http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2005/7/section/1BGaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005An Act of the Scottish Parliament to establish a body having functions exercisable with a view to securing the status of the Gaelic language as an official language of Scotland commanding equal respect to the English language, including the functions of preparing a national Gaelic language plan, of requiring certain public authorities to prepare and publish Gaelic language plans in connection with the exercise of their functions and to maintain and implement such plans, and of issuing guidance in relation to Gaelic education.texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-04-14Expert Participation2026-03-21 <Addition ChangeId="key-e402cbae8ea5707a8869a083b29f382c-1776168939097" CommentaryRef="key-e402cbae8ea5707a8869a083b29f382c">Areas of linguistic significance</Addition><Addition ChangeId="key-e402cbae8ea5707a8869a083b29f382c-1776168939097" CommentaryRef="key-e402cbae8ea5707a8869a083b29f382c">Designation by local authority of an area as an area of linguistic significance</Addition>1B1A local authority may designate all or part of its area as an area of linguistic significance if it considers that the area falls within the description of an area of linguistic significance set out in section 1A(1).2A local authority must, within the relevant period, consider whether all or part of its area falls within the description of an area of linguistic significance set out in section 1A(1)(a).3In subsection (2), “relevant period” means—athe period of 1 year beginning with the day on which section 4(2) of the Scottish Languages Act 2025 comes into force,beach subsequent period of 5 years.4If a local authority considers that all or part of its area falls within the description of an area of linguistic significance set out in section 1A(1)(a), the local authority must consider submitting a proposed designation to the Scottish Ministers under subsection (6)(c) in respect of that area.5If a local authority—aconsiders that all or part of its area falls within the description of an area of linguistic significance set out in section 1A(1)(a), andbdecides not to submit a proposed designation to the Scottish Ministers under subsection (6)(c) in respect of that area,the local authority must publicise the decision and its reasons for making it.6Before making a designation, the local authority must—aconsult the Bòrd, such persons as the local authority considers to be representative of communities in the area to which the proposed designation relates and such other persons as the local authority considers appropriate about the proposed designation,btake reasonable steps to publicise the proposed designation and its reasons for making it, andcsubmit the proposed designation to the Scottish Ministers.7The Scottish Ministers may—aapprove the proposed designation,bapprove the proposed designation with any modifications they consider appropriate, orcreject the proposed designation.8Where the Scottish Ministers intend to approve the proposed designation with modifications, they must consult the local authority before doing so.9A designation must—aidentify the area to be designated as an area of linguistic significance, andbspecify the date on which the designation takes effect.10A designation may be varied or revoked by the local authority at any time.11Before varying or revoking a designation in relation to any part of its area, the local authority must—aconsult the Bòrd, such persons as the local authority considers to be representative of communities in the area affected by the proposed variation or revocation and such other persons as the local authority considers appropriate about the proposed variation or revocation,btake reasonable steps to publicise the proposed variation or revocation and its reasons for making it, andcsubmit the proposed variation or revocation to the Scottish Ministers.12The Scottish Ministers may—aapprove the proposed variation or revocation,bapprove the proposed variation or revocation with any modifications they consider appropriate, orcreject the proposed variation or revocation.13Where the Scottish Ministers intend to approve the proposed variation or revocation with modifications, they must consult the local authority before doing so.14A local authority must take reasonable steps to publicise—athe making of a designation and its effect,bany variation or revocation of a designation and its effect.15The Scottish Ministers may give guidance to local authorities relating to their functions under this section.16Guidance under subsection (15) may in particular relate to—ahow to determine which areas may be designated as an area of linguistic significance,bfactors to be taken into account in determining whether an area falls within the description of an area of linguistic significance set out in section 1A(1)(a),cthe process for making such determinations.17A local authority must have regard to any guidance given by the Scottish Ministers under subsection (15).18In this section and sections 1C and 1D “local authority” has the meaning given in schedule 1 of the Interpretation and Legislative Reform (Scotland) Act 2010.Ss. 1A-1D and cross-heading inserted (21.3.2026 for specified purposes) by Scottish Languages Act 2025 (asp 10), ss. 4(2), 48(2); S.S.I. 2026/128, reg. 2(1)