Janetstown

[Kenn]

Why is it called that, when it is an area rather than a town and who was Janet?

[Metalattakk]

I expect it will be the same person that Lady Janet's Wood was named after. Presumably Janet Street in Thurso was named after her too.

Any more? :D

[highlander]

Also Lady Janets seat at Thurso East.

[Sporran]

This excerpt from "Thurso Then And Now" by Falconer Waters and Donald Grant sheds some light on the matter:

"In 1798, Sir John Sinclair of Ulbster built Thurso's New Town to the south and west of the Old Town with wide streets laid out on a regular grid. Today much of the original pattern of both old and new towns exists. (This is the same Sir John whose statue stands in the Square named after him). Janet Street, next to Thurso Bridge and River, was one of the earliest parts of the New Town to be developed. It received its name from Lady Janet, Sir John's mother."

[Shabbychic]

I found this interesting site about the origins and meaning of some Caithness places.

Caithness Place Names (http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://www.btinternet.com/%7Emurray.groat/Sinclair/Caithness.html)

[Kenn]

Thank you to those that have supplied the information and the additional questions. Very interesting, I knew some one would have the answer.

[Sporran]

I found this interesting site about the origins and meaning of some Caithness places.

Caithness Place Names (http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://www.btinternet.com/%7Emurray.groat/Sinclair/Caithness.html)

Thanks so much for the link, Shabbychic. That's a fascinating site! :)