Tibbie is a short or familiar Scots form of the name Isabella (as in
Tibbie Shiel’s Inn, between Loch of the Lowes and St Mary’s Loch in the
Borders). It seems to have been most popular in the 18thand early
19th century. The Scots ‘brae’ meaning a hill would fit perfectly here. A quick search did not find any examples of the name before the last few years when there are road repairs and police reports which mention it online (see below). It is not marked on modern maps, however, nor on the first Edition Ordnance Survey map at 6 inches to the mile
http://geo.nls.uk/search/mosaic/#zoom=16&lat=56.08782&lon=-3.86593&layers=000B0000000 which shows
Cowiebank, Hilton and Cowiehall (from which other local roads take their names). I assume that Tibbies Loan, nearby, is named from Tibbies Brae.
There are several ways James might find more.
First, ask people who have lived in Cowie for years if they have any ideas. Trouble is they might have lots! At least, they would know if that is what they called it when they were children, for example. Does it refer just to the road, for example, or to the slope as a whole? One problem with names like this is that people assume there must, once, have been a 'real' Tibbie and then make up tales to fit!
Second, ask the local Library or the Local Studies staff at Stirling Central Library who might have dealt with similar enquiries previously.
Finally, if anyone else has any ideas, it would be good if you could respond via the blog or by email and good, too, if James could keep us informed.YOUR NAME NEED NOT APPEAR ONLINE IF YOU POST A COMMENT ON THE BLOG.
http://www.theblendfestival.co.uk/list_of_roads_17_05_11.pdf
for current reference to Tibbies Brae, 2011 as a road; other online
resources refer to Tibbies Brae by [at] Cowiehall Rd and to 'Tibbies Brae to the
A905'. In 2008 a Fun Run “Organised by the Community Council and Cowie Colts, runners will take off from the community centre and run down Tibbies Brae towards Throsk.
They'll turn about at the road end and back up to the hall” (http://www.centralscotland.police.uk/localpolicing/falkirk_falkirk_tamfourhill.php?news_id=4319).
First Edition Ordnance Survey map at 6 inches to the mile
http://geo.nls.uk/search/mosaic/#zoom=16&lat=56.08782&lon=-3.86593&layers=000B0000000shows Cowiebank, Hilton and
Cowiehall for example but does not name Tibbie’s Brae.