Scottish Gaelic place names explained

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

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.

Alba
English	Scottish Gaelic		Place type	Notes
	Name	Meaning
Aberarder	Obar Àrdair		City
Aberchalder	Obar Chaladair		City
Aberchirder	Obar Chiardair		City
Aberdeen	Obar Dheathain	Estuary of the River Don	City
Aberdeenshire	Siorrachd Obar Dheathain		County
Aberdour	Obar Dobhair		City
Aberfeldy	Obar Pheallaidh		City
Aberfoyle	Obar Phuill		City
Aberlemno	Obar Leamhnach	Estuary of the Lemno Burn (the burn of elm trees)	City
Aberlour	Obar Lobhair		City
Abhainn a' Ghlinne Mhòir	Abhainn a' Ghlinne Mhòir	River of the great valley	River
Aboyne	Abèidh	Rippling Ford	City
Abriachan	Obar Itheachan		City
Acha	An t-Achadh	The field	City
Achachork	Achadh a' Choirce	Field of oats	City
Achahoish	Achadh a’ Chòis		City
Achanalt	Achadh nan Allt	Field of the stream	City
Achandunie	Achadh an Dùnaidh		City
Acharacle	Àth Tharracail	Torquil's ford	City
Achaphubuil	Achadh a' Phùbaill	Field of the tent	City
Achateny	Achadh an Teine	Field of the fire	City
Achentoul	Achadh an t-Sabhail	Field of the barn	City
Achgarve	An t-Achadh Garbh	The rough field	City
Achinahuagh	Achadh na h-Uamha	Field of the cave	City
Achintee	Achadh an t-Suidhe	Field of the seat	City
Achintraid	Achadh na Tràghad	Field of the shore	City
Achindrean	Achadh an Dreaghainn	Field of the thorny bush	City
Achininver	Achadh an Inbhir	Field of the estuary	City
Achinduich	Achadh an Dabhaich	Field of the pond	City
Achnacarry	Achadh na Cairidh	Field of the weir	City
Achnaha	Achadh na h-Àtha	Field of the kiln	City
Achnahanat	Achadh na h-Annaid		City
Achnagarron	Achadh nan Gearran	Field of the hares	City
Achnamara	Achadh na Mara	Field of the ocean	City
Achnasaul	Achadh nan Sabhal	Field of the barns	City
Achnasheen	Achadh na Sìne	Field of the storm	City
Achnashellach	Achadh nan Seileach	Field of the willow trees	City
Achriesgill	Achadh Rìdhisgil		City
Achosnich	Achadh Osnaich		City
Achvarasdal	Achadh Bhàrrasdail		City
Achvaich	Achadh a' Bhàthaich		City
Ailsa Craig	Creag Ealasaid		Island
Aird of Kinloch	An Àird	The point	City
Airdrie	An t-Àrd Ruigh		City
Alexandria	Am Magh Leamhna, Cathair Alastair		City
Alford	Athfort		City
Alladale River	Abhainn Alladail		River
Alloa	Alamhagh, Allmhagh Mor		City
Alness	Alanais		City
Altnaharra	Allt na h-Eirbhe	Stream of the border wall	City
Alva	Allmhagh Beag		City
Alves	An Àbha(i)s		City
Alvie	Albhaidh		City
Alyth	Ailt		City
Amulree	Àth Maol Ruibhe	Ford of St Máel Ruba	City
Annan	Inbhir Anainn		City
Annat	An Annaid		City
Angus	Aonghas	Derived from the personal name Aonghas	City
Angus	Siorrachd Aonghais		County	Alternative name Forfarshire
Appin	An Apainn		City
Arbirlot	Obar Eilid	Estuary of the Elliot Water	City
Arbroath	Obar Bhrothaig	Estuary of the Brothock Water	City
Ardachu	Àrd Achadh	High field	City
Ardalanish	Àird Dealanais		City
Ardanaiseig	Àird an Aiseig	Height of the ferry	City
Ardbeg	Àirde Beaga		City
Ardcharnich	Àird Cheatharnaich		City
Ardclach	Àird Chlach	Height of stones	City
Ardentinny	Àird an t-Sionnaich/ an Teine	Height of the fox, or height of fire	City
Ardfern	Àird Fheàrna	Height of alder trees	City
Ardlui	Àird Laoigh	Height of the calves	City
Ardrossan	Àird Rosain		City
Ardrishaig	Àird Driseig		City
Ardtun	Àird Tunna		City
Arduaine	An Àird Uaine	The green height	City
Argyll	Earra-Ghàidheal	Coastland of the Gaels	County
Argyll and Bute	Earra-Ghaidheal agus Bòd		Region
Arinagour	Àirigh nan Gobhar	Shieling of the goats	City
Arnprior	Earrann a' Phriair		City
Arrochar	An t-Àrar/ Tairbeart Iar		City
Auchindrain	Achadh an Droighinn	The field of thorns	City
Auchinleck	Achadh nan Leac	Field of the stones	City
Auchenblae	Achadh nam Blàth		City
Auchterarder	Uachdar Àrdair		City
Aviemore	An Aghaidh Mhòr	The great field	City
Ayr	Inbhir Àir	Slaughter estuary	City
Ayrshire	Siorrachd Inbhir Àir		County
Badenyon	Bad an Eòin	Jonathan's spot	City
Balallan	Baile Ailein	Alan's town	City
Baleshare	Baile Sear	East town	Island
Ballachulish	Baile a' Chaolais	Town of the narrows	City
Ballater	Bealadair		City
Balloch	Bealach	Mountain pass	City
Balmedie	Baile Mheadhain	Middle town	City
Banchory	Beannchar		City
Banff	Banbh		City
Banffshire	Siorrachd Bhanbh		County
Bannockburn	Allt a' Bhonnaich		City
Barcaldine	Am Barra Calltainn	Hazel Summit	City
Barra	(Eilean) B(h)arraigh		Island
Barra Head	Beàrnaraigh	Gaelic translation of the Old Norse name which meant 'Bjorn's Island'	Island
Barrhead	Ceann a' Bharra		City
Bearsden	Cille Phàdraig Ùr	New Kilpatrick	City
Beauly	A' Mhanachainn	The monastery	City
Beinn a' Ghlò	Beinn a' Ghlò	Hill of the Veil or Mist	Mountain
Beinn an Lochain	Beinn an Lochain	Mountain of the pond	Mountain
Beinn Bheula	Beinn Bheula		Mountain
Beinn Bhuidhe (Glen Fyne)	A' Bheinn Bhuidhe	The yellow mountain	Mountain
Beinn Dorain	Beinn Dòbhrain	Otter mountain	Mountain
Beinn Lochain	Beinn Lochain	Pond mountain	Mountain
Beinn Luibhean	Beinn Luibhean		Mountain
Beinn Narnain	Beinn Narnain		Mountain
Beinn Reithe	Beinn Reithe	Ram mountain	Mountain
Beinn Ìme	Beinn Ìme		Mountain
Bellochantuy	Bealach an t-Suidhe	Mountain pass of the seat	City
Ben Arthur	Beinn Artair		Mountain
Ben Avon	Beinn Athfhinn		Mountain
Ben Donich	Beinn Dòmhnaich	Mountain of the lord	Mountain
Ben Ledi	Beinn Leitir	Mountain of the slope	Mountain
Ben Lomond	Beinn Laomainn		Mountain
Ben Lui	Beinn Laoigh	Calf mountain	Mountain
Ben Macdui	Beinn Mac Duibh		Mountain
Ben More (Mull)	Beinn Mhòr	Great mountain	Mountain
Ben Nevis	Beinn Nibheis	Nevis mountain	Mountain	Nevis has an unknown etymology
Ben Vane	Beinn Mheadhain	Middle mountain	Mountain
Ben Vorlich	Beinn Mhùrlaig		Mountain
Benbecula	Beinn nam Fadhla		Island
Benderloch	Meadarloch	From Beinn Eadar Dà Loch, mountain between two lakes	City
Bennachie	Beinn na Cìche	Mountain of the breast	Mountain
Berneray (North Uist)	Beàrnaraigh (na Hearadh)		Island
Bervie Water	Uisge Bhiorbhaigh		River
Berwickshire	Siorrachd Bhearaig		County
Binnein an Fhidhleir	Binnein an Fhidhleir	Little peak of the fiddler	Mountain
Birnam	Biorman		City
Bishopbriggs	Coille Dobhair		City
Blair Atholl	Blàr Athaill		City
Blairgowrie and Rattray	Blàr Ghobharaidh agus Reatair		City
Bonawe	Bun Abha	River base	City
Borders	Na Crìochan		Region
Borrowstounness	Ceann Fhàil	Ditch's end	City
Braemar	Bràigh Mhàrr	Big Hill	City
Braeriach	(Am) Bràigh Riabhach	Brindled upland	Mountain
Brechin	Breichinn		City
Bridge of Allan	Drochaid Alain		City
Bridge of Cally	Drochaid Challaidh		City
Broadford	An t-Àth Leathann	The broad ford, a mistranslation of the Norse name Breiðafjorðr, broad fjord	City
Buckie	Bucaidh		City
Burnt Islands	Na h-Eileanan Loisgte		Island
Burntisland	An t-Eilean Loisgte		City
Bunessan	Bun Easain	Base of the little waterfall	City
Cairn Gorm	An Càrn Gorm		Mountain
Cairn Toul	Càrn an t-Sabhail		Mountain
Cairnbaan	An Càrn Bàn		City
Cairndow	An Càrn Dubh		City
Cairngorms	Am Monadh Ruadh	The red moor	Mountain
Cairnwell Pass	Càrn a' Bhailg		Pass
Caithness	Gallaibh	Among the (Norse) foreigners	County
Calgary	Calgarraidh		City
Callander	Calasraid		City
Campbeltown	Ceann Locha, Ceann Chille Chiarain	Head of the loch	City
Campbeltown Loch	Loch Chille Chiarain	Loch of the church of Ciaran	Lake
Canna	Canaigh		Island
Cara Island	Cara		Island
Cardross	Càrdainn Ros		City
Carmyllie	Càrn Mhìlidh	Cairn of the warriors	City
Càrn Glas	Càrn Glas	Green cairn	Mountain
Carnoustie	Càrn Ùstaidh		City
Carradale	Càrradal		City
Carron Water, Aberdeenshire	Carrann		River
Carron Water, Dumfriesshire	Carrann		River
Castlebay	Bàgh a' Chaisteil	Bay of the castle	City
Central Region	Roinn Meadhanach		Region
Clach Bheinn (Lochgoilhead)	Clach Bheinn (Lochgoilhead)		Mountain
Clackmannanshire	Siorrachd Chlach Mhanainn		County
Cladich	An Cladach	The rocky shore	City
Clarkston	Baile Chlarc		City
Clydebank	Bruach Chluaidh		City
Cnoc Coinnich	Cnoc Coinnich	Kenneth's hill	Mountain
Coatbridge	Drochaid a' Chòta		City
Colintraive	Caol an t-Snàimh		City
Coll	Cola		Island
Colonsay	Colbhasa		Island
Comrie	Cuimridh		City
Connel	A' Chonghail		City
Corgarff	Corr Garaidh		City
Coulport	An Cùl Phort		City
County of Bute (Buteshire)	Siorrachd Bhòid		County
County of Moray (Morayshire)	Moireibh		County	Alternative Name Elginshire
Coupar Angus	Cùbar Aonghais		City
Cowal	Còmhghall		City
Cowdenbeath	Coilltean Beithe		City
Cowie	Collaidh		City
Cowie Water	Uisge Chollaidh		River
Craigellachie	Creag Eileachaidh		City
Craigendoran	Creag an Dòbhrain	Rock of the otter	City
Craighouse	Taigh na Creige	House of the rock	City
Craignish	Creiginis	Rock isle	City
Craignure	Creag an Iubhair	Rock of the yew tree	City
Crathie	Craichidh		City
Crianlarich	A' Chrìon-Làraich		City
Crieff	Craoibh	Tree place	City
Crimond	Crioch/Crith Mhonadh		City
Crinan	An Crìonan		City
Cromarty	Cromba	The crooked bay	City
Cromartyshire	Siorrachd Chromb		County
Cruach nam Miseag	Cruach nam Miseag		Mountain
Cruach nam Mult	Cruach nam Mult		Mountain
Cruach nan Capull	Cruach nan Capull		Mountain
Cruden Bay	Inbhir Chruidein		City
Cuillin	An Cuiltheann		Mountain
Cullen	Inbhir Cuilinn	Holly estuary	City
Culloden	Cùil Lodair		City
Cumbernauld	Comar nan Allt	Confluence of the streams	City
Cumnock	Cumnag	Little pail	City
Cupar	Cupar		City
Dalavich	Dail Abhaich		City
Dalkeith	Dail Chè	World plain	City
Dallas	Dalais		City
Dalmally	Clachan an Dìseirt, Dail Mhàilidh		City
Dalnaspidal	Dail na Spideil		City
Dingwall	Inbhir Pheofharain	Estuary of the River Peffer	City
Dinnet	Dùnaidh		City
Dornoch	Dòrnach	Abounding in fists, or fist-sized stones	City
Drumlemble	Druim Leamhan	Elm ridge	City
Drumoak	Druim M'Aodhaig		City
Dubh Artach	Dubh Artach		City
Dufftown	Baile Bhainidh		City
Dumbarton	Dùn Breata(i)nn	Fortress of the Britons	City
Dumfries	Dùn Phris		City
Dumfriesshire	Siorrachd Dhùn Phris		County
Dunbar	Dùn Bàrr	Top fortress	City
Dunbartonshire	Siorrachd Dhùn Breatainn		County
Dunbeg	An Dùn Beag	The small fortress	City	Formerly Dunstaffnage (Dùn Stafhainis)
Dunblane	Dùn Bhlàthain	Fortress of flowers	City
Dundee	Dùn Dè	God's fortress	City
Dunfermline	Dùn Phàrlain		City
Dunkeld	Dùn Chailleann	Fortress of the Caledonians	City
Dunnichen	Dùn Eachain	Eachan's fort. Older name was Dùn Neachdain, Nechtan's fort	City
Dunoon	Dùn Omhain		City
Dunstaffnage	Dùn Stafhainis		City
Duntocher	Druim/ Dùn Tòchair		City
Dyke	Dìg	Ditch	City
East Kilbride	Cille Bhrìghde an Ear		City
Easdale	Eilean Èisdeal		Island
East Lothian	Labhdaidh/ Lodainn an Ear		County	Alternative Name Haddingtonshire
Edinburgh	Dùn Èideann	Eidyn's fortress	City
Edzell	Eigill		City	Formerly Slateford
Eigg	Eige		Island
Eilean Dubh Mòr	Eilean Dubh Mòr	Great black island	Island
Eilean Dubh	Eilean Dubh	Black island	Island
Elgin	Eilginn		City
Ellenabeich	Eilean nam Beitheach	Island of the birchwoods	Island
Ellon	Eilean	Island	City
Eriskay	Èirisgeigh		Island
Erraid	Eilean Earraid	Sheriff island	Island
Erskine	Arasgain		City
Eyemouth	Inbhir Eighe	Ice estuary	City
Fair Isle	Eilean nan Geansaidh	Island of the sweaters	Island
Falkirk	An Eaglais Bhreac	The spotted church	City
Fetterangus	Fothair Aonghais		City
Fettercairn	Fothair Chàrdain		City
Fife	Fìobha		Region, County
Findon	Fionndan		City
Fingal's Cave	An Uaimh Bhinn	The musical cave	Cave
Fionnphort	Fionnphort	White port	City
Firth of Clyde	Linne Chluaidh		Bay	North of Arran
Firth of Clyde	An Linne Ghlas	The green bay	Bay	South of Arran
Firth of Forth	Linne Foirthe		Bay
Firth of Lorn	An Linne Latharnach		Bay
Firth of Tay	Linne Tatha		Bay
Fishnish	Finnsinis		Port
Flodaigh	Flodaigh		Island
Footdee	Bun Dè	God's base	Pass
Ford	Àth na Crà	Ford of the sheepfold	City
Formartine	Fearann Mhàrtainn	Martin's land	City
Forres	Farrais		City
Fort Augustus	Cille Chuimein		City
Fort William	An Gearasdan	The garrison	City
Fortingall	Fartairchill		City
Fortrose	A' Chananaich	The canonry	City
Fraoch-eilean	Fraoch-eilean		Island
Fraserburgh	A' Bhruaich	The riverbank	City
Furnace	An Fhùirneis		City	Formerly Inverleacainn (Inbhir Leacainn)
Galashiels	An Geal Àth	The bright ford	City
Gare Loch	An Geàrr Loch	The short lake	Lake
Garelochhead	Ceann a' Gheàrr-loch	Head of Gare Loch	City
Gatehouse of Fleet	Taigh an Rathaid		City
Giffnock	Giofnag		City
Gigha	Giogha		Island
Glasgow	Glaschu	Green hollow	City
Glen Fruin	Gleann Freòin		Valley
Glen Tilt	Gleann Teilt		Valley
Glencoe	Gleann Comhann	Valley of the river Coe	Valley
Glenbarr	Am Bàrr	The top	City
Glendaruel	Gleann Dà Ruadhail		Valley
Gleneagles	Gleann Eaglais	Church valley	Valley
Glenrothes	Gleann Ràthais		City
Gometra	Gòmastra		Island
Gourock	Guireag	Hatchling	City
Govan	Baile a' Ghobhainn	Town of the smith. Gaelicisation of an older Cumbric name (G)uovan	City
Grampian	Roinn a' Mhonaidh		Region
Grampian Mountains	Am Monadh	The moor	Mountain
Grangemouth	Inbhir Ghrainnse		City
Great Bernera	Beàrnaraigh Mòr		Island
Greenock	Grianaig	Little sun	City
Gretna	Greatna		City
Grimsay	Griomasaigh		Island
Grimsay (South East Benbecula)	Griomasaigh		Island
Gulf of Corryvreckan	Coire Bhreacain		Strait
Gunna	Gunnaigh		Island
Haddington	Baile Adainn		City
Hamilton	Hamaltan		City
Harris	Na Hearadh		Island
Hawick	Hamhaig		City
Hebrides	Innse Gall	Islands of the foreigners	Region
Helensburgh	Baile Eilidh		City
Highland	A' Ghàidhealtachd		Region
Holy Loch	An Loch Seunta/ Sianta		Lake
Huntly	Hunndaidh		City	Formerly Strathbogie (Srath Bhalgaidh)
Hurlford	Àth Cliath	Lattice ford	City	Formerly Hurdleford or Whirlford
Inch Kenneth	Innis Choinnich	Kenneth's island	Island
Inchmarnock	Innis Mheàrnaig	Island of Saint Marnock	Island
Inner Hebrides	Na h-Eileanan a-staigh		Islands
Insch	An Innis	The isle	City
Inveralligin	Inbhir Àiliginn		City
Inverallochy and Cairnbulg	Inbhir Aileachaidh agus Càrn Builg		City
Inveraray	Inbhir Aora		City
Inverbervie	Inbhir Biorbhaidh		City
Inverkeilor	Inbhir Chìollair		City
Inverkeithing	Inbhir Chèitein		City
Inverness	Inbhir Nis	Estuary of the River Ness	City
Inverness-shire	Siorrachd Inbhir Nis		County
Inversnaid	Inbhir Snàthaid		City
Inverurie	Inbhir Ùraidh		City
Inveruglas Isle	Innis Inbhir Dhughlais		Island
Iona	Ì (Chaluim Chille)		Island
Island Davaar	Eilean Dà Bhàrr		Island
Islay	Ìle		Island
Isle of Arran	Arainn		Island
Isle of Bute	Bòd, Eilean Bhòdach, Eilean Bhòid		Island
Isle of Jura	Diùra		Island
Isle of Mull	Muile		Island
Jedburgh	Deadard		City
John o' Groats	Taigh Iain Ghròt		City
Kames	Camas nam Muclach		City
Keith	Baile Chè	Wood town	City
Kelso	Cealsaidh		City
Kemnay	Ceann a' Mhuigh		City
Kenmore	An Ceannmhor	The big head	City
Kensaleyre	Ceann Sàil Eighre		City
Kerrera	Cearrara		City
Kilberry	Cill Bheiridh		City
Kildrummy	Cionn Droma		City
Killearn	Cill Earnain		City
Killiecrankie	Coille Chreithnich		City
Killin	Cill Fhinn		City
Kilmarnock	Cille Mhèarnaig	Church of Saint Marnock	City
Kilmartin	Cille Mhàrtainn	Church of Saint Martin	City
Kilmelford	Cill Mheallaird		City
Kilmun	Cill Mhunna		City
Kilninver	Cill an Inbhir, Cill Fhionnbhair		City
Kilsyth	Cill Saidhe		City
Kincardineshire	Siorrachd Chinn Chàrdainn		County
Kingussie	Ceann a' Ghiuthsaich	Head of the pine forest	City
Kinloch Rannoch	Ceann Loch Raineach	End of fern lake	City
Kinross-shire	Siorrachd Chinn Rois		County
Kintore	Ceann Tòrr	End heap	City
Kintyre	Cinn Tìre	Region's end	City
Kippen	An Ceapan		City
Kirkcaldy	Cair Chaladain		City
Kirkcudbright	Cille Chuithbeirt		City
Kirkcudbrightshire	Siorrachd Chill Chuithbeirt		County
Kirkintilloch	Cair/Cathair C(h)eann Tulaich		City
Kirkmichael	Cille Mhìcheil	Michael's churchyard	City
Kirkwall	Baile na h-Eaglais	City of the church	City
Kirriemuir	Ceathramh Mhoire	Mary's quarterland	City
Knapdale	Cnapadal		City
Knockan	An Cnocan		City
Kyle of Lochalsh	Caol Loch Aillse		City
Kyles of Bute	Na Caoil Bhòdach		Channel
Lagavulin	Lag a' Mhuilinn	Hollow of the mill	City
Lairig Ghru	Làirig Dhrù	Pass of Dhru/Druie	Pass
Lanark	Lannraig		City
Lanarkshire	Siorrachd Lanraig		County
Langholm	Langaim		City
Larbert	Lèirbert		City
Largs	An Leargaidh (Gallda)		City
Laurencekirk	Coinmheadh		City
Leith	Lìte		City
Lesmahagow	Lios MoChuda		City
Lewis	Leòdhas	Uncertain	Island
Lhanbryde	Lann Brìghde	Church-enclosure of Saint Brigid of Kildare	City
Linlithgow	Gleann Iucha		City
Lismore	Lios Mòr	The great garden	Island
Little Colonsay	Colbhasa Beag		Island
Livingston	Baile Dhùnlèibhe		City
Loch Affric	Loch Afraig		Lake
Loch Ard	Loch na h-Àirde	Lake of the height	Lake
Loch Arkaig	Loch Airceig		Lake
Loch Assynt	Loch Asaint		Lake
Loch Awe	Loch Obha		Lake
Loch Cluanie	Loch Cluanaidh		Lake
Loch Doon	Loch Dhùin		Lake
Loch Drunkie	Loch Drongaidh		Lake
Loch Earn	Loch Èireann	Ireland lake	Lake
Loch Eck	Loch Eich	Horse lake	Lake
Loch Ericht	Loch Eireachd		Lake
Loch Etive	Loch Eite		Lake
Loch Fyne	Loch Fìne		Lake
Loch Garry	Loch Gàrraidh	Garden lake	Lake
Loch Gilp	Loch Gilb	Chisel lake	Lake
Loch Goil	Loch Goill	Lowlander lake	Lake
Loch Katrine	Loch Ceathairne/ Ceiteirein		Lake
Loch Linnhe	An Linne Dhubh (upstream)/ Sheileach (downstream)		Lake
Loch Lochy	Loch Lochaidh		Lake
Loch Lomond	Loch Laomainn		Lake
Loch Long	Loch Long	Ship lake	Lake
Loch Lyon	Loch Lìomhann		Lake
Loch Maree	Loch Ma-ruibhe	Lake of Saint Máel Ruba	Lake
Loch Morar	Loch Mhòrair		Lake
Loch Ness	Loch Nis		Lake
Loch Ossian	Loch Oisein	Corner lake	Lake
Loch Quoich	Loch Chuaich		Lake
Loch Rannoch	Loch Raineach	Fern lake	Lake
Loch Riddon	Loch Ruel		Lake
Loch Shiel	Loch Seile	Willow lake	Lake
Loch Shin	Loch Sìn		Lake
Loch Tay	Loch Tatha		Lake
Lochbuie	Locha Buidhe	Yellow lake	City
Lochearnhead	Ceann Loch Èireann	End of Ireland Lake	City
Lochgair	An Loch Geàrr	The short lake	City
Lochgilphead	Ceann Loch Gilb	End of the chisel lake	City
Lochgoilhead	Ceann Loch Goibhle	End of the prong lake	City
Lochnagar	Beinn Chìochan	Mountain of the breasts	Mountain
Lochranza	Loch Raonasa		City
Lockerbie	Locarbaidh		City
Lossiemouth	Inbhir Losaidh		City
Lothian	Lodainn		Region
Luing	Luinn		City
Lumphanan	Lann Fhìonain	Church-enclosure of Saint Finnan	City
Luncarty	Longartaidh		City
Luss	Lus	Herb	City
Macduff	An Dùn	The fortress	City
Machrihanish	Machaire Shanais		City
Mallaig	Malaig		City
Marr	Màrr		City	Formerly Mar
Maud	Am Mòd		City
Meigle	Mìgeil		City
Melrose	Am Maol Ros		City
Methven	Meadhainnigh		City
Midlothian	Meadhan Labhdaidh/ Lodainn		County	Alternative Name County of Edinburgh or Edinburghshire
Monadhliath Mountains	Monadh Liath	Pale moor	Mountain
Monifieth	Monadh Feith		City
Montrose	Monadh Rois	Moor of the promontory	City
Moray Firth	Linne Mhoireibh		Bay
Motherwell	Tobar na Màthar		City
Moulin	Maoilinn		City
Mount Keen	Monadh Caoin		Mountain
Mounth	Monadh	Moor	Mountain
Muasdale	Muasdal		City
Muck	Eilean nam Muc	Island of the pigs	Island
Muirkirk	Eaglais an t-Sléibh		City
Mull of Kintyre	Maol Chinn Tìre	Bare head of Kintyre	City
Mullach Coire a' Chuir	Mullach Coire a' Chuir		Mountain
Nairn	Inbhir Narann	Estuary of the River Nairn	City
Nairnshire	Siorrachd Inbhir Narann		County
New Deer	Achadh Reite		City
Newcastleton	Baile a' Caisteal Nuadh		City
Newton Mearns	Baile Ùr na Maoirne		City
North Uist	Uibhist a Tuath		Island
Oban	an t-Òban	The little bay	City
Oldmeldrum	Meall Druim		City
Orkney	Arcaibh		Region and County
Ormsary	Ormsaraidh		City
Otter Ferry	An Oitir	The sandbar	City
Outer Hebrides	Na h-Eileanan Siar		Islands
Paisley	Pàislig		City
Partick	Pàrtaig, Pearraig		City
Peebles	Na Pùballan	The tents	City
Peeblesshire	Siorrachd nam Pùballan		County
Pentland Firth	An Caol Arcach		Bay
Perth	Peairt		City
Perthshire	Siorrachd Pheairt		County
Peterhead	Ceann Phàdraig, Inbhir Ùigidh		City
Pitlochry	Baile Chloichridh		City
Polmont	Poll-Mhonadh	Mire of the moor	City
Polnessan	Poll an Easain	Pool of the little waterfall	City
Port Askaig	Port Asgaig		City
Port Bannatyne	Port MhicEamailinn		City
Port Charlotte	Port Sgioba	Crew port	City
Port Ellen	Port Ìlein		City
Port Glasgow	Port Ghlaschu		City
Port of Menteith	Port Loch Innis MoCholmaig		City
Portavadie	Port a' Mhadaidh		City
Portlethen	Port Leathain	Wide port	City
Portnahaven	Port na h-Abhainne	Port of the river	City
Portree	Port Rìgh	King port	City
Portsoy	Port Saoidh	Sage port	City
Prestwick	Preastabhaig		City
Raasay	Ratharsair		Island	Also erroneously, Ratharsaigh
Rattray	Raitear		City
Renfrew	Rinn Friù		City
Renfrewshire	Siorrachd Rinn Friù		County
Rhu	An Rubha	The headland	City
Rhubodach	(An) Rubha (a’) Bhodaich	Headland of the old men	City
River Add	Abhainn Àd		River
River Carron, Forth	Abhainn Carrann		River
River Carron, Sutherland	Carrann		River
River Carron, Wester Ross	Carrann		River
River Clyde	Abhainn Chluaidh		River
River Dee, Aberdeenshire	Uisge Dhè	Water of God	River
River Dee, Galloway	(Uisge) D(h)è	(Water of) God	River
River Don	Deathan		River
River Forth	Abhainn Dubh		River
	Uisge For
River Garry, Inverness-shire	(Abhainn) G(h)aradh		River
River Garry, Perthshire	(Abhainn) G(h)ar		River
River North Esk	Easg Thuath		River
River Orchy	(Abhainn) Urchaidh		River
River Spey	Abhainn Spè		River
River Tay	Abhainn Tatha		River
River Teith	Uisge Theamhich	Pleasant water	River
River Tweed	Abhainn Tuaidh		River
River Ury	Uaraidh, Ùraidh		River
Rockall	Rocabarraigh	n/a	n/a	Claimed by the UK, but country ownership disputed
Rosehearty	Ros Abhartaich		City
Rosemarkie	Ros Maircnidh		City
Rosneath	Ros Neimhidh		City
Ross and Cromarty	Ros agus Cromba		County
Ross of Mull	An Ros Mhuileach		City
Ross-shire	Siorrachd Rois		County
Rosyth	Ros Fhìobha/ Saidhe/ Saoithe		City
Rothes	Ràthais		City
Rothesay	Baile Bhòid		City
Rothienorman	Ràth Thormoid		City
Roxburghshire	Siorrachd Rosbruig		County
Rum	Rùm		Island
Rutherglen	An Ruadh Ghleann	The red valley	City
Saddell	Saghadal		City
Salen, Ardnamurchan	An t-Sàilean		City
Salen, Mull	An t-Sàilean		City
Sanda Island	Sandaigh		Island
Sandbank	An Oitir, Taigh a' Chladaich		City
Sanquhar	An t-Seann Chathair	The old fort	City
Scalpay, Inner Hebrides	Sgalpaigh		Island
Scalpay, Outer Hebrides	Sgalpaigh (na Hearadh)		Island
Scarba	Sgarba		Island
Schiehallion	Sìdh Chailleann	Fairy hill of the Caledonians	Mountain
Scone	Sgàin		City
Seil	Saoil		Island
Selkirk	Salcraig		City
Selkirkshire	Siorrachd Shailcirc		County
Shetland	Sealtainn		Region and County	Also known as Zetland
Shuna	Siuna		Island
Skerryvore	Sgeir Mhòr		Island
Skipness	Sgibinis		City
Skye	An t-Eilean Sgitheanach	Uncertain	Island
South Uist	Uibhist a Deas		Island
Southend	Ceann mu Dheas		City
St Andrews	Cill Rìmhinn		City
St Cyrus	Eaglais Chiric		City
St Fergus	Peit Fhearghais		City
St Fillans	Am Port Mòr		City
St Kilda	Hiort		Island	Name used for main island in a group
Staffa	Stafa		Island
Stewarton	Baile nan Stiùbhartach		City
Stirling	Sruighlea		City
Stirlingshire	Siorrachd Shruighlea		County
Stob an Eas	Stob an Eas		Mountain
Stob na Boine Druim-fhinn	Stob na Boine Druim-fhinn		Mountain
Stonehaven	Cala na Creige, Sron na h-Aibhne		City
Stornoway	Steòrnabhagh		City
Strachur	Srath Chura		City
Stranraer	An t-Sròn Reamhar	The fat nose	City
Strathclyde	Srath Chluaidh		Region
Strathdee	Srath Dhè	Wide valley of God	City
Strathdon	Srath Dheathain	Wide valley of the River Don	City
Strathpeffer	Srath Pheofhair		City
Strathlachlan	Srath Lachlainn	Lachlan's wide valley	City
Stronachlachar	Sròn a' Chlachair	Nose of the mason	City
Strone	An t-Sròn	The nose	City
Succoth	An Socach		City
Sutherland	Cataibh		County
Tarbert	An Tairbeart	The isthmus	City
Tarbet	An Tairbeart	The isthmus	City
Tarfside	Bruach Tarbha		City
Tarland	Turlann		City
Tarves	Tarbhais		City
Tayinloan	Taigh an Lòin	House of the wet meadow	City
Taynuilt	Taigh an Uillt	House of the streams	City
Tayside	Taobh Tatha		Region
Tayvallich	Taigh a' Bhealaich	House of the mountain pass	City
Texa	Teacsa		Island
The Black Isle	An t-Eilean Dubh	The black island	Island
The Cobbler	Beinn Artair		Mountain
The Devil's Point	Bod an Deamhain	The devil's penis	Mountain
Thornliebank	Bruach nan Dealgan		City
Thurso	Inbhir Theòrsa		City
Tighnabruaich	Taigh na Bruaich	House of the rim	City
Tillicoultry	Tulach Cultraidh		City
Tiree	Tiriodh		Island
Tobermory	Tobar Mhoire	Mary's well	City
Tom Molach	Tom Molach		Mountain
Tom nan Gamhna	Tom nan Gamhna		Mountain
Tomintoul	Tom an t-Sabhail	Hillock of the barn	City
Tongue	Cinn Tàile, Tunga		City
Torinturk	Tòrr an Tuirc	Mound of the boar	City
Torphins	Tòrr Fionn		City
Toward	Tollard		City
Turriff	Baile Thurra, Torraibh		City
Tyndrum	Taigh an Droma	House of the ridge	City
Uisken	Uisgean		City
Ullapool	Ulapul		City
Ulva	Ulbha		City
Ulva Ferry	Aiseag Ulbha		City
Vatersay	Bhatarsaigh		Island
Water of Aven	An t-Uisge Bàn		River
Weem	Baile a' Chlachain		City
Wemyss Bay	Bàgh nan Uaimhean	Bay of the caves	City
West Highland Line	Rathad Iarainn nan Eilean		Railway
West Highland Way	Slighe na Gàidhealtachd an Iar		Pass
West Lothian	Labhdaidh/ Lodainn an Iar		County	Alternative Name County of Linlithgow or Linlithgowshire
Western Isles	Na h-Eileanan Siar		Region
Whitehouse	An Taigh Bàn	The white house	City
Whithorn	Taigh Mhàrtainn	Martin's house	City
Wick	Inbhir Ùige		City
Wigtownshire	Siorrachd Bhaile na h-Ùige		County

Canada

See main article: Canadian Gaelic. 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.

English	Scottish Gaelic		Place type	Notes
	Name	Meaning
Antigonish	Am Baile Mòr	The great city
Arisaig	Àrasaig
Baddeck	Badaig
Big Beach	An Tràigh Mhòr	The great shore
Big Pond	Am Pòn Mòr
Broad Cove	An Caolas Leathann	The wide channel
Cape Breton Island	Eilean Cheap Breatainn	Island of Cape Britain	Island
Christmas Island	Eilean na Nollaig	Island of Christmas
Glendale	Bràigh na-hAibhneadh
Giant's Lake	Loch an Fhamhair	Lake of the giant	Town
Grand Mira North	A' Mhira Mhòr a Tuath		Town
Grand Mira South	A' Mhira Mhòr a Deas		Town
Grand River	Abhainn Mhòr	Great river
Halifax	Halafacs		City
Inverness	An Sithean
	Baile Inbhir Nis
Iona	Sanndraigh
Judique	Siùdaig
Loch Lomond	Loch Laomainn		Lake
Mabou	An Drochaid	The bridge	Town
	Mabù
Marion Bridge	Drochaid Mhira		Town
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 Scotia	Bràigh na h-Aibhne
St. Ann's	Baile Anna	Anne town
Sydney	Baile Shidni	Sydney town
Whycocomagh	Hogamah

Exonyms

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

Australia

Àstralia
English name	Scottish Gaelic name	Notes
				Armadal
Brisbane	Brisbeinn
Broken Hill	Cnoc Briste
Cairns	Cùirn
Darwin	Dàrain
Gold Coast	Oirthir Òir
Inverell	Inbhir Eala	Derived 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 Nuadh	Same name in Irish
	A' Chuimrigh Nuadh a Deas
	An Ranntair a Tuath
Orange	Orains
Perth	Peairt	Named after Perth, Scotland
	Tìr na Banrigh
	Astràilia a Deas
Sydney	Sidni
	Bhictòria
	Eilean Thasman
	Astràilia a Iar

Canada

English name	Scottish Gaelic name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Bruce County	Siorramachd Bhruis
Calgary	Calgarraidh
Glengary County	Siorramachd Gleanna Garadh
Lewes	An Tuirc
Newfoundland	Eilein a'Tosg, Talamh an Èisg
	An t-Eilean Dearg, Eilean Eòin, Eilean a'Phrionnsa
Stornoway	Steòrnabhagh

France

An Fhraing
English name	Scottish Gaelic name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
	A' Bhreatainn Bheag	Bretagne Breizh Bertaèyn	French Breton Gallo
Paris	Paras	Paris	French

Ireland

Èirinn
English name	Scottish Gaelic name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Dublin	Baile Àth Cliath	Baile Átha Cliath	Irish
Galway	Baile na Gailbhinn	Gaillimh	Irish

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.

Sealainn Nuadh
English name	Scottish Gaelic name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Balclutha	Baile Chluaidh			Means "Town on the Clutha River"
Ben Nevis	Beinn Nibheis			A mountain within Mount Richmond Forest Park
Clutha River	Cluaidh
Clyde	Cluaidh
Dunedin	Dùn Èideann			Named for the Gaelic name for Edinburgh
Glendhu Bay	Gleann Duibh
Glenorchy	Gleann Urchaidh
Huntly	Hunndaidh
Inch Clutha	Inis Chluaidh			Island at the mouth of the Clutha River
Invercargill	Inbhir Chàrgaill			Named for Scottish-born early settler William Cargill
Kinleith	Ceann Lite
Kinloch	Ceannloch
Lagmhor	Lag Mhor			A 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

Spain

An Spàinn
English name	Scottish Gaelic name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Barcelona	Barsalòna	Barcelona	Catalan, Spanish
	Dùthaich nam Basgach	Euskadi País Vasco Pays Basque	Basque, Spanish, French

United Kingdom (excluding Scotland)

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

Rìoghachd Aonaichte
English name	Scottish Gaelic name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
Belfast	Beul Feirste
Berwick-upon-Tweed	Bearaig
Cardiff	Caerdydd	Cardiff Caerdydd	English Welsh
Carlisle	Cathair Luail
Channel Islands	Eileannan a'Chaolais
	A'Chòrn	Cornwall Kernow	English Cornish
Derry	Doire Chaluim Chille
	Sasainn
Gibraltar	Giobraltair
	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
	A' Chuimrigh	Wales Cymru	English Welsh	Derived from Cymru
York	Eabhraig
Yorkshire	Siorramachd Ioirc

United States

Na Stàitean Aonaichte
English name	Scottish Gaelic name	Endonym		Notes
		Name	Language
	Alasca	Alaska	English
	Calafòrnia	California	English, Spanish
	Meagsago Nuadh	New Mexico Nuevo Mexico Yootó Hahoodzo
New York City	Baile Eabhraig Nuadh	New York City	English
	Stàit Eabhraig Nuadh	New York State	English

See also

• Place names in Irish
• English toponymy
• Scottish toponymy
• Welsh toponymy
• Celtic toponymy

Notes and References

1. Web site: Eight Scottish cities.