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Leaving Loch Tollaidh as one travels from Gairloch to Poolewe the road descends towards the Tollie Viewpoint. This viewpoint, on a hill and on a sharp bend in the road has a lay-by to let people enjoy the view.
Approach this place with care, the lay-by is hidden and only suddenly revealed as the corner is turned. There are often people crossing the road here, perhaps even standing in the road, transfixed with the view! You should also get out and enjoy this view at the lay-by.
Having done so there are more views to be enjoyed by walking up the hill that rises from the lay-by. This hill is called Croft Hill, a fairly easy walk for those of normal fitness and the prize on reaching the top is a panorama of views stretching from the furthest limits of Loch Ewe to Loch Maree and the mountains all around.
This small part of the view available shows the River Ewe's source as it flows out of Loch Maree at the top right of this photograph. On the left bank of the river is Inveran Estate and at top left it is just possible to make out a small part of Loch Kernsary.
Beyond the croft houses on the western bank of the River Ewe rises a rugged hill known by the locals as An Tor but it's full name is Torr a' Mhuillir (The Miller's Tower). This is the beginning of rugged terrain running south-eastwards that was used in WWII as a training ground for Commandos.
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.
Croft Hill; This is a hill to the west of Poolewe and at its southern end is known as Croft Hill and at its northern as Cliff Hill. The Gaelic name is Meall a’ Cliubha and also Meall na Cliubha maning the cliff hill, probably due to the pripitous drop on its eastern flank. I have found no explanation as to why the southern end of this hill is known as Croft Hill.
Gairloch; Gaelic, village named after the loch of the same name, Loch Gairloch, An Gearr-loch, the short loch.
Inveran; In Gaelic it is Inbhirean, meaning the ‘little’ estuary where the waters of Loch Kernsary fall into the northern end of Loch Maree.
Loch Ewe; Professor Watson said “that he had taken iu, with hesitation, from the Irish eo, thus ‘Loch of the yew tree’; the fact that Tobar na h-Iu in Nigg showed the article is practically decisive in favour of iu being there at least a Gaelic word. No Pictish name is accompanied by the Gaelic article. But the Ewe may be a Pictish name derived from the same root, or from a totally different one.”
Loch Kernsary; Professor Watson gives a lengthy explanation of the origin of this word by comparing it with another place name Smiorsair. The origin is Norse and Professor Watson goes on the explain that he feels the last part ar, is from erg, a shieling, borrowed from Gaelic. The first part Cearnai’s may be kjarni, kernel, denoting also ‘the best part of the land’; or it may be kjarr, a copse. In the former case the s has to be explained; the latter theory leaves nas to be accounted for.
J H Dixon explains the word as follows; spelt in Gaelic Cearnsair, a corruption, probably from carn, a cairn; airidh, a shieling.
Loch Maree; Gaelic Loch-Ma-rui(bh), Loch of St Maelrubha, an Irish monk who came to Scotland in 671A.D founding a church in Applecross before coming to Loch Maree where he founded another church on the island now known as Isle Maree. Professor Watson writes in his ‘Place names of Ross & Cromarty’ on page 230 “That Loch Maree was formerly called Loch Ewe is clear from the fact that the River Ewe issues from it, that Kinlochewe (meaning ‘Head of Loch Ewe’) stands at its upper end, and Letterewe on its north side”.
Loch Tollaidh; Gaelic; ‘loch at the place of the holes’, there are also Tollie Farm, Tollie Bay, Tollie Rock, and Tollie Burn.
Poolewe; Gaelic Poll-iù, ‘the pool on the Ewe river’; Professor Watson states that the village was called by the natives in his time Abhainn Iù, Ewe River. He also said that Ewe, Gaelic iu, he had taken, with hesitation, from Irish eo, ‘Yew Tree’, but concedes that it may in fact be a Pictish name.
River Ewe; The River Ewe, Gaelic, Abhainn lu. Professor Watson said “that he had taken iu, with hesitation, from the Irish eo, yew tree ; the fact that Tobar na h-Iu in Nigg showed the article is practically decisive in favour of iu being there at least a Gaelic word. No Pictish name is accompanied by the Gaelic article. But the River Ewe may be a Pictish name from the same root, or from a totally different one.”
Tollie; Gaelic is Tollaidh, ‘place of the holes’, there are also Tollie Farm, Tollie Bay, Tollie Rock, Tollie Burn and Loch Tollaidh
Torr a’ Mhuillir; My source for this is Kenneth C Mackenzies book ‘Place Names in and around Poolewe. Known by locals as An Torr its full Gaelic name Torr a’ Mhuillir, translates as the ‘the millers’ tower. Does this imply that in the past there was a Mill situated on this part of the River Ewe?
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