The Placenames of Scotland

Placenames in Scotland have diverse origins in Gaelic, Pictish, Brythonic, Norse, Anglo-Saxon, Scots, and Modern English, with over 8,000 listed in this companion book. It includes an introduction and maps.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 04 August 2022
Publisher: Birlinn General

Placenames are a perennial source of contention, with questions such as: Who was Edwin, whose name is said to live on in that of Scotland's capital city? Are the drum and chapel still to be found in Drumchapel? And which king had a seat in Kingseat in Perthshire? The answers to these and many similar questions are often not what one might initially expect and have their origins in a multitude of languages, including Gaelic, Pictish, Brythonic, Norse, Anglo-Saxon, Scots, and Modern English, that have been spoken in Scotland. This comprehensive guide is the essential companion to the captivating world of Scottish placenames. It features over 8,000 placenames, encompassing districts, towns, villages, rivers, lochs, and mountains, along with a comprehensive introduction and detailed maps.

Placenames are a constant source of debate. Who was Edwin, whose name is said to live on in that of Scotland's capital city? Are the drum and chapel still to be found in Drumchapel? And which king had a seat in Kingseat in Perthshire? The answers to these and many similar questions are often not what might be expected at first sight and have their origins in many languages – including Gaelic, Pictish, Brythonic, Norse, Anglo-Saxon, Scots and Modern English – that have been spoken in Scotland. This is the essential companion to the fascinating world of Scottish placenames. It features more than 8,000 placenames, from districts, towns and villages to rivers, lochs and mountains, and also includes a comprehensive introduction and maps.

Weight: 266g
Dimension: 128 x 197 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781780277714