Mòine / Peat-Working

Informant(s)
Name
Mary [?] M. MacLean
Location
North Uist, Grimsay
Date
20/09/1967
1. Ag ullachadh na talmhainn airson mòine a bhuain
fosgladh poll-monainitial opening of new peat-bank.
feannadhturfing the peat-bank or digging squares of the turf to expose softer layer of ground underneath (the actual peat).
rusgadhsame as above [i.e. feannadh]; another term for ‘feannadh’ – term used in Lewis.
glanadh (a phuill)clearing away the squares of turf cut in the ‘feannadh’ [q.v.] process, also smoothing away all uneven ridges, ready for actual cutting.
meithethe width of the peat bank.
2. A’ buain na mònach; na h-innealan a chleachdar; ainmean nam fàdan, etc.
tarasgeirthe peat-cutting iron.
barr-fhadname for peat on top of layer (see garadh).
iochdarlower part of peat-bank.
uachdarupper part of peat-bank.
garadhlayer of peats placed on ‘uachdar’ [q.v.] when cutting.
sgaoilteachpeats thrown out on top of upper bank and scattered round the ‘garadh’ [q.v.].
fear-gearraidhthe person operating the peat-cutting iron.
fear-sradaidhthe person throwing out the peats as they are cut.
3. A’ tiormachadh na mònach
sadailremoving the peats from lower part of bank to the upper part, where they are more likely to dry quickly.
cruachadhstacking the peats on the bank.
gniomhadhthe ‘masonry’ of the peat stack.
rudhadhmaking small stooks of six or more peats, placed in vertical position – this is the initial stage of drying.
rudhanname for aforesaid small stooks [see rudhadh].
ath-rudhadhthis has to be done if weather is unfavourable for peat-drying. Inside peats in stooks placed outside and vice versa.
ath arrachadhas above [i.e. ath-rudhadh].
togail mhonadhas ‘rudhadh’ [q.v.].
4. A’ cruachadh na mònach
steidhpile of peats. This term is mostly used in Sutherlandshire.
gobhlfhadlarge unbroken peat, chosen for masonry or ‘gniomhadh’ of the stack. The same terms apply in ‘cruachadh’ as in ‘tiormachadh’, i.e. gniomhadh, sadail [q.v.].
tudana small peat stack. (In Uist ‘tuidean’.)
5. A’ toirt na mònach dhachaigh; an cliabh, etc.
tarruingterm used for transportation of peat from bank to the house.
stairseach-mhonadhsmall paths made of stones and turf leading from peat-bank to wherever peats are to be carried.
cliabh-monacreel for carrying peats.
cairt-mhonacart for [carrying peats.]
eathar-monaboat for [carrying peats.]
luchd-monaname for cargo of peats in boat.
6. Seòrsachan mònach
moine chruaidh dhubhheavy type of peat; very good for heat, but inclined to crumble during dry [sic] process if exposed to sun and rain.
moine chosachporous type [of peat]; not durable in fire bur easier to dry.
moine chiobachporous type [of peat]; not durable in fire bur easier to dry.
cioban[See moine chiobach]
caoran, caorainsmall fragments of peat much sought after for heating purposes.
7. Faclan eile

© DASG
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