Place-names Workshop with Dr Eila Williamson

Are you fascinated by the history and meaning behind place-names? Join our free Place-names Workshop to discover the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of the Tweed area with Dr. Eila Williamson! This first workshop is based around the place-names of the Lower Tweed area, hosted in Paxton House.

What You’ll Gain:

• Discover how local place-names were shaped by different languages.
• Discover key place-name elements linked to the sub-projects of Uncovering the Tweed such as crossing points, medieval settlements and industry.
• Get hands-on experience with essential online tools, maps, estate plans, and historical records.
• Develop the skills to conduct your own place-name research and interpretation.

Workshop Highlights:

• Learn the importance of place-names for understanding the local landscape and history.
• Examine practical examples from the Berwickshire Place-Name Project linked to Uncovering the Tweed themes.
• Activities including map searches, resource exploration and discussion.

Whether you’re part of the Uncovering the Tweed project or just passionate about local history, this workshop will equip you with the knowledge and tools to explore the rich tapestry of place-names in the area.

Dr Eila Williamson is currently a Research Affiliate in the School of Humanities at the University of Glasgow. She was Research Fellow on the ‘Recovering the Earliest English Language in Scotland: evidence from place-names’ project, funded by the Leverhulme Trust, which focused on Berwickshire place-names, and is a co-author of the forthcoming book, The Place-Names of Berwickshire vol. 1: The Border Parishes.