Islands of Loch Lomond

All the islands on Loch Lomond have names

coined originally in Gaelic, with the oldest
names carrying the element innis meaning
island, anglicised inch. Aminority carry the
element eilean, the modern standard Gaelic
word for an island.
Find out more Tuilleadh fosrachaidh:
Tha a bhileag seo air a maoineachadh le Brd na Gidhlig
Wonderful waterfalls
Gaelic has several words for a waterfall, the most common
being eas (ESS). Waterfalls andfast running water were given
special status in Gaelic tradition, often being the haunts of
supernatural creatures, although evil spirits were saidnot to
be able tocross running water. There are many fne waterfalls
in the park; the following are some of the best known. Theyre
markedonthemapoverleaf.
Liquid landscapes
Island I Vow
Tarbet Isle
Inchmurrin
Inchtava
Inchlonaig
FraochIsland
Bucinch
Ceardach
Ellanderroch
Inchcailloch
Inchcruin
Inchfad
Inchtavannach
Inchconnachan
Fraoch Island
Inchlonaig
Inchmoan
Creinch
Torrinch Clairinch
Inchmurrin
Its the nations park.
Todiscover, toexplore, toenjoy. Its all about fndingyour
ownspace. Andthenchoosingwhat youdowithit...
Sepirc anniseana th ann. Arraich, a rannsaich,
a mhealtainn. Gus itedhut fhina lorgann. Agus anuair sin
a taghadhdn thuleis
ANATIONALPARK
FOREVERYONE
2 Beinglas Waterfall
A Bheinn Ghlas
The name derives fromthe 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)
dappledpool.
4 Falls of Dochart
Eas Dochart
(DOCHart), reputedly
the scourer (with negative
connotations, referring tothis
impressive feature by Killin).
5 Falls of Edinample
Eas Aodann Ambail
(OEUtun AMPil) falls of the face
of the cauldron or vat (namedfor
the pool, reputedtobe 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 strooBAAN)
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) fromthe glen.
w
w
w
.g
eo
g
rap
h
.o
rg
.uk

C
o
pyrig
ht S
tep
hen M
id
d
lem
iss

C
o
p
yrig
h
t A
n
d
rew
S
co
b
ie
w
w
w
.g
e
o
g
rap
h
.o
rg
.u
k
www.geograph.org.uk
Copyright MJ Richardson

C
o
p
y r i g
h
t T
r u
d
y H
u
g
h
e s
If you wouldlike further information about the
National Park contact:
Loch Lomond&The Trossachs
National Park Headquarters, Carrochan
Carrochan Road, Balloch, G838EG
Tel: +44(0)1389722600
email: info@lochlomond-trossachs.org
Cuirte ri chile aig ghdarras Pirc Niseanta
Loch Laomainn &nan Trisichean
Carachan, RathadCharachain,
AmBealach, G838EG, Alba
Fn: +44(0)1389722600
Post-d: info@lochlomond-trossachs.org
lochlomond-trossachs.org
fnd us on facebook, follow us on twitter, watch us on youtube
P
le
a
s
e
p
a
s
s
th
is
le
a
f
e
t o
n
w
h
e
n
y
o
u
h
a
v
e
f
n
is
h
e
d
w
ith
it!
Island names
Bucinch Boc Innis (BOCHK inish) - buck (goat) island
Ceardach An Cerdach (un KYARDuch) smiddy
(possibly used for metalworking)
Clairinch Clr Innis (KLAAR inish) fat island
Creinch Craobh Innis (KROEUVinish)
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 (FROEUCHaylan)
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 history
For 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 fromany other part of
Scotland, although anglicised forms sometimes cause
problems of interpretation. But there is also an older
naming system, often modifed 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
namBreatann (clach numBREHtun) the stone
of the Britons in Glen Falloch, which reputedly
marks the northern limit of their kingdom, and
Dumbarton Rock, fromDn Breatann (doon
BREHtun) fortress of the Britons.
Dominant forces
The 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 fromthe 9th to 13th
centuries and raided Loch Lomond on at least one occasion
but, like the Picts, their infuence 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 elmwater; the region
is known in Gaelic as Leamhnachd (LEH-oon-uchk, anglicised
Lennox), also fromthe river name. However, the loch is
overshadowed by Beinn Laomainn (bayn LOEUmin) beacon
mountain, presumably a site for beacon fres 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 pronunciation
The modern writing systemfor 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 infexions 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. Anapproximate
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 hills
The Trossachs is an anglicisation of Gaelic Na
Trisichean (nuh TRSHeechun) the places lying
athwart. The name strictly applies to the hills
dividing Loch Katrine fromLoch 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 Glen Stob Binnein Crianlarich Lake of Mentieth Luss Ben Ledi Aberfoyle
Gaelic Pronunciation Translation
allt (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.
Vowels
AA: long a
AY: as in day
OA: as in soar
EY: as in eye
: long o, as in cord
OEU: close to French oeuf
OO: as in soon
OW: as in now
OY: as in boy
Consonants
CH: as in loch
S: like ss in English,
never a z
TCH: 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
fromthe Lowland regions of the south
and east.
Whats in a Name? Language of the Landscape
Gaelic 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 diferent fromthe original).
The table below list some names of landscape features
common in the National Park.
Inchcailloch Loch Achray
A873
A85
M8
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 Trisichean
Welcome 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
5
3
2
8
6
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 LLTNPAor others have an interest does not necessarily
imply their true positions. For further information please contact the appropriate authority.
Lochs
Loch 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 fromairc-leathad
difculty-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), fromthe 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 formof 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 fromthe 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, ftting the bent shape of the loch,
but the Gaelic formwould seemto 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 food but this is open to doubt.
Mountains
An 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 fssures
(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 farmon 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 fromStrathFillan. 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 (armof a hill or
mountain). It is situated behind another sgiath Sgiath Chrom (CHROWM)
crooked wing as seen fromGlen 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 fromthe west.
Stob Coire Creagach: Stob a Choire Chreagaich (stop uh choruh CHRAYKich)
the peak of the rocky corrie.
The Brack: derives fromthe Gaelic breac (BREH-uchk) dappled
or speckled.
The Cobbler: Atranslation of the Gaelic name An Greusaiche Crom (uhn
greeusichuh KROWM) the crouching cobbler (shoemaker), fromthe shape
of the summit rock. Also known as Ben Arthur or Beinn Artair (ARSTur).
The Stob: An Stob (STOP) the stob (stump) or peak.
Settlements
Aberfoyle: Obar Phuill (oapur FOO-eel) mouth of the muddy stream. Obar/Aber
is a borrowing fromthe 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
(fromwhich English bothy is derived) but the meaning of the second part is unclear.
Blairmore: Am Blr Mr (um blaar MOAR) the big feld.
Brig o Turk: The name is Scots, the bridge of the Tuirc, derived fromthe Gaelic
torc ravine (through which the Finglas River fows). 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. Alocal 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 frst 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) fromGleann 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 fromthe Gaelic Srath Eadhair strath of cornland;
however the modern Gaelic formis 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 whomthere 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 fromLoch 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 Straths
Glen 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
(fromFionn 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 frst translation of the New Testament into Gaelic (1767).
Glen Fruin: Gleann Frein (FREH-oh-win) the name may be inherited fromthe
river and be based on freine rage; the village of Balfron (balFRON), just outside
the park, may derive its name fromthe 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 fromthe river;
the glen of the gridiron would be a direct translation but the origin is obscure.
Strathfllan: 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 Interest
Buchanan: An area at the southern end of Loch Lomond. Both Chanain
(boh CHANin) hut of the canon. The clan took its name fromthe 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 fromthe northern part of the
park into Perthshire. Brghad Albann (brah-ut ALapun) the upper part of
Alba or Scotland.
Caisteal namFiann: (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 themforma 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. Anumber 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 frst 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. Aspectacular
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 fromBen
Vorlich during a fght between the red bull of England and his black counterpart
fromScotland, 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. Anumber of sites within the National
Park are connected with this saint, including at Luss.
St Fillans Glen Kinglas Rowardennan Callander Killin Kilmun Arrochar, Loch Long Loch Ard