When you start to explore the history of place names in Glasgow, much of the back story in the city is connected to Gaelic with place names being an important and historical source.
Research has found that the ancient language has been spoken in the city for a millenium with it making up an important part of Glasgow’s fibre.
The following is taken from the forthcoming book Glasgow’s Gaelic Place-Names by Dr Alasdair C. Whyte, with Professor Katherine Forsyth and Dr Simon Taylor, set to be published by Birlinn Origin in September/October 2023.
Dr Alasdair C. Whyte is a writer/singer/performer from Muile~Mull. He currently holds a Research Fellowship in Name Studies at the University of Glasgow. He was named Scottish Government Gaelic Ambassador of the Year at the National Mòd in Glasgow in 2019 and was recently named on The Saltire Society’s inaugural ‘40 Under 40’ list.
His first book, Maim-slè, a book of new writing in Gaelic and English about language shift, sustainability and identity, was published in 2021 and shortlisted for the Donald Meek Award for Best Non-Fiction Book at the 2022 Gaelic Literature Awards.
Here are the first of ten place names in Glasgow explored with their connection to the Gaelic language.
5. Balmuildy
Balmuildy is found in Bishopbriggs just outside of Glasgow which comes from Gaelic Baile Muilinn meaning ‘mill-farm’ (possibly). The first part of the name is the Gaelic word baile meaning ‘a farm, an estate’ but the second part of the name is unclear. First recorded in the 1560s as ‘Balmyldie’. | Google Maps
6. Balshagray
Balshagray is beside Victoria Park in the west of Glasgow. There was a lot of change in the area in the 1960s due to the construction of the Clyde Tunnel with much of Balshagray Avenue being demolished and transformed into a dual carriageway. The first part of the name is the Gaelic word baile meaning ‘a farm, an estate’ but the second part of the name is unclear. It comes from Gaelic Baile Seagalach meaning ‘rye-farm’ (possibly) and was first recorded in 1515 as ‘Balschagre’. | Google Maps
7. Barlinnie
Barlinnie is a large local prison in Glasgow which can be found in Riddrie. It was first recorded in the late 1600s as ‘Blairlenny’. Lenzie (from Gaelic Lèanaidh meaning ‘marsh-place’) contains a word closely related to the second part of Barlinnie. The name comes from Gaelic Blàr Lèanach meaning ‘marshy plain’. Photo: JPI
8. Barrachnie
Barrachnie is adjacent to Garrowhill in the East End of Glasgow with the name coming from From Gaelic Bàrr Raochanach meaning ‘heathery hill-top’ (possibly). First recorded in 1520 as ‘Barrachnie’. The first part of the name is almost certainly the Gaelic word bàrr meaning ‘hill-top’ but the second part is less straightforward. | Google Maps