Scottish Statutory Instruments
SCOTTISH LANGUAGES
Made
11th November 2025
Laid before the Scottish Parliament
13th November 2025
Coming into force
30th November 2025
The Scottish Ministers make the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by section 48(2) and (3) of the Scottish Languages Act 2025(1)and all other powers enabling them to do so.
1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Scottish Languages Act 2025 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2025 and come into force on 30 November 2025.
(2) In these Regulations—
“the 2005 Act” means the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005(2),
“the 2016 Act” means the Education (Scotland) Act 2016(3),
“the Act” means the Scottish Languages Act 2025.
2.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), 30 November 2025 is the day appointed for the coming into force of the provisions of the Act specified in column 1 of the schedule of these Regulations (the subject matter of which is described in the corresponding entry in column 2 of the schedule).
(2) Where a purpose is specified in column 3 of the schedule, the corresponding provision specified in column 1 comes into force in accordance with paragraph (1) only for that purpose.
KATE FORBES
A member of the Scottish Government
St Andrew's House,
Edinburgh
11th November 2025
Regulation 2
| Column 1 Provisions of the Act | Column 2 Subject matter | Column 3 Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Section 1 | Status of the Gaelic language | |
| Section 2 | Functions of Bòrd na Gàidhlig | |
| Section 7 | Functions of relevant public authorities | |
| Section 9(1) | Gaelic language plans | |
| Section 9(2)(a) | Gaelic language plans | For the purpose of substituting section 3(3)(a) of the 2005 Act |
| Section 9(2)(b) | Gaelic language plans | For the purpose of substituting section 3(5)(a) of the 2005 Act |
| Section 9(2)(b) | Gaelic language plans | For the purpose of inserting section 3(5)(ab) of the 2005 Act |
| Section 9(2)(c) | Gaelic language plans | |
| Section 9(6) | Gaelic language plans | |
| Section 10 | Financial assistance for the promotion etc. of the Gaelic language | |
| Section 11 | Scottish Ministers’ powers relating to research etc. | |
| Section 12 | Power to enforce duties of relevant public authorities | |
| Section 13 | Interpretation: meaning of relevant public authority | |
| Section 14 | Land rights and responsibilities statement: regard to be had to supporting Gaelic | |
| Section 15 | Duty of Scottish Ministers to promote Gaelic education | |
| Section 16 | Power for Scottish Ministers to set standards relating to Gaelic education | |
| Section 17 | Guidance to public authorities relating to Gaelic education | For the purpose of enabling the Scottish Ministers to consult on guidance under section 6C of the 2016 Act |
| Section 18 | Production of school education resources in Gaelic | |
| Section 19 | General duty to provide education includes Gaelic education | |
| Section 20 | Duty to promote Gaelic education in exercising functions under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 | |
| Section 23 | Production of material relating to Gaelic education qualifications | |
| Section 26 | Transport to Gaelic medium education: application of Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 | |
| Section 27 | Assessments: power to make different provision for different areas | |
| Section 31 | Conditions of grants to the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council | |
| Section 32(1) | Review of status of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig | |
| Section 32(5) | Review of status of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig | |
| Section 32(8) | Review of status of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig | |
| Section 33 | Status of the Scots language | |
| Section 37 | Power for Scottish Ministers to give guidance | |
| Section 38 | Financial assistance for the promotion etc. of the Scots language | |
| Section 39 | Scottish Ministers’ powers relating to research etc. | |
| Section 41 | Guidance to education authorities relating to Scots language education | |
| Section 46 | Interpretation of Chapter 2 |
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations bring into force sections 1, 2, 7, 9(1), 9(2)(c), 9(6), 10 to 16, 18 to 20, 23, 26, 27, 31, 32(1), 32(5), 32(8), 33, 37 to 39, 41 and 46 of the Scottish Languages Act 2025 (“the Act”) for all purposes on 30 November 2025 (“the appointed date”).
These Regulations also bring into force the following provisions of the Act on the appointed date, for the purposes specified—
Section 9(2)(a), for the purpose of substituting section 3(3)(a) of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 (“the 2005 Act”).
Section 9(2)(b), for the purposes of substituting section 3(5)(a) of the 2005 Act, and inserting section 3(5)(ab) of the 2005 Act.
Section 17, for the purpose of enabling the Scottish Ministers to consult on guidance under section 6C of the Education (Scotland) Act 2016.
The Bill for the Act received Royal Assent on 31 July 2025. Section 48(1) of the Act brought into force Part 3 of the Act on the day after Royal Assent.