Firth of Forth is called Loch Keith..who was Keith?

SHUG

SHUG

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Having lived and sailed on the Firth Of Forth for decades I was surprised to find that the Firth of Forth is named "Loch Keith" in the Admiralty Tidal Atlas NP252 North Sea NW Part.
In the Forth we have the island of Inchkeith and the town of Inverkeithing but who was "Keith" and what is the history?
 
SHUG said:
Having lived and sailed on the Firth Of Forth for decades I was surprised to find that the Firth of Forth is named "Loch Keith" in the Admiralty Tidal Atlas NP252 North Sea NW Part.
In the Forth we have the island of Inchkeith and the town of Inverkeithing but who was "Keith" and what is the history?
Click to expand...

It's a corruption of Loch KeiCH, an old name reflecting the rudimentary state of sanitation in mediaeval Edinburgh.
 
Looking at pictures of the book online it looks like its a typo as it marks Inchkeith and the Isle of May. The only other name for the Forth I know of is Myrkvifjörð which is the Norse name and is mentioned in the story of Sweyn Asleifson's raid on the Isle of May or Maeyar. Looking up Inchkeith it turns out that's not named for anyone called Keith but probably from either the Brythonic word for wood or an bishop on Iona called Ceti ?
It might be worth emailing the publisher and pointing out their mistake?
 
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cryan said:
Looking at pictures of the book online it looks like its a typo as it marks Inchkeith and the Isle of May. The only other name for the Forth I know of is Myrkvifjörð which is the Norse name and is mentioned in the story of Sweyn Asleifson's raid on the Isle of May or Maeyar. Looking up Inchkeith it turns out that's not named for anyone called Keith but probably from either the Brythonic word for wood or an bishop on Iona called Ceti ?
It might be worth emailing the publisher and pointing out their mistake?
Click to expand...

I think you might be right!
Various other features like Isle of May and Bell Rock are named and the words Loch Keith
are exactly where Inchkeith is positioned.
Good bit of lateral thinking.
I have dropped an e-mail to UKHO asking for clarification.
 
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'Inch' means 'island does it not? And 'inver' means 'estuary'? So 'Keith Island' (or 'woody island' perhaps) would be 'Inchkeith', while 'Inverkeithing' would be 'the mouth of the Keithing'. Is there a river (or even perhaps just a burn) called the Keithing? Does 'Keithing' mean 'the child of Keith'?

Mike
 
Searush said:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clan_Keith
Click to expand...

Some of that account is a bit scrambled.

The Honours of Scotland (the oldest crown jewels in Europe) were indeed for a time held for safety in Dunotter Castle and were later smuggled out past the Cromwellian siege forces and secretly buried, but by definition, none of that happened after the restoration of Charles II. They are now on display in Edinburgh Castle.
 
Igot the following response from UKHO.
I can confirm after investigation that our Tides Team have provided the following response -

Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.

It is not immediately apparent why the decision was made to change the original name from Inchkeith to Loch Keith, but we agree with your findings. Therefore we will ensure that the name reverts to ‘Inchkeith‘ on the next re-print of this Tidal Stream Atlas, which is due to happen shortly.
 
SHUG said:
Igot the following response from UKHO.
I can confirm after investigation that our Tides Team have provided the following response -

Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.

It is not immediately apparent why the decision was made to change the original name from Inchkeith to Loch Keith, but we agree with your findings. Therefore we will ensure that the name reverts to ‘Inchkeith‘ on the next re-print of this Tidal Stream Atlas, which is due to happen shortly.
Click to expand...

Good result!
 
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