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On leaving Plockton one can enter a network of narrow single-trackroads, and the one that runs closest to the southern shore of Loch Carron on the Scottish west coast offers intriguing glimpses of fine views.
Unfortunately, this road, part way up a steep hillside and above the railway line, is almost completely overgrown with trees and shrubs, so all one gets are glimpses through dense foliage. Except at Craig where there is one clear opening affording views west over Loch Carron and back to Plockton village.
This is where this photograph was taken. The island in the foreground is called Eilean na Creige Duibhe and beyond Plockton is the purplish heather-covered hill at the end of the Applecross peninsula, then a bank of sea mist, and finally the silhouette of the island of Raasay.
To overcome the blocking foliage at the side of the Craig road I intend one day to climb to the top of Creag an Duilisg which is about 350 metres above the loch below. The views from there will be clear and uninterrupted and I imagine very fine.
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.
Applecross; For a full explanation of the origin of this name the reader is referred to Professor Watson’s excellent book – click ‘North-west Highland Place Names’ in the main menu for further information. Summing up his comments it appears that the name means the ‘estuary of the Crosan’ which is the river (Abhain Crosan) that flows into Applecross Bay. The word Crosan is of uncertain origin but is assumed to be Pictish, meaning unknown.
Craig; Gaelic, a’ Chreag, ‘the rock’, near Duncraig.
Creag an Duilisg; I have been unable to find any direct reference to explain the meaning of this name. However, creag is Gaelic for ‘crag’ and Duilisg I believe is Gaelic for ‘seaweed’. This implies the name translates as ‘seaweed crags’ but I have to confess I am guessing. I would appreciate it if anyone could point me in the direction of an authoritative explanation.
Eilean na Creige Duibhe; Near Craig, Plockton. No references found but it seems obvious that this translates is ‘Island of the black rock’.
Loch Carron; Named after the River Carron which enters this sea loch after a course through Glen-carron and Strath-carron. In Gaelic it is Loch Carrann, Carrann meaning ‘rough’. The root is kars-, rough, as seen in
Plockton; The Gaelic name is Ploc Loch Aillse meaning ‘the lump of Lochalsh’ this due to the humpy promontory which ends in Rudha-mór.
Raasay; In Gaelic Raasay is Ratharsair or Ratharsaigh from the old Norse words Raa-s-oy, Ross-oy, Rásey or Hrossey meaning ‘roe deer island’. In Gaelic the island is also known as Eilean nam Fear Móra, ‘the island of the great men.
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