David Gifford Photography

Gullberuvík

Photo: Gullberuvík

A photo above Gulberwick beach. I’ve been researching the origin of the placename Gulberwick…

Gulberwick, or rather Gullberuvík, is first mentioned in the Orkneyinga Saga, when Earl Rögnvald was forced ashore in bad weather.

The wick (vík) part means bay - there are many such placenames in Shetland. The Gulber part, from what I’ve been able to find, comes from Gullbera, which is a woman’s name. The literal translation is ‘gold bearing’.

You can find out more about the Norse origins of Shetland’s placenames on the shetland.org website.

(Zuiko OM 21mm/3.5)

[Gulberwick during Lockdown collection - Image 9 of 80]

Posted:

Image #1067