We speak to the medallist and his students about his work promoting and protecting minority languages. Professor Robert (Rob) Dunbar, Chair of Celtic Languages, Literature, History and Antiquities, has been awarded the Sir Walter Scott Medal by the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE). The award recognises Rob’s international role in furthering policies relating to the promotion and legal protection of minority languages, a body of work that includes board membership of the Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. This is the only treaty in the world designed to protect and promote regional and minority languages and to enable speakers to use them both in private and public life.Closer to home, the medal acknowledges Rob’s “prominent and long-standing contribution to the support and development of Scottish Gaelic language and policy in this country, and high-quality research in the area of Gaelic literature and culture generally”. Speaking ahead of the medal ceremony on Wednesday 19 November 2025 in Edinburgh, Rob said “I am deeply honoured to have been awarded the RSE Sir Walter Scott Medal. I am most grateful to the Royal Society of Edinburgh for this recognition, not only of my own work but of the importance of the Gaelic language and culture, and of linguistic and cultural diversity more generally, both in Scotland and in Europe.” Professor Rob Dunbar with his medal at the RSE award ceremony. Image © Stewart Attwood Photography, courtesy of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Like many in my field, I have sought to combine scholarship and teaching with wider engagement, in my case with the public policy process, both here in Scotland and abroad, particularly through the Council of Europe. My efforts would not have been possible without the outstanding work of many others, both within and outside academia, from whom I have learned and with whom I have engaged and collaborated. My work would also not have been possible without the support of my university colleagues and the love and support of friends and family. For this, I am also profoundly grateful. Professor Rob Dunbar RSE Sir Walter Scott Medal winner 2025 Insight, mentorship and kindness Rob has been at the University of Edinburgh since 2013. He has taught courses and supervised research on Scottish Gaelic prose and verse, Scottish emigrant traditions, Gaelic media and the arts, and language policy. Many students have been inspired and mentored by him, including Chris Oates whose graduation with a PhD on Gaelic language policy Rob attended in the same week he was awarded the Sir Walter Scott Medal. Speaking of his supervisor shortly after his graduation, Chris said: "Rob Dunbar’s academic work introduced me to Scottish Gaelic, and so he is quite directly responsible for the eventual course of my studies. As my doctoral supervisor, Rob was unerringly patient, supportive and kind, and the depth of insight displayed in his research is reflected in the wisdom which he is able to share with those fortunate to be his students." Elizabeth Campbell has recently submitted her PhD thesis on the life and work of her ancestor John Morison (Iain Gobha na Hearadh), a 19th century Gaelic poet known as The Blacksmith of Harris. Originally from the US, Elizabeth first came to Edinburgh in 2016 to complete a masters in Celtic and Scottish Studies, then stayed to pursue doctoral study.She says "Working with Rob over the past nine years has been an absolute honour and a real pleasure. From assisting in my initial application to the department in 2016 to becoming my primary doctoral supervisor, Rob’s guidance throughout my academic career in Edinburgh has been invaluable. Over the years he assisted me in applying for various grants, prepared me for an intensive Gaelic-immersion course, encouraged my expansion of my research to include fieldwork, and was incredibly supportive through the very difficult years of Covid and lockdown." Rob's approach to teaching reflects his genuine care for his students, and I count myself fortunate indeed to be among them. I am grateful to him for his insight, mentorship, and kindness, all of which I have benefited from both personally and academically. Elizabeth Campbell PhD candidate in Celtic and Scottish Studies Are you interested in studying with us? The study of Celtic at the University of Edinburgh goes back to 1882, while the School of Scottish Studies was founded in 1951 to collect, archive and promote the cultural traditions of the nation. Brought together in 2001, our multidisciplinary team delivers teaching and supervision across a broad range of specialist areas and is committed to excellence in research and publication. Join us at the heart of Scotland’s capital and festival city:Undergraduate studyPostgraduate study Find out more and apply for a PhD in Celtic Previous medal winners The RSE Sir Walter Scott Medal recognises exceptional achievements in arts, humanities and social science by an established career researcher. In 2021, Professor John Peter Renwick (former John Orr Chair of French) was the first Modern Linguist to be awarded the prize. Professor Renwick has been an Emeritus Professor in French in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC) since his retirement from the John Orr Chair in 2007. His medal recognised what the RSE noted as a “monumental and ground-breaking contribution” to the 140-volume Complete Works of Voltaire (Oxford, 1969-2021), and Renwick’s key role in the “scholarly resurrection of the highly significant figure, Jean-François Marmontel”. Tags Celtic and Scottish Studies Research Teaching Publication date 19 Nov, 2025
