Promoting Scotland's Languages

Backing for Gaelic & Scots

The Gaelic and Scots languages are an integral part of Scotland’s heritage, and the SNP recognises the strong cultural, economic and social value the languages brings to our entire nation. It has always been committed to increasing their use and visibility in order to ensure their sustainable long-term future.

Last year on St Andrew's Day, the Gaelic and Scots languages both gained official status in Scotland - part of a range of measures which came into effect through the SNP Government's 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, enabling parents in every part of Scotland to apply for Gaelic nursery and early years places for their children, and ensuring that more qualifications are available in Gaelic. The Act also supports the creation of areas of linguistic significance in Gaelic communities, and introduces targets on the number of people speaking and learning Gaelic.

A new approach to supporting Gaelic in Scotland will also focus on creating jobs and strengthening economic growth in areas where the language is traditionally spoken.

An action group called Tog - which means “to raise” in Gaelic - will bring together public bodies, local authorities and business leaders to ensure funding for the language delivers real economic benefits. It will support practical measures to help businesses use Gaelic in their operations, support entrepreneurs and ensure that investment in the language is targeted towards boosting local economies.

Where Scots is concerned, eleven organisations have shared £650,000 in government funding as part of a drive to grow the Scots language across the country. 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, and Doric Film and Scots Radio.

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 SNP will also continue to invest to support BBC Alba and BBC Radio nan Gàidheal.