Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba (AÀA) ~ Gaelic Place-Names of Scotland ~ has been working with Ordnance Survey, local councils, roads authorities and other public bodies since 2000 to establish correct and consistent forms of Gaelic place-names for maps, signage and general use.

Since April 2007, we have researched 2,300 names and answered 350 enquiries, mostly from public bodies such as The Highland Council, Argyll and Bute Council, Ordnance Survey and roads authorities.

We have researched Gaelic names for the government’s programme of bilingual signage on trunk roads in the Highlands. These names are accepted by local authorities and the Ordnance Survey as the definitive Gaelic forms.  Each name was agreed by examining historical sources, consulting local contacts and recognised authorities on Gaelic place-names and by applying established principles (see Spelling Gaelic place-names). 

You can download lists of these names by clicking on the following links:

A87:   Invergarry - Uig
A887: Invermoriston - Moriston Bridge
A835: Tore -Ullapool
A828: Connel - Ballachulish
A85:   Tyndrum - Oban
A82:   Tyndrum - Inverness
A83:   Tarbet - Kennacraig
A85:   Oban - Tyndrum
 
In addition we are helping local councils and other public bodies put their Gaelic Language Plans into operation by providing Gaelic names for settlements, streets, buildings and core paths. Place-names from the following projects are available:

Argyll and Bute Council buildings
Black Isle and Mid Ross core paths
Inchcailloch, Loch Lomond
Islay
Lochaber core paths
Lochaber settlements
Ross and Cromarty core paths
Skye and Lochalsh core paths
Skye and Wester Ross settlements
Sutherland settlements
Wick core paths

These names will be added to the National Gazetteer of Gaelic Place-names which will be available on this site in 2010. In the Lochaber settlements list, you will find an example of the research that supports our decisions on place-names. This is the type of material that will appear in the on-line Gazetteer.

Also available are Gaelic street names (543) and building names (284) in the Highland Council and Argyll and Bute Council areas. Most of these have been researched by AÀA: some are from the Gaelic maps of Inverness and Fort William compiled by Comunn na Gàidlig. In addition, we have compiled a list of common words found on bilingual signs, here.

We have also worked with the Stòrlann on their Gaelic atlas of Scotland and with Highland Council on their Ainm is Àite schools project. We are currently working on a further 360 core paths names for Highland Council and 200 names for the Forestry Commission.