🏞️ SPNS Autumn Conference 2025: Exploring Scotland’s Place-Names

 The Scottish Place-Name Society (SPNS) invites all to join its upcoming Autumn Conference, scheduled for 8 November 2025 – and this year, it's going fully online via Zoom, making it more accessible than ever.

This annual gathering is a key event for anyone passionate about Scotland’s rich toponymic heritage. Scholars, local historians, linguists, and place-name enthusiasts are encouraged to mark their calendars for a day of engaging talks and shared insights into the history, language, and culture embedded in Scottish place-names.

📣 Call for Papers

In keeping with its mission to promote the study of Scotland’s place-names, SPNS is currently accepting proposals for presentations. Contributions may focus on any aspect of Scottish toponymy and should be 30 minutes in total (including Q&A).

If you have a research project, case study, or discovery related to Scottish place-names, the committee invites you to submit an abstract or brief summary to conference@spns.org.uk no later than 31 August 2025. Notification of acceptance will be sent after 3 September 2025.

Stay tuned for further details regarding registration and the conference programme, which will be announced in due course on the official SPNS website.

➡️ Feel free to share this announcement with colleagues, students, and place-name aficionados across the globe!

Discover the Hidden Stories Behind Cathcart’s Place Names!

 Have you ever wondered why the place where you live is called what it is? How did it get its name, and has it ever been called something else? If you’re fascinated by the history behind place names, then mark your calendar for an insightful evening on the placenames of Cathcart Parish!

This free event, hosted by Langside Community Heritage, will take place at Finn’s Place, Langside Church, Glasgow, on Thursday, 20th March at 7:30 PM. The talk will be led by Dr. Alasdair Whyte, a researcher at the University of Glasgow, specializing in Gaelic place names and historical toponymy.

What to Expect at the Event?

• A deep dive into the Gaelic origins of place names in Cathcart Parish and surrounding areas.
• Insights into historical forms of local place names and how they have evolved over time.
• An introduction to Dr. Whyte’s extensive research, including his latest work, Glasgow’s Gaelic Place-Names (Brìlin, 2024).
• A chance to engage with experts and fellow history enthusiasts in a lively discussion about local heritage and linguistic history.

Why Attend?

This is a unique opportunity for Glasgow residents, history buffs, and linguistics enthusiasts to explore the rich cultural and historical significance of local place names. Understanding these names gives us a deeper connection to our surroundings and local history.

How to Join?

• Free tickets are available online! Secure your spot now by visiting: Eventbrite Link.
• Simply show up at Finn’s Place, Langside Church, at 7:30 PM on March 20th to enjoy an enlightening evening!

This is an event you won’t want to miss - discover the fascinating stories behind the places you call home! 🏡📜

Scottish Place-Name Society’s Autumn 2021 conference

 link

Scottish Place-Name Society
Comann Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba

AUTUMN CONFERENCE

Saturday, 6th November 2021
Online – via Zoom

Following the success of the Autumn 2020 and Spring 2021 online conferences, and the continuous uncertainty around the Coronavirus pandemic, the Scottish Place-Name Society’s Autumn 2021 conference will once again take place online (via Zoom).

The conference is free to attend for registered members of the Scottish Place-Name Society. Becoming a member is easy and affordable – it costs £6 a year or £15 for 3 years. For more information on how to join, please CLICK HERE. Members can book tickets on Eventbrite through the link below.

We look forward to seeing you at the conference!

Please click HERE to visit Eventbrite and book a ticket.

CONFERENCE PLAN

10:00 – 10:10	Welcome Alan Macniven
	SESSION 1 Chair – Eilidh Scammell
10:10 – 10:40	Ceathramhan land holdings in the Cree and Minnoch Valleys Michael Ansell
10:40 – 11:10	Sundaywell. The field and feature names of an upland farm in Glenesslin, Dunscore parish, Dumfriesshire. Henry Gough-Cooper
11:10 – 11:30	Break
	SESSION 2 Chair – Sofia Evemalm
11:30 – 12:00	Settlement-Names in the Glenkens Area of Kirkcudbrightshire Thomas Clancy, University of Glasgow
12:00 – 12:30	Iona, Place-Names and the Replication of Sacred Spaces Gilbert Márkus, University of Glasgow
12:30 – 14:00	Lunch
	SESSION 3 Chair – Carole Hough
14:00 – 14:30	Early Medieval Kirkmadrine: Fènechas Influence in Placename Origination Joanne W. Machin, Orkney Archaeological Institute UHI
14:30 – 15:00	The Character of Borgue field-names Nic Coombey
15:00 – 15:30	Taking the high road: contextualising the place names of older agriculture and marker trees Archie McConnel, Dumfries Archival Mapping Project
15:30 – 15:40	Summing up & Fin Alan Macniven