A Chairdean
Abair sgudal! So, the numbers have dropped. That was to be expected. We also have the difficulty that a high proportion of Gaels, Gaelic speakers, learners and others who'd give their eye-tooth to have access to the BBC ALBA but can't because they're denied reception! Myself, I'm dependant on watching it on my wee laptop screen without the comfort of sitting snug in my armchair by the fire so, I have to admit to not watching as many as i might. Also, although the number of programs being streamed to the net is growing it is nothing like what is available on the Tealaidh - well, not until recently. Do BBC's figures include those of us who're watching via computer? I'm hoping very soon that we will have a satellite but we're waiting for a particular BBC Freesat set up which allows you to watch a different program than you're recording [for the non-Gaelic speakers in the house
] However, it seems to be taking a long time to arrive! 
Apart from that, there are a lot if people out there, more than we may realise, who are fascinated with Gaelic and Gaelic culture, many of them it being the culture of their forebears, and they really appreciate the opportunity to find out more.
Recently, in a Gaelic awareness drive, 'Sinne' in combination with a new, highly motivated Gaelic action group, GaaP [Gaidhlig anns a' Phairc], held a two-day event in Strathspey. The 1st day "Gaelic Awareness" with Ruairidh MacIlleathain was for targeted members of our community, Community Learning & Development staff agus local School teachers. That went down very well and has already spawned interest in holding further Gaelic Awareness events. On the 2nd day, we held a morning of 2 classes, beginners and more advanced followed by a local placenames talk by Dr Seumas Grannd and learning a local Gaelic song. The 2 days were a runaway success. We asked everyone present to fill out a questionnaire including questions covering what had sparked their interest and what Gaelic learning they'd done to date. A not uncommon response was the 'new Gaelic channel'! In fact, such was the response to the weekend, that instead of setting up a 2-class a week Ulpan style course in Aviemore as was our initial intention, we've been obliged to reduce the frequency to once a week but run two learners' classes simultaneously! Those who stated that they'd been drawn into Gaelic through the MG Alba channel, were amongst the first to sign on the dotted line. In fact, I couldn't believe the speed with which the applications came in during the first week following the Info packs going out in the post and local press adverts!
GM Alba is one of the best things that has happened to Gaelic in the last few years. These are the reason why we're where we are today, four monumental steps in the right direction.
1. Gaelic folk type music brought the Gaelic language to the attention of a new area of the population. It even inspired folk to learn Gaelic.
2. The Scottish Gaelic act. That made folk talk. Didn't make any difference whether they were saying good things or bad, so long as they were talking they made folk think; made folk aware!
3. Council's Gaelic plan. That made a big difference. It meant that supportive community officers could do more for helping local Gaelic groups. Highland Council were surprised and very impressed when, after a survey amongst their employees, they discovered how high the proportion who wanted to take advantage of any opportunities presented to learn Gaelic! Our local Community learning officers have been a tremendous help to our efforts and the Council's Gaelic plan helps them help us and they have been highly instrumental in bringing Sinne's dreams to fruition and have made advances possible that, a only short time ago, stilled seemed light-years away
4 Gaelic TV. That brought Gaelic into homes. I'd like to have been able to say, into every home, but can't. The sheer volume and quality has made such a difference. Folk who'd previously whined about BBC 2's Gaelic Thursdays are beginning to think otherwise.
So, even though it is annoying to have daft & derogatory articles like the above published, just remember, there is no such thing as bad news. It makes folk Gaelic aware and we can counteract the effect by publishing even better news
We could all just bombard the media with positive news, instead of it always being the opposite! Plus, what the papers never admit is, that the paltry pennies the Government and BBC have coughed up between them towards our Gaelic channel is nothing compared to the amounts that need to be found to sort the country. It's chicken feed!If Strathspey is anything to go by, we're looking at a revolution. There is a lot more latent interest out there than we can conceive of. I'm absolutely sure of that! What we need are folk to take advantage of it, and run with it - like we're doing. Now is exactly the right time!
leis gach deagh dhurachd
Fionnghal
runaire/secretary
'Sinne', Buidheann-Brosnachaidh na Gaidhlig, Srath Spe is Baideanach, Alba
'Sinne', Strathspey & Badenoch Gaelic Group