Do You Speak Scots?

While English is the spoken language in Scotland, there are many words that the Scots use which are unfamiliar to us. Sometimes the same word has a different meaning in Scotland. Here are a few variations, but there are many more not listed here One fun aspect of international travel is learning a new language and using it when you an. Good Luck!

Accommodation

En suite – Private bathroom
First Floor – Second floor
Flannel Face - cloth
To let – For hire
Twin beds – Two singles

Food and Drink

Afters – Dessert
Ashlet – Plate
Bangers ‘n Mash – Sausage and Mashed potatoes
Bannock – Oatcake (a savory biscuit/cookie)
Boiling – Boiled candy
Bucks Fizz – Mimosa
Biscuit – Cookie
Champit tatties – Potatoes
Chips – French Fries
Clapshot - Turnip and potato mashed together
Courgettes - Zucchini
Crisps - Potato chips
Faggots - Meat balls
Gigot - Leg of mutton
Haggis – Scotish National Dish
Jacket - potato Baked potato
JamJelly
Jelly - Jello
My shout - My round (my turn to pay for drinks)
Neeps and Tatties - Traditional vegetable accompaniment to Haggis
Pud - Dessert
Slider - Ice-cream between 2 wafers
Spotted dick - Steamed sute pudding
Tablet - Rectangular block made of butter, sugar and condensed milk
Tomato Sauce - Ketchup

In the car, on the road

Give way – Yield
Return – Round Trip
Coach – Bus
Bonnet – Hood
Boot – Trunk
Lorry – Trunk
Petrol – Gas

Out sightseeing and traveling around Scotland

Ben – Mountain
Bonny – Pretty
Burn – Stream
Clachan – Village
Croft – Small Holding
Factor – Estate Manager
Finnock – Young Trout
Glen – Valley
Haar – Mist
Haugh – Meadow
Highland Coo – Native Scottish cow with long horns and thick shaggy coat
Hoolit – Owl
Loch – Lack
Tup – Ram
Wynd – Lane

Miscellaneous

Chemist – Drug store
Engaged – Busy
Inch Tape – Tape Measure
Jumper – Sweater
Naught – Zero
Plaster – Band-Aid
Way out – Exit

Other interesting tidbits

Auld Lang Syne – Poem by Scotland’s national potem Rabbie (Robert) Burns which has become the world’s most traditional song of farewell
Auld Reekie Edinburgh (literally ‘old smokey’)

Ceilidh – Gathering for dance, songs and stories

Gaelic – The native language of Scotland, most commonly used in the western isles

Scotland – Ancient kingdom, part of the island of Great Britain (along with Wales and England) and a member state of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, In this context the misuse of the generic term “England” causes offense!

Scotsman – A proud citizen of the ancient kingdom of Scotland. Most definitely not English!

Tartan – The plaid, Scotland’s major contribution to the world’s fashion industry along with tweed and wool

Tattoo – A signal by drum or bugle ordering the military to return to barracks

Whisky – Scotland’s national drink, from the Gaelic “usige beatha” – the water of life