Concise Accountancy

Accountants and Registered Auditors

Company names and incorporation

Alba, Na h-Alba and Albannach are sensitive words

Alba, Na h-Alba and Albannach are sensitive words and use of one of the words in your company names imply pre-eminence status. For this reason, you are required to obtain permission from the Scottish Government before you can use one of the words your company or business name. Especially, if your proposed company name or business name is likely to imply a connection with the Scottish Government.

The Scottish Government’s contact information

AddressGeneral Enquiries
Scottish Government
St. Andrew’s House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG
Emailenterprisesponsorship@gov.scot
Source: GOV.UK

You must include the following information in your limited company incorporation application to Companies House.

  • A letter or email of non-objection from the Scottish Government for the use of Alba, Na h-Alba and Albannach in your company or business name.
  • Your company’s registered office must be in Scotland and you must confirm this in your application.

Does not imply a connection with the Scottish Government

Use of the above word in your company name will depend on how it is presented.

1) Use of Alba or Na h-Alba or Albannach at the beginning of your company name

Broadly, if you wish to use the word at the beginning of your company name, you would need to show that your company is pre-eminent in its field.

For this reason, you are required to provide an official permission document from an independent source. For examples, the Scottish Executive, a Government department, trade association or other representative body.

2) Use of Alba or Na h-Alba or Albannach elsewhere in your company name

However, if the word is used elsewhere in the name and qualified by words that do not describe an activity or product, for example by using a made-up word, then evidence of pre-eminence is not necessarily essential.

Correspondingly, you would be expected to show that your company is substantial in relation to its activity or product and that it is eminent in its own field.

3) Alba or Na h-Alba or Albannach is your surname

If you want to use the word because it is a surname, you will usually be given approval if your company name includes forenames or initials.

You must choose a company’s registered office in Scotland.

How to register a company?

Concise Accountants provide company formation services. Our accountants will handle the incorporation of your limited company from start to finish. We will also advise you whether your supporting evidence is sufficient to support the use of Alba or Na h-Alba or Albannach in your company name.

Universally, your company’s registered office must be a real address. Companies House would not accept P O Box numbers as your registered office address.

Maintain your limited company

After your company has been successfully incorporated. There are a few documents you must prepare and submit with the UK Authorities every year.

Firstly, at every anniversary of your company, you are required to prepare and submit your confirmation statement with Companies House. The confirmation statement is a snapshot of information about your company shares structure, directors on board and shareholders and registered office.

On the same note, you must also inform Companies House if your company details changed. For example, you appoint a new director or your registered office address has changed.

Additionally, you must submit your company accounts to Companies House and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). For HMRC, you must include your corporation tax return together with your company accounts. Concise Accountants offers fixed fee accounts packages to limited companies to take care of your company accounts and corporation tax return. The packages are suitable for startup businesses and small companies. Feel free to contact our accountants to discuss.

Other sensitive or reserved words

Click here for other sensitive or reserved words that require you to obtain a consent to use in your company or business name in the United Kingdom.

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