Photos by Jez

Heather-ask — Animals in Scots #6

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Photos by Jez Avatar
Photos by Jez

Hi All 👋 Today’s Animal in Scots is the Heather-ask (Lizard); also known as a man-keeper, or a dirdie-lochrag in Caithness.

Heather-ask by Jez Braithwaite
Heather-ask — Lizard

All the Scots words for these posts are taken from The Concise English-Scots Dictionary, by the Scottish National Dictionary Association. The words chosen will be the generally accepted term, but as in all languages there are regional variations, as well as sub-species variations. For example, an owl is generally known as a hoolet in Scots, but an ool in Shetland & the NE. A barn owl is a white hoolet & a long eared owl, a hornnie hoolet.

Hae a guid day

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8 responses to “Heather-ask — Animals in Scots #6”

  1. anne leueen Avatar
    anne leueen

    This fellow has relatives in Florida. I have seen them when we are there in the winter. I llve these Scots names for the creatures!

    Reply
    1. jezbraithwaite Avatar
      jezbraithwaite

      Thanks, AnneI’ll have to dig out some horse pics for their Scots names!

      Reply
      1. anne leueen Avatar
        anne leueen

        That would be great if you can find something.

  2. anitashope Avatar
    anitashope

    Scaly little critter. The majority of lizards I am familiar with here in the US are smooth. Pretty coloration.

    Reply
    1. jezbraithwaite Avatar
      jezbraithwaite

      This little guy was in Malibu, Ca

      Reply
      1. anitashope Avatar
        anitashope

        Haha. Well, I have not seen CA. I know in the southeast they are small smooth and green or brown depending on what they are sitting on. Shows my very limited knowledge.

  3. eklastic Avatar
    eklastic

    I love dirdy lochrat (I probably understand it wrong but with my English and German knowledge mixed together, it could be a “dirty hole rat” — now that’s a wonderful fourletter word! “No, sir, I didn’t insult you, I only compared you to a wee Scottish beastie…!” 😀 And you have an impressive specimen there. I like the shadow of the claws on the blanket.

    Reply
    1. jezbraithwaite Avatar
      jezbraithwaite

      ? It does sound good as an insult; might have to try it out one day!

      Reply

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