Smithton, Highland

Smithton Scottish Gaelic: Baile a' Ghobhainn
Smithton Location within the Inverness area
Population	2,090 (2020)[1]
OS grid reference	NH713455
Council area	Highland
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	Inverness
Postcode district	IV2 7
Police	Scotland
Fire	Scottish
Ambulance	Scottish
List of places UK Scotland 57°28′55″N 4°08′49″W / 57.482°N 4.147°W / 57.482; -4.147

Smithton (Gaelic: Baile a' Ghobhainn^[2]) is a residential area on the eastern outskirts of the city of Inverness, in the Highland council area of Scotland. It is located about 5 km east of the city centre, to the north-east of Westhill, and to the south-west of Culloden. The rough borders of Smithton are formed by a railway line and Culloden woods.

Etymology

The Scottish Gaelic name of the area is Baile a' Ghobhainn where the wordbaile translates to "town" or "village," and the second word “Ghobhainn” translates to blacksmith or smith. ^[3] Thus, the name is literally interpreted as "Village of the Blacksmith" or "Smith's Town." The name indicates that the area was historically linked to a forge or workshop providing services to the surrounding agricultural communities.

History

It is traditionally seen as a working class area due to the large number of former council housing. In recent years, housing development has expanded in Smithton. New developments are often marketed under alternative addresses or names associated with nearby areas rather than using the 'Smithton' designation.

References

1. "Population estimates for settlements and localities in Scotland: mid-2020". National Records of Scotland. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
2. Maclean, Roddy (2004). The Gaelic Place Names and Heritage of Inverness. Inverness: Culcabock Publishing. p. 87. ISBN 978-0-9548925-0-0.
3. "LearnGaelic - Dictionary". learngaelic.scot. Retrieved 27 September 2025.