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A Dictionary of Scottish Phrase and Fable
£12.99
A Lively Lexicon of Scotland's Words, Myths, and Legends
Ian Crofton's witty guide to Scottish language and lore
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About the Ebook
This authoritative, entertaining and eminently browsable reference book, arranged in easily accessible A-Z format, is an absorbing and imaginative feast of Scottish lore, language, history and culture, from the mythical origins of the Scots in Scythia to the contemporary Scotland of the Holyrood parliament and Trainspotting. Here Tartan Tories rub shoulders with Torry girls, the Misery from the Manse exchanges a nod with Stalin's Granny, Thomas the Rhymer and the Wizard of Reay walk hand in hand with Bible John, and the reader is taken for a rollercoaster ride round Caledonia, from Furry Boots City to the Costa Clyde, via the Cold Shoulder of Scotland, the West Lothian Alps and the Reykjavik of the South. The result is a breathtaking and quirky celebration of Scotland, packed with fact and anecdote.
Why You'll Love This Ebook
- Discover the meanings behind Scotland's most colourful words and phrases
- Uncover legends, myths, and curiosities that shaped Scottish culture
- Enjoy bite-sized entries perfect for browsing or reference
- Read another celebrated title from Birlinn Ltd - Independent Scottish Publisher
Reviews
'Wilfully idiosyncratic yet curiously useful — a lightly erudite and well-informed work of eclectic scholarship' Times Literary Supplement
'This is such a linguistic and etymological treasure trove that once picked up it is virtually impossible to put down' Scottish Field
'Compelling and quirky — under Ian Crofton's eye, the rollicking spirit of Scotland, old and modern, comes proudly alive. A lifesaver for those in need of diversion and enlightenment' Sunday Herald
'It is nigh impossible to reach the item you first set out to read without being sidetracked by other beguiling morsels' The Herald
'A book that will provide many happy hours of dipping into — a sheer joy' Scottish Life
About the Author
Ian Crofton's books exploring the interplay of landscape, nature and history include Walking the Border: A Journey between Scotland and England, rated by both The Guardian and Trail magazine as 'excellent'. His Fringed with Mud and Pearls: An English Island Odyssey was described by the BBC’s Countryfile as 'really engaging', and by Coast magazine as 'a fascinating study about what it means to exist on the fringes'; it was selected by the Telegraph as one of their top twenty travel books of 2021. Upland: A Journey Through Time and the Hills was published in May 2025.
Publication Details
Publisher: Birlinn Ltd
Publication Date: 05 November 2012
Print Length: 512 pages (Ebook edition)
ISBN (Ebook): 9780857906373
Format: Ebook
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