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Gaelic

In 10th century Scotland the principal language was Gaelic. This language has contracted in the last thousand years, becoming the language of the Highlands and Islands. In more recent centuries it also lost ground to the growing dominance of English, in various forms, as the Highlands emptied of its native population during the Highland Clearances.

Modern white buildings comprising the Gaelic College on Skye with sea and mountains in background on a bright sunny day

Today Gaelic has had a revival with around 60,000 active speakers. Its stronghold is still the west and on the islands, particularly those that form the Outer Hebrides.

The city of Glasgow is home to around 10% of the countrys Gaelic speakers and is the location of the Glasgow Gaelic School which offers nursery, primary and secondary school education.

Gaelic remains a dynamic force in written and spoken prose and poetry as seen at the Mod, an annual festival of Gaelic song and poetry. The Sabhal Mor Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture has been established on the Isle of Skye which offers a range of courses through the medium of Gaelic. The language is supported by a BBC Gaelic TV channel, radio station and dedicated website, In popular culture Gaelic has even appeared in the hugely successful Outlander TV series.

Popular Gaelic Words

Here are some popular Gaelic words that you may come across during your travels through Scotland’s Highlands and Islands.     

Gaelic English
Failte Welcome
Madainn mhath Good morning
Feosgar math  Good afternoon/evening
Ciamar a tha thu? How are you?
Tapadh leibh Thank you
Biadh Food
Deoch Drink
Uisge Beatha The Water of Life (Whisky)
Ceilidh Ceilidh
Taiqh-bidh Restaurant
Beinn Mountain
Muir Sea
Tir Land

Scots

Bright green and yellow fishing net in foreground on a beach in an Aberdeenshire Fishing Village

Scotland's other language is Scots, a form of 'English' which has grown from a Northumbrian dialect of Anglo-Saxon (just as the dialect of the Thames Valley in England evolved to become what is called today 'Standard English').

Scots has absorbed French, Germanic and Norse influences and was the standard speech of court until James VI of Scotland inherited the English crown in 1603 and moved to England. Finally, with the Union of Parliaments in 1707, English became the official language of administration. Scots is still spoken in the North-East, among the farming and fishing communities beyond the Grampian mountains, where it can still be heard in all its richness, colour and vigour.

Here are some popular Scottish words that you will hear on your travels:

bairn - baby or young child. This is used in most parts of the country, except primarily West Central Scotland, where wean tends to be used instead.

bashit - mashed: Haggis is served with bashit neeps (turnip) and champit tatties (potatoes). 

beastie - a small animal such as an insect or spider.

ben - a mountain, often part of the mountain's name, such as Ben Nevis or Ben Lomond.

Slightly blurred image of man and woman spinning around in dance at a ceilidh

birl - to spin or revolve, often while dancing. 

bIack-affronted - to feel very embarrassed or offended.

brae - a hill or hillside.

braw - fine or excellent.

burn -a stream or brook.

champit tatties - mashed potatoes.

dreich - dreary or tedious, particularly when relating to weather.

drooth - feeling thirsty 

eejit  - an idiot

fankle - to tangle something.

finnan haddie - a smoked haddock.

fitba - football (soccer)

gallus - feeling self-confident, daring and often slightly cheeky or reckless.

Hogmanay - 31 December, New Year's Eve

jings - an exclamation of mild surprise

machair - a type of low lying sandy grassy land found on the shoreline of beaches, particularly in the Outer Hebrides.

Bright turquoise sea and white beach with Machair

neuk - a corner or nook 

peely-wally - feeling a bit “under the weather or pale. 

Shining silver quaich in foreground with whisky bottle in background

quaich - a small shallow drinking cup, usually with two handles, used for drinking whisky. 

scunner - to feel irritated or fed up

shoogle - to shake, sway or rock from side to side 

wynd - a narrow street or lane, which leads off a larger or more important street, such as Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.






Quality Sightseeing since 1907

For over 100 years we've been making touring Scotland a quality experience for visitors from all over the World. Over the years our Scottish tours have been chosen by many thousands of travellers who want to tour Scotland in comfort and style.

Scottish Tours has a long and distinguished pedigree and we are proud to include the famed names of Scottish Motor Traction, Scottish Omnibuses and Eastern Scottish as part of our heritage. For more information on our history click here

Today we continue to offer our clients the highest standards of service and the very best value. You can tour Scotland with Scottish Tours confident in the knowledge that no one has more experience.

Tour Scotland with Scottish Tours. Discover the highlights of Scotland on a tour to Loch Ness, The Scottish Highlands, Skye and Loch Lomond.