Gaelic names and naming traditions explored in World Gaelic Week talk
A free online talk exploring Gaelic names and naming traditions is to open Moray’s World Gaelic Week celebrations.
Running from Monday 23 February until Sunday 1 March 2026, Seachdain na Gàidhlig (World Gaelic Week) celebrates the Gaelic language and culture, helping to raise its profile locally and across the world.
As part of the week, Moray Council will host a free online talk at 7pm on Monday 23 February, led by Iain Taylor.
Delivered in English and with time for questions, the talk will explore both Gaelic first names and surnames. It will look at the origins of Gaelic first names, how surnames were formed both with and without Mac- and Nic- and points of particular interest to residents of Moray and the wider north-east.
The event is open to everyone, whether they are new to Gaelic or already have an interest in the language. Sign up to attend here.
While World Gaelic Week provides a focal point for celebration, Gaelic activity continues across Moray throughout the year.
Moray Council currently supports two evening classes for Gaelic learners, with strong demand and plans being explored for an additional beginners’ class. There is also a monthly Gaelic conversation group, Srùbag, held at Lhanbryde Community Centre on the second Monday of each month from 10am to 12 noon, as well as regular Gaelic Bookbug sessions at Elgin Library. Find out more about these events here.
Looking ahead, 2026 will also mark a significant milestone for Gaelic in Moray, with the first ever Moray Mòd taking place on 11 September at Holy Trinity Church Hall, organised in partnership with Moray Gaelic Group.