Map Reference: Balephuil 1
Name Type: watercourse
Meaning: The loch of the pool
Other Forms: L. fuil - The map MVLA INSVLA in the Atlas of Scotland, Atlas Novus, by Joan Blaeu, 1654. These maps were largely based on work by Timothy Pont who mapped Scotland between 1583 and 1596. NLS, 123.
Loch Phuil - The Turnbull Map of Tiree 1768 and accompanying survey text.
Loch Fuil - Island Mull with Islands Tiri and Coll, M MacKenzie, 1775.
In Tiree it is said that when her age was asked by the Prior's daughter she said her memory extended back to the time when the Skerryvore rocks...were covered with arable fields and that she had seen the waters of Loch Phuill...before they had attained any size. Campbell JG 1915, The Sharp-Witted Wife (A' Chailleach Bheur) The Scottish Historical Review, 12, 413
Loch Phuill, Edward Stanford's diary AI2013.104.5, page 3
Loch a' Phuill - ONB, p213, "Loch of the Pool."
Loch Phuill - Jean MacPhail, Balephuil, 12/1996. See Ailean Boyd below.
Loch a' Phuill - Hector Campbell, Cornaigbeg; Donald MacNeill.
"The Loch" was locally called "Loch Phuill" (or more locally as simply "An Loch") and not "Loch a' Phuill" as we see on maps, etc, etc. On that analogy, Baile Phuill is preferable to Bail' a' Phuill. Whatever the original "poll" was is open to much speculation - Ailean Boyd, Baile Phuill, 3/2015
Related Places: See Tobhta na Cailleich Bheir.
Information:Most of Loch a’ Phuill is shallow, but there is one area, called An Rafagach which he measured at 18 feet with a pole. Willie MacLean, Balinoe, 6/2004.
Various theories have been put forward as to the derivation of the name Baile Phuill, none of which can be regarded with any degree of credence. Where such a poll (genitive puill), or mire or marsh, actually was is very much open to speculation, and it is hardly credible that this township should have more poll or mud than any other in Tiree that it should be named after such a phenomenon! One is tempted to come to the conclusion that Baile Phuill was originally a name from Old Norse which has received a Gaelic complexion which conveniently falls in with the numerous other baile names throughout the western half of the island. Could it be that Baile Phuill, which would appear to be semantically unintelligible, is actually the Old Norse name of the adjacent township of Barrapol with a Gaelic “dressing up”? It is also of note that Balephuil Bay was in former times known as Barrapol Bay. The spelling of Baile Phuilll is preferable to Bail’ a’ Phuill as it tallies with Loch Phuill as it is heard in local pronunciation (not Loch a’ Phuill). Again Loch Phuill does not ring true with Gaelic nomenclature which, all in all, points to a non-Gaelic derivation for the names Baile Phuill and Loch Phuill. Ailean Boyd, 1/2012.
'In Tiree it is said that when her age was asked by the Prior's daughter she said her memory extended back to the time when the Skerryvore rocks...were covered with arable fields and that she had seen the waters of Loch Phuill...before they had attained any size.
'Littlesharp old wife, tell me your age' / 'I saw the seal-haunted Skerryvore / When it was a mighty power / When they ploughed it, if I'm right / And sharp and juicy was its barley. / I saw the Loch at Balefuil / When it was a little round well / Where my child was drowned / Sitting in its circular chair.'
'In Loch Phuill, which is the largest sheet of fresh water in Tiree, there is said to be a small spot that never freezes, however hard bound the rest of the loch may be, and from this eye the loch took its rise.' Campbell JG 1915, The Sharp-Witted Wife (A' Chailleach Bheur) The Scottish Historical Review, 12, 413
Local Form:
Languages : GaelicInformants: OS
Informant 2: multiple
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