Public appointment: Chair and Member appointed to Bòrd na Gàidhlig

The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic, Kate Forbes MSP, today announced the appointments of Robert Dunbar as Chair and Robert McKinnon as Member of Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

Chair 

Robert Dunbar is Professor of Celtic at the University of Edinburgh. A lawyer by training, he is an internationally recognised expert in relation to law and policy for minority languages. He has been involved in various aspects of Gaelic development for almost thirty years. He is an expert of the Council of Europe in relation to minority languages and the rights of minorities.

Member

Robert McKinnon has been learning Gaelic for 10 years at both Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in Skye and Ceòlas in South Uist, with a particular interest in traditional music. His family is from the Outer Hebrides, and he currently splits his time between Harris and Edinburgh. After a 25-year international corporate career focusing on business planning and change management, Rob returned to the islands to become Chief Executive of Outer Hebrides Tourism, making Gaelic a much bigger part of the messaging to visitors. Rob has been a co-opted member of Bòrd na Gàidhlig's Audit and Assurance Committee for the past two years.

Appointments

The appointments will be for 4 years and will run from 1 January 2026 to 1 January 2030.

The appointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

Robert Dunbar’s appointment is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £14,196.96 for a time commitment of 4 days per month. Robert McKinnon’s appointment is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £7,123.32 for a time commitment of 3 days per month. 

Other ministerial appointments

Robert Dunbar and Robert McKinnon do not hold any other public appointments.

Political activity 

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.  However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity within the last five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.   

Robert Dunbar and Robert McKinnon have had no political activity within the last five years. 

Background

Bòrd na Gàidhlig is a statutory Non-Departmental Public Body established under the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 and is responsible for safeguarding the future of Gaelic in Scotland; for promoting the use and understanding of the Gaelic language and for developing and supporting Gaelic education and culture.

 

An-diugh, thuirt an Leas-Phrìomh Mhinistear agus Rùnaire a’ Chaibineit airson na h-Eaconamaidh agus na Gàidhlig, Ceit Fhoirbeis BPA, gun tèid Raibeart Dunbar a chur an dreuchd mar Chathraiche, agus gun tèid Raibeart MacFhionghain  a chur an dreuchd mar Bhall, aig Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

Cathraiche 

Tha Raibeart Dunbar na Ollamh ann an Ceiltis aig Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann. ’S ann mar neach-lagha a chaidh a thrèanadh, ’s e air aithneachadh aig ìre eadar-nàiseanta mar eòlaiche ann an co-cheangal ri lagh agus poileasaidhean airson mion-chànanan. Tha e air a bhith an sàs ann an diofar eileamaidean de leasachadh na Gàidhlig fad faisg air 30 bliadhna. Tha e na eòlaiche aig Comhairle na h-Eòrpa a thaobh mion-chànanan agus còraichean mhion-shluaghan.

Ball

Tha Raibeart MacFhionghain air a bhith ag ionnsachadh na Gàidhlig fad 10 bliadhna aig Sabhal Mòr Ostaig san Eilean Sgitheanach, agus aig Ceòlas ann an Uibhist a Deas cuideachd. Tha ùidh shònraichte aige ann an ceòl traidiseanta. ’S ann às na h-Eileanan an Iar a tha a theaghlach, agus an-dràsta tha e a’ roinn a chuid ùine eadar na Hearadh agus Dùn Èideann. Às dèidh slighe-obrach chorporra eadar-nàiseanta a mhair 25 bliadhna, le fòcas air planadh gnìomhachais  agus riaghladh atharrachaidh , thill Raibeart dha na h-eileanan airson a bhith na Àrd-oifigear aig Turasachd Innse Gall, ’s e a’ cur na Gàidhlig fada nas fhaisge air cridhe na sanasachd a th’ ann do luchd-tadhail. Tha Raibeart air a bhith na bhall co-thaghte de Chomataidh Sgrùdaidh is Dearbhachd Bhòrd na Gàidhlig thairis air an dà bhliadhna a dh’fhalbh.

Cur an dreuchd

Mairidh na dreuchdan 4 bliadhna, ’s iad a’ leantainn bhon chiad latha dhen Fhaoilleach 2026 chun a’ chiad latha dhen Fhaoilleach 2030.

Thèid na dreuchdan a riaghladh le Coimiseanair nan Inbhean Beusach.

Tuarastal

’S e obair phàirt-ùine a th’ ann an dreuchd Raibeirt Dunbar, ’s tuarastal de £14,196.96 ri fhaotainn airson gealltanas-ùine de 4 làithean sa mhìos. ’S e obair phàirt-ùine a th’ ann an dreuchd Raibeirt MhicFhionghain, ’s tuarastal de £7,123.32 ri fhaotainn airson gealltanas-ùine de 3 làithean sa mhìos. 

Dreuchdan ministreil eile

Chan eil dreuchd phoblach sam bith eile aig Raibeart Dunbar no Raibeart MacFhionghain.

Gnìomhan poilitigeach 

’S ann a rèir airidheachd a thèid daoine a chur an dreuchd, agus cha chluich gnìomhan poilitigeach pàirt sam bith sa phròiseas taghaidh. Ge-tà, ann an co-rèir ri molaidhean Nolan a bh’ ann bho thùs, feumaidh gun tèid gnìomhan poilitigeach nan daoine a thèid a chur an dreuchd anns na còig bliadhna sa chaidh (ma tha gin idir ann) fhoillseachadh gu poblach.

Cha robh Raibeart Dunbar no Raibeart MacFhionghain an sàs ann an gnìomhan poilitigeach anns na còig bliadhna sa chaidh. 

Cùl-fhiosrachadh

Tha Bòrd na Gàidhlig na Bhuidheann Phoblach neo-roinneil, reachdail a chaidh a stèidheachadh fo Achd na Gàidhlig (Alba) 2005. Tha e mar dhleastanas air a’ Bhòrd àm ri teachd na Gàidhlig ann an Alba a ghlèidheadh; cleachdadh agus tuigsinn na Gàidhlig a bhrosnachadh; agus foghlam is cultar Gàidhlig a leasachadh agus taic a chumail riutha.