Leabharlann Ghàidhlig | Gaelic Library

Leabharlainn nan Eilean siar / Western Isles Libraries celebrate the rich Gaelic heritage of the Outer Hebrides through an extensive collection of Gaelic books, resources, and materials. Gaelic is deeply woven into the identity of our islands, influenced by both Celtic and Norse traditions. Our collections support Gaelic speakers and learners alike, offering a diverse range of literature, history, poetry, and educational resources. Whether you’re fluent in the language or just beginning your journey, our libraries provide a gateway to the vibrant Gaelic culture of the Western Isles.

Language, literature, folklore and religion are the traditional subjects of Gaelic books but the range is expanding. The largest growth area is in children’s books and contemporary fiction.

Gairm, TGSI, Scottish Gaelic Studies and Guth are available for consultation, together with a number of older series such as An Gaidheal and Guth na Bliadhna. There is a lot of useful historical material in these magazines.

Alba and Mac-Talla from yesteryear make fascinating reading. Sruth from the late 1960s was billed as Scotland’s bilingual newspaper. Today the Stornoway Gazette and West Highland Free Press regularly carry Gaelic features.

Gaelic songs and music on CD may be borrowed from all libraries.

Language learning courses are available, many with accompanying audio and video CDs. These may be borrowed initially for 8 weeks but the loan can be extended depending on demand.