PLACE NAMES OF SCOTLAND

[00:00:03]Ever wondered about the origins of a place name and what that name means? If you have, then this film's for you. And as well as touring the length and breadth of Scotland to discover how places got their names, we'll also discover some fun facts about each location, including where in Scotland the world's highest ranking penguin lives. And stick with us until the end when we'll reveal the rudest place name in Scotland and the shortest place name in Britain, which is also in Scotland.

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[00:00:48]Let's start our journey in Scotland's capital, Edinburgh, which has a population of just over 523,000.

[00:00:55]The place name Edinburgh has a fascinating origin that can be traced back to the early medieval period and the language is spoken in the area at the time. The name is derived from the older bretonic Celtic name den.

[00:01:07][Music] This element comes from the common Bretonic language and means hillfort or fortress. It is a cognate of the Welsh word den and the Gaelic word dune. Eden.

[00:01:18]This part of the name refers to the area although its exact meaning is unknown.

[00:01:23]Some scholars have suggested it might be a personal name or it could be related to the Welsh word Ethan meaning gorse.

[00:01:30]So Din Eden literally means the hill fort of Eden referring to the prominent castle rock which has been the site of a fortress for millennia. In the 7th century the angles of North Umbrea captured the area. As their old English language became dominant they replaced the Bretonic den with the old English word burr which also means fortress or walled town. This led to the creation of the name Edinburgh, which evolved over time into the modern form Edinburgh. A popular but now widely rejected theory suggested the name came from Edwin's Burr in reference to a 7th century North Umbrean king named Edwin. However, evidence shows that the name Eden predates King Edwin's reign, making this ethmology chronologically unlikely. The Scottish Gaelic name for the city, Dun Eden, is a direct equivalent of the original Bretonic name using the Gaelic word dun for fortress.

[00:02:22]This name is also the origin of the name of the city of Duneden in New Zealand which was founded by Scots. Here are some fun facts about Edinburgh. Number one, Edinburgh's Castle Rock is an extinct volcano with Arthur's Seat, the highest point in nearby Holy Park.

[00:02:38]Another one. Number two, the Royal Mile isn't a mile.

[00:02:44]Despite its name, the famous Royal Mile, which connects Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Hollywood House, is actually one Scots Mile and 107 yards long, which is roughly 1.12 English miles. Number three, Princess Street Gardens. The beautiful park separating the Old Town and New Town was once a foul smelling sewage fil called the Norlock. It was drained in the 18th century to make way for the new town. Number four, Edinburgh was the first city in the world to be designated a UNESCO city of literature in 2004. A testament to its rich literary history and the many famous writers who have called it home. Number five, the city itself is a UNESCO world heritage site recognized for its distinct and wellpreserved old town with its medieval closes and winding streets and the elegant Georgian new town with its neocclassical architecture and grand squares. Number six, Edinburgh Zoo is home to Sir Neil's Olaf, a king penguin who is the mascot and honorary colonel and chief of the Norwegian King's Guard.

[00:03:46]He has been promoted through the ranks and was officially knited in 2008.

[00:03:51]Neil's Olaf is recognized by Guinness World Records as the highest ranking penguin. Number seven, a statue of the philosopher David Hume stands on the Royal Mile. It has become a tradition for students and tourists to rub his big toe for good luck. So much so that it's noticeably shiny. Number eight, Edinburgh is widely regarded as one of the most haunted cities in the world.

[00:04:12]Its dark past includes public executions in the grass market and the infamous Edinburgh vaults, which are said to be haunted by spirits. Number nine, the mythical unicorn, a symbol of purity, power, and innocence, has been part of the Scottish Royal Coat of Arms since the 15th century. You can spot unicorn statues and carvings throughout the city. Number 10. An Edinburgh legend tells of a piper who was sent to explore a network of tunnels beneath the Royal Mile. He was told to keep playing so those above ground could track him, but the music suddenly stopped. A search party was sent, but he was never found.

[00:04:48]And some say his ghostly pipes can still be heard. Number 11.

[00:04:54]Author JK Rowling lived in Edinburgh and famously wrote much of the early Harry Potter series in local cafes. Many of the city's sites like Gray Frier's Kirkyard and George Harriet's school are said to have inspired characters and locations in the books. Number 12, the legendary actor, the late Shan Connory, the original James Bond, was born and raised in Edinburgh. Number 13, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, author Arthur Conan Doyle, was born in Edinburgh, and his time as a medical student at the University of Edinburgh is said to have inspired the character of Sherlock Holmes.

[00:05:30]Number 14.

[00:05:32]Deacon William Brody was a respectable city counselor and cabinet maker by day, but he led a secret double life as a burglar and gambler by night. His story is said to have inspired Robert Lewis Stevenson's strange case of Dr. Jackekal and Mr. Hyde. Number 15. In addition to the Scottish capital, there's also an Edinburgh in South Africa's Mumalanga province and in Tristan Duna, a small group of islands in the South Atlantic.

[00:05:58]Scots may say Gllesgar and Gllesgow and Americans Glascow. But how many of us know that the origins of the name of our biggest city is related to Wales or possibly even Cornwall? Glasgow stems from an early Celtic language spoken by the Welsh or Cornish. That's to say Bretonic in origin. Glass means gay green and coup or cow means hollow. The most common translation of Glasgow's name is green hollow or gray green hollow. This likely refers to the valley or hollow where the city began to develop, particularly the area around Glasgow Cathedral.

[00:06:33]It's worth noting that while Scottish Gaelic has influenced many place names in Scotland, the origin of Glasgow's name predates the widespread influence of Gaelic. The modern Gaelic name for Glasgow is Glassu, which is derived from the same Bretonic roots. Here are some fun facts about Glasgow.

[00:06:52]Number one, Glasgow is a UNESCO city of music. Number two, the world's first international football match was played in Glasgow in 1872.

[00:07:02]The match was between England and Scotland and Scotland won 5-1. Number three, the University of Glasgow is the fourth oldest university in Britain, established in 1451.

[00:07:13]Number four, the city's patron saint, St. is also the patron saint of salmon. Number five, Glaswegian Charles Mintosh is credited with inventing the raincoat, which comes in handy if you live in Glasgow. Number six, chicken tikka masala is thought to have been created in the Glasgow restaurant of Pakistani chef Ali Ahmad Alam. Number seven, 11 ancient fossilized trees older than dinosaurs can be found in Fossil Grove in Glasgow's Victoria Park. Number eight, Glasgow's iconic Finiston crane was used to load locomotives onto ships. Number nine, Glasgow City Chambers reportedly has more marble than the Vatican. Number 10, the Glasgow Necropolis is one of the largest and most impressive cemeteries in Europe.

[00:08:01]Number 11, Glasgow has five Statues of Liberty, whereas New York just has the one. To find out more, watch our film Scotland's Five Statues of Liberty.

[00:08:11]Number 12. There are 21 Glasgows in the USA, two in Canada, one in New Zealand, and one in Surinam.

[00:08:19]Remember that one for a pub quiz.

[00:08:26]The name Aberdine has a clear and well-established origin, rooted in the ancient languages of Scotland. The name comes from the Pictish language, a brethonic Celtic language once spoken in eastern Scotland and later influenced by Gaelic. It is a compound name with two main elements. Abber. This is a very common element in place names in Scotland especially on the east coast and in Wales. It comes from a Celtic word meaning confluence of waters, rivermouth or estuary.

[00:08:55]You can also see this element in Welsh names like aberistwith and abberair.

[00:08:59]Dean. This part of the name is a reference to the river dawn. So Aberdeene means mouth of the dawn. The city began as two separate settlements.

[00:09:08]Old Aberdeene at the mouth of the river Dawn and New Aberdine, a trading and fishing village at the mouth of the river D. Although the city grew to encompass both rivers, the name Aberdeen specifically refers to the location at the mouth of the river Dawn. The name of the River Dawn itself is also of Celtic origin, possibly from the name of a Celtic river goddess, Deona, or a similar divine name. This adds another layer of ancient history to the city's name.

[00:09:34]Fun facts about Aberdine.

[00:09:37]Number one, Aberdine sparkles in the sun.

[00:09:41]Aberdine is famously known as the granite city because many of its buildings are constructed from locally quarried granite. When the sun comes out, the micica in the granite sparkles, which has also earned the city the nickname Silver City by the Golden Sands, referring to its expansive sandy beach. Number two, Marishell College. A stunning Gothic revival building is the second largest granite building in the world, surpassed only by the Ellisal Palace in Spain. Number three, the granite from Aberdine's famous Rubislaw Quarry was so widely used that it was exported to build parts of other famous landmarks, including the Tempame's embankment and waterl bridge in London and even the docks in Portsouth and Southampton.

[00:10:24]Rubislaw Quarry is now a huge water-filled man-made hole and one of the largest in Europe. Number four, the Brig of Bali, a medieval bridge spanning the River Dawn, is the oldest surviving bridge in Scotland. Built in the 13th and 14th centuries, it's a beautiful piece of architecture that has withtood the test of time. Number five, the Press and Journal, which serves northern Scotland and is published in Aberdeene, was first launched in 1747, making it the oldest continuously published newspaper in Scotland. Number six, Aberdine is a lucky city for lottery winners, having produced a surprising number of national lottery millionaires, leading some to call it one of the luckiest cities in Britain.

[00:11:06]Number seven, the football dugout, a covered seating area for managers and players, was invented at Aberdine FC's Pitri Stadium in 1923.

[00:11:16]Pitri was also the first all-seater stadium in Scotland. Number eight, the waters off Aberdeen's coastline are home to a large population of bottl-nose dolphins. You can often spot them from the harbor or popular viewing points like Tory Battery, especially in the summer. Number nine, while the west coast of Scotland is known for its rain, Aberdine tends to be drier, giving it a unique microclimate.

[00:11:40]Number 10.

[00:11:42]Aberdine has long been known as the oil capital of Europe due to its crucial role in the North Sea oil and gas industry.

[00:11:53]The place name Octar Mukti has its origins in the Scottish Gaelic language.

[00:11:57]It is a corruption of the Gaelic words Ashar Namuik or Wged Muchki which have a consistent meaning. Upland of the pigs or upland slope of the wild pig boore.

[00:12:07]Here's a breakdown of the meaning. Octar refers to upland or high ground. Mocki is derived from the Gaelic word for pig or boar. The name suggests that the area was historically known for pig farming or was a habitat for wild boores particularly on the higher ground above the marshy land of the how of f.

[00:12:28]This connection to boores is still reflected in the town today with the town's flag and the badge of the bowling club featuring a boar. Its location on the north side of the how of f where the land rises aligns with the upland part of its name. The town was granted royal burst status in 1517 by King James V which helped it become a commercial center particularly for linen weaving and later for distilling.

[00:12:53]Here are some fun facts about Octi.

[00:12:56]Number one, the town was famously the filming location for the 1990s TV sitcom 2,000 Acres of Sky, which was about a family who moved from London to a remote Scottish island. Octar Mockti served as the standin for the fictional island village of Ronins. Number two, this is not the town's only connection with celebrity.

[00:13:19]Famous accordion legend Jimmy Shand known for his traditional Scottish dance music was a resident of Octar Mockti and a statue to him can be found in the town. He was made a freeman of Octur Mockti and a train locomotive was named after him.

[00:13:36]The place name Cowan bee has a clear origin in a combination of a personal name and a local place name reflecting the area's history as a collection of farms before its rapid growth as a mining town. The name is derived from two elements cowen. This part of the name is believed to come from the surname cen or cowen. Early records show the area was associated with a person of this name be. This element refers to the parish of Beeth in which cow and bee is located. The name be comes from the Scottish Gaelic word bee meaning birch or birch trees. This indicates that the area was once characterized by birch woodland. Therefore, the combined meaning of cowen be is cowan's part of bee or the birchwood belonging to the cowen family or individual.

[00:14:25]Here are some fun facts about cowen bee.

[00:14:28]Number one, Cowenbe was known as the town of the black diamonds due to its rich coal reserves and its central role in the coal mining industry. The town's population boomed in the 19th and early 20th centuries, transforming it from a few small farms into a major industrial center. Number two, the infamous grave robbers Burke and Hair sourced some of their cadaavvers from Beeth Cemetery to supply to the Scottish surgeon Robert Knox for dissection.

[00:14:56]Precautions were taken at Beth Cemetery to prevent body snatching, including sealed iron coffins.

[00:15:01]Number three, Ian Rankin, the author of the Inspector Reebus novels, attended Bee High School.

[00:15:08]Number four, well-known Scottish advocate Donald Finley and Scottish politicians Dennis Canavan and Trisha Marwick were born in Cotton Beath.

[00:15:20]The origins and meaning of the place named Dumpfrey are a subject of some debate among ethmologists, but the most widely accepted theory points to a Scottish Gaelic origin. The name is most likely derived from Dunf, which translates to fort of the thicket or fort of the brushwood. Here's a breakdown of the elements.

[00:15:40]Dune, this is a common Gaelic word for a fort, fortress or hillfort. F. This means thicket or brushwood. This ethmology is supported by the historical and geographical context of Dumfree.

[00:15:54]It is situated on a rising bank of the river Nith which would have been a suitable location for a fort and the surrounding area would have been covered in natural woodland and thicket.

[00:16:05]Here are some fun facts about Dumpries.

[00:16:08]Number one, Dumbfree has a deep connection to Robert Burns, Scotland's national poet.

[00:16:15]Burns spent the last 5 years of his life in Dumbfree. From 1791 until his death in 1796.

[00:16:23]You can visit his house, Robert Burns house, his favorite pub, the Globe in, and his mausoleum in St. Michael's Kirkyard, which is a major pilgrimage site for Burns enthusiasts. Number two, Dumpries Camera Club, founded in 1899, is officially recognized as the oldest continuously active camera club in the world. It has been documenting the local area and practicing the art of photography for over 120 years. Number three, Dumpries is home to Degilla Bridge. This is Scotland's oldest bridge still in use with parts dating back to the 13th century. It was built by Lady Degilla, a Scottish noble woman and mother of King John Bale as a toll bridge to fund the founding of Baleo College at Oxford University.

[00:17:06]Number four, Dumpries is known as the Queen of the South, a title given to it by the poet David Dunar in 1857.

[00:17:14]This nickname is now used by the local football team, Queen of the South, FC.

[00:17:23]The place name in Veresse has a very clear and widely accepted origin in the Scottish Gaelic language directly related to its geographical location.

[00:17:32]The name comes from the Gaelic inner niche which means mouth of the river Ness. Nish is the Gaelic name for the river Ness which flows from Loch Ness.

[00:17:41]The name Ness itself is thought to be of Pictish or old Celtic origin possibly from the name of a river goddess Nessa or from a word meaning roaring one referring to the river's turbulent flow.

[00:17:52]So the name is a simple and accurate geographical description. The settlement at the point where the river Ness flows into the sea. This location at the end of the great glenn and on the morth made it a vital strategic and trading hub throughout history earning it the title of capital of the highlands. Inesse is a city full of history, natural beauty and a few quirky facts. Here are some fun facts about Inesse. Number one, despite its ancient history, Inveress was only granted city status in the year 2000 as part of the Millennium Celebrations.

[00:18:24]Number two, Nessie is famous the world over. And while the monster's home is Loch Ness, Inveress is the closest city and the main hub for monster hunters and tourists. Number three, St. Steven's Church in Inesse has a clock face with the numbers spelled out in Gaelic. It is one of the few clocks in the world to do so. A nod to the city's status as a major center for the Gaelic language.

[00:18:47]Number four, the Greg Street Bridge. One of the most picturesque pedestrian bridges in the city, is known for its distinctive wobbly feel when you walk across it. It's a suspension bridge and the slight bounce is a normal part of its design. Number five, Albertarf House built in 1593 is the oldest house in Inesse and is now a property of the National Trust for Scotland. It's a great example of 16th century urban architecture in the Highlands. Now, before we go, there's just time to reveal the rudest place name in Britain.

[00:19:19]Actually, there are two places in Scotland's Northern Isles with the same rude name, one in Shetland and the other in Orcne. The place names of have a clear old Norse origin meaning small parcel of land or clearing, often a cleared part of a forest or in the case of the Northern Isles, an area of low shrub-like trees. While the name is a source of amusement for many due to its similarity to a common English exploitive, its historical meaning is entirely innocuous and refers to the type of land on which the settlements were established by Norse settlers. As for the shortest place name in Britain, this is a a small village in Dumpries and Galloway. As well as having the shortest place name in Britain, it's also possibly the only one with no consonants. Its origin is widely believed to come from an old Norse word meaning water or river. This makes perfect sense geographically as the village of A is situated between the water of A and the Gstain burn, both of which flow out of the large forest of A.

[00:20:19]We hope you've enjoyed learning more about some of Scotland's place names.

[00:20:22]Join us again when we discover the meaning of more Scottish place names and their origins. Hit the bell icon to be notified about more great releases from the Scotland channel.

[00:20:33][Music] [Music]