Edinburgh Schools - Gaelic Medium Education

The right of parents to have their children educated in Gaelic was established under new measures introduced in the Standards in Schools Act 2000.

Gaelic medium education involves a curriculum in which pupils are taught entirely in Gaelic.  It is currently available at nursery and primary levels.  There are also Gaelic playgroups and parent and toddler groups across the Edinburgh City Region.  The following Councils in the Edinburgh City Region offer Gaelic medium education:

• East Lothian
• Edinburgh City.

The Gaelic Medium Unit in Edinburgh is based at Tollcross Primary School which welcomes pupils from throughout the city.  Pupils from West Lothian are also eligible to be educated at the Unit.  Prior knowledge of Gaelic is not necessary.

Gaelic education is also available in the following locations within the wider Edinburgh City Region;

• Falkirk
• Scottish Borders
• Stirling
• Clackmannanshire.

Gaelic at a secondary level is available at James Gillespie’s High School, which offers Standard and Higher Grade courses.