Tag Archives: Roddy Maclean

Bilean: Sacred Trees of Gaelic Scotland

Posted on June 23, 2023 by NatureScot

Roddy Maclean argues for a greater recognition of an ancient arboreal tradition in a Scottish Gaelic context. Continue reading →

Posted in Folklore, Gaelic, History, Placenames, trees, woodlands | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Tamborine Mountain: An Australian lesson for Scotland?

Posted on May 31, 2023 by NatureScot

Roddy Maclean argues that the botanical knowledge and heritage of the Gaels should be more widely celebrated in Scotland’s botanic gardens. Continue reading →

Posted in Ecology, Flowers, Folklore, Gaelic, gardens, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Places where the Stags Roar

Posted on April 26, 2023 by NatureScot

Roddy Maclean looks at places on our maps named for the bellowing of stags during the rut. Continue reading →

Posted in autumn, deer, Folklore, Gaelic, NatureScot, Placenames | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

‘The Life Story of the Adder’ through the Hebridean eyes of the ‘Adder King’

Posted on March 31, 2023 by NatureScot

Roddy Maclean ‘reviews’ the remarkable 1924 publication by Lewisman Norman Morrison – in his day the foremost authority on adders. Continue reading →

Posted in Folklore, Gaelic, NatureScot, Reptiles, Research | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Wild Boars of Gaelic Legend

Posted on February 24, 2023 by NatureScot

Roddy Maclean explores the presence of the wild boar in the Gaelic landscape Continue reading →

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Tuirc nan Sgeulachdan air Aghaidh na Tìre

Posted on February 24, 2023 by NatureScot

Tha Ruairidh MacIlleathain a’ toirt sùil air an fhacal ‘torc’ ann an ainmean-àite air a’ Ghàidhealtachd Continue reading →

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South on the right hand

Posted on February 22, 2023 by NatureScot

The Gaelic word for ‘south’ – a common enough term on our maps – also means ‘right’. The reason takes us back to the sun-worshipping practices of our ancestors, as Ruairidh MacIlleathain reveals. Continue reading →

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An àird a deas air an làimh dheis

Posted on February 22, 2023 by NatureScot

Leugh ann am Beurla / Read in English Bidh feadhainn a tha ag ionnsachadh na Gàidhlig gu tric a’ gabhail iongnadh gu bheil an aon fhacal againn airson south agus right. Ach tha e furasta gu leòr a thuigsinn nuair … Continue reading →

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Water on the move

Posted on February 20, 2023 by NatureScot

In such a frequently showered and mountainous landscape as Scotland, burns and streams abound, and the Gaelic language has a number of generic words for moving water. Continue reading →

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Uisge a’ sìor-ghluasad

Posted on February 20, 2023 by NatureScot

Ann an dùthaich a tha cho sìor-uisgeach ri Alba, tha uillt is aibhnichean pailt agus chan eil e na iongnadh gu bheil uiread de dh’fhaclan againn airson a leithid. Continue reading →

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