Scotland's dying art of traditional nicknames

A Scottish tradition of giving people a family name or a nickname based on their appearance, or where they are from or who their parents are is at risk of dying out, an academic has said.

The practice has been handed down through generations in west coast Gaelic-speaking communities, and examples include Ceitidh Ruadh (Red-haired Katie) and Pàdraig Murchadh Moilean (Peter, son of Murdo of the eyebrows).

Parts of the Hebrides - Lewis, Harris and Barra - have phonebooks listing people's official names alongside their nicknames.

Iain Taylor, who lectured at Scotland's Gaelic national centre - Sabhal Mòr Ostaig - in Skye for 20 years, said English language nicknames were replacing more traditional ones.

Mr Taylor, who has written about Scottish personal names and place-names, said there was a good practical reason behind the tradition.

In the past, many families in traditional Gaelic areas adopted the name of the local clan chief.

He said this had resulted in a relatively small number of surnames.

Mr Taylor said: "In places like Scalpay and Harris there were very few first names and surnames generally used.

"So you could have 30 John Macleods.

"How do you distinguish between them all":[]}