You might not believe that some of these are real.
20:00, 11 Feb 2026
Butts Wynd is one of many places in Scotland with hilarious names(Image: Zach Zimet / Getty Images)
Scotland is known for many things, but few are as iconic as our colourful language. Whether you have been told off in Scots or are a fan of the many inspirational sayings that people across the country have spoken for generations, you will have likely have come across the country’s unique way with words in one form or another.
While many Scottish insults and expressions are well known, one thing that you might not be aware of is just how many unusual and hilarious place names there are in Scotland. From streets to villages to coastal regions, there are destinations all around the country with names that you could easily be fooled into thinking are fake.
The Daily Record has rounded up some of the places in Scotland with the funniest names, with locals and tourists alike often journeying to them simply to snap a photo for social media. While there are simply too many places with humorous names to include, from Dick Place in Edinburgh to Assloss Road in Kilmarnock, these are definitely some of the best.
Read on for six of the funniest and most unusual place names in Scotland, as well as their often-fascinating origins and meanings. Let us know your favourite funny, rude, or bizarre Scottish street or place names in the comments below if we missed them!
Lost, Aberdeenshire
Imagine driving around the Aberdeenshire countryside with no idea where you are, and then coming across a sign that reads ‘Lost’. While it is a funny scenario to think about, you can bet that it has happened more than a few times as Lost is in fact a hamlet around 40 miles west of Aberdeen.
The name comes from an Anglicised version of the Gaelic phrase ‘taigh-osta’, meaning ‘inn’ or ‘hotel’. The road sign for the hamlet has been stolen many times over the years by those who find it humorous, with the local council being forced to replace it.
Butt of Lewis, Isle of Lewis
The Butt of Lewis refers to most northernly point on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, near the village of Eoropie. Its name comes from the Gaelic ‘Rubha Robhanais’, with ‘Robhanais’ deriving from the Norse word ‘Rófunes’— which means ‘promontory of the tail’.
Anyone living on the island named Lewis will likely have heard their fair share of jokes at their expense. To make matters worse, the Butt of Lewis is considered among the windiest locations in the UK, with storms offering battering the headland.
Twatt, Orkney
Previously the home of the Royal Naval Air Station Twatt, this settlement on Orkney is a popular destination thanks to its rude-sounding name. Funnily enough, there is also another place with the exact same name on fellow Scottish archipelago Shetland.
The origin of the name Twatt is the Old Norse ‘þveit’, which means ‘small parcel of land’. The name indicates that it was among the first areas to be settled.
Butts Wynd, St Andrews
Located in the Fife town of St Andrews, Butts Wynd is a small street located in between its North Street and the Scores. The butt of a joke—pardon the pun—for local students and visitors alike, it is often photographed by jokesters walking past.
In reality, ‘butts’ is said to historically refer to a place where archery would have been practiced. Meanwhile, a wynd is a narrow street or alley.
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Dull, Perthshire
Dull is an unfortunately named village in Perth and Kinross that is comprised of a single street of houses along the north of the valley of the River Tay, with its name believed to be Pictish in origin. It is thought that it comes from either the word ‘dol’, which means ‘water valley’, or the Gaelic word ‘dail’ that simply means ‘meadow’.
To make things even more hilarious, the village is twinned with Boring in the United States and Bland in Australia—talk about a match made in heaven. Despite its less-than-appealing name, though, Dull is far from boring, with the nearby Highland Safaris offering a range of exciting outdoor activities.
Isle of Ewe, Ross and Cromarty
If someone asked you to head to the Isle of Ewe with them this Valentine’s Day, you might at first take offence. However, despite its humorous title, the Isle of Ewe is anything but disgusting—offering spectacular coastal views in every direction.
The exact origins of the island’s name are not fully understood, but there are two leading theories. Some believe it is derived from the Old Irish word ‘eo’, meaning ‘yew tree’, while others think it comes from the Gaelic ‘eubh’—meaning ‘echo’.
