Gàidhlig / English
Là eadar-a-shian

Là eadar-a-shian

Posted by Edit on Thursday 13th July 2017

This week I will continue to look at words and expressions related to the weather. As is common in Scotland, this summer’s weather has so far been quite varied – hence, I am going to look at expressions that can be useful to describe changeable weather.

As we know, there is a multitude of words and expressions in the Gaelic language related to the weather. In the Fieldwork Archive, an informant from Ness, Isle of Lewis, contributes with many of these. Là eadar-a-shian is one of these meaning ‘a good day in a spell of bad weather.’ In this context (as is also confirmed in Dwelly’s dictionary), sian is a word for storms and bad weather in general as, for example, in the expression sìde nan seachd sian(tan), ‘the weather of the seven elements.’ Similarly, the expression boillseadh eadar dà fhras means a short sunny spell between showers.

The same informant also has a number of expressions that describe the approach of inclement weather. When dark clouds similar to mountain peaks appear on the horizon, one would say tha i tighinn na sgùrraidhean (‘it is coming in peaks’). A cloud formation in the shape of a tree in the southern sky was also thought to signify strong winds and rain: then one would say tha a’ chraobh aice (lit. ‘it’s tree-weather’ i.e. bad weather). Tha i tarraing oirre is another more general expression meaning that the clouds are gathering and bad weather is approaching.

Conversely, tha i a dèanamh uinneagan na bun means that there is an opening in the clouds just above the horizon when the weather improves.

Are you familiar with these expressions or with other signs of bad or changeable weather? Why not let us know below or on our Facebook or Twitter pages.
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