The origins of place names in Coigach and Assynt are fascinating, and demonstrate the ancient links between people and place. A revised (2021) Masters of Research thesis, by Gemma Smith, on the Placenames of Assynt can be found here, through the website of the Assynt Field Club. As part of her PhD, Gemma gave a presentation on the Place Names of Assynt which is available to watch online.
Some further interesting derivations of place names:
- Scottish Gaelic (pronounced ‘gallic’, or ɡælɪk) is a Celtic language, closely related to – but distinct from – the Gaelic of Ireland and the Isle of Man. Here are a few phrases:
- Coigach – A’ Chòigeach’ – Five Fields
- Achiltibuie – Achd Ille Bhuidhe – Field of the Yellow Haired Boy
- Quinag (pronounced Koonyag) = A’ Chuinneag – milk pail
Place names often show a connection with nature:
- Meall nam Fiadh – Inverpolly – hill of the deer
- Lochain nan Ealachan – Glendhu forest– small lochs of the swans
- Other names show a connection with culture such as music: Sgùrr an Fhìdhleir in Coigach is the ‘fiddler’s peak’.
There are also traces of Norse in many place names, indicating the influence of the Vikings on the culture:
- Suilven = Pillar Mountain
- Stac Pollaidh = the pinnacle of the pool river (Norse: Stakkr Pollå)
- ‘Tanera’ in the Summer Isles is thought to derive from the Old Norse for ‘Island of the Haven’; both Tanera Mòr and Tanera Beag have deep sheltered anchorages and would have been excellent havens between mainland raids.
- ‘Assynt’ was thought to derive from Norse, but this has recently been found not to be the case.