Pronouncing place names can always be tricky.

Particularly in Scotland, where the names of towns and cities are often not as straight forward as they seem.

From Culzean (no, it's not Cull-zeen) to Milngavie (Mill-in-gavee isn't right either), here are some the places in Scotland that only Scots will know how to pronounce.

Read More
Read More

Ecclefechan - Let's get the obvious one out of the way, Ecclefechan is named for a "small church" in the Middle Ages dedicated to St Fechan.

It's not pronounced eck-le-fe-chan, it's actually pronounced Ek-el-feck-han

Garioch - This Aberdeenshire town's name is often pronounced Ga-ree-ock but it's actually a Doric name that's pronounced 'Geerie'.

Milngavie - Most Glaswegians will have chuckled at the various attempts of naming this town - with the usual being Mill-en-Gavie.

It's actually pronounced Mill-guy or Mull-guy if you are wanting to be extra authentic.

Culross - Outlander fans will recognise this Fife village which doubles as Cranesmuir in season one of the hit show.

Many will pronounce it as they read it - Cull-Ross but it's actually pronounced 'Coo-riss'.

Culzean Castle - the famous castle and country park in Ayrshire is known for its beautiful cliff top location.

The castle's name isn't pronounced Cull-zeen but Kull-ane.

Footdee - this old fishing village and hidden gem that's well worth a visit in Aberdeenshire is pronounced Fittie.

Islay - The island that is home to many of Scotland's top whisky distilleries (whose names are a pronunciation challenge in themselves) is popular with tourists and whisky fans who will often pronounce the name as 'Iz-Lay'.

In fact, it's pronounced 'eye-lah'.

 

Read More
 

Hawick - The name of this popular Borders town is often drawn out by people who don't know how to pronounce it, when in fact it's pronounced "Hoyk" – usually said in one go as a single syllable.

Kirkcaldy - another one that you expect might be said as it's seen, but "the lang toun" is actually pronounced as Kirk-cawdee.

Strathaven - this picturesque village in Lanarkshire is popular with visitors who are often confused by its name.

Avoid the trap of focusing on the word 'Strath' and pronounce it 'Stray-vin' like a local.

Balluchullish - found near to Glencoe, this village in Lochaber is usually murdered by non-natives and is pronounced in all kinds of ways.

It's actually pronounced 'ba-la-hool-lish'.

Drymen - Widely known due to its proximity to Loch Lomond, this place is easily pronounced wrong - it's not 'Dry-men' but 'drmin'

Ae - The village with the shortest name in the UK can be found in Dumfries and Galloway.

Don 't worry too much about trying to pronounce it - it's simply 'eh'.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pa3IpbCrnZOkv6V6wqhlrqNfqLCwwMuapZ1lnqTEcLzLmpqeq12osLDAy5qlnWWfo7m6edKcpq2rXaC7sMOMa2lxbGZmhng%3D