Malcolm, I agree with most of what you say, but I should have stuck to Gaelic. I am convinced that the language was focused for destroyal untill a stage was reached where the decline was such that it was impossible to revive without massive recources.
By giving, welcome, but insufficient support, is still a way of watching the language die.
We already have the example of this in Sandy's part of the globe Cape Breton, a place where Scottish identity is very strong and the music thrives but the language is now down to less than a hundred fluent speakers (I heard this statistic being mentioned on CBC Sydney on the net)
One other small point where I disagree is that there are a lot of monoglots who are anti-Gaelic. Any radio discussion on the subject brings out a frightening raw hostility.
Incidently there was a programme on BBC Radio Scotland on the subject which is well worth a listen. It's still available on the BBC Radio Scotland website. To hear it, go to the website and choose the "Listen again" option and it is the Lesley Riddoch Wednesday program. you can "fast forward" the programme until about half way through when the gaelic bill discussion starts. It does cut out a bit prematurely though.