Blair Collection > Place names in Strathbogie, with notes historical, antiquarian and descriptive

viii Preface.
the meaning of these so far as my information
guides me ; but in regard to explanations which
are conjectural or defective, I have, for the sake
of those who may follow me, indicated the diffi-
culties which have prevented me reaching more
satisfactory conclusions. (3) Names of which
there is certainty or reasonable probability as to
the true meaning ; and I hope that a large pro-
portion of the derivations of these names, as I
have given them, may be acceptable to Gaelic
scholars.
No formal classification of the names has
been attempted, because they are too few in
number within my limits to allow of such ar-
rangement as would be of any real value. I
have preferred to group them in their historical
associations with the landed properties in each
parish.
In the course of my reading in search of old
forms of names, 1 found that many of the local
historical sketches are either partly or wholly
untrue, or very defective ; and in noting such
facts as appeared in authentic writings, I have
endeavoured to supply material, or to indicate
where such material may be found, for a more
complete and accurate account than now exists,
of a district which, from its connection with the
Gordon Family, is full of interest in its associa-
tion with national affairs during at least four
centuries.