In this lecture, Rob Dunbar and Wilson McLeod explore the development of Edinburgh's Gaelic community and its social and cultural institutions over the centuries.
Although it is often thought that Gaelic has little connection with Edinburgh, the language has had a presence here for more than a thousand years. This can be seen through the numerous Gaelic placenames in the city. From the late seventeenth century onwards, increasing numbers of Highlanders flocked to the city seeking work. Edinburgh has been home to many prominent Gaelic writers, scholars, ministers and cultural leaders over the years.
Join us to examine the changing position of the language in the modern city, as the number of Gaelic education opportunities grow and the language receives greater recognition.
The event will also include music from young Edinburgh clàrsach player and Gaelic speaker, Laura Penman. She was a finalist in the Young Traditional Musician of the year competition, 2025.
About the speakers
Rob Dunbar is Professor of Celtic at the University of Edinburgh. He is a prolific author on minority language policy and minority language rights.
Wilson McLeod is Professor of Gaelic at the University of Edinburgh. He is the author of 'Gaelic in Scotland: Policies, Movements, Ideologies'.
About Edinburgh 900
To mark the 900th anniversary of our city, these events tell the story of Edinburgh's journey through the centuries – from being the City of David in the 12th century to being the City of Diversity in the 21st century.
This is the second of four events about Gaelic in Edinburgh organised by Ionad Gàidhlig Dhùn Èideann.
Anns an òraid seo, tha Rob Dunbar agus Wilson MacLeòid a’ sgrùdadh leasachadh coimhearsnachd Ghàidhlig Dhùn Èideann agus a comainn shòisealta is chultarail thar nan linntean.
Ged a tha cuid den bheachd nach eil ceangal làidir aig a' Ghàidhlig ri Dùn Èideann, tha an cànan air a bhith an làthair anns a' bhaile airson còrr air mìle bliadhna. Chithear seo ann an iomadh ainm-àite Gàidhlig anns a' bhaile. Bho dheireadh an t-seachdamh linn deug air adhart, thàinig barrachd is barrachd Ghàidheal dhan bhaile a' sireadh obrach. Bha Dùn Èideann na dhachaigh do dh'iomadh sgrìobhadair, sgoilear, ministear agus ceannard cultarail cliùiteach thar nam bliadhnaichean. Thigibh còmhla rinn gus faicinn mar a tha suidheachadh na Gàidhlig anns a' bhaile ag atharrachadh, le cothroman air foghlam Gàidhlig a' fàs agus an cànan a' faighinn barrachd aithne.
Bidh an òraid anns a' Ghàidhlig le eadar-theangachadh mar-aon gu Beurla. Bidh an tachartas cuideachd a' toirt a-steach ceòl bho Laura Penman, clàrsair òg à Dùn Èideann agus neach-labhairt na Gàidhlig. Bha i anns a' chuairt dheireannaich ann am farpais Ceòladair Òg Traidiseanta na Bliadhna 2025.
Mun luchd-labhairt
’S e Rob Dunbar na Ollamh na Ceiltis aig Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann. Tha e na ùghdar torrach air poileasaidh mhion-chànanan agus còraichean mhion-chànanan.
'S e Wilson MacLeòid Ollamh Emeritus na Gàidhlig aig Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann. Am measg nan leabhraichean aige tha 'Gaelic in Scotland: Policies, Movements, Ideologies'.
Mu Dhùn Èideann 900
Gus 900 bliadhna den bhaile againn a chomharrachadh, tha na tachartasan seo ag innse sgeulachd siubhal Dhùn Èideann tro na linntean, bho Chathair Dhaibhidh san 12mh linn suas chun 21mh linn, Cathair na h-Iomadachd.
Seo an dàrna òraid ann an sreath de cheithir tachartasan mun Ghàidhlig ann an Dùn Èideann a tha air an cur air dòigh le Ionad Gàidhlig Dhùn Èideann.
