THE University of Edinburgh has been slammed after plans revealed cuts to seven programmes of study in the Celtic and Scottish Studies department, in a move which could lead to "cultural and linguistic erasure".
This week, it was announced that various undergraduate degrees in Scots literature, Scottish ethnology and Celtic studies would be cut alongside a reduction of language courses including Russian, Persian, Portuguese, Italian and German.
The university's leadership cited "financial pressure" for the decision, which will be in effect from autumn next year.
The University of Glasgow will therefore be the only higher education institution in the UK with a specific academic unit dedicated to teaching Scottish Literature.
Scots language campaigner Hazy Templeton said he was "devastated" on hearing the news and said: "It's not fair, especially in the capital.
"Arts and culture is on such a complete decline, but I didn't expect to see such a huge number of closures that quickly.
"It was only last year that I realised I spoke Scots. My mum's from Cumnock, and I grew up being taught that there was a way that my mum spoke, and a way I wasn't allowed to.
"We're all very far from our own heritage, and I think this [the cuts] only upholds English language dominance.
"There's been such a huge decline in language learning across Scotland, and we have this apathy for our own languages. Many people don't understand the context between the Gaelic language and oppression, the Highland Clearances; we're very far away from our own heritage."
Templeton is currently studying at the University of St Andrews and hopes to pursue Scots language and Scottish studies at postgraduate level, but he worries that native languages risk becoming “archived” disciplines as undergraduate choice shrinks.
"It's going to affect people like me who want to go on and specialise in Scottish studies. If you've not got the undergrad degree, which the cuts primarily affect, it's going to be a huge jump to further studies, and be really tough," he added.
Issuing a statement, the University of Edinburgh Scottish Society said: "This is unacceptable. Disembowelling Celtic and Scottish studies at the university constitutes cultural and linguistic erasure.
"Many culture and language courses are also under threat, all the while students and staff are being forced to work and study under uncertainty.
"The university leadership should be ashamed of themselves. This is an institution of higher learning, not a for-profit investment fund. The Scottish Society stands with striking staff and affected students.
"We will work alongside the UCU and other partners to lobby against the University's pretextual austerity policies."
Professor Alex Thomson, head of the school of literatures, languages and cultures at the University of Edinburgh said: "The University of Edinburgh is a leading provider of modern languages and of Celtic and Scottish studies in the UK – this will not change.
"We are refreshing our programme to consolidate our offering for future students and make their degree pathways easier to navigate.
"By closing a number of programmes that have had no or very low enrolments for several years, we believe we are strengthening our portfolio and adding to the experience of our students. These decisions have been made after thoughtful consideration and we believe the refresh will hold our School in great standing for many years to come.
“Very few students enrol to study Celtic and Scottish studies as their main programme of study, and the majority of the students we teach in these areas do so through their choice of elective courses, which will still be available. We are reviewing the main programmes of study with a stronger focus on employability and the links between culture and the creative arts.
"I would be very pleased to meet with the Scottish Society, and any concerned students, and believe that we have a shared commitment to promote and preserve Scotland’s literatures, languages, cultures and heritage.”
