Lost, Aberdeenshire facts for kids
Lost (called Lòsda in Scottish Gaelic) is a tiny place in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It's so small that it's called a hamlet, which means it's even smaller than a village! Fewer than 24 people live there. Lost is about 40 miles (64 km) west of Aberdeen, nestled in the beautiful Cairngorm mountains. It's close to a village called Bellabeg, where the Water of Nochty river flows into the River Don. Even though it's tiny, the people of Lost are known for being strong and honorable.
The Story Behind the Name
The name "Lost" might sound a bit funny for a place! It actually comes from an old Scottish Gaelic word for an inn. An inn was a place where travelers could stay, like a hotel or guesthouse. The Gaelic word was taigh òsda. So, the name "Lost" reminds us of a time when there might have been an inn there.
Today, Lost is a quiet place with just a few houses, a farm, and a special memorial to remember soldiers from the area.
Why is Lost So Famous?
Lost has become quite famous because of its unusual name. It often appears on lists of the world's most unique place names! This has led to a bit of a problem: people sometimes steal the street signs that say "Lost." Each sign costs about £100 to replace, which is quite a lot of money for the local council.
To try and stop the thefts, the Aberdeenshire Council (the local government group) thought about changing the hamlet's name to "Lost Farm." However, the people living in Lost really didn't like this idea! They wanted to keep their original name. Because of their strong feelings, the council decided not to change the name. Instead, they put up new signs that were welded (strongly attached) to their posts, making them much harder to steal. This way, the unique name of Lost can stay, and hopefully, the signs will too!
