Scottish words and sayings, combined with a world-famous accent, can easily make the English used here sound like a totally separate tongue. It aptly reflects the fact that Scotland historically never had one uniform language spoken by all its ancestors (and to this day we still have languages like Scots and Scottish Gaelic.)
In the Scottish Highlands you were more likely to encounter Gaelic once upon a time while in the lowlands Scots was preferred.
We asked our Scotsman readers what “their favourite Scottish saying is” and they offered spectacular answers from “yer lookin’ peely wally” (you look sick) to the classic “whit’s fur ye’ll no go by ye” (what’s meant to be will be!)
These are forty of Scotland’s favourite Scottish sayings and phrases as voted by our Scotsman readers.
13. Mony a mickle maks a muckle!
A 'mickle' is a small amount of something and a 'muckle' is a large amount - so little savings can have big results is the meaning of this saying. Photo: 89Stocker via Canva Pro
14. If yer pals maw told ye to jump in the Clyde would you do that too?
The Scottish equivalent of "if your friend told you to jump off a cliff would you do that?" Photo: ultramarinfoto via Canva Pro
15. Keep the heid!
As in to say "keep your head" and don't lose it i.e., stay calm. Photo: eclipse_images via Canva Pro
16. Guid gear comes in sma' bulk
A Scottish saying which acts as the equivalent of "good things come in small packages." Photo: shironosov via Canva Pro