Order anything by pointing in Scots Gaelic
I would like, this one, how much, the bill: survive any counter or menu. 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 11 Scots Gaelic phrases in this lesson
- Bu toil leam...boo TOL lyum
- I would like...
- Am fear seoum fer SHAW
- This one
- Dè na tha e?jeh nuh HA eh
- How much is it?
- An cunntadh, mas e do thoil eun KOON-tuh, mas eh daw HOL eh
- The bill, please
- Le cairtleh karsht
- By card
- An airgeadun AR-i-kut
- In cash
- UisgeOOSH-kuh
- Water
- CofaidhKAW-fee
- Coffee
- Tìchee
- Tea
- Leannlyown
- Beer
- Gun...gun
- Without...
Literally "it would please me".
Literally "this one", while pointing.
The essential question before handing over cash. Prices in the Highlands and islands can be higher than mainland Scotland due to transport costs, so always worth asking.
Cunntadh means the count or reckoning. Most places accept card, but smaller island establishments may prefer cash, so carry some pounds sterling.
Most larger shops and restaurants accept card. On smaller islands and at rural stalls, always ask first: A bheil thu a' gabhail cairt? (do you take card?).
Airgead literally means "silver" and is the Gaelic word for both money and cash. Carrying some is wise when visiting remote Highland communities.
The same root as uisge-beatha (whisky, "water of life"). Scotland's tap water is among the finest in the world, drawn from clean Highland lochs.
A pint is "pinnt".
"Gun siùcar", without sugar.