A scheme in Wales aimed at spreading pride in the language has inspired a similar move by Scotland’s Gaelic development board.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig launched the #cleachdi hashtag at the Royal National Mod 2019 in Glasgow.

The new #cleachdi campaign is similar to the Welsh Language Commissioner’s “Iaith Gwaith”, or “Welsh at Work”, scheme, which is used in Wales to show that a service is available in Welsh.

The Welsh Language Commissioner Aled Roberts travelled to the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow to give his backing to #cleachdi.

Roberts said: “Iaith Gwaith is well established in Wales, and is a valuable resource for organisations, businesses and charities to show customers that a service is available in Welsh.

“In recent years, it has evolved and been used more widely in ways ranging from an engineering company creating a vinyl version on hard hats to health boards creating a magnetic version to be used on beds to show which patients wish to be treated in Welsh.

“I am confident that #cleachdi will have the same positive benefit for Gaelic and Gaelic speakers.”

Bòrd na Gàidhlig is urging Gaelic speakers and learners to include #cleachdi alongside #useit and #gaidhlig on social media, email signatures or by wearing the symbol on stickers, showing their pride in the language.

Public sector bodies with Gaelic-speaking staff can order badges, posters and more by contacting Bord na Gaidhlig.

Shona MacLennan, Bòrd na Gàidhlig chief executive officer, said: “More and more people want to use and learn Gaelic and this initiative is a very positive and easy to use means to encourage more people to use more Gaelic in more situations.

“We will be joining all those who speak the language in displaying our pride at letting others know we are Gaelic speakers. We think #cleachdi is the perfect way to do this. So let’s #useit and put #gaidhlig firmly on the map.”

This isn’t the first time Welsh has inspired the Gaelic language – the National Mòd was founded in 1892 after a delegation from An Comunn Gàidhealach visited the Eisteddfod and undertook to set up a festival along similar lines in Scotland.

Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail is being held in Glasgow from October 11 – 19. It will feature more than 200 competitions in Gaelic music and song, sport, art and drama.

Around 57,375 people speak Gaelic in Scotland, according to the last census.