Lesson Resources - Gaelic Place Names Activity
Lesson Resources - Gaelic Place Names Activity
Lesson resources for primary schools across Scotland, encouraging pupils of all levels to delve into Gaelic by exploring local Gaelic place names and creating maps that reflect their heritage, landmarks, and the rich history of Gaelic names.
With support from teachers, pupils can create their own map, drawing inspiration from a glossary of useful Gaelic words and the area maps below. These maps feature existing Gaelic place names, such as Loch na Beiste (Loch of the Beast) and Eilean nan Ròn (Island of the Seal), which reflect the local landscape. Pupils can then craft and illustrate their own Gaelic names for natural features, using a similar approach to connect the language with the environment. Their map will be uniquely theirs, showcasing their creativity, teamwork, and understanding of Gaelic language and traditions.
Below, you’ll find a PDF with detailed instructions to guide pupils through each step of the lesson.
Resources:
Below, you'll find a variety of additional resources to support your exploration of Gaelic place names. These include regional maps of Scotland featuring examples of Gaelic place names and their meanings, a glossary of useful terms, an example of a completed map showcasing Gaelic place names alongside illustrations, and an optional sheet for your use when completing the activity.
Activity Completion Sheet
Glossary
Maps:
- Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen, Moray
- Argyll And Bute
- Dumfries And Galloway
- East Lothian, Midlothian, Scottish Borders
- North and South Lanarkshire
- North, South and East Ayrshire
- Orkney, Shetland
- Perth and Kinross, Dundee, Angus, Fife
- Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, West & East Dunbartonshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde
- Stirling, Clackmannanshire
- The Highlands
- The Western Isles
- West Lothian, Falkirk, Edinburgh
