Names are very important and can unlock vast amounts of information about places and their origins. The placename of Scotland are a goldmine of information about times past and the lives of early inhabitants. The different languages of their origin – Gaelic, Pictish, Cumbric, Old Norse and Old English – reflect the many cultures that have been part of Scotland’s story and preserve the memory of those who gave names to the wild and beautiful landscapes in which they lived. Other names date back to prehistoric times and are the only link to a world now lost to us forever.

This comprehensive book features more than 500 placenames and is an essential book for all interested in Scottish history and culture.