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17th July 18, 10:34 PM
#1
The Scots Gaelic Myth
I have often heard the ridiculous myth that "Gaelic is purely the language of the Highlands and was never spoken by the Lowland Scots", which, quite frankly, isn't true. It has no basis in reality, and it I have no idea when this myth developed. I have the gut feeling it came about during the time of the Jacobites when there was a serious hatred of Highland culture & religion both by Lowlanders and the English, or maybe it developed earlier when the aristocracy of Scotland, became Scots speaking, and didn't want to associate themselves with the barbarous, savage and unruly Erse (Scots term for Gaelic at the time, it literally means Irish) speaking Highlanders.
Here is a historical map that I found from Reddit! Scots Gaelic is represented by the blue zone labelled 'Irish speaking'. You can clearly see that in this time, Gaelic was the dominating language. Gaelic was at one time spoken by most Scots, with the exception of the extreme South-East, Orkney and Shetland.
Let's also not forget, the numerous place-names of Gaelic origin in Lowland Scotland, such as; Kilmarnock; Auchinleck; Rutherglen; Cardonald; Galloway; Dumfries; Dundee; As well as many others.
This, when first heard, caused me to feel empty inside as I had my own culture ripped away from me, but then to realize it wasn't true, it's a commonly believed myth.
Last edited by PatrickHughes123; 17th July 18 at 10:38 PM.
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18th July 18, 12:51 AM
#2
On your map, though, the Lowlands are English speaking...
Last edited by davidlpope; 18th July 18 at 12:53 AM.
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18th July 18, 01:14 AM
#3
 Originally Posted by davidlpope
On your map, though, the Lowlands are English speaking...
No they aren't, they are mostly Gaelic-speaking. Please Google the map of Scotland.
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18th July 18, 01:43 AM
#4
Unfortunately Gaelic has been in retreat ever since the time that the map portrays. The relatively recent resurgence of interest is welcome but so much has already been lost.
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18th July 18, 02:06 AM
#5
Originally Posted by figheadair
Unfortunately Gaelic has been in retreat ever since the time that the map portrays. The relatively recent resurgence of interest is welcome but so much has already been lost.
Yes, I'm aware. Thanks to King David I of Scotland. I know Gaelic had a short live as a prestigious language, but to say that it was never the case is just nonsense.
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18th July 18, 02:56 AM
#6
No they aren't, they are mostly Gaelic-speaking. Please Google the map of Scotland.
The map which you posted actually shows the eastern lowlands, all the way north to the south shore of the Firth of Forth as "Men of Lothian", English speaking.
The Lothian region extends from the east of the Central Lowlands southwards into the Southern Uplands.
Regional Director for Scotland for Clan Cunningham International, and a Scottish Armiger.
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