Image Details
In the final days of Autumn, deciduous trees almost completely naked now, the dying bracken's vibrant colour on the hills lifted an ordinary overcast day into something special, aided by the lighter band of cloud to give drama to the sky.
This part of Gairloch, showing part of Strath and Faolin, is backed by Achtercairn Hill. Running right to left is the main road which if followed to its end becomes single track and eventually arrives at Rubha Reidh lighthouse. This view was taken from the sand dunes above the beach beside the Gairloch golf course.
North-west Highland Place Names
The landscape of the North-west Highlands and the Gaelic language are intimately connected. Other languages have contributed to the richness of our place names, notably Norse, but the North-west Highlands have for centuries been a Gaelic landscape. In listing the meanings of place names I have relied on authoritative sources wherever possible. For further information about sources please refer to North-west Highland Place Names in the main menu.
Achtercairn; Gaelic is Achd-a’-chàrn meaning ‘Field of the Cairn’.
Faolin; Gaelic An Fhaoilinn meaning ‘the beach field’.
Gairloch; Gaelic, village named after the loch of the same name, Loch Gairloch, An Gearr-loch, the short loch.
Rubha Reidh; Listed by Watson and Dixon as Rudha-Réidh, ‘the smooth point’.
Strath; Part of the Gairloch settlement, Gaelic; an Srath (Watson) A’ Srath (Wentworth), that is ‘the low ground’.
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