Culture & Etiquette

1. Tha cèilidh ann a-nochd.

   There is a ceilidh tonight.

   Usage

   A traditional gathering of music and dancing in a pub or hall

   Grammar Note

   "Tha ... ann" expresses existence; "cèilidh" also means a visit. Composed sentence.

2. Am bu mhath leat dannsadh?

   Would you like to dance?

   Usage

   To invite someone to dance at a ceilidh

   Grammar Note

   "Bu mhath leat" means you would like; use "leibh" instead of "leat" for polite. Composed sentence.

3. An fèileadh

   The kilt

   Usage

   Traditional Highland dress for men

   Grammar Note

   "Fèileadh" is masculine; "fèileadh-beag" is the modern kilt shape

4. Am breacan

   The tartan

   Usage

   The checked cloth with patterns for different clans

   Grammar Note

   "Breacan" is masculine; the article is "am" before b

5. An sgian-dubh

   The sgian-dubh (small knife worn in the sock)

   Usage

   A small knife worn with Highland dress

   Grammar Note

   "Sgian" means knife and "dubh" means black

6. Clàrsach

   Clarsach (Gaelic harp)

   Usage

   The traditional small harp of Scotland

   Grammar Note

   Written with a grave accent on à; a long-standing instrument of Gaelic music

7. Pìobaire

   Piper

   Usage

   A person who plays the bagpipes

   Grammar Note

   Formed from "pìob" (pipe, bagpipe) with an agent ending

8. Ceòl-mòr

   Pibroch (classical bagpipe music)

   Usage

   The classical music of the Highland bagpipe

   Grammar Note

   Literally "big music"; note the grave accent on ò

9. Camanachd

   Shinty

   Usage

   A stick-and-ball sport popular in the Highlands

   Grammar Note

   A separate sport from Irish hurling; "iomain" can also mean shinty

10. Fìdheall

    Fiddle

    Usage

    An essential instrument in Gaelic traditional music

    Grammar Note

    Written with a grave accent on ì; "fìdheall" is feminine

11. Bàrd

    Bard, poet

    Usage

    A traditional poet in Gaelic culture

    Grammar Note

    There is also a homograph meaning "edge"; note the grave accent on à

12. Dannsa a' Chlaidheimh

    The Sword Dance

    Usage

    A traditional dance performed over crossed swords

    Grammar Note

    The genitive of "claidheamh" (sword) lenites to "Chlaidheimh" after the article

13. A' Ghàidhealtachd

    The Highlands

    Usage

    The mountainous north of Scotland, historic Gaelic territory

    Grammar Note

    "Gàidhealtachd" is feminine, so it lenites after the article; the Gaelic heartland is the Outer Hebrides

14. Tha a' Ghàidhlig air a bruidhinn anns na h-Eileanan Siar.

    Gaelic is spoken in the Outer Hebrides.

    Usage

    To talk about where Gaelic is still used day to day

    Grammar Note

    "Air a bruidhinn" is a passive form; "a" agrees with feminine Gàidhlig. Composed sentence.

15. Is toigh leam ceòl Gàidhlig.

    I like Gaelic music.

    Usage

    To say which music you enjoy

    Grammar Note

    "Is toigh leam" means I like; placing "Gàidhlig" after the noun gives "Gaelic music". Composed sentence.

16. Bu mhath leam èisteachd ri ceòl beò.

    I would like to listen to live music.

    Usage

    When looking for live music in a pub or at a festival

    Grammar Note

    "Èisteachd ri" means listening to. Composed sentence.

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