- Initiative launched to help businesses and boost local
economies
A new approach to supporting Gaelic in Scotland will focus on
creating jobs and strengthening economic growth in areas where
the language is traditionally spoken.
An action group called Tog - which means “to raise” in Gaelic -
will bring together public bodies, local authorities
and business leaders to ensure funding for the language delivers
real economic benefits.
It will support practical measures to help businesses use Gaelic
in their operations, support entrepreneurs and ensure that
investment in the language is targeted towards boosting local
economies.
Launching Tog in Inverness, Deputy First Minister said:
"Tog marks a new approach - one that puts jobs and local
prosperity at the heart of how we support Gaelic. By working with
local authorities and communities we can ensure investment
delivers real benefits - helping to unlock the language's
potential and creating opportunities for generations to come.
"This builds on recent progress including the Scottish Languages
Act 2025, which made Gaelic an official language of Scotland on
St Andrew's Day and enables targeted support to be provided in
areas where the language is traditionally spoken."
Action group member Donald Maciver, founder of software
management company MindGenius, said:
“Gaelic is one of our greatest untapped economic assets. When we
place our language, culture and history at the heart of
skills, enterprise and community development, we open
doors to entirely new opportunities.
“Gaelic can drive prosperity in our rural
communities This isn't about looking
back—it's about creating a better future. Tog enables us to
turn our heritage into new industries, new careers and
renewed confidence in the places we call home.”
Background
Tog replaces the Short Life Working Group on Economic and
Social Opportunities for Gaelic and Faster Rate of Progress
initiative, with a refreshed focus on economic growth. Tog's
mission statement is "A' togail cànan, A' togail cosnadh, A'
togail choimhearsnachdan", which translates to “Raising language,
Lifting employment, Building communities”.
The Scottish Languages Act 2025 enables local authorities to
designate “Areas of Linguistic Significance” in areas where
Gaelic is traditionally spoken. Once these Areas are designated,
the Scottish Government and its public bodies will provide
targeted support to these areas to improve economic and social
opportunities which support the growth of the Gaelic language.
The Act is available online.
Census statistics show that 130,161 people in Scotland had some
Gaelic skills in 2022, an increase of 43,105 from 2011. The
Scottish Government has allocated £30 million for initiatives to
grow the language in 2025-26.
In addition to private sector representation, Tog's members are:
- Argyll & Bute Council
- Bòrd na Gàidhlig
- Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
- Comann nam Pàrant
- Creative Scotland
- Crofting Commission
- Edinburgh City Council
- Education Scotland
- Glasgow City Council
- General Teaching Council for Scotland
- Highland Council
- Highlands & Islands Enterprise
- Historic Environment Scotland
- MG Alba
- National Libraries Scotland
- North Lanarkshire
- Perth and Kinross Council
- Qualifications Scotland
- Skills Development Scotland
- Scottish Funding Council
- Scottish Government
- NatureScot
- VisitScotland
