TESCO has removed a sign in Gaelic from one of its stores in Aberdeenshire, saying it made a “mistake” following backlash from locals online.
The supermarket giant faced criticism from locals after it installed a sign in Gaelic at the front of its Fraserburgh store’s entrance, which read: “Serving our customers, communities and planet a little better every day”.
The same message also appeared in English on the sign, but in smaller lettering and underneath the Gaelic.
However, Tesco was forced to remove the sign after Billy, a local photographer who runs the Broch Photo House, shared a picture of the sign on Wednesday, saying: “Nothing against Gaelic but it isn’t spoken or read in the Broch.”
He added: “Brochers cant read or understand it and the Broch is one of the main centres of Doric, which is more widely spoken than Gaelic.
“So why a Gaelic sign in the Broch?”
Billy’s post has since sparked a strong debate among the local community, with many questioning why the sign was installed when around 0.6% of residents speak Gaelic.
One person replied: “Wasn't Gaelic spoke more in West Scotland? Inverness and beyond? Been Doris in Eastern Scotland for 100s o years.”
A second commented: “Should have been Doric!”
A third added: “Never met anyone in aberdeenshire/buchan area that speaks Gaelic, I Ken a lot of folk fa spik doric.”
However, others seemed happy with the sign as one person said: “I think it's great that Scotland is trying to keep the heritage of Scotland alive, instead of losing our whole identity.”
Another said: “Tidy that, well done Tesco, Alba gu brath!”
Following the debate, a spokesperson for Tesco confirmed to the Press & Journal that the sign has since been removed, as they said: “We’re sorry for this mistake and have removed the sign.”
Billy told The National that he believes Tesco seemed to have made a mistake, but added that it was made with “good intentions”.
He added: “It was any easy mistake to make, Gaelic does get a lot more attention nationally than Doric which hardly gets anything attention all and as soon as they were made aware of it they did the right thing and removed it, so well done Tesco.”
According to census statistics from 2022, more than 130,000 people in Scotland have some form of Gaelic skills, an increase of 50% from 43,100 in 2011.
It is also estimated that around 70,000 people in Scotland speak Gaelic.
