Glossary of Gaelic terms

an dà shelladh — the second sight

beannachd Dhé leat — may the blessing of God attend you

bodach — brownie, hobgoblin

coire na cailleach — hag’s cave

Dia — God

dubh — black

feasd, am feasd — never

glaistig — female fairy, ghost

iùilas — spells

mo gràdach — my dear one

och-on — alas

sitheachean — fairies

slan leat — greetings

taibhes — a vision of the second sight

tigh na shuidh — the house on the resting-place

tornashee (literally tor-na-sitheachean) — the fairies’ hill

uan — lamb

Sources: The New English-Gaelic Dictionary compiled by Derick Thomson (Gairm Publications, Glasgow, 1981); Gaelic Dictionary compiled by Malcolm Mackinnon (ACAIR and Aberdeen University Press, first pub. 1925, reprinted 1984).