As the national advisory partnership for Gaelic place-names in Scotland AÀA follow a set of guidelines whilst conducting place-name research. These guidelines are designed to ensure that the Gaelic forms of place-names are determined in a coordinated manner to a national standard, thus strengthening their impact on Gaelic development and usage, and minimising the time and uncertainty for those implementing policies involving Gaelic place-names.
It is also intended to give the place-name forms credibility with Gaelic users and non-users alike and to facilitate popular use.
AÀA have three published sets of guidance (below) which have been recognised as the accepted standard by the main users of Gaelic place-names: local authorities, Ordnance Survey and other public bodies.
- National Policy on Bilingualism in Place-names (Bòrd na Gàidhlig)
- GNLC Orthographic Principles 2006
- Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba: Gaelic Street-names guidance (2006)
AÀA are currently reviewing and combining the above guidance into one policy document. See our latest news feed for details.
The current Gaelic Orthographic Conventions (2009) also play an important role in AÀA policies. You can download a copy from the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) website.