Scottish Languages Act 2025

Scottish Languages Act 2025

2025 asp 10

Commentary on Provisions

Part 1: Gaelic

Chapter 1: Support for the Gaelic language

Section 1: Status of the Gaelic language

11. Section 1 of the Act inserts a new section before section 1 of the 2005 Act, providing for the status of the Gaelic language. The statement in subsection (1) that the Gaelic language has official status within Scotland is given legal effect by the provisions of the 2005 Act conferring functions on Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the Scottish Ministers and other persons (relevant public authorities, as defined in section 10 of the 2005 Act) and enactments relating to Gaelic education.

12. The terms “Gaelic language” and “Gaelic education” are defined in section 10 of the 2005 Act.

13. Subsection (3) provides that subsection (1) does not affect the operation of any other enactment (as defined in the Interpretation and Legislative Reform (Scotland) Act 2010) or the status of any other language. For example, this provision does not affect the operation of the Equality Act 2010, modification of which is a reserved matter under the Scotland Act 1998.