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
TATTIE HOWKIN 17/10/2016
by Linda - 01:01 on 17 October 2016
TATTIE HOWKIN = POTATO HARVESTING
October is the time of year in Scotland to harvest potatoes. Traditionally entire families participated in this activity, and children were excused from school. From this the 'tattie holidays' became a feature of the school year. This continues as the October mid-term holiday, which seems a rather boring name by comparison!
The word tattie is obviously derived from potato. To howk is a verb which means to dig or dig out.
