Fife has a long and rich history of Gaelic, predating the crowning of Malcolm Canmore (a corruption of Ceann mòr meaning chief), at Dunfermline Abbey, and lasting after the Fife Adventurers (a group of 12 men from Fife sent by James VI in an attempt to ‘civilise’ the Macleods of Lewis).
Gaelic in Fife is not widely known of but is well documented, with Fife being mentioned in the Book of Deer, the earliest surviving written Gaelic in Scotland. The vast majority of place names in Fife are Gaelic in origin, indicating not only how long Gaelic was spoken here but that it was the main language of the area for a substantial period of time.
The 2011 census showed 87,000 people in Scotland having some Gaelic language skills, an increase on previous census returns. Current estimates would attribute 5% of all Gaelic speakers in Scotland currently living in Fife.
It is worth noting that Gaelic speakers living in the rest of the UK are not recorded.
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The Gaelic Plan for Fife 2019-2024 sets out Fife Council's commitment to supporting Gaelic development and equity of language in line with the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005.
Gaelic development in Fife is a community-led affair with a range of groups and service providers coming together to create a sustainable network of events, activities and opportunities for our Gaelic community and those looking to learn.
Examples of opportunities regularly taking place across Fife include:
In some areas, such as Galloway, Fife and Aberdeenshire - the landscape is still one named by Gaelic speakers.
Place name | Gaelic Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
Aberdour | Obar Dobhair | Mouth of Water |
Cowdenbeath | Coilltean Beithe | Birch Woods |
Dunfermline | Dùn Phàrlain | Hill-land |
Freuchie | Fraochach | Heathery |
Inverkeithing | Inbhir Chèitein | Mouth of the Keithing Burn |
Markinch | Marc Innis | Horse Meadow |
Rosyth | Ros Fhìobh | Headland of Fife |
St Andrews | Cill Rìmhinn | The town was first called Muckross (boar-wood), then Kilrymont (church on the royal mount), then Kilrule (church of St Regulus) and finally St Andrews after the church of St Andrews |
Beagan Gàidhlig/ Wee bit Gaelic
English | Gaelic | Suggested Phonetics* |
|---|---|---|
Good Morning | Madainn Mhath | matting vah |
Good Afternoon | Feasgar Math | feskar mah |
Good Night | Oidhche mhaht | EYE-che vah |
How are you? | Ciamar a tha thu? | Kimura ha-u |
I’m fine | Tha gu math | ha g’mah |
I’m tired | Tha mi sgith | HAMee SKEEEE |
Don’t worry | Na gabh dragh | na gav drugh |
Thank you | Mòran taing | MAWran TANK |
| *Phonetics is a suggestion only and largely depends on your own accent. | ||
