Scottish toponymy

Scottish toponymy derives from the languages of Scotland. The toponymy varies in each region, reflecting the linguistic history of each part of the country.

Goidelic roots accounts for most place-names in eastern Scotland, with a few Anglic names in Fife and Angus and with a small number Pictish elements assimilated into the total toponymy.^[1]

Nearly every place-name in the Northern Isles has Norse roots (see Norn language and Scandinavian toponymy),^[2] as do many in the Western Isles and along the coasts of the mainland.

In the highlands, the names are primarily from Scottish Gaelic, with emphasis on natural features; elements such as Glen- (Gaelic: Gleann, valley) and Inver- (Gaelic: Inbhir, confluence, mouth) are common. Some Gaelic elements may themselves also be ultimately of Pictish or Brythonic origin, such as Obar (Aber-, meaning confluence; cf modern Welsh Aber-) and Srath (Strath-, a wide, shallow river valley; cf modern Welsh Ystrad).

In lowland Scotland, names are of more diverse origin. Many are Gaelic, but many also derive from the Brythonic branch of Celtic languages (such as Lanark). There are also a substantial number of place names, particularly in the east lowlands, derived from the northern dialect of Old English (see Northumbrian language) and later Scots. For example, -dale as used in e.g. Tweeddale, is from Old English.

Places in Scotland where the Gaelic and English placenames appear to differ

This is a list of names which are not cognate, i.e. they are not from the same root or origins. Some names which appear unrelated in fact are; for example the name Falkirk ultimately derives from a calque (i.e. a word-for-word translation) of its Gaelic name An Eaglais Bhreac (literally 'the speckled/variegated church').

English name	Scottish Gaelic name	Notes
Alexandria	Magh Leamhna	The Gaelic name refers to the Plain of Leven, or the Lennox.
Applecross	A' Chomraich	The English is a corruption of an Aber- name.
Bearsden	Cille Phàdraig Ùr	Former name "Kilpatrick".
Beauly	A' Mhanachainn	Gaelic name means "The Monastery", referring to Beauly Priory.
Bishopbriggs	Coille Dobhair	Former name "Cadder".
Bo'ness	Ceann an Fhàil	Bo'ness is short for Borrowstounness; former name "Kinneil".
Cairngorms	Am Monadh Ruadh	English name for the range derived from Cairn Gorm, single mountain.
Cairnryan	Machair an Sgithich	"Carn Rioghainne" is also seen occasionally in Gaelic.
Campbeltown	Ceann Loch Chille Chiarain	Gaelic means "Head of Loch Kilkerran", and is often shortened to "Ceann Locha". Loch Kilkerran is an antiquated name for Campbeltown Loch.
The Cobbler	Beinn Artair	"Ben Arthur" is in occasional use in English too.
Dingwall	Inbhir Pheofharain	The English name comes from the Norse for a local parliament, while the Gaelic refers to the local river.
Dufftown	Baile Bhainidh	A translation of the English is occasionally used.
Flowerdale	Am Baile Mòr	Gaelic name means "The Large Farm".
Fort Augustus	Cille Chuimein	Formerly "Kiliwhimin".
Fort William	An Gearasdan	Gaelic name means "The Garrison". "Inverlochy" is used for the general area.
Fortrose	A' Chananaich	Name translates to "Canonry". Formerly called "Chanonry".
Holywood	Doire Chonaill	Former name "Dercongal".
Kincardineshire	A' Mhaorainn	Also known as "The Mearns".
Laurencekirk	Coinmheadh	Former name "Conveth". A translation of the English is in occasional use.
Leverburgh	An t-Òb	English name derived from Lord Leverhulme; formerly "Obbe".
Linlithgow	Gleann Iucha	These names may be etymologically linked, and refer to the loch in the town.
Lochnagar	Beinn Chìochan	The Gaelic name refers to the mountain; the English name comes from an adjacent loch.
River Forth	An Abhainn Dubh	Gaelic name means "The Black River".
Rothesay	Baile Bhòid	Gaelic name means "town of Bute".
South Queensferry	Cas Chaolais	"Caschillis" is an old form. A translation of the English name is sometimes used.
St Kilda	Hiort	Main island is often called Hirta. Origin of both names is unclear.
Tain	Baile Dhubhthaich	Gaelic name refers to Saint Duthac, the English to the River Tain.
Troon	An Truthail	Gaelic name means "The Thrush".
Wishaw	Camas Neachdain	From Gaelic "Camas", meaning bend/meander and Neachdain, which could refer to several historical or mythological figures. See also - Cambusnethan.

References

^ Houston, Robert Allan; Knox, William (2001). National Museums of Scotland (ed.). The new Penguin history of Scotland: from the earliest times to the present day. Allen Lane History Series. Allen Lane in association with National Museums of Scotland.
^ Duncan, Archibald Alexander McBeth (1975). Donaldson, Gordon (ed.). The Edinburgh history of Scotland. The Edinburgh History of Scotland. Vol. 1. Oliver & Boyd. ISBN 978-0-05-002037-1.

Scottish toponymy

Contents

Places in Scotland where the Gaelic and English placenames appear to differ

See also

References

Further reading