Hiort

Scottish Gaelic Etymology gd. Several theories exist: From gd non hirtir deer plural of non hjǫrtr, possibly referring to the island's jagged outlines resembling stags. This is supported by the mention of “Hirtir” in the 13th-century Guðmundar saga biskups Prestssaga Guðmundar Arasonar as a name for Hebridean islands.Taylor A. B. Alexander Burt Taylor 1968 The Norsemen in St. Kilda Saga-Book 17 120–123 https://www.jstor.org/stable/48613119 JSTOR/Viking Society for Northern Research 48613119 24 March 2024 From an ancient Celtic root *(h)irt (“death”), possibly referring to the dangers of living on the island rather than any mythological connection to the afterlife.Watson William J. William J. Watson 1926 The History of the Celtic Place-Names of Scotland Edinburgh and London William Blackwood and Sons 97 https://archive.org/details/historyofcelticp0000unse/page/97 From gd (na) h-iartìre (the) western land, though this etymology presents linguistic difficulties.Coates Richard Richard Coates 1990 The Place-Names of St Kilda: Nomina Hirtensia Lewiston, New York Edwin Mellen Press 0-88946-077-9 44–49 From gd Ì Àrd high island, as suggested by Rev Neil Mackenzie who lived there from 1829 to 1844.Steel Tom 1988 The Life and Death of St. Kilda London Fontana 0-00-637340-2 26–27 From gd non hirð herd, though this is more speculative.Murray W.H. W.H. Murray 1966 The Hebrides London Heinemann 196, 236 Pronunciation gd /hɪrˠʃt̪/ Proper noun gd island the largest in the St Kilda archipelago in the westernmost part of the island/Outer Hebrides cc/Scotland Hirta gd by extension gd archipelago in the westernmost part of the island/Outer Hebrides cc/Scotland St Kilda gd figurative a proverbially distant or remote place gd rach a Hiort! thalla a Hiort! get lost! go to Halifax! gd cuiridh mi a Hiort thu air muin mairt! I'll send you to St Kilda on the back of a cow! References small