Skye Place-names

KYLEAKIN TO BROADFORD

KYLEAKIN G. Caolas Acainn or Hacoin. Kyleakin Is said to have been named after King Hacon of Norway whose fleet anchored here on its way to Largs in 1263. The forted ruin of Dun Akyn (Hakon's Fort or An Caisteal Maol In Gaelic) is mentioned as far back as the Act of Council in 1360. According to historians it was the home of the Chief of the MacKlnnons of Strath. Legend has it that "Saucy Mary", a Norwegian Princess who was married to a MacDonald chief caused a chain to be hung from the castle to the mainland to ensure that no boat was able to cross the narrows without paying her dues.

ASHAIG G. The crossing. Aisig is the Gaelic verb to ferry over. This was known as the ferry port of Maolrubha - the patron saint of south east Skye.

DROCHAID LUSA G. The bridge over the flowery burn

BREAKISH N. Slope or hollow among hills.

SGULAMUS N. Skull's moss or moorland. Skuli is said to have been a brother of Liotr from whom the Clan MacLeod claim to be descended.

HARRAPOOL N. The Lord's dwelling or homestead.

ARDNEISH G. High promontory.

BROADFORD Broad firth or fiord.

BEINN NA CAGLICH G. The ben or hill of the old lady. (2396 ft. high). This mountain is said to be named after a Danish princess whose remains lie buried on its summit.

BROADFORD TO SLEAT

SLEAT N. A level or plain.

LOCH EISHORT N. The loch of the ice bay or fiord.

KINLOCH G. The head of the loch.

DRUIMFEARNA G. The ridge of the alder.

CNOC BREAC G. The speckled knoll or hillock. ISLEORNSAY G. Said to mean St Oran's Isle. The Gaelic name is Eilean larmann.

CAMUS CROISE G. The bay of the cross.

DUISDALE N. The misty or gloomy dale.

TORAVAIG N. Hill by the bay or sometimes said to mean Thor's bay.

TEANGUE G. Narrow tongue or strip of land.

AN CNOC (KNOCK) G. Hill.

SAASAIG N. South bay.

FERRINDONALD G. Donald's land.

KILMORE G. The great or principal cell or church. At CILL MHOR is the burial place of the MacDonald's - Lords of the Isles and the church which carries this name is one of the oldest in the island. Below Cill Mhor is the stone of Saint Columba. Here, according to tradition. Saint Columba landed in Skye and blessed the ground on which the church was later to be built.

KILBEAG G. The small cell or church.

OSTAIG N. The east bay.

LOCH DHUGHAILL G. Dougald's Loch.

SITHEAN MOR G. The large fairy knoll.

ACH NA CLOICHE G. The meadow of the stone.

GILLEAN N. Ravine or narrow glen.

TARSCAVAIG N. The cod bay.

TOCAVAIG N. The swelling or boisterous bay.

DROCHAID A MHULAINN G. The bridge of the mill.

CREAG A'CHAIM G. The rock at the bend or curve.

ARMADALE Icel. Arm of the sea. The MacDonalds - Lords of the Isles, successively Inhabited Islay, Mull and Skye. Their seat in Skye until 1730 was Duntulm Castle in Trottemlsh which they left, because of its deteriorating state to reside in nearby Monkstadt House. Early in the 19th century they built a new castle at Armadale where the clan chief took residence for over a century. What remains of Armadale Castle is now part of the CLAN DONALD CENTRE - a major tourist attraction in the south of the island.

ARDVASAR G. The meaning of this name is not clear. Aird - height. It has been suggested that the second part of the name comes from saothair, a passage between the mainland and an island.

CALLIGARRY G. Coille Goraidh. Godfrey's wood.

TORMORE G. The big hill or mound.

AN AIRD (AIRD OF SLEAT) G. The point or projecting headland.

BROADFORD TO ELGOL

COIRE CHATACHAN G. The cony of the cat lairs. Boswell and Johnson were entertained in the old house of Coirechatachain by MacKinnon of Corry during their visit to Skye in 1773. MacKinnon was factor to Lord MacDonald.

SUARDAL N. The dale of sward or green pasture.

CILL CHRIOSD G. Christ's church or cell. This was the original name of the parish of Sleat. It was sometimes referred to as Clllechro.

CNOC FORSAIDH N. The hill near the waterfall.

CLACH NA h-ANNAIT Pre-Christian or Pagan worshipping stone rising to 8 feet or so above the ground. Could have been the remains of a stone circle or monolith. A well nearby is said to possess healing properties.

KILBRIDE G. Saint Bridget's church or cell.

CNOC NAN FITHEACH G. Raven's hill or mound.

TORRIN G. The heaps or mounds.

LOCH SLAPIN G. The sluggish muddy loch.

CLACH OSCAR G. Oscar's stone. Named after a Fingallan warrior.

GARBH BHEINN G. The rough or wild mountain.

BLA BHEINN G. The warm or kindly mountain.

COIRE UAIGNEACH G. The remote corry.

FAOILEAN G. Exposed place by the shore.

DRUIM AN FHUARAIN G. The rise or hill of the spring.

RUDHA CRUAIDHLINN G. The point of the rocky ground.

STRATHAIRD (Aird an t-Stratha) G. The heights or promontory of Strath.

KIRKIBOST N. Church at the town or farm.

RINGILL N. The point of the ravine.

KILMAREE G. The church or cell of St Maolrubha.

CAMASUNARY G. Camas Fhionn airidh. Bay of the fair shieling.

AM MAM L. Rounded hill.

DRINAN G. Thicket of blackthorn.

DUN LIATH G. Grey fort or watchtower.

GLASNACILLE G. Green field of the cell or church.

ALLT PORT NA CULLAIDH G. Burn of the port of the boat.

ELGOL N. Holy hill. From this very popular tourist spot countless thousands have made the crossing and walk to sombre Loch Coruisg in the heart of the Cuillins.

PORT AN LUIG MHOIR G. Port of the great hollow. Nearby is the cave where Bonnie Prince Charlie was put in hiding by John MacKlnnon of Kilmaree - Chief of the Clan MacKlnnon, who duly arranged a crossing for the fugitive to Mallaig on the night of 4th July 1746. The Prince was now safely on the mainland on the last leg of his long and arduous journey to safety. MacKinnon was betrayed and later served a year's Imprisonment for his part in the escape.

UAMH ALTRUIMIN (SPAR CAVE) G. The cave of nursing. According to folk-lore an unwanted child of a daughter of a MacKlnnon chief was tenderly cared for in this cave by a sympathetic kinswoman who looked after the child in the cave for several years until he was eventually able to fend for himself. At one time this cave was great tourist attraction because of its outstanding array of stalagmites and stalactites. It was so popular that at one time a toll was levied for entry. Sir Walter Scott wrote thus:- "And o'er its head the dazzling spars Gleam like a firmament of stars."

BROADFORD TO PORTREE

PABAY N. Monk or Priest island.

CORRY G. Circular hollow surrounded by hills.

CAMUS NA SGIANADAIN G. Bay of the stretches of withered grass.

ALLT FEARNA G. Burn of the alder.

STROLLAMUS N. Stroll's moss.

CAOLAS SCALPAIGH N. The narrows of cave island.

DUNAN G. The little fort.

LOCH NA CAIRIDH G. The loch of the weir.

ARD DORCH G. The dark aird or point.

LUIB G. The bends or windings.

ARICHARNOCH G. The shieling of the stony field.

LOCH AINORT N. Loch of the island fiord. This loch has always been a favourite haunt for sea birds but now it carries something quite different - the cages of a modern fish farm.

BEINN DEARG G. The red hills or the Red Culllins.

MOLL N. Shingly or pebbly beach.

GLAMAIG G. Greedy female. This conical shaped hill above Sllgachan rises to 2537 feet.

SCONSER Not known. Could be sco or scoth - an old Celtic term for green plain. It is said that Sconser Inn was the meeting place of the Skye clansmen when MacDonald of Clanranald came to enlist their help on behalf os Prince Charlie in 1745.

SLIGACHAN G. Shelly field or place. Sligachan is a well known mecca on Skye for climbers and artists and here the road branches left for Duirinish and Minginish.

GLEN VARRGILL N. The glen of the weir.

TOTA THAOIG The ruins of Teague's house or hut. Taog or Teague MacQueen was a known Skye warrior - famed for his mental capacity and physical strength.

BEINN CHULESHADER The ben of the mountain pasture.

SHULLISHADDER N. Pillar residence.

PORTREE G. Port an Righ. The port of the king. The name was given to the village in 1540 when James 5th paid a visit to the island and met the clan chiefs in the capital which up till then was called Kiltaraglen, meaning the chapel at the foot of the glen. The parish of Portree dates only from 1726 having until then been part of the parish of Snizort. Portree is the recognised capital of Skye with headquarters for local authority. Tourist Board, Police and a very creditable High School. It was in Portree that Bonny Prince Charlie bade farewell to Flora MacDonald in 1746 after she had vouchsafed his sea escape from Uist amid the striving and searching power of the Redcoats. Johnson and Boswell visited Portree in 1773.

AROUND PORTREE

GLEN GHRASCO N. The grim or rugged faced glen.

LOCH NAN LEARG G. The loch of the plains or meadows.

CREAG BHAN G. The fair or white rock.

COULNACRAGGAN N. The recess of, or in, the rocks.

UIGSHADER N. The hamlet near the bay.

BENESS G. The hill near the stream.

GLENMORE G. The big glen.

MUGEARY N. The dark or gloomy field.

PEINMORE G. The large Pennyland.

PEINIFILEAR G. The pennyland of the fiddler.

INVERALIVAIG N. The mouth or outlet of Olafs river.

CAMUS BAN G. The white bay.

CAMUS TIANAVAIG N. The bay of shelter or refuge (Dianavaig).

CONORDON G. The level piece of land.

ACH NA h-ANNAIT G. Field of the Annat. Pre-Christian place of worship.

OLACH G. Possibly from an fholaich - rank grass.

RUBHA BUIDHE G. The yellow point.

CAMUS A MHOR BHEOIL G. The bay of the big or wide mouth.

GEDINTAILOR G. The rig or plot of the salter or fish curer.

BALMEANACH G. The middle town or hamlet.

PEINACHORRAN N. The pennyland of the point.

RUBHA AN TORRA MHOIR G. The point of the big mound.

RAMASGAR N. The raven's skerry.

TORRAN N. The mounds or heaps.

TROTTERNISH PENINSULA VIA STAFFIN, KILMUIR & UIG

PORTREE G. The port of the king. See previous reference.

TORVAIG N. Hill bay or could be Thor's bay.

BEINN CHRACAIG N. Crow bay. Legend has it that this was at one time the home of Gorm-Shuil Crotach a notorious witch who it is said, hovered in the form of a raven over the boat in which lain Garbh, Mac'Ille Chaluim, a popular chief of the MacLeods of Raasay met his fate by drowning off the north east coast of Skye as he made his way home after attending a christening of the family of Seaforth in the island of Lewis in the latter part of the seventeenth century. In Raasay there is a tradition that on every recurring Friday for a whole year one of MacLeod's sisters composed and sang a new lament to his memory.

ACH A CHORK G. The field of the oats.

CREAG AN FHITHICH G. The raven's rock.

FIURNEAN G. Place of alders.

HOLM N. Small Island in a bay.

STORR N. Steep hill or pinnacle.

TOTTROME N. The toft of the stream.

RIGG N. The ridge.

TOBER NAN DRUIDHEAN G. The well of the Druids.

TOTE G. Ruin of a hut or house.

LEALT G. Half stream or burn.

LONFEARN G. The Alder burn.

BRECKREY G. The speckled, smooth field.

CULNANCNOC G. Back of the knoll or hillock.

HERISHADER N. Lord's seat.

VALTOS N. Fold ridge.

REISABURG N. The place of brushwood.

CUITHER N. A rocky and cave studded area.

DUN GRIANAN G. Sunny fort or mound.

MARISHADER N. Mare town.

ELLISHADER N. A cave or shelling.

LOCH MEALT N. Loch of the unlucky river.

CREAG AN FHEILIDH G. The kilt rock.

STAFFIN N. The place of pillared rocks.

CLACHAN G. Small township or hamlet.

GARRAFAD G. The long wall or dyke.

LOCH CLEAP N. The loch of the plummet.

OB NAN RON G. The bay of the seals.

STENSCHOLL N. The stone slope.

BROGAIG N. The burgh or castle bay.

GLAISPHEIN G. The green pennyland.

SARTLE N. The muddy valley.

QUIRAING N. The round fold or pen. This imposing ridge is obviously the result of some ancient natural upheaval. Bastions of rock raise their imposing forms aloft taking on some very marvellous shapes. One is called the Castle, another the Tower while the Needle rises to a height of 126 feet above its base.

LOCH HASCO N. The loch of the high place.

LOCH LANGAIG The loch of the long bay.

DIGG N. Ditch or mound to keep out water.

DUNAN G. The hillock.

FLODIGARRY N. The floating enclosure or place.

AN GREEP N. Part of sea coast where it is difficult to land.

MAOLADH MOR G. The great mull or hllltop.

KENDRAM G. Head of the ridge.

BALMAQUEEN G. MacQueen's township.

CONISTA N. The high farm steading.

AIRD G. Point or promontory.

RUDHA BHEANACHAIN G. Point of the peaked hill.

KILMOLUAG G St. Moluag's cell, church or chapel.

SOLITOTE N. Ruins on a hill.

SHULISTA N. Solan goose steading. Long ago this township was occupied rent free by the MacLeans who were hereditary physicians to the MacDonalds. Shullsta was also the venue of the first school in north Skye. In the early years of the 17th century this small school taught four languages - English, Gaelic, Greek and Latin as well as arithmetic and navigation.

BEINN VOLOVAIG N. The hill of the steading or house.

LUB A' SGIATHAIN G. The bay or bend of the promontory.

RUDHA VOROVEN G. Headland of the great mountain.

HUNISH N. Ravine of the point.

TULM BAY N. Bay of the stack or cliff.

MEANISH N. Narrow point.

DUNTUILM G. Fort on the grassy hillock or fort on the cliff. Duntulm was originally a Pictish fortress, forming one of a chain of duns or forts stretching along the north coast of the island. On the arrival of the Norsemen the fort became the residence of a powerful Viking leader who gave It the name David's Fort. The Norsemen lost their grip of Skye around 1263. After this Trottemlsh often changed hands. It was not until the 16th century that the Lords of the Isles finally seized the territory and Donald Gorm the chief, took up residence there and carried out considerable Improvements to the fort. No cost was spared to make the fort a castle fit for a chief and Duntulm was looked upon as one of the finest castles of the west. In 1730 the MacDonalds moved away from Duntulm and stayed for a time at Monkstadt before building their new castle at Armadale.

CAIRIDH GHLUMAIG G. The fish weir pool.

LACHESAY N. The place of the sea trout river.

SCORE N. The small bay.

KILMUIR G. Mary's cell, church or chapel. In the graveyard here lie buried many who were highly respected in their day including

FLORA MACDONALD who made history through her part in the escape of Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1746.

OSMIGARRY N. Asmund's farm or enclosure. Here Is situated the SKYE MUSEUM OF ISLAND LIFE - a hamlet of thatched cottages which depict crofting life in the island a century ago.

PEINGOWN G. Pennyland of the smith.

HERBUSTA N. Upper town.

HUNGLADER N. Ounceland of the residence. Another explanation gives it as the residence of Hunn - a Norse warrior. This township was held rent free by the MacArthurs who were the celebrated pipers to the MacDonald chiefs at Duntulm. They came to Skye from Ulva where the clan had a College of piping.

BORNASKETAIG N. The low cape.

KILVAXTER G. The church or cell of the baker.

FEAULL N. Fell or mountain.

CAMUS MOR G. Big bay.

RUDHA A'CHAIRN LEITH G. Headland of the green cairn.

CAIRIDH NAN OB N. Fish weir inlet.

BALGOWN G. The town of the smith.

LINICRO G. Meadow of the fold or the enclosure where flax was grown.

MONKSTADT N. Monk's town. After leaving Duntulm Castle in 1730 Sir Alexander MacDonald moved to Monkstadt House where his family stayed until the castle at Armadale was built. It was here that Lady Margaret MacDonald played hostess to young Flora MacDonald on the night she crossed over from Uist with Bonnie Prince Charlie.

KILBRIDE G. St. Brides cell or church.

TOTESCORE N. A cleft or fork in a rock.

SCUDDA BURGH N. Small hamlets close together.

IDRIGILL N. A hill or ravine.

UIG N. A bay.

CONON G. Caoin amhainn. A gentle flowing river.

CUIL G. Recess or dark corner.

BAILE NAN CNOC G. The township of the hills.

SHEADER N. Seat or residence.

RUDHA RIADHAINN G. Swinging or heaving point.

RUDHA CHORACHAN G. Steep precipitous point.

EARLISH N. The place or field of strife.

CUIDREACH N. Place of power or force. During the 17th century the traffic in cattle dealing was established in Skye - a trade that was to become the principal source of wealth in the island for centuries. The trade was initiated by an enterprising man from Culdreach - Domhnull Maclain 'ic Sheumais who took numerous droves from Skye to Falkirk and to Crieff. This celebrated warrior and bard of clan Donald was the first MacDonald of Kingsborough.

HINNISDALE N. Hengist's dale.

BALMEANACH G. The middle town.

PEINLICH G. The pennyland of the doctor.

PEINAHA G. Pennyland of the ford.

GLENUACHDRACH G. The upper glen.

CREAG NA CUTHAIGE G. Rock of the cuckoo.

KINGSBOROUGH. Here at the home of MacDonald of Kingsborough Prince Charlie spent his first night on Skye after crossing over from Uist in his effort to escape.

CREAG MADRIGIL G. The rock of the white dog.

IULAN DUBH G. The black stackyard.

ROMESDAL N. The giant's dale.

KENSALEYRE G. Head of the gravelly shore or beach. EYRE G. Gravelly shore or boundary.

KEISTLE N. Low lying land between two waters.

RHENETRA G. The level shore.

ANNISHADDER N. The eagle's place of residence.

BORVE N. Little fort.

DRUMUIE G. Yellow ridge.

ACHTALEAN G. Broad bum or broad field.

NA SLUGANAN G. The gorges of a burn.

BORVE TO DUNVEGAN

SKIRINISH N. The rock of the point.

PRABOST N. Broad farm.

TOTE G. Ruins of a house or hut.

PEINMORE G. The big pennyland.

CREPKILL N. Steep ravine.

CARBOST N. Kari's town. Kari - a Norse Christian name.

SKEABOST N. The protected portion of land. An interesting feature of antiquarian interest in this area is the ruin of the old chapel of St Columba on the islet in the Snizort river. Mary MacPherson (Matri Mhor nan Oran) was bom at Skeabost in 1821. Mary was one of Skye's favourite poetesses and wrote compassionately of the crofter's cause in the latter years of the 19th century.

DUN SGALAIR G. The fort of the shieling.

BERNISDALE N. Bjom's dale or glen.

THE AIRD G. The point or headland.

TREASLANE N. Battle enclosure.

CLACHAMAIS G. The bank of the bay.

SULADALE N. The dale of the pillar.

RUDHA NAN CUDAIGEAN G. Cuddy point.

LYNDALE G. Flax dale or valley.

FANKS G. Flat fields naturally enclosed by rocks.

BRAEBOST N. Broad farm.

KELDONAN G. The church or cell of St Donan - one of the popular Scottish Saints.

FLASHADDER G. Flat pasture land or shieling.

ARNISORT N. The Eagle's loch or firth.

DUN BORVE N. The fort of the Pictish tower.

EDINBANE G. The white face or slope.

COSHLETTER N. Base of the sloping mount.

GRESHORNISH N. Grice or pig's ness.

LOCH DIUBAIG N. Loch of the deep bay.

FAIRY BRIDGE (or BEUL ATH NAN TRI ALLT) At this point where three roads converge we turn right for Watemlsh or left for Dunvegan. The old bridge got its name from the time in Clan MacLeod history when the fourth chief is said to have married a fairy wife. They had a young baby son but the fairy wife had a constant urge to return to her own folk. One day she made up her mind to go and no earthly power would keep her. Her husband walked with her and on the way tried to make her change her mind but to no avail. As they reached The Ford of the Three Bums, the fairy rose slowly into the sky and as she rose she dropped a piece of finest silk which landed at her dejected husband's feet. 'Keep this flag' she said 'and unfurl it to the wind whenever a crisis hits you. It will save you and yours twice but woe betide you if you unfurl it a third time.' It appears the flag has already been used to good effect on two occasions and now it rests untouched by human hand in a glass case in ancient Dunvegan Castle.

FAIRY BRIDGE TO WATERNISH

DUN A CHAIM G. Dun of the bend.

CAMUSLUSTA G. Lusta Bay.

LUSTA G. The flowery well.

STEIN N. Stone.

WATERNISH Watery point or promontory.

HALLIN N. The sloping field.

HALISTRA N. Town or residence on the slope.

CARNACH MOR G. The big cairn.

TRUMPAN N. The one sided hillock. Here we find the ruins of Trumpan Church which was burned down by the MacDonalds while the MacLeods were worshipping there in 1578. Among the graves of many local people one can still trace the humble gravestone of the ill-fated Lady Grange, wife of a Lord Justice Clerk of Edinburgh who was burled there after spending many sad and lonely years in the islands after she had overheard a plot being made by her husband and others to further the Jacobite cause. Her husband who was now afraid she would betray him deported her to the west where she died some years later.

ARDMORE G. The big point or aird.

SGOR BEAG G. The small precipice.

DUN GEARY MORE G Dun of the big pasture.

UNISH N. Nose bay.

BIOD SGIATH NA CORRA-GREBICH G. Peak of the crane's wing.

CREAG AN FHITHICH G. The raven's rock or crag.

BIOD A CHOLTRAICHE G. Peak of the razorbill.

GEARY G. The shieling or enclosure.

KNOCK BRECK G. The spotted hillock.

AROS BAY N. The bay of the dwelling.

GILLEN N. Ravine or narrow glen.

FAIRY BRIDGE TO DUNVEGAN

HORNEVAL N. The fell of the eagle.

LIAN AIRIGH NAN GEADH G. The plain of the shieling of the goose.

LON A CHLEIRICH G. The clerk's burn.

BETON A CHAPUILL G. The horse's hillock.

SKRIAG N. The dry or parched place.

DUNVEGAN G. The fort of the few or the little fort. Here we find the oldest inhabited castle in Scotland and one of Stye's major tourist attractions. Dunvegan Castle has been the home of the chiefs of the MacLeod clan for over 700 years and contains many precious clan relics - one of these being The Fairy Flag already referred to. The present clan chief, John MacLeod of MacLeod does not live here permanently but takes a close Interest in the affairs of his clan and In the castle.

TOTACHOCATRE G. The cook's ruin.

FIADHATRT G. Deer enclosure or forest.

SUARDAL N. The dale of the green pasture or sward.

BEINN BHREAC G. The spotted or speckled hill.

CLAIGEAN G. The cultivated place.

AN DOIRNEAL G. The stony or gravelly place.

DUNVEGAN TO GLENDALE

OSDALE N. East fell.

SKINIDIN N. The dun of the withered grass.

EILEAN MOR G. Big island.

EILEAN DUBH G. The black island.

COLBOST N. Cold place or steading.

BEINN NA CRICHE G. Ben of plunder or spoil.

TOTAIG G. The ruin by the bay.

HUSABOST N. House of the homestead.

UIG N. Bay.

BORRERAIG N. Fortress bay. Here was the College of Piping of the MacCrimmons, renowned pipers to the MacLeod chiefs. At Borreraig a calm commemorates the great pipers.

GALTRIGILL N. Pig or hog's place. It was here that Donald MacLeod who guided Bonnie Prince Charlie to the Outer Hebrides after Culloden belonged.

FERINIQUAIRE G. MacQuarrie's land or the land of Godfrey's son.

GLASPHEIN G. The grey pennyland.

FASACH G. The desert or barren land.

GLENDALE N. Here at Glendale were born the once renowned lyricists, Donald MacLeod and his sons Neil and John. Neil wrote some very plaintive Gaelic songs and his book Clarsach an. DoVe went into its fourth edition during his own lifetime.

LEPHIN G. Half penny land.

HOLMISDALE N. The low lying land or dale.

HAMERAVERIN N. The hollow of the hammershaped rock. POLLOSGAN G. The frog's pool.

MIOLAVAIG N. Small height or hill.

BORRODALE N. The dale of the castle.

MEANISH N. Narrow point.

BIODA BAN G. The white point.

OISGILL BAY N. The bay of the ravine.

NEIST N. Horse-shaped place. Nelst Point is the most westerly and most exposed point of Skye. The point was very dangerous for shipping until a lighthouse was erected in 1908. This lighthouse was manned until it went automatic In 1989.

AN STAC G. The stack or pinnacle.

MOONEN BAY Named after an Ossianic hero named Munan.

RAMASAIG N. Raven's bay.

LORGILL N. The glen of the deer cry.

HEALABHAL N. Flagstone fell. (MacLeod's Tables).

IDRIGILL POINT N. Hill or ravine. Lady Grange was imprisoned here for a time.

DUNVEGAN TO SLIGACHAN

KILMUIR G. Mary's cell, church or chapel.

LONMORE G. The big bum or stream.

HERIBOST N. Upper town.

ROSGILL N. Gully or ravine of the promontory.

VATTEN N. Water, lake or loch.

HARLOSH N. Rock of the fire.

FEORLIG N. Farthing land.

ARDMORE The big aird or point.

ROAG N. The noisy place.

ORBOST N. Oris' town.

GREEP N. Coast precipice.

GLEN HEYSDALE N. Mound dale glen.

CAROY G. Red rock. It was here that the MacLeods gathered to decide on whether or not to follow Prince Charlie in 1745.

BALMEANACH G. The middle town.

OSE G. River mouth.

GEARY MORE G. The big pasture land.

EABOST N. Homestead.

ULLINISH N. Ulli's point.

BRACADALE N. Place of meeting of townships.

STRUAN G. The small stream.

AMAR (River) G. The trough or river of the rocky channel.

DUN DIARMAID G. Diarmald's Fort.

COILLORE G. The wood of gold.

MEADLE N. Narrow dale or glen.

RATH-SOLUIS G. Circle or mound of light.

LOCH HARPORT N. Loch by the goat fiord.

DRYNOCH G. Place of thorns.

CARBOST N. Kari's town. Kari - a Norse proper name.

FERNLEA G. The broader land.

PORTNALONG G. Port of the boats.

ARDTRECK G. Thought to be aird bhreac - the speckled point.

FISCAVAIG N. Fish bay.

TALISKER N. The house of, or at, the rock.

GLEN CALADALE N. Cold dale.

SKRIDAN N. Stony ravine.

KEARRA G. The fourth part of a land measure.

FAOLAINN N. Flat stony land close to the sea.

EYNORT N. An isthmus.

GLENBRITTLE Meaning not known. Gaelic - BREATAL. One of the most beautiful glens in Scotland on the west side of the Cuillins.

CROSSAL N. The pass in the rocks.

CAIPLICH G. The place of horses.

SLIGACHAN G. Shelly field or place.

THE CUILLIN HILLS

SGUR NAN GOBHAR G. Goat's Peak, 2047 feet high.

SGUR A'BHAISTEIR G. Peak of the executioner.

SGUR SGUMAIN G. The peak of the stack-shaped hill.

SGUR ALASDAIR G. Alexander's peak, 3300 feet. Highest and one of the finest peaks of the Cuillins. The peak was given this name to commemorate Alexander Nicolson - a Skyeman who was the first man known to ascend it in 1873.

BEALACH GARBH CHOIRE G. Pass of the wild corry.

SGUR A CHOIRE BHIG G. Peak of the little corry, 2870 feet. SGUR AN EAS G. Peak of the waterfall.

SGUR DUBH MOR G. The big black peak.

SGUR DUBH BEAG G. The small black peak.

SGUR A FIONNCHOIRE G. Peak of the bright corry.

AN GARBH CHOIRE G. The wild corry.

SGUR MHIC CHOINNICH G. MacKenzie's peak. Named after a famous guide John MacKenzie.

SGUR DEARG G. The red peak. Second highest peak in the Cuillins, 3234 feet.

COIR AN LOCHAIN G. The corry of the little loch.

SGUR A GREADHAICH G. Peak of torment, 3137 feet. Longest rock climb in the British Isles.

COIR A MHADAIDH G. The dog's corry.

SGUR NAN GELLEAN G. The lad's peak, 3167 feet.

BRUACH NA FRITHE G. Brae of the forest, 3143 feet. COIRE BHASTEIR G. Corry of the executioner.

MEALL ODHAR G. The dun hill.

HARTA CORRY G. The corry of the hart.

MEALL DEARG G. The red hill.

AM FUAR CHOIRE G. The cold corry.

BEALACH NA SGAIRDE G. Pass of the scree.

COIRE NA CRICHE G. Corry of the spoil.

MAM A PHOBUILL G. The people's hill.

THE ISLAND OF RAASAY

RAASAY N. Roe island or roe ridge Island.

SUISINISH N. Seething point.

INVERARISH N. Dwelling at the river mouth.

CLACHAN G. Small hamlet or township.

OSKAIG N. Mouth of river or an outlet.

HOLOMAN BAY N. The bay of the small island.

BALACHUIRN G. Caim town or township.

BALMEANACH G. The middle town.

BRAE G. Upland district.

GLAM G. Noise as from a prattling stream.

MANISH MOR Icel. Seagull point.

BROCHEL N. The rock fort. Here at one time there was a castle said to be able to accommodate 80 people. It was destroyed by the Hanoverians after 1745 as MacLeod of Raasay had sided with the Jacobites.

ARNISH N. Eagle's point.

TORRAN G. The mounds or heaps.

BEINN NA H'lOLAIRE G. The hill of the eagle.

EILEAN FLADDAY N. Flat island.

RUDHA BREACAICHTE G. The speckled promontory.

SGUR NAN GALL G. The peak of the Lowlanders.

EILEAN TIGH G. The island of the house.

AN CAOL G. The strait or narrows.

SCREAPADAL G. The rough or scabbed dale.

HALLAIG Icel. The saint's island or the holy Island.

RUDHA NA LEAC G. The point of the flat stones.

FEARNS G. The place of the alder.

RAMASAIG N. Raven's bay.

EYRE Icel. A narrow tongue of land.

ISLE OF RONA

RONA N. Rock surfaced isle.

CAOLAS RONA Kyle or narrows of Rona.

GARBH EILEAN G. Rough island.

PORT AN TEAMPUILL G. Port of the temple.

RUDHA DUBH CHAMAIS G. Black or dark bay point.

ACARSAID MHOR G. The great or principal anchorage.

ACARSAm THIORAM G. The dry anchorage.

PORT AN FHEARAINN G. The land port.

LOCH A BHRAIGHE G. The brae loch.

SGATH A'BHANNAICH G. The shade of the cunning one (fox).

LOCHALSH

LOCHALSH Known in early times as Volas Bay N. Vol - to roll, as a wave.

BADICAUL G. Hazel clump.

ERBUSAIG N. Erp's vik or bay.

PORT NA CLOICHE G. Port of the stone.

DRUMBUIE G. Yellow ridge.

DUIRINISH N. Deer's ness or headland.

PORTNEORNA G. Barley port.

DUNCRAIG G. The dun of the rock.

FEARNAIG G. Place of alders.

PORTCHULLAN G. Port of the holly.

PLOCKTON G. Am ploc, the lump.

ULHAVA N. Wolfs isle.

ACHMORE G. The big field.

ACH NA HINICH (or ACH NA h-AONAICH) G. The field of the fair.

ACHACHONLAICH G. The field of the stubble.

STROMFERRY N. Strome - current. The ferry of the current.

BALMACARA G. Township of the McAra family.

RERAIG N. Reed bay.

AVERNISH N Big or bulkiness.

AUCHTERTYRE G. Upper part of the land.

NOSTIE G. (or N'OST-THIGH) The inn.

ARDELVE G. Height of the fallow land.

SALLACHY G. Place of willows.

CONCHRA G. Place of folds.

Return To Scottish Placenames