Blair Collection > Collection of Gaelic proverbs and familiar phrases

207
Gu'ni bioclli e 'n ceann-uidhe dha fhathast.
That he would yet he the end of him.
This was one of the sayings attributed to James Stewart of
Acharn, ' Seumas a' Ghlinne,' on the strength of which, chiefly,
he was most iniquitonsly executed in 1752 for the murder of
Colin Campbell of Glenure. Stewart's brother had forfeited his
lands of Ardsheil for taking part in the Rebellion of 1745, and
Campbell, judicial factor on the estate, was proceeding to eject a
number of tenants, when he was shot dead. Stewart was not
accused of having committed the deed, but of having instigated
Allan Ureac, a kinsman of his. The presiding judge was the Duke
of Argyll, Lord Justice-General, and eleven of the jury were
Campbells.
Gn'm bu droch drùighleach dlmt ! Bad dregs to you !
Gu ma fada bhios tu beò, agus ceo bharr do tliighe !
Long may you live, and smoke rise from your roof !
Al. Gu ma fada beù thu, 'us ceo as do thigh.
This is a very favourite and kindly saying.
Gu 'm aim a glionar am fiosaiclie, mu'n tig an fhiosachd
f lor !
Perish the -prophet, ere the prophecy come true !
Gu 'm beir an riabhach mor ort !
The great grizzled one catch thee !
One of the epithets applied to the Devil.
Gu ma h-anmoch dhut ! May it he late to thee !
Gu ma h-olc dhut ! Ill hefall thee !
Gu'm meal thu do naidheachd !
May you enjoy your neivs !
Said to a person who is to be congi-atulated.
Gual fuar 'g a sheideadh. Blowing cold coals.
' Gùg, gùg,' ars a' chubhag, latha buidhe Bealltainn,
' Coo, coo,' says the cuckoo, on yellow May-day.
The cuckoo is seldom heard so early now.
Gun aon tàmh air bial na bradhan, 's gun aon ghràinn'
air chionn an latha.
Without ceasing of the quern, and not a grain at the
end of the day.
Labour like that of the Danaids, — the ' toradh ' or fruit of the
grinding being carried away by a Fairy as fast as it was made.
Gu 'n gabh a' bhochdainn tliu ! Poverty take thee !