This is the view of CnaG chairman Donald MacDonald in the Gaelic development agency's annual report for April 2007 – March 2008 following a very successful year of productive activity at a historic time for the language.

Mr MacDonald welcomed the new Partnership developed between the BBC and MG ALBA which has now seen the launch of the new digital Gaelic television channel.

And CnaG's Chief Executive Archie Maclean has added CnaG's support to the call for the new channel to be available to viewers on the Freeview service.

In his report, he says: "CNAG strongly believes that the new channel should be available on Freeview and we have always supported the campaign to have the channel set up in such a way that it could be properly financed from day one to enable it to expand and develop. We would like to congratulate everyone involved in bringing the channel to this stage."

Chairman Donald MacDonald says that while the agency has achieved a great deal, it is now looking forward with optimism to further activity.

"It has been a very successful year for us, but it is clear that a great deal remains to be done at community level to ensure that Gaelic speakers have as many opportunities to use the language as possible."

CnaG's annual report details the work done by the agency in its financial year in a number of key areas of Gaelic development: Gaelic Medium Education, Research in Wales, Student Training Schemes and Debating Competitions.

Said Mr MacDonald: "CnaG is enormously encouraged by the interest shown in Gaelic by the private sector through support for a number of projects. BT Scotland has continued to support the national debating competition for schools. Scottish Widows has supported our Gaelic Youth Enterprise scheme for pupils in secondary schools and they also supported the establishment of a Gaelic Garden in the new Gaelic School in Inverness. Ferry operator CalMac has also continued to support and develop the Gaelic on Board initiative.

"These organisations are to be commended for their continuing support and they are a great example to others who should be contributing more effectively through good practice," he said.

Mr MacDonald continued: "We are always grateful to the organisations which have contributed to our activities financially, and especially Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Bòrd na Gàidhlig, and the local authorities and local development agencies which have supported us. We are acutely aware that many of these organisations have themselves faced enormous challenges and change throughout this year and we are all the more grateful that they have been enabled to continue supporting us and working with us."

Mr MacDonald said they welcomed a new Government to Holyrood and also a new Minister with responsibility for Gaelic, Linda Fabiani MSP.

"We have met with the Minister, to provide her with information, and we look forward to working closely with her and the Government to help deliver on the aims and aspirations of the National Plan for Gaelic," said Mr MacDonald.

He also thanked Donald Martin for his excellent service to CnaG over the years.

Donald retired in May 2007 after 10 years with CnaG, initially as Director of Community Development and more recently as Chief Executive from 2003 to 2007.

"We offer him best of wishes for the future, in the knowledge that he will not be idle for long," said Mr MacDonald.

He welcomed Archie MacLean as Chief Executive, replacing Donald Martin, and also Calum Iain MacLeod to the Stornoway office as Development Manager.

Mr Maclean said that on the Gaelic Medium Education front, in co-operation with Comann nam Pàrant, a lot of work had been done to motivate parents in different areas.

"A new booklet, Fios is Freagairt, which provides information on Gaelic Medium Education from pre-school to high school level and beyond, was published and circulated to parents throughout Scotland," he said.

"Support was given in various areas where there was a demand from parents for a Gaelic school. It is apparent there are many benefits arising from a Gaelic school as opposed to a Gaelic unit within a school. It is also apparent from the increasing numbers of pupils entering the Inverness and Glasgow schools that Gaelic Schools are appealing to parents," said Mr Maclean.

He pointed out: "There are currently ongoing campaigns for Gaelic schools in Barra, Portree and Fort William. Consultation meetings were held in the Western Isles to hear the views of parents on how Gaelic Medium Education could be further developed in the islands."