Language Notes

Element Meaning

Sources

Mìodar: tireeplacenames.org
Miodar, which is the Gaelic for meadow-land, as such does not seem to fit the conditions here. Rather it appears to be a wholly Norse name viz., Mjo narrow,and dalr, level field.: MacDougall & Cameron, 1938, 129

Additional Information

 Info from Halliday pers. Comm.:

ScG miadar ‘meadow’ (Dwelly) has been proposed (Johnston 1991, 78).
There are examples of Am Miadar in Gigha, Jura, Islay, Kintyre, and an Am Miodar in Morven (SP). This points to a Gaelic origin.

However, the Tiree name is the only one of these three without a Gaelic definite article and it is possible that it could be a Norse name, with the first element as ON miðr ‘middle’.

‘Intervocalically, ON -ð- is replaced by hiatus, for example in ScG fadhail.’ (Cox 2007b, 68) ON oddr ‘spit, knife-point’ (Cox 2002b, 346)

This suits the topography as it is opposite a small headland between Fadamul and the north-eastern tip of Caolas. In the Northern Isles where ON miðr > mid- there is a Midgeo on Yell and a Midberg on Fetlar (SP).
There is a Midodden in Lindesnes, Norway (NG).

Alternative Forms