User talk:Ben MacDui/Archive 13

dmy
I'm mystified. Fetlar uses dmy dates throughout (and is a British location article  too). If someone adds a date (not in a quote) that is mdy it would need changing. Rich Farmbrough, 13:31, 8 January 2011 (UTC).

OK and thanks. I have dropped a note at Category talk:Use dmy dates. Ben  Mac  Dui  13:39, 8 January 2011 (UTC)


 * It's not saying that they shouldn't use dmy. It's saying that they do use dmy and hence should continue to use dmy. Rich Farmbrough, 13:57, 8 January 2011 (UTC).


 * Yea - I got that. Ben   Mac  Dui  14:01, 8 January 2011 (UTC)

Outstanding long-term project
Thank-you! Sometime this year I am expecting my evil eye to alight once again on the Inner Hebrides, although for some reason I have become distracted whilst researching the early history... Ben  Mac  Dui  08:59, 10 January 2011 (UTC)

Vertabrate, vertebrate
Let's Call the Whole Thing Off. :) John Hendo (talk) 09:23, 11 January 2011 (UTC)
 * Give Me One Reason. :( Ben   Mac  Dui  09:34, 11 January 2011 (UTC)

Re: Milestone
Thank you. Thank you. :) --User:Woohookitty Disamming fool! 16:20, 11 January 2011 (UTC)

Naming conventions (geographic names) / Country subdivisions
Can you have a look at Wikipedia_talk:Naming_conventions_(geographic_names) ? I think the section in the convention in fact refers to all kinds of country subdivisions, not only administrative ones. TopoChecker (talk) 17:17, 15 January 2011 (UTC)

Ormsaigmore
Hi there. I was doing a bit of snooping and noticed one of your edits concerning a place called Ormsaigmore. Whilst searching I came across this. I don't know if it's enough to create an article but it does seem to exist. Cheers. John Hendo (talk) 21:38, 18 January 2011 (UTC)


 * Yes, it would seem to be a farm. Lots of things exist that fail notability guidelines. There have been several discussions e.g. Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Scotland/Archive 4, but there seem to be very few editors active in Highland geography and the volume of non-notable stubs seems never ending. I managed a semi-clean up of Morven and Lochaber a while ago but it is a thankless task. See also WP:NOT. Cheers, Ben   Mac  Dui  09:27, 19 January 2011 (UTC)


 * If I had bothered to look a little closer and noticed the Kilchoan Post Office sign I wouldn't have bothered you. Cheers. John Hendo (talk) 12:18, 19 January 2011 (UTC)

William the Lion
What on earth are you doing? Why did you close the move discussion with no explanation? Deb (talk) 14:57, 23 January 2011 (UTC)
 * He didn't close the discussion. The nominator withdrew it. Deacon of Pndapetzim ( Talk ) 15:19, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

Do you have a voice of your own, or does Deacon speak for you? Deb (talk) 15:28, 23 January 2011 (UTC)
 * Pardon my lack of availability. I had popped out to see if I could get a life, but the prospects were bleak so here I am again. The Deacon is quite right, as I am sure you can see for yourself. Perhaps there is a statement of some kind lurking behind your questions. As I said in a note to one or two other contributors, there may be grumbles about the "wrong version", but an RM will presumably sort the issue out. Ben   Mac  Dui  15:50, 23 January 2011 (UTC)
 * It wasn't impatience, it was frustration with the third party. I appreciate that you believe moving the article was the correct thing to do, but I haven't had any note from you, though I was clearly involved in the discussion, and I have a suspicion that you haven't fully appreciated the history of what happened.  Deacon made what he described as a "bold" move without consensus; yet, when GoodDay attempted an equally bold revert, you were called in to reverse it.  I don't see the reasoning behind your action and I would like to hear it. Deb (talk) 15:57, 23 January 2011 (UTC)
 * You are conflating different WP:BRD cycles. The page has been at William the Lion for four months. GoodDay moved it, fine. When I moved it back that should have been it until an RM was launched (and indeed that would have been it were it not for PatG's attempts to force it). Regards, Deacon of Pndapetzim ( Talk ) 16:04, 23 January 2011 (UTC)
 * Settle down young man - you are surely fueling Deb's concerns that I am incapable of independent thought. To reply:
 * Whether or not the Deacon's chronometers are accurate to the nearest month or two, it was clear that his move seemed to court no controversy at the time.
 * Whether or not GoodDay was aware of what he was doing, it is clear that that later move resulted in controversy and the potential for an unnecessary "move war".
 * I dropped a note to everyone who had been directly involved in the moves, but not everyone who had had something to say at the talk page.
 * I am not sure what you mean by "called in". These things show up on logs and I dropped by as a non-involved party to see what was going on. Ben   Mac  Dui  16:29, 23 January 2011 (UTC)
 * That's good to know. And naturally you would take an interest in an article with a Scottish flavour - I didn't mean to suggest otherwise. Deb (talk) 17:00, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

Stein (formely Lochbay)
Hi Ben, I see the LochBay has been redirected again. It must appear on Google as Lochbay, but it's actually Stein from Vclaw investigation (I saw it) into it being renamed. I'm glad the Stein article does it justice, now it's no longer a hamlet, it's a sizable village with all the houses at the side of the hill (the 55 I counted on street view). scope_creep (talk) 15:57, 23 Jan 2011 (UTC)
 * It's a great little place. Ben   Mac  Dui  16:14, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

Digg,Skye
Hi Ben, I see you redirected Digg in Skye, to Brogaig. Digg has 3 times as many houses as Brogaig, and a large landmass, by comparison than Brogaig, although they are all crofting township. I want it reverted, if I fix the article name, or a third opinion. scope_creep (talk) 17:37, 23 Jan 2011 (UTC)


 * Brogaig has a PO, but if you are right I would take the view that Brogaig should be redirected to Digg - or better still, both of them to Staffin. I think it is clear we disagree on what constitutes notability and think it would be helpful to try and find some sort of consensus. I will drop a note at WT:SCO in the hope of resolving this issue with a wider audience. Cheers, Ben   Mac  Dui  09:12, 24 January 2011 (UTC)


 * Thanks Ben. It's think it's mad that places that are bigger than other communities that are situated close to them and the smaller community has a full Wikipedia article, and the bigger places does not, particularly cogent if the bigger place has an entry in the Scottish Gazzeteer. scope_creep (talk) 22:37, 29 Jan 2011 (UTC

Skye
Can you identify the settlements then in Lochalsh which are in Category:Populated places in Skye and Lochalsh and place them in Category:Populated places in Lochalsh and I will request an AWBer to recat simply as Category:Populated places in SKye.♦  Dr. Blofeld  16:40, 30 January 2011 (UTC)
 * Anything that was in Category:Villages in Skye was, by definition not in Lochalsh. According to the Google maps facility I just added to Category:Populated places in Skye and Lochalsh they are all on Skye. You would find this facility useful for the other areas of Highland. I would be happy to help but I would much rather there was a clear and agreed system in place first. Ben   Mac  Dui  16:45, 30 January 2011 (UTC)

I'll ask somebody to rename it to Populated places in Skye. Sorry I was going by the district names. ♦ Dr. Blofeld  16:46, 30 January 2011 (UTC) Done. ♦ Dr. Blofeld  18:10, 30 January 2011 (UTC)

I've also requested pin map locators of Skye and if possible other sub areas of the Highlands. The region is so big I think even more defined maps would be good. At least for Skye anyway. ♦ Dr. Blofeld  18:35, 30 January 2011 (UTC)

Aberchalder is in where?♦ Dr. Blofeld  20:47, 1 February 2011 (UTC)

And Ratagan?♦ Dr. Blofeld  20:59, 1 February 2011 (UTC)
 * Lochalsh. Ben   Mac  Dui  09:19, 2 February 2011 (UTC)

I've filed a request for an Isle of Skye pin map and also one for the districts of Highland. Nilfanion however mentioned the wards which have existed since 2007. Can you discuss it with Nilfanion which divisional maps we could do with? I just think the Highland region is so large is would be good to have sub locator maps. A window locator will show where in Scotland it is anyway.Blofeld Dr. (talk) 00:15, 2 February 2011 (UTC)

Scotch


Deb (talk) has bought you a whisky! Sharing a whisky is a great way to bond with other editors after a day of hard work. Spread the WikiLove by buying someone else a whisky, whether it be someone with whom you have collaborated or had disagreements. Enjoy!

Spread the good cheer and camaraderie by adding to their talk page with a friendly message. Message received at 12:57, 31 January 2011 (UTC) Deb (talk) 12:57, 31 January 2011 (UTC)

Sláinte! Ben  Mac  Dui  20:53, 1 February 2011 (UTC)


 * Was it a single malt? Jamesinderbyshire (talk) 21:01, 1 February 2011 (UTC)
 * No matter - I will drink anything except the inferior Ben Nevis.  Ben   Mac  Dui  09:23, 2 February 2011 (UTC)
 * Oh right, haven't seen that before - must taste of tourist mixed with left-behind mountain gear presumably. Jamesinderbyshire (talk) 09:49, 2 February 2011 (UTC)
 * Indeed - although sadly, so do I! Ben   Mac  Dui  19:34, 2 February 2011 (UTC)
 * LOL! Where in the Big Country does one make one's abode? Jamesinderbyshire (talk) 19:40, 2 February 2011 (UTC)

Nomination for deletion of Template:Scottish Placenames
Template:Scottish Placenames has been nominated for deletion. You are invited to comment on the discussion at the template's entry on the Templates for discussion page. — This, that, and the other (talk) 09:50, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

Stenscholl island
Eighteen months ago you redirected Stenscholl to Staffin saying the former was "non notable". I rather agree the article did not establish much at all but Stenscholl itself seems to have rather a lot to say for itself and Stenscholl Island has now hit the headlines as it is right now in the top ten most read web pages on news.bbc.co.uk (UK-wide)! Stenscholl Island is marked "Staffin Island" on the OS map and locals regard its "correct" name as Fladdaidh. To learn more try this search and broaden it as much as you can face. I feel to bundle some of this into Staffin which at present, unsatisfactorily, does not even mention "Stenscholl". However, Stenscholl could be resurrected or even Stenscholl Island created. What do you think? Thincat (talk) 20:48, 11 February 2011 (UTC)


 * Thanks for the heads-up. I can't see any reason to resurrect Stenscholl myself, although its existence could easily be added to Staffin. The use of "Stenscholl Island" would appear to be entirely confined to staffin.net, with Haswell-Smith and the OS using Staffin Island. "Fladdaidh" and variants is a a very common Norse/Gaelic island name - see Flodday (disambiguation). Here is a suggested "to do" list.
 * update Staffin to include mention of Stenscholl etc. as places plus this latest hullabaloo.
 * create Staffin Island
 * make Stenscholl Island a redirect to Staffin Island unless and until any more evidence of the former naming appears.
 * add a reference to Staffin Island at Flodday (disambiguation).
 * I'll start at the bottom and work up.... Ben   Mac  Dui  10:52, 12 February 2011 (UTC) PS Mac an Tàilleir is also clear that the Gaelic name is Eilean Stafainn.
 * Thank you for taking all this up. We stayed in a holiday cottage in Staffin a few years ago and I remember seeing sheep on the island and wondering how they got there. The island is near Staffin rather than Stenscholl but as for its name I don't know. I would have said Staffin because that is what is on the map.
 * You are very welcome - and I suspect the sheep are taken by boat. Ben   Mac  Dui  16:16, 12 February 2011 (UTC)

Somerled
Hi, could you provide a warning to Stcfl star, for the blatant vandalism to Somerled, which I have undone. Regards Newm30 (talk) 05:00, 16 February 2011 (UTC)
 * Ben, dont worry he has been blocked indefinately. Regards Newm30 (talk) 05:31, 16 February 2011 (UTC)

Scots law
Hi there, O mountainous one - just dropping a query by a handful of prominent Scottish editors (you, Mais oui! and MacRusgail, to be precise) to see if you can help solve a naming problem... I understand that is at that name because it's officially Scots rather than Scottish - but the subcategories seem to be a mix & match of the two demonyms ( but, for instance). Is there a reason for this or does it need to be made uniform with one name of the other? Grutness...wha?  08:08, 16 February 2011 (UTC)


 * Thank-you for your question, O peninsular one. I do not know for sure and I think User:MO! is likely to have a more knowledgeable view, but I think it is more properly "Scots law". The description "Scottish law" will be valid in some some circumstances, just as we can talk of "French law" or "Candanian law" even if that is not the correct title in that country. Ben   Mac  Dui  08:57, 17 February 2011 (UTC)

Skye and Caithness
Hi. I'm back! I've created the pin maps see Blaven and Ackergill Tower. I now need your help to add them to infobox for things like mountains, churches etc. Hopefully WOSlinker can take care of the settlements. I see there are still 100 odd villages left in the Highland category needing sorting..♦ Dr. Blofeld  20:26, 19 February 2011 (UTC)


 * Ah ken and good news of course.
 * What help do you need?
 * Suggest fixing Strathspey and Easter Ross first and then hopefully there is some mechanical way of moving the rest into Inverness. Ben   Mac  Dui  08:13, 20 February 2011 (UTC)

I've reduced villages in highland down to about 25 now. I'll do the rest later.♦ Dr. Blofeld  17:44, 20 February 2011 (UTC)
 * I see it's done. Ben   Mac  Dui  18:28, 20 February 2011 (UTC)

Phew! Gradually I start expanding them. The ones which can't be expanded much I think we should create a list and decide what to do with them at a later date...♦ Dr. Blofeld  19:08, 20 February 2011 (UTC)


 * OK. I'm going to make a few suggestions at WT:SCO and see if we can get a few people watching them all now they are in bite-sized cats. Ben   Mac  Dui  19:15, 20 February 2011 (UTC)

I think there are two hamlets named Achnahannet. One is in Ross shire I think. Some detective work indicates at least one village is located on a lake. It would seem there is a hamlet named Achnahannet on Loch Ness also, which would seem to be Inverness shire, there could be three.... I'm picking up quite a few hits but I've only added info I'm certain it about the old Morayshire hamlet at the moment.

Yep there is another Achnahannet, located on the north-west shore of the Loch Ness, south of Drumnadrochit. That would surely be Inverness shire though?♦ Dr. Blofeld  19:54, 20 February 2011 (UTC)
 * It is indeed. As noted in a similar discussion elsewhere recently, please bear in mind Category:Highland Estates that might fit "settlements" of this kind. Ben   Mac  Dui  18:46, 21 February 2011 (UTC)

Started WikiProject Scotland/Problematic Highland settlements.♦ Dr. Blofeld  21:20, 20 February 2011 (UTC)

Please check Avielochan for inaccuracies. I can't work out if there are 3 sets of cairns or just one.♦ Dr. Blofeld  22:13, 20 February 2011 (UTC)

Talisker, Skye
Many thanks for the additions to the above article. I am particularly grateful as I have no knowledge of how to embed pictures etc. Unfortunately the map shows Carbost, site of the Talisker distillery, rather than Talisker itself (5 miles away on the other side of the peninsula). I will remove the map for the time being, but any help with addition of a correct map would be greatly appreciated! Also I have found a lovely panoramic picture of the bay at Wikimedia Commons (File:Talisker bay.jpg); is there any chance you could help with adding that? With best wishes, 45ossington (talk) 19:31, 22 February 2011 (UTC)

Oh - and there are pictures of Preshal More - eg File:Preshal More - geograph.org.uk - 265031.jpg; I guess one could overload the article... Thanks again. 45ossington (talk) 19:35, 22 February 2011 (UTC)

Canna
Hi MacDui, I'm trying to find a way to get no:Canna up to GA status, for no other reason than that I am intrigued by the recent history of the island & I think it could deserve some more attention in Norway too. In order to do so I need some better sources than those I currently have - mainly recent news-articles and such (pretty much those quoted in the English version. I'm not really prepared to go buy any stuff, and using the local libraries means waiting far too long (I'm a bit to impatient, I know, but that's the way it is). So, do you have any suggestions for online accessible sources? I'm mainly interested in finding something more reliable on the history section - like what actually happened (when) to the nunnery, which clans owned the island when and who were the owners after clanranald to John Lorne Campbell bought it? Are there demographic statistics like the ones you made for Rùm for Canna too in Rixson? Any help&suggestions you could offer much appreciated. Best regards, Finn Rindahl (talk) 20:33, 24 February 2011 (UTC)


 * I have a few bits and pieces which I will retrieve asap - bit pushed for time right now. Ben   Mac  Dui  15:19, 26 February 2011 (UTC)
 * Done - I haven't answered all of the above, but if you have any specific queries drop a note on the article talk page. Rixson has a page on the Norse-influenced cross I could email you if you are interested. Ben   Mac  Dui  20:06, 26 February 2011 (UTC)
 * Thank you very much, that was even more than I hoped for - also now correcting/qualifying some false claims in the current Norwegian version (re Lordship of the Isles, the nunnery and more). The population figures for 1961 and 1981 are surely for Canna&Sanday - that should probably be indicated in a note or something. I'm sending you an e-mail re that Norse-influenced cross. Again, thank you! Finn Rindahl (talk) 20:33, 26 February 2011 (UTC)

Ben, I think the english version is GA worthy?♦ Dr. Blofeld  14:17, 5 March 2011 (UTC)
 * It is certainly not far away. There is probably a bit more that could be put in on the Celtic crosses, the lead needs re-working, geology is inadequate, other notable buildings? and wildlife may need expanding a bit .  Ben   Mac  Dui  15:37, 5 March 2011 (UTC)
 * I left a note at the article talk page. Best regards, Finn Rindahl (talk) 18:06, 5 March 2011 (UTC)

Fergus II (son of Earc)
Ben, just noticed that Fergus II (son of Earc) appears to be the same as Fergus Mór, and should be merged into one article. Regards Newm30 (talk) 01:46, 28 February 2011 (UTC)


 * OK and thanks - I see it's been done. Ben   Mac  Dui  18:58, 28 February 2011 (UTC)

Macfies to GA
Thanks, but Celtus deserves all the credit. Yours ever, Czar Brodie (talk) 10:44, 4 March 2011 (UTC)

Problematic places
Hi, can you put this on your watchlist so you can look into the ones I add?♦ Dr. Blofeld  13:03, 5 March 2011 (UTC)
 * It is - no action needed at present I believe. Ben   Mac  Dui  13:48, 5 March 2011 (UTC)

Yes, those I had listed were only outside because Nilfanion made a slight error with the coordinates and listed the south coordinates under the north and vice versa! I've cleaned up Boat of Garten and will resume with that category shortly. Inverness maps are now in place. Only remaining now is Sutherland and of course the missing Ross and Cromarty.♦ Dr. Blofeld  14:16, 5 March 2011 (UTC)

User:Orangemodels
How 'bout blocking the account as a username violation while you're at it? 69.181.249.189 (talk) 13:08, 5 March 2011 (UTC)


 * Same for User:Taylorprestonlawyers. 69.181.249.189 (talk) 13:16, 5 March 2011 (UTC)
 * Recreated and now indef blocked. Ben   Mac  Dui  10:38, 6 March 2011 (UTC)


 * And User:IndiNext. 69.181.249.189 (talk) 13:17, 5 March 2011 (UTC)


 * And User:Armada racun. 69.181.249.189 (talk) 13:18, 5 March 2011 (UTC)


 * And User:Innovativetechnosoft. 69.181.249.189 (talk) 13:19, 5 March 2011 (UTC)


 * And User:Houstonoptical. 69.181.249.189 (talk) 13:23, 5 March 2011 (UTC)


 * And User:ColdFortyThree. Hmmm, I think I see a pattern forming here. Perhaps you should consider looking beyond just the db tag and see if there's a username violation as well. 69.181.249.189 (talk) 13:26, 5 March 2011 (UTC)


 * And User:Smsfortune. Yup, definitely evidence of a pattern forming. 69.181.249.189 (talk) 13:27, 5 March 2011 (UTC)

There is no need to list them all here. Is there any evidence that any of them have attempted to recreate a userpage or otherwise provide us with more spam? It is easy enough for a persistent spammer to get round a block by making a small change and re-creating an account. Ben  Mac  Dui  13:46, 5 March 2011 (UTC)

ye ylandes
9 - "Cumbray Dais", looks to me like "(a-)deas" meaning "south". I believe Little Cumbrae is to the south.

12 - Agree.

20 - "Fidlachaille" - probably containing "caolas" (straits) or "caol" narrow, in some form.

44 - Obviously "high" something "ard-"

52 - "Eisell" presumably a corruption of "Iosal".

69 - "Lyart" probably means "X liath", although it often refers to being wizened or lichen covered.

71 - Probably "Achadh na/an" (field of), possibly taken from a place nearby.

86 - Agree with your identification, but "dow" can also be a corruption of "dubh", black, which is where the surname comes from.

"Mekle Viridis" - Obviously some kind of "green" isle, possibly translating "glas".

112 - Proper Gaidhlig is "Ratharsair", but sometimes "Ratharsaigh" by folk etymology.

115 - Fladda-Chuain?

142 - Definitely derived from "acarsaid".

145 & 146 - wrong way round?

160 - Soay Mòr? [I see you have this listed elsewhere.]

166 - Also possibly "MacDhùghaill".

191 - Agree that the last element probably means "mountain".

--MacRusgail (talk) 20:17, 13 March 2011 (UTC)


 * OK and thanks. Ben   Mac  Dui  09:23, 14 March 2011 (UTC)


 * I mainly did this from the listed names, but I may try it with the maps, if I have time.--MacRusgail (talk) 17:47, 14 March 2011 (UTC)

Oh bother...
Someone just waltzed in and moved IPA for Scottish Gaelic to IPA for Scottish. Possibly gf but a really bad idea. Could you move it back please, I can't do that over a redirect. Cheers Akerbeltz (talk) 11:32, 18 March 2011 (UTC)


 * I see that NSH001 is an early riser and has done this already.... Ben   Mac  Dui  09:21, 19 March 2011 (UTC)

Task force
Per Tryptofish's recommendation here, which was about the discussion here, would you be interested in participating, and if so, would it be possible for you to round up some people who share your views and keep in touch with them as the task force makes recommendations? - Dank (push to talk) 21:50, 22 March 2011 (UTC)


 * Greetings, MacDui! Since your name is mentioned, you may be interested in my comments at my talkpage regarding this topic.  If my sugestion for a 'taskforce on steroids' is not the way this proceeds, I may well be interested in the task force concept in any case.  Standing by.  Hoping this finds you well and happy,  Jus  da  fax   03:23, 23 March 2011 (UTC)
 * Thanks all for your suggestions. I am well and hope you are too. I'll comment in due course. Ben   Mac  Dui  08:19, 23 March 2011 (UTC)


 * I did comment at WT:RFA but the discussion sees to have ceased - if it is active somewhere in one of the other threads just let me know.  Ben   Mac  Dui  09:53, 2 April 2011 (UTC)
 * As far as I can tell it ran out of steam. All I know at this point is that I have no interest in a fiasco of the WP:CDA type, which is why I suggested a different approach.  With a cheerful and respectful salute,  Jus  da  fax   10:41, 2 April 2011 (UTC)

Population Density
Thanks for your very recent edits to the Jura page. Re population density, I was interested to be referred to the newish Wikipedia Project page on this matter - well done for originating that! I enjoyed reading the table for some time, and was surprised to find that the density of the population of Canna was so very low (and lower than that of Jura) at 0.46 per sq.km. I then checked the area of Canna in Haswell-Smith, and found that the area given in this table (1,314 ha) was actually the total area of both Canna and Sanday together. I have corrected that table accordingly, and made the consequent amendment to the the population density. This raises the density of Canna to 0.53, 0.02 above Jura! So Jura remains the second most sparsely populated (after Rum) of all the marine islands in Scotland, apart from South Rona whose population of 2 might entitle it to be excluded on a de minimis basis! But I am quite content with your amendment to the Jura article. Regards Dhmellor (talk) 15:22, 31 March 2011 (UTC)


 * Good to hear from you and thanks for correcting the table - it could do with a few more eyes. Innis Chonan was also wrong - now fixed - but don't forget Shuna and Scalpay, although they too fall foul or your de minimis rule. Ben   Mac  Dui  18:02, 31 March 2011 (UTC)