INTRODUCTION. xxxix 



as "heradh," which is the most correct form of the old 

 name to be found anywhere.* 



" Uist " is either of Pictish or Scandinavian derivation. 

 The name of Uist or Vist occurs in the first series of 

 Pictish kings, and may furnish an explanation of the name 

 of the two Hebridean islands. The Norse and earliest 

 known name was " Ivist," which may mean Ey-vist y the 

 Island of Vist (the Pictish King), or may be literally trans- 

 lated as "dwelling-place." Munch, who translated the 

 Chronicles of Man, took the latter view, and inferred from 

 it that Uist formed the seat of the Norse government in 

 the Long Island. Pinkerton and Dr. McCulloch believed 

 that Uist meant the " West " island, with reference to its 

 geographical position in the group, and a charter by 

 David II., where the name appears as "Ywest," would 

 appear to support that contention. Captain Thomas 

 thought that the name might have come from Ifheirste, 

 Uist thus signifying " crossing " island. All these deriva- 

 tions are more or less plausible, and it is impossible to 

 say positively which is right ; but the first-named seems, 

 on the whole, the most likely, f Originally Uist may have 

 comprehended not only Benbecula, but Barra as well. 



The origin of the word " Benbecula " is difficult to deter- 

 mine with certainty, but it appears to be a hybrid, composed 

 of Gaelic and Norse roots. The name of the island appears 

 as "Beanbeacla" (1495) and "Buchagla" (Dean Monro in the 

 sixteenth century), the latter being probably derived from the 

 Gaelic beinn-na-faoghail mountain of the ford. It figures 

 also in such garbs as Benbekielaw, Benvalgha, Vynvawle, 

 Bendbagle, Beanweall, and Beandmoyll. The last word 

 offers some explanation of the origin of the present form. 

 It is obviously derived from the Gaelic beinn= a mountain 

 and the Gaelic ?;/#<?/ = bare or bald. A relic of the latter 



* Harris appears in the forms of Heradh, Haugh, Herrie, Herries, Herreik, 

 Herag and Herage, Harrych, Haria, Hary, Haray and Harray, Hareis, and 

 Harries. 



t Bishop Leslie calls Uist "Eusta," Camden " Wust," and Blaeu " Evst." 

 In the Scottish records and elsewhere, it appears in such forms as Ouyst, 

 Owiste, Ovyste, Wyoist, Huwyste, Guiste, Wistus, Vistey, Ywist, Ywst, Ewyst, 

 West, and Ust. 





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