Ainmean-àite tuath air Mealabhaig
Place-names
north of Melvaig
Third provisional edition
© Nevis Hulme,
2005
This document
may be printed for personal study so long as it is not redistributed or used
for profit.
Nevis Hulme, 6 Allt Grìsean, Geàrrloch,
Dedicated to the memory of Roy Wentworth
Contents
Introduction and acknowledgements
Guide to
pronunciation
Sources of supplementary information; references
Introduction and
acknowledgements
The place-names contained in this booklet were collected from a number of sources. In the 1870s, sappers with the Royal Engineers collected names from local people for inclusion on the first edition of the Ordnance Survey maps that were published 1881. In 1987, Roy Wentworth recorded the late Donald MacAskill ‘Dòmh’all Ruadh’ and his wife, Lexie, from Mealabhaig. In less than one and a half hours, a remarkable 200 place-names were given from the whole of the area covered by this booklet. Since 1997, the writer has worked to identify the location of these and others collected from local Gaelic speakers. This booklet can only be termed a draft because locations still have to be verified, spellings confirmed and local pronunciations checked. On this basis, it is made available to those interested in the rich cultural heritage that is so rapidly being lost.
An important aspect of this booklet is to help those unfamiliar with Gaelic to make a reasonable effort at pronunciation so that the names may continue to be used by those living in or visiting the area. The system adopted is one that has been developed over the years by the author as a compromise between the International Phonetic Alphabet and the English-word-based systems commonly encountered. For English speakers, it should be largely intuitive with only one or two points requiring particular attention.
It should be noted that
the place-names and pronunciations given in this list are, where possible,
those used in speech by local native speakers of Gaelic. This means that is
often a difference with the names given on the O.S. map. A common reason for
this is the addition here, where required, of the definite article that the
O.S. usually omits where required at the start of the name. A further reason is
that the locally used name does not coincide with that given on the map. Local
pronunciation may also cause a variation from that expected, e.g. because ‘n’
in the article ‘an’ is omitted before l, n, r, s and some words beginning with
f.
Thanks must go to the following for their help in bringing this booklet into being. Without their help, given freely at no benefit to themselves, we would have only those names that appear on O.S.maps
Sources of place-names
The late Donald MacAskill, Mealabhaig (Melvaig)
Lexie MacAskill, Mealabhaig (Melvaig)
Donald Iain MacAskill, Mealabhaig (Melvaig)
Roderick Mackenzie, Portaigil (Port Henderson)
Duncan Chisholm, Meallan a’ Ghamhna (Mellangaun)
Norman MacIver, Inbhir-àsdal (Inverasdale)
John Murdo Mackenzie, An Uamhghaidh (Cove)
Explorer is a trademark of the Ordnance Survey
The assistance of any users of this booklet in correcting or adding to the contents would be very welcome. The author is to be blamed for any errors in this booklet.
A guide to
pronunciation of Gaelic place-names note ∂ ao
y in particular
a. Vowels: short sounds
a = a in ‘cat’ A
= a in ‘say’ ao = ea in
‘earn’ or eu in ‘fleur’
e = e in ‘pet’ E = ee in ‘see’
o = o in ‘cot’ O = o in ‘comb’ ow = ow in ‘cow’ oo = oo in ‘toot’
i = i in ‘pit’ I = ie in ‘tie’ (these two are not common)
∂ = e in ‘butter’ or ‘paper’
b. Vowels: long sounds
These are shown with the addition
to the above of a colon. The sounds correspond to those above but the vowel
sound is extended, e.g.
e: = eee in ‘atte-e-ention’ (as
pronounced by a sergeant-major!)
The following are long equivalents
of the first group of sounds given above:
a: A: e: ao: E: o: O: oo:
c. Consonants
b, d, f, k, l, m, n, p, r, t, v
are used as commonly in English
ch = ch in ‘loch’ j
= j in ‘judge’
g = g in ‘gap’ s
= s in ‘sit’ (not as in ‘is’)
gh = equivalent of ch, tj
= tch in ‘catch’
but
with a ‘g’ instead of ‘c’ y = y in 'yes', e.g.
by = b in ‘beauty’
h = h in ‘hat’ ly = l in ‘lure’
d. Stress
This is shown using bold type. This generally falls on the first syllable of the word, e.g. ‘achadh’
pronounced achugh. The main stress
generally falls on the first syllable of the last word of a place-name. Because
of this, elements of a place-name preceding this are shortened in speech, so
for example sròin, stro:n becomes
stron in unstressed positions.
In general, only the main stress
is shown and this generally occurs on the last word, e.g. ‘An Caisteal Mòr’,
pronounced ‘∂n kasht∂l mO: r’.
Secondary stress is shown in some cases.
e. Other
, (comma) is used to separate
vowel sounds where necessary
f. Advanced (ignore
until the basics have been mastered)
n = n in ‘onion’, like
ny k = k in ‘
As with any system other
than the International Phonetic Alphabet, this system only approximates Gaelic
pronunciation. The quality of consonants in Gaelic does vary from English
usage; these and other distinctions are not realised by this system.
Area covered by this booklet (sections F to I)
(A’ Rubha, Mealabhaig, Geàrrloch, Siorrachd Rois; O.S. 100 km. square NG)
Each place-name has a
unique number relating to its location. Locations of places are given with
six-figure grid references, or four-figure references where more appropriate or
where the precise location is not known. It is hoped that further field trips
will answer a number of outstanding locational queries for the next edition.
The place-names given
after ‘O.S. map:’ are those given on
the first edition of the O.S. map. That given on O.S. Explorer sheet 434, where
different, follows this. It is generally thought that the first edition maps
are a better source than the oft-corrupted later renditions. O.S. map
information is given in italics as are spellings from O.S. maps used to help
identify locations.
A number of quotes from
have been included in Gaelic. These have been given in a spelling that reflects
the local dialect.
? uncertainty. After meanings, this refers to the word preceding the question mark. Where uncertainty extends to more than one word, these are hyphenated.
--? word untranslated
• place-name repeated in at least one other section. Grid references may vary.
Ø not given orally in recent years, i.e. place-name only known from O.S. map or other published source. Name and pronunciation modified to local usage as necessary
* constructed form of name, i.e. not recorded
Ï not named on O.S. Explorer map 434
Sources of supplementary
information
D
MWHTv.1 Campbell, J. F., More West Highland Tales, volume 1, 1940, Birlinn 1994
Mac Gille Mhaoil na Cruit, pp. 462-472
Gille Dubh Locha Dring, pp.480-485
grid
squares
7488-7490 7588-7590 7688-7690 7788-7790 7888-7890
F. Coastal place-names from
An Àird Ghlas, at the north end of Mealabhaig (Melvaig) north to Rubha Rèidh
Lighthouse and places to the west of the road
Burns shown in bold for reference in this
section.
Places above the shore have been indented.
F1. 736872 An Àird Ghlas ∂n art ghlas the
grey promontory
the seaward extension of An Cnoc Breac
O.S. map: Aird Ghlas
F2.
738872 An Cnoc Breac ∂ krohk
brAhk the speckled knoll
• the hill on which A'
Chachaileath Ruadh is found; far an robh iad a’dèanamh uisge-beatha
O.S. map: Cnoc Breac
F3.
739872 Cùl na Buaile kool
n∂ boo∂l∂ the
back of the cattle fold
• each side of the road
where it levels out at the top of the hill out of Mealabhaig; there appears to
be a large enclosure nearer the sea on An Àrd Ghlas and this may be the fold to which the name refers
F4. 7387 Faic Nighean Uilleam fAhk
nE∂n oolyam the
hiding place of William’s daughter
L this
is just to the north of An Àird Ghlas
F5. 7387 Geodha nan Con gyo n∂n kon the
gully of the dogs
L again,
this is just to the north of An Àird Ghlas
F6. 736872 Port na h-Àirde port n∂ ha:rt∂ the landing of the promontory
short
for ‘Port na h-Àirde Glaise’ (port n∂
hart ghlash∂,
the landing of An Àird Ghlas); this is in the first place with a shingle beach
north of An Àird Ghlas; it is steep-sided with a steep rocky descent to it
where boats were nevertheless landed
O.S. map: Port na h-Airde
F7. 736873 A’ Chùl-chreag ∂ chool chrAk the
back rock
this is the rock to the north of Port na h-Àirde and south
of the mouth of Allt Bhadan nan Taighean; bha poll ri taobh a’ Chùl-chreag agus
'se do chliathaich a tha ris a' mhuir; dar a tha thu creagach oirre ’s ann ri
tùbh a tha t’aghaidh, bha ’n cùl ris a’ chreag
O.S.
map: Cùl-chreag
F8. 736873 An Toll Uisg ∂n
tOl aoshk the water hollow
this is at the mouth of Allt Bhadan nan Taighean
F9. 736873 Allt Bhadan nan Taighean
alt vatan n∂n tahEn the burn of the clump of the houses
• the
first small burn just after Cùl na Buaile
O.S. map: Allt Badan nan Tigheann
F10. 736874 Camas nan Gobhar kam∂s n∂n gOoor the
bay of the goats
the
bay, about 100 metres long, to the north of the mouth of Allt Bhadan nan
Taighean
O.S. map: Camas na Gaibhre
F11. 736876 An Camas Dubh ∂n kam∂s doo the
black bay
a
narrow bay just north of Camas nan Gobhar with a gully extending inland from it
O.S. map: Camas Dubh
F12.
7387 A’ Slios Cas ∂
shlis kas the steep slope
L the slope above the shore
from Camas nan Gobhair (from its south
end?) to Camas a’ Bhacain
F13.
736876 Sgath a’ Cheàird ska ∂ chya:sht the
--? of the tinker
L this is thought to be
a steep-sided hollow that cuts into A’ Slios Cas
F14. 736876 Umha Chàis oo∂ cha:sh the cave of
cheese?
L in the
same area as the next place
F15. 736876 Leac Umha Chàis lyehk oo∂ cha:sh slab
of the cave of cheese?
the rock extending from Rubha Chàis
O.S. map: Leac Uamh a’ Chaise
F16. 736876 Camas a’ Bhacain kam∂s ∂ vahkan the bay of the wee-bank?
the
next bay, this being, at most, 100 metres north of Camas nan Gobhar; O.S. name
not known
O.S. map: Camas Uamh a’ Chaise
F17. 736877 A’ Leac Dhubh ∂ lyehk ghoo the
black slab
this
extends from Camas a’ Bhacain for about 100 metres
(this
tale could relate to any one of many of the slabs along the coast about here
and is certainly not necessarily this one which was only chosen as being the
first, named, possible contender)
D p.47 Fionnla Dubh na Saighead and a Chisholm caused MacLeods
from Assynt, who had come to seek revenge for an earlier insult addressed to
their chief, to flee having killed, with arrows, a number of the attackers.
‘leac, or flat stone, close to the edge of the low cliff about a mile north of
Melvaig; the leac is still pointed out.’
F18. 736877 A’ Sgeir Mhòr ∂ sker vO:r the big
skerry
this
lies off A’ Leac Dhubh
O.S. map: Sgeir Mhòr
F19.
738877 An t-Acha Dubh ∂n tach∂ doo the
black field
• walled field on the west
side of the road
O.S. map: Achadh Dubh
F20.
737877 Bothan an Acha Dhuibh bohan ∂n
ach∂ ghooE the bothy of An t-Acha Dubh
• the ruin is still to be
seen amongst rushes; bha iad aig an àirigh ann
F21. 736878 Rubha Chàis roo,oo cha:sh the
headland of cheese?
L it
is thought that this may be where Sròn a’
Bhùtha is shown on the map
O.S. map: Sròn a’ Bhùtha
F22. 736878 Na Camasan Dearga n∂ kam∂s∂n jerek∂ the red bays
name
for the two bays, given below, separated by An Teangaidh Chaol
O.S.
map: Camasain Dearga
F23. 737878 An Camas Dearg Shuas ∂n
kam∂s jerek hoo∂s the south red bay
this
is just south of A’ Leac Thraghad; here ‘shuas’ is used in the sense of south
rather than up
F24. 736878 An Teangaidh Chaol ∂n tjeghE chaol the
narrow tongue
this
is obvious from the map as a narrow ridge
F25. 737879 An Camas Dearg Shìos ∂n
kam∂s jerek hE∂s the north red bay
here
‘shìos’ is used in the sense of north rather than down; the bay to the north of
An
Teangaidh Chaol
F26. 736879 A’ Leac Thraghad ∂ lyehk ra,at the
ebb slab
this
is shown on the map as an area of rock that remains above high water
O.S. map: Leac an Traghaidh
F27. 737881 Camas na’ Ròp kam∂s n∂ ro:hp the
bay of the ropes
this is at the mouth of Allt Glac na Tobrach; bha iad a’
dèanamh uisge-beatha ann uaireigin, agus
‘s ann air ròp a bha iad a’ dul a-bhàn ann
O.S. map: Camas nan Rop
F28. 737881 Allt Glac na Tobrach alt
glahk n∂ toproch the burn of Glac na Tobrach
• the
burn between An t-Acha Dubh and Allt a’ Bhutha; this name applies to the burn
between the road and the shore; above the road it is called Allt Cnoc nan
Caorach (alt krohk n∂n kaoroch, the
burn of the knoll of the sheep) then Allt na Moine Comhraid (alt n∂ mon∂ kOr∂tj, the burn of the level peat) going upstream
O.S. map: Allt nan Tobraichean
F29.
738880 Glac na Tobrach glahk n∂ toproch the
hollow of the well
• this is the
O.S. map: Glac nan Tobraichean, Ï
F30.
739881 Bothan Glac na Tobrach bohan
glahk n∂ toproch the bothy of Glac na Tobrach
• the remains of this can
be seen below the road between Allt Glac na Tobrach and Allt a’ Bhutha
F31. 737881 Camas an Eilean kam∂s ∂n Alan the
bay of the island
this
is immediately north of Camas na’ Ròp
O.S. map: Camas an Eilein, Ï
F32. 731886 Eilean Allt a’ Bhutha Alan alt ∂ voo∂ the
bha
feadhainn a’ creagach air an eilean ach dh'fheuma tu an geodha a leum an còmhnaidh
O.S. map: Eilean Allt a’ Bhùtha, Ï
F34. 736882 Allt a’ Bhutha alt
∂ voo: the burn of the
green patch
• the
burn at the more southerly bridge on the road; the O.S., with the accent,
misinterprets this as ‘of the shop’ though it should then be ‘na Bùtha’; the
last word (‘buth’ in its nominative form) is believed to refer to a grassy
semi-circular floodplain found along a water-course with narrow valley floor
O.S. map: Allt a’ Bhùtha
F36.
740882 Drochaid Allt a’ Bhutha drohEtj
alt ∂ voo: the Allt a’ Bhutha bridge
• the road enters a cutting
to the north of this bridge; to the west of this cutting may be seen signs of
an older bridge and a track climbing steeply from it
• the
current road bridge lies over the location of the ford
F38. 736882 An t-Eas ∂n tjes the
waterfall
Ø this
is indicated at the mouth of Allt a’ Bhutha
O.S. map: An t-Eas
F39. 736883 Leac an Eas lyehk ∂ nyes the slab of the waterfall
this
is found to the north of the mouth of Allt a’ Bhutha
O.S. map: Leac an Easa, Ï
F40. 736883 Geodh’ Dhòmh’aill ’ic
Ùisdeon gyo gho,al Ehk oo:shtjon the gully of Donald, son of Hugh
the
inlet around 50 metres to the north of the mouth of Allt a’ Bhutha
O.S. map: Geodh Dhomhnuill Uisdean, Ï
F41. 736884 Rubha na’ Ròn roo,oo n∂ ro:n the
headland of the seals
this
is the land between Geodh’ Dhòmh’aill ’ic Ùisdeon and Geodh’ a’ Cheum Chorraich
F42. 7388 Ùmh na’ Ròn oo n∂ ro:n the
cave of the seals
O
L this is
presumably near to the Rubha na’ Ròn
F43.
737884 A’ Sgàirdean Ruadh ∂
skarta roo∂gh the reddish-brown scree
the
level land around 30 metres above the shore between Geodh’ Dhòmh’aill ’ic
Ùisdeon and Geodh’ a’ Cheum Chorraich; the word ‘sgàirdean’ is sometimes used for a piece of ground above a slope
with scree
O.S. map: Sgartan Ruadh
F44.
7388 Druim a’ Gharbhath draoEm ∂ gharava
the ridge of the
rough ford
• the extent of this
feature is unknown; the ‘rough ford’ is a reference to the difficult crossing
of Allt a’ Bhutha before this burn was bridged; there were three crossing
points, each with its own name
O.S. map: Druim a’ Gharaidh, Ï
F45. 737885 An Ceum Corrach ∂n kAm koroch the
unsafe path
this
is at the northern end of A’ Sgardan Ruadh and leads into Geodh’ a’ Cheum Chorraich; bha ceum a’ dul sechad aig a’
braighe aige is cha d’reigheadh a h-uile duine ann; theireadh iad seo ris an
leac ìosal cuideachd dheth am biodh feadhainn a’ creagach
O.S. map: Ceum Corrach, Ï
F46. 736885 Geodh’ a’ Cheum
Chorraich gyo ∂
chAm chorEch the gully of An Ceum Corrach
the
gully at the northern end of A’ Sgairdean Ruadh
O.S. map: Geodh a' Chéim Chorraich, Ï
F47. 736886 Camas a’ Rabhuinn kam∂s ∂ rahoon the
bay of the tide-mark
the
bay just north of Geodh’ a’ Cheum Chorraich and probably referring to the whole
of the bay here
O.S. map: Camas Rabhain
F48. 735887 Camas an Eilean kam∂s ∂n Alan the
bay of the island
this
is believed to be the bay that goes behind the southern limb of the ‘T’ shaped
peninsula named Sròn Eilean an Àir on
the map; this is possibly the short form for Camas Eilean Mhic an Àir (kam∂s
Alan vEhk ∂n a:r, the bay
of Mac an Àir’s island)
F49. 7388 Lag an Eilean lak ∂n Alan the
hollow of the island
L there
is a grassy hollow above the shore and this may be Lag an Eilean; it is
possibly the short form for Lag Eilean Mhic an Àir (lak Alan vEhk ∂n a:r, the hollow of Mac an Àir’s island)
F50. 735888 Sròin Eilean Mhic an
Àir stron Alan vEhk ∂n a:r the point of Mac an Àir’s island
b’ athair a’ Ghille Dhuibh Locha Draing Mac an Àir; short
form: Sròin an Eilean
(stron ∂n Alan)
O.S. map: Sròn Eilean an Àir
F51. 735888 Eilean Mhic an Àir Alan vEhk ∂n a:r Mac
an Àir’s island
L the
first edition map shows this to be either the land of which Sròin Eilean Mhic an
Àir is the point or just offshore of Sròin Eilean Mhic an Àir; the name An
t-Eilean (∂n tjAlan, the island) has been given too and these could
all refer to the stack to the north which surely has a name
O.S. map: Eilean Leac an Àir, Ï
F52. 7388 An Càrn Garbh ∂n karn garav the
rough cairn
this is thought to be the rocky ground inland of the ‘T’
shaped peninsula; àite mòr a th’ann aig a' chladach, fos cinn na mara,
bhiodh mada' ruaidh is biastan dubha ann
F53.
738888 Na Cathraichean n∂ karEch∂n the fairy
knolls
• low ridge below road before Allt a’ Bhad Sheilich on which there seems to be a number of ruins; also known as Cathraichean a’ Bhad Sheilich (karEch∂n ∂ vat hAlEch, the fairy knolls of Am Bad Seilich)
F54. 736891 Leacan a’ Bhad Sheilich lyehk∂n ∂
vat hAlEch the slabs of Am Bad Seilich
maybe
wee slab (lyehkan); this is on the south side of the mouth of Allt a’ Bhad
Sheilich; Am Bad Seilich means ‘ the willow clump’
F55. 736891 Allt a’ Bhad Sheilich alt ∂ vat
hAlEch the burn of Am Bad Seilich
• this
is just to the north of Na Cathraichean; Am Bad Seilich means ‘ the willow
clump’
O.S. map: Allt Bad an t-Seilich
F56. 737892 Caochan na Creubhamh
kaochan n∂ krAoo the burn of the --?
• this
runs through An Càrnan Bàn
O.S. map: Caochan na Craoibhe, Ï
F57.
731892 An Càrnan Bàn ∂n
karnan ba:n the fair wee cairn
• ; a large area, about 300 metres by
300 metres on both sides of the road; bha iad a’ toir na clachan dhan an
taigh-sholais bho Allt an Fhèidh, is bho Allt a’ Chleat aig àite ris an canadh
iad An Càrnan Bàn, fos cinn Dòmhach
F58. 738894 Dòmhach do:och --?
an
odd name, possibly a person’s name; this is the headland to the west of the
mouth of Allt a’ Chleat
O.S. map: Am Brisdeadh, Ï
F59. 738894 Allt a’ Chleat alt ∂ chleht the burn of An Cleat
• it
flows through a steep craggy gorge below, and easily visible from, the
road;
O.S. map: Allt na Cléite
F60. 739895 An Cleat ∂n kleht the hill
the land between Allt a’ Chleat and Brìdeach; stone for the
lighthouse came from the south side of An Cleat; ‘cleat’ is from Norse and its
gender and pronunciation varies (this may explain the O.S. form)
O.S. map: A’ Chléit, A’ Chlèit
F61. 738895 Ploc a’ Chleat plohk ∂ chleht the
lump of An Cleat
this
is the large lump stretching into the sea north of the mouth of Allt a’ Cleat
F62. 738895 Sròin a’ Chleat stron ∂ chleht the point of An
Cleat
the
westerly point of Ploc a’ Chleat; the O.S. misplaces this somewhat north
O.S. map: Sròn na Cléite, Sròn na Clèite
F63. 738892 Brìdeach brE:tjoch --?
like
Dòmhach, an odd name, never used with the definite article; this is the
headland named Sròn na Clèite on the
O.S. map
O.S. map: Am Brisdeadh (if this is the
same name, it is wrongly placed)
F64. 738894 Camas Ruadh
Bhrìdeach kam∂s
roog∂h vrE:tjoch the reddish-brown
this
is the shore immediately below Brìdeach (camas means ‘bay’ but also refers to
the adjacent land); short form: An Camas Ruadh (∂n kam∂s roo∂gh, the reddish-brown bay)
F65. 739894 An Geodh’ Ruadh ∂n gyow roo∂gh the reddish-brown gully
this
extends from Camas Ruadh Bhrìdeach and is shown as a steep-sided gully on the
map
F66. 740898 Sròin an Eas stron ∂ nyes the point of
the waterfall
this is immediately south of the mouth of Allt an Fhèidh
F67.
742897 Cathair Allt an Fhèidh kah∂r
alt ∂ ne:E the fairy knoll of Allt an Fhèidh
• a mound next to the road, and to its west,
at the top of the hill going down to Allt an Fhèidh and southwest of the bridge
F68. 740898 Allt an Fhèidh alt
∂ ne:E the burn of the
deer
• the
burn at the more northerly bridge on the road
O.S. map: Allt an Fhéidh, Allt an Fhèidh
F69. 740899 Creagaig krAkak place of rocks
this is immediately north of the mouth of Allt an Fhèidh;
this does not take the definite article
F70. 740899 Cladach Allt an Fhèidh kladoch alt an e:E the
shore of Allt an Fhèidh
it
is not known how far this extends
O.S. map: Cladhach (sic) Allt an Fhéidh, Cladach Allt an Fhèidh
F71. 740899 Camas Allt an Fhèidh kam∂s
alt an e:E the bay of Allt an Fhèidh
L possibly
similar in location to Cladach Allt an Fhèidh
F72. 740901 Allt Creag an Fhùcatair alt
krAk ∂n oo:hk∂htI the
burn of (the crag of the fuller)
• the
most southerly of three burns on the O.S. map north of Allt an Fhèidh; the
whereabouts of Creag an Fhùcatair is not known; ‘I’ should be pronounced ‘Iy’
F73. 739902 Stac an Eich Ghlais stahk ∂n Ach ghlash the
stack of the grey horse
this
is below the mouth of the middle burn shown on the O.S. map
F74. 739905 Allt na Lèana Mòire alt n∂ len∂ mO:r∂ the burn of the big meadow
(•) the name of the most northerly of three burns on
O.S. map north of Allt an Fhèidh from a little below the road to the sea; above
it is called Allt nan Creagan Dearga (alt n∂n krAkan jerek∂, the burn of the
red wee crags) from a little below the road and upstream
F75.
743903 Na Creaganan Dearga n∂
krekan∂n jerek∂ the red wee crags
• rocky outcrops along the
side of the road extending nearly as far as Leac an Fhadhbhair
F76. 7390 Na Camasan Dearga n∂ kam∂s∂n jerek∂ the red bays
Ø this
name is shown on the original O.S. map as stretching from Geodha na’ Long to
just south of Stac an Eich Ghlais but is now shown restricted to south of Am
Ploc Gorm; its actual extent is not known but it could be a useful name for the
stretch now indicated
L O.S. map: Camaisean Dearga, Camasan Dearga
F77. 739906 Am Ploc Gorm ∂m plohk gorom the
green lump
the large grass-covered lump jutting into the sea
F78. 739907 Leac an Fhadhbhair lehk
∂ nao,oor the slab of the blade
• a
rock extending out from the shore visible below the road where it comes close
to the cliff; so called because of its sharp edge
F79. 7390 Camas Leac an
Fhadhbhair kam∂s
lyehk ∂ naooor the bay of Leac an Fhadhbhair
this
is to the north of Leac an Fhadhbhair
F80. 7390 Na h-Uamhagan Beaga n∂ hooa,ak∂n bAk∂ the little wee caves
these
are to be found between Leac an Fhadhbhair and Sròin na h-Àrd-lic
F81. 738909 Sròin na h-Àrd-lic stron n∂ ha:rd lEhk the point of An Àrd-lic
northing
91 passes just to the north of this feature; the O.S. map has this displaced
800 metres to the north and this mirrors similar displacements of Port ’an
Amall and An t-Seann Sgeir; old cars were disposed of from the road above
O.S. map: Sròn na h-Ard-iolaich, Sròn na
h-Airde Fholaich
F82. 738909 An Àrd-lic ∂n a:rt lEhk the high slab
L adjacent
to Sròin na h-Àrd-lic, presumably
F83. 7390 Creag Mhurchaidh krAk vooroochE Murdo’s
rock
L slab
jutting into the sea between Sròin na h-Àrd-lic and Na Tuill Tharsainn
F84. 738912 Na Tuill Tharsainn n∂ tool hars∂n the cross(ways) holes
these
dangerous twisted holes are just south of Geodha na’ Long
F85. 738914 Geodh’ na’ Long gyo n∂ lonk the
gully of the boats
the
inlet to the south of the one at the mouth of Allt Gheodh' na Bà Ruaidhe; boats
came in here at the time of the building of the lighthouse
F86. 738914 Leac Geodh’ na’
Long lehk gyo n∂ lonk the
slab of Geodh’ na’ Long
this
is north of Geodha na' Long; cement is to be seen here; ’s ann an sin a landaig
iad a’ cement dhan taigh-solais
F87. 738915 Camas Leac a’
Steàrnan kam∂s lehk ∂ shtja:rnan the
L between
Geodh’ na’ Long and Geodh’ na Bà Ruaidhe
F88. 738915 Leac a’ Steàrnan lehk
∂ shtja:rnan the slab of the tern
L this
is understood to be immediately south of Geodh' na Bà Ruaidhe
F89. 739915 Geodh’ na Bà
Ruaidhe gyo n∂
ba roo∂E the gully of the
reddish-brown cow
this
is below Allt Gheodh' na Bà Ruaidhe
O.S. map: Am Brat-folaich, Ï
F90. 739915 Allt Gheodh’ na Bà Ruaidhe
alt ghyo n∂ ba roo∂E the burn of Geodh’ na Bà Ruaidhe
• this
has more recently been called Allt an Tanc (alt ∂n tank, the burn of the tank)
because
of its use as the water supply for the lighthouse; an old bridge may be seen
just up stream of the current road bridge O.S. map: Allt a’ Bhrat-folaich
F91. 7391 Uamhag Fhionnlaigh
Dhuibh ooa,ak yoolI ghooE wee
L a
little north of Geodh’ na Bà Ruaidhe and below a peatbank; named after
Fionnlagh Dubh na Saighead, Black Finlay of the Arrow; bha e a’ fuireach anns
an uamhag a bha siod, tha i tùbh
F92. 7391 An Geodha Cam ∂n gyo∂ kowm the
hidden gully
L position
to be determined
F93. 739917 Port ’an Amall porsht ∂ nam∂l the landing of the swingle-trees
• this
is bay with a shingle beach south of the lighthouse; the O.S. badly mislocates
this feature (see Sròin na h-Àrd-lic at grid reference 738909 in the next
section); a swingle-tree is
used to attach a number of horses to something to be pulled; local
pronunciation suggests
that the form given is preferred to that on the O.S. map; ’s ann ann a bha
iad a’ toir na clachan is a’ ghainmheach
dhan an taigh-sholais W p.228
O.S. map: Port an Amaill
F94. 739917
• this
very small burn flows from An Innis Mhòr into Port ’an Amall
F95. 738918 A’ Rubha Gainmhich ∂ roo,oo gene,Ech the sandy headland
this
is the headland extending from the land on which the lighthouse is built
F96. 738918 An Umha Gainmheach ∂n oo∂ gene,Ech the sandy cave
this
is the cave below, almost literally, the lighthouse
F97. 739919 An t-Seann-Sgeir ∂n jown skAr the old skerry
• the
shore rocks from Port ’an Amall (at its correct location, as given above) to
Cidhe an Taigh-Sholais (the lighthouse jetty); ’se seo a theirear ris an àite
ghon an deach an taigh-solais a thogail; it is not the single skerry named on
the O.S. map
W p.228
O.S. map: An Sean
Sgeir
F98. 739919 A’ Rubha ∂ roo,oo the
headland
or A’ Rubha Rèidh ∂
roo re: the
smooth headland
• the
promontory north of Gairloch is A’ Rubha; A’ Rubha Rèidh is the form of the
name used by those on the sea; people of Mealabhaig call the area of the
lighthouse An t-Seann-Sgeir
W p.228
O.S. map: Rudh’ Ré / Rubha Rèidh
D
p.47, etc. ‘ Rubha Reidh was then known
as Seann Rudha, a name which is still sometime given to it.’
D
p.219 ‘Between Gairloch and Loch Ewe is
the promontory called the North Point, terminating in Rudha Reidh, or Ru Ré, .
. .’
F99.
741918 An Innis Mhòr ∂n
Ensh vO:r the big sheltered hollow
• the valley-like feature, in
which a walled enclosure next to the road may be seen, running from the road to
Cidhe an Taigh-Sholais (the lighthouse jetty) and before the final descent to
the lighthouse and above Port ’an Amall
F100.
741917 Glac an Innis Mòire glahk ∂n
Ensh mO:r∂ the hollow of An Innis Mhòr
• this is a green valley with pools leading from An Innis
Mhòr
• the
large sloping slab between the lighthouse and Cidhe an Taigh-Sholais into which
the sea has eroded a number of narrow, steep-sided gullies
F102. 742921 Cidhe an
Taigh-Sholais kE ∂n taE hol∂sh the lighthouse jetty
• the remains of a short wagonway, used to bring
supplies up from the jetty (and dumped into the adjacent gully when the light
was automated), may be seen here; the map incorrectly shows Port ’an Amall as
being here
G. Inland
place-names from east of the lighthouse road to a little beyond the
Camas Mòr path and north to northing 91
(grid squares 7488-7490, 7588-7590, 7688-7690,
7788-7790, 7888-7890)
G1.743880 Allt Cnoc nan Caorach alt krohk n∂n kaoroch the burn of
the knoll of the sheep
• this
name applies to the burn to the east of the road; it is called Allt na Moine
Comhraid (alt n∂ mon∂ kOr∂tj,
the burn of the level peat) further upstream and Allt Glac na Tobrach (alt
glahk n∂ toproch, the burn of Glac na Tobrach) west of the road
O.S. map: Allt nan Tobraichean
G2. 751876 Allt na Moine
Comhraid alt n∂ mon∂ kOr∂tj the burn of the level peat
• see
Allt Cnoc nan Caorach above
O.S. map: Allt nan Tobraichean
F34. 7488 Allt a’ Bhutha alt ∂ voo: the
burn of the green patch
• the
burn at the more southerly bridge on the road; the O.S., with the accent, misinterprets
this as ‘of the shop’ though it should then be ‘na Bùtha’; the last word
(‘buth’ in its nominative form) is believed to refer to a grassy semi-circular
floodplain found along a
water-course
with narrow valley floor
O.S. map: Allt a’ Bhùtha
G4. 745883 Na Lùban n∂ loo:p∂n the bends
these
are the meanders on Allt a’ Bhutha
G5. 745883 Faing na’ Lùban faEnk n∂ loo:p∂n the
fank of Na Lùban
this
old stone-built fank is shown on the Explorer map
a (currently) undefined area to the north of An Tùr leading to Sùil nan Each
F55. 7489 Allt a’ Bhad Sheilich alt ∂ vat hAlEch the
burn of Am Bad Seilich
• this
is just to the north of Na Cathraichean
O.S. map: Allt Bad an t-Seilich
G8. 7488 Am Bad Seilich ∂m
bat shAlEch the willow clump
• the
extent of this is uncertain and no difference has been discerned between the
area given and that surrounding it but it is believed to be an area east of the
road covering about 150 metres up Allt a’ Bhad Sheilich and 50 metres on each
side; there appear to be no willows there now
G9. 748891 Bog an Alltan Ruaidh bok ∂n altan roo∂E the bog of the
wee reddish-brown burn
L this
is an area (about 400 metres by 400 metres) to the north of Allt Bhad a’
Sheilich cha robh allt ann, ’s e àite làn luahcair ann, ’son as a tha Allt a’
Chleat ach urrad (air braighe Allt a’ Chleat)
F68. 7489 Allt an Fhèidh alt ∂ ne:E the
burn of the deer
• the
burn at the more northerly bridge on the road and south of the masts
O.S. map: Allt an Fhéidh, Allt an Fhèidh
G10. 741909 A’ Sìthean Donn ∂ shEhan dOoon the
brown hill
• a
low hill above the road a little to the north of where the road comes close to
the cliff with a small grassy lochan to the southeast of its top
Grid squares 7588-7590
G11. 751876 Allt na Moine
Comhraid alt n∂
mon∂ kOr∂tj the burn of the level peat
• see
Allt Cnoc nan Caorach at the start of this section
O.S. map: Allt nan Tobraichean
G12. 752885 Fuaranan nan
Teangachan foo∂ranan
n∂n teEngoch∂n the wells of Na Teangachan
this
is said to be near the source of Allt an Fhèidh and ousing water even in very
dry
L weather;
its exact location is to be determined
G13. 754885 Na Teangachan n∂ teEngoch∂n the tongues
this
is a large area (about 700 metres down Allt an Fhèidh and 500 metres across)
around the source of Allt an Fhèidh;
‘tongues’ would probably refer to tongues of land
G14. 7588? Sùil nan Caorach sool n∂n kaoroch the
‘sùil’ of the sheep
L a
‘sùil’ is lying water in a bog; location unknown
G15. 7588? An Caochan Tioram ∂n kaochan tjEr∂m the dry burn or
bog
L location
unknown
G16. 7588? Glac a’ Chaochan Duibh glahk ∂
chaochan dooE the hollow of the black burn or bog
L location
unknown
G17. 750885 Sùil nan Each sool ∂n ech the
‘sùil’ of the horses
L a ‘sùil’
is lying water in a bog; this is an area said to be about 700 metres by 700
metres north of Allt a’ Bhutha
G18. 7589 Allt an Fhèidh alt ∂ ne:E the
burn of the deer
• the
burn at the more northerly bridge on the road and south of the bridges
O.S. map: Allt an Fhéidh, Allt an Fhèidh
G19. 757899 A’ Mhaoil Bhreac ∂ vaol vrehk the
speckled bare hill(side)
• the
hill on which the masts have been built
O.S. map: Maol Breac
G20. 758901
this
is the small loch northeast of the masts; rinn Iain Camshron amhran air
G21. 7589 Allt nam Breac alt n∂m brAhk the
burn of the trout
L this is
a small burn that flows from the north end of
G22. 755901 Glac na Bà glahk n∂ ba: the
hollow of the cow
this extends northwest from the masts on A’ Mhaoil Bhreac
G23. 755905 An Creaganach ∂n krAkanoch the
place of rocky outcrops
there
are a number of rocky outcrops and, in addition, a small, almost perfect,
conical hill
G24. 753907 Maol a’ Chreagain maol
∂ chrAkan the
bare hill(side) of the little crag
Ø this
name may have come from *Maoil a’ Creaganaich (maol ∂ krAkanEch, the bare hill (side) of An Creaganach)
O.S. map: Maol a’ Chreagain
G25. 750900 Na Botaichean n∂ bOhtEch∂n the basins?
this is a area, no more than 100 metres by 100 metres, of steep-sided and, in places, rockysloped hollows; the translation comes from Cox, the word ‘ botaichean’.
G26. 7688 Rathad Mór na Coingh ra,at mOr n∂ kaoE the
big road of A’ Choingh
this path is said to extend from south of Allt a’ Bhutha, past A’ Choingh and on to Cnoc
L nan Uan (763900)
G27. 760890 Am Pollchar ∂m polochch∂r the place of pools or holes
this
is an area (about 700 metres by 700 metres) to the west of A’ Choingh and to
the southeast of the source of Allt an Fhèidh
G28. 765891 A’ Choingh ∂ chaoE the
yoke?
or A’
Choingh Chabaich ∂
chaoE chabEch the notched yoke?
the (notched) yoke?; the mound with the triangulation
pillar and, at 293 metres, the highest point on the peninsula; one source, from
Inverasdale, gave this place as An Cuaidh
(∂n koo∂y, --?)
O.S. map: An Cuaidh
G29. 764896
this
loch has many pointed protruding rocks which may give it its name; it seems the
O.S. name changed, for some unknown reason, after the 1970s
O.S.
map:
G30. 763900 Cnoc nan Uan krohk n∂n ooan the
knoll of the lambs
this
is at the spot height of 268 metres on the O.S. map
O.S. map: Cnoc nan Uan
G31. 768901 Allt Loch an
Fhiaclachadh alt loch ∂n E∂kloch∂gh the burn of the loch of the toothy place
Ø this
burn is at the northern end of Coille Locha Dring; its name is connected to
‘L’ Fhiaclachan though it does not appear to be
physically linked
O.S. map: Allt Loch nam Fiaclachadh
G32. 768903 Allt Cnoc nan Uan alt krohk n∂n ooan the
burn of Cnoc nan Uan
• Ø this burn start downslope of
the top of Cnoc nan Uan
O.S. map: Allt Cnoc nan Uan
G33. 768907 Allt na Crìche alt n∂ krE:ch∂ the burn of the boundary
• Ø this burn is to the south of
the northern group of structures and flows into
O.S. map: Allt na Crìche
G34. 768908 Locha Dring loch∂ drEnk Dring’s?
loch
• the
former settlement a little over a kilometre from the shore
O.S. map:
Lochadraing
G35. 772880
this
loch appears much smaller than it did on the first edition map
O.S. map:
G36. 776881 Bac a’ Leth-choin bahk ∂ lechon the
moss of the lurcher
one
source gave this name as suggesting twins (lethaoin, lehon), presumably of an
animal, may have been born here but this
does not accord with W
p.228
O.S. map: Bac an Leth-choin
D
p.47 Fionnla Dubh na Saighead slew Niall
Mac Leòid, on what is now Druim Càrn Nèill (7989), from here
D
p.240 An Arctic Fox was trapped here in
1878 ‘on the edge of a very small sheet of water at the back of Bac an
Leth-Choin’. (Could this be the lochan (771880) to the north of
G37. 775886 Allt na h-Uirighnean alt n∂ haorEn∂n the
burn of the (makeshift)-beds?
this
has its source to the north of Bac a’ Leth-choin and flows northeast; this burn
becomes Allt a’ Chaol-doire (alt ∂ khaol dor∂,
the burn of An Chaol-doire) east of the path and where the slope becomes
gentle; the name given possibly should be *Allt nan Uirighnean O.S. map: Allt nan Uiridhean, Allt nan Cuiridhnean
G38. 774885 An Uiridhreain ∂ naorErE∂n --?
Ø this is shown on the first map along Allt nan Uiridhean / Allt nan Cuiridhnean and may refer to either the very gently sloping area or where the valley is descending more steeply; the form that would correspond to the other names with the latter element would be *Na h-Uirighnean (na haorEn∂n) but the definite article is wrong to mean ‘the (makeshfit) beds’
O.S. map: An Uiridhreain, Ï
G39. 779889 Creagan
na h-Uirighnean krakan n∂ haorEn∂n the little crag of the
(makeshift)-beds?
this
is on both sides of the burn where it descends through a cut in the crag;
the name given possibly should be *Creagan nan Uirighnean
G40. 774890 Blàr na h-Eòin blar n∂ hyo:n the peat moss
of the birds
L this
was given as the area between Allt nan
Uiridhean and A’ Feadan Mòr though it may be a little higher than this on
the more level ground
G41. 771892 A’ Feadan Mòr ∂ fetan mO:r the
big gully
this
feature extends from where it appears on Explorer map to 775895; àite mòr
domhainn de dh’fheadan
O.S. map: Feadan Mòr
D
p.166 A cask of gold for Prince Charlie
was hidden here, made invisible by a spell that would reveal it for a few
moments at the end of each seven year period. It was seen by a shepherd’s wife
but became invisible again before it could be recovered
MWHTv.1, p. 464 ‘Uime sin, is e Mac Gille Mhaoil na Cruit a bha sadachadh nan each [mu fheasgar] leis an robh e ruigsinn cho fad ri Feadan Mór Locha Dring, sean àite còmhnuidh na Féinne.’
W p.230 This
was where the kettle of the Féinne, that the witch Cuislig ran off with, was
kept.
G42. 774894 Allt an Fheadain alt ∂ netan the burn of the
gully
Ø this
burn flows into Loch Ceann a’ Chàrnaich and does not seem to flow through
L A’
Feadan Mòr
O.S. map: Allt an Fheadain, Ï
G43. 773895 An Torra Mór ∂n tor∂ mO:r the
big hill
this lies within A’ Feadan Mòr; ’s e càrn mòr granda a th’
ann, ann am meadhan an Fheadan agus seo càrn as uamhasaiche as aithne dhomh
O.S. map: Tòrr Mòr
G44. 7789 Loch Clais a’ Chàrnaich loch klash ∂ cha:rnEch the loch of the gully of the rocky place
the
path skirts the eastern shore of this loch which has a rock-strewn ridge at its
northern side; the O.S. name translates as ‘the loch of the end of the rocky
place’ which fits with the description just given
O.S. map:
G45. 7789 Coille Locha Dring kaoly loch∂ drEnk the
wood of Dring’s? loch
a wood
that is both natural, e.g. the birch, and planted, e.g. the larch
O.S. map:
Coille Loch an Drainc, Coille Loch an Draing
D
p.160 The story is related how the Gille
Dubh ‘was seen by many people on many occasions during a period of more than
forty years in the latter half of the eighteenth century; he was, in fact,
well-known to the people, and was generally regarded as a beneficient
fariy.’ A little girl from the farm at
Locha Druing was the only person that he spoke
to. An attempt was made by a group of gentlemen to shoot the unoffending fairy
MWHTv.1,
pp. 480-485 It was about here that An
Gille Dubh was encountered. He fought various people before promising to go to
his father’s country of Assynt though he was
seen in the area again.
G46. 776899 Tobar Dringag top∂r drEngak Dring’s?
well
this is less than 50 metres to the south of the loch; bha roimhe bharailt ann. Tha e aig taighean Locha Dring
W p.228
O.S. map: Tobar an Drainc, Tobar an Drainc
MWHTv.1,
p. 482 Fear of the Gille Dubh prevented
the laird of Sand’s servants going for water at this well. When the laird
himself went, he did not return until daybreak. It was said that the laird made
the Gille Dubh promise to leave the area, which he did until after the larid’s
death, to Assnyt.
G47. 772896 Torr na h-Iolaire tor n∂ hEoolar∂ the knoll of
the eagle
this
is a little north of An Torra Mòr and at about the same height; this was also
given as Cnoc na h-Iolaire (krohk n∂ hEoolar∂, the knoll of the eagle)
G48. 773898 Allt Clais a’
Bhuignich alt klash ∂ bhooknEch the burn of Clais a’ Bhuignich
this
is the most southerly burn entering Locha Dring
O.S. map: Allt Clais na Buigneich, Ï
G49. 774899 Clais a’ Bhuignich klash ∂ bhooknEch the gully of the boggy-place?
this
is the land within the broad turn of Allt Clais a’ Bhuignich
O.S. map: Clais na Buigneich, Ï
G50. 779899
this
is the loch at the southeast corner of Locha Dring; one source gave this loch
as
O.S. map:
G51. 771902 Allt Loch an Fhiaclachadh alt loch ∂n E∂kloch∂gh the burn of the
loch of the toothy place
Ø this
burn is at the northern end of Coille Locha Dring; its name is connected to
‘L’ Fhiaclachan though it does not appear to be physically
linked
O.S. map: Allt Loch nam Fiaclachadh
G52. 771904 Allt Cnoc nan Uan alt krohk n∂n ooan the
burn of Cnoc nan Uan
• Ø this burn start downslope of
the top of Cnoc nan Uan
O.S. map: Allt Cnoc nan Uan
G53. 770907 Allt na Crìche alt n∂ krE:ch∂ the burn of the boundary
• Ø this burn is to the south of
the northern group of structures and flows into
O.S. map: Allt na Crìche
G54. 776906 Locha Dring loch∂ drEnk Dring’s?
loch
• this
is also called A’ Locha Mòr (∂ loch∂ mO:r, the big
loch); this (Locha Dring) is also the name of a former settlement (768908)
W p.228
O.S. map: Loch an
Drainc,
G55. 773908 An t-Eilean Dubh ∂n tjAlan doo the
black island
• the island on Locha Dring
O.S. map: Eilean Dubh
G56. 778909 Lochain na Coille lochan n∂ kaoly the wee lochs of the wood
• Ø this is a group of three lochs east of Locha Dring; these
are somewhat distant from the wood to be named after it
O.S. map: Lochain na Coille
Grid aquares 7888-7890
G57. 784828 Allt na Fèithe Dìrich alt n∂ feh∂ dE:rEch the
burn of An Fhèith Dhìreach
this
has its source southeast of Bac a’ Leth-choin and flows into
O.S. map: Allt na Féithe Dìreich, Ï
G58. 788884 Achadh na Féithe Dìrich ach∂gh n∂
feh∂ dE:rEch the hill-field of An Fhèith Dhìreach
the
enclosure is 300 metres from
O.S. map: Achadh na Féithe Dìreich, Achadh
na Fèithe Dìrich
MWHTv.1,
p.464 ‘Dh’fhàg iad na eich air Achadh na
Féithe Dìrich, . . .’
G59. 787887
Ø the
loch passed on its west side by the path
O.S. map: Loch na Féithe Dìreich,
G60. 784887 An Fhèithe Dhìreach ∂ nye∂ yE:roch the
straight? bog
Ø maps
show this to be on the hillside which is unusual for a bog so its correct
location may be next to Loch na Fèithe Dìreich; Na Fèithean Dìreach has also
been recorded; just out of the
area covered by this booklet is An Fhèithe Dhìreach Bheag (∂
nye∂ yE:roch bAk, the wee straight? bog) at 791881
O.S. map: Féith Dìreach, Fèith Dìreach
MWHTv.1,
p.464 An
Fhèith Dhìreach may be referred to in this story. ‘. . . agus chaidh iad
fad air an aghart gu ruig an Fhéith Mhór.’
G61. 788891 An Caol-doire ∂n kao:l d∂r∂ the narrow grove
Ø this
is a stretch of land southeast of
O.S. map: An Caol-tholl, An Caol-thuil
G62. 781892 Allt a’
Chaol-doire alt ∂ chao:l d∂r∂ the burn of An Caol-doire
this is Allt nan Uirighnean (alt n∂ naorEn∂n, the burn of the(makeshift)-beds?)
G63. 785892 Lòn a’ Chaol-doire lOn ∂ chao:l d∂r∂ the moist flat of An Caol-doire
Ø this
is shown as the area between Loch na Fèithe Dìrich and
O.S. map: Lòn a’ Chaol-thuill, Ï
G64. 786895
this
is southeast of Locha Dring
O.S. map: Loch a’ Chaol-thuill,
G65. 782899 An Uidh Driseach ∂n ooE drEsoch the
brambly channel
Ø this
is the water that links Loch a’ Chaol-doire with
? brambly believe that brambles grew here and another meaning for ‘driseach’
in Dwelly, fretful, is tempting
O.S. map: Uidh Driseach, Ï
G66.789898 Loch Àirigh an Eilein loch arE ∂n Al∂n the loch of the shieling of the island
Ø the
loch to the east of
O.S. map: Loch Airidh an Eilein,
G67. 780901 Lochan Dubh
Mòintich lochan doo mo:ntjEch the peaty black wee loch
this
loch is linked to
G69. 781909 Lochain na Coille lochan n∂ kaoly the wee lochs of the wood
• Ø this is a group of three lochs east of Locha Dring; these
are somewhat distant from the wood to be named after it
O.S. map: Lochain na Coille
H.
Coastal place-names from Rubha Rèidh Lighthouse to A’ Staca Ruadh (792929) including
all place-names north of northing 91 to Locha Dring (7790)
F97. 739919 An t-Seann-Sgeir ∂n jown skAr the old skerry
• the
shore rocks from Port ’an Amall (at its correct location, as given above) to
Cidhe an Taigh-Sholais (the lighthouse jetty); ’se seo a theirear ris an àite
ghon an deach an taigh- solais
a thogail; it is not the single skerry named on the O.S. map
W p.228
O.S. map: An Sean
Sgeir
F98. 739919 A’ Rubha ∂ roo,oo the
headland
or A’ Rubha Rèidh ∂
roo re: the
smooth headland
• the
promontory north of Gairloch is A’ Rubha; A’ Rubha Rèidh is the form of the
name used by those on the sea; people of Mealabhaig call the area of the
lighthouse An t-Seann- Sgeir
W p.228
O.S. map: Rudh’ Ré / Rubha Rèidh
D
p.47, etc. ‘ Rubha Reidh was then known
as Seann Rudha, a name which is still sometime given to it.’
D
p.219 ‘Between Gairloch and Loch Ewe is
the promontory called the North Point, terminating in Rudha Reidh, or Ru Ré, .
. .’
F99.
741918 An Innis Mhòr ∂n
Ensh vO:r the big sheltered hollow
• the valley-like feature,
in which a walled enclosure next to the road may be seen, running from the road
to Cidhe an Taigh-Sholais (the lighthouse jetty) and before the
final descent to the lighthouse and above Port ’an Amall
F100.
741917 Glac an Innis Mòire glahk ∂n
Ensh mO:r∂ the hollow of An Innis Mhòr
• this is a green valley with pools leading from An Innis
Mhòr
F102. 742921 Cidhe an
Taigh-Sholais kE ∂n taE hol∂sh the lighthouse jetty
• the remains of a short wagonway,
used to bring supplies up from the jetty (and dumped into the adjacent gully
when the light was automated), may be seen here; the map incorrectly shows Port
’an Amall as being here
H1. 746920 Fasan an Fhèidh fas∂n ∂n e:E the
passes of the deer
a
dangerous green shelf half-way down the cliff opposite the
northern
end of A’ Staca Dubh; it is thought that ‘fasan’ is from ‘fasraidhean’
H2. 747920 A’ Staca Dubh ∂ stahk∂ doo the
black stack
this is the most northerly of the stacks. It is low, broad
with a vegetated level surface
O.S. map: Stac Dubh
(renumbered from 2nd ed.)
H3. 748920 A’ Staca Beag ∂ stahk∂ bAk the
wee stack
this
is little more than rock protruding from the sea north of A’ Staca Buidhe
H4. 748920 A’ Staca Buidhe ∂ stahk∂ booE the
yellow stack
this
is similar in form to A’ Staca Dubh but higher. It is cut through by a narrow
arch
O.S. map: Stac Buidhe
D p.330 ‘One square rock is called Stac Buidhe, or “the yellow stack”, from the brilliant orange-coloured lichens growing upon it. It is the breeding ground of a few gulls and other sea birds.’
H5. 748919 Staca ’n Iolaire stahk∂ nEoolar∂ the
stack of the eagle
this has a complex shape with a steep-sided yet rounded summit below which are two shoulders that have been likened to a half bottle of whisky. It is difficult to identify this stack on the O.S. map but it lies immediately southeast of A’ Staca Buidhe
H6. 749919 A’ Staca Biorach ∂ stahk∂ bEroch the
sharp stack
this
is the most southerly stack. It is steep-sided and riven with a narrow arch
that almost splits it in two
H7. 748918 Creag Camas a’
Fhraoich krAk kam∂s ∂ raoEch the crag of Camas a’ Fhraoich
Ø this
is the steep rocky face above the sea
O.S. map: Creag Camas an Fhraoich
H8. 7491 Na h-Uamhagan Dubha n∂ hooa,ak∂n doo,oo the
black wee caves
L these
are understood to be on Creag Camas an Fhraoich below Cnoc ’a’ Stac
H9.
747915 Cnoc ’a’ Stac krohk
∂ stahk the knoll
of the stacks
this is the hill between Creag Camas a’ Fhraoich and Allt na Claonath; it is thought that this name is from ‘Cnoc nan Stac’
O.S. map: Cnoc an Stac
H10.
749917 Leabaidh ’n Iainidh (?)
lepE nEanE Johnny’s
bed
this
is a level area to the northwest of Allt
Camas a’ Fhraoich where this burn plunges steeply to the sea; the form of this
name and its meaning are uncertain
H11. 750917 Allt Camas a’
Fhraoich alt kam∂s ∂ raoEch the
burn of Camas a’ Fhraoich
this
is called Allt na Claonath further upstream
H12.
748913 Allt na Claonath alt n∂ klaona the
burn of the wry-ford ?
this
is Allt Camas a’ Fhraoich before it drops more steeply to the sea; the meaning
of ‘claonath’, possibly from ‘claon àth’, is uncertain
O.S. map: Allt na Cluaine
H13. 751918 Camas a’ Fhraoich kam∂s ∂ raoEch the
bay of the heather
this
is the bay at the mouth of Allt Camas a’ Fhraoich and probably extending to
below Creag Camas a’ Fhraoich
O.S. map: Camas an Fhraoich, Ï
H14.
753915 Na Gasganan n∂ gaskan∂n the hollows
these
extend to northwest and south east of the source of Allt na Garaidh
H15. 753918 An t-Sraingh ∂n traE the
string (of rocks)
these
are the rocks at the east side of Camas a’ Fhraoich
H16. 753918 Toll na Sraingh tOl n∂ straE
the hole
of An t-Sraingh
this
is a natural arch in the rocks that form An t-Sraingh
H17. 757918 An Camas Mòr ∂n kam∂s mO:r the
big bay
this
is the large sandy bay
O.S. map: Camas Mòr
H18. 756917 Allt a’ Gharaidh alt ∂ gharE the
burn of An Garaidh
this
is the most westerly burn falling into An Camas Mòr
O.S. map: Allt a’ Ghàraidh
H19.
755916 An Garaidh ∂n garE the
den
L this is at the top of the
cliff on the edge
H20. 757916 Acha’ ’n Fhasraidh ach∂ nasrE the
hill-field of the passes
this is a level shelf on the steep slope to the south of An Camas Mòr with a old sheiling on it
H21.
758914 Allt an Fhasraidh alt ∂n asrE the
burn of the pass
this
is the next burn and that which joins Allt na Leth-chreig
H22.
759915 A’ Leth-chreag ∂ le chAk the
half-crag
this
is the rock between Allt an Fhasraidh and Allt na Leth-chreig rather than the
slope that seems to be named on O.S. maps
O.S. map: An Leth-chreag
H23. 758917 Allt na Leth-chreig alt n∂ le chrAk the
burn of the half-crag
this is a shown on the O.S. map
O.S. map: Allt an Leth-chreig
H24.
760910 Am Maolchnoc ∂
mao:lchnohk the bare
hill(side) knoll
this
is near the source of Allt na Leth-chreig; its summit is shown on the Explorer
map by a 233 metres spot height and is on the skyline from the fank at Locha Dring
(768908)
H25.
761916 Camas Trolabhaig kam∂s
trol∂vak goblin
bay
this
name has the element ‘Trolabhaig’ , derived from Norse words meaning ‘goblin bay’
with the Gaelic ‘camas’ added so the full name really translates as ‘goblin
bay bay’; this is the name of the former settlement at this location
W p.228
O.S. map:
Camstrolvaig
H26.
761916 Camasaidh kam∂sE the wee bay
this
is an alternative name for Camas Trolabhaig
H27.
770913
• O.S. map:
H28.
769916 A’ Locha Beag ∂
loch∂ bAk the wee loch
• or
Locha Beag nan Eun loch∂
bAk n∂n Ean the wee
loch of the birds
this
is the small loch to the north of
O.S. map: Loch Beag nan Eun,
H29.
768908 Locha Dring loch∂
drEnk Dring’s?
loch
• the former settlement a
little over a kilometre from the shore
O.S.
map: Lochadraing
H30.
768907 Allt na Crìche alt n∂
krE:ch∂ the burn of the
boundary
•
Ø this burn is to the
south of the northern group of structures and flows into
O.S.
map: Allt na Crìche
H31.
776906 Locha Dring loch∂
drEnk Dring’s?
loch
• this is also called A’
Locha Mòr (∂ loch∂ mO:r, the big loch); this (Locha Dring) is also
the name of a former settlement
(768908)
W p.228
O.S.
map: Loch an Drainc,
H32.
773908 An t-Eilean Dubh ∂n
tjAlan doo the
black island
•
the island on Locha
Dring
O.S.
map: Eilean Dubh
H33.
773910 Uidh na Locha Mòire ooE n∂ loch∂ mO:r∂ the channel of A’ Locha Mòr
•
Ø the short stretch of
water that flows between Locha Dring (also known as A’ Locha Mòr) and
O.S. map: Uidh na Locha Mòire, Ï
(inland
place-names continue in sections C and D)
H34. 763922 Camas na
Seana-creig kam∂s n∂ shen∂
krAk the bay of An
t-Seana-chreag
this
is where Allt Camas na Seana-chreig flows into the sea
B O.S.
map: Camas an t-Sean Chreig
H35. 762921 Allt Camas na
Seana-chreig alt kam∂s n∂
shen∂ krAk the burn of Camas na
Seana-creig
this
is the burn that flows from the north of the area named Camustrolvaig on the
map
O.S. map: Allt an t-Sean Chreig, Ï
H36. 7692 An t-Seana-chreag ∂n jene chrAk the old rock
this
is a large slab extending into the sea to the north of the mouth of Allt Camas
na
Seana-chreig
H37. 767925 Geodh a’ Ghàraidh gyo ∂ gha:rE the
gully of the wall
Ø the
location given has been worked out from the first edition map
L O.S. map: Geodh’ a’ Ghàraidh, Ï
H38. 769928 An Geodh’ Dubh ∂n gyo doo the
black gully
this is on the west side of Sròin a’ Gheodh’ Dhuibh
O.S. map: Geodh’ Dubh
H39. 770929 Sròin a’ Gheodh’
Dhuibh stron ∂ ghyo ghoo the point of An Geodh’ Dubh
the prominent headland north of
O.S. map: Sròn a’ Gheodha Dhuibh
H40. 771928 Geodh’ a’ Chriosain gyo ∂ chrEs∂n the gully of the wee-belt?
Ø this
is on the east side of Sròin a’ Gheodh’ Dhuibh about opposite An Geodh’ Dubh
L O.S. map: Geodh’ a’ Chriosain, Ï
H41. 773928 Camas na’ Rùdhag kam∂s n∂ roo:ak the
bay of the crabs?
this
is the bay just east of Sròin a’ Gheodh’ Dhuibh but the location of the name on
the first edition possibly contradicts this
L O.S. map: Camas nan Rùdhag, Ï
H42. 776927 Abhainn na’
Leumannan owEn n∂ lA:man∂n the river of the jumps
• this
flows from
O.S. map: Abhainn na Leuma
H43. 778927 An t-Sùil Ghainmhich ∂n tool geneEch the
sandy ‘sùil’
this
is shown about 150 metres east of the mouth of Abhainn na’ Leumannan; it is
believed to be a geo though there may have been an arch here
L O.S. map: Sùil na Gainimh
H44. 783924 An Camas Dubh ∂n kam∂s doo the
black bay
• this
is the bay west of A’ Sgeir Mhòr
O.S. map: Camas Dubh, Ï
H45. 784926 A’ Sgeir Mhòr ∂ skAr vO:r the big skerry
this separates an Camas Dubh from An t-Seanna-chamas
O. S. map: Sgeir Mhòr
H46. 787924 An t-Seanna-chamas ∂n tjaon∂
cham∂s the
old bay
the
bay to the east of A’ Sgeir Mhòr; this name was also given by one source as A’ Fionna-chamas
(∂ fEoon∂
cham∂s, the white bay) which is appealling because of the proximity of An Camas
Dubh; the O.S. name refers to a river mouth
O.S.
map: An Sean Inbhir, Ï
H47. 788924 Allt an t-Sean-re alt ∂n tjen∂r∂ the burn of the old mouth (of a river)
this
flows from Loch an t-Sean-inbhir (
O.S. map: Uidh an t-Sean-inbhir, Ï
H48. 791927 Camas nam Bàirneach Odhar kam∂s n∂m barnEch Ooo