Map Reference: Kenavara 111
Name Type:
Meaning: MacCormack was the uncle of the wife of Niall a' Ruidh. He was the only one agile enough to get onto the rock - WMcL
"Neil MacCormick from the Land was the only one bold enough to go fishing on this rock. He died in 1937" - Bailtean is Ath-Ghairmean, Niall M Brownlie, Argyll Publishing, 1995, p155. He gives it as the same feature as Hiatrainis.
Today Borabrig is known as ScG An t-Eilean Dubh ‘the black island’. It is the site of a second, smaller, Iron Age roundhouse. Between this rock and the cliffs a boulder has fallen down forming a natural bridge, known today as ScG Drochaid an Eilein Dhuibh ‘the bridge of the black island’.
This is likely to be ON borg (with a fricative /g/, genitive singular borgar), ‘fort’, with ON bryggja ‘landing place’. Although exposed to the north-west, the neighbouring inlet could have allowed a large boat to be hauled up under this key strategic point.
The neighbouring gully is now known as ScG Sloc na h-Ursainn ‘the gully of the doorpost, side of a door; pillar of a gate; jamb; ruler of a battle’ (Dwelly).
Other Forms: Rinn Borabraig - Hugh MacLean, Barrapol, collected by Ailean Boyd
Rinn Borbraig - Niall M Brownlie, Bailtean is Ath Ghairmean, Argyll Publishing, 1995, p155
Related Places:
Information:
Local Form:
Languages : Norse, GaelicInformants: William MacLean, Barrapol, 4/1998
Informant 2: Hugh MacLean, Barrapol, collected by Ailean Boyd
Informant 3: Bailtean is Ath-Ghairmean, Niall M Brownlie, Argyll Publishing, 1995.
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