Scottish Languages Act 2025: A New Era for Gaelic and Scots

In 2025, the Scottish Parliament passed a landmark piece of legislation, the Scottish Languages Act, designed to bolster support and recognition for both the Gaelic and Scots languages. This comprehensive Act, officially receiving Royal Assent on July 31, 2025, outlines a range of measures to enhance the status, education, and cultural promotion of these languages across Scotland.

Gaelic Language Provisions

1. Official Status and Support: The Act affirms that Gaelic holds official status within Scotland, reinforcing efforts to promote, facilitate, and support its use. Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the national body for the promotion of Gaelic, is tasked with a broader mandate, including monitoring compliance by public authorities, advising on language development, and creating a corporate strategy aligned with national goals.

2. Education Enhancement: The Act mandates the Scottish Ministers to promote Gaelic education, from primary to higher education levels. Specific duties include producing Gaelic educational resources, setting educational standards, and establishing Gaelic-medium catchment areas for schools. Additionally, there is a focus on creating more accessible Gaelic-medium education and assessing the viability of all-Gaelic schools.

3. Financial and Research Support: The Scottish Government can now provide financial aid to promote Gaelic, conduct research, and support language initiatives. This includes potential grants and loans to individuals and organizations working to enhance Gaelic's presence in Scottish life.

Scots Language Provisions

1. Recognition and Strategy: For the first time, Scots language is officially recognized, with a commitment to developing a strategic approach to its promotion. The Scottish Ministers are responsible for creating a Scots language strategy, which includes objectives for supporting the language's various dialects.

2. Education and Resources: The Act ensures Scots language education is supported in schools, emphasizing the production of educational resources in Scots. The Scottish Ministers can set standards for Scots language education and provide guidance to educational authorities.

3. Financial Support and Research: Similar to Gaelic, the Act empowers the Scottish Government to offer financial assistance for promoting the Scots language and to conduct research to support its development.

Final Provisions

The Act includes provisions for making necessary adjustments to other legislation and sets out the framework for its implementation. It emphasizes the importance of promoting both languages equally and ensuring they are integral to Scotland's cultural and educational landscape.

This legislation marks a significant step towards preserving and revitalizing Scotland's linguistic heritage, recognizing the cultural importance of both Gaelic and Scots, and ensuring these languages continue to thrive for future generations.