English / Map Form: Glenfinnan
Gaelic Form: Gleann Fhionnainn
Location: Lochaber, Highland
Post Town: GLENFINNAN
County: Inverness-shire
Local Authority: Highland
Nearest Main Roads: A830
English / Map Form: Glenfinnan
Gaelic Form: Gleann Fhionnainn
Language Notes
G nom. sg. gleann, masc. ‘glen’ + Fionnainn element connected to fionn, 'white'Element Meaning
G gleann ~ glen; fionn ~ white
Sources
| Gleninen | 1750 Dorret |
| Gleann Fhionghuin, ‘Fingon’s Glen’ | Dwelly 1912 |
| Gleann Fhionnainn | OS current name |
| Gleann Fhionguin | MacKinnon |
| Gleann Fhionnainn | current road signage. |
Additional Information
The precise meaning of fionnann is not entirely certain, but relates in some way to fionn ~ white. It probably represents neither a personal name nor Fionn Abhainn, ‘white river’, since this does make phonological sense. Whatever the derivation, the proposed orthography reflect the current pronunciation.
