• English
  • Gàidhlig
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • My Account
  • Checkout
  • Cart
Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba (AÀA)

  • Home
  • Database
    • Searchable Map
    • AZ List
  • OS Map
  • Resources
    • Academic Papers
    • Place-name Lists
    • Reading List
    • Links
    • Gaelic Place-Name Policy
  • Support
    • AÀA Supporter
  • Shop
    • Services
    • Corporate Memberships
    • Publications
  • News
  • Contact Us
previous postnext post
  • Info
  • Location
  • Research Notes

Lower Bighouse

An Tòrr


Location

Caithness

Highland

NC893648


English / Map Form: Lower Bighouse

Gaelic Form: An Tòrr


County: Caithness

Local Authority: Highland

English / Map Form: Lower Bighouse

Gaelic Form: An Tòrr


Language Notes

 

Element Meaning

 

Sources

terris de Beghous 1626 Retours (Caithness) 15
Torr or Bighouse 1820 Thomson
Tor or Bighouse 1820 Forbes

“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

 

Primary Sidebar

Database


Match phrase Match words




OS Map

Welcome to the Ordnance Survey (OS) open source digital map. This is a tool you can use to study ... Continue Reading about OS Map

Our Products

  • The Journal of Scottish Name Studies: Volume 3 £0.00
  • The Journal of Scottish Name Studies: Volume 2 £0.00

News

Dingwall ~ Inbhir Pheofharain

Footer

Gaelic Place-names of Scotland

Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
Sleat
Isle of Skye
IV44 8RQ

+44 (0) 1471 888 120
fios@ainmean-aite.scot

Useful links

  • About Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba
  • How to use the search
  • Commercial Information & Rates
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Main Menu

  • Home
  • Database
    • Searchable Map
    • AZ List
  • OS Map
  • Resources
    • Academic Papers
    • Place-name Lists
    • Reading List
    • Links
    • Gaelic Place-Name Policy
  • Support
    • AÀA Supporter
  • Shop
    • Services
    • Corporate Memberships
    • Publications
  • News
  • Contact Us

Site Search

Follow Us

  • E-mail
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2021 Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba. All rights reserved. Website by Lumberjack Digital