Strontian
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|---|---|
 Loch Sunart north side view towards the bay where Strontian lies | |
  Strontian Location within the Highland council area | |
| OS grid reference | NM8161 |
| Council area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Acharacle |
| Postcode district | PH36 4 |
| Dialling code | 01967 |
| Police | Scotland |
| Fire | Scottish |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| UK Parliament | |
| Scottish Parliament | |
Strontian (/strɒnˈtiːən/;[1] Scottish Gaelic: Sròn an t-Sìthein [s̪ɾɔːn̪ˠ ən̪ˠ ˈtʲiː.ɪn][2]) is the main village in Sunart, an area in western Lochaber, Highland, Scotland, on the A861 road. Prior to 1975 it was part of Argyllshire. It lies on the north shore of Loch Sunart, close to the head of the loch. In the hills to the north of Strontian lead was mined in the 18th century and in these mines the mineral strontianite was discovered, from which the element strontium was first isolated.
The village name in Gaelic, Sròn an t-Sìthein, translates as the nose [i.e. 'point'] of the fairy hill, meaning a knoll or low round hill inhabited by the mythological sídhe. The nearby hamlets of Anaheilt, Bellsgrove, and Upper and Lower Scotstown are now generally considered part of Strontian, with Polloch several miles away on the terminus of the road to Loch Shiel. Strontian is the location of Ardnamurchan High School, the local fire station, police station and other facilities.
- ^ G.M. Miller, BBC Pronouncing Dictionary of British Names (Oxford UP, 1971), p. 143.
- ^ Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba