Introduction to Gaelic

    The ‘Scotch ‘ Highland cattle have come by their hardiness as a result of the very stern land and climate of which they are a product. Scotland, and particularly the Highlands, is an incredibly beautiful land of mountains which sweep down to the sea, or to lakes and green valleys. It abounds in waterfalls, boulders and rough, heathery open land... Some of which is boggy and very unsuitable for anything but peat for fuel. The winds from the sea are fierce and winter snows and ice choke up the great glens quickly, isolating people and herds alike. In the summer the wet land produces swarms of ‘midges’ tiny black flies which can drive one to near madness as they attack eyes, ears and nostrils and any exposed limbs. The skies of Scotland are constantly in turmoil: drenching one hill in rain and its neighbor being bathed in sunlight. The grasses are stalky. Yet this beautiful and unpredictable land has produced creatures adapted to change and hardship, having a fierce herd or ‘tribal’ loyalty balanced by an ability to take individual action for the purpose of survival. This has come to be the mark of the Highlander, whether one refers to the man or the beast.
    The language of the Highlands has been Gaelic, Scots Gaelic being a sister tongue of Irish Gaelic. It is a musical, soft language,... full of poetic imagery and great imagination. For years and years it has been a tradition to give Highland cattle Gaelic names and descriptive adjectives. It is a tradition which is full of fun but difficult to maintain, since for many years the Gaelic language has been on the decline. Around 1970 things started to turn around and Gaelic is coming back strongly.
    At Locustbrae we have had many calls from people who may say, " Mr MacCrea, I understand that you speak Gaelic, and I need some help in naming a few new calves". As a result of this, the family and friends have been suggesting for some time that I put forth a small handbook of names and adjectives and an explanation of how adjectives differ in regard to male and female description. So... here is a small list and some approximate pronunciation. Keep in mind that Gaelic has several dialects, but this of our own is fairly broadly used. It is, by the way similar to Donegal Irish in the pronunciation.
Notes on pronunciation
1. The "ch" sound is like German ach, ich, etc., but not quite as hard. It is a "c" ‘breathed’ from the back of the throat as in " Loch Lomond" (not Lock Lomond). I have written it as "hh" for those who have trouble with it. It’s pretty close.
2. "gh" is difficult. It is pronouncing a ‘g’ without ‘clicking’ it. It is a ‘gargled’ ‘g’ from the back of the throat.
3. "ao" Is like the French ‘eu’ as in ‘fleur’ or ‘soeur’, but is sometimes pronounced almost like the " I" in ‘fire’ or ‘tire’ - so, ‘Mac an’t-saor’ - MacIntyre- ‘ son of the Joiner’.... or caol - kyle - ‘ slender, narrow’
4. ‘bh’ Has a ‘v’ sound. You’ll find it in feminine adjectives. We may say ‘ Donal beag’ ( Donal beck - "Little Donald") - but we must say ‘Mairi bheag’ - " Mahrie Veck" - for 'Little Mary'.

Gaelic Names:

Introduction         Names of Females        Names for Males

Adjectives        Colors       Putting it together