Search


à   è   ì   ò   ù   á   é   í   ó   ú
  • ? - Any single letter
  • ~ - Any sequence of vowels
  • * - Sequence of any letters
    
Search Scope
  •  
  •  

  
Loading...

There were 465 hits for sea

2. Swings, sea-saws etc.
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co., [Lochaber]) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.)
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
6. Weather and the sea
Category: Sìde / Weather
6. Weather and the sea
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
6. Weather and the sea
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
6. Weather and the sea
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
6. Weather and the sea
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
6. Weather and the sea
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
6.1. A calm sea
Category: Sìde / Weather
6.1. A calm sea
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
6.1. A calm sea
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
6.1. A calm sea
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
6.1. A calm sea
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
6.1. A calm sea
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
6.4. A choppy sea
Category: Sìde / Weather
6.4. A choppy sea
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
6.4. A choppy sea
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
6.4. A choppy sea
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
6.4. A choppy sea
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
6.4. A choppy sea
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
6.5. A stormy sea
Category: Sìde / Weather
6.5. A stormy sea
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
6.5. A stormy sea
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
6.5. A stormy sea
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
6.5. A stormy sea
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
6.5. A stormy sea
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
8.3. Sea mist
Category: Sìde / Weather
8.3. Sea mist
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Sìde / Weather
8.3. Sea mist
Origin: Harris, Horgabost or Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Sìde / Weather
8.3. Sea mist
Origin: Mull, Tobermory
Category: Sìde / Weather
8.3. Sea mist
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
8.3. Sea mist
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Sìde / Weather
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
Edible sea-weed
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Là a’ Bhrochain Mhóir
Maundy Friday when according to informant porridge was poured into the sea to ensure adequate supply of seaweed.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
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
Muirteuchd
Dead Sea.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Western Isles. Celtic spiral circle. Inside these islands and sea intertwined.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Rocabarra
Rockall, sea rock, reef etc. roughly 200 miles west of the Outer Hebrides.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Sea-pools
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Cluer
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
Sea-pools, waves
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
Sea-pools, waves
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
Sea-pools, waves
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
Sea-pools, waves
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
Sea-weed
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Stàmh na mara
sea tangle. [NOTES: ‘Stàmh’ corrected to ‘Stamh’.]
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[Aodh]
Ag eigheach air Aodh – this is what the Uist people say when a man is sea-sick and vomiting.
Location: Killearn
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[beul]
Bith dùil ri beul cuain ach cha bhith dùil ri beul uaghach. If a person was lost at sea you would expect the body to be washed ashore. This is not the case with the conventional burial.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[cuir-an-àird]
An anail aige cuir-an-àird (term) – patches of bubbles on surface of sea, caused by expulsion of air from the swim-bladders of herring rising.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
[cur]
A’ cur air a’ chloich – putting the stone. A’ cur air an dòrnaig – putting the stone. Tha a’ muir a’ cur orm. – I am sea-sick. A’ cur an eòrna – sowing barley. A’ cur an t-sneachd – snowing. A’ cur thairis – overflowing. A’ cur nan cleas dheth [dhith? – unclear] – gambolling. A’ cur bhuaidhe – relieving himself (call of nature). A’ cur a mach – vomiting.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
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
[diachainn]
rud-a-dh’fhagad[sic]-a-muir leis-an-diachainn – what the sea unobserved to carry as not considered valid... and still sorry in doing [?] so when we have: diachainn = dichuimhn’ [?] – forgetfulness.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
[foretelling bad weather 1]
An cuan a bhi mosach. Influence of a gale on the sea-state hours before it actually comes.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
[losgadh]
phosphorescence in the sea. Tha e losgadh roimh sròin (of boat). Chì mi a’ losgadh e.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
[muran]
[sea bent.]
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[note]
[NOTES: numbers refer to illustrations in Collins Pocket Guide to the Sea Shore (London, 1967) but the fieldworker included most of the definitions anyway. The missing definitions have been copied in square brackets.]
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[salann]
An fhairge shalainn. The salt sea.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[salting]
(salting butter –  essential to use ground sea-salt, butter then put into jars and cabbage leaf put on top) (salting eels – salting eels and then hanging out to dry) (salting meat – pickle not ready until a small potato could float) (salting cod, smallag, cuideag, saoithean)
Location: Harris, Ardvey
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
[streacadh]
Bàta a’ streacadh air a’ mhuir – a boat ploughing its way through the sea.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sùgh]
Eodar an t-sugh is an t-slat. Between the devil and the deep sea. [NOTE in second hand: Eodar corrected to Eadar.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a sluaisreadh
sound of sea when sea comes in and out of bay etc.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Horgabost
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
acair
Quotation: Bha i cosmhail ri acair an aranach. Notes: He was so careful that he always kept his anchor ashore even when he put to sea. When the storm came, he had none to save him.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ailean-bodadha
[ɑlɑṉbɔd̪ˈɑə] Note: a sea-bird which forces seagulls to disgorge its [sic] food, and swallows it itself. Probably the skua.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
airigh iasgaich
an onshore shieling made of turfs and used by fisherman. Located near the sea.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an conaghail
where two sea currents meet.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
an t-each bàn
little white eddies on the sea surface. Indicating gales and high winds.
Location: South Uist, South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
annlag
sea martin.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
annlag mhara
a small sea swallow.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aodach-mara
sea outfit, as oilskins, etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aorunn
a plain by the sea. (Kintyre)
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ashadh
storm tossed, rough passage as at sea. Fhuair iad ashadh a dol tarsainn a’ chuain an dé. (Harris)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
at
Quotation: an cuan ag at. Notes: heavy swell appearing on the sea.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ bristeadh
that area of sea about half a mile from the shore where the waves began to break.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ gabhail a cotach
means that the sea will absorb all rain water. [NOTES: ‘cotach’ corrected to ‘codach’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ mhula-mhòid
dab-chick? on sea seen before stormy weather. Very small birds.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ballaichean-gloineadh
glass floats used on deep sea demersal trawl.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
batal
cluster of feeding gulls or other sea-birds.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
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
beul cuain
in the context of the sea delivering the body of someone lost at sea.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
biast-mhara
Notes: the sea-fluke on salmon, coming up river from the sea.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
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
bilearach
Notes: a green sea-grass growing in the sand. This was used at Bridgend to cover the potatoes in the pit as “luachair” was scarce there.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodhaig
the rounded part of the hull. ‘Tha bodhaig mhath aic.’ i.e. she is of generous proportions, sea-worthy.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bogha-làir
‘ground rock’ on the sea-bed which doesn’t show at ebb time, a rock getting its name through rising ‘bow’ shape slightly from the bottom of the sea. [SLIP: Rock on the sea-bed which doesn’t show at ebb-tide.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
boinnearachd
wetness, water, sea. “An sgadan a’ snàmh ’sa bhoinnearachd.”
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bota
Quotation: pl. botaichean. Notes: piece of broken land either on the moor or where the sea comes in.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bousigeadh
sea-sawing. (The first part of the word is pronounced like the English bow i.e. bow of a ship.)
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
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
bradan
28 [Salmon] breac (iasg geal; descending to sea) > guilse (at [?] sea and growing) > bradan.
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
branndair
a sort of dam which takes fresh water out to sea. Has iron rods across it to prevent clogging by seaweed.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breac-geal
sea-trout.
Origin: Geàrrloch (Loch Iubh) [Gairloch (Loch Ewe)]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
breac-mar
[bɾɛkmɑɾ] Notes: sea trout.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
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
collar made from sea bent.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
briost
Notes: stone wall, next the sea. Cf. SND, s.v. breist, 4 (a) ‘The cobbled slipway forming the front of a harbour’.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bristeadh cladaich
roar of the sea.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
broilleanach
sea (being) churned, tidal motion, perhaps from bruailleanach. [SLIP: Used of a churning tidal-motion.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bròn
Quotation: Chan eil bròn air a’ mhuir. Notes: (Lewis?) The sea in calm?
Origin: [North Uist?]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bròn mara
the sea hardly breaking on the skerries.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bròn-mara
sea-sorrow.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brùc
(non-edible) Brùc a’ mhuil – tangle and sea-weed, washed up by rough sea; used as fertiliser.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brùchd
Notes: seaweed deposited on the beach by the sea.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brùic (f), brùca (gen)
rotted sea-weed, at high-tide mark (N.E.).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
builgean-sàile
sea bubble.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàirich
crashing waves, roar of the sea. [Cf. cafadh.]
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bànag
sea trout.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
bànag
sea-trout.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bànag
Note: sea trout.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bànag
Note: sea-trout.
Origin: Scarista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàrr-ròc
(also) seaweed nearest the surface. [SLIP: Seaweed nearest surface of sea.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàta-mara
sea boat. ’S e bàta-mara math th’innte. (already noted perhaps)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàta-mara
sea boat. Is e bàta-mara math a h-innte [sic] – a good sea boat. [NOTES: slipped under ‘bàta’. Quotation: ’Se bàta-mara math a th’innte. Definition: Sea-boat.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòdhag
plover or sea-lark.
Category: Eòin / Birds
bòtainn
Quotation: bòtainnean [bɔ:t̪ĩnʹəṉ]. Notes: leather sea-boots, knee-length.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bòthag
lark, bird. Bòthag-mhara – sea-lark.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bù, bùi
a buoy. Equally a sea-mark or a buoy on a net.
Origin: [Kintyre, Tarbert]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
caibh (f sound)
sea spray travelling over land. “Tha caibh an t-sàil a’ milleadh na càraichean.” (Supplied by R. O’Henley.)
Origin: Baleshare
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caigean
a narrow pass flooded by the sea, tidal.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
cail (f), calach (gen)
a meadow, damp by river, loch, or sea edge (N.E. and Perths.).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caislib (-ean)
a wide expanse of sea water.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Gearradh Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cala
Quotation: cal-fhaoileag [kɑɫw:lɑɡ]. Notes: flock of seagulls, as over a patch of sea where herring are present.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caolas
Quotation: Caolas Od Odrum. Notes: sea between St. Kilda and Uist.
Origin: Skye
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
caran-creige
sea-porcupine.
Location: Uibhist a Tuath, Ceann a Bhàigh [North Uist, Bayhead]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
carbhanach
Note: common sea bream.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carragh-bhaite
[sic] a block of stone fixed, part of the sea shore, jutting with the top on the point of getting submerged as the tide rises. The sea hardly covering the top, in other words, now and again showing in the slight movement of the sea. Something like: tonn-bhàite.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
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
cat-tràghad
[kɑt̪ɾɑ:ɣəd̪] Notes: sea-urchin.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Laide, Portnacon
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cathair
Quotation: cathair-shìomain. Notes: chair with wooden frame covered on back and seat by plaited sea-bent.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann mara
Where boundary or marsh touches the sea or loch.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
ceann-an-duine-mharbh
Notes: used locally for sea-urchin.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-cat-mara
[cɤ̃ũ̜n̪kɑt̪mɑɾ] Notes: sea urchin.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-cat-tràghad
Notes: sea-urchin.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann-mara
Notes: end of fence extending into the sea, to prevent access by animals.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
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
ceann-mara
Notes: sea urchin.
Origin: Coigach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cearc-mhara
seabird, ‘sea hen’.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceò
Quotation: ceò fairge. Notes: sea mist.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceòl-mara
sea sound (music), sound of the sea.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cioch
Quot.: cioch-na-gruagaich. Note: sea anemone.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cioch
Quotation: cioch na mnàtha sìthe [cıɔxṉəmṉɑ̃əʃi:ə]. Notes: sea anemone. [NOTES: slipped under ‘cioch-na-mnatha-sìthe’.]
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cioch
Quotation: cioch nan creag. Notes: sea anemone. [NOTES: slipped under ‘cioch-nan-creag’.]
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cioch dhearg
Notes: sea anemone. Sometimes called “cioch a’ chladaich”.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cioch-mara
Note: sea-anemone.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cioch-mhara
Notes: sea-anemone.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cioch-mharadh
Notes: sea anemone.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cioch-na-bean-shìth
Note: sea anemone.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciocha-nan-creag
Notes: sea anemone.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciochag-thràghaid
Notes: sea anemone.
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
[cısɑṉ] Note: small round basin made of sea-bent.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cireasail (-aich)
sniggering, giggling. Also in sense of rising waves in choppy sea.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciànrag (-an)
a basket woven from reed, willow or sea bent.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clabag
Quotation: (1) Tha clabag mhath oirre. (2) Phàigh e clabag mhath air. Dh’fhàg e clabag mhath. Notes: (1) Of wind causing a choppy sea. Cf. Applecross clabach. (2) Of sum of money.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clabail
a sharp sea.
Location: [South Uist], Daliburgh (Schoolhouse)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clach
Quotation: a’ mhuir-chlach. Notes: (1) shingle thrown up by the sea. (2) raised beach.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliath
three large waves that occur at intervals at sea.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnagan-feannaig
sea-urchin.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach, Portrìgh [Skye, Portree]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
cnagan-starraig
sea-urchin.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnagan-starraig (m)
Notes: sea-urchin elsewhere, cnagan-faoileig, etc.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnogan feannaig
sea urchin.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach, Stafainn [Skye, Staffin]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
cnogan feannaig
sea urchin.
Location: Isle-of-Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
cnogan grunna
sea urchin.
Location: Isle-of-Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
cnogan starraig
sea urchin.
Location: Isle-of-Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
cnogan tràghad
sea urchin.
Location: Isle-of-Lewis, Shawbost
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
cobhar-mara
sea froth.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cogag
[kɔɡɑɡ] Quotation: Tha cogagan air a’ mhuir. Notes: lumps of foam on the sea, as seen running before the wind.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
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
coile-bianan
[kɤləbĩɤ̃ṉɑṉ] Notes: phosphorescence at sea.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coileach
Quotation: Tha i a’ gabhail coilich [əɡɑɑlkɑliç]. Notes: flecks of white foam appearing on the sea as the wind rises.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coilean mhara
[kɔ̣lʹən vɑ˖rɑ˖] Notes: sea urchin.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coilleag
Quot.: “coilleagan murain”. Note: Bernera, Harris. Sand dunes with sea-bent growing on them.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coinean mara (conan mara)
27a [Common Sea Urchin].
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coltas
signs of herring like oily sea or gannets etc.
Origin: Barra
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
comhtharr(adh)
Quotation: “Dé ’n comhtharr’ a bha thu air?” Notes: What was your position (at sea)?
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
comhtharradh
Quotation: “a’ gabhail comhtharran”. Notes: taking bearings at sea.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conan mara
[kɔ̣nɑ˖n mɑ˖rɑ˖] Notes: sea urchin.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conan mara
a sea urchin. [Cf. cròcan feannaig.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conan mara
sea urchin.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conan-mara
Notes: sea-urchin.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conan-mara
Notes: sea urchin.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conan-mara
Notes: sea urchin. (Tiree)
Origin: Tiree?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conna-ghugag
a sea shell about the size of a small hen’s egg and shaped like so.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conochgag
oyster shell? You can hear the echo of the sea if you put it close to your ear.
Location: Milngavie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cop-sàil
sea-foam.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corradaireachd
peeping over the side of a boat at sea. Bha e corradaireachd tha [sic] a cliathaich.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corran
a reef, jutting out to sea.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corran
Notes: sand bank jutting out to sea.
Origin: Bayhead
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cragan feannaig
sea-urchin.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
cragan feannaig
[kɾɑ̃ɡɑ̃ṉ fjɑ̃ṉɑ̃ɡʹ] Notes: sea urchin found at very low tide.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cragan-feannaig
Notes: sea-urchin.
Location: Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cragan-feannaig
Notes: sea urchin.
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cragan-feannaig
Notes: sea-urchin.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cragan-feannaig
Notes: sea-urchin.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cragan-feannaig
Notes: sea-urchin. (Harris)
Origin: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cragan-starraig
Notes: sea-urchin.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cragan-starraig
Note: sea-urchin.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cragan-tràghad
Sea urchin. Chan eil iad an Nis idir is cha mhotha thachras slige dhuibh [sic] ri duine air an tràigh. Tha iad pailt ri cladaichean Rudha an Tiumpain. Is ann le tràigh reodhart a chithear iad an crochadh ri na sgeirean. Is ann ainneamh a chi thu fear beò os cionn uachdair na mara – bidh iad ris an sgeir mu oirleach no dha fo’n uachdair. Mus tàinig na h-‘ornaments’ gu bhith cho pailt bhiodh cuid a’ toirt dhachaidh feadhainn aca, gan glanadh a mach, a’ suathadh dhuibh [sic] nan gathan is gam peantadh. Rachadh lus a chur annta, gu h-àraidh lus mar seamrag a dh’fhàsadh sios ceithir thimchioll orra agus is minig a chunna mi tri dhuibh [sic] troimh uinneig crochaid mar tri ballaichean ‘pawn-shop’. Chleachd fear mór dhuibh [sic] air a ghlanadh a bhith aig Fuaran Cladach a’ Bhàta, far an togadh tu deoch leis nuair nach ruigeadh tu le do bhus air an uisge.
Location: Lewis, Port of Ness, Lionel
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
cragan-tràghad
Note: sea-urchin.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cragan-tràghad
Sea urchin.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
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
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
crocan-starraig
sea-urchin.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crocan-starraig
sea-urchin. (This term also used on Scalpay or the term used on Scalpay.)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crogan
sea urchin.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
crogan feannaig
sea urchin.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crogan-feannaig
sea-urchin.
Location: Uibhist a Tuath, Ceann a Bhàigh [North Uist, Bayhead]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
crogan-feannaig
Notes: sea urchin.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cronan-mara
sea shanty.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crotul
lichen. Crotul-coille neo crotul nan creag was associated with ill-luck when in the form of knitwear. A [sic] crotul-coloured socks on a person going to sea meant ill-luck, pointing to ‘crotul nan creag’ in particular.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
cròcan feannaig
a sea urchin. [Cf. conan mara.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròcan feannaig
sea urchin.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crògan feannaig
sea urchin.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuanluasgadh
tossed about by the sea. “Nach iad a fhuair an cuanluasgadh.”
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuir
Quotation: “Tha cuir mhór air a’ chuain.” Notes: The sea is in turmoil. [NOTES: slipped under ‘cur’.]
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càir
Quotation: “Tha càir-gheal air an oitir.” Notes: foam on the sea, caused by the spring tide going over the edge of the oitir (q.v.).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càrnagan
sea eels.
Location: South Uist, Smerclete
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càrsan
[kɛ:rsɑN] the hoarse sound of rising sea and wind. Tha càrsan beag ann anochd.
Origin: [Kintyre, Tarbert]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cìreanach
Quot.: na cìreanaich. Note: combers on the sea.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deargannan tràghad
sea lice found on shore, seaweed, tangles, etc.
Location: Barra, Earsharry [Earsary]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deile-bhogain
meaning is now more precise – a sea-saw.
Origin: [Harris]
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
diùraidean
mussel like shells found on wood that was long in the sea. The grub of this shellfish left the wood riddled with large holes bored through it; like wood worm, but on a much larger scale.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druim
herring showing plentiful on the surface seems to appear, or make the surface look like having a lump, back, as lifting the sea up a bit visionary. Bha druim air a’ mhuir leis. – expression.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ducair
[ḏu̟kɑɾ] Notes: dooker (sea-bird).
Location: Romasdal
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dìog
in the sense of a sea channel. Usually found after the tide has gone out. [NOTES: corrected to ‘dìg’.]
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
each seabhaid
Notes: a stray horse. Adj. sea(bh)dail/seo(bh)dail.
Location: Skye, Strath
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
eun-mara
sea-bird.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eòlas
Quotation: “eòlas fairge”. Notes: sea experience.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
falach-cuain
out of view on the sea. When a vessel overtakes the other and will follow on her course until she makes a “falach cuain dhi”.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faoileag
“sea-gull”.
Category: Eòin / Birds
faoileag
Quotation: cal-fhaoileag [kɑɫw:lɑɡ]. Notes: flock of seagulls, as over a patch of sea where herring are present.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faoileag-gheal
crested sea, crested waves, etc. [SLIP: ‘White-crested wave’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faoilinn
sea-gull.
Category: Eòin / Birds
farg
entrails of sea birds. Dried and used as thread when sowing [sic] [sewing?] soft leather.
Location: North Uist, [Carinish], Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feadan
(also) exposed place by the open sea. Anns na feadain. (Scalpay)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feamainn bhuidhe neo buidheagach
loch water running into the sea had the effect of turning the seaweed to a yellow colour. Not very good as a fertiliser.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feamainn chìreanach
small curly sea-weed. This used to be boiled and given to cows. They were very fond of it and often went to the shore to eat it of their own accord. Sheep did the same. Each of the above sea-weeds is to be found at a certain level of low-water. Feamainn chìreanach is nearest high-water mark.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
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
feamaire
sea-weed.
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
feartag
sea thrift.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feirst
a small channel of sea water on the shore.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay, Gearradh Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fideach
wet grassy flat, by side of river, loch, sea.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fidean
sea plantain [?], choice pasture for cattle and sheep.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiteagan murain
patches of sea bent. [NOTES: note added above ‘t’ in ‘fiteagan’ – d.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fo-shàl
‘submarine’ part. Tha e coimhead glé mhath fo-shàl. – a ref. to a boat, even when ashore beached away from the sea.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foir iath
a sea cruise within sight of land.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuil na bothaig
Na bothaig neo na bothaig mhara (not a plant of course) – blood of the lark or sea-lark being taken. Disease: asthma (sac, caoidh). Part used / How prepared: le [?] small quantities, in drops I would imagine… Drinking some of it, a little now and again, I presume. Sources of information: traditionally.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
fuirean
plant growing by sea. (Lewis)
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fàs-dhiobhairt
nausea, feeling sea-sick.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gabh
Quotation: Tha i a’ gabhail coilich [əɡɑɑlkɑliç]. Notes: flecks of white foam appearing on the sea as the wind rises.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gabh
Quotation: a’ gabhail comhtharran. Notes: taking bearings at sea.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gad
a fleet of lobster pots, stringed in the sea. [SLIP: A series of lobster pots strung out on the surface of the sea.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaille-pionain
phosphorescence in the sea.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gala-bianain
phosphorescent light in the sea. Scalpay rendering gala-bianain, whereas in other sources gula-bianain.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gao
inlet of sea, marsh by sea.
Origin: [Strathglass]
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
garadh a’ bhaile
dry-stone dyke enclosing cultivated part of village (about ½ mile from sea-shore).
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
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
garstan
(gartan) Part of shore where sea-grass grows and is exposed at low tide: pasture attractive to cattle.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
geadag
Note: grilse (young salmon on its first trip back from the sea).
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geallag
Notes: sea-trout.
Location: Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geallag
Notes: sea-trout.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geallag
Notes: sea trout.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gearra-bhoc
[ɡʹɑrɑvɔxk] Notes: sea urchin.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geotha
a sea cliff.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gigean
Notes: sea-urchin.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giulla
Quot.: “An ann a giulla a fhuair thu ’n t-iasg sin?” “Eil thu dol a’ ghiulla a nochd?” (iulla – ?) Note: fly-fishing (sea).
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gluba
sea pool.
Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
glumaradh
the noise of the sea, of wavelets against the hull of a boat. [SLIP: Noise of wavelets against the side of a boat.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
goile-brianain
phosphorescent light in the sea or on fish.
Origin: Barra
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
gothadh
a jerk forward. Thug e gothadh as – referring to a person falling from a pier or wall into the sea – ’s chaidh e, neo thuit e mach air a’ mhuir (1). (2) there is the word “goth” – judging.
Location: Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gothadh
jerk when peeping as a boy over the side of the boat and gives a jerk and goes over the side into the sea.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
graulachan
[?] collection of shell [sic] (not shellfish) from the bottom of the sea (Harris) (old form). [NOTES: possibly ‘griaulachan’ – not clear if ‘i’ was crossed out.]
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grean
bottom of sea (loch, etc.).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grinneal
gravel. ’S a ghrinneal ghorm – ‘blue bottom of the sea’. [SLIP: Gravel; (above [i.e. the quotation]:) blue (?) bottom of the sea.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gruagan
the sea-weed species.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grunnachadh
lead line detection in seamanship. [SLIP: Feeling the bottom of the sea with a lead line.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grunnaich
paddle in the sea. (Éir.)
Location: ? [Eriskay – see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grunnd
nn ‘[sea]bed’ : chaidh iomdha rud an ~ a’ chuain; fhuair e ‘-mach gun deachaidh an Titanic fodha dhan gh. [u:]; nach deachaigh nighean an Diabhail dhen Titanic a chur dhan ghrunnd
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
gròbadh
makeshift repair of nets whilst at sea.
Location: Eriskay, Na Hann [Haun]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gròbadh ri cheile
temporary repair of nets at sea.
Location: [South Uist], South Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gulmag
sea lark.
Location: Barra, Earsharry [Earsary]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàir cladaich
roar of the sea.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàiraich nan tonn
sound of sea.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Cluer
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
hìl-a-bhógain
sea-saw. [NOTES: the slip has ‘hìl-a-bhogain’.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iasg geal
29 [Sea Trout].
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iasg-geal
salmon, sea-trout.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ibe
pollution, dirt which accumulates at the bottom of the sea and which when disturbed floats up just beneath the sea’s surface. Thereafter occupies a position called ‘eadar dha lionn’, neither sinking nor floating.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
innis-mara
sea island.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
iochdar-nan-tonn
bottom of the waves, presumably the bottom of the sea.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lagh-na-mara
sea law.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lamaisteachadh
being weather, influenced not weather-beaten or being under the weather but being out in bad weather, soaked and fighting against the wind and rain, perhaps you could say in a sense weather-beaten. Weather-beaten ‘dreach nan sion’, a mariner or a sea-farer is always referred to as when having very fresh complexion as being weather-beaten.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lamraigeach
abounding in landing places by the sea-shore. From ‘lamaraig’ – a pier, jetty, or an appropriate place by or at the sea-shore where a boat could discharge material, anything. (Harris term, hardly used if ever now.)
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leitir
[lʹetʹəð] Quot.: leitir thana. Note: an area of flat rocks going out into the sea.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liaghag
seaweed moving to and fro in the sea water.
Location: Milngavie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
linne
bonn na h-aibhne, where it goes out to sea.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Cluer
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
liobhag
[lʹi:vɑɡ] Notes: grows on rocks (sea) like grass?
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lion-mara
[sic] sea net, for use in the sea.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lionaraich
Notes: a green, fine kind of grass growing on sea rocks, in wells, etc.
Location: Skye, Glasnakille
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lionaraich
[lʹĩɑ̃ṉɑɾiç] Note: green grass-like seaweed which grows on rocks over which the sea comes.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liumpanaich
long trailing sea-weed, string-like, which grows in thick patches in the summer. It can be dangerous to bathers. There is none in winter.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lom
Quotation: Bha am muir lom. Notes: The sea was calm.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
losgadh
Notes: phosphorescence in the sea.
Location: Melvaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
losgadh
Notes: phosphorescence in the sea.
Location: Raasay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luaireag-mhara
sea bird, sea teal duck.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lunn
[ɫũ̜:n̪] Notes: rise and fall of the sea on the face of a rock or steep beach without breaking.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làdachd
fullness. Thug e as làdachd. Fhuair i làdach [sic] ud. – volley as a battleship hitting another. Ex-navy men [sic] telling how in a sea battle, was heard saying describing the scene: Fhuair i làdach [sic] ud air a teis meadhonn. (Harris) (one meaning)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làgaraid
Notes: turmoil of the sea.
Location: Canada, Antigonish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làgaraid
a sea surge on shore or beach.
Location: Benbecula, Creagorry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làgaraid
a swift current in a narrow strait or in a sea loch.
Location: Lewis, Back
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làgarsaid
a surge of sea on beach, backwash.
Location: Benbecula, Creagorry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làgraid
the forward and receding tidal movement of the sea over the usual ebb and flow, signifying or a sign of approaching unsettled or stormy weather. (Word still in use.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làir-mhaide
Notes: sea-saw.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
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
làmhaich
Note: a sea-bird of the guillemot family. “Falc” and “eun-dubh” very like it.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làthach
[ɫɑ:hɑx] Notes: mud on the bottom of the sea or a loch.
Origin: South Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lìrean
[lʹi:ɾɑ̃ṉ] Quotation: or lìrean uaine. Notes: green growth which grows in wells and in the sea. Very noticeable in wells in dry weather. (Probably “lionanaich”.)
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lìrean
[lʹi:ɾɑṉ] Notes: (1) slimy green grass growing in wells. (2) brownish version grows in the sea – caught in nets.
Location: Ross-shire, Achnahaird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
machaire (f)
sea-meadow.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
magall
Quotation: magall gharbh. Notes: local name (Melvaig) for sea urchin.
Location: Melvaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
magan
sea-urchin.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mathair shiamain
thick rope made from sea bent tied round the top of the wall all round the house. Other ropes attached to this main rope to secure the thatch.
Location: North Uist, Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mathair uisge
a large ditch which carried the water of other drains/ditches towards the sea.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mealbhan
[mjɑ̃ɫu̜ɑ̃ṉ] Notes: sea-bent.
Location: Sutherland, Golspie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meapaid
[mɛ̃pɑdʹ] Notes: scrubber made originally from the roots of sea-bent.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mialagan-mara
could this be sea-mews, if there is such an English word. Yes – the word meaning to this effect. [NOTES: slipped under ‘mialag-mara’ with pl. mialagan-mara. Definition: Sea-mews (?).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mialan-tràghad
all the variety of the smallest creature found on the sea-shore. I can only remember having this term vaguely. The reference sounds quite healthy I think?
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miontonn
ripple (on sea, etc.).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mogulan garbh
sea urchin.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mol
shingles on the sea shore.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
molach
Quotation: Bha am muir glé mholach. Notes: The sea was very rough.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
morghail
bravery on sea.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muir
Quotation: Bha am muir lom. Notes: The sea was calm.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muir
Quotation: Bha am muir glé mholach. Notes: The sea was very rough.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muir-bàn
Note: foamy sea.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muir-dhorcha
dark coloured sea, of a dark brownish colour due to rainwater by the shore, only showing by the shore where the sea is shallow.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muir-ghlas
‘grey’ sea, green sea.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muir-lom
‘bare sea’, calm sea, calm.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muiridh (adj)
pertaining to sea; gen. ‘na mara’ more commonly used.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mulcaire
(also) but I am not sure of this one also as the name of a sea-bird but I faintly think there is a sea-bird of this name, it may not be among those already listed bird species. [SLIP: Some sort of seabird.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
muran
[mũ̟ɫɑṉ] [?] Notes: 1. sea bent. 2. warren of sand dunes.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
murrag
[mũ̜rɑɡ] Notes: flotsam of some value or use, e.g. timber, cask of whisky, which is cast up by the sea on the shore.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mùran
[mũ̟:ɾɑn] Notes: sea-bent.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Sangomore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mùran
[mũ:ɾɑ̃ṉ] Notes: sea-bent, sometimes used for thatching.
Location: Sutherland, Bettyhill, Skerray
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mùran
[mũ:ɾɑṉ] Notes: sea-bent.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
na cìochan
5 sea anemone; 6h [Plumose Anemone].
Location: Mull [see below for details]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
na fidean
salt marsh. Part of croft near sea.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
onatha
recede (as of the sea), surge. Onatha na mara. [NOTES: slipped under ‘onfhadh’. Quotation: Onfhadh na mara. Definition: Surge of the sea.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
onfhodh na mara
hum of sea.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Horgabost
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
os-cionn-nam-bòrd
deck cargo. This was a term in connection with sailors of the schooner days at sea, which became obsolete, yes, the term. Na bha os cionn nam bòrd – the hull.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
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
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
plubarsaich
movement of a person in the sea. Perhaps a corruption of ‘plubadaich’.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plumanaich
gentle sea, inshore areas.
Location: North Uist, Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plàta
Notes: home-made bag made of sea-bent for taking grain to the mill.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
port-mara
sea port.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
port-soithich
sea port.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pràisde
sea bent rope tied round the thatched house at horizontal intervals. “Thig còmhla rium a chuir pràisd(e) air an taigh.”
Location: North Uist, Grèinatobht [Grenitote]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
puta-suaip
a buoy marker, with a free allowance of movement in the sea.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
raodan
[rɤ:d̪ɑṉ] Note: the worm which eats holes in wood floating on the sea.
Origin: [Caversta]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
reothart
Quotation: reothart mór Fhéill Phàruig. Notes: also known as “reothart mór nan eun” – the sea birds wouldn’t nest until it was over.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
reudan
[re:d̪ɑṉ] Note: the insect which bores holes in wood which floats on the sea.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roc-ìseal
bottom sea tangle, submerged sea-tangle on the bottom or the floor of the sea.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roids
[rɔḏʃ] Quot.: roids de stoirm. Note: a fairly heavy storm – half-gale with a very rough sea.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roilleadh
Quotation: “Bha roilleadh anabarrach air a’ chuan.” Notes: the sea was heaving terribly or extremely rough.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruith
run. Tha ruith anns a mhuir. – the sea coming forward and receding, noticeable, more than usual, immediately coming forward and then receding. Perhaps it could be termed ‘làgraid’, but of a more demonstrable effect.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
raft. Rà feamainn – a collection of seaweed tied together or kept together by a fishing net in the sea.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rànnaich na mara
roar of the sea.
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
rèim-mara
sea scum; seen on a calm sea and left on the rocks after the receding tide.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rèip
mark. Reip [sic] na mara – the mark the sea leaves on the rocks after a high tide, especially a polluted sea.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròdhanaich na Samhna
have described this previously. In addition to that, sea bent (muran) was ripe at this time of year and large amounts of this would be cut and taken home.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròth
[rɔ:] Quotation: Mar a gheibh iad suas air a’ ròth e. Notes: where the sea leaves a deposit of seaweed. (H. Meek – “Fhuair mi anns an ròth e.”)
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròthanaich na mara
sound of sea carried on a still night.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sabh
[sɛv] Notes: aroma, e.g. of herring at sea when the oil comes to the surface after the dogfish have been at them.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sachdadh
the sea beginning to wheeze, to give a wheezing sound.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sad na mara
the venom of the sea.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sal tàimh
a quiet, calm stretch of sea, usually good as a fishing ground.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sathadh
pushing as a boat from the beach to the sea.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
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
sgeir
rock in sea.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Cluer
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
sgeir-nicDhuinn
place-name, name of a sea rock at Scalpay (MacQueen’s rock). (I have given an example of place-names at Scalpay, hereon, to show how words came to be applied likewise, which is attributable generally, and perhaps could point to some findings that could lead us to understand the variety of ways words were used.) [NOTES: slipped under ‘sgeir’ with ‘Sgeir Nic Dhuinn’ as the quotation. Definition: MacQueen’s Rock (Scalpay).]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeir-reamhar
‘fat rock’?; place-name, a sea rock at Scalpay.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgiolltar (Bays) (jelly fish)
phosphorescence in the sea.
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
sgliùrach
[sɡlu̟:ɾɑx] Note: young sea-gull.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrog
Notes: coral, found in sea lochs.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
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
sguab
Quot.: “sguab mhurain”. Note: broom made of sea-bent.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgubair
opening in a boat’s side by the gunwale to allow the water to run from the deck back to the sea, as in the event of the boat taking spray or seawater on board when in as storm; scupper.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
sgùil
[sɡu̟:l] Note: small-line basket, made of sea-bent.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgùm
[sɡũ̜:m] Notes: foam on the sea.
Location: Sutherland, Embo
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siaba
[ʃiɤbə] Quotation: siaba na mara. Notes: the foam (?) of the sea.
Location: Sutherland, Portskerra
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siabanaich
floating by the shore as sea-weed. Siabanaich ris a’ chladach. Fiamainn shiabaidh.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siol
Quot.: siol a’ bhradain. Note: very young salmon in rivers before entering the sea. (Also siol a’ bhànaig.)
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siolaich
Quotation: Nach e th’air siolachadh sios. Notes: sea or day quietened down.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sionnachan
phosphorescence in the sea.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sluaisreadh
the movement of the sand on the ebb-in heavy seas; or the action of the sea on the sand – the heavy seas, the waves curling over it, ‘shovelling’ it back and fore? (My own definition at the moment.) [SLIP: Movement of sand by sea.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slugan
a small gulf as in the stretch of sea between Illeray and Kirkibost.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slòcan
[sɫɔ:kɑṉ] Note: a sort of sea moss growing far out on a wild shore. Silky appearance.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smocan
1. Seaweed broken up by the action of the sea and cast ashore. 2. Red seaweed. [NOTES: spelled ‘smòcan’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
smùid-mhara
sea spray.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sniomh
Quot.: “sniomh na mara”. Note: movement of the sea, currents etc.
Origin: Caversta
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
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
sopag mùrain
a clump of sea bent. [NOTES: ‘mùrain’ corrected to ‘murain’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spàlag
an unsteady, unstable small boat on the surface of the sea.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spèic
spoke; spoke in a wheel, as an old salt used to put it: Bu mhath a nis a bhi air spèic bhuidhe – it would now be good to be at a yellow spoke, literally, etc. meaning in other words, or wishing being at sea steering a vessel.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sriuchdain
little wounds, skin breaking, etc. between [sic] of children; and also dryness of sea-salt caused by seawater drying, exposed to a dry wind, etc. etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sron-chòra
[sic] [sɾɔ̃:ṉxɔ:ɾə] Notes: waterspout caused by a whirlwind at sea. (sròn-chobhaire?)
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stann (-ain, -annan)
sea water drawn into these vessels [i.e. claisean tiachd (q.v.)?]. Regulated flow of salt into the vat.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
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
steamhag
sea tangle (Carmina Gadelica p. 205).
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stiapan
Quotation: stiapan/stèapan a’ bhùirn. Notes: (Cnoc Ard, Ness) Streaks of foam on sea, presaging rain. Dw. has stèapan ‘candle-wick’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stioghaidh
[ʃtʹwɣi] Note: area of small sand dunes with sea-bent growing on them. Plural: stioghaidhean.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strannaig
a mattress. Made from willow, sea grass, wool, flax, down of birds.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
streafonn
[st̪ɾɛfw̃n̪] Notes: root of the sea-bent. Used for making rope and saddles.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
struth
Quotation: struth uachdrach. Notes: surface current on the sea.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
struth
Quotation: struth iochdrach. Notes: underwater current in the sea.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stròm(e)
(noun) enclosure where the sea enters at a narrow inlet, the entrance ebbing at low spring tides. [Cf. stròmach.]
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suthail
swell on the sea.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sàl teth
Hot seawater. Disease: rheumatism. Part used / How prepared: bathed in hot sea-water. Putting the feet in a half bucket full of seawater – hot to the extent of the patient [sic] [patient’s?] acceptance of the temperature. Sources of information: traditionally.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
sìoman
Quotation: cathair-shìomain. Notes: chair with wooden frame, covered on back and seat by plaited sea-bent.
Location: North Uist, Bayhead, Kylis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sòpag (-an)
a large stook of sea bent.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùgh
Quotation: Sùgh air a’ chladach. Notes: sea-swell.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùmhlaich
gradually subsiding to an end as a boat beginning to sink under the sea. Shùmhlaich i sios.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùradh
[su̟:ɾɑɣ] Note: backwash (sea).
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùragh (an t sruth)
sruth a bualladh air sgeir agus a dol tiomchiol, also sea going back into sea from beach.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh
Category: Cruth na Tìre / Landscape Features
taidhleach (adj)
quiet, tranquil as sea; bright, splendid.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarrain
(also) recede. (Scalpay pronunciation) Nach anns a’ mhuir a th’an [sic] tarrain. [NOTES: slipped under ‘tarraing’. Quotation: Nach ann anns a’ mhuir a tha ’n tarraing. Definition: ‘Swell’ in the sea.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarraing
Quotation: Tha tarraing a tighinn a stigh as a chuan. Notes: ground swell at sea. A ground swell coming in indicated a change of weather.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarraing air a’ mhuir
the roaring of the sea with a white foamy surface. Signified wind after rain.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarraing mhór air a’ làn
this refers to the tide rolling up the shore and rushing out again. The extent of the ‘tarraing’ is measured by how far the sea rolls up the shore.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teine sionnachain
phosphorescence in the sea.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teine-bianan
Notes: phosphorescence on the sea – Sleat.
Location: Skye, Sleat
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teine-sionnachain
Notes: phosphorescence at sea.
Location: Skye, Broadford
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teine-sionnachain
Note: phosphorescence at sea.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tiachdadh
seawater dried on boots or shoes, leaving a white patch of dried sea-salt. Tha mo bhrògan air tiachdadh.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tiachdadh
drying (white) as sea-water. [SLIP: Drying white as if brine had soaked the thing.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tinneas-mara
sea-sickness.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobhadh
being pulled by a rope (as a boat pulling another one on the sea of course). [SLIP: To tow.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobhar-sàil
sea-ware (feamainn). [NOTES: the slip has ‘todhar-sàil’. Definition: Seaware.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
togail-na-mara
force of wind whipping the sea (exp.).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
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
toinneamh
twist, twist in a rope, surf in the sea, as: Tha toinneamh anns a’ mhuir.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
toiteal
smoke rising from a vessel at sea, or from a house. Tha e air toiteal a chuir an àird.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
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
tràigh
Quotation: cat-tràghad [kɑt̪ɾɑ:ɣəd̪]. Notes: sea-urchin.
Location: Sutherland, Durness, Laide, Portnacon
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
tórainn
[t̪o:ɾĩnʹ] Notes: a heavy, thunderous sound, as of the sea breaking on the rocks.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
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
éirigh
Quot.: “The éirigh as a’ mhuir.” Note: There is a swell on the sea.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
éisg-na-mara
fishes of the sea.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ìongnachan
[ĩ:ṉɑxɑṉ] Notes: sea-urchin. (Kenmore)
Origin: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
òrain-mhara
sea songs.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
‘feadan nam beann’
I have heard this term on Harris. I take it to be an area exposed to the sea where the wind shrieks more than anywhere else, between an irregularity of rocks and holes, thus a ‘whirlwind’ causing a whistling sound.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
‘fàile an t-saibh’
the smell of the sea, quite distinct on a calm day, at low ebb-tide.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
’g iasgach le slatan
sea angling.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
“seol mara”
sea weed cut off the rocks.
Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture

^ Return To Top ^