Scottish Gaelic: Explained

Whilst you’re in Scotland it’s hard not to notice the ancient Gaelic language weaved into everyday life around you and the fascinating culture that stems from it. Gaelic dates back centuries and actually came across the water from Ireland in roughly the 6th century AD, quickly spreading across towns and cities Scotland-wide to later become the mother tongue of the medieval Kingdom of Alba.
There are hundreds of Scottish place names that carry origins from the Gaelic language. Dundee in the east of Scotland, for example, takes its name from the Gaelic Dùn Dè meaning Tay Fort, and as the city sits on the banks of the River Tay, it’s a very fitting name. Similarly, on the shores of Loch Leven in the Highlands, the village of Ballachulish in Gaelic is Baile a’ Chaolais which translates into ‘the village by the narrows’, and, geographically speaking, this describes the location of Ballachulish perfectly.
Historically speaking, Gaelic is closely linked with a variety of other Celtic languages, including Welsh, Cornish, Breton, Irish Gaelic and Manx Gaelic, but the cultural element of these languages is what made a lasting impression on the country. There was a range of factors which influenced the suppression of Gaelic over the centuries, such as the Highland Clearances, religious changes, population immigration and emigration, and the increasing presence of the English language amongst Scottish towns and villages.
Today in Scotland you can lap up the welcoming atmosphere, explore the history and customs of Gaelic music and song at a traditional music festival, join in an energetic ceilidh, marvel at the detailed routines of our Highland dances, and more across Scotland.
Gaelic is perceived to be a tricky language to pick up and pronounce correctly, and whilst that may be partially true, once you know a few phrases or words, you’re well on your way to communicating with the locals. You may not even realise it, but you already do speak some Gaelic. Whisky is short for Whiskybae, from uisge-beatha, meaning the ‘water of life’. Why not charm local native speakers by learning some useful Gaelic phrases or have a go at exchanging a few pleasantries?
Wherever you go in Scotland there will always be hints and glimpses of ancient Alba among the modern bustle of our busy lives. Keep your eyes peeled for phrases, join in with the local chatter in the Outer Hebrides, learn a thing or two about the language and take in the historic vibe of ancient Scotland.
Gaelic: www.visitscotland.com/about/u...
Bagpipes & Ceilidhs: www.visitscotland.com/about/u...
Trad Music Festivals: www.visitscotland.com/see-do/...
See more from VisitScotland:
Subscribe on KZbin: goo.gl/v8Rfpp
Visit our website: www.visitscotland.com/
Like our Facebook page: goo.gl/28ZRdn
Follow us on Instagram: goo.gl/Mc3dFD
Say hello on Twitter: / visitscotland

[@klcpesan]

Not only did the Education Act make English the sole language of schools, pupils were punished for speaking, writing, singing in Gaelic. I have many horror stories passed down from my grandparents and great grandparents. I find myself privileged and proud to have been able to do some Gaelic at school and to use it in my everyday life.

[@fotorabia]

Same here.But I missed out due to my Aussie birthplace. My Mum is 81 and she's still perfecting hers via Duolingo..then shes on the phone to Islay and blethers in Gaelic to her sister..I just like to listen..

[@klcpesan]

@@fotorabia my dad and his side of the family are from Islay 💙

[@lygo6670]

We had the same in Britanny : those wo spoke breton and gallo where punished (and even hit sometimes). That conducted these people to be ashamed of their own culture and languages, the number of people speaking gallo is very very low and those speaking breton has receded by two third between 80's and nowadays

[@EdilbertFernando]

Ah good old English doing English things

[@michaelhalsall5684]

The Celtic languages were treated with utter comtempt by the English speaking educators in the past. In the past children were punished for speaking Welsh (the "Welsh Not" etc.) and punished for speaking Irish (Gaeilge). The Celtic languages were looked down on as primitive or even unpatriotic. Now it's cool to be Celtic and all those languages are being revived and treated equally with English.

[@dianatralli4099]

Unfortunately according to wikipedia only 1% of the scottish population can speak this wonderful language but i also found out that they are opening more gaelic schools which is good because in the future we can get more gaelic speakers.

[@oneday7672]

I’m from the east of Scotland and have never met a single soul who speaks the language.

[@oneday7672]

CrooK You think that’s the only reason? I think it’s because the east is more culturally diverse with cities opposed to small close knit towns who seem to live behind the times a bit.

[@solidus784]

@Paulie Doodle No point being bitter you can learn it if you really want too.

[@solidus784]

@@oneday7672 I'm from Ireland and I've met a few speakers from the Hebrides you've probably met native speakers and not even realised it.

[@oneday7672]

solidus784 That’s the problem I never meet people from there, maybe I should go to them.

[@GaelicwithJason]

As a Gaelic teacher, I enjoyed this video's positivity towards the language and culture. As a former gamer, I was pleasantly surprised by the Bards tale connection. Perhaps viewers would enjoy a follow up video with some information on the links between Nova Scotia and Scotland. Ceud taing airson seo.

[@dianatralli4099]

I just found out your channel Jason and it's great , keep it up your good work :) love from italy

[@CH4RM33D]

I’m trying to learn Gaelic

[@ladyponylyrics2911]

Oh my God teach me, please :c

[@solidus784]

That's gas I've been searching for videos on learning Irish for the past 18 months and I've never found your channel before. Google mustn't like you.

[@joannayarbrough3883]

He's a great teacher! Jason is very well known amongst the Scottish Gaelic speakers I know.

[@Tho_rn_]

Scottish Gaelic is my native laungage. I'm from the highlands . Chòrd a’ bhidio seo rium agus tha mi an dòchas gum fàs a’ Ghàidhlig nas mòr-chòrdte air feadh an t-saoghail ❤

[@electrosharktv4271]

I’m still learning gàidhlig but I really do hope to learn my mother tongue, truly a beautiful language, Mar sin leat!

[@JimTimber]

Wonderful !! X

[@ladyponylyrics2911]

I have been wishing, ever since I was 4, to go to bed and wake up in Scotland. I am in love with the music, the language and the landscape, freaking awesome land :C I am learning Gaelic online, I can already say some stuff but it is taking its time for me to learn. Be proud my Scot pals, you have a beautiful country, hope to visit next year, FINALLY

[@bigboaby555]

get your ass over here :-)

[@chicky-to7qs]

Hey there's a guy on KZbin that teaches Gaelic, I saw him in the comments. His channel is called Gaelic with Jason. Maybe it will be useful to you :)

[@bigboaby555]

@thomas murphy could you be any more negative ?? I doubt she's going to be coming to Scotland to live in a Glasgow housing scheme dipshit , and if she's from Mexico then glasgow is nothing compared to Mexico's problems .

[@pablotown77]

bigboaby555 wow , you better don’t try to help her ...so Mexico worse than Scotland ...😂😂😂

[@Sabhail_ar_Alba]

@MR T She'll be fine if she avoids Glasgow.

[@carrie-anneking3461]

Schools are now starting to teach in Gaelic only which is fabulous. I wish it happened when I was in school in Glasgow

[@euangray4548]

Baa! They still learn English ya diddy

[@Syklonus]

I don't think that teaching only Gaelic is a good idea. Being bilingual is far better for development and intelligence, and it'd be silly to exclusively teach just Gaelic out of spite when the pupils will have to learn English eventually (and will find it harder as they get older). Making Gaelic available in more schools across Scotland is the answer, not segregating languages.

[@euangray4548]

Syklone I get what your saying that if kids don’t learn English then that is bad but when you live in a country which 99% English I can assure you that every single person who goes through a Gaelic school is as good at English as us

[@wfcoaker1398]

@@Syklonus They already speak English. It's the same with French immersion in Canada.

[@finaltuned2755]

Why is it fabulous when it isn't even a true Scottish language? It originally came from Ireland the video says so it s a good thing ultimately that only 1% speak it now, some of Scotland never spoke it ever in their entire history.

[@0Flow0]

Now I want to live in Scotland. Greetings from Finland.

[@adriannewebster]

We'd love to have you!

[@McConnachy]

Fàilte, you would be welcome. I’ve toured Finland, great country

[@rajub2835]

How is it Scotland.

[@Pining_for_the_fjords]

Tervetuola Englannista! Teillä on kaunis maa ja hieno kieli.

[@bb3ca201]

Ja haluaisin asua Suomessa ;)

[@OliveJuice023]

So glad to be learning more about my heritage. My last Scottish ancestor left Inverness for America in the 1870’s. But my great grandfather grew up in a Gaelic village in Canada in the 1920s. It’s sad how quickly your heritage can be lost if you don’t pass it on.

[@bullfighter42]

So true Rachel. I am from Canada but my ancestors left Ireland and Scotland in the 1800s from famine, I too have a great interest lately in learning about where and how my ancestors lived.

[@sarahmack8538]

i speak fluent gàidhlig, i’ve started speaking since i was 1 because my mum is a gàidhlig teacher and came from Harrais. Next year i’ll be picking subjects for exams and i’m either taking national 5 or higher gàidhlig

[@lenamackenzie3461]

Wait your mum is from Harris- Tha mise bho siud

[@user-ep8xo1od9o]

Make sure to teach your children (if or when you have them) too!! Gaelic is soo beautiful 🥰

[@CensoredSheepChannel]

Teach us 🤔😉

[@ilovejigen]

Very good! Teach us in the future!

[@hayleinope8873]

When I learned my ancestry was mostly Scottish, I started learning the language! Still learning and I hope to be fluent.

[@tedwilson8719]

Could I ask how you’re learning it? I moved from Scotland to New Zealand several years ago and there are not many resources over here to learn Gaelic

[@ahhh6328]

The western isles has plenty of Gaelic resources, all the street signs are still in it

[@dennis12dec]

You can now find the programme "Speaking Our Language" first broadcasted on BBC Alba in the 90's, it's on KZbin nowadays.

[@rogerpease8010]

@@tedwilson8719 mango language app is the way I am learning. I live in Michigan, U.S.A. I am going to be in Scotland in less than a month. I have been practicing with mango since January and I feel comfortable enough to introduce myself, ask where places are, small talk about the weather and much more. I would say I would be fluent but I dont have anyone to practice with here in the states.

[@tedwilson8719]

Roger Pease thank you 🙏 I’ll look into it!

[@kaiskogsberg3035]

I lived in Scotland my whole life without learning one word, but now that I moved away it feeels important to begin :) beautiful video :)

[@grahamfleming7642]

One word? Smashing ,galore,bog, lag,Whisky, tag,slogan, twig,ben,Strath,are one or two you might have used.

[@joannayarbrough3883]

Scottish Gaelic is now on Duolingo!

[@dennis12dec]

You can also watch on KZbin the series "Speaking Our Language" first seen on BBC Alba in the 90's, it's also a helpful hint.

[@TomorrowWeLive]

My father would always tell me how my great-grandfather, a Macpherson from Dairbaig, was the last person in our family who spoke Gàidhlig. He was an illiterate highlander, but he married Mary Campbell from Inverness, who came from a much better family than him and was a bit of a matriarch. Gaelic at the time was considered the language of the lower-class and uneducated, and Granny forbade him to speak it in the house--so he would go outside and speak it to his horse! Unfortunately the horse learnt more Gaelic than the children, so sadly it wasn't passed on. I've always loved Gaelic music, and felt it was a way of feeling in touch with my heritage, and I always wished I could understand the words. Unfortunately I don't think there's anywhere you can learn it where my family lives in New Zealand. I still hope one day to reclaim my ancestral tongue and reconnect with my roots. Remember, the most precious things in the world are your land, your language, and your people. Never give them up; they're what make us who we are. Unfortunately modern white people in the West, particularly the diaspora communities in the colonies, have completely lost touch with their own culture. We have forgotten where we come from, and so we have forgotten who we are.

[@marketgarden7337]

Halò, just to let you know the DuoLingo app recently added Scots Gaelic as a course and it's pretty good. It's all free and on all app stores. It's quite easy to get into and you can learn a lot from it.

[@TomorrowWeLive]

@@marketgarden7337 thanks!

[@Qwerty-hy5mj]

That’s weird. My ancestors are from Inverness and Kinross.

[@colinstafford7846]

There is also a Gaelic ( Gàidhlig) College on Skye. They do a very good internet based course. Iam giving the Gàidhlig course on Duo lingo a go and enjoying it.

[@hughmac13]

You're hardly in the West. And I'm sorry you come from Campbells.

[@SethCocker05]

I love the Scottish accent

[@SpookyElectric319]

Which one? There’s many.

[@steffenrosmus1864]

@@SpookyElectric319 probably not Glaswegian😂😉

[@rodrigovaccari7547]

So do I, could hear it every day.

[@sron-adharcach950]

Steffen Rosmus Also probably not Edinburgh From Glasgow 🤗

[@jangowan5742]

@ ..so they say,and yes but it can make a comeback..Foras na Gaelige have a New dictionary out..I am getting it for Samhain na Nollag buicious mor la Dia😍

[@yasminpakdel6223]

I´m obsessed with Scotland, and I am in love with Scottish Gaelic and the Scottish english dialects! I hope I one day get to learn Gaelic

[@hayleinope8873]

You can easily find books online.

[@HutchSco]

It’s harder trying to understand us speaking English

[@HutchSco]

Paulie Doodle haha bad idea 😂😂

[@curtisking8393]

I'm Irish and I can read and understand Basic Scottish Gaelic. It suprised me because I stumbled upon it. 😅

[@ballscrusher4]

scots isn't a dialect of english, it's a language. it's great fun to learn, too

[@katerinakempb8217]

Proud of the Scots, for keeping your language alive. Kiaora and Kia kaha from NZ.

[@lauraherring8277]

Katerina Kempb Kia Ora! Im from Scotland but lived in New Zealand for a year and they are both very similar! Felt like I was at home

[@milkman9314]

I'm going to try to help with scottish gaelic for duolingo

[@tourmaline1810]

@@tjsluxmeachristus1936 It is our language. Gaelic was spoken all over Scotland until receding only to the highlands and Outer Hebrides.

[@audioxix]

@@tjsluxmeachristus1936 There is no record of the the picts speaking Doric. So you can speak Doric all you want, but don't try to act like you are somehow follow pictish culture, as we know very little about them, other than it was our native ancestry line. They most likely had their own language for all we know, but assuming how the majority of the British isle and Ireland where all Celtic tribes, I can bet it was most likely a variation of Gaelic.

[@SpookyElectric319]

This thing is, it’s dying out, very few speak it at all here.

[@brenainnmacthomais]

This is brilliant! I have Ulster Irish and am taking steps to learn the other Celtic languages. It’s important we know who we are and from where we came. It’s important to know our ancestors’ hardships and accomplishments! It’s important to see how we have changed-how we have grown and how we have regressed.

[@deborahdarcy6268]

You forgot to mention the East coast of Canada, Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia has a lot of Gaelic speakers, many east coast musicians also sing in Gaelic and Prince Edward Island has Ceilighs, and the Piping College that has Gaelic singers. I had no idea there were people speaking it out in Alberta. As most people from PEI I have ancestors from Scotland, around the Island of Mull. I would love to see Scotland one day. My cousin has Highland Cattle in PEI, they are awesome.

[@theyellowdukesscotland499]

It's difficult to condense 1500 years of Gaelic's complex history into a 6 minute video. Well done. An enjoyable and enlightening presentation.

[@Mommapunkin]

What a beautiful language!! Especially the lovely songs..

[@luissantiago8446]

Scottish Gaelic is beautiful. The lovely lilt in the tone seems to compliment the loveliness of the country itself. The language Iends itself well to poetry. Whether its recited or sung.

[@eimhinlynch1517]

I never realised the scots pronounced gaelic as galic as opposed to galeic like we do in ireland. Also funny how the languages can look so similar and yet sound very unique and different

[@McConnachy]

It’s is a very similar language but I think Scots Gaelic is far more guttural. I can understand some Irish but the pronunciation throws me. Both beautiful languages, we are cousins 👍

[@Minime163]

When you see how differently we irish and scots speak english it's not suprising that we'd speak gealic differently donegal and northern ireland speak simerly to the scots

[@Robwolf28]

You said Gallic I wish I knew what the Belgicans spoke, or the Iceni peoples or did they speak Breton. My surname is partially Gallic or Beligican it is perserved due to being a name of town that my ancestors were lord over. See Gaul has been overly Latinized (Roman occupation for so long before the Franks came , but even the Franks in West Francia started speaking French which is more derived from Latin.) when it comes to language, so the original languages there died out.

[@steffenrosmus1864]

Scotland and Ireland: 2 countries divided by one language

[@cianoc8211]

Finn MickCool nah. Heard this being said loads of times, but when I actually heard Scots Gaelic being spoken on BBC Alba it wasn’t anywhere as soft as Ulster Irish - which isn the defining feature of Ulster Irish - and at times was as harsh as Connacht Irish

[@theScottexan]

Thank you for this! Beautiful and inspiring 😍

[@nathandebruin5853]

What a great video, thank you for sharing this.

[@naomizusawa1263]

I fell in love with Scotland since my first visit there last year!!! I'm very much glad to find yor updating^^!

[@ChrisKania]

Beautifully made video and fascinating too

[@materdeimusicd.buckley2974]

I'm Irish. Very interesting, thanks to whoever shared with me. Ta Gaeilge agamsa. I speak Munster dialect. I once met music inspector from outer Hebrides. He gave me some books with songs from the area. I still have one. I sing a Scottish song, but with Munster pronunciation. I'm glad to hear you are trying to revive the language. My children went to a Gaelscoil. They have been successful here in Ireland. The one danger is loosing the richness of the individual dialects. Also there has been some Anglicisation. Something for you to watch for. Still, it's great that my children can speak this language fluently. Ta Gaeilge agamsa ach nil se go fliurseach agam. Wishing you every success in your revival. Go neiri libh.

[@Rozeg666]

I'm a Russian native speaker studying English... and I absolutely adore your accent and the amazing Gaelic language!

[@stevestruthers6180]

Many Gaelic-speaking Highlanders settled Canada in large numbers, and not just in Nova Scotia. Many settled in Ontario and Alberta, and the place names found in both of these provinces reflect origins in Gaelic-speaking parts of Scotland. Calgary, for instance is the largest city in the province of Alberta, and it was named after its namesake which can be found on the Isle of Mull in the Highlands. I live in London, Ontario, but less than an hour's drive to my west is the village of Glencoe. There is also nearby Iona Station, named after Iona. In the county where I was born, you can find the hamlet of Aberarder, the name of which also comes from the Highlands.

[@BENKCHAFIK-ef3gt]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP, GOD BLESSINGS SCOTLAND.

[@SuperPogacsa]

I want to visit Scotland soooo bad! This video brought me to tears and I don't know why. Greetings from a Hungarian girl currently living in Canada.😊

[@ryanferguson1976]

Hop on a plane and make it happen 😃

[@SuperPogacsa]

@@ryanferguson1976 hopefully soon, but definitely one day! It's expensive to travel, especially with two young kids.

[@sirena7116]

My first language. I still speak it, too.

[@andrefelipe9982]

Amazing!!!! Falling in love with this country. Thanx for posting.

[@christinelynch6611]

Thank you for this amazing video on the Gaelic language and it's place in our Scottish heritage and culture. I often regretted that our 'native' language wasn't taught in our schools when I was a school girl, therefore am delighted to hear it is making a comeback. I bought a book titled, "Everyday Gaelic" when I visited Mull several years ago with the intent of learning it on my own, not doing so well I'm afraid, but I keep it still. Maybe someday! Thanks again for touching my heart.

[@dizheller2101]

Beautiful! Thanks, Mary Ann! :)

[@keloduma]

I hope Gaelic becomes the most dominant language in Scotland.

[@kingdomofbird8174]

In ireland (island too) And spanish become majority in south USA

[@finaltuned2755]

Gaelic is not a true Scottish language so no, we do not accept it in Scotland.

[@zackgravity7284]

@@kingdomofbird8174 spanish is already popular in south america, but I do hope more endangered native american languages like Navajo, K'iche and Yucatec become more popular.. They are getting courses on duolingo so who knows..

[@antrestarig]

@@finaltuned2755 You do know that no language is "truly" from anywhere, yes? Yes, Gaidhlig's linguistic ancestor (Old Irish) came to Scotland from Ireland. English's linguistic ancestor (Anglo-Saxon) came to England (coincidently around the same time) from Denmark and Friesland. Both Old Irish and the Cumbro-Pictish languages Old Irish replaced in Scotland came to to the British isles in general from Proto-Celtic in and around modern Austria, which itself now speaks a totally unrelated Germanic language (Modern German)... Every single language mentioned in this post 'came' to all of these places from the Balck Sea/Caucuses as various strains of Proto-Indo-European, replacing now extinct Pre-PIE substrate languages all along the way. It's what languages do. They spread, they change, they mix, and they diverge. That said, Gaidhlig, much like English, developed its uniqueness "as" a language distinct unto itself "in" Scotland. Hell, even the word 'Scotland' means 'land of the gaels'-- Similarly, English "became" English in England. French "became' French in France (where, as invasive Latin, it similarly wiped out an earlier (Celtic) substrate, which itself had already replaced a (Pre-PIE) substrate)--- the best claim any language has to belonging to anywhere is a history of local evolution into something different to either its cousins or its parent tongues, wherever they might be. Whether it survives or not, Gaidhlig is Scotland's because it's nobody else's-- if Gaidhlig is not a "true Scottish language" in your eyes, true national languages don't exist. Unless you're talking about critical mass speakership, in which case Scotland's true language is English until something bigger comes along and we're all writing this in Mandarin

[@kingdomofbird8174]

@@sron-adharcach950 SOUTH OF AMERICA IS A CONTINENT, AND SOUTH OF USA IS REGION

[@Me2Lancer]

Thank you for sharing the beauty of Scottish Gaelic and the wonderful heritage of Scotland. Much of my heritage comes from Scotland.

[@waynemclaughlin6089]

The speaker in this video flew right over Nova Scotia a Canadian Atlantic Provinces in Canada that got it's a Latin name which means New Scotland. Now on Nova Scotia there's an island that is connected to the mainland of Nova Scotia by a bridge call Cape Breton Island. It is the only place I know of that has Canadians of Scottish ancestry from the Highlands of Scotland speaking the Scottish Gaelic. Two famous Maritime families that I know of from Cape Breton Island are the Rankin family and the Barra McNeill both families sing in English and in Gaelic. A lot of Cape Bretoners of Scottish Highlands ancestry kept the language and traditional Scottish dances alive like the Highland fling or sword dancing. Scottish Nova Scotians has one of the largest Cèilidh gathering of it's kind in North America. The second being in Ontario because a lot of Scottish Highlanders and lowlanders immigrated to Ontario too as well as Québec. But hey lady skip over all these Canadian Provinces go right straight to Banff Alberta. Just because they have a city named after a city in Scotland. Well in that case Nova Scotia has a city called New Glasgow on Cape Breton Island. Tapadh leat agus mar sin leat!

[@davidcunningham7432]

The video overlooks Nova Scotia (New Scotland/Alba Nuach) where the Gaelic culture thrives and where Gaelic is taught at all levels of education, particularly in Cape Breton.

[@PC4USE1]

As someone who has Irish on both sides of the family,I would love to see our Scottish cousins homeland. Looks so beautiful there and you can go to a land where another language is spoken but English is spoken and understood as well.

[@michaelhalsall5684]

The Scottish Gaelic is closely related to Gaeilge (irish language). The cultures of both countries similar of course.

[@Lisajonesgreenwood]

Well done! Keep up the great work

[@Anna-mc3ll]

Thank you for this interesting video!

[@thefishylife6823]

I'm half full blooded Scottish and half French/Canadian...... and I live in Texas , gotta love this big world!!!!

[@LilaicMusicOfficial]

such a vibrant wee video, i am Scottish through and through and have took it upon myself to learn Gàidhlig. it is so strange that i have tried to learn other languages like Spanish, a language i love and struggle to remember it. and yet, Gàidhlig comes quite natural to me and it is somehow easier to remember. but that is beautiful because it is in my roots, one of the native languages of Scotland. it is such a fun and interesting language to speak, makes me feel even more at home and even more proud! 💙🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@luissantiago8446]

There needs to be more folks with your attitude. Scottish Gaelic is spoken music.

[@aortaplatinum]

Thank you so much! I'm in the opening stages of an indie game where I'm taking heavy inspiration from Irish & Scottish culture and I've got a few location names in Gaelic, so hearing your pronunciations really helped a lot!

[@chefntoast]

Well done 👏🏽

[@johnmacleod4481]

Thank you for this informative insight to a beautiful language still being richly and culturally preserved to this day.

[@edwardhowie6102]

Being preserved? by how many people exactly? it's like the Monty Python parrot deceased not sleeping.

[@RaghnaidAnnaNicGaraidh]

70 000 speakers worldwide, of all ages. Chan eil a' Ghàidhlig marbh.

[@padraigquinn7105]

Raghnaid Anna NicGaraidh does that mean “Scottish is not dead”? I speak Irish so I like to try to understand Gaelic!

[@karphin1]

Dunedin, Albany, Banff. The names might be Scottish, but I’ll bet there’s nowhere in North America that has a stronger Scots influence, than Cape Breton, Nova Scotia (New Scotland), Canada. Only a few years ago, there were about 100,000 Gaelic speakers in Cape Breton. There still are pockets where the language still survives, and several musical groups, like “the Rankin Family”, and “”the Barra MacNeils”, still sing some songs in Gaelic. Also a lot of fiddle music and bagpipes are still played, and learned. There is a college on Cape Breton that teaches Gaelic, as well! I am sorry that this lovely video missed this!!

[@ryanferguson1976]

The Scot’s know our own, and I’d be at home anywhere in Nova Scotia, a weird thing is wen a group of people move, they retain the original culture, where as the country has moved on, so I’d love to visit and you can tell me about our shared history 😃

[@karphin1]

@@ryanferguson1976 sure, if you came, I’m sure a history lesson could be arranged!

[@ryanferguson1976]

@@karphin1 that would be amazing 👍

[@tugceaydn8550]

I loved this video and i really hope that this language will continue to stay alive, it really sounds beautiful

[@AngelaSmith_1970]

This is one of the many languages I want to learn, as I’m part Scottish, including my own indigenous American language of Lushootseed of the Tulalip Tribes of Washington, we indigenous peoples of the North American continent were severely punished for speaking our native tongue, and feel for our brothers and sisters who were oppressed in their cultures, but as demonstrated there’s almost always some small group fiercely determined to keep their language alive and I’m extremely grateful for their sacrifices and their efforts to teach us 🥺🙏🏽 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@AndyB1286]

I'm learning Scottish Gaelic with the aid of a German teacher. It's a frustrating language at times, but I'm persevering. Nice to see Jason commenting here too, my wife and I enjoy his videos :) Tha mi ag ionnsachadh Gàidhlig còmhla ri thidseir "Ghàidheileamailteach" :) Uaireannan tha an cànan doirbh, ach bidh mi a' buanachadh. Tha e snog gun robh Jason a' sgrìobhadh facal cuideachd, is toil leinn na bhideothan aige :)

[@Seumas-MacDhaibhidh]

Excellent video! Gle mhath!!!

[@grenzboy2730]

amazing video, i’ve learn something new today, thanks a lot❤ will definitely go visit, such an amazing land

[@johnmclennan6568]

Absolutely lovely

[@Seumas-MacDhaibhidh]

Glè mhath, agus tapadh leibh! I love this video! Indeed, Gàidhlig is a beautiful language, and I enjoy it very much!

[@xx-hh4fe]

I'm a Turkish whose hobby is to dabble into languages and I'm in love with Scottish Gaelic!!

[@charlieross-BRM]

It's one of the most beautiful languages when sung gently, especially by a woman.

[@xx-hh4fe]

@@charlieross-BRM indeed it is. would you give that kind of song recommendations for me to listen?

[@Somerset-In-The-Blood]

Kim Carnie & Julie Fowlis...

[@colford5833]

I hear it spoken a lot when I roam the Western Highlands from Knoydart up to Ullapool and onward to Cape Wrath, all the places have Gaelic names, the people are warm and welcoming and will teach you what words mean and how to pronounce them correctly if you ask politely, I fell in love with the Highlands and always looking for excuses to go back, luckily Carlisle is not too far away.

[@luissantiago8446]

Would love to go. I find the Highlands and the islands to be fascinating. Along with the rest of Scotland.

[@billycampbell854]

Greetings from the Appalachian Mts of Northeast Tennessee, enjoyed your program. I'm proud of my Scott Ancestors, who endured hardship after hardship to settle here in America.🖋

[@keithlordofalbascotland3371]

Bugger aff Campbell 🖕

[@luissantiago8446]

Its funny, and rather odd sometimes, how people who hail from the mountains,share similar traits and habits. I'm originally from Puerto Rico, and born in the mountains. Jibaros, have a distinctive and pronounced culture, which is different then coastal dwellers. The people in the mountains, are resilient, fiercely independent, strongly religious, and very hospitable. Much of the unique music is bittersweet, with a mixture of melancholy and joy. The mountains are beautiful, but living there is difficult because there are only a number of occupations one can engage in. So folks leave to the cities or other countries. But its that same spirit I pick up when I visit the Appalachians, or see the images of the Highlands. That poignant, melancholic, sweetness is there.

[@billycampbell854]

@@keithlordofalbascotland3371 thanks for the kind words.

[@billycampbell854]

@@luissantiago8446 it was good to hear your story and it was very interesting. God bless you.

[@luissantiago8446]

@@billycampbell854 Thank you!

[@wimschoenmakers5463]

It's important to speak your local language and holding on to the traditions. Once gone its for ever!

[@scottishalwaysdixie1638]

Beautiful 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 at its best

[@YutongXie-zs6sz]

very interesting video. thank you

[@johnfoster4414]

Part of my heritage. Love it. Thanks.

[@davidthewhale7556]

Half Celtic (mostly Scottish), half tyke( Yorkshire) and I’m proud of both my heritages

[@sasquatchbrett6331]

WOW! Can't believe there is NO mention of New Scotland otherwise known as Nova Scotia where our ancestors crossed the Atlantic & a strong Gaelic community (Cape Breton) still resides!

[@sweiland75]

A glaring oversight.

[@HanneloreHaubentaucher]

Thank you for this informative video! I plan to move to scotland in a few years, after saving some money and speaking english perfectly and learning some gaelic sentences. Your country is the best!

[@GibsonLesMick]

You're going to be completely shocked if you try and learn English and then move to Scotland. They have very strong accents, dialects, and slang. I'm Irish and even I find them difficult to understand sometimes :P

[@HanneloreHaubentaucher]

@@GibsonLesMick yeah I know... But it's my dream to move to scotland - so I need to start make it able to do it somehow :D

[@GibsonLesMick]

@@HanneloreHaubentaucher well then I wish you the best of luck! :D

[@HanneloreHaubentaucher]

@@GibsonLesMick thank you dear :D

[@HanneloreHaubentaucher]

@Paulie Doodle thanks for that. Everything like that is very helpful :D I will work hard to learn the dialect there - am planning to move to the Aberdeenshire or something like that. Am so unhappy in Germany, so I hope I can move to scotland in about four years. But won't move until I speak fluently c:

[@nachc6459]

This is fascinating!!!!!

[@iloveejbgssnoopy]

I love this film I love Gaelic and I am learning it now

[@edwardhowie6102]

That's Nice why don't you learn a language that is relevant instead of that rubbish

[@sage7296]

edward howie let them learn what interests them,it’s how they have fun

[@cynthiajotim8223]

@@edwardhowie6102 I would only say this to you Mr. Howie, to me I learn this language to keep it alive cause many died in Culloden and had it taken away, also because I love it and visited Scotland and got to speak it with locals. So for me and the future generations of those clans I will learn it with love in my heart. then there is another reason personal to me. My late father studied 13 languages prior to his strokes three of them and he loved languages and also my late mom had Alzheimer I am challenging my brain.

[@calconi6427]

@@edwardhowie6102 TROLLLL in the dungeon 😂

[@honeywasp7839]

I may not speak gealic as i live in dundee but i so much want to learn it and have been trying to learn it by using a website that is all about learning the beautiful language

[@dennis12dec]

You may watch on KZbin episodes of Speaking Our Language which was shown on BBC Alba in the 90's, this is also a helpful hint. Also you may listen to BBC Radio Nan Gaidheal which is on the BBC Sounds(available only in the UK) or the BBC iPlayer Radio app you can download to your smartphone(Mobile data or Wifi is needed for access).

[@dennis12dec]

Scottish Gaelic is now available on the Duolingo app, do check it out.

[@craigdavidson2278]

My grandad lived on the edge of Rannoch moor, he only spoke a few words of English which made it hard for my annual school holidays coming up from the suusex coast. He'd take myself and my 3 older sisters out in his archaic '56 land rover, to visit his friends and to get us out of the house. He would talk about the land, the weather and the people, little did we understand but sometimes understanding a language us more than knowing what the words mean but also about an emotional understanding of the context. When grandads eyes would fill with tears as he spoke about a loch and pointed to some distant shore, we understood his loneliness. (From the lone shieling of the misty island. Mountains divide us, and the waste of seas- Yet still the blood is strong, the heart is Highland, And we in dreams behold the Hebrides:)

[@kenmystro]

ama weegie and loved this

[@solasnagreine8708]

I'm an Irish speaker Gaeilge having a go learning a wee bit of Gàidhlig, lots in common similar but Scottish Gaelic has some strange spelling compared to Irish. Still fun to try, am enjoying Irish and Scottish Gaelic on Duolingo!

[@HN-kr1nf]

i think gàidhlig is more similar to older forms of gaeilge

[@solasnagreine8708]

@@HN-kr1nf I agree Gaidhlig is more like Irish was before An Caighdéan Oifigiúil (The Official Standard) for Irish spelling was introduced in the 1950s

[@HN-kr1nf]

@@solasnagreine8708 i think it's because early forms of irish were spoken in ireland, the isle of man and parts of scotland. so it evolved into gaeilge in ireland, gaelg in the isle of man and gàidhlig in scotland.

[@sron-adharcach950]

N H Nah, The kingdom of Dal Riata spoke old Irish, pictoand spoke Pictish and when they combined to firm Alba, Gaelic got some Pictish influence.

[@pauliedoodle1939]

I think someone is having a laugh with Scottish Gaelic on Duolingo. One of the first phrases it taught me to say was, ‘Irn Bru agus cù.’ Which I think means Irn Bru and a dog. 😂 At least you can’t say the Scots don’t have a sense of humour lol.

[@aoifel895]

As an Irish speaker I'm really uneasy as to how I can understand everything in this language without having ever heard it before

[@McConnachy]

Why uneasy? I’ve been to Ireland many times, and as a Scot I immediately recognised many uncanny similarities, we are the same, but slightly different. Scots Gaelic is a more guttural language than Irish, I would be surprised if you understand some of the stronger dialects.

[@aoifel895]

I didn't mean it in a bad way, I just meant I was surprised ! We don't really experience this with English.

[@mehitablestorm8877]

If you can understand one, you can understand the other. In general.

[@sidneezingara1976]

Aoife L I’ve been trying to learn Irish for over a year now. Just started Duolingo’s Scots Gaelic and I prefer the audio Duo supplies for that; it’s better than the Irish which is sadly, lacking. I’m surprised how many words and sentences I understand in Gaelic. Still can’t hold a decent conversation, though😖

[@grahamfleming7642]

Eader Erin agus Alba, an sruth na moile,just 12 miles,a lot o cross ower between da twa

[@kahogod]

beautiful language... and have magical vibe with it..

[@grahamstephenson3503]

How wonderful, my mothers family records go back to Scotland in the 16th centuary and I love Scotland and have been all throughout many times.The true language is amazing. Cheers from Australia.

[@stepstepchachacha]

I'm disappointed you didn't include Nova Scotia (New Scotland) in your list of Gaelic areas in Canada. Our population is strong with Scottish surnames and culture. Our citizens proudly wear tartan kilts and regularly conduct highland games with highland dance competitions. There is even a Gaelic College in our northern region of Cape Breton where roadsigns are displayed in English and Gaelic. You really should come visit us where you will be met with ciad mile failte.

[@robanks3895]

I never heard of Nova Scotia, why did the Scots move over there I wonder

[@TheFPSChannel]

What‽ No mention of New Scotland‽‽‽ (Nova Scotia!!!!) Cape Breton, Nova Scotia has Gaelic signage everywhere. The Gaelic College teaches the language. Kilts and tartan a plenty. A huge part of our culture. Way more than Banff!

[@keithlordofalbascotland3371]

Banff Aberdeenshire or Banff oer the water

[@sgtcrab1]

St FX Uni in Antigonish offers under graduate and graduate degrees in Gaelic. Most street signs and rural communities are signed English and Gaelic.

[@nozecone]

I've never seen much Gaelic signage in NS - other than in Pugwash. Anyway, signs don't mean much, and the kilts and tartans don't have much to do with Gaelic culture. I'm all for the Gaelic, and Cape Breton deserves a mention - but there are only a few native-speakers left. I think Banff was mentioned only as a place-name with Gaelic roots ... ?

[@Syklonus]

Why would they mention Nova Scotia? It's in a completely different country. This video is about Scotland. You know, the original.

[@nozecone]

@@Syklonus The video is about Scottish Gaelic, not about Scotland. You know, the language.

[@shurato00]

I have an special bound with the language since I watched Brave and fell in love with the Noble Maiden Fair, it led me to Julie Fowlis , I'd to visit Scotland one day!

[@riverIl0719]

*This is amazing!*

[@wilfbentley6738]

You have neglected Nova Scotia in Canada, where there are lots of gaelic schools and events.

[@MasterMichelleFL]

We have a Dunedin in Florida!❤

[@kuhelss]

Crocodile dun de?

[@barkebaat]

I'm half Scottish & half Norwegian. One day I'll sail across the sea and come visit.

[@northscot9862]

You will be welcome. SAOR ALBA GU BRATH.

[@fryrish7749]

You've got your own longboat?

[@barkebaat]

@@fryrish7749 : Yes, I do :-)

[@patrickmurphy9266]

@@northscot9862 Tiocfaidh do là

[@northscot9862]

@@patrickmurphy9266 Nas luaithe na nas fhaide air adhart tha mi an dòchas. SAOR ALBA GU BRATH

[@isaacgreenough9527]

Awesome video!!!!!!!!

[@samgrey5597]

Beautiful

[@tonyhart97]

As an Irish guy I'm amazed at how similar it is to Irish, its essentially another dialect of Irish! Fáilte, ó do dheartháireacha in Éirinn. 🇮🇪🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@brucecollins4729]

no

[@aoibhinn1701]

Yes

[@littleravendesigns5587]

Oh my ancestors language, I wish to learn! I hope it comes on Duolingo app soon!!

[@NicTC26]

Gaelic isn't on DuoLingo, but it is on Mango Languages! Check your local library for access. =)

[@solidus784]

It is pretty similar to Irish if you wanted to get a taste of it on duolingo. ádh mór

[@annag2180]

@@NicTC26 thanks so much for this comment! I was wondering where I could learn

[@fionnagrant6636]

There is also a Learn Scottish Gaelic app if you have apple devices. I really enjoyed it as there is a bit of humor sprinkled in. Wish it was available for Android too though

[@woodshed1006]

@@solidus784 nope the more you look at it the more separate they are even the grammar

[@lyndaoneill7813]

It is such a pity this beautiful language was not kept going.Its lovely to listen to and the songs really relax you.I hope it is brought back in more schools.👍

[@joshsmom6662]

Lovely! Like a mini-vacation to Scotland 😊 Thank you!

[@cynicaldrummer286]

It is very similar to Irish Gaelic ( Gaelige)

[@danmaciver]

It came from Ireland

[@alexwhat8582]

It came from here but the pronunciation it's very different in my opinion, but I'm from the south and in all of Ireland their are differences.

[@danmaciver]

Alex, aye you're right there. I come from the outer hebrides so even in the inner and outer hebrides north and south theres different dialects and accents plus you get the sol mòr ostaig Gaelic 🤣

[@alexwhat8582]

@@danmaciver true, but it is a beautiful language either way, but very different everywhere it's spoken.

[@cynicaldrummer286]

@@alexwhat8582 oh yeah I live in Connacht and Munster Irish sounds completely different. We say taww =tá. And ye say teigh like neigh of a horse. Which sounds like to go= teigh in Connacht

[@alexandermacdonald2151]

Disappointed you mentioned all those other places that have a hand full of people that speak the language and no mention of Cape Breton, NS. 1700s - early 1900s we had 200,000 to 250,000 speakers in Nova Scotia alone. We also tried to get a bill passed to make Gaelic the third language of Canada in the late 1800s. It's also known that the Gaelic spoken in Cape Breton is to be an older then what is spoken in Scotland now. As we had pockets of people that were isolated from the rest of the world, we kept our language true. We have two Gaelic Collegs here on the island, and it's also spoken and tought in our schools to our now. Our road signs are all in Gaelic and English. Nova Scotia means New Scotland.

[@luissantiago8446]

Nova Scotians should be proud in their part in keeping true Scottish language and culture alive. We salute you!!!

[@vishalchandjain3090]

grE8 ! Thanks for sharing

[@jfloresdrums]

I absolutely fell in love with Scotland 2 weeks ago and I only went to Edinburgh. I really want to explore the entire of Scotland and visit the Emo Cows

[@ThePlutarch44]

My paternal grandfather, Murdo, born on Lewis, was a Gaelic speaker from infancy. He didn't learn English until he went to school. He married a Glaswegian girl and they moved to Canada sometime before the First World War.

[@23ywatsut]

Your country, people and the language are lovely! What's the word for someone who loves Scotland in Scottish Gaelic?

[@bradhartliep879]

Is breá liom Albain [I love Scotland] Is breá liom Cailíní na hAlban lena gcuid gruaige Sinséar [I love the Scottish Girls with their Hair so Ginger] .. [Or Brown. Or Blond. Or Black. Or Auburn. Or whatever gets them out of their Scottish Knickers, grinding my Wee Willie Winkie like a Nashed-out Nessie on a Rutting Rampage] .. Saor Alba Gu Brath "Go Scotland!" [Not Literally] "Free Scotland Forever" [also not literally] ..

[@23ywatsut]

@@bradhartliep879 Thank you, Brad.

[@yallowapples]

Brad Hartliep this is definitely Irish Gaelic!

[@23ywatsut]

@@yallowapples after a little investigation, it appears you are right.

[@alexquinn3148]

@@bradhartliep879 yep mate that’s Irish Gaelic but you tried

[@danyrobidoux9183]

Really interesting 👍

[@TheLRider]

Absolutely beautiful. Salutations and support from fellow Celts.. Cariad at bob dim o'r Alban.

[@highlandkenzie]

Hello, I'm from Ukraine. I love Scotland so much! Of course, I would like to study Gaelic, but I can't find any book for it! Is there any special textbook for studying Gaelic or on-line course?

[@visitscotland]

Hi there! 👋 LearnGaelic is a great place to start for online learning material, hope you find it useful! 😊▶️ learngaelic.scot/? -Katie

[@dennis12dec]

You can also watch the episodes of "Speaking Our Language" first seen on BBC Alba in the 90's, its on KZbin.

[@dennis12dec]

If you're using the Duolingo app, great news the Scottish Gaelic course is now available, just look for this icon 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿.

[@brucecollins4729]

@@visitscotland look up origins of the scots and irish gaels on irish origenes for a more realistic and believable account. the scots coming from ireland is based purely on myth , nothing else. you people should know this.

[@saynotop2w]

It's important to keep languages alive which in turn keeps culture and heritage. American Indians/indigenous have difficult time on that because the language is almost all been lost. The same goes for Hawai'i and Ainu alongside Icelandic. What the Scots and Irish have done to revive Gaelic is remarkable.

Icelandic is alive and well in Iceland.

[@scottbenjamin5285]

I'm not sure there is Gaelic in Banff. I don't really know where this fact came from but on Cape Breton island in Nova Scotia Gaelic is still spoken in homes and many communities to this day and the language is even thriving within the youth. Some children are still learning it in the home. There is a resurgence in learning the language and keeping it alive.

[@russfrancis4220]

Never been to Scottland but would love to visit!!! Born in Los Angeles, 4th generation Californian, I am Scottish/Irish. Tay is my middle name and my Father's Mother's maiden name. My Father's Father (Francis from Canada) I named My first born Tay. I HOPE TO VISIT YOU OVER THERE IN SCOTLAND AND IRELAND SOMEDAY!! It looks beautiful!

[@Munchkin.Of.Pern09]

4:10 - She’s wearing Leod MacLeod! Hello cousin!!

[@keithlordofalbascotland3371]

Horrible bunch of f*****s

[@SAAD-jn6bf]

Madainn mhath from Kuwait 🤚🏽❤️

[@stinkyfishld]

Learning an entire side of my family was super Scottish (yes if you know) decided to learn this culture and wow is it amazing and fun can’t wait to learn it all

[@JimTimber]

Wonderful video !! I've been subscribed !! lol 😁😁