Glasgow’s Gaelic Place-names with Dr Alasdair Whyte
In episode two, Dr Alasdair Whyte, a Gaelic singer, writer, and Research Fellow at the University of Glasgow, joins Fay to explore the medieval Gaelic roots of Glasgow through its place-names.
Alasdair's research takes us into parts of Glasgow where Gaelic was spoken a thousand years ago. In this green landscape where cattle grazed, we even catch a shadowy glimpse of the farmer's daughter who owned Shettleston. Yes, Shettleston! When you know where and how to look, place-names are full of human history.
In this conversation Alasdair draws on the evidence in his recently published book Glasgow’s Gaelic Place-names, co-authored with Katherine Forsyth and Simon Taylor. It caused quite a stir and we are about to find out why.
Highlights:
- Uncover the Gaelic origins of Glasgow's place-names with Dr. Alasdair Whyte.
- Hear stories behind names, like the medieval farmer’s daughter of Shettleston.
- Explore findings from "Glasgow’s Gaelic Place-names," co-authored by Alasdair Whyte.
- See how Gaelic names reflect Glasgow's landscape and features.
- Understand the importance of preserving Gaelic place-names.
Key Moments:
- 00:00:10 — The significance of Gaelic place names in Glasgow
- 00:19:41 — The origins and meanings of Gaelic place names in Glasgow
- 00:38:10 — Gaelic place names reflect the natural landscape and features of the area
- 00:41:05 — The evolution of place names and their adaptation over time
- 00:51:08 — Preserving Gaelic place names and promoting cultural heritage awareness
Learn more:
- You can buy Alasdair’s book here
- Follow Glasgow City Heritage Trust on social media: @GlasgowHeritage #IfGlasgowsWallsCouldTalk
- Produced by Inner Ear (innerear.co.uk) for Glasgow City Heritage Trust
- Sponsored by Tunnock's (tunnock.co.uk)
Creators and Guests
Host
Fay Young
Writer, blogger, editor. Love wild woodland gardens & city jungles, song & dance (also tweet poetry, food and politics) co-editor @sceptical_scot
Host
Niall Murphy
Niall Murphy, who is the Director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust, is a conservation architect and is heavily involved in heritage, conservation and community issues in Glasgow. Niall is also Chair of Govanhill Baths Building Preservation Trust and was previously chair of Pollokshields Heritage, Planning Convener for Pollokshields Community Council and a member of the Glasgow Urban Design Panel. Between 2016 – 2018 he was a member of the Development Management Working Group for the Scottish Government’s Planning Review. Niall regularly lectures or does walking tours on architecture, heritage and urban design issues. Niall has won the Glasgow Doors Open Day Excellence Award for Outstanding Talk (2023) and for Inspiring City Tour (2017), the Glasgow Doors Open Day Above and Beyond Award (2014), the Sir Robert Lorimer Award for Sketching (1996) and, in addition to nominations for Saltire Awards and GIA Awards was nominated for the Scottish Civic Trust’s My Place Award for Civic Champion in 2015.
Producer
Anny Deery
TV Producer. Retrained Massage Therapist @glasgowholistic. Live in Glasgow. Mother of a 8 yo + three year old.
