A row has broken out over plans for Gaelic pupils to go to a different secondary school than originally planned.

P7 pupils from Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pairce in Pilrig, Edinburgh, are usually given places at James Gillespie’s in Marchmont.

Due to an expected large intake of pupils from within the catchment area, however, some Gaelic speaking pupils may not receive a place.

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland spoke out on the matter on Monday and said the proposed changes had "potentially disastrous" consequences for the role of Gaelic education in the city.

James Gillespie’s currently has 243 S1 catchment registrations, 24 of which are from the Gaelic school. Council officials estimate the figure will drop to 229 places by the summer.

The high school’s S1 intake limit is 200 pupils but it is hoped it will be able to increase its S1 capacity to 220 pupils.

Pupils are prioritised based on distance from school, meaning some of the Gaelic pupils, who come from across Edinburgh and the Lothians, will be among the nine children likely to miss out on a place.

Those who do not receive a place at James Gillespie's, which has a Gaelic-speaking head teacher, will be offered a place at Tynecastle High, which has some Gaelic provision.

Councillors will meet on Tuesday to discuss a report about the issue.

Rt Rev Dr Angus Morrison, who is the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland’s first Gaelic speaking moderator for several decades, said the move would impact on the P7 children who believed they would be going to James Gillespie’s.

He said: "I fear that if Gaelic is allowed to wither in Scotland’s capital, it becomes very fragile indeed. What message does the City of Edinburgh Council send out to the world if it is proposing to make the language more vulnerable than it already is?"

Dr Morrison added: "I am deeply concerned about the potentially disastrous consequence of this development for the long-term provision of Gaelic education at secondary level in Edinburgh."

He said the Scottish education system has "historically contributed in a major way to the decline of Gaelic by deriding and physically punishing children for speaking the language".

Dr Morrison urged the council’s education committee to consider "a proper consultation" with all affected parties.

The council said it does not make unconditional offers to any P7 pupils and parents are usually notified of catchment places after the Easter break.

Paul Godzik, convener of education, children and families, said: "We are aware of concerns raised by some parents regarding potential S1 pupil numbers at James Gillespie’s High School and Gaelic provision.

"These are currently being considered ahead of [Tuesday's] meeting of the education, children and families committee where the report will be discussed by councillors.

"The council continues to provide a significant commitment to Gaelic education in the city as shown by the opening of the dedicated primary school in 2013 and increased provision at Tynecastle and its cluster primaries.

"Gaelic is embedded very successfully into the life and ethos of many of the schools which use the language for their pupils’ learning."