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In the 10th and 11th centuries Scots Gaelic was at its most popular as a language where most people who lived in Scotland spoke the language. Today there is only around 1.6% who can speak Gaelic. Most pro- Gaelic speakers would say that this was the plan of the English – to rid the British Isles of its Gaelic language and replace it by the English language. But there are a number of reasons for the decline of Gaelic as a language.

Firstly, by about 1400 the actual variation between the Highlands and the Lowlands had been solidly recognized. A scholarly man known as John of Fordun had this to point out concerning the differences between the highlanders and the lowlanders in 1380:

”The people from the coast tend to be of domestic and civilised behavior, trusty, patient, as well as urbane, respectable in their attire, affable, and tranquil, devout in Divine worship, but constantly willing to reject a wrong at the hands of their opponents. The highlanders and also individuals from the islands, in contrast, are a savage and untamed nation, rude or obnoxious and self-sufficient, given to rapine, ease-loving, smart and also speedy to master, comely in person, yet unattractive in dress, inhospitable towards the English people as well as language, and, due to the variety of dialog, also to their own nation, and very vicious. These people are nevertheless faithful and obedient to their own king and nation, and easily made to submit to regulation, if appropriately ruled.”

So it could be argued that the main reason for the decline in the Gaelic language was due to the great divide between the differing parts of Scotland. And by the sixteenth century the divergence between the two was at an all time high due to in the main, historic reasons and a different language being spoken. James VI had two main principles for his Highland policy – one being a way to make an income and the other was for it to be used for plantation. He considered that the highlanders and particularly the islanders were not paying their fair taxation and he wanted to change this.

In 1597 he set up three burghs within the Highlands with the intention of permitting a number of the lowlanders to rule. With the strengthening Campbell clan as well as the detest for the lowlanders of the Highlanders and the Islanders, a lot more disruption was to follow. It was costing the King greater expense than he cared to pay.

For more on Scotlands colourful history please go to Scotland.