Urquhart and Glenmoriston
Olden Times in a Highland Parish

[571]

URQUHART AND GLENMORISTON PLACE-NAMES.

WHILE the great bulk of the place-names of the Parish are Gaelic, and easy of explanation, there are some which it is difficult, if not impossible, to satisfactorily interpret. A few of these go back to the time of the sway of the Picts, and some of them at least are remains of the Pictish language, which prevailed in the district of which Urquhart and Glenmoriston forms a part, before the introduction of Gaelic by the early Irish missionaries. (See p. 8 supra). The Teutonic element in our place-names is inconsiderable, and belongs, not to the Norse period, but to later times. Indeed, the Norse do not appear to have ever obtained a footing in the Parish. The Pictish language, as is now maintained by most Celtic scholars, notably Dr Whitley Stokes, belonged to the Brittonic branch of the Celtic, and was nearly allied to ancient Welsh, the main peculiarities of which it presents in the few remains that we have of it.

In names which are not represented by any significant or understood words in modern Gaelic or Welsh, we must resort to analysis of them into one or more roots, keeping in view the historical development of the Celtic languages within the last two thousand years.

What is the etymology of the words URQUHART and GLEN MORISTON — in Gaelic, URCHUDAINN and GLEANNA-MOIREASDAINN?

[572] The old fanciful etymology of Urquhart - Ur-chMainn (earthen tub, from the supposed tub-like form of the lower part of Glen Urquhart), must be discarded. The name appears in Adamnan’s Life of Columba (seventh century) as Airchartdan, whence an early Gaelic Urchardan naturally results, followed by the present Urchadainn, which appears in Blaeu’s Atlas (seventeenth century) as Wrchoden. It is divisible into three parts — first, the prefix air, by, upon, which becomes ur before a consequent broad vowel (cf. ur-chair, for air-cur, “on-cast,” a throw, a shot); second, the root cartd, or card; and, thirdly, the suffix an. We are justified, from its Gaelic pronunciation, to regard the root as card. In modern Welsh this would be cardd, and the language actually possesses this root, with its requisite suffix, in cardden, a brake, thicket. The name Urquhart, as originally pronounced, would thus mean in Welsh “By the brake” or “Brake-side” — or, possibly wider in Pictish, “By the wood” or “Wood-side” — an apt enough description, probably, of the first settlement in a glen which is now well covered with timber, and which in former times was even more densely wooded. In Wales Argoed, that is Ar-coed, “By the wood,” or “Wood-side,” is a common name. In connection with this interpretation of Urchadainn it may be helpful to keep in view the other Highland place-names containing cardan. There are three or four places called Kincardine. The Gaelic here is Cinn-chardainn; the accent is on the card (unlike Urquhart, which, as usual with prepositional compounds, has the accent on the first syllable), and hence the root is better preserved in Kincardine. The Gaelic cinn, which is the locative case of ceann (head), and is the correct form in place-names, has evidently in Kincardine replaced a Pictish Penn-cardan. Urquhart, as has been said, is written Airchartdan by Adamnan. In 1215 the Pope writes it Urchard, since which time it variously appears as Hurchard, Wrquhart, Wrchoden, Urquhart.

The name Moriston, Gaelic Moireasdainn, contained in Glen moriston, does not yield its secret easily to the philologist. The river doubtless gives name to the Glen, and it is usual to explain Moriston as Moir-easan, “of great waterfalls,” which is probably correct. The st in Moriston is perfectly explainable, for it arises from simple s, as in struth for sruth, a stream. The real difficulty is with the termination an, which is of comparatively late introduction as a mark of the plural. Archibald Grant, the Glenmoriston bard, poetically describes the Glen in one of his songs as Gleannan Iur nam mor eas — "the verdant glen of great water-falls.” In 1345 Moriston is written “Morchen,” which would seem to show that the t had not then established itself. In 1478, how ever, Glenmoriston was written as it is to-day.

[573] The names of the two divisions of the Parish having thus been discussed, other place-names will now be considered. They have received but indifferent consideration from those who are responsible for the Ordnance Survey of the Parish, by whom they have in many cases been badly handled and mutilated. It will be observed that the suffix aidh or idh enters largely into them. We may take it as equivalent to “place of.” It is really the dative plural, or locative plural, of the noun, which was a common way of denoting locality in the ancient languages (cf. Cataobh, Sutherland; Gallaobh, Caithness; bettlaobh, in front).

I. RIVERS AND STREAMS

Abhainn Choilltidh — River Coilty: the river of Coilltidh, which means “the place of woods,” locative plural of collie.
Abhainn Do — River Do, pronounced like English doe. Etymology unknown. Probably Pictish. Cf. English dew, root dhav.
Abhainn Eanairig — River Enerick. Etymology unknown. Probably Pictish. Compare river Enrick in Galloway, and river Endrick in Stirlingshire.
Abhainn Loinn — River Loyne, The word Loinn shows the locative case of lann, a glade, an open place.
Abhainn Mhoireasdainn — River Moriston. Already discussed. See above.
Allt a’ Bhodaich — The Burn or Stream of the Old Man, or Goblin.
Allt a’ Chiacharain — Water Ousel Burn.
Allt Dhilbheach — Divach Burn, noted for its fail. No conjecture can be offered as to meaning. Compare the Banffshire Divie, and the Welsh Dyfi, both streams.
Allt an Dànain — The Burn of the little Dun, or hillock, or fort. Famous for its Hag (see p. 424).
Allt Gille Phadruig Gobha — Gille Phadruig Gobha’s Burn (see p. 103).
Allt a’ Phuili — The Burn of the Pool — that is, of Polmaily, which see.
Allt an Tairbh — The Burn of the Bull — Bullburn.
Allt Eirie — The Stream of eiric, or compensation.
Ailt nan Eoin — The Stream of the Birds.
Allt na Fiacail — The Stream of the Tooth.
Allt an Fhithich — The Raven’s Stream.
Allt nan Gadaich — The Thieves’ Stream.
Allt na Muic — The Pig’s Stream — an echo, perhaps, of the time when the wild boar was found in Glenmoriston, where we find Srân Muic (the Pig’s Point), and Creag an
Tuirc (the Boar’s Rock). [574]
Allt Giubhais — The Stream of the Fir. The scene of Allan of Lundie’s leap (see p. 130).
Allt Iarairidh — The Stream of the Western Shieiing. See lar airidh.
Allt Mor — The Great Burn, Bunloit. At one time called Uaileig. See Inbher-Uaileig.
Allt Mullach — The High Burn; or A lit Mollach, the Rough Burn.
Allt Ruadh — The Red Burn.
Allt Saigh — Saigh, pronounced like English sigh. Probably Allt Sathaidh—Burn of the thrusting, or piercing, or transfixing.
Allt Stiortaig — Probably the Burn of much sound. Cam-allt — The Winding Burn.

II. Lochs, &c.

Loch Asalaich — The Loch of Supplication.
Loch a’ Bhainne — The Loch of Milk.
Loch a’ Bheallaich — The Loch of the Defile or Pass.
Loch na Ba Ruaidhe — The Loch of the Red Cow.
Loch nam Bat — The Loch of the Sticks, or Cudgels.
Loch na Beinne Bàna — The Loch of the White Ben or Mountain.
Loch nam Breac Dearg — The Loch of the Red Trout.
Loch nan Cat — The Loch of the (wild) Cats.
Loch a’ Chaise The Loch of Cheese.
Loch a’ Chràthaich — The Loch of the Crathach, which see.
Lochan a’ Chrois — The Loch of the Cross. See footnote, p. 460.
Loch Cluainidh — The Loch of Cluainidh, which see.
Loch n a Criche — The Loch of the March, or Boundary.
Loch na Cuilce — The Loch of Builriishes, or Canes.
Loch an Dubhair — The Loch of the Shade.
Loch nan Eun — The Loch of Birds.
Loch nam Faoileag — The Loch of Gulls. There are several lochs of this name in the Parish.
Loch na Feannaig — The Loch of the Hooded Crow.
Loch nan Gobhar — The Loch of the Goats.
Loch Gorm — The Blue Loch.
Loch Loinn — Loch Loyne. See under Abhainn Loinn.
Loch Lunndaidh — The Loch of Lunndaidh, which see.
Loch Mastac — Obscure, but probably Loch mo Stac — the Loch of my Peak or Precipice.
Loch a’ Mheig — The Loch of Whey.
Loch nam Meur— The Loch of Branches or Arms. There are two of the name in the Parish, both of which are “branched” or irregular in form.
Loch Mhiachdlaidh — Loch Meiklie: the Loch of Miackdlaidh which see, [575]
Loch Nis — Loch Ness. For the legendary origin see pp. 5-7. The word is in Gaelic pronounced “Neesh,” not Ness. Adamnan wrote it Nisa, or Nesa; and in the 12th century, and down to the 16th, the usual spelling is Nis or Nys. The word is not derived from the Fall of Foyers — an-Eas (pronounced “ess”) — as has been imagined. Keeping in view what was said at the beginning of this Appendix as to analysis, Adamnan’s Nisa or Nesa must, according to Celtic phonetics, stand for an original Nesta (Nestis?). The st, again, has to be analysed into either ts or ds. Thus we get the root net, or ned, the latter of which suits our case, for it appears in the Sanskrit nadi, a river. There was a Greek Neda; Nestos or Nessus was the river bounding Macedonia on the east; and Nessonis was a lake of Thessaly. The German word allied is netzen, to wet. One is tempted to think of the mythic Ness, mother of Conchobar or Conachar Mac Nessa, who is associated with Loch Ness in one of the old hero-tales (see p. 5). She seems to have been a river-goddess, for she gave birth to Conchobar under extraordinary circumstances by the river Conchobar (“High-foam,” Foaming), whence he derived his name. The worship of rivers, as we know from Gildas, and from river names such as Dee (goddess), and Don (Diana), was prevalent among the Celts. Loch Ness is called after the river Ness, as is always the case with loch and river; but Adamnan insists on it — Nisae fluminis lacum — the lake of the river Ness.
Loch nan Oighrean — The Loch of Cloud-berries.
Loch an t-Sionnaich — The Loch of the Fox.
Loch an Tart — The Loch of the Drought.

III. MOUNTAINS, HILLS, &c. (The figures indicate height, in feet).

A’ Bheinn Bhân — The White Ben or Mountain.
A’ Bheinn Bhreac — The Speckled Mountain.
A’ Bheinn Liath — The Grey Mountain.
A’ Bheinn Shleamhainn — The Slippery Mountain.
An Cragan Daraich — The Oak Rock. Gave his name to Iain a’ Chragain. See p. 206.
An Cragan Soillear — The Bright or glistening Rock.
An Cràthach — The marshy, wild, ugly place. The scene of Cailleach a’ Chràthaich’s exploits. See p. 422.
A’ Chreag Ard — The High Rock.
A’ Chreag Mhor — The Great Rock.
A’ Chreag Dhearg — The Red Rock.
An Cruachan (1503) — Diminutive of Cruach, a high hill, [576]
An Suidhe — The Seat. See foot note, p. 336.
Ard an t-Suaimhneis — The Height of Repose.
An Torran Daraich — The Oak Knoll.
Beinn nan Eoin — The Mountain of the Birds.
Carn a’ Ghluasaid (3115) — Carn, a cairn, or heap, meaning here a mountain-mass; Cluasad, motion, moving; Carn a’ Giduasaid, the moving carn or the carn of the removal.
Carn na Fiacail — The Carn of the Tooth.
Carn na h-Iolaire — The Eagle’s Carn.
Carn Mhic-an-Toisich (2221) — Mackintosh’s Carn.
Carn Tarsuin — The Cross Carn, or carn running across. There are two in the Parish — one crossing from Glen-Urquhart in the direction of Glenmoriston, and another from
Glenmoriston to Abertarff.
Carn nan Caorach — The Carn of the Sheep.
Carn nam Mart — The Carn of the Cattle.
Carn a’ Mhadaidh Ruaidh — The Fox’s Carn.
Carn nan Earb -- The Carn of the Roe-deer.
Cnoc na h-Iolaire — The Eagle’s Hill, or Height.
Cnoc a’ Bhuachaille — The Herdsman’s Hill.
Cnoc a’ Chaisteil — The Castle Hill; site of old hill-fort at Corrimony.
Cnoc an t-Sabhail -- The Barn Hill. There are two in Glen Urquhart — one immediately behind Balmacaan House, and the other now called Hazel Brae.
Cragan an Teine — The Rock of the Fire.
Creag Achamhonaidh — The Rock of Achmonie. Which see.
Creag an Airgid — The Rock of Silver.
Creag a’ Choit — The Rock of the Boat. See p. 131.
Creag nan Eun — The Rock of the Birds.
Creag an Fhithich — The Raven’s Rock.
Creag Giubhais — The Fir-bearing Rock. See p. 130.
Creag a’ Mhadaidh — The Rock of the Dog — perhaps of the Fox (Madadh-ruadh), or the Wolf (Madadh-alluidh), or the Otter (Madadh-donn).
Creag an Tuirc — The Rock of the (wild) Boar.
Creag Mhiachdlaidh — The Rock of Meiklie. See under Miachd.. laidh.
Craig Néidh — Craig Nay. Creag an Eighe—the Ice Rock—is an unsatisfactory solution of this difficult name. Néidh is probably Pictish, and its meaning lost.
Cruachan Lunndaidh — The Hill of Lundie. See An Cruachan, and Lunndaidh.
Dun Screabainn — Dun Screpin — Hill Fort at Grotaig. Gaelic screab, means “a blotch;“ but screabainn is obscure, and is probably Pictish. [577]
Glas Bheinn — The Grey Mountain; in Glenmoriston.
Leac a’ Bhainne — Leac, a slope or declivity; bainne, milk. The Milky Slope.
Leac nam Buidheag — Leac, slope; buidheag, daisy. The Slope of Daisies.
Leac nan Oighrean — The Slope of Cloud-berries.
Mao a’ Mhill — Son of the Meall — that is, Mealfuarvonie. See Meall na Fuar Mhonaidh, and Nighean a’ Mhill.
Meall na Criche (2224) — Meall, a lump, applied to a round mountain or large hill. Criche, of the march. The Meali of the March (between Glenmoriston and Corrimony).
Meall Daileig — The Meall of the Little Dale.
Meall nan Eilid — The Meall of the Hinds.
Meall na Fuar Mhonaidh (2283)—Mealfuarvonie. The Meall of the Cold Moor. Near it are Mac a’ Mhill, and Nighean a’ Mhill, which see.
Meall nan Oighrean — The Meall of the Cloud-berries.
Nighean a’ Mhill — Mealfuarvonie’s Daughter. See under Mac a’ Mhill.

Sgurr nan Conbhairean (2635) — The Peak of the Dog-men, or Hunters. The Sgurr forms the march between the Parish and the parishes of Kintail and Kilmorack. A tradition tells that Glenmoriston was at one time the hunting ground of the Feinne, or Fingalians, who used to meet in the morning at Sgurr nan Conbhairean in the far west, and close the day at Ach’ nan Conbhairean (the Hunters’ Field) above Invermoriston — having followed the dogs for a distance, as the crow flies, of about twenty miles. A wood on the Abertarff side of the Glen is called Collie na Feinne — the Wood of the Feinne. In the immediate vicinity of Sgurr nan Conbhairean is a hill called Tigh Mor na Seilge — the Great House of the Hunting. These names may have originated when the lands of Oluanie, within which they are, were a royal forest. See p. 448.

Srbn Dubh Dhibheach — The Black Point of Divach.
Suidh Ghuirmein — Gorman’s Seat. See p. 336.
Suidh Mheircheird — Merchard’s Seat. See p. 323, and footnote p. 336.
Tom an t-Sabhail — The Barn Knoll. The first place of residence of the Grants of Glenmoriston. See p. 124.
Tbrr na Sidhe — Torr, a conical hill; Sidlie, of the Fairies. The
Hill of the Fairies. The Tôrr gives name to the farm of
Tornashee, and to Muileann an Thir — Mill of Tore. The Tôrr bears marks of ancient fortifications. [578]
Torran nan Gillean — The Young Men’s Knoll. The scene of the slaughter of the Gow Mor’s sons. See

IV.        GLENS AND CORRIES.

An Gleann Fada — Glen Fada: the Long Glen.
Gleanna Coilltidh — Glen Coilty. See under Abhainn Choilltidh.
Gleann Loinn — Glen Loyne. See under Abhainn Loiun.
Gleanna Moireasdainn — Glenmoriston. Already discussed. See p. 572.
Glean; Urchadainn — Glen-Urquhart. Urquhart discussed above, p. 572.
An Garbh Choire — The Rough Corrie.
An Coire Beag — The Little Corrie.
An Coire Mor — The Large Corrie.
An Coire Buidhe — Corribuy: the Yellow Corrie. the Fight of Corribuy. See p. 222.
An Coire Liath — The Grey Corrie.
An Coire Riabhach — The Brindled Corrie.
An Coire Giubhais — The fir-bearing Corrie.
Coire Bodach nan Gobhar — The Corrie of the The Seeiie of Old Man of the Goats.
Coire Dho — The Corrie of the (river) Dho, which see.
Coire Dhomhnuill Bhain — Fair Donald’s Corrie.
Coire Mheadhain — The Mid Corrie.
Coire Mhonaidh — Corrimony: Monie’s Corrie. See p. 10.
Coire nam Brach — The Corrie of the Maltings.
Coire nan Laogh — The Corrie of the Calves.
Coire na h-Eig — The Corrie of Death.
Coire an Lochan Uaine — The Corrie of the Green Lakelet.
Coire Sgrainge — The Corrie of Gloom.

V. TOWNSHIPS FARMS PASTURAGES, &c.

Acha’ Dibbeach — Achadh, a field, a plain, a meadow — the Field of Divach. See “Divach.”
Achlain: Acha’ Leathann — The Broad Field. In 1509 written “Auchlayn.”
Achtuie: Acha’ Dubhaidh — Achadh, a field; dubh, black; aidh, place or places. The Field of the Black (heathery?) Places.
Achmonie: Ach a’ Mhonaidh — The Field of the Moor. In 1 334 written Auchrnumie; in 1451, Auchmony; in 1554, Awchmonye.
Achnababane: Ach’ na Ba Bàine—The Field of the White Cow.
Achnaconeran: Ach’ nan Conbhairean — See under Sgurr nan Conbhairean. [579]
Achnahannet: Ach’ na h-Anoid — The Field of the Church. See p. 336.
Achstruy: Acha’ Sruthaidh — Sruth-aidh, the Place of Streams, the Field of the Place of Streams.
Achintemarack: Ach’ an t-Seamarag — Shamrock Field. In 1509 written Auchintamarag.
Ach’ an t-Seagail — Rye Field.
Allanfearn: An t-Ailean Fearn — Ailean, a meadow, and fearn, the alder tree. The Meadow of Alders.
Allanmore: An t-Ailean Mor — The Large Meadow.
An Cul Srathan — The Back Little Strath.
An Duibh Leathad — Dubh, black, and leathad, the side of a ridge. The Black Ridge-side.
An Garbh Leitir — Garbh, rough; leitir, a hill-side. The Rough Hill-side.
Aonach — High Bleak Place; or, probably here, the Fair, or Market, or Place of Gathering. The site of the old inn, visited by Johnson. Sec p. 457.
Ardachie: Ard-Achaidh — The High Field.
Badcaul: Am Bada Call’ — The Hazel Clump.
Balbeg: Am Baile Beag — Baile, a town or township, and beag little. The Little Township.
Baemore: Am Beithe Mor — The Large Birch Wood.
Balchraggan: Bail’ a’ Chragain — The Town of the Rock
Balintombuy: Bail’ an Tom Buidhe — The Town of the Yellow Knoll.
Bail’ an t-Srathain — The Town of the Little Strath.
Ballintrom: Bail’ an Droma — Druim, a ridge. The Town of the Ridge.
Balmacaan — Pronounced Balla mac A-han. In 1509 written Ballymakauchane, i.e., Baile Mac Eachainn, the Town of the Son of Hector. See footnote, p. 65.
Balnaban: Baile nam Ban — The Town of the Women.
Balnacarn: Baile nan Carn — The Town of the Cairns (of stone).
Balnacraig: Baile na Craige — The Town of the Craig (Craig Nay).
Balnafettack: Baile na Feadaig — The Town of the Plover.
Balnaglaic: Baile na Glaic — The Town of the Hollow.
Balnagrantach: Bale nan Granntach — The Town of the Grants. Grantown.
Balnalick: Baile na Lic — Leac, a flat stone, a declivity. The Town of the Flat Stone, or of the Declivity.
Balnalurgin: Baile na Lurgainn — The Town of the Long Low Ridge.
Balnain: Bail’ an Athainn — The Town of the Kiln.
Blairbeg: Am Blàr Beag — The Little blair, or Plain [580]
Blairie: Blàr-aidh — The Place of Small Plains. In 1345 written Blare; in 1509, Blaree.
Bearnock: Bearnaig — Bearn, a gap, or pass. The small gap or pass.
Blàr an Aonaich — The Plain of the High Bleak Place; or the Market Plain. See Aonach.
Blàr na Geilt — The Plain or Field of Terror. See footnote, p. 10.
Borlum: Am Borlum — Corruption of Bordland, a name evidently given by the old Southron keepers of Urquhart Castle to the farm of old attached to the Castle. In 1509
written “Bord lande of Urquhart.” “Bordlands signifies the desmenes which lords keep in their hands for the maintenance of their board or table.” (Cowell’s Law Dictionary).
Boglashin: Both Ghlas-bheinn — Both, a hut (Joyce’s “Irish Names of Places”); Glas, grey; and beinn, a mountain. The Hut (shieling) of the Grey Rock or Mountain; probably the old name of the rock at the foot of which the township lies.
Braefield — Bad translation of Baile na Bruthaich, the Town of the Brae.
Breakachie: Am Breac Achaidh — The Speckled Field.
Breakrie: Am Breac Airidh — The Speckled Shieling.
Bunloyne: Bun Loinn — Bun, the lower part. The lower part or mouth of the (River) Loyne.
Bunloit: Bun Leothaid — Bun, lower part, and leathad, the side of a ridge. The Lower Part of the Ridge-side. In 1509 written “Bunloade.”
Carnach — The Stony Place. The site of the Stone Circle of Corrimony.
Carrachan — The Place of Stone Circles. The west end of Wester Milton, where there were several stone circles.
Cartaly: Car Dàlaidh — Daly’s Circle. See p. 5. In 1334 written Cartaly. In 1509, Gartale.
Ceannacroc: Ceanna Chnoc—The End Hillock.
Cluanie: Cluain-idh — Cluain, a green, meadowy, pasture-land. The Place of Green Pasture-lands. In 1509 written Cluny.
Clunebeg: A’ Chluain Bheag. The Little, green, meadowy Pasture-land.
Clunemore: A’ Chluain Mhor — The Large, green, meadowy Pasture-land. In 1509 written Mekle Clune.
Coille Chorcaidh — Collie, a wood; corc-aidh, the place of oats. The Wood of the Place of Oats. Compare with Seagalaidh (Shewglie), the Place of Rye.
Coinneachan — The Mossy Place.
Corrish: An Coins. Evidently a d derivative of Coire, a corrie.
Craskaig — Crasg, a pass or crossing. The Little Pass. [581]
Craskie — Crasg, a pass or crossing. The Little Pass, or the Place of Passes.
Croit Adamnan — Adamnan’s Croft. See p. 335.
Croit Mo Chrostain — St Drostan’s Croft. See p. 326.
Croit na Crlche — March Field.
Culanloan: Cal an Loin — The Back of the Meadow.
Culnakirk: Cul na Circ — Literally, the Back of the Hen. A rock at Culnakirk is called Uragain na Circ, the Rock of the (grouse) Hen.
Dalgrigack: Dail Griogaig — The Pebbly Dale or Field.
Dalmonie, at Corrimonie: Dail Mhonaidh — Monie’s Field. See p. 10.
Dalmore: An Dail Mhor — The Large Field.
Dalriach: An Dail Riahhach. The Brindled Field.
Divach—In 1509 written Deveauch. See Alit Dhibheach.
Druim a’ Bhile — Druim, a ridge; bile, an edge, applied to the seamargin or terrace between Pitkerrald and the public road between Drumnadrochit and Blairbeg. The Ridge of
the Terrace.
Drumbuie: An Druim Buidhe — The Yellow Ridge. In 1344 written Drumboy.
Drumclune: Druim a’ Chluain — The Ridge of the green, meadowy, Pasture-land.
Drumcore: Dritim na Corr — The Ridge of the Crane (bird).
Druim na Cuirt — The Ridge of the Court.
Druim a’ Chruithneachd — The Ridge of the Wheat.
Drumnadrochit: Druim na Drochaid — The Ridge of the Bridge. First on record in 1730.
Dulchreichard — The first syllable here, and in Duldreggan and Duishangie, is Dul (pronounced döâl in Gaelic), and not Dun, or Dal, or Del, as now sometimes erroneously
written. All these duls are flats or meads by the side of a river. The word is usually regarded as a corrupt form of the Gaelic dail, itself borrowed from the Norse dalr, a dale. It appears, however, to be of Pictish origin — the same as do’, which the Brittonic languages all have for meadow, a low fertile spot, a dale. A writer on Welsh place-names says: "The word (dol) is found in names of places situate in valleys all over Wales, Cornwall, and Brittany.” He might have added the valleys of Urquhart and Glenmoriston. In Perthshire, also, the word appears in its naked simplicity as Dull. The meaning of Creichard is unknown. The word is probably Pictish. In 1509 Dulchreichard is written Tullclechart.
Duldreggan —The Dul, or Meadow of the Dragon. See under Dulchreichard. In 1509 Duldreggan is written Duldragin, and the dul — one of the few Pictish words we possess
— [582] regularly appears in documents until last century, when, unfortunately, from an etymological point of view, it began to give place to Dal, Del, and, more recently, Dun.
Dulshangie — For the first syllable, see under Dulchreichard and Duldreggan.. In 1345 written Dulschangy, and the Dul continues until last century, when, in writings, it began to give place to Dal and Del. Shangie cannot be explained, and, like the other Duls, is probably Pictish.
Eskard: An t-Eascard -- In Ireland Eiscir, meaning a sandy ridge, enters largely into place-names (Joyce). Eskard, which is a gravelly ridge, is probably the same word.
Garabeg: An Garadh Beag — The Little Enclosure.
Gortan Eachainn — Gortan, diminutive of gort, a garden, a small field. Eachann, Hector. Hector’s Garden. See footnotes p. 65.
Grotaig, from groci, rotten, a locative feminine, signifying the Rotten Place!
Iarairidh — Iar, west, western; airidh, shieling. The Western Shieling. Gives name to Ailt Iarairidh (which see);
BlarIarairidb, the Plain of Iarairidh;
Coir Iarairidh, the Corrie of Iarairidh; and Eas Iarairidh, the Fall of Iarairidh.
Inohbrine: Innis a’ Bhraoin — Ianis, a sheltered grazing, a meadow by a stream. Braon, rain, a drizzle. The Drizzly Meadow. In 1345 written Inchebrene; in 1509, in the plural,
Inch brunys.
Inchtellich: An t-Innis t-Seileich -- The Meadow of Willows.
Inchvalgar: Innis a’ Bhalgair — The Meadow of the Fox.
lnvercaochan: Inbhir a’ Chaochain—Inbhir, mouth of a river or stream ; caoc/mn, a streamlet. The Mouth of the Streamlet. The site of the old inn at Ruiskich.
Invermoriston : Inbhir Mhoireastainn — The Mouth of the Moriston. In 1345 written Invermorchen.
Inveruaileig — The Mouth of the Uaileig, the ancient name of the Allt Mor of Bunloit.
Inverwick (pronounced Inner-vuichd): Inbhir Bhuic — The Mouth of the Buic (stream). May be buic, “of the buck” — the Mouth of the Buck’s Stream. In 1509 written
Innerwik; in 1679, Innervuick.
Kerrowdown: An Ceathramh Donn Ceathramh, a quarter (quarter davach); donn, brown. The Brown Quarter-Davach. For davach, see p. 440.
Kerrowgair: An Ceathramh Geàrr — The Short Quarter-Davach. In 1509 written Karowgar.
Kilmartin — Name given in 1884 to Lakefield (of old called Meiklies, and Craskaig) by Mr Campbell, the present proprietor, after his family’s old estate in Argyleshire. [583]
Kilmichael: Cill Mhicheil. The Cell of the Archangel Michael. See pp. 116 and 337. In 1554 written Killmichaeil. See Appendix C.
Kilmore: A’ Chille Mhor — The Great Cell. The Parish Church. See pp. 337 and 341. In 1693 written Kyllemoir. From the church, the Parish of Urquhart and Glenmoriston
was some times called the Parish of Kilmore. The name has no connection with the Virgin Mary (Moire), as Shaw, the historian of Moray, supposed.
Kil St Ninian -- St Ninian’s Cell. See p. 336. In 1509 written Kill Sanct Ninian: in 1553, Kylsanctninaine. Now, in Gaelic, Cill an Trinnein, and the district, Slios an Trinnein. See footnote, p. 321.
Lag a’ Bhile, at Drumnadrochit — Lag, a hollow; Bile, a terrace. The Hollow of the Terrace. See Druim a’ Bhile.
Lag a’ Mhurtair — Lag, a hollow; murtair, a murderer. The Murderer’s Hollow.
Lag an Trotain — The Hollow of the Trotting.
Lag an t-Seapail — The Hollow of the Chapel. See p. 336.
Lag nan Cuspairean — The Hollow of the Archers. See footnote, p. 10.
Lagganbane: An Lagan Bàn—Lagan, a small hollow; ban, white. The White Small Hollow.
Lakefield — English name given in end of eighteenth century to the lands of Meiklie and Craskaig.
Lenie — Lean, or leana, a wet or swampy meadow. Lean-aidh, the place of wet meadows.
Lewistown — English name given to village founded by Sir James Grant at Blar na Maigh (the Plain of the Plain). See Moy, and p. 443.
Livisie: Libheisidh — Probably from liqhe, flood, fulness or over flowing of a stream—the place of overflowing of water.
Loanmore: An Lon Mhor—Lon, a meadow. The Great Meadow. Lon na Fala — The Meadow of Blood. The scene of the fight
between Allan of Lundie and the i\lackenzie.3 See p. 130.
Lochletter: Lbch-leitir — Lôch, an old adjective signifying “dark,” as in Lbchaidh, the river Lochy; leitir, a hill-side. The Dark Hill-side. Lochletter is notably dark — "behind the sun.”
Lossit: An Losaid — "Losaid, or in an Anglicised form, losset, is the Irish word for a kneading-trough. . . . The word is applied to a well-tilled and productive field, or to good rich land. A farmer will call such a field a losset, because he sees it covered with rich produce, like a kneading.trough with dough . . . In the form of Losset it is the name of a dozen townlands, in various counties from Donegal tQ Tipperary.” (Joyce’s “Irish Names of Places.”) [584]
Lundie:             Lunndaidh — There is a Lundie in Glennioriston (the Lunndadh nam bo, Lundie of the cows, of the Bard — see p. 531), and a Torran Lunndaidh, in Brae
Ruiskich. There is also Lundie in Glengarry, Lundy parish in Forfar, Lundie Loch and Hill in Sutherland, and Lundin in Fife. A Pictish word, probably; cf. London.
Lurga nam Broc — Lurga, or Lurgan, a long low ridge; broc, a badger. The Badger’s Ridge.
Meiklie: Miachdlaidh — (See Kilmartin, and Lakefield). In 1509 called “the four Meiklies.” Meaning unknown. Probably Pictish.
Millness: Muileann an Eas — The Mill of the Waterfall.
Milton: Bail’ a’ Mhuilinn — The Town of the Mill.
Moy: A’ Mhoigh — The Plain. Moy lies behind Lewistown, which in Gaelic is called Blar na Maigh, the Plain of Moy, or, literally, the Plain of the Plain.
Mill of Tore: Muileann an Tuir — Called after Tôrr na Sidhe, which see.
Pitkerrald — In 1509 written Petcarill; in 1660, Petkerrel. There were three Pitkerralds — Pitkerrald Chapel, belonging to the Church; Pitkerrald Croy; and Pitkerrald Mor, now Allanmore. Pet or Pit, a Pictish word, which appears in the Book of Deer (11th century), for farm, or town. Pit Chaoraill (now in Gaelic, called Dali Chaoraill)—St Cyril’s Town. See p. 336.
Poll a’ Ghaorr — The Pool of Gore. See footnote, p. 10.
Polmaily: Polla Mhàilidh — Màlie’s Pool. Mulie, the name of a saint. Compare Kilmalie in Lochaber.
Rue: An Rudha — Tlie Promontory.
Ruigh ‘Bhainne — Ruiqh, a reach or gentle slope; bainne, milk. The Slope of the Milk—the Milky Reach or Slope.
Ruigh 'Bhathaich — The Slope of the Byre, or Cow-house.
Ruigh Chragain — The Slope of the Rock.
Ruigh Gorm — The Green (literally, Blue) Slope.
Ruigh ‘Ic ‘Ille Mhoire — The Slope of the Servant of (the Virgin) Mary — Anglicised, Morrison.
Ruigh Laurais: Laurence’s Slope — See p. 72.
Ruiskich: Rusgaich — Rusg, a marsh. The Fenny or Marshy Place. A name common in Ireland (Joyce). Also known in Perthshire.
Scorguie: Sgbr Gaoithe — The Windy Skerry.
Shanval: Seann Bhaile — Old Town.
Shewglie: Seagalaidh — Seagal, rye. The Place of Rye.
Srathan Allt na Fiacail — The Little Strath of Alit na Fiacail, which see. [585]
Strathan a’ Bhranndair — The Little Strath of the Brander, or Gridiron. A field at Wester Milton divided into long, narrow allotments. Probably called from the resemblance of its stripes to the marks of a brander on, say, oatcake.
Strath-nan-Cno — The Strath of the Nuts.
St Ninians — See Kil St Ninian.
Strone: in Gaelic, Srôn a’ Chaisteil — The Point or Promontory of the Castle.
Tigh an Leothaid — The House of (on) the Leathad, or Ridge-side.
Tigh an Teampuill — Temple House. (See p. 336). The “House” was probably the residence of the cleric who officiated in the Ten iple, or St Ninian’s Chapel.
Tobar Mhàrstaig — Marstaig’s Well.
Tobar Ruigeard — Ruigard’s (Richard?) Well.
Torgoil: Torr a’ Ghoul — The Knoll of the Stranger, or Lowlander.
Tornashee -- See Torr na Sidhe, under Mountains, &c.
Tornabrack: Torr nam Brachd — Probably Torr nam Breach. Breach, Irish for wolf (Joyce). The Tor of the Wolves.
Tullich: An Tullaich — The Hillock.
Tychat: Tigh a’ Chait — The Cat’s House.
Tynaherrick: Tigh na h-Adhraic — The House of the Horn.
Uppertown — Translation of Am Bail’ Uachdrach — The Upper Town.

Appendix V