Episode 954
Blarmacfoldach
Sat, 2019-Dec-14 00:39 UTC
Length - 2:30
Direct Link
Welcome to random Wiki of the Day where we read the summary of a random Wikipedia page every day.
The random article for Saturday, 14 December 2019 is Blarmacfoldach.
Blarmacfoldach (or Blàr Mac Faoilteach; Blàrmacfaoltach) is a small crofting
settlement in Scotland, in the Mamore Hills between Fort William and Kinlochleven. In past centuries, Blarmacfoldach was mainly a Clan Cameron settlement.
Historically, the area spoke Lochaber Gaelic, which had a number of distinctive features.
In the 19th century, Blarmacfoldach had a population of over 800. Reflecting the tragedy that gradually befell the Highlands as a whole, the population has gradually fallen to around 30, the last native dying in 2006. This was exacerbated by the cholera epidemic of the 19th century, when a ship in Loch Linnhe brought contaminated linen.
The Gaelic etymology of the name is not clear. Blàr typically refers to a field, often a battlefield, whereas the faoiltich are the cold early months of the year, corresponding to January (Faoilleach) in modern Gaelic.
Blàr mac Faoltaich is one of the 'four blars' in the area, comprising Blàr Mac Faoltaich, Blàr a' Chaorainn, Blàr nan Cléireach, and Blàr Mac Droighnich (also spelt Mac Droighneach, Mac Druineach, and nan Druineach, and meaning the field of the wise men).
The river Cìochnis (Cìoch Innis), shown by Ordnance Survey as "River Kiachnish", which originates in Lochan Lùnn dà-Bhrà, (Loch Lundavra) and passes through Blàr Mac Faoilteach, was the source of hydro-electric power for the first electric street lighting in Scotland, in nearby Fort William high street.
The West Highland Way passes through the clachan near one of its two endpoints.
Blar Mac Faoilteach was known locally as one of the last places to celebrate the old Highland New Year on January 12.
This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 00:39 UTC on Saturday, 14 December 2019.
For the full current version of the article, see Blarmacfoldach on Wikipedia.
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This has been Joanna. Thank you for listening to random Wiki of the Day.
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