Heritage

Scotland is famous for its colourful vocabulary and that includes our descriptions of the human body via the Scots language.

21 Scottish words for body parts, how many do you know? Scots Human Anatomy

Senior Curator of Medieval Archaeology Alice Blackwell and Head of Medieval and Early Modern Records, National Records of Scotland Dr Alan Borthwick, take a closer look at The Declaration of Arbroath

Rare chance to view Declaration of Arbroath as it goes on public display

Morna Young is adapting the Lewis Grassic Gibbon novel Sunset Song for a new stage production.

Writer Morna Young to become first woman to adapt Sunset Song for the stage

Robert the Bruce became one of the most revered Scottish warriors of all time following his historic victory at the Battle of Bannockburn (1314).

Kings of Scotland: 13 Famous Scottish Kings and why we remember them to this day

If you hear a Scot referring to “wee beasties” then keep an eye out because this refers to pesky small insects, and if it’s expressed like “they’ve got wee beasties in their hair” then there’s a case of headlice going on.

Scotland’s Favourite Scottish Words: 40 Braw Scots phrases like "Wee Beasties"

A red rockpool near the New Aberdour Caves on the Moray First Coast. PIC: SEPA.

'Red rockpools' warning issued with dog walkers told to stay away

You can find Fingal’s Cave on the Isle of Staffa located south-west off the Isle of Ulva. The uninhabited island is only half a mile in length and is composed exclusively of hexagonally jointed basalt columns (like the ones at the Giant’s Causeway on Ireland’s north coast.) “Fingal” is said to be an anglicisation of Finn MacCumhaill who was an Irish General who commanded the Feinne, a group who fended off the Norsemen and other such invaders. The site is also famed for its colourful folklore about giants that see Scottish and Irish mythology overlap.

Scotland's Incredible Caves: 17 Scottish caves with fascinating heritage

Lindores Distillery still

Lindores Bear Burning 2023: We experience this modern ritual

Rockall sits 200 miles west of the Outer Hebrides and is where adventurer Cam Cameron plans to spend the next 60 days. PIC: Óglaigh na hÉireann/CC.

Three men land on Rockall as 60-day survival challenge begins

The photograph of the HMS Challenger research team who were based at 32 Queen Street, Edinburgh. The frame is made of wood taken from the ship's mast. PIC: NMS.

Rare photograph found in Edinburgh second-hand shop left to nation

A favourite phrase for Scotland's summers, if you're lucky enough to have a sunny day then it's "taps aff" (or tops/ t-shirts off) so you can enjoy the Vitamin D in full.

Top 37 Scottish words for Scotland's weather starting with "taps aff"

Scottish artists, inventors, scientists, humanitarians, sportspeople, historical figures and more have been at the heart of revolutionary change that has impacted the world.

The Most Influential Scots of All Time: 17 Scottish icons voted by our readers

-Football at Eagle Heights in Sighthill, Glasgow. The tower block was demolished in 2008, around three years after this photograph was taken. PIC: Toby Binder.

'Timeless' photo collection of Scotland's bond with football emerges

The derelict Ayr Station Hotel had been served with a dangerous buildings notice because of its poor condition. Picture: N Hackett

Two teenagers charged over fire at derelict Scottish rail station hotel

Eriskay Ganseys were high-necked numbers secured by buttons (Left) with expertly knitted patterns and symbols woven into them as shown in Matthew Topsfield's presentation with the Scottish Fisheries Museum (Right).

Eriskay Ganseys: The traditional Scottish jerseys with hand-woven unique symbols

Officially a 'square go' refers to an unarmed brawl, and it is something you exclaim when you're challenging someone to fight you.

Scotland's Favourite Scottish Sayings: 40 well-loved sayings by Scotsman readers

The Cathedral was built to serve as the final resting place for the relics of Saint Magnus. Built from local yellow and red sandstone, construction commenced in 1137 making it one of Scotland’s oldest cathedrals and the most northerly one in the United Kingdom.

Best of Scottish Tourism: 25 Breathtaking places in Scotland for new tourists

A well-loved comedy drama, Local Hero explores the conflict between a Texas oil company and the residents of a Scottish fishing village whose land is needed for the company's North Sea oil base.

Best Scottish Films: 21 of Scotland’s best movies starting with Local Hero 1983

This Catholic chapel can be found on Lamb Holm in the Orkney Islands. It was constructed in World War II by Italian prisoners of war who had been housed on the island while they built the Churchill Barriers.

Scotland’s Most Beautiful Churches: 21 Scottish Churches endorsed by our readers

No, you’re not asking about the state of someone’s physical fitness with this Doric phrase. “Fit like?” is a greeting which is used to say “hey, how are you?” Another way you can say this is “Foo’re ye deein?”

25 Handy Doric Phrases: A Guid guide to Scottish Doric starting with "Fit Like?"

Many academics assert that the Picts spoke a Celtic language that was connected to Brythonic. However, we'll likely never know for sure as there are no provable records.

What is Brythonic? Did the Picts speak it? Britain’s native language explained

Father's Day always falls on the third Sunday of every June which means it will take place on June 18, 2023.

When is Father’s Day in the UK? Why are fathers so important?

Regular Italian cafe or genius marketing that serves as directions? Around the back of an Aldi in Airdrie you can find this Italian cafe called Bacchialdis ("back o' Aldi's!")

32 of Scotland’s Punniest Business Names starting with the iconic Bacchialdi's

Having given joy to generations, Portobello Bathing Pool and its gorgeous art deco surrounds met with the wrecking ball in 1988. The pool, which dated from 1936, closed for the final time in 1978.

17 incredible buildings we loved and lost

The derelict Ayr Station Hotel had been served with a dangerous buildings notice because of its poor condition. Picture: N Hackett

Fire breaks out at former Scottish rail station hotel

Caitriona Balfe as Claire Randall and Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser from Outlander. A church connected to the series has gone up for sale. Picture: Starz!/Kobal/Shutterstock

Church popular with Outlander fans for sale as private developers loom

Former finance secretary Kate Forbes

Forbes seeks 'urgent' Kinloch Castle poll as millionaire condemns failed sale

Glenlee has been moored beside the Riverside Museum since 2011. Picture: John Devlin

Historic Glasgow tall ship Glenlee may have to introduce admission charges

Kinloch Castle, the Grade A Listed Building on the Isle of Rum, which the Scottish Government has been unable to sell and lies in a state of slow decay. PIC: NatureScot.

Castle at the heart of island's future as millionaire speaks out on failed sale

The gravestone of Christian Brydie, who died in 1655, and her husband James Carstairs in St Andrews Cathedral (Picture: Susan Morrison)

Gravestones can help bring the people of the past back to life – Susan Morrison

Some dog breeds are born to be sociable with other animals and humans.

The 10 most and least sociable breeds of adorable dog

Former Aboyne Academy pupil and Scotland team athlete Kathryn Christie. PIC: Moyra Gray.

Highland Games introduces female-only events to beat 'intimidating' atmosphere

Robert the Bruce's statue at Bannockburn (Picture: Neil Hanna)

Why we're probably all Robert the Bruce's bairns – Scotsman comment

Claire Hutchison is a conservator with the National Library of Scotland, which has one of the biggest newsaper archives in the UK.

Scottish newspaper archive secured after 'overwhelming' response to appeal

Adventurer Bear Grylls. Picture: NationalWorld

Bear Grylls finds out he is related to Robert the Bruce

Towie Barclay Castle has gone on the market for offers over £975,000. PIC: Savills.

Scottish castle home of late US folk musician goes on market

Lighthouse keepers Thomas Marshall, Donald MacArthur and James Ducat who disappeared from the Flannan Isles in December 1900. PIC: Contributed/colour restoration by Gary Kemp /restoringyourpast.co.uk.

http://www.restoringyourpast.co.uk/,https://www.facebook.com/restoringyourpast,Grant Kemp

Home of the vanished Flannan Isles lighthouse keepers to open its doors

“Scotland is undoubtedly the star of Outlander. I’m so proud of the country and all it has to offer.”

17 Inspiring Quotes about Scotland starting with Sam Heughan from Outlander

Gilbert Innes, a Georgian period banker, lived at 24 St Andrew Square near the Royal Bank of Scotland's office, above, at number 36 (Picture: Jane Barlow/PA)

The secret sex life of a Royal Bank of Scotland giant – Susan Morrison

Waverley leaving its berth beside Glasgow Science Centre at the launch of its summer season on Friday with a cruise down the Clyde to Tighnabruaich. Picture: John Devlin

Historic paddle steamer Waverley embarks on most extensive UK tour for a decade

The album cover for Blur's The Ballad Of Darren, which features Gourock outdoor pool in Inverclyde

Blur chooses image of Scottish outdoor pool for new album cover

A picture issued by University of Copenhagen of a Babylonian clay model showing an erotic scene from 1800 BC.

Humans were kissing as early as 4,500 years ago, new research has revealed

Laphroaig distillery (founded in 1815) is located on the south coast of the Isle of Islay. The Gaelic behind its name means ‘the beautiful hollow by the broad bay’ although it has also been associated with the Norse “breid-vik” which means broad bay. You pronounce its name like “la-froyg”.

17 Mispronounced Scotch Whisky names, Gaelic meaning and how to pronounce

The vessel, which lies 12,500ft down in the Atlantic, has previously only been seen through snapshots from underwater cameras

Incredible Titanic images revealed after first full-sized digital scan of wreck

The isle of Ulva, as viewed from Mull, is looking for new residents. Picture: Richard Kellett

Family wanted for tiny Scottish island with population of 10

A Lancaster bomber flies over Ladybower reservoir in Derbyshire to mark a previous anniversary of the Second World War Dambusters mission (Picture: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Eighty years on, we salute the bravery of the Dambusters' aircrew

Coire an t-Sneachda is a name perhaps familiar to outdoor enthusiasts but the outdoor industry needs to do much more to learn, respect and promote the Gaelic place names rooted deep on the map. PIC: Scott Tares/geograph.org

Giving mountains lazy names such as ‘cheesecake’ further erodes Gaelic language

The City of Lincoln Lancaster Bomber takes to the sky for the memorial flight of the 80th anniversary of the WWII Dambusters Raid at RAF Coningsby

Dambusters anniversary: The Scots who took part in daring raid 80 years ago

Saving Panmure House: how a "neglected, abandoned and depressing" #Edinburgh building became a project which "exceeded my wildest dreams"

Ad Feature Hear how Adam Smith’s Edinburgh home was saved from dereliction in a new podcast

The Stone of Destiny has returned to Edinburgh Castle following its journey south for the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Picture: PA

Stone of Destiny returns to Scotland in secret operation

Kylesku Bridge in Sutherland, which sits on the North Coast 500. A police operation caught a driver travelling at 117mph on the tourist route at the weekend, although the exact location of the patrol has not been revealed. Picture: Richard Wiseman/Flickr/CC

NC500: Driver caught at 117mph on tourist route through Highlands

The themes of loss and leaving underpin the film Dùthchas, which features previously unseen Kodachrome 8mm archive film of everyday life on the Isle of Berneray through the 1960s and 1970s. PIC: UistFilm

Rare footage of life in Outer Hebrides emerges after 40 years

Usually this is a shortened version of the name Edward, like Ned Flanders from The Simpsons, but in Scotland it's used more often to refer to a young troublemaker or foolish person.

40 Everyday words with totally different meanings in Scotland such as "Ned"

The Highland Games are events held around spring and summer in Scotland and other countries with a prominent Scottish diaspora.

History of the Highland Games: The traditions of the Scottish Highland Games

The Viking shipyard at Loch na h-Airde on Skye’s Rubh an Duna.

Scotland's 'lost and overlooked' historic sites explored in new book

The Wulver is a humanoid wolf creature connected to the folklore of Shetland. Unlike the typical ferocity associated with werewolves, the Wulver was a benevolent creature, known to help the downtrodden. Often seen fishing, the Wulver would place free fish on the windowsills of poor families to save them from starvation. Unlike werewolves, the Wulver was never human to begin with, according to the ancient Celts. They believed he evolved from wolves, and represented an in-between stage of evolution between wolf and man.

17 mythical creatures from Scottish Folklore including the Wulver

The property is being advertised as having one bedroom, one bathroom and in need of full renovation. PIC: Contributed.

'Tin House' in Outer Hebrides hits market for £150,000

The International Outlander Conference will take place at Glasgow University in July with author Dr Diana Gabaldon due to deliver the keynote speech. PIC: Starz!/Kobal/Shutterstock

Outlander conference to welcome author Diana Gabaldon to Scots university

Dunnottar Castle

Scottish castle seeks keeper for famous landmark

Sam Heughan (Jamie Fraser) and Graham McTavish (Dougal MacKenzie) enjoying some playful banter on the set of "Men in Kilts".

The Scots Language in Outlander: 13 Scottish words and phrases like Dinna Fash

Skara Brae, a Neolithic settlement on Orkney. New research will examine whether Orkney's stunning Neolithic landscape was painted in colour around 5,000 years ago. PIC: Bill Henderson/ geograph.org

Orkney's Neolithic wonders may have been painted with colour

The two winding towers at Seafield colliery in Fife.

Seafield disaster: silent tribute marks 50th anniversary of Fife mining tragedy

Edinburgh's Calton Prison was said to be a particularly unpleasant institution (Picture: SPS/SWNS)

Son jailed for 'annoying his mother' shows Scotland has made some progress

Ancient ceremonial locations or time travelling sites? Here are the Scottish standing stones that inspired Outlander's Craigh na Dun set.

13 Scottish stone circles and standing stones that inspired Outlander's set

The Prince of Wales looks on as King Charles III, wearing the Imperial State Crown, and Queen Camilla, wearing a modified version of Queen Mary's Crown, wave on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, London, following the coronation.

Who’s next in line for the throne after the King? Order of succession 2023

Prisoner records for Calton Prison, which stood where St Andrews House can now be found, have been released and create a snapshot of the 'grittier' side to life in the capital in the 19th Century. PIC: Contributed.

Bodysnatchers, a cheese thief and a woman with a porcupine appear in jail papers

The Sporran is a traditional part of Scottish Highland dress that essentially acts as a pocket when wearing a kilt. The word is rooted in the Gaelic “sporan” which means purse. Marine creatures like sharks and rays produce eggs which have a tough protective casing known as a mermaid’s purse as it can be written in Gaelic; sporan-bìgis.

Scottish Gaelic you already speak: 17 English words linked to Gaelic

You can find Bobby on George IV bridge close to Chambers Street in Edinburgh. A memorial to the dog that was truly man’s best friend, it reads: “A tribute to the affectionate fidelity of Greyfriars Bobby. In 1858 this faithful dog followed the remains of his master to Greyfriars Churchyard and lingered near the spot until his death in 1872.”

Statues of Scotland: The 25 Best Scottish statues starting with Greyfriars Bobby

The Scotsman Top Stories

The damage done by a wild fire at Tentsmuir (Pic: Forestry and Land Scotland)

Ranger assaulted for asking someone to put out campfire

A computer generated image issued by Transport Scotland of the proposed debris flow shelter

£470m road shelter planned to shield A83 Rest and Be Thankful from landslides

English rock band Wolf Alice are the subject of Michael Winterbottom's film 'On The Road'.

Five must-watch documentary movies set in the world of popular music