The Placenames of The Isle of Skye - Nomenclature: Place-names of Skye have always been an enigma to the Sassenach because their spelling is frequently obscure and their correct pronunciation most perplexing. When it is realised for instance that Mhadaidh is pronounced Vatee, or Thuilm Hulim, it will be obvious that unless the speaker is familiar with the Gaelic tongue he is scarcely ever understood by the native. The position, however, is further complicated by the number of apparently correct spellings for one and the same place. The Coolins, for example, may be spelt Cuillin, Culinn, Cuillfhionn, Cuildhean, Cuilionn, Culluchin, Gulluin, Quillin, Cullin and Cuchullin.
The list below, and over the next couple of pages, is of placenames of the Isle of Skye in the Gaelic and are mainly related to the Cuillins. If you are interested in the Place-names of towns take a look in our Articles Section.
Placenames of the Isle of Skye: | | Meaning: | ABHAINN, ABHUINN, AMHAINN, AMHUINN. | | A river. | AIRD, AIRDE, AN AIRDE, NA H'AIRDE. | | The height or heights, points or promontories. | ALLT. | | A river or burn, with high or precipitous banks. | AMAR. | | The trough or river of the rocky channel. Old Highlanders used this word for a pot. | ASHIG, AISEAG, AISHIG, ASHAIG. | | The crossing, the ferry. | ATH NA GLAISSICH, GLAISEACH. | | Ford of the foam. | BAC-NA-H'UAMHA. | | Cave ridge. At back of Garbh-Bheinn. | BAGHAN. | | A little bay, a local harbour. | BARPA. | | A barrow, a cairn. | BASADAIR, AM BASTEIR. | | The Executioner, probably in reference to the outline of the Bhasteir Tooth, which some consider resembles a headsman's axe. | BEAL, BEUL, BIAL, BIEL. | | Mouth. This is a common pasturage and lair or lying place for cattle. | BEALACH,BELLACH,BALLACH, BALLOCH. | | A pass. | BEALACH A'BHAISTEIR (BHASTEIR). | | Pass of the Executioner. | BEALACH A BHORBHAIN, BHORBHEIN, MHORMHAIN, MHORBHEINN. | | A pass between Storr and Quiraing. | BEALACH A BHUIRIDH. | | Belig. Pass of the bellowing stags. | BEALACH ACHADH NAN GOBHAR. | | Torrin. Pass of the goats' field. | BEALACH A CHLAIB. | | The widemouth pass. Also a battlefield. | BEALACH A CHOISICHE. | | The traveller or pedestrian's pass, a footpath. |
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