Book “The Gaelic Place Names and Heritage of Inverness”
Softback book by Roddy Maclean (Ruairidh MacIlleathain) about the city, Gaelic language and heritage of Inverness.
2009.44.4
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Tag Archives: place names
2006.56.11
Paperback book `The Place-names of Argyll` by Ian A. Fraser.
An historical persepctive on the place-names of Argyll.
2004.99.1
Audio cassette recording of Gilleasbuig Kennedy, West Hynish talking to Maggie Campbell in June 2004.
(Continued from AC354) Gilleasbuig Kennedy of West Hynish talks to Maggie Campbell in June 2004 about the area round his house at ‘Na Cuiltean’, the place-names of West Hynish, the dangers of submerged rocks in the sea around the township, his memories of his father teaching him the markers to guide the boat in safety, and a visit to Skerryvore when he climbed the lighthouse.
2004.85.1
Paperback book `PlaceNames of Scarp` by John MacLennan edited by Calum J. Mackay.
Place-names of the island of Scarp off Harris.
1999.266.2
Booklet `Ainmean Aite an Eilein Ruim` by Peadar Morgan.
List of the place-names of Rum with their correct Gaelic spelling, their pronounciation and meaning.
1999.296.3
Paperback book `The Isle of Mull – Placenames, Meanings and Stories` by Charles Maclean.
Facts and stories about the place-names on Mull giving an insight into the turbulent history of Mull through the centuries.
1997.274.6
Paperback book `Place names on maps of Scotland and Wales`.
A glossary of the most common Gaelic and Scandinavian elements used on maps of Scotland and of the most common Welsh elements used on maps of Wales.
De-accessioned 21.3.2026.
1997.274.4
Paperback book `Discovering Place-names` by John Field.
A guide to over 1500 place-names in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
De-accessioned 21.3.2026.
1997.274.5
Paperback book `Scottish Place-Names` by W. F, H, Nicolaisen.
A study of Scottish place-names and their significance.
De-accessioned 21.3.2026.
1997.274.3
Extract from ‘The History of the Celtic Place-Names of Scotland’ by William J. Watson
Transcription of an extract from ‘The History of the Celtic Place-Names of Scotland’ by William J. Watson.
Courtesy of Birlinn Ltd
The origin of the name Tiree is still a mystery. It is commonly said to come from the Gaelic ‘Tir iodh’, the land of corn, because of the island’s fertility. Another derivation is ‘Tir-Idhe’, the granary of Iona; a monastery established by St Columba on Tiree supplied grain to his headquarters on Iona.
Both of these explanations are probably wrong. William Watson, Professor of Celtic at Edinburgh University for over twenty years, wrote the book ‘The Celtic Place Names of Scotland’, which is still regarded as the most reliable source on the subject.
He believed the name came from ‘Tir’, Gaelic for land, and ‘Heth’ from an earlier language. In 1878 the official spelling was changed by the Post Office from Tyree to Tiree to avoid confusion with Tyrie in Aberdeenshire.