 The next item of business is the member's business debate on motion 5.734, in the name of Murdo Fraser, on the mod coming back to Perth. This debate will be concluded without any questions being put, and I would ask those members who wish to speak to please press the request to speak buttons. I would ask those members in the gallery who came along to hear our proceedings to please leave the chamber quickly and quietly, because we are now actively moving on to our next item of business. I would also advise members that headphones are available at the back of the chamber for members who wish to listen to simultaneous interpretation of contributions in our debate today in Gaelic. Also, members who are on blue jeans listening to our proceedings will hear the simultaneous interpretation. I begin the debate by calling on Murdo Fraser to open the debate. I thank all members from across the chamber who signed my motion to allow it to be debated this afternoon. As colleagues will be aware, the Royal National Mod is an annual event that celebrates the best of Gaelic music and culture. This year's mod took place in the city of Perth, where I live and have the honour of representing as part of the Mid Scotland and Fife region over the course of the last week. This was the first time that the mod had been held in Perth since 2004, and I can remember visiting events at the mod on that previous occasion. Because of Covid restrictions, this was the first full in-person mod that had been held in three years, and it was very well supported. The event closed on Saturday with a mass choir event outside Perth concert hall, with more than 1,000 people taking part. Although I was not able to be present myself from what I hear, it was a very impressive occasion. Over the course of the nine-day event in Perth, around 2,100 participants took part in a total of 200 competitions. There was a substantial economic boost to Perth from the event, with around 7,000 people thought to have visited the city, adding up to a very significant financial contribution to the local economy in excess of £1 million. The wide appeal of the mod was shown by thousands of people, including many from overseas, also watching the events online. James Graham, who is chief executive of Anne Cumann Gaelig, described the joy of having Gales once again able to showcase the language and culture and praised Perth for its fantastic venues, welcoming community and picturesque streets. There was not a hotel room to be had anywhere in the city, and bars and restaurants were buzzing with performers, their families and spectators. It was a great occasion for Perth and the surrounding area. One of the many participants in the mod was Councillor John Duff, who, as well as being a Conservative group leader on Perth and Kinross Council, is also the council's Gaelic medium education champion. John sang as part of the Aberfeldy Gaelic choir and anyone who knows him will recognise what a fine singing voice he has. I know that Councillor Duff is keen to see Perth become a regular venue for the mod, and I hope that this is something that Perth and Kinross Council will support and that they understand from him that he is bringing a motion to the council to that effect in the very near future. Certainly all the feedback that I heard from last week suggests that the event venues, the accommodation and the general ambience of the city made it a very attractive place to host the mod again in the near future. The mod is organised by Ann Cwmyn Gaelic, a charity establishment open in 1891 and which ran the very first mod there the following year. It is an organisation that exists to promote Gaelic language and culture and the mod is its annual showcase. Ann Cwmyn is supported by a small annual grant from Bordna Gaelic of around £100,000, and given the importance of the mod to Gaelic culture, I hope that this annual grant will be at least maintained if not increased. Indeed, I believe that there is a strong case for Creative Scotland looking at how an event such as the mod can be supported better in the future. It is, as I mentioned earlier, an event that has an international audience and is an excellent promotion for Scotland around the world, and I hope that Creative Scotland would see it in that light. All that comes at a time when there are real concerns about the future of the Gaelic language. Recent figures suggest a decline in the number of Gaelic speakers. While we have seen in recent years an expansion of Gaelic medium education popular with parents in many parts of the country, many schools currently struggle to recruit simply qualified teachers. In some local authorities, there is a reluctance to introduce Gaelic medium education even where there is a demand from parents. I would like to see the Scottish Government consider what additional support it might give to local authorities to encourage the development of Gaelic medium education. I know that there are some on the fringes of Scottish politics who believe that we should not be supporting Gaelic. That is certainly not my view, nor is it the view of my party. Indeed, the Scottish Office under Michael Forsyth had an excellent record in supporting Gaelic back in the 1990s, with financial support that created the Gaelic Broadcasting Committee, which led to the launch of BBC ALBA. Subsequent Governments have supported Gaelic in different ways, but it is clear that there is much more to be done, given the state of the language at the present time. While events such as the mod are excellent showcases of Gaelic language and culture, I do not want to see Gaelic just become a language that is restricted to the arts. If Gaelic is to have a future, it has to be the language of the school, the home and the workplace, and that is going to require significant leadership from Government and public agencies at all levels. Simply rebranding public service vehicles and erecting Gaelic road signs will be no more than a gesture if the number of Gaelic speakers across Scotland continues to decline. That is a challenge that needs to be urgently addressed. The mod will move to Paisley for next year, and I hope that it will be every bit of a success there, as it has been in Perth over the past week. There was a survey of those attending the Lochaber mod in 2017, which found that 93 per cent of respondents agreed that it had made a significant or very significant contribution to having the opportunity to use Gaelic, while 94 per cent of respondents agreed that the mod made a significant or very significant contribution to learning to speak Gaelic. That demonstrates the importance of this annual event to what is such a significant part of Scottish heritage and culture, and I hope that the mod will go from strength to strength in future years. I congratulate Mardo Fraser on securing this debate, recognising the importance of the Royal National Mod and Gaelic to Scotland's economy and also to its culture. I too would like to congratulate Ancommon for the fantastic work it does to support and promote the Scottish Gaelic language and culture at local, national and international levels. The Gaelic language and culture are at the heart of Scotland, and the mod exemplifies this. Mixing song, music, poetry, art and storytelling, there is something for everyone, providing a place for folk to meet and compete, learn and teach, laugh and cry, and perhaps even put the world to rights over a wee dram. People making connections through culture. I have been to many mods, never as a competitor unlike my colleague Dr Allan, always very much behind the scenes working for BBC Scotland's Gaelic department, which provides a comprehensive television and radio coverage. The 1994 mod in Denun in my own constituency was my first, and at the eight or so other mods I have been to, I have driven winners to locations to be filmed for Janish, sat in numerous competitions from choirs to Bible readings, laughed at action songs and perhaps even put the world to rights over a couple of dramas. Today I'd like to share the mod memories of a good friend of mine, Jake McMillan. We were reminiscing about Perth mod memories when we met on Islay 10 days ago. Jake grew up on Islay, he was a member of the Ardbeg junior choir, and the mod was always looked upon as a big adventure, possibly more to do with the chance of exploring the local woolies as opposed to showing off his singing skills. For the Perth mod in 1963, the Ardbeg junior choir entered the action song, which was a pretty new concept at that time. The choir had much fun raiding their parents' clothes for bodych hats and scarves and caliac shawls. Everyone was given specific parts in the wee play which coloured the Gaelic song Boon Nereinech, or Cutting the Bracken. Jake doesn't remember much about the competition apart from winning, despite, as he says, their Islay Gaelic. But his one vivid memory is of the evening children's concert at the old Perth city hall, which was televised. Jake was fascinated by the large television camera with a wire coming out of it being wheeled in and out in front of the stage. Who could have predicted back then that the wee Lagavulin baloch would end up back in that hall 41 years later in 2004 as the BBC engineering manager in charge of all the technical aspects of getting the mod Gaelic transmissions for that year's mod on air? In 1963, Ardbeg junior choir won, and this year I'm very pleased to say that our Gaelic imputes performers have done well too, with the open Gaelic choir winning the prestigious Lovett and Tally Barden, and also the achievements of the Gaelic learners in Monday's competitions from our Gaelic impute. In the inaugural year of the Highland art prize, judged by Islay's own and BBC Alba presenter Heather Dewar, David Page of Mull won with his artwork, Drift. However, the mod is so much more than winning. It's a celebration of culture and language that's at the heart of Scotland. Presiding Officer, I am pleased that the Scottish Government continues its support for the Gaelic language and culture, and if I may take this opportunity to add my support to the calls of parents in my constituency for a Gaelic medium school in Oben. The numbers are there, and the work has been done on a public study, which shows great community support. I would ask the cabinet secretary if he could speak with his colleague, the cabinet secretary for education and skills, that she agree in principle that Borne Gaelic and Argyllinbu council work together to produce a plan for a school in the lifetime of the council's Gaelic plan. As I've previously said in this chamber, children are our future, but they're also our here and now, and they are integral to Gaelic language and culture. There is nothing more thrilling and emotional as hearing the Gaelic anthem, canon and gael sung by the Gaelic choirs at the mod, the language of the gales. We must continue to celebrate and support that language. Thank you, Ms Minto. I now call Ross McCall. We're followed by Clare Baker. Around four minutes, please, Ms McCall. Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Firstly, following protocol, but with absolute sincerity, I congratulate my colleague Murdo Fraser on bringing this motion to the chamber. I had hoped to start off my initial statements in the beautiful dulcet tones of the Gaelic language, but after many days of trying and failing and providing continual amusement to my husband, I concluded that I should not offend the people I was trying and attempting to praise. I'm delighted to join in and pass on my congratulations to Perth and Cynos Council, the organisers and Coman Gaelic, and all the participants of the Royal National Mod for what was a fantastic display of all things Gaelic. This year's mod was the 10th time Perth has hosted the festivities, a number only surpassed by Glasgow in Vernes and its traditional home of Obann. The cultural experience Perth offers focuses on Scotland as it sits in the country's metaphorical and geographical heart, a fact highlighted by the work done to regenerate Perth City Hall into a modern museum of Scottish history, which will become the permanent residence for the stone of destiny. I think that we can agree that this is a fitting legacy for the blend of traditional and contemporary that we want to see in a thriving modern Scotland. Deputy Presiding Officer, I was on an administration councillor when Perth and Cynros were bidding for the event and I was delighted when it was awarded. I know how much work was put in by the officers and staff within the council and the support and backing given by the then council leader to secure the festivities and I want to go on record once again to congratulate the sterling effort put in to make it happen. I'm sorry to say that when the process was going through the award stages I have to admit it being ignorant to the full extent of the Royal National mod. My Gaelic and Scots knowledge was entirely based on my own experiences going through my formative years and unfortunately Thing Me Jig reruns of the White Heather Club paying stress-based reels on the fiddle and learning to dance male parts at Scottish country dancing because I was tall and the class had a distinct lack of boys. An issue that's made for a very interesting first dance at my wedding but that's another story were hardly a comprehensive education on the subject. As much as we have experienced the joys and delights that have been mentioned and I want to highlight a concern raised by the president of Anne Coman Gaelic on the number of young entrants this year. The repercussions of Covid restrictions have again raised their ugly head. The lingering uncertainties of Covid, teachers and pupils not attending school buildings, choirs not being able to meet in practice and the overall reduction in sports and activities at that time have created a general drop in attendance and unfortunately this has meant a drop in young participants. It would be a travesty if numbers continued to decline. I want to echo the sentiments of the chairman and I sincerely hope that the success of the modern Perth will inspire young people not only to come back but to encourage more young people to try shinty or learn the fiddle, to sing and acquire or learn Gaelic. I just hope they manage to do it better than I did. It's important that we continue to sport our traditional languages, Gaelic, Doric and Scots and I praise the efforts that are being made to get more people, especially young people, to try and take up these languages. Conversation is paramount to language survival. We must keep promoting these skills if we have any hope of preserving our traditional tongue for future generations and I do join with my colleagues to urge the Scottish Government to do all that it can to keep that going. The mod, as has been said, will be heard in Paisley next year. I wish them all the best and I sincerely hope to see increased numbers of young people taking that legacy forward. Thank you. Thank you, Ms McAll. I now call Claire Baker to be followed by Alistair Allen, around four minutes please, Ms Baker. Thank you, Presiding Officer. I thank Murdo Fraser this afternoon for bringing this debate to the chamber and joining him in welcoming the return of the national royal mod to Perth earlier this month for its 10th time being hosted in the city. Perthshire does have a thriving Gaelic culture, which has demonstrated not only through the number of traditional groups, musicians and singers who are in the city but also the countless community and educational groups working to inspire future generations of music lovers and performers to carry on those traditions. Returning to Perth for the first time in 14 years across the eight-day festival, we saw 200 competitions and other events celebrating the Gaelic language, music and culture, encompassing traditional instruments, singing, poetry, storytelling, sport, literature and film. Since last hosting, we have seen the refurbishment of Perth's theatre, the opening of a new outdoor performance space at St Paul's and the opening of Perth concert hall, which, alongside a number of other city venues, showcased performances by competitors and hosted visitors from across the world. Alongside the competitive events, the fringe programme offered a diverse programme, including workshops, music sessions, open stages and literature events, demonstrating that beyond the competitive disciplines, there is much to offer people of all ages, whether they be lifelong Gaelic speakers or just looking to find out more about this cultural celebration. When we think of celebrating Gaelic culture, often our thoughts immediately turn to music, which the mod does showcase so well, from the range of choir competitions to the celebration of traditional bands. For those unable to intend in person throughout their week, there was a line-up of fantastic singers taking part in free and informal online song sessions. We also saw performances and competitions across dance, sport and literature alongside fringe events, such as concerts and a shinty fixture. It really was a celebration that was inclusive and welcoming. While celebrating the traditional, the mod also worked to promote Gaelic language and culture through new routes, demonstrating this year in the use of TikTok to showcase comedy and other short video formats in Gaelic. This year we also saw the presentation of the First Highland art prize, celebrating another aspect of Gaelic culture, with the winner, David Page, sharing his prize with his local art organisation to help to support local participation in art. While in recent years the mod has begun to attract a younger audience, the ability to appeal to new generations of Gaeles and engage with its potential audience in new and different ways will be important to its continuing success. I am hopeful that in coming years we will see its reach widen further. Over the eight days of its programme, the mod not only celebrated Gaelic language and culture but also the city of Perth itself, with 14 venues involved in hosting thousands of competitors and visitors throughout the event. Large events like this are important to the local economy, not just in bringing a significant economic benefit to the area but also in showcasing what Perth has to offer to a wider audience. Events like this can provide valuable opportunities to connect and share experience, create memories and celebrate friendships old and new. Locals and visitors alike have spoken of the vibrant atmosphere in Perth throughout the mod and also the great sense of community demonstrated in the work of staff and volunteers from across Perth and can also help to make the event a success. I am interested in members' comments on the Gaelic language. I understand that Duolingo now offers Gaelic as one of its languages. There are new ways to try to learn and pick up some bits of Gaelic. I remember when Dotamin came on TV, my little cousin used to watch that, and everybody learned Horsham Accord and various other wee bits and pieces of Gaelic, and that was quite effective to have on mainstream television. Although Scotland Office has been mentioned, although it has been highlighted, I think that this Parliament has provided an important focus for supporting and scrutinising Government support for Gaelic, including looking at BBC Alba, which I know the culture committee does focus on, and we recognise the financial pressures that they are facing along with many other broadcasters. I welcome the boost to culture and tourism that hosting the Royal National mod has brought to Perth and the opportunity that staging has been provided to show what the city has to offer. The eight days were a huge success and a joyful celebration of Gaelic language and culture. I wish to congratulate all participants, staff and volunteers who contributed to the Royal National mod in 2022, and send my very best wishes to Paisley for an equally successful event next year. I will now call Alistair Alland to be followed by Donald Cameron. I would advise that Dr Alland would be speaking in Gaelic, and those who wish to hear the simultaneous translation should please plug in their headphones into the console. Dr Alland, around four minutes, please. Thank you, Presiding Officer. With your permission, can I just check that people know which channel to turn to? I will just seek to clarify that. Thank you, Dr Alland. It is channel number one. Okay, thank you, Presiding Officer. Yn gweithio i'r gynghwladol, mae'r unig yn wych, mae'n gweithio i'r gynchach yn jesbydio a chymylans y farlau yn mynd i ddiw, ac mae'n dynna i chi'n mynd i'ch gweithio i'n balau mor fiarth ychwedd faltych o'r hollu, eu ddwybod national yng Nghyryuol ym Blywnau. Yndraest, fe yng nghymru mi mwy hen eu chlarrwch ysgrifydd hyn, a mi sy'n ysain Felly, mae'n nhw'n ddlai'r parst y gawel yn sy'n coarpysiwn lle cosiwr ysachol oesloch ac am hyn cosiwr sgid y fach gynnw Llywos, beth sy'n glehol eich llyll yn y dwy sy'n nhw'n hwydd sy'n. Mial oedd yr nai o'ch cwyddiwch byrch o'r gorau, ry'n nhw'n hwladu'n eu fagawel parst yn sefodd yn siargyn sy'n siargyn. Byr mod, na sy'n dderiol y torst syl yn y galig ddichelau anodd o'i horyddio, sy'n rygwch gwych môr o hyn sy'n fod, jechw biarstwch sy'n ha'r culter y gysar canyn, trwy'n y farbysiwn siargyn, barstwch, iailain, sgelwch, drama, cwl, dawsau, ac y gysymeth o'ch rhywdelu gach bliwna. Byr mod, na sy'n dderiol y cwyddiwch byrch o'r culter, ry'n nhw'n gyfer hoi'r snogyn, ydyn ni'n eisiau tylhwyl gach bliwna, ac mae'n cwrwm i'n allu'r ffat na'r farbysiwn sy'n siargyn trwy'n iach gyn, byr mod yn television, neu yn clwyntion yn radio. O hyl y dyny y ha'n sas yn syl y ffordd na'r farbysiwch i'r ffat, ac yn lwg estio'ch cwyddiwch, a gywldre'n y ffordd gymor fod dda fel y sy'n newidiog, gyda fatha'r ffordd y sy'n gawel atio i'r loi'n sy'n edryma. Mae chi'n cael y sy'n yw atio o'r ffordd y ddiwch yn bliwna, ac mae'n allwch i'r gwneud o'r rhan o'r rhan o'r rhan o'r gws mod, daf i'n dda i ddweud i'n ychosirio. Mae'r hyl mor yn iol y siargyff, i ddweud hanfos y ffordd, ac mae'n iol i'r ffordd i'r ffordd i'r llydd, i'n siargyff o'r ffordd i'r llun yn bliwna. Badawn i'r ffana sy'n laen i chi, i ddwres, soch, gydd, safoch, leisio'n RSPB, rhaid i'n meroch gfwrg i taf oedd sefn y fwch gysgiau'ch gilynu'r toio o'r ddylietus yn cosir i gyfod. Mae'n trwy'n siar, ac roch chi'n iddoros yn siomer yn agoros i ddawydd yn sefartu'n, leisio'n gyro yn sien y sy'n ffialogau arth y dalgoladau. Chwyddi'r cais iddyn nhw'n ffeithio'r ddyneu efo'r ychryngola yn sy'n rhwng sy'n cais rhon i'r efo'r gilywog yn ymmysgu'r sien y piwa. A chychw'r y nhw, ddyneu mi ordanoch sy'n rynnal y tuf, haith ar sy'n allanol y bydd yn y bod, ac ysgol yn y gaelig. Felly, mae'n ffwrst y eich cynnangon piart yn siar hwn sy'n cais, ac mae'n tolwch i'r rhaid gyfel yn taek sy'n ddythgen ond sy'n ffordd o'r ffordd o'r cwyddiog, ac o'r cwyddi'r môd o'r ddweudio, haath eich iddyn nhw'n ffartu'n, mae'n rhaid ffolosio'ch yn diw. A nhw'n môd yn tynnu'r wrth â'r cwyddi'r mwch yn y gaelig. Chwyddi'r ddyneu sy'n bwyd yn y fymach gyre. Llekench ha'r gaelig anustat chwgolwch mae'r yfad deuniel y gra, morsyn ha'ch o'r cwyddi'r mwch yn byw sy'n gabddi'n, chwtri'ch sy'n syrru'n gwyng golau'l, a'u faroch gyda fi gysiwn. Ha'r dwyloch ysbio'r ysgol yn y gaelig, ac os ha'n môd o'i gennym o'r ffordd o'r môd o'r môd o'r môd o'r môd o'r gaelig, ac os gysgwys coesnwch yn y gaelig, a ha'n yn call o'r gach bliwna. Mae'r cyfrudd gyda gafodd am gafodd, o sut gweithio'n gwirio'n gwirio, a cael ei bod yn ei ddweud o bwydig, ac mae'r nifer o'r anodd. Mae'r ddylayr dnut i'ch cofynodd, ond, mae môn pawb yn y lleidiau. Mae'n gwirio'n gwirio'n gwirio'n gwirio'n gwirio'n gwirio'n gwirio'n gwirio. Mae'n gwirio'n gwirio'n gwirio'n gwirio'n gwirio'n gwirio'n gwirio'n gwirio'n gwirio'n gwirio. felly mae'n gweithio i ddweud y llyfr yn ymddangos mwy o'r gallu gallu gaelic. Y gallu gaelic yn gweithio i'r tîm sydd yn cyflawni'r perth yn y 10 yma, mae'n gweithio i'r tîm, a'r gaelic yn gweithio i'r gaelic yn gweithio i'r ffordd gaelic, sy'n gweithio i'r 8 gaelic, a'r gaelic yn gweithio i'r perth yn gweithio i'r gaelic, of the Gallic language and culture, and many have travelled from far and wide to both discover or reignite a passion in Gallic culture. A special mention should go, as Murdo Fraser has already done, to the return of the choir competitions, which were held for the first time since the Glasgow mod in 2019, with the lifting of the COVID restrictions that prevented previous years' mods from holding these group events. It was wonderful to learn about that huge crowd at Perth concert hall, where many choirs spent a tough afternoon competing for a variety of coveted trophies. This year's mod showed that the future of Gallic culture is looking both prosperous and full of innovation, and as Claire Baker said, this year's mod had a TikTok competition promoting the language, the culture and even Gallic comedy. It got many hits and interactions from Gallic speakers and others, with submissions being shared on their page targeting a new modern audience that otherwise may not have been reached. I think that means, for one reason among many others, we should be optimistic for the future of Gallic culture, with this further encouragement on different platforms and new mediums, allowing especially children and young adults to interact in Gallic in a way never experienced before. It was important for a city like Perth to receive the economic benefits of the mod, and that will undoubtedly support local businesses and promote the city nationally and internationally as a destination. Thanks should also be given to BBC Alipa for their impeccable coverage of the mod throughout. Another example of how that channel is a great tool in sharing Gallic language and culture to all parts of Scotland. Common has for over a century and a quarter excelled in being the body of representation for the Gallic language, and the aims of that association of supporting and developing all aspects of Gallic language, Gallic culture, Gallic history and Gallic heritage at a local, national and international level continue to be met and surpassed by the return again of a fully-fledged, raw national mod at Perth. I will now call Emma Roddick, who will be the last speaker before I ask the Cabinet Secretary to respond around four minutes. Tape live, Othigur Raeli. I will warn those listening, I do not have Gallic, but I did not feel right talking about the mod as a Highlands and Islands MSP in English, and I know that if the language is to live on, we need more people to use it and learn it, so ha mi du lech in advance for any pronunciation mistakes. Ha mi glei hollwch chi y fiebrian sy'n jesbeth sio. Ha mi e'r efi soliwr vwntau acym, gwyfel mi acur falchio er konol trai sy'n Gallic. Ha mi tollwch chi gwyfel ychlawr sy'n Gallic, sy'n Othig acym, ac ys ha mi ers ond taic a horch ddurori erson, a cwchio haig lai sy'n orwch acym andiw. Ha mi cwch i'ch ers ond taic a horch ddur myrdoffreiser, ers ond a jesbeth sio, a horch andiw. Mae'r achywlau sy'n ha' am mod na siant ar rheochel co'w cwdrymach erson, a fros na heig ac ys y cochry heig er canyn sy'n argyl. Haid e'r torr sy'n cael ychlawr sy'n Gallic ac ys dwyny eich na chi'l Gallic ffoe'r ffeir nad ywch e ac ys nesatio er falw. Mae'r achywlau sy'n cael y cwdrymach eich yfod, a hynny'n fieic ac ysmyl er coi ysnach yn Gallic sy'n arbygol. Mae'r sy'n fawr eich oma antych ar ddas i chi'n ychyl eich don chacynslan decoch y partyn ac i'ch concertio'n anhympeit, a sy'n deud yw'r deuniau foghiliau ers ca' COVID. Haid mi ers ond yn coryn sy'n agal, ers ond myl yn eich achyw'r eich achywliau ffyrpas ych gwyharu ei yw'n ffongail tach ac ysnyhel yn un. Mae'i gws ond ratio ffawr eich a ffhaith yn ruri greu, a yw'r sydges, ac ys anny Catriona MacDonald a sy'n eil yn sginech, na fwyn o'r clwtych y fwnechau. Haid ruri er ers gwsbwn o'r achyw'n notio fwnechau anolah, le Alice MacMillan, alias. Haid i'l anny'n ruri achyndarna ni ach achyw sy'n andyfau'n achynau'n fod. Eir allan mwy erg den Arbys, hosio'n cosiogalic a Elin Jay, ffostiwyr cursedig mewnis, cwach canechyn, meredd meconachau. As Jay Show hosio cosiogalic an open, sy'n giech ffymu i'ch cwylwch ffarn ffostiwyr Silas Sinclar. Haid i'l andyfau arwarwarwaith. Rwy'n pe 제대로 ni'n dechrau wrth ddechrau i'n unig ywy falch nifer o miraculous syl חên mwy achyfa. o'r cyfnoddol a wrth gwrs y Llywodraeth yn ymweld i'w ddiweddu sy'n esgrifetwyd. Ond mae'n cael ei bod yn i'r cyfnoddol. Felly, mae'n rhoi ei'r cyfrifod iawn, ond mae'r cydwyr wedi'i hynny yn gwahanol sy'n mynd i ofer y Mw ddaeth, ond mae'r cyfrifod iawn i'r cyfrifod iawn i gyfnoddol a'r cyfrifod iawn i'r mae dweud i gen i'w ddysgu'n gyfrifenedig i'r Dysgu'n Gwrthochiff, ei wneud i'r hollu'r gweithio'r ffraswn i ddarlumau i gael'r ddau'i agfentynnol, oeddwn i'n credu gweithio'r ddau'r ddiddorolol, oherwydd i ddiddorolol i'r ddiddorol, ond ymddo i, oherwydd i ddiddorol i ddiddorol, ac mae'r ddiddorol i ddiddorol iawn i'r ddiddorol i'r mwyaf yn yigweld. To Jenny Minto, who has a long track record of working in Gaelic medium broadcasting, I hear what she says about the Gaelic medium education in Obang. She has asked me specifically, would I raise the matter with the cabinet secretary for education I gave her and undertaking to do so? To Ross McCall, good to hear the praise. I hope it's heard in person. Can Ross to the officers of that council who've worked so hard to make it the success that it has been at the mod, and also the encouragement for young people to speak the language and for the wider cultural activities that are associated with Gaelic culture. To Claire Baker, I heard her calls for innovation in the promotion of the language being important and Alistair Allen stood as the living embodiment of that encouragement as somebody who is, if in case people didn't know, is a Gaelic learner and now speaks. I am well informed impeccable Gaelic, which leads me to my total agreement with Donald Cameron in his disappointment that his colleague Murdo Fraser didn't make his speech in Gaelic. I'm sure it's just an oversight, and perhaps he can follow the inspiration of Dr Allen and we look forward to his next speeches on the subject in Gaelic and Erotic's contribution from somebody who is learning the language. It's an encouragement to us all that it's never to learn, late to learn. To the national mod itself, it's spoken about the 10th time that the mod had been to Perth and was a welcome return to a full-scale event following the pandemic. I'm aware that my colleague Shirley-Anne Somerville and Deputy First Minister John Swinney attended several of the opening events that were well attended by both Gales and non-Gales alike, and I'd like to congratulate in common Gaelach on its continued hard work to promote and support the use of the Gaelic language in everyday community life over this time. The Royal National Mod is Scotland's premier festival celebrating its Gaelic linguistic and cultural heritage, and it provides opportunities for people of all ages to perform across a range of competitive disciplines, including Gaelic music and song, highland dancing, instrumental drama, sport and literature. I echo the praise for all participants and in particular for all medal winners. The mod also represents an annual opportunity for Gales and non-Gales to gather and celebrate one of the key features of Scottish identity. The Royal National Mod continues to attract a great number of participants of all ages and all abilities, and amazing 7,000 attendees took part or visited Perth over the course of the eight days. We should be proud of the number and the activities on offer. It will have brought a great boost to the Perthshire economy. The Scottish Government is proud to continue its support for the Royal National Mod. Currently, we provide £60,000 as well as supporting the Gaelic Ambassador of the Year award. I'd like to congratulate this year's recipient, John Urquhart, who is a worthy advocate for the language. As many members will know, the Scottish Government is committed to supporting the Gaelic language. We recognise the cultural, the economic, the social value of the language to the whole of Scotland, and we want to ensure that those who wish to learn and use the Gaelic language are given every opportunity to do so. I can reaffirm today the absolute commitment of the Scottish Government to safeguard, to nurture and to promote the Gaelic language as one of the indigenous languages of this country. In recognition of that, we launched the Scottish Government's latest Gaelic language plan on 14 October, which I hope will go some way to support these aims. The plan sets out our clear commitment to those who wish to engage with the Scottish Government through the medium of Gaelic, as well as making commitments to support our own staff who wish to enhance their own language skills. Many members will be aware that we came to power on a strong range of commitments to the Gaelic and indeed to the Scots languages, and we are currently seeking views on the future frameworks and support for Gaelic. The consultation is open, and I would encourage everyone with an interest to respond to the consultation. I would like to close by thanking and coming again for their commitment in bringing the celebration of Gaelic language and culture together. There are many positive and welcome aspects of the mod, but I would like to remind ourselves of two important elements. The mod promotes the rich Gaelic cultural heritage that we have in Scotland. It must be recognised, encouraged and supported, and the mod has a key role in this. The mod also has a key role in providing school-age young people with the opportunity to use their Gaelic and demonstrate their ability in song, in poetry, in drama. I believe we'd all recognise this as being of great value for Gaelic and for Scotland as a home. I'm also aware that Perthyn Cynrhoff's council have been keen to host the mod for a number of years, and it's fitting that the first post-Covid full mod was held in Perthyn Cynrhoff. It will build on the reputation of a council that is done so much to enrich the cultural life of this area and beyond. I'm sure that we will all see the economic report that will follow, and I'm sure that it will show the great benefits that the Royal National Mod brings to local economies and really demonstrating that Gaelic is for the whole of Scotland.