2. Iain Mac an Tàilleir, 2004 Reasons for Research The information is easily accessible. (SCROL) Comparison with new research from Ireland: Hindley; Ó Murchadha; Coimisiún na Gaeltachta Did early interpretations of the figures disguise the situation? ? Language development must be based on the the language's true situation. (Hale & Hinton) If the Gaelic Language Bill is not rooted in the needs of the Gaelic community, will it be anything more than another "Higher Order Prop"? (Fishman)

3. Explanation The figures refer to speakers of Gaelic only. The percentages relate to that part of the population of a parish or area able to speak Gaelic. More attention is given to the islands because the mainland contains few parishes where more than 10% of the population speak Gaelic. Parish means civil parish with legally defined boundaries, e.g. Tongue. Area or district refers to a smaller place within a civil parish, e.g. Melness.

4. 75% + 50-74% 25-49% 10-24% The colours below represent the percentage of an area's population able to speak Gaelic. For example: Farr: 75% + Killin: 50-74% Cromdale: 25-49% Braemar: 10-24% 1901 < 10% Luss: < 10%

5. Census 2001 General Figures “Highlands” agus “Lowlands” Gaelic in school Fìor Ghaidhealtachd 1901 - 2001 Censuses 1901, 1921, 1971 & 2001 Comparison between censuses Details for 2001 The strongest areas and parishes The Islands The Mainland

6. Census 2001 General Figures 58,652 people speak Gaelic. 92,396 people speak or understand or read or write Gaelic. There are 3 areas where more than 80% of the population can speak Gaelic. 640 Gaelic speakers live in areas over 80%. 3,510 Gaelic speakers live in areas over 75%. >

7. Census 2001 “Highlands” and “Lowlands” What does “Highlands” mean? Is it where Gaelic is spoken? Are people in areas where Gaelic was spoken a generation ago more favourably disposed towards Gaelic? 55.5% of the Gaelic population live in the traditional areas. 44.5% of them live in the "Lowlands". Are the "Lowlands" becoming ever more important to Gaelic? There are areas in the "Highlands" no more Gaelic-speaking than Coatbridge. >

8. Census 2001 Gaelic in School Most primary schools in the study area have Gaelic education schemes. Do the parents of children in Gaelic education register them as Gaelic speakers? This happened in Perthshire in the 1980s. Are the Census figures higher than they should be as a result of this? >

9. Census 2001 Fìor Ghaidhealtachd If over 75% of a community speak Gaelic, it would be expected that: Gaelic is the community language; children learn and use Gaelic in the home and community. There are 13 districts of this type in Scotland, with 3,510 Gaelic speakers living in them. (In 1981, there were 20,345 Gaelic speakers living in areas over 75%.) (In 1901 there were over 100,000 Gaelic speakers living in them.) Do Gaelic speakers have the opportunity to speak the language? Who are the people recorded as such – fluent speakers, beginners, school children? As a result of immigration is the community language shifting or do two separate "communities" exist? These questions cannot be answered without fieldwork to determine local language use.

10. General Figures Scotland as a whole Year 1901 Gaelic speakers 230,806* 230,806 * 28,106 Gaelic monoglots

11. 1901 Mull (north): 50-74% Arran (west): 50-74%Arran (east): 25-49% All other islands: 75% + The west and north coasts from Appin to Farr: 75% + Cromdale: 25-49% Blair Athol: 50-74% Balquhidder: 50-74% Saddell: 50-74% Reay: 50-74% Civil Parishes

12. General Figures Scotland as a whole Year 1901 1921 Gaelic speakers 230,806 158,779 * * 9,829 Gaelic monoglots

13. 1921 Small Isles: 50-74% Coll: 50-74% Mull: 50-74% Lochalsh: 50-74% Glenelg: 50-74% Ardgour: 50-74% Morvern: 50-74% All other islands: 75% + Arran: < 25% North Knapdale: 25-49% Farr: 50-74% Durness: 50-74% Eddrachillis: 50-74% Civil Parishes

14. Comparison between 1901 and 1921 19011921

15. General Figures Scotland as a whole Year 1901 1921 1971 Gaelic speakers 230,806 158,779 82,620 * * 477 Gaelic monoglots

16. 1971 Rest of Skye: 50-74% Rinns of Islay: 50-74% Kilmuir: 75% + Rest of Islay: 25-49% Mull (north): < 25% Mull (south): 25-49% Stornoway: 50-74% Benbecula and South Uist: 50-74% Coll: 25-49% Tiree: 50-74% Colonsay: 50-74%Jura : 25-49% Aplecross: 50-74% the only mainland civil parish above 50% Lewis and Harris (minus Stornoway): 75% + North Uist: 75% + Barra: 75% + Small Isles: 25-49% Civil Parishes

17. Comparison between 1901 and 1971 1901 1971 1901

18. General Figures Scotland as a whole Year 1901 1921 1971 2001 Gaelic speakers 230,806 158,779 82,620 58,652 58,562 * * ? Gaelic monoglots

19. 2001 Lewis: 56% Harris: 69% Skye: 31% Mull: 13% Seil & Luing: 4% Jura: 11% North Uist: 67% Barra: 68% Tiree: 48% Colonsay: 23% Islay: 24% Coll: 12% Small Isles: 17% Gigha: 14% Lismore: 29% South Uist: 71% Benbecula: 56% The Islands

20. 2001Mainland 20% - Lochalsh 19% - Applecross 19% - Kintail 18% - Ardnamurchan 17% - Glensheil 17% - Lochcarron 17% - Tongue 16% - Gairloch 14% - Morvern 14% - Ardgour 13% - Glenelg 12% - Arisaig & Moidart 11% - Lochbroom Civil Parishes with at least 10% of the population speaks Gaelic.

21. Mainland 2001 Within the civil parishes are areas where at least 25% of the population speaks Gaelic. 35% - South Applecross 32% - Acharacle 28% - Melness 28% - Sheilfoot & Ardtoe 27% - Duirnish & Drumbuie 27% - Aultbea 27% - Culkein 26% - Dalilea > Mingarry Park 26% - Melvaig > Peterburn 25% - Mellon Charles 25% - Ardnarff > Stromeferry Station > Achmore 25% - Erbusaig & Badicaul

22. Census 2001 The areas of strongest Gaelic density Scalpay Harris 322 84% Trumisgarry > Newtonferry 106 84% Stoneybridge > Kildonan 21282% Daliburgh & Garryhellie 20879% Scaliscro > Iarshader > Linshader 6679% Eriskay 13378% Brue 13178% Boisdale 42778% West Harris 14277% Eoligarry > Ardveenish 14776% Laxay > Soval 13676% Ness 117975% Bragar 30175% Total 3,510

23. Census 2001 The strongest and weakest areas in the Islands Lewis: Scaliscro > Linshader 79% Braigh 41% Harris: Scalay 84% Aline > Ardhasaig 57% North Uist:Trumisgarry 84% Lochmaddy 52% Benbecula:Liniclete & Torlum 74% Balivanich 37% South Uist:Middle Quarter 82% Mingarry > Askernish 59% Barra:North End 76% Vatersay 56% Skye:Staffin 61% Colbost > Galtrigil 18% Mull:Fishnish 25% Aros 4% Islay:Portnahaven 32% Gortontaoid 17%

24. Census 2001 Density of Gaelic in Skye (31%) 61% - Staffin 54% - Tarskavaig & Achnacloich 48% - Kingsburgh > Earlish 47% - Kilmuir 46% - Annishader > Romesdale 45% - Bracadale 45% - Skinidin, Roag, Orbost 43% - Toravaig > Ostaig 42% - Uig 41% - Drumfearn > Camuscross 40% - Bernsidale > Skeabost 38% - Elgol 38% - Mugeary > Uigshader 37% - Portree 36% - Raasay 35% - Minginish 35% - Borve > Skirinish 34% - Aird, Ord, Tokavaig 34% - Dunvegan

25. Census 2001 33% - Mol & Sconser 33% - Greshornish > Bernisdale Park 33% - Braes 32% - Torrin & Heaste 32% - Vaternish 30% - Ose > Ullinish 30% - Achachork > Lealt 30% - Glendale 29% - Roskill, Harlosh, Vatten, Feorlig 29% - Breakish > Broadford 29% - Sligachan > Glenbrittle 29% - Armadale, Ardvasar, Calligarry 25% - Kyleakin 23% - Luib > Old Corry 19% - Lusa > Kylerhea 18% - Colbost > Galtrigil Density of Gaelic in Skye (31%)

26. Census 2001 Density of Gaelic in Lewis (56%) 73% - Ness and West Side 78% - Brue 75% - Ness 75% - Bragar 73% - Barvas 72% - Shawbost 70% - Galson > Borve 69% - Shader & Ballantrushal 59% - Arnol 70% - Carloway District 72% - Carloway 70% - Breasclete > Lochganvich 68% - Tolsta a’ Chaolais 61% - Dalbeg & Dalmore 68% - Uig 79% - Scaliscro, Linshader, Iarshader 68% - Gisla > Brenish 64% - Great Bernera

27. Census 2001 Density of Gaelic in Lewis (56%) 63% - Broad Bay 70% - Gress & Glen Tolsta 70% - Tolsta 68% - Upper Coll 62% - Coll & Back 51% - Tong 61% - Lochs 76% - Laxay - Soval 69% - Keose 68% - Cromore & Marvig 66% - Ranish & Crossbost 65% - Calbost, Gravir, Lemreway 60% - Grimshadar, Achmore 57% - Leurbost 53% - Arivruich, Eishken 51% - Balallan 50% - Garyvard > Sheildinish

28. Census 2001 Density of Gaelic in Lewis (56%) 56% - Point 64% - Knock & Suardale 59% - Garrabost 56% - Sheshader 56% - Aird > Portnagiuran 56% - Bayble 50% - Aignish 43% - Shulishader 44% - Stornoway District 49% - Newmarket > Marybank 45% - Sandwick & Parkend 44% - Stornoway 41% - Melbost & Branahuie

29. Census 2001 Density of Gaelic in Harris (69%) 84% - Scalpay 77% - West Side 72% - Hushinish > Bunavoneddar 69% - Rhenigadale; Urgha > Kyles Scalpay 68% - Leverburgh 68% - Northton 64% - Bays 64% - Tarbert 62% - Rodel & Strond 57% - Aline > Maaruig > Ardhasaig

30. Census 2001 Density of Gaelic in North Uist (67%) and Benbecula (56%) 67% - North Uist 84% - Trumisgarry > Newtonferry 73% - Sollas 71% - Grimsay 70% - Paible & Bayhead 70% - Carinish 69% - West Side 67% - Clachan > Baleshare 64% - Claddach Kirkebost 63% - Berneray 62% - Locheport 52% - Lochmaddy 56% - Benbecula 74% - Liniclete & Torlum 70% - Creagorry > Peter's Port 65% - Griminish & Uiskevagh 62% - Gramsdale & Uachdar 59% - Nunton 37% - Balivanich

31. Census 2001 Density of Gaelic in South Uist (71%) and Barra (68%) 71% - South Uist 82% - Middle Quarter 79% - Daliburgh & Garryhellie 78% - Eriskay 78% - Boisdale 70% - Iochdar 66% - Snishival > Lochskipport 64% - Gerinish 60% - Lochcarnan 60% - Lochboisdale 59% - Milton > Askernish 68% - Barra 76% - Eoligarry > Ardveenish 74% - Northbay > Brevig 66% - Tangusdale > Castlebay > Glen 62% - Cliad > Borve 56% - Vatersay

32. Census 2001 Density of Gaelic in Islay (24%) 32% - Portnahaven 29% - Port Charlotte 25% - Port Askaig & Bonahaven 24% - Bridgend 24% - Port Ellen 24% - Keils 23% - Bowmore 22% - Ardbeg > Ardtalla 22% - Gruinart, Kilchoman, Ardnave 22% - Bruichladdich 20% - Oa 18% - Ballygrant 17% - Gortontaoid 11% - Jura

33. Census 2001 Density of Gaelic in North Argyll Islands 13% - Mull 25% - Fishnish 18% - Quinish 18% - Salen 17% - Gruline 16% - Loch Tuath 14% - Tobermory 13% - Craignure 11% - Bunessan 11% - Calgary 10% - Fionnphort 8% - Ardchivaig 7% - Brolass 5% - Dervaig 5% - Iona 4% - Mishnish 4% - Aros 48% - Tiree 12% - Coll 29% - Lismore 7% - Easdale 4% - Seil 3% - Luing

34. Census 2001 These areas in Sutherland were in parishes above 75% in 1901. 28% - Melness 27% - Culkein 16% - Balchrick 13% - Durness 13% - Tongue 12% - Skerray 11% - Stoer 9% - Unapool > Drumbeg 9% - Cape Wrath, Hope 9% - Far, Armadale 9% - Portskerra 8% - Aultiphurst 8% - Bettyhill 7% - Strathnaver 7% - Laxford 7% - Kinlochbervie 5% - Strath Halladale 5% - Scourie 5% - Lochinver 4% - Achmelvich 3% - Melvich, Strathy 3% - Ledmore 16% - Polbain 15% - Achiltibuie 15% - Ardmair > Elphin

35. Census 2001 35% - South Applecross 27% - Duirnish, Drumbuie 27% - Aultbea 26% - Melvaig, Peterburn 25% - Mellon Charles 25% - Ardnarff, Stromeferry Station, Achmore 25% - Erbusaig, Badicaul 23% - Camusluinie > Camuslongart 22% - Plockton 22% - South Lochbroom 21% - Ardelve > Avernish 20% - Balmacara 20% - Inverinate 19% - Kyle of Lochalsh 18% - Glenelg & Arnisdale 18% - Port Henderson > Redpoint 18% - Ratagan > Letterfearn 17% - Naast > Cove 17% - Slumbay, North Strome 17% - Lochcarron 17% - North Applecross 17% - Torridon 17% - Laide > Opinan These areas in Ross and Inverness-shire were in parishes above 75% in 1901.

36. Census 2001 16% - Gairloch 16% - Cluanie > Sheilbridge > Morvich 16% - Dornie & Bundalloch 15% - Bualnaluib > Ormiscaig 15% - Alligin, Diabaig 15% - Knoydart, Loch Nevis 14% - Kinlochewe > Achnasheen 14% - Sand > Mungasdale 13% - North Erradale > Big Sand 13% - Strathcarron > Achnashellach 11% - Achintraid > Kishorn 11% - Auchtertyre > Reraig 11% - Ullpool 10% - Poolewe 10% - Badluachrach > Durnamuck 9% - Dundonnell > Scoraig 8% - Loch Maree 7% - Braes of Ullapool 7% - Kerrysdale > Badachro 5% - Braemore > Leckmelm 5% - Sheildaig > Balgy These areas in Ross and Inverness-shire were in parishes above 75% in 1901.

37. Census 2001 32% - Acharacle 28% - Sheilfoot & Ardtoe 26% - Dalilea > Mingarry Park 23% - Drimnin > Fiunary 19% - Morar 16% - Ardnamurchan 15% - Glenuig 15% - Arisaig 14% - South Locheil 14% - Strontian 12% - Lochaline 12% - South Loch Morar 12% - Liddesdale > Inversanda 11% - Ardgour 11% - Mallaig 11% - Portnacroish 10% - Glencreran 10% - Anaheilt > Resipol All other areas now under 10%. These areas in Morar, Lochaber and Argyll were in parishes above 75% in 1901.

38. Census 2001: 100 years of decline 19012001

39. Census 2001 Notes - 1 Gaelic is declining extremely quickly, but there is nothing inevitable about language death. Remoteness per se was not enough to prevent language shift. There were thousands of Gaelic monoglots in 1901 with a huge impact on their communities. According to the figures only, places like Scalpay are almost as strongly Gaelic-speaking now as they were a hundred years ago. Over the past twenty years Gaelic has made great progress in fields such as education, broadcasting, awareness, status. It's not all bad news. The north and west coasts of the mainland were more strongly Gaelic in 1901 than the strongest areas in the Western Isles today. The media, immigration, travel and globalisation were not as omnipotent in 1901 as they are today but the effect of education was intense.

40. Census 2001 Notes - 2 Hundreds of languages are in a more perilous state than Gaelic. The figures do not tell us who the 58,652 Gaelic-speakers are. Now that all Gaelic-speakers also speak English, what is the effect uon communities? The Government, local authorities, Gaelic organisations and public bodies must develop and implement language plans. Other more advanced and professional language movements in countries such as Canada, Wales, Ireland, Catalonia, Latvia and the Basque Country should be looked to for guidance. The situation of Gaelic is in no way unusual or even without hope compared with many other languages throughout the world. Although not everyone recorded as a Gaelic-speaker may be fluent, partial speakers may be useful to the language in a political sense, according to MacKinnon.