ISBN: 978184502193-1

Publisher: Black and White Publishing  

What’s a craig? No, this word isn’t a boy’s name like you might think but it actually means a crag, cliff or rock.

It seems funny to read these words that sound strange to us but are quite well understood in the highlands. This is another cute little book out of the Say It in Scots series with brilliant illustrations by Garry Thorburn.  

Contents include hills and mountains, rivers and lochs, forests and glens, sea and coastline, buildings and settlements and finally streets and bridges. An abundance of places, an abundance of strange names to accompany them.

Kip to most of us English folk usually means sleep (I’ll just go for a kip) but it seems in Scotland it is used to describe things that point upwards. For instance, a hill or even cattle with upturned horns are called kip or kippie, depending on what it is you are referring to.  

Nabb is another funny word. To me it means to steal something (I’ve just nabbed some food) but to Scots it is reserved for describing a hillock or summit.  How strange and diverse language can be!

There are so many more hilarious sounding names in this first section regarding hills and mountains. You really need to read it because when you do you will be laughing and can increase your over-all knowledge of the Scottish language. Now that isn’t a bad thing surely? 

Loch is in the next section - this term is Gaelic in origin. If you’re a traveller in Scotland you may see many lochs (pronounce the word like lock) and of course I think many will want to visit the most famous of them all - Loch Ness. I wonder if Nessie is still around?

Pot is used to describe a deep hole in the ground. We English use this phrase quite a lot but add the appropriate “hole” after the word.  

Dean is a word to describe a deep glen or valley. I have often heard this word being used and  I found the information in this book on it very interesting. It is a more detailed analysis of what it means. Really quite good!

What’s Geo, a gloup? What about holm? What do all these strange names mean when regarding the sea and coastal line of Scotland? If you take a moment to read this little gem you’ll soon find out.

I think this is one book all must own. Especially if you are planning on travelling to Scotland too. Wouldn’t it be great to answer the Scots back with a little of their own  evocative words with their rich variety?  

Maggie Scott takes you around the country from towns and cities to forests and glens. An entertaining and informative guide to the fascinating language of the Scots!