A recent study suggests that Scotland's Gaelic language is at risk of disappearing within the next decade.

According to a new study, Gaelic-speaking communities in Scotland are facing an urgent crisis, with the language in danger of vanishing within ten years.

Experts from the University of the Highlands and Islands, alongside the Soillse research project, conducted a study of Gaelic communities and concluded that the language's social use and transmission are on the brink of collapse, as reported in a Thursday press release.

Having been spoken in Scotland for over 1,500 years, Gaelic is now recognized by the Scottish government as a key aspect of the nation's cultural identity, particularly in the Highlands and Islands, despite its declining use.

The research team has published their findings in a new book titled 'The Gaelic Crisis in the Vernacular Community: A comprehensive sociolinguistic survey of Scottish Gaelic.'

Conchúr Ó Giollagáin, a professor of Gaelic research at the University of the Highlands and Islands and one of the study's authors, told Dinogo that the language could disappear within a decade due to a sharp drop in speakers since the 1980s.

In the 1981 census, 80% of people on the islands claimed to speak Gaelic, but by 2011, that number had plummeted to 52%. This decline represents a loss of 9,660 Gaelic speakers over three decades, with younger generations in particular not learning the language.

There are currently around 11,000 Gaelic speakers in Scotland, most of whom are over 50, according to Ó Giollagáin. However, their social circles are becoming more isolated, and the language is not being passed on to younger generations.

"Language is a social skill," said Ó Giollagáin, emphasizing the need for speakers to have friends with whom to converse.

Researchers argue that the current government strategy – which includes establishing Gaelic primary and secondary schools in Glasgow and Edinburgh to enhance access to education – has not been effective.

Ó Giollagáin suggests that a radically new approach is essential to halt the language's decline. He warns that if current trends continue, future Gaelic learners will only be taught in classrooms, disconnected from their communities.

"In Scotland, Gaelic language identity will eventually transform into a second language or a cultural heritage, rather than being a living, community-driven language," he stated.

Ó Giollagáin argued that current efforts have been largely symbolic and urged the government to take more concrete actions, such as establishing a Gaelic Community Trust and promoting networks where speakers can use the language socially.

A representative from the Scottish government emphasized that Gaelic is a key component of Scotland’s cultural identity, and the government supports initiatives to help people learn and use the language.

Mairi MacInnes, chair of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, an organization dedicated to promoting Gaelic, stated that they are open to discussing with island communities what further steps can be taken, alongside existing positive measures, to encourage more widespread use of Gaelic across the islands and beyond.