Gairloch in North-West Ross-Shire / Its Records, Traditions, Inhabitants, and Natural History, with a Guide to Gairloch and Loch Maree, and a Map and Illustrations

by John H. Dixon

CONTENTS.

List of Illustrations	[xi]
Glossary of Gaelic Names and Words	[xxvii]
Introduction.
Extent of Gairloch parish—Name—Curious muddle about "the Gairloch"—Name used in four senses—Attractions of Gairloch—Loch Maree—Superficial observation of tourists—A party declare they have "seen Loch Maree"—Inducements to longervisits—Credibility of old traditions—Gaelic names—Pronunciation—Interference with sportsmen and deerforests deprecated—Mountain ascents—Drawbacks to them—Shorter climbs recommended—Mania for exterminatingplants—Instances	[xliii]

Part I.—Records and Traditions of Gairloch.

Chapter I.—Early History.
Absence of ancient records—Giants in those days—Fingalian legends—Condition of Pictish aborigines—Their houses andimplements—Druids—Roman invasion—Pictish monarchy—Introduction of Christianity—StMaelrubha—Hermits of Isle Maree—Norse vikings—Norwegians and Danes—End of Norwegian rule in1263—The earls of Ross—Donald of the Isles—The Mackenzies	[3]
Chapter II.—The Tragedy of Isle Maree.
Scene laid in Isle Maree—The hermit saint—Prince Olaf—His fiery temper—Falls in love—Brings his brideto Isle Maree—Is compelled to leave her on an expedition—The white and black flags—Return of the prince—Jealousy of theprincess—Her scheme to test Olaf's affection—His madness on seeing the black flag—Thinking her dead he kills himself—Theprincess stabs herself and dies—Their graves on Isle Maree	[7]
Chapter III.—The Mackenzies of Kintail.
Two origins of the family of Mackenzie—The Cabar Feidh—Angus Mac Mhathain—Kenneth, first lord of Kintail—John, secondlord, shelters Robert Bruce—Kenneth of the Nose—Kenlochewe ravaged—Leod Mac Gilleandreis—Black Murdo of theCave—Joined by Gille Riabhach—Comes to Kenlochewe—Slays Leod Mac Gilleandreis and his followers—Athnan Ceann—Fe Leoid—Black Murdo of the Cave recovers Kintail—Murdo of the Bridge, fifth lord of Kintail—Alexanderthe Upright, father of Hector Roy, first laird of Gairloch—Skirmish of Beallach nam Brog—Residences of lordsof Kintail	[11]
Chapter IV.—Ewan Mac Gabhar, the Son of the Goat.
Ardlair—The cave of the king's son—Old Oighrig and her sonKenneth—The goat Earba nourishes Ewan in the cave—Flora andEwan come to Letterewe—Ewan's sword and mantle of state—Thelord of Kintail comes to hunt—Flora and Ewansuspected—Kenneth and Flora carried off to Eileandonain—Oighrig and Ewan conveyed to Colin MorGillespie—Colin Mor brings up Ewan—Great war against the queen widow of Olamh Mor—Ewan gets a command—His slenderpage—Mull plundered—The invaders surprised at night and captured—The queen condemns the chiefs to death—Ewan ledforth to die—The execution arrested—Ewan identified and proclaimed king—Prophecy fulfilled	[14]
Chapter V.—The Macraes of Kintail and Gairloch.
The Macraes settle in Kintail—Become Mackenzie's "shirt of mail"—The sons of Fortune—Assist in conquest ofGairloch—List of Macraes who fought for Gairloch—Effigy of Donald Odhair—Macraes renowned archers—Compared with Turkisharchers—The Macraes bore the dead bodies of their chiefs to burial—The last occasion of this—Curious statement	[19]
Chapter VI.—The MacBeaths.
MacBeaths from Assynt—Some still in Gairloch—Had severalstrongholds—Lochan nan Airm—Kintail men come to Loch Tollie—Shoot MacBeath's servant on the island—MacBeathflies—Is struck by an arrow—Kintail men stay a night on the island—Come through Gairloch—Report to their chief	[21]
Chapter VII.—The M'Leods of Gairloch.
The Siol Torquil—Claim to Gairloch—Legal title commenced 1430—MacBeaths expelled—The Tigh Dige—Strongholds ofthe M'Leods—Eilean Ruaridh—Allan M'Leod, laird of Gairloch—Murdered by his brothers at the "Hill of evilcounsel"—They also murder his two boys—The widow takes their bloody shirts to her father—Hector Roy takes the shirts to theking—Who gives Hector commission of fire and sword against the M'Leods—The M'Leods confined to one-third of Gairloch	[24]
Chapter VIII.—The Macdonalds in Gairloch.
Macdonalds, clansmen of Donald of the Isles—Probably some settledin Gairloch—Still in Gairloch and Alligin—Mac GilleRiabhaich—His cave—Story of his oak cudgel—Thesoubriquet Darach—His descendant, Darroch of Torridon—DonaldDubh Mac Gillechriosd Mhic Gille Riabhaich—Threatens HectorRoy—Slays Buchanan after Flodden Field	[27]
Chapter IX.—Hector Roy Mackenzie, first Laird of Gairloch.
Vision of the great chief and his bodyguard—His appearance andvalour—Obtains charter to Gairloch—Slays three M'Leods at"the Gairloch"—The battle of Park—Hector Roy and Big Duncanof the Axe—Hector Roy at Sauchieburn—He claimsKintail—Battle of Drum a Chait—Big Duncan againassists—Hector Roy outlawed—Assists Mac Cailean—Kneelsbefore the king—Grasps his hand—Is pardoned—Abandonshis claim to Kintail—Fight with M'Leods at BeallachGlasleathaid—Big Duncan and his son Dugal—Hector Royconquers part of Gairloch—Battle of Flodden—Clan Eachainn	[29]
Chapter X.—John Glassich Mackenzie and his Sons.
John Glassich brought up in Strathglass—ClaimsKintail—Refuses to join the royal standard—Apprehended byKenneth of Kintail—Iain Gearr's pluck—Death of JohnGlassich—Donald Gorme invades Kenlochewe—Hector andAlexander, sons of John Glassich, both slain	[36]
Chapter XI.—John Roy Mackenzie.
John Roy resembled his grandfather Hector—His youth—Visitshis mother, wife of Mackay—Goes with a bodyguard to Iain Liath atGlas Leitire—Lord Kintail abandons his hunt on the Glas Leitirehills—John Roy and Iain Liath go to Gairloch—Iain Dubh MacRuaridh M'Leod abandons the Gairloch dun—Struggles with theM'Leods—John Roy's family—His bodyguard composed of his twelve sons—Dealings withthe tithes of Gairloch—The Talladale ironworks—John Roy'sresidence—Visits Mackay—Mackay's piper becomes John Roy'spiper—Lord Mackenzie summons John Roy to Torridon—He staysthe night with his lordship—Proposed assassinationdeferred—John Roy's sons arrive and take him away—Allies ofGlengarry Macdonalds make an incursion to Kenlochewe—LordMackenzie visits John Roy—John Roy granted a remission by thecrown	[38]
Chapter XII.—Expulsion of the M'Leods from Gairloch.
Murchadh Riabhach na Cuirce—Slays Mac Iain DhuibhM'Leod—Ruaridh Mac Allan M'Leod assassinates Iain Mac GhilleChallum M'Leod and his sons by Janet Mackenzie—John Roy revengesthe murder—Expels the M'Leods from Gairloch—The Cnoc aChrochadair—The affair at Leac nan Saighead—Mor Banpersuades the M'Leods to invade Gairloch—They come to FraochEilean—Donald Odhar and his brother shoot them from Leac nanSaighead—Only two M'Leods escape in the birlinn—DonaldOdhar's long shot from Craig a Chait—Young M'Leod of Assynt asksJohn Roy's daughter for his wife—Is refused—Fionnla Dubh naSaighead insults him—The M'Leods return to take vengeance onFinlay—He and Chisholm shoot many of them—Finlay pursuesNeil M'Leod to the Bac an Leth-choin and shoots him at the Druim CarnNeill—Fight at Lochan an Fheidh—Affair at Raasay—MurdoMackenzie in his ship driven into Kirkton—Young M'Leod of Raasayand his companions visit him—All the party get drunk except fourGairloch men—A fight ensues—Murdo drowned—All on boardslain except three of the abstainers—They escape	[43]
Chapter XIII.—Alastair Breac, and his Son and Grandson.
Alastair Breac, a renowned warrior—Raids of cattlelifters—Iain Geal Donn proposes a raid on Gairloch—AlastairBuidhe Mackay intercepts him at Scardroy—Slays him and all his menexcept one—Alastair Breac sends the news to LordMackenzie—Cameron of Lochiel plans a raid on Gairloch inrevenge—Alastair Breac sends eighty men to oppose him, but he hasretired—Song composed to the Guard of the Black Corrie—CollaBan—In default of blackmail threatens raid on Gairloch—Hisspies are frightened by four Gairloch men at Luibmhor—Kenneth,sixth laird of Gairloch, fined as a "malignant"—Alexander, seventhlaird of Gairloch	[49]
Chapter XIV.—The Baronets of Gairloch and some other GairlochMackenzies.
Sir Kenneth, eighth laird of Gairloch—M.P. forRoss-shire—Sir Alexander, ninth laird of Gairloch—BuildsFlowerdale—The "Forty-five"—Murder of the Gille Buidhe,valet to Prince Charlie—Duncan Macrae conveys a keg of gold forPrince Charlie's use—The "sian"—English man-of-war fires atFlowerdale—Sir Alexander, tenth laird of Gairloch—BuildsConan House—His son called "Fighting Jack," the father of theBritish army—Sir Hector Mackenzie—Lives athome—Lord-Lieutenant of Ross-shire—His belovedlady—Sir Francis Mackenzie—Publishes his "Hints" in1838—Sir Kenneth, present baronet—Mackenzies ofLetterewe—Mackenzies of Lochend—Mackenzies ofGruinard—Large family—Mackenzies of Kernsary—Summaryof Mackenzie History—Crest, Badge, Slogan, and Pipe tunes	[53]
Chapter XV.—Gairloch Estates, and Old Names of Places.
Kenlochewe—Gairloch—Description in protocol of1494—Description in retour of 1566—Description in1638—Names in Dutch map of 1662—Second half of the water ofEwe bought in 1671—Strip on north of River Ewe acquired in1844—Letterewe originally Kintail property—Acquired byCharles Mackenzie in 1696—Sold to Mr Bankes in 1835—Northernparts of Gairloch belonging to Gruinard Mackenzies before1655—Sold to Davidson of Tulloch in 1795—Afterwards acquiredby Mr Bankes—Mr O. H. Mackenzie's estate of Inverewe	[60]
Chapter XVI.—Ecclesiastical History of Gairloch.
First church in Gairloch—Other early ecclesiasticalbuildings—Rector of Gairloch at date ofReformation—Presbyterianism—Tulchan bishops—Changesfrom Episcopalianism to Presbyterianism—Rev. AlexanderMackenzie—Rev. Farquhar Macrae—Rev. RoderickMackenzie—Rev. Kenneth Mackenzie of Kernsary—Rev. JohnMorrison—Persecuted by Episcopalians—Anecdotes—Histurf-built church in Tollie Bay—Christmas story—Rev. JamesSmith—First school in Gairloch—Anecdote of Rev. MrSage—Rev. Æneas McAulay—Rev. John Dounie—Rev. JamesRussell—His imperfect Gaelic—Poolewe made a separateparish—The Disruption—Presbyteries of Dingwall, Kenlochewe,Chanonry, Gairloch, and Loch Carron—Churches inGairloch—Manse and glebe at Achdistall, Cliff andStrath—Free churches and their ministers	[63]
Chapter XVII.—Ancient Gairloch Ironworks.
Two classes of remains of ironworks—Rev. Donald M'Nicol'sstatement—Coin found near old Yorkshire ironworks—Ironimplements used by ancient inhabitants—Disappearance of themaccounted for—Other ancient remains in Sutherlandshire,Ross-shire, and Inverness-shire—Bog iron was the ore used of oldin Gairloch—Processes of the ancient ironworkers—Wastefulrichness of their slags accounted for—Charcoal was theirfuel—The ancient forests of timber—Theirdisappearance—Water power anciently employed for workinghammers	[72]
Chapter XVIII.—The Historic Ironworks of Loch Maree.
The present series of Scottish ironworks commenced on LochMaree—The licence to Archibald Primrose for making iron ratifiedin 1612—Spread of the iron industry in the eighteenthcentury—Iron furnaces in Glengarry—Abernethy furnaces of theYork Buildings Company—The Bonawe furnace—The Argyle FurnaceCompany—The Lorn Company—The Carron ironworks—TheWilsonton works—Furnace at Goatfield—Pennant's notice of thefurnace near Poolewe—The Fife Adventurers and the Lews—TheRev. Farquhar Macrae, vicar of Gairloch—The Letterewe furnaceestablished in 1607 by Sir George Hay—Previous history of SirGeorge—His residence at Letterewe—His ironworks—Thetimber consumed—The goods produced—The improvements heeffected—Act prohibiting the making of iron withwood—Monopoly of iron manufacture granted to SirGeorge—Ratified by Parliament—Proclamation restraining theexport of iron ore—Licence to Sir George to sell iron in royalburghs—Sir George's probable acquaintance with John Roy Mackenzie,laird of Gairloch—Sir George's friendship with the Rev. FarquharMacrae—The minister's stone—Sir George leavesLetterewe—His distinguished after-career—Created first Earlof Kinnoull—Continuance of the ironworks—Tombstone of JohnHay—His probable relationship to Sir George—Discontinuanceof the ironworks—The artisans employed—Whence theycame—The Kemps—The Cladh nan Sasunnach—Condition ofthe ironworkers in the then state of the Highlands—The BigEnglishman	[75]
Chapter XIX.—The Iron Ores used in Gairloch.
References to local iron ore—Local bog iron used at ancientbloomeries—Ferruginous rocks and shales—Traditionalquarries—Richness of bog iron—Places where it is still foundin Gairloch—Bog iron originally used by Sir George Hay—Heafterwards imported red hematite and clayband ironstone—Mr Marr'sdescription of these ores—They were landed atPoolewe—Remains of them there—Mr Macadam'sanalyses—Mixture with local ore—Classification of theores	[86]
Chapter XX.—Remains of Ironworks in the Parish of Gairloch.
Mr Macadam's description of two classes of slag—List of sixlocalities of ironworks—GlenDochartie—Fasagh—Analyses—Lochan Cul naCathrach—Furnace, Letterewe—Talladale—Garavaig, onSlatadale farm—Red Smiddy, near Poolewe—Iron articlesfound—The borings at Cuil an Scardain—Chronological order ofthe ironworks—Other supposed furnaces—Notices of ironworksor mines in old Dutch map, and in "Present State of Great Britain andIreland"—Conclusion	[90]
Chapter XXI.—Antiquities.
Want of interesting remains of ancient buildings—SupposedDruidical remains in Tollie wood—Druidical enclosure on IsleMaree—The Island of Justice—Pictish roundhouses—Vitrified fort—Ancient duns, strongholds, orcrannogs—Remains of churches—Gairlochchurch—Culinellan church—Turf-built church in TollieBay—Church at Tollie Croft, or Cruive End—Chapel ofInverewe—Chapel of Sand of Udrigil—Oldburial-grounds—Remains of other old buildings—Remains onIsle Maree—On Eilean Ruaridh Beag—On EileanSuainne—The Tigh Dige—The Sabhal-Geal—The Templehouse—Old houses—Ancient weapons and implements—TheFeill Iudha—Caves	[97]

Part II.—Inhabitants of Gairloch.

Chapter I.—Ancestry and Names.
Highlanders different to Scotch—Gairloch people originallyCeltic—Admixture of blood—Mackenziespredominant—Surnames little used—Mode of constructing Gaelicnames—Examples—Bynames—Curious names of girls	[109]
Chapter II.—Warfare and Weapons.
Gairloch a bone of contention—Broadsword and targe—Bows andarrows—Battle-axe—Dirk—Guns—Clan fights nomore—Seaforth Highlanders—A Gairloch company—Thepress-gang—Donald M'Lean returns "from hell"—Volunteercorps—Story of Finlay Fraser and his guns	[112]
Chapter III.—Polity and Customs.
Improvement after the "Forty-five"—Increase ofschools—Report on educational position of the people by Rev. JamesRussell—Education under the School Boards—Relief of thepoor—Beggars almost unknown—Tramps—Tinkers—Oldman seeking America—Her Majesty's note about him—Oldmarriage customs—Funeral customs—Whisky atfunerals—Heaps of stones at halting-places—New Year's day,old style—Administration of justice at the Island ofJustice—Mode of procedure—The Cnoc a Chroich, or GallowsHill—Some old Gairloch men acquainted with folk-lore	[114]
Chapter IV.—Religion and Religious Observances.
No records of Episcopal times—Sundayservices—Baptism—The Lord's supper dispensed in the Leabaidhna Ba Bàine—Dr Mackenzie's account of churchgoing and thecommunions—Johnnie at church for the first time—Five days'services—Large crowd; few communicants—Preparation forGairloch communion—The scene in the Leabaidh—AuntSally—Characteristics of Free Church services and religion	[117]
Chapter V.—Character and Characteristics.
Criticism invidious—Gairloch people have a goodcharacter—Fidelity, courtesy, and hospitality—Sir G. S.Mackenzie's opinion—Sir Francis Mackenzie's tribute to hisGairloch people—Attachment to home—Caution and keenness inmoney matters—Anecdote—Captain Burt's charge of want ofcleanliness not generally applicablenow—Morality—Indolence—Always behindtime—Clinging to old ways—Old Highland esprit dyingout—Annual competition recommended	[121]
Chapter VI.—Language and Dress.
Gaelic called Irish—Gairloch dialect—Not dyingout—Knowledge of English increasing—Old people still unableto speak English—Gaelic phrases in English—Gaelic literaturein Gairloch—Should Gaelic be discouraged?—Ancient dress inGairloch—Belted plaid or truis—Separate form of thekilt—Antiquity of the kilt—Highland dressproscribed—Subterfuges—Discouraged homespunfabrics—Kilt common in Gairloch in early part ofnineteenth century—Sir Francis Mackenzie on the kilt—Nowfallen into disuse—Present dress of men—Gairlochhose—Dress of women—The mutch—Maiden'sheaddress—Dr Mackenzie on maiden's hair and on mutches	[125]
Chapter VII.—Ways and Means.
Sources of livelihood—Industry ofwomen—Dwellings—Byres adjoining—Nochimneys—Gradual improvement—Gardens rare—Fevers andconsumption—Food—Absence of pigs—Whisky—Illicitdistillation—Fuel—Torasgian—Cabar lar—Peatcreel—Carts—Sledges before roads were made	[132]
Chapter VIII.—Agriculture and Stock.
Little agriculture in ancient days—Black cattle—Blood takenfrom living cattle—The bowmen—Hill shielings miserableplaces—Introduction of sheep farming—Sheep farmsforested—Sheep deteriorate pasture—Ancient breed ofsheep—Present farms—Run-rig—Crofts established inGairloch—Crofters' crops—The cas-chrom—Sir G. S.Mackenzie on imperfect agriculture—On indolence—The Highlandhusbandman—His negligence—Sir Francis Mackenzie on imperfectcultivation—On manures—On the cas-chrom—On lack ofindustry—On absence of gardens—Introduction of the potato	[136]
Chapter IX.—Fisheries.
Gairloch fishermen and fish—Herring fisheries—Lobsters andcrabs—Oysters—Gairloch cod fishery—Under Sir AlexanderMackenzie, 1721 to 1766—In 1792—Sir G. S. Mackenzie'saccount of it under Sir Hector—Lines and hooks formerlyhome-made—First foreign hooks in 1823—Cod fishery in 1884and 1885—Salmon fishery—Bag-nets—Diminution in stockof salmon	[143]
Chapter X.—Posts and Roadmaking.
Post-runners to Gairloch—Dr Mackenzie's account—DonaldCharles—Roderick M'Lennan—WilliamCross—M'Leay—Iain Mor am Post—General Wade'sroad—Bridges in Gairloch—Road from Gairloch toPoolewe—The Dowager Lady Mackenzie's account ofroad-making—Destitution Committee contribute toroad-making—Road to Fionn loch	[147]
Chapter XI.—Superstitions of Isle Maree.
Isle Maree conspicuous—The wishing-tree—Her Majesty'soffering—St Maelrubha permitted sacrifices ofbulls—Continued to 1678—Latterly associated with cure ofinsanity—Treatment of lunatics—Still continued—DrMitchell's description—Circular enclosure supposed to beDruidical—Graves of the prince and princess—Thewell—Description of the wishing-tree—Trees of IsleMaree—Probability of the legend of Isle Maree—Name of islandderived from St Maelrubha—St Maelrubha worshipped	[150]
Chapter XII.—Superstitions of Isle Maree—continued.
Druidical sacrifices engrafted on Christianity—Resort to IsleMaree for cure of lunacy probably ancient—Parallelsuperstitions—Bull sacrifice at Kirkcudbright—Sacrifices ofbulls not confined to the saint's day—Descriptions of proceedingsfor cure of lunatics—MacCulloch's description—No form ofwords—Recent cases—St Maelrubha and St Ruffusidentical—Mad dog dipped in the well—Sadconsequences—Quotations as to Pagan practices engrafted onChristianity	[153]
Chapter XIII.—Superstitions generally.
Highlanders' surroundings suggest superstition—Gradual diminutionof it—Older superstitions—Loch Maree water cure—TheFox Point—Coins found—The Cathair mor and SitheananDubha—Gairloch fairy tale—The Shiant Isles'fairy—Eilean Suainne—Fairies seen on Isle Ewe in1883—Lights and music of fairies noticed at MellonCharles—William M'Lean gets a bagpipe chanter from thefairies—The Gille Dubh of Loch a Druing—Superstitiousfancies—The Loch of the Beast—Evidence of the appearance ofthe beast—Proceedings for its suppression—Rorie and themermaid	[158]
Chapter XIV.—Witchcraft and Magic.
Rudha Chailleach—Witchcraft and magic still believedin—Jessie the cripple, a witch—Depriving milk of itsfruit—Kenlochewe case in presbytery records—KennethMackenzie, the maighstair sgoil, punishes the witch at Strath—Hiscows recover—Recent cases—The sian—Description ofit—Duncan M'Rae—His song—Entrusted with a keg of goldfor Prince Charlie—Hides the keg in the Fedan Mor—Renders itinvisible by the sian—The wife of the Cibear Mor sees thekeg—The cave at Meallan a Ghamhna—The cave and weaponsconcealed by the sian—Seen by several women recently—Anothersimilar case on Loch Maree—Alastair Mor an t' Sealgair—Runsthe blockade by means of the sian—His variations of thesian—Other examples of Alastair's and his father'spowers—The wind made favourable by magic	[163]
Chapter XV.—Visions and Second-sight.
Distinction between visions and second-sight—Old Alastair's visionof Hector Roy and his bodyguard—A young man sees a ghost—Twomen see a woman in a house—Spectre seen before a shoot—Twokinds of second-sight—Jessie the cripple—Ducked as awitch—Her vision of a shepherd, his dog and sheep,fulfilled—The smith's son sees a crowd on Poolewe bridge—Hisvision fulfilled—The great storm on Loch Ewe—Great sight atMellon Udrigil—Fleet of ships and boats filled with redcoats—Visions of soldiers in red uniforms near Inveran—Thesevisions compared with similar sights elsewhere	[169]
Chapter XVI.—Bards and Pipers.
Ancient bards an illustrious class—Ossian's poems—Office ofbard or seannachie—Bards of recentdate—Ceilidh—Antiquity of bagpipes—Office of piper inold days—In the present day—Love of pipe music inGairloch—Some old Gairloch bards—Ruaridh Breac—TheEnglish bard—Duncan M'Rae—Roderick Campbell, piper andfiddler—The Piobaire Ban—List of living Gairloch pipers	[173]
Chapter XVII.—Hereditary Pipers of the Gairloch Family.
The Mackays—Rorie Mackay, piper to John RoyMackenzie—Alastair Breac, and his son and grandson—Hisbrother Donald—John Mackay, the blind piper—Taught by theM'Crimmons—Piper to the two first baronets of Gairloch—Hiscompositions—Anecdotes of his life with the M'Crimmons—Hissongs and poems—Angus Mackay—Piper to Sir Alexander, thirdbaronet—Moladh Mairi—John Mackay, piper to SirHector—Emigrates to America—A splendid piper—Hisoffspring	[177]
Chapter XVIII.—William Mackenzie and Malcolm Maclean.
William Mackenzie a catechist—His song to Balone'ssister—His song lampooning a wedding party—His consequentdismissal—Malcolm Maclean a notorious bacchanalian—Hisbeautiful daughter—His wife's resignation illustrated by ananecdote—Translation by Professor Blackie of his song to hisdaughter	[180]
Chapter XIX.—William Ross, the Gairloch Bard.
William Ross, a grandson of the "Blind piper"—His youth—Histravels—Appointed schoolmaster of Gairloch—Diesyoung—Monument over his grave—Estimate of his poetry	[183]
Chapter XX.—Alexander Campbell, Bard To Sir Hector.
Alastair Buidhe's ancestry and youth—Appointed ground-officer andbard to Sir Hector—Instructed to remove the roof from a defaultingtenant's house—His prudent artifice approved by SirHector—Dr Mackenzie's recollections of Alastair as bard—Hisbad health, and death—His character—His friendship withWilliam Ross—His descendants—His poetry highlyappreciated	[185]
Chapter XXI.—Alexander Grant, the Great Bard of Slaggan.
Sandy Grant's ancestry—His enormous stature and strength—Hisappearance, portrait, and poetry—Reputed to havesecond-sight—Anecdote—Sandy Grant discovers cheeses stolenin Loch Carron—His descendants	[187]
Chapter XXII.—John Mackenzie of the "Beauties."
John's ancestry and youth—His mechanical skill—An accidentdisables him—Collects Gaelic poems—Devotes himself toliterary work—List of books he translated—Known as a poetand piper—Anecdote of his humour—Buys a ship and hercargo—Gives up the bargain—Monument to his memory	[189]
Chapter XXIII.—Living Gairloch Bards.
Alexander Mackenzie, of Oban—Duncan Mackenzie, the Kenlochewebard—Short memoir—His poetry—His epithalamium on themarriage of Sir Kenneth Mackenzie—Translation of it by ProfessorBlackie—Alexander Cameron, the Tournaig bard—His song inpraise of Tournaig—English translation by Mr W. C.Good—Alexander Bain—His elegy on the late DrKennedy—English translation	[192]
Chapter XXIV.—The Poolewe Artist.
Paucity of art in Gairloch—Finlay Mackinnon—Hischaracteristics—His yearning for art as a young boy—Assistedby Mr Davis, R.A., and others—His watercolour sketches	[200]
Chapter XXV.—James Mackenzie's Gairloch Stories.
Short Account of James Mackenzie—William Roy Mackenzie and theexciseman—Kenneth and John Mackenzie of Rona and thepress-gang—John M'Gregor of Londubh escapes from the press-gang,but is killed by a fall over a rock—Murdo Mackenzie, or Murdo'sson, marries Lord Breadalbane's daughter and takes possession of alugger full of smuggled spirit—Anecdote of Sir Hector Mackenzieand M'Leod of Raasay's boat—Mackenzie of Kernsary and JamesMackenzie's grandfather—The whale in Loch Ewe drowns threemen—A story of Rob Donn—The Loch Broom herringfishery—The other Rob Roy Macgregor and the Dundonnellestates—Cases of drowning in Loch Maree—Hector Mackenzie,William Urquhart and his son, and Kenneth Mackenzie—A Kenlocheweman rolls overboard—Kenneth Mackenzie and Gregor Macgregor carrieddown by the Talladale river—John M'Ryrie—KennethUrquhart—Sandy Mackenzie—The Stornoway packet and thewhale—Wreck of M'Callum's schooner at Melvaig—A sea captainburied in Isle Ewe—The loss of the "Glenelg"—Wreck of the"Helen Marianne" of Campbeltown—Wreck of the "Lord Molyneux" ofLiverpool—John Macdonald, the drover of Loch Maree—Themurder of Grant, the peddler, by M'Leod, who is at lengthhung—Death of the Shieldaig shoemaker and his companions atLochinver	[201]

Part III.—Natural History of Gairloch.

Chapter I.—Physical Features.
Area and boundaries of Gairloch—Sea-board—Long valleybisecting the parish—Ranges and groups of mountains—Islandsin the sea—Fresh-waterlochs—Rivers—Woods—Caves—Waterfalls—TheSteall a Mhuinidh—Victoria Falls—Letterewewaterfall—Kerry falls—Flowerdale waterfalls—Scenicbeauties	[219]
Chapter II.—Climate and Weather.
Healthy climate of north-west Highlands—Changeableweather—Sir G. S. Mackenzie on the climate—Dr Mackenzie onthe old-fashioned summers—Former abundance ofnuts—Strawberries on 4th June, also cherries—Short summernights—Aurora borealis—Rarity of intensefrosts—Spring mist presages snow—A hard winter—Sunsetsfrom the Gairloch Hotel—Cloudscapes—Colouring oflandscapes	[222]
Chapter III.—Anecdotes and Notes.
Birds, formerly rare in Gairloch, now plentiful, and viceversâ—Dr Mackenzie's remarks on this point—Eagles inGairloch—Anecdote of Craig-Tollie eagle and roedeer—Confirmation from Martin's book—Also from story ofKirghiz eagles, &c.—Anecdote of Kenlochewe eagle and thecat—Subject of a well-known Gaelic riddle—Eagle atTalladale—Two-and-a-half brace of eagles killed in Gairloch beforebreakfast—Sea-gulls—How they were driven from EileanRuaridh—Sounds of various birds atInveran—Insects—Midges and wasps—Her Majesty's remarkson them—Rhyme on midges—Preventive measures—Otherinsects—Animals in general—Vermin—Marten'sfur—Wild cats—Wild cat in Loch Tollie island—Highlandcattle—Goats—Ponies	[227]
Chapter IV.—Lower Forms of Life.
Diffusion of life—Luminosity of footprints on boggyground—Reptiles—Fresh-waterfish—Shells—Molluscs—The spout fish—How to takeit—Sea anemones—Love of flowers—Localities recommendedto botanists—Grasses—Mosses—Lichens—List of afew—Seaweeds—Fungi—Conclusion	[233]
Chapter V.—Mammals of Gairloch.
List of Gairloch mammals, with notes—Notes on Arctic fox inGairloch and elsewhere	[236]
Chapter VI.—Birds of Gairloch.
List of Gairloch birds, with notes	[241]
Chapter VII.—Flowering Plants of Gairloch.
List imperfect—A word to visitors—Destruction of plants bysheep—Bouquets of wildflowers—Seasons for them—Rarerplants—List of flowering plants	[256]
Chapter VIII.—Shells of Gairloch, by Rev. John M'Murtrie, M.A.
Paper by Rev. John M'Murtrie, M.A., on "Springtide at Gairloch, a Studyof small Shells"—Appendix, with list of shells	[265]
Chapter IX.—The Geology of Loch Maree and Neighbourhood, byWilliam Jolly, F.G.S., F.R.S.E.
Long controversy—Attack by eminent geologists—Others enterthe lists—Prospect of early peace—Conditions of the problemwell exhibited round Loch Maree—Succession ofrocks—Hebridean gneiss—Torridon redsandstone—Quartzite—Its annelid borings—Its fucoidremains—Limestone—The "Logan" rock—The easterngneiss—The controversy—Other noteworthy geologicalphenomena—Faults—Glaciation—Denudation—Rockjunctions—The valley of the hundred hills—Curiousimpressions on Torridon sandstone near Talladale—The Fionn andDubh loch—The Trias at Loch Gruinard	[271]
Chapter X.—Minerals of Gairloch, by Professor W. Ivison Macadam,F.C.S., F.I.C., M.M.S., &c., Edinburgh.
List of minerals andlocalities	[289]

Part IV.—Guide to Gairloch and Loch Maree.

Chapter I.—Gairloch of the Present Day.
No town in Gairloch—List of townships or hamlets—Ministersand services—Free churches andministers—Schools—School Board—Table of Schools, withaverage attendance—List of school teachers—Sideschools—School rate—Obstacles to regularattendance—Annual inspections—Registrar of Births, Deaths,and Marriages—Pauperism—Poor-rates—Pauperlunatics—Medical officer—The county road—Privateroads—Policemen—Justices of the Peace—Licensedhouses—Postalarrangements—Telegraph—Carrier—Bank—Markets—Preventiveservice—Steamers—Rifle corps—Its threesections—Principal houses in Gairloch—Poolewe Public Hall	[293]
Chapter II.—Approaches and Roads.
Approach from Achnasheen—From Loch Carron—From LochTorridon—From Gruinard—By steamer—By boat fromUllapool—On foot—Main road maintained by thecounty—Private roads—Loch Maree a highway	[299]
Chapter III.—Achnasheen to Kenlochewe.
Dingwall and Skye railway—The Gairloch mail-car—Naturalterraces like railway embankments—Loch Rosque—Remains ofancient ironworks—The Clach an t' Shagart at Bad aMhanaich—Luibmhor in Gairloch—View of ScuirMhullin—Persistent inquirer—Hill resembling aprofile—Glen Dochartie—View of LochMaree—Trysting-place—More old ironworks—View of BeinnEay—Kenlochewe—Hugh Miller on this name—Kenlochewevillage and hotel—Culinellan churchyard—The Cnoc aChrochadair—Ath nan ceann—Two routes to Gairloch	[301]
Chapter IV.—Kenlochewe to Talladale.
Tagan farm—Glas Leitire woods—Ru Nohar—Umbrella-likefirs—Her Majesty's description of the road—GlenGrudidh—Old fir trees—Eilean Grudidh—Wild stretch ofroad described by Her Majesty—Hamlet of Talladale—The LochMaree Hotel—Accommodation—Angling—Visit of HerMajesty—Commemorative Gaelic inscription on aboulder—English translation	[305]
Chapter V.—Talladale to the Gairloch Hotel.
Road through woods—The Victoria Falls—Garavaigironworks—Slatadale farm—Old road to west of CraigTollie—View of the islands of Loch Maree—Feurloch—Loch Bad na Sgalaig—Kerry falls—Kerrybridge—Her Majesty's interview with Lews' peoplehere—Kerrysdale House—Resort offairies—Charleston—Flowerdale House—Port naheile—The Gairloch—Established church—The Leabaidh naBa Bàine—Gairloch churchyard—Old ironworks—Monument toJohn Mackenzie of the "Beauties"—The Crasg—The Cnoc aCroiche—The Gairloch Hotel—Accommodation andarrangement—Sea-bathing—Boating—Angling—Fineview	[308]
Chapter VI.—The Gairloch Hotel to Poolewe.
Achtercairn—Views of Strath and the hills of Skye—Deepgorge—Geikie on geology of a curious hill—TheShoe-stone—Funeral heaps—Lochan nan Airm—TheGlen—Craig Bhadain an Aisc—Blar na Fala—LochTollie—Its crannog—Surrounding hills—Distantviews—Old road—View of Loch Maree—Beinn AridhCharr—Spidean Moirich—Croft Brae—Hamlet ofCroft—Ceann a Chro, or Cruive End—The Still—The Hillof evil counsel—The Trossachs of Loch Maree—Poolewevillage—The church—The inn—Pool House—Otherhouses—Londubh—The Inverewe burial-ground	[312]
Chapter VII.—Poolewe to Aultbea.
The pool—Srondubh—Inverewe House andgardens—Description from the Times—Loch nanDailthean—Tournaig—The Dowager Lady Mackenzie'sresidence—Description of the garden from the Times—CoileAigeascaig—Mac Gille Riabhaich's cave—Bleeding livingcattle—Tournaig farm—Loch Tournaig—Dunan—Theroadascends—Views—Drumchork—Aultbea—Townships—Houses—Anchorage—Aultbeainn	[318]
Chapter VIII.—Excursions from Kenlochewe.
Drives—Expedition to Loch Torridon—Cromasaig—FeLeoid—Loch Clair—Maelrubha's seat—CarnAnthony—Coire Cheud Cnoc—Precipices of Liathgach—HerMajesty's remarks—Sguir Dubh—Lochan an Fheidh—LochTorridon—Village—Mr Darroch and Torridon House—Ploc ofTorridon—The heights of Kenlochewe—Glen CruaidhChoillie—Glen na Muic—Excursions on foot by the path on theeast side of Loch Maree—Excursions on Loch Maree	[321]
Chapter IX.—Excursions from Talladale.
Drives and walks—Expeditions on Loch Maree—Thesteamer—Boats	[326]
Chapter X.—Excursions from Gairloch.
The south side of Gairloch—Shieldaig—Leac nanSaighead—Badachro—Loch Bad na h' Achlais—PortHenderson—Opinan—Cave—South Erradale—Ancientironworks—Point—Views—North side ofGairloch—Achtercairn—Strath—Carn Dearg—LittleSand farm—Big Sand—Iron furnace—North Erradale—Wonderfulcave—Peterburn—Altgreshan—Melvaig—TheLeac—Rudha Reidh—Stac Buidhe—Other drives—Tourof Loch Maree—Boating expeditions—Walks—Geikie ongeological features	[327]
Chapter XI.—Excursions from Poolewe.
West side of Loch Ewe—Cliff House—Cuil anScardain—Boor—Views—Naast—Inverasdale—Brae—Midtown—Coast—Boardschool—Firemore—Telegraph to Stornoway—Meallan naGhamhna—Caves—Loch a Druing woods—Cove—Thevillage—The cave—Natural arch—Fionn Lochexcursion—Craig an Fhithich—Inveran wood andfarm—Inveran river—Loch Kernsary—Innis aBhaird—Kernsary farm—Fionn Loch—Fine view—Otherexcursions by road—Walks—Craig Bhan	[332]
Chapter XII.—Excursions from Aultbea.
To Mellon Charles—Cuilchonich—Bual na luib—MellonCharles—Mellon Udrigil—Laide—The Loch of theBeast—Second Coast—Old church of Sand—Sandybeach—Curious rocks—First Coast and Second Coast—MillBay—Cadha Beag—LittleGruinard—Fisherfield—Meikle Gruinard river—Excursionsby water	[337]
Chapter XIII.—Excursion by Steamer on Loch Maree.
Road to north end of Loch Maree—Opinions of thescenery—Leading characteristics—Tollie pier—FoxPoint—Clearness of water—Sweetheart'sstepping-stones—Fhridh Dhorch—Ardlair—Cave of theking's son—The minister's stone—Clach a Mhail—Uamh aMhail—Rudha Chailleach—The white horse—The Bullrock—The cave of gold—Gold mining inScotland—Mountains—Letterewe—Limestonequarry—Waterfall—Furnace—InnisGhlas—Coppachy—Regoilachy—Slioch—Cladh nanSasunnach—Fasagh—Tagan—Ru Nohar—Undercliffs ofMeall a Ghiubhais—Woods of Glas Leitire—View of GlenGrudidh—Aid na h' Eigheamh—Isle Maree—Whittier'sverses—Eilean Suainne—Eilean Dubh na Sroine—GarbhEilean—Eilean Ruaridh—The planted island—Wildfowl—Talladale—Slatadale—Doire—CraigTollie—Bay of Corree—Rudha Aird anAnail—Cave—Heather burning	[340]
Chapter XIV.—The Fionn Loch and its Dubh Loch, by WilliamJolly.
Name—Approaches—Loch Kernsary—View of FionnLoch—Mountains described—Visits to the loch—LochananBeannoch—Beinn Aridh Charr—Black-throated divers—BeinnLair—Narrow glen—Old hill fort—Craig an DubhLoch—Pegmatite—Dubh Loch—Thundershower—Islands—Birds—Marten cats	[349]
Chapter XV.—Loch Gruinard, by William Jolly.
Loch Ewe—Mountain view—Aultbea—Moraines—SummerIsles—Distant views—Old Chapel—Caves—ModernCave-dweller—Gruinard House—Gruinard river—Mountainsof Loch na Sheallag	[355]
Chapter XVI.—Angling in Sea Lochs.
Several classes of anglers—Outfit recommended—Two usualmodes of sea fishing—Trolling for lythe—Artificialsand-eels—Handline fishing—Scalps—Fishescaptured—Conger eels—Large halibut—Large skate	[359]
Chapter XVII.—Angling in Loch Maree.
Excessive fishing—Reserved water—Species offish—Char—Salmon—Sea-trout—Bull-trout—Finnocks—Propertyin salmon and sea-trout—Large brown trout—Ferox not aseparate species—Variations in trout—So-called ferox notworth eating—Gizzard trout	[361]
Chapter XVIII.—Angling in Fresh-water Lochs.
Permission required—Trout scarcer than formerly—Dr Mackenzieaccounts for this—The tarry sheep—Fionn Loch—Anglingdeteriorated—Good day's angling—The Dubh loch—Threetrout at a cast—Bait fishing for trout—LochKernsary—Char—Char and trout, and pink and white-fleshedtrout, indistinguishable to the taste—Burn fishing—Best timefor trout fishing—Eels—Pike—Their introductiondescribed by Dr Mackenzie—Re-introduced in Sir Kenneth's time	[363]
Chapter XIX.—Salmon Angling.
Salmon rivers—The Ewe—Cruives—The old cruive used forcrossing the river—Roderick Campbell and an American merchantdrowned—The new cruive—Gradual diminution of stock ofsalmon—Length of the Ewe—Pools on the east side—Poolson the other side—Runs of salmon andgrilse—Kelts—Bull-trout—Sea-trout—Largesalmon—Best flies—Dr Mackenzie's anecdote of Sir HumphreyDavy—John Bright—Odd incidents—Damagedfly—Successful fishing after a friend—Hooking a fish afterlosing another—Was it a rise?—Fish taking when lineslack—Kelt caught twice—Holding on for fivehours—Angler compared to the evilone—Water-bailiffs—John Glas—Sandy Urquhart—Hisloquacity—Fishing on the Ewe—Tailing salmon—Spikedgloves—Bags of salmon now and formerly—Singular mode offishing by Sir Hector—Charms of the Ewe—Other salmon riversin Gairloch	[366]
Chapter XX.—Deer Forests and Grouse Shooting.
The red deer—Free to roam—Antiquity of—Formerlyscarce—Meaning of "forested"—List of deerforests—Estimated yield and stock—Stag season—A"royal"—Best heads—Hinds—Deer-stalking—Greatcaution required—Staghounds not much used now—Quotation fromJohn Taylor, the "Water-Poet"—Present system of letting deerforests—Colonel Inge in Gairloch—Misconceptions with regardto deer forests—Opinions of the CroftersCommission—Depopulation not due to deer forests—Deer forestsnot suitable for occupation by crofters—Loss of mutton and woolinsignificant—Depredations by deer on crofters' crops easilyremedied—Deterioration of pasture by deer notproved—Demoralization of gillies not due to forests—Summaryof opinions—Substantial benefits conferred by deerforests—Afford employment to a greater extent than sheepfarms—Recommendation by Commissioners—Grouseshooting—Grouse not abundant—Disease infrequent—Latebirds—Mixed bags—Separate grouse shootings	[372]

List of Books and MSS. Quoted orReferred to	[381]
Statement of Authorities for Traditions, &c., embodied inthis Book	[383]

Tables.

I.	Mountains of Gairloch	[387]
II.	Distances	[387]
III.	Population of Gairloch	[390]
IV.	Ministers of the parish of Gairloch	[390]
V.	Lairds of Gairloch	[391]

Appendices.

A.	Genealogical Account of the MacRas, by Rev. John Macrae, who died1704	[395]
B.	Tour in Scotland by Thomas Pennant in 1772	[396]
C.	Old Statistical Account of Scotland, 1792	[399]
D.	Dr MacCulloch's Highlands and Western Isles of Scotland, 1811 to1821	[400]
E.	New Statistical Account of Scotland, 1836	[403]
F.	Records of the Presbytery of Dingwall	[408]
G.	Records and Extracts relating to Sir George Hay and the Manufacture ofIron	[412]
H.	Addenda on St Maelrubha, and Ecclesiastical History	[415]

Index

[419]

Errata	[436]
Addenda	[436]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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A cheardach ruadh (ar charstock rooer), The red smithy. Ceardach, a smithy; ruadh, red.

A Mhaighdean (ar veytchen), The maiden. See [Maighdean].

Achagarbh, properly spelt Achadhgarbh (ach a garrav), Rough field. Ach, a field; garbh, rough.

Achagarve. See [Achagarbh].

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Altgreshan, properly Alltgrisean (alt-grishan), Roan or grizzly burn. Allt, a burn; grisfhionn (grishan), grizzly.

Am port Leathach (am porsht layoch), The port at half [tide]. Leath is half.

An Amilt, or An Amhuilt (ann amvilt). Name of a place; means the stratagem.

An Fhridh dhorch (an ree dorroch), the dark forest. Fridh, forest; dorch, dark.

An Groban. See [Groban].

An t' Eirthire Donn. See [Eirthire Donn].

Angus. See [Aonghas].

Aonghas (unnus), Angus, or Æneas, which last is nearer in sound to the Gaelic.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bad (bat), a clump, a grove.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Beallach nan Brog (baaloch nam progue), Pass of the shoes. Brog, a shoe.

Beallach a Chomhla (baaloch a korvla), Pass of the door. Comhladh, a door.

Beinn Alligin (bin allikin), Jewel mountain. Properly Ailleagan, a jewel, or darling, anything precious.

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

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

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

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

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

Beinn Bheag (bin vek), Little mountain. Beag, little.

Beinn Bhreac (bin y vraick), Spotted mountain. Breac, spotted.

Beinn Damph, properly Beinn Damh (bin damff), Mountain of the stag. Damh, a stag.

Beinn Dearg (bin jarrak), Red mountain. Beinn; and Dearg, red.

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

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

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

Beinn na h' Eaglais (binnaherkless), Mountain of the church. Beinn, mountain; eaglais, church.

Beinn nan Ramh (bin an rahv), Mountain of the oar. Ramh, an oar.

Beinn Slioch or Sleugach (bin sleoch). Should be Slioch without Beinn. See [Slioch].

Beinn Tarsuinn (bin tarsing), Mountain across.

Beinn Tarsuinn Chaol (bin tarsing chool), Narrow Beinn Tarsuinn. Caol, narrow or slender.

Bhantighearna Ruadh (vancherna rooar), Red lady. Bhantighearna, literally she-lord.

Bho Iutharn, or Bho Iuthrna (vo ewern), From hell. Bho, from; Iuthrna, hell.

Bidean clann Raonaild (peetyan clan ruynuld), Clan Ranald's peak. Bidean, a peak.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cathair mhor (kaar more). Big seat, i.e. Fairies' seat. See [Kerrysdale].

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

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

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

Ceann loch iu (kayoun loch ew), head of Loch Ewe. Ceann, a head.

Ceardach ruadh (karstoch roo-er), Red smiddy. See [A cheardach ruadh].

Ceilidh (kayley), social meetings. From ceilidh, to visit.

Ceistear crubach (kaister crupboch), lame catechist. Ceistear, a catechist; crubach, lame.

Cibear Mor (keeipber more), big shepherd. Cibear, a shepherd; mor, great or big.

Clach (klarch), a stone. Possessive, Cloiche. Compare clough, found in some English names.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Claonadh (kluanar), slopes. Compare inclining.

Clann Eachainn (klan erchen), offspring of Hector. Clann, offspring or descendants. See [Eachainn].

Claymore. See [Claidheamh mor].

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Coigeach (ko-yoch), probably the "fifth portion" [of a davach]. Coig, five.

Coille Aigeascaig (kul yaikaskaik); Wood of Aigeascaig. Coille, a wood; see [Aigeascaig].

Coinneach (kuinyoch), Kenneth. The progenitor of the Mackenzies.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Coppachy, properly Copachaidh (koppachie), Foam field. Cop, foam; achadh, a field.

Corcur (korker), red, crimson.

Cota gearr (koita gaerr), short coat. Cota, a coat; gearr, short.

Co-thional (ko-yearnal), gathering together. Comh, or co, fellowship (compare company); tional, gathering.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Craig Bhan (kraig varn), White crag. Ban, white; and see [Craig].

Craig Roy. Properly [Craig Ruadh], which see.

Craig Ruadh (kraik roo-er), Red crag. See [Craig] and [Ruadh].

Craig Thairbh (kraik-harve), Bull rock. Tarbh, a bull.

Craig Tollie (kraig tollie), properly Creag Thollie (kraig holly), Rock of Tollie. See [Tollie].

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dal Cruaidh (dal crewie), hard field or flat. Dal, a flat field; cruaidh, hard.

Darach (darroch), an oak.

Dearg (jarrak), red, like a rose.

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

Doire (derry), a grove.

Domhnull Dubh (donnullul dhoo), Black Donald. Domhnull, Donald; dubh, black.

Domhnull Gorm (donnullul gorrum), Blue Donald. Gorm, blue.

Domhnull Greannach (donnullul gruonnoch), Sour or savage-looking Donald. Greannach also means irascible.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dubh (dhoo), black.

Dubh Loch (dhoo-loch), Black loch.

Dun (doon), a castle; Dunan (doonan), a small castle.

Dun Naast (doonarst), Castle of Naast. See [Naast].

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

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

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

Eilean (eylan), an island, isle.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Eilean Maree (eylan maree), Isle Maree. See [St Maelrubha].

Eilean na h' Iolaire (eylan nar hewlar-yer), Island of the eagle. Iolaire, an eagle.

Eilean Ruaridh Beag (eylan rooarie vek), Little island of Rorie or Roderick. Beag, little.

Eilean Ruaridh Mor (eylan ruorie mor), Big island of Rorie. Mor, big.

Eilean Suainne (eylan soo-in), Everlasting isle. Suainne, everlasting.

Eirthire Donn (erriyer down), Brown shore. Eirthira, shore; donn, brown.

Erradale (erradale). Norse; probably from earr, a boundary, the edge of.

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

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

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

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

Fannich, properly Fanaich (fannich). Meaning unknown.

Faoileag (fewlak), a sea-gull, name for a dog.

Farquhar (properly Fearchar) Buidhe (farkar boo-ie), Yellow-haired Farquhar. See [Buidhe].

Fasagh (fassoch). From Fasadh (pronounced fassoch), meaning a hollow.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feill Iudha (fail you-her), Ewe market. Feill, a market; Iudha, possessive of Iu, Ewe.

Feir loch. See [Fear loch].

Feith an Leothaid. Same as [Fe-Leoid], which see. This is the more correct spelling.

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

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

Feur loch. See [Fear loch].

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

Fiar loch. See [Fear loch].

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

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

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

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

Firemore. See [Faidhir mor].

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Garbh (garav, or garve), rough.

Garbh Choire (garav chorrie), Rough corrie.

Garbh eilean (garaveylan), Rough island. Garbh, rough.

Geal (gayal), white, bright.

Gille (gillie), a lad, a young man, a gillie, a servant.

Gille Buidhe (gillie boo-ie), Yellow, or yellow-haired gillie. See [Gille].

Gille Cailean Mor (gilly callain more), The lad big Colin. See [separate words].

Gille Dubh (gillie dhoo), Black, or black-haired lad.

Gille Riabhach (gillie ree-oach), Brindled lad. Riabhach, brindled.

Gillean (gillyon), lads. Plural of [Gille], which see.

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

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

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

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

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

Glas eilean (glosh-eylan), Grey island. Glas, grey; eilean, an island.

Glas Leitire (glosh laytcher), Grey slope. See [Glas] and [Leitir].

Glen, properly Gleann (glen or gloun), a valley, a dale.

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

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

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

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

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

Gorm (gorrum), blue.

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

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

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

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

Heglis Gherloch, for Eaglais Ghearrloch (erkless yairloch), Church of Gairloch. Eaglais, a church.

Heglis Loch Ew, for Eaglais Loch Iu (erkless loch ew), Church of Loch Ewe.

Horisdale. See [Eilean Horisdale].

Iain Buidhe (eean boo-ie), Yellow, or yellow-haired John. Iain, John. See [Buidhe].

Iain Buidhe Taillear (eean boo-ie tyler), Yellow-haired John the tailor. Taillear, a tailor.

Iain Caol (eean cool), Slender John. Caol, slender.

Iain Dall (eean toul), Blind John. Dall, blind.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kenneth. English form of [Coinneach], which see.

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

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

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

Kintail. See [Ceann an t' sail].

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Loch Fada (loch fatter), Long loch. Fada, long.

Loch Fear, Feur, Feir, or Fiar. See [Fear loch].

Loch Gharbhaig (loch garravaik), Loch of the [Garavaig], which see.

Loch Maree. See [St Maelrubha].

Loch Mhic 'ille Rhiabhaich (loch vik illie reeoach), Loch of [MacGille Riabhach], whom see.

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

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

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

Loch Rosque. See [Loch a Chroisg].

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

Lochan a' Neigh. Should be [Lochan an Fheidh], which see.

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

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

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

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

Lochend (Dog Gaelic), End of the loch.

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

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

Lonmor (lone more), Big bog. Lon (lone), a bog; mor, big.

Luibmhor (loopmore), Great bend [or loop]. Luib, a bend.

Lungard (lungard). An old name; meaning unknown.

Mac (mak), Son of. Possessive mhic (vik), of the son of.

Mac a Ghille Riabhaich (mak illie ree-oach), Son of Gille Riabhach. See [Gille Riabhach].

Mac Callum (makallum), Son of Malcolm.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MacRae (mak ray), Son of fortune. Mac, son of; rath, fortune.

Maighdean (maidchen), Maiden.

Maighstir Sgoil (maishter skol), Schoolmaster. Maighstir, a master; sgoil, a school.

Mali chruinn donn (mallie cruntown), Round brown Molly. Mali, Molly; cruinn, round; donn, brown.

Maolmuire (melmur), Tonsured one of Mary. Maol, a cropped head; muire, the virgin [Mary].

Marbhrann (marvran), an elegy. Marbh, dead; rann, verse.

McKenzie or Mackenzie. Corrupted from [Mac Coinnich], which see.

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

Meall a Deas, (mella teyess), Hill of the south. Deas, south.

Meall a Ghuibhais (meyoul a huish), Hill of the fir. Guibhas, a fir.

Meall an Doire (meyoul an derry), Hill of the grove.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mellon Charles. See [Meallan Thearlaich].

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

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

Midton, for Middletown. An English word. See [Ballymeon].

Mioll. Corruption of Meall.

Moladh Mairi (molloch marrie), Praise of Mary. Moladh, praise; Mairi, Mary.

Mor (more, or mohr), great, or big.

Mor Ban (moore barn), Fair Sarah. Mor, Sarah; ban, white, fair.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oban (open, or oben), a little bay.

Og (ogue, pronounced as in rogue), young.

Oighrig (eyrig). Woman's name; Euphemia is considered to be the English equivalent.

Openham. Corrupted from [Opinan], which see.

Opinan (opinen), Little bays. Corrupted from Obanan, plural of [Oban], which see.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ploc (plok), a round mass.

Ploc (plok) of Torridon. See [Ploc].

Ploc-ard (plokart), Height of the round mass. See [Ploc] and [Aird].

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

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

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

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

Port na Heile (port na hail). See [Port na h' Eille].

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Roy. See [Ruadh].

Ru, or Rudha (roo, or rooah), a point, a promontory.

Ru Nohar. Should be [Rudha 'n Fhomhair], which see.

Ruadh (ru-er, or rooag), red, or auburn. Anglicé, roy.

Ruadh Stac (rooer stak), Red stack, or steep rock. Stac, a steep rock.

Ruaridh an Torra (roo-arie-an-tor), Rorie of the tor, or round smooth hill.

Ruaridh Breac (roo-arie brake), Spotted (or pock-pitted) Rorie, or Roderick. See [Breac].

Ruaridh Ceard (roo-arie kard), Rorie the tinker. Ceard, a tinker.

Ruaridh Donn (roo-arie doun), Brown or dun Rorie.

Ruaridh Mac Allan M'Leod (roo-arie mak allan mak loud), Rorie, son of Allan M'Leod.

Rudha aird an anail (roo-arten annall), High point of breathing. Anail, breathing; aird, high.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ruymakilvandrich. See [Rudha Mac Ghille Aindreas].

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

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

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

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

Sasunnach (sarsenach), Saxon, English, not a Gaelic speaker. Sasunnach mor, the big Englishman.

Scardroy. See [Sgaird ruadh].

Scuir, or Sgorr (skoor), a peak or cliff.

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

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

Scuir na Feart (scoor na hairsht). Name of a peak; meaning unknown.

Seann Rudha (shoun roo), Old promontory. Seann, old; rudha, promontory.

Seann Seoc (shoun shok), Old Jock. Seann, old; seoc, Jock or Jack.

Seann Tighearna (shoun tcheerna), Old laird. Seann, old; tighearna, laird, proprietor.

Seannachaidh (shennachie), Reciter of old tales, recorder, remembrancer.

Seonaid Chrubach (shounat chruboch), Lame Jessie. Seonaid, Jessie; crubach, lame.

Sgaird ruadh (scart rooer), Red scree. Sgaird, a scree, shingly slope.

Sgalag (skallak), a servant, farm servant.

Sgeir, or Skeir (skeer), a rock surrounded by the sea.

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

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

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

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

Sgorr Dubh (scorr dhoo), Black peak.

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

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

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

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

Siol Tormod (sheeol tormot), Seed of Tormod.

Siol Torquil (sheeol torquil), Seed of Torquil.

Sitheanan Dubha (sheean-an dhooar), Black knowes, fairies' hills. Sithean, a knowe; dubh, black.

Skar (scar), a screen. Obsolete.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sporan (sporran), a purse.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tighearna Crubach (tcheerna krupboch), Lame laird.

Tighearna Ruadh (tcheerna roer), Red or auburn-haired laird or proprietor. Tighearna, laird; ruadh, red.

Tighearna Storach (tcheerna storroch), Buck-toothed laird.

Tighnafaolinn (ty na fualin). The sea-mews' home. Tigh, a house, home; faoileann, a sea-gull.

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

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

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

Torasgian. See [Tor-sgian].

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tulchan. See [Tulachan].

Tulloch Ard (tullochart), High knoll. Tulloch from tulach, a knoll; ard, high.

Uamh (oo-av), a cave.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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INTRODUCTION.

Rathad mor a Ceann-loch-iu,
Rathad ur a Ghearloch;
Gabhaidh sinn an rathad mor
Olc na math le cach e.—Gaelic Song.

The high road to Kenlochewe,
The new road to Gairloch;
Storm or sunshine, take with me
The high road to Gairloch.—Free rendering.

Gairloch is a typical Highland parish on the west coast of Ross-shire. Its length, from Loch Rosque to Rudha Reidh, is thirty miles, and its width is fifteen miles, so that it is one of the most extensive parishes in Great Britain.

The name "Gairloch" is composed of two Gaelic words, gearr and loch. Gearr means "short"; and the sea-loch which gives its name to the parish is appropriately called short, as compared with Loch Broom, Loch Ewe, and other more deeply indented arms of the sea. The native spelling and pronunciation of the name prove the derivation beyond all question.

There is a curious muddle in the old and new Statistical Accounts about the origin of the name Gairloch. In the former ([Appendix C]) it is said to have been taken from "a very small loch near the church and the house of Flowerdale, and so close by the shore that the sea at high tides covers it." In the New Statistical Account ([Appendix E]) "a hollow spot of ground" is spoken of as "the Gairloch," and the writer states that the natives allege that the parish takes its name from it. The explanation is supplied by the story of Hector Roy and the three M'Leods given in [Part I., chap. ix]. The place referred to as "a very small loch" and "a hollow spot of ground," is now represented by a well, still called "the Gairloch" from the reason given in that story, but it did not originate the name of the parish.

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The name Gairloch is used in four different senses both in the following pages and among the inhabitants. It means,—

1. The sea-loch or bay of Gairloch.

2. The whole parish.

3. The place at the head of the sea-loch where the hotel, &c., stand, more properly called Achdistall.

4. The original estate of the Mackenzie lairds of Gairloch.

These various meanings are a little confusing, but the context generally makes clear what is intended.

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Considerations of health, followed by growing appreciation of the charms of Gairloch, have caused me to make my Highland home in this out-of-the-world parish. Its romantic scenery and health-giving climate are its most obvious attractions; but add to these its wonderful legends and traditions, the eventful history of its dominant family, the story of its old ironworks, the interesting peculiarities of its Highland inhabitants, the distinction conferred upon it by the visit of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, the great geological controversy about its rocks, the sport its waters afford to the angler, the varied subjects it displays to the artist, and the pregnant fields of research it yields to the scientist, and you have a list of allurements it would be difficult to beat elsewhere. Though its boundary line extends to within five miles of the railway, Gairloch still preserves many of the characteristics of old days, and these not only possess a peculiar fascination for most people, but are also well fitted to arouse and nourish a spirit of investigation.

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The famous Loch Maree (with the small but romantic islet known as Isle Maree) is surrounded by the finest scenery in the parish. Their attractions bring annually some three thousand visitors to Gairloch. One might have fancied that such an influx of people would have led to the accumulation of a large and increasing stock of knowledge of this Highland parish, but as a rule the visitors are here to-day and gone to-morrow, and take no thorough interest in the country or its inhabitants.

Some years ago I happened to travel by the railway from Inverness to Achnasheen in the company of a pleasant party, comprising a gentleman and three ladies, who were making a tour in the Highlands. They boasted that, though their time had been limited to a very few days, they would have seen the greater part of the Highlands before they returned home. On the day I fell in with them their object was to see Loch Maree. To accomplish this they had arranged by telegraph for a carriage and pair to await the arrival of the train at Achnasheen. The day proved wet and misty, and I saw them leave the railway station in a close carriage. I followed soon after on the mail-car. A short delay took place at Kenlochewe whilst the horses were changed. There I found my fellow-travellers enjoying their lunch in the hotel. They told me that although the day was too wet for them to drive down to the shore of the loch, and too misty to admit of its being fully seen from a distance, yet they were quite able to say that they had seen Loch Maree, for at one point they had put their heads out of the windows of their carriage during a brief cessation of the rain and had distinctly seen the water of the loch! They were returning to Achnasheen as soon as they had swallowed their lunch, to catch the train back to Inverness the same afternoon.

These tourists, who thus professed to have "seen Loch Maree," were a fair type of too many of those who rush through Gairloch, as if their sole object were to cover the most ground in the shortest possible time, and who thus fail to obtain any true perception of the belongings of the country, even of the scenery.

There are first-rate hotels within the parish, and lodgings may frequently be hired, or a furnished house taken. The hotels offer the inducement of lower terms to those whose visits exceed the usually brief period.

Impressions of scenery are fixed by repetition; insight into nature is deepened by observation; and knowledge of a country is vastly more valuable if it include some acquaintance with the population, their characters, condition, and means of livelihood. Too many visitors overlook their opportunities in these directions.

Some remarks are necessary with regard to the traditions of Gairloch, contained mostly in [Part I]. In recent times there has been a tendency to discredit all such traditions, and to treat them as symbolic or didactic legends, or as localisations (with extra colouring) of myths common to the heroic period of every country. The principal features of one or two of the Gairloch traditions are certainly to be found in stories of other parts of the Highlands, and occasionally, but rarely, a resemblance may even be traced to the plot of some ancient European myth. On the other hand, it is to be noted that the Highland bards, down to the present time, have regularly transmitted their stories in precisely the same language from one trained memory to another, so that even the very words put into the mouths of the dramatis personæ have been insisted upon in every transmission. Another point to be noticed is, that except in two instances the Gairloch traditions do not date further back than four centuries. In the older legends referred to, visible evidences, such as the tombstones in Isle Maree and the cave at Ardlair, may perhaps be considered confirmatory. For my own part, I am disposed to accept all the traditions as generally worthy of credence. Much interest in the locality is gained by doing this, and certainly nothing is lost!

A difficulty the visitor to Gairloch always experiences is due to the Gaelic names. The Glossary should help to overcome this obstacle. Not only does it include the meanings of the Gaelic words, but it attempts to indicate their pronunciations. I am bound to warn the reader that the pronunciations stated are only approximate. There are sounds in the Gaelic language which cannot be expressed by English tongues or to English ears by any combinations of letters. Yet most of the pronunciations stated are sufficiently near the truth to answer ordinary purposes. I recommend the reader to refer to the Glossary at the occurrence of each Gaelic name in the book, and those names and their import will soon become familiar. The Gaelic sound of ch is about the same as that of the German ch; it does not occur in the English language, but unless you can master it there is no use in your trying to speak even the two leading names in this parish,—viz., Gairloch, and Loch Maree. Whatever you do, pray avoid pronouncing loch as if it were lock. This is the most egregious error made by many southerners in trying to speak the commonest Highland names.

In communicating to the public the information about Gairloch contained in the following pages, I claim the right to offer a word or two of counsel and entreaty.

I would submit that it is unfair, as well as discourteous, to interfere with the rights of those who take deer forests or rent sheep farms. Rambles on upland moors and mountain ascents are almost certain to injure the sport or privileges of others. I am aware there is a strong feeling that every one ought to have access to mountains. Whether this be legalised by Parliament or not, I would appeal to the visitor here to refrain from the illiberality and discourtesy of spoiling other people's hardly-earned and well-paid-for privileges. There is plenty of room for all. Why should unpleasant feelings be stirred up, and tourists as a class be blamed for the intolerance of a few? All the mountains and hills of Gairloch are haunts of the red deer or feeding-grounds of sheep, and no ascents ought to be undertaken unless by due arrangement, which cannot be expected in the deer-stalking season, and which, when obtainable, should be made with the head-keeper of the ground.

There are some drawbacks to mountain ascents that may help the visitor more willingly to forego them. How often the view from a summit is entirely blotted out by clouds or mist, or marred by the distance being lost in haze! How often the fine morning that induced the expedition is followed by a stormy afternoon! To these must be added the frequent injury to health caused by the unusual strain on the systems of persons unaccustomed to mountaineering, and the possible risk of being lost in mist. It is hoped that tourists will be content with the shorter climbs recommended in [Part IV]. Artists tell us that landscapes seen from lower elevations are more thoroughly picturesque than the bird's-eye views from mountain tops.

Again, I entreat botanists and others looking for wild flowers and plants to abstain from rooting up the rare or beautiful things they may find, and from trespassing in places where their presence is obviously not required. The mania for removing every fragment of an uncommon plant has grown much of late years,—witness the extermination of the edelweiss from some of its best known habitats on the Swiss Alps. Who does not remember places whence our own rare holly-fern has within the past few years been eradicated? A few years ago that comparatively scarce fern the sea-spleenwort (asplenium marinum) was abundant within three hundred yards of the Gairloch Hotel; now it is unknown there. A gentleman fond of botany planted some uncommon ferns not natives of Ross-shire in a wood in Gairloch parish; they were soon discovered by tourists staying at a neighbouring hotel, who ruthlessly removed the whole. Instances of this kind have brought the British tourist into disrepute in many parts of the world.

It is in the spirit of these remarks that I beg to introduce the reader to the charms of Gairloch and Loch Maree.

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PART I.

Records and Traditions of Gairloch.

CHAPTER		PAGE
I.	Early History	[3]
II.	The Tragedy of Isle Maree	[7]
III.	The Mackenzies of Kintail	[11]
IV.	Ewan Mac Gabhar, the Son of the Goat	[14]
V.	The MacRaes of Kintail and Gairloch	[19]
VI.	The MacBeaths	[21]
VII.	The M'Leods of Gairloch	[24]
VIII.	The Macdonalds in Gairloch	[27]
IX.	Hector Roy Mackenzie, First Laird of Gairloch	[29]
X.	John Glassich Mackenzie and his Sons	[36]
XI.	John Roy Mackenzie	[38]
XII.	Expulsion of the M'Leods from Gairloch	[43]
XIII.	Alastair Breac, and his Son and Grandson	[49]
XIV.	The Baronets of Gairloch, and some other Gairloch Mackenzies	[53]
XV.	Gairloch Estates, and Old Names of Places	[60]
XVI.	Ecclesiastical History of Gairloch	[63]
XVII.	Ancient Gairloch Ironworks	[72]
XVIII.	The Historic Ironworks of Loch Maree	[75]
XIX.	The Iron Ores used in Gairloch	[86]
XX.	Remains of Ironworks in the Parish of Gairloch	[90]
XXI.	Antiquities	[97]

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