Tha Glaschu aithnichte do luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig mar Bhaile Mòr nan Gàidheal – ‘The City of the Gaels’ – ainm glè fhreagarrach do dh’àite a tha air a bhith na phàirt cho mòr ann an saoghal nan Gàidheal o chionn linntean. Tha deagh aithne air an imrich a b’ fheudar tachairt às a’ Ghàidhealtachd agus na h-Eileanan san 19mh linn, ach tha nas lugha mothachail gu bheil freumhaichean Gàidhlig a’ bhaile mhòir seo a’ dol air ais fada roimhe sin. Mun àm a chaidh borgh Ghlaschu a stèidheachadh anns na 1170an, bha an sgìre mun cuairt air a bhith làn Gàidhlig airson còrr air 200 bliadhna. Tha cuimhneachan làidir den seo ri fhaicinn ann an soirbheachadh air còrr agus 100 ainm-àite Gàidhlig taobh a-staigh crìochan a’ bhaile san latha an-diugh. Thar nan linntean, tha Gàidheil air a bhith a’ tighinn o fhad’ is farsaing a Ghlaschu ann an àireamhan mòra, agus air cur ris gach taobh den bheatha sa bhaile. Ach chan eil an dimeinsean Gàidhlig den obair seo an-còmhnaidh air aithne fhaotainn no fiù tuigse – dearmad a tha am pròiseact seo a’ coimhead ri chur ceart.

Is e iomairt a th’ ann an Glaschu a tha ag amas air cultar na Gàidhlig a chonaltradh nas fheàrr agus a roinn taobh a-staigh baile Ghlaschu.  Bidh raon de phròiseactan is thachartasan a’ gabhail àite agus a’ leantainn suas gun Mhòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail 2019.

’S e làrach-lìn glaschu.net an t-ionad foillseachaidh airson seo – àite tòiseachaidh airson na buaidh a bha aig Gàidheil (agus a tha aig Gàidheil) air a’ bhaile, a roinn agus a rannsachadh.

Glasgow is known to Gaelic-speakers as Baile Mòr nan Gàidheal – ‘The City of the Gaels’ – an apt label for somewhere that has loomed so large in Gaelic experience for so long. The 19th century story of forced migration from the Highlands and Islands is well known, but fewer are aware that the city’s Gaelic roots go much deeper back in time. By the time the burgh of Glasgow was founded in the 1170s the surrounding area had been Gaelic-speaking for over 200 years. A concrete reminder of this is the survival of more than 100 Gaelic place-names within the current city limits. Over the centuries Gaels have come to Glasgow in great numbers, from near and far, and contributed to all aspects of life in the city. The Gaelic dimension of this contribution has not always been recognized or understood – a failure this project seeks to remedy.

Glaschu is an initiative aimed at better communicating and sharing Gaelic culture within Glasgow. A range of projects and events will be taking place in the lead up to the Royal National Mod 2019. The glaschu.net website is the launchpad for this -a starting point in sharing and exploring the influence Gaels have had (and continue to have) on the city.