Talk:Schiehallion

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[edit] Derivation of the name "Schiehallion"

I dispute much of what it says in this section about the origin of the name Schiehallion. "The origin of the name is unclear" it says, which is untrue. "Schiehallion" is an anglicised spelling of the Gaelic name "Sidhe 'Chailleann" whose meaning is unambiguous. There then follows an observation that there is no evidence that the people in this area called themselves Caledonians. Ample toponymic evidence exists, e.g. Dunkeld, the "fort of the Caledonians" (which can be compared with Dumbarton, "the fort of the Britons" and Dumyat, "the fort of the Miathi"). Does the author require written primary sources from what at the time was an oral culture? It is claimed the term Caledonia is derived from a term meaning "wood". I presume this misconception originates with references to "Calydon Coit" or "the wood of Calydon" in early literature such as the tale of Culhwch and Olwen. Are we then to believe people were referring to "the wood of wood"?! Or perhaps the author is confusing the Pictish term "carden" (for which much toponymic evidence exists, e.g. Kincardine, "woodland of the dogs"). Incidentally the forest at the time was a mixed broadleaf climax community and not the pine forest the author asserts. The author makes assertions about what is "believed" and "much more likely" which is clearly argumentation that violates NPOV but is sadly typical of the ignorance, prejudice and conceit which seem to have informed his contribution! The concept of a Sidhe is an ancient and complex one in Gaelic tradition which can only very loosely be translated as "fairy hill" but unfortunately the English language is inadequate to make any finer distinction on the subject. The author seems to me to be guilty of attributing this inadequecy to what he is attempting to describe, rather than to his ability to describe it! User:pclive 19:16, 26 July 2006 (UTC)

OK, I've changed it - how's that? I used Sidh instead of Sidhe, following various web references as well as Irvine Butterfield's High Mountains of Britain and Ireland, which is the only relevant book I've got to hand; I presume Sídhe is the Irish spelling. (Butterfield in fact gives Sidh Chaillean, with one n, but I went with the majority web usage - highly unscientific I know!) Referencing with a reputable source would be a good idea. --Blisco 18:48, 15 August 2006 (UTC)