When talking about different places, we need to remember that the place–name will change when used in the different cases. With names (proper nouns), if there is no article in the name, the name will be lenited in the genitive (possessive) case. But if the name uses the article, the name follows the rules for the gender of the name in each case.
NOMINATIVE (NOMINAL) | DATIVE (PREPOSITIONAL) | POSSESSIVE (GENITIVE) |
A’ Bhruaich | anns a’ Bhruaich | port na Bruaiche |
An Eaglais Bhreac | anns an Eaglais Bhric | baile na h–Eaglaise Brice |
An t–Sròn Reamhar | anns an t–Sròin Reamhair | port na Sròine Reamhaire |
Baile Dhùn Lèibhe | ann am Baile Dhùn Lèibhe | stèisean Bhaile Dhùn Lèibhe |
Baile na h–Eaglaise | ann am Baile na h–Eaglaise | sgoil Bhaile na h–Eaglaise |
Ceann Phàdraig | ann an Ceann Phàdraig | costa Chinn Phàdraig |
Cill Rìmhinn | ann an Cill Rìmhinn | Oilthigh Chill Rìmhinn |
Dùn Èideann | ann an Dùn Èideann | meadhan Dhùn Èideann |
Dùn Phris | ann an Dùn Phris | baile Dhùn Phrìs |
Glaschu | ann an Glaschu | baile Ghlaschu |
Grianaig | ann an Grianaig | muinntir Ghrianaig |
Peairt | ann am Peairt | meadhan Pheairt |
Sruighlea | ann an Sruighlea | stèisean Shruighlea |
Look out for examples of these names on the road signs and railway stations and other places when you are out and about in Scotland.
Tha an caisteal ann am meadhan Shruighlea.
The castle is in the centre of Stirling.
Tha dà each mhòr mheatailt ri taobh na h–Eaglaise Brice.
There are two metal horses beside Falkirk.
B’ àbhaist aiseag a dh’Èirinn a bhith a’ fàgail às an t–Sròin Reamhair.
The ferry to Ireland used to leave from Stranraer.
Tha Oilthigh Chill Rìmhinn ainmeil air feadh an t–saoghail.
St Andrews University is famous throughout the world.
Tha eaglais mhòr ann am Baile na h–Eaglaise.
There is a big church in Kirkwall.