Gaelic for Sailors - Colours

About

Gaidhlig (Gaelic in English and pronounced gaalic not gaylic) remains the majority language of the Outer Hebrides. The majority of placenames in the islands are Gaelic or a gaelicised form of Norse. Familiarity with the more common words can greatly enhance the visitor’s experience and understanding of the landscape.

Colours. Gaelic colours reflect the quality of light and natural environment of the islands and do not always correspond to English names.

Gorm (gorum) - blue, greenish blue, bluish grey
Glas (glass) - grey, greyish blue or green
Ruadh (roo-a) - red as in hair, reddish brown, russet
Donn (down) - brown
Buidhe (boo-ye) – yellow
Dearg (djerr-ak or djaar-ak) – bright red
Ban (baan) – creamy white
Geal (gel or gyaal) – bright shining white
Liath (lee-ah) – metallic grey
Dubh (doo) - black

Odhar (oh-ar or ow-ar) – mix of white and black eg gravelly river bed
Riabhach (ree-aCH or ree-avaCH) – mix of red and black eg rocky hillsides
Breac (breCHk) – speckled as trout, multi-coloured as tartan