Scottish Place-names: Their Study and Significance

THIS BOOK, THE result of twenty years' meticulous research, remains the only comprehensive and systematic study of Scottish place-names. From names which date from the dawn of time - such as the river names Tay or the Avon - to more modern names, such as Fort William or Helensburgh, Nicolaisen brings to life the rich tapestry of history which has shaped our country over thousands of years. Few of us are aware of the implications, symbolism and history of the names which we use and take for granted every day, and indeed of the continuous process of naming and re-naming which goes on around us. More than anything else, these place-names offer insights into the movement of peoples over Scotland over millennia, and often allow the modern reader to glimpse individuals who, if they had not been commemorated by place-names, would otherwise have disappeared from the historical record. This is a new edition of a classic text.