Local Government (Gaelic Names) (Scotland) Act 1997
The Local Government (Gaelic Names) (Scotland) Act 1997 enables local councils in Scotland to rename the areas for which they are responsible with Gaelic names. It enables them also to revert to names in English. The act was passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom.
| Act of Parliament | |
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| Long title | An Act to enable local authorities in Scotland to take Gaelic names; and for connected purposes. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 1997 c.6 |
| Introduced by | Tommy Graham (Private member's bill) |
| Territorial extent | Scotland |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 27 February 1997 |
| Commencement | 27 April 1997 |
Status: Current legislation | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Text of the Local Government (Gaelic Names) (Scotland) Act 1997 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk. | |
The act added subsections 1A and 1B under section 23 (change of name of local government area) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. The Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 states that the name of a council (in Gaelic) shall be "Comhairle" with the addition of the name of their area.
The only council to date (2020) that has taken up the new right is Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (formerly Western Isles Council), meaning that the former Western Isles are now officially named Na h-Eileanan Siar, even in English-language contexts.