Glossary

Ben or Bheinn a mountain

besom an irritating, unpleasant woman

bodach an old man

burn a small stream often fast-flowing and stony

byre a stone barn

cailleach an old woman (often wife), not necessarily derogatory

ceilidh (1) a neighbourly gathering in each other’s houses for food, drink, and entertainment (amateur but often very accomplished) (2) a large, organised dance arranged for the tourists

Ciamar a tha Hello, how are you?

clootie dumpling a pudding made in a cloth (the cloot) and boiled It contains flour, suet, dried fruit, oats, and sugar

lum chimney

loch a lake—may be freshwater inland or sea loch

peat decomposed vegetable matter, laid down thousands of years ago, mainly in the acidic soil of Scotland, Ireland, and other countries, dug for fuel (or gardens)

peat hag an area of peat bog which has been delineated for rental

sheiling rough shelter for crofters on the high summer grazing

strupak tea and a bite (and a gossip)

Tha gu math Fine, thanks. How are you?