Place name of the week

Cape Wrath ~ Am Parbh

Both the English and Gaelic name of this promontory (Faro head in c.1591) derive from Old Norse hvarf ‘turning point’, relating to the sea journey between Scandinavia and the west coast of Britain. Whilst Am Parbh is the name for the actual peninsula, the district is known locally as Taobh a’ Phairbh ‘the district of Cape Wrath’. Cape Wrath is known as An Carbh on Lewis, whilst in East Sutherland it was known as Am Borbh. Both are variants of the local form of the name.

One piece of Gaelic writing refers to Cape Wrath as Currachd na Corraich. The writer was evidently not aware of the Gaelic form and simply translated the name from the English form. A more reliable form is seen in some proverbial advice: Seachainn Pùitig is Am Parbh ‘avoid Whiten Head and Cape Wrath.’ lfor more information visit www.ainmean-aite.scot