Language Notes

Element Meaning

Sources

“Bighouse. Gaelic an Torr, Norse big hus. There are two places of this name on the strath; and they are interesting as showing the part which the sinking of the accent plays in Gaelic phonetics. In the case of upper Big-house, the first syllable is accented, and with the accent thus sunk upon it, it ceases to be used as a compound word, and appears on the map as Begas – Its origin forgotten, it is used as a Gaelic word. But the lower Bighouse still remains a compound word, and it is never called Bighouse in Gaelic, but an Torr, the heap or fortified place, where of old a castle stood to defend the entrance to the bay. “Gunn, Sutherland and Reay Country

Additional Information

 There are two places called Bighouse in Strath Halladale, this is the one by Melvich. See Upper Bighouse.

Alternative Forms