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: