cairt | a root used for dyeing. |
fiasag nan creag | lichen. A dark, grey colour obtained from this. |
bun an t-sealasdair | a light grey colour was obtained from the root of the iris. |
fersaid | spindle. For winding thread. |
cliabh luaidh | the long platform where wool was waulked. It had a rounded head. [NOTES: note added above ‘cliabh’ – from cliath?] |
air a’ chòrn | this phrase indicated that the wool had been wrapped round this wooden hogshead (còrn). This was done after waulking. |
rèis | this was the measurement by which the wool had to contract during waulking. Approx. the length of the middle finger. |
àtha | the kiln wall. About three feet high and ten feet wide. |
leaba an t-sìl | the part of the kiln where the seed was placed to dry. |
seice caora | a sheep’s skin. |
ròth liasraidh | the water powered wheel in a mill. |
an t-each bàn | little white eddies on the sea surface. Indicating gales and high winds. |
cabraid nan ròn | seals squealing. A sign of bad weather. [NOTES: ‘cabraid’ corrected to ‘càbraid’.] |
godalais | a language unto themselves. Reference to previous word. |
galair a’ ghartain | louping ill. Caused by a tick with a red head. The other four types of tick are not so dangerous. |
athainn | embers. |
laoghachcainn | the skin which is taken off a dead calf or lamb and placed on another so as to endear it to its new mother. Also called a ‘luairceinn’. [NOTES: ‘laoghachcainn’ corrected to ‘laoghachcain’ and ‘luairceinn’ to ‘luaircein’.] |
òla leigheas | balsam. [NOTES: ‘òla’ corrected to ‘ola’.] |
deargadh | general term for an earmark. |
ròpa tacsaidh | a rope between two ploughing horses. |
ulag | a small circle in which a hook can be placed. |
glas bheoil | the bit in a horse’s mouth. |
bearraidean | tools. |
arbhaigeach | fidgety. |
buirreasg | a bit of wood which was placed on an animal’s face to prevent them from fighting. Had nails on the inside of the wood to act as a deterrent. [NOTES: corrected to ‘bùireasg’.] |
strathair chleibh | a saddle with baskets attached. [NOTES: ‘chleibh’ corrected to ‘chlèibh’.] |
comhlaichean | these were the parts of the saddle where the baskets rested. |
plàta | a plaid underneath the saddle which prevented the baskets from cutting the skin. |
maide eich | a twitch used for controlling a horse when it was being shod. Made of a wooden handle with a rope at one end attached to the horse’s face. When it was twisted, it tightened so as to hurt the horse. |