National islands plan: annual report - 2020

Arts, Culture and Language

Strategic Objective 11 - To support arts, culture and language

We committed to invest in our cultural and historic resources, to ensure that islanders are encouraged to engage with, and participate in, arts and culture.

Work is ongoing in relation to this commitment.

The majority of public-facing activities planned for Year of Coasts and Waters during 2020 had to be rolled forward into 2021, although these remain dependent on the necessary Public Health safety levels being reached in order to be run in 2021.

Early stage planning for Year of Scotland's Stories during 2022 is underway, working with a range of stakeholders through our delivery partner, EventScotland.

Scotland's Winter Festivals in 2019/20, and again in 2020/21, continue to support a range of activities across communities and geographic locations.

Scottish Opera took their Opera Highlights touring production to a number of islands in February and March 2020, including Islay, Mull and the Shetland mainland.

We committed to support, develop and promote the creative talents of islanders, and ensure that the culture of Scotland's islands has a wide audience both nationally and abroad.

Work has yet to be progressed in relation to this commitment.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic meant that many creative practices had to stop, and opportunities to take forward this commitment have been limited. We have sought to ensure that financial support for the creative industries has reached all parts of Scotland, including the islands.

We committed to support all of Scotland's indigenous languages and dialects in ways that are relevant to the communities where these are spoken.

Work is ongoing in relation to this commitment.

From October 2020, Education Scotland and e-Sgoil have been delivering Scots language education sessions for children and young people who are shielding long term from coronavirus. There have been sessions delivered thus far as part of an offer e-Sgoil extends to all of Scotland.

Throughout the 2020-2021 lockdown there have been Scots language lessons included in the Education Scotland 'Scotland Learns' offer for remote learning. This material, as well as other Scots language material is available on the National Improvement Hub, where resources have been tailored to suit individual dialects of Scots language including, Shetlandic, Orcadian, Caithness and Doric.

In November 2019, the Open University and Education Scotland held a free public event in Lerwick to promote the newly launched 'Scots Language and Culture' course. This course is also free to anyone for studying, and includes chapter written by Shetlanders and Orcadians, with numerous references to the dialects used in the Northern Isles throughout.

Education Scotland also works in partnership with the Shetland based community group 'Shetland ForWirds'. This collaboration includes an extensive quantity of education material available for schools in Shetland, as well as material for adult learners.

In partnership with the Scottish Book Trust, Education Scotland ran a national competition for children and young people in 2020 to write in Scots language – including any dialect of Scots – with the winner being announced at an online ceremony in October 2020.

Throughout the 2020-2021 lockdown, there have been Scots language lessons included in the Education Scotland 'Scotland Learns' offer for remote learning. This material, as well as other Scots language material is available on the National Improvement Hub, where resources have been tailored to suit individual dialects of Scots language including, Shetlandic, Orcadian, Caithness and Doric.

In November 2019, the Open University and Education Scotland held a free public event in Lerwick to promote the newly launched 'Scots Language and Culture' course. This course remains free to anyone for studying, and includes chapter written by Shetlanders and Orcadians, with numerous references to the dialects used in the Northern Isles throughout.

Education Scotland's Scots Language Co-ordinator also works in partnership with the Shetland based community group 'Shetland ForWirds'. This collaboration includes an extensive quantity of education material available for schools in Shetland, as well as material for adult learners.

In partnership with the Scottish Book Trust, Education Scotland ran a national competition for children and young people in 2020 to write in Scots language – including any dialect of Scots – with the winner being announced at an online ceremony in October 2020.

We committed to ensure that the commitments in this plan are informed by and aligned with the commitments in the National Gaelic Language Plan, working closely with Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

Work is ongoing in relation to this commitment.

All authorities and bodies that prepare Gaelic Plans must have regard to the priorities in the National Gaelic Language Plan (NGLP). Most bodies that operate in island communities, including Scottish Government, have Gaelic Plans and as such must have regard to the NGLP.

We committed to ensure that the effect on Gaelic language development is considered from the outset in island-specific policies and initiatives and that these link to statutory Gaelic language plans.

Work is ongoing in relation to this commitment.

The introduction of ICIAs and Gaelic Language Plans will support progress towards the commitment in the coming year. The Scottish Government's Islands Team will continue to support our colleagues to undertake ICIAs for island-specific policies and initiatives.

We committed to work with public authorities and community groups in increasing the use and visibility of Gaelic in Gaelic speaking island communities.

Work is ongoing in relation to this commitment.

The introduction of ICIAs and Gaelic Language Plans will support progress towards the commitment in the coming year. The Scottish Government Islands Team aim to ensure that Gaelic was adequately addressed in the ICIAs Guidance which encourages relevant authorities to fully consider Gaelic. Additionally, we continue to publish all key documents relating to the National Island Plan in Gaelic.

We committed to work with relevant authorities to improve Gaelic provision for Gaelic speaking island communities in delivering their functions and services.

Work has yet to be progressed in relation to this commitment.

We committed to support approaches that promote the sustainable management of the historic environment.

Work is ongoing in relation to this commitment.

Historic Environment Scotland continue to support sustainable management of the historic environment on our islands. This includes contributing to the development of the Orkney Island Gateway, and partnering with relevant organisations who may benefit from funding. This includes work undertaken with Urras nan Tursachan adjacent to Callanais.