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There were 819 hits for dis

(a) diseases of the skin; warts, swellings, spots; ticks, worms: Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
(a) diseases of the skin; warts, swellings, spots; ticks, worms: Origin: Tiree
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
(a) diseases of the skin; warts, swellings, spots; ticks, worms found in the hide: Origin: Tiree
Category: Crodh / Cattle
(b) diseases of the head and neck: Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
(b) diseases of the head and neck: Origin: Tiree
Category: Crodh / Cattle
(b) diseases of the head, neck and throat: Origin: Tiree
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
(c) diseases of the bone structure: Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
(c) diseases of the bone structure: Origin: Tiree
Category: Crodh / Cattle
(c) diseases of the bone structure: Origin: Tiree
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
(d) diseases of the internal organs: Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
(d) diseases of the internal organs: Origin: Tiree
Category: Crodh / Cattle
(e) disease affecting the udder and milk production: Origin: Tiree
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
(e) diseases affecting the udder and milk production: Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
(e) diseases affecting the udder and milk production: Origin: Tiree
Category: Crodh / Cattle
1. Diseases in the head area: Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
1. Diseases in the head area: Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun, Knockan or Mull, Burg or Mull, Tobermory or Mull, Bunessan, Taoslainn
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
1. Diseases in the head area: Origin: [Barra]
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
10. Disease: Origin: [Barra]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
10. Diseases: Category: Crodh / Cattle
10. Diseases: Location: Lewis, Arnol
Category: Crodh / Cattle
10. Diseases: Location: Na Hearadh, Gòbhaig [Harris, Gobhaig]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
10. Diseases: Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Inverness Co.) or ([Canada], Victoria Co.)
Category: Crodh / Cattle
10. Diseases: Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Crodh / Cattle
10. Diseases: Origin: Barra
Category: Crodh / Cattle
10. Diseases: Origin: Geàrrloch [Gairloch]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
10. Diseases: Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Crodh / Cattle
10. Diseases: Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
10. Diseases: Origin: Leodhas [Lewis], Uig
Category: Crodh / Cattle
10. Diseases: Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun or Mull, Tobermory
Category: Crodh / Cattle
10. Diseases: Origin: Tiree
Category: Crodh / Cattle
10. Diseases: Origin: [Arran]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
10. Diseases: Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
10. Diseases: Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
10. Diseases: Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross-shire but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
2. Respiratory diseases: Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
2. Respiratory diseases: Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun, Knockan or Mull, Burg or Mull, Tobermory or Mull, Bunessan, Taoslainn
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
2. Respiratory diseases: Origin: [Barra]
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
3. Diseases/insects which attack the particular crop(s): Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
3. Diseases/insects which attack the particular crop(s): Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
3. Diseases/insects which attack the particular crop(s): Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
3. Diseases/insects which attack the particular crop(s): Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
3. Diseases/insects which attack the particular crop(s): Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
4. Potato diseases: Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
4. Potato diseases: Location: [Arran? see the comment under 3]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
4. Potato diseases: Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
4. Potato diseases: Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
4. Potato diseases: Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
8. Skin diseases not already mentioned: Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
8. Skin diseases not already mentioned: Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun, Knockan or Mull, Burg or Mull, Tobermory or Mull, Bunessan, Taoslainn
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
8. Skin diseases not already mentioned: Origin: [Barra]
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
9. Acute diseases: Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
9. Acute diseases: Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun, Knockan or Mull, Burg or Mull, Tobermory or Mull, Bunessan, Taoslainn
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
9. Acute diseases: Origin: [Barra]
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
9. Diseases: Location: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
9. Diseases: Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber) or ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber dialect) or ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber dialect)
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
9. Diseases: Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
9. Diseases: Origin: Barra
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
9. Diseases: Origin: Geàrrloch [Gairloch]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
9. Diseases: Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
9. Diseases: Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
9. Diseases: Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
9. Diseases: Origin: Ross of Mull
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
9. Diseases: Origin: Tiree
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
9. Diseases: Origin: [Arran]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
9. Diseases: Origin: [Islay, Ballygrant]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
9. Diseases: Origin: [Skye, Camus Chroise]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
9. Diseases: Origin: [the questionnaire gives Ross and Cromarty but it is most probably meant as the county not origin]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
Aimil: Name: Amelia. Equivalents: Emily; Melly (Zetland). Note: The two names Amelia and Gormelia (G. Gormall) are distinct, but are sometimes confused in Lewis where Gormelia is very common.
Category: Ainmean Pearsanta Bhoireannach / Female Personal Names
An Comanachadh: Communion (Distribution and Reception of Sacrament).
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
A’ toirt seachad Comain: Distributing Holy Communion.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Chuir e sgreamh orm: gràin (I was disgusted with him).
Origin: Tiriodh [Tiree]
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
Chuir e turbhan orm: he disgusted me.
Origin: Applecross [mother]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Daoine gun lige, gun ghabhail: distant people without much to say for themselves.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Disathurna na Casga: Holy Saturday.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Disease affecting the hooves: Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
Disease affecting the udder and milk: Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
Diseases of the bone structure: Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
Diseases of the eyes: Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
Diseases of the head: Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
Diseases of the internal organs:: Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
Diseases of the mouth, neck and throat: Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
Diseases of the skin affecting the wool: Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
Ealasaid; Beathag (Lochs); Slaine (Hebrides and Skye): Name: Elizabeth. Equivalents: Bessie, Betsy, Betty, Leeby, Leezie, Liza and Eliza (Zetland); Eppy and Ibby (Papa Stour); Betty, Bess and Betsy (Hebrides); Sophia and Salvia (Lochs). Note: In the Lochs district of Lewis Sophia and Salvia are the same as Elizabeth. Salvia is the pet-name for the Gaelic name Slaine (pronounced “Slaunya”). Slaine is also used for Julia in Harris and for Sophia in Skye.
Category: Ainmean Pearsanta Bhoireannach / Female Personal Names
Farachar mór: Big Farquhar. The adjectives for distinction, etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Gallabh: said by some to be Gaelic name for modern Caithness. This is not correct. Gaelic was spoken in S. and W. part of modern Caithness, and Gallabh was never used for any Gaelic speaking district. Gallabh = N.E. part of Caithness, Suth. and W. Caithness, but not it only. E. Ins. usage: Gallabh = Laigh o’ Moray. Perths. usage: Gallabh = Lower Angus, Mearns, etc. Gallabh, Gallaibh, Gallu = any non-Gaelic district or place especially on East Coast, north of the main Galltachd.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Pàirc: Quot.: “Thall anns a’ Phàirig [fɑ:ðiɡʹ].” “Muinntir na Pàirig [pɑ:ðiɡʹ].” Note: this ending used in these cases when talking about the Park district.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
Sheep diseases: Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
Soitheach an Uisge Choisrigte: Holy Water dish.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
Tha galair innt.: She has a disease (not specific).
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
Tha gaod innt.: She has a disease (not specific). Similarly, a blemish in a piece of sound-looking wood: ‘Tha gaod ann.’
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
[Diluain]: Imrich Diluain gu tuath. Imrich Disathurne gu deas. Ged nach biodh agam ach an t-uan / ’S ann Diluain dh’fhalbhainn leis.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[aire]: Tha e gu mor bho aire fhein. He is distraught.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[antiseptics]: Note 8 (series): Antiseptics. 1. A cut being licked by a dog, that is letting the dog lick the cut with his tongue meant an antiseptic method. 2. Epsom salts – washed in or with water in which Epsom salts is diluted – the cut. 3. Hot water as hot as the patient could bear. 4. Coarse salt diluted in water, hot or cold, was used as a mouthwash in connection with decayed teeth, etc. 5. Tar smoke, or smoke from burning tar, coal tar or archangel tar, whiffs from it if inhaled lightly were a relief for bronchitis, congestion, catarrh. 6. Whisky and brandy were used as stimulants. As in faints. Rum and raw eggs, rum mixed with beaten raw eggs served as tonic. I remember seeing a gentleman using the first draft of undistilled whisky, a ‘gharbh-ghucag’ as a ‘liquid ointment’ for rheumatics, by rubbing it to the affected part.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[a’ leigeal air an at]: Note 9: ‘A’ leigeal air an at’. An infested wound being pricked to enable the fester to discharge. A lance, a needle or the cut throat razor was used in the olden days, as we say. A lance was the professional way of doing it, or the doctor’s, the qualified doctor’s way of doing it, while it was done amateurish by a razor or a sewing needle, showing the same results, to a certain extent if not to the same technique. Before this operation was done, first of all the wound was brought to the point of a burst, say, that is with poultices, and after the fester being abstracted to the point again of having the collection of fester released.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[beag]: Tha e fior bheag ’na nadur. He is miserly in disposition.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[beag]: Is beag orm coin. – I dislike dogs.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[biadh]: Biadh air dhroch dheasachadh – disagreeable food causing indigestion. A good dose of castor oil as was termed, laxatives used to remove the cause off the stomach, the food-cause, the ‘unwanted food’. As termed also ‘Cha do chòrd e (am biadh) ri do stamaig. Referred to also as ‘biadh na ruadhan’, or overcooked food.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[boils]: Note 2: boils were brought to a point with poultices applied. When at the point of its height, so to speak, they were sometimes pierced through with an ordinary sewing needle for the collection of the pus or matter to discharge and the boil to heal.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[bàn]: Gun bhàin gun deargadh. ‘Bàn’ is the left hand of the furrow in ploughing, distinguished from ‘dearg’, the red or right hand side. ‘Bàn’ is empty or waste, as an unploughed field. ‘Deargadh’ is making an impression. “Cha do dhearg mi air.” – “I have made no impression on him.” Dearg mheàirleach – a very thief. Air an dearg chaoch – stark mad.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[clach]: Air a’ chloich dhuibh. – On the black stone. This was either the Black Stone of Iona, where others were sworn, or that of Isla where delinquents were arraigned before the Lord of the Isles, or wherever that potentate might dispense justice.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[clùd]: Clud nan soithichean. Dishcloth.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[crath]: Chrath e a bhata. He brandished his stick.
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
[càs]: Is ann dhuit is leir mo chas. Thou seest my distress.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[dearbhadh]: Chaidh iad gu còig deug a’ dearbhadh. – arguing, disputing.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[diseag]: [See dis.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
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
[dìs]: “Duine a tha dìs” – someone whose natural defences are weak in the face of viruses, etc. [NOTES: corrected to ‘dis’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[eaglais] “dòigheil”: Methodist Ch[urch] (“dòigheil” – probably a nonce-formation).
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Lochaber – [Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Skye – [Canada], Inverness and Victoria? Co.’s) – Protestant
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
[faochadh]: An d’fhuair e faochadh. Has he got relief (or passed the crisis of disease)?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[feum]: Ann am fheum. In my distress.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fionnadh a chait]: Note 4: (also) ‘Fionnadh a chait’ was a remedy for cuts on the Island of Scalpay, Harris fifty years ago. An informant told me that the remedy was applied to a cut on her forehead by her father, and that was about 50 years ago (from 1978). Her father cut some of the cats [sic] hair with the scissors and spread the hair on a bandage and then on to the cut, it was believed that it had healing properties beside effective in the case of bleeding and seemingly a ‘disinfectant’ advantage. My informant again showed me where the cut was on her forehead. You could hardly believe there was a cut there, it healed that well, by very close observation you could discover there was something not of a mark very distinguishable.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[fro-stick]: Another thing that was used in connection with milk, I do not know the Gaelic name for it but in English it is called a fro-stick. In fact we used to have one here though I have not seen it for some time. I’ll try and make a drawing of one which will give you an idea what it looked like. It was used for what we called a ‘fuarag’. This was some cream in the bottom of a flat dish or any vessel with a flat bottom, you put the fro-stick in it and kept the handle tight between the palms of the hands and made a rubbing movement causing the fro-stick to go one way then the other continuing this for about five minutes, depending on the quality of the cream, until it almost reached the stage what we called the ‘bainne-briste’ stage. ‘Bainne-briste’ was when the milk was starting to change from milk to buttermilk. The ‘fuarag’ was the stage before that when the cream went sour and this was often taken. The material which went round the four spokes was the long hard hair at the end of a cow’s tail like a rope. It didn’t fall off as the ends of the spokes were scouped out cup shaped.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: Crodh / Cattle
[fuath]: Fuath a ghiollain a cheud leanan. Refers to the father disliking his illegitimate child and preferring those born out of wedlock [sic].
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[gabh]: Na gabh ort gun do chaill thu am fàinne. – Don’t disclose that you lost the ring.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[gabhail]: Chaidh mo thoirt as mo ghabhail. I have been disappointed in my original intention.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[galar]: Galar a bhuntàta – potato disease.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[galar]: Tha galar anns a’ bhuntàta. – The potatoes have a disease.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[galar]: Galar a’ bhuntàta – potato disease.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[gualann]: Chaidh e as a ghualainn. – Dislocated his shoulder.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[herbal procedure]: Note 3: The plants, herbal procedure, dispensary meant the plants or herbs or whatever in this line was to be undertaken, the plants were either grounded [sic] or broken up in bits to the size appropriate for a pot to hold on the fire, etc. for infusion, etc. In the case of mice, could be used tied in a small sheave [sic] or placed in a form, cuttings, as long as part or a length, etc. was in the way of mice. The likelihood of the scent was disagreeable with mice, and to nibble it and taken [sic] could be effective according to a source I have previously recorded, in the effect of the plant mint.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[hiccup]: Hiccup was cured, stopped immediately if the patient was disturbed mentally a bit, or made excited, by approaching him with a phrase like remark in say accusing of him [sic] stealing. When the hiccup is detected say ‘Ghoid thusa airgead orm-sa’, and this being the method of having the patient so to speak of responding to a critical [sic], and having received what could emotionally disturb him as much as to affect him causing the dismissal of the hiccup.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[leac]: Leac fo mo mhiaran [sic], cha toigh leam sud idir – a person feeling such says it depicts the disease of cancer, in some instances.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
[losaid]: ‘Chaidh a bho as a losaid.’ The cow’s hip was dislocated.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[lus-nan-laogh]: Note 2: Herbal cures were bottled, for example the dispensary from Lus-nan-Laogh, calf plant, was. It had a very sour taste, and showed the colour of black in the bottle, or a very dark colour. This plant was very popular with cures, it served as a cure in other words for many ailments.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[làmh]: Cùl mo làimh ris – an attitude of strong disapproval.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[làn]: Lan chumhachd. Full authority or discretionary powers.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[lʹesbɾɤi]: Quotation: a’ deanamh [lʹesbɾɤi] air duine. Notes: Skye word for partiality, or discrimination against a person.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[mi-chiatach]: Gnothuch mi-chiatach – a disgraceful occurrence.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[moladh]: Cha mholadh do mholadh. Your praise is dispraise. [NOTE in second hand: Your praise is worthless.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[mùn]: Quotation: Faodaidh i mùn an aghaidh na gaoth tuath air mo shon-sa. (Forgive me! if this is rather distasteful.) Source: Traditional. Notes: Reference to a girl who jilted a gentleman, him saying she may do likewise in coldness for him.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
[note]: “I enclose a further collection of words from the Aird district. It is possible that there are a few of these in dictionaries already. They are not in strict alphabetical order. A few of them are to be found in Mr Alex MacDonald’s paper in Volume 29 of the Transactions and these I mark.”
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[note]: Many of the Equivalents appearing in these lists are doubtless already well-known, but I have endeavoured, from personal inquiries made mainly in Zetland and other insular parts of Northern Scotland, to furnish some fresh information on the matter. For facility of reference the English Christian names are set down in alphabetical order; and against them are shown (1) the Gaelic equivalents and (2) the English equivalents, including those which are in use in certain specified regions – together with occasional explanatory notes. In the list “Male Personal Names” the patronymics are also given – not that they may serve much useful, practical purpose, but because patronymics figure largely in our Scottish nomenclature and are interesting as derivatives from our common Christian names. From a close survey of the lists certain main inferences may be drawn: 1. The correctness of the Registrar-General’s surmise “that some names have no doubt a significance differing according to locality” is demonstrated by the following examples:– (a) Ewen and Hugh. In Lewis these two names are distinct and have separate Gaelic equivalents. (Ewen = G. Eòghann; Hugh = G. Uisdean). But in the South Isles of the Outer Hebrides the two names are interchangeable and have a common Gaelic equivalent, (both Ewen and Hugh = G. Eòghann). This fact was first brought to my notice in South Uist and I subsequently got verification of it elsewhere; one instance being that of a boy from Uist attending school at Dornie, who was known as “Hugh” at home and as “Ewen” in school. (b) Effie and Henrietta. So far as the mainland of Scotland is concerned there is, I think, no connection between these two names; yet I find in Lewis they are interchangeable, the common Gaelic equivalent being “Eighrig”. I have corroboration of this from two schoolmasters who are natives of Lewis; and I found a practical example in the case of a Lewis lady resident in Skye, whose husband calls her “Effie” but who signs her name as “Henrietta”. 2. Many of our Personal Names are merely Anglicised forms of Gaelic Names, for example: Gillespie = Archibald (from G. Gill-easbuig), Donachie = Duncan (from G. Donnchadh), Murachie = Murdoch (from G. Muireach), Ailie = Helen (from G. Eilidh), etc. etc. 3. Some of the other names are not what might be termed exact equivalents, but are distorted forms given to foreign names by Ministers who were unacquainted with the foreign language. In this class is the name “Haki” or “Hakon” which has been transformed into “Hercules”; just as “Osla” has been twisted into “Ursula” and thence into “Cecilia”. It should be understood that my inquiries have been comparatively limited and that consequently the information given here cannot be anything like exhaustive on the subject of name equivalents. But the examples given are sufficient to illustrate that many odd equivalents do exist, and that the identity of a person with whose name we are furnished may be found under an alternative name.
Category: Ainmean Pearsanta Bhoireannach / Female Personal Names
[note]: “I enclose a further list containing several words. My copy of those previously sent may not be complete so you may have one or two here already sent. ‘Buaic’, sent in May, was given as ‘stupid, clumsy’. I recently came across it as enclosed. Quite a few of those given here are not common to both districts but I have not checked all.”
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[note]: (This incidentally is in our district the final operation, at the crofter’s house.)
Origin: Leódhas, An Rudha [Lewis, Rudha]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
[prevention of flies]: a mixture of urine and dipping liquid was a popular mixture for the prevention of flies, to keep the flies at a distance from the animal.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[riarachadh]: Riarachadh orra e. Distribute it amongst them. [NOTE in second hand: riaraich.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[réitich]: Reitich an snath. Disentangle the thread.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[rùn]: De’n run am bheil e dhuit. How is he disposed towards you?
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[rùn]: Na innis do run. Don’t disclose your purpose.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[rúth-ràth]: Tha an tigh “rúth-ràth”. (spelling?) – The house is in disorder.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[searbh]: Tha mi searbh dheth. I am disgusted with him. [NOTE in second hand: Not just disgusted: tired with patience exhausted. Disgusted: Tha mi air mo sgreatadh leis.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[shiag]: In the “Inverness Courier”, 19 January, 1826 there is mention of the word “shiag” [or “chiag”?] as being the word used in the district round about for a kelt or spent salmon. I have tried to confirm this orally but have so far failed.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[smachd]: Cuir smachd air. Discipline him.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sochag]: I have a note of the words I have sent you from time to time and as far as I can see I have not sent you ‘sochag’. I heard it this summer in Laggan and it seems that it means a plant which grows in wet ground, the willow. However, another old native of Laggan says he thinks ‘sochag’ is the name given to the leaf of the berries (somewhat similar to cranberries) growing beside burns. In his “Church and Social Life in the Highlands” A. Macpherson (a native of Kingussie district) quotes the verse (p. 19) describing the hills in that district which includes the lines: “Chan fhàs fiar no fodar ann / Ach sochagan is dearcagan allt.” He does not give a translation of ‘sochag’ but I seem to remember having seen this verse somewhere with an English translation. I wonder if you have been given this word from any other source?
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[spatadh]: Theab e mo spatadh. – He nearly dispatched me.
Location: Killearnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[stàth]: Cha n’eil stath tighinn air sin. There is no use (or sense) in discussing that.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[suarach]: “Thug e suil shuarach orm.” – he gave me a disgusting glance.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sìol]: Sioll na mearleach a shean, o shean. When something is passed on in families, in this case an unworthy distinction. [NOTES: ‘sioll’ corrected to ‘sìol’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[sùil]: A’ dol a sùil na leise – hip disorder.
Location: North Uist, Scolpaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tamull]: Tamull as. A short distance away. [NOTE in second hand: Tamull is time not distance.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[taobh]: cuideachd, ri taobh a chéile – the neighbouring boats lying together to discharge herring from bag of net.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
[tigh-aire]: In my childhood, Lochaber, i.e. the Braes of Lochaber, was 95% Catholic. When a death occurred in a house, people flocked to pay their respects and remained to pray. It was customary to lay one’s hand on the forehead of the dead for a moment (the head was normally covered by the sheet but the sheet was turned down momentarily to allow the hand to be laid on the forehead). People took it in turn to remain in the room “’s an tigh-aire” where prayers and litanies were said night and day till the day of the funeral – food was provided for people. On the day of the funeral, the coffin was carried shoulder-high on a bier for the few miles to Cill-a-Chaorail. The ancient church of St. Cyril of Alexandria has been restored of recent times and I understand the burial-service is held there now. [NOTES: the following comment copied from the letter dated 24/03/1977:] In my remarks about funeral practices in a previous letter, I had intended to mention the custom of building cairns. I have understood that when the mourners stopped for a rest and possibly refreshment, each man looked around for a sizeable stone and a cairn was built and was called the deceased’s cairn. With the widening of the roads, I fear the cairns have disappeared on the main roads.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[tàmailt]: Tamailt fhollaiseach. Public disgrace.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[òrdugh]: Gun ordugh. Disordered. Deranged.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[əst̪ɔ̃ṉxle:]: Notes: warm tub or condenser in distillery. Also called [əst̪ɛ̃ṉdʹȝxle:] (A. MacEachern, Ballygrant).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
[ɡʹɛɲɡəx]: disobliging.
Origin: Kill-Fhinn
Category: Crodh / Cattle
a cur na cruidhean: throwing the horseshoes for distance.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a mhic na dunaidh: applied to someone who was always involved in accidents, usually small, such as breaking dishes.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
achar (m): space, room, distance (Perthshire).
Origin: [Strathglass]
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
aimhreideach: adj. ‘hair in disarray’: [a͂i ͂ɲt´ɛr´əx], [a͂i͂rɛt´əx]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
aimhreit: n. ‘discord’: cha robh uimhir ~ anns an t-saoghal ’s a tha ann an-diugh
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Mira Co., Marion Bridge
Category: Word List
ainstil: turmoil, disorder.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
air mhithairt: leaving someone dissatisfied, e.g. with work which was not completed properly. “Bha e air fhàgail air mhithairt.”
Location: Barra, Ard Mhinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
airear: coastal district.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aith-theinn, aithinn(each): distress, out of sorts.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aithis (f): reproach, disgrace – is aithis domhs’ i.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
aithlis: scandals, disgraces. “’S aithne dhomh an sloinneadh ’s an aithlis.”
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
am breid-soitheaichean: dish towel.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
am ploc: a disease in cattle, noticeable by a lump on the throat.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
am pluc (): [masc.] liver fluke disease.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
an airidh: I am not sure what or where this was. I heard this expression ‘Shuas air an airidh’. Could have been a boarding or platform among the rafters. [NOTES: the following comment added later at the bottom of the page.] Have discovered that the ‘airidh’ was not part of the dwelling house – it was a broad shelf or suspended loft in the barn.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
an corrod: the very fist peat cut. As it comes out of the face of the ‘carcaire’ [q.v.] the outside has been exposed to the elements since the last cutting the previous year. Consequently it is not so good and sometimes discarded (Tha e chòrr.)
Location: Cinntire, An Ceann a Deas [Kintyre, Southend by Campbeltown]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
an deecon: (The ‘d’ sound coming after ‘n’ disappears and the ‘t’ sound after ‘n’ becomes softened into ‘d’. This is always the case in Uig, Lewis.)
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
an dreasair: (in living room) The dresser, the high back of which held various dishes: plates, bowls, cups and saucers, stood against the other wall (of living room) opposite ‘séis’ [q.v.]. At one end of the dresser there was a table, at the other end two barrels, one of which held oatmeal and the other flour.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
an fheanndag: nettle. Disease: rheumatics. How prepared: sting part affected.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
an t-suirsde (f), suirsdeanan (pl): (An ‘r’ is often sounded in Tiree.) An iall (f) (de chraiceann caorach – the ‘iall’ was made of ‘sùgan’ in the distant past). Am buailtean (caltainn). An lacharan (m), lacharain (pl).
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
an teanna ghalar: skin disease, the old disease.
Location: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
an tioramachd: [disease affecting the udder and milk production.]
Origin: Barra
Category: Crodh / Cattle
an treabhadh: spring work. Common term for this district.
Origin: Ross and Cromarty, Lewis
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
an uair: in sense of distress. “Bha mi nis air m’fhàgail ’s an an uair.”
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
anacair mhóir: venereal disease.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
anacarrach: painful, discomforted.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
anairt: Quotation: anairt shoithichean. Notes: dish towel.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
angar bùrn: [masc.] the water cask. Water was always ‘bùrn’ in the Point district of Lewis.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
anradh: Quotation: Anradh ort! Notes: Expression of disgust and annoyance.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
arbhaig: [ɑɾəvɑɡʹ] Quotation: Dé’n arbhaig a tha sin agad? Notes: disarray, e.g. when a person is working with tools and everything is upside down and in disarray.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
as onarach: dishonest.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ bhoill: a disease affecting the head of the horse. Its symptoms were an acute form of dizziness which resulted in death. The illness had a plant or root as its origin. [NOTES: corrected to ‘a’ bhoil’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ bhoill: mental disease; illness affecting animals. Ragwort poisoning.
Location: North Uist, Scolpaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ bhoill: disease in horses caused by the ragwort (buathalan). [NOTES: corrected to ‘a’ bhoil’.]
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ chopag: Docken. Disease: burns. Parts used: leaves. How prepared: leaf put against burn with bandage.
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun, Knockan or Mull, Burg or Mull, Tobermory or Mull, Bunessan, Taoslainn
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
a’ cluiche: listening for a herring or other fish’s breaking the surface, a much less distinct sound.
Location: Harris, Kyles Stockinish
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
a’ runnach: applied to swampy, boggy land. Horses had to be kept away from such land during the aforementioned diseases [i.e. a’ bhoill/a’ bhoil and stringealair/strincealair (q.v.)]. [NOTES: “a’” put in brackets.]
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
a’ smòcadh an taighe: this procedure would be carried out by a sanitary officer in the event of a plague or disease being in the district. A soap-like substance was burnt filling the house with smoke. This was to prevent strangers from catching the epidemic. Bar of disinfectant (carbolic) soap left for everyone in the household. [NOTES: ‘smòcadh’ corrected to ‘smocadh’.]
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bacach: Quotation: duine bacach. Notes: a man with an irregular step due to some disability.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bainne-caoich: a woman’s effect in the breast, causing the milk, some distaste, the child’s supply discontinued.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bairneach: limpet. ‘Maorach’ often used for ‘bairneach’ in Trotternish district of Skye.
Location: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach, Stafainn [Skye, Staffin]
Category: Maorach / Shellfish
baisteadh: not in the sense of baptising but of distillation of whisky, e.g. “Uisge beatha gun bhaisteadh.”
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
balach-bog: a boy prone to fright and cry at the least disturbance, etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bancas: played by school-boys on lazy-beds. One boy on the middle lazy-bed and a team of boys on another trying to get across to the 3rd lazy-bed without the boy on the middle one touching them. If he happened to touch one, he was dismissed. Again the former word used for the same pastime was dad-oighridh. Perhaps meaning ‘to your estate’. Thus do d’ oighreadh or oighridh – to your estate. This was the way I take it to be pronounced. The word has died colloquially. [SLIP: A game played by boys on lazy-beds. One boy would stand on the middle lazy-bed while a team of boys starting from another lazy-bed tried to cross the middle one to a third one without the boy in the middle touching them. If someone was ‘tagged’, he was out of the game. Used to be called ‘dad-oighridh’ – ‘to your estate’?]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bargaideach: disputatious.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bargan: Quotation: mòine bhargain [vɑɾɑɡɑ̃nʹ]. Notes: peats cut on piece-work for the distilleries or farms.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barp: an accumulation of stones beside lochs. Examples found locally at Milton and Lochboisdale. People are supposed to be buried underneath these rocks. Associated with the distant past.
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barr brisgainn: a white wild pansy which could be eaten. One of MacDonald of Ormiclate’s servants killed for eating one of these in the presence of MacDonald’s distinguished guest. By eating this root he was implying that he was not being well fed by MacDonald. [NOTES: note added above ‘brisgainn’ – ‘brisgein’.]
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
barrasach: distinctive. Overtones of worthiness and credibility.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bath-chliabh: this was a smaller creel – a mock or toy creel. It was a disparagement to have one’s creel referred to as a bath-chliabh – implying that one could not carry a full load.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Mòine / Peat-Working
bearnan-brìde: flower, dandelion, at the point of the flower giving way to withering, the seed is left which parachute off by the wind. Children used to blow off the seed themselves and counting how many times they had to blow before the final seed was blown, which indicated what time of day it was. The flower itself does the re-seeding. The seed is disposed likewise from its down, ‘choimhiteach’ [sic].
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
beith: birch tree. There is only one birch tree I know of growing within a distance of Scalpay. It’s on another adjacent island to Scalpay (Scotisay Island), and again as far as I gather, there isn’t one growing on Scalpay, Harris. The one that grows on Scotisay is the ‘silver birch’. If there is a special name for the ‘silver birch’ remains a question with me at the moment.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bha mi air m’ aognachadh leis: I was disgusted by it.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Horgabost
Category: Faireachdain / Senses
bharr: Quotation: Chaidh e bharr (far) na guallainn. Notes: dislocated.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bhuidhe-ri-Dia: an expression used by certain families in a certain district, when wishing to emphasise (as indeed it was).
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bial-muice: swollen lips or a swollen lip, top protruding over the other (more frequently of the top lip), mouth affected disease, etc. where the animal (sheep) cannot, is unable to eat (grass, etc.). Also hereditary.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
biast: beast; also referred to a human being, to a female more aptly as: isd a bhiast, when the same female tells something of a sort distasteful, or some disappointment, etc. towards someone else, in again a sort like disapproval, the reply comes: isd a bhéist, be quiet ‘beast’ literally, considering the reply as from a beast, unruly? (Harris; it’s a common word. Is this your definition of it?)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
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
black disease: Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blaigh riachd: leaving something in a state of mess, disorder, e.g. “Dh’fhàg iad an talla na blaigh riachd as deidh an dannsa.” Also used to describe careless, scruffy appearance. [NOTES: corrected to ‘blaigh-riachd’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blas: Quotation: blas a’ chrogain. Notes: distaste.
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
blàth theannachadh a thoirt air luchd arbhair: if a load of corn protruded too far on one side of the cart/trailer, you would be asked to do this to the other side to distribute the weight in a better fashion.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bodachail: oldish looking, oldish actions.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
botrachan: served the purpose of balancing and distributing the weight which a horse would bear. Went under the tail and was tied to the baskets on each side of a horse.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brachadair: Notes: maltman in distilleries. An àrd bhrachadair – head maltman.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bracsaidh: a disease, sheep disease. [NOTES: slipped under ‘bragsaidh’ with ‘bracsaidh’ as the quotation. Definition: Braxy.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bracsaidh: could be eaten, the mutton; it wasn’t termed as a disease.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bragsaidh: Quotation: am bragsaidh. Notes: braxy – sheep disease.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
braoisg: screwed up face signifying contempt or disapproval.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brat: Quotation: brat na h-àthadh. Notes: wire mesh floor of the kiln in distillery. Had to be kept oiled, glossy and clean.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breac: [brɛəxk] Quotation: Chuir iad a’ bhreac air. Notes: smallpox. Cuir “disease” air = inoculate.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
breid-soithichean: dish towel.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bris: Quotation: Thainig briseadh air a shlàinte. – failure. Briseadh-dùil – failure of hope: disappointment. Briseadh-cridhe – heart-break (not heart failure!).
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brisgein: Disease: for stomach complaint. Part used: the whole plant eaten. How prepared: eating it raw, as taken from the ground.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
bristeadh muinntireis: breaking ties with your home and your district.
Location: South Uist, West Kilbride
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brocach: [bɾɔxkɑx] Quotation: duine brocach or brochdach. Notes: a person whose face is disfigured with small pockmarks after having had smallpox.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brochan: Quotation: brochan càith. Notes: the husks were boiled and strained. Like pease broth and considered an excellent dish.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
broilean: Quotation: teas a’ bhroilein. Notes: said by D.F. to be “inflammation in the manyplies”. Stomach disease or illness.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
broilean: Quotation: Tha goirteas ’na bhroillean [sic]. Notes: discomfort in bronchial tubes.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
brothadh: [about rope] disintegrating.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Iasgach a’ Ghiomaich / Lobster-Fishing
brucach: spotted. Aodan brucach – always a demonstration of a fat person or a fat reddish face.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buaile: Notes: a fold for stock. In the old Highlands, a fold for stock was always circular in form so that the beasts would keep on walking: a scientific fact of animal Psychology, with which stockmen are now catching up as a new discovery. These folds had no roof; and in times of heavy snow-fall, the continuous movement of stock was necessary for their survival. Fanks were also circular.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
buillig: Disease of coirce.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
buntàta: Potato. Disease: rheumatism. Part used / How prepared: a potato with a slice cut off. A potato carried by the patient in an inside pocket nearest to his skin, I believe. The body seemingly responding someway to the potato? Sources of information: traditionally.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
burradh: pruning, a ram pruning the ground with its horns. Colloquially heard. A’ burradh na h-ùrach le ’h-aodhaircean. I take this word from a distant reminiscence. [SLIP: Of a ram, rutting the ground.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bàdhar: [bɑ:ᵊɾ] Quot.: “Cha bu mhath am bàdhar e.” Note: (Perhaps bàir.) Referring to person one disapproved of.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
bùird-an-tuill: dividing boards in skiffs’ holds, for distributing catch.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
bùirt: [bu̜:ʴsṯ] Quotation: Bha a’ nighean ag iarraidh falbh a dh’obair gu tir-mór ach bha a mathar [sic] ga bùirt as. Notes: dissuade or try to dissuade. [NOTES: the turned r used for the symbol which is unclear in the original.]
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cacanach: [kɑkɑṉɑx] Quot.: “Well, nach eil sin cacanach!” Note: disappointing – same as “tàmailteach”.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cachdanach: Notes: (Ness) peeving, giving a sort of disappointment. Dw. gives cachdan ‘uneasiness of mind, vexation, chagrin’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caille: old women were said to have this power known as the ‘caille’ by which she [sic] could control the fates of whoever she chose as victim. Should be stressed that not all women had this power although there are many husbands who would disagree with this. If something went against you, you would say that such a woman had put you under a spell: “Chuir i a’ chaille orm.”
Location: Benbecula, Muir of Aird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cailleach: Quotation: cailleach na h-àthadh. Notes: the funnel of the kiln (distillery).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cairrcean: Black disfigurement on potato skin.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
cairt a’ chaineil: Mint tea. Disease: headache (ceann goirt). Part used: leaf and stem. How prepared: boiled. Sources of information: aunt.
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun, Knockan or Mull, Burg or Mull, Tobermory or Mull, Bunessan, Taoslainn
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
cairt na cosgais: Notes: at funerals, in the islands, cart which took victuals/provisions – when long distance had to be covered.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caithris-oidhche: custom of a ‘wake’ in connection with a courting couple, a custom associated in particular to Lewis and [?] Harris, perhaps in other islands and districts, etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cama-mhil: Camomile. Disease: chilblains (millicheartain). Part used: roots and flower and stem. How prepared: boiled to form camomile lotion (ola-cama-mhil). Lotion just rubbed on, not covered.
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun, Knockan or Mull, Burg or Mull, Tobermory or Mull, Bunessan, Taoslainn
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
camhraich: a dish made from oats. Boiled with water and eaten for breakfast, very much like porridge or brose.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
camraic: an awkward, difficult person who disagrees with everything and everyone.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
canndreachd: disapproval. Canndreachd ort! – interjection class of words, or list of words.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
caora chùlanach: sheep with black wool round the neck like a black collar (nothing to do with disease, just as a matter of interest).
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
caora tinn air uan: confinement. When in the case of a sheep giving, on the point of giving birth to a lamb, it was discovered that the discharge didn’t give the elasticity necessary (uterus, etc.), thus while under this complication tea mixed with whisky and thin gruel of oatmeal also mixed with whisky, a glassful of whisky, this given successively proved successful, and the mother gave birth to a fine healthy baby lamb. In some other instances an operation was necessary, the side of the animal, or rather the appropriate place considered was cut open by a knife, an ordinary (pocket) knife, and the baby lamb was received, and of course the wound stitched. The baby lamb normal – and the operation successful, just, perhaps, like a ceserea [sic] [Caesarean?] female operation, or again as ceserea [sic] [Caesarean?] operation on a woman. This as above noted instances was observed on the island of Scalpay in Harris. F.S. [?] [P.S.?] Bha na màthraichean beò – cha do rinn e càil oirre [sic].
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
carabhaidh: caraway seed (already referred to is spelt with the ‘c’ but colloquially there is the distinction).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carbhanach: Notes: scaly, reddish, rounded body. Bream?
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
carraiche: Notes: a wart disease in potatoes.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cartadh: disposing from the byre (manure).
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ceann: Quotation: Bha mi na cheann fad an là. Notes: used e.g. if a mother had to attend to a child all day perhaps because of illness or discontent.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
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-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
cearb: Quotation: Tha cearb air. Notes: He has a disability.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
celtadh: the ‘c’ makes a ‘k’ sound. The word means to give someone some strict disciplining. Heard this in the context of a mischievous boy prior to school age being transformed in later years due to strict disciplining. “Nach e a fhuair a’ cheltadh.” [NOTES: note added – ?spelling.]
Location: South Uist, Smerclete
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
chiad-tarrain: first draft [sic]. [See ciad-tarrain.] A term used in Harris in connection with the distilling of whisky, in particular on the Island of Pabbay off the west coast of Harris. [NOTES: slipped under ‘ceud-tarraing’. Definition: ‘First draught’ in whisky distilling.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
chialag: an expression of affection towards a young person or animal, when suffering of pain or discomfort.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
chuireadh e sgramh ort: he would disgust you.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
ciabhadair: [cıəvəd̪ɑɾ] Notes: the man who lifted the peats in a tough spot; usually employed in the distillery squads when a lot of peat was being cut.
Location: Islay, Bowmore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cinneceadh: nervousness displayed in strange surroundings or company. Usually displayed by fidgeting with clothes.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ciochan-tràghad: seen on the rocks of a pale reddish colour. [SLIP: Seaweed (?) – of a pale reddish colour and found on rocks.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cirean-seacaidh: crest as of a hen, falling unwell, suffering from a disease which shows symptoms by the colour of her crest, of a withered pale whitish colour.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clabhd: Quotation: clabhd shoithichean. Notes: dishtowel.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
claimh: [kɫɛ̃f] Quotation: a’ chlaimh. Notes: sheep scab – a notifiable disease. Sheep with this disease to be dipped every fortnight.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clampar: disputing.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clap: (V.D.) venereal disease.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cleamhan: a person (male) with the ‘disgust [sic] form of illness.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliath mhor: Harrow – spring-toothed variety – predecessor of disc harrow. [NOTES: spelled ‘cliath mhór’ on the slip.]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
clioban (m): Notes: childish name for male reproductive organ.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliospairneach: lanky, disjointed person.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliucheadh fiataidh: [sic] a herring or other fish’s breaking the surface, a much less distinct sound.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
cliumbach: Notes: disabled, handicapped.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cliutag: Notes: a disabled hand or arm. Could be a short arm.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cloimh: dirt gathering in horses’ hooves. This resulted in severe itching which often led to the stamping of feet, which could be heard from quite a distance. The hooves were cleaned with the substance used for sheep dipping – ‘dupadh’.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cloimheag: Notes: disparaging term used for a small pony.
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cluasan torclach: Highland calves born with the distinct mark of having pierced ears. More than one hole in each ear. A genealogical feature.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clupad: Notes: fluke disease in cattle and sheep.
Location: Glendale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
clupad: [kɫu̜pəd̪] Notes: fluke disease in cattle or sheep. Swollen throat.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cnapladh: knotty. Tha làmhan air cnapladh – as in the case of a disease, etc.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cochanach: disappointed. “Tha mi anabarrach cochanach asad.”
Location: North Uist, [Carinish], Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coigil: disturbing, interrupting, enticing to anger. Tha e cuir [sic] coigil ort.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coileach-circe: hen cockerel. A distinction term to differ [sic] a one kind or species of cockerel from the other.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coirce-madaidh: [kɔɾkəmɑ̃d̪iç] Notes: corn which had turned black due to disease. Sterilisation process (boiling water poured over seed) carried out to prevent it. ([iç] very often for idh at end of word.)
Location: Tiree, Heylipool [sic]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coirce-madaidh: smut. Oats go black like soot with a fungus disease. Must be dressed with mercury solution to kill it (but not with feeding oats). Soaked in fermaldihide [sic] [formaldehyde?] nowadays.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
coire-cairteadh: for the barking process of nets. Similar [to coire-dath q.v.] but bark added to the boiling [water], or lumps of bark put in the water for barking the nets when dissolved etc.] [SLIP: Cauldron for barking nets.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cois ceum: this was a mode of measurement which involved putting the heel of one shoe next to the toe of the other foot. Distance was measured using this system.
Location: South Uist, Geirinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
collaid: wrangle, dispute. (Lewis)
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
coma: Quotation: Ach coma leat, se bun a bh’ann… – But never mind, … Tha e coma dh’an a sin… – He dislikes… Mu tha, ’se tha coma… – does not care.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conabladh: Notes: mangling, disfiguring. (conablach?)
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conachair: [kɔ̃ṉɑxəð] Quot.: “’Se conachair de dhuine a th’ann.” Note: term of disparagement.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conalòid: [kɔ̃ṉəɫɔ:dʹ] Quot.: “Nach dean sibh air ar socair ’s sibh a deanamh [kɔ̃ṉəɫɔ:dʹ] dhan an tigh.” Note: putting the house into disarray.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
conbhalach: [kɔ̣nəvələx] Notes: a disaster.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
connsachadh: Notes: disputing, arguing.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
copag: Docken. Disease: on wounds. Part used: the leaf. How prepared: by placing the leaf on the wound and then the bandage on the top – wound ‘air a teannachadh’. Sources of information: traditionally.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
corr-fhod: [sic] the first peat cut, i.e. the outside peat, each time (sometimes discarded).
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corracha-cagailt: Note: colours seen among embers when disturbed with a poker.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corrachasan: breed of cattle that were good driving cattle. Had a quality of enduring long distances.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
corran ag eigheach: two of these points can be seen from the Middle District of Uist: one to the south and one to the north. If the north point is roaring then good weather can be expected, whereas the roar of the southern point indicates bad weather.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cotan: cotton, cotton wool was used in cuts and bruises. The cotton wool put on the wood [sic] [wound?] and bandaged, after the wound was cleansed and Epsom salts used as a disinfectant in cold water, or lukewarm water, tepid, perhaps as likely cold water was more appropriate in the congealation [sic] of blood, to stop the bleeding. Cotton was also used in having it soaked in hot olive oil, and placed in the ear for earache. Drops of hot olive oil were injected or allowed to run off a teaspoon, inside the ear, to soften hard wax in the ear, etc. etc.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
cracain: cream crackers (biscuits). (A word I discovered recently from an old lady: it may be her own invented word… if you will accept it?)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cragan lobhte: stinking urchin. Also a disagreeable person.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crann-fiodha: Plough: informant, Mrs M Duncan, Oakfern, Longstock Park, Stockbridge. Where remembered: In all parts of South Uist and also in all the islands. When last used: Generally used until around 1939-1940 in S. Uist. One is still used in Frobost, S. Uist by a person named Ronald MacLellan. District over which known to have been used: Whole island of S. Uist. Name of Plough: no specific name – generally known as Crann Fiodh (wooden plough). Names of parts as per diagram: Duirn (pl), Dorn (sing); Fearasdan (wooden supports); Lamhan (pl), Lamh (sing); Soc; Druim; Coltair; Smuisheal (smuishal in the diagram); Slat (made of iron); Bord Uiridh; Peirceil; Anal; Grealag.
Origin: South Uist
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
craobh gharabhaigs (Harris): (Sprig of a) rowan tree. Also termed in Gaelic as undernoted – craobh chaorunn (?). Disease: earache (greim cluaise – ola chroinn, ola theth), eye-diseases (gulamail – incantation in some cases (cure)). Part used: ** To keep evil influences (as a charm) from the door, a spring [sic] [sprig?] set in a cow’s tail did the job likewise to prevent the cow coming under the spell of evil. Sources of information: my mother. ** traditional noted by Martin Martin (?), etc.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
crathadh làimh fada bhon taigh: applied to people who were content to wave to you at a distance but who would not welcome you into their household.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crimean: [krʹimɑ˖n] Notes: a little distance or space.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
criomag: [kɾɛ̃mɑɡ] Quotation: Bha criomag aca ri dhol. Notes: They had a short distance to cover.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crioman: a short distance. “Chan eil e ach crioman sios an rathad.”
Origin: Baleshare
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
criopalach: nn ‘disabled person’: bha e na ch.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
crith: Quotation: a’ chrith. Notes: trembling disease in cattle and sheep.
Location: Invergarry, North Laggan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crith: Quotation: a’ chrith. Notes: sheep’s distemper – shaking is main symptom.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crith: Quotation: a’ chrith. Notes: trembling disease in sheep and cattle.
Origin: Strontian
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
critheanach: Quotation: an critheanach. Notes: shaking disease in sheep; loses flesh. Due to a deficiency in diet. (See a’ chritheanach – DMD, Islay.)
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crobhdan: disease of cattle hoofs.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
croich or croichean (pl.): poles on the shore for drying nets. Cuiridh sinn an lìon air a’ chroich. (They have all disappeared.) ‘Crochans’ in English.
Origin: [Kintyre, Tarbert]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
crois-iarna: distaff. Superstitious belief that a lad growing too quickly could be hit by a distaff and he would stop growing.
Origin: Barra
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
croislich: disagreement or quarrel between two persons.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
croit: nn f. ‘disiguring hump’: bha ~ mhòr air do chnap air an druim aige
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
crosadh: to disapprove of some habit or other, e.g. whistling on a Sunday.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruadal: Quotation: “Chan eil air a chruadal (distress) ach cruadhachadh ris.” Notes: There is no remedy for hardship but to harden against it.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cruinne na gealaich: Disc of moon.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròcaireachd: displaying with the hands.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cròisidh: [See cròsaidh.] It could also be a matter of different pronunciation, could it? Of course there are the variations in the various districts: this is the Scalpay way of pronouncing it. I do not hear the words so often used now. The hand-knitted goods are not so talked of in the usual, thus words associated with such art and arts are, I am afraid, beginning to be forgotten. [SLIP: Crochet hook.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuach Phàdraig: (St.) Patrick’s wort. Disease: cuts. How prepared: leaf raw on cut.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
cuach Phàraig: Greater plantain. Disease: piles. How prepared: whole plant (including roots) boiled in water until very little water left. Butter then mixed with finely ground oatmeal. Formed an ointment.
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun, Knockan or Mull, Burg or Mull, Tobermory or Mull, Bunessan, Taoslainn
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
cuachag: (also) wee dish.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuibhle puta: the wooden disc in the top of the buoy.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Acfhuinn Iasgaich / Fishing Tackle
cuigeal: distaff.
Location: [Lewis], Arnol, Bragar and Uigen
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
cuigeal: distaff. “Chan e tlàm a tha air a cuigeal.” – applied to someone who was seeking more than you had initially thought.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cuigeal: distaff.
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber) or ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber dialect) or ([Canada], Inverness Co., Lochaber)
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
cuigeal: distaff.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
cuigeal (I): Distaff.
Origin: Leòdhas [Lewis], Uig an Iar
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
cuigeall: distaff.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
cuman: an oblong wooden box used for washing dishes and scrubbing potatoes. Could also be used for feeding calves.
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càpan: drink or dish of food taken out to a beggar or poor person.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càrsan: a choking disease affecting poultry. Also applied for wheezing in humans. Sometimes this word is heard as ‘càsan’ without the ‘r’.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càs: Quotation: “Ged nach e bàs a th’ann ’s e càs a th’ann.” Notes: perplexity, distress.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
càsmhorach: distressful, tragical.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cèineach: Notes: (Back) A mildly disparaging vague term used of a person not in the company. It implies someone who is just slightly outrageous or out-of-line. Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
céin: Notes: astronomical distance.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cìob (f): [kind of seaweed.] Reddish in colour and most often found in October. Grows on actual rock. Takes a long time in rotting due to cold weather (winter-time). Good for potatoes.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
còinneach: sphagnum moss. Disease: burst blister. Blister caused by back of shoe rubbing back of foot. Chafing between shoe and back of shoe [sic], after blister had burst and left open wound. How prepared: kept wet, and plaster on top.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
còrachd (f): (1) stipulation, obligation; tha mi ga chur còrachd ort (N.W.). ? From “còir” – ni as còir a bhith deanta, is nach gabh a sheachnadh. ? From “connar, connradh” above with “nn” dropping out before “r” as happens in N.W. only. (2) disguising accent, etc.; chuir e còrachd air a theanga (Argyll). ? còirich, còraich, còrachadh – arrange, organise. Also càraich, càradh – arrange, hence sort (as letters), hence repair (as boats, fences, etc.).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùbaid: Quotation: a’ chùbaid mhór. Notes: the main pulpit as distinct from where the precentor stands.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùbair: Notes: cooper – in charge of the casks at the distillery.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùis-chac: disgust. A female living extravagantly or elaborately is termed as: Nach i a’ chùis chac.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùis-sgramh: a disgusting matter.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùis-sgrath: object of disgust.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùl-fraon: someone who is being left out of a discussion or pushed into the background.
Location: [South Uist], Daliburgh (Schoolhouse)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
cùlan: black wool round a sheep’s neck (nothing to do with disease, just as a matter of interest).
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
d ciorramach: [uine] disabled person.
Location: Na Hearadh [Harris], Horgabost
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
dacha-dubh: the disappearance of frost.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dachag: a small dish or vase.
Origin: Applecross [mother]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dafach: Quotation: an dafach. Notes: mash tin (distillery). [NOTES: slipped under ‘dabhach’.]
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deamhnaidh: Quotation: Bha e a’ coimhead deamhnaidh. Notes: e.g. someone dressed in outlandish clothes. (Probably this is near the meaning Dwelly gives – devilish.)
Location: Lewis, Barvas
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
deasbad: vbl nn ‘argue, dispute’: ‘s ann a’ ~ a bhiodh iad
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
deathadach: Notes: Used in similar sense to cachdanach, i.e. peeving, disappointing. Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
deireadh na cartach (m): dropdown back-board for discharging.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
deochraich (v): differentiate, distinguish between.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
di-cuim: shaplessness [sic], discord.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
di-mhiadh: disrespect.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dias dhubh: Disease of coirce. Can be prevented by mercurial dressing of seeds before planting.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
diomb: [dʹũ̟:m] Quot.: “Bha diomb air ris.” Note: He felt displeased with him.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dis: common enough word for a person who likes to be beside the fire. But there is another word: ‘diseag’, which could have derived from ‘dis’, a name given to a female.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dis: cold. [NOTES: the slip is among the “Doubtful” words.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dis: Quotation: Feumaidh mi am beathach sin a thoirt a steach – tha e dis [dʹiʃ]. Notes: prone to feel the cold.
Location: Skye, Kilmuir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dis: cold, objectionable to cold, prone to feel cold. Nach tu tha dis.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dis: Quotation: Tha e dis. Notes: prone to feeling the cold. (“disear” – Lewis)
Location: Skye, Broadford
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diseag: Notes: a small, hairy crab which moves quickly.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diseag (noun): a young girl who likes being continually beside the fire.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
disearach: feeling cold.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
disearan: Note: fear bog nach seas ri fuachd.
Origin: Swainbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
disearr: Notes: chilly (with wet feel in air). Dw. has disear m. ‘susceptibility to cold, delicateness’ (Lewis).
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diseases of the head, neck and throat: Origin: Barra
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
diseases of the internal organs: Origin: Tiree
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
diseases of the internal organs including digestive upsets: Origin: Barra
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
diseases of the skin affecting the wool; warts, swellings, spots; ticks found in wool, worms in the skin: Origin: Barra
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
diseursadh: discharge of debt.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
diùraich (v): shoot; feadh diùrachaidh – (within) range, shooting distance.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
doidheadach: disappointed. “Bha mi air mo dhoidheadachadh.” [NOTES: should there be two entries – doidheadach (adj.) and doidheadachadh (verb)?]
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
doidheadach: disappointed. [NOTES: note added above ‘dh’ in ‘doidheadach’ – mh.]
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
doile: disease of the eyes, blindness.
Location: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
doille: Note: disease affecting the sight in sheep.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
doille: eye disease in sheep. As ‘sgiath air a sùil’ (cataract). The cure was glass broken into powder and inserted in the eye or eyes.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
dol-ás: out of it, dismiss, ruin. Nach ann ort a tha collas [sic] a dhol-ás.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dorannach: Nacheil [sic] sin dorannach. – sad, disappointing.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dosgainn: [d̪ɔɡĩnʹ] Quot.: “A bheil dosgainn anns a’ bhuntàta?” Note: “Is there a disease in the potatoes?” This was usually asked when a potato pit was opened.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dothach: [d̪ɔɔx] Notes: wooden vat which contained the mash in whisky distilling.
Location: Ross-shire, Torridon, Alligin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
draibh (v): scatter, dissolve (Arg.); dol gu draibh – go to ruin (N.W.).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dreasair: dresser for dishes.
Location: [Lewis], Siabost
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
drongaireachd: used as part of an expression indicating disbelief and amusement at what was being talked about. “O dhrongaireachd.”
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
druineach: Notes: ? Outlandish person.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drumanach: elder tree (already noted). When in winter the branches became sapless, children (as already noted) scrabbed [sic] [scrubbed?] the branches with a pocket knife and used the branch as fishing rods. It (the common elder) is a common tree, ‘easy to grow’ in places like the Isles of Scotland where the climate is damp and cold. It is noticeable on Harris growing without or within little distances of houses, or close to a house. If this signifies anything, I am not able to say at the moment. Seemingly it could? … In the ‘superstitious stories of the Isles’.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drìnnsear: dish.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
drùim ruadh: a ridge, slope with reddish soil. Trace of moraine, clay.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Ardivachar
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duaithnidh: Quotation: “Cha do thachair ni a riamh anns a bhaile seo cho duaithnidh.” – so disgraceful. Notes: Probably the same word as duaichnidh (horrible). In Wester Ross, the ch sound tends to be softened into th. Source: Wester Ross.
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dubh-sheanair: great grandfather. (Urq.) This summer a Glenurquhart man spoke of his mother’s great grandfather (who was one of the Seven Men of Glenmoriston, 1746) as “dubh sheanair mo mhàthair”. He gave the names of the fingers as: “ordag, mac an ab’, ceanna fad’, ludag, bhideag”. A near neighbour and contemporary (both families in the district for generations) gave them as: “ordag, bhordag, gille fada, mac an aba, bhideag”.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dudan: Disease of coirce. Can be prevented by mercurial dressing of seeds before planting.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
duine ciorramach: disformed [sic] person.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
duine dis: someone who can’t stand cold.
Location: Harris, Scarista Post Office
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dusbann: dispute. (Lewis)
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
duthaich fad as: distant country.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dàmhair: continuity. Ghabh e dàmhair thige co-dhiu. – intercessantly [sic] [incessantly?] on doing a job which will result in disaster. (one meaning)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dìmhinn: disrespect.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dòrlum: distress.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
dùdan: disease in seeds. Black in appearance.
Origin: [Note: From North Uist, information from Alex O’Henley / RÓM 4 Dec 2023]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eadar-falamh: space, distance, etc.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eadar-fàs: space, distance, etc.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eaglais: This is the word I have always heard for a church but it may be interesting to note that there are three farms in this district called Achnahannet. Not very long ago looking through the dictionary I came on the word ‘annaid’ meaning a church, which may suggest that that word was used in the district at one time.
Origin: Inverness-shire, Nethy Bridge
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
eaglais “method”-ach: Methodist Ch[urch].
Origin: ([Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Lochaber – [Canada], Inverness Co.) – Roman Catholic or (Skye – [Canada], Inverness and Victoria? Co.’s) – Protestant
Category: An Eaglais / Ecclesiastical Terms
earnach: galair cruith (black disease?). (old)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
earraig: [ȷɑriɡʹ] Quot.: “Nach tu a thug an droch earraig asd!” Note: said if one went somewhere and something disadvantageous happened to him.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
easlainte-cham: Quot.: an easlainte-cham. Note: disease in cattle and sheep causing a twist in the neck.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eirmis: Quotation: “Nach e bha eirmiseach.” Notes: able to discern, able to hit the nail on the head. Also applied to intuition which later proved to be right.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
eitig: skeleton form, a disease effect, disease (Scalpay). Derived or another form of eitigh. [SLIP: Like a skeleton, caused by disease. (uncertain as to whether this is an adjectival or nominal form or both)]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
errair: (droch errair) heavy surf on the shore. (Stoer, Assynt) Tha fuiam [sic] mor aig a’ “errair” – when the sound of the swell on the shore was heard at a distance. I understand the word is derived from oir a’ tir – the edge of the land. I never heard it anywhere else except in Durness where it is called “ellair” – “Tha a h-ellair olc.”
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Biadh is Deoch / Food and Drink
eòrna: 1. Sùgh an eòrna – barley water. 2. Brochan eòrna – barley gruel. ‘Eòrna’ was always associated with kidney or bladder trouble. Disease: in the list as above [i.e. infections, retaining water, cystitis, stones in kidney or bladder, discoloured urine]. How prepared: 1. Simply drinking it after infusion. 2. Mixed into paste with a taste of salt. Sources of information: locally informed generally.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
eòrna: Quotation: tigh an eòrna. Notes: the grain loft in distilleries.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
faileadh: disease of skin.
Origin: Geàrrloch [Gairloch]
Category: Crodh / Cattle
faileadh: Quot.: “Faileadh ortsa!” Note: exclamation of displeasure at someone.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
far-dhath: discoloured.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
farainneach: remote, distant. Similar to ‘faraileach’ given by Mr A. MacLellan, Tigharry.
Location: North Uist, Scolpaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feadh: Quotation: C’fheadh a tha e air falbh? Notes: How far away is it? (Not usually used of distance in most places, more of length.)
Location: Sutherland, Lochinver, Culkein (Stoer)
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feamainn chìrean: boiled and mixed with Indian meal. Given to cattle and horses to prevent illness and disease.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fear na h-eadriginn: person who intervenes as in a fight, dispute.
Location: North Uist, Locheport
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fear-fhàchaidh: [?] disbeliever in (Church) Christ.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fearsaid: distaff (for winding in thread).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fearsaid: distaff, spindle for twisting wool, operated by hand. (Scalpay)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
feumaidh: Quotation: “Feumaidh e bhith gur h-e gainmheach a th’ann.” Notes: said when discussing the oitir. “It is necessary that it be of sand” i.e. to be an oitir.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiadhaich: wild, distant.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
fiaghan: dish into which curds are put to drain.
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiamhlach: [fĩɑ̃ɫɑx] Quot.: “a’ falbh na [fĩɑ̃ɫıçəṉ].” Note: broken moorland or other disagreeable places outwith the village.
Origin: Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fiaras a bhainne: [disease affecting the udder and milk production.]
Origin: Barra
Category: Crodh / Cattle
fiodag: (interj.) as in the case of a person finding some other person not correct in a debate, or a dispute, will retaliate: fiodag! fiodag! Term more associated with children. [NOTES: the slip has ‘fiodag!’. Definition: Interj. of disagreement in debate or dispute – partic. among children.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fionnadh: discovering, finding out, etc.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
foirfeideach: a kind of special constable in village who sorted out land disputes and assessed damages.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fonagnadh: [fɔ̃ṉɑɡṉəɣ] Quot.: “Rinn na h-eich fonagnadh as a’ choirc.” Note: they spoilt it by trampling it and putting it generally in disorder. Made a mess of it.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fosgarra: [fɔsɡɑrə] Quotation: duine fosgarra. Notes: a well-disposed person.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fosgladh: Quotation: pl. “fosglaidhean”. Notes: distant lightning. (Thunder not heard.)
Location: [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
friochd: bite. Cha d’fhuair friochd. – reference to a disappointed ‘rock-fisherman’, in fishing terms, etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
froignidh: dismal, cave-like.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
frù fra: when something is in disorder or is very untidy.
Location: North Uist, Grimsay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuailit’(e): poultice. (Pronounced without the e.) Instance of the ‘r’ being dropped or dismissed in the pronunciation.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fuaran tuirneip: Turnip poultice. Disease: abscess.
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun, Knockan or Mull, Burg or Mull, Tobermory or Mull, Bunessan, Taoslainn
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
fuaran-sgeallain: Wild mustard poultice. Disease: pneumonia, colds, pl [sic] [pleurisy?]. Part used: leaves and stems. How prepared: mixed with hot water to form a kind of paste, and then put between two cloths. Can also simply use cold mustard leaves and stems in a bandage (bànn-arad).
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun, Knockan or Mull, Burg or Mull, Tobermory or Mull, Bunessan, Taoslainn
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
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
fàsach: Quotation: “’S mise fàsach do dhuine, / Ann am fàsach na beinne, / ’S cha do fhòghuim mi riamh, / Crioch àraidh an duine.” Reply of a Shepherd to Dr. Ross, Loch Broom – Pre-Disruption. Notes: Fàsach – wilderness. Fasach – empty.
Origin: West Lewis [the location given on the slips]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
fìdeag dhubh neo gàth dubh: affected small oats. The seed would literally disintegrate into black dust. [NOTES: ‘gàth’ corrected to ‘gath’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaisidh: Quotation: Tha ’m buntàta uamhasach gaisidh. Notes: diseased.
Location: Ross-shire, Gairloch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
galair an dumalais: the disease whereby the green/blue bile sachet on a liver burst with the result that the animal was poisoned.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
galairean: diseases.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
galairean: diseases.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
galar: Quotation: Galar a’ chinn. Notes: disease in horses. Lost sense of direction.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
galar: Quotation: an galar buidhe [bu̜i]. Notes: disease in lambs occurring during dry summers and on some types of ground. Scabs round eyes and ears. Sometimes lambs went blind.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
galar a bhuntàta: potato disease.
Origin: Bràigh-Lochabar [Brae Lochaber]
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
galar na h adhain: liver disease.
Location: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
galar-chruidh: [ɡɑ̟ɫɑ̟rxruiç] Notes: foot-and-mouth disease.
Location: Ross of Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gallan dearg: radish.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoch!: (interj.) to avoid leading a child into disgust, dirt, or to frighten him, in an attempt, by making him discharge something or spit from his mouth, any item of distaste.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaoid: an illness, disease. “Bha gaoid air.”
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gaorradh: [ɡwrəɣ] Quotation: Na bi na ghaorradh. Notes: press, cram. Involves discomfort or pain in connection with human or animal. ([w] not lengthened)
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
garbh ghùcag: undistilled whisky.
Location: North Uist, Tigharry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
garbh-ghucag: [ɡɑɾɑɣu̜xkɑɡ] Notes: the first distilling of the whisky. “Foreshot”. Very strong (?). See Dw.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
garran: (also) unpopular character, ‘causing’ distaste in boastful attitude towards his age, as a youth declaring an overstatement. (Scalpay)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gasag: any disease. (Stoer, Assynt)
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
gath dubh: Disease of coirce. Can be prevented by mercurial dressing of seeds before planting.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
geallach an abaichidh: seen in mid October. Distinct since it was lower than in the other seasons.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
geimh-air-geimh: term associated with two unagreeable [sic] [disagreeable? disagreeing?] persons, under a slight effect of anger, irritable, retaliating at one another in a snorting unpleasant conversation. Tha iad ann an shiod [sic] geimh air geimh. – reference to two or more persons.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ghruich-fhuilt: matted crop (mop) of hair, unorderly [sic] [disorderly?] set, perhaps rendered from ‘cruach-fhuilt’. (Harris)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gille pliobair: an underling, to be distinguished from a message boy who had a higher status. The word hints at backwardness and gullibility regarding this person.
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gille-na-bunaich: son of disgust.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gin: gin. For bladder troubles, for urine, discoloured urine and a patient unable to pass water normally.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
giodalan: Notes: a small disreputable boy. ? Cf. Welsh Gwyddelan = a little Irishman.
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glacaich-bhràghaid: Quotation: an glacaich-bhràghaid. Notes: choking disease, croup.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glugach: [ɡɫu̜ɡɑx] Notes: not being able to form words distinctly (e.g. a drunk person).
Location: Achlyness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glòmach: Quotation: Tha e glòmach as a’ bhruidhinn. Notes: having a lower pitch of voice than usual, e.g. person with a sore throat. Also used of water if dull or discoloured.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glùineach: [ɡlũ̜:nʹɑx] Quot.: a’ ghlùineach. Note: disease in sheep whereby the joints in the legs weakened so much that they went about on their “knees”.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
glùinean shòp: eighty one ears of corn placed underneath a rock. The person who did this was supposed to say a prayer and not to tell anyone of the whereabouts of the ears. Apparently as the ears rotted, warts were supposed to disappear. This has been proved to be true. [NOTES: ‘shòp’ corrected to ‘shop’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
graidleachan: Tha ainmeannan eòin agaibh a cheana. Tha aon fhacail (ainm) agam ann an daimh ri eoin is e sin. It may have originated from graibheal – gravel. That is a bird confined to the gravel shore, where he disperses gravel with his feet (perhaps I have already noted same).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greabhachadh: [ɡɾɛfɑxəɣ] Quot.: “Chuir e greabhachadh air.” Note: It disgusted, repulsed him.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
greòd: [ɡðɔ:d̪] Quot.: talamh greòd. Note: reddish type of soil.
Origin: Carloway, Doune
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
griseach: coldish.
Location: Tummel and Rannoch
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grobhail: [ɡɾɔvɑl] Notes: disgusting, nauseating.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grobhail: Quotation: “Dhia, nach iad tha grànda grobhail” – Catriona Mhór, on hearing Murdag Mhór’s description of the airmen at Broad Bay. Notes: Dw. has grabhail ‘horrible, causing horror, aversion or strong dislike’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grolamus: [ɡrɔɫəməs] Notes: a dish of food of very varied ingredients.
Location: Mull
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gràdhladh: little portion evenly distributed.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gràin: nn ‘hate, disgust’ : ò, tha ~ agam fhìn air an nathair; chan e sin a th’ orm idir ach ‘ tha do gh. agam air a’ __ nuair a thig iad leis na pilleachan mosach
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
grànnda: ugly, distasteful.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
gràp: Quotation: na gràpaichean. Notes: revolving grapes in mash tins (distillery).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
grùdaire: Notes: whisky distiller.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gualainn: Quot.: Chaidh e as a ghualainn. Note: dislocated shoulder.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gualainn: Quotation: Tha e a’ falbh ’s a theanga air a’ ghualainn. Notes: indiscriminate repetition of what one has heard.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
guirean: Quot.: “Chaneil ann ach guirean air tóin bainndean [b[ɑ̃ĩ]dʹɑṉ].” Note: said when dismissing something as not being as big as it is made out to be. Usually applied to small injuries, cuts etc. [bɑ̃ĩdʹɑṉ] – bann tighearna.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gulmal: [ɡu̜ɫu̜məɫ] Note: a disease of the eyes (human). Not heard of now as such. (Cataract?)
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàilleas: [ɡɑ:lʹəs] Quotation: a’ ghàilleas. Notes: septic gums in cattle. Weren’t able to eat when they had this disease.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
gàrradh an t-slamain: Notes: Not in Dwelly. The turf wall, within which the cattle must not go for a certain time after returning from the shieling. Slaman ‘curdled milk’ – the milk would have had to be carried home a considerable distance, thus tending to become curdled (?).
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
góbhalasg: female displaying her feet or thighs in like manner as the mini fashion of female’s dress.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
hùp hàp: Quotation: Tha an taigh ’na thùp-thàp. Notes: in disarray, untidy, topsy-turvy.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
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
imiolaid: this was a special lid for the milking pail when it had to be carried some distance – as from the sheiling. It was of cured hide, ‘made to measure’ or fitted to cover the top of the pail and come a little way down the sides.
Origin: Eileanaich [natives of Lewis]
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
iodhag: a short distance.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ireasglach: [ˈiðəsɡɫɑx] Quot.: “Ireasglaich bhradaich!” Note: term of contempt. Thought of as having something to do with disfigurement of the legs.
Origin: Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
labanachadh: pressed into distress, etc.
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
laoigteir: lighter (boat), oar type of boat, for discharging from a vessel to a pier etc.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lasd: [ɫɑsd̪] Quot.: “Chaidh a’ bhó as a lasd.” Note: it dislocated its hip-joint.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lasd: Quot.: Bó a’ dol as a’ lasd. Note: dislocating the hip-joint.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leabaidh-fhiodh: also of today, but to make a distinction [from leabaidh-fhiodh of the black-house] we have such: leabaidh-fhiodh-Ghallda, etc. etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leabhar-phaipeirean: a ‘catalogue’, a collection of wallpaper cut patterns inserted between hardback covers, in book form, displaying in wise the individual paper wished to be chosen.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leamh: disgusting.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leamh: Notes: various senses: e.g. sarcastic; disappointing (nach eil sin leamh). Dw. does not give sense of ‘sarcastic’ but gives ‘vexing, galling’.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leamhachas: continual irritation as listening to disagreeable speech.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leann: Quotation: leann loisgte. Notes: deposit left in big still after distilling.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leasgar: noisy display.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leastar (m): a dish.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leirsinneach: “Chaneil [sic] e leirsinneach.”– it is not distinct.
Location: [Harris], Leverburgh, Kintulavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leiteachas: disdain.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leum drama: slipped disc.
Location: Harris, Rodel
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leum droma: slipped disc.
Location: South Uist, Lochcarnan
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leum droma: slipped disc.
Location: South Uist, Daliburgh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leum droma: slipped disc. There is a tradition which says that a child who was born feet first has a healing power for this complaint. By walking on the afflicted person’s back the complaint is healed.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leum-drama: Note: dislocation in the spine – slipped disc?
Origin: Stockinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
leum-droma: Notes: slipped disc. Cured by one born feet first walking on the back of the afflicted person.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie, Alltan Dubh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liaradh: used for winding the spun yarn. It had 3 spokes underneath a roundish piece of wood with a spike at the top where two long bits of wood were laid crossways with holes in them and with wooden pins in the holes to keep the hank until it was wound into a ball.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lion: Quotation: a’ lionadh. Notes: the filling of the casks in the distillery.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lionn: beer. For constipation and stomach disorders (drinking beer).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
liugach: Notes: shy, holding head to one side. Not in Dw. Distinguish from liùgach.
Location: Lewis
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
loireach: drab colour, murky colour, muddy colour, discolour. Nach h-e tha loireach. (I am afraid I hadn’t made it quite clear as previously noted – loireach being colour description.) [NOTES: the slip has ‘Nach i tha loireach’. Definition: Dun-coloured.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
loireach: Notes: used e.g. of wishy-washy, ‘dish-water’ tea. Dw. gives loireach ‘soiled’ (Dmy), etc.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
loireach: drab, murky, muddy, discoloured.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
loisinneach: undisturbed. “Cadal loisinneach.”
Location: South Uist, Milton
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lonaid: Notes: lane for cattle. Dw. has lònaid ‘lane’ (from the Kilmonivaig District).
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
longag: sling made with leather and two pieces of string. Could throw stones a great distance, but not accurately.
Origin: Lewis, Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
losaid: [ɫɔsidʹ] Quot.: “bó a’ dol as a losaid”. Note: dislocating the hip-joint.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
losaid: Quot.: “a’ dol as a losaid”. Note: dislocation of the hip-joint.
Origin: Stockinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
losaid: [ɫɔsidʹ] Quot.: “Bó air a dhol as a losaid.” Note: cow with a dislocated hip joint.
Origin: Uig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luamhsgradh: [ɫ[ũ̜ɑ̃]sɡɾəɣ] Notes: stirring water and making it dirty by causing sediment to be dispersed through it.
Location: Skye, Portree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
luin: [ɫũ̜nʹ] Note: according to N.C. seen on a very hot day in the one spot, perhaps only 100 yards away. A visual disturbance in the air often accompanied by a whirlwind.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lungaid: Quotation: lungaid (Tong); lungag (Lochs). Notes: Dw. has neither but quotes longadh (Armstrong) in sense of ‘casting, throwing’. Habost man who was displeased with small son-in-law: “Chunna sinn’ a là a chuireadh sinn le lungag a-null a Bhaltos e.”
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lus-an-acrais: a plant seen on the moorland. If kicked or disturbed the petals gave off a smell which quickened the appetite. Therefore people were counselled to carry some form of food.
Location: South Uist, South Lochboisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lus-na-caitheamh: Notes: meadowsweet. People afraid to take it into house – thought to disseminate TB.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lus-nan-laogh: it may not be referred to in a vocabulary but it was once orally, as a medical cure for skin eruption, or skin disease, boils etc. [SLIP: Old medical cure for ailments of the skin (boils, etc.).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
lus-nan-laogh: Calf plant. Disease: bad blood, e.g. boils. Part used: the whole plant’s infusion. How prepared: boiled in water, and then the water drunk, a little occasionally. Sources of information: traditionally. A lady still living on Scalpay told me her father drank it for boils on the skin, and he was cured likewise. It was traditionally referred to here (Scalpay) that the plant of which the medical curable properties, [sic] necessary for the patient’s cure, was within a little distance of the house he lived in.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
là: Quotation: là do dhunaich. Notes: the day of your disaster.
Location: Skye, Strath
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
làrach-at-a-bhuinn-duibh: a mark left after the disappearance of the swelling, festering wound.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
lìon an damhain allaidh: Spider’s web. Disease: cuts, wounds.
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun, Knockan or Mull, Burg or Mull, Tobermory or Mull, Bunessan, Taoslainn
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
lùnntach: slow; of a lazy disposition.
Location: [Harris], Scalpaigh [Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
maor-cladaich: Notes: he regulated the distribution of seaweed.
Location: Skye, Staffin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meadhannan: [ˈmɛ̃-əNən] Quotation: Chaidh i as na meadhannan. Notes: ref. to some discomfort or injury arising when carrying a creel?
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mealadh dochais: disappointment.
Location: Barra, Northbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mealladh dochais: Disappointment.
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meanbh-chroinn: shrubbery. Perhaps similar to meanbh-chrodh, of the lighter series of growth and cattle distinction.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
measgadh: Quotation: tigh a’ mheasgaidh. Notes: (distillery) the mixing room, where the grist was put into a big metal tin and scalded with hot water.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
measgaich: Quotation: Bha e air a’ mheasgachadh. Notes: in the distillery, the crushed meal was mixed in the mixing room.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meban: distraction, mentally or physically. Rinn e meban dhiom.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meidhleag: peat that disintegrated when it was thrown from hand. “Cha robh innte ach meidhleag.” [NOTES: note above ‘meidhleag’ – ‘maidhleag’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
meulnachadh: discouragement.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mi-ònarach: dishonest.
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
mial: Quotation: a’ mhial. Notes: disease in horses. Upper gum extends downwards; can be cut.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mial: Quotation: a’ mhial. Notes: gum disease in horses.
Location: Tiree, Cornaigbeg
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mial: Quotation: a’ mhial [əvĩɑ̃ɫ]. Notes: disease in horses. The upper gum extends downwards.
Origin: Arisaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mial: Quotation: a’ mhial [əvĩɑ̃ɫ]. Notes: disease in horses causing the top gum to extend downwards.
Origin: Invermoriston
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mial-chraogais: used on Scalpay, but not now. I am not prepared at the moment to say what it means. Of the louse species? Perhaps. You may have a clue yourself. I have heard it ‘as a boy’. I may have noted its meaning years back. I think it’s one of the compound words of which I haven’t discovered a meaning or its meaning rather. [SLIP: Not used any longer. Uncertain at to precise meaning but some kind of louse.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miodas: dishonesty.
Location: North Uist, Hoghagearraidh [Hougharry]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mionnach-as: disembowel(ling).
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miosar: [mĩsɑɾ] Notes: a wooden dish like a basin.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
miothal-mothal: Quotation: Tha h-uile dad miothal-mothul aca. Notes: referring to disarrayed furniture of people who had newly moved house, cf. mothal, odds and ends. Source: Mrs A. Beaton. Date: 1968.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mistearachd: cunning, disreputable conduct.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mo threachladh: my distress.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mogan: Quotation: Saoil thu dé thig as a’ mhogan? Notes: used for a purse occasionally. Small roundish object.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mogan: whiskey distilled from oats, or anything other than barley.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mosach: adj ‘dismal, hateful’. : bha i [an t-sìde] an-dè; nathair mh.; bha oidhche mh. stoirmeil ann [FMMaclellan]; nam biodh iad air fad car ~ ri chèile [MAE]
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
muillear: [mũ̜ʔlʹɑɾ] [?] Notes: miller (distillery).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
musgan-caol: prawn. I have already noted this rendering for prawn, which I have discovered to me I am doubtful as its appropriateness or did it ever be the interpretation of the word prawn… the giomach-cuain is the nearest?
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mòine: Quotation: mòine bhargain [vɑɾɑɡɑ̃nʹ]. Notes: peats cut on piece – work for the distilleries or farms.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
mùsgan-caol: prawn. I have discovered this word for prawn.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
na sgrathan: These were square pieces of green sod or turf thinly cut with a sharp kind of spade called a ‘caibe-làir’. There was an art in the cutting of a ‘sgrath’ and an ordinary spade would not do. The ‘sgrathan’ were laid on top of the rafters, ‘taobhain’ [q.v.] and ‘maidean-ceangail’ [q.v.] in a very methodical way, so that every inch of wood was covered. Finally the thatch, rushes or heather, was carefully spread on top of ‘sgrathan’ and held down by heather ropes, ‘sioman fraoich’, in criss-cross pattern. To the ends of these ropes, which dangled over the top of wall below, heavy stones called ‘acraichean’ were attached to keep thatch secure in place in time of storm. If the least flaw was detected in a ‘sgrath’ after it was cut, it was at once discarded as unsuitable for the roof of a building.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
noigean: Quotation: [n̪ɔ̃ʔɡʹɛ̃nʹ], sometimes [n̪ɛ̃ʔɡʹɛ̃ṉ]. Notes: a wooden communal dish for holding potatoes, porridge, etc.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
obag (-an): said of a child displaying parents’ characteristics. “’S obagan d’athair agad.”
Location: North Uist, Sollas, Malagleit [Malaglate]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ola chroinn ola: Olive oil. Disease: rheumatism. Part used / How prepared: rubbing it on the affected part. Sources of information: traditionally.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
olainn: wool was used but disapproved of eventually as in the (suspect) case of having germs.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
onagarraid: ’S iongantach mur a h-e seo ‘onagaid’ a gheibh sibh anns na faclairean. Dwelly: onagaid – confusion, row, disturbance. M’Ghillfhinnein: onagaid – confusion, row. ’S ann ri ‘row’ agus ‘disturbance’ na’s motha a chleachdas sinne e. Mar aig na balaich anns an dealbh-chluiche: an dotar a’ cur na pìoba (stethoscope) ri broilleach an fhir eile: “O mo chreach mhór an onaghail tha dol air adhart ’n a do bhroinn.” (Am fuam ’san troimhe-cheile ’s an gluasad tha dol air adhart ’n a bhroinn.) ‘Onaghail’, ’se seo ‘onagarraid’ againne.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
orasda: another word I am not certain of; I heard [it] being spoken but I am not at the moment prepared to say what is its true definition, but I suggest (to me) it’s the place on which dung is placed when discharged from the byre or shed, or material put aside for convenience or some other reason. (It was pronounced with the [?] long accent?) As hear [sic] I note it to be oir aisde – air a chuir air an oir aisde. I am afraid the word is not used now with us.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
parlamaid: a group of people discussing local affairs. Parlamaid Hiortach.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
peithir: sudden squawl [sic] [squall?] of wind. Total disruption of elements including tide disruption.
Location: Barra, Castlebay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pillean: a discarded item of clothing left to rot outside in the rain.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
piobar: pepper. Disease: sore tonsils. How prepared: put on tonsils with spoon-handle. Sources of information: parents and people around.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
piolasg: metal disc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pionnd: mint. Disease: ruadh (rud sam bith a tha ceàrr air an stamaig). How prepared: tè.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
pionnd: mint. Disease: asthma. How prepared: mint-tea.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
pionnd: mint. (Cha robh fios aige an e ainmear f. no b. a tha seo.) Disease: ceann goirt. Part used: every part, dried. How prepared: mint-tea. Sources of information: parents and people around.
Origin: [Barra]
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
piorraid: a disapproval name given to a female. [SLIP: A pejorative name given to a female.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
piosdal: disrespected person. [SLIP: A person who does not command respect.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
plamach: Notes: soft, discoloured, fatty, like meat of poor quality.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
preis-dhubh: still for whisky distilling. [NOTES: slipped under ‘prais-dhubh’. Definition: Whisky still.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
prenistir is bainne: Sulphur and milk. Disease: to prevent the blood from gushing through the bandage, with healing abstraction, qualities. Part used / How prepared: mixed together. Prenisteir [sic] is bainne air a measgadh. Sources of information: traditionally.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
pronnastan: sulphur. Used to make a poultice. Applied to humans as well as animals. Used for rashes, boils, warts. Also given to young people to keep potential diseases at bay.
Location: South Uist, Iochdar, Baile Gharbhaidh [Balgarva]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pudharan: Disease of coirce. Black stalks found occasionally in a field of growing corn.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
puidseadh: a game played by any number of people, although usually limited to ten. Each had a minimum to [sic] two old pennies. The object of the game was to get the pennies as close as possible to the stake in the ground – ‘spideag’. Whoever was nearest gathered all the pennies, shook them in his hand and threw them all up into the air. He kept all the coins that landed on their heads. Then the second closest person picked up the coins that were left (tails) and threw them up into the air and so on till the coins had been distributed. [NOTES: note added above ‘puidseadh’ – padhdseadh (from pitch?).]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pumalair: bully, awkward person, of a rude disposition and over the average stature. Nach ann an sud a tha pumalair.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
putharan: a disease which affected corn and oats. Ears of the crop would be white in colour and prone to disintegrate when shaken or touched.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
putharan: [pu̟həɾɑṉ] Notes: ear of barley which has become black and which falls away as powder when disturbed.
Location: Stornoway, Melbost
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
pùran: Disease of coirce.
Category: Àiteach / Agriculture
rabht (d): foolish display, idle, coarse talk.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rabhtach: Quotation: duine rabhtach. Notes: given to tell distorted or exaggerated stories.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rachd: disappointment. Fhuair e rachd.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rachd: disappointment.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
reis ada: long distance race.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
riaslach: [riɤsɫɑx] Quotation: Tha mi uamhasach riaslach. Notes: untidy, the house in disarray, etc.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ribleachadh: beginning to disperse. When the end of a rope needs whipping it is regarded as ‘ribleachadh’.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
riudhan: small wooden dish used for serving sweet [sic].
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
roinntir: district.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rothainn: Quotation: Cuiridh an rud as lugha dhe a rothainn e. Notes: ‘The least thing will disconcert him, or make him lose his mental equilibrium.’
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruaidh: disease (of the rheumatism form).
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruaidh: disease in a cow’s udder. Needed to be continuously milked to alleviate the problem.
Origin: Uibhist a Tuath [North Uist]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruaidh-chaoich: developing process in this complaint [i.e. ruaidh], or galloping process (as galloping consumption term of expression). [SLIP: Rapid development of disease.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruathair: the spreading of a contagious disease.
Location: Lewis, Back
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rubh-ràth: Quotation: Tha ’n àite na rubh-ràth. Notes: in disorder.
Origin: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruith: Quotation: Tha ruith mhór air a’ chladach seo. Notes: movement of the tide over a considerable distance on a shallow shore.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ruith bheag, mhór: specified distance for horse races set out on appropriate machair land.
Location: North Uist, Iollaraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rusalan: a wooden dish used for serving vegetables.
Location: North Uist, Iollathraigh [Illeray]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rusg buidhe nan creag: Yellow lichen on rocks by shore. Disease: burns. How prepared: lichen boiled until nearly dry, then mixed with fresh butter to make an ointment.
Origin: Mull, Bunessan, Ardtun, Knockan or Mull, Burg or Mull, Tobermory or Mull, Bunessan, Taoslainn
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
rèiteach: a party held in the week prior to a wedding. Distinct from the ‘rèiteach’ where the groom asked his father in law for his daughter’s hand in marriage.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ròpach: Notes: given to telling distorted or exaggerated yarns.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rù-rà: Quot.: Nuair a thainig mi dhachaidh bha ’n tigh ’na rù-rà. Note: in a disorderly state, untidy.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùdh-ràdh: in utter disorder.
Origin: Lochaber
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
rùth: [ru̜:] Notes: long pinkish roots found on the machair – made a reddish-brown dye lighter than crotal.
Location: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sabhal: Quotation: sabhal brachaidh [sɑvəɫ bɾɑxi]. Notes: malt barn in distilleries. (see sheets)
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sag: sack, dismissed out of work or sacked out of work. Fhuair e sag.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saghan: Quotation: Bha saghan air. Notes: disgruntled, angry-looking.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
saills: or salts. Was [sic] used in connection with a few ailments, ‘sore-head’, headache, constipation, squeamishness and blood disorder.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
sainich (v): differentiate, distinguish between.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
salachar: in the literal sense of a dirty person. Also in sense of an unworthy, disgusting person.
Location: Benbecula, Muir of Aird
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
salachar: dirt. Nach b’e salachar e. – humanly speaking, or resembling a human being who makes unworthy action of disdain.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
salpiodair: saltpetre. Given to cattle to alleviate bladder disorder.
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
samh: any smell but in this case used of the distinct smell of herring.
Location: Eriskay, Na Hann [Haun]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seabhaltach: discomfitted person, knocked out, undone.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
searbhadair: [ʃɛɾɛd̪ɑɾ] [?] Notes: towel. Searbhadair soithichean – dish towel.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
searbhan: Quotation: Chuireadh e searbhan ort. Searbhan! Notes: disgust, esp. in reaction to pomposity or boastfulness.
Location: Applecross
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
searr (v): stretch (as legs); distend (as football, etc.).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seathan: gentle rolling noise of waves heard from a distance. “Seathan socair na mara.”
Location: Benbecula, Creagorry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seot: [ʃɔt̪] Quotation: Bha an saoghal aige air a sheot. Notes: He had everything at his disposal.
Location: Ross-shire, Aultbea
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
seòrsaigeadh: displaying.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeolldair: [sɡʹɤu̜ɫd̪əð] Note: long thin reddish jellyfish which stings. Buckie men called them “scalders”.
Location: [Lewis], S. Lochs, Gravir
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgeòtallach: [sɡʹɔ:t̪ɑɫɑx] Quot.: “duine sgeòtallach”. Note: a person who, when working, would [sic] [not?] settle in order to complete a thing properly, resulting in everything being disorganised.
Origin: [Barvas]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgillinn: small circular disc (about the size of a penny) which is part of the loom’s mechanism.
Location: Lewis, Keose
Category: Obair na Clòimhe / Wool-Working
sgleap de dhuine: disgusting.
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
sgleimh: disgust, vomit. Cha mhor nach tug e sgleimh orm. (was common)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
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
sgonnach: rash, indiscreet.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrabh: Notes: disgust.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgraing: Notes: expression of disgust, anger, surliness.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgramh: (also) disgust (in connection with an old boat, etc.) Co ás a táinig a scramh [sic]. [NOTES: The quotation on the slip reads ‘Có ás a tàinig a’ sgramh?’ Definition: Disgusting old hulk of a boat.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgramh de dhuine: a disgusting person. [NOTES: there is (M) next to this item possibly to indicate that it was provided by Morag MacLennan.]
Location: Harris, Sgarastamhor
Category: Nàdur an Duine / Personality
sgramhalachd: disgustfulness. (Scalpay pronunciation)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgrathail: Notes: awful, disgusting.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgreamh: [sɡɾɑ̃f] Quotation: a’ gabhail sgreamh de rud. Notes: when one gets so tired of something that it becomes distasteful. (sgreamhal [sic] – adj.)
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgreamh: disgust.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgreamhail: [sɡɾɑ̃fɛl] Notes: disgusting.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgreamhalachd: disgustfulness. [See sgramhalachd.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgreat: [sɡɾɛt̪] Quotation: a’ gabhail sgreat air rud. Notes: loathing, disgust. (Skye.)
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgreataidh: expression of disgust, abhorrence. Heard this in context of someone complaining of stifling, humid conditions – “O nach robh e sgreataidh a staigh an sud.”
Location: Barra, Eoligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgriabadh: scratch, at the moment but eventually the mark disappears.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
sgriogal: (also) shabby, oldish. (I may have noted this word formerly.)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgriogal: old character, oldish appearance.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
sgrìob a’ chobair: a term applied to the Campbells referring to their eviction policies. This depicts the gables being tied to the carts and pulled along leaving a distinct mark.
Location: South Uist, Peninerine
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgurabhaidh: scurvy (disease). Cha mhor nach tug e sgurabaidh [sic] orm.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sgàla: basin, dish.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siacail: [ʃıɑkəl] Quot.: “Fosgail an dorus gus a’ siacail a cheò.” Note: Open the door until the smoke disperses. (a’ siacladh)
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sianndaiche: distant person.
Origin: [South Uist]
Category: Coltas an Duine / Personal Appearance
sill teach: [sic] venereal disease.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
silteach: venereal disease.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
silteachd: distillation.
Origin: ‘Islay connections’
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siola-na-h-easgainn: Entrails of an eel. The spawning part in particular. The earliest form of cure. Disease: rheumatism. Part used: spawning part. How prepared: freshly applied. Sources of information: traditionally.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
siosag-ruadh: [ʃwsɑɡɾu̟ɤɣ] Notes: a reddish docken.
Location: Sutherland, Kinlochbervie, Oldshoremore
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siubhal: Quotation: Bha siubhal sith aice. Notes: some were supposed to have this power. If one glanced away for a very short time from looking at such a person and then looked again, they seemed to have covered an incredible distance for such a short time.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
siud: Quotation: “Carson a rinn thu e?” “Airson sud fhein.” Notes: never mind. What’s it to you? Dismissive.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slinnteach: [ʃlʹɤ̃ĩnʹtʹɑx] Note: very wet snowflakes, disappearing on contact with the ground.
Origin: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sliseag a mach a àite: slipped disc.
Location: South Uist, Stilligarry
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sluisrich: Quotation: a’ sluisreadh. Notes: working with water, washing dishes, etc.
Location: Islay, Port Wemyss
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slìobaire: character of a flattery disposition, confined to males.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
slòcan: medicine for cow disease using seaweed.
Location: Harris, Finsbay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smiùir: Quotation: a’ smiuireadh [sic] [smjũ̟:ɾəɣ] na caoraich. Notes: tarring the sheep as a method of disinfection.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
smóraigeadh: Notes: fumigating the house after the occurrence of an infectious disease.
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sneachda an cothrom: snow spread evenly over a district, e.g. all of South Uist.
Location: South Uist, Bornish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sobhrach: Primrose. Disease: infested heel wound (at a bhuinn duibh). Part used: the leaves only. How prepared: the leaves placed on the wound with poultice of oatmeal, placed as hot as the patient could accept. Sources of information: my mother doing it.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
soitheach: Quotation: anairt shoithichean. Notes: dish towel.
Origin: North Uist
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
soitheach-plastig: plastic dish.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
solus: Quotation: solus-putan. Notes: button wrapped in a piece of cloth, put in a dish of tallow and lit.
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sopachan: Notes: heather dish and pot scourer.
Origin: Glenurquhart
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spaidseireachd: (also) display of a person’s movement.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spealtan: Splinters. Disease: broken bones. How prepared: strips of wood adjusted against the injury, and kept in position by strips of cloth secured firmly round and round the splinters and tied, knotted. Sources of information: local.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
speilean: [spelɑ̃ṉ] Quot.: “a’ cluich speilean”. Note: A game somewhat akin to rounders. A small hollow was made in the ground and a line drawn about 15 yards from it. The apparatus consisted of a ball or cork float (usually the latter), a stick about 9" long (speilean) and a bat like a putter bat (caman) – a flat board about 1 ft long and about 5" wide with a handle attached. Two opposing teams were chosen by two captains. The first side to “bat” was chosen by drawing lots (a’ cur crann). The other team was spread out behind the line, as “fielders”. The “speilean” was put into the hollow at an angle with one end sticking up and the cork float lying on the end in the hollow. The first to bat would shout “Ready?” The other team would say “Tha” and the batter would strike down the protruding end of the “speilean”, causing the cork to be ejected into the air. The batter would then hit it as far as he could. If the cork was caught by a member of the opposing team before it hit the ground, he was out and the next member of the team batted until all were out. If it is not caught the first fielder to reach it gives the batter a “fair” [fɛ:əɾ], throwing it to him so that he can strike it again. If it is caught, he is out. If not, the first fielder to get it rolls it from that spot trying to get it into the hole or as near as possible. This is called “a’ spìocadh” [spi:kəɣ]. If it is holed or comes to rest within a bat’s length of the hole, the batter is out. If it is outside this range, the distance from the hole is measured in bat lengths, the number of lengths being the number of points scored by that player. He carries on until he’s out, then the rest of the team bat in turn until all are out. The other team then bat and all the points totted up, the winner being the side with the highest points.
Location: Harris, Quidinish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
speilipan: See attached slip. [NOTES: the following copied from the attached piece of paper.] L – Lever, which was hit with a bat, cromag [?] stave etc., which flung the ball into the air. From then the game was similar to cluich air house i.e. rounders. When the players were few, the catcher had the privilege of wielding the bat. There was quite an art in playing the ball in the hole: central, or to the left slightly or to the right slightly depending on how the field was set. Also the wielding of the bat gave room for the display of skill. Hit for 4, hit for 6 or interval for trot.
Location: Leodhas [Lewis], an taobh siar
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
spidean-spaidean: prim and neat person. Now I am not sure of this term: but I think you may use it as noted above. Vaguely, I presume this to be as such reference dispense: Nach bu tu ’n spidean-spaidean? (old usage)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spiolagan: distracting [sic] [extracting?] food from whelks. A’ spiolagadh na faochag.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris,Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
splaoid: distance. [SLIP: ‘A trip; outing’. Sc?]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
splaoideag: short distance (dim.). [See splaoid.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spog-dhubh: the skin becoming black, perhaps through the blood circulation from the disease thrombosis. Birds wouldn’t, will not eat from, disdain to eat the dead carcase.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
sprèadhan: Notes: any dish for holding oil.
Location: Lewis, Point
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spèic: [spɛ:c] Quot.: “Tha spèic mhath eadar so ’s an eaglais.” “Tha e spèic mhath as.” Note: a good distance.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spòg: Quotation: a’ spòg dhubh. Notes: disease peculiar to sheep whereby the skin becomes like jelly and turns black. The animal becomes blown up.
Location: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spòg: Quotation: a’ spòg dhubh. Notes: disease peculiar to sheep whereby the skin becomes like jelly and turns black. The animal becomes blown up.
Origin: Islay, Ballygrant
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spòg-dhubh: Note: disease in sheep. Flesh goes black and animal dies.
Location: Harris
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
spùtagach: having many spouting discharges.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sreannachan: propeller, disc revolving at a fast rate.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
srulais: mixture of material of a distasteful approach: Cha’n eil an sud ach srulais. Srulais gu leoir aige (gossip).
Location: Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
staghadh: Notes: after very heavy meal, discomfort can be felt. Undigested meal.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
staranach: (adj. of staran [q.v.]) place abounding with stepping stones, as an islet on a loch with the shallow channel in between almost filled with stones as in the case of schoolboys etc. constructing ‘stone causeways’ to get across to discover bird’s nests.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
starbach: Notes: dissension, quarrelling.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stiùrag: Gruel. Disease: colds. Also: beaten eggs with rum for colds. Part used / How prepared: Taken in hot water – it was or is oatmeal mixed in water infused of a thinly composition and drunk. Drinking some of it, a little now and again, I presume. Sources of information: traditionally.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
stiùrrannan: Quot.: “Cha toireadh e duine gu droch stiùrrannan.” Note: He wouldn’t lead one to bad habits or acts which were disapproved of.
Origin: Kershader
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stocadh: collecting into a stock, merchandise, ware, etc.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stopairean: the ropes used for lashing bag to boat’s side prior to discharging herring.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
stragaidh: scattered amount, thin scattered evenly distributed.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
straigealair: [st̪ɾɑɡʹəlɑɾ] Notes: a disease, akin to a cold, in horses.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
strannachan: [st̪ɾɑ̃n̪ɑxɑṉ] Note: circular piece of leather 2"-3" diam. Two holes, with string through each hole and then knotted. String cork-screwed and then pulled at each end. Disc revolves backwards and forwards as the two ends are pulled and then slackened.
Location: Lewis, Uig, Crowlista
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stuird: a disease in sheep.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
sturuic: [st̪u̜ru̜çc] Quot.: “Tha sturuic air.” Note: He is frowning, showing considerable displeasure.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stàrr is feamainn chirean: [sic] given to cattle with ‘is-sproillean’ [q.v.] and ‘nis-sproillean’, I have discovered the two pronunciations, perhaps there are the two words, seemingly. I shall make more investigation. Stàrr (coarse grass) is feamainn chìrean air a chuir cuide ris, ’s air an goil, ’s an sin leigeil leis gu fuarachadh, ’s a h-uile cail a bh’ann a thoirt dh’an bhoin, sùgh is eile…
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
stìp: [ʃtʹi:p] Quotation: na stìpean [nəʃtʹi:pəṉ]. Notes: big tanks in the distilleries which could hold about 25 tons of barley where the barley was steeped for about 60 hours.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
stúrdaidh: Notes: disease in sheep.
Location: Ross-shire, Achiltibuie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suaithneasail: distinctive.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suibheag: [si:ɑɡ] Notes: a sign of bad weather. A column of reddish light, shaped like the lower half of a rainbow, over the water, ending in the water just as a rainbow would. Common to Barra, Golspie and Embo. Though each speaker varies the description slightly, all agree that it’s a column of coloured light ending in the water and that it marks bad weather to come. N.B. there is a homophonous word in Embo only, which means ‘very red cheeks’ – possibly an extension of meaning for same word? e.g. [de: nə si:ɑɡən ǯerəɡ] ‘what red cheeks!’ Source: John MacRae, 12 Moray Terrace, Brora.
Location: Sutherland [see below]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
suirsdean (m): disease of the head, pocket of fluid pressing on the brain.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
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
sàplas: dirty water left after washing clothes, dishes, etc. [NOTES: corrected to ‘saplas’.]
Location: South Uist, Garrynamonie
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sìth: Quotation: Bha siubhal sìth aice. Notes: some were supposed to have this power. If one glanced away for a very short time from looking at such a person and then looked again, they seemed to have covered an incredible distance for such a short time.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sòragas (-adh): to dispute, quarrel or debate with someone.
Location: North Uist, [Carinish], Cnoc Cuidhein [Knockquien]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùirstean: Notes: delirium caused by dog distemper, causing the animal to go round in circles.
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
sùisdean: Quotation: Tha an cù a’ dol mun cuairt le sùisdean. Notes: a type of distemper (?) which causes a dog to go round in circles. [NOTES: slipped under ‘sùistean’.]
Location: Tiree, [Caolas? – one slip]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tabhainn: also meaning distress.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taimich (v): cancel, dissolve (as agreements).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tairt: Quotation: an tairt. Notes: thirst. Also used for the disease (?) brought on in cattle by lack of good water supply.
Origin: Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taisealach: good distribution, going a long way, considering what was to be done with it, it has done more than I considered: any item, food, paints, etc. Nach e tha taisealach. (Scalpay)
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taisealachd: of good amount in a considerable distribution.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
talach: displeased.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
taosg: Quotation: taosg a’ pheile (3/4 full of the pail). Notes: Dw. has taosg ‘precise full of a liquid measure; ... near the full of a dish, etc.’
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarbh-nathrach: [t̪ɑɾɑvɑ̃ṉɑ̃ɾɑx] Note: seems to be applied to the daddy-long-legs in Park district.
Location: [Lewis], South Lochs, Caversta
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarbhan: disgust, satiety. Cf. ‘tarbhanaich’ (T.G.S.I., 44. p. 291)
Location: Inverness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarran: Low thunder claps, distant.
Origin: [Lewis, Uig an Iar]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tarsuinn: Quotation: duine tarsuinn. Notes: a contrary person; disagreeable.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tart: Quotation: an tart. Notes: disease in cattle. The skin became dry and the beast shed some of its hair.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
te-shrianach: Quot.: an te-shrianach. Note: game usually played on the machair. Each player marked out a square of turf for himself and cut it into a certain number of strips (strianagan). A piece of wood was stuck into the ground a certain distance away and each player attempted to hit it in turn with a stone. If one failed to hit, he lost a “strianag”. Carried on till all but one (the winner) had lost the whole square.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teanga: Quotation: Tha e a’ falbh ’s a theanga air a ghualainn. Notes: indiscriminate repetition of what one has heard.
Location: Tiree, Caolis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teas: Quotation: teas a’ bhroilein. Notes: said by D.F. to be “inflammation in the manyplies”. Stomach disease or illness.
Origin: Islay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teas-broilein: cattle disease, about the stomach.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
teine-dé: skin disease. [SLIP: Skin disease; shingles.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tha bhò ann an tabhainn: cow in distress.
Location: Lewis, Arnol
Category: Crodh / Cattle
theap or theip: almost. I spelt the former in this form I think (h-ip) demonstrating a little difference in pronunciation, which in this case matters little, for to note, and could perhaps be dismissed as the first is not grammatically spelt I think.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
threòraisde: left to his own discretion. Bha e air a threòraisde fhéin – he was left to his own discretion. [SLIP: ‘He was left to his own discretion. (< treòir + prep. pron.?).]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
thèagharna: Quotation: A thèagharna! Notes: (expression of disgust) corruption of ‘tighearna’.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tigh: Quotation: tigh na braiche. Notes: the Malt Deposit in the distillery.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tigh: Quotation: tigh a’ mheasgaidh. Notes: the Mixing Room in the distillery where the crushed meal was scalded with hot water (see sheets).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tigh: Quotation: tigh an eòrna. Notes: the grain loft in distilleries.
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tinneas: Quot.: an tinneas critheanach. Note: the “trembles” in sheep. Caused by the “gartan”. If a sheep goes to a place where it didn’t “get its milk” and the “gartan” is present it gets this disease. Not immune to it.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tinneas-a-righ: ‘King’s disease’ or ‘King’s Evil’. Known in the Highlands of Scotland.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tinneas-caitheamh: wasting disease. [SLIP: A “wasting disease” – prob. T.B.]
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tinneas-gàildeach: infectious disease.
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tinneas-gàldach: infectious disease.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tobacco: [sic] Tobacco. Disease: smallpox (bheanachdachd bhreac). Part used: gitseog tobacca. How prepared: dha shuathaigeadh (chewing). Sources of information: the individual who was in contact with the disease in a foreign country, South America, and his pal, who [sic] he nursed for a while, used to chew tobacco to prevent him having the disease himself – a disinfectant method he adopted himself. I’ll make further enquiry.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
tollach: [t̪ɔɫɑx] Quotation: ’S ann gu math tollach a bha i nuair a chunnaic i na bha as a’ ghlaine. Notes: dissatisfied.
Location: Skye, Camustianavaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tollach: [t̪ɔɫɑx] Quotation: ’S ann tollach a bha e nuair a chunnaic e cho beag ’s a thug mi dhà. Notes: showing dissatisfaction.
Location: Skye, Harlosh
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tom-uragaidh: Notes: disgruntled, surly man (main stress on ‘ura’, with svarabhakti trill). Not in Dw.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tombaca: Tobacco, tobacco leaves. Disease: cuts and bruises. Part used: leaves. How prepared: tobacco leaves for cuts, placed on the cut and bandaged untwined leaves, as a disinfectant. Sources of information: traditionally.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
torman (f): distant thunder.
Origin: Tiree
Category: Sìde / Weather
trabhlaich: [t̪ɾɑu̜ɫiç] Quot.: “Tha trabhlaich dhan an tinneas sin a’ dol.” Note: usually applied to a cold or some mild indisposition.
Origin: [Ness]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treas tarruing: Spirits of wine. [NOTE in second hand: thrice distilled.]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treasg: Notes: the draff in whisky distilling.
Location: Ross-shire, Torridon, Alligin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
treòlair: Quotation: An d’fhuair thu an treòlair ud a tha air falbh. Notes: epidemic, contagious sickness. Did you catch that disease that is going around?
Location: Canada, Christmas Island
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
troid: vb ‘argue, dispute’ : past: chan e creideamh a th. siad air idir
Location: Canada, Cape Breton, Broadcove
Category: Field Notebooks of Seosamh Watson June-August 1983
troigh: Notes: foot. (dist.)
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
trolla: a chain with a metal plate attached with hole in it. Pot hung from the holes in the plate. This seems to be a variant name for ‘streòlaidh’ above. Informant not able to distinguish.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Trianaid House
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
truinnsear: dish.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tréacomasg: disorder.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuab: an tuab, an t-uab – cattle disease, about the mouth (spelled by sound only).
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuagal: goal. Subsequently called “hail” when shinty was played to modern shinty rules. (Stoer, Assynt) Shinty was always played on New Year’s Day, “Latha na Callain”. Two townships would compete, and after the match was finished the visiting team would try and dribble the “creg” out of the township. I saw old boddich of 70 running out with walking sticks to prevent the “creg” being taken out of the township, which was considered a great disgrace! So long as the numbers were equal there appeared to be no limit to the number on each side for the actual match. I played for Caberfeidh Shinty Team, but it was child’s play in comparison to those New Year’s Games! At half time – the match was usually two hours – whisky was distributed – not lemons! Incidentally, if a visiting township managed to get the creg away, they had the privilege of having the match in their township next New Year.
Origin: Assynt, Stoer
Category: Cur-seachadan: Dèideagan, Geamaichean is Farpaisean / Recreation: Toys, Games, Contests
tuaicheal: [t̪uɤçɑɫ] Notes: disease in sheep, involving dizziness.
Location: Skye, Kyleakin
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuaicheal: Notes: the disease in sheep whereby they stagger round without any sense of direction.
Location: Skye, Breakish
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuaichear: Notes: a sheep’s distemper. Going round.
Origin: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuaireabach: Quotation: duine tuaireabach. Notes: a man inclined to cause dissension.
Location: Skye?, Braes, Baile Meadhonach
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuanal: [t̪ũ̜ɑ̃ṉɑɫ] Notes: “sturdy”. Water on the brain – a disease found in sheep.
Origin: Bunloit
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuathalan: turning anticlockwise, brain disease.
Location: [Lewis], Arnol
Category: Caoraich / Sheep
tuathallan: [t̪u̜ɤhəɫɑṉ] Quot.: an tuathallan. Note: disease in sheep caused by a fluid sac on the brain. Causes it to lose sense of direction.
Origin: Ness
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tuirim: distress.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tusdraich: rumbling noises in the distance, e.g. “Tusdraich ’s tarnainnich.”
Location: South Uist, South Boisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
tàbh-taomaidh: the basket for discharging herring from the net.
Location: [Harris], Scalpay
Category: Iasgach an Sgadain / Herring-Fishing
tòc: Notes: A growth that comes over a cow’s eye. Apparently a cataract. There were people (with a steady hand etc.) who were in regular demand for removing this (e.g. a bodach in Achmor). Dw. has tòc ‘Disease of the eyes, mostly peculiar to sheep – Rob Donn; “pink-eye” in horses.
Location: Lewis
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uaiche (f): dismay; uaichle.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uaichlich (v): feel dismay.
Origin: [Strathglass]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uinneag mhór: ‘Uinneag mhór’ was the large square window made in the wall of a house and is to be distinguished from the much smaller window which was in the thatch on top of wall and was no more than a foot in height. To have an ‘uinneag mhór’ in a thatched house was regarded as a mark of affluence and distinction in the bad old days. If a crofter in those times put an ‘uinneag-mhór’ in the wall of his dwelling, his rent was increased by as much as five or six pounds, or more. No wonder the crofter was forced to live in a “black house”, he had to pay dearly for his share of God’s daylight.
Origin: Skye
Category: Taigh Gàidhealach / House and Furnishings
uisg airgid: water taken from a burn and a silver coin placed in the water. Water stirred supposedly absorbing the hidden potency of the coin. Water would then be thrown over an animal which was suffering from a disease or which had been cast under a spell.
Location: South Uist, Stoneybridge
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uisge: Quotation: tri uisgeachan. Notes: three waters usually poured on the grist (distillery).
Origin: Islay, Port Charlotte
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uisge-tinneas-an-righ: water associated with the cure of the disease known as the King’s Evil. [NOTES: slipped under ‘uisge’ with ‘uisge tinneas-an-rìgh’ as the quotation.]
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ulaidh thruis: stir, dissension, collection.
Location: Skye
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
uninean: [sic] Onion. Disease: sore throat (amhaich ghoirt). Part used: the lot, peeled and broken up, and put in boiling water in a bowl and the steam coming off it inhaled. Inhaling – am bial fosgailte os cionn uinnean ann am burn goileach. How prepared: boiled, infused – could be used likewise, ground up as a poultice – not necessary). Sources of information: my mother.
Location: Harris, Scalpay
Category: Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
urghannan: Notes: heaps of stones of varying sizes (some quite large boulders) piled on top of one another in disarray. On Barvas moor known as Na h-Urghannan. (glacial deposits?)
Location: Lewis, Barvas
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
ursainn chatha: someone who is a source of comfort and strength at times of distress.
Location: North Uist, Carinish, Trianaid House
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àilgheasach: fussy. Nach tu tha àilgheasach. – a remark when a person doesn’t give much reception or welcome to a meal, which he doesn’t feel like having, finding it in say in a distasteful flavour to him, and him so fussy, ‘ailgheasach’ [sic]. (Harris)
Location: Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh [Harris, Scalpay]
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àsradh: pining. Also a sheep disease in Sutherland.
Location: Skye, Bernisdale
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
àth-liath: [ɑ lıɤ] Note: organ somewhat like the liver, smaller. Reddish. Pancreas?
Origin: Balallan
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
‘hunt’ (m): Quotation: Thug e dhomh ‘hunt’. Notes: hint, subtle reminder of e.g. a debt, or one’s disgrace, etc.
Location: Harris, Ardhasaig
Category: Measgaichte / Miscellaneous
“braxy”: disease of the lungs.
Origin: [Arran]
Category: Caoraich / Sheep

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