Explanatory Notes

Scottish Languages Act 2025

2025 asp 10

31 July 2025

Overview of the Act

4.The Act consists of three Parts. Part 1 is on Gaelic; Part 2 is on Scots and Part 3 contains final provisions. Parts 1 and 2 are each divided into two Chapters.

5.Part 1 Chapter 1 is titled “Support for the Gaelic language” and makes provision about the status of the Gaelic language and the functions of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, as well as making provision about the functions of the Scottish Ministers and relevant public authorities in relation to Gaelic.

6.Part 1 Chapter 2 is titled “Education” and makes provision about the functions of the Scottish Ministers and education authorities in relation to Gaelic education, as well as modifying various enactments relating to education to increase the support for Gaelic education.

7.Part 2 Chapter 1 is titled “Support for the Scots language” and makes provision about the status of the Scots language, as well as making provision about the functions of the Scottish Ministers and relevant public authorities in relation to Scots.

8.Part 2 Chapter 2 is titled “School education” and makes provision about the functions of the Scottish Ministers and education authorities in relation to Scots language education in schools.

9.Part 3 is titled “Final provisions” and includes provision for ancillary powers and commencement.

10.In these Notes: