The Gaelic and Scots languages have gained official status as people across Scotland celebrate St Andrew’s Day.
The designation forms part of a range of measures coming into effect today through the Scottish Languages Act 2025.
These include powers for ministers to commission research into the use of Gaelic and Scots and establish teaching standards for the languages.
Other measures of the Act include:
empowering parents to ask for a Gaelic school to be established in their area
supporting the creation of areas of linguistic significance in Gaelic communities so that ministers can better target policies to support the language’s growth
enabling parents in every part of Scotland to apply for Gaelic nursery and early years places for their children
ensuring that more qualifications are available in Gaelic
introducing targets on the number of people speaking and learning Gaelic
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “St Andrew’s Day is a fitting time to celebrate Scotland’s identity by recognising Gaelic and Scots as official languages. This is a historic milestone which acknowledges the vital place these languages hold in Scotland’s culture and heritage.
“This has been made possible through the Scottish Languages Bill which received unanimous support from MSPs.
“To support the continued growth of both languages the Scottish Government has already allocated £35.7 million for Gaelic and Scots initiatives this year, ensuring that this milestone translates into meaningful change for communities across the country.”
The Scottish Languages Bill was introduced on St Andrew’s Day in 2023. The Bill was passed in June and received Royal Assent on 1 August 2025.
Eleven organisations are set to share £650,000 as part of a drive to grow the Scots language across the country.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes announced the funding on a visit to Bill and Bain printworks in Glasgow where she unveiled a new Scots language children’s book. The Auchtermichty Aw-Stars is being produced by Scots Hoose Yaldi and features three Scots language plays about a youth football club.
It is part of a series of Scots books and comics which will be printed and distributed to hundreds of schools and nurseries through the investment.
Census figures published last year found that 35% of people aged 15 or under had some Scots skills, an increase of 6% from 2011.
Other initiatives receiving support include:
new Open University courses to help teachers introduce Scots into their lessons
the Dictionaries of the Scots Language project, which aims to detail the origins and meanings of every known Scots word
Doric Film and Scots Radio, which promote the broadcast of Doric, a form of Scots spoken in North East Scotland, across television, film and radio
Ms Forbes said: “These plays are part of a series of free Scots books, comics and poems which aim to provide young people with a better understanding of the language so that it can continue to grow.
“Scots is a treasured part of our history, heritage and culture. It enriches communities and research shows that learning the language benefits young people’s literacy skills and confidence.
“The funding represents a £150,000 uplift compared to last year. To grow Gaelic and Scots, we also brought forward the Scottish Languages Act to establish Scots and Gaelic as official languages and introduce teaching standards for Scots.”
Matthew Fitt, a co-owner of Scots Hoose Yaldi, said: “For many children and young people, reading a story or comic in Scots for the first time can be a transformative learning experience.
“We work very hard to improve Scots language provision for young Scots speakers in Scotland’s schools.
“It’s good to be recognised by the Scottish Government for our efforts, especially if it means we can help more young Scots speakers enjoy and learn about their own Scots language.”
Plans to boost and encourage the use of Gaelic and Scots have been passed by the Scottish Parliament.
The Scottish Languages Bill will enable parents to ask for a Gaelic school to be established in their area. Local authorities would then be required to assess if the request was practical and affordable. After taking advice, ministers could direct local authorities to proceed with the establishment a new Gaelic school if the authority’s assessment considers it to be viable.
Other measures include:
introducing educational standards for Gaelic and Scots
establishing Gaelic and Scots as official languages
supporting the creation of areas of linguistic significance in Gaelic communities so that ministers can better target policies to support the language’s growth
enabling parents in every part of Scotland to apply for Gaelic nursery and early years places for their children
ensuring that more qualifications are available in Gaelic
introducing targets on the number of people speaking and learning Gaelic
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic Kate Forbes said: “This legislation will introduce powers to accelerate the growth of Gaelic and Scots. It will establish them as official languages, introduce new educational standards and support the creation of areas of linguistic significance in Gaelic communities.
“While there has been an encouraging increase in the number of Gaelic speakers across Scotland, we recognise that more support is needed in communities where the language is traditionally spoken.
“That’s why the Scottish Government is providing an additional £5.7 million to promote Scotland’s languages. We are also working to drive growth in Gaelic communities so that more people who speak the language continue to live in those areas.”
Census statistics show that 130,161 people in Scotland had some Gaelic skills in 2022, an increase of 43,105 from 2011. The census shows that 2,444,659 people in Scotland had some Scots skills in 2022, an increase of 515,215 from 2011.
Scotland’s population is around 5.5 million.
The latest version of the Scottish Languages Bill is available online.
Parents across Scotland will be able to ask for a Gaelic school to be established in their area as part of legislation being taken forward by the Scottish Government.
Under the plans, local authorities would be required to assess if the request was practical and affordable. After taking advice, ministers may direct local authorities to proceed with the establishment a new Gaelic school if the authority’s assessment considers it to be viable.
Other provisions of the Scottish Languages Bill include:
introducing educational standards for Gaelic and Scots
establishing Gaelic and Scots as official languages
supporting the creation of areas of linguistic significance in Gaelic communities so that ministers can better target policies to support the language’s growth
enabling parents in every part of Scotland to apply for Gaelic nursery and early years places for their children
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic Kate Forbes set out the measures on a visit to Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis (Inverness Gaelic Primary School). She was joined by Scotland’s first Gaelic speaking national poet, Dr Peter Mackay, who is also known as the Makar.
The visit coincides with the 40th anniversary year of Gaelic medium education in Scotland.
Ms Forbes said: “This Bill aims to build a strong foundation to support Gaelic’s continued growth following an encouraging increase in Gaelic speakers and learners across Scotland. It would boost Gaelic education provision throughout Scotland and better establish Gaelic and Scots as national languages.
“Gaelic medium education enriches communities and offers good value for money. Gaelic medium schools frequently demonstrate above average performance with some local authorities showing better grades across all qualification levels despite costs being no greater than English medium schools.
“To support the growth of Scotland’s indigenous languages, we are also providing an additional £5.7 million to promote Scots and Gaelic this year.”
Dr Mackay said: “It’s fantastic to have seen the growth of Gaelic medium education over the last 40 years: it’s something we should be very proud of.
“It’s vital that there’s ongoing support to maintain and develop Gaelic as a community language in the Highlands and Islands and to give people all over the country every chance to learn and speak it – and also to encourage Scots speakers and communities across Scotland.”
Background
Stage 3 of the Scottish Languages Bill is expected to be considered by MSPs on Tuesday 17 June.
Census statistics show that 130,161 people in Scotland had some Gaelic skills in 2022, an increase of 43,105 people from 2011. The census shows that 2,444,659 people in Scotland had some Scots skills in 2022, an increase of 515,215 from 2011.
The latest version of the Scottish Languages Bill is available online.
A’ neartachadh foghlam Gàidhlig agus Albais
Reachdas gus taic-chànain a neartachadh.
Faodaidh pàrantan air feadh Alba iarraidh gun tèid sgoil Ghàidhlig a stèidheachadh anns na sgìrean aca, mar phàirt de reachdas a tha ga thoirt air adhart le Riaghaltas na h-Alba.
Fo na planaichean, dh’fheumadh ùghdarrasan ionadail measadh a dhèanamh air so-dhèantachd agus reusantachd cosgaisean an iarrtais. Às dèidh dhaibh comhairle a ghabhail, faodaidh ministearan iarraidh air ùghdarrasan ionadail a dhol air adhart le stèidheachadh sgoil Ghàidhlig ùr, ma cho-dhùineas measadh an ùghdarrais gun gabh a dhèanamh.
Am measg chumhachan eile ann am Bile nan Cànan Albannach:
thèid bun-tomhasan foghlaim a thoirt a-steach do Ghàidhlig agus do dh’Albais
thèid Gàidhlig agus Albais a stèidheachadh mar chànain oifigeil
thèid taic a chumail ri cruthachadh sgìrean cànain sònraichte ann an coimhearsnachdan Gàidhlig, airson ’s gum faod ministearan poileasaidhean a thaghadh nas fheàrr leis an gabh an cànan a leasachadh
faodaidh pàrantan ann an gach ceàrn de dh’Alba tagradh a chur airson àitichean sgoil àraich agus tràth-ìre Gàidhlig fhaighinn dhan cuid chloinne
Chaidh na ceumannan a mhìneachadh leis an Leas-Phrìomh Mhinistear agus Rùnaire a’ Chaibineit airson na h-Eaconamaidh agus na Gàidhlig, Ceit Fhoirbeis, ’s i a’ tadhal air Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis. Còmhla rithe bha a’ chiad bhàrd nàiseanta Gàidhlig ann an Alba, an Dotair Pàdraig MacAoidh, ris an canar cuideachd am Makar. Bha iad a’ tadhal aig an aon àm ris a’ 40mh ceann-bliadhna de dh’fhoghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig ann an Alba.
Thuirt a’ Bh-uas. Fhoirbeis:
“Tha a’ Bhile seo ag amas air bun-stèidh dhaingeann a thogail gus taic a chumail ri fàs leantainneach na Gàidhlig, às dèidh àrdachadh brosnachail ann an luchd-labhairt agus luchd-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig air feadh Alba. Chuireadh i gu mòr ri solar foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig air feadh Alba, ’s i a’ daingneachadh na Gàidhlig agus na h-Albais mar chànain nàiseanta.
“Tha foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig a’ cur beairteas ri coimhearsnachdan agus tha deagh luach an airgid na lùib. Is tric a bhios coileanadh sgoiltean Gàidhlig nas fheàrr na chìthear sa chumantas, ’s cuid a dh’ùghdarrasan ionadail a’ sealltainn chomharran nas fheàrr thar gach ìre teisteanais ged nach eil cosgaisean nas àirde na cosgaisean sgoiltean tro mheadhan na Beurla.
“Gus taic a chumail ri fàs nan cànan a tha dùthchasach do dh’Alba, tha sinn cuideachd a’ toirt seachad £5.7 millean a bharrachd gus Albais agus Gàidhlig a bhrosnachadh am-bliadhna.”
Thuirt an Dotair MacAoidh:
“Tha e air leth math gum facas mar a dh’fhàs foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig thairis air na 40 bliadhna a dh’fhalbh: bu chòir dhuinn a bhith gu math moiteil à rud mar seo. Tha e riatanach gum bi taic leantainneach ann airson a’ Ghàidhlig a chumail suas agus a leasachadh mar chànan coimhearsnachd air a’ Ghàidhealtachd agus anns na h-Eileanan, agus airson gach cothrom a thoirt do dhaoine air feadh na dùthcha an cànan ionnsachadh agus a bhruidhinn – agus cuideachd airson luchd-labhairt agus coimhearsnachdan na h-Albais a bhrosnachadh thar Alba.”
Cùl-fhiosrachadh
Thathar an dùil gum beachdaich BPA air Ìre 3 Bile nan Cànan Albannach Dimàirt, an 17mh latha dhen Ògmhios.
Tha àireamhan a’ chunntais-shluaigh a’ sealltainn gun robh beagan sgilean Gàidhlig aig 130,161 neach ann an Alba ann an 2022, àrdachadh de 43,105 neach bho 2011. Tha an cunntas-sluaigh a’ sealltainn gun robh beagan sgilean Albais aig 2,444,659 neach ann an Alba ann an 2022, àrdachadh de 515,215 neach bho 2011.
Tha an dreachd as ùire de Bhile nan Cànan Albannach ri fhaotainn air loidhne.
Forderin Gaelic and Scots education
Legislation tae uphaud the leids
Parents aw ower Scotland will be able tae speir for a Gaelic schuil tae be set up whaur they bide as pairt o legislation bein taen forrit by the Scots Government.
Unner the plans, it wad be necessar for local authorities tae luik intae gin the speirin wis practical and affordable. Efter takkin advice, ministers micht caw upon local authorities tae gang forrit wi the settin up o a new Gaelic schuil if the authority’s ettles shaw it tae be daeable.
Ither provisions o the Scottish Languages Bill include:
settin oot educational staunards for Gaelic and Scots
settin forrit Gaelic and Scots as official leids
uphaudin the settin oot o areas o muckle linguistic mense in Gaelic communities sae that ministers can better ettle at policies tae uphaud the growin o the leid
allouin parents in ilka pairt o Scotland tae speir efter Gaelic nursery and early years places for their bairns
Depute First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic Kate Forbes set oot the meisures on a visit tae Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis (Inverness Gaelic Primary School). She wis jyned by Scotland’s first Gaelic spikkin national poet, Dr Peter Mackay, wha is kent forby as the Makar. The visit gangs alang wi the 40th anniversary year o Gaelic medium education in Scotland.
Ms Forbes said:
“This Bill ettles tae big strang foonds tae uphaud Gaelic’s ongawin growth follaein a hertenin increase in Gaelic spikkers and lairners aw ower Scotland. It wad forder Gaelic education provision throughoot Scotland and set forrit mair siccarly Gaelic and Scots as national leids.
“Gaelic medium education maks communities mair strang and gies guid value for siller. Gaelic medium schuils aft kythe better-than-average ootcomes, wi some local authorities reportin better grades athort aw qualification levels, for aw that costs are nae mair muckle than English medium schuils.
“Tae forder the growin o Scotland’s hamelt leids, we’re forby pittin forrit an extra £5.7 million tae uphaud Scots and Gaelic this year.”
Dr Mackay said:
“It’s braw tae hae seen the growin o Gaelic medium education ower the last 40 years: thon’s a thing we should be gey prood o. It’s vital that there’s ongawin uphaudin tae heeze up and forder forrit Gaelic as a community leid in the Hielans and Islands and tae gie fowk aw ower the country ilka chance tae lairn and spik it – and forby tae herten Scots spikkers and communities aw ower Scotland.”
Backgrund
Stage 3 o the Scottish Languages Bill is expectit tae be taen tent o by MSPs on Tuesday 17 June.
Census statistics report that 130,161 fowk in Scotland had some Gaelic skills in 2022, an increase o 43,105 fowk syne 2011. The census reports that 2,444,659 fowk in Scotland had some Scots skills in 2022, an increase o 515,215 syne 2011.
The latest version o the Scottish Languages Bill is set furth online.
Bill does not provide sufficient support and protection to Gaelic and Scots
Scottish Gaelic is in a ‘perilous state’ according to a new report released today by the Scottish Parliament’s Education, Children and Young People Committee.
The Committee’s report details reservations about the practical impact of the Scottish Languages Bill, which aims to support Scotland’s indigenous languages. The Committee recommends the Bill should proceed to the next stage of scrutiny, but says that more needs to be done to effectively support Gaelic and Scots.
The Committee understood the symbolic importance for stakeholders of designating Gaelic and Scots as official languages in legislation, and the general aims of the Bill were widely supported.
However, witnesses expressed significant concerns about the lack of tangible support for communities using these languages and dialects, concerns the Committee shares. In the report it warns that without additional support, the Bill’s aim to strengthen the support for and promotion of the languages will not be achieved.
In particular, the Committee describes Gaelic as being in a ‘perilous state’. During evidence sessions, most witnesses, including the Deputy First Minister, agreed that action beyond legislation was needed to solve the problems facing the language.
The Committee’s report calls on the Scottish Government to explain how it would use the powers in the Bill to improve the position of Gaelic.
Sue Webber MSP, Convener of the Education, Children and Young People Committee, said:“We have serious concerns about the future of Gaelic.
“On its own, we believe the Scottish Languages Bill does not address the challenges facing the Gaelic language or provide the necessary support to either Gaelic or Scots.
“While our Committee has recommended that the Parliament backs the general principles of the Bill, the Scottish Government must do more to avoid it being purely symbolic.
“We’re also concerned by the lack of clarity around what the obligations attached to this Bill mean for public bodies and local authorities regarding Gaelic and Scots. We would expect the Scottish Government to provide clarity on this, and the other concerns in our report, as scrutiny of the Bill continues.”
The report also highlights concerns about one of the flagship proposals in the Bill, which would see areas of linguistic significance established in areas where there are high proportions of Gaelic speakers.
The Committee agreed with witnesses that the Bill does not explain:
what an area of linguistic significance would look like in places with smaller proportions of Gaelic speakers
how public bodies would work in these areas to deliver opportunities for Gaelic speakers
what funding would be available for local authorities to establish and maintain an area of linguistic significance
The Bill is expected to be considered by the Scottish Parliament in a Stage 1 debate in the autumn.
Ten new books in Scots have been awarded funding by the Scots Language Publication Grant.
Now in its third year, the Scots Language Publication Grant was created by the Scots Language Resource Network to support Scots publishers and to encourage Scots writers. It is funded by the Scottish Government and administered by Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing.
This year’s successful awardees include translations of well-loved stories such as Aesop’s Fables by Matthew Fitt and James Robertson, and Lemony Snicket by Thomas Clark. Brian Holton will also reimagine poetry of Li Bai and Du Fu (two of the most renowned poets of Ancient China) to new audiences.
Applications were assessed by a panel with expertise in Scots and publishing, including a representative of the Scots Language Centre, Scottish Book Trust and Waterstones.
Three publishers based in Edinburgh were awarded Scots Publication Grants: Itchy Coo (an imprint of Black & White Publishing), Leamington Books and Taproot Press.
The successful titles are:
A Series o Scunnersome Events, Book the First: The Boggin Beginnin (Itchy Coo) by Thomas Clark and illustrated by Brett Helquist
A Working Class State of Mind (Leamington Books) by Colin Burnett
Berries Fae Banes (Tippermuir) by Jim Macintosh
Hard Roads an Cauld Hairst Winds: Li Bai an Du Fu in Scots (Taproot Press) by Brian Holton
Laird Graham an the Kelpie (Giglets Education) by Jax McGhee
Norlan Lichts (Rymour Books) by Sheena Blackhall, Sheila Templeton and Lesley Benzie
Phantom the Ginger Mog (Wee Stoorie Press) by Kirsty Johnson and illustrated by Mandy Sinclair
The Day It Never Got Dark In Dundee (Rymour Books) by Ian Spring
The Itchy Coo Book o Aesop’s Fables in Scots (Itchy Coo) by Matthew Fitt and James Robertson, illustrated by Emma Chichester Clark
Wheesht (Foggie Toddle Books) by Susi Briggs and illustrated by William Gorman.
The Scots Language Publication Grant provides assistance for publishing new work (including translated texts), reprinting existing historical or culturally significant work, and also effective marketing and promotion of existing and new work.
Education Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville said:“The Scottish Government is pleased to continue to support the Scots Publication Grant for a third year.
“We have seen how this funding can develop talent while widening accessibility of a variety of genres, with titles both new and old, to the Scots speaking community. My congratulations to those who have been successful this year.”
Rhona Alcorn, CEO of Dictionaries of the Scots Language and Chair of The Scots Language Resource Network, said:“The Scots Language Publication Grant plays a hugely important role in supporting Scots as a contemporary literary medium.
“This year’s winning titles illustrate the breadth of creative work in Scots today and truly include something for everyone.”
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said:“Scottish Book Trust is pleased to offer Scots Publication Grants to these ten new titles.
“The diversity in genre and subject matter of the successful awardees is fascinating: from children’s stories to poetry; from classic tales we grew up with, to ancient Chinese poetry. Our thanks to the Scottish Government and the Scots Language Resource Network for making this grant possible.”
