Balbie
Balbie BUI S NT230886 1 395 150m EAF
(John Menteth of) Baulbe 1493 Dunf. Recs. {45}
Babee 1753 Roy sheet 17, 5
Babie 1775 Ainslie/Fife
Balbie 1828 SGF
G baile + ? G beithe
‘Birch farm or estate’? If this is the correct interpretation of the second element, it shows that the loss of th had already occurred in G before Sc became finally established in this area. This would suggest that G was spoken in the upland part of Kinghorn Wester until a relatively late period. This would then contrast with Balbedie KGL, BGY and Banbeath SCO, both of which contain beithe, and both of which retain the dental consonant, indicating that G still had this sound when the name was taken over by Sc-speakers.
The name of this estate is also found as an existing name in what was probably once the neighbouring estate of Silverbarton (Silliebalbie) BUI, which see.
According to the NSA Balbie was once the site of a small fort or castle, dismantled in about 1776. Some of its hewn stones are said to be found in neighbouring walls. A barrow or tumulus opened there c.1786 contained ‘square stones arranged as a coffin’. Other tumuli were then said to exist in the vicinity, but have now disappeared (Blyth 1948, 35).
/bɔ: bi:/
This place-name appeared in printed volume 1