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We had a sequence of days with heavy snow but very poor light. Finally, when the snow stopped we were treated to one of these beautiful crisp winter's days that I love. This image is of Stac Pollaidh and Cul Beag in the northern part of Wester Ross, Scotland.
This was the last photograph of the day late in the afternoon. A few minutes later the light died. I had been out since dawn, I was cold and tired now; and looking forward to getting home in about two hours.
However I was feeling pleased with the days work, we don't get too many heavy snow falls now, and I had managed to get a few nice winter images to add to my library.
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.
Cùl Beag; Gaelic; Cuthaill Bheag, The latter part of Cuthaill is from the Norse fjall, a hill; first part obscure. Professor Watson said the names recur in the parish of Urray where he doubtfully suggested it derived from the Norse kúa-fjall, Cow-fell. More probably kví-fjall, Pen-fell, Fold-fell. SNH in their Knockan Crag interpretation plan say it means ‘small hill of the cattle pen’. [1]
Stac Pollaidh; I was unable to find this name referred to in any authoritative sources and a web search revealed conflicting definitions. From these researches it would appear that it is a hybrid Norse/Gaelic name. Stac from the Norse Stakkr meaning ‘hill’ or ‘precipitous rock’ and the Gaelic Poll meaning pool. Given that Stac Pollaidh towers over Loch Lurgainn this seems to be an appropriate name. Professor Watson said of the nearby river Abhainn Phollaidh that Pollaidh in this context means the river of ‘pools’ or ‘holes.
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