Michael Steven Newton

It is little, and it is naughty. Not for the easily offended, but fun, even if there are some pages one would not wish to linger on. Historical bias, with verse, doggerel, proverbs and discussion of taboo language in Gaelic society of old.

Cultural history of the Gaelic people of Scotland with selections of Gaelic poetry (with Engish translation) in an appendix. The book gives a very full and vivid account of traditional Gaelic culture in Scotland, chiefly from the 16th century to the present. The writer is clearly strongly sympathetic to Gaelic speakers and frankly hostile to the heavy-handed attempts to impose English language and England or Lowlands culture on the Gaelic culture.
Personally I am doubtful the traditional show more Gaelic culture could have survived into contemporary times even if it has not been deliberately suppressed, though I grant the methods of suppression were unjust. show less

The author admits that some of the material is now archaic or region-specific; unfortunately, he gives the reader no clue whether a particular expression is still commonly used in Scotland or was last to be heard in the 18th century in Nova Scotia. So the book is no of use as a reference, although it may be amusing as a diversion, if you are so inclined.