Scots Blog
The Scots language has a rich tradition, and abounds with marvellous words. This blog will regularly show a different Scots or Gaelic word with its English equivalent. I hope that you will enjoy them as much as I do!
Linda Gilmore Sutherland
WHIN 05/09/16
by Linda - 01:01 on 05 September 2016
WHIN = GORSE OR FURZE
Whin bushes on heathlands and mountainsides give a marvellous gold colour throughout much of the year - see this site. But beware - they are VERY thorny! For this reason, they are sometimes used as a barrier to contain sheep and cattle, hence Whin Dyke (= gorse wall or hedge).
The long flowering season has given rise to this saying: "When gorse is out of blossom, kissing's out of fashion".
