How to pronounce the 20 most difficult Scottish place names

Ecchlefechan, Milngavie, Garioch... these are just some of the legendary names of towns and villages you'll find across Scotland that are often a struggle for any outsiders to say. Even applying the old rules of reading – such as sounding out the word – really won't help.

In fact, it's best to have an insider's perspective on how to say them and that's why we've picked out some of the most interesting and intriguing examples you'll find to help you not get mocked for your pronunciation.

And before we begin, even both Edinburgh and Glasgow, which are two of the easiest, are sometimes mispronounced. So, should you be planning on visiting either of these great cities, just remember it's 'Edin-bur-ra' or 'Edin-bra' not 'Ee-din-boro' and it is 'Glaz-go' not 'Glass-cow'.

Now that's sorted, here is a handy guide on how to pronounce 20 of the most difficult Scottish place names.

Note - unless stated 'Och' is pronounced as in loch.

1 . Milngavie – Not 'Mill-in-gavie', instead it's pronounced 'Mull-guy'

2. Ecclefechan – This is pronounced 'Eck-el-feck-han'

Some Scottish place names can seem confusing to outsiders. (Contributed)

3. Auchenshuggle – Pronounced 'Och (as in loch) - en - shuggle'

4. Culzean – Though it looks like it should be 'Cull-zeen' it is actually 'Kull-ane'

5. Findochty – Pronounced ' Fin-eck-tay'

6. Wemyss Bay – Not 'We-miss' Bay but instead it's 'Weems' Bay

7. Auchtermuchty – Pronounced 'Och-ter-muck-tay'

8. Freuchie – Pronounced 'Froo-kay'

9. Garioch – Not 'Garry-och' but instead it's ' Gee-ree'

10. Kilconquhar – Pronounced 'Kin-uck-ar'

11. Kirkcudbright – Pronounced 'Kirk-coo-bray'

12. Ballachulish – This is pronounced 'Ball-a-hoolish'

13. Anstruther – Known locally as 'Ainster'

14. Culross – Not 'Cull-Ross' but 'Coo-riss'

15. Footdee – This Aberdeenshire village is pronounced 'Fittie'

16. Islay – Well recognised by whisky fans, it's 'Aye-lah' not 'Iz-Lay'

17. Hawick – This Borders town is simply 'Hoy-k'

18. Kirkcaldy – It's pronounced ' Kirk-cawdee'

19. Strathaven – You don't need to draw this one out, it is simply 'Stray-ven'

20. Ae – The village with the shortest name in the UK is simply pronounced 'eh'

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