Place Name

Ballinlick, Perthshire, Scotland

Where the hills roll soft and the name rolls even softer off the Tongue!

Introduction:

Ballinlick. A name that makes visitors pause, grin and maybe look around for someone to confirm it’s real. But here in Perthshire, it’s just another honest place name with deep roots and a landscape that speaks for itself.

The area is full of the familiar sights of rural Scotland. Fields stretch out in long, gentle slopes, sheep wander about like they own the place, and the air carries that mix of grass, earth and weather that changes its mind every ten minutes. It’s the kind of countryside that makes you slow down without even realising.

Folk who ken the area will tell you that Ballinlick is a quiet, grounded bit of Perthshire, even if the name has caused more than a few raised eyebrows over the years.

Toponymy:

Let’s break down this name:

Ballin - Likely from the Gaelic baile, meaning farmstead, settlement or homestead. A common element in place names across Perthshire and the Highlands.

Lick - Possibly from the Gaelic leac or leacainn, meaning a slope, hillside or flat stone. It may also refer to a natural feature used by livestock.

Together they gie us Ballinlick, a name that simply means a farm or settlement by a slope or hillside, even if the modern ear hears something a wee bit different.

Historical Context:

Ballinlick has long been part of the agricultural fabric of Perthshire. The surrounding land has been worked for generations, with families tending fields, livestock and smallholdings that stretch back centuries. Old Gaelic names like this often marked practical features of the land, long before English speakers arrived to reinterpret them with a smirk.

By the 18th and 19th centuries, Ballinlick appeared on maps as a small settlement or farm area, its name printed plainly without a hint of humour. It was a place defined by the land, the slope and the work done upon it.

Today, the area remains peaceful and rural, a reminder of how Scotland’s place names carry layers of history, language and the occasional accidental comedy.

Points of Interest:

If you’re passin by, call in to one of these places for a warm welcome:

• Dunkeld - A charming village with riverside walks, a grand cathedral and plenty of Perthshire character.

• Birnam Hill - A cracking climb with wide views across the Tay and the surrounding countryside.

• The Hermitage - A beautiful woodland walk full of tall trees, waterfalls and the roar of the River Braan.

• Loch of the Lowes - A wildlife reserve known for its ospreys and peaceful lochside paths.

• Perth City Centre - A lively hub of shops, cafes and culture, perfect for a wander after a day in the countryside.

Notable Figures:

Folk with an affinity with Perthshire:

• Robert Burns - Travelled widely through Perthshire, gathering stories, songs and inspiration.

• Beatrix Potter - Spent childhood holidays in the area, sketching wildlife and dreamin up characters.

• Niel Gow - The legendary fiddler from Inver, whose tunes still echo through Scottish music.

• James Scott Skinner - Another giant of Scottish fiddle music with deep ties to the region.

• Patrick Geddes - The pioneering Scottish thinker whose ideas on nature and place resonate strongly in landscapes like this.

Conclusion:

Ballinlick is a fine example of Scotland’s ability to mix deep history with a name that makes folk smile before they even arrive. A quiet, rural corner shaped by land, language and the steady rhythm of farm life.

It’s a reminder that the best place names are often the ones that refuse to behave.

For more strange and wonderful place names, wander o'er to www.strangeplacenames.com

because every corner of these isles hides a name dafter than the last, just waitin to brighten your day.

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