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
Bannockburn ~ Allt a’ Bhonnaich
Originally published in the Scotsman on 25 June 2016 This name has a complicated history. The name of the current settlement takes its ... Continue Reading about Bannockburn ~ Allt a’ Bhonnaich
River Ugie ~ Uige
Originally published in the Scotsman on 18 June 2016 This river, which flows through Buchan and enters the sea near Peterhead, rises as ... Continue Reading about River Ugie ~ Uige
Penrith ~ Pìorait
Originally published in the Scotsman on 11 June 2016 It is not only places in Scotland that have Gaelic names. The town of Penrith in ... Continue Reading about Penrith ~ Pìorait
Saint Kilda ~ Hiort
Originally published in the Scotsman on 4 June 2016 The English name of this remote island sounds as if it is named after a holy ... Continue Reading about Saint Kilda ~ Hiort
Maggieknockater ~ Magh an Fhùcadair
Originally published in the Scotsman on 28 May 2016 This odd-looking Banffshire name has given rise to a number of fanciful derivations, ... Continue Reading about Maggieknockater ~ Magh an Fhùcadair
Culloden ~ Cùil Lodair
Originally published in the Scotsman on 16 April 2016 For obvious reasons Culloden (Cullodyn in 1238) was a very well-known name in ... Continue Reading about Culloden ~ Cùil Lodair
Tyndrum ~ Taigh an Droma
Originally published in the Scotsman on 14 May 2016 There are two places with this name. The better-known one is in Gaelic Taigh an Droma ... Continue Reading about Tyndrum ~ Taigh an Droma
Càrn Eighe ~ Càrn Èite
Originally published in the Scotsman on 7 May 2016 Càrn Eighe (as it appears on modern maps) is a mountain in Strathglass to the west of ... Continue Reading about Càrn Eighe ~ Càrn Èite
Birnam ~ Braonan
Originally published in the Scotsman on 30 April 2016 Birnam (Brannan in 1345) most likely reflects braonan, ‘little wet place’. The same ... Continue Reading about Birnam ~ Braonan