Gàidhlig / English
Guilleag

Guilleag

Posted by Edit on 21st January 2016

This week’s word, guilleag, is also related to this time of the year. Guilleag originates in South Uist and in DASG’s fieldwork archive is described as a trumpet-like sound that swans make when they flew to Scotland from Norway during snow and frosty weather conditions.  

This phenomenon is also mentioned in Gaelic Names of Beasts, Birds, Fishes, Insects, Reptiles etc. by A. R. Forbes (Edinburgh, 1905), where it is said that the sound made by swans at this time of the year is especially melodious – hence guilleag or guileag (a more common spelling) appears in many songs, for example the traditional song Òran na h-Eala (‘The Song of the Swan’).

Though this is the most common meaning of the word it can also, according to Dwelly’s dictionary, be used for a (human) shout or screech in general – both out of joy and exultation or out of sorrow. This meaning of the word appears in a few instances in the DASG corpus, where it also is listed as a description of the sound of the pipes. Most commonly, however, it refers to the sound of swans or other birds.

If you are familiar with any other uses of guilleag/guileag, or with other words referring to the sound of birds, why don’t you let us know on Facebook or Twitter. 

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