Scottish place names around the world
From Livingstone in Zambia named after the missionary-explorer David Livingstone (you can visit his birthplace in Blantyre, that’s Blantyre in Scotland rather than Blantyre in Malawi!) to Macquarie Harbour in Tasmania (Lachlan Macquarie, one of the most popular colonial Governors of NSW), the names of famous Scottish explorers, scientists and missionaries have been used as place names right across the globe.
Many other places were named by early settlers after a town, village, river or a mountain in Scotland to remind them of home.
I find place names (and not just Scottish ones) can provide a fascinating trail of the history of exploration and emigration, reminding us of who has gone before, although sometimes I have to admit it’s too easy not to stop and consider where names might have come from. The large number of place names around the world that have direct or indirect connections with Scotland is an enduring legacy of the history of Scotland and her people.
Add comment January 19th, 2008