An ambitious Gaelic dictionary that breathes life into long-lost words is one of a dozen cultural projects to receive fresh Scottish Government funding.
Faclair na Gàidhlig, the Historical Dictionary of Scottish Gaelic, is piecing together the language’s past through an extraordinary collection of word histories and rediscovered meanings.
It is the first dictionary of its kind for Gaelic, and when complete, it will include more than 100,000 entries.
Researchers have been tracing the roots of Gaelic back through centuries of letters, books and manuscripts, some dating as far back as the 1100s.
Their discoveries include vivid old phrases and poetic descriptions that offer glimpses into how Gaelic speakers once saw the world.
One standout find is “Ciod fo na rionnagan” which translates to “what under the stars” and was used in the early 20th century much like “what on earth” is today.
Another is “peur stobach,” the phrase for prickly pear fruit, spotted in a letter written from Saint Helena in 1900.
The word “uircean,” usually meaning piglet, was also found to have once described a young whale.
These rediscoveries are more than linguistic curiosities.
They show a living connection between language, landscape and heritage.
The Scottish Government has now announced new support to help this work reach more learners, readers, writers and speakers.
Kate Forbes, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic, confirmed the funding as part of a wider £500,000 investment in Gaelic culture.
She said the dictionary will be a vital resource for future generations and praised the role of language in shaping Scotland’s identity.
“Gaelic is a core part of Scotland’s culture, heritage and history,” said Ms Forbes.
“To support the language’s growth across Scotland, I am announcing funding for a range of Gaelic publishing, education, arts and community projects today.”
The funding will also support the publication of new Gaelic books, summer schools, musical events and local mòds across the country.
It forms part of wider efforts to promote Gaelic through education and the upcoming Scottish Languages Bill, alongside a planned £35.7 million investment in 2025–26.
Ola Szczesnowicz, Senior Editor of Faclair na Gàidhlig, welcomed the backing.
She said the project follows historical principles similar to the Oxford English Dictionary, but rooted entirely in the unique world of Gaelic.
“This is a big undertaking and we’re grateful for the support,” she said.
“Our entries are already being published online and are freely available to everyone with an interest in Gaelic.”
