scotland

Tartan Day and the language of tartan

Think Scotland, see tartan. From shortbread biscuit tins to carpets to the kilts of the Tartan Army, this pattern shouts ‘Scotland’ louder than any other nation’s symbol. And who among us has never owned a tartan travelling rug or picnic rug? It’s not every day, metaphorically, we give a… Read More

Burns Night and Burns Suppers

Some hae meat and canna eat, This 25 January, as every year, people in Scotland, Britain and the worldwide Scottish diaspora will gather merrily to celebrate the birth date of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns. Though it’s a gathering now as jolly as any birthday party, the event started life… Read More
research yellow

Eight Gaelic words from the Collins English Dictionary

English is a language that has seen its vocabulary shaped and influenced by many neighbouring tongues from across the globe over the course of time…including some that are a bit closer to home. There are several native Celtic languages spoken in Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man that have… Read More