Islands of Loch LomondAll the islands on Loch Lomond have names
coined originally in Gaelic, with the oldest names carrying the
element innis meaning island, anglicised inch. A minority carry the
element eilean, the modern standard Gaelic word for an island.
Find out more Tuilleadh fiosrachaidh:
Tha a bhileag seo air a maoineachadh le Brd na Gidhlig
Wonderful waterfallsGaelic has several words for a waterfall,
the most common being eas (ESS). Waterfalls and fast running water
were given special status in Gaelic tradition, often being the
haunts of supernatural creatures, although evil spirits were said
not to be able to cross running water. There are many fine
waterfalls in the park; the following are some of the best known.
Theyre marked on the map overleaf.
Liquid landscapesIsland I Vow
Tarbet Isle
word for an island.
Inchmurrin
Inchtava
Inchlonaig
Fraoch Island
Bucinch
Ceardach
EllanderrochInchcailloch
Inchcruin
InchfadInchtavannach
Inchconnachan
Fraoch Island
Inchlonaig
Inchmoan
Creinch
Torrinch Clairinch
Inchmurrin
Its the nations park.To discover, to explore, to enjoy. Its all
about finding your own space. And then choosing what you do with
it...
S e pirc an nisean a th ann. A rraich, a rannsaich, a
mhealtainn. Gus ite dhut fhin a lorg ann. Agus an uair sin a
taghadh d n thu leis
A NATIONAL PARKFOR EVERYONE
2 Beinglas Waterfall A Bheinn Ghlas The name derives from the
adjacent
mountain Ben Glas, properly A Bheinn Ghlas (uh vayn GHLAS) the
green mountain. In Gaelic, the feature is Eas na Beinne Glaise (nuh
baynyuh GLASHuh).
7 Bracklinn Falls A Bhreac Linn (uh VREH-uchk leen)
dappled pool.
4 Falls of Dochart Eas Dochart (DOCHart), reputedly
the scourer (with negative connotations, referring to this
impressive feature by Killin).
5 Falls of Edinample Eas Aodann Ambail (OEUtun AMPil) falls of
the face
of the cauldron or vat (named for the pool, reputed to be a
haunt of the fairies).
6 Falls of Leny Eas Lnaigh (LAANee) meaning obscure.
The Pass of Leny is Cumhang Lnaigh (koo-unk LAANee). The river
is the well-named Garbh Uisge (garav OOSHkuh) boisterous river.
1 Sruth Ban An Sruth Bn (un stroo BAAN)
the fair torrent (the falls appear white against the dark
rock).
8 Inversnaid Waterfall Eas Inbhir Snthaid Eas Inbhir Snthaid
(inivur SNAA-itch) the mouth of Allt na Snthaid (the needle like
stream)
Loch Lomond
3 Falls of Falloch Eas Falach (FALuch) from the glen.
ww
w.g
eogr
aph.
org
.uk
C
opy
righ
t Ste
phen
Mid
dlem
iss
C
opy
righ
t And
rew
Sco
bie
ww
w.g
eogr
aph.
org
.uk
www.geograph.org.uk Copyright M J Richardson
C
opy
righ
t Tru
dy H
ughe
s
If you would like further information about the National Park
contact:
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Headquarters,
CarrochanCarrochan Road, Balloch, G83 8EGTel: +44(0)1389
722600email: [email protected]
Cuirte ri chile aig ghdarras Pirc Niseanta Loch Laomainn &
nan TrisicheanCarachan, Rathad Charachain, Am Bealach, G83 8EG,
Alba Fn: +44(0)1389 722600 Post-d:
[email protected]
lochlomond-trossachs.orgfind us on facebook, follow us on
twitter, watch us on youtube
Ple
ase
pass
this
leafl
et o
n w
hen
you
have
fini
shed
with
it!
Island namesBucinch Boc Innis (BOCHK inish) - buck (goat)
island
Ceardach An Cerdach (un KYARDuch) smiddy (possibly used for
metalworking)
Clairinch Clr Innis (KLAAR inish) flat island
Creinch Craobh Innis (KROEUV inish) tree island (it presumably
remained wooded when other islands had been cleared)
Island I Vow Eilean a Bhth (aylan uh VOO) island of the
booth/hut
Ellanderroch Eilean Darach (aylan DARuch) island of oaks
Fraoch Island Fraoch Eilean (FROEUCH aylan) heather island
Inchcailloch Innis Chailleach (inish CHEYLyuch) island of nuns
(said to be the site of St Kentigernas nunnery)
Inchconnachan Innis Chonachain (inish CHONuchin) The meaning is
unclear. Explained locally as Colquhouns isle, it was long in the
possession of the Colquhouns of Luss
Inchcruin An Innis Chruinn (un inish CHRUHeen) the round island,
probably named for a rounded peninsula on its eastern side
Inchfad An Innis Fhada (un inish ATuh) the long island
Inchlonaig Innis Lnaig (inish LNik) probably island of the small
marsh; famous for its yew trees reputedly planted by King Robert
the Bruce
Inchmoan Innis Mna (inish MNuh) peat island long used by the
inhabitants of Luss as a source of fuel.
Inchmurrin Innis Mearain (inish MERin) St Mirrens island
Inchtavannach Innis Taigh a Mhanaich (inish tey uh VANich) the
island of the monks house (connected with St Kessog and once the
site of a monastery).
Tarbet Isle Eilean an Tairbeirt (aylan un TARubirtch) the island
of the isthmus or portage
Crown copyright and database right 2013. All rights reserved.
Ordnance Survey Licence number 100031883.
Whats in a name?
lochlomond-trossachs.org
Your guide to Gaelic place names
Lochgoil
A place in historyFor hundreds of years, up until the 19th
Century, Gaelic was the language of most of the inhabitants of the
Park area. We are told, for example, that in around 1724, Gaelic
was the sole language in Balquhidder, Callander, Aberfoyle, Luss
and Arrochar, and the majority tongue in Buchanan and Port of
Menteith. As late as the 1950s, native Gaelic speakers were still
to be found in places like Balquhidder, Brig O Turk and Killin.
Because of this, Gaelic place names predominate; where these
have been recorded faithfully, they are readily understood by
Gaelic speakers from any other part of Scotland, although
anglicised forms sometimes cause
problems of interpretation. But there is also an older naming
system, often modified by Gaelic-speakers,
belonging to another Celtic language more akin to Welsh, known
as Cumbric or Brittonic. The
Brittonic speakers are remembered in the Clach nam Breatann
(clach num BREHtun) the stone of the Britons in Glen Falloch, which
reputedly marks the northern limit of their kingdom, and Dumbarton
Rock, from Dn Breatann (doon BREHtun) fortress of the Britons.
Dominant forcesThe Picts, long a dominant force in northern
Scotland, were other people with a language similar to that of the
Britons; Loch Lomond was recorded in the 9th century as being in
regione Pictorum in the region of the Picts. The Norse were active
nearby in the Firth of Clyde from the 9th to 13th centuries and
raided Loch Lomond on at least one occasion but, like the Picts,
their influence on the Parks place names appears to be minimal.
Other languages which have left their imprint on the map of the
Park but only to a small degree are English and Scots, the latter
mostly in the southern and eastern borderlands.
The name Loch Lomond was earlier Loch Leamhain (loch LEFin),
named after the River Leven elm water; the region is known in
Gaelic as Leamhnachd (LEH-oon-uchk, anglicised Lennox), also from
the river name. However, the loch is overshadowed by Beinn Laomainn
(bayn LOEUmin) beacon mountain, presumably a site for beacon fires
in ancient times, and the mountains name was ultimately adopted for
the loch itself. Beinn Laomainn and Loch Laomainn became Ben Lomond
and Loch Lomond in English.
Your guide to pronunciationThe modern writing system for Gaelic,
one of Western Europes oldest written tongues, is based on that of
Classical Gaelic, the common literary language long used in both
Ireland and Scotland, and is well suited to represent the languages
inflexions and subtleties.
The alphabet is identical to that of English (based on Latin),
except that it has only 18 letters ( j, k, q, v, w, x, y and z not
being present). The accents on Gaelic vowels indicate an elongation
of the vowel and are important for pronunciation. An approximate
pronunciation guide is given (based on Scottish accented English)
but it must be noted that the sounds of Gaelic are impossible to
reproduce accurately with such a tool. The only sure way to be able
to pronounce the landscape names perfectly is to learn the
language.
Dividing hillsThe Trossachs is an anglicisation of Gaelic Na
Trisichean (nuh TRSHeechun) the places lying athwart. The name
strictly applies to the hills dividing Loch Katrine from Loch
Achray, which lie at a right angle to the glens containing the
lochs. Its root is thought be trs, a Brittonic word represented in
modern Welsh by traws (a Gaelic word with the same root is
tarsainn, found in the park in Beinn Tharsainn the crosswise
mountain).
The word order in Gaelic place names tends to be the opposite of
English, with the noun followed by the descriptor or adjective.
Thus, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is rendered in
Gaelic as Pirc Niseanta Loch Laomainn is nan Trisichean (park
NAASHuntuh loch LOEUmin is nun TRSHeechun).
Loch Venachar Carrick Castle Balquhidder GlenStob Binnein
CrianlarichLake of Mentieth LussBen LediAberfoyle
Gaelic Pronunciation Translationallt (OWLT) burn, stream
bealach (BYALuch) pass, route
beinn (BAYN) mountain
cnoc (KROCHK) hill
coire (KORuh) corrie
creag (KRAYK) crag, rock
druim (DROOim) ridge
gleann (GLEH-own) glen, valley
maol (MOEUL) bare hill, mountain
meall (MYOWL) lump-shaped hill, mountain
sthean, sdhean (SHEEhun) knoll (often associated with the
sthichean or fairies)
srn (STRN) nose, end of mountain ridge
stob (STOP) peak, summit, something sticking up like a post
tom (TOWM) hillock
Capital letters indicate where the emphasis lies. Here are some
more pronunciation tips.
VowelsAA: long aAY: as in dayOA: as in soarEY: as in eye: long
o, as in cordOEU: close to French oeufOO: as in soonOW: as in
nowOY: as in boy
ConsonantsCH: as in lochS: like ss in English,
never a zTCH: like ch in church
The Park has a rich place-name heritage, with hundreds of names
coined in several languages.
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs is at the southern edge of the
Gidhealtachd (or Highlands), the largely mountainous part of
Scotland in which Gaelic was the dominant tongue following its
retreat from the Lowland regions of the south
and east.
Whats in a Name? Language of the LandscapeGaelic has a rich
vocabulary for describing landscape. For example it has over 80
words for hill, mountain or slope. Some words like bog, caol, crn,
coire, creag, gleann, linne, loch, machair and srath are familiar
to English speakers as they have been adopted into that language as
bog, kyle, cairn, corrie, crag/craig, glen, linn, loch, machair and
strath (although, with the exception of loch and machair, the
pronunciation of the borrowing is different from the original). The
table below list some names of landscape features common in the
National Park.
InchcaillochLoch Achray
A873
A85M8
National Park Visitor Centre
National Park information
VisitScotland Information Centre
VisitScotland Information Centre (seasonal opening)
Point of interest
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park boundary
Motorway
Trunk road
Major road
Minor road
Railway/station
Ferry, cruise or water bus (some operate only in summer)
National Cycle Route 7
West Loch Lomond Cycle path
West Highland Way Long Distance Route
Rob Roy Way
Three Lochs Way
Filte gu Pirc Niseanta Loch Laomainn is nan TrisicheanWelcome to
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park The National Park has
a rich place-name heritage. Up until the 19th century, Gaelic was
spoken by most of the areas inhabitants. Because of this, Gaelic
names for villages, mountains and lochs can still be seen across
todays maps and many other names have Gaelic roots. Look at the
names of the mountains on this modern English map. Most are still
pure Gaelic.
The panels opposite explain the meanings behind our anglicised
place names and overleaf we give a little background to the history
and Gaelic pronunciations.
Waterfalls (see overleaf )
1 An Sruth Bn Sruth Ban
2 A Bheinn Ghlas Beinglas Waterfall
3 Eas Falach Falls of Falloch
4 Eas Dochart Falls of Dochart
5 Eas Aodann Ambail Falls of Edinample
6 Eas Lnaigh Falls of Leny
7 A Bhreac Linn Bracklinn Falls
8 Eas Inbhir Snthaid Inversnaid Waterfall
1
7
4
53
2
86
This map is for illustrative purposes only. Always equip
yourself with the appropriate map. Reproduced by permission of
Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. Crown copyright and database
right 2013. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number
100031883.The representation of features or boundaries in which
LLTNPA or others have an interest does not necessarily imply their
true positions. For further information please contact the
appropriate authority.
LochsLoch Achray: Loch th Chrathaidh (aah CHRAHee) loch of the
ford of shaking.
Loch Ard: Loch na h-irde (nuh HAARJuh) the loch of the
height/promontory.
Lake of Menteith: Often called Scotlands only lake, it is
nevertheless a loch in Gaelic! Named for its island, it is Loch
Innse Mo Cholmaig (eensh mo CHOLomik) the loch of St Colmags
isle.
Loch Arklet: Loch Aircleid (ARKlaytch) derived from airc-leathad
difficulty-slope (referring to a steep incline on the north side of
the loch.
Loch Chon: Loch Chon (CHON) loch of dogs.
Loch Dochart: Loch Dochart (DOCHart), from the river.
Loch Doine: This has been explained as Loch Dubh-Aibhne (DOO
eynyuh) loch of the dark river, but this is open to doubt.
Loch Earn: Loch ireann (AYran) loch of Ireland (presumably named
by early Gaelic-speaking settlers).
Loch Eck: Loch Aic (ECHK) a reduced form of Eachaig (EHuchik)
horse stream, still found in the River Eachaig which drains the
loch.
Loch Goil: Loch Goill (GUH-eel) loch of the foreigner or
stranger, possibly referring to Norse settlers.
Loch Iubhair (YOOur) yew loch.
Loch Katrine: Loch Ceiteirein (KAYTCHurin) possibly dusky
loch.
Loch Lomond: Loch Laomainn (LOEUmin) beacon loch (named from the
mountain).
Loch Long: Loch Long (LONGK) loch of ships.
Loch Lubnaig: Loch Ldnaig (LOODnik). Obscure. The anglicised
form suggests a name based on lb bend, fitting the bent shape of
the loch, but the Gaelic form would seem to rule that out.
Loch Sloy: Loch Sligh (SLY) apparently loch of the
host/multitude but the reason for the name is unknown.
Loch Venachar: Loch Bheannchair (VYANuchur) horn-shaped, i.e.
tapering, loch.
Loch Voil: Loch Bheothail (VYOhil) . This has been explained as
Loch a Bhe-Thuil, (uh VYOH hool) loch of the quick-running flood
but this is open to doubt.
MountainsAn Caisteal: (un KASHTyul) the castle.
Beinn Aan: Sir Walter Scott is responsible for the erroneous
anglicisation of this mountains name. It is properly Am Binnean (um
BEENyun) the pinnacle.
Beinn a Chlibh: (uh CHLAYV) the mountain of the creel.
Beinn a Choin: (uh CHON) the mountain of the dog.
Beinn a Chrin: (uh CHRN) often given as the mountain of the
harm, mischief, the pronunciation suggests an original of Beinn a
Chrthain the mountain of the small animal pen. Stc a Chrin is
similar; a stc is a rock or pinnacle.
Beinn an t-Sidhein: (un TCHEEhin) Beinn an t-Sthein the mountain
of the knoll (probably a fairy knoll one of the subsidiary summits
on the mountain).
Beinn Bheula: (VAYLuh), close, nearby mountain.
Beinn Bhreac: (VREH-uchk) speckled mountain.
Beinn Chaorach: (CHOEURuch) sheep mountain.
Beinn Chuirn: properly Beinn a Chirn (uh CHOORN) the mountain of
the cairn.
Beinn Dubh: (DOO) black mountain.
Beinn Dubhchraig: properly Beinn na Dubh Chreige (nuh doo
CHRAYKuh) the mountain of the black crag.
Beinn Each: (EH-uch) mountain of horses.
Beinn Ime: (EEMuh) butter mountain probably named for the days
of the shieling, when cattle were grazed in the hills during the
summer, and butter was made there.
Beinn Lochain: properly Beinn an Lochain (un LOCHin) the
mountain of the small loch.
Beinn Luibhean: (LOOeevun) mountain of herbs.
Beinn Mhr: (VOAR) big mountain.
Beinn nan Imirean: (nun IMirun) the mountain of the ridges.
Beinn Narnain: (NARNin). Recorded as Ben Varnan in older times
which suggests Beinn Bhernan (VYAARNun), mountain of fissures (on
its eastern side).
Beinn Odhar: (OA-ur) sallow-coloured mountain
Beinn Ruadh: (ROO-ugh) russet-coloured mountain.
Beinn Tulaichean: (TOOLichun) mountain of hillocks.
Beinn ird: (OORJ) mountain of the rd; An t-rd the steep-sided
hill may have been its original name.
Ben Challum: Beinn Chaluim (CHALim) Calum/Malcolms mountain.
Ben Donich: Beinn Dmhnaich (DNich) mountain of church land.
Ben Ledi: Beinn Lididh (LEEjee) hill of the slope.
Ben Lomond: Beinn Laomainn (LOEUmin) beacon mountain.
Ben Lui: Beinn Laoigh (LOEUee) mountain of the calf.
Ben More: A Bheinn Mhr (uh vayn VOAR) the great mountain.
Ben Oss: Beinn Ois (OSH) usually understood to be elk mountain,
recalling a species now long extinct; however os can also mean a
deer or stag.
Ben Vane/Benvane: A Bheinn Mheadhain (uh vayn VAYun) the middle
mountain.
Ben Venue: A Bheinn Mheanbh (uh vayn VENoo) the small
mountain.
Ben Vorlich: There are two mountains of this name in the park,
one west of Loch Lomond and the other south of Loch Earn, the
Gaelic in both cases being Beinn Mhrlaig (VOORlik). Mountain of the
bay is the generally accepted translation of the name (based on
muir-bhalg a bay, literally sea bag), as each is close to a farm on
the lochside called Ardvorlich, thought to mean height above the
bay.
Cnoc Cinnich: (crochk KNyich) mossy hill.
Conic Hill: Cnoc Cinnich (crochk KNyich) mossy hill.
Creachan Mr: An Creachann Mr (un kreh-uch-un MOAR) the great
bare rocky hilltop.
Craig MacRanaich: Creag Mhic Ranaich (crayk vichk RANich)
MacRanichs crag, reputedly named after a robber.
Cruach Ardrain: Cruach rdrain (kroo-uch AARSDrin) stack
(mountain) of the high part.
Doune Hill: An Dn (un DOON) the hillfort.
Fiarach: (FEEuruch) probably oblique/crosswise (mountain) as
viewed from StrathFillan. An alternative is Feurach grassy
place.
Meall an Fhdair: (myowl un OOdur) the hill of the gunpowder.
Meall an t-Seallaidh: (myowl un TCHALee) the hill of the
view.
Meall Buidhe: (myowl BOOyuh) yellow hill.
Meall Glas: (myowl GLAS) green hill.
Meall Mr: (myowl MOAR) big hill.
Meall na Ferna: (myowl nuh FYAARNuh) the hill of the alder
tree.
Meall Reamhar: (myowl REHwur) hill of large circumference.
Sgiath Chil: (skee-uh CHOOL) the rear wing or shield (arm of a
hill or mountain). It is situated behind another sgiath Sgiath
Chrom (CHROWM) crooked wing as seen from Glen Dochart.
Sgorach Mr: probably An Sgrach Mr (un SKRuch MOAR) the large
hill rising out of the mountain.
Stob Binnein: (stop BEENyin) peak of the pinnacle. It is likely
that the original was Stob Innein (stop EENyin), peak of the anvil,
as the summit resembles an anvil when viewed from the west.
Stob Coire Creagach: Stob a Choire Chreagaich (stop uh choruh
CHRAYKich) the peak of the rocky corrie.
The Brack: derives from the Gaelic breac (BREH-uchk) dappled or
speckled.
The Cobbler: A translation of the Gaelic name An Greusaiche Crom
(uhn greeusichuh KROWM) the crouching cobbler (shoemaker), from the
shape of the summit rock. Also known as Ben Arthur or Beinn Artair
(ARSTur).
The Stob: An Stob (STOP) the stob (stump) or peak.
SettlementsAberfoyle: Obar Phuill (oapur FOO-eel) mouth of the
muddy stream. Obar/Aber is a borrowing from the Brittonic or
Pictish language, an equivalent of the more common Gaelic
inbhir.
Ardentinny: ird an t-Sionnaich (aarsd un TCHOONich) the headland
of the fox.
Ardgartan: ird a Ghartain (aarsd uh GHARSTun) the headland of
the corn enclosure.
Ardlui: ird Laoigh (aarsd LOEU-ee) height of the calf (possibly
deer calf).
Arrochar: An t-rar (un TAARar) meaning uncertain, possibly a
unit of arable land.
Balloch: Am Bealach (um BYALuch) the pass.
Balmaha: Generally given as Baile Mo Thatha (baluh moa HAA-uh)
the settlement of Mo Thatha, a Celtic saint. However, recent
scholarship has suggested Bealach Mo Cha (byaluch moa CHA) the pass
of Mo Cha, referring to St Kentigerna.
Balquhidder: Both Phuidir (boh FOOTyir) or Chuidir (CHOOTyir)
both is a hut (from which English bothy is derived) but the meaning
of the second part is unclear.
Blairmore: Am Blr Mr (um blaar MOAR) the big field.
Brig o Turk: The name is Scots, the bridge of the Tuirc, derived
from the Gaelic torc ravine (through which the Finglas River
flows). The modern Gaelic name is Ceann Drochaid (kyown DROCHitch)
bridge end.
Callander: Calasraid (KALusratch) harbour street (the street
runs parallel to the river)
Crianlarich: A Chron Lraich (uh chree-un LAARich) either the
wasted site or the aspen site (the aspen tree is critheann or
quivering one).
Croftamie: Croit Sheumaidh (crotch HAYmee) Jamies croft.
Drymen: Drumainn (DROOmin) ridge.
Gartocharn: Gart a Chirn (garst uh CHAARN) the corn enclosure of
the cairn.
Inverbeg: An t-Inbhir Beag (un tchinivur BAYK) the small
river-mouth.
Inverlochlarig: Inbhir Lch Lraig (inivur LOCH laarik) river
mouth of the dark pass. Lch, not to be confused with the noun loch
lake, is an ancient Gaelic adjective meaning dark or black.
Inveruglas: Inbhir Dhbhghlais (inivur GHOOlish) mouth of the
dark stream.
Killin: Cill Fhinn (kil EEN) fair church. A local tradition
gives it as the church of Fionn (Fingal), the legendary Gaelic
hero, as he is reputed to be buried nearby. The Rev. James Stewart
of Killin, a native of the Trossachs, was the first translator of
the New Testament into Gaelic (1767).
Kilmahog: Cill Mo Chg (keel moa CHOOK) the church of St Cg.
Kilmun: Cill Mhunna (kil VOONuh) Munnas church. Munna was a pet
name for St Fintan.
Luss: Lus (looss) from Gleann Luis herb glen. The Rev. Dr John
Stewart of Luss, son of the translator of the New Testament into
Gaelic, was the principal translator of the Old Testament into that
language (completed 1801).
Port of Menteith: Port na Tadhaich (porst nuh TCHEH-ich).
Menteith is Mon Tadhaich (mon TCHEH-ich) in Gaelic, referring to
the upland between the Lake of Menteith and Loch Venachar. The name
is likely to be of Brittonic or Pictish origin and its meaning is
obscure.
Rowardennan: Rubha ird Enain (roo-uh arsd YOANin) the point of
the headland of Adamnan. St Adamnan (d. 704) was the ninth abbot of
Iona and biographer of St Columba.
St Fillans: Am Port Mr (um porst MOAR). The English name recalls
the 8th century St Fillan, whereas the Gaelic name means the big
port.
Strathyre: The English derives from the Gaelic Srath Eadhair
strath of cornland; however the modern Gaelic form is An t-Iomaire
Riabhach (un tchimuruh REE-uvuch) the brindled ridge. Birthplace of
the spiritual poet Dugald Buchanan (1716 1763), who assisted the
Rev. James Stewart of Killin in the translation of the New
Testament into Gaelic, and to whom there is a monument in the
village.
Stronachlachar: Srn a Chlachair (strn uh CHLACHur) the
stonemasons point.
Tarbet: An Tairbeart (un TARuburst) the isthmus or place of
portage (over which ships could be transported from Loch Long).
This route was famously used by the Norwegians to harry Loch Lomond
before the Battle of Largs in 1263.
Tyndrum: Taigh an Droma (tey un DROAMuh) the house of the
ridge.
Glens and StrathsGlen Ample: Gleann Ambail (AMPil) glen of the
cauldron or vat (named for the Falls of Edinample).
Glen Croe: Gleann a Chrtha (uh CHR-uh) the glen of the animal
pen.
Glen Douglas: Gleann Dbhghlais (DOOlish) glen of the dark
stream.
Glen Falloch: Gleann Falach (FAL-uch) often explained as
concealed glen but possibly ring glen (although the reason for the
name is unknown).
Glen Finart: Gleann Fhionnaird (YOONarsd) glen of the fair
height (from Fionn ird).
Glen Finglas (or Finlas): Gleann Fionnghlais (FYOONGlash) glen
of the white stream. Birthplace of the Rev. James Stewart who,
while minister at Killin, made the first translation of the New
Testament into Gaelic (1767).
Glen Fruin: Gleann Frein (FREH-oh-win) the name may be inherited
from the river and be based on freine rage; the village of Balfron
(balFRON), just outside the park, may derive its name from the same
root. An alternative Gleann a Bhrin the glen of sadness has been
suggested, referring to a bloody battle between the MacGregors and
the Colquhouns in 1603, but this is an example of folk etymology,
where the imagination creates an explanation for a place name no
longer readily understood by the populace.
Glen Kinglas: Gleann Chonghlais (CHONGlish) glen of the dog
stream.
Glen Luss: Gleann Luis (LOOSH) herb glen.
Glen Massan: Gleann Masain (MASSin) Masans glen (personal name).
Famous in Gaelic tradition for its connections with the heroic
legend of Deirdre. The 15th century Glenmasan Manuscript, a rich
source of Scottish folklore and legend held in the National Library
of Scotland, originated here.
Glen Ogle: Gleann gail (Kil) meaning obscure.
Glenbranter: Gleann a Bhranndair (uh VROWNdir) possibly from the
river; the glen of the gridiron would be a direct translation but
the origin is obscure.
Strathfillan: Na Srathaibh (nuh STRAH-hiv). The English name
commemorates St Fillan (echoing an older Gaelic name Srath Chill
Fhaolain the strath of Fillans church). The modern Gaelic name
means the straths.
Places and Names of InterestBuchanan: An area at the southern
end of Loch Lomond. Both Chanain (boh CHANin) hut of the canon. The
clan took its name from the lands they owned.
Bochastle: Both Chaisteil (boh CHASHTyul ) hut of the castle,
referring to the site of the Roman Fort at Callander.
Breadalbane (bred ALbin): An area running from the northern part
of the park into Perthshire. Brghad Albann (brah-ut ALapun) the
upper part of Alba or Scotland.
Caisteal nam Fiann: (kashtyuhl num FEEun) the castle of the
Fianna or Fingalians (a ruined fort on the eastern shore of Loch
Lomond opposite the island of Inchlonaig). It is connected in
folklore with the ancient legends of the Fianna, the warrior band
that operated under the leadership of Fionn MacCumhail, and was
reputedly the home of Fionns enemy Ciuthach Mac an Doill. Other
places connected to Fionn are to be found in Glen Luss and Glen
Fruin, and the story of the Death of Diarmad, who was killed by a
boars bristle, might have been localised in Menteith, as suggested
by local place-names like Ben Gullipen (Beinn Gulbainn, GOOLupin,
the snouty mountain) near Callander. The Rev. Duncan MacFarlane
wrote in 1763 that the tales of the Fianna were known to everyone
when he was a boy in Arrochar.
Coire nan ruisgean: (coruh nun OORooshkun) the corrie of the
urisks at Loch Katrine. Urisks were mischievous human-like
supernatural beings, often associated with streams and waterfalls;
stories about them form a rich folkloric strand in the National
Park and surrounding area. Loch Katrine also boasted a tarbh-uisge
(tarav OOSHkuh) water bull, and the each-uisge (EH-uch OOSHkuh),
which was reckoned to drown its human victims, was reputedly found
in Loch Venachar, Loch Earn and where the River Endrick (Eunaraig,
AYNurik, named for the snipe) enters Loch Lomond.
Cowal: Comhghall ( cow-ul) the land of Comgall, a leader of one
of the four chief tribes of ancient Gaelic territory of Dl
Riata.
Doon Hill (Aberfoyle): An Dn (un DOON) the hillfort. A number of
sites within the National Park are traditionally associated with
the sthichean (SHEE-ee-chun) or fairies, but this is probably the
most famous as it is reputedly the site of the death of the Rev.
Robert Kirk, minister at Aberfoyle, at the hands of the fairies in
1692. Kirk was a native of Aberfoyle, previously minister at
Balquhidder, and a Gaelic scholar of national repute. He translated
the metrical psalms into Gaelic and created the first bible for
Scotlands Gaelic speakers the Irish version in Roman type, rather
than in Irish script. He apparently believed in the existence of
the sthichean and wrote a treatise The Secret Commonwealth of
Elves, Fauns, and Fairies.
Dundurn: Dn Dirn (doon DOORN) possibly fort of pebbles. A
spectacular hill-fort site close to St Fillans which is strongly
linked both to the saint and to traditions which probably pre-date
Christianity. An 18th century account mentions Dn Fhaolain (doon
OEULin) Fillans fort or hill which might be the same feature.
Eilean Iubhair: (aylan YOOur) yew island on Loch Dochart. The
site of a legend telling of the death of Fionn MacCumhail (Fingal)
at the hands of his rival Taileachd.
Lochan nan Arm: (lochun nun ARam) the small loch of the weapons
(in Strath Fillan south of Tyndrum). Tradition tells us that King
Robert the Bruces soldiers threw their weapons in the lochan
following their defeat to the MacDougalls at the Battle of Dalrigh
(Dail Rgh, dal REE, dell of the king) in around 1306.
Pulpit Rock: South of Ardlui on the western bank of Loch Lomond,
this rock was used as a site for summer worship during the 19th
century. There is, however, an ancient Gaelic tradition associated
with it. It is Clach nan Tarbh (clach nun TARav) the stone of the
bulls; a local legend says that the rock was dislodged from Ben
Vorlich during a fight between the red bull of England and his
black counterpart from Scotland, in which the black bull was the
victor.
Rob Roys Cave: Uamh Rab Ruaidh (oo-uh rab ROO-ey). There are two
of these one at Loch Ard and the other on Loch Lomondside north of
Inversnaid. They are reputed to be places where the famous
MacGregor outlaw and folk hero (d. 1734) would hide.
Tom nan Clag: (towm nun KLAK) the hillock of the bells (the
highest hill on the island of Inchtavannach on Loch Lomond). It is
reputedly where St Kessog (Mo Cheasag) would call people to
worship. A number of sites within the National Park are connected
with this saint, including at Luss.
St Fillans Glen Kinglas Rowardennan Callander Killin Kilmun
Arrochar, Loch LongLoch Ard