First published in the Scotsman on 15 October 2016 In certain cases, the Gaelic and English names for a particular place are completely ... Continue Reading about Dingwall ~ Inbhir Pheofharain
Island I Vow ~ Eilean a’ Bhùtha
First published in the Scotsman on 14 January 2017 Island I Vow (Elanvow in the fourteenth century) is situated at the northern end of ... Continue Reading about Island I Vow ~ Eilean a’ Bhùtha
Tay ~ Tatha
First published in the Scotsman on 12 November 2016 The word ‘ancient’ is often used inappropriately in relation to the Gaelic language, ... Continue Reading about Tay ~ Tatha
Conon Bridge ~ Drochaid Sguideil
First published in the Scotsman on 31 December 2016 Conon Bridge relates of course to the bridge, built between 1807 and 1809, over the ... Continue Reading about Conon Bridge ~ Drochaid Sguideil
River Forth ~ Abhainn Foirthe
First published in the Scotsman on 8 October 2016 This river has had a number of names over the years. It was recorded in antiquity as ... Continue Reading about River Forth ~ Abhainn Foirthe
Largs ~ An Leargaidh Ghallta
First published in the Scotsman on 1 October 2016 On the 2nd of October 1263 the Battle of Largs ~ Blàr na Leargaidh took place in North ... Continue Reading about Largs ~ An Leargaidh Ghallta
Partick ~ Partaig/Pearraig
First published in the Scotsman on 17 September 2016 The name of this well-known suburb, Partick (perteyk in 1136), is of British, that ... Continue Reading about Partick ~ Partaig/Pearraig
Weem ~ Uaimh / Baile a’ Chlachain
First published in the Scotsman on 10 September 2016 The name of the Parish of Weem (Doilweme in the fourteenth century ‘Dull of Weem’) ... Continue Reading about Weem ~ Uaimh / Baile a’ Chlachain
Croftangry ~ Croit an Rìgh
First published in the Scotsman on 24 September 2016 In Edinburgh, there is a small area adjacent to Holyrood Palace referred to on ... Continue Reading about Croftangry ~ Croit an Rìgh
Peterhead ~ Ceann Phàdraig
Originally published in the Scotsman on 3 September 2016 The settlement now known as Peterhead was earlier known as ‘Inverugie of Peter’ ... Continue Reading about Peterhead ~ Ceann Phàdraig
Benderloch ~ Meadarloch
Originally published in the Scotsman on 27 August 2016 This name was at some point in the past Beinn Eadar Dà Loch ‘the mountain between ... Continue Reading about Benderloch ~ Meadarloch
Aviemore ~ An Aghaidh Mhòr
Originally published in the Scotsman on 20 August 2016 Today the Gaelic form of the popular holiday destination Aviemore is An Aghaidh ... Continue Reading about Aviemore ~ An Aghaidh Mhòr
Glasgow’s Gaelic Underground
The construction of bilingual Gaelic signage for Glasgow’s underground stations have been discussed on and off for years, but to date there ... Continue Reading about Glasgow’s Gaelic Underground
Loch Katrine ~ Loch Ceiteirein
Originally published in the Scotsman on 13 August 2016 Loch Katrine (Loch Ketterin in c. 1591) is literally of ‘obscure’ origin. The name ... Continue Reading about Loch Katrine ~ Loch Ceiteirein
Killiecrankie ~ Coille Chnagaidh or Coille Chreathnaich
Originally published in the Scotsman on 30 July 2016 The Battle of Killiecrankie took place on the 27th of July 1689. The name of this ... Continue Reading about Killiecrankie ~ Coille Chnagaidh or Coille Chreathnaich
The Cairnwell ~ An Càrn Bhalg
Originally published in the Scotsman on 6 August 2016 The Cairnwell (Carnavalage, mid 17th Century) is a prominent mountain in the ... Continue Reading about The Cairnwell ~ An Càrn Bhalg
Falkirk ~ An Eaglais Bhreac
Originally published in the Scotsman on 20 July 2016 This name is of British origin, recorded as egglesbreth in c. 1120. It likely ... Continue Reading about Falkirk ~ An Eaglais Bhreac
Altimarlach ~ Allt nam Mèirleach
Originally published in the Scotsman on 16 July 2016 Altimarlach Farm is a place in Caithness situated by a small watercourse now called ... Continue Reading about Altimarlach ~ Allt nam Mèirleach
Iona ~ Eilean Ì
Originally published in the Scotsman on 9 July 2016 Our earliest recorded mention of Iona comes from the Latin Vita Columbae, a book ... Continue Reading about Iona ~ Eilean Ì
Dumbarton Rock ~ Ail Chluaidh / Creag Chluaidh
Originally published in the Scotsman on 2 July 2016 This rock was an important strategic site in late antiquity and it is perhaps no ... Continue Reading about Dumbarton Rock ~ Ail Chluaidh / Creag Chluaidh