Letter: Norse code
This particularly appertains to words relating to boats and seafaring. Some examples are: Sula (Norse), Sulaire (Gaelic) - gannet; Skorda (N), Sgorradh (G) - prop to keep boat on even keel; Bacbordi (N), Bacbhord (G) - windward; Byrding (N), Birlinn (G) - a galley; Rong (N), Reang (G) - a boat-rib.
In The Fourth Sevice, Merchantmen at War 1939-45, John Slader says Western Islanders are known the world over for being among the finest seamen. Their sailorly qualities have probably been inherited, to a large extent, from their Norse progenitors.
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Hide AdA Norse historian I know believes that apart from Iceland and Faroe Islands more Old Norse words are spoken in the Western Isles than anywhere else.
Donald J MacLeod
Woodcroft Avenue
Bridge of Don, Aberdeen