What is Gaelic and its origins?
Dating back centuries, Gaelic is the founding language of Scotland that is thought to originate from Ireland. It spread its way across the country as the principle language of the medieval Kingdom of Alba, extending from the Borders to Aberdeenshire, the Highlands and Islands.
In the late 18th century, it was heavily suppressed during the infamous Highland Clearances following the turbulent Jacobite uprisings. Although speakers of the language were persecuted over the centuries, Gaelic is still spoken today by around 60,000 Scots.
Endowed with a rich heritage of music, folklore and cultural ecology, Gaelic is enjoying a revival! It can be heard in Lowland pubs and at Hebridean ceilidhs. It has even crossed over to popular culture, having been featured in the phenomenally successful TV series Outlander.