Scottish Place Names: A Guide to their Meanings

Discover the rich tapestry of Scottish place names, each carrying a unique story and historical significance. From the rugged highlands to the verdant lowlands, explore the captivating origins of these names, revealing a deeper understanding of the land and its people. This comprehensive list provides a detailed breakdown of the meanings behind over 40 Scottish place names, unveiling the fascinating cultural and linguistic heritage of Scotland.
1. **Aberdeen:** From the Gaelic "Aber Deen", meaning "mouth of the River Dee".
2. **Airdrie:** From the Gaelic "Àird Rìgh", meaning "high king's ridge".
3. **Ayr:** From the Gaelic "Àth Ghearain", meaning "ford of the rough/stony place".
4. **Banff:** From the Gaelic "Baile an Fheàrna", meaning "town of the alder trees".
5. **Berwick-upon-Tweed:** Originally known as "Berwick", from the Old English "Berwic", meaning "barley farm". The addition of "upon-Tweed" distinguishes it from Berwick-on-Tweed in England.
6. **Blairgowrie:** From the Gaelic "Bealach Gòraidh", meaning "pass of the rough/stony place".
7. **Bonnyrigg:** From the Gaelic "Bàgh na Rìgh", meaning "bay of the king".
8. **Brechin:** From the Gaelic "Breacain", meaning "speckled/varied".
9. **Crieff:** From the Gaelic "Crioch", meaning "territory/district".
10. **Cupar:** From the Gaelic "Cùbar", meaning "hollow/hollow ground".
11. **Dornoch:** From the Gaelic "Dùn Dòrnach", meaning "fort of the thorn".
12. **Dundee:** From the Gaelic "Dùn Dè", meaning "fort of the God".
13. **Dunfermline:** From the Gaelic "Dùn Fhearmainn", meaning "fort of the meadow".
14. **Edinburgh:** From the Gaelic "Eadainburgh", meaning "castle on the crag".
15. **Elgin:** From the Gaelic "Eilginn", meaning "little church".
16. **Falkirk:** From the Gaelic "Baile na Fàilce", meaning "town of the sickle".
17. **Forfar:** From the Gaelic "Fòrfair", meaning "place of the ford".
18. **Fort William:** Named in 1690 after William III, also known as William of Orange.
19. **Galashiels:** From the Gaelic "Gàlashiels", meaning "Gaels' shelters".
20. **Glasgow:** From the Gaelic "Glaschu", meaning "green hollow".
21. **Greenock:** From the Gaelic "Grianag", meaning "little sun".
22. **Inverness:** From the Gaelic "Inbhir Nis", meaning "mouth of the River Ness".
23. **Irvine:** From the Gaelic "Inbhir Arainn", meaning "mouth of the River Arran".
24. **Jedburgh:** From the Gaelic "Seadnabhurgh", meaning "Seadna's fort/borough".
25. **Kilmarnock:** From the Gaelic "Cill Mharnaig", meaning "church of Marnoch".
26. **Kirkcaldy:** From the Gaelic "Cill Chaluim Chille", meaning "church of Saint Columba".
27. **Kirkwall:** From the Old Norse "Kirkjuvágr", meaning "church bay".
28. **Lerwick:** From the Old Norse "Leirvík", meaning "clay bay".
29. **Linlithgow:** From the Gaelic "Lìn Lìthghao", meaning "pool of the flax".
30. **Loch Lomond:** From the Gaelic "Loch Laomainn", meaning "lake of the elm trees".
31. **Melrose:** From the Gaelic "Mail Ros", meaning "bare hill".
32. **Montrose:** From the Gaelic "Monadh Rois", meaning "moor of the hill".
33. **Motherwell:** From the Gaelic "Maothail", meaning "hillside".
34. **Oban:** From the Gaelic "An Oba", meaning "the bay".
35. **Paisley:** From the Gaelic "Paslie", meaning "peaceful valley".
36. **Perth:** From the Gaelic "Pèairth", meaning "place of the pear trees".
37. **Peterhead:** From the Gaelic "Baile Pheadair", meaning "Peter's town".
38. **Portree:** From the Gaelic "Port Rìgh", meaning "king's port/harbor".
39. **Stirling:** From the Gaelic "Sruileadh", meaning "stirring/roaring".
40. **Stornoway:** From the Old Norse "Stóran-vík", meaning "big bay".
41. **Stranraer:** From the Gaelic "Sròn Ràth", meaning "promontory of the fort".
42. **Tain:** From the Gaelic "Baile na Tàine", meaning "town of the meadow".
43. **Thurso:** From the Gaelic "Tùrsach", meaning "towering/prominent".
44. **Wick:** From the Gaelic "Baile Uig", meaning "town of the bay".