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There were 406 hits for fish

1. Fish location by natural means
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
1. Fish location by natural means
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
Airigh nam Ban
in Locheynort, South Uist. This place was named after Buckie and Banff who used to live temporarily in shielings. Whilst there they dried their fish on the neighbouring rocks.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
An Cuan Hiortach (E)
[See Lèana Mhór Hiort.] Cuideachd, chanadh iad “An Cuan Hiortach”. “Anns a’ Chuan Hiortach.” [NOTES: slipped under ‘cuan’ with ‘An Cuan Hiortach’ as the quotation. Definition: The sea between St Kilda and the mainland of Lewis and Harris where they used to fish.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Fish
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Fish in Gaelic
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Fish – Alasdair MacDonald, Tobermory, Mull
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Fish – John Robertson, Tobermory, Mull
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Fishing and fish
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Lèana Mhór Hiort
’Se seo a bhiodh aig bodaich Chrabhlastaidh air a’ chuan far am biodh iad ag iasgach aig Hiort (eadar Hirt agus tìr-mór Leòdhais ’s na Hearadh agus chanainn timchioll air Hiort. Bhiodh iad uaireannan ag iasgach air taobh a muigh Hiort). [NOTES: slipped under ‘lèana’ with ‘Lèana Mhór Hiort’ as the quotation. Definition: The sea between St Kilda and the mainland of Lewis and Harris where they used to fish.]
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
Shell-fish
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[a’ tional maorach]
A reir de cho pailte s’ atha iad than giomach ri bhith air iasgach le cliabh ’s a chum fharlainn pailte a leabag mar bhiadh. Tha an crùban gaolach air iasg ùr, mar is bitheanta sòrnan is fhearr, air neo cudainn. A reir a pailteas air a’ ghrunnd b’e doigh(ch) a b’fhearr far a biodh faochaig pailte gach clach is feamann air neo roc a ghlanadh air fala as do rathad air thaobhs gu faodach leisinn [?] air an togail le’d dha làmh ’s gan cur anns a phail an triseach, sin do’m phoca. Fagaig an sin a fhaochaig, fiasgain ’s fhearr am fasgann dar a bhios i eadar an da luinn dluth air uisge fresh s mur a s bitheanta far am bith iad pailte mar sin gheobh thu pearls annta chionn tha iad nas mutha. ’S doich air a bhairneach darna cuid clach ma dha phùing le oir car giar agus a bualadh a sios a rathad le oir na cloicheadh [?], a bualladh [?] le cabhag. Bu [?] sput fish daonnan a miosg geineich gheal agus far a feic thu i spùtadh tha thu gan grapadh as a gheinich gus a bith do bos agad am breallach air an aon (àn) doigh[.] Tha esan a sputadh cuideach le cabhag a dheanadh tha ga fhaotain[.] Far am bith na cockles pailte tha iad air barr a ghrunnd le muir traigh (Càn a mach). Slige chreachain fheamadh tu a togail far a ghrunnd far a feicedh tu a ach gu math bitheanta tha i ’sa làthaich a bharrachd air a bhith ’s a gheinich[.] Lungaich chi thu uraball air barr na criadh, tha thu ga glaochach [?] mar gum bith [?] buain buntata ’s am piocadh a mach. Se buain lungaich a chanas iad. Feama tu an fheamainn dhubh a ghearradh far na creigeadh le corran. ’S an fhior aire a thuibhairt (a thoirbhairt) gum bith toll taomaich anns a bhata bhios ’ga giùlan[.] An doigh a bh’aig na seanna Ghàidheal b’e basgaid sgadain bhi shios mu dheireadh air urlar a bhàta ma biodh i luchdaichte chionns nach phlod (plod) an fheamainn dhubh[.] Phlodaich gach roc is gach feamann eile gad a bhiodh bata a stealladh dorlach uisge. Fear a bheil faiche ghiomaich na pairce beag de ghaineach air beulaibh an tuil agus dar a dh’itheas e am biadh tha e ’g ithe beagan de’n ghaineach. (tiomalaich [?])
Location: [Mull], Tobermory
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
[blank]
fish.
Origin: [Ross-shire]
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
[cat]
“Miann a’ chait ’san traigh, ’s cha toir e fhein as e.” Applied to someone who desired something but was not prepared to get it himself. Literally, although the cat likes fish it does not hunt it himself.
Location: South Uist, Kildonan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cudag]
Others are scart = scarbh = parkin = partan = pickie = young saithe, also piteuchty (Girvan). This fish is the cudag – cudaige – cudann at the sprat stage and living in the harbour. We called the larger ones blockan (léiteanach? [?]). Larger still stemlet = grey fish. Could picky be from pioc nibble? Or from a totem name piocach – Pict?
Location: Prestwick
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[deargadh]
Cha d’fhuair sinn deargadh eisg. – ‘deargadh’ refers to a very small catch of fish.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[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
[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
[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
[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
[ruadhan]
Tha an t-iasg ’na ruadhan. The fish is overcooked.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[rubbing oils]
Rubbing oils: lineament [sic], castor oil, melted butter, etc. were previous to the method use [sic] of ointments of today. ‘Ola-an-ròin’ was popular with generations past in various ways. Liver oils, ‘fish-oils’ as sometimes termed.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sounds of other kinds of fish]
The sounds of other kinds of fish, either breaking the surface individually or playing in shoals: a’ leum, sìnteagan, cliucheadh [sic] am bàrr (am bàrr na mara), a’ cliucheadh [sic] mar abhainn.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
[stairs]
One word that comes to mind is quite vivid with a touch of Gaelic poetry in it – the word ‘stairs’ (plural) as applied to a school of porpoises in a flat calm, surfacing with their backs gleaming, black in the water and in line astern. In Ballantrae the fishermen used this word not knowing that their great great grandfathers saw these fish as like a line of stepping stones (stair). I am sure of this.
Location: Prestwick
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[st̪o:dʹʒə]
Quotation: buntàta [st̪o:dʹʒə]. Notes: potatoes when fish was boiled along with them. [NOTES: slipped under ‘stóide’.]
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a bhiorach
dog fish.
Location: Cluer
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
abhlan
Notes: used in W. Lewis, in the sense of some meat or fish etc. with the staple diet, e.g. “’S e sgadan abhlan a bhuntàt.” “Aran cruaidh gun abhlan” = bare bread.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
acfhuinn
Quotation: achfhuinn [sic] spreadhaidh. Notes: triple hook attached to a line and pulled through a shoal of fish.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ag goramanachd
taking the fish off the hook.
Origin: Barra
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
alanadh
the re-salting of fish, herring in particular.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an cliabh fodair
some cows (as a result of bad habit) did not yield their milk without being given a small quantity of succulent grass, turnip leaves etc. This was carried to them in a creel. Dried backbones of fish, such as cod, also served the same purpose. This saved carrying ‘fodder’ when the cows were at the shielings miles away from the villages.
Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
an clàr
wooden tray for potatoes or fish.
Origin: Barra
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
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-suim
water which could be taken into the boat by fish or as a result of small leaks. [NOTES: note added above ‘t-suim’ – taoim.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’
[kɑ̃ĩlɑxəɣ] Notes: driving the fish to the bag-net in the “cachaileith” or opening in the dam. Also applied to the whole process of fishing like this.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ bhiorach
spiked dog-fish.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ smùiradh
tarring sheep, tar mixed with fish oil.
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bacach-cearr
a fish belonging to the flounder family.
Location: Skye, Bernisdale
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
bal-laoghan
Quotation: bal-laoghan (S. Lochs/Bragar), bla-laoghan (Tong). Notes: A fish with soft flesh, soften than the carbhanach. Also used of persons – ‘softie’. Not in Dw. Perhaps contains laodhan ‘pith, pulp’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
balg-loisgte
Notes: jelly-fish. (Tiree)
Origin: Tiree?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
balg-snàimh
[bɑɫɑɡsn̪ɑ̃:v] Note: air-sac inside a fish.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
balg-snàmh
Notes: air bladder found inside a fish.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
balg-snàmh
Air-bladder in fish.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
balg-snàmh
[bɑɫɑɡsn̪ɑ̃:v] Note: airbladder in fish.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
balg-snàmhadh
[bɑɫɑɡsn̪ɑ̃:həɣ] Notes: air bladder in fish.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
batal-ean
flock of seabirds engaged in feeding on fish or fry on the surface of the sea.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bhan-an-éisg
fish retailer’s van.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
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
biorrach
dog fish.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
bla-laoghan
[bɫɑɫɤɣ:ɑṉ] Note: a small fish, rainbow coloured, about 6"-9" long, found inshore. Reddish overall with black stripes near tail. Term also applied to a person without refinement, a boor.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blaith laoghag
small fish found in rock pools.
Location: Cluer
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
blas-dubh
A person have referred to a large species of lythe (liùth) as having this taste. I cannot say was it of his own invention or was it a description term of his day. I have heard another woman referring to the same fish: blas a bhùirn dhuibh.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blian
the stomach of a fish.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blian
underpart of body of quadrup[ed], fish, flank.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blianag
Quot.: blianag éisg. Note: the fish on the underside.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blianag
Note: the underside fish [sic] on a fish, esp. the dogfish in Arnol.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blonaig
fat found in fish.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blà laoghan
a fish with spiny fins and bright colouring. Found in tropical seas. Wrasse.
Location: Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bo-tiachd
[bɔˈṯıɑxk] Note: jelly-fish.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodach
wee cod. Not referred to in Scalpay as the cod species, but that’s does [sic] mean it’s wrong to use it solely, as the adjective come with it in Scalpay, perhaps there are some who use it when referring to fish. ’S docha gu faigh sinn bodach. – I think this phrase is more attributable to ‘Skye’? Rèbeanach [q.v.] may have originated from reip ris a bhial aige?
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodach
Notes: codfish. Usually old fish. Female – spent – referred to as cailleach.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodach
old man, codling fish.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodachan
wee old man; also fish, codling.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodachan-ruadh
codling, fish.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bolg-snàmh
[bɔɫɔɡsn̪ɛ̃:v] Notes: the covering on the bone of a fish which has to be scraped off with a knife when gutting.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonnach
Quotation: bonnach donn. Notes: cake made from oatmeal and fish liver.
Location: Skye, Kyleakin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonnach
Quotation: bonnach donn. Notes: made from oatmeal and fish liver.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonnach-gropaidh
Notes: same mixture as ceann-cropaic but not boiled in fish-head.
Location: Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonnach-grùthain
a liver-bannock, made by oatmeal and fish liver. [SLIP: A liver bannock (made of oatmeal and fish liver).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bonnan
Notes: scales (of fish).
Origin: Carradale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
borgh
a fish spear. Possibly from English word ‘barb’.
Location: Benbecula, Creagorry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bradan-leathainn
halibut (fish).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
braicebhas
breakfast. Usually consisted of fish.
Origin: Islay
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
brallach
hose-fish.
Location: Isle-of-Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
breallach
Spout fish. Tha e so furasda fhaighinn. Bidh e anns a’ ghainmhich agus cha teid e domhain.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
breallach, breallaich
oval shaped fish, hole in sand.
Location: [Mull], Tobermory
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
broighlich
Note: applied to the struggles of a fish just caught or a beast trying to escape from a person.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brot
Quotation: brot éisg. Notes: fish soup.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bràilair
net on a wind on the boat, holds 28 boxes of fish.
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bròg
Notes: fish roe. (Probably a cod’s roe.)
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brùchd
Notes: male sperm in white fish.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
buileach
Quotation: Tha e air a chleachdadh gle bhuileach airson iasg. Notes: used in connection with the word “moit”. It is used very often in connection with fish.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
builg
Quotation: “Tha an t-iasg a’ builgeadh.” Notes: fish at play, breaking the surface and causing bubbles to form but not biting.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
builgeadh
Quotation: “Bha a’ soithean a’ builgeadh.” An ath bhuilgeadh ghabh i. Notes: fish breaking the surface.
Location: Skye, Sleat, Calligary
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: buntàta [st̪o:dʹʒə]. Notes: potatoes when cut up and pieces of fish boiled along with them.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buntàta
Quotation: buntàta [pɾɛ̃n̪:tʹʃə]. Notes: potatoes cut up into small pieces. In Portnahaven and Port Charlotte fish and potatoes cut up into small pieces and mixed with butter.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàraile
[bɑ˖rlʹə] Notes: barrel; a measure for fish, potatoes.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bìogais
Notes: ‘a fish like the biorach’. Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cab
[kɑp] mouth (of fish; of human – mouth). Dùin do chap! [sic] [SLIP: Mouth (of fish or, as above [i.e. in the quotation], in insult, of human).]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
cabhail
[kɑu̜əl] Notes: a stone wall built at the mouth of a river or head of a loch or inlet to catch fish when the tide recedes.
Location: Skye, Breakish
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
cabhull
a creel for catching fish.
Location: [Lewis], Siabost
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
cadalan-tràghad
sleep before the ebb, wee sleep. I am not sure of this compound word either. Does it mean the nap, wee nap people used to do before the ebb tide when engaged at sea-weed cutting in the Highlands of Scotland, or is it the name of a bird or shell-fish, but if you do not find any other definition, I think you will be ‘safe’ in noting the meaning I have here, see the bottom of page 5 [i.e. above] and thus: ’S ann a tha e cuimhneachadh dhomhsa an cadalan-tràghad. – reference to a ‘slow or easy going’ person. [SLIP: Sleep before the ebb; ref. to a slow and easy-going person.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cadsair
(also) fish retailer. A bheil an cadsair a bhos ’n diugh. (still in current use.)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cadsaireachd
retailing fishing, selling fish.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caigeann
Notes: a pair, e.g. always used of a pair of fish hung up to dry (Port Charlotte).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caileach-truisg
a heavy cod (fish), with a swollen belly, of a greyish dull colour, perhaps compared to an old woman. (Scalpay) [NOTES: slipped under ‘cailleach-truisg’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caillebianan
[kɑlʹəbĩɤ̃ṉɑṉ] Note: phosphorescence as seen on fish hanging in the house or salted in a tub.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cairidh
a wall built in the river estuary at low tide designed to capture fish at high tide. This would [sic] they remained upstream.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cairidh (f.)
a fish weir. There are the remains of one in a level bay north of Tarbert.
Origin: [Kintyre, Tarbert]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
calpa
a fishing hook’s unbended part. I think the flattened end to which the line is tied is or was named liath an dubhain, similar to liath an raimh (this was in one instance as regards the oar). [SLIP: The bottom, flat end of a fish-hook to which the line is tied.] [NOTES: ‘liath an dubhain’ has been slipped under ‘liath’. Definition: The end to which fishing line is tied.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
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
carran creige
Lump fish or sea porcupine. Thig e so gu biadhadh ’sam bith ged nach fhiach e fhein itheadh. Gheibh thu cloimheag [q.v.], cat dubh [q.v.], is carran creige ann an luin gle fhaisg air tir.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
carran-creig
Notes: a small rock fish which has a big mouth like a monkfish. [NOTES: slipped under ‘carran-creige’.]
Origin: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carran-creige
Note: small spiky fish found among rocks inshore.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carran-creigeadh
[kɑrɑṉ kɾeɟəɣ] Notes: small ugly fish full of spikes. Usually rejected. [NOTES: slipped under ‘carran-creige’.]
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cat-dubh
Note: fish similar to the “garran-creige” [q.v.] but larger. Prominent teeth. (Variety called “cat-dearg” also found.)
Location: [Lewis], [S.] Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cat-mara
species of fish, of the ling family.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cathtag
small amount between the fingers as oatmeal. Cuir cathtag mhineadh air. When fish or something boiling in a pot to make it or the water more to the thickness or solidity required, a cathtag mhineadh is suggested but perhaps this is it also: yes! when something in the mixture of gruel is too much of a liquid form, an additional small amount of oatmeal is recommended.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann cròpaig
a dish, most likely a starter made with the liver of a fish, preferably that of a cod or ling. This was mixed with onions, oatmeal and seasoned with salt and pepper. The mix was then pushed into the fish’s head which was wrapped in white thread. It was then cooked along with another bit of fish. Could also be used to make soup. [NOTES: ‘cròpaig’ corrected to ‘cropaig’.]
Location: Milngavie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann gropach
oatmeal and fish-liver.
Location: Harris, Ardvey
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
ceann-grobaidh
dish from the liver of fish, fish paddies or pudding made with oatmeal mixed with liver and salt, etc. Creann-grobaidh in Scalpay. [SLIP: Dish made of fish liver mixed with oatmeal etc.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-gropaig
A kind of pudding made of fish liver and oatmeal, cooked inside a large cod’s head.
Origin: [Skye]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cladh
spawning of fish.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claigeann
Quotation: Chaneil claigeann ri fhaicinn. Notes: expression used in fishing when there were no fish in the nets.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claimheag
[kɫɑ̃ĩvɑɡ] Notes: small, very lively fish found inshore (said to be the young ling but not sure about this).
Location: Harris
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
claimheag
Note: very small, spotted fish like a ling in appearance. Thinks it’s the butterfish or gunnel in the book (Seashore).
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claimheag
Note: small, eel-like fish found in the “traigh”.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claimheag (clèimheag)
Notes: small fish – often found under rocks at low tide.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cleamhag
minnow (fish).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
cliabh-àbhach
Notes: creel put into a stream to catch fish. Slats would be opened by fish, closed after it.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliath
Quot.: cliath éisg. Note: a shoal of fish.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliathan
congregated shoals, moving, swimming rather, in one direction. ’Ad ’na cliathan. [SLIP: Cliathan (plural). Quotation: ’nan cliathan. Definition: Shoals of fish swimming gregariously in one direction.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliopan
(as already referred to) fish-lure. [NOTES: the word appeared in another word-list as ‘clipean’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clipean
a bait cut from the side of a big fish, a strip of fish on a hook being pulled after a moving boat to attract the fish. Fishing likewise le clipean – putting it this way: ‘dragging an artificial eel’. [SLIP: A strip of fish on a hook, used as bait and pulled after a moving boat to attract the fish.] [NOTES: in another word-list sent in by Mr Morrison, this word is spelled ‘cliopan’ and explained as ‘fish-lure’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cluaimheag
butter-fish.
Location: Uibhist a Tuath, Ceann a Bhàigh [North Uist, Bayhead]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
cnòcan
shell-fish.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
colmadh
fish oil (i.e. cuddy) mixed with coloured wool.
Location: Harris, Ardvey
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cothrom
Quotation: “’S ann aige tha’n cothrom.” – It is he that has the wealth. “Chuir e air a chothrom e.” – He put it on the scales. “A reic air a chothrom” – selling by weight or measure, e.g. fish. “A bhinn chothromach” – the just (proper) judgment. “Dh’fhiarr e cothrom.” – He asked permission. “’S ann a ghabh e cothrom air – … took advantage of … “Chan eil cothrom air.” – It cannot be helped. “Chaill e ’n cothrom.” – an invalid who is helpless. “’S math an cothrom.” – We are well, in good condition. e.g. “Ciamar a tha sibh?” (Reply:) “’S math an cothrom.”
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann
Quotation: “Có tha dol a chur a mach na cruinn?” Notes: Who is going to take charge of sharing out the fish? (Stick, pebble hidden in hand.) Check.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
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
creag
Quotation: a’ chreag dhubh. Notes: fish with a big head – ?
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
creagdhubh
[sic] an angler fish.
Origin: [Kintyre, Tarbert]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
croman
a large hook or hooked piece of iron attached to a wooden handle to pull in a large fish which would be liable to get away by breaking the snead or the hook.
Origin: Barra
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
crosgag
star-fish. [SLIP: Starfish, also crosgag-traghad [sic].]
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrìgh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
crosgag
star fish.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
crosgag
Star-fish.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crosgag-thràghad
star fish.
Location: Uibhist a Tuath, Ceann a Bhàigh [North Uist, Bayhead]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
crosgag-tràghad
star-fish.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrìgh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
cruadhachadh
drying fish to preserve them. Could be dried inside or out depending on the suitability of the weather.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruadhaich
Notes: dry (fish).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruisgean
crusee [sic], a primitive form of lighting comprising originally of a simple stone with a hollow and fish oil with an ember or reeds, thus the oil in the stone being alight causing a flare to light the interior of the buildings or shack in which the ‘invention’ was placed.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuileannan
perhaps the word could be attributed to the young of the king-fish – biorach. [SLIP: Young of the ‘biorach’ (uncertain).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
càdsairean
fish sellers (plural).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
còmans
the upper part of the fish hold of a fishing boat or the hold of a fishing boat. (Scalpay)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dallag
king fish.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
deargan
[dʹɛɾɛɡɑṉ] Notes: a brown fish caught among rocks. Thinks it is the young ling.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deargan-tràghad
Notes: a small soft reddish fish found under stones inshore. In pools when the tide is out. Possibly a young ling (same characteristics).
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
donnag
fish that was found inshore beneath rocks. Usually found after high tide.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
donnag
Notes: small fish – often under rocks at low tide. Edible.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
donnag
[d̪on̪ɑɡ] Notes: small, brown fish found inshore.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
donnag
fish, small ling.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
donnag
young ling (fish).
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Finsbay
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
donnag
Notes: large fish caught with linn-mhóra.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
donnag (f)
Notes: fish.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
droch ghabhail air iasg
if a hook caught the fish anywhere other than in the mouth, this was also considered as signifying bad weather. [NOTES: note added – gabhail (probably meant to be the catch-word).]
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druaip
a catch of rubbishy, unmarketable fish.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
drumanach
alder. Boys used to fish with rods of the branches of an alder tree, the branches long enough.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
dubadh
a sharp pull (as of fish on a line).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubh
Quotation: a’ chreag dhubh. Notes: fish with a big head – ?
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubhan-slaite
fish hook commonly used with rod and line, also a hook of any size attached to a rock.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubhan-éisg
fish hook.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eachan
Spout fish eile. Gheibhear e anns an làghaich is theid e cho domhain aig amannan ’s gun caill thu e.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
earrag
Notes: “milt” in any fish. (?)
Origin: Carradale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eileach
[elɑx] Note: banks of stones built out from opposite sides of a stream to guide fish into a “cabhall” or bag-net.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eileach
Note: low wall built across a stream or river with a gap left in the middle where a “cabhall” was put to catch fish.
Origin: Caversta
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
[ɛɔ:ɫɑṉ] Notes: fish oil put on wool before it was teazed in order to lubricate it.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fabhag
the octopus species of fish. Ink-fish – it squirts an inkish liquid as a (so to speak) smoke-screen. [SLIP: A species of octopus (squirts an inky substance out).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faireachdainn
detecting fish, herring by wire dragged by the boat; the herring or fish coming against the wire caused a feel of their presence. Bha sinn dha fhaireachdainn. Now through the meter indicator in the wheel house (boat). [NOTES: the quotation on the slip reads ‘Bha sinn ’ga fhaireachdainn.’ Definition: Detecting herring by means of a wire dragged by the fishing boat.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faireachduinn
detection (fish) with a wire indicator after a vessel.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
falmair
hake (fish).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faobhaich
[fɤ:viç] Quot.: “Tha an t-àite air fhaobhachadh.” Note: used in general of a place being cleaned out, e.g. a bay of fish.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fargnaich
Quot.: Bha ’m bàgh air [ɑɾɑɡṉɑxəɣ] aig na tràlairean. Note: said of a place being cleaned up of fish.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feòil-réisg
Quotation: Doilidh Frógaidh’s prayer: “Cuimhnich air an fheadhainn a tha tinn, air a réisgeadh suas air na leapannan.” Notes: hard dried meat. (Also f.-réisgidh (?)) Dw. has reisgeadh ‘hanging of fish or flesh up to dry (Suth’d)’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
friasg
[fθiɑsɡ] Notes: bait used in rock-fishing – shellfish boiled and then chewed before being thrown out on the water to attract fish.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frithasg
bait cast out to attract fish.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuaidreag
artificial fish lure, sand-eel.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gad
a length of flies – three or more hooks; a number of fish on a string.
Origin: Barra
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
gailleach
gills (fish).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gairbhean
Notes: gills of a fish.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gairbhean
Quotation: an gairbhean. Notes: the gills of a fish.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gairbhean
[ɡɑɾɑvɑṉ] Notes: gills of a fish.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Laide, Portnacon
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
garan-creige
shoemaker fish.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
garbhag
sprat (fish).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
garbhan
Notes: gills of a fish.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
garran creagadh
gurnard, rock fish.
Location: Cluer
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
garran-creige
Note: small, ugly rock-fish.
Location: [Lewis], [S.] Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
garran-creige
Notes: ‘of cat-fish family’.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
garran-creige
shoemaker fish.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geadas
Notes: pike (fish).
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geadas (-ais)
pike fish.
Origin: Baleshare
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geadasg
[ɡɛ̜:ˈtask] pike. [SLIP: pike (fish).]
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
gealag-linn
fish or bird? (I am not sure of this one.)
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geòlaban
[ɡʹɔ:ləbɑṉ] Notes: a very small fish found in fresh-water streams. Look very dark. About the size of a goldfish.
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
giamanach
a big, strong man. Also used of a large fish.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gibearnach
cuttle fish.
Location: Uibhist a Tuath, Ceann a Bhàigh [North Uist, Bayhead]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
gibearnach
Note: cuttle-fish.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gibinneach
[ɡʹibinʹɔx] Notes: ink-fish.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gibneach
[ɡʹibṉɔx] Note: ink-fish (octopus).
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gibneach
squid, ink-fish.
Location: Uibhist a Tuath, Ceann a Bhàigh [North Uist, Bayhead]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
gibneach
fish of the octopus species.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
giùbhran
[ɡʹu̜:ɾɑṉ] Notes: gill of a fish.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giùdair
[ɡʹu̟:d̪əð] Note: a person who, due to inexperience, makes a mess of what he is doing, e.g. when killing a sheep, gutting fish, skinning a rabbit, etc.
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giùdhran
[ɡʹu̟:ɾɑ̃ṉ] Notes: gill of a fish.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giùran
[ɡʹu̟:ɾɑ̃ṉ] Notes: gill of a fish.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giùrr
gills of fish.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glas-iasg
Notes: fish which are greyish when boiled, e.g. herring, lythe, saithe.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glasag
Quot.: roe in fish.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gliuthach
[ˈɡlu̟ɑx] Note: applied to a fish in very poor condition.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gliuthach
Quot.: “Sad as e. Chaneil ann ach gliuthach.” Note: applied to a fish so poor as to be rejected.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goile
Notes: fish stomach.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goile
gullet. Shios ’na ghoile (fish). [SLIP: Of fish – gullet.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goile-brianain
phosphorescent light in the sea or on fish.
Origin: Barra
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
goilebianan
[ɡɤləbiɤṉɑṉ] Notes: phosphorescence as seen on fish which has been hanging for a few days.
Origin: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goirt
Quotation: iasg goirt. Notes: salt fish. Also “sgadan goirt”.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gormanachadh
the process whereby fish were taken off the hook. ‘Gormanaiche’ applied to the person who did this job.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
griadhladh
(an interesting amount), fair amount, meaning the same as radhladh as a reference to fish in a net. [SLIP: Referring to fish in a net, a ‘fair amount’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
griasaiche
young monk-fish.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gribeach
feeling when fish is there.
Location: Harris, Horgabost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
griobadh
nibble (common as with fish).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
griobadh
fish ‘communication’ at the end of a line in the fishing operation, (putting it this way) nibbling. Cha do dh’fhairich mi griobadh. [SLIP: Nibbling of fish at hook.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grunn
Quotation: “na grunnan”. Notes: if it was stormy outside, the fishermen would come up the loch to fish codling in a sheltered spot, “na grunnan”.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gròam
fish seed that floated on the sea’s surface.
Location: [South Uist], Daliburgh (Schoolhouse)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàilleach
Quot.: a’ ghàilleach. Note: gills of a fish.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàilleach
Note: gills of a fish – also used of the flaps on a shoe or boot where the eyes are. “Tha na brògan a’ leigeil a steach air na gàillich.”
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iarunn-cómhtallach
[ıɤrən̪kõ:hɑɫɑx] Note: landing hook for fish.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iasg
Quotation: iasg goirt. Notes: salt fish.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iasg
Quotation: iasg [pɾɛ̃n̪:tʹʃə]. Notes: fish cut up into small pieces. In Port Charlotte/Porthaven fish and potatoes cut up into small pieces and mixed with butter.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iasg air mo laimh
I have a fish on my line.
Origin: Barra
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
iasg bruanta
grilled fish.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iasg bruich agus sauis (sabhs)
boiled fish with the water the fish was boiled in. This latter was usually taken before going to bed. Iasg bruich agus sauis (sabhs) le arran cork. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
iasg drioman
a fish that could not be caught by hook. Instead it was caught by holding a net in the air thereby catching the fish when it leapt up. It could jump about 24". A red mullet.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iasg greallta
grilled fish.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iasg meosta
smoked fish.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iasg trom
a heavy meshing of fish.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
iasg-geal
white fish.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
it
Notes: fin of a fish.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
itean iasg
Fins of fish.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iuchair
row [sic] [roe]. Meallag is iuchair. [SLIP: Roe (fish).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iulla
Notes: a spot where fish is plentiful.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lann
[d̪ɛ̃n:] Notes: scale of a fish.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leabag-leathainn
halibut (fish).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liughag
baby lythe (fish).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liughag-òir
(of the pout species) perhaps pout. Its back is of a golden colour. [SLIP: Perhaps “pout” (?) – a fish whose back is of a golden colour. Vid. ‘liughag’ – baby lythe.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lodag
[ɫɔd̪ɑɡ] Notes: soft, reddish-brown fish a bit like the catfish but with two barbels. Found sometimes in lobster creels.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
loineadh
Notes: an excessive handling, esp. of fish.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luaidhe
(also) fish-detector, detecting by lead sinker and line. ’G fhaireachduinn leis an luaidhe. [NOTES: the quotation on the slip reads ‘’ga fhaireachdainn leis an luaidhe.’]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mabladh
messed by handling often, fish being continually or often handled shows this effect, also being trawled and the net’s causing it to be recognised as trawl fish.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mac-làimheig
[mɑxkɫɛ̃:vɛɡʹ] Notes: monk-fish.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mac-làmhais
monk-fish.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mac-làmhais
Notes: monk-fish. (Applecross)
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mealc
[mjɑɫk] Notes: milt of a fish.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meanbhasg
small fish. Derived from ‘meanbh-iasg’.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mionnaichean-an-éisg
fish entrails.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
moglachadh
an entangled fish.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
moglaich
Quotation: “Tha e air a’ mhoglachadh.” Notes: (the fish) has been enmeshed.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
muc-làmhaich
Notes: monk-fish.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muir ceac
jelly fish.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muir-teachd
jelly-fish.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrìgh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
muir-teachd
jelly-fish.
Location: Uibhist a Tuath, Ceann a Bhàigh [North Uist, Bayhead]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
muirsgean
(Muirsig – muirsigean anns an Rudha, muisgean ann an Nis.) Razor fish. Chan eil iad an Nis ach gheibhear moran dhuibh [sic]  air na Lochan, ann an Uig, is tha iad pailt pailt [sic] an gainmheach an Loch a Tuath mu Mhealbost is Stéinis is air an taobh a deas aig Tolm. Chi thu an t-srùp aca aig amannan os cionn na gainmhich agus ma bheireas tu air gun greimeachadh air an t-slige fàgaidh e an t-srup ’na do laimh is ni e fhein gu doimhne. Aig amannan bidh tràigh an Loch a Tuath a’ bristeadh is theid mìltean dhuibh [sic] a thilgeil gu tir. Tha iad ag radh gum brist i a chula seachd bliadhna, ach cha do bhrist i mór bho 1953 – tha e nis 1967. Chaidh innse dhomh – ge bi air bith a bheil e ceart -  gur e gaoth làidir is tide mhara lionaidh làidir an aghaidh a’ cheile a tha sluaisreadh na gainmhich ’sa toirt na muirsgean chun an uachdair is tha na suailichean gan tilgeil gu tìr.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
muirsgein
razor-fish.
Location: Eilean Thiriodh, Cornaig Mhór [Tiree, Cornaigmore]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
muirsgein
razorshell fish.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
muirsgian
a razor-fish.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrìgh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
muirsgian
razor fish.
Location: Isle-of-Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
muirsgian
razor fish.
Location: Uibhist a Tuath, Ceann a Bhàigh [North Uist, Bayhead]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
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
muirsig
Razor fish. (Faic muirsgian.) (Air a fhuaimneachadh: mursaig.)
Origin: Lewis, Uig an Iar
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
muirtiachd
Note: jelly-fish.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muirtèachd (m)
jelly-fish. (Éir.)
Location: ? [Eriskay – see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
munan
Spout fish eile coltach ri eachan [q.v.]. Steallaidh e do’n adhar ma shuathas tu ann.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
mursiunn [sic]
razor fish.
Location: Milngavie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
musgan
[muskʹən] [?] Notes: razorfish or spout-fish.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mùrdach
[mu̜:rd̪ɑx] Notes: kingfish. (Not sure what fish this is – check.)
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mùsgan
hose fish.
Location: Uibhist a Tuath, Ceann a Bhàigh [North Uist, Bayhead]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
mùsgan
Notes: spout-fish, found in the sand.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ola na birich
dog fish [oil].
Location: [Lewis], Arnol, Bragar and Uigen
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
plamaranta
soft (as applied to fish or fowl).
Origin: [North Uist acc. to the card index of informants]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plockan
‘batty’ for knocking out fish. For mashing/chapping potatoes?
Category: Togail Bhàtaichean / Boat-Building
prannabhiata
fed by crumbs; crumb-fed (not voluminous) crumb-eater fed like fish among broken shellfish, particles of shells floating in the brine on which fish is fed, being thrown from a boat. In other words ‘biadh air a phrannadh’.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pròis
Notes: a translucent, soft-skinned lobster-shaped fish – possibly a young prawn (seen in pools).
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pìg
[pi:ɡʹ] Notes: the pike (fish).
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pùdraigeadh
[pu̟:d̪ɾiɡʹəɣ] Note: when setting the “cabhall”, beating with sticks to drive the fish into it.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rabhladh
fair amount. Tha rabhladh math ann! – Fishermen having a look in their drift-net(s): of fish. [SLIP: Fair amount. Used by fishermen when having a look in their drift-nets.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
raingeis
[rɛŋɡʹɑʃ] Note: a very small fish of triangular cross section, flat underside with a sucker on its underside which enables it to attach itself to rocks.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
raingis
[rɑ̃ĩɡʹiʃ] Note: a fish, resembling an oopah [opah?], caught inshore. P. Chisholm, Gravir, says it has a red spot on its shoulder. In Barvas – “Cho ruighinn ri craicionn raingis.”
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rangais
[rɑ̃ŋɡiʃ] Note: says it is a small fish akin to the “muc-chreige”.
Origin: Balallan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rannan
[rɑ̃n̪ɑ̃ṉ] Quot.: “’S e rannan duine a th’ann.” Note: rannan – slime on a fish. Slimy kind of person.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
raopair
[rɤ:pɑɾ] Notes: heavy piece of lead attached to a string. Had a hook perhaps 2" from lead with or without bait. Pulled up and down. Fish supposedly attracted by the lead.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rionnach
formation of clouds resembling the stripes or pattern on the mackerel (fish).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
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
roinn an eisg
dividing the fish. One turns his back (falbh do’n chùil) while another points to each share saying each time “Whose is that?” (Co aige bi sud?).
Origin: Barra
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
sabhs
[sɤu̜s] Notes: water in which fish is boiled.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saibhs
(sùgh chuideagan ’s min neo gràinnean mineadh na cheann ’s uinneanan). Recipe – water where cuddies (fish) is boiled, with oatmeal, sprinkle of oatmeal is added and onions, and left to boil, etc., etc. [SLIP: Meal made by mixing oatmeal and onions in water in which cuddies have been boiled and then the mixture itself is boiled.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saileadh
[sɑ˖lʹəɣ] Notes: salting, butter, fish etc.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
salainn-rousaigidh
salt thrown on fish as a temporary preservation until the actual curing process is done or undertaken. [SLIP: Salt sprinkled on fish as a temporary preservation method.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
salann rìligidh
sprinkling of salt on herring or other fish in boxes.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saoidhainn cruaidh
after being salted the fish was dried above the fire. It was then put in sacks and eaten during the winter.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saus’
fish soup. The water in which fish is boiled is re-boiled with further amount of water added to a boiling continuation, and onions and oatmeal added, and salt.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
sgadan
was given to cattle. Cooked herring, fish-meal.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
sgadan-ceàrr
Notes: small fish caught in streams – minnows?
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgaoth
shoal of fish.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgaothag
wee shoal, fish.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgaothag
a wee shoal (as in the case of small fish).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgealtair
Notes: jelly fish (Lewis word). (Skye lugais.)
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeolltair
[sɡʹɤu̜ɫt̪əð] Note: jelly-fish.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeolltar
type of jelly-fish found clinging to fishing nets (Scalpay, Harris). (“o” as “ow” in “how”)
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrìgh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
sgeth-a’ ròin
Notes: jelly fish.
Origin: Applecross
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
sgianach
a small slice of meat, fish, etc.
Origin: ‘Islay connections’
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiath
Notes: fin of a fish.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiollag
[skẅɫɑ̟ɡ] any small fish.
Location: North Argyll
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiolltar (Bays) (jelly fish)
phosphorescence in the sea.
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
sgiulag
a small fish.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiullagas
[sɡʹu̜ɫəɡəs] Note: a fish of the “leóbag” variety. Long with irregular dark blotches.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgleòtag
Notes: a variety of fish. Source: Mrs Margaret MacLeod, Point, Lewis. Date: 1989.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgleòtag
Notes: young cole fish = smalag in series cudaig, smalag, saoidhean, ucas.
Origin: Garrabost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgobadh
Notes: nibbling of fish at hook.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgolldair
[sɡ[ɤu̜]ɫd̪əɾ] Notes: jelly-fish.
Location: Ross-shire, Achnahaird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgolt
Notes: split (fish). Dogfish, mackerel, cod, ling, saithe, etc. – from the tail down. Flat fish. Cut in the fish, when salting.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgoltadh
disembowelling (fish) but Cha ’eil sgoltadh aige de a their e – he does seem to break apart from telling such ‘fictitious’ matter or untrue verbal matter. [NOTES: the quotation on the slip reads ‘Chan eil sgoltadh aige dé their e.’ Definition: 1. Disembowelling of fish. 2. (above) “he does seem to break apart from telling such ‘fictitious’ matters”!]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgròbadh
taking fish off the hooks as from the hooks of great-lines. A club or a hook with a wooden handle is used; the fish is hooked on the surface of the sea from the boat, to avoid the strain, or a strain coming on the line thus endangering the loss of the fish. Being pulled by the ‘snid’, could perhaps be the means of a hook loosing its grip. The whole operation is termed ‘sgròbadh’. (Harris)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgròbadh
taking off the fish.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
sgumaire
‘scummering’, a person involved in the process of netting salmon or any fish, small fish, by applying a spoon under it in the water or sea to lift [it] on to the boat or embankment.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgumaireachd
brailing herring from a net, a bag net action of lifting fish. The bag net is pushed under the fish and lifted on board or on to the shore.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
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
siab
strike (the fish).
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sigeach
[ʃiɡʹɑx] Notes: limp, as a fish which is not fresh.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sigeach
[ʃıɡɑx] Quot.: Tha ’n t-iasg sin gu math sigeach. Note: when a fish loses its firmness – limp.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siol
siol, the fish spawned into life, from the embryo into the ‘baby fish’, virginal form.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siol
Quotation: Toll an t-sìl. Notes: opening on the underside of a fish through which it spawns.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siolla
[ʃwɫə] Note: milt in a fish.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siollagan
small fish found on the strand.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sioman
a heather rope above the fire used to dry clothes or fish.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siulla
[ʃu̜ɫə] Note: male sperm in fish.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slaman
Note: slime, as on fish, seaweed, etc.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slaopadh
[sɫw:pəɣ] Notes: process of pouring boiling water on shellfish and shaking until the shell and fish separated.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sliobach
[ʃlʹibɑx] Quot.: (1) iasg sliobach. (2) buntàta sliobach. Note: (1) very soft, watery fish. (2) watery potatoes.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sloc
Quotation: sloc iasgaich. Notes: a suitable rock to fish from.
Location: South Uist, Eochdar, Balgarva
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smalag
a coal fish which is two seasons old.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snodh
ripple to the nose of a fish swimming near the surface; gut. Fishing gut.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
snòt
[sn̪ɔ:t̪] Notes: ripple made by a fish.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
soll
mussels, limpets, crabs, in fact, any shell-fish, mashed up with a stone and thrown into the sea to attract fish. Boiled cold potatoes, crushed in the hand were sometimes used when enough shell-fish could not be had.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
soll
[sɤu̜ɫ] Notes: mashed shellfish thrown out to attract fish.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
solladh
crushed crabs, limpets etc. to attract fish to the rock.
Origin: Barra
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
spealltag
[spjɑu̜ɫt̪ɑɡ] Notes: a fish which has been split open.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spoltadh
carve up into pieces, e.g. meat, fish.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sporan dallaig
this fish species having pouches, through which spawning process comes into existence.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sporan-stàrraig
the spawning pouch from which the early stages of the dog-fish maturing process is attributed thus: [see illustration]. [SLIP: The spawning pouch (dog-fish).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spreadh
Quotation: a’ spreadhadh iasg [spɾeəɡ]. Notes: triple hook attached to a line and pulled through a shoal of fish. (acfhuinn spreadhaidh)
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spreadhadh
Quotation: acfhuinn spreadhaidh. Notes: triple hook attached to a line and pulled through a shoal of fish.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
spring
rope to which fish nets are tied.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sput fish
razorfish.
Location: [Mull], Tobermory
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
sput fish > squibs, razorfish
[?] 23 [Razor and Sunset Shells, and Gapers].
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spéiligeadh
Quotation: a’ spéiligeadh iasg. Notes: splitting fish by cutting it down the back close to the bone.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spònaigeadh
spawning (fish).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sruc
draw flesh, fowl or fish off bones by lips and teeth.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stiora
[ʃtʹwɾə] Note: fish of the shark variety larger than a dogfish. Not eaten.
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stir
[ʃtʹiɾ] Notes: barb, as in fish such as gunnard, dogfish, etc. pl. [ʃtʹiɾəṉ].
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stopadh
blockage. I have heard of an operation performed on the throat gullet [sic] of a hen by cutting through externally and removing the internal obstruction (with a razor blade) when a foreign body stuck in her gullet, and this operation seemingly being the only alternative medical aid (done locally). The wound of course was sown. If it was a success, if the wound healed, I can’t say. With human beings, if an obstruction of a minor event came forward, say, fish bones stuck in the throat, the cure, or the precautions taken, was to swallow oatcakes, coarse food chewed and swallowed, thus pressing, bringing with it the swallowed bones from their undesirable place, or phase [sic].
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stragaidh (n.)
Notes: used of the catch of fish in a net.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
straulaich
equally scattered amount as fish in a net.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strùpan mùinean
spout fish.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suil-òr
small fish, golden eye?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùil-an-òir
[su̟:lən̪ɔ:ɾ] Notes: “a small fish about the size of a cuddy or smaller. Has golden coloured scales which come off easily.”
Origin: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùil-òir
[su̟:lɔ:ð] Note: cuddy-sized fish found near the shore. Golden-pink colouring. D.J. says they look like Norwegian pout from the Book on Fishes.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarbh na sialaig
a fish which could be caught in creels.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarbh-dhearganach (sp?)
[t̪ɑɾijɛɾɑɡɑ̃ṉɑx] Notes: a fish, about a foot in length and red-bellied, which used to come up the Spey about forty years ago. “Charfish” suggested by D.S.
Origin: Drumguish, by Kingussie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarbh-shìolag
Notes: small fish that stings and causes drowsiness.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teine de
ringworm. There is a tradition which says that this can be cured by the application of the blood of a black cockerel. Similarly toothache can be relieved by the application of fish oil and whisky. [NOTES: note added – shingles?]
Location: South Uist, Smerclete
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll
Quotation: toll an t-sìl. Notes: in a fish – opening through which it spawns.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll an t-sìl
on the belly of the fish.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toll-lion
fish hold (boat). [NOTES: slipped under ‘toll-lìon’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tonnag
[t̪on̪ɑɡ] Quot.: tonnag langainn. Note: small fish found inshore – probably the young ling. Got under stones at very low tide.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
total
[t̪ɔt̪ɑɫ] Quot.: “total fhaoileag”. Note: a flock of seagulls wheeling about near the surface of the sea where fish are.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
traille
Notes: tusk fish.
Origin: Garrabost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
troille
Note: torsk (fish).
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
troille
[t̪ɾɔlʹə] tusk (fish).
Origin: Uig
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
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
tuinn-ghròd
applied to water that was left overnight with fish in that water. [NOTES: ‘ghròd’ corrected to ‘ghrod’.]
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
turbaid
turbot (fish).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
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
ucsa
coal-fish (as termed on Harris).
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uillean eisg
oil coming off fish and seen on the sea’s surface.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
èibheis éisg
a welcome catch of fish.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
òrd
Notes: a cut of fish.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òrd
Quotation: òrd de dh’iasg. Notes: a good portion of fish. Could be as much as half.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òrdugh
Quotation: òrdugh éisg; ’na ghearradh na òrdughan. Notes: fish-steak.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
‘Ring-Net’
So lion mór fada air oibreachadh eadar da bhàta. Leis an lion so tha iad ga chur mun chliath sgadain anns an uisge agus a’ crodhadh a’ sgadain ann gus an tig an da bhata gu cheile. Tha iad an sin a’ togail an sgadain chun an uachdair is ga sgumaireachd do bhàta eile. Cha bu toigh le iasgairean nan ‘Drift-nets’ an dòigh iasgaich so idir. Bha iadsan a’ cumail a mach gu robh an dòigh so a’ glacadh an sgadain mus tigeadh e gu ìre, gur e sgadan air a lannaigeadh (scaled fish) a bh’ann leis a mhoran laimhseachadh a bha iad a’ deanamh air mus ruigeadh e port, is gu robh an dòigh so a’ glacadh a chula seòrsa sgadain, beag, mór agus spent, is gu robh móran dheth ga bhàthadh is gun fheum airson min éisg fhein. Cha robh móran feum anns an sgadan so airson a’ chutadh, is bhiodh e air a’ reic ri bhanaichean a ruitheadh gach sgìre leis ga reic bho dhorus gu dorus, ach bha a chuid mhór dheth a dol chun a’ factoraidh far an robh e air a phronnadh sios, an ola air a thoirt as, is an còrr a bhiodh air fhàgail dheth air a thionndadh ’na thodhar Gallda, ’na bhiadh mhucan is ’na bhiadh chearcan.
Origin: [Lewis], Dail a Tuath or [Lewis], Suaineabost [Swainbost] or [Lewis], Lional
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle

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