Study launched into proposed Gaelic secondary

A feasibility study is to be done into setting up the Western Isles' first Gaelic language secondary school.

The Scottish government has already offered to fund the research, which councillors approved at a meeting on Tuesday.

Western Isles council - Comhairle nan Eilean Siar - said the new school would build on 40 years of Gaelic medium education (GME) in Scotland.

There is a dedicated Gaelic secondary in Glasgow and subjects are taught in the language in other Scottish high schools.

Under the comhairle's plan, the new secondary school would be established in Stornoway, Lewis.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes confirmed last week the Scottish government had offered its support.

She said: "Promoting the use of Gaelic in areas where it is traditionally spoken is vital to keeping the language alive in daily life.

"We are ready to provide funding to the council to undertake a feasibility study to establish a Gaelic secondary school in Stornoway."