GLOSSARY OF GAELIC NAMES. Balquidder (Baile-cul-tir)=the town of the back lying country. Beal' an Duine or Bealach an Duine the pass of the men or people. Beal' Maha (Bealach-magha)= the pass of the plain. Beal'-nam-bo=the pass of the cattle. Ben-an, either the diminutive of Ben or Beinn and so the little mountain; or = the lonely mountain (Ben-aon), in allusion to its position; or= = the mountain of the river (Beinn-n'an). Ben-Ledi (Beinn le Dia) = the mountain of God. According to Robertson, on Beltane day fires were lighted on the summit of Ben-ledi in honour of the god Bel or Baal, from whose name Robertson derives 'Beltane.' (Beil teine = fire of Baal.) This derivation is not now generally accepted. Ben-Venue (Beinn Mheadhonaidh. Mh being sounded like v, dh being mute in both cases) = the middle mountain, in allusion to its position between Ben-Ledi and Ben Lomond. Bracklinn = the white foaming pool; or the speckled pool. Brigg of Turk=the bridge of the wild boar (Gaelic, torc=a wild boar) said to be in allusion to a wild boar slain there. Doune a fort (Gaelic Dun). Glenartney (Gleann-ard-an-fheigh; fh being mute) = the high valley of the deer. Glenfinlas (Gleann-fionn-glas) = the grey white valley. Glen-Fruin=the valley of wailing, or, according to Robertson, the valley of sheltered places (Gleann-fraoin). Inch-Caillaich the island of nuns, or old women. formerly a nunnery on the island. There was Loch Achray (Achadh-radh; dh being mute)=the lake of the level field. Loch Earn (Loch-Ear-an) = the lake of the east-flowing river. Loch Katrine=the lake of the Caterans or Highland robbers; or the lake of the battle (Loch Cath-trian). Loch Lomond. Said to be named from an ancient Caledonian hero Laomain. Loch Lubnaig=the lake of small bends (Gaelic luba bend). Loch Vennachar=the lake of the fair valley. Strath-Ire or Strathyre (Strath-iar)=the western valley. Trosachs or Trossachs the bristled or rough country. (Gaelic, troschen rough.) = |