Genitive Form: Abhainn Foirthe

Language Notes

Element Meaning

Sources

Wisge For: 1699 Lhuyd 71v
Forchu, pnf. Abhainn Fhorchu: MacFarlane’s School Dictionary [this is an antiquarian form]
Foirthe: Watson 1926, 48 [not given as a modern form]

It is an extremely curious fact that the name is absolutely unknown in modern Gaelic: Watson 1926, 53
Forth, which we have seen to be Foirthe (fem.) in Gaelic: Watson 1926, 60

…the river of Burndow or Blackwater 1724 Description of Six Parishes in Perthshire, Macfarlane Geogographical Collection Vol. 1 p. 343
An Abhainn Dubh: The Forth between Loch Ard and the Duchray Water: Newton
Abhainn dubh: Dwelly

“I am told by a friend that in his boyhood he used to hear old people speak of the Forth as the Friù, but it seems doubtful if they did not use the name of the Ford for the river itself. The fords of Friù [i.e. The Fords of Frew] would be well known” Oban Times 30.4.10

Additional Information

It is also of note that Duchray Water contains the element ‘black’ and that the glen it runs through is ‘Gleann Dubh’. This was once considered the start of the River Forth.

Firth of the Forth ~ Linne Foirthe

Alternative Forms