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Gaelic names policy

We support the Scottish Government’s initiative to promote Scottish culture through our Gaelic name policy.

Our Gaelic names policy is intended to support and facilitate the Scottish Government's initiative to promote Scottish culture.

As part of this policy we will:

  • Support the National Gaelic Language Plan 2018-2023 which sets out “to secure an increase in the number of people learning, speaking and using Gaelic in Scotland” through the appropriate depiction of Gaelic names.
  • Endeavour to achieve consistency in the depiction of names within each mapping series and across its range of products.
  • Adopt the Gaelic orthographic conventions agreed by the Scottish Qualifications Authority.
  • Ensure that common usage and evidence provided by historical form are both considered when defining the spelling and/or depiction of a name.
  • Seek to gain proper authority, through a broadly accepted standards-setting body, for the depiction of Gaelic names, but in the case of disagreement retain final editorship to ensure cartographically acceptable mapping and products.
  • Continue the procedure of gathering and authenticating names by involvement and consultation with local communities and local authority Gaelic officers pending the possible formation of a standards committee.
  • Work with key institutions, societies and individuals to ensure consistency of Gaelic name depiction.
  • Allocate resources to facilitate our understanding of Gaelic names in relation to the impact and importance on Scottish culture.

We will not:

  • Convert to Gaelic any existing anglicised names on the authority of any one individual.
  • Be the Authority for Gaelic names.

Download our policies here: