Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

ACCESSIBILITY COMMENTS ‘FALSE AND DAMAGING’

The fall out over the Scottish Executive decision to reject the Western Isles as the location for Bord na Gaidhlig has continued over comments attributed to the consultant for the Ministerial Group on Gaelic, Mr. Allan Campbell.

Despite the denial by Mr. Campbell in the West Highland Free Press that the Group had not meant to convey the message that the Western Isles were inaccessible, a letter from the Executive states quite clearly that Inverness had been chosen on the Group’s recommendation because of its accessibility and that this recommendation was made following widespread consultation in the Gaelic Community.

The Vice Convener of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Mr. Roddy Murray, said -

“Quite clearly the document ‘A Fresh Start for Gaelic’ recommended that Inverness should be the location for Bord na Gaidhlig because of the city’s accessibility. One of the authors of that report is Allan Campbell and he must bear some responsibility for the false and damaging impression that has been created. All areas, including the Western Isles, are equally accessible due to modern technology and good transport links and I make no apology for repeating that the natural home for the Bord is the Western Isles where Gaelic is a living language.

It has also emerged that the ‘widespread consultation’ amongst the Gaelic community which it is claimed was undertaken in advance of the decision consisted of a series of meetings held in Inverness. As far as I am aware, no consultation took place in the Western Isles, and I cannot think of anyone in the Gaelic heartland of the Western Isles who would have recommended Inverness as the location”.

ENDS

Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
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email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk