The council has launched a consultation to explore demand for a new all Gaelic school to be created in Argyll and Bute - with Helensburgh included as one of the options.

The local authority is seeking views on the possibility in a survey that seeks to gather views on the level of demand and support from all parties with an interest in education and Gaelic.

The council has a duty under the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 to prepare and publish a Gaelic Language Plan and are required to hold a consultation to gauge interest in an all-Gaelic school.

Council leader Jim Lynch said: “We are committed to promoting Gaelic and encouraging its use across the region.

“We already offer a wide variety of initiatives and resources to children and young people to learn the Gaelic language and encourage its use across Argyll and Bute.

“As part of our commitment to delivering the Gaelic Language Plan, we are now asking for your thoughts on whether there is demand for an all-Gaelic School.

“It’s important to stress that careful consideration would be required, given current budgetary restraints on the scale of funding required for a dedicated Gaelic School, should there be demand.

“We welcome your thoughts on whether there is interest in having a stand-alone Gaelic School in Argyll and Bute.”

The consultation gives several options on a location for any potential new school, asking: "Where should an all Gaelic School be located in Argyll and Bute?" Offering the answers Campbeltown, Dunoon, Helensburgh, Lochgilphead, Oban, Rothesay, or other.

Schools across Argyll and Bute will issue Information on the consultation, and it will also be shared on the council website with Gaelic versions available. To view it online click HERE. 

The council currently has no capital budget to build and establish a new all-Gaelic School and funding for the facility could become available from the Scottish Government, should a proposal for a school progress.

Additional funding from the council would be required and may have an impact on the overall education service budget. Gaelic Medium Education (GME) is an option within Scottish education that gives children and young people an opportunity to become fluent in Gaelic.

Learners start in early learning and childcare settings or in P1 and this option is currently available in Oban, Appin, Dunoon, Mull, Tiree, and Islay.

Gaelic is taught alongside the teaching of other modern languages in Scotland – such as French, Spanish, and other languages.

In primary schools, there is the opportunity to offer Gaelic (Learners) as an L2 (beginning in P1) or L3 (beginning at any point between P5 and P7) and pupils should have the opportunity to continue these languages in high school.

Argyll and Bute Council’s Gaelic Language Plan is available HERE