The beautiful names of Scottish cities, towns and places can often be hilariously mispronounced by tourists, yet some of the more difficult place names in Scotland can be butchered even by natives at times. So, we thought we’d set the record straight on how to properly pronounce some of these places because let’s face it: they’re kind of weird..
1. Ecclefechan
Okay, Ecclefechan is one of our favourite names, also known as Eaglais Fheichein in Scottish Gaelic. The village is located in Dumfries and Galloway in the south of Scotland. It’s actually understandable why Scottish people might mispronounce the place name, ad The name Ecclefechan was recorded as Egilfeichane in the 16th century and is of Brittonic origin. The first part of the word is eglẹ:s, meaning “a church”, while the second part is similar to Welsh fechan, meaning “little”.
How to pronounce it: Eck-el-feck-han.
2. Auchenshuggle
Achadh an t-Seagail in Scottish Gaelic, Auchenshuggle is a quaint area in the South of Glasgow, located near Tollcross. The place name means “the rye field”, and was popularized when tramway number 9 was introduced to the area in 1922.
How to pronounce it: Aw-ken-shuggle.
3. Findochty
Findochty is known as Finichty in Scots, and Am Fionn Ochdamh in Scottish Gaelic. As a small village in Moray, boasting beautiful views of of the Moray Firth. The village also has cute painted cottages, a white Church of Scotland church, as well as a picturesque harbour. What is more, there is, of course, a pub, a small supermarket, a pharmacy and a post office.
How to pronounce it: Fin-eck-tay.
4. Garioch
Gairbheach in Scottish Gaelic, Garioch has the most random pronunciation on the most difficult place names in Scotland, and it’s not why one might first think it is. Located in Aberdeenshire, the committee area has a population of over 46 thousand. The meaning behind the place name is “place of roughness” in the original language, and is interestingly pronounced as gee-ree.
How to pronounce it: Gee-ree.
5. Kirkcudbright
Kirkcudbright is known as Kirkcoubrie in Scots, while it is Cille Chùithbeirt in Scottish Gaelic, meaning “Church of St Cuthbert”. Named after a Northumbrian saint, Kirkcudbright is a town located in Dumfries and Galloway near River Dee and the Irish Sea.
How to pronounce it: Kirk-coo-bray.
6. Anstruther
Anstruther is a fishing village in Fife, known as Ainster or Enster in Scots, and Ànsruthair in Scottish Gaelic, meaning either “driving current” or “burn”. The village is home to the Scottish Fisheries Museum, a golf course and is close to one of Scotland’s most popular puffin locations, Isle of May. You can take a wee tour to see the beautiful birds operated by May Princess doing wildlife-watching adventures. Oh, and you’ll probably see some seals, too!
How to pronounce it: Ainster.
7. Islay
Probably Scotland’s whisky capital with nine working distilleries, Islay get mispronounced all the time. What is more, there are plenty of picturesque beaches and golf courses to check out. And for the adventurous souls out there, visitors can check out the third largest permanent whirlpool in the world, Corryvhreckan Whirlpool.
How to pronounce it: Eye-la
8. Chatelherault
Located in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Chatelherault is pronounced “Chat-le-row”. The inspiration for one of the most difficult place names in Scotland came from the French town Châtellerault. The reason the small Scottish town has French connections is because of James Hamilton, who was the 2nd Earl of Arran. In 1548, he was named Duc de Châtellerault after helping arrange the marriage between Mary Queen of Scots and Francis, Dauphin of France.