Context
Baile nan Cailleach, or Nunton, now refers to the settlement associated with Cladh Mhuire. According to the OS Name Books (OS1/18/10/28): ‘This name is applied to [a] farm house, two stories high with outstanding offices one [storey] high, all slated and in good repair Situated between the districts of Balivanich and Griminish, on the west side [of] Benbecula Isd Proprietor Capt. Gordon-’.
See Cladh Mhuire for the full discussion of this name.
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Grid reference: NF766535
Meaning
Baile nan Cailleach: G baile ‘a town, settlement’ + G cailleach ‘an old lady, woman (nun)’
Nunton: Sc nun + Sc toun ‘a town’
(‘The Nuns’ Settlement’)
Early forms
1573 Ballienamgalleath
1574 Baillienangalleach
1654 Blaeu Ballinnagallach
1703 Martin Bael-nin-Killach
1708 Moll Nustown
1715 Mount & Page Nustown
1726 Moll Nustown
1789 Ainslie Balinincailach
1790 Campbell Balinincailach
1794 Huddart Balinincailach
1807 Arrowsmith Nunton
1832 Thomson Nunton
OS 6-inch Nunton


