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(ibid 547)

In a subsequent letter he comments further on the fate of his translations:

... I found that many ... place-names which I was at so much pains and expense in collecting were entire left out ... that some names on the old maps were left unaltered in form thus lending the meaning different. I took the liberty of drawing the attention of the Dir G of the OS to these alterations and the reply was that the names were omitted to save expence that old names were left out as they were obviously incorrect and that the final mode of spelling rested with the Inspector General.

(ibid 547)

We must treat maps with caution. They reflect the society of the mapmaker and the way the landscape and its inhabitants have been interrogated. Nevertheless, over most of the Highlands, now bereft of native speakers and without further knowledge coming to light, today’s mapped record is arguably as good as it gets. This may remain true even after consulting original name books and manuscripts of earlier maps and charters. For this study, it has not been possible to substantiate the deep authenticity of the many thousands of names listed. Places mapped by OS represent a surface layer. But it is the surface layer which we use.