poll-mònach | fairly long peat bank. |
grabhag | short peat bank. |
ath-bhlàr | a peat bank cut after the original surface layer of peat has been used, i.e. a second layer of peats. |
riasg | peat as it is in the peat-bank before being cut. |
ceap | turf, cut sometimes where it is thin with some peat attached to it and cured for burning at the back of the fire to save the peats during the winter. |
fàd | an individual peat, i.e. a slab cut out of the peat-bank. |
corr-fhad | the first peat so cut, i.e. the peat on the face of the bank exposed to the weather. |
barr-fhàd | the first layer of peats next to the turf. |
caoran | the layer next to the back formation. Also small broken peats. |
poll trì fòid | a peat bank out of which three layers of peat can be cut. |
tairsgeir | the cutting iron. |
smeachan | a wedge like piece of wood which served the dual purpose of attaching the shaft to the blade and of providing a place for the foot to exert pressure on the blade to force it through the peat. |
sgiabadh | peat-cutting crew. |
tairsgeir | the two people comprising the team involved in cutting and laying out the peat. |
a’ gearradh na mònach | cutting the peat. |
fear/té tha a’ gearradh | the individual who cuts the peat. |
fear/té tha cur a mach | [?] the person who throws out the peat. |
leabaidh laighe | the moor-bed on which the peats are thrown out for drying. |
rìachadh | the initial cutting through out the bank preparatory to skinning the turf. |
rùsgadh | skinning the turf of the peat bank. |
togail | lifting the peats and putting four or five together on end two or three weeks after cutting. |
rùdhadh | turning the peats again and making bigger piles of them in a cairn-like group. ‘Rùdhan beag’ and ‘rùdhan mór’ so produced. |
dùn | peat piled at the road preparatory to being hauled home. |
cruach | peat stack made when the peats are brought home. |
stéigheadh | constructing the outer walls of the peat stack in layers. |
mòine-bhàn | generally the first two or three layers of peat next to the virgin moorland. |
mòine-chalcais | peat in which there is a certain amount of moorland grass and heather fibres. |
mòine fhraoich | peat which is made up of undecomposed heather fibres. |
mòine-fhiadhe | peat in which there is decayed wood embodied. |
mòine dhubh | generally the last strata of peat next to the rock-formation. |
afoinn | cured peat of such an absorbent texture that it soaks in water to such an extent that it will not burn until it is dried again. [NOTES: ‘ath-mhòin?’ in second hand added in the margin.] |
cliabh | wicker-work basket supported by a rope or band round the chest and shoulders. |
iris | the band which supports the creel. |
dronnag | an old skirt folded several times into a saddle on the small of the back. |
bodach | three legged wooden structure on which the creel is rested thus holding it level with the carrier’s back. |
sorachan | a pile of peats on which the people sat at any interval. |
smùr | peat-dust, i.e. peat that gets broken into very small particles due to exposure to the weather or through rough handling. |
spaid | spade, used usually for turfing the peat-bank. |
cuir na mònach chun a’ rathad | taking the peats to a convenient road ready for hauling home. |
cuir na mònach gu tìr | taking the peats to a convenient road ready for hauling home. |
a’ tarruing na mònach | either taking the peats to the road or taking them home. |
bara | a wheel-barrow in which the peats are taken to the road. |