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--blank--: fringe on horse. [NOTES: there is no headword for this definition unless it is meant to be ‘gearran’ above.]
Location: Harris, Leverburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
--blank--: pladacks [sic] rug from rashes [sic] for redding the line, baiting the line.
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
eisean pron.: 3m. emph.: mara biodh eisean ‘but for him’ [marə p˻iə˼ɣ æʃin]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Victoria Co., North Shore, Tarbot
Category: Tarbot, North Shore wordlist
iarr vb.: ‘seek, ask for’: gur h-iarraidh ‘looking for you’ [ɣa:r h˻iə˼ri]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, North Shore, Wreck Cove
Category: Wreck Cove, North Shore wordlist
mara vbl ptcl.: ‘unless’: mara biodh eisean ‘but for him’ [marə p˻iə˼ɣ æʃin] bha sinn air ar bàthadh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Victoria Co., North Shore, Tarbot
Category: Tarbot, North Shore wordlist
ullamh adj.: [uʁ̫əv] ‘ready’, substituted for rèidh (q.v.) in Scotsville.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness County, Broad Cove Chapel
Category: Seosamh Watson collection notebook date: Jan-May 1991
(132) geamhnach: [ɡ̊ɛ̣̃ũ̟n̪əx] cow without calf for a year.
Location: North Argyll
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
(52-3) feòrag: [fjɔ:ɾɑ:ɡ] squirrel – sometimes for ferret.
Location: North Argyll
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
(b) Different parts of the harness for carting: Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(b) Different parts of the harness for carting: Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(b) Different parts of the harness for carting: Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(b) Different parts of the harness for carting: Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(b) Different parts of the harness for carting: Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(b) Potato cutting for seed: Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(b) Potato cutting for seed: Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(b) Potato cutting for seed: Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(b) Potato cutting for seed: Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(b) Potato cutting for seed: Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(c) Different parts of the harness for ploughing or harrowing: Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(c) Different parts of the harness for ploughing or harrowing: Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(c) Different parts of the harness for ploughing or harrowing: Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(c) Different parts of the harness for ploughing or harrowing: Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(c) Different parts of the harness for ploughing or harrowing: Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
(dha) fiachail: the checking of nets, during the night, for the presence of meshed herring.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
1. Implements used for cutting, raking, binding, lifting into stacks etc.: Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
1. Implements used for cutting, raking, binding, lifting into stacks etc.: Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
1. Implements used for cutting, raking, binding, lifting into stacks etc.: Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
1. Implements used for cutting, raking, binding, lifting into stacks etc.: Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
1. Implements used for cutting, raking, binding, lifting into stacks etc.: Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
1. Implements used for lifting: Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
1. Implements used for lifting: Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
1. Implements used for lifting: Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
1. Implements used for lifting: Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
1. Implements used for lifting: Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
1. Implements used for turning or tilling the soil: Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
1. Implements used for turning or tilling the soil: Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
1. Implements used for turning or tilling the soil: Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
1. Implements used for turning or tilling the soil: Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
1. Implements used for turning or tilling the soil: Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
1. Names of seeds planted and words used for sowing or planting them: Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
1. Names of seeds planted and words used for sowing or planting them: Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
1. Names of seeds planted and words used for sowing or planting them: Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
1. Names of seeds planted and words used for sowing or planting these: Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
1. Names of seeds planted and words used for sowing or planting these: Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
1. The implement used for (a) cutting (b) raking and turning (c) lifting and stacking: Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
1. The implement used for (a) cutting (b) raking and turning (c) lifting and stacking: Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
1. The implement used for (a) cutting (b) raking and turning (c) lifting and stacking: Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
1. The implement used for (a) cutting (b) raking and turning (c) lifting and stacking: Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
1. The implement used for (a) cutting (b) raking and turning (c) lifting and stacking: Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
10. Permanent structures/buildings for storing crops: Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
10. Permanent structures/buildings for storing crops: Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
10. Permanent structures/buildings for storing crops: Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
10. Permanent structures/buildings for storing crops: Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
10. Permanent structures/buildings for storing crops.: Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
17. Sìoman càmhlaich: Word used in Tiree for straw-rope. [NOTE: see the illustration under ‘Old Tiree house’.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
2. Bands (for tying corn), sheaves, stooks etc.: Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
2. Bands (for tying corn), sheaves, stooks etc.: Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
2. Bands (for tying corn), sheaves, stooks etc.: Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
2. Bands (for tying corn), sheaves, stooks etc.: Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
2. Bands (for tying corn), sheaves, stooks etc.: Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
2. Names of any special sack, basket etc. used for carrying seed when sowing or planting: Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
2. Names of any special sack, basket etc. used for carrying seed when sowing or planting: Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
2. Names of any special sack, basket etc. used for carrying seed when sowing or planting: Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
2. Names of any special sack, basket etc. used for carrying seed when sowing or planting: Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
2. Names of any special sack, basket etc. used for carrying seed when sowing or planting: Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
2. Sack, creel, barrow etc. used for carrying potatoes in field and to steading: Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
2. Sack, creel, barrow etc. used for carrying potatoes in field and to steading: Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
2. Sack, creel, barrow etc. used for carrying potatoes in field and to steading: Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
2. Sack, creel, barrow etc. used for carrying potatoes in field and to steading: Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
2. Sack, creel, barrow etc. used for carrying potatoes in field and to steading: Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
3. Implements used for lifting, carrying and spreading manure or seaweed: Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
3. Implements used for lifting, carrying and spreading manure or seaweed: Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
3. Implements used for lifting, carrying and spreading manure or seaweed: Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
3. Implements used for lifting, carrying and spreading manure or seaweed: Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
3. Implements used for lifting, carrying and spreading manure or seaweed [NOTES: changed to (c) by Mr MacDonald; see note above.]: Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
3. Names of any special implement used for planting: Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
3. Names of any special implement used for planting: Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
3. Names of any special implement used for planting: Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
3. Names of any special implement used for planting: Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
3. Names of any special implement used for planting: Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
4. Names for certain beasts, e.g. an animal on which the owner bestows particular attention: Category: Crodh / Cattle
4. Names for certain beasts, e.g. an animal on which the owner bestows particular attention: Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
4. Names for certain beasts, e.g. an animal on which the owner bestows particular attention: Location: Lewis, Arnol
Category: Crodh / Cattle
4. Names for certain beasts, e.g. an animal on which the owner bestows particular attention: Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Victoria Co.)
Category: Crodh / Cattle
4. Names for certain beasts, e.g. an animal on which the owner bestows particular attention: Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Crodh / Cattle
4. Names for certain beasts, e.g. an animal on which the owner bestows particular attention: Origin: Barra
Category: Crodh / Cattle
4. Names for certain beasts, e.g. an animal on which the owner bestows particular attention: Origin: Geàrrloch [Gairloch]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
4. Names for certain beasts, e.g. an animal on which the owner bestows particular attention: Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Crodh / Cattle
4. Names for certain beasts, e.g. an animal on which the owner bestows particular attention: Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
4. Names for certain beasts, e.g. an animal on which the owner bestows particular attention: Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
4. Names for certain beasts, e.g. an animal on which the owner bestows particular attention: Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
4. Names for certain beasts, e.g. an animal on which the owner bestows particular attention: Origin: Tiree
Category: Crodh / Cattle
4. Names for certain beasts, e.g. an animal on which the owner bestows particular attention: Origin: [Arran]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
4. Names for certain beasts, e.g. an animal on which the owner bestows particular attention: Origin: [Barra]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
4. Names for certain beasts, e.g. an animal on which the owner bestows particular attention: Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
4. Names for certain beasts, e.g. an animal on which the owner bestows particular attention: Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
4. Names for certain beasts, e.g. an animal on which the owner bestows particular attention: Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross-shire but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
5. Na buadhan: This is always the word used in Tiree for anchor stones. Never ‘acraichean’ as is the usual in most places. [NOTE: see the illustration under ‘Old Tiree house’.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
7. Fittings for oars: Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
7. Fittings for oars: Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
9. Fittings for a mast: Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
9. Fittings for a mast: Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
? cas cheap: [kɑ̟s çeb̥] for “bacan”.
Location: North Argyll
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Amadan aig Mac ’Ic Ailein: phrase for a jester.
Origin: [South Uist]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
A’ chiad steall a thig as a’ mharaig is teotha: this was a saying used for someone who started a day’s work with great vigour but by afternoon the zest had diminished.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Beathag: Name: Rebecca. Equivalents: Bekky and Beksie (Zetland); Bekky (Lewis). Note. ‘Beathag’ is also a Gaelic equivalent for Sophia and Bethia.
Category: Ainmean Pearsanta Bhoireannach / Female Personal Names
Boinne-Siarach: traditional name for Bornish in South Uist which describes how the village was split into two. [Cf. Boinne-Suarach.]
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Boinne-Suarach: traditional name for Bornish in South Uist which describes how the village was split into two. [Cf. Boinne-Siarach.]
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Cairistiona: Name: Christina. Equivalents: Christian, Kirsty, Teenie, and for an old woman Kirstin (Zetland); Chirstina and Chirsty (Lewis); Christian, Chirsty and Chrissy (Skye).
Category: Ainmean Pearsanta Bhoireannach / Female Personal Names
Chaidh a’ chreag na faireachadh: this would be said in connection with people looking for a dog straying among sheep. When the owner of the dog heard of such a party, he kept the dog at home, hence “Chaidh a chreag na faireachadh.”
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
D. What do you think is the English name for the plants called in Gaelic.: Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
D. What do you think is the English name for the plants called in Gaelic:: Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun, Knockan or Mull, Burg or Mull, Tobermory or Mull, Bunessan, Taoslainn
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
D. What do you think is the English name for the plants called in Gaelic:: Origin: [Barra]
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
Daoine gun lige, gun ghabhail: distant people without much to say for themselves.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Di luain a’ bhrealain: Monday for punishing those who had acted in a delinquent fashion on Sunday. Punishment usually meted out with sole of shoe or boot.
Location: Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Di-luain: Quot.: Di-luain traoidht [t̪ɾ[ɤi]tʹ]. Note: the first Monday after the New Year (old reckoning). (The direction of the wind at midnight that night supposed to be the prevailing wind for the rest of the year.)
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Dleasanas Caisge: Easter confession and Communion for Catholics.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Ealasaid; Beathag (Lochs); Slaine (Hebrides and Skye): Name: Elizabeth. Equivalents: Bessie, Betsy, Betty, Leeby, Leezie, Liza and Eliza (Zetland); Eppy and Ibby (Papa Stour); Betty, Bess and Betsy (Hebrides); Sophia and Salvia (Lochs). Note: In the Lochs district of Lewis Sophia and Salvia are the same as Elizabeth. Salvia is the pet-name for the Gaelic name Slaine (pronounced “Slaunya”). Slaine is also used for Julia in Harris and for Sophia in Skye.
Category: Ainmean Pearsanta Bhoireannach / Female Personal Names
Eighrig: Name: Effie. Equivalents: Henrietta (Lewis). (See Euphemia). Note. It is important to note that in Lewis G. Eighrig stands for both Effie and Henrietta.
Category: Ainmean Pearsanta Bhoireannach / Female Personal Names
Fanag: personal name, female name for Bannytine (male).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Farachar mór: Big Farquhar. The adjectives for distinction, etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Feugarsaich: [fe:ɡəʴsiç] Note: “na Feugarsaich” applied to a certain family in Ness. A family name like, say “na Fìdhleirean”. Puilean told by a member of the family that the name applied to deer-poachers in Sutherland, where one of his ancestors had come from. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
For carting:: Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
For ploughing:: Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
Fraochàn: name for a terrier.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Gallabh: said by some to be Gaelic name for modern Caithness. This is not correct. Gaelic was spoken in S. and W. part of modern Caithness, and Gallabh was never used for any Gaelic speaking district. Gallabh = N.E. part of Caithness, Suth. and W. Caithness, but not it only. E. Ins. usage: Gallabh = Laigh o’ Moray. Perths. usage: Gallabh = Lower Angus, Mearns, etc. Gallabh, Gallaibh, Gallu = any non-Gaelic district or place especially on East Coast, north of the main Galltachd.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Iain-nam-bròg: (slang, common with fishermen) wasn’t there a name used for this boot extractor. I think there was another name in the term of a word. Perhaps you remember. I cannot recall it at the moment. [NOTES: slipped under Iain-nam-brog. Definition: Name for piece of wood so shaped to help fishermen out of their boots.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Iainagan: for Iain. An Aird man heard this in Glenmoriston many years ago.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
King’s Evil: King’s Evil wound cured through the seventh member of a family, a boy or girl of a successive line, that is, a family of [sic] having a member male or female, the seventh coming one after another in this order so to speak: the first arrival being a boy, or an arrival being a boy, and the next a boy, a boy, a boy till seven, the seventh is accounted for. He is the healer in this case, using a formula representing the case. (I have seen a patient who received this mode of cure, it was believed in extensively on Harris.)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
Latha Féille Moire nan Coinnlean: according to the informant this is the right definition for Candlemas and not the Latha Fheill Brìde which Dwelly refers to. Instead Latha Fheill Brìde falls on the first day of February as opposed to Candlemas which falls on the first day of that month [sic].
Location: South Uist, Smerclete
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Latha Ghille Chonnaidh: New Year’s Day. Time taken for a lad to go to the hills for a bag of peats. Extra time on to the shortest day. Cf. Latha Cois-cheum Coillich.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
Màireag: personal name for a female, diminutive for Mary. May have derived from the children source of pronunciation.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Names for different amounts of hay:: Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
Names for the different fanks: Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
Names for various sizes of flocks or collections of sheep (if any): Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
Nullaig: [n̪u̜ɫiɡʹ] Note: for Nollaig. Thinks they used to talk of Nullaig Bheag and Nullaig Mhór but doesn’t know much about it. Surmises that Nullaig Bheag may have been Christmas and Nullaig Mhór the New Year.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Oifis na Marbh: The Office for the Dead.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Old Tiree house: 1. Gluta (dh). 2. Am balla-mach. 3. Am balla-staigh. 4. Tobhta. 5. Na buadhan. 6. (Na) Ceann a’ mhaidean. 7. Na taobhan (àrd is ìseal). 8. Sparr tharsainn. 9. Na cabair. 10. Sgrothan. 11. Spallachan. 12. Lobhta. 13. Am balla beag. 14. Cranndairean. 15. Ùrlar dubh. 16. Tughadh. 17. Sìoman ruadh. [NOTES: see below for definitions.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
Other substances used for dyeing wool are:: Origin: [Arran]
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
Picking sides for shinty: Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Ropework at hip with chimney: 1. Am mathair-shioman. 2. Na criosan. 3. Sioman gualainn. 4. An sioman dróma. 7. Bùna-baca. [NOTES: see below for definitions.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
Ropework at hip without chimney: 1. Am mathair-shioman. 2. Na criosan. 4. An sioman dróma. 5. Na lùban. 7. Bùna-baca. [NOTES: see below for definitions.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
Ròthart nan Eun: same as ‘Ròthart na h-Éill Pàdruig’. ‘Ròthart’ pronounced without the ‘e’ in both North and South Uist. ‘Ròthart nan Eun’ so called since the tide would [sic] higher in the following months, therefore making it safe for birds to nest at the highest mark left by the tide.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Some ropework terms: 1. Am mathair-shioman. 2. Na criosan. 3. Sioman gualainn. 4. An sioman dróma. 6. An t-àrd doras. 7. Bùna-baca. [NOTES: see below for definitions.]
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
Sìthean: , nn 'old name for Inverness Town: [ə 'ʃi:-ɛɲ]; sin a thug an ‘Sìthein’ air an àite [= Inverness NS], ‘fairyland’’
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
Tabh: ocean (still used) very seldom – an Atlantic. Mar a theirear an diugh ’s docha is fheàrr a chòrdas riutha – cha ’eil e cho old fashioned. [SLIP: Ocean. Occasionally used for ‘Atlantic’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Term used for the regular ‘beat’ of a sheep on the moor: Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
Tha an toiseach: an expression exclusive to the south end of South Uist, meaning that you do not believe what you are hearing. For example someone could be telling a tall story and you would respond by saying the above phrase, letting the other person know that you did not believe him.
Location: South Uist, Smerclete
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Tha bho leis an air: [NOTES: pronunciation spelling for ‘an dàir’?]
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross-shire but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
Tha sùil gle mhath agam air crodh: I have a good eye for cattle.
Origin: Tiriodh [Tiree]
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
Thug e lòn fada dhith: applied to someone who had left home for foreign countries. [NOTES: ‘lòn’ corrected to ‘lon’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Torr Uaine: Tower of London. Vide ‘Lament for Angus of Glengarry’. Gaelic Bards p. 179.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Trian iarraidh nan caorach, suidhe: a standing ploughman and a running shepherd is of no use to anyone. This means that a shepherd, when looking for a stray sheep, needs to stop and look about him, rather than run haphazardly here and there.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Tuathroinnich: an older Gaelic name for Norsemen.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Vessels used for feeding:: Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
Ways of walking, sitting, lying; words for ‘clumsy’, ‘fidgety’ and so on: Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
Ways of walking, sitting, lying; words for ‘clumsy’, ‘fidgety’ and so on: Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Bran]: Thuit tri le Bran air a h-aon. Bran, for one, killed three.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Skye custom]: In Skye, whenever a friend called to see the remains, he, or she, reverently laid the right hand on the forehead of the corpse. When I enquired into the origin or reason for this custom I was assured that laying one’s hand on the dead banished from his mind ever afterwards the fear of meeting the departed’s ghost an prevented the vision of the dead person from haunting the mind.
Origin: Skye
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
[aghaidh]: ’S ann agad tha’n aghaidh ’ga iarraidh. What a face you have to ask for it.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[anam]: Air d’anam na dean e. Don’t do it for your life.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[antiseptics]: Note 8 (series): Antiseptics. 1. A cut being licked by a dog, that is letting the dog lick the cut with his tongue meant an antiseptic method. 2. Epsom salts – washed in or with water in which Epsom salts is diluted – the cut. 3. Hot water as hot as the patient could bear. 4. Coarse salt diluted in water, hot or cold, was used as a mouthwash in connection with decayed teeth, etc. 5. Tar smoke, or smoke from burning tar, coal tar or archangel tar, whiffs from it if inhaled lightly were a relief for bronchitis, congestion, catarrh. 6. Whisky and brandy were used as stimulants. As in faints. Rum and raw eggs, rum mixed with beaten raw eggs served as tonic. I remember seeing a gentleman using the first draft of undistilled whisky, a ‘gharbh-ghucag’ as a ‘liquid ointment’ for rheumatics, by rubbing it to the affected part.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[aois]: “Bha i an aois sin aig an obair sin.” ‘Aois’ used in the sense of a person being in a job for a number of years.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ashes]: Note: I have heard of plants being burned into ashes and these ashes used as a preservative for food, perhaps to give food some special flavour, or preserve it further to achieve the flavour required, or to have it salted, so to speak, although perhaps again not giving the same results as salt, more or less, more confined to, could be, an ‘appetising’ method, or to give what was already proven, if done, it was more associated with the appetite in another sense.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
[atmosphere]: Someone once asked me what was the Gaelic word for atmosphere: aer, buaidh, lathaireachd in a church?
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[baby’s bolster]: (There was another uncommon name for ‘a baby’s bolster’ used in the old wooden cradle; I cannot remember it just now. I’ll try and remember it; perhaps you have the name yourself. I have heard it years ago mentioned two or three times by a member of a past generation.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[baking soda]: Note: baking soda – a tea spoonful in warm water was used for heartburn, and still is recommended and proves beneficial, unless the patient needs medical aid in a major way, if the matter or complaint means further attempts to cure him.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[baking soda]: Baking soda – taken in water, for stomach complaints (and bladder trouble of cattle).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
[barr]: Teirigidh barr mór is foghnaidh barr beag. You will survive with a little whereas extravagance cannot last for long.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Gearradh Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[barrail]: Bheir sinn ar barrail as. – a piece of the end of a ring net shot, in weather conditions unsuited to listening or looking for herring in the water, with the hope of a few herrings mashing and so encouraging the fishermen to ‘chance’ a ring.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
[beathaich]: Beathaich thusa meas [sic] an diugh is beathaichaidh mi am maireach tu. Feed me today and I shall do the same for you tomorrow.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[beurr]: Anns na Baigh anns an sgìre againn (Uig an Iar), ’se ‘beurr’ a chanas iad mar a chanas sinne ‘geur’ [q.v.]: “Tha e cho beurr.” [SLIP: Said in ‘na Baigh’ (Sgìre Uig) for ‘geur’ – ‘witty’.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
[bhuat]: Tha e bhuat tòiseachadh. – Time for you to begin.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bi]: Mur ann mar sin a thà ’s ann mar so a bhitheas. The past has gone but this for the future.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[biorach]: “Blian bioraich air muin bonnaich biadh as fhear [sic] a tha ’san domhain.” Basking of a dogfish (groin or belly used for cooking purposes).
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[blank]: crab and tea (for supper).
Origin: [Ross-shire]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
[bogadh]: Bogadh feannaig an sud ’sa seo – a quick dipping action, e.g. a bird dipping for worms in soil.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[boils]: Note 2: boils were brought to a point with poultices applied. When at the point of its height, so to speak, they were sometimes pierced through with an ordinary sewing needle for the collection of the pus or matter to discharge and the boil to heal.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bonn]: Chan ’eil mi bonn ’nad eisimeil. I don’t care a straw for you.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[breitheanas]: Thig breitheanas ort airson sin. A judgment will come on you for that.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[buidheach]: Tha mi buidheach airson sin. I am thankful for that.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[buille]: Buille airson buille. Stroke for stroke.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[burial on Harris]: Note: at a burial on Harris. When the coffined remains are lowered into the grave, and the coffin set on the bottom (of the grave), the tasselled cords are thrown on the coffin, and the grave ready for to shovel the soil back in place or its contents, or part of its contents, placed with spade or shovel on the top of the coffin. Before this is done I have noticed someone of a funeral party likewise throwing a handful of sand or soil, or a sprinkle, on the coffin lid. It is a custom. For what reason is it done – luck, superstition… At the first funeral I ever attended I saw it done and I was wondering why.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[calcas] (E): [See ‘put’.] An stopper a bhiodh a’ dol anns an toll ’s e an calcas a chanadh iad ris. [SLIP: The stopper for the herring net buoy. See MS.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
[cantail]: “Dh’fhaodadh tu gu leor a chantail gun do chluasan a’ shalach.” – knowing when to stop without getting a bad reputation for yourself.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[caomhnadh]: Brògan caomhnaidh – shoes for better occasions. Aodach caomhnaidh – ‘Sunday-best’ clothes.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ceangail]: Ceangail ri chéile – a meanbh bhristeadh (etc.). The running along a split to search for and ‘catch’ together broken meshes which correspond, so enabling as many fishermen as possible to start mending on a single tear, and so hasten completion of the task.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
[ceann]: Tha ceann math aige. – He has a good head for heights.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ceum]: Tha mi dol a ghabhail ceum spaidearaiche. I am going for an airing.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cleas]: Gun chleas. Above board. [NOTES in second hand: not too good for Eng. trans.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cloimh]: Nach ann chloimh chiannda an amhaich. – an expression used for people who were related to each other. Usually referred to when similar characteristics or mannerisms surfaced between two people.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cobhair]: Thainig e g’ar n-ionnsuidh airson cobhair. He had recourse to us for aid.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[coireach]: Is tusa is coireach airson an uilc so. You are responsible for the mischief.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[comain]: Comain do laimhe fhein. Tit for tat.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[comh-dheas]: Is comh-dheas leat e. It is as easy for you to do the one thing as the other.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[corn]: Note: seed on corn in autumn was tested by putting a grain in your mouth between the teeth and pressing it as to its resistance. If resisting under the pressure of the tooth as [sic] hard enough by the sensitivity of the testing. Then the corn was ready for cutting.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[corra-cnàmh]: Shuidh e air a chorra-cnàmh. – a sitting position for a dog.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[crann]: a’ dol a chrann, a’ cur a chrann – casting lots. Casting lots in Barrapol, Tiree was used most commonly in the dividing-up of seaweed on the shore amongst the township crofters. Two bodaich would draw aside from the group. One felt his pockets for objects (e.g. a pipe, a knife, a penny, etc.) and the other decided which lot each object represented. Then the first bodach held the objects in the palm of his hand for picking. Never more than ½ doz lots.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
[creach]: Tha mo chreachsa deanta. I am as good as done for.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[crog]: [SLIP: vessel for holding butter covered by the ‘imideal’.]
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
[cuach]: “Is minig a dh’fhàg mi mar thraill gun luach, ’s tha liuthad treun fhear is laoch thug buaidh, le neart na Gaidhlig chuireadh càch ’s an ruaig. An àm dhaibh eirigh leis an fheilleadh chuaich (pleated).” – a war cry for the clans going into battle.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cure for backache]: Note 6: Another cure for backache if the ache showed the symptoms of a strain was the patient sleeping on a (hard) wooden bed, that is without a soft mattress, as the movement of the mattress did not help but seemingly the back of the patient responded better to the non-movement of the underpart of the bed, wooden or boards, thus believed to ease the ache on to the patient’s recovery.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cure for colds]: Note 5: Another cure for colds was a dip in the sea and then off to bed for sometime, an interval, etc. A gentleman on the Island of Scalpay years back was under a dose of cold. While he was engaged in mooring a boat he had, he fell accidentally into the sea at the point of disembarkation, this was by the shore. The place by the shore was shallow, he pulled himself over the seaweed on to the rocks, he had his clothes on, of course. On arriving home he immediately changed into fresh dry clothing again, of course, and found its [sic] ordeal so refreshing, and the cold none the worse, and by next day the cold ‘was gone’.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cóidh]: The word “cóidh” was used in the Aird for frosted, as of frosted turnips.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[deuchainn]: Bheir mi aon deuchainn eile dha. I will have another push for it.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[deur]: “Chan eil an sin ach an deur ga iarraidh air a’ chàt.” – used about someone who would not share or give what was his own to anyone else like the saying says the cat does not leave a drop for anyone else.
Location: North Uist, Lochportan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[dioghaltas]: “Ged’s fada reith fear dheanamh an uilc, cha tig bho Dhia gun dioghaltas.” Might get away with a crime for a certain period but will be punished eventually.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[door]: (door for admitting hand – opening in net, and closed with string)
Origin: Taransay
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
[dorman]: In the same book by A. Macpherson [i.e. “Church and Social Life in the Highlands”], p. 403, he gives the word ‘dorman’ which I take to be another name for the fish known as pike. But I was unable to get this meaning confirmed by any of the old people in the district.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[dàil]: Dail sia miosan. Credit for six months.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[dìol]: Tha mo dhiolsa agam. I have abundance for myself.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[dìol]: Quotation: B’e siud an dìol dubh air a’ ghruth gheal. Notes: Catriona Mhór’s response to Murdag’s news that the missionary had to leave his house to make way for the officer. She added: “Is an duine bochd a’ dìogadh a mhionaich ach a faigh e còmhradh a ni e ri na daoine.”
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[dìth]: Failnichidh rud sam bith le dith cleachda. Anything fails for lack of use. [NOTE in second hand: cleachda corrected to cleachdaidh.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[dìughaidh]: “Dìughaidh uisge, fliuch sneachda.” ‘Dìughaidh’ means a different or variant type of rain in this case sleet. According to Mrs MacIsaac. “Dìughaidh teine fàrneadh fliuch” ‘Fàrneadh’ means boggy, marshy moorland. “Dìughaidh an t-saoghail gu leir, droch bhean.” The latter two instances suggest a different meaning for the word ‘dìughaidh’ – downfall? Merits further scrutiny.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fadal]: Tha fadal orm. I am bored stiff. [NOTE in second hand: I am longing for.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fang]: Fang lomadh nan caoraich sheasg – [shearing fank for] the yeld ewes. Fang lomadh nan caoraich uain – [shearing fank for] the breeding ewes. Fang bogaidh nan caorach – dipping [fank]. Fang na Lunasdail na fang togail nan uan.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
[faochagan]: (faochagan – good for stomach)
Location: Harris, Ardvey
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
[faochagan]: faochagan beaga glas gam pronnadh – for constipation in cattle.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
[feabhas]: Airson fheabhas. For its superiority.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[feairrde]: ’S fheairrde mi sin! – I am the better of/for (?) that!
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[feannadh]: Anns an Earrach bithidh sinn a feannadh na monadh. Cuid a bhios toirt barrach feantachd air cuid eile. Ann a bitheantas da throidh air son ochd foid. Aon uair bhiodh deichnear de sgipe a buain fat latha ach se siath a bhios ann an nis. Ma bhios an tide tioram bi sinn a togail na monadh ann an da sheachuin. Bidh sinn a ris ga rudhadh agus a ris a cruachadh. Mar is trice bidhidh sinn a tathadh nan cruach mur a bidh sinn ga toirt dhachaidh. Se an taisig is smiosa le torr opair chruidh nuair nach eil a tide math. Cutting off the top turf. Some cut the turf wider than others. Usually it is 24" wide giving 8 peat per cutting. Once there used to be ten 5 irons with two to each but now it’s usually 3 irons 6. If the weather is dry we lift the peats into small stacks in two weeks then bigger stacks and then again the bigger stacks for the winter. We thatch the stacks to keep them dry, that’s unless we are ferrying it home right away as some now do. The ferrying is hard work when the weather is not favourable.
Origin: Inbhirnis [Inverness – most probably meant as the county]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
[feith diach]: I once came across a note by my father “feith diach – ditch for drainage”, without any explanation. Some days ago I was going through A. B. MacLennan’s “The Petty Seer” and found the term there applied to the drainage ditch dug near Castle Stuart and Petty Church about the beginning of last century.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[feum]: Cha n’eil feum ’sa chruinne agam air. I have no earthly use for it.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fionnadh a chait]: Note 4: (also) ‘Fionnadh a chait’ was a remedy for cuts on the Island of Scalpay, Harris fifty years ago. An informant told me that the remedy was applied to a cut on her forehead by her father, and that was about 50 years ago (from 1978). Her father cut some of the cats [sic] hair with the scissors and spread the hair on a bandage and then on to the cut, it was believed that it had healing properties beside effective in the case of bleeding and seemingly a ‘disinfectant’ advantage. My informant again showed me where the cut was on her forehead. You could hardly believe there was a cut there, it healed that well, by very close observation you could discover there was something not of a mark very distinguishable.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fodar]: Fodar + raineach – straw and bracken for bedding.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[foddar-barrie]: straw for thatching was never put through the mill. It was always threshed by the flail – tuiste [q.v.] – and called foddar-barrie.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
[foighneachd]: “Cha d’fhuair e foighneachd air a’ ghamhainn.” – Never got an offer for it.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[for]: Cha tug e for. – He heed(ed) not.
Location: Killearn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[foretelling bad weather 6]: Ducks (esp. mallard) making for sheltered spots such as boggy places and pools.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
[foretelling good weather 1]: A’ ghaoth a’ leantail na Gréineadh. (clockwise direction) (‘Gréineadh’ – Tiree gen. for ‘Grian’.)
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
[freagarrach]: Bithidh mise freagarrach airson sin. I will be responsible for that. [NOTE in second hand: seasmhach. Freagarrach is suitable.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fro-stick]: Another thing that was used in connection with milk, I do not know the Gaelic name for it but in English it is called a fro-stick. In fact we used to have one here though I have not seen it for some time. I’ll try and make a drawing of one which will give you an idea what it looked like. It was used for what we called a ‘fuarag’. This was some cream in the bottom of a flat dish or any vessel with a flat bottom, you put the fro-stick in it and kept the handle tight between the palms of the hands and made a rubbing movement causing the fro-stick to go one way then the other continuing this for about five minutes, depending on the quality of the cream, until it almost reached the stage what we called the ‘bainne-briste’ stage. ‘Bainne-briste’ was when the milk was starting to change from milk to buttermilk. The ‘fuarag’ was the stage before that when the cream went sour and this was often taken. The material which went round the four spokes was the long hard hair at the end of a cow’s tail like a rope. It didn’t fall off as the ends of the spokes were scouped out cup shaped.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Crodh / Cattle
[fuireach]: Gu fuireach car oidhche. To stay one night. [NOTE in second hand: To stay for one night or so.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fu̜:ʴṉɑʃ]: Quotation: an [u̜:ʴṉɑʃ]. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[féil-beag]: The word I’ve heard here for the ordinary kilt was the ‘féil-beag’ though anytime I’ve come across the word in Gairm or Sruth it is just written as ‘féileadh’ but I think ‘féil-beag beag’ [sic] would be a more descriptive word by what we see worn by some of the female sex at the present day.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Crodh / Cattle
[fóghnadh]: Fhuair e fhoghnadh. He got what did for him. [NOTE in second hand: Fhuair e na dh’fhoghainn dha.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[garradh]: The holes in between the peats in the ‘garradh’ were for letting the wind through so that the peats would dry quickly.
Location: Harris, Bernera
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
[geall]: An geall na’s fhiach e. – Betting for what he is worth.
Location: Killearn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[geamhlag]: Cuir taic ris a gheamhlaig. Put a support in for the lever.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[glic]: Bu ghlic a’ bheart dha sin. – A wise thing for him to do that. Tormod: “Chaidh speach anns an lìon aig an fhigheadair ’s cha deadh am figheadair air a h-àrainn.” Coinneach: “Bu ghlic a’ bheart dha sin.” (Wasp agus spider.)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[gobhainn]: Cuir fios air a ghobhainn. – Send for the smith.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[gum boil]: Cure for gum boil – salt heated and placed in a cloth next to your cheek.
Location: Benbecula, Muir of Aird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[herbal procedure]: Note 3: The plants, herbal procedure, dispensary meant the plants or herbs or whatever in this line was to be undertaken, the plants were either grounded [sic] or broken up in bits to the size appropriate for a pot to hold on the fire, etc. for infusion, etc. In the case of mice, could be used tied in a small sheave [sic] or placed in a form, cuttings, as long as part or a length, etc. was in the way of mice. The likelihood of the scent was disagreeable with mice, and to nibble it and taken [sic] could be effective according to a source I have previously recorded, in the effect of the plant mint.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[hɛçc]: Notes: slatted wooden frame to hold hay for feeding horses.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[iarraidh]: Cuir a dh’ iarraidh. Send for.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[incantations]: Note: there were various incantations – an incantation for a stye, an ulcerous wound, a blockage in the urine passage of animals and so on, depending on what nature of complaint it was.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[isean]: “Mur a dearg mi air na geoidh, plùchdaidh mi na h-iseanan.” Making minors or children suffer for your own inadequacies elsewhere.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[kinds of fish]: 5. All kinds of fish. But mostly flat fish on sandy ground and cod, haddock and whiting on hard ground. Rocks or gravel very often. A crab or lobster got entangled on the line, which was a bonus for that fisherman. He took it home and cooked it in the ashes.
Category: Iasgach / Fishing
[lagh]: Lagh a leigeil leis na h-eoin. Close time for game.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[lair-chaib’]: In Dwelly’s this turfing spade (for houses roofs and potato pits) is called ‘caibe làir’, but in Tiree it is always known the other way round – ‘lair-chaib’’.
Location: [Tiree, Scarinish]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
[leannan]: Fuath a ghiollain a cheud leannan. – an old Gaelic expression which turns its English equivalent on its head. Implies that a first love is not forgotten but for reasons other than romantic nostalgia. Rather this saying says that a first love is hated thereafter.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[lobhta]: Means of tying hay, corn, etc. for feeding: sreang crochte ris an lobhta no ris a’ bhalla agus clach fhreagarrach slaoda rithe ’ga cumail stòlda ’na h-àite. Lobhta – an t-sreang a’ deanamh snaim ann an seo. Am bad no a’ ghibeag fheòir am broinn na sreinge agus na creutaran a’ draghadh cho math ’s a dheadh aca air. Bhiodh a’ chlach dìreach aig bonn na lùibe de’n t-sreing, aig àirde fhreagarrach do na beathaichean.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
[luid]: For an untidy housewife we used the word – “luid”.
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
[lus-nan-laogh]: Note 2: Herbal cures were bottled, for example the dispensary from Lus-nan-Laogh, calf plant, was. It had a very sour taste, and showed the colour of black in the bottle, or a very dark colour. This plant was very popular with cures, it served as a cure in other words for many ailments.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[làmh]: Mo làmh-sa gu bheil. – My hand for it.
Location: Killearn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[lùb]: An luib an Domhnaich. In preparation for the Sabbath.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[lʹesbɾɤi]: Quotation: a’ deanamh [lʹesbɾɤi] air duine. Notes: Skye word for partiality, or discrimination against a person.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[maitheas]: Air suchd a’ mhaitheis. For Goodness sake. [NOTE in second hand: not right: as uchd etc.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[manadh]: Tha i cur air a’ mhanadh dhomh. She prophesies for me.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[manure]: Note: algae composition was used as manure for crofts, still is, and so his [sic] [is?] hen droppings, also cattle dung, seaweed of various species, tangle being popular for the growth of corn. Algae in powder form or kelp was, and is, used as a reinforcement for manure, that is algae can be used with other manure contribution or contributions, rotten fish, guano, etc. (Harris)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[math]: Air do mhath fhein. For your own good.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[meas]: Is beag meas a bh’agat air. You had no respect for it.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[mot]: ’Se mot a theireadh sinn ris an t-seors’ ait teine againne – bha moran dhiubh anns a bhaile againn. Cha b’ann am meadhainn an lair a bha e. Rudeigan [sic] mar seo. (6. [refers to the illustration] na busan made of clay and stone – flat on top, suitable for pans to be kept near the fire.)
Origin: [Harris? – cf. ‘Taigh Croitear anns na Hearadh – an taigh anns an do rugadh mi.’]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
[motha]: De ’s mo orm thu? What do I care for you?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[mothaid]: Cha mhòid e sin. It is not the greater for that.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[muileann]: Ceardach gobha is muileann sgireachd. (For gossip)
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[muinighinn]: “Na cuir muinighinn ’s an eileanach mur a cuir thu muinighinn an cuan ’s gaoth.” – a proverb used by mainland people for Islanders.
Location: North Uist, [Carinish], Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[mùn]: Quotation: Faodaidh i mùn an aghaidh na gaoth tuath air mo shon-sa. (Forgive me! if this is rather distasteful.) Source: Traditional. Notes: Reference to a girl who jilted a gentleman, him saying she may do likewise in coldness for him.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
[nettle]: (nettle infusion – drunk for rheumatism)
Location: Harris, Ardvey
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
[note]: Many of the Equivalents appearing in these lists are doubtless already well-known, but I have endeavoured, from personal inquiries made mainly in Zetland and other insular parts of Northern Scotland, to furnish some fresh information on the matter. For facility of reference the English Christian names are set down in alphabetical order; and against them are shown (1) the Gaelic equivalents and (2) the English equivalents, including those which are in use in certain specified regions – together with occasional explanatory notes. In the list “Male Personal Names” the patronymics are also given – not that they may serve much useful, practical purpose, but because patronymics figure largely in our Scottish nomenclature and are interesting as derivatives from our common Christian names. From a close survey of the lists certain main inferences may be drawn: 1. The correctness of the Registrar-General’s surmise “that some names have no doubt a significance differing according to locality” is demonstrated by the following examples:– (a) Ewen and Hugh. In Lewis these two names are distinct and have separate Gaelic equivalents. (Ewen = G. Eòghann; Hugh = G. Uisdean). But in the South Isles of the Outer Hebrides the two names are interchangeable and have a common Gaelic equivalent, (both Ewen and Hugh = G. Eòghann). This fact was first brought to my notice in South Uist and I subsequently got verification of it elsewhere; one instance being that of a boy from Uist attending school at Dornie, who was known as “Hugh” at home and as “Ewen” in school. (b) Effie and Henrietta. So far as the mainland of Scotland is concerned there is, I think, no connection between these two names; yet I find in Lewis they are interchangeable, the common Gaelic equivalent being “Eighrig”. I have corroboration of this from two schoolmasters who are natives of Lewis; and I found a practical example in the case of a Lewis lady resident in Skye, whose husband calls her “Effie” but who signs her name as “Henrietta”. 2. Many of our Personal Names are merely Anglicised forms of Gaelic Names, for example: Gillespie = Archibald (from G. Gill-easbuig), Donachie = Duncan (from G. Donnchadh), Murachie = Murdoch (from G. Muireach), Ailie = Helen (from G. Eilidh), etc. etc. 3. Some of the other names are not what might be termed exact equivalents, but are distorted forms given to foreign names by Ministers who were unacquainted with the foreign language. In this class is the name “Haki” or “Hakon” which has been transformed into “Hercules”; just as “Osla” has been twisted into “Ursula” and thence into “Cecilia”. It should be understood that my inquiries have been comparatively limited and that consequently the information given here cannot be anything like exhaustive on the subject of name equivalents. But the examples given are sufficient to illustrate that many odd equivalents do exist, and that the identity of a person with whose name we are furnished may be found under an alternative name.
Category: Ainmean Pearsanta Bhoireannach / Female Personal Names
[note]: I put the words down as they are pronounced as I do for Dr Watson. You left it too late. I would need a wee while to think. Sorry, Dolly.
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
[note]: (As some words escape my memory for a while may again be remembered…)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[note]: “I have heard nearly all of above. Some are still heard with older people who use such expressions as “evernow” – at the present time. “Slamp” – agile, is a word not heard much now as are “fludding the school” – truanting and “rooicking” [?] – staying out late without permission. These would lead to a “plooking”! “Scoolan” – a receptacle for potatoes, etc. “Bualla” was formerly heard for a shinty club – the game was not played much in the town but rather by boys in the surrounding parts.”
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[note]: (Losin [sic] all respect for the present Gaelic orthography.)
Location: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
[note]: (Sorry for the digression and not keeping to the strict headings of the faclan.)
Location: Cinntire, An Ceann a Deas [Kintyre, Southend by Campbeltown]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
[note]: (...) some local Gaelic names for birds, animals, etc. along with what is probably the only Gaelic name for most of them a long time ago (…)
Location: Argyll, Tarbert, Muasdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[note]: Length of line. Type of line. Type of boats. Sailing and motor. Different fishing grounds. For round and flat fish. Lead plumb used for telling the different grounds. Using grease or margarine. Getting the bait. Shelling. Limpets and mussels. Whole family involved. Methods of hauling and shooting lines.
Category: Iasgach / Fishing
[note]: (I do not have any special words for these activities. Parallel expressions were used e.g. a’ tilgeil an ùird.)
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
[note]: (never heard a separate word for lay preacher)
Origin: [Skye], Gleanndail [Glendale]
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
[nì]: Air ghaol Ni Math. For the love of Goodness.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[oisg]: I have heard the word ‘oisg’ used for a sheep but I don’t know did the word belong to any particular age group. The ‘o’ sounded like ‘o’ in ‘òran’.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
[ola]: ola-ghrùthain – liver oil, oil from melted liver, was used as a fuel for the old time ‘crusee’ lighting system in the home. Taken for colds, chest troubles. Cod liver oil – ‘ola nan trosg’ for colds. Originally: ola-ghriùthain ’s ola-ròin.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
[painting carts]: Normally a cart was painted red with blue on that portion of the trams where the back rope or back band sliders are fixed in. The reason for this part being painted blue, I presume, was because the sliders were always greased and grease running on to the blue did not show so much as it would if the paint was red. Sometimes the trams were also painted blue about six inches on rear and front. Some carters also painted these parts of trams in black. Blue and black paint counteracted grease marks.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
[peallaid]: Ged nach eil mi ag amais air, tha mi de’n bheachd gu robh ainm aca airson craicionn airson puta. Chan eil fhios nach e ‘peallaid’ a bh’ann. [SLIP: Suggested as name for the buoy’s ‘craicionn’. Not sure.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
[plough]: Both metal swing ploughs not controlled for depth. Driver had to control depth.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
[prevention of flies]: a mixture of urine and dipping liquid was a popular mixture for the prevention of flies, to keep the flies at a distance from the animal.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[prui-seog]: While on the subject of calling animals, the word used here for calling a horse was ‘prui-seog’, the ‘og’ the same as in ‘òg’.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Crodh / Cattle
[prìosan]: “Bidh tu anns a’ phrìosan gu’n dubh d’ fhiaclan.” – For life, agus abair gu’m bi.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[pɾi:jo:]: Notes: call for cattle.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ris]: Thig mi ris. I will do for him.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[rudha]: Cuiridh so rudha seachad. This will serve for turn.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[saoghal]: Gu saoghal nan saoghal. For all time.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sgarbh]: “Bheireadh gach duine sgairbh a creagan dha fhein.” Let everyone fend for themselves.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sgarbh]: “Biodh gach neach a’ toirt sgairbh a creagan dha fhein.” – let everyone fend for themselves.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sgàth]: Air sgath sgoinne. For decency’s sake.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[shiag]: In the “Inverness Courier”, 19 January, 1826 there is mention of the word “shiag” [or “chiag”?] as being the word used in the district round about for a kelt or spent salmon. I have tried to confirm this orally but have so far failed.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[siola-na-h-easgainn]: Note: ‘siola-na-h-easgainn’ as mentioned towards a cure for rheumatics. May I again note that any species of an eel was considered appropriate, generally the conger eel when the spawning part was prepared as a plaster aid. Medicinally, herbal remedies was [sic] a recommendation in some cases.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[siorram]: Siorram sios, siorram suas / Cha robh ball de Ruaraidh agam / Siorram sios, siorram suas / Cha robh agam Ruaraidh, etc. Mouth-music for Highland Schottische.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[slàt]: Slàt druime, slàtan taobh (two of these, one on each shoulder). Terms used for parts of spoon net or ‘tàbh’ as it is called in Gaelic.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[small snowflakes]: (No word in Tiree for small snowflakes.)
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
[snàth]: Net twine, both tarred and untarred: snàth lion, snàth còcrach, snàth geal, snàth tearraidh. Setting-up twine – different types, thicknesses for sole and back ropes respectively: snàth foighn, snàth garbh, snàth caol, snàth aotram, snàth dùbailt.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
[solaraich]: Sholaraich i aite dhi fhein. She provided a house for herself.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[son]: Air son sin dheth. For that matter of it.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[son]: Air na h-uile son. For every reason.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[stuigeadh coin]: The commands for a sheep-dog my granny used, which I have heard repeated by my mother were: Mach thu fad air ais agus beir orra, although as far as I can understand ‘beir orra’ was applied when the sheep or the cows were in mischief and though the command meant to overtake, it was meant for the dog to give them a good drilling after he did get them. Another command which was used though I do not know is it correct Gaelic or not was ‘thoir thu leo’ and the other ordinary command being ‘trobhad seo’.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
[stòlda]: Bodach stòlda – for a child who talks like an adult. Cailleach stòlda – for a girl who talks like an adult.
Origin: Barra
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
[suidheachadh]: A’ cuir bainne ann an suidheachadh – putting the milk into large buckets or wide rimmed basins so as to obtain as much cream as possible for cheese-making.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[suim]: Is mor an t-suim air an do cheannaich mi an t-saorsa so. I paid a great price for this freedom.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sàil]: salt in the form of seawater, ‘sàil’, was used for bathing the feet in. Boiled seawater in which the feet were kept when brought to the tepid point for the feet to be bathed in regularly was a recommended cure for rheumatics and sore feet, tired feet.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
[tachair]: Tachairidh mi ris airson so. I shall be at him for this.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tamull]: Car tamuill bhig. For a short time.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[teagasg]: Tha ’n teagasg, thar cheann chum math an t-sluaigh. The teaching, speaking broadly is for the public good.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tigh-aire]: In my childhood, Lochaber, i.e. the Braes of Lochaber, was 95% Catholic. When a death occurred in a house, people flocked to pay their respects and remained to pray. It was customary to lay one’s hand on the forehead of the dead for a moment (the head was normally covered by the sheet but the sheet was turned down momentarily to allow the hand to be laid on the forehead). People took it in turn to remain in the room “’s an tigh-aire” where prayers and litanies were said night and day till the day of the funeral – food was provided for people. On the day of the funeral, the coffin was carried shoulder-high on a bier for the few miles to Cill-a-Chaorail. The ancient church of St. Cyril of Alexandria has been restored of recent times and I understand the burial-service is held there now. [NOTES: the following comment copied from the letter dated 24/03/1977:] In my remarks about funeral practices in a previous letter, I had intended to mention the custom of building cairns. I have understood that when the mourners stopped for a rest and possibly refreshment, each man looked around for a sizeable stone and a cairn was built and was called the deceased’s cairn. With the widening of the roads, I fear the cairns have disappeared on the main roads.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tiugh]: For stupid we had the saying – “tiugh sa chlaigeann”.
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
[togar]: An togar airson airgid. The urge for money.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tur]: Nach e tha tur. – for a ring made without any sign of herring whatever.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
[tying claws of lobsters]: (device used for tying claws of lobsters – rubber bands)
Origin: Taransay
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
[tying claws of lobsters]: Device used for tying claws of lobsters – string or elastic bands.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
[tòir]: Thig mi air do thòir aig aon uair. – I shall call for you at 1pm.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tòrradh]: this is the word used for a funeral in Benbecula. It means heaping on, making a mound over the grave by way of protection. Graves were so protected from wolves in the days of old.
Location: Killearn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[uabhar]: Airson an uabhair. For their pride.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[uair]: Thig ri uair rud nach tig le aimsir. In other words what you hope for in a lifetime could happen in a short period of time.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[uilear]: Chan uilear dha tasdan air an tunnaig. He requires a shilling for the duck.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[uilear]: Is uilear dha tasdan air an tunnaig. He does not require two shillings for the duck.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[uireas]: A’ dol airson uireasan. Going for necessities. [NOTE in second hand: uireasbhuidhean.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[urine]: Urine – for rash, foul shave.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
[àm]: B’e seo fhéin an dàrna h-àm dhuit! – Some time for you, this!
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ɛ:ɽlʹiɡʹəɣ]: Quotation: Chaidh mi a dh’iarraidh [ɛ:ɽlʹiɡʹəɣ] de speal. Notes: loan of, say, a working tool such as scythe, the use of which is not returned. Different from “iosad” which is used more for the loan, e.g. of meal which can be returned.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ɛ̃niɡ]: Quotation: [de: n ɛ̃niɡ iɡ ə ǯe: šɤn!] “What spite that one has.” Notes: common to Brora, Golspie, and Embo. (Not the only word for “spite”, but a common one.) Source: Mrs M. MacKay, “Gairlochy”, Main Street, Golspie, Sutherland. Date: 17 March 1968.
Location: Sutherland [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ɛ̜i vɔ̃:nʹ]: Notes: cf. Harris ‘iarunn mòine’. Spade for cutting peat. Long, broad blade, turned at point.
Origin: Glenlyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ɡ̊ã:məs]: Notes: mould for making bullets. Used by Neil MacPhee, Sunamal, Benbecula. Mould he has dates back to Waterloo.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[“croman”]: the “croman” was the most popular implement for lifting potatoes. Constructed like a small pick – broad blade with handle at right angle.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a: Quotation: Bhiodh e duilich dhuinn gach a chéile a leantainn. Notes: It would be difficult for us to follow each other.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a big member: one who is “too big for his boots”.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a chlach gheuraichidh: stone for sharpening the scythe.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a cur na cruidhean: throwing the horseshoes for distance.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a dusgadh: Easing up the potato furrow with fork or spade to make it easier for the ‘croman’. [NOTES: spelled ‘dùsgadh’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
ab-is-ab: a contract between persons for staying silent.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
abardach: [ɑbɑʴḏɑx] Quot.: duine abardach. Note: duine cabach, a tell-tale. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
abharnach: [ɑfəʴṉɑx] Notes: ground where potatoes grew the previous year. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
acainn: [ɑ˖xkɑ̣˖nʹ] Notes: equipment for yoking a horse, tools [?] of any kind.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
acainn chliabh: Harness (for harrows).
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
acainn treabhaidh: Harness (for ploughing). Also: acfhuinn treabhaidh (Ben).
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
acair: Pl. acraichean. Weights (stones) for securing stack.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
acair: Pl. acraichean. Weights (stones) for securing stack.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
acair: Pl. acraichean. Weights (stones) for securing stack.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
acair: Pl. acraichean. Weights (stones) for securing stack.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
acfhuinneach: Notes: energetic; having a capacity for hard work.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
achadh: (m) Field / plain. Cornfield newly cut or ready for cutting.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
achanach: Land ploughed the previous year and used again for further planting.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
achdaich (v): fix for certain.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
adag: stook. 6 sheaves for redland corn, 8 sheaves for lea corn.
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
adhrabard: [ɤɾɤbəʴd̪] Notes: ankle. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
adhracan: [ɤɾəxkɑn] Notes: lapwing. For “adharcan”.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ag iarraidh earnais: the borrowing of a loan. Asked for when a person was leaving his/her house for the first time.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aghartan: Quotation: Chan eil aghartas sam bith anns an duine ud. – He is good for nothing, he has no initiative. Abair dol air aghart! – What a carry on! [NOTES: slipped under ‘adhartan’.]
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aichbhal: suffer for wrong done.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aicheachbach: a plot of land which is being ploughed for the second year running.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aichinnich: land that has been ploughed for the second year. “Bha sinn a’ treabhadh na h-aichinnich an diugh.”
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aig an teine: Term used for main living room. I have never heard a single word used to designate this part of a house. [NOTES: slipped under ‘teine’ with ‘aig an teine’ as the quotation.]
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
ailbheag: [ɑləvɑɡ] Notes: ring in the bow of a boat or in a rock for tying a rope.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aileag: Quotation: Tha an aileag air gu naidheachdan. Notes: said of a person desperate for news, gossip, etc.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aileiridh: night wake, ‘for the dead’.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aileort: halyard, rope for hoisting a sail (boat).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aincheardach: [ɑ̃ṉçɤʴḏɑx] Quot.: duine aincheardach. Note: a [sic] witty, humorous. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aineach: a debt. Short for ‘ainfhiach’ I presume.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ainneamh (?): [ɑ̃nʹi] Quotation: “Bha e [ɑ̃nʹi] math airson …” Notes: It was singularly good for …
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air a losd: Notes: for his sake, on his account, because of it. Dw. has this sub ‘los’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air falbh: Quotation: Tha Iain bochd air falbh. Notes: euphemism for ‘dead’.
Origin: Loch Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aird shìl: used of a bit of land which was renowned for good crops. On a higher level than other land.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
airidh: [ɑɾi] Notes: a wooden frame constructed in byre for hens. “Sgrathan” put on top (for hens to stand on or lay eggs on it).
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
airson: prep. ‘for; to’: cha robh agam ach rolladh a-mach air an taobh seo ’son bhith ’ dol suas; cheannaicheadh [çaɴàçə] tu rud a tha thu ~ [ˈɛ ̦sɔn ] ceannach an-diugh, ai’son ithe ai’son leth na prìse; dh’fheumadh tu chuile ceathramh a ghabhail dà thruip ~ gun cumadh tu an aon rhythm
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
alair (m): food provided for mourners.
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
alaire: Provisions for a funeral especially whisky. Also bread and cheese. Before the funeral party set off for the cemetery, they lined up in front of the house of mourning while men went round serving glasses of whisky on trays, followed by women who served biscuits and cheese. Whisky and cheese were served in the churchyard after the burial. In early times so much whisky was consumed at funerals that fighting was a common occurrence, especially if two funeral parties met (one going north and the other south) and each claimed the “right of way”. Fighting too broke out in the churchyard. The last caber on the ancient Cille Mhartainn church in Staffin, Skye, was hauled down and used as a weapon in a melée. This happened nearly two centuries ago when that church was in ruins and long abandoned. [SLIP: Provisions for a funeral. (See Quest.)]
Origin: Skye
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
alt: a net, fishing net hung with the meshes in an appropriate setting for mending, grain set; could be applied to cloth.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
altachadh: Notes: blessing. The accepted word used in W. Lewis for Grace before meals. Not used regarding dealings between men – only of dealings between man and God.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
am bord uraidh: the board on the plough for turning the furrow or uiridh.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
am bràt: apron for plating potatoes.
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
amall: cross-piece between the chains for pulling plough.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
amar: trough which holds water, or for holding water.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
amar: vessel used for feeding.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
an Reachdaireas: for the Parliament.
Location: Benbecula, Muir of Aird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an cidsin: some houses might qualify for this description for the main living-room. I don’t remember any other special name, unless ‘an ceann shuas’.
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
an clàr: wooden tray for potatoes or fish.
Origin: Barra
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
an cul: for grazing.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
an driuthach: whooping cough. Mare’s milk used as a cure for this. Urine was applied to cold sores.
Location: South Uist, Smerclete
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an droch shùil: in connection with the ‘snàthla’. Another phrase for ‘gonadh’ – to be cast under a spell.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an fheitheamh od: that waiting. When someone waits and expecting [sic] for some unwanted act or movement to happen... ‘After term’… denoting suspense...
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an fhuilm: a bit of wood found at a boat’s helm. About two feet long and used for steering.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an gorman: a small flat grassy space free of weeds and other growth. Suitable for children to play chucks.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an gorman: a small flat grassy place, say, for playing chucks.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an iodhlann: the space fenced off for hay and corn stacks.
Origin: Bràigh-Lochabar [Brae Lochaber]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
an sgoil fhuaghail: in my mother’s day it was customary for girls to go to a sewing school in Fort William.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an steidheadh (): [masc.] a ring of ‘moine shlàn’ is now set all around the ‘glaothan’ and a ‘ceum coise’ away from it. From this outer ring, referred to as ‘an steidheadh’, the stacker helps himself to good building slabs for the stacking.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
an sàbh: another claw used for catching fish.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
an t-iomradh balbh: a quiet moment, e.g. a thief waiting for a quiet moment – “Bha e a feitheamh ris an t-iomradh balbh.”
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an t-ord: used for breaking up shellfish.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
an t-suil liath: near the ‘maodal mór’? Bile duct, organ for secretion? Check.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an t-sùil liath: on top of the larger intestine. Of the same colour as the liver. Could be for secretion purposes?
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an tinntein: stand at each side of the fire for holding pots etc.
Origin: Barra
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
an togail: taking the cream off the milk after it had been left for a whole day.
Location: North Uist, Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an treabhadh: spring work. Common term for this district.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
an tròm: a weight for a fishing line. First the shape of the weight was cut out of a peat. The lead was then melted and poured into this mould and left to set. A nail was pushed through each side so that the gut could be attached. [NOTES: ‘tròm’ corrected to ‘trom’.]
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an-cheard: [ˈɑṉçɑʴḏ] Note: jollity. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an-cheardach: [ɑ̃ṉçəʴḏɑx] Note: witty, funny. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
anabharrach: Notes: for “anabarrach”.
Location: Ross-shire, Polbain
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ancheirdeach: Notes: full of japes, comic, lively. (For form of word, ancheardach more accurate.)
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
annaid: Notes: proper Gaelic word for monastery. When faith came over from Ireland, annaid was the mother church. See Johnson’s Tour.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
anns a’ cham a chòthail: used for someone coming into a conversation, company.
Origin: [South Uist]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
anspach: marlinspike. Used for separating strands of rope in splicing.
Location: North Uist, [Carinish], Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
anspeicean: handspikes, used for carrying the dead, the coffin to a cemetery. The coffin was borne on the shoulders on the handspikes.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aobard: [ɤ:bəʴḏ] Notes: ankle. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aobarna (sic): [ɤ:bəʴṉə] Notes: ankle. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aobhar: Quotation: “Thoir an aobhar dha.” Notes: used among young boys when one who wanted to fight another would have to give reason for the other boy to take him on. This was usually done with a light blow. [NOTES: slipped under ‘adhbhar’.]
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aobrann: [ɤ:bɤʴṉ] Notes: ankle. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aol: [ööɫ] Notes: lime for use as a mortar.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aparan: Waist-bag for carrying seed potatoes.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
aparsac: Bag for carrying seed.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
ar-chloimh: Note: for “ath-chloimh” – the layer of new wool on sheep. (Same pronunciation in Barvas.)
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aran: Quotation: Tha mi dol a dhèanamh aran. Notes: used for ‘to bake’. ‘Fuine’ not used, though known by informant.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aran reota: bread that has been left for a few days without eating. [NOTES: ‘reota’ corrected to ‘reòta’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
arbard: [ɑɾɑbəʴḏ] Notes: septic swelling under the foot. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Stornoway, Melbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
arcach: Notes: for acrach – hungry.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
arcas: Notes: for acras – hunger.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
arlas: bargaining for herring ladies. Again will check to see what this constituted.
Origin: Lewis and Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
armadh: urine which was kept for days for to ‘sour’ for the process of tweed making.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
armadh: oil or grease put on wool for carding.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
arsbag: [ɑʴsbɑɡ] Quot.: (1) an arsbag mhór. (2) an arsbag bheag. Note: (1) greater black-backed gull. (2) lesser black-backed gull. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
arspag: [ɑʴspɑɡ] Notes: black-backed gull. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Laide, Portnacon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
arspag: [ɑʴspɑɡ] Notes: black-backed gull. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Swordly
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ascart: [ɑskɑʴṯ] Note: left-overs, remnants of anything. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
asgart: Notes: what’s left of a potato after eyes have been cut for planting. (Applecross, glaodhan)
Origin: Back
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ath bhlàr: an area that has been cut [for peat] before and is being used again.
Location: Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ath-bhlar: [ɑfɫɑɾ] Quot.: ath-bhlar móine. Note: area of peat which is deep enough for peats to be cut again. The lower depth is the “ath-bhlar”.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ath-cheapach: Notes: land ploughed for three years in succession.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ath-cheapach: Notes: ground which has been ploughed once after being fallow for a long time. (1. talamh làidir. 2. athcheapach [sic]. 3. treasadach.)
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ath-dianag: Notes: an old maiden ewe, getting on for three years old.
Origin: Kinlochourn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ath-rubhadh: Note: shifting the peats after the first lifting for further drying.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ath-rudhadh: this has to be done if weather is unfavourable for peat-drying. Inside peats in stooks placed outside and vice versa.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ath-theinne: [ɑˈhĩnʹə] Notes: flaming peat used as a torch. (See Dw. for ath-theinne.)
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athairle: [ɑhəʴɫə] Notes: a beast a little older than a heifer. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athais: used by some people for means of travel. Theid mi ann ma dheibh [sic] mi ais [sic].
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
atharnach: Ground in which potatoes or turnips have been planted for two years in succession.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
atharnach: Land planted with potatoes the previous year and now used for corn.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
atharnach: [ɑhəʴṉɑx] Notes: ground in which potatoes were planted the previous year. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
athbhull: a small turf walled, garden shaped; used for young cabbage plants.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
athbhull, abhall: used generally for raising cabbage plants.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a’ chailleach: used for the iron hauler used for pulling in nets. [Cf. duin-iarruinn]
Location: Eriskay, Na Hann [Haun]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ chas-bheag: three or four peats set up for drying.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ chiad bhainne: milk yielded first 2 or 3 days after calving (not for drinking, only for calf or for making scones).
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
a’ cleith a bhoinne: the term used for [cows] with-holding their milk.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
a’ cluiche: listening for a herring or other fish’s breaking the surface, a much less distinct sound.
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
a’ cruachadh: making medium-sized stacks on the banks and ‘slating’ the peats to throw off the rain, if the peats are being left on the banks for some time. Such stacks may sometimes be ‘thatched’ (air an tughadh) with turf (‘sgrathan’).
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ cuir shiotaichean air todhar: process of stretching out sheets on the ground outside. Left for two or three days and then washed again.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ cur chun an rathaid: carrying peat from banks to road for transportation home.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ cur gu rathad: carrying peat from banks to road for transportation home.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ deanamh sobhail: this meant the winter’s work in the barn – preparing the barley and oats for milling.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
a’ glanadh nam poll: taking home the peats left on the banks through the winter, ready for the new season’s cutting.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ lìonadh: filling peat-bags ready for carrying to the road.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ maigheastear: [sic] the urine in the tub. Tuba mhaighistir - tub for holding urine for dyeing tweed. It was used instead of ammonia.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ phoit ghuirmein: An enormous three legged iron pot which always rested on the hearth behind the fire, and which contained the ‘guirmean’, a beautiful blue dye used for tweeds, etc. A lid of wood, or a thick, strong piece of canvas tied round it, kept the mouth well sealed.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
a’ putadh: penetrating the ground with an iron dung fork so that it would be easier for the next process.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a’ smòcadh an taighe: this procedure would be carried out by a sanitary officer in the event of a plague or disease being in the district. A soap-like substance was burnt filling the house with smoke. This was to prevent strangers from catching the epidemic. Bar of disinfectant (carbolic) soap left for everyone in the household. [NOTES: ‘smòcadh’ corrected to ‘smocadh’.]
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ spoth nam fàdan: cutting lower edge of peats at an angle – mòine bhàn chiefly – to make it easier for thrower to lift peats away from ‘carcair’ [q.v.].
Location: Lewis, Lochs, Leurbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
a’ taomadh: turning over soil for drainage of lazybed.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Finsbay
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
a’ tighinn a staigh a dh’iarraidh athainn: this could mean that a person was only dropping in and could not stay for long. Reflects the custom of stopping at a house for an ember to use as a torch.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bac mònadh: peat bog. Variant for ‘poll mònadh’.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bac-sgulagaidh: a cut in a stern of a boat, in a stern of a yawl, for sculling, where the oar is placed.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bac-stoc: runners for a boat. (Or. Luaidh. p. 6.)
Location: ? [Eriskay – see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bacan: Notes: tethering pin usually for a horse or cow (cf. cipean).
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bacan: Notes: earmark. “Beum-spaid” also used for this earmark.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bach-chliabh: smaller version [of creel] (often used for carrying fish).
Origin: Sgìre na Pàirc an Leódhas [Lewis, the Park district]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
bachailiu: [bɑxəlu̟] Note: a small size of creel for a teenager using one for the first time. (No idea where word came from.)
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bad: Quotation: “We’ll try a bad.” Notes: ‘Shooting overboard 2 or 3 fathoms of net on a breezy night, as a test for presence of herring.’
Location: Kintyre, Campbeltown
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
badag: Notes: brush made of hen feathers for cleaning the griddle.
Location: South Uist, Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
badag fhraoich: used for cleaning the floor.
Location: Harris, Scarista Post Office
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
badag ite: feather duster, usually for cleaning stove.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
badan-ùrach: soil on a patch of cloth was recognised as a cure for a scalding, to ease off the effects. Again, I can only say this much until I may find further recognition.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bagan-leasach: [lʹɛ̜səx] calf’s bladder (used for making cheese). [NOTES: the last item added in second hand but the slip still gives Eilidh Walker as the source.] [NOTES: the slip has [lʹesəx].]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
baideil: for a group of mountains, e.g. the Cullins.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bainne Gallda: imported milk, term used for denoting milk coming from the mainland perhaps more so to tinned milk, etc.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bainne caol: another name for ‘bainne togalach’.
Location: North Uist, Hoghagearraidh [Hougharry]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bainne-deasgain: rennet, for curdling milk.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
bainne-teth: cure for cholera (used in Hellisay, according to old man who lived in Bruernish).
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
bairneach: limpet. ‘Maorach’ often used for ‘bairneach’ in Trotternish district of Skye.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach, Stafainn [Skye, Staffin]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
bais: for same [i.e. cruaidh-theud?] (Lewis). Originating from ‘bois’ – the palm of the hand.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baisinn: [bɑʃĩnʹ] Notes: basin for washing. (“mias” for milk)
Location: Tiree (?)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bal guailleadh: rope used for tying up. Located at front stem.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Ceannaraigh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
balach bodhach (m), balaich bhodhach: [pl] cormorant – third 7 years. (‘bodhach’ – Tiree for “boidheach”.)
Origin: [Tiree]
Category: Eòin Thiriodh / Birds of Tiree
ball-cléibh: rope hauler for a lobster pot.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ball-mor: a fisherman’s term for a length of rope behind the main mast. [NOTES: the slip has ‘ball-mór’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ball-tobhaidh: the rope – generally termed sweepline – attached to bridle-rope, for towing and closing the net.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
ballan: Notes: barrel for catching water from roof.
Location: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bana-ghoirtidh: [bɑ̃ṉɑɣɔʴsṯi] Notes: godmother. (Dw. has bana-ghoistidh.) [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bancas: played by school-boys on lazy-beds. One boy on the middle lazy-bed and a team of boys on another trying to get across to the 3rd lazy-bed without the boy on the middle one touching them. If he happened to touch one, he was dismissed. Again the former word used for the same pastime was dad-oighridh. Perhaps meaning ‘to your estate’. Thus do d’ oighreadh or oighridh – to your estate. This was the way I take it to be pronounced. The word has died colloquially. [SLIP: A game played by boys on lazy-beds. One boy would stand on the middle lazy-bed while a team of boys starting from another lazy-bed tried to cross the middle one to a third one without the boy in the middle touching them. If someone was ‘tagged’, he was out of the game. Used to be called ‘dad-oighridh’ – ‘to your estate’?]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bann: (of corn) Band for sheaf.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
bann (m), bannan (pl): bands for sheaves. 8, but more usually 10 sheaves in each stook (adag) in Tiree. Reef knot for sguaban-coirce. Bann-eòrna (at sguab centre) for sguaban-eòrna.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
bann dùbailte: Band for barley so as not to crush the ‘ears’ – oats and rye not so easily damaged.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
bann singilte: Band for sheaf of oats or rye – not so easily damaged as barley.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
bannan: [bɑṉɑ˖n] Notes: hinges for hanging a door.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baoic: [b[ɤı]c] Note: wooden bench used in blackhouses for sitting on (also used in early white houses). No nasalisation in pronunciation.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baoicean: [b[ɤı]cɛ̃ṉ] Note: from “baoic” [b[ɤı]c] – bench in a house. Used for a person who procured a house or croft through marriage. Belonged to wife’s father.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bara: [bɑɾə] Notes: channel made for a boat at the top of the shore. Boat left in it when not in use.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bara: Notes: a sort of nest for a boat on the shore.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bara: Notes: “nest” made for accommodating a boat. Built with stones on either side.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bara: wheel-barrow for carrying the peats.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
bara-thòirneap: Notes: used for planting turnip seed.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
baraille-bùirn: barrel for storing fresh water, etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bargan: Quotation: mòine bhargain [vɑɾɑɡɑ̃nʹ]. Notes: peats cut on piece-work for the distilleries or farms.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barlus: [? farlus?] ceap [?] hole for smoke, peat smoke.
Location: Lewis, Arnol
Category: Crodh / Cattle
barr brisgainn: a white wild pansy which could be eaten. One of MacDonald of Ormiclate’s servants killed for eating one of these in the presence of MacDonald’s distinguished guest. By eating this root he was implying that he was not being well fed by MacDonald. [NOTES: note added above ‘brisgainn’ – ‘brisgein’.]
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barr-fhad: name for peat on top of layer (see garadh).
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
barra: this was a V shaped indentation made in machair land in winter. Boots would be tied here for the winter season. [NOTES: corrected to ‘bara’.]
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barra-braoinain: a yellow flower. The root of the ‘cairt shleamhna’ was obtained from this flower. This root was used for tarring nets. Left them soft and supple. Also used as a poultice.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barrag: Small shelter for keeping hay dry.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
barraichean: when the moss is sodden and wet, or the second (bottom) section too brittle to be cast out and spread out for some yards the peats are made into rows on the edge of the bank – one row above the other row – somewhat like so:
Origin: Cataobh [Sutherland – probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
bas na cas: stick thrown in the air for choosing which way to play, or who had the first choice in picking sides. If the head (bas) came down first the man who shouted that word “won the toss”. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
basag: [bɑsɑɡ] Notes: a heather divot, the lower part consisting of peat, dried and used for fuel.
Location: Sutherland, Armadale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bascaid: For carrying potatoes.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
bascaid: Quotation: bascaid mhaorach. Notes: oval-shaped basket used for collecting limpets.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beairt-bheag: small loom for tweed weaving.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beairt-dhealbh: Notes: the loom used for making up the hank of warp before putting it into the loom.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beairt-mhor: [sic] big loom for tweed weaving.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bealathach: a place on the machair for grazing sheep and cattle in winter. Littered with little glens and shelter spots.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bean-uisa: this expression is equivalent to ‘mo thogair’. The lady who gave these three words [i.e. cudthrom shiudan, bean-uisa and cuilidh] is a native of Laggan. Her father was born in that parish about 1871 and lived for a few years at Dalchully and nearly all his life within a few miles of it and had heard that that was the meaning of ‘cuilidh’. I have not heard the word with my father but doubtless he would have been familiar with it and with ‘bean uisa’. He knew the lady and her father very well.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bearradh: Note: used in Harris for “bruthach” on the moor.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beart: Quotation: beart mhór. Notes: tackle used for lythe fishing. It consisted of a line with a rubber eel and lead weight towed after the boat.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beart: [bȷɑʴstʹ] Quot.: beart an t-sèicle. Note: thread-making part of the spinning wheel. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beart: [bjɑʴstʹ] Notes: loom. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beart rannaich: [bɛ̈ʴştʹ ˈɹɑ̃ɲiç] rope for carrying a load on one’s back.
Location: North Argyll
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beart-dhealbh: [bȷɑʴsṯȷɑɫɑv] Note: warping-frame. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beartaich: Quot.: a’ beartachadh a’ chlò. Note: fitting the warp into the loom to be ready for weaving.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beathach: Quotation: beathach stuic. Notes: a beast kept in the stock or fit for keeping in the stock.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beilleag: Notes: The usual Point word for lip. lip (lʹiʰp) also used. Not in Dw., who has béilleach ‘blubber-lipped, having thick lips’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beith: birch tree. There is only one birch tree I know of growing within a distance of Scalpay. It’s on another adjacent island to Scalpay (Scotisay Island), and again as far as I gather, there isn’t one growing on Scalpay, Harris. The one that grows on Scotisay is the ‘silver birch’. If there is a special name for the ‘silver birch’ remains a question with me at the moment.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beum: Quot.: “fear càradh a’ bheuma”. Note: if a person was talking ill of someone and another person stepped in to speak up for the person talked about he would be “fear càradh a’ bheuma”. He would not so much go against what the person was saying as trying to bring up his good points.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beurla (f): language, particularly spoken, as opposed to written; beurla Shasuinn – language of Saxon; beurla Ghàidheal – Gaelic; Beurla bhàn – gospel (old usage – any word meaning “white” bàn, fionn, ean, geal used in idiom with meaning “holy”). Beurla – English language, is modern and incorrect. Bioball Beurla is absurd (for Bìoball Sasunnach) – bìoball = leabhar; beurla = cainnt; = Leabhar-Cànain = Foclar. Dòighbheurla na Gàidhlige – idiom of G. Mall-bheurlach – slow of speech.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bha dà iarunn aige muigh: idiomatic usage: “He had two teams out peat-cutting for him”, i.e. 4 people.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
bhàsaich: never for a person. [NOTES: slip not found.]
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
biadhtachan: [bıɤt̪ɑxɑṉ] Note: a small thin stick, like a lollipop stick, used for pulling threads through the spaces in the reed of a loom.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biast dhubh: otterboard. Used for fishing trout. Illegal.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biast na faghlach: a small innocuous-looking fish which has a deadly spine in its back. It is usually below the sand and the danger is that one might stand on it or handle it when scraping for sand eels with a sickle (corran-shiol). I remember once seeing its effect on a boy’s foot!
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bidean: Quotation: Dé a bhidean a th’ort? Notes: What are you fidgeting about for?
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bidean-mara: sea-perch, a perch on a rock in the sea for identification.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
binndeal: Notes: snare for catching birds. Hoops made from horsehair.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
binndeal: [bɤ̃ĩnʹdʹɑɫ] Notes: snare for catching birds by the feet.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bioda: Notes: Mr MacDonald supports that this is euphemism for bod. Bioda an Stòir is known as Bod an Stòir. Bioda an Stòir, Old Man of Starr, Skye. Bioda a’ Chuirn below Culnacnock rocks east side of Staffin, Skye.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bior cruaidh: a small steel punch used for punching and clenching nail heads.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bior dearg: Red hot pin (for piercing holes in riddle). See deò-theallaich.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
bior-chrith: Notes: iron spike, e.g. for making holes in zinc.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bior-chruaidh: Notes: punch for making nail-holes in horseshoes.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biorach: another word for ‘dallag’, dogfish.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bioran, pl. bioranan: sticks suitable for kindling.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biorr chrith: a length of iron, pointed at one end and used for holing corrugated iron. [NOTES: ‘biorr’ corrected to ‘bior’.]
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biorsamaid: [bjwʴsəmɑdʹ] Notes: spring balance. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biortaich: [bjwʴsṯıç] Quotation: Bhiortaich e nuair a chuala e gu robh thu a tighinn dhachaidh. Feuch am biortaich thu an teine. Notes: brighten up, revive. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bismeid: balance, ‘spring balance’ for weighing. (Lewis) [NOTES: the slip has ‘bismeid (biorsamaid)’.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biùirne: [bȷu̜:ʴnʹə] Note: pirn. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Harris, Bays
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blaith-bròige: I have heard of an individual on Scalpay using this term for a shoe – the shoe coming to Scalpay after the boot fashion and may have caused the individual to term or describe the shoe or shoes likewise.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blar mona: Peat bank. There were held for a period of ten years. At the end of that time peat banks were reallocated by casting lots. [NOTES: spelled ‘blàr mòna’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
bleaghan: a dibble for digging shellfish.
Location: Benbecula, Creagorry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bloinig circe: hen’s fat also used to relieve strains. Also used for cuts, especially hacks on your hands (gàgan).
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blàrag: pet name for a cow with a white patch on its forehead.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blàthach: buttermilk was also used for burns. Putting ‘blàthach’ on burns, for healing, not the antiseptic portion of the story.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
bobag: [bobɑɡ] Notes: Donald says he heard his mother using this word for “stepfather”.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bocsa: Quotation: bocsa deilbh. Notes: bobbin frame for warping.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bocsa na dealbh: box for balls of yarn.
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber) or ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber dialect) or ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber)
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
bocsa roighdaidh: a large wooden box 15" x 12" used for keeping lobsters fresh for a fortnight. This was floated inshore at a time when lobster collections did not take place so often.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodach sgilidh: an instrument used for shelling grain.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodach-sàbhaidh: made with wood and a potato. It was balanced on the edge of a shelf and made to rock backwards and forwards. A well-made one could keep going for quite a while!
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
bodach-sàbhaidh: Note: the figure of a man, its hands stretched out in front of it holding a stick which came down at an angle and passed under its feet. A potato, for balance, was stuck on its lower end. The man then was put standing on a line and it swayed backwards and forwards without toppling.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodachan: Bodachan taois – oatmeal and water mixed and made into a ball, usually for feeding sheep. Bodachan siùcair – small bodachan of oatmeal was squeezed in the left hand and the portion which exuded at the top was flattened and sprinkled with sugar. It was then somewhat shaped like a mushroom and was given to the children.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodachan-sàbhaidh: Notes: a pivotal toy, consisting of a potato which was attached to an angular piece of wood with serrated lower edge. When placed on a fulcrum, and set in motion, the bodachan-sàbhaidh (“the little old saw-man”, lit. “of sawing”) would continue to swing backwards and forwards for an indefinite period if properly balanced. This balancing was considered to be something of an art.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boga-nid: already referred to previously, is I think a tit bird not any particular one – I know for certain it’s a bird, a tit bird – very likely any tit bird or any of the tit bird family, a general term. I remember hearing the term used years back. This is my definition – perhaps someone else has some other or can have a further definition.
Location: Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boganach: tall grass that grew in marshy land. Used for thatching.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boinne-taige: Quot.: “Tha boinne-taig’ aice.” Note: said if one felt a few drops of rain. Also used for sweat. “Tha boinne-taige dheth le fallus.” or “Tha boinne-taige fon an t-sròin aige gun abhsadh” – drip at the end of his nose.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boinneachan: Notes: sometimes used for “a drop”.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bollachan: [boɫɑxɑṉ] Notes: clay bowl for holding milk.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bollaid: bollard for tying or fastening ropes on (boat) at a pier.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonaid: Note: woman’s bonnet for Sunday wear. “Bonaid” nowadays applied to a man’s working cloth cap.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonn: Base; stones, peats or wooden structure for stack.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
bonn: Base; stones, peats or wooden structure for stack.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
bonn: Quot.: “Cha thog i bonn ’s cha dhùin i bonn.” Note: referring to a woman who had no aptitude or inclination for knitting socks.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonnach-luirgeadh: Notes: said to be the reward given to a person by a witch for telling her when someone’s cow had calved. She would then put a spell on the cow to render it dry.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bor-tiachd: [bɔʴt̪iɑxk] Note: P.C.’s pronunciation of “muirtiachd”, a jellyfish. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bord praise: a wooden lid for the pot.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
bota: [bɔt̪ə] Note: Harris word for deep hole on the moor, often over-grown with heather.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bota: [bɔt̪ə] Quot.: bota gainmhich. Note: used in Ness for sandbank as well as ‘baca’ [q.v.].
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
botarachd: Gaelic name for golf. [NOTES: corrected to ‘bodarachd’.]
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bothag: Notes: a small bothy, such as built by children usually from turf divots for their own amusements.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
botul-teth: hot water bottle, for warming the feet in bed.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boush: errand for payment. ‘Bois’, palm.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brabhadach: [bɾɑvɑd̪ɑx] Notes: M. says it’s used in Islay for “lame”. (Dw. brabhdach – bandy-legged.)
Location: BBC
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brac: [brɑk] Notes: a fine form of sea-weed growth that attached itself to lines and nets in the early summer and was a great trial to the fishermen. Common to Golspie, and Embo (probably also to Brora, although the old couple I asked didn’t remember it – the man only fished for one season and wasn’t so well up on his fishing terminology as the Embo and Golspie men). Source: Sandy MacKay, 8 Hall St., Embo. Date: spring 1968.
Location: Sutherland [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
braclach: [bɾɑxkɫɑx] Quotation: (1) braclach an t-sionnaich. (2) Tha braclach tigh aige. (3) ’S e braclach duine th’ann. Notes: (1) den. (2) and (3) used for a state of dirtiness, untidiness.
Location: Skye, Stein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bragaire: Red-seaweed. Used for kelp making. Also for grain crops.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
bragaire: broad leaves of tangle used for manure for corn growth.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bragaire: a red seaweed. This was spread on the machair and left to dry. It was then heated and sent to the mainland to be used as kelp. Also used as fertiliser for hay crops. Known as ‘Bragaire Fheill Padruig’.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
braigh: the buoy-rope for great-lines or small lines.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
braighde: Collar for a horse. [NOTES: spelled ‘braighd’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
branndair: [bɾ[ɑu̜]n̪d̪ɑɾ] Notes: could be the grating in front of an open fire for making scones.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
branndair: a low platform under a table or dresser and projecting from it. Often used as a stance for pails of water.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
branndair: [bɾɛ̃n̪d̪ɑɾ] Notes: iron grille used for making bannocks at the fire. “Bonnach branndair”.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
braoin: [bɾw̃:nʹ] Notes: salt water as used for pickling.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bratag-fhraoich: if allowed to draw itself across a patient’s tongue was believed to be a cure for the patient suffering from burns. I have heard this mentioned – perhaps faith cure.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
bratainn: [bɾɑt̪ĩnʹ] Notes: for Breatainn.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breac: Quotation: a’ bhreac bheag. Notes: vaccination for smallpox.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breac-lion: [bɾɛxklw̃ṉ] Notes: for lion-bhreac.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breacadh: Quotation: breacadh a’ phuill. Notes: lining the peat-bank for skinning.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breacadh: ‘fire-prints on the feet’ caused by continually sitting by a large fire and the feet bare, gradually the fire impression sets in. I cannot think of an English word for it at the moment. [SLIP: “Fire-prints” on feet.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breacag nan gille cullaig: a bannock baked for the boys in a village on Hogmanay.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breide murain: a collar for horses made of sea bent. Lighter and used during ploughing season.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breideach: Special collar made for young horse – to ‘temper’ the shoulders.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
breugan: openings on the creel for the breast bands.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
breugan, briagan: holes in sides of creels used for lifting creel.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breunan-brothach: Note: also for dandelion.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
briagan: special holes [in the creel] for fixing ‘iris’ [q.v.].
Location: Gearrloch, Achadh a’ Chairn [Gairloch, Auchtercairn]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
bridich faiche: a term of reproach for indifferent people in battle. Literally battlefield dwarfs.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
briogais: Quotation: a’ bhriogais [ə vrikʹẹʃ]. Notes: used as brake for the cart passed under the horse’s tail.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
briogais: [bɾwɡiʃ] Notes: breeches, tied just below the knee. Not used for “trousers”. Wearing the “briogais” at one time was considered a cut above the ordinary. “Tha i ’n deidh an fhear ud a phòsadh – tha briogais air.”
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
briolamus: (for ‘brolamus’) mixture.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
briscean, pl. briscein: roots. (I know the vegetable or ground eatable produce but I am afraid I cannot give you the very word for it in English at the moment. They can be rooted from the ground. I have already noted the word on a previous page.)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brisgein: Disease: for stomach complaint. Part used: the whole plant eaten. How prepared: eating it raw, as taken from the ground.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
brochan: Notes: used for Scotch Broth.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brochan: starch for warp threads.
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber) or ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber dialect) or ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber)
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
brod: Quotation: brod poiteadh. Notes: Colonsay, Islay for pot-lid.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brod-liabag: Notes: a spear used for catching flatfish.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brod-na-liapag: a gaff used for fishing flounders in the above ‘fadhal’ [q.v.].
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brog: Notes: shoe and boot. [lɔ:ʰṉs] used but not seriously (for shoes).
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
broid: Collar for a horse.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
broighdean (?): [bɾɔidʹɛ̃nʹ] Notes: rope for tying cow in a stall.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brothalan (?): scab showing on the face caused by eating too much seaweed, or eating excess of it, also noticeable in sheep often on the shore. Cure: giving the animal fat to eat, margarine, etc. (I would say this [i.e. brothalan] is the name for the explanation. I am not quite certain: is an old form beginning to go [?] if not out of use now.)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
brotsach: a big sturdy man – a bit fat. Used for a child as well.
Location: Glasgow
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
brout: a thick coarse bannock kept for growing boys.
Location: [Lewis], Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bruchdadh: Notes: in W. Lewis the word is used for swelling, e.g. in a moss, expanding; or sudden rush of wind, a belch.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bruig: rotten seaweed, collected for manure.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bruig (f): form of barr dearg [q.v.] collected for fertiliser.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
bruis-shimileir: flue brush, or the brush used for brushing the chimneys clean.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bruthaist (-e): a concoction or brose-like substance made for curing minor illnesses such as colds.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bruthas: [bɾu̟əs] Quotation: Bha bruthas aige ’s a’ mhonadh. Notes: a bothy for making illicit whisky.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bràghaid: [bɾɑ:dʹ] Notes: collar for young horses made of twisted fodder.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bràidean: Notes: a kind of wooden collar made from willow or hazel for tying cattle.
Origin: Camusluanie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bràinndean: small grinding stones which would be kept at home for small scale grinding.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bràt: a measure of grain put on the wooden ‘ciullan’ in a kiln. Also used for a bedspread. [NOTES: corrected to ‘brat’.]
Location: South Uist, Frobost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brìc: a pile of potatoes kept in the barn and used for eating.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bròg: Quot.: brogan Sàboint. Note: best shoes for Church wear.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brògaire: a shoemaker’s tool for boring leather.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bròs: form of porridge made with corn. Taken for breakfast.
Origin: Uibhist a’ Deas [South Uist]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
brùchd: [bɾu̟:k] Ness word for above [i.e. cròic].
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bu hort: a makeshift small table made from barrel lids with legs attached. Nowadays the word could be used for a coffee table. [NOTES: note added in pencil: litreachadh? bu-thort.]
Location: Barra, Castlebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buabhall: The cow’s bed was called a ‘buabhall’, a good Gaelic word for stall.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
buachaille-bliadhna: Note: shepherd employed by a township to look after the sheep. Method of payment was to give him a certain amount for each beast delivered safely at the end of his term of employment. (N.C. thinks it was about 6d.)
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buachaille-samhraidh: Note: he was responsible for keeping the sheep away from the village from the time the “fochann” came out until the potatoes were lifted.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buachar a chruidh: ‘cow’s dung’ used for burns, but applied immediately meant better results.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
buachar-a-chruidh: fish, only rocker or skate I have heard of, was planted in this dung, for to sour, to have a flavour (relish) which seemed to be a popular (taste) flavour in the past (Harris). After the fish had been in the manure or dung, it was then washed [and] prepared for eating by simply boiling it. In other words, after being in dung or manure, whatever way you want to put it, for days.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
buail: [buɑlʹ] Notes: stall for one cow.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buaile: for cultivation.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
buaile: Notes: a fold for stock. In the old Highlands, a fold for stock was always circular in form so that the beasts would keep on walking: a scientific fact of animal Psychology, with which stockmen are now catching up as a new discovery. These folds had no roof; and in times of heavy snow-fall, the continuous movement of stock was necessary for their survival. Fanks were also circular.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buailtean: Flail for barley.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
buailtean: Notes: often used for sùisd.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buailtean: a flail for thrashing the corn, etc. Cha robh cuip a bh’air an cùlabh nach deanadh a chùis ’na bhuailtean; orra mo dhùirn orra a thopan, ’s mo sheachd mollachd aig an cluasan. – song (Harris), (a Harris song). Reference to rats; here ‘cuip’ indicates their tail(s).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buailtean: Flail for barley.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
buailtean: used for beating the grain, to break off the husks.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buailtean: [flail] a two foot long tree branch refined down to suitable weight for threshing corn laid out on barn floor.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
buain: Quotation: a’ buain le gaoith. Notes: cutting seaweed on a day with a favourable wind for driving it onshore.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buain bhàirneach: Le òrd maoraich. A chipping knife for knocking limpets off the rocks. Sgian bhùird làidir, le pios air a’ ghearradh bhon ghob, is luideag air a suaineadh mun laimh aice, is air a réileadh le pios sreang lin bhig gus nach sleamhnuich e ’na laimh nuair a bhios e fliuch.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
buain le sgipe: cutting with assistance for the day.
Origin: Inbhirnis [Inverness – most probably meant as the county]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
buairich: [bu̟ɤɾiç] Quot: “Buairich do chas.” Note: said to a cow to make it take its two hind legs together for tying.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bualadh an t-sùlaire: collective name for the dive of a gannet.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bualadh bhròg: a game in which a player bends, putting his head in the lap of another player who proceeds to blindfold him. The player then puts his hand on his bent back palm uppermost and is slapped by one of the other participants whom he has to guess. A book or slipper was used for the slapping. In Skye the game was known as ‘ultan’ or ‘altan’.
Location: Barra, Earsharry [Earsary]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bualaidh: Quotation: bualaidh Galld. Notes: fixture for securing Highland cattle in the byre. Two upright posts, one fixed, the other moveable. The horns of the cow were put in with moveable post to the side, post then put upright and fixed.
Origin: Camusluanie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buana, pl. buanachan: uaireiginn bha seann-daoine air a’ treòrachadh o thig [sic] gu tigh le cloinn gu bhi faodainn ‘deirig’ [?] neo greim bidhidh ’n uair nach robh e na comas dhaibh fhèin fhaodainn ’n uair nach robh duin ann a bhuineadh dhaibh gu sin a dheanamh. (2) Nuair a bha leithid seo de sheann daoine ’s nach b’ urrain dhaibh ach a dhol an eisimpleir chàich gu biodh sligh as fhosgladh dhaibh mar a bha ‘tighean air son na bochd neo tigh na bochd’. Bha ’m facal seo air a chleachdadh uaireiginn – ’s docha gu bheil e agaibh a cheana. [SLIP: Unclear, but connected with the time when old people, unable to fend for themselves and with no relatives of their own, would come to a house with children to get a bite to eat.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buarach: fetter for milking.
Location: Lewis, Arnol
Category: Crodh / Cattle
buarach: [fetter for milking.]
Origin: Barra
Category: Crodh / Cattle
buarach: fetter for milking.
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
buarach: leg-rope. [NOTES: ‘heard “dung”’ added in second hand (most probably the fieldworker).] [SLIP: Leg-rope for cow. Once heard used for ‘dung’. Also fetter for milking.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
buarach: a piece of rope for tying the two hind legs together. It was sometimes made of plaited string with a loop and toggle i.e. dul agus crag.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
buarach: fetter for milking.
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
buarach: fetter for milking.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
buarach: [fetter for milking.]
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
buarach (f): band for tying legs; fetter.
Origin: Ross of Mull
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
buarach (f), buaraichean (pl): fetter for milking.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Crodh / Cattle
bucach: [bu̜xkɑx] Notes: said to be the word used in the Beauly area for a lad up to about 14 years old.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bucall: (m) Hook or buckle thro’ which strap for tying hames (at top) passes. [NOTES: spelled ‘bucal’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
bugaid: Quot.: (1) “Rinn e bugaid dheth.” (2) “Tha e na bhugaid ann a sud.” Note: (1) I killed it outright. (2) It’s lying stone dead there. (“Bugaid” – in places for the puffin.)
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buicealair: [buicəlɑð] Note: local word for butter.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buidhe: Quotation: sneachda buidhe. Notes: snow, having lain for a long time and becoming yellowish.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buidhe: Notes: used in W. Lewis in the sense of fortunate. Also for the colour yellow – bó bhuidhe.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buigealag: Notes: Applecross word for a ‘softy’.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buillion: loaf. Loaves are used for feeding sheep, loaves and oatcakes, or a cake made of oatmeal.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buirtiachd: [bu̜ʴˈṯiɑk] Note: jellyfish. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buirtiachd: Note: jellyfish [bu̜ʴˈṯıɑk] [?]. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bun: Quotation: bun-dubh. Notes: bracken pulled up by the roots and used for thatching.
Origin: Camusluanie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bun-bac: lying at anchor. Na raimh ri bun-bac. They had this saying in Scalpay in former days. Perhaps you have another meaning yourself for this term?
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bun-na-cusaig-ruaidh: root of bulrush. Stewed in water, then squeezed and given to cattle for diarrhoea.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bun-obair: Quotation: Tha bun-obair agam a bhith dèanamh sin. Notes: ‘It’s pointless for me to be doing that.’
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bunach-dùirn: [bũ̟ṉɑxd̪u̜:ʴṉ] Notes: wrist. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntata slisneach: that part of the potato used for seed.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta: raw bits, broken into crumbs (buntàta air a phronnadh le cloich) is [sic] used as a lure for fish when fishing with a spoon-net (‘tàbh’). The mashed potato thrown above the net sinks gradually luring the fish into the net and then the net lifted with the fish inside. The fish is caught unawares so to speak.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
buntàta: Quotation: sgadan bhuntàta. Notes: herring caught for horse consumption.
Location: Kenmore, Fearnabeg (Shieldaig? – on one of the slips)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
burrach: fetter for milking. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Crodh / Cattle
burton: the rope for hoisting or heaving the basket, hoisting rope. [SLIP: Hoisting rope (particularly for herring baskets?).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
busag: busses [sic] (for fishing). I am not quite sure of this one but faintly as it being used likewise.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
busan: on each side of the fire. Made of clay and stone. Flat on top and were useful for keeping pans near the fire.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
buthag: [ˈbu̜ɑɡ] Notes: fairly large rounded stone found on the beach. Used in the old days for heating beds.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
butter and boiled egg mixed: for diarrhoea.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
bàirneach: [bɑ:ʴnʹɑx] Notes: white limpet, useless for bait. (See maorach – Cameron.) [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàl stòcainn: modern equivalent would be a pyjama party. Everyone had to bring socks for the person they would leave with at the end of the night. If they did not have this they would be refused entry. [NOTES: ‘stòcainn’ corrected to ‘stocainn’.]
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàraile: [bɑ˖rlʹə] Notes: barrel; a measure for fish, potatoes.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàrd: Quotation: bàrdachan. Notes: used sometimes as plural for “bards”.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Sangomore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàsadair: [bɑ̀səd̪ɑð] Note: can be used of any place, natural or man made (e.g. the inside of a peat-bank) which is dangerous for animals.
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàsadair: [bɑ:səd̪ɑð] Note: a soft boggy place on the moor notorious for its toll of sheep.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàta iolla: a small boat for fishing the banks or fishing grounds close to the shore.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàthasdair: dangerous bog. It is to be avoided for stock safety. It is dangerous because it is situated in a place where the water cannot be drained off it.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
bìceòin: another name for glas-eun (bird). It could have derived from bìc-eòin – my own definition or of the chirping species. Very likely. [SLIP: Another name for ‘glas-eun’ (bird).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bìle: a thin, long wall constructed with stones and used for drying tangles. In South Uist we have a similar word with a ‘p’ replacing the letter ‘b’.
Location: North Uist, Grèinatobht [Grenitote]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bìodan: [bı:d̪ɑṉ] Quot.: am bìodan. Note: sometimes applied to the youngest member (male) of a family. In some instances stuck to the person for the rest of his life. Would be referred to as “am bìodan”.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bìor-chruaidh: pinching nails; pincher point set against the end of the nail and then the pincher struck with a hammer. [SLIP: For pinching nails.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bò bò: (interj.) to denote a turning away from what is prohibited by a parent or adult for a child to do, as attempting to run into an unsafe place, in particular into the night if he may find a door opened, etc. etc.; to frighten him.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòcan: [bɔ:kɑn] Notes: heard this used by some people for a ball. Usually used in a non-serious way.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòdhach: pretty (girl). (Tiree for ‘bòidheach’.)
Origin: Tiriodh [Tiree]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
bòrd: Quotation: am bòrd. Notes: used for the funeral bier.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòrd: Quotation: Cha d’thainig e riamh fos cinn bùird [fosc[ɤ̃ĩ]nʹbu̜:ʴḏ]. Notes: It never came to light, e.g. information. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòrd-preise: a lid for a pot. Cha deanadh e bòrd-preise. – decrying the qualities of an ‘amature [sic] [amateur?] joiner’ or a handy man.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòrd-sgen: [bɔ̣:ʂtskɛṉ] Notes: a table for sharpening knives on; bath brick was rubbed on it to sharpen them.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùird-an-tuill: dividing boards in skiffs’ holds, for distributing catch.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
bùirn: Quotation: Tha e a’ bùirn. Notes: Heard this used for “Tha e ’g uisg”.
Location: Achlyness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùirt: [bu̜:ʴsṯ] Quotation: Bha a’ nighean ag iarraidh falbh a dh’obair gu tir-mór ach bha a mathar [sic] ga bùirt as. Notes: dissuade or try to dissuade. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùirt: [bu̜:ʴsṯ] Quotation: ’na do chuis-bhùirt (q.v.). Notes: laughing-stock (because of state one is in – say drunk – or because of failing to do something right). [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùlasg: [bu̟:ləsɡ] Notes: can be used for iron hoop on a barrel.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùth: stall for selling at fair. (Shop is [ʃɔxp].)
Location: Glen Lyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùthag: Earth-hut for potatoes.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cabair: stakes for making creels.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caban: Notes: an implement for breaking down lumps of earth after the soil was turned.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabar-slathaig: Note: piece of stick used for arranging thatch.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabastair: a special rein for horses that were difficult to control. Had two bits of wood, one on each side of the horses’s face, which could be tightened so as to hurt and thereby control the horse.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabhail: creel for catching fish.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabhal: a net trap for fish. Again I have not heard this previously, the word ‘tàbh’ being more common in South Uist.
Location: South Uist, Smerclete
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabhal: a device for catching fish in a burn. A semi-circular opening was made by means of a flat piece of wood and the ends of a piece of willow inserted in a hole at each end of the piece of wood. This held open the mouth of a bag-net which was put into the burn at a place prepared for it so that the fish could not swim past.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabhlach: straw. Could also be used for weatherproofing. [NOTES: note added – connlach.]
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cabhroic: a nuisance, e.g. referring to cotters as nuisances competing with tenants and subtenants for bits of land. “Bha iad sin nan cabhroic ’san àite.”
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cabhull: a creel for catching fish.
Location: [Lewis], Siabost
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
cachaileith: Quotation: cachaileir [kɑxəlɛɾ]. Notes: Gate for cattle, between crofts and cùl-cinn.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cadal: Quotation: cadal nan con ’s a’ mhuilinn. Notes: as if sleeping but at the same time on the alert for the oatmeal to appear.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cadsair: [See gadsair.] (Perhaps word used like for customs, as I may have noted previous.)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cafarnaidh: [kɑfɑʴṉi] Notes: an opening, a gate. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caibe: Quotation: caibe-làir. Notes: spade used for cutting “sgrathan”.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caibe làir: used for skinning turf. (caibe: short closed E sound in first syllable)
Origin: Ratharsaireach [Raasay]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
caibe-làir: an iron used for the ‘rusgadh’ [q.v.] and probably introduced from Sutherland.
Origin: Sgìre na Pàirc an Leódhas [Lewis, the Park district]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
caidhleant: Quotation: (cainnleant?, but no noticeable nasality in my mother’s pron.) It would be difficult (for a man with an artificial limb) to take two buses, ged a bhiodh e caidhleant. Notes: complete, able-bodied (?). (I think I heard Rev. Murdoch Campbell, Resolis – of Ness origin – use a form that suggested a variation of coimhliont, with a long -oi- diphthong.)
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caifean: wedding for firing shot.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caigeal: [kɑɡʹɑɫ] Notes: rope made of twisted wands. Used for binding rafters instead of nails.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caigeann: [kɑɡʹən̪] Notes: arrangement for tying cattle.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caigeann: Quotation: Bha caigeann dhiubh ann. Notes: generally used for “a few”. Can be used of people.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caigeann: a pair of lambs. Also used for a fetter on a lamb’s legs.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caight chreathadh: a partition built in old houses made from lime and small stones. Informant not clear if this was the term for the wall or if it meant the method used to erect it.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caileaba: used of an awkward and temperamental horse. Also used for human equivalent.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cailleach: Quotation: “Cuiridh mi a’ chailleach ort!” Notes: “I’ll beat you!” – said when competing to be the first finished in any work. (D.A.’s father maintained that formerly if there was, say, an old cripple of no fixed abode in the village then the last man to get the harvest in had to keep her for the winter.)
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cailleach chathaidh: a box with metal drums inside it. Used for winnowing. When you turned its handle round, the chaff was blown out through holes in the drums. [NOTES: ‘chathaidh’ corrected to ‘chàthaidh’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cailleach mharbh: Potato no longer suitable for seed.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cainean: Notes: paper spill used for lighting a pipe. Not in Dw., who has cainneag ‘plait of straw for making into bags’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cairb: the bend on the saddle for an druim [q.v.].
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cairbhist: work undertaken for the benefit of the landlord.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cairt: a root used for dyeing.
Location: South Uist, South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cairt: for the brown substance which came from the West Indies and was used for tarring.
Location: [South Uist], South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cairt locha: these roots were boiled and mixed with butter. Used for weatherproofing fishing nets.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cairt locha: tubers on the bottom of a loch. The root of this was used for black dye.
Location: South Uist, South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cairt shleamhna: boiled and brushed onto sails with a ‘mapaid’ [q.v]. Used for weatherproofing.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cairt-bhlàir: Quot.: a’ chairt-bhlàir. Note: tormentil (root used for dyeing?).
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cairt-mhona: cart for [carrying peats.]
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cairt-shleamhna: lesser celandine used to bathe feet to heal broken skin. Used as a dye for wool. Also used for tanning skins, e.g. for a false face.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cairteadh: for the tarring of nets.
Location: [South Uist], South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cairteal an acair: quarter of an acre. This was the size of plot used for potatoes.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caisbheart: [kaʃərt] for bròg ’s stòcainn, footwear. [SLIP: Footwear (refers to both shoe and stocking).]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
caisbheart: [kɑʃɑʴsṯ] Notes: footwear. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caise bainne nòs: this milk was placed in a pot of hot water. Left for a while and then cut up into slices and eaten as a cheese.
Location: North Uist, Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caismeachd-soluis: torch, paraffin-fuelled and lit as soon as bag of net was closed, and for summoning herring-buying steamers.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
cait chùil: another name for the above hinges [i.e. cùl cheannaich (q.v.)].
Location: North Uist, Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caithte: strong to wear. Aodach caithte. And ‘aodach caitheamh’, suitable for wearing, generally.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
calbanan: galvanised nails with square heads. Used for boat construction.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
calcadh: hemp and sap mixed together and used for leaks in boats.
Location: Eriskay, Taobh na Mara
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
camairt: [kɑ̃məʴsṯ] Quotation: Tha camairt orm fhéin. Notes: I have a stiff neck on one side. [NOTES: slipped under ‘camart’.] [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
camaranach: [kɑ̃mɑɾɑ̃ṉɔx] Notes: a stick put through the hind legs of a carcase for hanging.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
camard: [kɑ̃mɑʴḏ] Quotation: Tha ’n camard orm. Notes: stiff neck. [NOTES: slipped under ‘camart’.] [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
camhraich: a dish made from oats. Boiled with water and eaten for breakfast, very much like porridge or brose.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
camhraich: after winnowing some of the grain was kept to be soaked in water for about two or three days. Thereafter it was sifted and boiled and left to form a jelly like substance. Eaten as a jelly, slightly bitter in taste.
Location: North Uist, Hoghagearraidh [Hougharry]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
canntail: was and still [is] occasionally [used] by some for canntainn, some referred to this as an incorrect version of cantainn [sic]. But I think not, or I wouldn’t say so myself. [SLIP: Verbal noun of ‘can’ ‘to say’ – alternative to ‘cantuinn’ but not regarded as good usage.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
canntaireachd: prior to staff notation, this was the term used for ‘ceòl mór’ [q.v.].
Origin: Uibhisteach [Uist]
Category: Pìobaireachd / Piping
caogach: Notes: sometimes heard for “squint-eyed”.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caoineadh: weeping but also maybe caoineachadh – making it finer. (In making a bag for bagpipes after the skin was shred of the wool it was placed in alum and then dried. It was then stiff, but had to be teased and rubbed by the hands until it was like chamois, air a chaoineachadh.)
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caol: Quotation: caol-an-duirn [kw:ɫənd̪ɤ:ʴn]. Notes: wrist. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caol-dubh: [willow] found growing wild. Sometimes used [for weaving the sides of a creel or basket] when there was no other.
Location: Cinntire, An Ceann a Deas [Kintyre, Southend by Campbeltown]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
caol-fighe: willow for weaving the sides of a creel or basket.
Location: Cinntire, An Ceann a Deas [Kintyre, Southend by Campbeltown]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
caolain: used for white pudding.
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caolan deisginn: a sheep’s intestine which could be used for rennet. Hung up and dried. Then it was pickled. Thereafter strips of this could be cut and used as rennet.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caolan-dubh: Note: when fishing for dogfish, herring or mackerel bait was used until a dogfish was caught. Then the “caolan-dubh” was removed from it and bits of it used for bait after that.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caolas: name for cattle which had come from the mainland.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caora: Quotation: caora Nollaig. Notes: a beast killed for Christmas/New Year.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caora reamhar: fat sheep for butchering.
Origin: Ross of Mull
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
caora reamhar: fat sheep for butchering.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
caora reamhar: [fat sheep for butchering.]
Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
caoran, caorain: small fragments of peat much sought after for heating purposes.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
capall: Notes: term used for ‘mare’ formerly. “Lair” more common now.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Sangomore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
car-a’-mhuiltein: punning slang for a tumbler to drink out of.
Origin: [Kintyre, Tarbert]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
car-seicidh: [kɑɾseci] Notes: coarse jacket for everyday work made of canvas-like material. Often used at threshing time.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
car-shùgan: an instrument used for making rope. Consisted of a bit of cylindrical wood with a hook at one end for twisting the heather, mane or whatever. [NOTES: a question mark added in the margin.]
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cara: a trap for catching fish at high tide. Placed in the mouth of a river. See earlier description in previous notes. Difference in pronunciation between Uist (caraidh) and Eriskay (cara).
Location: Eriskay, Taobh na Mara
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caraig: a rock jutting out to sea which could be used as a landing place for fishing boats.
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caraigeinn agus feanntag: Irish moss and nettle leaves mixed together and used as a moisturiser for skin. Also used for rheumatism.
Location: Barra, Castlebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caraman-uchd: the spar in front of the weaver’s breast and just level with it, probably there for him to lean on.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
carbad: Quotation: a’ charbad. Notes: base for a coffin with two shafts, one at the head and one at the rear, protruding from the sides. Four people carried it.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carbad: Quotation: carbad an diollaid. Notes: metal channel set in wood across the saddle for the chain from the shafts to slide in.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carbad-òla: initial word for cars when they came to North Uist.
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carbard: [kɑɾɑbəʴsḏ] Quot.: “Tha carbard math fhiaclan ann.” [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carcaire: [kɑɾkəðə] Note: the width of peatbank turfed for cutting.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carcaire: [kɑɾkəðə] Note: width of peat turfed for cutting.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cardan: the combs used [for carding].
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
carn-chlach: Cart used for transporting stones.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
carragh: Dwelly used this for monuments but informant refers to Egypt as: “Ann an Eiphait nan carragh” – meaning pyramids.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cart: [kɑ˖ʂt] Quotation: a cart for a horse. [NOTES: slipped under ‘cairt’.]
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cart dhonn: Notes: a dye for fishing lines or nets. [NOTES: slipped under ‘cairt dhonn’.]
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cartch monaidh: cart for use in taking home peats, “creel”.
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cas-ruamhair: Quotation: a’ chas-ruamhair. Notes: sometimes used for “a’ chas-chrom”.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
casachan: Quot.: na casachain ìseal, na casachain àrd. Note: acc. to DML there were four of each, for raising and lowering the four heddles in a loom. Foot-pedals.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
casan corrach: wooden stilts used for crossing River Lyon.
Location: Glen Lyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
casg: Quotation: casgaichean [kɑ˖skẹçən]. Notes: casks for liquids.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceairrle: [cɑʴlʹə] Notes: ball of yarn. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceairrle: [cɑʴlʹə] Quot.: ceairrle shiomain. Note: a round ball. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cealadair (m): place for opening, door (for admitting hand).
Origin: Tiriodh [Tiree] (Rugadh Daibhidh ann an Glaschu ach chaidh a thogail ann an Tiriodh bho’n a bha e trì bliadhn’ a dh’aois.)
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
ceangal: Notes: for tying cows in the stall.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceangal: a band for tying the legs.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
ceanglachan: Band for sheaf.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
ceangladair: [cɑ̃:ɫəd̪ɑɾ] Notes: for making hanks.
Origin: Culkein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann: Quotation: Cha d’thainig e riamh fos cinn bùird [fosc[ɤ̃ĩ]nʹbu̜:ʴḏ]. Notes: It never came to the surface, e.g. information. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann: Quotation: Cha robh e ach a’ cur seachad do cheann. Notes: (Lewis?) It occupied you for a time.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann iochdair: (of barn) Lower end for storing corn.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
ceann uachdair: (of barn) Upper end for preparing the corn and storing the grain.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
ceann-an-duine-mharbh: Notes: used locally for sea-urchin.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-bheart: [ˈcɑ̃n̪ɑvȷɑʴsṯ] Note: headgear. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-cuiligean: [cɑn̪ku̟liɡʹɑ̃ṉ] Notes: heard this for the sheaf put at the very tip of a stack to make it pointed.
Location: Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-duinn: a natural landing place for boats. Like ‘lamaraig’.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-goirt: sore head. (Internally.) [sic] A wet bandage being soaked in cold water and then tied tight round the head, round the forehead, was a one time cure for a sore head, or a soothing method for sore head.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-iomaire: Quotation: an ceann-iomaire. Notes: the area used by a horse for turning. At the end of the day these would also be ploughed. One acre a day was considered good work for two horses and a man.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-mara: buoy marker, marker on the surface of the sea, as in the case of long-lines or small lines set in the sea for fishing, the ends of the set of lines are kept indicated on the surface by a ‘ceann-mara’, also serving their original [?] purpose as floats tied to the line on the surface, the other fastened to the fishing line or lines at the bottom of the sea.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceanna chnagan: supports for the seats in a boat.
Location: North Uist, Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceannach-ruilleadh: Quotation: Chaneil air fhàgail ach am moll agus an ceannach-ruilleadh. Notes: only the chaff and small grains are left, i.e. the weaklings, etc. Ceannach-ruilleadh – in threshing, the mixture which went through the riddle into the second bag. Was put again through the riddles and the best part was put to the mill for meal. [NOTES: slipped under ‘ceannach’.]
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceannachagan: L shaped bits of wood which were used as supports for the seats.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceannachraidhean: this extended from the gunnel down underneath the seats and acted both as a support for those seats and as a strengthening for the boat itself. In this diagram these wooden supports are indicated by the dotted lines:
Location: Eriskay, Na Hann [Haun]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceannag (f): bundle of hay tied with ‘sùgan’ (a meal for an animal). Ceannag-fheòir.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Crodh / Cattle
ceannard: [cɑ̃n̪ɑʴḏ] Notes: where horses turned when ploughing. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceannard: [cɑ̃n̪ɑʴḏ] Notes: where the horses turn at the end of the field when ploughing. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceap: [cɛp] Quot.: “ceap chliabh”. Note: wooden frame with holes in it for creel-making.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceap: Notes: cap for a muzzle-loading gun.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceap: Notes: Dwelly gives ‘Sort of sofa or couch formed of peats, placed between the fire and the bed in the ‘bothan-àiridh’, and used as a seat.’ The edge or boundary of the bed, instead of bòrd-slios – in old shielings. Also used for sitting on.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceap: Notes: shoe-last. Also applied to the “tree” for shaping the shoe.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceap: turf, cut sometimes where it is thin with some peat attached to it and cured for burning at the back of the fire to save the peats during the winter.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ceap-chinn: Quot.: “a’ buain cip-chinn”. Note: turf divots with earth in the top half, peat in the bottom half. Used for burning.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceap-chleibh: a wooden frame for making creels. Holes were bored for the stakes of the two sizes of creel, the cliabh briagach [q.v.] and bathchliabh [q.v.].
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceapa: Quotation: ceapa caoil. Notes: a bundle of willow wands for making a creel.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceapa làr: [kʹe̱b̥ə ɫɑ̟:ɾ] for turfing.
Location: North Argyll
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceapan: [kʹiʼp̊ɑ̣˖n] Quotation: “Cumaidh a’ bhean sin ceapan air.” Notes: restraint, or a tether for small animals.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearc: Quotation: A’ chearc air ’s gun an ubh ann. Notes: cocky with no foundation for cockiness. Big ideas but no money behind it.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearc-thiortach: [cɛɾkçwʴsṯɑx] Note: fulmar (squirts oil). [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearcall: [kɛrkɤɫ] [?] Notes: square wooden frame for carrying 2 pails of water; the frame kept the pails from bumping against the carrier’s sides. Common to Embo, Golspie, and Brora. Source: Mr and Mrs Kenneth MacKay, 16 Gate St., Embo. Date: autumn 1967.
Location: Sutherland [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearcall: iron band used for strapping cartwheels.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceard: [sic] Quot.: “na ceàrdaidhean”. Note: his plural for tinkers. (Barvas – ceardan.)
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearraigeach: applied to someone who is always looking for trouble.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearsail: [cɑʴsəl] Quotation: cearsail shnàth. Notes: ball of wool. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearsla: [cɑʴsɫə] Notes: ball of rope. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Droman
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceart: Quotation: Tha mi ceart choma. Notes: ceart for emphasis.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceilidh ceardaich: a saying for spending a rainy day indoors. [NOTES: corrected to ‘cèilidh ceàrdaich’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceipstean: capstan for hauling on a boat.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceirle: [cɛʴlʹə] Quotation: ceirrle [sic] shnàthadh. Notes: a ball of yarn. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Skye, Stein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceirle: [cɛʴlʹə] Notes: ball of wool or rope. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceis mhòna: a large basket made locally for carrying peats on the back.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceisteachan: Quotation: na ceisteachan. Notes: pl. of “ceist”, in general and for questions in Shorter Catechism.
Location: Ross-shire, Polbain
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceàrd-fhiullan: [cɑ:ʴd̠iu̜ɫɑ̃ṉ] Notes: a brown insect with a hard body found on dungheaps. Has a “srann”. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceàrdallan: [cɑ:ʴsd̪əɫɑṉ] Note: a purplish black insect somewhat similar to a bee. Flies about emitting a “strann”. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Harris, Leverburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceàrnag: [cɑ:ʴṉɑɡ] Quot.: “ceàrnag de dhuine”. Note: a square-built, stocky man. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceòl dannsaidh: [kɛ̣ɔ̣ɫ dɑ˖usẹj] [sic] Notes: tunes for dancing.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
chaidh: Quotation: Chaidh a’ phlàsd sìos, chaidh an t-srathair suas. Notes: (from Jessie MacLeod, Ness) Used of people falling out – the last line = ‘on one’s high horse’. Srathair – saddle, pack-saddle. For plàsd read plàt (?), cf. plàt-eich ‘straw-cloth of a pack-saddle’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
chaochail: [NOTES: slipped under ‘caochail’. Definition: Never ‘bhàsaich’ for a person. chaochail, shiubhail, dh’falbh [sic].]
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
cheepick: part of a line, where hook is attached. Put it in ‘heepick’ – to wind hook into line so it won’t catch. E.g. for storing.
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
cho fada ri gu siorruidh: as long as ‘for ever’.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
ciabhag: [ciɤvɑɡ] Notes: used for a few hairs hanging down as well as hair growing on the side of the face.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciadain: Quot.: “caora chiadain”. Note: a sheep which is kept from the ram for a year. Has its first lamb a year later than usual.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cian: Quotation: Tha e air an dol chian. Notes: He is always moving about, never in the one place for any length of time.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cinne-speach: [cĩnʹəspɛx] Notes: for “coinnspeach”.
Location: Sutherland, Golspie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciorda: [cɤʴḏə] Note: a wooden bucket with iron hoops on it. Usually painted green when bought in shops. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciortalachadh: Quotation: a’ ciortalachadh. Notes: covering the fire over, and leaving it to burn for the night.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciosan: a small round basket woven from sea bent. Used for carrying eggs.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciosan: a basket for meal made from bent grass.
Location: [Lewis], Siabost
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
ciosan-mine (m): small basket for meal.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cipean: Quotation: cipean dochairt [cıpɑ̃ṉd̪ɔxɑʴstʹ]. Notes: same as “maide leisg”. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: South Uist, Eochdar, Balgarva
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cipean: Notes: a small tethering pin, usually for sheep.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cipein: a peg or pin for tying a tether.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
cipein: part for tying cow in field.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
cire: [cıɾə] Note: cireachan [cıɾɔxəṉ] in plural. Term used for lambs from the time they are taken in for winter feeding till they go back to the moor. Then called “othaisgean”.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciste: Quotation: an ciste shiol. Notes: for storing grain.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciste-chliabh: a wooden box [?] for keeping milk with a basket front of woven willow used at shieling.
Location: Tummel and Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cisteachan: chests for keeping clothes, meal, etc.
Location: [Lewis], Siabost
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
ciuchalas: a word which would be used for a person who was prepared to live off someone else’s labour. “Cha robh e ach ri ciuchalas riabh.”
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Gearradh Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciù(i)lean: the sticks for the ‘brat’, or covering.
Location: Killearn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciùilleir: stick for driving hoop.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
ciùrn: Quotation: ciurn [sic] casaidh. Notes: a churn which revolved like a spit. Had a handle on it for turning it.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claban-muilleadh: Quotation: Nach tu an claban-muilleadh. Notes: used for a gossip.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clabhdach: [kɫ[ɤu̟]d̪ɑx] Notes: clumsy. (In Dw. for Wester Ross.)
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach: Quotation: clach speal. Notes: honing stone for the scythe.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach: Quotation: clach fàldair. Notes: honing stone for scythe.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach: Quotation: clach speal. Notes: stone for sharpening scythe.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach: Quotation: clach eòrna. Notes: a stone for pounding barley.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach shnagadaireachd: a favourite topic for nagging. The victim might say, ‘Aha! Atha! Ràinig thu chlach shnagadaireachd.’ i.e. ‘You’ve reached your favourite subject for tormenting.’
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach-dhearg: ‘red stone’. [SLIP: Red dye for sheep.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach-dhearg: marking stone for sheep, colouring the wool of sheep for identification, marking the wool red. [Cf. clach-liath.]
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach-eòrna: barley-stone. A special stone used for milling barley on the Island of Pabbay in Harris in the nineteenth century.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach-feusanaidh: [kɫɑxfe:sɑṉi] Notes: crow-step on gable end of house, used for standing on when thatching.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Sangomore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach-fhairachaidh: ‘fh’ is silent. A special slab rock which formed a road made of stepping stones leading to an offshore island. The slab in question was always left loose so that when you stepped on one end, the rock rose and clattered down again. This noise acting [as] a warning device for the inhabitants of the island.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach-ghorm: ‘blue stone’ for colouring ship [sic] [sheep?] blue. [SLIP: Blue dye for sheep.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach-liath: marking stone for sheep, colouring the wool of sheep for identification, in blue colour. [Cf. clach-dhearg.]
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach-speal: Notes: honing stone for scythe.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach-speal: for sharpening a scythe.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach-starsaich: [kɫɑxst̪ɑʴsiç] Notes: said to be used for a step outside the door. [NOTES: I use the turned r for the symbol which is unclear in the original. It may be an h.]
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clachan: weights. (Material used for weights – slabs concrete, weights of old windows.)
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
clachan acair: for holding down the thatch.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
clachan goinneal: red stone used for building purposes.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clachd [klɑxk]: Quotation: pl. clachdan. Notes: roll of wool ready for spinning.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clachdan: Notes: rolls of wool from the cards, for feeding the wheel.
Origin: Culkein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cladach: Quotation: A h-uile duine a’ toirt eun a cladach dha fhéin. Notes: Everyman for himself.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cladhaich: Quotation: a’ cladhach a’ bhuntàta le gràp. Notes: when lifting potatoes, one person worked two drills simultaneously as he went, leaving the potatoes lying for an hour or two until they dried.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claidheamhag: sand eel used as lure for lythe etc.
Origin: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach [Skye; Skye, Glendale acc. to other questionnaires]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
claigean: [kɫɑikʹən] Notes: the support for the birne [?] which holds the wool.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claigeann: another word for the reins.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claimheag: [kɫɛ̃:vɑɡ] Notes: small brown eel (?), also used as bait for lythe.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claimheag: [kɫɑ̃ĩvɑɡ] Notes: small fish about 7" long, like a ling, flattish, found among rocks and used for bait.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clais: Trench or furrow for potatoes; tha last furrow in centre, if iomaire was split; the last furrow usually at outer edge of furrow [sic].
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
clais: Quotation: a’ chlais. Notes: plane used for making the groove in floorboards to admit the tongue.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claise: Trench or furrow for potatoes; tha last furrow in centre, if iomaire was split; the last furrow usually at outer edge of furrow [sic]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
claise: Trench or furrow for potatoes; tha last furrow in centre, if iomaire was split; the last furrow usually at outer edge of furrow [sic].
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
claisean tiachd: a chasm which drew in salt water for salt-making purposes.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clamair: iron pliers used for castration.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clasp, pl. claspaichean: clip(s), comb for the hair of a female, clipped in her hair.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cleat: [klet̪] Note: cleat on a boat for tying ropes.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cleata: [klet̪ə] Notes: wooden fixture put on the gunwhale of a boat for tying the sail ropes.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cleathag: an insect, beast which took the seed out of corn ears. Not sure of English term for this insect.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cleit: (also) for fastening ropes on (boat).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cleit: (also) wooden piece nailed to the inside part of a gunwale of a boat for fastening rope to – wooden rope fastener. In English – cleat. I may have given this definition of it somewhere else but it doesn’t matter. [SLIP: A piece of wood nailed to the inside of the gunwale of a boat – to which a rope is fastened. A cleat.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cleith-luaidh: [klɛɫu̜ɤi] Note: table used for waulking cloth.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cleòca-sàboint: Note: long cloak worn on Sundays for church.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliabh: Creel for carrying seaweed – one on each side of horse. Also cliabh bhuntàta.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cliabh: creel used for carrying the peats. These creels were of various sizes and made of wattle, hazel or willow.
Location: Harris, Bernera
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cliabh monadh: the creel used for carrying the peats.
Origin: Harris, Bernera
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cliabh spidridh: [kləv spʰidʹɾi] for manure.
Location: North Argyll
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliabh-mona: creel for carrying peats.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cliabh-taobhaisdeach: [klwft̪ɤıʃdʹɑx] Notes: half-size creel for taking fish from cairidh. (Would it not be any kind of creel?)
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliabhadh: carrying by creel, manual labour by creel. Creel made of twigs, etc. for carrying seaweed manure for the croft.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliamh: riddle for grain.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliarachd: Quot.: “a’ cliarachd na móintich”. Note: wandering about, esp. when looking for something. Also: “a’ cliarachd thall ’s a bhos”.
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliath: [kliɤ] Quot.: “Dean cliathan beag.” Note: in weaving, the amount of cloth woven at the one time without releasing the tension and pulling the cloth back to allow room for the sley-board to go back and fore.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliath bheag: a man drawn harrow very suitable for small plots of arable.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cliath bhiorach: Harrow (for potatoes) – any number of teeth. “Grubber”.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cliathadh: instrument used for harrowing. Made of wood with iron incisors.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cliathan: made of wood with iron prongs. Used for harrowing.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
clig: for boyfriend, girlfriend.
Location: North Uist, Sollas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clioba: a box which held straw for horses and cattle.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliobadaich: Quotation: a’ chliobadaich. Notes: (See p. 132 for story.) Used of the phenomena accompanying the famous Lewis revival of the 1930’s. Not in Dw., who has cliobaidich in other senses (sub cliob).
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clioban (m): Notes: childish name for male reproductive organ.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliseach: Quot.: “Bheir mis’ air do chliseach!” Note: warning given to children. The back. MML, Uig has it for the back of a cow. Sometimes, he says, it is called “cliseach an droma” so it may be a certain part of the back. (Also used in Barvas for cattle.)
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliseam: Quot.: an cliseam. Note: applied to the three pegs at the top of the “beart-dheilbh” for fixing the “alt”.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clisich: latticed section in barn wall for ventilation.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
clispearnach: [klıspɑʴṉɑx] Notes: penis. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: BBC
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliurair: a hammer for dressing stones. [NOTES: corrected to ‘cliùrair’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clobha: instrument used for castrating lambs. Modern plier [sic] onto which a rubber is fitted.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cloimh: dirt gathering in horses’ hooves. This resulted in severe itching which often led to the stamping of feet, which could be heard from quite a distance. The hooves were cleaned with the substance used for sheep dipping – ‘dupadh’.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cloimh liath: blue mould. Apparently this has healing qualities. Mother of informant used to throw an old boot or shoe into a clump of nettles which was left there till mould gathered on the shoe. Thereafter the mould was scraped off and used as a kind of penicillin to relieve the puss in boils and abscess wounds, swellings, etc. Similarly informant remembers the white of an egg being broken to which fresh unsalted butter and lichen (crotal) was added. Used for healing all kinds of burns.
Location: North Uist, Blàsheabhal [Blashaval]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cloimheag: Notes: disparaging term used for a small pony.
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clota-sgùraidh: cloth used for drying up when scrubbing. Colloquial, from clobhta, etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cluas-chiùil: Notes: more than ear for music – faculty given to person to get the word behind tune.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cluich-bhall: [kɫu̜ivɑu̜ɫ] Notes: common term for shinty.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cluinn: vb ‘hear’ : vbl nn: a' cluinnteil for [-nʹdʹ-]; bha mise an deoghaidh an naidheachd a chluinnteil [DAG]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
clàd: Notes: a scraper for scraping the floor etc. Long-handled with a broad, flat head.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàd: Notes: “curry-comb” for horses.
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàr: word for divisions of land held separately between two tenants.
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
clàr: Notes: platform on a boat for standing on.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàr: vessel used for feeding.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
clàrag: wooden frame for a fishing line.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàrag: fishing frame for winding a fishing line on.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàrag (f): Notes: square for winding twine (Portnahaven).
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàragan: for unsightly, protruding teeth.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàtair: a gadget used for pulling out ashes from a stove.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clàtair: like a ‘gràpa’ except that it is designed to pull rather than lift. Prongs are therefore rounded. Used for pulling seaweed.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clè luadh: board for waulking.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cléireach: Quotation: Bha e na chléireach. Notes: used for clerk.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clìsnis: another word for a gate. [NOTES: corrected to ‘clisnis’.]
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clòimh (: [pron.] cloy) [kɫ[ɔ̃i]] itch. [NOTES: the following added in second hand (most probably the fieldworker) – (partic. sheep scab; also ‘Bheil clòimh ort?’) – funny [?].] [NOTES: phonetic transcription added most probably by the fieldworker.] [SLIP: Itch – particularly of sheep but used jokingly for humans (as above [i.e. in the quotation]).]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
cnag na cùise: used for someone who was in the midst of a debate or in the centre of affairs.
Location: [South Uist], Daliburgh (Schoolhouse)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnaidsaireachd: prior to the modern established trade of a joiner in these islands this is a word people used when referring to someone who was always working with wood. “Bha e a’ cnaidsaireachd air cùl an taighe.” Obviously not considered as a viable occupation, even if you were doing odd jobs for neighbours, which was also called ‘cnaidsaireachd’.
Location: North Uist, Lochportan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnap: used for a shoal of herring.
Location: [South Uist], South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnap: general term of reference for a shoal of herring. ‘Cnap’ was used on Scalpay. Not heard of ‘sùil’ so far on Scalpay.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
cnap: used for an overcast sky.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cneadan: [kṉɛ̃d̪ɑṉ] Quot.: “Bha cneadan aice a’ caoineadh.” Note: sobbing after crying for a long time.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnocaireachd: parading about, e.g. waiting impatiently for someone to arrive.
Location: North Uist, [Carinish], Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnodag (-an): affectionate term for daughters. Often carries on beyond childhood. “Na cnodagan agamsa.”
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnotag: [kɾɔ̃t̪ɑɡ] Notes: a stone with a hollow in it for beating barley.
Location: South Uist, Eochdar, Balgarva
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnotag: a sort of bra for spilling oats (a flat stone with a hold [sic] in it where the grain was put for spilling).
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnotag: [kɾɔ̃t̪ɑɡ] Notes: (1) the curlew. (2) stone with a hemispherical hollow in it used for beating corn or barley seed. (3) hollow in a rock for mashing shellfish for bait.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnuimh: maggot. Used on a fishing hook for bait in fishing brown trout. Anything wriggly will attract trout.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
cnàimh: Quotation: cnàmhan glas [kɾɑ̃:əṉɡɫɑs]. Notes: potato patch. (1) Furrow turned with a spade, potato placed and the divot put upside down on top of it (fertiliser put in with potato). (2) Left unturned until the shaws grew. Then at the time of “togail uime” the strip left unturned was dug up and the earth put round the shaws for support.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnàmhdag: pet name for a sheep.
Location: Benbecula, Muir of Aird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnèadan: [krɛ̃:d̪ɑn] Notes: word they used as boys for football.
Origin: Lochtayside
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnòtag: a cylindrical object which tapered towards its bottom. Inside this there was a bit of wood with a handle at the top which manoeuvred the wood inside the cylinder. It was used for taking the chaff off corn. For small scale use, e.g. when making breakfast.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coch-theinnich: [koxˈhĩnʹiç] Notes: steel grip which went over the back of the fingers for striking flint.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cog: This was the vessel used for milking shaped like this: [see below]. Excuse the poor drawing but this will give you some idea how it looked. It was made of wood with an iron ring round the top and bottom. One spar of the cog was longer than the others in order to hold it steady when the calf was drinking. The ‘co’ same as in ‘còig’ or rather a softer sound as in ‘cothrom’.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Crodh / Cattle
cogarsach: [kɔɡɑʴsɑx] Quot.: “duine cogarsach”. Note: duine do-riaraichte ’na nàduir. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coilair mùrain: a collar for horses made of sea bent. Lighter than a normal collar and used for ploughing. [NOTES: ‘mùrain’ corrected to ‘murain’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coileach-dubh: down for the count. Rinn e coileach-dubh dhe. [NOTES: the slip has ‘Rinn e coileach-dubh dheth.’]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coileach-gaoitheadh: Notes: a round basket with a hole in the top for holding wool for spinning.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coileachadh: beating the stream for trout in November.
Location: Killearn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coilleachadh: after being waulked the wool is wrapped round a piece of wood, which is then placed under a weight for a number of days. Said to have improved the appearance and quality of the wool.
Location: Barra, Eoligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coimheadaiche: [kɛ̃əd̪i] Notes: part-time shepherd. In summer was responsible for keeping animals away from crops night and morning. Usually got a piece of land in return.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coingeart: [kɔiŋɡʹɛʴsṯ] Quotation: Chaneil e [kɔiŋɡʹɛʴsṯ] sin a dheanamh. Notes: It is not right to do that. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: South Uist, Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coinnean: paper taper for lighting fires.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coinnleag: could be used for an eddy but also applicable for the gurgling of fat.
Location: [South Uist], Daliburgh (Schoolhouse)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coinseog: Quotation: pl. -an. Notes: sock – half-calf length – knitted for sale. ?Eng. gum-sock.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coirce geal: As coirce mór – tall oats, suitable for sandy soil.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
coirce mór: other forms of oats such as “sandy oats”, “yielder”, “onward”, etc. Imported types. Used for grinding.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
coirce-madaidh: [kɔɾkəmɑ̃d̪iç] Notes: corn which had turned black due to disease. Sterilisation process (boiling water poured over seed) carried out to prevent it. ([iç] very often for idh at end of word.)
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coire-cairteadh: for the barking process of nets. Similar [to coire-dath q.v.] but bark added to the boiling [water], or lumps of bark put in the water for barking the nets when dissolved etc.] [SLIP: Cauldron for barking nets.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coire-cartaidh: the container for boiling bark for the fishing nets.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coire-dath: kettle for colouring wool. The wool is boiled in the cauldron, perhaps more appropriate, with dye, vegetable dyes added. [SLIP: Cauldron for dyeing wool.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
colaidh: [koɫi] Quotation: Tha a’ mhart ann an deagh cholaidh. Notes: for culaidh. She is in fine condition, of good appearance.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
colair: Quotation: colair connlaich. Notes: straw-collar for horses.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
colla-bhigean: Notes: snare for birds. Source: Uist, Berneray. Date: 20c.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
collastraich: J.M.A. assures me these were training schools run by monasteries and nunneries for the training of young boys and girls in various skills and crafts. Set up prior to the Reformation by John, Lord of the Isles. He was obliged to fund these since the Pope had given him permission to divorce his wife Anna and marry Margaret Stewart, daughter of Robert II.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
colomadh: another word for dyeing.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comhachag: ean cailleach oidhche (another name for it).
Location: Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comhailtich: Quot.: “Co bha a’ comhailteachadh?” Note: when a newly-married couple went to church together for the first time.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comhairle: Quotation: “Bheir do shròn fhéin comhairle ort.” Notes: “If you won’t take advice, you’ll find out for yourself.”
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comhairtich: [kɔ̃ɔ̃ʴsṯıç] Notes: the barking of a dog. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comhardaich: [ˈkɔ̃həʴḏiç] Notes: Barking – Carloway. Barvas – [kɔ̃ʴsḏiç]. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comharradh: ears being marked. The tip cut off or a hole cut through the ear, etc. for identification in sheep.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
comharran: land marks used for fishing grounds.
Origin: Barra
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
comhfhurtachail: [kɔ̃əʴst̪ɑxɑl] Notes: comfortable. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comhlach-mhor: straw of the strongest for [sic] [form?], literally: big straw, was used in the thatching of houses.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
comhstadh (sic): [kɔsdəɣ] Quotation: airson [kɔsd̪əɣ]. Notes: for an obligement.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conn: Notes: thread used for tying a hank of yarn. Source: Mrs M. MacDonald. Date: 1975.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
connadh: peat, fuel for the winter.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
connadh: [kon̪əɣ] Notes: fuel. Formerly probably used for twigs, branches, etc.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conochdag: [kɔ̃nɔxkɑɡ] Quot.: “a’ seinn na conochdag”, “a’ séideadh na conochdag”. Note: a village horn was used in Bragar and Arnol until comparatively recently (prob. before the war) for a cessation of work outside. Could be for a death or before the weekly prayer-meeting or early on Saturday evening.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cop: Quotation: cairt-choip [kɑʴsṯxop]. Notes: couping cart. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
copan: Quot.: “An gabh thu tea?” “Gabhaidh mi copan falamh.” Note: commonly for a cup of tea with nothing to eat with it.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coran feòir: sickle for cutting hay, smaller.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coran mor: [sickle] for cutting corn, bigger size.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coran-na-feamainn: the cutting face of the blade is notched or toothed, same as the coran feòir [q.v.] but for cutting side of the blade.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corc: a knife with a wooden handle used for slicing bacon.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corr-shùgan: [kɔ̣r-hu̜ɡɑn] Notes: a round sickle shaped object for making straw ropes.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corrag: Quotation: na corragan. Notes: heard this term used for plough handles.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corrag: Quotation: An òrdag, ’S a chorrag, ’S a mheur-fhada, ’S nic-an-t-sraididh, ’S lughdag bheag an airgid! Notes: the fingers. Probably the lughdag had the rings of silver before Marriage. Nic-an-t-sraididh – fireworks (!) looking for a ring?
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corran: sickle – generally used for cutting grass out of ditches.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
corran-breacaidh: Notes: a type of sickle used for cutting seaweed. It was lighter than the ordinary sickle and had a thinner, toothed blade.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corrathannan: [kɔɾɑhən̪ɑṉ] Notes: used for tying two lambs together on the one pin.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corrathannan: [kɔrɑhən̪ɑṉ] Note: a swivel made of wood for putting on a lamb tether.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cotan: Notes: ‘a hole in the bruthach, for the calf to lie in, if born at the shieling. Dwelly has cotan ‘small fold for a calf’. (MMcL, Uig, Lewis)
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cotan: cot for young newly born calf for summer shieling only.
Location: Lewis, Arnol
Category: Crodh / Cattle
cotan: cotton, cotton wool was used in cuts and bruises. The cotton wool put on the wood [sic] [wound?] and bandaged, after the wound was cleansed and Epsom salts used as a disinfectant in cold water, or lukewarm water, tepid, perhaps as likely cold water was more appropriate in the congealation [sic] of blood, to stop the bleeding. Cotton was also used in having it soaked in hot olive oil, and placed in the ear for earache. Drops of hot olive oil were injected or allowed to run off a teaspoon, inside the ear, to soften hard wax in the ear, etc. etc.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
cotan: [kɔt̪ɑṉ] Quot.: cotan a’ laoigh. Note: a small enclosure at the shieling for a young calf born there.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cotan: [kɔt̪ɑṉ] Note: small turf enclosure for a young calf at the shieling. Usually built into a bank and enclosed with turf divots.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cotan: a fold for sheep.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coth: flesh food, for winter, salted, smoked, etc.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crabhat: [kɾɑˈvɑt̪] Note: used formerly for a scarf.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crabhcan: [kɾɑu̟kɑ̃ṉ] Note: A.C. can’t remember seeing one but was told that it was used originally for twisting flax. Functioned like a “dealgan” but was curved. Latterly used for making rope out of the hair from a horse’s tail. “Crabhcan” also used of people. “Crabhcan grannda de dhuine” – duine camaiceach, lùbach na dhòigh.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crag (cnag): made from a piece of tree trunk shaped like a modern pouffe but smaller and used for sitting by the fire.
Origin: Barra
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
craimp: [kɾɛ̃mp] Quotation: craimp-dùirn – small clamp; craimp-mhór – big clamp. Notes: for joinery work.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann: Quotation: Bha iad a’ cur cruinn air an t-iasg. Notes: casting lots, for sharing fish.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann: Quot.: a’ cur a’ chlò ma chrann. Note: beaming yarn for tweed-making.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann Gallda: Iron (Lowland) plough with mould boards. Types: “Grayach” No. 63 long, No. 57 short. For two horses.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
crann beag (Oliver): the small common Highland plough of wood and iron and pulled by one horse suitable for stony crofts such as we have in Lewis.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
crann todhaigidh: Small wooden plough used for cleaning and earthing potatoes; drill-plough.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
crann-ruslaidh: Notes: a “gripper” for cleaning potatoes.
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann-tarrain: wooden nails for boat.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cranog: [kɾɑ̃ṉɔɡ] Quot.: “Cuir a-nall na [kɾɑ̃ṉɔɡs].” Note: the hooks which were put on a basket of herring for lifting out of the hold.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
craos: a facial expression depicting someone who was hovering over a plate of food for example. Has greedy connotations.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
craos-òl: craving for drink.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creag: sheep struck by fly (maggots). (Stoer, Assynt) Tha creag “ooya” – ooya is used in Stoer for orra.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
creallagan: pinnian [sic] [pinion?] wheels in a mill. (Will look for a fuller definition.)
Location: South Uist, Frobost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creedle; croick: 2. Creedle for holding line. Made of cane rounded at one end and sloped at other for shooting line. And for easy storing on wooden croick when left after baiting ling prior to going to sea.
Category: Iasgach / Fishing
creileag: Basket – used for carrying grain.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
crein (-eachdainn): a verb meaning to suffer for.
Location: Barra, Glen
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creiseim (E): [Changing the arrangement of the threads in the eyes for a new pattern.] Cho fad agus is aithne dhomhsa ’s ann tha seo air a dhèanamh leis a’ chreiseim (faic ‘creiseim’ Dwelly t-d 317). Is ann a’ cur an t-snàth ann an dòigh àraidh air na bacain ud a bha an t-allt (E) a bha gu a bhith air an aodach air a shuidheachadh. ’Se an creiseim a chuala mise air an seo. (Fuaimnich: criseim. Seo mar a tha e againne.)
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
criathar: [kriəhər] Notes: an instrument for separate [sic] grain and chaff, a sieve.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
criathar: Notes: riddle. An criathar mìn – for riddling the meal after coming from the mill. An criathar garbh – for riddling the grain.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
criathar: Exactly the same as ‘guite’ [q.v.] but as a ‘criathar’ was made for winnowing, it resembled a sieve. Innumerable tiny holes were made in the skin with a red hot wire. The ‘criathar’ hung up on barn wall.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
criathar garbh: Riddle for winnowing.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
criathar mìn: Riddle or sieve used for meal.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
criathar-tomhais: Notes: a “criathar” without holes used as a measure for grain or meal. A bushel.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cridhe: Quotation: cridhe mhónadh [kɾıəvɔ̃:ṉəɣ]. Notes: small stacks made on the bank for the winter. “Tughadh” put on with “sgrathan” or “plocan”.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cridhe: Quot.: “a’ togail a chridhe”. Note: believed to be a cure for a certain illness. A piece of lead was melted in a pot and poured on the floor. If a heart-shaped piece appeared it was put in water and the water drunk as a cure. The water was bottled. The heart-shaped piece of lead was then thrown into the sea in a place which was always covered by water. If a heart-shaped piece of lead did not appear the first time, it was remelted until it was obtained.
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crios: (of stack) Rope(s) for securing stack.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
crioslach: Quotation: a’ chrioslach. Notes: a home-made spear of well-seasoned wood used for spearing fish, c. 5' long.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crip: [kɾip] Notes: fodder trough for horses.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Sangomore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cripidh: [kɾipi] Quotation: an cripidh. Notes: three-legged stool used for milking.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cro: rate of imposing fines for injuries (clans, septs, etc.).
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cro: another word for ‘udalan’, a swivel. [NOTES: corrected to ‘crò’.]
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cro-leab: The wooden support for carrying the coffin. Three handles on each side.
Origin: Barra
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
crodhadh: getting the cattle housed for the winter, and also getting the harvest in, hence deireadh chrodhaidh.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crog: [krɔ̣̈ɡ] Notes: large earthenware vessel like a jar for most liquids, principally milk.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
croich or croichean (pl.): poles on the shore for drying nets. Cuiridh sinn an lìon air a’ chroich. (They have all disappeared.) ‘Crochans’ in English.
Origin: [Kintyre, Tarbert]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
croighneach: [kɾɤıṉɑx] Note: cow for slaughter. Might go to the Féill to buy one for this purpose.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crois: Quotation: a’ chrois [əxrɔ̣ʃ]. Notes: instrument for making hanks of wool.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crois iarna: used for rope-making.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crois iarna: used for making hanks.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crois sniamh: a variant name for ‘crois liaghra’.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crois-iarna: a cross for winding yarn into skeins.
Location: [Lewis], Siabost
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
crois-iarna: for winding the thread into hanks.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crois-iarna: device for making hanks of yarn from balls.
Location: [Lewis], Arnol, Bragar and Uigen
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
crois-iarna: a cross like frame for producing hanks of yarn by hand.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crois-iarna: Note: for making hanks.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crois-iarna: for making hanks.
Origin: [Skye], Gleanndail [Glendale]
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
crois-iarna (I): Device for making hanks of yarn. Bha i mar seo shìos. Deànta de fhiodh. Glé choltach ann an cumadh ri acair eathair.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
croisan: [?] the way in which the ends of the wool were arranged on the ‘beart-dhealbh’ for convenience.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
croisearna: device for making hanks of yarn.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
crom-riabhach: [kɾɤu̜mriɤɤx] Notes: a snipe (?) (Confusion between names for corncrake and snipe.)
Location: Skye, Kyleakin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cromadh: Notes: A unit for measuring cloth – middle finger from tip to knuckle.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cromadh: [kɾoməɣ] Note: measure used for measuring the width of tweed when waulking. From the tip of the finger (middle) to the knuckle.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cromag: special boat-hook for lifting end of ring-net.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
croman: Notes: used for hoeing and lifting potatoes.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
croman: A hoe-like implement used for breaking up large clods. Parts: cas – shaft, ceann – iron part. See diag. [NOTES: probably refers to a diagram provided by the informant.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
croman: [kɾɤmɑ̃ṉ] Notes: implement for lifting potatoes.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Blairmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crosd: ’Se seo a chanas sinn mu chloinn a thà crosd. Cuideachd ‘crosd’ mu dhuine a bhiodh dona gu sabaid, ’s mar sin. “Bha e crosd.” “Duine crosd.” (Bha fear thall againne an Uig ri linn mo sheanar ris an canadh iad “Dòmhnull Bàn Crosd”. Duine tough nuair a bha e òg.) [SLIP: Mischievous (of children). Also (of man) tough, bad-tempered, spoiling for a fight.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
crosgag: cross sticks or rectangle of wood for dorgh [q.v.].
Origin: Barra
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
crot: [kɾɔ̃t̪] Notes: device for keeping the door shut.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruachadh na monadh: gathering for completion of stacks.
Origin: Inbhirnis [Inverness – most probably meant as the county]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cruadal: Quotation: “Chan eil air a chruadal (distress) ach cruadhachadh ris.” Notes: There is no remedy for hardship but to harden against it.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruadhlaich: for a tight fisted, mean person.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruaidh: [ɡɾu̟ɤi] Notes: for “gruaidh” – forehead.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruaidh-fhortan: [ˈkɾu̟ɤiɔʴsṯɑn] Quotation: Gheibh thu do chruaidh-fhortan bho d’ athair nuair a thig e. Notes: punishment, “the works”. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruaidh-theud: the hook on which utensils were hung above the fire in the old thatched houses of past years in the Highlands of Scotland, in other words a bar of iron with both ends bent, for the said purpose, with an end fitting loosely or freely in the chain link hanging from the roof, known as ‘slabhraidh’. It was probably a word of a Harris origin, or rather an early production of literary efforts towards this item on Harris (one definition).
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruidheag: a needle used for medical purposes. Could be inserted into veins.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruinn bhallach [sic]: used for meaning a muscular, well-developed man.
Location: North Uist, [Carinish], Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruinneachadh: Quot.: “An robh a’ chaora sin as a’ chruinneachadh?” Note: gathering of sheep for the ram.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruinnich: Quotation: a’ cruinneach [əkɾũ̟nʹɑx]. Notes: for “a’ cruinneachadh”. When cutting the corn one job was to divide the swathes into sheaves without binding them. This was mainly done by women.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crèileag: [kɾɛ:lɑɡ] Notes: miniature creel or basket for holding potatoes.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
créileag: [kɾe:lɑɡ] Notes: small basket for home use, e.g. for holding eggs.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crìonachd: Quotation: Ùrachd a’ bheithe is crìonachd a’ challtuinn. Notes: suitability of wood for burning.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crìondach: for crìonna.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crò: Quotation: crò bhuntàta. Notes: corner of the barn boxed in for keeping potatoes.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crò: fold for sheep.
Location: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
crò-leab: A North Uist term for bier. [SLIP: N. Uist word for ‘bier’.]
Origin: Skye
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
cròcan: implement for picking potatoes.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Finsbay
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cròcan: Hook for lifting potatoes.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cròcan: [kɾɔ:kɑn] Note: implement for digging up potatoes. Had a wooden handle with an iron hook on the end. Also an earmark:
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròcan: [kɾɔ:xkɑṉ] Notes: implement used for potato digging.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròcan: [kɾɔ:xkɑṉ] Note: iron hook with a long wooden handle used for digging up potatoes. Person using it on his knees.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròcan feamad: Hook used for loading seaweed, 18-19th c. – somewhat like ordinary cròcan.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cròcan gaosaid: a wooden cross used for rope-making.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròdhadh: [kɾɔ:əɣ] Quotation: Chuir iad ann an cròdhadh iad. Notes: putting cattle in for the first time in winter. Also applied to the penning of sheep.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròg: Notes: a leather hand strap for pushing the needle in when repairing shoes.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròg: Quotation: Calum na Cròige. Notes: this name was given to a person who had a reputation for telling tall stories. The derivation of Cròg is uncertain.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crògadh: handling the sheep for those that are shearing them.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròic: [kɾɔ:çc] Quot.: “cròic feamainn”. “An robh thu as a’ chròic an diugh?” Note: Berneray (Harris) word for seaweed (especially “feamainn dearg”) deposited in heaps on the shore. “Feamainn dearg” always comes in against the wind – brought in by the undertow.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròsaidh: wood needle, needle for hand weaving garments. An ann le cròsaidh a rinn thu e? (heard from housewives)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròtaichean: bits of wood added to an oar so that they would be tighter in the rowlocks. Also used for the bows put in a young girl’s hair. [NOTES: corrected to ‘crotaichean’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròtal: a dye obtained from rocks on the croft. Brown in colour. Socks made with the aid of ‘cròtal’ was [sic] considered unlucky for fishermen since the dye was obtained from rocks. It was thought the brown colour might lead the boat onto rocks since they were the original source of the dye. [NOTES: corrected to ‘crotal’.]
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crùbag: Notes: saddle for panniers.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crùgan: an amount of flour for example which you can lift with your fingers closed together.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuach Phàdruig: used for replenishing the skin on an open ulcer. The leaf placed over the cut.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuach-phadruig: used for poultice. [NOTES: ‘phadruig’ corrected to ‘phàdruig’.]
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuachag?: [koʔoɢ] Notes: small wooden vessel holding about one pint used for drinking water.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuairt: Quotation: “Tha e dol ma’n cuairt.” – He is going around. “Chuir e cuairt air.” – He went round it. “Tha e gabhail cuairt.” – He is out for a walk (round?). An Cuairtich – Shepherd, who rounds up the sheep.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuairt: [ku̜ɤʴsṯ] Quot.: a’ chuairt. Note: angled piece of wood at stern and stem of a boat for strength. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuairt-gaoithe: medical term for colic in a child.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuairteachan: fan, propellent [sic] form of instrument for fanning in warm weather.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuairtean: variant name for ‘stràc’ or tummers. So far I have not come across this in South Uist or Eriskay, so it must be peculiar to the Iochdar area. Therefore you have ‘cuairt bheoil’ instead of ‘stràc bheoil’. ‘Fliuch bhòrd’ is used as in the aforementioned areas.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuairtich-shiataig: Quotation: an cuairtich-shiataig [ku̜ɤʴsṯıçhɛ:t̪iɡʹ]. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuaran: a leather stookie for an injured finger. Like the finger of a glove and tied behind the wrist with a leather strap.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuaran: finger bandage. Could also be applied as the term for a small slipper or light shoe.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuartach-eanchainn: Quotation: a’ chuartach-eanchainn [əxu̜ɤʴsṯɑxɛṉɑxĩnʹ]. Notes: meningitis. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Ross-shire, Polbain
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuartagach: [ku̜ɤʴsṯɑɡɑx] Quotation: gaoth-chuartagach. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuartaigeadh: [ku̜ɑʴṯiɡʹəɣ] Quot.: “A bheil thu a’ cuartaigeadh?” Note: used formerly for “courting”. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuartlan: [ku̜ɤʴsɫɑ̃ṉ] Quotation: a’ cur cuartlan. Notes: making a loop, a circuit. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cudadh: Quotation: a’ cudadh nan uan. Notes: polite term for castrating.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cudaigeachd: Notes: rock-fishing for cuddies.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cudan (m): a wooden tub, or pail (N.E.). It is possible that the name Clach na Cùdainn was originally Clach na gcudan or Clach nan cudan, with lengthening of “u” by Anglicisation, vide Bàrra for Barra.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cudhalaid: collective term for a number of people gathering together to talk. [NOTES: note added above ‘u’ in ‘cudhalaid’ – (a).]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cudthrom shiudan: pendulum. The lady who gave these three words [i.e. cudthrom shiudan, bean-uisa and cuilidh] is a native of Laggan. Her father was born in that parish about 1871 and lived for a few years at Dalchully and nearly all his life within a few miles of it and had heard that that was the meaning of ‘cuilidh’. I have not heard the word with my father but doubtless he would have been familiar with it and with ‘bean uisa’. He knew the lady and her father very well.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuibhleir: machine for coiling ropes in a boat especially in a fishing boat; can also be applied to a youth engaged in the work of coiling the length of rope to which nets are fastened, in the process of hauling fishing nets.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuibhleir: coiler. Tha e ’na chuibhleir againn anns a’ bhàta – a boy hand in a fishing boat as a coiler, for coiling the rope, the tarred rope (spring), to which the nets are fastened.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuidhbhil: a sheltered recess for cattle.
Location: Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuidhe: enclosure for a township’s cattle. (Supposed to be Norse.)
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuidheall or cuidhle-shniomh: A spinning wheel with a set of cards for carding wool occupied one corner of living room, and with them a ‘fearsaid’ or spindle.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
cuigeal: shaped rather like a tether stake this piece of wood was placed in the wall. On this wool could be twisted to form an accumulation of wool. Could also be used for doubling or strengthening threads.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuigeal: Notes: used for spinning before the wheel was used – a long piece of wood.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuilc: Quotation: a’ chuilc. Notes: wire frame for large dresses.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuile: Notes: small closet, used for storing potatoes, etc.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuileag: artificial fly for trout fishing.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuileagan: artificial flies of various colours and forms (for the angler’s fishing rod).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuilidh: a good pasture; a pasture on which cattle or sheep “come on”. Dr Alex. MacBain, who was from Glenfeshie, gives the meaning of Dalchully, Laggan as “dale of the hollow or recess” (T.G.S.I. Vol. 16. p. 194). The lady who gave these three words [i.e. cudthrom shiudan, bean-uisa and cuilidh] is a native of Laggan. Her father was born in that parish about 1871 and lived for a few years at Dalchully and nearly all his life within a few miles of it and had heard that that was the meaning of ‘cuilidh’. I have not heard the word with my father but doubtless he would have been familiar with it and with ‘bean uisa’. He knew the lady and her father very well.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuinneag: bucket for carrying seed.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cuinneag: a pail for seed.
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuinneag: vessel used for feeding.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
cuir: Quotation: Bha iad a cur cruinn air an t-iasg. Notes: casting lots, for sharing fish.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir na mònach chun a’ rathad: taking the peats to a convenient road ready for hauling home.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cuir na mònach gu tìr: taking the peats to a convenient road ready for hauling home.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cuirean: Notes: A bowl made of muran, or some such material. Probably used for flour. Not in Dw. (Cf. cuirean, ‘little turn’, etc.)
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuis-bhùirt: [ku̟ʃvu̜:ʴsṯ] Quotation: Tha thu ’na do chuis-bhùirt. Notes: laughing stock (because of state one is in, e.g. drunk, or because of failing to do something right). [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuiseag: Notes: a switch, e.g. of birch as used for hurrying a cow.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cul a bhaile: for grazing.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cul-cinn: [?] for grazing, common grazing.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Cluer
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
culpaichean: This is a North Uist word for a shroud. Have never heard the word in Skye, where the common term is léine-mhairbh. In some of the inner Hebrides, and in places on the mainland, a short religious service was requested from a minister when a corpse was placed in its coffin. [SLIP: North Uist word for a shroud.]
Origin: Skye
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
cumailtiche: [kũ̟mɑlʹtʹiçə] Note: an old person who is active and young-looking for his years.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuman: an oblong wooden box used for washing dishes and scrubbing potatoes. Could also be used for feeding calves.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuman: Notes: wooden vessel with holes bored in it for making cheese.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Irish Cove
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cumlaig: [kũ̜məɫiɡʹ] Note: the prepared solution of water and detergent for washing tweed. ([ku̜ɫu̜miɡʹəɣ] in Barvas.) Also: “Cia mheud cumlaig a chuir sibh air?” “Chuir sinn aon/dà chumlaig air.”
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cupan: goblet (at least for Protestant communion).
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Lochaber – [Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Skye – [Canada], Inverness and Victoria? Co.’s) – Protestant
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
cur: used for a drop of the nets. “Rinn sinn a dhà neo trì chùran a raoir.”
Location: Eriskay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cur foidhe an eorna: manured, ploughed and sown same day for good results.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cur-a-mach: throwing or spreading the peats on the bank for drying.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
cura: yarn used for filling bobbins which fit into shuttle (weft).
Location: Lewis, Keose
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
curan: crock for salting butter.
Location: Tummel and Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
curan-fiathaich: if you haven’t any word or meaning for this term, with which I am not certain, perhaps you will take it as ‘roots of Rhubarb and Docken’. There is Sealbhag, but I heard this term also used (old form?). I haven’t consulted documents, it was a word I once heard years back.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
currachd a righ: plated, patterned rounded part of sheep’s stomach used for maragan.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cursair: [ku̜ʴsɑð] Note: a brazen-faced woman. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cursaireachd: [ku̜ʴsɑðɑk] Quot.: “a’ cursaireachd”. Note: using coarse language. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cutag: A knife used for ‘cutting’ potatoes.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cuthaigeadh: Notes: mixing or blending different colours of wool for spinning. Also “Tha iad nan cuthaigeadh.” – They are intermarried.
Location: Ross-shire, Gairloch, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càbal: Note: a very thick rope (cable) as for tying a ship.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càbhraich: [kɑu̟ɾiç] Notes: the juice taken from oatmeal steeped in water till it turned sour. The juice was used for baking and making puddings as a substitute for milk.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càidsair: a person who was always asking for money, provisions etc. A bum.
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càinear: [kɑ̃:nʹɑɾ] Notes: term used for a salmon fisherman. (Sugg. it came from “canner”.)
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càineil: [kɑ̃:nʹɑl] Notes: used for “language” by Joe.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càise: Quotation: [kɑ:ʃtʹɛ̃ṉɑɫ]. Notes: cheese made in hot weather. It was left for a while and became yellowish and tangy but not mouldy. Wouldn’t slice very well.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càra: Quotation: Bu chàra dhomh a dheanamh. Notes: It would be better for me to do it. (Sometimes heard as bu [xɑ:ʴsə].) [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càra: [kɑ:ɾə] Quot.: “Bu chàra dhuit fuireach a stigh ’s an oidhche cho fuar.” Note: “It would be better for you…”
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càradh-cheap: cut turf for grazing. When the turf has been taken off the bog it is placed grass side up for grazing.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
càrd, a’ chàrd (I): The combs used [for carding]. (Cha chuala mi a riamh “na càrdan”.)
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
càrn: Cart with neither front nor sides (used for carrying stones). [NOTES: spelled ‘carn’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
càrn: Notes: cart having no front or sides for carrying planks of wood.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càrn (m), càrnan (pl): a cart without sides or a back, for carrying timber.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
càrn chlach: Quotation: càrn [kɑɑ˖ɾn] chlach. Notes: sledge for drawing stone after a horse, 3 to 4 wide.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càrnag: Notes: small eel caught in streams and used for bait.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càrsan: a choking disease affecting poultry. Also applied for wheezing in humans. Sometimes this word is heard as ‘càsan’ without the ‘r’.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
céile: Quotation: Bhiodh e duilich dhuinn gach a chéile a leantainn. Notes: It would be difficult for us to follow each other.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
céileach: ’Se ‘céileach’ a th’againne [for ‘céilidhiche’ suggested in the questionnaire]. [SLIP: Entertaining, of a person.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
cìob (f): [kind of seaweed.] Reddish in colour and most often found in October. Grows on actual rock. Takes a long time in rotting due to cold weather (winter-time). Good for potatoes.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cìochag: used for a plug, e.g. in a basin, bath.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cìop: turfs which were taken home and used for keeping the fire alive during the night. This was called – “a’ smàladh an teine”. [NOTES: corrected to ‘cìp’.]
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cìr: [kirʹ] Notes: comb for teasing out as it passes on to the roth.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cìr: Quot.: “cìr a’ chruinn”. Note: the muzzle of the plough (for adjusting width and depth of a furrow).
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cìreadh: this was the removal of chaff from the meal once it had been hardened and ground. A sieve was used for this process.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còbran: a small yellow limpet which could be used for bait. Shells could be used for decorative purposes.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còcadh: making small haystacks. Also used for haystacks in Harris. [NOTES: corrected to ‘cocadh’.]
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
còcrach: Quotation: snàth còcrach. Notes: for net-mending.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còcrach: Notes: string used for making or repairing shoes. Becomes streangan when treated with ròsaid.
Location: Skye, Broadford
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còineach: [ko:nʹɑx] Notes: moss used for plugging holes in house walls.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còmhla: traditional Gaelic word for a door.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còmhla: Quotation: còmhl’ a bhigein. Notes: trap for catching birds.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còmhla: Quotation: “Mur a bi thu modhail gheibh thu taobh na locrach de’n chòmhla!” – Said to a child. Planed side out. Notes: Other name for a door.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còmhla-bhigein: Notes: board for trapping birds – held on stick, stick pulled by string when birds had gone underneath board for seed.
Location: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còmh’ [for còmhla] ri: prep. ‘along with’: an robh sibh ag obair air an fheur ~ le Seumas?;
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
còrlaigeadh: [kɔ:ʴlıɡʹəɣ] Quot.: Thoir còrlaigeadh as. Note: a piece cut out of material when making an article of clothing in order to shape it. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còrn: [kɔ:ʴṉ] Quot.: a’ cur a’ chlò air chòrn. Note: making the tweed into a tight roll when finished. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còta: Quot.: “còta-sàbhalaidh”. Note: for best wear.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còta-linnsrig: [kɔt̪əlʹĩ:ʃəɾiɡʹ] Note: coat for women and girls. Material: “ond” with linseed oil put on it.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùbinn bheag: for a lay preacher or for the precentor.
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
cùbinn mhòr: for the minister.
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
cùil: (a’ bhuntàta) Big box-like wooden structure usually in barn – for storing potatoes.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cùil bhuntata: Big box-like wooden structure usually in barn – for strong potatoes. [NOTES: spelled ‘cùil a’ bhuntàta’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cùil lion: a closet for nets.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
cùil nan òisgean: separate part for housing this year’s lambs in winter.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cùirn: [ku̜:ʴṉ] Notes: churn. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùl-mònadh: a corner where the peat was kept after being carried home for burning.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùlag: Notes: surface sod, of which the bottom part is peat, cut for fuel.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùlag: Notes: first peat cut (weatherbeaten on one side). Used for the rounded corners of the stack.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùpa an strainnsair: literally the stranger’s cup. Teapot instead of containing 3 cups for a family of 3 would instead contain 4 cups.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùrn: [kuurn] Notes: churn for making butter.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
daolan: Notes: Perthshire Gaelic for ‘daonnan’.
Origin: Glenlyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
daoran: Quotation: “’S e beathach math a tha an sin agad.” “Och, tha daoran dheth ann.” Notes: DR heard an old woman say this in reply to someone who was complimenting her on a young beast which she had bought. She thought she had paid too much for it.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
darach: [d̪ɑɾɑx] Notes: line used for mackerel fishing – pulled up and let down.
Location: Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
darbh: [d̪ɑɾɑv] Quotation: or darbh-laimh. Notes: hand-line for fishing.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
david: for lifting anchors.
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
dealg: [dʹɛəɫəɡ] Notes: a knitting pin especially for socks.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dealg: Pin for making holes in skin of riddle. See: 1. bior dearg. 2. deò-theallaich.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
deanadach: Quotation: duine deanadach. Notes: prudent man, always making things for himself.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deanntag: nettle. Nettles were boiled and given to cattle in their feeding contribution. The boiling process meant for one reason the abstraction of the sting, and for another reason moistening and softening the plant.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deanntag ineach: Skye for a nettle.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dearc: berry. Dearcagan a chraoibh chaoruinn – were eaten for a contagion.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dearc-luarach: [dʹɛɾkɫu̜ɤɾɑx] Notes: a type of lizard (for dearc-luachrach).
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deargadh: general term for an earmark.
Location: South Uist, South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deargan-tràghad: ‘ebb flea(s)’. Perhaps this is not the right English for them. They jump in the same way (I know you have seen them) on removing a stone and among seaweed, they belong to the marine species. [SLIP: Fleas [sic] which are found among seaweed.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dearragan: derricks. Used for hoisting the stones when they were to be serviced.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deasaich: Notes: bake, or make ready for anything.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deathach: [dʹɛhɑx] Quot.: “Cha do dh’fhàg sinn deathach gun ruith air.” Note: subst. for house.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deimeadh: Thuit e gun deimeadh. “down for the count [?]”.
Location: Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deireadh na cartach (m): dropdown back-board for discharging.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
deisginn: another word for ‘leaba n’uain’, the womb. [NOTES: corrected to ‘deasgainn’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deisginn choineineach: rabbit’s entrails used for the same purpose as above [i.e. as rennet, cf. goille sgairbh].
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deoch dhubh: for seizure in animals. Not sure what it contained.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Ardivachar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deoghal: [dʹɔəɫ] Notes: used for any kind of sucking or suckling.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deud: collective noun for teeth.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Horgabost
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
deàrrsa: [dʹɑ:ʴsə] Quotation: Bheir mi na deàrrsan air an tòin agad. Notes: warning a child that he was going to be spanked. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deàrrsach: [dʹɑ:ʴsɑx] Quotation: deàrrsach uisge. Notes: a heavy downpour of rain. Deàrrsadh na gréine. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deò: end, rear; deò-là – evening; gu deò (till the end) – for ever; fa-dheòi, mu dheòi – at last, ultimately.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deò theallaich: Red-hot needle for making holes in skin of riddle.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
dhuib: [ɣ[ɤı]b] Notes: for dhuibh.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Kilillan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dh’earmaideadh e: he was mistaken for someone else.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dh’fhalbh: [NOTES: slipped under ‘falbh’. Definition: chaochail, shiubhail, dh’fhalbh. Never ‘bhàsaich’ for a person.]
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
di-thallaidh: [dʹiˈhɑɫi] Note: iron rod used for making holes in wood, etc. when heated red-hot.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
di-theallaich: Notes: thin red hot iron for making holes in sieve, etc. Source: Uist. Date: 20c.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
di-theallaidh: [dʹiˈhɑɫi] Note: iron bar whose tip was heated in the fire for making a hole in wood. (Says it’s called “bior-chrith” in Skye.)
Location: [Lewis], [S.] Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diallaid: saddle for a steed, charger.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
diobhairt: [dʹw:əʴdʹ] Notes: vomit. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dioladh: Quotation: Bha e dioladh orra airson … – He was taking vengeance on them for …
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diom-buan: [dʹw̃mɑ̃ṉ] Quot.: “Tha sin cho diom-buan.” Note: (note pronunciation) fleeting, lasting only for a short time.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diomaid: a bit of wood for beating flax.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diorras: for stuirt, huff, etc.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dis: common enough word for a person who likes to be beside the fire. But there is another word: ‘diseag’, which could have derived from ‘dis’, a name given to a female.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diteag! diteag!: Notes: said by one who is dripping wet (cf. foiteag! for cold – not in Dw.) Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dithean-mara: sea-pink. I think there was another name for this flower besides dìthean-mara [sic]. I have only this as thinking of it termed like-wise. I am [not?] able to recollect further at the moment. [NOTES: slipped under ‘dithean-mara’. Definition: Sea-pink.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diùraidean: [dʹu̟:ɾıdʹəṉ] Quot.: “Maide a thàinig air tìr air a chladach agus e làn dhiùraidean.” Note: small, barnacle-like shells encrusted on wood floating on the sea for a time.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dleas: Quotation: “Dleasaidh gobha gual ’s iarrann fuar ga ghreas’d / Dleasaidh ceard spàinn ’s a chur slàn go theach.” Notes: deserve. Said by one who asked for the loan of a spoon.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dleò: for dlòth. (Aird) Chaidh thu ‘Loudies’ air cuairt, cha do bhuan thu ann dleò.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dobhrainn: Notes: pain. Used preferably to “pian” (q.v.) in Islay for ordinary physical pain.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dobhran: another word for an otter.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dochart: Quotation: cipean dochairt [cıpɑ̃ṉd̪ɔxɑʴstʹ]. Notes: same as “maide leisg”. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: South Uist, Eochdar, Balgarva
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
doirbh: [d̪ɤɾɤv] Notes: for fishing.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
doire: Quotation: pl. doireachan. Notes: tangle. Thick stalk with the “bàrr-dearg” growing on it. Used for manure.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dol: Notes: says [d̪u̜ɫ] for [d̪ɔɫ].
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Kilillan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dol: Quotation: Tha e air an dol chian. Notes: He is always moving about, never in the one place for any length of time.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
domhs: Notes: a safe place for a boat above the tide mark.
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
don gnothaich: thankless. Nach ann ort a bha don-gnothaich (if you did a job that was not asked for).
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
donnach: pet name for cattle.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
doras a chleibh: door (for admitting hand).
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
dorgh: handline for fishing.
Location: [Lewis], Siabost
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
dorgh: handline for fishing.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dorgh: Notes: frame for fishing-line (?).
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dorgha: [line] of the heavier quality for fishing (ground fishing). [SLIP: Heavy fishing line.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dorus: [dɔ̣rəst] Notes: opening for a door.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dorus: Quotation: dorus-fasgnaidh. Notes: door in barn opened to create a draught for winnowing.
Location: Skye, Stein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dorus: door (for admitting hand).
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
dorus: Note: “door” of a lobster creel for baiting and removal of the lobster.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dorus: door (for admitting hand).
Origin: An Ros Muileach [Ross of Mull]
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
dorus na sgùill: door (for admitting hand).
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
dosan: Do dhosan – your fringe or forelock. Think this is a Lewis word in origin for most people in Southern Isles use ‘logaidh’ for fringe or forelock.
Location: North Uist, Sollas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dragh: [d̪ɾɤɣ] Note: also used in Shawbost for line on a fishing rod.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
draghairne: [d̪ɾɤɤʴnʹə] Quotation: ’S fheàrr am beag seadhach na draghairne mi-ghniomhach. Notes: lazy, unproductive man, drudge. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dranndan: [d̪ɾ[ɑ̃ũ̜]n̪ɑṉ] Quotation: Bha iad a’ dranndan. Notes: bickering, picking a quarrel, building up for a fight.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
draogh: Quot.: “Tha ’m pana air draoghadh air an teine.” Note: for “traogh” – dry up, empty of liquid.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dreallag: a swing for children.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dreasair: dresser for dishes.
Location: [Lewis], Siabost
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
dreis: Notes: for “greis”. A good while.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dreiseag: Notes: for “greiseag” (“a while”). Dreiseag bheag: a little while (Barvas).
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dreug: a sling for throwing stones. Made of string with a bit of leather in the middle to hold the stone.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
driamlach: (fishing) line for fishing rods. [SLIP: Fishing line (on rod).]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
driamlach: applied to an accumulation of hooks, gut used for fishing.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
driamlach: line for a fishing-rod.
Location: [Lewis], Siabost
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
dribear: [d̪ɾibɑð] Note: sloped enclosure next to the dipping trough where dipped sheep were put for partial drying. Dripper.
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dridseag: a game for children.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
driomlach: an old dorgh [q.v.] past using or beginning to rot but word more commonly used for the giant boot laces.
Origin: Barra
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
droch: Quotation: An droch rud. Notes: euphemism for ‘cancer’.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
droiteachan: Notes: eye of thread on dress for fastening with metal hook.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
droll: Notes: the wire hoop used by tinkers for carrying their pails and jugs on.
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dromanach: Notes: bent hazel wands (steamed) used for pinning down the strips which were laid horizontally on top of the thatch.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dronag: outer shirt gathered into a pad [as a] rest for the creel.
Location: Lewis, Arnol
Category: Crodh / Cattle
dronnag: a pad for the back, below the creel. Dronnag also meant a person’s back. ‘Bi fios aig do dhronnaig air.’ ‘Your back will know all about it.’
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dronnag (): [fem.] a cushion or pad for the back when carrying a loaded creel – normally a folded skirt or ‘cota’.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
druganta: an old man walking with an admirable pace for his age. Nach e tha druganta.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druid: Note: used for blackbird.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druid-dhubh: Note: used for starling.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drulumach: [d̪ɾu̜ɫu̜mɑx] Note: for driamlach. (Shawbost)
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drùmanach: Barra variation for drone. [NOTES: corrected to ‘drumanach’.]
Origin: Uibhisteach [Uist]
Category: Pìobaireachd / Piping
dubh-sheanair: great grandfather. (Urq.) This summer a Glenurquhart man spoke of his mother’s great grandfather (who was one of the Seven Men of Glenmoriston, 1746) as “dubh sheanair mo mhàthair”. He gave the names of the fingers as: “ordag, mac an ab’, ceanna fad’, ludag, bhideag”. A near neighbour and contemporary (both families in the district for generations) gave them as: “ordag, bhordag, gille fada, mac an aba, bhideag”.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubhach: particular type of peat which is found about a foot from the surface of peat bank and which was used for dyeing.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubhan: hook. Same word used for a cat’s nail.
Origin: Barra
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
dubhan-beag-chutaigean: wee fishing hook for the ‘baby scythe’ (saoidhean), etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubhan-linn-bheaga: size of hook(s) suitable for small lines.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubhan-linn-mhor: [sic] size of hook(s) appropriate for great lines (fishing).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubhan-slabhaidh: [sic] a length of iron, rod bent on each end for the cooking utensil’s (of the black house) support over the fire.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubhthalamh: peaty soil as opposed to machair land. Good soil for crop yields.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duilleagan tì: tea leaves which were used for dye, giving a brown, yellowy colour.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duilleagan-seargta: withered leaves, the withered foliage of trees on the ground in late autumn or in winter. (Unless they are used for manure, mixed into compost?)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duin-iarruinn: used for the iron hauler used for pulling in nets. [Cf. a’ chailleach]
Location: Eriskay, Na Hann [Haun]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duine: Quotation: used in sentences such as “Chan eisdeadh e ri duine geal” “Cha robh feagal aige bho dhuine geal.” Notes: used with the negative for emphasis.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duine deisinneach: person who could meet any task, fit for anything.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duine miarranda: someone who had no appetite for food.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duin’-iaruinn: fishing net hand hauler winch or hand (iron) winch for hauling nets. [SLIP: Hand winch for hauling in nets.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dul is cnot: for fastening.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
dulag: n. ‘cone’: theireadh iad ~an na spruis, cones. They say that for pulleys on boats
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
dunaidh: favourite expression if something went against you, e.g. “A Mhic na dunaidh.” Also in sense of a person not getting what he had been expecting, e.g. a person who had hoped for a construction contract: “Rinn iad an dunaidh air.”
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
durabhaidh: i.e. used for an unpleasant, dour character. “Duine durabhaidh.”
Location: North Uist, Hoghagearraidh [Hougharry]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dusbardan: [d̪u̟sbəʴḏɑṉ] Note: a spinning top. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dusgadh: Easing up the potato furrow with fork or spade to make it easier for the ‘croman’. [NOTES: spelled ‘dùsgadh’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
dàmhan-ollaidh: [d̪ɑ:vɑṉoɫi] Notes: for dàmhan-allaidh.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dàn: Quotation: Bha e ’n dàin dha. – It was foreordained for him. Notes: Pre-destination in Theology and determinism in Philosophy is in keeping with the metaphysics of the Gael. No other “scheme” will fit the facts.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dàr: heat (also for human beings).
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Victoria Co.)
Category: Crodh / Cattle
dàrna-leumag: [d̪ɑ:ʴṉəlʹemɑɡ] Notes: field-mouse. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dàrnach: Skye for ‘dara’, alternate.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dàrnaigeadh: [d̪ɑ:ʴṉıɡʹəɣ] Notes: darning. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dèan: Quotation: Tha mi dol a dhèanamh aran. Notes: used for ‘to bake’. ‘Fuine’ not used, though known by informant.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dèidheinn: two forelegs fetter [for] horses to prevent wandering. Deidheann air each a cheàird (tinker) ach cha deidheann air a cheàrd fhein.
Location: Lewis, Arnol
Category: Crodh / Cattle
déadhann: [dʹe:ən̪] Notes: (1) fetter. (2) could be used for what tied an animal to a post.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dìleum: handicap for a horse.
Location: Killearn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dìobardan: [dʹı:bəʴḏɑṉ] Note: a spinning top. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dìosgardaich: [dʹw:sɡɑʴḏiç] Quot.: “séidhir a’ dìosgardaich”. Note: squeaking, creaking. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dòirneag: [d̪ɔ:ʴnʹɑɡ] Quotation: dòirneag a’ raimh. Notes: handle of the oar. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dòrn: [d̪ɤ:ʴṉ] Notes: fist. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dòrn-bhuar: [d̪ɔ:ʴṉvu̟ɤɾ] Quot.: “a’ toirt a mach an dòrn-bhuar”. Note: a competition or test of strength tried when a cow had been killed. This consisted of trying to take the hoof off by twisting it until the first joint gave way and then the skin. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dòrnag: [d̪ɔ:ʴṉɑɡ] Note: a stone as used in shot-putting. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dòrnag: Notes: a round stone as used for shot-putting.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dòrnais: Notes: a torch made from a stick covered with rags at one end and dipped in oil. (Also used for a peat lighted at one end and used for the same purpose.)
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dòrnan: Note: the piece of rope round the “stiall” [q.v.] in the byre, for tying cattle. (“Smidheag” [q.v.] – the part round the beast’s neck.)
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dòrnan: [d̪ɔ:ʴṉɑṉ] Note: the piece of rope from the swivel to the post on a cow’s tether in the byre. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dòrrlach: Quotation: dòrrlach choirce; dòrrlach eòrna. Notes: sometimes for “a sheaf”.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dùnadh: Quot.: “Feumaidh mi dùnadh a chuir dhan eathar.” Note: said when a piece of planking has to be put into a boat for renewal. “Timchioll ùr” if the whole plank is to be put in.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dùrd: Quotation: Cha chuala mi [d̪u̜:ʴḏ]. Notes: in reply to “Dé do naidheachd?” [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eacarsaich: [ɛxɡəʴsiç] [?] Quotation: ag eacarsaich. Notes: doing some job in a very lively way, energetically. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eacarsaich: [ɛkəʴsiç] Notes: struggling in difficulties, e.g. when a horse is in difficulties after the cart has upturned. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
each sgiuramach: used for an excitable horse.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
each-iaruinn: symbolical name for a train.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eachan: Quotation: “Coltach ri eachan Mhàiri ribeach, daonnan a’ dol mu’n cuairt.” Said of a person who was never still. Notes: instrument for winding yarn – originally made from suitably shaped piece of tree.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eachan: Notes: winder for making hanks of wool.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eadarag: for eadradh, noon. “Am fear a gheibh ainm na mocheirigh, feudaidh e cadal gu eadarag.” (deireadh a’ mhaduinn)
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eag: a notch. Also used for a dimple or an indentation in the chin.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eaglais: This is the word I have always heard for a church but it may be interesting to note that there are three farms in this district called Achnahannet. Not very long ago looking through the dictionary I came on the word ‘annaid’ meaning a church, which may suggest that that word was used in the district at one time.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
ealachag chogaidh: someone who took the blame for anything that happened.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ealagol: old peat from walls, used for fuel.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Finsbay
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
ealla: [jɑɫə] Notes: commonly used for a small portion, small amount.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eallach: corrupt term used for ‘lùth na h-òrdaig’.
Origin: Uibhisteach [Uist]
Category: Pìobaireachd / Piping
eallagoll: [ᵉɑɫɑɡɔɫ] Note: peat naturally dried among the rocks. Ready for burning.
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
earball-sàile: [wɾwbəɫsɑ:lə] Note: the part of the “muircean” nearest the rock. End part. Not so good for eating.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
earradh: [ɛrəɣ] Notes: groove in a barrel for lid or bottom to fit in.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Iona
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
easan: [esɑṉ] Notes: oatmeal soaked in water. Water poured off, heated and milk added. For children.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
easbhuidh: Quotation: Chaneil dad [əjɛsi] orm. Notes: I want for nothing.
Location: Ross-shire, Polbain
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
easgann-chaol: (or an easgann-dhubh), was not this a term used for the jelly-eel. [NOTES: slipped under ‘easgann’.] [SLIP: Terms used for the “jelly-eel” (uncertain).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
easlainte-cham: Note: malady in cattle involving a twist in the neck. Blood let for this.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eathar-mona: boat for [carrying peats.]
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
eileag: for eireag. (Melness)
Origin: Applecross [mother]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eileag: Quotation: seachdain [eɫɑk]. Notes: For ‘eile’.
Origin: Arran
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eilghe: [ɤlɤȷə] Quot.: “a’ leagail eilghe”. Note: second ploughing, usually of ground which had lain fallow for some time.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eilghe Dwelly 390: First ploughing of land that requires a second to prepare it for seed. [NOTES: this item squeezed between (1) and (2); not clear where it belongs.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
eilghidh: [elei] Quot.: “ag eilghidh na talmhainn ann an dùmhlachd na bliadhna”. Note: first ploughing in winter to break up the soil. Turned in the spring for sowing.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eilidriom: A Lewis word for bier.
Origin: Skye
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
eilidriom: Quotation: Thug iad leo an eilidriom. Notes: a hearse for carrying away the remains. Does the first part of the word mean removal? Eilidhriom (?)
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eilitriom: the bier for the dead. It is also called ‘eislig’ by the older people.
Location: Killearn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eisdeachd: Quotation: Bha iad a’s an eisdeachd. – They were (hearing sermon) in Church. Notes: apparently this word was the one used in the R. C. Church for attendance at Confession. Probably after the Reformation it continued to be used in the Gaelic area to describe a Protestant Service.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
es: [ɛʃ] Notes: always used by A.C. for esan. (“…, ars es.”)
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eubhais: [e:vɑʃ] Quot.: “Tha beag eubhais ort a’ deanamh sin.” Note: “It is pointless / a waste of time for you to do that.” Cf. eubhais (Barvas): “Fhuair e eubhais” – He got a good haul.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eubhuin: a root which was used for tanning. Cannot be more specific.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eubhunn: a trailing plant with blue flowers. Used for barking when oak bark was not available.
Location: Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eun: Quotation: A h-uile duine a’ toirt eun a cladach dha fhéin. Notes: Everyman for himself.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eun-dubh: sea-bird about the same size as a puffin with black short beak; black of course but for a white feather showing on its wing, its side. [NOTES: the slip is among the “Doubtful” words. Definition: Sea-bird (same size as puffin with black, short beak and white feathers on side).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eunstrathul: applied to a cumbersome looking woman, e.g. a woman wearing men’s shoes which were miles too big for her.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eàrlaigeadh: [ᵉɑ:ʴliɡʹəɣ] Quot.: an eàrlaigeadh. Note: the chan. [?] [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eàrrlais: [ȷɑ:ʴliʃ] Quot.: “Bhiodh clann-nighean a’ sgadain a’ faighinn eàrrlais mas tòisicheadh iad ag obair.” Note: an advance payment, say 10/-, before starting work on the herring. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eòlan: oil made of the livers of fish by boiling them in a large pot; used for ‘smiùradh’ [q.v.]. [Mrs MacDonald]
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
eòlan: oil for the black lamp.
Location: Killearn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eòrna: Quotation: clach eòrna. Notes: a stone used for pounding barley.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eòrna ceithir sreathan (or eòrna mór): ’se sin a bu mhotha a bha iad a’ cur an Tiriodh. Also for feeding and for making barley bread and barley porridge – brochan. Also used for malting.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
eòrna dà shreath: used as malting barley and for feeding.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
eòrna na gainmh’chadh: Quotation: Tha sin coltach ri eòrna na gainmh’chadh. Notes: You’ll have to wait a long time for that.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
f.: [gender?] cheevitch [?] for covering potatoes.
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
fach: shearwater; also shelter for the night, fàch oidhche.
Location: Cluer
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
fada: sorry for. “B’fhada leam de thachair dha.”
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fadachd: longing feeling, delay, bored in waiting for someone.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fadalach: Quotation: Tha mi fadalach ann a seo leum fhéin. Notes: I am lonely here by myself. Loneliness because one is waiting for someone to come.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
failbhoin: Quotation: “Cha do dh’fhailbhoin mi” – I didn’t hear. Notes: Jessie MacLeod reports common in (North) Ness. Cf. failbhean/failmhean apparently used for the lobe of the ear. Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faileadh (aileadh) grod, lobhte: for rotting food.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Horgabost
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
failich: [fɑliç] Notes: for “fairtlich”.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fairich: Notes: always used for “hear”.
Location: Ross-shire, Plockton, Diurinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fairichte: [fɑɾıtʹə] Quotation: fairichte man a’ choire. Notes: on the alert, watching. Watching for the kettle to boil.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Kilillan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fairis: Quotation: A’ mùin ’s an aon fhaochaig, cha bhi i fada gun dol fairis. Notes: said of two people who are very friendly for a time. fairis – thairis?
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fairteas: for fortas. “’S e fairteas na h-oidhche ni fodur ’s a’ mhaduinn.” (fairteas – na dh’fhàgas a’ chrodh de’n fhodur a gheibh iad m’ oidhche)
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
falaisg: Quotation: gaois falaisg. Notes: broom (usually birch) about 8ft long for extinguishing heather fires.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
falaraidh: word associated with funeral costs and expenses. “A’ dol a dh’iarraidh falaraidh.” Also used for the cheese, biscuits and drink available after a funeral.
Origin: Uibhist a’ Deas [South Uist]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
falmadair-Hiortach: [fɑɫɑməd̪ɑɾçwʴsṯɑx] Note: sometimes for fulmar petrel. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fang: Quotation: fang-glacaidh. Notes: a small enclosure within a fank for catching sheep.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fannadh: [fɑ̃n̪ɑɣ] Note: rowing a boat so that it just moves and no more, e.g. when fishing for cod inshore. Also when going against a strong wind. “Cha robh iad càil ach ’ga fannadh.”
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faoch: I’ve heard this word used by my uncle once for hunting sheep down the face of a hill when they would be gathering for the clipping. The ‘ao’ had the same sound as in ‘fraoch’ but a quicker and more abrupt sound. I would imagine this word was their way of saying ‘fuadaich’.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
faochag: Quotation: “A’ mùin ’s an aon fhaochaig, cha bhi i fada gun dol fairis.” Notes: said of two people who are very friendly for a time.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faochagan: whelks. Faochagan dubha ’s faochagan geala in particular, was [sic] known for their medicinal attributes.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
faochagan-geal: medical properties, was [sic] boiled and the water in which they were boiled in [sic] was drank for worms in children (cure).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
faoighiche: Quotation: Pl. faoighichean – beggars. “Se faoighiche a bha’nn [sic] dha Dài.” (Dài = the common Lewis pronunciation for Daibhidh, David.) Notes: before the days of the Old Age Pension, those who had no source of income, roamed among the villages as a recognised class, and were so described. The term would seem to have fallen into desuetude after the Act for Old Age Pensions.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faom: [fw̃:m] Notes: for “aom”.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faonagraich: [fw̃:ṉɑɡɾiç] Quot.: “eich a faonagraich”. Note: for “aonagraich”.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
farachan: Mallet or flat-topped hammer for driving stabs into ground.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
faradh: [ɸɑ˖rəɣ] Notes: a small platform usually reserved for hens above the cattle, in a thatched byre.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faradhruim: extra support for the keel.
Origin: [Harris]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
farag (-adh): bathing. “Gad fharagadh fhein” – applied to someone who would go for a swim.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faraire: Quotation: Pige na farairidh. Notes: whisky for use at wakes.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
farchan: a mallet used for taking the husk off corn.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
farmail: Notes: wooden vessel for holding water indoors. Two handles on it.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
farmail: [fɑɾəmɑl] Notes: a wooden tub with handles in which water was kept for household use.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
farmailt: [fɑɾɑmɑlʹtʹ] Notes: tub for holding water. (H. Meek spells it faramail or farmail.)
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
farmal: large pitcher for water.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
farraid: Quotation: Dh’fharraid mi dheth. Notes: common for “ask”.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
farsabreac: [fɑʴsəbɾɛxk] Notes: says it is a black-backed gull. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fartaman: [fɑʴsṯəmɑ̃ṉ] Notes: thin line which attaches a hook to the main line. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Kenmore, Fearnabeg (Shieldaig? – on one of the slips)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fasganadh: searching hair for nits (sniginn) – “A’ fasganadh do chinn.”
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fasganadh (f), fasganadhan (pl): vessel used for winnowing seed (airson a’ mhuill a chur air falbh). 18" in diameter and fairly shallow (c. 2") with a solid bottom of sheepskin (wooden).
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
fasganag: [ɸɑ˖sɡɑ˖nɑ˖ɡ] Notes: a round instrument similar to a criathar for separating the chaff.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fasglan: a little ‘bothag’ built on to the front of the house and just missing the front door – possibly a shelter for the front door.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
fatradh: [fɑt̪ɾɑɣ] Quotation: Fhuair e fatradh ann. Notes: shelter, accommodation for the night.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fead-a-falach: [fɛd̪əfɑɫɑx] Note: sometimes used for “falach-fead”.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feadan: found inside a barn this was a stone built appendage on the inside of the wall. Square in shape. A hole was made in the barn wall which allowed air in. This then was used for winnowing seed.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feadan: Opening in wall of barn to allow wind – for blowing away chaff.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
feadan: a small opening at the back of the kiln through which the wind blows for winnowing.
Location: Killearn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feadan: Quotation: feadan na h-àthadh. Notes: hole in wall opposite the door in the kiln to create a draught for winnowing.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feadan: [fed̪ɑ̃ṉ] Notes: man-made culvert. Also feadan na h-àthadh: opening in wall opposite the door to create draught for winnowing.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feadan àthadh: Opening in wall of barn to allow wind – for blowing away chaff.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
feamainn chìrean: Notes: seaweed nearest the land; used for feeding cows.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feamainn chìrean: short and thin seaweed, used to boil it for cow.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Cluer
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
feamainn dearg: brought on to shore by the incoming tide; also suitable for potatoes as is also for oats and barley.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
feamainn dhearg: Red seaweed. Types: (a) smotan – red seaweed (used for potatoes). (b) langadal – long seaweed growing on far-out rocks. Used for grain crops (barley and oats). (c) bragaire – used for kelp making. Also for grain crops.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
feamainn dubh: Black seaweed (used for “feannagan”). Types: (a) aona chasach – does not float. (b) feamainn bhuilgeanach – black ‘knotted’ seaweed. (c) feamainn chìreanach – black ‘bubbly’ seaweed. (e) buidheagach – black seeweed which floats sometimes – feamainn bhuidhe. (e) glaobhrach / gleodhrach – seeweed of the ‘black’ type. It floats. [NOTES: ‘feamainn dhubh’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
feamainn dubh: cut when tide is out. High tide bringing the cut seaweed on to foreshore gathered and spread on machair soil suitable for potatoes.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
feamainn-bhuileaganach: the most common; used to be cut for fertiliser.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feamainn-dhubh: the most common; used to be cut for fertiliser.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feamainn-loibhte: rotten seaweed. Was very popular as manure for potatoes. Left to rot, and then placed in drills when planting the potatoes.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feamainn-shiabaidh: sea-wrack lying dormant on the shore was used as manure not for the beneficial use of nutrition. Naturally enough fresh seaweed species were considered more closely, to the necessary medicinally [sic] purpose required.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
feamanadh: collecting seaweed for manure, and on to the croft.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feamin dubh: the bladder and other types of seaweed which was cut with “corrans” and carried up in creels. Frequently went with boats to outlying islands to cut this ware. Always used for potato manure. Many boats lost through overloading.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
feannadh balgan: skinning calf for stuffing.
Origin: Geàrrloch [Gairloch]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
feannag: “Lazy-bed”. A long, narrow ribbon-like strip of ground for growing potatoes and occasionally corn, the seed being laid on the surface and covered with the earth taken out of the trenches along both sides.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
feannag: “Lazy-bed”. A long, narrow ribbon-like strip of ground for growing potatoes and occasionally corn, the seed being laid on the surface and covered with the earth taken out of the trenches along both sides.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
feannag: “Lazy-bed”. A long, narrow ribbon-like strip of ground for growing potatoes and occasionally corn, the seed being laid on the surface and covered with the earth taken out of the trenches along both sides.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
feannag: “Lazy-bed”. A long, narrow ribbon-like strip of ground for growing potatoes and occasionally corn, the seed being laid on the surface and covered with the earth taken out of the trenches along both sides.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
feannag: “Lazy-bed”. A long, narrow ribbon-like strip of ground for growing potatoes and occasionally corn, the seed being laid on the surface and covered with the earth taken out of the trenches along both sides.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
feannag: “Lazy-bed”. A long, narrow ribbon-like strip of ground for growing potatoes and occasionally corn, the seed being laid on the surface and covered with the earth taken out of the trenches along both sides.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
feannag (f) (chorc): (general) “Lazy-bed”. A long, narrow ribbon-like strip of ground for growing potatoes and occasionally corn, the seed being laid on the surface and covered with the earth taken out of the trenches along both sides. See ‘taomadh’.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
feannag bheag: (general) “Lazy-bed”. A long, narrow ribbon-like strip of ground for growing potatoes and occasionally corn, the seed being laid on the surface and covered with the earth taken out of the trenches along both sides. See ‘taomadh’.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
feansa: A fence for drying hay. Feans (f) Tiree.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
fearsaid: distaff, spindle for twisting wool, operated by hand. (Scalpay)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fearsaid: Quotation: an fhearsaid [ən ɛərsẹdʹ]. Notes: spindle for twisting wool.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fearsaid: distaff (for winding in thread).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fearsaid: Notes: piece of wood used for spinning together two threads for knitting.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fearsd: [fɛʴsd̪] Notes: for “fearsaid”. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feasgar: Quotation: … air na feasgraichean blàth samhraidh. Notes: see MacLennan’s Dictionary for this plural form. Source: Agnes MacLeod, Tolsta Chaolais. Date: 1979.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feileastair: [feləst̪ɑɾ] Notes: wild iris, sometimes used for thatching.
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Swordly
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feisd: rope, made of heather at one time, for tying a cow while grazing. The end was fixed to a stick driven into the ground.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
feisde: [feʃdʹə] Note: tether for cattle. (Dw. [fe:ʃdʹə] – Lewis.)
Origin: Balallan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feitheamh: [ɸe̱ʔəv̥] Quotation: De feitheamh a th’ort? Notes: watching, observing (very rarely waiting for).
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fersaid: spindle. For winding thread.
Location: South Uist, South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feur: [fıɑɾ] Quotation: [fıɑɾ] as opposed to [fɛ:ɾ]: grass. Notes: No 1 field in five year rotation system. Had been fallow for two years. Now ploughed and sown with oats.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feur-lòn: Notes: grass growing in damp spots. On big farms with a lot of fallow ground this was cut for hay.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feur-tarraing: Notes: teazed hay, used for roofing the sìg. Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feurach: [fɛ:ɾɑx] Notes: (noun) grazing for animals.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feurach: grazing for sheep.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
feursaid: [fiɑʴsɑdʹ] Quot.: na feursaidean. Note: warble fly (in cattle). [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feursaigean: [fjɤ:ʴsıɡʹəṉ] Notes: warble flies. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feursalan: [fe:ʴsəɫɑṉ] Note: warble-fly. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feursnan: [fıɑʴsən̪ɑ̃ṉ] Note: warble-fly. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feurstan: [fe:ʴsṯɑṉ] Notes: warble-fly. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feàrtallan: [fȷɑ:ʴst̪əɫɑṉ] Note: his pronunciation of word for a warble fly. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Harris, Leverburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feàrtan: [fjɑ:ʴsṯɑṉ] Notes: warble fly. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feòclan: [fjɔ:xkɫɑ̃ṉ] Notes: sometimes used for a small old man who shuffles along.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fhead’s: for fhad’s. Pron. like ‘its’ in Eng.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fheusaidh ?: see the song Ailein Duinn o hi shiublainn leat in ‘Sinclars’ [sic] [Sinclair’s?] Oranaiche, attributed to Nighean fear Scalpaigh: the song, or a line in the song says Cha b’e call a’ chruidh ’s an fheusaidh? I am wondering is it a corruption? Or should it be Cha b’e call a’ chruidh ’s a’ chéiteinn. I haven’t heard the word being used on Scalpay, and I am wondering… When you’ll get time to look it up, perhaps you may be able to have a definition for it?
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiabhras-scàrlaid: [fıɤɾəs-skɑ:ʴɫɑdʹ] Note: scarlet fever. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Stockinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiagan: rushes for candle-wicks.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiarag (-an): heather ropes used for securing thatch. Would be attached so that they formed a diamond pattern.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fideach: [fidʹɑx] Note: tidal flats. (Covered by very high tides. Short, very green grass grows on it and is very good for sheep and cattle.)
Origin: Harris, Bays
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fidealadh: Note: used of the tying together of two beams with rope. Also for the arrangement of the “sioman” at the end of a house.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fidean: sea plantain [?], choice pasture for cattle and sheep.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fidig: [fidʹiɡʹ] Quot.: “Bheir mis’ air na fidigean agad.” Note: term used for behind the thighs.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fidig: [fidʹiɡʹ] Quot.: “Gheibh thu mu na fidigean e.” Note: used mainly for hitting a person. Meant “about the legs”.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fineachas: [fĩṉɑxəs] Quot.: “Gu deimhinn, cha b’e dol a fineachas sin dha.” Note: same as for “dualachas” [q.v.].
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiodh-stòbhaidh: Note: wood steamed so that it can be curved, e.g. for gunwale of a boat.
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiodhan: [ɸiəɣɑ˖n] Notes: small box with holes used for compressing crowdie.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fionn: Quotation: am fionn faoilidh. Notes: symbolic name for purity, white robe of innocence. Source: ?
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiuchdan: fastener for clothes.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiultag: [fȷu̜ɫt̪ɑɡ] Note: Harris, Barra for above [i.e. glùineachan].
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fladach: [fɫɑd̪ɑx] Notes: for plodach in Dw.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
flagais: manure (horse, cattle). Mixed with seaweed and used for oats only. [Corca-flagais.]
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
flagais: a layer of sand, maure [sic] [manure?], peat dust. This was left to rot and used for manure. A compost heap. Could also be used of a flirty woman.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fleipeid: piece of cloth over a hole, hinged like for to cover a hole or over a hole, flapping piece of material, a tongue piece of soft flexible material.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fleòdar: this was the old name in Point, Lewis for tin. A tin pail or basin used for milk would be ‘peile fleòdair’ and ‘mios fleòdair’. (Is it conceivable that at one time they had pewter utensils?) I do not hear the word now – if there are any tin pails, etc. – it is ‘peile tiona’, ‘mios tiona’.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
fliodh: it grows in potatoes and corn, thickly in potato lazy-beds with emerald leaves, perhaps lighter than emerald leaves with pinkish small flower. ‘Fliodh-a-bhuntàta’, given to cattle for food, not for medicinal factors, purposely.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
fliopar: Quotation: Thug mi dha fliopar. Notes: “I gave him a flap with my hand.” A type of blow formed by flipping one’s fingers across, for example, a dog’s nose.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fodhnachgain: what is responsible for something, i.e. “Chan eil fiosam dè a tha air fodhnachgain do’n duine bhochd sin.”
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foghnadh: Quotation: Foghnaidh an Saoghal dhuit! – The world is one too many for you! More than enough. “Dh’ fhoghainn sud dha.” – That finished him.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foidh: [f[ɔı]:] Quot.: “Tha e ri foidh.” Note: going from house to house begging for food.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foileadh: [fɔləɣ] Quotation: a’ foileadh. Notes: rummaging, e.g., a pig working with its snout, or a person hunting for something e.g. in a drawer and leaving it untidy.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foileigean: [fɔlɛɡʹɛṉ] Quotation: Ciamar a tha thu an diugh a’ foileigean. Notes: a pet term for a small boy.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foireiche: mallet for striking the corn and taking the husk off.
Location: Killearn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foireinidh: [fɔɾˈɛ̃ṉi] Quot.: “’S ann aige a tha a’ [fɔɾˈɛ̃ṉi] air an airgiod.” Note: equivalent of “’S ann aige a tha ’n cothrom air an airgiod.” (Note that stress is on the second syllable – said just like “for any”.)
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foirteam: also used for snòt [q.v.]. Whether this [is] a corruption of English word or has claims to Gaelic origin, I don’t know.
Origin: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach [Skye; Skye, Glendale acc. to other questionnaires]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
foirteam: also used [for snòt (q.v.)].
Origin: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach [Skye; Skye, Glendale acc. to other questionnaires]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
foiteag: Quotation: foiteag! foiteag! ’se tha fuar! Notes: for heat or cold, usually cold.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
folach: although this word meaning (hide) in in [sic] Gaelic was used about here when a person was getting any little odds and ends for nothing and very often applied if the ghillie got anything home out of the larder during the stalking season.
Origin: [Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
folmadh: when working with clay this was the process whereby clay was slowly put into the mould for shaping purposes. Had to be careful not to put too much clay in at any one time.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foodlan: swivel. (Stoer, Assynt) The “foodlan” is usually an oblong piece of hard wood 4" x 2" x ½" (bigger for cattle) with two holes. The tether threaded through each hole from different side with an overhand knot on each rope, thus revolving in the “foodlan”. The modern iron swivel was merely called “sweevil”.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
for: Air for – wandering, astray. (Urq.) “Tha na caorich air for.” “Thainig cu air for.”
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
for: Quotation: Chan eil for aige. Notes: He hasn’t a clue.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
for: idea, comprehension.
Origin: Baleshare
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
for, fuir (m): trace, sign.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
for-lìon: large number.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
for-ord: predestination.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
for-ordu: [See for-ord.]
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
forail: used for meaning conscious.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Gearradh Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
forc: Two pronged fork for working with corn or hay (had long handle).
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
forc: Quotation: forc móine. Notes: two-pronged fork used for forking peats. Flat prongs.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
forca: Notes: 4-pronged fork used to throw peats further out on the bank to allow space for more.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fos: for os “above”. Dwelly gives Badenoch only. “’S e a bhean fhuine chrìondach ’s tric a theid fos cinne na ciste mine.” In the Aird the wren said to the eagle, “fada, fada fos do chinn.”
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fos: Quotation: Cha d’thainig e riamh fos cinn bùird [fosc[ɤ̃ĩ]nʹbu̜:ʴḏ]. Notes: It never came to light, e.g. information. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fos-leth: [fɔslʹɛ] Quotation: Cha robh ainm fos-leth aca air a’ sin. Notes: They had no special word for that.
Origin: Kilmorack
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fosglan: [fɔsɡɫɑṉ] Note: structure to the front of older blackhouses used for keeping lambs etc. Had to go through it to get into living quarters.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fotan: Quotation: fotan (fallain). Notes: seaworthy. Fotan is used to mean ‘healthy’, too, but is the term regularly applied in Brora, Golspie, and Embo for a seaworthy boat. Source: Mrs Margaret MacKay, “Gairlochy”, Main Street, Golspie. Date: winter 1968.
Location: Sutherland [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frachd: [frɑxk] Quotation: [hɑ mi dut gɤs ən uɑrɑn ɔrn frɑxk bu:rn] “I’m going to the spring for a load of water.” Notes: a cearcall-load of water, i.e. 2 pails. Still well-remembered in Embo; recognized as an old-fashioned word in Golspie. Source: Mr and Mrs Kenneth MacKay, 16 Gate St., Embo. Date: spring 1968.
Location: Sutherland [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frachd: [fɾɑk] Note: says this was grain given in part payment for rent long ago.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fraoch: Quotation: fraoch a bhun duibh. Notes: used for thatching, with the stem to the outside. Would last a long time.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fraoch-easraidh: Notes: heather taken in for bedding for cows.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fraochan: Quotation: fraochan na bròige. Notes: strip with holes in it across the toe for decoration.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fraochan: Notes: perforated strip put on the toecap of a shoe for adornment.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fraochran: [fɾw:xɾɑṉ] Notes: fretted strip across the toe of a shoe, for adornment. Normally “fraochan”.
Location: Ross-shire, Polbain
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fraochran: Notes: perforated strip across the toe of a shoe for adornment.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frasach: [fɾɑsɑx] Notes: slatted wooden horse-box for feeding in stable. Fixture.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frasach: Note: slatted wooden feeding box for lambs.
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frasach: box used for horse feed.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
frasachan: A wooden implement with serrated edge used for threshing one sheaf at a time. See diag. [NOTES: probably refers to a diagram provided by the informant.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
freasdal: Quotation: Gu sealladh freasdal ort! Notes: For goodness’ sake.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
friasg: [fðiɑsɡ] Quot.: “Eil friasg agad?” Note: shellfish used for baiting hooks for rock-fishing or small lines.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
friasg: collection of mussels used for bait.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
friodhan: [fðwɣɑ̃ṉ] Note: (1) barb of hook. (2) pig’s bristle used as tip for “sreangan” when stitching shoes.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frioghan: Notes: pig’s bristle, put on the end of the “sreangan” in cobbling for easy insertion through holes made by the awl.
Location: Ross-shire, Polbain
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frith-iasg: [ˈfɾıɑsɡ] Note: parboiled whelks used as bait for cuddy-fishing.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frithearnaich: [fɾıhəʴṉiç] Notes: ragnails. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
froisainn: a bit of wood used for taking the ears off corn, oats, etc. [NOTES: note added above ‘ainn’ in ‘froisainn’ – ein.]
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
froisean: used for hand thrashing.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fràsaich: a cheeky female, when approached for her, being concerned in some mischief will retort with abuse. ’S ann oirre bha colas [sic] na fràsaich. – the way I heard the word used.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuaidreag: the artificial minnow or rubber eel, for fishing. [SLIP: Artificial minnow or rubber eel as bait for fishing.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuaidreag: rubber eel for lythe fishing.
Origin: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach [Skye; Skye, Glendale acc. to other questionnaires]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
fuaidreag: [fu̟ədʹʒɾɑɡ] Notes: imitation eel as bait for lythe. Often made of crab and wrapped in wool to keep it together.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuaidreag (f): line for lythe.
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
fuail-lit-mustard: mustard poultice. Used for pneumonia. Mixed with a soft paste of oatmeal and applied to the chest; quite a common effective method of treatment. It was applied hot so in this case, not fuar-lit’, I understand fuar-lit’, termed used cold not to the extremity of heat; it could have soothing effect on burns: scalding in particular.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuailit-lof: poultice made of a loaf for abstraction, abstracting festering matter from a festering wound.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
fuarachd: Notes: a more recent word for chilblains.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuasgladh: Notes: diarrhoea. Euphemistically used for buineach.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fudaidh: [fu̟d̪i] Note: a good-for-nothing sort of person. (Also: “Fudaidh ort!” – “You’re not worth anything!”)
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fudair: [ɸudẹrʹ] Notes: powder for blasting.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fudalan: swivel for tether.
Origin: Geàrrloch [Gairloch]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
fuidhear, fuidhir: a fugitive, from one clan, who got sanctuary and livelihood (cattle, etc.) in territory of another clan. Unlike the saor-chlanna, who had rights that even the chief could not over-rule, he had no rights (daor-chlanna). Mac an fhuidhir (Macnair, Weir, etc.) sometimes made into Mac Iain Uidhir for reasons of snobbery.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
furm: Quotation: furm gobhlach. Notes: a three-legged stool used for milking.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
furndair: [fɤʴṉḏɑð] Note: Mrs MacA’s pronunciation of “furniture” in Gaelic. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fursair: ’Se ‘fursair’ a th’againne [for ‘cursair’ – one of the words suggested in the questionnaire – ‘a rough forward person (usually a woman)’]. “’Se fursair eagalach a th’innte.” Tha am facal ‘fursaireachd’ againn cuideachd agus ’ga chleachdadh.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
fàlaireachd: another word for ‘marcach’. [NOTES: note added – riding.]
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàldair: Quotation: clach fàldair. Notes: honing stone used for sharpening scythes.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fèath: Quot.: fèath Faoilich. Note: a calm which lasted only for a very short time – e.g. if a person who was usually noisy and contentious calmed down for a short time. “’S e fèath Faoilich a bha sud.” (Put also under Faoileach.)
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fèith ri dheireadh: wait for a result, quite unexpected.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fìdhleirean: Quotation: Fìdhleirean Srath-Éirinn. Notes: term for strong, piercing east wind.
Location: Spean Bridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fòidear: Notes: a person who was responsible for turning with the spade after the plough.
Origin: Bayhead
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fòidearachd: Quotation: a’ fòidearachd. Notes: could be applied to cutting “sgrothan” for the old tigh-tughaidh.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fòrsamanachd: [fɔ:ʴsəmɑṉɑxk] Quot.: “a’ fòrsamanachd timchioll”. Note: used of a person who takes it upon himself to be in charge and goes about giving directions. Term rather derogatory. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gabh: Quot.: “Gabh m’a cheann an dràsda.” Note: if one was doing a job (e.g. building a wall) and was finishing off for the day; rounding off whatever one was doing at the time.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gach: Quotation: Bhiodh e duilich dhuinn gach a chéile a leantainn. Notes: It would be difficult for us to follow each other.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gairdean: [ɡɔ:ʴḏɑṉ] Quot.: “gairdeanan na cuibhle”. Note: used for cart wheel spokes. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
galaisean: [ɡɑlɑʴsəṉ] Notes: braces. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
galar-fuail: Note: same as “glasadh-uisge”. Children and animals affected by it (sheep, cattle). “Liath-lus” used as a cure for it.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
galarsan: [ɡɑlɑʴsəṉ] Note: braces. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
galla: Note: used here for bitch. “Saidh” not used.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
galla: Note: usual word for ‘bitch’ in Uig.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gamhnach: Note: a cow which hasn’t calved for a year.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gamhnach: Notes: a cow which hasn’t calved for over a year.
Origin: Uig, Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ganogs: an iron crosswise fixed over a basket full of herring, with a hook on each end which is inserted into both handles of the basket, a ring in the middle of the bar into which a rope is tied or spliced, thus the basket full of herring being hoisted from the hold of the boat on to the pier – a common portrait years back – the word for this ‘contraption’ is unheard of now, I think; which was ‘ganogs’. Illustration or diagram (the diagram is not too good, it will give you an idea):
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoirdain: in Benbecula this word is used for trams.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoirdean: [ɡw:ʴḏɑ̃ṉ] Notes: the arm extending from the head of the “poit-dhubh”. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Ross-shire, Torridon, Alligin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoirdean: [ɡw:ʴdʹɑ̃ṉ] Notes: arm. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaois: Quotation: gaois falaisg. Notes: broom (birch) about 8ft long for extinguishing heather fires.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaois-fraoich: Notes: heather brush used to wash the fish in sea-water, before being put in a “tuban” of brine and left for a week.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoithsig: [ɡɤiʃiɡʹ] Note: said to be an old word for a snipe.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaorman: [ɡɤ:ɾmɑṉ] Quot.: Tha thu ann a sin na do [ɣɤ:ɾmɑ̃ṉ] grannda. Note: applied to a person who hangs about looking for information.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaosaid an fhéidh: wispy, pointed clouds pointing away from the sun. Indicative of mild weather. For a couple of days. [NOTES: word supplied by R. O’Henley, Garrynamonie, S. Uist.]
Location: North Uist, Lochportan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoth-chuairtlean: [ɡw:xu̜ɤʴsɫɑ̃ṉ] Notes: eddying wind. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoth-chuartagach: [ɡw:xu̜ɤʴsṯɑɡɑx] Notes: an eddying wind. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoth-chuartlan: [ɡw:xu̜ɤʴsṯɫɑ̃ṉ] Notes: a whirling wind. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Balvoolich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
garadh ùir: turf dyke a further ½ mile into the moor (one mile from sea). This dyke protected the cultivation of the river glen. In vicinity of each of these dykes was a pound for stray animals.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
garbh: Quotation: magall gharbh. Notes: local name (Melvaig) for sea-urchin.
Location: Melvaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
garra-gartan [ɡɑrəɡɑʴsṯɑṉ]: Notes: corncrake. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
garra-ghairt: [ɡɑrəɣɑʴsṯ] Notes: corncrake. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Ross-shire, Gairloch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gartan: [ɡɑʴsṯɑṉ] Note: a tick. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gartan: [ɡɑʴst̪ɑ̃ṉ] Notes: garter. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gasan: a very old Gaelic word for a boyfriend.
Location: North Uist, Lochportan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gasan: [ɡɑsɑṉ] Note: a sheaf hung inside for a sheep. Quot.: “Bheir gasan dhan a rùda.”
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gasgan: proper Gaelic word for a rope.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gathan: [ɡɑhɑṉ] Note: when the spinning-wheel was used to fill “iteachanan” for weaving this was the spindle on which the “iteachan” was put.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gathan nan teachdairean teinteach: electricity poles. Whilst on this subject D. W. alludes to a superstition which is rarely heard nowadays. In the days when people were dependent on embers for torchlight, an ember would not be given to a visitor if there was a baby in the house. It was feared that the child would not have any teeth if this was given.
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geal: Quotation: used in sentences such as “Chan eisdeadh e ri duine geal”; “Cha robh feagal aige fo dhuine geal”. Notes: used with the negative for emphasis.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gealabhan: a fire in the barn used for hardening seed.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gealabhan: for the fire in a kiln.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gealbhan: Notes: the fire in the kiln for drying the grain.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geall: Quot.: “’S maith dha’n gealladh tu bàs ach ’s mairg dha’n gealladh tu pòsadh.” Note: said to a person for whom one has been waiting a long time.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geamh: Quotation: Tha iad ann a siod geamh air gheamh. Notes: of verbal sniping: tit for tat.
Location: Harris, Scarp
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gearradh: cutting the surround of a hole ‘on the leg’, that is at an angle, when shaping netting for repair, so reducing wastage.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
gearradh a bhuntata: Removing eyes of potato for seed. Cutting potatoes for seed. [NOTES: ‘m’ written above ‘b’ (mhuntata). On the slip spelled: ‘gearradh a’ mhuntàta’.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
gearranach: Quot.: “gearranach math tapaidh”. Note: sometimes for “gearran” – a castrated stallion.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geid: Pl. -ean. (of plough) Iron wedges used for holding the share in position – setting pins.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
geidhleag: a large iron pinch for moving rocks. [NOTES: a note added above ‘dh’ in ‘geidhleag’ – (m).]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geilceinn: an unsuitable, lumpy addition. For example this would be applied to a badly made mould board (bòrd-ùireach). [NOTES: corrected to ‘geilcein’.]
Location: South Uist, South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geimhleag: [ɡɛ̃ĩḻɑ̜k] Notes: iron bar for making holes in the ground.
Origin: Glenlyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geing: Wedge of scythe for tightening blade. (See geinn.)
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
geingeichean iaruinn: iron rods used for splitting rocks. From eight to twelve inches in length.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geinn: [ɡʹ[ɤi]nʹ] Note: a cold chisel used for splitting stones. Becomes much thicker back from the tip than the “sgathair” [q.v.].
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geobadaich: at a loss for words. Not speechless as such. Not finding sufficient words which are required.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geola: Notes: [ɡʹɔɫə] rather than [ɡʹɔ:ɫə] for a boat.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geàrnaidh: [ɡʹɑ:ʴṉi] Quotation: Na bithibh a’ geàrnaidh là na Sàboint. Notes: playing noisily. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geòpail: Quotation: Tha an t-iasg a’ geòpail. Notes: used of fish which is gasping for breath.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gheòbhradh: an invented word similar ghiùbrabh i, ghraidh mo chridhe, for the fonn invention of o ró and so on. [SLIP: Similar to the ‘hóro’ of the songs.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gibeag: Quotation: gibeag fraoich – a small bundle of heather, tied with a string. Used by Smith A’s father (Bragar) for keeping sprigs of heather to light his pipe. Notes: He also believed in putting his old pipe out in the grass to rejuvenate itself. Dw. has gibeag ‘bundle, bunch,’ etc.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gibealan: [ɡʹibəɫɑṉ] Notes: sometimes used affectionately for a very young boy.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gigean: [ɡʹiɡʹɑ̃ṉ] Note: polite term for a stool (excrement).
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gille-cheann-doill: A guide for a blind man. Bha na seann saighdearan a chaidh a dhalladh anns na cogannan a’ faighinn na h-uibhir a bharrachd ’s a’ pheusion airson gille-cheann-doill. (1804 agus as a dheidh.) Mo shinn-seanair fear de na seann saighdearan-sa.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gilm: [ɡʹiləm] Notes: rebate plane, used when flooring for getting into corners.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gilm: [ɡʹwləm] Notes: rabbit [sic] [rabbet?] plane, a very narrow plane for use in corners.
Origin: Nethy Bridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gimleid: [ɡĩməlɑdʹ] Notes: gimlet, small instrument for boring holes in wood.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gimleid: [ɡiməlidʹ] iron-pointed tool for cobbler. [NOTES: the slip has [ɡiməɫɛdʹ]. Definition: For taking tackets out of boots.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
gin: gin. For bladder troubles, for urine, discoloured urine and a patient unable to pass water normally.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gingeach: in a shooting party this was the first man to jump ashore with the rope for tying up.
Location: Barra, Eoligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giobagan murain: Bent-grass used for covering the tops of stacks.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
giobairneach: [ɡıbəʴnʹɑx] Notes: ink-fish. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giomaich chuain: I haven’t heard a Gaelic name for prawns but giomaich chuain. A prawn is not a hermit crab. Perhaps they have a Gaelic name for a prawn in Lewis, perhaps years back they had a name for them in Gaelic on Scalpay but I’m afraid not to-day. [SLIP: Prawns.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giomalaid: another word for the above [i.e. auger, borer; cf. torra].
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giort: Quot.: “Dh’fhalbh e air a’ ghiort [ɣwʴsṯ] fhéin.” Note: doing a thing at one’s own behest. (Is it “giort” or “diort”?) [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giort: [ɡwʴsṯ] Quot.: “air do ghiort fhéin”. Note: independent, on one’s own. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gios: [ɡʹıs] Quotation: Gios ort! Notes: heard this locally in Portree area for “Greas ort!”
Location: BBC
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giosrag: Quotation: Far am bi saor bi sliseagan, far am bi mnathan bi giosragan [ɡʹısɾɑɡəṉ]. Notes: meaning given for giosragan – charms.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giurnalair: [ɟu̜:ʴṉlɑð] [?] Notes: a big chest for holding two bolls of meal, usually one of flour and one of oatmeal. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giurnalair: [ɡʹw:ʴnʹəlɑɾ] Quotation: giurnalair mineadh. Notes: a barrel for holding meal and flour, sometimes with a partition down the middle. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giurnlair: a meal chest with two compartments, one for oatmeal and one for white flour. Used as a refrigerator since puddings could be kept fresh if stored in this chest. Usually buried beneath the oatmeal since that meal was not used so often as the white meal.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giurnlair: a large meal chest lined with lead to keep the meal fresh. ‘Maragan’ would sometimes be placed among the meal which would keep them fresh for a longer period of time. [NOTES: corrected to ‘giurnalair’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giùirean: [ɡʹu̟:ɾɛ̃ṉ] Note: barnacles as encrusted on wood which has been afloat for a while.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giùiride: [ɡʹu̟:ɾidʹə] Note: the shellfish encrusted on the underside of boats or on wood that has been afloat for a time.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glaine-bhruich: [ɡɫɑ̃nʹfɾwç] Note: term C. used for frosted glass, glass that one can’t see through properly.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glamaradh: word for castrating animals.
Location: Eriskay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glan: Quotation: a’ glanadh a’ phuill. Notes: smoothing the surface of the peat to make it ready for cutting. (After turfing.)
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glanadh (a phuill): clearing away the squares of turf cut in the ‘feannadh’ [q.v.] process, also smoothing away all uneven ridges, ready for actual cutting.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
glaodhain: excess potato after the useful bits were kept for seed.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glaodhain: The part of potato left after ‘eyes’ have been removed for this. These were boiled and fed to cattle. [NOTES: ‘glaodhan’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
glaodhain: The part of potato left after ‘eyes’ have been removed for this. [NOTES: ‘glaodhan’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
glaodhan: The part of potato left after ‘eyes’ have been removed for this.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
glaodhan: The part of potato left after ‘eyes’ have been removed for this.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
glaodhan: Pl. glaodhanan. The part of potato left after ‘eyes’ have been removed for this.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
glaodhan: The part of potato left after ‘eyes’ have been removed for this.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
glas: land that has been ploughed for the first time.
Location: North Uist, Scolpaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glasag: Notes: Garrabost word for cod roe.
Origin: Garrabost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glasbach: Notes: wire hooks on ladies clothing for fastening.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gleusadh: [ɡlʹẹsəɣ] Notes: general word for tuning a pipe.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glinn: [ɡl[ɤ̃ĩ]nʹ] Notes: for “grinn”.
Location: Ross-shire, Polbain
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gliogradh: Quotation: “Well, well, tha iad ag innse dhòmhsa nach eil càil ann an tarbh Hàboist ach g’ eil e gliogradh.” Notes: (Habost) Story of the Habost bull-man, on his death-bed, breaking into the comforting and exhortation of two visitors. (A story of Uncle Neil’s, relayed by my mother.) Dw. has gliogradh, See gliongadh, and for the latter ‘tinkling, act of tinkling, clinking or rattling’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gloc: [ɡɫɔk] Notes: for “glac” – catch. (Also och for ach – but.)
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glogag: Notes: a colloquialism for sùil, eye.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gloine-leughaidh: optical lens for reading.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glomaradh: a wooden vice used for repairing horses’ equipment.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gluan: part rejected – used for feeding sheep and cattle and sometimes used for the table if potatoes were scarce. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
gluinean: Pl. –an. Clip on side of cart-box for holding sideboards (two on each side). [NOTES: spelled ‘glùinean’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
glumag: a soggy, sodden place which holds water. Used as sites for wells.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glutarnadh: [ɡɫu̜t̪əʴṉəɣ] Quot.: “glutarnadh a’ bhalla”. Note: earth packing between walls in a black-house. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glutranadh: cavity wall filled with anything for insulation.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Finsbay
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
glèasach: used for tin foil or shiny paper. Also common in South Uist.
Location: North Uist, Blàsheabhal [Blashaval]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glùn: Notes: support for the rafter between it and the top of the wall inside.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gneamh: the wellbeing of a household for example.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gniomhadh: Note: sometimes used for the wall made with the second peat cut.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gnéas: for gnéitheas – sex.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gnìomh: Quotation: móine gnìomh [ɡɾĩ:v]. Notes: peats suitable for building the outside shell of the stack.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gnòbag: another word for ‘beinnge’ or ‘sèise’.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Trianaid House
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gob-a’-choillich: salted butter which is heated and used for the same purpose as a poultice.
Origin: Uibhist a’ Deas [South Uist]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
gobag: (also) term used for describing a ‘sharp faced’ or a pointed appearance of a female. (Variation of meaning from the one word.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gobhar-adhair: Notes: jacksnipe. (Confusion between names for snipe, jacksnipe and corncrake.)
Location: Skye, Kyleakin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gobhlach: Quotation: furm gobhlach. Notes: a three-legged stool used for milking.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gobhlfhad: large unbroken peat, chosen for masonry or ‘gniomhadh’ of the stack. The same terms apply in ‘cruachadh’ as in ‘tiormachadh’, i.e. gniomhadh, sadail [q.v.].
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
goc: stop-cock for water release from a tank.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goc: [ɡɔxk] Notes: used for water-tap.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goilebianan: [ɡɤləbiɤṉɑṉ] Notes: phosphorescence as seen on fish which has been hanging for a few days.
Origin: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goileil: Notes: a long sliver of wood near fireplace used for lighting fire or lamp.
Location: Cape Breton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goireadhasach: used for a windy, rainy day.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goirt: Quot.: “Bithidh goirt an ceannach agad air.” “Fhuair e goirt an ceannach air.” “Cha b’ann gun goirt an ceannach.” Note: He suffered a lot for a comparatively little gain.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goirte-siùbhla: [ɡɔʴsṯəʃu̜:ɫə] Quot.: “Feumaidh tu rudeigin a ghabhail mas fhàg thu an goirte-siùbhla againn!” Note: if a woman went into a house for the first time after the birth of her child, she had to accept something before she went. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goirtean: [ɡɔʴsṯɑṉ] Note: used in Barvas for a very small plot on the machair where potatoes were planted. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gonnathalan: a strong, valorous person renowned for heroic feats. This word comes from ‘Duan Na Ceardaich’.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goraidh-goirtein: [ɡɔɾiɡɔʴsṯɑ̃ṉ] Notes: corncrake. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Balvoolich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goraidh-goirtein: [ɡɔɾıɡɔʴsṯɑṉ] Notes: corncrake. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Swordly
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gormadh: Quotation: Bha ri [sic] gormadh fad na madainn. Notes: scanning horizon looking for individual or object. (Uist word)
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gort: [ɡɔʴsṯ] Quotation: Tha a’ ghort a muigh. Notes: corn. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Swordly
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gramaire: a fork used for eating.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gramaisean: spats. Short gaiter for instep and ankle.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grapa: Iron fork – for lifting dung or seaweed – four prongs. [NOTES: spelled ‘gràpa’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
grapa crom: Fork with bent prongs for spreading fertiliser. See diag. [NOTES: probably refers to a diagram provided by the informant.] [NOTES: spelled ‘gràpa crom’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
grapa-crom: Notes: grape with prongs set at right angles to the handle for pulling manure, seaweed etc. out of carts.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greallag: Quotation: na greallagan. Notes: the two smaller swingle trees for a pair of horses.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
great: Quotation: Cuir great air. Notes: (Keose) wash lightly (pron. like the English verb ‘grate’ e.g. to grate one’s teeth). Dw. has great ‘soap-sud – Badenoch. Scots, graith – warm water so wrought up with soap as to be fit for washing clothes’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greideal: [ɡɾedʹəɫ] Notes: griddle for making scones.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greipe sgra: [ɡrɛpə skrɛ̜] Notes: for cutting turf off peat.
Location: Arran, Pirnmill
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grianan: Quotation: grianan math. Notes: good dry spot for drying peats.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
griochail: [See criochail.] Same word but for the variation in the accent form of colloquial approach.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grocach: [ɡɾɔxkɔx] Notes: heard a Staffin woman use it for thrifty; careful about money or possessions.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grolag: for ‘drolag’ – swing (child’s), swingletree.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gruaigainean: a particular type of cattle noted for their shagginess, hairiness.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gruthan an èisg: good for gut. Cooked in a ‘bonnach’.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
gràma: in some regions of Skye especially this was a variant word for ‘gràpa’. For example this is the word used in Bernisdale although in the next village, Flaisaidair, the word ‘gràpa’ is used. (K.C. MacKinnon, Bernisdale.)
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gràp: [ɡɾɑ:p] Notes: grape mostly used for lifting.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gràpa: [ɡrɑɑ˖pə] Notes: a grape for digging.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gràpa: Iron fork – for lifting dung or seaweed – four prongs.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
gràpa cròm: graip for pulling dung out of cart.
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
gràpa dìreach: graip used for spreading of both ‘innear’ and ‘feamainn’ on field before ploughing. Sometimes known as ‘gràpa cartach’. Crois a’ ghràpa – handle. Cas a’ ghràpa – shaft. Na meuran (always 4) – prongs. (Chan e “meòir” ann an Tiriodh.)
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
gréim: Quotation: an gréim mór. Notes: An old name for what may have been appendicitis. Dw. gives greim-mór ‘pleurisy’ (from DMy, Lewis).
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gréim-a-lòin: Notes: used for rheumatism generally. Siataig not known by Ardelve informants. Source: local usage in Ardelve, Kintail (reported by Calum Thomson, Uddingston, after holidaying there). Date: 1969.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grùgach: person set aside for a special work, person doing certain work in preparatory work. In St Kildian chores such person was known as grugach [sic], in each case a female. I think myself it’s simply another pronunciation of gruagach, it derived I think from the word or words of a gruagach [q.v.].
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grùisgainn: a fire which was lit outdoors and used for heating sheep brands or for washing.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gual: a smudge on the hands or face (not of coal as coal had never been in use of old in Point, Lewis). Anyone having a smudge on the face and not knowing of it would be told: “Cuir do làmh far am beil an gual ort agus gheibh thu do roghainn”. ‘Gual’ is also the black formed on the outside of pots and pans exposed to an open flame. Still also ‘gual’ was the name for cold peat embers. Sgùradh le gual – before the advent of abrasive cleansers, a damp cloth dipped in a very finely crushed cold peat ember would be used on metal in place of sand paper or emery paper. And ‘gual’ for something burnt to a cinder – “Chaidh e ’na ghual dubh.”
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
gucag: Notes: bobbin core, usually made of cardboard. Gucag also used for a cone-shaped cup made of paper.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guibeal àrd: The top strap on hames (for fastening).
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
guilbearnach: [ɡwlwbwʴṉɑx] Notes: curlew. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guilbearnach: [ɡʹıləbɑʴnʹɑx] Notes: curlew. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guin: [ɡũ̟nʹ] Quot.: “Tha guin aige dha.” Note: He has a spite for him. Guineach – spiteful.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guirmean: blue; a chalk-like substance for dying woollen material. Guirmean-cloimhe.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guirmean-an-t-sléibh: a plant from which the colour of blue was taken. There was another form of ‘guirmean’, a chalk like form of dye which produced a bluish colour or blue colour for dying wool.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guit: [ɡu̟tʹ] Note: to their knowledge only used for holding “peardan” from the cards. Like a “criathar” but the skin stretched on the frame was not holed.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guite: A large, round, shallow receptacle resembling a tray made of sheep-skin stretched on a hoop, used for holding the long rolls of wool as they left the cards for the spinning wheel. When not in use it hung on a nail on wall.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
gumalas: [ɡũ̜məɫɑs] Notes: a mixture of good-for-nothing speech.
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gunna cnagainn (‘n’ – r sound): this was achieved by sticking the tubed part of a feather into a potato. When you pulled this out a cylinder of potato would be caught in the feather. This was then let off with the aid of a bit of wood. A toy for children.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gunna mor: in last number of years used for canon.
Origin: Barra
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
gunna snaip: old name for a hammer gun.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gusaid: a knot for shortening cloth or sail. Cuir gusaid air. Shortening method, in pulling a length of material and then knotting it.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guthte: a criathar without holes, usually used for holding wool in rollagan.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gà: [ɡʹɑ:] Note: (note pronunciation) a long pole with a loop attached to the end for catching gugas.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàbart: [ɡɑ:bəʴsṯ] Notes: a flat-bottomed wide boat used principally for transporting sheep and cattle. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàdag: shoulder strap, for carrying a burden. [SLIP: Shoulder strap for carrying something heavy.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàdag: Note: length of rope for carrying a bundle of hay, corn, etc.
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàdag: [ɡɑ:d̪ɑɡ] Quot.: “gàdag coirce”, “gadag eòrna”, “gàdag feòir”. Note: a measure for a quantity of oats, barley or hay. Also applied to the rope itself of length “dà aitheamh ’s dà dhòrn”.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàirdean: Quot.: “gàirdeanan [ɡɑ:ʴsdʹɑṉəṉ] na cuibhle”. Note: supporters of the wheel. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàmas: Notes: mould shaped like a pair of pliers, for making bullets. Hole on top into which molten lead was poured.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàrradh an t-slamain: Notes: Not in Dwelly. The turf wall, within which the cattle must not go for a certain time after returning from the shieling. Slaman ‘curdled milk’ – the milk would have had to be carried home a considerable distance, thus tending to become curdled (?).
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gèablaid: Notes: name for a duck.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
géidse: Quotation: singilte, dubailte (for mortice work). Notes: guage [sic].
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gòth: [ɡɔ:] Quot.: “gòth ghuts”. Note: vessel for holding herring guts while the “cutadh” went on.
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
haake: a fork with curved tines for hauling the sods out of the ditch. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
hearth: baking placed in hot alcoves (could not remember the word for this).
Origin: Uibhist a’ Deas [South Uist]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
hoighlidh: [h[ɤı]li] Quot.: “Chuir e hoighlidh.” Note: goal in shinty but used more recently by the local “bodaich” for a goal in football.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
huirt: [hu̜ʴsṯ] Quot.: “Chaneil huirt na ho aice.” “Gun huirt gun ho.” Note: She doesn’t say a thing, e.g. complaints. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
huisteir: Notes: call for a horse: < O.N. hestr.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iarann-biorach: Notes: gophering-iron for putting wavy edge on dress mutch. Source: Mrs Nicolson, Sgullamas, Skye. Date: 1978.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iaruinn-stiùrach (pl): iron brackets holding the steer of a boat to the hull. Iarunn-stiùrach (case [sic] singular) – one iron, for a ‘steer, helm’.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iarunn: a day’s peat-cutting for two men. (Uist)
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrigh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
iarunn: = fear ’sa pholl agus fear air an treisgeir. 2 men to 1 iarunn – one cutting – one throwing out peat. 3-4 iaruinn sufficient for a year’s supply.
Origin: Barra
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
iarunn: a peat iron; also this is also [sic] the term used for the unit in a team, viz. a pair – one cutting and one throwing out. This word is used in both these senses in Berneray, Harris, but only in the latter sense in Lewis.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
iarunn: Quot.: “iarunn stiùireach”. Note: two iron loops fixed to the sternpost to provide a hinge for the rudder.
Origin: [Lewis], Uig, Valtos
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iarunn-cómhtallach: [ıɤrən̪kõ:hɑɫɑx] Note: landing hook for fish.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iarunn-tàillean: [iɤʴṉt̪ɑ:lʹɑṉ] Notes: heard an old woman say this for “goffering iron”. (?) [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iasgach-maoraich: shellfish, fishing or trawling for shellfish.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iasgach-sligeach: shellfish, fishing or trawling for shellfish.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iasgail: Quotation: Tha na lìn sin iasgail. Notes: good for fishing.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iasgarra: Quotation: Tha a’ slat sin nas iasgarra. Notes: better for fishing.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
idrisgeach: an unstable character; nervous, fidgety is a better word for it. Duine idrisgeach th’ann. (Scalpay or Harris)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ifrinn: Hell (RC – both ecclesiastical and swear-word, as ‘Bheir ifrinn ort!’ (go to hell) but generally ecclesiastical for Protestants).
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Lochaber – [Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Skye – [Canada], Inverness and Victoria? Co.’s) – Protestant
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
ilimich: for imlich.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
imiolaid: this was a special lid for the milking pail when it had to be carried some distance – as from the sheiling. It was of cured hide, ‘made to measure’ or fitted to cover the top of the pail and come a little way down the sides.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
impire: “’S easgaich gach droch impire an taigh duine eile.” Impire – used for a worker.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Ardivachar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ingheilt: Notes: (Keose) grazing or pasture. Not in Dw. Dwelly gives inghilt as obsolete, ref. to ingilt and inilt (Armstrong), ‘feeding, grazing, pasture’. The word leasair used in Arran for cattle-grazings, according to my Uncle Angie, who lived most of his life there.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
inneadh: Quot.: “Thàinig an t-inneadh orm.” Note: when weaving, if extra yarn is needed for weft to finish the tweed.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
inneadh/inneamh: Notes: want, or piece short, used in weaving context. Has been used of a precentor who used C/M tune for L/M Psalm. Dol an inneamh: be obliged to (Harris).
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
innean: Quotation: Cuiridh mi mo cheann air innean dhuit. Notes: I will put my head on an anvil for you, I am so sure of my point.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
inneogh: shortage of wool (for that much which is short).
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
innis-chaorach: grazing land for sheep.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
innlinn: a similar levy imposed in same era as that above [i.e. dàomanas (q.v.)]. These taxes paid for upkeep of services in community – doctors, vets, church, transport, etc.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iomaire an fhoghair: strip of croft land ploughed for potatoes which would be consumed by the household. Machair potatoes were kept for seed or for selling. Not convinced this was a widespread practice.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iomaire-ceannachaidh: [ĩməɾəɣcɛ̃n̪ɑxiç] Notes: end-rig. ([ç] often inserted for -idh ending.)
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iomairt: [ĩməʴṯ] Quot.: “Bha i ann an iomairt uamhasach mu a dheidhinn.” Note: in confusion. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iomairt: [ĩməʴstʹ] [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ion: [w̃ṉ] Quot.: “Dearbh, cha b’ion dha sin a dheanamh.” Note: It is proper, fitting for him to do that (i.e. he should do it).
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ionnsachdainn: for ionnsachadh.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iormadh: [wɾəmɑɣ] Notes: for iomradh.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iorsmaid: [wʴsmɑ̃dʹ] [sic] Notes: spring balance. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Achlyness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iris: (f) (of creel) 1. Shoulder straps (horse hair). 2. Rope fitting to creel – for carrying.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
iris: (f) (of creel) 1. Shoulder straps (horse hair). 2. Rope fitting to creel – for carrying. See diag [NOTES: probably refers to a diagram provided by the informant.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
iris: Notes: for spiris – hen-roost.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iris: ròp timcheal nan cliabh, for carrying.
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
iris: creel straps for a creel carried on your shoulders.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iris: rope for fastening it [the creel] on your shoulder.
Origin: Harris, Bernera
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
iris: rope for fitting round the chest and shoulders for carrying the creel. The ends of the rope were put through the ‘briagan’ [q.v.] and over a ‘sprod’ [q.v.].
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iris (): [fem.] the creel strap – a two or three inch width of plaited twine with a worked loop at each end. A ‘de-luxe’ one would be of ‘gaoisde’ (horsehair) for the last word in comfort across the chest! Straps of leather or of sacking (iris poca) were inferior makeshifts.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
iron-mona: used for cutting the peats.
Location: Harris, Bernera
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
irrimich: for imrich.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
is: Quotation: ’S ann a’ sgrìobadh nam praisean a bha i siud. Notes: said of a woman who got a wet day for her wedding. Some people had a habit of (or preference for) eating porridge out of the pot. The Rev. Dugald Macfarlane of Kingussie preferred this. [NOTES: slipped under ‘is’.]
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
is dithis dhuinn sin: expression for people having shared some experience.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iteachan: Notes: bobbin (probably the one inserted in shuttle for weaving).
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iteag: Notes: feather. Iteag maodhair (q.v.): black-backed seagull’s tail feather used [as a fly for fishing].
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ith: Quotation: “Ith do bhagain leasaich agus cuir saluinn air do ghiaban.” Notes: cheeky saying for “away you go”.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iunnlar: [jũ̜:ɫɑɾ] Notes: for ùrlar: floor.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
koo gyal: for white dog, pronounced too fast to be recognisable as a white dog.
Location: [Lewis], Arnol, Bragar and Uigen
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
lachrann: (lamh chrann) a thin pole, used for the handle of a suisde, as a rule.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ladhadair: Notes: mould for making horn spoons (used by tinkers).
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ladhar mór: for the large claw of a lobster.
Location: Eriskay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
laghail: Tha againn ‘laghail’ agus ‘laghalachd’ [for ‘laghanta’ – one of the words suggested in the questionnaire – ‘always laying down the law (?).]. “Tha e cho laghail.” – litigious. “Thusa agus do laghalachd.”
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
laidhigeadh: the hauling of net aft in preparation for re-shooting.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
lamba bheag: a small lamp with a handle for taking from room to room.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
lamhradh: applied to someone who was renowned for shouting. [NOTES: corrected to ‘làmhradh’.]
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lanaicneadh: [ɫɑ̃ṉɑcṉəɣ] Quot.: “Chuir i lanaicneadh eagalach de phowder oirre fhéin.” “Bha i air a lanaicneadh le powder.” Note: said of a young girl putting powder on her face for the fist time – a thick covering.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
langadal: seaweed specifically for carrot.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Finsbay
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
langadal: Long seaweed growing on far-out rocks. Used for grain crops (barley and oats).
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
langadar: Long seaweed growing on far-out rocks – suitable for peaty soil.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
lannan: [?] planks used for dragging boat along shore (used also for coffins).
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
laogh: (for a year)
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
laoigteir: lighter (boat), oar type of boat, for discharging from a vessel to a pier etc.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
laomacha: this was a slice of the aforementioned cheese [i.e. caise Calluinn] which was said to have special qualities. Supposed to be useful for people who had lost their [sic]. Apparently they could look through a hole in the cheese slice and see where they were. This would apply to people who were lost on hills in misty conditions.
Location: Barra, Ard Mhinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
laparsaich: [ˈɫɑpɑʴsiç] Quot.: “Bho thonn gu tonn a’ laparsaich.” Note: a line from one of Bàrd Phabbaigh’s poems. Referring to a bird flying over the waves, flapping its wings. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lar-chuib: for cutting turf.
Location: Tummel and Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
larach cruaiche: site for a stack. Also an area of hard-pressed dross where a stack had once been.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
larch for main beams: Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
leabag-an-eithir: a wee bed or lair on the shore for to hold a boat on at ebb tide, a space or ‘bed’ on the shore above water level, just to hold a boat on.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leabaidh an duail: the socket for the driving bar.
Location: [Lewis], Leurbost
Category: Muileann Lochlannach / Norse Mill
leabaidh laighe: night quarters, sheltered dell for cattle to spend the night, sheiling.
Location: Lewis, Arnol
Category: Crodh / Cattle
leabaidh laighe: the moor-bed on which the peats are thrown out for drying.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
leabaidh leisg: ‘Lazy-bed’. As for ‘feannag’.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
leabaidh-rainich: fern bed. As far as I understand, fern (‘raineach’) was in this case, as above mentioned, a factor in collecting insects or fleas. The ‘raineach’ generally, which accounts for all species.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leac: Quotation: leac nam bonnach. Notes: flat stone put beside the fire for toasting scones.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leac-arain: contraption made by wire, etc. with a flat iron or tin [sic] on which in particular oatcakes are held to the fire for ‘cooking’.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leac-arain: for holding the bannocks to the fire for cooking in the open fireplaces of the black-houses.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leac-arain: flat stone for supporting the bread being baked.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leac-nighe: washing stone. Horizontal slab on which the washer woman spread or put the clothes when washing beside a burn or loch (platform manner). [SLIP: Stones used as slabs for washing clothes by the burnside.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leac-thachais: Note: upright stone at a shieling for cows to scratch themselves.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leagail an t-suithe: Stripping the thatch of the cottage and collecting the soot from among the thatch for fertilising. [NOTES: spelled ‘leagail an t-sùithe’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
leaghadair: Notes: melting utensil used for lead, horns, etc.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leana: Benbecula word for beer.
Location: Benbecula, Muir of Aird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leanachadh: levelling out. Used for kneading dough.
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leanamhainneach: [lʹɛ̃ṉɑvĩnʹɑx] Quot.: “Tha e glé leanamhainneach.” Note: could be used of an illness or anything going on for a long time.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
learg: [lʹɛɾɑɡ] Note: both for black-throated and red-throated divers.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leas: (f) A small area for vegetables – usually small. Also ‘lios’.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
leasachdainn: for leasachadh.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leth sgriob: Furrow when ploughing in one direction – as for example – when ploughing downhill.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
leth-bhodach: Notes: colloquial for ¼ bottle.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leth-bhonn: Note: half-sole for putting on shoes or boots.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lethbhuinn: soles for boots.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leum droma: slipped disc. There is a tradition which says that a child who was born feet first has a healing power for this complaint. By walking on the afflicted person’s back the complaint is healed.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leum-sùrdag: [lemsu̜:ʴsd̪ɑɡ] Note: jumping with both feet together. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leurach: “The marriage customs were these: When a young pair had got through the leurach, or contract, and had agreed to get married with the consent of their relatives, a night was appointed for the reite, when the friends met and a feast was prepared, of which all were hearty partakers.” (page 199)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leóbag: Note: used generally for plaice, lemons, etc.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liabag: Quotation: brod-liabag. Notes: a spear used for catching flatfish.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liagh-roth: for ‘liaghra’.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liaghag: (f) Seaweed used for oats.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
liaghra: [lʹıɤrɑ] Note: used for putting hanks of wool on, to make balls of yarn. Wool-winder.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liaghra ?: 1. revolving on floor, 4 arms with holes (2 or more) and pegs on which hank was spread revolving to make a ball for the warping frame. 2. hand ‘crois-iarna’ shape, 24 inches with a cross stick at either end (12 inches long) set at opposite angles; purpose to make hank of the yarn on the pearna (reel) of spinning [wheel?]. [NOTES: it is not clear if the above explanation refers to ‘liaghra’ (blue ink) or ‘crois-iarna’ (black ink) or both.]
Location: [Lewis], Arnol, Bragar and Uigen
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
lianradh: an article used for winding yarn.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liaradh: used for winding the spun yarn. It had 3 spokes underneath a roundish piece of wood with a spike at the top where two long bits of wood were laid crossways with holes in them and with wooden pins in the holes to keep the hank until it was wound into a ball.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liathan: pet name for cattle.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liathas: an item received free like wood on the shore (say) and set aside for to be taken some other time: thence someone else coming and taking it. [SLIP: When an item has been in a place freely for the taking (eg. wood on the shore) and set aside to be picked up at a later date – and then someone else comes along and takes it!]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liathrath: a frame for winding wool. It was composed of two cross pieces of wood (making four arms) revolving on a centre-pin in a three-legged stand. There were pegs in the arms (one in each – adjustable by using different holes in the arms). The hank of yarn was held open and stretched by the pegs – much better than a person’s arms.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liathreadh: used for making balls (cearlean) from hanks.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
linne: Quot.: “linne a’ ghuirmein”. Note: sometimes used for dye solution.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lion: Quotation: a’ lionadh na h-iteachanan. Notes: “filling” the spindles for going into the shuttle.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lion caol: more commonly used [term for lìon-beag.] (Names as lion mor.)
Origin: Barra
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
lion chaol: used for fishing in shallow areas – ‘an òtrach’. Such areas were good fishing grounds.
Location: Eriskay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lion dallaig: a two and a half mesh net used for fishing dogfish.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lion-chladaich: Notes: net set out straight from shore. Had 5" mesh for lythe.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lion-mara: [sic] sea net, for use in the sea.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lionn: beer. For constipation and stomach disorders (drinking beer).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lionn-nam-biasd: hops, fermenting into beer, fed with treacle and sugar in a glass jar, the fruit of the plant… a beverage for ‘human acceptance’, in having it as a drink, refreshment.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
lipinn: [lʹiçpĩnʹ] Notes: a small box 8"-10" sq. at the top tapered to 6" sq. at the base. It was used as a measure for grain when feeding horses.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lir: Harris word for litter of whelps. Nach ann aige tha lir. – referring to a dog having an usual [sic] [unusual?] collection of whelps (cuileannan).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lireasta: collection; children collectively is [sic] described as or accounted for as: lireasta mhath ann dhuibh [sic]. From ‘litter’ Eng.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
locair chrom: plane used for corners and rounded fitments.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Ceannaraigh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
loinnid: a stick for [sic]. [NOTES: corrected to ‘loinid’ and the definition completed to read: a stick for making butter.]
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
loircean: [ɫɔɾcɑṉ] Note: pet term for a small child.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
loisgeann: a sledge with wooden sides, pulled by horses and used for carrying stones.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lomhain: a lead for a dog.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lonaid: Notes: lane for cattle. Dw. has lònaid ‘lane’ (from the Kilmonivaig District).
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lonaig: [ɫɔ̃ṉeɡʹ] Notes: the right of way for cattle going to the “cul-cinn”.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lonaig: Notes: footpath through the croft. (According to MMK it was on the boundary between crofts with a wall on each side to allow passage for cattle without letting them into the corn, etc.)
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lonnaig: whisk for cream. (Aird)
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
losaid: [ɫosɑdʹʒ] Notes: ashet for potatoes.
Location: Coll, Arinagour
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
losaid: [ɫoswdʹʒ] Notes: a round wooden ashet for holding potatoes at mealtimes.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
losgann: Notes: frog. Also used for arrangement to break in horses or for dragging heavy stones.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
losgann: [ɫɔ̣sɡəṉ] Notes: sledge for drawing stone [sic] behind a horse.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
losgann: [ɫɤsɡən̪] Notes: sledge pulled by horses. Often used for transporting stones.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
losgann: Sledge for carrying stones.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
lothag: [ɫɔhɑɡ] Note: used for a young horse.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lubht: [ɫu̜t̪] Quotation: Shuas air a’ [ɫu̜t̪]. Notes: for lobht.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luchd giodail: flatterers. Iain Lom ‘Lament for Sir L. MacLean’.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luchd-mona: name for cargo of peats in boat.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
luga: Note: lugworm. Used for bait on small-lines.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luga, pl. lugaichean: Notes: sandworms used for bait.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lugachan: used for bait. Worms found in sand and used on ‘linn chaoile’.
Location: Eriskay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lugaichean: sand-worms used as bait for line fishing.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luidhear: Notes: word used for “chimney” before “similinn”.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luirean: [ɫu̜ɾɑṉ] Quot.: “Mo luirean!” Note: endearing term for a child.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lumachan: Pronounced ‘laomachan’ in Skye. [SLIP: The wooden lid of a churn with hole in it for the ‘loinid’ (churn-staff).]
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
lund: long lever of wood for removing roots of trees from bogs. (Badenoch)
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lungag: [ɫũ̜ŋɡɑɡ] Note: a sling, for throwing stones.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lunn: Notes: roller under a boat; also used for the supporting props put under the boat to keep it upright.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lunn: used for waulking and consisting of washing-soda, melted soap and warm water.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
lunn: Notes: wooden roller put under a boat, also used for the wooden supports used under the sides of the boat to keep it upright.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lunn (pl. lunnan): Notes: a support for carrying coffin. One fixed at each end. Source: Tiree. Date: 1974.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lunnachan (pl): Notes: for carrying the coffin – three sticks cross-wise under it.
Location: Coll, Ben Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lurg: Quotation: Bha mi as a’ choille a’ gearradh luirg. Notes: straight hazel wands used for making walking sticks with a horn handle. (Lurg bat: the straight part of a walking stick.)
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lurga: [ɫu̜ɾu̜ɡə] Note: used for the stem of a flower or plant.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lus-nan-laogh: a drink made of a green leaf. Boiled and given to calves for constipation. Also used to alleviate throat complaints.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lus-nan-laogh: it may not be referred to in a vocabulary but it was once orally, as a medical cure for skin eruption, or skin disease, boils etc. [SLIP: Old medical cure for ailments of the skin (boils, etc.).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lus-nan-laogh: Calf plant. Disease: bad blood, e.g. boils. Part used: the whole plant’s infusion. How prepared: boiled in water, and then the water drunk, a little occasionally. Sources of information: traditionally. A lady still living on Scalpay told me her father drank it for boils on the skin, and he was cured likewise. It was traditionally referred to here (Scalpay) that the plant of which the medical curable properties, [sic] necessary for the patient’s cure, was within a little distance of the house he lived in.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
là: Quotation: là biathadh a’ bhannaich. Notes: i.e. when the barley (to feed the bannock) was ripening, in August and September, – a bad time for midges.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
là: Quotation: là cuileagach. Notes: i.e. when the barley (to feed the bannock) was ripening, in August and September, – a bad time for midges.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làidir: Quotation: talamh làidir. Notes: ground which has lain fallow for a number of years.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làmh: Notes: a handle on a door or any instrument for raising or lowering.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làmh: Quotation: Siubhadaibh, siubhadaibh, lamhan [sic] oirbh! Notes: said, for example, when a crew is filling a lorry full of peats and beginnnig to slacken a bit.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làmh fhada: applied to someone who was renowned for thieving.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làmh-na-bucaid: handle of the bucket used in a boat for drawing water from the sea.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làmhach[d]: (làmhthuagh) [ˈɫ̫ɑvˌux ] ‘tongs’: bha ~ aige, a bheireadh air a sin (‘an instrument for catching’, tongs); shin agad an ~ a bh’ agad (‘anything you have to catch in your hand to do something else with’)
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Inverness Co., Dunvegan
Category: Word List
làmhan a’ chruinn: Notes: used for plough handles.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làr: Notes: the ground outside. (ùrlar for floor)
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làr cheap(a): [ɫɑ̟:ɾ çe̱p(ə)] for turfing.
Location: North Argyll
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làr-bhualta: [ɫɑ:ɾvu̜əɫt̪ə] Notes: like a wooden door. Used for threshing corn. (Says this is the only instance in which “làr” is used.)
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
léireadh: Notes: for “càineadh” in Argyllshire (acc. to C.N.).
Location: Skye, Camustianavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lìopain: dry measure used for flour and grain. Not sure of exact measurement.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lòbaidh: another word for “sùil chruthaich”.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lòban: [ɫɔ:bɑ̃ṉ] Notes: tripod for hay-making.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lòmhnach: lead for a dog.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lóthunn: a descriptive word for an untidy, neglected boat. [NOTES: the slip has ‘lòthunn’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lùb: Notes: short piece of rope for tying sheep’s legs when being shorn.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lùb: to tie sheep for shearing.
Location: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
lùb: Notes: length of rope, etc. for tying sheep’s legs.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lùbach: band for tying legs while shearing, mar a th’ agad an seo shuas.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
lùdag: Quot.: “Cha tig thu lùdag na dh’òrdaig air.” Note: you can’t get one over him or he’s too smart for you. (Put also under ordag.)
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lùm: [ɫũ̜:m] Notes: water used for cooking, e.g. water in which potatoes are cooked.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lùm: [ɫũ̜:m] Quotation: Cuir a’ lùm rithe. Notes: a wooden support used for keeping boats on an even keel on the beach (usually lunn).
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lúb: band for tying legs while shearing.
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross and Cromarty but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
madh: (Card names:) trump. I would use ‘tromh’ for trump.
Origin: ‘Islay connections’
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
madhair: [məəɾ] Notes: hook with a piece of wool attached for catching mackerel or lythe. Had to be the right size. Sometimes a very small piece of red thread was added to attract the lythe.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
magall: Quotation: magall gharbh. Notes: local name (Melvaig) for sea urchin.
Location: Melvaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maghair: Quotation: a’ maghaireadh airson liughannan. Notes: fly-fishing for lythe.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide eich: a twitch used for controlling a horse when it was being shod. Made of a wooden handle with a rope at one end attached to the horse’s face. When it was twisted, it tightened so as to hurt the horse.
Location: South Uist, South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide frasaidh: A short stick with an edge to it – used for taking seed off sheaf. [NOTES: spelled ‘maide-frasaidh’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
maide plocaidh: used for mashing potatoes.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide pronnaidh: instrument for mashing potatoes.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-coire: Notes: stick for stirring porridge.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-eàrraidh: [mɑ̃dʹəȷɑ:ri] Note: a stick with prongs sticking out at either end for keeping tweed stretched from side to side while in the loom.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-feannaig: a stick used for planting potatoes.
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-frasaidh: Note: a short-(rounded) stick for threshing a sheaf, the sheaf being held under one arm and the shock struck with the stick.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-froise: a bar of wood used to strike corn with for to remove the seed.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-mairt: Notes: wooden arrangement for tying Highland cattle – a V-shaped piece of wood below the neck and a V-shaped piece coming down from above to lock the head and horns in.
Location: South Uist, Eochdar, Balgarva
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-milis: Notes: root that’s good for chewing.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-slathaig: [mɑ̃dʹəˈsɫɑıɡʹ] Note: a stick used in thatching for arranging thatch in a place one could not easily reach with the hands.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-stalcaidh: a stick for forcing material tightly together such as sand in a hole, by simply striking the sand with the end of the stick or rod.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maide-starraig: spar sticking up out of the end of the house. It was really a big peg round which the ‘sioman’ for the end of the house was put.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maighistir: [ˈmɛ̃ıʃtʹəɾ] Note: urine used for the extraction of oil from tweed.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maighistir: polite term for urine.
Origin: Barra
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
maighstir: urine for washing.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maighstir, mùin: for washing.
Location: [Lewis], Arnol, Bragar and Uigen
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
maister: urine kept specially for washing cloth. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
maistir: urine, used for waulking.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maith: sinker for a fishing line, lead for a fishing line.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maitse, pl. maitseachan: match; match for lighting etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maodal-mór: the large intestine used for making black pudding.
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maodhag: the last egg laid by a hen. This opposes a previous meaning for this word. [NOTES: corrected to ‘maothag’.]
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maodhair: [mɣʔəɾ] [sic] Notes: fly for fishing.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maoidhlean: (or maoilean) A bundle of straw, tied in straw for tidiness in carrying fodder from barn to byre.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
maoileas: incoperating [sic] [incorporating?] friendship, or my friendship with you or for you. Bu tu maoileas. It may have come through the ‘channel’: m’ aoigh leatsa… I think so. Perhaps it’s occasionally heard on Scalpay yet.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maois: rectangular shaped net used for holding freshly cut seaweed. Grid pattern.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maol Moire: Mary’s brow? Fattish green plant used for plasters and poultices.
Origin: Baleshare
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maolag: [mw:ɫɑɡ] Notes: small wooden vessel used for milking.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maorach: Quotation: òrd mhaorach. Notes: hammer for knocking them [i.e. limpets] off the rocks.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maorach: Quotation: bascaid mhaorach. Notes: oval-shaped basket used for collecting limpets.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maorach: this in Bayble, Lewis meant limpets only. These were the commonest bait for the small line.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
maorach: Notes: limpet – used for bait.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maorsainneachd: [mw̃ʴsnʹɑxk] Notes: regulating the affairs of a crofting township. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mapaid: a brush made with animal hair and used for tarring boats.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maragan-fala: black puddings. When a sheep was killed, on the point of being killed rather, when her throat was or is cut, the blood fresh the beast [sic] running into a jug or basin is kept uncongealed by a sprinkle of coarse, curing salt in the utensil for the blood to be used for the making of black puddings (maragan-fala).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maraich: [mɑ̃ɾıç] Note: a plant growing near the shore with a bright red flower on it. Small broad, very smooth leaves. Covered by spring tides. Used for making a poultice for itch on the soles of the feet. Used for several things.
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
marbhadh a’ bhodaich: a game for boys. The player stretched face downwards on the floor and put his two clenched fists, one beyond and touching the other at his own head, thus measuring his own length plus the breadth of two fists. This was marked – one mark at his toes and the other at the second fist. A wooden peg was set up at the ‘fist’ mark and the player took up position at the other mark (where his toes had been). He was given two short pointed pegs – one in each hand – shaped like the ‘dealgan’ used for twisting yarn [see illustration below] and balancing his body forwards on these lifting one at a time, he had to stretch his full length and knock the ‘bodach’ down, without overbalancing and collapsing on the floor. The crucial point came when he was about fully stretched. He was asked “Càite bheil thu dol?” He replied, “Tha mi dol a mharbhadh a bhodaich.” “De fhads’ a tha thu dol a ruighinn?” and balancing on one peg the poor player had to lift the other one and point to one ear, and putting that one down and balancing on it, he had to do the same with the other peg. While he was doing this he replied, “Tha gu na cluais ud, agus gu na cluais ud.” Not many could finish the game!
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
mart-fheoil: [mɑ̃ʴsṯɑl] Notes: beef. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mart-lamhaig: a cow that was fit for killing. [NOTES: ‘lamhaig’ corrected to ‘làmhaig’.]
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mart-làmhaidh: a cow fattened for slaughter.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
mart-làmhaig: a cow for the slaughter, or a cow for slaughtering.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mart-làmhoig: [mɑʴsṯɫɑ̃:vɔɡʹ] Note: a beast for slaughtering. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
masgadh: Quotation: Tha iad a masgadh. Notes: mixing barley and water for fermentation purposes.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mathachadh: this is said regarding land being ploughed after being fallow for a year.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mathair na cuainne: a cow that was renowned for bearing female calves. Therefore held to be the mother of all the stock.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ma’-sgoile: school master. (Perhaps short for maighstir-sgoile.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meall: for an accumulation or a batch of some commodity or other. More often this would be expressed as ‘tonn’ in Uist. “Fhuair mi deagh thonn mònadh dhachaidh an diugh.”
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meall: Notes: sometimes used for a waterfall.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meall: for a shower of rain.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meallag: [ˈmjɑɫɑɡ] Notes: wiry grass roots found on edge of sandbanks. Used in small bunches as pot-scrapers. Sand was left in among it for better scraping.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mealtrach: submerged roots which when dry were used for scrubbing chairs.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mealtrach: [mjɑɫt̪ɾɑx] Notes: the roots of seabent, used for scrubbing the “miosar”.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mealtrag: [mjɑɫt̪ɾɑɡ] Notes: roots of grass growing in sand – used for scraping pots.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meanbhlach: [mɛ̃ṉɑɫɑx] Notes: he says this is applied to a collection of small potatoes. Is it used for any collection of small objects? e.g. stones.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mearachuileag: [mɛ̃ɾɑxu̟lɑɡ] Notes: for meanbh-chuileag.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
measair: [fem.] a small wooden tub used for animal feeding.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
meathlag: rough dried fibrous material found in sand-banks and used for scrubbing wooden surfaces. Very effective!
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meigh: (also) weight for a fishing line.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meigh: sinker for sgrioban [q.v.].
Origin: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach [Skye; Skye, Glendale acc. to other questionnaires]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
meilicheartan: [meliçɑʴsṯəṉ] Notes: chilblains. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meurlan: [mȷɤ:ʴɫɑṉ] Note: earmark. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mi-àrdail: [mĩ:ɑ:ʴḏɔl] Notes: untidy. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miarsam: [m[ĩɑ̃]ʴsəm] Quot.: “pìob mhiarsam”. Note: a pipe made of meerschaum (a creamy clay used especially for pipe bowls (Dict.)). Commonly used at one time. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mih [sic]: a balance used for measuring amounts of wool. A simple bit of wood with a hook at each end placed on a wooden stand.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
milcean: [mĩlcɑṉ] Note: for “mircean” (seaweed).
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
milearach: [mĩlɑɾɑx] Notes: seaweed used for manure in some parts.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
millearach: does not know English equivalent. This substance used to come ashore, and was used as a substitute for straw, especially in mattresses. Stringy, dry substance.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
minidh: [mĩṉi] Note: a shoemaker’s awl. “Minidh dearcaidh”: the finer-pointed awl for stitching two parts of the uppers together. “Minidh buinn”: an awl with the tip bent used for soling. Sometimes called “minidh crom”.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
minidh: [mĩṉĩ] Notes: small awl, cobbler’s awl, also used by joiners for fine work.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
minidh-crom: Notes: awl with a bent tip used for soling shoes.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
minidh-crom: Notes: awl used for soling shoes.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miodair: a wooden vessel for feeding calves.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
miodar: Quotation: miodar-bleoghain. Notes: small wooden tub with handle used for milking.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miodar: a small wooden vessel for holding liquids e.g. milk for a calf, miodar a’ laoigh. Also held ‘bree’ from boiled salt herring, herring bones, potato peelings etc. given to the cows.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
mios feodair: pewter basin – cooler for milk.
Origin: Barra
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
miosair: [mĩsəð] Notes: a wooden basin used for milk.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miosar: [mĩsiɾ] Notes: wooden bucket for holding milk.
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mirean (m: pl.): sticks for fire. (Éir.)
Location: ? [Eriskay – see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miunnd: a purple leaf used for making soup. [NOTES: note added – (mint).]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mogal dùbailte: selvedge or double-meshed edge, for strengthening purposes.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
mogan: Quotation: Saoil thu dé thig as a’ mhogan? Notes: used for a purse occasionally. Small roundish object.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mogan-salainn: a cut end of a stocking for serving as a heat conductor in applying it to a swollen mouth, inflammation, say in the case of a gum-boil, or what could be thought of as being caused by exposure to cold. The salt, as already referred to earlier back, made hot on a fry pan, put into the ‘bag’ while hot, and the salt having its own ‘beneficiaries’ [sic].
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mogulair: [mɔ̃ɡəɫɑð] Note: a piece of wood used as standard measure for the size of a net mesh.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
moine chruaidh dhubh: heavy type of peat; very good for heat, but inclined to crumble during dry [sic] process if exposed to sun and rain.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
moine chòsach: light spongy stuff considered inferior – except for kindling.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
moine dhubh: hard, black peat, best for burning.
Location: Gearrloch, Achadh a’ Chairn [Gairloch, Auchtercairn]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
moine tasgaidh: peats suitable for banking the fire overnight – mòine amh or mòine phlòiceach were preferred for this.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
moine-steidhidh: well shaped and firm slabs suitable [for] stack ‘building’.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
moit: Quotation: Tha a’ sgadan sin moit. Notes: on the turn, or just turned (with herring, if they hadn’t taken the salt). Also aimsir mhoit, là moit. Used mostly for fish.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mol: [mɔ̃ɫ] Notes: term used for bigger rounded stones found on the beach – cobble-stone size.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
monais: Notes: ‘coarse woolly twine used for setting up nets to ropes’. SND s.v. monish ‘orig. unascertained’.
Location: Kintyre, Campbeltown
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
monusg: mush (always used for overdone potatoes – Tha ’m buntàta ’nam monusg).
Origin: Applecross [mother]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
morgh: [mɔrɔ] barbed spike for spearing salmon.
Location: Glen Lyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
morghath: [mɔrɔ] Notes: morghath in Dw. for fishing spear, trident. D.R. says it is a triple hook for catching salmon.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mortaigeil: [mɔrṯiɡʹəl] Quotation: am mortaigeil. Notes: a strap joining the haimes to the “giort”. Went down the breast and in between the forelegs. Was done up attractively for shows.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mothalanachd: Quotation: a’ mothalanachd [ˈmɔ̃əɫɑṉɑxk]. Notes: working for nothing for the likes of the landlord, e.g. building dykes.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
moull: oatmeal and water. Given to horses for nourishment. [NOTES: corrected to ‘moll’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
moulltainn: the proper term for the miller’s wages.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mu: prep. ‘about’ : gun seo ach air a thoirt às a’ bhuideil mu [ma] uair; 1 sg.[for an/ am ‘in’: ‘na sanntaich….!’ a chaidh a chur umam aig an fheadhain aig an taigh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
muc-chreige: something like bream; has a small mouth as if for sucking with. It is quite tame; usually caught when rock-fishing.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muicealan: [muixʹkʹln] tall plant used for feeding.
Location: Glen Lyon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muighlean: [m[u̟i]lʹɛ̃ṉ] Quotation: muighlean feòir. Notes: a bundle of hay for a cow.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muileann: Quotation: A h-uile duine a tarraing uisge dha mhuileann fhéin. Notes: every man for himself.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muirsginn: [mũʴsɡʹĩnʹ] Notes: razorfish. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Skye, Sleat
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muirsginn: [mũ̜ʴsɡʹw̃ṉ] [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muirsginn: [mu̜ʴsɡʹiṉ] Notes: razorfish. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muirsig: [mũ̜ʴsiɡʹ] Note: razor-fish. Plural [mu̜ʴsıɡʹəṉ]. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muirstiachd: [mu̜ʴstʹiɑxk] Notes: jellyfish. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muirstiachd: [mu̜ʴstʹiɑxk] Notes: jellyfish. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mulachd: [mũɫɑxk] Note: another term for soreness of bones among young animals (cattle) in bad weather. [Cf. cródach.]
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mulad: Notes: used in Kenmore for homesickness.
Origin: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mulcaire: (also) a rude angry (of little consideration towards his fellow men, etc.) person. Perhaps the same ‘symptoms’ could be noticeable towards a bird, for the name to be adopted. [SLIP: A person who is rude and generally inconsiderate towards his fellow human beings.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mulchag: [mulaxɑk] geir feidh [sic] [deer fat] in a mould (endowed with healing powers – any wound or baby’s navel). [NOTES: slipped under ‘mulchag’ with ‘mulchag geir feidh’ as the quotation. Definition: Deer fat in a mould. Endowed with healing properties – for a wound or was rubbed on a baby’s navel.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
mulgaire: I think there is a bird of this name. It may not appear in the present lists of bird-names. It pushes, and digs, pushes other birds, it may be of the làmhaire or còin-dhubha species. You may come across it somewhere or other places may have the name for a bird or the word. [NOTES: the slip is among the “Doubtful” words. Definition: Some species of bird?]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mullach: Note: “mullach” used often for a person in a kindly or loving way, e.g. “M’eudail ’s air a’ mhullach!” or “Sud far an robh an deagh mhullach.” The former usually applied to a child.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mullag: cow killed for the winter.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mult: this was the general term given to a castrated or wedder lamb after he had been clipped for the first time.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
muran: Bent grass – for making creels.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
muran: sea bent used for thatching.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
muran: sea bent used for thatch.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
musgan-caol: prawn. I have already noted this rendering for prawn, which I have discovered to me I am doubtful as its appropriateness or did it ever be the interpretation of the word prawn… the giomach-cuain is the nearest?
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màirnealach: [mɑ̃ʴnʹɑɫɑx] Quot.: duine màirnealach. Note: as above for “mobhsgaideach”. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màirnealach: [mɑ̃:ʴnʹɑɫɑx] Quot.: “tìde mhàirnealach”. “Tha i màirnealach.” Note: close weather. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màm: ulcerous wound, infesting, externally under the auxter. 2. Gaelic ‘at’ – festing [sic] [festering?] wound approached by an expertee [sic] who used to act with an axe head towards the wound and reciting [sic] a chant, etc. for cure. Have heard of it (orally).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
màm: a palm-full of grain more customary as màm sil. Also mam [sic] for a squat hill.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màm: Note: (1) a swollen gland, e.g. under the armpit or at the top of the thigh. (2) also used for rounded hills on the moor.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màrlspàic: an iron spike tapering at one end. Used for splicing wire. Also had wooden equivalent for splicing rope.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
màrtanaich: [mɑ̃ʴsṯɑṉiç] Quot.: na màrtanaich. Note: hacks on the feet caused by going barefoot early in the year. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mèigheadh: mare? A corrupted word likely. Bàgh-na-meigheadh [sic] – an original name for a bay in the island of Scalpay (Harris) or from… [sic]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
méistir: urine. Also used in dyeing process. Informant says this prevented the dyes from running together. This observation might need to be examined closer since many informants tell me sorrel or ‘sealbhag’ was used for this purpose.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mì-chuis: Quot.: Nam bhiodh duine ann le droch stamag ’s docha gum biodh mì-chuis aige ri biadh air chor-eigin. Note: notion, fancy for something, in particular to eat. A certain food.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mìllearach: a horse’s bit. Seems to be a dialectal variant on the more common word for this – ‘mìreannach’.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mìr-earraidh: Notes: part of loom. See mill-earraidh. Source: South Lochs word for ‘mill-earraidh’.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mògan (pl. mòganan): slang for hand – ‘mitt’. Bheil do mhòganan fuar? Are your mitts cold?
Origin: [Kintyre, Tarbert]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mòghlanachd: villeinage. Unfree peasant attached to lord to whom he paid dues and services for his land.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mòine: Quotation: mòine bhargain [vɑɾɑɡɑ̃nʹ]. Notes: peats cut on piece – work for the distilleries or farms.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mòine chràiceach: [peat] composed mostly of dead trees. ‘Cràic’ is used for rotting stumps and branches. ‘Giuthas’, still in a good state of preservation, is used on the mainland to describe the tree roots preserved by the peat.
Origin: Sgìre na Pàirc an Leódhas [Lewis, the Park district]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòine chòsach: a stringy type of peat which has bent many a ‘sgian’; ‘còsach’ was smoked by the bodach when he had the ‘carathas’ – the craving for tobacco: this out of ‘ine crùbaig’!
Origin: Leódhas, An Rudha [Lewis, Rudha]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
mòraidhean: fertile land in the moorland on the eastern side of the island which was divided between the villagers, who received about an acre each. This land was ploughed and used to supplement croft land. Nowadays it is used for peat bogs.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mòt: used for a fireplace not in the centre of the floor.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
móine: Quotation: móine gnìomh [ɡɾĩ:v]. Notes: peats suitable for putting in the outside shell of the peatstack.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mónaich: [mo:ṉiç] Notes: used by some for móran.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mórchuisean: another type of cattle renowned for yielding milk in great quantities.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mórnaich: [mo:ʴṉiç] Quot.: “Chaneil mórnaich airgiod agam.” Note: same as “móran”. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mùdag: [mũ̟:d̪ɑɡ] Note: basket for holding wool ready for carding. Says it was tub-shaped.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mùin: Quotation: A’ mùin ’s an aon fhaochaig, cha bhi i fada gun dol fairis. Notes: said of two people who are very friendly for a time.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mùn-goirt: urine collected in a tub, left aside for a period of time ‘to sour’ in the preparation of the tweed waulking process.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mùran: [mũ:ɾɑ̃ṉ] Notes: sea-bent, sometimes used for thatching.
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Skerray
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mùsgan-caol: prawn. I have discovered this word for prawn.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
na bioranan: small sticks suitable for lighting a fire.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
na gaidheachan: guys (for preventing horses from separating too much in two-horse ploughing).
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
na sgrathan: These were square pieces of green sod or turf thinly cut with a sharp kind of spade called a ‘caibe-làir’. There was an art in the cutting of a ‘sgrath’ and an ordinary spade would not do. The ‘sgrathan’ were laid on top of the rafters, ‘taobhain’ [q.v.] and ‘maidean-ceangail’ [q.v.] in a very methodical way, so that every inch of wood was covered. Finally the thatch, rushes or heather, was carefully spread on top of ‘sgrathan’ and held down by heather ropes, ‘sioman fraoich’, in criss-cross pattern. To the ends of these ropes, which dangled over the top of wall below, heavy stones called ‘acraichean’ were attached to keep thatch secure in place in time of storm. If the least flaw was detected in a ‘sgrath’ after it was cut, it was at once discarded as unsuitable for the roof of a building.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
nasg: Notes: neck-rope on a cow for tying in stall.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Balvoolich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nasgan: tie rope for cattle.
Location: South Uist, Smerclete
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nathair-neimh: [ṉɑ̃həʴnʹɛ̃] Notes: snake. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
neasg: [n̪ɛ̃sɡ] Notes: rope of rushes for tying cattle inside. (nasg)
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
neónad: [nʹõ:ṉəd̪] Notes: for “leamhnad”, a stye.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
niùrstan: [nʹũ̜:ʴsṯɑṉ] Note: Mrs. MacA’s pronunciation of the word for the celebration drink given on the birth of a child. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
noc: Quotation: Dé ’n uair a tha e air [əṉɔ̃k] sin? Notes: formerly used for “clock”.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
noigean: Quotation: [n̪ɔ̃ʔɡʹɛ̃nʹ], sometimes [n̪ɛ̃ʔɡʹɛ̃ṉ]. Notes: a wooden communal dish for holding potatoes, porridge, etc.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nuarranda: used for a windy, rainy day.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nì: Quotation: Gu sealladh nì math ort!/orm!/oir’! etc. Notes: For goodness sake!
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nòisean (m): Quotation: Bha nòisean aige do Cheit. Notes: a fancy for. (slangy)
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
nòs: Quotation: a’ cur bàta dhan a’ nòs [n̪ɔ̃:s]. Notes: a sort of nest made for boats. Could be [ɔ̃:s].
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
och: Notes: for ach – but. (Also gloc for glac – catch.)
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
oisean: door (for admitting hand).
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
ola-min-fhras-linn: linseed oil. Given to cattle for its beneficial products [sic] in giving the animal a shiny coat.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
orasda: another word I am not certain of; I heard [it] being spoken but I am not at the moment prepared to say what is its true definition, but I suggest (to me) it’s the place on which dung is placed when discharged from the byre or shed, or material put aside for convenience or some other reason. (It was pronounced with the [?] long accent?) As hear [sic] I note it to be oir aisde – air a chuir air an oir aisde. I am afraid the word is not used now with us.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
os, ois: old name for deer; fiadh means just “wild”, abbrev. of fiadhmhìol.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
osanan: Notes: term used now for oilskin leggings.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
othannach: said of cattle lacking inclination for food.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
paipear-latha: fill in form for weekly benefits, dated for one day, paipeirean an ‘dole’.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pairc: for cultivation.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
paisainn: another word for a faint. [NOTES: note added above ‘ainn’ in ‘paisainn’ – ean.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pallagan: mortar used for pounding grain into meal.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
patraigeadh: (also) packing between the lining of a coat, cuttings for the making of a suit or coat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peachadh: panting for breath.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peall curachd: Sack tied round the waist for carrying seed when sowing.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
peallag (I): Rudeigin an ceart aghaidh oslaig [q.v.]. Duine beag, sunndach, ’s mar sin. Mar bu trice cha b’ann a’ claonadh gu taobh a bhith cur onair air a chanadh tu ‘peallag’. [SLIP: Positive term for a small, lively man.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
peallag-buarach: Note: as he pronounces word for toadstool.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peallan (-ag): good for nothing, ragamuffin.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peallas: “Dè bu pheallas dha.” – what was the reason for that.
Location: North Uist, [Carinish], Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pearraid: [pȷɑrɑdʹ] Note: term used for a cheeky young girl.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pearrd: [pɛ:ʴd̪] Notes: a heap of “rolagan” from the cards. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Skye, Stein
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peile: Pail (used for carrying seed).
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
peile strùpach: milking pail with a lip erect for pouring. [NOTES: ‘strùpach’ corrected to ‘strupach’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peile zinc: [pail used for] watering [cattle] inside.
Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross-shire but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
peindeal: a trap made of rope for catching birds.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peinig: [pɛ̃ṉiɡ] Quotation: pl. [pɛṉiɡʹəṉ]. Notes: small stones used for filling in gaps between larger stones in a dry-stone wall.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peinndeal: Notes: snare for birds.
Location: Lewis, Bernera
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peinteall: trap for catching birds, made with horse hair in a frame.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peirceall: [peɾcəɫ] Quot.: “peirceall poll mónach”. Note: sometimes used for the face of a peat bank.
Origin: Harris, Bays
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peitean-mór: Note: a double-breasted short jacket for better wear.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peursa: [pjɤ:ʴsə] Notes: a pole (1) stuck on a rock in the sea to warn boats, (2) put up by seaweed watchers to let the people of the village know it was ashore. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peursaid: [piɑʴsɑd] Quotation: na peursaidean. Notes: warble-fly. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peurtag: [piɑʴst̪ɑɡ] Notes: partridge. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peàirdean (plural): [pjɑ:ʴd̪ɑṉ] Notes: “A cheud [sic] chuid de’n chlòimh a dheadhadh troimh na cairdean s’e peàirdean a chanadh iad riutha.” These were broader than the “roileagan”. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peàrd: [pjɑ:ʴḏ] Note: strip of carded wool. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peàrd: [pȷɑ:ʴḏ] Note: wool from cards for feeding spinning wheel. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peàrd: [pȷɑ:ʴḏ] Note: strip of wool coming from the cards. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peàrd (I): Tuft of wool off the cards in the first carding; the first card in carding; the long roll of wool as it leaves the cards for the spinning wheel. Chan eil ainm sam bith agam ach ‘peàrd’ airson na tha an seo shuas.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
peàrdan: [pjɑ:ʴḏaṉ] Note: the rolls of wool coming off the cards. (Sing. peàrd.) [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
phrìne banaltrum: safety pin for nappies. [NOTES: note added above ‘phrìne’ – frìne.]
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pige: Quotation: pige na farairidh. Notes: “piggy” of whisky for use at a wake.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pigidh: crock for salting butter.
Location: Tummel and Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pill: Quotation: a’ cur as a’ phill. Notes: a cloth slung over the shoulder and used for carrying the seed while sowing. Sower walked in a straight line. A boy replenished the “pill” from a sack in the middle of the field.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pillein: a covering made from sea bent (muran) and placed under a horse’s saddle. Prevented irritation of the horse’s skin. This word is a variant for the more widespread word – ‘plàta’.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
piob chliostar: a large metal syringe-shaped instrument used for relieving constipated animals.
Location: North Uist, Sollas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
piob-a-stillidh: home-made squirter (for squirting water) made from the bamboo-like stem of above [i.e. stealladair] by means of a thin stick, one end of which was wrapped with rags for use as a plunger, and a section of the stem of the stealladair as the cylinder of the squirt.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
piob-uisge is tuba airson a chruidh: water tap and tub for the cattle.
Origin: Bràigh-Lochabar [Brae Lochaber]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
piolasg: a piece of metal protruding from a lid to grip on for to move or lift – grip-piece or grip part of a nail-head size.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pionnt: mint. Its dried leaves were used for flavouring tea.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
piorstaich: [pȷw:ʴsṯiç] Quot.: piorstaich an teine. Note: stocking the fire to make it burn again. Reviving. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pis-eù-is-ù: (interjection) for calling a kitten or cat.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pitheag: [ˈpiɑɡ] Notes: used for a young girl.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
piurna: [pju̜ʴṉə] Notes: reel. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
piurna: [pȷu̜ʴṉə] Note: the pirn in a spinning-wheel. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plaid agus strathar: saddle for two creels. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
planndaisg: [pɫ[ɑu̜]n̪d̪iʃɡʹ] Notes: young cabbage for planting.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
planndan: [pɫɑ̃ũ̜n̪d̪ɑ̃ṉ] Notes: a young plant (e.g. could be for transplanting).
Location: Sutherland, Golspie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
planndraigeadh: Notes: used by AC for a clump of trees.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
platack: 3. When lines were hauled they were stored in a rush mat called a platack. 4. Platack. Roughly 5' x 4'. When the fisherman got home he untied his platack and red his line into a herring basket or cotton sacks all ready for baiting with either lug worm, limpit [sic] mussel or herring according to time of year. Mainly lug in the summer months.
Category: Iasgach / Fishing
pleat: “Nach ann air a bha pleat.” – used for a showy person.
Origin: [South Uist]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
pleatha: playtime for schoolkids.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pleistear: plaster; a plaster of gelatine explosion on a rock, for breaking it.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pleòideag: [plɛɔ:dʹɑɡ] Notes: word for snowflake used in the Antigonish area.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pliuthag: a slight slap of the hand to prevent a child from mischief, for rebuke, correction. Thug mi pliuthag dha mu chùl an dùirn.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ploc: this was the name given for liver fluke which shows on the sheep by a swelling under the jaw.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
plocan: Notes: (Kershader) toy boat, made of a solid bit of wood, shaped. Dwelly does not have this sense for the word.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plocan: [pɫɔkɑṉ] Notes: long-handled wooden mallet for breaking down clods of earth.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plocan: a block of wood with three protruding wooden or iron prongs used for levelling off lazybeds after the potatoes had been planted.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plocan: for mashing potatoes.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plocan: Notes: large wooden mallet for breaking down earthen clods after ploughing.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plockan: ‘batty’ for knocking out fish. For mashing/chapping potatoes?
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
plop: imitating word for the sound of a cork pushed out or pulled out of a bottle. [SLIP: To express the sound of a cork being pulled out of a bottle.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plàta: Notes: home-made bag made of sea-bent for taking grain to the mill.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pléistireachd: pleasuring, boating or boating for pleasure.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
poca-chudaig: Note: a large hand-net for saithe-fishing.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
poca-salainn: Notes: boy down on all fours, two other boys put legs over his back; they reach out for each other’s feet.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
poca-seic: Notes: (Callanish) (seic – a semi-rigid bag, made of siaman, used for barley.) Used to describe the riding of children on an adult’s shoulder, one leg on each shoulder and round the adult’s neck. Smith A (Bragar) used for this ‘raoid (i.e. ride) a’ bhreacain uasail’. Dwelly has seic (with a Lewis definition) and poca-saic ‘a large sack thrown across a horse’s back, and large enough to contain a load’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
poca-stobaidh: Quotation: poca-stobaidh làn sgoltainnean [sɡoɫt̪ɛ̃nʹəṉ]. Notes: a bag slung round the shoulders with slices of seed potatoes for planting. See stob (Islay).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pocan-òrdaig: a conical shaped paper bag used for sweets, broken biscuits and the like.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
poisean: Quotation: Thoir dhomh poisean. Notes: request for a kiss, addressed to a child.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
poisean: Quotation: “Thoir dhomh poisean.” Notes: term for “kiss” when speaking to a child.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
poit-ròiseid: Notes: iron pot for melting resin.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
polasman: Note: term [used] locally for beetle found in wells. Dark purple colour when they come to the surface.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pollastair: [poɫəst̪ɑɾ] Note: fulmar petrel (most common name for it here).
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
port: [pɔ̣ʂt] [?] Notes: any tune for play.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
port-Eoghainn: port; beach ref[erence?] to Ewen or any personal name indicating some connection for identification. With us (Scalpay) it’s common.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
port-an-aillean: [pɔʴsṯəṉˈɑlʹɑṉ] Note: also used (as well as gìbean (pl.) [q.v.]) for hollow under the ear. Could hurt a person badly by pressing fingers and thumb into both. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
port-cam: a makeshift beach for a boat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
portair: stout. For tonic, in moderation of course. Drinking it moderately, a small glassful daily, say.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pranndan: [pɾɛ̃n̪:d̪ɑ̃ṉ] Notes: crushed crab, limpet, potato for bait.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
preis-dhubh: still for whisky distilling. [NOTES: slipped under ‘prais-dhubh’. Definition: Whisky still.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
priobairean: blinders for a horse.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
proidhseach: [pɾ[ɤi]:ʃɑx] Notes: made for the sterilisation of seed to be planted. A coil of straw rope [su̟:ɡɑṉ] was made on the ground, this was filled with seed, another coil put on top of the first, more seed put in, etc. Pots of boiling water were then poured over the seed. Hay was put on top to keep the steam in.
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
proitseach: a gallant looking young man. ‘Protch’ is the word used in Uist for brooch. The young man would have been ornamented with a shoulder brooch. The Chief of the Gunns was known as Am Bràisteach Mór.
Location: Killearn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pronn-mhaorach: [pɾɔ̃n̪ɔvw̃ɾɑx] Note: chewed “maorach” thrown out for bait to attract saithe.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pronnadh: crushing act for solladh [q.v].
Origin: Barra
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
pronnastan: sulphur. Used to make a poultice. Applied to humans as well as animals. Used for rashes, boils, warts. Also given to young people to keep potential diseases at bay.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pruidh-dhé: This was the call for a calf. The ‘ui’ is the same as ‘ui’ in ‘suidhe’ (sitting) and the ‘dhé’ same as ‘dhé’ in the genitive of God.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Crodh / Cattle
pròs: brose. Pros [sic] air a dheanamh teth air a’ gheideil [sic] was recommended for stomach troubles. Brose on a bandage was applied to infested wounds for the abstraction of festing [sic] [festering?] matter. It was of a coarser componement [sic], dryer, for to absorb more.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
puirt bheaga: [?] Notes: bard’s pieces for competition.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
punnd: [pɤ̃ũd̪] Note: an enclosure for impounding horses. Had to have a stream running through it. Owner responsible for feeding the animal. Also: a’ punndadh.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
purp: [pu̟ɾp] Quotation: Cha robh am purp sin innt. Notes: heard a Balemartin man use this for “gumption”.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
put: Quotation: clach putaidh. Notes: size of stone suitable for shot putting.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
put: Notes: used in Carloway for football.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
puta-craicinn: a float made of skin, sheep skin or cowhide, for nets.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
putair: for putting down potatoes when soil is already turned and ploughed. An ordinary wooden shaft with one end somewhat pointed to make the holes more easier [sic].
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
put’-glaine: glass float for a trawl, a fishing trawl. [NOTES: slipped under ‘puta-glainne’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
put’-iarrain: trawl galvanized float for nets. [SLIP: ‘Galvanized float’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pàilidh: [pɑ:li] Notes: a pet term used for a small creature.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pàirc: (f) Park. Enclosed field – for cultivation or pasture.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
pìob: Quot.: “pìob buntàta”. Note: a pipe, the bowl of which was fashioned out of a potato, the stem being a length of the shaw. Used by boys for smoking “calcas”.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pìob chliastar: the tube used for this operation [i.e. cliostair ‘enema’].
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pùlais: [masc.] detachable hanging handle for the ‘prais’ or three legged pot.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
rac-arbhair: Notes: corncrake. (Confusion between names for corncrake, snipe, jacksnipe.)
Location: Skye, Kyleakin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
racaire: used for a keening person. A kind of precentor who went before the coffin. According to tradition there was one in every village in Barra about 100 years ago.
Origin: Uibhisteach [Uist]
Category: Pìobaireachd / Piping
raineach: fern. Was used to contribute in a mattress form of packing for beds in sheilings, makeshift beds; fishermen of old used it, when their periodical residence was a sheiling (Harris). (The ‘raineach’ generally, which accounts for all species.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rangas: piece of wood nailed to the ribs from stem to stern for extra strength. The seats rested on it.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
raobhan: (rivan) wool from the mill ready for spinning, cf. rovings, “rivans”. “Toiseach eididh raobhanan.”
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rapas: Notes: used mainly for slovenliness in eating food, on face, clothes, table.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
raspars: [rɑspɑʴs] Quot.: “Tha e làn raspars.” Note: conceit, haughtiness. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rath-spars: [rɑspɑʴs] Notes: impudence, e.g. of a young child. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: BBC
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
red pine for wheel and box: Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
reiteachadh: cleaning and unravelling as preparation for the next baiting.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
reithe: Note: used for a fully grown ram. “Rùda” not used.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
reithean: [rɛhɑṉ] Note: the roller on which the band from the big wheel goes for turning the flyer of the spinning wheel.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
reumhach: [rĩɑ̃vɑx] Note: for “freumhach”, root. Quot.: “reumhach na cairt”.
Origin: Balallan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ri port: storm bound in port; in port, for some reason, etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riap: Notes: sometimes used for “rope”.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riasg: sedge or peat-moss, which is cut and dried for fuel.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
riasg: limpet bait for rock fishing.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riathasg: boiled limpets for bait for a fishing rod. (I am not sure of the spelling – one of the two is correct, I think.) [NOTES: it is not clear if the ‘two’ refers to riathasg vs. friathasg or rather riathasg/friathasg vs. riasg/friasg.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
righeadh: [ˈrıəɣ] Quot.: “Ged a bhiodh tu air do righeadh.” “Gus do righeadh leis a’ chadal.” Note: “righeadh” – term used in some places for the stretching of a corpse on boards.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rimhinn chrò: sheep without lamb for four years; the best conditioned of the flock. (Bays)
Location: Harris, Horgabost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riobh-éirin: [rwfe:ɾəṉ] Note: short piece of sheet used for shortening the sail. Reef-earing.
Location: [Lewis], [S.] Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riochdachadh an tobair: at Easter different flowers placed round the well for the purpose of keeping evil spirits at bay.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
risteal: a type of plough used for ploughing notoriously tough land.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riudhan: small wooden dish used for serving sweet [sic].
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roc-làir: seaweed broken off submerged rocks were [sic] washed ashore, and would lay for that length of time on the shore – thus pithless in some cases.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
rochd: a type of seaweed. Wide leaves on this seaweed used for ‘bragaire’. Found in March.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rodail: Quotation: Seall a’ rodail a th’air an duine sin, nach e tha dìchiallach. Notes: applied to a person who works extra hard to provide well for his family.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roic: a lot of beef for eating. Tha roic agabh [sic].
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roid: Quotation: Theid mi ann airson roid bheag. Notes: I’ll go there for a brief visit.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roid: running fast for a few yards etc. preparatory to jumping.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roid: bog myrtle. Used for stomach related problems such as worms.
Location: Barra, Castlebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roilean: mix up of string, knitting wool, etc. “Roinn (for ‘rinn’) thu roilean dheth.”
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roill: Notes: used of strong-smelling ooze from fish which has been lying for a time (even a few hours). Also of thick spittle at cow’s mouth. Hence roilleach. Dw. has ròil ‘slaver’ (from DMy, Lewis). Also roille-chraos ‘slavering mouth’. Source: heard in conversation with Murdo Ferguson of Portvoller, Lewis. Date: 10/05/1969. (Also John MacArthur, Bayble – October 1970)
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roill: [r[ɔi]l] Quotation: a’ [r[ɔi]l] a’ bhàrr dhearg. Notes: said by G.C. to be abbreviation for ‘ruaimleadh’ – the effect the ground swell had on the tangle at the time of the Equinox. It stirred it up. (Heard in Tiree as roill.) [NOTES: the note in brackets in second hand.]
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roisair: a bit of wood used for taking the seed off crops. Process called ‘roiseadh’.
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roisein: Flail for oats. [NOTES: ‘roisean’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
rolagan: the long roll of wool as it leaves the cards for the spinning.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
rollag: [rɔɫɑɡ] Notes: long roll of wool as it leaves the cards for the spinning wheel.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ropa-ruadh: Notes: brown rope used for lashing stacks.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruam: a sacred piece of soil reserved for burials.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rubbers: device used for tying claws of lobsters.
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
rud: Quotation: an droch rud. Notes: euphemism for ‘cancer’.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rudhan: name for aforesaid small stooks [see rudhadh].
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ruidhal: a round wooden hoop covered with a preserved sheep’s skin and perforated like a sieve used for separating of corn seed and chaff.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruigh: a run or sloping piece of moorland ground for cattle. In shieling era.
Location: North Uist, Blàsheabhal [Blashaval]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruigheastaireachd: [ˈrĩəst̪ɑðɑxk] Quot.: “Dé a ruigheastaireachd a th’ort a’ sin?” Note: stretching out or reaching for something, e.g. on top of a cupboard, with which one has difficulty in grasping.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruigheastaireachd: Stretching for to get a thing. Tha ‘ruigheastaireachd’ againn airson duine, no ainmhidh. [Cf. spàrdanachd]
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruith bheag, mhór: specified distance for horse races set out on appropriate machair land.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rumastaireachd: Notes: (a favourite word of my mother’s) rooting about for, searching for something. Not in Dw. (Norse?) Date: recalled 1971.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
runnach clabach: a small, brown coloured mackerel used for bait but not for household purposes.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
runnaich: Tiree for mackerel. ’Se runnaich as motha a tha iad ag uisneachadh.
Origin: Tiriodh [Tiree] (Rugadh Daibhidh ann an Glaschu ach chaidh a thogail ann an Tiriodh bho’n a bha e trì bliadhn’ a dh’aois.)
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
rup: sale. Tha e dha rup – putting it on sale, or offering it for sale. [SLIP: Up for sale.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rupalachd: selling rubbish. I think this meaning for this word is authentic as selling rubbish, unless you have a far more authentic version. It originated from ‘rup’ – sell out (Harris).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rusalan: a wooden dish used for serving vegetables.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rusgadh: same as above [i.e. feannadh]; another term for ‘feannadh’ – term used in Lewis.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
rusgadh: Air tus gearradh a’ bhlair le spaid, agus na dheidh sin a to’airt air falbh nam plocan uachdrach le cablair. Turfing – first cutting long ways and crossways by spade, after which the turf is removed by flatter-spade, sketch of which is shown. Tha nis an t-ullachadh deanta arirson buain na moine le taraisgil – aon fhear a’ gearradh is fear eile a’ sgaoiladh [sic] mach na moine air a’ bhlar. The way is now prepared for cutting and casting the peat by tusk – one man cutting and another spreading out the peat on the moss.
Origin: Cataobh [Sutherland – probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
ràfordach: [rɑ:fɔʴḏɑx] Note: full of exaggerated talk. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ràla: Old Gaelic for oak.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ràth-thiodhlaicidh: Notes: portion of churchyard set aside for family, or for croft.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rèidh riobaineach: this would be said for example after a tempestuous meeting which you had expected – “Bha fios nach biodh gnothaichean cho reidh riobaineach sin.”
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rèile: [rɛ:lə] Notes: rails on a cart. Na rèilichean móra: the additional rails put on for high loads.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rèipsteal: This word meant poor condition also [(cf. ràmag)] but was more inclined to be used for a beast of bad conformation such as being long legged instead of being thick and deep of body. ‘ei’ as in ‘nèip’.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Crodh / Cattle
rèiteach: a party held in the week prior to a wedding. Distinct from the ‘rèiteach’ where the groom asked his father in law for his daughter’s hand in marriage.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ré: also used for moon.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròp toisich: for tying a boat to the pier.
Location: Eriskay, Na Hann [Haun]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròsaid: Note: resin for putting on cord used in stitching leather.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùda: Notes: used in Staffin for ram.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùdan: Notes: rattle for frightening horses.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùdhan: after the peats had been allowed to lie on the bank for a considerable time they were made into piles of different sizes. The first pile is the ‘rùdhan’ and usually consists of 6 peats and 1 on top.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
rùillich: [ru̜:lʹiç] Quot.: a’ rùilleach a measg rudan. Note: rummaging, looking for something.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùillich: Quot.: “Tha e a’ rùilleach as a’ phreas.” Note: rummaging, looking for something and putting other things out of place in the process.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sabh-mór: Sàbh-mór – Two-handed saw for use in a saw pit. (Dwelly) Sàbh-mór – Whip-saw. (MacLennan) Whip-saw – A narrow saw for dividing timber lengthwise, usually set in a frame and often worked by two persons. (Chamber’s Twentieth Century Dictionary, 1960) [NOTES: the following comment copied from Mr MacLeod’s letter of 29/04/1968] Chan eil fhios agam am biodh sàbh-mór aca ’ga oibreachadh anns a’ Chomraich. Có dhiù bhios cuimhne leibhse. Bha cuimhne aig m’athair a bhith toirt fiodh ciste-laighe as a’ logainn nuair a bhàsaicheadh duine. Agus sin leis an t-sàbh-mhór. Làithean cruaidhe bha siod. (As a’ logainn, mar a chanadh na bodaich. ’Se a chanas sinne an diugh as a’ loga. ’Se còmhradh nam bodach bu chearta. Loga (I).)
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sabhaidh: Quot.: “Tha sin sabhaidh.” Note: word used today for “exceedingly good”.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sadachan: a cloth used for dusting. Could also be used for a blackboard duster?
Origin: ‘Islay connections’
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sadail: throwing of spreading the peats on the bank for drying.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sagairt: [saɡɑrstʹ] last for boots. [NOTES: the slip has [sakɑrstʹ]. Definition: Cobbler’s last for boots.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
saibhle: [sɤılə] Quot.: “Saibhl’ ort!” Note: “A plague on you!” also “Sguir dhan a’ sin mas cuir mi saibhl’ ort!” (“Saibhle” used on West Side for keel on sheep.)
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saibhlean: [sɤıləṉ] Quotation: Tha saibhlean math aige. Notes: used in general for a steading – byre, barns, stable etc.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saic: a basket on each side of a horse. Used for carrying peat.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saighds: Gaelic version of the English word ‘sides’. For the sides of a cart.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sainnseal: Quotation: Gheibh thu sainnseal. Notes: unexpected shock, something you don’t bargain for.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
scaap: enclosure made from boulders, for mussels.
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
scoltan: part with best eyes retained for seed. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
scumar: (scoo-mar) a small net on a circular piece of wire at the end of a long pole for lifting clams.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
scummar(n): an instrument used for catching clams. Long wooden handle with net at end giving a bag effect. [NOTES: note added in pencil: sgumair.]
Location: Barra, Castlebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seabhtadh: a borrowing from the English word ‘shift’. Used in Gaelic for changing your clothes. “An do sheabht thu do léine?”
Location: Barra, Eoligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sead: [ʃɛḏ] Quot.: a’ seadadh a’ chloimh. Note: shedding the wool of a sheep for smearing with tar.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seagal: rye. Used for feeding. Only stuff that would grow well on sandy soil.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sealasdair: Notes: used for dyeing.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sealbhag: sorrel. Used for dyeing wool.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
sealbhag: a root used for dyeing wool. Found on machair land.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sealbhag: Notes: when dyeing with “guirmean” it was put in with the urine and left with the wool in a tub for a few days. Then the “sealbhag” was gathered, boiled and the resulting liquid put into the tub. This made a fast dye. (Left for a day or two.)
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sealbhag: sorrel, for darkening colours.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sealbhag: Note: also used for sorrel.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seanacharra: ’Se ‘seanacharra’ a chanas sinne [for ‘seanabheulach’ – one of the words suggested in the questionnaire – ‘used of a child who talks like a grown-up’.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
seann lion sadanach: for protection from birds.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
seannas: Like honeysuckle. For constipation in cattle and other stomach upsets. Leaves and roots boiled and then strained.
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun, Knockan or Mull, Burg or Mull, Tobermory or Mull, Bunessan, Taoslainn
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
seapain: a jug used for milking cows.
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
searbhadair: Note: used for a towel by older people. “Tubhailt” more common now.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
searrag: Note: a glass, e.g. used for whisky.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
searrag: another word for bottle.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
searsalaich: [ʃiɑʴsɑɫiç] Note: duine calma, foghainnteach. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seasg: like sea bent (muran) but taller. Found by rivers and boggy, marshy land. Used for thatch.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seasgann: water sedge. Used for stuffing mattresses.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seasgann neo bogannach: grew in boggy land especially near rivers. Used for thatch. Long grass – green. [NOTES: ‘neo’ crossed out. Not clear if this means that rather than being two different names of the same plant the two words should be treated as one name ‘seasgann bogannach’.]
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
see diag. for constr.: [NOTES: probably refers to a diagram provided by the informant.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
see for months – feamainn: Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
see for turnips, carrots: Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
seib: [ʃeb] Note: Gaelic pronunciation for “jib”.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seic: Hide bag for carrying potatoes. [NOTES: ‘seice’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
seic: [ʃec] Note: a large bag, made of woven straw, used for taking grain to the kiln. Carried on the back with a rope round it and round the chest. Held about quantity of two ordinary bags.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seic shioman luachrach: Woven sack of dried rushes used for carrying potatoes. “Gràn a seiceannan ’s siol am pocannan.” [NOTES: ‘seice shioman luachrach’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
seiceal: chackle. [sic] [SLIP: Heckle (for dressing flax). Morrison had: chackle – ?!]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seidhir: [sic] Quotation: séidhir gaoirdeanach [ʃe:əɾɡɤ:ʴdʹɑ̃ṉɑx]. Notes: arm chair. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.] [NOTES: slipped under ‘seuthar’.]
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seilbhinneas: the wealth, economy of an area. Informant suggests ‘seilbhinnear’ for an economist.
Location: North Uist, [Carinish], Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seile: [ʃelə] Notes: allegedly used by some Perthshire people for “spit”. [ʃilə] in Dw. seile (Dw.) placenta, afterbirth.
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seilleach: willow. Its branches used in the making of creels for carrying manure and peat (etc.).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
seinichean: Drag-ropes (for harrows).
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
seinichean: Drag-ropes (for harrows).
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
seipal (-eil): used for chapel.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seisreach: Notes: used for a pair of horses.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seisrigh: a pair of horses. Two horses for ploughing in light soil.
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
seodadh: forcing, passing an article in a forcible like manner for to be accepted. Bha e seodadh sud thuige. [SLIP: Forcing something onto someone for them to accept it.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seot: Notes: pl. seotaichean. Second-class animal. Also used for second-class seed.
Origin: Kinlochourn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seotal: [ʃɔt̪əɫ] Quotation: seotal na ciste. Notes: a small compartment at one end of a chest under the lid. It was about 6" deep for keeping jewellery, etc. in it.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seursadh: [ʃɤ:ʴsəɣ] Quotation: a’ seursadh. Notes: urging people to go and to [sic] something. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seursag: [ʃiɑʴsɑɡ] Note: grilse. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sewl: [accent above w] e cleáh [?] door (for admitting hand).
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
seòl: Quotation: “Tha seòl-mara [ʃɔɫmɑɾə] math ann.” Notes: (It is a favourable time for fishing, owing to the state of the tide.)
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seòrsadh: Quotation: a’ seòrsadh nan uan. Notes: sorting lambs according to quality for the sale. (gan topadh – 1st quality ’s gan seotadh – 2nd quality)
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seóbaileag: Quotation: sìobaileag-seóbaileag. Notes: term used for a see-saw.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgadan: Quotation: sgadan bhuntàta. Notes: herring caught for home consumption.
Location: Kenmore, Fearnabeg (Shieldaig? – on one of the slips)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgaidse-shàbhaig: Note: in Tolsta Chaolais, sawpit for sawing logs which have come ashore.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgaimhleach: [sɡ[ɑ̃ĩ]lɑx] Quotation: cù sgaimhleach. Notes: restless, not able to stay in the one place for very long.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgairt: [sɡɑʴsṯ] Note: peritoneum. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgairt a’ falaich: used for a hiding place. Especially used in the sense of straying cattle. “Chaidh a bhò sgairt a’ falaich orm.” [NOTES: corrected to ‘sgairt-a’-falaich’.]
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgal: Quotation: Ghabh e sgal mu ’n obair. Notes: He had a craze, strong liking for …
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgaoilteach: Quotation: sgaoilteach lion. Notes: A place for putting out nets to dry.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgaoilteach: plain, level ground appropriate for spreading clothes on to bleach. Tha e muigh (clothes) air an sgaoiltich. [NOTES: slipped under ‘sgaoilteach (noun)’. Definition: ‘Level ground appropriate for bleaching clothes’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgaoilteag: Half potato used for planting.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sgaoiltean: Part (with ‘eye’) used for planting.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sgaolan: [sɡw̃:ɫɑṉ] Notes: “skull” – a basket made of wire with a handle at each end. Used for turnips, potatoes, etc. “sgùlan” in other parts.
Origin: Nethy Bridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgathadh: Notes: the barley was pulled up by the roots. The sheaf was cut in two with a special sickle – the root half being kept until the house was stripped of thatch – “Bun dubh” used for thatching.
Location: Stornoway, Melbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgathadh: Notes: cutting the earthy ends off the barley stalks. They were left on for some time. In Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgathadh: Quot.: a’ sgathadh an eòrna. Note: cutting the barley sheaves to remove the lower part (with the roots for thatching).
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgathadh bhunan: cutting the base and roots off barley sheaves with an old scythe blade and shaking all down into a thorough mixture for thatch.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sgathair: [sɡɑhəð] Note: cold chisel, for cutting iron.
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgealb: Quot.: a’ sgealbadh a’ bhuntàta. Note: cutting potatoes for seed.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgealbadh: Cutting potatoes for seed. [NOTES: ‘sgealbadh a’ phunàt’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sgealbadh a’ phunàt: Cutting potatoes for seed.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sgealban: Portions of potatoes used for planting.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sgeallag: [sɡʹɑu̜ɑɡ] Notes: yellow flower growing among corn. [u̜] often substituted for [ɫ].
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgealpadh: [sɡʹɑɫpu̜] Notes: cutting, e.g. potatoes for planting.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeap: a straw basket (skelp) for carrying seed when sowing.
Location: [Lewis], Siabost
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
sgeap: [sɡʹɑp] Note: bag of woven straw, slung at one’s side, for cuddy-fishing.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgearrach: Tha aca anns na Hearadh – có dhiu bha ’san Scarp – ‘sgearrach’. “Thug mi sgearrach air, no dhà.” [SLIP: Scarp word for ‘tongue-lashing.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
sgeil: [sɡʹɤl] Notes: tin vessel with a long handle for taking water out of a well.
Location: Achlyness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeileid: [sɡelɑdʹ] Notes: long-handled pan used for taking water out of a well.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeileid-nan-uighean: skillet for boiling the eggs.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeit-ghoirt: [sɡɛtʹɣɔʴsṯ] Note: skate put in a cloth and left for 4-5 days without salting. Said to be good for someone with a bad stomach. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeith feith: a ruptured muscle, especially in the form of a lump on the back of a hand. Also applied as the term for varicose veins. [NOTES: ‘feith’ corrected to ‘fèith’.]
Location: South Uist, South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgian chùbaireachd: used for cleaning the salt out of the crevices in barrels.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgian cubaireachd: used for cleaning out the gaps between the wooden straps in a barrel. For example salt would be removed from barrels used for curing fish by this implement. Sharp circular blade at one end with a wooden handle. [NOTES: ‘cubaireachd’ corrected to ‘cùbaireachd’.]
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgian sgliat: slater’s axe. One end used for cutting the slate, tile; the other for breaking it.
Location: Eriskay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgian-fheòir: for slicing sections of stacks, esp. cruachan [q.v.]. Done vertically like a saw.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sgian-imeleig: for cutting umbilical (I am not sure if I have the word correct, my memory only serves me) cord. I have already [noted?] as uncertain as to its meaning: this is it, in medical operation, or maternity operation.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgian-imleig: a knife for cutting the ‘umbilical’ cord.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiathag: a wooden lid for a water tub.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiathan: pet name for cattle.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgileid: [sɡʹilɑdʹʒ] Notes: tin mug sold by tinkers. Used for drinking tea and for filling the “bucaid” at the well.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgioba: a band of workers for peat-cutting.
Location: Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sgioba: Quotation: (peat) 1. A h-aon a’ buain. 2. A h-aon a’ sgoradh. 3. A h-aon a’ socrachadh (putting the peats in place). Notes: Two on the second peat and two on the third. It was usually a boy for 3. socrachadh.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgioba buain mhònach: the working team consisting roughly of nine. This was considered capable of cutting fuel for one year for one household: ceithir iarainn agus duine rùsgadh.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
sgiomailear: [sɡʹĩməlɑð] Quot.: (1) “na sgiomailearan àrd”. (2) “na sgiomailearan iosal”. Note: (1) wooden arms above the loom for lifting the heddles. (2) the foot pedals on a wooden loom.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgitheag: Notes: Islay word for droigheann-dubh ‘blackthorn’. Source: Neil Thomson, Muasdale. Date: 1987.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sglog ’san lethcheann: [sɡlɔk sən lʹɛ̜:çən] slap on jaw. [NOTES: slipped under ‘sglog’ with ‘sglog ‘san lethcheann’ as the quotation. Definition: Slap on the jaw. Separate slip for ‘lethcheann’ – jaw.]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
sgoil-bhocsaididh: [?] school for the instruction of boxing sport. [NOTES: originally ‘sgoil-bhocsaigidh’ corrected to ‘sgoil-bhocsaididh’ or the other way round – not clear.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgoil-bhocsaigeadh: school for boxing instructions.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgoil-fhonn: school for teaching musical refrains.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgoil-sheinn: school for teaching tunes.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgoil-sheòldairean: navigational class for seamen.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgoiltean: [sɡolʹtʹɑ̃ṉ] Notes: part of cut potato with the eye in it – for planting.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgonnan: [sɡon̪ɑṉ] Note: the wooden handle on the top stone of a quern for putting it round.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgor: Notes: used in Applecross for a thick slice of bread.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgor: Quotation: a’ sgoradh a mhóine. Notes: forking the peats out further on the bank to make space. A special job for one of the crew. “A’ sgoradh as an fhàil” – all the crew working on the third peat with an iron each.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgoultair: shellfish. It has a stingy [sic] effect on the skin when handled, it leaves an after effect of sting. Fishermen use lubricating oil on their hands for a soothing formula when after having contact with them from their nets. As an emergency, engine oil is used by the fishermen, when any other oil isn’t available.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgramhail: [sɡɾ[ɑu̜]ilʹ] Notes: This piece of wood about a foot long used to dig for [mũ̟ʃɡʹɑṉ]. Iron was not allowed as it might repel them.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgreablach: type of soil that is light and thin. Used for growing oats.
Location: North Uist, [Carinish], Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgreamhail: [sɡɾɛ̃ılʹ] Notes: a small spade-like instrument made from wood; used for gathering cockles, spoutfish, etc.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgreang: frown. Sgreangaidh (n) – a person known for frowning.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgriachan: [sɡɾiɑxɑṉ] Notes: scraper for pots made from heather twigs tied with string.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrios: Quotation: Sgrios obainn gu robh ort! Notes: heard one tinker wife say this to another when chiding her for drinking all the milk they had just got.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Kilillan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgroileag: [sɡɾɔilɑɡ] Notes: word used for twine wound as as [sic] round fingers.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgroiteach: unsuitable female for a girlfriend with a youth. [SLIP: An unsuitable girl-friend for a youth.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgruigean: [sɡɾu̟ɡʹɑṉ] Note: heard this sometimes used for a man’s cap.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgràbair: Note: grapnel, for picking up lost fishing lines from the bottom. [Cf. sgràbadh.]
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrìob: Quotation: Tha sgrìob drama orm. Notes: I feel the desire for a drink.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrìoban: Notes: commonly used for rake.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrìoban: Hand line used for cod fishing. Line was twined around wooden frame. [SLIP: Sgrioban [sic] wooden frame round which a hand line for cod fishing was entwined.]
Origin: Skye
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
sgrùthan: another name for a small corn rick. More often called a ‘toit’.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sguab-leis-an-t-siol: reference to nutrition for cattle.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
sguabach: Quotation: sguabach fhraoich. Notes: heather brush for sweeping the floor.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sguaraigeadh: Arsa am bodach: “Bha i ann an siod (a’ bhana-cheard) aig dorus an tigh-change, ’s i a’ sguaraigeadh ’s a’ sguaraigeadh.” – squaring up for a fight.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgudal: oatmeal, herring, salted herring or fresh herring or both kinds, bread, cheese, a composition of a variety of eatables for cattle.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
sguidsear: Wooden instrument for taking seed off sheaf.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sguidsear: a bit of bamboo about two feet long, and used for the above process [i.e. sguidseadh].
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgulathartaich: [sɡu̟ləhɑʴsṯiç] Notes: squeaking or shrieking, e.g. seagulls. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sguman: scoop for lifting cream of milk, clam shell.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgurag: Notes: packed lunch for boat, or hill.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgurran: anther word for ‘lòt’ meaning a share of land.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgàindeach: [sɡɑ̃:nʹdʹɑx] Note: uncut peat which is dry enough for burning. Also applied to a dried cow’s dropping used for fuel.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgàinteag: Quotation: a’ trusadh sgàinteagan. Notes: a cow’s pancake which has been dried by the sun, and which can be lifted for burning.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgàinteag: [sɡɑ̃:nʹtʹɑɡ] Notes: dried cow dung used for fuel.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgàinteag: Notes: of ‘pats’ of cow-dung, used in Tiree for fuel for fires. Source: Mrs Mabel MacArthur (of Tiree origin). Date: 1971.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgàire: [sɡɑ:ɾə] Notes: a cutting tool for trimming a horse’s hooves.
Location: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgàrsach: [sɡɑ:ʴsɑx] Quot.: “Bha sgàrsaichean ann dheth”. Note: a surfeit. “Sgàrsach” also used in connection with women in a contemptuous way. “Sgàrsach ghrannda de bhoirionnach” – hussy type. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgàth fhras: a brief shower of rain lasting for a few minutes only.
Location: North Uist, Sollas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgòdadh (v): reefing, for making sail smalled [sic].
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
sgònnan: a bit of wood on a dibble, on which pressure was applied when making a hole for the potato seed.
Location: South Uist, South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgòrsaireachd: Quotation: Dé a’ sgòrsaireachd a th’air? Notes: watching what other people are up to. (When a person is present for no better reason than to see what is going on.)
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgòthd: the name for the rope which could be adjusted according to the wind. Could be let in or out. [NOTES: corrected to ‘sgòd’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgùile: [sɡu̟:lʹə] Note: a net on an iron frame let down into the water, hanging from a stick by strings attached to the rim. For cuddies.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgùilean [sɡu̜:lɑṉ]: Notes: a type of basket that could be used for carrying peats, potatoes, fishing lines, etc.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgùird: long apron worn in fields and used for carrying.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgùird: a lapful. Women would carry things in their apron or in the lap of their dress, skirt… Since then could also be applied for a knitting bag, a bag for seed planting. Can also be applied for a satchel used to hold fish. A satchel which was strapped to the shoulders. “Làn sgùird de liapagan.” [NOTES: ‘liapagan’ corrected to ‘liabagan’.]
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgùirt: [sɡu̜:ʴstʹ] Notes: a lapful. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: South Uist, Eochdar, Balgarva
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgùlan: wicker or wooden container for small line.
Origin: Barra
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
sgùlan: [sɡu̜:ɫɑṉ] Notes: basket made of willow wands, used for potatoes, willow wands etc.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgùlan: [sɡu̜:ɫɑṉ] Notes: a basket for holding potatoes.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
shadhadh: retaliating, retaliating for an injury, in speech…
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
shaglan: fishing line used for lythe fishing, of the material. [NOTES: slipped under ‘siaglan’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
shaglan-caol: light weight size fishing line used for lythe fishing.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
shaglan-laidir: heavy fishing line used for lythe fishing.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
shiubhail: [NOTES: slipped under ‘siubhal’. Definition: chaochail, shiubhail, dh’fhalbh. Never ‘bhàsaich’ for a person.]
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
siadair: [ʃıɤd̪ɑɾ] Notes: a useless person, physically, e.g. for fighting.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siaman: a string hung inside, stretched for hanging clothes on to dry. Cuir air an t-siaman iad.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sian: [ʃĩɤ̃ṉ] Quot.: “Sian àigh ort!” Note: said formerly to a person who was going to face danger of some sort, e.g. going away to war. For his protection. Also: “a’ cur sian air duine”.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sibhse: Notes: used formerly for addressing a married woman, no matter what her age.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sifeac: a wick for the above [i.e. lamba (q.v.)].
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
simid: [ʃĩmidʹ] Note: a stick used for wringing clothes by wrapping a piece of the article round one end of the stick and then twisting the stick.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
simide: [ʃĩmidʹə] Notes: wooden stick used for beating clothes when washing them. “Simide” used elsewhere for a potato-masher – shaped like a baseball-bat.
Location: Lewis, Borve
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
simileir-caol: pipe escape for smoke.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
similidh: to leave someone without a word to say for himself, to quiesce [sic]. “Tha iad gu math similidh an diugh.”
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sinnteachan: Notes: older term for drag-chains.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sintean: drawing chains for the plough. Hence: sineadh for ploughing in some places.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siocaire: [ʃıkəðə] Quot.: Chaneil ann dheth ach siocaire grannda. Note: a person who is lazy, good for nothing but impertinent at the same time.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siogan: [ʃiɔɡɑṉ] Notes: affectionate name for a calf.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siol-mholl: [ʃıɔɫvõɫ] Note: used for chaff as well as “sgalpan” [q.v.], “calg” [q.v.].
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siol-nan-cearc: hen feeding grain. [NOTES: slipped under ‘sìol’ with ‘sìol nan cearc’ as the quotation. Definition: Grain for feeding hens.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siolachan: [ʃiələxən] sieve for milk.
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
siolachd: Quotation: Tha ’n t-siolachd oirre. Notes: for a mare in heat.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siolag: Quotation: corran-shiolag. Notes: sickle used for digging for sandeels.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siollachan: hames for the collar.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siollachan: wooden hames which were light; used for ploughing and for breaking in young horses.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siollag: equivalent of ‘dàir’ in cows. Desire for mating. “Bha siollag air an làir.” [NOTES: corrected to ‘sìolag’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siolmhol: barley chaff which was not free of grain and could be used for cattle feeding.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
siolpa: little look, look, popped in. Chaidh mi siolpa ann. – I went there for a wee while.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sioltag: strainer for milk.
Origin: Barra
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
sioman: rope for drying clothes above the fire.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sioman fodair: a rope made of twisted straw carrying a stone as a weight and used for securing the thatch on the stack.
Origin: Bràigh-Lochabar [Brae Lochaber]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sioman fraoich: rope for tying down the thatch.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
siosacalt: a long three quarter jacket worn by men. Characterised by having three fastening buttons. Worn on special occasions or for Sunday use.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siosar: the claw used by the lobster for cutting its food, etc.
Location: Eriskay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sireap: syrup. Syrup and hot water mixed was used for cold, drinking it before retiring at night.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sitig: Quotation: Tha e a muigh air an t-sitig an aiteigin. Notes: He’s away out somewhere. Also used for hollows among shingle (or sand?) where a person deposited seaweed.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sitig: a layer of dung manure and seaweed alternately put together during late winter and early spring; good for all crops.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sitinn: [ʃitʹĩnʹ] Notes: used formerly for a dung-heap.
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siubhal: Quotation: Bha siubhal sith aice. Notes: some were supposed to have this power. If one glanced away for a very short time from looking at such a person and then looked again, they seemed to have covered an incredible distance for such a short time.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siugan: a pet name for a calf who was fed by bucket feed – ‘laogh pùcaid’. [NOTES: ‘pùcaid’ corrected to ‘pucaid’.]
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siullachain: hames for a horse.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siullachan: wooden hames. They were used for ploughing. Part of horse equipment.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siumpair: used for boring rocks.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siumpair: a pinch used for masonry.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siúbhag: [ʃu̟:ɑɡ] Note: a person (usually a woman) who is always on visiting rounds. Pronounced [ʃo:ɑɡ] – seóbhag by some. (Slip for “seóbhag” as well, mentioning “siúbhag”.)
Origin: Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
skunge: one who looks for something for nothing.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slabhraidh: [fem.] the hanging chain above the fire on which pots were suspended. I think it was also the name for the elongated iron hook at the end of the chain.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
slabhraidh (m): chain holding hook for pot or kettle.
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
slacan: a bit of wood used for washing blankets whereby the blankets were washed in a stream and then placed on rocks to be hit by this ‘slacan’.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slacan: Notes: used for washing cloth – a big wooden stick.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slacan: Note: when the tweed was ready for washing it was taken down to a stream. The “slacan” was the stick used for beating it.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slachdan: a type of rolling pin rounded at the bottom for mashing potatoes. Slachdan an laimh òinsich – any dangerous instrument.
Origin: Barra
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
slachdan: Notes: wooden bat used for beating clothes.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slaim: a bout, a “doze”, a quantity; slaim cratain; perhaps slam for snowflake is a misunderstanding and means a “quantity” of snow.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slamman: curds which were given for stomach upsets. Had a cooling effect.
Location: Benbecula, Muir of Aird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slan-lus: [sic] ‘sàisde’, a corruption? of ‘slàn-lus’ – healing plant. I have read of ‘sàisde’ for ‘slàn-lus’.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
slaod: Notes: rough sledge used for hauling boulders.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slaodach: ‘Serrated’ seaweed – used for potatoes. All the dark green kinds of seaweed.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
slaodach: Notes: long tangle, narrow stalk with thicker crop of seaweed growing on it. Used for potato manure.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slaopadh: putting boiling water on limpets, loosening their contents from their shells and leaving it appropriate for insertion on the hook.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat: Quotation: cabar-slait. Notes: his name for a stag which had antlers with no points on them, except, perhaps, for one at the base.
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slat-chuiteagach: a rod, fishing rod for fishing ‘light fish’, cuddies, etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sleighe: [ʹsleə] Quotation: sleighe-connaidh. Notes: sledge used for hauling firewood.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sliabh-spianaidh: Notes: “Deer Grass”. Used for thatching. Found on hillsides; pulled up by the roots.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slibhag: stick for mixing porridge.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slibheag: wooden stick for stirring, shaped. [SLIP: Shaped wooden spoon for stirring.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slifeag: [ʃlʹifɑɡ] Notes: flat piece of wood used for digging for “muirsginn”.
Origin: Skye, Torrin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slige: Quotation: slig’ a chreachain. Notes: ribbed clam shell used for taking cream off top of milk in bowl or basin.
Location: Skye, Elgol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slige-chreachain: a shell used for skimming the milk.
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slinndair: a large stone slab used for door lintels.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slinndair: a large slab rock used for small bridges, door and window lintels. [NOTES: note added above ‘a’ in ‘slinndair’ – e.]
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slipeirean: slippers; wooden slippers for railway lines.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sliseag: Notes: a wooden stick for stirring porridge.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slisnean: potato cut in two and used for seed.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sliuchadan: a flat stone thrown for to slither on the water. [SLIP: A flat stone thrown to ‘skite’ across water.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slobhcan: brown seaweed like substance found on rocks. Boiled and stirred simultaneously for two to three hours. It was then cut up into little bits and strips. Had iron content and supposedly kept the blood clean. Was this called leverbread?
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sloca-linn: [sɫɔxkəlĩ:nʹ] Notes: hole in ground filled with water to soak flax for linen-making.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slochd bhunata: potato pit. To make a potato pit, preferably where oats were grown clean, according to quantity to be put in 20-30 creels for example, 9 feet long 4 ft wide and six inches deep covered with firm sods of earth termed sgrathan and covered with the surrounding earth 9 inches thick formed into a shapely mound.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sloinnteir (-ean): lazy, unworthy people. Cropped up in context of being asked to share what you had worked hard for with other people who had made no such effort. “Iarrar orm mo chuid a roinn ri sloinntearan gun nàire.”
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sluasaid: Notes: long handled shovel, for cleaning bottom of drain.
Origin: Carradale area
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sludraich: digging foundation, for building.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sluitraigan: flat stone used for skimming across surface of water.
Location: Harris, Horgabost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slàn: Quotation: Slàn-treothadh dhuibh! Notes: said by someone coming into a newly built house for the first time.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slàn-lus: the plant you were enquiring about as to its English name: enquiry on Scalpay says the English name for it is self-heal.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slìom: slime. Slìom na seilcheig – the slime left by a snail in her trail indicates her direction, her detection as the other leaving her belly-marks on the grass. I am rather hazy in informing you that the snail’s slime had the potential qualities of medicine, or curable influences – I can’t say if it was for burns. All I can say is having heard of it having some purpose towards a remedy for some subject, that is again hazy…
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slìs: bit of wood widening at its foot and used for stirring porridge. [NOTES: corrected to ‘slis’.]
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slòc bhuntàta: 2 feet 6 inches deep, 2 feet wide and 10 feet long. There was another potato pit in the stackyard where potatoes for domestic use were kept. This was shaped like a rooftop and was 4 feet in height and 2½ feet wide. Potatoes were built up in this rooftop shape. Thereafter threshed corn was used to cover the potatoes. This kept them dry. Finished off with a layer of turf.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slòcan: medicine for cow disease using seaweed.
Location: Harris, Finsbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smathaid: [smɑ̃hidʹ] Notes: for is math dh’fhaoidte.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smeachan: jaw-strap for a horse.
Location: North Uist, Scolpaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smeachan: the step, on the peat cutter, for the foot to exert pressure on the blade so as to cut the peat. [See tairsgeir.]
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
smeachan: a wedge like piece of wood which served the dual purpose of attaching the shaft to the blade and of providing a place for the foot to exert pressure on the blade to force it through the peat.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
smeachan: the step on the peat-iron, for pressing it down through the peat.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smeadhag: [ˈsmɛ̃ɑɡ] Note: arrangement for tying cattle indoors.
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smeallag: spent herring. Meant that its eggs had been planted. Used for bait and usually found in September.
Location: [South Uist], South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smear: grease. Wasn’t there (also) ‘gréis’ for grease?
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smeartan: [smȷɑ̃ʴsṯɑṉ] Note: curly seaweed. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smethag: rope for tying cows to stall.
Location: Harris, Ardvey
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smethag: toggle on rope for tying up cow.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Finsbay
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
smeuch: [sm[ĩɑ̃]x] Quotation: Cha robh smeuch aige. Notes: said of a person who was so drunk or out for the count in some way that he couldn’t utter a sound.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smeurachd: searching for vermin.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smeursaich: [sm[ĩɑ̃]ʴsiç] Quot.: “Thug e dhà na smeursaich man a bhus.” Note: a belting. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smiarach(d): rummaging about when looking for something.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smior-cailleach: Note: thought of as being back-bone marrow (spinal cord?). Not for eating.
Location: Harris, Grosebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smiungarsnaich: [smȷ[ɤ̃ũ̟]ɡəʴsṉiç] Note: applied to building refuse – e.g. small bits of stone, clay, etc. Barvas: “Chaidh e na smiungars [smȷɤ̃ũ̟ɡəʴs] air a’ làr” – it broke into smithereens on the floor. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smuiseal: the draw pin for the plough.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smùid: used for gusts of wind. “Nach ann orra a tha smuid [sic].”
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smùrach: Notes: ‘smirr, drizzle, small rain’. Tarbert Argyll and Islay usage. ‘Baile na Smùrach’ used as fisherman’s slang for Ardrossan (‘dross’).
Origin: [Kintyre, Tarbert]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snaoisean: snuff. Considered valid for catarrh, that is the taking of snuff. 2. tobacco dried a little to the point of breaking it into powder when dry; the Highland bogie roll quality, then a little quantity of it inhaled into the nose, or a bit of tobacco injected, caused the sufferer of catarrh in a little while to sneeze, etc. etc. (one way)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snaoth: A Skye word for bier.
Origin: Skye
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
snathad camaraig: a needle used for silky or expensive clothing. [NOTES: ‘snathad’ corrected to ‘snàthad’.]
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snathad choilear: the needle for sowing a horse’s collar.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snathad lìnn: needle for mending nets.
Location: Eriskay, Na Hann [Haun]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snathad-fuaigheil: mending needle. [NOTES: slipped under ‘snàthad’ with ‘snàthad-fuaigheil’ as the quotation. Definition: Needle for mending.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snathad-lion: needle for mending fishing nets.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sneachda: Quotation: sneachda buidhe. Notes: snow, having lain for a long time and becoming yellowish.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sneathardaich: [sn̪ɛ̃hɑʴd̪iç] Notes: sneezing. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sneic: [sṉɛ̃c] Note: for opening a door by pressing a lever down with the thumb outside making a length of flat iron, hinged at the inner end, to lift from a slot on the doorpost.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snog: Notes: nice. Used for something small, e.g. small girl or small object.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snos: for “snas”. (Aird)
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snàithlein: nn ‘thread, cord’ : ~ an t-siachaidh ‘charm for sprain’
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
snàth: Quotation: snàth còcrach. Notes: used for net-mending.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snàth dearg: according to the informant red wool was needed to make a successful ‘snàthla’. For description of ‘snàthla’ see earlier notes.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snàth-cògrach: net mending twine, or fishing net mending twine. [NOTES: slipped under ‘snàth’ with ‘snàth-cògrach’ as the quotation. Definition: Twine for mending nets.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snàthad: needle for holding the twine for repairs.
Origin: Barra
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
snàthad-lion: Note: needle for net-mending, often fashioned out of a cow’s rib.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snàthad-lion: Notes: for net mending.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snàthalain: a sort of ritual performed when an animal was ill. A woollen rope was made by a woman who was known to have mystical powers. As this rope was constructed, knots were tied in it, with the backdrop of prayers being shouted aloud. These women were known to have been physically sick during this ritual and many were known to have fainted. When completed this knotted rope was attached to the animal’s tail and thereafter the illness would be cured. This was fervently believed in, although you could never be one hundred percent sure it was actually responsible for the replenishment of health.
Location: Eriskay, Taobh na Mara
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snàthlus: a thin leaf boiled with fresh butter and wax to give it a solidified state. Used as an ointment for cuts.
Location: Eriskay, Na Hann [Haun]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snòthaid: a trap for catching birds.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
socrachadh: word used for positioning the ‘sneac’ [q.v.] on the inside of the door.
Origin: Na Hearadh [Harris]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
sogh: air sogh – for joy; fa shogh – at ease, in comfort.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sogho: This was the word used for calling a cow. The word is pronounced exactly the same as the fifth note in the music scale but the ‘o’ sound was slightly longer.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Crodh / Cattle
soirbhean: [sɔɾɑṉ] Notes: a small door at the back of a barn used for creating a draught for winnowing.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
soirbheas: [sɤðɛəs] Quotation: Tha soirbheas math ann airson càthadh. Notes: There is a fair breeze for winnowing.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
soitheach: [söʔəx] Notes: any vessel for solids or liquids.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
solladh: a cutting or opening. Also in sense of shellfish used for bait.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
solladh: [soɫəɣ] Quotation: a’ solladh. Notes: breaking down shellfish for bait.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
solus no lias: airson iasg a mharbhadh air aibhnichean is uillt aig àm claidh [?]. [NOTES: ‘morgh’ and ‘solus no lias’ are enclosed in a brace but it is not clear what the relation between them is and whether the illustration and definition refer to both of them.] [NOTES: no slip for ‘solus’ or ‘lias’ found. The slip with ‘morgh’ contains only the illustration.]
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
son: anything good; son-bìdh (lit. goodness of food); air son – for benefit (of), for sake (of). [Cf. don.]
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sonc: direct. Chaidh e sios sonc. – when anything falls into the sea, the remark is made, in other words without a ‘slither’. Pronounced like the word ‘song’ in English but for the ‘c’ at the end which gives a ‘hard’ sound. It’s not obsolete – still in current use.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sorachan mònach: a stack of peats for sitting upon.
Origin: Leódhas, An Rudha [Lewis, Rudha]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
soran: Notes: a small opening or door in the wall of a barn opposite the main door, to create a draught for winnowing.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sorn: raised stone platform beside the fire. Also used for the wall inside a kiln.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sos: [sɔs] Quotation: Thoir a’ sos dhan a’ chù. Notes: scraps, mixed-up food, as for a dog.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spad-mhór: Notes: spade used for lining turf on peat-bank.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spadag: Notes: a nasty aspersion; not quite as strong as defamation, alladh. Can also pass for innuendo.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spadair-spall: [spɑd̪əɾspɑu̜ɫ] Note: local name for cormorant (with white marking).
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spageitean: invented word for spaghetti? I am afraid I am hazy about this word. I am afraid again I cannot give you a quotation in connection with its use. I’ll enquire!
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spaid: spade for taking the turf off the bank.
Location: Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
spaid: spade – used for turfing.
Location: Harris, Tarbert
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
spaid: spade for taking the turf off.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
spaid: spade, used usually for turfing the peat-bank.
Origin: Lewis, Back or Lewis, Back
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
spaid mhor: Large spade for cutting the edges of ditches (with bottom left corner off). (diag) [NOTES: probably refers to a diagram provided by the informant.] [NOTES: spelled ‘spaid mhór’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
spaid mhor: Large spade for cutting the edges of ditches (with bottom left corner off). [NOTES: spelled ‘spaid mhór’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
spaid-mhór: Notes: spade used for cutting the sides of ditches. Cutting edge of spade is rounded. See diagram.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spaid-riachaidh: [spedʹriɑxi] Notes: rutting spade for lining the peat bank.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spainnean ioma: wooden spoons, used for shaping and designing butter.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spallag: This was the word used for a forkful of hay.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Crodh / Cattle
speal (f): implement for cutting corn or hay.
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
spealt: [spjɑɫt̪] Notes: a splint for broken bones.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spearag: fetter for milking.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
spearrach: handicap for a sheep.
Location: Killearn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spearrach: a fetter for sheep, tied in front and hind legs.
Location: Killearn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spearreach: This was a piece of rope tied round ‘iosgaid’, what we called the hough, this was put on a sheep for three or four days to stop it from jumping into corn or going where she should not go. I’ve never seen anything put on cattle. The string or whatever was used could not be left on too long as it would cut into the leg, I’ve often seen that happen.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Crodh / Cattle
speilipan: See attached slip. [NOTES: the following copied from the attached piece of paper.] L – Lever, which was hit with a bat, cromag [?] stave etc., which flung the ball into the air. From then the game was similar to cluich air house i.e. rounders. When the players were few, the catcher had the privilege of wielding the bat. There was quite an art in playing the ball in the hole: central, or to the left slightly or to the right slightly depending on how the field was set. Also the wielding of the bat gave room for the display of skill. Hit for 4, hit for 6 or interval for trot.
Location: Leodhas [Lewis], an taobh siar
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
speursaich: [spe:ʴsıç] Quot.: Thainig e mach leis na speursaich sin. Note: used in the plural. Swears, curses. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spich-shrang: [?] fine [?], six inch nail for putting into da bheul and [?].
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
spidean: this word came up in context of a pipe used for smoking. Not precisely sure but informant thinks it could be the lid of the pipe. “Agus spidean air a màs.” Personally not convinced about this.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spiorsag: [spȷwʴsɑɡ] Quot.: spiorsag cloich, spiorsag fiodh. Note: a small splinter of wood or fragment of stone. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spiris: shelf for hens.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
spiulg: [spu̜ɫu̜ɡ] Quot.: (1) “a’ spiulgadh buntàta”. (2) “a’ spiulgadh ubh”. (1) breaking the shoots of potatoes which have been in for the winter. (2) shelling a boiled egg.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spiullag: [spȷu̜ɫɑɡ] Quot.: spiullag tombaca. Note: sliver. Used here for tobacco.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spiùnn: [spiũ̜:n̪] Quotation: Cho tioram ris a’ spiùnn. Notes: a tinderbox for catching sparks.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spliachd: a big spread, e.g. a large spread of food at a wedding or other social function. Also used for extensive news coverage of an incident.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
splughan / splughadh (both forms used): a makeshift repair or more precisely someone who was noted for making such repairs. [NOTES: note added above ‘u’ in ‘splughan / splughadh’ – a.]
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
splungag: [spɫũ̜ŋɡɑɡ] Notes: a sling (for throwing stones, etc.).
Origin: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spochadh: words spoken for to check a person from doing the wrong thing.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spor iomraidh: a wooden block in front of the rowing seat which served as a support for the person who was rowing.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spratan: knife for removing limpets.
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
spreadhan: [ˈspðɑɑṉ] Note: a piece of a broken cast-iron pot used for such things as melting fish livers on the fire.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spreigeadh: bagpipes being prepared for playing. “Pìob ga spreigeadh” – stirring of the pipes.
Location: Benbecula, Creagorry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spridh: another word for a bout of drinking.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sprèadhan: Notes: any dish for holding oil.
Location: Lewis, Point
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spung: [spũ̜ŋ] Note: a sling for firing stones, etc.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spungag: [spũ̜ŋɡɑɡ] Note: sling (for firing stones).
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spursaig: [spu̜ʴsiɡʹ] Quot.: a’ spursaigeadh duine. Note: egging a person on. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spurtadh: waulking of tweed (St Kilda); or the word was something as here noted [i.e. spurtu], more nearer I think? One of the women folk throwing a folding across the bench, would recall (spurtu), ‘their colloquial’ [sic]. They had another pronunciation: Do mhangair – it was nothing less than their pronunciation for Do mhathair (Your mother). Cia mar a tha do mhangair, which was their pronunciation of mathair. You may have the word more correctly yourself, as I am only trying to recall it from memory or to memory.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spàg: slang for a foot. Tha mi ’dol a shìneadh mo spàgan: I’m going for a walk.
Origin: [Kintyre, Tarbert]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spàgail: Quotation: Dé a’ spàgail a th’ort an sin? Notes: What are you groping about there for? (not walking)
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spàin: Quotation: spàin ìm. Notes: wooden spoon used for cutting butter.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spàin: Quotation: a’ spain [sic] bheag. Notes: small trowel for filling in.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spàlag: Notes: spirtle, or stick used for digging shellfish. Source: Mr. W. MacLeod, Glenelg. Date: 1970.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spàrdan: [spɑ:ʴḏɑ̃ṉ] Notes: hen perch. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spèicean: [spɛ:çcəṉ] Notes: device for securing cattle inside the byre. Two upright posts, one fixed, the other hinged at the base to allow the head and horns to pass through. It was then put upright and fixed so as to lock the head in.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spùidsear: [spu̟dʹʃɑð] Quot.: used for a baler in Ness. Boat baler.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
srathair: Quotation: srathair sac-droma. Notes: saddle used for panniers.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
srathair: Quotation: srathair shaic. Notes: used, as well as “srathair chléibh” for a pack saddle.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
srathair mheurach: [sɾɑ̟həɾ vĩɑ̃ɾəx] for hauling things along the ground.
Location: North Argyll
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sreangag: a piece of string, small string, for tying a purse made of cloth, winding a string round it and knotting the string.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sreathartaich: [sɾɛhɑʴsṯiç] Notes: sneezing. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sròn: Quotation: Bheir do shròn fhéin comhairle ort. Notes: “If you won’t take advice, you’ll find out for yourself.”
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
staigh: Quotation: Thig e staigh air. Notes: He’ll suffer for it yet.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stailleard: [sṯɑlʹɑʴḏ] Notes: a spring balance. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stailleard: [st̪ɑlʹɑʴḏ] Note: spring balance. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
staingean: spikes on top of creel for breast band.
Location: Lewis, Carloway
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
stalairt: balance, ‘spring balance’ for weighing.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stalart: weighing balances, spring weighing. (Spelt as pronounced in Scalpay.) [SLIP: A spring balance for weighing.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stall: Notes: site (for a house).
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stamh: Tangle, sometimes used for ‘buailtean’.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
stamhaireachd: [st[ɑu̜]ʴəɾɑxk] Notes: hesitating, indecisiveness. [NOTES: I use the turned r for the symbol which is unclear in the original. It may be an h.]
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stangalaich: [st̪ɑ̃ŋɡɑɫiç] Quot.: a’ stangalaich. Note: moving about impatiently; used of a person or beast that couldn’t be still in the one place for a second.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
staoin: infusion of leaves, used for bone complaints.
Location: Harris, Cluer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
staon: [st̪w̃:ṉ] Note: a small tree-like plant growing close to the ground and spreading out over it. If one was looking for a lost beast and found one of these with five branches on it, it was believed one would come across the beast.
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stapag: stapag uachdair. For softening hard skin, caused by sea-spray drying on the skin. A primitive form, the ointment form of procedure serving as ointment. Consisting of crowdie mixed with cream, cream, [sic] say, snow-fire may have originated likewise.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
stapag: a mixture of oatmeal and water, accepted as a medicine for constipation.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
stapul: Wire staple for securing fencing wire to stabs. [NOTES: spelled ‘stapull’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
starragan?: here (bunan fhiaclan grota) anns a bhanas or crows. Perhaps there is a proper rendering. I am not quite sure if this is exactly? I am doubtful. I know there is such a word for bunan fhiaclan grota anns a bhanas?
Location: Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
starran: [st̪ɑrɑṉ] Note: usually for a path over a stream.
Location: Harris, Northton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
starsnach: Notes: sometimes for “starsach”.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
steimhanach: stunned. (Perhaps same meaning for both [i.e. steimhan and steimhanach].) [NOTES: the slip has ‘steimheanach’. Definition: Stunned (?). Vid. ‘steimhean’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
steinseal: [sṯɛ̃ṉʃɑɫ] Notes: stanchion (for tying cows in byre).
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
steàirrdean: [ʃtʹɑ:ʴdʹɑṉ] Notes: tern. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
steàrnag: [ʃtʹɑ:ʴṉɑɡ] Note: tern. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
steàrnag [ʃtʹɑ:ʴṉɑɡ]: Notes: tern. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
steàrnal: [ʃtʹɛ:ʴṉʹɑɫ] Notes: tern. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Coll, Sorrisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
steàrnan: [ʃtʹɑ:ʴṉɛ̃ṉ] Notes: tern. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
steòrn: [ʃtʹɔ:ʴṉ] Quot.: “Chunnaic mi cuideigin ga steòrnadh sios chun an tigh agam.” Note: guiding. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stiall: indoor post for tying a cow to.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
stilcher: [?] bit where mast is fixed at bottom for bigger boats
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
stiodha: [ʃtʹwɣə] Quot.: plural na stiodhannan. Note: used in Uig of very steep places on hillsides used for ascent (e.g. the rest of the hillside might be rocky).
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stiom-fhuail: incantation method of a cure for cattle. (Bhithte cur snàth timchioll oirre ’s a’ gabhal [sic] duan.)…
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
stiùrag: oatmeal soaked in water. Left for a while and then the water was separated from the oatmeal leaving a drink used for alleviating thirst.
Location: Barra, Eoligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stiùrag: Gruel. Disease: colds. Also: beaten eggs with rum for colds. Part used / How prepared: Taken in hot water – it was or is oatmeal mixed in water infused of a thinly composition and drunk. Drinking some of it, a little now and again, I presume. Sources of information: traditionally.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
stiùrag: for colds.
Location: Harris, Ardvey
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
stiùrag: Note: another name for the above [i.e. deoch-bhàn].
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stoc (f), stuic (pl): 3 or 4 main beams, always wooden. Made of ‘giuthas geal’ or larch when being used for light sandy soil. Made of ‘darach’ when being used for heavy, clay soil.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
stocainn: Quot.: “stocainnean-dùil-ris”. Note: made by young ladies for their bottom drawer. Left half-closed till the size of the man’s foot was known.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stol-sìthiche: toad-stool (sìthiche – fairy). Now, I am not quite certain of this compound word; if you cannot find another definition, I could imagine it quite appropriate for you to accept it. I recollect it only very vague. [NOTES: the slip has ‘stòl-sìthiche’. Definition: Toadstool (but uncertain).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stong, stoing (f): peg for hanging things on; (also) storn.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stopag!: interjection for a wee girl.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stopairean: the ropes used for lashing bag to boat’s side prior to discharging herring.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
strabhlaidh: [st̪ɾɑu̜ɫi] Note: pronunciation for [sɫɑu̟ɾi].
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strabhlaidh: hook, on a chain suspended from the roof, above the fire, for cooking purposes.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strachd: Swathe or band for tying hay. [NOTES: spelled ‘stràchd’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
strangan: sewing thread for leather shoes.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
straonag: used for fishing. Informant insists it was not the same as a ‘dorgh’ although it had some resemblance. Wooden frame with a line. Will try to get a diagram of this.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
streafonn: [st̪ɾɛfw̃n̪] Notes: root of the sea-bent. Used for making rope and saddles.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
streangan: Notes: string for mending shoes when treated with “ròsaid”.
Location: Skye, Broadford
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
streangan: [st̪ɾw̃ɣɑṉ] Notes: string used for sewing shoes.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
streathardaich: [st̪ɾɛhɑʴḏiç] Notes: sneezing. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
streathardaich: [st̪ɾɛhɔʴḏiç] Notes: sneezing. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
streathart: [st̪ɾɛhɔʴḏ] Notes: a sneeze. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
streathartaich: [st̪ɾɛhɑʴst̪iç] Notes: sneezing. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
streighleag: This was little bits of jelly stuff which starts coming away from a cow a week or about ten days before she calves and also the little bits which fall away for two or three days after she calves but not the afterbirth or the cleaning as we call it here, which is the English word we give to it hereabout. ‘ei’ as in ‘feidh’ (genitive of deer).
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Crodh / Cattle
streimhig: [ˈst̪ɾɛ̃ıɡ] Note: the covering of straw on which the seed was put for drying in the kiln.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strian: [st̪ɾ[ĩɑ̃]ṉ] Notes: muzzle of plough (for adjustment).
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strian bheag: used for a stallion (aigeach). A hand rein tied to the horse’s bit on the right side of his face. This was used in tandem with the normal rein. Used for extra control.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stroighlich: stress. Thug e stroighlich air a’ phiob – could be a smoking pipe or bagpipes. [NOTES: the slip has ‘…air a’ phìob’. Definition: Stress (?). Above could be a pipe for smoking or bagpipes.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stroinain: a tie rope for cattle.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stron a crinn: part of plough for attaching swingle trees.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
stràcadh: [st̪ɾɑ:kəɣ] Quot.: “Cia mheud stràcadh a bh’agad?” Note: a vessel like a small tub used as a measure for grain. Held about three zinc pailfuls. (Thinks the miller got one in ten.)
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stràp: to be taken for a ride or mug by someone else. “Chaidh do chur ann an stràp.”
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strònan: [st̪ɾɔ:ṉɑṉ] Notes: term sometimes used for a cow halter.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strùlag: a volume of water coming from a pipe usually where the water was got for the house.
Origin: [Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stuirt: [st̪u̜ʴsṯ] Quot.: “’S ann ort a tha an aon stuirt.” Note: dourness. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stuirteil: [st̪u̜ʴsṯɑl] Note: dour. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stumaidsear: a container for coal.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sturt: [st̪u̜ʴsṯ] Quot.: “Nach ann air a tha a’ sturt.” Note: frowning aspect. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stuth: Quotation: “An cuimhnich thu air stuth tuilleadh?” Notes: “stuth” commonly used in Islay for “anything”.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stàile: [sṯɑ:lə] Notes: stall for each horse in a stable.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stàireachd: [st̪ɑ:ðɑxk] Quotation: Dé a stàireachd a th’ort a sin? Nach suidh thu sios dreiseag. Notes: stalking about for little or no reason.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stàirsnich: [st̪ɑ:ʴsṉiç] Quot.: “Dé ’n gnothaich a th’aige bhi stàirsneachd air mo chuid-sa fonn [q.v.]?” Note: wandering about. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stàll: [stɑ:l] Notes: stall for cows, also a prison cell!
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stàrn: Notes: rough grass growing in lochs and used for thatching.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stàrnail: [st̪ɑ:ʴṉɔl] Notes: proud. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stàull mònadh: a good place on moorland, suitable for starting a peat bog. [NOTES: ‘stàull’ corrected to ‘stàll’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stéidheadh: Wall building the sides of a peat stack. No one here knows the English word for ‘stéidheadh’ if there is one. Tri seorsachan steidhidh: (a) Stéidheadh a’ gharraidh. (b) Fadan an taca r’a cheile air shiobhadh an aon taobh. (c) Steidheadh cnaimh a’ sgadain.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
stìdeag: Notes: The name of Crawford’s cat, which he usually had in school with him. Crawford was the Keose (Cnoc Ian Duibh?) schoolmaster in the time of Rev. Reid – married Reid’s niece. He came from about Forres, and was a Gaelic speaker. Dwelly has stidean ‘cat; call for a cat (Badenoch)’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stìp: [ʃtʹi:p] Quotation: na stìpean [nəʃtʹi:pəṉ]. Notes: big tanks in the distilleries which could hold about 25 tons of barley where the barley was steeped for about 60 hours.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stòc cadhagach: in old days these were wooden pins which were used for securing and fastening.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stòl-smiùraidh: Note: a bench on which sheep were put for smearing. Some had wooden slats so that the sheep’s legs could be lowered through them, thus rendering it powerless to struggle. The sides were wider apart at one end, rather like the shape of a wheel-barrow.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stùirdean: [st̪u̜:ʴdʹɛ̃ṉ] Notes: water on the brain, in sheep. Lost sense of direction. Could be operated on and water sac removed. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stùirtean: [st̪u̜:ʴstʹəṉ] Notes: water on the brain in sheep. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Kinlochourn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stùrdaidh: [st̪u̜:ʴḏi] Notes: water on the brain in sheep, making them lose their sense of direction. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Swordly
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stùrt: [st̪u̜:ʴsṯ] Quot.: “Tha stùrt air.” Note: He is cross, in a bad mood. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suath: Quotation: a’ suathadh an eòrna. Notes: barley ears taken off sheaves by rubbing shocks between the feet. “Osanan” worn for this purpose.
Location: Stornoway, Melbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
subhagan: [ˈsu̟əɡɑ̃ṉ] Notes: hay rope for tying small stacks.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sug: suck. Bheir dhomh sug as. – when a person asks for a ‘sup’ out of a flask (whisky). (Harris)
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sugan: jug; was also used as an interj. in calling a milking cow for to arouse the cow’s interest for to give her milk at milking time, perhaps.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sugan: (suckler) pet name for a calf.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Crodh / Cattle
suibheag: [si:ɑɡ] Notes: a sign of bad weather. A column of reddish light, shaped like the lower half of a rainbow, over the water, ending in the water just as a rainbow would. Common to Barra, Golspie and Embo. Though each speaker varies the description slightly, all agree that it’s a column of coloured light ending in the water and that it marks bad weather to come. N.B. there is a homophonous word in Embo only, which means ‘very red cheeks’ – possibly an extension of meaning for same word? e.g. [de: nə si:ɑɡən ǯerəɡ] ‘what red cheeks!’ Source: John MacRae, 12 Moray Terrace, Brora.
Location: Sutherland [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suidheachan: applied to four or six shocks of corn stood together. This word is more prevalent in North Uist whereas the word ‘adag (-an)’ is used in South Uist. Similarly ‘sguabag’ can be heard more often in North Uist whereas ‘raoid’ is used for an individual shock of corn in South Uist. Therefore the above words cannot be confined to an individual island due to a certain degree of overlapping most noted at northern end of South Uist.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suidheachan: rafter of trunk and branch for a thatched roof.
Location: Tummel and Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suist: used for threshing. Corn would be placed on smaller stick and hit forcefully with the bigger stick which was wielded in the hand. Two sticks possibly tied together with rope.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sula: fat on the back of an eel. Sometimes used for rheumatic complaints.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sumpair: drill for boring rocks or stones.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
surdaileach: for surdail, full of spirit, keen. (Badenoch)
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
susaladh: to decrease, lessen. For e.g. the pension – “Tha e air a dhol a susaladh.”
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sussadh: Cutting straight line (edge) for ‘lazy-bed’.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sussadh: breaking turf with a spade. Used in peat cutting and in making lazy beds. Means the breaking of the soil in a straight line in preparation for turfing.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suthag: a patch for a shoe.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suthag: (in living room) A fairly low chair whose seat was made of twisted straw or rushes, with or without arms. This seat was specially designed for the comfort of the very old woman of the house and must not be confused with ‘sunnag’ [q.v.], as ‘suthag’ is of much more ancient design.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
sàbh: Quotation: sàbh-beag. Note: tenon saw with brass back for fine work. Quotation: sàbh-trasda. Note: cross-cut saw. Quotation: sàbh-sgoltaidh. Note: rip-saw. Quotation: sàbh-cruinn. Note: very small saw used for curves. Quotation: sàbh-mór. Note: two-handed saw. Used in sawing logs in the sawpit – one person on top of the pit, the other on the ground.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàbh: Quotation: a’ sàbh mór. Notes: two handed saw for rough work.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàbh mór: used for larger bits of wood, e.g. beams. Wider blade as opposed to above [i.e. sàbh beairte (q.v.)]. Handgrip at top and one added below for second person.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàillaibh: for the sake. Cha [sic] mi ann air sàillaibh m’athar. (Scalpay) [NOTES: slipped under ‘sàillibh’. Quotation: Chaidh mi ann air sàillibh m’athar. Definition: For the sake of.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sèiseach: a bench. Another word for ‘beinnge’.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
séil: sale, (article for sale); sail in a boat, trip in a boat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìneagraich: stretching. Tha sìneagraich air. – as a person in illness with hopes for him when he shows a stretching improvement.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìnteachan: Drag-ropes (for harrows).
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
sìobaileag: [ʃı:bəlɑɡ] Quotation: (1) sìobaileag-seóbaileag. (2) Tha a’ chlach air shìobaileag. Notes: (1) The term used for a see-saw. (2) Stone on a pivot base – not resting properly. Borve, Lewis – dìobaileag [? or slìobaileag?].
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìolag: [ʃi:ɫɑɡ] Notes: sand-eel. Eaten or used for bait.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìolagan: sand eels. Shore [?] went lo [? looking?] for them. 113 [Greater Sand-eel].
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìophairt: [ʃıɤfɔʴḏ] Quot.: “Bha e air a shiophairt [sic] [hıɤfɔʴḏ].” Note: he was harassed, e.g. because of the number of things he had to attend to. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìth: Quotation: Bha siubhal sìth aice. Notes: some were supposed to have this power. If one glanced away for a very short time from looking at such a person and then looked again, they seemed to have covered an incredible distance for such a short time.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sòla: [sɔ:ɫə] Quot.: a’ sòla deiridh, a’ sòla toisich. Note: flat boards for standing on in the stem and stern of a boat.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sòp as gach seid: this phrase would be applied to some who would not stay in the same job for any period of time.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sòrnadh: rest for a burden.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sòrnag: a small stone on which to lay a burden from the shoulders for a bit of rest.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùgan: length of rope used for thatch or carrying bundle of thatch or hay. Cf. ‘soogan’ – rope used by western cowboys.
Origin: Barra
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
sùgan: Quotation: sùgan ìosal. Notes: ordinary working collar for a horse. (See sùgan àrd.)
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùgan: a grass rope used for tying down corn ricks or small haystacks.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùgh: [su̜:] Quotation: Chaneil mi a’ deanamh sùgh leis. Notes: used generally for “thing” such as “càil” and “nì” are used.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùghan: Note: sowens. The juice procured after steeping oatmeal in water for a while. Sometimes the meal with the husks among it used for this purpose.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùidh: soot was used as a dye for wool, as was heather and iris root.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùigeardach: [su̟:ɡʹɑʴḏɔx] Notes: lively. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùil mu’n t-sròin: looking for an argument/fight.
Location: [South Uist], Daliburgh (Schoolhouse)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùil na trìbhilich: not sure of English equivalent but this plant was boiled and taken for stomach complaints.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùirdean: [su̜:ʴsdʹɑṉ] Notes: water on the brain in sheep. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùirt: [su̜:ʴsdʹ] Notes: flail. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùl eisginn: fat of an eel was used for relieving strains in both humans and animals. Rubbed into the affected area.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùrdag: [su̜:ʴḏɑɡ] Note: ceum mór sgiobalt. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùth-feòla-nam-botuil: perhaps an individual given name, invented, for Bovril.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùthag: strawberries, used for jam making. Raspberries was [sic] coming under the same name?
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tabh: used for fishing cuddies. Wooden rim with a handle with a net attached to this. [NOTES: corrected to ‘tàbh’.]
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tabhul: a sling for throwing stones.
Location: North Uist, [Carinish], Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tachlaich (v): long for, crave.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taghadh: choosing which potatoes to eat and those to be used for seed potatoes next year. Potato needs 2 eyes to be used for seed purposes. Some of larger potatoes cut up and given to sheep. No name provided for this process.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
taghairm: Notes: consulting invisible oracle. Offering of cats to devil in return for prosperity or worldly wealth. A reality, 3 forms: 1. taghairm nan cat, where cats offered; 2. taghairm nan radan, where rats used; 3. if people wanted to know the future, rolled up man in hide. Left between waterfall and rock, given the problem and left alone all night when he was supposed to have exact answer from friend in the Otherworld. See Occult Elements Common to Celtic and Oriental Folklore. Parallels in Classical lore.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taing: Quot.: “Cha tugainn taghadh taing dha.” Note: I wouldn’t be in the least bit concerned about him or I wouldn’t thank him for it.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tairbheard: [t̪ɤðɤfɔʴḏ] Quot.: “Bha mi air mo [hɤðɤfɔʴḏ].” Note: wearied, harassed. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tairbheart: Quot.: Bha e air a thairbheart [hɤðɤfəʴḏ]. Note: wearied, harassed (not sure of spelling). [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tairig-fuaigheil: nail for nailing the planks of a boat.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tairisgeir: a peat-iron for cutting.
Location: Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
tairt: Quotation: an tairt. Notes: thirst. Also used for the disease (?) brought on in cattle by lack of good water supply.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
talamh: Quotation: talamh làidir. Notes: ground which has lain fallow for a number of years.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
talamh: Quot.: “talamh eilghidh”. Note: ground which has been ploughed for the first time in winter. (To be turned again later for sowing.)
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
talamh laidir: Ground which has been fallow for some years. [NOTES: spelled ‘talamh làidir’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
talamh laidir / dearg: Ground which has not been cultivated for a few years.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
talamh sean: land which had not been ploughed for a number of years.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Ardivachar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
talamh àiteach (m): land suitable for cultivation.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
talamh àitich: Arable land; land suitable for raising crops. [NOTES: spelled ‘talamh-àitich’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
talamh àitich: Arable land; land suitable for raising crops. [NOTES: spelled ‘talamh-àitich’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
talamh-glas: land which has not been ploughed for some years.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
talamh-àitich: Land used for cultivation (i.e. general).
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
talmhag: man-made cave used as hiding place or for shelter.
Origin: ‘Islay connections’
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tamhasg: mischievous. Also used for a particular ghost type in Barra.
Origin: [South Uist]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
tammers: Quot.: Thug e na tammers air. Note: used generally in Harris for blows, punishment. [NOTES: the word corrected to ‘tammars’ most probably by the person preparing the slips.]
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taobh-stoc: Notes: strap running along sides of boat as supports for the seats.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taod: Notes: halter for cow or horse.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taod: Note: length of rope for a “eallach” of hay or corn.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taod: Note: length of rope used to tie a bundle of hay, etc. for carrying on one’s back.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taois: mixture (stiff) of meal and water for poultry.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taomadh: Notes: (Murdo Murray, Back) in sense of shovelling the earth at the sides of the feannagan and in the claisean, on top of the feannagan. Murdo Murray recalls an old woman telling him how she got 1/-6d a day for peat-cutting, but only 1/- a day for taomadh. Dwelly has this sense, without as much detail as above.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taomair: [ṯw̃mɑɾ] Notes: Gael. for “timber” i.e. the timbers of a boat, usually in pl.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taosnadh: for “taoisneachadh”. (Urq.)
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarbhan-arach: [t̪ɑɾɑvɑṉˈɑɾɑx] Note: dragonfly (for tarbh-nathrach).
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarrachd: [t̪ɑrɔxk] Quot.: “Chaneil ann dheth ach tarrachd duine.” “Chaneil ann dheth ach tarrachd.” Note: a good-for-nothing sort of person. A lazy person who won’t work.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarraig-barraidh: clinching nail appropriate for clinching.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarraing: Quotation: tarraing an uinneag. Notes: loop attached to bottom of window for lifting it.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarraingean: [t̪ɑ:ʴnʹəṉ] Notes: (pl) horse’s shoulder chains. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Invermoriston
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarraingean: [t̪ɑ:ʴnʹəṉ] Notes: draught chains. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarruing: term used for transportation of peat from bank to the house.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
tartail: Quotation: a’ tartail [tɑʴsṯɑl]. Notes: making a beating noise. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tasgadh: Quotation: a’ tasgadh an teine. Notes: covering the fire over and leaving it to burn for the night.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tathaich-tilgeil: vomiting. ‘Ruigheachd’ also for this.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
te-shrianach: Quot.: an te-shrianach. Note: game usually played on the machair. Each player marked out a square of turf for himself and cut it into a certain number of strips (strianagan). A piece of wood was stuck into the ground a certain distance away and each player attempted to hit it in turn with a stone. If one failed to hit, he lost a “strianag”. Carried on till all but one (the winner) had lost the whole square.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
te-theallaich: Quotation: an te-theallaich [tʹʃeʔɑɫi]. Notes: tapered burning iron used for cleaning ragged holes in wood left by auger.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teairt: [tʹɑʴstʹ] Quotation: Tha ’n crodh air an teairt. Notes: The cows have been sent out to graze before morning milking. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teanga: Quotation: an teanga. Notes: the plane for making the tongue in floorboards.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tearr bhuidhe: Archangel tar. Used for healing purposes after the dehorning of animals. Could also be used in boats for sealing leaks. [NOTES: ‘tearr’ corrected to ‘teàrr’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tearrainneach: missed having a lamb for a year.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
teas (m): Quotation: a’ gabhail teas gu rud (gu obair air choireigin, gu seòrsa biadh). Notes: craze; passion for.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teas-sheallach: hot iron [?] used for making holes in cork for fishing. (Bays)
Location: Harris, Borisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teasd: Quotation: Theasd e. Tha e air teasd. Notes: to die – most common form (for humans) in Perthshire acc. to informant. Other – caochail.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teinneachair: tongs used by a smithy for taking iron out of a fire.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teireisgeir (): [masc.] peat iron. Has three main parts: ‘iarunn’ i.e. the blade; ‘cas’ i.e. handle and ‘smeachan’ i.e. foot-rest, for the right foot (a chas dheas) to press the implement down.
Location: Cinntire, An Ceann a Deas [Kintyre, Southend by Campbeltown]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
teàrr-an-fhiodh: archangel tar. Archangel tar was the most accepted tar in connection with ointment treatment for cattle and sheep.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teàrr-an-fhiodh: archangel tar was used as an ointment for strains, sprains relative to cattle.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
teàrr-a’-ghuail: used for tarring boats, tarring rooftops. I do not think it was ever used as ointment for cattle or sheep even in emergency.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teòir: a tax that was paid by fishermen for the use of piers and fishing stations.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tha: Quotation: Tha sin a dh’aona mhathas air. Notes: That’s one consolation (for it).
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
theap or theip: almost. I spelt the former in this form I think (h-ip) demonstrating a little difference in pronunciation, which in this case matters little, for to note, and could perhaps be dismissed as the first is not grammatically spelt I think.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ti-leum: a fetter for dogs or animals in general. [NOTES: note added above ‘t’ in ‘ti’ – d.]
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tias: a cooking utensil used for grilling purposes. Thin iron bars on top with fire beneath.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tigearsan: [ṯıɡʹəʴsəṉ] Quotation: Tha e làn [ṯıɡʹəʴsəṉ]. Notes: He is full of tricks, pranks. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tigh ’uaraich: a small room for storing meal and milk set for cream.
Location: [Lewis], Siabost
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
tigh-fhuarach: [t̪ɤıu̟ɤɾɑx] Note: an additional room for sleeping, opening sometimes from the living room (aite-teine), sometimes from the “culaist”.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tigh-smogaidh: kipper-house (for kippering herring).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tigh-thàbhaidh: [t̪ɔıhɑ:vi] Notes: hand-net. Used in Barvas for catching cuddies.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tilp: Tilp a nall – slip over as for a fly visit, or better tuilp.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tinneas-air-ais: Quot.: “an tinneas-air-ais”. Note: epilepsy. Cure: a black cock with no white feathers was killed and buried at the spot where the fits had first taken place. The patient then had to sleep there for one night.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tioma-taisean: (noted in x [?]) faint, for a time.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tioram: Quotation: Cho tioram ris a’ spiùnn. Notes: spiùnn – tinderbox for catching sparks.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tiormachd: constipation, for animals; cured by mixture of rhubarb and treacle.
Location: Harris, Rodel
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tiulp: Quotation: “Tiulpaidh mi a’ null.” Notes: to go somewhere on a sudden visit, staying only for a short time.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tiutadh: [tʹʃu̟t̪əɣ] Notes: for “tiotadh”.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobacco: [sic] Tobacco. Disease: smallpox (bheanachdachd bhreac). Part used: gitseog tobacca. How prepared: dha shuathaigeadh (chewing). Sources of information: the individual who was in contact with the disease in a foreign country, South America, and his pal, who [sic] he nursed for a while, used to chew tobacco to prevent him having the disease himself – a disinfectant method he adopted himself. I’ll make further enquiry.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
toban cloimh: local term [for tufts of wool]. “Cruinnich gach toban”.
Location: [Lewis], Arnol, Bragar and Uigen
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
tobhar earraich: if used for potatoes they would be softer, soggier.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobhar geamhraidh: best for potato fertiliser.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobhta: Quotation: an tobhta togalaich. Notes: plank put across the gunwhales as a seat for fishing.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobhta: Notes: used for the top of the wall of a thatched house.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobhta-chrainn: seat near the bow specially strengthened for the mast. It was laid across the top of the gunwale and so was higher than the other seats.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tocsaid-trèicil: treacle cask from which treacle was released for consumption.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tocsaid-uisge: water barrel, for storing water.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tog: Quot.: “Bhiodh iad a’ togail rudan air.” Note: e.g. when someone relates an outrageous story, attributing it to someone already notorious for telling them. Making things up and passing them on as being from someone else. Could also be a story about a person’s actions which would be in keeping with what he might do, but often exaggerated.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
togail-ri-cuain: preparing for a sea voyage; or sailed on a sea-journey.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toinndean: Quot.: “toinndean cloimh”. Note: a tuft of wool. (Old man said of a sheep he had been looking for but couldn’t find: “Chan fhaca mi toinndean a bha ’na druim.”)
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toirbheart: [t̪ɤðɤvɔʴḏ] Quot.: “Tha mi air mo thoirbheart.” Note: wearied, harassed. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toire: [t̪ɔɾə] Quotation: toire, na toireachan. Notes: auger for boring holes in wood. Before bit and brace.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toirsgean: [t̪ɔʴsɡʹəṉ] Notes: peat-cutting iron. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Kilillan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll an fheuchain: hand hole for inspection of caulking in lower stone.
Location: [Lewis], Leurbost
Category: Muileann Lochlannach / Norse Mill
toll an shabhail: opening in wall for winnowing when wind would have to be from favourable direction.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
toll fasgnaidh: Opening in wall of barn – for winnowing. [NOTES: spelled ‘toll-fasgnaidh’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
toll fasgnaidh: Opening in wall of barn – for winnowing. [NOTES: spelled ‘toll-fasgnaidh’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
toll-each: [t̪oˈɫɛx] Note: the opening at the end of a byre to allow a horse and cart to back in for manure.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll-fasgnaidh: Note: small opening (door) in barn wall, opened to create a draught for winnowing when the wind was on “màs an t-sobhail”.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll-fhasgainn: [t̪oɫɑsɡĩnʹ] Note: pronunciation of “toll-fhasgnadh”. Low opening in the barn used to cause a draught for winnowing.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll-fhasgnaidh: Note: low door in the barn, opened to create a draught for winnowing.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll-smùide: a hole escape for smoke.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tomaraid: Notes: name for a duck.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tombaca: Tobacco, tobacco leaves. Disease: cuts and bruises. Part used: leaves. How prepared: tobacco leaves for cuts, placed on the cut and bandaged untwined leaves, as a disinfectant. Sources of information: traditionally.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
tora: Quotation: torachan [tɔ̣rəxɑn]. Notes: long chisels for extracting stone.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toradh: tool for drilling wood.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toradh-anabaich: miscarriage, ‘woman complaint’. Could it be used ‘miscarriage of justice’? Anyway it was used on Harris in connection with a pregnant woman’s failure to give a healthy birth to child, premature, etc. (I’ll try for more on this subject.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
torchan!: interjection (call-name) for a bull. [SLIP: Used when calling for a bull.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
torr dubh: seaweed gathered at end of year and stacked on machair land left to rot and used as fertiliser for potatoes in spring.
Location: North Uist, Knockintorran
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
torra: an auger. Tool for boring wood. [NOTES: corrected to ‘tora’.]
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
torra: Notes: cold chisel. Dw. has tora ‘auger, wimble, iron for boring holes’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
torra: a joiner’s bit for boring through wood.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tothan: we have this word for a place-name in Scalpay, thus: An Tobhan [sic] Liath.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
traigh-shiol: Quotation: a’ dol dhan an traigh-shiol air an oidhche. Notes: going to look for sand-eels.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
traisgear: used for cutting the peats.
Location: Harris, Bernera
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
trao ghamhnach: a cow without calf for two years.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treabh: [trɛ̜:ɔ̹] Notes: plough. N.B. pron. Cf. [rɛ̜:ɔ] for ‘reodhadh’.
Location: Perthshire, Killin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treabh: [t̪ɾɛv] Notes: two stooks of corn each with twelve sheaves. Workers paid for every two stooks completed.
Origin: Nethy Bridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treabh-eòrna: [t̪ɾɑvjɔʴṉ] Quotation: Na rinn thu [n̪t̪ɾɑvjɔʴṉ] agad fhathast? Notes: Have you sown your barley yet? [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Sutherland, Talmine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treabhailairean: on each side of the horse when pulling a cart. This device was responsible for balancing the weight on either side of the horse. Had three hooks on both sides. One of these connected with the breeches, another to the back strap ‘druim’ and another to [sic].
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treadhan: [t̪ɾɤɣɑṉ] Note: cow farrow for three years, before its first calf.
Origin: Balallan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treaghanach: [t̪ɾɤɣɑ̃ṉɔx] Notes: a cow which hasn’t calved for over three years.
Origin: Uig, Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treasachan: trestles for staging used in building.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treasadach: [t̪ɾesɑd̪ɑx] Notes: ground which has been ploughed twice after lying fallow for a number of years (1. talamh làidir. 2. athcheapach. 3. treasadach.)
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treothadh: Quotation: Slàn-treothadh dhuibh! Notes: said by someone coming into a newly-built house for the first time.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treothair: Quot.: a piece of wood used as a standard measure for mesh.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trian-ri-trian: Notes: corncrake. (Confusion between names for snipe, jacksnipe and corncrake.)
Location: Skye, Kyleakin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trinnse: another word for a small bridge going across a river.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
troch: dipping trough for sheep.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trolla: a chain with a metal plate attached with hole in it. Pot hung from the holes in the plate. This seems to be a variant name for ‘streòlaidh’ above. Informant not able to distinguish.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Trianaid House
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trollag: [t̪ɾoɫɑɡ] Notes: for “greallag” – swingle tree.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tromach: pet name for cattle.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
truimid: [t̪ɾw̃midʹ] Quot.: “Cha bu truimid dha sin!” Note: if one mentioned that someone had done a useful thing or a good turn, this might be said in reply, meaning that it was easy for him to do (otherwise he wouldn’t have done it).
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trusachin: gathering for dipping, etc. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
trusadh: Quotation: an trusadh, na trusaidhean (pl). Notes: the gathering of sheep for shearing etc.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tràsg: [t̪ɾɑ:sɡ] Quot.: “Cho tioram ris an tràsg.” Note: the straw in the kiln on which seed was put for drying.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tràth: of potatoes, or fish, as much as would be cooked for one meal.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
tràthach: tall grass that grows with iris. Used along with iris for thatching purposes.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trì-bhileach: Notes: a plant with three leaves on it found in soft places. Boiled for calves. Said to purify the blood.
Location: Skye, Kyleakin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trì-bhilleach: not sure of English term but the plant had three leaves. This was boiled and given to cows near calving time. A laxative for animals.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trògh: a rope made from sea bent. Used for securing haystacks.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trògh: a home-made rope, made from sea bent. Used for securing hay and corn stacks. Also used when thatching. Prior to thatching this rope would be tied across the rafters from one end to the other so that the thatch would not simply fall through the rafters. Have to remember wood was not so plentiful at that time.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuab: Quotation: an tuab. Notes: (Tong) a growth on the gum of a cow, a hard swelling or ridge, which made eating difficult. It was cauterized in the old days with a red-hot iron. If this were not done, the cow would die for lack of nourishment. (ua as in fuaim, fuar) Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuagal: goal. Subsequently called “hail” when shinty was played to modern shinty rules. (Stoer, Assynt) Shinty was always played on New Year’s Day, “Latha na Callain”. Two townships would compete, and after the match was finished the visiting team would try and dribble the “creg” out of the township. I saw old boddich of 70 running out with walking sticks to prevent the “creg” being taken out of the township, which was considered a great disgrace! So long as the numbers were equal there appeared to be no limit to the number on each side for the actual match. I played for Caberfeidh Shinty Team, but it was child’s play in comparison to those New Year’s Games! At half time – the match was usually two hours – whisky was distributed – not lemons! Incidentally, if a visiting township managed to get the creg away, they had the privilege of having the match in their township next New Year.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
tuaimse: [t̪u̟ɤmʃə] Quotation: Dh’fhalbh mi air thuaimse. Notes: for “tuairmse” in Dw. Going “on a hunch”, “on the off-chance”.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuairnich: [t̪ũɑ̃ʴnʹiç] Quotation: “Tuairnich an t-each as a chàrr.” Notes: Take the horse out of the cart. Pr. pt. a’ [t̪u̜ɤʴṉɑxkĩnʹ]. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuba mór: bigger tub used for washing clothes.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuba-cloithe: tub for soaking wool. [NOTES: the slip has ‘tuba-clòimhe’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuba-mùin: a tub where urine was stored or collected for the tweed waulking process.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuba-saillidh: tub for salting fish.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuban: Notes: tub into which fish were put and covered with brine. Left for a week before putting on the rocks to dry.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tudan: [t̪u̟d̪ɑ̃ṉ] Notes: the usual word for a cornrick on the field.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tughadh: covering the stacks with turf for the winter. The turf is the ‘cip’ (ceap, Sing.; cip, Plural) cut off the ‘carcaire’ [q.v.] and fairly dry; used grass-side in, i.e. next the peats. Tha a’ mhòine a’ tiormachadh anns a’ chruaich. Cha bhithear a tuthadh [sic] nan cruach gu bith mhoine an ìre mhath tioram. Tha i n uairsin ‘fo laidh’ [q.v.] airson a Gheamhraidh.
Location: Cinntire, An Ceann a Deas [Kintyre, Southend by Campbeltown]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
tuil-sholuis: for buying-steamers.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
tuilicheag: Quot.: “tuilicheag de chlach” (Shawbost). Note: a round stone, fairly large. Also: “tuilicheag de nighean” for one of round proportions.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuilpeadh a staigh: to nip in for a short while. [NOTES: note added above ‘ui’ in ‘tuilpeadh’ – ‘iu’.]
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tulpan: Notes: a small round lump of anything. Can be applied, for example, to a cheese made by hanging it in gauze, or to a stumpy little woman.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tunndraid: a descriptive word for a fat sluggish female.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
turaisg: [t̪u̜riʃɡʹ] Note: (1) turaisg duine. (2) turaisg boirionnaich. Quot.: (1) duine mór reamhar. (2) òinseach de chreutair. (“Creutair” used often for a woman in Lewis: “Eisd, a’ chreutair”.)
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
turcais: Notes: nippers. An turcais bheag: cutting copper wire etc. An turcais mhór: for rough work, blunt.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
turchairdeas: [t̪u̟ɾəxəʴḏəs] Notes: coincidence. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
turrag: [t̪u̜rɑɡ] Quot.: “Tha do [hu̜rɑɡəṉ] ma do chasan!” Note: “You’re in for it!” (Could be “surragan”.)
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
turt (?): Quot.: “Tha e gun thurt (?) [hu̜ʴsṯ] gun ho [ho].” “Rinn e e gun [hu̜ʴṯ] [sic] gun ho [ho].” Note: not saying anything. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàbh: [t̪ɑ:v] Notes: net bag suspended from circular frame with a long handle used for catching “cudaigean”.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàbh: Note: large net hung from an iron rim, with wooden slats inside it running down the sides of the net, for catching cuddies. Handle attached to it.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàbh: a circular net with a handle used for fishing. It was lowered into the water and finely broken mussels, limpets, winkles, crab (any bait) thrown into it. When the fish gathered to eat the bait, the net was lifted. It was like a landing-net, only on a vastly larger scale.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàbh-taomaidh: the basket for discharging herring from the net.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
tàl: a carpenter’s tool for cutting away surface wood. Like an axe with an arched blade at right angles to the handle.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàmh: Quotation: Thàmh e an àirde fad na h-oidhche. Notes: where others would use “dh’fhuirich” or “dh’fhan”. General in his conversation, for “stay”, “wait”.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàrnach: [t̪ɑ:ʴṉɑx] Notes: a heavy blow. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàrsainn: [t̪ɑ:ʴsĩnʹ] Quotation: a’ tàrsainn. Notes: pinching, e.g. a child pinching food off a table. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
téarr: Tar – used for putting on flail rope.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
tìreadh: drying corn for the mill.
Location: Killearn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tòc: Notes: A growth that comes over a cow’s eye. Apparently a cataract. There were people (with a steady hand etc.) who were in regular demand for removing this (e.g. a bodach in Achmor). Dw. has tòc ‘Disease of the eyes, mostly peculiar to sheep – Rob Donn; “pink-eye” in horses.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tòrainn (v): mark out as for building. (same as preceding words? [i.e. teòr, teòrainn])
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tòrnag: [t̪ɔ:ʴṉɑɡ] Notes: a large boulder. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Swordly
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tòrsginn: [t̪ɔʴsɡʹĩṉ] Notes: tusker. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.] [NOTES: slipped under ‘toirsginn’.]
Location: Ross-shire, Dornie, Morvich
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tòs: for “tosd”, quietness, stillness. (Urq.)
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
túchan: Quotation: “Cuir túchan dh’a ’n a phrais.” Notes: shutter or lid. Also used for stopper, e.g. the cork in the keel of a coble or small boat to let out the bilge water when ashore; and to keep out the sea when afloat.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uachdar: cream (Harris). Cream itself without any mixture was used as (cream) ointment for skin troubles.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
uair-a-tìm: Notes: for ‘uair-a-thìde’ – ‘an hour’.
Origin: Loch Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uan: was the general term for a lamb.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
uan-reithe: lamb kept for breeding (male).
Origin: Tiree
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
ubh: Quotation: uibhean linn. Notes: eggs for hatching.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ubh mille fithich: a very small egg, as the last egg for the season.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uchdachd cléibh: shoulder strap for creel.
Location: Lewis, Arnol
Category: Crodh / Cattle
udalan: swivel, for a tether.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uinneag: Notes: cupboard in shieling. About 1½' square. Dwelly reports a similar sense from Sutherland: ‘recess in the wall of the kitchen used as a repository for miscellaneous articles’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uinneag: Notes: recess in shieling wall for holding milk basins.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uinneag mhór: ‘Uinneag mhór’ was the large square window made in the wall of a house and is to be distinguished from the much smaller window which was in the thatch on top of wall and was no more than a foot in height. To have an ‘uinneag mhór’ in a thatched house was regarded as a mark of affluence and distinction in the bad old days. If a crofter in those times put an ‘uinneag-mhór’ in the wall of his dwelling, his rent was increased by as much as five or six pounds, or more. No wonder the crofter was forced to live in a “black house”, he had to pay dearly for his share of God’s daylight.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
uireall: Notes: (1) ring on the prow of a boat for tying it. (2) metal band to keep wood in walking stick from splitting.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uireasach: being restricted or limited to do anything due to an irritating pain for example. “Chan urrainn dhomh sin a dheanamh an diugh oir tha mi uireasach le’m chois.”
Location: North Uist, Sollas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uiseag: Quotation: na h-uiseagan. Notes: said this was the general term they had for wild birds.
Origin: Petty
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uisge: Quotation: Tha e suas an t-uisge. Notes: He’s heading for success.
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uisge-airgid: Notes: water, used for curing purposes, into which a silver coin had been put.
Location: BBC
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uisge-beatha: whisky. Was used also for toothache – leaving some whisky in the mouth for a while. Whisky and oatmeal was considered as tonic, as was rum and eggs mixed. Whisky was recommended for faints, weaknesses. Whisky and hot water being retiring [sic] at night was a stimulating [sic], recommended stimulant for colds, that is for counteracting colds. Whisky and hot water, so hot as the patient could accept: it was known as ‘totaidh’.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ulag: hoist? My own experience tells me this is also used for an eye to which a hook is attached.
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ullag: [u̜ɫɑɡ] Note: mixture of oatmeal, sugar and water, rounded. Taken, e.g. to the moor if after sheep. Good for sustaining.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
unga (-chan): a certain amount of land which could be rented for an ounce of silver. Literally ounce land just as ‘peighinn’ is penny land.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
urlar bualaidh: Wooden platform on which sheaves were placed for threshing. [NOTES: spelled ‘ùrlar bualaidh’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
urlar bualaidh: Wooden platform on which sheaves were placed for threshing. [NOTES: spelled ‘ùrlar bualaidh’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
ursainn: [u̜ʴsĩnʹ] Notes: doorpost. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ursair: [u̜ʴsɑð] Notes: a person using brute force when doing something or tackling somebody who is no match for him. Also ursaireachd and ag ursaireachd – using brute force. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
usaidh: cloth, strip of cloth used in a purse fashion, for holding (coin) money (old word Scalpay). In other words, a length of cloth with a pocket to hold money (not used now, the word or the article). [SLIP: ‘Strip of cloth used as a purse.’]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uthan: eggs. I have been told that this term for eggs was used in Gairloch, Scotland? The above word isn’t used in Scalpay. All other words I have noted are words and terms etc. used on Scalpay but for one or two etc. relative of or to the Island of St Kilda. I am trying to remember and collect the ones used on Scalpay, in the past and present, meantime.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
weàrr: Wire (as used for fencing).
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
yoke: [?] ropes used for steering.
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
: for trimming wood – in boat building.
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
à(gh): pronounced simply à for faghail, f(agh)ail, a term heard on Scalpay (old term) but, I am afraid, not now. Faghail was also used as ‘an fhaghail cham’, off the Glas Island Lighthouse.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àbharsair: [ɑ:vəʴsɑð] Note: a person full of fun. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àd bhioraid: made with rushes with a braid / brim. Made for children and worn when they were tending cattle.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àilleasach: Notes: fastidious, proud. i.e. àilgheasach with ll to compensate for loss of gh sound.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àirc: hake for fodder.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àithne: [ɛ̃:nʹə] Notes: (roe or liver) of the saithe used for lamp oil. Prob. liver.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àl: Notes: general term for offspring of any animal.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àlas: opening in the roof for the smoke.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àm briseadh an duilleach: this was responsible for spots and blemishes on the faces of the young.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àrdail: [ɑ:ʴḏɔl] Notes: tidy. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àrlas: [ɑ:ʴɫɑs] Note: hole in roof for exit of smoke. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Balallan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àrlus: [ɑ:rɫəs] Notes: hole in the roof of thatched houses to allow an exit for smoke.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àth: aite mar bothag airson a blath an eòrna – for drying.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Finsbay
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
àth: Quotation: “Bath m’ath’s bhathainn’s i nam bu t-ath’s i.” Notes: supposed to be a test of strangers: if he thought you were talking double-Dutch, he evidently had no Gaelic. It was meant to be said as one long word, which a man used to call for help from his neighbour when his KILN was on fire.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
éiseach: [ẹ̇ẹ̇ʃəx] Notes: a belt which when yoked for a machine or light cart passed under the tail and joined the srathair on a horse.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
éisg: [e:ʃɡʹ] Notes: a woman who is noted for spreading scandal about someone, or for denigrating people.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ìm: Quotation: ìm a’ chalmain chàise. Notes: old butter, supposed to have healing properties, used for treating burns (and other ailments?).
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ìmeach: [ĩ:mɑx] Note: heard this used for flux or diarrhoea.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òla gruthain: place[d] in pan and heated. Excess oil, fat used as fuel for ‘cruisgain’.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òla-ròinn: seal oil. Used for colds and asthmatic complaints. [NOTES: corrected to ‘òla-ròin’.]
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òmhas: [ɔ̃:əs] Quotation: òmhas (sp?) bàta. Notes: “dock” for a boat on the shore.
Location: Skye, Camustianavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òrd: Quotation: òrd mhaorach. Notes: hammer for knocking them [i.e. limpets] off the rocks.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òrd: Notes: Òrd-laimheadh: small round headed hammer used for making holes in walls, etc. Òrd-mór: long-handled heavy hammer with a hexagonal face. Òrd-dùirn: small hammer.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òrd cliurair: used for chipping grinding stones in the mill. Process called ‘breacadh nan clachan bràthaidh’. [NOTES: ‘cliurair’ corrected to ‘cliùrair’.]
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òrd maoraich: the short strong knife used for the above [knocking limpets off the rocks] – usually a worn down shortened kitchen knife.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
òrd-tollaidh: an eight pound hammer for striking the hand drill.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òrdag: [ɤ:ʴḏɑɡ] Notes: thumb. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òs: stance for shared boat. Also nòs.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùird fhiodha: wooden hammers for striking the above wedges [i.e. geindean (q.v.).]
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùireabac: Notes: ‘the filling between two walls of stone, in [?] the wall of an old shieling or tigh-dubh’ (glutadh used for the same). Not in Dwelly.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùmbaidh: derogatory term for a useless, quiet person.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùrachd: Quotation: ùrachd a’ bheithe is crionachd a’ challtuinn. Notes: suitability for burning.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùrlar: Notes: floor. In joiner’s shop had to be “ùrlar fiodh” for making furniture.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ùrlar-bualaidh: Quotation: an ùrlar-bualaidh. Notes: hard floor set apart for threshing in the kiln.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
‘Macs’ and ‘Crops’: sides for a game.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
‘son: prep.: [for air son] ‘for, in order to’ ged nach dèanadh pears’-eaglais’ sam bith guidhe do dhuine ‘son a dhèanamh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
’S motha do shùil na do bhrù: expression for greed.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
’cur a mach ant-sùith: [sic] on a sunny, dry day the thatch was removed and the soot collected and stored for use as fertiliser or it may have been taken straight to the croft (not sure of this point).
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
’ro: [for tro] prep.: chaidh mise ’ro iomdha rud; chaidh e ’ro rudan a bha uamhasach
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
’s: conjunction [for gus, with cò dhiubh] ‘or’: do dhuine sam bith cò dhiubh ‘ bhitheas [gu]s nach bi
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
“Leigeam leat”… Iain, etc.: until the sides were picked – turn about for choosing.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
“gille piullagach is loth pheallagach”: if these two characters present in a household, taken as a sign of impending future prosperity. Both could be trained for gainful employment.
Location: North Uist, Knockintorran
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
“keppar”: a “piece” to a boy or girl. (Stoer, Assynt) The “keppar” always consisted of a scone (flour) for preference or an oatcake with fresh butter and at least an inch of crowdie. “Hor ‘keppar’ dhan a bhallach!” – usually if the housewife was baking.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
“laigadal”: the red tangle with long red fronds only obtained at spring tides – ( traigh “laingadal” [sic]). Generally used for turnip manure.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
“mear”: another word for a “piece” of bread. “Thor do cub mear.”
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
“seas”, “seasaimh”: stand aside for your turn to carry.
Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Bàs is Adhlacadh / Death and Burial
“wager”: the plug of buoy, short for watcher.
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing

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