Scotland’s Year of Stories celebrates the wealth of stories inspired by, written, or created in Scotland. With support from Bòrd na Gàidhlig we have been able to explore and capture some of the Gaelic stories on the West Highland Way in three short films: People, Place and Passion.

Tha Bliadhna nan Sgeul an Alba a’ comharrachadh na th’ ann de sgeulachdan a chaidh a bhrosnachadh, a sgrìobhadh neo a chruthachadh ann an Alba. Le taic bho Bhòrd na Gàidhlig, bha e comasach dhuinn cuid a stòiridhean Gàidhlig mu Slighe Taobh an Iar na Gàidhealtachd a’ rannsachadh is a thaisbeanadh ann an trì filmichean goirid: Daoine, Ainmean-àite agus Dìoghras.

Photo: Milarrochy Bay, Paul Saunders

People. [Daoine.]

We asked presenter Colin Stone to explore parts of Slighe Taobh an Iar na Gàidhealtachd (the West Highland Way) and some of the famous people connected to it, including Rob Ruadh MacGriogair (Rob Roy) at Inbhir Snàthaid (Inversnaid); Raibeart Brus (Robert the Bruce) and the Brooch of Lorn at Dail Rìgh (Dalrigh).

Rob Roy's Fort At Inversnaid

Rob Roy's Fort At Inversnaid c.1850-60, image courtesy of Mac Blewer

 

Rob Ruadh MacGriogair

“About this time he [Rob Roy] was still in possession of Inversnaid Fort, and also had a hiding place in that romantic cave in Invernsnaid which still passes by his name….The fort, however, at Inversnaid was now held by the MacGregors for a year or two. Then it was recaptured by the Government and held by them for a term.”

Smeaton, O. (1920). Rob Roy and the history of the clan Alpine.


Place. [Ainmean- àite.]

  • Tha ainmean-àite am measg nan goireasan as cudromaiche airson eachdraidh cruth na tìre a thuigsinn, gu h-àraidh ann an àitichean dùthchail.

  • Tha iad a’ toirt cothrom dhuinn atharrachaidhean is leantalachd sam bith a lorg ann an cànan, cleachdadh-fearainn, poilitigs, nàdar, gnìomhachas, creideamh agus grunn rudan eile.Gaelic translation

  • Mar phàirt dhen phròiseact seo, chaidh an Dr Peter McNiven a choimiseanadh airson 96 ainmean-àite Gàidhlig a’ rannsachadh thar Slighe Taobh an Iar na Gàidhealtachd, aonan airson gach mìle.

For example, you can find out the meaning behind well-known places you will pass through or see along the Way, such as:

“BUACHAILLE ETIVE MÒR (G buachaille + en Etive + G mòr)  

‘The big herdsman of Etive’. Nearby Buachaille Etive Beag is the ‘Little herdsman of Etive’.

as well as less-well known places along the Way such as:

“EILEAN NAN DEARGANNAN (G eilean + G an + G deargann)

‘Island of the fleas’. A small Isle near Rowardennan, Covered with trees. the name Signifies The fleas’ Island from its diminutive size.” (OS1/32/6/92)

Tha barrachd fiosrachaidh mun rannsachadh agus na lorg e anns an aithisg agus sa bhidio gu h-ìosal.

This report, Gaelic Place-names along the West Highland Way, and video below explain more about this research and Peter’s findings.

Passion. [Dìoghras]

The West Highland Way stretches from Scotland’s largest city to its highest mountain via its largest loch.  The spectacular landscape and wildlife attracts visitors from all round the world and appeals to people of all ages. 

Tha Slighe Taobh an Iar na Gàidhealtachd a’ ruith eadar am baile as motha agus a’ bheinn as àirde an Alba, ’s tha an loch as motha air an t-slighe cuideachd. Tha an cruth-tìre eireachdail agus an fhiadh-bheatha a’ tàladh luchd-turais bho air feadh an t-saoghail agus daoine de gach aois.

  • Bidh a’ mhòr-chuid a’ tighinn a’ choiseachd Slighe Taobh an Iar na Gàidhealtachd air làithean-saora neo mar dhùbhlan pearsanta, leotha fhèin, le teaghlach neo còmhla ri caraidean.

  • Bidh feadhainn a’ ruith na Slighe neo pàirt dhith agus bidh nas lugha buileach air baidhsagal. Tha cuid eile air am brosnachadh a coiseachd airson airgead a thogail, neo mar chuimhneachan air cuideigin a bha dlùth dhaibh.

  • San treas fhilm ghoirid seo, tha an neach-lìbhrigidh, Cailean Stone, a’ coinneachadh ri daoine air an t-slighe is a’ bruidhinn riutha mun dìoghras aca airson Slighe Taobh an Iar na Gàidhealtachd.

 

Explore more.

There are so many different stories connected to the West Highland Way.

Below (left) is a short extract from Duncan Ban MacIntyre’s famous poem ‘In Praise of Ben Dorain’ (‘Moladh Beinn Dòbhrain’, Donnchadh Bàn Mac an t-Saoir).

Below (right) is another story from Dr Chris Robinson from the northern end of the West Highland Way. You can learn more about Lochaber from the West Highland Museum either online or via a visit when you’re in Fort William.

 

Have you enjoyed these West Highland Way stories?

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You can now enjoy some more 2022 West Highland Way stories on Carbeth and Letters from Along the Way.

You could also take the time to explore the other galleries on this site - for example, you can learn about the early days of Scotland’s first long distance route or about how the infamous Devil’s Staircase got its name.