Glossary

an dun na cuantaiche: (an dûn na kŭăn/-ttech-å), the castle of the rover.

an traigh bhean: (an træ-y when), the woman’s shore.

aye: always, forever.

bens: hills, mountains.

Ben Nevis: a mountain in the Highlands near Loch Linne; at 4,406 feet, it is the highest point in the British Isles.

bothan: (baw/-hawn), a hut.

braw: brave, hearty, brawny.

cailleach: (kăly/-ak), an old woman.

caillean: (kai-lean/), a young girl, colleen.

cairn: a quarry, a pile of stones.

callant: a flashy young fellow, a gallant.

catteran: a Highland freebooter.

ceilidh: (kay/-lee), a gathering, a party, a merrymaking, a visit.

clachan: a small hamlet.

cleev: skein, as of wool.

coof: a fool.

coronach: a ritualistic death chant or song.

de’il: not a; a colloquial expression, contraction of “Devil.”

dule: grief.

fash: worry, bother.

fipple flute: a kind of small wind instrument.

ghillie: a manservant.

greeting: weeping.

grue: curdle.

havers! nonsense!

hiero! an exclamation like “So!” or “Well now!”

Hogmanay: New Year in Scotland.

howk: to throw oneself into a task.

lawks! a mild expression of surprise; a corruption of “Lord!”

liefer: rather.

losh: an exclamation combining “Lord!” and “Gosh!”

mo chu: (mo cū), my dog.

mo graidh: (mo grah/-ēē), my dear.

nighean mhúirninn: (nyė/-un mûér-nin), beloved girl.

och! ochone! oh! o-o-o-oh!

omadhaun: (ō/-maw-hawn), a crazy fellow, a fool.

Sassenach: Saxon, particularly an Englishman.

sgian-dubh: (skēān/-dŭgh), dirk, dagger.

shielan: group of shielings.

shieling: (shēē/-ling), a cottage.

shoon: shoes.

sluagh: (sloo/-ah), a great many.

thole: bear, abide, withstand.

toom: empty.