Doune Castle
Gaelic origin, heritage and legacy
The Gaelic community has supplied Scotland with many of the country's national icons, including the kilt, tartan, sporran, bagpipes, ceilidhs, Highland games and whisky!
You'll be surprised how greatly the Gaelic language has been preserved through literature, arts and folklore from across the ages, despite over 200 years of suppression and condemnation. Scottish Gaelic is still vibrant in the modern world, with the Outer Hebrides being the heartland of it.
Today you can still:
- Hear rich Gaelic singing and foot-stomping traditional music in pubs and on streets.
- Immerse yourself in traditional reels, jigs and waltzes and enjoy the party spirit of a ceilidh.
- Absorb the history and customs of Gaelic music and song at one of Scotland's traditional music festivals such as the Hebridean Celtic Music Festival, Harris Arts Festival, Barra Live, Celtic Connections or at various Fèisean (festivals).
- Discover arts and crafts produced by people with Gaelic heritage, including Harris Tweed - a luxurious, hard-wearing fabric only woven in the Outer Hebrides.
Where does Gaelic come from?
The Gaelic language originates from the fifth century in areas including North Eastern Ulster (a small, northern province in Ireland), the Islands of Caledonia, and the north western coastlines of Ireland. Spoken by people called Gaels, the Gaelic language migrated and today there are six Celtic languages remaining: Scottish Gaelic, Irish, Welsh, Breton, Cornish, and Manx.
The Lewis Chessmen in Lews Castle Museum, Isle of Lewis
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam
Where is Gaelic still spoken?
You're most likely to hear Scots Gaelic spoken in the Highlands and islands, particularly in the Outer Hebrides, on the Isle of Skye, and to a lesser extent in Argyll & The Isles. You can see the Gaelic language on road signs across the country, hear it in theatres, on radio and television productions, or by chatting to the locals! The cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh have large Gaelic populations too - nearly half of all Gaelic speakers live in the Lowlands. You can also follow iconic locations in Edinburgh with Gaelic connections on Edinburgh Gaelic Trail.
The Nova Scotia region in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and other regions in North America also boast proud Gaelic communities - established after the 18th and 19th century waves of emigration.
Gaelic place names
Gaelic is woven through Scotland’s map – names often describe the land itself. Here are a few examples:
- Glasgow – Glaschu: “green hollow/glen” – think Dear Green Place.
- Aberdeen – Obar Dheathain: “mouth of the (River) Don”.
- Ardnamurchan – Àird nam Murchan: “headland of the sea‑hounds (seals/otters)”.
- Ben Nevis – Beinn Nibheis: “venomous/malicious mountain”
