Language Notes

Element Meaning

Sources

Lamlash – Loch an Eileainn: Robertson
Lamlash Bay or a Bh˘aoigh: Robertson

An t-eilean àrd, Lamlash / Loch an Eilean the latter used by Arran people: Watson CW9 [informant from Davaar 1910]

“Lamlash is ‘Helantinlaysche’ in Fordun, for which should be read ‘Helantmlaysehe,’ i.e. Eilean M’Laise, ‘Mo-Laise’s isle.’ The town of Lamlash is still called in Gaelic an t-Eilean, ‘the island,’ and an t-Eilean ard, ‘the high island.’ It is therefore clear that Lamlash is for ‘lean-M#Laise, the first syllable of eilean having been elided in unstressed position, and that the name was primarily that of the island now called Holy Island. MacVurich says of Raghnall son of Somerled, who died in 1207, that it was he who endowed the monastic order of Mo-Laise.” Watson 1926, 306

Additional Information

The Scotsman 23.04.16:

The name of Lamlash (Helantmlaysche late 14th Century) on the Isle of Arran has a complex history. The settlement sits on the coast facing Holy Island. The name of the island was of old Eilean MoLaise ‘the island of MoLaise’. MoLaise seems to be the name of the saint, and on Holy Island is a place called St Molaise’s Cave. According to local tradition, St Columba came to the island to visit him.

Over time, Gaelic Eilean MoLaise has turned into English Lamlash, by reduction of an unstressed ‘Eilean Mo-’. The name has also transferred from the island itself to the settlement facing it. To add to this confusion, the name of the town was often referred to locally in Gaelic either as An t-Eilean ‘the island’ or An t-Eilean Àrd ‘the high island’, with the bay of Lamlash being Loch an Eilein ‘the loch of the island’.

Alternative Forms