| airb | a fortification consisting of a wall with turrets. |
| asgairt | to take up arms – “Gu robh feum air asgairt airm.” |
| alg | space, i.e. the universe beyond the earth’s atmosphere. |
| ogsanna | certain knowledge, curtailed to certain people in pre-Christian times. This knowledge protected them against evil spirits. |
| oilpeig | some kind of revelation, belonging to same period as above word [i.e. “pre-Christian times”]. |
| bridich faiche | a term of reproach for indifferent people in battle. Literally battlefield dwarfs. |
| fothairidh | a revolution or rebellion. “Dìreach mar a bha fothairidh thall ’s an Fhraing.” |
| aircheall | theft. |
| collastraich | J.M.A. assures me these were training schools run by monasteries and nunneries for the training of young boys and girls in various skills and crafts. Set up prior to the Reformation by John, Lord of the Isles. He was obliged to fund these since the Pope had given him permission to divorce his wife Anna and marry Margaret Stewart, daughter of Robert II. |
| ceall chaillich | nunnery. |
| dàomanas | a levy which was imposed on possessions. In operation in the days of the Lordship of the Isles. Paid in kind. |
| innlinn | a similar levy imposed in same era as that above [i.e. dàomanas (q.v.)]. These taxes paid for upkeep of services in community – doctors, vets, church, transport, etc. |
| buille ’m port | this was a way of selecting players in a game. The two captains picked teams respectively. One would say ‘buille ’m port’ seeking permission to pick a player. The other captain would respond by saying ‘leigidh mi leat’. The selection continued in this way. Moreover and also during wartime selection of people with young families was carried out in similar fashion. |
| clia luth | striking the tuning notes on a chanter. “Clia luth de’n phort.” |
| birein | fragments, smithereens. “Ni mi birein dheth.” |
| greidheadh lìn | preparing flax. |
| liosradh | to dress flax. |
| ceum gathais | large footprints found in rocks in islands off North Uist. Apparently belonged to the feet of the druids and are called wisdom steps. |
| Tuathroinnich | an older Gaelic name for Norsemen. |
| cruidheag | a needle used for medical purposes. Could be inserted into veins. |
| uma | an appeal against an order. |
| unga (-chan) | a certain amount of land which could be rented for an ounce of silver. Literally ounce land just as ‘peighinn’ is penny land. |
| feorlingean | farthing lands. |
| luchd feirm | husbandmen. |
| airid | a kind of sofa in old days, prior to the advent of the ‘beinngidh’. |
| earlan | woven carpets. |
| cliath dealg | above carpets [i.e. earlan (q.v)] woven on this loom which had wooden pins attached to it. |
| iast | an old Gaelic word meaning holiday. “Bha mi a falbh air iast bho chionn dà sheachduin.” |
| planntrais | a plant. |
| 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. |
| conuisg | gorse. |
| searmaiche | hawthorn. |
| mùt | a vat in old salt making machines. |
| claisean tiachd | a chasm which drew in salt water for salt-making purposes. |
| stann (-ain, -annan) | sea water drawn into these vessels [i.e. claisean tiachd (q.v.)?]. Regulated flow of salt into the vat. |
| mùt | water dropped into this as salt. |
| teine beura | this fire was lit beneath the ‘stann’ [q.v.] which was instrumental in forming the salt. J.M.A. tells of a place close to Lochmaddy which made salt and sold it to countries such as Holland and Sweden, which had no natural salt. |
| spùinneadairean | pirates. |
| brosgulan | a flatterer, parasitic person. A sycophant. |
| siadaireachd | propaganda. |
| nàbas (-ach, -achd) | the daily affairs of people within the same country or in foreign lands. Could be defined as politics. |
| ciànrag (-an) | a basket woven from reed, willow or sea bent. |
| màrlag | similar to basket above [i.e. ciànrag (q.v.)]. |
| ceabag (-an) | portions of cheese. Similar to ‘mulachag’. |
| fealg | obstructions such as those that clog up drains or streams. |
| bealbh | sending word of warning. “Chan urrainn dhuinn a dhol sios gun bhealbh a thoirt do’n bhean taighe.” |
| cuineastoir | reputation. |
| ancar | a measurement consisting of eight gallons of whisky. |
| coireamain | coriander. |
| iasg meosta | smoked fish. |
| iasg bruanta | grilled fish. |
| iasg greallta | grilled fish. |
| tias | a cooking utensil used for grilling purposes. Thin iron bars on top with fire beneath. |
| rusalan | a wooden dish used for serving vegetables. |
| calm | mashed vegetables. |
| riudhan | small wooden dish used for serving sweet [sic]. |
| strog (-adh) | to paint. “Chuir e strog air na rothan cartach agus dh’fhàg e iad gus tiormachadh.” |
| neo thuasaideach | said of an easy going person. |
| mi-lointeach | annoyed. “Bha e ag eisdeachd gle mhi-lointeach ris an fhear eile.” |
| reidhbheirteach | said of an unruffled, placid person. |
| funnt | said of someone who had an inclination to steal. “Daoine funnt.” |
| folc | an ill-natured person. |
| cileasag | having more than one girlfriend; two timing. |
| toirteil | excellent. |
| ealganach | lively. |
| teor | pocket on a garment. |
| fiodail | a jerkin worn under a plaid. |
| snaruinn | nervous fear that sets in after you have been badly shaken. “Bhuaill snàruinn e.” |
| fròthas | muddled up, confused. Nervous tension. |
| teislig | strips of bandage or leather used to secure bandage, placed above and below the wound. |
| inneasach | riveted to a story. |
| ufai | old Gaelic word meaning congratulations. “Ufai air Mac Ruaridh.” |
| ìuslaig | a mission, venture. “Tha an ìuslaig an deagh làmhan.” |
| strannaig | a mattress. Made from willow, sea grass, wool, flax, down of birds. |
| folmadh | when working with clay this was the process whereby clay was slowly put into the mould for shaping purposes. Had to be careful not to put too much clay in at any one time. |
| soineagach | inconsistent. |
| ceann stròg | an oily substance obtained from flax after it had been boiled. Thereafter painted onto wood. A preservative. |
| deòstadh | to estimate, evaluate. |
