Dunvegan in Skye

25 Aug '08 8:41 am

Dear Moosey: Since a search for the above phrase brought me to your website, I am assuming you might know about it. I am proof-reading a book for a Scottish-born fellow who has used the phrase, "In the Northwest of Scotland there is the Hebrides (originating from the word Hebrew), and a small island off Dunvegan in Skye".I am wondering why that phrase does not say "Dunvegan ON Skye", because, as far as I know, Skye is an island on which things, people, flowers and kittens are either deposited or grow by themselves.
I love your website, love kittens, love flowers, do not have a camera, but hope to visit your website often. I also loved your "hee, hee, hee," and other delightful comments you had for the lovely gardens. Makes me want to visit. But alas. Not likely. However, if you could enlighten me in regard to the above subject, I would be grateful.
Thank you.
Nancy (nantil)

25 Aug '08 11:57 am

Hmmm... Interesting. I rang a Scottish friend, and initially she couldn't really say which she preferred. Then she thought of Skye in a similar way to the 'provinces' of Scotland - rather than it being physically an island. So one would say 'blah blah.... in Argyll, 'blah blah... in Fife'... (though Skye is not itself a province).

So her 'choice' is Dunvegan in Skye. It feels quite right to her, though she cannot come up with any deeply rooted Scottish reason!

Anyway, I hope this gives you some small help. Tell you what - it's brought back my loooovely memories of visiting there. I've gone all dreamy! Cheers, and thanks so much for the webby feedback. Please visit as much as you can!

26 Aug '08 7:23 am

Since you consulted a Scottish person, and my author is a Scottish person, I think that's a majority of two who think that this phrase is correct, legitimate and right. And they should know.
Thank you so much.I'll see if I can figure out a flower, or garden question sometime.

Dunvegan in Skye

Dunvegan in Skye

Dunvegan In Skye?

Dunvegan in Skye