Place name of the week

Ayr ~ Inbhir Àir

The settlement Ayr (inber-air in 1490) was originally called Inbhir Àir ‘the confluence of the River Ayr’; The meaning of this river-name is unknown, although it is probably pregaelic. The name of the settlement is one of a number which have inbhir in Gaelic (spelled on maps as Inver-) but have been lost, e.g. Girvan was written as Innirgarvan in 1253, representing Inbhir Gharbhain ‘the confluence of the River Girvan’.

The Heads of Ayr is rocky section of coast to the south of Ayr; these are mentioned in a poem: Na sùghaichean lùncorrach, sìnteach a’ gleannadh gu Cinn Inbhir Àir ‘the billows and their troughs rolling towards the Heads of Ayr’.

Prestwick to the north of Ayr is of Old English origin, but it must have been also used in Gaelic because in 1173 Pulprestwic is mentioned. This is Gaelic poll plus Prestwick ‘the pool of Prestwick’. lfor more information visit www.ainmean-aite.scot