The word of Mod

Many non-Gaels may ask: "What's the point of this and how would it even be achieved?" Their view is that as a minority language spoken by such a small percentage of the country, surely it's a waste of money to invest in it - and does Gaelic even have a place in a modern Scotland?

Gaelic has been under threat many times and we can trace its rise and subsequent fall throughout the centuries, yet it survives - and thrives. In the 1600s there were policies forcing Gaelic-speaking families to send their children to be educated in English-speaking schools in the Lowlands. The 1616 act of the privy council included a requirement that the children of the Highland nobility must be capable of speaking, reading and writing English if they were to be recognised as heirs. Furthermore, the "de-Gaelicisation" of the Highlands in the 18th century led to Scots languages and traditions being banned after the Battle of Culloden in 1746. Then came the Education (Scotland) Act 1872, banning Gaelic-medium education and seeing pupils punished for speaking the language.

Between 1872 and local government re-organisation in the mid-1970s, the Scottish education system provided little support for the Gaelic language. In these times when there was little or no public agency support in existence, the National Mòd - with the help of its supportive and passionate volunteers - helped to keep the Gaelic flame alight and in the forefront of the thoughts of the wider Scottish population.

Most negative comments towards Gaelic come from people who have had no real contact with the language or the culture - and often from the media. Many people look at the population of Scottish towns and cities speaking English and don't realise many of them are bilingual. In addition, there's an assumption that, over the centuries, we ought to have accepted English as our first and only language. There's also an image problem with Gaelic speakers being portrayed as kilt-clad northerners who have never heard of a computer. People with these views expect children to come out of Gaelic-medium education with a Brigadoon view of the world and little else. On the contrary, children in Gaelic-medium education are scoring highly across all subjects, including English and maths.

This is not a criticism of the English language; I have a great love of the language. I simply would like to see a level playing field that recognises Gaelic and its importance in Scottish culture and heritage.

Born in 1959, I come from a Gaelic-speaking family and was brought up in Ness, Isle of Lewis, an area with the highest number of Gaelic speakers left in any community in Scotland (in excess of 75% at the last census). I can trace both sides of my family back around 300 years within this community. As my family, friends and I grew older we began to understand that we had to embrace both our historic language and the English language. Our exciting visits to the island metropolis of Stornoway brought home the reality that Gaelic was still the first language of our island, but that English was a necessity for our adult lives. We readily accepted this situation and became completely bilingual at an early age.

Many people simply think that traditional Gaelic culture is old-fashioned and "uncool", which couldn't be further from the truth. Events like the Mòd, which celebrate traditional Gaelic culture, are all modern in their organisation, communication and approach - but the competitions will continue to celebrate the heritage and tradition of the culture. That doesn't mean Gaelic speakers are not modern and it doesn't mean that if you love Gaelic culture you can't also love modern popular culture. In the 1980s, The Jam were my favourite band and their picture is still the screensaver on my phone. My favourite track of all time is Teenage Kicks and John Peel was my favourite DJ, but I still loved the Mòd and Gaelic singers - it's not one or the other, you can embrace both.

I have heard comments that Gaelic is niche, it's not growing fast enough and it will never be part of everyday life in Scotland, but my argument would be: why not? It's part of mine and the other 90,000 Gaelic/English bilingual speakers in Scotland. I'm not suggesting that English is thrown out and you will be refused to be served a pint of milk unless you ask for it in Gaelic. Rumours concerning minority language communities, such as Quebec, which almost became independent from the rest of Canada, also make English-speaking Scots nervous.

What I would like to see is the country striving for the normalisation of a bilingual Scotland.

There are lots of little changes that would mean a great deal to Gaels and introduce the language naturally to non-Gaels, without it being forced upon them. Change isn't something that will happen overnight or even over a couple of years, but it is possible. As construction takes place, signs are put up, websites are built, literature published and educational materials developed - at this point they could be printed in both languages at a minimal cost. By arguing against this, aren't people depriving Gaelic speakers of the equal respect promised to them?

The language is thriving: 30 years ago there were 10 children in Gaelic-medium education and now there are more than 4000. Interestingly, over the last few decades, much of this increase has come from non-Gaels discovering the benefit of a Gaelic and bilingual education. This demand continues to grow particularly in the cities. Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness are setting the pace for the rise of dedicated Gaelic schools providing excellent bilingual education, but currently this is being stunted by the lack of teachers available. This is something councils are aware of and are looking at solutions for.

Education is absolutely the key to bridging the gap between Gaels and non-Gaels, and creating a place for the language in a modern and progressive Scotland. It will help build generations of bilingual and proud Scots competing on a world stage across a variety of professions, from science to music, literature and even continuing our successful summer of sport.

Our Gaelic Ambassador of the Year 2014, Kirsteen MacDonald, comes from a non-Gaelic speaking household, yet she went through Gaelic-medium education and is now a very successful bilingual BBC presenter and Gaelic singer. On the flip side, we had Ariel Killick performing as part of the fringe. An Australian with Scottish heritage, she decided to learn the language aged 19 having discovered her Scottish ancestry; she is now Scotland's only Gaelic street theatre artist, has worked as a Government translator and is employed at most of Scotland's large street festivals and celebrations, including Glasgow 2014.

Kirsteen and Ariel are great examples of how non-Gaels can engage in Gaelic language and culture. Criticisms have been made that Gaelic culture feels exclusive and that's absolutely not the intention. I can understand how some non-Gaelic speakers may feel intimidated, as significant bridges between Gaels and non-Gaels have not been made.

If you're not seeing or hearing Gaelic in your everyday life, of course you will feel excluded but it's quite sad that it has become this way - and on the contrary, we want the whole of Scotland to join in. Gaelic is inclusive but until changes are made, it will be difficult for Gaels to not feel like a minority, and for non-Gaels to feel included, and this is a problem.

One of the most regular criticisms aimed at the Gaelic culture is based on economics, which I nodded to earlier. Why should we spend precious resources on a language that is spoken by so few? Well, in short, Gaelic is an indigenous Scottish language that shaped modern Scotland. It is spoken by 1.2% of the Scottish population and I understand that it consumes only 0.8% of the entire Scottish Government budget. The Gaelic community also pays taxes; is it not our right then to ask for our a share of this contribution when we are happy to fund mainstream activity?

If the misconception is that those holding Gaelic culture close to their hearts are simply suffering from nostalgia, then this can be easily remedied by looking at the thriving schools and communities. The Mòd has been working for 122 years to bridge the gap between Gaels and non-Gaels, and increased competitor and visitor numbers show there is a growing appetite for Gaelic and traditional culture. Other wonderful festivals and events including Piping Live!, the World Pipe Band Championships, Tiree Music Festival, HebCelt, Blas and Celtic Connections also raise the profile of fantastic traditional acts and singers, and they often create unique collaborations appealing to music fans from across Scotland and beyond. Who would have thought that the Red Hot Chilli Pipers could hit the charts - and get two million YouTube views - playing Avicii's No 1 hit Wake Me Up on the bagpipes? BBC Radio 1 listeners, whose core audience is 18-25, loved and supported that tune.

Julie Fowlis is one of Scotland's greatest Gaelic exports. The internationally acclaimed singer - who featured on two songs on the soundtrack to the Pixar film Brave - just happens to perform in Gaelic.

The reality is that Gaelic language and culture is something to be proud of and it is the heart of who we are as Scots. Despite the best efforts over centuries there is still a thriving community that wants to share its passion with the rest of Scotland and not feel like a minority, unable to use their own language in their home country nor exclude its fellow countrymen and women. It can even be enjoyed in 140 characters or less.

Bilingualism is an asset and absolutely has a place in modern Scotland - it's providing a better education; it opens employment doors; it opens minds and it provides understanding in areas such as geography and history where place names and events are steeped in Gaelic heritage - surely that is worth investing in?

John Morrison is chief executive of An Comunn Gàidhealach, organiser of the Royal National Mod (www.acgmod.org)