scots

Scots is a term with two related uses. It can describe the people of Scotland or, more broadly, the Scottish cultural community. It also denotes the Scots language, a West Germanic tongue traditionally spoken in Lowland Scotland and in parts of Ulster. Scots is distinct from Scottish Gaelic, a Celtic language, and from Scottish Standard English, though all three share historical roots.

The Scots language developed from Northumbrian Old English in the medieval period and diverged into regional varieties, including Doric in the northeast and Lallans in the Lowlands. It has a long literary tradition, with poets such as Robert Burns and writers like Sir Walter Scott contributing to its prestige. Today, Scots is spoken to varying degrees across Scotland and among members of the Scottish diaspora; attitudes toward it range from viewing it as a regional language with formal recognition to treating it as a dialect of English.

Culturally, Scots identity encompasses traditional music, storytelling, and folklore, as well as symbols such as kilts and tartan that have become widely associated with Scottish heritage. The Scots diaspora—communities in Canada, the United States, Australia, and elsewhere—maintains connections to Scotland through language, music, and family networks. The term therefore covers both a linguistic form and a culturally defined community within and beyond Scotland.