Scottish Gaelic place names

Last updated

The following place names are either derived from Scottish Gaelic or have Scottish Gaelic equivalents:

Contents

Endonyms

Scotland

The place type in the list for Scotland records all inhabited areas as City. According to British government definitions, there are only eight Scottish cities; [1] they are Aberdeen, Dundee, Dunfermline, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Perth and Stirling. The other locations may be described by such terms as town, burgh, village, hamlet, settlement, estate depending on their size and administrative status. Many other smaller settlements have been described as cities traditionally.

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EnglishScottish GaelicPlace typeNotes
NameMeaning
Aberarder Obar ÀrdairCity[ clarification needed ]
Aberchalder Obar ChaladairCity
Aberchirder Obar ChiardairCity
Aberdeen Obar DheathainEstuary of the River Don City
Aberdeenshire Siorrachd Obar DheathainCounty
Aberdour Obar DobhairCity
Aberfeldy Obar PheallaidhCity
Aberfoyle Obar PhuillCity
Aberlemno Obar LeamhnachEstuary of the Lemno Burn (the burn of elm trees)City
Aberlour Obar LobhairCity
Abhainn a' Ghlinne Mhòir Abhainn a' Ghlinne MhòirRiver of the great valleyRiver
Aboyne AbèidhRippling FordCity
Abriachan Obar ItheachanCity
Acha An t-AchadhThe fieldCity
Achachork Achadh a' ChoirceField of oatsCity
Achahoish Achadh a’ ChòisCity
Achanalt Achadh nan AlltField of the streamCity
Achandunie Achadh an DùnaidhCity
Acharacle Àth Tharracail Torquil's fordCity
Achaphubuil Achadh a' PhùbaillField of the tentCity
Achateny Achadh an TeineField of the fireCity
Achentoul Achadh an t-SabhailField of the barnCity
Achgarve An t-Achadh GarbhThe rough fieldCity
Achinahuagh Achadh na h-UamhaField of the caveCity
Achintee Achadh an t-SuidheField of the seatCity
Achintraid Achadh na TràghadField of the shoreCity
Achindrean Achadh an DreaghainnField of the thorny bushCity
Achininver Achadh an InbhirField of the estuaryCity
Achinduich Achadh an DabhaichField of the pondCity
Achnacarry Achadh na CairidhField of the weirCity
Achnaha Achadh na h-ÀthaField of the kilnCity
Achnahanat Achadh na h-AnnaidCity
Achnagarron Achadh nan GearranField of the haresCity
Achnamara Achadh na MaraField of the oceanCity
Achnasaul Achadh nan SabhalField of the barnsCity
Achnasheen Achadh na SìneField of the stormCity
Achnashellach Achadh nan SeileachField of the willow treesCity
Achriesgill Achadh RìdhisgilCity
Achosnich Achadh OsnaichCity
Achvarasdal Achadh BhàrrasdailCity
Achvaich Achadh a' BhàthaichCity
Ailsa Craig Creag EalasaidIsland
Aird of Kinloch An ÀirdThe pointCity
Airdrie An t-Àrd RuighCity
Alexandria Am Magh Leamhna, Cathair AlastairCity
Alford AthfortCity
Alladale River Abhainn AlladailRiver
Alloa Alamhagh, Allmhagh MorCity
Alness AlanaisCity
Altnaharra Allt na h-EirbheStream of the border wallCity
Alva Allmhagh BeagCity
Alves An Àbha(i)sCity
Alvie AlbhaidhCity
Alyth AiltCity
Amulree Àth Maol RuibheFord of St Máel Ruba City
Annan Inbhir AnainnCity
Annat An AnnaidCity
Angus AonghasDerived from the personal name Aonghas City
Angus Siorrachd AonghaisCountyAlternative name Forfarshire
Appin An ApainnCity
Arbirlot Obar EilidEstuary of the Elliot WaterCity
Arbroath Obar BhrothaigEstuary of the Brothock WaterCity
Ardachu Àrd AchadhHigh fieldCity
Ardalanish Àird DealanaisCity
Ardanaiseig Àird an AiseigHeight of the ferryCity
Ardbeg Àirde BeagaCity
Ardcharnich Àird CheatharnaichCity
Ardclach Àird ChlachHeight of stonesCity
Ardentinny Àird an t-Sionnaich/ an TeineHeight of the fox, or height of fireCity
Ardfern Àird FheàrnaHeight of alder treesCity
Ardlui Àird LaoighHeight of the calvesCity
Ardrossan Àird RosainCity
Ardrishaig Àird DriseigCity
Ardtun Àird TunnaCity
Arduaine An Àird UaineThe green heightCity
Argyll Earra-GhàidhealCoastland of the GaelsCounty
Argyll and Bute Earra-Ghaidheal agus BòdRegion
Arinagour Àirigh nan GobharShieling of the goatsCity
Arnprior Earrann a' PhriairCity
Arrochar An t-Àrar/ Tairbeart IarCity
Auchindrain Achadh an DroighinnThe field of thornsCity
Auchinleck Achadh nan LeacField of the stonesCity
Auchenblae Achadh nam BlàthCity
Auchterarder Uachdar ÀrdairCity
Aviemore An Aghaidh MhòrThe great fieldCity
Ayr Inbhir ÀirSlaughter estuaryCity
Ayrshire Siorrachd Inbhir ÀirCounty
Badenyon Bad an EòinJonathan's spotCity
Balallan Baile AileinAlan's townCity
Baleshare Baile SearEast townIsland
Ballachulish Baile a' ChaolaisTown of the narrowsCity
Ballater BealadairCity
Balloch BealachMountain passCity
Balmedie Baile MheadhainMiddle townCity
Banchory BeanncharCity
Banff BanbhCity
Banffshire Siorrachd BhanbhCounty
Bannockburn Allt a' BhonnaichCity
Barcaldine Am Barra CalltainnHazel SummitCity
Barra (Eilean) B(h)arraighIsland
Barra Head BeàrnaraighGaelic translation of the Old Norse name which meant 'Bjorn's Island'Island
Barrhead Ceann a' BharraCity
Bearsden Cille Phàdraig ÙrNew KilpatrickCity
Beauly A' MhanachainnThe monasteryCity
Beinn a' Ghlò Beinn a' GhlòHill of the Veil or MistMountain
Beinn an Lochain Beinn an LochainMountain of the pondMountain
Beinn Bheula Beinn BheulaMountain
Beinn Bhuidhe (Glen Fyne) A' Bheinn BhuidheThe yellow mountainMountain
Beinn Dorain Beinn DòbhrainOtter mountainMountain
Beinn Lochain Beinn LochainPond mountainMountain
Beinn Luibhean Beinn LuibheanMountain
Beinn Narnain Beinn NarnainMountain
Beinn Reithe Beinn ReitheRam mountainMountain
Beinn Ìme Beinn ÌmeMountain
Bellochantuy Bealach an t-SuidheMountain pass of the seatCity
Ben Arthur Beinn ArtairMountain
Ben Avon Beinn AthfhinnMountain
Ben Donich Beinn DòmhnaichMountain of the lordMountain
Ben Ledi Beinn LeitirMountain of the slopeMountain
Ben Lomond Beinn LaomainnMountain
Ben Lui Beinn LaoighCalf mountainMountain
Ben Macdui Beinn Mac DuibhMountain
Ben More (Mull) Beinn MhòrGreat mountainMountain
Ben Nevis Beinn NibheisNevis mountainMountainNevis has an unknown etymology
Ben Vane Beinn MheadhainMiddle mountainMountain
Ben Vorlich Beinn MhùrlaigMountain
Benbecula Beinn nam FadhlaIsland
Benderloch MeadarlochFrom Beinn Eadar Dà Loch, mountain between two lakesCity
Bennachie Beinn na CìcheMountain of the breastMountain
Berneray (North Uist) Beàrnaraigh (na Hearadh)Island
Bervie Water Uisge BhiorbhaighRiver
Berwickshire Siorrachd BhearaigCounty
Binnein an Fhidhleir Binnein an FhidhleirLittle peak of the fiddlerMountain
Birnam BiormanCity
Bishopbriggs Coille DobhairCity
Blair Atholl Blàr AthaillCity
Blairgowrie and Rattray Blàr Ghobharaidh agus ReatairCity
Bonawe Bun AbhaRiver baseCity
Borders Na CrìochanRegion
Borrowstounness Ceann FhàilDitch's endCity
Braemar Bràigh MhàrrBig HillCity
Braeriach (Am) Bràigh RiabhachBrindled uplandMountain
Brechin BreichinnCity
Bridge of Allan Drochaid AlainCity
Bridge of Cally Drochaid ChallaidhCity
Broadford An t-Àth LeathannThe broad ford, a mistranslation of the Norse name Breiðafjorðr, broad fjordCity
Buckie BucaidhCity
Burnt Islands Na h-Eileanan LoisgteIsland
Burntisland An t-Eilean LoisgteCity
Bunessan Bun EasainBase of the little waterfallCity
Cairn Gorm An Càrn GormMountain
Cairn Toul Càrn an t-SabhailMountain
Cairnbaan An Càrn BànCity
Cairndow An Càrn DubhCity
Cairngorms Am Monadh RuadhThe red moorMountain
Cairnwell Pass Càrn a' BhailgPass
Caithness GallaibhAmong the (Norse) foreignersCounty
Calgary CalgarraidhCity
Callander CalasraidCity
Campbeltown Ceann Locha, Ceann Chille ChiarainHead of the lochCity
Campbeltown Loch Loch Chille ChiarainLoch of the church of Ciaran Lake
Canna CanaighIsland
Cara Island CaraIsland
Cardross Càrdainn RosCity
Carmyllie Càrn MhìlidhCairn of the warriorsCity
Càrn Glas Càrn GlasGreen cairnMountain
Carnoustie Càrn ÙstaidhCity
Carradale CàrradalCity
Carron Water, Aberdeenshire CarrannRiver
Carron Water, Dumfriesshire CarrannRiver
Castlebay Bàgh a' ChaisteilBay of the castleCity
Central Region Roinn MeadhanachRegion
Clach Bheinn (Lochgoilhead) Clach Bheinn (Lochgoilhead)Mountain
Clackmannanshire Siorrachd Chlach MhanainnCounty
Cladich An CladachThe rocky shoreCity
Clarkston Baile ChlarcCity
Clydebank Bruach ChluaidhCity
Cnoc Coinnich Cnoc CoinnichKenneth's hillMountain
Coatbridge Drochaid a' ChòtaCity
Colintraive Caol an t-SnàimhCity
Coll ColaIsland
Colonsay ColbhasaIsland
Comrie CuimridhCity
Connel A' ChonghailCity
Corgarff Corr GaraidhCity
Coulport An Cùl PhortCity
County of Bute (Buteshire) Siorrachd BhòidCounty
County of Moray (Morayshire) MoireibhCountyAlternative Name Elginshire
Coupar Angus Cùbar AonghaisCity
Cowal CòmhghallCity
Cowdenbeath Coilltean BeitheCity
Cowie CollaidhCity
Cowie Water Uisge ChollaidhRiver
Craigellachie Creag EileachaidhCity
Craigendoran Creag an DòbhrainRock of the otterCity
Craighouse Taigh na CreigeHouse of the rockCity
Craignish CreiginisRock isleCity
Craignure Creag an IubhairRock of the yew treeCity
Crathie CraichidhCity
Crianlarich A' Chrìon-LàraichCity
Crieff CraoibhTree placeCity
Crimond Crioch/Crith MhonadhCity
Crinan An CrìonanCity
Cromarty CrombaThe crooked bayCity
Cromartyshire Siorrachd ChrombCounty
Cruach nam Miseag Cruach nam MiseagMountain
Cruach nam Mult Cruach nam MultMountain
Cruach nan Capull Cruach nan CapullMountain
Cruden Bay Inbhir ChruideinCity
Cuillin An CuiltheannMountain
Cullen Inbhir CuilinnHolly estuaryCity
Culloden Cùil LodairCity
Cumbernauld Comar nan AlltConfluence of the streamsCity
Cumnock CumnagLittle pailCity
Cupar CuparCity
Dalavich Dail AbhaichCity
Dalkeith Dail ChèWorld plainCity
Dallas DalaisCity
Dalmally Clachan an Dìseirt, Dail MhàilidhCity
Dalnaspidal Dail na SpideilCity
Dingwall Inbhir PheofharainEstuary of the River Peffer City
Dinnet DùnaidhCity
Dornoch DòrnachAbounding in fists, or fist-sized stonesCity
Drumlemble Druim LeamhanElm ridgeCity
Drumoak Druim M'AodhaigCity
Dubh Artach Dubh ArtachCity
Dufftown Baile BhainidhCity
Dumbarton Dùn Breata(i)nnFortress of the BritonsCity
Dumfries Dùn PhrisCity
Dumfriesshire Siorrachd Dhùn PhrisCounty
Dunbar Dùn BàrrTop fortressCity
Dunbartonshire Siorrachd Dhùn BreatainnCounty
Dunbeg An Dùn BeagThe small fortressCityFormerly Dunstaffnage (Dùn Stafhainis)
Dunblane Dùn BhlàthainFortress of flowersCity
Dundee Dùn DèGod's fortressCity
Dunfermline Dùn PhàrlainCity
Dunkeld Dùn ChailleannFortress of the CaledoniansCity
Dunnichen Dùn EachainEachan's fort. Older name was Dùn Neachdain, Nechtan's fortCity
Dunoon Dùn OmhainCity
Dunstaffnage Dùn StafhainisCity
Duntocher Druim/ Dùn TòchairCity
Dyke DìgDitchCity
East Kilbride Cille Bhrìghde an EarCity
Easdale Eilean ÈisdealIsland
East Lothian Labhdaidh/ Lodainn an EarCountyAlternative Name Haddingtonshire
Edinburgh Dùn ÈideannEidyn's fortressCity
Edzell EigillCityFormerly Slateford
Eigg EigeIsland
Eilean Dubh Mòr Eilean Dubh MòrGreat black islandIsland
Eilean Dubh Eilean DubhBlack islandIsland
Elgin EilginnCity
Ellenabeich Eilean nam BeitheachIsland of the birchwoodsIsland
Ellon EileanIslandCity
Eriskay ÈirisgeighIsland
Erraid Eilean EarraidSheriff islandIsland
Erskine ArasgainCity
Eyemouth Inbhir EigheIce estuaryCity
Fair Isle Eilean nan Geansaidh[ citation needed ]Island of the sweatersIsland
Falkirk An Eaglais BhreacThe spotted churchCity
Fetterangus Fothair AonghaisCity
Fettercairn Fothair ChàrdainCity
Fife FìobhaRegion, County
Findon FionndanCity
Fingal's Cave An Uaimh BhinnThe musical caveCave
Fionnphort FionnphortWhite portCity
Firth of Clyde Linne ChluaidhBayNorth of Arran
Firth of Clyde An Linne GhlasThe green bayBaySouth of Arran
Firth of Forth Linne FoirtheBay
Firth of Lorn An Linne LatharnachBay
Firth of Tay Linne TathaBay
Fishnish FinnsinisPort
Flodaigh FlodaighIsland
Footdee Bun DèGod's basePass
Ford Àth na CràFord of the sheepfoldCity
Formartine Fearann MhàrtainnMartin's landCity
Forres FarraisCity
Fort Augustus Cille ChuimeinCity
Fort William An GearasdanThe garrisonCity
Fortingall FartairchillCity
Fortrose A' ChananaichThe canonryCity
Fraoch-eilean Fraoch-eileanIsland
Fraserburgh A' BhruaichThe riverbankCity
Furnace An FhùirneisCityFormerly Inverleacainn (Inbhir Leacainn)
Galashiels An Geal ÀthThe bright fordCity
Gare Loch An Geàrr LochThe short lakeLake
Garelochhead Ceann a' Gheàrr-lochHead of Gare Loch City
Gatehouse of Fleet Taigh an RathaidCity
Giffnock GiofnagCity
Gigha GioghaIsland
Glasgow GlaschuGreen hollowCity
Glen Fruin Gleann FreòinValley
Glen Tilt Gleann TeiltValley
Glencoe Gleann ComhannValley of the river CoeValley
Glenbarr Am BàrrThe topCity
Glendaruel Gleann Dà RuadhailValley
Gleneagles Gleann EaglaisChurch valleyValley
Glenrothes Gleann RàthaisCity
Gometra GòmastraIsland
Gourock GuireagHatchlingCity
Govan Baile a' GhobhainnTown of the smith. Gaelicisation of an older Cumbric name (G)uovanCity
Grampian Roinn a' MhonaidhRegion
Grampian Mountains Am MonadhThe moorMountain
Grangemouth Inbhir GhrainnseCity
Great Bernera Beàrnaraigh MòrIsland
Greenock GrianaigLittle sunCity
Gretna GreatnaCity
Grimsay GriomasaighIsland
Grimsay (South East Benbecula) GriomasaighIsland
Gulf of Corryvreckan Coire BhreacainStrait
Gunna GunnaighIsland
Haddington Baile AdainnCity
Hamilton HamaltanCity
Harris Na HearadhIsland
Hawick HamhaigCity
Hebrides Innse GallIslands of the foreignersRegion
Helensburgh Baile EilidhCity
Highland A' GhàidhealtachdRegion
Holy Loch An Loch Seunta/ SiantaLake
Huntly HunndaidhCityFormerly Strathbogie (Srath Bhalgaidh)
Hurlford Àth CliathLattice fordCityFormerly Hurdleford or Whirlford
Inch Kenneth Innis ChoinnichKenneth's islandIsland
Inchmarnock Innis MheàrnaigIsland of Saint Marnock Island
Inner Hebrides Na h-Eileanan a-staighIslands
Insch An InnisThe isleCity
Inveralligin Inbhir ÀiliginnCity
Inverallochy and Cairnbulg Inbhir Aileachaidh agus Càrn BuilgCity
Inveraray Inbhir AoraCity
Inverbervie Inbhir BiorbhaidhCity
Inverkeilor Inbhir ChìollairCity
Inverkeithing Inbhir ChèiteinCity
Inverness Inbhir NisEstuary of the River Ness City
Inverness-shire Siorrachd Inbhir NisCounty
Inversnaid Inbhir SnàthaidCity
Inverurie Inbhir ÙraidhCity
Inveruglas Isle Innis Inbhir DhughlaisIsland
Iona Ì (Chaluim Chille)Island
Island Davaar Eilean Dà BhàrrIsland
Islay ÌleIsland
Isle of Arran ArainnIsland
Isle of Bute Bòd, Eilean Bhòdach, Eilean BhòidIsland
Isle of Jura DiùraIsland
Isle of Mull MuileIsland
Jedburgh DeadardCity
John o' Groats Taigh Iain GhròtCity
Kames Camas nam MuclachCity
Keith Baile ChèWood townCity
Kelso CealsaidhCity
Kemnay Ceann a' MhuighCity
Kenmore An CeannmhorThe big headCity
Kensaleyre Ceann Sàil EighreCity
Kerrera CearraraCity
Kilberry Cill BheiridhCity
Kildrummy Cionn DromaCity
Killearn Cill EarnainCity
Killiecrankie Coille ChreithnichCity
Killin Cill FhinnCity
Kilmarnock Cille MhèarnaigChurch of Saint Marnock City
Kilmartin Cille MhàrtainnChurch of Saint MartinCity
Kilmelford Cill MheallairdCity
Kilmun Cill MhunnaCity
Kilninver Cill an Inbhir, Cill FhionnbhairCity
Kilsyth Cill SaidheCity
Kincardineshire Siorrachd Chinn ChàrdainnCounty
Kingussie Ceann a' GhiuthsaichHead of the pine forestCity
Kinloch Rannoch Ceann Loch RaineachEnd of fern lakeCity
Kinross-shire Siorrachd Chinn RoisCounty
Kintore Ceann TòrrEnd heapCity
Kintyre Cinn TìreRegion's endCity
Kippen An CeapanCity
Kirkcaldy Cair ChaladainCity
Kirkcudbright Cille ChuithbeirtCity
Kirkcudbrightshire Siorrachd Chill ChuithbeirtCounty
Kirkintilloch Cair/Cathair C(h)eann TulaichCity
Kirkmichael Cille MhìcheilMichael's churchyardCity
Kirkwall Baile na h-EaglaisCity of the churchCity
Kirriemuir Ceathramh Mhoire Mary's quarterlandCity
Knapdale CnapadalCity
Knockan An CnocanCity
Kyle of Lochalsh Caol Loch AillseCity
Kyles of Bute Na Caoil BhòdachChannel
Lagavulin Lag a' MhuilinnHollow of the millCity
Lairig Ghru Làirig DhrùPass of Dhru/DruiePass
Lanark LannraigCity
Lanarkshire Siorrachd LanraigCounty
Langholm LangaimCity
Larbert LèirbertCity
Largs An Leargaidh (Gallda)City
Laurencekirk CoinmheadhCity
Leith LìteCity
Lesmahagow Lios MoChudaCity
Lewis LeòdhasUncertainIsland
Lhanbryde Lann BrìghdeChurch-enclosure of Saint Brigid of Kildare City
Linlithgow Gleann IuchaCity
Lismore Lios MòrThe great gardenIsland
Little Colonsay Colbhasa BeagIsland
Livingston Baile DhùnlèibheCity
Loch Affric Loch AfraigLake
Loch Ard Loch na h-ÀirdeLake of the heightLake
Loch Arkaig Loch AirceigLake
Loch Assynt Loch AsaintLake
Loch Awe Loch ObhaLake
Loch Cluanie Loch CluanaidhLake
Loch Doon Loch DhùinLake
Loch Drunkie Loch DrongaidhLake
Loch Earn Loch ÈireannIreland lakeLake
Loch Eck Loch EichHorse lakeLake
Loch Ericht Loch EireachdLake
Loch Etive Loch EiteLake
Loch Fyne Loch FìneLake
Loch Garry Loch GàrraidhGarden lakeLake
Loch Gilp Loch GilbChisel lakeLake
Loch Goil Loch GoillLowlander lakeLake
Loch Katrine Loch Ceathairne/ CeiteireinLake
Loch Linnhe An Linne Dhubh (upstream)/ Sheileach (downstream)Lake
Loch Lochy Loch LochaidhLake
Loch Lomond Loch LaomainnLake
Loch Long Loch LongShip lakeLake
Loch Lyon Loch LìomhannLake
Loch Maree Loch Ma-ruibheLake of Saint Máel Ruba Lake
Loch Morar Loch MhòrairLake
Loch Ness Loch NisLake
Loch Ossian Loch OiseinCorner lakeLake
Loch Quoich Loch ChuaichLake
Loch Rannoch Loch RaineachFern lakeLake
Loch Riddon Loch RuelLake
Loch Shiel Loch SeileWillow lakeLake
Loch Shin Loch SìnLake
Loch Tay Loch TathaLake
Lochbuie Locha BuidheYellow lakeCity
Lochearnhead Ceann Loch ÈireannEnd of Ireland LakeCity
Lochgair An Loch GeàrrThe short lakeCity
Lochgilphead Ceann Loch GilbEnd of the chisel lakeCity
Lochgoilhead Ceann Loch GoibhleEnd of the prong lakeCity
Lochnagar Beinn ChìochanMountain of the breastsMountain
Lochranza Loch RaonasaCity
Lockerbie LocarbaidhCity
Lossiemouth Inbhir LosaidhCity
Lothian LodainnRegion
Luing LuinnCity
Lumphanan Lann FhìonainChurch-enclosure of Saint FinnanCity
Luncarty LongartaidhCity
Luss LusHerbCity
Macduff An DùnThe fortressCity
Machrihanish Machaire ShanaisCity
Mallaig MalaigCity
Marr MàrrCityFormerly Mar
Maud Am MòdCity
Meigle MìgeilCity
Melrose Am Maol RosCity
Methven MeadhainnighCity
Midlothian Meadhan Labhdaidh/ LodainnCountyAlternative Name County of Edinburgh or Edinburghshire
Monadhliath Mountains Monadh LiathPale moorMountain
Monifieth Monadh FeithCity
Montrose Monadh RoisMoor of the promontoryCity
Moray Firth Linne MhoireibhBay
Motherwell Tobar na MàtharCity
Moulin MaoilinnCity
Mount Keen Monadh CaoinMountain
Mounth MonadhMoorMountain
Muasdale MuasdalCity
Muck Eilean nam MucIsland of the pigsIsland
Muirkirk Eaglais an t-SléibhCity
Mull of Kintyre Maol Chinn TìreBare head of KintyreCity
Mullach Coire a' Chuir Mullach Coire a' ChuirMountain
Nairn Inbhir NarannEstuary of the River Nairn City
Nairnshire Siorrachd Inbhir NarannCounty
New Deer Achadh ReiteCity
Newcastleton Baile a' Caisteal NuadhCity
Newton Mearns Baile Ùr na MaoirneCity
North Uist Uibhist a TuathIsland
Oban an t-ÒbanThe little bayCity
Oldmeldrum Meall DruimCity
Orkney ArcaibhRegion and County
Ormsary OrmsaraidhCity
Otter Ferry An OitirThe sandbarCity
Outer Hebrides Na h-Eileanan SiarIslands
Paisley PàisligCity
Partick Pàrtaig, PearraigCity
Peebles Na PùballanThe tentsCity
Peeblesshire Siorrachd nam PùballanCounty
Pentland Firth An Caol ArcachBay
Perth PeairtCity
Perthshire Siorrachd PheairtCounty
Peterhead Ceann Phàdraig, Inbhir ÙigidhCity
Pitlochry Baile ChloichridhCity
Polmont Poll-MhonadhMire of the moorCity
Polnessan Poll an EasainPool of the little waterfallCity
Port Askaig Port AsgaigCity
Port Bannatyne Port MhicEamailinnCity
Port Charlotte Port SgiobaCrew portCity
Port Ellen Port ÌleinCity
Port Glasgow Port GhlaschuCity
Port of Menteith Port Loch Innis MoCholmaigCity
Portavadie Port a' MhadaidhCity
Portlethen Port LeathainWide portCity
Portnahaven Port na h-AbhainnePort of the riverCity
Portree Port RìghKing portCity
Portsoy Port SaoidhSage portCity
Prestwick PreastabhaigCity
Raasay RatharsairIslandAlso erroneously, Ratharsaigh
Rattray RaitearCity
Renfrew Rinn FriùCity
Renfrewshire Siorrachd Rinn FriùCounty
Rhu An RubhaThe headlandCity
Rhubodach (An) Rubha (a’) BhodaichHeadland of the old menCity
River Add Abhainn ÀdRiver
River Carron, Forth Abhainn CarrannRiver
River Carron, Sutherland CarrannRiver
River Carron, Wester Ross CarrannRiver
River Clyde Abhainn ChluaidhRiver
River Dee, Aberdeenshire Uisge DhèWater of GodRiver
River Dee, Galloway (Uisge) D(h)è(Water of) GodRiver
River Don DeathanRiver
River Forth Abhainn DubhRiver
Uisge For
River Garry, Inverness-shire (Abhainn) G(h)aradhRiver
River Garry, Perthshire (Abhainn) G(h)arRiver
River North Esk Easg ThuathRiver
River Orchy (Abhainn) UrchaidhRiver
River Spey Abhainn SpèRiver
River Tay Abhainn TathaRiver
River Teith Uisge TheamhichPleasant waterRiver
River Tweed Abhainn TuaidhRiver
River Ury Uaraidh, ÙraidhRiver
Rockall Rocabarraighn/an/aClaimed by the UK, but country ownership disputed
Rosehearty Ros AbhartaichCity
Rosemarkie Ros MaircnidhCity
Rosneath Ros NeimhidhCity
Ross and Cromarty Ros agus CrombaCounty
Ross of Mull An Ros MhuileachCity
Ross-shire Siorrachd RoisCounty
Rosyth Ros Fhìobha/ Saidhe/ SaoitheCity
Rothes RàthaisCity
Rothesay Baile BhòidCity
Rothienorman Ràth ThormoidCity
Roxburghshire Siorrachd RosbruigCounty
Rum RùmIsland
Rutherglen An Ruadh GhleannThe red valleyCity
Saddell SaghadalCity
Salen, Ardnamurchan An t-SàileanCity
Salen, Mull An t-SàileanCity
Sanda Island SandaighIsland
Sandbank An Oitir, Taigh a' ChladaichCity
Sanquhar An t-Seann ChathairThe old fortCity
Scalpay, Inner Hebrides SgalpaighIsland
Scalpay, Outer Hebrides Sgalpaigh (na Hearadh)Island
Scarba SgarbaIsland
Schiehallion Sìdh ChailleannFairy hill of the CaledoniansMountain
Scone SgàinCity
Seil SaoilIsland
Selkirk SalcraigCity
Selkirkshire Siorrachd ShailcircCounty
Shetland SealtainnRegion and CountyAlso known as Zetland
Shuna SiunaIsland
Skerryvore Sgeir MhòrIsland
Skipness SgibinisCity
Skye An t-Eilean SgitheanachUncertainIsland
South Uist Uibhist a DeasIsland
Southend Ceann mu DheasCity
St Andrews Cill RìmhinnCity
St Cyrus Eaglais ChiricCity
St Fergus Peit FhearghaisCity
St Fillans Am Port MòrCity
St Kilda HiortIslandName used for main island in a group
Staffa StafaIsland
Stewarton Baile nan StiùbhartachCity
Stirling SruighleaCity
Stirlingshire Siorrachd ShruighleaCounty
Stob an Eas Stob an EasMountain
Stob na Boine Druim-fhinn Stob na Boine Druim-fhinnMountain
Stonehaven Cala na Creige, Sron na h-AibhneCity
Stornoway SteòrnabhaghCity
Strachur Srath ChuraCity
Stranraer An t-Sròn ReamharThe fat noseCity
Strathclyde Srath ChluaidhRegion
Strathdee Srath DhèWide valley of GodCity
Strathdon Srath DheathainWide valley of the River Don City
Strathpeffer Srath PheofhairCity
Strathlachlan Srath LachlainnLachlan's wide valleyCity
Stronachlachar Sròn a' ChlachairNose of the masonCity
Strone An t-SrònThe noseCity
Succoth An SocachCity
Sutherland CataibhCounty
Tarbert An TairbeartThe isthmusCity
Tarbet An TairbeartThe isthmusCity
Tarfside Bruach TarbhaCity
Tarland TurlannCity
Tarves TarbhaisCity
Tayinloan Taigh an LòinHouse of the wet meadowCity
Taynuilt Taigh an UilltHouse of the streamsCity
Tayside Taobh TathaRegion
Tayvallich Taigh a' BhealaichHouse of the mountain passCity
Texa TeacsaIsland
The Black Isle An t-Eilean DubhThe black islandIsland
The Cobbler Beinn ArtairMountain
The Devil's Point Bod an DeamhainThe devil's penisMountain
Thornliebank Bruach nan DealganCity
Thurso Inbhir TheòrsaCity
Tighnabruaich Taigh na BruaichHouse of the rimCity
Tillicoultry Tulach CultraidhCity
Tiree TiriodhIsland
Tobermory Tobar Mhoire Mary's wellCity
Tom Molach Tom MolachMountain
Tom nan Gamhna Tom nan GamhnaMountain
Tomintoul Tom an t-SabhailHillock of the barnCity
Tongue Cinn Tàile, TungaCity
Torinturk Tòrr an TuircMound of the boarCity
Torphins Tòrr FionnCity
Toward TollardCity
Turriff Baile Thurra, TorraibhCity
Tyndrum Taigh an DromaHouse of the ridgeCity
Uisken UisgeanCity
Ullapool UlapulCity
Ulva UlbhaCity
Ulva Ferry Aiseag UlbhaCity
Vatersay BhatarsaighIsland
Water of Aven An t-Uisge BànRiver
Weem Baile a' ChlachainCity
Wemyss Bay Bàgh nan UaimheanBay of the cavesCity
West Highland Line Rathad Iarainn nan EileanRailway
West Highland Way Slighe na Gàidhealtachd an IarPass
West Lothian Labhdaidh/ Lodainn an IarCountyAlternative Name County of Linlithgow or Linlithgowshire
Western Isles Na h-Eileanan SiarRegion
Whitehouse An Taigh BànThe white houseCity
Whithorn Taigh MhàrtainnMartin's houseCity
Wick Inbhir ÙigeCity
Wigtownshire Siorrachd Bhaile na h-ÙigeCounty

Canada

Names in italics are not on Cape Breton Island, where Canadian Gaelic is still spoken. Each of the place names are in Nova Scotia, which was founded as a Scottish colony.

Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
EnglishScottish GaelicPlace typeNotes
NameMeaning
Antigonish Am Baile MòrThe great city
Arisaig Àrasaig
Baddeck Badaig
Big Beach An Tràigh MhòrThe great shore
Big Pond Am Pòn Mòr
Broad Cove An Caolas LeathannThe wide channel
Cape Breton Island Eilean Cheap BreatainnIsland of Cape BritainIsland
Christmas Island Eilean na NollaigIsland of Christmas
Glendale Bràigh na-hAibhneadh
Giant's Lake Loch an FhamhairLake of the giantTown
Grand Mira North A' Mhira Mhòr a TuathTown
Grand Mira South A' Mhira Mhòr a DeasTown
Grand River Abhainn MhòrGreat river
Halifax HalafacsCity
Inverness An Sithean
Baile Inbhir Nis
Iona Sanndraigh
Judique Siùdaig
Loch Lomond Loch LaomainnLake
Mabou An DrochaidThe bridgeTown
Mabù
Marion Bridge Drochaid MhiraTown
New Glasgow Am Baile Beag, Glaschu Nuadh
Nova Scotia Alba Nuadh
Port Hastings Còbh a' Phlàstair
Port Hawkesbury An Gut, Baile ' Chamhain
Southwest Margaree, Inverness County, Nova ScotiaBràigh na h-Aibhne
St. Ann's Baile AnnaAnne town
Sydney Baile ShidniSydney town
Whycocomagh Hogamah

Exonyms

The following are Scottish Gaelic placenames for places that do not use Scottish Gaelic:

Australia

Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Àstralia
English nameScottish Gaelic nameNotes
Armidale, Armadale (Victoria and Western Australia Armadal
Brisbane Brisbeinn
Broken Hill Cnoc Briste
Cairns Cùirn
Darwin Dàrain
Gold Coast Oirthir Òir
Inverell Inbhir EalaDerived from Scots Gaelic inver (inbhir) meaning a river's mouth and ell meaning swan
Inverloch Inbhir Locha
Katherine Catrìona
Mackay MacAoidh
Melbourne Meall Bùirn
Mount Gambier Sliabh Gambier
Newcastle An Caiteal NuadhSame name in Irish
Flag of New South Wales.svg  New South Wales A' Chuimrigh Nuadh a Deas
Flag of the Northern Territory.svg  Northern Territory An Ranntair a Tuath
Orange Orains
Perth PeairtNamed after Perth, Scotland
Flag of Queensland.svg  Queensland Tìr na Banrigh
Flag of South Australia.svg  South Australia Astràilia a Deas
Sydney Sidni
Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg  Victoria Bhictòria
Flag of Tasmania.svg  Tasmania Eilean Thasman
Flag of Western Australia.svg  Western Australia Astràilia a Iar

Belgium

Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium Beilg
English nameScottish Gaelic nameEndonymNotes
NameLanguage
Brussels Am BruisealBruxellesFrench

Canada

Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
English nameScottish Gaelic nameEndonymNotes
NameLanguage
Bruce County Siorramachd Bhruis
Calgary Calgarraidh
Glengary County Siorramachd Gleanna Garadh
Lewes An Tuirc
Newfoundland Eilein a'Tosg, Talamh an Èisg
Flag of Prince Edward Island.svg  Prince Edward Island An t-Eilean Dearg, Eilean Eòin, Eilean a'Phrionnsa
Stornoway Steòrnabhagh

France

Flag of France.svg  France An Fhraing
English nameScottish Gaelic nameEndonymNotes
NameLanguage
Flag of Brittany (Gwenn ha du).svg  Brittany A' Bhreatainn BheagBretagne
Breizh
Bertaèyn
French
Breton
Gallo
Paris ParasParisFrench

Greece

Flag of Greece.svg  Greece Grèig
English nameScottish Gaelic nameEndonymNotes
NameLanguage
Athens Baile na h-ÀithneAthínaGreek

Ireland

Flag of Ireland.svg  Ireland Èirinn
English nameScottish Gaelic nameEndonymNotes
NameLanguage
Dublin Baile Àth CliathBaile Átha CliathIrish
Galway Baile na GailbhinnGaillimhIrish

Israel

Flag of Israel.svg  Israel Iosrael
English nameScottish Gaelic nameEndonymNotes
NameLanguage
Jerusalem Ierusalemיְרוּשָׁלַיִם (Yerushaláyim)
القُدس (Al-Quds)
Hebrew
Arabic

Italy

Flag of Italy.svg  Italy An Eadailt
English nameScottish Gaelic nameEndonymNotes
NameLanguage
Rome An RòimhRomaItalian

Mexico

Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico Megsago
English nameScottish Gaelic nameEndonymNotes
NameLanguage
Mexico City An Baile MheagsagoCiudad de México
Altepetl Mexico
Spanish
Nahuatl

New Zealand

The southern South Island of New Zealand was settled by the Free Church of Scotland, and many of its placenames are of Scottish Gaelic origin (including some directly named for places in Scotland). The placename Strath Taieri combines the Gaelic Srath with the Māori river name Taieri and similarly, the mountain range Ben Ohau combines the Gaelic Beinn with the Māori lake name Ōhau.

Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand Sealainn Nuadh
English nameScottish Gaelic nameEndonymNotes
NameLanguage
Balclutha Baile ChluaidhMeans "Town on the Clutha River"
Ben Nevis Beinn NibheisA mountain within Mount Richmond Forest Park
Clutha River Cluaidh
Clyde Cluaidh
Dunedin Dùn ÈideannNamed for the Gaelic name for Edinburgh
Glendhu Bay Gleann Duibh
Glenorchy Gleann Urchaidh
Huntly Hunndaidh
Inch Clutha Inis ChluaidhIsland at the mouth of the Clutha River
Invercargill Inbhir ChàrgaillNamed for Scottish-born early settler William Cargill
Kinleith Ceann Lite
Kinloch Ceannloch
Lagmhor Lag MhorA settlement close to Ashburton
Lake Aviemore an Aghaidh Mòr
Lake Benmore Loch Beinn Mhor
Oban an t-Òban
Ulva Island Ulbha
Water of Leith Lite

Norway

Flag of Norway.svg  Norway Nirríbhidh, Lochlann
English nameScottish Gaelic nameEndonymNotes
NameLanguage
Bergen BoirbheBergenNorwegian

Spain

Flag of Spain.svg  Spain An Spàinn
English nameScottish Gaelic nameEndonymNotes
NameLanguage
Barcelona BarsalònaBarcelona Catalan, Spanish
Flag of the Basque Country.svg  Basque Country Dùthaich nam BasgachEuskadi
País Vasco
Pays Basque
Basque, Spanish, French

Sudan

Flag of Sudan.svg  Sudan
English nameScottish Gaelic nameEndonymNotes
NameLanguage
Khartoum Cartúmالخرطوم
Kaartuɔ̈m
Arabic
Dinka

United Kingdom (excluding Scotland)

Note: most Irish and Scots Gaelic exonyms for places in Wales derive from the Welsh language.

Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom Rìoghachd Aonaichte
English nameScottish Gaelic nameEndonymNotes
NameLanguage
Belfast Beul Feirste
Berwick-upon-Tweed Bearaig
Cardiff CaerdyddCardiff
Caerdydd
English
Welsh
Carlisle Cathair Luail
Channel Islands Eileannan a'Chaolais
Flag of Cornwall.svg  Cornwall A'ChòrnCornwall
Kernow
English
Cornish
Derry Doire Chaluim Chille
Flag of England.svg  England Sasainn
Flag of Gibraltar.svg  Gibraltar Giobraltair
Flag of the Isle of Man.svg  Isle of Man Eileann Mhanainn
Liverpool Poll A'Ghruthain
London Lunnainn
Manchester Manchain
Newcastle-upon-Tyne An Caisteal Nuadh
Northern Ireland Èirinn a Tuath
Rathlin Reachlainn, Reachra
Oxford Àth nan Damh
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales A' ChuimrighWales
Cymru
English
Welsh
Derived from Cymru
York Eabhraig
Yorkshire Siorramachd Ioirc

United States

Flag of the United States.svg  United States Na Stàitean Aonaichte
English nameScottish Gaelic nameEndonymNotes
NameLanguage
Flag of Alaska.svg  Alaska AlascaAlaskaEnglish
Flag of California.svg  California CalafòrniaCaliforniaEnglish, Spanish
Flag of New Mexico.svg  New Mexico Meagsago NuadhNew Mexico
Nuevo Mexico
Yootó Hahoodzo
New York City Baile Eabhraig NuadhNew York CityEnglish
Flag of New York.svg  New York Stàit Eabhraig NuadhNew York StateEnglish

See also

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References

  1. "Eight Scottish cities".