£21.6million impact of 'Gaelic Economy' in Glasgow outlined in new report

Published: 14th of July, 2022

A new report shows the impact of the 'Gaelic Economy' in Glasgow, bringing in £21.6million to the city, as well as supporting 700 jobs.

The council - supported by Bòrd na Gàidhlig - commissioned a research study into the value of the 'Gaelic Economy' in Glasgow. The aim of the study was to demonstrate the value, growth, and impact of Gaelic in Glasgow. The study considered the economic value of Gaelic, the growth in its use, and how the language and culture impacted on the wellbeing of Glasgow.

The vast majority of this impact was made in three sectors: Creative Industries; Education and Learning; and Tourism, Hospitality and Events.

Of the 700 'Gaelic Economy' jobs supported in the city, 58% of these are in the education and learning sector, with 23% in the creative industries, and 16% in tourism, hospitality and events. These jobs contribute £21.6million to Glasgow's economy every year.

The study examined the economic impact of festivals and events where Gaelic plays a key role (including Celtic Connections, Piping Live!, the World Pipe Band Championships, and the Scottish Gaelic Awards) and found that the overall annual economic impact of these festivals and events that can be attributed to Gaelic is estimated to be £7.2million.

The use of Gaelic was also found to contribute positively to wellbeing in a number of ways, including a greater range of job opportunities, increased engagement in physical activity, the development of local and national pride, a sense of identity, and improved mental health and happiness.

Donald MacPhee, Gaelic Development Officer at Glasgow City Council, said: "This independent report confirms how investment in Gaelic delivers very high value for money for Glasgow. It also shows where further significant benefits could be generated across the city in terms of employment, incomes and the wellbeing of citizens. There is clear potential to expand job opportunities and grow new enterprises to the benefit of all citizens".

Shona MacLennan, CEO of Bòrd na Gàidhlig said: "We are delighted to read the findings of this report which strengthen the fact that the Gaelic language and its culture generate opportunities across many sectors of the Scottish economy.  This is of course in addition to its benefits to people's wellbeing in everyday life.  As we move forward to the next national plan for Gaelic, the messages are stronger and clearer than ever - the language and the economy benefit each other."

In addition, the consultation on the council's Gaelic Development Plan ends on Friday, 22 July, and those wishing to take part should go to: https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=29268.

Buaidh de £21.6 millean aig an 'Eaconamaidh Ghàidhlig' ann an Glaschu air a mhìneachadh ann an aithisg ùr

Tha aithisg ùr a' nochdadh gu bheil buaidh an 'Eaconamaidh Ghàidhlig' ann an Glaschu a' tarraing £21.6millean don bhaile, a thuilleadh air taic do 700 obair.

Bharantaich a' Chomhairle - le taic bho Bhòrd na Gàidhlig - sgrùdadh rannsachaidh a thaobh luach an 'Eaconamaidh Ghàidhlig' ann an Glaschu. B' e amas an rannsachaidh, luach, fàs agus buaidh na Gàidhlig ann an Glaschu a thaisbeanadh. Bheachdaich an sgrùdadh air luach eaconamach na Gàidhlig, an ìre fàis na cleachdadh, agus mar a thug cànan is cultar na Gàidhlig buaidh air sunnd baile Ghlaschu.

Chaidh a' mhòr-chuid den bhuaidh seo a roinn a-mach ann an trì earrannan: Gnìomhachasan Cruthachail; Foghlam is Ionnsachadh; Turasachd, Aoigheachd agus Tachartasan.

Den 700 obair 'Eaconamaidh Ghàidhlig' a tha a' faotainn taic sa bhaile, tha 58% dhiubh sin ann an roinn an fhoghlaim is ionnsachaidh, le 23% sna gnìomhachasan cruthachail agus 16% ann an turasachd, aoigheachd agus tachartasan. Tha na h-obraichean sin a' cur £21.6 millean ri eaconamaidh Ghlaschu gach bliadhna.

Rinn an rannsachadh sgrùdadh air a' bhuaidh eaconamach aig fèisean agus tachartasan far a bheil prìomh àite aig a' Ghàidhlig (a' gabhail a-steach Celtic Connections, Piping Live!,  Farpaisean Pìobaireachd na Cruinne agus Duaisean Gàidhlig na h-Alba) agus lorgadh gu bheil buaidh eaconamach iomlan nam fèisean agus nan tachartasan sin co-cheangailte ri Gàidhlig, air a thuairmseadh aig £7.2 millean sa bhliadhna.

Fhuaireadh cuideachd gu bheil cleachdadh na Gàidhlig a' cur gu neartmhor ri sunnd ann an iomadh dòigh, a' gabhail a-steach raon nas motha de chothroman obrach, barrachd com-pàirt ann an gnìomhachd chorporra, leasachadh ann an uaill ionadail agus nàiseanta, mothachadh de dhearbh-aithne agus leasachadh ann an slàinte inntinn is toileachas.

Thuirt Dòmhnall Mac a' Phì, an t-Oifigear Leasachaidh Gàidhlig aig Comhairle Baile Ghlaschu:  "Tha an aithisg neo-eisimeileach seo a' dearbhadh mar a tha tasgadh ann an Gàidhlig a' lìbhrigeadh luach airgid glè àrd do Ghlaschu. Tha e a' sealltainn cuideachd far am faodadh buannachdan cudromach eile a bhith air an gintinn air feadh a' bhaile a thaobh cosnadh, teachd-a-steach agus sunnd nan saoranach. Tha e soilleir gu bheil comas ann air cothroman obrach a leudachadh agus iomairtean ùra fhàs gu buannachd nan saoranach uile.

Thuirt Seòna NicIllinnein, Àrd-Oifigear Bhòrd na Gàidhlig: "Tha sinn air leth toilichte toraidhean na h-aithisg seo a leughadh, a tha a' neartachadh na fìrinne gu bheil cànan is cultar na Gàidhlig a' brosnachadh chothroman tarsainn mòran roinnean de dh'eaconamaidh na h-Alba. Tha seo a thuilleadh air a buannachdan a thaobh sunnd dhaoine sa bheatha làitheil. Mar a bhios sinn a' gluasad air adhart gu an ath phlana nàiseanta airson Gàidhlig, tha na teachdaireachdan nas làidire agus nas soilleire na bha iad a-riamh - tha an cànan agus an eaconamaidh nam buannachd dha chèile,"

A bharrachd air sin, bidh an co-chomhairleachadh air Plana Leasachaidh Gàidhlig na Comhairle a' tighinn gu crìch air Dihaoine 22 Iuchar, agus bu chòir dhaibhsan a tha airson com-pàirteachadh ann a dhol gu: https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=29268.