An
introduction to place-names and their study
The list of elements of place-names given here was drawn up
to include all place-names on the parts of the O.S. Landranger maps (sheets 19,
20 and parts of 24 and 25) covering the Munros of Northern Ross-shire, i.e. An Teallach and the
‘Fisherfield Six’, Slioch and the Torridon Hills, Beinn Dearg and surrounding hills, the
Fannich Hills, Ben Wyvis. It is being extended to
include elements appearing on other parts of these maps and, in particular, the
area around Gairloch. Additions to the list since it was published in print are included in red.
Apamapa: an introduction to place-names, Nevis Hulme, 2010
Link to list of elements: A B C D E F G I L M N O P R S T U Contents Home
Dedication
This work is
dedicated to the memory of Roy Wentworth who died in October 2003. He
provided inspiration and guidance and was of great help in compiling this work.
His expertise is badly missed.
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A. An introduction to place-names and their study
The accuracy of place-names on O.S. maps
A note on using
Gaelic place-names
A guide to pronunciation of Gaelic place-names
The IPA and the imitated system
D. Place-name elements (Ross and Cromarty)
Apamapa: an introduction to place-names, Nevis Hulme,
2010
Link to list of elements: A B C D E F G I L M N O P R S T U Contents Home
A recurrent problem for the
majority of people who regularly use maps in their activities is that the bulk
of the place-names in the Highlands of Scotland is in Gaelic. While various
guides are available to assist with the meanings of these (though often these
are simply copied from inaccurate sources) and some give help in the pronunciation,
there is no source combining these in a readily accessible form. The maps
included with this booklet have been produced to meet such a need. It is hoped
that they will lead to greater accuracy of pronunciation than is commonly
heard, promote the use of the Gaelic language and help to preserve the cultural
heritage of the
It should be noted that
the pronunciations given on the maps are, where possible, those used in speech
by local native speakers of Gaelic within the limitation of the system used.
This means that the pronunciation is often at variance with the name given on
the map. A common reason for this is the addition of the definite article which
the O.S. usually omits at the start of the name. A further reason is that the
locally used name does not coincide with that given on the map (see below for a
discussion on this). 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. Another reason is that the undefined final vowel
sound is often dropped at the end of words, as in ‘muice’, for example.
The accuracy of place-names on O.S. maps
(* before place-names in this section is used to show
incorrect forms)
It is probable that few users of
maps consider that their content is anything but true and accurate. The
reality, though, is quite the opposite. In the 1870s, what is now the Ordnance
Survey (O.S.) carried out its first detailed mapping of the
Sometimes these people who gave
the names were the estate owners or people whose residence was distant from the
area in question; their knowledge of the land and its names was not always as
reliable as those of the crofter or farmer who worked the land. In some cases,
names were possibly made up to keep the men from the O.S. happy. A modern
example of this is Lochan Uaine, Beinn Eighe (1:25 000, Outdoor Leisure Map 8,
NG9660). It is not named on maps before the 1960s and was invented by a manager
of the nature reserve.
Sometimes the information gathered
was wrongly recorded. ‘*Port an Amaill’ (Landranger, sheet 19,
NG7492) is shown to the north of the lighthouse at Rubha Rèidh. Older,
long-standing residents of the area know this name to indicate a landing place
immediately to the south of the lighthouse. This error possibly arose as a
result of misplacing another feature to the south of here (*Sròn na
h-Airde Fholaich, Explorer 434, NG7391) some 400 metres too far to the north;
Port nan Amall (as it should be) was in consequence shifted in its relative
location.
On other occasions, errors arose
because those making the enquiries did not understand what was being said or,
perhaps, heard what they wished to hear. On the O.S. map (Landranger, sheet 19,
NG8073) the name, ‘*Ard Ialltaig’ is shown. This name would suggest the
meaning ‘Bat Promontory’ yet this headland is adjacent to Shieldaig, Loch
Gairloch, which, when combined with ‘Àird’ would give ‘Àird Shìldeag’ which is
very close in pronunciation to the name on the map. Whether this is coincidence
cannot be proven since the name is not known today. The name ‘A’ Chreag
Mhòr’(the big rock) is used to refer to it by the few Gaelic speakers remaining
in the area. The word ‘Bidein’ is not used in Wester Ross but the name given
for a summit of An Teallach contains it. This is an example of the O.S.
standardising its usage. It may be confusing but the locally used ‘Spidean’ has
been given since this is what is known to be the correct name of the top.
A further source of error came
about when names were ‘corrected’ or copied incorrectly for later editions of
the maps. It was very common for the O.S. map-makers to change names to fit
what they believed must be correct in terms of any of spelling, meaning or
position. An example of the incorrect copying is found near Inverasdale at the
place shown as ‘*Creag Choic’ (Landranger, sheet 19, NG8085). This
is shown on the original map as ‘*Creag Choie’ but the last letter
was copied wrongly on to later maps probably because of the confusion caused by
rock outcrop symbols. It is still known today as ‘A’ Chreag Chaoidh’ which is
just a better spelling of the original collected.
When the O.S. started representing
place-names on its maps it was decided to omit the definite article at the
start of most names which should have one. So, ‘*Beinn Bheag’,
translating as ‘little mountain’ or ‘a little mountain’, is shown when it would
be named ‘A’ Bheinn Bheag’, ‘the little mountain’, in Gaelic. In the following
work, definite articles have been indicated on names that require them. This,
however, has introduced added difficulties. Firstly, in some cases, it is
difficult to tell if a place-name should have the definite article. This occurs
where there is uncertainty over the meaning and it is not known whether the
place-name includes a proper name. In this case the definite article would not
be required. There is inconsistency with the definite article though. For
example, ‘Beinn Eighe’, ‘file mountain’ is the correct name for that hill; one
would expect the definite article before the name but it seems not to be used
in this case. Secondly, the addition of the article often changes the sound of
the first letter of the name. In the example above, using ‘*Beinn
Bheag, the ‘b’ sound changes to ‘v’. A table has been supplied as an aid if
users wish to give names as they would be used in Gaelic. It is hoped that the
O.S. will rectify the omission of articles as it reviews place-names in line
with a newly adopted policy on Gaelic place-names.
There is no doubt that, for
place-names, the first edition of the O.S. map, available for study from
libraries and on the internet (at www.old-maps.co.uk), is the best source of
information. It is to the great credit of the researchers of the 19th century
that so much of what was recorded is accurate. Anyone who has tried to pinpoint
the location of a name for a moorland area given by an informant will
appreciate the achievement.
Reference has been made to
reliable sources both published and personal contact. Of the latter, Roy
Wentworth spent many years studying place-names in Wester Ross and provided
much advice on the representation of the names given here. Where possible,
local usage has been included even where this is markedly different from that
given on other published maps. Reference is made to these variations above.
Despite this, for many names, doubt will exist as to the correct form and
pronunciation of place-names used by those who lived on the land for centuries.
This is compounded by the difficulties caused by Gaelic dialect. An attempt has been made to adopt that used
in the area concerned but, for the reason given above, uncertainty must exist.
The author accepts responsibility
for errors in this work and would gratefully receive comments from users
(e-mail: nevis@macmail.com)
A note on using Gaelic place-names
The grammar of Gaelic is markedly
different from that of English and causes many difficulties for the unwary. In
English, descriptive words can be joined by using the phrase ‘of the’ as in
‘the loch of the hollow of the lochan.’ Any of the parts of this name could be
used independently with no change in spelling. In Gaelic, however, the spelling
of the word depends on how the word is used. For example, ‘hollow’ is ‘toll’
but, if used in the form ‘of the hollow’, becomes ‘a’ thuill’ unless it is
followed by another word in the form ‘of the’ in which case it remains
unchanged. So, ‘the loch of the hollow’ would be ‘
For example, near Lochan na Bearta (Landranger, sheet 19, NG9980) climbers have named a crag ‘*Na Bearta Buttress’ after the nearby loch. ‘Na Bearta’ means ‘of the deed’ so the name translates as ‘Of the deed buttress’. This climbing area would have been better named ‘A’ Bheart Buttress’, meaning ‘The Deed Buttress’. Reference was often made to ‘*A’Ghlas Thuill’ for a corrie (Landranger, sheet 19, NH0784) on An Teallach. This has been taken from the name shown for the adjacent summit, ‘*Bidein a’ Ghlas Thuill.’ This means ‘the peak of the grey hollow’ and so to use ‘*A’Ghlas Thuill’ alone means ‘Of the grey hollow.’ The correct Gaelic for the corrie is ‘An Glas Tholl’ as, more or less, appears on Landranger maps since 1997.
This has been a major problem for
those with a casual interest in Gaelic place-names as, at best, there was need
to refer to a book to find a guide to pronunciation. The only entirely accurate
method of representing this is using the International Phonetic Alphabet. This
is, unfortunately, somewhat complicated and it is realised that most with an
interest in being able to say place-names with a degree of accuracy are not
prepared to go to the trouble of learning this system. For this reason, and to
overcome inadequacies in other methods of pronunciation, a system of imitated
pronunciation has been devised specifically for the purpose.
Careful reference to this imitated
pronunciation is essential for reasonably accurate pronunciation. This system
has been tested with a variety of British speakers of English but cannot be
guaranteed to work with other speakers. A guide to phonetic equivalents is
given for those with knowledge of the International Phonetic Alphabet.
It has been argued by some that
attempting to pronounce place-names correctly may cause confusion especially
where many have come to use a common form amongst a group, for example, a
climbing club. This argument does not stand up since a new acquaintance may
have a completely different pronunciation for the same place. It is entirely
possible that ‘An Teallach’ could be called ‘antilock’ by someone with no
knowledge of Gaelic. Variations of this type are to be heard from time to time,
e.g. (these should be read as if English) ‘ben a clad hyme’ (Beinn a’
Chlaidheimh) or ‘skur rood’ (Sgùrr Ruadh).
It should be noted that, as stated
earlier, the pronunciation given here is that which is or would have been used
by a Gaelic speaker from Wester Ross. Unlike many other popular pronunciation
guides, it is not based on Lewis, Skye or a standardised form of Gaelic but
that used in the area of interest.
A guide to pronunciation of Gaelic
place-names
[ note ∂ ao
y in particular ]
a. Vowels: short sounds
∂ = e in ‘butter’ or ‘paper’ (undefined vowel sound)
a = a in ‘cat’ A = a
in ‘say’ ao = ea in ‘earn’ or eu in
French ‘fleur’
e = e in ‘pet’ E = ee in ‘see’ i = i in ‘pit’
o = o in ‘cot’ O = o in ‘comb’ ow = ow in ‘cow’ oo = oo in ‘toot’
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’. The following are long equivalents of the first group of
sounds given above:
a: A: e: ao: E: o: O: oo:
c. Consonants
The first letter of the following words give the pronunciation for these letters:
bat, dog, fat, gap, hat, map, not, pot,
run, sad, top, van
l represents the l in ‘list’ and
in ‘table’
ch = ch in ‘loch’ gh = equivalent of ch, but with a
‘g’instead of ‘c’
j = j in ‘judge’ k = c in ‘cat’
sh = sh in ‘shut’ tj = tch in ‘catch’
y = y in 'yes', e.g. by = b in
‘beauty’ or ly = l in ‘lure’, similarly for f, g, k, m, v
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 and certain distinctions
within Gaelic are not realised in this system.
(This is not included because of
difficulties with typefaces.)
As stated above, this has been
added where the form of the place-name suggests that it should come before the
name. The forms of the article are given below and from this, it is hoped, an
understanding of the pronunciation may be developed. This is only a brief
synopsis!
Nominative case (e.g.
nouns in italics here: A’ Chreag
Mhòr, An t-Allt Loch Ghiùthsachan)
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Article |
Nominative singular |
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Say |
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1. |
A’ |
before feminine nouns beginning with: |
spelling changes to |
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B |
A’ Bh . . . |
∂ v . . . |
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C |
A’ Ch . . . |
∂ ch . . . |
||
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G |
A’ Gh . . . |
∂ gh . . . |
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M |
A’ Mh . . . |
∂ v . . . |
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P |
A’ Ph . . . |
∂ f . . . |
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2a. |
An t- |
before masculine nouns beginning with a vowel |
∂n t |
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b. |
An t- |
before feminine nouns beginning with S + vowel, Sl, Sn or Sr (sound of S lost) |
∂n t |
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3a. |
Am |
before masculine nouns beginning with B, M, P |
∂m |
|||
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b. |
Am |
before masculine nouns beginning with F, e.g. Fuaran, foo∂ran
becomes Am Fuaran, ∂ foo∂ran (compare with feminine F below;
this is a Wester Ross dialect variation) |
∂ |
|||
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4a. |
An |
before nouns beginning with L,
N, R and S (this is a Wester Ross dialect
variation) |
∂ |
|||
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b. |
An |
before feminine nouns beginning with F, e.g. Faoilin, faolEn becomes An Fhaoilinn, ∂n
aolEn (sound of F lost) |
∂n |
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5. |
An |
before other letters |
∂n |
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Nominative plural |
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6a. |
Na |
before plurals beginning with a
consonant |
n∂ |
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b. |
Na h- |
before plurals beginning with a
vowel |
n∂ h |
|||
Genitive case (e.g.
nouns in italics here: Coir’ a’ Bhristidh,
Creag na Corcurach, Leac na Tuatha)
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Article |
Genitive singular |
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Say |
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7. |
A’ |
(cf. rule 1 above for feminine nominative nouns) before masculine genitive beginning with: |
spelling changes to |
say |
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B |
A’ Bh . . . |
∂ v . . . |
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C |
A’ Ch . . . |
∂ ch . . . |
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G |
A’ Gh . . . |
∂ gh . . . |
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M |
A’ Mh . . . |
∂ v . . . |
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P |
A’ Ph . . . |
∂ f . . . |
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8. |
An t- |
before masculine genitive nouns beginning with S + vowel, Sl, Sn or Sr
(cf. rule 2b. above) (sound
of S lost) |
∂n t . . . |
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9a. |
An |
before masculine genitive nouns beginning with a vowel |
∂n |
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b. |
An |
before masculine genitive nouns beginning with F (cf. rule 4b. above)
(sound of F lost) |
∂n . . . |
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10a. |
Na |
before a consonant pronounced |
n∂ . . . |
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b. |
Na h- |
before feminine genitive nouns beginning with a vowel |
n∂ h |
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Genitive plural |
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11. |
|
those beginning with B, M, P |
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12a. |
|
those beginning with L, N, R and
S (this is a Wester Ross dialect variation) |
n∂ |
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b. |
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before all other plural nouns |
n∂n |
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(In general, the dative case is not needed in the study of place-names.)
D. Place-name elements (Ross and Cromarty)
The list of elements of place-names given here was drawn up
to include all place-names on the parts of the O.S. Landranger maps (sheets 19,
20 and parts of 24 and 25) covering the Munros of Northern Ross-shire,
i.e. An Teallach and the ‘Fisherfield
Six’, Slioch and the Torridon Hills, Beinn Dearg and surrounding hills, the Fannich
Hills, Ben Wyvis.
It
is being extended to include elements appearing on other parts of these maps
and, in particular, the area around Gairloch.
Additions to the list since it was published in print are included
in red.
The following columns are used.
Gaelic
The Gaelic spelling of the word is given. Those names given in italic type are errors on at least one version of the O.S. map or less favoured spellings; references are given, where possible, to correct or preferred spellings
This list is in alphabetical order ignoring the definite
article (a’, am, an, an t-, na, na h- and nan) on the left-hand side.
Say
This gives the pronunciation as oultined on page 4.
Pronunciation may vary where words are in unstressed positions, e.g. while one may consider ‘An t-Sàil Mhòr’ to be said as ‘∂n ta:l vO:r’, it is actually pronounced ‘∂n tal vO:r’. ‘allt’ will only rarely appear in a stressed position in a place-name so will usually be pronounced ‘alt’. This applies to most generic elements (i.e. those which signify the main part of the name) but the stressed form is given for completeness.
Unexpected vowel sounds may be encountered between words on the maps; these are used in Gaelic to allow sounds to flow just as is found within words, e.g. ‘dearg’ pronounced ‘jerek’. An example would be ‘Am Meall Mòr’ which is pronounced ‘∂ mEel∂ mO:r’
Meaning
The meanings given refer to place-names and may be different from those used in everyday speech.
? means uncertainty in meaning.
Where the meaning given by authorities is highly speculative, a meaning has not
been included. Brackets following a question mark are used in meanings to
indicate that a whole phrase is uncertain rather than a single word, e.g.
?(foolish woman)
The case of each element (nominative or genitive) appears as it is used on the maps. The genitive case of nouns is indicated by ‘of the’ or ‘(of)’ in the ‘meaning’ column.
For adjectives, the following is shown in brackets after meanings to indicate case, gender and number:
|
g |
genitive case |
(e.g. in ‘of the green hill’, green is in the genitive case) |
|
n |
nominative case |
(e.g. in ‘the green hill’, green is in the nominative case) |
|
f |
feminine |
(all nouns in Gaelic are either feminine or masculine and adjectives change to match this) |
|
m |
masculine |
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s |
singular |
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p |
plural |
|
Comments
This includes any additonal points
relevant to the word, its
pronunciation or meaning.
Apamapa: an introduction to place-names, Nevis Hulme,
2010
Link to list of elements: A B C D E F G I L M N O P R S T U Contents Home
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A |
Gaelic |
Say |
Meaning |
Comments |
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abhainn |
owEn |
river |
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acha’ |
ach∂ |
hill-field |
see ‘achadh’ |
|
|
achadh |
ach∂gh |
hill-field |
‘achk’ or ‘ach∂’ unstressed |
|
an |
achaidh |
∂ nachE |
of the hill-field |
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|
achd |
achk |
hill-field |
see ‘achadh’ |
|
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achlais |
achlash |
hollow |
(armpit) |
|
na h- |
achlaise |
n∂ hachlash |
of the hollow |
|
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an |
aghaidh |
∂n ∂ghE |
the face |
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na h- |
aghaidh |
n∂ h∂ghE |
of the face |
|
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na h- |
aibhne |
n∂ haEn∂ |
of the river |
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Àiliginn |
a:lEgin |
? |
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àinich |
a:nEch |
of ?panting |
(assumes accent on ‘a’) |
|
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àird |
a:rt |
promontory |
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àird easaidh |
art esE |
promontory of the (water)fall stream |
|
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na h- |
airbhe |
n∂ hara |
of the wall |
|
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an t- |
aircill |
an terkyEl |
the ?(hiding place) |
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|
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àirigh |
a:rE |
shieling |
‘arE’ unstressed |
|
(an t-) |
allt |
(∂n t)owlt |
(the) burn |
‘alt’ unstressed |
|
nan |
allt |
n∂n owlt |
of the burns |
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alltan |
owltan |
wee burn |
‘altan’ unstressed |
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Antonaidh |
antonE |
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àth |
a: |
ford |
‘a’ unstressed |
|
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àthann |
a:han |
kiln |
|
Apamapa: an introduction to place-names, Nevis Hulme,
2010
Link to list of elements: A B C D E F G I L M N O P R S T U Contents Home
|
B |
Gaelic |
Say |
Meaning |
Comments |
|
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bad |
bat |
clump |
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badan |
batan |
wee clump |
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badhaisbheinn |
bao∂shv∂n |
mountain of the ?hunt |
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baile |
bal∂ |
township |
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bàine |
ba:n∂ |
fair (gfs) |
|
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a’ |
bhàird |
∂ va:rd |
of the bard (poet) |
|
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am |
bàgh |
∂m ba:gh |
the bay |
|
|
a’ |
bhàigh |
∂ va:E |
of the bay |
|
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bàn |
ba:n |
fair (nms) |
|
|
na |
bana-mhorair |
n∂ ban∂ vor∂r |
of the lady |
|
|
am |
beacan |
∂m behkan |
the wee point |
|
|
|
beag |
bAk |
wee (nms) |
|
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beaga |
bAk∂ |
wee (p) |
|
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am |
bealach |
∂m byaloch |
the pass |
|
|
na |
bearta |
n∂ byarsht |
of the deed |
said as ‘na Beart’ |
|
|
beinn |
bEn |
mountain |
English ‘ben’ |
|
na |
beinne |
n∂ bEny |
of the mountain |
|
|
na |
bèiste |
n∂ bAshtj∂ |
of the beast |
|
|
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beithe |
bAh∂ |
(of) birch |
|
|
a’ . . . |
bhaid |
∂ . . . vatj |
of the . . . clump |
|
|
an . . . |
bhaile |
∂n . . . val∂ |
of the . . . township |
but ∂ .
. . before ‘seana’ in ‘An Seana Bhaile’ |
|
|
bhàin |
va:n |
fair (gms) |
|
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a’ |
bhainne |
∂ vany |
of the milk |
|
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a’ |
bhàird |
∂ va:rt |
of the bard (poet) |
|
|
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bhanbhaig |
vanavAk |
wee pig-like burn |
|
|
a’ |
bharranaich |
∂ varanEch |
of the sedge |
|
|
|
Bhàtair |
va:ht∂r |
Walter’s |
|
|
a’ |
bhàthaich |
va:Ech |
of the byre |
|
|
|
bheag |
vAk |
wee (nfs) |
|
|
a’ |
bhealaich |
∂ vyalEch |
of the pass |
|
|
|
bheinn |
vEn |
mountain |
‘v∂n’ unstressed |
|
a’ |
bheucaich |
vEahkEch |
the bellowing |
|
|
|
bhig |
vEk |
wee (gms) |
|
|
a’ |
bhinnein |
∂ vEny∂n |
of the pinnacle |
|
|
a’ |
bhodaich |
∂ votEch |
of the old man |
|
|
a’ |
bhràghad |
∂ vra:∂t |
of the upland |
|
|
an . . . |
bhràigh |
∂n . . . vraE |
the . . . upland |
but ∂ .
. . before ‘seana’ in ‘An Seana Bhràigh’ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
a’ |
bhràighe |
∂ vra:E |
of the upland |
|
|
|
bhraoin |
vraon |
(of) damp place |
|
|
a’ |
bhreabadair |
∂ vreb∂tar |
of the weaver |
|
|
|
bhreac |
vrehk |
speckled (nfs) |
‘vrEhk’ locally |
|
a’ |
bhric |
∂ vrEhk |
of the trout |
|
|
a’ |
bhrisdidh |
‘bhristidh’ preferred, q.v. |
|
|
|
a’ |
bhristidh |
∂ vrEshtjE |
of the breach |
|
|
a’ |
bhrisidh |
‘bhristidh’ preferred, q.v. |
|
|
|
|
bhriste |
vrEshtj∂ |
broken (nfs) |
|
|
|
bhuidhe |
vooE |
yellow (nfs) |
|
|
a’ |
bhùtha |
∂ voo: |
of the green patch (by a
river) |
|
|
nam |
biast |
n∂m bE∂st |
of the beasts |
|
|
|
bidein |
|
|
see ‘spidean’ and
‘spiodan’(‘bidein’ not used in W. Ross) |
|
|
bige |
bEk∂ |
wee (gfs) |
|
|
|
biorach |
bEroch |
sharp (nms) |
|
|
am |
blàr |
bla:r |
the peat moss |
|
|
am |
bodach |
botoch |
the old man |
|
|
nam |
bradan |
leathan |
n∂m bratan lyeh∂n |
of the ?turbots |
|
na |
bradhan |
n∂ bra:∂n |
of the ?quern or error for ‘nam bradhan’ |
|
|
nam |
bradhan |
n∂m bra:∂n |
of the ?querns |
|
|
am |
bràigh’ |
∂m bra:E |
the upland |
before a vowel |
|
am |
bràighe |
∂m bra:E |
the upland |
|
|
|
breabaig |
brApak |
?kicking |
|
|
|
breac |
brAhk |
speckled (nms) |
|
|
|
brice |
brEhk∂ |
speckled (gfs) |
|
|
|
brisdeadh |
|
|
‘bristeadh’ preferred, q.v. |
|
am |
briseadh |
|
|
‘bristeadh’ preferred, q.v. |
|
am |
bristeadh |
∂m brEshtj∂gh |
the breach |
|
|
|
briste |
brEshtj∂ |
broken (nms) |
|
|
|
bruthach |
broooch |
brae |
variation of ‘bruthaich’ |
|
|
bruthaich |
brooEch |
brae |
variation of ‘bruthach’ |
|
|
buaile |
boo∂l∂ |
the (cattle) fold |
|
|
nam |
buailtean |
n∂m booaltj∂n |
of the (cattle) folds |
|
|
|
buidhe |
booE |
yellow (nms) |
|
Apamapa: an introduction to place-names, Nevis Hulme,
2010
Link to list of elements: A B C D E F G I L M N O P R S T U Contents Home
|
|
Gaelic |
Say |
Meaning |
Comments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
an |
cabar |
∂n kap∂r |
the height |
|
|
nan |
cabar |
n∂n kap∂r |
of the heights |
|
|
na |
cabhaig |
n∂ kavak |
of the hurrying |
water agitated by wind across a
loch |
|
|
cachaileath |
kach∂la |
gateway |
|
|
an |
cadha |
∂n ka,a |
the rough path or the pass |
‘ka’ unstressed |
|
na |
cadhachan |
n∂ ka,och∂n |
the passes |
|
|
nan |
cadhaichean |
n∂n kaEch∂n |
of the passes |
|
|
|
càil |
ka:l |
? |
|
|
na |
caillich |
n∂ kalyEch |
of the old woman |
|
|
nan |
càiseachan |
n∂n ka:shoch∂n |
of the place of cheeses |
|
|
an |
caisteal |
∂n kasht∂l |
the castle |
|
|
|
caime |
kaEm |
crooked or hidden or one-eyed
(gfs) |
|
|
|
cam |
kowm |
crooked or hidden or one-eyed |
|
|
an |
camas |
∂n kamas |
the
bay |
|
|
|
camas |
kamas |
?(crooked burn) |
usually, ‘bay’ but not in |
|
|
|
NH1363 |
|
|
|
na |
canaich |
n∂ kanEch |
of the bog cotton |
a plant |
|
|
caochan |
kaochan |
wee burn |
|
|
|
caol |
kaol |
narrow (nms) |
|
|
|
caolas |
kaol∂s |
narrows |
|
|
|
caolaisidh |
kaolEshE |
the narrows |
|
|
nan |
caorach |
n∂n kaoroch |
of the sheep |
|
|
an |
càrn |
∂n ka:rn |
the cairn (natural or built) ‘karn’
unstressed |
|
|
an |
càrnan |
ka:rnan |
the wee cairn |
‘karnan’ unstressed |
|
|
cathair |
kah∂r |
fairy knoll |
|
|
na |
cathrach |
n∂ karoch |
of the fairy knoll |
|
|
an |
ceann |
∂n kyown |
the end or the head |
‘kyan’ or ‘kyow’ unstressed |
|
nan |
ceann |
n∂n kyown |
of the heads |
|
|
nan |
ceapraichean |
n∂n keprEch∂n |
of the stubby hillocks |
|
|
nan |
cearca-fraoich |
n∂ gyerk∂
fraoEch |
of the red grouse |
|
|
|
ceàrd |
kya:rt |
tinker |
|
|
a’ |
chadail |
∂ chat∂l |
of the sleeping |
|
|
a’ |
chadh’ |
∂ cha |
of the rough path |
before a vowel |
|
a’ |
chadha |
∂ cha,a |
of the rough path |
‘∂ cha’ unstressed |
|
a’ |
chailleach |
∂ chalyoch |
the old woman |
|
|
a’ |
chaillich |
|
|
grammatical error; see ‘caillich’ |
|
|
chaim |
chaEm |
crooked or hidden or one-eyed
(gms) |
|
|
a’ |
chàisgean |
∂ cha:shkan |
of the Cashken |
‘∂ chashkan’ unstressed |
|
|
chaol |
chaol |
narrow (nfs) |
|
|
a’ |
chaorainn |
∂ chaor∂n |
of the rowan |
|
|
a’ |
chaorrainn |
|
|
‘chaorainn’ preferred, q.v. |
|
a’ |
chaorruinn |
|
|
‘chaorainn’ preferred, q.v. |
|
|
chaorachain |
chaorochan |
of the place of the mountain
torrents |
|
|
|
chàrnaich |
cha:rnEch |
(of) stony place |
|
|
|
cheann |
chyown |
head |
|
|
a’ |
chearcaill |
∂ chyerk∂l |
of the circle |
|
|
|
cheiridh |
cherE |
? |
|
|
|
cheud |
chE∂t |
hundred |
|
|
a’ |
chinn |
∂ chEn |
of the end or head |
|
|
a’ |
chìoch |
∂ chE∂ch |
the breast |
|
|
a’ |
chlaidheimh |
∂ chlaE |
of the sword |
|
|
a’ |
chlaiginn |
∂ chlakEn |
of the skull or best land |
|
|
a’ |
chliabhain |
∂ chlE∂van |
of the chest or small creel |
|
|
a’ |
chnapaich |
∂ chnahpEch |
of the knobbly place |
|
|
|
chnoc |
chrohk |
of knolls |
after ‘cheud’ |
|
|
|
(of a hundred knolls) |
|
|
|
an . . . |
choille |
∂n . . . chaoly |
the . . . wood |
e.g. an dubh choille |
|
na . . . |
choille |
n∂ chaoly |
of the . . . wood |
e.g. na gearra choille |
|
a’ |
choin |
∂ chon |
of the dog |
‘a’ choin uidhre’ is of the otter |
|
a’ |
chòineach |
∂ chO:nyoch |
the moss |
|
|
a’ |
chòinteach |
∂ chO:ntjoch |
the moss |
‘chOntjoch’ unstressed |
|
an . . . |
choire |
∂n chor∂ |
of the . . . corrie |
e.g. an garbh choire |
|
a’ |
choire |
∂ chor∂ |
of the corrie |
|
|
a’ |
choireag |
∂ choryak |
of the wee corrie |
|
|
|
chòmhla |
∂ cho:l∂ |
(of) door leaf |
|
|
a’ |
chorrag |
∂ chorak |
the finger |
|
|
a’ |
chrasgaidh |
chraskE |
of the ?crossing |
|
|
a’ |
chreag |
∂ chrAk |
the crag |
|
|
|
chrom |
chrOoom |
curved or crooked |
|
|
|
chrombuill |
chrOoombool |
winding |
|
|
a’ |
chroisg |
∂ chroshk |
of the cross |
|
|
a’ |
chruidh |
∂ chraoE |
of the cattle |
|
|
|
chuaich |
chooEch |
of a quaich |
|
|
a’ |
chuaille |
∂ choo∂ly∂ |
?rafter |
|
|
|
chuilinn |
choolEn |
of holly |
|
|
a’ |
chùl |
∂ choo:l |
the back |
‘chool’ unstressed |
|
|
Chullaich |
choolEch |
of Culloch |
(a name) |
|
a’ |
chùirn |
∂ choo:rn |
of the cairn |
|
|
|
cidhe |
kE,E |
jetty |
|
|
|
clach |
klach |
stone |
|
|
nan |
clach |
n∂n klach |
of the stones |
|
|
|
cladh |
klaogh |
graveyard |
|
|
|
clàir |
kla:r |
flat |
|
|
|
clais |
klash |
gully |
|
|
na |
claise |
n∂ klash∂ |
of the gully |
|
|
nan |
cleireach |
n∂n klA:roch |
of the clerics |
|
|
na |
cloiche |
n∂ klohE |
of the stone |
W. Ross pronunciation without
‘ch’ sound |
|
|
cnap |
krahp |
lump |
|
|
|
cnapach |
krahpoch |
lumpy |
|
|
|
cnoc |
krohk |
knoll |
|
|
|
cnuic |
kraohk |
(of) knoll |
|
|
an |
coileachan |
∂n kaoloch∂n |
the cockerel or the place of grouse cocks |
|
|
|
coille |
kaoly |
wood |
|
|
na |
coille |
n∂ kaoly |
of the wood |
|
|
|
collaidh |
kOlE |
of hazel |
|
|
|
còinnich |
ko:nyEch |
mossy or of moss |
|
|
an |
coire |
∂n kor∂ |
the corrie (hollow) |
|
|
|
coireag |
koryak |
wee corrie |
|
|
|
coir’ |
kor |
corrie |
(before a vowel) |
|
nan |
con |
n∂n kon |
of the dogs |
|
|
|
cona’ |
kon∂ |
?(joined on) |
|
|
nan |
con-easan |
n∂n konyes∂n |
?(of the joined waterfalls) |
|
|
na |
corcurach |
n∂ korkoroch |
of the boggy places |
|
|
|
corrag |
korak |
finger |
|
|
na |
còsaig |
n∂ ko:sak |
of the neuk or crevice |
|
|
|
crait |
kratj |
croft |
variation of ‘croit’ |
|
|
creachan |
krech∂n |
rocky summit |
|
|
|
creag |
krAk |
crag (on land) or rock (in water) |
|
|
|
creagan |
krAkan |
little crag |
|
|
na |
creige |
n∂ krAk∂ |
of the crag |
|
|
na |
crìche |
n∂ krEch∂ |
of the boundary |
|
|
|
crìoch |
krEoch |
boundary |
|
|
|
crom |
krOoom |
curved or crooked |
|
|
an |
cromfhasadh |
∂n krOm∂s∂k |
the curved dwelling-place |
|
|
na |
croise |
n∂ krosh |
of the trouble (NH0671) elsewhere, of the cross |
|
|
|
cùil |
koo:l |
neuk (nook) |
|
|
|
cuileag |
koolak |
fly |
|
|
nan |
cùileagan |
n∂n koo:lak∂n |
of the neuks (nooks) |
|
|
|
cuileann |
kool∂n |
holly |
|
|
|
cùl |
koo:l |
back |
|
|
|
cùmhlainn |
koo:lEn |
collection of enclosures |
|
|
na |
curra |
n∂ koora |
heron |
|
Apamapa: an introduction to place-names, Nevis Hulme,
2010
Link to list of elements: A B C D E F G I L M N O P R S T U Contents Home
|
|
Gaelic |
Say |
Meaning |
Comments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
dail |
dal |
valley |
|
|
an |
daimh |
∂n day |
of the stag |
|
|
nan |
damh |
n∂n dav |
of the stags |
|
|
|
darach |
daroch |
oak |
|
|
an |
daraich |
∂n darEch |
of the oak |
|
|
|
dearg |
jerek |
red (nms) |
|
|
|
dearga |
jerek∂ |
red (p) |
|
|
|
deirg |
jArAk |
red (gfs) |
|
|
|
dharaich |
gharEch |
(of) oak |
|
|
|
dhearg |
yerek |
red (nfs) |
|
|
|
dheirg |
yArAk |
red (gms) |
|
|
|
dhiongaig |
yEnkak |
of a hillock |
|
|
|
Dhomhnaill |
gho:ol |
Donald’s |
see also ‘Domhnaill’ |
|
|
dhubh |
ghoo |
black (nfs) |
|
|
|
dhuchairidh |
ghoocharE |
(of) black broken moor |
|
|
|
dhuibh |
ghooE |
black (gms) |
|
|
an |
diabhaidh |
∂n jEavE |
of the shrinking or drying |
|
|
|
diollaid |
jE∂l∂tj |
saddle |
|
|
an |
dìridh |
∂n jE:rE |
the ascent |
‘jErE’ unstressed |
|
|
doir’ |
daor |
grove |
before a vowel |
|
an |
doire |
∂n daor∂ |
the grove |
e.g. An Doire Beithe |
|
an |
doire |
∂n daor∂ |
of the grove |
e.g. Allt an Doire Dharaich |
|
na |
doire |
|
error; ‘doire’ is masculine in Wester Ross |
|
|
|
doireachan |
daoroch∂n |
groves |
|
|
nan |
doireachan |
n∂n daoroch∂n |
of the groves |
|
|
|
domhainn |
doEn |
deep (nms) |
|
|
|
Domhnaill |
do:ol |
Donald |
‘Donald’s’ after some letters
(l, n, r) |
|
|
doimhne |
daon∂ |
deep (gfs) |
|
|
|
donn |
dOoon |
brown (nms) |
|
|
|
drochaid |
drohEtj |
ridge (from bridge) |
W. Ross pronunciation without
‘ch’ sound |
|
na |
drochaide |
n∂ drohetj∂ |
of the ridge |
|
|
na |
droma |
n∂ drom∂ |
of the ridge |
|
|
nan |
druidean |
n∂n drootj∂n |
of the starlings |
|
|
|
druim |
drooEm |
ridge |
(back) |
|
|
dubh |
doo |
black (nms) |
|
|
|
dùbh |
doo: |
black |
(strongly) stressed |
|
na |
dubhchlais |
n∂ doochlash |
of the black hollow |
|
|
|
dubha |
doooo |
black (p) |
|
|
an |
ducharaich |
∂n doocharEch |
the black boggy moor |
|
|
|
ducharaidh |
doocharE |
place of the black boggy moor |
|
|
|
duibhe |
dooE |
black (gfs) |
|
|
an |
duine |
doony |
the man |
|
|
|
dùn |
doo:n |
fort |
‘doon’ unstressed |
Apamapa: an introduction to place-names, Nevis Hulme,
2010
Link to list of elements: A B C D E F G I L M N O P R S T U Contents Home
|
|
Gaelic |
Say |
Meaning |
Comments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
each |
e∂ch |
horse |
|
|
nan |
each |
n∂ nye∂ch |
of the horses |
|
|
|
Eachainn |
ech∂n |
of Hector |
|
|
na h- |
èarra |
n∂ hE:ar∂ |
of the ?extremity |
(assumes accent on ‘e’) |
|
an |
eas |
∂ nyes |
of the waterfall |
|
|
(an t-) |
eas |
(∂n tj)es |
(the) waterfall |
|
|
an |
easain |
∂ nyesan |
of the wee waterfalls |
|
|
an |
eich |
∂ nyAch |
of the horse |
|
|
|
èideadh |
A:tj∂gh |
garment |
|
|
|
eighe |
A,A |
file |
|
|
|
èiginn |
A:kEn |
(the hill) difficulty |
|
|
(an t-) |
eilean |
(∂n tj)Alan |
(the) island |
|
|
nan |
eilean |
n∂ nyAlan |
of the islands |
|
|
an |
eilein |
∂ nAl∂n |
of the island |
|
|
|
enaiglair |
error; see ‘eunacleit’ |
|
|
|
an |
eòin |
∂ nyo:n |
of the bird |
|
|
|
eun |
Ean |
bird |
|
|
nan |
eun |
n∂ nEan |
of the birds |
|
|
|
eunacleit |
Ean∂klAtj |
brow-cliff |
|
Apamapa: an introduction to place-names, Nevis Hulme,
2010
Link to list of elements: A B C D E F G I L M N O P R S T U Contents Home
|
F |
Gaelic |
Say |
Meaning |
Comments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
fada |
fat∂
|
long (nms or p) |
|
|
|
fàid |
fa:tj |
of a (single) peat |
|
|
|
faithir |
fa,Er |
shore-land |
|
|
|
fanaich |
fanEch |
? |
|
|
am |
faochagach |
∂ faochakoch |
? |
|
|
am |
fasadh |
∂ fas∂gh |
the dwelling-place |
|
|
na |
fasraidhean |
n∂ fasrE∂n |
the passes |
|
|
|
feadan |
fetan |
gully |
|
|
|
feàrna |
fya:rn∂ |
alder |
|
|
nam |
fear |
n∂ fer |
of the men |
|
|
|
fèith |
fe: |
bog |
‘fe’ unstressed |
|
na |
fèithe |
n∂ fe:h∂ |
of the bog |
‘n∂ fe’ unstressed |
|
nam |
fèithean |
n∂ fe:h∂n |
of the bogs |
|
|
na |
feòl(a) |
n∂ feo:l(∂) |
of the flesh |
|
|
am |
feur |
∂ fEar |
the grass |
|
|
|
Fhearchair |
erech∂r |
of Farquhar |
|
|
|
fheàrna |
ya:rn∂ |
of alder |
|
|
an |
fhiaclaich |
∂ nE∂klEch |
the place of teeth |
|
|
|
fhiadhaich |
E∂Ech |
wild |
|
|
an |
fhiodha |
∂ nigh∂ |
of the wood (timber) |
|
|
an |
fhiodhaidh |
∂ nyighE |
of the place of wood (timber) |
|
|
an |
fhithich |
∂ nE,Ech |
of the raven |
|
|
an |
fhomhair |
∂ noar |
of the giant |
|
|
a’ |
fhrithealaidh |
∂ rEhalE |
of the ?serving |
|
|
|
fhuar |
hoo∂r |
cold (nfs) |
|
|
|
fhuaran |
oo∂ran |
well |
|
|
an |
fhùdair |
(∂ n)oo:t∂r |
of the powder |
|
|
na |
fideil |
n∂ fEtj∂l |
of the ‘Fideal’ |
a water monster |
|
|
fionn |
fyoon |
white |
|
|
|
fiona |
fE∂n∂ |
? |
not meaning ‘Fiona’ |
|
am |
fireach |
∂ fEroch |
the hill ground |
|
|
|
frìth |
frE: |
small |
‘frE’ unstressed |
|
na |
frithealaidh |
error; see ‘fhrithealaidh’ |
|
|
|
|
fuar |
foo∂r |
cold (nms) |
|
|
am |
fuaran |
∂ foo∂ran |
the well |
|
|
na |
fùirneis |
n∂ foo:rnash |
of the furnace |
|
Apamapa: an introduction to place-names, Nevis Hulme,
2010
Link to list of elements: A B C D E F G I L M N O P R S T U Contents Home
|
Gaelic |
Say |
Meaning |
Comments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
gaineamhach |
|
|
‘gainmheach’ preferred, q.v. |
|
|
gaineamhaich |
|
|
‘gainmhich’ preferred, q.v. |
|
|
gainmheach |
gana,och |
sand or sandy |
|
|
|
gainmhich |
ganaEch |
sandy |
|
|
na |
gairbhe |
n∂ garaE |
of the rough (river) |
|
|
na |
gaoithe |
n∂ gaohE |
of the wind |
|
|
|
garbh |
garav |
rough (nms) |
also ‘gara’ |
|
|
garbhaig |
garavak |
(of) rough place |
|
|
|
geo |
gyo |
narrow inlet |
|
|
|
geala |
gyal∂ |
white (p) |
|
|
|
geàrr |
gya:r |
short |
‘gyar’ unstressed |
|
|
gharbh |
gharav |
rough (nfs) |
|
|
a’ |
ghairbhe |
∂ gharaE |
the rough (river) |
used for other features |
|
a’ |
gharbhrain |
∂ gharav∂ran |
of the rough place |
|
|
a’ |
ghàraidh |
∂ gha:rE |
of the dyke in other areas,
‘garden’ |
|
|
a’ |
gharaidhe |
∂ gharooE |
of the dyke |
variation of ‘a’ ghàraidh’ |
|
a’ |
gharuidhe |
|
|
‘gharaidhe’ preferred, q.v. |
|
a’ |
ghlac |
∂ ghlahk |
the hollow |
|
|
na |
glaice |
n∂ glahk |
of the hollow |
|
|
|
ghlais |
ghlash |
grey or green (gms) |
|
|
|
ghlas |
ghlas |
grey or green (nfs) |
|
|
a’ |
ghléibh |
∂ ghlA:v |
? |
|
|
a’ |
ghlinne |
∂ ghlEny |
of the glen (valley) |
|
|
a’ |
ghiubhais |
‘ghiuthais’ preferred, q.v. |
|
|
|
|
ghiubhsachain |
‘ghiùthsachan’ preferred, q.v. |
|
|
|
a’ |
ghiuthais |
∂ yoo,oosh |
of the fir |
|
|
|
ghiùthsachan |
yoo:soch∂n |
place of fir-wood |
|
|
a’ |
ghobha |
∂ ghOoo |
of the smith |
|
|
a’ |
ghobhann |
∂ ghOoon |
of the smith |
|
|
|
ghorm |
ghorom |
green or blue (nfs) |
|
|
|
ghrànda |
ghra:nt∂ |
ugly or nasty (nfs or p) |
|
|
|
ghrùididh |
ghroo:tjE |
(of) ?gravelly river |
|
|
|
giubhais |
‘giuthais’ preferred, q.v. |
|
|
|
|
giuthais |
gyoo,oosh |
fir |
|
|
|
glac |
glahk |
hollow |
|
|
|
glas |
glas |
grey or green (nms) |
|
|
|
glasa |
glas∂ |
grey or green (p) |
|
|
|
glaise |
glash∂ |
grey (gfs) |
|
|
|
gleann |
glown |
glen (valley) |
‘glen’ unstressed |
|
na |
glinne |
|
|
error; see ‘ghlinne’ |
|
|
gob |
gOp |
point |
|
|
|
goban |
gOpan |
wee beak |
|
|
|
gobha |
gOoo |
(black) smith |
|
|
nan |
gobhar |
n∂n gOoor |
of the goats |
|
|
|
gobhlach |
gO:loch |
forked (nms) |
|
|
na |
goibhre |
n∂ gaoEr∂ |
of the goat |
|
|
|
goraig |
gorak |
? |
|
|
|
gorm |
gorom |
green or blue (nms) |
|
|
|
gròbaig |
gro:pEk |
(of) ?(little grooves) |
|
|
an |
gròban |
∂n gro:pan |
the grooved hill |
|
|
na |
gruagaich |
n∂ groo∂gEch |
of the maiden |
|
|
|
grùididh |
groo:tje |
?gravelly river |
|
|
|
guirm |
gooroom |
green or blue (gfs) |
|
|
|
gun |
g∂n |
without |
|
|
|
gus-ligh |
goos lE |
(of) ?(fir-wood of the spate) |
|
Apamapa: an introduction to place-names, Nevis Hulme,
2010
Link to list of elements: A B C D E F G I L M N O P R S T U Contents Home
|
|
Gaelic |
Say |
Meaning |
Comments |
|
an |
iasgaich |
∂ nE∂skEch |
of the (good) fishing |
|
|
|
idhir |
|
|
‘uidhir’ preferred, q.v. |
|
na h- |
ighine |
|
|
‘nighinn’ preferred, q.v. |
|
na h- |
imrich |
n∂ hEmErEch |
of the flitting |
|
|
|
inbhir |
EnEoor |
bay or confluence |
|
|
|
innis |
EnEsh |
haugh (hollow) |
|
|
na h- |
innse |
n∂ hEnsh∂ |
of the haugh (hollow) |
|
|
na h- |
iolaire |
n∂ hElar∂ |
of the eagle |
|
|
|
iorguill |
ErEg∂l |
? |
|
|
|
ìosal |
E:os∂l |
low (ns or p) |
|
|
|
ìsle |
E:shl∂ |
low (gs) |
|
|
|
is |
is |
and |
n.b. say ‘is’, not ‘iz’ |
|
|
iù |
Eoo: |
?yew |
‘oo:’ in speech |
Apamapa: an introduction to place-names, Nevis Hulme,
2010
Link to list of elements: A B C D E F G I L M N O P R S T U Contents Home
|
|
Gaelic |
Say |
Meaning |
Comments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
lag |
lak |
hollow |
|
|
|
làir |
la:r |
(of) mare |
|
|
na |
làirige |
n∂ la:rEk∂ |
of the pass |
|
|
na |
laocainn |
n∂ laohkan |
of the calf-skin |
|
|
|
laogh |
laogh |
calf |
|
|
nan |
laogh |
n∂ laogh |
of the calves |
usually, deer calves |
|
an |
laoigh |
∂ looE |
of the calf |
|
|
|
làrach |
la:roch |
remains (of building) |
‘laroch’ unstressed |
|
|
làthail |
la:∂l |
low hollow |
|
|
|
leac |
lyehk |
slab |
|
|
a’ |
leacachain |
∂ lyehkoch∂n |
of the place of the slabs |
|
|
|
leacaidh |
lyehkE / lehkE |
place of slabs |
pron. depends on gender |
|
an |
leacann |
∂ lyehk∂n |
the ?(broad slope) |
|
|
nan |
leacann |
n∂ lyehk∂n |
of the ?(broad slopes) |
|
|
an |
leathad |
∂ lye,at |
the slope |
‘le,at’ or ‘let’ unstressed |
|
|
leathan |
leh∂n
/ lyeh∂n |
broad (nm/fs or, 2nd, p) depends on gender |
|
|
|
lèith |
le: / lye: |
grey or hoary (gm/fs) |
depends on gender |
|
an |
leitir |
∂ lyAhtj∂r |
the hillslope |
|
|
na . . . |
leitire |
n∂ . . . lAhtj∂r |
of the hillslope |
|
|
|
liaghach |
lyE∂ghoch |
the hoary place |
|
|
|
liath |
lyE∂ / lE∂ |
grey or hoary (nf/ms) |
depends on gender |
|
na |
lice |
n∂ lyEhk∂ |
of the slab |
|
|
|
ligh |
lyE |
spate |
|
|
an |
loch |
|
∂ loch |
the loch |
|
|
lochaidh |
lochE |
wee loch |
|
|
|
lochain |
lochan |
wee lochs or of a wee loch |
|
|
an |
lochain |
∂ lochan |
of the wee loch |
|
|
|
lochan |
lochan |
wee loch |
|
|
an |
lochan |
∂ lochan |
the wee loch |
|
|
an |
lòin |
∂ lO:n |
of the moist flat |
|
|
|
lòn |
lO:n |
moist flat |
|
|
|
lota |
lohta |
croft |
|
|
|
lùb |
loo:p |
bend (in river) or bay (in sea) |
|
|
|
luchd |
loochk |
? |
|
|
na |
lùib |
n∂ loo:∂p |
of the bend or bay |
|
|
|
lùchairt |
loo:charsht |
(of) shieling |
|
|
|
lungard |
loongarsht |
encampment or shieling |
|
Apamapa: an introduction to place-names, Nevis Hulme,
2010
Link to list of elements: A B C D E F G I L M N O P R S T U Contents Home
|
|
Gaelic |
Say |
Meaning |
Comments |
|
|
mac |
mahk |
son |
|
|
nam |
madadh |
n∂ matE |
of the foxes |
|
|
|
maol |
maol |
bare hillside |
|
|
|
Ma-Ruibhe |
maraoE |
(name of saint) |
|
|
|
màthair |
ma:h∂r |
mother |
|
|
|
meadhanach |
mEanoch |
middle |
|
|
am |
meall |
∂ mEowl |
hill |
‘mEel’ unstressed |
|
am |
meallan |
∂ mEelan |
hillock |
|
|
a’ |
meitheach |
∂ mAhoch |
? |
grammatically wrong |
|
na |
mèinne |
n∂ me:n |
of the ore |
|
|
a’ |
mhadaidh |
∂ vatE |
of the fox |
|
|
a’ |
mhaighdean |
∂ vaoEtj∂n |
the maiden |
|
|
a’ |
mhaoile |
∂ vaol∂ |
of the bare hillside |
|
|
|
Mhathain |
va,an |
of |
|
|
|
mheadhanach |
vEanoch |
middle |
|
|
an . . . |
mheall |
∂n . . . vEel |
the . . . hill |
unstressed |
|
|
mheallan |
vEelan |
hillock |
|
|
a’ |
mheallain |
∂ vEel∂n |
of the hillock |
|
|
|
mhellan |
error; see ‘mheallan’ |
|
|
|
|
mhic |
vEhk |
of the son |
|
|
|
Mhic-’illean |
error; see ‘mhic ’illeathain’ |
|
|
|
|
Mhic ’illeathain |
vEhkEly∂n |
of Maclean |
|
|
a’ |
mhill |
∂ vEl |
of the hill |
|
|
|
mhiosaraidh |
vEsarE |
(of) dairy produce |
|
|
|
mhòir |
vO:r |
big (gms) |
|
|
a’ |
mhòine |
∂ vo:ny |
the peaty ground |
‘vony’ unstressed |
|
|
mholach |
voloch |
?rough |
|
|
|
mhòr |
vO:r |
big (nfs) |
|
|
|
mhucarnaich |
voohkarnEch |
(of) place of pigs |
|
|
a’ |
mhuidhe |
∂ vooE |
of the churn |
|
|
|
Mhurchaidh |
vooroochE |
of Murdo |
|
|
na |
mill |
n∂ mEl |
the hills |
|
|
|
miosaraidh |
mEsarE |
(of) dairy produce |
|
|
|
mòine |
mo:ny |
peatland |
|
|
na |
mòine |
n∂ mo:ny |
of the peaty ground |
‘mony’ unstressed |
|
|
mointeach |
montjoch |
peaty ground |
|
|
|
mòire |
mO:r∂ |
big (gfs) |
|
|
|
mòr |
mO:r |
big (nms) |
|
|
|
mòra |
mO:r∂ |
big (p) |
|
|
nam |
muc |
n∂ moohk |
of the pigs |
|
|
na |
muice |
n∂ maohk |
of the pig |
|
|
na |
mulcanan |
n∂ moolkan∂n |
the hummocks |
|
|
am |
mullach |
∂ mooloch |
the summit |
|
Apamapa: an introduction to place-names, Nevis Hulme,
2010
Link to list of elements: A B C D E F G I L M N O P R S T U Contents Home
|
|
Gaelic |
Say |
Meaning |
Comments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
nead |
nyet |
nest |
|
|
|
nid |
nyEtj |
(of) nest |
|
|
na |
nighinn |
n∂ nyE,En |
of the daughter |
variation of ‘na h-inghe’ but ‘na h-inghinn’ (n∂ hEnE,En) in Gairloch |
|
|
Nòbuil |
no:p∂l |
Noble |
|
Apamapa: an introduction to place-names, Nevis Hulme,
2010
Link to list of elements: A B C D E F G I L M N O P R S T U Contents
|
|
Gaelic |
Say |
Meaning |
Comments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
òb |
o:p |
bay |
‘op’ unstressed |
|
|
odhar |
Ooor |
light brown (ns) |
|
|
na h- |
oidhche |
n∂ haoEch∂ |
of the night |
|
|
|
òrd |
o:rd |
(steep, round) hill |
|
Apamapa: an introduction to place-names, Nevis Hulme,
2010
Link to list of elements: A B C D E F G I L M N O P R S T U Contents Home
|
|
Gaelic |
Say |
Meaning |
Comments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
pàirce |
pa:rk∂ |
park |
|
|
|
pasaid |
pasatj |
passage |
(access way through crofts) |
|
nam |
peithirean |
n∂m pAhEr∂n |
of the foresters |
|
|
am |
poca |
∂m pohk∂ |
the bag |
|
|
|
poll |
pOool |
pool |
|
|
am |
pollan |
∂m pOlan |
the wee pool |
|
|
|
port |
porsht |
landing |
|
|
a’ |
phàirce |
∂ fa:rky∂ |
the park |
|
|
a’ |
phasaid |
∂ fasatj |
the passage |
|
|
a’ |
phuill |
∂ fooEl |
of the pool |
|
|
a’ |
phuirt |
∂ foorsht |
of the landing |
|
|
am |
ploc |
∂m plohk |
the lump |
|
|
|
prille |
prEly |
?(wee burn) |
|
|
na |
prosbaig |
n∂ prospEk |
of the telescope |
|
Apamapa: an introduction to place-names, Nevis Hulme,
2010
Link to list of elements: A B C D E F G I L M N O P R S T U Contents Home
|
Gaelic |
Say |
Meaning |
Comments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
raon |
raon |
field |
|
|
|
rainich |
ranyEch |
of the rushes |
|
|
|
raineach |
ranyoch |
rushes |
|
|
|
rairigidh |
rarEkE |
? |
|
|
nan |
ramh |
n∂ ra:v |
of the oars |
|
|
|
rathad |
rahat |
road |
|
|
an |
rathain |
∂ rahan |
of the pulley |
|
|
na |
rathanan |
n∂ rahan∂n |
the pulleys |
|
|
|
rèidh |
re: |
smooth (g/ns) |
|
|
|
riabhach |
rE∂och |
brindled (ns or p) |
|
|
|
riabhaich |
rE∂,Ech |
brindled (gs) |
|
|
na |
rianaich |
n∂ rEanEch |
? |
|
|
|
roag |
roak |
? |
|
|
|
rointeach |
rontjoch |
rushes |
|
|
|
ruadh |
roo∂gh |
reddish-brown (ns) |
|
|
|
ruaidhe |
roo∂E |
reddish-brown (gfs) |
|
|
an |
ruigh |
∂ rE |
the shieling ground |
|
|
an |
ruighe |
∂ rE |
of the shieling ground |
|
|
|
rubha |
roo,oo |
headland or point |
‘roo’ unstressed |
Apamapa: an introduction to place-names, Nevis Hulme,
2010
Link to list of elements: A B C D E F G I L M N O P R S T U Contents Home
|
|
Gaelic |
Say |
Meaning |
Comments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
nan |
sac |
n∂ sahk |
of the burdens |
|
|
|
sàil |
sa:l |
heel |
|
|
an t- |
sàil |
∂n ta:l |
the heel |
‘∂n tal’ unstressed |
|
na |
saobhaidhe |
n∂ saovE |
of the (fox’s) den |
|
|
nan |
sealg |
n∂ shalak |
of the hunts |
|
|
|
seana |
shen∂ |
old |
|
|
|
seann |
shown |
old |
|
|
|
seileach |
shAloch |
willow |
‘of willow’ in Uchd na
Fèithe-seileach (NH0969) |
|
|
seilich |
shAlEch |
of willow |
|
|
an |
sgeir |
∂ skAr |
the skerry |
|
|
|
sgeireach |
skAroch |
rocky |
|
|
|
sgeirich |
skArEch |
?rocky |
|
|
na |
sgoinne |
n∂ skaon |
of the salmon trap |
|
|
an |
sgòr |
∂ sko:r |
the cleft |
‘skor’ unstressed |
|
|
sgorr |
skor |
the peak |
|
|
|
sgoilte |
skoltj∂ |
split |
|
|
na |
sguaib |
n∂ skooEp |
of sweeping |
|
|
an |
sgùman |
∂ skoo:m∂n |
peak |
|
|
an |
sgùrr |
∂ skoo:r |
the peak |
‘skoor’ unstressed |
|
|
shaillidh |
halyE |
(of) fatness |
|
|
|
sìldeag |
shE:ljak |
?island bay |
|
|
|
siolar |
shE∂l∂r |
?productive |
|
|
an |
sìthean |
∂ shE:han |
the fairy hill |
‘shEhan’ unstressed |
|
nan |
slatach |
n∂ slahtoch |
of the ?(stalks) |
|
|
na |
slataich |
n∂ slahtEch |
of the ?(stalk) |
|
|
an t- |
sleaghach |
∂n tlAoch |
the spear |
|
|
na |
sleaghaich |
n∂ shlAEch |
of the spear |
|
|
|
slios |
shlEs |
slope |
|
|
an |
slugaid |
∂ slookEtj |
the deep, miry place |
|
|
an t- |
slugain |
∂n tloogan |
of the ?(wee pool) |
|
|
an |
socach |
∂ sohkoch |
the pointed hill |
|
|
nan |
soithichean |
n∂ saEch∂n |
of the ?vessels |
|
|
na |
speireig |
n∂ spArAk |
of the sparow-hawk |
|
|
|
spidean |
spEtjAn |
pinnacle |
(‘bidein’ not used in W. Ross) |
|
|
spiodan |
spEtan |
pinnacle |
(‘bidein’ not used in W. Ross) |
|
|
sràid |
stra:tj |
street |
|
|
|
srath |
stra |
strath (broad valley) |
|
|
|
sròin |
stro:n |
point |
|
|
|
sròn |
stro:n |
point |
‘stron’ unstressed |
|
an t- |
sròn |
∂n tro:n |
of the point |
‘tron’ unstressed |
|
|
sruaban |
stroo∂p∂n |
(of) ? |
‘stroo∂p∂n’
unstressed |
|
|
stac |
stahk |
steep hill or stack |
|
|
|
staca |
stahk |
(of) steep hill or stack |
|
|
an |
steall |
∂ styowl |
the spout (of water) |
|
|
na |
still |
n∂ shtEl |
of the spout (of water) |
|
|
|
stùc |
stoo:hk |
peak |
‘stoohk’ unstressed |
|
|
sùil |
soo:l |
‘sùil’ (i.e. lying water in a
bog) |
|
Apamapa: an introduction to place-names, Nevis Hulme,
2010
Link to list of elements: A B C D E F G I L M N O P R S T U Contents Home
|
|
Gaelic |
Say |
Meaning |
Comments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
taigh |
taE |
house |
|
|
an |
taighe |
∂n tahE |
of the house |
‘ta’ unstressed |
|
an |
tairbh |
taray |
of the bull |
|
|
|
tarsainn |
tars∂n |
transverse transverse or sideways |
|
|
|
tarsuinn |
‘tarsainn’ preferred, q.v. |
|
|
|
na |
tathagan |
n∂ ta,ak∂n |
the wee in-fields |
|
|
an |
teallach |
∂n tjaloch |
the forge |
|
|
an |
teallaich |
∂n tjalEch |
of the forge |
|
|
|
teanga |
tjega |
tongue |
|
|
na |
teangaidh |
n∂ tjeghE |
of the tongue |
|
|
|
tharsuinn |
|
|
error; see ‘tarsainn’ |
|
|
thealldhadal |
helao,aot∂l |
ledge-dale |
|
|
|
thoirbheartan |
haoraoh∂tan |
of place of transference |
|
|
an . . . |
tholl |
∂n haol |
the . . . hollow |
|
|
a’ . . . |
thuill |
∂ . . . hooEl |
of the hollow |
‘haol’ unstressed |
|
|
tobhta |
tOhta |
ruin |
|
|
|
toirbheartan |
taoraoh∂tan |
place of transference |
|
|
an |
toll |
∂n tOool |
the hollow |
‘tOl’ unstressed |
|
an |
tom |
∂n tOm |
hill |
|
|
an |
toman |
∂n toman |
the hillock |
|
|
an |
torcain |
∂n torkan |
of the wee boar |
|
|
|
tòrr |
to:r |
hill |
|
|
an |
torran |
∂n toran |
the hillock |
|
|
an |
torrain |
∂n toran |
of the hillock |
|
|
nan |
tri-eileanan |
n∂n trE Alan∂n |
of the three islands |
|
|
|
tuath |
tooa |
north |
|
|
na |
tuatha |
n∂ tooa |
of the peasantry |
|
|
|
tuathanas |
tooan∂s |
farm |
|
|
a’ . . . |
tuill |
∂ . . . taol |
of the . . . hollow |
|
|
an |
tuill |
∂n tooEl |
of the hollow |
‘taol’ unstressed |
|
an |
tuim |
∂n taoEm |
of the hill |
‘toom’ unstressed |
|
|
tulach |
tooloch |
hillock |
|
|
nan |
tunn |
n∂n toon |
of the ?barrels |
|
Apamapa: an introduction to place-names, Nevis Hulme,
2010
Link to list of elements: A B C D E F G I L M N O P R S T U Contents Home
|
|
Gaelic |
Say |
Meaning |
Comments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
an |
uain |
∂n ooan |
of the lamb |
|
|
|
uaine |
ooany |
green |
|
|
|
uais |
oo,ash |
?high |
|
|
|
uan |
ooan |
lamb |
|
|
nan |
uan |
n∂n ooan |
of the lambs |
|
|
|
uchd |
oochk |
hillside |
|
|
|
ùidh |
oo:E |
channel (between lochs) |
|
|
na h- |
ùidhe |
n∂ haoE |
of the channel |
|
|
|
uidhir |
aoEr |
light brown (gs) |
variation of ‘uidhre’ |
|
an |
uillt |
∂n ooltj |
of the burn |
|
|
|
uisg’ |
aoshk |
water |
|
|
|
ùmh |
oo: |
cave |
|
Apamapa: an introduction to place-names, Nevis Hulme,
2010
Link to list of elements: A B C D E F G I L M N O P R S T U Contents Home
|
|
|
at |
|
dot |
|
|
|
nevis |
|
live |
|
ie |