Gaelic Arts, Culture & Heritage

The Gaelic arts scene is one of growing vibrancy and diversification. Gaelic performers are now among the best‑known in the UK, appearing prominently in national broadcasts, awards lists and major cultural events. Gaelic music in particular continues to thrive, with growing audiences and widespread recognition across Scotland and beyond.

The Fèis movement is also a vibrant scene with more than 47 festivals throughout the country offering traditional music tuition and a Gaelic arts experience to over 6,000 young people annually. A further 13,000 receive tuition in Gaelic language, music and drama in school through our formal education service, Fèisgoil. The movement is now one of the most successful arts initiatives in Scotland and accredited with giving major impetus to the revival and increasing popularity of Gaelic and Scottish music and song amongst young people.

The Royal National Mòd is Scotland’s best-known Gaelic festival and the equivalent of the Welsh Eisteddfod. The word “mòd” itself means a “gathering” or “event”. The Mòd is organised by An Comunn Gàidhealach, which is one of the oldest Gaelic membership-based organisations. The National Mòd takes place in October each year at various venues throughout Scotland and there are local or provincial mòds in various communities as well as mòds in places like America and Canada.

Gaelic is featured in a whole range of other festivals and events the length and breadth of the country, from Celtic Connections in Glasgow, to the Edinburgh Festival, Blas throughout the Highlands and HebCelt Festival based in the Western Isles in July.

Seachdain na Gàidhlig (World Gaelic Week) was established in 2022 where speakers, learners and enthusiasts get involved in events taking place locally, nationally and internationally at the end of February to celebrate and raise awareness of the language.

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland offers an honours degree in Scottish traditional music and offers broad-based training to talented traditional musicians, enabling them to pursue a variety of careers, or further study. The National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music – Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd – is based at Plockton High School in Wester Ross, at the heart of a wide community which has long been known for its support of traditional music and Gaelic culture.

For those interested in history the Comuinn Eachdraidh (historical societies), alongside several excellent online archives such as Tobar an Dualchais and the Digital Archive of Scottish Gaelic (DASG), offer a fascinating insight into the traditions of the Gaels, many of which are still practiced today.

With new investment and national support for the Gaelic language, including official status through the Scottish Languages Act 2025, Gaelic arts are well-positioned for an even more thriving future.

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