In order to celebrate his 750th birthday, this piece is a very brief survey of names referencing Robert the Bruce. There are many names of ... Continue Reading about Robert the Bruce in Place-names
Shettleston ~ Baile Nighean Sheadna
First published in the Scotsman on 25 March 2017This district of Glasgow is on record in 1170 as villa filie Sadin and in 1173 as villa ... Continue Reading about Shettleston ~ Baile Nighean Sheadna
Kirkcudbright ~ Cille Chuithbeirt
First published in the Scotsman on 26 November 2016Kirkcudbright (Kyrkecuthbert 1200-06) is a name of Gaelic origin, although the first part ... Continue Reading about Kirkcudbright ~ Cille Chuithbeirt
Gleneagles ~ Gleann Eagais
First published in the Scotsman on 3 December 2016The name Gleneagles (Glennegas in 1482) has been subject to several interpretations - in ... Continue Reading about Gleneagles ~ Gleann Eagais
Dingwall ~ Inbhir Pheofharain
First published in the Scotsman on 15 October 2016In 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 2017Island I Vow (Elanvow in the fourteenth century) is situated at the northern end of Loch ... Continue Reading about Island I Vow ~ Eilean a’ Bhùtha
Tay ~ Tatha
First published in the Scotsman on 12 November 2016The word ‘ancient’ is often used inappropriately in relation to the Gaelic language, but ... Continue Reading about Tay ~ Tatha
Conon Bridge ~ Drochaid Sguideil
First published in the Scotsman on 31 December 2016Conon Bridge relates of course to the bridge, built between 1807 and 1809, over the River ... Continue Reading about Conon Bridge ~ Drochaid Sguideil
River Forth ~ Abhainn Foirthe
First published in the Scotsman on 8 October 2016This 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 2016On 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 2016The name of this well-known suburb, Partick (perteyk in 1136), is of British, that is ... Continue Reading about Partick ~ Partaig/Pearraig
Weem ~ Uaimh / Baile a’ Chlachain
First published in the Scotsman on 10 September 2016The name of the Parish of Weem (Doilweme in the fourteenth century ‘Dull of Weem’) is ... Continue Reading about Weem ~ Uaimh / Baile a’ Chlachain
Croftangry ~ Croit an Rìgh
First published in the Scotsman on 24 September 2016In Edinburgh, there is a small area adjacent to Holyrood Palace referred to on street ... Continue Reading about Croftangry ~ Croit an Rìgh
Peterhead ~ Ceann Phàdraig
Originally published in the Scotsman on 3 September 2016The 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 2016This name was at some point in the past Beinn Eadar Dà Loch ‘the mountain between two ... Continue Reading about Benderloch ~ Meadarloch
Aviemore ~ An Aghaidh Mhòr
Originally published in the Scotsman on 20 August 2016Today the Gaelic form of the popular holiday destination Aviemore is An Aghaidh Mhòr ... 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 2016Loch Katrine (Loch Ketterin in c. 1591) is literally of ‘obscure’ origin. The name in ... Continue Reading about Loch Katrine ~ Loch Ceiteirein
Killiecrankie ~ Coille Chnagaidh or Coille Chreathnaich
Originally published in the Scotsman on 30 July 2016The Battle of Killiecrankie took place on the 27th of July 1689. The name of this place ... Continue Reading about Killiecrankie ~ Coille Chnagaidh or Coille Chreathnaich
The Cairnwell ~ An Càrn Bhalg
Originally published in the Scotsman on 6 August 2016The Cairnwell (Carnavalage, mid 17th Century) is a prominent mountain in the ... Continue Reading about The Cairnwell ~ An Càrn Bhalg
