Gàidhlig / English
Fuaradh Froise

Fuaradh Froise

Posted by Abi on Thursday 19th January 2017


The word fuaradh froise was collected in South Uist by A. O’ Henley from fellow Uist man Roderick O’Henley. It means a very strong wind before a rain shower which would happen most often between January and February. All of us here in Scotland are very familiar with wind like this, especially after last week.

The word fuaradh is defined in Dwelly’s Dictionary as a cold wind and the saying ‘chan eil fois no fuaradh air’ [He has no peace or ‘fuaradh’] was collected in the Isle of Skye for somebody who was fidgety. Fuaradh was also collected in Harris to mean somebody talkative who chats relentlessly – Cha deachaidh fuaradh air o thàinig sinn an seo an diugh – referring to a talkative person.’

Fuaradh-froise is also mentioned in Alexander MacDonald’s poetry, appearing in the evocative song Òran don Phrionnsa:

    Samhail an Fhaoillich a choltas,                 [A symbol of January
    Fuaradh-froise ’s fadadh-cruaidh,              A cold gust and a short rainbow
    Lann thana na làimh gu cosgairt,               A thin blade of slaughter in your hand
    Sgoltadh chorp mar choirc’ air cluain.       Splitting bodies like oats in a field.]

In this song MacDonald uses ‘fuaradh-froise 's fadadh-cruaidh’ as symbols that the winter and bad weather is on its way, as well as a big battle.

Do you have any sayings or words for something that means bad weather is on the way? We would be very happy to hear from you. You may leave comments in any of our blogs and we also have pages on Facebook and Twitter.


 
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