The teaching of Gaelic in schools has become the responsibility of the Culture Minister, it emerged yesterday.

Patricia Ferguson, who also deals with sport and tourism, was given the brief earlier this week.

The Scottish Executive was last night unable to offer any reason for the timing of the switch, but sources suggested a political game of pass-the-parcel.

Until November, the Education Minister was Highland MSP Peter Peacock, a Gaelic enthusiast.

However, after he stepped down for health reasons, he was replaced by Paisley MSP Hugh Henry, thought to have little affinity with the language.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig said it was relaxed about the move provided funding for Gaelic was unaltered.