THE BURN.
The moment they were settled in the Auld Hoose, Gibbie resumed the
habits of the former winter, which Mistress Croale’s failure had
interrupted. And what a change it was to Ginevra--from imprisonment
to ministration! She found difficulties at first, as may readily be
believed. But presently came help. As soon as Mistress Croale heard of
their return, she went immediately to Lady Galbraith, one morning while
Sir Gibbie was at college, literally knelt at her feet, and with tears
told her the whole tale, beseeching her intercession with Sir Gibbie.
“I want naething,” she insisted, “but his fawvour, an’ the licht o’ his
bonnie coontenance.”
The end of course was that she was gladly received again into the
house, where once more she attended to all the principal at least of
her former duties. Before she died, there was a great change and growth
in her: she was none of those before whom pearls must not be cast.
Every winter, for many years, Sir Gilbert and Lady Galbraith occupied
the Auld Hoose; which by degrees came at length to be known as the
refuge of all that were in honest distress, the salvation of all in
themselves such as could be helped, and a covert for the night to
all the houseless, of whatever sort, except those drunk at the time.
Caution had to be exercised, and judgment used; the caution was tender
and the judgment stern. The next year they built a house in a sheltered
spot on Glashgar, and thither from the city they brought many invalids,
to spend the summer months under the care of Janet and her daughter
Robina, whereby not a few were restored sufficiently to earn their
bread for a time thereafter.
The very day the session was over, they returned to Glashruach, where
they were received by the laird, as he was still called, as if they
had been guests. They found Joseph, the old butler, reinstated, and
Angus again acting as gamekeeper. Ginevra welcomed Joseph, but took
the first opportunity of telling Angus that for her father’s sake Sir
Gilbert allowed him to remain, but on the first act of violence he
should at once be dismissed, and probably prosecuted as well. Donal’s
eldest brother was made bailiff. Before long Gibbie got the other two
also about him, and as soon as, with justice, he was able, settled
them together upon one of his farms. Every Saturday, so long as Janet
lived, they met, as in the old times, at the cottage--only with Ginevra
in the place of the absent Donal. More to her own satisfaction, after
all, than Robert’s, Janet went home first,--“to be at han’,” she said,
“to open the door till him whan he chaps.” Then Robert went to his sons
below on their farm, where he was well taken care of; but happily he
did not remain long behind his wife. That first summer, Nicie returned
to Glashruach to wait on Lady Galbraith, was more her friend than her
servant, and when she married, was settled on the estate.
For some little time Ginevra was fully occupied in getting her house
in order, and furnishing the new part of it. When that was done, Sir
Gilbert gave an entertainment to his tenants. The laird preferred a
trip to the city, “on business,” to the humiliation of being present as
other than the greatest; though perhaps he would have minded it less
had he ever himself given a dinner to his tenants.
Robert and Janet declined the invitation.
“We’re ower auld for makin’ merry ’cep in oor ain herts,” said Janet.
“But bide ye, my bonnie Sir Gibbie, till we’re a’ up yon’er, an’ syne
we’ll see.”
The place of honour was therefore given to Jean Mavor, who was beside
herself with joy to see her broonie lord of the land, and be seated
beside him in respect and friendship. But her brother said it was
“clean ridic’lous;” and not to the last would consent to regard the new
laird as other than half-witted, insisting that everything was done by
his wife, and that the talk on his fingers was a mere pretence.
When the main part of the dinner was over, Sir Gilbert and his lady
stood at the head of the table, and, he speaking by signs and she
interpreting, made a little speech together. In the course of it Sir
Gibbie took occasion to apologize for having once disturbed the peace
of the country-side by acting the supposed part of a _broonie_, and
in relating his adventures of the time, accompanied his wife’s text
with such graphic illustration of gesture, that his audience laughed
at the merry tale till the tears ran down their cheeks. Then with a
few allusions to his strange childhood, he thanked the God who led him
through thorny ways into the very arms of love and peace in the cottage
of Robert and Janet Grant, whence, and not from the fortune he had
since inherited, came all his peace.
“He desires me to tell you,” said Lady Galbraith, “that he was a
stranger, and you folk of Daurside took him in, and if ever he can do
a kindness to you or yours, he will.--He desires me also to say, that
you ought not to be left ignorant that you have a poet of your own,
born and bred among you--Donal Grant, the son of Robert and Janet,
the friend of Sir Gilbert’s heart, and one of the noblest of men. And
he begs you to allow me to read you a poem he had from him this very
morning--probably just written. It is called _The Laverock_. I will
read it as well as I can. If any of you do not like poetry, he says--I
mean Sir Gilbert says--you can go to the kitchen and light your pipes,
and he will send your wine there to you.”
She ceased. Not one stirred, and she read the verses--which, for the
sake of having Donal in at the last of my book, I will print. Those who
do not care for verse, may--metaphorically, I would not be rude--go and
smoke their pipes in the kitchen.
THE LAVEROCK. (_lark_)
THE MAN SAYS:
Laverock i’ the lift, (_sky_)
Hae ye nae sang-thrift,
’At ye scatter ’t sae heigh, an’ lat it a’ drift?
Wasterfu’ laverock!
Dinna ye ken
’At ye hing ower men
Wha haena a sang or a penny to spen’?
Hertless laverock!
But up there, you,
I’ the bow o’ the blue,
Haud skirlin’ (_keep shrilling_) on as gien a’ war new!
Toom-heidit (_empty-headed_) laverock!
Haith! ye’re ower blythe:
I see a great scythe
Swing whaur yer nestie lies, doon i’ the lythe, (_shelter_)
Liltin’ laverock!
Eh, sic a soon’!
Birdie, come doon--
Ye’re fey (_death-doomed_) to sing sic a merry tune,
Gowkit (_silly_) laverock!
Come to yer nest;
Yer wife’s sair prest;
She’s clean worn oot wi’ duin’ her best,
Rovin’ laverock!
Winna ye haud?
Ye’re surely mad!
Is there naebody there to gie ye a daud? (_blow_)
Menseless laverock!
Come doon an’ conform;
Pyke an honest worm,
An’ hap yer bairns frae the muckle storm,
Spendrife laverock!
THE BIRD SINGS:
My nestie it lieth
I’ the how (_hollow_) o’ a han’;
The swing o’ the scythe
’Ill miss ’t by a span.
The lift it’s sae cheerie!
The win’ it’s sae free!
I hing ower my dearie,
An’ sing ’cause I see.
My wifie’s wee breistie
Grows warm wi’ my sang,
An’ ilk crumpled-up beastie
Kens no to think lang.
Up here the sun sings, but
He only shines there!
Ye haena nae wings, but
Come up on a prayer.
THE MAN SINGS:
Ye wee daurin’ cratur,
Ye rant an’ ye sing
Like an oye (_grandchild_) o’ auld Natur
Ta’en hame by the King!
Ye wee feathert priestie,
Yer bells i’ yer thro’t.
Yer altar yer breistie
Yer mitre forgot--
Offerin’ an’ Aaron,
Ye burn hert an’ brain
An’ dertin’ an’ daurin’
Flee back to yer ain.
Ye wee minor prophet,
It’s maist my belief
’At I’m doon i’ Tophet,
An’ you abune grief!
Ye’ve deavt (_deafened_) me an’ daudit, (_buffeted_)
An’ ca’d me a fule:
I’m nearhan’ persuaudit
To gang to your schule!
For, birdie, I’m thinkin’
Ye ken mair nor me--
Gien ye haena been drinkin’,
An’ sing as ye see.
Ye maun hae a sicht ’at
Sees geyan (_considerably_) far ben; (_inwards_)
An’ a hert for the micht o’ ’t
Wad sair (_serve_) for nine men!
Somebody’s been till
Roun to ye wha (_whisper_)
Said birdies war seen till
E’en whan they fa’!
After the reading of the poem, Sir Gilbert and Lady Galbraith withdrew,
and went towards the new part of the house, where they had their rooms.
On the bridge, over which Ginevra scarcely ever passed without stopping
to look both up and down the dry channel in the rock, she lingered as
usual, and gazed from its windows. Below, the waterless bed of the burn
opened out on the great valley of the Daur; above was the landslip,
and beyond it the stream rushing down the mountain. Gibbie pointed up
to it. She gazed a while, and gave a great sigh. He asked her--their
communication was now more like that between two spirits: even signs
had become almost unnecessary--what she wanted or missed. She looked
in his face and said, “Naething but the sang o’ my burnie, Gibbie.”
He took a small pistol from his pocket, and put it in her hand; then,
opening the window, signed to her to fire it. She had never fired
a pistol, and was a little frightened, but would have been utterly
ashamed to shrink from anything Gibbie would have her do. She held
it out. Her hand trembled. He laid his upon it, and it grew steady.
She pulled the trigger, and dropped the pistol with a little cry. He
signed to her to listen. A moment passed, and then, like a hugely
magnified echo, came a roar that rolled from mountain to mountain, like
a thunder drum. The next instant, the landslip seemed to come hurrying
down the channel, roaring and leaping: it was the mud-brown waters of
the burn, careering along as if mad with joy at having regained their
ancient course. Ginevra stared with parted lips, delight growing to
apprehension as the live thing momently neared the bridge. With tossing
mane of foam, the brown courser came rushing on, and shot thundering
under. They turned, and from the other window saw it tumbling headlong
down the steep descent to the Lorrie. By quick gradations, even as
they gazed, the mud melted away; the water grew clearer and clearer,
and in a few minutes a small mountain-river, of a lovely lucid brown,
transparent as a smoke-crystal, was dancing along under the bridge. It
had ceased its roar and was sweetly singing.
“Let us see it from my room, Gibbie,” said Ginevra.
They went up, and from the turret window looked down upon the water.
They gazed until, like the live germ of the gathered twilight, it was
scarce to be distinguished but by abstract motion.
“It’s my ain burnie,” said Ginevra, “an’ it’s ain auld sang! I’ll
warran’ it hasna forgotten a note o’ ’t! Eh, Gibbie, ye gie me a’
thing!”
“_Gien I was a burnie, wadna I rin!_” sang Gibbie, and Ginevra heard
the words, though Gibbie could utter only the air he had found for them
so long ago. She threw herself into his arms, and hiding her face on
his shoulder, clung silent to her silent husband. Over her lovely bowed
head, he gazed into the cool spring night, sparkling with stars, and
shadowy with mountains. His eyes climbed the stairs of Glashgar to the
lonely peak dwelling among the lights of God; and if upon their way up
the rocks they met no visible sentinels of heaven, he needed neither
ascending stairs nor descending angels, for a better than the angels
was with them.
THE END.
BROAD SCOTS GLOSSARY
Note from John Bechard, creator of this Electronic text.
The following is a list of Scottish words which are found in George
MacDonald’s “Sir Gibbie”. I have compiled this list myself and worked
out the definitions from context with the help of Margaret West, from
Leven in Fife, Scotland, and also by referring to a word list found
in a collection of poems by Robert Burns and “Chamber’s Scots Dialect
Dictionary from the 17th century to the Present” c. 1911. I have tried
to be as thorough as possible given the limited resources and welcome
any feedback on this list which may be wrong (my e-mail address is
JaBBechard@aol.com). This was never meant to be a comprehensive list
of the National Scottish Language, but rather an aid to understanding
some of the conversations in this text which are carried out in the
Broad Scots. I do apologise for any mistakes or omissions. I aimed for
my list to be very comprehensive. As well, it includes words that are
quite obvious to native English speakers, only spelled in such a way to
demonstrate the local pronunciation.
There is a web site which features the Scottish language, DSL,
or Dictionaries of the Scots Language; and the National Scottish
Dictionary can be consulted if you have access to one.
This list is a compressed form that consists of three columns for
‘word’, ‘definition’, and ‘additional notes’. It is set up with a comma
between each item and a hard return at the end of each definition.
This means that this section could easily be cut and pasted into its
own text file and imported into a database or spreadsheet as a comma
separated variable file (.csv file). Failing that, you could do a
search and replace for commas in this section (I have not used any
commas in my words, definitions or notes) and replace the commas with
spaces or tabs.
Word, Definition, Notes
a’, all; every, also have,
a’ body, everyone; everybody,
a’ thing, everything; anything,
aboot, about,
absteen, abstain,
abune, above; up,
accoont, account,
accordin’, according,
accre, acre,
ae, one,
aff, off; away; past; beyond,
affrontit, affronted; disgraced, also ashamed; shamed,
afore, before; in front of,
aften, often,
again’, against, opposed to,
agreeable, in agreement; willing,
Ahchan, Achan, reference to Joshua 7,
ahin’, behind; after; at the back of,
aiblins, perhaps; possibly,
aigles, eagles,
Aigypt, Egypt,
ain, own, also one,
aipple, apple,
airm, arm,
airmour, armour,
airms, arms, also coat of arms; crest,
airt, quarter; direction; compass point,
airthquack, earthquake,
aiss, ashes,
ait, eat,
aiten, eaten,
aith, oath,
aither, either,
aiven, even,
alane, alone,
alloo, allow,
allooin’, allowing,
Almichty, Almighty; God,
amids, amidst,
amo’, among,
an’, and,
ance, once,
ane, one, also a single person or thing,
aneath, beneath; under,
anent, opposite to; in front of, also concerning,
aneth, beneath; under,
angert, angered; angry, also grieved,
anither, another,
anker, liquid measure of 4 gallons,
a’ready, already,
arrenge, arrange,
as lang ’s, as long as,
as sune ’s, as soon as,
ashmy, asthma,
’at, that,
at farest, at the farthest, also at the latest,
ates, hates,
a’thegither, altogether,
a’thing, everything; anything,
’at’ll, that will,
’at’s, that is,
attreebute, attribute,
atween, between,
auld, old,
auld langsyne, days of long ago, also old friendship,
auld-fashioned, old-fashioned,
auncient, ancient,
Aw, I, also all; owning,
awa, away,
awfu’, awful,
Awva!, At all!, exclamation of surprise; contempt,
aye, yes; indeed, exclamation of surprise; wonder,
ayont, beyond; after,
bairn, child,
bairnies, little children, diminutive,
baith, both,
bale-fire, any large fire; bonfire,
ballant, ballad; song,
banes, bones,
bannin’, cursing; swearing; abuse; scold,
bannock, round flat griddle-baked cake,
Barebanes, bare bones (i.e. death),
bawbee, half penny,
bealt, festered,
beastie, beast; animal, diminutive to express sympathy or affection,
beets, boots,
behaud, withhold; wait; delay, also behold,
beirin’, bearing; allowing,
belang, belong,
believet, believed,
ben, in; inside; into; within; inwards, also inner room,
be ’t, be it,
bethink (oneself), stop to think; reflect,
beuk, book, also Bible,
Bible-word, word of honour,
bicker, wooden vessel,
bidden, abided; stayed,
bide, endure; bear; remain; live, also desire; wish,
bidena, do not bide; do not stay,
bield, protection; shelter; cover,
bigg, build,
biggit, built,
bin’, bind,
binna, be not,
birdie, little bird, diminutive,
birk, birch tree,
bit, but; bit, also little-diminutive,
blate, over-modest; bashful; shy,
blaw, blow,
bleck, black; smut, also nonplus; perplex,
bledder, bleater; snipe, also foolish or idle talker,
blether, talk nonsense; babble; boast,
blew, blue,
blin’t, blinded,
blude, blood,
bluidy, bloody,
boady, body,
boasoms, bosoms,
boatle, bottle (of whisky),
boddom, bottom,
bodies, people; fellows; folk,
bodit, boded,
body, person; fellow, also body,
bonnie, good; beautiful; pretty; handsome,
boortree, shrub elder,
bosky, wild; unfrequented,
bossie, large wooden bowl, serving bowl,
boucht, bought,
bow-ribbit, bent in the ribs,
brackens, bracken; coarse fern,
brae, hill; hillside; high ground by a river,
brainch, branch,
braird, first sprouting of young grain,
brak, break,
brakfast, breakfast,
bran’er, brander; grating; gridiron; trestle,
braw, beautiful; good; fine, also lovely (girl); handsome (boy),
bray, press; squeeze; push,
bree, brew; whisky; broth; gravy,
breeks, breeches; trousers,
breist, breast,
breistie, little breast, diminutive,
breith, breath,
bridle, modify,
brither, brother,
brocken, broken,
brods, boards; (book covers),
broo, brow,
broom, shrub with bright yellow flowers,
broonie, brownie; benevolent elf,
brose, water; soup; meal,
broucht, brought,
brunt, burned,
buik, book, also Bible,
bun’le, bundle,
burn, water; stream; brook,
burnie, little stream, diminutive,
bursten, burst,
buss, bush,
butterflees, butterflies,
by ordinar’, out of the ordinary; supernatural,
byke, hive; swarm; crowd,
byre, cowshed,
ca’, call; name,
ca’d, called,
ca’in, calling,
cairry, carry,
caitiff, coward; cowardly, more of an older English word than Scots,
caller, fresh; refreshing; cool,
cam, came,
camna, did not come,
canna, cannot,
carena, do not care,
carolled, sang (carols),
cast, thrown off; discarded (clothes),
casten, spoilt; worthless; thrown aside,
catched, caught,
caul’, cold,
caup, small wooden bowl,
’cause, because,
caw, drive; impel; hammer,
cawpable, capable,
’cep, except; but,
certie, of a truth; certainly,
chaps, knocks; hammers; strikes; raps,
chaumer, chamber; room,
cheek, side,
cheemistry, chemistry,
cheenge, change,
cheerie, cheery,
cheese, choose,
chiel, child; young person, term of fondness or intimacy,
chop, shop; store,
chopdoor, shop door,
claes, clothes; dress,
clan, group; class; coterie,
clappers, door knockers; rattles,
clean, altogether; entirely, also comely; shapely; empty; clean,
cled, clothed; clad,
cleed, clothe; shelter,
clim’, climb,
cloaset, (prayer) closet,
cloods, clouds,
cloot, clout; box (ear); beat; slap, also patch; mend,
closed, enclosed,
closet, room; bedroom,
coaties, children’s coats or petticoats,
cobblin’, cobbling; shoemaking,
cock-crawin’, crowing of the cock,
coffer, legacy of wealth; fortune,
colliginer, college student, also college boy,
colloguin’, associating; conspiring; plotting,
Come awa ben, Come on in,
Come yer wa’s in, Come on in,
comena, do not come,
concernt, concerned,
conduckit, conducted,
conneckit, connected,
consaive, conceive,
considert, considered,
consortit, consorted,
contentit, contented,
contrar’, contrary,
coo, cow,
cooard, coward,
coontenance, countenance,
coorse, coarse, also course
cottar, farm tenant; cottager,
couldna, could not,
couples, rafters,
cowt, colt,
crap o’ the wa’, natural shelf between wall and roof,
cratur, creature,
craw, crow; rook (types of birds),
creepie, (three legged) stool, a child’s chair,
creepit, crept; crawled,
crook, hooked iron chain inside a chimney, for hanging
cooking pots on,
cry, call; summon,
cud, could,
cudna, could not,
curriet, curried; dressed,
cursit, cursed,
cuttit, cut; harvested,
cweentry, country,
cwite, coat,
dacency, decency,
dacent, decent,
dale, deal; fir-or pinewood plank,
damps, coal-pit gases,
dang, knock; bang; drive,
daud, blow; strike; abuse,
daudit, buffeted; struck,
dauner, stroll; saunter,
daur, dare; challenge,
daurna, dare not; do not dare,
daursay, dare say,
Dawvid, David,
dearie, sweetheart; darling,
deavt, deafened,
dee, do, also die,
deed, died, also deed,
’deed, indeed,
dee’d, died,
deein’, doing, also dying,
deen, done,
deevil, devil,
deevilry, devilry,
deid, dead,
deif, deaf,
deil, devil,
deith, death,
delicht, delight,
dementit, demented; mad; crazy,
denner, dinner,
dertin’, darting,
deuk-quack, duck quack,
deuks, ducks,
didna, did not,
differ, difference, also differ,
din, sound; din,
dingin’, overcoming; wearying; vexing,
dinna, do not,
dinna fling the calf efter the coo, don’t give up,
also baby/bathwater,
dirt, worthless persons or things, term of contempt
dis, does,
disappint, disappoint,
discoorse, discourse,
disna, does not,
dissiples, disciples,
div, do,
dod!, God! (exclamation),
doggie, little dog, diminutive,
doobt, suspect; know; doubt, have an unpleasant conviction,
doobtna, do not suspect; do not know, also does not doubt,
dooms, extremely; exceedingly,
doon, down,
door-cheek, door-post; threshold,
door-sill, threshold,
doos, doves,
douce, gentle; sensible; sober; prudent,
doup, bottom; backside; buttocks,
draigon, dragon, reference to Revelation 12-13,
dram, glass of whisky,
drap, drop; small quantity of,
drappit, dropped,
drappy, little drop; a little (liquor), diminutive,
drear, dreary; dreariness; tedium,
dree, endure; undergo; suffer,
dree my weird, undergo my doom,
dreemt, dreamed,
dreid, dread,
dreidfu’, dreadful; dreadfully,
drookit, drenched; soaked,
droon, drown,
drop, drop-shaped earring, also drop,
drouth, thirst; dryness, also drought,
drouthie, thirsty; dry,
drucken, drunken; tipsy,
du, do,
duds, clothes; rags; tatters,
duin’, doing,
dulse, type of seaweed,
dummie, little mute person, diminutive,
dune, done,
dyke, wall of stone or turf,
ear’, early,
ee, eye,
e’e, eye,
eedit, heeded,
een, eyes,
e’en, even; just; simply, also eyes; evening,
eese, use,
efter, after; afterwards,
else, otherwise; at another time; already,
Embrough, Edinburgh,
en’, end,
endeevour, endeavour,
eneuch, enough,
enstance, instance,
er, ere; before,
ettle, reach; intend; purpose; aim,
even, even; compare,
ever, before, also ever,
ever-mair, ever more,
exemple, example,
expeckit, expected,
fa’, fall; befall,
failt, failed,
faimily, family,
fain, eager; anxious; fond, also fondly,
fa’in’, falling,
fallow, fellow; chap,
fallow-feelin’, mutual feeling,
fan’, found,
fa’ntit, fainted,
fardin’, farthing,
faulds, folds,
fause, false,
fau’t, fault; blame,
fawvour, favour,
fearfu’, fearful; easily frightened,
fearsome, terrifying; fearful; awful,
feart, afraid; frightened; scared,
feathert, feathered,
fecht, fight; struggle,
feck, value; worth; advantage; majority,
fee, hire oneself out,
feel, foolish, also fool,
fegs, truly, mild oath; exclamation of surprise,
fell, very; potent; keen; harsh; sharp, intensifies; also turf,
fell-dyke, wall made of layers of sod,
fellow-cratur, fellow creature,
fells, sods,
feow, few,
fess, fetch,
fest, fast,
fey, doomed (to death),
fillit, filled,
fin’, find; feel,
Fin’on haddie, smoked haddock,
fit, foot; base, also fit; capable; able,
flax, flax; wick,
flee, fly (insect),
fleers, floors,
fleg, blow; kick; stroke,
fleggit, blew; kicked; stroked,
fleyt, terrified; frightened,
fling, kick; throw,
flit, shift; remove; depart,
flure, floor,
forby, as well; as well as; besides,
forgie, forgive,
forgi’en, forgiven,
forgifness, forgiveness,
forkit, forked,
foucht, fought,
fowk, folk,
fowth, plenty; abundance; full measure,
frae, from,
frank, generous; lavish, also generously,
fricht, frighten; scare away,
frichtit, frightened; scared away,
fule, fool,
fulfillt, fulfilled,
fundation, foundation,
fun’t, founded,
fut, foot,
gae, gave,
gaed, went,
gaein’, going,
’gain, by; nearly; almost,
gairdens, gardens,
gait, way; fashion, also route; street,
gaits, ways, also routes; streets,
ga’le, gable,
gane, gone,
gang, go; goes; depart; walk,
gang yer wa’s, go on,
gar, cause; make; compel,
gat, got,
gauin’, going,
gear, possessions; money; property, also livestock,
geese, goose,
German Ocean, old reference to the English Channel & North Sea,
gerse, grass,
gether, gather,
gey, very; considerable,
geyan, considerably; somewhat; rather,
ghaist, ghost,
ghem, game (hunted animal),
gie, give,
gied, gave,
giein’, giving,
gien, if; as if; then; whether,
gi’en, given
gien’t, if it,
gies, gives,
girdle, griddle for baking scones, iron disc,
girnels, granaries; meal-chests,
glaid, glad,
glaiss, glass,
glamour, spell; charm; enchantment,
glaur, mud; dirt; ooze,
gleg, quick; lively; smart; quick-witted,
glimp, glimpse; glance, also the least degree,
glintin’, twinkling; glittering,
gloamin’, twilight; dusk,
gnerlet, gnarled,
goodman, master; husband; head of household,
gowans, daisies,
gowany, flowered with daisies,
gowd, gold,
gowk, cuckoo; fool; blockhead,
gowkit, foolish; silly,
graivelly, gravely,
gran’, grand; capital; first-rate,
gran’est, grandest,
gran’father, grandfather,
green bree, cesspool, also stagnant pool by a dunghill,
greitin’, crying; weeping,
grenite, granite,
gret, great,
grief, grieve,
grip, grasp; understand,
grippit, grasped; understood,
grue, feeling of horror; tremor,
grum’lin’, grumbling,
grup, grip; grasp,
gruppit, gripped; grabbed,
gudeman, master; husband; head of household,
guid, good, also God,
guid-hertit, good-hearted,
guidit, treated; handled; managed,
guiss, guess,
haddie, haddock,
hadna, had not,
hae, have; has,
hae a news, talk; gossip,
haein, having,
haein’, having,
haena, have not,
haill, whole,
hairm, harm,
Haith!, Faith!, exclamation of surprise,
haithen, heathen,
haiven, heaven,
haiver, talk nonsense,
hale, whole,
half-hoor, half-hour,
hame, home,
han’, hand,
hang, hanged, also made,
hangt, hanged,
hanks, rope; coil; skein of cotton,
han’le, handle,
hantle, much; large quantity; far,
hap, cover; wrap; shield,
h’ard, heard,
hark, listen,
harns, brains,
hasna, does not have,
haud, hold; keep,
hauden, held; kept,
haugh, river-meadow,
hause, neck; throat,
hawpy, happy,
haymows, large haystacks,
heap, very much; heap,
hearken, hearken; hear; listen to,
hearten, encourage,
Hech!, Oh!, strange!, a sighing exclamation,
hed, had,
hedna, had not,
heedna, heed not; do not heed,
heicht, height,
heid, head; heading,
heigh, high,
helpit, helped,
hen-scraich, chicken cackle, lit. chicken scream,
herd, herd-boy; cow-boy, also herd,
hermony, harmony,
hersel’, herself,
hert, heart,
her ’t, it to her,
hertenin’, enheartening; encouraging,
hertless, heartless,
herty, heartily; hearty,
hid, had, also hid,
hield, held,
hillie, little hill, diminutive,
himsel’, himself,
hin’, hind; backside,
hin’ side afore, back to front,
hing, hang,
hirplin, limping; hobbling,
his, has, also his; us (emphatic),
hit, it, emphatic,
hoarible, horrible,
hoo, how,
hoor, hour,
hoose, house,
hoosie, little house, diminutive,
hoots, exclamation of doubt or contempt,
hose, stocking,
houff, haunt,
houp, hope,
how, hollow; valley; glen,
hum’le, hornless; fingerless,
hun’ers, hundreds,
hunger-like, shrivelled; lacking nutrients,
hungert, starved,
hurtit, hurt,
hyne, far (away),
i’, in; into,
I doobt, I know; I suspect,
I wat, I know; I assure (you),
idleset, idleness; frivolous amusement,
ilk(a), every; each, also common; ordinary,
ill, bad; evil; hard; harsh, also misfortune; harm,
’ill, will,
ill-fauredest, most unbecoming or unmannerly,
ill-guideship, mismanagement; ill-treatment,
ill-guidit, mismanaged; ill-treated,
’im, him,
imaigine, imagine,
immorawlity, immorality,
in atween, in the meantime; between,
informt, informed,
ingle-neuk, chimney-corner or recess,
inten’, intend,
inten’it, intended,
intil, into; in; within,
inveet, invite; invitation,
inveetit, invited,
ir, are,
’is, his,
I s’ awa, I’m off; I’d better go,
Ise, I shall,
isna, is not,
i’stead, instead,
ither, other; another; further,
’ithin, within,
itsel’, itself,
jabble, ripple; small broken waves,
jaws, billows; splashes; surges,
Jeames, James,
jeedge, judge,
Jerooslem, Jerusalem,
jine, join,
jints, joints,
jist, just,
j’ists, joists,
jography, geography,
jooggy, jigger; shot (of whisky),
justifeed, justified,
kail-wife, woman who sells colewort,
kaimbt, combed,
keepit, kept,
keerious, curious,
ken, know; be acquainted with; recognise,
kenna, do not know,
kenspeckle, conspicuous, easily recognised from some peculiarity,
kent, known; knew,
killt, killed,
kin’, kind; nature; sort; agreeable, also somewhat; in some degree,
kin’ness, kindness,
kirk, church,
kirkyaird, churchyard,
kist, chest; coffer; box; chest of drawers,
knicht, knight,
koft, bought,
kye, cattle; cows,
laad, lad; boy, term of commendation or reverence,
laddie, boy, term of affection,
lads, boys, term of commendation or reverence,
laidders, ladders,
laird, landed proprietor; squire; lord,
lairick, larch (type of tree),
lairt, stuck fast (in mud or snow),
laith, loath; unwilling; reluctant,
laithly, loathsome; foul; repulsive,
Laitin, Latin,
lan’, land; country; ground,
lane(s), lone; alone; lonely; solitary,
lang, long; big; large, also slow; tedious,
langer, longer,
langsyne, ancient; (old) times; long ago,
lan’s, lands; estates,
lass, girl; young woman, term of address,
lassie, girl, term of endearment,
lat, let; allow,
lat gang to dirt an’ green bree, go to pot; go to ruin,
latten, let; allowed,
lauch, laugh,
lave, rest; remainder; others, also leave,
laverock, lark (type of bird),
lawfu’, lawful,
lea’, leave,
lear, learning; education; lore, also teach,
learn, learn, also teach,
learnt, learned, also taught,
leddies, ladies,
leddy, lady,
lee, pasture; fallow ground, also shelter from wind or rain,
lee’d, lied; told lies,
lees, lies,
leest, least,
leeve, live,
leevin’, living; living being,
leevit, lived,
leeward, towards the grassland, also towards the sheltered side,
len’, lend; give; grant, also loan,
len’th, length,
leuk, look; watch; appearance,
licht, light,
lichtin’, lighting,
lickit, thrashed; punished; struck,
lift, load; boost; lift; helping hand, also sky; heavens,
like, like; likely to; looking as if to, also as it were; as if,
likesna, does not like,
likit, liked,
liltin’, singing softly; humming,
lingelt, fastened; fettered; hobbled,
lippen, trust; depend on,
livin’, living,
’ll, will,
loch, loch; lake,
lodd, loaded,
lo’denin’, loading,
lo’dent, loaded,
lo’e, love,
lo’esome, loveable; lovely; winsome,
lood, loud,
loon, rascal; rogue; ragamuffin,
loot, let; allowed; permitted,
Losh!, corrupt form of ‘Lord’, exclamation of surprise or wonder,
low, flame,
lowse, loose; free,
lucifer spunks, lucifer-matches,
lug, ear, also shallow wooden dish,
luik, look,
luikit, looked,
lum, chimney,
lythe, shelter,
mainner, manner,
mainteen, maintain,
mair, more; greater,
mairtins, martins (type of bird),
maist, most; mostly,
’maist, almost,
maister, master; mister,
maitter, matter,
mak, make; do,
mankin’, mankind,
mappies, young rabbits, diminutive,
maun, must; have to,
maunna, must not; may not,
mavis, song-thrush (type of bird),
mayhap, perhaps; maybe,
mayna, may not,
mealock, crumb (of oatcake etc.),
meen, moon,
meenute, minute,
meeserable, miserable,
meesery, misery,
mem, Ma’am; Miss; Madam,
mendit, mended; healed,
menseless, ill-bred; boorish; unmannerly,
mercifu’, merciful; favourable,
merriage, marriage,
merry, marry, also merry,
mervel, marvel,
mesel’, myself,
micht, might,
michtna, might not,
michty, mighty; God,
midden, dunghill; manure pile,
midge, midge; gnat; mosquito,
mids, midst; middle,
miltin’, melting,
min’, mind; recollection, also recollect; remember,
minnin, minnow,
min’s, minds; reminds; recollects,
mint, aimed at; intended to; attempted,
mintit, minded; remembered,
mirricle, miracle,
mischeef, mischief; injury; harm,
misguidit, wasted; mismanaged; ill-used,
mistak, mistake,
mither, mother,
mony, many,
moo’, mouth,
moo’fu’s, mouthfuls,
motes, motes; specks; crumbs, reference to Matthew 7:3-5,
moul’, mould; loose earth; top soil,
mould, mould; loose earth; top soil,
muckle, huge; enormous; big; great; much,
mune, moon,
muntains, mountains,
muv, move; affect,
My certie!, Take my word for it!,
my lane, on my own,
mysel’, myself,
na, not; by no means,
nae, no; none; not,
nae wise, nowise; in no way,
naebody, nobody; no one,
naegait, in no wise; nowhere,
naething, nothing,
naither, neither,
naitral, natural,
nane, none,
natur, nature,
nearhan’, nearly; almost; near by,
necessar’, necessary,
neebour, neighbour,
needcessity, necessity; state of need,
needfu’, needful; necessary; needy,
needna, do not need; need not,
neeper, neighbour,
negleckit, neglected,
neist, next; nearest,
nepkin, large handkerchief,
nestie, little nest, diminutive,
’neth, beneath; under,
neuk, nook; recess; interior angle,
news, talk; gossip,
nicht, night; evening,
nick, score; mark (as signature), also cut,
nickum, mischievous and tricky boy,
niffer, exchange; barter,
nigher, nearer; closer,
nipperty, mincing; affected,
no, not,
noo, now,
nor, than; although; if, also nor,
nor’-easter, northeast wind,
notwithstan’in’, notwithstanding,
noucht, nothing; not,
nowt, cattle; oxen,
o’, of; on,
obleeged, obliged,
obligatit, obligated; obliged,
o’er, over; upon; too,
ohn, without; un-, uses past participle not present progressive,
ohn expeckit, unexpected,
ony, any,
onybody, anybody; anyone,
onything, anything,
oogly, ugly,
ook, week,
oolets, owls,
oonprovidit, unprovided,
oor, our,
oor lanes, on our own,
oorsel’s, ourselves,
oot, out,
ootcast, outcast,
or, before; ere; until; by, also or,
ordinar’, ordinary; usual; natural, also custom; habit,
orra, odd job (man), also idle; having no settled occupation,
ou, oh,
oucht, anything; all, also ought,
ow, oh, exclamation of surprise,
ower, over; upon; too,
owershot, very fast; racing; exploding,
owse, ox,
oye, grandchild; grandson; nephew,
pairt, part,
pale, pointed piece of wood for fencing,
paling, fence of pales,
passin’, passing; occasional,
pastern, ankle (between hoof and fetlock),
pat, put; made,
pawkiness, shrewdness; cunning,
peelt, skinned,
peeramid, pyramid,
peety, pity,
percaution, precaution,
perfec’, perfect; thorough; utter,
perplexin’, perplexing,
perris, parish,
persuaudit, persuaded,
perswaud, persuade,
perswaudit, persuaded,
pey, pay,
pit, put; make,
pitawtas, potatoes,
pitten, put; made,
plaguit, plagued; troubled,
plet, plate; dish,
plooed, ploughed,
ploy, amusement; sport; escapade,
poassible, possible,
pooch, pocket,
pooer, power,
poun’, pound (sterling),
practeesed, practised,
prankit, played tricks on, also played fast and loose with,
prayt, prayed,
prech, preach,
pree, taste; try; prove; experience,
preevileeges, privileges,
prentit, printed,
press-bed, box-bed with doors,
prest, pressed,
preten’it, pretended,
priestie, little priest, diminutive,
pris’ner, prisoner,
prood, proud,
pruv, prove,
pruv’t, proven; proved,
pu’, pull,
puckle, small quantity,
puir, poor,
pump, beer-shop, also pump,
putten, put,
pyke, pick; pluck,
quaiet, quiet,
quaiet sough, quiet tongue,
quaitet, quieted; silenced,
quest’ons, questions,
quo’, swore; said; quoth,
railly, really,
raither, rather,
rale, real; true; very,
randy, rough; wild; riotous, also coarse-tongued; abusive,
rant, make merry; revel,
rase, rose,
rave, tore,
rax, extend; overdo it; stretch,
reacht, reached,
red, rid; free,
redd, set in order; tidy; clean,
reef, roof,
refar, refer,
refeese, refuse,
reid, red,
reik, smoke,
releast, released,
repentit, repented,
reyn, rein,
richt, right; correct, also mend,
richtly, certainly; positively,
ridic’lous, ridiculous; unseasonable (weather),
riggin’, ridge; roof,
rigs, ridges (in a ploughed field),
rin, run,
rintherroot, gadabout; homeless vagrant; tramp,
rist, rest,
ristet, rested,
rizon, reason,
ro’d, road; course; way,
roomie, little room, diminutive,
roon’, around; round,
rottan, rat,
rouch, rough,
roun, whisper,
rowtin’, bellowing; roaring; lowing,
rucks, ricks; stacks,
run k-nots, slip knots (that can not be untied),
runkle, wrinkle; crease,
’s, us; his; as; is, also has,
s’, shall,
sab, sob,
sae, so; as,
safe, safely, also safe,
safity, safety,
sair, sore; sorely; sad; hard; very; greatly, also serve,
saitisfee, satisfy,
saiven, seven,
sall, shall,
san’, sand,
sang, song,
sangie, little song, diminutive,
sangna, did not sing,
sankna, did not sink,
sarious, serious,
sark, shirt,
sattle, settle,
saugh, sallow; willow (type of tree),
saven, wise; knowledgeable,
savet, saved,
savin’, saving, also except,
Sawbath, Sabbath,
sawmon, salmon,
sawna, did not see,
Sawtan, Satan,
saxpence, sixpence,
’scape, escape,
scatter’t, scattered,
schuil, school,
schuilin’, schooling; education,
schuilmaister, schoolmaster,
schuilmaisterin’, schoolmastering; teaching,
scomfished, suffocated; stifled; choked,
scoorin’, scampering,
scornin’, mocking; ridiculing,
Scotlan’, Scotland,
scrape, scrape; shave,
scrattit, scratched; dug,
scrimp, stunted; sparing, also short in weight or measure,
scunner, disgust; disgusting; revolting,
scunnerfu’, disgusting; loathsome; sickening,
seemile, simile,
seener, sooner,
sen’, send,
set, set out; start off; become,
set doon Bony an’ set up Louy, lowers one; exalts another, Psalm 75:7,
setna, do not set,
Setterday, Saturday,
settisfaction, satisfaction,
shaidow, shadow,
shal’t, shelled,
shaw, show; reveal,
shee, shoe,
sheen, shoes,
sherp, sharp,
shirra’, sheriff,
shoothers, shoulders,
shot, speed; blasting; heavy breakers (sea), also shoot,
shottin’, shooting,
shuitable, suitable,
sic, such; so,
sich, sigh,
sicht, sight,
sids, husks of oats,
siller, silver; money; wealth,
simmer, Summer,
sin, since; ago; since then, also sin; sun,
sitten, sat,
sizon, season,
skirlin’, screaming; singing shrilly,
sklet, (school) slate, also roofing slate,
sklet-pike, slate pencil,
sma’, small; little; slight; narrow; young,
smokin’ flax, smouldering wick, reference to Matthew 12:20,
snap, sharp blow; sudden stumble,
snawba’, snowball,
sneck, door-latch; catch (gate),
snot, small lump (of soot),
soary, sorry,
some, somewhat; rather; quite; very, also some,
somehoo, somehow,
soo, ache; throb,
soomin’, swimming; floating,
soon’, sound,
soopit, swept,
soucht, sought,
sough, sigh; sound of wind; deep breath,
soughie, little sough, diminutive,
sowens, sour pudding of oats and water,
sowl, soul,
spak, spoke,
spate, spate; flood,
speerit, spirit,
speir, ask about; enquire; question,
speirin’, asking about; enquiring; questioning,
speirt, asked about; enquired; questioned,
spen’, spend,
spendrife, spendthrift,
speyk, speak,
spune, spoon,
spunks, sparks; matches,
spurtle, porridge stick, also wooden rod for turning oatcakes,
stair, stairs,
stan’, stand; stop,
stane, stone; measure of weight, 1 stone = 14 pounds,
stan’in, standing,
stap, stop; stuff, also step,
stappit, stopped; stuffed, also stepped,
steek, shut; close; push, also stitch (as in clothing),
stert, start; jump with surprise,
sterve, starve,
stick, stick; gore; butt with horns,
stickit, stuck; gored,
stippety-stap, short mincing gait,
stirks, steers,
stoot, stout; healthy; strong; plucky,
strae, straw,
straik, streak; stroke; caress,
strang, strong,
stray, lost; not at home,
stude, stood,
subjec’, subject,
sud, should,
sudna, should not,
sune, soon; early,
suner, sooner,
sunest, soonest,
supposit, supposed,
sutor, shoemaker; cobbler,
sweem, swim; float,
sweir, swear,
swoord, sword,
syne, ago; since; then; at that time, also in (good) time,
’t, it,
tae, toe, also the one,
taeless, toeless,
ta’en, taken; seized,
tailie, little tail, diminutive,
tak, take; seize,
tak a lug, have a dish,
tak tent, look out; pay attention,
takna, do not take,
tane, the one,
tap, top; tip; head,
tarn, mountain lake,
taucht, taught,
tay, tea,
tee, ‘to ye’ i.e. to you, also tea; too; also,
teetle, title,
tellt, told,
tent, attention; care; heed; notice,
teuch, tough; hard,
teuk, took,
than, then, also than
thankit, thanked,
the day, today,
the morn, tomorrow,
the morn’s, tomorrow is,
the nicht, tonight,
the noo, just now,
thegither, together,
themsel’s, themselves,
thereoot, outside; out there; out-of-doors,
thestreen, last night,
think, feel; experience; expect; wonder,
Think ye?, Do you think so?,
this lang time, for a long time,
tho’, though,
thoo, thou; you (God),
thoom, thumb,
thoosan’, thousand,
thouch, though,
thoucht, thought,
thrapple, windpipe; neck,
thraw, throw; turn; twist,
thraw one’s lug, twist one’s ear; punish,
three-fauld, threefold; three times,
threep, argue obstinately, also maintain by dint of assertion,
thro’t, throat,
throt-ro’d, throat, i.e. be drunk,
throu’, through,
thunner, thunder,
tice, entice; coax,
’tice, entice; coax,
till, to; till; until; about; at; before,
ting-a-ling, sound of a small bell,
tint, lost; got lost,
tiret, tired,
’tis, it is,
tither, the other,
tod, fox,
toom, empty; unload,
toom-heidit, empty headed,
toon, town; village,
tow, rope; string,
trail, drag forcibly; haul along,
traivel, travel,
trible, trouble,
trifflin’, trifling,
trim’le, tremble,
trimmin’, beating; scolding,
troth, truth; indeed, used as an exclamation,
trowth, truth,
trustit, trusted,
’ts, its,
tuck, beat (drum),
tuik, took,
tum’ler, tumbler; glass (of whisky),
turnt, turned,
twa, two; a few,
’twar, it were,
’twarna, it were not,
’twas, it was,
twise, twice,
twistet, twisted,
tyauve, strive; struggle,
tyne, lose; get lost,
ugsome, disgusting; frightful; ghastly,
umbrell, umbrella,
unco, unknown; odd; strange; uncouth, also very great,
un’er, under,
un’erstan’, understand,
up the stair, upstairs,
upliftit, uplifted,
upo’, upon; on to; at,
up-road, road (to heaven),
vailue, value,
vainity, vanity,
verra, very; true; real,
v’ice, voice,
vreet, write,
vroucht, wrought; worked,
wa’, wall, also way
wad, would,
wadna, would not,
wae, woe; sad; sorrowful,
waggin’, wagging; nodding,
waitit, waited,
walcome, welcome,
w’alth, wealth; abundance,
wan, reached; gained; got,
wantin’, wanting; lacking; without; in want of,
wantit, wanted,
war, were,
wark, work; labour,
warl’, world; worldly goods, also a large number,
warl’s gear, worldly substance,
warna, were not,
warran’, warrant; guarantee,
warrin’, warring,
warst, worst,
warstle, wrestle,
warstlin’, wrestling,
wa’s, walls, also ways,
washen, washed,
wasna, was not,
wasterfu’, wasteful; extravagant,
water-brose, oatmeal stirred into boiling, water until thick,
wather, weather,
watter, water,
waur, worse, also spend money
wee, small; little; bit, also short time; while,
weel, well; fine,
weel-behaved, well-behaved,
weet, wet; dew; rain,
weetin’, wetting; getting wet,
weicht, weight,
weir, wear, also hedge; fence; enclosure,
weird, doom; disaster,
weyve, weave; knit,
weyver, weaver; knitter, also knitter of stockings; spider,
wha, who,
whae’er, whoever,
wha’ll, who will,
whan, when,
wharfor, what for; why; for what reason,
wha’s, who is, also whose
What ca’ they ye?, What’s your name?,
What for no?, Why not?,
What for?, Why?,
whaten, (on; by) what; what kind of,
what-for, why; reason, also punishment; retribution,
whaul, whale,
whaur, where,
whause, whose,
wheel, eddy; pool; deep still part of the river,
wheen, little; few; number; quantity,
whiles, sometimes; at times; now and then,
whilk, which,
Whisht!, Quiet! Silence! Hush!,
whumled, whelmed; overwhelmed; upset,
whup, whip,
whusky, whisky,
whustle, whistle,
wi’, with,
wice-like, seem wise,
wicket, back-door of a barn,
wickit, wicked,
wifie, little woman, term of endearment,
willin’est, willingest,
win, reach; gain; get,
win’, wind,
win’le strae, straw or grass dried on its root, weak; unhealthy,
winna, will not,
wins, reaches; gains; gets,
winsome, large; comely,
wi’oot, without,
wires, knitting needles,
wis, was,
wither, weather,
won’er, wonder; marvel,
won’erfu’, wonderful; great; large,
won’erin’, wondering,
worset, woollen fabric; wool; worsted,
worum, worm,
wrang, wrong; injured,
writch, rich,
wuddie, gallows, also willow,
wuds, woods; forests,
wull, will; wish; desire, also astray; stray; wild,
wullin’, willing; wanting,
wuman, woman,
wunna, would not; will not,
wur, lay out,
wuss, wish,
wut, wit; intelligence; sense,
w’y, way,
wydin’, wading,
wyte, blame; reproach,
yaird, yard,
ye, you; yourself,
year, years, also year,
ye’ll, you will,
yer, your,
yer lane, on your own,
ye’re, you are,
yersel’, yourself,
ye ’t, it to you,
yett, gate,
yeuks, itches,
yeuky, itchy,
ye’ve, you have,
yon, that; those; that there,
yon’er, yonder; over there; in that place,
yon’ll, that will; that (thing) there will,
yon’s, that is; that (thing) there is,
yoong, young,