Gairloch in North-West Ross-Shire

Contents

Introduction

Extent of Gairloch parish—Name—Curious muddle about “the Gairloch”—Name used in four senses—Attractions of Gairloch—Loch Maree—Superficial observation of tourists—A party declare they have “seen Loch Maree”—Inducements to longer visits—Credibility of old traditions—Gaelic names—Pronunciation—Interference with sportsmen and deer forests deprecated—Mountain ascents—Drawbacks to them—Shorter climbs recommended—Mania for exterminating plants—Instances

Part I — Records and Traditions of Gairloch

Chapter I — Early History

Absence of ancient records—Giants in those days—Fingalian legends—Condition of Pictish aborigines—Their houses and implements—Druids—Roman invasion—Pictish monarchy—Introduction of Christianity—St Maelrubha—Hermits of Isle Maree—Norse vikings—Norwegians and Danes—End of Norwegian rule in 1263—The earls of Ross—Donald of the Isles—The Mackenzies

Chapter II — The Tragedy of Isle Maree

Scene laid in Isle Maree—The hermit saint—Prince Olaf—His fiery temper—Falls in love—Brings his bride to Isle Maree—Is compelled to leave her on an expedition—The white and black flags—Return of the prince—Jealousy of the princess—Her scheme to test Olaf’s affection—His madness on seeing the black flag—Thinking her dead he kills himself—The princess stabs herself and dies—Their graves on Isle Maree

Chapter III — The Mackenzies of Kintail

Two origins of the family of Mackenzie—The Cabar Feidh—Angus Mac Mhathain—Kenneth, first lord of Kintail—John, second lord, shelters Robert Bruce—Kenneth of the Nose—Kenlochewe ravaged—Leod Mac Gilleandreis—Black Murdo of the Cave—Joined by Gille Riabhach—Comes to Kenlochewe—Slays Leod Mac Gilleandreis and his followers—Ath nan Ceann—Fe Leoid—Black Murdo of the Cave recovers Kintail—Murdo of the Bridge, fifth lord of Kintail—Alexander the Upright, father of Hector Roy, first laird of Gairloch—Skirmish of Beallach nam Brog—Residences of lords of Kintail

Chapter IV.—Ewan Mac Gabhar, the Son of the Goat.

Ardlair—The cave of the king’s son—Old Oighrig and her son Kenneth—The goat Earba nourishes Ewan in the cave—Flora and Ewan come to Letterewe—Ewan’s sword and mantle of state—The lord of Kintail comes to hunt—Flora and Ewan suspected—Kenneth and Flora carried off to Eileandonain—Oighrig and Ewan conveyed to Colin Mor Gillespie—Colin Mor brings up Ewan—Great war against the queen widow of Olamh Mor—Ewan gets a command—His slender page—Mull plundered—The invaders surprised at night and captured—The queen condemns the chiefs to death—Ewan led forth to die—The execution arrested—Ewan identified and proclaimed king—Prophecy fulfilled

Chapter V — The Macraes of Kintail and Gairloch

The Macraes settle in Kintail—Become Mackenzie’s “shirt of mail”—The sons of Fortune—Assist in conquest of Gairloch—List of Macraes who fought for Gairloch—Effigy of Donald Odhair—Macraes renowned archers—Compared with Turkish archers—The Macraes bore the dead bodies of their chiefs to burial—The last occasion of this—Curious statement

Chapter VI — The MacBeaths

MacBeaths from Assynt—Some still in Gairloch—Had several strongholds—Lochan nan Airm—Kintail men come to Loch Tollie—Shoot MacBeath’s servant on the island—MacBeath flies—Is struck by an arrow—Kintail men stay a night on the island—Come through Gairloch—Report to their chief

Chapter VII — The M’Leods of Gairloch

The Siol Torquil—Claim to Gairloch—Legal title commenced 1430—MacBeaths expelled—The Tigh Dige—Strongholds of the M’Leods—Eilean Ruaridh—Allan M’Leod, laird of Gairloch—Murdered by his brothers at the “Hill of evil counsel”—They also murder his two boys—The widow takes their bloody shirts to her father—Hector Roy takes the shirts to the king—Who gives Hector commission of fire and sword against the M’Leods—The M’Leods confined to one-third of Gairloch

Chapter VIII — The Macdonalds in Gairloch

Macdonalds, clansmen of Donald of the Isles—Probably some settled in Gairloch—Still in Gairloch and Alligin—Mac Gille Riabhaich—His cave—Story of his oak cudgel—The soubriquet Darach—His descendant, Darroch of Torridon—Donald Dubh Mac Gillechriosd Mhic Gille Riabhaich—Threatens Hector Roy—Slays Buchanan after Flodden Field

Chapter IX — Hector Roy Mackenzie, First Laird of Gairloch

Vision of the great chief and his bodyguard—His appearance and valour—Obtains charter to Gairloch—Slays three M’Leods at “the Gairloch”—The battle of Park—Hector Roy and Big Duncan of the Axe—Hector Roy at Sauchieburn—He claims Kintail—Battle of Drum a Chait—Big Duncan again assists—Hector Roy outlawed—Assists Mac Cailean—Kneels before the king—Grasps his hand—Is pardoned—Abandons his claim to Kintail—Fight with M’Leods at Beallach Glasleathaid—Big Duncan and his son Dugal—Hector Roy conquers part of Gairloch—Battle of Flodden—Clan Eachainn

Chapter X — John Glassich Mackenzie and His Sons

John Glassich brought up in Strathglass—Claims Kintail—Refuses to join the royal standard—Apprehended by Kenneth of Kintail—Iain Gearr’s pluck—Death of John Glassich—Donald Gorme invades Kenlochewe—Hector and Alexander, sons of John Glassich, both slain

Chapter XI — John Roy Mackenzie

John Roy resembled his grandfather Hector—His youth—Visits his mother, wife of Mackay—Goes with a bodyguard to Iain Liath at Glas Leitire—Lord Kintail abandons his hunt on the Glas Leitire hills—John Roy and Iain Liath go to Gairloch—Iain Dubh Mac Ruaridh M’Leod abandons the Gairloch dun—Struggles with the M’Leods—John Roy’s family—His bodyguard composed of his twelve sons—Dealings with the tithes of Gairloch—The Talladale ironworks—John Roy’s residence—Visits Mackay—Mackay’s piper becomes John Roy’s piper—Lord Mackenzie summons John Roy to Torridon—He stays the night with his lordship—Proposed assassination deferred—John Roy’s sons arrive and take him away—Allies of Glengarry Macdonalds make an incursion to Kenlochewe—Lord Mackenzie visits John Roy—John Roy granted a remission by the crown

Chapter XII — Expulsion of the M’Leods From Gairloch

Murchadh Riabhach na Cuirce—Slays Mac Iain Dhuibh M’Leod—Ruaridh Mac Allan M’Leod assassinates Iain Mac Ghille Challum M’Leod and his sons by Janet Mackenzie—John Roy revenges the murder—Expels the M’Leods from Gairloch—The Cnoc a Chrochadair—The affair at Leac nan Saighead—Mor Ban persuades the M’Leods to invade Gairloch—They come to Fraoch Eilean—Donald Odhar and his brother shoot them from Leac nan Saighead—Only two M’Leods escape in the birlinn—Donald Odhar’s long shot from Craig a Chait—Young M’Leod of Assynt asks John Roy’s daughter for his wife—Is refused—Fionnla Dubh na Saighead insults him—The M’Leods return to take vengeance on Finlay—He and Chisholm shoot many of them—Finlay pursues Neil M’Leod to the Bac an Leth-choin and shoots him at the Druim Carn Neill—Fight at Lochan an Fheidh—Affair at Raasay—Murdo Mackenzie in his ship driven into Kirkton—Young M’Leod of Raasay and his companions visit him—All the party get drunk except four Gairloch men—A fight ensues—Murdo drowned—All on board slain except three of the abstainers—They escape

Chapter XIII — Alastair Breac, and His Son and Grandson

Alastair Breac, a renowned warrior—Raids of cattle lifters—Iain Geal Donn proposes a raid on Gairloch—Alastair Buidhe Mackay intercepts him at Scardroy—Slays him and all his men except one—Alastair Breac sends the news to Lord Mackenzie—Cameron of Lochiel plans a raid on Gairloch in revenge—Alastair Breac sends eighty men to oppose him, but he has retired—Song composed to the Guard of the Black Corrie—Colla Ban—In default of blackmail threatens raid on Gairloch—His spies are frightened by four Gairloch men at Luibmhor—Kenneth, sixth laird of Gairloch, fined as a “malignant”—Alexander, seventh laird of Gairloch

Chapter XIV.—The Baronets of Gairloch and some other Gairloch Mackenzies.

Sir Kenneth, eighth laird of Gairloch—M.P. for Ross-shire—Sir Alexander, ninth laird of Gairloch—Builds Flowerdale—The “Forty-five”—Murder of the Gille Buidhe, valet to Prince Charlie—Duncan Macrae conveys a keg of gold for Prince Charlie’s use—The “sian”—English man-of-war fires at Flowerdale—Sir Alexander, tenth laird of Gairloch—Builds Conan House—His son called “Fighting Jack,” the father of the British army—Sir Hector Mackenzie—Lives at home—Lord-Lieutenant of Ross-shire—His beloved lady—Sir Francis Mackenzie—Publishes his “Hints” in 1838—Sir Kenneth, present baronet—Mackenzies of Letterewe—Mackenzies of Lochend—Mackenzies of Gruinard—Large family—Mackenzies of Kernsary—Summary of Mackenzie History—Crest, Badge, Slogan, and Pipe tunes

Chapter XV — Gairloch Estates, and Old Names of Places

Kenlochewe—Gairloch—Description in protocol of 1494—Description in retour of 1566—Description in 1638—Names in Dutch map of 1662—Second half of the water of Ewe bought in 1671—Strip on north of River Ewe acquired in 1844—Letterewe originally Kintail property—Acquired by Charles Mackenzie in 1696—Sold to Mr Bankes in 1835—Northern parts of Gairloch belonging to Gruinard Mackenzies before 1655—Sold to Davidson of Tulloch in 1795—Afterwards acquired by Mr Bankes—Mr O. H. Mackenzie’s estate of Inverewe

Chapter XVI — Ecclesiastical History of Gairloch

First church in Gairloch—Other early ecclesiastical buildings—Rector of Gairloch at date of Reformation—Presbyterianism—Tulchan bishops—Changes from Episcopalianism to Presbyterianism—Rev. Alexander Mackenzie—Rev. Farquhar Macrae—Rev. Roderick Mackenzie—Rev. Kenneth Mackenzie of Kernsary—Rev. John Morrison—Persecuted by Episcopalians—Anecdotes—His turf-built church in Tollie Bay—Christmas story—Rev. James Smith—First school in Gairloch—Anecdote of Rev. Mr Sage—Rev. Æneas McAulay—Rev. John Dounie—Rev. James Russell—His imperfect Gaelic—Poolewe made a separate parish—The Disruption—Presbyteries of Dingwall, Kenlochewe, Chanonry, Gairloch, and Loch Carron—Churches in Gairloch—Manse and glebe at Achdistall, Cliff and Strath—Free churches and their ministers

Chapter XVII — Ancient Gairloch Ironworks

Two classes of remains of ironworks—Rev. Donald M’Nicol’s statement—Coin found near old Yorkshire ironworks—Iron implements used by ancient inhabitants—Disappearance of them accounted for—Other ancient remains in Sutherlandshire, Ross-shire, and Inverness-shire—Bog iron was the ore used of old in Gairloch—Processes of the ancient ironworkers—Wasteful richness of their slags accounted for—Charcoal was their fuel—The ancient forests of timber—Their disappearance—Water power anciently employed for working hammers

Chapter XVIII — The Historic Ironworks of Loch Maree

The present series of Scottish ironworks commenced on Loch Maree—The licence to Archibald Primrose for making iron ratified in 1612—Spread of the iron industry in the eighteenth century—Iron furnaces in Glengarry—Abernethy furnaces of the York Buildings Company—The Bonawe furnace—The Argyle Furnace Company—The Lorn Company—The Carron ironworks—The Wilsonton works—Furnace at Goatfield—Pennant’s notice of the furnace near Poolewe—The Fife Adventurers and the Lews—The Rev. Farquhar Macrae, vicar of Gairloch—The Letterewe furnace established in 1607 by Sir George Hay—Previous history of Sir George—His residence at Letterewe—His ironworks—The timber consumed—The goods produced—The improvements he effected—Act prohibiting the making of iron with wood—Monopoly of iron manufacture granted to Sir George—Ratified by Parliament—Proclamation restraining the export of iron ore—Licence to Sir George to sell iron in royal burghs—Sir George’s probable acquaintance with John Roy Mackenzie, laird of Gairloch—Sir George’s friendship with the Rev. Farquhar Macrae—The minister’s stone—Sir George leaves Letterewe—His distinguished after-career—Created first Earl of Kinnoull—Continuance of the ironworks—Tombstone of John Hay—His probable relationship to Sir George—Discontinuance of the ironworks—The artisans employed—Whence they came—The Kemps—The Cladh nan Sasunnach—Condition of the ironworkers in the then state of the Highlands—The Big Englishman

Chapter XIX — The Iron Ores Used in Gairloch

References to local iron ore—Local bog iron used at ancient bloomeries—Ferruginous rocks and shales—Traditional quarries—Richness of bog iron—Places where it is still found in Gairloch—Bog iron originally used by Sir George Hay—He afterwards imported red hematite and clayband ironstone—Mr Marr’s description of these ores—They were landed at Poolewe—Remains of them there—Mr Macadam’s analyses—Mixture with local ore—Classification of the ores

Chapter XX.—Remains of Ironworks in the Parish of Gairloch.

Mr Macadam’s description of two classes of slag—List of six localities of ironworks—Glen Dochartie—Fasagh—Analyses—Lochan Cul na Cathrach—Furnace, Letterewe—Talladale—Garavaig, on Slatadale farm—Red Smiddy, near Poolewe—Iron articles found—The borings at Cuil an Scardain—Chronological order of the ironworks—Other supposed furnaces—Notices of ironworks or mines in old Dutch map, and in “Present State of Great Britain and Ireland”—Conclusion

Chapter XXI — Antiquities

Want of interesting remains of ancient buildings—Supposed Druidical remains in Tollie wood—Druidical enclosure on Isle Maree—The Island of Justice—Pictish round houses—Vitrified fort—Ancient duns, strongholds, or crannogs—Remains of churches—Gairloch church—Culinellan church—Turf-built church in Tollie Bay—Church at Tollie Croft, or Cruive End—Chapel of Inverewe—Chapel of Sand of Udrigil—Old burial-grounds—Remains of other old buildings—Remains on Isle Maree—On Eilean Ruaridh Beag—On Eilean Suainne—The Tigh Dige—The Sabhal-Geal—The Temple house—Old houses—Ancient weapons and implements—The Feill Iudha—Caves

Part II — Inhabitants of Gairloch

Chapter I — Ancestry and Names

Highlanders different to Scotch—Gairloch people originally Celtic—Admixture of blood—Mackenzies predominant—Surnames little used—Mode of constructing Gaelic names—Examples—Bynames—Curious names of girls 109

Chapter II — Warfare and Weapons

Gairloch a bone of contention—Broadsword and targe—Bows and arrows—Battle-axe—Dirk—Guns—Clan fights no more—Seaforth Highlanders—A Gairloch company—The press-gang—Donald M’Lean returns “from hell”—Volunteer corps—Story of Finlay Fraser and his guns

Chapter III — Polity and Customs

Improvement after the “Forty-five”—Increase of schools—Report on educational position of the people by Rev. James Russell—Education under the School Boards—Relief of the poor—Beggars almost unknown—Tramps—Tinkers—Old man seeking America—Her Majesty’s note about him—Old marriage customs—Funeral customs—Whisky at funerals—Heaps of stones at halting-places—New Year’s day, old style—Administration of justice at the Island of Justice—Mode of procedure—The Cnoc a Chroich, or Gallows Hill—Some old Gairloch men acquainted with folk-lore

Chapter IV — Religion and Religious Observances

No records of Episcopal times—Sunday services—Baptism—The Lord’s supper dispensed in the Leabaidh na Ba Bàine—Dr Mackenzie’s account of churchgoing and the communions—Johnnie at church for the first time—Five days’ services—Large crowd; few communicants—Preparation for Gairloch communion—The scene in the Leabaidh—Aunt Sally—Characteristics of Free Church services and religion

Chapter V — Character and Characteristics

Criticism invidious—Gairloch people have a good character—Fidelity, courtesy, and hospitality—Sir G. S. Mackenzie’s opinion—Sir Francis Mackenzie’s tribute to his Gairloch people—Attachment to home—Caution and keenness in money matters—Anecdote—Captain Burt’s charge of want of cleanliness not generally applicable now—Morality—Indolence—Always behind time—Clinging to old ways—Old Highland esprit dying out—Annual competition recommended

Chapter VI — Language and Dress

Gaelic called Irish—Gairloch dialect—Not dying out—Knowledge of English increasing—Old people still unable to speak English—Gaelic phrases in English—Gaelic literature in Gairloch—Should Gaelic be discouraged?—Ancient dress in Gairloch—Belted plaid or truis—Separate form of the kilt—Antiquity of the kilt—Highland dress proscribed—Subterfuges—Discouraged homespun fabrics—Kilt common in Gairloch in early part of nineteenth century—Sir Francis Mackenzie on the kilt—Now fallen into disuse—Present dress of men—Gairloch hose—Dress of women—The mutch—Maiden’s headdress—Dr Mackenzie on maiden’s hair and on mutches

Chapter VII — Ways and Means

Sources of livelihood—Industry of women—Dwellings—Byres adjoining—No chimneys—Gradual improvement—Gardens rare—Fevers and consumption—Food—Absence of pigs—Whisky—Illicit distillation—Fuel—Torasgian—Cabar lar—Peat creel—Carts—Sledges before roads were made 132

Chapter VIII — Agriculture and Stock

Little agriculture in ancient days—Black cattle—Blood taken from living cattle—The bowmen—Hill shielings miserable places—Introduction of sheep farming—Sheep farms forested—Sheep deteriorate pasture—Ancient breed of sheep—Present farms—Run-rig—Crofts established in Gairloch—Crofters’ crops—The cas-chrom—Sir G. S. Mackenzie on imperfect agriculture—On indolence—The Highland husbandman—His negligence—Sir Francis Mackenzie on imperfect cultivation—On manures—On the cas-chrom—On lack of industry—On absence of gardens—Introduction of the potato

Chapter IX — Fisheries

Gairloch fishermen and fish—Herring fisheries—Lobsters and crabs—Oysters—Gairloch cod fishery—Under Sir Alexander Mackenzie, 1721 to 1766—In 1792—Sir G. S. Mackenzie’s account of it under Sir Hector—Lines and hooks formerly home-made—First foreign hooks in 1823—Cod fishery in 1884 and 1885—Salmon fishery—Bag-nets—Diminution in stock of salmon

Chapter X — Posts and Roadmaking

Post-runners to Gairloch—Dr Mackenzie’s account—Donald Charles—Roderick M’Lennan—William Cross—M’Leay—Iain Mor am Post—General Wade’s road—Bridges in Gairloch—Road from Gairloch to Poolewe—The Dowager Lady Mackenzie’s account of road-making—Destitution Committee contribute to road-making—Road to Fionn loch

Chapter XI — Superstitions of Isle Maree

Isle Maree conspicuous—The wishing-tree—Her Majesty’s offering—St Maelrubha permitted sacrifices of bulls—Continued to 1678—Latterly associated with cure of insanity—Treatment of lunatics—Still continued—Dr Mitchell’s description—Circular enclosure supposed to be Druidical—Graves of the prince and princess—The well—Description of the wishing-tree—Trees of Isle Maree—Probability of the legend of Isle Maree—Name of island derived from St Maelrubha—St Maelrubha worshipped

Chapter XII — Superstitions of Isle Maree — Continued

Druidical sacrifices engrafted on Christianity—Resort to Isle Maree for cure of lunacy probably ancient—Parallel superstitions—Bull sacrifice at Kirkcudbright—Sacrifices of bulls not confined to the saint’s day—Descriptions of proceedings for cure of lunatics—MacCulloch’s description—No form of words—Recent cases—St Maelrubha and St Ruffus identical—Mad dog dipped in the well—Sad consequences—Quotations as to Pagan practices engrafted on Christianity

Chapter XIII — Superstitions Generally

Highlanders’ surroundings suggest superstition—Gradual diminution of it—Older superstitions—Loch Maree water cure—The Fox Point—Coins found—The Cathair mor and Sitheanan Dubha—Gairloch fairy tale—The Shiant Isles’ fairy—Eilean Suainne—Fairies seen on Isle Ewe in 1883—Lights and music of fairies noticed at Mellon Charles—William M’Lean gets a bagpipe chanter from the fairies—The Gille Dubh of Loch a Druing—Superstitious fancies—The Loch of the Beast—Evidence of the appearance of the beast—Proceedings for its suppression—Rorie and the mermaid

Chapter XIV — Witchcraft and Magic

Rudha Chailleach—Witchcraft and magic still believed in—Jessie the cripple, a witch—Depriving milk of its fruit—Kenlochewe case in presbytery records—Kenneth Mackenzie, the maighstair sgoil, punishes the witch at Strath—His cows recover—Recent cases—The sian—Description of it—Duncan M’Rae—His song—Entrusted with a keg of gold for Prince Charlie—Hides the keg in the Fedan Mor—Renders it invisible by the sian—The wife of the Cibear Mor sees the keg—The cave at Meallan a Ghamhna—The cave and weapons concealed by the sian—Seen by several women recently—Another similar case on Loch Maree—Alastair Mor an t’ Sealgair—Runs the blockade by means of the sian—His variations of the sian—Other examples of Alastair’s and his father’s powers—The wind made favourable by magic

Chapter XV — Visions and Second-sight

Distinction between visions and second-sight—Old Alastair’s vision of Hector Roy and his bodyguard—A young man sees a ghost—Two men see a woman in a house—Spectre seen before a shoot—Two kinds of second-sight—Jessie the cripple—Ducked as a witch—Her vision of a shepherd, his dog and sheep, fulfilled—The smith’s son sees a crowd on Poolewe bridge—His vision fulfilled—The great storm on Loch Ewe—Great sight at Mellon Udrigil—Fleet of ships and boats filled with red coats—Visions of soldiers in red uniforms near Inveran—These visions compared with similar sights elsewhere

Chapter XVI — Bards and Pipers

Ancient bards an illustrious class—Ossian’s poems—Office of bard or seannachie—Bards of recent date—Ceilidh—Antiquity of bagpipes—Office of piper in old days—In the present day—Love of pipe music in Gairloch—Some old Gairloch bards—Ruaridh Breac—The English bard—Duncan M’Rae—Roderick Campbell, piper and fiddler—The Piobaire Ban—List of living Gairloch pipers

Chapter XVII — Hereditary Pipers of the Gairloch Family

The Mackays—Rorie Mackay, piper to John Roy Mackenzie—Alastair Breac, and his son and grandson—His brother Donald—John Mackay, the blind piper—Taught by the M’Crimmons—Piper to the two first baronets of Gairloch—His compositions—Anecdotes of his life with the M’Crimmons—His songs and poems—Angus Mackay—Piper to Sir Alexander, third baronet—Moladh Mairi—John Mackay, piper to Sir Hector—Emigrates to America—A splendid piper—His offspring

Chapter XVIII — William Mackenzie and Malcolm Maclean

William Mackenzie a catechist—His song to Balone’s sister—His song lampooning a wedding party—His consequent dismissal—Malcolm Maclean a notorious bacchanalian—His beautiful daughter—His wife’s resignation illustrated by an anecdote—Translation by Professor Blackie of his song to his daughter

Chapter XIX — William Ross, the Gairloch Bard

William Ross, a grandson of the “Blind piper”—His youth—His travels—Appointed schoolmaster of Gairloch—Dies young—Monument over his grave—Estimate of his poetry 183

Chapter XX — Alexander Campbell, Bard to Sir Hector

Alastair Buidhe’s ancestry and youth—Appointed ground-officer and bard to Sir Hector—Instructed to remove the roof from a defaulting tenant’s house—His prudent artifice approved by Sir Hector—Dr Mackenzie’s recollections of Alastair as bard—His bad health, and death—His character—His friendship with William Ross—His descendants—His poetry highly appreciated

Chapter XXI — Alexander Grant, the Great Bard of Slaggan

Sandy Grant’s ancestry—His enormous stature and strength—His appearance, portrait, and poetry—Reputed to have second-sight—Anecdote—Sandy Grant discovers cheeses stolen in Loch Carron—His descendants 187

Chapter XXII — John Mackenzie of the “Beauties”

John’s ancestry and youth—His mechanical skill—An accident disables him—Collects Gaelic poems—Devotes himself to literary work—List of books he translated—Known as a poet and piper—Anecdote of his humour—Buys a ship and her cargo—Gives up the bargain—Monument to his memory

Chapter XXIII — Living Gairloch Bards

Alexander Mackenzie, of Oban—Duncan Mackenzie, the Kenlochewe bard—Short memoir—His poetry—His epithalamium on the marriage of Sir Kenneth Mackenzie—Translation of it by Professor Blackie—Alexander Cameron, the Tournaig bard—His song in praise of Tournaig—English translation by Mr W. C. Good—Alexander Bain—His elegy on the late Dr Kennedy—English translation

Chapter XXIV — The Poolewe Artist

Paucity of art in Gairloch—Finlay Mackinnon—His characteristics—His yearning for art as a young boy—Assisted by Mr Davis, R.A., and others—His watercolour sketches 200

Chapter XXV — James Mackenzie’s Gairloch Stories

Short Account of James Mackenzie—William Roy Mackenzie and the exciseman—Kenneth and John Mackenzie of Rona and the press-gang—John M’Gregor of Londubh escapes from the press-gang, but is killed by a fall over a rock—Murdo Mackenzie, or Murdo’s son, marries Lord Breadalbane’s daughter and takes possession of a lugger full of smuggled spirit—Anecdote of Sir Hector Mackenzie and M’Leod of Raasay’s boat—Mackenzie of Kernsary and James Mackenzie’s grandfather—The whale in Loch Ewe drowns three men—A story of Rob Donn—The Loch Broom herring fishery—The other Rob Roy Macgregor and the Dundonnell estates—Cases of drowning in Loch Maree—Hector Mackenzie, William Urquhart and his son, and Kenneth Mackenzie—A Kenlochewe man rolls overboard—Kenneth Mackenzie and Gregor Macgregor carried down by the Talladale river—John M’Ryrie—Kenneth Urquhart—Sandy Mackenzie—The Stornoway packet and the whale—Wreck of M’Callum’s schooner at Melvaig—A sea captain buried in Isle Ewe—The loss of the “Glenelg”—Wreck of the “Helen Marianne” of Campbeltown—Wreck of the “Lord Molyneux” of Liverpool—John Macdonald, the drover of Loch Maree—The murder of Grant, the peddler, by M’Leod, who is at length hung—Death of the Shieldaig shoemaker and his companions at Lochinver

Part III — Natural History of Gairloch

Chapter I — Physical Features

Area and boundaries of Gairloch—Sea-board—Long valley bisecting the parish—Ranges and groups of mountains—Islands in the sea—Fresh-water lochs—Rivers—Woods—Caves—Waterfalls—The Steall a Mhuinidh—Victoria Falls—Letterewe waterfall—Kerry falls—Flowerdale waterfalls—Scenic beauties

Chapter II — Climate and Weather

Healthy climate of north-west Highlands—Changeable weather—Sir G. S. Mackenzie on the climate—Dr Mackenzie on the old-fashioned summers—Former abundance of nuts—Strawberries on 4th June, also cherries—Short summer nights—Aurora borealis—Rarity of intense frosts—Spring mist presages snow—A hard winter—Sunsets from the Gairloch Hotel—Cloudscapes—Colouring of landscapes

Chapter III — Anecdotes and Notes

Birds, formerly rare in Gairloch, now plentiful, and vice versâ—Dr Mackenzie’s remarks on this point—Eagles in Gairloch—Anecdote of Craig-Tollie eagle and roe deer—Confirmation from Martin’s book—Also from story of Kirghiz eagles, &c.—Anecdote of Kenlochewe eagle and the cat—Subject of a well-known Gaelic riddle—Eagle at Talladale—Two-and-a-half brace of eagles killed in Gairloch before breakfast—Sea-gulls—How they were driven from Eilean Ruaridh—Sounds of various birds at Inveran—Insects—Midges and wasps—Her Majesty’s remarks on them—Rhyme on midges—Preventive measures—Other insects—Animals in general—Vermin—Marten’s fur—Wild cats—Wild cat in Loch Tollie island—Highland cattle—Goats—Ponies

Chapter IV — Lower Forms of Life

Diffusion of life—Luminosity of footprints on boggy ground—Reptiles—Fresh-water fish—Shells—Molluscs—The spout fish—How to take it—Sea anemones—Love of flowers—Localities recommended to botanists—Grasses—Mosses—Lichens—List of a few—Seaweeds—Fungi—Conclusion 233

Chapter V — Mammals of Gairloch

Chapter VI — Birds of Gairloch

Chapter VII — Flowering Plants of Gairloch

List imperfect—A word to visitors—Destruction of plants by sheep—Bouquets of wildflowers—Seasons for them—Rarer plants—List of flowering plants 256

Chapter VIII.—Shells of Gairloch, by Rev. John M’Murtrie, M.A.

Paper by Rev. John M’Murtrie, M.A., on “Springtide at Gairloch, a Study of small Shells”—Appendix, with list of shells 265

Chapter IX.—The Geology of Loch Maree and Neighbourhood, by William Jolly, F.G.S., F.R.S.E.

Long controversy—Attack by eminent geologists—Others enter the lists—Prospect of early peace—Conditions of the problem well exhibited round Loch Maree—Succession of rocks—Hebridean gneiss—Torridon red sandstone—Quartzite—Its annelid borings—Its fucoid remains—Limestone—The “Logan” rock—The eastern gneiss—The controversy—Other noteworthy geological phenomena—Faults—Glaciation—Denudation—Rock junctions—The valley of the hundred hills—Curious impressions on Torridon sandstone near Talladale—The Fionn and Dubh loch—The Trias at Loch Gruinard

Chapter X.—Minerals of Gairloch, by Professor W. Ivison Macadam, F.C.S., F.I.C., M.M.S., &c., Edinburgh.

Part IV — Guide to Gairloch and Loch Maree

Chapter I — Gairloch of the Present Day

No town in Gairloch—List of townships or hamlets—Ministers and services—Free churches and ministers—Schools—School Board—Table of Schools, with average attendance—List of school teachers—Side schools—School rate—Obstacles to regular attendance—Annual inspections—Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages—Pauperism—Poor-rates—Pauper lunatics—Medical officer—The county road—Private roads—Policemen—Justices of the Peace—Licensed houses—Postal arrangements—Telegraph—Carrier—Bank—Markets—Preventive service—Steamers—Rifle corps—Its three sections—Principal houses in Gairloch—Poolewe Public Hall

Chapter II — Approaches and Roads

Approach from Achnasheen—From Loch Carron—From Loch Torridon—From Gruinard—By steamer—By boat from Ullapool—On foot—Main road maintained by the county—Private roads—Loch Maree a highway 299

Chapter III — Achnasheen to Kenlochewe

Dingwall and Skye railway—The Gairloch mail-car—Natural terraces like railway embankments—Loch Rosque—Remains of ancient ironworks—The Clach an t’ Shagart at Bad a Mhanaich—Luibmhor in Gairloch—View of Scuir Mhullin—Persistent inquirer—Hill resembling a profile—Glen Dochartie—View of Loch Maree—Trysting-place—More old ironworks—View of Beinn Eay—Kenlochewe—Hugh Miller on this name—Kenlochewe village and hotel—Culinellan churchyard—The Cnoc a Chrochadair—Ath nan ceann—Two routes to Gairloch

Chapter IV — Kenlochewe to Talladale

Tagan farm—Glas Leitire woods—Ru Nohar—Umbrella-like firs—Her Majesty’s description of the road—Glen Grudidh—Old fir trees—Eilean Grudidh—Wild stretch of road described by Her Majesty—Hamlet of Talladale—The Loch Maree Hotel—Accommodation—Angling—Visit of Her Majesty—Commemorative Gaelic inscription on a boulder—English translation

Chapter V — Talladale to the Gairloch Hotel

Road through woods—The Victoria Falls—Garavaig ironworks—Slatadale farm—Old road to west of Craig Tollie—View of the islands of Loch Maree—Feur loch—Loch Bad na Sgalaig—Kerry falls—Kerry bridge—Her Majesty’s interview with Lews’ people here—Kerrysdale House—Resort of fairies—Charleston—Flowerdale House—Port na heile—The Gairloch—Established church—The Leabaidh na Ba Bàine—Gairloch churchyard—Old ironworks—Monument to John Mackenzie of the “Beauties”—The Crasg—The Cnoc a Croiche—The Gairloch Hotel—Accommodation and arrangement—Sea-bathing—Boating—Angling—Fine view

Chapter VI — The Gairloch Hotel to Poolewe

Achtercairn—Views of Strath and the hills of Skye—Deep gorge—Geikie on geology of a curious hill—The Shoe-stone—Funeral heaps—Lochan nan Airm—The Glen—Craig Bhadain an Aisc—Blar na Fala—Loch Tollie—Its crannog—Surrounding hills—Distant views—Old road—View of Loch Maree—Beinn Aridh Charr—Spidean Moirich—Croft Brae—Hamlet of Croft—Ceann a Chro, or Cruive End—The Still—The Hill of evil counsel—The Trossachs of Loch Maree—Poolewe village—The church—The inn—Pool House—Other houses—Londubh—The Inverewe burial-ground

Chapter VII — Poolewe to Aultbea

The pool—Srondubh—Inverewe House and gardens—Description from the Times—Loch nan Dailthean—Tournaig—The Dowager Lady Mackenzie’s residence—Description of the garden from the Times—Coile Aigeascaig—Mac Gille Riabhaich’s cave—Bleeding living cattle—Tournaig farm—Loch Tournaig—Dunan—The road ascends—Views—Drumchork—Aultbea—Townships—Houses—Anchorage—Aultbea inn

Chapter VIII — Excursions From Kenlochewe

Drives—Expedition to Loch Torridon—Cromasaig—Fe Leoid—Loch Clair—Maelrubha’s seat—Carn Anthony—Coire Cheud Cnoc—Precipices of Liathgach—Her Majesty’s remarks—Sguir Dubh—Lochan an Fheidh—Loch Torridon—Village—Mr Darroch and Torridon House—Ploc of Torridon—The heights of Kenlochewe—Glen Cruaidh Choillie—Glen na Muic—Excursions on foot by the path on the east side of Loch Maree—Excursions on Loch Maree

Chapter IX — Excursions From Talladale

Chapter X — Excursions From Gairloch

The south side of Gairloch—Shieldaig—Leac nan Saighead—Badachro—Loch Bad na h’ Achlais—Port Henderson—Opinan—Cave—South Erradale—Ancient ironworks—Point—Views—North side of Gairloch—Achtercairn—Strath—Carn Dearg—Little Sand farm—Big Sand—Iron furnace—North Erradale—Wonderful cave—Peterburn—Altgreshan—Melvaig—The Leac—Rudha Reidh—Stac Buidhe—Other drives—Tour of Loch Maree—Boating expeditions—Walks—Geikie on geological features

Chapter XI — Excursions From Poolewe

West side of Loch Ewe—Cliff House—Cuil an Scardain—Boor—Views—Naast—Inverasdale—Brae—Midtown—Coast—Board school—Firemore—Telegraph to Stornoway—Meallan na Ghamhna—Caves—Loch a Druing woods—Cove—The village—The cave—Natural arch—Fionn Loch excursion—Craig an Fhithich—Inveran wood and farm—Inveran river—Loch Kernsary—Innis a Bhaird—Kernsary farm—Fionn Loch—Fine view—Other excursions by road—Walks—Craig Bhan

Chapter XII — Excursions From Aultbea

To Mellon Charles—Cuilchonich—Bual na luib—Mellon Charles—Mellon Udrigil—Laide—The Loch of the Beast—Second Coast—Old church of Sand—Sandy beach—Curious rocks—First Coast and Second Coast—Mill Bay—Cadha Beag—Little Gruinard—Fisherfield—Meikle Gruinard river—Excursions by water

Chapter XIII — Excursion by Steamer on Loch Maree

Road to north end of Loch Maree—Opinions of the scenery—Leading characteristics—Tollie pier—Fox Point—Clearness of water—Sweetheart’s stepping-stones—Fhridh Dhorch—Ardlair—Cave of the king’s son—The minister’s stone—Clach a Mhail—Uamh a Mhail—Rudha Chailleach—The white horse—The Bull rock—The cave of gold—Gold mining in Scotland—Mountains—Letterewe—Limestone quarry—Waterfall—Furnace—Innis Ghlas—Coppachy—Regoilachy—Slioch—Cladh nan Sasunnach—Fasagh—Tagan—Ru Nohar—Undercliffs of Meall a Ghiubhais—Woods of Glas Leitire—View of Glen Grudidh—Aid na h’ Eigheamh—Isle Maree—Whittier’s verses—Eilean Suainne—Eilean Dubh na Sroine—Garbh Eilean—Eilean Ruaridh—The planted island—Wild fowl—Talladale—Slatadale—Doire—Craig Tollie—Bay of Corree—Rudha Aird an Anail—Cave—Heather burning

Chapter XIV.—The Fionn Loch and its Dubh Loch, by William Jolly.

Name—Approaches—Loch Kernsary—View of Fionn Loch—Mountains described—Visits to the loch—Lochanan Beannoch—Beinn Aridh Charr—Black-throated divers—Beinn Lair—Narrow glen—Old hill fort—Craig an Dubh Loch—Pegmatite—Dubh Loch—Thunder shower—Islands—Birds—Marten cats 349

Chapter XV — Loch Gruinard, by William Jolly

Chapter XVI — Angling in Sea Lochs

Several classes of anglers—Outfit recommended—Two usual modes of sea fishing—Trolling for lythe—Artificial sand-eels—Handline fishing—Scalps—Fishes captured—Conger eels—Large halibut—Large skate 359

Chapter XVII — Angling in Loch Maree

Excessive fishing—Reserved water—Species of fish—Char—Salmon—Sea-trout—Bull-trout—Finnocks—Property in salmon and sea-trout—Large brown trout—Ferox not a separate species—Variations in trout—So-called ferox not worth eating—Gizzard trout 361

Chapter XVIII — Angling in Fresh-water Lochs

Permission required—Trout scarcer than formerly—Dr Mackenzie accounts for this—The tarry sheep—Fionn Loch—Angling deteriorated—Good day’s angling—The Dubh loch—Three trout at a cast—Bait fishing for trout—Loch Kernsary—Char—Char and trout, and pink and white-fleshed trout, indistinguishable to the taste—Burn fishing—Best time for trout fishing—Eels—Pike—Their introduction described by Dr Mackenzie—Re-introduced in Sir Kenneth’s time

Chapter XIX — Salmon Angling

Salmon rivers—The Ewe—Cruives—The old cruive used for crossing the river—Roderick Campbell and an American merchant drowned—The new cruive—Gradual diminution of stock of salmon—Length of the Ewe—Pools on the east side—Pools on the other side—Runs of salmon and grilse—Kelts—Bull-trout—Sea-trout—Large salmon—Best flies—Dr Mackenzie’s anecdote of Sir Humphrey Davy—John Bright—Odd incidents—Damaged fly—Successful fishing after a friend—Hooking a fish after losing another—Was it a rise?—Fish taking when line slack—Kelt caught twice—Holding on for five hours—Angler compared to the evil one—Water-bailiffs—John Glas—Sandy Urquhart—His loquacity—Fishing on the Ewe—Tailing salmon—Spiked gloves—Bags of salmon now and formerly—Singular mode of fishing by Sir Hector—Charms of the Ewe—Other salmon rivers in Gairloch

Chapter XX — Deer Forests and Grouse Shooting

The red deer—Free to roam—Antiquity of—Formerly scarce—Meaning of “forested”—List of deer forests—Estimated yield and stock—Stag season—A “royal”—Best heads—Hinds—Deer-stalking—Great caution required—Staghounds not much used now—Quotation from John Taylor, the “Water-Poet”—Present system of letting deer forests—Colonel Inge in Gairloch—Misconceptions with regard to deer forests—Opinions of the Crofters Commission—Depopulation not due to deer forests—Deer forests not suitable for occupation by crofters—Loss of mutton and wool insignificant—Depredations by deer on crofters’ crops easily remedied—Deterioration of pasture by deer not proved—Demoralization of gillies not due to forests—Summary of opinions—Substantial benefits conferred by deer forests—Afford employment to a greater extent than sheep farms—Recommendation by Commissioners—Grouse shooting—Grouse not abundant—Disease infrequent—Late birds—Mixed bags—Separate grouse shootings

Tables

Appendices

G. Records and Extracts relating to Sir George Hay and the Manufacture of Iron 412

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The pronunciation is given approximately in parentheses. In many cases no combination of letters pronounced in English fashion can accurately represent the Gaelic pronunciation.

The pronunciation of ch is almost the same in Gaelic as in German. Sometimes the ch is best rendered as an aspirate only, the c being treated as if silent.

The letter c, unless followed by h, is always pronounced in Gaelic like the English k, a letter not found in Gaelic.

The Gaelic pronunciation of the letters b, d, and g is soft, and they are often sounded more as if they were p, t, and k.

In Ross-shire Gaelic sr is pronounced as if it were str, and rt as if it were rst.

The consonant d before the vowels e and i, whether followed by another vowel or not, is pronounced as if it were j.

The consonant s before the vowels i or e is sounded as sh.

The consonant l has a liquid double sound, unlike anything in English; it may be approximated by lisping the vowel u before and the letter y after the ordinary sound of the letter l.

The letter h after the consonants d, f, g, t, and s, in Ross-shire Gaelic, renders those consonants silent; bh and mh are usually pronounced like v, a letter not found in the Gaelic alphabet. Sometimes adh seems to be pronounced very like ag.

The possessive case is frequently formed in Gaelic by the insertion of the letter h after the initial consonant, and of the letter i after the vowel in the first or second syllable.

The aspirate h is often inserted between the definite article and a noun beginning with a vowel. Sometimes the letter t is similarly inserted before a noun commencing with a consonant. These, and some other changes, are made for the sake of euphony.

The vowel sounds can only be defined with difficulty. The attempts made in this glossary are but imperfect. It may be stated that ach is generally pronounced och; ao and u, as oo; ea, as a in “bake”; a, e, and i, usually as in French; ei, sometimes as a in “bake,” and sometimes as i in “bin”; and ai is sometimes almost like u in “dull,” and sometimes like a in “tan.”

Anyone desiring to pronounce a Gaelic name or word correctly, should ask a native to render it, and try to imitate him; even then, in some cases, it will be impossible to be exactly right.

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A cheardach ruadh (ar charstock rooer), The red smithy. Ceardach, a smithy; ruadh, red.
A Mhaighdean (ar veytchen), The maiden. See Maighdean.
Achagarbh, properly spelt Achadhgarbh (ach a garrav), Rough field. Ach, a field; garbh, rough.
Achagarve. See Achagarbh.

Achdistall, or Achdiestal (achjestel), Field of Diestal. Ach, a field; Diestal, a Norse word, probably the name of a rock.

Achnasheen (achnasheen), Field of storms. Ach, or achadh, a field; sian (shee-on), means wind and rain combined, i.e., a rainstorm. Sian dubh (black storm) is so-called in contradistinction to a snowstorm, which is designated cur is cathadh. An old Kintail priest long ago prophesied that this country would be brought to nought by Sian dubh, and that the people would have to go away to islands at the other side of the world.

Achtercairn, properly Achadhacharn (achterkairn), Field of the cairn. Ach, or achadh, a field; carn, a heap of stones.

Aigeascaig (aigaskaik). Name of place, meaning unknown. Colonel Robertson says Aigeas is a corruption of aiguisg, by reason of the water. The termination aig signifies a small bay; it was originally Danish.

Aird (aird), a height, a promontory or headland.

Aird na h’eigheamh (art na heyhugh), eight of calling. Aird, a height; eigh, to call.

Airdheslaig (artishlak). Supposed to be a Norse name. Aird, a height; heslaig may be for h’aslaich, aslaich, to entreat; aslachadh, entreaty.

Alastair Breac (allaster brake), Alexander the spotted. Alastair, Alexander; breac, spotted, or more correctly pock-marked. See Breac.

Alastair Buidhe Mackay, properly MacAoidh (allaster boo-ie mackai), Yellow Alexander Mackay. MacAoidh is pronounced Macooie.

Alastair Buidhe MacIamhair (allaster boo-ie makeemver), Yellow-haired Alexander MacIver; pronounced MakEever.

Alastair Liath (allaster leear), Grey-headed Alexander. Liath, grey, grey-headed. It means light blue when not applied to a human being.

Alastair MacIain Mhic Earchair (allaster makeeanvic erraquhar), Alexander, son of John, son of Farquhar. Earchair is incorrectly written for Fhearchair, the possessive of Farquhar; Fhearchair is pronounced Erraquhar or Earchair.

Alastair Mor an t’ Sealgair (allaster more ant shollager), Big Alexander the hunter. Sealgair, a hunter, a stalker, literally a sneaker.

Ali’ Iain Ghlais (alian loss), Alexander [son] of Pale John. From Alie (short for Alastair), Alexander; Iain, John; and glas, pale or sallow. Glas means grey when not applied to human beings.

Alie Uistean (ally ooshtan), Alick Hugh. Alie, short for Alexander. See Uistean.

Allt a Choire Dhuibh Mhoir (arlta corrie oo-ie vore), The burn of the great black corrie. Allt, a burn; choire, possessive of coire, a corry; dhuibh, possessive of dubh, black; mhoir, possessive of mor, great.

Altgreshan, properly Alltgrisean (alt-grishan), Roan or grizzly burn. Allt, a burn; grisfhionn (grishan), grizzly.
Am port Leathach (am porsht layoch), The port at half [tide]. Leath is half.
An Amilt, or An Amhuilt (ann amvilt). Name of a place; means the stratagem.
An Fhridh dhorch (an ree dorroch), the dark forest. Fridh, forest; dorch, dark.
An Groban. See Groban.
An t’ Eirthire Donn. See Eirthire Donn.
Angus. See Aonghas.
Aonghas (unnus), Angus, or Æneas, which last is nearer in sound to the Gaelic.

Applecross. English name as now used. Colonel Robertson says it is for the Gaelic Abercroisean, or Abhircroisean, from aber, mouth, or confluence of; croisean, of troubles; or perhaps croisean was the name of the little river.

Ardlair (ardlair), The mare’s height or headland. Aird, a height; lair, a mare.

Ath nan ceann (arnankown), Ford of the heads. Ath, a ford; ceann, heads. Often written Anagown.

Aultbea, should be spelt Alltbeithe (arltbay), Burn of birches. Allt, a burn; beath, or beith, a birch.

Bac an Leth-choin (bark an lechun), Shelf of the crossbred dog. Leth-choin, a crossbred dog, a lurcher. Bac is a shelf or flat on the side or top of a hill; in this case the name is popularly applied to the whole hill.

Bac Dubh (bark dhoo), Black shelf. Bac, a shelf or flat place among rocks or on a hill; dubh, black.

Bad (bat), a clump, a grove.

Bad a Chrotha (badachro). Full Gaelic spelling of Badachro, which see.

Bad a mhanaich (bat er vannich), Grove of the monk. See Bad. Mhanaich, possessive of manach, a monk.

Bad an t’ Sluig (bat ant slook), Grove of the miry puddle. Bad, a grove; sluig, possessive of slug, a miry puddle.

Badachro (badachro), Grove of the cruive. Bad, a grove; chro, possessive of cro, a cruive, a fank.

Badfearn, should be Badfearna (batfern), Alder grove. Fearn, the alder tree. See Bad. The place has still a clump of alders.

Badluachrach (bat loocharar), Rushy clump. Luachair, rushes.

Baile na h’eaglais (bally-na-herkless), Town of the church, or Kirkton. Baile, a town; eaglais, a church. Compare Ecclesia.

Ballymeon (bally-mey-on), properly spelt Baile-meadhon, pronounced exactly the same. Baile, a town; meadhon, middle. Anglicè, Middleton.

Bard Mor an t’ Slaggan (bart more ant slaggan), The great or big bard of Slaggan, which see.

Bard Sasunnach (bart Sassenach), English bard. Sasunnach, English, i.e. not a Gaelic speaker.

Bathais Bheinn (boorsh ven), Forehead mountain (very descriptive). From Beinn, mountain, and bathais, forehead; or perhaps it should be called Baoisg Bheinn (boiskivin), the mountain of gleaming, because it catches the first rays of the rising sun. This is also true of this mountain.

Beag (bek), little. It seems to appear as bach in some English names.

Beallach Glasleathaid (baaloch glass laid), Pass of the gray slope. Beallach, a pass; glas, pale; leathaid, possessive of leathad, a slope.

Beallach nan Brog (baaloch nam progue), Pass of the shoes. Brog, a shoe.
Beallach a Chomhla (baaloch a korvla), Pass of the door. Comhladh, a door.
Beinn Alligin (bin allikin), Jewel mountain. Properly Ailleagan, a jewel, or darling, anything precious.

Beinn a Chaisgean (bin a harshkin), Mountain of casgean; which may be a corruption of caisg, Easter.

Beinn Aridh Charr (bin arry har), The mountain of the rough shieling. Beinn, a mountain; aridh, a shieling; charr, a corruption of garbh, rough.

Beinn a Chearcaill (bin a herkill). Mountain of the hoop. Cearcall, a hoop. Descriptive of bands or lines of stratification encircling this hill.

Beinn a Mhuinidh (bin ar voonie), Mountain of the “Pisvache.”

Beinn an Eoin (bin-in-eeōn), The mountain of the bird. Beinn, a mountain; eoin, possessive of eun, a bird. The bird in this case is the ptarmigan.

Beinn Bheag (bin vek), Little mountain. Beag, little.
Beinn Bhreac (bin y vraick), Spotted mountain. Breac, spotted.
Beinn Damph, properly Beinn Damh (bin damff), Mountain of the stag. Damh, a stag.
Beinn Dearg (bin jarrak), Red mountain. Beinn; and Dearg, red.

Beinn Eighe (bin ay), File mountain. Eighe, a file. The topmost ridge is jagged or serrated like a file.

Beinn Lair (bin lar), Mountain of the mare. Lair, a mare.

Beinn Liathgach (bin learoch). This mountain should not be called Beinn Liathgach, but Liathgach, which see.

Beinn na h’ Eaglais (binnaherkless), Mountain of the church. Beinn, mountain; eaglais, church.
Beinn nan Ramh (bin an rahv), Mountain of the oar. Ramh, an oar.
Beinn Slioch or Sleugach (bin sleoch). Should be Slioch without Beinn. See Slioch.
Beinn Tarsuinn (bin tarsing), Mountain across.
Beinn Tarsuinn Chaol (bin tarsing chool), Narrow Beinn Tarsuinn. Caol, narrow or slender.
Bhantighearna Ruadh (vancherna rooar), Red lady. Bhantighearna, literally she-lord.
Bho Iutharn, or Bho Iuthrna (vo ewern), From hell. Bho, from; Iuthrna, hell.
Bidean clann Raonaild (peetyan clan ruynuld), Clan Ranald’s peak. Bidean, a peak.

Blar na Fala (blar ner falla), Plain of the blood. Blar, a plain or bog, or flat place; fala, possessive of fuil, blood.

Blar na Pairc (blar ner park), Battle of the park. Pairc, possessive of parc, a park or field.

Bonaid donn (boanat down), Brown bonnet. Bonaid, a bonnet, a cap; donn, brown.

Boor (bore). Either from buradh, a bursting forth of blood; or from a word containing the root boor, meaning “roaring,” because stags used to roar here.

Bothie (bothy, othie pronounced as in frothy), a little hut or hovel. Both, a hut. Compare English booth. The ie is an old Gaelic diminutive, often written idh.

Braemore, properly Braighmor (bray more), Great summit or hill. Mor, great; braigh, summit.

Breac (brake), spotted, marked with smallpox (when applied to human beings), a trout.

Breacan an Fheilidh (brayken an aylie), the belted or kilted plaid. Breacan, a tartan plaid; fheilidh, possessive of feileadh, a kilt.

Bruachaig (brooachak). Perhaps from Bruach, and achadh, a field; bruach, a bank, border, edge, steep; aig, means a small bay in old Danish.

Buaile na luib (pool na loop), Fold of the bend. From buaile, a fold; and luib, a bend or loop.

Buidhe (boo-ie), yellow-haired, yellow.

Cabar Feidh (kapper fay), deer’s antler. Cabar, antler, or a stick; feiah, possessive of fiagh, deer.

Cabar Lar (kapper law), Turf parer. Cabar, a stick; lar, a floor, the ground.

Cadha Beag (kaar pek), Little pass in the rock. Beag, little; cadha, a pass in a rock.

Cailleach a Mhuillear (kaillyoch a vuillyear), The miller’s wife. Cailleach, an old woman; muillear, miller.

Cailleach Liath Rasaidh (kaillyoch leear raasa), Grey old woman of Raasay. Cailleach, an old woman; liath, grey (light blue when not applied to a human being).

Callum a Ghlinne (kallum a glinnie), Malcolm of the glen. Callum, Malcolm.

Carn a Ghlinne (karn a glinnie), Cairn of the glen. Carn, a cairn or heap of stones; ghlinne, possessive of gleann, a glen.

Carn Anthony (karn anthony), Cairn of Anthony. Carn, a heap of stones.

Carn Dearg (karn jarrak). Red cairn. Carn, a heap of stones. See Dearg.

Carn Liath (karn leear), Light blue cairn. Carn, a heap of stones; liath, light blue.

Cas chrom (kas-rhoum), foot plough; literally crooked foot, from cas, a foot; and crom, crooked.

Cathair mhor (kaar more). Big seat, i.e. Fairies’ seat. See Kerrysdale.

Ceann a Chro (kayoun-a-chroe), End or head of the cruive. Ceann, end or head; cro, a cruive, or fank.

Ceann a chruinn (kayoun a chreinie), mast head, or tree head or end. Ceann, a head, end; cruinn, possessive of crann, a tree or mast.

Ceann an t’ sail (kayoun an tarl), end or head of the salt water. Ceann, end or head; sail, salt water. Corrupted further south into Kintail.

Ceann loch iu (kayoun loch ew), head of Loch Ewe. Ceann, a head.
Ceardach ruadh (karstoch roo-er), Red smiddy. See A cheardach ruadh.
Ceilidh (kayley), social meetings. From ceilidh, to visit.
Ceistear crubach (kaister crupboch), lame catechist. Ceistear, a catechist; crubach, lame.
Cibear Mor (keeipber more), big shepherd. Cibear, a shepherd; mor, great or big.
Clach (klarch), a stone. Possessive, Cloiche. Compare clough, found in some English names.

Clach a Mhail (klarch ar varl), Stone of rent. Clach, a stone; Mal, rent, tribute.

Clach an t’ Shagart (klarch an taggart), Stone of the priest. Clach, a stone; shagart, possessive of sagart, a priest.

Clach nam Brog (klarch nam progue), Shoe stone. Clach, a stone; brog, a shoe.

Clachan garbh (klachan garrav), Rough village. Clachan, a village; literally stones; supposed to have originally been a Druidical term. See Garbh.

Cladh nan Sasunnach (klug nan sarsenach), Burial-place of the English. Cladh, a burial-place; Sasunnach, English, Saxon, not a Gaelic speaker.

Claidheamh mor (klymore), a broadsword, a claymore. Claidheamh, a sword; mor, great, here broad.

Clais na leac (klarsh na lyck), Hollow of the flat stones or flags. Clais, a furrow, a hollow between ridges or hills; leac, a flag.

Claonadh (kluanar), slopes. Compare inclining.
Clann Eachainn (klan erchen), offspring of Hector. Clann, offspring or descendants. See Eachainn.
Claymore. See Claidheamh mor.

Cleireach (klearoch), literally clerk. Priests often called so from their scholarship. The Priest island off the Greenstone Point is called Cleireach in Gaelic. Compare Clericus.

Cliabh moine (kleea moanyer), peat creel. Cliabh, creel; moine, peats.

Cliff, or Clive (Gaelic Clu). See Meall na Cluibha.

Clu (kloo), a local name; now treated as synonymous with English cliff. See Meall na Cluibha.

Cnoc a chrochadair (kroka chrochater), Hangman’s hill. Cnoc, a hill, a hillock; chrochadair, possessive of crochadair, a hangman.

Cnoc a croiche (krok a chroich), Gallows hill. Croich, a gallows.

Cnoc na mi-chomhairle (krok na mee ho-airlie), Hillock of evil counsel. Cnoc, a hillock; mi (like mis-), evil, comhairle, counsel. Mi is also a negative prefix like un-.

Coigeach (ko-yoch), probably the “fifth portion” [of a davach]. Coig, five.
Coille Aigeascaig (kul yaikaskaik); Wood of Aigeascaig. Coille, a wood; see Aigeascaig.
Coinneach (kuinyoch), Kenneth. The progenitor of the Mackenzies.

Coinneach Mac Sheumais (kuinyoch mak eearmis), Kenneth the son of James. Coinneach, Kenneth; Seumas, James.

Coinneachadh Beag (koonyochor bek), Little meeting-place. Coinneachadh, meeting-place; beag, little.

Coire an Easain (corrie an easan), Corrie of the little waterfall. Easan, a little waterfall.

Coire Cheud Cnoc (corrie hehud crok), Corrie of a hundred hillocks. Coire, a corrie; ceud, hundred; cnoc, a hillock.

Coire Cheud Creagh (corrie hehud krayar), Corrie of a hundred spoils. Coire, corrie; ceud, a hundred; creagh, spoils. Name erroneously given by some to the Corrie of a hundred hillocks. See last name.

Coire Dubh Mor (corrie dhoo more), Great black corrie (or dell).

Coire Mhic Cromail (corrie vic krommle), The corrie of the son of Cromail. Mhic, of the son of; Cromail, an old name, meaning unknown.

Coire nan Cuilean (corrie nan coollin), Corrie of the cubs. Cuilean, a cub, a pup.

Coppachy, properly Copachaidh (koppachie), Foam field. Cop, foam; achadh, a field.
Corcur (korker), red, crimson.
Cota gearr (koita gaerr), short coat. Cota, a coat; gearr, short.
Co-thional (ko-yearnal), gathering together. Comh, or co, fellowship (compare company); tional, gathering.

Cove. English name altered from cave. The Gaelic name of the place is really An Uamhaidh (nouahvie), or the place of caves, from uamh, a cave. But it is more properly called An Uamh Mhor, or the great cave, a name descriptive of the cave still used as a place of worship.

Cradh Gheadh (crargeear), Shieldrake. Geag, a goose.

Craig (kraik), a crag or rock; properly spelt creig, or creag.

Craig a Chait (kraig a hart), Rock of the cat. Chait, possessive of cat, which is the same in Gaelic as in English, but was originally applied only to the wild cat.

Craig an Dubh Loch (kraigan dhoo-loch), Rock of the black loch.

Craig an Fhithich (kraig an eech), Crag of the raven. Fhithich, possessive of fitheach, a raven.

Craig an Fhithich Mhor (kraig an eech vore), Big crag of the raven.

Craig an t’ Shabhail (kraig an towl), Rock of the barn. Sabhal, a barn.

Craig Bhadain an Aisc (kraik vatn an ashk), Rock of the clumps or groves of burial. Badan, clumps or groves; aisc, obsolete word, meaning burial or interment, or preparation for burial.

Craig Bhan (kraig varn), White crag. Ban, white; and see Craig.
Craig Roy. Properly Craig Ruadh, which see.
Craig Ruadh (kraik roo-er), Red crag. See Craig and Ruadh.
Craig Thairbh (kraik-harve), Bull rock. Tarbh, a bull.
Craig Tollie (kraig tollie), properly Creag Thollie (kraig holly), Rock of Tollie. See Tollie.

Crannag (crannog). A crannog, or insulated fortress, usually constructed on piles in a loch; the same word as crannag, a pulpit.

Crasg (krask). Meaning uncertain, possibly something that lies across. Crasg is the top of a spade, or cross piece of a crutch. Crasgach is something that goes contrary.

Creagan an Inver (kraigan an innyr), Little rock of the mouth of the river. Inver, mouth of a river.

Cromasaig, properly spelt Crom Fhasadh (krommasak), Crooked hollow. Crom, crooked; fhasadh, possessive of fasadh, a hollow.

Crubach (kruboch), lame of a leg. Compare cripple.

Cruitear, or Cruitire (kroo-iter), a musician, a harper.

Cuairtear nan Gleann (kooairter nan gleyoun), Pilgrim of the glens. Cuairtear, a pilgrim; gleann, glens.

Cu-dubh (koo dhoo), black dog. Cu, a dog.

Cuil an Scardain (kool an scarten), Corner of the screes. Cuil, a corner, a nook; sgardan, screes. The name is very descriptive.

Cuilchonich (kulhoanie), Mossy corner. Coinneach, green moss; cuil, a corner.

Culinellan, properly Cul an eilean (koolineylen), Back of the island. Cul, back of; eilean, an island.

Cumha Thighearna Ghearrloch (koovtcheerna yairloch), Lament of or for the laird of Gairloch. Cumha, lament. See Tighearna.

Dal Cruaidh (dal crewie), hard field or flat. Dal, a flat field; cruaidh, hard.
Darach (darroch), an oak.
Dearg (jarrak), red, like a rose.

Diabaig (teapik). Norse name, meaning unknown; possibly connected with Dia, God; aig, a small bay, so that it may mean the small bay of God. Perhaps this has reference to religious rites imported from the neighbouring monastery of Applecross. Diabaig is spelt Typack on the map of 1662.

Doire (derry), a grove.
Domhnull Dubh (donnullul dhoo), Black Donald. Domhnull, Donald; dubh, black.
Domhnull Gorm (donnullul gorrum), Blue Donald. Gorm, blue.
Domhnull Greannach (donnullul gruonnoch), Sour or savage-looking Donald. Greannach also means irascible.

Domhnull M’Eaine Roy Vic Choinnich, should be Domhnull Mac Iain Ruadh Mhic Choinnich (donald mak eean ruar vick kuinyoch), Donald son of John Roy (red John) son of Kenneth. Mac, son of; Mhic (or Vic), possessive of Mac.

Domhnull Mor (donnullul more), Big Donald. Domhnull, Donald; mor, big.

Domhnull Odhar MacIain Leith (donnullul our mak yan lay), Sallow or dun Donald son of Iain Liath or grey-haired John. Odhar also means drab. Leith, possessive of Liath, grey.

Donald. See Domhnull Dubh, &c. Donald is often written in these pages instead of its Gaelic spelling.

Donn (down), brown, bay, or sable. Compare dun.

Donnachadh Mor na Tuaighe (donnochar mor na tew-ay), Big Duncan of the axe. Donnachadh, Duncan; mor, big; tuagh, an axe.

Donnachadh na Fadach (dunochar na fardoch), Duncan Fadach. Donnachadh, Duncan; Fadach, name of the farm he had in Kintail before he came to Inveran.

Druim a Chait (dream a-hart), Ridge of the cat. Druim, a ridge; chait, possessive of cat.

Druim Carn Neill (dream karneyal), Ridge of the cairn of Neil. Druim, or droim, a ridge or keel.

Drumchork, properly Druim a choirc (drum-a-hawk), Ridge of corn, or oats. Druim, a ridge; coirce, oats, corn.

Dubh (dhoo), black.
Dubh Loch (dhoo-loch), Black loch.
Dun (doon), a castle; Dunan (doonan), a small castle.
Dun Naast (doonarst), Castle of Naast. See Naast.

Eachainn (erchen), Hector. Hector is considered the English equivalent, though it is not a translation of this Gaelic name.

Eachainn Geal (erchen gayal), White Hector. See Eachainn and Geal.

Eachainn Ruadh (erchen roo-er), Hector Roy. Hector is considered the English equivalent for Eachainn; and see Ruadh.

Eilean (eylan), an island, isle.

Eileanach (eylanoch), Island of the field. Eilean, isle; ach, or achadh, or achaidh, a field. Perhaps it would be more accurately translated The place of islands.

Eileandonain (eylan donnan), Island Donain. Donain, name of a saint, probably short for Donnachadh, or Duncan.

Eilean a Mhor Righ (eylan a vor ree), Island of the great king. An erroneous suggestion of the origin of the name Maree.

Eilean Dubh na Sroine (eylan dhoo na stronyer), Black island of the nose or promontory. Dubh, black; sron (stron), a nose or promontory.

Eilean Grudidh (eylan gruydgie), Island Grudie. See Eilean and Grudidh.

Eilean Horisdale (eylan horrisdel), properly Eilean Thorisdal, the island of Thorsdale, a Norse name, which see.

Eilean Maree (eylan maree), Isle Maree. See St Maelrubha.
Eilean na h’ Iolaire (eylan nar hewlar-yer), Island of the eagle. Iolaire, an eagle.
Eilean Ruaridh Beag (eylan rooarie vek), Little island of Rorie or Roderick. Beag, little.
Eilean Ruaridh Mor (eylan ruorie mor), Big island of Rorie. Mor, big.
Eilean Suainne (eylan soo-in), Everlasting isle. Suainne, everlasting.
Eirthire Donn (erriyer down), Brown shore. Eirthira, shore; donn, brown.
Erradale (erradale). Norse; probably from earr, a boundary, the edge of.

Ewan McGabhar, properly Eoghan Mac Gabhar (ewen mak gower), Ewan son of the goat. Gabhar, a she-goat.

Ewe (ew). May be a corruption from uisge (usque), water. Compare similar Welsh root gwy, water, as in Wye.

Faidhir Mor (fire more), Great market. Faidhir, a fair or market; mor, great or big.

Failte Uilleam Dhuibh (falt yllyam oo-ey), Black William’s salute. Failte, a salute; Uilleam, William; dhuibh, possessive of dubh, black.

Fannich, properly Fanaich (fannich). Meaning unknown.
Faoileag (fewlak), a sea-gull, name for a dog.
Farquhar (properly Fearchar) Buidhe (farkar boo-ie), Yellow-haired Farquhar. See Buidhe.
Fasagh (fassoch). From Fasadh (pronounced fassoch), meaning a hollow.

Fe Leoid, properly Feith Leoid (fay lee-oade), The bog of Leod (Loud). Feith, a bog; Leoid, possessive of Leod, a Norse Christian name.

Feachaisgean, properly Feith Chaisgean (fay harshkin), Bog of Casgean. See Beinn a Chaisgean.

Feadag-chuirn (fettak hee-oorn), Cairn plover. Gaelic name of the dotteril. Feadag, a plover; chuirn, possessive of carn, a cairn.

Fear, Feur, Feir, or Fiar loch (fear loch), sedgy loch. Feur, possessive feoir (feyoar), sedge, reedy grass.

Fear Shieldaig (fear shieldak), The goodman of Shieldaig. Fear means a man, a goodman.

Fedan Mor (fettan more), Big gullie. Fead (fet), a whistle; feadan, a little whistle or whistling thing (applied to a gully because the wind whistles through it). Feadag, the feminine diminutive of fead, is the name given to the golden plover on account of its piping.

Feileadh-beag (faylabek), philabeg, or kilt; literally little kilt, i.e. the kilt made up separately as distinguished from the Breacan an Fheilidh, the belted or kilted plaid.

Feill Iudha (fail you-her), Ewe market. Feill, a market; Iudha, possessive of Iu, Ewe.
Feir loch. See Fear loch.
Feith an Leothaid. Same as Fe-Leoid, which see. This is the more correct spelling.

Feith Mhic Iain Dhuibh (fay vik an ooie), The bog of Black John’s son. Feith, a bog. See Mac Iain Dhuibh.

Feithean Mor, properly Na feithean mor (fain more), The great morasses. Feith (pl. feithean), a morass, a bog.

Feur loch. See Fear loch.

Fiaclachan (feearclochon), little toothed things. Diminutive of fiaclach, toothed or jagged, i.e. the little jagged rock; very descriptive.

Fiar loch. See Fear loch.

Fionn Loch (fee-un-loch), Fingal’s loch, or The white loch. It is called Loch Finn on the map of 1662. Fionn means white, pale, or wan. It is said the Fingalians were called the white men in contradistinction to the Dugals or black men.

Fionnla Dubh MacGillechriosd (feeounla dhoo mak gillie chree-est), Black Finlay, son of the servant of Christ. See MacGillechriosd.

Fionnla Dubh na Saighead (feeounla dhoo na side), Black Finlay of the arrow. Saighead, an arrow.

Fionnla Liath (feeounla leear), Grey Finlay. Liath, grey.

Firemore. See Faidhir mor.

Foura (foora), an island at the mouth of Loch Ewe. The name includes the Norwegian suffix “a,” meaning an island. Fuar (four) is Gaelic for cold.

Fraoch-eilean (frooch-eylan), Heather isle. Fraoch, heather.

Fuirneis (furniss), Furnace. This name was most likely originated here by iron-workers from Furness in Lancashire. Furness, according to Rev. Isaac Taylor, may be Fireness, the “fire isle,” or “Fore-ness.” Ness is Norse for a nose or headland.

Gael (gale), properly Gaidheal (gai-al), a Highlander, a Gael.

Gaelic (gallik), properly Gaidhealach (gai-alloch), Highland.

Gairloch (garloch), Short loch. Originally, and more correctly, spelt Gearrloch or Gerloch. Gearr, short. It is always spelt Gearrloch in Gaelic.

Garadh Iaruinn (gaarogh eerun), Iron dyke. Garradh, a dyke, a fence wall; iaruinn, iron.

Garavaig, properly Garbhaig (garavaik), name of a small river or burn. The termination “aig” is said to be old Danish, and means a small bay, but the prefix is probably from garbh, rough.

Garbh (garav, or garve), rough.
Garbh Choire (garav chorrie), Rough corrie.
Garbh eilean (garaveylan), Rough island. Garbh, rough.
Geal (gayal), white, bright.
Gille (gillie), a lad, a young man, a gillie, a servant.
Gille Buidhe (gillie boo-ie), Yellow, or yellow-haired gillie. See Gille.
Gille Cailean Mor (gilly callain more), The lad big Colin. See separate words.
Gille Dubh (gillie dhoo), Black, or black-haired lad.
Gille Riabhach (gillie ree-oach), Brindled lad. Riabhach, brindled.
Gillean (gillyon), lads. Plural of Gille, which see.

Gillean an t’ Sealgair (gillyon ant shallager), the hunter’s lads. Gillean, lads, or young men; sealgair, a hunter.

Gillespic (gill-yespik), servant of the bishop. Gille, servant; easbuig (espik), bishop. Compare Episcopus.

Glac Mhic Iain Dhuibh (glark vik an oo-ie), Hollow or dell of the son of Black John. Glac, a hollow or dell; Mhic, possessive of Mac, the son of; dhuibh, possessive of dubh, black.

Glac na Sguithar (glark nar skither), Hollow of Sguithar. An old name; meaning now lost.

Glas (glosh), grey. When applied to a man it means that he is pale or sallow, never grey-haired.

Glas eilean (glosh-eylan), Grey island. Glas, grey; eilean, an island.
Glas Leitire (glosh laytcher), Grey slope. See Glas and Leitir.
Glen, properly Gleann (glen or gloun), a valley, a dale.

Glen a Bianasdail (gloun ar beeanarstle), Glen of skin field or dale, or thal. Bian, a wild animal’s skin.

Glen Cruaidh Choillie (glen or gloun cruchollie). May perhaps be the hardwood glen. Cruid, hard; coille, wood.

Glen Dochartie, properly Gleann Dochartidh (gloun dochartie). Dochart, or Dochartie, is believed to have been the name of a man.

Glen na Muic (gloun na mook). Muic, possessive of muc, a pig.

Gobha dubh an uisge (gow dhoo an uisk), Blacksmith of the water. Gobha, a smith; dubh, black; uisge, water.

Gorm (gorrum), blue.

Groban (groben). Probably a grooved rock, from grobadh, to groove.

Grudidh, more correctly Gruididh (gruydyie). Possibly from gruid, dregs; because the dregs and sediment of several burns drain into the Grudidh river.

Gruinard, in Gaelic Gruinaird (grinyard). Meaning unknown; may be from grian, the sun, and aird, a height. It used to be sometimes spelt Greinord; may be Norse.

Hector Roy. English rendering of Eachainn Ruadh, which see. No Gaelic word begins with H.

Heglis Gherloch, for Eaglais Ghearrloch (erkless yairloch), Church of Gairloch. Eaglais, a church.
Heglis Loch Ew, for Eaglais Loch Iu (erkless loch ew), Church of Loch Ewe.
Horisdale. See Eilean Horisdale.
Iain Buidhe (eean boo-ie), Yellow, or yellow-haired John. Iain, John. See Buidhe.
Iain Buidhe Taillear (eean boo-ie tyler), Yellow-haired John the tailor. Taillear, a tailor.
Iain Caol (eean cool), Slender John. Caol, slender.
Iain Dall (eean toul), Blind John. Dall, blind.

Iain Dubh Mac Ruaridh (eean dhoo mak rooarie), Black John, son of Rorie or Roderick. See separate words.

Iain Geal Donn (eean gel town), Whitey-brown John. Geal, white; Donn, brown.

Iain Gearr (eean garr), Short John. Gearr, short.

Iain Gearr Mac Mhurchaidh Mhic Iain (eean garr mak muroochie vic yan), Short John, son of Murdo, son of John.

Iain Glassich (eean glassoch), John of [Strath] Glass.

Iain Liath (eean leear), Grey John. Liath, grey.

Iain MacAllan Mhic Ruaridh (eean mak allan vik rooarie), John, son of Allan, son of Rorie. See separate words.

Iain Mac Coinnich Mhic Eachainn (eean mak kunyich vik erchen), John, son of Kenneth, son of Hector.

Iain Mac Eachainn Chaoil (eean mak erchen chooil), John, son of slender Hector. Chaoil, possessive of caol, slender.

Iain Mac Ghille Challum (eean mak illie challum), John, son of the lad Malcolm. See Mac Ghille Challum.

Iain Mac Iain Uidhir (eean mak an eer), John, the son of dun John. Uidhir is the possessive of odhar, dun.

Iain Mor am Post (eean more am post, pronounced like cost), Big John the post.

Iain Odhar Mac Iain Leith (eean our mak an lay), Dun John, son of Grey John. Odhar, dun; liath, grey.

Iain Ruadh (eean ruor, or ruag), John Roy, or Red John.

Innis a Bhaird (ish y vard), Oasis (or “clearing”) of the bard. Innis, an island, or green oasis in a brown heathery region; bhaird, possessive of bard.

Innis Ghlas (inch gloss), The grey oasis. See Innis a Bhaird. Glas, grey.

Inveran, in Gaelic Inbhiran (in youren). Inbhiran is the diminutive of Inbhir (inver), an estuary, or mouth of. Inveran therefore means the little estuary. It takes this name from the small estuary formed where the little river from Kernsary enters Loch Maree.

Inverasdale, should be spelt Inbhirasdal (in-ur-astle), Mouth of the river Asdaile. Called Ashfidill, Aspedell, or Absdill in old documents.

Inverewe, Anglicé for Inbhiriu (in yer ew), The mouth of the Ewe. Inver (Gallice Inbhir), mouth of a river.

Judha. See Feill Iudha. There is no word beginning with J in Gaelic.

Kenlochewe (kinloch ew). See Ceann loch iu. The letter k does not occur in true Gaelic.

Kenneth. English form of Coinneach, which see.

Kernsary, spelt in Gaelic Cearnsair. A corruption, probably from carn, a cairn; aridh, a shieling.

Kerry, properly spelt Cearridh. Meaning unknown; may be connected with cearr, left, or wrong.

Kerrysdale. A modern English name; in Gaelic it is called Cathair Bheag, or the little seat or green knoll on which the fairies used to sit. Compare similar word in Welsh, as in Cader Idris. Bheag is possessive of beag, little.

Kintail. See Ceann an t’ sail.

Laide (laide), a slope. From leathad (pronounced laid), a slope. The place is called in Gaelic Leathad Udrigil, or The slope of Udrigil.

Lasan (larsan), a slight passion, wrath, anger.

Leabaidh na Ba Bàine (lyeppy na papann), Bed of the white cow. Leabaidh, a bed; ba, possessive of bo, a cow; bàine, possessive of ban, white.

Leabhar na Feinne (leeoar na fainyie), Book of the Fingalians.

Leac nan Saighead (lake nen side), Flag or flat rock of the arrow. Leac, a flat rock, a flag; saighead, an arrow.

Leacaidh (lyechy), Place of flags, or flat rocks.

Leitir (laychter, letter), slope on a hill side, declivity.

Leth chreag (laychrig), Half rock. Leth, half; chreag, possessive of creag, a rock. This name is applied to several rocky hills in Gairloch; it seems to imply that one-half of the rock has fallen away.

Letterewe (letter ew), Slope of Ewe. See Leitir. This name is properly Leitir Iu.

Leum an Doill (layum an toul), Blind man’s leap.

Lews (looze). From Leogheas (leoas), i.e., the lands of Leod, the progenitor of the MacLeods of the Lews.

Liathgach (leeroch), The light-blue mountain. Liath, light blue. This name should not have Beinn before it.

Loch (loch), a lake, an arm of the sea. Lochan, a small lake, a tarn.

Loch a Bhaid Luachraich (loch a vat loocharar), Loch of the clump of rushes. Bad, a clump; luachair, rushes.

Loch a Bheallaich (loch a veealoch), Loch of the pass. Beallach, a pass.

Loch a Chroisg (loch ach roshk). Anglicé Loch Rosque. Chroisg, possessive of Crosg, name of a place. Meaning unknown; possibly connected with Crasg, which see. Another suggestion is that Crosg may mean the Cross, and that the name was given by ecclesiastics who unquestionably lived here.

Loch a Druing (loch a tring), Loch of Druing. Druing is probably a Norse word. It occurs as Druingag in Tobar Druingag, The well of Druingag, which is at the south end of Loch a Druing.

Loch an Iasgair (loch an ee-esker), Loch of the fisherman. Iasgair, a fisherman; but in this case it refers to the nesting here of the osprey or fishing eagle.

Loch Bad na Sgalaig (loch bat na skallak), Loch of the servant’s grove. [Bad, a grove (or clump); sgalag, a servant.

Loch Bad na h’ Achlais (loch pat ’n achlass), Loch of the grove of the hollow. Achlais, a hollow, the armpit.

Loch Bharanaichd (loch varranocht), Loch of the barony. Baranachd, a barony.

Loch Broom (loch broom). An English imitation of the Gaelic name, which is Loch Bhraoin (loch vruin). Braon means a light shower, drops of rain, drizzle.

Loch Clair, properly Clar (loch clar). Means anything flat, as the head of a barrel, leaf of a table, the front or plain piece of a kilt. The stone tables of the law are called clar in the Gaelic bible.

Loch Coulin (loch koalin). Coulin (or Connlin) is from Connlach, a Fingalian hero, who was buried on a promontory in the loch. The site of his grave is still pointed out.

Loch Fada (loch fatter), Long loch. Fada, long.
Loch Fear, Feur, Feir, or Fiar. See Fear loch.
Loch Gharbhaig (loch garravaik), Loch of the Garavaig, which see.
Loch Maree. See St Maelrubha.
Loch Mhic ‘ille Rhiabhaich (loch vik illie reeoach), Loch of MacGille Riabhach, whom see.

Loch na Beiste (loch na peyest), Loch of the beast. Beist, a beast, a brute.

Loch na h’ Oidhche (loch na hayich), Loch of night. Oidhche, night.

Loch nan Dailthean (loch nan dullann), Loch of the meadows. Dail, a field, a meadow.

Loch Rosque. See Loch a Chroisg.

Loch Torr na h’ Eiginn (loch torr na haykin), Loch of the mound of violence. Torr, a mound; eiginn, violence.

Lochan a’ Neigh. Should be Lochan an Fheidh, which see.

Lochan an Fheidh (lochan a neay), Loch of the deer. Fheidh, possessive of fiadh, deer.

Lochan Cul na Cathrach (lochan cool na karroch), Tarn of [or at] the back of the fairies’ seat. Cul, back of; cathrach, possessive of cathair, a seat, a word usually applied to the fairies’ seats.

Lochan nan Airm (lochan nan arram), Loch of the arms. Airm, possessive of aram (or armachd), arms.

Lochan nan Breac, or Lochan nan Breac Adhair (lochanan brake aar), Lochan of the trout from the sky. Adhar, the sky. When trout are found in a loch without inlet or outlet, they are supposed to have fallen from the sky.

Lochend (Dog Gaelic), End of the loch.

Londubh (lonedhoo), Black bog. Lon, a bog; dubh, black.

Longa (longer). Norse name; the termination a is an old Norse suffix meaning an isle. Long may be Norse equivalent to the English long, or it may possibly be the Gaelic long, a ship. In old maps it is called Lunga.

Lonmor (lone more), Big bog. Lon (lone), a bog; mor, big.
Luibmhor (loopmore), Great bend [or loop]. Luib, a bend.
Lungard (lungard). An old name; meaning unknown.
Mac (mak), Son of. Possessive mhic (vik), of the son of.
Mac a Ghille Riabhaich (mak illie ree-oach), Son of Gille Riabhach. See Gille Riabhach.
Mac Callum (makallum), Son of Malcolm.

Mac Coinnich (mak kunnich), Son of Kenneth. Mac, son of; Coinnich, possessive of Coinneach, which see.

Mac Ghille Challum (mak illie Challum), The son of the lad Malcolm. Ghille, possessive of Gille; Challum, possessive of Callum, Malcolm.

Mac Gilleandreis (mak gilloundris), Son of the servant of [St] Andrew. Gille, a servant; Aindrea, or Andreis, Andrew.

Mac Gillechriosd (mak gillie chree-est), Son of the servant of Christ. Chriosd, Christ. See Gille.

Mac Iain Dhuibh (mak an ooie), Son of Black John. Mac, son of; dhuibh, possessive of dubh, black.

MacLean (mak laine). In Gaelic this name is Mac’ill’ean, possibly for Mac Ghille Iain, meaning the son of the servant of John, or St John.

MacLennan (maklennan). In Gaelic the name is Mac a Leinnan, from leine, a shirt, referring to the first MacLennan having been the armour bearer who carried his “shirt” of mail for Mackenzie, lord of Kintail.

Mac Leod (makloud), the Son of Leod, progenitor of all the MacLeods.

Mac Mhic Cordaigh (mak vik orday), Son of the son of Cordaigh.

Mac Olamh Mhor (mak olar vor), Son of Olaf the Great. Olaf, a Norse name.

Macdonald, The son of Donald. It is not used in this form in Gaelic. The proper Gaelic equivalent is Domhnullach (donnulloch); it also means, the son of Donald. Mac Dhomhnuill is, however, frequently used.

MacRae (mak ray), Son of fortune. Mac, son of; rath, fortune.
Maighdean (maidchen), Maiden.
Maighstir Sgoil (maishter skol), Schoolmaster. Maighstir, a master; sgoil, a school.
Mali chruinn donn (mallie cruntown), Round brown Molly. Mali, Molly; cruinn, round; donn, brown.
Maolmuire (melmur), Tonsured one of Mary. Maol, a cropped head; muire, the virgin [Mary].
Marbhrann (marvran), an elegy. Marbh, dead; rann, verse.
McKenzie or Mackenzie. Corrupted from Mac Coinnich, which see.

Meall (meoul), a hill; literally a lump, usually applied to a lump of a hill. Meallan, a little hill.

Meall a Deas, (mella teyess), Hill of the south. Deas, south.
Meall a Ghuibhais (meyoul a huish), Hill of the fir. Guibhas, a fir.
Meall an Doire (meyoul an derry), Hill of the grove.

Meall Aridh Mhic Craidh (meyoul arry vik creear), Hill of the shieling of Criadh. Aridh, a shieling; Criadh, name of a man, meaning unknown.

Meall Aundrairidh (meyoul aurndrarey). Possibly meant for hill of Andrew, or of Andrew’s shieling; if the latter, the termination would be from aridh, a shieling.

Meall Lochan a Chleirich (meyoul lochan a chlearich), Hill of the loch of the priest. Cleireach, a clerk. The priests were sometimes called cleireach, from their scholarship.

Meall na Cluibha (meyoul na clua), Hill of Clu (Anglicè Cliff hill). Clu may be connected with cluain, good pastures.

Meall na Glaice Daraich (meyoul na glarker darroch), Hill of the oak dell. Glac, a dell; darach, oak.

Meall nam Meallan (meyoul namellan), Hill of the hills. Meallan, plural of Meall, hills.

Meall Mheannidh, or Meadhonach, more correctly the latter (meyoul vahanny, or meyharnoch), The middle hill. Meall, hill; meadhonach, intermediate.

Meallan Chuaich (mellan chuaich), Little hill of the cup, or quaich. Compare quaff.

Meallan na Ghamhna (mellan a gowna), Stirk hill. Meallan, a little hill, gamhainn, a stirk.

Meallan Thearlaich (mellan harelich), Little hill of Charles. Tearlach, Charles; meallan, diminutive of meall. Anglicè, Mellon Charles.

Mellon Charles. See Meallan Thearlaich.

Mellon Udrigil (mellon oodrigil), Hill of Udrigil, which see.

Melvaig (melvik). Probably Norse; or may be from meal and beag, making Mealbheag (meyoul vek), the little hill. In Gaelic it is spelt Mealabhaig, which favours the Norse origin. Aig, old Danish for a little bay. Melvaig used to be spelt Malefage, Mailfog, Melvag.

Midton, for Middletown. An English word. See Ballymeon.
Mioll. Corruption of Meall.
Moladh Mairi (molloch marrie), Praise of Mary. Moladh, praise; Mairi, Mary.
Mor (more, or mohr), great, or big.
Mor Ban (moore barn), Fair Sarah. Mor, Sarah; ban, white, fair.

Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair (mulloch corrie vik erraquhar), Summit of the corrie of Farquhar’s son. Mulloch, summit; coire, corrie; Mhic, of the son of; Fhearchair, possessive of Farquhar.

Murchadh Mac Mhurchaidh (muroochuch mak muroochie), Murdo, son of Murdo. Murchadh, Murdo; possessive Murchaidh.

Murchadh Riabhach na cuirce (muroochuch reeoach na kurke), Brindled Murdo of the bowieknife. Murchadh, Murdo; riabhach, brindled; cuirce, possessive of corc, a knife like a bowieknife (a knife that does not shut).

Murdo Mc Conill varchue vic Conill vic Allister. Old (almost phonetic) way of writing the Gaelic for “Murdo the son of Donald Murdo, the son of Donald, the son of Alastair.” Conill seems to represent Dhomhnuill (the initial “c” belongs to the preceding word), and varchue is for Mhurchaidh, the possessive cases respectively of Domhnuill and Murchadh. Vic, of course, is for Mhic, of the son of.

Naast, or Naust (narst). A Norse word. Fäste is Norse for a fortress; its Gaelic form with the article would be Näste. There is here a knowe by the sea called Dun Naast, apparently including the Gaelic Dun, a castle.

Ob Choir’ I (ope corree), Bay of the island of the corrie, or Island Corrie Bay. Ob, a bay; choire, possessive of coire, a corrie; i, old Gaelic for an island. Iona is still called “I” in Gaelic.

Oban (open, or oben), a little bay.
Og (ogue, pronounced as in rogue), young.
Oighrig (eyrig). Woman’s name; Euphemia is considered to be the English equivalent.
Openham. Corrupted from Opinan, which see.
Opinan (opinen), Little bays. Corrupted from Obanan, plural of Oban, which see.

Oran na Feannaige (oran na feounak), Song of the hoodie crow. Oran, song; feannag, a hoodie crow, i.e. the Royston or grey crow.

Ormiscaig (ormscaik). A Norse name; its termination means a small bay. The word may include Ormr, Norse for a serpent. (See Rev. Isaac Taylor on Orme’s Head.)

Padruig Caogach (partrik kuogoch), Skew-eyed Peter. Caogach, skew-eyed; Padruig, Peter, or Patrick.

Philabeg. See Feileadh Beag. Philabeg is a lowland form of the name of the kilt.

Piobaire Ban (peepier ban), The fair piper. Piobaire, a piper; ban, fair, white.

Piobaire Dall (peepi-er toul), Blind piper. Piobaire, a piper; dall, blind.

Piobaireachd (peebyrocht), Pipe music. Usually applied to a set piece in the form now commonly called a pibroch.

Ploc (plok), a round mass.
Ploc (plok) of Torridon. See Ploc.
Ploc-ard (plokart), Height of the round mass. See Ploc and Aird.

Poll a Chuillin (poll a choolin), Pool of the hollies. Poll, a pool; cuilionn, hollies.

Poolewe (pool-ew). This name means the pool of the Ewe; in Gaelic it is Poll-iu. Poll, a pool; iu, ewe.

Port Henderson. A modern name. The colloquial Gaelic name of the place is Portigill (porstigil). May be from Port a geal, the white port.

Port na h’ Eille (port na hail), Port of the thong. Iall, a thong, a leather strap; possessive eille.

Port na Heile (port na hail). See Port na h’ Eille.

Pronadh na Mial (prone-a na meoul), Crushing the louse. Pronadh, crushing; mial, louse.

Raasay, properly Rasaidh (raaser). Norse name. May perhaps include rath, an obsolete word for a round fort.

Rathad Mor (rart more), High (great) road. Rathad, road; mor, great.

Regoilachy (regoalachie). From fhrith (ree), a forest, and gobhlach, forked. The termination is probably for euphony, but may represent achadh, a field.

Rob Donn (rob doun), Brown or dun Robert; the soubriquet of the great Reay bard. Rob, Robert; donn, brown, or dun.

Rob Roy, for Rob Ruadh (rob rooer), Red Robert.

Rona (rowna). Norse; probably seal island. Ron is Gaelic for a seal; a is a Norse suffix meaning an island.

Roy. See Ruadh.
Ru, or Rudha (roo, or rooah), a point, a promontory.
Ru Nohar. Should be Rudha ’n Fhomhair, which see.
Ruadh (ru-er, or rooag), red, or auburn. Anglicé, roy.
Ruadh Stac (rooer stak), Red stack, or steep rock. Stac, a steep rock.
Ruaridh an Torra (roo-arie-an-tor), Rorie of the tor, or round smooth hill.
Ruaridh Breac (roo-arie brake), Spotted (or pock-pitted) Rorie, or Roderick. See Breac.
Ruaridh Ceard (roo-arie kard), Rorie the tinker. Ceard, a tinker.
Ruaridh Donn (roo-arie doun), Brown or dun Rorie.
Ruaridh Mac Allan M’Leod (roo-arie mak allan mak loud), Rorie, son of Allan M’Leod.
Rudha aird an anail (roo-arten annall), High point of breathing. Anail, breathing; aird, high.

Rudha Chailleach (roo chyleoch), Point of the old woman. Rudha, a point; cailleach, an old woman.

Rudha Mac Gille Aindreas (roo mak ill andres), Point of the servant of [St] Andrew. See Mac Gilleandreis.

Rudha mhadaidh ruaidh (roo vatter roo-ie), Fox point, or point of the red dog. Rudha, a point; madadh, a dog; ruadh, red.

Rudha ’n Fhomhair, or Fhamhair (roo noher), The point of the giant. Fomhair, a giant.

Rudha na Cloiche uaine (roo na clor-choo-ownyer), Greenstone point. Cloiche, possessive of clach, a stone; uaine, green.

Rudha Reidh (roo ray), Smooth point or headland. Rudha, a point; reidh, level. The name is very descriptive of the appearance of the headland as seen from the sea.

Runrig. A south Scotch or English word. In Gaelic it is called Mag maseach (mark mer sharch). Mag, a rig; maseach, alternate.

Ruymakilvandrich. See Rudha Mac Ghille Aindreas.

Sabhal Geal (sowl gayal), White barn. See separate words.

Sail Mor (sal more, or sowl more), The great heel. Sail, a heel. Descriptive of the shape of this spur of Beinn Eighe.

Saint Maelrubha (saint malruie). Maree is a corruption from this saint’s name.

Sand (sand, or saunda). Name of a place by a sandy beach; evidently Norse. The full name of the place called Big Sand is Sanda a chorran, meaning “the sand of the shingly spit.”

Sasunnach (sarsenach), Saxon, English, not a Gaelic speaker. Sasunnach mor, the big Englishman.
Scardroy. See Sgaird ruadh.
Scuir, or Sgorr (skoor), a peak or cliff.

Scuir a Laocainn (scoor a lyooakin), Peak of the calf’s skin. Laodh, a calf; gin, abbreviation for craiceann (crakin), a skin.

Scuir a Mhuilin (skoor a voollin), Peak of the mill. Mhuilin, possessive of muileann, a mill.

Scuir na Feart (scoor na hairsht). Name of a peak; meaning unknown.
Seann Rudha (shoun roo), Old promontory. Seann, old; rudha, promontory.
Seann Seoc (shoun shok), Old Jock. Seann, old; seoc, Jock or Jack.
Seann Tighearna (shoun tcheerna), Old laird. Seann, old; tighearna, laird, proprietor.
Seannachaidh (shennachie), Reciter of old tales, recorder, remembrancer.
Seonaid Chrubach (shounat chruboch), Lame Jessie. Seonaid, Jessie; crubach, lame.
Sgaird ruadh (scart rooer), Red scree. Sgaird, a scree, shingly slope.
Sgalag (skallak), a servant, farm servant.
Sgeir, or Skeir (skeer), a rock surrounded by the sea.

Sgeir a Bhuic (skeir a vook), Island rock of the buck. From sgeir, a rock surrounded by the sea, and bhuic, possessive of boc, a buck.

Sgeir an Fharaig (skeir an harrik), Island rock of the surf. From fairge, surf, sea.

Sgeir Bhoora (skeir voora), Island rock of Boor. From sgeir, a rock surrounded by the sea, and Bhoora, possessive of Boor.

Sgorr, or Sgurr (skor, or skoor), a peak. It is often written here as elsewhere Scuir, but the former words are more correct.

Sgorr Dubh (scorr dhoo), Black peak.

Sgurr Ban (skoor barn), White peak. Sgurr, a peak; ban, white.

Shieldaig (shieldak). Probably a Norse name; meaning unknown. Aig is an old Danish suffix meaning a small bay. Shieldaig was formerly spelt Syldage, Sildag, and Shilkag.

Sian, or Seun (shee-un), a spell, charm, incantation.

Siol Mhic Ghille Challum (sheeol vik illie challum), Seed of Mac Gille Challum, whom see.

Siol Tormod (sheeol tormot), Seed of Tormod.
Siol Torquil (sheeol torquil), Seed of Torquil.
Sitheanan Dubha (sheean-an dhooar), Black knowes, fairies’ hills. Sithean, a knowe; dubh, black.
Skar (scar), a screen. Obsolete.

Slaggan, properly Slagan (slagan). Diminutive of slag, or lag, a hollow. This place is for identification called in Gaelic An slagan odhar (an slagan our), or The little dun hollow.

Slatadale (slay ter dle). Norse; or it might possibly be connected with slaitan, fishing rods. In the old map of 1662 it is spelt Slotadull.

Slioch, or Sleugach (slee-och), resembling a spear. Sleagh, a spear. The mountain from some points of view is like a broad spear head. The name should not have Beinn before it.

Slogan (sloggan), a war cry. Obsolete now.

Smiorsair (smearesar). Name of a hamlet; probably from smior, the marrow, the best; aridh, a shieling.

Spidean Moirich (speetan moi-or-ich), Peak of Martha. Spidean, a peak; Moirich, possessive of Moireach, Martha.

Sporan (sporran), a purse.

Srondubh (strondhoo), Black nose or promontory. Sron (stron), a nose or promontory.

Sron a Choite (strunyer hote), Nose (or promontory) of the coble. Sron (stron), a nose or promontory; choite, possessive of coite, a coble.

Stac Buidhe (stack boo-ie), Yellow stack, i.e. steep rock. Stac, a stack, buidhe, yellow.

Stank house. An English name; but stank is from the Gaelic staing, a ditch.

Steall a Mhunidh (shteyole a vonie), Splash of the Pisvache. A fine waterfall, resembling the Pisvache of European celebrity.

Strath, properly Srath (strah), a broad valley.

Strath Chromple (strath roumpil), Valley of the curved opening. Crom, curved; beul, mouth or opening.

Suarachan (shore-achen). Soubriquet of Big Duncan of the Axe, being the diminutive of Suarach, insignificant; referring to his not having been thought worthy of being armed for the battle of Park.

Suidheachan Fhinn (seeachan een), Fingal’s seat. Suidheachan, a turf seat; Fhinn, possessive of Fionn, Fingal.

Tagan (tahkan). Possibly Norse; may be from tathaich, a resort.

Talladale (tallardle). Probably Norse; may be from talla, a hall, and the Norse dahl or dal. In old documents it is spelt Alydyll, Allawdill, and Telledill. The two former spellings suggest that the name was formerly spelt with “th,” pronounced as a soft aspirate.

Thorisdal, Dale of the Norse god Thor. See Eilean Horisdale.

Tigh Dige (ty dgeegie), House of the ditch. Tigh, a house; dig, a ditch.

Tigh mo Sheanair (ty mer henner), House of my grandfather. Tigh, a house; mo, my; sheanair, possessive of seanair, grandfather.

Tighearna Crubach (tcheerna krupboch), Lame laird.
Tighearna Ruadh (tcheerna roer), Red or auburn-haired laird or proprietor. Tighearna, laird; ruadh, red.
Tighearna Storach (tcheerna storroch), Buck-toothed laird.
Tighnafaolinn (ty na fualin). The sea-mews’ home. Tigh, a house, home; faoileann, a sea-gull.

Tobar Mhoire (toppervorie) Well of the Virgin Mary, or of Mourie. Tobar, a well; Mhoire, possessive of Moire, Mary.

Tobar nan ceann (topper nan keyoun), Fountain or well of the heads. Tobar, a fountain, a well; ceann, a head.

Tollie, properly Tollidh (tolly), diminutive of Toll, a hole. All the Tollies are in hollows. Idh is a rare diminutive, but is sometimes used even in the present day.

Torasgian. See Tor-sgian.

Torr (torr), a mound or lump; generally applied to a round hill. The name is common in Gairloch and the neighbourhood, and seems specially applicable to the hummocks or domes of gneiss, noted as so frequent in this locality by Professor Geikie. The name Cnoc (krock), a knoll, has a somewhat similar meaning.

Torran nan Eun (torranan eeon), Mounds of the birds. Torran, mounds; eun, a bird.

Torran nan tighearnan (torran nan tchee-ernan), Mounds of the chieftains. Torr, a mound; tighearn, a chief, literally superior of land.

Torridon (torriden). Old name; perhaps Norse. Can it possibly be connected with torran, mounds, or lumps, which would be very descriptive? It is spelt Torvedene in the Sheriff’s protocol of 1494.

Tor-sgian (toroshkin), peat cutter. Tor, a lump; sgian, a knife.

Tournaig, Gallice Turnaig (toornak). A Norse name. The suffix aig means a small bay in old Danish.

Truibhais (trewish), trews, a sort of trousers.

Tulachan (toolachen), a sham calf. Compare Gaelic tulg, to rock, or toss. The sham calf was moved to and fro to make the cow think it was sucking.

Tulchan. See Tulachan.
Tulloch Ard (tullochart), High knoll. Tulloch from tulach, a knoll; ard, high.
Uamh (oo-av), a cave.

Uamh a’ Mhail (oo-av a varl), Cave of rent or tribute. Mhail, possessive of Mal, rent or tribute.

Uamh nam Freiceadain (ooie nam rekatan), Cave of the guard. Freiceadan, a guard, watching.

Uamh an Oir (ooav an or), Cave of gold. Oir, possessive of or, gold.

Uamh gu do roghiann (ooie gat der ooun), Cave for your choice. Gu, to, or for; do, your; roghiann, choice.

Uamh Mhic ‘ille Rhiabhaich (ooie vick illie reeoach), The cave of the son of the brindled gillie or lad. Mhic (vik), possessive of Mac, son of; ‘ille, for ghille, possessive of gille. See Mac Gille Riabhaich.

Udrigil (oodrigil). Probably a Norse name; meaning unknown.

Ullapool (oo-la-pull). An old name; probably from uile, all, and poll, a pool; signifying that it is a pool large enough for all.

Uistean (ooshtan). A Gaelic Christian name; Hugh is considered the English equivalent.

Vic. Popular spelling of Mhic, the possessive of Mac, son of. There is no v or w in Gaelic.