An Ceapanach

Island in Inverness-shire

Scotland

An Ceapanach

Boc na CaillichââThe old womanâs pimpleâ First stop after the day’s exertions was to the Ordnance Survey’s website, which has a lovely little page detailing the Gaelic origins of place names. ‘Boc’ turns out to be a buck or a ‘he-goat,’ likely referring to a billy goat. Therefore, Boc na Caillich, I suppose, can be interpreted as ‘the old woman’s billy goat.’

But …

The Scottish Government’s website ScotlandsPlaces has scans of the original surveyors’ notebooks used by the Ordnance Survey. For Boc na Caillich, the surveyor had written:—

&lt;&lt;This name applies to a Small Standing rock, and Signifies “The old woman’s pimple”:, Situated about 3/4 of a mile from “Dunbeg”&gt;&gt;

Mulling this over, it amuses me to entertain the notion that those mischievous Dunbeg crofters were having a jolly good laugh at the befuddlement of those Government officials. I can just picture their impish grins as they spun a yarn, convincingly claiming that &quot;Boc na Caillich&quot; actually pertains to a completely different region of a woman&#039;s anatomy altogether. And as for that hilariously prim and proper Victorian surveying brigade, it&#039;s no wonder they rendered it as &quot;Pimple&quot; in their records, utterly scandalised by the mere thought of anything remotely risque. Oh, the prudishness of those bygone days!

Adapted from my blog post <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.fhithich.uk/?p=32333" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.fhithich.uk/?p=32333">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> which contains relevant sources. — Boc na CaillichââThe old womanâs pimpleâ Credit: Mick Garratt

An Ceapanach is a small island located off the coast of Inverness-shire in Scotland. It is situated in the Inner Hebrides, specifically in the Sound of Mull. The island is approximately 1.5 miles long and half a mile wide, with a total area of around 320 acres.

An Ceapanach is characterized by its rugged and rocky terrain, with steep cliffs and rolling hills. The island is covered in grasses, heather, and some scattered trees. Its coastline is indented with small coves and inlets, providing stunning views of the surrounding sea and neighboring islands.

The island is uninhabited and has no permanent structures, making it a haven for wildlife. It is home to a variety of bird species, including puffins, guillemots, and razorbills. Seals can often be spotted lounging on the rocks along the shore.

Access to An Ceapanach is mainly by boat, with some visitors arriving via kayak or small watercraft. The island offers a peaceful and remote escape, ideal for nature lovers and birdwatchers. Hiking and exploring the island's diverse landscape are popular activities, with several walking trails crisscrossing the island.

An Ceapanach is surrounded by pristine waters, making it a popular destination for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts. Underwater, visitors can discover vibrant marine life and explore submerged caves and rock formations.

Overall, An Ceapanach is a picturesque and tranquil island that offers a unique opportunity to experience the beauty of Scotland's coastal wilderness.

Show me another place!

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An Ceapanach Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.506572/-6.465227 or Grid Reference NG3255. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Boc na CaillichââThe old womanâs pimpleâ

First stop after the day’s exertions was to the Ordnance Survey’s website, which has a lovely little page detailing the Gaelic origins of place names. ‘Boc’ turns out to be a buck or a ‘he-goat,’ likely referring to a billy goat. Therefore, Boc na Caillich, I suppose, can be interpreted as ‘the old woman’s billy goat.’ But … The Scottish Government’s website ScotlandsPlaces has scans of the original surveyors’ notebooks used by the Ordnance Survey. For Boc na Caillich, the surveyor had written:— <<This name applies to a Small Standing rock, and Signifies “The old woman’s pimple”:, Situated about 3/4 of a mile from “Dunbeg”>> Mulling this over, it amuses me to entertain the notion that those mischievous Dunbeg crofters were having a jolly good laugh at the befuddlement of those Government officials. I can just picture their impish grins as they spun a yarn, convincingly claiming that "Boc na Caillich" actually pertains to a completely different region of a woman's anatomy altogether. And as for that hilariously prim and proper Victorian surveying brigade, it's no wonder they rendered it as "Pimple" in their records, utterly scandalised by the mere thought of anything remotely risque. Oh, the prudishness of those bygone days! Adapted from my blog post Link

which contains relevant sources.

Mick Garratt

Stacdachan

The Victorian surveyor's notebook contains the following notes: <<This name spplies to a high Standing rock, Signifying "The Pinnacle" Situated on the Coast 3/4 of a mile north west from Greshornish House.>> Source: ‘OS1/16/7/111 | ScotlandsPlaces’. 2019. Scotlandsplaces.gov.uk <Link

> [accessed 17 July 2023]

Mick Garratt

OS Bolt on the summit of Maol na h-Ãirde

I've been on this summit many times without noticing the bolt. It is a fourth order trig point, set in concrete close to the small cairn, and somewhat overgrown by grass. See Link for context.

John Allan

Ruin at Diubaig

The most complete of several ruined houses in the long uninhabited village of Diubaig. The view is across Loch Diubaig to the peninsula of Greshornish.

John Allan

Loch Diubaig

The sea loch, an inlet of Loch Snizort, seen from the site of the derelict village of Diubaig.

John Allan

Gate and stile, Diubaig

Covered with lichens and, today, with frost. The gate is beyond use without risking terminal damage to it, but the stile still bears weight.

John Allan

Track entering the south of Waternish Forest

This is a section of a newly constructed track joining the former end of the track in Greshornish Forest NG3054 : End of the track with the former end of the track in Waternish Forest NG2957 : End of the track. It was built to allow timber extraction from Waternish to be taken south to join the public road on the A850 rather than use the single track B886.

John Allan

Loch Diubaig from the old settlement

A view from beside the ruins of the old settlement of Diubaig, looking over the outflow of the Allt Diubaig and Loch Diubaig towards the outer reaches of Loch Snizort. The lumpy ground to the right of the loch is Greshornish Point.

John Allan

Gate by the distributaries of the Allt Diubaig

The very attractive old lichen covered wooden gate NG3254 : Gate and stile, Diubaig is fallen and broken. Sad to see it gone. The stile is now redundant, so may last a bit longer. The view over the distributaries is to Loch Diubaig, where the river reaches the sea.

John Allan

Bay on the east side of Loch Diubaig

John Allan

New track above Diubaig

The road is under construction and at present terminates nowhere special in the woods. I presume it will run to the old settlement in Diubaig NG3254 : Houses at Diubaig where planning consent is being sought for development.

John Allan

Track to LÃ²n na Stapaig

The track ends at a boathouse.

Richard Dorrell

Redwood House, Greshornish

Large modern hotel in an enviable remote location overlooking Loch Greshornish. Also photographed by John Allan in 2010 when under construction - NG3453 : New build at Greshornish.

Richard Dorrell

Pontoon, Loch Greshornish, Isle of Skye

Looking NE over the Loch greshornish to Trotternish and its famous ridge. This part of the loch is fish farmed, hence the foreground ropes, pontoon, buoys and boats.

Glen Breaden

Track towards Diubaig

A good track leads from near the Gresnornish House hotel, across the peninsulato Loch Diubaig. This would have been the main access to the now deserted settlement at the head of the loch.

Phil Champion

The head of Loch Diubaig

An inlet from Loch Snizort. Beyond the rocky foreshore is a small freshwater lochan and the deserted settlement of Diubaig, occupied until the early twentieth century.

Phil Champion