In a message dated 05/04/2004 07:09:33 GMT Daylight Time, pugdog@bigpond.net.au writes: > off to Bute fairly soon and I am hoping to sort out two place name > confusion before I go. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. > > As a guide the couple I am researching also lived in Barmore and Meikle > Kilmory which are both on the west side of the island of Bute. > > Place one is given as 'Beleacaul' and "Baliecaul' - I am thinking a spelling > error for Ballycaul as this is a little to the north of their earlier homes. > > Place two is given as 'Tighnastraid'. Spelt the same on two OPR entries and > the last is given as Straid. No idea for this one. Perhaps some relation to > Straad? > Hi Spelling variations are very common before 1900........... many people could not read and write so spelling was at the whim of the writer. This applies even more so when the name was being translated from gaelic. So it is very likely that Beleacaul is the same as Ballycaul. 'Tigh na' means house beside ..Straad I'm not sure about ..I think it may be shore. Irene