Scottish Gaelic translators and interpreters for councils, health boards, schools, broadcasters, publishers and families anywhere in the UK, with face-to-face, telephone and video interpreting, certified translation between Gaelic and English, and bookings taken 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- 8,000+ linguists
- 350+ languages
- Bookings 24/7, every day of the year
- Free quotes
Gaelic interpreting services
Gaelic interpreting is mostly for occasions rather than emergencies: a public consultation, a council or board meeting, a conference strand, a church service, a family event. Island Gaelic from Lewis, Harris, Uist, Barra or Skye each has its own sound, and speakers from Islay or Argyll differ again, but all of them follow a trained interpreter without trouble. What matters more is the format. Consecutive works for a small meeting; a hall of listeners needs simultaneous interpreting with equipment, which we plan with you in advance. Tell us too whether the Gaelic speakers grew up with the language or learned it later, so the interpreter can pitch the vocabulary to the room.
Face-to-face interpreting
The interpreter comes to you: a hospital ward, a courtroom, a council office, a home visit or a business meeting. It is the best choice when people need to read expressions as well as words, or when the conversation is long or sensitive.
Telephone interpreting
The quickest option to set up. It works well for short calls, triage, appointment reminders and quick checks with a client.
Video interpreting
A Gaelic interpreter joins by video for remote hearings, consultations and meetings, which helps when there is no interpreter near you.
We also provide medical interpreting and conference interpreting.
Certified Gaelic translation
Written Gaelic work covers annual reports, policies and web pages for public bodies, school letters and curriculum materials, signage and exhibition text, and older family papers such as letters and song collections. Every translator we use works into their native language, so Gaelic into English is done by a native English speaker and English into Gaelic by a fluent native or near-native Gaelic writer.
Place names follow the forms agreed nationally by Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba, and personal names keep the spelling the person uses. Where a document must be certified for a UK authority, we add our certification to the English version.
- Certified translation of birth, marriage and death certificates, passports, driving licences, degree certificates and bank statements, for the Home Office, courts, universities and employers.
- Legal translation: witness statements, court bundles, contracts and immigration papers.
- Document translation of medical reports, letters, leaflets and patient information.
- Urgent translation when a deadline is close.
- Transcription of Gaelic audio and video recordings, with an English translation if you need one.
English to Gaelic translation
New Gaelic text should follow the Gaelic Orthographic Conventions, which use only the grave accent (à, è, ì, ò, ù), not the older acute accents found in pre-1980s books. On a bilingual sign or leaflet, fix the layout only once the Gaelic text is final, so that neither language ends up squeezed. For readers who learned the language at school rather than at home, plain modern prose works better than the high style of older religious and literary writing.
Gaelic court and police interpreters
Gaelic in legal settings is uncommon, because nearly every speaker can give evidence in English. Where a witness, a party or a court chooses to use Gaelic, or a public body needs its legal notices and contracts in both languages, we look for Gaelic interpreters and translators with legal experience and, where interpreters holding them exist for Gaelic, the Diploma in Public Service Interpreting (Law) or registration with the National Register of Public Service Interpreters (NRPSI). Speak to the court clerk early if you want Gaelic used at a hearing.
How to book a Gaelic interpreter
- Tell us about the assignment: the date, time and address, or that you need telephone or video; how long it should last; and what it is for, such as a hospital appointment, a hearing or a business meeting.
- Tell us about the speaker: their country or region and, if you know it, their dialect. Mention any preference for a male or female interpreter.
- Get your quote. We email you a quote, with no obligation to book.
Call 0800 2425 125, email info@uklinguisticservices.co.uk or request a quote online.
About the Scottish Gaelic language
Scottish Gaelic is a Celtic language of the Goidelic branch, close to Irish and Manx. It is spoken mainly in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, especially the Outer Hebrides. Scottish Gaelic is an official language of Scotland under the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005.
Scottish Gaelic is written in the Latin alphabet.
Before you book: Gaelic speakers are almost all fluent in English, so most Gaelic work is translation: bilingual signs, public-body documents under Gaelic language plans, and teaching materials.
| Name in Scottish Gaelic | Gàidhlig |
|---|---|
| Language family | Celtic language of the Goidelic branch, close to Irish and Manx |
| Where it is spoken | The Highlands and Islands of Scotland, especially the Outer Hebrides |
| Writing system | Latin alphabet |
| Language code | gd |
Related languages
Gaelic interpreters near you
We send Gaelic interpreters to appointments across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and telephone and video interpreting work wherever you are. Choose a town for its local page.
Gaelic interpreter and translator FAQs
How quickly can I book a Gaelic interpreter?
We take bookings 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Telephone and video interpreting are usually the quickest to arrange. For a face-to-face appointment, give us as much notice as you can: same-day cover is often possible, but it depends on where you are and how many Gaelic interpreters work nearby.
How much does a Gaelic interpreter cost?
The price depends on the type of interpreting (face-to-face, telephone or video), how long the appointment lasts, where it is and how much notice you give. We quote before anything is booked, and quotes are free: call 0800 2425 125 or use our online quote form.
Can you certify Gaelic translations for a UK visa or immigration application?
Yes. We translate and certify documents such as birth and marriage certificates, passports and police certificates for visa, settlement and citizenship applications. UK Visas and Immigration asks for each translation to confirm that it is accurate and to show the date and the translator's full name, signature and contact details, so tell us when you order that the document is for an immigration application.
Do you provide Gaelic interpreters for courts, tribunals and police interviews?
Yes. Tell us the setting when you book, for example a Crown Court trial, an immigration tribunal hearing or a police interview under caution, so we can match a Gaelic interpreter with the right legal experience and qualifications.
