to both languages when delivering GLP commitments.

Active Offer: Practical measures to ensure that staff and public are kept regularly informed of all opportunities that exist to use Gaelic in relation to the work of the public authority.

Website: A link to our Gaelic webpage can be found on our homepage (under ‘quick links’) and it appears on every subsequent page that users visit. We also have a statement on our contact us and customer care pages. 

Social media: As listed above we regularly post in Gaelic on these channels.

Internal communications: We use our intranet and Yammer to promote opportunities.

Third Parties: Ensure that Arm’s Length Executive Organisations and other contractors help with the delivery of the public authority Gaelic language plan.

This happens to an extent with our facilities management contractor in Great Glen House (Inverness), but we recognise that more could be done to strengthen this with other contractors.

Normalisation: Gaelic plan commitments are normalised within the structures of the public authority over time, with opportunities to grow Gaelic within existing budgets constantly assessed.

Our GLP commitments are normalised throughout the organisation. NatureScot has an annual budget for its Gaelic Plan and associated projects.

Logo: Aim to render the corporate logo in both Gaelic and English at the first opportunity and as part of any renewal process. The logo should demonstrate equal prominence for both languages.

NatureScot’s logo is bilingual.

Signage: Prominent signage will include Gaelic and English as part of any renewal process.

We do not renew signage often, but are committed to using Gaelic.

Promotion: Positive message that communication from the public in Gaelic is always welcome.

We have information on our contact us webpage to say that we welcome communications in Gaelic.

Written communication: Written communication in Gaelic is always accepted (post, email and social media) and replies will be provided in Gaelic in accordance with the general policy.

This is correct. Supplied above is the data on written communication from the public during this reporting period, and we have a message on our website and customer care page.

Reception and phone: Where Gaelic speaking staff are capable of providing this service, they are supported to do so and the service is promoted to the public.

Currently our reception staff do not speak Gaelic. Gaelic is a desirable skill within all of our vacancies.

Public meetings: Opportunities to hold public meetings bilingually or in Gaelic are regularly explored and promoted.

We have not held bilingual public meetings during this reporting period.

News releases: High profile news releases and all news releases related to Gaelic are circulated in both Gaelic and English.

This does happen but no Gaelic-related news releases were published during this reporting period. We produced Gaelic versions of five releases (listed above). 

Social media: Gaelic content distributed regularly through social media, guided by the level of actual and potential users.

78 posts (mirrored content on X and Facebook, with video content also posted on Instagram).

Website: Gaelic content should be available on the public authority’s website, with emphasis given to the pages with the highest potential reach.

31 bilingual webpages, excluding news releases.

Corporate Publications: Produced in Gaelic and English, with priority given to those with the highest potential reach.

No bilingual corporate publications were produced in this reporting period. See above ‘Gaelic Usage’ for examples of bilingual outputs. 

Language utility: A process is in place to ensure that the quality and accessibility of Gaelic language in all corporate information is high.

We have a contract with a professional Gaelic translator. Our Gaelic Officer proofreads all documents prior to publication.

Exhibitions: Opportunities to deliver public exhibitions bilingually or in Gaelic should be explored on a regular basis, with priority given to those with the highest potential impact.

Gaelic on our interpretation panels at our 2023 Scone Game Fair stall.

Internal audit: Conduct an internal audit of Gaelic skills and training needs through the life of each plan.

Due to a change in survey frequency within the organisation, we did not audit staff language skills during this reporting period. Our last audit was in May 2023 (see 2022/23 report for these results) and our next survey is scheduled for December 2024.

Induction: Knowledge of the public authority’s Gaelic language plan included in new staff inductions.

This is in place.

Language training: Gaelic language skills training and development offered to staff, particularly in relation to implementing the public authority’s Gaelic language plan.

We direct staff interested in learning Gaelic to register for a SpeakGaelic account and use this method of self-guided, online learning to work through materials at their own pace. 

Awareness training: Gaelic awareness training offered, with priority given to senior staff, other key decision makers and staff dealing directly with the public.

69 members of staff attended training in early 2024. The training was delivered by Ruairidh Maclean and the half-day covered Gaelic Awareness and Gaelic + nature sessions. With Ruairidh’s permission, we recorded the workshop and this is now available to all staff via our online training system.

Recruitment: Recognising and respecting Gaelic skills within the recruitment process throughout the authority.

Gaelic is a desirable skills for each of NatureScot’s job vacancies.

Recruitment: Gaelic named as an essential and / or desirable skill in job descriptions in order to deliver the Gaelic language plan and in accordance with the Bòrd na Gàidhlig recruitment advice.

Gaelic is a desirable skill for each of NatureScot’s job vacancies. Gaelic is an essential skill for our Gaelic Officer role.

Recruitment: Bilingual or Gaelic only job adverts for all posts where Gaelic is an essential skill.

This does happen, but did not occur during this reporting period as no Gaelic essential vacancies were advertised.

Gaelic Orthographic Conventions: The most recent Gaelic Orthographic Conventions will be followed in relation to all written materials produced by the public authority. 

We follow GOC in all aspects of our work in Gaelic.

Place names: Gaelic place name advice from Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba is sought and used.

We are members of AÀA and follow their advice on place-names. We also partner with AÀA on research projects. See above for further information on the projects.