Name that House

[Jack Daw]

During my first trip to Scotland in 2003, I noticed that many houses have a plaque or sign indicating its name. In some small villages the name seemed to serve in place of a numbered address. Are most homes given names in Scotland or just in the Highlands? It's not very common in the States, except for estates, ranches and some farms.

For those in Scotland or any other country for that matter, if it is not too intrusive, what is the name of your home?

[beloitpiper]

When I lived in Ireland, my address was

Greg Long
Corrib Village
Newcastle
Galway
Ireland

I thought that was so cool!

[unaspenser]

Seems like many houses I saw in Scotland were named, and I love the idea. As soon as my husband and I get a house I'm sure we'll name it.

[Wompet]

Now that I'm a homeowner, I should do this ...
What's Scots Gaelic for "dog kennel"?

[ThistleDown]

This has the makings of a good thread!

In Scotland and in Ireland rural homes, in particular, often already have names when you come into possession of them and, of course, you don't change that. When I lived in Kilkenny my home was called Cnoc Rory; my family home in Scotland is called Tulloch; my present home there has the strange name Tylehurst (I've no idea where that comes from, but that's what it has been for 150 years or so) and my home in Canada is Thistledown . I have family and friends in Scotland whose homes bear names such as Moy, East Dene, Dunmaglash, Milton-of-Moy, Dalmagary, Oldground, Priory Lodge, Newton, and on and on and on.

[ThistleDown]

Now that I'm a homeowner, I should do this ...
What's Scots Gaelic for "dog kennel"?

Maybe ask Slohairt? And while you are at it, would you mind asking him for a translation of "hen house" or "chicken coop" for me?

[beloitpiper]

Dog house: Teach madra
Hen house: Teach cearc

[fluter]

It's not very common in the States, except for estates, ranches and some farms.

And some vacation homes, for example at the coast or in the mountains of the Carolinas. My mother's uncle built a beach house which he called "Elderslie by the Sea." Three guesses what his surname was... see avatar, if you don't recognize the place name.

[Sheep In Wolf's Clothing]

I just finished the book "The Braes of Glenlivet" by Isobel Grant. It's a charming book about life in the Highlands from the end of the 19th century to the middle of the 20th century. Most of the crofts at that time (and from what I hear still do) had names instead of addresses. The editor includes a map of the Braes, with all of the crofts mentioned in the book, and an appendix of why they were all Christian as such. Most were named after geographical markers. (such as Rough Burn was close to a fast moving stream). It's an informative book about turn of the century rural life in Scotland that I highly recommend.

Sara

[Pleater]

It is fairly common in England, even where the house has a number and street name too.

The first place I lived was The Beeches, No 10 High Street, then I moved to Summerville, 45 Woodstock Road.

Then there were a series of un named houses, but where I am now - which is No 28, the houses 2 to 24 all have the names of football teams from the early 20th century as they originally faced a football pitch. The developers either ran out of names, or the houses 26 and 28 - which are at the end of the cul de sac were not considered to qualify as they did not overlook the pitch.

Anne the Pleater