Blarmacfoldach

Blarmacfoldach (or Blàr mac Faoltaich) is a small croftingsettlement in Scotland, in the Mamore Hills between Fort William and Kinlochleven. In past centuries, Blarmacfoldach was mainly a Clan Cameron settlement.

Historically, the area spoke Lochaber Gaelic, which had a number of distinctive features.

In the 1800s, Blarmacfoldach had a population of over 800. Reflecting the tragedy that gradually befell the Highlands as a whole, the population has gradually fallen to around 50, the last native dying in 2000. This was exacerbated by the cholera epidemic of the 1800s, when a ship in Loch Linnhe brought contaminated linen.

The Gaelic etymology of the name is not clear. "Blàr" typically refers to a field, often a battlefield, whereas the "faoltaich" are the cold early months of the year, corresponding to "January" (Faoilleach) in modern Gaelic.

Blàr mac Faoltaich is one of the 'four blars' in the area, comprising Blàr mac Faoltaich, Blàr A'Chaorainn, Blàr nan Cleireach, and Blàr Mac Droighnigh (also spelt Mac Droighneach, Mac Druineach, and nan Druineach, and meaning the field of the wise men).

The river Cìochnis (Cìoch Innis) which originates in Lochan Lùnn dàBhrà, and passes through Blàr Mac Faoilteach, was the source ofhydro-electric power for the first electric street lighting inScotland, in nearby Fort William high street.

The West Highland Way passes through the clachan near one ofits two endpoints.

Blar Mac Faoilteach was known locally as one of the last places tocelebrate the old Highland New Year on January 12th.