Help and emergencies in Scots Gaelic
The words you hope to never need. Play the ten Scots Gaelic words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 10 Scots Gaelic phrases in this lesson
- Cuidich mi!KOO-ich mee
- Help!
- Cuir fios air dotair!koor FIS er DOT-ir
- Call a doctor
- PoileasPOL-us
- Police
- Cungaidh-leighisKOONG-ee LYEH-ish
- Pharmacy
- OspadalOS-puh-dal
- Hospital
- Tha mi air challha mee er KHOWL
- I'm lost
- Chan eil mi a' faireachdainn gu mathkhan yel mee uh FAR-akhk-in guh MA
- I don't feel well
- Chaidh a ghoidkhay uh ghoj
- It was stolen
- Tha seo èiginneachha shaw AY-kin-yakh
- It's an emergency
- Fàg mi nam aonarfahk mee num OON-ur
- Leave me alone
Shout this clearly and loudly. Cuidich (help/assist) is pronounced with a hard ch at the end. In remote Highland areas, other walkers or crofters are often the first to respond.
GP surgeries exist on most inhabited islands but may have limited hours. The Scottish Ambulance Service also operates air ambulances for serious emergencies on remote islands.
The emergency number is 999.
Literally "medicine preparation." Pharmacies on smaller islands may have restricted opening hours. Stock up on any prescription medication before heading to very remote areas.
Main hospitals serving the Hebrides are in Stornoway (Western Isles Hospital) and on the mainland in Inverness (Raigmore). Smaller islands have nursing stations or health centers only.
Air chall means "astray" or "lost." Say this to any local and they will almost certainly drop everything to help you. Highland hospitality is genuine and unhurried.
Use this to alert a host, hotelier, or fellow traveler that you are unwell. Ferries and mountain conditions can cause unexpected illness, so do not tough it out alone.
Crime rates in the Highlands and islands are very low, but pickpocketing can occur at busy tourist sites. Report theft to Police Scotland and keep a copy of your travel documents separate.
Literally "leave me alone".