Author's return to placenames focuses on South Ronaldsay and Burray
Story dated: November 9, 2006

Gregor Lamb has produced another book on Orkney placenames – this time documenting the toponomy of South Ronaldsay and Burray.

The Placenames of South Ronaldsay and Burray not only records and interprets the place-names of South Ronaldsay and Burray but also constantly refers to similarly derived place-names elsewhere in Orkney and in Shetland.

The book, which is illustrated throughout with photographs both old and new of the islands, has been hailed as “probably one of the most detailed studies of placenames ever undertaken in Scotland.”

It begins with an introduction to the history of the islands, as documented and revealed by the place-names.

Many of these names have not been seen in print before and if they had not been captured would have been lost for good.

The glossary of the place-names themselves not only interprets the name where possible but also adds interesting historical notes, a Grid Reference and, in the case of houses, provides details of their occupancy or condition.

In the final section the reader will find a facsimile reproduction of Ordnance Survey Explorer Sheet 461 Scale 1:25 000 which makes easy identification of the location of places mentioned in the glossary.

• The Placenames of South Ronaldsay and Burray, by Gregor Lamb, is published by Bellavista Publications, priced £16.95. Click here to buy online.