Local Government (Gaelic Names) (Scotland) Act 1997
1997 CHAPTER 6
An Act to enable local authorities in Scotland to take Gaelic names; and for connected purposes.
[27th February 1997]
Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
1 Power of council to change name into Gaelic and vice-versa.
In section 23 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (change of name of local government area), there shall be inserted, after subsection (1), the following subsections—
“ (1A) Where a council so change the name of their area into Gaelic, they may also, by a resolution passed in accordance with subsection (1) above and notwithstanding sections 2(3) and 3(1)(a) of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994, decide that their name shall be “Comhairle” with the addition of the name of their area.
(1B) A council which have so changed their name into Gaelic may, by a resolution passed in accordance with subsection (1) above, change it back into English. ” .
2 Short title, commencement and extent.
(1) This Act may be cited as the Local Government (Gaelic Names) (Scotland) Act 1997.
(2) This Act shall come into force on the expiry of the period of two months beginning with the day on which it is passed.
(3) This Act extends to Scotland only.