In the second part of our series exploring Glasgow’s connection with the Gaelic language through place names, we take another look at the city and some of its well known locations.
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 and is an important historical source.
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.
From Blairdardie to Carnbooth, here’s the next ten place names in our series.
5. Bonnaughton
Recorded as Bannachtane-Logane in 1501. The name of this old settlement has given its name to Bonnaughton Road in what is now Bearsden. The first part of the name as it was recorded in 1501 is from Gaelic Beannachdain meaning ‘blessing-place’. Usually places containing this Gaelic word were places blessed by a saint. The ‘Logane’ part of this name refers to the landowner at the time: Walter Logan of nearby Gartconnell. | Google Maps
6. Camlachie
Much of the historic territory of Camlachie is occupied by the Forge Shopping Centre. It comes from the Gaelic Càm-Lòchaidh meaning ‘winding dark water’. The name originally referred to the Camlachie Burn before being used of the local settlement.It was first recorded as Camlochy in 1596. | Google Maps
7. Cardarroch
The name of an old farm near Robroyston. Recorded as Gardarrow in 1518. From Gaelic Gart Darach meaning ‘enclosure or farm of oak-trees’. | Google Maps
8. Cardonald
Cardonald is a suburb found on the Southside of Glasgow. It was recorded as Cardownalde in 1413.From Gaelic Cair Dhòmhnaill meaning ‘Dòmhnall’s fort’ (or a Northern Brittonic name meaning ‘Dyfnwal’s fort’). Northern Brittonic was a Celtic language related to Gaelic which died out in the Glasgow area in the 1100s. The name Dòmhnall is usually given as Donald in English. | Google Maps