THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE
The Place Names of
Stirlingshire
BY
REV. JAMES B. JOHNSTON, B.D.
ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH, FALEIRE
(Author of "The Place Name* of Scotland")
SECOND EDITION
WITH A NEW PREFACE
THOROUGHLY REVISED AND MUCH ENLARGED
q-
STIRLING
R. S. SHEARER & SON, 6 KING STREET
1904
Stutintl f w0
-Sliding
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PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION
THE writer desires to acknowledge the valued help of
several kind friends in preparing the following paper and
List of Names ; in particular, Dr. J. A. H. Murray of Ox-
ford, Mr. W. B. Cook and Mr. David B. Morris of Stirling,
Mr. J. R. M'Luckie, F.S.A., of Falkirk, and Rev. C. J. T.
Merrylees, M.A., of Glasgow, a native of Balfron. Any
corrections, additional place names of interest, or fresh
reliable information of any kind will always be most wel-
come.
J. B. J.
ST. ANDREW'S MANSB,
FALKIRK, February, 1903.
v I./
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION
THE first edition of this little book was very limited, and
was all sold out within six weeks. The writer is grateful
for the very kindly and appreciative way in which it was
received both by the press as a whole, and by private readers.
But the first edition had many imperfections, and the writer
is glad to have the opportunity of presenting his work in
this much enlarged and improved form. The Introduction
has been carefully revised, but the chief alterations and
additions will be found in the appended List of Names. In
its revision the writer has drawn largely from the Valuation
Roll, and has enjoyed the skilled assistance of Mr. John
Cameron, F.E.I.S., of Ullapool, a Gaelic scholar of repute,
who has helped him to adjust not a few grammatical nice-
ties, which vexed the righteous soul of the scholarly Gael ;
but for all opinions expressed in this book the writer alone
is responsible. It should also be understood that sometimes,
of set purpose, he has not spelt Gaelic names as they would
be spelt to-day, because it seemed evident that, in some
cases, things have changed in the 500 or 600 years which
have passed since Gaelic ceased to be spoken in the most
of Stirlingshire.
Many Gaels, like "Fionn" in Glasgow, and Mr. T. D.
Macdonald of Stirling (with whom one is sorry so often to
disagree), have treated the writer with all courtesy, even
when expressing their disapproval. But there is one group
of critics who stand in a different category ; they have
contributed much of high value to Place -Name study in
Scotland, for which the present writer, like all true students,
is sincerely grateful ; but both their methods and their
statements seem to demand some plain rejoinder here. The
critics referred to are the men of the Inverness school,
whose otherwise high-class work is, in every case, marred
by Pictish theorizings, sentimental obstinacy, and, what is
vi PREFACE
much worse, by literary manners which are not considered
admirable anywhere out of Inverness, and probably not
even there. Examples of these last had best be left in
obscurity ; but a few examples of their other defects it may
be useful to dwell upon.
The name Allan has been much discussed, and seems still
doubtful. It is confidently claimed as Pictish, and, in sup-
port of this, it is asserted that the same root occurs in
Alness, Ross-shire, which a leading Inverness scholar in-
sists is ill Gaelic Alanais, with a short initial a and a clear
Pictish ending. The writer doubted this, made most care-
ful inquiry, and found that this asserted Alanais was wrong
in every syllable. No Gael in Easter Boss makes the first
a short ; no Gael pronounces the second syllable as a at all ;
and nobody says -ais. The native pronunciation to-day is
either Awlnesh, with the second syllable absolutely forgotten,
or else Ahliues, showing that the earliest spelling of the
much-abused scribes, 1220 Alenes, was absolutely correct,
and that this Pictish ending is pure theory. It may be
correct, but the ending has not been -ais these 700 years.
The manifest shiftiness of the first vowel in this root Allan
or Alun justifies the writer in making the suggestions as
to its origin, which he does in the List. These facts also
show how slender are the grounds on which many asser-
tions about Pictish names are still being made.
But the head and front of the writer's offending has been
that he resolutely refuses to subscribe to the Inverness
theory, that (a) Inverness Gaelic of to-day must be the
criterion of the Gaelic which entered into the Gaelic names
of Stirlingshire 700 or 1700 years ago ; and (b) that the way
in which a Celtic name is pronounced by a Gael to-day,
even though he is not a native, is the only evidence to which
weight can be attached ; while the old scribes are to be
looked upon as men stupid and careless beyond all de-
scription. The Gael is held to be rigidly accurate and
unvarying in his pronunciations all through the centuries,
he is an authority to be accepted even for Norse names;
but the phonetic spellings of the English scribes are only
fit to be laughed to scorn. In all these tenacious assertions
there is great exaggeration. Gaelic, like all other languages,
changes, and this the Inverness school often ignore. One
PREFACE vii
derivation of which their leader is specially proud is that
of Boleskin, near Foyers, which he derives from both fhleas-
gain, "house, bothy, of withies," though in the phonetic
spelling of the charter of 1226 it is Buleske(n). It is true
that in the slovenly and mutilated pronunciation of modern
Gaelic of course, modern English can be slovenly and
mutilated, too both fhleasgain sounds very like Boleskin.
But the evidence is wide and ample (see p. 4, note), which
makes it as nearly as possible certain, that the Old Gaelic
buth or both was not sounded bu or bo in any part of Scot-
land as early as 1226 ; it is doubtful if the f would then
have disappeared either. So the present writer still adheres
decidedly to one or other of the origins suggested in his
Place Names of Scotland. One proof that both was not
sounded bo in the 13th century comes from the present pro-
nunciation of our Stirlingshire parish, Bothkennar, where
the th is always sounded, even as it was spelt in the earliest
known record, 1291 Bothkenner, a date when Gaelic must
have been dying or dead at that spot.
The truth is that Gaelic name-pronunciations, though, as
a rule, stable enough, can be shifty and unstable to the last
degree. Alness, just cited, is a good case in point ; Lomond
(see the List) is a case still more striking. Or take that
much - debated name Oallander. The name may after all
be Pictish ; but this at least is certain, the Perth and Stir-
ling Callanders are two different names, which only became
assimilated because, for a time, they belonged to the same
English-speaking proprietors, the Livingstones, Earls of
Linlithgow. The Stirling name is originally Calentare, a
name reproduced in the Kalentaremore and Kalentarebeg
in Perth, mentioned in 1504 as belonging to Graham,
Earl of Montrose. Tlie first part of the name is still un-
certain ; if Gaelic, it may either represent an old plural of
coille or catl, " a wood," as in Dimkeld, which in the Book
of Deer (1132) is Duincaillen ; or it may be the same root
as eaillean, "seeds or husks." In any case the Inverness
school is wrong in asserting that the name is of the same
type as the Inverness-shire Aberchalder, in modern Gaelic
Obairchaladair, where, it is said, n has been lost in accord-
ance with phonetic law. This is pure imagination; tho
Stirling name has never lost its n, and the Inverness name
viii PREFACE
was in 1238 Abbircaledouer, showing that it never had one,
and that the last part of the name was without doubt the
Old Gaelic dobhar or dur, "water" ; showing, too, how
valueless the modern Gaelic pronunciation can be when the
Gael no longer knows the meaning of what he pronounces.
And what a hash he has made of this Oallander, which is
the gateway to the Trossachs ! Here are the facts, col-
lected in print, it is believed, for the first time. The first
known mention is in the Register of the Great Seal, 1451,
" Calyn et Calendrate in comitatu de Mentheth " ; 1457
Calyn et Oalindrade ; 1509 Calen et Calendrath, also
Calentreth. In 1791 the Gaelic parish minister (Old
Statistical Account) said the Gaelic in his day was Calla-
straid, which he interpreted as the street or road leading up
from the ferry, oblivious of the fact that a ferry is cola,
and not calla. Armstrong's Gaelic Dictionary, 1825, gives
the name as Caldrait ; to-day, in Argyleshire, it is said, the
pronunciation is Cal(l)-sraid, while in Oallander itself it is
Calltraid. What has Inverness to make of all this?
One other example of shiftiness may suffice. An old
native of Loch Gilp, Argyleshire, told the writer, very
positively, that it was in Gaelic, loch-a-gilb, another younger
native was equally positive that it was loch gilab with no
article, while an Easter Ross Gael who knew the place well
as a fisherman, called it very distinctly loch gelb. There
can be no doubt the loch is really named from its resem-
blance to the blunt head of a chisel, from Gaelic gileab,
gileib, a chisel. The sentimental obstinacy of the Inver-
ness school is well seen further in the importance they
persist in attaching to nondescript modern Gaelic pronun-
ciations like Sruithla for Stirling (see the List), and Paslig
for Paisley. The latter has been loudly trumpeted as a great
scientific discovery inasmuch as, it is said, this Paslig proves
that Paisley is really the Latin basilica, " an early Christian
Church," found in Old Irish as baisleac ; and one or two
learned Germans, who are always falling in love with bril-
liant and baseless conjectures, have countersigned the sug-
gestion. But what are the facts ? Paisley is in a Bry thonic
region, and the men who say Paslig to-day had no proper
connection with the founders of Paisley ; nor is there any
proof that baisleac was a word ever used in Scotland. Even
PREFACE ix
if it was there is no analogy for affirming that the ending
-leac could or would turn into -ley. Nor is there any trace
of a basilica where we find the sister name, How Pasley
in Roxburgh. The whole theory is based on the violent
supposition that the oldest known form of the name was
Passelech, which an ignorant scribe perverted into Passe-
leth, sic 1157. It is admitted that in the hundreds of old
charters where Paisley is named the form Passelech never
occurs, and in the Chartulary of Paisley Abbey, whose
monks surely ought to have known best how the name was
sounded, even the form Passeleth seems only to occur once,
c. 1220 ; while all through we have Passelet, and, already in
the foundation charter, a. 1163, side by side with it we have
Passelay. The index also gives the form Pasla, which looks
like the enunciation of an old Gael. Both phonetics and site
are suited by postulating a Brythonic pais-a-leath, "brow
or front of the slope " ; cf. Gaelic baWiois, brow, and leathad,
W. llethr, a slope. By all means let modern Gaelic have its
fullest due ; but in view of facts, sucli as the samples just
cited, we ought to have less dogmatic insistence in future.
It must be frankly admitted that Gaelic names can and do
change ; and Stirlingshire is no exception, as a study of
names like Lomond, Stirling, Kiliearn, Camoquhill, and others
will amply prove.
The writer desires to acknowledge numerous valuable
notes received from Dr. Dugald Mitchell of Camelon, author
of The History of the Highlands; also kind help from the
Revs. W. M. Steven, B.D., Glasgow, R. Munro, B.D., Old
Kilpatrick, David Smith, St. Ninians, and H. A. Kennedy,
D.Sc., Callander ; W. K. Gair, Esq., A. Gray Buchanan, Esq.,
W. J. Watson, Esq., M.A., and J. A. Johnston, Esq. Special
mention must also be made of George Sherriff, Esq., of Oarron-
vale, without whose generous sympathy this new edition
might never have seen the light. The publisher, Mr. Shearer,
has been most assiduous and painstaking in doing all that
lay within his power ; and the printer, Mr. W. B. Cook, has
done far more than a printer's usual share to increase both
the beauty and the accuracy of the book.
J. B. J.
July, 1904.
ac* zmts of
INTRODUCTION
THIS is a field largely imworked. There are general
treatises for all Scotland ; there is a carefully-prepared
paper by Rev. W. M. Steven, B.D., on "The Names of
the Parish of Kilsyth " (1897) ; and there have been a
number of interesting and scholarly articles in the Stirling
newspapers, a sadly fugitive method of publication. Other-
wise, we seem as yet to have almost nothing. But the
field, though so largely unworked, is fairly manageable.
There are probably not many more than 600 names in
Stirlingshire which have any special distinction or interest
about them. And yet the field is bigger than one might
think. Most of us, I at least speak for myself, will have
had but hazy notions of the exact limits of our shire. I
wonder, for instance, how many of our average East
Stirlingshire people remember that our shire includes
Stronachlachar on Loch Katrine, and several islands on
Loch Lomond. Our first necessity, therefore, is a proper
map ; and that is rather hard to get. There does not seem
to be any good modern map of Stirlingshire ; the Ordnance
Survey sheets are cumbersome and expensive ; the map with
most detail in one sheet is that issued by Thomson of Bdin-
1 Originally given as a paper before the Stirling Natural History); and
Archaeological Society, 21st October, 1902.
2 THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE
burgh, the wall-map in 1817, smaller size in 1820 ; the best
available ordinary map is Johnston's 3 miles to an inch map
of Scotland, sheet 6; but that omits many minor names,
nor does it include the extreme West. I adhere strictly in
this paper to the boundaries laid down in Johnston's map.
That means that the region around Alva is now in Perth-
shire, whilst the limits of our own shire now extend a good
way north of Bridge of Allan.
Even when we have got the best available map, and
studied it with care, we are immediately confronted with
two somewhat serious disadvantages: (1) The Difficulty of
procuring Old Forms or Spellings of the Names. Everyone
who takes an interest in this subject knows full well that,
in many cases, it is impossible to feel certain about the
meaning of a name, unless we can adduce its old form.
Here even our oldest maps, like those of Timothy Pont, are
often of no help, for 1610, which is approximately Font's
date, 1 is too late, in many cases, to be of any service. Long
before then the chief names had not only been born, but
often greatly corrupted too. We have, therefore, to fall
back upon the Abbey Charters, our great source of informa-
tion for old Scottish names, and now all printed for us
(though, as a rule, miserably edited) through the munificence
of the Bannatyne, Maitland, Grampian, and other Clubs.
One naturally turns first to the Charters of Cambuskenneth,
which, by the way, are better edited than those of almost
any other Abbey, thanks to the labours of the late Dr.
Fraser. But the result, for us, is decidedly disappointing.
I have only been able to identify about 30 names in the
Cambuskenneth Cartulary as existing in our shire at the
present day, all of them in East Stirlingshire round by
Stirling, Dunipace, and Falkirk. For the extreme west end
we have the Cartulary of Levenax or Lennox ; but Lennox
is chiefly in Dumbartonshire, and I have been able to detect
but a handful of our modern Stirlingshire names in the
Cartulary. The great Charter Book of Holyrood Abbey
gives us a few names in the Polmont and Carse districts ;
and one or two may be gleaned from the Charters of
Paisley. An odd three or four are to be found in the
" Exchequer Rolls," now all printed from about 1260
1 His maps were printed at Amsterdam in 1654.
INTRODUCTION 3
onwards ; but the Stirling Rolls are particularly meagre in
names. On the whole, the result is a little disappointing,
and only too often we are left to the poor crutch of
conjecture.
(2) The Difficulty of procuring the True or Original
Pronunciation. As we shall see, a very large proportion of
our names are pure Gaelic ; and Gaelic names are very
liable to be corrupted, being either mispronounced by
unskilled lips, or misspelt by unlearned pens, sometimes
both. Therefore it is always desirable, and sometimes
essential, to learn the proper pronunciation from a native's
lips, if certainty is to be won. Not that absolute certainty
would always be ensured, even with that. Gaelic speakers
can be just as careless and slovenly as speakers English and
Scotch, and are quite capable of corrupting or ignorantly
perverting their own tongue. This all the more, because
the ear, not always an infallible instrument, is, as a rule,
their only guide. A Gael who has learnt to spell and write
his mother tongue has always been a rarity ; but a Gaelic-
speaking native, literate or illiterate, is sadly to seek in
these days in any part of the shire. A few may still linger by
the banks of Loch Lomond or Loch Katrine ; x though already
before the close of the 18th century they were vanishing
fast even there. Moreover, these are not, as a rule, the
districts where the interpretation of the names presents
special difficulty. It is in the Eastern and Southern portions
of the shire, where Gaelic has been defunct for generations,
that a sure knowledge of the original pronunciation would
be most valuable.
There is a generally recognised rule, a rule most useful
to check and guide one in any conjectures, viz., that the
Gaelic stress or accent always falls upon the attributive
or adjectival part of a name ; and thus one ought always to
be able to tell which is the substantive in a name, and
which the appended description or designation, e.g., in
Dullatur, the accent is on the first syllable, enabling one
readily to surmise that the first syllable must be the Gaelic
1 By courtesy of the Registrar-General, I am enabled to state that, at the
census of 1901, there were 2022 persons in Stirlingshire speaking both Gaelic
and English, and 10 who actually spoke Gaelic only. In the parish of Buchanan,
perhaps our only true Highland parish, there were but 74 Gaelic speakers, of
whom none spoke Gaelic only.
4 THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE
dubh, "black," and the whole name, dubh Zettir, "dark
slope." But in Blochairn the accent is, with equal decision,
on the second syllable, so that we feel sure it must mean
" of the cairn," whatever Bio- may stand for, and that may
not be quite so certain ; probably G. blot-a-ehairn, " cave,
den by the cairn." But, though authorities like Prof.
M'Kinnon are very strong on the sure place of the accent,
we must admit that the rule has exceptions ; e.g., not only
do all English people speak of Malcolm Cawmore (ceann rnor,
"big head"), but even natives speak of the bonny little
village at the east end of Loch Tay as Xewmore, though by
rule it should be Kenwdre. And everyone says JKwloch
Rannoch, not Kinldc/i Bannoch, though perhaps that is not
a very good exception. For the sake of those who may
follow me in these studies, it may be well to say that, owing
to the long influence of English or non-Keltic tongues, the
accent does seem to have changed in a good many cases, in
the more English districts of Stirlingshire. As specimens
take Cannerton, Kennedy, Mugdock, Mumrils, Polmont, all
names of which it would be hard to make any sense, if it be
not admitted that the accent has changed. The student
may work out the question at his leisure with the aid of the
list at the end of this paper.
Another point to be borne in mind is that the pronuncia-
tion of Gaelic has certainly changed sometimes, since the
days when our place names were in the making. Not
seldom the old pronunciation and the official or scholastic
spelling were much nearer than they are to-day. Aspiration
then had not produced such perplexing results, and the Gael
was not so slurred or elliptical in his pronunciation as he
too often is now. Letters always mute to-day were often
sounded in the olden time, e.g., both, " a house," sounds bo
to-day ; but in former days it was pronounced in full, both
or buth or bot, as it still is in Bothkennar. 1 The Gaelic
gdbhal (better gob/mi), a fork, is now usually sounded like
ga-ull or go-ull ; but in the name Gavell we see the bh still
sounded as it originally was. Thus, our Keltic-speaking-
friends, though often very lordly and dogmatic, cannot
always be accepted as final authorities on such points.
1 See also the writer's Place Names of Scotland (1903), s.v., Bonhill, Botriph-
nie, Bowden, and Pitgaveny. Two early spellings of Bonhill, not given there,
are 1225 Buchlul, and 1273 Bohtlul.
INTRODUCTION 5
To-day cannot always be allowed to rule yesterday ; and it
is always with yesterday, often a far-off yesterday, that we
have to do.
PHONETIC LAWS.
Place names are liable to almost unlimited corruption;
but the tyro must please remember that anything cannot
become anything, as a great many even of educated people
seem to think. All corruptions of pronunciation arise and
proceed according to well-known phonetic laws. A first-
hand knowledge of the site is often very useful in the study
of Gaelic place names, which are so habitually descriptive.
Only, sites have often changed beyond all recognition since
the day when they were first dubbed with a name. Thus,
even more than a knowledge of the site, there is nothing so
needful for the place-name student as a thorough mastery
of the possible and legitimate phonetic changes of each
consonant and vowel. Where this is remembered a vast
number of wild guesses will remain for ever unuttered ; and
never again will an educated man suggest that Bumford
may just be " rough ford," or the like. Whatever the tyro's
attempts at etymologizing on his own account may be, they
can hardly, by any possibility, be so wild, or show such
downright ignorance of any language, as most of the
attempts at etymology in the old "Statistical Account of
the Parishes of Scotland."
THE PROPORTION OF GAELIC AND OF ENGLISH NAMES.
In one way our whole study is comparatively simple.
For examination shows that two languages, and two only,
Gaelic and English, are amply sufficient for the unravelling
of the vast majority of our place names. A big handful of
our names are purely commonplace or of yesterday, but of
the rest nearly two- thirds are Gaelic or English; and so
but a very small fraction is left to be distributed among
names which may possibly have something Norse or Welsh,
something Brythonic, or Pictish, or Roman, about their
origin. This small handful, however, includes a few of the
most interesting names within our bounds.
I have not deliberately shirked any names that I have
come across, and I have drawn up a list of over 500. It
6 THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE
makes no pretence of being exhaustive ; but I have omitted
very few known names, unless they were either common-
place and obvious English names, or else simple Gaelic ones,
readily explainable by aid of other similar names which are
given. However, I fear there must be a number of inter-
esting and picturesque Gaelic appellatives, names of hills
and little burns and the like, which have escaped me, through
lack of mention in any printed record ; and no doubt there
are a good many other omissions which zealous co-operators
will gradually supply. What is important, however, is this,
that in all these over 500 names there seem to be only a
little over a dozen which are completely doubtful in their
meaning. As to all the others one can at least suggest a
possible or plausible origin, though very often the choice
must be left open between two or even more alternatives.
In many cases new definite information can alone enable us
to decide. Meantime it may be worth while mentioning
some of the nuts which have, hitherto, proved too hard for
our teeth to crack, names that are still quite uncertain
Awells, Birbiston, Bonny Water, Frenich, Hookney, Indians,
Shippy Trouty, Sterriqua, Thicklet, Thislet, Waltryburn,
Weedings Hall, Wyndford. All that can be suggested about
such names is given in the appended List. Further light will
be most welcome. Readers of the first edition will probably
observe that a good many of the " puzzles " there have now
met with a fairly satisfactory solution names like Bal-
grochan, Faughlin Burn, and Mye.
Gaelic names are found all over the shire, and prepon-
derate in the whole of the great section which lies west of
Bannockburn and Dennyloanhead ; and they are to be found
almost unmixed in that stretch of country, 15 miles or so in
length, which lies betwixt Buchanan Church on the south
and Inversnaid and Stronachlachar on the north. English
names prevail from Stirling town southwards beyond Slaman-
nan, and around Grangemouth there are hardly any others.
When one glances around my own particular district, the
Falkirk region, the fact strikes one that the great estates
nearly all have Keltic names Airth, Bantaskin, Oallendar,
Dunipace, Dunmore, Kinnaird ; whereas the separate farms,
with rare exceptions (like Auchentyre and Carmuirs), have
names purely Saxon or Broad Scots Middlefield, Parkhead,
Standalane, Woodburn, and the like. Very likely there is
INTRODUCTION 7
no farm name in Stirlingshire older than the 13th century ;
Oornton (Bridge of Allan) is the only farm name we know
for certain to be as ancient, though it is well known that
farms were abundant in East Stirlingshire before the 14th
century was very old. See the Scots " Exchequer Rolls "
for 1338. It is scarcely needful to add that of course a
name may be a great deal older than the farm which now
bears it.
RETREAT OF GAELIC BEFORE ENGLISH.
We hardly know the exact date of the birth of any Keltic
place name ; but examination of the available evidence
tends to the conclusion, that all, or very nearly all, our
Stirlingshire Gaelic names must have existed before the
year 1200: whilst our English names only just begin to
come in about that date. Well known is the fact that,
except in the Lothian section of old Nortlmmbria (the tract
from Berwick to Edinburgh) no English or Anglo-Saxon was
spoken in Scotland at all until the days of King Malcolm
Oanmore, who, in 1069, married Margaret, sister of the
exiled Saxon Prince, Edgar Atheling, and who died in 1093.
Through the Norman Conquest and the influx of Saxon
nobles, English must now have spread, slowly yet steadily,
west and north of Edinburgh. But the old Gaelic speech
retreated before it very slowly ; probably it was still com-
mon all over our shire in the century before Bannockburn ;
and in the extreme west, around Ben Lomond, it is not quite
dead even yet.
GAELIC NAMES.
It is highly probable that all, or nearly all, our Gaelic
names existed before the year 1200, but of course we are
very far from being able to prove it. As matter of fact
only about 20 names in all are found on record so early;
and even of those 20 several come to us through Irish or
Welsh annals of somewhat doubtful date. We may always
expect the names of streams to be ancient, indeed abori-
ginal; it is but seldom that they ever change. Thus we
are not surprised to find river names like Allan, Avon, and
Carron recorded at a very early date. I have, however,
come upon no early mention of the Bonny Water ; we may
8 THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE
be almost certain that the name is ancient and pre-English ;
but what it means is far from clear. A few burns bear
names which must be late, like Earl's Burn and Grange
Burn; but this is quite exceptional. One marked excep-
tion of a changed river name there may be, and that the
chief river of the county, the Forth. This name seems first
to have been given to the frith, and then to the river flow-
ing into the frith. It first finds mention in the pages of the
"Life of Agricola," by Tacitus, 80 A.D., as Bodotria, 1 of
which Ptolemy's Boderia, forty years later, is evidently a
variant. By and by this name seems to have fallen into
disuse, and the frith received quite a variety of temporary
names like Eastern Gulf, Frisian Sea, Scots Water, &c.
(see List). But already by the middle of the 10th century,
the days of the " Pictish Chronicle," our present name comes
in ; for there we read of fortifications made " on the banks
of the fords of the Forthin." Soon thereafter we find the
name in a somewhat more easily interpreted guise as Foircu
or Froch, which, there can be little doubt, represent the
Gaelic words foir and fraigh, both meaning "a rim" or
" edge," hence, " the border or boundary of a country." The
reference plainly is, to the fact, that in those days the Firth
of Forth was the boundary line between Saxon Lothian and
Keltic Fife. It seems highly probable that the softer and
less Keltic-looking form Forth must be due to the influences
of the Old Norse fiorth-r, now fjord, our ftrtli or frith.
Hills usually bear ancient names, as well as rivers ; but
the only early hill name on record among us is that of the
Ochil range. Apart from the rivers the most interesting
of the earliest names are Airth, Callendar near Falkirk,
Oambuskenneth, Larbert, Slamannan, Stirling, and even
Stirlingshire, found already in a papal bull of 1164 ; also
Falkirk, though only in its original Gaelic form " Eaglesbrec."
ENGLISH NAMES.
When we come to speak of our English names we feel on
much surer ground ; we have solid, historic fact beneath our
feet; and we can actually go back with many of these
1 Perhaps old Gaelic bod (mod. G. both) oitir, " house on the promontory or
jutting rock."
INTRODUCTION 9
English names to their very cradle, or within a few years
thereafter. Gaelic was loth to disappear from Stirlingshire,
and our first English name does not greet us till we come
on for a full century after Malcolm Oanmore, and reach the
very threshold of the 13th century. One curious little bit
of evidence about the previous century we are able to cite.
In a charter of c. 1140 we find the name of Keltor, near
Larbert, which shows that, at that date, there had as yet
been no attempt to half Anglicise the name into its well-
known modern form, Torwood. Our very earliest English
name comes from the same quarter, for c. 1200 we find " Stan
nous," now called Stenhouse, which would appear to indi-
cate that stone houses were a significant rarity in our shire
in that semi-barbarous age. The Alloa Sauchie is found in
1208 as Salechoc, which is early English for " willow haugh";
our Stirling Sauchie does not appear to be so ancient ; and,
strange to say, I have not been able to trace a single other
English name within our bounds until the 13th century is
almost at a close, except that the village now called St.
Ninians is mentioned by its old name of " the Kirketoun " in
1207. Cornton, already referred to, appears in 1288, but the
well-known Eaglais Bhreac does not seem to don its English
garb and become Fawkirk until about 1298; and the only
other English name which seems to have any claim to be as
early is the Bridge of Drip, on our shire's northern edge,
which just before 1300 is cited as " Passagium de drippes."
Even the half-English or hybrid name Banuockburn does
not emerge until we come to the pages of the English
chronicles of the very year of the battle, 1314.
The great bulk of our English names are the titles of
farms or hamlets, of which we find little or no trace, until
we arrive at the days of the " Register of the Great Seal,"
a record which begins to be available for us about the year
1306 ; but the fine modern edition of the more important
part thereof only begins at 1424. It is curious how difficult
it is to acquire any information about a good many of our
villages whose origin cannot be very remote ; yet locally
all tradition seems lost or else is very doubtful. If even the
parish ministers who wrote the old "Statistical Account"
(1791-97) had been a little more minute, how welcome their
information might have been to-day ; though true, on very
rare occasions, they do enable us to give the very year of
10 THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE
birth : e.g., Grangemouth, at the mouth of the Grange Burn,
which came into being when the Forth and Clyde Canal
was opened in 1777. An interesting name is Livilands (St.
Ninians), certainly meaning, as its position shows, "level
lands." Level is a word which comes to us from the Old
French word livel, of the same meaning. Dr. Murray, in
his " Dictionary," only cites one instance of the word being
spelt with an i in English, and that in 1362, while the word
does not occur in English at all until 1340 ; so that we can
be almost certain that Livilands must have got its name
about the middle of the 14th century.
PICTISH NAMES.
It has been a surprise to find how scanty is any trace
in our nomenclature of Pictish, Brythonic or Norse settle-
ment within our borders. One might have expected matters
otherwise. The much-debated, much-bewritten Picts were
divided into two kingdoms, a southern in Galloway, and a
northern, which lay chiefly in the North, but whose south-
ern boundary is said to have been the Forth. Yet, immedi-
ately south of that river, we can find, among all our names,
but few sure traces of their influence. After all the research
which has been made, we, as yet, know very little about the
Picts, who they were, or what precisely was the speech
they spake. Their almost obliterated dialect had certainly
some Brythonic, especially Cornish affinities, but so it is
argued if it differed widely from Gaelic surely it would
have left more of distinct trace behind, especially in the
place names of Pictland. Though it must be admitted that
Columba, a speaker of Erse, which is almost identical with
Scots Gaelic, required an interpreter when he went to
evangelize among the Picts ; and high authorities hold that
the difference between the two was wide and deep. The
evidence seems to tend this way ; but the names in Stirling-
shire on which we can place our finger and say, this of a
surety is Pictish, are very few. The sure sign-manual of
the vanished race is to be found in such prefixes as auchter,
fetter, pit or pett. There does not seem to be one good
surviving instance of any of these prefixes in our shire;
though in 1215 we do find an Vtred Banoc (1412 Vthir
bannock), which seems to be an English scribe's lame at-
INTRODUCTION 11
tempt at Auchterbanoc, "the high field above Bannockburn,"
just as some Sassenach in 1293 mangled Auchtermuchty
into Utermokerdy.
Old records also furnish us with two examples of pit or
pett, for in 1288 we find Petendreich, now clipped down
into Pendreich (Bridge of Allan), whilst in 1451 we have
a " Pettintoskale in the barony of Oalentare " (Falkirk),
This last is a difficult name to interpret, though its first
portion is plain enough, pit or pett being the common Pict-
ish word for " an enclosed or tilled piece of ground, a croft."
It is suggested that " Pettintoskal " must be the modern
Bantaskin, which is confirmed by the name occurring in
1497 as Pettintoskane, and by the proved example of Peten-
dreich, now Pendrich : in 1617, Bantaskin is called Pantas-
kon, and in 1745 Pentaskin. The present form in Ban- is
probably a modern corruption ; if it be a really ancient
though unrecorded form, then ban-, on the analogy of Ban-
death (S. Alloa) for "Badyndeth," will probably be a con-
traction of G. badan, "a little thicket or clump of trees."
A few other of our shire names have been claimed with
some probability as survivals of the Pictish days, e.g., Carron,
Ibert, Larbert, Lomond, Ochils, Plean, possibly Airthrie,
Dunipace, and Loch Katrine too. But positive evidence
is everywhere sadly lacking. Certainly there seem no
Stirlingshire names with the ending -es, so common in the
North, like Alves and Geddes, representing a Pictish -CMS.
Pictish is undoubtedly one of the p group, and not one
of the fc or q group, of Keltic languages. Thus, e.g., the
G. ceann, a head or headland, has penn for its equivalent
in Welsh, and perhaps in Pictish too ; though it seems
probable that pan may be the true Pictish form. This
granted we have a solution of a puzzle which has long
puzzled many scholars, the true explanation of pan in such
well-known Forfarshire names as Panbride and Panmore ;*
certainly Forfarshire is a Pictish region. It was long taught
that the equivalent of the Welsh or Brythonic penn was
our common Gaelic ben ; but this is not so. We have a
crucial proof in the Scotch name, found in Gododin and
other Welsh bards, as Pentir, which, on Scottish lips, be-
comes, not Bentir, but the familiar Kintyre or Cantire,
1 c. 1200, "Pannebrid," and 1286, "Pannemore."
12 THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE
"head" or "end of the land," the Scots "Land's End."
Thus, whatever be the origin of Bantaskin, it is bad philo-
logy to imagine it simply the proper Gaelic form of Pentaskin.
True names in pen are excessively rare north of the Forth ;
Pendreich, which is only just north of that line, is, as we
already know, not a true pen at all ; and there are only two
others, Pennan, near Fraserburgh, and Penick, near Nairn,
whose early history seems unknown. All the other names
in pen must if they ever existed have been changed very
early into ken or kin.
One of the commonest of our place-name prefixes is
inver, " at the mouth " or " confluence of a river "; there are
Scottish " invers " by the score ; it is therefore not a little
remarkable that there are only three invers in Stirlingshire
Inverallan, Invergyle and Inversnaid. We are bound to
add that there is not a single aber either; and aber is a
prefix almost equally as common as inver, and with the
same meaning. But there are "abers" very near our
borders, e.r/., Aberfoyle, only two miles too far north, and
the little island of Aber, off the mouth of the B. Endrick,
which is nearer still.
BRYTHONIC NAMES.
The Picts never came far enough south to affect our place
names much, the Brythons never came far enough north.
As everybody knows, a Bry thon or Welsh kingdom, commonly
called Strathclyde, once stretched from Solway to Clyde,
with its capital at the Rock of Dumbarton. It dragged on
a feeble existence till about the middle of the 10th century :
but the speech of these Wealas, these "strangers," as we
would now call them, must have approximated to our Gaelic,
and moved far away from Welsh, long before 950. At any
rate we need the Welsh dictionary hardly at all for Stirling-
shire. The name of the Ochil Hills may be Brythonic in
origin Welsh uchel, " high " ; as likely it is Gaelic or Pict-
ish; and though the root is now lost in Scottish Gaelic, it
is still traceable in the Old Irish achil, seen in Achill Island.
I am told, however, that Achiltibuie, near Ullapool, does not
contain this root, but is really achadh a 1 ghille bhuidhe,
"field of the yellow-haired lad."
INTRODUCTION 13
Ochils being possibly excepted, the only surely Brythonic
name we have is, curious to relate, Stirling itself. Many a
perverse explanation of this name has found its way into
print ; but there can be little doubt that it is the Brythonic
or Welsh ystre Felyn, " house " or " dwelling of Velyn," as
is shown by its earliest spelling, a. 1124, Strivelin, and still
more clearly by its spelling in 1250, Estrivelin. I still think,
as I wrote some thirteen years ago, that we find the same
man's name repeated in Dunfermline, a name recorded for
us a little earlier, c. 1100, in Turgot's Life of the saintly
Queen Margaret, where it is spelt Dumfermelyn, or " the
slanting hill of Melyn." (See List s.v. Stirling.) I wish we
knew who this Melyn was. What one may make bold to
conjecture is, that he must have been some venturesome
Brython, who pushed his way north from the banks of the
Clyde, built a house, or very likely a castle, for himself at
Stirling, probably before 900 A.D., and then pushed on to
Dunfermline, where he must have wrought some signal
exploit. 1 It is hardly a conjecture that this name Melyn
is the original of the common Scots surname Melvin, which,
after the 17th century, usually became refined or "im-
proved" into Melville.
NORSE NAMES.
Norse or Danish impress upon our shire is also remark-
ably slight, though many a plunder-seeking Viking must
have sailed his galley up the Forth, as he did up and into
every other bay and creek of Scotland, and of eastern
England too. The name Carse or Kerse is probably
Scandinavian in its origin ; but the root must have been
early adopted into Gaelic, where we find it in such a very
Gaelic - sounding name as that of the loch dear to all
Caledonian curlers, Carsebreck ; and already in 1195 it
seems to be manipulated into a Gaelic diminutive, as Carsyn,
now Kersie, near South Alloa. Another early loan-word
which the Gael took from the hardy Norseman is moor or
tnwfr, found in Bonnymuir, Carmuirs, etc. There is little
else to refer to under this head, save Satterhill and Shield-
1 It is at least possible that the same name occurs in Helvellyn in Cum-
berland.
14 THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE
hill (q.v.), and that curious name, which one would not easily
guess to be Norse, Easter Jaw and Jawcraig, near Slaman-
nan. But Easter Jaw appears in James II.'s charter to
Lord Livingstone in 1458 as Estir jal ; and, as late as 1745,
we find on an old map Jallcraig, clearly proving the root
to be the Icelandic gall, " barren," a word which reappears
for us in the name of the far-off Isle of Yell. A good many
words in our vernacular come to us from the Norse, and
occasionally find their way into place names, like wire, in
the sense of " swamp " or " fen," as in Boon the Myre and
Ourrymire, farms near Kilsyth. But such names can hardly
be quoted as instances of Norse influence in Stirlingshire;
nor even such a suffix as fell in Campsie Pells (from old N.
fiall).
ROMAN NAMES.
If the mark of Brython and Norseman among us was but
small, the mark made by the Roman on our nomenclature
was smaller still. Save for the sprinkling of "chesters"
near its south-east border, Scotland can now furnish practi-
cally no names at all due to the Romans, and there are no
" chesters " or " casters " in Stirlingshire. We do have a
"Torrance of Campsie," where "Torrance," like Water of
Torrance in Aberdeenshire, is often said to be the Latin
torrens, "a rushing stream"; but the history of these
names seems to be unknown. It is much more likely that
the name is simply a corruption of the Gaelic torraw, "a
little mound, a knoll," with the English plural s. One of
our names, however, is often claimed as derived straight
from Latin, Castlecary, which is said to be castella cam,
*' the dear fort." It is much more likely to be a tautology,
a combination of English and Keltic, both halves meaning
** castle " or " fort."
HYBRIDS AND TAUTOLOGIES.
This naturally leads one on to say a word or two about
hybrid names and tautologies. Some good philologists are
very loth to admit any true hybrid names, if by any possi-
bility they can be denied. There can be no doubt that
hybrids should always be postulated very cautiously and
INTRODUCTION 15
sparingly, for what seem to be hybrids are often mere
ignorant corruptions, like Oambuslang, which is really the
Gaelic camus-nan-long, "the river bend of the barges," 1
while Banton in our own county is really ban dun or
" Whitehill." But we have several quite indisputable hy-
brids too, not only loosely attached ones like Bannockburn
{of course this name has nothing to do with scones !), but
also regular hybrids like Balquhatston, Barlinfauld, Oarron-
shore, Ourrymire, Jawcraig, and Mungaleud. The student
will soon come across many tautologies too, and he should
ever be on the outlook for them, even in unsuspected quar-
ters. In many a region one race has succeeded or over-
come another, and the nomenclature has been altered or
revised or supplemented, ofttimes quite needlessly, and out
of pure ignorance. Bannockburn is a case in point, for the
name really is ban oc, "white, glistening stream," and to
add burn was a pure superfluity, though the incoming
Sassenach knew it not. Snabhead, near by, is another
instance, for snob, lit. " a beak," and head mean very much
the same thing; so do pirleij and hill in Pirleyhill (Pol-
mont) ; and so do Ochil and hills in Ochil Hills. The in-
comer also always tends to change a name whose sound
or meaning is unfamiliar into something he knows well.
Hence the old Muckraw (G. muc-rath) near Lennoxtown,
which means "a cleared spot for pigs," has now become
Muckcroft, which no doubt the unlearned Sassenach thought
was better sense. For similar reason the old Tomfour
became Thomfour and Tamfour, in which last shape it now
stands.
ASPIRATION, ITS EFFECTS IN GAELIC.
Two other phenomena will often puzzle the tyro in place
names, and sometimes fairly bewilder the expert too the
effects of " aspiration " in Gaelic, and the constant tendency
of the liquid consonants, in any language, to soften or dis-
appear. In Gaelic, in certain positions, the consonants, b,
c, d, f, g, m, r, fc, always aspirate, which in spelling is repre-
sented by adding an Ji; this tends to give printed Gaelic
much of its uncouth and baffling look. In pronunciation
1 Mr. J. M. Mackinlay connects rather the W. llan or G. lann, a church.
the aspiration of a b or an m makes it sound just like a v,
in the case of mh a very nasal v ; but frequently the aspira-
tion "eclipses" or silences the letter altogether, and it
leaves no trace behind, either in the pronunciation or in
that phonetic spelling, which is far the commonest in old
charters. It is these vanished letters which often make it
so hard for us to track out the root of a very Gaelic-looking
name, even with the aid of the best of dictionaries. The
possibilities are so varied that the hunt is often long, and
not seldom vain and fruitless in the end. Only practice and
much painfully acquired experience will avail us poor English
folk here. Without such no man could ever hope success-
fully to conjecture the root of names like Dalhilloch or
Dumgoyn or Ebroch or Mugdock.
THE LIQUID CONSONANTS.
The liquids too are very troublesome, they are so very
liquid. These letters Z, w, , r, one never knows when or
how they will slip away. In about half the names where it
occurs the n of the article an or na, "of the," has disap-
peared. And, in particular, I very often softens down into
w, as in Pow for poll, and Jaw for gall ; but not Fawkirk for
Falkirk. That is the other way round ; here the I is a late
importation due to some would-be scholar, who would fain
have associated the old " Speckled Church " with the vallum
or Roman wall, which ran so near. A fine instance of the
disappearance of liquids is to be seen in Maddiston (Pol-
mont), a name whose origin one never could have guessed.
It looks like a hybrid from the Gaelic madadh, a wild dog or
wolf; but its true meaning is solved by King James I.'s
charter of 1424, where it is spelt " Mandirstoun." Mander,
Mowders, or Maunder is a personal name still not unknown
among us.
ECCLESIASTICAL NAMES.
The Church has always had a considerable say in the
naming of places in Scotland ; though, of course, in an in-
direct rather than a direct fashion. Names embodying the
Scots or Northern English word kirk are to be found with
frequency all over our land ; and its Keltic equivalent Kil-
INTRODUCTION 17
(or cill) is more frequent still; whilst other names with a
churchly flavour about them are far from uncommon. This
being so, one is rather surprised to find how comparatively
few are the ecclesiastical names within our own shire, and
even more surprised to find how few are indisputably
so. Manuel, e.g., is generally held to be a contraction
for Immanuel ; there certainly was once a priory here,
but whether it was called after Our Lord is by no means
certain. (See List.) Most remarkable is the fact that
there seems to be not one solitary Kil- within the shire,
indubitably meaning "church." This is a lack comparable
only to the absence of " abers " and " invers." One possible
exception may be found in Killearn, but Killearn is one of
the names which have changed. Originally, and until the
15th century, it was Kinearn, i.e., "head of the district."
Kinkell, in Garioch, is often said to mean " head church," or
church with chapels under it (Gaelic ceann-ceali), for it had
seven in pre-Reformation days. But the accentuation Kin-
kell shows that our Stirling name, like perhaps all the other
Kinkells in Scotland, must be cinn-a-coille, " at the head of
the wood." Drumakill, in Drymen parish, is said by Mr. J. M.
Mackinlay to be " the ridge of the church "; but there seems
no proof that there ever was a church there. As for " kirks,"
there seem only Falkirk and Kirk o' Muir near Fintry. Near
by the latter is a hill named Oraigannet, which can hardly
be derived from O.E. gawot, the gannet or solan goose. It
looks as if it might be "Bock of the parent church," or
Annait, a name not uncommon in Scottish nomenclature.
But why Kirk o' Muir should be called " a parent church "
it is hard to say. For, originally, it was simply a chapel
dedicated to the Blessed Virgin by Patrick Graham of
Dundaff in 1445 (capella Beate Marie in Mora de Dundaff).
In Pont the spelling is quite different Oraigcanneck. (See
the List.)
No one will now be surprised to learn that few saints
are commemorated within our borders. There is, of course,
the Irish Oanice or Kenneth at Oambuskenneth, and Adam-
nan of lona has his name sadly clipped down both in Kil-
unan and Bowardennan. Finnich Malise is a compound
name, in which the ma tempts one to think of the common
Keltic endearing prefix, meaning " my " or " my dear," often
prefixed to the names of saints, as in Kilmaronock, Kilmar-
B
18 THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE
nock, and many more. But in this case there is no saint
in question at all, only a certain Malisius, a faithful vassal
of the Earl of Lennox, who is briefly referred to in the
Cartulary. But, of course, we have St. Ninians or St.
Ringans, whilst the curter Rinans also appears near Bal-
fron. Ninian, our earliest Scottish saint, is also one of the
most frequently commemorated. In its earliest days, how-
ever, our Stirling St. Ninians was usually called simply
Bgglis, i.e., "The Church," or else Kirktoun. Up till the
18th century the church at Slamannan was also called St.
Lawrence, and there his well doth still survive. St. Drostan,
the dear friend of Oolumba, is preserved to memory in Oraig-
rostan, on Loch Lomond ; while a little further south is
Balmaha, the " village of St. Mahew." There is a St.
Colum's or Oolumba's Glen near Kippen ; a St. Mirren's
Well at Kilsyth commemorates Merinus or Meadhran, of
the Irish Bangor and our Scottish Paisley ; and there is,
or rather was, St. Modan's Well at Palkirk, to celebrate an
8th century missionary, probably a comrade of St. Ronan,
while Ladysmill in the same town was presumably so
called in honour of the Blessed Virgin. But there seems
little else for the hagiologist to discourse upon. The
religious houses and their officials, however, have left
their mark in several directions, e.g., in Abbotsgrange,
Abbotshaugh, Arnprior, Buchanan, "house of the canon,"
Grange Burn, Molenclerach, "parson's mill," and so forth.
There are also " Templelands," a relic of the Knights Tem-
plar, near Denny.
BATTLE NAMES.
Another interesting little group of names clusters around
our battlefields. Stirlingshire, the centre and heart of
Scotland, has been made the scene of many a bloody com-
bat, and these often and very naturally have left deep-printed
memories behind. Immortal Bannockburn is recalled by
GiUieshill, but only possibly by Halbert's Bog. Halbert is
probably the name of some man, as the halbert, the word
at any rate, and probably the weapon too, was quite un-
known in Scotland till long after the days of Robert the
Bruce. I am indebted to Mr. W. B. Cook for another prob-
able reference, viz., in the place now called Batterflats or
INTRODUCTION 19
Butterflats, between Stirling and Bannockburn. We get the
true and original name in the Polmaise deeds of 1610-20,
Battelflats. Ignorant notaries mistook I for r, and made
it Batterflats ; while fresh ignorance considering itself
superior wisdom made Batterflats into Butterflats. The
first battle of Falkirk is commemorated by the modern
Oampfleld Street in Grahamston, as well as, possibly, by
Bainsf ord, supposed to be named after a hapless Sir Brian,
who was here fairly bogged and slain ; Wallacestone, too,
refers to the same field. The second battle of Falkirk,
Prince Charlie's battle, is preserved for us in the original
Oampfield at the West end of the town, and in the modern
Battlefield Cottage on its site, while Prince Charlie's Well
lies not far away. There are two places called The Garrison
in our shire. One carries us back to Falkirk in the days
of Wallace wight; the other, at Inversnaid, reminds us of
the turbulence of the Jacobite clans in the days of the
Georges. The exploits of the brilliant Marquis of Montrose
are still kept in mind by Baggage Knowe at Kilsyth; and
probably other instances could be found.
NAMES IN -FORD.
Yet another very curious and somewhat puzzling group
of names links itself to the suffix -ford, as in Bainsford,
Randyford, Rumford, Summerford, and Wyndford. In none
of these cases is there anything like what we would now
call a "ford," or passage through a large stream fit for
horses and vehicles. Bainsford is supposed to refer to some
passage through the Mungal Bog; and the old Pest Burn
once flowed right through it; but the early history of the
name seems quite unknown. In most or all of the other
cases there is, though no " ford," some burn or little stream.
Thus, it seems safest to translate " ford " in all Stirlingshire
names by some such word as " brook " or " burn " ; though,
of course, it is probable that some of the little streams in
question may once have been of larger size and stronger
current. That the English word ford did once mean also
"a brook" is quite certain. Dr. Murray's Dictionary
quotes from one writer of date 1563, who says, "Ryvers
are caused by the meatynge of many brooks and f ordes " ;
whilst another, writing in 1610, affirms that "Boggie grounds
20 THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE
are fastened and firmed by frequent overflowing them with
Fords or Land flouds."
CONCLUSION.
The student at the very outset of his studies discovers
tliat the Kelt always had an eye for scenery. Most of his
place names simply and succinctly describe the site of the
place as it struck his eye ; hence the high value of a personal
inspection in all studies of this sort ; though it has always
to be remembered that sites may alter or be " corrupted "
in their own fashion as well as names. Occasionally, though
rarely, the Kelt's names indicate a considerable apprecia-
tion of the picturesque, too. The Saxon or Lowland Scot
very seldom troubled about the picturesque. His names,
like himself, are mostly matter-of-fact Middlefield, Park-
head, or the like. But and with the throwing out of this
remark I close the Saxon sometimes developed what the
Kelt never seems to do, a sense of humour, as in such farm
names as Jinkabout and Lying Tom and Sourgrass (Denny).
The pensive Kelt has given us a Balf ron, a " house of mourn-
ing," but never a " house of mirth."
CONTRACTIONS USED IN THE LIST
a. ante, before.
c. circa, about.
Of. compare.
Dan. Danish.
Dimin. diminutive.
Fr. French.
fr. from.
G. Gaelic.
Icel. Icelandic.
Ir. Irish.
L. Latin.
Nom. nominative.
O.E. Old English or Anglo-Saxon.
O.G. Old Gaelic.
O JNT. Old Norse.
Perh. Perhaps.
Plur. Plural.
Prob. Probably.
Pron. Pronounced or Pronunciation.
Sc. Broad Scots.
W. Welsh.
LIST OF THE CHIEF PLACE NAMES
IN STIRLINGSHIRE
Abbeytown Bridge (Airth). This keeps in memory lands
granted here to Holy rood Abbey by King David I.
Abbotsgrange (Grangemouth). "Farm of the abbot,"
of Newbattle. "Grange," medieval L. granagium (fr.
granum, grain), is the place where the rents and tithes
of a monastery used to be delivered and kept.
Abbotshaugh (Palkirk). See above. "Haugh" is O.B.
healh, halech, a flat meadow by a river.
Acremaskin (Buchly vie). G. acair measgain, " acre, field
of the butterwort."
Airth. 1128 Hereth, c. 1214 Harth, 1296 Brth. Prob. G.
airidh, " a level green, a place where osiers grow."
Airthrie (Stirling), c. 1200 Athran,-eran, 1317 Athray,-
eray. Some think Pictish. Perh. G. ath-rainn or -roinn,
"a subdivision."
Allan or Allen R. 1373 Alon, and 1187 Strathalun, which
may be G. srath aluinn, "bright, bonnie valley." The
first a is now short, but the Ir. aluinn or alainn has
certainly become short on English lips in several Irish
names, like Moyallen and Kenallen, Down. For a similar
reason, both the Stirling and the Ross-shire Allan (1357
Alane, 1529 Alen) may be a variant of G. ailean, pron.
al-en, "a green plain," which suits the site in both
cases. The length of the first vowel of Allan seems
very fluctuating. Alness, Ross-shire, is asserted to be
Alanes, the same root, and there the first a is now
always pretty long. Moreover, the Ir. dimin. aillean,
" little rock," has five times become Alleen in Ir. place
names. Of., too, the W. and Corn. Alun.
24 THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE
Allander (Milngavie). Prob. O.G. ailean duir, u plain by
the stream," now the Allander.
Allanrowie (Fintry). G. ailean ruadh, " red, reddish plain."
Antermony (Milton of Oampsie). 1380 Altyrmony, 1440
Altermone, 1451 Auchtyrmone, c. 1610 Pont, Atermynny,
18th century Altermunin, Altyrmony. Prob. G. alii
tire mbine, " stream in the boggy land," G. mbine, a bog,
a peat-moss.
Ardinning or Ardinan Loch (Strathblane). G. ard
dinnain or dunain, "top of the little hill."
Arklet Loch (Stronachlachar). So pron. in G. to-day.
Possibly c. 1080 Tighernac, ann. 711, Loirgeclat, i.e.,
Loch Irgeclat. Prob. G. or cleit, "battle-field of the
snow-flakes."
Arnbrae (Kilsyth). Sic c. 1610. G. ard an braigh, " top
of the brae or upland."
Arngibbon (Kippen). G. ard an ghibein, " height with the
hunch on it."
Arngomery (Kippen). "Height of Gomery," cf. above.
Thus, same name as Montgomery, Wales, 1087 Domes-
day, Muntgumeri, c. 1140 Mons Gomerici. An Anglo-
Norman Montgomery settled at Eaglesham, Renfrew,
c. 1157.
Arnloss (Slamannan). "Height of the flame or beacon,"
G. loise, or " of the garden, the enclosure," G. lios. Cf.
Arnbrae.
Arnotdale and Arnothill (Falkirk). Said to be fr. earth-
nut, in 1551 ernut, " the pig-nut," formerly dug up here.
Of. 1429 " Arnut," in Fifeshire.
Arnprior (Kippen). " Height of the prior," of Inchmahome.
Of. Arngomery.
Arns (Drymen). Sc. for "alders." Another near Castle-
cary ; and cf . Arnhall, Huntly. Dr. Murray thinks arn
may be = aim, allern " aldern," O.E. celren.
Arrochybeg and Arrochymore (Buchanan). 1405
Errachymor. G. arach beag and arach mbr, "little"
and "big meadow or battlefield."
Arthur's Oon (Oarron). Sic 1727, now gone ; 1293 Furnum
Arthuri. " Arthur's oven," O.E. of en, Icel. of n ; thought
to have been a cairn or mound in memory of one of King
Arthur's battles. It may have been the "stan hus"
which gave the name to Stenhouse.
THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE 25
Ashlan (N. of Buchanan). In New Statistical Account
Olacklane. Pern. G. eas lainn, "waterfall by the en-
closure."
Auchenbowie (Plean). 1329 Auchinbothy, 1483 Auchin-
bowy. Not, as it might seem, fr. G. buidhe, yellow, as
in Drumbowie; but G. achadh nam bot/ian, "field with
the little houses or huts."
Aucheneck (Killearn). G. achadh an etch, "field of the
horse " ; or possibly fr. an old root meaning " water,"
as in L. Eck, G. Ate.
Auchengane (Falkirk). 1458 Duae Auchingavennis, c. 1610
Achingein. Now pron. Auchengayn. G. achadh nan
gamhna (sing, gamhainri), " field of the yearling cattle ";
cf. Auchtergaven, Perth.
Auchentroig (Buchlyvie). 1393 -introig. "Field of the
dwarf," G. troich ; or, " of the soles of the feet, foot-
prints," G. troigh. This last also means " sorrow,"
though rarely.
Auchentyre (Kinnaird). G. achadh na tire, "enclosed
field on the land." Of. Kintyre.
Auchincloch (Kilsy th). c. 1350 Auchincloich. " Field with
the pebbles or rocks," G. cloch or clach.
Auchineden (Strathblane). Local pron. Auchine'en. " Field
on the face or slope of the hill," G. eadann.
Auchinmulley (Banton). " Field on the summit or height,"
G. mullach.
Auchinreoch (Kilsyth). 1451 Achinrewach, 1610 Achin-
rivoch. G. achanna (plur. of achadh) riabhach, "grey-
ish, brownish fields."
Auchinvalley (Kilsyth). G. achadh an bhaile (pron. vally),
" field with the farm or hamlet," or else " township field."
Avon R. and Avonbridge. Prob. O.E. Chron. ann. 710
Haefe. G. abhuinn, " a river."
Awells (Grangemouth). Doubtful.
Babbithill (Slamannan). Doubtful. Perh. fr. the personal
name Babbit ; perh. G. babhaid or babag, "a fringe, a
tassel, a cluster."
26 THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE
Badankep (Buchlyvie). G. badan dp, " little thicket,
clump of trees, with the tree stumps in it."
Baddavow (Gartmore). 1691 Badivow. Doubtful. The
Badd- is G. bad, " a thicket " ; the a is the G. article ;
the -vow may be the aspirated gen. of woi, " a heap or
conical mound," or of tnoH, muill, " chaff, dust." For this
phonetic change cf. Pow fr. G. poll, puill, and Oowden,
formerly Ooulden.
Badluskin (Kippen). "Thicket of the cradle," G. luasgain;
perh. fr. O.G. lusga, a cave, a rather doubtful word.
Bad Oigheannaich (Buchanan). G., "thicket with the
thistles."
Baggage Knowe (Kilsyth). Hill where Montrose's bag-
gage was stored at the battle of Kilsyth, 1645.
Bainsford (Falkirk). Sic 1785 ; 1797 " Briansford, commonly
called Bainsford." Thought to mark the place where Sir
Brian de Jay, preceptor of the Scottish Templars, stuck
fast while trying to cross Mungal Bog, and was slain, in
the battle of Palkirk, 1298. See the contemporary chroni-
clers, Matthew of Westminster and Walter of Heming-
burgh. " The Pest Burn" once flowed through Bainsford,
and very likely it was called after a man Bain, as was
Bainshole, Insch. See also pp. 18-19.
Balafark (Balfron). Prob. G. batT-a'-fuirc, "hamlet at
the fork." But Blairforkie, Bridge of Allan, is prob.
fr. farcan, an oak-tree.
Baldernpck (Milngavie). c. 1200 Buthirnok, 1238 Buther-
nockis, 1745 Badernock. Originally O.G. buth, " house,"
but now G. baile, " farm, hamlet," airneig or earnaig^
" of the sloe-trees."
Balfron. a. 1300 Bafrone (and ? 1503 Buthrane, cf. above).
Prob. G. baiV-a-bhroin, " village of mourning."
Balfunning (Drymen). a. 1300 Buchmonyn. For the first
syllable, see Baldernock. The latter part is either G.
monachan, " hills," or monaidhean, " heathy moors."
For the -ing, cf. Ardinning.
Balgrochan (Lennoxtown and Torrance). c. 1225 Bren-
grochane, 1272 Brengrouchan, 1428 Bargrochan, 1458
Ballingrochane, 1486 Balgrochquenis. The Bren- is fr.
G. barr-an-, " height of the " ; but the name now comes
fr. G. baile, " hamlet, place," and, prob., grothach, com-
moner gnothach or gnothuch, plur. gnothuichean,
"affairs"; hence, "business-place."
THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE 27
Balhennan (Pintry). Perh. G. bail'-d'-bhinnein, " hamlet
by the little ben or hill."
Ballagan (Strathblane). G. baiV-lagain, "hamlet, farm in
the little hollow."
Ballat (Balfron). c. 1350 Buchlat, see Baldernock ; 1494
Ballatis, Pont Balatts, 1691 Temple Ballath. G. baiV
ait, " cheerful, joyful hamlet."
Ballikinrain (Killearn). Sic 1680, but c. 1610 Pont Balach-
endrain, Balekendrain. Either G. baile cinn rainn,
"village, farm at the head (G. ceann) of the division,"
rainn or roinn; or perh. bealach an rainn, "pass at the
division " or " at the promontory."
Ballindalloch (Balfron). ? 1238 Balinodalach, c. 1350 Ball-
indalach. G. baile na dalach (gen. of dail), "village in
the field." There is another in Strathspey.
Ballochneck (Drymen). G. bealach nan each, " pass of, or
available for, horses." But cf. Aucheneck.
Balmaha (L. Lomond), c. 1610 Balmacha ; now pron. Bal-
mahaw. G. bail Macha, " village of St. Maha," or Mahew,
companion of St. Patrick, who is said to have lived at
Kingarth, Bute. On a hillside not far away there is still
St. Maha's Well.
Balquharrage (Lennoxtown). c. 1350 Balecarrage. Prob.
G. bail-'a-c(h)arraig, " village, house on the cliff."
Balquhatston (Slamannan). c. 1610 Banhatstain. " Village
of the cats," G. cat, chat, or possibly, "of the battle,"
G. cath, O.G. cat, with the later Eng. suffix -tow, here a
tautology.
Balquhidderpck (Bannockburn). Prob. G. baile fodarach,
' farm having much fodder or straw," G. fodar is prob.
fr. O.E. f odor.
Bandeath (Throsk). 1195 Badyndeth, 1207 Badendath. G.
badan deathaich, " thicket, little clump of trees among
the mist," rising from the Forth; deathach, smoke,
vapour.
Bankeir (Oastlecary). Sic 1504, but 1510 Ballinkeyre, and
still on Valuation Roll Ballinkier. Prob. G. baile na
cathair (the regular gen. is catJiracJi), " village by the
fort," i.e., Oastlecary. This and the next are instruc-
tive instances of contraction.
28 THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE
Banknock (Dennyloanhead). Pron. now Ban-oc. 1510
Ballinknok, i.e., G. bail 'an cnoc (regular gen. cfowuc),
" village on the hill."
Bannock. 1215 Vtred Banoc (i.e., G. uachdar or Auchter-
bannock) and Bannockburn, sic 1314; 1494 Bannockys-
borne. Celtic ban oc, " white or shining stream " ; oc
is an old root, prob. a hardened form of Ouse. See s.v.
Ouse and Oxnam in Place Names of Scotland. Ban-
nockburn is thus a tautology like Ockbrook, Derby.
From Bellenden, 1536, onwards, many, with little likeli-
hood, have derived f r. G. bannag, a bannock. Still, there
are Loch nam Bonnag and Ach da bannag in the North.
Bantaskin (Falkirk). Sic 1774; but 1450 Pettintostale,
1451 -toskale, 1497 Pettentoskane, 1617 Pantaskin, 1745
Pentaskin. A difficult name. Originally Pict. pet an
tostail or tosgail, " croft of arrogance " ; though how
came it by such a name? After Gaelic died out it
gradually became corrupted into its present shape. For
the contraction of pet an into pen cf. Pendreich.
Banton (Dullatur). c. 1610 Bantoin. Prob. modification
through Bng. ignorance of G. ban dun, " clear hilL" Of.
Bandon, Ireland.
Bardowie (Milngavie). 1504 Berdowy. G. barr dubh,
"dark, black height," with the Eng. diminutive. Pos-
sibly fr. G. doiraJme, a deep, a hollow.
Barleyside (Slamannan). Possibly a corruption.
Barlinfaulds (Kilsyth). Hybrid. G. barr linn, " wet
height," and Sc. fauld, O.E. fold, f eald, " a fold, an en-
closure." Of. Tithfaulds, Denny.
Barnego (Dunipace). [? a. 1177 Brenego]. 1503 Byrnago,
1510 Barnago, Pont Barnegy. Pron. Barrnaygo. As
the second syllable is accented it cannot be the article ;
so prob. G. barr an aigich, " height of the stallion," G.
aigeach. Of. Balerno, 1282 Balernauch.
The Beam (Slamannan). O.B. beam, "a tree"; cf. the
hornbeam. Or possibly, G. bewra, a gap, or a stream.
Beancross (Falkirk). c. 1610 Beanscorse, and so prob.
"Carse (q.v.,) where beans grow."
Beltmoss (Kilsyth). From belt, in the sense of " a narrow
strip of ground," particularly in Sc., "a strip of plantation."
Bhreac Leac (Buchanan). G., " spotted rock or stone."
Birbieston (Lennoxtown). Sic 1691. Information lacking.
THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE 2$
Blackbraes (Falkirk) and Blackhill (Greenhill).
Blackston (Bathgate). Who was this Blacfc ? Of. " Blaks-
toun," 1504, in Forfarshire.
Blairessan (Killearn). G. blar easain, " plain with the little
waterfall."
Blairfad (Drymen). G. blar fad, "long plain."
Blairlogie (Bridge of Allan). 1451 Blarlpgy. G. blar
logaidh, "plain with the hollow," logaidh is the old
locative of lag, luig, a hollow, a pit.
Blairc[uhosh (Strathblane). 1398 Blarechos, -quhoish. G.
blar-'a-c(h)oise, " plain at the foot " of the hills, G. cos,
a foot. Of. The Hosh, Orieff.
Blairs (Plean). 1207 Blare. G. biar, "a plain," with Eng.
plural s.
Blairskaith (Campsie). " Plain with the flowers," G. sgaith.
Of. Skaithmuir.
Blairtummock (Oampsie). Prob. "plain of the ducking,
the immersion," G. tumadh ; but possibly fr. G. titamach 7
"abounding in graves or mounds."
Blairvockie (L. Lomond). " Plain abounding in roebucks,"
G. b(h)ocach, fr. boc, buic, a buck.
Blarnavaid (Drymen). c. 1350 Cartul. Levenax, Blairnef ode,
Blarefode, i.e., G. blar an fhbid, " plain with the peat or
turf," or " of the glebe." But the name is now nearer blar
an bhaid, " plain with the thicket," G. bod. Of. Blairfad.
Blinkbonny (Falkirk). Prob. same as Belle Vue, i.e., "fine
view."
Blochairn (Baldernock). 1504 Blacharne. Perh. fr. O.G.
blot, a cave or den ; possibly corruption of G. bail a?
chairn, "village by the cairn or mound."
Bonn-a-tubha (L. Arklet). G., "foot, end of the heath
or fern."
Bonny Water and Bonnybridge. c. 1610 Bony. Like
nearly all our names of streams, prob. a Celtic root.
Possibly connected with G. bonnag, "a jump, a spring."
Boon the Myre (Kilsy th). 1823 Binnymire. "Aboon or above
the bog," Icel. myrr, myri, Norse myre, "a swamp, a fen."
Boquhan (Killearn, Kippen and Gargunnock). Old forms,
Balquhane, Buchquhan. O.G. buth or both bhan, " white
house." Of. Baldernock.
30 THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE
Bor(e)land (Gartmore and Denny). " Board, mensal land,"
i.e., land held on the rental of a food supply or board.
O.E. and Dan. bord, a board, a table, and N. bord, a
plank, a table, then maintenance at table. Common
all over Scotland.
Bothkennar (Palkirk). 1291 Bothkenner, 1304 Boghkener,
1363 Buthkenner. O.G. buth or both ceannaire, " house
of the driver or goadsman." Of. Buchanan.
Bowhouse (Polmont). 1552 Bowhouss. Sc. bow, early Bng.
and O.N. bu, " farm, farmstock, cattle."
Branshogle, Branshu^gle (Killearn). 1680 Blarinshogle.
Corruption of G. btiir an sheagail or Vseagail, 1 "plain
with the rye."
Branzert (Killearn). 1545 Branzet; old map, Branert. Either
O.G. bran ard, "black height," or possibly fr. breanach,
stinking, brean, a stink. The z is the Old Scots y.
Brightens (Polmont). Called after a man : we find " Brigh-
ton's Quarry " in New Statistical Account, 1839.
Brockieside (Kilsyth). 1694 Brookisyd. " Hillside of the
badger," Sc. brock, O.E. broc, Celtic broc. For the
dimin. -ie, cf. the Scottish surname Brockie.
Broomage (Larbert). O.E. brow, " broom, gorse," with the
common suffix -age, which comes to us through the
French ; cf . fruitage, leafage, &c. Only, in 1458 it was
Bruminche, f r. inch, meaning " a meadow or links," as in
Perth Inches.
Buchanan (L. Lomond), c. 1240 Buchquhanane, 1296 Bough-
canian, 1562 Bowhanan. O.G. buth or both c(h)anain,
" house of the canon." Cf. Bothkennar.
Buchlyvie ; also near Aberdour, Fife, where the old form
is Boclavies. Perh. G. both lamhaich, " house for shoot-
ing or slinging," i.e., fortified house, or "house of swords,"
i.e., armoury. Possibly the last part is fr. G. sliabh, a
moor ; phonetically this would suit.
Buckieside (Dunipace). 1510 Bukkeside. " Hillside where
buckies or sea shells were found."
Butterflats (S. of Stirling). 1610 Battelflets, -flats, 1817
Batterflats. A very curious change. The original re-
ference will prob. be to Bannockburn.
1 With this becoming sh, compare the Eng. pronunciation of sugar or sure.
THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE 31
Oaldam Hill (Bannockburn). Prob. like the Oauldames
or Oauldhams, of which there are several in Scotland,
" cauld hame " or " cold house."
California (Polmont). Recent.
Callendar (Falkirk). 1164-1511 Calentare, 1296 Calentyr,
c. 1350 Callanter. A difficult name, by some thought
Pictish. Falkirk, Polmont, and Muiravon district was
once called Oalatria (Ailred of Rievaux, c. 1145), in Irish
Annals Oalathros, said to be Ir. calath ros, " hard wood,"
and thought by some the same name as Callander. Early
forms do not encourage this. They certainly look as if
it was made up of G. caillean, a seed, a husk, cailleanach,
full of seeds or husks of grain, and ttr, land. The Perth-
shire Oallander, a different name, was assimilated to the
Falkirk Oallendar through its ownership by the Living-
stones, Earls of Linlithgow. See also the Preface.
Cambusbarron (Stirling). 1215 Oambusbarroun, c. 1270
-barrun. Possibly G. camus-barr-abhuinn (here pron.
own), " crook, bend at the height over the river " ; but
prob. camus barrain, " river-bend at the little hill."
Cambuskenneth (Stirling). Sic 1147, but a. 1150 -kinel.
The form in -kinel occurs more than once, but seems to
be an error. Prob. " river-bend of Kenneth," Canice or
Oainnachus, friend of Oolumba, and patron of Kilkenny.
Possibly G. camus ceannaiche, " bay of commerce."
Camelon (Falkirk). [977 Historia Britomim, re ann. 537,
Gueith Oamlann, i.e., the battle of Camlann, in qua
Arthur et Medraut corruere. This Camlann, W. cam,
Wan, "crooked enclosure," must have been in South
Britain.] Originally Carmuirs, q.v., 1526 Boece erron-
eously Camelodunum, hence 1535 Stewart Camelidone,
1536 Bellenden Oamelon, 1777 Nimmo New Oamelon.
Local pron. Caim-lon, as if G. cam Ion, " crooked mea-
dow or marsh."
Cameron (Drymen). a. 1200 Oambroun, 1464 Oamroun.
Generally explained G. cam shrbn (with sh mute),
"crooked nose" or "headland." But Whitley Stokes,
following the earliest form, says O.G. cam brun,
" crooked hill, slope, or brae."
Camoquhill (Balfron). c. 1350 Camkell, 1482 Oamquhell,
1513 Oanquhole. A name varying between G. cam
c(h)oill. " crooked wood," and ceann na c(h)oille, " head
of the wood." For change of n into w, cf. dum for dun
in Dumbarton, Dumfries, &c. Of. Kinkell.
32 THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE
Oampsie and Oampsie Fells. 1208 Kamsi, a 1300 Camsy,
1522 Oampsy (through fancied connection with camp). G.
cam sith, "crooked hill" or "hill range." Fell is O.N.
fiall, Dan. f jeld, " mountain."
Candle (Grangemouth and Blackston). The accent sug-
gests O.G. can du, " white land or habitation."
Canglar (Plean). c. 1610 Oannglaur. G. ceann gleadhair,
" height of the loud noise " or " clash of arms." Of. Dal-
naglar, Glenshee.
Oannerton (Oampsie). The Bng. canner is a very modern
word ; so perh. a modification of G. ceann airtean y
"height of or covered with little pebbles or flints."
Canny Rinns (Kilsyth). Prob. G. ceann an roinn, " head
of the promontory " or " division," with Eng. plur. s. If
so, then = Penrhyn.
Carbeth (Killearn) and Carbeth Guthrie (Strathblane).
Sic 1482, but 1513 Carnbeth. G. eathair (pron. car) an
bheithe, " fort among the birches." Also see Guthrie.
Carbrook (Plean). No brook here ; so prob. G. eathair
brwic, " fort or den of the badger," G. broc, Sc. brock.
Carlestoun (Oampsie). " Dwelling, farm-toun for the carls
or serfs " (churls). So same name as Oarleton, Skipton
and Pontefract, O.E. ceorla-tun.
Carmuirs (Falkirk). 1458 Duae Oarmuris, 1632 Wester and
Eister Oarrmure. Prob. G. cathair, W. caer, " a fort "
(there was one here in Roman days) and mwtr, O.E.,
Icel. and Dan. rnor, " a moor, heath, or marsh," a word
which seems to have been adopted into G. However,
Dalmuir (Dumbarton) is c. 1200 Dalmore, fr. G. tnor,
big.
Carnock (Airth). 1449 Orannok, 1468 Kernok. G. carnach,
" a rocky place, a quarry." But G. crannag is " a pulpit."
Carron R., Carronflats, Carronshore, -side, &c. Said
to be O.B. Chron. ann. 710, Caere, c. 1200 Karun, 1208
Caroun ; the name is also thought by some to be found
in the tribe Oarnones or Oerones (c. 120 Ptolemy). Possi-
bly G. car abhuinn, " bending, winding river," f r. car, a
bend, a winding ; a very fit name. Possibly same root
as G. carranuich, " to separate or stir up." W. J. Watson
asserts it is Pict. for " rough river." The Carron is a
tidal river, hence Oarronshire, sic 1792.
THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE 33
Oarse or Kerse of the Forth. 1296 Johan Strivelyn de
Oars. " Low alluvial land along a river." Boot doubt-
ful. It may be O.N. carr, Dan. fcaer, W. cors, marsh,
fen-land, such land as would now be all drained. Of.
Icel. fcjarr, copse -wood, Kersie, and Hungry Kerse,
Bridge of Allan. It may perh. be G. car, with Eng.
plur. s, " the windings."
Oashell (Loch Lomond). G. caiseal, " a castle, a bulwark."
This change of s into sh is very common in Gaelic.
Castlecary. Sic 1450, and prob. c. 1200 Cartular. Levcnax
Castelcarris. Prob. not L. castellum carttw, " dear fort,"
but a tautology, G. cathoir, W. caer, a fort, a castle.
Castle Rankine (Dunipace). 1510 Oastell Bankyn, Pont
Oast. Banky, and now usually Oastle Bankie. What
Rankine was this?
Oatcleuch (Bonnybridge). Perh. 1253 Cartular. Levenax
Oattisclothe. " Gorge of the wild cat," Sc. cleugh, early
Eng. clou, clog, a cleft, ravine, or gorge. Of. Doecleuch
and Wolfcleuch, St. Mary's Loch,
Catter (Drymen). c. 1370 Gather, 1498 Kateris, 1520 Estir,
Myddill and Westir Oatir, Pont Oattirs. G. cathar,
"soft, boggy ground, a marsh." For the hardening of
the th, cf. Oathcart, c. 1170 Ketkert, c. 1375 Catkert.
Oausewayhead (Stirling), [c. 1220 La chausee, Stirling
Burgh Sasines Lang Oalsay.] Here stood the spittal or
hospital, to which a causeway ran from Stirling Bridge.
Chartershall (St. Ninians). Pont Ohartreushall, so prob.
not f r. the family of Charteris, but some " Charterhouse,"
or house for Carthusian monks.
Olaggans (Drymen). G. and Ir. claigionn, "a skull," in
Ireland often applied to " a hard, round hill " ; with Eng.
plur. s.
Clairinch (L. Lomond), c. 1225 Clarines. G. clor-innis,
" island like a table or plate," G. cZ#r, clair.
Claret (Grangemouth). G. clar-ai t, " table-like place."
Cobblebrae (Carron). Hillslope or brae covered with
water-worn pebbles or "cobbles," middle Eng. cobt/Z,
of obscure origin.
Cockmalane (Polmont Station). Very likely recent and
whimsical. In old names Cock- generally represents Cul-
or Col-.
34 THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE
Oockspow (Throsk). 1449 Kukispull. As it stands, " cock's
pow," Sc. for poll or head. Originally prob. " cook's pool
or stream," as cocfc never has the u sound in Sc. or Eng.,
whereas kuke or cuk was a common spelling of cook in
the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Pow in Sc.
means "a sluggish stream" rather than "a pool"; so
also G. poU, W. pwl.
Coireachan or Corrieachan (N. of Buchanan). Pron.
Ooirechan. Prob. G. coir' Eachain, "Hector's corrie"
or "glen."
Ooire Arklet (L. Arklet). G. coire, a cauldron, a corrie,
a glen.
Ooldrach (Drymen). Prob. G. caol darach, " narrow oak-
wood."
Gollalis (Drymen). Doubtful. Peril. G. coili 'ailghios, " wood
of pride." The accent is against coilV-an-lise^ "wood
with the wall or walled garden."
Colzium (Kilsyth). c. 1610 Pont Oolyam. Now pron. Coal-
zi-um. The site suggests G. coill-'a-mhaim, " wood on
the rounded hill," G. mam, L. mawwa, " a breast, a pap."
But more prob. coill-'a-leum (pron. lyame), " wood of
the leap." The "Laird's Loup" is some way off.
Comer (Buchanan). G. comar, " a confluence," watersmeet.
Same name as Comrie.
Oonochra (Drymen). Pont Oonnochra. G. cow-cftra, " col-
lection of folds," era or cro, a fold, a weir. Of. Conaglen
and Contullich, as well as Conchra, Strachur and Loch-
alsh.
Cornton (Bridge of Allan). 1288 Oorntun. The oldest re-
corded tun or " farm-town " in the shire.
Corriegrennan (Aberfoyle). G. coire grianain, "corrie,
glen with the sunny hill."
Coulter L. (Dunipace). 1457 Oultir. G. ciil tire, " at the
back of the land."
The Coutches (Kilsyth). A coutch is a division of land. To
" couteh " land is to lay it out in regard to a proper and
convenient division among proprietors and possessors.
Jamieson, Scottish Dictionary. Same as Fr. coucher.
Cowie (St. Ninians). 1147 Colly ne ; also Collin, Collie.
Seems to be an old plur. of G. coille, "a wood," now
coilltean. Of. Cowie, Kincardine and Huntly.
THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE 35
Ooxithill (St. Ninians). 1650 Ooxethill. Said to be for
cocksfoot, common in Eng. place names, and given ori-
ginally to be a broad way or glade in a wood through
which game might shoot, so as to be caught in nets.
Cradlins (Kilsyth). Prob. connected with cradle, which
the pool is like.
Craigamphuill (Kilsyth). G. creag a? phuill, "rock over
the pool," G. poll.
Craigannet (N. of Kilsyth). c. 1610 Pont Craigcanneck,
which means " rock with the sweet willow or myrtle,"
G. cannach. But the present form suggests creag
annait, " rock of the parent church," referring to Kirk
o' Muir, close by. There are several Annaits in Scot-
land.
Craigbarnet (Oampsie). 1506 Oragbernard. Bernard might
be G. bearn-ard, " height with the fissure or notch," as
well as a personal name.
Craigduffle (N. of Kilsyth). G. creag dhubh, " dark rock,"
with the Bng. dimin. -ie.
Craigengelt (W. of Dunipace). 1462 Oragyngelt. Either
G. creagan gealta, " whitened, bleached little crag," or
creag-an-geilt, " rock causing fear or cowardice." The
present moorland farm, by its site, hardly suggests
either, though on it once stood a sepulchral cairn called
" The Ghost's Knowe."
Craigforth (Stirling). 1215 Oraighorth, 1327 Oraigorth.
" Hill by the Forth " ; the f in the early forms being
lost by aspiration.
Craighat (Drymen). G. creag-a-cliait, "rock of the wild
cat."
Craigieburn (Falkirk). A quasi-hybrid fr. G. creagach.
"rocky, hilly."
Craigievairn or -vern (Drymen). Pont Kragivairn. G.
creag-a-bhearna, " rock with the gap or fissure," G.
beam. Only c. 1350 it was Oromverne, Cronvern, fr.
G. crow, crooked. Of. Oraigiebarns, Dunkeld.
Craigmaddie (Baldernock). "Bock of the hound or wolf,"
G. madadh.
Craigniven ( W. of Stirling). G. creag-na-Waibhne, " rock
by the river " Forth. Of. Denovan or Dunniven.
36 THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE
Oraigrostan (Ben Lomond). Sic 1793, but 1272 Cragtros-
tane. " Bock of St. Drostan," pupil of Oolumba ; d lost
by aspiration. Of. Allt Bostan, near by, G. alJt, a burn.
The spelling Oraigroyston comes fr. recent association
with Bob Boy Macgregor.
Crawtree (Garguimock). Craw is Sc. for "crow"; but
possibly this is some corruption.
Orayinch (L. Lomond). 1320 Creininch, 1680 Crevinch.
Prob. G. craobh-innis, "tree-island."
Creitelvain (Dry men). Prob. G. croft ailbhinn, " croft of
the flinty rock." Of. Oroftalpie.
Oreityhall (Buchanan). Corruption of G. croit-o-c(7i)oiZte,
"croft by the wood." Of. Oreitendam, Drymen, fr. G.
daw/i, an ox or deer.
Oremannan (Balfron). 1272 Oremennane. G. crioch
Mhanainn, " Mannan's boundary," See Slamannan, and
cf. Clackmannan.
Cringate Law (Fintry). Pont Krinzet. G. cruinn gead,
" round ridge or shoulder of land " ; yead also means, " a
lazy bed, a ridge of cultivated land." This gives better
sense than to derive fr. G. geata, a gate. In either case
we have a tautology, as Law is O.E. hlcvw, " a mound,
a hill."
Oroftalpie (Fintry). Either fr. O.G. alp, "a lump, a pro-
tuberance," or ailp, " white," or the name Alpin. Orof t,
in G., is croit, but that is just a corruption of the Eng.
croft, though as early as 1445 (Reg. Cambuskenneth, p.
Ixii.) we find Oroftmagra.
Croftamie (Drymen). Pron. Crof-tammy. Possibly G.
croit Sheumais or Sheamais, "Jamie's croft," with the
sh mute. Of. Oroit Sheocaidh, " Jockie's croft," and Oroit-
lachlan, Ben Lomond.
Croffcinstilly (Fintry). Prob. " croft of the spout or gush
of water," G. steall, still.
Crook (Stirling). Icel. krok-r, in Eng. c. 1225 crofce, "a
hook, a crook." Prob. 1488 Ingramscruik, f r. Sir Ingeram
de Umfraville, who was wounded at Bannockburn, and
was slain here. There is a Crooks in Drymen parish.
Croy Cunningham and Croylecky (Killearn). Oroy is G.
cruaidh, "hard" or "a hillside." Lecky is G. leacaeh^
" abounding in flagstones or slates."
THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE 37
Crummocksteps (Denny). Prob. f r. G. cromadh, " a bend,
curve, or turn."
Culcreuch (Pintry). 1489 Oulcrewch, 1680 Kilcreuch. G.
ciiil creuchaeh, " clayey nook or corner," f r. creuch or
criadh, clay.
Culness (N. of Buchanan). G. cuil an eas, " nook by the
waterfall."
Cultenhove (Bannockburn). 1358 Qwytilhoue, 1 1369 Oult-
nehoue, 1391 Oultynhuf, 1513 Coltynlmfe. Doubtful.
First part either G. cuiltean, " nooks, corners," G. cwil,
or coilltean, " woods," G. coille ; second part prob. na
h'uamha, " of or beside the cave," as in Glenhove or
Glenhuve, S. of Cumbernauld, certainly a glen of
caves.
Oulvachan (Killearn). c. 1370 Culbachane, Pont Ooulbak-
kan. G. cuil, " a nook or corner," and bacan, " a palis-
ade or stake, a knoll," or else beacan, " a mushroom."
Currymire (Kilsyth). Hybrid. G. coire, a cauldron, a glen,
a corrie, and wire, a swamp. See Boon the Myre.
Cuttyfield (Kinnaird). Sc. cutty, "short," fr. vb. cut. Of.
cutty pipe, cutty sark.
Dalderse (Palkirk). c. 1610 -darse. G. dail dhearsach,
"bright, gleaming field."
Dalfoil (Balf ron). " Field with the stream or pool," G. poll,
phuill. Of. Aberfoyle, 1489 Abirfull.
Dalgrain (Falkirk). G. dail grainneach, " field abounding
in grain," or peril, fr. grain, disgust, loathing.
Dalhilloch (Fintry). Peril, "hilly field," G. m(h)eallach,
" hilly," f r. meall, a knob, a boss, a hill.
Dalnair (Drymen). 1494 Dalnare. Prob. " field of disgrace
or shame," G. naire.
Dalratho (Grangemouth). c. 1150 Daratho. Perh. G. dail
raith, " field of the fort." It is difficult to account for
the -o. Of. Ratho.
1 Prob. a scribe's error for Quylltihoue. Of. Quilte, 1250 spelling of Kelty,
Kinross, i.., Q. coilltc or coilltean, "woods."
38 THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE
Darnrig (Moss Slamannau). O.E. derne Tirycg, "hill-
ridge lying out of the way." Dernc, Sc. dern or darn,
means, " serving to conceal, dark, dreary, solitary." Of.
Darnick, a. 1150 Dernewick, near Melrose.
Darroch (hill N. of Banton, and Falkirk). G. darach, " an
oakwood, an oak." Of. Kepdarroch, Gargunnock.
Dasher (Kippen) and Dasherhead (Gargunnock). Pont
Dashur. Prob. a G. locative, deis thlr, " south district,"
nora. deas tin
Dechrode (Fintry). G. deagh rod, "good, excellent path
or road."
Denny. 1510 Litill Dany, 1691 Denny. Dimin. of den or
dean, O.E. denu, " a narrow, wooded vale." Of. Denny
Bottom, Kent.
Dennyloanhead. Loan is Sc. for "lane," especially a
country lane.
Denovan (Dimipace). Sic 1691, 1462 Denovane, 1510 Mekill
Dunnovane. Local pron. Dunm'ven. G. dun or dinn
obhainn, variant of abhuinn, gen. aibhne, " hill " or " hill
fort by the river " Carron. Of. Craigniven.
Devon R. c. 1210 Glendovan. Peril. O.G. dubli an, " dark
water." An outlier of the great tribe of the Damnonii,
inhabiters and namers of the Eng. Devon, W. Dyvnaint,
seems to have dwelt here also. Rhys thinks the Sc. and
Eng. names identical.
Dighty (Kippen). Perh. G. deagh or deadh thigh, "good,
excellent house." Of. Dichty Water, Dundee.
Divoties (Polmont Station). Presumably fr. Sc. divot, 1536
devait, " a turf, a sod."
Doghillock (Dimipace). Possibly a corruption. ? G. dubh
thulach," dark hill."
Dorrator (Falkirk). G. doir'-a'-torra, " wood on the hillock."
Douchlage (Denny and Drymen). Den. D. 1691 Duchlass.
Prob. G. dubh dais, "black, dark ditch or trench," W.
clag, a trench.
Drip Bridge (Stirling). 1295 Tirps, a. 1300 Passagium de
drippes. Of. Dripps, Renfrew, 1158 le Drip. Presumably
Sc. dreep, " a jump or drop down," fr. O.E. drypan, to
drop or drip.
THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE 39
Drum (Bonnybridge, &c.). G. drtwn, L. dorsum, " the back,"
hence " a hill-ridge like a beast's back." Very common
in Sc. place names.
Drumalzier (Denny). Pron. Drummiler, which corresponds
with Drummeiler, 1326 lorm of Drummelzier, Biggar.
Prob. G. druim maoil aird, " hill - ridge of the bare
height," or else f r. meillear - eir, " a blubber - lipped
fellow."
Drumbroider (Muiravon). Perh. " hill-ridge of the dream
or reverie," G. bruadair.
Dmmmiekeich (Killearn). G. druim-a-clche, "hill-ridge
with the projection like a breast or pap."
Drumnessie (Kilsyth). " Hill-ridge with the little water-
fall," G. an easain.
Drumquharn (Killearn). c. 1370 Drunnecharne. G. druim-
a-chairn, " hill-ridge with the cairn."
Drumtassie (Slamannan). "Damp ridge," G. tais, taise,
" moist, damp, soft."
Drumtian (Killearn). c. 1350 -theane, Pont -tien. " Ridge
with the little mound," G. tiadhan, or fr. t'sithean,
" fairies."
Drumtrochar (Kilsyth). The second half looks like G.
trocair, "pardon, mercy." It may be fr. G. droch or
trocft, " bad, dangerous."
Drumwhassle (Drymen). c. 1370 -chastell, Pont -ahassil,
1691 -quhassle. Of. 1451 Drumcastell, 1540 -quhascheills,
in Athole. " Ridge with the castle or fort," G. c(h)aiseal.
There used to be a castle here.
Drymen. 1238 Drumyn, Drummaue, 1793 Drumen. Pron.
Drimmen. G. droman, "a hill ridge," fr. druim, the
back.
Drypow (Polmaise). On pou>, see Oockspow.
Dualt (Killearn). G. dubh allt, " dark stream."
Duchray (Aberfoyle). G. dubh chraobh "dark wood" or
"tree."
Diillatur. c. 1610 Dulettyr. G. dubh Icitir, " dark hillside
or slope."
40 THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE
Dumgoyn (Killearn). Prob. G. dun geoidhan, (usual gen.
plur. geoidh), " hill of the geese," as in L. Goin, Fenwick,
and Louglmagoyne, Mayo, fr. Ir. and G. geadh, a goose.
Possibly "hill of storms," G. gaothan.
Dundaff (Fintry). Sic 1237, 1480 Dimdafmure. Chron. lona
arm. 692, Duin Deauae, prob. refers to Dundee. Prob. G.
dun damh, " hill of the stags, bucks, or oxen."
Dunipace. 1183 Dunipast. c. 1190 -ypais, 1195 -ipace. Skene
says f r. Celtic bass, " a mound " ; the two mounds here
being supposed to mark the site of that battle of King
Arthur which Nennius. c. 800, calls Bassas. In G. pais
means suffering. The local explanation is G. dun a' bhais,
" hill of death." Some say the name is Pictish ; but W.
pait, a coat, or pas, a cough, hardly seems to suit here.
Dunkyan (Killearn). G. dun dan, " distant, remote hill."
Dunmore (Airth). Called after Dunmore in Athole, which
there (but not here) means " big hill," G. mbr, big. Its
former name was Airth Beg, i.e., " little Airth."
Dunmyat, Dumyat, Demyat (Bridge of Allan). 1791
Dunmait. Rhys says, " hill of the tribe Miati " (sic in
Adamnan), outliers of the Damnonii ; cf. Devon ; Miati
being prob. f r. W. meiddio, to dare. But the Old Statis-
tical Account, s.v. Callander, written 1791, says, G. dun
ma chit, " hill of the good prospect," which is dubious
Gaelic, though the writer was a Gael.
Duntreath (Kilsyth). 1497 -treth. G. dun treith, " lull or
hill-fort of the chief," G. triath.
Earl's Burn (S. of Gargunnock) and Earl's Seat (Camp-
sie). Prob. called after the Earls of Stirling or Earls
of Lennox.
Ebroch (Kilsyth). c. 1610 Abbroch. Prob. G. ath brute,
" fort of the badger," G. broc. For the E-, cf. Ethie,
Arbroath, c. 1212 Athyn. Also cf. 1508 " Ebrukis " near
Dundee, and Ibrox, Glasgow.
Edinbellie (Balfron). 1494 Edinballe. G. eadann baile,
" hillside with the hamlet."
Elphinstone (Airth). c. 1320 Elfyngston. The ton or
village of Elpin or Elphin, Pict. for Alpin, Albin, or
Albinus, name of one of the Pictish kings.
\
THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE 41
Endrick R. 1238 Anneric, Annerech. Prob. G. an ciridh,
" spatey river," literally " river of the rising," f r. eirich,
to rise, ascend.
Faliskour (Drymen). Doubtful. Perh. G. fal uisg odhair
(pron. oar), " fold, enclosure by the grey water." Perh.
fr. faileag, the dog-briar berry, and sgwr, sgor, a rock,
a cliff.
Falkirk. a 1130 Simeon of Durham ann. 1065, Bgglesbreth,
1166 Biglesbrec que varia capella dicitur, 1253 Varie
Capelle, 1298 Earth de Cotton Paukirke quae a quibus-
dam vocatur la Chapelle de Fayerie, 1298 (often in
Writs) La vaire or veyre Chapelle, which is Norm. Fr.
for Varia Oapella, a 1300 MS., Digby, Locus qui AngLice
vocatur ye fowe chapel, 1381 Fallkirk, 1382 Fawkirc,
c. 1600 the Fawkirk, which is still the local pron. Varia
Oapella, Vaire Ohapelle and Faw kirk are all transla-
tions of the original G. eaglais b/ireac, "speckled
church," church of mottled stone. Sc. fatu y fauch,
means "dun, pale red," O.B. fah vari-coloured. Of.
Faside, 1469 Fauside, Newton Mearns.
Falleninch (Stirling). Prob. G. faillean-innis, "meadow
(or island) abounding in twigs." Of. Fallin, S. of Stirling.
Fankerton (Denny). Prob. G. fang-goirtean, "sheep-pen
enclosure." Fang is used in Sc. as fanfc, a sheep-cot, a
sheep-pen.
Faughlin Burn (Kilsyth). Prob. the same word as Fauch-
lands, near the Glen, Falkirk, fr. Sc. fauch, faugh, found
since 1513, meaning " fallow."
Fingarry (Oampsie). G. fionn gharadh, " white, clear-look-
ing garden or enclosure."
Finnich Glen (Killearn). 1208 Fennach, 1496 Fynneich
Tennand, 1498 Fenek in tenand. Prob. G. fionn, " clear,
white," with the common suffix -ach meaning "place,"
cf. Carnock, &c. Tennand is prob. a charter-term =
tenant.
Finnich Malise (Killearn). 1680 Finwick Blair (G. blar, a
plain) alias Finwickmalice. See above. Called after
a faithful vassal of Duncan, Earl of Lennox "Fideli
nostro Malisio Carrach (Oarrick) illam terram in Stra-
blahane que vocatur Blarechos (Blairquhosh)." Cart.
Levenax, p. 74, re ann. 1398.
42 THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE
Fintry. 1238 Pyntrie ; cf. c. 1203 Fintrith, a. 1300 Fyntre^
old forms of Fintray, Kintore. Prob. " fine, white land,"
for G. fionn and treth or tre, which seem O.G. or Pict.
for ttr, land. Pern. fr. traith, the shore of a river.
Flanders Moss (Buchlyvie). Sic 1707. Many Flemings
settled early in Scotland. E.g., c. 1350 Cart. Levenax,
Dominus Willelmus Flandrensis de Barruchane.
Fleuchams (Gargunnock). Prob. G. flinch thorn, "wet
knoll," t lost by aspiration. Cf. Fleuchtar, Oampsie, fr.
torr, a mound, a hillock.
Forth, c. 80 Tacitus Bodotria, c. 120 Ptolemy
? same root as present name : c. 720 Bcde Sinus
Orientalis (Eastern Gulf), c. 738 Nennius Mare Freisi-
cum (Frisian Sea), c. 970 Pict. Chron. Ripae Vadorum
Forthin, 1072 O.E. Chron. Scodwade, i.e., Scots' Ford,
so wade may be meant for a translation of a name like
Forth ; c. 1110 Orderie Scotte Watra, and Irish Nennius
Foircu; a 1150, Forth; a 1200 Descriptio Albaniae,
Scottice (i.e., in Gaelic) Froch, Brittanice (i.e., Welsh)
Werid, Romana (i.e., O.E.) vero Scotte wattre ; c. 1225
Orkney. Saga Myrkvifiord (" dark, murky frith "). The
root seems, G. foir or fraiyh, "rim, edge, border,
boundary of a country," i.e., the boundary between
Saxon Lothian and Celtic Fife. The softened form
Forth may have been influenced by early pronuncia-
tions of N. fjord, a frith.
Fouldubs (Falkirk). Dub, found in Sc. fr. 1500 onwards,
means "a stagnant or muddy pool"; origin unknown.
Of. Maydub, Denny.
Frenich (L. Olion.) Doubtful. ? Pictish.
Gaidrew (Dry men). Difficult. Possibly G. gadradh,
"place of withies" (peril, for binding or breaking in
horses), or geadradh, "place of rigs," on analogy of
bogradh, pron. bogroo, " a soft place."
Gairdoch (Oarron). G. gearr dabhoch, "short, ploughed
field." Cf. Dochfour, Inverness.
Garchell (Buchlyvie). Sic Pont ; but c. 1350 Garruchel,
Garchellis, 1691 Garshell. G. gearra choill(e), "short
wood," or fr. garbh, rough. Cf. Garchull, Banff, sic 1362.
Garden (Kippen). ? G. garbh dhhn, " rough hill," or ? English.
THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE 43
Gargunnock. c. 1470 -now. Prob. G. garbh chuinneag,
" rough, uneven pool."
Garngrew (Castleeary). Perh. G. garadh na gruagaich,
" garden, croft of the maid, bridesmaid, female spectre, or
brownie "; or else fr. c-ruidh, " of the cows, black cattle."
Garrauld (Drymen) and Garrel (Kilsyth). Kil. G. c. 1610
Garvald ; also Garvalt. G. garbh, allt " rough stream "
or "cliff." Of. Garvalt burn, Braemar, and Garrel,
Dumfries.
The Garrison (Falkirk and Inversnaid). The former prob.
a reminiscence of the first battle of Falkirk, 1298 ; the
latter, site of a fort held by King George's troops, 1721-
1796.
Gartchorrachan (Buchlyvie). 1576 Gartkerochane. G.
gari (same root as Bng. garth or yard)-a-chorrachain,
" enclosure, field by the little marsh."
Gartcows (Falkirk). In 18th century Kirkhoose, of which
the present name may be a corruption. If not, then on
analogy of Oowden, 1604 Coulden, prob. "park at the
back " (G. cul) of Arnothill.
Gartentruach (Drymen). G. goirtean truaah, " poor,
wretched croft."
Gartfairn (Buchanan). Prob. 1458 Gartferin. " Park with
the alders," G. fearn. But see next.
Peel of Gartfarren (Gartmore). " Field of the land-
officer or thane," G. fearann. Peel, a stronghold or
castle, is said to be a variant of the Eng. pile. Of. The
Peel, Gargunnock.
Gartincaber (Buchanan and Plean.) Buch. G. sic 1508,
but 1497 Gartcaber. G. goirtean cabair, "croft of the
deer," or " of the rungs or rafters," and so the same as
Garngaber, Lenzie. Perh. the first syllable may be
gart, standing corn, grass.
Gartinstarry (Drymen). Sic Pont. "Croft of the step-
ping stones " or " of the path over the bog," G. stair.
Of. Auchinstarry, Kilsyth.
Gartlick (Buchanan). G. gart lie, "enclosure with the
stone wall," which once exactly described this hamlet ;
fr. leac, a stone.
Gartness (Drymen). 1491 Gartnes. G. gart an eas, " en-
closure with the waterfall."
44 THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE
Gartwhinnie (Plean). G. gart-'a-coinneamh, "enclosure
for the meeting or assembly." But Macbain thinks
Dalwhinnie is G. dail chuinnidh, which possibly means
"narrow field."
Garvald (Dunipace). See Garrel.
Gavell (Kilsyth). Sic Pont, 1694 Gaball. G. gdbhal, "a
fork, the junction of two waters."
Gercnew (Killearn). Difficult. Perh. G. gearr achadh
(which would here be pronounced achoo), " short field."
So W. J. Watson.
Gillieshill (Bannockburn). Hill where the gillies (G. gille, a
lad) or camp-followers waited in 1314. See the histories.
Glen Village (Palkirk). 1458 Le Glen. Just above a deep
glen, G. glcann.
Glenbervie (Larbert). Borrowed from Kincardineshire.
Bervie is a difficult name. One may suggest, G. bear,
bior, W. and Corn, ber, a spit, a pin, or O.G., bir, bior,
water, a well, or G. borb/i, a muttering sound. Macbain
thinks fr. root borv as in Bourbon.
Glenfuir (Palkirk). G. gleann fuar, " cold glen."
Glen Gaoithe (N. of Buchanan). 1793 Glenguoi, a phonetic
spelling. G. = " glen of the wind, windy glen."
Glen Gyle (N. of L. Lomond). Now pron. by Gaels Glen-
goyle, j ust as they pron. L. Goil. 1757 Glengyl. Either as
Old Statistical Account, 1791, says, fr. G. gobhal, pron.
go-ul, " a fork," as in L. Goil, which suits the site of both ;
fr. G. Gaidheal, " a Gael," as in Argyle ; or fr. gall, goill,
" a stranger," which is most likely. At the S. end of the
loch there is a Gyle Burn and Auchengyle, Pont Achagyil.
Glentirran (Kippen). Pont -tyrren. G. tioram, " dry," or
tua-ran, "little bleaching green." But the older name
of the place is said to have been Terinterran, thought
to be a corruption of terra et terrain (" land and plot
of land "), a common phrase in old conveyances.
Glorat (Lennoxtown). Sic 1691, but 1449, Glorate. G. gloir
ait(e), " clean, neat place " ; or f r. glbrach or gleadhrach,
"noisy."
Gogar (Menstrie). Sic 1745. The Edinburgh Gogar is 1240
Goger, 1250 Gogger, 1650 Gawger. An obscure name.
Gonachan (Fintry). Pont Gonnakan. G. gonach, " sharp,
keen, stinging," peril, as applied to the air there, with
the common suffix -an.
THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE 45
Gowlan or Gualann Hill (Buchanan). Either G. yobhalan,
" little pass or gowl " ; cf . the Ir. Gowlan and Gulaun,
certainly f r. gabhalan ; or fr. gualainn, " the shoulder,
a corner, an angle." But the Gowlan or Gowan Hills
near Stirling occur in 1506 as the " Gallow hillis."
Graham's Dyke (Falkirk). Name given to the Roman
Wall. We find an Bug. " Grimes die," 1045 Charter of
Badweard, Cod. Diplomat, iv., 98 ; and in 1128 Holyrood
Chart., " William de Graeme."
Grahamston (Falkirk). It stands on "Graham's Muir"
(sic 1774), where the battle of Falkirk was fought, and
Sir John de Graham slain, 1298. We find the name in
1295 both as Graham and Gram.
Grandsable (Polmont). 1841 Grand Sabul. A house built
nearly 100 years ago by a returned settler, prob. fr.
the Grand Sable R., Michigan ; but some say, f r. Grand
Sable in the island of Reunion.
Grange Burn (Grangemouth). See Abbotsgrange. Higher
up it is West Quarter Burn.
Grangemouth. Founded 1777. Owes its origin to the
Forth and Clyde canal, begun in 1768 ; at whose mouth,
and also at the mouth of the Grange Burn, it stands.
Greystale (Bannockburn). 1562 Graysteal. " Grey-looking
place," f r. O.B. steel, steall, a place, a " stall " in a stable.
Cf. Wallstale and South Steal, Dunipace. But Jamie-
son's Dictionary gives steel, " the lower part of a ridge
projecting from a hill"; and this suits the sites of
Greystale and Wallstale.
Gribboch (Kippen). Perh. G. yribeadh, " a manger."
Gunnershaw (Dunipace). Possibly fr. O.G. gunars, "whins";
the Eng. gunner is found fr. 1344. Shaw is O.E. scaga,
Dan. skov, a wood.
Guthrie (Airth). Cf. Guthrie, Arbroath, 1359 Gutherie.
G. gaothar, gaothaire, " windy."
Haggs (Dennyloanhead). Sc. hag, " copse-wood," O.E.
haga, "a hedge."
Hailstaneburn (Kilsyth). History unknown. Hail is Sc.
for " whole."
46 THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE
Haining (Manuel). 1424 Hayning. Sc. "an enclosure."
To hain is to enclose or protect with a fence, to
preserve, O.N. hegna, Dan. hegne. Cf. a field near
Stirling called the Haining.
Halbert's Bog (Bannockburn). Prob. called after some
man of that name, and not connected with the halberd
or halbert, O.Fr. alabarde, halebard, a combination of
spear and battle-axe, which finds no mention in Eng.
till 1495. Cf. Herbertshire.
Hallglen (Falkirk). c. 1610 Haglen. The glen behind
Oallander House or Hall.
Haugh of Stenhouse (Larbert). A haugh is a pasture,
flat and by a river-side, O.E. healh, halech, Icel. hagi.
Herbertshire Castle (Denny). Sic c. 1450, but 1426
Baronia de Herbertshire. Prob. the shire or " share "
of a man Herbert ; it may be he mentioned as making
a grant of land in Dunipace, c. 1200, Cambusken. Chart.
p. 107. The tradition is that it was given by an early
King James to the Earl of Wigton as his "halbert's
share," for service in war. But as to halbert, see
Halbert's Bog ; and James I. only came to the throne
in 1424.
Heuck (Grangemouth). Pont Heucks. Heuck is the Sc.
pron. of hook. Cf. Crook.
Hollandbush (Dennyloanhead). 1707 Hollinbush, 1769
Hollybush. Sc. hollin, O.E. hollen, " pertaining to the
holly tree," O.E. holen, holegn. Cf. " Hollanmedu," c.
1250 in Cartul. Kelso, and Hollings, Dunipace.
Hollockburn (Muiravonside). Difficult, as old forms are
lacking. The initial h must represent some aspirated
letter, now fallen away. Perh. fr. G. collach, variant
of cullach, a boar, or bollag, a skull, a heifer, or even
coileach, a cock.
Hookney (Denny). Doubtful.
The Hosh (Drymen). "The foot" of the hill; aspirated
form of G. cos, the foot. There is another at Crieff.
Cf. Rowchoish.
How Kerse (Grangemouth). How is Sc. for " hollow, low-
lying spot," O.E. holh, holg, a hollow, fr. tool, a hole.
The Howgate, Falkirk, means, " the way or road leading
down to the hollow." Also see Carse.
THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE 47
Howietoun (Stirling). Howie is dimin. of how, see above ;
and toun is used in the Sc. sense of " a farm toun."
Hungry Hill (Oarron), and Hungry Kerse (Br. of Allan).
The Oxford Dictionary, s.v. hungry, 6, gives a good
many quotations referring to poor or starved land, the
earliest of the year 1577. Also see Carse.
Ibert (Balfron and Killearn). Local tradition makes them
places of sacrifice, ? Druidic, fr. G. iobairt, " a sacrifice,
an offering." Some hold the name Pict. fr. bert, or
pert, W. perth, " a thicket," as in Larbert and Logiepert.
Inchcailloch (L. Lomond). 1325 Inchcalleoch, 1405 Inche-
callach. G. innis chailleachan, "isle of the nuns," lit.
"old women," G. cailleach. Up till the 14th century
this was the name of the parish of Buchanan.
Inchcruin (L. Lomond), c. 1350 Yniscruny. "Bound island,"
G. eruinn, round.
Inchfad (L. Lomond). G. innis fada, " long island."
Inchterff (Kilsyth). c. 1610 Inchtarfe. G. innis tairbh ;
here innis means, not "island," but "pasture ground,
sheltered valley of the bull."
Inchyra Grange (Polmont). Prob. fr. Inchyra, Perthshire,
1324 Inchesyreth ; G. innis iarach or siarach, " western
meadow," fr. iar, the west.
Indians (Drymen). Doubtful.
Ingleston (Dunipace). "Farm -town of Inglis," i.e., the
Englishman.
Inverallan (Bridge of Allan). 1373 Inralon. G. inbhir
Aluin, "confluence of the B. Allan" with the Forth.
Inversnaid (L. Lomond). "Confluence of the R. Snaid,"
q.v., with the Arklet.
Easter Jaw and Jawcraig (Slamannan). 1458 Estir Jal ;
1745 Jallcraig, 1761 Jawcraig. Hybrid ; " bare, barren
craig," (Sc. for " rock "). Fr. Icel. gall, barren, the U,
as in many other cases, being softened into w. Cf. the
farm of Jaw, Fintry.
Jinkabout (Polmont). Sc. jink means " to dodge or quickly
turn about " ; not found till Allan Ramsay, 1711 ; so the
name is prob. modern.
48 THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE
Katrine L. Not in Pont. 1682 Kittern, 1791 Catherine
(the Gaelic parish minister's spelling), 1804 Ketterine.
Now pron. in G. Ketturin or Ketturn. Often said to be
G. cath tut/urn, u battle of hell." Scholars do not
favour this outre explanation ; and the name may be
Pict. But very likely it is cath Eireann (pron. eran),
44 battle of Eire or Barn," a name found all over Scot-
land ; said by the Irish Nennius to be that of an Irish
queen, who came from Scotland. Loch Earn is found in
1615 as Lockerrane, and Auldearn is 1238 Aldheren,
prob. also (Register St. Andrews, re ann. 954) Ulurn.
Cath in G. is now pron. ca ; but the pron. of the name
Cathcart shows that the th once was not mute, and e.
1170 it occurs as both Katkert and Ketkert; cf. too
the Eng. words, cateran and fcern, really the same root,
Ir. ceitnern, O.Ir. ceitern.
Kelty Water (Gartmore). G. eoittte, now only the poetic
plur. of co*He, " a wood."
Kelvin R. (Kilsyth). Sic c. 1200; 1208 Kelvyn. G. cool
abhuinn, ** narrow river."
Kennedy (Falkirk). As the site shows, G. ceann eadainn,
" head, top of the hillslope."
Kepculloch (Balfron). Pont Kepcoilach. G. ceap collaich
or cultoicn, " trap, snare, or block, stump, of the wild-
boar."
Kepdowrie (Buchlyvie). c. 1300 Kepdowri, Gapdowri,
Pont Kepdawryes. Perh. G. ceap duibh airidh, " tree-
stump by the "black shelling " ; but as likely f r. O.G.
dobhar or dur, a river, or the boundary of a country.
Kerse (Grangemouth). See Carse.
Kersie (S. Alloa). c. 1150 Karsy, 1195 Carsyn, 1207
Garsin. 44 Little Carse," q.v. The -yn or -in may re-
present the G. dimin. -on, or it may only be a scribal
ending.
Kildean (Stirling). Prob. G. ctuJ dion, ** nook of refuge " ;
though some say cill deadhain, ** cell or church of the
dean," of Stirling.
Kilfasset (Balfron). c. 1350 Kilfassane, Pont -fassats.
Perh. G. coille fasidh, u wood with the projecting spur,"
or ciU fhasach, u graveyard in the solitary place," or
u anchorite's celL"
THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE 49
Killearn. c. 1250 Kynerine, Kynheru, 1275 Kyllarn, c. 1430
Killern. A name that has changed. At first " head or
height," G. cinn or ceann, but now, " church," G. ciH, "of
the division or district," earrann ; cf. Morvern, G. mbr
earrann, " big division." There was a Killearn in Jura
and a Killern, Anwoth. All three, with small likelihood,
have been derived fr. St. derail of Clonmacnoise, 545 ;
c lost by aspiration.
Kilmurrich (Balfron). G. coitt(e), " wood," or c/H, " church,"
MiUrich " of Murphy."
Kilsyth. c. 1210 Kelvesyth, 1217 Kelnasydhe, 1239 Kilsyth,
1511 Kilsith. Pron. Kilsefth. Prob., after the analogy
of Coolsythe, Antrim, fr. G. ceall, ciW, "a church, a
graveyard," or coill(e), " a wood," and saighead (yh
mute), an arrow - " graveyard " or " wood of the
arrows."
Kiltrochan (Balfron). G. coilV an troghain, " wood of the
raven."
Kilunan (Fintry). 1489 Culyownane, Pout Killenuan.
G. cuil Eunain, "nook of Eunan or Adamnan." ? the
abbot of lona.
Kilwinnet (Oampsie). Pout -winnets. Can it be "Wood
(G. coiUfe) of Wingate " ?
Kincaid (Lennoxtown). 1238 Kincaith, 1550 Kyncatke*
G. cinn (locative of ceann) cadha, " at the head of
the pass."
Kinkell (Lennoxtown). Cf. 1298 " Kynkelle," Aberdeen.
G. cinn-na-coille, "at the head of the wood." The
accent forbids the derivation cinn - ceall, " head
church."
Kinnaird (Larbert). 1334 Kynhard. G. cinn na Vairde,
" at the head of tlie height," which refers to its position
in older days when the sea came much further in.
There is a Kinnahaird at Strathpeffer.
Kippen. Sic 1238. G. ceapan, " little stump or block," or
little cup."
Kirk o' Muir (Fintry). 1459 Capella Beate Marie in
Garwalde in mora de Dnndaff, 1480 Capelle Sancte Maria
de Dundafmure, 1508 Bcclesia de Mure, 1576 Kirk o r
Muir, 1627 Kirkamuir. " The church on the moor " of
Dundaff.
50 THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE
Kitty Frist Well (Kilsyth). Sic 1796. Looks like a
corruption ; Kitty suggests O.G. ceide, " a market, a
fair, a green, a hillock." But it may be called after
a woman who kept an inn close by. Of. Kittybrewster,
Aberdeen.
Knockinshannoch (Drymen par.). G. cwoc an t-sionnaich
or seannaich, " hill of the fox."
Ladysmill (Falkirk). c. 1610 Ladiesmill. Prob. called after
" Our Lady," the Virgin Mary.
Lanton (Larbert). Prob. " lang toim " ; cf. Monkton, pron.
the Munton.
Larbert. Sic 1251, but 1195 Lethberth, c. 1320 Lethberd. A
changed name. Held to be originally Pictish ; cf. W. lied,
"a half," and pert/i, "a brake, a wood." This is not certain,
as Perth, of which we have many early spellings, though
c. 1128 Pert, is never spelt with a b until Boece. How
the Lar- arose is very difficult to say ; the -bert suggests
G. beart, " work, exploit, a yoke, a burden, a machine."
Of. Ibert.
Laurieston (Falkirk). Sic 1797, but 1393 Langtoune and
1774 Merchistoun. Renamed after Lawrence Dundas of
Kerse, made a baronet in 1762.
Lavrockhill (Oampsie). Laverock is Sc. for the "lark,"
O.E. Ueweree, Idferce.
Lawyett (Wallacestone). Presumably " Gate," north Bng.
2/ett, " on the law," Sc. for " hill," O.E. hlcetv, a mound, a
hill.
Leddrie Green (Lennoxtown). 1482 Ladrigrene ; cf. 1493
Ladrysbeg and Ladrysmor. As site and old spelling in-
dicate, G. ladaraiiy " a little ladle or spoon."
Ledlewan (Strathblane). Pont Ladlewen. G. leat/iod,
"slope," or lad, "watercourse," leamhan, " among the
elms."
Lednabra (Drymen). G. lad, " lade or watercourse," and
braich, bracha, " for malting," or bra, " of the quern or
hand-mill."
Lennox and Lennoxtown. c. 1210 Levenax, Levenach,
1234 Lenox, 1296 Levenaux ; old Gaelic M.S., Lemnaigh.
G. leamhanach, " place abounding in elms," G. leamhan.
THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE 51
Leppie (S. of Falkirk). A farm near L. Ellrig. Prob. G.
lapach, "a bog, a swamp."
Lernock (Balfron). Prob. G. Icatharnaich, "placed at the one
side or edge," fr. leath-oir, " sideways, edgeways." Of.
Learnie, Oromarty, wliich would be locative of the above.
Lethallan (Polmont). G. leth ailein, "share, division (lit.
"half") on the green plain."
Letham (Larbert). A name common nearly all over Scot-
land. It suggests nothing in G. or W., and it can hardly
be Pict., as there is a Letham mentioned in Berwick-
shire in 1250. There is a W. lleth, "flattened," and a
llaith, " damp, moist " ; but for the ending -am there
seems nothing left but the much-derided suggestion that
the name must be a hybrid, ending with the O.B., ham,
" house, home."
Letheraye or Lettereigh (Inversnaid). Pron. in G. as in
former spelling. G. leitir (fr. leathad-ttr) reidh, " smooth
hill-slope."
Leys (Denny). G. lios, " a house, a garden, a fort, a palace."
Limerigg (Slamannan). For ricjcj or ridge, see Darnrigg.
Livilands (St. Ninians). 1457 Levilandis, or " level lands."
O.Fr. livel^ "level," spelt in Langland, 1362, livel, fr. L.
libella, " a little balance." Cf. divel, for devil. However,
a form Levinglandis is also recorded, which may connect
the place with some Saxon settler called Leving, as in
Livingstone, Mid Oalder.
Lochgreen (Bonnybridge). If Eng. the name would have
been Greenloch, cf. Greenliill close by. So prob. G. loch
grianach, "sunny loch," fr. grian, the sun.
Loch Stank (Slamannan). G. stang, " a ditch, a trench."
Lomond Loch and Ben. A remarkable name, which has
changed four times. (1) c. 120 Ptolemy Lemannonius is
now, for the most part, agreed to be L. Lomond, not L.
Long ; fr. O.G. leman, " an elm," seen also in the river
Leamain of the Irish Nennius, and in Lemnaigh, the O.G.
spelling of Lennox, q.v. (2) The m aspirated and leman
became leamhan, the present G. for "elm," hence the
name 1225 Chartnl. Paisley "lacus de Leven," a name
now confined to the river (here, amnis de Leven) flowing
out of L. Lomond. 1 (3) Leamhan also got the sound
Called in the English Nennius, Flumen Lenin or Leun.
52 THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE
leiuan, as in Ledlewan ; hence very early arose a con-
fusion seen in the 9th century Nennitis, where L. Lomond
is Stagnum Lumonoy (other MSS., Lumonui, Limmon-
ium and Lommon), while in 919 Index to Nennius we
read * that L. Lummonou is in the land of the Picts, and
in English is called Loch Leven. This root Lumon i
naturally claimed as Pict., akin to W. llumon, " a beacon,"
as in Plynlimmon ; cf. G. laom, " a blaze of fire, a sudden
flame " ; and ** beacon " is a very appropriate name both
for Ben Lomond and the Lomond Hills (sic c. 1610) in
Fife. Of the latter, old forms seem unknown. They
also have a Loch Leven, curiously enough, at their foot.
This third form is still preserved in Inverness Gaelic,
which says Ben Laomuinn. (4) But the native Gaels
soon forgot, perhaps never knew, the meaning of Lao-
muinn ; and the ao early became a pure o, which oo,
though a very shifty sound, rarely if ever has done in
any other Scottisii name. The transition is seen in the
local Gaelic pron., which is Lowman, while the native
Bng. pron. is always Lomon(d). Already in the 12tli
century Irish Nennius we have Loch Lomnan ; c. 122.1
Loch Lomue, a. 1350 Lochlomond, 1498 L. Lowmond, 1580
Georye Buchanan Lominius lacus, 1791 Loch Lomin ; both
these last are the spellings of Gaelic residents. This
fourth form stands nearer to G. loman, -am, " a banner
or shield." For the common suffixing of the d, cf. Drum-
mond, fr. G. droman, a ridge.
Lossit (Kilsyth). Said to be G. Zoisifc, "a kneading trough,"
applied also to a field of rich, productive land. Of. 1233
"Losset," near Old Kilpatrick.
Loup of Fintry. A waterfall. Loup is Sc. for "leap,"
O.N. lilaup, O.E. hlyp.
Lying Tom (Falkirk). 1817 Lyonthom. Modern corrup-
tion of a farm name, in the Valuation RoU Lionthorn,
a name also a little puzzling. The second half is prob,
G. torn, a knoll.
Maddiston (Polmout). 1424 Mandirstoun, c. 1610 Pont
Madistoim. " Marnier' s" or "Matmdcr's village." A
good example how the liquids and r may wholly dis-
appear. Of. Mauderston, Berwickshire.
1 I give this ou the authority of Dr. Macbain. I have failed in verifying it.
THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE 53
Mailings (Kilsytb) and Wester Mailing (Denny). Sc.
for "farm," fr. mail, "rent, rent paid for a farm."
Of. Hartsmailiug, Bamiockburn, and Harviesmailing,
Denny.
Manuel, c. 1190 Manuell, 1301 Manewell. No proof that
the Scottish M. is a contraction fr. Immanuel. But a
priory was founded here in 1156, and peril, it was called
after the famous monastery of Manuel in the patriarch-
ate of Constantinople. Manuel was a common personal
name there at that time. However, the ending in 1301
reminds one of Bothwell, a. 1242 Botheuill, c. 1300 Both-
vile, which may be fr. Norm. Fr. ville, a town, village, or
farm.
Maol an Fithich (N. of Buchanan). G., "bare height of
the raven," G. fitheach.
Maol Ruadh (Kilsyth). G., " ruddy, reddish, bare height."
Merchiston (Falkirk). Prob. "dwelling of Murchy" or
"Murdoch."
Millarrochy (Buchanan). G. meall larachain, "hill, knoll
with the little (ruined) farm."
Millskite (Drymen). Peril. G. meall sgaiteach, "cutting,
piercing (of the wind), stormy knoll."
Milndavie (Strathblane). G. meall- an -Vsamhaidh (pron.
tavie), " hillock with the field-sorrel." Of. Kippendavie,
and Auchindavy, Kirkintilloch.
Milton of Campsie. " Mill-towns " are very common both
in Scotland and England.
Minyards (Bothkennar). Prob. G. min ard, " smooth
height," with Eng. plur. s. Of. Rawyards, Airdrie, fr.
G. rath aird, " fort on the height."
St. Mirren's Well (Kilsyth). Fr. St. Mcrinus or Meadhran
of Bangor, who died at Paisley.
Molanclerich (Balfron). G. muileann clerich, " mill of the
cleric " or " parson."
Molland (Drymen). G. mbilean, " a little lump." For the
d, cf. Drummond fr. G. droman, and Lomond.
Monyabroch (Kilsyth). 1217 Mouiabrocd, 1457 Monyabro,
1690 Moniabrugh. G. wome-a'-b/irmc, "moss, moor of
the brock or badger," G. broc. Cf. Ebroch.
54 THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE
Moss Candle (Slamannan). Sic 1795. So called because
of the " fir-stocks " or pieces of pinewood dug up in this
moss, and which for long have been split up and used as
little torches or candles.
Mount Gerald (Can-on). A recent name.
Muckcroft (Leimoxtown). A changed name. 1200 Much-
rat, Muncrath, 1238 Mukraw, c. 1370 Mukkerach, Much-
kerach, 1458 Mukrath. All the old forms seem to-
represent G. muc-rath, "cleared spot for pigs"; rath
usually means a fort or rampart.
Mugdock (Strathblane). Sie 1680, but Annul. Cambr. ami.
750 Magedauc, Mocetauc, 1392 Mukdoc. Prob. G. mag-
d'-dabhoicli, " plain, field of ploughed land."
The Mulloch or Malloch (Oarron). G. inullach, "a smaller
eminence, a little ridge." Of. Balmalloch, Kilsyth.
Mumrills (Laiirieston). 1552 Munmer- and Mummerallis.
Prob. G. moine, " moss," or mam, " round hill," " with the
oaks," Ir. ral, rail, an oak.
Mungalend and -mill (Falkirk). 1508 Monguellis, 1552 Ovir
et Nethir Mongwell, c. 1610 Mungill. Prob. G. moiri-a-
Ghaill, " bog, moss of the stranger."
Mye (Buchlyvie). Sic 1510 : 1691 Easter Mye (Drymeu).
Prob. G. maigh, locative of magh, " a plain." Generally
found as May, as in Cambus o' May, or else as Moy.
Myothill (Denny). Doubtful. Of. Dunmyat.
Nappiefaulds (Slamannan). Fr. O.E. cntvp, "a hill-top,' r
cognate with G. and W. cnap, a knot, a button, a little
hill. On fauld, see Barlinfaulcls.
Nether Glinns (Fintry) and Gumming Glinns (Balfron).
Glinns looks like the locative of G. gleann, "a glen,"
with Eng. plur. s.
Newlands (Falkirk and Leimoxtown). Falk. N. Pont New-
land.
St. Ninians. [1147 Egglis, i.e., G. eaglais, " church " ; 1207
Kirketoune.] 1242 Ecclesia Sancti Niniani de Kirke-
toune, 1301 Saint Rineyan. Dedicated to St. Ninian or
Ringan of Whithorn, first known Oliristian missionary
in Scotland.
Ochil Hills. Geographer of Raveniia Oindocellun, i.e., chid
ochil, locative of G. ceann, " head, height " ; c. 850 B/c.
of Lecan Sliab Nochel, i.e., sliabh an oc/til, G. sliab/i,
a hill ; 1461 Oychellis. In France, near the modern
Besancon, and in two places in the W. of Spain, were
hill -ranges called by the Romans Ocellum, evidently
the same Celtic root, cognate with O.Ir. ocfeil, W. uchel,
" high." Of. Achilty, Strath peffer ; Auchelchanzie, Orieff ;
and Glen Ogle.
Offerance (Buchly vie), c. 1610 Offron. Of. 1510 " Offeris,"
near Denny. Looks like G. oifrionn, the mass or
" offering," with -ce = Bng. plur. s. But the Old Statis-
tical Account of Callander, 1791, says Offerance near
there is in G. oir roinn, "side of the point."
O(a)kersdyke (Slamannan). Thought to be fr. O.E. acer,
" field, acre " ; cf . oak, O.B. oc. This is doubtful.
Panstead (Grangemoutli). Prob. the site of some salt pans.
Of. farmstead.
Parkfoot and Parkhead (Palkirk). Here in Font's map is
" The Parck " (of Callendar).
Pendreich (Bridge of Allan). 1288 Petendreich, 1503 Pet-
tyndreich. Pict. G. pett, pitt' an droich, " croft, farm cf
the dwarf." Of. the surname Pittendrigh, and Bantaskiu.
Pest Burn (Grahamston). So called because of the many
victims of the Great Plague, 1666, buried beside it.
Pinfold or Pindfold Bridge (Bothkennar). A pinfold was
a " pend " or " pound " for stray cattle.
Pirleyhill (Polmont). Tautology. G. puirleag, " a crest or
tuft."
Pirnie Lodge (Slamannan). Prob. as in Kinpurnie, Newtvle t
fr. G. fuaran, "a spring, a fountain"; with the Bryth-
onic p.
Plea Muir (Kilsyth). So called fr. a plea or lawsuit be-
tween a Duke of Montrose and a laird of Duntreath.
Plean. 1215 Plane, 1745 Plen ; usually called " the Plean,"
1449 le Plane ; and pron. rather like 1215 or 1745 than
like the spelling to-day. Doubtful. Possibly Eng. pla in*
L. planum; very likely Pictish. Sir Herbert Maxwell
thinks tliat L. planum, G. iwm, and W. llan, meaning an
enclosure, and specially a church, are all the same root.
56 THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE
Pocknaive (Airtli). 1483 Polknafe. G. poll-a-cnamh, u bwrn.
of the bones."
Polchro (N. of Buchanan). G. poll-a-chro, "stream with
the circle or sheep-pen."
Pollachalloch (N. of Buchanan). G. poll-a-teallaich,
" stream of the smithy " ; t in G. often softens into ch.
Polmaise (Stirling). 1147 Pollemase, 1164 Polmase, 1483
Polmais - Merschiale and Polmais - Sinclare. G. poll
maiseach, "beautiful stream."
Polmont. 1319 ^Polmunth, 1552 -mond, c. 1610 Poumon.
Local proii. Pomon, showing that the accent must have
changed. G. poll monaidh, " stream or pool on the moor
or moorland hill."
Polybaglot (Drymen parish). G. poll-a-bagailt, "stream,
water with the clusters of nuts."
Port of Menteith. 1 189 Terrae de Port ... in comitatu
de Menteith. Port is Fr. porte, L. porta, a gate, " en-
trance to Menteith," which is in Perthshire a. 1185
Meneted, 1234 Mynyiiteth, Mynteth, 1724 Monteath.
G. moine Taich^ " moss or moor on the R. Teith." The
1234 forms seem to show Pict. or Brythonic influence ;
of. W. 7u?/7n/?wiat, Corn, menit, meneth, a moor.
Powfoulis (S. of the Pow Burn, Airth). Sic 1483. Potv is
the Sc. softening of G. poM, " a stream, a muddy burn, a
pool." Foulis or Fowlis is also found as a place name in
Easter Ross, where the G. is Folais = f o-ry/iZm's, " sub-
stream, burn." So our name is a tautology. Of. Pow-
drake, Polmont.
Praunston (Balfron). 1817 Provenstown, Valuation Roll
Provenstone. Modern corruption of "Provan's town"
or "farm."
The Quarrell (Oarron). 1510 le Qnarrell. In Ordnance
Survey Map, "Old Quarry Hole"! Quarrel is old Sc.
and mid. Eng. for "a quarry," O.Fr. quarriere, mod.
Fr. corriere, med. L. quarraria, quadraria, f r. quadrare,
to square (stones).
Quarter House (Dunipace). 1519 ]y Quartir, or "the
quarter."
West Quarter (Falkirk). Sic c. 1610. Also near Buchanan
church.
THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE 57
Queenzieburn (Kilsyth). c. 1610 Goyny, 1694 Gniny, 1817
Quenzieburn. Prob. G. caoin, caoine, "gentle," which
the burn, for tlie most part, is.
Quinloch (Strathblane). Prob. also fr. G. caoin, as above.
Randyford (Falkirk, and near the source of the R. Emlrick).
Fal. R. 1508 Raiidifurd. Down to it, in Falkirk, led the
Randygate, now Kerse Lane. Here randy cannot mean
44 course or rude " ; that is a derived sense not found till
1698. It seems to be a weakened form of randoun, in
Barbour, c. 1375, and even earlier (the same word as
random), meaning " a swift course or flight," fr. Fr. ran-
don, the swiftness or force of a violent stream. And
ford must have its obsolete sense of " brook, burn," cf.
p. 19. Thus Randyford is " swift, violent burn " (there
is no " ford "), and Randygate is " road with the swift
or steep descent." Also see Rumford.
The Raploch (Stirling). Sic 1329, but 1361 Raplach, and
still so pron. G. rapalach, "noisy, bustling, brawling,"
fr. rapal, noise.
Rashiedrum (Denny). Prob. a hybrid ; fr. Sc. rashy,
"rushy," fr. M.E. rishe, ruschc, O.E. risce, ricse, a
rush, and G. druim, "a hill- ridge." If the name had
been all G. it would have been Druim rasach, " hill-ridge
covered with shrubs."
Rashiehill (Slamaunan and Fintry). Slam. R. c. 1610 Rasshi-
hill. See above.
Redding (Polmont). Sic c. 1610 ; also Reddingmuirhead.
Doubtful. Possibly, like Reading, Berks, 871 Readingas,
called after some family. But cf. " Redinche," i.e., " red-
looking peninsula" or " pastureland," name in 1195 of
the peninsula on the Forth, E. of Polmaise; also 1464
"Reddingis," 1530 "Redinghill," Ayrshire, 1609 "Round-
redding," Dumbarton, and Redden, Sprouston.
Redyett (Kippen). "Red gate," cf. Lawyett, also Yetholm.
Rouchmute (Dunipace). c. 1610 Rochmute. Peril. G.
ruadh mut, "red-looking, short, stumpy thing."
Roughcastle (Bonnybridge). Sic 1726, but 1697 Castle
Ruff ; the previous history of the name is unknown.
But here was a Roman fort.
Rouskenach (N. of Buchanan). G. rutha syeannach, " star-
ing, glaring point."
58 THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE
Rowardennan (L. Lomond). G. rutha (pron. rua) aird
Ewiain, " high point, promontory of St. Bunan," synco-
pated form of Adamnan, Abbot of lona. Bow- here as
in Bow, Dumbarton, must be pron. ru. Not far away is
Bowchoish, or rutha ita coise, " promontory at the foot "
of the hill. In G., s very often becomes s/t, as here.
Buichneuch (Bowarclennan). Perh. G. rutha ita h-eiyhe*
" promontory or point of the shriek, the cry," G. euyh.
Rulzie or Rollies (Dunipace). Perh. G. roilleach, "place
abounding in darnel," G. roille.
Rumford (Polmont). Bandyford (q.v.) farm is certainly
once called Bomyfurde (see Reyist. Great Seal for 150&
and 1552), a curious and unexplained alteration. It may
be conjectured that the latter name must have been
transferred to what we now call Bumford, a place which
seems to have no history. It is not in Thomson's map.
1817-1820. The burn here looks small ; but " Bomyfurde "
should mean " roomy ford " or " wide stream " (see p. 19)*
Of. Bomford, Essex, and Bomicofan, Bumcofan, " wide,
roomy cove," O.E. forms of Buncorn.
Sallochy (L. Lomond), c. 1350 Sallachy. G. salach, " dirty,"
with the Eng. diminutive.
Satterhill (Slamannan). 1817 Saturhill. Evidently N.
soetor, a summer farm, a hill dairy farm. Of. Dalsetteiv
Lerwick.
Sauchie (Dunipace). [Sauchie, Alloa, 1208 Salechoc.] 1451
Litill Salchy, c. 1610 Sachy. Salechoc is early Eng. for
" willow-haugh." Saugli is still the Sc. for " willow " ;
and hauah is a meadow or pasture by a river.
Scullion- or Skilliangow (Campsie). Perh. G. sgailean-a'-
yhobha, "arbour (lit. shade) of the yoiv or smith."
Seggieholm (Killearn). Seggie- is prob. connected with the
vb. say, " to sink in the middle " ; and holme is O.E. holm,
Icel. holm-r, a small island, also a meadow near a river,
such as might be surrounded or covered in time of flood.
Shian (Balfron). Pont Shyen. Prob. G. sithean, proiu
sheean, "a fairies' knoll."
Shielbrae (W. of Bannockburn) and Shieldhill (Falkirk).
c. 1610 Sheelliill. "Sheltering brae" or "hill," fr. Icel.
sfcjof, O.N. skali, a shelter, Icel. s/cjold-r, a shield. Brae
is O.N. bra, O.E. brrew, eyelid or eyebrow, brow of a hilL
THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE 59
Shippy Trouty (Dunipace). Name of a plantation, now
hopelessly corrupted ; and unfortunately there is no
trace of the name in the Callendar charters. One may
guess, G. sioba treudaiche, "long, narrow field of the
cowherd."
Sink (Plean). 1817 Sike. Sc. sike, syke (O.B. sic, a water-
course, a runnel) is a small rill, a marshy hollow with a
stream or streams, a ditch ; and sink in Sc. and North
Bng. has much the same meanings.
Skaithmuir (Can-onshore). A hybrid = Blairskaitli. Cf.
Carmuirs.
Skeoch (Bamiockburn). Pron. Skeogh. 1317 Skewok, 1329
Skeoch, o. 1(510 Skyoch. G. sgitheach, " the blackthorn."
Of. R. Skiack, Kiltearn, and Skeoch Hill, Mauchline. At
the Stirling Skeoch there used to be a chapel dedicated
to the Virgin ; so some would derive the name from an
unidentifiable saint called Skeoch, Scawachie, or Skay.
Of. St. Skeoch's or St. Skay's burying-ground, at Craig,
Forfarshire.
Skinflats (Grangemoutli). No trace here of a tannery ; so
peril, fr. G. sceithin, " a bush." Flats, i.e., meadows,
is a common suffix hereabouts, Garronflats, Millflats,
Smoothflats, &c. To derive fr. Ger. schon Plats, " beau-
tiful place," seems absurd.
Slackristock (Denny), e. 1610 Slechryistok. Prob. G. sloe
ria-sgach, " marshy hollow," sJoc, a ditch, a hollow, a dell.
Slafarquhar (N. of Kilsyth). c. 1610 Slefarcharr. G. sliabh
Fhearchair, " hill or moor of Farquhar."
Slamannan. Sic 1457, but Chron. Jona aim. 711 Campus
Manonn, 1250 Slethmanin, 18th century pron. Slayman-
nan. G. sliabh Manainn, "moor, hill-face of Manan,"
the Manannan Mac Lir of Irish legend. Of. Clackmannan
and Cremannan.
Snabhead (Bamiockburn and Muiravon). Dan. sneb, Sc.
neb, " a beak." Cf . Snab Hill, Kells.
Snaid R. (L. Lomond). G. and Ir. snathad, " a needle."
Sron Aonaich (L. Lomond). G., " point (nose) on the moor-
land height."
Standalane (farm near Falkirk).
Standburn (Avonbridge) and Standrigg (Polmont Station).
Doubtful.
60 THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE
Stenhouse and Stenhousemuir (Larbert). c. 1200 Stan
nous. Local pron. Stanismare. Stan hus is O.E. for
"stone house." Of. Arthur's Oon.
Sterriqua (Oampsie). Difficult through lack of old forms.
It looks like G. sturrach cath, " rugged, uneven battle-
field or battle."
Stirling, a. 1124 Strivelin, 1225 Stirleyn, c. 1250 Estriuelin,
1295 Bstrevelyn, 1455 Striviling, c. 1470 Sterling, 1682
Striveline. W. ystre Velyn, 1 "dwelling of Velyn," as-
pirated form of Melyn, prob. the same name as is found in
Dunfermliue, whose earliest spelling (Turgot, c. 1090) is
Dumfermelyu, i.e., G. dun-ftar-Melain, "crooked, slant-
ing hill of Melyu." But who was he ? Melin or Meling
in later Sc. always becomes Melvin and then Melville.
W. f elyn (cf. Bankyf elin, Carmarthen) means " yellow,"
and it occurs in its aspirated form in Melyn llyn, Lan-
rwst ; but Melin in our Sc. names must be a person, as
it is hardly permissible to postulate a W. adjective in a
Fifeshire name. The modern G. name is Sruithla, but,
like Paslig, mod. G. for Paisley, it seems to be a name
of yesterday, given by men who had no proper connection
with the Brythonic founders of these towns, and carry-
ing as little authority or weight as the meaningless
mod. G. name of Callander (see Preface p. viii). Sruithla
simply cannot have been the original form. We possess
scores of 12th century spellings of the name, while Gaelic
was still spoken in Stirling ; many from Cambtiskenneth
Abbey, under the very shadow of the Rock. These
spellings never contain a final a or oc/i, but always an
-in or -yn ; and the n cannot be the scribe's flourish, as
in Logyn for Logic, because the n is persistent, and
always remained in the pron. as n or ny, which a
scribe's "trick" never does. Moreover, Sruithla con-
tains no explanation of the ancient and long-persistent r.
Sruithla is thought to have the same base as G.
sruth, a stream, srufhan, a streamlet, and prob. was
at first Sruith-lach, a locative fr. which the ch would
disappear. No trace of Sruithla appears in any ancient
document. 2 We do find a. 1100 in St. Berchan a Sruth-
linn on Tay, which looks very like a Gaelic imitation of
our Brythonic name.
Stirlingshire. 1164 Papal Bull Striuelingschire.
1 In Welsh a single / sounds v, f sounds /.
But who was " Duncan a Sruthlee " in the Dean of Lis>nore's Book, p. 161 ?
THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE 61
Strathblane. c. 1200 Strachblachan, -blahane, 1238 Strach-
blachyne, c. 1240 Stratblathane, c. 1300 Strablaiie. G.
srath blathan, " glen with the little flowers," G. bladh-
ac/i, flowery.
Stronachlachar (L. Katrine). G. sron a' chlachair, " cape "
(lit. nose) " of the mason." A shepherd's house not far
away is called Strone Macnair.
Stuckintaggart (Buchanan). G. stuc an Vsayairt, "pro-
jecting, little hill of the priest." Of. Stuc-a-bhuic, fr.
bwc, a deer, near L. Ohon.
Summerford (Falkirk). No " ford " here, so ford will have
its usual Stirlingshire meaning of " burn, brook," see p.
19. There is such an one.
Sunnyside (Camelon).
Tackmadoun Burn (Kilsyth). Peril, just " take me down."
Tamfour Hill (Falkirk). 1617 Thorn four, 1632 Tome-
furhill. A tautology. G. torn fuav, " cold knoll or
hillock." The spellings Tain- and Thorn- are due to
ignorant association with the Bug. name Thomas and
Sc. Tain.
Tamhully (Killearn). Prob. G. torn ' chitllaich, " hillock of
the wild boar."
Tappock Hill (Larbert). Prob. dimin. of G. taip, " a rock,
a lump."
Tayavalla (Camelon). Modern G. name of a villa, G. tiyli-
a'-bhaUa, "house on the (Roman) Wall."
Taynunich (Buchanan). Pron. Tayneenich. G. ticjh-an-
aonaicli, "house on the heath or waste."
Thicklet (Grangemouth) and Thislet (Falkirk). Doubtful.
As -let is but a recent suffix in Bug., the -let is prob.
dialectal Bng. lent or Jet, " an open watercourse or mill-
lade," fr. O.E. rye/ret, a conduit.
Throsk (8. Alloa). Sic c. 1610. A curious and abnormal
name. Might be Icel. throsk-r, O.E. t/ir/sc, "a thrush" ;
cf. Throston, Hartlepool, and Thirsk. In sound it looks
like G. t(h)ros(j, " a cod."
Tiggetsheugh or Ticketsheugh (Dunipace). Prpn. Tig-
getshugh. Because formerly a roadside inn, said to be
corruption of G. tigh na deoch (proper gen. dibhe),
"house of the drink," which is very doubtful. The
first part may be G. teicheaehd, " a retreating, a flight,"
and the second is almost certainly the Sc. and Ir.
sheugh, shugh, sheuch (not in good G.), "a furrow,
ditch, drain, or small ravine," as in Drumsheugh, Edin-
burgh.
Tippetcraig (Bonnybridge). Name of a farm perched on
the top of a crag. Of. Tappitknowe, Denny.
Titlandhill (Stenhousemuir). Prob. like Titwood, Glasgow,
1513 Tytwoyd, f r. an O.W. or Celtic twt, " rising ground."
Of. " Tutebraid," 1510, near Denny.
Todsbughts (Slamannan). " The ' buchts ' of a man Tod."
Sc. buchts or bowyht is a sheep-pen, especially for con-
fining ewes at milking-time. Of. Buchts, Kilsyth.
Tomrawer (Kilsyth). c. 1610 Tomrawyr. Perh. G. torn
raith aird, " hillock with the high fort." Of. Rawyards,
Airdrie, and Tomaglas, Drymen.
Tomtain (Kilsyth). G. torn tain, " knoll of the cattle " or
" flocks."
Toravon (Polmont). G. torr Aibhn(e), " fort, tower, or hill
on the river Avon," or Abhuinn.
Torbrex (Stirling). Sic 1562. G. torr breac, "speckled,
mottled tower " or " hill." The x comes f r. adding the
Eng. plur. s to the c. Of. Cromlix.
Torrance of Oampsie. Prob. G. torran, " a little mound,
a knoll," with Eng. plur. s, corrupted or " improved " into
ce. Of. Water of Torrance, Drumblade.
Torwood (Larbert). Hybrid ; originally pure G., c. 1140
Keltor, i.e., collV an torra, " wood of the tower, fort, or
hill."
Touch or Tough Hills (Stirling). 1329 Tulch. Tautology.
Same as Tough, Alford (pron. toogh), c. 1550 "Tulluc
or Tough," 1665 Towch; G. tulach, "a hill, a mound."
There are two farms, Toughgorum, 1368 Tulchgorme,
a. 1500 Tulkgorme, fr. G. gonn, "green"; and Tough-
mollar, 1368 Tulchmaler, f r. G. iruilair, " a merchant, a
renter."
THE PLACE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE 63
Trampinghaugh (Bridge of Allan). Peril, so called fr. a
field used for washing and " tramping " blankets in Scots
fashion. On haugh, see Abbotsliaugh.
Trienbeg (Drymen). Sic 1691. G. trian beag, " little third
part or portion."
Tullibody (S. Alloa). The old charters seem to imply that
there was such a place S. as well as N. of the Forth,
near Alloa, 1163 Tulibodevin, 1164 Tulybethwyne, 1195
Tulybotheuyn, -euyne, c. 1200 Tulliboyene. Prob. G.
tulach both aiblniJ(e), "hillock with the house by the
river," abhuinn. The hard d in -body is found in the
earliest form of the northern place also c. 1147 Dun-
bodeuin, c. 1150 Dumbodenum, fr. G. dun, "a hill."
Vellore (Polmont). House built and named by a military
officer who had been present at the siege of Vellore,
Madras, in 1780 ; in map of 1817. But Blairoer, Drymen,
is fr. G. odhar, " grey."
Wallacerigg and Wallacestone (Polmont). Rigg is Sc.
for "ridge," cf. Darnrig. The stone commemorating
Sir William Wallace's battle of Falkirk, 1298, was erected
in 1810 in place of an older slab.
Wallside (Camelon). On the Roman Wall. Cf. Tayavalla,
beside it.
Wallstale (Bannockburn). " Place with the well," Sc. wall,
O.E. well, wella, and O.E. steel, stecill, a place, then a
" stall " in a stable. There is a well-known well here.
Waltryburn (Campsie). 1817 Waltreeburn. Doubtful.
Waterslap (Airth). A slap is Sc. for " a gap, a gap in a
fence, or between two hills," cf. Olayslaps, Stirling,
Kirkslap, Denny, and Cauldstane Slap or Slack, Lyne.
Weedings Hall (Polmont). 1602 Wedingis, c. 1610 Weeg-
ings. Like so many of the seemingly Eng. names around
Polmont doubtful through lack of evidence. It may be
the same as Weedon, Rugby, and may be O.E. we6d-dun,
" weed-covered hill." Weeg is Sc. for " the kittiwake or
seagull " ; but the spelling in Pont is prob. a mistake.
Wham Glen (Kilsyth). Unaspirated form of G. uamh, " a
cave," as in Uamvar and Wemyss.
64 THE PLAGE NAMES OF STIRLINGSHIRE
Wyndford (Castlecary). A passing place for boats on the
Canal, and said to be where they wind or turn round.
This may be so, if the name is modern. But ford must
here have its now obsolete meaning of " burn or brook,"
as there is no " ford " in the modern sense.
The above List contains over 500 names, of which, ap-
proximately, 302 are Gaelic, 141 English, 9 of other lan-
guages, 30 hybrids, and 21 doubtful, viz., Awells, Babbithill,
Bonny, Doghillock, Forth, Garden, Gartcows, Gogar, Gunner-
sliaw, Hookney, Indians, Kilwinnet, Kitty Frist Well, Letham,
Lying Tom, Manuel, Myothill, Plean, Snippy Trouty, Throsk,
and Waltryburn.
ADDENDA.
Airthrie. . . . ; or else fr. aithrin, " a sharp point, a con-
flict." There is an Aithry, N. of Fintry.
Banton. . . . But, as the accent is on the -ton, it may be t
like Bauknock, a contraction of G. bail* an duin, " village
on the hill."
Campsie. . . . a. 1300 Camsy, but already c. 1210 Campsy.
Carbrook. ... Cf. Kersebrock, two miles to the east.
Castle Rankine. It is said to be called after a Jacobus
de Rankeiny, in the days of King Robert the Bruce, the
first of that name in Scotland, and possibly a Fleming.
Oroftalpie is Oroftalpine in the Ord. Survey Map.
Gribboch. Delete what is there given, and read, Gribloch
(Kippen). Prob. fr. G. grib, " dirt, filth."
INDEX OF PLACES REFERRED TO, BUT NOT UNDER
A SEPARATE HEADING.
PAGE
AlltRostan ... - 36
Auchengyle - - - - 44
Balmalloch - - - - 54
Blairforkie 26
Blairoer 63
Cauldham 31
Clayslaps 63
Creitendam .... 36
Croitlachlan - - - - 36
dimming Glinns - - - 54
Fauchlands - - - - 41
Fleuchtar 42
Gyle Burn ----- 44
Hartsmailing and Har-
viesmailing - - - - 53
Rollings 46
Kepdarroch - - -
Kirkslap - - -
Laird's Loup - -
Maydub - - -
Rowchoish- - -
Sourgrass - - -
South Steal - -
St. Maha's Well - -
Strone Macnair -
Stuc a Bhuic - -
Tappitknowe - -
Tithfaulds - - -
Tomaglas - - -
Tutebraid - - -
West Quarter Burn
PAGE
- 38
- 63
- 34
- 42
- 58
- 20
- 45
- 27
- 61
- 61
- 62
- 28
- 62
- 62
- 45
DA
880
S8J6
1904
Johnston, James Brown
The place names of
Stirlingshire 2d ed.
PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE
CARDS OR SLIPS FROM THIS POCKET
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO LIBRARY
