An Online Guide To Gaelic Place Names

**BoldHighlander** · 23rd December 10, 01:04 AM

Some of the rabble maybe interested in the following that I found in the (latest) Winter 2010 issue of Scottish Life magazing:

If you've ever been stymied by the Gaelic pronunciation of Scotland's place names, a new Web site provides help. More than 1,000 towns, villages, and sites are detailed on www.ainmean-aite.org, giving users the English name (e.g. Glencoe), the Gaelic name (Gleann Comhann), the meaning (glen of the river Comhann), pronunciation by a Gaelic speaker as well as other details. The database was developed over the past ten years by Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba ("Gaelic Place Names of Scotland"), a national advisory organization formed when road signage in the Highlands became bilingual.

**figheadair** · 23rd December 10, 03:39 AM

Nice one. As in every culture Gaelic place names are fun to research and are the link with our past.

My town is always translated as Croaibh - the place amongst the trees which ingores the older spelling 'Cref' which can be translated as the place on the side/slope of the hill which is exactly where the original part of the settlement was.

I look out over a house/area called Barnkittock that at one time was a sepatate township famous for weaving tartan. Its name is an Anglicisation of Baile na Ciotag - the place of the plaids.

**seanachie** · 23rd December 10, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by figheadair

Nice one. As in every culture Gaelic place names are fun to research and are the link with our past.
I look out over a house/area called Barnkittock that at one time was a sepatate township famous for weaving tartan. Its name is an Anglicisation of Baile na Ciotag - the place of the plaids.

In America, and particularly Southern California (where I live now) we have the most contrived names for housing developments, streets etc. But The Place of The Plaids, I really like that. I can just see the ads: " Barnkittock, an exclusive community of Kilt Wearers add a little tartan to your life."

**ForresterModern** · 23rd December 10, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by seanachie

In America, and particularly Southern California (where I live now) we have the most contrived names for housing developments, streets etc. But The Place of The Plaids, I really like that. I can just see the ads: " Barnkittock, an exclusive community of Kilt Wearers add a little tartan to your life."

If it is anywhere near a beach in Southern Cali, where can I sign up for a lot, or a timeshare? Kilts in the clubhouse, tartan boxer swim trunks at the pool and on the beach, those fake-kilt towels on all the poolside chairs.........

**Mike_Oettle** · 23rd December 10, 11:06 AM

Indeed . . . Barnkittock – that’s a name rich in significance.
Regards,
Mike

**figheadair** · 24th December 10, 03:51 AM

Originally Posted by Mike_Oettle

Indeed . . . Barnkittock – that’s a name rich in significance.

Indeed. A couple of little anecdotes makes the point nicely.

In 1745 Lord Loudoun was reprimanded for ordering plaids for his regiment from the Crieff weavers lest they should fall into the hands of the rebels.

The deacon (master weaver) apparently used to have a brass ell wand for measuring the cloth. Oh how I'd love to find that.