Bonar Bridge - Toponomy

Toponomy

The Scottish Gaelic word for ford is “Àth” (pronounced “Ah”). The Kyle of Sutherland had a ford here and it became called “Am Ban Àth”, “Ban” meaning 'fair', which would be "Fairford" in English.

Over time “Ban Àth” became recorded as:

• – "Bana" – on this 18th-century map as part of "Bana Ferry").
• – “Bona” – on this 1730 military map).
• – “Bonar” – on this 1744 map) as part of "Bonar Ferry".
• – "Bonar" – after the 1812 construction of the first bridge at this site.

Thus the evolution of the name reflects the evolution of the water crossing at this point: FairFord -> FairFord Ferry -> FairFord Bridge

Locals refer to the village as “Bonar”, usually dropping “Bridge”.