Township: An Àird a Tuath,Caolas

Map Reference: Aird a Tuath 40

Name Type: sea

Meaning: Am Bun Dubh 'the black sea floor': the northern part of Srùth Gunnaigh, which is often particularly rough at certain states of the tide and is best avoided. Bun can also have the sense of 'the mouth of a river' (Dwelly), while dubh can also have the sense of 'wicked or disastrous' (Dwelly): 'the wicked opening of the Gunna Sound' might be the best understanding of this name.

Other Forms:

Related Places:

Information:The Gaelic Otherworld, ed Ronald Black, p260:
The Vaul men would not venture with it [an accursed boat] through the Black Water (am Bun Dubh) as the sound between Coll and Tiree is called, but drew it accross the land to Gott Loch.
Am Bun Dubh is at the north end of An Sruth, where it is particularly rough. Donald Meek, Caolas, 4/2009.

Local Form:

Languages : Gaelic

Informants: Professor Donald Meek, Caolas, 4/2009 and 8/2019

Informant 2: Angus MacLean, Scarinish, 2/1996