So That's How It's Pronounced?
- A Guide to Scottish Placenames
"Edinburrah" does not rhyme with "Pittsburgh"
Introduction
Visitors to Scotland who have only seen Scottish place names in print sometimes mis-pronounce them. So here is a feature explaining how to pronounce many of the place names which can be found in Scotland. Along the way you will also learn some of the origins of these Scottish names.But to start with, here is the advice given by Ronald MacDonald Douglas, a writer and nationalist, regarding the finer points of Scottish pronunciation... After reading it, however, do not despair!
"...do try to sound the "r", although not with the exaggerated trill usually given it by so-called 'Scotch' comedians. But, again this to my English readers, don't even attempt to get the guttural sounds of "ach" and "loch". You will only strangle yourselves. To say "ach!" correctly you need generations of Scots blood behind you, and you must have been born with the peat-reek in your nostrils, and the sight of the hills as the first thing you clapped your eyes on."
Aberdour
While "dour" (obstinate and humourless) in Scots is usually pronounced to rhyme with "moor", the place name is pronounced 'Aber-dower'. "Aber" is a Brittonic word meaning "meeting of the waters" and "dour" means water. Aberdour is on the Fife coast.Auchenshuggle
Looking almost like an invented, archetypal Scottish name, Auchenshuggle is pronounced Ochenshoogle and it can be found on the outskirts of Glasgow. It was a terminus for the tramway system and it was the end of the line for the last official tramcar service in Glasgow in 1962. Buses travelling through the city still have Auchenshuggle as a destination.
Auchtermuchty
If you can get the 'ch' sound in the back of your throat without strangling yourself, this one is easy also. "Auchter" is from the Gaelic 'air uachdair' meaning 'on top of" so the Fife town of Auchtermuchty means 'high ground of the pig rearing'.Balerno
The stress is on the middle syllable of this dormitory district outside Edinburgh. 'Bal' names can be found all over Scotland and simply means town or village. In Balerno's case the second part of the name comes from 'airne' or damson tree.Balluchillish
Pronounced "ball-a-hoollish" this village in Lochaber, on the shores of Loch Leven, is not far from Glen Coe. It gets its name from the Gaelic "baile chaolais" meaning "village of the narrows".Beauly
Pronounced 'beoollie' with the emphasis on the first syllable, this town owed its prominence to being on a river crossing on the road to the north of Inverness (the Kessock Bridge at Inverness now means that it is possible to bypass the town). The name comes from the French words "beau lieu" (fine place).Braemar
The pronunciation of this Royal Deeside town is straightforward enough but, as in so many Scottish placenames, particularly those derived from Gaelic words, the stress is on the second syllable - Aberdeen, Inverness are other examples. But these days you will hear many people incorrectly putting the stress on the first syllable of Aviemore.Broughty Ferry
Pronounced "Brottie" Ferry and located three miles east of Dundee, there was indeed a ferry to Newport there until the Tay Road Bridge made it redundant in 1966. It became the favoured spot for successful Dundonian jute manufacturers in the 19th century to construct their handsome villas.Carnoustie
This seaside town was very much in the news when the Open Golf championship was held at the links course in the town. Hopefully all the commentators will know that it's name is pronounced "Carnoostie" - with the emphasis on the second syllable.Comrie
Pronounced "Cumry" with the emphasis on the first syllable, this lovely Perthshire town sits astride the geological "Highland Fault Line" and minor earth tremors are not infrequent. The Museum of Tartans is located here.Culross
The name of this lovely, historic village on the shores of the Firth of Forth in Fife has not really been created to confuse the tourists. But despite the spelling it is pronounced "Cooross" with the emphasis on the first syllable.
Culter
Pronounced "Coolter" with the accent on the first syllable, the name of this village on the periphery of Aberdeen, on the road to Royal Deeside, is from the Gaelic ' cul tir' or 'back lands'. A few miles along the same road is PeterculterDoune
Pronounced "doon", this Stirling town became famous for the manufacture of firearms - the famous "Doune pistols". It also has a castle and there is a motor museum nearby.Drymen
This Stirling village is pronounced along the lines of 'Drmn' rather than 'Dry-men'. The name comes from "drumein" meaning "at the ridge".Eaglesham
Pronounced "eagle-sam" as if the 'h' was not there, the name of this village south of Glasgow also has French origins - the 'ham' or village of the 'église' or church.
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