Page "Hebrides" Paragraph 37

The names of the individual islands reflect their complex linguistic history.

The majority are Norse or Gaelic but the roots of several of the Hebrides may have a pre-Celtic origin and indeed the Haiboudai recorded by Ptolemy may itself be pre-Celtic.

Adomnán, the 7th century abbot of Iona, records Colonsay as Colosus and Tiree as Ethica, both of which may be pre-Celtic names.

Islay is Ptolemy's Epidion, the use of the " p " hinting at a Brythonic or Pictish tribal name, although the root is not Gaelic and of unknown origin.

The etymology of Skye is complex and may also include a pre-Celtic root.

Lewis is Ljoðhús in Old Norse and although various suggestions have been made as to a Norse meaning ( such as " song house ") the name is not of Gaelic origin and the Norse credentials are questionable.