New detailed analysis of the 2011 census underlines the loss of Gaelic speakers amongst older age groups, although overall the results showed the haemorrhage had been all but stemmed.

Between 2001 and 2011 there were decreases in the proportion of people who could speak Gaelic in all age groups for people aged 18 and over. For example, for people aged 65 and over the proportion fell from 1.8 per cent of the population in 2001 to 1.5 per cent in 2011.

In contrast, the proportion of people who can speak Gaelic increased slightly in younger age groups: from 0.53 per cent to 0.70 per cent for three to four year olds; from 0.91 per cent to 1.13 per cent for five to 11 year olds; and from 1.04 per cent to 1.10 per cent for 12-17 year olds.

Nationally, 25,000 people (0.49 per cent of the population) reported using Gaelic at home.

These are amongst the statistics published today by the Registrar General for Scotland which present details on the Gaelic language, at national, council area and civil parish level.

The headline figure of 57, 600 being able to speak the language, had been published already. While still a loss compared to near 59,000 in 2001, it was welcomed as indicating the dramatic loss of speakers had all but stopped. It was nothing compared to earlier census returns which, for example, had reported a reduction of 16,662 Gaelic between 1981 and 1991 alone.

The most recent figures show that of the 87,100 people who had some Gaelic language skills; 32,400 had full skills in Gaelic, that is could understand, speak, read and write Gaelic; 57, 600 could speak Gaelic; 23,400 were able to understand Gaelic but not speak, read or write it.

Three council areas contained almost half (48.9 per cent) of those with some Gaelic language skills nationally.

The proportion of people with some Gaelic language skills was highest in the Western Isles (61.2 per cent), Highland (7.4 per cent) and Argyll & Bute (5.9 per cent). It was 1.7 per cent in Glasgow City, the same as the national average.