place-names of skye

PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
■AND ADJACENT, ISLANDS-
iEABMRLANT'I
SABHAL MOR OSTAIG
I ARCHAEOLOGICA 1
s
n
Celtica A* 4-760
Section
S \ 0 .o \ q ~ I
For Reference Only
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
T he A
u t h o ii
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
AND ADJACENT ISLANDS
W IT H LORE, MYTHICAL, T R A D IT IO N A L
AND HISTORICAL
WITH INDEX
BY
AL EX AND ER ROBERT FORBES
E d in b u r g h ( F o r m e r l y o f
“
Sle a t, Skye)
Tir nam Beann, nan Oleann, ’ s nan Coire,
Eilean-ard-a-Cheò ;
I nam Ban tha bòidheach, banail,
'S nan Oaisgeach, feara il, cò ir;
’N cainnt ar Diithaich, feuch gach Ainrn
Sgriobhta nis 'an leabhar,
Saor o bhàs no gàbhadh gràineil,
Fhad 's a mhaireas B eò ! ”
P A IS L E Y :
ALEXANDER
1923
G A R D N E R , Lt d .
L ondon
S im p k in , M a b s h a l l , H
a m il t o n ,
K e n t & C o ., L t d .
Printed in Great Britain by Alexander Gardner, Ltd., Paisley.
TO
(toy
M tfe
AND ABLE HELPER
THIS WORK IS
dedicated
R O I M H -R A D H
A MHUINNTIR an Eilean-Sgitheanaich, failt' oirbh uile,
,s mo bheannachd agaibh, eadar shem is òg. Ciod air bith
an t-aite ’sam hi sibh a’ tuimadh 'nuair a leughas sibh an
leabhar so, no a bhitheas e air a leughadh na V n-eisdeachd,
aithnichidh sibh gur e fear aig an robh mor-thlachd 'san obair
a chuir ri cheiV e. Bheir e na V cuimhne, agus chi sibh le
suilean V n-inntinn iomadh aite air an robh sibh mìn-eolàch,
bho'm food sibh ’bhi dealaichte aig an àm, 's is teagamh nach
fhaic sibh gu brath.
Cha 'n fhaod mi radh gum bheil na h-uile Ainm-aite 's an
Eilean, Ha aithnichte do gach aon dhibhse} sgriobhf anns an
leabhar so, oir bha sin eu-comasach dhomh, do bhrigh nach
b’urrainn domh gach àite ann fhaicinn, agus gach ainm ann a'
rannsachadh air mo shon fein, mar bu mhiann leam.
Cluinnear fonn molaidh na Duthcha 's an t-Eilein air fad
acasan nach d'rinn, ma dh' fhaoidte, ach ro bheag dhe 'm beath'
a chaitheadh mn, ach air mo shon fhin 's e ’n gràdh tha, 's a bha,
's a bhitheas agam do ’n Eilean, 's do ’n Chainnt dh' ionnsuich
mi ann na m oige, thug orm na h-Ainmean, 's gach
seann nòs tha 'n ceangal riu, a chruinneachadh’s a sgriobhadh
mar a rinn mi, gun guth thoirt air am mor-luach fhein, agus
sin ann an làn dòchas gur ann gu feum a bhitheas iad.
Air Gaidheil tha sàr-fhoghluimte, agus a dh' fhaodas suil
thoirt air an obair so, iarram tròcair. Cha-n-eil teagamh nach
fhaigh iad mearachdan gu leoir innte, mar is gnath, ach bitheadh
sin mar dh' fhaodas, shaothraich mise a reir mo chomais air
sgath gràdh an Eilein 's a Chainnt—cuireadh gach fear is tè a
dhreach fhein oirre.
Do gach fear is tea chuidich leam le bhi a’ cuir Ainmean is
sean nòs thugam, tha mi an so a' toirt mile taing; agus ged is
fhada o na dh' fhag mise an t-Eilean, cha do dhi-chuimhnich
mi là riamh e. 'Mo bheannachd shiorruidh leis!
7
INTRODUCTION
I n the following work on the place-names of Skye, etc., the
aim and intention is to assist in rescuing from possible oblivion
the Gaelic and Gaelic-Norse names stall to be found in that
island, iand to please and instruct the natives and others at home
and abroad.
The original intention was to try and make the work one
of the largest and most complete of its kind for the area involved,,
and to that end to travel over the island so far as possible, and
to secure at first hand all available names, with lore. Thisintention had to be abandoned, recourse being had to personal
knowledge and that of local friends and acquaintances.
Generally, the work is biased upon the Ordnance Survey Maps,,
with the help of numerous other works, such as charts, titles,
Acts of Parliament, and other works on place-names, all which,,
with general works by learned writers, etc., number several
hundreds.
It is hoped that the result of fifteen years’ labour may be
received kindly by all, and found fairly full and correct.
As to the names themselves, with their meanings, na
pretensions are made, pains having been taken to avoid erroneous
and misleading conclusions; and where doubts existed, such are
left unexplained.
The “ lore ” is given as received in most cases from local
sources, a few selections having been made from written or
printed material, all kept severely within bounds.
To describe the island with all its features is an impossibility
in such a work as this: generally, the whole face of the island,
and indeed most of Scotland, is one great poem, particularly to
those who know the Gaelic language.
9
10
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
It may here be said that, according to a writer on Celtic
religion in pre-Christian times, the legends associated with in­
numerable place-names give the beautiful scenery of Celtic lands
an added charm, which has attached their inhabitants to them
with a subtle and unconquerable attachment, scarcely intelligible
to the more prosaic inhabitants of prosaic lands. This is
particularly true of Skye, and it is in this spirit we request our
readers to approach the subject, and peruse this work. Another
writer describes, what also appears applicable to Skye, as a
rugged isle, a good nurse of noble youths, and, sweetest of all,
one’s own country.
The Celtic mind cannot remain indifferent to lands and seas
whose beauty compels the eyes of man to gaze upon them
to their very horizon; and the lines of observation thus drawn
are for the Celt continual temptations to the thought of an
Infinity beyond.
That every place has a name seems a trite remark, but one
which requires to be emphasised. Each name often reads us a
chapter in the history, not only of the particular locality, but
of primeval times; the names of places, rivers, mountains,
glens, etc., are the only writing tablets on which unlettered
nations have been able to inscribe their annals or early history,
like “ fossil thoughts.” Such ancient names “ telegraph ” back
to us, along mighty intervals of time, significant specimens of
the tongue spoken by the first inhabitants, albeit more or
less corrupted. As said by an eminent writer, the Celts or
Sidonides planted Britain, and gave to the seas and mountains
names which, as before said, are poems, and imitate the pure
voices of nature, jewels of sound, echoes of history, caught and
imprisoned, for ever glittering and glimmering everywhere.
To show the trend of this work, it is now hoped that which
follows will be found useful as well as interesting to the general
reader. It has had to be considerably condensed.
The etymology of place-names supplies a wide field of
enquiry, touching changes in the aspect of our country,
possessing as they do a peculiar value and interest as abiding
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
11
records of the people who gave the names, and also, in many
cases, the circumstances in which they were given. Many of
these are as appropriate now as they were at first, some thousands
of years ago, for the features to which they were applied have
remained virtually unaltered, though in many cases the
appositeness of the designation has been lost. The narhe has
in fact been more permanent than the feature to which it was
applied; the one has survived in daily speech from generation to
generation; the other has wholly or partly passed away.
By comparing the descriptive epithet in the name with the
present aspect of the locality, some indication, or even perhaps
some measure, of the nature and amount of the changes in the
topography may, still be recovered, and show that, wherever
the Celt carried his language, he also peopled the country with
the creations and creatures of his own mythology.
In search after the above by philologists., they have been
humorously charged with chasing a panting syllable through
time and space, starting it at home and hunting it down to Noah
and his predecessors!
In researches of the ordinary kind, it is necessary to say that
the liability to blunder is so (great that the enquiry ought not
to be entered upon without due preparation, and should not be
continued without constant exercise of the most scrupulous
caution in discovering or learning the rules of the language,
generic and specific, etc.
The great danger of being betrayed into error by the
plausibilities of phonetic etymology should never for a moment
be lost sight of, particularly by those whose knowledge of Gaelic
— colloquial and otherwise—is of the slenderest. Philologists
urge the proper mode of procedure as being, where possible, to
search for and recover the earliest form of the name, for
philology by sound is never sound philology. Generally speak­
ing, if a name be spelled wrong, it may be thought wrong. In
the course of time local names are apt to be so corrupted as
to lose all obvious trace of their original orthography.
Celtic names—place-names—so general all over Europe, are,
12
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
as a whole, singularly descriptive. The Celts indeed have
manifested in that respect a keener appreciation of landscape
and a more poetical eye for nature than the Saxons and others
who succeeded them; the colours of mountain and river have
been seized upon by the Celt as descriptive characters that have
suggested local names; swiftness and sluggishness of flow have
furnished discriminating epithets for streams; moors, mountains,
cliffs, copses, even single boulders, have received names which
record features in the landscape that struck the imagination
of the old thinking Celt, all which are still in use, even where
the features that suggested them have long since changed or
vanished out of sight.
Many descriptive names of places in Skye not on any map
will be found in the following pages, and are well known to the
Gaelic-speaking inhabitants of the present day, who have
generally a wonderful acquaintance with the details of the local
topography.
Local tradition is also a more or less reliable source of
information if taken in conjunction with information gathered
elsewhere; though such local tradition may, nay frequently does,
vary as to historical facts, it is, as we have found, singularly,
true to locality.
Without giving names, we venture to direct the attention of
our readers to what well-known historians and writers have said
on the subject of place-names, and the first is a warning against
reckless treatment of the subject, to the effect that the etymology
of the names of places in a country is either a very important
element in fixing the ethnology of its inhabitants, or it is a
snare and a delusion jusit according as the subject is treated.
Names of places have been described as sentences or combina­
tions of words originally expressive of the characteristics of
the place, named, and applied to them, as before stated, by the
people who then occupied the country in the language spoken
by them at the time, and which differs greatly from the spoken
language of the present day. It has been well said that the
Celtic topography of Scotland, nay Europe, resembles a
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
13
palimpsest, in which an older form is found behind the more
modern writing.
Every knoll and hill almost had its name—the bit of moor,
the bog or blàr, the clump of wood, the rock or crag, the tiny
loch or river pool, not to speak of cultivated lands parcelled
into fields—each and all, however insignificant, had a name
among those who dwelt near them, and many of these names
still tell the tale of life’s varied experiences.
Topographical phrases in the Gaelic language, it has
frequently been pointed out, are usually not only grammatically
accurate, but of remarkable elegance in their structure; the
interpretations often put upon them are a monstrous outrage
upon this sound and invariable principle, and knowing the
meanings of place-names properly, or onomatologically, is a
practical good.
The geography of Skye, and indeed of the Highlands in
general, if taught as it should be, would yield universal pleasure
and instruction not yet available. It has been well and truly
said that by means of these names, when rightly interpreted,
we can read ourselves back into the musty charter—and further
—an ancient path, a forgotten battle, a lover’s leap, a clan’s
feud, a poet’s vision, and a chief’s revenge; they almost all'
enshrine a myth, a legend, or a local history, and these they
disclose with remarkable grace and power.
In endeavouring to arrive at the correct signification of
Gaelic place-names, the student is met by great difficulties,
arising from the fact that those names, as they have come down
to us, are mostly of mere phonetic value, and, except in com­
paratively few instances, seldom occur in the original spelling.
Phonetic influences are constantly at work in common speech,
and alter and disguise the original form of the word or name,
and accordingly increase the difficulty of assigning their true
orthography and signification.
Celtic names, where such are found uncorrupted, are
descriptive, as said, of the natural features of the place, and
hence an intimate knowledge of these, aided by at least a
14
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
colloquial knowledge of Gaelic, and pronunciation of the name
by natives of the district, help greatly to arrive at the meaningof the names as we have them now; these names are, as a rule,
formed to denote some peculiarity of surface, position, product,
or some incident occurring as above referred to, though some­
times personal to an individual or his acts.
To treat the subject of place-names scientifically requires a
special training in order to the accurate recording of names as
they are now pronounced in Gaelic by the natives, though the old
written forms are of value as philological data. This local
pronunciation can only be secured by hearing it spoken, prefer­
ably by one who is himself or herself a Gaelic speaker and
writer, who should note them down at once. The accuracy of
spelling, also indispensable as a trustworthy record, is limited
yet to very few in addition to the specialists; thus, as has been
declared by one of the latter, the recording of nasals, the treat­
ment of liquids, the differentiating between t and d, bh and mhr
the placing of the hyphen in compounds, distinguishing between
broad and slender or small consonants, marking the quantities,
differentiating o and ò, e and è, has all to be reckoned with,
and is absolutely necessary if the names are to be treated, ais
they should, with scientific accuracy; the process, it is admitted,
is very painful and wearisome, and few there be who can or
will undertake it.
In this work little pretension is made to such perfection,
though it is hoped that some approach has been made to the
accuracy above set forth, by recording of words, idioms, and
sounds in their minute shades with endeavour after strict
accuracy. The specialists in Scotland are few in number, but
their painstaking or genius is deserving of the highest praise;
they seem indeed inspired, though it has been said that every
one knows how to do a thing better than the one who does it!
The study of place-names, nevertheless, is urged on all as
being the study of history: names which are an atmosphere of
legendary melody spread over the land, older than the epics and
histories, which clothe a race like an under-shirt, or leine-criosy
words which are dear to the gods.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
15
We cannot afford space to refer to those who first suggested
gathering place-names, merely mentioning J. Knox, in 1786r
and still further back to the tenth century, in the person of one
MacLiag, as to or in connection with the “ Echtge ” range of
mountains.
The subject of place-names in Scotland, as is well known,
has been ably dealt with by various authorities, whose names
and works will live for ever. In venturing to add to the number
by this work on Skye place-names, we feel we are laying our­
selves open to criticism, but venture nevertheless, despite a very
scanty acquaintance with or knowledge of the Norse or Old
Icelandic language, which enters so largely into the names of'
Skye and the Hebrides generally, and which, as found at least
in the Ordnance Survey Maps, are frequently changed or altered
to suit Gaelic orthography.
It may be observed that in a good many instances in this
work, two or more meanings are given for the same name; it
shows at least the difference between local Gaelic speakers and
such specialists as have been referred to, though there are
recognised rules laid down by them for detecting the portion
of a name which may be partly Old Gaelic; the labour and the
caution exercised by them in tracing these parts is very great.
Again, we have to state that we do not lay claim to such
perfection.
Skye place-names, however, as has been pointed out, are
almost wholly “ phrase ’’-names, generally, though not always,
more modern than some others, though in evidence circa 10851150 in the Book of Deer; but, even granting all this, it has
been further pointed out that such are frequently translations of
older Celtic topography, at least so far as the Norse portion
is concerned, though both Gaelic and Norse are often found
combined in the same word.
The following collection of the place-names of Skye, etc.r
is, so far as possible, given alphabetically, though one parish
at least has been given by itself; we do not trouble our readers,
with the modus opermidi in detail.
16
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
For philological purposes, the division into parishes is
immaterial, and indeed parishes did not exist in Skye before
1662; the mode of doing so cannot be detailed here for want of
space.
The origin of the name Skye has exercised writers and
historians from Ptolemy onwards. It was our intention to give
extracts from some of the oldest and most authentic works
available, but we merely content ourselves with stating that the
oldest form of the name is Scetis or Ocitis, as given by Ravenna.
Much information, as well as many variations in the spelling
of the names is to be found in the Annals of Tigernach and of
Ulster, while forms are also to be found in Reeve’s “Adamnan.”
In Adamnan’s “ Life of St. Columba,” “ Scia insula ” is
found. Adamnan died in 703.
In the Dean of Lismore’s Book, in a poem composed to one
of the Macleods of Dunvegan, Skye is termed “ Clar Sgith,"
board or surface of land of Sgith, or Scots (sgith, pron. sgee)
“ Sgitheanach,” Scottish place or land, as Skye is said to
have been held in possession by the Scots (or Irish) previous
to 583. The Minch between Skye and Uist is called the Sea
of Skee. In a lament for J. Macleod of Talisker by the
“ Clarsair Dali,” the blind harper, this term is found:
“ Se 'n Clar-Sgith an clar ro sgith,
Clar na diobhail is na diosgainn, etc.;
Clar gun eibhneas lan osnaidh, etc.,
Clar nan deur air na rosgaibh;
An clar geur, an clar goirt, an clar tursach, etc.”
The weary plain most wearisome is,
A plain of loss and dire destruction;
A joyless plain, so full of bluster,
That tears do dim the eyes’ bright lustre.
The fierce plain, the salt plain, the sad plain.
“ Clar Sgithe ” appears in many publications. We regret we
have no room for the numerous other forms of the name given
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
17
in the Sagas of the Norse, who had so many dealings with
Skye during four hundred years. Skid and Skyda they called
it and wrote about, while we find in the death-song of one of
their heroes, “ Lodbroc,” the “ strife of Seaia,” where the
soldiers there were “ brothers in valour.”
It has, however, to be remarked that it is questionable if any
map existed when the name was given originally. “ Sgith”
being considered the appropriate name, altered or modernised
into “ Sgiath ” ; but “ Sgitk&cmaeh ” means a native of Skye,
while “ Eilem Sgithqanach ” signifies “ Island of Skyans,” or
Skye folk, not sgiath eilrnn, winged island; thus Sgith neach,
a person of or from Sgith or Skye; the “ winged ” appearance
may have struck mariners of old, hence the error.
Walter Macfarlane, in his “ Geographical Collections,”
promulgated this mistake, as he states that Sky or Skianaoh is
the greatest of iall the iEbudes or Weist Isles, called Alata,
since the word Skia in the old language (Gaelic) signifies “ a
wing.” Pont also says “ the Isle of Skiam, commonlie called
'the Skie ’ ” {an sgi&th) ; while a modern writer states “ circa
120 Ptolemy, Skaetis (Gr.); 700, Adamnan, Scia; Tighernac,
668, Scith and Sceth; Sagas, Skid; 1272, Sky; 1292, Skey.”
Much more might be quoted as to above did space permit;
but the subject has now been threshed out by many writers^
and the conclusion that Sgith and Sgithmnach are the proper
terms satisfactorily arrived at.
As we leam from certain skilled geologists, Skye is thei
basal wreck of a volcano which was in eruption during tertiary
times, probably many millions of years ago; this volcano had
a diameter of about thirty miles, and a height of twelve to
fifteen thousand feet. Nothing now is left but highly crystalline
granites and gabbro, filling up the great fissures through which
the eruption of igneous materials took place. These, worn by
denudation, constitute the red mountains and Coolin hills. On
the outside of these, both in Skye and adjacent islands, are
flat-topped hills, formed of successive sheets of lava, now nearly
all gone by denudation; at least ten of the sheets are traceable
B
18
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
in several places, while four other volcanoes in Skye have been
traced.
The foregoing notes, which might be greatly extended, help
to show how prominently “ The Island ” bulked in narrative,
history, and song. Of late, it has bulked equally so in historical
and other writings, also in art, for the number of works we have
referred to in connection with this work alone exceeds three
hundred, while an equal number of paintings, drawings,
sketches, and photographs of places of interest in Skye have
been seen by us in course of our researches. It was hoped /to
give detailed lists of both, but space did not permit.
In writing of Skye now and hereafter, no one should overlook
the many sons and daughters thereof who have done so already,
both in prose and verse, and among the latest of these we must
refer by name to the late Sheriff Alexander Nicolson and his
exquisite poem, “ The Isle of Skye.” Unfortunately, the Sheriff
wrote only enough about Skye to make one wish for more; ias
he said, it is difficult to write about Skye without saying lessi
than one feels, or saying more than other people can sympathise
with—the true Queen of the Isles. Nowhere among the Western
Isles is there to be found such a combination of grandness and
picturesque originality as in the Isle of Skye. It is past doubt
that this island has long since been enthroned as the grandest
of them all, the visible queen, whose place and title it would be
mere wantonness of disaffection or caprice in any one to dispute.
Here we had intended giving a short “ history ” of Skye, but
again we are met with the difficulty ,of space. Most of whal?
we could have given, however, can be found in other works,
from Dean Monro’s account in 1549 onwards; and statistics of
population, etc., are all to be found ;i.n numerous official
documents.
In conclusion, therefore, we venture to hope that each reader
of this Introduction will search for further information on the
subject or subjects suggested.
The natives of Skye at home and abroad bear a great
responsibility in maintaining the good name and fame of Skye.
PLACE-NAMES OE SKYE
19
Let no one say cui bmo, or what is the use or good of it all?
The ponderous and pragmatic Dr. Johnson reads us a lesson
when he says, “ Whatever withdraws us from the power of our
senses, whatever makes the past, th© distant, or the future
predominate over the present, advances us in the dignity of
thinking beings.”
Therefore, as before pointed out, our ancestors ppeak to us,
their posterity, in the very names they gave to places. The
past is thus sanctified because of the chronicles it contains—a
guide to the present as also the future. The country that
respects its traditions lives.
31 K i l m a u r s R o a d ,
E d in b u b g h ,
1923.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
A
Generally abhuinn
in Ordnance Survey maps, and elsewhere, though abhainn
held to be the correct spelling. A river. Amhuinn
properly means furnace or oven, and is borrowed from the
English.
Abhainn is really the accusative of abhcmn, the modem
form of aband or abann\ Old Celtic aibne, rivers.
The following words shew thè derivation of the word
generally. Abh mi, the flowing element; abh or àmh,
water, and an, an element, also water, see ‘ Annat ’ ; taibh
or taif (ant-aibh, etc.; ant formerly the article)
signifies the ocean, tabh, a spoon-net or fishingmet, Norse Rafr, a sack-net, haf, sea, understood to
be merely an t-abh, while tain, found given as a river,
or an t-àin, a fountain or the fountain; allan again means
white water, all àn; the word ain is said to be the Hebrew
for a fountain; £Don 5 and ‘ Tyne ’ both said to be from
tain. Cf. Aan, Aen or Avon in ‘ Grampians.’ The name
Strathavon is Strae’ven and Inveravon Inver’an.
Abhainn is also derived from Amun, the name of a (or
the) god who presided over inundations: a-mot means a
river mouth or confluence. The Gaelic word ‘ aman ’ is
based on ambis,’ a Gaulish word for stream, e.g., Almond.
River names ending in ar are from early aros. A large
class end in idh (ie), Primitive Celtic nos. A in MSS.
signifies water, while abh is cognate with Latin aqua, water.
Aus, avus is given as an old Celto-Scythick word for
‘ river.’ Old Celtic is auvona, or abh, water, and inne, a
channel; the word is generally applied to the larger streams.
Avon is the Welsh for ‘ river’ ; in Sanscrit ap means
*water ’ ; amhain and auwon are both ancient words for
river or water.
si
A b h ain n , A bhuinn, Am hainn, Am huinn.
22
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
A, genitive ar, is Old Norse for a ‘ burn ’ or rivulet, the
older forms being 0 lor oth, a large body of water; a appears
in Laxa, or lax-a, 1a trout or salmon stream or burn. There
are numerous small streams named Aa in France, Germany,
Holland, Russia, and Switzerland, and at least one Aar in
Switzerland, ai is a Norse termination signifying a
stream, a sea-stream. Othainn, an extension of oth, as
above, is a substantive feminine signifying the largest kind
of river, abhainn, etc., being secondary to o, oth or otha:
o and inne, as before: av is the same as above abh oir àmh:
moch is said to be av and achadh, a field: see ‘Achaleathan’:
avon, etc., is coglhate with Latin amnis: aune or oin means a
well, a river, and is short 'abhainn.’ Cf. Loch obha (Loch
Awe), also river abba. Awbeg, a river in Ireland. Ythan, a
river in Aberdeenshire, is from Othainn: Vne, another, is
the old form of Oyne or abhainn; bh and v sound the
same, v and u interchangeable.
The antiquity and practical immutability of rivers is
notable; they rank first, a characteristic being that they
almost invariably retain the names given them by an early
race, long after that race has left the ground or country
through migration or expulsion, etc. The Piets, for in­
stance, invariably named estuary, glen, strath, or loch after
the stream which issued therefrom: the rivers made the
valleys or glens, and they again made the hills or moun­
tains. As regards the ancient river-names, these were
usually the names of river goddesses; most of these names
appear in the genitive case.
In Baxter’s ‘Glossarium Antiquitatum Brittania’ (1719),
the appellative names of water in the ‘ British ’ are given.
Aa in Gothic and Swedish is a river; cf. Aa, the name of
rivers in Russia and elsewhere, as above: eau in French is
‘ water/ as is generally known.
The ‘ rivers ’ in Skye cannot be said to be either numerous
or important, and thus the word *abhainn ’ is not much
in evidence, as compared with ‘ allt,’ q.v.; indeed, the
former is not infrequently used instead of the latter. On
the Borders of Scotland a ‘ Water ’ is larger than a £Burn/
but attains not to the name of a ‘ River ’ (Lang).
A bhain n a C ha iste il .
The Castle river.
The Glen river.
Glenhinnisdale river.
A b h ain n a G h l in n e .
See ‘ Caisteal.’
In Troternish, the
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
23
N .B .— In the following list, only descriptive names given, not
‘ abhainn dubh, mòr,’ etc.
A b h a in n an A cha ’ L ea t h a in n . Broad field (or meadow) river.
A b h ain n a n A sa ra id h (also asradh). See £A iridh,’ or ‘A ir ig h /
‘ Aisridh.5 Asamidh, uncultivated ground. The middle
section of this river is called ‘ Easa-bàn,’ and the upper
part, 'Abhainn an t-smth-bhig ’ ; it rises in the loch of that
name, and falls into the sea east of Torrin fank, Strath.
A bh a in n a n A th a L e a t h a in n .
A bhain n a n D uchamais .
Broad ford river, Strath.
Strath. Dubh chamus, Black bay.
Duirinish. The river of the great
marshy meadow, the configuration favouring this transla­
tion; it runs into So. end of Loch Dunvegan. But see
*Lon.’
A bhain n a n T ora .
Also Abhainn Thora. Snizort. See
‘ Drum Thoro.’ There is Abhainn Thoro or Horro in Kilmaluag; at each there is a wide ditch which, in the case of
Drum Thoro at least, received sewage.
Cf. Scots
A bh ain n an L oin M h o ir .
* Closorrow.’
Ord river, Sleat. For ‘ Sleat ’ placenames, see under ‘ Sleat,’ separation.
Abhainn an TJir d .
Strath. The river of the letter
(or hillside of the elbow).
Also £Allt(a) Leoir,’
Maclure’s burn, a man of that name having tenanted
‘ Corry ’ farm; it lies between that farm and Torrin;
the middle portion is called £Allt na Leth Pheighinn,’
also £Abhainn a Rudha Dhubh ’ ; it rises on the
eastern shoulder of Ben Dearg Beag. Thought also
to be £Duibh-Leitir,’ the dark or black hill or countryside. Cf. £Duiletter ’ in Glendaruel, Argyllshire. Given
locally as ‘ Ui’ leathaid, uidh and leathad, a gradual
declivity. This may be meant for 'Alt,' genitive Vlit, a
hill, eminence, also a valley, etc. As to the £a ’ added to
'A llt,” see £Allta Fiodhach,’ under £Sleat.’
A bhain n an U i l ’ L e it ir .
A bhainn A shig .
Strath. See ‘ Ashig.’
miles east of Broadford.
A bhain n
’B haile M headhonaich .
Mid-town river.
£Balmeanach.’
A bhain n B h o t .
Kilmuir.
Ashig river, three
Bot river, q.v.
See
24
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
A bhainn Bhreatal. Drains south-west of Minginish, Coolins,
etc., and flows into the loch of that name.
A b h ain n C amus F h io n n a ir id h .
Issues from L . Creitheach.
See ‘ Camusunary.’
A bh a in n C h e an n - loch -E iseort .
Contains contents or waters
of several rivers or streams flowing from North, and falls
into Loch Eishort.
Duirinish.
A bh a in n C hoisleadair .
Coishletter river, q.v.
Uig, Snizort. A diminutive of £Conn,’
a proper name. See ‘ Beinn Conan.’ Also called 1abhainn
dhubh.’ There was a Saint Conan, bishop of Sodor, who
died in 648 a .d . Cf. £Kilchonain,’ Loch Rannoch-side.
Conan said to be ‘ cu ’ with diminutive ‘ mm,' equal to
‘ little dog.’
A bh a in n C h o n n a in .
Should be Chille Mhuire. Kilmuir.
River. But see ‘ Kilmarie.” Runs into Loch Slapin.
A b h ain n C ille M h a ir e .
A b h a in n
D h ubh
B hreac .
Black speckled river.
Near
Dunvegan Castle.
A b h ain n
Black waterfalls’ river.
E asa D ubpia.
See also
‘ Guala,’ etc.
A b h ain n G h l in n uachdarach .
Upper Glen river.
Flows
north into Loch Greshornish.
A b h ain n G hremiscaig .
A b h ain n H au lt a in .
Runs into Kilmuir River, q.v.
(See ‘ Gleann Haultin.’)
Runs north
into Loch Eyre.
A b h ain n L oin a C h l e ir ic h . Minister or Priest’s meadow or
marsh river. But see * L ò n .’
A b h ain n Mhor. The great river. Rises in Beiim-a-Chapuill,
flows north-west through Glendale, and falls into Loch
Pooltiel.
A b h ain n n an C noc .
Runs into Kilmuir River. Knolls’ river.
A b h ain n n an L eac .
The flag or flat stones’ (or tombstones’)
river.
A b h ain n P oll- losgainn .
Frog’s-pool river.
A bh ain n P ort- n a - culaidh , q.v.
A bh ain n R h a , or a R h a .
The Rah river.
Uig, Snizort. Runs into Uig bay.
Ràth, a fort.
PLACE-NAMES OF "SKYE
A b h a in n R oik , R oyk (or R oyoe?)
Pont.
25
Roag river?
Romasdail rivlb, Snizort, q.v. Runs into
Loch Snizort Beag, south of Kingsburgh.
A b h a in n R omasdal .
A b h a in n S caipeil , S capal , or S caipeal , is the southern part
of Score Bay, Kilmuir, and gives name to a stream; also
to a neighbouring piece of land, Druim Scaipel. Should
be ‘ Sg ’ ; may be ‘ Sgailpeil ’ ; and as the place is described
as being near or at the shore, it may mean ‘ abounding in
caves,’ though ‘ Scailpeach ’ usual term. There is a word
cSgaball,’ for which one meaning is a cauldron—primary
meaning £helmet.’
A bh ain n S h e is e ir id h .
Might be £asaraidh ’?
S hlaopain (not A l l t ).
Slapin river, Strath.
Modernly called £Abhainn Ruaraidh ’ ; it consists of three
sections: the other two are named £Abhainn na cul ’haic,’
i.e., cul ghlaic (or cul-ghlac), and £Allt a choire Sgreamhlaich’ ; it rises among or between the Red Hills. Slaob,
sluggish, unclean, etc.
A b h ain n
A bhain n S hniosoirt . Snizort river. This river is said to be
the largest in Skye, and drains south and east; Varragill
river ranks next.
A bhainn T h r easlain .
Treaslane river, flows north into loch
of that name.
A bhainn T orra M hicheig (and glen), q.v.
A bay, or òb, near Strolamus. Found also spelled
Abirdoire and Apoldoire. Water copse?
A beldoire .
Waterstein. Water house or town, from à,
water, and bòlstadr. See £Eas.’
A bosd, A boist .
A chabeg , A chadh beag .
Duirinish.
Little field.
With A llt
Acha’bhig'.
A chachand , A chand , A chochand .
Bracadale, in Glenbrittle.
Annat?
A chacork,
A chcork,
Portree, Troternish.
A chahork ,
Cornfield.
A chadh a ’ C hu irn (Waterloo).
A chork ,
A uchacork .
Achadb coirce.
Strath.
Cairn-field.
26
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
A chadh C lan n am F a it t e r .
The field of the clan or children
of Pat or Peter MacQhade, custodians of the Macleod fairy
flag; used to be in Trotemish. Achadh Faitear is in Upper
Sculamus, and said to mean ‘ Walter’s field.’
nan G obhar .
Torrin, Strath.
‘ Creagan nam meann.’
A chadh
Goat-field.
See
A cha ’ F lad or A ch a P h l a d . The field of slaughter.
Swordale, Strath. Means ‘ Achadh a chlab dab, a place where
a battle has been fought, for instance, ‘ Clab salach,’ beyond
Old Corry House. Niall a bhogha, a Mull man, slew with
the arrow a dozen men from the Macleod’s country who
raided his cattle; this Niall is said to have been the firslt
of the Morvern Maclnneses who settled in Skye. A family
of Maclnneses (probably his descendants) were hereditary
bowmen to the Mackinnons of Strath.
Snizort? Achadh.
but achadh is maec.
A chag .
A chnaguie .
Little field if dim. of Achadh,
Wind-field. Achadh na gaoithe.
A chadh n an Ga l l a n .
Locally ‘ Gallon ’ field, as smuggled
whisky hidden here! Also ‘ Field of Butterwort.’ See
‘ Gallanach.’ But ‘ Gallan ’ means here ‘ graceful or
straight young trees,’ etc.
Broadfield, in Snizort, or Broadburn? Ach or
iacha (obsolete) means burn, etc.
A chaleathan .
A chanahaneg (? Achnahanich, Portree); or
Annat Field. Six wells said to be here.
One of ten places where fairy cattle were said to graze.
(Achniahanid, Auchnahanaid, Troternish.) The Braes.
See ‘ Annat.’
A cha - n a - h - A n a it .
The Bards’ field. Snizort.
This field was held by a Duncan MacHuaraidh from Sir
James Macdonald, his successor being the famous Iain
MacCodrum. MacBuaraidh’s predecessors were a family
of MacBheattrais, MacBheatrais, or MacBeathaig. These
bards held ‘ poetical ’ schools in Skye.
A chadh n am B a r d , A c hnabard .
A chnafala .
The field of blood.
A chanan , A ch ’ an A t h a in ?
ford.
Near Skeabost.
Near Carbost. Field of the little
PLACE-NAMES OE SKYE
27
A chatraneg , A chadh na T raoin , etc.
The field of the corn'
crake, etc. For various forms of this word see Forbes’
Gaelic Names of Beasts, Birds, Etc.
A choistore, A chositore (a chois a Storr?).
Raasay?
A fine island, off
A chtalian , A chatalain etc., etc.
Portree. A farm. Locally
pronounced Acha’-da-ill-eathainn. Cf. As-da-bogha in
Kilmuir, beside a burn, now called Lòn Scòir, q.v. Also
pronounced Acha’-da-leathann, and said to mean Achadh
da leth pheighinn, the field of the two half-penny (lands).
A ckerside , A carsaid .
Troternish. Anchorage.
The Stallion. A peculiar rock half a mile from
‘An Fheist.’ A saying attached thereto is
A igeach , a n t -.
* Mac na Meigheadh (meigh each) air an àigeach
’S cha be 'n t-àgh a dhùsgadh ’ :
or
*Cha be 'n ceol gaire dhol ga dhusgadk.’
Mac na Meigheadh was a wizard, and lies buried on the
top of this rock. A party of sceptical young men went
once to test the truth of this legend and open the grave,
but were terrified by a thunderstorm. It is said that this
saying owes its origin to one ‘ Bomhnull Bàn Tàillear/
an itinerant tailor, and reputed wit, and who also made the
attempt to exhume the giant.
The height or heights,,
points or promontories, etc. Aird mhor and Aird bheag,
near Trumpan, Snizort, etc. Aird of Triaslan and Aird
of Bernisdale. Aird means a projecting piece of land,
not necessarily high. In Kilmuir there is an ‘ Aird iosal,’
low Aird. Few of the Airds are cliffs. There is an Aird
north of Duntulm Castle, the most northern point of Skye.
Also ‘ Aird an t-Sratha.’ The people of Aird, Sleat,
have been familiarly dubbed ‘ Na faolagan ’—Muinntir na
h-Airde, ‘ buntata 'us faolag' ! These ‘ Nick-names,’
‘ Eke-names,’ Far or For-ainm or Frith-ainm, were also
common on the mainland.
A ir d , A ir d e , an A ir d e , na h - A ir d e .
A ir d ’- a - bhaile - m hoire .
A ir d ’ a C hom hraig .
A ird B hreac .
Great town A ird .
Place or locale of combat. Duirinish.
The spotted or speckled point.
28
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Dark heights. Portree. See ‘ Ard ’ ; also Aird
Dhubh. Ardorach in the Dunan district means 4Golden
height,’ Ard brack. Also said to mean the place of en­
chantment. See £Pein orra.’ Also near Loch Eynort.
A irdedorch .
A ir d - mhic - ceolain (1498).
In Troternish (see ‘ Ard,’ etc.),
‘ Aird ’ic Thorlain.’
In Kilmuir there is £Cuid
Thorlain,’ Torlan a diminutive of Torlaoch (Turlough), not
long ago a proper name in the district. The modern
equivalent is ‘ Charles.’ Near here is 1Slochd-a-mhadaidh,’
sea dashing through to Stac Lachlainn. There is a place
called £Aird-a-cheolain,’ melody.
A ird T earc .
Thought to be a misprint for ‘ Aird bhreac,’ q.v.
A shealing or sheiling. They are termed
‘ Bothan airidh, airidhean, or airighean,’ and were timberroofed. Another term said to be ‘ Sealan,’ but it is thought
this is ‘ Gaidhlig Ghallda ’ ! The number of £Airighean ’
here given show how common they once were. Many not
got here. Much lore attached to each. “ Sheiling ’ is from
‘ Scale ’ or 4Skali,’ a hut. Erg, borrowed from Old Gaelic
airge, now airidh, airigh, shieling. The £Shiel,’ equal to the
hut, and the ‘Shieling’ the pasture adjacent. In regard to
the spelling of this word, see Macbain’s £Etymological
Gaelic Dictionary,’ s.v. The word here has been spelled
4airidh,’ but it is thought should be altered to £airigh ’ in
every case. A word £Arrairigh,' said to mean ‘ shealing,’
and 4Airidh ’ or 4Airigh ’ the £produce.’ ‘Airear,' obs.,
means 4food.’ £Sheiling ’ is the spelling adopted generally
in this work. See picture of sheiling by Scott Rankin, as
given in ‘ Life and Work,’ March, 1909.
In the Lewis a word for sheiling or outer pasture is
4Geàrraidh.’ Arroch or Arach also given as meaning ‘ a
little sheiling,’ e.g., Kipperoch, equal to Ceap arroch or
arach. Airidh said by Dr. Cameron to mean a sheiling or
grove, a place where osier® grow. Fiunary, also ruighe.
A ir id h , A ir ig h .
A is r id h . AisridJi is given in dictionaries as abode,
hill, path, etc. Aisridh nam ban, the abode of the women,
probably a large sheiling or, as suggested, a nunnery.
Skinidin.
A ir id h
The sheiling of the little waterfall.
Famed or noted for the supposed ghost of a murdered
pedlar.
A ir id h an E ssa n , E asan .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
A ir id h an F h u d a ir .
A ir id h a P h u il l .
A ir id h an t -S luic .
Gunpowder shelling.
29
Fasach.
The Pool sheiling.
The sheiling of the hollow or den.
The sheiling of the little thicket.
A ir id h B h a d a in .
Callum the son of Allan’s
At foot of ‘ Big Red-hill.’
A ir id h e a n C halum ’I c A il e in .
sheilings.
A ir id h C ha rna ch .
Portree.
Rocky sheiling.
Croic, a deer’s horn. But thought
should be crocach, for cnocach, hilly, the hilly sheiling.
A ir id h C hroichdeach .
A ir id h D h onnachaidh .
Duncan’s sheiling.
A ir id h F ha lach .
Brown sheiling. Portree.
The hidden or retired sheiling, in Kilmuir.
A ir id h F h u a r .
The cold eheiling.
A ir id h D h o n n .
A ir id h G hualachan or B huachain or B uachachain .
The
sheiling of the burnt place, or the Bleacher. See ‘Story and
Song from Lochnesis-side,’ by Alex. Macdonald, 1914.
A ir id h L o in id . Churn-staff or whisk sheiling; loinid-omhain.
A ir id h luachrach U ig e .
Uig rashy sheiling.
Title of local
song.
A ir id h M eall B eathaig , q.v.
In Stenscholl. Mac-Ian-Ghill
found a strange beast in possession of his sheiling. His
dogs set upon it, when the beast spoke and desired him to
withdraw the dogs, which he refused to do. Thereupon the
beast fled, pursued by the dogs. Next morning the carcases
of the dogs, terribly mangled, were found on a point jutting
out into the sea, which ever since has been called ‘ Rudha
nan Con Gorma,’ the point or promontory of the blue dogs
or hounds, or dark-grey, q.v. Meaning of Ghill? A proper
name?
A iridh M hic I ain G h il l .
mo d hu bh aich .
£Sheiling of my sorrow.’ See
'Literary Tours in Highlands,’ etc., by D. T. Holmes,
page 286. Dance of death. Dubkach, an adjective;
dubhachais properly.
A ir id h
A ir id h na C reige .
The rock sheiling. Strath.
A ir id h na C raig . Thought to be the same. Given as in Strath­
aird.
‘ Creiche,’ the spoil.
PLACE-NAMES OF SEYE
A ir id h na D unach (or dunachd ).
The sheiling of misfortune,
etc. Strathaird. There were once seven girls and a boy in
this sheiling. All the girls went to a wedding at Keppoch.
The boy went to bed, when seven large eats came in and
made themselves comfortable beside the fire. The cats were
talking among themselves. After a short time, they began
to spoil the cream and the butter. The boy told the girls
about the cats. The following night the cats came as
women and murdered all the girls. Their mothers—as wais
their custom—came for the cheese and butter, and were
horrified to find their daughters dead. Each exclaimed,
‘ Airidh mo dhunach! ’
A somewhat similar story is connected with Glen Sàsaig.
The 1water-horee,’ which came from the neighbouring Loch
pa doirreanaich, above the glen, was the murderer. The
Sàsaig men turned out ‘ in arms,’ and the ‘ crooked
sixpence ’ or silver button, fired from a musket, put an end
to the creature. The grave of this monster is still to be
seen. Cf. ‘ Airidh mo dhubhaich.’
A word Airidhe signifies spectres, visions. Aroch equal
to airidh, and means a little hamlet.
The sheiling of courtship. On the moors
between Strath and Sleat.
A ir d h na S u ir id h .
A ir id h N e il l .
Neil’s sheiling.
The summer sheiling. Portree. See
£Camustianavaig.’ This appears to indicate that there were
sheilings for other seasons.
A ir id h S am h r a id h .
Una’s sheiling. Snizort. This name £Una ’ is
the rendering in Scottish Gaelic of ‘ Ona.,’ who was a famous
Irish harper, and travelled in Skye and other Western
Islands. But see 4Una,’ said to mean Winifred. Airidh
equal to saeter.
A ir id h U n a .
Aisk. Strath. See ‘ Ashig.’ Aiseag, Aiseig? There is a
word £aiSj a hill, also a fort, a covert, but deemed doubtful
Gaelic, and found only on what is called Pictish ground
(though Pictish is of course Celtic). Cf. Altais.’ Aisgeir
means a mountain, a long ridge, ad-sJcer? But aistear
means a spring-tide, and explained air ais o ’n Ur? back
from the land. Cf. ‘ Divis,’ equal to dubh-ais, black hill,
near Belfast, Ireland. ‘ Thais ’ equal to Hals, hause,
throat? There is a word Aisir for Asleif, e.g., Asleifarvig,
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
31
Ashleif’e bay: Asleifar, genitive. Aisir, aisridh, a passage,
path, defile. There is a word Aistiri, meaning a door­
keeper, from Latin Ostiarius. Ais an t-Sithean; ais equal
to ath, plus innis, the backbone or poor haugh. Aisre equal
to edge.
A ite M aol .
The bare place.
A ite -S uidhe F h in n . Fingal’s, or rather Fionn’s, Seat, near
Portree. Hence he viewed the chase. There are various
tales told of this warrior hero who loved Skye. There is a
hill in Kilmuir, 1000 feet high, called ‘ Suidhe Finn.’
(Fhinn). A t its foot is a tarn called ‘ Loch Sneesdale,’ in
which Finn, while sitting on the top of this hill, washed
his feet. There were giants in those days! But see ‘ Saigh
a Mhinn,’ etc.
Locally, this hill.is supposed to be the
place where Fingal or Finn watched for approach of
Norwegian galleys.
A ketil (burn).
(F allt ketil; a and ketil).
Watemish.
See
‘ Abhainn.’
The biare speckled (place). A ll is a rock or cliff.
Aladh also signifies ‘ nursing,’ etc. ‘ A ll ’ also in Gaelic
signifies ‘ white.’
A ladh M aol .
Near or on Sgurr Alasdair. ‘ Alasdair ’
or ‘ Alastair,’ the first owing to economy of effort in
articulation!
A lasdair D ubh G a p .
A llanedonand .
All an earn ? or nes. All,
dim. Allan, water, river, burn, eas, waterfall.
A llanish , A llarn ish , B e in n , q.v.
A llaraidh (? Alladh reidh).
Level excellence, as applied to
land. South of Duirinish. See Glac, etc.; allmharach, a
foreigner; all, beyond; and muir, sea; ? all or thall, over.
A lligro .
In Duirinish.
A llt . A river or burn, with high or precipitous banks (plural
sometimes alltwian). Allt of old meant a high place, altus.
In Irish a wooded valley or glen. Allt, a stream, in alt,
height (topographically), glenside or cliff. Gaelic form
thought to be possibly Pictish, and allied, as said, to Latin
altus. See E. Macdonald’s ‘ Gaelic Dictionary,’ s.v.
32
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Terms for rivers have been defined as sylce and trink
(Scottish), a small runlet making its way through rushes;
grain, a larger stream, breeding place; bum and water, each
increasing in size—all flowing to the river from the moor
into a rounded basin 10 or 12 feet deep, and eating back.
A British word for a burn or brook is nant; cornant, a
small rivulet. Much indeed as many people admire the
majestic grandeur of a great river, there is much greater
fascination and life—free life—in the youthful energy and
sparkling clearness, amounting to transparency, combined
with the cheerful music of our Highland streams, or uillt,
rushing and roaring in flood as if in a mad hurry to get
down the hill, e.g., Allt a Chaoich, Scavaig; Allt (a)
Fiodhach, Kilmore, Sleat, etc. The word neth (dim.
nethan) means stream; pourlan, a small stream; also attach,
water, stream.
A l l t a B h ea la ich , or a B h e a la ic h B h ric .
A llt a B h il e .
Strath.
A llt a B hrachaldh .
Russet Pass.
Burn of the copse or grove.
Malting brook. In Strath, near Broad-
ford Church.
Burn of the roaring or bellow­
See * Bealach,’ etc.
A llt a B h u ir ib h , B h u ir id h .
ing (of stags).
The burn of the little field. Waternish.
Runs into sea north of Loch Diubaig; a waterfall here.
A l l t Achaedh B hig .
Nun’s field river. Cf. Baile nan
Cailleach (Nunton) in Benbecula.
A llt A chaidh na C ail l ic h .
A llt a C h a im , A ltachaim , A ttac h aim . . Duirinish.
River or
burn of the bend or curve. Said also to be at Watemish,
and to mean blind or one-eyed.
The burn of bending or turning.
into Loch Bay, Loch Dunvegan.
A llt a C h a m a id h .
A llt a C haoich .
The mad or impetuous burn.
Runs
Falls into
Loch Scavaig.
“ Where a wild stream, with headlong shock,
Came brawling down its bed of rock,
To mingle with the main.”
— Scott’s “ Lord of the Isles.”
A llt 'a C hlobha . Lit. the tongs’ burn, forked bum. One near
Broadford, and another runs north into Loch Sligachan.
From Norse Klofi, a fork (of a river).
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
A llt a C hoire C hatachan .
A llt a C hoire B h u id h e .
33
Strath, q.v.
Yellow corrie burn.
Near Broad-
ford or Kylerhea.
The Bum of the dangerous,
treacherous oorrie, from gaiste, a snare? Also the bushy
burn, cf. gaiste fraoich, gaiste sguabaich; a tributary of
the Vikisgill river or burn.
A llt a C hoire G haistich .
A llt a C hr o .
The burn of the fold.
Stein.
The ocean bum. N. of Kilbride, more prob­
ably ‘ burn of the bay.’
A llt a C h u a in .
A llt a G h a ir b h e id .
A llt a G h il l e .
See Garbhaig, Sleat.
The lad’s burn, or gil, ravine?
A llt a G h il le G h u ir m .
Blue boy’s burn. (? gille-guirmein,
a plant?)
A llt a G h l e a n n a in .
A llt a G h o ir te in .
Little glen burn.
Little cornfield or enclosure bum.
A llt A ir id h a B h r e it h im h .
Burn of the Judge’s sheiling.
A llt A igeinn or A ig in n .
Near Garbh-bheinn. The burn o f
the abyss, or deep pool. Runs from Garbh-bheinn into
Loch Slapin. The glen is between Belig and Garbhbheinn. The water of this river, like all rivers in limestone
districts is very clear.
A llt A ir id h A iser id h , q.v.
A llt A ir id h D hom nachaidh .
On Skiniden Common.
Duncan’s fold burn.
A llt A ir id h M eall B eathaig , q.v.
Varragill river.
A
tributary o f the
Boundary-fold bum. Also given
creiche, spoil. Aultarienagriadh, a Lowland rendering.
A llt A ir id h na C riche .
A isr id h .
See ‘ Airidh.’
‘ Abhainn an asàraidh.’
A llt
Is this ‘ Asradh’ ?
See
Fasach. Can this be meant for crannadhail, framework of a ooracle, etc. ?
A llt a C h r a in ig il .
A llt a M h a id e .
A l l t a M haim .
The Wood (or Stick) Burn, near Roag, q.v.
The rounded-hill bum. N .W . of Coolins.
A llt a M h e ir lich .
The Thief’s Bum, Skinidin.
c
34
PLACE-NAMES OF. SKYE
Anavig, near Kyleakin.
A llt A n abh aig .
Oak-copse burn. Near Port Aslaig;
flows from Beinn na Seamraig.
A l l t an D o lre D araich .
Little alder-burn, or the alder little burn;
flows into Easa-ban, q.v.
A lltan F ear na .
The giant’s burn, q.v.
Pronounced ‘ Fumhaire ’ in Skye.
(?Fomoirian.)
A llt an F h a m h a ir .
A l l t an F h io n n -C h o ire . Also Allt Mòr an Fhionn-Choire,
q.v. See ‘ Tobar nan Uaislean.’
On Fasach Common. Also ‘ Cnoc 5 and
‘ Loch.’ Powder.
A llt an I n b h ir or I n b h ir e . Strath. Flows into Loch Kilchrist. The burn of the confluence.
A llt an F h u d a ir .
A llt an L oin B h u id h e (and G h u ir m ) . The bum of the yellow
(and green) meadow.
Red-meadow burn.
A llt an L oin R u a id h .
A llt an R eid he M h o ir .
A lltan R u a d h .
See ‘ Lon.’
Great plain (or level) burn.
The red little burn.
A lltan L uachrach .
Rushy little bum.
Back of Màm.
The basket or creel burn, if first syllable
long. Other meanings also.
A llt an S gulain .
T eangaidh or n a T ea n g a id h .
Tongue bum, a
branch of Allt Strollamus. Sea also Sleat.
A llt a n
A llt an T ota M h o ir , T obh ta .
Burn of the great ruins.
t -S a b h a il .
The barn burn? See ‘ Bealach an
t-Sabhail. ’ Runs north into Caolas Scalpa.
A llt an
A llt an t -S eachrain .
The wanderer’s, or wandering, burn.
W . of Kylerhea.
Fairy-hillock bum .
Sligachan. One at Broadford.
A llt an t -S it h e in .
A llt an t -S ratha B h ig .
Near head of Loch
The little strath bum.
a n t -S u id h e .
The .seat burn. Thought to be a mistake
for saigfo, a peak, etc. See ‘ Saigh a Mhinn,’ at Strath,
near Loch Kilchrist. A local suggestion is that if ‘ suidhe,’
it is one of many similarly named places where people
rested at funerals. Runs into Loch Kilchrist.
A llt
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
35
Yellow breast bum; uchd, a breasted
or swelling slope of land. N .E. of Meall Odhar, on
northern borders of the Coolins.
A llt an U chd B h u id h e .
A llt A oidh M hic L a r a in .
Hugh M'Laren’s bum.
(Labhrain.)
Black-pool stream.
A llt a P hollain D u ib h .
Drains into
Loch Brittle.
A llt B a n .
A l l t B eag.
White burn. Near Sligachan. Clear.
Little Burn.
(Common.)
A llt B ealach na C oise , q.v.
A llt B einne D eirge .
Caillich, Broadford.
A l l t Bessa.
Red peak burn. S.E. of Beinn na
Flows into Broadford River.
? Bessie.
A llt B eul - a n - a t h a - r u a id h .
Red ford-mouth burn.
A llt B etjl- ath a - n a n - sac or sachd .
ford of the sack or burden.
Burn at the mouth of the
Camustinivaig.
A l l t B e u l a th na G laissich, q.v.
Meadale.
Badgers’ dens’ burn.
A llt B hroclaichean .
Flows down
shoulder of Mareeo.
A llt B hr un igill , q.v.
B reacach {Am Breacack). Speckled burn.
aehadh ? or ‘ abounding in trout.’
A llt
A llt B u id h e .
Breac
Yellow burn.
A llt C airistiona N e il l .
Cirsty Neill’s burn.
(Daughter of
Neil.)
Mad stream. Falls into Loch na Cuiloe, q.v.
See *Allt a chaoich.’
A llt C haoich .
A llt C hoire or C oire n an C lach .
Corrie of stones burn.
Strath. Also Allt Choire nan Cuilean, q.v.
A llt C hracaig , q.v.
Runs into sea at Portree.
A llt C hreag U isd ean .
Bum of Hugh’s rock.
Visdean Ic
'llleaspuig Chlerich.
A llt Clachamais .
GLachamais bum, q.v.
C noc a C h arnaich .
Cairney or stony knoll burn.
*Carnach/ anglicised ‘ Keornoch,’ in Liberton, Midlothian.
A llt
36
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
A l l t - n a n -U a n .
Lamb’s-knoll burn.
Smith’s corrie burn. Kilmuir,
Might be gabhann or gobhann, a fold, etc. (obs .)
A l l t - C o i r ’ a G hobhainn.
A l l t -C oir ’ a G h r ea d aid h , q.v.
A llt -C oir ’ a M h a d a id h .
A l l t -C oire - an - F hraoich .
A l l t -C oire - F orsaidh .
Runs into Loch Brittle.
Dog or wolf’s oorrie burn.
Heather corrie burn.
Deer-forest corrie burn.
Flows into>
Loch Kilchrist.
Stream runs into Soay Sound.
A ll t -C oir ’ a G h r u n n d a , q.v.
Burn of the corrie of the hollow. Th&
stream runs into Loch Brittle. See ‘ Gleann Breatal ’ and
‘ Coire Labain.’
A ll t -C oire -L ag ain .
A ll t -C oire - na - Banachdich .
A llt
See £Eas,’ etc.
Dreams’ corrie burn, near
Said this should be grudairean , distillers or
-C oire-n am -B ru ad airean.
Ruadh Stac.
smugglers.
A ll t -C oire - n a n -C u il e an .
Wolves’ ? fox-cubs’ or whelps’
corrie burn.
A ll t -C ul - A ir id h -L again .
A l l t -C uleshader .
South of Portree.
The dabhach or davach burn (davach, a unit
of Pictland land measure). Runs into Loch Eynort. See
‘ Peighinn,’ etc.
A l l t -D abhoch .
A llt -D a id h . Davidj’s ? burn.
See ‘ Dun Daibhidh.’
Suggested D o'i equals D o B hi-
A ll t -D araich or an D ara ic h .
Oak burn, near Sligachan;
drains*Coire na Sgàirde on Glàmaig; below Beinn Dearg
Mòr. One runs north into sea near Broadford, with Ob.
A ll t -D earg -B eag and A llt D earg M or .
Little and great
red burn. S.W . of Sligachan. Runs out of Coir’ a
Bhàsadair. Also called A llt a Bhàsadair.’ But see ‘ Loch
Ravag.’
A llt D h u g h a ill .
See Loch D . (Sleat.)
Burn of the soft place or morass. Flows
through Coire Chaise, Coolins. There is a Gaelic word
signifying, it is said, a conical mound built by Danes?
A llt D ig e a d h .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
A llt D oire na C riche .
37
Boundary grove burn; or creiche,
plunder, spoil.
Stream of the grove
of the physician: local translation, ‘ stream of the rock
grove ’ Leac, lie? Portree.
A llt D oire ’ n L eich {Leigh, Lichiche).
D orus N e il .
Neil’s door or pass burn.
smuggler. Pass near Galtrigill.
A llt
A llt D ubhailteach .
A llt D r y n a .
A
noted
In Bracadale. The dark, gloomy river.
Droigheann, droighimn. Bum of the (place of)
thorns.
Runs from Blaven into Loch Slapin.
‘ Airidh na Dunach.’
A llt D unaiche .
See
E ire (? Eyre).
Mentioned in ‘ Cumha Clann na
Ceapaich,’ by Iain Lom. The root may be the same as
Eire, Ireland, of which Eirinn is an oblique case. C f. also
Loch Earn and Stratheam. Possibly from Norse eyrr, a
beach.
A llt
A llt E ynord .
Runs into Loch Eynord, q.v.
A llt F asach, q.v.
Runs into Loch Dunvegan.
Alder (tree) bum, or Allt Fearnaig. Broad­
ford. Runs north into Caolae Scalpa. Also Fearnach.
See ‘ Alltan,’ etc.
A llt F e ar na .
A llt F ionn - F hu achd .
Drynoch.
The white (or keen) cold
bum.
A llt G arbh M or and A llt G arbh B eag .
Big rough and
little rough burns. Near Broadford. Run south into Loch
Sligachan.
Suisnish. Garbh raineach, rough, coarse
fern. Given also Garravanaieh, Garbkanaich, coarse,
rugged.
A llt G arraranach .
Archibald’s burn.
hop’s servant lad.)
A llt G illeasbuig .
A llt G laic - n am -M eirleach , q.v.
{GUV Easpuig, Bis­
The Burn of the thieves’
pass or hollow.
A llt G obhlach .
Portree.
The forked burn.
Runs into Caol Raasa,
38
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
A llt G rillan ?
(Greollan or grullan means a cricket—the
insect.) See ‘ Greallin.’
A llt
H aich
tathaich.
(? Chaich).
Thathaich ? aspirated form
Near Loch Scavaig.
H am ara .
iHamar bum. Duirinish.
Glendale west into Loch Pooltiel.
A llt
A llt H ornisco.
of
Runs through
N .E. of Bracadale. Sco equals town.
A l l t H unigil , q.v.
S. of Talisger.
A llt K earra , q.v.
A llt K e t il .
K etil’s bum .
A llt L ain ish (? Lian).
A l l t L eoir .
A llt
L eth
W atem ish.
See ‘ Leinish.’
Maclure’s burn ?
See ‘ Abhainn an Uil’ Leitir.’
One-sided fairy-hillock bum, not
S h it h e in .
necessarily ‘ fairy.’
A llt
L eth
S hligh e or L e t h - S l ig h e .
Half-way burn.
Strath.
A llt L in n id a l , q.v.
A llt
Lynedale Burn. Flax-dlale.
q.v. Lios gearraidh, gardjen enclosure.
See ‘ Leasgary.’ Flows into sea south of The
L isigart ,
Portree.
Lump.
A llt L ochain C r u in n .
Bum of the little round loch.
A llt L ochan na S a il e .
Sea-lochan bum.
Near Beinn na.
Greine.
Little black lòch of the trouts.
Good fishing.
A llt L ochan D ubh na B ric .
Near Broadford.
In Bracadale. Whisky bum. Lomag agns
tiorlaman (tiormcm, tior, dry corn), whisky and oatmeal
dumpling. Arrian.
A llt L omag .
A llt L u ib , q.v.
In Bracadale. Falls into Loch Duagraich.
Gen. of luideag, a slovenly woman. See ‘ Allt na
Luideach.’
A llt L u id eig .
A llt L uig M h o r .
Big hollow burn. Gen. of lag.
A llt M a in n ir a G h o b h ar .
Bay, Loch Dunvegan.
Goat-fold burn. Runs into Loch
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
39
A llt M easarrach . Between Beinn Dearg and Marsco.
See
‘ Alt na Measarrach.’
A llt M h a r t u in n .
Martins burn.
Buchanan’s bum. In Glen Varragill,
Portree. Tradition isays that a man of this name was
arrested here for murdler, and subsequently hanged on ‘ The
Lump ’ at Portree.
A llt M h ic m h a n n a in .
Great river or stream; several of this name in
Skye; ome in Strath next to Sleat; another drains north into
Loch na Cairidh.*
A llt M or .
Big burn of the promontory (lit. nose).
A llt M or na S roine .
A llt M uchte or M tjchta.
The suppressed burn; humming
along its course with a suppressed sound. See ‘ Sleat.5
A llt M urich . (Means perhaps mumch, down, s&ndjhill.
Runs
into Loch-an-Eilean near Heast, Loch Eishort.
The burn of the brindled
cow, or gray-white. Runs into Loch Sligachan.
A llt na B a G risionn {gris-fhionn).
A llt na B anachaig .
The dairymaid’s bum .
In or on Fasach
Common.
School-girl's bum.
Glas Bheinn to Loch Eynort.
A llt n a B an S goileir .
The beast burn.
name, south of Kyleakin.
A llt na B eiste .
A llt na B tjaile D u ib h e .
From back of
Runs into loch of that
Black fold bum.
Runs into Loch
Dunvegan.
Burn of the curl or ringlet; possibly very
winding. Ruins into Galtrigill bum or river, into Loch
Dunvegan.
A llt na C am alaig .
A llt na C eardaich .
Smithy burn, in or at Scor na Daoine.
A llt a (or n a ) C haorain or C h aoirein .
Burn of the purling
sound. Reputed [march between Trotemish and Strath.
Found given also as ‘ rowan-tree,’ though that is spelled
moruinn; caoran, peat ember.
A llt na C laise M oire .
Burn of the great hollow.
* The accent on *M6r3 viz., the acute, is that given in MacBain’s
‘ Etymological Dictionary,’ and is thought correct, though differing from
almost all other Dictionaries and Grammars. See N.G.P., Preface, also.
40
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Burn of the very little (the wee)
stone. Broadford Bay. This meaning holds if first
syllable long; if short, it means high-pointed, and should
be biodaich, from biad, a high or sharp point, or rather
bioda.
A llt na C loiche B id e ic h .
Burn of the wood. Near Drynoch.
A llt na C oille .
A llt na C oin B h a in .
(or
Daraich.’
A llt a n
na)
White dogs’ bum.
D ara ic h .
Oak (tree) bum.
See ‘ A llt
White bridge bum (modern
name). One in Sleat, near Isle Omsay.
A llt n a D rochaide B a in e .
Strath. Where two lads were drowned.
March between Macdonald and Mackinnon lands. ( Alltan
DhomhnuiU Chaim, one-eyed Donald’s burn south hereof.)
See ‘ Airidh’ and ‘ Linne na Dunach.’ Flows from Coir’
Uaigneach into Loch Slapin. There is a *Loch na Dunach ’
in Sunart.
A llt na D unach .
A llt na G laic C riathaich ( Criadhaich).
bum.
Clayey hollow’s
A llt na G o irbhearran . Bum of the rough parts or places.
A t Ferinveguire. Garbh fhearann or fearann, rough land.
The bum of the gruagach, a fabulous
See ‘ Gruagach.’
A llt na G ruagaich .
monster.
A llt na G u il e .
The burn of weeping.
The black fold burn, or sheiling.
Runs into Loch Sligachan.
A llt n a h - A ir id h e D u ib h e .
na h -A iridhe L eachdaich (Leacaich). The flatstone-fold
bum. Runs south into Loch Sligachan.
A llt
The EParta bum (corrie).
Coolins. Runs from Dunvegan Head into Loch Dunvegan.
A llt na h - A rtaig ( n a H artaig ).
Half-penny burn. Probably runs
through a half-penny land. See Abhainn an Uil’ Leitir.’
A llt na L e t h -P h e ig h in n .
A llt na L uachrach .
or rushes.
Reedy burn, or burn of the reeds, rashes,
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
41
A llt n a L uideach (? L uideag ).
Luideach is an adjective
signifying ‘ ragged.’ The ‘ Luideag ’ was a monster well
known in Strath and alsewbere in Skye. See ‘ Loch na
Meall.’ This monster, however, was spelled ludag, the little
finger, having only one short arm and hand, isticking out
of the breast!
A llt n a L u inge .
Ship burn.
Buns into Loch Dunvegan at
Hallin.
The bum of bowels or puddings.
Supposed scene of disembowelling or gralloching. Marag
also means wild mustard.
A llt na M arag (? M araig ).
Broadford. Mmcan? If so, it means
root, plant, etc., and there are several different. See
Dictionaries.
A llt na M eachan .
The burn of the temper­
ate. N .E. of Marsco. If Misreach, might be meant for
measrach, gen. of meamir, dish, milk-dish, etc. Rises
between Marsoo and Sconser, red hills, and flows into
Sligachan iRiver.
A llt na M easarrach (M isreach ).
A llt nam F ith ea ch .
The ravens’ bum.
Runs into the
Eynort river.
Thieves’ river. A branch of the Tungadal river. See *Allt a Mhèirlich.’
A llt nam M eirleach .
(also given na Mnathan Marbh).
Strath. The bum of the dead women. Runs south into
Loch Sligachan.
A llt na M na M airb h
A llt na M oin e .
Moss, peat-moes bum .
A llt nan C lachan G eala .
White-stones bum.
East pf
Sgurr-nan-Gillean.
Washing bum. See ‘ Allt na
Nighinn,’ Sleat. This, in common with many other rivers,
etc., was reputed for the ‘ Bean-nighe ’ having been seen
here frequently, but may be merely where clothes were
washed. ‘Allt na Nighinn ’ runs into sea at Ardglass
Point, q.v. See also Raasay.
A llt na N ig h id h (N ig h ead h ).
A llt nan L eac .
Flat-stones’ bum.
Sound.
A llt nan C on .
Dogs’ river. Strath.
Flows south into Soay
42
PLACE-NAMES OP SKYE
Burn of the wrinkles, rimples.
A llt nan C riopag .
A llt n an G eal C h a r n .
White cairns’ burn.
Black or dark water-falls’ burn.
A llt n a n E asan D u bh a .
A l l t nan S ac.
Sacks’ bum .
A llt n a n S u id heach an .
Seats’ or shelving rocks’ bum.
See
‘ Allt an t-Suidhe.
A llt n an S uibheag . (W ild ) raspberries’ b um (or strawberries*
Sùbhag).
A llt n an T ig h e a n .
A llt n a P airce .
Houses’ burn.
Park river.
Flows into Loch Eishort near
Boraraig.
Blanket bum (washing). Plaide also means
‘ plot of ground.’
A llt na P l a id e .
Between Strathaird and Elgol. Before there
was a regularly constructed road, while carrying home meal
on their backs, people rested here when hungry, and made
a lump (or pòtag) of the meal with water from this bum.
A llt na P otag .
A llt
na
P rionnsa , A llt
a
P hrionnsa
(Tearlach).
See
‘ Tobar.’
A llt n a R igheachan or R uigheachan .
men’s fields or summer residence.
Burn of the herds­
Base of a hill. Strath.
Bum of the female dog, or wolf; or
‘ Allt an t-Saighe.’
A l l t n a S aid h e .
A llt n a S eiceinear or S eiceinean
( Seicheadair, skinner).
Hides burn. Back of Kilbride, Strath. People of yore
made their own cuarain, shoes, or boots, the hides for
leather being steeped in the water of this burn. May mean
tanner’s or currier’s burn.
Burn of the white wing. Part of a
country side, sometimes jutting into the sea.
A llt na S geithe B a in e .
A llt na S m u id e . Burn of the smoke or mist.
Diubaig. A natural arch here.
A llt O secouland .
Runs into Loch
Runs into Camus Tianavaig, q.v.
Bum of the pennyland of the
primroses; or primrose pennyland. Also said to be
Peighinn Saurvik, i.e., mud bay. See ‘ Peinsoraig.’
A llt P eig h in n S obhraig .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
A llt P oll- a -B h a in e .
Milk-pool burn.
43-
In Suiehnieh.
Burn of the port of the cowL
Probably a monk’s landing-place. The word culmdh is
used as a term for a boat; cullaidh or cullidh, horse.
A llt P ort- n a -C u llaid h , q.v.
A llt R e id h .
The smooth or smooth-flowing burn.
Reireag bum.
A llt R e ir e ig .
See Raasay.
Also a C reag R iosdail . But see £Creag
Nisdale.’ There is a word riostal or risteal akin to crannruslaidh or rustlaidh, plough for rough ground or between,
rows, grubber.
A llt R iosdail .
The rough burn.
applied to animals, etc.
A llt R obach .
A llt R u a d h .
Robach is more generally
Red burn.
A llt R uaraidh or R u a ir id h .
Roderick’s burn.
Pronounced like Mool-ruibhe, saint’s name
without the Maol. But see ‘ Allt na Righeachan.’
A llt R u id h e .
A llt S la pin or S hlaopain .
Slapin burn. See ‘ Abhainn,r
etc. Runs from Beinn Dearg Mhor, etc., into Loch Slapin,
A llt S hlugainn D heas . South-pool burn. Watemish. Rune
into Loch Snizort.
A llt S lugain M h e ad h o in .
A llt S rath -S uardal .
Mid-pool burn.
See above.
Strathswordle bum, q.v.
Little Storr bum. Also given as the miser’s
burn. See ‘ Storr.’
A llt S torachan .
Suardal burn. Runs into south of Loch Dunvegan from Beinn Bhreac.
A llt S uardal .
The cross or transverse burn. Between Loch
Buidhe and Allt a Mhuilinn, q.v.
A llt T arsuinn .
A llt T oraig .
Torag Bum.
Burn of the cook’s house or dwell­
Cook at Duntulm Castle, Kilmuir.
A llt T ot’ a C hocaire , q.v.
ing.
A llt T ota T haoig , q.v.
A llt U il ’ L e it ir .
See ‘Abhainn Uil’ Leitir.’
A llt V arragell, q.v.
A llt V oaker .
In Bracadale.
44
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
A llt Y e l k ie , S ealg aid h .
Shealg.
Hunt bum, q.v.
Flows
into Camus Beag, Uig.
A cromlech, shaped like the form of an altar. Near
Elgol, Strath.
A l t a ir .
A ltavaig , A ltaiveg , etc.
Altvig bay, Swan bay, from alft or
nipt, swan, and vig or vik, bay. Cf. ‘ Altanish.’ This is
an island off Flodigarry, and the name is given to a
mountain and headland there. Kilmuir.
There was a chapel thereon sacred to Saint Turos. Pont
gives Altavise, Altavick, seat and isle. Martin gives Altig,
island. This island is a sort of natural breakwater to the
open harbour of Loch Staffin.
A madal ( A m at ) C oire and B ealach .
A mar (river). The trough or river of the rocky channel.
Highlanders used this word for a pot.
A nabhaig or A n bh aig .
S e e ‘ A l l t .’
A n D o ir n eil . The stony or gravelly place.
Camus Bàn, Dunvegan.
A n F h a o ilin n .
A n F h e iste .
Old
A bay north of
See ‘ Faoileann.’
See ‘ Feiste.’
The anvil, a peculiar boulder near Tobar nan
Uaislean, q.v.
A n I nnean.
This is thought to be a purely Celtic word of unknown
antiquity, though it has come to mean, or be applied to,
mere money in connection with the Scottish Christian
Church, etc., in addition to ‘ a parent Church,’ or the
‘ Mother Church ’ over Columban monasteries. To give
all gathered as to these Christian Church meanings would
take up too much space here, though generally interesting;
so the following remarks are confined to what has been
advanced as to the primary signification of the word or
term itself. This has had to be applied throughout this
work.
Like all other very ancient Celtic words, the different
spellings are many in number. Among those found singly
and in compound words or names are Ainnit, Anaid,
Anait, Anate, Andat, Andate, Andet, Annaid, Annait,
A nnat.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
45
Ann&nd, Annaty, Annet, Annettis, Annait, Annoid,
Annoit, Annot, Annottis, Annuid; Ennet, Ennets, Ennot;
Hamet (?) Hanat; Innit, Innuit.
In connection with other words, there are many of the'
following throughout Scotland, e.g., Ach’ na h-Anait,.
Annatsfield, Annatstoun or toune, Annetswell, Annaty
burn, Annothill; Annuid (1509) in ferins of Islay pay­
able to Exchequer; Badnabanait, the clump or copse of
the iannat; Ralnanait, annatstoun; Clachnahanait, stone of
the annat; Ennet’s or Ennot’s hillock. Also temples, wells,
promontories, etc.
With few exceptions, all the above are applied to places
where the monks are known, or presumed, to have made a
Christian isettlement, and consequently said to date only
from such settlement, but, as is now well known, sacredness
of shrines, etc., can be traced back through Christianity
to Paganism, bo the reverence paid to Pagan stones, groves,
wells, etc., was generally, and as a matter of expediency,
transferred to the Christian places of worship.
Seats, rivers, and streams were believed by the natives
to be invested with spirits whose name is legion, numerous
sacred jshrines being set up. In some places, water is not
only venerated because of such spirits dwelling in it, but
is (or was) actually looked upon as a living thing full of
malice against human beings, and always ready to do them
a bad turn.
In regard to such stones, etc., whereon Christian
sculptures may appear (see Stuart’s ‘ Sculptured Stones of
Scotland,’ and Petrie’s £Round Towers of Ireland ’), such
sculptures were *probably engraved on pillars or standing
stones which had been previously erected.’
Many of the £Annats ’ are claimed1
—and it is believed
correctly—as pre-Christian.
To show the diffusion of the word £Annat ’ throughout
Scotland, the following alphabetical list is given:
Airdrie has Annothill; Appin, Balnahanait, town of the
Annat; Beauly (Bewlie), Annat on river Beauly; Cromdale, Hamet, which equals Annat, the double n being
eclipsed by the aspirate; Fife, Annat; Forfar, Annatstoun
or toune. (1661, 1688, and 1693) Mention is made under
these years in retours of J. Wood, H. Crawford, and Baron
Northeek, Redcastle. Harris, island of Calligray, has
Temple, Well, and Promontory of the Annat; Huntly
-46
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
(1685), the lands of Annat lying within the parochins
Killchyrill and Killmanevock, also Annetswell; Kilchrennan has Hanat, and the field of the burying of the Annat;
while there are two more at least in Argyllshire; Kilmallie, Inverness-shire, Annaid; Kincardine O’Neil,
Ennets (1 5 9 7 ); Lewis (Eileanan Seunta, Garbh Eilean),
Airidhean na h-Annaid; Lochaber, Annat, in the lands of
Loc(h)geall (Lochiel). There is the Annat meal mill at
Corpach, Fort William; Logie, Annat; Methlic, Andat,
Andate, Andet, also Well or Wells of same; Menteith, at
burn of Kailly Chat, Annat; Midlothian, Annetscross;
Moidart, Annat; Montrose, Ennet (Ennell), Sandbank;
Morvern, Ach’ na h-Anait, the field of; Perth, numerous,
Balnahanait, Andate, Annat, Annet in Kilmadock, also
Annettis, Annottis, Annetstoun; Rannoch, Annaty; Rossehire, several, the Annat of Castlecraig, Nigg (Annot,
1611), in Contin, at the Cairn, also river, burying ground,
and stone of the Annat, etc.; Scone, Annaty burn; Skye
has at least four, stone, well, Annat Bay, etc.; Loehbroom,
Camus, etc.; Strathdon, Ennets or Ennots hillock and
Badnahanaid; Sutherland, Acha na h-Anaid, see song by
Rob Donn, ‘ Na Greiseachan beaga.’ (In Ireland, near
Arklow, is Anatchaltain or Anatcaltren.) In Ross-shire
at any rate it is found as a personal name.
It is believed that these are but a few of the Annats
known to be in Scotland from cKillegray ’ of Harris to
Groam of Beauly.
Professor Mackinnon considered the word to be ‘ still of
doubtful etymology,’ so the following is given for what it
is worth.
It should be noted, however, that the word an in Old
Celtic signifies ‘ water,’ near which, so far as known, the
Pagan shrine, now usurped by Christian churches, or
remains thereof, existed; and in regard to this word an
(or en) a curved line, representing our letter £n ’ stood as
the ancient hieroglyphic for *water ’ in the hieratic char­
acter, thousands of years before the Christian era.
An is the name of many rivers in France, Switzerland,
and Russia. Alternative forms are Ach, Acha, Aach,
Adhen. Aar or Aare, Swiss river.
An also signifies ‘ noble ’ and ‘ swift,’ while the word
miner stands for an dobur, swift running or flowing water,
now our word tobar.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
47
Another meaning has connected our word annat with, iann,
a circle, possibly the place where the Pagans, as represented
by their priests, or Druids, celebrated rites, re-ann being
given as a Gaelic word for a star, with its dim. reemnag,
or fionnag. The Latin word ann-us, it may be noted,
signifies a circle or revolution of the year, or a year; also
a iScythian name for the moon.
In Irish mythology, ‘ Ann ’ is the mother of all the
gods, and had her temple at or near some spring, or other
water, where all the known mnats invariably are, giving
rise to one etymology, viz., <m aite, the place at (or near)
water; ain, an, en, on, all signifying ‘ water ’ in some
shape or other. ‘ Ainet ’ is the name of a river in Uganda.
The worship of the goddess Anaitis is of Indian origin,
partaking of an objectionable mode of worship. Cf.
‘ Anaietis of the Lydians.’ The name ‘ Ann ’ has also been
held to be that of a heathen goddess of *Victory ’ among
the ancient Gaels, and ‘ Neit ’ is said to be the ‘ Goddess
of Victory.’ Pennant says that cTempul na h-Anait ’ was
considered a Druidical place of worship; while Bishop
Forbes said the name was that of a heathen goddess,
‘ Neithe,’ goddess of wells, equal to An Neite, the water
or well of Neit or Neith, or1 however spelled. Cf.
*Abernethy.’ To quote Bishop Forbes: ‘ “ Annat ” N. end
of Galligray, ruins of “ Teampull na h-Anait,” the temple
of (the) Annat, a goddess mentioned by mythologists as
having for her particular province the care of young
maidens (but see * Teampull Anait ’), “ Tobar na h-Anait,”
the well of (the) Annat, and “ Eu na h-Annait,” point or
promontory of (the) Annat are close by ’ (the interpolated
‘ the’ is ours). See ‘ Old Statistical Account,’ vol. x.,
p. 375; vol. xx., p. 389: ‘ New Statistical Account,’ vol.
xiv., Part I., p. 305. ‘ The Temple of Annat ’ should be
in Gaelic Teampull Annaid, but, as given by the Bishop,
it means, as above, ‘ The Temple of the Annat ’ (or mother
Church), which was evidently running in the Bishop’s
mind, not of any ‘ goddess’ Annat. This, of course,
applies also to other names so translated. ‘ Tobar Annaid,’
according to our present mode of writing Gaelic, means
simply ‘ Annat’s Well,’ while * Tobar na h-Anaid,
evidently the more modern monkish form or term ‘ Well
•of the Annat,’ or another Church.
The learned Rev. Dr. Macqueen, of Skye, also claimed
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
the ‘ Annate ’ as pre-Christian, and maintained the Gaelic?
meaning as ‘ The Water Place.’
Holy Scripture has been cited also in evidence. ‘ Hamatr
‘ Beth-Hamet,’ and £Beth-Anait ’ (Joshua xix., 35 and
38; Judges i., 33), said to mean ‘ The House of Annat.
but this is more than doubtful. There is a word ‘ Anand/
signifying ja igoddeiss.
So strongly did our Christian ancestors believe in the
Pagan origin of ‘ Annat ’-named burial grounds, that these
were used for the sepulture of unbaptised children. Some
writers place the Annats back to a pre-Celtic or Iberian
age, though the stones, in Skye and elsewhere, called ‘Clach
(or clacban) na h-Anait,’ may well have been continued to
be erected by our Celtic Pagan forefathers, such stones
being raised possibly to the goddess who is said to be the
female representative of ‘ Ann,’ the chief or great god of
heaven. In reference to the ‘ Annat ’ stone, we find a
verse in the ‘ Celtic Review,’ as follows:
‘ The Ficms from their shealings came
With offerings to the god of flame;
And round them thrice they sun-wise went,
Then naked-kneed in silence bent
Beside the Pillar Stone.'
‘ Hoar Stone ’ in Scotland, an unhewn monolith as a
memorial or boundary stone or both, is said to be the same
as the Annat Stone; there are ‘ Hare or hoar cairns ’ also.
Mythology, tradition, topography, monuments, etc.,
alike (testify to this ancient worship among our Pagan
forefathers; while we gather from Reeves’ edition of
Adamnan’s ‘ Life of St. Columba ’ that they (the Celts)
worshipped the powers and elements of nature, the heavenly
bodies, rivers, fountains, and such like—the lowest form
of a religion, but strong and genuine. This worship, as
is generally known, came from the East, and was there
among the Phoenicians, who worshipped Baal and other
gods grossly.
As is well known now, all wells, etc., were Christianised,
or appropriated to Christian uses, etc., when the people
were converted from Paganism to what has been described
as a spurious Christianity, and the Cyclopean fanes of the
heathen became places of worship to the new Christians,
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
.
49
In fact, well-worship was very general in the three king­
doms; what used to be the Celtic equivalents of the Greek
‘ Fountains of the Nymphs 5 were consecrated as ‘ Holy
Wells ’ from Columba onward, who ‘ sanctified ’ no less
than 300 springs- The same applies to ‘ Stones.’
Boewell, in his ‘ Life of Johnson, _(' Tour to the
Hebrides’), says 'he could not describe what he heard.’
Johnson described it as ‘ a mere physiological name,’ when
reference was made to the ‘ Temple ’ four miles from
Dunvegan.
Charles Stewart writes on the subject in ‘ Gaelic King­
dom in Scotland ‘An also equals “ gods.” E .g., An-laf
(heir of the A uses) equals Olave; Gaelic Amhlaibh equals
Aulay.’
‘ Annat ’ also is not unknown as a personal name, a
family of that name hailing from Dornoch; and although
this may be merely an accidental similarity, it may be
mentioned that the New Year’s cake is called in Brittany,
Calanna or Calannat.
All the foregoing is given for what it is worth, in the
hopes that it may lead to a more definite solution of the
term.
A nnishader , A nnish aide r , A n ish a d er .
seat, a residence.
Snizort.
Shader, a
See ‘ Amishader.’
An T om. The hillock or knoll. S.E. of Portree.
An
t -S ratha
M h o ir .
The great strath.
Kilmuir?
Face stone, from resemblance to a human
face. Near Heast.
A odann -C lach .
A oineasdal (aonach ? a green plain near the shore, or aoine,
fast—from food). Hunger Hall? Aoineadh, a steep, steep
brae with rocks; also Gleann. The word aenach or aonach
means a moor or market-place, an ascent.
In many cases the Ard prefix as follows should be Aird,
with or without the hyphen.
A rd - A chadh .
Highfield.
South of Lower Kilchrist.
A rd , A ird , or A irde an t -S ab h a il .
Talisker. The baraheight or promontory; also given Aird-an-t-Shobhail,
Sabhail, hill equal to Ha-fjall, high fell. ‘ Ard-an-t-Hafjall.
D
50
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
A rd B eag , A rdiveg (several).
A rd Mor, Vaternish.
The little height.
North of
A point opposite Raasay. ? Bhoranais, i.e.,
Borgar-nes.
A rd D orch .
The dark height. Portree. ‘ Ardoracha ’ ìd
Strath, but thought Ard Oracha.
Also Aird, a®
‘ Airderachig,’ the height or point on the starboard side
sailing into Portree Bay. Also called ‘ Ard ’ or ‘ Aird
Dubh,’ black height or promontory. Near Loch Slapin.
The term above given oracha, thought may be orthacha or
orthachan, prayers, etc. Also said to be at Loch Eynort,
but may be £Ard-Daraich.’
A rd B hornis .
A rdfiech ( eith ich ).
Ravens’ height.
Brae near Portree.
Minginish. Ardfhraic, Ardireck, Ardfreet, Ardfreight, Ardbhreac; also Aird Tearc. Oynart and Bracadale. See ‘ Aird Bhreac.’
A rdfreck .
See £Rudha.’
A rd - n a - h - E ireachd or nan E irea c h d . The assembly height.
South of Poll na h-Eealaidh, q.v.
A rdglass P o in t .
Minginish. Ardhoals, Ardhole, Ardholes, Ard'houlet, Ardhoulls, Ardhaulie, Ardhoulie. Little and
Meikle. Ard choill, the wood or woody height or promon­
tory.
A r d h o il .
A rdmore .
A curious L-shaped promontory near Trumpan.
A rd - n a - M ourcladh .
About nine miles from Portree.
See
‘ Drochaid,’ etc.
A rd nan A th a n or G ob a R u d h a .
A t Dunvegan. Point of
the kilns and1 point of the promontory. See £Celtic
Monthly ’ for October, 1914.
E ireachd .
Snizort, near Cuidrach. Height or
promontory of the meetings, assembly, or congregations of
people. Similar name in Kilmuir.
A rd nan
A rd -R oag.
Roag height or promontory, q.v.
A rd or A ird M hic E olain or C eo lain . Kilmuir. See ‘Rudha,’
etc. A local meaning given is ‘ Aird Mhic Fhaolain,’
also £Aird an Eolain,’ wihere they threw oil on the water
to smooth the sea when rounding this stormy point! and
Ard’ Ic Thorlain. Ardnakeldan, given by Pont, thought
to be the same; also Ardvetfullan, or ane.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
A rdnish (Ard nish or ness).
51
Height or extremity of the point
or promontory. Strath. See £Aehig.’ Here Lachlan
Mackinnon, the bard, lived.
Ard S nusaich (? S naosaig). Smoisich, to slice. See £Sleat.’
A richaeh ich . Strath. Airidh chamach, the cairney, lumpy,
or stony field or sheiling.
A rinaceaig .
The rock sheiling. Strath. See £Airidh na
Cjreige.’
A rl ish . See * Earlais.’
A rnacnaip . Glendale. Battle, slaughter, or combat of the
little hills or knolls. Ar or arna, as below.
A rnam ul . Am, am, eagle, and mul, isle. Eagle Me.
A rnaval . Am and val, eagle mount or fell (fjall). South of
Loch Hiarport (1,191 ft.).
A r n ish . Portree. Eagle ness, am and nes. Am or Orn, a
proper name, equals eagle; fem. ama.
A rnishader , A in ish ad d e r . Snizort. Near Scoribreac. Arnsetr, Eagle place of residence,
A rnisort, A rnizo Et . East of Loch Greshomish, Watemish.
Am or orn (gen. amar), eagle, and fjord, sea loch, firth.
A Iso used as a proper name. Found given also as ard, a
height, and fjord.
A ros, A ras, a dwelling. It is the Norse for Inver— Inver-aros
in Raasay, a hybrid; os, a river-mouth; oss (oyce), a water.
Cf. £Arasaig,’ aros vik.
A rivilveag (Airidh ’Bhaile Bheag?). Mhill ?
A rtbrannan . See ‘ Tobar.’ Also given as a little stream,
artan, airtein, a stone, a pebble.
A saint, A ssind (Saint). Church or chapel in Bracadale. Cf.
Assynt, 1343; Asseynkt, Assynkte; Assend, 1455, etc. Ass,
inn, 'peaked points? Norse, Asynte, means ‘ seen from
afar’ ; pr
rocky ridge, endi, end. Old Norse for a
pole, a main rafter, a yard. But slee £As-da-bogha.’
A scrib, A scrip, etc. Islands at entrance of, and forming ;a
breakwater to, Loch Snizort. They are at least three in
number, or seven in all. The Ascribs are in Waternish,
and east of Waternish Point. The names of the chief ones
are Eilein loeal, Creagach, Garave, and S, Ascrib; some
smaller islets also. Low, Rocky, and Rough Isles. Called
Askerin by Dean Monro.
52
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
See ‘ Achatalain.’ As, ridge of
a kiJl, and bogha, lands, q.v. Am, As, Norse and Danish
prefix, ridge.
A s- d a -B ogha ; A s- d a -T o n .
A iseag , A ish ig , A shaig , etc.
See ‘ Askimolruy/
Strath, between Broadford and Kyleakin. The crossings
the ferry. Ashig, properly Aisig, is the verb to ferry
over. The noun is aiseag, a ferry, a crossing. A saying
exists in Strath, ‘ Uisge Ashig 's bainne Airdnis,' ‘(Spring)
water from Ashig, and milk from Ardnish ’ (a neighbour­
ing promontory), deemed, locally, the best to be found in
Skye (Airidh, Gill, Loch, Biver, and Rudha). Boats used
to isail from North Uist from ‘ Airidh ’ and ‘ Rudha.’ In
titles described “ 5 single penny land of Asig or Ashaig.’
Kilchrist. Traditions of a rock pulpit here; also of a
miraculous bell. A famous well here in an enclosure of
large stones, and covered in.
Some allege this to mean St. Ashig or Asaph, but, it is
thought, erroneously. There is given in O.S. as in Eiggr
‘Rudti an Aiseid,' which should be ‘Rudha an Fhasaidh,'
level land Point. This is said to be the only one occurring
in the Western Isles, but see £Fasach.’ ‘ Cladh Ashaig/
modern name for landing place of Maolrubha. Ashaig was
a sanctuary; hence the word cladhaire in connection with
it and other similar sanctuaries, a church-yard dweller, a
coward. In connection with this word, a favourite arith­
metical puzzle in Skye is termed ‘ Aiseag na h-aimhne,7
‘ the ferry or crossing of the river, possibly of the nature
of ‘ the fox, the goose, and the bag of barley ’ puzzle.
A shig ,
A sk e r in .
See ‘ Eilean.’ Monro’s name for the Ascrib Isles.
A skemourey , A skemorruy
(Askimilruby:
Aiseag, Aisig Maolrubha). The ferry of Maelrube, Mulroo, meaning as generally understood ‘ the servant of peace/
Saint Maolruba or Maree. In 1505 Askimiruby; on maps
Cill Ashig, Ashaig (Macbain). See also ‘ Ashig.’ Kilmaree in Strath and Kilmolruy in Bracadale were com­
memorative of Saint Maolrubha, whose principal church
of Apercrossan, pow Applecross (A' Chmraich, the
sanctuary), is within view on the mainland to the N.E.
Saint Maolrubha was patron saint oif the S.E. portion of
Skye. He is described in a Feilire as a son of Ealganach,
of the race of Eoghan, son of Niall, Abbot of Benchar.
A sk im ilr uby ,
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
53
He blessed Apurcrossan, and died a .d . 721, aet. 80. His
mother’s name was Suaibheach or Subhthan.
Another Strath saying is ‘ Aisig Mhaolrubba or
Mhaolruibhe, ait' iomallach an domhain.’ Maolruba’s
Ferry-port, a place on the fringe of the universe. Maolrubha also spelled Molroy, Marrow, Maree, Ru, Mereve.
Dr. iReeves enumerates twenty-one places where this
evangelist was. St. Maolrubha was worshipped as a god
under the title ‘ Mourie,’ an oblation of milk being poured
on a stone in his honour annually on 25th August. Else­
where found as 21st April. The prefix Maol signified of
old £slave,’ the term Gille, servant, having taken its place.
Strath was formerly called ‘ Kilcrist in Askimilruby.’ A
bell of the isaint used to be in Old Parish Church.
The ford of the Inver, or confluence ion
stream flowing into Loch Chriest, q.v.
Ath, a ford, has the genitive form atha, frequently used;
a is merely a phonetic softener between two consonants,
Allt '(a) Fiodhach, Sleat, q.v.] Bae (a) Ruadh, etc. When
Ath means a ford, it is masculine; a kiln (feminine).
A th an I n b h ir e .
A th ( a ) R u a d h .
See‘ A llt.’
A th na G laissich , G laiseach .
A th nan Sac.
Ford of the foam.
See ‘ A l l t .’
A thoraster, A throsater , A throsator , A throsader .
say.
Raa­
Ath hross setr, ford of the horse place.
(S uanish or S uanaich ).
Swedish. See
‘ Suishnish.’ Amhacham,, a little neck or narrow spit of
land? Auch also equals achadh, a field.
A uchan S w in is h
Translated ‘ Field of the claws’ ; mean, plural of
ionga; also said to mean ‘ Field of quarrels,’ probably a
‘ tooth and nail ’ combat. Achadh na h-inean. Might be
Inghean, girls. Portree.
A uchinin .
A uchnabard .
A uldoe.
See ‘ Achadh,’ etc.
A burn or river, not known where.
A sheiling. Coireisgill? See ‘ Bealach
Corcisgill.’ Ault or allt.
A ultchorryvreskill .
A usabost.
A uskaig.
See ‘ Husabost.’
See * Oskaig.’
54
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
B
Bac means (1) a bend, hollow; (2) a bank,,
especially a peat-bank. The latter is from Norse bakki,
a bank. Rami means part or portion, also promontory or
ridge. See‘ Mac.’
B ac- a -R a n n .
The red ridge; explained also as Bac-nasruidhe, rithe, or ridhe, the ridge of the dairy or sheiling.
B ac ( a ) R u a d h .
B ac- a -L ethchoin or L eth ch o in ein .
The ridge of the strange
or foreign rabbit, half (or almost) a dog. At back of
Belig.
B ac- n a - h ’U a m h a .
Cave ridge.
At back of Garbh-Bheinn.
B ad - a -C h l a m h a in .
Buzzard thicket. Found spelled chlamhainn, chlamhuinn, which, however, mean® sleet.
B adnacarrie , B adnacarry . Bad na cairidh, thicket of the
weir or paved ford. Bad na h-airigh also found, sheiling
copse.
B ad n an N ath raich ean .
Serpents’ thicket.
Bay, Bayhead, in Waternish..
born here 1740, died 1818.
Bagh.
Neil Macnab, a bard,
The little bay, in Torrin, Strath. A local harbour.
Baghan bmrblach or Buarblaig (? bliochd) suggested
milch-oow bay, in Glenelg, on mainland opposite. This
word (buarblach) said to be derived from muir builg,
swelling sea, the murbolc of Adamnan. Near here the
two Fingalians, Acunn and Readh, are said to be buried.
See ‘ Iomaire nam Fear mora,’ in Glenelg.
B ag h a n .
The bay of the dun or fort; or Bagh an Didn­
't Dunvegan.
B agh D h u in .
B agh D un -R uaige .
See ‘ Sleat.’
B agh n an G u nnaich ean .
See ‘ Na Gunnaichean.’
The primary meaning of this word is *a spot,’ and
frequently used as a prefix. In an ancient Celtic poem,
‘ bailè ’ is described as containing grazing for 300 cows,
and as much tillage land as seven ploughs could turn over
in the year. The demesne of Tara, in Ireland, for instance,
contained seven such bailes or bailtean. Bailè equal to
Norse col and bo for host, hamlet, village, or town.
B alle .
B a il ’ a C h larsair .
Harper’s town, Waternish.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
55
The mid or central town or village or
In Glen Hinisdal. See ‘ Balmeanach.’
B aile M eadhonach .
township.
B a il ’
an
T a il l e ie .
Known as ‘ Tailor’s town; but see
‘ Gedintailleir.’
Generally given as * the town­
ship of the son of the grey or grizzled youth or servitor.’
In Kilmuir, south-west of Troternish. This word or name
has exercised the English or Lowland scribe in no small
degree, and is met with in some grotesque forms, e.g.,
M'lleriabkaigh, Bailigilireanch, Baliregillcreavich, Ballviegillwieavick, etc. According to the best authority ob­
tainable, the Macllwraiths or Macllraiths belonged to, and
held, the lands and township of above name, a bond of
manrent between them and one of the Macdonalds of the
Isles having been signed at Castle Cammes (Knock), Sleat,
on August 13th, 1632. The original of this bond is alleged
to be in the possession and custody of the Rev. A . J.
Macdonald, of Killearnan Manse, Ross-shire, R.S.O., joint
historian, ‘ Clan Donald,’ who writes: ‘ The above name
means, and is, the village of the Macllraiths; their
patronymic was “ Clann Ilerich,” and, when asked to write,
always wrote “ MacDonald.” ’ This place is said to be
on the farm of Kilmorey, in Troternish, the lands having
been held by ‘ Clann Domhnuill Riabhach,’ hereditary
bards to Macleod of Dunvegan, afterwards to the Mac­
donalds of Sleat (Clann Uisdean) first half of sixteenth
century. These bards were originally filched by the
MacLeods from the Macdonalds, to whom Domhnull
Riabhach owed allegiance and claimed kinship. As bards
to the Macdonalds, they held lands in Kilmuir, having
held lands from the Macleods in Boraraig.
The founder or common ancestor of the Macllraiths was,
as said, Domhnull Riabhach, Donald the Grizzly, like
Donald Gruamach, Gilleasbuig Gruamach (the surly), etc.;
he was doubtless so named from being a doughty, grizzly
man of valour; a bard, seanachie, and leader of men.
This clan, or rather sept, of the great Clan Donald has
survived and flourished apace, as evidenced by their number
and position at this day; while, under cognizance of the
Court of the Lord Lyon of Scotland, their arms are
recorded in favour of one representative at least, viz.,
William MacLaren MacILraith, as follows: ‘ Shield purpure, a saltire between a galley, sails furled, oars in action
B aile M hic I lleeiab h aic h .
56
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
in chief, and an iEsculapian rod in base, and in the dexter
flank a stag’s head cabossed, and on the sinister an eagle
displayed—all argent. Escrol under same, ‘ Per mare per
terras.’ Above the shield is placed a helmet befitting his
degree, with a mantling purpure doubled argent, and on a
wreath of (his liveries is set for creast a dexter arm in
armour fesswise, couped at the elbow proper, the hand
holding a cross crosslet fitched gules. Escrol over same
motto, *Air muir ’s air tir.’
The meaning attached to ‘ Macllle ’ as ‘ son of the
youth,7 is thought incorrect, as the ‘ Ille,’ or ‘ II/ is just
the last letters of ‘ Domhnuill ’ contracted to ‘ Dho’ill,’ and
latterly to £ill,’ or ‘ II/ as now, ‘ raith/ of course,
standing for ‘ riabhach.’
This progenitor of the clan, or sept, Macllraith, was not
singular in the appellation of ‘ Riabhach,’ for a supposed
predecessor of mankind was, and still is, styled ‘ Am Fear
Riabhach/ the grizzly, brindled, or singed one! while
‘ Mac-an-riabhaich,’ or ‘ ’Mhic an Fhir Riabhaich,’ is an
epithet hurled against a desperately wicked man! Further,
we have ‘ Sleibhte riabhach, ’ but translated ‘ Russet Sleat/
while the name ‘ Darroch ’ is dath riabhach, russet col­
oured. The name Riach or Reach is the same as riabhach.
We find Sir Walter Scott parodied the name as ‘ Mucklewrath.’ See ‘ Lebost,’ under ‘ Raasay,’ for ‘ Donelrich ’ or
‘ Domhnull riabhach.5
B a il e
na h
-A
c a r s a id
(or
A
c a ir s e id ) .
(? S h e o r a s ) .
abounding in primroses.
B a il e S h e o r a c h
See ‘ Portree.’
Also found given as sobhrach,
Bail’ a ghobhainn, the (black) smith’s
township, in Bracadale. In common with many other
townships in Skye, this place does not now exist, it is
thought. Some others are Delista, Feaull, Graulin,
Lachsay, Scorr, etc., being all depopulated and added to
large farms. The word gabhann, or gobhainn, has been
found translated ‘ cattlefold/ while a somewhat similarly
sounding word, gamhainn, means a stirk or a year-old calf.
B algow n, B a lg o w an .
etc., in Minginish; also,
of old, in Oynart and Bracadale. C .f. Balintore, in Fearn,
Ross shire. Means Bail' an todhair, bleaching town—
secondary meaning; primarily ‘ manure.’
B a l in t o r e , B a l in t u r e , B o l e n t u r e ,
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
B
allach ,
B ealach
(Am bealach, upper and lower).
Pass, in Kilmuir.
other meanings.
B a l l ie c h u r n e ,
57
B a il e
The
See ‘ Bealach.’ The first of above has
’C h u ir n .
The
ca ir n
to w n .
See
‘ R a a s a y .’
B a il e s e a r (Ear, east; iar, siar, s-iar, west—the s
after the vowel) East town. One of the same name in
North Uist. A prophecy exists that here (Skye) will be
held a meeting of white coats and red coats, possibly
soldiers in undress and full uniform. This is said to have
taken place.
B a lm acq tjien , B a l v ic k q u ia n , etc., in Kilmuir.
Baile Mhic
Cuiihein, MacCuien or Quithan’s town, a small sept of no
great renown. There is a proper name, £M £Quan,’ found
in the Register of Births, etc., for the parish of Kilmuir,
also spelled M ‘Quam and M'Quain, which some allege to
be the modern M ‘Queen, which, however, is MacCuinn,
MacSuibhne.
B a l m a in i s h , B a l m a n i s h . Magnus’ town, after Magnus, King
of Norway, a noble man of his time. Also designed
Manos, King of Scandinavia.
B a l m e a n a c h , B a l m e a n o c k , etc. (Of old, Oynart and Braca­
dale.) Baile meadhonach, Mid-township, between eastern
and western townships. See ‘ Balishare.’
B
a l l is h a r e ,
etc., in Duirinish. Bailè mor, great township.
B a l n a k e e p a n , B a i l e n a C i o p a i n (or n a n C i p e a n ) .
Tetherpeg town, or stake town. See ‘ Haasay.’
B alm ore,
a C h n o c (or C h n u ic ) .
Knock or knoll
town. Uig, Snizort. Cnoc frequently pronounced crochd.
B a l n a k i t a g . See ‘ Bornaskitag.’ Baile tor Borg,
B a l v ic h a y , B e l v i c v a . South of Clachamus, Snizort.
B alnaknock, B a il ’
Meaning n o t fo u n d .
B a r d , a m . A district composed of several low-lying meadows,
subject to floods. Bard, a meadow, a park, also a dyke or
enclosure; cf. the Scottish word ‘ ward.’ Given also ias
‘ Paulfield,’ in Kilmuir.
B a r r n a L tjing e . Ship-point. On Skinidin Common.
B a r r a n a s k e t a ig (Pont). See ‘ Bornaskitag.’
B a n d a r s a ig .
58
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
B arrasgil, B arr A s k il or A s K e t il? The summit of Ketil’s
land or place.
'B a r o n e s m o r
In Glen Meadhonach.
(Burr an eas mor).
great waterfall.
Troteraess.
The summit or top of the
Baramosmor in Coll. de Reb. Alb. In
A barrow, a cairn; plural Barpannan, na Barpannan
Matheson, in his ‘ Placenames of Elgin,’ says, *Conical heaps of stones put up as
memorials of the dead, or any great event.’ Met with
elsewhere, described as ‘ barrows,’ or tumuli. In Uist,
‘ Barpa ’ is used as a name—or the name—for a chambered
cairn, evidently for sepulture; Barpa Langais between
Lochmaddy and Clachan. Professor Blackie, in the lay,
‘ Death of Haoo,’ has ‘ stony Parf.’ Cape Wrath is called
‘ Am Parbh ’ in Gaelic, from the Norse ‘ Hvarf, ’ a turning,
winding; Eng., wharf. In Lewis, Cape Wrath is called
An Carbh, where the Gadelic love of c above p appears.
At head of Loch Caroy (Duirinish) are two, called tumuli.
See *Dun Feorlig.’ MacBain quotes H. S. D. as to
‘ Barba ’ being a Skye word. M ‘A. says same. The word
is general in the Hebrides.
Barpa.
(Barh, a variant of Beorgh).
Broadford.
B a r v ie .
( a m ).
The Executioner. A corrie between Sgurr
nan gillean and Bruthach na frithe.
See ‘ Coire
Bhasadair.’
B a s a d a ir
(BaiV eas na (or a) mul?) The township of
the islet waterfall. This name, however, is just Buaile
Chisamul or Hisamel (local). Like Cinnsborg, Cisburg,
it is said to have been erected mainly for the collection of
levies or exaction of dues on the surrounding district. ‘ Cis
amail’ (email, stop, hinder, etc., and cis, tax). Cf.
Caisteal Chisamul, Castlebay, Barra.
B aulh esh am ul
Bay, i.e., Camus or Cammes, q.v.
Watemish. In old titles
coupled with Cambloch or Camblock, Duirinish. A ham­
let and sea-loch. See 4Camalag.’ Cam (a) loch.
Bead.
Bioda, na cloiche glaise.
The point, summit or top of
the grey stone.
Mouth. This is ia common pasturage
and lair or lying place for cattle.
B eal, Beul, B ia l, B ie l.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
59
etc. The Pass, in.
Troternish. (2) Between Coirembadaidh and Lota Corrie,.
Coolins; or An Dorus. The word Bealach is common and
very general; one in Skye designed as ‘a hill overlooking
Uig and Idrigill, Kilmuir.’ Gatherings of discontented
local natives have been held on the hilly side of this Pass,
The various ‘ Bealachs ’ in Skye are given, so far as found,
hereafter. That near Duntulm was noted for being the
abode of Martainn a Bhealaich, Lord Macdonald’s Cham­
berlain. In the Holy Scripture, Bealach equals way.
B ealach, B ellach , B allach , B alloch ,
B ealach-a - B
See ‘ Sgurr na h-Uamha,’ also £Sgurr-a-
eoch.
Beoch.’
B ealach
a
B h a i s t e i r ( B h a s a d a i r ).
Pass of the Executioner,
See ‘ Basadair.’
B ealach
a
B h o r b h a in , B h o r b h e in , M
h o r m h a in ,
M
horbh-
East of Glenconan, Kilmuir, or, according to Sheriff
Nicolson, ion 'eaist side of Skye, between Storr and Quiraing.
‘ Bealach-a-Mhorbhain ’ is the title of a song alleged to
have been sung by a dread spectre, ‘ Colainn-gun-cheann,’
body-lesis-head. See ‘ Beinn 'Edra.’ The general mean­
ing is Pas® of the Great Mount. Also ‘ Bogha Voreven ’
(‘ Celtic Monthly,’ vol. iv., p. 69). One meaning found
given is ‘ The Pass or Defile of Murmuring, possibly of a
stream. One Bruce, a piper, Eastside, composed words to
the ‘ Colainn-gun-cheann ’ as it disappeared.
e in n .
B ealach
a
stags).
B e a la c h A
B h t j ir id h .
Belig.
Pass of the bellowing (of
Buirich, bellowing.
chadh
n an
G obhar.
Pass of the goats’ field.
Torrin.
B ealach
a
C h a it .
Cat’s Pass. Kilmuir.
a C h l a ib .
The wide-mouth Pass. Also a battle­
field.
Clab-a-dudaidJi, battle-field horn or trumpet,
anciently a shell.
B e a la c h a C h o i s i c h e . The traveller or pedestrian’s pass, (a
footpath. See ‘ Allt Bealach na Coise.’ Sleat.
B e a la c h
a C h r o c h a ir e .
Pass of the Scoundrel, lit., the mar*
deserving to be hanged. In Uig.
B e a la c h
B ea la c h
a
Carn.’
C h u ir n .
Cairns’ pass.
See also ‘ Bealach inars
60
B
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
C h r u id h .
ealach a
C o w s ’ pass.
M A . g iv e s ‘ s h o e .’
a G h l a s - c h o ir e .
Green corrie pass. Between Sgurr
Beag and Sgurr na h-Uamha.
B ealach
The Glen Pass, Kilchrist, Strath.
B e a l a c h a L e i t i r . The hill-side pass, now said to be Bealach
wm Lie, pass of the flat stones. Between Fionn corrie and
Lota corrie.
B ealach
a
B
ealach
A
B
ealach a
G
h l in n e .
m adal.
See ‘ Coire.’
M h a i m ( màm, a rounded hill). Pass of the round
hill, between Sligachan and Glen Brittle.
M h o r - a m h a i n , - a b h a i n n . Pass of the great river,
near Beinn Mheadhonach, Troternish. See ‘ Bealach na
Morbheinn,’ pass of the; great mountain. This pass is
said to be near Quiraing. See also ‘ Beinn Edra.’
B e a l a c h a n F h r a o i c h . Heather pass, Kilmuir.
B e a l a c h a n F h i d h l e i r . The fiddler’s pass.
B e a l a c h a n L e a c a ic h . Flat-stones’ pass. Leacach means the
bare summit of a hill.
B
ealach a
B
ealach a n
B ealach
an
which.
The marsh or meadow pass; b u t see ‘ Lòn.’
R u d h a . Point or promontory pass. Not known
Kilmuir.
Loin.
an S card.
Scree pass. There are so many Scree
passes in or among the Coolins that the term Bealachan,
or Bealaichean rather, has been given to all. Pont gives
B ealach
Bellachan.
a n t -S a b h a il .
Barn or Granary pass. At Born­
askitag Point, Kilmuir. Also called uamha bheag, little
cave, where the grain was wont to be stored. Saval, hill,
from Ha fjall, suggested.
B
ealach
B
eala c h a n t - S e a r r a ic h .
B
ealach
B
ealach
Foal or Colt’s pass, Kilmuir.
a n t - S io n n a ic h .
F o x ’ s pass, Kilmuir.
B e a g , etc. Not given. Common.
B h r e a t a l . Brittle pass. S e e ‘ Glen.’
B
ealach
Cam.
B
ealach
’C h a ip l in .
B ealach
Crooked pass.
Uig, Snizort.
Is this meant for chapullcm ( chapuill),
diminutive for a horse?
Little Mare’s pass suggested.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
B ealach ’ C h a r r a o r
a
Pass
Charra.
61
o f th e ro ck , o r r o c k y
lo d g e .
Hen’s corrie pass (heather hens).
Might be ‘ Kirk,’ but doubtful; though ‘ Ru na Circe,’ in
Lewis found given a® Kirk-point. In O.S. chicken rock.
B e a l a c h C o ir e n a C i r c e .
Pass of the corrie of the
white burns (cieiar). 'Between Sgurr nan Gillean and Sgurr
Beag. The term Allt Geal, also given to a river which
appeared white and clear, from white stones forming bed,
e.g., the Sannox River, A r r a n , where barytes abound.
B e a l a c h C o ir e n a n A l l t G e a l a .
B e a l a c h C o ir e - S io n n a i c h .
Fox-corrie
pass.
Locally pass of the skree or scree. It
may be from Kollr and SJcardhr, and mean pass of the
hill. Locally spelled or given as ‘ Tholliscard,’ (toll a
sgaimeach) the hollow of the scree, sgree, skree, or loose
stones, etc., from hill-side; this answers the place. There
is a word col, a ridge, etc.
B ealach C ollu scard .
With loch or small tarn
of same name, between Eastside and Westside, Troternish.
Baile Sear, ’us Baile Siar. Here a tragedy took place
about a hundred years ago, two young men being found
dead—a groom and groom’s man who had quarrelled and
fought to the death. The place now deemed haunted.
B e a l a c h C o r c is g il l ( ? C o i r e i s g i l l ) .
B e a la c h C u m h a n g .
Narrow pass, near Portree.
Ruins of an
old church here.
B ealach- e a d a r - d a - B
mountains.
h e in n .
Pass between two hills or
Two-hill pass.
B e a la c h G a r b h .
Rough
B e a la c h H
artaval.
B e a la c h M
h arsco.
pass.
Harta-fell pass, in or among the Coolins.
M a r s c o pass,
in
or
among
th e
Coolins.
h ic - C o in n ic h .
Mackenzie’s pass—a famous guide
to the Coolins. Between Blaven and Sgurr nan Each.
B e ala c h M
M o s g a r a id h .
Various explanations given of this
name; mo sgaraidh, my woe, distress, or ruin, an interjection equal to ‘ Alas, woes me!’ Also mos or mosg, dryrot, and gearraidh, Norse geroi; or gardr, an enclosed space
or yard, etc., equal to Old Norse for garth.
B e a la c h
*62
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
n a B e a d a n (or B e a d a g a n ) .
Pass of the yearling,
or year-old rams. See ‘ Fang-na-Beadan.’ Here are the
remains of an old burial-ground, and situated near Elgol.
See Forbes’ ‘ Gaelic Names of Beasts, etc.,’ 1905.
B e a l a c h - n a - B e i n n e - B r i c e . Speckled mount pass. W.S.W.
of Sligachan.
.B e a l a c h n a B e is t e (or B e i s d e ) . Pass of the Monster, named
after a certain wild beast killed by Mackinnon of Strath­
aird, when it descended to the shores in search of food.
This pass lies between Garsbheinn and Belig.
B e a l a c h n a C ir c e ( F r a o ic h ) .
Heather-hen pass. See
‘ Bealach Coire,’ etc.
B e a l a c h n a C o is e . The foot-path; also Bealach a Choisiche.
This is the highway between Coruisg and Coire-na-Creiche.
B e a l a c h n a C r o i c h e . The gallows’ pass. A relic of the times
of heritable jurisdiction. Above Dunvegan Castle.
B ealach- n a - F e a d a n .
The pass of the (rock) water-pipe,
spout, or small cascade. On Glas-Bheinn, Bracadale.
B e a l a c h - n a - G l a ic e - M o i r e . Pass of the great defile or hollow.
Among the Coolins.
B e a l a c h - n a - h - A i r i g h - M h u r a i n . Pass of the sheiling of the
eea-bent grass, or grassy sheiling.
B e a l a c h - n a - h - I m r i c h . Flitting or migrating pass. Kilmuir.
B e a l a c h - n a - L i c e . See £Bealach an Leacaich.’
B e a l a c h - n a - M a i g h d i n n (or M a i g h d i n n e a n ) . Maidens’ pass.
Kilmuir.
B e a l a c h - n a - M a i t h r e a c h a i n n (or M a t h r a i c h e a n ) .
The
Mothers’ pass. On Husabost Common.
B
ealach
B ealach- n a m - B
othan.
P a s s o f th e h u ts o r b o th ie s.
Peat-pass (carrying). Snizort.
( M u l a c h a ig ) .
Cheese-pass.
B ealach - n a n -C a ba r ( B e llac h n a C a b ir ).
Deers’ antlers’
pass. On west side of ridge of hills in Trotemish. Cabar
also means rafters, beams, etc.
B e a l a c h - n a n - C a r n . Pass of the cairns. Near here Donald
Macleod, the Skye poet, father of Neil Macleod, had a
holding.
B e a l a c h - n a n - C a s . Feet pass. See *Bealach-na-Coi^e.’
B ealach- n a - M
o in e .
B ealach-n a -M
ulachag
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
63
B ealach - n a n -C l a c h .
Stone or stoney pass. Kilmuir. Per­
haps ‘ standing-stones.’
B e a l a c h - n a n - G o b h a r . Goats’ pass. Near Elgol.
B e a l a c h - n a n - U r a is g (or a n U i r i s g , U r u is g ) .
Brownies’ or
brownie pass. A mythical bear-like being. See ‘ Coire.’
B ealach- n a -R a m h .
Pass of the tree-roots of ancient forest.
Cf. freumh, freumhach, pronounced like reeanch or raanch
in some places.
B e a l a c h - n a - S g a i r d e . The pass of the scree. See ‘ Bealachan-Sgard.’
B e a l a c h R u a d h . Russet or ruddy pass. Uig, Snizort.
B e a l a c h S p o r a i g . Pass of the little spur of a hill. Kilmuir.
Sporag also a sparrow.
B ealach T h a is .
The throat, narrow, or hause pass. Norse
.
Jbcils
B ealach U ac h d a r a c h
agu s
I ochdarach.
Upper and nether
pass.
Uig. Uig pass, leading down to Staffin.
William’s pass, where a Raasay man o f
that name was lost.
B e a l a c h V a r k a s a ig ( B h a r c a s a ig ) . Pass of Varkasaig, q.v.
B ealach
B ealach U il l e a m .
Descriptive names chiefly given here.
In regard to this word, much has been written. The
primary meaning of ben is horn, hence peak; in Ireland
the bens are peaked hills. In Scotland the term in the
oblique form, beinn, is extended to apply to any hill, with­
out regard to shape, though traces of the old usage are
common. The diminutive binnean always denotes a peaked
hill, sometimes by no means diminutive in size. The
adjective beannach always means peaked, and is applied to
a variety of things, including lochs; Loch Beannach,
horned loch, is a common name, usually mistranslated.
The same word with extension is found in Loch Bheannchair (Loch Vennachar). A mountain is a mountain in
England, but when the climber is in Scotland it may be a
beinn, a creag, or a meall, a spidean or sgor, a cam or
monadh, a stùc or a torr. In regard to this, an English
writer says: *The name3 of the mountains make Southrons
turn pale.’ Professor J. Geikie says: ‘ It is impossible
B ean n , B e in n , B e n .
64
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
to distinguish clearly between hills and mountains; in
general, a hill is properly restricted to more or less abrupt
elevations of less than 1,000 feet— monadh, monaidhean—
all the altitudes exceeding this being mountains— bmnntan
or beannta—though eminences considerably above 1,000'
feet are often spoken of as hills, as the Coolins are in
English.’ He further says: £Mountains are in general
only prominences carved (by erosion and denudation) out
of table lands; in Skye the erosion has been more
profound, the ridges being narrower, the valleys or glens
deeper, and isolated peaks more numerous, dark splintered
crests and pinnacles, pointed peak and notched ridge, with
tumultuous masses of craggy declivity on all sides, the
Coolins being subsequent or relict mountains, carved out of
plateaus of accumulation, basalt chiefly.’
Many others have written on this subject, and show that
mountains are intimately associated with the history of
our Celtic races, indeed of nations, and have contributed
much to the moulding of the human mind and the character
of those who dwell among them; they inspire the mind and
cause the most thoughtless to admire the glory of a
Supreme Being. The afflicted and the persecuted alike flee
to and take refuge in and among them, from the time of
David the Psalmist down to Prince Charlie and his devoted
adherents. Heroes’ minds are formed and their bodies are
braced by dwelling among hills and mountains, and it is
they and such like, and not the dwellers of the plain, who
play the most noble part in the progress of the world. The
historian, the antiquary, and the student of languages alike
are continually engaged in making interesting and useful
discoveries with regard to the mountain races of mankind,
greatly aided by the tale told by the numerous place-names
in mountain districts, and by etymologists, whose learned
researches into the meaning of words have thrown and are
daily throwing much light on the ages before history was
written. There is much in written history to be read in
the names of places, rivers and mountains, hills and
valleys, where our unlettered forefathers inscribed their
annals. Ruskin says: ‘ Mountains seem to have been built
for the human race as at once their schools and cathedrals,
full of treasures of illuminated M S. for the scholar, kindly
in simple lessons for the worker, quiet in pale cloisters for
the thinker, glorious in holiness for the worshipper.’
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
65
(or A ’ B h e a n n a c h a i n n ) . The hilly o r mountainplace or district. Kilmuir. Cf. *A ’ Mhanachainn,’ place
of monks (Beauly).
B e a n n a c h a in
B e a r n a r a i g (Berneraig Bay).
See ‘ Bernera.’
Said to be from bjami, a bear (Norse), and vik, a bay. A
waterfall here.
B e a r n a ig ,
in the f ollowing names is the oblique case of *Beann/
now used in the nominative.
B e in n
B e in n
a
B h a is t e ir ( B
B e in n
a
B hraghad.
h a s a d a ir ,
The
q.v.).
n eck , th r o a t o r g o r g e m o u n ta in .
Bràid, bràigh, a n d brdighe s i g n i f y m o u n ta in o u s c o u n t r y .
a B h r e a c (or a B h r i c ) .
each Beinn-a-Bhric.’
B e in n
B e in n
a
B e in n A
C h a it .
See 4Beinn Bhreac,’ ‘ Caill-
Cat mount.
chadh nam
Bard.
Bards’
fie ld m o u n t.
( 2 ) Horse (or mare) mountain. South
Macleod s Table, Duirinish. See ‘ Beinn nan Capull.’
B e in n a C h a p u i l l .
a C h a r n (C h u ir n ).
Cairn Mount (1,817 feet), named
from lines running hoop-like round the mountain, marks of
water-level of former periods. Cf. parallel roads of Glenroy.
B e in n a C h l e i t e (or B e i n n C l e a t ).
Strathaird. Given as
from Norse cloeft, cloven, or rocks cloven from land; Met,
Mettr, a cliff; Met or cleit, a rock where cormorants roost;
Met, Mit, a dun or low sandhill.
B e in n a C h l e r i c h . Cleric or minister’s mountain.
B e in n
B e in n
a
C h o n ic h , B e i n n C h o i n n i c h .
Kenneth’s mountain;
but thought conuich, hornet.
’ C h r a o ic h (or B e i n n a C h r a o ic h ) for Chraobhach.
Woody. In Kilmuir.
B e in n a C h r o . Fold mountain (sheep-fold). At head of Loch
Eishort, Strath.
B e in n a D e a s . South mount, Snizort.
B e in n
B e in n
a
C h ronasko
(? cro na sgo).
Might be mount of the
misty fold.
B e in n
a
G h a r b h l a ic h .
Rough-country mount.
E
66
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Beinn a Ghobha (or a Ghobhainn). (Black) Smith’s mount.
A t Dunhalin, in Waternish. So named from a ‘ Mac­
donald ’ blacksmith, who was slain by a ‘ Macleod ’ black­
smith, aided by his wife. A t the base of this mountain
may still be seen traces of the long narrow huts erected of
old for entrapping the wolf, so very plentiful were these
animals throughout Skye as well as other islands and the
Highlands generally.
Shortly stated, the capture was
effected by a trap laid between the door and a live bait—
even a hen. The well-known saying of ‘Ma bhristeas
bun flonn bidh fios aig do cheann,’ etc., or, as otherwise
rendered, ‘ Should the tail break, you’ll soon ken,’ is attri­
buted to one Gille Chriosd Chaim, who seized a wolf by
the ‘ brush ’ (bun fionn) when about to enter one of these
huts where his neighbour was at the time engaged on the
trap.
a G h u a il .
Coal mount. Coal exists in some places in
Skye, but this may have been peat or charcoal.
B e i n n - a - H u i l l e n ( a - C h u i l l i n ) . Snizort. See ‘ Beinn Chuillin.’
B e i n n A i n n e a r t ( E y n o r t ) . 3,894 feet. S.E. of Talisker.
B e i n n A k e t i l . May be a, water or river, and ketil.
See
‘ Allt Ketil.’ Waternish.
B e in n
l l a r n i s h (or A l a n a i s , A l a n i s h , q.v.).
If Alanais,
might mean ‘ place o f ’ water, allan. Cf. Alness.
B e in n A
l l ig in , A il l e a g a in .
The mountain of the beautiful
one, or beautiful mountain. See £Ailigin ’ or ‘ Alligin ’
on west mainland of Ross. It is pronounced as with one 1.
B e i n n a M h e a d h o i n . M i d mount. Boraraig.
B e i n n a n C rtja c h a n . See ‘ Beinn Cruachan.’
B e i n n a n D tibh L e a t h a i d . The mount of the black slope or
declivity.
B e i n n a n D u b h a i c h . Mount of darkness or gloom, etc.,
between Loch Slapin and Ben Suardal, Strath. A great
intrusive mass of gramophyre. There is much limestone
and marble hereabouts, the latter used in various important
buildings, e.g., Armadale Castle, Palace of Versailles, the
Vatican, etc.
Also named ‘ Beinn Dubhaich.’
See
‘ Strath,’ also ‘ Guala fa’n Dubhaich.’ Dubkach with
above meaning is an adjective, the noun signifying
‘ blackening.’ Suggested as dubh fhaich, black or dark
B e in n A
i
p la in .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
67
Black little loch mount.
Talisker, overlooking Huisgill.
Beinn an Dubh Lochain.
B
Near
D u i n e . The Dùn mount, where Captain Macleod,
subject of the song, ‘ Gaol nam fear dubh grinn, grinn ’—
‘ Uilleam ’Bheinn an Dùine ’—was born.
e in n a n
a n E o in .
Bird mount, 1,023 feet. South Minginish.
The bird in such names is usually the eagle.
B e in n
B e in n
an
F
h r a o ic h .
B e in n
an
L a o ig h .
B e in n
an
L och,
B e in n
an
H ig h .
Heather or heathery mount.
Calf mount (doer).
an
L ochan.
L o c h , lit t le lo c h m o u n t.
King’s mount (Ruighe?).
Near Romesdal,
Troternish.
B e in n
an
See ‘ An Sguman.’
S g u m a in .
a n T e a l l a ic h .
Hearth or furnace mount; possibly
where smelting operations or forge-work carried on of old.
B e in n
a n t - S e a s g a ic h . The mount of barrenness, or the hill of
fallow or barren cattle. ‘ Beinn sheasgach nam fuaran ’
(The barren mountain of springs)—Old song.
B e in n
B e in n
an
B e in n
a
Water mount.
U is g e .
S ga
shadow.
shadow.
(or S g a t h ) (Beniscaieh) . The mount of fear, or
Might be from casting a more than usual dark
S . E . of Meall na Suireanach.
B e in n B e l i g , B e i l i g , B e i l e a g , B e i l e a c h , B h e l i g .
Beilmch
means birch-tree bark. This mountain, like several others,
does not have ‘ Beinn ’ prefixed. Strath.
B e in n ’ B h a c - G
h l a is .
B e in n B h a l l a c h .
Mount of the grey or green hollow.
Spotted or speckled mount.
Might also
mean ‘ walled.’
B e in n b h a o n is h , B e i n n v a o n is h .
Maoineas,
mhaoneis m ean s slow n ess, ta rd in ess, e t c .;
maoineis,
m ay
or
b e la te -
sea son ed.
B e in n B h a t a i n .
B e in n B h e a g .
Vatin mount, in Duirinish. See ‘ Vatn.’
Little mount, in Duirinish. Another in Sleat.
B e in n B h o i d h e a c h .
See ‘ Sithean.’
The bonnie mount. Braes near Portree.
68
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Quern mount-round. Found given also
as Beinn Bhra'idh, warning, betraying; also Beinvraid,
Beinavasith, Beinnaath, and Beinnethraid.
In Snizort.
There is a word brahadair used in Skye for a large firesignal, it is supposed. Cf. Eng. brazier.
B e in n B h r a d h , B r a .
Mantle-chequered?
B e i n n B h r e a c , B e n v r e c k . Speckled mount. (Or A Bheinn
Bhreac.) In Dunvegan. Also one in Soay and another
near Talisker.
B e in n B h r a t - r i - B
reac.
B e i n n B htjall ( bmbhall) .
Mount of homed cattle.
South
of Loch Dunvegan.
or A B h e i n n B h u i d h e , and B e i n n B h u i d h e
The yellow mount or the yellow mount of the
rock. N.W. of Broadford and S. of Beinn a Mheadhoin.
One (also said to be in Scalpa. Seen and noted from various
places.
B e in n B h u id h e
n a C r e ig e .
B einn B huirbh .
Borve mount.
See ‘ Dim .’
This is another which does not have ‘ Beinn '
prefixed. See ‘ Blaven.’
B e i n n B r o g a s k il or B r o is g il m o r a g u s B e a g . In Bracadale.
B e i n n C h a r n a c h . Rocky or oairney mount. (Also ‘ Mor agus
Beag.’) Above Loch Slapin.
B e in n c h o in e a c h (or c h a o n ic h ).
Snizort. See ‘ Beinn na
Coinnich.’
B e i n n C h o ir e n a n E a r b . M o u n t of th e c o r r y of th e roes.
B e in n B l a v e n .
B e in n C h o r r a n .
Locally sharp ridge hill. See ‘ Peinchorran/
B e in n C h r e a g a c h .
R o c k y m o u n t.
Coolin mount. Ben Guilin, Benquillin.
Scene or locality of the last fierce fight between the Mac­
donalds and the Macleods in 1601, *Am Blàr Fuathasach/
the dreadful battle.
B e in n C l e a t .
S. of Beinn Meabost, q.v. See ‘ Beinn a
Chleite.’
B e i n n C o n n a n , C h o n a i n , or C h o n n a i n . Cwmcm means lust,
but thought should be Conan the Fingalian, quarrelsome
man.
B e in n C h u il l in .
B e in n C o r k e v a l ,
q.v.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
B e i n n C h r a c a ig
or
C h r o k a ig ,
69
q.v.
Little lump or hillock mount; also
South of Loch Snizort Beag.
Stack mount—separate heaps.
See
B e in n C r a p a n , C n a p a n .
given Craphill.
B e in n
C ruachan.
‘ Cruachan.’
The knob pasture mount. Shader is a
form of setr, etc., a seat or residence, a mountain pasture,
house, or sheiling. This word changes into seader, shader,
siadeir, and hiader (genitive), also sta; or from soettwr,
common out-pasturage, dairy. Cule is Norse kula, a wall
knob.
B e i n n - D e a r g - B e a g agu s M o r . Little and great red mount,
2,325 feet. ‘ Na Beinnean Dearga,’ the red mountains—
red sandstone. Portree. ‘ Beinn Dearg ’ applies specifi­
cally to more than one hill near Glen Sligachan and also
near Broadford; in the former is ‘ Meall Dearg,’ and
‘ Ruadh Stac,’ which latter name conveys more than mere
‘ red stack,’ viz., ‘ a stack of redness.’ Professor Archibald
Geikie gives much valuable information— inter multa alia
—as to the Red Hills. See his ‘ Scenery of Scotland.’
The Red Hills lie N.E. from Loch Slapin. Smith in his
‘ Summer in Skye,’ calls them ‘ Dull offspring of primeval
mud.’
B e i n n D e a n a v a i g , D i a n a v a i g , etc. The hill or mountain of
the stormy bay. Also ‘ Inivaig,’ hill or mountain of pro­
tection or defiance (of the elements). Also found given
as ‘ the hill of his defence.’ Spelled also Ban-dian-a-bhaig
(Forsyth), and as at S.E. of Portree harbour, Dion a
bhaigh, defence or shelter of the bay. Cf. Strath Dionard
in Sutherland, from Norse dyn, noisy, dynr, din. Dion,
however, means protection. Another rendering is ‘ Peindinavaig.’
In reference to this hill or mountain, the Rev. C. M.
Robertson writes: ‘ Ben Jianavaig, written Beinn Dionabhaig in Mary Macpherson’s Songs, page 23 (who says
that three of the Fingalians are buried in or on this moun­
tain), and heard locally as Beinn Ionabhaig. The neigh­
bouring township is called in Gaelic Camus Ianabhaig,
written Camustinvag by Martin, but D may have been
changed to J or I after final s of Camus.’
B e i n n D h u b h L e a t h a n . B la c k broad mount.
B e in n C u l e s h a d e r .
70
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
B e in n D
ia b a ig ,
D
B e in n D
u t h a ic h .
iu b a ig ,
q.v.
See ‘ Beinn an Dubhaich.’
Hector the B a r d ’s mount. Borve*.
B e i n n E a c h a n n am B a r d .
B e in n E a r r —
na—
JMea XiL.
M o u n t o f th e m ass—
lik e e x t r e m it y .
May refer to waterfalls, eas, easach. There
is a noun easadh, easaidh, signifying sickness, disease, etc.
B e i n n E d r a , E a d a r a , E t h r a , E a d a r a i n n . , Eatorra equals
eadar iad, or eadarra, between them; Eadarainn said to
stand for Eadar bheinn; also eadar rinn, between rinns and
headlands. Cf. ‘ Bealach Eadar Bheinn,’ in Sutherland;
again eadar-da-abhainn between two rivers. This moun­
tain is on East-side, between Storr and Quiraing, and rises
2,003 feet. See ‘ Bealach-a-Bhorbhain.’
B e i n n E r i s t a n or E a r - a s t a n . Mount of direction or longi­
tude; should be ear-astar. South of Diubaig.
B e i n n ;E t t o w or A t t o w , B e i n n F h a d a .
L o n g mountain.
South of B e n Skriag.
B e i n n F a d o r F a d a . May b e sa m e as la st, i f fad sh o rt; i f
B e in n E a s a id h .
lo n g , mean®
fàd, a s in g le p e a t?
F a l a i s g e . The mount of (heath) burning.
Beacon
mount. Fo, under, and loisg, burn. ‘ Mar fhalaisg air
Laoire’ Like a flame on the heath of Lora.—Oss. ‘Conn.’
B e i n n F h i o n a b h a i g . See ‘ Beinn Deanabhaig.’
B e i n n Fhuar (F uar).
Cold mount.
In Milovaig.
See
B e in n
‘ Cnoc Fuar.’
orsan.
Mount of the little waterfall.
See ‘ Forsan.’
B e in n F
In Bracadale.
F r o c h d a i, F r o c h d i, F r a o c h a id h .
Stormy mount.
Between Gesto and Portree.
B e i n n G a s k i n . I s this meant for gasgan, young trees, etc.?
Also burn. S. of Portree.
B e i n n G e a r y . Either from Norse geiri, a goar, gore, or tri­
angular strip of land; or gearraidh, a point or knuckle-end
of land about a township. This is said to be the highest
point in Vaternish (929 feet), and is at the entrance to
Loch Dunvegan.
B e i n n ’G h i l l e - C h o i n n i c h . Kenneth’s-son’s mount. B o y o r
lad (D.C., Uist). South o f Dunvegan Head.
B e in n
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
71
Generally named without the prefix ‘ Beinn.’
Mount Glamaig, near Portree. This famous mount of the
many massed. Coolins has a green plot on its top, with a
spring of pure water. It means the ‘ deep gorge,’ or
mountain gorge. The mountains whose names stand alone
without the prefix ‘ Beinn ’ are chiefly Belig, Blaven,
Brogaskil, Corkeval, Cracaig, Cruachan, Dianabhaig,
Diubaig, Graeoo, Gulban or Gulbein, Helaval, Horneval,
Mareco, Soval, Vokie, and Volvaig.
B e in n G o r m , G h o r m . Green mount, or blue mount when seen
at a distance.
B e in n G l a m a ig .
B e in n G
u id a d .
H a l l st r a , H a l is t r a .
Hallr, a slope and setr, con­
tracted to stra, from stadr, a station or place; hauldr, a
cultivator lor holder of the soil also suggested. This last
term icame to be a nick or eke name.
B e in n
B e in n
H
ee,
Thi.
B e in n
The pointed mount; or perhaps
Beinn-Shith, peace mount, fairy mount?
B e in n ’ I c A
Ketil.
s k il l ,
M
h ic
A
s c u il l .
Macaskill’s mount.
As
Ketil’s ridge or height.
B e in n I d r ig il l ,
q.v.
B e in n I o l a ir e .
Eagle mount. N. of Arnish.
L eacach.
Flagged, terraced mount.
L eagach,
In
Strathaird.
B e i n n L e e (or L i g h ). Slooping or smooth mount. Norse Mid,
hlidh, incline or slope—of a hill. Near Loch Sligachan,
1,456 feet. Same as Dun Can or Caan, Raaisay, which is
said to be opposite. See ‘ Ben Lee.’ Ligh also means
spate, or lighe, a flood or spate—of liquid lava. Beinn L i
is the subject of a song or poem by Mary Macpherson.
The top of this hill, like Dun Can, is smooth and level,
equal to li or lith, pron. lee. This flat top is from
successive sheets of lava from the chief volcano of Skye,
the Coolins’ site. See ‘ Dùn Can.’
B e i n n M a e l l a n . Diminutive of meall, a heap, a rounded hill,
above Loch-na-dàl, and closely hemming in Loch Eishort.
Meallachan also, corrupted into Mialachan.
B e i n n M e a b o s t or M h e a b o s t . ( Mjo-bost) .
South of Beinn
Leagach or Leacach, q.v. 1,128 feet.
B e in n
72
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
B e in n M
headhonach.
M i d o r m id d le m o u n t.
B e i n n M h ic U i l l e i m (o r M h i c U i l l e i n ) .
M a c W illia m
M a c U illin ’s m o u n t. N e a r L o c h D u n v e g a n .
B e in n
M
Morag or Marion’s Mount.
h o r a ig .
or
North of
Portree.
B e in n
M
o in e .
Peat-mass mount.
Also named Beinn na
Mointich, mossy place.
n a B o in e id .
The bonnet mount, from resemblance. It
forms the third smaller and less regular of the Helaval
trio. In Duirinish.
B e i n n n a B r o c l a ic h .
Badgers’ den mount. See ‘ Forbes’
Gaelic Names of Beasts, Etc.’
B e i n n n a C a i l l i c h . Literally, the old woman’s mountain.
Near Broadford, and two or three miles south of Kyleakin.
2,396 feet. This well-known mountain is said to be named
after a Norwegian or Danish Princess (or her nurse), whose
remains are interred on the summit. Pennant says, ‘ top
flat and naked, with an artificial cairn of a most enormous
size, reported to have been the place of sepulture of a
gigantic woman in the days of Fingal.5 A cask of gold
said to be buried beneath her. There are, however, two
mountains of this name said to be in Skye; the one nearest
to Raasay formed, it is said, the vantage ground for a
Skye giantess or hag who hurled huge boulders at another
hag in Haasay—or Soalpay; the second near Kyleakin or
Kylerhea. Beinn mhor na Caillich is another term for this
one, which is only seven feet lower than the one farther
west.
B e in n
B e in n
B e in n
na
na
C l o ic h e .
Stone mount.
C o in ic h ( C o i n n i c h ) .
Moss mount.
Còinneaeh,
moss.
n a C o r r a f i d h e a g (or f i o d h a g ) .
Bird-cherry or crowberry mount. Carr or corra, excellent, great; fiodhag, also
said to mean wild fig.
B e i n n n a Cro. See ‘ Beinn a Chro.’
B e in n
n a C r o ic h e .
Gallows’ mount; or Beinn na Creiche,
spoil or plunder mount. In Colbost. See { Aird-aChomhraig,’ from which it is distant only two miles; the
hill is said to be where the spoil was divided after the
fight.
B e in n
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
73
n a C u i n n e i g . Mount of the milk-stoup or wooden pail.
Has other meanings; in Cantyre it means a churn. Cf.
‘ Quinag’ in Sutherland.
B e i n n n a C u it h e a n (or n a n C u i t h e a n ) . The mount of snowwreaths or hollows, etc., where the snow lay long. This
is a great cliff near Talisker. Cuidhean also found, but
this means an enclosure. C f . ‘ Cuiraing.’
B e i n n n a D u i n . Forts’ or castles’ mount.
See ‘ Beinn-anD ù in e ’ and £Peinduin.’
B e in n n a F e o r a ig . Squirrel mount. Kilmuir.
B e in n n a F r i t h e (free). Forest or moor mount.
B e in n n a G a o i t h e . Wind or windy mount.
B e in n n a G r e i n e . Also found Beinne na Crèine. The mount
of the sun. Between Kyleakin and Kylerhea. S.W. of
Beinn na Caillich. See ‘ Suidhe Fhinn.’
B e in n n a G r i a n a n . Dr. Macculloch mistook this mountain
for the preceding, but, as is known generally, grianan
means a sun-exposed or warm and pleasant spot, a sunny
spot, hence, in mansions, a bower, and in rural landscape
a green dry spot on which, e.g., to spread peats for drying,
a bleaching-green, and so forth. 4Grianan Deirdri ’ is
still preserved as a local name on Loch Etive side, where
she dwelt with the sons of Usnach. See ‘ Dun Greainan,’
etc.; also cf. ‘ Grainin’ (or Grianan) of Aileach, Derry,
Ireland. Pennant refers to Beinn na Grain (greine) joined
by a ridge to Beinn na Caillich, but this applies to the
preceding name preferably. Pennant suggests the name
having originated from ‘ sun-worship.’
B e in n n a m B r o d a ic h (or B r o d a c h ) .
There is an adjective
brodaeh, stimulating, enlivening, and another, bròdach,
means arrogant and in crowds, etc. The noun bròd means
pride, etc.
Beinn n a M e a ll (or n a m M i l l ) . The mount of the rounded
hill or hills. See ‘ Beinn Maellan.’ North of Drynoch,
at the foot of a loch near Sligachan, haunted by a onelegged, one-armed, and one-eyed goblin or sprite, akin to
the Ludag, known on other lochs notably Na Lochan
Dubha, near Broadford. This sprite has been taken
seriously, being' supposed to be the or a descendant of a
god Lugh, or a Highland goddess (D. A. Mackenzie in
‘ Celtic Review ’).
B e in n
74
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
n a Na t h r aic h e a n .
Serpents’ mount. They must
abound here, as serpents or adders are found everywhere in
Skye.
B e in n
B e in n
nan
C apull.
See ‘ Beinn a Chapuill.’
Mount of flies.
Mount of the black lochs.
B e i n n n a N e i m h e . Poison mount (nimh).
B e i n n n a R e e . See ‘ Beinn an High.’ It might be righè,
outstretched part of base of mountain.
B e i n n Nin ( nighinn) or B e i n n n a - h - ’ I g h n e . Mount of the
girl. From some incident.
B e i n n O r e (dir). Mount of gold. Kilmuir.
B e i n n - R i o n n - n a - M e a l l or R e a n n . (Obs. rinn). The moun­
tain or the point of the rounded hill. North of Drynoch.
B e in n
nan
C u il e a g a n .
B e in n
nan
D
B e in n R
ubh-L ochan.
q.v.
o is h a d e r ,
B e i n n S ca , S g a t h .
B e in n S g a a l a n .
See ‘ Beinn
a S g à .’
Sgailean, sh ad e or sh a d ow , d im . of sgàil.
8 go, stray cloud, and
Near Ben Holbhal, Glendale.
B e i n n S c u d a ig . Sgudag means an active girl. There is a word
sgud meaning a scout or spy, and this with vik, bay, may
make sgudvig, the outlook mount on or above the bay,
Bracadale.
B e in n S coebh al, S cobh al, S g o b h a l .
fjall, fell.
B e in n S g u m a in .
S ee ‘ A n S g u m a n .’
The mount of hunting—Fingalians, etc.
B e i n n S h e im e a r a c h . Might be seirmeachd, sonorousness.
B e in n S h u a r d a l , S h u a r d a il .
Mount Swordale, Strath.
Noted for the herb or plant Dryas Octopetela; also many
fossils found here. See ‘ Strathswordale.’
B e i n n S k r i a g , S g r i a ig , S g r e a g . Hard, dry mount; a rough
slope, from sgribhinn, a rugged side of a hill. South of
Dunvegan Head.
B e i n n S o r a i g . Sòbhrag or primrose mount. Snizort.
B e i n n Staic. Stack mount. Norse stakkr, a precipitous hill,
1,347 feet. W. of Glen Brittle.
B e in n S h e il g .
B e i n n S t o r e (P S t o r r ),
q.v.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
75*
(or S t o c k v a l ) . Mount of the lumpy
rooks, 3,393 feet. Stuc signifies a small rock projecting
from or sticking out of a larger rock. Near Preshal.
B e i n n T a l a n (or T a a l e n ) .
In Bracadale.
B e in n T h u a it h e a la in .
The mount of the people or tenantry.
The word tmitheal means northward, sinister, etc.—
B e in n -S tu c -n a -M e a ll
tuathal.
See ‘ Beinn Deanavaig.’
Might be a proper name Torlaw
or Turlough. There is toirluinn for tuirling, descending,,
descent, slope, etc.
B e i n n T i a n a v a ig , T i a n a b h a i g .
B e in n T o i r l e a n , T h o i r l e a n .
B e in n T o t e ,
q.v.
Might be for dreallan, the diminutive o f
drmll, a blaze, a torch, or druillinn, a sudden flash, perhaps
B e in n T r e a l a n .
signal mount.
See ‘ Ben Taalen,’ Bracadale.
North mount.
B e in n U i g s h a d e r , q.v. Half-way between Portree loch and
the head of Loch Snizort.
B e in n U i l l e i m . Mount William. See eBeinn Mhic Uilleim.’
B e in n T
uath.
B e in n V a t t e n ,
q.v.
( bhòoaidh) from bòcan, a ghost, etc. In Ireland
pooka, and said to resemble a shaggy, black colt!
B e in n V o k ie
( bholomig), q.v. Possibly from bolovaig, bol,
a house, steading, resting-place for animals, etc., and vik,
a bay. At Troternish Point. 357 feet.
B e i n n V o r e - S c o w e . Mareco, q.v.
B e in n V r a t a b r e c k (Norse brattr, steep, and breac, speckled).
The steep speckled mount.
B e in n V o l o v a ig
B e l f in l a y .
A mountain in Strath. See ‘ Beinn Belig.’
Said to lie between Strath and Allt Aiginn, Aigeinn,
Aigrinn. 2,000 feet.
B e l l a c h . See ‘ Bealach.’
B e n e l t a (Beinn Ealta). The mount of the covey or flight of
birds. Ealt, ealta has several other meanings.
B e n e sso n (Beinn easan). Mount of the little waterfall.
B e r k is t o for ‘ Birkisco,’ q.v.
B e l ig , B e i l ig .
76
PLACE-NAMES OP SKYE
Bjom’s Isle. Norse BjornarThere are three islands of this
name, all pronounced Beornera. This one is north of
Gigarum. A priory school existed here once, and Iain
Taoitear, second of Bernera, was tutor (at law) to
Norman XIX. of Macleod. See old Skye song by Mairi
nigh’n Alasdair Ruaidh, *Hithill, Uitbaill, etc.’ Berneray
in Lewis is the 4Borva ’ of Black’s 4Princess of Thule.’
Tigh an Taoitear, near Aird, at extreme end of North of
. Skye.
B ernera, B erneray, B enera.
ey; Bjorn, a proper name.
B
e r n is d a l e ,
Bjorn’s dale or glen.
Martin calls it ‘ Bernstil.’ Famous for
B e r n e s d a l e , B e r Ni s d a l l .
In Snizort.
mussels.
a C hreag M h o r.
Mouth or opening of the
North harbour, Portree.
B e u l a C h o m h r a i g . Mouth, entrance, or pass of the combat.
As to spelling of beul, or bial, see article by Rev. C . M.
Robertson, in ‘ Celtic Review,’ Oct., 1906; also N.G.P.,
etc.
B e u l - A t h - C a i s t e a l . Castle-ford mouth or entrance, crossing
Abhainn Mhor, opposite to Clach Oscair, q.v.
[Almost every ‘ Beul-ath ’ had its bocan or spectre.]
B e u l - A t h - D o m h a i n . Deep ford mouth. Kilmuir.
B e u l - A t h - L e a c a c h . Flat stone ford, crossing Easa B à n .
B e u l - A t h - n a - G l a i s s i c h . Meadale.
See 4Ath.’
B e u l - A t h - n a - M a i r b h . Dead men’s ford, where people cross
with funerals. Near Tarskavaig, Sleat.
B e u l- A t h n a M e ir l e a c h .
Thieves ford mouth.
Near
Torrin, crossing Asàraidh River; also Beul-Ath Rmidh.
Red ford mouth.
B e u l , B e a l , B ia l
great rock.
B eul-A th n a n T ri A llt . Three burns’ ford mouth. Some
writers say that this should be 4Bealach nan Tri A llt,’
lately celebrated for a meeting of crofters under leadership
of Rev. D . M 4Callum of Arisaig.
Also noted in
Disruption times. Modern name 4Fairy Bridge,’ as it is
said to be haunted. Dr. Macdonald, M .P . for Ross-shire,
bora here.
B
S a c . Sack ford.
Camustinvaig. The word Ath
above has a frequently added, as in 4Beul-Atha,’ generally
however before a consonant of word following.
eul-A t h
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
77'
B r a t a ig .
Primary meaning of bratag is caterpillar.
This may be a pass to a district in Kilmuir.
B e u l n a B e i s t e . The monster’s pass. Strath. Literally, the
mouth of the beast.
B e u l n a h - A m a d ai g . Pass of the foolish woman. Also found
Be u l
amaideig, awwiid.
amha.
Mouth of the cave. See
‘ Uamh an Oir.’
B e u l n a S e o l a i d . Opening or mouth of the harbour or anchor­
age; fairway.
B h a r k a s a or V a r k a n s a , q.v.
Bharkamig or Varkasaig, q.v.
B h a t h a i c h , A ’ B h a t h a i c h . The Byre, a place near Portree,
B eulnahua, B eul- n a - h -U
B h a to r a n is h .
B h u a il e R
B i d e a n , or
See ‘ Vatemish.’
uadh,
A’
B h u a il e R
uadh.
The red fold.
Am B i o d a n , w h ich sign ifies a h ed ge or fen ce, but
th ou gh t m ean t fo r
bidein,
a sharp
p o in t,
a
su m m it,
a
pin n acle.
B id e in C a r stael (C a is t e il ).
The point or top of the Castle;
may be ‘ Castle knoll.’
r u im n a n R a m h .
The summit of the ridge of the
roots, etc. (whence the Coolins radiate). One of the best
known heights of these, in fact, the £hub ’ of the range.
See ‘ Drumhain.’ S.S.W. of Bruach na Frithe, at the
head of Coire na Creiche. 2,860 feet.
B i d e i n n a h - I o l a i r e . The eagle’s pinnacle or perching-place.
Near Ferinvicquire Common.
B ig g e a r y , B ig (here or barley and gerdi, garth or enclosure).
Barley-field. Bere was once sown plentifully in the north­
west of Scotland. This name given also as ‘ Bikeri.’
B id e in D
The Beal (Cladh Bhilè), either from word
signifying verge or edge of a precipice, or a tree venerated
as being the place where, of yore, our pagan forefathers
worshipped, possibly a grove, now Christianised. The
ruins of a church or chapel here. The church-yard of Bil
lies North or East-north-east of Portree Bay, near Port-abhàta. Cf. ‘ Magh-bile.’ There is a valley of this name;
and a word beil or biel, meaning a lair or lying-place for
cattle. See ‘ Beal.’
B il, B ile, Am.
78
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
This thought a misprint for Bida, Bioda \ not Binn, a
hill. Cf. ‘ Jura.’
B in s c a r d , B e i n n S g a r d or S g a i r d .
Ben Sgree or shingly
elope.
B io d a , B i d a . *Peak ’ o f Vaterstein. 9 6 6 feet.
B io d a or B i d e B h i o r a i n . The point of the Sharp point—the
very point. On coast of Ramasaig.
B io d a B u i d h e . The yellow peak.
B in a .
a C h a im .
The hill-top of the bend or curve, at Druimchaim; crooked ridge; and Allt-a-Chaim, q.v.
B io d a or B i d e D e d a i g , q.v. The summit or point of Deideag,
the beautiful one, thought to be a hill. Near Ramasaig.
B io d
B io d a c h a n .
T h e s h a r p -to p p e d o n e ; a h ill.
Peak of the razorbill (bird), alca aorda.
Roosting-plaoe.
B io d a G h o i l l .
The Lowlander or Stranger’s Peak. This
might have been named after G o ll, the son of Morni,
Fingalians. Has been given as the sullen or gloomy
(looking) peak.
B io d a n A o i l . The lime peak.
But there is a word mil,
signifying the mouth, and this may mean that or opening
or pass. South of Loch Dunvegan.
B io d a n A t h a i r . The air or sky peak, the very hill-top. Also
given ‘ Biodan.’ Near Dunvegan Point or Head.
B io d a n F h i t h i c h . The Raven’s peak. At Loch Erghallan.
B io d F io n n a c h . Shaggy peak.
B io d a B a n . White peak.
B io d
a
C h o l t r a ic h e .
or.
Great peak. One of the Dubh-sgeirean, black
rocks. 1,000 feet high. Near Loch Eynord. It is really
four miles N.E. of the ‘ Duisgear ’ (dubh-sgeir) black rock,
often submerged at high tides. The Bioda Mor proper is
near ‘ An Fheiste.’ Found also given as ‘ Bidmore at
Waterstein.’
io d a n F e a r a n ( F e u r a n or F e a r a n n ) n a C a i l l i c h .
Point
of the old wives’ green or grassy field-land. Described as
‘ Nuns’-land.’ This land or field, however, was a place
in GlenBraeadale allotted to old single women, and widows
without means of support, for their maintenance.
B io d a M
B
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
B io d
S g ia t h
na
C o r r a g r ib h ic h .
The (hill) wing peak
79
of
the crane.
Birk or birkenshaw. SIco or
In Snizort.
Blabheinn, B l a t h - b h e i n n . Blaven, etc. 3,042 feet. Many
meanings have been furnished for this name: among the
most common are (1) warm or sunny mount, from red
appearance; (2) the mount of the blast or blowy mount;
(3) Bla-fell, Bla-fjall (Blaa val), blue fell, Norse ‘ fell,’ a
wild mountain, translated into Gaelic Beann. Its more
ancient Celtic name, which it doubtless had, has been lost,
though Ardven, referred to in ancient Celtic and Ossianic
verse, is supposed to be the same, ‘ High mount,’ which it
undoubtedly is. Sheriff Nicolson, in ‘ Good Words ’ for
1875, describes this mountain as he well could; Pennant
mentioned it specially; while Professor Blackie devoted
the greater portion of a ‘ Lay ’ to it. All or many different
colours have been attributed to Blaven, it being a certain
study for changes in the weather always. See also Alex­
ander Smith’s ‘ Summer in Skye ’ and Ross’ Gaelic song
or poem, ‘ Comhmdh eadar am Bard agus Blath-bheinn,’
a dialogue between the bard and Blaven. J. A. Robertson,
in his ‘ Gaelic Topography of Scotland,’ gives this name
as Flath-bheinn, Heroes Mount! The £Saddle ’ of Blaven
is perilous, being only one foot in width for two yards, with
terrible ravines on either side. See also £Rock Climbing,’
by Abraham. Blaven is in Strathaird.
B l a i g h e , B l a i d h , or B l o i d h . A fr a g m e n t, a piece or sp lin ter
B ir k is c o , B i r k i s k o , B i s k i s k o .
seo, terminal form, from Norse skogr, a shaw.
— o f a h ill.
a B h u a il t e .
The field of the stricken; though buailte
is the past participle of the verb buail, to strike, it may
be looked on here as a noun. This field is in Kilmuir,
where the Norsemen are said to have made their last stand
in Skye. Their chief, or one of their leading men, named
‘ Arco ’ Bronn-mòr, was slain by a MacSween, who, for
this, got Braes from Macdonald.
B l a r a C h u s p a i r ( cuspair, mark or object aimed at, cuspaireachd, archery). Archery-field. In Strathaird.
B l a r a Loch. Loch-field. At head o f Loch Slapin.
B l a r a n D o r a in (or D o r a i n n ) .
Dobhrain, otter-field. Also
found given doruinn, pain, loss, misery, etc. In Glasphein.
B lar
80
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
B la r -a n -t -S io r r a m .
B la b , B u i d h e .
Sheriff’s field.
Yellowfield.
Cf. ‘ Sheriffmuir.’
North of Easa B à n .
B lar-M illeadh -G araidh .
Dyke-destroying (battle) field,
commemorative of a conflict between the Macdonalds and
Macleods, when the slain were ranged along this dyke,
which was then overturned on the bodies by the victors, the
Macleods. On this occasion the church at Trumpan was
set on fire and burned, with all the worshippers, or refugees,
inside. This occurred about 1580. The conflict took place
on the sea-beach at or near a place called ‘ Ardmor,’ the
Great Height, about a mile from Trumpan. It was on this
occasion that the ‘ Fairy ’ Banner of the Chiefs of Macleod
was last unfurled for combat.
See ‘ Lon.’ Blath has numerous meanings, but it
is thought means here green or verdant, while Ion is a
meadow, adjective preceding noun.
B la th Lon.
Boc-a-Chra-Bhric. Not known whether this is hoc, a buck,
etc., or hoc, eruption, swelling; crà means blood, e.g.,
cra-dhearg; bhric is the aspirated form of the genitive of
breac (s.m.), a trout. A t Grishernish Point, but there it
is found given ‘ Boc a Chro Bhric.’
The old wife’s buck, or hoc, a leap, etc.?
The above word £Boc ’ may be meant for ‘ Bac,’ q.v.
B o c -n a -C a illic h .
ante.
Bodach has numerous meanings beyond
the primary one of ‘ old man.’ May mean here a spectre
which haunted the Dùn (?Dunvegan), or merely a familiar
name for a height or hill. This name appears to be in
Kilmuir.
B o d h a -S r o n -a n -T a ir b h .
Reef of the bull’s nose. At en­
trance to Loch-na-Beiste.
B o g a r t a llis , B o g a n t a llis .
Not known, unless bogan talamh,
swampy land. See ‘ Peighinn.’
B o , B o d h ’ E i l e a n . The island reef. Off Eilean Mor, Lyndale.
Bo, Norse booi, a breaker, or bodi.
B odha, A m .
The sunk rock, or submerged rock or reef.
Opposite Ardorch or Ardorachan, q.v.
B o d a ch a n D u in e .
The spelling of above word found carelessly given, bodha
or bogha, the former meaning a reef, the latter a bend,
bow, or flat piece of land, with side form bugha.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
81
a n t - S a s u n n a ic h .
The Englishman’s reef or
sea-bank; as said, bodha is from bodi or boding (Norse),
a breaker, submerged or sunken rocks, generally a good
fishing-place. This particular reef is two miles west of
Kyleakin.
B ogh, B o d h ’
The little reef.
B ogha, B od h a B e a g .
Bo
B ogha, B odha C h a r r a c h .
The rocky reef.
A sunken
rock off Uiginish Point.
Kilbride Bow. In Strath, at mouth
of Loch Slapin. Might be land ex adverso, or bodha, reef,
in loch. See ‘ Boghannan.’
B og h a ’ C h i l l e B h r i d e .
Hunish bow or reef. See ‘ Hunish.’
B ogha, B o d h a H
u n is h .
B og h a L e a c a n .
Sloping bow or rock.
n a F a n a c h d (or F a n t u i n n ) .
The reef of
waiting, delaying or hindering. South of Loch Dunvegan.
B ogha, B o d h a
B ogha, B o d h a
na
G r u a g a ic h .
The Grugach rock or reef.
See ‘ Gruagach.’
B ogha, B o d h a
na
The skerry reef or rock—a eea-
S g e ir e .
bank.
B ogha, B o d h a R
uadh
or
R
huadh.
The red bow or reef.
In Kilmaluag Bay.
B ogh a, B o d h a S h l ig a c h a n .
Sligachan reef. A t entrance to
Loch Sligachan.
h o r - B h e i n n , q.v.
This may be
a reef near the hill, but more likely a bow of land, part of
the hill.
B ogha, B o d h a V o r e v e n , M
Thought may be Bodh-an-thuil (an
tuilè), the reef of the flood, lying as it does in the fierce
B o h e n u il , B o h e n i v i l .
flood, current off the extreme north of Skye, viz., off Trodda
or Trodday.
B o in e id
an
B o is d a l e .
F
h e id h .
The deer’s bonnet—a hill.
See ‘ Boust-hill.’
B o l e n h r ie , B o l e n h ir e , B o l e n t u r e , B o l in t u r e , B u a l in t u r .
See ‘ Balintore.’
p
82
B
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
B o l - a - B h e a n . The woman’s house; also found given
to mean bol bhàn, the white house, but doubted whether
bhean can become bhàn. Bol is Old Norse for house, etc.;
the chief farm of a tun or township, e.g., bolstathri
bolstadr, a farm-house. Persons’ names were often given
to farms, especially with the prefix bol.
olvean,
uc ( M u i c ) .
The bank or bugh, bugha,
flat piece of land, etc., of the pig; bugha is a side-form of
bogha, a bow or bend, such spots being made by the wind­
ings of a stream. See ‘ Buth.’ A suggestion given that
this should be Bodha na muie-mara, the reef of the 4s©apig,’ i.e., whale.
B ona m u c k , B og ha- n a - M
Not known, unless ‘ Bodh-an-ey,’ the island reef, in
Loch Bracadale.
B o n ia .
etc. The farm green or piece
If buth, might be the farm cot or
B o n n is t a d t , B o g h a - n a - S t a d r ,
of land adjacent.
cottage.
B o n stu r e , B ogh
an
S t o ir .
Storr bow, etc.
B o r a d a l e , B o r r a d a il l , B r o r a d e l l , B o r r o d a l .
See ‘Raasay.’
See also ‘ Bornaskitaig.’ Norse borg, a
burg, burgh, fortress, or oastle, and sgaothaig, from Norse
skagi vik, a low cape. This place is named locally ‘ Barrna-Ciotaig,’ and is the scene of the legend of ‘ Macdonald ’
cutting off his left hand and throwing it ashore, giving
rise to the mottoes or sayings, ‘ Air muir ’s air tir,' and
‘Lamh dhearg Chlann Domhnuill.’
Spelled 4Bornscitaik ’ in 1689, and ‘ Borniskitag ’ in
1721. Here is the entrance to the cave into which Piper
MacArthur marched, with his pipes sounding loudly, to
the burden, it is said, of
B o r b h - n a - S g io t a ig .
;
‘ Bidh na fir uchda
■
’Nam fir fheachda;
Bidh na laoigh bheaga
’Nan crodh dàire;
Bidh na mhinn bheaga
’Nan gobhar chreaga
Mus till mise, mus ruig mise,
Mus till mise o Uaimh-an-òir.’
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
83
Thi3 may be translated:
Males now at breast will be men fit for combat;
Young suckling calves will be fully-grown cows;
Young little kids will be rock-loving goats then,
Ere I return, ere I reach,
Ere I return from the Cave-of-gold.
The Rev. Mr. Macdougall, late of Duror, a famous and
painstaking Gaelic scholar and seanachie, said: ‘ Uamh an
Oir/ where was a banshee, who gave MacRimmon a silver
chanter on condition that he would go with her to the cave
at the end of a day and a year: cha tig mise, cha till mise,
mu ’n tig mis’ a uaimh an oir, bidh na minn bheaga ’nan
gabhar chreagach, ’s a chlann laga ’nam fir àir; is cianail
mise ’triall fo gheasaibh, bidh mi am feasd ann an uaimh
an oir.’
‘ I shall come never, return never. Ere I return from
the cave-of-gold, the kidling flocks will be goats of the
rocks, and the children weak be warriors bold. I am woe,
woe, under spells to go. I ’ll be for aye in the Cave-ofgold. ’
Another version, supplied by Miss Tolmie, is:
‘ 'S ioma maighdean og, fa cheud bharr,
Theid a null, theid a null (nunn),
Mu ’n till mise, mu 'n ruig mis' a Uaimh-an-oir/
‘ Many a youthful maiden ’neath her first hair-crop
Will go over, will go over (die)
Ere I return, ere I arrive from Uai-an-ore.’
There is a similar cave, or entrance, in the Parish of
Portree, another in the Parish of Sleat; the latter cave is
said to be seven miles in length from west to east, or
rather east to west; another is in Harlosh, but here the
piper’s name was Mac Cruimmon, one of whose descend­
ants, a tailor, died in Uig at the age of 109, or 116, said
to be registered. The same tale is told of other caves
elsewhere; one in Mull, into which the piper of Maclaine
of Loch Buidhe disappeared. The name 4Uaimh-an-Oir/
q.v., comes from the superstitious belief that a pot of gold
lies therein, guarded, it is presumed, by a ‘ Beast ’ or
monster that had its den or lair there. This ‘ Beast ’ the
piper volunteered to go in and destroy, as it was a trouble
84
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
and menace to the district, but he failed; the sound of the
pipes—which he apparently continued to play—was traced
a certain distance, when it ceased, the conclusion arrived
at being that the piper had met the ‘ Beast ’ and
succumbed. Various imaginary and explanatory lines and
verses were, and still are, current showing or narrating the
brave Celt’s extremity, one being—
‘ Nach truagh mi gun tri lamhan,
Da lamb ’sa phiob ’s te ’sa chlaidhmmh.i
ePity me without hands three,
Two for the pipes and a sword-hand free.’
See ‘ Bealach na Beiste,’ ‘ Uamh-an-Oir,’ and ‘ Born­
askitaig.’
h a im .
The table of the turn or bend. Near Allta-Chamaidh. Bord, a level-topped rock or mountain, lava
flow.
B ord- a -C
m.
The round table; said to be the same as
the rock £Hebri ’ or ‘ Theabraidh.’ This is one of the five
islands of the Fladda-chuan group. See ‘ Macleod’s
Tables.’
B or d -C r u in n , A
eadhonach.
The Middle Table; in some places given
as ‘ Macleod’s Maidens.’ The two Helavals are thought to
be the ‘ Tables.’
B ord M
B ord M hic-D homhnuill . Macdonald’s Table, an island of
huge rocks in three parts.
This may contain ‘ Bord
Meadhonach. It was to the top hereof that Sir Donald
Macdonald sent his charters for safe preservation previous
to his departure for the wars. The title of ‘ Lord ’ for
the head of the Sleat family was then in the distant future.
See ‘ Garran.’
This name is spelled in charters, etc., in many
different ways, e.g., ‘ Boraraig,’ ‘ Bororaig,’ etc., one
(1597) as in Sleat, spelled ‘ Boerebek ’ (Loch Eishort).
Near Broadford, Strath, but also found given as in Kilmuir.
This is Norse borgaraik, or vik, Castle Bay. Borg, borgar,
burgh, castle, fortress, and vik, a bay. (The Admiralty
chart gives it as south of Dunvegan, at head of Loch Dun­
vegan) . The Celts added ‘ Dim,’ which has the same mean­
ing of ‘ fort.’ This place is famed for a college for training
B o r e r a ig .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
85
pipers, whic-h used to exist. Near here are ‘Leum an Doill,’
the leap of the blind (man); ‘ Sloe nam Piobairean,’ the
hollow of the pipers, where they practised, etc. The
Mac Crimmons held Boraraig as a free township from
the Macleods of Dunvegan. MacArthur, piper to the
Highland Society of Edinburgh in 1784, was the last of
the MacCrimmon pupils. There were four brothers named
MacGregor of Fortingall about that date, who were very
famous pipers; they were all taught by their father, who,
it is said, learned also from the MacCrimmons. A famous
chanter, called ‘ A Chachalaidh Dhubh, ’ the black gate or
narrow pass, was given to the third son of one of the
MacCrimmons (the Black Lad) by a banshee from the
Castle of Dunvegan, who asked him ‘ Co aca b’ fhearr leat
ealdhain gun ràth, no rath gun ealdhain ì ’ (which would'st
thou prefer, skill without success or success without skill?);
he elected to take the former; other details exist, but too
long to insert here. See ‘ Borbhnasgitag,’ for Macdougall’s
■account. The tenure by the Mac Crimmons of this town­
ship was terminated about 1770 owing to disputes as to its
value. The college is said to have been situated 4opposite ’
Dunvegan Castle, on the other side of Loch Follart. Many
aspirants came to Skye to attend this college, Macarthurs
and others, among whom was a famous family of genuine
piper®, viz., the MacGregors of Ruadh-Shruth (Redstream), called or named 4Clan an Sgeulaich ’ ( sgeidaiche);
some of their descendants, also pipers, were known to exist
in 1873, and some may still survive. In Boraraig was
4Clach Mhor Mhic Cruimein,’ Mac Crimmon’s big stone,
which was the 4lift ’ of Captain Peter MacCrimmon
(Padruig Mor). It was here a certain piper who was
defeated in a piping competition excused his failure on
the plea of ‘ Gu ’n robh ’mheoran ’n deigh an sgait! ’ (that
his fingers were after the skate. Here also flourished that
other mighty man 4Glagan-glunach,’ ancestor of the Kyle
Mackinnons, one of four noted athletes of his day in Skye;
the other three were Martuinn a Bhealaich, Ailean of
Kingsburgh, and An t-Aireach Sleibhteach, the Sleat
farmer. Boraraig is very secluded.
B
B orgar- e y .
Borroraidh Castle, or Fort Isle, pro­
perly Ey-borgar, isle of the fort, borgar being the genitive
of borg. In Duirinish. Cf. 4Boreray ’ in St. Kilda.
oreray,
86
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
B orlan,
B o r l in ,
B o r l in e ,
B org- l a n n .
Village enclosure.
Borlum, Old Gaelic for ridge, declivity, stretch, or strip
of arable land. In Minginish. There is a ‘ Boreland ’
near Gesto, and was, as is said of other lands assigned to
bards, a girth or sanctuary quite as effectual as a comaraich
or Gommich, cleric’s lands. The mensal land of the Norse
Jarl was called Boardland, table land. The word has
supplied us with many place-names. In Urquhart the form
is Borlum, a well-known name. Brigadier W . Macintosh
of Borlum—Jacobite leader, 1715—was among the first to
advocate the creating woods, closes, hedge-rows and forests
in Scotland, fields till then being all unfenced, 1729.
Boardland or bordland ((boreland) meant ‘ lands kept by
owners in Saxon times for supply of their own board or
table,’ specially among Norsemen from north to south in
Scotland, as lands exempt from skatt, or Government land
tax. Borlum, a ridge, has been confounded sometimes with
brolum, more correctly brothluinn, agitation, a struggle
between wind and tide. There is a pipe-tune called
‘ Bròlum, ’ to stimulate combatants in ancient battles, not
unlike, but more impetuous than, ‘ Caismeachd which
means alarm, warning, more commonly marching.
The assistance which the tenant gave in cultivating this
boardland, demesne, or home-farm, came to be called
by the Gaelic-speaking people borlanachd, a word which
latterly meant estate labour, or duty work, performed by
the tenantry, of whatever kind, sometimes defined as ‘ the
whole year and twelve days more,’ sometimes only twelve
or twenty-four days a year, at one penny per diem. It
Was at this borlan that Ruaraidh Bhorlain gave John
Mac Codrum, the Uist bard, a halfpenny by mistake for a
guinea, hence ‘ Oran a Bhonn-a-sia.’
Borlanachd is sometimes written Morlanachd, the m
being due to eclipsis: am b.
B o r l ic k , B org L i e
(or
L
eac).
The flat or level land at or
near a castle.
B o r n s k il l o c h .
In Troternish.
etc. In Kilmuir. Said to mean Division Bay,
from Norse sMpti, division, but is Borg na Sgiotaig or
sgaothaig, skagi vik, Norse for ‘ low cape.’ See ' Borbhna-Sgiotaig.’
B o r n a s k it a ig ,
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
87
In the inventory of the estate of Sir Alexander Mac­
donald of Sleat (Slate), taken in 1748, this name is spelled
‘ B o ro n a sk itta g ,’ and is said to be so pronounced b y the
in h abitan ts of the district, or £Boronasciotag,’ not eiotaig.
It was built on a natural knoll, the sides of which, in
some parts, are of shelf-like rock. It may be remarked
here that an Argyllshire woman used the word sdotag or
sgiòtag for a small shelf. Several other renderings have
been given, but the above is the most correct.
B o r r a d a l e , etc.
Borg, castle, and dal, dale.
Found given as in Duirinish, Dunvegan, Glendale, and
Kaasay, q.v. If in Duirinish, it is the locus of the
‘ largest piece of detached rock in the world!’
B o r r a d a ill,
The boggy burgh.
smell, soent, etc., but not known.
B orba F e ith e a c h .
Boradh means sweet
There is a word borradh, signifying a sepulchral
cairn, a barrow, an elongated oval; borrach is a Skye term
for moor-grase, beitein; also a projecting bank. Barr
signifies ‘ great,’ also a hunch, a knob, while borra is a
swelling. 4Borraig ’ said to be a name common in Uist
and Lewis. It may even mean borg.
B orrage.
(Borg-an-eas, fo thuil).
castle or fort on or at the waterfall—in flood?
B orran ess, B o r r a n e s s -F u ille
The
etc. In borgh and borbh, the gh and bh
are sounded like v in latter. There are two places of this
name in Skye, one in Skeabost, another in Snizort, at south
end of Loch Grishernish. The meaning is 4Little Borg ’
or fort, etc. Cf. ‘ Borgue.’ This word almost always in­
dicates the location of a pre-Norse Pictish tower. See
4Dun ’ sometimes prefixed. C f. 4Caisteal Bhuiridh 5 in
Benbecula.
B orv e, B o r b a id h ,
a n D u in e , B o t h a n -A i r i g h .
The sheilingbothy of the Dun. In Kilmuir. Botham, also cothcm,
means 4couch,’ cell, or retreat for meditation and prayer,
used by Culdees ( Cuildich), literally Cuiltean, which were
common. Same as ‘ Diseart.’ Even a cave was called
B o t h a g -A ir id h
cuile.
The Gaelic word abaid is herefrom. Bothach means
cottier; ferbhoith, grass hut®. See the 4Book of Clan-
88
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
ranald.’ Fother said to be the Pictish word for both, or
equivalent, also pit. Both generally signifies a primitive
stone or turf house.
A dwelling,
settlement, or village. At end or termination of names,
host is just a contraction of the Norse or Icelandic word
bolstadhr (bolstathr), denoting ‘ homestead,’ farm or farm­
stead, or steading. In Islay it takes the form of bus, and
equals poll and by, said to equal aras and baile, the latter
in a restricted sense.
B o u st - h i l l , B o is - d a l e , B o w s t i l l , B e n i s t i l l .
B racadale, B racadoll,
etc.
One authority says from Norse
brekka, spotted, and dalr, dale, etc., not from the Gaelic
word breac, slope, or brae, which equals sliabh. Norse
brekka also given as slope, probably brakendale, ferndale.
Said to mean also open place for meetings of township.
There is also the Norse skotha-break, sloping breck (Norse
skathr).
Bracadale is at the head of Loch Eynort, and was of old
called Wester Fjord or Vestrafiord. Not pronounced
Breacadal but Bràcadal.
Off Bracadale (which is given in Admiralty chart as at
head of Loch Beag, Loch Harport, which is part of Loch
Bracadale) are the islands of Haversay, Vuiay, Oransay,
and Soay; orama, orasa, as explained more fully elsewhere,
is a peninsula properly speaking.
Saint Assint is, or was, the patron saint of Bracadale;
Saint Maree or Maelrubha’s Day used to be held there, as
elsewhere, some say in August, others in September.
Bracadale had two churches in 1833.
To return to the origin or meaning of the name. In the
Gaelic Dictionaries there is a word or term lus-ghlinne
bhracadaill or bhracadail and lus-ghlinn bhracadail, trans­
lated ‘ dog’s mercury,’ wood mercury; not known whether
this plant is peculiar to Bracadale. E. Macdonald, in his
illustrated Gaelic Dictionary—a most painstaking and
useful work—gives it as from iyracadh (? brachadh),
suppuration, fermenting, rotting, etc. A word brachag
means a pimple or small boil, etc., for which mercurial
ointment used to be thought a cure. See ‘ Brae Stein,*
infra.
James Hogg, the ‘ Ettrick Shepherd,’ wrote a parody on
a Gaelic song, entitled ‘ John o’ Bracadale.’
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
89
It was in the parish of Bracadale that the Sacrament of
the Lord’s Supper was first dispensed in Skye after the
Protestant way or mode, by the Rev. John Bethune, circa
1701-1707.
The above meanings are given for what they are worth,
as eminent authorities to date consider the word ‘ Bràcadal ’
to be the correct spelling, and ‘ its derivation not known.’
The arm o f Stein, a curved or crooked and pro­
jecting portion o f land, somewhat arm-like. Given also
Brae Stein, but this may be a mistake.
B rac S t e i n .
(Braigh an taobh sear). The brae of the east
side (Upper). Norse bra, a hill-slope; Gaelic bràigb, upper
slope of a hill.
B r a e -a n -t-S h a e r
Norse breidhar bolstadhr. Broad farm. Breidhr,
broad. Old Norse bra equals O.Er. braew (according to
Johnston breaw, the eyelid). Thought also to be simply
Gaelic braigh and host. See ‘ Breabost.’
B ra eb ost.
B r a e in o rt
(Bra or braigh Einort).
In Minginish.
See
‘ Eynord.’
There is a Norse word braga, which means reefs on
which the sea breaks with violence; bragr, a seaward shoal;
bràgair in Gaelic means leaves of the sea girdles, tangle.
B r a g le r .
B r a ig h A
l u in n .
The beautiful high-land or hill-slope.
Bran’s Brae. North of Portree. Said to be
Oseianic, but thought to have been named after Ares Bran
(or Brainnmhor, Broinnmhor, great stomach), the last
Norseman killed in Skye. See ‘ Blàr-a-Bhuailte.’ In
reference to broinn in broinnmhor, it is properly the dative
of bru, used as the nominative.
B r a ig h B h r a n .
B r a ig h e ,
B r a ig h
Am.
an
D
The Brae.
u in .
In South Rona.
The high land at, or adjacent to, the Dun
(Dunvegan).
B r a ig h
an
F
h a s a ic h .
See ‘ Hallin.’
C o il l e n a D r o ig h n ic h e .
The brae of the thorny
wood. Overlooking Loch Harport.
B r a ig h
B r a ig h
na
C l o ic h e .
Stone brae.
90
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Brae or uplands.
This word braigh found given frequently braighe, attached
to the name of almost every township. Braighe given by
one authority as the nominative case of braghad, but others
give braghad and braighe as the genitive of brmgh: that
is how the e appears in ' Brae.’ O. G. bràge and brea
also found.
B r a n d e r s a ig , B r a n d e r s e g . In Duirinish. Brander may bo
a proper name, with vig or vik.
B r a o n -a -M h e a lla in .
The dewy or showery hillock. In
Braoadale.
B r a y h a i r p o r t , B r a h a r p o r t ( brathair, brother, and port, har­
bour). The landing-place or port of the brothers (Monks).
B r e a b o s t (breidhr, broad, and bost, town). Broad-town. See
*Braebost.’
B r e a c a c h ’ , Am, B r e a c A c h a d h . The speckled field. Ach as
a termination signifies place, place of.
B r e a c h a y , B r e a c k r y , B r e a k a r y . Thought may mean much
the same, as last name. It is in Kilmuir. In Snizort
appear Breacheady, Breaehachy, Breakachy, and Brickachy, all supposed to mean the same. A ‘ Breck ruy ’
(might be ‘ Breac rudha,’ etc.) near Lonfern in Troternish.
Cf. ‘ Breakachy,’ near Beauly.
B r e a c - B h e i n n . Speckled mount. Glasphein.
B r e a k i s h , B r e a c a is , B r e a c k i s h , etc., from Norse brekka, a
elope, and ais, situation. Given locally Breac-innis, the
speckled mead, which it is not. Breakish is speckled with
stones. Break equals also Ioel. brekka, understood to mean
a hollow among hills. Said there are seven Breakishes,
all well-tilled (Na soachd Breacaisean) . Soil there sup­
posed swept off adjacent hille by ice. The termination ais
is Pictish.
B r e c k i l l , B r e c h i l l . See ‘ Brochel,’ Raasay.
B r e c k r a y , B r e c k r y (breac reidh). Speckled-smooth or level,
etc. In Kilmuir.
B r a i g h S gtjlam ais , S g u l a m u is , S g u l a m u s .
B r e e k l a n e , B r e ik l a n e , B r e s k a l a n , B r e s k l a n , B resqu lan ,
etc. See ‘ Preskilan.’
B r e a t a il , B r e t t l e .
In Strath. W e find £Soa
Bhreatail ’ south-east of Loch Brittle, in Minginish.
B r e t il ,
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
91
Dirty, foul harbour; probably either difficult
of access or bad anchorage, etc.
B r i s h M h e a l l (Briis-mhaol). Name of a hill. See ‘ Preshal.’
B r i s t e a d h - C o i r e - B o g , or B r i s e a d h , etc.
The fissure, crack,
or opening in or of the soft, swampy corrie.
B roadford, A t h - L e a th a n n .
Generally spoken of as An
t-Ath-Leathann. Broad firth or fjord. Thought locally to
apply only to the ford over the river which enters the sea,
here. If not, it has been explained as Breid-r fjordr
(S. W. and Dan.). Johnston gives Bred fiord', Maebain
says this is a modern name, and not Norse; Maxwell makes
it Breidr and fjoror, broad firth; while another gives
Breidh fiord or Breid-a-fiord. This only applies if the
‘ firth ’ is meant. Sir Archibald Geikie, in the Appendix
to ‘ Scenery of Scotland,’ describes the district hereabouts.
B r o c - B h e in n .
Badger- mount.
Also Broclach bheinn,
Badger’s-den-mount. Sometimes called ‘ Na Broclaich,'
the badgers’ dens. Near Drynoch, Sligachan.
B ro or B r o g . This word, as prefixed to following names, is
Celtic, and means ‘ a district,’ though also found to stand
for borg. There is also bro, an adjective, signifying ‘ old,’
also much, many; and a s.m. signifying ‘ champion.’
B r o g a ig , B o r g - V i k .
Burgh or Castle bay. Macbain gives
‘ Breeches-wick.’
B r o g a s k il , B r o g a s g il , B r o i s g i l . Might be Borg AsTcill or
Ascuill. See ‘ Broisgill.’
B r o is g il l B e a g agu s M o r . Little and Great Broisgill. Given
in an English work as ‘ Broigohill.’ Not known. See
‘ Beinn Brokasgil.’
B r o la s , B r o l o s , B r o l a s g . Said to be for broluinn, a meeting
or conflict of tides. Brolasg means flattery, obviously not
or conflict of tides. Brolasg means flattery, obviously not
B r o l o k i t . Said to be a form of ‘ Broichil,’ q.v.
B r o n a c h a n , B r o n a c h e r . If o long, then ‘ the sad one.’ Sug­
gested ‘ Bronnachair,’ the greedy or gluttonous one.
B r o n n il l .
In Minginish. There is an obsolete word ill,
signifying ruin.
B r o r a . If bro, q.v. ante, and a, water. There is a considerable
river at Brora in Sutherland.
B reun P h o r t .
92
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
B r u a ic h G h e a l a , B r u a c h a n G e a l a .
White braes or banks.
Bruthach, a brae. Macbain gives bruach as a bank, |a
brink, and Bruthach, a brae— bruch. Here it is said Mao-
Crimmon composed his £Farewell to Dunvegan.’
B r u a c h , B r u t h a c h n a m Bo.
Cow-brae.
B ruach, B ruth ach -n a- F r e e , F r it h e .
Forest, heath, moor
brae or slope. Sometimes given as fmigh or fraighe, but
this has a different meaning of ‘ shelves,’ precipitous. This
slope or mountain is 3,143 feet in height.
B r u c c a ir e , B r u c a i r e .
There is a word brucach, signifying
gloomy; this may mean the gloomy one, a hill. Bruchd
means bursting forth, etc. Near Glendale.
B r u g h F a r a l a . Farala Burg or House etc. Farala may be
a proper name. Far means projecting. Bruig or brug,
Gaelic for inhabited or cultivated land; the occupier,
brugaire (see above); and his house, brugaid or brugm;
brude also a farmer; bruigh, field; bruighe, farm, some­
times farmer, also bruigheir; bruiden, genitive bruidin, a
court, also bruidni. Brigit is the female equivalent.
B r u g h v ig , B r u c h v ig (i.e., borg vig). The village or fort bay.
ZJig, town. Cf. ‘ Brogaig.’
B r u n a l , B r u n a l e , B r u n o l e (brugh an al, all, or ail). The
village or fort on the cliff? Found given as in Oynart and
Bracadale, also Minginish. There is an Icelandic word,
brunnr, signifying a fountain, a spring.
B r u n d e s t o t , B r u n i s t a d t , B r u n is t o t (or t o t e ) (brugh stadt
or brunnr stadt, from stadr, stathr, setr, etc.). A home­
stead. Also suggested brugh and tot or tota, tobht, tobhta,
a turf hut, etc.
B r u n ig e l (brugh and gil). A ravine; or brunnr.
B r u t h a c h - B u a i l e - a n - T u r . The brae, slope, or ascent of the
Tower-fold.
B r u t h a c h n a B r e a c - B h e i n n . The brae, etc., of the speckled
mount. In Glasphein.
B r u th a c h n a G l a ic e .
The brae, etc., of the hollow. In
Kilmuir.
Bu. In Kilmuir. See ‘ Bugh ’ or £Bugha.’
B u a b is g il l (him, buabh, a cow— b y extension kine or cattle;
bisgill, not known, unless gil or gyll, a ravine). In
Minginish.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
93
B r e i g e . The false herdsman or shepherd.
An
erect stone or slab of rock on top or summit of Saigh
Mhinn. In Kilmuir.
B u a il e (from bmill, buabhal). Cattle fold. As a cattle or
oow-milking place, this word is said to be from bol, with
the same meaning.
B u a il e a B h e a t h a i n . Beathan means diet, but may mean
birchen, from beith, birch-tree.
B u a il e a B h i d e a c h a i n , B h i o d a c h a i n . The little sharp-topped
one, a hill. In Fasach.
B u a il e a B h r e a c r a i d h . See *Breckray.’ In Galtrigill.
B u a il e a C h o i r c i d h (coirce, oats, or coirce, circe, quaking
grass). In Ferinvicguire.
B u a il e A ir t d h ( A i r i g h ) n a n G i l l e a n . The lads’ sheiling
fold. In Torrin.
B u a il e a n F h a e a i d h . Fàradh means skyline. See ‘ Cnoc an
Fhàire.’ Might be an àiridh. Fold of the height or of
the sheiling.
B u a il e a n T r i a o i n , T r i a o n . Triune, the Trinity, or tram,
traoin, corncrake.
B u a il e a n t - S a g a i r t . The priest’s fold.
B u a il e a n t - S l u g a in ( ’ n t - S l u g a i r t ) . The fold of the whirl­
pool, in river probably, or a gorge.
B u a il e a n T u ie ( a n t - S u i d h e ). The seat, or sloping-hill fold.
Near Loch Eynort.
B u a il e B h a n . The white fold. West of Kilbride Glebe.
B u a il e ’ B h l a i r . Fold of the battlefield, or, as this buaile is
near a stretch of level peat-moss, may mean fold of the
plain. If a battlefield, it is unknown.
B u a il e C h a r r a i n . Fold of the corn-spurrey or scurvy-grass.
Suggested oar a’inn for car abhainn, crooked river.
B u a il e ’ C h r o n a i n . See ‘ Eas-a-Chrònain,’ Kilmuir.
B u a il e C h r u a i d h . The hard, or stony fold. Kilbride Glebe.
B u a il e D h i a r m a i d . Diarmid’s fold.
On Beinn Ianabhaig,
which is supposed to be the Beinn Gulban of Fingalian
lore. Gulba, a mouth or opening.
B u a il e D h o m h a i n . The deep fold.
B u a c h a ille
94
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Little Donald’s fold. In Kilmuir.
The black, high fold. There is also ia
‘ Buaile Dhubh ’ in Torrin.
B uaxle E a r n a s t a c h d . Suggested earr na stac, end of the stack
or rock. One meaning of earr is a submerged rock off a
promontory, but there being only one r in this word as
found makes this meaning doubtful. There is an ancient
Celtic word ear, signifying head or summit.
B u a il e ’G h a q r r a . The fold of offal or refuse. At Duntulm.
Here cattle were slain for Lady Brahan, Domhnull-gormmor’s wife (his second), an extravagant epicurean!
B u a il e H o a b h a l or H o b h a l , q.v. At Ferinvicguire.
B u a il e H o r s a .
Horsa fold, with Tobar, both in Snizort.
Horsa the name of a Norse warrior. Suggested asp. form
of form, a waterfall; there is one at top of Brae, north of
B u a il e D
hom hnullan.
B u a il e D
hubh
A
ed
.
mg.
The fold of the little marsh, a double dim.
There is a word leodag, a slovenly female.
B u a il e L i a n a s d a i l . Lyndale ford, q.v. In Ferinvieguire.
B u a il e n a B e i n n e . Mountain fold.
B u a il e n a C e a r d a c h . Smithy fold.
B u a il e n a C l is e or C l i s e a d h . Fold of the leap. Na fir-chlis,
the merry dancers, aurora borealis.
B u a il e n a F e a d a g , F e a d a i g e . The fold of the plovers.
B u a il e n a F a l a or F o l a . The fold of blood. Supposed scene
of a bloody conflict between Macdonalds and Macleods in
1539.
B u a il e n a h - A g h a i d h . Fold of the hill-brow or country-face.
B u a il e n a m B io r r a c h , B i o r a c h . Fold of the heifers or twoyear-olds; biorrach is boat or skiff. At Greshernish.
B u a il e ’ P h u i l l G h u i r m .
Green pool or mud fold. At
Fasach.
B u a il e S m io g a id , S m i g e a d . If this, then fold of the chin;
but smig also means a smile, mirth; might be the cheerful
fold, or the fold of mirth.
B u a il e V ic - U s p a i d , M h ic U s p a i g .
This may be a proper
name, the son of the shy one. At Ferinvieguire.
B u a il e L e o g a d a d .
B u a i l i n t u r , B u a i l ’ a n - T u i r . T h e to w e r f o l d .
Buaile here
m a y sta n d f o r bol. A s m a ll to w n sh ip near L o c h B r it tle .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
95
The folds of the fold-steading. This
is almost a hybrid. In Kilmuir.
B u g h or B u g h a . In Skye. Signifies a green spot or peninsula
formed by the winding of a river.
B u gh or B u g h a B h r a o i n . The rainy or showery spot.
In
Glendale.
B u gh or B u g h a C h o m h r a i g . The battle spot or hollow.
B u gh ’ D h u n n a c h a i d h . Duncan’s green spot. One ‘ Duncan ’
was drowned here.
B u g h a L e a t h a n n , L e a t h a n . The broad green spot.
B u gh a n a C a b a i g . If càbag, then green spot of the cheese or
kebbuck; if cabag, then a toothless, tattling woman.
B u a il t e a n C h u i d h e s t a .
B u gh a
nan
D amh.
B u gh a
nan
E un.
Ox-field, or green spot of the oxen.
Birds’-field, or green spot of the birds.
or A n O t h a i d h . Oth or otha means a large
body of water. See £Abhainn.’
B ugh S a l t a ir .
The Psalter house. Kilmuir. Elsewhere
meaning of singer, reciter given.
B ugh S h a b h a i l . Barn house; may be hollow. Cf. c Sabhal,’
Ha-fjall, high fell. Thought a dwelling near a hill in
Kilmuir.
B ugh' ’O t h a id h
Pigs’ house or hollow.
Thought ‘ Bugh Huisigil,’ q.v., in Minginish.
See ‘ Buabisgill.’
B u n - a n - U i l l t . Origin or source of stream or burn. Given
also as the mouth of a river or stream. In regard to the
former, mathair-uisge also means the source. See ‘ Maheruska.’
B u r r o u g h . ‘ Borve,’ ‘ Borg,’ ‘ Burg,’ q.v.
B uyam ore,
B u y a m o ir e
( Buya, Buidha, Bhuidha, Buia
(Martin)). Great Buia or Buya. From bu, house, and
ey, island. Also found ‘ Ouia.’ Opposite to or near Loch
Bracadale. See ‘ Wia.’ Dean Munro refers to it inter
alia. Dr. Jakobsen ( ‘ Place-names of Shetland ’) gives
‘ Uya,’ ‘ Uyea ’ (<pya), the isle (Oyja is Old Norse). The
ancient name of St. Kilda, Hirt or Iffurt, was Hoia or
Huia; Hoia-dubh; so also Iona, Ioua.
B ugh’
na
M
uc.
B u g h u ib is k il e .
96
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
C
[iSee letter ‘ K ’ for names from ‘ C.’]
i g h D a U i l e a n n or U i l e a n .
The pass or gate­
way of the two elbow-shaped slopes or sheiling, etc. A
tradition exists as to Charles II. having passed through
here.
C a c h l a i d h R u a d h . Red or russet pass. Breakish, near Broad­
ford, where markets held. Other spellings of this word
are cacheileth, cachliadh, hurdle gate or pass, cadha-chliath,
gate or pass of hurdles.
C a d a l a n . The sleepy one. C f . cadakm-traghad, a semi-torpid
fish found on shores; also a short sleep, a nap; codaUm
again means common poppy.
C a d h ’ a B h a r a , B h a r r a . Pass of the summit, or top of a hill.
C a d h ’ a C h u m a i n . Pass of the milk-pail or stoup.
C a d h ’ a G h r a d a n a i d h . Pass of the corn-parching, for grind­
ing in a quern.
C a d h ’ a n A l l t a i n . Pass o f the little burn. In Millivaig.
C a d h ’ a n t - S a i g h d e a r . Pass of the archer, or soldier.
In
Strath.
C a d h a ’ M h a r a . Pass or port of the sea. In Galtrigill.
C a d h a ’ n T u ill. Pass o f th e h o le . See £Trumpan.’
C a d h a n a G a i b h r e . Pass of the goat.
C a d h a n a n C a o r a c h . Pass o f th e sh eep .
C a d h a n a n G a m h n a . Pass of the stirks.
C a d h a n a n E a c h . Pass of the horses.
C a d h a n a n I n g r e a n , I n g h i n n , N i g h i n n . Pass of the young
girl. On shore of Loch Slapin.
C a c h a i l e it h R
Cadha R
a m a s g a ir ,
Cadhar R
tjad h .
q.v.
The red mossy ground or spot.
South of
Garrafad.
Pass of the
stronghold, or town-pass or gorge. Caer here is the Welsh
for a stronghold. Caer for cathair, which is the same as
Us, both meaning fort, seat, a hill fortified; sometimes a
fairy knoll. The word cai in Irish Gaelic equals house.
In Torrin, Strath. The name ‘ Keir ’ said to be from caer.
C a e r v a llo c h , C a t h a ir B h a l l o c h , ’ B h e a l a ic h .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
97
Rough mountain port or pass. Cadha-eiginn,
an occasional pass, or pass of necessity. Caigin, caigeann,
miginn, caigionn, caggan have many different meanings,
e.g ., a close combat, a brulzie, as at hail-mouth in shinty;
also where two horses or other animals fastened together,
as in a grazing-tether; con-cheann or co’chinn, heads to­
gether.
C a ig in , P o e t.
A C h a i l l e a c h , or C l a c h - a - C h a i l l i c h . The Old
Wife; name of a large rock in Strath, near Kyle. Found
spelled kailleach, and described as ‘ the hill of the roaring
blast.’ Behind this stone, or rock, the Mackenzies hid
before attacking the Macdonalds on a certain memorable
occasion. There are other rocks or skerries in the neigh­
bourhood, called ‘ Na Cailleachan,’ the old women; they
lie south of ‘ Leac Iain Oig,’ and are very treacherous tidal
rocks. The ‘ Cailleach,’ erroneously named ‘ Am Bàiligh,’
and described as being between Kyleakin and Kylerhea.
The word oailleach is from Latin pallium, the p having
become c in Gaelic; it has also been given as from caille,
a veil, as worn by nuns, na oailleachan dubha. Reference
here made by some writers to the redoubtable ‘ Cailleach
Bheur,’ who roamed the Highlands and islands, and died,
after a career of ‘ thousands of years,’ on the banks of
Loch Bà, Mull. A lament, composed on this notorious hag,
it is said, exists, which used to be sung in Mull! Seei
*Rudha nan clach.’
C a il l e a c h ,
Place of the horses, from capull, a horse or mare,
In Strathaird. See ‘ Loch na
Caiplich,’ and cf. ‘ Caplich ’ in Urray, Ross-shire.
C a ip l e a c h .
ach, place or place of.
C a ip l in ,
A
C h à ip l in .
Capullan?
Fish-weir pool. A oairidh is Anglicised
into gare, yare, or zair. One authority says cairidh is
from Celtic harjo, I set, put, and equals cuir. There is an
obsolete word car, fish. A weir is also gearr, also abhiasgaich or dbh-eisg.
Ca ie id h G h l u m a ig .
na Cean n , nan Cin n .
The weir of the heads, a place
in the Snizort River where the heads of the combatants in
a certain fight lodged, having been washed down the river.
C a ir id h
C a ir id h
na
L
a t h a ic h .
Mud or muddy fish-weir. At Leinieh.
G
98
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
nan Ob .
The weir of the bays or estuaries. Cairidh,
it may be explained, is generally a large circular enclosure
where herrings or saithe, etc., were caught, and frequently
situated at the head of bays or inlets in shallow water, or
a stone dyke built across some narrow shallow inlet. Any
artificial obstruction designed to catch fish without net or
tackle is called a cairidh.
C a ir id h
S h n is o r t .
Snizort Weir. This cairidh was noted
for an incident which gave origin to a good-natured nick­
name of ‘ Na Saoidhean ’ to Raasay men, who failed to
find anything but that fish there instead of herrings when
it came to their turn to use same. This nick-name used
to be resented, but not so bitterly as ‘ Lair-mart ’ or ‘ Cowmare,’ a fat mare, trimmed to show no particulars, having
been launched from Skye and drifted to Raasay, where it
was found and eaten there. This, and the foregoing, has
frequently been told elaborately, but, as may be imagined,
seldom to a Raasay man. Baasay Macleods were known
as ' Siol na Làrach,' or ‘ Làire,' the ‘ race of the mare,’
the horse being their emblem, some say totem. See *Loch
na Carra.’
C a ir id h
C a is t e a l D
is d e in ,
C a is t e a l U
is d e in ,
q.v.
Dubh n a n C l i a r . The black castle of the minstrels,
poets, or brave men. See ‘ Dunvegan.’
C a is t e a l
C a is t e a l D
unakyne
(Dun-akin).
See ‘ Caisteal Maoil.’
E wen’s castle, or Evan. This is a rock
like a castle, a great stac of clustering pillars, as it has
been described; it really is one massive rock with a flat top.
It looks like an incomplete Border peel.
C a is t e a l E o g h a in n .
a o l , M a o il , C a is t e a l a M h a o il .
Castle Moil,
on a bare promontory at Kyleakin, also named Dunakyne.
It belonged to the Mackinnons for centuries, as vassals of
the Macdonalds of Sleat. Here Donald Gruamach was
elected ‘ Lord of the Isles,’ and from here, it is said, the
piper warned Coll of Barrisdale, hence the piobaireachd,
‘ Cholla mo run, Seachainn an Dun.’ This castle is of
third period, 1402-1542, and partly of the tenth century.
Called also ‘ Caisteal nam Faochag,’ whelk castle! Built
originally by a Danish Princess, ‘ Saucy Mary.’
C a is t e a l M
j
PLACE-NAMES OP SKYE
99
U is d e in .
Hugh’s Castle. Situated near Cuidrach
or Cuidreach, half-way between Kingsburgh and Uig; it
was built by Hugh Macdonald of Sleat in the time of
James VI., and is of the peel style, having no doors nor*
windows, the entrance being by the top. It is now in ruins.
See ‘ Pein-an-Dùine.’
C a is te a l
or C o lb o s t (Norse kali-bolstadhr). Cold
farm or steading, etc.
C a llayb o st, C a lbo st,
C alm an, C alam an .
A pigeon.
See ‘ Port-a-Chaim.’
The crooked, curling, or winding place.
C am agach .
Explained as cam-all-vik, the
bay of the crooked rock? Pound in old titles, Camblock
in Vaternish going with *Bay,’ Loch Dunvegan, north of
Dunvegan Castle. Camalag also means a curl or ringlet.
See ‘ Camloch.’
C a m a l a g , C a m a l a i g , C a m l a ig .
C am a L on or ’ C h a m a L oin .
Crooked or bent stream.
See
‘ Lon.’
(cam(a)stac) . * The crooked cliff or eminence. Given
in one work as ‘ Camus Tac,’ tack bay! North-east of
Vaternish.
C a m a sta c
C am busm ore, C am us M
or.
The great bay. In Troternish. See
‘ Camus Beag.’
e t il .
K e t i l ’s Bay.
A point of that
name runs out into the bay, and said to be in the south end
of Skye, but not known. There is a cave here wherein
Prince C h a r lie , with ‘ Mackinnon,’ lodged for two nights.
C a m is k e t il , C am us K
etc. The crooked loch, but
said to be a corruption of ‘ Ceannloch,’ or Kinloch, q.v.
Given as in Kilmuir or Duirinish.
C am loch, C am lock, C am bloch ,
a m h o r B h e o il .
The bay of the great mouth, wide
opening, opposite the narrows of Portree and Raasay, Balmeanoch Bay being on the south.
C amus
a M h u r a n , a M h u r a in .
Bay of the sea-bent, etc.
At itudh’ an Dunain, south-east coast of Loch Brittle.
C amus
C amus
an
F
h e id h .
Bay of the deer, but thought should be
See ‘ Camus na Feithean.’
fheith, bog, morass, etc.
100
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Camus an t-S a ile L uthair F urra. Bay of the strong or
swift sea-water. There is a word fur, furra, or furran,
oak-tree. A story goes as to two trees which grew here,
• called ‘ Furra mor ’ and ‘ Furra b&ag ’ ; the larger would
shelter fifty oows from the sun. Said also to be cedar,
but not known. Clann-maol-Callum-na-coille and Calum
maol Chomhail burned and destroyed both these trees, for
which offence they were ejected from the district. These
trees are said to have grown near Kyle. Camus here may
mean a bend or curved piece of land or place.
The white, fair, or bright bay. In Portree har­
bour; another in Loch Dunvegan: common.
C a m u s B e a g and C a m u s M or. Little and big bay. At Uig,
Snizort, or Uig Bay; another ‘ Camus M o r’ in Kilmuir.
C a m u s h o r n , C a m u s E o r n a . Barley bay. Supposed landingplace of cargoes of barley, of old.
C a m u s G a r b h . Rough bay; probably from surrounding coast,
or exposed. On south side of Portree Bay.
C am us G e a d a is .
Given ‘ Pike ’ (the fish) bay. It may be
gead, a spot or rig of arable land, with the Pictish suffix
as or ais, place, locality or situation.
C a m u s La g a i n .
Bay of the little hollow or dell. N.W. of
Greshernish.
C a m u s l u s t a , C a m b u s L u s t a . Lusta Bay. Loch Dunvegan.
C am us B a n .
etc., C a m u s M o r . Great bay. Near Lyndale,
Snizort seashore.
C a m u s L i a n a d a l or C a m u s M o r .
A s above.
Given as in
Loch Greshernish.
C am us M a l a g , M a l a ig .
Malag bay, near Torran or na
Torrain, Kilbride; also found given ‘ Camusmallaig,’ N.E.
of Slapin. Cf. ‘ Cnoc Mhàlagan,’ Sleat. Found also as
camus smalaig, second year saithe.
C a m u s - m o r - B h e o i l . B a y of the great mouth or opening, Loch
Greshernish in one account, but thought to be near
Gedintaillear.
C a m u s - n a - C i l l e . C e ll or church bay. Loch Bracadale.
C am us n a F e it h e a n .
Bay of bogs or marshes. Between
Torran and Camusmallaig.
C a m u s - n a - h - A n a i t , A n n a i t . Bay o f the Annat.
C am u sm ore,
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
101
Cave Bay. S. Duirinish.
The half-penny (land) bay.
C amus n a m F a o c h ag .
Periwinkle, whelk, or buckie’s bay.
Faoch, dim. faochag, signifies a whirlpool.
C a m u s n a m M u e l ( M u il ?). Maoil, & promontory, etc.
C a m u s n a n G a l l . Bay of strangers, Lowlanders. In Soay.
Noted for raised beaches.
C amus n an S it h e a n .
Fairies’ bay, or bay of knolls, etc.,
Moonen Bay.
C a m u s n a n U is g e a c h a n . Bay o f the waters.
C a m u s n a S g i a n a d a i n . Strath. See ‘ Sgianadan.’ Translated
‘ stretches of withered grass,’ etc.
C a m u s n a T o t a d h , T o b h t a . Ruined buildings, or Ruins’ Bay.
In Strath. Taighean-fo-thalamh said to be here.
C a m u s t in v a ig , C a m u s t ia n a v a ig , etc.
Tianavaig, Dianavaig,
or Dionavaig Bay. See ‘ Beinn D io n a v a ig ,’ south of
Portree. Also ‘ Camus Troi5 (troigh ?), elsewhere found
spelled trol.
C a m u s u n a r y , C a m u s i u n a r i e , etc. Numerous varieties in spell­
ing, even ‘ Camusmary ’— Camus fhionn airidh (0 . C.
fionn, find). Bay of the white or fair or beautiful sheiling.
In Strathaird. The valley here is named ‘ Srath na
Creitheach ’ or £Creathach,’ q.v.
C am us- n a - h -U a m h a .
C am us- n a - L
e t h - p h e ig h in n .
‘ Camusfhionnairidh o thuath,
Gleann Sgàladail fhuar nam beann,
Robastan u chorsa (choirce ?) ghlais,
’8 ann leam a 6’ ait bhi ann'
Another rendering gives
‘ Kilmaree fo sgeith a chuain,
Camusfhiunary fhuar nam beann,’ etc.
A local meaning (Strath) is *the late or dark bay,’ ait
Soay Sound. This name also said to be ‘ Camus Fhionnairidh,’ fionnar, cool; ionn, to, against; and fuar, cold.
Found given in Blackwood for August, 1889, as ‘ the Bay
of Watching.’ N.G.P. gives ‘ late watcher,’ the cool of
the evening or night, inn, ionn, and fairè. This bay lies
near a green hollow close to the sea, with a white, sandy
shore; it is in fact a green glen hemmed in on all sides
except seawards; Strathblay in Strathaird lies opposite.
102
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
C am u su sta
? Lueta, q.v.
A small island off Skye—not the larger island
of Canna, near Eigg. Canna means the little whale or
porpoise, etc., from shape, etc.
Canna, Cana.
C aol B h r a ig h .
The upland kyle. At Ferinvieguire.
o r . The great kyle, between Scalpa and Raasay.
Caol
also signifies a straight, narrows. Airleig another term
therefor.
C a p a c h . See *Ceapach,’ a hill in Strathaird.
C a p l a c h . See ‘ Caipleach.’
C aol M
C a r a d h , C a r a d h - a n - t - S r a t h M h ic F h i o n g a i n , f o r ‘ C a ir id h .’
A t e n d o f L o c h S la p in . T h e S t r a th -M a c k in n o n w e ir . See
a ft e r n am es h a v in g ‘ c la c h ’ as a p r e fix .
etc. In Snizort. Explained as Cari’s
town; K w i, a Norse proper name; also kjarra-bolstadhr,
oopsewood homestead; locally explained car, a mossy place,
and host, from bolstadhr. In Islay ‘ Carrabus.’ Carbost,
Little and Meikle, is in Minginish, on the shore of Loch
Harport, an arm of Loch Bracadale.
C arbost, C arabost,
See ‘ Corlarach.’ For car, see above.
Carlarach.
C arnach
na
G
(-shaped).
The cairney place of the shoulder
This is a spot in Gullavore, q.v.
u a il l e .
o im h .
There is a word roimh, signifying earth,
also burying-ground, etc. On east side of Kilmuir.
C arnach-a -R
C a r n C h a l u im .
C a r n C h o in .
Malcolm’s cairn, a guide to the Cooling.
The dog’s cairn; might mean wolves. North of
Portree.
Red cam. South of Loch an Leoid, Strath.
Grey or hoary cairn; an ancient burial eminence
on western shore of (the now drained) Loch Columcille,
Kilmuir.
C a r n M a g a r a in or a M h a g a r a i n .
The crawling or ‘ allfours ’ cairn. This is a very rough clump or mass of rock,
to pass over which necessitates progression on all fours,
air rrihagarain or air mhàgain.
C arn M o r.
The Great Cairn. South of Rudha na Creige
Moire.
Carn D
earg.
C arn L
ia t h
.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
103
An, C a r n a c k . A hill near Strathaird. The cairney
or rocky place, or place of cairns. ‘ Cairnach Mor,’ the
great rockies, south of Trumpan. The Druids were called
Carnaich from the heaps or collections of stones where they
worshipped and sometimes celebrated rites; ‘ Carnach ’ is
also a district in Skye. See ‘ Hallin.’
C a r n a n a c h , C a r n a n a ic h .
The cairney field or place;
carnan, cairns; achadh, field; or ach, place of. At the foot
of Dunvegan Head.
C a r n n a B o d a c h or C a r n a B h o d a i c h . The old man’s cairn,
thought a recluse; an earth-house here. Eight miles north
of Portree.
C a r n n a C a i l l i c h . The old wife’s cairn.
In Strath Mor;
might be a nun or other holy devotee. This is one of the
several cairns forming the march between Luib and Torrin.
C aen ach ,
n a h - I g h in n .
The cairn of the girl or young woman;
said to have been raised to the memory of a young girl
who died at the spot, on the road between Broadford and
Strollamus. See also ‘ Carnan Mairi.’ There is another
at Kensaleyre, near an ancient battle-ground.
C a r n n a n E a c h . Horses’ cairn. Hound this cairn horses were
led three times sun-ways, from right to left (deiseal), as
a precaution against mishaps, etc.
C a r n n a n T r i T o r m a i d . The cairn of the three Normans.
Near Sligachan; where three Norman Macleodis stood jat
bay and were slain at the battle of Coire-na-Creiche.
Cf. ‘ Nan Tri Lachluinn ’ at Tobar Tàth, also ‘ Carn nan
Tri Torcaill.’
C a r n a n ’ I c a n t - S a g a i r t . The little cairn of the priest’s son,
who was found dead here. Near Kilmuir.
C a r n a n M a i r i . Mary’s little cairn, who was found, or died,
here. On the hill between Easteide and the district of
Kilmuir proper.
C a r n a n T a r m a i d , T o r m o id .
Norman’s little cairn, erected,
it is presumed, to a man of that name. See ‘ Cam nan Tri
Tormaid,’ also ‘ Cearn (Carn) nan Tri Torcaill.’
C a r n a n or C a r n D e a r g , a n C a r n D e a r g .
The little red
cairn. Near Suishnish.
C a r n e b o r g , C a i r n b u r g , K i a r n a b o r g . Caim-town or fort.
Carn
104
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Score or Scaur-cairn, a precipitous bank
See 4Score.’
C a r n U ru g a g , U r a g a ig .
The infant’s cairn. See ‘ Urgag.’
This might be meant for uraisgag, a spectre; or dim. of
urag, a bland, pawky female.
The word cam is very common, and many more supposed
to exist in Skye; in Manx the word is applied to a rock in
the sea, e.g., ‘ Carn Vreid,’ bradda, a bhràghad ?
C aro y, C oroy.
Given ‘ Carr Ruadh/ red rock, but properly
‘ Cadha Ruadh/ in or near which (i.e., the Russet Pasis)
there was a fort. In Kilmuir, on the borders of Bracadale
and Duirinish. This pass, now almost entirely eaten away
by the sea, was anciently the ‘ gathering-place ’ of the
Macleods of Skye, 1,100 of whom answered a summons by
fiery cross in 1745, but only 200 could be prevailed upon
to take up arms against Prince Charlie. Here the fairies
are said to have been heard underground singing loudly*
while engaged on waulking!
Carrachan.
The rocky place or point. S . W . of Croulin
Meadhonach (Mid Crowling). A good fishing-bank here.
This word also signifies a small kind of fish, the angler,
shoe-maker, devil-fish, etc.
C arr (a ) C h r o m .
The crooked, bent, or inclined rock, about
400 feet in height, near Skeabost; thought this name may
be meant for ‘ Coir’ a Chroin,’ q.v. See also ‘ Loch na
Oarra.’ Ossian calls a circle (of stones) crom.
C a r r a ig M h o r .
The great rock; carragh-creige, pillar-rock,
also cathair.
C a r r a ig S h l e a m h a i n . The slippery rock.
Near Loch Dun­
vegan. See ‘ Ceum-carach ’ (or corrach).
C a s g il l , C a s h il l , C a s k i l l .
May be cas, steep, and gil, a
ravine; given in old titles as in ‘ Oynart and Bracadale.’
Also as Kapgill, thought long s printed p in error; this is
given as in Snizort.
C a r n S c o ir , S g u i r r .
of rock.
Catha , Cadha G hradanaidh .
The path or pass of the
parching, or parched corn, probably a favourite place for
winnowing corn. This word as spelled catha said to be
derived from the Norse gata, a way, road, pass; but see
‘ Cadh’ a Ghradanaidh.’
Cata, a sheep-cot, a fold, said
also from gata, e.g., ‘ Catacol ’ or ‘ Catagil.’
See also
‘ Cnoc-a-Chatha. ’
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
105
The path or pass of the beast.
Path or pass of the stirks.
C a t h a , C a d h a n a T a t h u n n . Pass of the barkinlg, baying, or
yelping, possibly bellowing, of deer. At Dringan.
C a th a d h C r io c h a d h .
Meaning not known. Cathadh means
drift of snow, and criocbadh may just be crioch, a
boundary where drifting intense?
Found given as
boundary pass, cadha (dh). See ‘ Bealach a Chrochair©.’
Ca t h a ir C h l ia m a in .
Clement’s Seat or Cathedral (Saint).
This seat, cathedral, or church was where the glebe of Cille
Chrioed or Cille-Criosd now is. Cathair (O. G-. cathir,
city), cathraig, acc. sing., cognate with Latin castrum.
See ' Caervalloch.’
C e a l l a i c h e a n , Na.
Bocks, or ravines in inland rocks which
can be climbed. See ‘ Creag-a-Cheala ’ in Glendale
(twice). In all the above, there is a cleft by which each
rock is climbed. Cealaich, clefts similar to the fire-place
of a kiln; ceall, gen. cille, a cell, a church, a retired spot.
C eall B h u id h e .
The yellow cell or church; ceall, generally
dll, the dative.
C e a n n - a - B h a i d h e , B h a i g h e . The head o f the bay.
Waternish.
C atha, C ad h a
na
Catha, C adha
nan
B e is t e .
G am hna.
Head or summit of the cairn.
C eann- a-C
h u ir n .
C eann-a -G
h a r a id h .
The head
of
the dyke.
Strath.
Ceannaiche M hic L eoid or A Cheannaiche . Locally given as
Macleods Merchant, or the Merchant; but it properly
means ‘ The Headland.’
Near ‘ Macleod’s Maidens.’
Being masculine, it is humorously said to stand out in
bolder relief than the ‘ Maidens.’ There is also a point or
promontory of this name, off Polteel, also known as the
‘ Needle rock.’ ‘ An Ceannaich’ or ‘ A n Ceannaiche’ is
south of Dunvegan Head; another name, locally supplied,
is ‘ The Purchaser.’ This headland is very exposed and
stormy; a seam of good coal, about one foot in thicknesp,
has been found here, one of several in Skye, but which are
inferior.
Narrow headland; a sharp point of land.
h - A c a ir s e id .
Head of the anchorage knoll;
also ‘ Ceann-a-Chnoc,’ on east side.
Ceann Caol.
C e a n n C noc
na
106
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
M hicLeoid.
Macleod’s great headland or
promontory; now named ‘ Ceann Dhunbheagain. See
‘ Snod.’
Ceann M hor
Ceann-n a-B
e in n e .
Head of the mountain.
East of Loch
Brittle.
(ceann mil eidhre), K e n s a l e y r e . The head
of the salt (water) of Eyre. Snizort.
C e a n n T o m a i n . Little knoll head. On the Score coast.
C e a n n U a c h d a r a c h . Upper head. In Strath, where the bard
Mackinnon was born, 1665.
C e a n n s a l e id h r e
A C h e a p a c h , C h e a p a i c h . The place of stumps (of
trees), given locally. A tillage place or lot. This word
equals cepp ( ceap), block, top, as of a hill, Latin dppus;
also given ‘ Capach.’ Some authorities consider derivation
doubtful. Ceap also signifies sod, turf, or divot, and is
found used in connection with a grave, e.g., ‘ Fo na c ip ’s
a Chillmhor,’ beneath the sods in Kilmore, i.e., buried
there. A word seideag means a portion of arable land!
separate, sometimes a shed. See ‘ Ceapach,’ in Lochaber.
Ceapanach.
The place of little stumps; also the name of a
rock near Loch Diubaig. A belief said to exist that forest
trees existed here, the stumps of which remained after
burning or cutting. There is a natural arch a little south
of this place.
C e a r n ( ? C a r n ) n a n T rx T o r c a i l l .
The cairn of the three
Torculls or Torquils, where three heroes, supposed Maeleods, died fighting at the battle of the Coolins. Ceam
might suit, as it means locality, etc. C f . ‘ Cam nan Tri
Tormad.’ This place is near Sligachan.
Ceum Carach, Corrach, or A n Ceum Sleamhuinn.
The
risky, bad, or slippery step; also £The Ladies’ Step.’ On
Ceapach,
the shore track round Loch Scavaig, from Camasunary,
near Coruieg, and traverses a bare, smooth rock-slab
running at a steep incline sheer down to the sea; in this
there is a cleft, a few inches broad, which has to be stepped,
crept, or sidled along for a distance of several yards; also
named ‘ The Gendarme,’ or ‘ Policeman,’ as it is supposed
to ‘ arrest ’ the progress of many people! The real * Gen­
darme ’ or £Policeman ’ is, however, on the top of Sgurrimn-Gillean. The ‘ Ceum,’ however, is not so very Jbad
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
107
or fearsome, it being only some 15 feet above sea-level*
Still another ‘ Bad Step ’ is on the road to the ‘ Gentle­
man’s Cave ’ in Weetray, Orkneys.
n a C aora D u ib h e .
The path-way of the black sheep.
This ceum is a caigeann, signifying here a rough mountain
pass. Near Eist.
C e a r c a l l , C e a r c a il l , A C h e a r c a l l M o r ag u s B e a g .
The
hoop or hoops, being a part or parts of ‘ Beinn Dianabhaig,’
a belt of rocks appearing hoop-like from the line or lines
of stratification. See ‘ Beinn-a-Chearcall.’
C eum
C heann-M
h u ir ,
A,
Ceanna-M
h u ir .
Sea-head or promontory.
A. The hen; a hill peak in Soay.
The crane or heron mountain; also given as
‘ The odd hill.’
C hearc,
’C h o rra B h e in n .
’ C h r ia r a c h .
The Moss.
Kilmuir.
The deer’s antler, if long; or the knoll, croc, cnoc.
In Kilmuir.
’ C h r o s h e n e r , C r o s h e n e r , K r o s h e n e r , C r o is I o m h a i r . Ivor’s
cross. See ‘ Coire Iomhair.’
’ C h r o ic .
’ C h r u a l a in ,
’ C h r u il e in ,
C h r u a id h l in n ,
C r o w l in g ,
q.v.;
also found ‘ Crolainn.’ The hard, rocky or mountainous
place. An Linne Chrohigeach, the pool or gulf of
Crowlin, between the Crowling Islands and Scalpay.
C f.
Crùlmst.
The Hollies. The Coolin hills, or rather moun­
tains. In Gaelic properly named ‘ An Cuilifhionn,’ with
accent on first syllable. Said by one authority that this
name is the same as the Norwegian Tciolen, which is thought
to mean ‘ the mountains’ ; cf. Latin collis with col. See
also ‘ Coolins.’
A local suggestion has been given that the derivation of
this word is ‘ Cuil Fhinn,’ the recess, haunt, or hiding-place
of Fingal ( Fionn), or perhaps of the Fingalians generally
who frequented these mountains; this is somewhat like the
sound of the local pronunciation.
There are many
‘ Fingalian ’ names in Skye, and the cuil is said to mean
their hunting retreats, or the resorts of the Feinne, who
lived by hunting. If more than one, as likely, it should
be cuiltean. The name, however, was doubtless in existence
’ C h u il io n n .
108
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
before even the time of the Feinne. The fh in Fhinn,
being silent, gave rise to a suggestion of the obsolete word
inn, a wave, and justified the ‘ poetic ’ title of ‘ the retreat
at or near the wave ’ ! Fhuinn, genitive of fonn, land,
district, also adduced, but the pronunciation is against it.
As to the ‘ Cuchulainn ’ tradition of the first century, there
was a later hero of that name, who kept his warrior
followers together in the forests and fastnesses of Skye,
and kept the Norse or Lochlannaich at bay.
C ic h e n a B e i n n e D e i r g e . The pinnacle (or breast) of the red
mountain. See ‘ Beinn Dearg,’ ‘ Cioch,’ etc.
C ill. For names beginning with this word, see under ‘ K .’
The cills or kils are generally but not invariably called
after ‘ Saints’ ; ‘ Kilvaxter ’ is one exception. Skye,
among others of the Western Isles, became the home or
abiding-plaoe of pious hermits seeking sanctuary in
seclusion, some as Eremites and some in Cenobitic
Societies. The word cill is the old dative of ceall, a
hermit’s cell. ‘ Calumidh ’ and ‘ Ceallurach ’ are found
given as ‘ site or sites of ancient churches.’ The word cill
when prefixed to the names of builders, or traditional
builders, of churches, takes the form cille; before a vowel
or fh, it is written cill in such cases; we have ‘ Cill-Mhor ’
or ‘ A Chill Mhor ’ in Sleat, q.v.
Some writers allege that cill may be cùil, caol, or coille.
C il l A s h ig .
Ashig Church, of old Askimolruy, q.v., or
Maelrubha’s Ferry, a burial-ground. See also ‘ Ashig,’
found given ‘ Asaph’ ; also ‘ Cill-a-Chro,’ ‘ Kilchrist,’ etc.
C il l c h r is t , C il l e c h r io s d .
Christ’s Church, now ‘ Cillechro,’
fold or pen church, as sometimes rendered; but chro ex­
presses here a district surrounded by hills. See ‘ Kilchrist,’
N. of Loch Cillechriosd. See also ‘ Cathair Chliamain.’
C il l e - C o m g h a in , C i l l
C h o m g h a in , C h o m h a in ,
C h o d h a in ,
Saint Comgan’s or Congan’s Cell or Church.
Some say that it is named after or for the Druid ‘ Coibhi,’
or ‘ Caomhain,’ the kind, the helpful one. See ‘ Tobar,’
etc. This church is in Glendale, where Donald Macleod, a
noted bard, is buried; Diel Mac High Loehlainn is said to
have been the first one buried here. See ‘ Poltiel.’ Various
rumours or reports are or were current as to turf left for
covering his grave, also of a craobh dhromcmaich (elderC h o t h a in .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
109
tree), which grew thereon; this report formed a subject of
gome rhymes or verses by one John Macleod, brother of
the well-known Neil Macleod, the Skye bard, both sons of
the said Donald Macleod; John died abroad. This rhyme
or poetical effusion is said to be meritorious, but has never
been published for personal reasons. All this was told the
author of this work by the said Neil Macleod. ‘ Cill
Chaomhain ’ said to be the same as Saint Colvin or Sa^nt
Colgan.
C i l l - D a - b h i , rendered, but thought erroneously, Cill Daibhidh.
It may be some saint, even the Irish saint ‘ Mo-bhi ’ (My
Life). This place or cell is in Flodigarry. There is,
according to Henderson, hi, high, door-post, threshold.
Early Irish di hi, two posts.
C i l l E a d h n a , K i l l e a n a . Eithne or Enda’s Church. There is
a Cill Eoin at the head of Loch Bracadale, where ‘ Episco­
palians ’ have lately erected;—or re-erected—a small chapel.
It was near this place that the Macleod® gathered in 1745,
as before narrated, when only 200 joined the Prince. The
sea has encroached on the land greatly here.
C i l l E o g h a i n n . Ewen’s Cell or Church, but is thought to be
a corruption of ‘ Cill Eadhna/ as above. Also said to be
* Cill Eochaidh/ but that means ‘ Egbert.’ Also said to be
named merely from the name ‘ Eoghan/ as being the first
person buried in the adjacent burying-ground.
C i l l e - M a r r u i d h . Saint Maelrubha’s Cell or Church.
Kilmaree, q.v.
C i l l e - M h a r t u i n n . Saint Martin’s Church. Kilmartin, q.v.
C i l l t a r a g l a n . Talorgan’s Cell or Church.
Talorgan means
the fair-browed one. Old name for Portree parish. See
‘ KiltaragLan.’ Also given as from Talorg, dim. Talorgan,
a Pictish proper name, tal, brow, and arg, white, seen in
mrgiod (argentum), silver; arg, airg signifies champion,
prince. According to ‘ Origines Parochiales,’ it means ‘ the
church at the bottom of the glen.’ Cf. ‘ Kiltarlity.’
C i l l e - M h u i r e . See ‘ Kilmuir.’
C i n n s e b o r g or b u r g .
See ‘ Kingsburgh.’ This name is
properly Cisborg, pronounced Cisaboro, tax-town, being
erected at entrance to Loch Snizort for the purpose of
levying rates or taxes on passing vessels.
110
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
a S g u m a in .
The pap or breast of the Sguman, q.v .; a
large pinnacle of ròck, highest point 2,860 feet.
C io c h
n a B e in n e D e ir g e .
The pinnacle, etc., of the Red
Mountain. See ‘ Beinn Dearg. ’ '
C io c h
is t l e , K e s t l e , C e a s t l e .
Said to mean ciseal
( co-iosal), low-lying land between two waters; also cis, tax,
oblation, reverence, etc., and Norse vollr, field.
*Am banais bha’n Ciostal odhar,’ etc.—Old Song.
C io s t a l , K
The stakes or tether-pegs or pins. One or more
of the ‘ Dubh-Sgeirean,’ q.v. See also ‘ Balnakeepan.’
C i p e in , N a .
C ir c a b o s d , K
ir k a b o s t ,
K
ir k ju - B o lsta d r .
Church-farm, or
steading, etc.
C i r c w a i g , C ir c v a ig , C i r c a i g , K
ir k a ig .
Church bay ( Kirkju-
vik).
C ir e a n ,
An,
C ir e a n M
or.
The ridge, the great ridge or crest.
Norman’s ridge or crest. This is a rock
or tidal skerry on the Eist coast . Also said to be a peak or
pinnacle on or of one of the Coolins, and so named after
Norman Collie of the Scottish Mountaineering Club.
C ir e a n T h o r m a id .
The little chests, or coffins; so named from
number of accidents here by drowning. In Kilmuir. C f .
cist-vam-mam, a stone (sepulchral), Welsh.
C is te a g a n , N a.
The dirty or foul battle-field.
House, Strath.
C lab -S alach .
Beyond Corrie
a B h r a t h a id h .
Should be ‘ Bhàthaidh,’ the stone of
drowning. Origin of name uncertain.
C lach
a Charra.
Stone of the rocky shelf. Carr, carra, has
other meanings not suited. In Loch Dunvegan.
C lach
a C h ip e in .
The stake or tether-peg stone. Near
Boraraig. This, tradition says, is a stone placed on his
horse’s tether-peg by Padruig Mor Mac Oruimmon; he
lifted and carried it a considerable distance, its weight
being seven or eight cwts.
C lach
a C h r u in n e a c h a id h .
The stone of meeting or gather­
ing (of people). Off ‘ Cooaire,’ Gesto Bay.
C lach
C lach
a
G
h io m a ic h .
The lobster stone.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
C la c h -a -M h o d h a .
The manners’ stone.
111
Celtic politeness en­
forced hereon in a peculiar but drastic manner. It lies at
Galtrigill, near Dunvegan Headland, and is the only one
known to exist in Skye; it is a plain, smooth slab of whinstone, 8 feet by 5, or, as otherwise given, 4 feet 2% inches,
and 6 or 8 inches thick.
C l a c h a m i s h , C l a o c h a m a is , C l o c h a m a is .
Locally explained,
‘ aiming stone,’ but it properly is ‘ Cladh-a-Chamuis,’ the
bank or burying-ground of the bay; might be on the shore
of the bay, as the modern form of cladh here is cladaek.
In Loch Snizort beag, and goes with Treaslane in old titles.
Also ‘ Allt.’
C la c h a n .
It seems almost superfluous to explain this word as
the present common name for a hamlet or village where a
burying-ground or ‘ the stones,’ with a church, etc., are.
As elsewhere, the name or term is pretty general in Skye
and Raasay; there is one in Stenscholl, ‘ Clachan
Greanigil.’ The above meaning is, of course, the more
modern Christian meaning grafted on or adapted to the
original heathen or pagan name for the Druidical—or other
—stones for the then mode of worship, perhaps sacrificial
altars, but coming subsequently to mean the ‘ grave-stones ’
or reilig, Latin reliquim.
C l a c h a n C o i r ’ (or C o i r e ) F h i n n .
The stones of or for
Fionn’s kettle or pot. These stones are still pointed out as
such; they lie opposite Snizort Manse. Cf. ‘ Greideal
Fhinn,’ Fingal’s gridiron or girdle, megalithic stones at
Ormsaig Mor, Ardnamurchan, somewhat similar. See
*Somaichean,’ also ‘ Uilinish.’
Clach a n F h it h ic h .
The raven’s stone. At Elgol, Strath.
Said to be the same as ‘ Clach an Drama ’ (droma), in
reference to which Coinneach Odhar prophesied something
dire. This prophecy cannot now be fulfilled, as the stone
has been partly broken by dressing about forty years ago
or more, and now forms part of the mason work of a church
in Glendale.
C l a c h a n F h u a r a i n . The well or fountain stone; said to have
been thrown hither from the island of Soay, four and a half
miles distant, by one of the ‘ Cuchullin ’ giants when
indulging in the pastime of ‘ putting ’ the stone! It
weighs two tons, it is estimated. Doubtless one of tha
112
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
many ‘ travelled ’ relics of the Ice Age. This stone is near
Elgol, Strath. See ‘ Clach Chraigisgean.’ The word
fuaran means a perennial spring.
an L eabhar.
The stone of the book, the Rent-book.
At Digg or Dig, where Domhnull Gorm used it as a desk
when collecting his rents from the tenants or others.
C lach
C lach
an
t - S a g a ir t .
The priest’s stone.
See
‘ C lach
Deuchainn.’
an t -S h a ir .
The chair-stone, from resemblance. In
Staffin. Might mean sear, east. See ‘ Clach ghlas
Chaluim-Chille.’
C lach
an
t -S iu b h a il .
The travelling, or travelled, or
wandered stone. Ice Age relic. On Totaig Common. A
vulgar tradition and belief exists that under this stone a
whole disreputable sept lies buried, which sept, though once
well-known, is now extinct in the district.
Clach
urram an, T urraban.
Rocking stone. This stone
was at one time finely poised on a fiat stone or slab of rock,
and could be moved by a very slight touch. Vandals,
within the last few years, destroyed this. On the Glebe,
Strath.
C lach- a n - T
C lach an U a in e .
Green stones. N.E. of harbour, Soay.
r d and C l a c h A r d U i g e .
The high stone, the high
stone of Uig; supposed to be the same, and to be remains
of a stone circle. Near Skeabost Bridge. See ‘ Uig.’
C lach A
a’
R o s s a ic h .
The Rose Stone.
Almost below
‘ Aigeach,’ and now visible only at low tide.
C lach
The women’s stone, or the white stone. Claeh bhan
or clach bhàn, supposed to be" the latter.
Clachvan.
C lach V a t a ir , B h a t a ir .
Walter’s Stone.
A tidal stone in
Kilmuir.
The stone of the splay-footed or wellpawed one; crag or crog, a large hand or paw. Doubtless
another ice-travelled boulder. Local tradition, however,
says that it was thrown from the top of Saigh Mhinn, two
miles distant, by one of the giants of the Feinne or
Fingalians, na craigein or craigisgein.
This stone
happened to fall on a woman who was dishonestly milking
C la c h C h r a ig is g e a n .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
113
a neighbour’s cow at the time; both are said to be still
underneath, along with the milking-stool and the buarach
or oow-fetter, also the cumcm-bleodhainn, milk pitcher or
‘ leglin.’ This, however, remains to be proved!
The crooked or bent stone. Crotach as
applied to humans, which it more often is, means hump­
backed. Suggested cnotag, a block of stone for unhusking
barley. This stone is in Staffin.
C lach C h r o t a c h .
The trying or testing stone, probably a
‘ lift,’ a test of strength, though it may have witnessed’
‘ trials’ of another kind. See ‘ Trumpan.’ A word
deachainn said to mean forecasts.
C lach D e u c h a in n .
The black stone. In Elgol, Strath. See
‘ Iollagaig ’ or ‘ Iullagaig.’
C lach F u il e a c h or F u il t e a c h . The bloody stone; said to be
so named from the ‘ red rain ’ poured thereon by the
Macleods and Macdonalds in one of their internecine feuds
and fights at Harta Corrie; also locally believed to be sio
named from a shepherd having been killed there.
Scientists, however, say it is from the existence of pyrites.
The locality here is famous for some rare kinds of fern.
It lies N.E. of ‘ Druim-na-Ramh.’ Sheriff Nicolson
described it as being about the size of a good oorn-stack.
C lach G h l a s C h a l u im -C h i l l e . The grey stone of Columbaof-the-oell (Saint Columba). Near Portree; in shape like
a rude chair or armed seat, with a high back, where the
saint used to sit and rest. See ‘ Clach-an-t-Shair.’
C lach D h u b h .
Clach G las, G hlas . The grey stone. A prominent peak of
Blaven, being in the form of a massive tower, 2,590 feet in
height; also described as being like the menagerie
‘ monster ’ terrifying the beholder; a choice piece of ridge
for climbers. It connects Garbh-Bheinn on the north with
Blath-Bheinn on the south. C f. ‘ Clach Ghlas ’ in Balquhidder. The upper peak of the former has been called, it
is said not inaptly, the ‘ Matterhorn of Skye ’ ; it was
first climbed in May, 1880.
(said to be others). The knee
stone. At Boraraig, near Broadford. This stone is 8 feet
in length by 2 feet 6 inches in breadth, and is estimated, to
weigh over 16 cwt. It is a well-known tradition that a
C lach G l u n a c h , G h l u n a c h
114
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
stalwart hero of the Mackinnons of Strath put or placed
this great stone across a rivulet without any assistance^
and, while he put one end on the support prepared for it,
he let the other end rest on his knee until the men engaged
on the work finished the support; he then fixed it in alone
in the form and position in which it is yet. The place is
locally known as ‘Drochaut Glagcm-Gluine,’ or the bridge of
the shaky knee, or glacan-gluine, the catch or hold of the
knee. This man went under the sobriquet of *Glagam
Gluin’ an Triubhais Bhric ’ (Glagan-Glun of the grey
trews); here glagan is said to mean knock-kneed, which
Mackinnon was also said to have been. The author knew
an erstwhile noted seanachie who resided in Saasaig, Sleat
—Eobhainn Mackinnon (or Eobhainn Curlach, from
having ringlets)—tell of his fellow-clansman and his feats,
speaking of him with great admiration and respect, h©
called him £An Glagaire G lun achthe garrulous one; this
man (An Glagaire) distinguished himself in a certain fight
which took place between some of the natives of Skye and
some Argyllshire men on the shores of Loch Eisheort.
The leap or leaping stone. Near Pooltiel pier.
This stone, or stac, is distant or separated about four 'feels
from the parent rock, and is a favourite spot for fishing'
from.
C l ach L e u m .
C l ach M
h ic
C o r c h il , T h o r c u il .
M acT orcu l’s Stone.
h ic C u ie n , M h ic C u ia n , or, as found given, M ac O w a n .
At base of Blaven. This stone said to be named after cu
man who committed a murder in Glendale. See ‘ Balmacquien.’
C l ach M
hor a G h a r b h B h l a ir .
The great stone of the
rough field, or of the fierce fight. In Torrin.
C lach M
n a B o in e id e .
The bonnet stone. See ‘ Clach na
h-Aidè/ where some coin® were found by shepherds in
1895. Some of these coins were upwards of 200 years old.
C l ach
C lach n a B r e ig e . The stone of lying or lies. Near Portree.
A false appearance. Cf. Na Fir Bhreige.
n a C o m h a ir l e .
The stone of counsel or convocation;
of some local importance when ‘ Constable ’ elected, and
so forth.
C lach
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
115
n a C r u a il e a n , C r u a il in n .
The stone of the hard,,
rocky ground, cruadh-chlach. At the mouth of Loch
Slapin. Cf. ‘ Crulaist.’
C lach n a h - A id e or A i d e a d h . The hat stone; possibly from
resemblance or similarity. A t side of Lochan a Sguabaich.
C lach n a h - A n a i t .
The A n n a t Stone. See ‘ Anait.’ In
reference to this stone, Coinneach Odhar, the Brahan Seer,
also prophesied as follows: * Olaidh am fitheach a shath de
dh’fhuil mm marbh,’ the raven will drink his fill of blood
of the dead or slain. The stone of Annat is used herei
instead of the Annat Stone; it stands about eight or ten
feet in height, and has ais base a flat stone with a round
hole in it; the stone itself is hewn (apparently), and isi
almost square. This stone is in Strath, on Kilbride Glebe,
some say. See ‘ Clach an Fhithich.’
C lach n a n „C r u b a g .
The crabs’ stone. At Staffin. This
attributed to its being a famed place for crabs, and is ats
given locally; cruban elsewhere. Cruban has several other
and prior meanings connected with crub, squat, crouch, etc.
There is a stone called ‘ Clach-a-Chrubain,’ said to be a
cure for disease in the feet; it is described by Gregorson
Campbell as a fossil gryphite.
C lach n a n R a m h (Clachnarave). Translated the stone of the
oars, where children played at rowing; it is, however, the
stone of roots, ramh, a root (Arran), root of a tree (Perth­
shire). One writer gives the meaning as being a fossil
tree with roots. Freumh, reumh, ramh. See ‘ Druim na
Ramh.’
C lach n a n S g a r b h . The stone of the scarts or cormorants. In
Loch Dunvegan.
C lach
Clach n a P hog, nam P og.
a-Mhodba.’
The kissing stone; but see ‘ Clach-
n a S a o t h r a ic h , C l a c h m h o r n a S a o t h r a ic h .
The
labour or labourer’s great stone. Saothair also, be it noted,
means a shallow, a ford, etc. This stone has the same
tradition of being a ‘ putting ’ stone of Cuchullin! It lies
near Elgol.
C lach O sc a ir . Oscar’s Stone. At north end of Loch Slapin,
among the Coolins, south of Beinn na Cro or Beinn a Chro.
As before stated, the Feinne or Fingalians were much and
often in Skye.
C lach
116
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
a n R a t h ai d .
The road stone, sur­
mised to mean a stone pointing out the road or way to some
place.
Some of the preceding names having ‘ Clach ’ prefixed
may equal càrra or carragh, a pillar or standing-stone,
clach or clock from root hot (hard). A stone called the
‘ Clach Dhearg,’ red stone, is one of the oldest talismans,
and is in the possession of Stewart of Ardvorlich.
C lach R a t h a d , C l a c h
a G h l in n e .
The shore or bed of the Glen, cladh,
cladach, ut antea. On the coast N.E. of Loch Scavaig,
between Reinn Leacach and Beinn Meabost.
C l a d ach
h a n ic h , M h a n a ic h , n a m M a n a c h .
The Monks’
burying-ground. This place is on Fladdachuan, in the
Little Minch, or, according to Weld, on one of the Ascribs.
Clad h - M
(err.) C l a ig io n n . The cultivated
place. Near Dunvegan. Meaning, inter alia, a field of
rich soil, the oldest cultivated portion of a townland.
Claigean has erroneously been spelled claigionn; the
former is a feminine noun and the latter, which signifies
a skull, is masculine. Claigean is cognate with cladhach,
cladhaick, digging; it has also been given as meaning a
round, hard, dry, rocky hill: the adjective claigneach may
be from claigionn. There are two round cliff rocks called
‘ Na Claigmn,' opposite Claigean House. ‘ Claigean ’
found given as in Kilmuir and Duirinish. There is a
‘ CLaiginn ’ above the road to Tormore, Sleat. C f . clogaid.
C l a ig e a n , C l a ig a n , C l a g a n ,
C lay V a ig .
The little slope.
Clythe, slope; Norse klitk, also
cly.
Cleadale. Cliff dale. K leif dalr.
There is a Gaelic noun cliob, signifying an
excrescence, etc., and Nome Meppr, a plummet, a lump.
There are Creag, Loch, Lon and Tobar Cleap, all south of
Stenscholl.
Cleap, Clepe.
An isolated
rock, a cliff, a ridge of rocks in the sea. Norse Mettr.
Said to be a small island off Gnoban. Clett, cleat, etc.,
a skerry, a sunken rock, at mouth of Loch Dunvegan, two
in number. Found given also as ‘A Chleit, ’ 4A Chleit
Dubh ’ or dhubh.
C l e a t , C l e i t , C l e it e , C l e it e a d h , C l e t t , C l a i t .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
117
The word cleit in Skye, according to M Alpine and
others, mean® a quill or feather. Cf. cleit, clat, or clet,
at back of point of Holborn Head, near Scrabster. Clett,
also described as a pillar of rock about as broad at the top
as at the base—not a stac, which is pointed at the top—
means a penthouse, oaves of a house; cleite, cleithe again
signifies prime cattle; cleitin, a javelin, and was the name
of Cuchullin’s spear. Cleit has many other meanings, e.g.,
sky-flakes, clouds, cirri, generally speckled—cleid, cteideamathair. A cow’s grass or grazing is cleitinn, cleitig, or
cleiteag. Cleit is also found in Irish words or names.
C l e ir e a c h ,
G l if e a g .
An. The clerk, cleric, or minister. A hill in Skye.
The little cliff. Norse kleif, a cliff.
Said to stand for Na Claonagan, the
sloping or inclined ones, viz., rocks, though certainly
claonag has a very different meaning. Rocks off Gresher­
nish Point—spelled Grishinish here.
C l in ig in , C l i n l ig a n .
An. The lump. A hill, about 120 feet high, above
Portree harbour; said to be so called locally or *Am Meall
Another at Kyleakin, at mouth of An t-Ob.
Cnap,
a n R o in .
The seal’s lump or hillock. In Portree Loch;
sometimes pronounced crap or krap.
C n ap
A knoll, etc. Very numerous in Skye as elsewhere;
descriptive ones only given here. Plod is said to be ‘a
corruption of this word. Cnoc is translated ‘ hill ’ in the
Scriptures. Cnoc often pronounced crochd or krock.
C noc .
C noc- a -C h a r n a ic h .
C noc- a -C h a r r a n .
Cairney or stony knoll.
Spurrey-knoil (weed).
a
Chatha.
The battle knoll. In Glendale, near
Trumpan. Named from a deadly combat which took place
between Trumpan lads and those of an adjoining district
on one Hogmanay night; the fight was to the death, there
being only one survivor.
C noc
C noc
a
C h l a c h a in .
C noc
a
C h r a ig il e .
The clachan knoll. Common.
Not known.
In Uig, Snizort.
118
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
a C h r o c h a d a ir .
The hangman’s knoll. South of Biod
an Aoil. This cnoc is half a mile distant from Trumpan,
where one John Macleod hung an impertinent servant-man
or varlet who had caused the deaths of several other persons
—Macleods. There exists a traditional tale as to this.
C noc
or C rac a C h r o c h a id h . The knoll of hanging, where,
before the abolition of heritable jurisdiction, ‘ the laird’s
will was done ’ ; this knoll is on top or summit of Druiman-Eireanaich.
The origin of this name dates back from the occasion of
the hanging of Judge Morrison of the Lewis and his three
sons; another feature of this place of execution was when
Black John of Garrafad carried off the gallows and all
by supernatural agency, when an attempt was made to hang
him here!
There is also a Cnoc-a-Chrochaire and Cnoc-a-Chrochadair, also Loch a Chrochaire. Crochadair means hang­
man; crochaire, a man deserving to be hanged, a ne’er-doweel.
C noc - a -C h r u a c h a in . The pinnacle knoll. See ‘ Cruachan.’
C noc - a -C h r u i d h . The cow-knoll. In Ferinvicguire.
C noc a C h u i l l i n . Holly knoll, and fairy-haunted.
C noc
C noca F
uara,
C nocan F
tjar.
Cold knolls or hills.
Knoll of the rough or wild burn.
Callum’s fold or sheiling
knoll. A t head of Loch Slapin.
C noc A i r id h ( A ir ig h ) L a c h l u in n . Lachlan’s fold or sheiling
knoll. Both these men were doubtless prominent in the
district.
C noc A ir id h ( A i r ig h ) n a C a il l ic h e .
The old woman’s
sheiling knoll. In Kilmuir.
C noc
a
C noc A
G h a r b h -U il l t .
i r id h
( A ir ig h ) C h a l u i m .
C noc A l t a i r .
C noc A
l a in n ,
The altar knoll.
A
l u in n .
The beautiful knoll.
At Kildonan,
Waternish.
C noc
a
M
h a d a id h - R u a id h .
Knoll of the fox (lit. red-dog).
a M h e i r l ic h .
The thief’s knoll. In Troternish. A
humorous name for the Troternish people alleged to b©
‘ Na Meirlich ’ !
C noc
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
119
a M h o id .
The mod, moot, or meeting knoll; local. On
Rudha Meanish, Duntulm; but see ‘ Cnoc a Chomhàirle.’
This cnoc was one of three knolls or hills behind Duntulm,
and was the judgment seat or place of the Macdonalds.
C n o c-a n -D ro m a .
The ridge k n o l l .
C n o c -a n -E ir ic , E ir ig .
Ransom knoll. Also near Duntulm.
Pennant calls it the ‘ Hill of Pleas.’ Here, as on Cnoc a
Mhoid, the Macdonalds dispensed justice, pronounced
sentences, etc.
Though the title, ‘ Hill of Strife,’ as given by Boswell, is
thought to be the same, the latter is given as at Ullinish.
The Lordship of the Isles was forfeited before the Mac­
donalds of Sleat got possession of Troternish. During the
existence of the lordship, there is nothing to show that
any one of the lords resided at Duntulm. Macdonald of
Sleat ceased to reside at Duntulm before the existing
peerage was bestowed upon the head of the family. It is
a common mistake to confuse the Macdonalds of Sleat,
or ‘ of the Isles,’ with the ‘ Lords of the Isles,’ earlier and
more princely chiefs of the whole Clan Donald, and—to
use a modern word—suzerains of a great part of the north
of Scotland. See ‘ Duntulm.’
C noc a n F h a ir e or N a F a i r e ; also C noc a n F h a ir e a c h a id h .
The knoll of warning, watching, etc., an outlook point.,
Some have given it as mere Cnoc an Fhàire or Fhàiridh,,
horizon, skyline, etc., but this meaning doubtful.
C noc a n F h e o r l a in . Farthing (land) knoll. Might be Cnoc
Thorlain, Torlan’s knoll.
C noc a n F h l iu c h a id h . The knoll of wetting, perhaps ‘ re­
freshment.’
C noc a n F h r a d h a r c , F h r a d h a ir c . The knoll of sight, or
seeing far off; possibly another ‘ outlook.’ This word
sometimes written radharc. At Kyleakin, where the coasts
could be scanned.
C noc a n F h r a o ic h - S h i a m a n . Heather-rope knoll or hill. So
named, it is said, from a particular kind of fine, long
heather, well adapted for making heather-ropes, siomain.
C noc a n F h r e a c a d a n , F h r e a c a d a in , F h r e ic e a d a in .
The
knoll of the watch, guard, or sentinel.
C noc a n F h u d a i r . Powder knoll. See ‘ Allt an Fhùdair.’
C noc
120
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
an h - I p .
The h-ip or h-eep knoll, where one of the
lairds of Raasay was beheaded; this name arose from an
exclamation said to have been uttered by the laird’s head
after being severed from his body (M ‘Ian); but see notes
to ‘ Lochan nan Ceann.’
C noc a n I a d a ic h .
The knoll of jealousy, jealous watching?
At Husabost.
C noc
The broad or wide little knoll. East of
Biod an Fhithich.
C noc a n O i r . Knoll of the gold. Camustinivaig.
C noc a n T a ig h e M h o i r . The knoll of the great or big house.
In Torrin. A minister of Strath, the Rev. Donald
Nicolson, who farmed Torrin, Suishnish, and Boreray, had
his manse and steadings here.
C noc a n T in n e (? T e in e ).
The fire or conflagration knoll;
here in particular the fairies were supposed to dance of
nights; also conjectured that 4sun-worship ’ had to do with
it. See 4Cnoc an Smudaidh.’ This knoll is in South
Minginish, near Cruachan.
C nocan n a C is t e .
Little knoll of the chest or stone-lined
grave or chamber; but see ‘ Cnoe na Ciste.’ In Torrin.
C nocan n a n G il l e a n .
The knoll of the boys or lads. In
Torrin. Here lads, it is said, challenged each other to
attack and hold the stronghold, a nursery for soldiers. A
similar knoll on Sleat Glebe, Kilmore.
C nocan n a n G o b h a r . The little knoll of the goats.
C noc a n H a t h .
The rath or fortress knoll. Here are the
remains of a round earthen and stone fort. Also named or
explained as the knoll of destiny, etc. At the mouth of the
Rha or Bath River, Uig, there is a miniature modern
4battery,’ but the stream had its name long before this was
erected. The word rath was in use for a fort in Central
Europe in the Middle Ages, and is to be found frequently
in Irish names of places, and otherwise Gaelic. Hàth
meansi prosperity, etc.; sometimes given ratha. See
4Raiasay.’
C noc a n S m u i d i d h . The knoll of smoking. In Torrin. On
this knoll it was the custom to raise a smoke as a signal to
the different sheiling-dwellers to come home if anything
wrong in the townships. See 4Cnoc an Tinne.’
C nocan L e a t h a n n .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
121
The knoll of the apparition, spectre, or
Cnoc an T a ib h se .
seoond-sight; an t-aibhse, spectre.
a n T e i n ’ A ig h e a e , A i g h i e .
Bon-fire knoll; ciigbear,
gladness, joy, etc. Found also Tein' athair, lit. air-fire,
lightning. See ‘ Cnoc Falaisg.’
C n o c a n t o u l , C n o c -a n -t -S a b h a l.
Barn-knoll. Common; in
Duirinish and in Gleann Eoghainn in Watemish, etc.
C noc a n t -S a g a ie t . Priest’s knoll. In Pein Ora, Kilmuir;
also given as North of Loch Columcill. See also £Sleat.’
C noc
a n t -S it h e a n , S it h e in .
Fairy knoll. Sithean also is
a small rounded hill, but see ‘ Sithean.’ This one is in
S.W. Minginish.
C noc a R o l a d h . The knoll of rolling, marching round. This
knoll was the scene or place of a clever deception by Donald
Gorm Og, on the advice of his father’s family fool or wit,
marching a few men round and round the knoll repeatedly
in sight of a hostile force of Macleods, who were threaten­
ing an attack on the place or Castle of Duntulm. Another
explanation of the name is that here ‘ victims ’ were sienti
rolling down the hill in a barrel!
C noc
C noc
a
S ga,
an
Sgath.
Shadow or shade knoll, or knoll of
fear, dread, etc.
C noc B ealach
na
C o ise .
Foot-pass knoll.
an A t h a R u a id h .
The knoll of the mouth of the
red ford.
C noc or C nocan C a e e a c h . The rough or rocky knoll. Near
Camustianavaig. Otherwise £Cnoc Carnach ’ at entrance
to Portree harbour.
C noc B eu l
The right knoll.
justice knoll. At Portree.
C noc C e a e t .
C noc C e u i n n .
Suggested cnoc a cheartais,
The round knoll. Common.
(ceann fhionn). The knoll
of white-headed Donald. In Ferinvicguire; but as ceann
fhionn generally applied to beasts, this ceannan may be
the measure which contains two pecks.
C noc D h o m h n u il l - a - C h e a n n a n
a n D u in .
The knoll of the dun or fort.
Might be Dunvegan or Duntulm. There is a ‘ Cnoc Donn,’
brown knoll or hill, at Valtos.
Cnoc D u in , C noc
122
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Ewen’s knoll; sometimes given *Hugh.’
C noc E o g h a in n .
If first a short, then knoll of delay, weariness,
anxiety; if first a long, it refers to peats, jàd moine, but
unlikely.
C noc F a d a i l .
The knoll of burning, etc., or of the festive
or festal fire. In Duirinish; but see ‘ Falaisg.’
C noc F a l a is g .
(? F a l ). A pen or fold; fml-mhuc, pig-sty. Might
be mis-spelling of phàll or phaul or mhal. Cf. ‘ Cnoo
Mhalagan,’ in Sleat.
C noc F a l l
or n a F e a n n a ig . The knoll of the
hoodie-crow. Feannag also ‘ Lazy-beds,5 or earth heaped
from trenches, from v. fionn, to flay, to skin. See ‘ Gaelic
Illustrated Dictionary ’ by E. Macdonald, s.v.
C noc F a n n a ig , F e a n n a ig
C noc F u a r .
The cold knoll. Dunvegan. See ‘ Cnoca Fuara.’
C noc G a id h e a l
or
G h a id h e il .
a
The Highlander or Celt’s
Knoll.
C noc G a r s in (?
Garsbheinn).
Knoll of the rushy or reedy
S.E. of Broadford.
C noc G lac - n a - L u a c h r a c h .
hollow. 446 feet.
C noc G las H e i l a .
Heila green knoll.
Loch Harport.
See
‘Heilla.’
Greis, greisean, s.m., means a champion, and
s.f., prowess, strength, battle, etc. Near Roag, Duirinish.
C noc G r e s h a n .
Ho A b a l a g , A b a l a c .
Ferinvicguire.
C noc
The knoll of Ho.
See ‘ Hoe,’ iii
I l d e a c h a in .
Not known, unless meant eildeachain,
hinds. In Ferinvicguire. This knoll goes now under the
name of ‘ Cnoc Iain Bhan.’ James Mackinnon, a con­
tributor to this work, was born and brought up here.
C noc
Should be ‘ ’Ille Ghuan ’ (a fool). The
knoll of the foolish lad. Glasphein, Duirinish. There is a
Celtic conundrum as to ‘ ’Ille Dhubhan.’
C noc ’ I l l e D htjbhan .
The broad knoll. South of Loch Meadhonach.
This knoll records the height of a lava flow. See ‘ Cnocan
Leathann.’
C noc L e a t h a n n .
The burnt knoll, vitrified; also found given
‘ Loisgate.’ N.E. of Loch Eynort.
C noc L o isg t e .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
123
M atbt N i ’nn I a in . Mary’s Knoll, John’s daughter. In
Torrin, at base of Beinn Dearg Beag.
C noc M h a r t a in n . Martin’s Knoll. May be merely a local
name of an inhabitant, or Saint Martin. This is a singular
round-shaped hill or knoll, forming one side of Gesto Bay.
A song attached.
Cnoc
Cnoc M hic D hiarmaid .
MacDiarmid’s Knoll; after one of
the Feinne possibly.
or C nocan M h ic I a i n . The knoll or little knoll of Mac
Ian, sacred to the memory of Mac Ian Bhatornish, son of
John (Macleod) of Vatemish, who fell in a fight against
the Macdonalds; he was familiarly styled £Ruairidh
Unish.’ A white cross was erected on this knoll to Macleod
of Trumpan, who also fell in the same combat. See
‘ Beinn-a-Ghobha.’
C noc M or C e a n n s a l e id h r e . Great knoll of Kensaleyre, q.v.
C noc M or R ia s a l . Great knoll of Riasal, q.v.
C noc n a B e i n n e . The mountain knoll.
C noc n a B r a c l a ic h , B r o claich .
Badger’s den knoll. At
Scorr.
C noc or C nocan n a B u a c h a il e a n . The knoll of the herdsmen.
C noc n a B u a il e C a r n a c h . The knoll of the cairney or stony
fold.
C noc n a C a c h a il e , C a c h a il e it h . Rustic gate or pass knoll.
West of Broadford.
C noc n a C a il l ic h . Old wife’s knoll. In Kilmuir.
C noc n a C i l l e . Church knoll. Site of burial-ground here.
Near Ausabost or Husabost.
C noc n a C is t e . See ‘ Cnocan na Ciste.’ A story of a pedlar’s
box, somewhat improbable, is attached hereto.
C noc
Birch-wood knoll.
Cuckoo knoll. At Broadford.
The knoll o f the wind (or w indy
C noc
na
C o il l e B e i t h e .
C noc
na
C u b h a ig e .
C noc
na
G a o it h e .
knoll).
Portree.
C noc
n a h - A ir i d h e ,
A
ir ig h .
The sheiling knoll. Fairy famed
also.
C noc
n a h - E ig h ic h .
The
knoll o f calling or proclamation.
124
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
n a h - E ir e a n n or E ir io n n (This is the local pronuncia­
tion of cnoc na aifrionn or aifrinn). The knoll or hill of
the Mass, a Roman Catholic form of worship; lies between
the church of Strath and Loch Kilchrist; or actually the
knoll or height upon which the church is built.
C noc n a Ho. See ‘ Cnocan,’ at Fisgavaig.
C noc n a h - I o l a ir e . The eagle’s knoll.
C noc n a L o c h . Knoll of the loch. Above Kyleakin.
C noc n a M a r a ig . Knoll of the pudding, as given locally in
connection with Easter ceremonies. But see ‘ Maraig.’
C noc n a m B r a o n a in . Knoll of the earth-nuts, a dainty with
more than children. Braonan nan cow, dog carmillion,
bunium flexuosum. This nut is found almost everywhere
in ley ground.
C noc
C noc n a M o g u il l . The knoll o f the clusters, such as hazel
nuts—bagaid, bagailt, etc.
Ravens’ knoll. Near Kilbride.
Upper and nether hazel-wood
knoll. S.E. of Loch Grishernish.
C noc n a n C a p u l l or a C h a p u i l l . Knoll of the horses, etc.
C noc n a n S p e ir e a g . Hawks’ knoll.
622 feet.
Near Loch
Harport.
C noc n a n T a ib h s ’ , T a ib h s e , or T a ib h s e a n .
See ‘ Cnoc an
Taibhse.’
C noc n a n U a n . Lambs’ knoll. Near Abhainn an Loin Mhoir,
in S.W. of Minginish.
C noc n a P a i d i r e . Prayer or paternoster knoll. Here the first
sight was got on the way thereto of the old church of
Kilchrist, now Kilbride, when our devout forefathers and
mothers made a genuflexion or knelt and repeated the
paternoster. Also called Cnoc-na-Paidreach; both also
applicable to Kilmuir. C f . ‘ Bealach-an-t-Sliachd,’ Sleat.
C noc
nam
F it h e a c h .
C noc
nan
C all A
C noc
na
P a ir c e .
rd
’ us I o sal .
Park knoll.
Knoll of howling or shriek­
ing, either of wolves of old or of falling stones, etc.
C noc n a S g a l l a ic h . Knoll of the bald ones. The men of a
certain district bore the sobriquet of ‘ Na Sgallaich! ’
Another more recondite meaning connects it with Norse
shali, a sheiling, etc.
C noc
na
S g a ir n e a l , S g a ir n e il e .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
125
n a S g e it h e B a i n e .
Knoll of the white shield or fair
country-side; sgiath has latter meaning.
C noc
na S gradh.
If not sgrath, divot, no word spelled thus
found nearer than sgràid, an old hag, mare, or cow.
C noc
Mavis knoll. At Struan.
C noc R aisg (? R iasg ). Mountain grass (? roisg).
C noc R oll or R o il l . See ‘ Cnoc a Roladh.’
C noc R u a m h a ir or ? R u a t h a ir , R u a t h a r . Knoll of the fierce
attack, etc. In Ferinvicguire.
C noc
na
S meorach.
Might be tartair. Knoll of the rattling noise,
etc. At Ferinvicguire.
C noc S a t r a n , S a t a r a n or S a t r a m , q.v. In Duirinish.
C noc S a r t a ir .
C noc S e u n t
or
Seunta.
The holy knoll or hill.
See ‘ Loch
Seunt.’
C noc S gar all or C noc
a
S g a r a l l , S g a ir n e a l or S g o ir n e a l .
See ‘ Cnoc
na S g a im ea l,’ given also from Norse slcari, a
young sea-mew, and all, rock. There is a Gaelic word sgar,
a knot or fissure. Cnoc a Sgarall is in Minginish.
C noc S i m i d , S im i d e .
C noc S l a p a in .
C noc S t e u d .
The mallet knoll.
Near Carbost.
Slapin knoll.
Steed, race, or war-horse knoll.
Travelling or procession knoll—procession
to the summer sheiling; probably the point of departure.
Glasphein.
C noc T orra M h o i r .
Knoll of the great heaps or rocks,
truncated cones, etc.; also torr mor. In Lyndale.
C noc T h r ia l l a in .
n , C nom hagan, C nom hagag.
Large or dog whelk
or buckie; this is a rock or stac in the sea near Eist
Point, two feet distant from parent rock; of this rock
Coinneach Odbar, the Brahan Seer, predicted its fall into
the sea with as many of the Clan Stewart as could obtain
footing thereon; not known whether this has yet taken
place. Conachag, a conch shell, akin to above.
C ocaire . The Cook. A hill near Duntulm Castle, near Gesto
Bay. See ‘ Totahoker.’
C oileach G l a m a ig .
The cock, peak, crest, or summit of
Glamaig. ‘ An Coileach,’ 2,205 feet.
C nogan , A
126
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
The rugged wood, or wood of the rough
country-side. In Strath Suardal. Mairi Nighean Iain
Bhan refers to it in one or more of her poemis.
Coille, Old Gaelic mill. Oasian has ‘ Gach coille, gach
doire is gach m s Every wood, every grove, and every
cataract.
C o il l e - G a r b h l a ic h .
The coal wood. Might be one of the several
places in Skye where coal was found, but also may only be
charcoal. Lies between Fisgavaig and Loch Harport.
C o ille G h u a i l .
C o ille M
or,
C o il l e M
hor.
Great wood or forest, all now
gone. Near Portree.
C o il l e
na
G r u l a , C o il l e G r u l a .
Not known.
Near Broe-
Bheinn and Drynoch.
The bog or boggy wood. Sgideil means a
plash of water or boggy place. In Snizort. See ‘ Sciteal.’
C o ille -Sg id e il .
C o il l o r e , C o il l ’ o ir .
Wood of gold.
In Struan, Bracadale.
U is d e in , C o l listo n , C o l l ia y h e s t o n
(in 1733).
Hugh’s Wood. Near Rudha na Caillich, Strath. In
regard to the word coill or coille, it should be noted that it
is said also to mean a hill, from collis, this especially where
it enters into English names.
C o il l e
This word is very general in Skye, particularly among
the Coolins; it means a circular hollow surrounded by hills,
a mountain dell, a large circular or crescent-shaped hollow
in the side of a hill or mountain, a half cauldron, a valley
shut at one end; but see ‘ Gleann.’ Sir Archibald Geikie
says: ' No feature in Highland scenery is more character­
istic than the corries or cirques.’ They differ in different
kinds of rock, and all have been occupied by glaciers.
‘ Coire ’ here has a different sound in pronunciation from
coire, a kettle, the former having a shorter sound; in ,the
latter case, where it signifies a kettle, a cauldron, etc., it
is applied to sea whirlpools, etc., e.g., Coire Bhreacain.
The English word ‘ quarry ’ therefrom. Coire is cognate
with the Icelandic Hverr, a cauldron, a boiler; the Welsh
equivalent is cwm, hence English coombe. Also Cyri
(curry). Cf. Llyn Cyri on Cader Idris.
C o ir e .
a C h a i s t e i l . The Castle oorry. In Strath. The English
word is spelled oorrie and corry.
C oir ’
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
127
a C h a o r u in n .
Mountain-ash corry. Caoruinn in most
places means the wood or tree itself, while caor is thei
berry; craobh-chaorunn, mountain-ash tree.
C o ir ’ a C h r o in . Rutting corry. Crònan, among other mean­
ings, has that of *bellowing of the deer.’
C o ir ’ a C h r u a c h a in . Corry of the round hill. See ‘ Cruaehan.’
C o ir ’ a C h r u i d h . Corry of the oows. East of Garsbheinn.
C o ir ’
Coir’ a G h o b h a in n .
Corry of the smith.
In Kilmuir.
a G hrunnda.
Corry of the ground, etc. This corry is
noted, along with Coire Labain, for the great accumulation
of detritus from adjacent hill-sides; the bottom is almost
impassable from that and the effect of ice, coarse screes,
or talus, with stone shoots abounding; there is also a tarn
herein.
This corry has been found given as 4Coire Ghrannda,’
the nasty, ugly, awesome corry, but granda is the correct
spelling; the latter meaning is found in a description
thereof as ‘ the wildest and most savage of all.’ It lies
south of Sgurr Alasdair, and is said to be ‘ a corry within
a corry.’
C o ir ’ A l l t a G h i l l e . Found given ‘ Coir Allt a Guile.’ The
oorry of the river of the boy or lad. If guile, it might be
goile or ghoile, boiling, swirling; or throat, pass, etc.
C o ir each an R u a d h a .
The red corries. Beneath Sgurr a
Ghreadaidh. Here are three of the highest rocks forming
the summit of peaks known as Sgurr Alasdair, Sgurr
Thearlaich, and Sgurr MhicCoinnich. East of Coire
Labain.
C o ir ’
The little or lesser corries. Near Camustianavaig. Also known as ‘ giants’ kettles,’ coireagan nam
fuamhairean; these ‘ kettles ’ are just pot-holes in the bed
of old glaciers, and worn into shape by stones or gravel
rotating therein. See ‘ Coire Fhinn.’
C oireag M h o r . The little-big corry! This word coireag and
coiridh found given as diminutive of coire, but seldom used.
C o ir ’ A ir ig h - n a - S u ir ic h e . The oorry of the lover or wooer.
A dell without a name.
C o ir ’ A madal .
Not known. At the head of the Abhajinn
Dhubh, which runs out of it, with bealach.
C oireag a n , N a .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
128
or F r a o c h C h o ir e . The heather or heathery
corry. Locally said to be ‘ Corry of the shields.’ It lies
between Marsco and Ruadh Stac. Fraoch also signifies
anger, rage, etc.
C o ir ’ A m F r a o c h
C o ir e , A m F u a r , or A m F u a r C h o ir e .
The cold corry.
a M h a d a id h .
The dog or wolf’s corry. Sheriff Nicolson
calls it the fox corry, madadh-ruadh.
C o ir ’
a n G a r b h -C h o i r e .
The corry of the *rough, or wild
oorry; a corry within a corry.
C o ir ’
nna B h ig .
Little Ann’s corry. Near Beinn Bhallach,
south of Portree.
C o ir ’ a n L o c h a in . The little loch corry. Near Sgurr Dearg.
C o ir ’ A
a n U a ig n e is .
The secret or hidden corry, corry of
solitude, sequestered. S.E. of Blaven, high up above
Coruisg, and about nine miles from Broadford. This corry
is cut or carved out of the side or very core of Blaven.
C o ir ’
or B a s a d a ir . The executioner or deathdealer corry. Frequently given, but erroneously, ‘ Coire
Bhaisteir.’ Sheriff Nicolson’s spirit looms largely here
again in the description of this corry given in a German
paper, viz., ‘ Nicholson's Kamin nach der Bhaisteir
Schlucht,' ‘ Nicolson’s chimney near or at Corry Bhaisteir.’
This chimney was also once called ‘ Eagle’s nest chimney,
neck, or gully.’
C oire B u i d h e . The yellow corry. South of Broadford; the
district here gives ‘ Buidhe ’ to a river, loch, Ion, etc.
C oire B h a s a d a ir
C oire C h a i p l i n ,
q.v.
Not known.
or C h a is e a c h . Cheese or cheesy corry. May be'
so called from some Easter customs or rites. Between
Sgurr nan Each and Belig. See ‘ Allt Digeadh.’
C oire C h a is e
The winding or crooked oorrie.
Cara, asp. chara, has various meanings.
C oire C h a t a c h a n , C o r a c h a t t a c h a n , etc. Spelled in numerous
different ways in titles and elsewhere, Coire chat achasjfc,
the corry of the place of the cats. This place, or ‘ corry r,
as more familiarly designated, is a well-known place, and is
associated with the dogmatic Dr. Johnson, who stayed
there for a few days ‘ in clover,’ and there composed some
C oire C h a r a (? C h a r a c h ).
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
129
poetry or verses in Latin to a Mrs. Thrale, which verses
he dubbed ‘ Oda Scriptum in SJcia, Sept. 6, 1773.’ In
reference to this ode, one writer has delivered himself thus:
* Even the Island of Skye was forced to resound with the
perfections of his Thralia Dulcis (Molly Stone!) in one of
the worst Sapphic odes that ever brought wrath upon a fifthform boy, the elderly Tytyrus in a bushwig.’ Although
as a Celt we cannot profess any admiration for Dr.
Johnson, it must be remembered that he was in a ‘ jovial ’
mood most of the time; also that the ‘ ode ’ was not—it is
presumed—intended ‘ for publication!’ Corry is sacred,
however, to the memory of a fine old Highland gentleman
and a true Mackinnon, ‘ Fear a Choire,’ sometime tacks­
man there and factor to Lord Macdonald of Sleat.
The oorry of the bunch, tuft, or lock of
wool. This is the only meaning found, unless meant for
ciadaoin (Di-ciadaoin), Wednesday.
C oire C h e a d a in .
Kenneth’s Corry; supposed named after a
guide to the Coolins.
C oire C h o in n ic h .
Criosdal or criostal is the Gaelic spelling of
crystal; also an obsolete word criosdal, a ring of thong or
withe; may be meant for chaisteal.
C oire D a r a ic h . Oak corry, or oak tree.
C oire D u n a ic h e . May be corry of woe or misfortune, dunaidh,
or even ‘ Coire Dhunachaidh,’ Duncan’s Corry, but prefer­
ably the former. Near Loch Slapin. See ‘ Linne-naiDunach,’ Sleat.
C oire E a sg easg ain .
Eel-ditch oorry, and drained by Allt
Dunaiche, q.v.
C oire F a o in . The empty, lonely corry.
C oire F h i n n . Fionn or Fingal’s corry. At Kensaleyre, Loch
Snizort; or from finn, distant.
C oire F h e a r c h a ir . Farquhar’s corry. At the back o f Beinn
na Caillich. This was a guide’s name.
C oire F o r s a id h . Waterfall corry, form, forsan. See ‘ Ea®,’
etc.
C oire G a isg eac h , G h a isg e a c h , G a is g ic h . The hero’s corry.
C oire G a is t e a c h .
The entrapping, deceiving, corry—full of
snares and pitfalls; but see ‘ Allt a Choire Ghaistich.’
C oire C h r io s t a l .
I
130
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
C o ir e G h a r b h .
See *Garbh-Choire.’
The corry
of torment, etc.; also found given as ‘ of the running or
flowing water,’ etc.
C oire G h r e e t a , G h r e t a , G h r i t a , G h r e a d a i d h .
Green corry. Between Beinn na Caillich and
Beinn Dearg Beag, near Broadford.
C oire G h o r m .
Thought a misspelling or misprint for iadhain,
eidheann, eigheann, ivy. Badge of the Gordons.
C oire I a g h a i n .
Ivor’s corry. John Maclean
(or Macleod), late of Cuidreach, composed a poem of six
double verses to this corry (1820-27):
C oire I o m h a ir , C o ir ’ I o m h a ir .
‘ Tha wire shuas ud cho math so, chualas
Bho 'n Bhaoa Ruadh gus an ruig e ’n Crbn,'
(or on t-Sron: see ‘ Coir’ a Chroin ’)
There’s a corry up yonder as fine as heard of
From Baca Rua unto the Crone.
This poem was published in 1880 or thereabout.
Various meanings, some more or less im­
probable, have been given hereto; for instance, La ban,
white or fair day, or dawn; làbom, mire, dirty place—
detritus from hillsides; Lagan or Laghain, as given by
Sheriff Nicolson; and in the work ‘British Mountaineering
Climbs,’ lagm (short pron.), little hollow or dell. Between
this corry and Coire Ghrunnda, or ‘ earthy corry,’ is a
great stone shoot; while a huge mass of rock, called the
‘ Matterhorn Boulder,’ is at its entrance.
C oire L a b a i n .
C oire L u a c h r a c h .
The rushy or reedy corry. In Glas Bheinn,
Bracadale.
C oire M
h ic
E a c h a in n .
C oire M
h ic h e il .
MacEachan’s corry. A
guide.
Michael’s corry; otherwise Mitchell’s.
n a B a n a c h d a ic h or B a n a c h d ic h .
Small-pox—or more
correctly—vaccination corry. Said to be so named from
the pock-marked or pitted surface of the rocks here,
peculiarly fused and incorporated, geologically speaking;
a bealach also here.
C oire
C oire
na
C ir c e .
The hen’s oorry (heather-hen).
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
131
n a C r e ic h e .
The corry of the spoil, where that taken
by the Macdonalds from the Macleods after a fierce fight
(1601) in the neighbourhood, was divided. This corry is
divided by a ridge of rock into two small corries, the
Tairneilear and Coire Mhadaidh, hence the suggestion that
the word creiche stands here for the genitive of the obsolete
word crmch, now creag, a rock; this corry may have been
named long before said fight, etc., took place. Others have
suggested creiche as genitive of crioch, a boundary, which
is criche.
C oire n a m B r u a d a ir e a n , B r u a d a r a n . The dreamers’ corry.
Near Ruadh Stac.
C oire
C oire
nan
A
llt
Gteala .
Corry of the white burns or rivers.
See ‘ Cairidh.’
*
C oire n a n C l a c h . The oorry of the stones. At the back of
Beinn na Caillich.
C oire n a n C u il e a n . The corry of the whelps, fox cubs. Said
to be in Strath. S.W. of Beirin Bheag, which is on borders
of Sleat.
C oire n a n L a o g h . The oorry of the calves or deer-fawns; on
north side of Marsco. There are three gullies or bealaichecm
here.
C oire n a n S a g a r t .
The corry of the priests; possibly a
secluded preaching station. On slope of Broc-Bheinn.
C oire
nan
Ceann.
n a n U r a isg , U r u isg .
The corry of the monsters ior
hobgoblins, kind of Highland satyrs! Deep among the
Coolins. See *Vriskaig.’
C oire n a S a l a c h . Heel or foot corry.
At foot or base of
Glasbheinn. Sail, sal, salach, heel; sail beinne, the foot
of a hill.
C oire n a S e il g . The oorry of the hunt or hunting.
C oire
C oire
na
S g a ir d e .
in every oorry.
The corry of the sgree. Sgrees are almost
See ‘ Bealach Colluscard.’
Should be Coire Ruadh.
Among the red hills, near Broadford.
C oire N u a d h .
C oire O d h a r .
C oire R e id h
lochs.
The red corry.
The dun or dun-coloured oorry.
nan
L och .
The smooth or level oorry of the
132
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Th,e russet corry. Found given ‘ Beaoch
which thought meant for reaoch, i.e., riabhach. East of
Coruisg. A Loch and Sgurr Riabhach also. See ‘ Baile
Mhic ’Illeriabhaich.’
C oire R ia b h a c h .
C oire S c a m a d a l .
C oire S e a m r a ig .
See ‘ Sgamadal.’
Shamrock or clover corry.
C oire S g r e a m h a c h , S g r e a m h a il .
The loathsome or awful
oorry. In the Red Hills.
C oir e - S io n n a c h .
Fox corry.
^
C o ir e - T r u s a d h .
The gathering or collecting corry (as of
sheep).
etc. (cirn' uisge). The oorry
of water, or cauldron. It is six miles from Sligachan, in
the parish of Strath.
This oorry, it may be safely said!, is of world-wide fame;
the references to and descriptions thereof are legion, its
grandness, weirdness, and eerieness having given it the palm
over all other corries. Some of the descriptions are very
faithful, though perhaps somewhat contradictory, one
writer describing it as ‘ a cushioned and cradled thing with
beauty dimpled o’er, lies wreathed in lazy smiles,’ another
as ‘ resembling a huge ink-pot, black as Acheron.’ Given
its own natural atmospheric conditions, both these
descriptions may stand true. Professor Sir A. Geikie tells
us that it was ‘ scooped out ’ of the solid rock by ice pome
280,000 years ago, and, according to the late Professor
Blackie, is now a ‘ dark-rounded lake that, like a hell-pot,
lies brewing commotion.’ The most remarkable loch in
Britain, it has an individuality all its own. Walter C.
Smith in ‘Good Words’ for December, 1880, composed eight
six-line verses to it, expressive of dread, and somewhat
inaccurate as to details; Norman Macleod, in his journal,
on 1st September, 1837, also Sheriff Nicolson, in his various
articles and songs, wrote, the latter asking ‘ what could
God mean by this Hellgate?’ describing it as ‘ a great
rectangular trough,’ etc., at head of which is Glac Mhor;
Walter Scott has ‘ the stern dread lake ’ ; while another
writer—a native of Skye—says, ‘ by the weird shores of
Loch Ooruisk is the secure retreat of Psyche, the awful
solemnity hunting the presence of some subtle spirit/
C oruisg , C oir u isg e , C o ir u is k ,
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
133
Robert Buchanan has also added notably to its renown, as
in ‘ The Book of Orm,’ or ‘ The Book of the Visions seen
by Orm, the Celt,’ be devotes in Part VII. no less than
thirty-four sonnets to this loch, under the title ‘ Corusken
Sonnets.’ Orm is said to mean worm, and in the f Visions ’
described as ‘ thou creeping thing.’ Dr. Stodart Walker
has dealt very cautiously with Mr. Buchanan’s poetry or
versification generally, and, in reference to the above, says,
‘ the mise en scene is Loch Coruisk, in the island of Skye,
a wood-less, barren, hill-topped waste of Celtic country,
the very “ back of beyont ” of tradition . . . the ideal
sporting ground of witches and water-kelpies, the blackest
mountain-side in the island, black waves, bare crags, and
banks of stone, the very stillest place in all God’s earth.’
In addition, Mr. Buchanan has the ‘ Corusken Vision ’
or *The Legend of the Book,’ stanzas 15 and 16 whereof
are devoted to ‘ Blaabhan,’ which he appropriately calls
‘ the monarch of the hills ’ ; he thus apostrophises these
bills (the Coolins) generally, ‘ Oh, hoary hills, though yie
look aged, ye are but the children of a latter time,’ which
is correct in a geological sense; in sonnet 18 he gives
a vivid description of ‘ the fiery birth ’ of these hills.
Mr. Buchanan, though Celt by name and descent, expresses
himself, on occasions, after the style of the most ignorant
and prejudiced Cockney; the legend of the mysterious
piper, for instance, is both ‘ impossible ’ and in question­
able taste, speaking, or rather writing, as. he does of a
pair of tattejted kilts ’ and ‘ kilt and philabeg all complete,’
etc. Mr. Buchanan wrote rapidly, and we must thank him,
for he wrote ‘ The Wedding of Shon Maclean.’
It is doubtless well known, or may be surmised, that
such a place has not escaped the artist-painter, sketcher,
and photographer; this corry all these have put on record
with more or less success.
Turner tried, but only
‘ idealised ’ it; Robson, a London artist, drew a water­
colour sketch of it, with his idea of a ‘fully-dressed High­
lander ’ in front! James MacWhirter’s drawing, though
falling far short, is thought the best; R. Burns also painted
it under the title of ‘ The Valley of the Shadow.’ Many
illustrated magazines and books have reproduced a more
or less faithful likeness. ‘ Scotia ’ for Martinmas, 1910,
makes it appear ‘ awfully dark.’ In the very instructive
and interesting work by A. Harker, the ‘ Tertiary Igneous
134
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Bocks of Sky© ’ (1904), another reproduction of Coruisg
is the frontispiece, clear, bright, and open. In that most
interesting journal, ‘ The Scottish Mountaineering Club
Journal,’ Vol V., a very good view, entitled ‘ Looking down
Loch Coruisg ’ is given, where it is also stated that
soundings taken along the centre of the loch give 96 feet
as the maximum depth; but in Vol. I. of same journal it
is stated to be 125 feet, while the length is given from
N.W. to S.E. as about 1J mile, the water surface being
only 26 feet above sea-level, draining into Loch Scavaig;
it is also stated that ‘ there are two islands which nearly
cover the loch, viz., ‘ Leach ’ (Leac) and ‘ Culleen ’
(Coolin). A writer elsewhere gives an island named
‘ Eilean Dubh ’ as being in Coruisg, and adds that this
island is said to be the head of Queen Sgathach floating
there!
To one, however, who has been accustomed! to view
Highland scenery, Coruisg is not all that has been described
or painted, etc., and in addition to the foregoing, Alexander
Smith, in his ‘ Summer in Skye,’ falls to be mentioned as
giving a very good description. It may be added that
trout abound in this loch. The foregoing is a severely
condensed account.
etc. The variants of this name are
very numerous. Cois leitir, the foot, base, or slope of
hillside, though explained locally as cois-leth-tir na lethbhecmn, the sloping mount. South of Loch Greshernish.
The word leith or leth has numerous significations, as ia
prefix.
C o is h l e t t e r , C o is h l a d e r ,
(mid host). Cold place, town, or steading. One supsuposed authority says it means keel-town. Pronounced
locally as Cylabosd, Cylabost, hard c. Near Dunvegan.
C o l b o st
q.V.
The word or prefix col equals plateau; there is ‘ The
Col,’ a hill or sgurr above Coire na Creiche; also means
a neck or elevated pass; also an impediment. Latin collis,
eolle; might also be French, and equal bealach. See
‘ Coille ’ and ‘ Gleann.’
COLISHADER, CoLLISAIDER, ClJLESHADER,
C o l l ie h o e .
Collehoe Stone. Said to be near or at Kyleakin.
May be col as above and hoe, ho stone promontory, cairn,
etc. Said to be the same as ‘ Clach-a-Chailleaeh,’ q.v., also
‘ Coille.’
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
C o l l ie m o r e
135
(coille mhor). Great wood or forest. In, or was in
Troternish.
Coll, hazel, and scard or sgard, a
scree, a slope whereon hazel-bushes are plentiful (local).
See ‘ Bealach.’
C o l o v e . Though for colbh or calbh, shoot of trees, also head­
land, properly head; might be a small island close to
mainland shore.
C o l l t j s c a r d , C u lis c a r d .
C o l u m c i l l e —islands,
lochs, and mountain. Loch Columcille
is—or was—in Kilmuir. It is now drained, though still
going under the name, and what was an island still exists
and so called. This loch was of great interest of jold,
and there are still to be seen here the remains or ruins of
cells, surrounded by a cashel or rampart. The little church
of Columcille, close by, is just the same length as that of
Eilem~na-Niaoimh, between Mull and Scarba. The island
of Trodda, q.v., was also called St. Colum’s Isle. There
is also an island in Portree Bay, which bay was formerly
called Loch Columcille, bearing the saint’s name, with ruins
of a small church; another island of same name at head pf
Loch Snizort. See ‘ Loch Columcille.’ The saint had a
special confrere called Macgillrescol, or Mac gille re sgoil,
the eon of the servitor of or for the school, his amanuensis
perhaps.
C o m m e r w e l l , C o m m o r w e l . Might be comar, comaraich, and
fjall or fell, holy mount, a girth or sanctuary equal to
tearmunn (gen. tearmaid, termit). In addition to the
church, some sanctuaries were of old assigned to lands held
by bards—men of letters. This word comaraich, comraich,
or comara, also bears a somewhat inferior meaning, viz., a
sheep-fold, but in Irish. See *Gearr-a-Roigh.’ As
generally known, comar (cummer) signifies a confluence, a
meeting of two or more streams. Cf. ‘ Comrie,’ etc.
etc. The little level plot, and is situated
in Braes, Portree. This name is pronounced Cbnardan,
the o long, and stands for Cbmknwrdan, which means as
above. There is also a ‘ Lag-a-Chònardan.’
C onardan, C onarden,
Various solutions of the meaning
of this name have been given: a proper name Comsta tor
Constat; conasg, whins, furze, and stadt, a farm-steading,
etc., also oonas, dispute, fight, etc. Con said to have the
C o n ist a , C o n n ist a , C o n a st a .
136
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
meaning of high, so this may be the high steading. Near
Duntulm. It is understood to be as also the Eaglam
Uamhalta, the lonely, secluded church, in regard to which
the story of the tailor daring the spectre or ghost, as told
of Beauly Church, etc., is said to exist.
C onnon, Conan, C onon.
This name has been variously
construed. If after the Fingalian hero, then conan, the
little dog; suggested caoin a'nn {caoin abhainn) locally,
the gentle or smooth-flowing river; also kunovalos, high,
etc., from which conn and conall. This river flows into
Uig Bay.
'
'
i
I
1
COOLIN, CuiLLIN , CULINN, ClJILFHIONN, CuiLDHEAN, CuiLIONN.
t
Holly. The above are only a few of the different spellings
found given of this word, even Euilvelimi and Culivi. The
holly (Ilex aquafolium) is from the Anglo-Saxon word
Holeynn, pronounced hoolynn, not unlike our Scottish
Gaelic pronunciation of to-day. Among other erroneous
meanings, this name was for long maintained to have been
named after Cuchulain, the noble son of Sualtain, for which
see ‘Dunsgaich,’ Sleat. Pennant gives the meaning as £a nar­
row, dark hollow’ ; another writer says ‘the obvious meaning
is “ the fine corner,” but may be from cuillionn-mara, or seaholly.’ It should be pronounced as Sheriff Nicolson gave it,
as below. In regard to the introduction of Cuchulainn’s
name in connection with these hills, it is also notable that
there is a Coolin Sound off the south-west coast of Skye.
In N.G.iP., p. 141, we have a familiar Skye saying, ‘ Cho
laidir ri Cuchulainn,' or Cu Culainn; he (Cuchullin) was
designed as ‘ beloved of the Ulstermen ’ {Na K Ulltaich);
he was Ollamh of Tara (Temora, Teamhair, Temhra), the
one who did not refuse a combat, the learned man of Fodla,
Fodhla, or Foghla, of which he was called ‘ Guardian.’
Cuchullin also bore the additional title of Cu-an-cleasnaidh,
or the dog or hero of the feats; he was chief of the JEted
Branch Knights, and lived at Dealgan (Dundalk).
From much, very much, that has been written and printed
as to these ‘ Skye giants,’ we cull the following- Sheriff
Nicolson, in ‘ Good Words ’ for 1875, tells that
‘ Cuilfhionn ’ is the correct rendering, older spellings being
Cuilluelum, Culluelum, Gullum, Cullin, Quillen, Quillin,
etc.; the Sheriff further says ‘ they are called “ the Coolin ”
hills, like “ the Caucasus, the Balkan, the Himalaya,”
Coolyun being the pronunciation. These mountains form
'
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PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
137
the most prominent features in all early and late
descriptions of Skye, from Dean Monro in 1549 onwards;
Pennant describes them, for instance, as a ‘ savage series
of rude mountains.’
Ruskin calls them ‘ inferior
mountains.’
The first man who made the ascent—at least in modern
times—of any of the Coolins was Professor J. D. Forbes,
who was born at Edinburgh in 1809, he being a son of
£Pitsligo.’ His ascent of the Coolins was made in 1836,
followed by many others ever since. In Vol. III. of the
‘ Scottish Mountaineering Club Journal ’ (a journal to
which we merely refer our readers), we read the praises of
Professor Forbes as a mountaineer, etc.
As to the varied aspects and appearances of the Coolins,
much might be given. We select a few: the well-known
Professor Sir Archibald Geikie says, £for blackness of hue,
ruggedness of surface, jaggedness of crest, and general
grimness of aspect, the Coolins have certainly no rivals
within the limits of the British Isles ’ ; the screes are
thought by him to go back to the glacial period, and are
little added to now; while the journal above referred to
describes them as the most£popular ’ mountains of the day.
Sir Archibald speaks, or rather writes, of how £coral once
gleamed white along the shores of Skye (still said to grow
there), the many-chambered ammonite swam over the site
of the Coolin hills, huge reptilian monsters of ancient times,
ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs careered through the waters
that laved the grey hills of Sleat, forests of Zania and
Cycas, and many other plants, indicative of a warm climate,
bloomed green and luxuriant along the site of that strange
inist-clad cliff-line that shoots up into the pinnacles of the
Storr and Cuiraing.’
Though by common usage called £hills ’ or £mountains,’
the Coolins are merely the remnants of a broken and sorelywasted table-land which rose, it is estimated, to 15,000
feet in height; great and awe inspiring as these are as a
rule, by reason of prolonged denudation they are even now
only a third of their original maximum size or height.
He who raised the waters to cut out the ravines, and Bent
the glaciers to gouge out land and sea valley., will
eventually, in the course of ages, still further reduce these
hills, and roll them, grain by grain, gradually seaward,
so that our successors, whoever they may be—people of an
138
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
older earth—may see soil covering and corn growing over
the hidden rocks which at present bear the burden of Sgurr
nan Gillean, Sgurr Alasdair, Blaven, and all the other
present giants of our island. Illustrations of the Coolins
are numerous; for one see that entitled ' Among the
Coolins,’ in the work £The Misty Isle of Skye,’ second
edition, where they are well described, being considered
‘ unique in Britain.’ Another writer describes them as
4a group of savagely picturesque mountains in Bracadale
and Strath Parishes, about 35 square miles in extent.”
Tennyson says:
‘ Leave the monstrous ledges there to slope,
And spill their thousand wreaths of dangling water-smoke
Thai, like a broken purpose, waste in air.’'
The £popularity ’ of these hills above referred to is
because they contain the finest rocks and the wildest corries;
they also offer finer mountain scenery, richer colouring, and
better rock-climbing than are to be found elsewhere in the
United Kingdom. Skye is a rock-climber’s paradise. You
start right away almost from sea-level to climb, not to
walk up, and, to cap all, a saying exists that, when God
made the world, He held in His hand a sackful of moun­
tains, and when above Skye the sack burst—hence this great
collection of the most fantastic and grandest mountains in
Great Britain or Ireland! This belief, we find, also applies
to Montenegro, the black mountain, though all grey
granite; see £A Woman in the Balkans,’ by Winifred
Gordon, 1916.
We merely refer our readers to the everlasting lines by
Sir Walter Scott as to these mighty hills, etc.
It is stated on the be3t authority that no accident has
occurred to any properly-roped party whilst climbing in
the Coolins.
Professor Blackie, in a 1Psalm to Benmore,’ characterised
them as £the mighty host of granite battlements that look
sternly out on savage Skye.’ The Professor also states
that £the south-western Cuchullins are composed of a hard,
gritty rock called hypesthene, now geologically known as
gabbro, which is the dominant rock. The rounded and
softly-sloping cones towards Broadford are granite; while
the quaint, fairy beauty of the Quiraing, at the north,’east end of the island, is trap or gabbro—a word or term
derived from the Italian, and defined as £a coarsely
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
139
crystalline basic igneous rock.’ Johnson, of dictionary
fame, hated the Coolins, and mentions them only once, and
then it was to call them ‘ malignant!’ A good article by
Professor Norman Collie, a noted mountaineer, etc., will
be found in Vol. IV. of the above Journal, and will repay
reading.
The Coolins are further famed for botanical specimens,
thirteen new records having been found there in 1909 alone.
Skye generally will repay the botanical searcher; the hills
properly consist of two groups, rod and black, the former
round and uninteresting, being granite; the latter are of
wonderfully bold outline, and are, as above stated, of
gabbro.
Here we may state that there are hill® in Ireland called
*Cuilinn.’
The various sgurrs, corries, etc., are innumerable, and,
so far as procured, are given throughout this work; but
for more minute and detailed descriptions we have to refer
to the before-mentioned Journal, a® also to many of the
various works on geology. We would fain quote further
from said Journal, giving, for instance, the sgurrs in order
of altitude, but space forbids; suffice to say there are 26
peaks above 2,400 feet in height, and upwards of 15 above
3,000. The Coolins are for the most part in Minginish;
they are highly magnetic, affecting the compass materially.
As we have said, space forbids our quoting numerous state­
ments and statistics, but we venture to give some lines in
English selected from many poems and verses:
‘ How these place-names do joy impart
To many a home-sick Highland heart
That owns afar the potent art,
Infused by Celtic ardour.
The exile sees at its command
The Coolin mountains round him stand;
In vision dear his home is near,
And murmuring streamlets fill his ear,
Until the fast, o’er-flowing tear
Dissolves the spell thus gathered
In ‘ Rock-Climbing in Skye,’ by Abraham, special refer­
ence is made to Chapter 17, and on page 316, et seq.,
will be found an account of Sheriff Nicolson, after whom
Sgurr Alasdair is named.
140
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
C oorisdol , C ooristol .
dalr, a dale, etc.
C opnahoe.
May be a proper name with dol or dal,
In Haripol, Strath.
Cop, a hilL
See ‘ Gob-na-Hoe.’
ir ig h , C o r r a ir id h . Might mean the excellent
or great sheiling. This word corr has numerous other
meanings. Suggested còrr, steep, occasional, etc. If cor
only, then it might mean a round hill, or pit, or cup-like
hollow; but the Gaelic spelling is ‘ Corrairidh.’
C orary , C o ir ’ A
Cor, as above, with gil, a ravine, etc.
corc, a fairy fabulous water bull, and gil.
C or cisg ill .
Suggested
etc. A chorrabheinn, the steep hill or
mountain. In Snizort. This place in titles goes with
* Forsan,’ commonly called ‘ Little Struan.’ Also found
given Corfine and even Ceofine, near Kingsburgh, and
locally explained ‘ Coire Fhinn.’
C o r e b h e in n , CoRFEnsr,
This miay be corc, as above, and fjcdl, fell, etc.
The fell, cliff, or hill side of the water-bull? One writer
gives eoirc, corn.
Corkeval.
C a r l a r a c h , etc.
If cor only, then as above
‘ Corary ’ ; larach means site of a building, a ruin, field of
battle, etc. It lies S.E. of Dunvegan. One writer says
corr, a round hill, and leamch, larch trees.
C or lar ac h ,
An. A point of land reaching out into the sea
(generally), sometimes curved like a reaping-hook. This
includes in isome places a narrow passage through whioh
the tide runs swiftly; several in Skye, etc. Corran glas,
the green point; Corran na mudalaich ( ?Maodalaich), for
which see ‘ Allt Mhaodail.’ Near Loch na Beiste. Corran
Shrolamaie and Corran a Chinn Uachdaraich, the upper
head or end, in Scalpay.
C orran,
A recess, a nook, etc. (North and South).
‘ Cuil,’ in Duror, Argyllshire.
C oull, C uil .
C oullnacrag gan , C u il
na
C reagan.
Cf.
The recess in or of the
rocks.
The crack, split, or fissure of the cross
or gallows; probably the site when in use.
C rac - a -C h r o ic h , C n a c .
PLACE-NAMES OP SKYE
141
The little crack or fissure or erne, and vik, the bay
on, at, or near such; suggested Tcraku-vik, crow-bay; there
is a Ben Chracaig north of Portree harbour, also Gleann
Chracaig. Here lived 4Gorm-shuil Chrotach,’ a noted
witch, one of three, who in the shape of ravens (riochd
fithich) hovered over the boat or galley in which Iain Garbh
Mac ’Ille Chaluim, Raasay, met his fate by drowning,
along with a gallant crew. See 4Cracabhall ’ in the Lewis,
translated crow-fell.
C r a c a ig .
etc. See above, with nish, nose or point.
At south entrance to Loch Eynort, Minginish.
C r acen ish , C r a ic in e s ,
(creagan carrach). The rough rocks, or if
creagan, dim. of creag, then the little rough rock or the
rough little rock. In titles described as ‘ a small tufty
hillock.’
C r a n n a ig or A C h r a n n a ig .
The pulpit. Might also be ia
fortified island in a loch. C f . *A Chrannag,’ in Poolewe.
This one, however, is said to be a rock, pulpit-shaped, in
the sea near Kingsburgh House.
C r a ig in c a r r o c h
Thought a mistake for Oransay, q.v. This given as
Crann-ey, tree island, an island half a mile in length, in
the sea, off Bracadale.
Cransay.
The little stack or hill; 140 feet.
Near Loch Eynort, Minginish. Generally applicable to
the summit of a hill.
C reachan , A n , C r e a c h a n n .
and C r e a g a n . Rock, rocks, or little rock; numerous;
but such as Creag mhor, bhàn, dhubh, etc., not given.
Creagan, the dim., is masculine. Creag is just a curtailed
form of mrraig; both have numerous meanings; and even
in Skye the names into which the word creag enters ,in
some form or other are very numerous and common. A
term found in ‘ Ossianic ’ poetry is 4Mar elbheinn, ilbheinn,
or illbhinn chreige,’ like a craggy rock; another word for
rock is sgeilg\ uirigh creige, a shelf or bed of rock.
C reag
a C h a is t e il .
The castle rock. This is said to be a
bold promontory which narrowly missed the honour of
bearing Dunvegan Castle, and called therefrom.
In
Husabost. There is a rock or pinnacle of the Coolins called
4A C h aistealthe castle.
C reag
C reag
a
Ch a it .
The cat rock, wild cat.
1
I
142
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
C reag
a
C ueag
a
C h a l a m a in ,
nan
Ca lm an .
C h a r n a c h , C h a r n a ic h .
Pigeon rock.
The cairney or rocky rock
or ‘ place of ’ earns.
The
rocky
shelf.
C reag
a
Charra.
C reag
a
C h a r r a in , B h a r r a i n .
The rock on the crest.
a Cheala.
The rock of concealment or hiding. This
term occurs twice or thrice in Skye, Glendale. These rocks
are all pretty high, with a sudden or precipitous termina­
tion; locally associated with the word call, loss, many sheep
and cattle having fallen over there and been killed. A
saying exists, *Chuir mi ceal air,’ I put death on him,
something like having ‘ overlooked ’ him, when a dog, for
instance, has been drowned or otherwise destroyed. See
*Ceallaichean.’
C reag
a Ch ip .
The rock of the top of the hill; here a spot
with more soil than usual, where hazel-bushes grow; and
tip, come to mean the clump of hazels or even a bundle of
the saplings used for making baskets or creels. This rock
is on the Scorr coast. See ‘ Ceapach.’
C reag
C reag
C h l a c h a in ,
a
C r a ic l a c h a n ,
C r a ig e l a c h a n .
The
clachan rock. In Kilmuir.
a C h o ir e G h u i r m .
The rock of the green corry:
Though the primary meaning, as given in dictionaries, for
gorm is blue, it more frequently in practice signifies green,
e.g., lie gorm an fheoir,’ Green graesy Islay; ’ Irt nan
caorach gorma,, St. Kilda of the green or blue sheep, some­
times given black there.
C reag
C reag
a
G hamhna .
C reag
a
G h l in n e .
Rock of the stirk.
But see cCalbh.’
The Glen rock (in particular).
Glendale.
The coal rock. As said, there are several
seams of coal in Skye, though this may mean charcoal.
C reag
a
G h u a il .
ir c is a r i . Not known, unless in connection with airigh,
such as airigh airciseach, the troublesome, difficult, or even
hungry sheiling rock. This rock is on Boraraig Common.
C reag A
a L a in or L a i n n .
Might be sword rock, or rock of the
enclosure or church. Thought may be a mistake for chaim.
See ‘ Creag a Chaim ’ or ‘ a Chaimp,’ Sleat.
C reag
C reag
a
M
h il l .
The lump
rock
(meall).
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
C reag
a
M
Mill
h u il in n .
craig.
143
Kilmuir.
an A o il.
Lime rock. This may be aol, aoil, a mouth,
an opening, a pass. In Kilmuir.
C reag
h a l g a in .
The rock of the little bag.
Isle of Skye,’ note, p. 286, second edition.
C reagan ’B
See ‘ Misty
Na C r e a g a n B o id h e a c h . The beautiful
or bonnie rocks. Between Fasach and Ardmore. Haunted!
C r e a g a n B oedh each ,
The speckled or parti-coloured rocks.
C reagan B r eaca .
C reagan C r a ig h e a c h , C r e a t h a c h .
The rocks of the under­
wood, etc. In GLasphein.
The ox rock. Fasach.
C reag
an
D a im h .
C reag
an
D a r a ic h .
The oak rock.
Boraraig.
earga.
The red rocks. At Fairy Bridge. These
rocks are believed to be among the highest rocks in Skye,
the home of the eagle.
C reagan D
Dubha. Noted as ‘ The Black Rocks.’ Near Beinn
Dearg Mor, in Strath, at north efntranoe to Loch Eynort.
Others of same name in Loch Snizort.
C reagan
C reag
an
F
h e il id h .
C reag
an
F
h ia d h ,
F
h ir ic h .
C reag
an
See ‘ Creag na Feile.’
F h e id h .
The deer rock.
Hill, moor, or forest rock.
The raven’s rock. Above Kilbride. See
“ Clach an Fhithich.”
C reag
an
F h it h ic h .
C reag a n F uail .
The water rocks. At Beinn Bhreac, north of
Suardal.
C reagan F
The moving or rocking rocks, fo-luai&g.
u l a is g .
The rocks of the point or knuckle-end
of land, an enclosure or plot of land, sometimes threecornered, as an gearradh mor agus an gmrradh beag, the
great and the lesser plot. In Glendale. This word said to
be derived from gardr, gerdhi, geroi, etc., an enclosure, etc.
C reagan G h e a r r a id h .
C r eagan G l a s a .
C reagan I a r .
C reag
an
Grey or green rocks.
West rocks.
I o l a ir e .
Coolins.
Near Score Bay.
The eagle rock.
Lowest spur of the
144
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
The grey or hoary rocks; liath, as
hoary, generally applied to persons. This name given as
Craigmn Lea, the hoary or grey frog, splay-footed one or
broken. The first are rocks at Glendale, the latter a rock
near Dunvegan Head.
C r eag an L ia t h a , N a .
The burnt rocks. In Kilmuir; creagan
also said to be the little rock.
C r e a g a n L o is g t e , N a .
C r eag
a n t - S io n n a ic h .
C reag B h a r r a s g il ,
q.v.
C reag C h o llu scar d ,
q.v.
The
fo x ’s rock.
Barrasgil rock.
Kilmuir.
C reag C h r a g a c h , C h r e a g a c h .
The rocky rock.
Near Beinn
Brogaskil, Brogasgil.
The little recess or pit rock;
ouidh, also cattle-fold; also cuith and cuithe, but which
latter generally mean a wreath of snow. See “ Cuiraing.”
C reag C h u i d e in , C h u i t h e i n .
May be dail an earn, the rock of the water­
fall, plain, or dale, though dall not known to become dail.
C reag D a l l a is e .
C reag D h u b h
a
M
Black rock of the knoll, or little
At Beinn-a-Chro.
h è a l l a in .
round lump of a hill.
The thorny rock; dris, a bramble, brier,
thorn. At Kilmuir.
C reag D r is e a c h .
h o r s a id h .
The water-fall rock, forsa. On
east side of Glen Meadhonach. The word uar also means
waterfall.
C r eag F h o r sie , F
Not known, unless it has to do with greim,
a hold, etc., which has a form of the genitiv© singular,,
grama, thus rendering it the rock of the little or slight hold
(to clim'bers). In Kilmuir.
C reag G h r a ’ m a i n .
The sharp-peaked or pointed rock. See
“ Greep.” South of Gealta Mor, q.v. Griob, grioba, means
a coast precipice, applied in Uist to a part of the coast
where it is rocky and difficult to land, griobach.
C reag G r e e p a c h .
mhor ’I c C u in n .
Macqueen’s rock,
Macqueen’s great rock. At Braes. Here the gruagach or
glaistig was frequently reported to have been seen, hence
called also “ Creagan na Glaistig, ” the little rock of the
goblin or goat-devil, etc., lit! the grey-faced one.
C r eag ’I c C u in n , C reag
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
145
Macfarlane’s little rock.
Rudha Cruinn, Talisker.
C re ag an ’I c P h a r l a i n .
C reag M
B ealach
hor
an
N i g h ’n D u i b h .
North of
The great rock at
or of the black-haired girl’s pass.
C r e a g ’I c M h a o la in .
Macmillan’s rock.
MacNicol or Nicolson’s rock. This rock
eaid to be named after a Nicolson of Scorribreac; it is
where. Prince Charlie landed, a long scaur at Soorribreac,
north of Portree harbour.
C r e a g ’I c N e a c a il.
Either creag gheal, white rock, or creag gil, ravine
rock; it occurs under former signification in different places
in Snizort.
C r e a g il e .
Supposed is (Norse), ice; also suggested the adverb
ios, down, east, shios, sios. The meaning attached to this
word varies in different counties in the Highlands, signi­
fying west in Ross-shire and east in most other places.
If this name can be contraction i’s, then it may be thei
reduced form of innis, haugh; but innis is not common in
Skye.
C r e a g ise .
C reag L a n g a l l , L a n g a l ,
q.v.
a d r a g il .
Madadh, a dog, sometimes given madradh.
The dog rock; might be fox or even wolf rock; gil, ravine.
South-east of Kingsburgh House.
C reag M
C reag M
h ic
I b h e ir , I o m h a ir .
Maclver’s rock. Near Kings­
burgh.
C reag M
h ic
The rock of the son of Patrick’s
In Glasphein. Is this not just
’ I l l e P h a d r u ig .
servant or servitor.
“ Paterson ” ?
h o r C ois a n U is g e .
The great rock beside (lit. at
foot of) the water—idiomatic.
C reac M
C reag
mo
S h e a n a ir .
C rea g n a B a ,
or
My
grandfather’s rock.
na Ba R u a id h e .
The cow rock, or the red
cow rock.
n a C a b a ig .
The cheese or kebbuck rock.
Easter customs observed here probably.
C reag
In Kilmuir.
n a C a r a ic h e .
The wrestler’s rock. Near Kyleakin.
Commemorative of a famous wrestler referred to elsewhere.
K
C reag
146
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
na C il l e .
The church rock. In Fladachuan, connected
with one or all of the three churches or cells or buryingplaces which formerly existed there.
C reag
n a C r a o ib h , or n a C r a o ib h e .
North of Allt-na-Dunaiche, q.v.
C reag
C reag
na
C r o ise .
The rock of the tree.
The rock of the cross. Also in Fladachuan.
n a C u b h a ig e , C u t h a ig e .
Cuckoo rock; cubhag has
other meanings, such as snipe, wagtail, etc. See “ Cnoc.”
C reag
n a D o ir e .
The grove rock. Probably named from
ancient Pagan worship or sacrifices here, and adopted by
the Christian Church. See “ Doire.”
C reag
n a F e il e , F e il e a d h , C r eag - a n - F h e il e or F h e i l i d h .
The kilt rock, from striking resemblance to the folds or
pleats of a kilt (filleadh, fold, pleat). In Staffin. See
“ New Statistical Account,” s.v. Inverness-shire. There is
a cascade here, Moonen, Mùinean. See “Loch Miaghailt.”
C reag
C reag
n a h - A ir ig h .
The sheiling
rock.
n a h - E ig in , E i g i n n .
The rock of extremity, need, or
distress, possibly difficult of access and easily defended from ,
attack on those taking refuge here; might be a sanctuary;
eiginn hais also the meaning of “ steep hill-side nearly
impassable.” North-east of Troternish.
C reag
C reag
na
M
anach
or
nam
M
anach.
The monks’ rock.
In
or off Kilmuir.
n a m B od a c h .
Old men’s rock. On west side of
Loch Dunvegan. This suggested may merely mean the
codling fish called Bodach ruadh, the red old man. There
are several places similarly named, generally at sea-shore;
there is a Creag-a-Bhodaich between Sgurr nan Gillean
and Buoach na Frithe, but named from resemblance to an j|
old man’s head wearing a Glengarry bonnet; this of course I
must be comparatively modern. Bodach might be meant |
for monk. The last-named rock said to be near the Stoer
Rock.
I
C reag n a m M e a n n .
The rock of the kids or young goats.
On Kingsburgh Farm. It is quite unproductive, and
offered by Donald Gorm Mor to Lady Brahan, his ex­
travagant wife. Prince Charlie’s Well is close by.
C r eag
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
147
n a m M or S h l u a g h .
The rock of the multitude or many
people. It was here in 1540 the bulk of the army under
James V. landed.
The King with his suite and
“ Soorribreck ” landed at a place now called Port-an-righ,
Portree; the village or town of this name lies farther east,
but not then existing under that name.
C reag n a n C e a r d a ic h , a C h e a r d a ic h .
The smithy rock.
This may also mean rock or resort of tinkers, who are
called ceaird.
C reag n a n C o n . Rock of the dogs or hounds. Ferinvicguire.
C reag n a n D e a l g .
The rock of thorns, or perhaps sharppointed rocks (in Skye, <md ealag for an dealg). In
Kilmuir.
C reag n a n G o b h a r . Rock of the goats.
C r e a g n an R on . Rock of the seals.
C reag n a S p e r e ig . Rock of the sparrow-hawk, accipiter nisus,
speir-sheabhaig-sheoig; seabbag, the peregrine falcon, falco
peregrinus. Common. This rock is on the north side of
the road between Carbost and Talisker, Bracadale.
C reag N is d a l e , S h n io s d a il , “ S n e o s d a l . ”
The rock of
Nisdale or Snisdale; also called “ Creag Shniosdail nam
B ia ta ch of the ravens. This is the rock in which Quiraing
is situated, or reported to be, but Quiraing is also, on good
authority, said to be at a considerable distance therefrom,
and cannot be said to form part of this rock; if even a hill
here once had that name it is now thought to have lost it;
we find Creag, Gleann, and Loch Shnisdail, though the
glen has “ Snisdail ” where the s is not silent by aspiration,
e.g., Loch Shnisort; several authorities give Snizort as
“ Sneisfirth,” where snei or sneis is said to be a proper
name; this applies also to other above names; but see
“ Snizort” and “ Aitè Suidhe Fhinn.”
C reag O r r il or O r r a il .
Orril’s rock, a proper or personal
name, having connection with a king or chief of or in the
Isle of Man.
C reag S h r o l a m u is .
Strolamus rock. North of Beinn na
Gaillich, Broadford (360 feet).
C reag S t o ir m , or a S t u ir m ( Gailig Gallda). The rock of the
storm or tempest. This rock is opposed to the south-west
wind which prevails or prevailed in the neighbourhood.
C reag
148
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
C reag T h u i l m .
Tulm or Tolm Rock.
C reag - T ig h - a - B h a r d or T ig h
the B ard’s house.
a
In Scorr.
B h a ir d .
The rock o f or at
U is d e i n .
Hugh’s rock. Visdean ’Ic Ghilleaspuig
Chlerich, it is thought. See “ Caieteal-Uisdean ” or
“ Caisteal Uisdein
also “ Sleat.”
In regard to the foregoing word “ Crmg ” (provincial
“ Creig ” ), it will be noted how many apply to men, women,
and places, whose names alone remain; much interesting
lore, if not history, must be attached to many, if not to
all, but now lost; it remains for their descendants and
others to fill in the blanks.
C r e ic h .
May be meant for “ Creitheach,” q.v., and is in
Snizort. Creoch also suggested, which, however, is a strath
and loch in the Camasunary district.
C r e p g il l , C r e p k i l l . A s found, but should be “ Cresgill,”
the p having been a mistake by the long s used in MS.
Not known; suggested “ Crosgill ” or “ Criosgill,” eras,
crois, misfortune, crios, belt or border, though this applies
to persons. See “ Crospuing ” and “ Gasgill.”
C reag
C r ic k e r n is h
(?
C r a c a n is h ).
The fissure at the ness or point.
Rotten or brittle brushwood. One of the Feinne i
or Fingalians was spoken of as ’Chrionach nam Fiann, the i
disgrace of the Feinne! This place is below Kingsburgh l
House, near Loch Snizort.
C r o . A circle, a sheep-cot, a fold; also a district surrounded
by hills, e.g., Cro an t-Srath, Cro Chinntàile, etc.; the
former at one time, if not now, included Corrychatachan, |
Swordell, Kilchrist, Kilbride, and Torrin; the latter is .j
said to derive its name from the River Cro, or Croe, which |
is thought to be from the adjective cro, crotha, strait, i
narrow.
C roglan ( cro glan). The clean fo ld ; a land-locked bay.
C rois Bhan. The white cross. See “ Cnoc Mhic Iain.”
|
C r o is e a r n a is .
? Crois eamais, airneas, airneis, accoutrements
of or belonging to the cross; crois also means “ gallows.”
C r io n a c h .
The meadowfold, lian, leana.
C r o m , A n C r o m . ? Cròn for Sròn, q.v. There is an obsolete
word crom, nose, slough. “ Crom ” was a Celtic deity.
C rolean.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
149
An.
See “ Cnogan,” also “ Cromliagan,” for
which it may be a misprint. In Irish the word crom
signifies a round hollow, but see “ Cròn.” This place is at
Loch Brittle, Minginish, and spelled thus in O.S. maps,
a hill. “ Crom-cruach ” was the chief idol of ancient Erin.
Rhys says this is meant for cenn or ceann-cruach, top of
stack, or summit-head, chief or highest idol.
C romhagan,
The stone or obelisk of bending,
worship stone, a relic of our Pagan forefathers. See
“ Bealach an t-Sliachd,” Sleat.
C r o m l ia g a n , C r o m l b a c an .
Head (of land). This thought meant for “ Sròn,” but
see “ Coir’ Iomhair.”
Cron.
The Ledge, 90 feet in height, on which a light­
house now stands. See “ Rudha Neist.”
C r o s p u in g .
? C r o is . Cross; may be croisg or crasg, a pas®, etc.
Cf. the Crasg in Sutherland, also “ Cross ” in the Lewis.
C ross
• May pertain to above, cross, and al or all,
a rock, a stone; also all, dim. alkm, water; also in Gaelic
signifies “ white,” chiefly as prefixes. Skye, like the
opposite mainland, was Pictish, and said to be thoroughly
Celtic, but not Cymric. This place is in Minginish,
Macleod’s country. See the Gaelic song, “ Horo, chall eile.”
C rossal , C r o sa l .
C rossburgh .
Not known. Baile chrois.
or C rois L u r a n . May be the cross of the dear one,
lit. pretty boy, from lur, delight, etc.; if so, should be
lumin.
C r o ssn ish .
Cross and nes, cross point. “ Cross ” in all the
foregoing may be one and the same place or district.
C ross
C r o l in e , C r o laig , C r o l a in n , C r o u l in .
Latin
Crulinga. The Crowling Islands. Said to be off Strath;
also near west coast of Ross-shire, nearly opposite, in
Applecross, at north entrance of Loch Carron. Dean Monro
says “ off Raasay.” See “ Rudha na Cruaidhlinn,” or
“ Cruailinn.” Crulaist means a rocky hill. There are
Croulin mor, beag, and meadhonach, also linne, on S.W.
C r o w l in g ,
or N a . The little heap or stack, or the heaps,
stacks, pinnacles, haunches, or summits of hills; in this and
the three following names, cruachan is the singular noun
for little round stack-like hill, etc., the an being distinctly
C ru a ch a n , A n
150
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
pronounced; the plural pronunciation is almost un.
Cruachan has also been described as a more than usually
steep elevation, sometimes standing upon another hill, e.g.,
Cruachan beinne, the hillock upon the mountain called
Beinn Cruachan; one Cruachan is in South Minginish
(1,423 feet). From cruach, a stack, or high hill. Cf.
“ Cruachan ” in Ireland.
C r u ac h an B e in n - a - C h e a r c a il l . The little stack, etc., of the
circular or hooped-mountain.
C r u ach an B e in n ’I c A s k il l , A sc u il l . The little stack, etc.,
of MAskill’s mountain—the top.
C r u ach an M h ic S u a in , M h ic S w a n , M a c s w a in or M a c s w e e n ;
M ac S u a it h n e or S u i t h n e .
This is a green hillock on
the summit of Ben Dianavaig, and is named after Sueno
or Sweno, a Danish or Norwegian king or prince. It
resembles Aitè-suidhe-Fhinn. There are great caves here,
one with a well in its recesses.
C ru ach
na
B e in n e .
Stack or peak of the mountain, the very
top.
Hard corry or corrie, thought hard to travel;
a small “ bad step ” here.
C r u d h ’ a n E ic h . Horse-shoe, from shape; also found given
crubh, but this means hoof. At Dunvegan Head.
C r u a id h C h o ir e .
Round mountain; a case of the adjective
preceding the noun.
C r u n - a - B h r a g h a d . The crown or upper part of the throat,
neck, pass or gorge. See “ Braighe.”
C r u in n B h e i n n .
C u a ir t e a l a n .
May mean the little circle, or round one. A
word Cuairt-ealain given in dictionary as a cyclopaedia!
Cuidhe or cuithe, a fold, etc., and stadt, sta, abode,
residence, stead; cuidhsh&adair, kvisetr. See “ Buaile.”
C u id h e s t a .
etc. Forcible, powerful; termination
iach means “ place of.” Suggested cuidhe, also cuithir.
This place is in Troternish, and where the erstwhile famous
warrior, Donald-Mac-Iain-Mhic-Shamuis lived; he was
the first to drove cows from Skye to the Low Country, for
which he was called “ Air each Liath nam Bò,” the grey or
hoary-headed cow-dealer.
C uedreach , C u id e r a c h ,
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
151
Torlan’e share or portion of land. In Kil­
muir. See “ Aird-Mhic-Ceolam.” This word cuid is
allied to pit, pett, pettie, etc., farm, portion, a piece of land;
pet, etc., is a Pictish word; Welsh peth, a part.
CuiD T h o r l a i n .
A C h u i l . The reoees, nook, dark background. North of
Uig, Snizort. A North and South Cuil; known as “ Cuil
Uige.” Cf. “ Cuil ” in Duror, Argyllshire.
C u il ,
u ir id h il .
The noisy nook or comer. Near Allt Mor,
Glasphein. Thought smuggling carried on here once; the
word or term cuiltear means a smuggler, or one who
practises his calling in secret.
C u il M
or C u l n a h - A ir ig h e . The nook behind the sheiling;
Cul-Airigh-Lagain, the little hollow behind the sheiling,
is in Strath, near Sleat.
C uilore , C u il O i r . Gold nook, etc. See “ Uaimh-an-Oir.”
C uil
Round quoy; cuthaidh,
a cattle-fold, also cuitheadh, an enclosure, etc., cuitheach,
a cave-dweller. A writer in “ Scotsman ” of December
11th, 1917, speaks of the “ Kewachs,” or “ naked wild men,
living in caves,” ciuthach. See “ Quiraing.”
C u ir a in g , Q uoy R a n d , K v i - R a n d .
C u is h in is h , C u s in is h .
Cuith, as above, and innis, an island
or pasture-land beside a river, etc? Near Portree.
C u it h i r . A rocky and cave-studded spot, four miles north of
Storr. Diatomic works here.
C ul - a - G h a r a i d h . The back of the dyke, or the uplands above
Breakish, Strath; gàradh also means “ garden.”
C u l d a l ie .
See “ Auldalie,” Raasay.
The back of the pasturage, cul,
back, and setr, seader, siader, shader, etc., probably remote.
'C f. “ Culloden,” said to mean back of the marsh, lod\
mostly drained now.
C u l k n o c k , C u ln ac n o c k , C u l a C h n o c , C h n u ic . Back of the
knoll. In Troternish. Pont gives “ Could na Grock ” and
“ Culnicknock ” ; Martin gives “ Culuknock ” as near
Kilmartin.
Spellings numerous and different, even
“ Cunnacnock.”
C u l n a m e a n , C u l n a m B e a n n . Back of the mountains. At
north end of Loch Brittle.
C u l e sh a d e r , C o l l is a id e r .
152
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
The little, narrow, cold pass; cumhag fuar; cumhaing,
narrow, strait, defile. This pass possibly a “ windygowl ” ;
it leads to three townships near Portree.
C um hag.
C u m in u l e , C u m in it e .
See “ Guminile.”
D
D a il a n t - S a ig h d e ir .
The archer’s
meadow; saighead, arrow, dart, sagitta. A farm enjoyed
by a member of the clan or sept Maclnnes, the men whereof
were hereditary bowmen or archers to the chiefs of “ Mackinnon ” of Strath-Swordell.
The prefix dal is notable as in both “ Dalriada,” from
Cairbre Riada, Cairbre of the long arm, and “ Dalaradia,”
from Araidhe, a King of Ulster, their “ portion ” or
“ belonging.” Dal, dalr, in Celtic words a prefix, dale in
Norse is an affix. See “ Gleann Dail.”
D a l - n a -S a ig h d e a r ,
D a l Rob a ch . R ough or fu zzy dale; dail here means a field,
a dale or meadow, also in the follow in g:
D al R u ad h , A
n
D a il R u a d h .
The red or russet plain, etc.
On the Strath glebe.
D a l v e y , D a il
a
B h e it h e .
D e d a ig , D e id e a g .
Birch-dale.
Rib-grass, pebble, little fair one, etc.
See
“ Bioda.”
Stern or end of the ship, from
fancied resemblance. At Dunvegan Head.
D e ir e a d h - a n - t - S o it h e a c h .
A c h l a is .
Armpit-end.
stern-collar (of a boat).
D e ir e n y
May be achlais-deiridh,
etc. The house or steading of
beams, piles or planks, deile and stadt, sta; a crannag or
crannog, fortified artificial building in a loch; a wooden
structure at east end of Loch Chaluimchille, now drained.
A saying “ Cason fada D h ilista .the long legs of Dilista.
There is a noun casan, signifying the supporting beam of
a house-top; taigh chasan, a house built of wattle-work.
D e l is t a , D il is t a , D io l a st a ,
Not known. East of Snizort.
dein, strong, firm. Demean ?
D enthan.
Might be from.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
153
etc., the last the
aspirated form of Dubeg. From djup vik (Norse), deep
bay; also given Dia vik, God’s bay. Captain Thomas
gave dubec, die-bek, bekkr, a rivulet, a brook. This place
is at Loch Grishernish. Cf. beck, English for rivulet, etc.
D ia b a ig , D iu b a ig , D u b a ig , D ubeg , Y ubeg ,
D ia l l a id , D io l l a id .
Saddle, a ridge on Sgurr nan Gobhar,
q.v.
Shelter, refuge bay, dion vik. This is generally
accepted las the correct meaning, though diem means the
opposite. See “ Beinn.”
D ib id a l , D ib id a l e , etc.
Deep dale, djupr, deep, etc., dalr,
dale—diobadal or diobadail. The local explanations very
fanciful, dith bidh dail, want-of-food or hungry dale! The
tautological name, “ Glen Dibidale,” i.e., Glen-deep-glen
or dale, also exists. There is a Loch and a Cnoc Dibidal©
also, the latter 775 feet in height; the cliffs here rise sheer
from the sea 600 feet.
D ig g , D i g .
Ditch, or mound, to keep out water; equals dik,
deeg, dyig, (G.) dais, (Fr.) dique. This place is in
Kilmuir. According to Macbain, dig means “ a wall of
loose stones, a dike ” ; it also means the hollowed-out rhines
in or at a ford after retreat of tide. That the word dike or
dyke meant a ditch or hollow of old seems certain from the
saying, “ Februar’ fill the dike either with the black or
white,” etc. The inhabitants of this township, like many
others, bore an eke-name or bye-name of “ Na Boguis,”
the bugs, or timber moths! Gàradh frequently used for
a wall or dike.
D iu r d i n . Not known. A place of this name found given as
near Kilmuir Church.
D ia n a v a ig .
See “ Duirinish.”
D o ir ’ a B h o il ic h . The grove of boasting, loud clamour, etc.
Might be Doir-a-Bhoileach, the grove of fury, rage, etc.,
boilè, madneas, etc.
D iu r in i s h .
a B h u il g .
The grove of the sack or bag (of arrows
perhaps), a quiver; also balg.
D o ir ’
a C h a o il .
The grove of the saplings or twigs, osiers;
also doire chaol or chaoil, the grove of the narrows or
strait. Soay.
D o ir ’
"1
154
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Doin’ a n L e ic h . Grove o f the physician, leigh and lighiche.
Near Portree. See “ Allt.”
Oak
D oire D a r a ic h .
grove or grove o f oak-trees.
D o ir e d o in , D o ir e d o ir , D o ir e D o m h a in .
Deep, profound, etc.,
grove. On the island of Soay.
Little groves, clumps, or thickets. This word
means “ lapwing,” doirecm, doireachcm being plurals of
doire.
D o ir e a g a n .
D oire
M
h ic
grove.
M
(Math-ghamhuimi).
Matheson’e
See “ Tota Mhic Cuinn.”
h a t h a in
In Strath.
h o r C h ao l n a m Bo.
The great grove of the strait or
narrows of the cows; probably where they waded or swam
across.
D oire M
D oire
na
B a n a c h d ic h , B a n a c h d a ic h .
Vaccination grove. See
“ Eas Mor,” etc.
Doire n a Criche. Boundary grove. See “ Druim na Criche.”
This word doire in Skye also stands for stamh, seagirdles, tangle— laminaria digitata.
Barr - staimh and
bragair are the broad leaves on the top, the whole forming
a veritable grove. C f. “ Bragar ” in the Lewis.
n.
The door, a pass in the Coolins said to
have been used specially by the Macleods; it is a straightwalled cleft forming a gap a few yards up the ridge of
Sgurr a Mhiadaidh, also said to be on a ridge of Sgurr at
Ghreadaidh.
D ortjis, D orus , A
? D o w a r t . Black (sea) loch or fiord. Dubh Fjordr.
D r ia n a n , D r in e a n , D r a o in e a n , D r o ig h n e a n . Thicket of
blackthorn. In Strathaird.
D ow nort
Little ridge of hill, droman, which also
means dwarf elder tree, etc.
D r im m i n , D rtjmain .
D r im is h a d e r .
R id g e o f h ill steading.
Druim
and
setr.
Not known, unless meant for Drinan (Drinan-dun)
at Strathaird; or
D r in g a n , D r io n g a n . Slowness, etc.
D r in a c e .
Locally suggested Draoidh or Druidh allan,
Druids’ river or well. Druidh, Drui for Dru-vid; ealan
or ealdhain, learning, science, etc.?
D r iv a l l a n .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
155
Bridge, supposed comparatively modern, at least
qua the following:
D r ochaid A b h a in n a n A s a r a id h . Asary river bridge; at head
of Loch Slapin.
X) r o c h a i d .
ir ig h n a S u ir id h e . The bridge at the sweethearts’
sheiling or the courting-sheiling; this bridge is over AlltCoire-nan-Clach, south of Loch Slapin.
D rochaid A
a n L o in R u a id h .
Bridge of the red or russet
meadow (or burn here); Ion is frequently used in Sky©
instead of allt, a stream, river, or burn; but see “ Lòn.”
D rochaid
a n S u id h e . The bridge of the seat; where travellers
—.especially and particularly funeral processionists—rested
going either way.
D rochaid
rd n a M ourcladh.
Thought bridge of the great
hollow, mor cladh\ might be meant for muclach, herd of
swine, piggery.
D rochaid M h o r . The great bridge. Above Portree, on the
road to Braes, supposed to be haunted.
D rochaid A
n a C lo ich e B id e i c h .
Given as the bridge of the
little stone, but bideich thought should be biodaich, pointed,
etc.
D rochaid
D rochaid
na
L e t h - P h e ig h in n .
The bridge of the half-penny
(land). Above Kilbride.
n a M orach a.
The bridge of the great mound or
bank (acha) or field or plain, etc., (achadh). Suggested
should be mor’aich, land liable to flooding.
D rochaid
nan T r i A l l t .
Bridge of the three rivers; also
called Drochaid an t-Sithein, fairy bridge; one of these
bums at least runs into Loch Bay.
D rochaid
R o m e sd a l , R o m a sd a l .
Romesdal bridge, over
river of same name, on south march of Kingsburgh Farm,
Snizort.
D roch aid
Not known. Druid, verb, to shut, etc.; suggested
druid, a starling, druidean, druidealan, little starling, but
unlikely. This place is at Dunvegan Head.
D r u i d il in .
D ruim . A ridge, in connection with place-names; cognate with
Latin dorsum', common, both as a suffix and affix.
156
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
The ridge of food or eating, biadh, genitive
bidh, food; “ biadh is Ion,” food and food, Ps. ex.; bidh
in dictionaries given also as bith, which has several othetr
meanings, but not thought applicable here; the genitive
of bith is bithe.
D ru im a B h id h .
D r u im
a
C h a m a id h .
D r u im - a - D
a - C h o il l e .
Ridge of the bend or turning, etc.
Ridge of the two or double woods. In
Torrin.
D r u im - a - M
h a g a id h .
Ridge of mocking, an echo.
a n E ir e in ic h , E ir e a n n a ic h .
The Irishman’s ridge.
Supposed named after a somewhat famous itinerant Irish
piper; eibhrionnaich, a wedder goat, suggested; but see
“ Rudh’ an Eireannaich.”
D r u im
D ruim a n F huarain . The ridge of the well or spring. This
name has been mixed up with “ Druim an Fhuaraidh,”
the windward or exposed ridge, Strathaird; also “ Druim
an Uairidh,” uairidh means meal made from quern-ground
corn, brà; this ridge might be used for winnowing parched
corn.
D r u im - Aoi, A
o id h , D r im u e , D r u m u ie .
The traveller’s ridge.
Various etymologies have been advanced regarding this
name, locally “ Druim Ghaoithe,” ridge.of the wind or
windy-ridge; midh, gen. of proper name Aodh or Hugh,
once Englished Y (Y Mackay or Aodh Mhicaoidh); found
given even as “ Druim-muigh,” ridge of the plain, magh,
genitive muigh, now maigh; there is also “ Guala Druim
Aoithe ” or “ ’n Druim Bhuidhe,” first aoth, obsolete for
bell, crown; the second, the yellow ridge, near Portree.
Druim-Aoi is two miles north of Portree, and the meaning
first given is supported by its being the ridge which
separates one side of the island there from the other side,
a ridge of farewells to either or both; druim uidhe, space,
way, journey, etc.; ceemn-uidhe, destination.
D r u im a R u m a , R u i m . Ridge of room or space. Near Bioda
Buidhe* Troternish.
Ridge of the stock (of trees, etc.), or store,
cattle-stock, etc.; also found “ Druim an Stuic,” the ridge
of the hill or cliff.
D r u im - a - S toc .
D r u im B a n .
The white or fair ridge. Torrin.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
157
C h o r b a ir ? C a ir b r e .
A lord or prince in Ireland;
there were two of that name, one Lord of Atha in
Connaught, and chief of the Fir-bolg (? Belgae), the son
of Borbar or Borbor, the other the eon of Cormac, King
of Ireland. There were also two Kings Cormac; said that
Cormac, of whom Cuchullin was guardian, visited Skye
with some of his followers, being entertained in Cuchullin’s
castle at Dun-Sgathach. “ Cairbar ” another spelling.
This place is in Boraraig.
D r u i m C h r e a c a i g , C h r e a g a i g . The ridge of the conger, etc.,
thought wrasse or rock-fish; found given “ little rock
ridge” ; but creagmi is little rock.
D r u im D a N e c a il , N e a c a il . The ridge of the two Niools.
D r u im D u b h . Black ridge. South side of Loch Eisheort.
D r u im - e a d a r - D a - C h o ir e .
The ridge between two corries.
See “ Coire na Creiche.”
D r u im F h u r a in .
Either the ridge of plenty (furain) or the
ridge of welcome (furain, genitive of furcm), the latter
favoured as against “ Druim-Aoi,” q.v. This place is above
Faolin or Faolain; of old said to be Druim Uthaman or
Udhairn, but not known.
D r u im G h a u l s e a n or P h a u l s e a n . Not known. A place in
Waternish; a very old battle piece or tune named after this
place.
D r u im H a i n , A t h a i n . Ridge of the little ford; almost above
Loch Athan.
D r u im L e i n i s h . Leinish ridge. Near Colbost.
D r u im - n a - C l e o c h d , C leo c . The ridge or high pass of the
cloak or mantle; not known whether a cloak or mantle of
mist or the cloak for wear. North of Rudh’ an Eireinich.
The road here is very steep. Various surmises given, with
which we do not trouble our readers.
D r u im - n a -C l o ic h . The ridge of the stone; should be cloiche,
genitive; cloich is dative of clach, a stone. Near Sconser.
D r u im n a C o il l e . The ridge o f the wood.
D ruim n a C r ic h e . The ridge of the boundary, crioch. This
was a boundary between the lands belonging to or claimed
by the Macdonalds and Macleods, often traversed by both.
It lies two miles N.E. of Roineval, and five S.S.W. of
Portree.
D r u im
158
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
n a C r o is id h , C r o ise .
The ridge of the cross, gallows:,
or gibbet; crois often given for croich; if croisidh, then
genitive of croiseadh, crossing, forbidding, etc.
D r u im
n a F i a d h , F e i d h , or n a m F i a d h .
The ridge of the
deer. In Glendale. Coinneach Odhar’s sanguinary pro­
phecy said to apply to this ridge also.
D
r u im
D
r u im n a h - E i d h n e .
Ridge of the ivy, eidheann.
Druim na Ramh, Raimh, n an Ramh. The ridge of the wood
or tree roots, reumh, freumh. N.E. of Coruisg, dividing
it from Harta Corry. Many mistaken etymologies of this
name found given; guide-books call it Drumhain,” q.v.
Oar-ridge also given. Ossian calls the country of the woods
“ Talamh nan Ramh.”
n a R u a ig e .
Ridge of the rout, pursuit, chase, etc.,
commemorating a fierce fight and flight, thought of the,
Norse invaders. This ridge said to be in Strath, and a
“ Dun Ruaige ” near Sligachan.
D r u im n a n S g a r b h . Cormorant ridge. At Waterstein.
D r u im
Druim n a Slochd, Sloc, Sluic. Ridge of the pit, etc.; also
“ Druim an t-Sluichd,” euphonic t (once part of the
article). South of Craag-na-h-Eiginn.
Not known unless from
verb soap, to scatter, etc.; may be meant for Sgailpeal,
belonging to or abounding in caves; this, however, doubtful.
Sgailpeach means that; b and p being interchangeable,
perhaps sgaball, a helmet, may be considered.
D r u im S h l e ib h t e . Sleat ridge. Kilmuir.
D r u im T ho r o , T h o r a . Hill ridge—torra. In Kilmuir.
D r u m b u ie , D r u im B u i d h e . Yellow ridge.
D r u im S c a p a il , S c a ip e il , S g a p a il .
Ridge of the hinds, Druim na h-Aighean (1,038
feet). See “ Drum Hain,” also “ Druim nan Ramh.” This
is a' wild spot near Harta corry, and has various etymologies
attached to it; it is almost the “ hub” of the Coolins.
D r u m h a in .
uic or M u ig h , the old genitive
otmagh, a plain. See “ Druim-Aoi.” This place is near
Portree.
D r u m u ir id h , D r u im U i r i d h . The ridge of the monster; if
uirigh, then shelf of a rock, uirigh-creige. In Scorr.
D r u m m u ie , D r u m u y , D r u m - M
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
159
Place of thorns, drmgheawn, thorn, and iach, place of, abounding in. This place'
or district is famed for the memory of “ Tormad na Mart,”
Norman (Macleod) of the cows; also noted for the race or
faimily, Clann Dhomhnuill Ghlais, Grey Donald’s descend­
ants, whose burial-ground is on the banks, or borders, of
Loch Harport. An ancient cell hereabouts also.
D r ynoch , D r y n io c k , D r o ig h n e a c h .
garach.
The black or false
pretender or pretenders; a loch and hill in Bracadale.
D uagrach , D u a g r a ic h , D u b h A
u b h - A r d or A i r d .
Black height or point. An
Dubh-Aird on Monkstadt Farm; on the shore here is a
long bank of rough shingle (a mol), said to have been raised
by the waves during the gale in which Iain Garbh Mac
’Ille-Chalum (Macleod of Raasay) was lost at sea; this
bank is called “ Mol Fada na Dubbaird” ; this also said
of “ Mol Staiseall Staphein,” q.v.
D uart, D
l l t or A n D u bh
Varragill River.
D ubh- A
D ubh- B h r a ig h .
D u b h -C h a m u s
Soavaig.
D u b h -C h a r n
A
The black burn.
The black brae.
or An D u b h
Also Rona.
or
llt.
A
n
Varragill.
Ch am u s.
D ubh C h a r n .
Runs into
The dark bay. At Loch
The black cairn.
The black, dark, or difficult landing-place.
By advocates of every—or nearly every—Skye name, being
wholly or partly Norse, this word laimhrig is dealt with
as hladhamar and vik; the word is claimed m Gaelic
lamh-ruig, hand-reach, and applies to places beside or off
a rock where a boat may come close in and be reached
by the hand. This one is in Soay.
D u b h - L a im h r i g .
D ubh- L och.
Black loch.
“ L ow ergill,”
q.v.
or N a D u b h L o c h a n . The black little loch or
the black lochs. The latter near Broadford.
D u b h - L och an
The black skerries. Black means also dis­
astrous, etc. Off Sciteal. These are numerous, one north
of Loch Breatal, another in Loch Bracadale off Mi Bhodha
or Bhodha, mor, and another at entrance to Loch Eynord,
Minginish. One particular skerry which proved “ dis­
astrous,” and infamously noted was that one near
D u b h - S g e ir e a n .
160
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
“ Macleod e Maidens ” on which Campbell of Ensay—%
noted smuggler—placed a false light; Bioda mor, Feist,
and Na Cipean or An Cipean are names of these DubhSgeirean.
D
u c ar t .
May be Duart, q.v.
h a ic h , F h a ic h e .
Black or dark field; may
be where soldiers were reviewed.
D utch , D u b h F
Dere or deer-ness, deer-promontory. This is one
of the four divisions or districts into which Skye, north of
the Coolins, was divided by the Norse invaders, the other
three being Minginish, Troternish, and Vaternish. The
different modes of spelling this name, os found in the older
titles, Acts of Parliament, etc., are almost innumerable
from 1498 onwards; we quote a selected few as follows:
Dairnes, Darnes (1609), Deumes, Dewrynes, Dewrenes,
Dimes (1610), Diurinish, Dowernes (1541), Dowirnes,
Downreness (1609), Duirnes (1611, 1655), Duirness
(Wyntoun) Duirinish, Durinis, Durinysh (1588), Duriness,
Durynes, Duryness, Durynthas, Dwrinish, Dwrinthas
(1567), Dwrynes (1553), Dyrnes, Dyrness, Dyurenas
(1585), Dyurenes (1498), Dywrenes, and Urines. Accord­
ing to two authorities, Durness and or Deerness. Cf.
Durness or Dyrness in Sutherland. In the “ Statistical
Account,” the writer gives “ Dur, hard, and innis, a
promontory or island, equal to Rocky Promontory; it was
sometimes designated ‘ Kilmuir.’ ” No less than fifteen
duns are found given as being in Duirinish, which is only
the western division, Vaternish being the eastern division
of Kilmuir parish; a quoad sacra church in latter.
A notable bard, Donald Macleod, was born in Durness
in 1785, and this place is also noted as being also the calf
country of the famous race of the Macleods, all ministers,
from Morven 1775 onwards. Suardal is said to be the
name of the place where the common ancestor dwelt,
“ Gobha Shuardail,” as he was called. There is still in
Duirinish a crofter township called “ Kilmuir.” Like
others, the inhabitants of Duirinish bore a nick-name con­
ferred on them by their neighbours in Troternish of “ Na
Moganaich,” while their place or district was named “ Am
Fearann Moganach.”
See “ Duthaich Mhic Leoid.”
Duirinish is dedicated to St. Mary.
D u ir in i s h .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
161
This is black skerry, the one near “ An Fheiste.”
See “ Dubh-Sgeirean.”
Dunan.
The little fort or hillock. In Strath; another in.
Portree.
D u n a n a n A is i l id h or A i s l e .
The hillock or fort of the
axle, ami. See “ Cnoc Roll,” etc.
D unan E arr an S gurr, S g urra.
The hillock of the end,
boundary, or tail of the cliff; this, with the point Rudh’
an Dunan, q.v., runs into Soay Sound, between Loch
E ynort and Loch Brittle.
D u n . This word appears frequently in Skye place-names, and,
as elsewhere, is in many cases non specific in character, the
general and common Dun beag, ban, mor, etc., not being
given here as a rule.
The names of the Dùin or Duintean are, in many cases,
those of adjacent farms or lands, etc., given elsewhere here,
and some of these have also been omitted; for a fairly,
correct list of duns, so far as it goes, see “ The Misty Isle
of Skye,” 2nd Ed., p. 265.
The primary signification of dim in its various forms is
“ strong ” or “ firm,” fortis, firmus; it is also an equivalent
of li,s, a stronghold, Scandinavian borg, broch, burg, also
an enclosure, from (it is alleged) Anglo-Saxon tun, town;
among the ancient Celts their laws enjoined that a dùn
must have a king (or chief) to constitute it such, the ground
round or in the immediate vicinity being called faiche,
whether level or hilly.
A dùn has been described as “ two walls, with water ” ;
the fmche equalled four garts, garths or enclosures, and was
cultivated for the use of the dùn and neighbouring baile
or inhabited spot. See Armstrong’s Dictionary, s.v.
The duin are, as said, numerous in Skye; indeed, it is
believed more so than in any other island or place of equal
area; many are supposed to have been erected in prehistoric
ages, possibly by the predecessors of the Celt; others by
the Celts themselves, especially during the Fingalian
period, while some are as modern as the Norse invasion
and occupation, having been built as places of defence
against these ruthless ravagers; a few are believed to have
been built by the Norwegians or Danes.
Duns were, however, grey with the moss of ages before
the first Norwegian prow touched land in Scotland.
D
u is g e a r .
162
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
The dim or ancient fort is generally built on a cnoc, on
land which, in Irish Gaelic, is called aine or one, from,
mnn, ainne, a circle, which must not be confounded with
am, water. Dim, then, generally speaking, means first a
fort, then a hill, etc.
D u n a B h a i r d . The Bard’s hill; common; equivalent to “ Bail’
a Bhaird ” ; here bard may mean dyke, fence, or park, dùn
having come to mean a fence or enclosure, and hence the
space enclosed equal, as said, to tun, or town.
D u n a C h e i t e c h in .
Not known as spelled; but suggested
“ Dun a Cheitein,” the hill of summer, a hill frequented in
summer.
D u n a C h l e r ic h , D u n a n c l e r ic k . The hill of the cleric or
minister, perhaps his glebe, enclosure, or “ belonging” ;
like many others, the site of this dun only remains. See
“ Cliar,” s.v. “ Dunvegan.”
D un A d h a m h . A d a m ’s fort (326 feet).
E.S.E. of Kingsburgh House, Snizort.
D u n a n O i r . The hill of gold. See “ Uamh an Oir,” near
which this dun is supposed to be situated; see also “Leabhar
na Feinne,” and “ Celtic Monthly ” for 1910.
D u n a n s . The little duns—Englished. Kilmuir.
D un
an
A
ir d ,
D un
na h - A ir d e .
Th e h ill at A ir d (or fort),
either extreme north or south.
A r k a ig .
Black bay fort, arc vik; arc Old Gaelic for
“ black,” though it has many modern meanings.
D u n B a r p l a c a ig . See “ Barpa.”
Kilmuir.
D u n B eag S t r u a n . Struan little fort; one fort, in ruins, at
Torrin.
D un-B earradh- F adhach.
The fort on the ridge of the
“ Monster.” Fadhach, properly fathach, sometimes erron­
eously written athach. This dun is in Waternish. See
“ Dun larla.”
D u n B h a r p . The Dun of Barp; this word means a cairn of
stones, barpa, or barrow raised to or over the dead. Cf.
Norse verpa, cast up (as a cairn or the like), or varp, a
casting, a throwing. This dun is near Harlosh.
The word “ Moudiewart,” a mole (animal) said to equal
mould varp, cast up earth. M ‘Alpine says “ supposed to
be memorials of the dead.” See “ Barpa.”
D
un
'
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
D un B h o n e r a ig , B o r ar aig ,
q.v.
D u n B h u ir g h , B h u ir b h , B org , B o r v e .
D
u n b l a b h e in n .
Blaven fort.
D un B o r r a f ia c h .
163
Borbh, gen. Buirbh.
See “ Blathbheinn.”
The dun of the raven’s borg or burgh or
haunt.
D
un
B o r r a sta c h .
The fort of the precipice or precipitous
hill. Borg-stac equals Norse stalicr; also known as “ DunDaibhidh. Borg in this word just dùn.
. Fort-Fort, a hybrid. See “ Borve.” Borgs,
otherwise known as brochs, are numerous in Skye; D r .
Joseph Anderson alone gives thirty.
There are two Dun Borves in Skye, one at Lyndale or
Lyndall, and the other at Beinn-an-Uine (Beinn-anDùine), above Portree; this dun was, inter alia, a reputed
home of the daoine-sith, fairies who were very trouble­
some; in order to get rid of their officiousness, they were
suddenly told, or the remark was made to them of “ Dun
Bhuirbh ri (or na) theine! " whereupon they, or one of
them, replied or cried out, “ Dun Bhuvrb ri theine, gun
chu, gun duine, mo chearslagan snath, ’s mo phocannan
mine! ” (Dun Borbh on fire, without dog or man, my,
little clews (or balls) of thread, and my (little) bags of
meal); cemsail, s.f. clew or ball of yarn (ceirsle); a similar
saying is tlTorr-a-Bhuilg f a theine, m uird is m innein,
's mo bholgV’ (Torr-a-Bhuilg on fire, my hammer and
my anvil, also my bellows!)
D un B o r v e .
Fort o f the large or great quarter-land
(measure), eeathramh mor.
D un C e a r y m o r e .
Stone fort. Near Osdale. This must have
been an exception, inferring that forts frequently built
mainly of earth.
D un C h l a c h .
D un C h l o .
Thought should be Dun Flo, in Sleat.
D u n -C no c .
Knoll fort.
D un C oire F
a l a ic h .
retreat, hiding.
D un C olbost ,
q.v.
Two miles N.W. of Talisker.
Fort of the hidden corry; a refuge or
164
D
un
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
C o m a b e r n , C o n a b e r n , C o n a b h e r n , C o n a v e r n . Con for
comh, inseparable particle, together, etc., and beam, fissure,
opening, pass, junction of pass; the first name above
justifies this etymology; the others support the meaning
of “ dog” or “ dog’s ” pass, etc. This place is north of
Culnacnoc, Troternish.
C r u i t , C r u i t e . Crowd or violin fort, harp occasionally.
Said to be either Cymbric or Pictish.
D UN- D a i b h i d h . David’s fort, so called after a Norseman
(vikingr) of that name; also the ancient name for Duntulm.
Uisdean Mac Ghilleaspuig Chlerich (Mac Ghiolla (gille)
x ’n Easbuig), Hugh the son of Archibald the cleric, lad,
servant, or servitor of the bishop, who built CaistealUisdean, was starved here in a dungeon; the tale is well
known. Sir Donald Macdonald, XII. of Sleat, was the
last “ lord” born in Duntulm; he was elected “ Lord of
the Isles ” after Flodden. The spelling of Uisdean fre­
quently wrong; in “ Reliquiae Celticse “ Huistiuin.”
D
un
D e r ig , D e ir g .
Generally translated the red fort, but
thought “ Dargo’s fort.” Dearg, son of Collath, or Dearg,
a war-like British Druid, one of the last of his order; he
was called “ King of Spears.” This dun is in Kilmuir.
D un D iag . Dun Digg or Dig, ditch or stone dyke. Diag
may be a proper name.
D
un
D
un
D ia r g .
See “ Dun Derig.” Famous for a fairy smith
chased by Daorghlas, one of Cuchullin’s followers; Dorglas,
as given in Ossianic poems.
D ia r m id .
Diarmid’s fort. The above Daorghlas was
another name given to Dermid, the mythical progenitor of
the Campbells, who apparently had for a time a local
habitation in Skye. Diarmad was a son of Duihhne, also
said to be a son of one Diarnan, or Diaran.
D u n D o n a l d . Donald’s fort (of the Isles).
D
un
D
un
D
ugan,
D
ucan.
The
fo r t o f th e little h illo c k .
Dugan
is also a proper n am e.
D
un
E l ir e a c h , D
u n e l ir ic h ,
D
u n m e l l e r ic k ,
D
u n e n il l e r ic h ,
Given as the fort of the stranger, etc.,
eilthireach; also said to be the same as “ Dun-a-Chlerich,”
q.v. When it is considered how greatly hunting entered
D
u n e n il l c r ic k .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
16a
into the life and sport of the Celts, the etymology of this
name seems clear, as being from eilear, a deer’s walk or
passage, etc., a desert; eilearag, eileirig, iollairc, iollaraic,
iolaraig, and iolarig, a deer-drive or cul-de-sac, also a
hiding-hillock or a V-shaped structure through which deer
driven and shot (of old) with arrows, or speared when
passing through the narrow outlet of the V. Dun ’111©
Riach also given. See “ Baile,” etc.
E yre.
See “ Eyre.” There is a. dùn fada and a dwq
goirid here, a long dun and a short dun, which shows that
duns were not always round as alleged.
D
un
D
un
D
un
F
D
un
G a e s in , G a r s a in n .
D
un
F e o r l ig , F e o ir l in g .
Fort of the farthing-land, Soots
farthing, one-twelfth of a penny sterling. Near Loch
Caroy. This Dun Feorlig is said to be another name for
“ Na Barpannan,” there being two duns beside each
other; a Glendale authority suggests that in the word1
“ Barpannan ” the p may have taken the place of g ir*
“ Borgannan,” a possible plural form of borg; but see
“ Barpa.”
lashader.
See “ Flaiseadair.”
See “ Garsbheinn.”
G e il b , G e il b t , G e il t ?
Not known. The nearest
approach is geilib, gilb, a chisel; geilbe, geilt means terror,
fear, dread, etc. See “ Sleat.”
(Bjom setr). Biorn’s house.
D u n ’G h a r a i d h M h o i r . The fort or hill of the great wall or
dyke, also garden. Near township of Geary. This should
be an gearradh mor. See Gearradh.”
D u n G a r s a i n n . See “ Dun Garsin.”
This dun overlooks the
head of Loch Beag at Totardor, in Struan. There is a
word garsail, a lad (Irish gosoon).
D un G hear ra-S h ead er .
The fort of the little dwelling, or
the short mountain-pasture, gearr, short, little, etc., and
setr, out-paisture, etc. This dun was noted as being the
place where a fairy woman counted her cattle, and chanted
a rhyme which was overheard; it is in Gaelic, and thought
generally well known. This dun was once large and im­
posing, but was demolished by some Goth of a lowlander
for bigging dykes!
D
un
G
erm shader
166
D
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
un
G r e a n a n , G r e a n n a r . The sunny, lovely, pleasant fort,
above the Eaglais Bhreugach. The latter word greannar
is thought to be a mistake, as it is generally applied tot
women and girls only; the first word grianan is a sunny
spot, in mansions a “ bower,” and in rural landscape a
green, dry spot on which for instance peats are spread for
drying, a bleaching-green, and so forth.
“ Grianan
Deirdri ” is still preserved as a local name on Loch Etive
side. See “ Beinn na Grianan,” “ Grianal,” etc. In Loch
Mealt, or Miadhailt, a Dun Grianan stands on a peninsula.
G r u g a ig , G r u a g a ig , G n u g a ig .
The wretched woman’s
fort or hillock, gnu, gloomy, gnugag or grugag, a sulky
female, extended to mean the dun itself (inhospitable);
gruagaig means a lock of hair; suggested gruagach, a young
woman. This dun is in Strathaird, near the Spar Cave,
or “ Sloe an Altrumain.” Dun G las also near here, the
green dun.
D u n h a l l in . The fort of the hall. See “ Hallin.” Locally
given as Dun Chailin, the girl, the maiden’s fort; caileag
is a little girl, also Gailein, Colin. In Waternish and
Duirinish. Some notable men born here, i.e., Hallin, in
Waternish.
D u n H a s a n . Not known. May be a proper name.
D
un
D u n I a g h a ir t , F
D
un
h i a d h a ir t ,
q.v.
I a r l a , I a r - F h l a t h . Earl’s dun. Iar, second in order to
a flath, prince. In Waternish. One of three forts, the
others being “ Dun-Bearradh-Fadhach ” and “ Dunhallin,”
built on conical hills, with room or space round the exterior
for training purposes, etc.; they are each about four miles
apart, but all within sight of each other; some recesses,
still discernable in the remaining walls, are thought to have
been the sleeping-places of the warriors of the olden time;
these recesses are over ten feet in length.
The fort of the green islet. See
In Kilmuir.
D un K ea r st a c h . Thought the fort of justice, possibly a local
mod; ceartais or ceartachadh, adjusting, etc. On east shore
of Loch Slapin.
D u n L i a n a i n . Fort of the lint-place or field; lion, however,
lint, but might be lion, a field, a plain, a meadow; here
small field, etc.
D un-I den,
F h id e in .
“ Fidean.”
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
P
un
L ia t h , L ea, L i a .
Close by Kilmuir.
D un M
167
Grey fort or watch-tower, cam liath.
“ Dunled ” found as in Strathaird.
Thought “ Dunvannarain,” q.v.
a l l e r a in .
hasan.
Not known. May be a proper name.
Cf. “ Gleann Masan ” in Argyll.
D un M
D
un
M
ash ader.
Fort
of
meadow pasture, magh, shader.
D un M e r k a d a l e .
Fort of
M in g in ish . Merk dalr.
the merk-dale.
Near Carbost,
or.
The great fort. This is a more than usual sized
fort, and appears to be of great ago, and built to protect
the entrance to Loch Slapin; repaired and occupied by the
Danes, it is said. See “ Cisborg.”
D un M
n a h -A ir ig h e .
The fort of the sheiling; this, it is said,
should be Dun na h-Airde, the fort on the height. At
Greshernish, site only.
D u n n a h -U a m h a . Fort o f the cave.
Dun
D un N e il l .
Niall
or
D u n O s d a l e , O s d a il ,
Neil’s fort.
q.v. A watch-tower
near D unvegan.
Thought Paul’s fort—Pal, the son of Bakki,
Sheriff of Skye, 1263. Given also as from fjàll, a fell!
D un P h a i l .
D un R aisa b u r g ,
q.v.
Fort Ringill, the old castle
of the Mackinnons, S.W. of Loch Slapin; occupied in ninth
or tenth century. In a cave near Elgol, a chief of the
Mackinnons thrust a bone of a deer down the throat of a
wild boar that attacked him; see Mackinnon coat-of-arms.
On this dun the site of Duntulm said to be of old, though
in Dean Munro’s time, 1549, it seemed separate. See
Introduction hereto.
D un S g a l a ir . Said to mean fort of the sheilings (dùn, fort,
and skalar, plural of skali, sheiling). Locally from sgal,
shriek!
D un S g u ir r ( S g e ir ) M h o ir . Fort of the great skerry or searock; also found “ Dun na Sgeire Mora.” Sgeir, however,
is a feminine noun.
D u n R i n g il l , R in g a l l , R is g il l .
D un S k e r in e s s , S g ir in is h ,
q.v.
D un S cudborg , S k u d b u r g , etc.
See “ Scudaburg.”
168
D
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
un
Dun
Cloud or cloudy dun or fort.
Gleiann Smeoil,” glen of mist ( “ Sàr Obair ” ).
S m a il , S m e o il .
Cf.
S u le d a le .
Fort of the solan-goose-dale (or “ pillar
dale); sulair, however, is the Gaelic for solan-goose; if
“ pillar,” then 375 feet in height. At Waternish, but in
ruins.
Fort of death, mortality, silence; may be meant
for taibh, genitive of tabh, the ocean; also fishing-net, etc.
D u n T a im h .
The fort of the dynast, thane, or prince, the
next in succession to a king or chief. Anything parallel or
second to another.
D un T a in is h .
D
un
T o r v a ig , D o r o vaig . The fort of the hill of the bay. It
is said that this tor is a distance from any bay, now at least,
and out of sight of sea. Torvaig is near Old Scorribreac
House, and which again is not far from the sea.
The dun or fort of the third part (of land).
Someone has suggested a deeper meaning, viz., treathann,
genitive of triath, Old Gaelic for sea or wave; another
offers trean, trian, or traona, land-rail or corn-crake. In
regard to tredthann, we find in a glossary of Old Celtic
words given by W. Stokes in “ Revue Celtique,” vol xxviii.,
No. 3, p. 326, a word trethan— treathain-gàir, a billow
war, equalling tonn, a wave, a billow.
D u n tre a n .
Duntulm, Dun-Tuilm, Duntolm. The fort or castle on the
round hillock or isolated hill; variously spelled in various
charters and Acts of Scottish Parliament, etc. A few are
Donntwyline, Dountwyline (1549), Duntalime, Duntaline,
Dunteyland (1609), Duntolland, Duntoyline, Duntulime
(1628), Duntulin, Duntuliyn, Duntullen, Duntullyn, Duntuylinn, Duntylland (1607), Duntuyllin, Duntullyn, and
Duntvyllim; also called Dunringill; and in Kilmuir, N . W .
of Troternish, also given— though thought erroneously—
Dun an t-Holmr, a holm or low-lying land. The remains
of this ancient seat of the Macdonalds are now ruins, and
its very appearance justifies its name, situated as it is “ on
a high rock two hundred fathoms (sic) in height, and said
to mean £Castle of the grassy hillock.’ ” Dun Tulm nam
baideal arda, Duntulm of the high towers; see “ Dun
Daibhidh.” It is also said to be built on an old fortress
of the Norse Vikings, who again built on what was a fort
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
169
or place of defence erected by the Celts—or even their
predecessors. That the Norse invaders erected, or re-erected
forts throughout Skye is very possible; six in Kilmuir alone
are attributed to them. Duntulm, as is generally known,
was the quondam seat of the Macdonalds, Kings or Lords
of the Isles, whose history, etc., is elsewhere given by
competent authorities. See the book of Clan Donald, etc.
For a very vivid description of the army and arming of
the last “ Lord of the Isles,” fine description of clans and)
dress of the “ King of the Gael,” see “ Reliquiae Celticse,”
Vol. II.
Duntulm was inhabited down to 1715 by the Macdonalds
of the Isles. Macdonald lived in a plain house at Mugstot,
after vacating Duntulm, while Armadale Castle was being
built early in the nineteenth century. In regard to
Duntulm, Charles Fraser Mackintosh wrote: “ As messuage
and barony of Macdonald, Duntulm was the place for
baking sasine for the whole lands and estate notwith­
standing their discontiguity.”
There is a “ quick-step ” named Duntulm.
Caves, each with a characteristic name, abound in the
neighbourhood.
As to the Macdonalds’ designation above referred to, it
is recorded that in 1598, in certain offers made by Donald
Gorm to Queen Elizabeth, he is styled “ Lord of ye Illis
of Scotland.”
Duntulm was sold, it isi understood, after 1832, though
a certain material change has taken place owing to
successful litigation by Sir Alexander Bosville Macdonald.
Duntulm, indeed, once belonged to Ruaraidh Macleod, but
from July, 1616, to Donald Gorm, who fixed it as the
Macdonald residence. In regard to this castle, however,
it is averred that there is nothing in history to show that'
the “ Lords of the Isles” ever resided in Duntulm; John,
last “ Lord of the Isles,” granted Sleat to his half-brother,
Hugh, in 1449; from him are descended the “ Macdonalds
of Slate,” or otherwise “ of the isles,” not “ lords of the
Isles,” who were descended from Gotfruigh or Godfrey,
son of Fergus “ Toshach, or Chief of the Isles,” who died
in 853. In Irish history we read that Owen, first lord of
Tyrone (Tir Eoghainn), married Aileach from Scotland,
whose son was first “ Lord of the Isles” ; O’Donnell, now
MacDonnell or Macdonald—Reginald of the Isles—died
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
in 1207, and was buried in Iona, where he had, in 1203,
founded a monastery of Black Monks.
The Lordship of the Isles was forfeited in 1493, and the
Irish Baronage of Macdonald of Slate or Sleat was not
created till 1776; in the interval, Hugh’s descendants were
called “ of Slate ” or “ of the Isles.”
After 1266 the Hebrides were held by native chiefs of
the hereditary race of Somerled of Argyll till the reign
of James V. (1513-42, circa), nearly 200 years; this lord­
ship was annexed inalienably to the Scottish Crown in 1540,
and now forms one of the titles of the British Prince of
Wales.
Donald Gorm Mor of Slate had the lands of Slate
restored to him by Queen Mary (they having been forfeited
by his father, Donald, born 1537, who also styled himself
“ Lord of the Isles” ); he died in 1585. See “ Burke,”
Ed., 1859.
In regard to this, it is stated by J. G. Campbell in his
“ Witchcraft, etc., in the Highlands,” that Domhnull Gorm
Mor resided at Duntulm in 1616, was succeeded by his
nephew, Domhnull Gorm Og, to whom the ghost of his uncle
appeared, revealing the whereabouts of a lost document of
importance; Donald Gorm was son of Donald Gruamach,
1539, and was killed by an arrow shot by a Duncan Macrae
at Eilean Donain.
The Macdonald lords were wont to sit in state on a
certain rock on the cliffs above the castle, hearing and
judging oases, so late as 1775. See “ Cnoc an Eiric, also
various knolls, etc., e.g., “ Cnoc a Mhoid.” As Duntulm
is one of the later built castles of leading importance, the
keep is probably of the early" seventeenth century.
As to the oaves before referred to, the best known in the
vicinity are at Bornaskitag Point, viz., Uamh’ an Ojjr,
Uamhia Mheadhon, and Uamhia Bheag, or Bealach an
t-Sabhail. One surmise is that the “ lords ” used Uamh’
an Oir as a pecuniary storehouse, hence the name.
The basaltic columns in the neighbourhood are the next
in degree of regularity to those of Fingal’s Cave in Staffa.
Bight below Duntulm Castle, on the beach, is a low, even,
flat rock with a deep, straight groove or notch extending
from low-water to high-water mark, for keels of galleys
when being launched; in connection with or in reference
to this, see N .G .P., s.v. “ Cha bhodach Gill’-losa do na
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
171
Ji-uile fear,” which equals “ Trod a bhodaich ris a
cheathaime.” A js evidence of Duntulm having been for
a short time only (about 1614) in the possession of the
Macleods, an incised picture of “ Macdonald’s ” galley
appears in the arch of one of the windows for armuinn or
armin, which signifies a hero or chief; it had here a
technical signification in the Isles, designating a particular
class of the vasisals of the “ Lords of the Isles.” See also
“ Dunvegan.”
Weird tales are still told of processions of plaided and
kilted warriors, in different tartans, all armed, being seen
in close proximity to the old castle, at sunset and after;
also sound of steps pacing up and down below the castle
in rooms or dungeons now closed: this sound of foot-steps
is vouched for by several, particularly by an artist who, a
few years ago, was engaged drawing the place! This
account is culled from various sources, and—so far as it
goes— thought correct.
D u n v a n n a r a in , B h a n n a r a in , B h u n n a r a in .
This thought
meant for ‘ ’Bhun-a-Raing ” (rang, a column, a row of
rock pillars, etc.). The root, the base of the pillar-likef
rocks. See “ Quiraing,” near to which this place is.
Given also as Vallerain, Vallarain, and explained as bhallaraing, the wall or bulwark of pillar-rocks; bhàn, a bhàn,
down, downwards, also suggested.
D u n v e g a n . The variants of this name existing and found (as
in “ Duntulm ” ) in old titles, Scots Acts of Parliament,
etc., are very numerous; a few from 1498 onwards are
given, viz., Donvagane (1644), Donyvagan (1641), Downevagane (1584), Downevegane (1584), Dunbeagan, Dunbegane (1498-1515), Dun-bheagan, Dunbogan, Dunewegane, Dunfeggan, Dunebagan (1678), Dunnevagane
(1552-3), Dumbeakin, Dunmbeicin (’M Becin, Ir.), Dunmekin, Dunmivagan (1662), Dunnivagane (1661), Dunnivagen (1663), Dunnvagan (1649), Dunvagein (1566), Dunvaigan (1609), Dunvegane (1541), Dunvegine (1655),
Dunyvagen (1541), Dunyvagen (1637), Duwagane, and
Dynvegane (1635).
As might be expected, various etymologies have been
found, e.g., “ Dun Beagan,” the fort of the few, or little
fort; “ Dun Viking,” the fort of the viking or sea-rover;
“ Dun Beacan,” the fort of the mushrooms, even “ of the
saplings,” etc.!
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Captain Thomas gives what is believed to be the accepted
meaning, viz., Dun Bhecain, from an Icelandic settler
Becan, who left it and removed to Bekanstadr (Bekan’g
Homestead, etc.). John Breac Macleod wrote a fulsome
inscription, and had it engraved on a stone of the Castle
in which the name is Latinised, viz., “ Beganodum,”
designing himself “ Phylarcus,” i.e., chief or laird; this
chief is said to have maintained a band of “ stalwarts ” to
act as.“ police.”
Dunvegan Castle is situated near the terminus of Loch
Fallort, six miles from the main sea; also called Loch
Dunvegan. Loch Bay is the anchorage under the shelter
of Island Isay, opposite Stein. Dunvegan Castle is said
to date back to the eighth or ninth century as an inhabited
castle—which it still is— but this has been contradicted,
so far at least as its present name is concerned.
The castle stands on the site of a seat of MacRaild or
MacHarold, Armuinn, a Danish knight (this word armuinn
is explained s.v. “ Duntulm” ). The keep was originally
of the most primitive description, evolving a composition
of perfect architectural unity; the square tower, with wall
round edge of rock, is the oldest or original fortification.
It is said to have been called Dun Daibhidh, David’s Fort,
after a certain Viking king or prince; this is also said of
Duntulm: both may be correct.
In an old Clan-Ranald song are the lines:
“ ’8 moirg a shamhladh Cola creagach
Ri Duribheagain no Duntuilm ”
(Who’d compare Coll the rocky
To Dunvegan or Duntulm?)
Mairi Nigh’n Alasdair Ruaidh (born 1569, died 1674)
refers to this famous fort as “ Dun nan Cliar ” or “ Cliarchain,” the fort of the poets or itinerant bards, or satirical
poets or bards, where these somewhat troublesome ministrels
made a prolonged stay, “ ionad tathach mm cliar” the
visiting or place of call or resort of the bards; the fort was
also designed “ Dun Flathail nan Cuach,” the hospitable
fort of the cups (of wine); hospitality, though once general
in all Celtic castles and houses to the lowest degree,
was always pre-eminent at Dunvegan, and this the cliar
or cleir well knew and took full advantage of; these
poets, raconteurs, and general news-mongers were named
\
\
i
1
|
|
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
173
Cliar-Sheanchain, poets or disciples of Seanchan, chief poet
of a high king of Ireland (Senchan’s Lot). Cliar or cleir
is from Latin clerus. Another name for Dunvegan was
“ Caisteal dubh nan Cliar,” the black castle of the poets..
In regard to, and explanation of, Cliar-Sheanchain, the
above is wrong, the real meaning being, as may be inferred,
Cleir na sea/na chain, clerics, etc., of the old tax or bard’s;
tribute, literally an exaction of free-providing for different
periods according to standing—or supposed standing—
which degenerated into “ sorning.” Cf. “ Caisteal dubh
nan Cliar,” at Ormsaig, Ardnamurchan. These itinerant
poets were also called cliaranaich.
John Breac Macleod was notable as being the last chief
who had in his retinue a bard, a harper, and a fool or wit.
The eighth chief of Macleod was called “ Alasdair
Crotach,” hump-backed Alexander.
In connection with Dunvegan, mention falls to be made
of those famous piperis, the MacCrimmons, who were
closely connected with the place iand chief. Much has been
written and told about them; they were facile principes
among pipers, and had a notation of their own, which we
fear has been lost. One Macdonald, a Skyeman, about
1806 issued, it is understood, the first collection of
“ Piobaireachd, or The Ancient Martial Music of
Caledonia.”
Dunvegan was said to have been originally a stronghold
of the Macdonalds, but this is a mistake; they never owned
an acre on that side of Skye, though they may have
“ occupied ” places there for a longer or shorter period,
always— if so—very transitory; as is well known, little
love long ago was lost between these rival clans, and even
to this day reminiscences “ crop u p ” here and there, as,
for instance where Neil Munro, in his splendid and
historical novel, “ John Splendid,” calls the famous tune
“ Cogadh na S i t h war or peace, a “ braggart pibroch by
MacCrimmon.’’ This, of course, is merely by the way, and
a novelist’s license.
It was in February, 1746, that Donald Bàn MacCrimmon
was killed at the rout of Moyhall, near a place called
“ Creagan Eoin,” John’s little rock; Loudon’s troops were
seized with panic and fled, never halting till they got to
Sutherland, where they were disbanded as useless. Loudon
himself, with President Forbes, a non-combatant, went to
174
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Dunvegan, and remained there with the chief in safe
quarters till after the battle of Culloden. It was just before
that time that MacCrimmon composed his famous and
touching “ Farewell ” or “ Cumha ” lament (see “ Celtic
Review,” 1885, for words and music). The MacCrimmons
were famed, it is stated by connoisseurs, for their “ musical
talent,” while the MacArthurs (or M ‘Carters) held first
place for “ beautiful and systematic performance ” ; the
latter were hereditary pipers to the “ Lords of the Isles,”
latterly Macdonalds of Sleat, and occupied Hunglater, in
Troternish. Uilleam MacBeathaig MacArthur, piper to
Lord Macdonald, composed certain verses or lines, making
mere menials, or door-keepers, of Macleod, Mackinnon,
Maclean, and others to his patron, “ Macdonald of the
Isles.”
In Vol. XXII. of Inverness Gaelic Society’s
“ Transactions ” will be found six scathing and abusive
verses by Ailean Mor MacDhugaill of Morthir, Morar, on
“ Macleod’s ” then bard, whom he characterised as the “ son
of Lucifer,” and also as “ Bard an sgornan aird,” the bard
of the high or heighty throat, applicable, we fear, to more
than him! See also “ Celtic Review of July 15, 1905,
for an account of the MacCrimmon origin and renown as
pipers; in this article a “ college of music ” is said to have
existed at Boraraig prior to the time of the MacCrimmons.
Coinneach Odhar prophesied certain things in regard to
the Macleods, as referred to elsewhere, viz., Tormad nan
tri Tormaid, Norman of the three Normans. Norman, it
may be remarked, is the accepted English equivalent for
Tormad or Tormoid, which again signifies Thor-greatness,
also given Thor-minded, while the name “ Macleod,”
though generally understood to be Mac Liot, is given as
being a corruption of St. Maclou (Macloud), dating from
sixth century, but, as will readily be admitted, this name
has had various renderings; as said, it is chiefly claimed
as being derived from the Norse Liotr or Ljot, ugly,
perhaps for Ljot-ulf, ugly wolf; ugly here means terrifying
to their enemies. Bishop Leslie, in 1578, writes; of
“ Makleud,” or the sons of Claudius. For a genealogy of
the Macleods, see “ Collectanea de Rebus Albanicis,”
Vol. I., page 361. The name Macleod has appeared almost
in every publication of any importance, Acts of Parliament,
titles, write, etc., some of the variants being MacCleod,
.Mackleod (1704), Macleoad (1653), Macleoid, MacLeud,
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
175
Macloid, Maclou, MacLoud, Makclode, Makeolde,
Makloyd, M'Claud (1662), Makolde, M'Cleod (1661),
M'Cleowd (1649), M cCleud (1648), M ‘Loud (1667),
M'Cloyd of Togoth (1531), and M'Loid of Dynvegane
(1635). As said elsewhere, a section of the race in Raasay
were called the “ Race of the Mare,” Siol na Laire ot
Laraeh] further, they have been characterised as Siol nan
Leodach, siol a chapuill bhacach, spògaich, bheathaichmdh
mr moll is fòlach, air dubhadan dubh is guin eòrna (the
progeny of Macleod, the progeny of the horse (or mare),
lame and awkward, fed on chaff and rank grass, on the black
“ beard ” of dried oats and singed barley straw); this was
a caustic saying of a Coll bard, who also said to a Skye
bard, “ Is trie a mharoaich m ile m shrein an dream g'am
bheil thu fhein ’s do bhean ” (often did I ride, with my
bridle, the tribe of which you and your wife are)— hence
a saying or proverb “ as fond as the Macleods are of oats.”
The reply of the Skye bard unfortunately has not been
preserved, but doubtless he was equal to the occasion.
Historically, the Macleods date back to 1343, though
D unvegan’s only knight—till of late years—was Sir Rory,
knighted by James VI. in 1603; there never was a Sir
Norman, though one of this name was chief for thirty-six
years from 1590, and died at Fortrose in 1626. Sir
“ Rory,” as he was affectionately called, had two sons, Sir
Roderick of Talisker and Sir Norman of Bernera, who died
in 1705. The principal cadets of the House of Macleod
were Bernera, Talisker, Grishernish, and Hamer or Hamar,
descended from younger sons of “ Sir Ruaraidh M or.”
Many other respectable and eminent families of the clan
are still existent in Skye, and elsewhere all over the world.
Alexander Macleod of Dunvegan is said to be the first
who received a charter or charters on the forfeiture of “ The
Lords of the Isles,” 1493-1498; the first charter was granted
to “ Leod’s ” grandson, third chief in 1343.
The Macleods of Assynt stood somewhat apart in many
ways from the foregoing, their unfortunate slip in having
betrayed Montrose for a certain quantity of meal inflicting
upon them the nick-name of Clann ’Ic Leoid na mine (Clan
Macleod of the meal), this section of the clan suffering for
the act of a single individual.
In “ Vestiarium Scoticum,” the name is given as Clan
Lewid, Lewyd, or Leyid, of which nearly one thousand fell
176
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
at the battle of Worcester. In reference to a “ Sir” Norman,
we find in “ Reliquiae Celticee,” Vol. II., “ An elegy f or
Sir Norman Macleod by Niall MacMuruigh or
M'Muirricgh,” of forty-seven verses, and designed, “ Noble
mind, choice of the stock of Fionnloehlann,” and “ Chief
of Rusgarry
in same work is another elegy to “ Ruaighri
Mor M ‘Leòid,” by the same bard, of five verses.
Various and numerous tales, true and otherwise, also
superstitious sayings and beliefs, cluster thickly round
Dunvegan, its chiefs and followers. One, which it is
believed was strictly enforced, was that no woman—some
even go the length of saying no female animal, such as a,
cow or a mare—was allowed to cross to any island opposite
the castle, of which there are three, viz., Gairbh (rough),
Garay (? garden), and Grianuil (sunny). There is a large
heronry near the castle, in which latter is stored many
ancient and valuable treasures and relics; among these is the
fairy flag called in Gaelic Bratach Shith or Bratach Sithe,
said to have been blessed by Oberon, Queen (?) of the
Fairies. Pennant calls this flag “ Bmolanchsi.” Clann
Faiter were the standard-bearers to the chiefs; they held
three certain lands in Braoadale in virtue of their oifice;.
see “ Achadh Clann nam Faitter.” Like the “ fairy flag,”
which can only be used or displayed in battle three times in
all (it has been used twice), is a rock, referred to in the
mythical lore of the district, and indeed of Skye in
general, which has appeared twice; when it is seen for the*
third time, the destruction of the world is imminent, the
saying being “ ’N uair thig Rocabarra ris, is duail gun
teid cm saoghal (>a) sgrios” When Rocabarra (roc, tangle,
or tops of seaweed which appear above water, barra, of the
top) appears again (lit. comes to), the world is due
(doomed) to destruction. This rock is said to be in the
immediate neighbourhood of Dunvegan. Barr-roc and
Barr-stamh mean the broad-leafed sea-tangle.
Another valuable exhibit exists in a certain cup, which,
in common with others, has been frequently and minutely
described in other works, magazines, and papers; suffice to
say, therefore, that though the inscription thereon only
dates back to 1493, the cup itself, which is of Irish origin,
is thought to be much older: for a picture of the cup, see
“ Celtic Monthly,” Vol. II., p. 51, 1893-4. The sword of
Ruaraidh Mor is also shown, and is said (erroneously) to
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
177
have been captured from a Bigh dubh, black king in India!
An article by R. C. Macleod of Macleod appears in the
“ Celtic Monthly ” of October, 1914, and should be read
by all interested.
There is an old engraving of Dunvegan Castle in Grose’s
“ Antiquities,” 1797, which gives a good idea of that keep
at the time.
Much interesting lore is attached to Dunvegan Castle and
neighbourhood, but space will not permit of further
references. Ruaraidh Mor, before referred to, it should
be stated, was so named not from his physical stature but
from his mind and spirit, which was greatness itself. The
rock upon which the castle stands was said by Boswell to
be “ the very jewel of the estate; it looks aB if it had been
let down from Heaven by the four corners to be the residence
of a chief.” To Boswell also is attributed a discovery of
the “ temple of Anaitis ” within a wiall eastward from the
castle, which he, however, unfortunately, failed to describe.
We must, however, make at least one other reference,
viz., to the air “ Tàladh na Bean-sith,” or the fostering!
fairy’s lullaby, of which there are several versions, and
which is older than the time of Mairi nigh’n Alasdair
Ruaidh, before referred to, the family nurse and friend.
In 1601 the clan suffered severely from the wars with or
against the Macdonalds.
Illustrations of Dunvegan Castle and interior, etc., are
numerous; likewise very many works and poems in regard
thereto have been written, printed, or composed; they can
only be referred to as existing the world o’er. The very
name “ Dunvegan ” exists in Canada in connection with a
place or district there.
M h ic L e o id .
The Macleod’s country, Duirinish,
Dunvegan, and Troternish, the people or inhabitants
whereof have been for long noted as among the most war­
like of all the natives of Skye, their names and fame having
bulked largely among “ the brave sons of Skye,” so ably
written upon and given by Colonel John Maclnnes, himself
a Skyeman, and others; a song referring particularly to
this district is “The mi ’n duil ri bhi tilleadh dh’ionnsuidh
Duthaich MhicLeoid,” etc. In common with many others,
they have been endowed with a nick-name or eke-namei
( Frith-ainm), viz., “ Na Mo gain,” “ Na Mogcmaich,” or
D u t h a ic h
M
178
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
“ Na Mogannan," and their district “ Duthaich nam
Mogan,” the latter by the Troternish people), it is eaidj,
to those of Duirinish and Dunvegan. The ordinary
meaning of the foregoing terms are “ footless stockings or
hose, and wearers of such, and the land thereof ” ; but this
is not the real signification, for mogan also means “ young
hero,” a more likely term in view of their well-known
character for bravery. Mogan, also, it may be added, is a
provincial term of “ raw grain” whisky!
Here we may state, though probably already well known,
that the word “ nick-name ” now stands for “ an eke name,”
Gaelic foir-ainm, joir, supra, frith-ainm, frith, small, etc.,
also far-ainm, far, additional, extra, and fàth ainm, faith,
cause, etc., also aithnisg.
A famous family are still remembered here, viz., Clann
a Chomharlaich or Comhairlich, the Councillor clan or
advisers; they possessed much lore, and were much in
request.
D ynart.
See “ Oynart.”
Eidh, isthmus, and host from bolstadr,
a homestead, etc. In Bracadale. Ebost is known as the
scene of a great reaping contest, at which Oran arrabhaig,
the song of strife, was sung vigorously, commemorating the
feud between Donald Gorm and Rory Macleod. There is
an obsolete word arra, which signifies treachery, etc.
E abost , E bost , E b o zt .
E aglais B hreugach. The false or lying church. From a rock,
like a church, on East-side, Kilmuir. See “ Buachaille
Breige.” This rock, also known as An Eaglais Bhrèige,
the church of the lie or falsehood, has been described as a,
cave called “the make-believe cave church,” from what was
termed an altar beside it in the shape of a huge boulder
whereon Clann ’Ic Cuithen performed an awful pagan
ceremony of Taghairm, gathering summons (see N .G.P.),
vulgarly rendered in English, “ giving his supper to the
devil,” and which consisted of— if all tales be true— roasting
poor cats alive; this clan, or sept (said now to be absorbed
in the Clan Donald), never bore a good reputation, a rhyme
referring to them and others of a like kidney being:
“ Clann 'Ic Cuithen chuir nam briag,
Clann 'Ic Cuithen chuir an t-sodail;
Clann 'Ic Mhannain chuir na braidè,
Ged nach b'fhaid iad na (no) cas biodaig
J
i
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
179
(Clan MacOoian, thievish experts,
Clan MacOoan, quick to flatter,
Clan Buchanan,* theft promoters,
Though as small as shaft of dagger!)
The Gaelic, as usual, like other languages, loses by
translation.
The word taghairm means primarily the gathering
summons of a clan to battle; in connection with the above1
ceremony, it meant a gathering summons of evil spirits,
an ancient mode of divination said to be one of the most
effectual means of raising the devil, and getting unlawful
wishes gratified; in military sense, tagh, choose, and airm,
arms, weapons, literally a call to arms; here a call to
“ something” else.
Armstrong gives taibhse gairm,
spectre, evil spirit call; others have insisted on ath or am
t-ath ghairm, the re-call of such evil spirits: the first
explanation stands.
E a r l a is , E a r l is , E a e l is h , E r l is h , A ir l e a s , A ir l e s , A ir l is h ,
A r le s , A r l is h , E i l i s h . In titles. The field of strife or
battlefield enclosure; ar, battle, slaughter, etc., leas or lios,
battle enclosure, etc., strife. Another meaning may be
ar lios, stock enclosure, if word ar rules, but Ear means
east, and this township is on the west side of Trotemish.
Again, the termination ais is Pictish, signifying “ place
o f.”
A waterfall. An equivalent is found in the Welsh word
E as .
rhaiadr, which suggests ruitheadair, runner, flower, or that
which flows or rushes.
E asa B a n a .
See “ Abhainn an Asàraidh.”
Abosd waterfall, over a sea-cliff, near Bioda
Mor on the Scorr coast.
E as A
E as
b o is t .
a C h r o n a in .
The humming, crooning, murmuring water­
fall. Close to Dunvegan Castle. So called from Ruaraidh
Mor loving its sound as lulling him to sleep; his bedroom,
which lay next to this fall, was altered in 1773, and is
now a drawing-room. This fall is always named “ Sir
Rory’s Music.”
* Clan Buchanan, or Mac Mhannan, are said to be also called “ Na
Canonaich,” who again are said to be the Skye Macphersons (the canon or
parson’s children).
180
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
The white waterfall. Also called “ An Eas Mor,”
the great waterfall. See “ Easa Bana.”
E as Ba n .
The dark waterfall; dorch, dark. Dorcha is
the first comp.; also duirche. This may mean gloomy, etc.
In Ferinvicguire.
E as D o r ch a .
E as
E o d h a in n .
Ewen’s waterfall.
Sratha, in Glen Uig.
On or near Lon-an-t-
The waterfall-cataract.
for waterfall or cataract.
Fors or foss, Old Norse
E as F or sa .
The eel (also eel-pond or ditch). This word is said
to be derived from easg, Old Gaelic for a burn or ditch;
easgaidh, easgann, a marsh, a quagmire.
M or. The great waterfall. See “ Eas Bàn.” This fall
is on Allt Coire na Baraachdich, and merits its name, as
there are few finer in Scotland. Near Glen Brittle house,
and best viewed from left bank of the stream; not far
either from Loch Sligachan.
E a s g a n n ..
E as
E as
na
C o il l e .
The
waterfall o f, or in,
the
wood.
Tardil waterfall; may be tar, thar,
over, across, and dal, dail, field, meadow, plain. This fall
is on Allt Achaidh Bhig, Waternish.
E as T a r d a l , T a r d i l .
The waterfall of the round
hill or hillock. This is a wild and lofty fall from Ben
Fad. See “ Holm.”
E as T h u i l m , E as H o l m , T o l m .
E as T oraig or T o r vaig ,
q.v.
The word eas has as its diminutive easan, little water­
fall, and the sound referred to before as croncm is used
e.g., Cremain, t-easain sruthlaich, the murmur of thy flowing
cataracts; in Perthshire eas signifies a “ rough ravine.”
The waterfalls in Skye are very numerous, one of the
most imposing (if not the most imposing) being between
Portree and Snizort, which falls 90 feet, and has an arched
hollow path across the rock underneath.
E d in b a n e , E d in b a in , E d d i n - b a i n . The fair face or surface,
%n ban. From natural features of district, which has
a fine, stamy exposure. It is in Duirinish; also found!
given Idinmin, Snizort, near Coislater, and south of Loch
Grishernish. \
E d ir g il l , E d r a g il !l , m or agus b e a g . Great and little. See
“ Idrigal.”
j
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
181
Between, referring to country or district lying between
the two rivers Kilmartin and Conon, Eatorra. See “ Beinn
Edra.”
E il e a n , sometimes O il e a n .
Island, isle, islet; also innis.
I (pron. ee), an island, is a corruption of or contraction
for iagh, which is derived from la or lath, land, and go,
the sea, sea-land, or land surrounded by the sea (though
not always); also equal to ea-land, A .S. ea equal to aquck
or water-land. See “ Arms,” s.v. An, as before explained,
signifies water; the word iosal, low, also signifies isle. In
“ Reliquiae Celticae ” we find Oilen Donain or Donnain;
in one dictionary eilecm is given as from eile and ftorm.
As will be understood, there are numerous small islands;
off the coast of Skye which have names, though uninhabited
frequently; but these names have not been secured in many
cases, it is feared; though it is thought merely known a&
mor, great (or other descriptive word), a few are noted,
though mis-spellings hamper, some called islands not being
islands; ellan, for instance, standing for island, means
ailean, a fertile piece of ground, a plain.
Ed ra.
E il e a n A d h a r c a n
E lg o l, Strath.
(adharcan-luachrach). Lapwing Isle.
Near
The isle of the baling dish or scoop,
Loch Snizort.
E il e a n A scr ab . The Ascrib Island. Properly speaking, there
are more than one island, and called “ the Aecribs.” A't
the entrance to Loch Snizort. Differently named, but the
meanings not known.
E il e a n A s k e r in , A s k e r n a . May be a, water, and sgeir, a
rock in the sea. This particular island is said to be one;
of the Ajscribs, which name Monro gave to them1all. It is
said to lie on the east shore of Wattirness. Perhaps Asgrim,
a proper name.
E il e a n
an
T a o m a in .
from shape?
E il e a n B o h e n u il , B o h e n v il .
E il e a n B o r r a d a l l ,
Bo an tuil, q.v.
Off Trodday.
q.v.
Boreray Isle. Near Bernera. One of the
same name off St. Kilda.
E il e a n C h o l u m c h il l e . Saint Columba’s Isle, so called, though
the loch in which it was is now drained; another isle of
this name in Portree Bay, or, as now called, Loch)
Phortrigh. See “ Loch.”
E il e a n B o r e r a y .
182
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
E il e a n C reag
The rocky Isle.
ac h .
One of the Ascribs, it
is thous'hit.
aint Donnan’s Isle.
Portree.
But
Thought to be another of the;
Ascribs.
E il e a n E i r e .
Shingly-beach Isle.
Ireland Isle.
E il e a n E i r i n n .
See “
E y r e .”
Suggested that this should be
eirionn, eibh-rionn, wedder-goat; also eirionn, mass.
E il e a n
G a e il a v o r e ,
G a l il a v o r e ,
G al iv o r e ,
G u il l a m o r e .
See “ Gullavore.”
E il e a n G a r a y . Either garbh, rough, or gearr, short, etc., and
ey, isle. Off Dunvegan, and in a title given Garmena, near
Island Gairbh there. Garbh Eilean and Eilean Garbh com­
mon; one in Acairseid mhor, S. Rona, Kyle Bona.
E il e a n G ear loch ie
(gearr locha). Short Loch Isle.
G ig a r u m .
Gigarum Isle.
See “ Gigarum ” or
“ Gigelum.” Half a mile north of Lingay Isle, which,
according to Dean Monro, is “ forty score miles south­
west (?) of Skye.”
E il e a n G r ia n a l .
Sunny Isle.
Opposite Dunvegan, off
Uignish Point.
E il e a n H ar l o sh , q.v. (the smaller). In Loch Bracadale.
E il e a n
q.v.
E il e a n H a v e r sa y ,
E il e a n H e a st ,
q.v.
Bracadale.
In Loch Eisheort.
or Y e s k e r , q.v. Frequently named or spoken
of without eilean. The osprey is called iasgair or Ailean
E il e a n I asg air
Ice Isle. In Loch Fallort, a
branch of Loch .Dunvegan. This island was locally dubbed
“ Isaidha” ; it was the scene of a great massacre of the
Macleods of Raasay by Ruaraidh Nimheach or Neimheach,
bitter, malicious Rory; it was suggested to Dr. Johnson
as a place for him to settle and become a territorial magnate
under the title “ Iosa” !
E il e a n I sa , I sa i , I sr a y , I osa .
E il e a n L a m p a y .
Lamb Isle.
Dunvegan.
The sandy flag-stone
E il e a n - L eac - n a - G a in e a m h , G a i n i m h .
isle.
Off Scalpay.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
183
Lyndale Isle. See “ Lyndale.” Lian, a
meadow, and dal, dalr (Norse), a dale, etc., or lin, lint.
E il e a n L ia n a d a l .
Ling or Heather Isle.
E il e a n L in g a , L in g a y .
E il e a n M
egalay,
E il e a n M
in g a y ,
M
q.v.
ing oy
(2 ),
q.v.
na G unnar.
Not identified, but found given as “ near
Skye,” and to equal or stand for Cunicularia.
Seel
“ Guminile.” There is a west of Roes, etc., word gunnar
or guwmrs, signifying whins or gorse; also a Perthshire
word gomean, couch gras®, etc.; but, as may be inferred
from the Latin word cunicularia, it may mean Eilean na
(gen.) Coinean, or rabbit isle. See “ Nagoyneyne,” also
“ Na Gunnaichean.”
E il e a n
E ile a n n a h - A irde . Aird Isle.
E il e a n
na h
E il e a n
na
-A
h
Off Strathaird, S .W .
o f Skye.
Sheiling Isle.
ir ig h e .
The isle of calling or shouting;
- E ig h e a c h .
possibly an echo here.
E il e a n
The isle of renowned deeds or history.
n a h - I o l d h a in .
Ealdhain, sometimes spelled mllainns iol, many, and dan,
dam, poems; probably the resort of a “ learned” man.
This word will be found in the oldest Celtic poetry and
prose; iol-dcmach means ingenious, well-gifted.
E il e a n
nan
Each.
The isle of the horses; confounded with
Eilean Isa.
E il e a n
nan
E u n , E il e a n
an
E o in .
The isle
of
the birds.
See “ Sleat.”
E il e a n
nan
The isle of the lads or boys.
G il l e a n .
East of
Broadford Bay.
E il e a n
na
R u a d h a ic h .
Isle of Roes; lit. “ reds,” i.e., deer.
Oronsay Isle, Bracadale.
“ Orosa ” Isle in Loch Vatten. See “ Sleat.”
E il e a n O r o n say , O r a s a .
There is
Fat Isle; good or heavy soil. Opposite
Coruisg, Loch Scavaig?, Strath; a term uisge reamhar,
fat or thick water, applied to Loch na Cuilc, Loch of reeds.
E il e a n R e a m h a r .
Russet Isle. Found given
Cf. “ Eileanreoch ” in Glenelg.
E il e a n R eoch , R ia c h , R ia b h a c h .
as “ off Skye.”
184
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
iRoag Isle. From Norse Rok-a, splashing,
foaming, as applied to a river. Cf. Roag in Lewis.
E il e a n R oag .
Roderick’s Island. Named after Ruairidh
Mor, a famous chief of the Dunvegan Macleods.
E il e a n R u a ik j d h .
Peak Island.
E il e a n S g u ir .
E il e a n S io n n a ic h ,
nan
numerous in Skye.
etc.”
Off Scalpa.
Fox or Foxes Island; once
See “ Forbes’ Gaelic Names of Beasts,
S io n n a c h .
Soa Isle. This island is thought to pertain to
the parish of Bracadale.
E il e a n S o a y .
E il e a n T a a r n e r .
Not known.
, May be tamadair,
In Bracadale.
a
drawer or innkeeper.
Not known. Thought meant for “ Eilean
an Taomain,” q.v. There are two islets of this name, one
also called Eilean Beag, off Rudha Lianadail.
E il e a n T io m a n .
E il e a n T o r n is h .
The hill point,
E il e a n T r a ig h , T r a g h a i d h .
tor ness or nish.
E bb
Island; an island at low
water, Loch Dunvegan.
Holm Island. Tolm, a knoll.
In Kilmuir. Also found given as being named after Dun
Tulm, opposite or near to which it is.
E il e a n T u il m , T u l m , T h u i l m .
E il e a n W
ia y ,
q.v.
In
parish o f Bracadale.
See “ Esketel.” Where the river or stream from
here falls into Loch Fada, at the base of the Storr, a
“ water-horse ” is said to have been killed!
E is g e a d a l .
Horse-shaped place. Hestr, horse. There is a word.
*eist or eitkmaoh, signifying a gelded horse. But see “ Rudha
E is t .
Neist.”
This place forms the western breakwater at
Moonen Bay, called locally “ An d-Eiste,” the peninsula
of Eist. The word is a chersonese. See N .G.P., p. 390.
F h ia d h a ic h .
Tempestuous E ist. Applicable to the
promontory or point which it is south of; aptly named^
especially with a southerly or south-westerly wind. A
'~~~~~'-Wfc§dwizard named Mac Mhuirich nam buadh (MacmurricE^MacphereoSTor-Qanonach) o f the gifts or talents),
sunk a boat or galley belonging to Clan Ranald off thia
point, with all the crew.
^
E ist
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
185
E lgoll , E l g a l l , E al ag h o l la , E a l la g h o ll o , E l l ig h u il ,
E l l i g u il . Elgeadal, Elgadale, Nobledale. One authority,
however, gives as from Gaelic fala or falghol, perhaps fal,
and goill or ghoill, fold or enclosure of the stranger or
lowlander— gall; there is a tigh-fo-thalamh here, under­
ground house. Also given Elicha, and in Strathaird.
In this township a conventional use of the word or term
peighinn is met with: the township is separated by a marchdyke from the deer-forest, each crofter being responsible
for the upkeep of a specified length of the dyke, and this
is called the peighinn of his croft; similarly the part of
the shore allotted to each croft for seaware is also called
the peighinn of that croft. Peighinn a ghàraidh ’us
peighinn a chladaich. Tradition explains the origin of the
name as follows: Vortigern sent iElla with five ships; he
fought a battle here against the Piets and Scots, hence the
name iElla-gol. What gol stands for we have not learned,
unless guil or gal, weeping, which was presumably caused
by the result of the combat! There is a cill, or rains o f
one, here.
In regard to the foregoing etymology, no admissions are
or can be made, and it is all given for what it is worth:
so many names in Skye contain the Norse element that it
is thought desirable to enter this caveat, also to refer to
the next name.
A cave-seat or residence. Hellyr,
a cave; Old Norse hellir, hely-r, a cave drilled out by
action of sea-waves, and shader, a form of setr with above
meaning, a hut, a sheiling, also mountain pasture. Setr
takes various forms, viz., seader, shader, siadeir, and
(s)hiader (genitive); seter, ster, and stra contracted from
stadr, a station or place; also scettur, common out-pasturage,
dairy; setter, outlying farm or pasture at a distance from1
the main or home farm, summer pasturage. Seters often
named from different animals pastured; also designed as
shelves or notches cut by the sea out of solid rock or sand,
gravel, etc., owing to the land having risen and remained
at a certain level long enough. Stadr or sta (Icel.) is
common. Beosetter equals Bu setter, cattle pasturage; also
said to equal English “ side” ; Ster, Bally, Baile, same;
also the Saxon Ham.
There is a dun here also, and the place or township is
situated in Stenscholl or Eastside.
E l is h a d e r , E l is h a d d e r .
186
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Shore farm, from Eyrr or Eyrar (Ieel.), a narrow
low tongue of land, ayre, Norse ore, a narrow ridge of
earth and stones, a long sandy promontory, cognate with
Latin ora, Greek horos, a shore or boundary, e.g., Airor,
__Kensateyre,
this, with bus (in Skye generally host),
a form of bolstadr^kqme or homestead. Another form of
this name is Eorapieo^ Eorabie, equal toEyrar-bar or
barr, beach village, bar, t h e w a v e . The
termination bie or by in Norse means a village, hence
by-laws or village-laws; it also equals host, bus, and poll,
homestead, etc.
This word host is a generic term in Skye; in Islay it
takes the form of bus, equalling, it is said, aras and baild
(the latter in a restricted sense, meaning a dwelling, a
settlement or village); also bo, bol, basta, bousta, bister,
and boust. Bo in Norse equals estate. The name Gransay
is said to be a form of eyrars-ey, but see “ Oransay.”
E or abu s .
Island firth or fiord, Norse fjordr, as a termination,
a sea-loch; ey, island. There is a place of this name in
North Uist.
E port.
Erik’s town. In Kilmuir. See
“ Marsoo.”
This name deemed the same as Eriska,
Eriskay, Gaelic Aoraisge, Aoraisgeidh, and said to be
associated with Prince Charlie, who planted there the pink
“ Morning Glories,” which still blooms there. The island
of Eriskay, off South Uist, is very sacred to the memory
of Father Allan Macdonald, who, it is said, left
“ thousands ” of pages of MSS. relating to Celtic subjects;
these should not be lost. Prince Charlie’s first landing
was on the west side of this island, at a place now known
as “ Coilleag a Phrionnsa,” the Prince’s welcome, or rather
the Prince’s strand.
E risco , E risca , E r i s k e w .
E s k e t il , E s k it e l , E s k id a l e , E s k id l e , E s k a d a l e .
Eisgeadal.
Given as eas, a waterfall and Ketil; translated also waterdale; might be easg, a bog, a fen, etc., and dal. Eskadale,
in Kiltarlity, Inverness-shire, said to mean “ Ash-dale.”
See “ Easgann.”
Hestr, horse, Norse; alleged to be a misprint for esker,
a fall of gravel, etc., but this is doubted.
E s t ir .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
187
Island sea-firth. Eyin, ard, art,
or ort, equalling ey, fjordr; other etymologies advanced
are eid, eidh, an isthmus, Norse aid, aith equal ay, eie,
eye, ui, uie, uidh (pron. ooee), also a peninsula: nidh also
means a ford, the part of a stream leaving a loch, before
breaking into a current; also spelled aoi, from Norse èid,
an isthmus, a neck of land. C f. “ Eye ” or “ Ui,” near
Stornoway. Older form huy, Old Norse èid, a narrow
neck of land joining two larger places together. One
authority gives it as Einar’s fiord. There ar© two lochs
of this name in Skye, and one in South Uist; it was from
the latter Birlinn Chlann Raonuill (Clan Ranald’s galley)
started on her notable and renowned voyage, so ably sung,
and widely known and admired by all true Highlanders.
The Admiralty chart gives this name as Loch Ainneart,
with “ beinn ” and “ biod ” of same. Aonairt, uainneart,
wallowing, foaming (from uan, foam), has also been
advanced. A dun existed on the east side of entrance.
E ynord, E ynort, E n a r d .
Island - bay - residence.
Aoineard, Aoineart.
E yn o rdstard.
Sta,
stard,
ster.
This name given by Dean Monro,
and thought to be his rendering of “ Cuilfhionn,” Coolins,
or of “ Guilemon,” q.v.
E u il v e l im i , E u il m e n a .
May be meant for eyre, or perhaps eidh, an isthmus,
etc. In Troternish and Raasay. Cf. “ Evie ” in the
Orkneys.
E v ie .
A gravelly beach, shore, or bound­
ary. See “ Ayre.” Also found given as eire, erie, eyrie,
and evil, Icel. for a narrow low tongue of land. This;
place is at the mouth of Romesdal River, Snizort.
There is a word eidhre or oidhre, s.f., ice, also eirbhe
( eoray), the outlying part of a farm on the land above
the garadh braigh'd, braigh bhaile. Air ear again means
a bay or harbour, also Airor, the name o f such a place in
Knoydart; the word tiurr, a beach out of reach of sea,
the high-water mark of shore drift.
E yre, E yrar, E yrr, Or e .
188
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
F
F a ir n a n , F
earnan,
q.v.
See “ Drochaid an t-Sithean ” or “ Drochaid
nan tri Allt,” at “ Beul-ath nan tri Allt,” between Water­
nish and Dunvegan. Three rivers and three roads converge
here.
F a ir y B r id g e .
The beacon.
F
a l a isg .
F
a l a c h a d h - T o in .
F
a m h a ir ,
Fàl loisg, turf, heath burning.
Low-lying or bottom land, a piece of land
in Troternish promised to the witch of Staffin, for drowning
Iain Garbh of Raasay, by Sir James Macdonald, who broke
his promise.
A
m.
The giant or monster.
This word pronounced
Fuaire, fwamhaire, the mh marked nasally, something Jike
foaarie. There are rocks N.E. of Troternish called “ Na
Famhairean,” the giants.
N a . The fanks or sheep-pens; an fkamg, the fank,
occurs twice in Kilmuir. These are flats naturally enclosed
by rocks; fang also signifies a raven.
F
angan,
F
an g n a n
F
an g n a
E ach.
The horse-fank or poind-fold.
B ead a n or B e a d a c h a n . The fank or enclosure of the
yearling rams. Near Faoilean, Strath. This word, as such,
is not given in dictionaries. See “ Forbes’ Gaelic Names of
Beasts, etc.”
na F ola.
The fank o f blood, where cattle were bled;
this said to be used for food and mixed with a little meal
in hard times or seasons.
F ang
F
ang na
R e it h e a c h a n .
The fank or enclosure of the rams.
In Strath.
F
ang na
R o bast an ,
q.v.
Above Kilmuir bridge.
n a T o t a d h B r ic e , T o b h t a .
The fank of the speckled
ruins. At head o f Loch Slapin; speckled means here hoary
(ruins).
F ang
F a o b h a r , A m, A n F h a o b h a r .
land or promontory.
The ridge or sharp-edged head­
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
189
F a o ile a n n , F a o d h a ile a n , F a o li n , F o a li n , A n F h a o ile a n n ,
F a d h l a i n n . Exposed place beside the shore, covered with
email white stones; fadhail, extensive beach; the beachfield, flat shingly land close to the sea; also ford, space
between islands when rendered passable on foot through
the tide receding, leaving hollowed-out rhines called digean;
from Norse Vadill, a ford, e.g., Benbecula or Beinn-namfmghla, the mountain or high land of the fords; vadill
or vodill means shallow water; vodh-thing is a place where
fords can be passed on horseback; there is also Faoileann
an Asàmidh, the beach-field of the uncultivated or waste
land near Torrin or Strathaird; this faoileann is properly
on N .W . shore of Loch Slapin.
F a o il e a n n
an
The beach-field or shallows of the Third
See “ Trian.”
T r la n .
(part of land).
A homestead, residence, a level piece of ground suitable
for resting; from fos, foss, a residence, e.g., Fas-na-cloich,
stone-field or steading, Fossoway, etc.; fos, fasadh, fosadh,
dwelling, ancient fossadh, from fo, under, and sta, Latin
sto, stand, etc. (modern Gaelic is fasaidh, habitation.
Cf. Fasadh-fearna, Fassifern, Dochinassie, Doch or
Dabhach-an-fhasaidh, the Davoch-plaee, etc., only in
place-names). There is a place in Lochaber, “ Duncraig,”
the Gaelic name of which is “ Am Fasadh Aluinn.” Fos
also stands for foisich, pr.pt. foiseachadh, stop, rest. See
“ Laoidh an Amadain mhoir.” Fasdail means a dwelling.
As said, fasadh only occurs in place-names, and equals
fasair, fhasair, amir (the herb asarum, sara bocca).
F as .
The desert, etc.; also grassy headland of a ploughed
field, forest, uncultivated spot; fasach-coille, the wood
border (untilled). In Glendale, Duirinish, far an tamh
icm sown, where the hero dwells.
See “ Celtic Review.”
Of this glen it might be said, far an tamh na suinn, where
heroes dwell.
F eadan, A m . The rock-pipe, water-pipe, small cascade; open­
ing in a wall or even a narrow glen.
F e a r a n n a n L e a t h a . The broader land. Also found given—
but thought erroneously—Fearann an Catha, the land of
battle, or battle-field; fearann differently described; when
applied to land on a large scale, the word is form, the
earth ( chriotknaich am fonn, the earth trembled); land
under cultivation is far, dim. faran.
F asa c h .
190
F
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
earan n an
C a il l e a c h , C a il l e a c h a n .
Nuns’ land, fearann,
cciille, a veil; neach, a person.
F
earn,
F earne, F earns, F er n s.
The alder tree, fearna.
Raasay.
F e a l , F e a l l . Fjall (Sw.), Fj<mla (Dan.). A moun­
tain, a fell; corrupted into Funll, Furrll. The people of
this township were called “ Silichean ” or “ Silichmn
Fheaull," the mean people of Feaull, spare, mean, lean,
pitiful creatures! This not vouched for.
F
eaull,
F
eault,
F
e is t e ,
F
e it h e ,
F e it h - A l l t . Bog-burn. Thought may be just pre­
ceding name mis-spelled. In Troternish. In regard to
this name, the t at the end of feault may be another
instance of such mispronounced words as dorust for dorus,
seallt for seall, ceannt for ceann, etc., which we have
frequently heard.
Am, E i s t . The horse. Norse Hestr. A once danger­
ous rock to mariners, off west coast of Waterstein. See
“ Rudha Neist,” also N .G .P., p. 390.
F e i t h , or F e it h e L u a c h r a c h .
The rusjhy bog or
quagmire; this word, with or without the accent (feithe),
has several other meanings. The word quagmire has also
cumisde, cuir-aisde, put, pour, or flow out of it.
As first spelled, this name or word signifies
“ proud flesh,” feokm, but thought a mistake for
“ Faoileann,” q.v.
F e o l in , F a o il e a n .
eo r lig , F e o r l in g , F e o r l in n , etc. Farthing-land.
One authority gives it as from Fjordlungr, fourth, and
ung, old Gaelic, ounce. This place is also named “ Feorlig
na Creadha,” Feorlig of the clay, clayey soil. In Ferin­
vicguire; thought to be the only place of this name in
Skye. Cf. Manx farling, Irish feoirlinn, Welsh ffyrling.
A word feorlcm signifies a firlot, four pecks.
See
“ Peighinn.”
F e o r l ic k , F
F e r a in n , F e a r a n n . Land, an island in Minginish
loch; also Ferrinchoille, woodland.
F
erren,
F
e r r in l e a ,
F e r n il e a , etc. ( fearann liath). Grey land, poss­
ibly unploughed or poor soil; glas-talamh, lea-ground.
In Bracadale. Referred to by Boswell, who called it
“ Ferneley.”
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
191
F e r e n v e q u ir ie , F e r in v ic q u ir e , F e r in iq u a r r ie ,
F e a r a in
M h ic G u a r a ig . Macquarrie’s land, or the land or territory
o f G o d frey ’s son, fearann M h ic G uire, Goraidh or G o d frey .
T h is was territory granted as a portion to a son o f one o f
the Macdonalds o f the Isles, and is situated in Glendale.
F est , A
n
F
See “ Eist,” “ Feiste,” “ Neist,” etc.
h e is t e .
South of Polteel.
F eu
na
C o ir e , F
F eu r - L o c h a n .
eubh
or
F e it h
a
C h o ir e .
Bog of
the
oorry.
Grass or grassy little loch; feur pronounced
fiar in Skye.
F h a o il e a n B h o id h e a c h , A
n
.
See “ Faoileann.”
The tooth, mountain edge,
or peak of the “ Executioner.” A well-known and danger­
ous peak of the Coolins.
F iac al , F ia c a il l
a
B h a s a d a ir .
uar.
Red teeth, cold teeth; small
boulders on the face of a cliff or precipice of Marsco; these
have been named “ Marscoite ” ; here the estates of
Macdonald, Macleod, and Mackinnon onoe met and con­
verged, and the respective chiefs of these leading clan®
used to meet there, and drink healths, each standing on his
own estate or property.
F iac lan D e a r g , F ia c l a n F
See “ Dun Iadhairt.” One authority gives fiadh
ghart, deer enclosure or forest, “ deer ” being given in old
F ia d h a ir t .
titles as “ elk.” This name pronounced “ fiart,” “ feeart.”
Cf. fiadhmr, lea land, green sward.
Na F i d e i n . The green islets or spots uncovered at
high tide; also web of sea-clam, from Norse fit, webbed
feet of water-fowl; also meadow-land on the banks of firths
or rivers.
F id e a n ,
See “ Camusunary.” The word fin, a hill, some­
times confounded with fionn.
F io n n C h o ir e . White, fair, or light oorry; also an fhionn
choire. Below Bruach na Frithe (free).
F io n n a ir i d h .
F ir eac h C l a c h , C l a c h a c h .
F iscavaig , F isgavaig , etc.
Stony moor.
F ish B a y .
Loch Bracadale.
Thought meant for fearnan, place of alders. See
“ Fearn,” etc. This is a hill north of Portree; but alders
seldom if ever grow on hills.
F iu r n a n .
192
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Many
other spellings. Flat Island, from Norse flatr, and ey,
island. There are no less than eight Fladdas or Pladdas;
one in parish of Kilmuir, near Pabay, north of Rona, west
of Raasay, and about a mile in length. Pliadda is the
Gaelic form of Fladda, Icel. Flatey, f de-aspirated to p.
F l a d a , F la d d a , F l a d d e r , B la d d a , P h la d d a , H a d a y .
F lada-C huan , F lada -C h an , F ladda-C huan . Flat isle of the
sea or ocean. Spelled in many different ways, e.g., Fladawhein, Flada-huna, etc.
In Kilmuir parish.
In this
island are three burying-places, and other places of note:
Cladh Mhanaich; Port an teampuill, Temple port, or
landing-place for the temple or church; Creag na croise,
rock of the cross; and Creag na ciile, rock of the church;
burial-ground of St. Columba’s church, built over or near
the older Druidical place of worship, on the altar of which
lay the “ weeping-stone,” which always remained wet (this
altar and stone do not now exist). The island has two
or three fresh water springe, and is situated about six miles
west from Trodda and about half a mile in length. The
Admiralty chart places it as more than six miles out from
Rona and nineteen N .W . from Skye. One account gives
this island as being Holm Island and north of Portree,
supposed traditionally to be Tir na h-Oige, an Irish belief.
But it is only one of a group of islets six miles or so off
the coast from Duntulm. See “ Bord Cruinn.”
F l a s h a d e r , etc. The flat pasture land or sheiling.
Norse Flatr, setr. Given ae in parish of Kilmuir, east of
Loch Grishernish, also called “ Arnizort.” In Waternish.
F
l a is e a d a r ,
F
lodda.
F
l o d ig a r r y ,
Float Island, or ship island, authorities differing.
The first alleged to be from Norse fljot, float, and ey, island
(cf. “ Flodday), and the latter from Danish flode, a ship
(that which floats) and ey; isee “ Fladda.” The / is the
form from p, Plod, equalling flota, floti, fleodradh, floating,
fleod-ruinn, a buoy; the p in loan words equals b or f,
e.g., fudar, powder, etc.; the Latin p in Gaelic equals c,
e.g., pallium ( palli), oailleach (ealli), and puteus equals
cuithe, a pit, snow-wreath, etc.; the p and q elements may
be referred to.
The floating enclosure or place
This place
is very fertile and beautiful, the farm, near Staffin, to a
F lodgery,
etc.
(fljot, as above, and gardr, Gaelic gearraidh).
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
193
considerable extent surrounded by water, with fine pastur­
age, locally spoken of as “ air flod
in fact, it has often
been designated an island. Mary Macpherson, in her poem,
“ Soraidh le Eilean a Cheo," Farewell to the Isle of Mist,
refers to it as follows:
“ Flodagaraidh sgiamhach, c’ait ’eil d' fhiach de
ghrunnd? ” etc.
(Beautiful Flodigary, where is thy value of ground?)
Sgiamhach is the Skye spelling and pronunciation of
Sgeimheach.
Another name for this place is Eilean a Chinn Mhoir,
the island of the great head or promontory. Old beliefs,
traditional and otherwise, still linger here. It lies opposite
Eilean Altivaig. See “ Rudh’ an Eun Gorma.”
Rock afloat or a-wash (air flod, seldom covered by
the sea); ploti, as before, which signifies a raft in Norse.
F lod S g e ir .
Not known. A
F l o ssm a n .
F o l ia r t .
bay
or inlet, S.W . of Duirinish.
See “ Lochs.”
F o religg , F
e o r l ic k ,
q.v. ; also found given Ferinleod or Ferin-
lead.
The little waterfall, dim. of fors, forsa, a
waterfall. Am Fors or Forss, with Ceofin, called Little
Struan, which (i.<e., struan or sruthan) means streamlet.
Bracadale.
F o rsan , F o r s a w .
orss , F orce , Foss.
The waterfall. Many places
named here from or in connection herewith, e.g., Forsabritheam, Fors a Bhreithimh, Judgeland waterfall (in
Waternish); Forsch-reggan, Fors ’chreagan, the little rock
waterfall. Another term for waterfall is uar.
F orse , F
F raoch C h o ir e .
Heather Corry.
Strath.
Forestry, off or belonging to a deer-forest; frith
has several other meanings, e.g., the mouth of a river, etc.
F r it h e a n a c h .
F rodday, T rodday,
q.v.
A t Aird
of
Kilmuir.
Froni’s moss; may be meant for Stroinimus,
Stronimus, which go with Soalpa, or perhaps even Strolamus, Srolamus. Near Broadford.
F r o n im u s .
N
194
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
G
G a in em h a n ,
G a in ea m h a n .
Sandy
bottom
of
the
sea.
Gainmhein, sandy beach, from gaineamh, sand, etc.
G a ir , Y a r e ,
or
Z a ir .
See “ Cairidh.”
G a ir b h - E il e a n , E i l e i n ,
island or islands. See
G a ir id h G h l u m a ig .
E il e a n a n ,
G arvelan.
Rough
“ Dunvegan.”
See “ Cairidh.”
A G h a l l a n a c h , G a il l e a n a c h . Place of young
trees, etc. ( gallon, branches, slender tree-shoots, etc., and
ach, place of). Cf. “ Gallanach” in Balquhidder or Allt
na gallanach, the burn of the branchy trees.
G allanach,
G alta, M
or agus
B eag.
Gaut, gata, a pig.
N.E. of Troter­
nish.
etc. Pig or hogs
On Loch Dunvegan, Duirinish; also found
Gualtergill or Gualtarcill, explained as being “ Rudha
Dhunbheagain.”
Here was born Donald Macleod, who
guided Prince Charlie to the Long Island.
G a l t e r a g il l , G a l t a r a g il l , G a l t r ig il ,
gyll or place.
a B h a o b h a il .
The dyke or boundary-land of the
wicked deed or act, baobhaileachd. This place owes its
name to a fight to the death between the two brothers of
Lachlan Mackinnon the bard. Baobh means a wizard, also
a wicked female. See N .G .P.
This place is between
Dunan and Srolamus.
G aradh
nan
G a m h a in n , G a m h n a .
The stirks’ dyke or
mound; garradh a more ancient form of the word.
G aradh
Black dyke or ridge; garadh said
should be gearradh, from Norse Gardr, though garadh once
had a special meaning in Skye o f a wall or dyke in the
sea for catching salmon. See also in connection herewith,
“ Cairidh” ; this does not apply here. This place is in
Kilmuir.
G aradubh , G ar ad h D u b h .
G
G a r r o y . See “ Eilean.”
Oynart and Bracadale.
aray,
Found in titles as being in
The rough or wild mountain. There is a
name “ Gairbein ” in Strath signifying locally “ a stormy
point,” but see “ ’Ghearra Bheinn,” in Sleat. This one
is north of Blaven, near Belig, 2,649 feet.
G arbh B h e in n .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
G arbh B h l a r .
195
Rough plain or field (of battle).
Rough or wild corry, between Sgurr Dubh and
Garsbheinn. This oorry is full of enormous blocks o f stone,
volcanic, and of a reddish colour and cinder-like surface.
G a r b h C h o ir e .
G arbh E il e a n .
Rough Isle,
G a r b h e il e a c h .
Rough, hilly pasture.
off
Bracadale.
See “ Gairbh.”
A place in Strath.
Eileach means a mill-dam, also a weir, a bank of stones to
guide fish into a cabhuil or bag-net or fish-creel. See
“ GarvelLach.”
G arbh leath ad .
Garbh, rough, and Imthad, a slope or hill­
side, etc.
G a r b h S g e ir , G a ir b h S g e ir .
sunken rock.
The rough or wild skerry or
In Kilmuir.
etc. The long garth or field; Norse Gardr,
equalling Garth-r (Goard or Gord), a court, garden, field,
dyke, wall, or yard, pronounced girt, an enclosed space; gar
in terminology equals garth', fada, long. A noted wizard,
Iain dubh, Black John, once resided here; also a fam ilj
of Macqueens of some renown. There is a farm called
“ Gearraidhfada ” here (Kilmuir), on part of which a
parish church and manse was erected in 1828.
See
“ Gearradh.”
G arafad, G arfad,
G a r l a p p in , G a r a l a p a in , G a r s h l a p p in .
(see above).
G ar m o re ,
Slapin garth, etc.
Snizort.
G arrym ore.
The great garth or farm.
See
“ Gearradh.”
The Garth homestead, etc. (host, as before); also
given as Geir’s farm or homestead, as being from geiri,
a gore or triangular strip of land; first meaning preferred.
G a r r ab o st .
G arradh
a
P h a r s o in , P h e r se o n , P h e a r s o in .
The parson’s
garden or plot (glebe).
n a F ia n a ic h e a n . The wall or dyke of the Fingalians,
a well-marked trap-dyke on Creag Sneesdale.
Garradh
Grazing-place or
places for cattle; also found “ Garrachan,” the little dirty
one, a hill south of Cnoc a Chrochadair.
G a r r a h a n , G e a r r d h a n , G e a r r a id h e a n .
196
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Den, thicket, underwood, etc. (obsolete). Thought
may be meant for g&arran, a gelding, a horse-shaped rock
or islet north of Skye, and called in the O .S. Map “ Lord
Macdonald’s Table” ; but it is a companion islet. See'
“ Bord MhicDhomhnuill.” Garran or gearran said to be
short for gabharan, dim. of gabar or gabhar, gobhar; gabar
O .G. for horse.
G arran .
Norse, a farm, generally in terminations.,
Said to equal garaidh,
which, however, is the gen. sing, of gàradh or gàrradh,
garden, etc.
G a r r ie , G a r r y .
e.g., Oshmigarry, Caligarry, etc.
Short or narrow
river-mouth (gearr, short, etc., and os, mouth, or outlet of
a river).
G arros , G a r r a s , G aros , G a w s e , G ear o ss .
G a r r ic h u ie n
(garry, farm, and chucm, sea).
The Sea-farm.
Troternish.
G a r r id o u , G a r r id o w .
The black farm (garry dubh).
Sten-
echoll.
------ mount.
Not known. Suggested echomount, gàir, shout, echo, etc.; gàir-chreag, an echo. North
of Soay Sound. Gairsinn, goirsinn, calling, etc.
G a r s b h e in n .
Bough, hilly pasture. There are
two “ Eileacbs ” or “ Ellachs ” in Kilmuir, each being a
mill-dam, which eileach means; this word has been con­
nected with eileacha or ellacha naomha, but these thought
to mean “ holy buildings,” and gave name to certain islands.
G arvellach, G ar b h ellac h .
G au lsean.
See “ Paulsean.”
G a v e ie w h il e a n
. Supposed Garbh-Eilean, q.v.
G e a b h a il , G e a d h a il .
A
park, a ploughed field, etc.
GeabhaU
an t-oirchmnnaieh, the golden-headed field.
The sword-rig or land (arable), held
for military services; geòtan, another word for a spot of
arable land.
G e a d - a -C h l a id h e a m h .
G eal-G h il l e a n .
darker strata.
White-Boys; white rocks protruding through
In Strathaird.
o r . Not known.
One meaning, hardly applicable, is
cowardice. There is a word geilt, a fierce, untameable
animal. May be gaut, a pig.
G ealta M
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
G ea rra d h ,
A n G e a r r a id h
M or,
G earrm ore,
197
G arem ore.
Enclosure, the great enclosure, from Geroi, Norse, an
enclosure; gearraidh, Gaelic, the strip between machar and
monaidh, where houses stand; cf. “ Caligarry ” : see
“ Gardr.” Gearraidh also means a point or knuckle-end
of land (Uist), D .C .; paisture land about a township, fenced
fields, enclosed grazing between the arable land and the
open moor (as above machar and monaidh), C .R .; common
grazing and arable land between the moor and the crofts,
D .M .C.; place where the sheilings are built, P .J .M .; one
other authority gives as gardr, equalling gerdhi, land, a
garden land, also equals gearraidh, a garth, house, or yard;
geroi, as before; also geòtan, a spot of arable ground. In
Lewis, gearraidhean is a term for places or outer pastures
to which cattle were taken in summer, generally with stone
and turf-built shelters.
a R o ig h , R u ig h e , R ig h e .
Thought may be garra
enclosure, and ruighe, sheiling, the sheiling enclosure; the
word ruidhe or ruighe is pronounced roy on the Eist coast.
G earr
G e a r y , G e a r ie , G e a r r y , G e r r y .
See
Gearraidh.” The word
gearraidh is the genitive of gearradh, but often used as the
nominative.
Sup­
posed misreading or miswriting of gearradh - l e - a inn,
enclosure by or at a river, or the river Snizort. Also sug­
gested hawn, a haven (Nome).
G e d in t a il l e a r . Rig of the salter or dealer in salt, fish-curer.
At Braes, Portree.
G e a v il e a w n , G e a v il e a u n , G e a r r il e a u m , G a r il e a m .
G ellin, G il lin .
See “ Gillin,” Sleat.
G e m b a il l , G l e n b a il l , G o m b a il l , G e n ib a il l , G e n b a i l l .
Not
known.
Not known, unless geun, geum, roar (as of deer or
lowing o f cows).
G em more.
Said to stand for guin, a narrow strip of land, shairppointed. In Strath.
Gen .
The creek of the buck. At Portree. Geodha,
Norse geo, a partial opening, as of a door or mouth; gia,
Icel., rift, creek; also go (O.G.), the sea, goe and geob,
gja, chasm, rift; in Shetland, a rocky creek with precipitous
sides, as distinguished from voe, a fiord and wick, a broad
open bay. Cf. gial or giall, a jaw, gill of a fish, etc.
G eodha ’Bhuic.
198
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
G e o d h a - D a r a ic h .
The creek of the oak-tree, geob, gja, gjo,
South of Minginish.
as before.
G eodh’
E ic h B h r ic .
an
G rey horse creek, also
geodha nan
each, horses’ creek.
G eodh’ A
The creek of the wild dog or hound,
l l a g r a ic h .
alladh graich or grech.
a n R i a d h a in , R ia g h a i n .
The creek of the passage
(temporary for water to run in), if riaffhain a swing or
surge of sea-current. On Score coast.
G eodh’
Bull creek.
G eodh’
an
T a ir b h .
G eodh’
a
Ch u a in .
G eodh’
a
G hamhna.
Ocean creek.
Stirk creek.
Not known.
G eodh’ E rrach.
S.W. of Dunvegan Head.
One suggestion, cup-shaped,
with springs.
G eodha F h e a r c h a r .
Green creek.
G eodha G o r m .
G eo d h a M
h ic
Farquhar’s creek.
E o g h a in n .
In Strath, near Glas-na-Cille.
Evan or Ewen’s son’s creek.
On
Bororaig coast.
G eo d h a M
Great creek.
or.
S.W . of Duirinish.
A waterfall
near here.
n a G l io n g r a ic h , G l io n g a r a ic h .
The creek of the
jingling or tinkling noise or sound. Near Dunvegan Head.
G eo d h a
G eodha
n a h - A ib h n e .
G eodha
na
A
G eodha
na
M
G eodha
nan
i r ig h e .
o in e .
Burn or river creek.
Sheiling-creek.
Portree.
Moss-creek. Near Rudha Hunish.
G obhar.
G oats’ creek.
S.W .
o f M inginish .
Meaning not found. One
of the show-places of Skye, and famed for a family of
Macleods, to whom “ The Gesto Collection ” of Highland
music, by Dr. Keith Norman Macdonald of Ord, has been
dedicated. “ Fear Gheasto ” was well known and loved;
a poem by him will be found in the “ Celtic Monthly,”
intituled “ Farewell to Skye ” in English only; it refers
to Fionnghal Nighean Raonuill an Airigh-Mhuilinn,
Flora Macdonald of Milton or Sheiling-Mill.
G esto , G eusdo , G resto , G u est o .
’G h a r a L a p a in .
See “ Garlappin.”
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
’G h e r v a d ,
A
G hearrafad.
See “ Garafad.”
The dark hollow.
’G h l ac D h o r c h a .
’G h l a ic C h a o l .
The narrow hollow.
’G h l a ic M
The great hollow.
hor.
Torrin.
Torrin.
Torrin.
M headhonach.
The mid or middle glen.
“ Gleann Dail ” for gleann mmdhonach.
’G h l in n e
’G h u a l a M
hor,
199
See
The great shoulder (corner of
In Strath Beag.
’G h u a l a in n .
a mountain).
See “ Eilean.” Name said to
be given from its being the smallest inhabited islet known,
even as the insect or mite ( gigalum) is the smallest known.
North of Skye, near Boreray. Dean Monro gives other
islands as being adjacent. Fineag, a cheese-mite, said to
be larger than a gigalum.
G ig a r u m , G ig a r u n , G ig a l u m .
See “ Sleat.” This place is in or near Aros Bay,
Waternish or Duirinish, and is the place where MajorGeneral Norman Macleod, C.B., was born.
G il l e n .
The sanctuary or protection; akin to gart, an
enclosed space. “ Thug e 'n girt air” he betook him to
the sanctuary; he fled. See “ Commerwell.”
G i r t , G io r t .
l l a r a id h , F h a l a ir e .
The hollow of the funeral enter­
tainment or refreshment; also falairidh. There is a word
faraire, night entertainment watching corpse.
G lac A
Sgulamus hollow, two
miles S.E. of Broadford.
G lac L u a c h r a c h . Rushy or reedy hollow.
G lac - a n - S g u lam u s , G lac S g u l a m u is .
G lac M
Thought dhit meant for dhid,
The great hollow of the
This place is at the head of “ Coruisg.”
hor a n t -S eana
D h it .
dhidmn, fort or sanctuary.
sanctuary, etc.
or
G lac
na
G lac
nan
G laic
an
nam
M
e ir l e a c h .
Thieves’ hollow.
S earrach.
Foals’ hollow.
D
Hollow of the shade or darkness.
u b h a ir .
In
Kilmuir.
a n E ir e a n n a ic h . The Irishman’s hollow.
Near Camustinvag. A statement has been advanced that this should
be erenagh or eireanagh, a lay superintendent of church
land, hereditary.
G laic
200
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
G l aic
an
F h e id h .
The deer hollow.
an T u ir id h .
The hollow of weeping or mourning.
Ferinvicguire Common.
G laic
On
Hurry hollow; secondary meaning, hollow of
straits, difficulties.
G laic C a b h a ig .
Alder-tree hollow.
G laic F h e a r n a .
The hollow of pools, or pool-like. Near
Broadford.
In reference to the foregoing words glac and glaic, the
latter, though the genitive, properly glaice, is frequently
used as the nominative.
G l a ic -G l u m a g a c h .
G l a is B h e a l a c h .
The Green
Pass.
At
Beinn Dearg
Mor.
n a m F i a d h . The green mount of the deer (1835
Near Loch Eynort.
G l a is - B h e i n n
feet).
n a m F i a d h . The green hollow of the deer. Glais
also means a fold or enclosure, and boirein, the dim. of
boire, a hole or hollow. In Irish, boreen.
G l a isb o ir e in
The chasm or gorge. Near Sconsar. This word, with
its derivatives, glpmag, etc., conveys the idea of
swallowing voraciously the surrounding country.
G lam.
The meaning, as found in dictionaries, of
this word is a V greedy woman or female ” ; the meaning
given above applies. This mountain has been a subject
of note from time immemorial. Pont gives “ Klammaig,
a trinket of hills, also called Glamich” ; it rises 2,537
feet above Glen Sligachan, while a prominent peak, “ An
Coileach,” The Cock, is 2,203 feet in height. It is a
beautiful, conical-shaped hill or mountain, with a fine green
plateau and spring on the summit; it descends sheer down
to the sea. Another spelling is “ Glannock,” given by
Dean Monro. See Introduction to this work.
G l a m a ig , G l a m a g .
See “ Glaisbheinn.” Green mount. In Strath.
There are, however, two mountains, beag agus mor, small
and great; one at least in Stenseholl. It may be observed
that the word glais means a fold, an enclosure (primarily
a lock), also an obsolete term for a streiam.
G las - B h e i n n .
G las - B h u a i l e .
The green fo ld or pasture.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
201
G las-E ilean , G lasellan . Green isle, common; the one here
given is in the Haripol district of Strath; also given as
at Broadford Bay, and opposite Coruisg. There is another
south, of Fladday. Cf. “ Na Glais-Eilein ” at entrance
to Loch Nevis.
etc. The
green (meadow) of the church. Given as a farm near
Kirkibost; elsewhere said to be in Elgol. Cf. “ Glasna­
cille,” at Loch Nevis.
G l a s h n a k il l , G l a sn a c il l e , - k i l l , - k i l l i g h , - k i l l y ,
The pennyland green spot,
pronounced Glais-phei’nn. A local song is “ Suiridh na
G laisp hein the courtship of Glasphein. In Kilmuir.
G l a s p h e in , G l a s p e e n , G l a s p e in .
G l a s t e a n , G l a is t e a n , etc.
m uir.
G l a s t u ir .
Grey tower.
The green
spot or
place.
In K il­
In Watemish.
Not known. Last part of word may be meant
for lian, a field, a plain, etc.
G l e a ir l e a w n .
A glen. Only descriptive names given. Glens are
older than mountains, and have been contrasted with straths,
corries, etc.; glenis have been variously described among
many as “ a valley leading quite through.”
Gleann.
A ir ig h B e a t h a ig .
Beathag or (Saint) Bethoc’s
sheiling glen; also named Meall Beathaig.
Gleann
G leann A
llt a
G h a ir b h e id .
The glen of Garafad River. See
“ Garfad.”
l l t E ig in n , A i g in n , A ig e i n n .
If eiginn, the glen
of the river of violence or steep banks; if aiginn ( aigeann),
abyss, pool, etc.
G leann A
G leann A
n n is h a d e r ,
q.v.
G leann A
o in e a s d a il ,
q.v.
G leann
P h u il l .
a
May be “ Hingisdal.”
Pool or mud glen.
rroch.
May be meant for arrachd, spectre, dwarf,
etc.; suggested earr, short or tail. This glen is north of
Beinn Bheag, on borders of Sleat.
Gleann A
G l e a n n B h a r a g a il , V a r a g il l , V a r g il ,
G l e a n n B h r e a t a in n .
q.v.
q.v.
Glen Britain; but there is “ Breatail,”
202
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
G l e a n n B o il , B o il e , G e m b o il , G l e n a m v o o il ,
etc.
The glen
of madness, etc., or perhaps the wild glen.
G leann B reatal, B retill , B rittle . Given in titles, etc.,
“Achasochand.” Meaning not found. This glen is one of
the more important main valleys on the west side of the
Coolins, the river draining southward into Loch Breatal.
Sheriff Nicolson described it as “ the most beautiful glen in
Skye, or perhaps in Scotland.” It is the landing-place from
Corries Greadaidh, Banachdich, Lagan, and Grunnda, the
latter said to be the most wonderful corry in all the Coolins,
if not the most awful. The “ Window Buttress ’ near.
G leann Caladale, Ca la d a l.
Cold dale, cold dalr\ or Kalis
dale— Kali a proper name.
G le a n n C h a d a la c h .
The sleepy glen.
G l e a n n C olbost , C obost
(pronounced Cailbost).
The glen of
the cold farm.
q.v. This glen stretches eastward from Uig
Bay to Beinn Eadarra, in Kilmuir.
G l e a n n C onon ,
Pleonastic, Gaelic and Norse mean­
ing practically the same. Dalr, Norse, a dale, a glen, etc.
This glen has always been, and still is, a notable spot
or rather district; many men of note hailing therefrom,
inter alios, Neil Macleod, the Skye bard, son and brother
of bards all born here. Neil died in Edinburgh on 6th
September, 1913; before him was born, about 1780,
Roderick Campbell, who composed some religious poems
or hymns.
In the dim distant past Glendale was noted as being one
of the four best pasture-grounds of the Glas-gobhar nam
Ficmn, grey goat of the Fingalians, or Glas-ghoillean or
ghuailne, a cow (grey-shoulders) alleged to have the gift
of speech. Also named “ Glas-Gaibhnann.”
The other three places of pasture-grounds were Glen Uig
in Trotemish, Glen Hinisdale, and a Glen Sgaladal, of
which latter, however, there are two or three in Skye. The
following ancient rhymes or verses refer to above:
G lean n -D a il , G l e n d a l e .
“ Gleanndail an Diuirinish,
Glernm Uig an Tròtamish,
Gleann sgiamhach Sgàladail,
Glemn aluinn Romasdail.”
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
203
The Rev. Neil Ross, a Glendale man, says the last is
thought doubtful.
“ Glemn breagh (or briagh) Sgaladair,
Glecmn riabhach (or riach) Rhomasdail,
Glecmn Dal an Diuirinish,
Gleanrn meadhonach nan torr.”
See “ Gleann Shasaig,” Sleat. It is not deemed necessary
to translate.
Glendale district consists of no less than ten townships,
from Mealbhaig in the north to Skianadan in the south;
in titles it is described as “ Glendall, comprehending
northern or Galtrigill division.”
Glendale is also noted for a fine species of cabbage; and
the “ Abhainn Mhor,” or Great River, runs through the
glen into Loch Poltiel. It is thought many names in above
ten townships yet remain to be secured.
G leann D rynoch.
The thorny glen.
Runs westward to Loch
Harport.
G l e a n n E abost ,
q.v.
Eo. Salmon glen. There is also iach with same mean­
ing, though stated to be the genitive of eo, which also, as;
an adjective, signifies “ good, worthy.”
G leann
G l e a n n E o d h a in n , E o g h a in n .
G leann E ynort,
q.v.
Follows
Evan
a
or
Ewen’s
glen.
circuitous course to or from
Loch Eynort.
G leann F
htjachd .
G l e a n n G hr asco .
Glen of (the) cold.
Glengrasco,
q.v.
In
Snizort.
Rugged-faced glen; or allied to
In Troternish.
G l e a n n G r a st , G h r a s t .
gmnda, grim, etc.
G l e a n n H a l t i n , H a l t y n , H a u l t i n , T a l t o n , T e l t i n e , and
U a l t y n , Gleann Shealtainn (s silent).
Glen Shetland,
Norse Hjaltland.
See “ Gleann Shealtainn.”
in g is d a l , H in io s d a il , H in is d a l , etc.
Hengist’s dale
glen. See “ Gleann Tillisdaill.” There is a rivulet of
this name in Troternish; this glen is in Snizort.
G leann H
High-dale, Norse hei, for a mound; so this
may be the mound-dale glen. In Waternish.
G leann H eysdal.
204
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Thought phonetic spelling of Chaolas, firth,
etc. In Kilmuir.
It may be observed that no Gaelic word commences with
the letter H, used simply as a sign of aspiration.
G leann H ylas.
Island or meadow glen.
G l ean n I nch , I n n is .
G le a n n I n n e r , I n ’ir , I n b h ir ,
an
See “ Inis.”
The glen of the
I n ’i r .
confluence or inver, inbhir, q.v.
The friendly or clannish glen (ionad, a
G leann I onadal.
place, etc.).
o r g asd al .
Meaning not known; suggested lurg,
lurgan, ridge of a hill extending gradually into a plain,
shank-end, and asdal, astail, a dwelling. See “ Lorgill.”
G leann L
G l e a n n M ac C a s k il l , M ac A sc u ill , ’I c A s c u ill . G len Casgill,
etc.
M acasgaill, from Norse askell, as-ketill, the kettle
(sacrificial vessel) o f the A uses or gods, a vessel o f holiness;
“ K e t il,” a Norw egian prince, who was sometime king in
Skye, etc.
See “ K e t il.”
G le a n n G -M - na
of the deer.
Brown.
G leann
nan
F . Gleann mor nam Fiadh. The great glen
There is Glenmore, near Portree. Harvie
The glen of flags or flat stones.
L eac.
Ois. Glen
« Bracadale.
G leann
of
the river mouth, etc.
G l e a n n O r a id , O rroed .
G leann R ath ad .
Glen of speech.
Road Glen.
See “ Ose.”
In
See “ Glenoraid.”
Also found given Gleann fa
In Talisker.
Rathad, the glen on, upon, or above the road.
G l e a n n R om asd al ,
q.v.
G l e a n n S g a l a d a l , S g a l a d a il , S c a l a d a ir .
“ Gleaam Sgaladair
fhwxr nam beann.”
Cold glen Sgaladair of the hills. The
glen of the cold shade, sgàile; may be Norse skali.
G l ean n S h e a l t a in n .
G leann Sn eesdall.
Glen Shetland.
See “ Gleann Haltin.”
Glensnisdale. See “ Sneosdal.”
In Kil­
muir.
Swordale Glen; stretches from Sithean to
See “ Strath.”
G l e a n n S h u a r d a il .
Kilbride.
G l e a n n T il l is d a il l , T in i s t l e .
See “ Gleann Hingisdale.”
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Upper Glen.
“ Iochdarach,’’ lower.
G leann U achdarach .
Glen
In Snizort.
G l e a n n U ig , U ig g .
conan.
G l e a n n U l l i n is h ,
bay,
In Kilmuir.
205
Another,
vig or vik, now named Glen-
q.v.
G l e a n n V a r k a s a ig , B h a r g asaig ,
q.v.
etc., q.v.
glen ” (Sh.N.), near Portree.
G l e a n n V a r r a g il l , V a r ig il ,
This is a “ quiet green
G l e n a im b o st , G l e n a n a b o st , - b h o st , - vo st .
In Duirinish. See
“ Unabost.”
G l e n a n o o il , G l e n a n y o il .
See “ Gleann Boil.”
The glen of speech. Near Glen
Earr, in Minginish. Glen Earr, glen of the end or
boundary, or noble, grand glen; earr obsolete.
G l e n o r a id , - o r a id e , - o r id .
G lens.
Na glinn. Grishernish.
G l e n v ie .
Might be Glenuie, uidhe, uighe, glen of the ford.
G l u m a ig .
The deep pool. A bay near Duntulm Castle.
a B h ia t a ic h .
The little knobbly hill, the
little knobbly point of the raven; also sgeir. This is the
outer end of a long peninsula between Loch Follart and
Lovach Bay. Beyond this point lie the three islands, Isay,
Mingay, and Clait or Cleit, etc. See “ Grobain.”
G n o b a n , G r oban
G n ogan, G n o g a n e, G n o g a ir e , A n Cnom hag, C nom hagan,
C nom hagag. The large whelk, periwinkle, or buckie.
G oban T r o id , T r o id h t .
The little knoll of the worn-out shoe.
The fork, port forked, or split into
two parts; dim. of gobhal, forked part of anything.
G obh lag , P ort G o b h l a ig .
G ob
a n D a in n ir e .
The point of the obstructing one, or
obstruction; dainn, rampart, barrier.
The point or promontory of the haugh or howe,
burial-ground; Norse kaugr; also a cairn; hoe, hoo, a spot
of land, see “ Hoe.” Gob has various other meanings; here
it has the signification of cop (British, Welsh, and Pictish),
a summit. This place is in Loch Bracadale, Duirinish.
G ob n a H oe.
Duck’s beak or neb, from •resemblance of a
point of land.
G ob T u n n a ig .
206
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
(pron. bree), O is g e b r ig h .
montory of the well-spring.
The point or pro­
G ob U isg eb r ig h
G o il l e , G oile
na
windy-gowl.
G a o it h e . The throat or pass of the wind,
In Kilmuir.
G o ir t e a n - a - B h r a g h a d , G o ir t e a n - a - B h l a r .
L ittle field of
the upland, or battle-field; here a fight took place against
the N orse; also m ay be the croft or enclosure o f the upper
or breast-land. Gort (o f which goirtmn a dim . cognate with
L atin bortus,. Greek chortos). Gort, gart, gartan equals lios,
henoe E nglish garden and yard. A lso found translated a
craig or rock. This place is near Broadford.
G o r sta n , G o ir t e a n - n a - T r a g h a d .
Beach croft, etc.
l a s d a ir .
Alexander’s little croft. This
is an arable field of some extent. There is an Old Celtic
word, mumthaig, meaning an enclosed gart or garden, mùr,
a wall, a rampart, etc., and achadh, a field.
G o r tan , G o ir t e a n A
n a C r e ig e .
The little croft or enclosure of
In Portree or Troternish.
G o r t a n , G o ir t e a n
the rock.
G o r t a n , G o ir t e a n D
ubh.
Black croft.
Torrin.
n a C l oich e G l a o d h a ic h .
The croft of
the stone of calling or proclamation; otherwise echoing.
G o r t a n , G o ir t e a n
See “ Clach Fuileach.”
G ory S t o n e .
See “ Gnoban, Groban.”
G raban.
G r acalaig , G r a g a l a ig .
and
The
bay o f cackling.
Gracail, Gragail,
vik.
Not known. Suggested Norse garha, a woodland, etc.,
and sco, Norse Skogr; but see “ Mansco” ; also “ Soobhal.”
G rasco .
G r e a d a id h .
A mountain.
See “ Coire.”
etc. Not known;
there is a word greollan, a cricket (insect). This place is
in Kilmuir.
G r e a l in , G r e a u l in , G r ia l l i n , G r a u l in e ,
G r e a n ig il
(C l a c h a n , C noc ).
The
sunny
gill
or
glen.
In
Stenscholl.
Sunny
In Duirinish.
G r e e n a c k , G r e e n a c h , G r e o n a c k , G r ia n a g , G r ia n a n .
place or spot; a pendicle of Uiginish.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
207
r eep , C r ip , C r io p , G r ib e .
Coast precipice,
part of sea-coast where it is rocky and difficult to land.
Griob or grioba, Norse Gnipa, Ioel. Gnipr, a peak, etc.
This place is near Uig, on the shore of Loch Dunvegan.
C reep, G reeb, K
Grim, Grimm or Grimr, a proper name, and skiki,
a river strip of land, Grim’s-land. In Kilmuir.
G r e m isc a ig .
G r e n cr aig , G r ia n -C h r e a g .
Sun-rock.
See “ Greanigil.”
Near Staffin.
G r e n ig l e , G r e n ic l e .
or gyll.
G r esh an.
Not known.
Might be green gill
Suggested gris-fhionn.
The spotted
place.
etc. Grice or pig’s ness, on
northern slope of Sron-nan-aighean range of the Coolins;
a fine sheep-farm and residence sacred to the memory of
“ Coinneach Gheusto,” the late Kenneth Macleod, who en­
dowed a free hospital for the Skye people.
G r e s h e r n is h , G r e s h o r n is h ,
Of or pertaining to the sun, sunny; also
a sunny spot, ia special sunny chamber in large duns and
raths erected on walls thereof, or some sunny place where
shadows would not fall; also, as here, a round hill on the
top of a rock, and quite level. This latter is near Camustianavaig. See “ Dun Grianan.” C f. “ Grainan (grianan)
of Aileach, at Derry, Ireland, as mentioned in “ Four
Masters,” etc.
Some authorities consider this to be
Druidical.
G r ia n a l , G r ia n a n .
G r ib n a c h .
The place
of
precipices.
See “ Greep.”
Grimm’s seat, etc. Grimm or Grimr, a Scandin­
avian proper name, and setr, seat, pasture, etc; this name,
Grimm or Grimr, is an epithet applied to Odin, from his
travelling in disguise, and is a common masculine proper
name connected with many place-names in the Scottish
Isles, e.g., Grimsta, Grimr and stadr, last half of bolstadr,
homestead.
G r im s h a d e r .
etc. Grimm or Grimr’s river, à, river,
etc. See “ Abhainn.” This name has numerous spellings;
all in Kilmuir.
G r im e r a , G r im e r a l d ,
The junction or narrow water-channel. At Loch Slapin.
In Arran this word signifies the channel or sewer of a cow­
house or byre. See “ Gnoban.”
G ro b .
208
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
etc. The knoll. See
Said also to be from gnupr, a peak.
G r o b a in , C r o u b a n , C h r o u b a n , G r u m b a n ,
“ Gnoban.”
G r ob ( a ) n a n E a c h .
Edra, Troternish.
G r oban
na
Knoll of the horses.
Gnob.
South of Beinn
The skerry knob or point. In Loch
This word grob, properly gnob, is very
S g e ir e .
Dunvegan.
common.
Chios, snout, etc., and vik, bay. The bay promon­
tory. Near Gamustianavaig. Also a name “ Grogaig,”
supposed gnogaig.
G rosgaig .
The young woman; in derision, a young
man with long hair. Places with this name are pretty
numerous, and, as a female, a supposed household goddess;
as a male, a brownie; connected with pagan worship. Much
has been told and written about these imaginary sprites,
the belief in them having only died down of late years.
For the use of these imaginary beings, and to secure their
goodwill, it was a common practice to select a stone, with
hollow therein, whereon libations of milk were poured; in
most places this being was represented as a fair-haired
young man, an Apollo (sun-worship), .the sun’s rays repre­
senting a man’s ruddy or yellow locks, the ancient sun-god,
Grannos. Sheriff Nicolson, for one, describes “ it ” as “ a
long-haired friendly sprite of the brownie species, but
female ” ; so does J . F . Campbell in his “ West Highland
Tales.” Other sprites are, or used to be, known all over
the Highlands, if not elsewhere, glaistig, for instance, a
water-imp or she devil in the shape of a goat, an enchanted
woman; the word glaistig said by some to be from glas,
grey, pale, etc., or from the old word for water, the female
generally haunting a stream; a word nathach or neithich,
pale, gloomy, said to be similar to above.
G ruagach , G r u a ’ i c h .
G r u d a id h ,
A
G h r u d a id h .
The
distillery, perhaps tavern,
grudfiir, distiller, gruid, m alt.
G ru la , G ru le , G r u l l , G r e il e .
Not known.
In Minginish.
The stonyland; perhaps from grijot or
grjot, stones; gru, sometimes gnu, famous, also grippy,
“ cho gnu ri broc," as grippy as a badger; also means surly,
wild, gru and lainn of an enclosure, etc., the rough land or
G r u l a in n , G r u l i n .
part of a district.
Sayings and songs exist in connection
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
209
with this place, “ 'S ami cm Grulainn fo'n sgurr,” and
“Nighecm bhàn Ghrulainn,” sung to the tune of “ Lais an
lurgainn,” the fair maid of Grulainn, with the (shapely)
leg, one line of which is “Th&id i 's gun teid i learn,” she
will go and go she will with me. Cf. “ Rudha na Cruaidhlinn.”
Ground - farm, arable, from grun, grunn, or
grumid, and the Norse termination, garry, in different forms
G runagary.
and spellings.
The shoulderlump or hill of hand-clapping or wringing of hands. See
“ Aird-a-Chomhraig.”
G u a l a - a - B h a s r a id h , B h a s r u id h , B a s r a ic h .
The shoulder or slope of the seat or town,
etc., though cathair, which has several other meanings,,
genitive oathrach, and, grammatically, should be Gualann
G u ala C h a i d h i r .
na oathrach.
Harper’s hill, etc.
G u a l a - a -C h l a r s a ir .
G uala ’C h u i r n .
The cairn hill or slope.
In Snizort.
Near Mill Bridge,
Broadford.
u b h a ic h e .
Lamentation hill, or the
hill of wailing, dubhach, sad, sorrowful. On the slope of
this hill the natives witnessed the defeat of their men byi
the Lochlannaich or Norse on one occasion. The use of the
preposition fa may be noted here; it means under, etc.
See “ Beinn an Dubhaich.” These names show that the
Norse invaders either did not name these places, or that,
if so, their nomenclature was not adopted. This place is
between Broadford and Strolamus.
G u ala F a ’ n D u t h a ic h , D
G uala S h l a o p a in .
G uala ’C h o ir e
Slapin shoulder-slope.
mhor.
Near Torrin.
Great corry shoulder-slope.
n a h - E a sa n d u b h a . The slope of the black waterfalls;
also “ Guala-an-Easan-dubh, the slope of the little water­
fall.
N .B . —A ll the foregoing names with “ Guala ” should
be “ Guakmn
G uala
G ualann
G uidad.
nam
F
ia d h .
Not known.
Deers’ hill-slope.
A mountain.
o
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
210
Thought meant for
“ Gullavore,” q.v. M'Culloch gives this as a small island
off Scalpa, 40 or 50 feet in height. Other meanings sug­
gested, e.g., guaV a man, for guala mam, shoulder of the
rounded hill; this latter meaning may be held, seeing the
place is said to be near Monkstadt House, and the place
where Flora Macdonald landed when she brought, or came
with, Prince Charlie from Uist; he landed farther south,
at Kilbride; guaille mem, also advanced as a diminutive,
“ the little slope.”
G u il l e m o n , G u l l a v a n , G h u i l l a m ia n .
The hill-slope of the creek. This is properly the
place of landing referred to in last entry. Gmille or
gmilne, the genitive of gualann, is frequently used as the
nominative; geo, as given before.
G u il l eg o .
Gulban’s (Mountain). This is alleged to
be the ancient name for “ Beinn Dionavaig,” q.v . ; gulha
signifies a mouth. This is one of several so-named moun­
tains where Diarmaid was said to have been killed, and
where, with Grainne and two hounds, he lies buried;
traditionally, the others are in Lochbroom, Argyllshire,
and Sligo, in Ireland. In notes to the 1760 translation
of the Ossianic poems, Gulbcm is given as golb-bheann,
crooked hill or mountain, golb, gulb, gulba.
G u l b a n , G u il b e i n .
G u a il l e m h o r .
The great shoulder (shaped).
This is a rocky and conspicuous islet south of FladdaChuan, to which the prefix eilecm is usually wanting.
G
u llavo r e ,
G
ulnare.
Not known.
G
u m in u l e ,
G u m in it e
At Dunan.
(G. comm)
I sle.
Babbits’ isle.
In
Waternish.
G unel.
See “ Ard Ghunel,” Sleat.
The guns or cannons. Certain caves near
Kilmuir, into which the sea rushes with loud reports like
big guns; also named Gunners’ Caves, and said to be near
Loch Staffin. C f. “ Trumpan.”
G unnachan, N a .
•
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
211
H
The place-names beginning with the letter H are mostly, if
not altogether, Norse or Scandinavian; no word in Gaelic
commences with it, but is simply used as a sign of aspiration;
Norse words or names beginning with that letter may be
supported by a t, e.g., Holm, An t-Holm, Tolm, Tuilm, in
Norse a holm, haugh, or small island in a bay or river, not
common; also low-lying land, e.g., “ Duntulm,” dun an t-holm,
an isolated hill, and, as such, frequent in names; different
terminations are an, mil, and lum.
(An t-Haboist). Sloping (lying)
farm or homestead, or the dwelling on the slope, high-town,
from Norse hallr, a slope or declivity, and host, bolstadr,
homestead, Ha-bolstadr; ha is sometimes transposed in
Gaelic to sa, e.g., Sabhal, Saval, equalling ha-fjall, high
fell. Thabost is given in Gaelic as aspirated from an
imaginary Tabost.
H abost , H ab o ist , T habo st
H a ic h , C h a o ic h .
See “ Allt.”
The sloping garden or enclosed space or yard, etc.
Some authorities suggest this name as that of a Norwegian
princess brought up in Skye. There was a well-known
physician, named Hali, of the Middle Ages, who died about
995 a . d .; his name is cited in medical MSS.
H algerda.
(mor
agus beag, great and little, 1,538 feet). The fell with
ridge of terraces, Icel. Hjalli-fjall,; also called Bord mor
agus Bord beag ’Ic Leoid, great and little tables of Mac­
H a l ib h a l , H a l iv a l , H a l l iv a il s , H e a l a v a l , H e l v e l s
leod; the larger extends to Dunvegan or Galtrigil Head,
the lesser to the points of Idrigil and Waterstein. See
“ Helaval ” and “ Macleod’s Tables ” ; the above are chiefly
in Duirinish. Cf. “ Helvellyn.”
An article by R. C. Macleod of Macleod in “ Celtic
Monthly ” of October, 1914, is also referred to.
H a l ist r a , H a l l is t r a , H a l d e r s t a , H a l d is t r a , H a l m s t r a s .
The town or residence on the slope, hallr, as above, and
stadr, last half of bolstadr, Norse termination, as sta, Gaelic
stadh, a farm stead, said to be shadder in Hebrides., e.g.,
“ Kershadder.”
See “ Setr.”
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
212
H a l l a g , H a l l e g , H e il a g - r (Icel.), H a l l a ig , H a l l a r g , H a l t a ig , and K a l l d ig .
Holy or Saint’s Isle. An island off
Raajsay, in the parish of Portree.
Holl (Icel.), a hall;
given as “ upper and nether.” In Waternish, Kilmuir, and
Duirinish; see hallr, as above. C f. Scottish “ hallan.”
One of Skye’s many bards or songsters, Norman Mac­
donald, composed—
H a l l in , H a l la n , H a l e n e , H a l l e in .
“ Sud am t-àit do 'n d'thug mi gradh,
’i$e Halim is ainm dha,
0 bhrmgh Fhasaich sios mu 'n Charnaich,
’8 lionmkor gearr-shruith memiimnach”
etc. The hammer-shaped craig; in Norse a
steep place or hillside, with many large rocks on it; Old
Norse bctmar-r, hammer-shaped craig jutting or stretching
out.
There are seven cairns here, commemorating seven natives
who quarrelled and fought to the death. Ham may be
Norse hoammr, a grassy slope. Macleod of Hamar or
Hamara wrote a treatise on “ second sight ” under the title
“ Theophilus tnsulanus.”
H am ar, H am arr,
The hollow of the hammershaped rock ( hamar and bhorem). See “ Glaisboirein.”
Locally given as bhiorain or bhorein, a hard kind of grassi.
One authority gives hamara as rock-water.
H a m a r a v e r in , H a r m a r a v ir e in .
H a m p sd a l e , H
um psdale.
The dale
of
the grassy
slope;
Ham,
as above.
etc. The lord’s dwelling; Harri, a lord or
great man, and bol, Old Norse for house, the chief farm
of a tun or township. Personal names were often given to
farms, especially with bol, also with pool; bol also means
a couch or resting-place for animals; see “ Bost.” This
place is in Strath.
H ar ip o l , H a r r a p o l ,
H a r l a s , H ar loes , H a il a e s .
See next name.
Buck tail; Norse hafra, a buck, or he-goat, and los,
Old Celtic for tail, end, e.g., in dobhran losleathan, the
otter of the broad tail. This is an island point and skerry
in Loch Bracadale. One Lowland authority gave the
meaning of this name charr lois, rock of the fire.
H arlosh.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
H arport , H e r p o r t .
Goat
fiord;
213
hafra and fjord.
or C o ir e T h a r t a , H a r t -o - C o r r y . The corry
of the hart. Sight in the Coolins, and drained by Sligaohan
River. Some think this oorry finer than Coruisg; a huge
glacier filled this corry at one time.
H arta C orry
Little Harta, a branch of the corry, it is said. One
authority gives Harta vik, Harta bay, but no bay near.
H a r t a ig .
H artaval.
Harta fell, a bealach. Harta as before and fjal or
fjall.
H
askeval.
The fell of the rocky ridge; ass, a rocky ridge, and
See “ Asaint.”
fjal or fjall.
H
a u l t in .
See “ Haltin.”
Island of the he-goat. Haver or Hafra,
a buck or he-goat, and ey, island. Off Bracadale. See
“ Forbes’ Gaelic Names of Beasts, etc.”
H aver say , H a v e r s e r .
The horse-shaped isle; Norse
This
isle or place is named from the township on a river on main­
land of Skye, at Loch Eisheort, south coast of Strath.
The inhabitants of Heast, it is said, share in the nickname
of Na mearlaich or meirlich, but for this we do not vouch.
H east , H e a st a , H e a st e ,
etc.
hestr, a horse; more correctly heste or he-ste, Danish.
H e b r i.
See “ Tobar Tellibreck.”
eauld.
The mound-fell; hei, Norse, a mound, and fjall,
fell. This word fjal has the usual termination of vcd,
lit., a high hill, also hvall, a knoll; hei, hoi, hoide, different
forms of Norse haugr, a mound, etc.
H e i- F
etc. The Stone. In Minginish.
Described as “ cnoc glas agus dubh, a green and a black
knoll.” It is a grass-covered black rock at the sea-shore,
sometimes used for fishing; Gaelic iola, iolla, ioladh;
derived from hellyr, a cave, Old Norse hellir, hely-r, a cave
drilled out by action of sea-waves; also therefrom hella,
stone. In Shetland called lela. This rock or stone is on
the shore of Loch Harport.
H e il l a , H e il l e , H e l l y a ,
High skerry; hei, as before, and sgeir; according to
one authority, it is thought or said to mean “ bright rock.”
C f. “ Eisgir,” a ridge of mountains, etc.
H eisgejr .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
214
Flagstone fell. There are two
Helavals, the greater and the lesser, with a maximum of
1,700 feet in height, green and verdant, the summits per­
fectly level, hence named “ Macleod’s Tables,” see “ Bord
Cruinn” ; see above as to hellyr. An authority suggests
helgi fjall, holy fell, the majestic size and smooth flat tops
of the two masses suggesting great natural altars, pagan if
not Christian; they are remnants of the great level plateau
out of which the Coolins and other mountains have been
carved. See “ Halival.”
H elaval, H olbhal, H e l v e l .
Stone or stone-cave farm or residence; hellyr and
H eldersta.
stadt, as before.
H
elva
R ock.
H
eribost ,
See “ U ig.”
May be “ R eilla/’ as above.
H er ib u st a , etc. The lord’s dwelling, from Harri
(see “ Haripol ” ) and bost in Skye, a generic term; at end
of names it is a contraction of the Norse or Icelandic word
bolstadr, denoting “ homestead, farm, or farm-steading; in
Islay it takes the form of bus; it equals poll and by; also
said to equal aras and baile (the latter in a restricted sense),
meaning a dwelling, a settlement, a village; also bo, bol,
basta, bousta, boust, bister; bo in Norse means estate.
Heribost and Herbusta are separate names; the first is in
Duirinish, the latter in Kilmuir; both are upland town­
ships. The above derivation from harri, haerribustadr 01
bolstadr, and in each case meaning “ Upper-town,” and the
configuration suits; in Gaelic Bail’ uachdarach. A saying
is Sgreigeagan Thearbusta, the little rocky spots of
Heribusta.
Lord’s seat, place, or town, Lord-ton. Harri, as
above, and shader, one form of setr, a seat or residence, etc.
H e r is h a d e r .
H
ig ic h a n ,
H ig ie d a n .
Supposed mistake for Sligachan, q.v.
eysdal.
High dale, hei or hey, a form of haugr,
a mound, etc., and dal, from dalr, Norse, a dale, etc.,
always ends a name. This place is in Waternish.
H iy s d a l , H
H in n is d a l , H in g is d a l e .
H oabhal, H
obhal.
See “ Gleann.”
H ig h fe ll,
ho or hoe, another form o f
haugr, and fjall, as before.
oe C a p e (also called The Hoe, Toe, i.e., an t-ho).
The high sea-cliff. From haugr, as before. Ho generally
means as above, not to any cultivated lands; there are Ho
H oe R a p e , H
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
215
Ramasaig, Ho Bhororaig, Ho Abalac or Abalag. Ho is
cognate with Saxon heh, high, as in each case ho is high
rocks; Ramasaig has Ho bheag and Ho mhor; on or at
the top of Ho Bhororaig is Sloe or Slochd nam Piobairean.
Cf. Mull of Oa, in Islay, Plymouth Hoe in England, etc.
Hojde(en) in Norse and Hogde, Danish, both mean a
height. See “ Collihoe ” ( oollis hoe), stone; this latter
(pleonastic) said to be near Kyleakin; “ Gob na H oe” in
Duirinish; while gob or cop appears in a Dorset place-name,
above Warminster, which is described as a “ barrow-crowned
knoll.” The personal name “ Cobb ” is just cop, etc.
This thought to be a mis-spelling by Pont of
“ Inacleit,” q .v. ; in pronunciation this word stands for the
name “ Hungladder,” q.v., having a shut vowel between
g and I; the final r may be the Norse nominative or
genitive; also found given “ Aoinecleit,” “ Aonacleat.”
H o in a c l e a d .
H ole, H oal, H oil, H ol, H olle, etc. Hill-slope. This fits
well. Gaelic toll or an t-hol. There is a
Cnoc Hoil,”
almost a duplication.
See last name; hole and fjall.
H olebhal, H e lab h al.
The holm, Norse holmr, a
holm, haugh, or small island in a bay or river, low-lying
land; also an isolated hill, and as such frequently found in
names. Gaelic tolm, a rounded hill, which is just t-holm,
generally beside a river or stream; this place is named
“ Holm ocra ” and “ icra,” i.e., uachdarach agus iochdarach,
upper and nether. It lies about six miles from Portree,
at north end of Raasay, and has a cataract of some
magnitude.
H o l m , H o l m e , H olm s , H o l l o m .
H o l m e sd a l e , H
dale.
o l m isd a l ,
In Duirinish.
H o l m a sd a l e , H
o l m a s d il l .
Holm-
Holm, as above, and dal, dalr.
H or avaig , T h o r v a ig .
Thor or Thori’s
H orloch , T h o r l o c h .
Thor’s loch.
bay.
At Dunvegan, near Glen
M ‘Askill.
(pron.). The eagle-fell,
from horn, om, am, earn, a sea-eagle, and fjall,os, before;
there is a boundary stone here called the Clach ghlcts, or
grey stone, q.v. This place is in Duirinish.
H orneval, H ornaval, H eornabhal
The place of eagles.
Braoadale.
H ornisco .
See “ Sco,” ante.
Near
216
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
H orseglen , H orseglan , H orsquhar, H onquhar .
See “ Ors-
clan.”
H orste .
The isolated mountain, formerly joined to others.
H usedale , H ous- d ale , H ousdle , H oustle , H outle and
T oustle, i.e., an t-houstle. House-dale, Icel., Danish, and
Swedish bus and dal, dalr; Beag agus mor.
Minginish.
Both in
The house on the ravine; bus and gil, as before. Near
Talisker.
H uisgil .
See “ Uishness.” The outer ness house, or house
on the point. C f. Hushanish in Harris, Husanes in Iceland,
and Ushanish in Lewis.
H u isinish .
Humblus’ rock. This said to be a rock named after
a Danish king or prince of that name.
H umbla .
The little tomb or buryingground, tomb. A local poet sang the praises of this place.
“ '8 mi tighinn roimh chata Thungaig,
'8 cm driuchd air na badagon,” etc:
—D. Macleod.
H ungag, T hungag , T ungag , q.v.
The word chata signifies sheep-cot; the proper word ìb
chadha, pass or defile.
H unglader , H unglatter , U n ig lader , etc.
The farmstead or
residence of Hunn or Hung, a, Norse prince or leading
man. This etymology is doubtful, though farther research
shows that there was a Hungus (or Angus), a Pictish
monarch, a .d . 731-761, whose name was also spelled
Aengus, and said to equal unicus, the only one, aen, one;
thought, however, the first syllable may be ung or unga,
ounce-Land, Norse measure of land introduced into the
Hebrides, and lader or ladder, one of the many forms of
bolstadr, or last half thereof, which signifies a residence,
homestead, etc., and enters into so many place-names. The
spelling “ Uniglader ” strengthens this supposition. See
“ Ungshadder,” etc.
This place is in Kilmuir; a class of lay-preachers or
readers (somh meaning convert) are spoken of as “ Somhadairean Thungladder ” ; it was occupied from time im­
memorial by the M ‘Arthurs, hereditary pipers to the Lords
of the Isles, and subsequently to the Macdonalds of Sleat.
Angus, the last of them (the M ‘Arthurs), died in 1800.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
217
Hunn’s g yllor ravine; or unga gil, gyll of the ounceland; or even from huna, a bear.
H u n ig il.
Hwrm, as above, and Norse ness, a nose or point, or
unga, also as before.
H unish.
This point is in Kilmuir and north end of Skye, and
is not unknown to fame; here, at Hunish House, lived
Donald Miaeleod of Bernera, a famous man in many ways;
three of his sons became generals in the British Army.
Another worthy, styled “ Seoc Unish,” Jock of Hunish,
was a famous recruiter for our Highland regiments, and
kept all around him in a stir; in fact, in a local song, the
very cattle are made to say, after Seoc’s decease, “ Co ni
bhuirich? ” who will do or make the bellowing or perhaps
loud lament; a word Hunais, Huna’s place, said to be a
proper name.
H uraman , T h uram an , T h u rr aban .
ones.
Not known.
The oscillating or moving
Na turaman also.
H usabost, U sabost, A usabost, etc.
The house of the home­
stead. Hus, Norse, house, and bolstadr. It is situated at
Leinish Bay, Duirinish; here Sheriff Nicolson was born,
27th September, 1827; died at Edinburgh, 12th January,
1893.
H usgar, T husgair .
The house skerry; hus and sgeir.
I
I ad h aird , A n F h ia d h a ir d , F h iag h ar t .
The lea or ley land,
fiadhair, uncultivated ground, wild field, gart. Near Dun­
vegan. Art also signifies house, etc., e.g., muc-art, pig-
house.
I asgair . The fisher; iasg, fish, and ar, place of; ar is also a con­
traction of abar, e.g., Arbroath; also suggested iasg sgeir,
the fish rock, other sgeirean being near. Iasgair has been
corrupted into Jeskar and Yesker, which supports the ar.
This corruption includes esker, etc., but thought this
latter refers to easoar or easgar, Old Celtic word for a ridge
of gravel or detritus from glaciers, also spelled eiscir, esger’,
in these forms it equals asar, from osar, plural of the
Swedish word as, which signifies the same thing; easgar or
easoar also signifies a fall (of gravel, sand, etc.); the socalled “ serpent-mounds ” are now thought to be eascars,
etc.
218
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
I d rigal , I drigil , I origle , U ad rig ill , etc.
Outer hill, cleft,
or gully, from Utarr-gil, or Ytri-hollr (helir, a stone). Cf.
“ Udrigle ” or “ Udrigill.” One lowland authority says
“ Possibly Norse hlid argil, hill, ravine, or idris, a giant,
and gil, a ravine.”
Another Celtic authority states
“ decidedly not gil, a ravine.” Lady Grange was im­
prisoned here for a time. This point is at Uig, north of
Loch Bracadale, next sea.
Isle of the tail-end of land, eilean-na-h-earr
or earradh. Not certain that this place is in Skye.
I la n - n a - H erd a .
Not known. Said to be in Strath.
Lee,” opposite Dun Can, in Haasay.
I la n - n i - L i y .
See “ Beinn
The cloven cliff of the ounceland, or vice versa, as given by one authority, i.e., ung' a
chleit, unga, ounce, Norse land measure (see “ Peighinn ” ),
and cleit, cleite, an isolated rock, Norse Klettr, a sea-cliff,
cloeft, cloven, for rocks cloven from land (where cormorants
and other sea-birds roost, etc); a rugged eminence; a ridge
or reef of sunk rocks, e.g., “ Cleit Hunish,” off Rudha
Hunish, extreme north of Skye. Said also, though doubt­
ful, to equal “ Aonaclair.” See also “ Unabost,” etc.
I nacleit , U nacleit , E unacleit .
I n bh ig , I ndh ebh eg .
See “ Inibhaig,” “ Dianabhaig,” etc.
I nbhir , A n I onbhar . The confluence with the sea. Inbearaib
is an old Celtic term for estuaries. In connection with
ionbhar, it is desirable to refer to abar, aber, abre, said to
be Pictish or British, and means the mouth of a river where
two or more streams meet (also comar); a lesser water
flowing into a greater; at or od ber (Eng. bear, Latin fers),
od meaning out; oper is the old .Welsh form, also oth,
O. G ., a ford, and bior, water, frequently abh (see.
“ Abhainn” ). No name commencing with abar found in
Skye, the closest approach thereto being eabar, mud, slime,
etc.; the ancient British word cymmer (plural cymmere)
equals co-ionbhar, the meeting of two or more rivers. Abar,
as above given, a burn into a river, a river into a loch; or
sea, etc. It is further defined as a Brythonic-Celtic term
(or Brittonic).
There are 88 places with abar or aber in Great Britain,
60 or 70 in Wales, but only one inver. “ Abers ” are rare
in Ireland, and sparse in the Highlands of Scotland; there
are none in Argyll, only invers; ionbhar or inbhir said to
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
219
mean also “ stepping-stones
imber, now inbhear, means
a delta at a river mouth, usually verdant, “ Os imber
mungmch Masain,” above the shaggy river of Masan. The
ancient Celtic word bir, water or well, enters into this
word; a-mot, the river-meet or confluence, takes the forms
iamat, amaite.
Skene says, “ Invers always at mouth of the river, close
to its junction with another river or the sea; abers usually
a little distance up the river, where there is a ford.” Inver,
Gaelic inbhir, being masculine, demands the termination
ar, and should be written ionbhar.
In eleventh or twelfth century, Aberdour was spelled
Abbordoboir, abar, water.
The confluence at the point or knuckleSee “ Gearradh ” and c f. “ Invergarry.”
I n b h ir - a -G a r r a id h .
end of land.
I n bh ir G h u a l a in n .
The confluence of or at the sloping-
shoulder hill.
I nibost .
See “ Unabost.”
I n is , I nnis (gen. Innse).
An island. This word does not
appear in combination with many Skye place-names (but
see Sleat, Lagan, Meall, etc.); it is now obsolete, and has
been replaced by eilean, q.v., from Icelandic ey land,
equalling island-land; ey is found in names of small islands
adjacent to large ones; one authority (among many) states
the two words are inis and eilean, the former native (Welsh
ynys), the latter borrowed from Norse, as above, ey land,
Irish oilean; another gives Armoric enez, and Latin insula
(See Arms., s.v. an, water); the Hebrides generally are
termed Innse-gall, the isles of the strangers (i.e., Norse);
innsean or innseachan is the proper plural of innis; innseag
is a diminutive, and forms a placei-name in Duror, Argyll;
inis or innis generally means a sheltered valley, a pasture
field, etc, frequently beside or near streams, “ innis nam bo,”
meadow of the cows; three meanings of innis are (1) island,
(2) meadow, as above, and (3) a resting-place for cattle,
etc.; frequently spoken of as “ An t-Innis,” the pasture or
grazing land.
If the qualifying or generic word is prefixed to innist
that word or name is always Gaelic; that prefixed to neS
is always Norse.
I n neal - a -C h larsair .
The harpers instrument; a hill in
Waternish, so named from resemblance to a harp.
220
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
The anvil, a rook or hill near which is “ Tobar
nan Uaislean,” q.v.
I n nea n , A n t \
I nner aros, I nerairies , etc.
The dwelling at the confluence;
inner, for inbhir, and aros (sometimes mas), a house, a
dwelling, etc.
I n neruig , I nnerneig , I nnereg , I n nervig , etc.
ence of the Uig.
I nveraulavaig .
The conflu­
Raasay.
See “ Sleat.”
Not known, unless liath, grey, pale, etc.
“ Lay glen.”
I n verley .
See
I nverm eadale . Confluence of Meadale River. See “ Meadale.”
I nvertote .
See “ Tota.”
The confluence of the River Tote.
The fishing stance. This name
is derived from iola or iolla, a fishing station off a rock in
the sea, sometimes submerged at high tide; iolla also a
quick look or sight, gabh iolla ris, just look at him; iolla
sometimes confounded with ealadh, creeping after game
and taking a quick sight in hunting.
I olagag, I ollagaig , I ullagaig .
Another form of last name; supposed
“ black rock.” There is a word iodhlann pronounced almost
similarly which means com-yard, or any fenced place, and
as this place is near Kingsburgh farm-house, it may be
the latter.
I olan , I ulan D u b h .
Goan rock, as above. In Kilmuir.
See “ Doire Ghoain,”
Sleat. From first spelling, might be diminutive of geodha,
a creek, from gjo, geo, Norse, a creek, a partial opening
as of a door or mouth; gia, Icel., rift, creek, also goe and
geob, gja, chasm; not known if such exist here.
I olla G-heoain , G h o ain .
Goan thought to be a proper name.
See “ Gleann Ionadal.” There is a glen,
burn, and Loch Ionadal. There is a word iomadal, imideal,
imbhuideal, signifying a dish for carrying milk or cream.
I omadal , I onadal .
I osa, I osal, I sa , N isay , N ysa , etc.
Ice Isle. Nisay, etc., is
just ian isa or isay. Long thought to mean “ Jesus Isle.”
A small island near is called Ovia, Ouia, or Buya, q.v. In
this island a laird of Raaeay and others were assassinated
by Ruairidh MacA.ilein Macleod, a clansman, if not a
kinsman, in 1569. Isa is in Dunvegan Bay.
221
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
I re .
Earth, land, portion, also produce. May be meant for
“ Eyre,” q.v. C f. “ Strath Ire,” i.e., srath-iodhair or
eadhar, the strath of the yew trees, or the aspen tree.
I slan dtaigh .
Island house.
Portree.
Tmgh an eilean pro­
perly.
K
Words or names beginning with the letter K are merely
corruptions o f Gaelic hard C. See under that letter.
K am m ey , K ean n ey , K eanvaig , K eanveg , C ean n - a -B h a id h e ,
q.v.
Head of the bay.
K amsa , K amusa (camus).
A bay, a harbour, etc.
In Duir­
inish.
K a n d r am , K en dr am .
K a n lisk a r .
K ap g ill .
Ridge-head, ceann droma. In Kilmuir.
Thought meant for “ Talisker,” but not known.
See “ Casgill.”
Not known, unless Carsaig breac.
Cf.
“ Carsaig ” in Mull. Might be Kari’s mg or Kari’s bay.
K arsicbrecht .
K eanchroick .
The head or promontory of the deers’ antlers,
ceann-a-chroic.
K ean d end ru ym .
Head of the ridge, ceann an druim, droma.
K eanloch , K inloch .
Head of the loch, ceann-loch.
Several
in Skye.
The head of the swallowing loch. May be
meant for sligeach, shelly-sand. See “ Sligeachan.”
K eanlochslugach .
K ear ra .
The fourth part (of land), a measure.
Ceathramh,
ceithreamh, a hill near Talisker.
This may be meant for cill, a cell, a
church, and is given as in Strath. This word as a termina­
tion is considered most uncertain; it may be any one of
the following— ooille, a wood, mol, caolas, a strait, cuil,
a corner, a recess, cul, a back, a ridge; cill as above is the
dative case of the old noun ceall or cealla, genitive cille;
often Jcel, kelly, killy, and kyle; Kill in Norse means a
spring of water, also a creek, etc.; cill said to be the radical
of celare, Latin.
K e il , K e ill e , K i l .
222
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
K e ist .
See “ Eist ” also “ Heast.”
K eistle .
K elso .
K enbay .
See “ Ciostal,” also “ Kestill,” “ Keistill.”
A name given by Pont.
See “ Kammey.”
The head or end of the ridge, ceann
In Kilmuir, where the Rev. D.
Macqueen, of literary fame, lived, and died in 1749.
K endrom , K endromes .
droma, upper and lower.
K enachtrich , K enochtrich , etc.
cecmn uachdaraich.
Upper head or promontory,
In Kilchrist, Strath.
Head of the little rock, ceann a chreagan. At
K enchreggan .
Portree.
K enlochow .
The head of Loch Ow <or Awe. C f. “ Loch Awe.”
Oth, etc., signifies a large body of water, see “ Abhainn
o or oth is a side form of a, water.
See “ Kenchreggan.” This place, however, is
in Troternish. There is a word ceig ( Keig ), a mass, a
lump, from Norse Kagge, a round mass; ceigean may be
the diminutive, and this name to mean the head of the
little lump.
K ennackegan .
Head of the sea gravelly beach, ceann-sail-ire,
eyrr, Norse for a gravelly beach, etc.; ire, q.v.; see alsio
K ensaleyre .
“ Eyre.”
K ensalroag .
Head of the salt water of (loch) Roag, cecmn
sàile Roaig.
K eppoch, A C heapach , ’C h e apaich .
The tillage plot.
Near
Strathaird.
K erral , K errol .
The quarter part (of land), ceathramhal.
In Duirinish.
A Norwegian king of the Hebrides, the earliest or first
Viking appearing there in 912; this questioned. Ketil was
son of Biorn, chief of Raumsdal, in 890; he died, as alleged,
King of the Hebrides; Helgi, his son, succeeded him for a
few years. The Hebrides and other isles were ceded to
Scotland in 1266; Ketil, Helgi, and Biorn or Bjorn, left
their names in Skye.
K e t il .
K eyburg , K eylburg , K ysburg , etc. ( Cisborg).
Tax-town. See
“ Kingsburgh.”
K igg. May be a mistake for “ Rigg,” q.v., or ceig, as above.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
J£ilash ig .
223
See “ Askimilruy.”
K ilb r id e , K ilb r id ye , K ilb r y , etc. ( Cille Bhrighid, Brighde).
Saint Bridget’s cell or church. There are, or were, thirteen
or fifteen saints or holy women of this name in Ireland
alone in the fifth century, while there are, or were,
eighteen Kilbrides in Scotland.
This one is in Strath, and it is there the parish clergy­
man’s manse is situated; there is also a Kilbride in Totesoore, Troternish. “ Mary of the Gael,” St. Bride or
Bridget Ni Dhubhaig, was the most famed; St. Bridget’s
Day is 1st February (0 . S.), La Fheill Bride; called after
her is Brideag, an image of the saint, and Bridein, Brideun, Bride’s bird, and Gille-Brighde, Bride’s servant or
messenger, the sea-piet or oyster-catcber. At Kilbride is
the famous “ Anniat ” stone, eight or ten feet high even
now, also a well of “ Annat,” q.v.
See “ Cille Comghain.”
choan,” Ardnamurehan.
K ilchoan , K ilk o a n .
Cf. “ K il-
Cell or church of Columba
of the cells or churches. In Snizort, 1640. As is wellknown, St. Columba was the most famous of all saints; he
was also called St. Ide or Ite, an Abbot of St. Bennet’s
Order, born in Lagenia or Ladenia (now Louden), and lived
in the monastery of Ban-cor, in Huense ( Hi-irmis or innse),
i.e., Iona. He died in 597, aged nearly 80 years.
K ilch o lk ill , C ille C holumcille .
K ilcrist , K ilk r ist , K eilchrist , etc. ( CilleChriosd). Christ’s cell or church, the original name of the
K ilchrist ,
present parish of Strath, “ Kilchrist in Askimilruby,” 1505
to 1848, designated in titles “ Strathawradall.” Dr. John
Walker, in 1808, called it “ Hul-christ,” and said that the
manse was built of the local marble, white and grey, of
which also was the chief altar at Iona; this altar was
destroyed about 1790. Various other buildings of note, at
home and abroad, are built, or partially built, of this
marble. Of course, it is well known that Roman Catholics
claim this name as of their particular faith. In reference
to Iona, among the many famous Abbots, there was John,
son of Lachlan Macfingon (Mackinnon). There is an old
church, now in ruins, with burying-ground, at Kilchrist,
with several notable slabs, a cross 54 feet long, and a stone
circle, etc.
224
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
The cell or church of the circle or
enclosure. Cro, the primary meaning of which is a circle,
is also used «us a term for a sheep-fold; here it signifies a
district surrounded by hills; a variant is era, a cruive, Old
Norse Kro. Two very ancient and curious stones are to
be seen here; one of these bears a striking resemblance to
a heathen or pagan idol, a crom-cruaich. See the work on
the Parish of Strath by Rev. D. M. Lamont.
K ilchro ( K ilchrist ).
Ancient name of Trumpan, q.v.
In Waternish.
K ilconan , K ilchonnan .
St. Conan’s Cell.
K ildonan , K ildonnan , K ildoren , etc. ( Cille-Domum).
The
brown-haired one. A t Lynedale, near Edinbane, q.v.
Dorman equals donn-aon, brown one. This church is but
one of eleven churches or chapels where the saint’s memory
was preserved and held in veneration, and has a very ancient
burying-ground attached; this church has been compared
and associated in name with Kildonan in Sutherland, which,
however, has been explained as originally “ Kildomhnach,”
or Lord’s Church, from Dominus; there were three St.
Donnans; one of these, in the island of Eigg, held chief
place, and is styled “ one of the most popular saints of
Scotland.”
K ildorais ,
C ille - T urois.
Saint Turos’
cell or church.
Opposite “ Poldòrais, q.v.
K ile n a , K ileana , Cil l E ad h n a or E ad h ain B h a ist .
This
supposed to stand for Eunan or Eonan, equalling Adhamhan
or little Adam, but not vouched for.
K illach ( Cailleaek).
Old woman or hag.
See “ Clach a
Chaillich.”
Thought a corruption of “ Cilbhrighid,” q.v. Sug­
gested cill oraid, the cell of the speech or prayer.
K illtjrid.
Numerous different spellings, 1501 onwards, when
it was Kilmolowocke, etc. Also found in “ Register of
Great Seal” as “ Kilmabuk ” (Raisay); also Kilmolemy
or Kilmolemoc; while Pont has Kilmo Lowag, all signify­
ing Cille Moluac or Moluag, Saint Moluac’s cell, church,
or chapel. In Troternish. The name is “ Lughaich,” with
suffix oc and prefix mo, otherwise lu-oc, a diminutive or
pet name for “ Lugaid,” with mo els before..
Another rendering may be given, viz., that this saint
K ilm aluag .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
225
was St. Molaga or Molochein, who died in 664, the original
name being Luag or Lochein; this name has been subjected,
like so many others, to numerous changes, e.g., Malogue
(Ir.), Milauk, Mullag, Molenoc (Latin), also Molingus,
Mollamoc; one of these variations, viz., “ Kil-moLemmoc,” was conferred on St. Andrews—Llanbryd, the
enclosure, house, or church of Bride or Brigit; this has
further changed to Kil Molymock; other forms are Luag,
Lua, Leu (suggested Latin lupus), Molocus, Molua, Mulvay. As hinted at above, the prefix mo is a term of reverent
endearment equal to “ My dear Luoc,” etc. Cf. “Mungo.”
M'aona ghuth.
Saint Moluoc was founder and patron of Lismore, Argyll­
shire; this island, as its name, the great garden, was
doubtless selected by the Saint for its exceptional fertility,
a fact which is found connected with all the settlements—
or nearly all—of the pious devotees of yore. Saint Moluac
came from Ban-cor (Bangor) in Ireland, where he was
also called or named Lugadius, Lamluoc, or Lughaidh,
another endearing term for Lua, etc.; he died in 592 (or
664). We also find it stated that Saint Molua was thefirst bishop of Killoloe, i.e., Cill (Mh)olua, in Ireland,
about 600 a .d .
Kilmaluag was the old name for Kilmuir, and has had
some curious local meanings given it, one being “ Cill mo
luaidheag,” the cell or church of my little beloved one, etc.
K ilm a r ie , K ilm aree , K ilm orie , etc. (Cille Mael or Maolrubha
or Malrube). The cell or church of the servant of peace?
See “ Askimilruby.” Saint Maolrubha was patron saint
of the south-east of Skye; the name is pronounced locally
Kilvoree, and is in Strathaird, on the shores of Loch Slapin.
There is a Kilmolruy in Bracadale. There are three standing-stones at Kilmarie. From above local pronunciation,
this place is often given as “ Cille-mhuire,” Kilmuir;
“ Cille-ma-Ruibhe,” “ Cille-mha-Ruibh ” are other forms,
even “ Malrubber.”
K ilm a rtin , C ille M h a r tain n , K ilm ertin (1588).
Saint
Martin’s cell or church; thought to be named after Saint
Martin of Tours. A river at Kilmartin is somewhat famed
for large horse-mussels, from which pearls are, or used to
be got; these mussels are also found in a river near Ord,
Sleat.
P
226
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Malrube’s cell or church. See “ Kilmarie.” St.
Maelrubha was of Irish extraction, and died a martyr’s
death, a .d ., 722. His festival is, or was, observed on 21st
April. C f. “ Kilmory,” in Arasaig.
K ilm olruy .
St. Moroc’s cell or church.
Inverness-shire.
K ilmorocht .
Cf. “ Kilmorack,”
St. Mary’s cell or church, formerly named or called
Kilmaluag, q.v. The spelling of this name has varied
greatly, e.g., Kilmoor, Kilmorie (1633), Kilmori, Kilmary (1616), Kylemure, etc. Situated S.W. of Troternish
and N.E. of Duirinish (at one time designed as “ Kilmuir
and Raasay ” ); Cillmoriihe ri sgèth (sgeith) a ohuain; this
parish or district was once the bed of a loch; the land now
is very level and fertile. Kilmuir, as may be inferred, is
dedicated to St. Mary, hence Cill-Moire, Cille Mhoire or
Mhuire; it is the most northern parish in Skye, and called
“ Duthaich na stapag ” or “ Am fearann stapagach” the
land of erowdie (meal and cream) or the crowdie land; this
name given by the Macleods to Troternish generally, and
complimentary; Kilmaluog and Kilmeanoch, the mid or
middle cell, etc., are also names by which the parish was
known, at least the portion of the district served ere parishes
were formally erected; the latter name is accounted for by
the fact that the parish, etc., is divided into three, viz.,
Kilmuir proper, Kilmaluag, and Stenscholl or Eastside,
each with a clachan midst wild and rocky surroundings.
This part of Skye has bulked largely in the public eye,
mythically, traditionally, and historically. Pennant called
or named it “ Kilmore, the granary of Skye.” . The public
records and other ancient writings contain frequent refer­
ences to this parish, in one of which we read that in 1580
Alexander Campbell was parson of Kyllychmynewyr, i.e.,
Kilmuir.
From the dim distant past to 1715, and subsequently,
as may be surmised, feuds, clan and family differences were
rife here and in Skye generally, religion, not to speak of
Christianity, being little in evidence, despite the existence
of the many so-called ecclesiastical settlements which suc­
ceeded the pagan and monastioal rule in Kilmuir. However,
matters improved, two of Kilmuir’s famous clergymen
latterly being the Revs. Robert and Alexander MacGregor,
• the latter being well known as “ Sgiathanach” of Inverness;
K ilm u ir .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
227
the former wrote the “New Statistical Account of Kilmuir,”
to which we refer our readers.
Kilmuir churchyard is the last resting-place of many
celebrities, among others being Flora Macdonald of Prince
Charlie fame, or Fionnghdl nighean Raonuill ’'ic Aonghais
oig, tacksman of Milton, South Uist; also the remains of
nearly all the MacCrimmons, the last being laid there in
1822. What is termed “Reilig Mhor Chlann Donuill, ”
the Clan Donald groat burial-ground (reliquice), is the site
where the ancient church of St. Mary stood; this is a mis­
nomer, as the “ Reilig ” proper is in Kilmore Churchyard,
Sleat. There is a Kilmuir in North Uist, also with burialground; it is called “ Sgire Mhoire,” Mary’s parish
( sgirmchd). Cf. “ Kirkhill.”
Kilmuir and district abounds in places of interest, and
a considerable volume could easily be written about them
and the antiquarian lore therewith connected. The follow­
ing list of knolls or cnuic, etc., alone show that to some,
extent: Cnoc Airigh bheag, knoll of the little sheiling;
Biorach, pointed; Na Cuibhle, the wheel; An Annlainn,
the “ Kitchen” ; Na Miurag, Meurag, little finger; A
Chleachda, Chleachdag, the ringlet; Flasgair, the gleamer
or beacon, falasgair; An Fhradharc, the sight or view; Na
Caillich, the old women; Sartail, the muddy-dale; Na
h-Easgainn, the eels; A Mheirlich, the thief; Lingaill;
Ghriancm, sunny-spot; Cubhra, the fragrant; Na h-lnnse,
the island; Nan Capull, horses; Ghorm-Shuil, blue-eye;
An Lin, the lint; An Dobhrainn, the otter; Druim
Feothalain ( feothan), the little dormouse ridge, or feolacan;
Nan Laogh, calves; Nan Cmrach, sheep; Nan Suirichean,
sweethearts; Na Croise, the cross; Siniseachan, Smiachan,
a corruption of Uisneachan, sons of Usnach; Mhaoldomhnaich, servant of the Lord (Domimus); Roll, Roladh, roll­
ing, revolving; Mhic Thorlain, Torla’s son. To all these
names the word “ Cnoc ” is to be prefixed.
Space does not permit of giving other prominent and
antiquarian features of interest. Some additional cnuic
elsewhere herein.
K
ilmtjn ,
K
ylem unn
(Cille-Mhunna) .
St. Munn’s cell or
church.
K
il t y n e .
Not known. Monro writes of “ Waiter of.”
228
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Saint Peter’s cell or church. Allan MacDonald
■of Clan Ranald (Ailein Muideartach) used to worship here,
but not known if in Skye at all.
K il P h e a d a r .
K
il s c h a n .
Not known; probably a mis-spelling of some other
name.
K
etc. ( Cilltaraglan, Cill TaraghTalorgan’s cell or church. Ancient
name for the parish of Portree. Talorgan was a noted
saint (some say Pictish, but Celtic); see “ Cill,” etc.
Etymology of this word erroneously given in “ Statistical
Account.” Cf. “ Kiltarlity.”
il t a r r a g l a n ,
K
il t a r a g l a w ,
lain, Cill Talorgan).
K
(1501), K il l a x t e r (1574), K il etc. (Cille Bhagstar). The cell or
church of the baker, thought the refectorium attached to
the monastic settlement in Kilmuir, Troternish.
Some searchers after Norse origins render it as Cill bdkka
meter, the church or cell (or sheiling') on the bank of the
loch, but this cannot stand; bakka means certainly “ banks,”
also cliff, steep rock shore, and equals bac, while meter is
just a form of setr, a seat, a residence, with many other
significations given throughout this work.
Another
authority says it has been explained as “ Bay-stead,” from
Norse mgr, a bay, and setr, a eheiling, but it is (now)
about a mile from the sea, and in the local name of the
bay there is neither bagh nor vagr, but oamus, viz., An
oamus mor. A third authority pronounced bakka meter
and vagr setr both “ unsatisfactory ” on account of position,
as above stated.
il v a x t e r ,
v a k is a ,
K
K e il b a k s t a r
K il l iv a t e r ,
The great pail or stoup, cuinneag mhor. A hill
in Strath. Cf. “ Quinag.”
in a g m o r e .
K in g sb u r g h , K in g s b u r r o w , K is b u r g , K y sb u r g h mor agtjs
BEAG, ClNSBORG, ClNNSEBURG, q . V .
Toll-town (cÌS, tax,
tribute), given in all these different ways. It is said tradi­
tionally that even the great Cuchulainn was subjected,
“ Thoireadh Cuchulainn dhomh e,” Let Cuchailainn yield
it (tribute) to me.
The change of cis to “ Kings ” was the bright idea,,
doubtless, of some illiterate etymologist after Prince Charlie
and James V. having both lodged for a night at the house'
of a tacksman or farmer named Macdonald; this house
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
229
is not now in existence; this Macdonald was the chief man
of the place at the time, and well known throughout Skye,
and it was from his house that the funeral of Flora,
Macdonald took place.
To this Macdonald of Kingsburgh was composed a sweet
song intituled “ Ailein Duinn an till thu an taobh so,”
(Brown-haired Allan, return you hither) a great favourite
with Gaelic singers.
K in lo ch E n s id , C e a n n - L o c h .
known).
Head of the loch ( ensid not
Near Portree.
K in l o c h e y n o r t .
Head of Loch Eynort. In Troternish. Ceann
Loch Aoinmrd.
or S l ip p a n , K e n l o c h sl e p a n , K in l o c h s h ip p e n ,
etc. Head of Loch Slapin, q.v. This place goes in titles
with Torrin, Strath.
K in l o c h slip a n
K in s a n s a m , K
u sdusam ,
etc. See “ Vinsansam.”
Church-place at the home-farm or
town; kirkju a bolstadr. Near Kilmaree or Kilmory,
Strath. Also Kirkabister, the church beside the cattlesteading, kirkju bu stadr.
Here is a temple, or remains of one, said to be Druidical,
the stones whereof are locally known as “ Na clachan
breugach,” the lying or false stones (false worship); other
stones here are called “ Na clachan breathach,” breitheach,
the judicial stones, from breitheamh, a judge; probably
a place where a Mod, or miniature law-court, was held to
settle disputes between proprietors and tenants, etc.;
whether connected with this “ court” or not, a peculiar
black stone, like a small pestle, was found here. Kirkabost
or Ciroabost owes its name to a church having been built
there by the Norse invaders after having embraced
Christianity, about 1000 a . d .
K ir k a b o st , K ir k ib o s t .
K is t l e .
See “ Ciostal.”
In Snizort.
The cell at the little lump of a hill, cnap-dlle.
In Snizort. Cf. “ Cnapadal.”
K n a p k il l .
The speckled or spotted knoll, cnoc
In Duirinish. Knock or cnoc
often pronounced crock or crochd.
K n o c k b r ec k , K
nockbreak.
breac or a chnoc bhreac.
230
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
K n o c k e r isk o ,
K
nockerresco ,
C noceresco ,
C noc
E risco .
Erik’s town-port knoll. In Borve, Snizort. Erik is sup­
posed to have been a Norwegian prince, a famous (or in­
famous) Viking. See “ Port.” The word Erisco has had
various corruptions or changes, Erisgaig, Erik’s bay, being
one; possibly the above “ Port.”
Cairn knoll, cnoc and
haugr. Found given as Cnoc dhubh, but this errs in gender
K no ck o w , K nockcow e, K n o ck h o e.
of adjective. This place is in Kilmuir. See “ Hoe ” and
“ Kenlochow.”
K n o t t . Not known. The word cnot in Skye means an oarslip.
This place is in Bracadale.
(Pont).
K
raaulan
K
r a ik in is h .
K
r o sh en er
K
y l e a k in ,
K
yle
See “ Crowling.”
See “ Crakenish.”
(Pont). Not known; crois.
e il l a k i n , etc.
Acunn’s strait or kyle; Caolas
Acuinn, pronounced Caolahcuin. Accounts differ as to the
origin of this name; found given Acoain, Hakon (1263).
There is a Cnocàco (cnoc Haco) close by, which may be
the “ Collihoe Stone ”—explained as from collis, Latin, a
hill, and hoe, as before; also “ Cailleach Ho,” old wife’s
hill or mound ( haugr); the sea ebbs here three times in the
twenty-four hours; generally styled “ A Chaol ” or “ A
Chaoil,” with Kylerhea “ Na Caoil,” the Kyle or Kyles,
while the village is found named “ Scalpa Chaoil,” Scalpa
Strait. So great is the force of the stream here that even
steamboats at certain periods are hard pressed to win
through, justifying what a certain Captain Pottinger styled
it so far back as 1690, “ the horrible sound of Kellachie.”
There is a raised sea-beach here, with a small island at the
N.W. end, called “ An t-eilean b a n the white or fair isle;
the “ Acunn” above referred to is said by some to have
been a Norwegian prince or chief, also called Haco, who
frequented the coast or sailed through with a fleet on a
piratical cruise; a still more mythical account says it wap
named after one of the Fingalians, while Kylerhea was
named after his brother Readh!
K
B o n a . Bona Strait. Off Portree, and locally known as
“ An Caol mor eadar Sgalpaidh is Baasaidh, agus an caoV
beag, eadar Sgalpaidh is an Dunan.”
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
231
L
XjACHASAi g , L a ch a say , L a ch sa y ,
etc.
Salmon bay or water.
Loch, lachs, Norse, a salmon, and aig, a modification of the
Norse or Icelandic vie, a small creek, inlet, or bay; when at
the end of a Gaelic name (all Norse here) it is feminine,
whereas the Norse vig is masculine; vik or vig must not be
confounded with wic (A.S.), a dwelling-place or town, e.g.,
Wick, in Hebrides Uig. Vikingr means a bay-man.
In Shetland, Lach,' a sea-trout river. This place is in
Kilmuir, near Duntulm. Cf. “ Laxdale,” “ Laxay,” etc.
L
Not known, unless it stands for lag an dùin, the
hollow of the dun.
a c h in d in e .
Not known.
L a d ib ic h r o , L a c h b ic h r o .
L ag.
L ag
A hollow or den, etc. Common as mor, great, beag, little,
etc. Cf. “ Logie.”
The hollow of the pointed top.
B h i d e , B h io d a .
a
In
Scorr.
L ag
a
C h it h e M
h o ir .
Hollow of the great snow-drift; cathadh
na fuar chithibh, drift in cold showers.
L ag
a D h eala, D h a l a .
Leech hollow. This word has several
other significations, e.g., eel, etc.; “ Tha 'n deala 'snamh,
thig fra&an blath roimh fheasgar,” the leech is swimming,
warm showers will come ere evening. N.G.P. At Broad­
ford.
L agan, L aggan.
Little hollow; also the name of an island off
Eaasay.
L ag
L ag
an
a
T e a m p u il l .
The temple hollow, an old burial-ground.
S m a ig , S m a ig e in .
Hollow of the toad or frog.
In
Ferinvicguire.
The hollow of the bottle or cup. Between
Orbost and Roag. This cup-hollow is supposed to have
a stone as the receptacle for milk poured therein for the
gruagach, which is said to have haunted this place, inter
alia. ? Searrach.
L ag - a n - t - S e a r r a g .
L agan C noc
a
Chatha.
The little hollow of the battle knoll.
See “ Cnoc.”
L ag B a n .
White hollow.
South of “ Sguman.”
232
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
L aglar.
May be the ground or lower hollow; if not, meant for
lair, a mare, but the genitive of lair is laire or larach. This
place is in Kilmuir.
L ag M or.
The great hollow.
In Elgol.
B a n S a o r . Hollow of the free women, noble or titled.
Said also to be nuns of a high degree or order.
L ag n a n C n a i m h , C n a m h . Hollow of the bones.
L a g n a B a th a ic h . Byre hollow. This may be the genitive of
bathach, which means s a n c t u a r y ; also, under forests, a
shelter.
L ag n a M a r a c h .
The hollow of the hag, or big ungainly
woman.
L ag n a S g iu c h aig , S g each aig , S g e ic h e ig . Hollow of the haw­
thorn berry, haws, sgeach, sgitheach, hawthorn; there is a
thorn-hedge growing there still.
L ag n a S on asaig , S o n a s a in . Tadpole or frog hollow ( sonasaon, the happy one, even the one of blessing, etc.).
L ag n a S u il e B a i n e .
The hollow of the white eye (lit.);
here meant for opening in ground, suil-chritheach,
quaking eye, a very treacherous bog, covered with a mat of
grass, and “ eye ” in centre. Here it is white, though
generally similar to surrounding ground. This place is
in Scorr.
L ag n a n T a ig h e a n . Hollow of the houses.
L ag S t u a m a ic h or a S t u a m a ic h . The hollow of the temperate,
sober, or modest (person). Near Huisabost.
L a im h r ig n a M o in e . The moss landing-place.
Some have
alleged this word to be from Norse hladhamarr and vig\
this is questioned, as laimh ruig means hand reach, some­
times pronounced lamaraig, lamraig, “ Eadar long is
la m a ra ig between ship and shore, or an easy stretch.
L ag
nam
See £f Leinish.”
Not known; might be lamhan (lamhcmatih),
obsolete term for a man or giant who lived in a cave by
the sea-shore; also termed samhanaich. The word lamh
signifies a hill (law), but not thought in use in Skye names.
L a in is h .
L am an,
An.
(islands). Not known. These are in Loch Dunvegan,
N. of An Doirneil.
L am pay
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
233
Long gyll or ravine.
L a n g a sg e ir .
Sea-weed skerry. Langi, lang-ad-arr signifies
a particular kind of sea-weed, long-leaf, plentiful here;
another Norse term is langi-oddi-vara, also langstre, long
tree.
L aoras , L e ir t h e a s , L e o r t h a s . Name of a farm near Broad­
ford. See “ Peighinn.”
L ap l a c h , L ap a c h , L a b a c h . A swampy or boggy place, lab,
lap, a swtfmp, or bog; called also lapam, laopain, etc. At
head of Loch Slapin, q.v.
L a r s d a l e . Not known. In Flodigarry.
L a t h a c h m h o r N ig h e a n a n T r e a b h .
The great bog-land,
daughter (or produce) of the plough—reclaimed bog-land;
the opposite of this is dithreabh, a desert or uncultivated
land, a waste, di-treb, tribelass.
L a v a c h . Maybe lathach. A place at Loch Dunvegan.
L a y g l e n , L a y g l e n e (1541).
Liath-gleann, grey glen.
In
Bracadale.
L e aba n a L a r a c h . The mare’s bed or resting-place, leabaidh.
East of Camushorn, camuseoma, barley bay.
L e a b a id h a M h e ir l ic h . The thief’s bed. Near “ An ladhart.”
L eabost , L ebost , L ieb o st , L ubost , etc.
See “ Raasay.”
L y foster is just the same.
L eac a B h u a c h a il l , B h u a c h a il l e . The herd’s flag-stone.
Leac in Skye generally means a ledge of rock jutting
out from the foot or base of a cliff on the foreshore and
covered by the sea at flood-tide; a term leacann therefrom
has been translated as the broad side of a hill, a broad
slope, steep shelving ground, also a steep green surface;
many hills in Skye are Imcach, i.e., having or being sheets
of rock piled flat over each other, often 2,000 feet in thick­
ness—lava flows; leac also signifies a tombstone, and some­
times given leachd; lie, the genitive, also given.
L
angal,
L a n g il l .
C h l a r s a ir . The harper’s flat or flag-stone; may also
mean his tombstone, bed, or grave; sleac, slic, in Badenoch.
L eac a C h l e r ic h . The cleric, clerkly person, or minister’s
flag or tomb-stone.
L eac a C h l o b h a , GTh l o b h a . The tongs flag-stone, forked place.
L
eac a
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
234
L
a G harbh.
The flat or flag-stony place of the rough
(place), a rough slope. At back of Relig. See “ Leac (a)
mhin.”
ea c
L eac
L
a
H
tjlm .
T h e round h ill slope,
e a c h ic l e a r i c h ,
above.
L
leac an tuilm (Holmr).
etc.
Leac a chlerich, as
h l iu c h .
The wet slab, or hill­
e a c h ic l e a r is h ,
In Bracadale.
L e a c l i v ic h , L e a c l i u c h , L
eac
F
side; v here for u.
L e a c a i n n , L e a c a n n . The mountain slope, etc.
In
Kilmuir. Leackdan used for leaca, the cheek, etc.; leacan
plural of leac.
L
e a c a in ,
L
eacann
N
ig h e a n
an
t - S io s a l a ic h .
The mountain-slope of
the Chisholm’s daughter.
M h i n or L e a c ( a ) M h i n . The hill-slope of the meal, or
the smooth hill-slope, etc.; the latter supposed correct.
This elope is on the side of Belig.
L
ea c a
L
eac a
S t o ir .
The storr flat or platform; this lies beneath the
pinnacle.
B h i g . The little flat or level (place). This is a dangerous
foot-path between Coruisg and Camasunary, near or at the
ceum carrach or ceum sleamhuinn, in Strath.
L
ea c
L
ea c
I a in O ig .
Young John’s flag-stone; also found leachd,
leacht, a grave, etc.
B a i n n e , L ea c n a B u i n n e , B o i n n e .
The flag-stone
of or for milk, or the drop (of milk), all referring to the
practice of leaving or pouring 6ome milk into a hollow on
some flat stone or rock for the gruagach.
L
eac n a
L
eac n a
F
uaran, nam
or springs.
L
ea c n a n
L
ea c
L
eac n a n
F
uaran.
The flag-stone of the wells
In Fasach.
C raobh.
The flag-stone of the trees. Near Torrin,
n a m F a o il e a n , F a o il e a n n .
The sea-gulls’ flag-stone
(perch); faoileag generally used in Skye. This resort of
sea-gulls is on the N.W. side of Soay harbour. See “ L i e .”
Gamhna.
Near Portree.
The flag-stone, or flat place of the stirks.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
235
n a n S t e a r n a n . The terns’ flag-stone (or lighting-place).
Soay harbour; this noted, as terns more frequently seen on
the wing. Steamcm pronounced in Skye often steardan
(sterna hirundo). See “ Lie.”
L eac
L eac T r e s s e r n is h . Tressernish flag-stone. This is
place S . of Na Famhairean and N.E. of
a flat rocky
Troternish.
Fomor, Fomorach, a Fomorian, a mythic race of invaders
of Irelamd, said to be fo muitr, under sea or sea-coast men,
from Holland or some unknown place; pirates like the Norse
settlers.
L e a d i n . Not known. A word leadan signifies teazle, burdock,
or a head of hair; “ leadan aluinn,” pretty head of hair;
among other meanings it has barnacle-goose. This place is
in Kilmuir.
L eaeenhaw m .
Half-penny holm.
In Kilmuir. Lethpheighinn and holmr.
L e a l t , L e a u l t , L e t h - A l l t . Half-etream or burn (lit.), really
half-height, as applied to a burn or stream with one steep
side or bank. In Kilmuir.
See “ Leinish.”
L e a n a - n a n -C u d a ig e a n , L i a n .
The swampy plain of the
cuddies or small saithe, etc., found there when sea over­
flows. There are two such in Glendale.
L e a n is h , L e a n a is h .
The shore swampy meadow or shore-meadow.
Near Kingsburgh.
L e a n c l a d d ic h .
L e a p a id h , L e a b a id h .
See “ Liapaidh.”
Leas prov. for lios; garry a Norse
termination for farm; geary again may be Norse geroi, an
enclosure, gearraidh, the strip between machar and monaidh,
where houses stand. Cf. “ Caligarry.” See “ Gardr,”
which is O.N. for garth-r (goard or gord), court, garden,
field, dyke, wall, or yard, pronounced girt, an enclosed
space; gar in termination equals garth; gearraidh also
means a point or knuckle-end of land, pasture-land about
a township, fenced fields, enclosed grazing between the
arable land and the open moor, common grazing and arable
land‘between the moor and the crofts, the place where the
sheilings or sheik are built; the foregoing is obtained from
the best authorities. This place is south of Portree. See
L e a sg a r y , L e a sg e a r y .
236
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
“ Lisigarry.” Leasg means “ a spot of ground, and ary is
a Norse termination signifying farm, as before; thus
Leasgary may mean farm-stead or place.
The birchen slope or broad brae with birchtrees growing thereon; Manx Ihmthee.
L eath ad B e it h e .
Kenneth’s slope or declivity; thought
this place named after a guide to the Coolins.
L e a t h a d C h o in n ic h .
The aspen-tree slope; critheann, an, the
trembling or shivering one, populus tremula. This place
is north of Loch Ainort.
L eathad Ch r it h in n .
ubh.
The black or dark elope or declivity. In or
among the Coolins.
L e a t h a d n a n C r a o b h . The slope or brae of the trees. At
Torran. See “ Leac nan Craobh.”
L eathad D
L
S t e is e ig . The slope or declivity of the blow or
hard bump, etc.; steiseig thought a prov. variety of deiseag,
deiseige, properly deillseag. “ Am fear a theid ri leathad
gheigh 'e steismg,” he who falls down a slope will get a
bump! This place is S.W. from Sligachan; one of many.
Ui or uidh leathaid, a gradual declivity or slope, etc.
eathad na
L ec.
See “ Letac.”
l l t , L e a l t , q.v.
Said to have
originally meant a wooded valley.
L e in i s h , L e o n is h . May be meadow-point or promontory. A
township on mainland of Skye, west side of Dunvegan;
also cnoc and bay, the latter near Colbost.
L e ip h e n , L e p h i n , L ie p b e in , L e t h - B h e i n n . Half-mount or
hill. This is a township in Duirinish with sowming rights
to half the adjacent hill, hence, it is said, the name.
L e i t i r , L e i t e r , A n L e t h T i r (lit. the half-land), a sloping hill
on one side, and glen or plain, half the land cut away.
See “ Old Stat. Acct. of Scotland,” vol. xi., p. 613, s.v.
“ Callander.” This leitir is off Loch Sligachan; another
in Kilmuir, west of the Loch Columcill; the top is flat,
and called druim-na-leathad, the ridge of the slope; Welsh
L e h a l t , L eth a l t , L e t h A
llethyr.
L
C asleac . Hillside of the steep or abrupt flagstone; a
word adisleae signifies a stream.
e it ir
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYe
L
eogadad.
L
e o id e
237
See “ Buaile.”
M or (A), L e o t h a i d e .
Breadth, the great breadth or
stretch (of land). Cul-da-leothaid found as a name for
Castle Leod; also Leothad and Leoide for “ Lude.” This
place is in Kilmuir. Lend is the word for breadth, gen.
leoid.
L
Thought the half-penny land of the curved
bay; leth-pheighinn a chorran, or ghobhainn, smith. See
“ Penyzegeyn.”
e p h in a c h a v in e .
a n D o il l .
The leap of the blind (man). Near Dun
Bhoraraig. Mackay, a famous piper, who was blind, either
evaded being thrown, or, being actually thrown over a
precipice, made a miraculous escape by leaping a chasm of
about 24 feet. Jealousy was the cause, and Padruig
Caogach ’Ic Cruimmein was blamed; caogach, squint-eyed.
See “ Lag-an-Doill.”
L e u m M h i c - n a - B a n t r a i c h . The leap of the widow’s son; he
was fleeing from the press-gang. This place is south of
Camus Beag, in Uig, west of Cuidreach House.
L
eum
(Pont), L i v e r a s , L e o r a s , L e o r t h a s . A measure of
land. See “ Tirung,” also “ Linerass.” This place is in
Strath, opposite Scalpa. If “ Leunas ” correct, it may be
from leur, which equals leir, mud. There is a chambered
cairn here, opened in 1832, it is thought, for a second time,
and which is very ancient; about fourteen feet in height
and nine feet in width; an old sepulchre or burial-place.
See also “ Laoras.”
L i a n or L i a n a ’ B h o r e i n , B h o i r r e i n . The mat or moor-grass
meadow; also borraeh and beitem. This grass is found
particularly in Ferinvicguire and Eilean Lianadal or Lyndale, q.v.
L
euras
L
ia n a g a
C h a it .
T h e little m eadow o f th e cat (w i ld ) .
L ego.
The meadow or plain of L e g . This place is in
Kilmuir, and apparently named after the lake or loch in
Ulster of that name.
L i a n or L i a n a ’M h o r r a i c h , B h o r r a i c h .
The moor-grass
meadow (see above). See also “ Mourournycht.”
L i a n n a n G o is t in , a G h o is t in , G o is n e in .
Meadow or field
of the snares (hare).
L
ia n
PLACE-NAMES OP SKYE
238
nan G ead h .
The goose-meadow near the fold,
or lion airigh nan geadh, the meadow near the house for
the geese.
L ia p a i d h , L e a p a id h , L e a b a id h n a G las G h io l l a n . The bed
of the sallow-faced lad; glas ghiollan thought meant for
glas ghuailne, grey shoulder, a mythical cow belonging to
one of the Feinne that yielded eleven gallons of milk at
each milking.
L ie , L eacan F a o il e a n , F a o il e a n n , agus n a n S t e a r n a n . See
“ Leac.” These two stones, with Beinn Bhreac, all in Soay,
are termed “ torridonian.”
L ieso l , L esole , L io sa l , etc. The garden rock. Lios and al,
not known. In Minginish.
L i n d i l l . See “ Lyndale.”
L in c ro , L in ic r o , L y a n a c r o e . The meadow of the fold, lian
a chro, all now changed.
L in e r a ss , L iv e r a ss , S iv e r a s s . See “ Leuras.” The termina­
tion as in Nome and Danish means ridge of hill. This
place in Strath.
L in g a y , L o n g a y . Ling, or heather, island; Norse lyng.
If
“ Longay,” then see “ Longa.” In this island the cattle,
as in some other places, feed largely on seta-ware, the beef
being extra good.
L in n e C h r o l a ig e a c h .
Crowlin Sound, between Scalpa and
the Crowlin Isles.
L in n e S g it h e a n a c h , L in n e C h u c h u l a in n . Skye or Cuchullin
Sound, S.W. of Skye.
L in s h a d e r . Flax-stead; lin, lion, lint, flax, and setr, & resid­
ence, etc., as before. Lianasaid, Lionasaid, the same, and
L ia n a ir id h
stadr.
The harbour slope; li or lidh, a steep, grassy slope,
from Norse hlid. In Snizort.
L ip o r t .
L is ig a r r y , L isg a r r ie , L ig a v ie , L is ig e a r ie , L ios - G e a r r a id h .
The garden farm. This seems the only example of the
word lios, a garden or fort, etc.; of old it was the home­
stead of a flath or chief, if enclosed and set apart for
cattle, etc.; also “ Rath” or “ Tathan ” (lord’s place.), a
shelter, etc. In the Book of Clanranald lios (by extension)
is translated fence; the o in lios prevents the s being sounded
sh. See “ Leasgary.”
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
L
oanfern.
L
o b h a ir g il .
239
Alder meadow (or burn). See “ Lon ” ; Ion fearna.
The valley of the leper, etc. Near “ Macleod’s
Maidens,” q.v.
This place is very retired and out of the way, where a;
a leper or lepers were isolated, or anyone affected with a
loathsome disease, galar; even an obnoxious person from
infirmity or otherwise desired to be “ put away,” a troich,
or poor wretch.
A more pleasant etymology for this name has been
advanced, viz., “ Lothairgill,” lavender ravine, or lus-natuise, which was much in demand for incense.
Loth again, it may be observed, signifies “ mud ” (O.G.),
hence lothach, lathach. Cf. “ Loth ” in Sutherland, pro­
nounced “ Loh.” Lo means water also, but the spelling
does not encourage this latter etymology.
In connection with Lobhairgil is the tale of MacNeill
of Colonsay and the witches, also the large black dog.>
We have, however, not been able to vouch for this.
Loft corry; an upper storey, so to say, of
Harta Coire, a tremendous precipice of black rock, the
wildest of the Coolins; it was here Prince Charlie is said
to have found refuge for a while. See “ Tobar-a-Phrionnsa,”
which is close by.
L obh ta C o ir e .
Arm of the sea; lacus, lake (Old Celtic turlaigi,
winter loch, turloch). As is of course well known, there
are many inland lochs which, according to Celtic custom,
are named after the stream that flows through or from
same, the stream being the primary cause of their existence,
consequently the older.
Descriptive names are hereinafter given, though such as
ard, high, b&ag, little, etc., not being all given.
Loch has occasionally been spelled luich, plural luichan,
and in ancient British or Welsh Ihuch, also guydhelian;
Ihyn British for loch, pond, pool in a river.
A loch is just “ a piece of land covered with water,” also
“ water shut in by land” ; a word loch in Gaelic means
black.
The lochs in Skye (inland) occur at all levels down to
the coast lands, and all—or nearly all—owe their origin
to ice erosion during seven successive stages, each stage
separated from the other by thousands of years. Moraines,
L och , L a k e .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
240
or the accumulation of glacier debris, may also have formed
lochs, but these are easily distinguished.
A general “ sea of ice ” spread over Scotland, and formed
the great fiord basins of the Sounds of Raasay and Sleiat,
with many others running into or out of same, and called
■ lochs. In the West Highlands, these glaciers worked up
to a height of 1,300 feet, as evidenced by their record of
markings, while corries also held each their own glacier.
For interesting and instructive details as to these changes
our readers are referred to the works of Professors Edward
Forbes, Sir Archibald Geikie, and James Geikie, also J.
D. Forbes, all famous geologists who have written ex­
tensively on the subject. Other writers on geology are very
numerous, a list in one of the works of the above-mentioned
four extending to upwards of six hundred. Skye is by no
means overlooked in these works.
Many of the following “ loch ” names are attached to,
and form part of, names given before and after herein.
L och
a
Loch'of the grey hollow. See “ Bac,”
B hac G h l a is .
South of Talisker.
a B h a is t e r , B h a s a d a ir .
The loch of the executioner.
Near Sgurr nan Gillean. See “ Bàsadair.”
L och
L och
a
C h o ir e R ia b h a ic h .
L och
a
C h r e a c h a in n .
Loch
of
the russet
corry.
Loch of the bare summit.
On Beinn
Dianabhiaig.
L och
a
C h r o c h a ir e ,
a
C h r o c h a d a ir .
The loch of the. scoundrel
or of the hangman.
a G h a r b h l a ic h , a G h a r b h a c h .
The loch of the rough
or wild place or district. North of Beinn Mheadhonach, in
Troternish. Gharbhach, garbh, rough, and ach, place, has
also an old meaning of grandson.
L och
Loch of the stout lad, crnpan, little
cnapach, again, means a youngster, etc.
L och ’G h i l l e C h n a p a in .
lum p, etc.;
L och ’G h l in n e B h i g .
L och ’G h l in n e D
Loch o f the little glen.
h u ib h .
Loch o f the black glen.
a L a g h a in , L a g a in . Loch of the sowens, which in Lewis
is spelled laghcm; this may be meant for lagan, a little
hollow. See “ Coire Laban.”
L och
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
L ochan
B h e a l a c h , B h e a l a ic h B h i g .
a
241
The little loch of
the little pass.
L ochan
S gu abaiche .
a
L o ch ain
M
a
See “ Loch or Lochan na Sguabaig.”
h u l l a ic h .
The little lochs of the summit or
height, lit. top.
in o r t , E in o r t , E y n o r d , A o in e a r d .
The little
Lochs Einort; there are at least two lochs of this name in
Skye, one at N.W., opening off Sound of Scalpa.
L o ch ain D u b h a , N a L och ain D u b h a . The black little lochs
or tarns. Near Broadford. The royal fern, osmunda
regalis, plentiful here at one time. These locbans are
reputed to be haunted by an evil sprite called the“ Ludag ”
(little.finger), a troll or trull; see “ Loch Ludag.” Another
small loch between Broadford and Sleat is said to exist
under the name “ Loch Luideag,” the loch of the slut or
slovenly woman.
L och ain A
h o ir or L och
little lochs of the great strath.
L o chain S r a t h a M
an t -S ratha
M
h o ir .
The
The close-lying little lochs. There are three
of these adjacent to each other or stretched out end to end.
L ochain T e a n n a .
L och A
ir ig h e
L ochan
an
L och
an
A
A
na
ir ig h
S u ir id h e ,
F huar.
s a r a id h ,
q.v.
q.v.
The little loch of the cold sheiling.
“ Abhainn.”
an A t h a .
The loch of the kiln; ath, a ford, is a s.m.
indecl.; ath, gen. atha, s.f., a kiln. See “ Loch nan Aan.”
The latter is a little loch between Gnarbheinn and Blaven,
under “ Ruadh Stac.”
L och a n A t h a i n . The loch of the little ford.
L och
Loch
an
A th a ir.
Loch o f the sky (ethereal).
n a C a il l ic h .
The little loch or lochs
of Ben-na-Callaich, q.v.
L ochan or L och B u i d h e . The little yellow loch. 2i| miles
south of Broadford.
L ochan C o ir 5 a G h o b h a in n , q.v. This loch is in Minginish.
Gobha-uisge, water-smith, is a Gaelic name for the wateroueel.
L ochan C r u i n n . The round little loch. Near Strolamus.
Q
L ochan , L o c h ain B e in n
242
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
L ochan D o b h b a in .
L och
an
The little loch of the otter; also loch.
Loch of the white or fair ridge. Near
D ro m a B h a i n .
Coire Buidhe.
u b h n a m B r ic .
Little black loch of the trouts.
North of Eilean Heast, an inner or upper branch of Loch
Eishort.
L och a n E il e a n . The island loch. Near Loch na Stairsich,
Strath, north of Beinn a Charn.
L ochan n a n D u b h B h r e a c . Little loch of the black trouts.
South of Broadford.
L och an F hir B hallaich , L ochan. Loch or little loch of the
L ochan D
spotted or marked man (pock-marked?).
Near Coire
Laban. There is a knoll or hillock called Am Fear Ballach,
the spotted or marked one, near Glen Brittle House.
a n F h u d a i r . Loch of the powder.
Some kegs of powder
were found in this loch upwards of fifty years ago.
L ochan G o b h l a c h . The little forked loch.
L och a n L e o id .
Liot or Macleod’s loch. South of Ben
Bhuidhe. But see “ Leoide.”
L och L e t h - U il l t , L e t h - A l l t . Loch of the burn with one
high side or bank. S.W. of Minginish.
L ochan n a h - A i r d e . Little loch of the aird, height, or pro­
montory. At Rudh’ an-Dunan.
L och
L ochan nan Ceann , L och a Ch in n . Loch of the heads or
head. Near Cuidreach and Uig. Here is the scene of the
murder of Taog Mor MacLuinn (or Cuinn), whose head,
after being struck off, is reported to have said, “ Ab, ab,
a b or “ Èep, eep, eep.” One of many severe combats took
place here between the Macdonalds and Macleods;
Domhnull Maclain ’Ic Sheumais (Donald the son of John,
the son of James), the arch-enemy of the Macleods, lived
then at Cuidreach. See “ Tota Thaoig ” and “ Cnoc na
h-Ip.”
Little salt-water loch. South of Kyleakin.
h o ir , S g u r r a .
Loch of the high-pointed
hill; also given sgor, scuir, scoor; the Norse skor is a searock.
L och a n t - S r a t h B h i g ’ s a n t - S s a t h M h o ir . Loch of the
little strath and of the great strath; also lochain, q.v.
L
ochan n a
L och
an
S a il e .
S g u ir r M
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
243
an T h u g id .
Not known. Said to mean the capricious
or changeable loch; may be meant for slugaid, slough, miry
place, quicksand, from slug, s.f., miry puddle, or slug, s.m.,
a gulp; the verb sluig means to swallow; there is also a
word tugaid, signifying cause or reason, but thought in­
applicable.
L och a n t -S e a c h r a in . Loch of the wandering, seachmnach,
wanderer, the wandering loch.
L och a n Udail.
Loch of distress; also floating or moving,
eddying.
L och
A oineard, E inort, E ynord, E ynort, I nord.
See
“ Eynord.” This is a narrow and tortuous sea-loch, noted
for storms, and difficult to navigate. It is not far from
Portree, and near it is, or was, the church of Saint
Maolrubha, which possessed a beautifully-carved font, now
in the Antiquarian Museum, Edinburgh; the carving
portrays Saint Michael. This saint’s name (Maolrubha)
has undergone numerous corruptions, as before stated, such
as “ Summareve,” summer-eve, and “ Malruve” ; but see
“ Askimilruby.”
L och
There is a loch of this name in South Uist, spelled
“ Ainneart,” whence sailed the famous and historical
birlinn of Clan Ranald. See the descriptive poem thereon
by the family bard, Alasdair Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair
(Alexander the son of Mr. Alexander), a Macdonald of
the Macdonalds, and whose poetry has just been collected
and translated into English, and is being published of new
by the authors of the “ History of the Clan Donald.”
L och A r d . The high loch; a celebrated painting by Horatio
MacCulloch of “ Sunset on Loch Ard.”
L och A r n is o r t , A r n iz o r t .
Eagle fiord, loch; am, om, an
eagle, and fjordr, a firth, etc.; ord, ort, ard, art, and worth
are all corruptions of fiord or fjordr, a firth or sea-loch;
Gnaelic arst said to be the same, but thought art; there are
numerous other mis-spellings of this name where p or f
was substituted for s, owing to the mis-reading of old MSS.
where the long s was frequently in use.
L och A r u isg , A r a is g .
Thought loch of the demon or evil
spirit, arrais; there is a word farasg, dead fish cast ashore;
it may be aros, a dwelling. In Waternish. Farasg when
aspirated is fharasg, fh silent; doubtful.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
244
L och A
t h a in .
Loch o f little ford.
Near Stein, Kilmuir. A bay or offshoot of Loch
Follart or Loch Dunvegan, capacious and sheltered, and in
which the island of Isay lies.
L och B e t a M e a l a h a n , B ota M h ia l l a c h a in . The little pro­
truding lump. Meallachan, meall and ach or achan, place
of lumpy hills.
L och B a y .
B h r a ig h B h l a ir , B r a ig h a B h l a i r .
Loch of the
meadow-breast or slope. South of Broadford, Boraraig.
Blàr also means “ battle-field.”
L och B l a r a n T a i r b h . Bull-meadow loch, In Kilmuir.
L och B r a c a d a il , V r a k d il l , etc. Loch Bracadale, q.v. Norse
called it Vestrafiord i.e., Westerfiord or firth (1463).
Three rocks at entrance called “ Macleod’s maidens ” (also
said to be mother and two daughters). See “Nic Cleosgeir.”
Two parts or divisions of this loch are Lochs Beag and
Harport, while on the coast are several duin, Dun Beag
being the best preserved of all the many duin in Skye.
L och B r e t il , B r e t t l e , B r i t e i l . See “ Gleann Breatal.”
L och C ar o y , q.v. This loch is sometimes confounded with Loch
Vatten.
L och C h o l u m c il l e , C h o l u m b k il l .
Saint Columba’s loch.
This loch is now drained, but the site goes still under that
name; it was two miles in length, and had a small island'
in the centre, artificial, and thought to be the only one, of!
that kind in Skye. This place lies north-west of Kilmuir,
near Monkstadt. Before 1829, when the loch was drained,
swanis used to frequent it regularly from about 25th October
in each year; returning thereafter, the poor birds circled
round for a time, uttering strange cries. Two hundred and
thirty acres were reclaimed, which yields a considerable
quantity of natural hay; the expression by the people is
frequently used of “ drying their hay in the loch.” There
are ruins of a monastery on what was the “ island,” also
some other ruins on the borders. It was here the last;
Norseman in Skye took refuge after “ Blar a Bhuailte,”
q.v., but a certain Macdonald had him speedily routed out
and slain; it is said there were more than one Norseman
slain, and that they were under the leadership of one Arco
Brainn or Bronnmhor, Arco the corpulent.
L och
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
L och C h r a c a ig ,
L och ’C h a i s e .
q.v.
245
North side of Portree harbour.
The loch
of
the cheese; perhaps Easter observ­
ances.
Christ’s loch or Christ’s ser­
vant’s loch. ■From this loch flows the Broadford River. On
the slope of the hill, above and south of this loch, are some
large quarries of different kinds of marble; nearly the whole
district has limestone.
L och C h r ie s t , C il l e c h r io s d .
L och C h r is e n e ss , G h r is e r n is ,
q.v.
Thought “ Chuisinish,” q.v . ; but see “Ard
Thuirinish,” Sleat.
L och C h u i r i n i s h .
The loch of the sea-cliff, Tdettr, etc., as
This loch is north of Druim a Ruma, q.v.
L och C l e a t , C l e a it .
before.
L och
C o ir e a sg il ,
C orcasgil ,
( Coir'-Ascully
North-east of Beinn
C orcisgill
Ascuill). The loch of Ascull’s corry.
Edra, q.v.
The loch of Grunnda corry, a small
loch on the lower slope of Sgùrr Sgumain, most extra­
ordinary, alike in its position and savage character. See
“ Coir’ a Ghrunnda.”
L och C o ire G h r u n n d a .
L och C o ir ’- U a ig n e ic h ,
L och C o lb o s t .
q.v.
An offshoot of Loch Dunvegan.
L och C o n a r d a n , C o m h n a r d a n ,
L och C o n o n .
q.v.
Above Skeabost.
n a C r e ic h e .
Loch of the spoil which was
divided here by the victors in one or more of the many,
sanguinary combats between the Macdonalds and Macleods.
See “ Coire na Creiche.”
L och C r e ic h , L och
See “ Loch na Creubhaich.”
L och Currant. The loch of the fold or place of the fold, etc.,
cuidh, cuith, a pen, a fold, etc., and ar, place of. See
“ Cuiraing,” “ Quiraing.” Elsewhere stated that this word
probably gets the r by analogy with the word cuith reang.
Diatomite found here, and has created an industry. This
loch lies directly under Sgurr a Mbadaidh Ruaidh.
L och C u l - n a - C r eag , C u il n a C r e ig e . Back or recess of the
rock loch.
L och C r e it h e a c h .
246
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
L och D e a r g .
Red loch.
Near Meall an Fhuarain.
L och D o i r ’ a C h r e a m h a .
clump. Soay.
Loch of the wild garlic grove or
L och D o w n o r t . Loch of the black firth, dubh fjordr, or dynfjordr, noisy firth, or a mistake for “ Eynort.5’
Bramble-thorns loch. Near Sron Vourlinn,
L och D r o ig h in n .
Troternish.
L och D u a g r ic h , D h u a g r a ic h , D
u g e r ic h ,
T ow agri
(Pont).
See “ Duagrach.”
The loch of the shadow of the steep
North end of Beinn Edra.
L och D u b h a r - S g o t h .
rock or cliff.
L och D d b h
nam
B r ic .
Black loch of the trout®. Near Broad­
ford.
L och D
u ic h ,
D u b h t h a ic h .
Loch of the black or dark district;
ac, ach, a place.
L och D u n b e g a n , D u n v e g a n .
L och E a s h a l , I o sal .
Nether or lower loch.
In one of the
Ascribe.
The isthmus land of the firth; eid, eidh,
an isthmus, fjordr's-land.
This word eidh enters into many combinations in placenames; it is a Norse form; aid and aith equal ay, eie, eye,
ui, uie, and uidh (from aose), also a peninsula; uidh also
means a ford, the part of a stream leaving a loch before
breaking into a current, also spelled aoi, from Norse eidt,
an isthmus, a neck of land, eye or ui. Near Stornoway.
Older form huy, Old Norse eid, meanmg a narrow neck of
land joining two larger places together.
L och E io r d s l a r d .
Ice fiord or firth. There are two
lochs of this name, the first a small inland loch, whence
Moonen Burn flows, the second a sea-loch of considerable
size and importance, dividing Strath from Sleat in part.
About 1644 this loch was the scene of a fight between
three ships of the Scottish Parliament and Alasdair MacColla, who escaped with the loss of his ships or galleys.
L och E is h e o r t , E is e o r d .
L och E n s i d .
Not known.
L och E r g h a l l a n .
Not known.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
247
See “ Loch Aoineard.” Given as in Minginish,
S.W. of Skye.
L och F a d d , F a d , F a d a , L ocha - F a d a . The long loch or lochs.
On eastern face of Quiraing, or north of same, with no out­
let, south of Sron Vourlinn, wild, eerie, and haunted!
L och F a l l a r t , F a il l o r d , F o l ia r t , F o l l a r t . Loch of Paul’s
firth. Pal, and art, Norse termination for sea-loch, fjordr.
This Pal was Paul Balkasson, son of Boke or Bakki,
who was for a time Sheriff of Skye under the King of
Norway in 1223. This name is another for that of Loch
Dunvegan, but not so named locally, it being in fact only
a part of that loch. Near here fine agates are said to have
been found, while topazes, rock-crystals, and other more or
less precious stones, inseparable from the igneous rocks of
the island generally, are often discovered by painstaking
searchers, chiefly in burns and among mountain torrents’
debris.
L och F e o ir l in n . Farthing-land loch; a branch of Loch Roag,
Duirinish.
L och F h r i d h e i n , F r i t h e i n . Loch of the deer forest.
L och F o r d . Not known. Portree.
L och G il c h r is t , C il l e c h r io sd , K il c h r is t , q.v. Near head
of Loch Slapin, whence boat generally taken for Coruisg.
L och G l e a n n I o n a d a l , q.v. Glenineddale.
L och G l e n m o ir e , a G h l in n e M h o ir . Loch of the Great Glen.
A fresh-water loch near Portree.
L och E y n o r t .
L och G o r sar n is , G r is h e r n is h ,
q.v.
(Pont). Not known.
L och G r is h e r n is h . Also known as Loch Amisort. In Duirin­
ish. A branch of Loch Snizort.
L och G r o w b a n (Pont), G n o b a n , G h r o b a n , q.v. In Drynoch.
L och G r en b a e g
L och H a r l o s h , H a e r l o is h ,
q.v.
(Pont), E a r p o r t . Buck firth loch;
A continuation of Loch Bracadale.
L och H a r r y (Pont gives this). Not known.
L och H asco . The loch of the high place; ha, high, sco, town,
place, situation. This loch lies high up the north face of
Quiraing, has no outlet, and is very deep and clear.
L och H a r p o r t , H erport
hafra fjordr.
248
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
L och H e l l o h a l d
(Pont).
Not known; might be Halibhal.
L och H e lpo r t
? H arport,
L och H i n is h , H
u n is h ,
L o ch H ollom (Pont).
q.v.
U n is h ,
q.v.
? Tholm, q.v., with Eilean Holm.
Not known; thought to be near Loch Roag,
and receives the Allt Dearg therefrom.
L och H o u n a m .
(Pont), U is g e . Water.
between Troternish and Bracadale.
A fresh-water loch
L och H u is k a
Thought ’Ic Cuinn, Macqueen’s loch.
of Ben Tianavaig. See “ Sleat.”
East
L och I ch C a im e .
L och K e n .
Thought Ceann-loch.
L och K e n s a le .
il c h r o ,
See “ Sleiat.”
Loch o f the head o f the salt-water.
L och K e n s a le s e r lo s s (Monro).
Kensaleyre Loch, q.v.
L och K
Head.
Thought may be meant for
q.v.
L och L e u r a v a y , L u ir a v a y , L e u r a b h a ig h .
Muddy-bay loch.
Long-bay loch. Lang vik. There is a loch
“ Langaid ” in Kilanuir, near Sron Vourlinn; also given
as on north side of Portree Harbour.
L och L a n g a ig .
L och L easg ear y ,
q.v.
L eathann.
The broad loch. Near Storr on the
Scorribreac Farm; famed for its yellow trout. A river or
burn thence flows into the Sound of Raasay, and has a,
waterfall of some size.
L och
L och L eisort
(Pont).
Thought meant for either Eisheort or
Snizort.
L och L eu m
B r a it h ,
nan
nam
B reac.
The loch of the leap of
the trout; but not known.
L och L e y n d il l , L e n d il l , L e d il l
(Pont),
L ynedale,
Loch Lie- a r d .
High-level loch.
North-east
L och L o n a c h .
The marshy loch. Partly filled
of
q.v.
Talisker.
up
with reeds,
etc.
L och L onach a n .
is at Heast.
Diminutive of above. This loch at anyrate
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
249
The loch of the small stream,
or the loch of the hollow or trough; loisid, loistean. This
loch said to be south of Aros Bay, Loch Snizort.
There are two places in Kilmuir called Losaid, low-lying,
wet troughs of land. This word has the signification of
a joint, a hollow, into which some other part fits, e.g., the
joint in the leg or haunch of a cow, chaidh a bho as a
losaid,” (lit.) the cow went out of her joint.
L och L o sait , L osoit , L o ssait .
The loch of the ludag, a
sprite, goblin, or imp (some say one-eyed, one-handed, onelegged). Ludag means little finger. This sprite often
reported to have been seen near Broadford. See Campbell’s
“ West Highland Tales ”—“ Direach Ghlinn Eiti, or
Fachan” ; also Vol. I. of “ Reliquiae Celticse,” “ An
t-Athach lodknaidh,” that Ossian met in Crom (a) Gleann
nan Clach (i.e., Glenlyon); this monster answered to des­
cription given above.
L och L u d a g , L u d iu c h , L u d n ic h .
L och
M
The Middle Loch. South of Coire
In maps “ Meachdannach.”
eadhonach.
Ghrunnda.
e a g h a il t , M e a l t , M ia g h a il t , M i a d h a i l t .
The loch
of the unlucky river. This word or name has been found
spelled in many different ways, and, failing local help,
might be mjo (Norse), narrow, and allt, river, stream;
the stream runs or falls over Creag-na-Feile, and flows
to the sea by, in parts, a subterranean passage; the fall is
three hundred feet. Lies south of Elishadder, Troternish.
Mialt, mialta, provincial for malda, mild, pleasant, etc.,
but more generally applied to persons.
L och M
L och M
e a l l a c h a in .
The loch of the little hills or heaps
(? tumuli).
L och M
h a r a l a in ,
L och M
h ic
L och M
onadh na
V a l l e r a in ,
q.v.
C u in n , ’I ch C a im e ,
F
ia d h .
q.v.
Deer-mount loch. In Kilmuir.
n a B e is t e .
Loch of the beast; a suppositious “monster.”
South of Kyleakin.
L och
L och
na
C a ip l ic h , C a p l a ic h .
The brushwood place, from
caplaeh.
But see “ Caipleach.” Here the rare plant
EHocaulon Decangulare said to be found.
250
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
na Carra.
Loch of the rocky shelf, can. This loch
runs between high-shelved land about half a mile in width,
between Scalpa and Skye, caolas Sgalpaidh.
L och
L och
na
C reag , C r e ig e .
Loch of the rock.
Thought to be
the same as above.
n a C r e u b h a ic h , C r e a b h a ic h , C r e a t h a ic h .
The loch .
of the brushwood. An inland loch, north of Loch Scavaig.
L och
n a C u il c , C u il c e .
Reed or rush loch. This is “ Inner”
Loch Scavaig, into which Allt Chaoich falls.
L och n a E l a c h a n (Pont), n a h - E a l a c h a n . Loch of the swans.
See “ Loch Cholumcille.”
L och
L och n a F a o il in n .
Loch of the sea-gulls.
Loch of the willow-bog or swamp.
A stream runs herefrom into Allt Coire nan Clach.
L och
na
L och
F
na
e it h e
A
S e il ic h .
i r id h
cold eheiling.
F uar,
an
A
ir ig h
F
huar.
Loch of the
In Strath Mor.
n a L e ar g , n a n L e a r g a , L e ir g e .
Loch of the blackthroated diver, rain-goose, or cormorant. Near Beinn
Diabaig.
L och n a M a d a d h U is g e . Loch of the water-dogs, i.e., large
mussels or cockles. In Strath Mor, north of Druim a
Ruma. Also “ Loch na Madadh” ; both said to be two
large rocks at entrance to loch. Cf. “ Lochmaddy.”
L och
n a M e a l l , n a M i l l . Loch of the heaps, tumuli.
Neigh­
bourhood said to be haunted and frequented by the ludag,
as before referred to, this generally in stormy weather.
District very wild and lonely.
L o c h n a n A a n , A a n a n . Either loch of the fords or kilns, as
given, and said to be situated near Harta Corry. See
“ Loch an Atha.” Thought, however, it should be Loch
nan Ian, Eun, or Eoin, loch of the birds. At base of
Blaven; surrounded by mountain on three sides. Sir
Walter Scott made a reference hereto, more or less
“ mixed.”
L och
L och
nan
E il e a n .
Loch of the islands.
nan U a n .
Loch of the lambs; also found given Loch na
Nain and Loch nan Annan. In N.W. Waternish. See
“ Loch an Atha.”
L och
251
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
or L ochan n a S g u a b a id h or S g u a b a ig . The loch of
the sweeping blast or whirlwind. This is an inland loch,
north of Loch Slapin. For Sguabag,” see N.G.P.
L och
Loch of the threshold or barrier, etc.,
A small loch or tarn north of
Heast and south of Loch Buidhe.
L och
na
S t a ir s ic h .
stairsneach, stairseach.
L och
an
T ean g a R ia b h a ic h .
Loch of the russet tongue (of
land), grey-looking.
L och N arsco .
? Marsco, q.v.
h io n n l a id h .
The loch of Finlay’s daughter.
About a mile south of Tarskveg Bay. See “ Sleat.”
L och N ig h e a n F
(Pont), L och a R o id . Loch of the bog-myrtle.
Suggested Loch Oraid, but doubtful.
L och O r r o id
L och O y e s t i l l .
Loch
Osdal, q.v.
Named after Norwegian
prince drowned here, Diel’s Pool. Formerly Loch-aChuan, loch of the ocean, open. The large river Glendale
falls into this loch, over a cascade; the “ pool ” said to be
thirty feet in depth, even at low water.
L och P o l t ie l , P o l t il , P o o l t ie l .
L och P o t t e c h .
L och
N o t known.
P o r t r ig h .
Portree sea-loch; formerly called Loch
Columcille.”
(Pont). See “ Roag.”
Allt Dearg flows out of this loch into Loch Hounam (sup­
posed Loch Poltiel (Pont), who calls it “ Whouildan ” );
after leaving latter, called “ Allt Garbh,” and flows into
Loch Snizort Beag.
L och R a v a g , R oag , R o w a e g , R ar aeg
L och R o w e n - D
ounen,
R tjdh’
an
D unan.
Loch of the little
fort, hill, or castle promontory.
L och r ye ,
L og h r ye
(Pont)
(Loch
righ).
King’s
loch
■(? Portree).
L och S cavaig , S ca - V a g , S c a t h v a ig , S g a t h a v a ig ,
L och S consar , S conser ,
q.v.
q.v.
The Peak Loch. Not known which;
Thought Sgurr Mor, west of Troternish. See “ Sgurr.”
L och S cour , S g u r r .
252
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
The holy or
sacred loch, in which are four islands. It lies a little below
Quiraing, and formed from a conflux of several fresh­
water springs into a shapely lochlet of considerable depth;
it is (or was) much resorted to as a catholicon, as evidenced
by the adjacent oopse flourishing untouched, being also
held sacred; no one would pull or cut a twig even therefrom.
This word seunta, etc., is only one use of many similar,
e.g., breaaadh-seun or sian, freckling of blessing, a blessing
in disguise, lucky; Latin signum, a sign, of the cross.
L och S e u n t , S e u n t a , S h a n t , S h i a n t , S i a n t .
L
och
S g ia b a id h , S g io b a id h , S ia b a i d h .
Sweeping, drifting
loch; siabcm, sand-drift, sea-spray.
S k a h a n a s k . Spectral or shadow loch. See “ Scavaig.”
Thought another name for Loch Sligachan.
L
och
L
och
S l a p in , S l e ip p a n , S l a o p a in , etc. The sluggish, muddy
loch; locally Loch Laopain. Between Strathaird and
Strath; formerly part of the Mackinnon property, “ Johne
M'Kynnand of Lochslaban,” 1586; laban, mire, etc.
L och S l e a d a l e .
L och S l ig a c h a n .
Not known.
Loch of the shells, or sihelly land or place,
sligmch. This is a loch very subject to storms, and danger­
ous to mariners at all times almost. Part of this loch is
Scavaig Bay, where mooring rings are placed; here it is
dark and sombre in the brightest day, owing to the over­
hanging hills, notably Sgurr Dubh, the black Scaur. Loch
Scavaig has a bad reputation, having been described as “ if
there’s a hell on earth, it’s in Scavaig.” The island of
Soa is at the entrance of Loch Sligachan, and frequently
serves as a breakwater and refuge to ships and boats in
distress.
L och S m e a r a l , S m e a r a il , S m io r a il .
The strong, lively loch.
North of Beinn Edra.
L och S n a sp o r t e , S n iz o r t ,
q.v.
L och S n e e sd a l e , S n e o sd a l ,
q.v.
North of Druim a B-uma.
See “ Snizort.” This is
the largest and most capacious bay or loch in or on the
coast of Skye, and runs twelve miles inland from Vaternish
Point.
L och S n iz o r t , S n iso r t , S n is a r t .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
253
The straight stretched-out loch. See
“ Lochain Teanna,” Strolamus. There is a word teanna,
signifying surfeit, etc.
L och T e l l ib a r t (Pont), T e l l ib r e c k (Tobar), q.v.
L och T e a n n a ( T e a n n ).
L och U ig , U g e ,
q.v.
L ochs V a r k a s a ig ; V a r k a n s a , V u r k a n s a ;
V id ig i l l , V ig is g il l ; and W h o u il l a n
V a t t in , V a t n ;
(Pont).
See all
above; for last see “ Poltiel.”
The bared one; the barley after being bared of
spikes and distilled into whisky. Lomag agus tiorlamcm,
whisky and oatmeal; tior, to dry com as in kiln, root of
tiomm, dry.
L o n . A wet meadow or marsh, a dub, with diminutives lonag,
Lom ag, A n .
lonan.
This word, while spelled alike, has many different
meanings. A few of these have been gathered from
different sources, and are given as follows. It may be
mentioned, firstly, that in Skye km is used for a slowrunning marshy stream, and not for meadow, etc., as a
rule, lian, lianag being used therefor, though see “ Allt an
Loin Bhuidhe.” In the song “ Tha ’n crodh air cm loin,”
the translation is “ the cows are on the marshy lands.”
The diminutive lonan signifies a rivulet in Muckairn, while
there is “ Glenlonain,” with same meaning, near Loch
Etive; in Sutherland it also has the meaning of stream or
rivulet. In “ West Highland Tales,” loin, plural of Ion,
signifies bird, also Ion or lonn, a sword, blade, or bar, a
stake of wood, a bier pole, auger, a surge, a sea-swell, e.g.,
Lon Mac Liobhain, blade son of furbishing, Mac an Luinn,
son of the surge, lunn, Mac an Loin; this term “ Mac an
Loin ” said to be derived from the sword-maker’s name
or title, by extension, the sword itself; an allied (Perth­
shire) word is lunndcm, a green or smooth grassy plot; also
“ Am bernm feidh agus loin,” in the mountain of deer and
elk. In the Ossianic poem, “ Darthula,” occurs “ Cairbar
sat at the feast in the silent plain of Lona.” Mary Macpherson, in one of her poems, has “ Chottaich mi ri GaidJilig
torman tlath nan Ion,” I likened unto Gaelic the gentle
murmur of the brooks; Ion has the same meaning here as
allt, etc., while in Arran it means a mud island! Lon, m
a brook, is masculine, though loin, a little brook, etc., is
254
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
feminine. In “ Reliquiae Celtic® ” (Turner’s MS.) occurs
“Togbhar leo na gml-chroinn chorrach suas le ’n lonaibh” ;
Ion here means haulyards. Allt is frequent in Sleat and
Strath, but Ion or loin, for stream, also found; but see
“ Allt an Loin.” Inverbroom, or Balloan, is bail' cm loin,
meadow-town. The Ossianic poetry has this word differ­
ently used, q.v. In “ Bardachd Irt ” (St. Kilda) occur
these lines:
“ 'Nuatvr dh' fhalbh mit an todha,
’8 nach robh mo lo(mha)in ri feurn dhuit.”
(When from you went the rope,
And my hide-rope was in vain.)
Lomhainn means a leash, or oord to lead a dog by;
ball is frequently used for a cable or strong rope.
Lon, therefore, means not only a meadow, but, by ex­
tension, the brook or stream that runs through it; whereas
allt is more generally and appropriately used for a more
brattling, brawling brook or stream; most of the “ Ions,”
therefore (Englished “ meadows ” ), are really streams or
rivulets, as will be seen hereafter. In Irish, Ion is given
for rivulet, lo, water, and in or inne, a channel, “ Loch
Long ” is Loch loin.
As may be surmised, the word Ion has been subjected to
various changes, if not corruptions. Lòn-nam-Manach, a
fertile spot near Beauly is dubbed Leòr or Leabhax nam
Manach, the monks’ meadow, to the monks’ book!
As before stated, Ion in St. Kilda ie a rope made of
or covered with hides, used in lowering people for birdcatching or fowling, and spoken of m Ion laidir na feuma,
the strong rope of need.
See Dictionary for other meanings for Ion, e.g., food,
etc.; the accent tells. In regard to meadow, the word
clumn does not appear in Skye place-names.
L on
a
L on A
L on
B h il e .
ch’ an
The stream o f the tree cluster or thicket.
R e it h e a n .
Stream of the field of the little ram.
a C h a o r a c h . ,The stream of the sheep.
into Varragill River.
L on
a
C h l e r ic h .
L on
a
C h o ir e .
This burn runs
Minister’s meadow.
Corry burn.
Near Broadford.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
The
L on
a
Chream ha.
L on
a G h e a r r a id h .
The burn of the point (of land).
“ Galigarry,” Sleat.
L on
a
G hleannan.
field o f garlic.
ir ig h
F
L on A
ir ig h
U ig e .
L on A
ir ig h a n t - S r a t h a .
L on
G h l in n e B h i g .
L on B a n .
L on ’M
L on
L on
an
See
Little glen burn. Runs into Loch Portree.
L on A
a
255
h io n n l a id h .
Finlay’s sheiling burn.
Uig sheiling burn.
The strath sheiling burn.
The little glen burn.
The white or fair meadow.
h u il in n .
E ic h .
The
m ill burn.
The horse meadow.
a n E ir e a n n a ic h .
The Irishman’s burn. In regard to
this “ burn,” a story is current of an Irish pedlar who got
a night’s lodging in a house at Garalapin, near Portree,
who apparently overheard the eon of the house say to his
father, “ Nach 'ml e 'n t-am dhuinn an t-eibhrionnach a
mharbhadh ? ” (Is it not time for us to be killing the
wedder-goat?) This frightened the Irishman, who speedily
escaped, but, in the dark, he stumbled into this stream,
and was drowned.
In several other names, the word eireannaich occurs, but,
though generally translated Irishman, it is thought, from
the context, that it not only may have the second meaning
given above, but stand for something totally different, viz.,
eirchinneach, pronounced erenach, and which means lay
stewards of the church who seized and held church lands in
absence of monks who had died or been dispossessed, and
constituted themselves hereditary possessors. As to this,
we do not dogmatise.
an I n b h ir .
Stream of the confluence. South of Loch
Kilchrist, from which it flows into the sea here (Broadford).
Inbhir is the genitive of inbhear, more correctly ionbhar,
ionbhcdr, s.m.; this word is very rarely found in Skye
names.
L on a n t - S i t h e i n .
Hillock or “ fairy ” burn. North of
Portree.
L on T a i r b h . Bull meadow. Duirinish.
L on
256
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Stone-house meadow; probably an
L on T ig h -C h l a c h .
ex­
ception from turf.
L on B e alach T e a r n a id h .
L on B e a r r a ’ -C l a c h a n .
Meadow of the descending pass.
Meadow of the stone edge or ridge;
bearradh, sky-line of a hill or mountain.
Lon B e a t h a . Life meadow; possibly a mistake for beithe,
birch-tree.
L on B e in n e T h u a i t h .
M eadow o f the north or northern
m ount; Ion na bemne tuath or tuaith.
L on B ho L a in n .
bo-lann, byre.
L on B ir k is c o .
L on B u a il e
Birkisco b u m .
B a t h a ic h .
na
L on B u id e i l .
Broadford.
man!
Meadow of the oow-enclosure or house;
Not often found in use.
Meadow of the byre-fold.
The meadow of the cask. Thought near Corry,
“ Am Buideal ” was a nickname for a certain
The yellow meadow. Near Heast.
L o n C a d h a nam: B a . Cow-pass meadow or burn.
L on C h a ir is g il . Kari’s ravine or gyll, or Icjarra, copsewood,
etc. See “ Carabost.”
L on C h a o r a c h . Sheep meadow or burn. There is a bum of
this name in a ravine in Varragill valley, with a water-fall;
being a bum, suggested chaoireach, foaming, etc.
L on C h u id h e T r o d a n . The meadow of the fold of quarrelling;
Trodan may be a proper name. Kilmuir.
L on C le a p . Not known; might be cliob or clip; might be a
meadow-morass, and so treacherous.
L on C u l n a h - A i r d e . Back-of-the-height meadow.
L on B u id h e .
L òn D r u ise a c h .
Dewy meadow.
Duiedale burn. Kilmuir.
The meadow (or burn) of the dark, black, or
gloomy gyll or ravine. May be same as last.
L on F e a r n , F e a r n a . Alder burn, meadow, or plain; vestiges
of cairns, etc., here. Kilmuir. But see “ Totagan nan
Druidhean.” This place held by one family of the name
of Nicolson for .some hundreds of years consecutively.
L on D u is d il .
L on D u is g il .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
L on G lac , G l aic
na
257
Meadow (or burn) of the
C r ic h e .
boundary hollow.
L on H o l , L on H orro
L on L e u m
na
(Thora ?).
L a r a ic h , L a r a c h .
Not known.
Burn of the mare’s leap.
L on L u a c h r a c h .
Great loch meadow or burn (thence).
Rushy meadow.
L on M
Not
L on ’L och M
h o ir .
il l a h o r s .
known.
or F a l a n a n T a ig h e a n .
The great meadow or field
of the house-turf, cut here for building houses, fal.
L on n a B u a il e R u a i d h . Meadow of the red fold.
L on M
See “ Druim.”
L on n a C u il e . Recess or corner bum; thought this may be
meant for “ Cuilce ” reeds. Runs into Uig Bay.
L on n a h - A ir ig h - C h a r n a ic h . Burn of the cairney or stony
sheiling. Runs into Portree Loch.
Lon n a h - A t h a . Burn of the kiln.
L on
na
L on
na
C r ic h e .
h - I o l a in n ,
Burn of
I o d h l a in n .
the
bam-yard.
na L arach.
The burn of the mare. Suggested that this
should be laraich, ruins, the field of the ruins (of some old
building).
L on n a L e ab a ig C u id r e a c h . Burn of the strong little channel
(of a river); leabag, dim. of leabaidh.
L on
The women’s meadow; supposed nuns.
L on
nam
Ba n .
L on
nam
B reac.
L on
na
The trout stream.
The moss
M o in e .
burn.
The pig’s park.
Burn of the sheilings. Near Lon a
Chaorach, or south thereof.
L on n a n D r u in ic h , D r u it h n ic h , or D r u it h n e a c h . Artificers’
burn. In Strathaird. Druids or Eremites.
Lon
L on
na
M u ic e .
A
nan
ir ig h e .
Horses’ meadow.
L on
nan
E ach.
L on
nan
A
L on
nan
G obhar.
G oat field.
L on
nan
Slugan.
Burn of
r
.
Battle meadow or field.
the
pools.
R
258
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Field of labour or service.
L on O s g u il l e a n . The meadow of the white-shouldered elk,
deer, or stag; os gumllfhionn. “Lem thus’ cm os bhallach
follow thou the spotted stag. Said also to be a burn in
Braes.
L on na S a o ra ch , S a o th r a c h .
The field of the bellowing (of deer); tathunn,
L on O s t a t o in .
tabkann, tabhunn.
The field of the splashing hollow or gyll. See
“ Roag,” near Balmeanoch.
L on R u a d h . Red bum; also B l a t h L o n , bonnie burn. Both
run into Kilmuir River.
L on or L o n a n T h e ig o . Tague, Tad, or Thady’s meadow.
L on U o a g il .
h ic C u ie n .
Mac Cuien’s home meadow or park.
This said to be very ancient.
L on T ig h M
Cat-hill meadow. At Kilbride.
In a few cases, the English meaning attached to “ Lon ”
may be different, but no authorities found.
L on T or -C a t .
Long isle.
See “ Lingay.”
L ong a , L o n g a y .
In or off Strath, east of Scalpa.
etc. The ravine or
glen of the deer’s cry, (Norse) loroa gil. Also found given
as a bay in Kilmuir or Duirinish. See “ Lobhairgil.”
L o r g il l , L o ir g il , L o u r g il l , L o w e r g il l ,
L o ssaid .
L
ota,
The soft
L o tts.
or b oggy
L o ft ;
lobhta.
place.
See “ Loch Losait.”
Portree.
Loft oorry. A continuation of Harta corry.
This corry has loft above loft, and has been described as
“ that most barren of all corries” ; “ lo ft” also given
“ slope.” It is drained by the River Sligachan.
L ota C o ir e .
L
The bend or crescent of the little
Troternish.
n a C a r r a B u id h e , C a r r a g h , C a r r a ig h .
Bend of the
yellow pillar or rock or monument. Above Loch Snizort
ub,
L u ib
a
S g ia t h a i n .
portion (of land).
Lub
(beag).
Little Robert’s nook. Scudaburgh. May
mean anything small.
L ub S core . Score bend, hollow, or nook. Lub, often luib,
a glen or small bay, etc.
L ub R obac , R obag .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
nam M ean n .
Kids’ hill glen or corner, etc.
Stue near Rudh’ an Aieeig.
L ub S tac
259
Luib-
Treaslane barn, etc. Assumed that above
meaning as given, and not lub, a pool, a dub.
L ub T r ia s l a in .
L ubanhore.
The gold or golden recess, etc.; lùb cm oir.
The bend or corner or little glen. In Strath. Another
in Portree under Loch na Madadh. Bends or windings
of a stream. “ Caothan win luban uaine, green-winding
Caotban.
L uib .
L uib
n a M o il , L uib a M h a o i l .
Bend of the mull or bare
rounded hill; also spelled “ Moyle.”
L uib R a in i c h .
Ferny glen, etc.
Loch Slapin.
L u issin e , L u isu r e , S u issin e , S u is k n is h .
L uran.
The pretty one, a hill.
L u r g an , L u r g a n n , L u r g in .
See “ Raasay.”
Not known.
The ridge; part of a hill pro­
jecting into a plain.
The flower or flowery land; lus a or ay.
The terminations a, ai, ay, ey, oe, etc., are from Norse
(pyja, or uyea, island of second magnitude, as Islay, Jura,
Faroe; an island of first magnitude is called a land, as
Iceland, Zealand; an island of third magnitude is called
a holm, as Doorholm, Geirholm; holm is cognate with
colUs. Ai, a col, a saddle between hills; col also signifies
a plateau or saddle-like ridge, also a neck or isolated pass,
and equals bealach in Gaelic; col sometimes confounded
with cal or cald, e.g., Colbost, which means cold bast,
bolstadr, cold homestead. Several places named “ Lussa
one in Pabba Island, parish of Strath.
L us- a , L u say , L u ssay .
Not known; lus cinn tire suggested.
L usta , L ussta , etc. Not known. Suggested lus stadr or sta.
Tobar and Camus.
L u s k in t y r e .
L ynacroe , L in ic r o ,
q.v.
etc. Flax-dale. The differ­
ent spellings of this name found are very numerous and
varied in Acts of Parliament, records, titles, etc.; in latter
it is given as “ Estir and Westir Leindale, the ounce lands
of Leindale, Leyndill, and Liendal.” Situated in Snizort,
Duirinish, and Bracadale. “ Seven large rivers ” said to
L y n d a l e , L y n e d a l e , L in a d e l l ,
260
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
be here! Noted for four generations of Mac queens,
ministers of considerable erudition. This name is some­
times abbreviated into “ Lionel,” e.g., in the Lewis. One
authority gives lin vollr, flax hill. Linen garments, worn
by men (kilts) and women, were in much use of yore in
Skye and the Highlands generally, the flax being grown
and manufactured by the peasantry of the Celts from
ancient times. Reference is made to lint being specially
blessed; the very word leine, a shirt, etc., is derived from
lin or rather lion, “ la buan an lin," the day of reaping
the lint, Nevermas; lint is plucked. Bla or blath-lin means
winding-sheet, the safe - wrapping. Macdonalds have
possessed and resided in Lyndale for long, one of whom
had composed to him a very popular song, “ An
Domhnullach Furanach,” the hospitable Macdonald.
Another well-known Macdonald held land and died here
lately in the person of Donald Macdonald, better known
as “ Tormore,” while Lord Napier of Magdala once
occupied the mansion-house here; he died in 1921.
M
Rounded hill. From Latin mammce, breasts, etc.
M a m a P h o p u il l , P h o b u il l . The people’s hill. Below Cich
or Cioch na Beinne Deirge; above Sligachan.
M a m -C o ir e -C h r io s t a l . Chrystal corry hill.
M a m V r e c h t y , U r e c h t y , U r u is g ; ur, a child, a person, and
uisge, water. The brownie’s hill. A supposed water-god,
child of elfin female and a mortal man. Much has been and
might be written about these suppositious creatures, which
go under a variety of names, and akin to the gruagach;
they were mostly harmless, though much dreaded. Many
places on mainland and island named after them and their
supposed haunts.
M a b a c h a r . The rough place or place of roughness, refuse, etc.;
mob, bob, pap, ravelled, entangled, confused, ackar, place
M
aam ,
M
am .
of.
M
B ac- a - R a n n .
The hollow of the (tree) roots.
This given elsewhere; but rann properly signifies a part,
a portion, also a promontory. Cf. “ Ranna,” “ Rhinns ”
(of Islay), “ Rannach ” (a man from there). So “ Mac ”
here may hold good.
ac- a - R a n n ,
PLACE-NAMES OP SKYE
261
Shrub or plant, common avens, octopetala; said to
be like oak-leaves. It is the badge of the Mac Neills and
Lamonts. Not numerous in Skye. In Troternish.
M
achall.
M
acleod ’ s
M a id e n s . The name given in English to certain
up-standing rocks in the sea, south of Duirinish, near
Idrigil; they were once four in number, and called “ The
Mother and her Daughters,” or “ Macleod’s Wife and
Daughters or Maidens.” Here a galley was once driven
ashore in a storm, and Lady Macleod and two of the
daughters of the then chief perished.
The largest of these rocks is “ The Mother,” in Gaelic
“ Nic Cleoisgeir Mhor,” q.v., and is about 200 feet in
height; the others are about half that height. The largest
shows ten different strata or sheets of igneous rock, repre­
senting successive or separate volcanic lava flows; these,
however, are exceeded in the case of other stones or terraces
of stones, which show traces of twenty or thirty different
strata on basaltic columns.
They can be viewed from several different points, one
about four miles from Dunvegan, and variously described,
such as being “ like choosers of the slain,” also “ as gaunt
as the old toy Noah’s ark wives,” etc.
To the north hereof are “ Macleod’s Tables ” (see
“ Halibhal ” and “ Bord Cruinn” ). They are styled
“ tables ” from being two “ flat-topped ” mountains, and
are 1,600 feet in height, after ages of denudation; they
also are built up of horizontal lava beds, which once spread
away out into the Atlantic on one side, and over the hills
of Skye on the other.
Not far from Dunvegan Castle are these two terraced
heights, on the north-west of Skye, called “ Healabhal
Bheag ” and “ Healabhal Mhor,” q.v.
M aenes.
See “ Raasay.”
M a t h a ir -U is g e . The mother of water, fountainhead, spring or water-shed, source. On Meall-na-Suireanach, in Troternish. See “ Bun-an-Uillt.”
M
aheruska,
M
a ig h s h ia d a ir .
Shiadar, plain or pasturage; magh, a level
plain; and setr, etc., residence, pasturage, etc.
Magh means literally a mach, out, in the field, in the
open, e.g., magnus, machar, magh-tir. This place is in
Milovaig.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
262
The folds (for cattle, etc); mainnir, main,,
hand, and air, eir, ir, etc., agent or doer, enclosure by
hand. There are three, called respectively Mainnir mhor,
bheag agus cm t-Sionnaich, the great and little fold and
the Fox; they are natural features of the hill or ground
near Camustianavaig.
M a in n r ic h e a n , N a .
Measure or speech-bay. Mala vik according to one
authority; suggested dim. of mal, king, etc., and to mean
the little kingly one, impressive.
M
alag.
M
al a g a n ,
M
alagar,
M a l ic a n . This is a double dim. of above.
See
“ Sleat ” for Cnoc Mhalagan. This place is near Portree.
Cf. “ Loch Valican, Mhaileagan.” This word or name may
have been given from that of a ruling Druid of infamous
memory, named “ Mailgenn” ; he is said to have com­
passed the death of King Cormac of Ireland.
M
a l ig a r .
Not known. In Staffin.
M anos , M a n a is , M a n u is .
Mani, a proper name;
Mani’s ness.
M a n n e r or M a n n e r s ’ S t o n e .
See “ Clach-a-Mhodh ” or
“ Clach-a-Phog.” At Galtrigill. This stone has also been
found given as Clach-a-Mhoid, the stone of the meetingplace or court of justice.
M
a n is h ,
M
a o il e a d h ,
M a o l a d h M o r . The great mull, brow of a rock,
etc., maol', the above two words mean act of becoming
bare or blunt (provin.). This place is west of Cnoc-aMheirlich, in Troternish.
a n T a ir b h .
The bull hilltop, etc.; moel (Corn.), a,
promontory. This term is common, ajid is akin to meall,
a lump of rock, etc. In Kilmuir; now attached to Kilmaluag.
M a o l r u b h a , M a o l r u d h a . The bare point or promontory. As
first given, this name or word stands for a saint’s name,
signifying the bald or tonsured one, the shaveling, also the
servant of peace, from maol, tonsured, and ruba, peace or
patience according to one authority, though in Skye ruba
means a small quantity of wool. But see ‘Askimilruby.”
Cf. “ Maol Colum,” “ Malcolm.”
Corruptions of this saint’s name are numerous, the word
maol being also rendered “ devotee,” and as such prefixed
M
aol
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
263
to saints’ names, also mael, mel, mol, etc., Maolrubha being
also Mialrube, Malrubiuis, Mulruy, Murie, Mourie, Maree,
etc. The word maol or mael, etc., is explained as lad,
servant, or even slave, while a writer in “ Celtic Review ”
emphasises the meaning as promontory, rudha, and not
ruba, peace. Gille also akin to or cognate herewith, e.g.,
gille-bràtha, servant of doom (now M ‘Gillivray) for maolbratfaa; we have also maoldonaich, shaveling of the church
(Lord). A fair in honour of St. Maolrubha is, or was,
held at Keith on 25th August, also at Forres on 21st
April; in Applecross he was spoken of as the god “ Mourie,”
a graft from paganism; he died in Apercrossan, a . d . 722.
As may be surmised, numerous cells or churches were
dedicated to him, one at least in Skye at Loch Eynord,
Bracadale, where a beautiful baptismal font was found*
recovered after having been stolen by certain Roman
Catholics; this cell or church is known as Clachan Eynort
or Kilmolruy, and has Tobar Bhrennan near by; other
churches dedicated to this saint are one in Sartle and
another near Portree, near the former being two holy wells,
viz., Tobar-an-Domhnaich, the Sunday well (or Lord’s well,
dominus), and Tobar-na-Slainte, the well of health or heal­
ing. Cf. “ Maelrutha,” an old church at Arasaig.
M a r a ig , M a r a vaig. Sea-gull or sea-mew bay; mar and vig.
Also Martaig.
M a r is h a d e r , M a r is h a d d e r , etc. Mare-town; mari, setr, pas­
ture or summering ground for mares. Kilmuir.
M a r sc o , M a r s c o w , etc.
Sea-gull rock; mar, as above, and
isgo or sgoth, a steep rock, etc. This is an isolated maiss
of granite, “ Marscoite,” or isolated rock pyramid. One
authority renders this word “ Mares’ town,” which—unless
there be another place of this name—is impossible here.
There is, however, an Old Celtic word sco or scoth, signi­
fying a green, open plain, e.g ., Rusco for riasgach, marshy
land, sgo as a terminal, from skogr, a shaw.
M eab o st . Narrow homestead or dwelling; mjo, narrow, and
bost as before. Glendale, also Strathaird.
M e a d a le , M e d d l e , M i o d a il, etc. Narrow dale or glen; mjo
(Norse or Icelandic), narrow, and dal, dale, etc. Cf.
“ Invermeadale,” near Struan.
M e a lb h a ig , M e ilb h e a g , etc. Milovaig, q.v.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
264
M
M e a l a s t a . Grass-links steading; mela sta, melr
stadhr, melr, sandhills overgrown with bent, grass links,
and stadr (last half of bolstadr), p. house or home-stead,
e a l is t a ,
etc. There are the ruins of the site of a nunnery heire,
spoken of as “ Larmchmn na Caillmchan dubha”
A heap pr almost shapeless lump (of a hill), e.g.,
meall a mhàim, the lump of the round hill, meall a mhaoil,
the lump of the mull, north of Loch Eynord, meall <m
daimh, ox-hill, etc.; màm, a breast-like protuberance.
M
eall.
M
eallachan.
M
eall an
M
eall
Lumpy; abounding in lumps or heaps. This
thought for meallan, little lump. South of Portree.
F h u a r a in .
The well hillock.
B e a t h a ig . Beathag’s hill. Beathag given as Rebecca,
also Sophia; Beathag is the feminine form of Beathan,
whence Mac Bheathan, Macbain, Macvean; Macbeth from
Beathag.
B r a t a ig .
Caterpillar hill; or meall bradaig, thief’s
hill (woman); or it may be a mis-spelling of last name,
“ Beathaig.”
M e a l l B u a il e C h a o r a c h .
Sheep-fold lump; this might be ^
chaoireach, sparkling, flashing, etc.; also full of thorns,
etc., and “ hot-going,” oaoir-dhris; one known.
M
eall
Precipice hill.
M e a l l n a G a in m h i c h .
The hill of the sand. S.S.E. of
Portree or N.W. of Sligachan.
Anchorage hill or lump. Above
M e a l l n a h - A c a ir s e id .
Portree Bay.
M e a l l n a C u il c e . Hillock of the reeds.
M eal l n a D a - B h e i n n . Two-mount hillock.
M
eall
G r e e p a , G r io b a .
S u ir e a n a c h . The hillock, height, or table of the
maiden or nymph, etc.; suire, maid, sea-nymph, etc. In
connection with this name, and near it, is Sron Bhiomaig
or Sron Bhiorail, said to be named after a Norwegian
princess who is buried there; Bjorn, a bear, is the masculine
form of Biormig. This meall is the highest part of the
hill or mountain above Quiraing (1779 feet), and the
fountainhead of the district.
M e all O d h a r B e a g . Little dun hillock. Near Sligachan.
M
eall n a
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
265
North hillock or height, etc.
M e a n i s h . Narrow point or promontory; mjo nes: mjo is mjor,
narrow, mea or mm.
M e a s s in . Narrow sound or tirth; mjo sund.
Meav ig , M ia v ig . Narrow bay; mjo vig.
M e g a l a y , M e g a l y . Not known; may be meant for Mingaley
or Mingalay, ming, great, and ey, island. This is an island
north of Bemeray.
M e e k ad a l e , M e r k id l e . Merk dale. In Minginish.
’M h a o il e . The mull. Norse muli, a high, bold headland, not
implying bareness.
M e a t h a l l . Narrow entrance or hall; mjo hallr. In Kilmuir.
M i - B h o g h a , B h o d h a B eag agus M o r . The great and small
evil, wicked, dangerous reefs, the worst or most treacherous.
These lie off south-west of Duirinish, near Loch Bracadale.
M ib o st . Narrow or little homestead; mjo host {bolstadr).
M ic h a ig , M ic h e ig . Not known. Near Portree. See “ Tormichaig.”
M il o v a ig , M il iv a ig , M e l l iv a ig , etc. Bent-grass or links-bay;
mel, melr, and vik.
M i m a ig . Thought proper name of a girl.
It is not near a
bay; ag or aig dim. “ Uchd Mimaig,” the slope or gentle
rise of Mimag. Found given Lesser Isle, but not known.
M in g a r y . The great or large farm. Cf. Mingary Castle of
the Maclans of Ardnamurchan of old.
M in g in is h , M in n g n is , M i n n h n is , etc. About thirty different
spellings of this name have been found in titles, etc., from
1498 onwards. The great promontory; ming, mingl, mikil,
great (Norse), and nes, a point, etc., cognate with rudha
mor. Various other meanings of this prominent part of
Skye have been given, e.g., Mani, a proper name, and nes,
Mani’s or Manish point or promontory. Various parties—
some more or less mythical—connected herewith, e.g., the
composer of “ Oran Sheadhain” Shuggan’s Song or Poem,
who was supposed to be leannan-fatach or leannan-sith, a
fairy sweetheart or hidden, and on which song based;
Ronald Macdonald, bard and wit, also Iain Og Murray,
composer of “ Moch sa Mhaduiam,” etc., resided or were
born here. Minginish is one of the four provinces of the
northern portion of Skye.
M
eall
T
uath.
266
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
M in g o y . Great island; ming, etc., and ey, as before.
At mouth of Loch Dunvegan, with Isay.
M
in g a y ,
M
i n is h ,
M
in r in n e s .
M
ogstat ,
M
o in e a c h ,
M
o in teach
M
aenes,
q.v.
Large promontory point; ming, rinn, nes. Martin
writes of a purple chrystal found here.
M o n k s t a d t , M u g a st a d , M ugstot , etc.
Monks’
town or abode; munku stadhr, stadr. “Mugastad nan
Ròiseal,” Monkstadt of the high waves. In Kilmuir.
Coinneach Odhar, Dun Kenneth, the seer, prophesied as
to this place, which is now divided by a large drain or
culvert which passes through the former bed of Loch
Columcille, draining into Camus Mor. This was where
Sir Alexander Macdonald resided after vacating Duntulm.
Cf. “ Mugaster,” in Shetland.
M o in t eac h M a r a r u l in , M a r a u l in . Not known
what last word stands for. Momeach, etc., is mossy place,
peat-bog, etc. May be a moss or moor near some place.
T a ir b h .
an
The bulls’ moss or moorland.
In
Waterstein.
M
o in teach
M
or,
M
o in teach n a
M
hor.
The great moss.
D ia c h a in n , D e u c h a in n .
or hardship, etc.
Near Portree.
The moss of distress
In Kilmuir.
F a l a . M oss of the turf covering; faladh, fàl,
divot, or sod.
This word has been supplied as being fala for fola, gen.
of fuil, blood, with a specious explanation that cattle were
bled here for certain reasons; doubtful. Such a practice
did exist when hard times forced people to bleed cattle and
mix blood with meal, etc., for food; also cattle bled under
the belief that they would mate sooner thereby. This place
is on the Ferinvicguire Common.
M o in teach n a S t e a l l . M oss of the spout; possibly a sub­
terranean stream. At Fasach.
M
o in t eac h n a
M
oisnes ,
M
aenes,
q.v.
Shingly or pebbly beach. One place
which is noted among others is near Loch Eynort. A
Norse word mol or mul also has the same meaning.
M ol, M oll, M al , M tjl.
M
ol
A
b h u in n .
River-beach; this refers to above.
PLACE-NAMES OP SKYE
267
h a i d e . The wood or timber beach.
The word maidè
has many meanings, especially in combination with other
words.
M ol - a - M
The straw or fodder beach.
M o l- a n - F h o d a ir .
In Glendale.
o ll - B e a t h a .
Life-beach. Here a drowning is said
to have occurred. May be meant for mol-beithe, birchbeach. The word beatha means food, victuals, etc.
M ol , M
M ol -C l a c h , M
Chlach.
ol
Stone beach
or
heap.
M ol
Shoay
in Soay.
M ol - D
ear g n a h
M ol F a d a
na
’U n io r t , E y n o r t .
D ubh
In Monkstadt.
A
s
above.
The long beach of the black height.
See “ Dubh-Aird.”
ai r d .
The curved beach of Stenscholl.
This beach, like the last, said to have been thrown up
and formed by the sea on the occasion of the great storm
when Iain Garbh of Raasay and crew were lost. Mol is
in common use. Of “ Mol-a-Mhaide, as above, one Calum
Ban MacMhannan in 1803 refers to it in a local poem,
“ ’Se crudidh le d o i m e i g and it is hard with round (hand)
pebbles.
M ol S t a ise a l l S t a p h a i n .
M onadh D earg.
Red mountains, granite.
In Strath.
M onadh U a in e .
Green mountains, grassy.
In Waternish.
The trickier, water-fall. A burn falling
into bay near Milovaig, south of Beinn-na-Coinnich, close
to Eist. Name of an Ossianic hero, “ Munan, son of
Stirmal.”
M oo nen , M
unan.
M o r a m h u in .
See “ Bealach.”
M ourournycht, M
orbhach.
Land liable to sea-flooding at
high tides;
muir-mhagh, sea-meadow; also muireach,
murnch, muir achadh, a shingly back at shore of sea or
loch.
Lian a Mhoraich, cf. “ Murrach Mor,” near Tain.
Moroch again means sea-pink, sea-thrift (armeria maritima), and equals “ carse.” Morfhaich, a name for Lovat
district.
M o s g a r a id h .
Mossy garth or enclosure; geary, geroi.
(Muir tmch, tiach mhor). The great seathickening; tiaghachd, titheachd, jelly fish, etc.
M o u r teac h m h o r
268
Muc
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
F h a il e ig .
Dog-rose hip, dog-brier berry or lump.
’B h o g l a c h . The bog; a side form. Muclach signi­
fies piggery, from muc, a pig, and ach, a place; this place,
however, is a bog.
See “ Sleat.” There is a Tor na
Muclach, found given Mucrach, undulating ground.
M
uclach ,
M
udalach,
M
ugeary,
M unktj- D a l a c h , or M jo- D a l a c h . Monks’-dale,
narrow dale. This is a hill or mountain, however, at Kyleakin. May be the rough one, from mudach, rough, etc.
M
ugary,
M
u g a r v ie .
muig, cloudiness, gloom, etc.
u il e a n n ,
M
u l l ie m .
Dark field or garth; mug,
Norse ary.
The mill (land). In Snizort.
M
u il e a n ,
M
M
u llac h
B e in n S ca ,
M
ullac h
’G h a r a id h D h u i b h , D h u i b h e .
q.v.
The summit of Ben
Scà.
Summit of
the Black
D y k e.
The little spout or waterfall. A fall over a seacliff between Bioda Mor and Ramasiaig; thought to fall
over Creag an Fheilidh, q.v. See also “ Moonen.”
M unan, A m .
N
N a F a m h a ir e a n .
N agli.
See “ Famhair.”
Not known.
N ago yney Ne .
Said to be an island.
Islands of the coneys or rabbits; na coinein.
The guns. Caves at north end of Kilmuir
into which the sea rushes with loud reports like guns. Cf.
“ Uamh an t-Seididh,” Eigg.
N a G u n n a ic h e a n .
The burns of extremity or distress. This
meaning, though found given, should be the burns of the
precipitous banks or sides; these bums flow into Lochana-Sguabaiche, q.v.
N a h - U i l l t E ig e in .
N ead- an -T rean, T rian . The corn-crake’s nest. A t Strath­
aird. This bird called trean-ri-tr&an, traon, and traona.
It has been confounded with Nead an Fhirein, Fhireoin,
eagle’s (true-bird’s) nest.
N eist, A n E ist .
See “ Rudha Neist.”
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
269
N ic-C leosgeir, G leosgair M hor . The great foolish female.
This is one of three remarkable “ stacks ” of rocks off Idrigil
Point, Bracadale, which, along with two others (at one
time three) is known as “ Nic Gleosgair mhor ’s a triuir
nighean,” Great Nicleosgar and her three daughters, also
avrmrean, maidens, from ainnir, a maid, etc. Two of these,
called Am Beart-Fhighe, the loom, and Am Fucadair, the
fuller or waulker, have disappeared. These stacks showed
ten separate strata or sheets of lava, and were once part of
the mainland.
House or farm of the cape
or promontory; nes bolstadr; also Port Nisabost, on the
Claigean or northern shore of Loch Dunvegan.
N isabost , N isbost , N e sb u st e r .
(Pont). For Shnieort. Oblique form of Snizort; s
silent by aspiration— (Sh)nisort.
N isort
O
O a n s . The wet green spots. A point off Stein, Loch Bay,
Waternish; much exposed. One of the Skye bards described
this place as “ the most beautiful place on earth.” It is
composed of a series of broad receding terraces, and are
two in number, one west and one east of Waternish, and
both close to the sea-shore.
This word is formed from othan, a green elevation in
wet ground; o is the Old Norse word for a bum or rivulet,
now a, see “ Abhainn” ; oth also signifies broad water;
we have obhan, omhan, othan, etc., signifying froth (of
milk), while loinid-omhcm means a milk whisk.
There
was a high dignitary or “ superior ” of the name of “ Oan ”
in the island of Eigg, which island—in the dim distant
past—formed part of Skye.
0 b , A n t -O b .
The bay ( obbe) or tidal inlet, or a bay within
a bay; this word is common, with its diminutive oban,
a little bay; in the Lewis the word is tob for cm t-ob.
O b B r e a k is h , B r eacais , B h r e a c a is . The Bay of Breakish.
The termination ais said to be specifically Pictish. Cf.
“ Altais,” in Sutherland, “ Forb-ais,” etc.
Ob D uin , A n D u in . The bay of the fort or Dun Iaghairt,
south of Olach, Dunvegan. There is a remarkable cleft
in the rock here. See “ Olach.”
270
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
a n T e a c h d a ir e .
The bay of the messenger’s foldthis might be “ missionary.”
G auscavaig , q.v. Near Kyleakin.
O b B u a il e
Ob
O b L usa , L ussa ,
q.v.
Bay of ships. Cf. “ Port nan L o n g ,” Sleat.
O b n a m P oo tan , P u t a n . The bay of the young grouse, or
animal of any kind, leveret, etc.
O b n a n E ò n . Seal Bay.
O bost . See “ Eabost,” in Duirinish.
O d h a r - S g e ir . Dun. or dusky-grey skerry; also odhair, uidhir,
etc.
O ir -C h e a n n a c h , A n t - .
The boundary headland. There is
a word oir, signifying furze, etc., which may abound here.
O is g il l , O s ig ill . Os gyll or ravine. This runs into and forme
a bay on Cladach Oisgill, Oisgill shore or coast-land.
Duirinish.
Ob
nan
L ong.
O l a c h , O l ic h , O l l a c h , A
n
t -O l a c h
(uachdarach agus ioch-
The upper and nether Olach. In Braes, Portree,
off Raasay Sound. From an fholaich, genitive of / olach,
rank grass, sometimes irrigated; the fh is silent.
O l l a ig , O l l a g , U l l a g . May be Nollaig, Christmas ( Nollaig
mhor), New Year’s Day (Nollmg bheag, etc.); there is a
word ollag, offal, refuse, etc., ullag, a handful of meal
with water.
O l l is d a l , O l a s d a l e , O l a s t il , etc., even C l a s t il e . Olave or
Olaf’s dale. A valley in Duirinish, near “ Macleod’s
Maidens.” Olave a name in Dunvegan family. Mairi
mghean Alasdair Ruaidh has
“ Sir Tormod mo run, Ollaghairmch thu,
darach).
Foirmeil o thus t-abhaist.”
SUochd Ollaghar nan lann, etc., applied to the Dunvegan
chiefs.
Olaf, or Amhlaimh, was a King of Man and the
Sudereys, Norse, 1237.
O rbo st . Orr or Orris’ town, etc.; Orriston; Norse orris-bolstadr. One authority suggests orkn, seal, and host, or Norse
ork-bol; the word or has numerous meanings. The bay
here is described as also of Varkasaig, q.v.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
271
A river, runs into Loch Bracadale.
Or, as
above; if “ Orlo,” lo means water. Or may be eyrr, Eyre.
“ Orla,” Norse.
Orley, O rlo.
See “ Isle Ornsay,” Sleat. This is an
island off Orbost, both high and green, with a remarkable
rock, pierced by a natural arch of some magnitude; also
a cave named “ An uamh bhmn,” the melodious cave; also
found given as in Loch Grishernish.
O ronsay , O r a n s a .
O r Ri l , O r r a i l .
A
personal name.
O r s c la n , N a h -O r s c la i n .
Kilmuir.
Some Norseman.
Not known.
Also Osglan.
In
Lan means a plain.
O s d a l e , O s t il l , etc.
East fell; aust fjal. See
“ Oyestill.” Os of course means the Norse os, oss, as a
termination, outlet of river; the sand-bar frequently formed
by such is called oitir, os tir; oyce, a water source (Old
Norse oc), related to the verb ouse, n-ausa, to throw out
water, to bale a boat. Scottish “ souse.” Fàsag, a plug­
hole. Dun Osdail was a noted watch-tower, whereon beacon
was lit. The “ Fairy ” Well is near here.
Os d a l ,
Ose.
River-mouth, as above; òs, genitive òis, may stand for
a border or edge, as òs tumne; but the genitive of òs is
òsa (pis, elk, deer, etc.). In the Lewis this word means
slowly-moving water.
O s t a ig .
East Bay.
OsNAGARRY,
Near Dunvegan.
See also “ Sleat.”
O sH M IG AR RY .
OSMIGARRIE,
Asmund’s garth.
Osmaund gardr or Asmundar gardhr, Asmund or Osmund’s
farm, enclosure, etc.
Ou d e r n a .
Not known.
Near Portree.
Ouia . See “ Buya,” “ Wia,” etc. An island in Loch Bracadale,
on which Prince Charlie once landed.
O u l d a l ie , A
O y e st il l
u l d a l ie ,
C u l d a l ie .
See “ Auldali,” in Raasay.
for “ Osdal ” (1541), q.v.
Oy n a r t , O y n e r t , D y n a r t .
See “ Eynort.”
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
272
P
No genuine Gaelic word contains the letter P except ae the
result of some late combination of consonants. See “ Rhys.”
One authority says, “ Initial Indo-European P disappears in
Gaelic ” ; while another informs us that “ the first Celtic speech
of Alba was British, not Gaelic, its traces remaining stronger
in the East thian the Weet. The Celtic language of the P
type was spoken in Alba in the first century; Gaelic came to
Scotland from Ireland in latter part of second century, and
was re-inforced about 500 a . d .” The Saxon P equals our W.
P changes into C, K , or Q, and must be watched in place-names.
etc. Father (monk or priest) island;
Norse pap and ey or papar, father, etc.; Gaelic celi De
ceile; Latin servi Dei, both meaning servants of God;
spelled also Pabra, which is given as near Breakish, Strath,
and north of Kyleakin. Pabba forms a breakwater to
Broadford Bay, lies low, and is of a mossy green meadow
nature. Dean Monro mentions it specially.
There are three Pabbas at least; this particular one is
famed for petrified fish found on its shores, also for fossils
and petrifactions generally; it contains an ancient buryingground and chapel, all in ruins.
P ab b a , P a b b a y , P a p a ,
P air c A
il e a n ,
A
P airc D h u b h .
The park of the green meadow or
In Monkstadt.
il e in .
plain; a hybrid.
Black park.
In Strath.
The blacksmith’s park.
P airc ’G h o b h a n n , G h o b h a in n .
At
Monkstadt.
n a L e a p r a ic h , L e a b a ic h .
The park of the waterlodging, muddy; local provincialism for eabarach, eabraich,
from eabar, abar, mud, etc. In Borreraig; a boggy park.
See “ Laplach.”
P airc n a m F i a d h .
Deer park or enclosure. Paraic also
found, and said to be merely a space frequented by deer;
famed from the days of Ossian and the Feinne, who hunted
often in Skye. This place is near Loch Slapin.
P air c n a n L a o g h .
Calves’ park. At L i veras; an ancient
burying-ground here.
P air c
P alm ore.
See “ Polinore.”
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Pa k b h .
273
See “ Carbh.” A turning, angle, or shelter; Norse
This is an instance of C taking the place of P.
Invarf.
pANSTIFFAN, PEINSTAFFIN, PeIN STAFAN , q . V .
A place named after some one of the name of Paul.
Watemish.
Pau lsean .
The rough mat. In Skye this word is used for the
straw-mat under the pack-saddle (srathmr), under creels,
etc. The primary meaning of peallag is a shaggy hide or
skin, also used when available for above purpose; it is
cognate with Latin pellis, a hide. Na toir breith cabhagach
air loth pheallagmch, do not judge hastily of a shaggy
colt.
P e a n c h y a ic h . Not known; like peighinn chaoich; might be
chathach, the pennyland of or belonging to the warrior.
P e a n ic u l l e n , P e in c h u il l in .
Holly pennyland, cuilfhionn.
In Snizort.
P ean o u c h te r . The upper pennyland; peighinn uachdar. In
Kilmuir.
Peallag.
Magnus’ pennyland; peighinn Mhanuis or
See “ Maenes.”
Peanyvickvanan. Buchanan’s pennyland; also Peinvickannan,,
Peinvicrannan, Peanyvickvannan.
In Kilmuir.
The
Buchanans in Skye are also called “ Na Canonaich ” or
“ Cananaich," the canonists, reciters, preachers, singers, and
known as “ the Skye Macphersons,” the children or descend­
ants of the parson; they were a rather arbitrary and
passionate race, whence the saying, “ Fuil bhras Clanna-Phearsoin,” the hasty or hot-blood of the Miacphersons;
those belonging to this particular pennyland were dubbed
“ Daoine gomch peighinn Mhicmhannan, ’ ’ the foolish men
of Buchanan’s pennyland.
P e a n y b e g . The little pennyland; peighinn bheag. From this
it may be gathered that “ pennylands,” as well as other
measures of land, were not all of same extent, etc.
P ecscoraid . The peaked or pointed part of the rock or slope.
Peac, peue, anything sharp or pointed; soor, sgor, a rock,
etc., and termination aid, piece or part of.
Pein-a - C h l e i b h . Chest or breast pennyland (a slope); cliabh.
See “ Pein-an-Uchd.”
P e a n v a n is h .
Mhanms.
274
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
The fiddler’s pennyland; peighinn-an-fhidhleir.
The pennyland of the ford; peighinn-na-h-ath;
given erroneously as the pennyland of the kiln; but the
genitive of ath, kiln, is atha.
P e in - a n -U c h d .
The pennyland of the brow or breast (of a
hill), hill-face. In Kilmuir.
P e i n c h e a l , P e n h e a l . White pennyland; peighinn gheal; but
ceal signifies a cliff or a ridge. See “ Ceallaichean.” Per­
haps peighinn-a-cheala.
P e in c h l a d ic h .
Shore pennyland; peigkinn-a-chladaich.
P e in c h o in n ic h .
Kenneth’s pennyland; peighinn Choinnich.
In Kilmuir.
P e i n d i n a v a i g . See “ Beinn Dianavaig.”
P e i n g o w n , P e a n y g o w a n , P e n g o w n , etc. The smith’s penny­
land; peighinn a ghobhainn. This was a free-holding, in
Kilmuir, of the MacArthurs, hereditary pipers to the
Macdonalds; they had a school or college for teaching
piping here, some say at Troternish; see “ Cnoc Phail ”
and “ Penyzegyn.” The people of this place were spoken
of derisively by some as seilcheagan — or silichem —
pheighirm-a-ghobhainn, the snails or the pitiful, poor-look­
ing creatures of Penagown. In regard to this word
gobhainn, some writers on place-names maintain that it
should be gabhann or gobhann, a jail, a cattle-fold; but
this does not apply here.
P e i n a c h o r r a n , P e i n c h o r a n , P e n c h o r r a n , etc.
The penny­
land of the bend, or semi-circular bay, a curved point of
land; peighinn-a-chorran. This place is south of Balmeanoch. Corran is the masculine form of corrag, a finger,
a point.
P e i n d u i n , P e i n d u i n e , P e n n i n d u n , etc.
The pennyland of
the dun or fort. Said by some to be Dunvegan; but there
is a farm in Snizort known as Penduin, Peninduine, on
which is a castle and fort, built by (H)Uistean Mac
’Illeaspuig Chlerich, Hugh the son of Archibald the cleric,
and also said to be on the farm of Cuidreach. See
‘ ‘ Caisteal-Uisdean.”
It was in the farmhouse of Peinduin that Flora Mac­
donald died, while on a visit there from Kingsburgh, tho
adjacent farm.
P e in a f e il e r .
P e in a h a .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
275
Pennyland of the waterfall, cataract, or
stream with high precipitous banks. There is a place called
or named Pendas, Peindeis ( peighinn deas), south penny­
land, in Snizort. See “ Peintua,” north pennyland.
P e in e s s , P e in e s s .
P
The pennyland
See “ Knockerisco.”
e i n k n o c k e k is c o .
(town).
of
the knoll of Erick’s
P E IN H A R S B R E C K ,
R i IIN H A R S B R E C K .
Not
known; may be oarr, a bog, etc., or carra, carragh, a rock;
a word oars, a Gaelic spelling of the Scottish word “ carse ”
exists; if so, it means the pennyland of the spotted,
speckled rock, etc.
p E IN K A R S B R E C K ,
The
Kilmuir.
P e in l ic h .
doctor’s
pennyland; peighinn an lighiche.
In
The large or great pennyland. See
“ Peanybeg.” This place is in Duirinish, and reputed as
being the place where Diarmaid fell, and asked for a drink
of water from Tobar an Tuirc, the boar’s well, which is
close by; this well received its name from the boar which
Diarmaid is mythically reported to have slain.
P e in m o r e , P e in m o r ie .
il l e .
The pennyland of the church. This place
is also in Kilmuir, and has very ancient associations; stones
(said to be Druidioal) once stood here, and also “ Totagan
na Druidhean,” the Druids’ huts or house-ruinis; two such
stones are at Kenealeyre, more than seven miles north of
Portree.
P e in - n a -C
P e in o r a id , P e in v r a id ,
q.v.
Oraid means speech, prayer, etc.
The pennyland of incantation, etc.; also ortha,
prayer, from having been a landing-place of St. Columba;
the inhabitants of this place, however, bore the description
“ Meirlich Pheigh'un-ora,” the thieves of Peinora. Latin
P e in o r r a .
oratio.
etc. Mud-bay penny­
land; peighinn saw vig; sobhrag, a primrose.
P e in s o r a ig , P e a n s o u r a g , P e in s o m a ig ,
P e i n s t a f f i n , P a n s t i f f a n , q.v.
The pennyland
of Staffin. At Hallein or Hallin in Waternish. Here, in
1829, was erected a church and Manse. See “ Staffin.”
P e i n t u a . North p e n n y la n d ; peighinn tuath.
P
e in s t a f a n ,
276
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
P e in t u a k e s t il l .
The northern pennyland of Ciostal or Kestle,
q.v.
P e in t jc h t e r , P e a n o u c h t e r ,
q.v.
Town or township pennyland; peighinn a bhaile;
probably a common or part thereof.
P e in v il l e .
P e in v in ic h , P e in v in is h e t , P e a n v a n is h ,
P e in v k a id .
q.v.
The pennyland of theft, if last syllable short,
peighinn a bhraid; if long, then the pennyland of the slope
of a hill, throat, etc, peighinn a bhràg/haid, genitive of
braigh, upland country.
The pennyland of the farm or com­
mon grazing, etc.; geroi, Norse, an enclosure; Gaelic
gearraidh; also garaidh, “ garry,” a Norse termination.
P e n c h a r y , P e n g a r r ie .
The east pennyland; ios (prov. iost), down, east—
? uisg’—water. There is a mill here; and a fair is held
at certain intervals. Waternish.
P e n is t .
P e n n ie c a p p a n ,
P enychavan,
P
e n n y c h a v ia n ,
P e n n il a p a n .
Not known for certain; the nearest thought cabhan, a Held,
a plain. Found given as in Trotemish and Snizort.
P e n n im o r e , P a n n im o r e , P e in m o r e ,
q.v.
The pennyland of MacGilroy, the son of the
red lad or boy or servant, red-haired. In Bracadale.
P e n v ic h il r o y .
(1541). The pennyland of the smith; peighinna-ghobhainn. See “ Peingown.” In Braoadale.
This word peighinn is common in Skye, and also feorling,
P enyzegeyn
but there are twelve of the former to one of the latter.
It is deemed desirable to give here some notes, culled
from various sources, as to the word peighinn, Celtic
pinginn, Norse penge, penningr, etc.
The usages and customs of measuring land by rentals
is Norse, a penny-weight’s worth in silver of land; feorlig,
feorling, a farthing’s worth; unga, an ounce, e.g., unganab,
in North Uist and Tiree; in the latter island, the tirung
equals or equalled six-merk land, which was sub-divided
into forty-eight malzies or malies, or twenty pennylands,
according to Argyll rental; see “ Feorlick.” Another
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
277
division (Norse) of land was called sheading; some of the
pennylands have been called by other names, e.g., King’s
Cross (Arran), in Gaelic peighinn na croisè; a word penick
in Nairn is the Gaelic diminutive of a' pheighinneag.
Feorling, again, is a farthing, from Anglo-Saxon feorpling,
whence also feorlan, a firlot.
For a conventional use of peighinn, see s.v. “ Elgoll.”
An extreme corruption or shortening of this name is
Lefnol, which stands for leth-pheighinn Amhalghaidh, i.e.,
Olaf’s, Olave’s, or Aulay’s half-pennyland. The value of
the pennylands depended upon the number of cows, etc.,
each would feed during a year.
Pennylands and fractional parts—quarter lands, cowlands
( mccates), mark or merk lands, so called during the occupa­
tion of the Isles by the Norse or Scandinavians—have
nothing to do with the proper Scottish denominations, for
instance, fifty-six penny and three farthing lands equalled
twenty pound or thirty mark land Scottish.
One statement of land-holding is peighinn, penny; lethpheighinn, half-penny; feorlinn, farthing; leth-fheorlinn,
half-farthing; ckmag, cianog, cionog, quarter-farthing;
clitag, cleitig, clitig, one-eighth of a farthing of pennyland.
Tirung is the Gaelic-Norse word for ounce-land, tir, land,
ung or unga, ounce, or unciata, e.g., “ the unciata of Bogartillis ” ( bog-an-t-seilich, willow-marsh), the “four unciatae
of Braoadall,” value four marks or merks (Gaelic marg);
thus “ the four merk-lands of Terruga de Duntullyn.”
The ounce, unga, Gaelic unnsa, was the base or unit,
and is given by some as ten merks, by others as ten shillings
—that was the unga mor, or great ounce; the unga beag,
or little ounce, was only twenty pence.
Holdings and farms, etc., were variously characterised;
for instance, the “ Baile-biadhtach,’’ grazing-town or the
land attached to a hostelry, place of the victualler or
steward, equalling cow-land; also “ Baile-bò,” sometimes
called mth, land, or iadh, enclosed; iath itself means land,
and is found given tath; see “ Tobar Tàth,” which is
cognate with tot, tote, or tobht, the Old Irish, being Celtic
of course, teite, teti, a habitation.
The baile-biadhtach sufficed to graze twenty-one oows;
in Gairloch tathag or tadhag means a small infield; see
“ Baile.”
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
The following is one statement of division:
1
1 damch, or baile-biadhtach equalled 20d. land, or 1
10 merks, or 133s. 4d., or 1 tir-imga.
I
j damch, etc., equalled 5d. land, 2 j merks, 33s. 4d., I
or a ceathramh.
I
^ davach, etc., equalled 2|d. land, 1^ merks, 16s. 8d., |
or an ochdamh.
I
xir damch, etc., equalled lfd . land, f merk, 8s. 4d., I
a leirtheas or leorthas.
I
-g ? dg,vach, etc., equalled fd. land, t f merk, 4s. 2d., 1
or a cota-bàn, or groat land.
1
0^ damch, etc., equalled Ad. land, A merk, 2s. Id., 'J
dha or da sgillinn, two penny lands.
I
The mark, merk, or 'marg, equalled 13s. 4d.
The term leirtheas or leorthas also means “ two fourpenny lands.”
In regard to the term damch, dabhach, or baile-biatach,
biadhtach, thirty of these went to one tuath, or tenantry,
and the word lettach found in a place-name just means
leth-dàmch.
A dabhach of land is said to have been probably thei
extent which a damch or vat-full of grain would sow, either
I
I
I
I
I
]
]
I
I
I
I
I
|
one or four plough-gates; a plough-gate is 104 acres, and
was the endowment of a parish church in the twelfth century, when recoverable; see “ Arichamich ’’ for “ Arachor.”
The Old Gaelic was dabach, and is frequently contracted to
dauch, doch, etc., e.g., Dauch, a branch of the Clan Forbes, '
Dochfour, Dochinassie, etc. See “ Fas.”
I
The system of land measure which prevailed in the I
Western Isles, and thereafter took root in Argyllshire, was, I
it is maintained, neither Pictish nor Irish, but Norse; the I
unit was the “ ounce ” land, i.e., the extent of land which ]
paid a rent of an ounce of silver; the word was borrowed I
by Gaelic, and appears as unnsa; the land term was imga, ,1
unganab, terunga, terunge, teruga, one and a half of which I
equalled six merk; lands; in charters we find terung,
teiroung, etc.
This extent of land was divided into twenty parts—some­
times into only eighteen—such parts being called peighinn,
penny; hence are derived many place-names. In some
places the penny-land was sub-divided, as, for instance, on
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
279
Lochfyneside we meet with Lephinmore, Lephincorrach,
etc., the big half-penny land, and the steep or precipitous;
the word peighinn, it may be observed, calls for an adjective
in the feminine gender; it has been translated “ tillage,”
peighinn air machair, tillage on low, level land or farm,
part payment of constable appointed by crofters. As before
stated, there is an fheoirling, also called cingeog, the
farthing (lajid).
Another division of land (in Islay) is:
1 ounce land equalled 20d. sterling, 12 or 10 merk
lands, 133s. 4d. Scots, or 1 tir-unga.
% ounce land equalled lOd. sterling, 5 merk lands,
66s. 8d. Scots, leth-pheighinn.
j ounce land equalled 5d. sterling, 2\ merk lands,
33s. 4d. Scots, ceathramh, or quiarter-land.
^ ounce land equalled 2fd. sterling, 1J merk land,
16s. 8d. Scots, ochdamh.
Yt ounce land equalled l^d. sterling, ■§ merk land,
8s. 4d. Soots, leorthas.
^2 ounce land equalled fd. sterling, tw merk land,
4s. 2d. Scots, cota bàn or groat land,
ounce land equalled TVd. sterling, ^ merk land,
2s. Id. Soots, da sgillinn (two pence).
In Islay lands were valued in 1541 in quarters, half­
quarters, and eighths; in 1562 these began to be given as
equivalents of multiples and fractions of 10 marks (or 12 as
before), which sum was taken as amounting in value to an
ounce of silver, the value of the mark, as before mentioned,
being 13s. 4d.
It is further to be noted that a ceathramh, or quarter
davach (quarter-land), contains on an average 75 acres,
though such measures varied; in one place was found the
old dahach, ddbhach, or davach, and half davach, the
ceathramh, and the ochdamh, while the davach was four
ploughgates; in another the marg, the peighinn, the lethpheighinn, also the plang appeared, while the “ seisreachncm-gaidheail," six-horse team of the Highlander, held place
alongside the ung of the Lochlannaich or Norse; this
word seisreach meant as much land as could be ploughed
in a year by six horses (when working yoked abreast),
iarachar or ploughgate.
In the eleventh century, an Anglo-Saxon term for land
280
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
of thirty acres was “ Virgate,” while “ Hide®” was for
one plough.
The foregoing is only a brief abstract of much that has
been written on the subject, along with information else­
where procured.
P oll- a -B h a in e .
The milk-pool. In Suishnish, q.v. This
pool seethes, and is white and milk-like with foam.
P o L D IL L , PO LTIEL, q.V.
Otter-pool.
St. Turos’ Pool (pronounced Poll-dòbhrais).
Narrows between the island and Eilean Altavaig. Poll,
a dark, deep stream or gulf. See “ Kildòrais.”
P olgaduah.
The thief’s pool. This only surmised; gaduah
may be a mis-spelling of gaduach, gaduich, gadaiche, a
thief; in Irish, goduigh. There is a word gadcm, noise,
gadanach, noisy, as of a strong, rushing stream or current;
pol signifies a pall.
P o ll a n S t a i m h . Sea-tang or tangle pool, etc.; stamh, broad­
leaved sea-tangle, laminaria digitata. Near Sgudaburgh.
P o ll C h a m a l a ig .
The pool of the turn or curve, etc. This
is an arm or branch of Loch Dunvegan.
P o l l C as- G o ib h r e .
Goat-foot pool, of a river. Near Kyle,
between Stamag and Ruantyre, rudh’ an tir or rudh'
P oll- a n - D
o b h r a in .
P o l d o r a is .
an t-saoir.
the dun, poll an duin.
or a G h a r a i d h . Garden pool. Garradh
also signifies a wall or dyke of stones in the sea for catching
or retaining fish.
P oll G o r m .
The blue (or green) pool. This is a favourite
fishing-bank in Loch Slapin.
P oll n a h - E a l a id h , P o ll n a E l l a , P o o ln a h a l l a .
Swan’s
pool; eala, a swan (ealaidh, as given, is the genitive of
ealadh, which is a provincial form of eala). This pool
was the anchorage or harbour of (H)Uisdean Mac ’Illeasbuig Chlerich’s galley, in which he sailed from Cuidreach
to North Uist suddenly, to escape the vengeance of
Domhnull Gorm; (H)Uisdean, however, was captured
shortly afterwards and tortured to death in a dungeon of
Duntulm Castle; ©alt meat being given him, he died raging
with thirst; by a refinement of cruelty, an empty pitcher
was lowered once or twice to the wretched man.
PoLLDUN.
P oll G
The
p o ol o f
h a r r a id h
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
P
281
P o l l o s g a i n . Frog’s pool; poll losgainn, but osgcm
is a provincial shortening of othaisgmn, plural of othaisg,
a sheep or ewe. This place is south of Loch Poltiel.
ollosgan,
or P o l H o a g , R o a i g . R o a g pool.
Garoy or Loch Vattin, Duirinish.
P oll
A branch of Loch
etc. The great pool or bay to anchor
ships. In Bnacadale. The word “ pool ” often applied to
a section of a loch or natural or artificial harbour. Poll
has other meanings; c.f. “ The Pool,” off coast of England,
“ Liverpool,” also “ the Pool ” in the Thames.
P o l t ie l , P o l t e e l , P o l l - D i e l , P o l d il l , P o o l t ie l .
Diel’s
pool, a Danish prince whose body was washed ashore here,
and buried in Cill-Chodhain or Chomhain. This loch or
pool was formerly known as “ Loch-a-Chuain.” Till then
Loch-a-Chuan described ais “ Poldill nan creag arda ’s na
traigh mine, Poltiel of the high rocks and the smooth shore.
A monument of some sort once existed here, and a rock
in the neighbouring shore still bears the name or term of
the “ Lochlannach.”
P o lm o r e, P ole m o r e ,
à Bhata.
The boat port or harbour. E.N.E. of Port­
ree (common).
P ort a C h a d h a R u a id h .
Port of the red pass. At Soorr.
P ort
a C h a im .
Port of the bend or curve. At Caiman, the
point between Lochs Slapin and Eisheort.
P ort
l l t a B h a g h o n n , B h a g a in .
The port of the river
of the bay (for ships). Near Dun Mor, Mackinnon’s
landing-place, Strathaird. A daughter of Domhnull Gorm
Og, “ An t-Aigionnach,” Aigeannnach the courageous (or
turbulent) female, composed a song commencing:
“ Nuair thig thu air Ur ’s na baghonmm,
Bidh fion is branndai laidir ann ” !
P ort A
referring to Mackinnon’s home-coming.
P o r t A l l t a B h i l e . The port of the river of the tree-cluster
or copse. In Strath.
P o r t A l l t a C h u i l . Port of the back river, an inner harbour.
P ort A l l t a G h o r t a in D h u ib h .
Port of the black garden
or little enclosure. Torrin school-house.
P ort
an
L
u ig
M
hor.
Charlie’s cave here.
Port of the
great
hollow.
Prince
282
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
P oet
T e a m p u il l .
an
Temple or church port, a landing-place,
Flada-Chuan.
P ort
The port of or for (landing) the salt.
word micmn, salainn, harmony, etc.
t -S a l a in n ,
an
Strath.
A
M h o i r . Port of the great stack (of hay or
This may be meant for rudhain, diminutive of
rudha, a promontory, etc. It is in Leinish Bay, Colbost.
P ort
R
a
u g h a in
peats).
P ort A
s l a ig .
certain.
P ort
C a ig in ,
The port of supplication or entreaty; but not
May be meant for Asbig or Ashaig, q.v.
C a g a i n n ,-
na
C a ig in n .
Port of the pass;
eaigeann, of which caiginn is the genitive, means a wind­
ing pass through rocks and brushwood, a rough mountain
pass, cadha-eiginn. It has other meanings.
P ort C u m h a g , C u m h a n g .
Narrow port.
In Glendale.
If eagar, the port of order,
regular row, etc.; if eucoir, injury, wrong, etc. Near
Elgol.
P o r t E a g a i r , E a g o ir , E u c o ir .
i r l e i s . Port of earnest or pledge; ear signifies
east, and here is an obsolete word lais, hand, etc.
Suggested las, laise, flame, hence east flame or beacon.
P ort E a r l a is , A
P ort E
r is c o .
Erik’s-town port.
In Duntulm Bay.
o b h l a ig , G h o b h l a ig , n a G o b h l a ig .
Forked or double
harbour, being Port-a-Chlachain and Port Chille-Moluag,
both in Kilmoluag Bay. The first was the landing-place
for the church and clachan.
P ort-G
P ort
M
h ic
E o in .
John’s son’s port.
Near “ Airigh na
Creige,” q.v.
o s a ig .
Port of the tawdry woman; mosag or musag.
Suggested mosach, dirty, nasty, uninviting, as it is. A
point near Elgol. The word mosach seldom applied except
to persons, though Professor Blackie called a place at Oban
“An t-oisinn mosach,” the dirty or nasty comer!
P ort M
P ort
na
sometimes
In Elgol.
Calad h ,
mlaidh.
Cala.
Harbour or ferry port;
n a C a r n a ic h .
The oairney or rocky port; a boat slip.
Glendale or Ferinvicguire.
P ort
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
283
n a C u l a id h .
The boat harbour; curaidh, a side-form
of curach, a boat, coracle, wherry. Ullinish.
P ort
n a C r e il e ig , C r a id h l e a ig .
Port of the oval-shaped
basket or creel. There is a word creithleag, horse cleg or
gad fly pronounced almost, though not quite, the samet,
the latter sounding like crilleag.
P ort
P ort
na
F
e a n n a ig .
Carrion-crow harbour.
nan L ong.
The port or harbour of the ships.
Harport. See “ Sleat.”
P ort
In Loch
etc. The king’s port or harbour;
The Capital of Skye, of old designated “ a
publick house in the Isle of Skye.” This name was given
in 1540, when James V. paid a short visit to Skye. The
former name was Loch Chaluim Chille, Columba of the
Cells’ Loch; but still older are the two names or designa­
tions of Cilltaraglan, q.v., and Baile na h-Acairseid, anchor
or anchor,age-town. Talorgan was a Piet, it is said.
Though named as a memorial of the visit of King James,
his haul of independent chiefs, etc., made it more so to
many. The parish of Portree dates only from 1726, having
formed part of Snizort till then. As to the old name,
Killtarraglan, some doubts exist, as from the Annals of
Tighernac alone there appears to have been three Talorgans,
viz., Tailorgan or Talorg, son of Congus, drowned by the
Piets, a . d . 734; Talorgan or Tolarcan, son of Drostan;
and another of same name, son of Fergus; not known which
of these gave the name to the present Portree. The parish
of Portree in 1833 had no less than three stated places of
worship besides the parish church proper; despite all this,
superstition was in existence in 1800, many narratives in
reference to Bodach cm t-Sdibheir, Saoibhire, or Saoibhreis,
the old man of prosperity or riches, and oran a chnuic,
song of the knoll, a churning-song, still said to be known
and sung; tales of ghosts, second-sight, etc., are still
current.
Portree, as may be inferred, was the place of call for
all; the Lochlannaich made Westrafiord, as they named
the loch, their headquarters for long periods while they
infested Skye and the Hebrides generally. The loch forms
a double harbour, a big and a little, and is the centre of
P o r t r e e , P o r t r o i, P o r t r y ,
port righ.
284
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
considerable trade from all parts, while markets and free
fairs, with other important gatherings, are held annually.
The population, in common with the rest of Skye, is on
the decrease.
Shadow port; port of refuge; and ghost bay.
This part of Loch Scavaig merits all these titles, for in
a loch within a loch, loch na leac, much ingenuity is often
called for to preserve boats and ships from the sudden
storms which rage round; frequently anchors fail, as is
evidenced by the iron rings found fastened firmly into the
surrounding rocks for mooring purposes, while all around
is dark or at least “ shadowy,” which gives the place its
name; loch, bay, rock, and point all share in the gloom,
Rudha Sgaile, shadow point, on one side, and Rudha
Buidhe, yellow point, on the other.
P oet S g a il e .
P ottech.
Not known as found.
P rabost , P e aeb ost , B e aeb o st ,
In Duirinish.
q.v.
Initial B provected into P.
etc.; even Breezekill,
Brishmeal. P again for B. Breas, eminent, great, and
meall or fjall, hill or fell. Noted for its perfect columnar
P r e s h a l , P e ie s h w e l l , P r io s m h e a l l ,
jointing; it lies about a mile south of Talisker, and, as
said, “ has in front a fine series of genuine basaltic columns
like the Giant’s Causeway. The pillars here are about
twenty feet in height, and have four, five, and six angles,
mostly five. The district hereabouts generally displays the
awful effects of volcanic action, the igneous rocks being
in evidence in most fantastic form all around. See
“ Duntulm.”
Preshal or Brishmeal is a mountain, or rather two
mountains, called Big and Little, 2,033 and 1,110 feet
respectively.
Thought breas, as above, and Norse kill, kil<m,
a spring of water. Probably a fine waterfall.
P e e s k il a n .
llt.
The river of the beautiful dale, breas-dal.
These may be near each other, but not known.
In regard to the word breas, as given above, it has been
urged that it should be preas, a bush, etc., in Sutherland
a copse. P and B as before. This thought unlikely here.
P e is a d a l , A
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
285
0
q.v. (cuidh, cuith, cuithe reang, Quiraig,
The round fold or pen; also given as the
reoess or pit of the row or range of rock pillars; cuith,
etc., a pen, from kvi or qvi (v equals u), and rand, rang,
a column, cuidh-rang, c.f. “ Quinish,” cuidh-inis, meadow
fold, a place for sheltering cattle; cuith also said to equal
quoy, a subsidiary enclosure to a principal farm, some­
times only a few square yards of land enclosed by a rough
stone wall or dyke called cro. This place (Quinish) could
shelter 4,000 head of cattle. In connection with the word
cuidh, etc., it equals cuid, cud, cudag, cùdainn, a tub or
dish of large size, a round enclosure. “ Clach na cvdainn
the tub-stone (erroneously translated the rocking-stone)
was a stone whereon the women of the village of Inverness
in the olden times placed their tubs for washing at the
brink of the River Ness.
Every tourist to Skye, has, it is believed, seen Quiraing,
and, as may be surmised, much has been written about it,
good, bad, and indifferent. Professor Edward Forbes says
“ the truly wonderful scenery of Storr and Quiraing far
surpasses for majesty any other rock landscapes in Great
Britain, not excepting the Giant’s Causeway,” (which, how­
ever, is “ mostly in Ireland ” ), and Professor A. Geikie, the
eminent geologist, describes it as “ a striking example of the
breaking up of the great basalt plateaux.” The place awes
many, one writer describing its wildness as “ repellent.”
This place has not only been described in prose by
Scottish and English writers, but, at least in one instance,
in verse, and that by a Skyeman, Neil Macleod, the wellknown Skye bard; he gives a description of a visit paid
by him thereto in 1873 in sonorous Gaelic blank verse.
Quiraing has had its detractors also, whether actuated
by jealousy, ignorance, or having been unfortunate in the
weather, resulting in the prosaic remark that “ there is
no real beauty in Quiraing, merely a mis-sihapen group of
eccentric blocks and pinnacles piled in confusion.” Such
sightseers should stay at home. The “ curiosities,” if we
may use the word, are the Needle, the Prison, and the*
Table, the latter a green oval in the centre of “ chaos,”
said to be one hundred by sixty feet, and upwards of one
hundred feet in height—some table. The highest pinnacle
Q u ir a in g , C u ir a in g ,
Ciraig, etc.).
286
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
is the “ Needle ” rock, one hundred and twenty feet high, '
from its base, it is thought, as another measurement gives |
no less than 1,779 feet, which must be from sea-level. As
to the “ Prison ” rock, or Creag a Phriosain, it is whence
the ghost of a cleric of some sort emerged at stated periods,
till laid to rest, or routed by the magic of iron!
This place did not escape the amateur etymologist down
to at least the end of the eighteenth century, as we find
the name explained as “ Cuith Fhir F h i n n the recess of
the men of Fionn, the Feinne; “ Cuith Filming," Frank’s
fold; “ Coire Fhraing, ” or rang, Frank’s corry or cirque;
it was also compared to, and even connected with “ Uamh
Fhraing,” in the Island of Eigg, though this cave com­
memorates Saint Francis of Assisi, Umbria, 1182-1226,
an advocate of poverty, celibacy, and obedience.
? Cuairt&alan, of or be­
longing to a circle. Might be a misprint for “ Cuid
Thorlainr See “ Aird-Mhic-Ceolain.”
Q u ir t o l a n , Q u ir t o l l a n , Q u ir t o t a n .
R
R a a g il l , R a ig i l l .
Roe ravine.
Snizort.
Roe-isle or roe-ridge-isle; raa, a roe, and ey, island,
equal to ràr-àss-ey, roe-ridge-isle; in Norse rauneyjar.
Torfeeus called it Rosay, and mentions “ Mulcalloun ” as
the proprietor. Raasay lies north and south on the east
coast of Skye, opposite Portree, in the parish of which it
now is, formerly in Snizort; it extends from 13 to 16
miles in length by 2 miles in breadth, according to latest
official measurements. The name is also found given as
Raarsay, which is rars, a genitive of ra.
The first historical account of this island is in that of
King Haco’s expedition to Scotland in 1262; also referred
to (as Dean Monro’s account) by George Buchanan in his
“ History of Scotland,” written in Latin.
Raasay was at one time held—if not possessed—by the
MacHardys, a sept of the famous “ Siol Torcuil,” the race
of Torcul (Macleod), and subsequently by a Macleod, who
was familiarly named “ Mac ’Ille Chaluim Camachasach,”
bandy or crooked-legged son of the descendant (or son) of
Calum or Malcolm; this word carna also signifies “ strong,”
R aasay.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
287
R A A S A Y ( Continued) —
etc., which, he was in a very marked degree; this designa­
tion appears in 1580 as “ Gilleschallum M ‘Gilleschallum
of Rasay ’’ ; his eldest son held the title of “ Rona,” an
adjacent island which belonged to the family.
The said “ Mac ’Ille Chaluim,” also known as “ Iain
Giarbh Mac ’Ille Chaluim,” was a great man in many
respects, physically and mentally; a famous warrior and
even a reputed wizard, the latter owing to his superior
knowledge and education, this caused him to be “ suspect ”
by his more or less barbarian neighbours, among \yhom
a Macdonald of Sleat ranked prominent, plotting his
destruction, which, it is traditionally reported, he actually
accomplished by witchcraft as exercised by his (Mac­
donald’s) foster-mother, who was a noted witch, whom he
bribed, as before stated, by promise which he failed to
keep; the tale of how this was brought about is well known,
and need not be repeated, the result being that this eminent
man was drowned on his passage from Stornoway to
Raasay.
The name Raasay, as may be surmised, appears in
numerous documents and prints, etc., from at least 1549
onwards, and varies considerably from Raarsa to Ratharsair,
etc., the late Dr. Norman Macleod (Carmd nan Gaidheal)
spelling it Rathasa. In the Book of Clanranald, Macleod
of Raasay is designed “ Eoin Garbh Mac Giolla Cholum
Baarsaigh.”
The drowning above referred to is said to have taken
place on Di-luain Caisge (Easter Mondiay), 1626. See
“ Mol Staiseall Staphain.”
Many writers, from Dean Monro’s time onwards, have
described or referred to Raasay more or less in detail, or
even accurately, each giving his own account, with
occasionally a rendering of the meaning of the name; even
Dr. Johnson tried his head and pen to the effect of its.'
being “ from ms (Icel.), a course, or m, a landmark, and
ay or ey, an island.
The ancient history of this island has yet to be written,
and it is hoped will some day appear.
The topography of the island is not deficient in interest,
ancient chapels, etc., existing, in connection with one or
more of which a tearmunn or sanctuary exists; one at any
rate appears defined by eight crosses. Most of these chapels
288
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
RAASAY ( Continued)—
are now in ruins, though one is said to have been worshipped
in so late as 1833.
Local lore in connection with Raasay is not wanting.
For instance, the people thereof, like others, bore a nick­
name, connected with an alleged occurrence, viz., “ Na
S a o id h e in the saithes, from their day of a cairidh only
producing saithe, while their neighbours in Skye secured
herring on theirs; see “ Cairidh Shnisort.” But the Raasay
folk are not the only people called by that nickname, for
the Whalsay people bear it also, and it is said the word
comes from the Norse seidhr. A saying attributed, rightly
or wrongly we cannot say, to the Raasay people is “Is
mdtfo (bu mkath) an sgadcm nuair nach fhaighear (nach
fkaigJimmaid) sa o id h m n herrings are good when saithe
cannot be had! this, doubtless, as a set-off against their
ill-luck with the cairidhl
One more saying or belief of the Raasay people, shared
in, however, by others, is that the king-otter has a jewel in
his head. Other tales and beliefs must be passed over
brevitatis causa.
Raasay is honey-combed throughout with innumerable
“ sinks or swallow-holes,” dobina, which are very treacher­
ous and dangerous, cattle and sheep, and occasionally human
beings, falling into and down them; one woman who fell
in one managed to escape after three days’ confinement
and struggle; being funnel-shaped, they give little or no
chance to escape. The stone of the island is limestone,
and iron exists.
It is desirable here to refer shortly to the work by
Professor James Geikie intituled the “ Great Ice Age,”
where he tells us that the basins of the Sounds of Raasay
and Sleat are, along with many others, the latter par­
ticularly, simply the continuations of fiord (or glen)
valleys; if the land was elevated, they would be found to
form the lower reaches of mountain valleys or glens; Sleat’s
Sound (Linne Shleite) would be continued with the valley
that now holds Lochalsh and Loch Hourn. The rock-basins
in our sea-lochs were ground out by glaciers which once
filled these now submerged land-valleys, the whole of the
country—with the exception of the higher hill-tops—being
at one time deeply smothered in ice, which flowed out from
all the sea-lochs, overflowed Skye and the other islands
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
289
R A A SA Y ( Continued) —
of the coasts, and only stopped at last in th© deep waters
of the Atlantic.
Sir Archibald Geikie, brother of above Professor,
describes Raasay ajs on© of the most varied of the islands
as regards geological structure, and also explains the rockbasin®, which he tells ub are double the depth of west of
Skye, or 528 feet.
Both of these eminent Professors have supplied much
more information as to Sky©, etc., but space does not permit
of further references, except that on the east of Raasay
and Rona, the sound is one of the deepest on the west
coast of Scotland, no less than 138 fathoms below the
surface of the sea, shallowing gradually to the North
Minch, and deepest in the narrows. The mighty course
of the massive glaciers, which, as said, flowed over Skye,
is further described in the works of the said Professors,
to which we refer our readers.
We now give the place-names of Raasay, so far as
secured, alphabetically:
A
A c h e r n e t . Might be achadh, ’charnaid, the field
of incarnation; but not known.
charnet,
A llt F
earns,
A
llt
G
lam
A
llt
H
a l l a ig ,
A
llt
I n b h ir a r is h , I n n e r a r o s ,
llt
M
A
,
F
earna.
Alder Burn.
q.v.
q.v.
a n is h m o r e .
q.v.
Great Manish burn.
See “ Maenes.”
The brae burn. Thought this should be breac,
trout burn. Runs west into Bagh an Inbhire.
A l l t n a N ig h e a d h .
Washing burn. Said to be connected
with the superstition of the bean-nigheadh.
A l l t R e ir e ig .
Reireag burn. Runs S.W. into Loch na
Cairidh.
A m B agh . The bay; or Bagh an Inbhire, the bay of the inver
or confluence with the Storab bum.
An C a o l , N a C a o i l . The kyle, kyles, or narrows; between
Raasay and Skye.
A n R o i n n , R i n n , R h i n n . The point or promontory.
A
llt na
B
rae.
T
290
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
E A A SA Y ( Continued) —
A
T o r r a in .
The height or place of the;
Thought tumuli or burial mounds.
r n is h , A w ir n is .
Eagle point; am or om (Norse), eagle,
and nes or wish, a point.
rd
an
T
o r r a in
,
na
heap or heaps.
A
A
A
Suggested back-stream; ath, the prefix of repetition,
and sruth, a stream; or àth, a ford. Not known, except
that there is an island of this name.
u l d a l i , A u l d a l i e , O u l d a l i , O u l d a l i e (1637).
A n island,
not known. See “ Culdalie.”
thro.
A
usach,
A
A
w oynes,
A
yre.
B
agh
B
a il e c h u ir n .
The wild place.
m h asach .
A
w ir n is ,
A
r n is h
,
q.v.
Sandy, gravelly beach; eyrr (Icel.), eyri, eyrar, a
narrow low tongue of land, which this is, at the point;
(pri (Old Norse (f>yri), urie. See “ Eyre ” and “ Kenealeyre.”
I n b h ir e .
an
Confluence bay.
See “ Am Bagh.”
Cairntown; baile and chuirn, genitive of carn.
B a i l e M e a d h o n a c h . Mid or middle town or
hamlet. This was of some importance once, as the ruins
of a castle, dun, or fort, on a place called “ The Aird *’
here, and opposite the present clachan; a ferry from here
to Skye used to exist. See “ Brochel.”
B a l n a k e e p a n , B a il e n a C io p a n , C i p e i n .
Tether-peg town
or stake-town or village. This name given from the
necessity for tethering children, etc., out of doors to prevent1
them sliding or rolling off the hill-sides into the sea or
pot-holes; this seemed to have been referred to in Camp­
bell’s “ West Highland Tales,” where mention is made of
“ Cathair-shiomain, and translated “ Tethertown.” The
same precaution exists on the slopes of the Naero Fjord, |
Norway.
B e i n n a C h a p u i l l . Horse, or mare, mountain (1,272 feet).
B
a il e m e a n a c h ,
B
e in n
B
e in n
B
e in n
na
h
- I o l a ir e
(826 feet).
Eagle mount.
n a n L eac, n a L ic e , L e ig h t .
Mountain of the flat or:
flag stones; a series of shelves on the east side (1,009 feet).
R
e ir e a g
B
eag.
Little Mount Reireag, q.v. (725 feet);.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
291
RAASAY ( Continued)—
Bo,
B odha
na
Bo,
a coracle, etc.; the meaning “ b og”
spelling. The reef of above. This
N.E. of Fladday.
The reef of the flat
South of Griana-Sgeir.
B o d h a L e a c h a n , L eaca n , L e a c a n n .
or sloping rocks.
Bo,
Currach signifies a bog, also a
curach, a boat made of wicker and
C u r r a c h ie .
burying-place; and
covered with, skins,
also applies to this
reef lies off Raasay,
Suggested as from leadarra, harmonious,
musical, etc.; a secondary meaning, however, is mangling,
perhaps very dangerous. One at least off Raasay, near
Eilean Trodday and Rona.
Bo, B o d h a n a F aoch ag . Periwinkle or whelk reef; faochag
also means a whirlpool, etc. At Loch a Sgurr, q.v.
B o ch ter . Not known.
B odha L e a d r a n .
B o r r a d a il ,
B orrowdale,
B o rradale.
Borg-dalr;
borg
(Icel.), a fort, castle, hill dome-shaped; equals dùn, dalr
(Icel. and Norse), a dale, dell, or valley, and always ends
a name. It may also be dail (Gaelic), a field, a dale, etc.,
but doubtful, as this word always comes first in Gaelic
names, Both are given as a separate portion of land.
B ro ch el , B r o ch ail , B r o ic h in , V r e o k il l , V r e o k l e
(v for bk);
also Caisteal Braiehin, Broichan, Brollach, Breooall.
rock fo rt; bro, broch, brok, etc., and ail, genitive o f
rock; here a patched or conglomerate mass.
The
al, a
This rock, on which the ruins of a castle stand, is volcanic,
and consists of various kinds of stone fused together; also
said that this rock is separate from the castle, which is
about three miles from the north end of Raasay, on east
side. The castle was of considerable size, having been
constructed to hold 800 persons (the whole population),
water being led in with a drawbridge between it and the
rock, about a quarter of a mile from shore. This castle
was destroyed by the Hanoverians after 1745, Mac GilleChaluim having sided with Prince Charlie. The foresaid
mass is said to have given the name to the castle, and that
the word is derived from breoc, to patch or put together,
to mass, pr. part, breocail.
It is difficult to separate it from the mass on which the
castle itself stood, or stands, and the whole forms a notable
and conspicuous land-mark.
292
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
RAASAY ( Continued)—
There is ia well-known pipe tune called “ Spiocadaireachd
Geo B h r u t h a i l or Bhruthaimz, the meanness or the
cowardice, etc.’ of the Bruthail Creek; bruthall ( bruthachiall or ial, rock face or brae) meians precipitous, while
bruthainn means heat, etc., probably the volcanic heat which
fused the rock and formed the geo or geodha.
The account of the fight which this tune commemorates
has not been got. A term “ A bhruehail bhreac” the
streaked, speckled mass or being, also “ the brindled or
burnt one,” in addition “ the cat witch ”■
—in short, the
very Devil—is said to exist!
In addition to the foregoing, it may be admitted that
there wtas a Pictish Druid named Broichan-Magus, the
speckled or variegated one, from his imposing robes, etc.;
this Druid opposed Saint Columba at the time or on the
occasion of the conversion by the latter of King Brude at
Inverness. The name “ Broichan ” is claimed as half-Irish,
Brocan, Welsh Brychcm. Breaoan, a plaid, cognate.
The Bretons speak of France (beyond Brittany) as BroChall, which sounds similar, but is explained as borg or
brugh Ghall, the fort of Gaul; and broohaUl is known as
the banner of Gaul, son of Momi; call, asp. chall, caille,
means a veil, hood, flag, etc.; so this may have also been
Gaul’s house or castle-fiag.
The meaning first given holds, being a variation in com­
mon use of the word borg (Icel.), adopted into Gaelic, with
brog, bruigh, burg, as equivalents, a tower, fortress, eastle.
B roradell.
C a ist e a l K
Castledale.
il m o r o c h t ,
Borg and dalr, as before?
K il m o r a c h .
The castle of the church
or cell of St. Moroc.
C am u s B a i l ’
an
E a g l a is ,
na
h - E a g l a is .
Church-town bay,
on S.W.
C am us
H o lo m an , T h o l o m a in .
Bay of the little knoll or
hillock; an tolman.
or.
The .great cairn. This thought sepulchral at base;
it, however, is more of a hill than a cairn proper, being
1,204 feet in height, and is near Screapadal.
Carn M
Carn
nan
E un.
Birds’ cairn.
C l a c h a n T ig h R a a s a id h .
S. of Storab, q.v.
The village of the House of Raasay.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
293
BAASAY (Continued) —
C l a m , C l a m a d a l , C l a u m , etc.
Glam, glmm, lit ., a noise, a
m outhful, etc.; thought here a chasm or r ift in the side
o f a h ill, bitten out, as it were; dalr, a dale, adjacent.
an H a t h a .
The knoll of the circle, thought as usual to
be Druidical; but also found translated knoll of prosperity,
good luck, etc. 365 feet. Rath also signifies a fortress,
a royal seat. The first meaning probable, taken in con­
junction with “ Cnoc Seunt.”
C noc
C noc S e u n t , S e u n t a , K
n o c n s h in t .
The holy or blessed knoll.
See “ Crochill.”
The fused rock; much in evidence
here; creag, rock, and leagh, to melt, to fuse, etc.
C r a ig l e a d h , C r e a g l e a g h .
an E o in .
The bird rock, eun, eoin. This thought same
as “ Carn nan eun”
C reag n a B r u a ic h . The bank rock; bruaeh, a bank, a border,
etc. Similar to, and often confounded with it, is bruthach,
an ascent, steep hill-side, even a precipice, a brae.
C reag
The fold or circle of the cell or church; cro and
here it is
religious, or connected with a church; there is an expression
“ A Chriosda Chro^moimhe,” O Christ of the holy blood.
See “ Kilchro.”
C u l d a l ie , also A u l d a l i . Not known.
C r o c h il l .
cill.
Cro has several different meanings;
D o r n a g u il l a .
A proper name.
This an ancient fort, Dùn
Dornagaila.
D r u im
an
A
o n a ic h .
The ridge of the hill or hill-slope.
On
east.
See “ Borrodail.” This is in south-west,
and generally termed “ broch.”
D u n C a a n . The white fort or hill, Latin canus.
This hill
also said to be named after some Danish Prince or other
who built a fort thereon, but not known if any remains
exist of such; it is the highest hill in Raasay, and said to
be 1,456 feet in height. Sailors and others have dubbed
it “ Raasay’s Cap ” ; an extreme etymology is “ can,” from
the English word!
This hill equals in height Ben Lee, on opposite side of
strait; both are table-lands, similarly shaped, and may have
D un B h o r a d a il .
294
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
R A A SA Y ( Continued) —
been joined in the long ago ages; specially noted by Sir
A. Geikie as “ one of the most wonderful monuments of
geological denudation in the Inner Hebrides” ; all basalt.
A particular kind of chrystals said to be found here.
E
F h r a o i c h . Heather island; this with Garbh Eilean,
or rough island, at south end of Kyle Rona.
il e a n a n
a n I u b h a ir .
Yew-tree island. This a mistake for
“ Eilean an Inbhire,” the island of or at the confluence,
which, with Raghan or bay island, is on S.W.
E i l e a n F l a d d a , etc., q.v.
E il e a n H o l o m a n .
See “ Camus.”
E il e a n M h a n ic h .
See “ Maenes.”
E i l e a n S t o r a i b . In Am Bagh, q.v.
E i l e a n T i g h e . House island; a peninsula on N.W.
E y r e P o i n t ; eyrr, as before.
On extreme S.E., on which is
a lighthouse.
F e a r n a D e a s a g u s T u a t h . Alder; thought to be two small
low-lying islands.
F o r t u n a and F u n e r v e g . Not known. There is a word fumair,
a large lump? Funner veg thought a corruption by a
non-Gaelic speaker of tumair, tumaire beag, the dipper,
diver, or ducker, from fancied resemblance, or its being a
haunt of these beautiful sea-birds.
G a r b h B h e ir t , B h e a ir t .
The rough or great loom; a rock.
G arrachan.
Not known. One meaning is the greedy one,
the little greedy one, applied to the young of the hoodiecrow, fecmnag og.
G l a m . A cry, a noise, as of a brattling burn; also used to,
express a “ mouthful,” as of land being eaten away. See
“ Clam.”
G l e n g r a s t . The rugged-faced glen, gràsda; might be gràda,
granda, nasty, grim.
G r i a n a s g e i r . Sun-rock or skerry, i f n o t Gailig Ghallda. A
rock off Eilean Fladday.
H a l l a g , H a l l a i g . See s.v. ante. A river or burn here.
H a m p s d a l e . Modern; from Norse ham, ham, a harbour, and
dalr, dale. See “ Hamar.”
E
il e a n
PLACE-NAMES, OF SKYE
295
RAASA Y (Continued) —
The confluence with Allt Storab, q.v. ',
West of Beinn a Chapuill.
I n v e r a r i s h , I n n e r a r o s , etc.
See s.v. ante.
I n v e r u i g , I r e . See s.v. ante.
K a m i o r i c k , K a m o r i c k . Not known.
E jl m il u a c h ,
K il m a l u a g ,
K i l l m o l o w o k e , etc.
Moluog,
Moluag’s cell or church. Raasay and Kilmnir parishes
bore this name.
K il m o r o c h t .
St. Moroc’s cell or church.
K y l e h a n . The narrows; caailtean.
L aggan, L a g a n .
The little hollow. At Borradail.
I n b h ir e ,
An I n b h ir e .
ioribhar.
L
L arag.
Larch-tree; but this is an island, and might
be learg, cormorant, or a plain, etc. Not known.
arg,
e a c h d , L e a c h g , L e a g h k , L e id h , L e ig h .
As explained
before, the primary meaning of this word is a flag, a flat
etone, etc.; it is thought here to mean a tomb, a bed, or
grave, though leidh and leigh are Norse, and mean a road,
a flat surface; Old Gaelic lecht, from Latin lectus, a bed,
a grave; while lia, genitive liag, signifies a stone; lia fail,
the stone of destiny.
The application to “ grave ” of leac appears in the wellknown Gaelic proverb or saying, “ Bidh dùil ri fearfeachda, ach cha bhi ri fear-lice,” the man of war may
return, but not the buried man.
L e b o s t , L e a b o s t , L i e b o s t , etc. Road homestead; leidh (Norse),
a road, and host (bolstadr), a homestead, etc.
The Bethunes of Skye fall to be noticed here, though
for fuller information see a small work on “ The Bethunes
of Skye ” by Thomas Whyte, Lillieston, 1778, wherein that
family is styled as of Leabost, Skeabost, Lourkill, Trein,
Auchork, Drumoy, Rudh ’n Dunan (spelled Runnunan),
Boraraig (or Burrerick), Fernaleas (2), Brebost, Ostle,
Clochamish, etc. Angus and Ewen Bethune held the title
of “ Donnelrich,” i.e., Domhnull Riabhach (see “ Baile,”
s.v. ante); in addition to the Bethunes (or Beatons) being
famous medical specialists, they—or some of them—adopted
the military profession; one was a clergyman, the Rev.
John Bethune of Bracadale, who was the first to dispense
the Sacrament in Skye, towards the end of the seventeenth
century.
L eac, L
296
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
R A A SA Y ( Continued) —
[Lochs and Lochain abound in Raasay, and, as in Skye, many
are noted for weird tales of the each uisge, etc.]
L
och
Chadha
a
C h a r n a ic h ,
L
och- n a -C a d n a ,
-C a r n a ic h .
L o c h o f th e s t o n y p a s s .
M
Loch of the m i l l .
L
och
L
o c h a n - g u n -G i-r u n n d
a
h u il in n
.
. Bottomless little loch; possibly one of
the sink-holes.
The road loch.
L
och a n
Bathad.
L
och
an
U a c h d a ir .
L
och
A
L
och-a-S g u r r ;
L
och- e a d a r - D a - B h a il e
r n is h
,
S.W.
Summit or upper loch.
q.v.
N e a r la s t.
The sgor loch. A prominent loch in
N.W., virtually between islands Tighe and Fladday.
sgurra.
.
Loch between two townships, Baile-
chuim and another.
L
och
M
a l l a ic h t e .
L
och
M
eall
L
och
L
och
D
The cursed, loch.
a im h
.
Stag-hill rise or rounded hill loch.
na M n a, na M nath an, nam B a n .
This refers to a
traditional tale of the each-uisge, or water-horse, having
killed a girl whom he visited in the guise of a young man,
and the subsequent revenge taken by her father, a black­
smith. As is reported, in the process of luring the “ horse ”
to its death, it spoke; the entire narrative has to be sup­
pressed brevitatis causa. The name is given from the smith
having disguised himself as a woman, hence Loch-a-Mna.
Boswell in his writings gives a very garbled account of
foregoing.
na
N
e il ic h
,
an
E il ic h , M
e il ic h ,
M
ealach,
M
e il e a r -
The loch of the sea maram or mat-weed; also known
as muirineach, muran, a weed growing in this loch. See
Forbes’ “ Gaelic Names of Beasts, Etc.,” p. 98.
This loch is high up on Dun Caan.
ach.
L
n a N ig h e a d h , N ig h e id h .
With “ Allt,” which latter
runs out of Loch a Mhuilinn into Churchton Bay. This
loch and river signify the loch and river of washing, by a
mystical female who before a death occurs is seen washing
the shroud of the doomed one, a bhean nighe.
och
PLACE-NAMES, OF SKYE
297
B A A SA Y ( Continued) —
L och Scorn, S g o in , S g o n n . The loch o f the unshapely lum p,
though it m ay be sgoinn, a rocky pool in a river where
salmon lurk.
M a d in r o , M
Not known.
a d n is o .
a in e s s , M a n is h , etc.
Sea-gull p oin t; Icel. mani,
mama, a gull, and nes or nish, point.
There is also a proper name Man or Mona, also Mani;
Man said to be Celtic and signifying a district. This place
in N.W. There are at least two, Manish beag agus Manish
mor, in Raasay.
M aenes, M
M eall
M
a
C h o is , C h ò is .
eall a n
D a im h ,
H ill o f the crevice or cave;
cos.
O x or stag h ill.
(/ for old long s). This name spelled
in many different ways in titles, etc.; even Vinsanam or
Winsimsem. Not known.
N a s e ir in g , N e f u e r n y n
Outlet (or mouth of river)
strip. Eng. Owskiech! Os, as before, and Norse slciki;
os or oss, a sandbank, etc.
O sgaig , O s k a ig , O iscaig , O sgog .
East bay (see “ Sleat); one author­
ity renders it Oakswick.
O st a ig , O is t a ig , O is t a g e .
etc. Port Michaig. See “ Tormichaig.”
There are various spellings of this name, even Portanunchary.
R a m is d a l l . See “ Romesdal.”
P o r t in u m ic h a ig ,
R e ir e a g , R ia r a ig .
The portion, or portioned part or place;
also rudha.
R u d h a B r e a c a ic h t e .
The spotted, speckled, or pitted pro­
montory.
R u d h a C r io n .
The little or short promontory.
The rough point; also called An Caarn Garbh,
the rough cairn.
R udha G ar b h .
R udha G
u a l a in n .
Shoulder point.
The corner of a hill on
east side.
Yew-tree point.
mentioned in
But see “ Eilean an Iubhair.”
R u d h ’ U i b h a ir e , U ib h a r , U ig h a r , U i t h a r .
luthar beinne and talmkainn, juniper,
Ossianic poems.
298
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
RAASAY ( Continued)—
Green-stone point; also just Rudha
na Cloiche.
This stone said not to be green as if covered with verdure,
but a stone of a green colour throughout. A similar stone
to be found in the island of Rhum.
R u d h a n a n L eac . Flag or flag-stones’ point. See “ Leac,”
as a grave. On east coast.
R u d h a n a n S g a r b h . Cormorants’ point.
S a t ie ,. Norse. An island off Raasay.
S cr e a p a d a l , S c r a p id a l e , S k r e b id il l , etc.
Sgreapadal. If
Gaelic, the rough or scabbed dale; sgreab.
S g eir C n a p a c h , C h n a p a c h .
The knobby or lumpy skerry;
opposite Oskaig. Near this is “ Macmillan’s Rock.”
S g eir Fhada. The long skerry or reef. Shelters the anchorage
of Oskaig or Osgaig.
S g eir n a m B o d a c h . Rock of the old men; suggested monks.
Bodach ruadh a common name for the fish codlings.
S g eir n a n E u n . Bird skerry.
S gurr n a n G a l l .
The Lowlanders or strangers’ sgor or
pinnacle (Norse).
S t a c h r o . Cliff fold or enclosure. Stac a chro.
S t a ir , S t a i d h i r , q.v. Not certain as to locality.
S t o r a b , A l l t S t o r a ib , and U a m h S t o r a ib .
Storab’s burn
and grave. A proper name. S.W. of Dun Caan.
S t r o n u ir in is h , S r o n u ir in is h .
Not known; m ay be Sron
Dhuirinish, q.v.
S u is h n is h , S u isn e s , etc. Seething point. Given as Suishnes
Mor, with a hill of same name, from Norse seyisnes, the
seething nees, nish, or point; but see forward. Found given
as two islands off Raasay, with stormy headlands, Norse
sis, sus, suis, susi, roaring.
Various, but impossible,
etymologies of this name exist, local and otherwise.
S w a s t . May be a corruption of sum, up, westward.
T o r r a d o ill , T o r r a d a l l ie , even Z o n a d a l l ie . May be tor or
torr, the tower (tur) or conical hill, etc., and dal, vale,
dell, etc.
If termination doill, then hill of the blind (men); dall,
plural doill.
R u d h a n a C lo ic h ’ U a in e .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
299
rA A S A Y ([Continued) —
The heaps; supposed tumuli or graves.
T o r r a n , Na T o r r a in .
At Loch Amish.
Calum’s or Malcolm’s cave, where Macleod
of Raasay took refuge for a time on being outlawed.
U g is a r d e r .
Not known. See “ Uigshader.”
U a m h C h a l u im .
Unachan, A
o n a ic h e a n .
The heights, slopes.
[E n d of E a a s a y .]
Eau, Eaw. Thought a mis-spelling of Eha, q.v. This
has been found given as a river, a knoll with waterfall
in Snizort and at Uig (Eha-deor), said to be Old English
roe-deer. Ra, Egyptian name or term for Jehovaih.
Rah,
Of or belonging to roots, trees, etc.; ramh, genitive
Also explained as the root-centre of a range of
hills. We find Buthcm na Raimhe in the song “ ’8 trie mo
shuil air an linne.” The cots of the thicket.
R a isb u r g h , E aisab o r g . Not known; borg, as before, but see
“ Euisebreac.”
R a im h e .
raimh.
etc. Eaven’s bay; hrafn or hramn, a
raven, and vik, vig, a bay, etc.; or hrafn, etc., and skiki,
a river strip of land, or a waste only haunted by ravens.
First meaning preferred.
R a m asg ar .
The ravens’ skerry; hraf, as before, and sgeir.
There is a Norse word rauma, giant.
R am asaig , E a m e sa ig ,
The fort in the little hollow. Lagan, however,
means little hollow, and a fort is seldom or never in a
hollow. Rath an lagallan.
Dean Monro describes this place as a watter.”
R a t h a d a G h a r a id h D h u i b h .
Black dyke road.
See
“ Garadubh.”
R a t h k i l l . The church fort or mound. Snizort. Rath a chill.
Ran lag allan .
R ath
or
R a t h a S o l u is .
Circle, mound of light.
The word
rath also stood of old for homestead when a dwelling-house
existed; also a beacon on a fort for signalling purposes.
R avag , E oag ,
q.v.
A
R ea c h a n , R e o c h an ,
riabhach.
loch.
etc.
The russet
or
grey place; riach,
300
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
R e id h e a n ,
An.
The little level place.
n a L och.
The loch level (place). There are three lochs
here, and lie west of Brocbheinn.
R e id h
h o ir C h l o in n D o m h n u il l .
The great (or
chief) burying-place of the Clan Donald. This asserted
to be in Kilmuir; but see “ Kilmore,” Sleat. Reilig said
to be from Latin reliquiae, remains, etc.; also given
Reidhlig, Reilic, from reidh, a plain or flat surface, and
leac, a fliat stone or slab, a tomb-stone.
The adjective mor should not be inserted here; thought
applicable to burying-ground of “ Macdonalds,” though not
of the chiefs, or Lords Macdonald. It is known that only
one tomb-stone in Kilmuir bears the cross-crosslet-in-hand
of the “ Macdonalds of the Isles,” and that bears a seven­
teenth century date. Many famous cadets of the Mac­
donalds, however, lie buried in Kilmuir.
R e il e a g , R e il ig M
R e in t r a , R e n e t r a , R e n e t r a y .
The shore level (place); reidh
na traighe, tragha, traghad.
Ram’s wood, as given, may be reidh, the
wood level place.
R e it h e C h o il l e .
R e iv a l , R e it h e v a l .
Smooth level fell; reidh fjal.
In Kil­
muir.
R eshaburg.
Brushwood town or place; Norse hris and borg.
R e sh u ir o n , R e s h w ir o n .
Rha.
Not known.
Name for a river or burn which joins the Conon at Uig.
See “ Rah.”
Rha thought to equal rath, a fort, etc.
R hudunan,
R huedunan,
The point or
See “ Rudh’-an-Dunan.”
R u d h - an -U n a in .
promontory at the little hill.
The summer pasture, of
sheiling; if ruidhe, ruighe, or righe, means the same, also
the outstretched slope of a mountain. This place is on
the south of Uig Bay.
R h u a d h a in , R u id h e a n , R h i t h e a n .
See “ Risadal.” This, however, is a knoll on which
much rough grass grows; as also in a morass, dirk-grass;
also sedge-grass; riasg, a morass.
R ia s a l .
T
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
301
The ridge. Near Scorribreac. Norse hryggr, a
ridge. On Eigg shore there is a black stone on surface
of rock which resembles goat’s horns, near which there is
a cataract or waterfall. This place is good grazing ground.
Calum Ban MacMhannian, a local poet, sang its praises,
“ ’(S' gum be ’n t-àite bho e,” and the place for cows it was,
or is. The word righe or ruighe, ridge or part of a hill,
etc., has been advanced in connection with the etymology
of this name. Eigg is famous also for a family of Macqueene who bulked largely in the history of Skye.
R ig , E ig g .
I
etc. The point or promontory
of the gyll or ravine; rinn or roinn and gil. Upper and
Nether in Strath. See “ Dun.”
R is a d a l , E io s d a l . Brushwood dale; hris and dalr. In Glen­
dale.
R is a g a n , E isa c h a n , etc. The little brushwood or bushy place.
Also an island off Eaasay; and a place, with Trien, in
Watemish.
R oag , Eòg (Island and Loch). The noisy or splashing (place),
from Norse ròk; also suggested as from ro, romance, noisy
sound, etc., but uncertain.
There is a Eoag at Ard Mor, Waternish, on a promon­
tory west of Trumpan, near which was fought Blar
milleadh gàraidh, q.v. It was here also that a strong body
of Campbells landed, and eleven chiefs, or leading men,
were subsequently murdered by Iain Dubh Macleod, the
tenth chief of the clan for a time; the saying, “ Cha leatha
R in g il l , E in g e l l , E in g o l l ,
(leithne) Loch-a-rbg a null (nunn) na Loch-a-ròg a nail,”
Loch Eoag is no broader hither than thither, applies to
another loch of the same name in Lewis, also to Loch Obha,
Awe. Another famed Skye family, Macsween (MacSuibhne), resided here. Eoag has been spelled “ Eavag,”
q.v., as a loch, and there is a “ Lon Eoagil,” q.v.
etc. Bob’s town or place,
either in Strathaird or Snizort, and has the saying:
“ Robastan a choroa ( choirce) ghlais,” Eobastan of the grey
(ripe) corn.
Sometimes given “ Bomastan.” Also chorca should be
chorsa, coast or shore, it is alleged. Some enthusiasts claim
Eobastan as the birth-place of William Roes, the poet;
but see “ Sheehan.”
E obastan , E obustan , E o b is t o w n ,
1
302
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
See “ Dunvegan.”
R ocabarra .
R odh, R u d h a .
Headland near the Snod, q.v., if not meant ■
therefor.
The raven’s fell; roine, hraun, hrcmm, hrafn a
raven, and fjal, a fell, etc. This a rocky-faced hill with
fissures, etc.; also described as “ a bold moorland hill”
(1,440 feet).
North of Dry nach, and W. N. W. of
Sligachan.
i
R o in e v a l .
R o in n , A
n,
R in n .
The point or promontory.
North of I
Eilean Fladday.
Horse-town or pasture; hross and 1
Lies south of Loch Snizort beag.
1
R o ish a d e r , R o s s h a d d e r .
setr.
R om asd al , R o m a sd a il , R o m is d a l e .
Giant or giant’s dale;
See “ Ketil,” who
muma, giant, or great man, and dalr.
was chief of Raumsdal.
even R o u r h a e (1637), also R an eira
by Torfseus. Many etymologies of this name have been
given, the most probable being rock-surfaced isle, rough
or rocky isle; Norse hraun and a, ai, ay, ey, oe, etc.;
Norse (pyja equalling uyea, an island of second magnitude;
an island of first magnitude is a land; and an island of
third magnitude a holm, which is cognate with collis; other
etymologies are, or were, ròn, a seal, and ey, royn ey,
(St.) Ronan’s isle (by Bishop Forbes in seventh or eighth
century); also, said to be akin, romm, i.e., ro muir, to
among other meanings signifying “ very much,” i.e., very
much sea, great, or tempestuous!
A saying “ Rona na nav ” found, which means Rona of
the ship, naibk (obsolete), probably from Latin navis. Like
Raasay, there are many caves here; both islands, indeed,
are more or less honey-combed. Rona is now in the parish
of Portree. Another Rona forty miles north of the Butt
of Lewis.
The following names of places in Rona are given:
R on a , R o n a y , R o n e h a ,
A
M hor.
The great, or chief, anchorage, which is
south of Acairseid Chirm ( thioram), the dry or sheltered
anchorage. North-west.
cairseid
Am B r a ig h .
The brae or face.
A n T eam pull.
The temple.
On south.
,
ì
1
!
]
j
■
J
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
303
R O N A (Continued) —
B eann
Eagle mountain (823 feet).
n a h - I o l a ir e .
N.E. of
Arnish, in Raasay.
May be breug, a lie, noun; if a v e r b , it means to
entice, deceive, etc. This is a small island off Rona.
C aol R o n a . Kyle or narrows.
B reag.
Cow
On north.
Creag a mhairt.
R ock.
n a B u a il e , D o ire n a G u a il e ( guaille).
Copse or grove
of the fold or of the mountain shoulder or slope.
D oire
a n F h r a o ic h .
Heather island. Off Rona, also applied
to Roma itself, as to others of the Hebrides.
E il e a n
Rough kernel or grain, as of corn, etc. May
be meant for eiteag, a white peeble, quartz, etc. Eiteag
was the name of a deity of Loch Etive, Argyll.
E it e a n G a r b h .
The farrow cows, or cows
one year without calving. These are rocks in a bay,
anglicised Gantocks as being likest to gamhntaich; but
gantocks claimed as being for caointeach, the wailer, a
female water-kelpie, who warned her favourites in a house­
hold of the approach of death by weeping and wailing.
G a m h n a c h a in , Na, G a m h n a ic h e a n .
il e a n .
Rough isle.
black or dark bay.
Garbh-E
L och
a
B h r a ig h e ,
M e all A
Ob
M
B hraghad.
hor.
The brae loch.
The hill above the great anchorage.
Idler’s b ay. N.W. Also
Mussel bay.
T e a m p u il l .
Land port and
D r e a l l a ir e , D r o l l a ir e .
an
Ob
P ort
c airse id
a
South of Dubh Chamuis, the
nam
an
F
F
eu sg an ,
h e a r a in n ,
F ia s g a n .
agus
an
temple port.
R u d h a ’ n D u b h C h a m u is . Black or dark bay point. Also
A n S g a t h M o ir e , M o r a . The great or deep shadow point.
The shade or retreat of the crafty one
(fox) in a mountain.
S g eir n a n E u n . Bird skerry or rock. Common. Off Eilean
Fraoich.
S g ath B h a n n a ic h .
S geir S h u a s .
The upper skerry.
[End
o f R o n a .]
304
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Seal-field or place abounding in seals.
also applied to Rona proper.
R onacha.
Ros
This name
a M h e a l l a in .
Little lump or hill promontory; ros, ross^
also signifies a wood; Welsh rhos.
The gyll, gully, or ravine of the point
or promontory; suggested by advocate of Norse as hross,
horse. There is a small river or burn here.
R ossey . Horse isle; hross-ey.
R ossgill , R o s k h il l .
Red stack; case of adjective preceding noun, and
intensifying meaning, a stack of redness.
R uadh S tac.
Pursuit, chase, etc.; but improbable; suggested rudha
vig or vik, the point at or on the bay, near one of which
R u a ig .
it is. Ruaig is notorious for several reasons, among which
tradition speaks of Hallowmas cantrips by the fairies on
horseback, reversed; also as being whence a parson, Sir
Andro, leapt from a rock, the Storr by one account, and
started for Rome with his Satanic Majesty!
River point or promontory; aman,
Old G ia elie for abhainn, hence amar, a trough, water channel,
dish. Ruaig said to be the name of a free-bold granted
to a Mackinnon, a “ gillie” of “ The Macalister,” suc­
cessor to “ Mackinnon ” of that ilk, for bravery. There
is a Ruaman Mor and a Ruaman Beag.
Ruam an, R u d h ’ A m a n .
R u dh a, R ugha, R u t h a .
most follow .
R udh’ A
A
point or promontory; numerous;
C h u i r n . Cairn field point, with bogha, bend,
Both south of Broadford.
chadh a
in land.
R u d h a id h e a n , N a .
The points, etc.
Strath.
a n T orra M h o i r .
The great rock point.
For both last, see “ Sleat ” also.
R udh’
R udh’ A rd
de
Ceolain.”
C h e o l a n , A ir d
a
C h e o l a in .
In Strath.
See “ Aird-Mhic-
Off Trotemish.
The point of the height of Treshnish.
See “ Tressernish,” also “ Leac.” A t Kyleakin.
R u d h ’ A r d T r e s h n is h .
Point of the peaked one (hill).
See “ Bearni.”
R u d h a B h e a n n a c h a in .
Kilmuir.
R udha Cheannachan.
Little head point.
In
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
305
a n C a ir n ic h , C a r n a ic h .
The point of the cairney,
stony, or rocky place; camach also signifies a heathen
priest.
R udh’
R udha D ubh, ’Chinn L eith , ’Chorachan.
Black or dark
point. A t Camus-Mallaig; hoary-headed point, grey; and
the point of the steep place, chorrachcm, from corrach, steep,
precipitous.
(2) Loch Snizort and Camus Beag, Uig.
Rudha ’Chinn Leith also given as ’charn or a chuirn leith,
cairn.
Point of the mountainous,
rocky ground, “ A thriath Chranno ckruaidhlinn,” C hief
of Rocky Cranno, Ossian, Lodin.
R u d h a - C r u a id h l in n , C r u a il in n .
R u d h a -G a r a - F a d d , G a r a d h F a d a .
Point of the long dyke.
See “ Garafad.”
Yellow goose point, as given; but
thought gheoidh should be gheodha, creek or cove On west
side of Loch Scavaig, where there is a Rudha Ban and a
Rugba Buidhe. Soay Sound.
R u d h a G h e o id h B h u i d h e .
Rudh’ A
Rudh’
ir d
an
A
M
h o ir .
ir d e
Great height (airt) point.
D u ib h e ,
n a h - A ir d e
D
u ib h e .
B lack height
(airt) point.
a n A is ig . Ferry point; Rudha Hunish.
One of the two
extreme northern points of Skye. See “ Ashig.”
Rudh’
an D u n a n .
Dunan, or the little hill, point. In Soay
Sound, south-west of Strath. There is a dun or fort here
in ruins.
R udh’
a n E asg a n n , n a h - E a s g a in n e .
Eel point. South of
Spar Cave, sloe an altrumain, Strathaird. Eels not highly
valued for eating in Skye, but are selected for baiting
long lines; easg, a ditch, etc.
R udh’
a n E ir e a n n a ic h .
Irishman’s point. Near Broadford.
Here Alasdair Og, Mac na Caillich, one of the Maequeens
of Rigg, after a long and strenuous struggle, overcame in
a wrestling bout an Irish champion, who died while passing
through the Sound of Scalpay on his way to the doctor;
the body was landed and buried at this place; long and
specious accounts of this combat are still well known in
Skye.
u
Rudh’
306
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
an E u n , R u d h ’ an E un G o r m a.
See “ Flodigarry.”
Bird point, the point of the blue bird; thought gormag.
Hobby, a species of falcon.
R u d h ’ a n I asg a ic h . Fishing point. Common.
R udh
R udh’
an
TIil l t D h u i b h .
Black or dark b u m point.
Point of the salt-store, salter,
Troternish.
R u d h ’ a n t - S a o ir . Carpenter’s point. Near Kyle.
R u d h ’ a n U il l t D h a r a ic h . Oak-tree burn point.
East of
Loch Sligachan.
R u d h ’ A o n g h a is . Angus’ point. Soay.
R u d h a B h o r n a s k it a ig . Bornaskitag Point.
Here tradition
says is the spot where Donald, eldest son of Reginald
Mac Somerled, cut off his hand and oast it ashore. South of
Score Bay.
R u d h a B h a it e r n is . 'Waternish point or promontory.
This
was the first land-fall made by Prince Charlie after leaving
Uist. He landed, however, near Mogstat House, Kilmuir.
R u dha B h r e id in , B h r e d e in .
Not known, unless coif or
woman’s head-dress; may be meant for bridein, brid-eun,
gille-bride, oyster-catcher. This point is off Lyndale.
R u d h a D u b h a G h r i a n a n . The black or dark point of the
summer-house, etc. North of Talisker.
R u d h a D h u n b h e a g a in . See “ Galtrigil.”
R udh’
a n t -S a il l e ir ,
S u il l e ir .
or fishcurer.
R udh ’ E arr
ginish.
an
S gurr.
Skerry-end point.
South of Min­
Point of the rough place or bay; garbh aig
or vig; aig a diminutive. A word garbhag signifies a,
sprat or small herring, garvie.
R u d h a H u n is h , R o w h o u n is h (Pont).
See “ Hunish” and
“ Unish.”
R u d h a G a r b h a ig .
R u d h a L e in is h ,
q.v.
R u d h a L u sa , L ussa ,
q.v.
Lusa is a genitive of lus, a flower,
a herb, etc.
aol n a G a ir b h e .
The rounded or blunt point of the
rough place; if gairbhe, the genitive of gairbh, then that
word has another meaning, the paunch of a deer being one.
Loch Dunbheagan.
R udha M
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
307
e a n is h .
See “ Maenes.” Other etymologies of this
word have been suggested, e.g., mjo nes, the narrow point,
which seems tautological here; mjo gives mia- and mea.
This place said to be at Duntulm, not Raasay.
R udha M
R udha M
harsco ,
q.v.
h ic ’I l l e D h u i b h ,
“ Blackie ” point. Near Elgol,
Strath. This meaning assumed; literal meaning, point of
the son of the black lad or servitor.
R udha M
Nun’s point; cailleach, veiled one, from
See “ Sleat.”
R u d h a n a C l o ic h e , R u d h a n a n C l a c h , R u n a c l o ic h . Stone
or stones’ point. Near Loch Harport, north of Talisker
Bay. These stones said to be Druidical; also traditionally
connected with the Cailleach Bheur, a point of same name
in Mull, and were said to be the stepping-stones of this
witch or shrieking hag, though also called Clacharan
Cailleach Bheur, or A Chaillich, the last staid to be at or
on Loch Eite, and connected with that witch’s leap from
a mountain in Duirinish to Ben Cruachan, Argyll! See
K. W. Grant’s account in “ Life and Work ” for September,
1909, Gaelic Supplement.
R u d h a n a C reig e M o ir e . Great rock point. On S.E. coast
of Loch Brittle.
R udha
na
C a il l ic h .
cattle, a veil.
R u d h a n a G a e d , G a e id , G e a d , G e a id F l u c h , F l iu c h ,
F h l u ic h . The point of the damp or wet patch of arable
land, lazy-bed, also called feannag, as being “ skinned”
from the surrounding damp soil.
n a G o ir t e . Point of sorrow, sadness, etc.; also supplied
as “ starvation point,” also a poor sour spot. This place
is at Loch Dunvegan. Suggested goirtein, of the small
field or enclosure.
R u d ha na h - A ir d e .
Point of the height. This one at
Snizort. See “ Sleat.”
R u d h a n a h - A ir d e G l a is e . Point of the grey point; glaise
also means green. North of Portree.
R udha
n a h - A i r ig h , A r a ig h e B a i n e .
Point of the white
or fair sheiling; araidhe, though given, thought inappli­
cable. South of Camusunary.
R u d h a n a h -A is e i g .
See “ R u dh ’ an A i s i g .”
R udha
308
PLACE-NAMES OP SKYE
n a h - A o id h b M o ir e .
Point of the great possession,
property, inheritance, as given. See “ Drum A o i .”
R udha
R udha
na
h - A rd
Bhan.
Point of the noble women; some
dignitaries.
R udha
See “ Ollaig.”
n a h -O l l a ig .
In Badenoch, used for
nollaig, Christmas; sometimes ullag, a small quantity of
meal.
R udha
May be the name of a place at the point.
Point of the cave.
n a h -U a m h a .
nam B o th .
Point of the bothies or dwellings etc.;
may be both, wild agitation, a disturbance. At Loch Dunvegan.
R udha
R udha
nam
B r ad a n , R u n a - B
rada.
Salm on point.
nam
B r a t h a ir e a n , B r e r r a n , etc.
Point of the
brothers (friars or monks); Latin frater. This is a con­
spicuous point by having or being constructed of huge and
regular basaltic columns. North-west of Sound of Raasay,
near Lonfearn.
R udha
See “ Rudha na Cloiche.”
(two points here). See “ Airigh Mhic
R udha
nan
Clach.
R udha
nan
C on G orm a
Iain Ghill.”
R udha
nan
C or r , C o r r a .
Heron or crane point.
East of
Grishernish.
R udha
nan
C u d a ig e a n .
Cuddies’ point; young saithe, etc.
Loch Snizort beag.
n a n G n o ig e a n . Point of the knobs, i.e., ball of worsted
and tar put on the points of the horns of vicious cattle;
this has erroneously been given as cnogan, q.v.
R udha
nan S garbh.
Cormorant point; this also means heron,
but not to be confounded with Rudha nan Corr, as cor­
morants are much more common. Norse skarj, scaraff;
also called “ Scarf.” Caves here.
R udha
n a S g ia n a d a in , S k i a n a d a in , S k i n i d i n , q.v.
This
point, however, is said to be N.W. of Broadford, and to
be from skjona, meaning not found. There is a word
sgianadair, a cutler?
R u d h a n a T r a g h a , T r a g h a d , T r a ig h e . Shore point; beach
exposed at low water.
R udha
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
309
See “ Eist.” This is the
most westerly and most exposed point of Skye, most danger­
ous before a lighthouse was erected thereon in 1908. See
N.G.P., p. 390. The word traigh has an equivalent
eistreadh, suggested ais traigh, but doubtful; eistreadh,
treadh, treadhan, ebb, or stony beach at low water; eis
means delay, hindrance, etc.
R u d h a N e i s t , a n E is t , n a F e i s t e .
R u d h a - P r io n n sa - T e a r l a c h .
Prince Charles’ Point, where he
landed; below Monkstadt.
R ia d h a in , R ia g h a in .
Swinging or heaving point,
billowy seas from W. or N.W. winds; this word by ex­
tension, means swinging on a gallows, etc., from verb riadh,
to hang, to crucify, also a noun meaning gallows or cross.
An imprecation frequently used is “ A mhic an reidh,” son
of the gallows, extended to “ A mhic an riache, riabhaiche
son of the brindled one (the devil), a disreputable scapethe-gallows! In Sutherland, ridhean is used for a flowing
stream, ruithean or sruithean; the first spelling above, riadh,
seems interchangeable with riagh. This point is at Camus
Beag, Uig.
R u d h a S loc- a n - E o r n a . Barley-hollow point.
R u d h a S m u raig.
Point in the dirty, dusty bay; smur and
Rudha
vig.
Precipice point. One account gives this
point at Camusunary, N.E. of Strath; if stach, not
known; if stac, at Dunvegan Head; rudha locally pro­
nounced rodha.
R u d h a S ta ic h d in is h . Stac an inis or an nes, or nish. Island
stack or pinnacle or point of the point precipice. Near
Husabost House.
R u d h a S u g h a r , S u gh m h o r. Billowy point; sumaid, sumainn,
billow, great wave, etc.
R u d h a S ta c h , S ta c .
R u d h a V a n n a r a in , V a l l e r a i n , q.v.
Water stone point, One
of the highest headlands in or on the coast of Skye; given
also as “ Peak More,” mor.
R udha V a te r ste in , W a te r s te in .
R u dha V oreven, M
R udhan
Mor, An.
rudka.
h o r b h e in n .
Point of the great mountain.
The great little point; rudhan, dim. of
310
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Outstretched base of a mountain, a sheiling,
etc. (lit., arm); almost the same as airigh, a rough land
sloping up to a hill in ridges; used also as a term for small
huts or bothies for shepherds, etc., in summer; righ na
Scotach, the Scot’s sheiling, at Aberfeldy.
Cf.
“Amulree.”
R u id h e , R ig h e C r u a id h . A s above, cruaidh, hard or stony.
On side of Loch or Lochan Sguabaich.
R u ig h e M harsco . Marsco slopes. The broad glens between
Marsco and Strathaird, where sheilings were of old; the
pasture-ground of the mares. There are also Na Ruighecmnan, the Rhives; Ruighe na Capuill, the same.
R u ig h e P h u i l l . Mud or pool sheiling, etc. May be near a
bog or burn.
R u ig h e V in n s e a in , U i n n s i n n . Ashtree slope or sheiling, etc.
Near Allt-na-Dunach.
R uiseb r e ac . Ruis means the elder tree or bush; breae, spotted,
etc.; may be rois. See “ Roishader,” hross. Macleod of
Macleod is termed in one writing as “ Chief of Rushgarry,”
also “ the excellent son of Rory,” 1705; Rushgarry, hross
R u ig h e , R ig h e .
gearraidh.
R
utha.
See “
R u d h a .”
S
Not known; said to be an island off the coast of
Skye; suggested samh, surge, billowy, and eitin, eitean,
eiteag, white stone (place).
S a b h a il , S a v a l . High fell; ha-fjall.
S a g e r r y . Not known; suggested samh, as above, and gearraidh.
S a ig h a M h i n n .
The kid’s peak, sharp-pointed peak.
In
Sutherland it stands for “ bitch ” as a place-name, which
is the primary meaning of saigh, which, however, is the
root of the word saighead, an arrow; hence saighdear, an
archer, a soldier.
S a il m h o r . The great base (of a hill); sàil na beinne, foot or
base or the mountain.
S a iv e n , S a l y e n , S a o i - B h e i n n . Heroes’ or warriors’ mount;
moidh, hence “ saoidhean M h c m u is Manus’ warriors; if
first, then saigh, as before.
S a a v e t in .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
311
Suggested salach airigh, dirty sheiling; adjective
before noun; ary is a Norse termination for farm or home­
stead. In Minginish.
S a l a c h a r ie .
Not known. In
Trofcernish. Suggested salldair, a chaldron or measure (of
land).
Sa laed er , S a l a d e r , Sa l a r d e r , Sa l a u d e r .
The dirty or stormy point or place (ach). In Loch
Foliart. Doubtful.
Sa l l a c h .
Summereve, a corruption of Saint Maolrubha. There
used to be a fair or market (feill) held near Portree, called
“ Feill S h a m ara now thought called “ Feill Shligachain, ’
which is held in September. There is a church of St. Maol­
rubha near Portree. See, however, “ Hamar.”
Samara is the ancient Celtic name of a river in Belgium.
Sam ara.
S ar o s .
? Aros. Near Kilvaxter.
Sand or sandy bay. Cf.
“ Sandaig,” in Knoydart, opposite Sleat. This bay is
near Kingsburgh.
S a n d w i c k , S a n d a ig , S a n d a b h a ig .
Muddy vale; saur, muddy, and dal, dalr,
dale, etc. Here is another church or cell dedicated to
St. Maolrubha, with open burial-place. Sartle had many
athletes and sportsmen, being noted for shinty matches
Sa r t l e , S a r t t l l .
(iomain).
etc., even S a l t y r e .
a hill in Oynart and Bracadale.
Sa t r a n , S o t a r a n ,
S ca , S caalan , S calar , B e in n ,
Not known.
This is
q.v.] also “ Scalpa.”
S c a l a d a l , S c a l a d a l e , S k a l l e d il l ,
etc. Booth, hall, hut dale;
skali, skala, scale, Old Norse, and dal, dalr, Icel. skjol, a
shelter. Cf. “ Scalloway,” in Kirkwall, skali and vagh,
shelter-bay; hence sheal, sheiling.
Skali, & hut, etc., as above, and ar, place of. The
place of sheiling, etc. This is the name of a hill. See
“ Soalpa.”
S calar.
Dale of the sheiling at or near
homestead; skali host dal. In Duirinish.
S ca l b isd a le , S c a l p isd a l e .
Sheiling bay; skali vik or vig. Cf. “ Scallasaig,”
in Glenelg, opposite Skye.
S c al l asaig .
312
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
etc. Cave island; sgailp
cave or den, and a, ai, ay, island; one authority, however
gives it as from Norse skalpr, ship, and ey, ship isle, and
instances “ shallop” ; another says shalpeidh, eid, an
isthmus, or neck of land, which it is not; cf. “ Soapa ”
in Orkney and in Loch Tarbert, Lewis. There are three
or more Scalpa’s, but not known if all are islands. This
island is given as being in the parish of Bracadale, but a
certain poet in Skye gives it as “ Scalpa 'n t-Sratha,” Scalpa
of (the parish of) Strath, in Iain Beton’s song to young
“ Charles of Scalpa.” Another song—both beautiful and
touching—is that composed by Ann Campbell, daughter
of the Laird or Chief of Scalpa, to her betrothed, Ailean
Donn, brown-haired Allan, a Lewis man, who was drowned
on his way to Scalpa; this song is well known, and
frequently sung; it is called “Ailein Duinn, o hi shiubhlainn l e a t I ’d go with thee, and her crave to be “ arms
a bhad icm deach thu,” in the spot thou has gone to, was
singularly gratified, as, after her death, her body was lost
crossing to the Skye burying-ground. This fact upsets
the theory—or proves the exception to the rule—that “ a
funeral boat gets a quiet sea,” “ tha siubhal sith aig bàta
t ò r r m d h Scalpa is about ten square miles in extent, and
has an ancient castle 'dedicated to St. Fillan. Some of the
place-names follow. Scalpa has been called “ Island Glass,”
or An t-Eilecm glas, the green isle.
S calpa , S calp a y , S g a l p a , S k a l p a ,
The following are uillt or streams: A l l t L ia t h :
grey, runs north, out of Loch an Leoid to sea. B r id e :
St. Bridget’s. Gum S h u a s : upper peak; in south.
R u d h a B h e a g : little point or cape. M h ic L e a n a i n : Maclennan’s; runs north into Caolas Scalpa or Loch na Creag.,
N a C r ic h e : boundary; runs also into above.
A il d u n n . Ail signifies mouth, also stone, and dunn,
teacher, doctor; mil again signifies a steep rock or place, and
dun, genitive duin, a fortress or castle. This thought to be,
therefore, the fortress or castle on the rock. There is An
Dùine Loisgte, the burnt or vitrified fort, thought to be the
same; but one account supplied locally gives An Duine
Loisgte, the burnt man, a hill; thought improbable.
A osail S l ig e a c h . The aged or ancient shelly (place); but see
“ Rudh.”
A
n
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
313
SCALPA ( Continued) —
Little level mountain or hill (725 feet).
B e in n R e id h B h e a g .
North-west.
B e in n C h a r n .
B e in n L och - a - M
B e in n
nan
C am us
na
Cairn mount or h ill; but see “ M u lla c h .”
Sheep
Caorach.
F
Mill-loch mount or hill (949 feet).
h u il in n .
is t e a d h ,
mount or hill (8 8 6 fe et).
F o is t e a d h , F a s d a d h .
Bay of hire or
hiring; also stoppage or seizure.
C am us
nan
U isg e a c h a n .
Bay of the waters, or streams flowing
into.
The can or cup-shaped one. This is a hill in
N.W., and is thought like Dun Cann in Raasay; aid as a
termination may mean of or belonging to, a part or portion.
’C h a n n a i d .
The sound or narrows between
Scalpa and Skye.
C oire n a G e a d a ig . The cultivated corry. In S.W. Lit., the
corry of the small strip or patch of arable land.
C h a o l , ’C h a o il , A n C a o las .
C o r r an
a
C h in n U achdarach.
Point of the upper head; horn
of a bay.
Fort or hill o f the bright fire, beacon, one o f
many similar stations along the coast; gleus has other
meanings, as in “ Pioban mor gan spreigeadh is feadcmnan
gan gleusadh,” great pipes a-stirring up and chanters being
tuned.
D u n G l e o is .
E il e a n L eac
na
G a in im h .
Isle of the sand flags or stones,
or sandy beach.
Not known. A rock or stack on coast south of
Sgeir Dearg; another at Dunan, Skye. Suggested GuaV
an airigh, hill-slope of sheiling.
G ulnare.
K eanball.
Town-head. The seat of the chief or laird; ceann-
a-bhaile.
L och
Butter-hollow loch.
G l ac - a n - I m e .
South of Beinn
Charn.
L och
a
L e o id , L och
an
L e o id .
loch.
L och
a
M
h u il in n .
The mill loch.
Loch of breadth or broad
314
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
SCALPA ( Continued) —
M
C a r n , M u l lac h n a n C a r n . Cairn summit or summit
of the cairns; also mullach a chuirn. This “ cairn” i8
the highest mountain in Scalpa (1,289 feet).
u l lac h
R udh’
Ch in n M
a
h o ir .
Point of the great head or headland.
North-west.
R udh’
a
C h o n n a id h .
R udh’
a
C h o r r a in
Fuel or firewood point.
m h o r agus b h ig .
Promontory of the big
and little horn (of the bay).
R udh’
L o c h a in .
an
R udh’ A
osail
Little loch point.
S l ig e a c h .
North-east.
The ancient shelly place point.
Point or promontory of the
white-headed cow (ceann-fhionn). N.E. Also rudha dubh
na boiceannan, boicionnain. Black or dark point of the
goat-skins or hides this also given bòcannan ( bòcain),
spirits, ghosts, spectres!
R u d h a D o ir e - n a - B o-C e a n n a in .
e a n is h .
Meanaish or Manus’ point. Meanish might
be from mjo, narrow (which takes mia, mea), and nes, nose
or point, sharp point of the promontory.
R udha M
R udha
na
White or fair ridge point.
D rom a B h a i n .
In
south.
n a T r u s a id h .
Gathering point (as of sheep?), or
gathering of different currents.
R udha
R udha
na h
-U a m h a D
u ib h e .
R u d h a R e id h B h e a g , B h i g .
Black cave point. At south.
The point of the little level
(place).
R u d h a R e ib h n is , R e id h n i s .
S geir D e a r g .
Red skerry.
Th e level plain point.
North-east.
Cross (lying) skerry. In N.E. Lying
athwart an entrance. A beacon has now been placed on
this skerry.
S g eir T h a r s u in n .
S it h e a n G lac - a n - I m e .
Stappa.
Butter-hollow hillock, or fairy knoll.
The stepps; also Stapcm, seat of.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
315
SCALPA ( Continued) —
h r a in g , C il l e F h r a n g a ig .
Frank or Francis’
temple (Saint); or the cell or church of or at Frank’s bay.
This church is at the south end of the island, near where
the saint first landed; like most other churches of the period,
it, or its ruins, is only 26 feet in length; a Latin cross is
said to be incised on a pillar therein, which still survives,
and is about 4 feet high.
T o rre , T o r ii , T o r y .
Hill-island. Off Scalpa. Tor, ey.
Scalpa is hilly or rather rocky, Soalpa chraganach, as given
in “ Cabarfeidh.”
[End of S c a l p a .]
Team pull F
It may be observed here that words or names beginning, as
found, with Sc should preferably be Sg\ Sb also should be Sp,
and Sd, St.
The shrieking place; sgal and ar, place of; sgalair,
a shrieker, and sgalar, hounds’ cry when hunting; sgal
means a blast, a sound of high wind shrieking over a hill,
as this is; skali? See ante.
Sc a l a r .
The short dale; Norse skam, dalr. A
river runs through here which is frequently spoken of as
Glen Scamadal; a somewhat conspicuous rock also here,
i.e., in the Aird of Kilmuir.
S ca m a d a l , S c a m a d a l e .
S c a r b h a ig .
Sc a r d .
Cormorant bay; sgarbh and vig.
Near Elgol.
The scree or shingly slope; sgaird, Icel. skard, a ravine,
etc.
Sc a r d a n .
Diminutive
of
above. At Dunan.
The sharp or pointed isle. This island known as
Scarpa Vevecum, or Scarpa-nam-mult, Scarpa of the
wedders or wethers; found given Scarpamutt and Scarpnamutt. Lies north of Fladday, near Mingalay; two miles
long.
S cavaig , S g a t h v a ig , S g a t h a v a ig . The shadowy, gloomy, or
dark bay in the loch of that name; scàth, sgàth, and vig.
This loch is surrounded by hills which overhang, and
forms an appropriate entrance to Loch Coruisg; found
suggested Scahvag, Shawick, skagi vik, etc. As may be
surmised, eerie tales are told of “ sights,” such as funeral'
S c ar pa .
316
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
|
processions on impassable, precipitous hill-sides, foretelling
loss of life b j drowning. Going to this loch is, or was, an
event worthy of song, a favourite one being sung at
waulking, viz., “ Chaidh na fir a Sgathavaig,” the men have
gone to Sgavaig, a risky proceeding by reason of its sudden j
storms, one of which intituled “ In Its Wrath,” was painted I
by Horatio MacCulloch, said to be “ strikingly true.”
S cead B h e i n n .
The mount of the white spot, spotted (sgeadSee “ Sgiath-Bheinn.”
aichte, adorned).
One form of setr, a seat or residence,
a mountain pasture, a house, hut, or sheiling; changed into
seader, shader, siadeir, and (s)hiader (genitive); also seter,
ster, and stra, contracted from stadr, a station or place;
but see “ Bolstadr.” Other meanings, given before, herein.
S c h ia d d e r , S h e a d e r .
The sea (island); 'chuan. Thought meant by Admir­
alty for “ Flada-Chuan,” q.v.
S choan.
S ciabost , S geabost , S k e a b o st ,
S c ie p a d e a l l , S c r e a p a d a l .
q.v.
See “ Raasay.”
Plash of water; muc sgideil, a
small whale. This is the right-hand entrance to Loch
Eynort, into which a small burn of that (sgideil) name
runs. Other suggestions have been advanced, e.g., sguideil,
foul, dirty, etc., cf. Drochard Sguideil, Gaelic name for
Conon Bridge; also sgiothiol, a sheiling hut or bothan
àirigh, cf. “ Scitheboll,” the old spelling of “ Skibo.”
S c it e a l , S g it e a l , S g id e i l .
The valley plain; sco or scoth,
an Old Celtic word signifying a green plain; sgoth much
the same as fell or fjall, a steep rock; the Norse skogr, a
shaw, suggested, though generally a termination. See
“ Grasco,” “ Marsco,” etc.
S cobhal , S coebhal , S g o b h a l .
etc. Not known; ar, place of; might be
One suggestion advanced as sgonn, a lump,
etc., but questionable.
S consar , S cousar ,
sco, as above.
etc. The peak. This is a township in
Kilmuir, and some authorities claim it as being from Norse
skari, a cut, a mark, such as a headland, or part, separated
from mainland by a cut, etc. Not known whether this
applies here. See “ Sgorr.” Score Bay here, on the shore
or coast of which is Duntulm, q.v.
S core , S coir , S cor, S gor ,
317
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
See “ Sgurr Ouran.” Cf. Beinn
or Cnoc Ouran,” in Kintail. A marching tune of the Clan
Forbes is “Cath Ghlinn-Ouran”
S core , S cor , S gor H o r a n .
S cor - n a n - D a o in e , S corr
S gur r a n D u in e . The
S c o r n isie y .
nan
D u in , S gurr
nan
D a o in e ,
men’s ridge or rock.
Isa or Isay rock; Ice sgor.
etc. The speckled, or parti-coloured
rock; sicor, Norse, a sea rock; sgor in Gaelic is a sharp,
steep hill rising by itself, or a little, steep, precipitous
height, etc.; but see “ Soorriclett.” This place is near
Portree, and is somewhat noted as being near “ Nicolson’s
Rock,” where Prince Charlie landed on his way from
Raasay, also from the family of Nioolson ( Clann Neacail),
who are said to be of Russian descent through Neacal Mor,
who was in Mugstot (Mungastadt); this Neacail possessed
a oere-cloth or wax shirt ( leine-chèir), which he lent to the
Macleods of Dunvegan on every occasion of a death in that
family; Norman Nicoleon, a bard, also resided here; he
composed a well-known song intituled “ ’8 gann gu’n dirich
mi chaoidh,” before he had to emigrate. Soorribreac, or
immediate neighbourhood, is one of the places where the
crodh-sith, fairy cows, came to land; they lived, it is
believed, on a sea-weed called meillich, or bladder-wort;
Creag Mhor Mhic Neacail is the place these cows came
ashore at, and, being valuable, were prevented whenever
seen, from returning to the sea by tossing earth between
them and the sea, earth from a church-yard preferred!
Much lore has been written about these fairy cattle; see
Forbes’ “ Gaelic Names of Beasts, etc.,” s.v. “ Cow.”
Another mythical animal is, or was, the tarbh-eithre,
also aoidhre, boidhre; eithre has, as the secondary meaning,
ox, bull, cow; such cattle also called marrach', these kept
a person spell-bound; might just mean of or belonging to
the sea, mara, genitive of muir, sea. A waterfall near
Soorribreac named Easa Sue Con, which is unexplained
as given, only that beneath it the hollow or trough was the
place into which leprous patients were placed for a cure,
mùr, mùire, leprosy.
S corribreac , S c o r r ib r e a k ,
Thought meant for
Scor-nan-Daoine, q.v., which, however, is said to be in
Duirinish, and this place in Waternish.
S co r r ed en , S c o r r id ie n e , S c o r r a d o w n .
318
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
The farm or piece of land at the Scor or Sgor-1
Nome klat, but there is also Jclettr (Norse), a rock or cliff:
or stretch of rock; also cleit, cleite, as before given; claimed
as from Norse skari, a young sea-gull, and klettr.
S cosa . A ferrytoun (Pont). Scousar, q.v.
S coulom in , S coulonir , S g o u l a m a n . May be meant for Sgulamus, q.v.
S co u r ie . Place of birds; Norse skorrie, or from skari, as above; jj1
found explained as “ the fort of the champions,” but not
known. Cf. Soourie, Sutherland.
"
S criag , S g r ia g .
The shrivelled or hard, rocky (ground or
place). This place lies between IDunvegan and Kilmuir.
Also spelled sgreag.
S cudaburg , S cu d ab o r r o w , etc. The cluster of islets, town or
village; scud, sgud, a cluster; in the Hebrides a boat; there
is a dun or fort and a stac here. In Kilmuir, north of Uig.
S cud a ig . Might be sgud, as above, and vig, a bay, bay islands;
there is a word sgudag meaning a female with a sweeping I
gait, stately. This is a mountain or hill, and may have a I
“ stately ” appearance.
S cu d ar ac h , S g u d a r a c h , S g u d r a c h . Not known.
S eafort, S eafo r th , S ea t h f o r t .
Sea fiord; Norse sae, sea,
and fjordr, fiord or firth, a loch.
S e a n t a l a b h , S e a n - T a l a m h . Old earth, soil, or land; a saying
exists, “Seagain scan talmhainn,” ants of old land.
S e is r id h , S e is i r i d h . The six-team plot. This word means a
certain portion of land workable annually by a team of
six oxen or horses of old—now a pair. Seisreach fearainn,
a ploughland.
S e o d a l a n , S e o t a t a n . The little shuttle. See rock named the
loom. This place is at Pengown, Kilmuir.
S eo g l a tt e r , S h a g l a t e r , S h e o g l e t t e r , T h o c g la d d e r .
The
hawk’s hillside; smbhag and leitir.
S ga b a l , S g io b a l . The cauldron or pot. In Kilmuir.
S g a d a n , S g a t h a n . The shadowed or shadowy one; a hill or
mountain.
S g a in n ir n a n D u in , S g a ir n ir . If the first, might mean the
shame of the forts, etc.; if the second, might be from sgairn,
howling of dogs or wolves; a mythical spectre, also sgree.
S co r r iclett .
PLACE-NAMES. OF SKYE
319
The sheltering one; this is a perpendicular
rock sheltering Camustianavaig; Norse skali.
S g e ir . An isolated rock which rarely disappears under water,
and with no vegetation; Ioel. sker, Irish skellig, equals
scopulus maris.
These kinds of rocks are numerous,
the Dubh-sgeire, or black skerry, on south-east of Soay
being a noted one of evil reputation; sgeir, being a feminine
noun, requires qualifying adjective aspirated.
S g e ir - a - C h a is t e il .
The castle skerry. Not known which
castle; may be Dunvegan.
S g eir a C h r o c h a d a ir . The hangman’s skerry. On Score coast.
S g e ir - a - C h u a n , S g e ir a C h u a i n . Ocean skerry or sea-rock.
There are several of this name; one at Eilean Iosa or Iosal,
the north “ cliff
another in Loch Caroy.
S geir a L o c h l a n n a ic h . The Norseman’s skerry.
S geir a n D u i n . The fort or hill skerry; the Aird, north of
Skye.
S geir a n E ic h B h a i n . White horse skerry. North of Kilmuir
Bay.
S g eir a n E i d h , E ig h e .
The isthmus skerry. This is the
meaning according to the first spelling, the place being an
island at high tides; according to the second spelling,
variously rendered, eighe is the genitive of eigh, a cry,
a long continued, swelling cry; also of eigh, ice, but first
holds.
The word eidh is Norse for isthmus, and has many varia­
tions, iaid, aith, equalling ay, eie, eye, ui, uie, uidh (from
ooee), eidh also means a peninsula; Norse ei% etc.
S g e ir e a n M h o r , B h e a g agus B h u i d h e .
Great, little, and
yellow skerries. In Loch Slapin.
S geir a n O i r . The skerry of gold, or gold skerry, a nom de
plume of a Celtic scholar and writer from Skye.
S g eir a n t - S r u it h (sometimes S r o t h a ) .
The stream skesrry.
At Boraraig.
S geir D h o r c h a . The dark skerry; north in Loch Scavaig, q.v.
Sgeir Dorcha also found given.
S geir E i r i n n . Ireland skerry. Off North Alta vaig.
S geir E ir a p a c h , C r a p a c h , C n a p a c h .
The hilly or lumpy
skerry.
S g a l a n , S g a il e a n .
320
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
s a ir .
The skerry of the
wood-asarum, which grows thereon, or rather opposite to, on
land, at Sgianadan. This skerry is noted as having been
last dry in 1846, a year of famine, which caused some
people to think it was “ Rocabarra,” when the destruction
of the world was predicted, as stated ante.
S g eir F asa r - a - C h o il l e , F a s a ir , A
Farquhar’s skerry. “ Creag Fhearchair,”
another name for it, and was named after one Farquhar
Beaton, a Kilmuir “ character,” who used to fish from it
at Bomaskitag; the Rev. Alexander Macgregor, “ Sgiathanach,” wrote about Farquhar, and gives his daily prayer,
in which he invariably inserted the petition, “ Na tuiteadh
do gfaràs mnm mar an t-uisge air druim a ghèoidh,” let
not thy grace descend on us like the water on the back of
the goose, unabiding.
S geir G o b h l a c h , G h o b h l a c h . The forked skerry. Off south
end of Pabba, in Broadford Bay.
S geir G o r m u l , G h o r m u x l . The meaning of this given as the
skerry of the blue-eyed one; but it is Gormal, a place in
Lochlin, Scandinavia, and woody; tradition has it that Skye
was named Gorma or Gormar, the blue island, and kingdom
of Armin, who was a chief or petty king there once; Armin
signifies a hero; he called Skye “ the lonely isle.” This
place, or skerry, is in Loch Eisheort.
S geir G r a it ic h , G h r a it ic h , G r a t h a c h . The horrible, fearful,
or ugly skerry; also grathail. This skerry lies far out
beyond the north of Skye, Rudha Hunish, q.v., and is near
Sgeir na Maoile, q.v .; a beacon thereon now; Sgeir Mhaola
said to be the same, but it is another dangerous reef near
Trodda, which is not quite so far out.
S geir F h e a r c h a ir .
S g eir M
h a o l ( a ).
S g eir M
h ic
The flat sea-swept skerr|y;. or reef.
E a c h a in n .
M acE ach an ’s skerry.
(common and numerous). The great reef. At
Torrin; Portree Bay, N.; Rudh’ an Dunan; Loch Eynort;
Camus Miallaig; Loch Slapin, etc.
S geir M h u r c h a id h . Murdoch’s reef. Near Elgol.
S g eir M
hor
S geir
na
Caorach.
S g e ir
na
C a p u il l ,
horses’ skerry.
The sheep skerry. Off the island
nan
Capull,
a
C h a p u il l .
Near the Ascribe.
of
Isay.
The horse or
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
321
n a C o il l e .
The skerry or reef of the wood, now
inundated by sea. See “ Sgeir Fasair a Choille.”
S g eir n a C o in n ic h . Reef of gathering, lit.; not known unless
cross currents, etc., here. There is a Sgurr na Coinnich,
S g e ir
q.v.
S g eir
na
S g eir
na h - I n g h in n .
Off Fladda,
The girl’s reef, where she was drowned.
G r e in e , G r ia n - S g e ir .
Sun reef.
On Score coast.
n a m B ia s t , S geir a B h e is t e .
The beast skerry, a haunt
likely of an old walrus. In Loch Bay.
S g eir n a m F a o il e a n , F a o it e a n n (err.). The sea-gull skerry.
N. of Rudha Garbhaig, and off Breun Phort.
S g eir n a m M a o l , n a M a o il e , M i l e . The flat, rounded skerry.
Off Rudha Hunish, near Sgeir Graitich, q.v. A great
haunt of seals, with occasional walrus.
S g eir n a n E a t h a r B a n a , a n E a t h a ir B a i n e . The reef of
the white (fishing) boat. This reef is off Balmacquien,
Troternish.
This word mthar seldom used in Skye; the writer knew
only one man there who used it; it is a masculine noun,
except in Gairloch, where it is always feminine, with the
genitive eathmeh.
S g eir n a R u id e a g , R u id e ig .
Kittiwake reef. North of
Iasgair, q.v. The white sea-eagle is called “ An t-lasgair
the fisher.
S geir R i n g il l . Ringill reef. North of Kilmaree Bay.
S g eir
S g eir R o in ,
na
R on.
Seal skerry.
Sand-drift, sea-spray, place where
sand accumulates after storms, and where the muran, sea• maram, mat-weed, or sea-bent, always grows; mur, muir,
sea. The word siab means a cast, throw (as a line in fish­
ing), drift. East of Harrapol.
S g ia n a d a n , S k i n i d i n , q.v. Broadford.
S g ia t h . Wing, piece of land jutting into the sea; also sheltered
side of a mountain or district. Cf. Sciath or SgiathGabhra, near Inniskillen, Ireland.
S g ia t h - B h e i n n . Sgiath, as above. Given as “ Scead-Bheinn,
near Dunsgaich.”
S g ia b a n , S g ia b a in , S ia b a n .
322
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
The round rock; sgor cruinn. North-west of Dunvegan Head.
S g o r g r u in .
S g o r r id o w n .
S gorr M
Sgor an duine, q.v.
h a n u is .
Manus’ rock or sgor. Near Husabost House.
u in e .
The man’s journey; also crevioe or hidingplace (scraped out), a bare stretch of land on a hillside by
action of water, etc. This also found given as “ Sgriob-anDùin,” the hillock or fort, etc,
S griob - a n - D
S griob M
S griob
hor.
na
Sgriob, as above, the great.
B e it h r e a c h .
The wild beast’s crevioe or cave.
Beithir, beathrach, any wild beast; sometimes lightning.
Sgriob feaminn, a stretch, a portion of land.
etc. Skuli’s moss or moor­
land, a five double penny land.
The Landnambok gives Skuli as a brother of Liotr, the
earl, with whom he contended in Skye and other islands
for dominion. This is the Liotr from whom the Macleods
claim to be descended. Skolla signifies a slope or side of a
hill, while skolli means a fox, both Norse. This moss or
moor lies between Broadford and Kyleakin, quite near the
coast.
S gu lam u s , S k u l a m u s , S holomoss ,
An. The stack or stack-shaped hill; an irregular bossformed mass in the Coolins, with a beautiful peak perfectly
symmetrical, hence the name; part of it near the summit is
called “ An Cioch,” the pap, and very precipitous crags
surround, the mass being named “ Sron na Ciche, ” the nose
of the pap; also “ Sron a Sgumain ” stands out above all.
The primary meaning of the word sgumcm, as used in
Skye, is a baling or skimming dish for a boat, from sgum,
s.m., scum; it has also other meanings not applicable here.
S gum an,
A large steep rock or precipice; spelled scoor, scor,
soorr, scow, scuir, scùr, sgòar, sgoir, sgor, sgorr, etc. Norse
skor, a ridge or peak; sgor and sgurr generally used in
Gaelic; sgora is the Icelandic form. Sgurrs are numerous,
and mainly confined here to the Coolins.
The u sounds
S gurr.
long.
S gu rr - a - B h a g h , S co r a v a ig h .
The sgor of the bay.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
323
Bee sgor or sgor of the bees; beach,
locally used for beast, insect, wasp, etc.'; the word seillean,,
bee, generally used, beach being merely a contraction of
beathach, any living animal, from beatha, life; alleged that
the word beoch should be ccoch, dock. See “ Sguman.”
S gurr a B h a is t e ir , B h a s a d a ir .
The sgor or peak of the
executioner. This is a dangerous peak to ascend, and lies
near Sgurr nan Gillean, q.v. Soay has a peak of first
name as above, and translated literally “ the baptiser or
baptist’s peak.”
S gurr a C h a is e . Cheese sgor, lit. sgor of the cheese, either
from shape, or as suggested in “ Cnoc Caise,” Sleat, q.v.
S gurr a Chait. The cat-craig or peak; wild cat.
S gurr a C h o ir e B h i g . Sgor of the little corry (2,870 feet).
South of Garsbheinn.
S gurr a F io n n -C h o ir e . The sgor of the white or bright corry,
or cold oorry (fimnairidh). This sgurr is a small peak
between Sgurr a Bhasadair and Bruach na Frith©.
S gurr a G h r e a d a i d h .
The peak of torment, anxiety, etc.
(3,197 feet.); various but improbable meanings supplied,
even that it should be “ Grita.” This noble peak has been
termed “ the great central dome of the Coolins.” As its
name implies, it is hard to climb, being the longest rockclimb in the British Isles. This noted peak or mass is just
south of Sgurr-a-Mhadaidh. See “ Raimhe.”
S gurr A l a s d a ir . Alasdair or Alexander’s sgor or peak (3,300
feet), the highest and one of the finest peaks of the Coolins.
This peak is said to have been called “Sgurr Lagain ” by
the natives, the hollow sgurr or sgurr of the hollow, which
seemed great by contrast; the present name was given to it
appropriately of Alexander (Nioolson, a Skyeman), who
was the first one known to ascend it, in 1873; it dominates
the neighbourhood, though Sgurr Sgumain and Sgurr a
Ghreadaidh lie not far off, both approximately high. Sgurr
Alasdair, as may be imagined, forms the subject of many
sketches, drawings, and photographs.
S gur r - a - B eoch , B e a c h .
a M h a d a i d h - r u a id h .
The sgor of the red dog, the fox,
giving rise to the name “ Foxes’ Rake” or haunt; it
properly consists of four separate peaks, one of which is
split in two; gullies and crevices abound.
S gurr
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
324
a M h a l a id h , M h a l a id , M h a l a .
Sgor of the satchel,
bag, etc.; mala means also the brow or border of a hill,
also the genitive of mal, a prince, a champion, etc. See
“ Cnoc Mhalagan, Sleat.
S gurr
n.
The little sgor or peak; thought may be Sgurr
a Fionn-Choire.
Sgurran, A
a n D u in e , S c o r r in d u in e .
The man’s sgor, either from
being a man’s work to climb, or from having been a refuge
or hiding-place for some man or other. In Kilmuir, south
of Minginish.
S gurr
S gurr
an
E a sa n D u i b h .
The sgor of the black little waterfall.
a n F h e a d a in , S gu r r n a F e a d a in .
Sgor or peak of
the water spout or spouts, or wind crevices through which
the wind whistles as on a chanter, etc. There is a gully
here dividing Coir’ a Mhadaidh from Tairnelear, and is
well named, upwards of two dozen waterfalls or spouts
being here. It is about 1,200 feet in height; other
meanings given are “ Peak of the pipe-chanter,” and “ Peak
of the water-gully,” both more or less appropriate.
S gurr
The Peak of Brittle.
and in S. Minginish.
S gur r B h r e a t a l .
North of the loch,'
a n L o c h a in .
The sgor of the corry of the loch;
Loch Coruisg. This is a splendid rock mass, and forms a
lower buttress of Sgurr Mhic Coinnich. This “ corry ”
Sgurr was first ascended by Dr. Norman Collie in 1896;
elsewhere stated that it was Sgurr Mhic Coinnich he
ascended. Sgurrs are sometimes called after the very corry
that lies at their base or in gremio.
S gurr C o ir ’
Sgurr Dearg. Red sgor, red sandstone, and for long considered
inaccessible, being the second highest peak of the Coolins
(3,234 feet); it has of late been frequently climbed, and
named “ The Old Man of Skye,” a supposed translation
of “Alt Maen, high rock! A spur of this sgor is called
“ An S t a c the stack. Sgurr Dearg varies in appearance
according to the point of view, in one case like a huge
horn, in another like a chimney can, and climbers say it
is the most difficult of all the Coolins to reach, Bidean or
Bidein Druim na Ramh being the next.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
325
ubh an D a -B h e in n .
The black peak of the double
mountain; one of the two peaks of Sgurr a MhadaidhH u a i d h , q.v.
It is said that the name madadh ruadh, red
dog, was given this peak from its appearance, as it is
remarkable for a red, rusty weathering; first climbed by.
Sheriff Nicolson on September 6th, 1874; he said “ it was
the hardest climb I ever had among the Coolins.”
S gurr D
S gurr E a d a r - d a -C h o ir e .
The sgor between two corries; Coir’
a Ghreadaidh one.
Greeta’s peak. May be a proper name; a
word griod, griodar, a great noise, but doubtful.
S gurr G h r i t a .
S gurr L a g h a in , L a g a n .
Sgurr
Peak of the hollow; old name for
Alasdair, q.v.
h ic D h o m h n u il l .
Lachlan M a cD o n ald ’s
Peak; thought of Ord, Sleat. This peak is near Elgol,
or vioe verm.
S gurr M h a i r i . Mary’s Peak; not known what Mary.
S gurr L a c h l a in M
h ic C o in n ic h .
Mackenzie’s Peak; called or named
after a famous guide to the Coolins.
S gurr M o r . The great sgor; though, by comparison, not so
great, being only 1,774 feet in height. It lies north of
Meall na Suireanach, which is 1,460 feet.
S gurr M
n a B a n a c h d ic h , a B h a n a c h d a ic h .
Small-pox peak;
so-called after the corry, it is believed, from the marked,
or pitted, appearance of the rocks from oxidation; more
correctly “ vaccination ” peak, or the whitening or purify­
ing; locally “ Banaraich ” and “ Bànanaich,” said to be
in use, “ the dairymaid.” A well-marked dyke crosses
the ridge of this sgor, which is 3,167 feet in height.
S gurr n a C o in n ic h . The sgor of the meet or of meeting;
tìomneachadh more correct; thought this should be “ Sgurr
Mhic Coinnich,” q.v. 2,401 feet.
S gurr
S gurr
n a h - E id h n e .
Ivy peak.
South
of
Drumhain.
n a h -U a m h a .
Cave peak. This is the eastmost peak of
Sgurr nan Gillean, and divides Lobhta Coire from Coire
nan Allt Geala, above Coruisg; a loch called the Black
Loch near; also Bealach-a-Beoch.
S gurr n a m B oc. Bucks’ peak, he-goats. South of Minginish.
S gurr
PLACE-NAMES OK SKYE
326
S gurr
nam
F
S gu rr
nan
Caorach.
ia d h .
D eer peak.
Sheep peak.
n a n E a c h . Horses’ peak. Goats, deer, sheep, and horses
all frequent above; the peak of the horses is a prolongation
of Blaven, a narrow ridge rather, running east from north
end of Clach Ghlas, near Garbh-Bheinn, overhanging
Garbh-Choire.
S g u rr n a n E ag.
The notched or serrated peak, the sgor of
notches, etc.; also found given Sgurr-Eag, the notch, and
on the top of Sgurr Dubh Mor. Splendid views hence.
S gurr
n a n G il l e a n , S gor - G il l e a n , etc. The lads’ peak, 3,167
feet. This peak ranks prominently among all the Bgurrs;
it actually consists of five peaks, or pinnacles like needles,
and furnishes a wonderful echo. Accounts given of this
peak are many and varied, one detailing it as consisting of
three sharp, well-defined ridges, one of which, the south­
east, was climbed for the first time by Professor J. D.
Forbes on 7th July, 1836, with Duncan Macintyre as
guide; one of the peaks used to be called the “ Needle ”
rock, afterwards the “ Little Horn ” on suggestion of Alex­
ander Nioolson (Sheriff); another peak on the western
ridge is named variously “ Gendarme,” “ Policeman,”
“ Freiceadan,” watch.
The word gillean has been rendered gillies or servants,
also gy11s.
Professor Blackie says, “ As you look down from the
peak, the highest point in the island, commanding, a wide
survey of the most savage of all savage regions,” etc. The
Professor is mistaken in two or three details; he does not
say from what peak he looked down. When viewed from
Sligachan, all the peaks appear as one, and was spoken of
by a German as “ Jungen-manner-spitze.” Another of the
peaks, named the “ Pinnacle ” ridge, divides Coir’ a
Bhàsadair from Glen Sligachan, while another “ Knight’s
Pinnacle,” is named after a member of the Scottish
Mountaineering Club; the Journal of this club is referred
to for much interesting and valuable information as to the
Coolins generally, and we cannot refrain from referring
particularly to an article written by Sheriff Nicolson in
1865, intituled Skye and Sgurr nan Gillean,” also In
'Memoriam of the Sheriff by Professor Veitch.
S gurr
“
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
327
Accident® to climbers with guides are unknown on this
sgurr or indeed on or among the Coolins generally, and
only two deaths of climbers have been known to take place
within the last twenty or thirty years, on which occasions
no guide accompanied the climbers. There is a Sgurr
nan Gillean ” in the island of Rum.
S gurr n a n G o b h a r . Goats’ peak. In the Coolins, 2,047 feet.
S gurr n a S t u a id h , n a n S t u a d h . Sgor of the pinnacles or
summits. Not known what sgor this is, but might be
Sgurr nan Gillean, q.v.
S gurr n a S t r i , S t r i t h , etc. Peak of the conflict or fight—
opposing wind®, it is thought. A neighbouring peak ip
called the Devil’s Scaur, both overlooking Loch Scavaig,
the latter being nearer Talisker, below Preshal Beag, and
north of Soay.
S gurr O n r a c h a in n , A o n r a c h a in n ( A o n a r a c h ). The desolate,
solitary sgor or peak; or might be the peak of the solitary
one, or hermit.
S gurr O u r a n .
The wolf’s sgor; odhar aon, odhar-chu (dh
silent); also suggested from our, old term for water, i.e.,
the small water (or stream) peak. C f. “ Sgurr Ouran,”
in Glenshiel; found given “ Heuran.”
S gurr S g u m a in . See “ Sguman.”
S gurr T h e a r l a ic h , S gu r r - T e a r l a c h . Charles’ Peak; named
after Charles Pilkington, another member of the Scottish
Mountaineering Club. This peak is next or nearest to
Sgurr Alasdair, and was formerly known as “ North-east
peak.”
S gurr T h o r m a id . Norman’s peak, named after Dr. Norman
Collie of above club.
S gurr T h u i l m . Tulm’s Peak. This said to be a proper name,
and not from tolm, a hill; alleged that Duntulm and Eilean
Thuilm, off Troternish, called after this person. The sgurr
is cleft by a dyke.
S h a g e a r y , S h a g a r ie , S h a g g a r y . The sea enclosure or strip
of land; sja-r, the sea, and geroi, geary, enclosure, etc.,
sea-garth. In Oynart and Bracadale.
S h a g l a t e r , S eog later , q.v. The hill-slope at the sea; sja-r
and leitir, hillside, etc.
328
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
S haw bost.
The sea-steading or homestead; sja-r as above, and
host, bolstadr.
etc. The seat or residence. From setr
as before given. This word setr appears in many other
forms, hiader, for instance, being the aspirated form minus
the s, also sta. Sir Archibald Geikie calls setr “ rock
shelves owing to erosion of sea old level.” Sheader or
Siader bore a somewhat unfortunate reputation, if we may
judge from the following:
S header, Sh adder,
“ Siadair sin ’us Siadair,
Cha do chinnich duine riarnh ann,
’S ged is Uonmhor do cknoom,
Leagihmdh do chuid mar am fiar arm,”
which may be thus translated:
Siader there and Siader,
Where no man ever prospered,
Though many are your knolls so gray,
Your substance melts like grass away.
The word flar is the Skye pronunciation of feur, grass.
The above is a saying of Coinneach Odhar, the Brahan
Seer. As in other places, a nickname was attached to
this place and its people, “ Stapag shughain Shiadair”
Sowens-crowdie of Seader. SugJian or subhan means the
juice of corn-seeds or husks of meal, steeped; after being
boiled, it thickens, and is then in Skye called cabhruich,
càth, seeds of corn, bran, etc., and bruich, boiled, làgaw>
elsewhere, flummery and sowens in the Lowlands, sowens
just sugban. There is a dun or fort in Siadair, which some
claim to be from seid (English shed), a portion of land
separated from another. There is a Shiadar at Heynish
Hill, in the island of Tiree. Siadair in Gaelic means a
dirty, lazy fellow, etc.
q.v. This place is
where William Ross, one of the Skye poets, was born.
S h ea ch an , S h e e h a n , S e ach an, S it h e a n ,
S h e o d l a w , S heodlane, S eotlan, S eobalan,
q.v.
The sea land, seat, or place of residence, etc.;
Norse sae or sja-r and setr.
S heshader.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Ilandschant.
S h i a n t I s le s .
329
The sacred or enchanted isles;
seun, a charm, seunta, enchanted, fortunate, lucky, etc.
There are three islands, Eilein na Cille, isle of the church,
Worrey (Mhuire, Mhoirei), Mary, and G-arbh, rough, more
or less joined to or connected with each other; they lie
about fourteen miles out from Troternish, in fact, a con­
tinuation of the island; like Staffa, they are columnar and
basaltic, the columns having a diameter of eight or ten
feet, with a length or height of five hundred.
A ©acred loch (Loch Seunta) exists in one of the islands.
Etymologically, seun is connected with signore, segnen,
sain, to make the sign of the crow, to bless; seuntd is
thought to be Gaelic sith, s.f., peace, or adj., spiritual;
ia enters into the words for e long. The word saint here­
from .
S h in a g , S k i n a g .
See “ S k in id in .”
Solan-goose steading; sula, sukm, sulair, gannet,
solan-goose, etc., and sta, for stadr, last half of bolstadr,
as before. This name derived from the place being held
for a delivery of a certain number of geese annually to the
Macleods or Macdonalds by the Macleans, hereditary
physicians to the Macdonalds. This was in use down to
1790.
S im il e a r a n I o l a ir e . The eagle’s chimney. By a chimney
here is meant a perpendicular cleft or narrow fissure in
the rock, which, in many cases, forms the only mode of
access to the desired summit; here an eagle had its nest.
S im il e a r G o b h l a c h .
The forked chimney; affording an
alternative climb.
S im il e a r ’Ic N e a c a il . Nicolson’s chimney (Sheriff).
This,
along with the two preceding, are all in or near Sgurr nan
Gillean, leading to Coire Bhàsadair.
S h u l is t a .
S it h e a n , A n,
An
t - S it h e a n ,
Sheean,
Sia n ,
S it h - D
hun.
The hill or hillock, fairy hill; sith means both a hill and
fairy; sithich, sithiche, daome-sith, men-fairies; and bansith, female fairy. This particular Sithean, for there are
many more, is near Broadford, and is more than a mere
hillock, large stones being here, which are said to indicate
this place as having been a quondam Druidical Court; in
later days celebrated as being the birth-place of William
Hoss, the poet, 1762. See “ Sheachan.”
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Many and various are the accounts of these fairy hilllocks
and their supposed inhabitants. In Skye, at any rate, the
female fairies were always dressed in green; the males were
described as demine beaga ruadh, little red men, dressed so
or in any colour, often in crotal-dyed cloth, crotal being a
lichen that dyes red and brown, while another lichen, corcur,
dyes scarlet; the dress of the females— na mnathan-sith—
appeared shaggy or ruffled, with dishevelled hair, especially
when wailing as a prognostication of death, which was one
of their special privileges, described as caiteineach, shaggy
or frizzled. The fairies were, or are, said to have been
originally a tribe or community, aes or aos-sidhe (gliding
or vanishing ones). See N.G.P., “ Lamh d’Athair,” etc.
Indeed, it is alleged that the “ fairies ” were not fairies at
all, but merely a dwarf or dwarf-like race which preceded
the present Celts about 300 a .d ., or perhaps their
predecessors, whoever they were.
Barrie, among many others, refers to the fairies as
coming from or being the first baby who laughed for the
first time, when its laugh broke into a million pieces, and
they all went skipping about!
Fairies are called “ piskies ” in the south of England,
and said to be “ one span in height, clad in green, with
straw hats or little red caps ” ; though no mention made as
to male or female, their attributes, etc., appear to be the,
same as elsewhere.
We venture to give the following very descriptive verses
or lines from the compositions of Donald A. Mackenzie
as to the above:
“ The wee folk, the green folk, the red folk and grey;
The light folk, the lone folk, the folk that will not stay;
The hill folk, the still folk, the folk that flit away;
The droll folk, the knoll folk, the folk that dance alway;
The wee folk, the peace folk, the folk that work and play;
The quick folk, the fine folk, the folk that ask no pay;
The good folk, the honest folk, the folk that work alway;
The fierce folk, the angry folk, the folk that steal and
slay.”
We refrain from dilating on the above subject.
Other sithein in Skye are Sithean a Bhealaich Chumhaing, hillock of the narrow pass, north of Portree; Na
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
331
Sitheanan beag agus mor, the hillocks, little and great;
Beinn-a-Mhorrain, the sea-kale mountain, morran; also
Praiseach - Bhuidhe, yellow cabbage, bmssica oleracea;
Biorach, sharp or pointed; Gorm Agus Uaine, blue and
green; Neill, Neil’s; Beinne Bhoidhich, pretty or beautiful
mountain hillock, near Portree.
The above word sithecm may be translated also “ fairy
hill.”
S keabost , S k a e b o st , S geubost , S g ia t h b o s t .
The sheltered
house; sgioth, portion of land projecting into the sea, also
shelter, protection, etc., and host as before. Norse etc.,
derivations given are skeif-r (Icel.), and bost; sjà-r, the
sea, and bost\ skjdr, a window (?), and bost', sgiach, haw­
thorn; Skidhi’s town, Skidhi a proper name; cf. Skibo,
equal to Scythebol. First meaning holds, from locality.
Mary MTherson (Mairi nighean lain Bhan) was born at
Sgiathbost in 1821; ©he ranked high as a poetess, and never
wearied of singing the praises of Skye.
Sgiathbost has several features of antiquarian interest,
viz., an old chapel on an islet in the River Snizort; also a
gruagach stone, which was supposed to have been used
within the memory of man to protect the cows from harm,
especially witchcraft!
S k e a d in , S k e o d in . Sea fort; skeif-r dun, doubtful; might be
sgead, speck, ornament, and in or inn, country, island;
possibly the last, as in titles it goes with Scalpa.
S k e l b o st . Skali-bost supplied. Shealing town or homestead,
but doubtful; may be meant for “ Skeabost.”
S k e r d in . The fort or hill skerry; sgeir an dùin.
S k e r - H o r e n , S gurr O u r a n , q.v.
A waterfall here, which
possibly gives the name, as our, war, signifies water.
S k e r in e s s , S k e r in is h , S k i r i n i s h , S k u r in is h , etc., S g o ir in is h
(as pronounced). The rock or skerry at the point; sgor
and nes. A quasi island here, which is known as GobSkerines, the beak or point of the skerry-point, and lies
between south end of Loch Snizort Beag and Loch Eyre,
etc.
This place is noted for a mythological native who claimed
to have been at the North Pole, the first to get there, and
who stopped the north wind by finding and stopping up
its exit (temporarily!). This “ discoverer,” on being asked
332
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
how he got there, replied by going direach, direach, straight
straight; he was, therefore, called “ Direach, Direach ” ■
but another account says he was merely ja simpleton, a
deformed dwarf, a direach, i.e., di-reachd, wanting in 0r
devoid of strength (of mind). Skerines is found given as
in Snizort and Portree parishes.
S ker- na-M
il e
(M
e e l a ),
M
a o il e ,
S g e ir - n a m - M
aol ,
q.v.
Not known, unless meant for Skinidin, q.v.
S k i b i n i s . Ship point; Norse skipja, ship, and nes, point, etcsuggested sgib, Gaelic for ship, skiff, and inis, island, etc.
S k i n i d i n , S k in i d e a n , S g ia n a d a in , etc. Bleached or withered
grass dun; Norse skmni and dun. Cf. Skinid, in Suther­
land. This place is in Duirinish, south-west of Loch Dun­
vegan, with three other duns near, viz., Dun Cruinn, Dun
Fada, and Dun Gòirid, round, long, and short.
S k i n V o ir e . Great or large knife; sgian 'mhor.
This is a
sharp peak or ridge above Sligachan. The above name
Skinidin may be sgian m duin, from some equally sharp
ridge or point.
S k r ia g , S gr eag , S g r ia g . The dry, parched, or shrivelled-up
place; rock ground.
S k r id a n , S g r id a n . The little scree or sgree, stony ravine, or
track of mountain torrent; Icel. skritha; the word
sgribhmn, scridhinn, is the rocky side of a hill, whence
sgrioth, sgriothail, gravel, etc., pour down as a sgree.
S k ia n l e a n .
S k u d ib u r g , S g u d a b u r g h , S cu dabu rg ,
Sky,
q.v.
Sk ye.
An t-Eilean-Sgitheanach, “ the sky,” in old
writings, etc; the introduction to this work is referred to,
so it may suffice to state here that the first Sheriffdom of
Skye was created in 1292, though one, Paul Balkason, was
said to have been Sheriff, or petty ruler, in 1223; Skye,
however, then paid tribute to the King of Ulster in Ireland,
who claimed sovereignty, while the above Paul, “ Pall, the
son of Balki,” was called the “ Vicount of Skye.” Before
that, in 888, Skye was definitely under the rule of Harold
Harfagr, Harold the fair-haired.
Various and numerous are the descriptions of Skye; one
writer credits it with having no less than seven “ great
rivers” ; another writer limiting these seven to Snizort
alone. This may refer to seven natural divisions or
provinces, all Norse-named, or claimed to be so.
M anse
op
S l e a t — 1815
333
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
The familiar name, used by the natives especially, is
“ Eilean-a-Cheo, the isle of mist, or “An t-Eilean,” the
island. The former is applied to Skye alone, but its in­
habitants or children do not therefore claim the title of
“ O lann-a-Cheo children of the mist, which, it is under­
stood, pertains to the Macgregors alone. Skye extends,
according to the Ordnance Survey, 643 square miles.
Further references to Skye cannot be made here brevitatis
mum.
Pit or dungeon of the dun or castle; sloc-cmPossibly a memorial of heritable jurisdiction.
Sl a g a n d in e .
dùin.
Sl a p in .
See “ Loch Slapin.”
caverned shore.” —Scott.
Slaban (1586).
Sl a t - B h e i n n or A n D a - B h e i n n ,
q.v.
Sl e a d a l e .
Not
“ Slapin’s
Slatach, stately.
known.
(1634-1649), Sclait (1690), Sclate (1626), Sklait,
Sklaittay (1561), Sklett (1610), Slait (1644-1676), Slaite
(1693), Slaitt, Slaitte (1587), Slate (1776), Slaty, Slatyne,
Sleibhte, Sleit (1644), Sleitt, Slet (1475), Slete, Sletty
(1649), and Sliach; such are a selected few of the various
forms in which this name appears, written and printed, in
records, services, titles, Acts of Parliament, etc. It means
the mountain slopes, or sloping moorland, much ground
down and smoothed by passage of ice from north and north­
west; sliabh is the noun in the singular, and means a
mountain of the first magnitude; the modern mode of
spelling the name in Gaelic is Sleibht or Sleibhte, which
is the plural of sliabh. Sleat, like other parts of Skya,
held prominence in Ireland, and, according to MacFirbis,
it has the Irish form, sleibhte, slebte, slebti, sleipti, slebtib,
and sl&aty, sliab, genitive sleibe or shliab, the Old Irish
plural, is sleibe, the te added by analogy from other nouns
when it was the regular form of the plural; there is a
Sleibhte in Queen’s County, Ireland, where the famous
Gaelic literary Bishop Fiacc flourished; in the “ Fionn
Saga,” the name is given as Sleibhteadh, where the Feinne
were familiar, and frequently hunted, their chief, Fionn,
being with or visiting them from time to time. As usual,
a Norse derivation of this name has been sought for, viz.>
sletta, a plain, slettr, level, which it is in parts only.
Sl e a t
334
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
SLEAT ( Continued) —
Sleat in 1463 was described as 28 mark lands, supplying
one ship, birlinn or galley, long-fhada or lymphad, of
twelve, sixteen, or eighteen oars, for the naval servicelong is the general term for any kind of ship, loingeas or
luingeas, shipping, navy; there is a port at Aird, or the
Point of Sleat, called Port-na-Long, the ship harbour, q.v
Other official descriptions of Sleat give it as a thirty
merks land, while in the inventory of property left by Sir
Alexander Macdonald, who died on 23rd November, 1746
it is given as “ the twenty pound land of old extent of
Slate,” viginti libmtis terrarum antiqui extentus de 8lait\
Sir Alexander’s funeral to Reilig Mhor Chlann Domhnuill,
in Kilmore, on 8th December, was the largest and most
imposing ever seen in Skye; it is said it cost nearly £3,000
sterling.
Sleat and Strath were formed into one parish in 16611726; Sleat was then re-erected, and the church there was
built in 1631. This church survived until 1876 (now in
ruins; see “ Kilmore” ), when a new church in close
proximity thereto was built, and the church-yard extended.
The church contains several ancient monuments.
There have been fourteen parish ministers in connection
with Sleat since the year 1609, and much might be written
about them were space available; we merely give their
names: 1609, Kenneth Mackenzie; 1641, Neil M'Kinnone,
or Neill M £Kinnane; 16------, Angus M'Queen (literary);
1726, Edmund M ‘Queen; 1742, John Macpherson
(literary); 1765, Martin Macpherson, eldest son of pre­
ceding (literary); 1812, John M'Kinnon (afterwards of
Strath); 1826, Alexander M ‘Iver; 1844, John M'lver;
1851, John Forbes (literary); 1863, Donald Macdonald;
1870, Archibald M'Neil; 1881, Alexander Cameron; 1915,
Kenneth Ross.
The manse was not built until 1815, at the same time
as the castle at Armadale; part of the plans of the latter
were utilised in the building of the manse, which has a
tower and is battlemented; it is called “ An tigh Bhàn,”
and forms a landmark.
Descriptions of the parish have been written and printed
down to 1876; in 1750 the Rev. J. Macpherson describes
it as being twelve miles in length and two and a half in
breadth, which, nowadays, is somewhat misleading; High-
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
335
SLEAT (Continued)—
land miles were then longer, and Sleat (and Skye) miles
have been described as “ much the longest in all the High­
lands.” The boundaries of the parish of Sleat now run
from the head of Loch Eisheort eastwards to Kylerhea,
thence southward to the Point of Sleat, about twenty statute
miles.
The coast of Sleat is fairly diversified, and contains
several considerable bays and lochs; on the east the Sound
bounds it entirely, and is of considerable depth, being, off
Glenelg, seventy-three fathoms close to the shore, where
the ice first carved out the rock basin of which it consists.
One conveyance of Sleat in 1506 is to Ranald Alansoun
of Ylandbigrim and his heirs, “ 28 mercatas terrorurn de
Sleit, una cum castro et fortaliees de Dunskahay,” see
“ Reg. Mag. Sig.”
As to objects of antiquity in Sleat, these are numerous
and interesting—holy wells, duns, extinct volcanoes, ancient
and modern castles, and so forth. Historians, poets, and
minor bards of both sexes have kept Sleat well to the front,
among which fall to be mentioned the famous Secmachie,
Hugh Macdonald, also the literary clergymen before
referred to, and several of the laity down to the present
date, while special mention must be made of Mac Beathais
or Mac Beathaig, of the seventeenth century, while one
piper at least flourished in 1723 in the person of Malcolm
Macintyre; one sweet singer was Peigi Eoin, or Maggie
Maclnnes, who, among several others, composed the song
“Tha mi'fo c h u r a m I am anxious; of a later date we have
a writer, musician, and collector of ancient Skye tunes or
airs in the person of Dr. Keith Norman Macdonald of
Ord; he wrote much which we cannot detail here, merely
mentioning his famous “ Gesto ” Collection; he was styled
the Tyrteeus of the Clan Macdonald.
Though not a native, Alexander Smith occurs to one
when mentioning Ord; his “ Summer in Skye ” is widely
known, while “ The Brave Sons of Skye ” is the title of a
work by Colonel John Maclnnes, late of Sleat.
Among places of note of old were Terung’ Chaisteil and
Terung Uachdar (the first at anynate supposed to be the
castle of Knock land), which were set apart by Domhnull
Gorm Mor in 1614, as provision for his third wife; his
designation in 1590 was “ Donald M ‘Conell Gorim,
336
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
SLEAT ( Continued) —
pretendit posseasour of the landis of Trouterness, Ewist'
and Slait” ; apropos of Ewist or Uist, John MacCodrumor MaeOdram, the Gaelic bard and satirist, was family
bard to the Macdonalds of Sleat. As to the Sleat
Macdonalds, it may be mentioned that, in 1665, it was
“ Sir James M ‘Donald of Sleat ” (in 1618 “ M'Connald de
Slaitt ” ) Sir James was not then a lord, but a baronet
the creation of the baronetcy being in 1625; but see
“ Duntulm.”
Sleat has been variously named by her children and I
others; “ Sleibhte riabhach nam ban boidheach, russet Sleat
of the bonnie women; Mnathan Sleibhte, Sleat wives (worth
having); Sleibhte nam bradan, Sleat of the salmon; and
a questionable characteristic is Ceilidh nam ban Sleibhteach,” the gossiping of the Sleat women, frequent and
prolonged, according to some!
Nicknames, as elsewhere, prevailed in Sleat, given, of
course, by outsiders, such as “Na coilich is na cearcan
the cocks and hens. Among themselves various names, with
, attributes, more or less appropriate, were given, sarcastic­
ally, to individuals, extending even to versification; these,
if given, might offend some, and to most others would be
like the Skye man’s puzzle ( toimhseachan or toimhseagan),
which takes seven men seven years to answer!
As to the merits of the Sleat women, we find in Duncan
Bàn’s song to his wife the lines, “8 tu shiol nam fear bha
’n Sleibhte,” thou of the seed of the dwellers in Sleat;
also in “Harm Gearradh Arm,” “ an onoir a fhuair na
saoir Sleibhteach,” the honour or renown the Sleat
carpenters earned (for good workmanship).
Sir Walter Scott also refers to Sleat, the “ Clans ” being
brought forward in Canto IV. of the “ Lord of the Isles,”
where Loch Eisbeort, Dunsgaich, and Caligarry are
mentioned.
Sleat has by no means escaped the notice of learned
scientists of almost all descriptions, geologists as well as
naturalists; one mineral specially mentioned is called
maroasites, of various kinds, while notice is taken of finely
variegated pebbles, Professor Geikie informing us that the
rocks are chiefly Torridonian. A famous naturalist, James
Robertson, was the first to discover in Sleat the rare plant
Eriocoukm de ecmgulare in 1768; also elsewhere'in Skye.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
337
SLEAT ( Continued )—
Antiquarian “ finds ” are not unknown; about 1851, on the
north side of the Point of Sleat, a deposit of bronze weapons
having been found in the moss, a sword, two spear heads,
and a long slender pin with cup-shaped head.
Further references to details of the parish will be found
throughout this work in connection with the names of the
places given hereafter.
Sleat having been the parish in Skye where the author
passed his infancy and youth, he has thus been afforded
^greater facilities for securing the names, which it is hoped
and believed will be found fairly full and complete; they
are given alphabetically:
The river of Ord, q.v.
A b h a in n C e a n n - L o c h a . The river of Kinloch, so called from
falling into Loch-an-Daal, Kinloch; by receiving the
waters of several streams, it has attained the dignity of
being styled a river; this and the preceding are the only
two; all the others are mountain streams, allt, uillt.
A B h r u a ic h . The Brae. Near Tarskavaig.
A c air se id , A car said - a n - R u d h a . The anchorage of the Point
of Sleat; near Aird, where Port-na-Long is. In a chart
of Skye, not the Admiralty’s, this appears as Archasig
Hirm, Amirseid thioram, the dry anchorage; the word
acairseid is derived from the Norse or Old Icelandic word
iàkkeri-sàt, akkarsaeti, anchorage or anchor-seat.
A c h a ’ T a g h a , T a g h a d h . Choice field.
A cha T o ir sg il , T o ir sg ian , S g e in . The mound of the peatknife; this is the only case where acha means a mound or
bank, bac-mòine. Toirisgil, etc., from Norse torf, turf,
and gil, toirisgian, sgian, knife. See “ Terriskle,” at
Stonefield.
A ch a ’ , A c h a d h , A uch C a t h a n a M h o a r , M h o t h a ir . Field
of the noisy Baemicle-geese; this as given, but elsewhere
given as Acha’ Leathan a Mhoar, Mhothair, the broad'
field of green grass, etc.; mothar has several other mean­
ings. At Ferindonald.
A c h acosh enach .
The field of stalks or stems; coisem,
coiseanach; suggested ooisinneach, earning, gaining, profit­
able, or comaich, wage-earner, and thus a field given as
A b h a in n
an
U ir d .
338
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
SLEAT ( Continued) —
The loch field. This and
last at Stonefield.
The word Achadh enters into many place-names, and
frequently appears contracted, or even varied, e.g., aueh
but the diphthong au is not admissible in modern Gaelic*
see abh or amh, amhach, neck, frequently found as auch,
etc.
A c h ’, A c h a ’, A c h a d h an L och .
The vicar’s field. This Gaelicised word
stands for the parish minister, who resided at Ostaig before
the manse at Kilmore was built. This field is at Ostaig.
A c h a d h a B h ic a ir .
A
At
A
or A
chadh
ch,
A
uch - a - L o c h a n .
The field
of
the little loch.
Stonefield.
chadh
an
E as , E a s a .
The field of the waterfall.
Near
Knock.
A
L e ir a b h a ig , L etjrabhaig .
chadh
Near Ord.
A
chadh,
A
A
chadh na
A
ch nacloich ,
Mud or muddy bay field.
Cf. “ Lerwick.”
uch
M
or.
The great field. Armadale.
B a t h a c h a d h . The field of drowning; suggested
as local pronunciation of the genitive of bathaich, byre,
and just byre-field.
A
u c h n ic l o ig h ,
A
c h a d h - n a -C lo ich e
(cloich is
the dative of clach). The field o f stone, stone-field, from
discovery o f a stone cist there, though it m ay be mentioned1
that the fields are generally stony,; a favourite spot to
embark for the Spar Cave, also noted for some old families,
now dead and gone, one noted violinist, Alexander M ac­
donald (who taught Dr. Keith Macdonald, O rd), familiarly
known as A lasdair F idh leir, an elder in the parish church;
he died in
1898,
and was much missed.
A g h a id h - a - C h o s n a ic h . The face, hillside slope of
the labourer or wage-earner. See “ Achacoshenach.”
A
g h a id ,
A
ir d c h u ir in is h .
A
ir d
M
A
ir d
R eam har.
A
ir d
hor.
See “ Ard Thuirinish.”
The great Aird or Airt; a part of land.
The fat or rich height of land, etc.
L o isg t e . The burnt Aird.
a vitrified wall, it is said.
Here are some remnants
of
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
339
SLEAT (Continued)—
A ir d S h l e ib h t e , A r d l a it , A r d - S h l e i b h t .
The A ir t or
promontory o f Sleat, the southernmost point o f S k y e; here
a volcano once existed, one o f the most recent to become
extinct, and said to have caused the separation between
Skye and Eigg.
The Aird people till lately were a class per se, the Norse
type of tall, blue-eyed, and handsome men and women
being much in evidence here; they were dubbed “ 'JSla
faoileagan/ ’ the sea-gulls, the saying being, “ Buntat' ’us
faoileagan, biadh luchd na h - A i r d e potatoes and sea-gulls,
Aird folks’ food!
Snow or snowy bay; Norse snae(s), and vig ;
claimed locally as from snaois, a piece or slice, and to be
the little slice or piece of ground or land, and given
A ir d S n ao saig .
snaoiseag.
A ir ig h , A
ir ig h
C orrach.
The rough or steep sheiling.
On
Monadh Meadhonach.
and C noc D u b h
the knoll thereof,
and the black knoll of the heather, all above and common
to Sasaig and Tongue.
A ir ig h L o in id , L o in id -O m h a i n . Sheiling of the churn-staff.
On Ord hill.
A ir ig h M h ic D h a i b h i d h . The sheiling of the son of David,
Davidson. On Sasaig hill.
A ir ig h n a C a p u il l . Sheiling of the horses or mares. Sasaig.
A ir ig h D h u b h , C noc n a h - A ir ig h - D u ib h e ,
a F h r a o ic h . The black or dark sheiling;
A ir id h
na
G obhar.
Sheiling of the goats.
In Monadh
Meadhonach.
n a L o s g a in n .
Sheiling of the toads or frogs. In
Monadh Meadhonach.
A ir ig h n a S u ir ig h , S u ir id h e .
The sheiling of courtship.
Only partly in Sleat.
A ir ig h n a G r ia n a n , ’G h r ia n a n , or r i G r i a n a n .
Sheiling
of the sunny spot. In Sasaig Glen.
A ir ig h r i C r e a g a n .
The sheiling against (the) rocks. In
Sasaig Glen.
A l l e n , A i l e a n . A green or meadow, etc. This place doubt­
ful; said to be near Camuscross.
A ir ig h
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
340
SLEAT ( Continued) —
River of the crooked neck (lit.); art means
a stone, a house, etc., and is frequent in terminations; some­
times for iard, ord, height or district. Camart may mean
a winding bank or banks of this burn, or crooked height. '
At CamuscrosB.
A l l t a C h e a n n e a c h a in , C h e a n n a ic h e a n .
The merchant or
packman’s burn; also na Ceannaiehean. In a narrow pasB
near this burn, one “ Big MacGillivray ” killed two pack­
men; the bodies were found at the junction of this bum
with the sea. This is just a tradition.
A l l t a C h in n M h o ir .
The stream o f the great head-land.
At Ord.
A l l t a C h o i n . The dog burn.
Kinloch.
A l l t a C h a m a ir t.
A
llt
A
llt
G
a
A
h a ir b h e id
gharrach,
, G
A
h a r b h a ig ,
ghm horach.
q.v.
The beautiful burn, or
atkarrach, changing or winding burn.
A
llt
A
il e in
,
an
A
il l e in n
.
The burn of the herb elecampane
(inula Helenium); this is a large herbaceous plant which
produces a bright blue dye. There is also a profusion of
blue, lily-like flowers growing near Isle Ornsay. This burn
runs from Beinn-na-Seamrag into the Minch, between
Kylerhea and Isle Omsay. Said to mean “ pheasants’
eyes.”
A l l t a M h u il in n .
The mill burn. At Ostaig. No mill
there now. There is another burn of this name near Beinn
Suardal, Strath.
A l l t A n a b h a i g , q.v.
Between Ashaig and Kyleakin. This
burn runs only partly in Slqat.
A llt a n D a r a i c h . Oak-tree burn. Also a n D o i r e - D a r a i c h ,
oak-copee.
A l l t a n D o m h n a i c h , A l l t D o m h n a i c h , D i - D o m h n a i c h . The
Sunday or Lord’s burn; has also the meaning of the sad
burn. This burn runs south of the low square, Armadale.
A l l t a n D u b h l a n . The challenge or defiance burn (thought
to cross it!). At Tongue. The boys of Tongue versus
the boys of Saeaig.
A l l t a n E r a n , E i r i o n n , E i r i n n , A i f r i n n . Burn of the mass
or chapel. At Kinloch.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
341
SLEAT ( Continued) —
A l l t a n R e o g h a n n , R ig h in n , R i b h i n n , R io m h a i n .
o f the beautiful m aid, etc.
A llt
an
S t u ic .
Th e burn
Stack or cliff burn. Runs out of Loch Doir’-
an-Eich.
A llt
an
T e a n g a id h .
Tongue burn. See “ Allt an Dubhlan.”
n a C o ise .
Foot-pass burn. South-west of Isle
Ornsay. The word bealach common, and ajpplies to very
small defiles.
A l l t B h o c h a id h . Vokie or Mochie’s burn. This word just
represents a favourite form of “ frightfulness,” and is
general in Sleat and district at any rate; bocan, a bogle
or other terrifying object. A specious tradition exists of
a giant of the name of Mòchaidh, that haunted “ SgiathBheinn an Uird,” q.v., and performed many wonderful
feats, one being the kicking or pushing a huge boulder into
the loch or sea at Ord, the saying being, “ Thilg Mochaidh
a mach i le gmgag de aorban (aobrainn) is tha i a comhag
loch eas far an seas i gu dealcm («dilinn),” Mbchaidh cast it
out by a slight knock of his ankle (foot). It now forme a
waterfall in the loch (or an obstruction), where it will
stand for ever.
A l l t C a il g e a r r a id h , C h a il ig e a r a id h . Caligarry burn, q.v.
Near Tormore.
A l l t C a il l t e , C a il l t e - D a r a ic h .
The lost burn, oak-tree
burn. Falls into sea between Kylerhea and Isle Oronsay,
from Beinn Alasg or Beinn na Seamraig, south of Port
Aslaig.
A l l t C e a n n - L ocha , L och - n a - D a a l . Falls into this loch.
A l l t B e al ac h
q.v.
This burn falls into
eea near Sgeir Chulaidh, at Rudha Guail.
A l l t C o ir e G a s g a in , G h a s g a in ,
t - A l lt C orrach.
The steep (banked)
Between Sasaig and Ferindonald.
A l l t C o r r ac h , A n
burn.
Kylerhea burn. Rises in Beinn Bheag,
and falls into the eea here.
A llt C haol- R e it h e .
A l l t C o ir e - a n - F
h r a o ic h .
Heather oorry
bum .
last.
A llt D earg.
Red burn.
Off the Gasgan; at Ord.
Flows
into
342
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
SLEAT ( Continued) —
A
llt
C u l- A
ir ig h - L a g a in .
the hollow.
A
llt
The burn at the back sheiling itt
Airigh-làgmn, “ sowens sheiling ” furnished.
D h o n n a c h a id h .
Duncan’s burn; a Duncan Macintyre
Teangue.
A
llt
A
llt
A
llt
D
llt
llt
Duisdale burn. South of Allt Bealach na
See “ Lon Duisdeil,” in Kilmuir.
u is d e il .
h u ic .
Burn of the waterfall of the pig (wild
North of Kylerhea.
E as - a - M
boar).
A
See “ Loch Dhughaill.”
D iu b a ig . This burn runs into Loch Diubaig, north from
Beinn Eristan.
Coise.
A
Dugald’s burn.
D h u g h a il l .
E o g h a in n .
Ewen’s burn. North-east of Kinloch (Ewen
Curlach?).
F io d h a c h , A l l t ( a ) F io d h a c h .
The wooded burn.
Runs between Kilmore glebe and the farm of Ostaig; rises
near Cnoc Mhàlagan, and flows east into the sea. Another
name, iseldom or never used, is Allt-Sgiath-Bàn, the burn
of the fair or sheltered slope, the hill between Maol Buidhe
and Cnoc Mhàlagan down to the sea.
The word allt here is invariably pronounced allta, the
added a being a phonetic softener between the two
consonants t and /, which do not blend well, the a prevent­
ing a disagreeable sound; the addition of a is also seen
in the termination aire of some words properly ending in re.
A
llt
A
llt-G ead- an-L in ,
A
llt
G e a d l i n . Burn of the lint plot, or small
piece of arable land. Lint used to be grown here, i.e.,
between Sasaig and Tongue. It is believed no lint is now
cultivated in Skye.
G l e a n n H o r a v a ig , A
llt
known; may be Baravaig.
Knock Bay.
A
llt
G r ia n a c h , G h r ia n a c h .
H o r a vaig , T h o r v a ig .
Not
Said that this burn runs into
The sunny burn.
Runs into
sea near Kylerhea.
L e t h -S h it h e in .
Half-hillock or gentle slope burn.
Flows through Glen Meodal into Knock Bay.
A
llt
A
llt
L och an - S g e ir , L och - a n - S g o ir .
skerry, or loch of the sgor or peak.
Burn of the little loch
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
343
SLEAT ( Continued')-
Burn of the cave loch; supposed more
than one loch of this name.
A l l t L och - n a - h - U a m h .
h a o d a il , M h io d a il .
The burn of the narrow dale or
glen, from Norse mjo, mjor, narrow, and takes the form
mao, mea, mia. This burn was rendered famous, locally,
by Iain-Mor-Buachaill, Big John the herd, a Macpherson,
who composed a song called ironically “ Caisteal Mor Allt
Mhaodail," the big castle of Meodal Burn, near which a
certain “ Tearlach ” built unto himself a hut, which Iain
Mor characterised in scathing terms; four lines must suffice,
from the exigencies of space:
“ 'S mm aig Tearladi cool tha ionghnadh mm Eileanan,
A llt M
Caisteal mor Allt Mhiodail, le saothair a rinneadh e,
Tha rampavrean gu h-iosal air aoladh gu daingean ann,
'Vs loingeas mkor mm Innsean ’cuir dion son taobh eile
dheth.”
Tearlach Mor na Cròige, as he was dubbed, felt rather sore,
it is said, ever after.
The word maodail has been explained also as being equal
to moda, modr, Norse for muddy. Mhaodail has been
corrupted into vodal; see “ Leir Vodal.” Cf. “ Maodlach,”
at Kingairloch. Locally, this word took its meaning, it is
believed, from maodal, stomach, etc.
M o r . The great stream. Falls into the sea at Port na
Long, Aird. Not called Abhainn as a title, though this
and other uillt are often referred to as such.
A
llt
A
llt
M h u il in n T h u ir in n , T h u ir e in n .
The wheat-mill
burn. Not here now; wheat not grown in Sleat nowadays.
u c h te , M u c h t a .
The suppressed stream, suppressed
or humming; this thought akin to “ Allt Caillte,” q.v.
A llt M
A
B e is t e . The burn of the beast. See “ Gleann,” also
“ Loch an Doirreanaich.”
llt n a
n a C e a n n - a - M h a ir e a c h .
Sea-head burn. Thought this
the same as Allt a Vorevein, Mhorbheinn, near Tormore;
also given Ceann-a-Phort, head of the harbour or port.
A llt
The rimpling burn.
Abhainn Ceann-Locha.
A l l t - n a - C r io p a g .
Runs west into
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
344
SLEAT ( Continued) —
nam M eacan.
Burn of the plants, bushes, or growth.
The word memcm, with numerous additions, has many
significations; here it is thought to represent a luxurious
growth of the great common burdock, meacan-tobhach or
bur, altered in pronouncing or naming to Mae-an-Dogha,
dogh or doth, attached, clinging, as does the bur, the
clinging son or one.
A
llt
A
llt
A
llt na
nan U am h a.
Burn of the caves. Between Loch
h-Uamha or nan Uamha and Loch Dhughaill.
P a ir c e - F
Burn of the heather park.
r a o ic h .
na
South
of Kyleakin, in Sleat.
A
llt
na
T eanga M
hor.
Great tongue (of land) burn. At
Calligarry.
A
llt
R
e id h - G h l a is .
The smooth, grey stream (Old Celtic
Runs south-west into Loch Eiseort.
glas, a stream, etc.).
A
T h u il l .
The holes’ burn. Falls into the sea north
of Rudha Guail and south of Allt Caillte.
llt
The speckled or variegated pass; also
Both near Tarskavaig.
Am B ealach B r e a c .
Bàn, white.
The field or stretch of land; also Am Blar Buidhe,
the yellow field, etc.; Am Blar Dubh, the black field;
Am Blar or Am Blarach Rogach, Fhrogach, the field or
plain with holes, dens, or marshy. All at or near
Tarskavaig.
Am B l a r .
A
n a b h a ig .
The height or meeting-place by or at the bay;
Near Ashaig, the Ferry, q.v.
aomch vig.
An A
ir ig h
F
h r a o ic h .
The heather or heathery sheiling.
Near Tarskavaig.
An
t -A llt
An
t -S a o t h a ir .
A
n
R uadh.
The Red Burn; also called “ Dearg,” q.v.
The false land or promontory covered by sea
at high tide, between what is known as an eilean tioram
and the mainland; two rocks at or near Ostaig bear this
name. See “ Eilean Mòr.”
t - A o d a in n
Armadale.
M
or.
The great face or slope; a field at
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
345
gLE AT ([Continued) —
r u isg , A ir is g , E ag lais A r a is g .
Arasg church, now
in ruins, and said to date back to 1744, when one Alexander
Nicolson was minister or assistant at Aird. Much specula­
tion has arisen as to the meaning or etymology of this
name, but no information procurable in the district or
parish. The word arasg itself signifies “ word.” Various
interpretations and suggestions have been offered, equally
unsatisfactory; generally thought that it refers to a place,
such as an airigh, ar, ploughed land, etc.; it is even given
as ar os, and Arasaig (or os vig or aros vig) quoted. Not
known.
A kaisg , A
A r d v a sa r - S a ir , - S o ir . The deadly, fatal height,
airt, or point. Equals aird, and heard pronounced Airdivasar.
A rock in the neighbourhood is called Sgeir nan Saoir,
the carpenter’s rock, a crew of carpenters having come to
grief there; but that tradition is comparatively modern,
and does not hold; a saothair, a passage between the main­
land and some outlying island, or part passage, covered
at high tide, certainly exists here, but this also rejected;
the nearest saothair proper is said to be at Ostaig, two
miles distant.
Ardvasar is the principal village of the district, a trading
centre in a small way, and in close proximity to Armadale
Castle and steamer pier, etc.
A
r d av a sa r ,
A
r d c h il a n ,
heights.
A
rdnakeldan,
A
Near Loehindaal.
ir d
C f.
na
C o il l t e a n .
Woody
“ Dunkeld.”
A
rd
G h u n e l , G u n e l , G u n h i l d . Gunhilda’s height, place, or
promontory. At Camuscross. Opposite this place lies
Eilean Tioram (Isle Ornsay), on which stands a lighthouse;
the plateau of this height is called Druim Ban, the white
or fair ridge, and there the people of Camuscross have for
generations placed their cattle in summer quarters, airigh;
a Norse etymology has been advanced of gunnd, equalling
w;ar.
A
rd
L o isg t e . Burnt height. This said to be either a vitrified
fort or the markings and burnt rocks of a beacon fire,
common long ago all along the coast.
346
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
SLEAT ( Continued) —
A ir d ’I c I l l ic a n , U il l ic e in , C u il c e in . MacKilliean’s,j
Wilkinson’s, or Willkins’ height, place, or stance. This
is a field on the Glebe in Kilmore nearest the seashorethis name recalls religious differences between Episcopacy
and Presbyterianism in the seventeenth century; in 1657 a
certain John M'Killican was minister of Fodderty, who,
along with a Mr. Hogg, refused to conform to Episcopalianism, and took to travelling about the Highlands and
Islands, preaching the Word; he held meetings or services
on this particular field, but, as he had little or no Gaelic,
did not persevere, but returned to Ross-shire (Alness) in
1686. This field is also called the sea-park. Cf.
“ Artilligan,” as equalling Aird-Uilleagain.
A r d m il l s , A r d m i d l e . Old name of Dowry House attached
to Armadale. Situation not known, but thought near or at
Ostaig; goes in title as “ a two merkland in Slate.”
A r d - n a - M eacan , etc.
See “ Allt-nam-Meacan.” This place
is north of Lochindaal, and is noted for an extensive coppice
of hazel, the nuts whereof are “ superior (“ Cnothan Aird
na Meacan,” the nuts of Ardnameakin), being much sought
after. Off the entrance of the burn to the loch is a sgeir
or rock called Sgeir Ghobhlach, the fork or forked rock.
A r d n a t h a n , a t h a in .
The height or place of the little ford.
Near above rock.
A
rd,
A
rd
A
rd
S n u s a ic h .
See “ Ob.”
T h u i r i n is h ,
H
u r in is h ,
C h u a r n is h .
Wheat point;
tuireann, tuireinn, tuirinn, and nes or nish. This point is
near Port na Long. Suggested St. Turos, but doubtful;
might be Norse hver or thver, a point, or a proper name.
A
Ardmillo (1499), Airmadillis (1561), Ardmidyllis
(1644), Armidill, Armodel, Armidle. See “ Ardmills.”
Bay-dale.
An authority gives this name as from Icel. arm-r, O.E.
arm, arm of the sea, spur, or branch bay, and dal, dalr,
a dale, but thought Latin arma, arms and dale; spoken
of in Skye as “ Armadail nan lu ir ea c h Armadale of the
mail or armour, which is still shown in the present castle.
There are two Armadales, a great and a little.
This place or these places have a special history of their
own, and were of great importance both from a national
rm adale:
I
j
I
!
1
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
347
gL B A T CContinued) —
as well as a local point of view, eo far as we can gather or
refer to here.
The Lords of the Isles, or rather the Macdonalds of the
Isles, as is generally known, successively inhabited Islay,
Mull, and finally Skye, and, up to the last century these
Macdonalds, latterly of Sleat, lived within Skye at
Duntulm Castle (q.v.), afterwards at Monkstadt, or Mugstat, in Troternish, which they held on to strenuously,
despite the claim, under a charter, by the Macleods of
Dunvegan. It was decided by the then chief of the house
to build a castle compatible with his position and dignity,
and in 1815 or thereabouts the modern castle of Armadale
was erected in a pseudo-Gothic style, according to the taste
or ideas current in the Georgian age. In 1773 Dr. Johnson
found Sir Alexander Macdonald at Armadale in the small
house of “ Armidle” ; Sir Alexander showed great hospi­
tality to both Johnson and Boswell, which was ill requited,
by the latter at any rate.
The modern castle occupies a lovely site, and has within
many ancient and interesting articles—old armour and
paintings, with an illuminated stained-glass window, por­
traying the famous ancestry; one of the paintings is that
of the brothers Sir James (the Marcellus) and Sir Alex­
ander, the first Baron of Slate in the County of Antrim,
Ireland, which barony was superimposed on the Scottish
Parliamentary barony, which had been enjoyed by the
Lords of the Isles from early times. The full history of
this family, with others of the clan, will be found in the
famous work on the Clan Donald.
Donald Gregory, author of the “ History of the High­
lands and Isles of Scotland,” dedicated his work to “ MacDbonuill nan Eilean, heir-male of John, last Lord of the
Isles, 1346-1493.”
The Macdonalds of Sleat were said to be subject to a
kind of pulmonary affection called glamch, a swelling in
the hollow of the hand, etc., often referred to as tinneaè
mm Domknullach, the Macdonalds’ sickness; to heal this
complaint, a charm, however, was obtained from a certain
ship-wrecked foreigner to whom hospitality had been
extended.
Mary Macpherson, the Skye bardess, is said to have
composed a poem to the “ Macdonald ” of her day, intituled
348
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
SL E A T ( Continued) —
“An Domhnullach F u ra n a c h the hospitable Macdonaldthis poem is also attributed to Bean Bhaile Ranuill, the
good-wife of Ranald’s-town. See “ Lyndale.”
The name “ Macdonald ” has been the subject of various
spellings: a few are M'Conill Growmicht, M'Doneill Gormoch (gruamach, surly) (1580), MacKonald (1586), Makconeil, Mackoneyl, Makoonnele, Makoonnell, Makconyle
MakDonald (1571), M'Coneill (1587), M'Connill’
M'Kconil (1597), M ‘Konnell, M ‘Oneill, etc. The Irish
wrote “ Clann Domnaill,” but in an instrument of sasine
of 1597 the spelling is “ Donald Gorm Macdonald ” of
Sleat.
This word Donald, Domhnall, Do'all, is derived from
Domnovalos, world-chief, eventually Domnall or Dovnall,
in Latin Dovenald, which accounts for the final d; it has
also been explained that Domnall is the oldest form, dating
back to about 700 a .d ., and has much the same rendering
as above, viz., Dumno-valdos, world-wielder, the Old Welsh
form being Dumogual; this Dumno or Dumo appears now
as domhan, the world, the universe (an domhan). The fore­
going is the correct etymology, therefore, of this name,
though some writers have explained or interpreted it as
down shuil, brown eye! The form “ Maconnell,” Gregory
says, is the proper way, and was that formerly employed
by the Macdonalds of Dunnyveg and the Glens; Sir James,
the last of this family in the direct male line, signed
“ Makdonall.” Kuno-valos also alleged to be the rendering
M ‘Conail, etc.; while Shakespeare, in “ Macbeth,” gives
it “ Macdonwald.”
“ Donald ” itself is found as
Dwnwalhon, Douenald, Doneuald, Donewaldus, Doneuall,
Dolfnal, Donivaldus, Duneval, Douenhal, and Dopnalde,
etc.; Norse Dofnaldr.
William C. Mackenzie, in his “ History of the Scottish
Highlands,” informs us that the title of “ Lord of thdi
Isles ” was lost in 1493, that title going to the Crown in
1540, the last holder having died a pauper in an obscure
lodging-house in Dundee, or, as elsewhere stated, as a monk
in Paisley Abbey; it is further stated that from 1598 the
shadowy mantle rested on the shoulders of “ Macdonalcl
of Sleat, who is the sole representative, so to speak, of
Somerled, Lord of Argyle, or Somhairle MacGillebride na
h-Uamha, Somerled (or Samuel), the son of the servant
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
349
SLEAT ( Continued) —
of Bridget of the Cave. As well as being “ Lords of the
Isles,” the Macdonalds were “ Earls of H o b s . ”
The foregoing account of the Macdonalds can easily be
verified and found in a more extended form in various
publications.
The clan contains many noted historians, poets, or bards,
warriors, and pipers; one of the latter composed a bitter
satire on the Macleods, with whom the Macdonalds were
at enmity, the title of the pipe-tune being “The ’n dubhthuil air Macleoid,” the Macleods are disgraced, the literal
meaning of an dubh-thuil being the black-flood alias
diarrhoea, the piper having escaped being burnt to death
by the Macleods. Few collections of pipe music are
wanting in compositions by members of the clan
Macdonald.
In addition to above account of the Macdonalds, reference
may be made to the Book of the Dean of Lismore, while
in the Book of Clanranald we find “ Sir Domnall Gorm
mac Giolla asbuig mhic Domnaill, triath Sleibhte > (agus)
Thomtamis, cuirteir mor aig ri Serlus,” Sir Donald Gorm,
son of Gillespie Macdonald, Lord of Sleat and Troterness,
a great courtier with King Charles (I.).
This Sir Donald, it is said, was the cause of the death by
drowning of Iain Garbh Mac ’Ille Chaluim of Raasay, as
elsewhere given; he therefore promised a certain piece of
land to a Troternish witch, but which promise he did not
implement; the witch herself was found drowned not far
from Raasay. Donald Gorm’s saying in connection with
above promise has become proverbial, viz., “ Domhnull da
fhem," Donald to or for himself. From all appearances,
Donald was afraid of some one or other wreaking vengeance
on him, so he had a “ body-guard ” of twenty of the most
able-bodied of his clan, hench or haunch-men; this body­
guard, or “ Tail ” as it was called by Lowlanders, was
the practice, it is believed, of all chiefs at a certain period
till about the end of the seventeenth century; the men of
this body-guard had to pass some crucial teste ere being
deemed qualified to serve as Luohd coimhid, taichd or
frithealaidh.
The Campbells felt the scourge of the Macdonald
bards’ tongues pretty often. There is extant an aoir or
satire between one of the Macdonalds and Mac-Cailein-
350
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
SL E A T ( Continued) —
Mor in the seventeenth century, the latter being the
aggressor; we can only supply the Macdonald's reply
thereto; it is as follows:
“ Ni ’m b’usa buntain ri rn' sbamhuilsa,
’8 mi mar cheann nathrach 's teang air chrith;
’8 mi mar eisg (easg) an deis a' bearradh
’8 beist air buiri a h-earra dhi.”
No easier were it to deal with my like
As I am like the adder’s head with tongue shaking,
Like an eel after being docked,
And a beast that has its tail cut off!
Some have called this “ Spàg - a - da - ghliog ChlannD o n u i l l the Macdonald swagger.
shagg.
See “ A s h i g . ”
Aslag, Aslaig. The ridge of the hollow; Norse as or ass, a
ridge. A port near Kylerhea. See “ Beinn.”
A u l a v a i g . Olive, Olaf, or Amhlaidh’s bay.
See “ Inbhir.”
B a g h a M h u i l i n n . The mill bay. Ostaig.
B a g h a n D u b h a i r d . The bay of the dark height. At Ord.
A
B
agh
B
a il e .
D
R
un
N
o
u a ig e ,
q.v.
place-name beginning with this word found in
Sleat.
B a r r a v a i g , B a r s a v a i g , B a r v a i g , etc.
Summit of
the bay; barr, head, point, etc., a vig, of the bay. Also
found as Barr’s bay. Lies between Knock and Camuscross.
Two bays; has a dun and three hillocks. Not given in
Ordnance Survey.
B e a l a c h a C h n u i c , a C h n o c (locally).
Knoll pass. Sasaig.
B e a la c h a C h r e a g a in .
Little rock pass. Tarskavaig.
B e a l a c h a G h l i n n e C h r u a i d h . The pass of the hard or stony
glen; this glen is actually composed of three glens, the
above, with glens Meanoch and Capistol; in the first,
tradition has it that a “ treasure ” lies hidden or sunk in
a loch there called Lochan na Poite, the little loch of the
pot (of gold?); vague sayings as to how and when the
treasure can be located and found; another tale said to be
connected with above.
B
a r a v a ig ,
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
351
SLEAT ( Continued) —
The loch pass. Tanskavaig.
B e a l a c h a L o ch .
Pass of the arable field, or broad ridge of
Sasaig.
B e a la c h a M a ig .
land; màg.
a n t - S l e u c h d , S l ia c h d . The pass of kneeling, genu­
flexion, bowing reverently. Here the first glimpse of the
parish church was, and is, to be seen on worshippers’ way
from north thereof. This pass is at the junction of Ferindonald with Kilmore.
B ealach
B ealach
B
an
. The fair or white pass. Above Gillen House.
B ealach B h o ir b h .
Borve pass, where a fort or borg was of
old. At Aird.
B e alach B r e a c .
Speckled pass. West of Maol Buidhe.
The pass o f Brisgag, the bright
or the lively one; a woman’s name.
B ealach B uscaig , B rio sg aig .
Sea-ridge pass.
B ealach D r u im - n a -S a i l e .
Pass of the little loch hollow.
B ealach L ag - a - L o c h a n .
n a G r e ig h L e i m .
Pass of the flock of the leap or
bound—bounding (deer). Between Beinn na Seamraig and
Beinn Alasg.
B ealach
B ealach
na
h - A ir id h
D u ib h e .
Pass of the black or dark
sheiling.
n a h - I u b h r a ic h .
Yew-tree pass, fine view pass; the
latter thought correct; “ Is briagh an t-iu b h ra c h it is a
fine sight, found applied to a ship under full sail; in Barra
it means a good sailing vessel.
B ealach
B ealach
na
L a ir e D u ib h e .
B ea l a c h
na
S eana G h i d .
Black mare pass. Tarskavaig.
Pass of the old piece of cultivated
land, lazy-beds, gmd.
nan Ca r n .
Pass of the cairns. On road from Tar­
skavaig and district to Kilmore burying-ground. Here­
abouts funeral parties rested and partook of refreshments
(falair); these cairns marked where coffins rested or were
laid for the above, and passers-by were expected to throw
or place a stone on such cairns; sometimes names, etc.,
scratched on stones.
B ealach
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
352
SLEAT ( Continued) —
The gloomy pass,
or pass of distress. Near Kylerheia. This pass stretches
westward, and forms one of the most striking views in the 1
Highlands. Of course, it is haunted by a monster (beisd)
which appears in various shapes (cruth, riockd); it has
not been seen since the dead body of a man was found in
the neighbourhood!
B ealach T h o l l . Hole pass. See “ Clach Tholl.”
B e in n A l a s k . Not known; but according to O.S. in north­
east of Sleat (1984 feet), with “ Goat peak ” (1977 feet).
B e alach O d a l , U d a l , U d a i l , U d l a i d h .
slag , A s l a k , A s h l a ig .
May be meant for the above.
See “ Aslag.”
B e in n B h e a g . Little mountain (1488 feet). West of Dun
Ruaige.
B e in n B h o c h d a ic h , B o c h d a ic h , B h o c a id h , V o k ie . See “Allt
Bhochaidh.”
B e in n B h r a d h , a B h e a d h , B r a . Mount of or like the quern
or hand-mill; round. At Duiedale.
B e in n B h r e a c . Speckled mount (1427 feet). South of Beinn
na Seamraig.
B einn D hubh L eathan . Black broad mount. At Camuscross.
B e in n A
B e in n D u l a id , D io l l a id .
Saddle mount.
A narrow ridge
near Camuscrose.
e u r , F e o ir .
Grass mount. North of Gillen. Few
in Skye is pronounced fiar, and fiar means crooked, etc.
B e in n F i d h l e i r . Fiddler mount. South of Meall Buidhe,
near Loch-na-h-Uamha.
B e in n G a s k in , a G h a s g a in , q.v.
Gasgm here means a spot
running to an acute angle, a plateau.
B e in n n a C a il l ic h . The old woman (or perhaps nun) moun­
tain (2,388 feet). West from Kylerhea. See this mountain
elsewhere in Skye.
B e in n M a e l l a n , M e a l l a n . Mount of the little lump (1,425
feet); known also as “ Beiaoon Mount.” North of Isle
Ornsay.
B e in n n a S e a m r a ig .
Clover mount, or Mount Shamrock,
Between Kinloch and Lochnadaal, north of Isle Ornsay.
B e in n F
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
353
SL E A T ( Continued) —
Precipice bay; berg-vik, bergs-vik, vig; berg means
a mass of firm rock, cliff, or crag; ateo found bjorg; the
term “ barrow ” said to be derived therefrom, also bmp.
The Gaelic word bemradh may also be compared.
B e r a ig .
B eul- a n -G a r b h .
The mouth or opening of or into the rough
(place).
t h a - G a r b h . Ford-mouth to above.
Between Ord and
Tocavaig, Ord River.
B eul- A
t h a M a ig h s t ir N i a l l .
Ford-mouth of Mr. Neil.
Near the last two, and thought to have been named afteir
one of the sons of Macdonald of Ord. Another statement
made that the name of this ford dates back to 1641, and
was named after the Rev. Neil M Kinnon, but not certain.
B eul- A
t h a n a m M a ir b h .
Ford-mouth of the dead, where
funerals crossed. Near Tarskavaig.
B eul- A
t h a R ogach , F hrogach (fh silent).
The ford-mouth
of the holes, or marshy, treacherous. On Allt-aii-Teangaidh, near Knock.
These four used as passes, the last said to be haunted!
In Sleat and Skye generally, beul is pronounced bial
(beeal).
B io d ’ a O h a t t .
The pointed top of the cat (wild), bioda, also
named the “ Cat-nick.” At or above Sasaig. See “ Uamh
a Chait,” or nearer Knock.
B io d ’ a C h l a m h a i n . The gled, kite, or buzzard’s peak. Above
Sasaig or Tongue. A proverb says, “ Cha dthainig even,
glan riardh £ nead a chlam hain a clean bird never came
from the kite’s nest.
B l a r n a D ig e . The field of the ditch or dyke. This field is
at Armadale. The word dig signifies a moat, a ditch;
also applied to a dyke, likewise the hollowed out rhines
at low tide between what are islands at high water. See
“ Faodhail.”
B ogha C h a ir s t ic h , C h a ir s l ic e , C h a is l ic , etc. The bend of
the ford stepping-stones; cas Imc, caisleac, a stream, where
the land juts out. This place is near Tormore.
B eul- A
Da r a c h . The oak-tree bend or promontory.
skavaig.
B ogha
At Tar­
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
354
SL E A T ( Continued) —
The bank, banks, or borders of the Gasgan, q.v.;
bruaich is given as received, but it is the genitive of bruach,
the plural being bruachcm.
B r u a ic h .
an F h e a d a n , F h e a d a in .
The brae or bank of the
chanter, or spout, etc. At Tarskavaig.
B ruach
B r u aic h L och D h u g h a il ,
q.v.
B r u aic h R u a id h C h e a n n l o c h .
B r uth ach A
The banks of Loch Dugald.
K in loch red braes or banks.
America brae or hill-side.
m e r ic a .
A
small field
at Ord.
B r u th a c h
an
E as.
B r u th a c h
nam
The waterfall precipice.
B roc .
B r u t h a ic h e a n B r e a c a .
B u a il ’
an
E as.
The speckled braes.
The fold of the waterfall. Near Tarskavaig.
B u a il e B h u i d h e .
B u a il e R u a d h .
The badgers’ brae.
The yellow fold.
Tongue.
The red fold, or a bhuaile ruadh.
The fold of the wheat (field). Above Ostaig
Square. Tuireamv, tuireinn, wheat, as given before.
Though “ fold ” is the primary meaning of buaile> it
also means dairy, or even a circle.
B u a il e U r , A B h u a il e U r . The new fold, etc.; ur means
also flourishing, fresh, beautiful.
B u d h a , B ug h a B e a g . The little green spot (b y the side of
a stream). Near Tarskavaig.
B u d h a , B ug h a D u b h .
The black or dark bend (of land);
side form of bogha; also given bodha, sunken rock, breaker,
etc.
B u a il e T h u i r n .
The grassy green.
B u d h a , B u g h a n a m B a n . The women’s green.
B u d h a , B u g h a Ni’ L a c h l a in .
Lachlan’s daughter’s green,
windings of a stream.
The above five are in or near Tarskavaig.
B u n a s t a b h a ig . Not known. Might be bun a stamh, port of
the sea-tangle, or it may mean some weed. This is a field
near Ostaig.
B u d h a , B u g h a ’n F h e o i r .
355
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
SLEAT (Continued)—
or B o g h ’ C h l e r ic h . The minister’s field, homefield. This is the name of a field on the left of the approach
to the Manse of Sleat, which was built on land of old;
devoted to the use of the cleric for the time, the glebe;
bu or bo is a contraction of the Norse word boe-r, meaning
a household, a farm, or piece of enclosed ground; also by
extension the domestic animals; the word bogha, a hollow
or flat piece of land, generally damp, answers. In Kilmuir
the term am bugha holds, e.g., Bugha Stotharlain. See
“ Tobar a Chleir.”
C a-A r, C a t h A r . The battle pass (cadha) or field of slaughter,
according to tradition.
C a c h a il e it h , C a c h l a id h a C h i b i r , C h io b a ir . The keeper’s
gate or pass to the hill, a rustic gate, frequently of wicker
work. This gate is below Ord Fank.
B uth, B u,
Cadh’
an
Sunday pass or road.
D o m h n a ic h .
Ca d h ’
an
D
Ca d h ’
an
E ic h .
u in e .
C a d h a C aol , A
n
.
Near Ord.
The man’s pass.
The horse pass.
The
narrow pass.
C a d h ’ I a in M h ic A l a s d a ir . The pass of John M acA lastair.
A ft e r a boy who was accidentally killed b y the bursting
of a self-m ade gun .
C adha L eathann, An.
Cadha M
C adha
or ,
A
n
.
Near K ilb e g .
The broad pass.
The great pass.
n a h - I o m a ir e ,
I m ir e .
The pass of the balk or ridge
of land.
n a n O r d , A r d . The pass of the heights or steep places.
At Carradale. These steep places were a source of grief
to one who had to work them; he said—
C adha
“ ’Mo mholachd gu pianadh aig Càradal,
'S;e tarruing nan cliabh rinn mo sharuchadh
’Mach cadha nan Ord's craicionn air mo dhom,
Is toimach aig mo bhrogan air fàileagadh.”
My curse on the torments of Caradal,
Carrying creels ’tis that’s awfully wearied me;
My hands they are sore by the pass of the Ord,
While my boots are almost past walking in.
356
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
SLEAT ( Continued) —
Cadha
nan
Stam
h
.
Pass
of
the sea-tangle.
C f.
“ Bunastabh-
aig.”
Cadha R uadh,
A n.
The russet pas®.
Carradale.
The stack pass; a mass of conglomerate rock
at glebe shore. At outlet of Allt (a) Fiodhach.
C a d h a S g u m a in .
I C h a m u i s . Castle of the bay; island of
the bay. Knock, 1632. See “ Cammes.” Also Caisteal
Ruaidh or Uaine, red or green castle (the latter modern).
This castle, though now in ruins, was a favourite strong­
hold of the Macdonalds of Sleat; it stands upon a rock
which is sheer and precipitous seawards; it is almost
surrounded by the sea; a modem house (Knock House)
has been erected close by. There are rumours or traditions
of this having been the castle so bravely and ably defended
by one “ Mairi,” or, as thereafter named, “ Mairi a
Chaisteil,” it is thought against the Macleods, though
some say the Norwegians.
C a is t e a l C h a m u i s ,
e a g a g u s M o r . Kali’s
garth, enclosure, or steading. This thought now to be the
accepted etymology of this name. The following different
renderings have been found: Coille Goraidh, Godfrey’s
wood, after Godfrey, Lord Macdonald; Coille na Graich,
Greaich, wood of the nuts? Kali-gearraidh, Norse kali, a
proper name, and gerdhi, gardr, a garth or house and yard,
gerdhi, an enclosure, the land between macbar and monadh,
the (enclosed) strip where the houses stand. This last
thought the most applicable. See “ Gearraidh,” as before.
Caligarry has not escaped criticism, as a saying exists:
C a l l ig a r r y , C a l g a r y , C a il e a g a r a id h B
“ CmMtfmrraidh mhor nam bonnach, far naeh d’ fhag am
bochd a b h e m n a c h d Great Caligarry of the bannocks,
where the poor left no blessing!
Another word has been adduced as being connected with
“ Caligarry,” viz., eirbhe, airbhe, which signifies a fence
or wall of stone or turf, built to separate crop-land from
hill-ground, commonly known as garadh bragh’d; but this
applies to other plaoes; the ground above this garadh was
said to be the eirbhe, though this word is more akin to and
has the same meaning almost as eileag, eillearag, iolarag,
iolairig, a wall or turf cul de sac in deer hunts.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
357
BLEAT ( Continued)—
Cam ala n ,
An.
The crooked field or enclosed piece of ground;
cama, crooked, curved, etc., and lann, an enclosed piece of
ground, etc.; Ian, Celtic, a plain.
Crooked river. A t Tormore.
C am m e s , C a m u s , C a m y s , etc., C a is t e a l - i -C h a m u is . The Bay.
Generally known now as A Chnoc, Knock. This castle is
partly modern, though all in ruins; it dates back as a
residence to 1575 at least.
As mentioned under “ Caisteal Chamuis,” this castle was
besieged by the Macleods in the reign of James IV., but
the siege was raised by the address and intrepidity of a
lady of the Clan Macdonald, thereafter known by the name
of “ Mairi ’Chaisteil.” It was a residence of the Mac­
donalds of the Isles, and the centre of attraction for long.
Many superstitious tales are still extant as to the belief in
“ spectres,” both the glmstig and the gruagach being well
known. The usual clach a ghruagmch, the gruagach's stone,
is still pointed out, the spectre being described as a young
woman, with long hair, generally yellow; gruagach, as is
well-known, is the term for a young unmarried woman; as
before mentioned, the gruagaeh was described as a welldressed, “ gentlemanly” young man. The glaistig of
Knock was spoken of as a she-devil in the shape of a gray
goat, also as an enchanted woman, a beautiful female,
dressed in green; glcts, grey (or green), and stic or stig,
an imp, etc.; also maighdmn uaine, green maiden. The
bean nighe, as before referred to, also haunted a stream
here, neithich, nighiche.
C a m n a F a a , F a t h . The bend of the glen or field; used as
such in Gairloch.
C am u s A b h a ig . Bay of the dwarf or spectre. The primary
meaning of abhag is terrier; this bay said to be haunted;
also furnished “ Camus aigh Bhig,” the bay of little luck,
unfortunate; might be the genitive of agh, a heifer, a
hind or fawn, though aighe is the accepted spelling. This
bay is near Ord.
C am u s a C h a i s e . Cheese bay. See “Allt Digeadh,” “ Cnoc
a Chaise,” “ Coire Chaise.”
C a m u s a M h u i l t , n a m M o l t . Bay of the wether or wethers;
molt, mult, muilt; rocks in the sea. Below Duisdale
House.
Cam alt, C am ’ A l l t .
358
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
SLEAT ( Continued)—
C am us B
a r a v a ig ,
q.v.
r o is e .
The bay of the
Cross. Camuscross in 1774 went on lease with Tortamanoch, Oransay, and Bamavaig (? Baravaig), with grazings
of Aslaig and Teangour. The neighbourhood of this bay
was a centre of monastic institutions of yore.
C a m u s c r o s s , C a m is c r o s s , C a m u s - n a - C
a r a ic h , n a D a r a ic h .
Oak-tree or wood bay. At
Point of Sleat; but little or no oak grows there now.
C amus D
C amus
L
eath an,
L
eath ann
N
odha.
The new broad bay.
Near Point of Sleat.
e a d a ig .
The bay of the crofts, or small plots of
arable ground; supplied as “ of the large trouts,” given as
being the last above. A Camus of this name at Scalpa.
C am us- n a -G
or.
The great grampus, porpoise, or little
whale; a rock or small island.
C a n a m o ir , C a n a M
a n L a m h a c h a id h .
Artillery strait.
between east and west ferry houses.
C aolas
At Kylerhea,
etc. Not known; may
be a proper name with dal. “ Capasdal nam Faochag,”
Capistle of the whelks or buckies.
The spelling Capstil, Capstill, seems to favour cap, capa,
top or high (Gaelic), and Norse termination stul, stuhl,
stelle (Teutonic), farm or seat.
C a p is t l e , C a p is d a l , C a p is t o l , C a p s t a l ,
a
R u m a ic h .
The little cairn of the Rum man.
Between Kilmore and Tocavaig, on the moor; here a lunatic
from the island is said to have been buried; this cairn
stands isolated.
Carnan
a n t - S e a c h r a in .
The wanderer’s cairn.
and Strath. West of Kylerhea.
Carn
Carn B
reac.
Speckled cairn.
Between Sleat
Stonefield.
earg.
Red cairn. At Aird; a cave here said to pass
through to Strathaird, eight miles distant, to which the,
“ piper ” tradition is also attached. The stones of this
cairn differ entirely from the rock in the neighbourhood.
Carn D
C arn
na
S io n n a ic h .
fox.
Stonefield.
F
ox
cairn; also an t-sionnaich, of the
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
359
SLEAT ( Continued)—
Copse or copsewood dale. Norse Icjarr,
oopse, and dal, dalr, dale, etc. This was a fairly-sized
“ township ” once, but is now uninhabited, except by sheep;
“ Aird-Bheithe Charadail,” birch-brae of Caradale, a lovely
spot, while a place near by is called “ Earnasgal,” eagle
(sea-eagle) retreat or eyrie, earn, am, orn also; this mean­
ing borne out by the tradition of this place being the
home of a “ large bird,” as preserved in the following lines:
C a k e .a d a l e , C a r a d a i l .
“ Tha eun mor an Caradal,
Is tigh aig ann an Eamasgail;
’S is faide tigh a nabuidh uaithe
Cha tar e dhol air chèilidh”
There’s a great bird in Carradale,
With a home it has in Earrnasgal;
Its neighbour’s house ’s so far away
That he cannot go to call on him.
n a h-Aem .
Armadale.
C a r r a ig
Castleto n .
Rock of the arms or army.
Castle town.
C e a n n - L och - n a - D
a il ic h ,
Near
Knock.
D alach.
See Lochnadall.
Head
of Lochnadal or Kinloch.
a C h ao r a C h a i m .
Step, track, or pathway of the blind
sheep, one-eyed. Above Linne-nan-Each on Allt (a)
Fiodhach; a track made by this sheep to an almost
inaccessible crevice in the river bank.
Ceum
The crooked slope or height. Here Tormore
School used to be; Alexander Nicolson sometime master.
Ch a m a ir d .
’C h a m a - R e i d h .
Crooked-smooth!
A field at Knock.
The common pasture, etc., ground
or plain; comh larach. This is a stretch of hill-land com­
mon to Kilmore and at least one other township; also
suggested col, a plateau, etc., and arach, plain; but first
thought correct.
’ C h o l a r a ic h , C o l a r a c h .
C h r u in n e - B h u a i l ’ .
The round or compact fold; chruinne,
comp, of cruinn (a«p.), round, neat, etc. This fold is on
the Gillen road, not far from Kilbeg.
360
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
^
SLEAT (Continued)—
The stone-tree of John
the son of Charles (John Mackinnon), Camuscross, lat©
teacher; he placed this stone in the fork of the tree about
1850, and it remains there almost grown into the wood*
it cost considerable labour placing, as it is some size.
C l a c h -C h r a o ib h I a in ’I c T h e a r l a ic h .
Duncan’s stone or rock. On seashore
at Ostaig, where a man of that name used to fish many:
years ago; it cannot now be reached.
C lach D h o n a c h a id h .
Clach L uath . Luath’s stone. This stone is named after
“ Luath,” swift, Cuchullin’s favourite dog, which was some­
times fastened here. This stone is also known as “ Claeha-Choin,” the dog’s stone. It is near Dunsgaich, Tocavaig,
Cuchullin’s castle. Various impossible and ludicrous ety­
mologies have been advanced in regard to the word luath%
which we do not trouble our readers with.
Hole, pit, cave, or den stone; asp.
form of tuill, genitive of toll. This particular stone was
considered a catholicon or cure for rheumatism; galar tholl,
diarrhoea, according to some; also galar tholldach, lit. the
perforating or hole-boring complaint or disease. Accounts
vary as to the application, one being that water which
had accumulated, or oozed through a crevice or crevices,
was drunk by the patient; another that the stone was
calcareous, and being ground into a powder was a specific
against the last-mentioned trouble.
Stones of various kinds have for long played a
conspicuous part in supposititious cures and as antidotes to
witches, etc.
C l a ig e a n n , C l a ig in n .
Field or farm of rich soil. At Tormore. This noun is feminine, though there is a masculine
noun pronounced exactly alike, viz., claigionn, the Gaelic
word for skull. One authority described or explained
claigeann as the oldest cultivated portion of a townland,
and cognate with cladhaich, dig, cladhach, digging, cladh,
a burying-place, a trench.
C lach T h o l l , T h u i l l .
The border or surrounding piece of land. This
word is used in Skye for cneaball, which means a garter
or band, also a garter of thrums round hose, etc.
This word is the name of a field between Knock and
Loch-nan-Uirichean; once cultivated.
C n e a p a il t e .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
361
gLEA T ( Continued) —
a B h o n n a ic h .
Bannock knoll (big and little). This
cnoc along with Cnoc a Chaise (also big and little) are near
each other, the first on Knock Farm, the second on Tongue
Land. See “ Camus a Chaise,” etc., which may be Knock
Bay; the adjectives big and little apply to the bannocks
and cheese, not to the knolls.
All these so-named knolls are where Easter ceremonies
were observed, Càisg.
O noc
C noc
B hraghad.
a
braighe, braghad.
Knoll of the upland country; braigh,
Near Tarskavaig.
a C had h a ir .
Knoll of the mossy, soft, or boggy ground,
the dry part of a peat moss; cathar. “ 0 chàthair ’s o
chrmich,” from marsh and from mountain.
C noc
C noc
a
C hearstach, C h e a r d a c h .
See “ Cnoc na Ceardach.”
a C h r id h e .
Heart knoll. This is the primary meaning,
but cridhe has other meanings, courage, etc. On right
hand side of Gillen road, going south.
C noc
a F h r a o ic h - S h i o m a in .
Heather-rope knoll.
Fine
pliable heather grows hereon. Near Tarskavaig. Heather
is used frequently in Skye for ropes; but the sioman is
generally twisted straw or hay, sometimes rushes.
C noc
C noc A
ir ig h
M
h ic
D h a ib h id h .
son of David (? Davidson).
Knoll of the fold of the
Near Tarskavaig.
an I arna, I orna.
Knoll of the hank or skein of yarn
(primary meaning); also of confusion. In Caligarry.
C noc
C noc
C noc
an
an
L och M
h a o d a il ,
S g u m a in
q.v.
(669 feet).
The stack knoll.
Near
Armadale.
a n T e a m p u il l .
The temple or church knoll. At Gillen.
A relic of the time when Roman Catholicism or quasi
Episcopalianism had a footing here. There is a stone close
by to which miraculous powers were ascribed; this stone
or boulder has a hole or hollow in it in which water collects;
it is reputed a certain cure for warts if used three times.
As may be surmised, there is an old burying-ground near
the temple.
C noc
362
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
SLEA T ( Continued) —
a n T o b a ir .
Well knoll (common). The particular one
in view has never been known to dry up. It is situated
near the church of Kilmore, on the upper side of the public
road; countless generations of Sleat and Skye people have
been baptised with the water therefrom.
C noc
Barnyard knoll; common.
This one is on the glebe at Kilmore.
C nocan tou l , C noc - a n - t - S a b h a il .
a n t -S a g a ir t .
The priest’s knoll. In Sasaig. This
was where the priest’s house stood of yore, being central.
As mentioned by the late A. R. Macdonald, tacksman of
Ord, all the land between Kilmore and Knock, upwards
of two miles, was church land, belonging to the church of
Sleat; the priest could view his domain in either direction.
The foundations of this house were discovered many years
ago. See “ Creag an t-Sagairt.”
C noc
U a ir id h .
Knoll of the freshly-made quern meal.
This name comes in appropriately after the last; as said,
much of the district of Sleat was ecclesiastical (see “ Cnoc
an Teampuill ” ), and the uairidh was specially prepared
for the use of the priests and their retainers, etc., thei
corn being winnowed on this knoll; eararadh and fuirearadh
are other terms for this process. The word uar is a water­
fall, and said to mean a sgree or fall of small stones, etc.,
from a hillside. Cf. “ Coir’ Uairidh,” in Sutherland. Uar
said to be Pictish.
C noc a n
a n U g h l a in , A b h l a i n .
Knoll of the (consecrated)
wafers. Latin oblatio thought also connected with fore­
going. Might be ubhladh, a fine in church courts, or
umhlas, humbling, correction by penalties in church,
etc. This knoll is at Teangue, not far from the foregoing
“ ecclesiastical ” district, or possibly part thereof.
C noc
C noc
an
U n g a id h .
The knoll of annointing, etc.
Sasaig.
n a S t o c a in .
The knoll of the fold of the little
stumps (of trees). At Kilbeg, on the site of an old forest
or plantation.
C noc B u a il e
Cheese knoll. Near Knock House.
toms or ceremonies; also a fairy knoll.
C noc C a is e .
C noc D u b h M
or.
The black big knoll.
Easter cus­
Tarskavaig.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
363
SL E A T ( Continued) —
F eall . The knoll of the fell. If fjal, Norse, as claimed;
locally said to mean the false knoll, or knoll of treachery,
etc. Ferindonald.
C noc F io n n .
The white or fair knoll; but, as it is given as
being near Dunsgaich, may be Fionn or Fingal, the king,
though it remains in the nominative.
C noc F h r a d h a r c , a n F h r a d h a ir c , R a d h a ir c .
The view
knoll. At or near Kylerhea and Kyleakin.
C noc
halagan.
The little queenly knoll (605 feet); mal,
noble, etc.; ag and an, a double diminutive; mal also
signifies king, etc.; ag is a feminine termination. Sug­
gested meallagm, small rounded hill, etc.; but it is conical.
Above Kilmore and Ferindonald. Also attributed to
Mailgenn, a certain Druid.
C noc M
C noc M
o in e .
Peat knoll.
Stonefield.
Cnoc Monadh, hill
knoll.
na Ceardach.
The smithy knoll.
smithy now at Ardvasar.
C noc
At Ostaig.
The
n a C o r r a g , C noc C o r r a g .
Knoll of the finger, but
supposed should be corrach, steep. At Camuscross.
C noc
n a C r o ic h , C r o ic h e .
Gallows knoll; but said to mean
“ cross ” here, being in the aforesaid ecclesiastical district,
between Bealach-an-t-Sliachd and the sea. At Kilmore
or Ferindonald. Croich cognate with Latin crux, a cross.
See “ Lag-na-Croisean,” not far distant; this knoll was
the Calvary to which the symbol was brought or carried.
C noc
C noc
na
F
uarachd.
The knoll of coldness.
Near Ord.
n a G r u a g a ic h .
Knoll of the young woman or maiden.
This knoll, also attributed to the “ fairy ” called the
gruagach, is at or near Stonefield, on the brink of “ Abhainn
nan Gillen.”
C noc
C noc
na
h
-A
The anchorage knoll.
c a ir s e id .
At Aird or
Point of Sleat.
C noc
na
h
-A
thachan.
Knoll of the giants or monsters;
fathach.
C noc
na
h
-I ghneag.
nighean.
The girl’s knoll; little girl; ingheann,
364
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
SLEAT ( Continued) —
Herds’ knoll. At Teangue.
C noc n a n C o n . Knoll o f the dogs.
C noc n a n C o e r , C o r e a . Herons’ knoll.
C noc n a n C r o is e a n .
Knoll of the crosses. Near Cnoc an
Teampuill, q.v.
C noc n a n G i l l e a n . The boys’ knoll or cnocan. In Sea-park,
Sleat glebe, a miniature fort. Situated above Larach Tigb
Neill Ghriasaich.
C noc n a n G o b h a r . Goats’ knoll. Near Tarskavaig.
C noc n a n S g r a t h . Divot knoll. This the primary meaning
only.
C noc
nam
B u a c h a il l e a n .
C noc O l l a ig , N o l l a ig .
Christmas knoll.
a S g ia t h a n .
Knoll of the slope; sgiath, a
piece of land jutting into the sea, etc.
C nocan B io r a c h . The little pointed or sharp knoll.
C nocan D o n n . The little brown knoll.
C noc S g ia t h a n ,
C nocan L e a t h a c h , L e t h e a c h .
C nocan
na
C o m h a ir l e .
H a lf-w a y knoll;
leitheach.
Council, counsel hillock. See “ Cnoc-
an-t-Sagairt.”
C oire G h a s g a in .
The Gasgan oorry.
Near Ord.
C o l lic k sto n , C a l l ic k s t o n e .
Cailleach stone.
Old wife or nun’s stone. Cailleach applied to women not
“ old.”
C or lar ac h , C o r r l a r a c h .
The excellent site, farm, or tract
of land. Three in Sleat: Corlarach a Ghobhainn, of the
smith; na Cillemoire, of Kilmore (? cholaraich) ; and na
Caoich, Caoiche, of the blind or one-eyed; the last at Ord.
Not certain that meanings correct.
C reag a B h e o ir . Beer rock. At Ord. Beer used to be made
in the Highlands and Islands from the juice of the birch
tree and otherwise before the introduction of whisky; this
drink was called uisge-beithe, birch-tree water or juice.
C reag a C h a i m . The rock of the bend, curve, or turn of the
coast into the bay at Armadale, where landing-place from
steamers, now a pier; erroneously given Creag-a-Chaimp,
the camp-rock, from soldiers encamping here of yore, but
that, if so, comparatively modern.
C o l listo n e ,
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
365
SLEAT ( Continued) —
C re a g a c h , C r a ig a c h ,
C r eag
an
A
ir g id .
a
Chreagach.
Th e rocky (place).
The silver rock; mioa-studded and glitters.
Ferindonald.
The level, even rocks. Near Sasaig.
F h a i r i d h . The look-out or beacon rock.
C r e ag an C o m h n a r d , Na.
C reag
an
F h a r a id h ,
Off Ostaig.
a n t -S a g a ir t .
The priest’s rock. Between Lag-naCroieean and parish church.
C r eag D u b h , A C h r e a g D h u b h . The black rock. At Point
of Sleat. Volcanic.
C reag L i a t h . Grey rock. Sasaig.
C r eag M h o r . The great rock. At Camus Daraich; also at
Aird; common.
C r eag n a B a M a o l a . Rock of the hornless or polled cows.
At Knock. Cows of this description a rarity in Sleat.
C reag n a h - E ig h ic h . Rock of the cry, proclamation, etc.;
thought crying, lamentation, etc. See “ Dun Flo.” This
rock is also at Tormore.
C r eag Ni’ C h o in n ic h . The rock of the daughter of Kenneth.
At Sasaig. This was a prominent rock in the landscape,
and considered by an artillery officer as an ideal site for
ia battery, etc., for defensive purposes.
C r eag U is d e a n . Hugh’s rock (Hugh Macdonald of Sleat).
This is a rock on the steep side of a river or bum at
Caligarry.
C r ossavaig , C rossabaig M o r . The great bay of the Cross.
Not known; ? farms.
C r u a c h a n , A n . The little stack-like hill; conical hill; cruach,
dim. cruachan.
C r u a ir d , C r u a r d , A C h r u a ir d . The hard or rocky height.
At Camuscross. Also given A Chro Ard, the high fold.
C u id R u a ir id h . Roderick’s portion (of land), a holding. At
Aird.
C u l n a C a il l ic h . The back of the old wife. Might be cuil,
and mean retreat, etc., as of a nun, or devotee.
C u l n a C noc , C u l n a C n u ic . Back of the knoll or knolls.
Three here in Baravaig.
C r eag
366
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
SLEAT (Continued)—
C ul
na h
-A
ir id h e .
C ul n a h - I n n s e .
Back o f the sheiling. At Dalavil.
Back o f the island; here pasture. Neai
Tarskavaig.
n D a il C h a i l .
Cabbage dale or field; asp
genitive of càl. There is a word càil, an assembly, etc.
but its genitive is càile. Glendale ia noted for a fine specif
of cabbage.
D a il a C h a i t . C at dale (w ild ). See “ Sgurr.”
D a il B h e a g .
The little field, or a chill bhig. On Ostaig
Farm.
D a il M hor , An D a il M h o r . The great field. At Gillen.
D a l a n B eaga , N a . The little meadows, parks, or fields, re­
claimed from moor but now gone back. On Ostaig Farm,
opposite Glebe, on south side of Allta Fiodhach.
D a l a v il , D a l v ie l l , D a l v il l e . Hill or fell, dale or meadow;
drtil and val, fjal; also given as voltr, a field; vellir, fields;
valla, etc. Locally explained as dail a bhile, copse-dale;
trees, etc., used to be here; other explanations given, but
improbable. There is a heronry here, and the dale
generally is good grazing ground. Dalavil a mhaoraich,
Dalvil of the shellfish. There is a loch and inbhir and a
dal or dail mor here, and another at Tormore.
D al B h a i t e . The drowned, water-logged dale, field, or portion
of land; past of bàth, to drown, etc. Above Knock Castle.
D alr eo ch , D a il R ia b h a c h . Russet dale, etc. At Caligarry.
D e ir e n a A c h l a is , D e ir e a d h a n A c h l a is . The end or turn
in or of the armpit, or land formation. Gleann Meadhon­
ach.
D o ir ’ a n T r o d a in . The grove of quarrelling. This meaning
as supplied, but thought should be Doir’ an Druidean or
Druidein, the grove of the starlings or thrushes. At
Tarskavaig.
D oire G h o a n , G h o a i n . Goan’s grove; some Druid or pagan
priest’s name; also where worship of ancient deities held;
No grove here for generations. The late Dr. Keith Norman
Macdonald of Ord, where this place is, described it as
above to author, and suggested “ Choan ” as the name of
a Druid or high-priest who served here of yore; or possibly
the deity itself.
D a il ’C h a i l , A
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
367
SL E A T ( Continued) —
The grove place or locality; a rocky place where
a township exists. Near the Point of Sleat. Camus
Daraich close by. The word doire in Skye also means a
collection of sea-tangle, doire staimh.
D o ir e n a F e a n n a ig .
Raven grove, or carrion crows. Below
Meall Fuarman, or Fuarain, Sgiath-Bheinn an Uird.
D o ir e n a n G a d .
The withies’ copse; birch twigs grew
here which were in use as for making ropes, etc.; at
one time used as traces when ploughing with oxen, of
which eight constituted a team; also used for other purposes
such as horse halters, etc. For withies, or gmd, gadan,
see N . G . P . “ Is mitMch ’bhi bogadh nan gad,” it is
necessary, or it behoves, to be steeping the withies (equi­
valent to it is time to be going), and, as these grew dry
by want of use, and were apt to get brittle, it was necessary
to steep them ere using; sometimes Willows were used, as
they grew quicker than birch; indeed, some grow twelve
feet in a season. An English (Dorset) saying is “ a withy
tree will buy a horse before an oak will buy a bridle and
saddle.” As may be known, the word withe (withie) equals
willow (seileach, Latin salix), and the word rigwiddie is
ridge-withie, now rig-body, i.e., the chain across the ridge
in the saddle on back of a cart-horse. This place is at'
Tongue.
D o ir e S h o l a is .
The grove of delight. This doire not now
existent; was on Ostaig Farm, opposite Lunne-na-Dunach.
D o n e w r ig g , D o n a f e a n ig , D o r r a f e a n a g .
See “ Doire-naFeannaig.”
D o r n e i l , An, D o i r l i n g .
The isthmus. At Isle Ornsay.
Doirlinn, a neck of shore dry at ebb-tide, sometimes called
<m dubh-chladach, the black shore, rolag-roid, sea-weed cast
up, otherwise an tiurr. A superstition exists that below
this is a safe asylum from or against the pursuit of evil
spirits!
D o w i s g i l l Y c r e and O c r a . Duisdale iòchdarach agus uaehdarnch, i.e., nether and upper Duisdale; duis or dowis,
gloom, etc., and gill, a ravine, etc. See “ Duisdale.”
D r a o ir e a g .
Not known. May be connected with draigh,
droigh, dmighinn, thorns, and mean the little thorny field.
A small field at or near “ Creag-a-Chaim.”
D o ir e n a c h .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
368
SLEAT ( Continued) —
D roch aid
a
G h a s g a in .
Gasgan bridge.
See “ Gasgan.”
Haunted!
a M h u il in n .
Mill bridge. At Ostaig. This mill
said to have been used to make flour as well as meal, etc.
It has disappeared long ago; the old name of the river on
which it stood has even been forgotten; it rune through
gloomy defiles, and, as usual, in consequence said to be
haunted!
D ro ch aid M h o r L e t h - S h i t h e a n .
The great bridge of the
half-hillock. Also given leitir - shithean, hillock-slope.
This place is near Isle Ornsay.
D rochaid
D r och aid
na
C a o il e .
The bridge of the narrow
Near Armadale.
h - A ir d e
height or pass.
n a D r o ig h n ic h .
The thorny or
brambly place, the lowest part thereof, thorneybaulk. A
field at Armadale.
D r o ig h n e a c h , A n , I och d ar
D r u im
a n t - S eana
D r u im
an
B h a il e .
T a ir b h .
The
Old-town ridge. At Ostaig.
bull ridge. A field below Armadale
and Ardvasar.
D r u im C r u a id h ,
An. The hard (stony) ridge. At Tarskavaig.
An. The useless, or waste, ridge; facetiously
called “ idle back.” At Tarskavaig.
D r u im D io m h a in ,
D r u im F
io n n .
The white, fair, or pleasant ridge.
At Tar­
skavaig.
D r u im
an
U ir d .
D r u im
nan
Ord ridge (of the height).
G obhar.
Goat ridge.
At Tarskavaig.
hearna.
Alder ridge;
Also given as eorna, barley; but this is question­
able. This village or township lies, more or less isolated,
to the west, but is by no means insignificant; it has
received, in common with Troternish, q.v., some renown,
its inhabitants bearing the same nickname of “Na Coin”
the dogs, or heroes; said also, though it is thought wrongly,
to be poor ground in which weeds abound, one specially
being called earna, which has medicinal properties, and
hence druim-eama.
D r u m f e r n , D r u m f e a r n , A n D r u im - F
fearna.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
369
SL E A T ( Continued) —
The misty or gloomy dale; duis, mist, gloom, etc.,
and dal, dalr, Norse, though also may be dail, a meadow,
etc., as this place is frequently called “An Dail,” the field,
meadow, or plain. Extremists have supplied dubh-uisg’
dail, black water dale, which is improbable; also dubhmtail, fhasdail, black-dwelling, Duisdale.
Duisdale was the home of a family of Mackinnons, who
held the township of Duisdale Beag (there is also a
Duisdale Mor) for their services as standard-bearers of the
Macdonalds of Sleat; this family is now believed to be
extinct in the male line.
D
u is d a l e .
D
un a
C h l e r i c h , C h e i l i r i c h . The musical hillock or hillock
of music or singing. This hillock said by some to be a
fairy hillock, and the singing that of fairies. Others speak
of it as a fort at Tormore, now in ruins.
C h o in n ic h .
Kenneth’s hillock. Here, or at a point
called “ Am Biod Uaine,” the green peak, was found the
dead body of a young man named Kenneth Shaw, son of
a smith at Isle Ornsay, who fell from the rocks abovei
while harrying a raven’s nest; tradition has it that thei
ravens followed his body as it was borne to his home, and
subsequently to the church-yard at Kilmore, five or b ì x
miles distant; this tale is well-known and vouched for.
Shortly thereafter another lad successfully scaled the same
height in order to destroy the ravens’ nest, Raonall Og
Mac Stiubhairt, young Ronald the son of Stewart, who
made the remark after his feat of “ Tha mi ’ ereidsinn gun
robh gu leoir aig na h-inean ri d h e m a m h I believe the
finger-nails had plenty to do !
D unan
D
R u a d h . The red hillock or fort.
This place goes, in
titles, with Leitir, not the one in Bracadale however.
unan
Fair fort.
Tarskavaig.
D un B a n .
At Ard Snusaich; between Aird and
The fort of the plain, meadow,
or green field; if faiahe, the fort of the cleft, hole, or
retreat, now called “ Dunpark” ; the first meaning quite
applicable. This dun or fort, now unrecognisable, stood
on a mass of rock on the coast at Ferindonald; below is
a landing-place known as “ Laimhrig Dhuin Faich,” and
the rocks thereabouts are much favoured by fishers. From
D un F a i c h , P h a i c h , F a i c h e .
370
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
SL E A T ( Continued) —
its position and prominence, this fort formed one of the
chain of such along the coast, on which alarm beacons were
lit. See “ Dun Phaick.”
D u n F l o . The fort of slumber, etc.
This is a meaning not
vouched for, as also eiaid that Flo is an abbreviation of
Flora, but not known. In 1690, twenty men of King
William’s troops, as the tradition has it, landed at Tormore,
and burnt certain houses in the neighbourhood before the
Sleat men were aware of their presence; they were, how­
ever, pursued, slain, and buried near this dun; a Robertson
distinguished himself on the occasion, and there is a tale
therewith connected which was told the writer by one of
the descendants—Matthew Robertson, Kilmore.
D
un
D
un
G a n . Not known; might be can or cam, white, or tribute,
fine, etc. See “ Dun Can,” Raasay.
G e il b , G e il b t , G e il t .
Not known. Geilt means fear,
etc.; also an untameable animal. This place is at Caradale,
q.v.
D
Half dun or fort; leth, or genitive of
At Sasaig.
u n n a n C e a r d . The tinkers’, craftsmen’s, or artificers’ hillock
(fairies or warlocks). At Ardvasar Bay. These tinkers,
etc., were said to be able to convert any piece of iron or
wood, brought to them by night, into any desired implement
or tool, etc.; to test this, “ some one” once went with a
simide-lin (a lint mallet), and asked them to make a crcmn
gath (a spear-shaft) of it; off the fairies ran, exclaiming,
“M ’airc is m’aimbeart (repeat), crcmn-gath’ a dhecmamh
de ’n t-simide-lin," My distress and calamity (repeat),
etc., make a spear-shaft out of a lint mallet (or beetle)!
m’aimbeart pronounced m’emairt by narrator. Another
saying somewhat similar is “ Diomaich ( diombach or
diombadh) is mi-bhuaidh air an fhear a dh(fh)iarr oimn
un
L
e it h
, L
eath
.
liath, grey, etc.
D
crann mor luinge fada ’dheanamh de mhaide bhola lion”
D
short life (grief or trouble) and ill luck attend the man
who asked us to make a long ship’s big mast of the wood;
of a fishing-net (or line), buoy, or float. See N.G.P.,
“ An Uaisle,” etc. Slachdan-lin another term.
u n P h a ic k , P h a d r u ig .
Patrick’s hillock or dwelling of some
monk of that name; but see “ Dun Faich.”
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
371
SLEAT ( Continued) —
D
un
R u a ig e , n a R u a ig e .
The dun of the chase, hunt, or
flight. This is, or the ruins are, a mile south of Kylerhea,
and described as being on “ mylonised rock.”
D u n sg a t h a ic h , D u n s k a h a y (1 4 2 4 ), etc.
The
shadowy fort, fort of gloom. This name, as will be under­
stood, has appeared under various spellings, even since above
date, while the etymology of the word has also been varied;
the shadowy town or fort, the fort of the jutting-out land,
sgathaich, branches or brushwood, which no Gaelic scholar
would give; even the latter word being pronounced
differently should suffice, but worse is to follow in “ the
hillock of the skates ” ! One, more probable, cannot be
ignored, viz., Sgathach’s Fort, but the queen aftermentioned took her name or title from the fort and not
the fort from her; in point of fact, the fort itself took
the name from the bay or loch, Sgàth vik, shadow bay,
and the district Sgàthavaig is always now in use. The
queen above referred to was, according to one account, and
accounts vary considerably, she whom Cuchullin fell in
love with, the beautiful Aisè, Aoisè, or Aoife (long s mis­
taken for /), a daughter to Ardgenny; another account
gives it that a school of arms was kept by her (Aisè
or Aisi) in conjunction with her father, here named
Otha or Uathaidh; see “ Death of the Children of
TJsnach.” Again, it is stated that Cuchullin fell in love
with Uathach, “ daughter of the princess of the dun.”
Anyway, this person seems to have been, as above stated,
Aisè, who bore a son to Cuchullin, named Conlach, the
word gu, con, it may be noted, appearing in the names of
both father and son; this son was slain, in ignorance of
whom’ he was, by his father.
Cuchullin came very young to Skye from Ireland, where
one of his castles stood; he came to learn the feats taught
in the military school kept by Sgatbach the Terrible,”
her territorial title. This Cuchullin did so as to win the
love of an Irish princess, “ Emer or Eimhir the Lovely,”
the daughter of Forgall Manach, Forgall the Monk, also
designated “ the wily.” While in Skye, he met Aisè, as
■' above stated, but forsook her; see “ Bàs Chonlaoich,” the
death of Conlaoch, as given in the Book of the Dean of
Lismore. Cuchullin apparently returned to Ireland, and
married Emer, Evir, Awoir, or Ayvir, in modern Gaelic
D
u n sg aic h ,
372
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
BLEAT (Continued)—
Eimhear, for by all these names has she been referred to
in ancient script, etc., in one or more of which she is said
to have proved as faithless to Cuchullin as he was to Aisè,.
or Bragela (Braighe Gheala) (fair-bosom, as a poetical
title), and said to have been Cuchullin’s wife also, mother
of Conlaoch at any rate, and whom he left to pine in
Skye. Going to Ireland, he engaged in many combats
there, in one of which he fell; various accounts, as may be
understood, are given of this final fight, though an Irish
poem has it that his death was due to the arts of magic,
Cuchullin was still held as belonging to Skye, for in the
Ossianic poems he is designed as “ Chief of the Ielei of
Mist.” Among many adventures and feats in Ireland,
Cuchullin attacked and slew a king of Munster, and carried
off his queen, Blamait or Blathmaid, into Ulster; this, it
is believed, he did “ for a friend.”
Queen or princess, “ Sgathach ” lived in the dun or fort
with her two sons. Many and wonderful, it is said, were
the feats taught in the college here, to which, as said,
Cuchullin came as a pupil or student. Along with him,
pursuing their military education also, were four grandsons
of a certain Druid of the Piets of Ulster, called Cathbad;
Cuchullin was one, three sons of Uisneach, and Conall
Cearnach, five in all.
This queen or princess, “ fierce and ruthless warrior
queen,” as she is styled in some accounts, or her daughter,
Uathach, according to others, was in love with “ Cuchulainn,
the son of Learg” ; none fairer had been seen by her or
any other woman, though, it is also said, he loved no woman
in Skye, though he was loved by “ three times fifty
queens ” ! This warrior-queen Sgathach had the second
sight, and foresaw the career and early death (at 30) of
Cuchullin, who fell at Muirthemne in Ireland, fighting
against great odds. Cuchullin was really older than thirty
years, that age having been given poetically, as his full
strength and his being “ beardless ” made him appear
younger.
Despite the fierce character of this Queen Sgathach, she
had other attractions, being passionately fond of music,
■especially of a melodious nature; she possessed a threeetringed magical harp, one string of which, when tuned,
caused laughter and dancing, “ Geantraighe,” gean, good'
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
373
B LE A T ( Continued) —
humour, cheerfulness, and traigh, strength; a second, crying
or weeping, etc., “ G-ultraighe,” gul, guil, weeping, and
trcdghe; while the third, “ Suantraighe,” suain, suaine,
sleep, and tmighe, caused heavy, balmy sleep.
Queen Sgathach, in addition to the training to arms,
etc., inculcated lessons of mutual friendship and fidelity,
and bestowed prizes or gifts of arms upon at least two of
her favourites, viz., Cuchullin and his friend Ferdagh;
these two went to battle, after surmounting many diffi­
culties, on behalf of the three amazons, Sgathach and her
two daughters, Uathach and Aisè, while Cuchullin called
the queen his “ tender tutoress/’ which apparently she was
to him!
The faithlessness of Emer, Emire, Evir, etc., above
referred to, is strongly questioned by Irish writers, and
reference may be made to her “ Lament for Cuchulainn,”
who is there designed Mhic Subhalt, Shubhailt, Shualtain, also Mhic Sheimhi, in Irish, of course. In the notes
to the 1760 “ Trànslation of Ossian’s Poems,” Cuchullin
is designed as son of Semo, grandson of Cathbat, a
celebrated Druid; there it is stated that he was married
very young to Bragela, daughter of Sorglan, at his castle
or palace at Dunsgaich; all these accounts conflict, and
still another account has it that he married Uathach, the
other daughter of Queen Sgathach, but had a son previously
(Conlaoch) by her sister, Aoife (Eva); and, on his return
to Ireland, he married the before-mentioned Emer or
Eimer. All this took place in the first century a . d .
Aife, Aoibhe, Aoive, Aoisè, Aisè, or by whatever name
she was known, gave Cuchullin, while in Skye, a model of
a fatal—or at least deadly—spear called the “ Gath Bolg ”
or balg, a bag, etc., made from the bone or bones of some
“ monster ” animal. See “ Tain Bo Chuailgne” a mythical
tale; the bull referred to here supposed to have been a god.
One of the chief “ Captains ” of Queen Sgathach was
“ Maev (Maebh) the Strong,” a warrior woman; there were
at least five score of these female warriors, and on one
occasion they executed twenty Vikings or Norse seamen,
who had escaped drowning in the loch (Loch Scavaig.),
by tying the long hair of each to the down-caught boughs
of an oak, on which, being let go, the men swung till dead.
In more than one account of this famous fortress
374
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
SLEAT ( Continued) —
(Dunegàich) it is described as being on the “ North-east
coast of Scotland,” also “ in the east of Alba ” (by Alba is
meant Ireland), and a famous writer described it as a
“ foreign academy ” !
Cuchullin’s name is more immediately associated with
Dun Sgàthaich than any other place. In Skye to this
day (as elsewhere), his very name is proverbial, “ Cho laidir
ri Cuchulainn” and another of his names or titles was
“ Setanta,” which was his first name, and which an
authority says “ indirectly suggests British ancestry in his
case” ; he was designed by another authority as a
“ daughter’s son of Cathbad, Conchobar’s famous Druid,
who had three daughters; the other two were mothers of
Conall Cernach (Cearnach) and Naoise, thus cousins of
Cuchullin.”
Many are the tales, traditions, and rumours, local and
otherwise, as to this interesting castle, now in ruins;
it was one of the most primitive, the keep having been,
added about 1266. In an Act *of James V. occurs,
“ donaldo gromych mcdonald gallich de dunskàwich,”
u long, it should be noted.
These tale®, etc., are,,
however, vague and not to be depended upon, as, for
example, the statement has been made that its origin has
been attributed to the Homans, or even to giants, etc.!
There are traces of a burial-place near the castle, but no
exhumation of bodies or human remains have been made
so iar as known. Right below the castle, or dun, and resting
on a huge flat rock, is a perfectly round stone of a very
considerable size and apparent weight; tradition has it that
this was the “ putting stone ” (clach-neart) in use by the
“ men” of old; it can hardly be raised by two of the
strongest “ men ” of this day. This stone, it may be
mentioned, is supposed to be nothing more or less than a
“ travelled ” boulder of the Ice Age.
In 1514 Dunsgaich was actually seized, and held for a
time, by Lauchlan Maclean of Dowart or Duart ( Dubhard)r
black height, and that on behalf of Sir Donald of Lochalsh.
The name “Dunskaith” appears in a certain work, and is
interpreted “ the fort of mischief” ; this fort, however, is
situated on a little knoll on the northern “ sutor of
Cromarty,” stated to have been a “royal ” fortress erected
by William the Lion, now the site of another fortress; but
this by the way.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
375
SL E A T ( Continued) —
Dunsgàich proper is shortly described as “ a vitrified
fort near Tocavaig, above Gauscavaig Bay.” The present
ruins even are thought to be secondary to the original fort
built above the “ shadowy ” bay.
E as
E as
a Ch a it .
The oat water-fall (wild cat).
See “ Uamh a Chait.”
a
C h o ir e B h u i d h e .
Near Knock.
The yellow corry water-fall.
At
Kylerhea.
The pig or boar’s waterfall. At Kylerhea.
The mill water-fall. See “ Drochaid a
Mhuilinn.” This, it is said, should be eis, hindrance,
obstruction, referring to the mill-dam.
E asa M or , A n t - E a s ( a ) M o r . The great waterfall.
E a sa n D u b h . The little dark water-fall. At Tormore; an­
other, or others, at Sasaig.
E as
a
E as
a
M
h u ic .
M
h u il in n .
E as T o r a ig ,
q.v.
The birds’ isle or islet. Near Knock.
E il e a n a n D u b h a . The black islands. South o f Kyleakin.
E il e a n a n F h e d d h . The isle o f deers. Near Tarskavaig.
E il e a n A r d , A ir d n a n G o b h a r . Goats’ height (or haunt)
isle. At or off Tongue.
E il e a n E a l a s a id . Eliazbeth’s isle. Tongue.
E il e a n E o in . John’s isle. Said should be Eoghain, Ewen,
a cooper. At Isle Ornsay; but see “ Eilean an Eoin (nan
Eoin).”
E il e a n M a o l . The rounded or bare island. At Ardvasar.
E il e a n
an
E o in .
or.
The great island (common). One at Dalavil,
Caradale, and Kilbeg.
E il e a n n a n E a s g a n n . E el island. Off Strathaird.
E il e a n N ao ig h e a n S i t h e , N a o id h e a n . The isle of the child
of peace. Off Kilbeg. See “ Port Farala.”
E il e a n R u a ir id h . Roderick’s isle. In Ob Gauscavaig. Near
Ord. This Roderick was a blacksmith at time of the
erection of the castle of Dunsgàich, or some part thereof;
he is thought to have dwelt on this island, which is in the
bay.
E il e a n M
376
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
SLEA T ( Continued) —
n t - E il e a n S corach . The rough or jagged
island (common). One at Aird or Point of Sleat; another
in Ardvasar Bay.
E il e a n S corach , A
E il e a n S io n n a c h .
F
ox
island.
At Isle Ornsay, on which
lighthouse stands.
The dry or ebb island.
E il e a n T io r am ( D ia r m a n ).
See
“ Ornsay Isle.”
Eis
B h r e it h e a l a in , B h r e a t h a l a in . The hindrance, stop,
or impediment of the rock rows or cliffs, etc.; these obstruct
a violent current here; breath, a row, a layer.
E n d h e b h e g ? I n ib h a ig . Not known. Said to be at or near
Point of Sleat.
F a o id h n a F a l a . The bog-meadow of blood; a word faoi, a
stream. Here, tradition says, the each-uisge, water-horse,
or some other “ monster” was slain!
F e a d a n , Am F e a d a n . The water-pipe, spout, or chanter. Also
among the Coolins.
F e r r in d o n a l d , F e a r a in n D h o m h n u il l .
Donald’s land or
portion. Next Kilmore.
F h a ir e a s g , A r a is g .
Said to mean place of cow-grazing, a
common; but not certain.
F h a o il in n , A n, F a d h l a in n . The beach. This is a pebblestrewn field, which may have been reclaimed from the sea.
Below the public road at Armadale.
a
Fionn A
F
chadh.
Fair field.
Said to be another name for last.
See “ Ob.”
A i r ig h . Wet sheiling.
io sg ar ie .
Near Tarskavaig.
Loohindaal.
F u a r a m a n , F uar A b h a i n n .
The cold river. This river is
near Ord, and also near a private burying-ground; it has,
not inaptly, been styled “ the river of death,” it having
to be crossed to the burying-ground with funerals; the word
aman or amun said to be Pictish; but see “ Abhainn,” s.v.
G a r a p h e ig h in n , G e a r r ( a ) p h e ig h in n .
The short or little
pennyland. At Sasaig.
G araraltan, G arbh A l l t a n .
The rough streamlet. At
F
l iu c h
F o r k R ock
(Creag Ghobhlach).
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE'
377
SL E A T ( Continued) —
A G h a i r b h e a g . The little rough place or spot,
non-productive. Here a Free Church manse was erected
some years ago. A stream, “ Allt a Ghairbhig,” runs close
by. Garbhag has several other meanings.
G
a r b h a ig ,
G
asg an ,
G
a u s c a v a ig ,
A G h a s g a i n . The green or parterre, the green copsewood. This beautiful place is a hill-slope of natural birch
trees, etc., near Ord; it has also been described as a nook,
a hollow, a tail or extremity of land, narrowing down from
the higher land, viz., monadh Mòrsaig, chiefly on south.
A
u s g a v a ig .
See “ Loch.”
This is a bay or loch,
allt and ton between Tocavaig and Tarskavaig, east of
latter.
The boll-ridge; portion o f arable land to sow
a boll in. At Ostaig.
G
ead-a-B holla.
G
eal
G
eur
G
h il l e a n
.
White boys—rocks.
R u d h a . Sharp point or promontory, really “ the point
of sharpness,” a relic of volcanic action famed geologically.
At Point of Sleat.
A r d . The short or little mount,
low and high. At Sasaig. Also given ’Gharbh Bheinn,
the rough mount.
’G h o ir t e a n A r d .
The high or upper corn-field. Near
Tarskavaig.
G h e a r r a B h e in n , I o s a l a g u s
, G i l l e n , Na G i l l e n , etc.
The gylls or hollows; gil,
a ravine or narrow glen. This spot favourably known in
Sleat as having been the residence of several local celebrities,
among whom was the famous “ Dotair Ruadh,” the redhaired doctor. A river runs through this place.
G
il l a n
G
l a ic a n
F
h e a d a in
.
The hollow of the waterspout, etc.
a n F h u d a ir .
The powder hollow. At Ferindonald,
above old school-house. A mineral well here, discovered
by the then schoolmaster, Beverley.
G l a i c C h a o l , A G h l a i c C h a o l . The narrow hollow.
G
l a ic
D h o r c h a , A G h l a i c D h o r c h a . The dark hollow. At
Tarskavaig.
G l a i c M h o r , A G h l a i c M h o r , G l a i c M h o r n a n G l a c . The
great hollow, the great hollow of hollows. At Tarskavaig.
G
l a ic
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
378
SLEAT ( Continued)—
G laic
B o,
na
nam
The hummel cow hollow, or
B a M haola .
cows.
G laic
na
C raobh C haoruinn .
Rowan tree hollow.
Tarska­
vaig.
Thieves’ hollow. At Dalavil.
G laic
nam
M earlach .
G laic
nan
C a pu ll .
Mares’ or horses’ hollow.
G laic
nan
C nauch .
Hollow of the raven; cnaimh-fhitheach.
Tarskavaig.
G laic
nan
C ulag , C uileag .
G laic
nan
D oirneag .
hand or fist size.
Hollow of the flies. Tarskavaig.
Hollow of the small round stones; dorn,
Tarskavaig.
Orcadale hollow. Between Tarskavaig and
Tocabhaig.
This word glaic is properly the genitive of glac, s.f., and
is frequently used as the nominative; both mean a hollow,,
narrow defile, etc.
G laic O r ch adail .
G leann M eadhonach .
M id
glen.
Between Dalavil and
Ostaig.
G leann M eodal .
G leann
na
Above Knock.
B e iste .
See “ Allt.”
The glen of the beast (water horse?).
Above Sasaig.
Sasaig glen. This glen was formerly known
as Gleann Hunisdal or Hinisdal, being one of four glens
in which the “ Glasghuailne ” (grey-shoulder), a famous
cow in the “ Fingalian ” times used to graze; other of the
glens are Glendale and Scaladale, also “ Hingisdale,” as
above. Gleann Shasaig, when named as above, it is
thought, was the scene of a terrible tragedy, several young
girls, at Airigh, having been killed by some unknown
“ monster,” currently called a water-horse or kelpie in the
shape of a horse, which emerged from Loch-nan-Uirichean,
Uiridhean, some distance off. Other “ grazing-places,”
Eisgeadail, Toisgeadail, Carn a Choin, Braigh Bhran,
Uisgè-Seader, Suile-Seader, Beinn Mhoraig, Achachoire,
and Màlagan, all north of Portree.
G leann S hasaig .
G nob B u id h e , A G hnob B u id h e . The yellow lump (of rock),,
a favourite fishing rock.
Near Camuscross.
Sketch
by the
late
Mrs. Forbes
(Senior), 1863, of the
Oi.n
C h u bch ,
K iijv io w e ,
S lk a t,
1631-1876.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
379
SLEAT ( Continued)—
G noban
nam
The knob or rock lump of the codlings;
In Ardvasar Bay.
B odach .
bodaich-ruadh.
Not known, unless meant for gobhar ban, white
goat. It is a rock.
G ourban .
Grimm or Grimr’s island. It is thought that there
are at least two islands of this name off Skye. Grimr-aGrimr is a very common Scandinavian name, and appears
in many place-names in the Scottish Isles, e.g., Grimsta,,
grimr stadr; a, as before stated, means an island of the
second magnitude.
I nveeaulavaig , I n b h ir A tjlavaig. Amhlaidh, Olaf, or Olive’s
confluence, outlet of river. Between Ord and Tocavaig.
This place is notable for discovery of stone graves or barrows
on both sides of the stream or river of Ord; thought to be
connected with the occupation of Dunsgaich and neighbour­
hood.
I n v e r , I n b h ir , I onbhar D alab h ile .
The confluence of
Dalvil stream with sea. North of Geur Rudha.
I n ver , I n b h ir T igh L ach lain . The confluence at or near
Lachlan’s house; thought a Lachlan Macdonald. Ardvasar.
G r im e r a .
Farquhar’s ridge of land or field.
At Tarskavaig.
I sle O rnsay . See “ Oronsay,” etc.
K eanloch , K inloch , C eann -L och , - L ocha . See “ Kinloch.”
I omaire , I m ir F h earch air .
K
C il l B h e a g , A C h i l l B h i g . The little church, cella
parva, so called as, when existing, it was minor or second­
ary to K ilm ore, “ ’ C hill M h o r,” q.v., about a quarter of a
il b e g ,
m ile between.
Said to be in Sleat, but not known.
meant for “ Kyleakin ” in Strath.
K illach an .
May be
K ilm ore , K ilm oir , K ilnm oir , K ilvore , A C h il l M h o r . The
great or principal cell or church, cella magnet, with yard
or burying-ground.
This is now the Parish Church, and stands on a site
sanctified by successive places of worship or devotion erected
since the dawn of the Christian evangelisation of the
Western Isles of Scotland; also surmised to be the site
of pagan or Druidical sanctuaries or retreats. The first
380
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
SLEAT ( Continued)—
church, was built by an ecclesiastic named Crotach Mac
Gille Gorm, the hunch or hump-backed son of the blue
lad-servant or servitor; he was chief of the Logans of
Druimdeurfait, Rose-ahire; a canon of Beauly, he lived
in the Lovat country, but travelled to Skye early in the
thirteenth century.
This church lasted till early in the seventeenth century,
about 1631 it is said, and gave place to a third, the present,
in 1876.
As said, the first church existed up to the seventeenth
century, when a clan battle was fought in a neighbouring
field between the MacIntyres (then in possession of this
corner of Sleat, though Macdonald territory) and a foraging
band of Macleods. The Macleods won the battle, where­
upon the MacIntyres took refuge in the church; the
Macleods ruthlessly set fire to the roof, which was only
thatched with heather, destroying church, MacIntyres, and
all.
The more recent church, the second above referred to,
though said to have been built about 1631, was not com­
pleted till 1691, though began earlier and not proceeded
with, owing to the troublous times, etc. According to Iain
Lorn, the noted Lochaber bard, this church was eventually
erected by Sir Donald Macdonald of Sleat and the Isles,
who died in 1659 or 1691 Iain Lorn says:
“ Gu Eaglais Shleibhte nan stuadh,
Chosg thu fein ri 'cur sms,
Ged nach d'fhuirich thu buan ri 'sgliatadh”
To the Church of Sleat-of-the-wavee,
Its cost you defrayed to build,
Though you didn’t wait (survive) to slate it.
This church lasted thus for nearly two hundred years; it is
now in ruins (see sketch).
What is reputed to be a very old cup or font, crogtm q
bhaistidh, the little dish of baptising, was found or dis­
covered by a minister of the parish, the Rev. John Forbes,
among a heap of rubbish beneath the old pulpit at the
south or south-east wall of the church; it was duly cleaned
and mounted on a brass bracket for use again in baptisms,
and, it is believed, is still in use. It is of grey marble,
and measures six or seven inches in diameter by nearly
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
381
SLEAT ( Continued)—
three or four in depth, circular, with a triangular projection
on two opposite sides for fixing in position somewhere
probably. The marble is similar to the Strath marble.
It may have been used by Roman Catholics in PreReformation times. There was a bell, or bells, in this
church previous to 1773, and since 1876 there has been one;
in 1740 Kilmore possessed a “ change-house,” which was
situated “ about a pistol shot from the kirk” ; this house
. is now at Ardvasar in the shape of an hotel. In 1575-6,
James M'Conill Growmicht or Gromiche {gruamach, surly
or sad) granted an obligation for payment to the Bishop
of the Isles of eighteen merks annually for “ the Personage
of Kilmoir in Slait ” ; this deed was signed on his behalf
by notary; he also granted sixteen merks for “ the bishop’s
third part of said kirk.” The “ Personage ” or manse now
in existence, was erected about 1815, at the same time as
Armadale Castle was built, and was designed in a some­
what castellated form externally, being battlemented, with
a handsome and conspicuous circular tower; locally, it is
known as “ An Tigh Bhàn,” the white house. It may
be added that, in regard to the. above payments to the
Bishop, the conveyance contained the clause “ except when
land laid waste by Imgmeis (enemies),” and was “ payable
in Ycolmkyll betwix Petersmess and Beltane.” All this
was escheat to the bishop in 1581.
In 1626 the “ parochin of Sclate ” was composed of, or
united to and with, “ Strathordell, Eg, Canna, Rum, and
Muck, servit by Mr. Neill M'Kinnane.” The above now
forms three separate parishes. See “ Sleat.”
K inloch . Head of the loch.
This is the head or upper end
of Loch-na-Daal, named Kinlochdale in 1745; there is
another Kinloch in Kilmuir, near Dunvegan; and the name
also applies to Loch Slapin; and Kinloch of old, with
surrounding district, formed part of the barony pertaining
to the Mackinnons. Dean Monro styles the loch Nadalae.
The name Kinloch is common.
K inlocheisheokt . Ceann Loch Eisheord, q.v.
K nock , C noc, A C hnoc, K nocko .
The knoll. Being on a
knoll or height projecting into the sea on or at the end of
a bay; the castle hereon was called Caisteal-I-Chamuis,
partly ancient and partly comparatively modern. See“ Cammes ” and “ Caisteal Uaine.”
382
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
SLEAT ( Continued)—
Not known. Said to be gob-a-rudha, the point o
the promontory or point of Sleat; elsewhere said to refe
to point on which Dunvegan Castle stands. See “ Duia
vegan,” also “ Gob-na-Hoe.”
K ooper.h u .
K ylerhea , K yle -R ea , - R ae , -R aes , -R a t h , etc. (Caol Reithe)
This strait or kyle is said to have been named after on
of the Feinne or Fingalians, Rhea (Readh), who attempts
to leap across, but fell in and was drowned; this strai
was narrower in those days. He, along with his com
panions, was hastening to the help of his womankind; bu
doubted. Other etymologies furnished may 6e given
Kill-ri, Cool Righ, King’s strait; rhe (Welsh), swift
Gaelic rea, rapid; rheau, to run; rhin, that which runs
i.e., as a promontory out into the sea; also reidh, smooth
which it hardly is, as there is a very strong and rapi
current here. The above word rhe, rea, ri, is said to b
a root found in many languages, generally meaning “ t
flow,” etc. Readh, as above, still holds, and it may b
added that, with another hero, he lies buried not far oj
in Iomaire, Imir nam fear Mora, the ridge or field o
the big men. This is based on the fact of this imir havin
been opened and found to contain the bones or at leas
the skulls of two very large-sized men; this, it is believec
was testified to by a former minister of Sleat, who wa
present; the grave is at Glenelg, opposite Kylerhea, o
the mainland.
L ag
a
B h r ag h ad .
The hollow of the upland; braigh, gee
braghad.
L ag
a
C h r a id h .
The hollow of pain or anguish. At Uppe
Ostaig.
L ag
a
G h a raid h C h a il .
L ag
a
L ochain .
Hollow of the kail garden.
Hollow of the little loch.
a P h u ill B h r ach aid h .
Hollow of the malting-pool c
pit; might also mean fermenting or rotting, a stagnac
pool.
L ag an D o il l . The hollow of the blind (man). This plac
doubttful. By one account it lies between Tormore an
Aird; by another near Dun Bhororaig, where there ar
ruins of an old church.
L ag
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
383
SLEAT ( Continued)—
X^ag a n T oe,( a ) M h o r .
L ag Mon, A
L ag
L ag
n
Tormore hollow.
L ag M or.
In
a field here.
The great hollow.
The fair-sheiling hollow.
nam B oitean , a B hoitean .
The hollow of the straw or
hay bundle or bundles (muillean).
n a h - A ir ig h
B a in e .
Hollow of the crosses. This is a field
on the glebe, on right hand side of approach from thei
public road; this field or locality was the via crucis in
connection with religious “ processions ” to and from
Creag-an-t-Sagairt, the priest’s rock, q.v.; no crosses known
to have been there within the memory of man, but, when
existing, supposed to have marked the boundaries of a
sanctuary or tearmann. See “ Bu ’Chlerich; tearmann,
from Latin terminus. All the district hereabout is stamped
with names indicating the holy or devout uses to which
it was at one time put.
L ag B a in ic h . Fern hollow.
Sleat, like Skye generally,
abounds in ferns, and many of a rare kind.
L ag - n an -C koisean .
n a Cn a im h .
The hollow of the meadow of the
bones. This place is in Glen Sasaig, and the bones are
said to be those of the “ beast ” slain there, or the eadhuisge, water-horse!
L ag an I n is
Not known. Hamar (Norse) or Hladhamarr, a
cliff. Near Point of Sleat.
L a m a r sc a ig .
L a m h r a ig , L a im h r ig , A L a m h r a ig M h o r ; also L a im h r ig a -B, u d h a .
The landing-place of the Point (of Sleat);
another at Kilmore.
The bog or swamp. In the peat­
moss or moor above Kilmore.
L a r a c h A ir ig h P h a d r u ig . Site or ruins of Patrick’s sheiling.
The calling or naming of sheilings after individual head­
men of townships; these laraichean are, alas, very numerous
throughout Skye.
L a r ach T ig h N e il l - G h r ia s a ic h . Site or ruins of the house
of Neil the shoemaker. Neil was a man of note in Kilmore
and for miles around; he held a house, built by himself,
on the glebe. Though he had only one hand, having lost
the other by an accident, he, with the aid of an iron hook,
L aplach, L apach, L abach .
384
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
SLEAT ( Continued)—
showed himself a perfect Jack-of-all-trades; as said, he
built his house and at least two boats; he was an omnivorous
reader and a bit of a poet and musician, and was held in
considerable respect, if not awe, for his power of repartee
was well known, a chuid de Pharras dha.
a M hona ’ M headhonach or C lach M hor - na -L eacan .
The slope of the Mid Mountains, or the great stone of the
broad slope or steep shelving ground; leaoann, leacamn,
or leaocm, plunal of leac, flat stones, etc.; Mid Mountains
so called from being equidistant from the sea on each side.
L eac
The stone slope of the dun or fort. Between
Camuscross and Knock. This dun exists only in name as
above.
L eac- an -D u in .
na M oine . The russet slope, and the
Both near Tarskavaig.
L eacann R iabhach , L eac
peat-moss slope.
Half confluence; leih ener, leth mir, in’ir, inbhir,
almost a confluence; more correctly ionbhar.
L ehener.
Broad stretch of hillsideCf. Leideag, Argyll.
L eideag , L eadag , L eadaid L ia t h .
grey; leathad.
L e ir M haodail , M aodal . Muddy place; leur vodal, bhoidale.
Between Camus-Daraich and Port-na-Long, Point of Sleat.
A deposit formed of mud and sand by eddy of conflicting
currents. See “ Allt Mhaodail,” also c f. Leurabhaigh or
Lerwick, mud bay; Leirable, Lyriboll in Sutherland.
The nuns’ halfland, a
piece of land set apart for an institution of nuns,
caUl&achan-dubha, the black veiled ones. Now a sheep
farm, thought near Drumfern. Furnished also as Leitir
Shalach, the dirty shore or halfland!
L etterhalluch , L e ite r C h a llic h .
The new or fresh (reclaimed ?)
half-land or hillside. Other etymologies possible are from
curr, asp. churr, corner, end, pit, fountain, situation or
site; occurs frequently in topography. Also found Letterfoor, even Letterfern. Chir equals chiar, dun, dusky,
gloomy.
L e t t ir -H u rr , L e itir U r .
L eum
an
E arbag .
The little roe’s leap. At Kinloch.
L eurabhaig , A uch , A ch adh .
A t Ord.
The field of the muddy bay.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
385
SLEAT ( Continued)—
The lint cutting or spot
of land, lintfield; lin and gearraidh or gàraidh.
L in iga rry , L enigarry , L ernigary .
na D unach , D u n aid h . The pool or linn of woe.
On
Allt (a) Fiodhach, with precipitous and wooded banks.
Here, tradition says, several young girls took refuge in a
tree overhanging the linn, when a lunatic, who had
attacked and chased them with an axe, cut down the tree,
with fatal results. See “ Carnan a Rumaich ” and “ Airigh
na Dunach.” Cf. Allt na Dunach, Kintyre.
L inne
nan C ean n .
Linn of the heads. Here the heads or
skulls of seven score MacIntyres were cast by the Macleods
after the fight near the parish church. See “ Kilmore.”
L inne
nan 'E ach .
Pool of the horses. Here on Allt (a)
Fiodhach, in the high park, was, or is, a pool where the
minister’s horses, and others, were watered; three of these
were named Ossian, Donnag, and Fillan.
L in n e
In regard to this word, several names of little or no
meaning, almost tarns, not given.
L och .
a B h a ir d , B raigh a B h a ir d .
The bard’s loch, the
brae or upland of the bard; a portion assigned to him.
At Tarskavaig.
L och
a G h l in n e . The glen loch, Gleann Meadhonach.
wards Point of Sleat.
To­
a M h u ilin n .
The mill loch.
“ Bagh ” and “ Drochaid.”
See
L och
L och
Near Ostaig.
na D alach . The loch of delay or wait­
ing, for etorm-stayed ships, etc.; dàil, dalach. Between
Isle Ornsay and Kinloch; one of same name in Islay. See
“ Lochnadaal.”
L och- a n -D aal , L och
L och
an
D oirreanaich , L och
na
D oireanaich ( Loch Doir’
The loch of the grove of the horse. Near here
the “ water-horse ” before referred to used to appear, and
sometimes in the form of an old hag (cruth caillich), in
which shape she got in touch with the girls at the airigh
or sheiling in Glen Sasaig, on one occasion destroying them
all save one, who escaped and gave the alarm, when the
men of the district turned out and destroyed it, burying
the remains in a place still pointed out.
an eich).
386
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
SLEAT ( Continued)—
an I asgaich .
The loch or little loch of the
fishing; famous for good catches of trout. At Tarskavaig.
L och, L ochan
an I m e .
The loch of the butter. Near here
some kegs or rather parcels of butter made up in hides
were found. Near Tarskavaig.
L och , L ochan
The long lochs or the little long loch.
Locban Fada also supplied.
L ochan F ad a .
L och
an t -S e ilic h .
L och A r d .
The willow loch.
High loch.
Na
Near Tarskavaig.
Above Tongue.
The water field loch, from
See “ Araisg.” •
L och A ruisgh , A rtjisg, A r -U isg .
which a small stream runs.
L ochan
na
B rice D uibh e ,
nam
B reac D ubha .
The little
loch of the black trout.
na P o ite . The loch of the pot (of gold). See “ Bealach
a Ghlinne Chruaidh ” and “ Loch na P rais.”
L ochan
Dugald’s loch; locally Loch-Dughaill or
Du’ill. On Gillen road, near Tocavaig. Not known after
what man of this name the loch was called, but there was
at Tooavaig a leading man in that township named
“ Dughall Cam Mac Alasdair Oig.” C f. “ Dola,” in
Sutherland.
All the foregoing lochs are inland.
L och D h u g h aill .
L och E iseord , E iseort , A ib hseord . The loch of the ice bay
or firth, fiord, or fjord. A sea loch on north-west of Sleat.
The spelling of this loch has varied greatly: Locheafort,
the / here again a mistake for s; Lochusherd (1631), iss,
ice (Icel.), with suffix art or arth, also ord, ort, worth, all
corruptions or abbreviations of Norse fjord, a firth or sealoch; also fjorar, possibly, though uncertain.
usgavaig .
East bay loch. East from
Tarskavaig. This loch is famed for “ rainbow ” trout, and
is said to be the deepest loch in or off Skye.
L ocii G ausgavaig , A
H oravaig , T horvaig . See “ Torvaig.” A loch, bay,
or place of the name of “ Orabaig,” said to be at the Point
of Sleat or Aird.
L
och
L
och
I ch C aim e , ’I c C u in n .
Dalavil.
Macqueen’s loch.
North of
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
387
SLEAT ( Continued)—
L och ’ I l l e M
h ic h e il .
St. Michael’s servant’s loch.
Above
Knock or Sasaig.
L o c h L am arscaig, q.v.
a o d a il , M e a d a l , etc.
The narrow dale loch; mjo dal.
See “ Allt Mhaodail,” which runs out of this loch.
L och M h ic C a r m ic h e il . See above “ Loch ’Ille Mhicheil. In
the Monadh Meadhonach, near Ord.
L och or L òch an n a B a R u a i d h . Red cow loch, or little loch,
as above. Near Tarskavaig.
L och n a B e is t e . The loch of the beast.
Near “ Carn-naBeiste,” in the Mona’ Meadhonach, where a beast or
“ monster ” was slain; also a sea-loch between Cailleach
and Castle Moil. Near here ie the reputed spot where
Diarmad slew the boar! South of Kyleakin, in Strath.
L o c h n a d a a l , L och a n D a i l , L och D a i l , L o c h n a d a la e (Dean
Monro). See “ Loch-an-Daal.” As said, this loch near
Isle Ornsay; it is noted for the locus of the rare plant
Eriooaulon Septangulare or Decangulare, as before referred
to, also Drynas Octopetala. Cf. Loch Indal in Islay.
L och n a n A d h a ir c e a n , n a h - A d h a ir c e a n . The loch of the
horns (deer ?).
L och , L och an n a n C l a c h . Loch or little loch of the stoneis,
thought “ standing-stones.”
L och M
L o c h n a n D u b h r a ic h e a n , D u b h r a c h a n , D u b h la ic h e a n ,
D u b h B h r u t h a ic h e a n . Black or dark braes’ loch. Pro­
nounced Loch nan Uirichean or Neurachan, etc. Between
Knock and Isle Ornsay, close to the public road, south of
Ben D u laid (? D io lla id ). This loch has till very lately
i f not still— borne an uncanny reputation as being haunted
or frequented by a “ b e a st” ; search, therefore, was made
so late as 1870 to allay alarm, but nothing found.
Rumours
and tales as to this suspected monster are still
current, and the only explanation is that a seal, or even
a walrus from the coast, some distance off, had found its
w ay to the loch; on the coast not far from here a “ beast,”
called “ Biasd-na-Sgrogaig , ’ ’ the beast o f the little or
crumpled horn, was seen, possibly a wandered walrus or
narwhal, though unlikely!
Loch
nan
E il e a n .
Loch o f the islands.
388
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
SLEAT ( Continued)—
n a h -U a m h a .
The cave loch. Above
Ardvaear, towards Tarskavaig, and fiear Beinn Fidhleir.
Tales are attached to this cave, such as that of the piper’s
progress, etc.
L och - n a n -U a m h , L och
L och n a P r a is .
Loch o f the brass or cast-iron pot;
this
word applied to a creel-pot o f old, sunk in the ground for
various purposes; also in lochs.
n a T u im e , L och T h u i m e , T a o im e .
Loch of'the torrent
or overflow; tamm generally means water that has entered
a boat, bilge-water. This loch is in Monadh Meadhonach.
L och
h io n n l a i d h .
The loch of the daughter of
Finlay. South of Tarskavaig or west of Aird. Here the
Royal fern, osmwnda regalis, abounds or abounded.
L och N ig h in n F
L och S gurr n a n C a o r a c h . Loch
miles S . S .E . of Tarskavaig.
of the sheep sgor.
Three
Thick loch. Above Stonefield. May be muddy,
and with weeds or rushes.
L on A ir ig h n a B e is t e .
Meadow, marsh, or burn of the
sheiling-of-the-beast. See “ Loch na Beiste,” etc. See
“ Lon ” and “ Airigh,” ante.
L och T iu g h .
ir ig h n a S l ig e a n , S l ig e a c h a n .
Shell-burn sheiling.
Near Tarskavaig. Said to be raised coast or beaches here;
hence the shells.
L on A
or.
Great sheiling burn; an righe
Teangue.
L on C r e a d h a . Clay or clayey burn. Runs out of Loch an
Iasgaich into Kinloch River.
L on M o r . The great meadow.
Between the parish church
and glebe, and is the scene of Blar na Cille between the
marauding Macleods and MacIntyres. A burn runs close
by.
L on n a C r a o ib h e . The tree meadow. This is a boggy meadow
near Knock.
L on n a h - A ir d e C a o il e .
Meadow of the narrow or sharp
height. A t Ostaig; between the public road and the sea,
L on
na
R u id h e , R ig h e M
mor.
L
on n a n
E arbag.
At Teangue.
The meadow (or burn) of the young roe.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
389
SLEAT ( Continued)—
M e a l l B u i d h e . The yellow round hill.
Above Kil­
more and Ostaig (503 feet); another at Duisdale Mor.
M
aol,
M
eall
M
eall a
M
eall
a n F h u a r a in .
Round hill of the spring-well; also
“ Meall Fuarman ” (or Fuaraman). Near Ord.
Round hill peak or stack. Above Sasaig Glen.
Stuc.
na
h
- I n n se
F
earna.
Alder-isle or low meadow
hillock.. At Tongue.
M
P ort M
eall
The heap, hill, or mound of Port
ealary.
Melary.
M
eall
T obar
a
B h io r a in ,
q.v.
The Mull. A lump of a hill south-west of Lochnadaal, and north of Duisdale.
’M
h a o il e .
’M
h o in t ic h
B h u id h e .
The yellow moss or moor.
M io sg a n . ‘ The kit or cheese-vat. This is a rock with
a gash or split, vulgarly attributed to the stroke of a giant’s)
sword! There is a word memgan, butterwort.
M
isg a n ,
M
onadh
A
c h ’- a n - A l l t ,
A
chadh an
U il l t D h e a r g ,
q.v.
The
mountains of the river-field, or the red river.
M e a d h o n a c h . The mid mount or mountains. They
stretch between sea and sea equidistant, and contain various
places elsewhere given.
M
onadh
M
onadh
M h c r s a ig .
Morsaig mountains. These are, inter
alia, Mounts Vokie, Sgòrach Breac, Sgiath-Bheinn an Uird,
Bràdh, etc. They lie north-east of Loch Eiseort, between
Camuscross and Ord. There is a district and river Morsaig,
Moursaig, or Moresaig, and is maurs-vik, the bay of the
ants, ant-bay.
A M h u c l a c h . The pig-plaoe, piggery; may be a
side form of mucrach, a sand hillock. Pigs did and do not
bulk largely in Sleat or Skye.
M
uclach ,
M
u il in n
T h u ir n , M
u il e a n n
mill; tuireann, wheat.
a Mhuilinn.”
Wheat
See “ Drochaid
T u ir e in n , T h u i r e i n n .
South of Ostaig.
The points or pinnacles. A sharp, jagged reef
running out from Port-na-Clacha-Mora, below Kilmore,
next glebe to the north.
N a B io d a g a n .
390
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
SLEAT ( Continued)—
Ob A
l l t - a n - D a r a ic h
. Oak-burn bay.
h io r sg a r ie , F io s g a r ie .
Not known; suggested fioran,
a species of muran or creeping bent-grass, and gearraidh or
garry, a field or strip of land, etc. Near Tarskavaig.
Ob F
O b G au scavaig ,
q.v.
The ruins of Dunsgaich Castle are near
here.
Ob
D o r n a ic h , D o r n a id h .
The channel bay; domaidh
means a narrow channel of the sea, where it flows and ebbs,
and where at full tide a vessel can be towed to either side
of the harbour. Cf. doirling, a narrow sound, etc., and
Dornie, in Lochalsh.
na
Not known. There is a word snaoiseach, in
slices, of or belonging to a boat prow, perhaps a very small
bay where only a small boat can enter. South of Camus­
cross.
<
O l l a ig , O l l a g . Offal, refuse; but may be ullag, meal and
water; or again might be N ollaig. Also suggested meal
dues, multure. Not known.
O b S n u s a ic h .
O r c h a d a il .
Or d .
Whale-dale. Near Tarskavaig, q.v.
A point or corner, a round steep knoll or height; also
hurd, which is Old Norse urd, a heap of boulders at foot of
a steep face; also vord, a beacon-hill; originally ard, the o
having crept in owing to the Norse element; ard also the
adjective “ high ” or a height. This place is an ancient
township, settlement, and farm, with a ridge called Druim
an Uird. In the earlier times ecclesiastics had a settlement
here, which gave rise to the far-fetched suggestion that the
name was derived from the Latin word ordo, or even ordugh,
the ordinance, etc.; first meaning holds. This place or
farm was for long in the hands of a family of Mac­
donalds, one of whom furnished much information as to
the surrounding country in its ecclesiastical bearings, etc.
Ord rocks contain a substance called talk, like that of
Venice; it is supposed to be a mineral substance, Gaelic
talc, named tripola Hebridiana; an African material en­
crusting rocks is said to be the same, and very valuable;
this crust or earthy material called also huana, a white
earth, for manure, and smectis, or Spanish chalk like talk
or talc; quartzite much in evidence also on the surrounding
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
391
SLEAT ( C ontinu ed ) —
hills, from which full and fine views of the Coolins are to
be had. The river Ord contains horse-mussels, in which
pearls have been found; one was valued at £20 sterling.
One of the minor bards of Sleat made or composed
seven verses on the Ord “ Grieve ” under the title
“ Grèidhear an Uird,” in reference to his kindness in
promising to assist the “ bard ” with a supply of potatoes!
One verse may be given; it takes the form of a
“piobaireachd
“ ’FMeasgaich mo ruin, ’s fhearr beachd is tùr
Chunnmc mo shuil riamh air a ghrunnd,
Bha thu bho thus riaghaiiteach ciuin,
Chmnicheadh leat turn gun bhi guidheachan, etc.,
Fleasgach mo ruin, tha mi buidheach dhiot
O rnsay , I sle . Five miles north of the parish church.
English
form of Eilean Orasa, Eilean Diarman, etc., as after.
The word or name Oransa, Oraneay, Ornasay, Oronsa,
Oronsay, was for long said to mean Oran’s Isle, but it is
orfiris-ey, aspirated in Gaelic; silent r disappears before
s, thus or(f)i(r)is-ey becomes or’asa as pronounced by Gaelic
speakers; the Norse word is the proper name for islands
which, at low-tide, are joined to the mainland, or greater
land or island, and separated therefrom at flood-tide only,
thus being “ Ebb-tide Island.” It is said that there are
about twenty such islands at least on the western shores or
coasts; the name, therefore, has nothing to do with Oran
or Odhran, though it took its present form from ate sup­
posed connection with the saint, and by analogy with so
many island names in the Hebrides ending in eg. This
island, or place, is called in Gaelic Eilean Diarman, quickly
spoken Eilean Iarman or even Tiarman; this locally else­
where Dermid, Diarmaid, etc.; the last is found in a song
by Angus Macleod (presumably a Skyeman), intituled
“Modi Diluain gkabh i 'n cuan," on Monday early she
(the ship) took to sea. These names are all corruptions of
“ Eilean Tioram,” dry island, the Gaelic equivalent of orasa
or orfhasa; one authority gave it as Eyrars-ey, which means
a connecting reef or bank, etc.; cf. “ Eyre,” between such
island and the mainland or other island, the connecting
reef or bank itself being called an saothair or an t-saothair,
saobh-thir, false land, not real dry land. There is a saothair
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
392
SLEAT ( Continued)—
in Kilmuir of some size, consisting of a fairly level traj>
dyke stretch, covered at high water and bare at low water;
at its outer end, however, there is nothing but the sea;,
its inner end being on dry land. See “ An t-Saothair.”
On Isle Ornsay there now stand® a lighthouse, built on a
rock composed of hornblende schist, full of crystals about
two inches in length, also large garnets.
Another authority explained Oransay, Orasay, as from
orfiri, ebb or shallow, an island at full tide, sometimes
designated a peninsula.
The bay of Ornsay, with Lochnadaal close at hand, is a
well-known harbour of refuge, the village itself being of
considerable importance as a centre of trade, etc. The
neighbourhood is replete with ancient associations, a very
old burying-ground being near.
etc. East bay; aust vig, Old Norse
and Icelandic. There are two Ostaigs, mor agus beag,
great and little; in the former lived the erudite Macphersons, father and son; see “ Gesto ” collection of Gaelic
melodies, etc., for the air to some pathetic verses composed
to Mrs. Macpherson (senr.) by a woman simpleton, intituled
“ Ho ro, Mhairi Dhubh, ” Ho ro, Black (haired) Mary.
There is an Oi&taig in Baasay, q.v., O’ staig\ (fast is
Danish and Norwegian for east, and Ost is German; this
bay, as east, must be from Tarskavaig on the west, some
miles straight across country, looking from south to north.
O st a ig , O ist a g , O st a v a ig ,
P oll, A m .
P oll
a
M
The pool, bog, or miry meadow.
honadh,
M
h o n a id h
M
hor.
Near Tarskavaig.
T h e pool, etc., o f the
great hills.
P oll P h a d r u ig .
P atrick’s pool, etc.
i r d , A r d ’I c I l l ic e a n , q.v.
Seldom used as such,
chiefly noted for a small cave for bathers; also a perennial
spring or runlet. On Glebe.
P ort A
P ort
a
G h o ir s t e in , G h o ir st e in D r is ic h .
The
port or har­
bour o f the thorny field or gart.
P ort
an
E a t h a ir , E a t h r a c h .
The boat harbour. At Sasaig.
a n F h io n a .
The wine port or harbour. Between Tormore and Caligarry. Cf. “ Tobar an Fhiona.”
P ort
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
393
SLEAT ( Continued)—
a n T ig h M h o ir .
Port of the great house; thought
Armadale House before Armadale Castle built; the local
mansion-house. Between Ostaig and Armadale.
P ort a S g u m a in . Stack-port, or baling-dish. Near glebe, Kil­
more. This is a small hill.
P ort A s l a ig . Aslag harbour.
Between Kylerhea and Isle
Ornsay.
P ort a S tac L e u t h e ir B h a o id e il . Port of the stack or rock
both strong and safe. The spelling of the two last words
is construed as luthar, luthmhor, and baoghail; might be
meant for mhaodail. See “ Leir Mhaodail.”
P ort B h a i n . The white port. At Gillen; am port ban.
P ort C u l , C u i l .
The back, recess, or corner port; port a
chwil. At Ard Thuirinish, Aird.
P ort F a r a l a (? P h a r a l l ie ), S g eir F a r a l a .
Farala’s har­
bour and skerry; named or called after a girl-nurse who lost
her infant charge on a rock or island here, and thereafter
called Eilean-Naoighean, the infant’s isle.
P ort M e a l a r y . The sand-hills’ shealing port; melr and airigh.
P o r t - n a -C l a c h a ( a n ) - M o r ( a ).
The port of the large stones,
forming part of a boundary dyke or wall carried into th©
sea. See “ Na Biodagan.” A favourite fishing stance, etc.
P ort n a C u l a ig . The little back or hidden port. The word
culag, culmge, has different meanings, cul, from which it is
derived, signifying the back of anything. South of the
sand Stangan, q.v.
P ort n a D a i l e B ig e . Kilbeg. Little meadow port, not much
used.
P ort n a F a g a n a ic h . Port of the left or forsaken ones. This
is more or less a coined word, and arose from the belief or
tradition that three great stones or boulders at the
immediate entrance to this port, and weighing about ten
tons each, had “ sportively ” been thrown or cast there from
Knoydart, the opposite side of the sound of Sleat, some
three or four miles, by some one or more of the “ giants
of yore,” and left there; na fàganaich, from the verb fàg,
to leave, to abandon, etc. Some extremists give it as Na
Paganaich, the pagans, the heathens, turned or changed
into stones! They are just boulders from the neighbouring
heights, or possibly ice-borne.
P ort
394
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
SLEAT ( Continued)—
n a L a ir e , L a r a c h , and S g e ir .
The port and the skerry
of the mare. At Kilbeg.
P o r t n a L o n g , n a n L o n g . Ship’s harbour. This was a harbour
of some importance once upon a time, being the chief
anchorage at the extreme south end of Skye, Aird or Point
of Sleat. The last noted ship anchoring here was that
which bore off a number of emigrants from the island, who
had to leave for various reasons, generally believed
“ eviction.” A centenarian living in 1901 witnessed their
departure, and testified to their unwillingness to leave, the
poor creatures actually falling down and kissing the ground
as a last farewell. Also called Long-phort, in Sutherland
pronounced laghairt, which means a lizard! or, as given
by one correspondent, “ sheiling,” etc.; cf. “ Longford.”
Longphort has been changed into Longart, Lunkart, a
harbour, camp, palace; cf. “ Luncarty.”
P ort
P ort
na
P ort
S g l ia t .
N i’
Port o f slates, slate stones.
Malcolm’s daughter’s harbour.
C h a l u im .
Off
Ostaig.
R a m a s a ig .
Raven’s bay. At Sasaig. See “ Ramasgaig,” ante.
n a C a il l ic h .
Point or promontory of
the old woman or nun, etc., cailliche. See “ Colliehoe.”
This place or point is near Kylerhea.
R ia d h a n , A n . The trail, streak, or temporary passage for water
to run in, with “ Allt Riadhan.” Both at Tarskavaig;
possibly a mill-lade.
R i n n , R u in n n a C a o r a ic h . The sheep rhinns or peninsula.
R h u n a c a l l ic h , R u d h a
R udh’
an
A
ic h r ie .
Point or promontory of the level field;
ach’ reidh.
a n I a sg a ic h .
Fishing point. This common; one at
each of Point of Sleat, Dalavil, and Tarskavaig.
R udh’
R udh’
an
T u ir c .
Boar point. At Ferindonald.
The point of the cairn of the hens—
heather hens, cearca-tomain; this place, Point of Sleat,
etc., well stocked, and a saying, quoted from a local song,
is “ Cho lionmhor ris na Coilich dhubh air rudhaichean
na h-Airde,” as numerous or as plentiful as the black-cocks
on the Aird promontories or heights.
R udha Car n
nan
Cearc.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
395
SLEAT (Continued)—
R udhachan
a
Cheese promontories; Easter customs’
C h a is e .
resorts.
R u d h a C h il l B h ig .
Kilbeg Point.
Red cairn point. Near Point of
Sleat. This ciaim is' different from surrounding strata;
there are three different kinds of rock or stone in the
immediate vicinity.
R u d h a C h u ir n D h e ir g .
n a C a is e , C a r n n a C a is e . Cheese-cairn point.
See “ Cnoc na Caise,” “ Rudhachan na Caise,” etc.
R u d h a C h u ir n
r d or An D u b h - A i r d .
Black-height point.
Near Ord, at Loch Eiseort. A Rudha Dubh south-east o f
Armadale Bay, Rudhia Dubh Sheumais.
R u d h a D ubh A
Coal point. An inferior kind of coal found
near here, north-east of Isle Ornsay.
R u d h a n a C reig e B e i t h e . Point of the birch-clad rock; also
given creige leithe, grey rock.
R u d h a n a D a l l a ig , D a l l a ig e .
Point of the shrew-mouse;
frequently applied in Sleat to the spotted dog-fish, which
appears to be purblind; doll, blind.
R u d h a G u a il .
R udha
n a h - A rd
Bhan.
Point of the tall women, or rather
high socially.
R udha
n a h - E ic h .
R udha
na
h -U a m h a
Horses’ point.
M
o r ( a ).
Point of the great cave.
At
Tarskavaig.
n a T r a ig h B a i n e .
Point of the white beach, white
sand. At Ostaig, Kilbeg.
R udha
R udha
nan
E un, R udh’
an
E o in .
Birds’ point.
Paul’s point or promontory. South-east of
Armadale Bay. Paul Balkason? This is a very notable
point; the rocks are siliceous and very massive.
R u d h a P h o il .
e a n n a ig . Point of the harbour of the carrion
or hoodie-crow; but alleged to be from the ground being
laboured in feannaig, feannaige, lazy-beds; feannagain,
suited to wet ground.
R u d h a S h l e ib h t e . Sleat Point. The most southerly point of
Skye.
R u d h a P ort- n a - F
396
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
SLEAT ( Continued)—
an E orna.
Barley-hollow or pit point. Between
the Gillen and Dalavil.
R u d h a S loc
R u d ha T orra M
R
u ig h e a
h o ir .
Tormore Point.
The slope, hillside, or sheiling of
Near the Gasgan, Ord.
C h r eag an, R ig h e .
the little rock.
etc. South bay.
South from Knock Bay or Cammes, Camus; saus, south,
and vig, bay. Birth-place of several distinguished Sleat
and Skye men and women, one of the Latest being Lieut.Colonel Maclnnes, author of “ The Brave Sons of Skye.”
S aa sa ig , S a sa ig , S au saig , S oasig , S ea v ig ,
The speckled, jagged one. A hill
near Ord (977 feet), actually between Isle Ornsay and head
of Outer Loch Eisheort; also known as Sgurr Breac.
S corach , S gorach B r e a c .
S coumpan, Sguman.
The Stack.
A hill above Armadale.
See
“ Cnoc an Sgumain.”
Sc should be sg in Scottish Gaelic.
a C h e a n n a ic h e . The merchant or packman’s rock. Here,
it is believed, he met his death.
S geir
a C h r io m a id h . The crumbling rock.
Near Tarskavaig.
This doubtless erosion.
S g eir
S g eir
a
R o in .
S geir
an
The seal rock. At Isle Ornsay.
I u b h a r , I o n b h a ir .
The confluence rock or skerry.
At Tarskavaig.
a n O s d a ir .
The innkeeper or hosteller’s rock.
Sasaig, when inn was at Kilmore.'
S g eir
S g eir
Near
B h i g . The false land, etc.,
Near Armadale and Ostaig. See “ An
a n t -S a o t h a ir m h o r agus
great and little.
t-Saothair.”
a n t - S e a n a -C h r e a g . Old rock skerry. Thought to be at
Aird, and a relic of a volcano.
S geir
S g eir
an
t -S r u th .
The stream rock or skerry.
Near Isle
Ornsay.
a n T o b a ir .
Well rock skerry. Rather a series of rocks
running out here. See “ Port Ard ’Ic Illioean.”
S geir
Not known; may be a proper name. Barlag
means a ragged, tattered man, and there is an obsolete word
bar, the sea. At Tarskavaig.
S geir B a r l a ig .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
SLEAT ( Continued) —
S g e ir B h e a g
a
The little skerry in or of the port.
P h u ìr t .
Below Glebe.
S g e ir B h e a g E o g h a in .
Ewen’s little rock. Tarskavaig. Also
sgeirmn, buidhe, yellow; charrach, rough, notched; chomhnard, level, smooth; fhada, long. All at Tarskavaig.
Beverley’s rock. Where a schoolmaster
used to fish from, about 1795. Between Sgeir Bheag a
Phuirt and Port na Clacha Mora.
S g eir B h e v e r l e y .
n a m B io d a g .
The rock of the sharp point or
points; bioda, pointed top. At Tarskavaig.
S g e ir B io d a ig ,
Colum-ciH’s rock, or the rock of
St. Columba, who landed here on a mission to Sleat. Below
where the parish church is now, and which has all along
been a place of worship.
S g e ir C h a l u im - C h i l l e .
The seemly, fit, suitable rock; but thought
a misprint for culaidh, a boat, etc.; akin to curach, a skincovered coracle, etc.
S g e ir C h u b h a id h .
White-haired or hoary John’s rock (John
Macpherson), which he fished from for many years. Below
Ferindonald.
S g e ir M h ic -U is d e a n . Hugh’s son’s skerry.
S g e ir I a in L e i t h e .
h o r G h o b h l a c h , S g e ir G h o b h l a c h . The great forked
rock, or the forked rock. Near Lochnadaal.
S g e ir M
h o r G h o r m o il , G h o r m u il .
The great rock or the
rock of Gormul. Explained as gorm-shuil, blue eyes, a
maid of the Feinne or Fingalians. There is, however, a
place in Scandinavia called Gormal. This rock or skerry
is in Loch Eisheort, near Ord.
S g e ir M
The rock of the pet lamb;
Might be a proper and pet name. Here is the split
rock referred to s.v. “ Misgan.”
S g e ir
na
C io r a ig , S geir C io r a ig .
dor a.
n a C o str i , C o m h -S t r i .
The contest or struggle between
opposing current of Allt(a) Fiodhach, which flows into the
sea here. This rock noted for the fish wrasse, creagag or
blalaoghan, which is caught here.
S g eir
n a C r ic h e .
Boundary rock.
Mora ” and “ Na Biodagan.”
S g eir
See “ Port na Clacha
398
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
SLEAT ( Continued)—
Dunghill or refuse rock. At Kilbeg.
Refuse, etc., from Ostaig house and farm said to be origin
of name; thought more likely oitreach, a shallow, sandy
part of the seashore, which applies; oitir, oitireach. This
rock at Kilbeg.
S g e ir n a h -O t r a c h .
S geir
na
L eum .
Rock o f
S g e ir n a L u ir g in n .
lurg, lurgann.
S geir
nam
F
ia d h ,
the leap
or ju m p .
At Tarskavaig.
The rock or skerry of the ascent or ridge;
S g eir
an
F h e id h .
Deer skerry or rock.
Goat skerry or rock. The skerry is now
almost inaccessible; it was a favourite fishing-rock, and
frequented by an old man, Niall Mac Dho’ill ’Ic Eoghainn,
called “ Sgòthaidh.”
S g eir
nan
G obhar.
The dun or grey rock. At Tarskavaig.
I^geir O d h a r .
S geir P h a r a l l ie , F a r a l a .
See “ Port Farala.”
Jane’s rock or skerry; Jane Macpherson, Ostaig,
it is thought.
S geir S h i n e .
S g eir S g r aab , S g r ia b .
water, razorbill, etc.
The skerry of the (sea fowl) shear­
Off Dun Ila.
Una’s rock. A proper name; cf. “ Unaboll.” One
prosaic person suggests unach, bleaching, washing!
S geir U n a .
S g ia t h - B h e in n a n U ir d , C h ro ssa v a ig agus Tocavaig.
Shelter-mount or sloping hill projecting into the sea, a t
a ll the above places; scead or sgead also given for a similar
portion o f land, i f not the same. Near Dunsgaich Castle.
Sgead means ornament; sgeadaichte, adorned, etc.
S gor - a - D
h r u im
or
S gurr.
Mountain cliff ridge.
Ostaig.
or S g u r r . The smith’s rock, etc. At
Kilbeg. Here a settlement was constituted by building a
range of continuous houses, nick - named “ The Ex­
hibition ” !
S gor - a - G h o b h a in n
S gorr , S gor , A
n
.
The precipice rock. Off Kilbeg.
The basket or creel, from resemblance; sgulan
also means an old man. This is a hill near Kinloch.
Sgulan, A n .
a C h a is e .
Cheese-hill. Near or part of Maol-Buidhe;
where Easter ceremonies observed.
S gurr
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
399
SLEAT ( Continued)—
a C h a is t e il M h o r .
Sgor of the great castle. A rock
in Mona’ Meadhonach, resembling a large castle.
S gur r a C h a i t . The cat sgor. In Glen Capisdal. Once noted
for wild cats.
S gur r a L e t h - B h e i n n .
Half-mount hill. Near Point of
Sleat.
S gur r a n E a sa in D u ib h e . The sgor or sharp hill of the black
little waterfall. South of Maol-Buidhe.
S gur r G o r m . The green sgor. Near Tarskavaig.
S gur r I a in B h a i n . Fair John’s (John Bain) sgor or precipice.
Near Tarskavaig.
S g u r r n a h - I o l a i r e . The eagle’s peak or cliff.
Said to be
the highest peak or hill in Sleat. Here, or near here, at
one time a military camp or cantonment; and Sgurr na
Sealladh, the look-out peak, was here also. At Tarskavaig.
Another rock of last name also at Armadale.
S g u r r n a n C a o r a c h . The sheep sgor. Above Caligarry.
S g u r r n a n G o b h a r . Goats’ peak. A high hill between Isle
Ornsay and Broadford, above Lochindaal.
S i o r Sioc. The ever frozen, or hard, dried-up one, a bare hill
of peculiar shape. Applied humorously to a well-known
“ character” in Sleat, Ailean Ban, in a song, “ Gur mò
do shron'na sior seoc ” / Seoc, a helmet.
S it h e a n B eag agus M o r . The little and the big fairy hill.
At Tarskavaig.
S loc a B h r a g h a d . The hollow of the neck of land; thought
properly bmghad, genitive of braigh, upland country, etc.
Near Tarskavaig.
S loc - A l t r u m a n , S lochd A l t r u m a in .
The cave of the
nursling. This cave is also called the “ spar-cave,” and
lies opposite Tarskavaig, on the Strathaird shore, near
Rudha-na-h-Easgann. It was in this cave that the infant
son of the chief of Colonsay—Doun-hula (brown eyes),
down shuile—was secretly nursed.
S loc , A n S lo ch d , A n S loc B e a g . The cave or hollow, little
hollow. A narrow, low pasis between Ostaig and the Gillen.
S loc I a in R u a i d h .
Red John’s pit or hollow; said to be
“ lain Ruadh Spruce,” a local simpleton.
S gu rr
400
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
SLEAT ( Continued) —
h ic A u l a id h , A m h l a i d h . Macaulay’s hollow, etc.
On
the road to the Gillen. Macaulay was considered to be
eccentric, but he was unusually intelligent!
S loc M
S loc
na
B io r l a in , B i r l i n n .
Craoibhe, the tree hollow.
S loc
na
M
e in n id h ,
M
e in n e .
The galley hollow; also Sloe na
Both at Tarskavaig.
The ore or mine hollow.
An
old pit at Tarskavaig.
The gulf or pool of the leprous
This is the primary meaning only of lobhra,
lobhar. This sheiling may have had some objectionable
associations connected with it.
S lu g a n A
ir id h - L o bh r a.
sheiling.
The fire-places or kilns; sornìachcm, plural of somach, which means a great heap of
boulders at the foot of a precipice; also a flue, a vent.
E.I. somn ; Welsh ffwrn\ Cornish forn, from furnus, an
oven, sometimes a kiln; Gaelic ath, atha, in regard to which
word a test sentence for Gaelic speakers is “ M a s e d'
S o r n a g a n , S o r n a ic h e a n , Na.
a t h ’s e, bath's e, ach m as e m ath 's e, bàthmdh mis' e,
if it is your kiln, quench it; but if it is mine, I will.
Taken in connection with Sloe na meinnidh, the inference
is justified that metal smelting was at one time carried
on hereabouts. See Ps. xii., 6, suacan ere, earthen furnace.
S r o n a , S r o n an G a r b h ( a ) .
Rough points (lit. noses), viz.,
sron charrach, rocky, and garbh, rough, both forming Point
of Sleat.
The oak-tree point. At Ord. This, with
Camus Daraich, at Point of Sleat, shows that oak was
present at these places at anyrate, though little or none
there now.
S ron D a r a ic h .
S tacan D u b h ( a ).
The black precipices. At Tarskavaig.
a n T o r r (a ) M h o r .
Tormore precipice. Along with
Sgeir-an-t-Slapin (slapain, slaopain), the muddy rock;
Port Cam, the crooked harbour; Port-na-Heurich (iuraich,
iubhairich), the harbour of yew or yews, or those armed
with bows made of yew; Lic-an-t-Sail, Leac an t-Sail, if
sail, then flat, sloping stone of the mud, etc.; if sàil, then
of the salt water, the sea (lie is the genitive of leac); and
Port Bhuirbh (bhuirbe), fierceness, boisterousness.
S tac
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
401
SLÈAT ( Continued)—
The little ditch of standing1 water; stang or
Sasaig.
S tuc. A high hill, or one, a lesser, jutting out from a greater,
steep on one side and rounded on the reverse; sometimes
spelled stuchd. One particular Stuc in Sasaier fflen, with
Allt-Stuc.
T a r s k a v a ig , T a r s k v a ig , T or sk v a ig , etc., mor agus beag.
Whale bay, great and little; torsg, tore, and vig; torsg
thought should be tore, an t-orc, the whale; trosg, a codfish,
from Norse torsg.
T a r t a r , A n . The noise or noisy one; thought tramping sound
as of men marching, etc. This is a rock north oi Knock.
From root tar, tor, torrunn; cf. tairneameh, thunder.
T e a m p u l l C h o a n , C h o m g h a in . Comgan or Congan’s temple
or church. On south side of Loch Eisheort, Ord. This
was a temple or chapel of importance, the walls whereof
still, stand to the height of three or four feet. An ancient
holy water or baptismal font found here which is, or was,
preserved in the farm or mansion-house of Ord; it is a
small, flat, stone vessel or dish about eight inches in length
and one inch deep, with a hole in it which might be for a
candle or crucifix, or merely for fastening somewhere.
Another chapel of this name at Boraraig; also one in
Scalpa.
T e a n g a , A n T e a n g a id h . The tongue or narrow strip of land.
It runs east and west, in titles called Teangour, c f. Tongue
in Sutherland; Old Norse tunga, tomga; also known as
Teanga Hoong, teangaidh chumhang, narrow tongue. A
place of this latter name at Ostaig. Tongue also called1
Teangleachkach, teanga leachdach, flaggy or flat-stoned
tongue. It lies on a slope.
T h u ig h e , A n t - T h u ig h e M h o r , A n t -U i d h . The great ford,
etc. A t Point of Sleat.
T o a k a v a ig , T o a k v a ig , T ocavaig , T ok o v a ig , etc. The swelling
or boisterous bay; otherwise given as the south bay, being
on south of Tarskavaig Bay; but thought altogether Norse.
Another statement found of tore-vig, sea-boar, pig, or whale
bay, but doubtful.
T obar a C h l a d a ic h . The shore well. This referred to before.
It runs out in a spout below Glebe, and is much in demand.
Stangan, A
n
.
staing, also a moat or a sharp-pointed rock.
402
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
SLEAT ( Continued)—
a C h l e ir or a C h l e ir e .
The minister’s well. This
well used to be on Bu Chlerich, q.v., but was closed in
1851; it was a regularly built-in well, looked south-east,
and drained into Allt(a) Fiodhach; still to be seen in bank
there. As mentioned elsewhere, this place was the centre
of ecclesiastical life, and the parish manse is there in close
proximity.
T obar a C h o il ic h . The well of the spout or rill of water.
On glebe, at lower part of T/noc-an-t-Sabhail. It has been
lately utilised to supply water to the manse.
T obar a G h o b h a , G h o b h a in n . The smith’s well. The smiddy
used to be at Kilmore, it is believed, but was removed to
Ardavasar.
T obar a n D o m h n a ic h .
The Lord’s well ( Dommus). Also
given as the church or Sunday well. This well, along with
Tobar na Slainte, well of health or healing, near Teampull
Choan, above; another well of this name at Sartle, the
temple or church of St. Malrube.
T obar a n D r o b h a ir . The drover’s well. At Stonefield.
T obar
T obar
an
F h io n a .
The wine well, so named from its purity
and refreshing quality.
a n T om - D r o ig h in n .
The well of the thorn or bramble
thicket; this thought to be another name for Tobar a Chleir,
as bramble-bushes grew around it before it was closed.
T obar
See “ Teampull Choan,” etc.;
otherwise “ Tobar an Teampuill.”
T obar C h o a n , C h o m h g a in .
T obar G l aic - a n - F
h u d a ir ,
q.v.
The rotten well. This is a mineral well
in Sasaig, said to have been discovered by Mr. Beverley,
ischoolmaster, Kilmore. It is now much believed in.
T obar L o it e , L o b h t a .
n a C is t e , C is t e a d h .
The chest well. At Sasaig; said
to be near a “ stone-chest ” or grave.
T obar n a C o ir e a g a n . Well of the little corries; coirean, how­
ever, is the dim. of coire, and is masc.; coireachan the
plural; suggested this latter meant. The suggestion also
made of coireag, a little kettle. The well is at Sasaig.
T obar
n a S l a in t e .
The well of health, healing.
See “ Tobar na Domhnaich.”
T obar
At Ord.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
403
SLEAT ( Continued)—
n a S l u ic .
Well of the hollows or pits. Sluic is the
genitive singular and nominative plural of sloc, q.v. This
place is near Gillen. Tobar an t-Sluic if singular.
T
obar
T
obar
T o ir e a s g a il .
Peat-knife well; toirsgian.
See “Acha
Toirsgil.”
T
ongue.
See “ Teanga.”
e i d h . Hill, conical hill of smooth or level turn
or bend; tor should be torr.
T or-a -C h am a- R
T
The little hill.
near Knock.
orag.
In diet, a wench.
This place or hill
This is a notable
spot, for long held by a family of Macdonalds, “ Fear an
Torr Mhor.” It is next to Aird.
T o r m o r e , T o r e m o r e , A n T o r r a M h o r , q.v.
Tor
na M uclach .
The hill of the piggery. On the east side
of “ the green castle,” Knock. Also given Mucrach.
T or n a T a i r b h .
The hill of the bulls.
The black hill or mound.
Near
Tarskavaig. Torr is one of the three oldest words. See
“ Tor” hereafter.
T o r r , A n, T o r r d u b h .
T orr
na
D
a im h , n an
D amh.
Stags’ hill. At Caligarry.
o id , R o id e .
Bog-myrtle hill.
translated lavender hill.
T orr R
Above Knock.
Also
Hill of the
At Knock. A word for fairy or pigmy is
T o r r S h io t h a ig , S h e e a ig , S h it h e ig , S h id h e i g .
female fairy.
siogaidh.
The monk’s cake or wafer; tort, a small cake,
a wafer, and manach, monk. Also found spelled Tarlomarich, Tarlomurick, and Tontamurich (Pont). This last
explained as a tongue of land between two seas; toong,
toonga da muir each, muir, the sea; doubtful; additionally,
Torfcan-an-Fhirich; mam is the genitive of muir; tortcm
may be dim. of tort, which in Arran is said to stand for
tobhta, turf walls of a house.
This place is near Isle
Ornsay.
T ortam anach.
T o r v a ig , T o r a ig , T o r V i g .
At Knock.
Hill bay; with a small waterfall.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
404
SLEAT ( Continued)—
The ruins of turf-built houses.
At Tarskavaig. This word is feminine, as distinguished
from tobhta, tobhtachcm, the rower’s bench in a boat, though
also signifying turf, etc.
T u ir in i s h . Bee “ Ard Thuirinish.”
T o t a ic h e a n , T o b h t a ic h e a n .
The cave of the box or chest. At Tarskavaig..
This word uamha is the genitive of uaimh.
The following “ caves ” are all at or near Tarskavaigr
if not otherwise stated: Uamha, Uamh, Uaimh a Bhealaich
Bhàn, the white pass; a Chlamhain, buzzard or kite; an
Dunan, little castle or hill (Sasiaig); Charadail, Caradale;
Dhomhnuill Ghruamaich, surly or sad Donald (Dalavil);
Fhliuch, the wet; Mhor, the great; na Ba Leithe, grey or
dun cow; nan Calaman, the pigeons; Seideag, Seideig, little
bed on the floor, seid, a shakedown of heather or hay, etc.;
a Chait, of the cat (Toraig); a Choinnleir, the candlestick,
for seeing inside Spar Cave, Strathaird; an Oir, the gold,
sometimes confounded with last, from glittering of
stalactites, now destroyed by sightseers (this cave also said
to be at Loch na h-Uamha, q.v., and to have an exit in
Kilmuir; also as being at the Gillen).
U a m h a B hocsa .
a C h r o ic h .
The slope, or brow of the hill of the cross,.
The primary meaning of croich is gallows, but this place
was the centre almost of an ecclesiastical district, as before
referred to. It is near Knock House.
U chd
U il l t
na
T eanga, U il t .
The eminences
or
high places or
parts of Tongue, q.v.
[End of
S l ig a c h a n ,
S l ig ic h a n ,
S l e a t .]
S l e ig a c h a n ,
S l ig e a c h a n ,
S l ig n -
etc. The shelly place. This glen said to be the
grandest and wildest glen in Skye, though Sheriff Nicolsoit
thought another (referred to elsewhere) held premier place.
Numerous illustrations exist, among which see that given
in “ The Misty Isle of Skye,” second edition. Cf. “ Sligo ”
in Ireland, sligeach, and “ Skelbo ” in Sutherland, which
means “ shell-stead.”
eachan,
S loc
a
Ch u ir n .
At Kilmuir.
The den, hollow, marsh, etc., of the cairn.
Sloc sometimes means a grave.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
405
a G h r u d a ir e .
The brewer or distiller’s pit or hollow.
A relic of smuggling days! At Ferinvicguire.
S loc
S loc
a
M
The wolf’s den; may be madadh ruadh,
Near Aird-Mhic-Ceolain, where the sea penetrates.
h a d a id h .
fox.
S loc
a P h io b a ir e or P o ll a P h io b a ir e .
Cave or hole of the
piper; here an Irish piper is said to have died. One account
gives this place as a deep pool into which he stumbled in
the dark and was drowned.
S loc
a n A l t r u m a in .
The cave of the nursling. See “ Sleat.”
This is otherwise named the Spar Cave, and here another
“ nursling ” was secreted, a Neil Mackinnon, who was an
Episcopalian clergyman in Skye; it is thought he hid here.
S loc D h o m h n u il l D h u i b h .
The cave of Black-haired Donald;
Domhnull dubh, a sobriquet for the devil!
The following are given consecutively: Sloc Dubh, black,
near Carn Mor, q.v.: Gainmheacha, sandy, near Elgol:
’Ghille Ruaidh, red lad, Suishnish: Mòr, Dunvegan Head,
a sheltered haven: na Cuileig, Cuileige, the flies, Strath:
nam Buideal, the casks, wine casks from a wreck, stored
here by Mackinnon of Corry, near Torran, Strath: nam
Piobairean, a hollow at Boraraig, where the pipers from
the college practised, it was situated in the rear of the
building “ athaigh,” ath thigh; “ Chluich na piobairecm
air urlar na h -a th a id h the pipers played on the ground at
the back (of the house). See “ Uamh.”
n , S lugg ans , n a S l u g a n a n .
The gorges of a river;
several pools, one at Portree, Slugan Dubh, the black pool,
or at Torrin; an Leth-Pheighinn, the halfpenny (land);
another at Strolamus. General name for a river, gulfy, or
having whirl-pools.
S lu g an , A
An. The needle. A very sharp-pointed rock or
pinnacle at the entrance to Quiraing, q.v.; generally known
as “ An t-Snathad.”
S nathad,
S n eosdal.
Snow dale or vale; snae(s), snow (Norse) and dal,
dalr.
An.
Strath.
S n io m h ,
The twist or turn.
A winding foot-path at
406
PLACE-NAMES OP SKYE
etc. Snow fiord; Icel. snae,
properly sneis, snow, and fjordr, Sneisfhord; pronounced
Sneezord; also given Sney’s firth. The different spellings
of this name from 1501 onwards are numerous, it being
Sniothasort at that date. There is a large river Snizort,
at the mouth of which is an island with ruins thereon of
a large cathedral-like church, supposed to have been the
ancient metropolitan or “ mother ” church of Skye; there
are several cairns, temples (so called Druidical), Danish
and modern forts, or remains thereof, and an obelisk rock
stone, about three hundred feet high, with a beautiful and
imposing cataract adjacent; this obelisk is said to be the
Storr Rock, q.v.
Snizort was formerly Kilcolmkill, St. Col urn’s church,
in Snesford. The pronunciation Sneezord is said to be
from the Gaelic phonetic law requiring the aspiration of
certain consonants in composition.
The above river is supposed to be the water or dobur in
which Artbrannan was baptised by Columba.
In 1726 a portion of the parish was disjoined and, with
other lands, erected into the parish of Portree; these lands,
in Troternish, belonged, it is alleged, to the Macleods of
Raasay. In 1833 Snizort had four separate places of wor­
ship, ministered to by four generations of Macqueens;
another minister here was the Rev. John M'Rury, a noted
Gaelic scholar and writer.
S n iz o r t , S n iso r t , S n e s f u r d ,
An, C e a n n M h o r M h ic L e o id . The snout or great
headland of Macleod. Dunvegan Head, near Loch Dun­
vegan. Also Gob an t-Snoid, the point or beak of ther
snout, the outermost end. A special prophecy disastrous
to the Macleods exists as to this headland.
Snod,
etc. The sow or pig island, or isle
of swine; so, a sow or pig, and ay or ey, island. This is
an island with sound or kyle of that name, in the parish of
Bracadale, off S . Minginish, at mouth of Loch Scavaig.
It has also been given as the island of goodness, referring
probably to the particle so, as contained in soisgeul, good!
tidings, but this thought too far-fetched.
Some authorities consider the etymology as Saufta, or
saudhar and ey, sheep isle, saudr-ay, soyd-ay, Soay
(Norse). Cf. Soyea in Sutherland.
S o a , S oay , S o a d h , S o y e a ,
PLACE-NAMES OP SKYE
407
Soay extends to about four square miles, and is noted
for raised beaches, also for a good quarry of stone, from
which mill-stones are made, the island being built of
Torridonian grit; it forms a natural breakwater to Loch
Scavaig, and the inhabitants have or had a singular super­
stition against evil spirits, which they practise on the death
of the head of a family. Soa Uretill referred to by Dean
Monro, and there is a Soa Island near Tiree.
The following are some of the places in or near the
Island:
Leac nam Faoileann, in N.W., the seagulls’ stone: Beinn
Bhreac, speckled mount (455 feet), in N.; Port or harbour
on N.E.; An Dubh-Laimhrig, the dark or black landingplace, N.E.; Rudh’ Aonghais, Angus’ promontory, S.; An
Dubh-Chamus, the black bay, N.; Mol Clach, and Clachan
Uaime, the stone heap (raised beach), and green stones,
N.E.; Ceann na h-Aoairseid, head of the anchorage, E.;
Camus nan Gall, bay of strangers, E.; Rudha Dubh, black
promontory, S.E .; Doire Chaol, narrow grove, S.; Loch
Doir’ a Chreamha, Loch of the garlic grove or clump,
S.W.; Loch an Teanga Riabhaich, the loch of the russet or
spotted tongue (of land); this is a spit, where island
narrows, near the port or harbour on W .N.W .; three small
islands, or rocks, named Na Gamhnaichean, the farrow
cows; An Coileach, the cock, and A Chearc, the hen, W.
of Rudh’ Aonghais; there is another small island south of
Ioua, named Soa; this may be the one above referred to
as being near Tiree.
Soan .
See “ Sothan.”
S oarary.
Sheep-farm; saudhr-ary.
Solan-goose house or place; sula
and tobhta, also rendered a knoll or hill. Aird of Kilmuir.
S o l it o t e , S o l it a t e , S o l it o t .
S o m e e d a l e , S im m e r d a l e .
In Bracadale.
English, possibly
after Somerled.
S ornaichean Coir’ F h in n . Fionn or Fingal’s fire-places, or
stones for his kettle, pot, or cauldron; som, a kiln, flue, vent,
furnace, or oven; these are three “ standing stones” in
Kilmuir, to which this fanciful designation has been given.
Also see “ Clachan Coir’ Fhinn,” also called “ Sornach.”
See “ Sleat.”
408
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
In connection with this, it may be mentioned that sorchan
means a tripod, a light stand, from sorcha, high, and was
the old name for Ardnamurchan district (Sorcha, Ossian).
In South Uist there is a Sorrachd Choire Fhinn, which
means the same as above, while three similar stones are
near Killin, forming a triangle. Sorcha means light, and
is the opposite of dorch, dark.
Suggested as being from soti, a proper
name, but not known.
S o t h a n , S o t h a in , S o a n . May be dim. of soa. This place is
at Digg, Kilmuir, however. There are the words sodhcm,
prosperous, soghan, soghainn, pleasant, etc.; sothan, a spruce
fellow, but doubtful. See Psalm lxxviii., 43, “ Machar
Skoam .”
S o u r b y . Sheep house or steading. Norse saudr, soudhar, and
by, bie, said to be equal to bost, bolstadr, bus, and poll,
and bol. This place is at Kilmuir.
S o u r g il l . Saudr, etc., as above, and gU, a ravine or narrow
glen. This is a place now laid waste.
S r a ’- n a -C r e it h e a c h .
Strath or valley of the brushwood or
undergrowth. N.E. of Drumhain, q.v.
S o t a r a n , S a t r a n , q.v.
n a C r e it h e a c h .
The promontory of the brushwood, etc.
This also found translated poplar or aspen; it is another
name for Camasunary valley. Cf. Creithreach, Crathrach,
’Chreitheach, ’Chriarach, Creich, the former meaning a
clayey place, a bog.
S r o n , A n t - S r o n , S r o in e a d h (in S k y e ).
See “ Coir’
Iomhair.”
S ron a B h a i n n e . The milk point.
S ron a B h e a l a in , M h e a l l a in . The point or projection of
the little lump or hill, a wart-like excrescence on Beinn
Dearg, near Sligachan.
S r on a G h r o b a in , G h n o b a in . Pinnacle point.
S ron A l a ic h . The promontory of the tribe or crew—prolific—
suggested aileach, windy, etc., or ailleach, beautiful. "This
name also found given Stronfailich, Stronfailugh, near or
on Lethphein Common. Failich in the Lewis is substituted
for j<mtlich, to overcome or baffle; this may be point or
headland difficult to round as being stormy.
S ron
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
S r on
a
M
409
The lump or hill point. Near Portree, above
h il l .
harbour.
a n A ig h e , n a n A ig h e a n .
Promontory of the heifer or
hind, fawn, or hinds, etc. This is a very high hill, about
a mile above “ Fairy Bridge,” in Waternish, affording a
grand panorama of scenery, Macleod’s Tables, etc.
S ron
a n F h u c a d a ir .
The Fuller’s Point; “ waulker” also
therefrom; hence the proper name “ Walker.” See
“ Stac,” etc.
S ron
S r o n a n a in , S ron
S r on
an
T a ir b h .
nan
A
ig h e a n ,
as before.
Bull promontory.
At the mouth of Loch
na Beiete.
S ron A
r d - a - M h u l l a ic h .
See “ Meall na Suireanach.”
S ron B h io r a il .
S ron B i r l i n n ,
Summit height point.
a
S ron D a r a ic h .
Galley point; very precipitous.
Oak-tree point. South side of Loch Eisheort.
B h ir l in n .
S ron D h i u r i n i s h .
Duirinish point; prominent and important.
n a n C u in n e a g .
Promontory of the pails,
Here was a resting-stance for funeral parties.
S ron
na
C u in n e ig e ,
n a G l a o d h a ic h .
Shouting or calling-out point; possibly
where proclamations were made.
S ron n a n C u d a ig e a n .
“ Cuddies ” point. Young saithe or
coalfish, etc. See “ Rudha.”
S ron
n a St r i, St r it h .
Combat or conflict point. See “Clach
Fuilteach.” An account furnished that this place was a
cause of difference among Macdonalds, Macalisters, and
Macleods, who each laid claim to it; also said that this
was the scene of Bruce’s encounter with Cormac Dhoil
(Dali). Another and more prosaic account is that the point
was open to conflicting current® meeting here.
S r on
Not known as found. It is the point or
peak of a mountain, and might be A Chrulainn or
Chruailinn, mountainous rocky ground.
S ron O c h r u l a n .
The mill point or promontory;
See “ Meall na Suireanach.” Thought
should be Suaineach, Swedish, after a (? Norwegian) prin­
cess who was buried here.
S r on V o u r l in n , S t r o n v e u l in .
sron a mhmUnn.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
410
Sron, it may be remarked, is frequently pronounced
srdmeadh, and stron, the intrusive t coming from the Norse;
the definite article makes it also “ An t-Sron,” the point
(lit. nose). Cf. “ Strone,” in Firth of Clyde.
n a n A ig h e a n .
Thought a misprint for Sron, etc., as
above. Sroth means a stream, more correctly sruth, gen.
srotha, though that iis Old Irish; also given and pronounced
struth, which means an ostrich! See “ Sron,” above.
S ta c , A n . The rock; the precipitous rock or hill, outstanding
generally; Norse stakkr, a pointed rock in the sea. This
etac is at Coir’ Uaigneich, and is isolated. There is another
of same designation at Talisker (247 feet).
S tac a B h o c a in . The goblin rock or peak.
S tac a C h a r r a . The rocky shelf stack or rock. On this rock,
ioarr, a rocky shelf, Dunvegan Castle was to have been
built, but no water could be found for use therein or
thereon; the foundations of a stronghold traceable here.
S tac a M h a d a i d h , S tac - a - M h a d a d h .
Wolf, fox, or dog
rock. North of Loch Eynort, Minginish.
S tac a n F h u c a d a ir . The fuller’s stack or rock. See “ Sron,”
etc. This stac is near Talisker.
S tacan GtOBh l a c h .
The little forked or split stack; stman,
dim. of stac.
Stac a n T u ill. The stack of the hole. Off Sgurr-an-Duine.
S r o th
S tac ( a ) P h a i l .
Paul’s stack or rock.
Is this Paul, Balki’s
eon?
The stacks.
•the plural of stac.
S t a c h d a c h a n , N a.
S t ach d A
ro s .
This should be staccmnan,
Aros stack or rock; aros signifies a house or
dwelling.
Stac L achlainn . Lachlan’s cliff, etc.; thought named after
one Lachlan Mackiimon. This is a huge isolated cliff near
Sloc a Mhadaidh, a wild district in Kilmuir.
S tac
na B earta.
The cliff of the looms; from resemblance.
Cf. “ Portrush.”
na N ig h in n .
The girl’s cliff; women or girl climbers.
A pinnacle near Sgurr Sgumain. Stachd a corrupt form
for stac.
S tac
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
411
The place or upright,
staff-like pillars; staff? (Norse), a staff, and inn or in (obs.),
a country, a place or locality. This applies to basaltic and
other columnar and pillared rocks, as are shewn here. Cf.
Staffa, Dunetaffruage, Dunstaffynch (1309), Dun-Stafa-Nes.
There are well-marked raised beaches here (Staffin), and it
is said these are the real mounds referred to in the name
“ Mol Staiseall Staphain.” Staiseal is the local pronuncia­
tion of Stenscholl, q.v.
S t a f f in , S t a f a in , S t a f in , S t a p h a i n .
The red stair. This is the
meaning furnished; but, as it is known that the Feinne or
Fingalians frequented and dwelt in Skye, this may be
Staidhir Dheirg, Dearg, or Dargo’s stair or steps, a series
of huge regular cliff steps leading up to what might have
been a fort or castle, or even a look-out. Not known
whether in Skye or Kaasay. See “ Brochel.”
S t a id h ie ,, S t a id h i e - D h e a e g .
The house of the overhanging rock; stalla, over­
hanging rock, precipice, and also a block or shelf of a hill
or rock, and (Norse) stra, stadr, a residence, etc.
S t a l is t e a .
Not known; might be meant for staonag, the slope
or inclined place; suggested staoin, shallow, and vig, bay.
Stamag.
The little step. This is dim. of stap, a step,
Norse stappa. A colloquial meaning of the word stapag
is a mixture of cream or water and meal. Troternish is
named Duthaich na Stapag, the land of crowdie!
S t a p a g , S tapo g .
The Greep spout or cataract.
See “ Greep.”
S teall G e e e p .
Stone. From Icel. sten.
Dunvegan.
St e in .
In Trotemish.
On northern arm of Loch
S t e in sc h o l l , S t e in c h o l , S t a in c h o l ,
etc.
The stone slope;
sten, as above, and hallr, a slope or declivity; also given as
being Stemsboll, bol, Old Norse for house, the chief form
of a tun or township; bol also means a couch or restingplace for animals, bolstadr. This name is pronounced
Steiseal, and found spelled “ Steinshall ” on a building and
a tombstone in Kilmuir, ror “ Steishal.” Stenscholl ie
situated in Kilmuir, and is (or was) a quoad sacra parish;
has a mineral spring said to equal that of Strathpeffer.
Also called “ East-side.”
412
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Not known.
“ Herbusta.”
S t ir b is t a .
In Kilmuir.
May be meant for
The great farm or seat; stuhl and
stelle (Teutonic); stul is the equivalent, but it is generally
a Norse termination. One writer gives tolm mor, but
S to lem Or e , S t o l m m o ir .
doubtful.
Storachan.
The little stor or cliff.
See “ Storr.”
The steep high cliff or pinnacle; sturr also, the
rugged point of a rock; c f. Staur and Staurinn, from Norse
staurr, a stake point; storr or stor, Danish for “ great.”
The term “ Storr rock ” is collective, there being numerous
pinnacles or sharp-pointed rocks or crags; the pinnacle,
however, is that round which the descriptive title revolves,
as it were. It has received various names, some one or more
at anyrate familiar to the natives and other inhabitants of
Skye; some of the “ modern ” names are “ The Old Man,”
a palpable corruption of alt mam; the old woman, the
begging dog, the castle. In Gaelic “ Fiacail Storach ” has
been heard used, the buck-tooth! also “ Bodach a Stoir,”
the old man. This pinnacle stands out per se 165 feet in
height from base, and 2,343 ? feet above sea-level (thought
this should be only 234). It appears slightly inclined to
the left as viewed from the sea. Cf. “ Hamstorr,” havn,
hafen, ham, Norse hamn, Old Norse hofn, hafn, Danish
havn, hawm, a harbour. Cf. also “ Stoer ” in Sutherland.
Many descriptive accounts of this place are to be found, as
well as numerous illustrations. A long tunnel under part
of these rocks was discovered in August, 1913.
S torr, S to r .
The misty enclosure; stoth, mist or
steam, and lann, an enclosure or fertile spot; lan (Celtic)
means a plain, so this may be “ the misty plain of Lego.”
Lano is the name of a lake in Scandinavia from which arose
pestilential vapours.
S toth arlan, Sto h ar lan .
S t r a l o in e ss , S tro lon ess , S t r o l o n is s .
Thought Strolamus,
q.v.
The low-lying, level land between hills. A strath
is larger in extent than a glen, a broad valley with a river
running through it. This particular strath is one of the
parishes of Skye, and a district formerly in possession of
the ancient Clan Fingan or Mackinnons; they held the
S trath.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
413
position of “ Marshals ” to the “ Macdonalds of the Isles,”
some allege to the “Lords of the Jsles” ; this strath therefore
is known as “ Srath Mhic Fhiongain,” familiarly called
“ Clann Fhiongan-nam-Faochag,” Clan Maekinnon of the
whelks or buckies; “ Na Faochagan ” was said to be the
nickname for the people of Strath! In 1733 we have
Mackfenine or Mackfenayne, pointing to an original Vindogmios, or “ Fair-offspring.”
The last of the “ Mackinnon ” property in Skye was
parted with in 1791, that clan having possessed their lands
for 550 years. They frequently assumed the patronymic
of “ MacAlpin ” in addition to their other appellations.
Findanus Castle was a title of their seat before thei
fourteenth century. In a . d . 605, Lochene MacFingan was
King of the Piets; see p. 202, “ Coll. de Ueb. Alb.,” for
facsimile signature of Lachlan M'Kinnon in the native
Gaelic language and character. A full and copious history
of this family or clan exists; also minor works.
The present parish of Strath was formerly known a®
“ Kilchrist,” Cille Chriosd, Christ’s cell or church, the old
church being formerly at Loch Chriosd, near the centre of
the parish. In 1833 Strath had two other places of worship.
As to the antiquities, etc., of Strath, room does not
permit of fuller descriptions than that there are several
forts (alleged to be Danish) in the parish or district.
There are two farms called Suardal or Swordale, whence
the general name, Stra’ Shuarda'il, etc. South and east of
this strath, between Loch Slapin and the upper reaches of
Loch Eisheort, the land is of a peculiar yellow colour, which
gives the word buidhe, yellow, to Allt, Beinn, Coire, Loch,
and Lon. Four chapels, or the ruins thereof, are here, viz.,
Aisk, Kilbride, Kilmori, and in the island of Pabba, in
Scalpa, attached to this parish, other similar ruins mayi
be seen. But of greater interest and antiquity there stands,
on the modern glebe, an immense mass of granite, finely
poised on a smooth level rock; this is called generally
“ Clach na h-Anaid,” the stone of the Annat, or, as claimed
to mean, the “ Mother ” church; elsewhere it is called
“ Clach Annait,” or Annat’s stone, possibly marking the
place of worship or sacrifice in the dim distant past. See
s.v. “ Annat.”
Many celebrated clerics and laymen were connected with
Strath from the time of Abbot M'Kinnon, who succeeded
414
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Columba in Iona; this abbot was drowned; an account of
his death is given in the “ Queen’s Wake,” by Hogg.
Strath is well supplied with good stone, and is famed for
marble of different hues; this marble has been in use for
many centuries, and entered into the construction of many
notable buildings at home and abroad; among the stones is
limestone in considerable quantity, and that at Broadford,
which includes an entire mountain, viz., Beinn an
Dubhaich, is generally called “ the Strath marble ” or
“ Durness limestone.”
In connection with marble,
attention has been drawn to a place in Greece famed for a
richly coloured marble named “ Skyros.”
In short,
“ Clachan an t-Srath,” the stones of Strath, have become
proverbial.
“ An Srath-Fhionghuinnemh geal,
’8 an guirme beus gun smal;
An srath's an cruaidhe clach,
’8 an sgaitiche cu is bean! ”
Mackinnon’s white (or fair) Strath,
Of morals spotless and bright;
The strath of the hardest of stones,
Sharp-tongued women, and dogs that do bite!
This district is familiarly spoken of as “ Srath nam Bo,”
strath of the kine, while Ossian called or named it “ Strath
of the Coolins,” and here, as tradition gives it, six thousand
deer were slain by three thousand hounds. Another title
is “ Srath nam Faochag,” strath of the whelks or the
buekies, which furnish the nick-name of “ The Whelks ”
to its people. Strath shares with Sleat in possessing aI
large number of rare ferns and other wild-growing plants,,
among which are the Erinocaulm septmgulare and Dryas
octopetala.
Poets or bards are, or were, not wanting in Strath. In
1665 Lachlunn Mac Thearlaich Oig of Clann Ionmhuinn
o’n Chreitheach (or na Creitheach) was born here, whose
songs, etc., are well known; also William Boss, the sweet
singer, was born here in 1762; he left Strath, and lived
and died in Gairloch; his songs are reputed as being the
most “ polished ” of all the many Gaelic poets; they have
been collected and published.
The Mackinnons were also closely connected with the
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
415
island of Mull, and it was to those resident there that the
nickname of “ Na Faochagan ” applied. This practice of
conferring nicknames, it is said, arose among or originated
with the Norse; but nicknames exist where the Norse had
little or no permanent abode.
Tales of goblinis and spectres seen on the hills and near
lochs, etc., are not wanting, but we can only refer to such;
for further and more specific information, see work
intituled “ Strath in Isle of Skye,” written by the parish
clergyman, the Rev. D. M. Lamont (1913); also “ Memoirs
of Clan Fingon,” by Rev. D. D. Mackinnon.
Strathaird , A ird - an - t -S rath .
The height (or airts) of
Strath. A district specially famed as containing “ Sloc
an Altrumain,” now dubbed the Spar Cave, the spar now
having disappeared; it was first “ explored ” by Lowlanders
et hoc genus omne in 1808, though of course known to the
people under above name of “ Sloc,” etc.
Near here
are several notable spots or local features: Rudha na
h-Easgainne; Cadha na Tathunn (at Dringan); Prince
Charlie’s cave; in S .E . with several “ standing stones.”
Strathaird is also called “ Srath na Creitheach,” strath
of the brushwood or undergrowth.
Strathblay.
See “ Camasunary.”
Strath Chuillin, Chuilfhinn. Pont gives
Hollyi, Strathoilyn, as being “ near Skenadyr,” Skinidin,
S t r a t h H o u l in .
q.v.
The Swordale strath. See “ Swordale.”
This name bulks largely in titles, records, Acts of Parlia­
ment, etc., and from Pont onwards, who spelled it Stra
Ordell, it has appeared differently; we found upwards of
thirty different spellings in some of above from 1587
onwards.
This district, as stated under the article
“ Strath,” was received in 1437 from the then “ Lord of
the Isles ” ; before that it was held by the family or Clan
“ Gillies,” see N.G.P., “ Cha Bhodach,” etc. In one of
the Scottish Acts of Parliament, James V., “ Ewino makkymyng de stracardill sepe vocat,” Ewen Mackinnon of
Strathcardill,” is given. The parish or district of Strath
and Sleat form, as it were, a district per se, the fifth division
of Skye, the other four being separated therefrom to a great
extent by the Coolins.
S t r a t h s w ord a le .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
416
In a sixteenth century “ Description of the Isles,” it
is stated that “ Strathvardeill perteins to ane laird callit
M'Kynvin, given to him by M ‘Conneill for to be judge,
and decide all questions and debates that happens to fall
between parties throw playing at cairtis or dyce, or sio
uther pastime.”
Among others, the Mackinnons received their meed of
praise from panegyrics, the chief being described as “ &
flaming brand or candle of Molrutha (Maolrubha) and
Strathswordale.” The Mackinnons have been, and are,
celebrated all the world over.
S t r e b id il l , S t r i b id i l l , S c r e a p a d a il , q.v.
The stormy ravine; stri, gil. Stri or strith, Gaelic,
and Norse gil, a narrow glen, etc.
S troc - B h e i n n . The ragged or rugged mount; strove, strac,
smc, to tear, etc. This mountain (1,300 feet), is near
Portree.
S tr o lam u s , S r o lam u s , etc.
Stroli’s moss. This place is in
Strath, at fork of roads to Sleat and Kyle.
S t r o n a s k e ir , S r on n a S g e ir , S g e ir e . The skerry point.
S trong eer s , S t r o n y e a r s . Sharp points or Geir’s point. Here
in the first case the name has been made plural by the
addition of 5 ; sron, a point of a hill or mountain running
to a strath, and gheur, sharp; the second rendering above
conforms to the gender of sron, which is feminine. If Geir,
a Norse proper name.
S t r o n u ir in is h , S ron D h u i r i n i s h . Duirinish point or pro­
montory. There is, or was a cemetery or burying-ground
here.
S t r u a n , S r u t h a n , etc. The streamlet. There are two of this
name, Beag agus Mor, Little and Great; they lie in Bracadale. Struan Mor is also called Paulmore, Polmore, q.v.,
and Struan Beag embraces Corfin and Forsan. The former
contains several ancient duns and cairns. Both struan and
sruthan, as nouns, have other significations, though not
applicable here it is considered.
See before as to the intrusion of the letter t, cm having
originally existed.
S tuc n a m M e a n n . The kids’ cliff. At N.E. of Skye, near
Rudha na h-Aiseig.
S t r i g il .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
417
S tuc N ic C leosgair M h o r , agus a C u id N ig h e a n , or a Da
N ig h e a n . The cliff of the daughter of the Cleosgar, and
her bevy of daughters, or two daughters; see “ Macleod’s
Maidens.” N o word similar in spelling could be found for
above; it is suggested that it may be a corruption from
clisgmr, the awe-inspiring or terrifying one; clisgeach,
startling, fearful.
A stuc also means a little hill or knob jutting out from
a greater, but varies; a description by Tennyson in “ The
Princess ” appears appropriate, viz., “ Each was like a
Druid rock, or like a spire of land that stands apart, cleft
from the main, and wail’d about with mews.”
S u a r d a l . See “ Swordale.”
S u id h e B a n . White or fair seat. This particular seat is above
“ Prince Charlie’s Cave.” A “ seat ” is described as a level
shelf on a hill-side, spardan-suidhe.
S u id h e B o id h e a c h . The beautiful seat; thought the same as
last. This seat is in or at Elgol, and is a resort of wedding
parties, etc.
S u i d h ’ a M h i n n , S a ig h a M h i n n , q.v. Saidh and saigh are
sometimes confounded.
S u id h e B io r a c h . Sharp seat. Also at Elgol.
See “ Tobaran-Suidhe.”
S u id h e F h i n n .
Fionn or Fingal’s seat. At the northern
shoulder of “ Beinn-na-Greine,” south-west of Portree
(367 feet). The summit is called “ An Cruachan,” the/
little stac or conical hill; here Fionn sat and surveyed the
chase to which he had despatched his men and hounds;
also as a look-out for invaders, like many other eminences.
See “ Staidhir.”
S u in ig il , S o o n ig il , S u n u g il l . Suain as a noun means sleep;
as a verb, to twist; suggested Gaelic for Sweno, a proper
name; Suaineach means “ Swedish.” Suain also means
fortification or wall; but doubtful. This place is at Skinidin, and must be a hollow or ravine there.
S u is h n is h , S u is n e s . Seethe-nes or nish; Norse seyisnis, also
seydis. See “ Raasay.”
S u l a sg e ir , S g eir S h u l a , S geir a n t - S u l a ir e . The gannet or
solan-goose skerry, which bird is also called Mac-fraoir,
the son of the sea; fraoigh, fraigh (obs.), the sea. See
“ Sulishader.”
418
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
S u l e d a l e . See “ Sulishader.” Sulair and dal.
S u l is h a d e r , S u l is a d e r , etc. Mor agus Beag.
Pillar or rockcolumn town. This is sula, Norse for pillar, and setr in
one of its forms, a residence, etc. The two preceding namea
may also be from sula. Cf. “ Sulven.”
S unardal.
Not known. See “ Suinigil.” Suggested Norse
This place is in Bracadale, with river.
sunar and dalr.
S v e in s .
Suain, Sween, or Sweno, a Danish prince. Not known.
S w a r b ie , S w e e r b y , S ourby, S u rb y, q.v.
etc. This place is given as
“ north of Dunvegan,” and occurs three times in Skye. It
stands for “ Swardardale,” sward dale, from Norse svdrdr
or sworftr, a sward or green turf, and dalr, dale, thus
“ grassy dale.” See “ Strath Swordale.” The Suardal in
Duirinish is the birth-place of Donald Macleod, “ Gobha
Shuardail,” father of Norman Macleod, “ Caraid nan
Gaidheal.” In connection with “ Swordale,” Dr. Donald
MacRaild, Greenock, composed a Gaelic poem or verses-,
intituled “ Thoughts on Skia or the Isle of Skye.” Dr.
Magnus Maclean gives in a certain publication a list of
fifty-one bard® of Skye alone.. Suardal, it is said, was
the old name for “ Strathaird.”
S w o rd ale, S w o rd le, S uardal,
T
The thunderer; tairn&mach, thunder. This is
a corry, or rather one of two coirries into which Coire-na->
Creich is divided; the other is “ Coire Mhadaidh,” where
“ The Foxes’ Rake ” is situated.
T a ir n e il e a r .
T alamh
F eo g h r e ,
F
eadhre.
Wild, savage, uncultivated
land; feadhair.
T a l a m h n a it a it h e a n , T a l n a t a e n ,
etc.
Land of the houses;
talamh na taighean; talamh also means place or country.
Also given Talnotain, Tallinitean, Taluatean, Tatuatean,
etc. Found given as of Uig, Snizort, also of Kilmuir;
both may be correct, as part of Snizort marches with Kil­
muir. A Norse derivation also furnished for first part of
name, viz., hallr, a slope; talamh, however, favoured locally,
and may just mean house or home-land.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
419
T al a sc a ir , T a l l a s k a r r , T h a l a s g a ir , etc.
The
house of or at the rock ( ’N t-Halasgair). Norse hallr,
hollr, a hall, and sker, a rock, a skerry, or boulder, or
hjalli-sker, a shelf-like rock, etc.; t-hallr and sker or skor,
a rift in a rock, a precipice on sloping rock, etc.
Talamh, with above meaning, favoured locally, and sgeir.
This place is in Bracadale.
The Macleods were
prominent here, Macleod of Talisker being called “ Fear
Tanaistear Teaghlach Mhic Leoid, ” or Fear Thainistear,
Macleod’s tanist, regent, trustee, or tutor, etc. This tanist,
or “ next in succession,” along with his brother Norman of
Bernera, led one thousand of the clan who fought and
nearly all fell at Worcester. Cf. “ Dun Thalasgair,” in
Eigg.
T
a l is k e r ,
T
alnatoll,
T
a m h a ir ,
T a l a n a t o l l , T a l a m h - n a - T o l l . The earth, place
or dwelling of the hole. This is a cave or opening over a
burn running underground, in part a quagmire, which is
said to have been inhabited, like so many other placesunderground, by a race of pigmies, dwarfs, or 'indersized
people, such as the African bushmen, and, appearing to
their successors, were called luspardain, afterwards, superstitiously, daoine-sith, or fairies, and the hillock under
which they lived, sithean, fairy hillock.
F a m h a ir , A m F a m h a i r .
The giant; pronounced
frequently fuamhaire (fooarie), a spectre or bogle also.
This is a rock N.E. of Dunvegan Head. See “ Na
Famhairean ” and “ Leac Tressernish.”
etc. The island haven or har­
bour; An t-hafnar-ey, havn', Old Norse hafn, etc., a har­
bour. There are two islets of this name, great and little;
for long explained as tain-rath, cattle house, etc. Cf.
“ Tanera ” in Loch Broom. Also one east of the Lewis.
T anera, T anneray, T an n r ay,
t - A ng .
The snare or twist. This is a tidal
rock which diverts a strong current, and is a danger. There
is an obsolete word tangnach, treacherous; been given as a
corruption of “ Teanga,” q.v., but very doubtful.
T ang, A n , A n
Not known. May be an t-annta or tanta\ the t
used to form part of the article an. This place or rock is
at Portree.
T antabeg.
420
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Fit of passion, frenzy. If this, the name of a place,
Tadh, Taog means Thaddeus, and is found Tague, Tad,
Thady Mac Cuinn or M ‘Queen. There was a Tadg or
Tadh, Teague, or more than one, a great poet and teacher
in Skye and elsewhere about the fourteenth century; he
was also named in various Irish or Celtic writings Tedaco,
Theadhaich. Taoig is the genitive of Taog; M ‘Caig and
MacCuaig said to be derived therefrom. In the Ossianic
poems we read of “ Mac Nighin O’ Thaidhg,” the son of
the daughter of the grandchild or nephew of Taog, etc.;
O’ is the abbreviation of ogha, or bho, from, descended
from, sometimes equivalent to Mac, eon of; we have ogha,
grand-child, iar-ogha, great grand-child, and dubh-ogha,
great, great grand-child. See “ Tota Thaoig.”
T a o ig .
The isthmus; an, the, generally prefixed.
This place was the point of sailing via Obbe to St. Kilda.
T a r b e r t , T a ir b e a r t .
Not known. T a r means, in combination, the bottom
or foot of hills; dil may be dile, which, with many other
meaning®, signifies place, etc. Tardil is in Waternish.
T a r d il .
Not known. May be tar, as
It is an island in Loch Bracadale.
T arner, T aarner, T harm or.
above.
h e a l l (An t-Harta Meall).
The mass of Harta corry,
q.v. Mary M'Pherson, the Skye bardess, has “ Tartamrnll mor nan each aluinn,’’ Great Tarta-meall of the noble
T arta M
steeds; how this applies is not known.
tartar, a hillock. See tar as above.
There is a word
An T a t h a g . The small in-field. A word tadi
has same meaning, and tadha signifies a homefield; hagv
is pasture or hedge-field; Eng. Taag. See “ Tobar Tath.”
Cf. “ Dun Tadha,” in the Lewis.
T ath ag, T adag,
The burn house, river house.
Lyndale. Tmgh frequently given tigh ; the Old Gaelic
genitive is tige, taigh, also teach, Latin tego, Greek tegos,
stegos, a covering for a house.
T a y in l o n e (Tmgh <m Loin).
n a id , A n a i t .
The temple o f Anait or Anaitis.
See s.v. “ Annat.”
N .B .—This is not “ Teampull na h-Anait,” the temple
of the Annat. For a good description and illustration, see
“ Misty Isle of Skye,” by Canon Macculloch.
T eam pull A
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
421
St. Comgan’s temple. This
one at Boraraig; another of later date at Liveras; also at
Ord, Sleat.
T e a m p u l l F r a n g , F r a in g , F r a n g a ig , F h r a i n g . St. Francis’
temple or church. At or in Boraraig. See “ Scalpa.”
T e a m p u l l S t a o in . Not known unless a proper name; primary
meanings of staoin, shallow, crooked, etc.
This word teampull just from Latin templum, and shows
great antiquity. The Ossianic staying exists “ Ni math
teampull gun reilic,” not good is a temple (or church) with­
out a burying-ground (reliquice). Teampull Staoin, like
so many others, is only a site.
T ean g a B h r o d a in , B h r a d a i n .
If o in first word long, it
might be from bròd, pride, arrogance, chastisement, also
(in Mull) land; if o short, then goad, prickle, also small
quantity of grain, etc.; if the second word bradan, may
be a salmon district or fishing-place; might also be a proper
name. This tongue of land is in Strath.
T ean g a C h a r n a ic h . The tongue or the rocky land or place;
also Teanga Mor, or An Teanga, the Tongue. This word
tmnga also teang, teng, taing, and Old Norse tangi, tonga,
tunga, sometimes toonga.
T ean g a R ia b h a c h . The russet tongue (of land). This word
riabhach, given riadhach and riaghach; the latter spelling
at any rate is from riagh (gen. reigh), cross, gallows;
riabhach, as explained before, means grizzled, etc., an
riabhach mor meaning the devil; while a mhic an riaghach
or reigh is son of the gallows, bound to be hung!
T en gou r , T e a n g o u r , T eanga O d h a r . Dun, yellowish tongue.
See “ Aslag,” Sleat.
T e is t , A n t - E i s t . See “ Eist.” This is one of the “ DubhSgeirean.”
T e r n s . Not known; it may be a mistake for f, which exists
as feam, alder-tree, fearna. At Portree.
T e r r is k l e , T e r is g il l . This word doubtful.
The following
meanings, local and otherwise, suggested tairis, acceptable,
good, and gil, ravine, etc: Toirisgil, Toirisgeir, Toirisgian,
Toiriosgsgian, Tairisgein, Toirsgian, Torr-sgian, Tuireasgsgian, Torrasdail, all meaning a peat-knife, and that this
place is either the place of the peat-knife or shaped like
one; but not known. This place is near Heast. T oy slier in
Orkney.
T e a m p u l l C h o a n , C h o m g h a in .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
422
T h e a b r a id h (? H e b r i ).
See
“ U i g .”
The cave at the creek; helsavagr or helsovagr,,
from hellyer, a cave (Old Norse hellir, etc.), and vagr, a
creek, a voe or bay, or possibly vagh, a bay.
T h e a l a s b h a id h .
T hon- E
il e a n .
Nether-isle.
The
Cleats.
Peak-bay; tindar-vig, Norse. This, however,,
thought a mis-spelling of “ Tianavaig ” for “ Dianavaig,”
etc., q.v.
T ia n a r a ig .
Not known; choill, wood. This place is in
Snizort. In Welsh there is a word teym , and in Cornish
teem, while a word teigr signifies a person’s share of townland; tighearn, lord, superior of land, etc., also suggested.
T ie r n c h o il l .
The tutor’s house. This is on a farm at
Aird, near Duntulm, specially set apart for him by Donald
Gorm.
T ig h - a n - T a o it e a r .
House of the rock. On a delta formed by the
“ Allt Mor,” Glendale.
T ig h l o in , T ig h l o n e . See “ Tayinlone.”
T ig h C r e ig e .
r u in ic h .
House of the artificers or craftsmen.
This meaning for druineach has been found given by
several authorities, though some, like Martin, consider they
were inhabitants of little round stone houses, containing
only one person; they were much devoted to contemplation,
though possibly not altogether, as mention is made of
Druinich or Trinnich (as also found) being employed by
St. Patrick and Columba as embroiderers of vestments,
which they carried on in a school named “ Druinechus ”
(Inis Them Druin&ach). These artificers or labourers have
been called Druids, or at least thought to be something
the same, but this doubted; the Druids had totally different
duties to perform as priests and guides spiritual and
temporal among the Celtic and pre-Celtic aborigines of
the British Isles; they also performed their ceremonies
and worship above ground in groves principally, or among
stone circles and the like. The Druinich were, it is thought,
a later race of beings, or at least, if co-existent with the
Druids, a separate race living underground, and were
persons of small stature, as evidenced from the size of
their presumed dwellings, the entrance to some of which
T ig h - n a n - D
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
423
did not exceed eighteen by twenty inches.
Such
inhabitants, a® hereinbefore referred to, were called
luspardain, or pigmies, also “ Fideacha-de-De.” One of
these dwellings, somewhat larger than above, and walled,
was discovered in Church Park, Strath. Fideach or fidean
means a green islet, etc. The inhabitants of these small
houses, tigh-fo-tkalamh, house underground, are generally
assumed to have been “ savages” of the Stone Age, but
this may be questioned; living in such houses as suited'
their stature did not necessarily infer “ savagery” or
ignorance of the arts, albeit in a rude degree; the>
so-called “ fairy-mound ” or sithean was merely the roof
of their houses whence they latterly emerged cautiously
and mostly by night, being, doubtless, in dread of the race
that had come to supplant them, and by them were superstitiously regarded as daoine-sith, etc. In later times, also,
many small houses, more or less underground, were con­
structed as residences and dairies by those in charge of
cattle at summer grazing, called airigh, and the huts
bothan-airigh; many so-called hothan were underground,
and, having been long forsaken, were dubbed “ Piets’ ”
houses, or tigh na druinich, as above, while others called
them eird, uir, earth (Scot. yird), houses used by the Pechts
or Piets, whom we have no reason to believe were very
undersized.
T ig h - T a r a , T h a r a . This is just teamhra, and was named after
Cuchullin’s castle of that name in Ulster; he was called
“ Lord of Tara.”
T i m a n , T a o m a n . The baling-dish. An island, so called from
its shape. It is in Loch Snizort.
T irebtjrie , T ir e b ir u r ie , T ir c h a r r ie , T ir c h e r r ie , etc. Waxland; tir cheiridh, land on which a tax was laid for wax'
to make holy candles, etc., for the adjacent Romajo.
Catholic church. Near Kilchrist, Strath.
T io scavaig . See “ Fisgavaig.” Near Carbost.
T o b a r . A well. Old form tiobairt, tiobair, tibirt\ early Irish
tipm, gen. tiprat. See “ Dain Iain Gobha,” etc.
The following wells are all in Kilmuir, viz.: Tobar an
Eisgean, well of the scurrilous poet or rhymster; na
Bainnde, the goddess; Chaluim Uidhir, dun or grey-haired
Calum; a Bhuilg, cattle distemper (from lack of water);
424
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
an Crom, the circle, some connection with Crom-dubh, first
Sunday of August; Na Baintighearna, the gentlewomen
(Monkstadt); an Tuairnear, the turner; Ri’ Achan
(Herbusta), the summer pastures; Buaile Faideadh, turf
fold (fdd, faid, faideadh, foid, a peat or turf, the turf
fold); na Curra, the heron or crane; a Chnuaic, the lump
or round hill (head) (Glen Sneosdale); nam Breac, of the
trouts; a Chocaine, the cook (Duntulm); a Ghreamhain,
the shreds (Bornaskitaig); and Li’ Ir (li, water), the Bea,
etc., U ir. The word ir is found as a prefix to various
names of rivers, e.g., Irvine, Irwell (suir equals su ir in
Ireland), Irawadi in Burma, Irbit in Russia, Irtish in
China, etc.
The Iranians were (or are) a branch of the Aryan race
from Iran, a district; li, water, formerly fresh or salt, now
fresh only; dobur, also water, was common on the east coiast
and in Wales, but rare on the west. The names Morar and
Duror are said to mean great water and hard water.
Other wells in Kilmuir are A Mhogain, the old stocking,
also whisky, also hero; and Sgroganach, the short-necked
man (Balgown).
T obar a C h i n n . Well of the head. Here the severed head of
a factor or petty estate official was washed; he was named'
Donnachadh Mor, and was in the employ of Mackinnon of
Strath. He was slain by one Lachlan Mackinnon in retri­
bution for having exacted the “ Each-ursainn ” from his
mother and another widow. The laird, not having known
of his subordinate’s exactions, did not prosecute. This is
said to have been the last case of the kind; it occurred!
about the beginning of the eighteenth century, and has
been referred to in several articles, “ Celtic Magazine,”
etc.
T obar a G h r ia n a n .
The “ Greenan ” well; also named
Columba’s well. At Tote.
T obar a n D e u d a d h , D e id e , D e id e a d h . The toothache well.
Torrin.
T obar a n F h i o n a .
The wine well. At Waterstein. This
well, along with Tobar Iaruinn, q.v., was specially recom­
mended by Fearchar Lighiche, Farquhar, the healer or
doctor, one of the famous Beatons of Skye and Mull; the
water in both is strongly impregnated with carbonic acid,
muriac of iron, lime, and soda; see also “ Tobar Loite.”
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
425
a n F h io n n C h o ir e .
The well of the white, fair, or
beautiful corry. At foot of base of Blaven. At this well
an heir of the Mackinnon was foully slain while having a
drink. Also said to be the scene of another murder by
one Black Donald of his own son; there is a tale attached to
this latter event. Other suggestions made as to the origin
of the name of this well.
T obar a n L och S e u n t a . Well of the holy loch. On east side
of Kilmuir.
T obar - a n - S u id h e .
The seat-well. Here childless married
women took their devotional seat, which, according to some
accounts, was no easy matter, as it was very sharp-pointed,
indeed named also “ An Suidhe Biorach.” Also called
“ Tobar-na-Cloinne,” children’s well, a wishing-well.
T obar a n t -S i t h e i n . Well of the fairy-hillock. Near Dunvegan.
T obar
T obar
an
Tuirc.
The boar well.
Near Peighinn Mhor.
r t b r a n n a n , or D o b u r .
This well, or water, is named
after an old man, a chief of the Geonians or Genunians
(Geona cohort), who came specially to Skye to be baptised
by Columba. This name has been described as “ a Gaelic
as well as a Pictish name ” (the Piets spoke Gaelic, it is
maintained); it is compounded of art, meaning, according
to Cormac, uasal, noble; or clock, a stone, and brannan,
diminutive of bran, a raven, ergo, “ The noble raven,”
“ hardy raven,” or “ rock raven.” The chief died shortly
after being baptised, and Columba raised, or caused
to be raised, a cairn to the chief’s memory. The well
preserves it.
T obar A s h ig , T obar n a h - A is e ig .
The ferry well. See
•‘Askimolruy” and “ Tobar Mhaolruibhe.” Once said to
mean the well of St. Asaph, mistake for Ashig. Tobar
Ashig is near Alltan Bhain, Kyleakin; also called Tobar
Maree, i.e., Maolrubha.
T obar B h r e n n a n . Brennan or Breunan’s well. St. Brendan.
T obar B u a il e n a h - A ig h e a n . Heifers’ fold well, or hinds.
T obar C h a l u im - C h i l l e . Columba of the cells or churches’
well. There are many such, all blessed by him.
T obar C h a o ib e ir t . Cuthbert’s well; a saint.
In Kilmaluag,
Troternish. Found given “ Heibert ” with prosthetic t;
cf. “ Kirkcudbright.”
T obar A
426
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Clement’s well. In Strath. Clement has
been “ sainted” by courtesy; he was a missionary of the
eighth century, but not “ canonised.” This well is near
Cille Chriosd. See “Cathair Chliamain.”
T obar C h l ia m a in .
T obar D r u im - a - M
Market-ridge well.
h a r g a id h .
Near the
market stance, Broadford.
John’s well. At Glendale township, Colbost.
Titles give “ Tobar Ian or Jan.” This well is at the base of
Beniscaigh, “ Beinn-a-sgath,” q.v. This John has been
“ sainted ” also by some.
T obar E o in .
T obar G r e e p , q.v.
T obar C h o a n , C il l C h o m g h a n , q.v.
Cuchullin’s well.
“ Dunsgaich,” Sleat.
T obar - C u c h u l l in .
Near Talisker.
See
The well of Donald the
surly, sad, or grim. Donald was found dead here in 1534.
The well lies to the right of Druim nan Cleoc, q.v.
T obar D h o m h n u il l G h r u a m a ic h .
T obar I a r u in n .
The iron well. A mineral spring at Sgaladal,
Glendale.
Well of the sheep-fold meadow. This is
a sacred well, and the word cro may mean a church here;
cf. cro-naomha, holy blood.
T obar L ia n a c r o .
T obar L u sta , L usa , L ussa .
Well of the garden of the farm­
stead ; lios stadr or sta.
a P h r io n n s a . The Prince’s well (Prince Charlie).
This
well is near Lobhta Coire, and has been cared for and
secured by the Macdonalds of Kingsburgh, polished flag­
stones, with drinking-cup attached, having been provided.
T obar
h a o l r u ib h e .
Malrube’s well; a saint. This well is
west of Anabhaig, or Allt Anabhaig, in Strath. See
“ Tobar Ashig” ; Altan-Bheag, also.
T obar M
h u ir e .
Mary’s well. This is a well at the base of
Beinn-a-Ghobhainn, in Waternish. It is said to have been
so named for the Virgin Mary by some Roman Catholic.
Cf. “ Tobermory,” in Mull.
T obar M
o in teach n a S t e a l l .
The well of the moss spout.
Emerging, as it does, from a damp and boggy spot, and
clear, it is supposed to have magical properties!
T obar M
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
T obar
na
B e ist e D u ib h e .
Well
of
427
the black beast; beist-
dubh, otter. „
Black fold well.
T obar n a C a il l ic h . Woman or old woman’s well. This word
cailleach has many other meanings; here it may be rendered
nun, the hooded or veiled one, from cattle, a hood or veil.
T obar n a C l o in n e . See “ Tobar an Suidhe.”
T obar n a C u r r a . Crane or herons’ well; corra.
T obar n a F a l a . The well of blood. Superstition has it that
a young girl was killed here by a wild beast, the waterhorse!
T obar n a h - A n n a i t . Well of the Annat. A small fish, said
to be immortal, is in this well.
T obar n a h -O a n . See “ Oans.” This well given as in Ferinvicguire.
T obar n a m M a o r .
The officers’ well. This name modern,
Sheriff’s officers being meant. See “Uaigh an Albannaich,”
the “ Scotsman’s grave,” the newspaper; these names given
at time of “ land troubles ” to—at least the well—a place
which had a far older name, with a “ history ” thereto
attached.
This word maor, O.G. rnaer, generally applied to a
ground-officer, and the object of dislike, if not worse, to
the crofters, also the factor. Latin major, and hence
moirear, lord.
T obar n a m B u a d h . The well of virtues, beneficial to health.
Cf. St. Kilda.
T obar n a n A il e a n , A il l e a n n . The well of the gentry. See
“ Tobar nan Uaislean.” Ailean signifies a green, a plain
or meadow.
T obar n a n C e a n n . The well of the heads. Said to be the
scene of a combat among several men. See “ Tobar a
Chinn.”
T o bar n a n Oigh. Well of the virgins or young girls; locally
pronounced Tobar nan Ogh. Near Kilvaxter.
T obar n a n U a is l e a n . Well of the nobles or gentry; supposed
modern also. The spot in which this well is situated is
the centre of a group of springs from which several streams
flow, Allt-an-Fhionn-Choire, etc.
T obar
na
B u a il e D u ib h e .
428
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
uadh.
Red well. Impregnated with iron, etc.; com­
mon. Near Elgol.
T obar T a t h , T a t h a g . Infield well; Norse tafta. See “ Penyzenyn.” Tath means slaughter, and tadh a ledge or layer
of rock. This well is near Cille Chriosd. The Brahan
Seer delivered himself as follows:
T obar E
“ Tobar sin is tobar tath,
Tobar jar (aig) an cuirear bhr,
Marbhar tore non tri lochan,
Gu moch, moch aig Tobar Tath.”
(or Air la fiiuch, etc.)
Another version is:
“ '8 bi cnaimhean nam fear fàs,
Air traigh bhàn Laorais;
'S marbhar Lmhunn mm tri Lachunn.”
(or Torcull nan tri Torcuill.)
The above has been rendered into English as follows:
There is the well called Tobar Taah,
A well where yet there shall be war,
The three lochs’ boar shall there fall
Early, early atèWell of Taah.
(or on a wet day.)
or—
And the dead bones of well grown men
The Laoras white beach strew shall them;
Lachlan of the Lachlans three.
At Well of Taah shall surely dee.
(for Lachlan read Torcail also.)
Rev. J. G. Campbell of Tiree also gave his rendering in
English.
Tath or Taah has been explained as 'n fa , the water,
but this thought far-fetched.
This Lachlan supposed to have been a chief of the
Mackinnons. Torcul is a Macleod name.
The sacred or holy slope, or
the cave on the slope; helgi, with a prosthetic t, and brekka,
a slope, or Norse helli/r, hella, a cave. This is a “ holy ”
well in the parish of Kilmuir, the water whereof, with a
T obar T e l l ib r e c k , T e il l e b r e a c .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
429
diet of dulse, said to serve a person without other food for
a considerable time. A sunken rock in the island of Coll
named “ Cairgean,” Irish moss, properly An Cairgein,
from carragheen (Irish), dim. of carraig. This in Scot.
Gaelic is known as mathair-an-duileisg, mother of the dulse,
well known in Skye; it is bleached and dried, and, when
boiled with milk, makes a very pleasant and nourishing
dish or pudding.
In reference to this well, a Troternish rhyme runs as
follows:
“ Uisge tobar Teiiebreac {Uig),
Is duileasg a Loch Shianta (Seunta),
Faochagan a Rudha Dhuibh (Uig),
Is moidhean Theabraidh (Hebri),
or
Is smalagan a Riadhain ” (or Riaghan, Uig).
Water of the well of Tellibreac,
And dulse from Loch Shiant(a);
Buckies from the Black Point,
And saithe from Hebri,
or
Smelts from Heeagan.
A somewhat similar saying exists in the island of Eigg,
viz., Sloc shellfish, Laig dulse, and biolair, water-cress,
from Tobar Tolain. Laig is lathach vig, surf-bay.
T obar
T or -C a t .
Cat-hill well.
Between Kilbride and
Kilchro.
T o bar T u l a ic h .
Well
T o bar -U a m h - n a n -C n o .
T offna.
of
the hillock.
Well
of
Near Harlosh; sacred,
the nut-cave.
Not known. May be meant for “ Tobhta.”
T o isg e a d a l .
The dale of tusks; tosg, tusk, etc.
North of
Portree.
o id , a M h o i d .
Court hillock. On Eilean Comhairlich,
the island of adviser or counsellor. Thought to be near
Duntulm of the Macdonalds; mod from Norse mot, meet­
ing, etc. The word mote means an unfortified mound for
courts of justice; in Ireland rath', there a fortified rath is
T om M
430
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
T om - n a - h - U r a c h , U r a ic h , I u b h r a ic h .
Yew-grove hillock;
iubhmch has several other meanings, but this thought most
applicable, as yew was used for bows of old. At Balmacquien. Cf. Tom na h-Iurach, Inverness.
T o r , T o r r . A pointed hill or tower-like rock. The tors are
frequently granite prominences . due to weathering, and
often fantastic in shape; the word itself is said to be from
the Latin turris, a tower, but it is one of the three most
ancient words in the Celtic language, the other two being
bo, a cow, and cu, a dog, sometimes hero.
T orgabost . The dwelling at the howe, or burying-ground, etc.;
’n t-horg, haugr, and host, from bolstadr.
T o r m ic h a ig , T orra M h ic h e ig . The hill of or at Michaig, a
place near Portree; mithich-vig, the opportune or handy
bay. These hillocks are on the coast, the latter north-west
from Broadford.
T or
na
M
uclach ,
q.v.
The hill at the promontory; tor nes. Tor is the
Irish spelling of torr.
T orr a B h u i l g .
Hill of the bag, quiver, etc. See “ Dun
Borve.”
T orr a M h a i t h e a n . Chieftains’ hill. In Torrin.
T o r r a n , Na T o r r a in , T o r r in , etc. The heaps; also treated as
dim. of torr, little hill, but it is generally spoken of as
Na Torran, said to be mounds or tumuli. This place is at
the shore of Loch Slapin, and has Leapa (Leaba or
Leapaidh) na Glais Ghoillean (or Ghuailne). See “ Gleann
Daill.” Torran appears in several different places, viz.,
' Torran na Gillean, of the lads, near Portree, the scene of
a fight; also a Torran district in Raasay; stone circles
and the ruins of a chapel dedicated to St. Bridget, near
the above.
T orr ’I l l e P h a d r u ig . The hill of the son or lad of Patrick
(? St. Patrick). At Elgol.
T orr M h o r , M o r .
The great heap or hill, etc.; common.
This one at Heast.
T orr n a h - A i t h n e . Hill of knowledge, order, command, etc.
From this hill Iain Balbhan (John the Dumb One) Mac­
kinnon was shot by an arrow while walking on the summit
or battlements of Castle Bingill.
T o r n is h .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
T ore
na
L e t h - P h e i g h in n .
431
Half-penny hill. At Torrin.
The little green knoll; may be plural of torr.
This is a township next to Peinfeiler.
T orran U a in e .
T orr
na
B o d h a ig .
T orr Sgalair.
Sanderling or sea-lark hillock.
See “ Scàlar.”
Hill bay. The name of a farm E.N.E. of
Portree. Sometimes given as Torovaig, Thorovaig, and
Horavaig, and explained “ Thor’s bay.”
T o r vaig , T o r a ig .
T ory , T or a , T o u r ie , T o w r r ie ,
and
T e r ir e .
Hill island; tor,
torr, and ey.
Ruins of house. This appli­
cable to ruins of houses mostly built of turf; toft in a
village, etc., means a house and small plot or garden,
. specially applied to that of a local priest or other church
dignitary; a croft frequently associated with above, but
lay on the outskirts, and served to furnish him with meal
or fodder for his cow, etc. Toft is said to be a Danish
suffix, in Old Norse thopt, meaning house-stead, site of
ground, plot, or where a house had stood, while croft was
an enclosed space for pasture, etc., also doid. There is a
“ Beinn Thobhta.” Other forms of Tota, etc., are Totna,
Totua, e.g., “Zair of Tottua.” See “ Totaig” and “Zair.”
T o ta , T o t a d h , T o t aig , T o b h t a .
T ota B h r e a c .
The speckled or hoary ruins.
At Torrin.
Brew-house croft, ruins of a brewhouse or distillery in Kilmuir. This word Gaelicised; breis
means distilling; bruthaist, brose, also brewage.
T ota B h r iu is , B h r iu t h a is .
T otagan, T ota nan D ruidhean . Druids’ ruined huts. This
place, as given, is in Kilmuir; this has been associated with,
if not the same as, Tigh-nan-Druineach, q.v., and also
given as in Strath or Strathaird. Authorities differ on
above terms; as to the latter we are informed that in Lochawe we have Inis Draoinich and Inis nan Draoineach, Isle
of the Sculpture and Isle of the Sculptors, many carved
stones being in the neighbourhood. Said also to be in
Boraraig.
etc. ( tobht’ a chocaire).
toft, cook at Duntulm Castle. In Duirinish.
T o t a h o k e r , T o t ic h o k e r ,
T o t a ic h e a n D u b h a .
The black huts, etc.
The cook’s
432
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
The toft of or on the bay; tota vig. This is a town­
ship in Husabost, Minginish, once the title of Iain Dubh
Macleod, who assassinated the chief, Donald Macleod, tenth
of Harris and Dunvegan, etc.; it was under his guidance
and at his instigation that the massacre in Eigg of three
hundred and ninety-five persons of the Clan Ranald was
perpetrated, March, 1577. See “ Blar-Milleadh-Garaidh.”
T o t a ig .
h ic C u i n n .
Macqueen’s hut, etc. Macqueen, a black­
smith, lived here, afterwards at Doire Mhic Mhathain,
Torrin; he married the daughter of Lachlan Mackinnon,
the bard. The name Macqueen is “ Mac Suibhne,” it is
alleged, meaning “ good going,” the opposite being
“ Duibhne ” ; others favour “ Conn.” Macquien also given,
but this, it is said, is “ Macaoidhean,” the son of little
Aodh or Hugh, also MacCuithean. The above tota, or
ruins thereof, are at Totardor in Bracadale; tobht-ard-thir,
toft of the high land. Dun Diarmaid here also.
T ota M
n a m B a n M u ir e .
Huts of the leprous women; by
“ leprous ” any other disease may be meant.
T ota
Tadg, Thady, or Teague’s hut.
There is a farm of this name two miles from Portree.
This name is Irish, but was. used by the MacArthurs,
and there was one Donald M'Tade, an Irish prince, who
ruled in the Western Isles for two years about the twelfth
century.
This name has been explained as the “ ruined walls of
Aodh’s house ” ; by Aodh is meant Aodh Mor MacCuinn,
and may be the same as described above in “ Tota MhicCuinn,” but not certain. Aodh Mor was so named from
his great mental capacity, and his place given as in
Duirinish.
T ota T h a o ig , T o t h a g u e .
agus I ochd a r a c h .
Upper and Nether Tote
or Totte. This place is in Kilmuir, but see “ Tota.” Tott
equals toft, tuft, or knoll, as found given in 1688.
T ote U a c h d ar ach
The toft of
the stream; tobht and Norse straumr, stream, current.
There another tale is told as to the gruagach.
T o tro m e , T o t tr o m e , T ota R o a m , T r o u tr o m e .
etc. The sgor toft; tobht and sgor, a jagged
rock, a cleft or fork in a rock, etc. See “ Score.”
T otscore , T otscor ,
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
433
and O cra (iochdarach ’us uachdarach),
nether and upper. This thought a mis-spelling or render­
ing of Tobhtan or Tobhtaichean, Tofts.
T o u m , An.
The hillock or lump. A point south of Portree
harbour. An tom.
T o u s t l e . An t-Husedale, q.v. Prosthetic t.
T r abo st . Shore house; tmigh bolstadr.
T k a ig h B h e a g ’ us M h o r . Little and great ebbs, or between
high and low-water marks. “Na Trainnean” at Dunvegan.
C f. Eistreadh (eis-traigh), explained os a rough, stony ebb
shore or sea beach.
T r e a sl a n e , T r ia s l a in , etc. Battle enclosure; treas, battle, etc.,
and lann, an enclosure; treas also means “ third.” There
is a loch here. Advocates of Norse derivations advance a
proper name, Tkrasi, and render it “ Thrasi’s land,” but
doubtful.
T r e e n , T r e in , T r ia n , etc. The third, or third-part. This is
a portion of land near the head of Loch Harport, with the
ruins of two chapels, one named St. Assind or Assàin.
We learn that one Kenneth Morrison, a renowned seanachaidh, lived here.
T r o d a , T r o d d a , T r o d d a y . Troll, trold, giant, fairy, or sprite
isle; Scandinavian trold and ey, isle; also stated to be
trod, pasture or grazing, of old called St. Colm’s Islei,
and was specially visited by Columba. It lies off the north
end of Skye. It was inhabited, but very remote, and super­
stition reigned, the gruagaeh being believed in down to
1770; at least this belief was referred to by Dr. Johnson,
who said the “ Greocaca ” was well known in his day. A
dangerous reef, Bodha Trodday lies on the north-east, and
a lighthouse was erected on the island in 1908.
T r o d h u . The Black foot or step. Either from troigh, the foot,
a foot, and, by extension, step, black or treacherous; there
is a Skye word troidht, a shoe worn out of shape ( troit).
This is one, or part of one, of the Coolins (1,623 feet), a
steep, rocky elevation at entrance to Loch Coruisg, south
of Sgurr-na-h-Eidhne. South of Trodhu itself are the
“ stepping-stones.”
T r o d ig a l , T r a d ig a l . The ravine fold; trodi, Norse, a pen­
fold, and gil, ravine.
T o u l t in , T o u t t in I cra
434
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
The spout; an t-srub(a).
granite.
T soob a.
T
This is a cone of red
T r o n te r n e ss , T r o u ter n ess , etc.
This name
(county or barony) has been found in various titles, records,
Acts of Parliament, etc., spelled in various ways; upwards
of thirty from 1507 onwards have been seen, but brevitatis
causa, not given here. The meaning is Thrond’s headland
or point; Tronda, Thronda (gen. Trondair, Throndar) and
nes or wish. Authorities have differed as to the derivation
of this name; one gives “ Enchanted cape or promontory,”
from trold, a fairy, etc.; another says, as “ Troda ” is
similar, it may mean “ Trond’s islet,” the nasal pronuncia­
tion of the o favouring the supposition that, formerly, the
word was “ Tronday.” Troternish is one of the most
northerly and largest of the four divisions of Skye north
of the Coolins. Of. “ Truddernish ” in Islay.
Troternish belonged in the dim distant past to Angus
or Aonghais Fionn, Angus the fair, who slew the murderer
of Donald Herroch (Domhnull na Hearradh), who was Blain
treacherously by being caught in a leather thong, suspended
over a spot, where he was incited to show his leaping power.
The man who planned this murder was called thereafter
“ Pol na h-Eile, Paul of the Thong, iall, eille, or èill, a
leather thong, etc., and it was he whom Aonghas Fionn
killed.
Troternish has been the scene of many doughty deeds
and exploits, having, among other troubles, suffered from
the ravages of Mac Ruairidh Mhic Uilleim Macleod, a
noted raider, etc. In 1498 the Macleod who held Trotemish
was bound to have ready one ship or galley of twenty-six
oars, and two of sixteen each, for the naval service of the
day. Macleod held Troternish by a grant from the Crown,
dated 15th June, 1498, but the Macdonalds never admitted
,the validity of this grant, and not only claimed but held
Troternish against the Macleods, though, for a time, not
actually in occupation. Troternish men well earned the
sobriquet of “ Na Coin,” the heroes (sometimes rendered
“ dogs” ), as they always, or nearly always, held the field
lagainst all comers, being a source of envy and no small
trouble to their neighbours, who thought them “ dogs.”
This was not the only nickname they had bestowed on
them; their very country was called “ Duthaich nan
r oter n ess ,
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
435
Stapag ” (or na Stapaig), and the saying existed of
“ Bruthaiste mhuimitir Throtamais, bochd, b o c h d also
“ Am Fearann Stapagach.” These were given, it is
alleged, by the “ wits” of Duirinish; they mean “ the
land of meal and water,” “ the brose of the people of
Troternish, poor, poor,” and “ the land of meal and water,
mixed,” on which they were supposed to exist! A wellknown saying is current in Skye as having been given by
a iharassed individual at harvest operations as an answer to
a query by his wife as to who was vexing him, whereupon
he answered, “ Who but my own folk, the dogs of Troter­
nish!” The “ story ” is much longer.
As to these “ nick-names” or “ eke-names,” they are
generally accounted for by some as derived from the far or
foir ainm given to a child till baptised (far, etc., projecting,
forward, antecedent, etc.), one party actually being called
“ But-ar-Scionn ” (bun os ciorm), downside up, etc. These
names, however, as a rule, were “ love-names,” as, it is
alleged, they are of Divine authority, which our readers
can verify for themselves; “ Leas-Ainm,” another term for
above, or “ good-name.” It may be mentioned here that
one of the Maclans of Glencoe came and settled here after
the massacre, and took the name of “ Johnson,” though a
Gaelic speaker always; another of the family, it is believed,
settled in Coll or Tiree under the same name.
. Superstitious beliefs were not absent among the Troter<nish people, and chief among their ghostly visitants or
spectres was the “ Colamn, colann gun cheann,” body with­
out head. This spectre was only a “ visitor,” as it was
known elsewhere far and wide, and much has been told
and written thereanent.
M h e a l l . The worthless, poor, or decayed lump. This
lump is 1,345 feet in height, and is situated in South
Minginish. Truagh sometimes used as a form of impreca­
tion.
T
ruagh
T
rumpan,
T rompon , etc., Beag agus Mor (tiumpan). The one­
sided hillock or tom ; said to be named from resemblance
to a timpan, a musical instrument, kind of harp, etc. Thig
place is at Ardmore of Waternish; here the Macdonalds of
Clan Ranald burnt the church of Kilconan on a Sunday
when it contained the worshippers, all, or most, of whom
were Macleods. A stone near is called “ Clach Mhairearald,”
436
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Margaret’s Stone, where she, having escaped, died of her
injuries; the Macleods, as usual, took their revenge; see
“ Blar-Milleadh-Garaidh.” This was the second and last
occasion on which the “ Fairy Banner ” of the Macleods
was carried out and unfurled. All this took place about
the end of the sixteenth century.
At Trumpan there is a rough pillar of stone, or shaft,
about five feet in height, called “ Clach Deuchainn,” the
trying or testing stone, alias the priest’s stone, from his
attending thereat officially; in this stone is a hole, which,
being aimed at by an accused person, blind-fold, success­
fully or the reverse, decided the matter at stake, or even
their ifuture, as is, or was, the local belief; this hole is
said to penetrate the standing-stone from side to side.
There are other stones, it is believed, in the neighbourhood,
as elsewhere in Skye, with cup-like holes peculiarly placed
on rocks, and said to be astronomical signs of the Druids.
The above first-named hole, again, is said to have been
called “ Clach Tholl,” and must have been of considerable
size, as patients suffering from consumption were caused
to pass through it three times as a cure; this is doubtful,
and thought to refer to stones called “ Clachan Tholldach,”
in which water accumulated and was drunk or otherwise
disposed of for ailments; see the reference to this else­
where in this work.
The former or old name of Trumpan was Kilchoman
or Kilcoman. Some high and notable cliffs are in the
neighbourhood. It is here that Lady Grange was buried
in May, 1745; her maiden name was Rachel Chiesley.
Major Neil Macleod, R.A., also buried here on 7th
December, 1898. There is a chapel at Trumpan, now in
ruins; it extended fifty-one feet.
T u d d in v a in (Pont), T o t , T obh t I a in B h a i n . Fair John’s
house clearing, or ruins; Norse meanings have been found
also, one being Toddin (an t-oddin), oddi, Norse for point,
and Gaelic bhàn, fair, i.e., the fair or white point or
promontory, but doubtful.
T u llo c h , T u lloch G o r m . The hillock, the green hillock. This
is on the summit of Beniscaigh. There is another tulach
at Strathaird.
T u l m , T olm A n t - H o l m . The stack or cliff; Norse holmr,.
as before herein given.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
T
ungadal.
T
ungag.
437
Tongue dale.
Thie little tongue or point of land; the meaning also
given to a grassy hillock, tulach glas. In Glendale. Also
explained as the dim. of tung, an enclosed family buryingground; not that h/ere. Domhnull nan Oran composed a
poem to this place, also to the Allt Mor. See “ Hungag ”
(an t-hwigag).
T
unglader.
See “ Hunglader.”
Not known as given; might be tungag, or, according
to sound, tunna, a cask (shaped rock); there is a tumulus
near the head of Loch Caroy thought to be this; the rock
may be what is meant.
T u s d a l e . Thought An t-Osdal or Husedale.
T
unnuh.
T
uych,
T u ech e , T u a t h a c h . The north (country); said to be
another name for Troternish, as being the most northerly
part of Skye; but not known.
u
n a h - U d a ir n e .
The hideous, awful, or in­
hospitable caves; uaimh, a cave, and perhaps tarnach,
thunderclap, thunder-sounding. There are four oaves in
which, when north wind blows strongly, awful sounds are
created; the sea also is said to dash into one of these at
least, as it is called ton, town cave, wave cave. Near Beinn
Tianavaig.
U a m h a C h r e a c h a in n . The cave on the summit or sky-line
of hill; c^eachann also means scallop shell.
[The word utamh, as used hereafter, should be uaimh, and
means a cave, a den, etc.; it is sometimes substituted for
uaigh, a grave, also a cave.]
U a m h , U a ig h a n t - A l b a n n a c h . The grave of the “ Scotsman ”
(newspaper), which was solemnly interred here as a protest
against its views on the land question; it took the shape
of an effigy in addition to copies of the paper! This
“ grave ” is at the head of Loch Dunvegan, on the lower
side of the road before the approach to Tobar nam Maor,
q.v., and past Dun-Osdal.
U a m h a C h i n n D h e ir g . Cave of the red head or point.
U a d a ir n , U d a ir n ,
438
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
a 'Ch o in n l e ir .
Cave of the candlestick. This is a cave
near Idrigil Point, and so called from use of candles while
exploring it; also in the same case Sloc an Altrumain, or
the Spar Cave, q.v. It has been said that the Goinnleir
were the stalactites or stalagmites which were in these caves
till destroyed by sight-seers.
U a m h a n D r a o in e a n , D r a o in . Cave of the sculptor; also given
Druinich.
U a m h a n T a ib h s e . The cave of the spectre or ghost (of a lost
shepherd). Near Coruisg.
U a m h a n T a i r b h . The bull’s cave; not an ordinary bull, but
one of the crodh sith, or fairy cattle.
U a m h B h ea g a n - S io s a l a ic h . The little cave of the Chisholm.
U a m h B h i n n . The melodious cave. In Oransay Isle.
U a m h a B h o d a c h . The old man’s cave; a recluse. At Loch
Slapin.
U am h
U am h C l e it .
Uam h F
Cleat cave.
h l iu c h .
See “ C le a t.”
The wet cave.
h ic C o it ir , M ac - a - C h o i t i r .
Cave of the crofter’s
son; here the lad hid from the press-gang. This cave is
situated north of Portree Bay or Harbour, beyond the
“ Black Rock.” It is also called “ The Piper’s Cave,” to
which the old tradition attaches; the cave is thought to run
through the island and come out at Loch Bracadale; see
“ Uamh-an-Oir.” Also reputed to have been the refuge
or haunt of a noted cateran, brigand, or reiver!
U a m h n a n C o l u m a n . Cave of the pigeons, rock pigeons.
U a m h ’ P h r io n n s a . The Prince’s cave. Here Prince Charlie
ate his last meal in Skye. There are two or three caves of
this name in Skye, authentic or otherwise, one at Elgol,
south-east end of Loch Scavaig, and another at Dunvegan
Head.
U a m h - a n -O i r , a n O r , O r . The cave of gold, or gold cave.
There are two caves of this name in Skye, both supposed to
contain hidden gold; one is at Borniskitag, and said to
be columnar, like Staffa. The tale of the piper’s adventure
much believed in in connection with one or both of these
caves, speciously described as being heard regretting, in his
encounter with “ something,” that he was not possessed of
U am h M
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
439
three hands, two for the pipes and one for the sword!
The principal cave is said to have its chief entrance at
Harlosh, south-west of Dunvegan, coming out east near
Monkstadt. This tradition is not confined to Skye; see
“ Melvaig,” Wester Ross, and Uamh-Chraidh, also the cave
of torment at Baile Grunail, where a piper and dog entered,
expecting to come out at “ Uamh-an-Duine,” the man’s
cave, or dùine, the fort, at Creaganaich, Lismore, Argyll.
U a m h n a m P io b a ir e a n . The cave of the pipers, where they
sometimes practised. Near Boraraig, where also is Leum
an Doill,” the leap of the blind (man) John Mackay, Am
Piobaire Dali, who was seven years under the tuition of
MacCrimmon, which was required as a “ course ” of in­
struction in ceol mor, great music. John was born in 1656;
he incurred the jealousy of Padruig Caogach, Patrick
(MacCrimmon), the squint-eyed, by finishing his com­
position or tune, “ A m Port Lethach ” (or Leathachd), the
half (composed) tune. John was pushed over a rock twenty
feet high. He and other Mackays were pipers to eight
successive lairds of Gairloch during two hundred years.
See “ Sloc.”
U a m h n a S it h e a n , a n t - S it h e x n .
The fairies’ cave. At
Duirinish.
U a m h T h o ir l e a n .
Torlan’s cave. Torlan, the man or hero
of the heavy or great spear, one of the Feinne, who dwelt
herein or frequented it. Of more modem days, it attracted
notice by being utilised as a hiding place for all the
spinning-wheels of the district on the rumour that they
were to be destroyed in the interests of a new spinning
mill at Portree!
U ch dan L e in ib h .
U ch d
Child’s hill-slope; uchd m .
Ban. The white or fair hill-slope. Kilmuir.
U ch d M
i m a ig .
Mimag’s hill-slope. Girl’s name. Kilmuir.
Great slope. Near Loch Harport, Bracadale.
The word “ Uchd ” common in names.
U d a b a c h d , A n , U dabac. The porch or outhouse. This word
is used in Skye for a wall or erection in front of the door
of a dwelling-house to break the force of the wind; also
known in Uiet. This is used chiefly in the more exposed
parts of the north of Skye.
U chd M
or.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
440
Distress, tossing, etc.; also udail, the adjective, toss­
ing, gloomy, etc.; also found given odal. Vital in Old
Irish, is ut, out, away from, not, and mall, slow, hence
quick movement.
U dal.
The gloomy glen or gil; udail or udlaidh.
One authority suggested ytrigil, the further gil or ravine,
but doubtful. See “ Uadairn.”
U d ig il , U t r ig l e .
Little Uig; little bay or small harbour.
At Balmeanoch Bay, Portree. Also called Torran. See
“ Uig.”
U g a r a id h .
Uig sheiling (local); uig and airidh; otherwise
'explained as uig and m y, etc., Norse termination signifying
farm, Uig Farm.
U gag , U g aig , U ig e a g .
The ford, etc. Uidh (sometimes found uigh) also means
an isthjmus, land or water, also islowly-moving water, a
peninsula; cf. Eye, equals ui. Provincially rendered a
pass, a parting of the ways, half-way pass over a tolman
or hillock, etc.
Uig, Uige, Wig (1512), Vig (1552), etc. The nook, or retired
place. An d-Uig, An Uig (locally), in Snizort; also said
to be “ The Bay,” from Icel. vig, vik, a bay, and to equal
Wick; also to be from Norse ogr, an inlet or bay; cf.
“ Uig,” in Lewis; the bay off the land. Much has been
written about this place, reliable and otherwise; Pennant
makes reference to a “ high stone of Ugg named after the
poet Uggerus” ! Martin gives “ Uge.” This “ high
stone ” has also been prophesied about by the Brahan Seer,
who said, “ Olaidh am fitheach a shàth bharr an làir air
mullach clach ard Uige," the mven will drink its fill off the
ground on the top of the high stone of Uig. This stone now
lies on its side on a mountain brow, south of where the Uig
Hotel stands. A similar prophesy is attached to a stone
in Glendale.
Several notable places and sayings are connected with
Uig, one being that there are three things whereby so long
as they are to the fore the natives can never be ruined (or
starved), viz., (1) a well, tobar tellibreac, q.v.;
(t)helgibrekk, for seile (sile, moisture), helgi, holy,
brekk, brekkr, slope or brink; s and t are frequently inter­
changed, e.g., tabaid for mbaid, though this may just stand
for an t-sabaid, the fight; (2) Loch Shiant (seunt), dulse;
U id h .
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
441
and (3) Helva Rock (or cave), from hellyr, Old Norse helli,
hella; all these lie within a radius of about nine miles.
Loch Shiant, as before referred to, is fed from numerous
springs, twenty-four being in a circuit of some two hundred
yards; there are also several waterfalls in the immediate
neighbourhood. The special dulse above referred to owes
its peculiar power, etc., to its being tinctured with iron,
which colours the water of the loch in which it grows,
proved beneficial to health and an antidote to certain com­
plaints or diseases. Certain stones are to be found in the
neighbourhood, a fmger-length, and pyramid shaped; these
are called “ bott (or botts)-stones,” and considered a specific
against colic in horses, the stones being placed in water
given the horses to drink. Scientists say that these stones
are “ belemites,” and common to many other places in Skye,
Flodigarry for one. These stones are fossils, and are said
to be called fuil siochaire or clachan sith, dwarf or fairy
blood or fairy stones; siochaire commonly used as an
epithet signifying a contemptible, worthless person. These
stones are said to be found after a display of the aurora
borealis, na fir chlis, the merry, active men; these “ men ”
are supposed to be one of three bands of fallen angels, still
fighting, and the stones, being coloured, are their blood;
a red lichen also said to be the same. The above expression
siochaire thought to refer expressly to the undersized Piets,
or their forerunners, who dwelt in caves or small under­
ground houses, daoine-sithe; see “ Loch Shiant,” with its
springs, said to be in Kilmuir, and far from above well; see
“ Am Bord Cruinn,” which may be “ Helva Rook.” In
addition to the above, W . Macfarlane, in his famous
“ Geographical Collections,” says “ Loch Sent dulce and
Hebri rock; twenty-four Hebrys (springs) flow into Loch
Siant.” The word hebri or herbrys said traceable to the
Gaelic word eabar, a confluence of waters, primary meaning
“ mud ” ; also rendered abar or aber\ cf. the Hebrew words
habar, a verb, to join together, and heber, a junction, etc;
abar itself is an obsolete Celtic word meaning wells, also
where two or more streams meet; abarach is just eabarach,
boggy, marshy, muddy, etc. Uig was formerly known as
or had a place of importance named “ Brugh Uige,” house
or fort of Uig, though also merely a fairy hillock.
Uig, though a “ corner ” or “ nook,” is situated above the
vig, vik, or bay, and at the confluence of the rivers Raw
442
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
and Conon, where a flood of these rivers washed away a
house and part of an old burying-ground in 1877; this
was attributed to “evil spirits,” (urraisgean, an inundation).
The people of Uig are hard-working and industrious, they
have an original method of manuring land by carrying to the
fields or plots of land ashes and manure in creels on their
backs, the creels having openings so as to permit of the
material falling through; this is done by the bearer striking
the creel smartly from time to time with a stick, and when
ashes prevail, or sop smrm todhair, wisps of old thatch, etc.,
their progress is somewhat curious! This performance
attracted the notice of an individual from some other place,
who said:
“ A m fasan a bii ac’ arm an TJige
Cha ’n fhaoa mi riamh na m ’ dhuthaichs’,
Gabhail dhe 'n bhat air mo chulthaobh,
’S smuid air a chliabh luathadh! ”
The fashion they had in Uig
I never saw in my country,
Striking at my back with a stick,
With a stour from the ash creel so thick.
Uig island or Uig point; inis or nes;
given as in Loch Dunvegan, Upper and Nether; also as
in Duirinish. This is the birth-place of a Celtic scholar
and indefatigable worker in the Celtic field, Miss Frances
Tolmie.
U ig in is h , U ig n is h .
etc. Uig-town; TJig-setr. This place
said to be somewhat distant from any bay or vig; a mean­
ing of “ Ox-town ” has been found given.
U ig s h a d e r , U g isa r d e r ,
See “ Husini&h.” Uisinnis is one of the places
where Prince Charlie landed.
U is h n e s s .
cky.
Wolf or fox field; uilbh, ulbh, Norse
ulfr, a wolf; ulp, uilp, a fox, and achadh, field. This place
U l l b a c k y , U il b - A
is in Troternish.
The wolf height, point, or place; ulfr, as above,
and art, ord, ard, etc.; there is a Norse termination art,
signifying a sea-loch, but first meaning holds. This is a
point or promontory running into Loch Soavaig, opposite
Soay; extremists have connected it with ullart, ullartaich,
howling, as of wolves, etc.
U lfh art.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
U l in i s h , U l l i n is h , U l t i n i s h .
443
Not certain; found suggested
ulfr, as above, and nes, point, etc.; otherwise from TJli, a
proper name, Uli’s Point. In Bracadale. Off here there
is an island with a cave therein one hundred and eighty
feet in depth, and thirty feet in breadth and height; also
near Ullinish itself, on Cnoc Ullinish, is a mote named the
“ hill of strife.”
Una’s homestead; una bolstadr. Una said to stand
for Winifred; she was a daughter of the King of
Lochlann; cf. “ Unabol.” This may also be from unga,
and mean the ounce-land homestead. In Duirinish.
U n a b o st .
Church ounce-land; ung-na-dlle. A
field, etc., in the neighbourhood is called Ung-a-Chladaich,
the shore ounce-land, both in a district eight miles from
the inner end of Loch Dunvegan to Dunvegan Head.
U n a c il l e , U n a k i l l e .
r n is o r t .
The ounce-land of Amisort; from Loch
Grishernish to Rudha Hunish.
U ng’ A
n a S g e ir e .
The ounoe-land of the skerry; ten miles’
stretch from Dunvegan Castle to Rudha Hunish. The
above three form “ districts,” not mere fields.
U ng’
The ounce-land of the home-stead, etc. Given
also Unresalider, for ungasetr; ounces of silver representing
rent. See “ Penyzegeyn,” etc.
U ngsh ader.
(ù-nes). Nose bay or mk.
given as in Watemish.
U n i s h , U in n is
Paul’s ounce-land.
boulders; unnsa, pron. oosa.
U nn sa P a u l , P h o il .
See “ Hunish,”
Strewn with large
Not known. Various suggestions advanced as to the
etymology of this word, e.g., as signifying water, and bhuil
for bhoil, bivoile, asp. form of boile, rage, etc, stormy or
raging sea, ure, urr\ also ur, fire, hence umraraidh, parch­
ing corn over a fire; ur, a child, a person, from which
ur-uisg, the water child or imp, equalling glaistig, thus
the demon-haunted place; uiridh in Skye means a monster,
etc.; doubtful.
U r b h u il .
U re,
Ire.
The island.
See “ Ire ” and above.
U r e t il l , B h r e a t a il , q.v.
444
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
ir g o g .
The stone heap; urd, urdh, a heap of
stones on the sea-beach, or from a land-slip, or urd-vig,
the bay of the heap of stones. Cf. Loch Urradhag,
Ourahag; suggested urbhaig, udhar-vik, but doubtful.
U r gag , U rgog , W
U sa b o st.
See “ Husabost.”
The town or township road. This is
the road to the common pasture or peat moes; utraid-moine;
ut, ud, for put, to push, to forward, etc.; cf. uthard.
Common.
U t r a id , U d r a t h a d
V
The following names found beginning with the letter V may
either be U or Bh, unless Norse.
Not known. Suggested ms, from uasal, fine,
elegant, etc., and ormg, rock; if bh, can only be bhàis,
asp. form of bàs, death.
V aisc r a ig .
Whale island; hvalls-ey. Cf. Vallay, in
North Uist. This place is at Aird of Kilmuir, where a
family of Macdonalds lived alternately with Uist place;
they were called the “ Vallay Macdonalds,” and descended
from “ William the Tutor.”
V allay, V a ley .
V a l l e r a in , V a n n a r a in .
Quiraing.
Not known.
Given
sis
north of
Fjal and raing.
Fold-ridge. Rocks at Eastside, Kilmuir; vold-ass;
void, old for vollr, voellr, field (Norse); vallar, vellir, fields;
valla, of fields; also often wall, well, etc., e.g., Dingwall,
Kirkwall; as a termination oil and ell. Cf. “ Valtos,” in
V a l to s .
Uig, Lewis.
Weir-gil, gill, gyll, glen,
or ravine. A river runs through here, which drains a large
district, north into Portree Loch. Taog MacCuinn lived
in this glen. See “ Tota Thaoig.”
V a r r a g il l , V a d r ig a l e , B h a r a g il .
etc. Castle-wick; virhi and vig. This
place is near Orbost, Duirinish; there are also Bealach, Glen
and Loch. Like other places, this has its own tales of
superstitious beliefs, one being that it is “ haunted ” or the
haunt of an “ awful beast ” (a female), called “ Biasd-aGhlismdh,'' the leaping, jumping beast!
V a r k a s a ig , V a r k is a ig ,
445'
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
etc. The water point or promontory
(sea); vatn ( mdn, Old Norse for water), a lake or loch,
and equals vat in Hebrides, a small loch, e.g., Vattin, q.v.
This also given as a river running into Loch Dunvegan,
and spelled “ Bhataimis ” ; suggested also vatn ster nish,
water place point; ster, a form of setr, a seat, etc. The
inhabitants of Vaternish or Waternish, q.v., bear the nick­
name of “ Na G ait” the cats, also “ Na Sgalaich ” (or
Sgalaichean), as being ready to raise a hue and cry against
their neighbours, or “ Na Sgallaichean” the bald-headed;
but this only a rumour and not vouched for.
V a t e r n is h , V a d ir n e s ,
a t t i n , etc.
The water, lake or loch
(Norse or Icel.). Near Dunvegan, in Duirinish. Vatn
appears in at least ten of the Hebridean lochs, in Western
Isles chiefly, though “ Sandwood ” in Sutherland and Rossshire said to equal sand-vatn.
V a t n , V a t in , V a t t in , W
Not certain; said to mean Vig-gil or gyll,
and to lie between Beinn Meadhonach and Reinn Totaig,
in South Bracadale.
V id ig i l l , V ig is g il l .
Viscovaig . See “ Fiscavaig.”
etc. Not known. Also found given
Unisuisam, Unisusod (1610-1637); in infeftments Winsinsem. See “ Nesnimanim. This place is in Troternish or
Snizort, and a “ Vinsinort ” in Raasay.
V in s a n a m , V in s a n s a m ,
(1541) (ung' a chladaich). Shore ounce-land.
At Unacille.
V n g o w o r r o w {ung' a bhoro, bhorg). The fort ounce-land.
V nacladdach
V ngroag
(1541),
V ngroak.
V o a g r y n e , V oagyn
V oaker.
(1541).
Roag ounce-land.
Bracadale.
Not known.
Not known. A burn or small river in Bracadale.
V o l o b h aig , B h o l o b h a ig .
Field bay; vollr, etc., as before.
The bay of the “ monster” ; uraisg,
uruisg, a monster, a child of elfin female and a mortal man,
ur child, etc. This place is a point, with Sgeir Mor, out
therefrom, east of Portree Harbour. Uiridh, also a monster,
plural uirichean. See “ Sleat.” Might be a corruption of
fuamhar, fuamhaire, a giant, etc.
The number of
V r is k a ig , U r a sg a ig .
“ monsters ” throughout Skye and the north generally, very
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
446
great; one thought to be the devil in the shape of “ halfwoman, half-goat,” sometimes called the glaistig, while the
uruisg is like a satyr. The word biasd often used for any
kind of “ monster,” and the word urraisgean equals “ in­
undations,” etc., the elements personified. There is a
Coire an Uruisg at Loch Katrine. Other words signifying
“ (monster,” etc., are arracht, arrachd, a spectre, pigmy,
idol, or some aerial phenomemon personified (an riochd);
arrachdan, dim., *a fairy.
Witches, again, are or were
known under the names doiteag, ktorag, and glaisrig; in
Ireland many similar terms are said to exist, e.g., far
dharrig (fear dearg, the red man), three feet in height,
quaintly dressed, and belongs to one district only; again,
in Skye there is am fuath, the hated one, demon, or spectre,
from uath, terror, etc., hence uath-bhas, uamhas, a death
spectre, etc., lit. terrible death; there are also tamhaSg,
tàchar, tàcharan, and tachradh, all meaning ghosts, etc.;
taskdeh is a “ premonition,” and tàradh, the noises or
sounds indicating same; while tàran is the ghost or spirit
of an unbaptised child. Most, if not all, of these used to
be firmly believed in.
V u sat.
Ice island. Isa
or
Isay, q.v.
Been given vuia
or wia.
W
W
Not known.
course.)
ady.
(In Armoric it signifies a dry water­
S o called from veteran soldiers resident therein at
one time. A hamlet near Broadford.
W a t e r lo o .
W a t e r n is h , etc. Water point or promontory. See
“ Vaternish.” At Loch Dunvegan. Several “ notorieties ”
hailed herefrom; Major Neil Macleod was born here; he
composed a famous song called “ Oran an t-Saighdeir,"
the soldiers’ song; see “ Trumpan.” A certain clergyman,
not resident, was dubbed “ the Prophet of Waternish ” !
W
a t e r n e ss ,
W
a t e r s t e in ,
W
attersay,
W a t e r s t in e , V a t e I s t e in , etc. The water stone
or stone in the water, being Vaterstein Head or Peak Mor,
on coast of Duirinish.
V atersay.
Water place island; vat, vatn, ster, ey.
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
W
447
See “ Uigsader.” In a Gaelic charter by
donald of the Isles of lands in Isla (1408), the
Wgasgog occurs, and said by a certain “ authority ”
untranslateable; it is ucas or ugas vig, ugasgag, or
goc, coal-fish bay; ugsa.
gysadder.
Mac­
name
to be
ugas-
W i a y , W i e . The island. Numerous different spellings
of this word, which is from <pyja, uyea, an island of second
magnitude. In Loch Bracadale. Known now as Fuidhiadh;
noted or famed for crowberries. One of same name off
Benbecula. A temple or the ruins of one said to be on the
island off Skye.
W
ia ,
W
il d e r .
Not known; suggested uilt and or, valley place or
land, but doubtful.
\W may sometimes read U or F.]
Y
(Dhealgaidh) . Of thorns, thorny. This is a river,
Allt Dheilgidh or Gheilgidh, which flows through the town­
ship of Earlish into Camusbeg, on the south side of Uig
Bay, Snizort. Suggested this name genitive of dealg,
thorn, etc.
Y e l k ie
Y
U n a . A daughter of King of Lochlann; an island named
after her; suggested Iona, but not known.
o n a,
Y ot.
Not known. Found as “ the water of.”
of hills in Troternish.
On east side
Z
Found given in title as “ Zare fishings of Toffna
There is a Yairhead, equalling a cheir eud, or
a cheiread; doubtful. Been supplied as Norse japr-ass,
serpent-ridge, but this is a càiridh or weir in Loch Snizort,
the largest in Skye. Suggested war, which equals water­
fall, spring, etc.; cf. fuaran, uaran, spring-well, the / in
fuaran said to have crept in, as in jeagal for eagal, though
this is to avoid clashing of vowels a and e in tha eagal arm,
I am afraid. Vair found given as a corruption of bheithir,
a wild beast, a serpent.
Z a ir , Y a ir .
Tottna.”
A
C H R IO C H
INDEX
D3>
INDEX
A
Abhainn, Abhainn, etc., 21.
Abhainn a Chaisteil, 22.
Abhainn a Ghlinne, 22.
Abhainn an Acha’ Leathainn, 23.
Abhainn an Asaraidh, 23.
Abhainn an Atha Leathainn, 23.
Abhainn an Duchamais, 23.
Abhainn an Loin Mhoir, 23.
Abhainn an Tora, 23.
Abhainn an Uil’ Leitir, 23.
Abhainn an Uird, 23, 337.
Abhainn Ashig, 23.
Abhainn ’Bhaile Mheadhonaich,
23.
Abhainn Bhot, 23.
Abhainn Bhreatal, 24.
Abhainn Ceann-Locha, 337.
Abhainn Chamns-Fhionnairidh,
24.
Abhainn
Cheann-Loch-Eiseort,
24.
Abhainn Choisleadair, 24.
Abhainn Chonnain, 24.
Abhainn Cille Mhuire, 24.
Abhainn Dhubh Bhreac, 24.
Abhainn Easa Dubha, 24.
Abhainn Ghlinn Uachdarach, 24.
Abhainn Ghremiscaig, 24.
Abhainn Haultain, 24.
Abhainn Loin a Chlerich, 24.
Abhainn Mhor, 24.
Abhainn nan Cnoc, 24.
Abhainn nan Leac, 24.
Abhainn Poll-Losgainn, 24.
Abhainn Port na Culaidh, 24.
Abhainn Rha, 24.
Abhainn Boik, etc., 25.
Abhainn Bomasdal, 25.
Abhainn Scaipeil, 25. '
Abhainn Sheiseiridh, 25.
Abhainn Shlaopain, 25.
Abhainn Shniosoirt, 25.
Abhainn Threaslain, 25.
Abhainn Torra Mhichaig, 25.
Abeldoire, 25.
A Bhruaich, 337.
Abosd, etc., 25.
Acairseid-an-Rudha, 337.
Acairseid Chirm, 337.
Acairseid Mhor, 302.
Achabeg, 25.
Achachand, etc., 25.
Achacork, etc., 25.
Achacoshenach, 337.
Acha’ Tagha, 337.
Acha’ Toirsgil, 337.
Acha’ Mboar, 337.
Achadh an Loch, 338.
Achadh a Bhicair, 338.
Achadh a Chuirn, 25.
Achadh or Auch-a-Lochan, 338.
Achadh an Eas, 338.
Achadh Clann na Faitter, 26.
Achadh Eaitear, 26.
Achadh Flad, 26.
Achadh Leirabhaig, 338.
Achadh or Auch Mor, 338.
Achadh na Bathachadh, 338.
Achnacloich, etc., 338.
Achadh nan Gobhar, 26.
Achadh or Auch Cathan a
Mhoar, 337.
Achadh nan Gallan, 26.
Achadh nan Gobhar, 26.
Achag, 26.
Achaleathan, 26.
Achnaguie, 26.
Acha-na-h-Anait, 26.
Achadh nam Bard, 26.
Achananan, etc., 26.
Acharnet, 289.
Achatraneg, 27.
Achnahaneg, 26.
Achoistore, 27.
Achtalian, etc., 27.
Acker side, 27.
Aghaidh a Chosnaich, 338.
Aigeach, an t-, 27.
i
Aird, etc., 27.
Aird’-a-Bhaile-Mhoire, 27.
Aird’ a Chomhraig, 27.
• ,
Aird Bhreac, 27.
452
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Aird Mhor, 338.
Aird Keamhar, 838.
Airdchuirnish, 338.
Airdedorch, 28.
Aird Loisgte, 338.
Aird-mhic-Ceolain, 28.
Aird Shleibhte, etc., 339.
Aird Snaosaig, 339.
Aird Tearc, 28.
Air each Liath nam Bo, 150.
Aireach Sleibhteach, 85.
Airidh, Airigh, etc., 28.
Airidh Aisridh, 28.
Airidh an Bssan, 28.
Airidh an Fhudair, 29.
Airidh an t-Sluic, 29.
Airidh a Phuill, 29.
Airidh Bhadain, 29.
Airidh Chalum ’Ic Ailein, 29.
Airidh Charnach, 29.
Airidh Chroichdeach, 29.
Airidh Corrach, 339.
Airidh Dhonn, 29.
Airidh Dhonnachaidh, 29.
Airidh Dhubh, 339.
Airidh Fhalach, 29.
Airidh Fhuar, 29.
Airidh Ghualachan or Bhuachain, etc., 29.
Airidh Loinid, 29, 339.
Airidh Luachrach Uige, 29.
Airidh Meall Beathaig, 29.
Aixidh Mhic Dhaibhidh, 339.
Airidh Mhic Iain Ghill, 29.
Airidh mo Dhubhaich, etc., 29.
Airidh na Capuill, 339.
Airidh na Craig, 29.
Airidh na Creige, 29.
Airidh na Dunach, 30.
Airidh na Gobhar, 339.
Airidh na Grianan, 339.
Airidh na Losgainn, 339.
Airidh na Suiridhe, 30, 339.
Airidh Neill, 30.
Airidh ri Creagan, 339.
Airidh Samhraidh, 30.
Airidh Una, 30.
Ais, etc., 30.
Aisk, 30.
Aite Maol, 31.
Aite-Suidhe Fhinn, etc., 31.
Aketil (Burn), 31.
Aladh Maol, 31.
Alasdair Dubh Gap, 31.
Allanish, 31.
Allaraidh, 31.
Alledonand, 31.
Allen, 339.
Alligro, 31.
Allt, etc., 31.
Allt a Bhealaich or a Bhealaich
Bhric, 32.
Allt a Bhile, 32.
Allt; a Bhrachaidh, 32.
Allt a Bhuiribh, etc., 32.
Allt Achaidh Bhig, 32.
Allt Achaidh na Caillich, 32.
Allt a Chaim, etc., 32.
Allt a Chamaidh, 32.
Allt a Chamairt, 340.
Allt a Chaoich, 32.
Allt a Chaorain, etc., 39.
Allt a Cheannachain, 340.
Allt a Chinn Mhor, 340.
Allt a Chlobha, 32.
Allt a Choin, 340.
Allt a Choire Bhuidhe, 33.
Allt a Choire Chatachan, 33.
Allt a Choire Ghaistich, 33, 129.
Allt a Chro, 33.
Allt a Chuain, 33.
Allt a Ghairbheid, 33, 340.
Allt Agharrach, 340.
Allt a Ghille, 33.
Allt a Ghille Ghuirm, 36.
Allt a Ghleannain, 33.
Allt a Ghoirtean, 33.
Allt Ailein, etc., 340.
Allt Airidh Aiseiridh, 33.
Allt Airidh Dhonnachaidh, 33.
Allt Airidh Meall Beathaig, 33.
Allt Airidh na Cr'iche, 33.
Allt Aisridh, 33.
Allt a Chrainigil, 33.
Allt a Mhaide, 33.
Allt a Mhaim, 33.
Allt a Mheirlich, 33.
Allt a Mhuilinn, 340.
Allt Anabhaig, 34, 340.
Allt an Daraich, 340.
Allt an Doire Daraich, 34.
Allt an Domhnaich, 340.
Allt an Dubhlan, 340.
Allt an Bran, etc., 340.
Alltan Fearna, 34.
Allt an Fhamhair, 34.
Allt an Fhionn-Choire, 34.
Allt an Fhudair, etc., 34, 119.
Allt an Inbhir, 34.
Allt an Loin Bhuidhe, 34.
Allt an Loin Ruaidh, 34.
Allt an Beoghann, etc., 341.
Allt an Sgulain, 34.
Allt an Stuic, 341.
Allt an Teangaidh, 34, 341.
Allt an Tota Mhoir, 34.
1
Allt an t-Sabhail, 34.
INDEX
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allfc
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
an t-Seachrain, 34.
an t-Sithein, 34.
an t-Sratha Bhig, 34.
an t-Suidhe, etc., 34.
an Uchd Bhuidhe, 35.
Aoidh Mhic Larain, 35.
a Phollan Duibh, 35.
Ban, 35.
Beag, 35.
Bealach na Goise, 35, 341.
Beinne Deirge, 35.
Bessa, 35.
Beul-an-atha-ruaidh, 35.
Beul-ath-na-Glaisich, 35.
Beul-atha-nan-sac, etc., 35.
Bhochaidh, etc., 341.
Bhroclaichean, 35.
Bhrunigill, 35.
Breacach, etc., 35.
Buidhe, 35.
Cailigearaidh, 341.
Caillte, 341.
Cairistiona Neill, 35.
Ceann-Locha, 341.
Chaoich, 35.
Chaol-Reithe, 341.
Choire or Coire nan Clach,
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Allt
Choire nan Cuilean, 35.
Chracaig, 35.
Chreag Uisdein, 35.
Clachamais, 35.
Cnoc a Charnaich, 35.
Cnoc nan Uan, 36.
Coir’ a Ghobhainn, 36.
Coir’ a ghreadaidh, 36.
Coir’ à Ghrunnda, 36.
Coir’ a Mhadaidh, 36.
Coir’ an Fhaoich, 36, 341.
Coire Forsaidh, 36.
Coire Gasgain, 341.
Coire Lagain, 36.
Coire na Banachdich, 36.
Coire nam Bruadairean, 36.
Coire nan Cuilean, 36.
Corrach, etc., 341.
Cul-Airidh-Lagain, 36, 342.
Culeshader, 36.
Dabhoch, etc., 36.
Daidh, etc., 36.
Daraich, 36.
Dearg, 341.
Dearg Beag, etc., 36.
Dhonnachaidh, 342.
Dhughaill, 36, 342.
Digeadh, 36, 128.
Digeinn, 33.
Diubaig, 342.
Doire na Criche, 37.
453
Allt Doire ’n Leich, etc., 37.,
Allt Dorus Neil, 37.
Allt Dryna, etc., 37.
Allt Dubhailteach, 37.
Allt Duisdeil, 342.
Allt Dunaiche, 37.
Allt Eas-a-Mhuic, 342.
Allt Eire, etc., 37.
Allt Eoghainn, 342.
Allt Eynord, 37.
Allt Fasach, 37.
Allt Fearna, 37, 289.
AÌlt Fearns, 289.
Allt Fiodhach, etc., 342.
Allt Fionn-Fhuachd, 37.
Allt Garbh Mor, etc., 37.
Allt Garraranach, etc., 37.
Allt Gead-an-Lin, 342.
Allt Gilleasbuig, 37.
AIlf-, Glaic nam Meirleach, 37.
Allt Glam, 289.
Allt Gleann Horavaig, 342.
Allt Gobhlach, 37.
Allt Grianach, 342.
Allt Grillan, etc., 38.
Allt Haich, 38.
Allt Hallaig, 289.
Allt Hamara, 38.
Allt Hornisco, 38.
Allt Hunigil, 38.
Allt Inbhirarish, 289.
Allt Kerra 38.
Allt Ketil, 38.
Allt Lainish, 38.
Allt Leoir, 38.
Allt Leth Shithein, 38, 342.
Allt Leth Shlighe, etc., 38.
Allt Linnidal, 38.
Allt Lisigary, 38.
Allt Lochain Cxuinn, 38.
Allt Lochan Dubh na Brie, 38.
Allt Lochan na Saile, 38.
Allt Lochan Sgeir, 342.
Allt Loch na h-Uamh, 343.
Allt Lomag, etc., 38.
Allt Luib, 38.
Allt Luideig, etc., 38.
Allt Luig Mhor, 38.
Allt Mainnir a Ghobhar, 38.
Allt Manishmore, 289.
Allt Measarrach, 39.
Allt Mhaodail, etc., 140, 343.
Allt Mhartuinn, 39.
Allt Mhicmhannain, 39.
Allt Mhuilinn-Thuirm, 343.
Allt Mor, 39, 343.
Allt Mor na Sroine, 39.
Allt Muchte or Muchta, 39, 343.
Allt Murich, 39.
454
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Allt na Ba Grisionn, 39.
Allt na Banachaig, 39.
Allt na Ban Sgoileir, 39.
Allt na Beiste, 39, 343.
Allt na Brae, 289.
Allt na Buaile Duibhe, 39.
Allt na Camalaig, 39.
Allc na Ceann-a-Mhaireach, 313.
Allt na Ceardaich, 39.
Allt na Chaorain or Chaoirein,
39.
Allt na Claise Moire, 39.
Allt na Cloiche Bideich, 40.
Allt na Coille, 40.
Allt na Criopag, 343.
Allt na Daraich, 40.
Allt na Drochaide baine, 40.
Allt na Dunach, etc., 40.
Allt na Glaic Criathaich, 40.
Allt na Goirbhearran, 40.
Allt na Grnagaich, 40.
Allt na Guile, 40.
Allt na h-Airidhe Duibhe, 40.
Allt na h-Airidhe Leachdaich,
40.
Allt na h-Artaig, 40.
Allt na Leth-Pheighinn, 40.
Allt na Luachrach, 40.
Allt na Luideach, etc., 41.
Allt na Luinge, 41.
Allt na Marag, etc., 41.
Allt na Meachan, etc., 41.
Allt na Measarrach, 41.
Allt nam Fitheach, 41.
Allt nam Meacan, 344.
Allt nam Meirleach, 41.
Allt na Mna Mairbh, 41.
Allt na Moine, 41.
Allt nan Clachan Geala, 41,
Allt nan con, 41.
Allt nan Criopag, 42.
Allt nan Easan Dubha, 42.
Allt nan Geal Charn, 42.
Allt na Nighigh, etc., 41, 289.
Allt na Nighinn, 41.
Allt nan Leac, 41.
Allt nan Sac, 42.
Allt nan Suibheag, 42.
Allt nan Suidheachan, 42.
Allt nan Tighean, 42.
Allt nan Uamha, 344.
Allt na Pairce, 42.
Allt na Pairce-Fraoich, 344.
Allt na Plaide, 42.
Allt na Potag, 42.
Allt na Prionnsa, 42.
Allt na Righeachan or ruidheachan, 42.
Allt na Saighe, 42.
Allt na Seiceinear, etc., 42,
Allt na Sgeithe Baine, 42.
Allt na Smuide, 42.
Allt na Teanga Mhor, 344.
Allt Osecouland, 42.
Allt Peighinn Sobhraig, 42.
Allt Poll-a-B baine, 43.
Allt Port-na-Cullaidh, 43.
Allt Reidh, 43.
Allt Reidh-Ghlais, 344.
Allt Reireig, 43, 289.
Allt Riosdail, etc., 43.
Allt Robach, 43.
Allt Ruadh, 43.
Allt Ruaraidh, etc., 43.
Allt Ruidhe, etc., 43.
Allt Sgiath-Ban, 342.
Allt Shlugainn Dheas, 43.
Allt Slapin, etc., 43.
Allt Slugain Mheadhoin, 43.
Allt Srath-Suardal, 43.
Allt Storachan, 43.
Allt Suardal, 43.
Allt Tarsuinn, 43.
Allt Thuill, 344.
Allt Tor aig, 43.
Allt Tot’ a Chocaire, 43.
Allt Tota Thaoig, 43.
Allt Uil Leitir, 43.
Allt Varragill, 43.
Allt Voaker, 43.
Allt Yelkie, 44.
Alltan Luachrach, 34.
Allt an Reidhe Mhoir, 34.
Alltan Ruadh, 34.
Altair, 44.
Altavaig, etc., 44.
Amadal, 44.
Amar, etc., 44.
Am Bealach Breac, 344.
Am Braigh, 302.
Anabhaig, 44, 344.
An Aildunn, 312.
An Airidh Fhraoich, 344.
An Caol, 289.
An Doirneil, 44.
An Fhaoilinn, 44.
An Fheiste, 44.
An Innean, 44.
Annat, etc., 44.
Annishader, etc., 49.
An Roinn, 289.
An t-A llt Ruadh, 344.
An t-Aodainn Mor, 344.
An Teampull, 302.
An Tom, 49.
An t-Saothair, 344.
An t-Sratha Mhoir, 49.
Aodann-Clach, 49.
455
INDEX
Aoineasdal, 49.
Aosail Sligeach, 312.
ATaisg, etc., 345.
Ard, etc., 49.
Ard an Torrain, 290.
Ard Beag, 50.
Ard Bhornis, 50.
Ardchilan, etc., 345.
Axd Dorch, 50.
Ardfiech, 50.
Ardfreck, etc., 50.
Ard Ghunel, etc., 345.
Ardglass, 50.
Ardhoil, etc., 50.
Ard ’I c Uillicein, etc., 346.
Ard Loisgte, 345.
A id or Aird Mhic Eolain, etc.,
50.
Ardmills, etc., 346.
Ardmore, 50.
Ard-na-Meacan, etc., 346.
Ard-na-Mourcladh, 50.
A id nan Athan, 50.
Ard nan Eireachd, 50.
Ardnathan, 346.
Ardnish, 51.
A id Roag, 50.
Ard Snusaich, 51, 346.
Ard Thuirinish, 346.
Aricharnich, 51.
Axinacraig, 51.
Arivilveag, 51.
Arlish, 51.
Armadale, etc., 346.
Arnacnaip, 51.
Arnamnl, 51.
Arnaval, 51.
Arnish, etc., 51, 290.
Amishader, 51.
Arnisort, etc., 51.
Aros, etc., 51.
Artbrannan, 51.
Asaint, etc., 51.
Ascrib, etc., 51.
As-da-Bogha, 52.
Ashagg, 350.
Ashig, etc., 52.
Askerin, 52.
Askimilruby, etc., 52.
Aslag, etc., 350.
Assint, Saint, 88.
Ath an Inbhire, 53.
Ath (a) Ruadh, 53.
Ath na Glaissich, 53.
Ath nan Sac, 53.
Athoraster, etc., 53.
Athro, 290.
Auchan Swinish, etc., 53.
Auchinin, etc., 53.
AuchnabaTd, 53.
Aulavaig, 350.
Auldali, etc., 290.
Auldoe, 53.
AultchorryvTeskill, 53.
Auskaig, 53.
Ausabost, 53.
Ausach, 290.
Awoynes, 290.
Ayre, etc., 187, 290.
B
Bac-a-Chlamhainn, 54.
Bac-a-Lethchoin, 54.
Bac-a-Rann, 54.
Bac (a) Ruadh, etc., 54.
Bac na h-Uamha, 54.
Badnacarrie, 54.
Bad nan Nathraichean, 54.
Bagh, 54.
Bagh a Mhuilinn, 350.
Baghan, 54.
Bagh an Dubhaird, 350.
Bagh an Inbhire, 290.
Bagh Dhuin, 54.
Bagh Dun-Ruaige, 54, 350.
Bagh nan Gunnaichean, 54.
Baile, etc., 54, 350.
Bail’ a Chlarsair, 54.
Bail’ an Tailleir, 55.
Baile Chuirn, 290.
Baile Meadhonach, 55.
Bailemeanach, 290.
Baile Mhic Illeriabhaich, etc.*
Baile na h-Acarsaid, 56.
Baile Sheorach, 56.
Balgown, etc., 56.
Balintore, etc., 56.
Ballach, etc., 57.
Balliechurne, 57.
Ballishare, 57.
Balmacquien, etc., 57.
Balmainish, 57.
Balmeanach, etc., 57.
Balmore, 57.
Balnakeepan, etc., 57, 290.
Balnaknock, etc., 57.
Balnakitag, 57.
Balvichay, 57.
Bandarsaig, 57.
Baravaig, 350.
Bard, etc., 57.
Baronesmor, 58.
Barpa, etc., 58.
Barpannan, 165.
Barranasketaig, 57.
Barrasgil, 58.
456
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Barr na Luinge, 57.
Barvie, 58.
Basadaix, 58.
Baulheshamul, etc., 58.
Bay, 58.
Bead, 58.
Beal, etc., 58.
Bealach, etc., 59.
Bealach-a-Beoch, 59.
Bealach a Bhaisteir, 59.
Bealach a Bhorbhainn, etc., 59.
Bealach a Bhuiridh, 59.
Bealach Achadh nan Gobhar, 59.
Bealach a Chait, 59.
Bealach a Chnuic, 350.
Bealach a Choisiche, 59.
Bealach a Chreagan, 350.
Bealach a Chrochaire, 59.
Bealach a Chruidh, 60.
Bealach a Chuiin, 59.
Bealach a Ghlas-Ohoire, 60.
Bealach a Ghlinne, 60.
Bealach a Ghlinne Ohruaidh,
350.
Bealach a Leitir, 60.
Bealach a Loch, 351.
Bealach Amadal, 60.
Bealach a Maig, 351.
Bealach a Mhaim, 60.
Bealach a Mhor-amhain, etc.,
60.
Bealach an Fhidhleir, 60.
Bealach an Fhraoich, 60.
Bealach an Leacaich, 60.
Bealach an Loin, 60.
Bealach an Rudha, 60.
Bealach an Scard, 60.
Bealach an t-Sabhail, 60.
Bealach an t-Searraich, 60.
Bealach an t-Sionnaich, 60.
Bealach an t-Sliachd, etc., 124,
351.
Bealach Beag, etc., 60.
Bealach bhan, 351.
Bealach Bhoirbh, 351.
Bealach Bhreatal, 60.
Bealach Breac, 351.
Bealach Buscaig, etc., 351.
Bealach Cam, 60.
Bealach ’Chaiplin, 60.
Bealach ’Charra, 61.
Bealach Coire na Circe, 61.
Bealach Coire nan Allt Geala,
61.
Bealach Coire Sionnaich, 61.
Bealach Colluscard, etc., 61, 131,
135.
Bealach Corcisgill, 61.
Bealach Cumhang, 61.
Bealach Druim na Saile, 351.
Bealach-Eadar-da-Bheinn, 61.
Bealach Garbh, 61.
Bealach Hartaval, 61.
Bealach lag-a-Lochan, 351.
Bealach Mharsco, 61.
Bealach Mhic Coinnich, 61.
Bealach Mosgaraidh, 61.
Bealach na Beadan or Beadagan
etc., 62.
’
Bealach na Beinne-Brice, 62.
Bealach na Beiste, 62.
Bealach na Circe, 62.
Bealach na Coise, 62.
Bealach na Croiche, 62.
Bealach-na-Feadan, 62.
Bealach-na-Glaice-Moire, 62.
Bealach-na-Greigh Leim, 351.
Bealach-na-h-Airidh Duibhe, 35]
Bealach-na-h-Airidh-Mhurain, 62
Bealach-na-h-Imrich, 62.
Bealach-na h-Iubhraich, 351.
Bealach-na Laire Duibhe, 351.
Bealach-na-Lice, 62.
Bealach-na-Maighdinn, 62.
Bealach-na-Maithreachainn, etc.,
62.
Bealach-nam-Bothan, 62.
Bealach-na-Moine, 62.
Bealach-na-Mulachag, 62.
Bealach-nan-Cabar, 62.
Bealach-nan-Carn, 62, 351.
Bealach-nan-Cas, 62.
Bealach-nan-Clach, 63.
Bealach-nan-Gobhar, 63.
Bealach-nan-Uraisg, 63.
Bealach-na-Ramh, 63.
Bealach-na-Seana-Ghid, 351.
Bealach-na-Sgairde, 63.
Bealach Odal, etc., 352:
Bealach Ruadh, 63.
Bealach Sporaig, 63.
Bealach Thais, 63.
Bealach Tholl, 352.
Bealach Uachdarach, 63.
Bealach Uig, 63.
Bealach TJilleam, 63.
Bealach Yarkasaig, 63.
Beann, etc., 63.
Beannachain, 65.
Beann Aketil, 66.
Bearnaig, etc., 65.
Beinn a Bhaisteir, 65.
Beinn a Bhraghad, 65.
Beinn a Bhrac, etc., 65.
Beinn achadh nam Bard, 65.
Beinn a Chait, 65.
Beinn a Chapuill, etc., 65, 290.
INDEX
Beinn a Charn, 65.
Beinn a Chleite, 65.
Beinn a Chlerich, 65.
Beinn a Chonich, 65.
Beinn a Chraoich, 65.
Beinn a Chro, 65.
Beinn a Chionasko, 65.
Beinn a Deas, 65.
Beinn a Gharbhlaich, 65.
Beinn a Ghobha, etc., 66.
Beinn a Ghuail, 66.
Beinn-a-Huillin, 66.
Beinn Ainneart, Eynord, 66.
Beinn Allarnish, 66.
Beinn Alask, 352.
Beinn Alligin, etc., 66.
Beinn a Mheadhoin, 66.
Beinn an Cruachan, 66.
Beinn an Dubhaich, etc., 66.
Beinn an Dubh Leathaid, 66.
Beinn an Dubh Lochain, 66.
Beinn an Duine, 67.
Beinn an Eoin, 67.
Beinn an Fhraoich, 67.
Beinn an Laoigh, 67.
Beinn an Loch, etc., 67.
Beinn an Righ, 67.
Beinn an Sgumain, 67.
Beinn an Teallaich, 67.
Beinn an t-Seasgaich, 67.
Beinn an Uisge, 67.
Beinn a Sga, 67.
Beinn Aslag, etc., 352.
Beinn Belig, etc., 67.
Beinn ’Bhac-Ghlais, 67.
Beinn Bhallach, 67.
Beinn Bhaonish, etc., 67.
Beinn Bhatain or Bheatain, 67.
Beinn Bheag, 67, 352.
Beinn Bhochdaich, etc., 352.
Beinn Bhoidheach, 67.
Beinn Bhradh, 68, 352.
Beinn Bhrat-ri-Breac, 68.
Beinn Bhreac, 68, 352.
Beinn Bhuall, 68.
Beinn Bhuidhe, etc., 68.
Beinn Bhuirbh, 68.
Beinn Blaven, 68.
Beinn Brogaskil mor agus Beag,
68.
Beinn Charn, 313.
Beinn Charnach, 68.
Beinnchoineach, etc., 68.
Beinn Choire nan Earb, 68.
Beinn Chorran, 68.
Beinn Chracaig, 69, 141.
Beinn Chreagach, 68.
Beinn Chuillin, etc., 68.
Beinn Cleat, 68.
457
Beinn Connan, etc., 68.
Beinn Corkeval, 68.
Beinn Crapan, 69.
Beinn Cruachan, 69.
Beinn Culeshader, 69.
Beinn Deanavaig, etc., 69.
Beinn Dearg Beag agus Mor,
etc., 69.
*
Beinn Dhubh Leathan, 69, 352.
Beinn Diabaig, 70.
Beinn Dianabhaig, 153.
Beinn Dulaid, 352.
Beinn Duthaich, 70.
Beinn Eachann am Bard, 70.
Beinn Earr-na-Meall, 70.
Beinn Easaidh, 70.
Beinn Edra, etc., 70.
Beinn Eristan, 70.
Beinn Ettew, etc., 70.
Beinn Fad, etc., 70.
Beinn Falaisge, 70.
Beinn Feur, 352.
Beinn Fhionabhaig, 70.
Beinn Fhuar, 70.
Beinn Fidhleir, 352.
Beinn Forsan, 70.
Beinn Frochdai, etc., 70.
Beinn Gaskin, 70, 352.
Beinn Geary, etc., 70.
Beinn Ghille-Choinnich, 70.
Beinn Ghorm, 71.
Beinn Glamaig, etc., 71.
Beinn Guidad, 71.
Beinn Hallstra, etc., 71.
Beinn Hee, 71.
Beinn ’I c Askill, 71.
Beinn Idrigil, 71.
Beinn Leagach, 71.
Beinn Lee, etc., 71.
Beinn Loch-a-Mhuilinn, 313.
Beinn Maellan, 71, 352.
Beinn Meabost, 71.
Beinn Mheadhonach, 72.
Beinn Mhic Uilleim, 72.
Beinn Mhoraig, 72.
Beinn Moine, 72.
Beinn na Boineid, 72.
Beinn na Broclaich, 72.
Beinn na Caillich, etc., 72, 352.
Beinn na Cloiche, 72.
Beinn na Coinich, 72.
Beinn na Corrafidheag, 72.
Beinn na Cro, 72.
Beinn na Croiche, 72.
Beinn na Cuinneig, 73.
Beinn na Cuithean, 73.
Beinn na Duin, 73.
Beinn na Feoraig, 73.
Beinn na Frithe, 73.
458
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Beinn na Gaoithe, 73..
Beinn na Greine, 73.
Beinn na Grianan, etc., 73.
Beinn na h-Iolaire, 290, 303.
Beinn nam Brodaich, 73.
Beinn na Meall, 73.
Beinn na Nathraichean, 74.
Beinn nan Caorach, 313.
Beinn nan Capull, 74.
Beinn nan Cuileagan, 74.
Beinn nan Cuithean, 73.
Beinn nan Dubh-Lochan, 74.
Beinn na Neimhe, 74.
Beinn nan Leac, 290.
Beinn na Ree, 74.
Beinn na Seamraig, 352.
Beinn nin, etc., 74.
Beinn Ore, 74.
Beinn Reidh Bheag, 313.
Beinn Reireig Beag, 290.
Beinn Rionn-na-Meall, 74.
Beinn Roishader, 74.
Beinn Sea, etc., 74.
Beinn Scoebhal, 74.
Beinn Scudaig, 74.
Beinn Sgaalan, 74.
Beinn Sgumain, 74.
Beinn Sheilg, 74.
Beinn Sheimearach, 74.
Beinn Shuardal, etc., 74.
Beinn Skriag, etc., 74.
Beinn Soraig, 74.
Beinn Staic, 74.
Beinn Store, 74.
Beinn Stuc-na-Meall, 75.
Beinn Talan, 75.
Beinn Thuaithealain, 75.
Beinn Tianabhaig, etc., 75, 153.
Beinn Toirlean, etc., 75.
Beinn Tote, 75.
Beinn Trealan, 75.
Beinn Tuath, 75.
Beinn Uighshader, 75.
Beinn Uilleim, 75.
Beinn Vatten, 75.
Beinn Vokie, 75.
Beinn Yolovaig, etc., 76.
Beinn VoTe-Scowe, 75.
Beinn Vratabreck, 75.
Belfinlay, 75.
Belig, 75.
Bellach, 75.
Benelta, 75.
Benesson, 75.
Beraig, 353.
Berkisto, 75.
Bernera, etc., 76.
Bernisdale, etc., 76.
Beul or Bial, 76.
Beul a Chomhraig, 76.
Beni an Garbh, 353.
Beul-Ath-Domhain, 76.
Benl-Atha-Garbh, 353.
Beul-Ath-Caisteal, 76.
Beul-Ath-Leacach, 76.
Beul-Atha Maighstir Niall, 353.
Benl-Ath-na-Glaissich, 76.
Beul-Ath-na-Mairbh, 76, 353.
Beul-Ath-na-Meirlich, 76.
Beul-Atha Rogach, 353.
Beul-Ath nan Tri Allt, etc., 76.
Beul-Ath Sac, 76.
Beul Brataig, 77.
Beul na Beiste, 77.
Beul na h-Amadaig, 77.
Beulnahua, etc., 77.
Beul na Seolaid, 77.
Bharkasa, 77.
Bharkasaig, 77.
’Bhathaich, 77.
Bhatoranish, 77.
’Bhuaile Ruadh, 77.
Bidean, etc., 77.
Bidein Carstael, 77.
Bidein Druim nan Ramh, 77.
Bidein na h-Iolaire, 77.
Biggeaxy, etc., 77.
Bil, etc., 77.
Bina, 78.
Binscard, 78.
Bioda, 78.
Bioda Ban, 78.
Bioda Bhiorain, 78.
Bioda Buidhe, 78.
Biod a Chaim, 78.
Biod a Chait, 353.
Biodachan, Biodagan, 78.
Biod a Chlamhain, 353.
Biod a Choltraiche, 78.
Bioda Dedaig, 78.
Biod a Ghoill, etc., 78.
Bioda Mor, etc., 78.
Biod an Aoil, 78.
Biod an Athaix, 78.
Biodan Fear an or Feuran nan
Cailleach, 78.
Biod an Fhithich, 78.
Biod Fionnach, 78.
Biod Sgiath na Corraghribhich,
79.
Blabheinn, etc., 79.
Blaighe, 79.
Blar a Bhuailte, 79.
Blar a Chuspair, 79.
Blar a Loch, 79.
Blar an Dorain, etc., 79.
Blar an t-Siorram, 80.
Blar Buidhe, 80.
INDEX
Blar-Milleadh-Garaidh, 80.
Blar na Dige, 353.
Blath Lon, 80.
Bo, Bodha na Currachie, 291.
Bo, Bodha Leachan, 291.
Bo, Bodha Leadran, 291.
Bo, Bodha na Faochag, 291.
Boc-a-Chra-Bhric, etc., 80.
Bo Charrarich, 81.
Bochter, 291.
Boc-na-Caillich, 80.
Bodach an Duine, 80.
Bodha, 80.
Bodha-Sron-an-Tairbh, 80.
Bodh’ Eilean, 80.
Bogartallis, 80.
Bogha, Am, etc., 80.
Bogha, Beag, 81.
Bogha Chairstich, etc., 353.
Bogha Charrach, 81.
Bogha Chille Bhride, 81.*
Bogha Darach, 353.
Bogha Hunish, 81.
Bogha Leacan, 81.
Bogha na Fanachd, 81.
Bogh’ an t-Sasunnaich, 81.
Bo, Bogh Eilean, 80.
Bogha na Gruagaich, 81.
Bogha na Sgeire, 81.
Bogha Ruadh, 81.
Bogha Shligachan, 81.
Bogha Sron an Tairbh, 80.
Bogha Voreven, etc., 81.
Bohenuil, etc., 81.
Boineid an Fheidh, 81.
Boisdale, 81.
Bolenhxie, etc., 81.
Bolvean, etc., 81.
Bonamuck, 81.
Bonia, 81.
Bonnistadt, 81.
Bonsture, 81.
Boradale, etc., 81, 291.
Borbh-na-Sgiotaig, etc., 82.
Bord a Chaim, 84.
Bord Cruinn, 84.
Bord Meadhonach, 84.
Bord Mhic-Dhomhnuill, 84.
Boreraig, etc., 84.
Boreray, 85.
Borlan, etc., 86.
Borlick, 86.
Bornaskitaig, etc., 86.
Borradaill, 87.
Borra Feitheach, 87.
Borrage, etc., 87.
Borraness, etc., 87.
Borve, etc., 87.
Bothag-Airigh an Duine, 87.
459
Bothan-Airigh, 87.
Boust hill, 88.
Bracadale, etc., 88.
Brae Stein, 89.
Brae-an-t-Shaer, 89.
Braebost, etc., 89.
Braeinort, 89.
Bragler, 89.
Braigh a Bhaird, 385.
Braigh’ Aluinn, 89.
Braigh’ an Duin, 89.
Braigh’ an Fhasaich, 89.
Braighe, Am, 89.
Braighe Bhran, 89.
Braighe Coille na Droighniche,
89.
Braighe na Cloiche, 89.
Braighe Sgulamuis, 90.
Brandersaig, 90.
Braon a Mheallain, 90.
Brayhairport, etc., 90.
Breabost, 89, 90.
Breacach, Am, 90.
Breac-Bheinn, 90.
Breachay, etc., 90.
Breag, 303.
Breakish, 90.
Breckill, 90.
Breckray, etc., 90.
Breeklane, 90.
Bretil, etc., 90.
Breun Phort, 91.
Brish Mheall, etc., 91.
Bristeadh-Coire-Bog, 91.
Bro, etc., 91.
Broadford, etc., 91.
Broc-Bheinn, etc., 91.
Brochel, etc., 291.
Brogaig, 91.
Brogaskil, etc., 91.
Broisgill, 91.
Brolas, 91.
Brolokit, 91.
Bronachar, etc., 91.
Bronnill, 91.
Brora, 91.
Broradell, 292.
Bmach-na-Free, etc., 92.
Bruach nam Bo, 92.
Bruaich, 354.
Bruaich an Fheadain, 354.
Bruaich Gheala, 92.
Bruaich Loch Dhughail, 354.
Bruaich
Ruaidh
Cheannloch,
354.
Bruccairre, 92.
Brugh, etc., 92.
Brugh Farala, 92.
Brughvig, 92.
460
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Brunal, etc., 92.
Brundestot, etc., 92.
Bxunigil, 92.
Bxuthach America, 354.
Bruthach an Eas, 354.
Bruthach Buaile-an-Tuir, 92.
Bruthach na Breac-Bheinn, 92.
Bruthach na Glaice, 92.
Bruthach nam Broc, 354.
Bruthaichean Breaca, 354.
Bu, 92.
Buabisgill, 92.
Buachaille Breige, 93.
Buaile, 93.
Buaile a Bheathain, 93.
Buaile a Bhideachain, 93.
Buaile a Bhreacraidh, 93.
Buaile a Choircidh, 93.
Buaile Airigh nan Gillean, 93.
Buaile an Eas, 354.
Buaile an Fharaidh, 93.
Buail’ an Triaoin, 93.
Buaile an t-Sagaixt, 93.
Buaile an t-Slugain, 93.
Buaile an Tuie, 93.
Buaile Bhan, 93.
Buaile Bhlair, 93.
Buaile Bhuidhe, 354.
Buaile Charrain, 93.
Buaile Chronain, 93.
Buaile Chruaidh, 93.
Buaile Dhiaxmaid, 93.
Buaile Dhomhain, 93.
Buaile Dhomhnullan, 94.
Buaile Dhubh Ard, 94.
Buaile Earnastachd, 94.
Buaile Ghaorra, 94.
Buaiie Hoabhal, 94.
Buaile Horsa, 94.
Buaile Leogadad, 94.
Buaile Lianadail, 94.
Buaile na Beinne, 94.
Buaile na Ceardach, 94.
Buaile na Clise, 94.
Buaile na Fala, 94.
Buaile na Feadag, etc., 94.
Buaile na h-Aghaidh, 94.
Buaile nam Biorrach, 94.
Buaile Phuill Ghuirm, 94.
Buaile Ruadh, 354.
Buaile Smiogaid, 94.
Buaile Thuirm, 354.
Buaile Ur, 354.
Buaile Yic-Uspaid, 94.
Buailintur, etc., 94.
Buailtean Chuidhesta, 95.
Budha Beag, 354.
Budha Dubh, 354.
Budha ’n Fheoir, 354.
Budha nam Ban, 354.
Budha Ni Lachlain, 354.
Bugh or Bugha, 92, 95.
Bugha Bhraoin, 95.
Bugh or Bugha Chomhraig, 95.
Bugha Dhunachaidh, 95.
Bugha Leathann, 95.
Bugha na Cabaig, 95.
Bugha nan Damh, 95.
Bugha nan Eun, 95.
Bugh na Muc, 95.
Bugh Othaidh, 95.
Bugh Saltair, 95.
Bugh Shabhail, 95.
Bughuibiskile, 95.
Bun an Uillt, 95.
Bunastabhaig, 354.
Burrough, etc., 95.
Buth, Bu, or Bogh’ Chlerich,
355.
Buyamore, etc., 95.
0
(See also K .)
Ca-Ar, 355.
Cachaileith a Chibir, etc., 355.
Cachaileith Righ da Uilleann,
Cachlaidh Ruadh, 96.
Cadalan, 96.
Cadh’ a Bhara, 96.
Cadh’ a Chumain, 96.
Cadh’ a Ghradanaidh, 96.
Cadh’ an Alltain, 96.
Cadh’ an Domhnaich, 355.
Cadh’ an Duine, 355.
Cadh’ an Eich, 355.
Cadh’ an t-Saighdear, 96.
Cadha Caol, 355.
Cadh’ Iain Mhic Alasdair, 355.
Cadha Leathann, 355.
Cadha Mhara, 96.
Cadha Mor, 355.
Cadha na Gaibhre, 96.
Cadha na h-Iomaire, 355.
Cadha nan Caorach, 96.
Cadha nan Each, 96.
Cadha nan Gamhna, 96.
Cadha nan Ingrean, etc., 96.
Cadha nan Ord, etc., 355.
Cadha nan Staimh, 356.
Cadha ’n Tuill, 96.
Cadha'Ramasgair, 96.
Cadha Ruadh, 356.
Cadha Sgumain, 356.
Cadhar Ruadb, 96, 104.
Caexvalloch, 96, 105.
Caigin, Poxt, etc., 97.
Cailleach, etc., 97.
INDEX
Cailleachan, Na, 97.
Cailleach Bheux, etc., 97.
Caipleach, 97.
Caiplin, 97.
Cairidh, 97, 102, 194.
Cairidh Ghlumaig, 97.
Cairidh na Ceann, 97.
Cairidh na Lathaich, 97.
Cairidh nan Ob, 98.
Cairidh Shnisort, etc., 98.
Caisteal Disdein, 98.
Caisteal Dubh nan Cliar, 98.
Caisteal Dunakyne, 98.
Caisteal Eoghainn, 98.
Caisteal Kilmorocht, 292.
Caisteal Maol, etc., 98.
Caisteal nam Faochag, 98.
Caisteal Uisdein, 99, 148.
Callaybost, 99.
Calligarry, etc., 356.
Caiman, 99.
Calum maol Chomhail, 100.
Caluraidh, 108.
Camagach, 99.
Camalag, etc., 99.
Camalan, An, 357.
Cama Lon, 99.
Cam’ Allt, 357.
Camastac, 99.
Cambusmore, 99.
Camisketil, 99.
Camloch, etc., 99.
Cammes, etc., 357.
Cam na Faa, 357.
Camus-Abhaig, 357.
Camus a Chaise, 357.
Camus Aigh Bhig, 357.
Camus a Mhor Bheoil, 99.
Camus a Mhuilt, 357.
Camus a Mhuran, 99.
Camus an Fheidh, 99.
Camus an t-Saile Luthair Furra,
100.
Camus Bail’ an Eaglais, 292.
Camus Ban, 100.
Camus Baravaig, 358.
Camus Beag agus Mor, 100.
Camuscross, etc., 358.
Camus Darach, 358.
Camus Eorna, 100
Camus Garbh, 100
Camus Geadais, 100.
Camus Holoman, 292.
Camushorn, 100.
Camus Lagain, 100.
Camus Leathan Nodha, 358.
Camus Lianadal, 100.
Camuslusta, 100.
Camus Malag, etc., 100.
461
Camus Mor Bheoil, 100.
Camusmor, 100, 292.
Camus na Cille, 100.
Camus na Feithean, 99, 100.
Camus na Fisteadh, 313.
Camus na Geadaig, 358.
Camus na-h-Anait, 100.
Camus na h-Uamha, 101.
Camus na Leth-Pheighinn, 101.
Camus na Sgianadain, 101.
Camus na Totadh, 101.
Camus nam Muel, etc., 101.
Camus nan Faochag, 101.
Camus nan Gall, 101.
Camus nan Sithean, 101.
Camus nan Uisgeachan, 101, 313
Camustianavaig, etc., 101.
Camusunary, etc., 101.
Camususta, 102.
Canamoir, 358.
Canna, etc., 102.
Caolas an Lamhachaidh, 358.
Caol Bhraigh, 102.
Caol Mor, 102.
Caol Eona, 303.
Capach, 102.
Capistle, etc., 358.
Caplach, 102.
Caradh, etc., 102.
Carbost, etc., 102.
Carlarach, 102.
Carnach na Guaille, 102.
Carnach a Roimh, 102.
Carnan, etc., 103.
Carnan a Rumaich, 358.
Carn an t-Seachrain, 358.
Carn nan Eun, 292.
Carn Breac, 358.
Carn Chaluim, 102.
Carn Choin, 102.
Carn Dearg, 102, 358.
Carn Liath, 102.
Carn, Meaning of, 104.
Carn Mhagarain, 102.
Carn Mor, 102.
Carn na Bodach, etc., 103.
Carn na Caillich, 103.
Carnach, 103.
Carn na h-Ighinn, 103.
Carnaich, 103.
Carnanaich, 103.
Carn nan Each, 103.
Carnan ’Ic an t-Sagairt, 103.
Carnan Mairi, 103.
Carnan Tarmaid, etc., 103.
Carn nan Tri Torcaill, 103.
Carn nan Tri Tormaid, 103.
Carn na Sionnaich, 358.
Carneborg, etc., 103.
462
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Cam Sgoir, etc., 104.
Carn Urugag, 104.
Cam Vreid, 104.
Caroy, 104.
Carrabus, 102.
Carrachan, 104.
Carr a Chrom, 104.
Carradale, etc., 359.
Carraig Mhor, 104.
Carraig na h-Arm, 359.
Carraig Shleamhain, 104.
Casgil, etc., 104.
Castleton, 359.
Cata, 104.
Catha or Cadha, 104.
Catha Ghradanaidh, 104.
Catha na Beiste, 105.
Catha nan Gamhna, 105.
Cathadh Criochadh, 105.
Ceallaichean, Na, etc., 105, 142.
Ceall Bhuidhe, 105.
Ceallurach, 108.
Ceann-a-Bhaidhe, 105.
Ceann-a-Chnoc, 105.
Ceann-a-Chuirn, 105.
Ceann-a-Gharaidh, 105.
Ceann Loch-na-Dailich, 359.
Ceannaiche Mhic Leoid, etc.,
105.
Ceann Caol, 105.
Ceann Cnoc na h-Acairseid, 105.
Ceann Dhunbheagain, 106.
Ceann Mhor Mhic Leoid, 106.
Ceann-na-Beinne, 106.
Ceannsaileidhre, etc., 106.
Ceann Tomain, 106.
Ceann TJachdarach, 106.
Ceapach, etc., 106, 142.
Ceapanach, etc., 106.
Cearcall, etc., 107.
Cearn nan Tri Torcaill, 106.
Ceum a Chaora Chaim, 359.
Ceum Carrach, etc., 104, 106.
Ceum na Caora Duibhe, 107.
’Chachailaidh Dhubh, 85.
Chaisteal, A, 141.
’Chama-Reidh, 359.
’Chamaird, 359.
’ Channaid, 313.
’Chaol, etc., 313.
’ Cheannaiche, 105.
’Cheann-Mhuir, etc., 107.
’ Chearc, 107.
’Cholaraich, 359.
’ Chorra Bheinn, 107.
’ Chriarach, 107.
’Chroic, 107.
’ Chroshener, etc., 107.
’ Chuilionn, etc., 107.
’Chruinne-Bhuail’ , 359.
Ciche na Beinne Deirge, 108.
Cill (also K ), 108.
Cill Ashig, etc., 108.
Cillchrist, etc., 108.
Cille Comghain, etc., 108.
Cill-da-Bhi, 109.
Cill Eadhna, 109.
Cill Eoghain, etc., 109.
Cill Eochaidh or Egbert, 109.
Cille-MarTuidh, 109.
Cille Mhartuinn, 109.
Cill-Mhor, 108.
Cille Mhuire, 109.
Cilltaraglan, etc., 109.
Cinnseborg, etc., 109.
Cioch a Sgumain, 110.
Cioch na Beinne Deirge, 110.
Ciostal, etc., 110.
Cipein, Na, 110.
Cireabosd, etc., 110.
Circwaig, etc., 110.
Cirean, An, 110.
Cirean Thormaid, 110.
Cisteagan, Na, 110.
Cist-vaen-maen, 110.
Clab Salach, 110.
Clach a Bhathaidh, 110.
Clach a Chailleach, 134.
Clach a Charra, etc., 110, 116.
Clach a Chipein, 110.
Clach a Chrubain, 115.
Clach a Chruinneachaidh, 110.
Clach a Ghiomaich, 110.
Clach a Mhodha, 111, 115.
Clachamish, etc., 111.
Clachan, etc., 111.
Clachan Coir Fhinn, 111.
Clach an Drama or Droma, 111.
Clach an Fhithich, 111, 115, 143.
Clach an Fhuarain, 111.
Clachan Greanigil, 111.
Clach an Leabhar, etc., 112.
Clachan Tigh Raasaidh, 292.
Clach an t-Sagairt, 112.
Clach an t-Shair, 112, 113.
Clach an t-Siubhal, 112.
Clach an Turramain, 112.
Clachan Uaine, 112.
Clach Ard, etc., 112.
Clach a Rossaich, 112.
Clach Bhatair, 112.
Clach Chraigisgean, etc., 112.
Clach-Chraoibh Iain ’Ic Thearlaich, 360.
Clach Chrotach, 113.
Clach Deuchainn, 112, 113.
Clach Dhearg, 116.
Clach Dhonnachaidh, 360.
INDEX
Clach Dhubh, 113.
Clach Fuileach, etc., 113.
Clach Ghlas, 113.
Clach Ghlas Chaluim-Chille,
113.
Clach Ghlunach, etc , 113.
Clach Leam, 114.
Clach Luath, etc., 360.
Clach Mhic Corchil, 114.
Clach MhicCuien, etc., 114.
Clach Mhor a Gharbh Bhlair,
Clach na Boineide, 114.
Clach na Breige, 114.
Clach na Comhairle, 114, 119.
Clach na Cruailean, 115.
Clach na h-Aide, 114, 115.
Clach na h-Anait, etc., 115.
Clach nan Crubag, etc , 115.
Clach nan Ramh, etc., 115.
Clach nan Sgarbh, 115.
Clach na Phog, 115.
Clach na Saothraich, 115.
Clach Oscair, 115.
Clach Rathad, 116.
Clach Tholl, etc., 360.
Clachvan, 112.
Cladach a Ghlinne, 116.
Cladh-a-Chamuis, 111.
Cladh-Mhanich, 116.*
Claigean, etc., 116, 360.
Clam, etc., 293.
Claonagan, Na, 117.
Clay Vaig, 116.
Cleadale, 116.
Cleap, etc., 116.
Cleat, etc., 116.
Cleireach, An, 117.
Clifeag, 117.
Clinigin, etc., 117.
Cnap, 117.
Cnap an Roin, 117.
Cneapailte, 360.
Cnoc, etc., 117.
Cnoc a Bhonnaich, 361.
Cnoc a Bhraghad, 361.
Cnoc a Chadhair, 361.
Cnoc a Charnaich, 117.
Cnoc a Charran, 117.
Cnoc a Chatha, 117.
Cnoc a Chearstach, etc., 361.
Cnoc a Chlachain, 117.
Cnoc a Chleachda, 227.
Cnoc a Chomhairle, 119.
Cnoc a Chraigile, 117.
Cnoc a Chridhe, 361.
Cnoc a Chrochadair, 118,
Cnoc or Crac a Chxochaidh, etc.,
118.
Cnoc a Chruachain, 118.
463
Cnoc a Chmidh, 118.
Cnoca Fuara, 118.
Cnoc a Ghaibh-Uillt, 118.
Cnoc Airigh Bheag, 227.
Cnoc Airigh Chaluim, 118.
Cnoc Airigh Lachluinn, 118.
Cnoc Airigh Mhic Dhaibhidh,
361.
Cnoc Airigh na Cailliche, 118.
Cnoc Alainn, etc., 118.
Cnoc Altair, 118.
Cnoc a Mhadaidh-Ruaidh, 118.
Cnoc a Mheirlich, 118, 227.
Cnoc a Mhoid, 119.
Cnoc an Annlainn, 227.
Cnoc an Dobhrainn, 227.
Cnoc an Droma, 119.
Cnoc an Eiric, 119.
Cnoc an Fhaire, 119.
Cnoc an Fhaireachaidh, 119.
Cnoc an Fheorlan, 119.
Cnoc an Fhliuchaidh, 119.
Cnoc an Fhradhairc, 119, 227.
Cnoc an Fhraoich-Shiamain, 119,
361.
Cnoc an Fhreacadan, 119.
Cnoc an Fhudair, 119.
Cnoc an h-Ip, 120.
Cnoc an Iadaich, 120.
Cnoc an Iorna, 361.
Cnoc an Lin, 227.
Cnoc Biorach, 227.
Cnocan Biorach, 364.
Cnocan Carrach, 121.
Cnocan an Comhairle, 364.
Cnocan Leathann, 120.
Cnoc Lingaill, 227.
Cnoc an Loch Mhaodail, 361.
Cnoc an Oir, 120.
Cnoc an Ratha, 293.
Cnoc an Sgumain, 361.
Cnoc an Smuididh, 120.
Cnoc an Teampuill, 361.
Cnoc an Tinne, 120.
Cnoc an Tobar, 362.
Cnocantoul, etc., 121, 362.
Cnoc an t-Sagairt, 121, 362.
Cnoc Flasgair, 227.
Cnoc na Caillich, 227.
Cnoc na Ciste, 120.
Cnoc na Cuibhle, 227.
Cnoc na Miurag, 227.
Cnocan nan Gillean, 120.
Cnocan nan Gobhar, 120.
Cnoc an Rath, etc., 120.
Cnoc an Taibhse, 121, 124.
Cnoc an Taighe Mhoir, 120.
Cnoc an Tein’ Aighear, 121.
Cnoc an t-Sithean, 121.
464
Cnoc
Cnoc
Cnoc
Cnoc
Cnoc
Cnoc
Cnoc
Cnoc
Cnoc
Cnoc
Cnoc
Cnoc
Cnoc
Cnoc
PLACE-NAMES OE SKYE
an Uairidh, 362.
an Ughlain, 362.
an Ungaidh, 362.
a Eoladh, 121, 125.
a Sga, 121.
Bealach na Coise, 121.
Beal an Atha Ruaidh, 121.
Buaile na Stocain, 362.
Caise, 362.
Carrach, 121.
Ceart, 121.
Cruinn, 121.
Cubhra, 227.
Dhomhnuill-a-Cheannan,
121.
Cnoc Dubh Mor, 362.
Cnoc Duin, 121.
Cnoc Eoghainn, 122,
Cnoc Fadail, etc., 122.
Cnoc Falaisg, 122.
Cnoc Fall, etc., 122.
Cnoc Feall, 363.
Cnoc Feannaig, etc., 122.
Cnoc Fhradharc, 363.
Cnoc Fionn, 363.
Cnoc Fuar, 122.
Cnoc Gaidheal, etc., 122.
Cnoc Garsin, 122.
Cnoc Ghorm-Shuil, 227.
Cnoc Ghrianan, 227.
Cnoc Glac-na-Luachrach, 122.
Cnoc Glas Heila, 122.
Cnoc Greshan, 122.
Cnoc Ho Abalag, 122.
Cnoc Ildeachain, 122.
Cnoc ’Ille Dhubhan, etc., 122.
Cnoc Leathann, 122.
Cnoc Loisgte, 122.
Cnoc Mairi Ni’nn Iain, 123.
Cnoc Mhalagan, etc., 100, 363.
Cnoc Mhaoldomhnaich, 227.
Cnoc Mhartainn, 123.
Cnoc Mhic Dhiarmaid, 123.
Cnoc or Cnocan Mhic Iain, etc.,
123.
Cnoc Moine, 363.
Cnoc Mor Ceannsaleidhre, 123.
Cnoc Mor Riasal, 123.
Cnoc na Braclaich, 123.
Cnoc or Cnocan na Buachailean,
123.
Cnoc na Buaile Carnach, 123.
Cnoc na Cachaile, 123.
Cnoc na Caillich, 123.
Cnoc na Ceardaich, 363.
Cnoc na Cille, 123.
Cnoc na Ciste, 123.
Cnoc na Coile Beithe, 123.
Cnoc na Corraig, 363.
Cnoc na Croich, etc., 363.
Cnoc na Croise, 227.
Cnoc na Cubhaige, 123.
Cnoc na Fuarachd, 363.
Cnoc na Gaoithe, 123.
Cnoc na Grugaich, etc., 363.
Cnoc na h-Acairseid, 363.
Cnoc na h-Airighe, 123.
Cnoc na h-Athachan, 363.
Cnoc na h-Easgainn, 227.
Cnoc na Eighich, 123.
Cnoc na h-Eireann, etc., 124.
Cnoc na h-Ighneag, 363.
Cnoc na h-Innse, 227.
Cnoc na h-Iolalre, 124.
Cnoc na Ho, 124.
Cnoc na Loch, 124.
Cnoc na Maraig, 124.
Cnoc nam Braonain, 124.
Cnoc nam Buachailean, 364.
Cnoc nam Fitheach, 124.
Cnoc na Moguill, 124. Cnoc nan Call Ard ’us Iosal,
124.
Cnoc nan Caorach, 227.
Cnoc nan Capull, 124, 227.
Cnoc nan Con, 364.
Cnoc nan Corr, 364.
Cnoc nan Croisean, 364.
Cnoc nan Gillean, 364.
Cnoc nan Gobhar, 364.
Cnoc nan Laogh, 227.
Cnoc nan Sgrath, 364.
Cnoc nan Speireag, 124.
Cnoc nan Suirichean, 227.
Cnoc nan Taibhs’, 124.
Cnoc nan Uan, 124.
Cnoc na Paidire, etc., 124.
Cnoc na Pairce, 124.
Cnoc na Sgairneal, 124, 125.
Cnoc na Sgallaich, etc., 124.
Cnoc na Sgeithe Baine, 125.
Cnoc na Sgradh, 125.
Cnoc na Smeorach, 125.
Cnoc Ollaig, 364.
Cnoc Raisg, 125.
Cnoc Boll, etc., 125, 227.
Cnoc Euamhair, etc., 125.
Cnoc Sartail, 227.
Cnoc Sartair, 125.
Cnoc Satran, 125.
Cnoc Seunt, 125, 293.
Cnoc Sgarall, etc., 125.
Cnoc Sgiathan, 364.
Cnoc Simid, 125.
Cnoc Siniseachan, 227.
Snoc Slapain, 125.
Cnoc Steud, 125.
Cnoc thriallain, 125.
465
INDEX
Cnoc Torra Mhoir, 125.
Cnocan Biorach, 364.
Cnocan Doan, 364.
Cnocan Leathrach, 364.
Cnocan na Comhairle, 364.
Cnogan, An, etc., 125, 149.
Cnotag, 113.
Cocaire, 125.
Coileach Ghlamaig, 125.
Coille-Gar bhlaich, 126.
Coille Ghuail, 126.
Coille Mot, 126.
Coille na Grula, 126.
Coille Sgideil, 126.
Coille Uisdean, etc., 126.
Coillore, 126.
Coire, etc., 126.
Coir’ a Chaisteil, 126, 129.
Coir’ a Chaorainn, 127.
Coir’ a Chroin, 127.
Coir’ a Chrnachain, 127.
Coir’ a Chruidh, 127.
Coir’ a Ghobhainn, 127.
Coir’ Ghrannda, 127.
Coir’ a Ghrunnda, etc., 127.
Coir’ Airighe na Suiridhe, 127.
Coir’ Allt a Ghille, etc., 127.
Coir’ an Garbh Choire, 128.
Coir’ an Lochain, 128.
Coir’ Anna Bhig, 128.
Coir’ an Uaigneis, 128.
Coireachan Ruadha, 127.
Coireagan, Na, 127.
Coireag Mhor, 127.
Coir’ Amadal, 127.
Coire, Am Fraoch, etc., 128.
Coire, Am Fuar, 128.
Coir’ a Mhadaidh, 128.
Coire Bhasadair, etc., 128.
Coire Buidhe, 128.
Coire Chaiplin, 128.
Coire Chaise, etc., 128.
Coire Chara, 128.
Coire Chatachan, etc., 128.
Coire Cheadain, 129.
Coire Choinnich, 129.
Coire Chriostal, 129.
Coire Daraich, 129.
Coire Dunaiche, etc., 129.
Coire Easgeasgain, 129.
Coire Faoin, 129.
Coire Fhearchair, 129.
Coire Fhinn, 127, 129, 140.
Coire Forsaidh, 129.
Coire Gaisgeaeh, etc., 129.
Coire Gaisteach, etc., 129.
Coire Gharbh, 130.
Coire Ghasgain, 364.
Coire Ghorm, 130.
Coire Ghreeta, etc., 130.
Coire Iaghain, 130.
Coire Iomhair, etc., 130.
Coire Labain, 130.
Coire Luachrach, 130.
Coire Mhic Eachainn, 130.
Coire Mhicheil, 130.
Coire na Banachdaich, 130.
Coire na Circe, 130.
Coire na Creiche, etc., 131.
Coire na Geadaig, 313.
Coire nam Bruadairean, 131.
Coire nan Allt Geala, 131.
Coire nan Ceann, 131.
Coire nan Clach, 131.
Coire nan Cuilean, 131.
Coire nan Laogh, 131.
Coire nan Sagart, 131.
Coire nan Uraisg, etc., 131.
Coire na Salach, 131.
Coire na Seilg, 131.
Coire na Sgairde, 131.
Coire Nuadh (Ruadh), 131.
Coire Odhar, 131.
Coire Reidh nan Loch, 131.
Coire Riabhach, etc., 132.
Coire Scamadal, 132.
Coire Seamraig, 132.
Coire Sgreamhach, 132.
Coire Sionnach, 132.
Coire Trusadh, 132.
Coir’ Uisg, etc., 132.
Coishletter, etc., 134.
Col, 134.
Colbost, etc., 134.
Colisader, 134.
Collehoe, etc., 134.
Colliemore, 135.
Collistone, etc., 364.
Colluscard, etc., 135.
Coloye, 135.
Columcille, etc., 135.
Commerwell, 135.
Conardan, etc., 135.
Conista, 135.
Connon, etc., 136.
Coolin, etc., 136.
Coorisdol, 140.
Copnahoe, 140.
Corary, etc., 140.
Corcisgill, 140.
Corebheinn, etc., 140.
Corkeval, 14Q.
Corlarach, etc., 140, 364.
Corran, An, etc., 140.
Corran a Chinn Uachdaraich,
140, 313.
Corran na Mudalaich, 140.
Corran Shrolamais, 140.
EE
466
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Coull, 140.
Coullnacraggan, 140.
Cow Rock, 303.
Cracabhall, 141.
Crac a Chroich, 140.
Cracaig, etc., 140.
Craceni8h, etc., 141.
Craigean Lea, 144.
Craigincarroch, 141.
Craigleadh, 293.
Crannaig, 141.
Cransay, 141.
Creachaa, 141.
Creag, etc., 141.
Creag a Bheoir, 364.
Creag a Bhodaich, 146.
Creagach, 365.
Creag a Chaim, 364.
Creag a Chaisteil, 141.
Creag a Chait, 141.
Creag a Chalamain, 142.
Creag a Charnàich, 142.
Creag a Charra, 142.
Creag a Charrain, 142.
Creag a Cheala, 142.
Creag a Chip, 142.
Creag a Chlachain, 142.
Creag a Choire ghuirm, 142.
Creag a Ghamhna, 142.
Creag a G-hlinne, 142.
Creag a G-huail, 142.
Creag Aircisari, 142.
Creag a Lain, 142.
Creag a Mhill, 142.
Creag a Mhuilinn, 143.
Creag an Airgid, 365.
Creag an Aoil, 143.
Creagan ’Bhalgain, 143.
Creagan Boidheach, 143.
Creagan Breaca, 143.
Creagan Comhnard, 365.
Creagan Craigheach, 143.
Creag an Daimh, 143.
Creag an Daraich, 143.
Creagan Dubha, 143.
Creagan Eoin, 293.
Creag an Fharaidh, 365.
Creag an Fheilidh, 143.
Creag an Fhiadh, 143.
Creag an Fhirich, 143.
Creag an Fhithich, 143.
Creagan Fuail, 143.
Creagan Fulaisg,
Creagan Ghearraidh, 143.
Creagan Glasa, 143.
Creagan Iar, 143.
Creagan Iolaire, 143.
Creagan Liatha, 144.
Creagan Loisgte, 144.
Creagan na Glaistig, 144.
Creag an t-Sagairt, 365.
Creag an t-Sionnaich, 144.
Creag Bharrasgil, 144.
Creag Cholluscaird, 144.
Creag Chreagach, 144.
Creag Chuidein, 144.
Creag Dallaise, 144.
Creag Dhubh, 365.
Creag Dhubh a Mheallainn, 144.
Creag Driseach, 144.
Creag Fhorsie, 1244.
Creag Ghra’main, 144.
Creag Ghreepach, 144.
Creag ’Ic Cuinn, etc., 144.
Creag ’Ic Mhaolain, 145.
Creag ’Ic Neacail, etc., 145.
Creagan ’Ic Pharlain, 145.
Creagile, etc., 145.
Creagise, 145.
Creag Langall, 145.
Creag Liath, 365.
Creag Madragil, 145.
Creag Mhic Ibheir, etc., 145.
Creag Mhic ’Ille Phadruig, 145.
Creag Mhor, 365.
Creag Mhor Bealach an Nigh’n
Duibh, 145.
Creag Mhor Cois an Uisge, 145.
Creag mo Sheanair, 145.
Creag na Ba, 145.
Creag na Ba Maola, 365.
Creag na Bruaich, 293.
Creag na Cabaig, 145.
Creag na Caraiche, 145.
Creig na Cille, etc., 146.
Creag na Craoibh, 146.
Creag na Croise, 146.
Creag na Cubhaige, etc., 146.
Creag na Doire, 146.
Creag na Feile, etc., 146.
Creag na h-Airigh, 146.
Creag na h-Eighich, 365.
Creag na h-Eigin, etc., 146.
Creag na Manach, 146.
Creag nam Bodach, etc., 146.
Creag nam Meann, 146.
Creag nam Mor Shluagh, 147.
Creag nan Ceardach, etc., 147.
Creag nan Con, 147.
Creag nan Dealg, 147.
Creag nan Gobhar, 147.
Creag nan Ron, 147.
Creag na Spereig, 147.
Creag Ni’ Choinnich, 365.
Creag Nisdale, etc., 147.
Creag Orril, 147.
INDEX
Creag Shniosdail, etc., 147.
Creag Shrolamais, 147.
Creag Stoirm, etc., 147.
Creag Thuilm, 148.
Creag Tigh a Bhaird, 148.
Creag Uisdein, etc., 148, 365.
Creich, etc., 148.
Creitheach, 148.
Crepgill, etc., 148.
Crickernish, 148.
Crionach, 148.
Cro, etc., 148.
Crochill, 293.
Croglan, 148.
Crois Bhan, 148.
Croisearnais, 148.
Crolean, 148.
Crom, etc., 148.
Cromhagan, An, 149.
Cromliagan, 149.
Cron, etc., 149.
■Crospuing, 149.
■Cross, 149.
Crossal, 149.
Crossavaig, etc., 365.
Crossburgh, 149.
Cross or Crois Luran, 149.
Crossnish, 149.
■Crowling, etc., 149.
■Cruachan, etc., 127, 149, 365.
Cruachan
Beinn-a-Chearcaill,
150.
Cruachan Beinn ’Ic Askill, 150.
Cruachan Mhic Suain, etc., 150.
Cruach na Beinne, 150.
Cruaidh Choire, 150.
Cruaird, etc., 365.
Crudh an Eich, 150.
Cruinn Bheinn, 150.
Crun-a-Bhraghad, 150.
Cuairtealan, 150.
Cuchulainn, 108, 136.
Cuidhesta, 150.
Cuidreach, etc., 130, 150.
Cuid Ruairidh, 365.
Cuid Thorlain, 151.
•Cuil, 140, 151.
Cuil Muiridhil, 151.
•Cuil na h-Airighe, etc., 151.
Cuilore, 151.
Cuiraing, etc., 144, 151.
Cuisinish, 151.
Cuithir, 151.
Cul a G-haraidh, 151.
Culdalie, 151.
■Culeshader, etc., 151.
Culknock, etc., 151.
Cul na Caillich, 365.
Culnacnoc, 151, 365.
Cul na h-Airighe, 366.
Cul na h-Innse, 366.
Culnamean, 151.
Cumhag, 152.
Cuminile, 152.
D
Dail a Chait, 366.
Dail Bheag, etc., 366.
Dail Chail, 366.
Dail Mhor, 366.
Dal, etc., 152.
Dalan Beaga, Na, 366.
Dalavil, etc., 366.
Dal Bhaite, 366.
Dal na Saighdear, 152.
Dalreoch, 366.
Dal Robach, 152.
Dal Ruadh, 152.
Dalvey, 152.
Daoine Sithe, 163.
Dedaig, 152.
Deireadh-an-t-Soitheach, 152.
Deirena Achlais, 152, 366.
Delista, etc., 152.
Denthan, 152.
Diabaig, etc., 153.
Diallaid, 153.
Dianavaig, etc., 153.
Dibidal, etc., 153.
Digg, 153.
Diurdin, 153.
Diminish, 153.
Doir’ a Bhoilich, 153.
Doir’ a Bhuilg, 153.
Doir’ a Chaoil, 153.
Doir’ an Leich, 154.
Doir’ an Tròdain, 366.
Doire, 154.
Doireagan, 154.
Doire Daraich, 154.
Doiredoin, 154.
Doire Ghoain, 366.
Doire Mhic Mhathain, 154.
Doire Mhor Chaol nam Bo, 154
Doire na Banachdaich, 154.
Doire na Buaile, 303.
Doirenach, 367.
Doire na Criche, 154.
Doire na Feannaig, 367.
Doire nan Gad, etc., 367.
Doire Sholais, 367.
Domhnull Gorm, 112.
Domhnull Gorm Mor, 94.
Donewrigg, etc., 367.
468
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Dornaguilla, 293.
Dorneil, etc., 367.
Dorus, An, etc., 154.
Dowisgill, etc., 367.
Downort, 154.
Draoireag, 367.
Drianan, etc., 154.
Drimnin, 154.
Drimishader, 154.
Drinace, 154.
Dringan, 154.
Drivallan, 154.
Drochaid, 155.
Drochaid Abhainn an Asaraidh,
155.
Drochaid a Ghasgain, 368.
Drochaid Airigh na Suiridhe,
155.
Drochaid a Mhuilinn, 368.
Drochaid an Loin Euaidh, 155.
Drochaid an t-Sithein, 155.
Drochaid an Suidhe, 155.
Drochaid Ard na Mourcladh,
etc., 155.
Drochaid Mhor, 155.
Drochaid Mhor Leth-Shithean,
368.
Drochaid na Cloiche Bideich,
155.
Drochaid na h-Airde Caoile, 368.
Drochaid na Leth-Pheighinn,
155.
Drochaid na Moracha, 155.
Drochaid nan Tri Allfc, 155.
Drochaid Romesdal, 155.
Droighneach, An, 368.
Druidilin, 155.
Druim, etc., 155.
Druim a Bhidh, 156.
Druim a Chamaidh, 156.
Druim-a-Da-Choille, 156.
Druim a Mhagaidh, 156.
Druim an Aonaidh or Aonaich,
293.
Druim an Eireinich, etc., 118,
156.
Druim an Fhuarain, etc., 156.
Dxuim an Tairbh, 368.
Druim an t-Seana Bhaile, 368.
Druim an Uird, 368.
Druim-Aoi, etc., 156.
Druim a Euma, 156.
Druim a Stoc, 156.
Druim Ban, 156.
Druim Chorbair, etc., 157.
Druim Chreacaig, 157.
Druim Cruaidh, An, 368.
Druim da Neacail, 157.
Druim Diomhain, 368.
Druim Dubh, 157.
Druim Eadar-da-Choire, 157.
Druim Fionn, 368.
Druim Fhurain, etc., 157.
Druim Ghaulscan, 157.
Druim Hain, 157.
Druim Leinish, 157.
Druim na Cleochd, etc., 157.
Druim na Cloiche, 157.
Druim na Coille, 157.
Druim na Criche, 157.
Druim na Croisidh, 158.
Druim na Fiadh, etc., 158.
Druim na h-Eidhne, 158.
Druim nan Gobhar, 368.
Druim nan Sgarbh, 158.
Druim na Eamh, etc., 115, 158.
Druim na Ruaige, 158.
Druim na Slochd, 158.
Druim Scapail, 158.
Druim Shleibhte, 158.
Druim Thoro, 158.
Druim Uiridh, 158.
Drumbuie, 158.
Drumfern, etc., 368.
Drnmhain, etc., 158.
Drumuie, 158.
Drynoch, etc., 159.
Duagrach, 159.
Duart, etc., 159.
Dubh-Aird, etc., 159.
Dubh-Allt, 159.
Dubh-Bhraigh, 159.
Dubh-Chamus, 159.
Dubh-Charn, 159.
Dubh-Laimhrig, etc., 159.
Dubh-Loch, 159.
Dubh-Lochan, 159.
Dubh-Sgeirean, 159.
Ducart, 160.
Dnich, 160.
Duirinish, etc., 160.
Duisdale, etc., 369.
Duisgear, 161.
Dun, etc., 161.
Dun a Bhaird, etc., 162.
Dun a Cheitechin, 162.
Dun a Chlerich, 162, 164, 369.
Dun Adhamh, 162.
Dunan, 161.
Dun an Aird, 162.
Dunan an Aisilidh, 161.
Dunan Choinnich, 369.
Dunan Earr an Sgurr, 161.
Dun an Oir, 162.
Dunan Buadh, 369.
Dunans, 162.
Dun Arkaig, 162.
Dun Ban, 369.
469
INDEX
Dun Barplacaig, 162.
Dun Beag Struan, 162.
Dun Bearradh Fadhach, 162.
Dun Bharp, etc., 162.
Dun Bhoneraig, 163.
Dun Bhoradail, 293.
Dun Bhuirgh, 163.
Dunblabheinn, 163.
Dun Borrafiach, 163.
Dun Borrastach, 163.
Dun Borve, etc., 163.
Dun Caan, etc., 293.
Dun Cearymore, 163.
Dun Chlach, 163.
Dun Ohio, 163.
Dun-Cnoc, 163.
Dun Coire Falaich, 163.
Dun Colbost, 163.
Dun Comabern, etc., 164.
Dun Cruit, 164.
Dun Daibhidh, etc., 164.
Dun Derig, etc., 164.
Dun Diag, etc., 164.
Dun Diarg, 164.
Dun Diarmid, etc., 164.
Dun Donald, 164.
Dun Dugan, etc., 164.
Dun Eilireach, etc., 164.
Dun Byre, 165.
Dun Fada, 165.
Dun Faich, etc., 369.
Dun Feorlig, etc., 165.
Dun Flashader, 165.
Dun Flo, etc., 370.
Dun Gan, 370.
Dun Garsin, 165.
Dun Geilb, etc., 165, 370.
Dun Gernshader, 165.
Dun Ghearra-Sheader, 165.
Dun Gharsainn, etc., 165.
Dun Glas, 166.
Dun Gleois, etc., 313.
Dun Goirid, 165.
Dun Greannan, etc., 166.
Dun Grugaig, etc., 166.
Dunhallin, etc., 166.
Dun Hasan, 166.
Dun Iadhairt, 166.
Dun Iarla, etc., 166.
Dun-Idein, 166.
Dun Kearstach, etc., 166.
Dun Lianain, etc., 166.
Dun Leith, 370.
Dun Liath, 167.
Dun. Mailerain, 167.
Dun Mashader, 167.
Dun M e T k a d a l e , 167.
Dun Mhasan, 167.
Dun Mor, 167.
Dun nan Ceard, etc., 370.
Dun Neill, 167.
Dun Osdale, 167.
Dun Phaick, 370.
Dun Phail, 167.
Dun Raisaburg, 167.
Dun Ringill, etc., 167.
Dun Ruaige, 158, 371.
Dunsgaich, etc., 136, 371.
Dun Sgalair, etc., 167.
Dun Sgeir Mhoir, 167.
Dun Skeriness, etc., 167.
Dun Skudborg, etc., 167.
Dun Smail, 168.
Dun Suledale, 168.
Dun Taimh, 168.
Dun Tainish, 168.
Dun Torvaig, etc., 168.
Duntrean, etc., 168.
Duntulm, etc., 136, 168.
Dunvannarain, 171.
Dunvegan, etc., 171.
Duthaich MhicLeoid, etc., 160,
177.
Dynart, 178.
E
Babost, etc., 178.
Eaglais, etc., 179.
Eaglais Bhreige, etc., 178.
Eaglais Bhriagach, 166, 178.
Eaglais Uamhalta, 136.
Eas, etc., 179.
Easa Bana, 179.
Eas Aboist, 179.
Eas a Chait, 375.
Eas a Choire Bhuidhe, 375.
Eas a Chronain, 179.
Eas a Mhuic, 375.
Eas a Mhuilinn, 375.
Easa Mor, 375.
Easan Dubh, 375.
Eas Ban, 180.
Eas Dorcha, 180.
Eas Eodhainn, 180.
Eas Forsa, 180.
Easgann, 180.
Eas Mor, 180.
Eas na Coille, 180.
Eas Tardal, 180.
Eas Thuilm, 180.
Eas Toraig, 180, 375.
Edinbane, etc., 180.
Edirgill, etc., 180.
Edra, etc., 181.
Eilean, etc., 181.
Eilean Adharcan, 181.
470
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Eileanan Dubha, 375.
Eilean an Eoin, 375.
Eilean an Fheidh, 375.
Eilean an Fhiaoich, 294, 303.
Eilean an Iubhair, 294.
Eilean an Tar main, 181.
Eilean Ard nan Gobhar, 375.
Eilean Ascrab, 181.
Eilean Askerin, 181.
Eilean Bohenuil, 181.
Eilean Boradaill, 181.
Eilean Boreray, 181.
Eilean Cholumcille, etc., 181.
Eilean Creagach, 182.
Eilean Donan, 182.
Eilean Dubh, 182.
Eilean Ealasaid, 375.
Eilean Eire, 182.
Eilean Eirinn, 182.
Eilean Eoin, 375.
Eilean Fladda, etc., 294.
Eilean Gaeilavore, etc., 182.
Eilean Garbh, 182.
Eilean Garay, 182.
Eilean Gearlochie, 182.
Eilean Gigarum, etc., 182.
Eilean Grianal, 182.
Eilean Harlosh, 182.
Eilean Haver say, 182.
Eilean Heast, 182.
Eilean Holoman, 294.
Eilean Iasgair, 182.
Eilean Isa, etc., 182.
Eilean Lampay, 182.
Eilean Leac-na-Gaineamh, 182,
313.
Eilean Lianadal, 183.
Eilean Linga, 183.
Eilean Maol, 375.
Eilean Megalay, 183.
Eilean Mhanich, 294.
Eilean Mingay, 183.
Eilean Mor Charadail, 375.
Eilean Mor Dhalavile, 375.
Eilean Mor na Cille-Bige, 375.
Eilean na Gunnar, 183.
Eilean na h-Airde, 183.
Eilean na h-Airighe, 183.
Eilean na h-Eigheach, 183.
Eilean na h-Ioldhain, etc., 183.
Eilean nan Each, 183.
Eilean nan Easgann, 375.
Eilean nan Eun, 183.
Eilean nan Gillean, 183.
Eilean Naoighean, 375.
Eilean Naoighean Sithe, 375.
Eilean-na-Naoimh, 135.
Eilean na Ruadhaich, 183.
Eilean Oronsay, 183.
Eilean Beamhax, 183.
Eilean Reoch, 183.
Eilean Roag, 184.
Eilean Ruairidh, 184, 375.
Eilean Scorach, 376.
Eilean Sguir, 184.
Eilean Sionnaich, 184, 376.
Eilean Soay, 184.
Eilean Storaib, 294.
Eilean Taarner, 184.
Eilean Tighe, 294.
Eilean Tioman, 184.
Eilean Tioram, 376.
Eilean Tornish, 184.
Eilean Traigh, 184.
Eilean Tuilm, etc., 184.
Eilean Wiay, etc., 184.
Eis a Bhrethealain, 376.
Eisgeadal, 184.
Eist, etc., 184.
Eist-Fhiadhaich, 184.
Eitean Garbh, 303.
Elgol, etc., 185.
Elishader, 185.
Endhebheg, 376.
Eorabus, etc., 186.
Eport, 186.
Erisco, etc., 186.
Esketil, etc., 186.
Estir, etc., 186.
.Euilvelimi, etc., 187.
Evie, 187.
Eynord, etc., 187.
Eynordstard, 187.
Eyre, etc., 187.
Eyre Point, 294.
F
Fairnan, 188.
Fairy Bridge, 188.
Falaisg, 188.
Falachadh-Toin, 188.
Famhair, Am, etc., 188.
Fangan, Na, 188.
Fang na Beadan, 188.
Fang na Fola, 188.
Fang nan Each, 188.
Fang na Reitheachan, 188.
Fang na Robastan, 188.
Fang na Totadh Brice, 188.
Faobhar, Am, etc., 188.
Faoidh na Fala, 376.
Faoileann, etc., 189.
Faoilean an Trian, 189.
Fas, etc., 189.
Fasach, etc., 189.
Feadan, Am, 189, 376.
INDEX
Fearan nan Cailleach, 190.
Fearann an Leatha, 189.
Fearn, etc., 190.
Fearna, 294.
Feaull, etc., 190.
Feault, 190.
Feiste, Am, etc., 190.
Feith Luachrach, 190.
Feolin, 190.
Feorlick, etc., 190.
Ferenvequire, etc., 191.
Ferren, etc., 190.
Ferrindonald, etc., 376.
Ferrinlea, etc., 190.
Fest, 191.
Feu na Coire, 191.
Feur-Lochan, 191.
Fhaireasg, An, etc., 376.
Fhaoilean Bhoidheach, An, 191.
Fhaoilinn, An, 376.
Fiacal a Bhasadair, 191.
Fiaclan Dearg, 191.
Fiaclan Fuar, 191.
Fiadhairt, etc., 191.
Fidean, 191.
Fionn Achadh, 376.
Fionnairidh, 191.
Fionn Choire, etc., 191.
Fiosgarie, 376.
Fireach Clach, 191.
Fiscavaig, etc., 191.
Fiurnan, 191.
Fladda, etc., 192.
Flada-Chuan, etc., 116, 192.
Flaiseadar, etc., 192.
Fliuch Airidh, 376.
Flodda, 192.
Flodigary, etc., 192.
Flod Sgeir, 193.
Flossman, 193.
Foliart, 193.
Foreligg, 193.
Fork Rock, 376.
Forsan, etc., 193.
Forse, etc., 193.
Fortuna, 294.
Fraoch Choire, 193.
Fritheanach, 193.
Frodday, 193.
Fronimus, 193.
Fuaraman, 376.
Funerveg, 294.
G
Gaineamhain, 194.
Gair, 194.
Gairbh-Eilean, 194.
471
Gairidh Ghlumaig, 194.
Gallanach, etc., 194.
Galta, etc., 194.
Galtergill, etc., 194.
Gamhnachain, Na, 303.
Garadh a Bhaobhail, 194.
Garadh nam Gamhainn, 194.
Garadubh, etc., 194.
Garapheighinn, etc., 376.
Gararaltan, etc., 376.
Garay, 194.
GaTbhaig, etc., 377.
Garbh Bheirt, 294.
Garbh Bhlar, 195.
Garbh Choire, 195.
Garbheileach, 195.
Garbh Eilean, 195, 196, 303.
Garbhleathad, 195.
Garbh Sgeir, 195.
Garfad, etc., 195.
Garlappin, 195.
Garmore, 195.
Garrabost, etc., 195.
Garrachan, 294.
Garradh a Pharsoin, 195.
Garradh na Fianaichean, 195.
Garrafad, Black John of, 118,
195.
Garrahan, 195.
Garran, etc., 196.
Garrichuien, 196.
Garridon, etc., 196.
Garrie, 196.
Garros, etc., 196.
Garsbheinn, 196.
Garvellach, etc., 196.
Gasgan, 377.
Gaulsean, 196.
Gauscavaig, 377.
Gavriewhilean, 196.
Geabhail, etc., 196.
Gead-a-Bholla, 377.
Gead-a-Chlaidheamh, 196.
Geal-Ghillean, 196, 377.
Gealta Mor, 196.
Gearradh, etc., 197.
Gearr a Roigh, 135, 197.
Geary, etc., 197.
Geavileawn, etc., 197.
Gedintaillear, etc., 197.
Gellin, 197.
Gembaill, etc., 197.
Gemmore, 197.
Gen, 197.
Geodh’ a Chuain, 198.
Geodh’ a Ghamhna, 198.
Geodh’ Alagraich, 198.
Geodh’ an Eich Bhric, 198.
Geodh’ an Ruadhain, 198.
472
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Geodh’ an Tairbh, 198.
Geodh’ Eixeach, 198.
Geodha ’Bhuic, 197.
Geodha-Daraich, 198.
Geodha Fhearchair, 198.
Geodha Gorm, 198.
Geodha Mor, 198.
Geodha na Gliongraich, 198.
Geodha na h-Aibhne, 198.
Geodha na h-Airighe, 198.
Geodha na Moine, 198.
Geodha nan Gobhar, 198.
Gesto, etc., 198.
Gear Rudha, 377.
’Ghara Lapain, 198.
’Ghearra Bheinn, 377.
’Ghervad, etc., 199.
’Ghlac Dhorcha, 199.
‘Ghlaic Chaol, 199.
’Ghlaic Mhor, 199.
’Ghlinne Mheadhonach, 199.
’Ghoirtean Ard, 377.
’Ghuala Mhor, 199.
Gigarum, etc., 199.
Gillen, etc., 199, 377.
Girt, etc., 199.
Glac or Glaic, 200.
Glac Allaraidh, 199.
Glac-an-Sgulamus, 199.
Glac Luachrach, 199.
Glac Mhor an t-Seana Dhit, 199.
Glac nam Mearlach, 199.
Glac nan Searrach, 199.
Glagaire Glunach, 114.
Glaic an Dubhair, 199.
Glaic an Eireannaich, etc., 199.
Glaic an Fheadain, 377.
Glaic an Fheidh, 200.
Glaic an Fhudair, 377.
Glaic an Tuiridh, 200.
Glaic Cabhaig, 200.
Glaic Chaol, 199, 377.
Glaic Dhorcha, 199, 377.
Glaic Fhearna, 200.
Glaic-Glumagaich, 200.
Glaic Mhor, 199, 377.
Glaic na Bo, nam Ba Mhaola,
378.
Glaic na Craoibh Chaorainn, 378.
Glaic nam Mearlach, 378.
Glaic nan Capuill, 378.
Glaic nan Cuileag, 378.
Glaic nan Doirneag, 378.
Glaic Orchadail, 378.
Glais Bhealach, 200.
Glais Bheinn nam Fiadh, 200.
Glaisboirein nam Fiadh, etc.,
200.
Glam, etc., 200, 294.
Glamaig, 200.
Glannock, 200.
Glas-Bheinn, 200.
Glas-Bhuaile, 200.
Glas-Eilean, etc., 201.
Glashnakill, 201.
Glasphein, etc., 201.
Glastean, etc., 201.
Glastuir, 201.
Gleairleawn, 201.
Gleann, etc., 201.
Gleann Airigh-Beathaig, etc.,
201.
Gleann Allt a Ghairbheid, 201.
Gleann Allt Eiginn, etc., 201.
Gleann Annishader, 201.
Gleann Aoineasdail, 201.
Gleann a Phuill, 201.
Gleann Arroch, 201.
Gleann Bharagail, 201.
Gleann Bhreatainn, 201.
Gleann Boil, 202.
Gleann Breatal, etc., 202.
Gleann Caladale, 202.
Gleann Chadalach, 202.
Gleann Chracaig, 141.
Gleann Colbost, 202.
Gleann Conon, 202.
Gleann-Dail, etc., 202.
Gleann Drynoch, 203.
Gleann Eabost, 203.
Gleann Eo, 203.
Gleann Eodhainn, 203.
Gleann Eynort, 203.
Gleann Fhuachd, 203.
Gleann Ghrasco, 203.
Gleann G-M-na F, etc., 204.
Gleann Grast, 203.
Gleann Haltin, etc., 203.
Gleann Heysdal, 203.
Gleann Hingisdal, etc., 203.
Gleann Hylas, 204.
Gleann Inch, 204.
Gleann Inner, 204.
Gleann Ionadal, 204.
Gleann Lorgasdal, 204.
Gleann MacCaskill, etc., 204.
Gleann Meadhonach, 378.
Gleann Meodal, 378.
Gleann na Beiste, 378.
Gleann nan Leac, 204.
Gleann Ois, 204.
Gleann Oraid, 202 , 204.
Gleann Rathad, 204.
Gleann Romasdal, etc., 204.
Gleann Sgaladal, etc., 204.
Gleann Shasaig, etc., 203, 378.
Gleann Shealtainn, etc., 204.
Gleann Shuar dail, 204.
INDEX
Gleann Sneesdall, 204.
Gleann Tillisdaill, etc., 204.
Gleann Uachdarach, 205.
Gleann Uig, 205.
Gleann Ullinish, 205.
Gleann Varkasaig, 205.
Glenaimbost, 205.
Glenanvooil, 205.
Glendale, 142, 143, 202.
Glengrast, 203, 294.
Glenoraid, 205.
Glens, 205.
Glenvie, 205.
Glumaig, 205.
Gnoban, etc., 116, 205.
Gnoban nam Bodach, 379.
Gnob Buidhe, 378.
Gnogan, etc., 205.
Gob an Dainnire, 205.
Goban Troid, 205.
Gobhlag, 205.
Gob na Hoe, 205.
Gob Tunnaig, 205.
Gob Uisgebrigh, 206.
Groile na Gaoithe, 206.
Goirtean-a-Bhraghad, 206.
Gorstan-na-Traghaid, 206.
Gortan Alasdair, etc., 206.
Gortan Dubh, 206.
Gortan na Oloiche Glaodhaich,
206.
Gory Stone, 206.
Gourban, 379.
Graban, 206.
Gracalaig, 206.
Graaco, 206.
Greadaidh, 206.
Grealin, etc., 206.
Greanigil, 206.
Greenack, etc , 206.
Greep, etc., 207.
Gremiscaig, etc., 207.
Grencraig, 207.
Grenigle, 207.
Greshan, 207.
Greshemish, etc., 207.
Grianal, 207.
Grianasgeir, 294.
Gribnach, 207.
Grimera, etc., 207, 379.
Grimshader, etc., 207.
Grob, 207.
Grobain, etc., 208.
Grob(a) nan Each, 208.
Groban na Sgeire, 208.
Grosgaig, 208.
Gruagach, etc., 144, 208.
Grudaidh, 208.
Grula, etc., 208.
Grulainn, etc., 208.
Grunagary, 209.
Guala or Gualann, 209.
Guala-a-Bhasraidh, 209.
Guala Chaidhir, etc., 209.
Guala-a-Chlarsair, 209.
Guala ’Choire Mhoir, 209.
Guala Chuirn, 209.
Guala Fa’n Duthaich, 209.
Guala na h-Easan Duibhe, 209.
Gualann nam Fiadh, 209.
Guala Shlaopain, 209.
Guidad, 209.
Guillegeo, 210.
Guillemon, etc., 210.
Gulban, etc., 210.
Gullavore, 102, 210.
Gulnare, 210, 313.
Guminile, etc., 152, 210.
Gunel, 210.
Gunnachan, etc., 210.
H
“ H ” Norse, 211.
Habost, etc., 211.
Haich, 211.
Halgerda, etc., 211.
Halibhal, etc., 211.
Halistra, etc., 211.
Hallag, etc., 212, 294.
Hallin, etc., 212.
Hamar, etc., 212.
Hamaraverin, etc., 212.
Hampsdale, 212, 294.
Haripol, etc., 212.
Harlas, 212.
Harlosh, etc., 212.
Harport, etc., 213.
Harta Corry, 213.
Hartaig, 213.
Hartaval, 213.
Haskeval, 213.
Haultin, 213.
Haversay, etc., 218.
Heast, etc., 213.
Hebri, 213.
Hei-Feald, etc., 213.
Heilla, etc., 213.
Heisgeir, 213.
Helaval, etc., 214.
Heldersta, 214.
Helva Rock, 214.
Heribost, etc., 214.
Herishader, 214.
Heysdal, 214.
Higichan, etc., 214.
Hinnisdal, 214.
474
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Hòabhal, 214.
Hoe Rape, etc., 214.
Hoinaclead, etc., 215.
Hole, etc., 215.
Holebhal, 215.
Holm, etc., 215.
Holmesdale, etc., 215.
Horavaig, 215.
Horneval, etc., 215.
Hornisco, 215.
Horseglen, etc., 216.
Hoxste, 216.
Huisgil, 216.
Huisinish, 216.
Humbla, 216.
Hungag, etc., 216.
Hunglader, etc., 216.
Hunigil, 217.
Hnnish, etc., 217.
Huianan, etc., 217.
Husabost, etc., 217.
Husedale, 216.
Hasgar, etc., 217.
I
Iadhaird, 217.
Iasgair, etc., 217.
Idrigil, etc., 218.
Ilan-na-Herda, 218.
Ilan-ni-Liy, 218.
Inacleit, etc., 218.
Inbhig, 218.
IAbhir, etc., 218, 295.
Inbhir-a-Garraidh, 219.
Inbhir Ghnalainn, 219.
Inibost, 219.
Inneal-a-Chlarsair, 219.
Innean, An t’, 220.
Inner aros, etc., 220.
Inneruig, etc., 220.
Innis, etc., 219.
Inverarish, etc., 295.
Inveraulavaig, 220, 379.
Inver Dalabhile, 379.
Inver ley, 220.
Invermeadale, 220.
Inver Tigh Lachlain, 379.
Invertote, 220.
Inveruig, 295.
Iola Gheoain, 220.
Iolan, etc., 220.
Iollagaig, etc., 113, 220.
Iomadal, 220.
Iomaire Fhearchair, 379.
Iosa, etc., 220.
Ire, 221.
Islandtaigh, 221.
Isle Ornsay, etc., 379.
K
(j Equals
hard O.)
Kamiorick, 295.
Kammey, etc., 221.
Kamsa, 221.
Kandram, 221.
Kanliskar, 221.
Kapgill, 221.
Karsicbrecht, 221.
Keanchroick, 221.
Keandendruym, 221.
Keanball, 313.
Keanloch, 221, 379.
Keanlochslugach, 221.
Kearra, 221.
Keil, etc., 221.
Keist, 222.
Keistle, etc., 222.
Kelso, 222.
.Kenachtrich, 222.
Kenbay, 222.
Kenchreggan, 222.
Kendrom, etc., 222.
Kenlochow, 222.
Kennackegan, 222.
Kensaleyre, 222.
Kensalroag, 222.
Keppoch, 222.
Kerral, 222.
Ketil, 222.
Keyburg, etc., 222.
Kigg, 222.
Kilashig, 223.
Kilbeg, etc., 379.
Kilbride, etc., 223.
Kilchoan, 223.
Kilcholkill, etc., 223.
Kilchrist, 223.
Kilchro, 224.
Kilconan, etc., 224.
Kildonan, etc., 224.
Kildorais, 224.
Kilena, etc., 224.
Killach, 224.
Killachan, 379.
Killurid, 224.
Kilmaluag, etc., 224.
Kilmarie, etc., 225.
Kilmartin, 225.
Kilmiluach, etc., 1295.
Kilmolruy, etc., 226.
Hilmore, etc., 379.
Kilmorocht, 226, 295.
Kilmuir, etc., 226.
Kilmun, etc., 227.
Kilntyne, 227.
K il Pheadar, 228.
Kilschan, 228.
INDEX
Kiltaraglan, etc., 228.
Kilvaxter, etc., 108, 228.
Kinagmore, 228.
Kingsburgh, etc., 228.
Kinloch, 99, 381.
Kinloch Ensid, 229.
Kinlocheynoxt, 229.
Kinlochsìipan, etc., 229.
Kinsansam, etc., 229.
Kirkabost, 229.
Kistle, 229.
Knapkill, 229. Knock, etc., 381.
Knockbreck, 229.
Knockerisko, etc., 230.
Knockow, etc., 230.
Knott, 230.
Kooperhu, etc., 382.
Kraaulan, 230.
Kraiknish, 230.
Kxoshener, 230.
Kyleakin, etc., 230.
Kylehan, 295.
Kylerhea, etc., 382.
Kyle Eona, etc., 230.
L
Lachasaig, etc., 231.
Lachindine, 231.
Ladibichro, 231.
Lag, 231.
Lag a Bhioda, 231.
Lag a Bhraghad, etc., 382.
Lag a Chithe Mhoir, 231.
Lag a Chonardan, 135.
Lag a Chraidh, 382.
Lag a Dheala, 231.
Lag a Gharaidh Chail, 382.
Lag a Lochain, 382.
Lag an Teampuill, 231.
Lag an Tor(a) Mhor, 383.
Lag an t-Searrag, 231.
Lag a Phuill Bhrachaidh, 382.
Lag an Doill, 382.
Lag a Smaig, 231.
Lag Ban, 231.
Lag Cnoc a Chatha, 231.
Lag Mor, etc., 232, 383.
Lag na Bathaich, 232.
Lag na h-Airigh Baine, 383.
Lag na Marach, 232.
Lag nam ban Saor, 232.
Lag nam Boitean, 383.
Lag nan Cnaimh, 232.
Lag nan Croisean, etc., 383.
Lag nan Taighean, 232.
Lag na Sgiuchaig, 232.
475
Lag na Sonasaig, 232.
Lag na Suile Baine, 232.
Lag Bainich, 383.
Lag Stuamaich, 232.
Lagan, 231.
Lagan Cnoc a Chatha, 231.
Lagan Inis na Cnaimh, 383.
Laggan, 231.
Laglar, 232.
Laimhrig na Moine, etc., 232.
Lainish, 232.
Laman, An, 232.
Lamarscaig, 383.
Lamhraig, etc., 383.
Lampay, 232.
Langal, 233.
Langasgeir, etc., 233.
Laoras, 233.
Laplach, 233, 383.
Larach Airigh Phadruig, 383.
Larach Tigh Neill-Ghriasaich,
383.
Larg, 295.
Larsdale, 233.
Lathach Mhor, etc., 233.
Lavach, 233.
Layglen, 233.
Leaba na Larach, 233.
Leabaidh a Mheixlich, 233.
Leabost, etc., 233.
Leac, etc., 233, 295.
Leac a Bhuachaill, etc., 233.
Leac a Chlarsair, 233.
Leac a Chlerich, 233.
Leac a Chlobha, 233.
Leac a Gharbh, 234.
Leac a Hulm, etc., 234.
Leacainn, etc., 234.
Leac a Mhin, 234.
Leac a Mhona’ Mheadhonach,
etc., 384.
Leac an Duin, 384.
Leac a Stoir, 234.
Leac Bhig, 234.
Leac Iain Oig, 234.
Leac an Bainne, 234.
Leac na Buinne, 234.
Leac na Euaxan, 234.
Leac nam Eaoilean, 234.
Leac nan Craobh, 234.
Leac nan Gamhna, 234.
Leac nan Stearnan, 235.
Leac Tressernish, etc., 235.
Leacann Nighean an t-Siosalaich, 234.
Leacann Riabhach, 384.
Leachiclearich, etc., 234.
Leachlivich, 234.
Leadin, 235.
476
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Leafenhawm, 235.
Lealt, etc., 235.
Leana-nan-Cudaigean, 235.
Leancladdich, 235.
Leanish, 235.
Leapaidh, 235.
Leasgary, etc., 235.
Leathad Beithe, 236.
Leathad Choinnich, 236.
Leathad Chrithinn, 236.
Leathad Dubh, 236.
Leathad nan Craobh, 236.
Leathad na Steiseig, 236.
Lebost, etc., 295.
Lee, 236.
Lehalt, 236.
Lehener, 384.
Leideag, etc , 384.
Leinish, etc., 236.
Leiphen, etc., 236.
Leir Mhaodail, etc., 384.
Leitir, etc., 236.
Leitir Casleac, 236.
Leogadad, 237.
Leoide M or(a), 237.
Lephinachavine, 237.
Lethalt, etc., 236.
Letterhalluch, etc., 384.
Lettir-Hurr, etc., 384.
Leum-an-Doill, etc., 237.
Leum an Earbag, 384.
Leum Mhic na Bantraich, 237.
Leurabhaig, etc., 384.
Leuras, etc., 237.
Lian’ a Bhorein, etc., 237.
Lianadal, 259.
* Lianag a Chait, 237.
Lianairidh nan Geadh, 238.
Liana Lego, 237.
Lian’ a Mhorraich, 237.
Liana nan Goistin, 237.
Liapaidh, etc., 238.
Lie Faoilean, etc., 238.
Liesol, etc., 238.
Lincro, etc., 238.
Lindill, 238.
Liner ass, etc., 238.
Lingay, 238.
Linigarry, etc., 385.
Linne Chrolaigeach, 238.
Linne na Dunach; etc , 129, 385.
Linne nan Ceann, 385.
Linne nan Each, 385.
Linne Sgitheanach, 238.
Linshader, 238.
Liport, 238.
Lisgarry, 238.
Loanfern, 239.
Lobhairgil, 239.
Lobhta Coire, 239.
Loch, etc., 239, 395.
Loch a Bhac Ghlais, 240.
Loch a Bhaird, 385.
Loch a Bhaisteir, 240.
Loch a Bhraighe, 303.
Loch a Chadha Charnaich, 296.
Loch a Choire Riabhaich, 240.
Loch a Chreachainn, 240.
Loch a Chrochaire, 240.
Loch a Gharbhlaich, 240.
Loch a Ghlinne, 385.
Loch Airighe na Suiridhe, 241.
Loch a Laghain, 240.
Loch a Leoid, 313.
Loch a Mhuilinn, 296, 313, 385.
Loch a Sgurr, 296.
Loch an Asaraidh, 241.
Loch an Atha, etc., 241.
Loch an Athain, 241.
Loch an Athair, 241.
Loch-an-Daal, etc., 385.
Loch an Doirreanaich, etc., 385.
Loch an Droma Bhain, 242.
Loch an Eilean, 242.
Loch an Fhir Bhallaich, 242.
Loch an Fhudair, 242.
Loch an Iasgaich, 386.
Loch an Ime, 386.
Loch an Leoid, 242.
Loch an Rathad, 296.
Loch an t-Seachrain, 243.
Loch an t-Srath Bhig, etc., 242.
Loch an t-Seilich, 386.
Loch an Sgurr Mhoir, 242.
Loch an Thugid, etc., 243.
Loch an Uachdair, 296.
Loch Aoineard, etc., 241, 243.
Loch Ard, 243, 386.
Loch Arnish, 296.
Loch Arnisort, etc., 243.
Loch Aruisg, etc., 243, 386.
Loch Athain, 244.
Loch Bay, 244.
Loch Beta Mealahan, 244.
Loch Bhraigh Bhlair, 244.
Loch Blar an Tairbh, 244.
Loch Bracadaill, etc., 244.
Loch Bretil, etc., 244.
Loch Caroy, 244.
Loch Chaise, 245.
Loch Cholumcille, etc., 102, 135,
152, 244.
Loch Chracaig, 245.
Loch Chriest, etc., 245.
Loch Chriserness, 245.
Loch Cleat, etc., 245.
Loch Coireasgil, 245.
Loch Coire Ghrunnda, 245.
INDEX
Loch Coir’-Uaigneich, 245.
Loch Colbost, 245.
Loch Conardan, 245.
Loch Conon, 245.
Loch Creich, 245.
Loch Creitheach, 245.
Loch Cuithir, etc., 245.
Loch Cuil-na-Creag, 245.
Loch Dearg, 246.
Loch Dhughail, etc., 386.
Loch Doir’ a Chreamha, 246.
Loch Downort, 246.
Loch Droighinn, 246.
Loch Duagrich, 246.
Loch Dubhar-Sgoth, 246.
Loch dubh nam Brie, 246.
Loch Duich, 246.
Loch Dunbegan, 246.
Loch-Eadar-da-Bhaile, 296.
Loch Eashal, 246.
Loch Eiordsland, etc., 246.
Loch Eiseord, etc., 246, 386.
Loch Ensid, 246.
Loch Erghallan, 246.
Loch Eynort, 247.
Loch Fadd, etc., 247.
Loch Fallart, etc., 247.
Loch Feoirlinn, 247.
Loch Fhiidhein, 247.
Loch Ford, 247.
Loch Gauscavaig, etc., 386.
Loch ’Ghille Chnapain, 240.
Loch ’Ghlinne Bhig, 240.
Loch ’Ghlinne Dhuibh, 240.
Loch Gilchrist, etc., 247.
Loch Glac-an-Ime, 313.
Loch Gleann Ionadal, 247.
Loch Glenmoire, 247.
Loch Gorsarnis, 247.
Loch Grenbaeg, 247.
Loch Grishernish, etc., etc., 247.
Loch Growban, 247.
Loch Harlosh, 247.
Loch Harport, 247.
Loch Harry, 247.
Loch Hasco, 247.
Loch Hellohald, 248.
Loch Helport, 248.
Loch Hinish, 248.
Loch Hollom, 248.
Loch Horavaig, 386.
Loch Hounam, 248.
Loch Huiska, 248.
Loch Ich Caime, 248, 386.
Loch ’Ille Mhicheil, 387.
Loch Ken, 248.
Loch Kensale, 248.
Loch Kensaleserloss, 248.
Loch Kilchro, 248.
477
Loch Lamarscaig, 387.
Loch Langaig, 248.
Loch Leasgary, 248.
Loch Leathann, 248.
Loch Leisort, 248.
Loch Leth-Uillt, 242.
Loch Leum nam Braith,. 248.
Loch Leyndill, etc., 248'.
Loch Lic-Ard, 248.
Loch Leuravay, etc., 248.
Loch Lonach, 248.
Loch Lonachan, 248.
Loch Losait, 249.
Loch Ludag, etc., 249.
Loch Mallaichte, 296.
Loch Maodail, etc., 387.
Loch Meadhonach, 249.
Loch Meaghailt, etc., 146, 249.
Loch Meallachain, 249.
Loch Meall Daimh, 296.
Loch Mharalain, 249.
Loch Mhic Carmicheil, 387.
Loch Mhic Cuinn, 249.
Loch Monadh na Fiadh, 249.
Loch na Beiste, 249, 387.
Loch na Brice Duibhe, 386.
Loch na Caiplich, etc., 249.
Loch na Caira, 250.
Loch na Creag, 250.
Loch na Creubhaich, etc., 250.
Loch na Cuilc, 250.
Lochnadaal, etc., 387.
Loch na h-Ealachan, 250.
Loch na Faoilinn, 250.
Loch na Feithe Seilich, 250.
Loch na h-Airidh Fhuar, 250.
Loch na Learg, etc., 250.
Loch na Madadh Uisge, 250.
Loch na Meall, 250.
Loch na Mna, etc , 296.
Loch nan Aan, 250.
Loch nan Adhaircean, 387.
Loch nan Clach, 387.
Loch nan Dubhraichean, etc.,.
387.
Loch nan Eilean, 250, 387.
Loch na Neilich, etc., 296.
Loch na Nigheadh, 296.
Loch-nan-Uamh, 388.
Loch nan Uan, 250.
Loch na Poite, 386.
Loch na Prais, 388.
Loch Narsco, 251.
Loch na Sguabaidh, etc., 251.
Loch na Stairsich, 251.
Loch na Teanga Riabhaich, 251.
Loch na Tuime, 388.
Loch Nighean Fhionnlaidh, 251r
388.
478
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Loch Orroid, etc., 251.
Loch Oyestill, 251.
Loch Poltiel, etc., 251.
Loch Portrigh, etc., 251.
Loch Pottech, 251.
Loch Ravag, 251.
Loch Rowendounen, etc., 251.
Lochrye, 251.
Loch Scavaig, etc., 159, 251.
Loch Scoin, etc., 297.
Loch Sconsax, etc., 251.
Loch Scour, 251.
Loch Seunt, etc., 252.
Loch Sgiabaidh, 252
Loch Sgurr nan Caorach, 388.
Loch Skahanask, etc., 252.
Loch Slapin, etc., 252.
Loch Sleadale, 252.
Loch Sligachan, etc., 252.
Loch Smearal, etc., 252.
Loch Snasporte, 252.
Loch Sneesdale, 252.
Loch Snizort, 252.
Loch Teanna, 253.
Loch Tellibart, 253.
Loch Tiiigh, 388.
Loch Uig, 253.
Loch Varkasaig, 253.
Loch Varkansa, 253.
Lochain a Mhullaich, 241.
Lochain Dubha, etc., 241.
Lochain Sratha Mhoir, 241.
Lochain Teanna, 241.
Lochan a Bhealaich, 241.
Lochan an Airigh Fhuar, 241.
Lochan a Sguabaiche, 241.
Lochan Beinn na Caillich, 241.
Lochan Buidhe, 241.
Lochan Coir’ a Ghobhainn, 241.
Lochan Cruinn, 241.
Lochan Dobhrain, 242.
Lochan Dubh nam Brie, 242.
Lochan Gobhlach, 242.
Lochan gun Grunnd, 296.
Lochan Fada, 386.
Lochan na h-Airde, 242.
Lochan nan Ceann, 242.
Lochan na Saile, 242.
Lomag, An, 253.
Lon, etc., 253.
Lon a Bhile, 254.
Lon Ach’ an Reithean, 254.
Lon a Chaorach, 254.
Lon a Chlerich, 254.
Lon a Choire, 254.
Lon a Ghreamha, 255.
Lon a Ghearraidh, 255.
Lon a Ghleannain, 255.
Lon a Ghlinne Bhig, 255.
Lon Airigh an t-Sratha, 255.
Lon Airigh Fhionnlaidh, 255.
Lon Airigh na Beiste, 388.
Lon Airigh na Sligean, 388.
Lon Airigh Uige, 255.
Lon an Eich, 255.
Lon an Eireannaich, 255.
Lon an Inbhir, 255.
Lon an t-Sithein, 255.
Lon Ban, An, 255.
Lon Bealach Tearnaidh, 256.
Lon Bearra’-Clachan, 256.
Lon Beatha, 256.
Lon Beinne Thuaith, 256.
Lon Bho Lainn, 256.
Lon Birkisco, 256.
Lon Bota Mealahan, 256.
Lon Buaile na Lathaich, 256.
Lon Buideil, 256.
Lon Buidhe, 256.
Lon Cadha nam Ba, 256.
Lon Charisgill, 256.
Lon Chaorach, 256.
Lon Chuidhe Trodan, 256.
Lon Cleap, 256.
Lon Creadha, 388.
Lon Cul na h-Airde, 256.
Lon Druiseach, 256.
Lon Duisdil, 256.
Lon Fearn, 256.
Longa, 258.
Lon Glac na Criche, 257.
Lon Hoi, 257.
Lon Leum na Laraich, 257.
Lon ’Loch Mhoir, 257.
Lon Luachrach, 257.
Lon ’Mhuilinn, 255.
Lon Millahors, 257.
Lon M o t , 388.
Lon Mor Fala nan Taighean,
257.
Lon na Buaile Ruaidh, 257.
Lon na Craoibhe, 388.
Lon na Criche, 257.
Lon na Cuile, etc., 257.
Lon na h’Airde Caoile, 388.
Lon na h-Airigh-Carnaich, 257.
Lon na h-Atha, 257.
Lon na h-Iolainn, 257.
Lon na Larach, etc., 257.
Lon na Leapaig, etc., 257.
Lon nam Ban, 257.
Lon nam Breac, 257.
Lon na Moine, 257.
Lon na Muice, 257.
Lon nan Airighe, 257.
Lon nan Ar, etc., 257.
Lon nan Druinich, 257.
Lon nan Each, 257.
INDEX
Lou nan Ear bag, 388.
Lon nan Gobhar, 257.
Lon nan Slogan, 257.
Lon na Ruidhe, etc., 388.
Lon na Saorach, etc., 258.
Lon Osgaillean, 258.
Lon Ostatoin, 258.
Lon Roagil, 258.
Lon Ruadh, 258.
Lon Tairbh, 255.
Lon Theigo, 258.
Lon Tigh-Chlach, 256.
Lon Tigh Mhic Cuien, 258.
Lon Tor-Oat, 258.
Lorgill, etc., 258.
Lossaid, 258.
Lota, 258.
Lota Coire, 258.
Lubanhore, 259.
Lab a Sgiathain, 258.
Lub na Carra Buidhe, 258.
Lub Robac, 258.
Lub Score, 258.
Lub Stac nam Meann, 259.
Lub Triaslain, 259.
Luib, etc., 259.
Luib na Moil, 259.
Luib Rainich, 259.
Luissine, etc., 259.
Luran, 259.
Lurgan, 259.
Lus-a, etc., 259.
Luskintyre, 259.
Lusta, 259.
Lyanacroe, etc., 259.
Lyndale, etc., 259.
M
Maam, etc., 260.
Maam a Phobuill, 260.
Maam-Coire-Chriostal, 260.
Maam Vrechty, 260.
Mabachar, 260.
Mac-a-Rann, 260.
Madinro, 297.
Machall, 261.
Macleod’s Maidens, 261.
Maenes, etc., 261, 297.
Maheruska, 261.
Maighshiadair, 261.
Mainrichean, Na, 262.
Malag, 262.
Malagan, etc., 262.
Malagar, 262.
Manish, 262.
Manners’ Stone, 262.
Maoileadh M o t , 262.
479
Maol an Tairbh, 262.
Maol Buidhe, 389.
Maolrubha, etc., 262.
Maraig, 263.
Marishader, etc., 263.
Marsco, etc., 263.
Meabost, 263.
Meadale, etc., 263.
Mealbhaig, 263.
Mealista, etc., 264.
Meall, etc., 117, 264.
Meall Acairseid Mhor, 303.
Meallachan, 264.
Meall a Chois, 297.
Meall an Daimh, 297.
Meall an Fhuarain, 264, 389.
Meall a Stuc, 389.
Meall Beathaig, 264.
Meall Buidhe, 389.
Meall Brataig, 264.
Meall Buaile Chaorach, 264.
Meall Greepa, 264.
Meall na Cuilee, 264.
Meall na Da-Bheinn, 264.
Meall na Gainmhich, 264.
Meall na h-Acairseid, 264.
Meall na h-Innse Fearna, 389.
Meall na Suireanach, etc., 264
Meall OdhaT Beag, 264.
Meall Port Mealary, 389.
Meall Tobar a Bhiorain, 389.
Meall Tuath, 265.
Meanish, 265.
Meassin, 265.
Meathall, 265.
Meavig, etc., 265.
Megalay, 265.
Merkadale, 265.
’Mhaoile, 265, 389.
’Mhointich Bhuidhe, 389.
Mi-Bhogha Beag ’us Mor, 265.
Mibosfc, 265.
Michaig, 265.
Milovaig, etc., 265.
Mimaig, 265.
Mingary, 265.
Mingay, etc., 266.
Minginish, etc., 265.
Minish, 266.
Minrinnes, 266.
Misgan, etc., 389.
Mogstat, etc., 266.
Moineach Mararulin, 266.
Mointeach an Tairbh, 266.
Mointeach Mor, 266.
Mointeach na Diachainn, 266.
Mointeach na Fala, 266.
Mointeach na Steall, 266.
Moisnes, 266.
480
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Mol or Moll, etc., 266.
Mol Abhuinn, 266.
Mol a Mhaide, 267.
Mol an Fhodarr, 267.
Mol Beatha, 267.
Mol-Clach, 267.
Mol Dearg, etc., 267.
Mol Fada na Dubhaird, 159, 267.
Mol Staiseall Staphain, etc., 159,
267.
Monadh-Ach’-an-Alit, 389.
Monadh Dearg, 267.
Monadh Meadhonach, 389.
Monadh Mhorsaig, 389.
Monadh Uaine, 267.
Moonen, 267.
Mor amhuinn, 267.
Morournycht, 267.
Mosgaraidh, 267.
Mourteachmhor, 267.
Muc Fhaileig, 268.
Muclach, 268, 389.
Mudalach, 268.
Mugeary, etc., 268.
Muileann, etc., 268.
Muilinn-Thuirn, 389.
Mullach Beinn Sea, 268.
Mullach Carn, etc., 314.
Mullach ’Gharaidh Dhuibh, 268.
Munan, 268.
Ob na Doinaich, 390.
Ob nan Long, 270.
Ob nan Pootan, etc., 270.
Ob nan Eon, 270.
Obost, 270.
Ob Snusaich, 390.
Odhar-Sgeir, etc., 270.
Ofifna. 429.
Oir Cheannach, An t-, 270.
Oisgill, 270.
Olach, etc., 270.
Ollaig, etc., 270, 390.
Ollisdal, etc., 270.
Oransay, 141.
Orbost, etc., 270.
Orchadail, 390.
Ord, etc., 390.
Orley, 271.
Ornsay, etc., 391.
Oronsay, etc., 271.
Orril, 271.
Orsclan, 271.
Osdal, etc., 271.
Ose, etc., 271.
Osgaig, etc., 297.
Osnagarry, etc., 271.
Ostaig, etc., 271, 297, 392.
Ouderna, 271.
Ouia, 271.
Ouldalie, etc., 271.
Oyestill, 271.
Oynart, etc., 271.
N
Na Famhairean, 268.
Nagli, 268.
Nagoyneyne, 268.
Na Gunnaichean, 268.
Na h-Uillt Eigein, 268.
Naseiring, etc., 297.
Nead-an-Trean, 268.
Neist, etc., 268.
Nic Cleosgeir Mhor, etc., 269.
Nisabost, etc., 269.
Nisort, etc., 269.
0
Oans, etc., 269.
Ob, etc., 269.
Ob Allt-an-Daraich, 390.
Ob an Dreallaire, 303.
Ob Breakish, etc., 269.
Ob Buaile an Teachdaire, 270.
Ob Duin, 269.
Ob Fhiorsgarie, 390.
Ob Gauscavaig, 270, 390.
Ob Lusa, 270.
P
Pabba, etc., 272.
Pairc Ailean, 272.
Pairc Dhubh, 272.
Pairc ’Ghòbhann, etc., 272.
Pairc na Leapraich, 272.
Pairc nam Fiadh, etc., 272.
Pairc nan Laogh, 272.
Palmore, 272.
Panstiffan, 273.
Parbh, 273.
Paulsean, 273.
Peallag, 273.
Peanchyaich, 273.
Peanicullen, etc., 273.
Peanouchter, 273.
Peanvanish, 273. .
Peanybeg, 273.
Peanyvickvanan, etc., 273.
Pecscoraid, 273.
Peighinn (Notes, etc.,), 276.
Pein-a-Chleibh, etc., 273.
Peinachorran, etc.,. 274.
Peinafeiler, etc., 274.
INDEX
Peinaha, 274.
Pein-an-Uchd, 274.
Peincheal, 274.
Peinchladich, 274.
Peinchoinnich, 274.
Peindinavaig, 274.
Peinduin, etc., 274.
Peiness, etc., 275.
Peingown, etc., 274.
Peinkarsbreck, 275.
Peinknockerisco, 275.
Peinlich, 275.
Peinmore, 275.
Pein-na-Cille, etc., 275.
Peinoraid, 275.
Peinorra, etc., 275.
Peinsoraig, etc., 275.
Peinstaffan, etc., 275.
Peintua, 275.
Peintuakestill, 276.
Peinville, 276.
Peinvinich, 276.
Peinvraid, 276.
Penchary, 276.
Penist, 276.
Penniecappan, etc., 276.
Pennimore, 276.
Penvichilroy, 276.
Penyzegeyn, etc., 276.
Plod, 117.
Poll ox Pol, 280, 392.
Poldill, 280.
Poldoxais, 280.
Polgaduah, 280.
Poll-a-Bhaine, 280.
Poll, Am, 392.
Poll a Mhonaidh, 392.
Poll-an-Dobhran, 280.
Poll an Staimh, 280.
Poll Chamalaigh, 280.
Poll Cas-Goibhxe, 280.
Polldun, 280.
Poll Ghaxxaidh, 280.
Poll Goxm, 280.
Poll na h-Ealaidh, etc., 280.
Polloegan, 281.
Poll Phadruig, 392.
Poll Roag, 281.
Polmoxe, 281.
Poltiex, etc., 108, 281.
Port a Bhata, 281.
Port a Chadha Ruaidh, 281.
Port a Chaim, 281.
Port a Ghoirstein, 392.
Port Aird ’I c Illicean, 392.
Port Allt a Bhaghonn, etc., 281.
Port Allt a Bhile, 281.
Port Allt a Chuil, 281.
Port Allt a Ghortain Dhuibh,
281.
481
Port an Eathair, 392.
Port an Fheaxainn, 303.
Port an Fhiona, 392.
Poxt an Luig Mhor, 281.
Poxt an Teampuill, 282, 303.
Port an Tigh Mhoir, 393.
Port an t-Salainn, 282.
Port a Rughain Mhoir, 282.
Port a Sgumain, 393.
Port Aslaig, 282, 393.
Poxt a Stuc Leutheir Bhaoideil,
393.
Port Bhain, 393.
Port Caigin, etc., 282.
Port Cul, 393.
Port Cnmbang, 282.
Port Eagaix, etc., 282.
Port Earlais, 282.
Poxt Erisco, 282.
Port Faxala, etc., 393.
Port Gobhlaig, etc., 282.
Portinumichaig, etc., 297.
Port Mealary, 393.
Port Mhic Eoin, 282.
Port Mosaig, 282.
Port na Caladh, 282.
Port na Camaich, 282.
Port na-Clacha-Mora, 393.
Port na Creileig, etc., 283.
Port na Culaidh, 283.
Port na Culaig, 393.
Port na Daile Bige, 393.
Port na Faganaich, 393.
Port na Feannaig, 283.
Port na Laire, 394.
Port nan Long, etc., 283, 394.
Port na Sgliat, 394.
Port Ni Chalum, 394.
Portree, etc., 283.
Port Sgaile, 284.
Pottech, 284.
Prabost, etc., 284.
Preshal, etc., 284.
Preskilan, 90, 284.
Prince Charlie, 99, 104.
Prisadal, 284.
Q
Quiraing, etc., 151, 285.
Quirtolan, etc., 286.
R
Raagill, 286.
Raasay, etc., 286.
Rah, etc., 299.
FF
482
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Raimhe, 299.
Raisburgh, etc., 299.
Ramasaig, etc., 299, 394.
Ramasgar, 299.
Ramisdall, etc., 297.
Ranlagallan, 299.
Rath, 120.
Rathad a Gharaidh Dhuibh, 299.
Rathkill, 299.
Rath Soluis, 299.
Ravag, 299.
Reachan, etc., 299.
Reidhean, An, 300.
Reidh na Loch, 300.
Reilig Mhoir Chloinn Domhnuill,
300.
Reintra, etc., 300.
Reireag, 297.
Reshaburg, 300.
Reishuiron, etc., 300.
Reithe Choille, 300.
Reival, 300.
Rha, 120, 300.
Rhuadhain, etc., 300.
Rhudunan, etc., 300.
Rhunacallich, etc., 394.
Riadhan, An, 394.
Riasal, 300.
Rig, etc., 301.
Ringill, etc., 301.
Rinn na Caoraich, 394.
Risadal, etc., 301.
Risagan, etc., 301.
Roag, etc., 301.
Robastan, etc., 301.
Rocabarra, 302.
Rodh, etc., 302.
Roineval, 302.
Roinn, An, 302.
Roishader, 302.
Romasdal, etc., 302.
Rona, etc., 302.
Ronacha, 304.
Ros a Mheallain, 304.
Rosgill, 304.
Rossey, 304.
Ruadh Stac, 304.
Ruaig, 304.
Ruaman, etc., 304.
Rudh’ Achadh a Chuirn, 304.
Rudh’ a Chinn Leith, 305.
Rudh’ a Chinn Mhoir, 314.
Rudh’ a Chonnaidh, 314.
Rudh’ a Chorrain Mhoir agus
Bhig, 314.
Rudh’ Aird Mhoir, 305.
Rudh’ an Aichrie, 394.
Rudh’ an Airde Duibhe, 305.
Rudh’ an Carnaich, 305.
Rudh’ an Dubh Chamuis, 303.
Rudh' an Dunan, 305.
Rudh’ an Easgann, 305.
Rudh' an Eireannaich, 156, 305.
Ruadh’ an Eun, 306.
Rudh’ an Iasgaich, 394.
Rudh’ an Lochain. 314.
Rudh’ an Torra Mhoir, 304.
Rudh’ an t-Sailleir, 306.
Rudh’ an t-Saoir, 306.
Rudh’ an Tuirc, 394.
Rudh’ an Uillt Dharaich, 306.
Rudh’ an Uillt Dhuibh, 306.
Rudh’ Aonghais, 306.
Rudh’ Aosail Sligeach, 314.
Radh’ ard de Cheolan, 304.
Rudh’ Ard Treshnish, 304.
Rudh’ Earr an Sgurr, 306.
Rudha, etc., 304.
Rudha Bhaiternis, 306.
Rudha Bheannachain, 304.
Rudha Bhorniskitaig, 306.
Rudha Bhreidin, 306.
Rudha Breacaichte, 297.
Rudha Carn nan Cearc, 394.
Rudha Cheannachain, 304.
Rudha Chill Bhig, 395.
Rudha Chorachan, 305.
Rudha Chuirn Dheirg, 395.
Rudha Chuim na Caise, 395.
Rudha Crion, 297.
Rudha-Cruaidhlinn, 305.
Rudha Dhunbheagain, 306.
Rudha Doire na Boiceinnein
(Bo-Cheannain), 314.
Rudha Dubh, 305.
Rudha Dubh a Ghrianan, 306.
Rudha Dubh Ard, etc., 395.
Rudha Gara-Fadd, 305.
Rudha Garbh, 297.
Rudha Garbhaig, 306.
Rudha Gheoidh Bhuidhe, 305.
Rudha Guail, 395.
Rudha Gualainn, 297.
Rudha Hunish, 306.
Rudha Leinish, 306.
Rudha Lusa, 306.
Rudha Maol na Gairbhe, 306.
Rudha Meanish, 307, 314.
Rudha Mharsco, 307.
Rudha Mhic ’Ille Dhuigh, 307.
Rudha na Caillich, 307.
Rudha na Cloiche, etc., 307.
Rudha na Cloich’ Uaine, 297.
Rudha na Creige Beithe, 395.
Rudha na Creige Moire, 307.
Rudha na Dallaig, 395.
Rudha na Droma Bhain, 314.
Rudha na Gaed, etc., 307.
INDEX
Rudha na Goirte, 307.
Rudha na h-Airde, 307.
Rudha na h-Airde Glaise, 307.
Rudha na h-Airigh Baine, 307.
Rudha na h-Aiseig, 307.
Rudha na h-Aoidhe Moire, 308.
Rudha na h-Ard Bhan, 308, 395.
Rudha na h-Eich, 395.
Rudha na h-011aig, 308.
Rudha na h-Uamha, 308.
Rudha na h-Uamha Duibhe, 314.
Rudha na h-Uamha Mor (a), 395.
Rudha nam Both, 308.
Rudha nam Bradan, 308.
Rudha nam Braithreaa, etc.,
308.
Rudha nan Clach, 308.
Rudha nan Con Gorina, etc.,
308.
Rudha nan Corr, 308.
Rudha nan Cudaigean, 308.
Rudha nan Eun, 306, 395.
Rudha nan Gnoigean, 308.
Rudha nan Leac, 297.
Rudha nan Sgarbh, 297, 308.
Rudha na Sgianadin, 308.
Rudha na Tragha, etc., 308.
Rudha na Traigh Baine, 395.
Rudha na Trusaidh, 314.
Rudha Neist, etc., 309.
Rudha Phoil, 395.
Rudha Phrionns’ Tearlach, 309.
Rudha Port-na-Eeannaig, 395.
Rudha Reibhnis, 314.
Rudha Reidh Bheag, 314.
Rudha Riadhain, etc.*, 309.
Rudha Shleibhte, 395.
Rudha Sloc-an-Eorna, 309, 396.
Rudha Stach, etc., 309.
Rudha Smuraig, 309.
Rudha Staichdinish, 309.
Rudha Sughar, 309.
Rudha Torra Mhoir, 396.
Rudha Uibhaire, etc., 297.
Rudha Vannarain, 309.
Rudha Vaterstein, 309.
Rudha Voreven, 309.
Rudhachan a Chaise, 395.
Rudhaidhean, Na, 304.
Rudhan Mor, An, 309.
Ruighe, etc., 310.
Ruidhe a Chreagan, 396.
Ruighe Cruaidh, 310.
Ruighe Mharsco, 310.
Ruighe ’Phuill, 310.
Ruighe Uinnseain, 310.
Ruisebreac, 310.
Rutha, etc., 310,
483
S
Saasaig, etc., 396.
Saavetin, 310.
Sabhail, 310.
Sagerry, 310.
Saigh a Mhinn, etc., 310.
Sailmhor, 310.
Saiven, 310.
Salacharie, 311.
Salader, etc., 311.
Saltach, 311.
Samara, etc., 311.
Sandabhaig, 311.
Sandwick, 311.
Saoidhean, 310.
Saros, 311.
Sartle, 311.
Satir, 298.
Satran, etc., 311.
Sayal, etc., 310.
Sc—Sg, 315.
Sea, etc., 311.
Scaladal, etc., 311.
Scalar, 311, 315.
Scalbisdale, 311.
Scallasaig, 311.
Scalpa, etc., 140, 312.
Scalpa Chaoil, 313.
Scamadal, etc., 315.
Scarbhaig, 315.
Scard, 315.
Scardan, 315.
Scarpa, 315.
Scarpamutt, 315.
Scavaig, etc., 315.
Scead Bheinn, 316.
Schiadder, 316.
Schoan, 316.
Sciabost, etc., 316.
Sciepadeall, 316.
Sciteal, 316.
Scobhal, 316.
Sconsar, etc., 316.
Scorach Breac, 396.
Score, etc., 104, 316.
Score Horan, 317.
Scor-nan-Daoine, etc., 317.
Scornisiey, 317.
Scorreden, etc., 317.
Scorribreac, etc., 317.
Scorriclett, 318.
Scosa, 318.
Scoulomin, etc., 318.
Scoumpan, 396.
Scourie, 318.
Screapadal, etc., 298.
Scriag, etc., 318.
Scudaburg, etc., 318.
484
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Scudaig, 318.
Scudarach, etc., 318.
Seafort, etc., 318.
Seantalabh, 318.
Seisridh, 318.
Seodalan, 318.
Seoglatter, etc., 318.
Sgabol, 318.
Sgadan, etc., 318.
Sgainnir nan Duin, 318.
Sgaimir, 318.
Sgalan, 319.
Sgathan, 318.
Sgath Bhannach, 303.
Sgeir, etc., 319.
Sgeir-a-Chaisteil, 319.
Sgeir a Cheannaiche, 396.
Sgeir a Chriomaidh, 396.
Sgeir-a-Chxochadair, 319.
Sgeir-a-Chuan, 319.
Sgeir a’ Lochlannaich, 319.
Sgeir an Duin, 319.
Sgeir an Bich Bhain, 319.
Sgeir an Eidh, 319.
Sgeir an Iubhair, 396.
Sgeir an Oir, 319.
Sgeir an Oedair, 396.
Sgeir an Tobair, 396.
Sgeir an t-Saothair Mhor, etc.,
396.
Sgeir an t-Seana Chreag, 396.
Sgeir an t-Sruth, 319, 396.
Sgeir a Roin, 396.
Sgeir Bar laig, 396.
Sgeir Bheag a Phuirt, 397.
Sgeir Bheag Eoghain, 397.
Sgeir Bheverley, 397.
Sgeir Biodaig, 397.
Sgeir Chaluimchille, 397.
Sgeir Chubhaidh, 397.
Sgeir Cnapach, 298, 319.
Sgeir Dhearg, 314.
Sgeir Dhorcha, 319.
Sgeir Eirinn, 319.
Sgeir Eirapach, etc., 319.
Sgeir Fasair a Choille, 320.
Sgeir Fhada, 298.
Sgeir Fhearchair, 320.
Sgeir Ghobhlach, 320.
Sgeir Ghormul, etc., 320.
Sgeir Ghraitich, 320.
SgeiT Iain Lei the, 397.
Sgeir Mhaol(a), 320.
Sgeir Mhic Eachainn, 320.
Sgeir Mhic Uisdean, 397.
Sgeir Mhor, 320.
Sgeir Mhor Ghobhlach, 397.
Sgeir Mhor Ghormoil, 397.
Sgeir Mhurchaidh, 320.
Sgeir na Capull, 320.
Sgeir na Cioraig, 397.
Sgeir na Coille, 321.
Sgeir na Coinnich, 321.
Sgeir na Costri, etc., 397.
Sgeir na Criche, 397.
Sgeir na Greine, 321.
Sgeir na h-Inghinn, 321.
Sgeir na h-Otrach, 398.
Sgeir na Leum, 398.
Sgeir na Luirginn, 398.
Sgeir nam Biast, 321.
Sgeir nam Bodach, 298.
Sgeir nam Faoilean, 321.
Sgeir nam Fiadh, 398.
Sgeir nam Maol, etc., 321.
Sgeir nan Caorach, 320.
Sgeir nan Eathar Bana, 321,
Sgeir nan Eun, 298,303.
Sgeir nan Gall, 298.
Sgeir nan Gobhar, 398.
Sgeir na Ruideag, 321.
Sgeir Odhar, 398.
Sgeir Pharallie, 398.
Sgeir Ringill, 321.
Sgeix ’Roin, 321.
Sgeir Sgraab, etc., 398.
Sgeir Shine, 398.
Sgeir Shuas, 303.
Sgeir Tharsuinn, 314.
Sgeir Una, 398.
Sgeirean Mhor, 319.
Sgiaban, 321.
Sgianadan, 321.
Sgiath, 321.
Sgiath-Bheinn, 321, 398.
Sgor-a-Dhruim, 398.
Sgor-a-Ghobhainn, 398.
Sgorgruin, 322.
Sgorr, An, 398.
Sgorridown, 322.
Sgorr Mhanuis, 322.
Sgriag, 318.
Sgriob-an-Duine, 322.
Sgriob Mhor, 322.
Sgriob na Beithreach, 322.
Sgulamus, etc., 322.
Sgulan, An, 398.
Sguman, 322.
Sgurr, etc., 322.
Sgurr-a-Bhagh, 322.
Sgurr-a-Beoch, 323.
Sgurr a Bhaisteir, etc., 323.
Sgurr a Chaise, 323, 398.
Sgurr a Chaisteil Mhor, 399.
Sgurr a Chait, 323, 399.
Sgurr a Choire Bhig, 323.
Sgurr a Fionn-Choire, 323.
Sgurr a Ghreadaidh, 323.
INDEX
Sgun Alasdair, etc., 127, 323.
Sgurr a Leth-Bheinn, 399.
Sgurr a Mhadaidh Ruaidh, 323.
Sgurr a Mhalaidh, 324.
Sgurran, An, 324.
Sgurr an Duine, 324.
Sgurx an Easan Duibh, 324, 399.
Sgurr an Fheadain, etc., 324.
Sgurr Bhreatal, 324.
Sgurr Coir an Lochain, 324.
Sgurr Dearg, etc., 324.
Sgurr Dubh an Da-Bheinn, 325.
Sgurr Eadar-da-Choire, 325.
Sgurr Ghrita, 325.
Sgurr Gorm, 399.
Sgurr Iain Bhain, 399.
Sgorr Lachlain Mhic Dhomhnuill, 325.
Sgurr Laghain, 325.
Sgurr Mhairi, 325.
Sgurr Mhic Coinnich, 127, 325.
Sgurr Mor, 325.
Sgurr na Banachdich, 325.
Sgurr na Coinnich, 325.
Sgurr na h-Eidhne, 325.
Sgurr na h-Iolaire, 399.
Sgurr na h-Uamha, 325.
Sgurr nam Boc, 325.
Sgurr nam Fiadh, 326.
Sgurr nan Caorach, 326, 399.
Sgurr nan Each, 326.
Sgurr nan Eag, 326.
Sgurr nan Gillean, etc., 326.
Sgurr nan Gobhar, 327, 399.
Sgurr na Stri, etc., 327.
Sgurr na Stuaidh, 327.
Sgurr Onrachainn, 327.
Sgurr Ouran, 327.
Sgurr Sgumain, 327.
Sgurr Thearlaich, 127, 327.
Sgurr Thor maid, 327.
Sgurr Thuilm, 327.
Shageaiy, 327.
Shaglater, 327.
Shawbost, 328.
Sheachan, etc., 328.
Sheader, etc., 328.
Sheodlaw, etc., 328.
Sheshader, 328.
Shiant Isles, etc., 329.
Shinag, 329.
Shulista, 329.
Similear an Iolaire, 329.
Similear Gobhlach, 329.
Similear ’Ic Neacail, 329.
Sior Sioc, 399.
Sithean, An, 329.
Sithean a Bhealaich Chumhaing,
330.
485
Sitheannan, Na, 331.
Sithean Beag, 399.
Sithean Beinn a Mhorrainn, 331.
Sithean Beinne Bboidhich, 331.
Sithean Biorach, 331.
Sithean Gorm agus Uaine, 331.
Sithean Mor, 399.
Sithean Neill, 331.
Sithean Praiseach-Bhuidhe, 331.
Skeabost, etc., 331.
Skeadin, etc., 331.
Skelbost, 331.
Skerdin, 331.
Sker-Horen, 331.
Skeriness, etc., 331.
Sker-na-Mile, 332.
Skianlean, 332.
Skibinis, 332.
Skinidin, etc., 332.
Skin Voire, etc., 332.
Skriag, etc., 332.
Skridan, etc., 332.
Skudiburg, etc., 332.
Sky, Skye, etc., 332.
Slagandine, etc., 333.
Slapin, etc., 333.
Slat-Bheinn, 333.
Sleadale, 333.
Sleat, etc., 333.
Sligachan, etc., 404.
Sloc a Bhraghad, 399.
Sloc a Chuirn, 404.
Sloc a Ghrudaire, 405.
Sloc Altrumain, 399, 405.
Sloc a Mhadaidh, 405.
Sloc, An, 399.
Sloc a Phiobaire, 405.
Sloc Beag, 399.
Sloc Dhomhnuill Dhuibh, 405.
Sloc Iain Ruaidh, 399.
Sloc Mhic Aulaidh, 400.
Sloc na Biorlain, 400.
Slugan Airigh Lobhra, 400.
Slugan, An, etc., 405.
Snathad, An, 405.
Sneosdal, 405.
Sniomh, An, 405.
Snizort, etc., 406.
Snod, An, etc., 406.
Soa, etc., 406.
Soan, 407.
Soarary, 407.
Solitoto, etc., 407.
Somerdale, 407.
Sornagan, Na, etc., 400.
Sornaichean Coir’ Fhinn, 407.
Sotaran, 408.
Sothan, etc., 408.
Sourby, 408.
486
PLACE-NAMES OE SKYE
Souigill, 408.
Sra’-na-Creitheach, 408.
Sron a Bhainne, 408.
Sron a Bhealain, 408.
Srona Garbh(a), 400.
Sron a Ghxobain, 408.
Sxon Alaich, etc., 408.
Sron a MhiU, 409.
Sron an Aighe, etc., 409.
Sronanain, 409.
Sron an Fhucadair, 409.
Sron an Tairbh, 409.
Sron Ard-a-Mhullaich, 409.
Sron Bhiorail, 409.
Sion Birlinn, etc., 409.
Sron Daraich, 400, 409.
Sron Dhioixinish, 409.
Sron na Creitheach, 408.
Sron na Cuinneige, 409.
Sron na Glaodhaich, 409.
Sron nan Cudaigean, 409.
Sron na Strith, 409.
Sron Ochrulan, 409.
Sron Vourlinn, etc., 409.
Sroth nan Aighean, 410.
Stac, An, etc., 410.
Stac a Bhocain, 410.
Stac a Charra, 410.
Stac a Mhadaidh, 410.
Stac an Fhucadair, 410.
Stac an Torra Mhor, 400.
Stac an Tuill, 410.
Stac (a) Phail, 410.
Stacan Dubh(a), 400.
Stacan Gobhlach, 410.
Stachdachan, Na, 410.
Stachd-Axos, 410.
Stachro, 298.
Stac Lachlainn, 410.
Stac na Bearta, 410.
Stac na Nighinn, 410.
Staffin, etc., 411.
Staidhir-Dhearg, 411.
Stair, 298.
Stalistra, etc., 411.
Stamag, 411.
Stangan, 401.
Stapag, etc., 411.
Steall Greep, 411.
Stein, 411.
Steinscholl, etc., 411.
Stirbista, 412.
Stolemore, etc., 412.
Storab, 298.
Storachan, 412.
Storr, An, etc., 412.
Stotharlan, 412.
Straloiness, 412.
Strath, etc., 412.
Strathaird, etc., 415.
Strathblay, 101, 415.
Strath Houlin, etc., 415.
Strathswordale, etc., 415.
Strebidill, 416.
Strigil, 416.
Stroc-Bheinn, 416.
Strolamus, 416.
Stronaskeir, 416.
Strongeers, 416.
Stronuirinish, 298, 416.
Struan, etc., 416.
Stuc, 401.
Stuc nam Meann, 416.
Stuc Nic Cleosgair Mhor, etc..
417.
Suardal, 417.
Snidh’ a Mhinn, 417.
Suidhe Ban, 417.
Suidhe Biorach, 417.
Suidhe Boidheach, 417.
Suidhe Fhinn, 417.
Suinigil, etc., 417.
Suisnish, 298, 417.
Sulasgeir, 417.
Suledale, 418.
Sulishader, etc., 418.
Sunardal, 418.
Sveins, 418.
Swarbie, etc., 418.
Swast, 298.
Swordale, etc., 418.
T
Tairneilear, 418.
Talamh Feoghre, 418.
Talamhnaitaithean, etc., 418.
Talanotoll, etc., 419.
Talisker, etc., 419.
Talnotain, etc., 418.
Tamhaix, 419.
Tanera, etc., 419.
Tang, An, 419.
Tantabeg, 419.
Taog, etc., 420.
Tarbert, 420.
Tardil, 420.
Tamer, etc., 420.
Tarskvaig, etc., 401.
Tarta Mheall, 420.
Tartar, 401.
Tathag, 420.
Teampull Anait, 420.
Teampull Choan, etc., 401, 421.
Teampull Fhraing, etc., 315r
421.
Teampull Staoin, 421.
INDEX
Teanga, etc., 401.
Teanga Bhrodain, 421.
Teanga Charnaich, 421.
Teanga Riabhaich, 421.
Teist, etc., 421.
Tengour, 421.
Terns, 421.
Terriskle, etc., 421.
Theabraidh, 422.
Thealasbhaidh, 422.
Thon-Eilean, 422.
Thuighe, etc., 401.
Tianavaig, 422.
Tiemchoill, 4122.
Tigh-an-Taightear, 422.
Tigh Creige, 422.
Tighloin, 422.
Tigh-nan-Dniinich, 422.
Tigh-Tara, 423.
Timan, etc., 423.
Tioscobhaig, etc., 423.
Tir Cheiridb, 423.
Tirebirnrie, etc., 423.
Toakvaig, etc., 401.
Tobar, etc., 423.
Tobar a Chinn, 424.
Tobar a Chladaich, 401.
Tobar a Chleir, 402.
Tobar a Choilich, 402.
Tobar a Ghobha, 402.
Tobar a Ghrianan, 424.
Tobar an Deudadh, etc., 424.
Tobar an Domhnaich, 402.
Tobar an Drobhair, 402.
Tobar an Fhiona, etc., 402, 424.
Tobar an Fhionn Choire, 424.
Tobar an Loch Seanta, 425.
Tobar an Suidhe, 425.
Tobar an t-Sithein, 425.
Tobar an Tom-Droighinn, 402.
Tobar an Tnirc, 425.
Tobar a Phrionnsa, 426.
Tobar Artbrannan, 425.
Tobar Ashig, etc., 425.
Tobar Bhrennan, 425.
Tobar Bnaile na h-Aighean, 425.
Tobar Chaluim-Chille, 425.
Tobar Chaoibeirt, 425.
Tobar Chliamain, 426.
Tobar Choan, etc., 402, 426.
Tobar Dhomhnuill Ghixuamaich,
426.
Tobar Dxuim-a-Mhargaidh, 426.
Tobar Eoin, 426.
Tobar Glaic an Fhudair, 402.
Tobar Greep, 426.
Tobar Cuchullin, 426.
Tobar Iaruinn, 426.
Tobar Lianacro, 426.
487
Tobar Loite, etc., 402.
Tobar Lusta, 426.
Tobar Mhaolruibhe, 426.
Tobar Mhuire, 426.
Tobar Mointeach na Steall, 426.
Tobar na Beiste Duibhe, 427.
Tobar na Buaile Duibh, 427.
Tobax na Caillich, 427.
Tobar na Ciste, 402.
Tobar na Cloinne, 427.
Tobar na Coireagan, 402.
Tobar na Curxa, 427.
Tobar na Fala, 427.
Tobar na h-Annait, 427.
Tobar na h-Oan, 427.
Tobar nam Buadh, 427.
Tobar nam Maox, etc., 427.
Tobax nan Ailean, 427.
Tobax nan Ceann, 427.
Tobar nan Oigh, 427.
Tobar nan Uaislean, 427.
Tobar na Slainte, 402.
Tobar na Sluic, 403.
Tobar Ruadh, 428.
Tobar Tath, etc., 428.
Tobar Tellibreck, etc., 428.
Tobar Toireasgail, 403.
Tobax Toi-Cat, 429.
Tobax Tulaich, 429.
Tobax-Uamh-nan-Cno, 429.
Toffna, 429.
Toisgeadal, 429.
Tom Moid, etc., 429.
Tom na h-Uxaich, 430.
Tongue, 403.
Tor, Torr, 430.
Tor-a-Chama-Reidh, 403.
Torag, 403.
Torgabost, 430.
Toxmichaig, etc., 430.
Toxmoie, 403.
Tor na Muclach, 403, 430.
Tor na Tairbh, etc., 403.
Toxnish, 430.
Toxr a Bhuilg, 430.
Tonadoill, etc., 298.
Toxx a Mhaithean, 430.
Tonain, Na, 299, 430.
Toxxan, 430.
Toxxan Uaine, 431.
Toxr Dubh, An, 403.
Tone, etc., 315.
Toxr ’Ille Phadxuig, 430.
Toxr Mhor, 430.
Torr na Bodhaig, 431.
Torr na Daimh, 403.
Torr na h-Aithne, 430.
Torr na Lethpheighinn, 431.
Tori Roid, 403.
488
PLACE-NAMES OF SKYE
Torr Sgalair, 481.
Torr Shiothaig, etc., 403.
Tortamanach, 403.
Torvaig, etc., 403, 431.
Tory, etc., 431.
Tota, etc., 431.
Tota Bhreac, 431. .
Tota Bhriuis, 431.
Totagan nan Druidhean, 431.
Totahoker, etc., 431.
Totaichean, 404.
Totachean Dubha, 431.
Totaig, etc., 432.
Tota Mhic Cuinn, 154, 432.
Tota nam Ban Maire, 432.
Tota-Thaoig, etc., 432.
Tote Uachdarach ’as Iochdarach,
432.
Totrome, etc., 432.
Totscore, etc., 432.
Toultin, etc., 433.
Toum, 433.
Toustle, 433.
Trabost, 433.
Traigh Bheag ’us Mhor, 433.
Treaslane, etc., 433.
Treen, etc., 433.
Trodda, etc., 135, 433.
Trodhu, 433.
Trodigal, etc., 433.
Trooba, etc., 434.
Troterness, etc., 434.
Truagh Mheall, 435.
Trumpan, 117, 118, 123, 435.
Tuddinvain, 436.
Tuirinish, 404.
Tulloch, etc., 436.
Tulm, 436.
Tungadal, 437.
Tungay, 437.
Tungladair, 437.
Tunnuh, 437.
Tusdale, 437.
Tuych, etc., 437.
U
Uadaim, etc., 437.
Uamh, Uaimh, Uamha, 404, 437.
Uamha Bhocsa, etc., 404.
Uamh a Chinn Dheirg, 437.
Uamh a Chreachainn, 437.
Uamh an t-Albannach, 437.
Uamh a Choimnleir, 404, 438.
Uamh an Draoinean, 438.
Uamh an Taibhse, 438.
Uamh an Tairbh, 438.
Uamh Bheag an t-Siosalaich,
438.
Uamh Bhinn, 438.
Uamha Bhodach, 438.
Uamh Chaluim, 299.
Uamh Cleit, 438.
■ Uamh Fhliuch, 404, 438.
Uamh Mhic Coitir, 438.
Uamha nan Calaman, 404, 438.
Uamh-an-Oir, 404, 438.
Uamh nam Piobairean, 439.
Uamh na Sithean, 439.
Uamh ’Phrionnsa, 438.
Uamh Thoirlean, 439.
Uchd a Chroich, 404.
Uchdan Leinibh, 439.
Uchd Ban, 439.
Uchd Mimaig, 439.
Uchd Mor, 439.
Udabachd, 439.
Udal, etc., 440.
Udigil, etc., 440.
Ugag, etc., 440.
Ugaraidh, 440.
Uidh, 440.
Uig, etc., 440.
Uiginish, etc., 442.
Uigshader, etc., 299, 442.
Uilt na Teanga, 404.
Uishness, etc., 442.
Ulbacky, 442.
Ulfhart, etc., 442.
Ulinish, etc., 443.
Unabost, 443.
Unachan, 299.
Unacille, etc., 443.
Ung’ Arnisort, 443.
Ung’ na Sgeire, 443.
Ungshader, etc., 443.
Unish, etc., 443.
Unnsa-Paul, 443.
Urbhuil, 443.
Ure, 443.
Uretill, 443.
Urgag, etc., 444.
Utrigle, 440.
y
(See Bh and U.)
Vaiscraig, 444.
Vallay, 444.
Vallerain, etc., 444.
Valtos, 444.
Varkasaig, etc., 444.
Varragill, 444.
Vaternish, etc., 445.
Vatn, etc., 445.
INDEX
Yidigill, 445.
Yiscovaig, 445.
Yinsanam, etc., 445.
Vngcladdach, 445.
Vngoworrow, 445.
Yngroag, 445.
Yoagryne, 445.
Voaker, 445.
Volobhaig, etc., 445.
Vxiskaig, 131, 445.
Yusay, 446.
W
Wady, 446.
Waterloo, 446.
I
Water ness, etc., 446.
Water say, 446.
Waterstein, etc., 446.
Wygsadder, 447.
Wia, etc., 447.
Wilder, 447.
Y
Yelkie, 447.
Yona, 447.
Yot, 447.
Z
Zair, etc., 447.
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Recounting Highland History, Traditions, Ecelesiology,
Archaeology, Romance, Literature, Humour, Folk-L ore, &c.
By M. E. M. D O N A L D SO N
Author of “ The Isles of Flame,” “ Tonal Mactonal,” “ Islesmen of Bride,” etc.
Sometime Exhibitor at the Scottish Photographic Salon
and the Royal Photographic Society’s Exhibitions.
Illustrated by 40 o f the Author’s Photographs; a Special Map, Line Drawings,
and Original Plans by I s a b e l B o n u s ; and other Plans o f Brochs, Forts,
Castles, and Churches.
Glossary o f Place-Names and Full Index.
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Some Press Notices of First Edition.
“ This handsome volnme is the record . . . by an enthusiast who handles
her camera with more than usual artistic skill and has in consequence been able
to adorn her volume with a series of photographs of more than ordinary interest
and beauty. Miss Donaldson . . . loves her country and all its romantic and
sacred memories with a passion that is unusually deep, and this devotion is
what gives her book its rather naive charm. . . . Miss Donaldson’s enthusiasms
are infectious—and her Jacobitism allows of a hearty allegiance to the house of
Windsor. ”— The Timet Literary Supplement.
“ The book is full of good things. The writer takes the reader on a delightful
journey through a great part o f the Western Highlands and Islands, telling
with literary charm of the beauties, historical associations, and natural
features of the district. She displays a Jacobite fervour that captures the
heart of any Scot who reads the narrative . . . and she writes lovingly of Iona
and St. Columba and all his works. . . . The volume is one that will afford
both pleasure and instruction to the reader.”— Glasgow Herald.
“ The strong undiluted Celtic and Jacobite spirit in which it is steeped should
heighten rather than prevent its enjoyment. . . . It gives flavour and piquancy
to a chronicle which is crammed full of varied and curious information. ... .
She has catholicity of taste in at least the antiquarian subjects in which she
takes, an interest; and nothing in the shape of *Highland and clan history,
traditions, ecclesiology, romance, literature, folklore,’ comes amiss to her net.
What may be still more appreciated than her investigation of old sites . . . are
the bits of living West Highland humour and character which she has collected
in her wanderings, chiefly, as one perceives, through the magnetism of her own
personality and sympathy.”— The Scotsman.
“ A notable volume.”— Edinburgh Evening News.
PAISLEY: ALEXANDER GARDNER,
A N D A L L BOOKSELLERS
L im it e d
SUMMARY OF CHIEF CONTENTS.
C h a p t e r I — I n t h e L a n d o f Pr in c e C h a r l ie .
Clans and all about them—Tartan and its origin—Clanranald and the
chiefship o f Clan Donald—Glenfinnan and the raising of the Prince’s
banner—the fiery cross—old Highland dress—the Roman Church in the
Highlands—Eilean Finàn—Columban legend o f Moidart—Castle Tirrim
—Kinlochailort to Borrodale—resting-cairns—Prince Charlie and Borrodale House and Loch nan Uamh: his hiding-place there—a vitrified
fort and experiments in vitrification—Jacobite songs: Lowland versus
Highland—Arisaig and some sails with a typical Highlander—the
crannog o f Loch nan Eala—Kilmory o f Arisaig and S. Maelrubha—the
Clanranald bard, Alasdair Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair—the old church: its
history and sculptured stones—Highland archery and the true claymore
—Morar: its Loch and Prince Charlie and Lord Lovat—Highland
superstitions and a typical cottage—the people—native dyes, spinning,
and peat-cutting—Mallaig.
C h a p t e r I I .— T h e I s l e o f M i s t .
The three clans of Skye—Armadale Castle and the Macdonalds o f Sleat—
the legend of Somerled—the romance o f the dispute over the chiefship
of Sleat—the Coolin and the legend of Cuchullain—Dunscaith Castle—
Knock Castle and its glaistig—Folk-lore of the glaistig and gruagach—
Armadale to Broadford—Loch nan Dubhrachan and its water-bull—
Folk-lore o f the water-horse—the one-legged goblin—Ashaig and
S. Maelrubha—Broadford and its burial cairn—Seonaid and her story
of the Macdonald’s “ bloody hand ”—the old house of Corrie and
Dr. Johnson—fairy hill and fairy folk—Kilchrist and its antiquities—
Standing-stone and well at Kilbride—Torran to Elgol—Loch Scavaig—
Prince Charlie and Elgol—the Mackinnons—the Prince’s Cave—Broad­
ford to Sligachan—Luib and the Prince’s journey through it—the “ hill
o f the cloaks ” and the well o f the death of Donald Gruamach—Sconser
—Sligachan Inn—'Highland nomenclature—putting the evil eye on a
cottage—the Braes and folk-lore—the cos chrom in use—Loch Columcille
and its remains—the fight of Corrie na Creiche—Prince Charlie in Glen
Sligachan—over the “ Bad Step ” by Camasunary—the “ Bloody Stone ”
—Fairy lore—earth-house and fairy bower at Struan—Clan Macleod and
their pipers—Dunvegan Castle: its legends, history, architecture, and
relics—tales of the Fairy Flag—prophecies o f the Brahan Seer—tales
o f the “ Little F olk ” and of the Macrimmons’ Piping—the humours of
a coach ride to Portrèe—Kingsburgh House and Iain Dubh Macleod—
Peindun and the death o f Flora Macdonald—Caisteal Uisdein—Uig and
witchcraft—Loch Chalumcille and its ancient Columban monastery—the
last stand o f the Norsemen—Kilmuir: Flora Macdonald’s grave—Duntulm Castle—the Lord o f the Isles as judge—the Barrel H ill—the return
to Uig with Flora and “ Betty Burke ”—the Prince’s landing-place—
his encounter at Skudiburg with a herdsman—the journey to Kingsburgh
and his stay there-—his parting with Flora at Portree—sailing southward
on a “ mixed boat ”—Kyle Akin—Castle Maol and its story.
C h a p t e r I I I .— F r o m t h e C a s t l e o f E i l e a n D o n n a n
to t h e B rochs of G le n e lg .
Kyle and its curiosities o f cargo loading—Ardelve—Eilean Donnan as it
was and as it is—the castle—the Clans Mackenzie and Macrae—of
brochs in general and that o f Totaig in particular—Kyle Rhea and its
legends—the Fianna—Glenelg and the Macleods—“ Fairy Footprints ”
—the origin o f Highland fairy-lore—on the Mam Ratagan Pass—John
Maclnnes’ Loch and its water-horse—Scallisaig and its stories—somS
baghanS—the wealth o f Glenbeg: its brochs, stone circle, arid other
antiquitiès — Dun Grugaig — the. walk to Arnisdale — the forcible
suppression o f Episcopacy and imposition o f Presbytery.
C h a p t e r I V .— T h e I s l a n d o f E i g g .
Legendary origin o f its naming—the island’s exceeding beauty—the charm
o f some o f its women—the bean nighe of Cuagach—the poets o f Eigg—
Laig House as it used to be—the Rùn of Hospitality—the wonderful Bay
of Laig: its geology, flora, and folk-lore—stories o f the caves on the
north coast—the cliffs o f Eigg—legends of S. Donnan—his grave and
relics—the old church of Kildonan—the ceremonies o f inaugurating the
Lords of the Isles—the wells of Kildonan and its tumuli—gathering
peats—a legend o f the wren—Cleadale: its wells and their folk-lore—
the “ white bird of corpses ” and the “ knock of the pipers ” —Eigg and
its lochs—the water-horse of Lochan Nighean Dughaill—the crannog
of Loch nam Ban Mor—the famous Sgurr of Eigg and its legends—
Gruline and its antiquities—the massacre: the cave and its story—the
Cave o f Devotion—the “ Christ-Child’s Lullaby ” and the “ Pilgrim’s
Rùn o f Eigg ’’—the little folk on Muck—a Jacobite incident.
C h a p t e r V.—T h r o u g h L o c h a b e r t o t h e C o u n t r y o f
t h e M a c d o n a ld s .
Inverlochy: its ancient history, castle, and battles—Iain Lom, the Bard
of Keppoch—Clan dispositions in battle and the Highland method of
fighting—the siege o f Fort-William in 1746—Onich and Clach-a-Charra
—North Ballachulish and S. Bride’s Church—Ballachulish ferry and its
legends—Eilean Coinneach—S. John’s, Ballachulish—the native Church
o f this country and its history—the “ hollows of the Holy Feast ” —
second sight verms spiritualism—tales of Ewan Mor MacColl—the Duine
Mor of Ballachulish—the “ Macdonald’s Burial Isle ” and its patron
saint—tales of the island, its graves, and old church—second sight in
Glencoe—the massacre of Glencoe: its inception, history, and local tales
of its many incidents—present-day scene of the massacre—the many
bards of Glencoe—the septs of the clans—the hereditary offices in Clan
Donald and the origin of some of its sept names— “ broken ” clans—
local tales of Glencoe and of Ballachulish House—the Pass of Glencoe:
a water-bull and Ossian—the story of the “ Bloody Pool ”—how Glencoe
was snatched from the Macdonalds.
C h a p t e r VI.—T h e C o u n t r y o f t h e S t e w a r t s .
The Stewarts of Appin- their origin, history, and character—the history
of the Church in Appin—the Culloden Memorial there—Castle Stalcaire:
its history and stories—the walk from Port na Crois to Duror—Keil,
and its meaning—Achara and Duror and their people—Springtime in
Duror — the glaistig o f Achindarroch — S. Adamnan’s Church — the
banner of Appin and its vicissitudes—Lag-na-ha and its cave—the ad­
ventures o f Ardsheal after Culloden—the whole story o f the Appin
murder—Glenuire’s cairn in Lettermore—the trial of James of the
Glens: his execution, and tales told o f it—the burning o f Ballachulish
House.
C h a p t e r V I I .— T h e H o m e o f S . C o l u m b a a n d t h e
Isla n d of St a f f a .
Iona: its origin and meaning—Iona o f the tourists—restoration, true and
false—Martyrs’ Bay and its story—the old “ Street o f the Dead ” —
characteristics of modern Iona—S. Columba’s landing-place—the “ bay
of ruins ” and the earliest inhabitants—the “ cairn o f the back turned
to Ireland ”—an ancient Celtic poem—the Machar and its bay—the
“ spouting cave ”—the “ hill of the angels ” and S. Columba—martyrdom
at the “ white sands of the monks ”—Dun I—S. Columba a;nd his Iona—
dress of the monks and their peculiar tonsure—site and description
o f the first monastic buildings—the “ secluded hollow ” o f Iona and its
4
story—the constitution o f the Columban order, their practices,
peculiarities, and worship— S. Columba and the flounder—the hallowing
o f King Aidan—the death o f S. Columba—conjectures as to the place
of his burial—his relics and their wanderings—the memory of
S. Columba: his day, bird, and flower—the legend of S. Columba and
the robin—sheiling hymn o f S. Columba—post-Columban Iona and its
frequent invasion by Danes—the remains o f the later Celtic monastery
—Scotland’s most famous burial-ground: its chajpels, graves, stones, and
their stories—the legend o f the burial o f S. Oran—the art of the
sculptured stones: their symbols and representations—the effigies: their
costume, armour, and arms—fragments of a great cross-—the mediaeval
monastery and its founding------“ S. Columba’s tomb ”—S. John’s Cross
and the “ Stones of Judgment” —the Abbey Church: its architecture,
tombs, and stones—S. Matthew’s and S. Martin’s Crosses—the Chapter
House and other buildings—the famous “ black stones o f Iona ”—Mac­
lean’s Cross—the founding o f the Nunnery: its buildings and stones—
S. Eonan’s Chapel—the stories of the glaistig o f Stonaig and of one of
the fairy hills of the island—the folk-lore of the wells—Staffa and its
caves—a night on the island.
C h a p t e r V I I I .— T h e A t t r a c t i o n s o f A r d n a m u r c h a n .
Its ancient naming and history—Clan Maclain and. the Campbells—
Greideal Fhinn—on the road to Ardnamurchan Point—ingenious gatehinges—Girgadale and Mac Iain Ghiòrr: his cunning by land and sea—
Port-na Cairidh and Eilean Chalum-cille—Ardnamurchan Point and the
legend o f the Macintyres—the ecclesiastical divisions of Ardnamurchan
—Kilchoan: its saint and sculptured stones—tales of the Episcopalian
incumbents—the famous Maighstir Alasdair—round the north of Ben
Hiant to Camus nan Geall—the conjectured Muir bole Paradisi of
Adamnan—S. Columba’s associations with the bay—Cladh Chiarain and
S. Kiaran—remarkable inscribed monolith and some megalithic remains
—S. Columba’s well at Ardslignish and its story—back to Kilchoan by
the coast—Coire-mhuilinn and the “ Sugar Brook ” of Mac Mhaighstir
Alasdair—Mingary Castle: its description and history—to Kilmory,
Clach Chatain, and S. Cathan—Celtic practice regarding dedications and
mediaeval re-dedications—Kilmory probably an instance—Uamha Thuill
and a wonderful bay.
C h a p t e r I X . — P l a c e s o f U n iq u e I n t e r e s t o u t o f t h e
B eaten T rack.
A pilgrimage to Eileach an Naoimh, as the Hinba of Adamnan—folk and
other tales o f islands on the way there—the Garvellochs and their
history—a complete survey of the structural remains on Eileach an
N’aoimh: their description and .history—S. Columba’s connection with
the island and other references to it in Adamnan—Psychic experience
—Corrievreckan and its legends—Dun Domhnuill and the Lords of the
Isles—a Highland chief’s retinue—Clan Malcolm, and the archaeological
treasure of its country—cup and ring stone at Cairnbaan—standingstones and burial-cairns at Nether Largie—Bronze age burials—Unique
crucifix at Kilmartin—Celtic representations of the Crucifixion—
Dunadd: its ancient importance, history, and remarkable symbols—
Installation of the Lords of the Isles—on the road to Tayvallich—an
unusual stone oval, an ancient pillar cross, and a well at Kilmory Oib
—description of the fort on Druim an Duin—a natural transition to
Culloden— Vale !
USABHARLANN
SABHAL MOR OSTAIG