Using it or losing it: how important is Gaelic media?

As part of Gaelic Week 2026, explore Gaelic-language digital media and broadcasting through the generations. With contributions from Gaelic media broadcasters Matthew MacIver, Cathy MacDonald and Calum Maclean, we will discuss the expansion of TV broadcasting in the 1990s, to the launch of BBC Alba, to the current world of digital connection.

How has Gaelic media represented and supported the community it serves, and how can it contribute to maintaining use of Gaelic in the future? Should we count on specialist broadcasters to inform, entertain, and educate through Gaelic, or do we also have to do it ourselves?

Drawing on the Gaelic Week theme of ‘Use it or Lose it’ Gaelic media practitioners representing different periods of this constantly evolving sector will discuss their perspectives on these issues. How should we ‘use it’ to avoid ‘losing it’?

Mar phàirt de Sheachdain na Gàidhlig 2026, faigh a-mach mu na meadhanan didseatach agus craoladh Gàidhlig tro na ginealaichean. Ann an cuideachd nan craoladairean Gàidhlig, Mata MacÌomhair, Cathy NicDhòmhnaill agus Calum MacIlleathain, bidh sinn a’ beachdachadh air leudachadh craoladh Gàidhlig anns na 1990an, gu cur air bhog BBC Alba, gu na ceanglaichean didseatach ann an saoghal an latha an-diugh.

Ciamar a tha na meadhanan Gàidhlig a’ riochdachadh agus a’ taiceachadh na coimhearsnachd Ghàidhlig, agus ciamar as urrainn dha na meadhanan cur ri bhith a’ cumail cleachdadh na Gàidhlig san àm ri teachd? Am bu chòir dhuinn fhàgail aig na craoladairean proifeiseanta fiosrachadh, dibhearsain agus foghlam a thoirt seachad anns a’ Ghàidhlig, no am feum sinn fhìn a dhol an sàs ann cuideachd?

A’ tarraing air cuspair Seachdain na Gàidhlig, ‘Cleachd i, no Caill i’, bidh luchd nam meadhanan Gàidhlig a tha a’ riochdachadh diofar ghinealaichean den roinn shìor-chaochlaideach seo a’ toirt seachad an cuid bharailean air na ceistean seo. Ciamar a ‘chleachdas’ sinn i gus nach ‘caill’ sinn i?

Professor Matthew MacIver is a native Gaelic speaker from Lewis and former Chair of Bòrd na Gàidhlig. As a member of the original Gaelic Television Committee set up by the Broadcasting Act of 1990, he was intricately involved with the establishment of modern Gaelic broadcasting.

Cathy MacDonald is a bilingual broadcaster with over 25 successful years across a wide range of programmes as a presenter and producer. She began her career in television, in current affairs, with BBC Scotland’s Gaelic Department, and has over the years presented a variety of programmes on both radio and television, gaining vast experience in live broadcasting.

Calum Maclean is an experienced outdoor swimmer, broadcaster and a native Gaelic speaker. In his work, he often combines all three of these skills, creating videos that combine adventure, entertainment and education to teach others about Gaelic words, water safety or responsible behaviour in the great outdoors.

Thogadh an t-Oll. Mata MacÌomhair ann an Leòdhas leis a' Ghàidhlig bhon ghlùn. Bha e na Chathraiche air Bòrd na Gàidhlig, agus mar bhall de Chomataidh Telebhisein Gàidhlig nuair a chaidh a chruthachadh fo Achd Craolaidh 1990, bha e aig cridhe na h-iomairt a stèidhich craoladh Gàidhlig an latha an-diugh.

Is e craoladair dà-chànanach a th’ ann an Cathy NicDhòmhnaill le còrr is 25 bliadhna soirbheachail thar raon farsaing de phrògraman mar phreasantair agus riochdaire. Thòisich i a dreuchd ann an craoladh telebhisein – ann an Cùisean Làitheil aig Roinn na Gàidhlig aig a’ BhBC – agus thar nam bliadhnaichean tha i air grunn phrògraman a riochdachadh air an rèidio agus air an telebhisean, agus eòlas farsaing ann an craoladh beò fhaighinn.

Tha an craoladair Calum MacIlleathain, a chaidh a thogail leis a’ Ghàidhlig, aithnichte airson a bhith a’ snàmh gu dàna a-muigh. Is tric a bhios e a’ cur nam feartan seo gu feum gus bhideothan a chruthachadh a chleachdas cuairtean-dànachd, dibhearsain agus foghlam gus eòlas a thoirt seachad mun a’ Ghàidhlig, mu shàbhailteachd san uisge agus mu giùlan cùramach air a’ bhlàr a-muigh.

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