SIR Sean Connery is among 300 people to have signed a declaration calling on the Scottish Executive to act now to save the Gaelic language and culture before it is too late.
The actor, and most of the Gaelic-speaking community, believe that Scotland has reached a defining moment in the history of Gaelic, and that an inadequate response from the executive will ensure the demise of the language.
A delegation from the Highlands travelled to Edinburgh yesterday to meet Mike Watson, minister of tourism, culture and sport, who has responsibility for Gaelic, and to hand over the declaration supported by business leaders and agencies operating in Scotland, and hundreds of individuals.
The declaration urges the executive to embrace the recommendations of the Ministerial Advisory Group chaired by Professor Donald Meek which include the introduction of a Gaelic language act, the creation of a Gaelic development board, the dedication of £10m annually to promote Gaelic, and a dedicated civil service unit in the executive.
Launched in June 2002, the declaration has been promoted by the Highland Council's Gaelic working group and was prepared by Dr Michael Foxley, the councillor for Ardnamurchan, and John Hutchison, the council's Lochaber area manager, who were concerned for the future of the Gaelic language and culture and the need for urgent action, especially to provide more Gaelic-medium teachers.
David Green, convener of the Highland Council, said: "Many people signing the declaration have emphasised that they believe the Gaelic language to be approaching a crossroads."
Dr Foxley said: "We desperately need serious action now if Gaelic is to survive, flourish, and be handed down to future generations."