Bird and flower of the Beltane
The marsh marigold and the whimbrel have Gaelic names with links to this time of the Beltane. This post in Scotland’s Nature (3 May 2022) describes how both species provide a reminder of the close links between Gaelic culture and the Scottish seasons. This post is also available in Gaelic.
Wallabies to damselflies: Scotland’s newest animals get Gaelic names
This article in The Guardian (2 April 2022) describes how species moving north into Scotland as our climate heats, along with more recent introductions, have been given Gaelic names. For example, the leathery sea squirt is now spùtachan-mara leatharach, for leathery little squirting creature of the sea!
Adders of Poison and Wisdom
This Scotland’s Nature blog (March 22, 2022), both in Gaelic and English, shares how adders have a significant place in Gaelic folklore, including in stories and place names.
Celebrating our Machair
This Scotland’s Nature blog posted by NatureScot (17 January 2022) explores the nature, culture and language of these special grassland habitats.
A Gaelic Advent calendar
Plantlife Scotland share news of their project to bring life back to wild plant names and their uses and folklore. Check out their post Celebrating Scotland’s Natural Heritage with 25 Wild Plants: A Gaelic Advent Calendar 2021 (23 November 2021).
Scotland’s birds – Gaelic myths and omens
Scotland’s Nature (23 November 2021) article ‘Birds of Premonition’, explores how the Gaels traditionally viewed bird behaviour as predictors of future events.
Muigh san Aonach / Out in the Mountains
The John Muir Trust have shared the work of photographic and sound artist Judith Parrott. She explores the relevance of belonging for personal and environmental wellbeing in Gaelic culture. Read her essay, which also shares useful research findings, and find out more in the John Muir Trust’s Wild and Well [...]
Scottish waterfalls – what’s in a name?
Scotland’s Nature blog describes how ‘Eas’ in the Gaelic landscape marks a named waterfall in this post Land of Falling Water (20 October 2021). A range of Scottish waterfalls and places are illustrated, along with their Gaelic names.
