As we ease out of lockdown, it is amazing to hear of all the different ways in which everyone kept themselves amused the last few months.

Many learned how to cook, and others took the time to get fit.

And many took the time to learn Gaelic.

An increase in demand for Gaelic has seen the LearnGaelic website double its users during the coronavirus lockdown.

Over 114,000 unique users accessed LearnGaelic from the beginning of lockdown, more than double the total of Gaelic speakers according the last census.

Glasgow Times:

Fiona Murray, 30, has just finished her PGDE in teaching music, and used her time in lockdown in between working to teach herself Gaelic.

Fiona, from Shawlands, said learning the language helped her to enrich her understanding of where she is from.

Fiona told The Glasgow Times: "Our family holidays tended to be to different Scottish Castles. Being in touch with that Scottish history, I was drawn to the languages.

"It was my own interest that got me learning it in the first place. I saw the opportunity to use it in my day to day life that helped it take off.

"I've always attended some community classes or meeting more people in the learners community and the experience has really grown. I've convinced my mum and husband now then.

"I've been attending classes online during lockdown, and the wee class we have everyone is very keen and willing to speak to it and make mistakes."

While the community aspect was continued digitally into lockdown, Fiona says Gaelic has helped her understand her Scottish heritage.

Glasgow Times:

Fiona added: "I think it has so many different sides to it. In lockdown it's been something to do and keep your mind going and I've found myself having conversations in Gaelic with myself. It diversifies the day and makes the day feel different, as well as continuing your ongoing personal development.

"It's important to know what became of Gaelic, how it was stomped out and has influenced our history and culture. It's shaped our understanding of the landscape.

"There are so many different elements as to why you should learn it now. I really think it should be offered in more schools.

"Music has been such a big part of my life and Gaelic in Scottish music is such a big thing. I can't understand why you wouldn't want to learn it."

Eilidh Lewsey, LearnGaelic Editor, said: “We’ve seen the strongest growth in our beginners’ resources such as our Gaelic Sounds pages and Fichead Facal (vocabulary lists).

"An Litir Bheag (The Little Letter), a short letter aimed at learners, is fully integrated with our dictionary and has also enjoyed a momentous growth.

"Our dictionary consistently continues to gather momentum and we are delighted that learners and Gaelic speakers alike continue to enjoy putting it to good use.”