DASG Blog

Far-ainmeam Bhailtean Ionadail (Pàirt 6): Comghall, An t-Eilean Bòd agus Arainn

We are continuing with our series of nicknames of local towns, going south to Cowall, Arran and Bute. Much of the information that follows was received in "Far-ainmean Dùthchail na Gàidhealtachd" by Dòmhnall C. Frìseal, in the Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness XLIX. I would recommend that you all give it a read, if you can find it.

Starting with Loch Fyne, that encompasses Cowal to the north, there is a difference between the northern people of Loch Fyne than the south: Apparently a person from north Loch Fyne is called a "Muc Biorach" and the rest from the south side are called an "Òigeach". Cowal does not have a great renown according to a saying heard: "Comhal creagach far a bheil na daoine bradach" ["Rocky Cowal where the people are thieving"]. A person from the Kerry peninsula are called a "Ceathrach".

Continuing on to Bute, a minute island to the south of Argyll. Gaelic used to be very common on the island, among the "Bòdaich" and "Bana-bhòdaich", at a time but the language diminished with the arrival of English-speakers. Regardless there are hard-working people who are very keen to bring the language back, may they succeed with its achievement! On top of the development of Gaelic on the island they will have to change the renown of the island because they don't have a great reputation in this phrase: "Chan ann am Bòd uile tha an t-olc - tha cuid dheth sa Chumradh bheag làimh ris"["Bute doesn't have all the evil - some of it is in Little Cumbrie beside it"]. I don't know which is worse: to be connected to evil or to be connected to Cumbrie! (I'm only teasing, don't worry, Cumbrians). There is a great letter written in "An Litir Bheag" by Ruairidh MacIllEathain, in the "litir bheag 411" about the island that gives us some information on how "Bute" came from the word "Mòd", but I would recommend without delay that you read it for more information!

Onwards to Arran it is said of Arran that it is "Arainn nan Aighean Iomadh" ["Arran of the many deer"], something that is true to this day. The Arranites have earned a nickname too: "Còineanan Mòra" ["Big Rabbits"]. There story for it can be found in "Far-ainmeal Dùthchail na Gàidhealtachd." But there are respective nicknames for the people of local towns of the island as well and they are together in this little verse from the south side of "An Luirginn" (the west side of the island between Whitefarland and Thundergay): "Meanbh-chuileagan Acha-rà Coilich-dhubha Dhubh-ghearradh Stùcanaich Acha-charra Cuileagan-ìme Chatagail." ["The midgies of Achara The black cockerels of Dougarry The stirks of Auchencar The butter-flies of Catacol"]. I don't know exactly why each town is named after animals or beasties, "Feannagan Achadh a' Ghallain" ["The Lasy-beds of Auchnagallon"] isn't that much different in that regard, but it's likely that the verse and the nicknames discuss farming of the area and the animals therein. It is said that the north side is quite similar to the head of a chicken, a marking the sailors used for a guiding point for guiding themselves. There is a verse that many sailors from many different areas say and use for guiding themselves, with each cliff or pinnacle resembling the progeny of a chicken: “A' chearc Leòdhasach, an Coileach Arannach agus an Eireag Mhanannach,” ["The Lewis Chicken, the Arran Cockerel, and the Pullet of Man..."]

Further south of Cowal, Bute or Arran there is Ailsa Craig and though there was never any long-term or consistent family community nor settlement on Aisla Craig the rock has been on the thoughts and in the lore of Gaels since forever. There are many nicknames for her in English ("Paddy's Milestone") and in Gaelic: A’ chreag [The Rock]; Creag Alasdair [Alasdair's Rock]; Ealasaid a’ Chuain [Elizabeth of the Ocean]; Alasan’; Carraig Alasdair [Alasdair's craig] and Allasa. We have a proverb connected to the name "Allasa" that will be very helpful for you: If you are wanting to disrespect someone contemptible or unpleasant to you why don't you say “’S truagh nach robh thu eadar Allasa agus Eabhainn!” ["Tis a pity you're not between Ailsa Craig and Sanda"]. Sanda is a small island to the south of Kintyre, at the Mull. Therefore, you would say that it is a pity that they're not in the ocean itself!

I hope that you enjoyed this blog. Do you recognise any of the nicknames or verses above? Do you know of any other information or nicknames of your own that we haven't here? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter and our own Website!