Scotland’s new language law is moving from paper to practice. Ministers have signed the first commencement order for the Scottish Languages Act 2025, meaning substantial parts of the Act will begin on 30 November 2025. For organisations across the North that work routinely with Scottish partners, this is a date to note.

According to the legislation.gov.uk notice, the Scottish Languages Act 2025 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2025 were made on 11 November 2025 by Kate Forbes at St Andrew’s House, Edinburgh, laid before the Scottish Parliament on 13 November 2025, and come into force on 30 November 2025. The order is the formal switch that activates named sections of the Act.

From that date, the following provisions are commenced in full: 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. The Government’s note confirms these apply for all purposes on 30 November.

The order also brings in parts of section 9 for targeted changes to the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005. Section 9(2)(a) takes effect to substitute section 3(3)(a) of the 2005 Act, while section 9(2)(b) substitutes section 3(5)(a) and inserts a new section 3(5)(ab) in that Act. These are technical adjustments but they sit alongside the broader commencement.

In education, section 17 is commenced solely so Scottish Ministers can consult on guidance under section 6C of the Education (Scotland) Act 2016. In plain terms, officials can now start the formal consultation work on that guidance.

For context, the Bill became law on 31 July 2025 when it received Royal Assent. Section 48(1) brought Part 3 of the Act into force the day after Royal Assent; the new commencement order brings much of the remaining framework into operation at month‑end.

While the legislation applies in Scotland, there is a cross‑border ripple. Northern universities recruiting in Scotland, arts and heritage groups with joint programmes, transport operators with cross‑border routes, and charities delivering Scottish‑funded projects should expect partners to refresh language policies and timelines in line with the Act.

Practical next steps for northern organisations working with Scottish public bodies include reviewing grant or contract wording for language provisions, checking whether new consultation invites will land under the 2016 Act guidance, and asking partners what, if anything, changes for materials and reporting after 30 November.

None of this alters services in England directly, but it will shape joint work where Scottish authorities lead. The Northern Ledger will track the consultation phase and keep readers posted on any dates or documents that affect colleges, councils and cultural organisers on our side of the Border.