The Scots Language and Scottish Gaelic are peppered all throughout the Outlander series and, if you’re a fan, perhaps you already speak these Scottish languages without realising it.
Despite Gaelic being at threat of extinction and Scots (the tongue of the famous Robert Burns) facing a similarly stark decline, they are still officially seen as native languages of Scotland.
We’ve previously covered everyday Gaelic phrases in Outlander and even romantic expressions for all the Jamies and Claires of the world, but today we’re turning our attention to examples of Scots in the show.
If Scottish words and sayings like “stramash”, “gomeral” or “peely wally” have you scratching your head then carry on reading for thirteen Scots expressions in Outlander used by Jamie Fraser and his ‘teuchter’ crew.
9. Besom
Pronounced like “bizzum” this term is often used to refer to a woman either in a disparaging or playful manner depending on the context. Officially, the Dictionars o the Scots Leid defines it as: “A term of contempt applied to a person, gen. a woman; sometimes to a woman of loose character, sometimes jocularly to a woman or young girl.” Photo: Submitted
10. Peely Wally
Only in Scotland might you hear this term being used in the doctor’s office. If your physician says “you’re looking a wee bit peely wally” that means that you’re sickly in appearance, particularly with a pale complexion. In this scene where Claire faints at a funeral, on the build-up to her collapse you could certainly say she looked very peely wally. Photo: YouTube Screenshot via Outlander- Fraser's Ridge Brasil
11. Wee Folk
As James McAvoy said about the setting of Macbeth, it’s “incredibly superstitious, and that’s something that I do believe is Scottish.” While the term ‘wee folk’ could refer to lowly citizens it is also well-established in Scottish mythology as a word for folklore creatures like fairies which were said to be malevolent or benevolent depending on the type they were. Photo: YouTube Screenshot via Brandy Van Voorst
12. Stramash
“Ill will can mak a stooshie, but love can settle a stramash”. This Scots proverb means that badwill can cause a row between people but love can settle the “noisy commotion” or “uproar” that results from it. Jamie and Claire, throughout the course of Outlander, have had many a stramash but their love sees them through time and again. Photo: YouTube Screenshot via Tributevideo