317 km away
The variety of English spoken across Scotland. Distinct from Scots (which is sometimes counted as a separate language) but heavily influenced by it.
Scottish Gaelic
Also known as: Gàidhlig
A Goidelic Celtic language closely related to Irish, spoken across the Outer Hebrides and parts of the Highlands of Scotland. Around 60,000 speakers, with sustained revitalisation through Gaelic-medium education.
Shareable facts
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Frequently asked questions
What language is Scottish Gaelic?
Scottish Gaelic is a dialect of the Scottish Gaelic language.
Where is Scottish Gaelic spoken?
Scottish Gaelic is primarily spoken in United Kingdom.
Which region is Scottish Gaelic associated with?
Scottish Gaelic is part of the Europe region on DialectAtlas.
Is Scottish Gaelic known by other names?
Yes — Scottish Gaelic is also referred to as Gàidhlig.
Is Scottish Gaelic endangered?
Scottish Gaelic is considered endangered. Children are no longer learning it as a mother tongue at home, and its everyday use is shrinking.
Nearby dialects
See on the atlas →423 km away
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The dialect of Newcastle and the Tyneside region. Retains a number of Old English and Norse-derived features lost elsewhere in England.
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A Goidelic Celtic language of the Isle of Man. Functionally extinct in 1974 with the death of its last native speaker; revived through education and now spoken as a second language by hundreds.
540 km away
The English of Ireland, shaped by long contact with Irish Gaelic. Distinctive grammar, intonation, and vocabulary set it apart from British and American varieties.
574 km away
A Goidelic Celtic language and the first official language of Ireland. Daily-spoken communities (the Gaeltachtaí) survive in pockets along the western seaboard, around Galway, Donegal, and Kerry.