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GAELIC IN SCOTLAND - Policies, Movements, Ideologies.

Wilson McLeod

(Edinburgh University Press, 2020 - Hardback, pp 436, £94   ISBN No. 9781474462396)

Without doubt, this is a learned treatise worthy of such an erudite scholar as Professor McLeod, himself a member of a distinguished team at the Celtic Studies Department, University of Edinburgh. Moreover, it is long overdue, and should be read, absorbed, discussed and, yes debated, vigorously by a cross section of the Gaelic world both in Scotland and further afield.

The decline of Scottish Gaeldom has long been the subject of regular comment among journalists and outsiders, much of it misplaced and inaccurate. This study by McLeod takes as its starting point 1872, when under a quarter million Scots (less than 8% of the population) spoke the old tongue, and were concentrated in the Highlands and Hebrides. Depopulation of the Gaidhealtachd had been accentuated by land clearances, fishing drought and potato failures – harsh, but not quite as devastating as that in Ireland – along with the perennial scourge of land ownership, the latter only being finally resolved by early 20th century Crofter reform legislation. Quite correctly has McLeod linked Gaelic language decline to a retarded economy that characterised the Scottish Gaidhealtachd, reducing impoverished crofters and cottiers to a state of utter destitution. Thus immigration to Glasgow, Edinburgh and the English South in search of work, coupled with emigration to Canada and Australasia came to define the lives of successive generations of Hebrideans and Highlanders. The language was a hostage to declining economic conditions of its principal speakers, and was thus deprived of a creditable base.

McLeod takes full account of the reasons underpinning the Gaelic crisis, and addresses them with recalls of various initiatives aimed at stemming the flow. Not the least of those was the founding in 1891 at Oban of An Comunn Gaidhealach, with the goal of recovering some lost-ground for Gaeldom. There had already been earlier movements with the formation of Gaelic Societies in Inverness, Edinburgh and London, all aiming to infuse sympathetic Scottish/UK ministers with a plan to legislate for Gaelic’s introduction to the classroom in areas where it was spoken in the community. Such was the consistent approach of successive Gaelic lobbyists. It laid the foundations for a strategy of survival that notwithstanding further language decline (down to 136,135 000 by 1931; 88, 892,000 by 1971 and 57,602,000 by 2011) nevertheless saw the creation of Gaelic-medium schools, Gaelic radio and television, Gaelic arts promotions and the development of a Gaelic legal framework that protects the language and its speakers from further neglect and decline.

Yet, significantly, Scottish Gaels did not emulate the agenda of their Irish counterparts in aligning with political nationalism. Whether out of fear of losing valued allies at Edinburgh and/or Westminster, or seeing the advantages of lobbying, rather than confronting, the arts, social and educational establishments of Scotland, or simply an implicit recognition that low speaker numbers gave the Gaels little muscle when negotiating with government? Either way, An Comunn Gaidhleach and its sister body, Comunn na Gaidhlig, steered clear of political tactics so as to gain advantage from whichever party was in power at Holyrood and/or Westminster. A triumph of pragmatism, but perhaps at the cost of surrendering higher Gaelic ideals?

McLeod has drawn on a wide range of primary sources and scholarly writings for composing his account. Also, to his great credit, he has allowed his arguments to be driven by the weight of evidence, and nothing else. That said, I felt he was a little harsh on aristocratic patrons of the Gaelic lobby (extending from Scottish peers up to the Palace), whose influence has long proved consistently helpful. Also, his comparisons of Scottish Gaelic projects with counterparts in Southern Ireland, while interesting, would nevertheless have been more useful when compared with similar developments in Northern Ireland, where the UK exchequer is called upon to aid both countries.

Finally, although artwork and pricing are in no way attributable to the author, I cannot leave without some comment on the publisher’s judgement. At a retail charge of £94, just who among the ‘ordinary public’ is likely to afford such a price for this, admittedly excellent book? I dare say only libraries will manage at that rate, which of course will have the effect of restricting its circulation. Second, what an appalling front cover! Black and white photo of a 1970s student protest; looked more like a Student Union period piece! Just what kind of odd people inhabit Edinburgh University Press?

Still and all, for those who can beg, steal or borrow, or work best charms on your librarian, it is worth the effort! Wilson McLeod has made a very fine and readable contribution to an understanding of Scottish and Gaelic history. It is for the eyes of everyone!

DR VINCENT McKEE

Tel: 07435 785824     Email: drjvmckee@laganwritingservices.com

‘Sliabh Crub’, 3 Hanbury Place, Cubbington Road, Coventry, CV6 7BN, UK