Police officers learning Gaelic in language's heartlands

Police officers in the Highlands and Islands are learning Gaelic as part of a drive to build stronger connections with the communities they serve.

Three officers based in Inverness, Stornoway and Barra are receiving tuition through UHI North, West and Hebrides courses supported by national Gaelic development body Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

The initiative aims to help officers use the language in their jobs, and increase the use of Gaelic by public bodies.

Ch Insp Ross McCartney, area commander for the Western Isles, said the opportunity to learn would be offered to officers moving to the islands or already based there.

In the Western Isles 52.3% of the population speak Gaelic and the figure is 5.4% for the Highlands, according to census figures.

McCartney said: "We understand the importance of the heritage and culture of the Western Isles and want to embrace this as much as possible, in order to be reflective of the communities we live and work in.

"We see this not only as an opportunity for our officers to learn the language, but also as a way to reduce barriers to policing and strengthen community cohesion by increasing the existing Gaelic language capability of local officers."

Since September, a total of 127 students have enrolled on Bòrd na Gàidhlig-funded courses at UHI North, West and Hebrides.

They include staff from UHI, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Highland Council, NHS Western Isles and Police Scotland.

Courses are also offered free of charge to parents with children in Gaelic medium education.

Details of the police officers' training have come during World Gaelic Week.