← All stories

Fact · North Uist

Pobull Fhinn is Fionn's tent

Pobull Fhinn is Fionn's tent
Photo Julian Paren, CC BY-SA 2.0

The stone circle above Loch Langais on North Uist is called Pobull Fhinn, usually translated as Fionn's people. It may really be Pùball Fhinn, Fionn's tent, the camp of the giant hero of Gaelic legend.

Pobull Fhinn stands on the slope above Loch Langais, near the chambered cairn of Barpa Langais. The stones are named for Fionn mac Cumhaill, the giant hero of the Fenian cycle, Fingal to the English. The name is usually read as Fionn's people, but it may be a modern rationalisation of an older phrase, Pùball Fhinn, Fionn's tent, the wandering hero's camp. With Eabhal and Loch Euphort behind it, it is one of the most photographed places on the island.

Sources / notes: Wikipedia: Pobull Fhinn https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pobull_Fhinn Wikipedia: Barpa Langass https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barpa_Langass