Shared description

English/Gaelic names in the Western Isles

In around 1999, the Ordnance Survey replaced English-language placenames in the Western Isles with Gaelic-language names. Some of the more prominent features (e.g. Isle of Barra; Stornoway; Sound of Harris) do have bilingual labels but, on the whole, villages, lochs, peaks etc. generally have the Gaelic names on the modern-day mapping.

Because the English versions have a tendency not to appear on the maps any more, I have decided to use them in my image titles and, as such, a translation will be readily available from the Gaelic labelling on the map.

(NB I have not translated some of the more minor loch and river names, where I have not easily found the English version.)
by Chris Downer

Created: Thu, 24 Jan 2013, Updated: Thu, 24 Jan 2013


437 images use this description. Preview sample shown below:

NL6698 : Castlebay: the castle ferry approaches by Chris Downer
NB5166 : Butt of Lewis: lighthouse shadow on rocks below by Chris Downer
NF7919 : Lochboisdale: St. Peter’s Youth Club by Chris Downer
NF9281 : Berneray: the harbour by Chris Downer
NG0482 : Rodel: postbox № HS5 124 by Chris Downer
NL6697 : Castlebay: the castle from the ferry by Chris Downer
NB5335 : Shulishader: postbox № HS2 31 by Chris Downer
NL6397 : Vatersay: the causeway from Barra by Chris Downer
NF7101 : Bolnabodach: postbox № HS9 8 by Chris Downer
NB1941 : Kirivick: postbox № HS2 57 by Chris Downer
NF7962 : Baleshare: postbox № HS6 31 by Chris Downer
NB4232 : Stornoway: two languages in Francis Street (Sràid Fhrangain) by Chris Downer
NB4233 : Stornoway: grassed pier opposite the harbour by Chris Downer
NF8275 : Grenitote: damaged telephone box by Chris Downer
NF9283 : Berneray: view over the Sound of Harris rocks by Chris Downer
NB5363 : Port of Ness: waves hit an isolated rock by Chris Downer
NG1089 : Manish: postbox № HS3 131 by Chris Downer
NB1302 : Ardhasaig: postbox № HS3 170 by Chris Downer
NG1096 : Laxdale: towards Luskentyre beach by Chris Downer
NG2295 : Scalpay: westward view across An Acairsaid an Deas by Chris Downer
NF6908 : Eoligarry: southwesterly view from Beinn Sgùrabhal by Chris Downer
NB4233 : Stornoway: postbox № HS1 12, Matheson Road by Chris Downer
NB3829 : Arnish Moor: three wind turbines by Chris Downer
NB5265 : Butt of Lewis: Port Stoth by Chris Downer
NF7740 : Gerinish: detail of Our Lady of the Isles by Chris Downer

... and 412 more images.

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