Scottish Word of the Day: Teuchter

MOVING onto casual insults now, the word teuchter is used by those in Lowland areas of Scotland to describe those from the Highlands, specifically those in rural areas who speak Gaelic.

More loosely, the term is used for a country-dweller. Although the word is now used almost exclusively as a Scots term for an English person, sassenach used to be the Highlanders’ – or teuchters – retort for Lowlanders. Generally good-humoured in tone, both “insults” are unlikely to cause great offence. Unless, of course, there’s a deep-rooted and bitter history between certain Lowlander and Highlander families or clans.