Category Archives: Folklore

Iasgair nan Loch / The Fisher of the Lochs

Posted on January 16, 2020 by

Tha iasgair iteach air a chuimhneachadh ann an Loch an Iasgair / Loch an Iasgair means ‘loch of the fisher’ but it’s not the human variety. ‘Iasgair’ nan Loch Anns an dùthaich mhonadail, gharbh air cùl Pholl Iù, tha loch … Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Folklore, Gaelic, History, SNH, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Leigheasann Tonn a’ Chladaich / Thrifty Gaelic Cures

Posted on December 19, 2019 by

Tha tonn a’ chladaich na leigheas airson dà thinneis, a rèir beul-aithris / Traditional lore identifies thrift as means of curing two ailments. Leigheas airson Trom-inntinn is Ceann-daoraich ’S e tonn a’ chladaich (ris an can cuid neòinean a’ chladaich) … Continue reading →

Posted in coastal, Flowers, Folklore, foraging, Gaelic, History, Natural Health Service, sea life, SNH, Uncategorized, wild flowers | Tagged , , , , , , , ,

A’ Ghaoth agus an Aimsir / Wind and Weather

Posted on November 26, 2019 by

Faodaidh atharrachadh na gaoithe a rèir na combaist innse dhuinn mun aimsir a tha romhainn / The direction of the wind can help us predict the weather, according to traditional lore. Àirde na gaoithe agus ro-innse na h-aimsir Tha seanfhacal … Continue reading →

Posted in coastal, Folklore, Gaelic, History, Marine, sea life, SNH, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Creagan, Aibhnichean is Minn a’ Leum / Crags, Rivers and Leaping Kids

Posted on October 31, 2019 by

Tha minn a’ nochdadh gu tric air aghaidh na tìre air a’ Ghàidhealtachd /  Young goats appear in many places in Scotland’s Gaelic landscape. Creagan, Aibhnichean is Minn a’ Leum Ann an monadh Chinn Tìre, deas air an Tairbeart, tha abhainn … Continue reading →

Posted in deer, Folklore, Gaelic, SNH, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Very superstitious – nature and folklore in the spotlight

Posted on September 13, 2019 by

Explore Scotland’s natural environment and you will soon discover that it is packed full of folklore and superstition. Down through the years a close connection with nature led people to interpret its signs and symbols in many weird and wonderful ways. … Continue reading →

Posted in Folklore | Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Astonishing facts about place names – folklore of the Gaels.

Posted on June 29, 2018 by

This blog explores part of the rich folklore of the Gaels and the importance of the Gaelic heroines of Scotland and Ireland in the naming of places.  A must read.… An English translation is below Gaelic text. Na Dùin a … Continue reading →

Posted in Folklore, Gaelic, SNH, Uncategorized | Tagged , ,

Fascinating Gaelic-named islands of Loch Lomond

Posted on June 25, 2018 by

Ruairidh MacIlleathain guides us through the fascinating ‘Inches’ – the Gaelic-named islands of Loch Lomond. The English summary can be read underneath the Gaelic. Loch nan Innsean Tha am facal innis a’ nochdadh ann an grunn riochdan ann an ainmean-tìre … Continue reading →

Posted in Folklore, Gaelic, National Nature Reserves, Uncategorized | Tagged , ,

Achlasan Chaluim Chille / Columba’s Armpit Package

Posted on June 25, 2018 by

Tha lus a tha ceangailte ri meadhan an t-samhraidh cuideachd a’ cuimhneachadh Naomh Ceilteach ainmeil / A plant connected to midsummer also recalls a famous Celtic saint … Tha Lus Chaluim Chille co-cheangailte ri Naomh Eòin ann am Beurla (‘St. … Continue reading →

Posted in Beinn Eighe NNR, Flowers, Folklore, Gaelic, National Nature Reserves, SNH, Uncategorized, wild flowers | Tagged , ,

Lus buidhe Bealltainn – Yellow plant of Beltane

Posted on May 1, 2017 by

The marsh marigold is a vivid reminder of the close links between Gaelic culture and the Scottish seasons, as Ruairidh MacIlleathain explains. Read the full Gaelic version below. The day that starts the summer, now the first of May, is … Continue reading →

Posted in biodiversity, Folklore, Gaelic | Tagged , , ,

To plant a rowan

Posted on April 6, 2016 by

From the ruins of old crofts to the landscaped grounds of Great Glen house, the rowan holds a special place in Scottish gardens. Iain Macdonald, SNH’s Biodiversity Strategy Officer, tells its story. I love photographs of isolated croft houses.  You … Continue reading →

Posted in Folklore, Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , ,