Glèidheadh an Tobhta

’S mise Pàdraig, no Piotr ann an cànan nam Pòlainne. Tha mi air a bhith ri greis-gnìomhachais le Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba fad trì seachdainean mar phàirt den chùrsa agam aig Sabhal Mòr Ostaig.

Rugadh agus thogadh mi sa Phòlainn, agus leis a sin tha mi eòlach air còirichean cànain. Tha mo theaghlach a’ fuireach sa Ghearmailt, ‘s iad a’ bruidhinn Sileasianis san taigh fad an latha, dualchainnt nach tuig mi gu buileach. A’ chiad iomradh air a’ Ghàidhlig a chunnaic mi b’ e panail Grèis-bhrat Mòr na h-Alba anns an robh ainmean nam bailtean mòra an impis a dhol fodha. Bha mo chiad chànan air dol fodha ann an dòigh cheudna ‘s cha robh ùidh agam sa Phòlainnis tuilleadh. Ach an seo bha cànan eile a’ coimhead orm. Thug an dealbh buaidh orm aig ìre gu bheil mi nist a’ sgrìobhadh blog sa Ghàidhlig. Cheannaich mi an leabhar sa bhad cuideachd. Fad bliadhnaichean Dhùn Èideann, deich dhiubh, nuair a bha mi a’ fuireach ann, chunnaic mi iomadach togalach air an glèidheadh, an t-seann bhaile uile gu lèir cha mhòr, air adhbharan turasachd, mar gu canas cuid de dhaoine, ach tha adhbharan eile ann a tha fada nas motha na airgead. Feuchaidh mi nist ri sin a dhearbhadh.

An toiseach tha ceist agam. Smaoinich air teis-meadhan do bhodhaig agus na broinn, tha inneal ann: a’ chridhe. Tha i ag obair gu cruaidh fad an latha is fad na h-oidhche, mu cheud buail gach mionaid. Saoil càit a bheil a nist cridhe na coimhearsnachd agad? Seo an t-àite far a bheil daoine a’ faighinn togail, bualadh mar gum bitheadh gus diofar slighean beatha obrachadh.

B’ àite ris an canaiste A’ Chill Mhòr teis-meadhan beatha iomadach duine san sgìre. Uair dha robh saoghal, bha coitheanal Gàidhlig ann le na ministearan cosal ri Iain Forbais a sgrìobh aon dhe na ciad leabhraichean gràmar Gàidhlig aig an àm “Double Grammar of English and Gaelic” (1843) no “The Place Names of Skye and Adjacent Islands” (1923) le Alasdair Forbais. Tha an leabhar seo na fhuaran fiosrachaidh do ghinealach de sgoilearan chun an latha an-diugh. Agus mar sin b’ e cridhe slàn a bh’ ann… a bh’ ann leis gu bheil i tuiteam às a chèil’ sna làithean seo. Le aon de na ballachan gu bhith ri tuiteam uair sam bith, ma dh’fhaodte an-diugh. Tha an eaglais làn eidhne, is i a’ dèanamh cròn nas motha dha na ballachan gach latha ged tha iad làidir, a ghabhadh ri càrachadh los gum bi a’ chridhe bualadh gu slàn fallain a-rithist, nas socaire bu dòcha aig an aois seo. Nuair sin bhitheadh i na eisimpleir dha na toglaichean ‘s àiteachan eile ceangailte ris an àite brèagha seo, a tha a’ crìonadh gu sàmhach. ‘S e ‘glèidheadh na tobhta’ mo phrìomh phròiseact, a bhith ga fosgladh às ùr dha na coimhearsnaich ‘s na h-oileanaich san àm ri teachd.

Mar phàirt den phròiseact ged-tà, thug mi sùil air cuid de na h-ainmean-àite san sgìre a tha co-cheangailte ris a’ Chill Mhòr gus na ceanglaidhean làidir eadar na sgìre agus na h-eaglais a chomharrachadh. Seo agaibh liosta de na h-ainmean-àite a lorg mi.

Kilmore (church) ~ A’ Chill Mhòr ‘the big church’
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A’ Chill mhór              2019    Robertson: 205

“the name Kilmore in Skye… undoubtedly originated when the lands of Cille were divided into the two portions now known as Kilmore and Kilbeag. Moreover, Kilmore – and this may not be an unimportant point – is not, and never has been, I believe, in that form, the name of a parish or a purely ecclesiastical name.” (Robertson The Northern Chronicle June 7 1899)

KILMORE, KILMOIR, KILNMOIR, KILVORE, A CHILL MHOR. The great or principal cell or church, cella magna, with yard or burying-ground.

This is now the Parish Church, and stands on a site sanctified by successive places of worship or devotion erected since the dawn of the Christian evangelisation of the Western Isles of Scotland; also surmised to be the site of pagan or Druidical sanctuaries or retreats. The first church, was built by an ecclesiastic named Crotach Mac Gille Gorm, the hunch or hump-backed son of the blue lad-servant or servitor; he was chief of the Logans of Druimdeurfait, Ross-shire; a canon of Beauly, he lived in the Lovat country, but travelled to Skye early in the thirteenth century.

This church lasted till early in the seventeenth century, about 1631 it is said, and gave place to a third, the present, in 1876.

As said, the first church existed up to the seventeenth century, when a clan battle was fought in a neighbouring field between the MacIntyres (then in possession of this corner of Sleat, though Macdonald territory) and a foraging band of Macleods. The Macleods won the battle, whereupon the MacIntyres took refuge in the church; the Macleods ruthlessly set fire to the roof, which was only thatched with heather, destroying church, MacIntyres, and all.

The more recent church, the second above referred to, though said to have been built about 1631, was not completed till 1691, though began earlier and not proceeded with, owing to the troublous times, etc. According to Iain Lom, the noted Lochaber bard, this church was eventually erected by Sir Donald Macdonald of Sleat and the Isles, who died in 1659 or 1691 Iain Lom says:

“ Gu Eaglais Shleibhte nan stuadh,
Chosg thu fein ri ‘cur suas,
Ged nach d’fhuirich thu buan ri ‘sgliatadh.”

To the Church of Sleat-of-the-waves,
Its cost you defrayed to build,
Though you didn’t wait (survive) to slate it.

This church lasted thus for nearly two hundred years; it is now in ruins (see sketch).

What is reputed to be a very old cup or font, crogan a bhaistidh, the little dish of baptising, was found or discovered by a minister of the parish, the Rev. John Forbes, among a heap of rubbish beneath the old pulpit at the south or south-east wall of the church; it was duly cleaned and mounted on a brass bracket for use again in baptisms, and, it is believed, is still in use. It is of grey marble, and measures six or seven inches in diameter by nearly three or four in depth, circular, with a triangular projection on two opposite sides for fixing in position somewhere probably. The marble is similar to the Strath marble. It may have been used by Roman Catholics in Pre-Reformation times. … (Forbes 1923: 379-81)

The Parish Church of Sleat is called Kilmore, and many have asserted that this is a dedication to the Virgin Mary. We have neither written record nor local tradition as to whom it was dedicated; but the name gives no countenance to the assertion that is was to the Blesses Virgin.  The Gaelic term is always A’ Chill Mhor (the great church)-not Chille-Mhuire (Mary’s Church). If there could be any possible doubt on this point, the name of what had been a church or chapel, and which is still preserved in the name of a small farm in the immediate neighbourhood, should remove it. This is Kilbeg (“A’ Chill-Bheag”-the little church). (MacKenzie 1899: 41)

Kilbeg ~ A’ Chill Bheag  (the little church)
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Kilbeg a’ Chill bheag (Robetson 2019: 205)

KILBEG, CILL BHEAG, A CHILL BHIG. The little church, cella parva, so called as, when existing, it was minor or secondary to Kilmore, “’Chill Mhor,” q.v., about a quarter of a mile between. (Forbes 1923: 379)

A’ Chill Bheag (the little church) a kettle full of gold coins is supposed to be here [local informant]. The chapel was possibly sited on a mound in the woods directly across from the school.  (Coinneach MacManus c1990s)

Cnoc Mòr na Cille Bige ‘big hill of (a place called) A’ Chill Bheag’
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Cnoc Mòr na Cille Bige (the big hill of the small chapel) (Coinneach MacManus c1990s)

Rubha Chill Bhig ‘Kilbeg point’
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Rubha Chill-bhig         1882    OS 1st Ed. 6-inch
Rudha Chill Bhig        1923    Forbes: 395

Nota: b’ fheuch e iomradh nach eil an t-alt a’ nochdadh san ainm seo.

Cnoc na Croich(e) ‘gallows knoll’
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Cnoc na Croich           2019    Robertson: 205

CNOC NA CROICH, CROICHE. Gallows knoll; but said to mean “cross” here, being in the aforesaid ecclesiastical district, between Bealach-an-t-Sliachd and the sea. At Kilmore or Ferindonald. Croich cognate with Latin crux, a cross. See “Lag-na-Croisean,” not far distant; this knoll was the Calvary to which the symbol was brought or carried. (Forbes 1923: 363)

Again, between this “bealach,” or pass, and the sea there is a prominent eminence called “Cnoc-na-Croich” (the hill of the cross, or of the gallows). “Croich” is the word in the modern language for “gallow,” but in the old language it meant “cros,” and was doubtless equivalent to the Latin “crux,” “crucis”-a cross. We know that the cross was a common instrument of capital punishmenty among the ancients, and that the death of the cross was considered the most dishonourable that could be meted to the lowest criminal. Hence the Gaelic term “croich” for English “gallows.” In the place-name under notice it probably meant the mediæval cross as a Christian symbol. (MacKenzie 1899: 43-4)

Dùnan nan Ceann (the small fort of the heads) Bha na cinn a’ tighinn bho Cnoc na Croiche, bha iad a’ cnochadh dhaoine ann an shud. (Coinneach MacManus c1990s)

Bealach an t-Sleuchd ~ Bealach an t-Sliachd ‘the path of the kneeling’
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Bealach an t-Sliachd   2019    Robertson: 205

BEALACH AN T-SLEUCHD, SLIACHD. The pass of kneeling, genuflexion, bowing reverently. Here the first glimpse of the parish church was, and is, to be seen on worshippers’ way from north thereof. This pass is at the junction of Ferindonald with Kilmore. (Forbes 1923: 351)

Now, as to “Bealach an t-Sliachd,” i.e., the Pass of Kneelong or of Prostration. “It was the constant practice of the natives to kneel at the first sight of the church, says Martin, “though at a great distance from them, and then they said their ‘pater noster.’”

Bealach an t-Sleuchd (the pass of the kneeling) They would go down on their knees when they came in sight of the church (Coinneach MacManus c1990s)
            The term “sleachtaim” occurs frequently in the Irish “Lives of the Saints,” and means “I kneel,” or “I prostrate.” … (MacKenzie 1899: 45)

Abhainn a’ Chladh ~ ‘the burn of the graveyard’
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Abhainn a’ Chladh (the burn of the graveyard)         (Coinneach MacManus c1990s)

Manse ~ Mansa a’ Chnuic ‘the old manse’
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Mansa a’ Chnuic (the manse of the hill)        (Coinneach MacManus c1990s)

The “Personage” or manse now in existence, was erected about 1815, at the same time as Armadale Castle was built, and was designed in a somewhat castellated form externally, being battlemented, with a handsome and conspicuous circular tower; locally, it is known as “An Tigh Bhàn,” the white house. (Forbes 1923: 381)

Dùn ?Faich(e) ‘hillock of the ?meadow/cleft’
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Dun Faich, (Site of)    1882    OS 1st Ed. 6-inch
Dun Fàichd                 2019    Robertson (205)

DUN FAICH, PHAICH, FAICHE. The fort of the plain, meadow, or green field; if faiche, the fort of the cleft, hole, or retreat, now called “Dunpark”; the first meaning quite applicable. This dun or fort, now unrecognisable, stood on a mass of rock on the coast at Ferindonald; below is a landing-place known as “Laimhrig Dhuin Faich,” and the rocks thereabouts are much favoured by fishers. From its position and prominence, this fort formed one of the chain of such along the coast, on which alarm beacons were lit. See “Dun Phaick.” (Forbes 1923: 369-70)

Dun Phaick, Phadruig. Patrick’s hillock or dwelling of some monk of that name; but see “Dun Faich.” (Forbes 1923: 370)

Dùn Phàdraig  (Padricks’ Fort)  Tha … a’ cumail a-mach gur e Dùn Phàdraig a th’ ann chan e Dùn Fhairc. (Coinneach MacManus c1990s)

Dùn Fhàirce (lookout fort)  Dùn Phàdraig (Padricks’ Fort) (Coinneach MacManus c1990s)

Nota: Tha coltas ann gun do dh’atharraiche tuigse an ainm aig muinntir na sgìre gu Dùn Phàdraig uaireigin.

Creag an t-Sagairt ~ ‘the rock of the priest’
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Creag an t-Sagairt, eminence between above and church (Robertson 2019: 205)

CREAG AN T-SAGAIRT. The priest’s rock. Between Lag-na-Croisean and parish church. (Forbes 1923: 365)

An Eminence between “Lag-nan-Croisean” and the church is caled “Creag-an-t-Sagairt” (the Priest’s Rock). (MacKenzie 1899: 43)

Lag nan Croisean ~ ‘the hollow of the crosses’
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Lag nan Croisean       2019    Robertson: 205

LAG-NAN-CROISEAN. Hollow of the crosses. This is a field on the glebe, on right hand side of approach from the public road; this field or locality was the via crucis in connection with religious “processions” to and from Creag-an-t-Sagairt, the priest’s rock, q.v.; no crosses known to have been there within the memory of man, but, when existing, supposed to have marked the boundaries of a sanctuary or tearmann. See “Bu ’Chlerich; tearmann, from Latin terminus. All the district hereabout is stamped with names indicating the holy or devout uses to which it was at one time put. (Forbes 1923:383) 

The field at the side of the approach road to the Manse is locally known as “Lag-nan-Croisean” (the Valley or Hollow of the Crosses). (MacKenzie 1899: 43)

Lag nan Croisean (the hollow of the crosses) (Coinneach MacManus c1990s)

Bu a’ Chlèirich ~ ‘the minister’s home-field’
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Bu-a’ chleirich … Norse boe-r a farm, and enclosure (Robertson 2019: 205)

BUTH, BU, OR BOGH’ CHLERICH. The minister’s field, home-field. This is the name of a field on the left of the approach to the Manse of Sleat, which was built on land of old; devoted to the use of the cleric for the time, the glebe; bu or bo is a contraction of the Norse word boe-r, meaning a household, a farm, or piece of enclosed ground; also by extension the domestic animals; the word bogha, a hollow or flat piece of land, generally damp, answers. In Kilmuir the term am bugha holds, e.g., Bugha Stotharlain. See “Tobar a Chleir.” (Forbes 1923: 355) 

Beside it is “Bu-a’-Chléirich” (the enclosure or park of the cleric).  “Bu,” or “Bö,” is the ordinary contraction in place-names of the old Norse word “Boe-r,” meaning a farm or piece of enclosed ground.  This word shows that a cleric occupied the enclosure in question before the Norsemen gave it its present name. (MacKenzie 1899: 43)

Sgeir Chaluim Chille ~ ‘St Columba’s rock’
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Sgeir Chaluim – Chille. Colum-cill’s rock, or the rock of St. Columba, who landed here on a mission to Sleat. Below where the parish church is now, and which has all along been a place of worship. (Forbes 1923: 397)

Sgeir Chaluim Cille (Columba’s skerry) Somewhere down below Kilmore graveyard – no-one could place it exactly. (Coinneach MacManus c1990s)

Tùsan

King, J. (2019) Scottish Gaelic Place-names: The Collected Works of Charles M. Robertson, Clò Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba

Forbes, A. R. (1923) Place-names of Skye and Adjacent Islands, Paisley: Alexander Gardner Ltd

MacKenzie, W. (1899) The Old Ecclesiastical Remains, ‘No. IX: Kilmore, in Sleat’ in Highland News, 6th May 1899

McaManus, C. (c1990s) Local fieldwork material. Comunn Eachdraidh Shlèite.