Bught

The Bught (/ˈbʌxt/ BUKHT; Scottish Gaelic: Am Bucht) is an area of the Scottish city of Inverness.

It is situated between the River Ness and the Caledonian Canal in the west of the city. It is a recreational area and contains the sports ground Bught Park, Inverness Sports Centre & Aquadome, Inverness Ice Rink, Whin Park and the Ness Islands. There is also a caravan park and extensive playing fields in the area.

The sports fields are used as the home grounds for Inverness Blitz American football home games.

Due to the recreational nature of the area, there is very little housing and most people live in the nearby areas of Dalneigh and Ballifeary.

Coordinates: 57°27′58″N 4°14′2″W / 57.46611°N 4.23389°W / 57.46611; -4.23389

A "bught" is defined in the Dictionary of the Scots Language as follows "Bowcht, Bucht, n. Also: boucht; bowght, bought. [Flem. bocht, bucht, inclosure for swine, sheep, etc.] A sheep-fold; a milking fold for ewes."

I have used this word for more than sixty years for the sheep handling pens for my sheep. Where the sheep pens have a dipping tank for sheep I would refer to these types of pens as a "fank" Both "bught" and "fank" are everyday words used by Scottish farmers.

I make no comment about the origins of the way bught is used in Inverness or its origins, but it would be interesting to know how this area was used in the past since many lowland farmers were employed in this area by the landowners during the Highland Clearances.