scots

Everyday

1. Scots means from Scotland or about Scotland's people. tree →
2. Scots is a language spoken in Scotland, close to English, with many of its own words. tree →
3. The Scots are the people of Scotland. tree →

In the lessons

Geography and history: Scotland is part of the UK, in the north of Great Britain. Language: Scots words such as «wee» (small), «bairn» (child), «ken» (know); Robert Burns wrote poems in Scots. Gaelic is a different language also spoken in Scotland. Phrases: the Scots language, a Scots word, Scots pine.

Examples

• Many Scots live in Glasgow and Edinburgh. tree →
• «Wee» is a Scots word for small. tree →
• Robert Burns wrote poems in Scots. tree →
• The Scots pine is a tall tree. tree →
• My grandad speaks Scots and English. tree →
• The Scots celebrate Burns Night with haggis. tree →
• The original is in broad Scots, which I have anglicised. tree →

Note

Always a capital S. Use «Scots» for people and language, «Scottish» for most other things (Scottish food, Scottish football). Avoid «Scotch» for people — it is mostly used for whisky and things like Scotch eggs. Scots is not the same as Scottish Gaelic.