You probably aren't worried about proper pronunciation unless you are visiting Lanark, or Vienna; but we'll review, just in case.
Say: La' nark, with the "a" as in act or bat
Say: Vi' enna, with the "i" pronounced "eye." If you are in South Dakota, you'll see furrowed brows if you pronounce it like the city in Austria. This ain't Austria.
The McLarens in Lanark were close to, and married several members of the McIlquaham family. Like many Celtic words, there is no way you can pull the pronunciation of "McIlquaham" from the spelling. It is pronounced: Mac' il-whalm. Cousin David James McLaren smiled and shrugged when he explained - that's just the way it is.
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Updated March 28, 2021
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