Wrath and wrath

SIR: Unfortunately The Old Un (February issue) has got utterly muddled when it comes to the pronunciation of Wrath as in Cape Wrath. He may be correct in the pronunciation of wrath as in anger, but Wrath as in the north-east of Scotland derives its name from Old Norse for ‘corner’, as the Vikings travelled around that coast. It was then taken up into Gaelic with a similar meaning and pronunciation to match. He quotes Fowler’s Modern English Usage which, in my edition, does indeed support his contention for the anger alternative, but doesn’t include Wrath (upper case). Andrew Sanderson, Spennymoor, County Durham.

SIR: I am filled with roarth to be told that that is how Cape Wrath should be pronounced. We here in the Highlands, where the headland exists, have always pronounced it to rhyme with ‘bath’. I have never heard it pronounced as ‘roarth’. Perhaps Mr Fowler was having an off-day. Gordon Gibson, Helmsdale, Sutherland.