English / Map Form: Bowmore
Gaelic Form: Bogh Mòr
Location: Islay, Inner Hebrides
Post Town: ISLE OF ISLAY
County: Argyll & Bute
Local Authority: Argyll & Bute
English / Map Form: Bowmore
Gaelic Form: Bogh Mòr
Language Notes
Perhaps G nom. sg. bogh, ‘bow, bend’ + G nom. sg. masc. adj. mòr, ‘big’ = ‘the big bend’Element Meaning
G bogh ~ bow, bend; mòr ~ big, large
Sources
| Bowmore | 1801 Langland’s map of Argyleshire |
| Bowmore | 1849-1855 Hydrographic Office: Islay, Jura, Colonsay etc. |
| Am Bogha Mór | Dwelly |
| Bogh’ Mór | Robertson |
| Bogha-Mór [no article] | 1939 Cascheum nam Bard, 25 |
Additional Information
“N124 The planned village of Bowmore was founded in 1768 by Daniel Campbell of Shawfield, then laird of Islay (RCAHMS 1984:284-287). There is no record of settlement at ‘Bowmore’ before this point.” Macniven, A. 2006, p. 104
The lack of an article suggests this may be a name of Norse origin.