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BlarmacfoldachBlarmacfoldach (or Blar mac Faoltaich) is a small crofting settlement in Scotland, in the Mamore Hills between Fort William and Kinlochleven. 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. Blar typically refers to a field, often a battlefield, whereas the faoltaich are the cold early months of the year, corresponding to January in modern Gaelic. Blar mac Faoltaich is one of the 'four blars' in the area, comprising Blar mac Faoltaich, Blar A'Chaorainn, Blar nan Cleireach, and Blar Mac Droighnigh (also spelt Mac Droighneach, Mac Druineach, and nan Druineach, and meaning the field of the wise men). The river Cochnis (Coch Innis) which originates in Lochan Lnn d Bhr, and passes through Blar Mac Faoilteach, was the source of hydro-electric power for the first electric street lighting in Scotland, in nearby Fort William high street. The West Highland Way passes through the clachan near one of its two endpoints. Blar Mac Faoilteach was known locally as one of the last places to celebrate the old Highland New Year on January 12th.
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