Scottish Languages Act key sections start 30 Nov 2025
Scotland’s new languages law hits a key milestone this month. On 30 November 2025, the first set of provisions in the Scottish Languages Act 2025 will begin. Ministers have signed the Scottish Languages Act 2025 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2025, listed as SSI 2025/348 on the official record.
A quick explainer before we go further. When a Bill becomes an Act, most parts don’t switch on straight away. Separate “commencement regulations” set the start dates. This first set was made on 11 November 2025, laid before the Scottish Parliament on 13 November 2025, and brings selected sections into force on 30 November 2025.
What actually starts now? The Act’s opening provisions on Gaelic status and governance begin, alongside duties on public bodies to support Gaelic language and culture. In practical terms, relevant authorities will need to show they are having regard to Gaelic in their work and, where required, follow ministerial guidance or directions. These duties stem from changes the Act makes to the 2005 Gaelic law.
Education changes start too. The Scottish Qualifications Authority must ensure an appropriate range of qualifications is available through the medium of Gaelic, and when it publishes qualification materials in English it must also produce Gaelic versions for Gaelic-medium courses. That is designed to make assessment and classroom resources more consistent for learners and teachers.
You’ll also see Scots language recognition moving from principle to practice. Section 33, which confirms that Scots has official status in Scotland, is among the provisions coming into force. Other Scots measures (such as a national Scots language strategy) will follow when later commencement regulations are made.
For the legal detail lovers: the instrument switches on 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 for all purposes on 30 November 2025. It also commences section 9(2)(a) and 9(2)(b) for the specific job of updating section 3 of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005, and section 17 so ministers can consult on guidance under section 6C of the Education (Scotland) Act 2016.
If you teach or lead a school, this gives you a planning window. Check with your local authority about Gaelic learner and Gaelic medium education pathways, especially where pupils may need support to access provision across council boundaries. Expect more Gaelic-medium qualification options, and look out for SQA materials appearing in Gaelic alongside English for the relevant courses.
If you work in a public body, this is the moment to evidence how you promote and support Gaelic in everyday decisions. Start by mapping where guidance may be needed, who is responsible for compliance, and how you will report progress. Ministers can issue guidance and, where appropriate, directions-so documenting decisions will matter.
Media literacy check. A law “coming into force” doesn’t mean everything changes overnight. Some duties start now; others depend on future guidance or later commencement regulations. The Act itself says ministers will bring different parts in at different times, and Part 3 took effect the day after Royal Assent on 31 July 2025. So we’ll see a staged rollout rather than a single switch.
If you want to read the primary sources, the full Act is on legislation.gov.uk, which confirms Royal Assent on 31 July 2025 and the commencement framework. The Commencement No. 1 Regulations (SSI 2025/348) are also listed there with the sections they activate on 30 November 2025.