DASG Blog

Faclan Ionadail airson 'Daddy-Long-Legs'

A couple of days ago I was “travelling the glens” in Glen Auchtertyre when a “Daddy-Long-legs,” or “crane-fly,” appeared in front of my face. As soon as it appeared it left and I didn’t know what to say to this wee beastie. I pondered if there were many words for it and that it would be good to to name them in a blog. Therefore, perhaps some of you are unwilling to talk about beasties and insects but we shall have a look at the names of this insect!

Starting in the Western Isles, close to the Butt of Ness, in Barvas Bodach-na-mòintich [“Old man of the Moor”] can be heard. It makes sense because the moor is an appropriate place for “the old man” here. In Crowlista and Bayble there is Murchadh na Mòinteach [“Murdo of the Moor”] in the two districts, and the most common name we have for this creature is found in Caversta; Tarbh-nathrach [“The serpent-bull”]. “Tarbh-nathrach” is what I learned first before I learned there were different names in different districts. In West Uig it is interesting to see there is another personal name used instead of “Murchadh” and that is Calum an t-Sabhail [“Calum of the Barn”] is its name. Going South to Harris there is another name similar to Calum an t-Sabhail to be found and it is Calum-Figheadair [“Weaver, Knitter-Calum”]. The people of the area must have been keen on the name and I could understand why (I am quite biased about it...) This name was in Quidinish and in Leverburgh with the name Caraide-Spàgach [“Flay-footed-Friend”] as well.

Over the kyle Cailleach a’ Bheing [“Old Woman of the Bench”] can be heard in North Uist. It is interesting to see that the gender of the creature is changed here, it is almost “Mummy-Long-Legs!” That makes sense as the name Cailleach-Chòsach [“Porous/hollow old woman”] is used for a Sgleutag [“Little slated-one”] (a "Slater," Woodlouse) and other beasties of the sort. In South Uist Breabadair [Weaver] found, in South Boisdale, and this in interesting because some will say “Breabadair” for a spider in some parts of the wider Gaelic-speaking areas. In some areas it is an interchangable word and in others there is another respective meaning to them.

Over the Minch Tarbh chuileig [“Bull-Fly”] was found in the Isle of Skye and over the Kyle of Raasay both Colgadan-na-lampa and Gobhladair-na-lampa [“Little forked-one of the lamp(?)”] can be heard. To the inner Hebrides the name Cuibheall-chrò can be found in Caolas, Tiree, and the word can be used for a specific toy as well [have a look here.]

We have another breabadair here in “Fieldwork”; Breabadair-ladhrach [“Hoofed -Weaver”] was recorded in Applecross. Going to Strathglas, somewhat similar to Breabadair, Figheadair-fodair [“Straw-weaver”] was found. It is the same case with figheadair as it is with breabadair, that people of other areas will say figheadair for a spider and other Opliliones. There is another word similar to “Damhan-allaidh” [spider] to be found in Killin and it is An Damhan rong mhòr. It is interesting to see that and that the words are interchangable with each other. The name Gille-giobanach [“Trimmed-lad(?)”] is recorded in Strathglas for the regular word in Kintyre.

In the dictionary “Gaelic of the MacKay Country” the name Anndra nan Cas Fad’  [“Andrew of the Big Legs”] is heard, another name similar to Murchadh na Mòintich and Calum-Figheadair and I’m fond of that name because “Anndra” [“Andrew”] in my family! This is a good blog to be biased, despite the subject of the blog! In the dictionary “Gaelic Words and Phrases from Wester Ross” by Roy Wentworth the name “Corra-bhainne” is found.

Although we have named many names for this beastie but there will be many that I haven’t recorded here but if you know any other names for this beastie let us know on facebook, twitter and our own website!