guide-to-gaelic-origins-of-place-names
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Guide <strong>to</strong> Gaelic <strong>origins</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>place</strong> <strong>names</strong> in Britain<br />
NOTE: This booklet is one <strong>of</strong> a series <strong>of</strong> 4 booklets which cover the language <strong>origins</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>place</strong><br />
<strong>names</strong> in Britain for Gaelic, Scandinavian, Scots and Welsh. The booklets can be downloaded<br />
from the Ordnance Survey web site at http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk as PDF files.<br />
November 2005
The background <strong>to</strong> the creation <strong>of</strong> this <strong>guide</strong><br />
Early in the 20th century, Ordnance Survey issued a small pamphlet, The most common Gaelic<br />
words used on the Ordnance Survey Maps, for use with the one-inch maps <strong>of</strong> Scotland.<br />
In 1935, the Board <strong>of</strong> Celtic Studies and the University <strong>of</strong> Wales compiled a similar booklet, The<br />
most common Welsh words used on the Ordnance Survey Maps, for use with maps <strong>of</strong> Wales. This<br />
was reprinted in 1949.<br />
Later it was decided <strong>to</strong> increase the scope <strong>of</strong> the Gaelic <strong>names</strong> pamphlet, so the Scottish<br />
Geographical Society under<strong>to</strong>ok a complete recompilation and published an enlarged edition in<br />
1951 which included a list <strong>of</strong> Scandinavian elements used in Scottish <strong>place</strong> <strong>names</strong>.<br />
In 1968, Ordnance Survey produced an A5 booklet, Place <strong>names</strong> on maps <strong>of</strong> Scotland and Wales,<br />
which combined revised versions <strong>of</strong> both earlier publications. The booklet underwent several<br />
reprints, with the last reprint published in 1995.<br />
In the booklet, Ordnance Survey thanked Dr W F H Nicolaisen <strong>of</strong> the University <strong>of</strong> Edinburgh's<br />
School <strong>of</strong> Scottish Studies for his advice on the Gaelic and Scandinavian elements, William<br />
Matheson, senior lecturer in the Department <strong>of</strong> Celtic Studies at the University <strong>of</strong> Edinburgh for the<br />
revised <strong>guide</strong> <strong>to</strong> Gaelic pronunciation, and the Board <strong>of</strong> Celtic Studies <strong>of</strong> the University <strong>of</strong> Wales<br />
for their help with the Welsh glossary.<br />
In 2003, Ordnance Survey decided <strong>to</strong> update the content <strong>of</strong> the booklet, <strong>to</strong> extend the coverage <strong>to</strong><br />
include the Scots language, and <strong>to</strong> publish the revised information electronically as a series <strong>of</strong> web<br />
pages and PDF files. The resulting series <strong>of</strong> Guides, <strong>of</strong> which this is one, were published in 2004,<br />
with minor revisions <strong>to</strong> the Gaelic Guide in 2005. They are not the definitive work on language<br />
influences in <strong>place</strong> <strong>names</strong> in Great Britain, but more a <strong>guide</strong> <strong>to</strong> common elements arising from<br />
Gaelic, Scandinavian, Scots and Welsh.<br />
Ordnance Survey has benefited from the skill and expertise <strong>of</strong> various experts in reviewing the<br />
previous material and preparing these Guides. In the case <strong>of</strong> the Welsh section they are Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
Hywel Wyn Owen and Gruffudd Prys <strong>of</strong> the University <strong>of</strong> Wales in Bangor. For the Gaelic, Scots<br />
and Scandinavian sections they are Dr Anke-Beate Stahl, Dr Simon Taylor, Peadar Morgan and<br />
the Gaelic Names Liaison Committee.
Guide <strong>to</strong> Gaelic <strong>origins</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>place</strong> <strong>names</strong> in Britain<br />
Introduction<br />
Simon Taylor<br />
Background<br />
Scottish Gaelic <strong>to</strong>day is strongly associated with the Scottish Highlands, especially the Western<br />
Isles, and it is easy <strong>to</strong> forget that it was once the main language <strong>of</strong> Scotland. About a thousand<br />
years ago, when Gaelic was at its height, it could be heard from Berwickshire <strong>to</strong> Caithness and<br />
from Cape Wrath <strong>to</strong> the Rhinns <strong>of</strong> Galloway. It has left its mark above all else, in <strong>place</strong> <strong>names</strong>,<br />
even in areas including much <strong>of</strong> lowland Scotland, where it has been little spoken since the middle<br />
ages. It has left us with thousands <strong>of</strong> familiar <strong>place</strong> <strong>names</strong> containing scores <strong>of</strong> Gaelic elements,<br />
such as Auch- from achadh, Auchter- from uachdar, Bal- from baile, Dun- from dùn, Inver- from<br />
inbhir, Kin- from ceann, and Kil- usually from cill or coille.<br />
On the Ordnance Survey maps <strong>of</strong> Scotland you will find two types <strong>of</strong> <strong>names</strong>: those written using<br />
English spelling and those using Gaelic spelling (orthography). This does not reflect the extent <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>place</strong> <strong>names</strong> derived from Gaelic, which are <strong>to</strong> be found throughout most <strong>of</strong> Scotland, but rather it<br />
reflects the areas in which Gaelic was, or had recently been, spoken at the time <strong>of</strong> the creation <strong>of</strong><br />
the Ordnance Survey maps in the 19th century. The accompanying glossary is concerned only with<br />
those <strong>names</strong> written in Gaelic orthography. The initial form given in the glossary is the main form <strong>of</strong><br />
that word in the Gaelic-Gaelic dictionary Brìgh nam Facal by Richard A V Cox (Gairm Publications,<br />
Glasgow 1991).<br />
Structure <strong>of</strong> <strong>place</strong> <strong>names</strong><br />
Place <strong>names</strong> are made up <strong>of</strong> elements, words taken mostly from everyday language used <strong>to</strong><br />
describe a special feature <strong>of</strong> a <strong>place</strong>. Place <strong>names</strong> arise from the interaction <strong>of</strong> language and<br />
environment.<br />
Place <strong>names</strong> can consist <strong>of</strong> a single generic element, usually a noun (Comar NH3331, Corran<br />
NS2193). These are <strong>of</strong>ten preceded by the Scottish Standard English definite article ‘the’, Gaelic<br />
an, am, a’, plural na (An Dùnan NM8629, Am Fasgadh NN0169, A’ Charraig NR8467, Na Croitean<br />
NM3721). Most <strong>place</strong> <strong>names</strong>, however, are made up <strong>of</strong> more than one element, with a linguistic<br />
relationship between the elements. For example, the generic can be qualified by:<br />
• An adjective, such as mòr ‘big’ in Beinn Mhòr NH9928 or dearg ‘red’ in Eas Dearg NN6109.<br />
Sometimes more than one adjective can qualify the generic element, as in Eilean Glas Mòr<br />
NF9069. Such <strong>names</strong> are also <strong>of</strong>ten preceded by the definite article, as in An Ùidh Dhubh<br />
NH7395. Note that the definite article is more common in such <strong>place</strong> <strong>names</strong> than would appear<br />
from Ordnance Survey maps, which frequently do not record it as part <strong>of</strong> the name.<br />
• Another common noun in the genitive case, such as sgadan ‘herring’ in Geodha Sgadain<br />
NG1087, <strong>of</strong>ten with the definite article, such as Gleann a’ Chapaill NR7367 (‘glen <strong>of</strong> the horse’),<br />
or Loch na h-Oidhche NG8865 (‘loch <strong>of</strong> the night’).<br />
• A proper noun, either a personal name, such as Fearchar (Farquhar) in Allt Fhearchair NM5326<br />
or Mairead (Margaret) in Clach Mairead NB1841; OR an existing <strong>place</strong> name, such as Ìle (Islay)<br />
in Caol Ìle or Àirigh nan Eun in Allt Àirigh nan Eun NR8666. Many personal <strong>names</strong> are those <strong>of</strong><br />
saints, such as Cill(e) Brìde NR8362, NR3846 (‘church <strong>of</strong> (St) Brigit’ (Kilbride)).<br />
The element qualifying a generic element is called a qualifying or specific element. An element can<br />
be generic or specific, depending on how it is used in a name. For example, in Eilean Dubh<br />
NC2409 eilean is the generic, dubh is the specific element; whereas in Loch an Eilein NR7980 loch<br />
is the generic, an t-eilean (‘the island’) is the specific element.<br />
In Gaelic an adjective usually follows its noun, as in French, for example, Creag Bhàn, Beinn<br />
Fhada, except for sean(n) (‘old’), which regularly comes before its noun. Other adjectives,<br />
especially colour adjectives, can sometimes come after, sometimes before their noun, for example,<br />
Coire Glas NO2587 but Glas-Choire NS1598.<br />
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Guide <strong>to</strong> Gaelic <strong>origins</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>place</strong> <strong>names</strong> in Britain<br />
Spelling and pronunciation<br />
Gaelic spelling is more regular than English spelling, which means that it reflects more accurately<br />
the actual sounds <strong>of</strong> the language. It should be stressed, however, that the sound system <strong>of</strong> Gaelic<br />
is different from Standard English (Received Pronunciation), Scottish Standard English, Scots, or<br />
any <strong>of</strong> the Scottish or English dialects, except for the so-called West Highland accent, which has<br />
been heavily influenced by Gaelic. There are, however, more similarities with Scottish Standard<br />
English than with Standard English (Received Pronunciation), so most <strong>of</strong> the examples below are<br />
taken from Scottish Standard English. Modern Gaelic spelling recommendations are embodied in<br />
the Gaelic Orthographic Conventions that are available on the web at http://www.sqa.org.uk .<br />
Gaelic uses an alphabet <strong>of</strong> 18 letters, namely a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, l, m, n, o, p, r, s, t, u. A major<br />
feature <strong>of</strong> the Gaelic spelling system is the concept <strong>of</strong> broad and slender vowels, which are also<br />
referred <strong>to</strong> as back and front vowels. The broad or back vowels are a, o, u, the slender or front<br />
vowels are e, i. The pronunciation <strong>of</strong> most consonants is different depending on whether they are<br />
beside a broad vowel or a slender vowel. For this reason a consonant or group <strong>of</strong> consonants in<br />
the middle <strong>of</strong> a word must have either a broad vowel on either side or a slender vowel on either<br />
side.<br />
All vowels can be long or short, with length being indicated by a grave accent ( ` ). Formerly acute<br />
accents ( ´ ) were used on e and o <strong>to</strong> indicate not only length (quantity) but also quality, with è<br />
pronounced like a long French è (as in Scottish English cortege), and é pronounced like a long<br />
French é (as in Scottish English bay); while ò was pronounced like Scottish English awe, and ó like<br />
Scottish English owe. However, the acute accent ( ´ ) has been abandoned in modern spelling<br />
recommendations so that the grave accent ( ` ) now indicates length only.<br />
These modern spelling recommendations also explain why forms formerly written with u in<br />
unstressed syllables such as calltuinn, camus, tarsuinn, are now written with a, calltainn, camas,<br />
tarsainn.<br />
What follows is only a rough approximation <strong>of</strong> sounds. Remember that the English words given as<br />
equivalents are <strong>to</strong> be pronounced more like Scottish Standard English than Standard English<br />
(received pronunciation), unless otherwise stated.<br />
Vowels<br />
Single vowels:<br />
• a: like a in ‘hat’, <strong>of</strong>ten like u in ‘but’; before nn it is like ow in ‘cow’<br />
• à: like a in ‘half’<br />
• e: short closed e like a in ‘rate’ and short open e like e in ‘fetch’<br />
• è: long closed e like ay in ‘bay’ (formerly é) and long open e like e in ‘cortege’ (formerly è)<br />
• i: like ee as in ‘keep’<br />
• ì: like ee in ‘keep’ but longer<br />
• o: short closed o like oa in ‘boat’, and short open o like o in ‘lot’<br />
• ò: long closed o like ‘owe’ (formerly ó), and long open o like ‘awe’ (formerly ò)<br />
• u: like oo in ‘book’<br />
• ù: like oo in ‘book’, but longer<br />
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Guide <strong>to</strong> Gaelic <strong>origins</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>place</strong> <strong>names</strong> in Britain<br />
Vowel groups<br />
Most groups <strong>of</strong> two or three vowels are pronounced much as would be expected, that is as<br />
separate sounds rapidly following one another. However, <strong>of</strong>ten one <strong>of</strong> the vowels is there simply <strong>to</strong><br />
indicate whether a consonant is broad or slender, for example, in fearann the a following the e<br />
indicates that the r is broad, so that ea is pronounced simply as e (as in ‘get’). However, note the<br />
following:<br />
• ao: a long sound with no equivalent in English. Try saying Gaelic ù (like oo in ‘book’, but longer)<br />
without rounding your lips.<br />
• eu: like ia in ‘Maria’ or like ay in ‘bay’.<br />
Consonants<br />
This is not a complete or exact description <strong>of</strong> how each consonant or group <strong>of</strong> consonants are<br />
pronounced. However, those that are most unfamiliar <strong>to</strong> someone used <strong>to</strong> the English spelling<br />
system are given below, with their approximate English value:<br />
• bh: like v at the beginning <strong>of</strong> words, otherwise like w, or silent (that is not heard at all); for<br />
example dubh is pronounced approximately as ‘doo’.<br />
• c: like c in ‘cat’ or c in ‘cue’; when it occurs between two vowels or as the last letter <strong>of</strong> a word it<br />
is preceded by the sound ch in ‘loch’<br />
• ch: like ch in ‘loch’.<br />
• cn: like cr.<br />
• d slender (that is in contact with one <strong>of</strong> the slender vowels e, i): like j in ‘jam’.<br />
• dh broad (that is in contact with one <strong>of</strong> the broad vowels a, o, u): the same sound as Gaelic<br />
broad gh, almost like French r in ‘rire’. When it is not at the beginning <strong>of</strong> a word it is <strong>of</strong>ten<br />
pronounced only very lightly or not at all.<br />
• dh slender (that is in contact with one <strong>of</strong> the slender vowels e, i): the same sound as Gaelic<br />
slender gh, like y in ‘yet’. When it is not at the beginning <strong>of</strong> a word it is <strong>of</strong>ten pronounced only<br />
very lightly or not at all.<br />
• fh: silent, that is not pronounced at all.<br />
• gh broad (that is in contact with one <strong>of</strong> the broad vowels a, o, u): the same sound as Gaelic<br />
broad dh, almost like French r in ‘rire’. When it is not at the beginning <strong>of</strong> a word it is <strong>of</strong>ten<br />
pronounced only very lightly or not at all.<br />
• gh slender (that is in contact with one <strong>of</strong> the slender vowels e, i): the same sound as Gaelic<br />
slender dh, like y in ‘yet’. When it is not at the beginning <strong>of</strong> a word it is <strong>of</strong>ten pronounced only<br />
very lightly or not at all.<br />
• l broad (that is in contact with one <strong>of</strong> the broad vowels a, o, u): like a hollow or dark l, as in ‘full’,<br />
with the blade (as opposed <strong>to</strong> the tip) <strong>of</strong> the <strong>to</strong>ngue <strong>to</strong>uching the teeth.<br />
• l slender (that is in contact with one <strong>of</strong> the slender vowels e, i): like lli in ‘million’ when it is at the<br />
beginning <strong>of</strong> a word; otherwise like ll in ‘silly’.<br />
• mh: like v at the beginning <strong>of</strong> words, otherwise like w, or silent (that is not heard at all). It also<br />
makes the vowel before it sound very nasal.<br />
• ph: like f.<br />
• r slender (that is in contact with one <strong>of</strong> the slender vowels e, i): can be pronounced like r in<br />
Scottish English ‘tree’, but in several dialects it is pronounced like th in ‘the’.<br />
• rd and rt: in many Gaelic dialects this is pronounced with a light sh as in ‘she’ between the two<br />
consonants.<br />
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Guide <strong>to</strong> Gaelic <strong>origins</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>place</strong> <strong>names</strong> in Britain<br />
• s slender (that is in contact with one <strong>of</strong> the slender vowels e, i): like sh in ‘she’.<br />
• t slender (that is in contact with one <strong>of</strong> the slender vowels e, i): like ch in ‘church’.<br />
• th: like h in ‘he’ at the beginning <strong>of</strong> words, otherwise silent.<br />
Some grammar<br />
The following is not a full description <strong>of</strong> Gaelic grammar. However, in order <strong>to</strong> use the Elements<br />
Index it is important <strong>to</strong> know a little about these things. A full description can be found in any book<br />
for Gaelic learners, sources for which are given in the further information section.<br />
Certain regular changes take <strong>place</strong> in Gaelic in nouns, adjectives and the definite article,<br />
depending on such grammatical features as gender (masculine or feminine), number (singular or<br />
plural), and case (nominative, genitive, dative). All Gaelic nouns are either masculine or feminine,<br />
and it will become clear that it is important <strong>to</strong> know what gender a noun belongs <strong>to</strong>. Some nouns,<br />
however, are used in masculine and feminine forms depending on local usage. They are marked<br />
nmf in the glossary. The genitive case indicates possession, as indicated in English by '<strong>of</strong> the'.<br />
Definite article<br />
‘The’ is the only form <strong>of</strong> the definite article in English. However, as with most other European<br />
languages, Gaelic has several forms, depending on number, gender and case, as well as on the<br />
initial letter or letters <strong>of</strong> the following noun.<br />
Singular<br />
• a’: for example, before a feminine noun in the nominative case beginning with b(h), c(h), g(h),<br />
m(h), p(h), as in A’ Bheinn NM8403, A’ Chruach NM9021, A’ Phàirc Loisgte NN4856; or before<br />
a masculine noun in the genitive case beginning with b(h), c(h), g(h), m(h), p(h), as in Sròn a’<br />
Bhàird NR7662, ‘nose <strong>of</strong> the poet’, containing the genitive <strong>of</strong> am bàrd ‘the poet’, Allt a’ Choire<br />
Dhuibh NN2564, ‘burn <strong>of</strong> the black corrie’, containing the genitive <strong>of</strong> an coire dubh ‘the black<br />
corrie’. This form <strong>of</strong> the definite article always causes lenition (see below).<br />
• am: before a masculine noun in the nominative case beginning with b, f, m, p, as in<br />
Am Fasgadh NN0169, Am Meall NR7665.<br />
• an: for example, before a masculine noun in the nominative case beginning with any consonant<br />
except b, f, m, p, as in An Cnap NS0146, or before a feminine noun in the nominative case<br />
beginning with a vowel or f(h), as in An Àird NG5335, An Fhang NR6552.<br />
• an t-: for example, before a masculine noun in the nominative beginning with a vowel, as in An<br />
t-Inbhir NN4048; before a masculine noun in the genitive beginning with s + vowel, l, n, or r, as<br />
in Cnoc an t-Sagairt NR8368, ‘hill <strong>of</strong> the priest’, containing the genitive <strong>of</strong> an sagart ‘the priest’,<br />
Meall an t-Sluic NN5152, containing the genitive <strong>of</strong> an sloc ‘the hollow’; or before a feminine<br />
noun in the nominative beginning with s + vowel, l, n, or r, as in An t-Sàil Bheag NG8761, An<br />
t-Sròn NL9342. Note that in all cases following an t- the initial s is silent, that is it is not<br />
pronounced.<br />
• na: before a feminine noun in the genitive beginning with a consonant, as in Loch na Bèiste<br />
NR7654, Port na Cille NR6444.<br />
• na h-: before a feminine noun in the genitive beginning with a vowel, as in Gob na h-Àirde Mòire<br />
NB0117, containing the genitive <strong>of</strong> An Àird Mhòr ‘the big headland’.<br />
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Guide <strong>to</strong> Gaelic <strong>origins</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>place</strong> <strong>names</strong> in Britain<br />
The forms <strong>of</strong> the definite article with singular nouns can be summarised in this table:<br />
Singular<br />
b, m, p<br />
Initial letter <strong>of</strong> following noun<br />
c, g d, l, n, r, t f s vowel<br />
masculine nom am an an am an an t-<br />
gen a' a' an an an t- an<br />
feminine nom a' a' an an an t- an<br />
Plural<br />
gen na na na na na na h-<br />
• na: before masculine and feminine nouns in the nominative beginning with a consonant, as in<br />
Na Cnuic Liatha NC1810, plural <strong>of</strong> an cnoc liath ‘the grey hill’ (cnoc is masculine), Na Croitean<br />
NM3721, plural <strong>of</strong> a’ chroit ‘the cr<strong>of</strong>t’ (croit is feminine).<br />
• na h-: before masculine and feminine nouns in the nominative beginning with a vowel, as in<br />
Na h-Easan NC4300, plural <strong>of</strong> an t-eas ‘the waterfall’ (eas is masculine) or Na h-Ìnnsean<br />
NC2522, plural <strong>of</strong> an innis (innis is feminine).<br />
• nam: before masculine and feminine nouns in the genitive beginning with b, f, m, p, as in Toll<br />
nam Broc NR8082, Creag nam Fitheach NR7876.<br />
• nan: before masculine and feminine nouns in the genitive beginning with any letter except b, f,<br />
m, p, as in Druim nan Toll NN7094.<br />
The forms <strong>of</strong> the definite article with plural nouns can be summarised in this table:<br />
Initial letter <strong>of</strong> following noun<br />
Plural<br />
b, f, m, p other consonants vowel<br />
Masculine or<br />
feminine<br />
Lenition<br />
nom na na na h-<br />
gen nam nan nan<br />
Gaelic is a Celtic language and, as in other Celtic languages such as Irish and Welsh, the<br />
consonants at the beginning <strong>of</strong> words can change according <strong>to</strong> gender, number and case. In<br />
Gaelic this is called lenition, meaning literally ‘s<strong>of</strong>tening’, and it is usually signalled by putting the<br />
letter h after the lenited or s<strong>of</strong>tened consonant.<br />
The initial consonants that are affected by lenition by the addition <strong>of</strong> an h are b, c, d, f, g, m, p, s, t.<br />
The consonants l, n, r can also be affected by lenition, but this is not expressed in the spelling.<br />
These are some <strong>of</strong> the main circumstances in which lenition occurs:<br />
• in a feminine singular noun following the definite article, as in A’ Bheinn NM8403, An Fhang<br />
NR6552;<br />
• in an adjective following a feminine singular noun, as in Creag Bhreac NM8400 or Beinn Mhòr<br />
NH9928;<br />
• in the genitive <strong>of</strong> a masculine singular noun following the definite article a’, as in Eilean a’ Bhuic<br />
NB5452 (genitive <strong>of</strong> boc);<br />
• in the adjective qualifying a masculine genitive singular noun, as in Rubha a’ Phuirt Mhòir<br />
NR2457 (genitive <strong>of</strong> port mòr);<br />
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Guide <strong>to</strong> Gaelic <strong>origins</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>place</strong> <strong>names</strong> in Britain<br />
• in the genitive singular <strong>of</strong> masculine personal <strong>names</strong>, as in Geodha Chaluim MhicMhuirich<br />
NA0701 (‘the ravine <strong>of</strong> Calum MacVurich or Malcolm Currie’) or Sgùrr Thormaid NG4422<br />
(‘Tormad’s or Norman’s peak’); and<br />
• in a noun following an adjective, regardless <strong>of</strong> the noun’s gender, as in Glas-Choire NS1598.<br />
Genitive and plural forms <strong>of</strong> nouns<br />
It will be clear from many <strong>of</strong> the <strong>place</strong> <strong>names</strong> given as examples in the glossary that when a noun<br />
is used in the genitive plural (that is following the plural definite article nan or nam ‘<strong>of</strong> the’) its form<br />
is <strong>of</strong>ten the same as the nominative singular. This is especially true <strong>of</strong> nouns <strong>of</strong> one syllable, for<br />
example, Eilean nan Lìon NF9270, Eilean nan Ràmh NF7619, although it can also occur in twosyllable<br />
words, for example, Tobar nan Nighean NG2757.<br />
Further information and references<br />
Ordnance Survey has a Gaelic <strong>names</strong> policy relating <strong>to</strong> the use and depiction <strong>of</strong> Gaelic <strong>names</strong> on<br />
their mapping and other products. Full details can be found on<br />
http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/aboutus/reports/<br />
Gaelic books and books and cassettes for Gaelic learners can be ordered through the web site <strong>of</strong><br />
Comhairle nan Leabhraichean/The Gaelic Books Council (http://www.<strong>gaelic</strong>books.net). Information<br />
on various Gaelic-language clubs, classes and courses around Scotland and beyond can be found<br />
on the web site <strong>of</strong> Clì Gàidhlig, the membership organisation for Gaelic learners and non-native<br />
speakers (http://www.cli.org.uk).<br />
Details <strong>of</strong> books on Scottish <strong>place</strong> <strong>names</strong> can be found on the web site <strong>of</strong> the Scottish Place-Name<br />
Society/Comann Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba at http://www.st-and.ac.uk/institutes/sassi/spns<br />
Cox, Richard A V (1991): Brìgh nam Facal, Gairm Publications, Glasgow<br />
Gaelic Orthographic Conventions (2005), Scottish Qualifications Authority. Available on the web at<br />
http://www.sqa.org.uk<br />
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Glossary<br />
Place <strong>names</strong> are made up <strong>of</strong> components which are referred <strong>to</strong> as elements. These elements are simply the words people used <strong>to</strong> describe a <strong>place</strong> or<br />
their response <strong>to</strong> their environment. A more complete background <strong>to</strong> Scottish Gaelic in <strong>place</strong> <strong>names</strong>, pronunciation and spelling can be found preceding<br />
Introduction.<br />
This is a glossary <strong>of</strong> the elements from Scottish Gaelic most frequently found in the <strong>place</strong> <strong>names</strong> <strong>of</strong> Britain. The meaning given is that which occurs in<br />
<strong>place</strong> <strong>names</strong>. Examples (with grid references) are given for each element. The forms <strong>of</strong> <strong>names</strong> given in these examples are as they currently appear on<br />
Ordnance Survey maps, which in some cases do not conform <strong>to</strong> current Gaelic conventions.<br />
There are usually three forms given for each noun: the first form is the basic form, called the nominative singular; the second form is the genitive singular;<br />
while the third form is the plural.<br />
Abbreviations<br />
adj = adjective m = masculine num = number<br />
adv = adverb nf = noun feminine pl = plural<br />
f = feminine nm = noun masculine pr = preposition<br />
g = genitive nmf = noun sometimes used in masculine and in feminine<br />
Element Meaning Examples<br />
a’ form <strong>of</strong> definite article “the”<br />
abhainn nf aibhne g aibhnichean pl river Abhainn a' Bhàigh NB2502, Abhainn Bheag NC8446<br />
acairseid alternative form <strong>of</strong> acarsaid Acairseid an Rubha NG5600<br />
acarsaid nf acarsaide g acarsaidean pl anchorage, harbour Acarsaid an Dùin NM0847, Acarsaid NM5872<br />
ach shortened form <strong>of</strong> achadh Ach nan Con NN1370, Ach a' Chorrain NC3761<br />
achadh nm achaidh g achaidhean pl field, agricultural holding Achadh nan Each NM5245, Achadh an Droma NM4349<br />
achlais nf achlaise g achlaisean pl armpit, oxter Allt na h-Achlaise NH2982, An Achlais NH2982<br />
agh nm aighe g aighean pl young cow, heifer Bad nan Aighean NC1325, Breac nan Aighean NM0448<br />
aibhne, aibhnichean see abhainn Port Bun Aibhne NR2068<br />
aifrean nmf aifrinn(e) g church-land Allt an Aifrinn NH4845, Port na h-Aifrinne NM6980<br />
aighe, aighean see agh Rubha nan Aighean NM6962<br />
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Element Meaning Examples<br />
àil see àl Loch an Àil NF7101<br />
àileach adj airy, windy, breezy Sròn Àileach NN6715<br />
àilean nm àilein g àilein pl green, enclosure, meadow Càrn an Àilean NH8221, Boch-àilean ND1020<br />
airbhe nf dividing wall, fence Sgeirean nan Airbhe NC1548, Allt na h-Airbhe NH2361<br />
àird nf àirde g àirdean pl height, promon<strong>to</strong>ry Cruach Àirde NR7363, Rubha na h-Àirde Bige NC2049<br />
àirigh nf àirighe g àirighean, àirichean pl shieling Sean-Àirigh NC9458, Àirigh a' Bhealaich NB5358<br />
aiseag nm aiseig g aiseagan pl ferry Eilean an Aiseig NF8646, Gob an Aiseig NB2616<br />
aisir nf aisre g aisrean pl passage, pass, path Loch Aisir NC1960, Aisir a’ Chaorainn NN1843<br />
aisridh nf hill, path Aisridh Màiri Bhàn NN1868, Allt Aisridh NG5721<br />
aiteann nm aitinn g juniper Allt an Aitinn NO2082, Caochan Aitinn NJ1310<br />
àl nm àil g rock, s<strong>to</strong>ne Loch an Àil NF7101<br />
allt nm uillt g uillt pl burn, stream Allt a' Bhacain NJ0330, Bad an Uillt ND2044<br />
alltan nm alltain g alltain pl small burn, rivulet Coire Chrion-alltain NN8495, Alltain Ruadh NG9865<br />
am form <strong>of</strong> definite article “the”<br />
amar nm amair g amaran, amraichean pl trough, channel, ditch Allt an Amair NJ1343, Beinn an Amair NC3565<br />
amhach nf amhaiche g amhaichean pl neck Loch nan Amhaichean NH4176<br />
a-muigh adv outer Hèisgeir A-Muigh NL5786<br />
an, an t- forms <strong>of</strong> definite article “the”<br />
annaid nf annaid(e) g<br />
early or mother-church, land belonging <strong>to</strong> such<br />
a church<br />
Tòrr na h-Annaid NM3621<br />
aodann nm aodainn g aodainnean pl face Aodann Mhòr NC4069, Aodann Raineach NN0502<br />
aoidh nf aoidhe g aoidhean pl neck <strong>of</strong> land, slow moving water Eilean Aoidhe NR9367, Caisteal Aoidhe NR9071<br />
aoineadh nm aoinidh g steep brae with rocks, morraine Fionn Aoineadh NM4026, Aoineadh Beag NM6550<br />
aon, aona num one, on its own, same Rubha na h-Aona Cloich NA9726<br />
aonach nm aonaich g aonaichean pl steep height, plateau, hill An Dubh-aonach NM6474, Aonach Bàn NN7454<br />
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Element Meaning Examples<br />
arbhar nm arbhair g corn Camas an Arbhair NG7381, Cnoc an Arbhair ND0556<br />
àrd nmf àird g àrdan pl non-standard form <strong>of</strong> àird Druim an Àird NC7764, Àrd Caol NB2301<br />
àrd adj high Sròn Àrd NB1112, Tom Àrd NB2630<br />
ari anglicised form <strong>of</strong> àirigh Arinagour NM2257, Arinabea NN2931<br />
a-staigh adv inner Hèisgeir A-Staigh NL5886<br />
àth nm àtha g àthan pl ford Eilean an Àtha NM7407, Loch an Àth Ruaidh NB0518<br />
athair nm athar g athraichean pl father Caolas Mhic an Athar NR3686<br />
auch, auchen anglicised forms <strong>of</strong> achadh Auchencloy NX0754, Aucheninch NS2514<br />
auchter anglicised form <strong>of</strong> uachdar Auchterarder NN9412, Auchtertyre NJ1858<br />
ault anglicised form <strong>of</strong> allt Ault na Skiah NH6742, Aultbeg NJ2733<br />
bà see bò Lochan na Bà Glaise NM7188, Rubha na Bà NC2048<br />
bac nm baca, baic g bacan pl pit, hollow, bog, peat bank Am Bac Dubh NH2351, Bràigh Bac NN3088<br />
bacach adj hilly, rugged Cnoc Bacach NC4551, Loch Bacach NC4551<br />
bachall nm bachaill g bachallan pl crozier, staff (<strong>of</strong> a cleric) Coire a’ Bhachaill NN0630<br />
bad nm baid g badan pl tuft, grove, thicket Bad an Òir NN5186, Càrn Bad an Daimh NH7628<br />
bàgh nm bàigh g bàghan, bàghannan pl bay Bàgh a Tuath NB5532, Bàgh a' Ghlinne NG1898<br />
baic see bac Allt Bhaic NN8464<br />
baid see bad Allt a' Bhaid Leathain NC6320<br />
bàigh see bàgh Tràigh Bad na Bàighe NC2247<br />
baile nm bailtean pl farm, hamlet, homestead Baile na Cille NC0834, Baile Geamhraidh NM6255<br />
bàird see bàrd Loch a' Bhàird NB3001<br />
bal anglicised form <strong>of</strong> baile Balbeg ND1553, Balcairn NJ7828<br />
balla anglicised form <strong>of</strong> baile Ballabeg NJ4103, Ballachulish NN0757<br />
bally anglicised form <strong>of</strong> baile Ballycoach NS3611, Ballygowan NR8197<br />
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Element Meaning Examples<br />
bàn adj fair, white, pale, light in colour Eas Bàn NH0977, Eilean Bàn NF8046<br />
bane anglicised form <strong>of</strong> bàn Craigbane NX6797, Tombane NN9552<br />
bànrigh nf bànrighe g bànrighean pl queen Sròn na Bàn-righ NN8788, Clach na Bàn-righ NM1858<br />
bàrd nm bàird g bàird pl bard, poet, dyke, fence, park Eilean a' Bhàird NG2704, Loch a' Bhàird NB3001<br />
barpa nm barpannan pl (chambered) cairn, heap <strong>of</strong> s<strong>to</strong>nes Barpa Langass NF8365, Dùn Bharpa NF6701<br />
bàrr nm barra g barran pl <strong>to</strong>p, summit, height, hill Am Bàrr NM9728, Allt Bàrr Mhìn NN2532<br />
bàta nm bàtaichean pl boat, barge Sloc a' Bhàta NF7100, Camas a' Bhàta NG7371<br />
bàthaich (also in f form bàthach, bàthcha) nm<br />
bàthaich g bàthaichean pl<br />
byre, cow shed Bàthaich Fionndag NH9907, Mòine na Bàthaich NB4055<br />
beag adj bhig (f), bige (m) g beaga pl little Monadh Beag NN1585, Poll Beag NH8437<br />
bealach nm bealaich g bealaich pl pass, gorge <strong>of</strong> a mountain, glen, gap Am Bealach NC8959, Bealach a' Chait NM9283<br />
bealaidh nm broom (plant) Càrn a’ Bhealaidh NO3293, Creag a’ Bhealaidh NH3439<br />
bean nf mnà, mnatha g mnathan pl wife, woman Druim na Mnà NB2332, Bean an Taighe NM6375<br />
beanntan see beinn<br />
beàrn nf bèirn, beàirn g beàrnan pl gap, crevice Tobar Bun na Bèirn NR1653<br />
beathrach, beathraichean see beithir Beinn nam Beathrach NM7557<br />
beg anglicised form <strong>of</strong> beag Carnbeg NR4167, Corranbeg NM8004<br />
beinn nf beinne g beanntan pl mountain, peak Beinn a' Tuath NB0923, Beinn a' Ghrianain NC2835<br />
bèirn see beàrn Tobar Bun na Bèirn NR1653<br />
bèist nf bèiste g bèistean pl beast, monster Cnoc na Bèiste NC5065, Clach na Bèiste NR9061<br />
beithe nf beithe g birch Camas Beithe NG8388, Cnoc Beithe NN8626<br />
beithir nm beathrach g beathraichean,<br />
beithrichean pl<br />
serpent, wild beast Sròn a’ Bheathrach NR8266, Cleite na Beathrach NB3013<br />
ben anglicised form <strong>of</strong> beinn Ben Tirran NO3674, Ben Stack NC2742<br />
beul nm beòil g beòil pl mouth, opening Beul a' Mhàim NN0674, Beul an Lochain NC9963<br />
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Element Meaning Examples<br />
beum nm beuma g beuman, beumannan pl stream, <strong>to</strong>rrent, gap Beum a' Chlaidheimh NH9330, Am Beum NH2493<br />
bh-<br />
A word starting bh is <strong>of</strong>ten a lenited form <strong>of</strong> a<br />
word starting b<br />
bhig see beag Lùb Gairt Bhig NN3044<br />
bho dheas adj southern Dail bho Dheas NB4861<br />
bho thuath adj northern Dail bho Thuath NB4961<br />
biast nf bèiste g biastan pl alternative form <strong>of</strong> bèist Toll nam Biast NG8761, Biastan Thuilm NB4430<br />
bidean nm bidein g bideanan pl pinnacle, sharp, pointed hill Am Bidean NG3441, Bidean Dubh NG9520<br />
bige see beag Loch Cul Làimhe Bige NB1722<br />
bile nf bilean pl lip, edge, margin Beinn na Bile NF9571, Bile Buidhe NJ0711<br />
binnean nm binnein g binnein pl high conical hill An Binnean Crom NR3790, Binnein NN3409<br />
biolar nf biolair g watercress Biolaire NB4641, Fuaran nam Biolaire NN5139<br />
biorach adj sharp-pointed Rubha Biorach NM7368, Meall Biorach NN0237<br />
bioran nm biorain g biorain pl stick Leac nam Bioran NM9472, Bioran Beag NN6922<br />
blair anglicised form <strong>of</strong> blàr Drumblair NX2850, Dalblair NS6419<br />
blàr nm blàir g blàran pl cleared space Blàr an Lochain NN2088<br />
bò nm bà g bà pl (bò g pl) cow Lochan na Bà Glaise NM7188, Rubha na Bà NC2048<br />
boc nm buic g buic pl buck, he-goat Sgeir nam Boc NC0615, Allt a' Bhuic ND0535<br />
bodach nm bodaich g bodaich pl old man, spectre Sloc nam Bodach NR4298, Allt nam Bodach NL6490<br />
bodha nm bodhachan pl<br />
sunken rock in sea, rock over which waves<br />
break<br />
Bodha Ruadh NG4475<br />
bogach nm bogaich g bogaichean pl marsh, bog Bogach NF7102, Bogach nan Sgadan NF8068<br />
bogha nm boghachan pl alternative form <strong>of</strong> bodha Bogha Beag NG7326, Bogha Crom NM4434<br />
boglach nf boglaich g boglaichean pl marsh, bog Boglach nan Tarbh NR4073, Boglach Mhòr NM5623<br />
bonn nm buinn g buinn, bonnan pl heel, sole, foundation, bot<strong>to</strong>m Allt Bhuinne NN6348<br />
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Element Meaning Examples<br />
borrach nm borraich g rough hill grass Borrach NS0226<br />
bota nm botaichean pl river bank, mound Bot na Gile NB4848, Botan Ruairidh NB3745<br />
both nm botha g bothan pl cottage, hut Both Ruadh NB0621, Allt nam Bothan NN3709<br />
bradan nm bradain g bradain pl salmon Loch nam Bradan NB3525, Allt Teanga Bradan NG5122<br />
bràigh nm bràighe, bràghad g bràigheachan pl upper part, upland country Allt a' Chas Bràighe NB0021, Allt Bràigh Bac NN3188<br />
bràthair nm bràthar g bràithrean pl (also<br />
bràthairean)<br />
brother, rock (especially pairs <strong>of</strong> rocks) Leac nam Bràthairean NM7230, Na Bràthairean NL9538<br />
breac adj speckled, spotted Caisteal Breac NH5868, Càrn Breac NH0452<br />
breac nm bric g bric pl trout Eilean nam Breac NM7091, Loch nam Breac NC6958<br />
breck anglicised form <strong>of</strong> breac Carrabreck HU3680, Clachbreck NR7675<br />
breug nf brèige g breugan pl lie, falsehood Rubha na Brèige NC0519<br />
breun adj foul, stinking, filthy Breun Loch NH5568, Am Breun Chamas NN1075<br />
bric see breac Loch na Bric NR8089<br />
broc nm bruic g bruic pl badger Rubha nam Broc NM7769, Sròn nam Broc NJ1805<br />
brochan nm brochain g brochain pl porridge, gruel Coille Bhrochain NN9061, Coire Bhrochain NN9599<br />
bròg nf bròige g brògan pl boot S<strong>to</strong>b na Bròige NN1952<br />
bruach nf bruaich g bruaichean pl bank, brink Bruach an Fhraoich NC3940, Bruach an Iaruinn NR9023<br />
bruic see broc Sròn na Bruic NR9593<br />
bruthach nmf bruthaich g bruthaichean pl brae, ascent Ruadh-bruthach NF6163, Bruthach Breac NR2945<br />
buachaill nm buachaille g buachaillean pl cow-herd, shepherd Tom nam Buachaillean NN0405, Am Buachaille NN7494<br />
buaile nf buailtean pl cattle-fold Buaile Bhuidhe NA9925, Buaile Dhubh NG8790<br />
buic see boc Allt a' Bhuic ND0535, Bàgh Buic NR9170<br />
buidhe adj yellow Allt Coire Buidhe NC7144, Buidheanach Burn NN9594<br />
buin see bun<br />
buinn see bonn Allt Bhuinne NN6348<br />
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Element Meaning Examples<br />
bùirich nmf roaring, bellowing (especially <strong>of</strong> deer) Allt a' Bhùirich NC2401, Coire Bhùirich NN5671<br />
bùirn see bùrn<br />
bun nm buin, buna g buin, bunan pl base, foot, foundation Bun a' Ghlinne NB5244, Bun an Uillt NF8219<br />
bùrn nm bùirn g water, not applied <strong>to</strong> salt water Creag Àrd a' Bhùirn NH5275, Tobar Bhùirn ND2034<br />
bùth nm bùtha g bùthan, bùithean pl booth, hut, cottage Camas nam Bùth NC1444, Cnoc nam Bùth NH5674<br />
cabar nm cabair g cabair pl antler, horn, pole Glac nan Cabar NH3342, An Cabar NH4466<br />
cabhsair nm cabhsair g cabhsairean pl causeway An Cabhsair NH7516, Cabhsair ND1648<br />
cachaileith nf cachaileithe g cachaileithean pl field gate, hurdle Cachaileith Liath NN6916, Allt na Cachaileith NN9561<br />
cadha nm cadhan pl narrow pass, narrow ravine An Cadha NC2350, Cadha Bàn NH0330<br />
caibeal nm caibeil g caibealan pl chapel Cnoc a' Chaibeil NR8642, Coire a' Chaibeil NO0447<br />
caigeann nm caiginn g caigeannan pl rough mountain pass, pair, couple, brace Caigeann Mòr NR6799<br />
cailleach nf cailliche g cailleachan pl old woman, rock Cailleach Croigary NB3525, Cnoc nan Cailleach NN0279<br />
càir see càr<br />
càirn see càrn Lochan Càirn Deirg NN0749<br />
caime nf caimean pl circle, curve, loop Coire na Caime NG9157, Loch na Caime NR5383<br />
caipleach nf caiplich g <strong>place</strong> <strong>of</strong> horses Loch na Caiplich NF9055, Caiplich NH5437<br />
cairidh nf cairidhean pl weir, fish-pound Cnoc na Cairidh NC2232, Eilean na Cairidh NF8363<br />
càise nm càisean pl cheese Cnoc a' Chàise NC1743, Creag Chàise NB1909<br />
caise nf steepness, stream <strong>of</strong> water Loch Caise ND0246, Coire na Caise NM7025<br />
caiseal nm caiseil g caisealan pl alternative form <strong>of</strong> caisteal Tom Chaiseil NN7857, Craigcaiseal NS4499<br />
caisteal nm caisteil g caistealan pl s<strong>to</strong>ne wall, s<strong>to</strong>ne fort, castle Na Caistealan NM6856, Allt a' Chaisteil NC7257<br />
cait see cat Lochan a' Chait NN3962<br />
cala nm cala g calaidhean pl alternative form <strong>of</strong> caladh Cala na Creige NM9680<br />
caladh nm calaidh g calaidhean pl harbour, port, shore, ferry, bay Caladh NH5754, Tom Caladh nam Freum NM9977<br />
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Element Meaning Examples<br />
calaman alternative form <strong>of</strong> calman Allt nan Calaman NR9734<br />
call nm calla g the act <strong>of</strong> dropping, loss, damage Bad a’ Challa NG7971, Caochan a’ Challa NH5533<br />
calltainn nm calltainn(e) g hazel Creag a' Challtainne NN9347, Sgiath Challtainne NN4108<br />
calman nm calmain g dove Meall nan Calman NH2806, Uamh nan Calman NM8029<br />
cam adj crooked Allt Cam NB2209, Cam Chreag NN5838<br />
camas nm camais g channel, bay, harbour Camas a' Bhàta NG7371, An Camas Aiseig NN0164<br />
cambus anglicised form <strong>of</strong> camas Cambusbeg NN6605, Cambuscairn NX8585<br />
canach nmf canaich g cot<strong>to</strong>n grass, bog cot<strong>to</strong>n Lochan na Canaich NM6855, Càrn na Canaich NH0982<br />
caochan nm caochain g caochanan pl streamlet Ruigh Caochan Dubh NN9981, Allt Caochan NG9127<br />
caol adj narrow Allt Caol NC5258, Àrd Caol NB2301<br />
caolas nm caolais g caolais pl narrow, strait Caolas a Deas NB3609, Caolas an Eilein NA9821<br />
caora nf caorach g caoraich, caoirich pl sheep Càrn nan Caorach NH1685, Cnoc nan Caorach NB4441<br />
caorann nf caorainn g rowan tree, mountain ash Cnoc nan Caorann NR9296, Creag nan Caorann NN3020<br />
capall nm capaill g capaill pl horse, mare Stuchdan Capaill NS0478, Uamh Capaill NS0952<br />
càr nm càir g càraichean pl alternative form <strong>of</strong> càthar Càr Choille NC2408, Càr an Daimh NM6483<br />
carach adj winding Cnoc Carach NM6547, Eilean Carach NG7614<br />
càrn nm càirn, cùirn g càirn, cùirn pl heap <strong>of</strong> s<strong>to</strong>nes Càrn a' Mhàim NN9995, Càrn a' Bhainne NH4436<br />
càrnach nm càrnaich g s<strong>to</strong>ny ground, quarry Càrnach NH0196, Càrnach Biorach NN2000<br />
carraig nf carraige g carraigean pl rock, fishing rock, promon<strong>to</strong>ry, cliff Na Carraigean NM1556, Sròn na Carraige NS0077<br />
carrick anglicised form <strong>of</strong> carraig Carrick NR9087, Carrickcorie NX1430<br />
cas adj steep Allt Cas Leac NN1445, Càrn Cas nan Gabhar NH5280<br />
cat nm cait g cait pl cat Allt a' Chait ND2146, Creag a' Chait NH5498<br />
cath nm catha g cathan, cathannan pl battle Achadh a' Chatha NH7704, Fèith a' Chatha NM8683<br />
cathair nf cathrach g cathraichean pl seat, bench, fortified <strong>place</strong> Cathair Mhic Dhiarmaid NM5169, Càrn na Cathrach NH3326<br />
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Element Meaning Examples<br />
càthar nm càthair g mossy s<strong>of</strong>t boggy ground Càthar an Fhèidh NN4076, Càthar na Seilge NN1768<br />
cathrach, cathraichean see cathair Loch na Cathrach Duibhe NG8990<br />
ceann nm cinn g cinn pl head, headland, point, <strong>to</strong>p Ceann a' Bhàigh NG2196, Ceann Buidhe NR9397<br />
ceap nm cip g ceapan, ceapannan pl block Ceap Liath NM6625, Allt nan Ceap NH2747<br />
ceapach nmf ceapaich g ceapaich pl tillage plot Ceapach NN5813, A' Cheapach NH1785<br />
cearc nf circe g cearcan pl hen Bad na Circe NH7277, Rubha nan Cearc NM3125<br />
cearcall nm cearcaill g cearcaill, cearcallan pl circle, hoop An Cearcall NL5987, Cearcall Dubh NG8541<br />
ceàrd nm ceàird g ceàrdan pl craftsman, smith Bruach nan Ceàrd NR7786, Cnoc nan Ceàrd NH4031<br />
ceàrdach nf ceàrdaich g ceàrdaichean pl smithy, forge Càrn na Ceàrdaich NC3809, Coille na Ceàrdaich NH3629<br />
ceathach nm ceathaich g ceathaich pl mist Coire Cheathaich ND0329, Allt Cheathaich NN4034<br />
ceathramh nm ceathraimh g ceathramhan pl quarter Cnoc a' Cheathraimh NC7608, Meall a' Cheathraimh NN5779<br />
ch-<br />
A word starting ch is <strong>of</strong>ten a lenited form <strong>of</strong> a<br />
word starting c<br />
cìche see cìoch Allt na Cìche NH1216<br />
cill nf cille g cillean, cilltean pl church, burial <strong>place</strong> Cille Maire NG5517, Cnoc na Cille NG1951<br />
cinn see ceann Sgeir Mhaola Cinn NR8772<br />
cìoch nf cìche g cìochan pl nipple, pap Cìoch Mhòr NH4486, Coire na Cìche NH4784<br />
cip see ceap<br />
circe see cearc Bealach Coire na Circe NG4427<br />
cìrean nm cìrein g cìreanan pl comb, honey-comb, sheep Cìrean Geardail NC0034, An Cìrean NC0333<br />
ciste nf grave, chest Ciste Mearad NJ0104, Ciste Dhubh NH0616<br />
clach nf cloiche g clachan pl s<strong>to</strong>ne Clach na Sròine NC2533, Clach an Rìgh NC6839<br />
clachan nm clachain g village Clachan Àrd NB2246, Clachan a' Ghobha NB5141<br />
cladach nm cladaich g cladaichean pl shore, beach, coast Cladach a' Ghlinne NG5116, Cladach Mòr NF7173<br />
claddach anglicised form <strong>of</strong> cladach Garry-claddach NF8161, Claddach NR1653<br />
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Element Meaning Examples<br />
cladh nm claidh, cladha g cladhan pl burial-ground, mound, dyke Cladh nan Sasunnach NH0066, Cladh Mhicheil NB5447<br />
claidheamh nm claidheimh g claidhnean pl sword Sgùrr a' Chlaidheimh NG9503, Beinn a' Chlaidheimh NH0577<br />
claigeann nm claiginn g claignean pl skull, head Claigeann Mòr NF0899<br />
claigionn non-standard form <strong>of</strong> claigeann An Claigionn NH5278, Claigionn na Sròine NN1281<br />
clàir see clàr Loch a' Chlàir NL9844<br />
clais nf claise g claisean pl narrow valley or hollow, ditch Clais Daimh NN8974, Clais Odhar NO0374<br />
clamhan nm clamhain g clamhain pl buzzard, kite Creag a' Chlamhain NH3294, Bad a' Chlamhain ND1849<br />
claon adj sloping, awry Claonairigh NN0504, Claon Leitir NH1100<br />
clàr nm clàir g clàran pl flat stretch <strong>of</strong> ground, any smooth surface Clàr Beag NB1115, Doire nan Clàr NH2905<br />
clèireach nm clèirich g clèirich pl cleric Allt a' Chlèirich NH0022, Cruach Clèirich NR9097<br />
cleit, cleite nf cleite g cleitean, cleiteachan pl rock, cliff Cleit Ruadh ND1730, Cleite Loisgte NF9876<br />
cloiche see clach Fas na Cloiche NN0248<br />
cluain nf cluaine g cluaintean, cluainean pl meadow, lawn Allt Cluain-àirighe NG7505, Na Cluainean NN1988<br />
cnàmh nm cnàimh g cnàmhan pl bone Coire nan Cnàmh NG9705, Loch nan Cnàmh NB4027<br />
cnap nm cnaip g cnapan pl hillock, lump, little hill An Cnap NG7526, Cnapan Garbh NN9886<br />
cnoc nm cnuic g cnuic pl round hill, hillock, knoll Cnoc an Tairbh NB5348, Cnoc Drochaid NM6892<br />
còig num five Innean Còig Cailleichean NR5912<br />
coileach nm coilich g coilich pl cock Cnoc nan Coileach NR6999, An Coileach NG0892<br />
coille nf coilltean pl wood, forest, grove Coille NR2468, Sròn Dà Choille NN2435<br />
coin see cù Allt Toll a' Choin NH1443<br />
coinean nm coinein g coineanan pl rabbit Loch nan Coinean NC6746, Eilean nan Coinean NR7796<br />
còinneach nf còinnich g moss Còinneach Mhòr NG9460<br />
coirce nm oats Druim a' Choirce NM4788, Achadh a' Choirce NC6805<br />
coire nm coireachan pl<br />
corrie, hollow on the side <strong>of</strong> a hill or between<br />
hills (literally ‘cauldron’)<br />
Coire Glas NR9047, Allt Choire Odhair NJ0526<br />
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Element Meaning Examples<br />
còis see còs Allt a' Chòis NG7838<br />
comar nm comair g comaran pl confluence <strong>of</strong> streams Abhainn a' Chomair NH1557, Allt a' Chomair NH2157<br />
con see cù Coire nan Con NH4386, Meall nan Con NC5829<br />
conasg nm conaisg g gorse An Conasg NH4579, Cnoc a' Chonaisg NH3856<br />
conasgach adj covered in gorse Creagan Conasgach NR9672, Bealach Conasgach NN5402<br />
còrr nm horn, corner, end Còrr Bhàn NR6010, Còrr Bheinn NM9708<br />
corr, corra adj pointed Corra-Bheinn NM5732<br />
corra nf heron, crane Rubha nan Corra NM7468, Sgeir Poll nan Corra NM7107<br />
corrach adj steep, eminent, l<strong>of</strong>ty Corrach Bheinn NM9321, Caisteal Corrach NN6412<br />
corran nm corrain g corrain pl sickle, headland An Corran NH5972, Corran Bàn NF7010<br />
còs nm còis g còsan pl nook Eas a' Chòis NN1436, Sgòrr a' Chòise NN0855<br />
crainn see crann Àird a' Chrainn NM4118<br />
craisg see crasg Beinn a' Chraisg NC2359<br />
crann nm crainn, croinn g crainn, croinn pl tree, mast, plough Creag a' Chroinn NL6597, Sloc a' Chroinn NR4098<br />
crannag nf crannaig g crannagan pl artificial island Eas a' Chrannaig NS0225, Crannag NF7004<br />
craobh nf craoibhe g craobhan pl tree Leac nan Craobh NG5720, Bac na Craoibhe NJ1013<br />
craobhach adj covered in wood Creag Chraobhach NC6227<br />
crasg nf craisg g crasgan pl crossing An Crasg NH0890, Cnoc na Craisg NH6156<br />
creachann nm creachainn g creachannan pl bare, wind-swept summit Sgeir nan Creachann NF8854<br />
creag nf creige g creagan pl crag, rock, cliff Creag Chàise NB1909, Coire na Creige NC1721<br />
creagach adj rocky Toll Creagach NH1513, Cnoc Creagach NH4460<br />
creamh nm creamha g wild garlic, gentian, leek Allt Creamha NN4737, Creag Creamha NR7935<br />
creige see creag Carn na Creige NG8832<br />
crìoch nf crìche g crìochan pl boundary Creag na Crìche NC9151, Allt na Crìche NC9150<br />
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Element Meaning Examples<br />
critheann nm crithinn g aspen tree Allt Crithinn NC7522, Lùb Craobh Crithinn NN3947<br />
crò nm crotha, crothadh g cròitean pl sheep pen, fold, circle Camas na Cròtha NB0320, Cnoc na Cròtha NB3529<br />
cròcach adj branched, antlered Allt Cròcach NH5388, Loch Cròcach NC6459<br />
crodh nm cruidh g cattle Meall a' Chruidh NB0117, Port a' Chruidh NR9258<br />
croich nf croiche g croichean pl gallows Rubha na Croiche NN0062, Càrn na Croiche NH6572<br />
croinn see crann Rubha Croinn NM7838<br />
crois nf croise g croisean pl cross An Crois-eilean NF7964, Allt na Croise NM9679<br />
croit nf croite g croitean pl cr<strong>of</strong>t, hump Càrn na Croite NH8431, Croit Darach NR5370<br />
cròitean see crò<br />
crom adj crooked Crom Allt NC2406, Crom Leitir NJ2610<br />
crotha, crothadh see crò Allt Gleann Crotha NN5020<br />
cruach nf cruaiche g cruachan pl heap, stack, bold hill Cruach NN3316, Cruach a' Chaise NS1891<br />
crùbach nm crùbaich g lame man Cnoc a’ Chrùbaich Mhòir NC8716<br />
cruidh see crodh Meall Cruidh NN1241<br />
crùn nm crùin g crùintean pl crown Cnoc Crùn na Maoil NR4148, Crùn a' Bhràghad NG2856<br />
cù nm coin g coin, con (g) pl dog Coire nan Con NH4386, Meall nan Con NC5829<br />
cuach nf cuaich g cuachan pl hollow <strong>of</strong> a hill, cockle Allt a' Chuaich NJ1033, Meall Chuaich NN7187<br />
cuan nm cuain g cuantan pl sea, ocean, large lake Cuan Mòr NM4157, Sgeir a' Chuain NG2158<br />
cuidhe nf cuidhe g fold, pen, enclosure Cuidhe Chrom NN4324, Lochan na Cuidhe NH2831<br />
cùil nf cùile g cùiltean pl nook, corner, niche Cùil a' Mhadaidh ND0448, Cùil a' Mhuic NM8091<br />
cùil see cùl Rubha Cùil NM7308<br />
cuilc nf cuilce g cuilcean pl reed Glac nan Cuilc NG8090, Leac na Cuilce NG7977<br />
cuileann nm cuilinn g holly Torran Cuilinn NH0155, Rubha Cuilinn NM9105<br />
cùiltean see cùl and cùil Na Cùiltean NR5464<br />
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Element Meaning Examples<br />
cuing nf cuinge g cuingean pl narrow strait Creag na Cuinge ND0819, Cuing-sgeir NR3968<br />
cùirn see càrn Cùirn Dearga NH0091<br />
cuithe nf cuitheachan pl<br />
pit, narrow glen, deep moist <strong>place</strong>, patch <strong>of</strong><br />
snow<br />
Cuithe Lachlainn NF7974, Loch na Cuithe Moire NF7323<br />
cùl nm cùil g cùiltean pl back Port Cùl a' Mhill NM3924, Spot a' Chùil ND0526<br />
cumha(i)ng nm cumhaing g narrow <strong>place</strong>, defile Cumhang a’ Ghlinne NG8640, Allt a' Chumhaing NG8039<br />
cumhang adj narrow Allt Cumhang NN3533, Bealach Cumhang NG5045<br />
cumhann adj alternative form <strong>of</strong> cumhang Feadan Cumhann NM6523, Rubha Cumhann NM7068<br />
cumhann nm cumhainn g alternative form <strong>of</strong> cumha(i)ng Allt a' Chumhainn NN1962, Loch a' Chumhainn NM4152<br />
curach nf curaich g curaichean pl marsh, fen, bog Gleann Curachain NH4308, Port na Curaich NM2621<br />
dà num two Meall Dà Chloich NN7962<br />
dabhach nf dabhaich g dabhcha, dabhaichean pl vat, large tub; land division, davoch Loch an Dabhaich NN7296, Cnoc Dabhaich NC0723<br />
dail nf dalach g dailean pl haugh, level field by a river Dail an Eais NM9964, Dail an Òir NN1625<br />
dal anglicised form <strong>of</strong> dail Dal More NH6568, Dalbreck NC7415<br />
damh nm daimh g daimh pl ox, stag Creag an Daimh NC9058, Dùn Daimh NN4863<br />
daoine see duine Lochan nan Daoine NM4443<br />
darach nm daraich g oak Tòrr an Daraich NN0376, Coire Daraich NG4529<br />
darroch anglicised form <strong>of</strong> darach Knockdarroch NN9655, Tordarroch NH6733<br />
dearcag nf dearcaig g dearcagan pl berry Tòrr nan Dearcag ND0856, Allt Dearcaige NJ1113<br />
dearg adj red Allt Dearg NH6580, Bealach Dearg NH2243<br />
deas adj south Croic a Deas NF7129, Gleann Deas NR2169<br />
derry anglicised form <strong>of</strong> doire Glen Derry NO0396, Loch Derry NX2573<br />
dh-<br />
A word starting dh is <strong>of</strong>ten a lenited form <strong>of</strong> a<br />
word starting d<br />
dìg nf dìge g dìgean pl ditch, wall <strong>of</strong> loose s<strong>to</strong>nes Allt na Dìge Moire NC3144, Dìg Ghorm NR8764<br />
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Element Meaning Examples<br />
dìollaid nf dìollaide g dìollaidean pl saddle An Dìollaid NO0797, Bealach na Dìollaide NS2297<br />
dìseart nm hermit's retreat Port an Dìseart NM2924, Cladh an Dìseart NM2824<br />
dìthreabh nf dìthreibh g dìthreabhan pl wilderness, the less cultivated parts <strong>of</strong> a district Loch Dìthreabh na Cuileige NG7741<br />
dòbhran nm dòbhrain g dòbhrain pl otter Cnap an Dòbhrain NJ0806, Tòrr an Dòbhrain NR3343<br />
doire nmf doirean, doireachan pl grove, thicket Sròn Doire NR8378, Toll Doire NM5641<br />
dòirlinn nf dòirlinne g dòirlinnean pl isthmus, peninsula, s<strong>to</strong>ny part <strong>of</strong> the shore An Dòirlinn NF7317, Tòrr na Dòirlinne NM6058<br />
domhain alternative form <strong>of</strong> domhainn Camas Domhain NG8307, Gleann Domhain NM8610<br />
domhainn adj deep, hollow Allt Domhainn NH6180, Chlais Domhainn NC1860<br />
donn adj brown Lochan Donn NM7188, Maol Donn NM7431<br />
dorch adj dark, black, dusky, mysterious Rèidh Dorch NJ1715, Glendorch NS8718<br />
dorcha alternative form <strong>of</strong> dorch Ruigh Dorcha NN9273, Slochd Dorcha NM4771<br />
dòrn nm dùirn g dùirn pl fist, fist-sized pebble Dùn Dùirn NR6907, Uamh Gill'an Dùirn NM6901<br />
drim anglicised form <strong>of</strong> druim Drimbuie NN0322, Drimlee NN1416<br />
dris nf drise g drisean pl bramble Allt Doire na Drise NM6283, Beinn na Drise NM4742<br />
driseach adj covered in brambles Rubha Driseach NR9896, Torran Driseach NM5652<br />
drochaid nf drochaide g drochaidean pl bridge Càrn na Drochaide NO1293, Drochaid a' Chadha NG8640<br />
droigheann nm droighinn g bramble, blackthorn Port nan Droigheann NM4419, Lagan Droigheann NR7148<br />
droma, dromannan see druim Sròn an Droma NM7600<br />
druid nm druidean pl starling Tòrr nan Druidean NM9779, Cnoc Druidean NM2723<br />
druim nm droma g dromannan pl ridge Ploc an Droma NG8186<br />
drum anglicised form <strong>of</strong> druim Drumbain NJ2749, Drumbeg NC1232<br />
dubh adj black Poll Dubh NH4061, Rubha Dubh NC8068<br />
duine nm duine g daoine pl man, person, people Leac an Duine NN1106, Sloc nan Daoine NF8315<br />
dùirn see dòrn Dùn Dùirn NR6907, Uamh Gill'an Dùirn NM6901<br />
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Element Meaning Examples<br />
dùn nm dùin g dùin pl fortress, castle, heap An Dùn NC8566, Dùn a' Bhealaich NR7376<br />
each nm eich g eich pl horse Mòine nan Each NN5013, Rubha nan Each NB0320<br />
eadar pr between Cnoc Eadar Dà Bheinn NB1402, Ùidh Eadar Dà Loch NC2749<br />
eag nf eige g eagan pl notch, gap Druim na h-Eige NB4257, Sgùrr na h-Eige NH0527<br />
eagach adj jagged Aonach Eagach NN1558<br />
eaglais nf eaglaise g eaglaisean pl church Allt na h-Eaglaise NC8659, Beinn na h-Eaglaise NG9052<br />
eala nf eala, ealaidh g ealachan pl swan Loch nan Ealachan NC6751<br />
ear adj east Tràigh Ear NF8276, Cathadail an Ear NB0910<br />
earb nf earba g earbaichean pl roe Lòn nan Earb NG4168, Rubha na h-Earba NM9155<br />
earrann nf earrainn g earrannan pl share, portion, section <strong>of</strong> land Cnoc nan Earrannan NR5164, Dubh Earrainn NR7458<br />
eas nm easa g easan pl waterfall, cataract Allt an Eas Mhòir NO1599, Eas a' Bhàinne NH2703<br />
easg nmf easga g easgan pl marsh, swamp, ditch formed by nature An t-Easg Leathain NN8069<br />
eich see each Allt an Eich Dhuibh NH4112<br />
eidheann nf eidhne g ivy Creag na h-Eidhne NM5539, Badan Eidhne NM9114<br />
eige see eag Bealach na h-Eige NH1327<br />
èilde, èildean see eilid<br />
eileach nm eilich g eilichean pl s<strong>to</strong>ny <strong>place</strong>, mill lade, mill dam, mound, islet Eileach an Naoimh NM6309, An t-Eileach NN6496<br />
èileag nf èileige g èileagan pl deer-trap Loch Èileag NC3006, Allt Èileag NC3007<br />
eilean nm eilein g eileanan pl island Eilean a' Bhàta NG8034, Eilean a' Chait NG8034<br />
eilich, eilichean see eileach Loch an Eilich NG9991<br />
eilid nf èilde g èildean pl hind, female <strong>of</strong> the red deer Beinn Èilde NN5685, Camas na h-Èilde NM7084<br />
eldrick, eldrig anglicised forms <strong>of</strong> èileag Black Eldrick NX7354, High Eldrig NX2569<br />
ellan anglicised form <strong>of</strong> eilean Ellanmore ND2337, Ellangowan NX9874<br />
elrick anglicised form <strong>of</strong> èileag Little Elrick NJ9244, Drumelrick Hill NJ5518<br />
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Element Meaning Examples<br />
eòin see eun Loch an Eòin NC7014<br />
eòrna nm barley Eilean an Eòrna NC4401, Aonan an Eòrna NR3776<br />
eun nm eòin g eòin pl bird, fowl Loch nan Eun NC9254, Coire nan Eun NH2047<br />
fada adj long Allt Fada NC7551, Bogha Fada NM2154<br />
fadhail nf fadhail, fadhlach g fadhlaichean pl extensive beach, tidal ford Fadhail Losgaintir NG0698, Fadhail Sheileboist NG0697<br />
faing nf fainge g faingean pl sheep pen, fank Tom na Faing NB4248, Tràigh na Fainge NB4636<br />
faire nf fairean pl watch, lookout Beinn na Faire NR6017, Allt na Faire NH3489<br />
fàl nm fàil g fàil pl hedge, fence, fold Sgeir Fàil NB1137, Allt Àirigh Fàil NB2225<br />
fàil see fàl<br />
fang nf alternative form <strong>of</strong> faing Fang Bhuidhe NN2142, Fang nan Each NG1553<br />
faodhail nf faodhalach g faodhalaichean pl alternative form <strong>of</strong> fadhail Faodhail Dhubh NM6471, Allt na Faodhalach NS1493<br />
faoileag nf faoileige g faoileagan pl sea gull Eilean na Faoileige NH2903, Loch na Faoileige NC2119<br />
faoileann nf faoilinn g faoileannan pl alternative form <strong>of</strong> faoileag Loch na Faoilinn NF8051, Port na Faoilinn NM7430<br />
fas nm non-standard form <strong>of</strong> fasadh Fas na Cloiche NN0248<br />
fàsach nmf fàsaich g fàsaichean pl wilderness, mountain, hill edge, border Fàsach NG1849, Rubha nam Fàsaichean NM7290<br />
fasadh nm fasaidh g stance, station, level spot Fasadh an Fhamhair NM7870<br />
fasgadh nm fasgaidh g fasgadhean pl shelter, fold, pen-fold for cattle Am Fasgadh NN0169, Tigh Fasgaidh NG8727<br />
feadag nf feadaige g feadagan pl flute, whistle, plover Bàgh nam Feadag NF8757, Cnoc na Feadaige ND0769<br />
feadan nm feadain g feadanan pl reed, canal, opening, streamlet Allt Feadain Bhàin NN2054, Bealach an Fheadain NG8132<br />
feannag nf feannaige g feannag pl crow, lazy bed Rubha nam Feannag NM4199, Druim nam Feannag NH2997<br />
fear nm fir g fir pl man Blàr nam Fear Mòra NC1425, Fear an Fhèilidh NM6020<br />
fearann nm fearainn g land, estate, farm, earth Fearann Làimhrige NM4196, Fearann-Coille NS1674<br />
feàrna nf alder tree Rubha Feàrna NM9977, Allt Feàrna NC7532<br />
fèidh see fiadh Eilean Ceann Fèidh NM7284<br />
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Guide <strong>to</strong> Gaelic <strong>origins</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>place</strong> <strong>names</strong> in Britain<br />
Element Meaning Examples<br />
fèith nf fèithe g fèithichean pl bog, underground stream, bog channel Allt na Fèithe Baine NH0759, Bealach na Fèithe NC3741<br />
feòir see feur Eilean Feòir NM5338<br />
fern anglicised form <strong>of</strong> feàrna Ardfern NM8004, Bogfern NJ7758, Drimfern NN0814<br />
feur nm feòir g grass, hay Sgeir an Fheòir NG8037, Creag an Fheòir NH2411<br />
feusag nf feusaig g feusagan pl beard Creag Feusag NH2133, Glac na Feusaige NN1339<br />
fh-<br />
A word starting fh is <strong>of</strong>ten a lenited form <strong>of</strong> a<br />
word starting f<br />
fiacail nf fiacla g fiaclan pl <strong>to</strong>oth Càrn nam Fiaclan NH1245, Fiaclan Garbha NN2494<br />
fiaclach adj serrated, <strong>to</strong>oth-shaped Àth Fiaclach NM8316, Druim Fiaclach NM8078<br />
fiadh nm fèidh g fèidh pl deer Eilean an Fhèidh NH0596, Creag an Fhèidh NN3218<br />
fin anglicised form <strong>of</strong> fionn Fincraigs NO3622, Fingask NO3918<br />
fiodhag nf fiodhaige g fiodhagan pl bird-cherry, wild fig Allt nam Fiodhag NH3223, Loch nam Fiodhag NH3123<br />
fionn adj white, fair, blessed, holy Craigfionn NX4593, Fionn Phort NM7533<br />
fir see fear Fir Bhreugach NG4470<br />
fireach nm firich g firichean pl high barren ground, mountain, moor Fireach na Mòine NN2326, Am Fireach NH0978<br />
fitheach nm fithich g fithich pl raven Creag an Fhithich NC2553, Cnoc an Fhithich NC9758<br />
fliuch adj wet Fliuch Choire NH2372, Eas Fliuch Leirg NN2830<br />
fo dheas adj non-standard form <strong>of</strong> bho dheas Cas fo Dheas NF8231<br />
fo thuath adj non-standard form <strong>of</strong> bho thuath Tràigh Baile fo Thuath NF9087<br />
fraoch nm fraoich g heather Àird an Fhraoich NF7270, Coire an Fhraoich NH0474<br />
frith adj small An Fhrith Aìrd NG8303<br />
frìth nf frìthe g frìthean pl deer forest, heath, moor Abhainn na Frìthe NC8327, Srath na Frìthe NC8327<br />
fuar adj cold, chilly Fuar Achadh NR9148, Allt Fuar NJ1420<br />
fuaran nm fuarain g fuarain, fuaranan pl well spring, green spot Fuaran Mòr NC4640, Cnoc Fuarain ND1134<br />
gabhar nf gabhair g gaibhre pl alternative form <strong>of</strong> gobhar S<strong>to</strong>b Gaibhre NN0646, Eilean nan Gabhar NM6157<br />
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Element Meaning Examples<br />
gaimhne see gamhainn Allt Fèith nan Gaimhne NH2159<br />
gaineamhach adj sandy Meall Gaineamhach NG6949, Lochan Gaineamhach NH0945<br />
gainneamh, gainmheach nf gainneimh,<br />
gainmhich g<br />
gairt see gart<br />
sand, gravel, sea-shore Gaineamh Mhòr NG8075, Loch na Gaineimh NC7630<br />
Gall nm Goill g Goill pl foreigner, lowlander, s<strong>to</strong>ne Clach nan Gall NH7282, Rubha nan Gall NB4738<br />
gamhainn nf gaimhne, gamhna g gaimhne,<br />
gamhna pl<br />
stirk Loch nan Gamhna NC6458, Fèith Gamhna ND0157<br />
gaoth nf gaoithe g gaothan pl wind Bealach Gaoithe NH2456, Creag na Gaoithe NH1241<br />
gaothach adj windy Cnoc Gaothach NR8495, Bealach Gaothach NM9033<br />
gàradh non-standard form <strong>of</strong> gàrradh Allt a' Gàraidh NG1747, Rubha Gàraidh NH3100<br />
garbh adj rough, coarse Allt Garbh NC2759, Garbh Choire NC3019<br />
gàrradh nm gàrradh g gàrraidhean pl den, dyke, enclosure An Gàrradh NM6020, Cnap nan Gàrradh NN3412<br />
gart nm gairt g field, enclosed corn-land Sean-Ghairt NR3867, Lùb Gairt Bhig NN3044<br />
gead nf gid g geadan pl rig, narrow strip <strong>of</strong> land, lazy-bed Gead a' Bhodaich NM6556, Gead Dhubh NG8284<br />
gèadh nmf geòidh g geòidh pl goose Loch nan Geòidh NR1852, Creagan Geòidh NN1327<br />
geal adj ghil g white, clear An Dùn Geal NN7447, Gleann Geal NM7250<br />
geàrr adj short Geàrr Aonach NN1555<br />
geàrraidh nm geàrraidhean pl land around a <strong>to</strong>wnship, enclosure Geàrraidh a Deas NB4748, Geàrraidh Amadal NB4657<br />
geata nm geataichean, geatachan pl gate Geata Gleann Goibhre NH4347, Geata Dearg NN6995<br />
geo anglicised form <strong>of</strong> geodha Geo Bhàta NF7345<br />
geodha nm geodhachan, geodhaichean pl chasm, ravine Geodha an Fhaing NF7274, Geodha Bàn NC3871<br />
geòidh see gèadh Loch Geòidh NM9503<br />
gh-<br />
A word starting gh is <strong>of</strong>ten a lenited form <strong>of</strong> a<br />
word starting g<br />
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Element Meaning Examples<br />
ghil adj see geal Loch an Easa Ghil NB2025, Allt Lòin Ghil ND1035<br />
ghlais adj see glas Allt a' Choire Ghlais NN5265, Coire an Eich Ghlais NH1278<br />
gid see gead<br />
gil nf gile g gilean pl ravine, water course Gil Ha-cleit NG0287, Gil Dhubh NG1294<br />
gille nm gillean pl boy, lad Loch nan Gillean NH6892, Coire nan Gillean NH5977<br />
giubhas nm alternative form <strong>of</strong> giuthas Sròn nan Giubhas NN2446, Rubha Giubhais NH1099<br />
giuthas nm giuthais g fir Lòn Giuthas nan Leac NH4889<br />
glac nf glaic(e) g glacan pl hollow, small valley Glac Bhàn NH0197, Glac Chrom NR8066<br />
glack anglicised form <strong>of</strong> glac Glackmore NH6051, Glackmuick NJ3642<br />
glaise adj see glas Allt Creige Glaise NS0885, Lochan na Bà Glaise NM7188<br />
glas adj ghlais (m) glaise (f) g grey, green Coire Glas NC6927, Dùn Glas ND0617<br />
gleann nm glinn g glinn, gleanntan pl narrow valley, dale, glen An Gleann NM7106, Allt a' Ghlinne NH5390<br />
glen anglicised form <strong>of</strong> gleann Inverglen NN0901, Glen Albyn NH6138<br />
glinn see gleann Mullach a' Ghlinne NH3601<br />
glumag nf glumaig g glumagan pl puddle, deep hole or pool Allt na Glaic Glumag NG7023<br />
gob nm guib g guib pl point, beak Gob na Hoe NG1954, Gob an Tùir NG8827<br />
gobha nm gobhann, gobhainn g goibhnean pl blacksmith Uamh nan Goibhnean NR2742, Maol Baile a' Ghobhain NG7978<br />
gobhar nmf gobhair, goibhre g gobhair,<br />
goibhrean pl<br />
goat Allt na Goibhre NH1473, Meall nan Gobhar NC1903<br />
gòbhlach adj forked Cadha Gòbhlach NH0682, Lochan Gòbhlach NH4274<br />
goibhnean see gobha<br />
goibhre, goibhrean see gobhar Sròn na Goibhre NH1372<br />
Goill see Gall Biod a' Ghoill NG2759<br />
goirtean nm goirtein g goirteanan pl field, arable enclosure, arable land, park Loch nan Goirtean NB2444, Goirtean Bàn NR3460<br />
gorm adj green, blue, azure Poll Gorm NB3221, Coire Gorm NC3628<br />
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Element Meaning Examples<br />
gowan anglicised form <strong>of</strong> gobha Tirrygowan NJ6711, Balnagowan NJ5100, Ardgowan NS2073<br />
gower anglicised form <strong>of</strong> gobhar Auchengower NS2184, Bargower NS4732<br />
grànda adj ugly, nasty, grim Camas Grànda NG7270, Allt Grànda NH1170<br />
grian nf grèine g grianan pl sun Allt na Grèine NH4295, Rubha na Grèine NB5633<br />
grianan nm grianain g sunny hillock Rubha Grianain NR7486, Eilean Grianain NR8142<br />
gualann nf gualainn, guailne g guailnean,<br />
guaillean pl<br />
shoulder <strong>of</strong> a hill, elbow, corner Gualann nan Càrn NR7169, A' Ghualann NC8367<br />
guib see gob Loch a' Ghuib Àird NC1823<br />
gun pr without Loch gun Tòin NH5350, Aodann gun Nighe NM4335<br />
iar adj west, westerly Tràigh Iar NG0396, Ceann Iar NF6162<br />
iasgair nm iasgair g iasgairean pl fisherman An t-Iasgair NG3574, Loch an Iasgair NF7430<br />
ìghne see nighean<br />
imir nm imire g imirean pl rig, ridge <strong>of</strong> land Imir Crom NN2433, Imir Fada NC2922<br />
imrich nf imriche g imrichean pl removal, flitting Guala na h-Imrich NF7969, Bealach na h-Imrich NC3650<br />
inbhir nm inbhirean pl <strong>place</strong> <strong>of</strong> meeting <strong>of</strong> rivers, confluence An t-Inbhir NN4048, Meall Inbhir NN0736<br />
inch anglicised form <strong>of</strong> innis Inchmore NH3940, Inchnacaorach NH8449<br />
inghinn see nighean Fuaran na h-Inghinn NN7454, Loch na h-Inghinn NB3524<br />
innean nm innein g inneanan pl anvil, anvil-shaped hill An t-Innean Mòr NN1856, Achlais an Innein NM9164<br />
innis nf ìnnse g ìnnsean, ìnnseachan pl island, meadow, resting <strong>place</strong> for cattle Innisdaimh NN4635, Cnoc na h-Ìnnse NC9847<br />
inver anglicised form <strong>of</strong> inbhir Inverfyne NN1912, Inverlochy NJ1324<br />
ìobairt nf ìobairte g ìobairtean pl <strong>of</strong>fering, church-land, sacrifice Clach na h-Ìobairt NN8765, Tom na h-Ìobairt NN8865<br />
ìochdar nm ìochdair g ìochdaran pl lower part Druim Ìochdair NN5812, Creag Ìochdair NN7328<br />
iola nf iolachan pl fishing rock, fishing bank, fishing station Bàrr Iola NR9382, An Iola NN0048<br />
iolair(e) nmf iolaire g iolairean pl eagle Tom na h-Iolaire NC9221, Creag na h-Iolaire NC7846<br />
iomair nm iomaire g iomairean pl alternative form <strong>of</strong> imir Lùib Iomaire Mhòir NN0705, Allt nan Iomairean NM5950<br />
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Element Meaning Examples<br />
ìosal adj low Tom Ìosal NB2629, Cnoc Dubh Ìosal NB3223<br />
iubhar nm iubhair g iubharan pl yew Leac an Iubhair NM9971, Meall an Iubhair NS2094<br />
ken, kin anglicised form <strong>of</strong> ceann Kenknock NN4636<br />
kil anglicised form <strong>of</strong> cill Kilmany NO3821, Kilbride NR8362<br />
kil anglicised form <strong>of</strong> coille<br />
kil anglicised form <strong>of</strong> ceann Kilmux NO3604<br />
killie anglicised form <strong>of</strong> coille Killiecrankie NN9162<br />
kin anglicised form <strong>of</strong> ceann Kincraig NH8205, Kinlochmoidart NM7172<br />
knab anglicised form <strong>of</strong> cnap The Knab HU4840, Horse <strong>of</strong> the Knab HU4840<br />
knock anglicised form <strong>of</strong> cnoc Knock Dhu NH8380, Knock Fell NX2555<br />
kyles anglicised form <strong>of</strong> caolas Kylesmore NM6674, Claddach-kyles NF7666<br />
labhar adj loud Alltan Labhar NG8157, Easan Labhar NM5341<br />
lach nf lacha g lachan pl wild duck Lochan nan Lachan NF8746, Bealach nan Lachan NN6210<br />
ladhar nm ladhair, ladhra g ladhran pl paw, ho<strong>of</strong> Ladhar Bheinn NG8203<br />
lag nmf laig, luig g lagan pl hollow, pit, cave Lag a' Bhàinne NM9706, Lag a' Choire NM4664<br />
laimrig, làimhrig nf laimrige g laimrigean pl natural landing-<strong>place</strong>, quay, harbour Rubha Làimhrige NR5366, Sròn Làimhrige NM4787<br />
lainn see lann<br />
làir, làire nf làiridh, làire(adh), làrach g làiridhean<br />
pl<br />
mare Coire na Làire NM9066, Lag na Làire NG2394<br />
làirig nf làirigean pl moor, hill, sloping hill, pass Lochan Làirig NN8041, Lochan na Làirige NN5939<br />
lann nf lainn g lannan pl enclosure, land Lann Bhreac NN6359, Lann Mhòr NN5292<br />
laogh nm laoigh g laoigh, laoghan pl calf Beul an Laoigh NG9936, Càrn Allt Laoigh NH9231<br />
làrach nf làraich g làraichean pl site <strong>of</strong> a building, ruin Glac na Làraiche NN0166, Lag na Làraich NB3143<br />
làrach see làir Loch na Làrach NG7243<br />
leaba, leabaidh nf leapa g leapannan pl bed, lair, channel <strong>of</strong> a river Leabaidh Fhèidh NC3002, Leabaidh a' Mhinisteir NB4929<br />
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Element Meaning Examples<br />
leac nf lic, lice g leacan pl ledge <strong>of</strong> a rock, flat s<strong>to</strong>ne, slab Leac a' Bhàinne NM9078, Coire na Lice NN8357<br />
leacach nf leacaich g leacaichean pl bare summit, s<strong>to</strong>ny side <strong>of</strong> a hill Leacach NC3165, Leacach Bhreac NR9025<br />
leacach adj s<strong>to</strong>ny Lochan Leacach NC6857, Coire Leacach NC5352<br />
leamhan nm leamhain g leamhan pl elm Loch na Leamhain NB2434, Beinn Leamhain NM9562<br />
lèana nf lèanan g lèanachan pl swampy plain, meadow, field <strong>of</strong> green Lèana an Fheòir NG0689, Lèana Bhàn NB4956<br />
lèanag nf lèanaig g lèanagan pl wet plain or lea Lèanag Mòr a' Bhàird ND0753<br />
leapa, leapannan see leaba<br />
learg nf leirg g leargan pl plain, hillside Learg an Lochain NN4015, Loch na Leirg NG8890<br />
leathad nm leathaid, leothaid g leathaidean,<br />
leòidean pl<br />
side <strong>of</strong> a hill, slope Leathad a' Ghlinne NF0899, Leathad an Droma NB2638<br />
leathan(n) adj broad Loch Leathann NB3816, Leathan Dhail NN6510<br />
leck anglicised form <strong>of</strong> leac Auchinleck NS5521, Achleck NM4145<br />
lèig nf lèige g lèigean pl marshy or miry pool, shallow stream Druim na Lèige NB2126, Druim Lèig a' Bhainne NB2339<br />
lèim see leum Rubha na Lèim NM8246<br />
leirg see learg Loch na Leirg NG8890<br />
lèith, lèithe see liath Allt na Doire Lèithe NG8991<br />
leitir nf leitire, leitreach g leitirean, leitrichean pl slope, side <strong>of</strong> a hill Dubh Leitir NC1734, Garbh Leitir NM7000<br />
lèoidean see leathad<br />
leothaid see leathad Fèith an Leothaid NH0358<br />
leth nm<br />
half; with one steep side (as in Leth-Allt ‘burn<br />
with one steep side’)<br />
Leth-Sgeir NR7389, Leth-Allt NH2299<br />
letter anglicised form <strong>of</strong> leitir Duiletter NN1530, Gairletter NS1884<br />
leum nm lèim g leuman pl leap Leum an Fhèidh NC0801, Leum Chaimbeulaich NS2094<br />
lianag non-standard form <strong>of</strong> lèanag Lianag Mhòr NC2106, Lianag na h-Àtha NG7574<br />
liath adj lèith(e) g grey, blue Loch Liath NH3319, Allt na Doire Lèithe NG8991<br />
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Element Meaning Examples<br />
lic, lice see leac Coire na Lice NN8357<br />
lìn see lìon<br />
linn, linne nf linne g linneachan, linntean pl pool, pond, lake, mill-dam, channel Loch na Linne NB3330, Allt na Linne NN0967<br />
lìon nm lìn g lìontan pl flax Eilean nan Lìon NF9270, Cnoc nan Lìon NB1323<br />
lios nmf lise, liosa g liosan pl enclosure, garden, fortified <strong>place</strong> Seann Lios NH5442<br />
lise see lios<br />
loch nm locha g lochan pl lake, arm <strong>of</strong> the sea Loch a Tuath NB1120, Loch Beag NC8863<br />
lochan nm lochain g lochain pl small loch or lake Lochan a' Bhàigh NM2563, Lochan Buidhe ND0369<br />
lòin, lòintean see lòn Lochan Dubh Cùl an Lòin ND0552<br />
loisgte adj burnt Lochan Loisgte NM6264, Mòine Loisgte NR7661<br />
lòn nm lòin g lòintean pl marsh, morass, pool, meadow Lòn a' Chlèirich NG2650, Bad an Lòin NO1270<br />
long nf luinge g longan pl ship Bàgh na Luinge NR4345, Camas Luinge NM8677<br />
losgann nm losgainn g losgannan pl frog, <strong>to</strong>ad Lag na Losgainn NR4272, Loch Losgainn NH6693<br />
luachar nf luachair, luachrach g <strong>place</strong> where rushes grow Lòn Luachrach NG3522, Maol na Luachrach NM6323<br />
lùb nf lùib g lùban pl meander, bend Sgeir Lùb nan Ròn NR6094<br />
lùib nf lùibe g lùibean pl alternative form <strong>of</strong> lùb Lùib Bhàn NC4547, Lùib Luachrach NN2043<br />
luig see lag Port an Luig Mhòir NG5212<br />
luinge see long Port Bàta na Luinge NM4141<br />
mac nm mhic g son Coire Mhic Fhearchair NG9460, Mac is Màthair NH0687<br />
machair nmf machrach g machraichean pl extensive, low-lying fertile ground Machair Leathann NF8277, Cruach na Machrach NR8863<br />
madadh nm madaidh g madaidhean pl dog, wolf, fox Fèith nam Madadh NN7880, Leac nam Madadh NF9567<br />
magh nmf magha g magaidh pl plain, field Magh Torray NB0617, Magh-cul NN5590<br />
maigheach nf maighiche g maighichean pl hare Meall nam Maigheach NM9576, Tom nam Maigheach NN5616<br />
maing see mang<br />
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Element Meaning Examples<br />
màis see màs<br />
màm nmf màim g màman pl breast, large round hill, gap Màm Mòr NH5742, Allt a' Mhàim NG9325<br />
manach nm manaich g manaich pl monk Allt nam Manach NR7831, Bàrr nam Manach NR9484<br />
mang nf maing g mangan pl fawn, young hart Coire nam Mang NC4133<br />
maol nm maoil g maoil pl bare <strong>to</strong>p, promon<strong>to</strong>ry, bare round hill Càrn Maol NH8645, Cnoc Maol Donn NC9755<br />
mara see muir Rubha na Muice Mara NN0377<br />
màs nm màis g màsan pl but<strong>to</strong>ck, bot<strong>to</strong>m Màs a' Chnuic NF9694, Màs an Rubha NB1303<br />
màthair nf màthar g màthraichean pl mother, source Mac is Màthair NH0687, Lochan Màthair Eite NN2854<br />
meadhan, meadhon nm meadhain, meadhoin g<br />
meadhanan, meadhonan pl<br />
middle, centre Meall Meadhoin NC8006, Monadh Meadhoin NM7153<br />
meall nm mill g mill pl lump, applied <strong>to</strong> a round hill Meall Buidhe ND0057<br />
meanbh adj small Blàr Meanbh NN1277, Meanbh Chnocan Glen NB0022<br />
meann nm minn g minn pl kid, young roe-deer Rubha nam Meann NR5480, Sgeir nam Meann NC0834<br />
mèinn nf mèinne g mèinnean pl mine, ore Ruigh na Mèinne NH5689, Sliabh na Mèinne NN5926<br />
mèirleach nm mèirlich g mèirlich pl thief, robber Cnoc a’ Mhèirlich NG4468<br />
meur nf meòir g meòir pl finger, branch, applied <strong>to</strong> small streams Allt Meur nan Clach NH2144<br />
mh-<br />
A word starting mh is <strong>of</strong>ten a lenited form <strong>of</strong> a<br />
word starting m<br />
mhic see mac Coire Mhic Fhearchair NG9460<br />
mill see meall Sròn a' Mhill NG4843<br />
mìn adj s<strong>of</strong>t, tender, delicate, smooth Creag Mhìn NN9047, Mhìn-choise NN7481<br />
minn see meann Loch a' Mhinn NM8612<br />
mnà see bean Allt na Mnà Bàine NH3899, Druim na Mnà NB2332<br />
mòd nm mòid g mòdan pl court, trial, meeting Allt a' Mhòid NC5638, Tom a' Mhòid NH5320<br />
moil see mol Camas Chala Moil NA9923<br />
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Element Meaning Examples<br />
mòine nf mònadh, mòine g mònach pl peat, moor Cnoc na Mòine NC6252, Druim na Mòine NB2031<br />
mòinteach nf mòintich g mòintichean pl mossy ground, moor Mòinteach a' Lòin NB1120, Mòinteach Dhubh NN2179<br />
mol nm moil, mola g molan pl shingly beach Mol a' Chaolais NG2297, Mol a' Deas NB3202<br />
molach adj hairy, rough, s<strong>to</strong>rmy Na Lùibean Molach NC2301, Tom Molach NS2196<br />
mona anglicised form <strong>of</strong> mòine Monabuie NN9727<br />
mònach, mònadh see mòine<br />
monadh nm monaidh g monaidhean pl mountain, moor, heath Monadh Beag NN1585, Allt a' Mhonaidh NG7850<br />
mòr adj large, great Monadh Mòr NH5853, Mòr Bheinn NN7121<br />
more anglicised form <strong>of</strong> mòr Ardmore NC2051, Auchmore NK0057<br />
morghan nm morghain g gravel, shingle, pebbly beach Loch a' Mhorghain NB1504, Bàgh Tòb a' Mhorghain NB1137<br />
muc nf muice g mucan pl pig Rubha na Muice Mara NN0377, Allt nam Muc NJ1321<br />
muck anglicised form <strong>of</strong> muc Culnamuck NF6500, Drummuck NS2303<br />
muice see muc Coire Gleann na Muice NC3711<br />
muigh see a-muigh<br />
muileann nm muilinn g muilnean, muileannan pl mill Druim a' Mhuilinn NM6042, Loch a' Mhuilinn NC8756<br />
muilt see mult Loch a' Mhuilt Dhuibh NG1392<br />
muir nmf mara g marannan pl sea Sloc na Mara NN1982, Taobh na Mara NR7165<br />
mullach nm mullaich g mullaichean pl <strong>to</strong>p, summit Am Mullach NO3790, Camas nam Mullach NM6962<br />
mult nm muilt g muilt pl wether, castrated ram Bad nam Mult NC1741, Camas nam Mult NG7013<br />
muran nm murain g sea bent Creag nam Muran NM7805, Eilean a' Mhurain NF8754<br />
na, na h-, nam, nan forms <strong>of</strong> definite article “the”<br />
nathair nf nathrach g nathraichean pl snake, adder Meall Nathrach NN4475, Allt nan Nathair NC7025<br />
nead nmf nid g nid pl nest, circular hollow An Nead NH1031, Coire nan Nead NN4273<br />
nic nf daughter (abbreviation <strong>of</strong> nighean mhic) Loch Nic Dhomhnaill NB4949, Rubha Nic Eamoin NG2404<br />
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Element Meaning Examples<br />
nighean nf nighinne, ìghne, inghinn g nigheanan<br />
pl<br />
daughter, young woman Tobar nan Nighean NG2757, Allt na h-Ighine NH2181<br />
òb nm òbain g òbain pl small bay, harbour Òb a' Chlachain NF8243, Òb Dubh NG7458<br />
ochter anglicised form <strong>of</strong> uachdar Ochtertyre NN8323<br />
odhar adj dun-coloured, pale, yellow Sròn a' Choire Odhair NN2058, Coire Odhar NG7886<br />
oidhche nf oidhche g oidhcheannan pl night Bealach na h-Oidhche NG8314, Loch na h-Oidhche NH1577<br />
òir see òr<br />
oitir nf oitire g oitirean pl sand bank, shallow Oitir Mhòr NF8157, Oitir Bheag NF8246<br />
òr nm òir g gold Sgeir an Òir NC6164, Uamh an Òir NG9795<br />
òrd nm ùird g òrdan, ùird pl round hill Beinn Ùird NS3998, Cnoc an Ùird NH5341<br />
òs nm òsa g òsan pl mouth or outlet <strong>of</strong> a river Òs a Muigh NB0333, Òs Uarach NB4252<br />
pàirc nf pàirce g pàircean pl field, enclosure A' Phàirc Loisgte NN4856, Cnoc na Pàirce NG4150<br />
pait nf paite g paitean pl lump, hump Pait Fhearchair NG9384, Sgùrr na Paite NM8281<br />
partan nm partain g partanan pl small edible sea-crab Poll nam Partan NM4884, Port nam Partan NM3452<br />
peighinn nf peighinne g peighinnean pl pennyland Allt Coire Pheiginn NN7451, Allt na Peighinn NG6217<br />
ph-<br />
A word starting ph is <strong>of</strong>ten a lenited form <strong>of</strong> a<br />
word starting p<br />
plucan nm plucain g plucanan pl knot, lump, piece <strong>of</strong> earth Pluc Mòr NH7020<br />
pòir see pòr<br />
poit nf poite g pot Coire na Poite NG8145<br />
poll nm puill g puill pl pool, pit, deep stagnant water, wet meadow Poll a' Bhainne NG3656, Poll a' Choire NB4231<br />
pòr nm pòir g pòran pl seed, grain, corn, crops Caochan nam Pòran NH6434<br />
port nm puirt g puirt pl port, harbour, ferry Port a' Bhàta NB0100, Port an Duine NM1752<br />
preas nm pris g preasan, pris pl shrub, bush, thicket Preas a' Chrannaidh NC2809, Preas Caol NC9250<br />
puill see poll<br />
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Element Meaning Examples<br />
puirt see port Eilean Puirt Lèithe NR6975<br />
raineach nf rainich g fern Coire Rainich NH3975, Creag Rainich NB0331<br />
ràmh nm ràimh g ràimh pl oar Eilean nan Ràmh NF7619, Loch nan Ràmh NB3229<br />
raon nf raoin g raontan, raointean pl field An Raon NG7478, Raon na Ceàrdaich NC0925<br />
ràth nm fort Ràth Fhinn NN3098, Allt Ràth a' Bheulain NM5166<br />
rathad nm rathaid, rothaid g ròidean pl road, way Crom-Rathad NH6090, Bealach an Rathaid NH3848<br />
reamhar adj fat Maol Reamhar NS3391, Meall Reamhar NN4622<br />
rèidh nm rèidhean pl smooth, level ground, plain, meadow Coire Rèidh NC3220, Leac Rèidh NB3909<br />
rèilig nf rèilige g rèiligean pl grave, burying <strong>place</strong>, church Fèith Rèilig NC5059<br />
rèisg see riasg<br />
reoch anglicised form <strong>of</strong> riabhach Tynreoch NN7123, Alltreoch NO0956<br />
riabhach adj brindled, greyish, brown Srath Riabhach NR6388, Sròn Riabhach NO1675<br />
riasg nm rèisg g moor, fen The Riasg ND3138, Tom an Rèisg NJ1515<br />
rìgh nm rìgh g rìghrean pl king Càrn an Rìgh NC3757, Clach an Rìgh NC6839<br />
rinn nm rinne g rinnean pl point, promon<strong>to</strong>ry Rinn a' Chrubain NR9023, Rinn Dearg NJ2908<br />
rioch anglicised form <strong>of</strong> riabhach Barranrioch NM8929, Dalrioch NR6918<br />
rodh nm rodha g water-edge, water mark Allt Uchd Rodha NH2539, Rubha Rodha NC0523<br />
roid nf roide g roidean pl bog myrtle Camas na Roide NG1893<br />
ròidean see rathad<br />
ròin see ròn Loch an Ròin NC1954<br />
roinn nf roinne g roinnean pl division, share, portion Gob na Roinne NH0017, Rubha na Roinne NG4200<br />
rois see ros<br />
ròn nm ròin g ròin pl seal Rubha nan Ròn NF8158, Sgeir an Ròin NG6724<br />
ros nm rois g rosan pl promon<strong>to</strong>ry, isthmus, peninsula Ros a' Mheallain NG3740<br />
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Element Meaning Examples<br />
rothaid see rathad Loch an Rothaid NG1491<br />
ruadh adj red, brown Ruadh Bhealach NN1248, Rubha Ruadh NC4462<br />
rubha nm rubhaichean pl promon<strong>to</strong>ry, headland, point <strong>of</strong> land Sean-Rubha NL9346, Rubha na Lice NM8029<br />
ruighe nmf ruighean pl hill-slope, sheiling<br />
Ruighe a’ Ghlaic NN7353, Allt an Ruighe Bhric NM8686, Allt na<br />
Ruighe Lèithe NH5176, Ruighean an Daimh NC5852<br />
sabhal nm sabhail g sabhalan pl barn, granary Allt an t-Sabhail NH5291, Cnoc an t-Sabhail NC5233<br />
sac nm saic g saic, sacan pl horse load Cnoc an t-Saic NH3398, Druim an t-Saic NN6362<br />
sagart nm sagairt g sagartan pl priest Eilean an t-Sagairt NM9231, Lòn an t-Sagairt NR7081<br />
saic see sac Cnoc an t-Saic NH3398<br />
saidh nf saidhe g saidhean pl upright beam, post Loch Coire na Saidhe NC4436, Sgeir nan Saidhean NM7010<br />
saighead nf saighde g saighdean pl arrow Lochan nan Saighead NB1705, Beinn na Saighde NB4236<br />
sàil nf sàl, sàile, sàlach g sàilean, sàiltean pl heel Sàil Mhòr NH1768, Sàil Gharbh NC4134<br />
sàilean nm sàilein g sàileanan pl little inlet, arm <strong>of</strong> the sea, deep bay Sàilean Mòr NM5859, Sàilean Ruadh NM9833<br />
sàl, sàlach see sàil Loch na Sàlach NH3267<br />
salach adj dirty Camas Salach NM6861, Àirigh Shalach NH0666<br />
saobhaidh nf saobhaidh(e) g saobhaidhean pl animal-den Allt na Saobhaidhe ND0335, Caochan na Saobhaidh NJ0609<br />
saor nm saoir g saoir pl carpenter, wright Eilean an t-Saoir NM1455, Lùb an t-Saoir NM9364<br />
seabhag nmf seabhaig g seabhagan pl hawk Creag na Seabhaig NM9515, Allt na Seabhaig NH5315<br />
seachd num seven Eilean nan Seachd Seisrichean NM4263<br />
seagal nm seagail g rye Cnoc an t-Seagaill NC2413, Allt an t-Seagaill NH5473<br />
sealg nf seilg g sealgan pl hunt, chase Loch na Seilge NC9258, Srath na Seilge NC7018<br />
seamrag nf seamraig g seamragan pl trefoil, shamrock Beinn na Seamraig NG7217, Cnoc na Seamraig NN1621<br />
sean adj old Sean-Àirigh NC9458, Sean-Allt NJ2014<br />
seangan nm seangain g seangain, seanganan pl ant Sgeir an t-Seangain NM7162, Allt nan Seangan NH5596<br />
seann alternative form <strong>of</strong> sean Monadh Seann-talaimh NH3001<br />
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Element Meaning Examples<br />
searrach adj edge, pointed, sharp Coireag Searrach NH0031<br />
searrach nm searraich g searraich pl foal, colt Cnoc nan Searrach NB2330, Glac nan Searrach NG4551<br />
seasg nf seasga g seisg, seisge pl bog-reed Cnocan Seasg NH9386, Carr Seasg NR7671<br />
seilcheag nf seilcheig g seilcheagan pl snail Creag nan Seilcheag NG8300<br />
seileach nm seilich g seileachan pl willow Fèith Seileach NG6711, Bad nan Seileach ND1131<br />
seilg see sealg Loch na Seilg NC3658<br />
seisg, seisge see seasg<br />
sgadan nm sgadain g sgadain pl herring Glac nan Sgadan NG9407, Port an Sgadain NR7084<br />
sgarbh nm sgairbh g sgairbh pl cormorant, heron Rubha nan Sgarbh NB4929<br />
sgeine, sgeinean see sgian<br />
sgeir nf sgeire g sgeirean pl sea rook, skerry Sgeir a' Choire NR4043, Sgeir nan Sgarbh NB4057<br />
sgian nf sgeine, sgine g sgeinean, sgineachan pl knife Sgian Dubh NS0675, Sgurr na Sgine NG9411<br />
sgitheach nm sgithich g hawthorn Cnoc nan Sgitheach NS0199, Abhainn Sgitheach NH5162<br />
sgoilte adj split, cracked Aonach Sgoilte NG8302, Càrn Sgoilte NB9706<br />
sgòr nm sgòir g sgòran, sgòraichean pl non-standard form <strong>of</strong> sgùrr Sgòr a' Chaorainn NH4577, Sgòr an Daimh NN2971<br />
sgòrr alternative form <strong>of</strong> sgùrr Sgòrr a' Chait NN3406, Sgòrr an Fhithich NN5408<br />
sgùrr nm sgurra g sgurran pl rocky peak, sharp steep hill Sgùrr a' Bhuic NN2070, Sgùrr a' Chaise NG5702<br />
sh-<br />
A word starting sh is <strong>of</strong>ten a lenited form <strong>of</strong> a<br />
word starting s<br />
siar form <strong>of</strong> iar Tamana Siar NB0020<br />
sìdh nm non-standard form <strong>of</strong> sìth: (fairy) hill Sìdh Beag NJ1713, Sìdh Mòr NJ1713<br />
sidhean non-standard form <strong>of</strong> sìthean Sidhean Mòr ND0556, Sidhean a' Chlèirich NC1319<br />
sionnach nm sionnaich g sionnaich pl fox Allt nan Sionnach NM7692, Coire an t-Sionnaich NN1760<br />
sìor adj constant, eternal Carraig an t-Sìor Shruith NM2968<br />
sìthean nm sìthein g sìthein pl fairy knoll, hillock Allt an t-Sìthein NG4931, Cnoc nan Sìthean ND0342<br />
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Element Meaning Examples<br />
sleac alternative form <strong>of</strong> leac Meall nan Sleac NN8694, Sleac Gorm NO2289<br />
sleamhainn adj slippery, smooth Leac Shleamhuinn NF7714, Carraig Shleamhuinn NG2149<br />
sliabh nm slèibh g slèibhtean pl<br />
high moorland; purple moor-grass (Molinia<br />
caerulea)<br />
Allt a' Choire Sliabh NG9170, Càrn an t-Slèibhe NJ1411<br />
slios nm sliosa g sliosan pl side, slope Loch an t-Slios NB2124, Slios Garbh NG8888<br />
sloc nm sluic g slocan pl pit, hollow, pool Sloc an Tairbh NF7200, Tom an t-Sluic NN1479<br />
slugaid nf slugaide g quicksand, muddy <strong>place</strong>, gorge Allt na Slugaide NB4839, Cnoc na Slugaide NB4739<br />
sluic see sloc Lochan an t-Sluic NN8290<br />
sneachd nm sneachda g snow Coire an t-Sneachda NH1927, Glac an t-Sneachda NM4923<br />
sobhal non-standard form <strong>of</strong> sabhal Cnoc an t-Sobhail NH2438<br />
soc nm suic g point, snout Soc Glas NC3272, Soc Mhic Chailein NC1743<br />
spàrdan nm spàrdain g spàrdain, spàrdanan pl little eminence, hill, short steep slope An Spàrdan NM6800, Bruthach nan Spàrdan NN7281<br />
speireag nf speireig g speireagan pl sparrow hawk Cnoc nan Speireag NG3631, Creagan na Speireig NC4855<br />
sprèidh nf sprèidhe g cattle Loch nan Sprèidh NH3893, Lag na Sprèidhe NM5521<br />
sràid nf sràide g sràidean pl road, street Sràid Ruadh NL9547, Sràid Stac na Mòine NR2847<br />
srath nm sratha g srathan pl valley, riverside land Srath a' Bhàthaich NG8847, Abhainn an t-Sratha NB1800<br />
sròn nf sròine g srònan pl nose, point Sròn Mhòr NB1429, Sròn a' Mhill NG4843<br />
sruth nm srutha, sruith g sruthan pl current, stream Bun an t-Sruth NF7366, Oban nan Sruthan NF8874<br />
staca nm staca, staic g stacan, stacannan pl high cliff or hill, precipice Ruadh Stac NG5123, Stac nam Bodach NN9770<br />
staigh see a-staigh<br />
staimh nm staimh g sea tangle Poll an Staimh NG3764<br />
stalla nm stallachan pl overhanging rock, steep sea rock Stalla nam Manach NG9170, Stallachan Dubha NM5362<br />
steall nf still g steallan pl <strong>to</strong>rrent, cataract Steall a' Choire NC3728, Steall an Eisg NM8154<br />
s<strong>to</strong>b nm stuib g s<strong>to</strong>ban pl point, stake S<strong>to</strong>b a' Chaorainn NN4504, S<strong>to</strong>b a' Chòin NN4116<br />
strath anglicised form <strong>of</strong> srath Strathtay NN9153, Strathaird NG5317<br />
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Element Meaning Examples<br />
stùc nf stùic g stùcan, stùcannan pl little hill, cliff, pinnacle Stùc a' Bhuic NN3904, Stùc Bàn NS2996<br />
stuib see s<strong>to</strong>b<br />
sùbh nm sùibh g sùbhan pl raspberry Meall nan Sùbh NN4539, Bruach nan Sùbh NR4964<br />
suic see soc<br />
suidhe nm suidhean, suidheachan pl seat, sitting or resting <strong>place</strong>, level shelf Càrn an t-Suidhe NG8754, Suidhe Beag NJ2624<br />
sùil nf sùla g sùilean pl eye, sandy hole Sùil an Ear NB1836, Sùil na Cloiche NB2320<br />
taigh nm taighe g taighean pl house Allt nan Taighean NM7293, Bean an Taighe NM6375<br />
tàillear nm tàilleir g tàillearan pl tailor Cnoc an Tàilleir NC6036, Coire an Tàilleir NH1839<br />
tairbeart nf tairbeirt g tarbeartan pl crossing, portage, isthmus Loch an Tairbeirt NB3419, Tairbeart NG5847<br />
tairbh see tarbh Luig an Tairbh NR3143<br />
talamh nmf talamh, talmhainn g talamhan pl land Sean-Talamh NN5615, Monadh Seann-talaimh NH3001<br />
tana adj thin, slender, shallow Loch Tana NB3329<br />
taobh nm taoibh g taobhan pl side, way, <strong>place</strong> Taobh a' Ghlinne NN0372, Taobh Deas NF9692<br />
tarbeartan see tairbeart<br />
tarbert anglicised form <strong>of</strong> tairbeart Tarbert NB1400<br />
tarbh nm tairbh g tairbh pl bull Boglach nan Tarbh NM6724, Clach an Tairbh NH1568<br />
tarsainn adj lying across, oblique Toman Tarsainn NH5121, Allt Tarsainn NH1260<br />
tartar nm tartair g noise, clamour Uamh an Tartair NC2109<br />
teampall nm teampaill g teampaill pl church Teampull Bhuirgh NF7650, Teampull Chriosd NF7861<br />
teanga nf teangaidh g teangan, teangannan pl <strong>to</strong>ngue Teanga Bhàn NM6526, Teanga nan Each NH0350<br />
teine nm teintean pl fire, beacon Tom an Teine NN2179, Cnoc an Teine NH4747<br />
th-<br />
A word starting th is <strong>of</strong>ten a lenited form <strong>of</strong> a<br />
word starting t<br />
tibber, tiber anglicised form <strong>of</strong> tiobar: well Knockentiber NS3939, Auchentibber NS6754<br />
tigh non-standard form <strong>of</strong> taigh Tigh an Droma NS0427, Tigh an Eilein NO1464<br />
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Element Meaning Examples<br />
tilly anglicised form <strong>of</strong> tulach Tillybrack NJ6619, Tillycairn NJ8331<br />
tioram adj dry Cnocan Tioram NR7552, Eilean Tioram NG7873<br />
tìr nf tìre g tìrean pl land Tìr Dhubh NR9732, Tìr Chille NM3218<br />
tòb nm bay Tòb a' Chuilinn NB1733, Tòb a' Ghearraidh NB0216<br />
<strong>to</strong>bar nmf <strong>to</strong>bair, <strong>to</strong>brach g <strong>to</strong>braichean pl well, fountain, spring Tobar an Easbuig NF8040, Tobar na Slàinte NH8573<br />
<strong>to</strong>bhta nm <strong>to</strong>bhtaichean pl ruin with walls standing Tobhta nan Druidhean NG5158, Tobhta NB0434<br />
<strong>to</strong>brach, <strong>to</strong>braichean see <strong>to</strong>bar<br />
<strong>to</strong>dhar nm <strong>to</strong>dhair g <strong>to</strong>dharan pl field manured by penning cattle on it Todhar Dubh NM4151, Ach'an Todhair NN0971<br />
tòine see tòn<br />
<strong>to</strong>ll nm tuill g tuill pl hole, hollow Toll Beag ND0427, Toll Creagach NH1513<br />
<strong>to</strong>lm nm tuilm g <strong>to</strong>lman pl island in a river or near shore Tolm NB3350, Eilean Thuilm NM4791<br />
<strong>to</strong>m nm tuim g <strong>to</strong>mannan pl knoll (east), copse (west) Tom na h-Iolaire NC9221, Loch an Tuim NB4243<br />
tòn nf tòine g tònan pl fundament, breech, anus Goirtein na Tòine NM6134, Tom na Tòine NC2630<br />
<strong>to</strong>rc nm tuirc g tuirc pl boar Càrn an Tuirc NO1780<br />
tòrr nm <strong>to</strong>rra g <strong>to</strong>rran pl heap, hill, mountain, mound Tòrr a' Bhacain NM3821, Tòrr a' Chruidh NG3656<br />
tràigh nf tràighe, tràghad g tràighean,<br />
tràghannan pl beach Cnoc na Tràighe NR2763, Tràigh Mhòr NB5448<br />
trì num three Cnoc nan Trì Tom NB3124, Lòn Trì Chrìoch NM9518<br />
tuath adj north Meall Tuath NG4176, Port a Tuath NA9812<br />
tuill see <strong>to</strong>ll Rubha Uamh an Tuill NR5162<br />
tuilm see <strong>to</strong>lm Allt Thuilm NG0898<br />
tuim see <strong>to</strong>m Beinn an Tuim NM9283<br />
tùir see tùr Ceann an Tùir NM6041<br />
tuirc see <strong>to</strong>rc Coire Allt an Tuirc NH0522<br />
tulach nm tulaich g tulaichean pl knoll, hillock Tom Mòr an Tulach NB3545, Tulach an Fhuarain ND1252<br />
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Guide <strong>to</strong> Gaelic <strong>origins</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>place</strong> <strong>names</strong> in Britain<br />
Element Meaning Examples<br />
tullich anglicised form <strong>of</strong> tulach Cultullich NN8750, Glastullich NH1595<br />
tulloch anglicised form <strong>of</strong> tulach Scoretulloch NS5836, Tulloch NH6192<br />
tunnag nf tunnaig g tunnagan pl duck Loch Tunnaig NM9101, Tòb nan Tunnag NB1433<br />
tùr nm tùir g tùir pl <strong>to</strong>wer Tùr Mòr NM5545, Loch an Tùir NC1126<br />
ty anglicised form <strong>of</strong> taigh Tyndrum NH5220, Tynabeinne NR2663, Tynacoille NR2763<br />
uachdar nm uachdair g uachdaran pl <strong>to</strong>p, upper part, summit Uachdar NF8055, Allt an Uachdair NR8934<br />
uaimh nf uaimhe, uamha g uaimhean, uamhan pl cave Allt na h-Uaimhe NH7201<br />
uaine adj green Cnoc Uaine NG6709, Coire Uaine NH4383<br />
uamh alternative form <strong>of</strong> uaimh Uamh an Òir NG9795<br />
uchd nm uchda g uchdan pl breast, ascent, side <strong>of</strong> a hill Uchd a' Bhlàir NM4279, Uchd an Ùird NG7931<br />
ùidh nf ùidhe g ùidhean pl isthmus, ford Ùidh an Tuim NC2948, Ùidh Dhubh NC3039<br />
ùig nf ùige g ùigean pl nook, hollow, cave, den, bay Bad na h-Ùige ND0737, Bealach Ùige NG4464<br />
uillt see allt Bad an Uillt ND2044<br />
uinnseann nm uinnseinn g ash tree Allt an Uinnseinn NC3856, Cnoc an Uinnseinn NN5517<br />
ùird see òrd Beinn Ùird NS3998, Cnoc an Ùird NH5341<br />
uisge nm uisgean, uisgeachan pl water, rain, river Uisge Dhubh NH0038<br />
ulaidh nf ulaidhe g ulaidhean pl treasure Tom na h-Ulaidhe NN5811, Creagan na h-Ulaidh NH2623<br />
ùr adj new, fresh, recent Meall Ùr a' Bhorraich NG7137<br />
ùruisg nm ùruisge g ùruisgean pl water spirit Sruthan an Ùruisge NR5979<br />
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