The names of cities, towns, villages, streets and areas often shine a light on the history of a country.
Opinion on where the word ‘Scot’ itself comes from is divided – but some say it comes from the word ‘scuit’, meaning 'a man cut off' and refers to a group who split from the Gaels, first settling in a part of Ulster in Northern Ireland.
The derivation of the names of Scotland’s cities are more straightforward – here are all eight.
Opinion on where the word ‘Scot’ itself comes from is divided – but some say it comes from the word ‘scuit’, meaning 'a man cut off' and refers to a group who split from the Gaels, first settling in a part of Ulster in Northern Ireland.
5. Stirling
It's not known for certain excatly where the name Stirling came from. Ideas range from it coming from the Gaelic phrase 'srib-linn', meaning 'a streaming pool', to it originating from the Old English 'striveling' meaning 'place of conflict' - reflecting the area's turbulent past. The first mention of the city, then called Stiuelin, was recorded in the 12th century. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
6. Dunfermline
The background to the name of Scotland's newest city is pretty straightforward. Like Dundee, the 'Dun' part referes to to fortified hill. The remainder of the name comes from the words 'fiaram' and 'lin', meaning 'bent or crooked' and 'a cascade or pool'. It's thought to refer to the rivulet that bends around the tower hill before cascading into the Ferm Burn. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
7. Inverness
Scotland's most northerly city gets its name from the Scottish Gaelic language. 'Inbhir Nis' literally translates as 'mouth of the River Ness', which is where the city is located. The River Ness - and Loch Ness - gets its name from the Pictish river goddess Nessa. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
8. Perth
The Fair City has only relatively recently been known as Perth, having been referred to as St John's Toun or Saint Johnstoun until the 17th century. The old name was taken from the city's church which was dedicated to St John the Baptist. The wider area was known as Perthia and the name was eventually used for the emerging city. It's derived from the Pictish word for 'wood' or 'copse'. Photo: Canva/Getty Images