Gaelic Revival: How Scotland’s Ancient Language Is Making a Comeback

May 27, 2025

Once whispered in the glens and shouted in the halls of ancient clans, Scottish Gaelic (not to be confused with Irish Gaelic) has been making a surprise comeback in the 21st century, and not just among historians and language nerds. Whether you’re scrolling through TikTok or road-tripping through the Highlands, you’re bound to bump into this lyrical language that once teetered on the edge of extinction. Gaelic, it seems, has some serious staying power.

So what exactly is Gaelic? No, it’s not just an old-timey way to say “Scottish.” Gaelic (Gàidhlig) is a Celtic language that once dominated the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. It shares ancient roots with Irish Gaelic and Manx and was the heart and soul of Scottish identity for centuries, until political suppression and English dominance pushed it to the fringes. But now, like a bagpipe solo at a punk concert, Gaelic is cutting through the noise and demanding attention again.

What’s fueling the revival? The internet, for one. Social media has been surprisingly friendly to Gaelic learners and speakers. TikTok stars are posting Gaelic tongue twisters, language challenges, and even Gaelic ASMR videos (yes, that’s a thing). Duolingo, the beloved owl-shaped overlord of language learning, added Scottish Gaelic in 2019, and more than a million people have tried their hand at it since. Turns out, people love learning how to say “Where’s the cheese?” in Gàidhlig.

Pop culture is lending a hand, too. If you’ve ever watched Outlander, you’ve heard Gaelic sung, spoken, and occasionally yelled by dashing men in kilts. The show sparked global curiosity about Scotland’s culture and gave the language a small but powerful spotlight. Gaelic songs are even popping up in folk-pop playlists, while Scottish musicians are blending traditional lyrics with modern beats—think Runrig meets synthwave.

Meanwhile, Gaelic is showing up in real life, too. Schools in Scotland are reintroducing it as a living language. Gaelic-medium education is on the rise, especially in the Highlands and Western Isles. Some schools teach entirely in Gaelic, and kids are growing up fluent without even realizing how cool that makes them at international Celtic festivals. Street signs, official documents, and even public transportation are increasingly bilingual—making Gaelic not just a curiosity, but part of everyday life.

Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing—or smooth pronunciation. Gaelic can be… let’s say, challenging for newcomers. Words are often spelled in ways that seem designed to confuse tourists (“Cò às a tha thu?” sounds nothing like how it’s spelled to an English speaker). But that’s part of the charm. The quirks of Gaelic are what make it feel like a puzzle you’re proud to solve, or at least fail adorably at while making friends on Duolingo forums.

This isn’t just about language, though. It’s about identity. Reviving Gaelic is a way of reconnecting with history, place, and pride. It’s a statement that Scotland’s culture isn’t just something in museums or time-travel shows—it’s alive, evolving, and cheekily answering your texts with “Tapadh leat” instead of “thanks.”

So next time you hear someone speaking Gaelic on the bus, in a song, or through your earbuds, don’t be surprised. The language that once echoed through castle halls and misty hills is finding its voice again. And in true Scottish fashion, it’s doing it with passion, pride, and just the right amount of flair.