http://www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/new ... nting.html
'Gaelic Inquisition' jibe is disappointing
By Gordon Calder
Published: 27 February, 2009
Honestly, a bheil creutair ri lorg air an t-saoghal a tha nas aineolach (agus moiteal dhan aineolas seo) na gloic de Ghall le grainn air a Ghaidhlig?A THURSO community councillor this week described the Gaelic development agency Bòrd na Gàidhlig as "the Gaelic Inquisition".
Don Smith made the comment when he referred to the forthcoming meeting between the agency and Caithness representatives – organised to give local people an opportunity to express their views on such contentious issues as bilingual road and street signs. Bòrd na Gàidhlig will also get a chance to state its case.
Speaking at Tuesday night's meeting of the Thurso Community Council, Mr Smith, said: "I see the Gaelic Inquisition is coming up to try and force their will on us."
However, chairman Bob Earnshaw took issue with the remark. "They are bringing up experts to tell us what Gaelic heritage we have in Caithness. It is not an inquisition," he said.
On the subject of Gaelic signs, community councillor Bert Macleod explained that he had been in Stornoway recently and the displays there were written in Gaelic at the top and in English below.
"That's fine in Stornoway but why should we have Gaelic first in Caithness. It should be the other way round," he said.
Thurso Highland councillor Donnie Mackay also expressed concern.
"If we get this then everything will have a Gaelic name," he said.
Mr Earnshaw argued that if the bilingual signs get the go-ahead then English should get precedence. "It should be the priority language and Gaelic should be second," he said. His fellow community councillor Ian Wright stated: "I thought all the signs were already made."
Bòrd na Gàidhlig spokesman Hugh Dan Maclennan said he was "disappointed" with the Gaelic Inquisition remark and described it as "an unfair interpretation of our role".
He said: "We are not forcing anything on anyone but are coming to Caithness in a positive frame of mind to have an informed and reasoned discussion.
"We will be quite happy to discuss any issue that the public may have and engage with anyone who wants to speak to us."
As reported in last week's Caithness Courier, two local Highland councillors welcomed the opportunity to meet with the agency.
John Rosie said the meeting would give both sides an opportunity to express their views. He pointed out that six local historians have been invited to speak about the culture and history of Caithness at the event which will also be attended by Far North councillors and representatives of the community councils.
Mr Rosie called for "a reasonable and intelligent" discussion with the agency to try and resolve some of the issues about road signs and other matters.
"There is no way we are against Gaelic but it is not our heritage. A lot of people feel strongly about this and the meeting will give us an opportunity to explain our culture and history to the agency and for its representatives to put their views to us.
"We have our own heritage here and I feel you cannot impose this from the top. It should come from the bottom up," he said.
Landward Caithness councillor David Flear was also pleased that Bòrd na Gàidhlig has been invited to come to the North.
He said: "I am delighted the agency is coming to Caithness to speak to people. We are not anti-Gaelic but don't want to see road signs in Gaelic here as it does not represent our history or culture.
"The meeting will give us an opportunity to put our views to the agency and for its members to express their views to us."
