Scottish Place-Name Society Spring Conference 2026

 Celebrating a Century of Celtic Place-Name Scholarship in Inverness

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The Scottish Place-Name Society (SPNS) invites scholars, students, and enthusiasts of Scottish toponymy to a landmark event: the Spring Conference 2026, marking the centenary of W.J. Watson's monumental work, The History of the Celtic Place-names of Scotland.

📅 Saturday, 2 May 2026 | 10:30 AM

📍 Cultarlann Inbhir Nis (Inverness Gaelic Centre), Academy Street, Inverness

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A Centenary Celebration

2026 marks 100 years since the publication of William J. Watson's groundbreaking study, The History of the Celtic Place-names of Scotland (1926) - a work that remains the foundational text for Scottish toponymic research. Watson's meticulous etymological analysis of Gaelic, Pictish, Brittonic, and Norse place-names across Scotland transformed the field and continues to guide researchers today.

This special conference honors Watson's legacy while exploring how contemporary place-name scholarship builds upon and extends his pioneering work.

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Conference Programme

The Spring Conference features presentations by six distinguished speakers, each addressing different aspects of Scottish place-name studies: Roddy Maclean, Robbie Black, Jacob King, Nevis Hulme, Peadar Morgan, Sarah Hobbs. The programme will explore themes ranging from Celtic place-name etymology and historical linguistics to contemporary place-name research methodologies and community engagement with toponymic heritage.

(Detailed abstracts and session titles will be available via the SPNS website)

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Optional Place-Name Walk: Following in Watson's Footsteps

Sunday, 3 May 2026 | Starting 11:00 AM

Conference attendees are invited to join an optional place-name walk through Inverness, exploring the toponymic landscape of the Highland capital.

Highlights:

• Starting point: Town House, Inverness
• Route: A guided walk through historically significant sites
• Conclusion: Watson's grave at Tomnahurich (the "Hill of the Fairies")

This poignant walk allows participants to:

• Examine Inverness place-names in situ
• Discuss local toponymic features with expert guides
• Pay respects at the final resting place of W.J. Watson himself at Tomnahurich Cemetery

The walk offers a fitting tribute to Watson, combining scholarly exploration with personal connection to the man whose work shaped the field.

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📅 Saturday, 2 May 2026 | 10:30 AM
📍 Cultarlann Inbhir Nis, Inverness
🌐 Registration: https://spns.org.uk/

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Tha fàilte oirbh uile! (You are all welcome!)