It is hoped the school will open next year

The education minister said the �3.5m school, which will be based in Glasgow, was the most significant step forward in Gaelic education for 20 years.

Peter Peacock's comments came as the new Gaelic development agency, B�rd na G�idhlig, warned that the language was going through a crucial period.

Mr Peacock also announced a virtual Gaelic learning project so that pupils across the country could learn online.

Speaking at a news conference during B�rd na G�idhlig's first national conference in Nairn, Mr Peacock said the new Gaelic secondary school would enable children educated in the language at primary level to further continue with it.

'Build on success'

He said: "Gaelic medium education is a real success story and pupil numbers are up and we have more Gaelic medium classes than ever before.

"Throughout Scotland we have a growing generation of young Gaels who have reaped the benefits of Gaelic medium primary education.

"Our challenge has been how to build on this success and continue to support these pupils as they move into secondary education."

Mr Peacock said backing plans for the dedicated Gaelic secondary school clearly showed the executive's commitment to the future of the language.

We are at a crucial time for our language and culture Duncan Ferguson B�rd na G�idhlig chairman

It is hoped the school, which is to be redeveloped from an existing unoccupied one, Woodside, in Glasgow's Woodlands Road, will be open in just over a year.

Currently, 34 secondary schools offer Gaelic language classes for fluent speakers and 15 also teach other subjects in Gaelic.

However, provision varies greatly throughout Scotland with some schools offering various subjects in Gaelic, while in others pupils progressing from Gaelic medium primaries only receive Gaelic language.

The new school will initially cater for pre-school children and 5-14 year-olds but will develop year by year to become a full six-year secondary.

Arts boost

B�rd na G�idhlig chairman, Duncan Ferguson, said: "We are at a crucial time for our language and culture.

"With the draft Gaelic Language Bill due to be introduced to parliament, we cannot afford to waste this opportunity."

Glasgow City Council's education convener Steven Purcell gave the move a cautious welcome.

Mr Purcell said: "We are pleased with this announcement but now wish to examine the detail of the offer before we are able to finally commit to the project."

The bulk of the funding for the institution will be paid by the executive.

A Gaelic arts development fund worth �400,000 was also announced on Friday.

The fund, provided by B�rd na G�idhlig and the Scottish Arts Council, will aim to help develop audiences and skills as well as encouraging showcase projects.

According to the last census, there were 58,000 Gaelic speakers and a further 30,000 people with some level of understanding of the language.