Public bodies were accused of failing to treat the Gaelic language with the respect they have pledged in a hard-hitting address at the opening of the Royal National Mod last night.
John Macleod, president of Mod organisers An Comunn Gaidhealach, said the provisions in the Gaelic Language Act of 2005 were not being translated into action.
And he claimed the absence of Gaelic from the independence referendum voting papers demonstrated a lack of support at a national level.
“Words can be spoken and written but the proof of any commitment is in its delivery,” he told members of the audience in Inverness following a torchlit procession through the streets of the Highland capital.
The claims were dismissed by the Scottish Government, which insisted it was “encouraging Gaelic as a vibrant part of many of Scotland’s communities”.
But the issue will be a hot topic among the thousands gathered in Inverness for the 122nd Royal National Mod this weekend.
The nine-day spectacular will feature more than 3,000 competitors showcasing their talents in Highland dancing, Gaelic music and song, sport, literature and drama.
The festival is returning to Inverness for the first time in 17 years as a signature event of the Highland Homecoming celebrations.
It is expected to bring up to £3million to the local economy as visitors and competitors travel from across Scotland, the UK, Canada, the USA and the United Arab Emirates for the event.