No - There could be no Scotland without its Gaelic speaking peoples and cultural influences. English became the major language due to cultural advancement and cultural genocide. Too many Scots have lost so much in this transition as there is now approximately 1% of the populace that speaks Gaelic fluently. Up until the First World War, Gaelic was Canada's third official and spoken language. Now it too is being preserved in places like Nova Scotia and various groups across our country. Don't lose this heritage. Stuart Ferguson, Burnaby, B.C., Canada
No - Gaelic is part of the Highlands and should be preserved and encouraged. Lots of people visit the Highlands to experience Gaelic culture. It's a beautiful language and I'm learning it too. I wish I'd had the opportunity to learn Gaelic at school, but unfortunately I don't live in the Highlands. Susan
No - We are trying to reverse the years of decline in the Gaelic language which included the attempts to turn the local people against the language by the church, landowners, the media and the education system etc. Councillor Mackay who has got into a position of responsibility has a duty to educate herself. She could start with learning about her own party's current policy and then move on to some history and general educational theory. She can't do any of that though without opening her mind. The signs she's complaining about are giving the original place names before they were anglicised; and quite right too. Anna Gillies
No - The money spent nowadays to promote Gaelic is a drop in the Thames compared to the funds expended in the past to provide enchanting placards to adorn the necks of troublesome schoolchildren proclaiming them Gaelic speakers. Iain Gillies
No - I was brought up and educated in the Highlands and never had an opportunity to learn Gaelic in the school system. My nieces and nephews do have this opportunity and are bilingual. They are very engaged with the Gaelic medium and are proud to be part of a Gaelic revival. Furthermore the enjoyment, confidence and friendship which they have gained through the culture of music, singing and storytelling are a joy to behold! Jan Macleod, Glasgow
No - I thought the days of suppressing the Gaelic language had gone, but it seems that some habits, particularly from Unionists, die hard. The language IS going through a bit of a revival and I would have thought that those in the Highlands would support such a revival by spending money on Gaelic education. It seems to me that some councillors need a bit of education themselves. George
No - Gaelic speakers pay taxes like anyone else. They are surely entitled to at least the tiny amount the council spends on Gaelic services - about a quarter of one percent of the total council budget - compared with spending on English. Roy Pedersen
No - I think there is far more that could be done both here in the north and right up to the border as regards local and central government spending on Gaelic education and that hot potato, road signs. As a resident in Highland Council's area and a council tax payer I wish to express my view that expenditure on Gaelic education (and road signs) should continue although I feel there is much still to do to redress the decline. Uilleam Mor' MicEoin
No - Have the Highlands been so ethnically cleansed of Gaels that the people who replaced them think it so outrageous that any money should be spent on the indigenous language of the Gaidhealtachd? Coinneach Peutan/Kenny Beaton
No - The amount of money now being spent to help the language and culture survive is miniscule in the overall Scottish governmental budget. The Scottish economy may be in tatters, but that is something that needs to be addressed in many ways (as in other parts of the world) and not just by knee-jerk conservative budget cutting. What survives of the Gaelic culture in Scotland is in fact of great value economically and it should be encouraged and kept alive. It is highly likely that far more tourist money is spent in Scotland each year by people going there to experience and learn about the Gaelic language and culture than the tiny amounts of government support given to the language. Reese McKay, Colorado, USA
No - What sort of backward reactionary country would fail to support its native language? Derek MacLennan
No - Whilst local authorities have to curb spending due to central government cutting back on block grants, they should be promoting their cultural heritage by spending money on their future culture and language, which brings in money from tourists. Graham Vahey
No - Gaelic education in the Highlands has been rundown for years, now we are building it back up they want to run it down again! Robin Galloway
