Muir is Tir ~ Land and Sea

The other book I picked up while I was in the Outer Hebrides earlier this week was Muir is Tir by Seoras Chaluim Sheorais which is a collection of traditional Lewis Gaelic words and phrases relating to all things nautical including boats, fittings, furnishings, sails, tides, fishing gear, weather, navigation, lore and proverbs. The book is also beautifully illustrated by the late author with line drawings of local craft and gear. One or two of the words are vaguely familiar from when I was a kid but most of the saying are new to me. A few of them particularly struck a chord...

Cha deachaidh lann a chur aig tarag a b'fhearr na am bata ud ~ No better boat than that one was ever built. (It's the bloody Indy!)

Cum an t-eather bho chladach an fhasgaidh, agus cumaidh i i fhein bho chladach an fhuaraidh ~ Keep the boat from the lee shore, and she will keep herself from the windward shore.

Fear nach teid og chun na mara, cha dean fear-mara a-chaoidh ~ He who will not go to sea young will never be a sailor.

Bidh duil re beul cuain, ach cha bhi duil re beul uaigh ~ There may be hope of a man at sea, but none of one in the grave.

Sona gach ni 's a' ghoath na tamh ~ Everything is peaceful when the wind is at rest.

I also now know the Gaelic word for a belaying pin ~ dealg-cheangail. I must inform nodbear immediately when she returns!