Minister for Gaelic

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Minister for Gaelic is a junior minister post in the Scottish Government. Gaelic now lies in the responsibility of the Scottish Government, having been in control of the Scottish Office prior to 1999.

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Ministers of Gaelic also have had another portfolio, whilst being Minister of Gaelic.

The post was discontinued under the second Sturgeon government, having come under the remit of the Education Secretary. This has been a cause of controversy amongst Gaelic speaking groups and communities.

The post then made a return under the Swinney government with Deputy First Minister of Scotland Kate Forbes assuming responsibility for Gaelic in her secondary role as Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic.

Ministers

Minister for Gaelic

NameEntered officeLeft officePartyShared Portfolio
1. Brian Wilson May 1997July 1998 Labour Party Minister of State for Education and Industry (Scottish Office)
2. Calum MacDonald July, 1998July 1999 Labour Party Minister for Housing, Planning and European Affairs (Scottish Office)
3. Alasdair Morrison July, 1999November 2001 Labour Party Deputy Minister for Enterprise & Lifelong Learning
4. Mike Watson November 200120 May 2003 Labour Party Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport
5. Peter Peacock 20 May 2003November, 2006 Labour Party Minister for Education and Young People
6. Patricia Ferguson November, 20063 May 2007 Labour Party Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport
7. Linda Fabiani 3 May 200710 February 2009 Scottish National Party Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture
8. Michael Russell 10 February 20091 December 2009 Scottish National Party Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture
9. Fiona Hyslop 1 December 20097 December 2011 Scottish National Party Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture
10. Alasdair Allan 7 December 201118 May 2016 Scottish National Party Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland's Languages
11. Kate Forbes 8 May 2024Incumbent Scottish National Party Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic [1]

References

  1. "'Progress': Scotland's first ever Cabinet Secretary for Gaelic welcomed". The National. 2024-05-08. Retrieved 2024-05-08.