Ayrshire Rail Why Only Two Stations Miss Gaelic Names After Twenty Years

ScotRail uses Gaelic translations on station signs. They have done this throughout Scotland for twenty years. Only two Ayrshire stations lack Gaelic names: Saltcoats and Maybole stations.

Patrick Milloy-Cambridge noticed this, as he used to live in Saltcoats. He often travels there from London where he now resides. He wondered about the missing Gaelic translation since he noticed other stations had Gaelic names.

He suggested Saltcoats should be “Baile an T-Salanin,” which translates to “Salt Town” in Gaelic. He thought it important to show the town’s Gaelic roots.

When asked about this situation, a ScotRail spokesperson stated there’s no official Gaelic name. Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba (AÀA) has no listed translation, and ScotRail uses AÀA to verify Gaelic place names.

Many Ayrshire stations already have Gaelic names. Ardrossan Harbour is Caladh Àird Rosain. Ardrossan South Beach is Tràigh a Deas Àird Rosain. Ardrossan Town is Baile Àird Rosain. Auchinleck is Achadh nan Leac.

Ayr is Inbhir Air. Dalry is Dail Fhraoich. Dunlop is Dun Lob. Fairlie is Fairlidh. Girvan is Inbhir Gharbhain. Glengarnock is Gleann Gairneag. Irvine is Irbhinn. Kilmarnock is Cill Mhearnaig.

Kilwinning is Cill D’Fhinnein. Largs is An Leargaidh. New Cumnock is Cumnag Nuadh. Newton on Ayr is Baile Ur na h-Aibhne. Prestwick Town is Baile Phreasrabhaig. Stevenston is Baile Steaphain. Stewarton is Baile nan Stiubhartach. Troon is An Truthail. West Kilbride is Cille Bhridhde an Iar.