Glen Bernera

Gleann Bheàrnaraigh

Meaning

glen of Bjorn’s island

Lowland Feature

Location

Inverness-shire

Highland

NG805212

English / Map Form: Glen Bernera

Gaelic Form: Gleann Bheàrnaraigh

Location: Lochalsh, Highland

Post Town: KYLE

County: Inverness-shire

Local Authority: Highland

Nearest Main Roads: A87

English / Map Form: Glen Bernera

Gaelic Form: Gleann Bheàrnaraigh

Language Notes

G nom. sg. gleann, masc. ‘glen’ + en gen. sg. Beàrnaraigh (from ON Bjarnarø: Bjarnar, gen. sg. of Bjø, personal name + ø, fem. ‘island’) = ‘Bjø’s Island’. See Cox 2002 for further discussion.

Element Meaning

G gleann ~ glen; ON Bjø ~ personal name; ø ~ island

Sources

Bearnare 1608 Retours (Inverness) no. 19
Beneray 1654 Blaeu Map (Northern Scotland)
Bernera 1776 Mackenzie: South part
[glãũn vʲa:ɳərɛ] local source, Sòdhaigh