Scots Glossary

addlepated—mixed-up

aflocht—troubled

Alba—ancient term for the kingdom of the Scots

auld—old

Auld Reekie—Edinburgh

Auld Toun—old-town Edinburgh

bairn—child

bannocks—oatcakes

bethankit—God be thanked

blether—gossip

bonny—pretty

brae—hill

Braiste Lathurna—the brooch of Lorn

braw—handsome

Buik—Bible

canna—cannot

couldna—could not

da—dad

didna—did not

dinna—do not

doesna—does not

douce—sweet, lovely

dunderheed—fool

fash—worry, vex

gaol—jail

ghaist—ghost

gruamach—sulky, moody

haeddre—Scottish heather

hasna—has not

haud yer wheest—hold your tongue

hoot!—pshaw!

howdie—midwife

hungert—hungry

ill-scrappit—rude, bitter

ill-trickit—wicked, dangerous

isna—is not

jings—gosh

kelpie—water fairy

ken—know, understand

kirk—church

laird—landowner ranking below a baron and above a gentleman in Scottish order of precedence

leine—shirt

loch—lake

loosome—delightful

michty me—goodness gracious!

Moonbroch—ring around the moon

neeps and tatties—turnips and potatoes

och!—oh!

peely-wally—sick

ruadh—red

sennight—week

sgian dubh—black dagger

shooglie—shaky

shouldna—should not

slàinte—(to your) health

smirr—sprinkle

sonsie—pleasing, pretty

sporran—leather pouch

stayed lass—spinster

tapsalteerie—topsy-turvy, upside down

tolbooth—courthouse, jail

unchancie—dangerous, risky

wasna—was not

wheest—quiet, hush, to hold one’s tongue

willna—will not

wouldna—would not