Place Name

Riven Ords, Shetland, Scotland

Whar the hills are riven wi ords!

Introduction:

Welcome tae Riven Ords, a name that sounds like it wis invented by a bard halfway through a bottle o whisky an a heated argument wi a dictionary. Folk often hear it an wonder if it’s a place, a spell, or the name o a mythical beast that lurks in the fog. Truth is, it’s a corner o Shetland whar the land looks like it’s been ripped open by giants or grumpy gods.

As ye wander the coastline, ye’ll find yersel smilin at the daftness o the name an ponderin how it came tae be. Wis it a dialect mix up? A Viking prank? A lost bet? Whatever the truth, Riven Ords is a place that invites imagination as much as exploration.

Toponymy:

A quick keek at whit the name is really sayin.

Riven - Means torn, split, or ripped apart, which suits the cliffs here perfectly. The land looks like it’s been pulled in different directions by the sea, the wind, an time itself.

Ords - Likely frae the auld Norse ord, meanin a point or headland. It hints at the jagged edges an jutting rocks that define this coastline.

Pit the twa thegither an ye get Riven Ords, a name that sounds like a tongue twister an looks like a geological tantrum.

Historical Context:

The origins o Riven Ords are as misty as a Shetland dawn. Some say it wis named efter a storm so fierce it split the sea in two. Others claim it wis a Norse miscommunication that stuck harder than barnacles on a pier. There’s even a tale that a local shepherd named it efter losin a particularly stubborn sheep that vanished intae the cliffs.

Whit’s certain is that the name has endured, passed doon through generations who kent fine that Shetland names rarely follow logic but always follow character.

Points of Interest:

Places worth a wander if ye’re in the area.

• Sumburgh Head Lighthouse - A clifftop beacon wi puffins, views, an history. A place whar the wind tells stories.

• St Ninian’s Isle - A sandy tombolo linkin land an island. A perfect spot for strolls an daydreams.

• Shetland Museum and Archives - A deep dive into the isles’ past an culture. A treasure trove for curious minds.

• Scalloway Castle - A ruin tied tae the Earls o Orkney. A dramatic backdrop for imagination.

• The Shetland Pony Sanctuary - A haven for the islands’ most adorable residents. A place whar hearts melt faster than snow in July.

Notable Figures:

Fowk wi ties tae the isles worth mentionin.

• Thomas Telford - An engineer who shaped Scotland’s roads an bridges. A mind that wid hae loved these cliffs.

• Joni Mitchell - A singer whose time in Shetland inspired her art. A voice that suits the wild landscape.

• Sir Walter Scott - A novelist drawn tae Scotland’s rugged beauty. A man who wid hae spun tales here.

• George Mackay Brown - A poet who captured the northern isles’ soul. A voice steeped in salt an story.

• David Balfour - A fictional adventurer wi Shetland spirit. A character who wid hae thrived in this wild place.

Conclusion:

If ye find yersel at Riven Ords, tak a moment tae breathe in the salt air, watch the waves crash against the torn cliffs, an enjoy the daft delight o a name that refuses tae follow sense.

For mair wonderfully strange place names, wander ower tae www.strangeplacenames.com. And mind, if the kye wander ower, they’re checkin if ye belong.

FACEBOOK - strangeplacenames

INSTAGRAM - strangeplacenames_2024