| Reference Number | 18 |
| Title | Dealbh-chruth nan Eilean Siar: aithisg sgrìobhte (Western Isles Structure Plan: written statement) |
| Author | Anon., for Comhairle nan Eilean |
| Editor | N/A |
| Date Of Edition | 1988 |
| Date Of Language | late 20c |
| Date Of Language Ed | 1950-1999 |
| DateMacro | Late 20th c. |
| Date Of Language Notes | |
| Publisher | Comhairle nan Eilean |
| Place Published | Stornoway |
| Volume | N/A |
| Location | NLS |
| Geographical Origins | Unknown |
| Geographical Origins Ed | Unknown |
| GeoMacro | Other |
| GeoX | |
| GeoY | |
| Geographical Origins Notes | |
| Register | Formal, Parliamentary, Prose |
| Register Ed | Formal, Prose |
| Genre | Information |
| Medium | Prose |
| Rating | C
Gaelic version of the Western Isles Structure Plan: written statement.
Contains some useful terminology relating to the Western Isles Structure Plan, although some of the terminology is outdated and can seem clumsy when compared to the terms in common use today.
The Gaelic version contains numerous typing errors and some grammatical infelicities. |
| Alternative Author Name | N/A |
| Manuscript Or Edition | Ed. |
| Size And Condition | 29.6cm x 20.8cm |
| Short Title | Dealbh-chruth nan Eilean Siar |
| Reference Details | NLS: QP4.92.752 |
| Number Of Pages | Title page, 29 pages |
| Gaelic Text By | Unknown |
| Illustrator | N/A |
| Social Context | A ‘Structure Plan’ (Dealbh-Chruth) detailing the Western Isles Council’s aims and objectives for development in the islands, including economic and social development and improvements in transport and communications. It is likely that this is a translation of the Enlgish language document, Western Isles Structure Plan: written statement. |
| Contents | The document is in Gaelic and English. Pages 1-13 have two columns on each page with Gaelic in the left-hand column and English in the right-hand column. Pages 24-29 (the Appendix, containing the Secretary of State’s approval of the Plan) have Gaelic and English on facing pages. New sections begin on odd-numbered pages, resulting in a number of even-numbered pages being left blank.
This volume begins with a Clar-Innse (p. 1), followed by a foreword, Roimh-Radh (p. 3), which consists of a short paragraph, in Gaelic and English, introducing the Structure Plan. It is signed by the Council Convener Alexander Matheson. Beneath this is a notice stating that the document was approved by the Western Isles Islands Council in March 1988, and was approved by the Secretary of State for Scotland in December 1988. The main body of the text is presented in eight sections as follows:
1 Roimh-Radh (p. 5): The introduction details the purpose and content of the Plan, the timescales involved, and the nature of public involvement in the preparation of the statement.
2 Doigh Imeachd (pp. 7-8): This section begins by stating that, in the Plan, economic development will take priority over land issues. It then discusses the methodology involved in the Structure Plan, which will identify ‘a strategic network of settlements’ (siostam de thuinneachaidhean neo buidhean [sic] bhailtean) for development. These networks fall into four types of area: Aite Poileasaidh Meadhon ‘Central Policy Area’, Aite Poileasaidh Iomal Baile ‘Intermediate Policy Area’, Aite Poileasaidh Iomallach ‘Peripheral Policy Area’, and Aite Poileasaidh Mointeach ‘Moorland Policy Area’.
3 Eaconomaidh (pp. 9-12): This section details the ways in which the Council will strive to improve the economy of the area by encouraging new enterprises into the area, and by encouraging ‘economically active age groups’ (bhuidheann a tha aig aois obrach) to stay in the area by providing more employment opportunities. There follow lists of ‘Policies’ (Poileasaidhean) and ‘Supporting Activities’ (Gniomhan Taiceil) under the headings of ‘Agriculture’ (Aiteachas), ‘Fishing’ (Iasgach), ‘Minerals’ (Meinn), ‘Industry and Commerce’ (Gniomhachas agus Malairt), and ‘Tourism’ (Turusachd).
4 Eadar-cheangalaidhean (pp. 13-14): This section states the aims of the Council to improve communications within each island, between islands (to an extent), and between the mainland and the islands. Policies and Supporting Activities are listed under the headings ‘Public Transport’ (Goireasan Siubhal Pobullach) and ‘Roads Network’ (Siostam Rathaid).
5 Tuinneachaidhean (pp. 15-17): This section states that the aims of the Council are to improve the ‘provision and choice of services and facilities throughout the area’ (ullachadh agus raon de sheirbheisean agus ghoireasan air feadh na h-Eileanan). Policies and Supporting Activities are listed under the headings ‘Housing’ (Taigheadas), ‘Infrastructure’ (Fo-Structuir), and ‘Services’ (Seirbheisean).
6 Aruinneachd (pp. 19-20): This section states the aim of the Council to ‘protect, maintain and enhance the natural and built environment of the area’ (air dion gleidheadh agus leasachadh aruinneachd nadurra agus togta air aite). Policies and Supporting Activities are listed under the headings ‘Natural Environment’ (Aruinneachd Nadurra) and ‘Built Environment’ (Aruinneachd Togta).
7 Cuir an Sas (pp. 21-22): This section looks at the timescales involved for particular plans, at the monitoring and review process, and at financial investment. A table shows the amount of money spent, or to be spent, yearly in different sectors from 1987/88 to 1991/92.
8 Riochd Mineachadh (p. 23): This diagram consists of a map of the Western Isles showing the positions of each of the four ‘policy areas’ (raointean poileasaidh or aite poileasaidh). The names of those settlements which fall under the heading of ‘strategic settlements’ (tuinneachaidhean cudthromach) are given in Gaelic. The names of the two Central Policy Areas, Stornoway and Balivanich, are given in Gaelic and English.
This volume ends with an appendix, Fa-Sgriobhadh (pp. 24-29), comprising a letter from the Scottish Development Department to the Chief Executive of the Western Isles Council, giving approval of the Western Isles Structure Plan by the Secretary of State for Scotland. Both Gaelic and English versions of the letter are printed. The Gaelic version of the letter is not the work of Comhairle nan Eilean – it is clear that the Comhairle received a letter in English and a corresponding one in Gaelic from the Scottish Development Department. Included in the letter is a list of notes, along with one objection, from the Secretary of State, relating to various aspects of the plan. Attention is drawn to these notes in footnotes throughout the text. |
| Sources | |
| Language | The Gaelic used in this document, while containing some useful terminology, is not well written, and care should be taken when selecting words or phrases. There are numerous typing errors and there are also many departures from accepted norms of grammar for writing formal documents, particularly in the use of the genitive case e.g. Bord Leasachaidh a’ Ghaidhealtachd s’ na h-Eileanan (p. 10). No accents appear in the main body of text. The language in general seems clumsy and is not easy to follow, partly due to typing errors and partly due to infelicities of vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure. When compared, for example, with Inbhe Thearainte Dhan Ghàidhlig, Dreach iùl airson Achd Gàidhlig, the language used in this document seems somewhat below standard e.g. Achd Dealbhadh Baile agus Dutcha (sic). The Gaelic letter published in the appendix appears to be of a higher standard and does use accents, although these were apparently added by hand.
Despite this, the document contains various useful words and phrases such as Comraichean Naiseanta Naduir ‘National Nature Reserves’, armachd niuclaiseach ‘nuclear weapons’, Plana Corporra na Comhairle ‘the Council’s Corporate Plan’, Paipear-taice ‘Annex’, taobh-duilleig ‘page’, roinn seirbheis ‘service sector’, sgeamaichean riaghlaidh trafaic ‘traffic management schemes’, togalaichean claraichte ‘listed buildings’, amaran seaptic ‘septic tanks’, and Cùirt an t-Seisein ‘Court of Session’.
However, the text also contains a number of words and phrases, translated from English, the meanings of which may not be completely clear without the English version. A number of terms which are in common use today are not to be found in this document. For example, we find cudthromach meaning ‘strategic’ (rather than ro-innleachdail which is more common today). |
| Orthography | The Gaelic text does not follow GOC orthographic conventions and it contains a large number of typing errors and some grammatical errors. In general, this text should be used with caution and, where possible, with corroboration from other texts of a similar nature, including Faclair na Pàrlamaid. |
| Edition | The date of the text is established by the fact that the Foreword is dated May 1988, and states that the Plan will become operational on 22nd December 1988. The actual date of publication may, of course, have been early 1989. |
| Other Sources | |
| Further Reading | McNeir, Clive Leo (ed.), Faclair na Pàrlamaid (Edinburgh, 2001: Scottish Parliament). |
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| Download File | |
| NumWords | 8062 |
