The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

Renjrcivslnrc Keltic Place Names. 251
RENFREWSHIRE KELTIC PLACE
NAMES.
Sir,— In the article by Mr Hector Maclean, in your May
number, on " Renfrewshire Keltic Place Names," it seems to me
there are a few errors, owing to the learned author's having been
misled by a faulty map and a wrong pronunciation. Tliis is
excusable in one not on the ground ;
and
it is not in a fault-
finding spirit I mention the fact, but in the interest of correctness.
The instances I refer to are the following, and I take them as
they occur in the article in c[uestion :- -
Barsheegrav— This is oftener found Barshagray. There is
a Barshagrie—sometimes Balshagrie—across the Clyde, almost in
Renfrewsiire. In this case it will be necessary to seek another
etymology than that given.
Co.MMONMORE—I Cannot find this name. But there is a
Commore in Nielston Parish, which may be explained as Cum-m6r
— the large dell
Callhart— This now should be Cathcart. Cath appears also
in Cathkin Hills in Lanarkshire, on which are the remains of
an ancient camp ; it is probably Brythonic.
Barrochan Cross— It must be borne in mind that the
district in which this cross stands is called Barrochan ; and it is
more likely the cross is named after the district than after the
saint. It is not Barrochan's Cross, but Barrochan Cross.
Clothoderick—This is generally Clochoderick, or Clochodrick,
and is pronounced with the accent on the second syllable.
Some have sought to explain the word by Clochodruid = Druid's
Stone— in fact, a map of the county, dated 1826, calls it Druid's
Stone. There is nothing druidical about the stone. It is a
boulder—speaking from memory—of about 20 by 15 by 10 feet,
lying midway between Kilbarchan and Lochwinnock. I venture
to suggest that the latter part of the word is a personal name, on