Bilingual transcription: A' Ghàidhealtachd

ETTA: Seadh ma-thà Sophie, tha thu air Peairt a ruighinn. Is toil leam fhìn mapa mòr seach sgrìn no fòn.

Right Sophie, you’ve reached Perth. I do like large maps instead of a screen or a phone.

SOPHIE: Bidh mi ag atharrachadh trèana ann am Peairt, sin far am bi mi a’ glacadh treàna eile a bhios a’ dol a dh’Inbhir Nis. Tha mi an dòchas nach bi i air dheireadh gus nach bi mi air m’fhàgail san stèisean.

I change trains in Perth, that’s where I catch another train that travels directly to Inverness. I hope it’s not delayed so that I won’t be left in the station.

ETTA: ’S e baile brèagha a th’ ann am Peairt. Chan eil e ach mu dhà uair gu leth à Inbhir Nisair an trèana.

Perth is a nice city. It’s only about two and a half hours from Inverness by train.

SOPHIE: Mura bithinn ag iarraigh gu tuath, dh’fhuirichinn ann.

If I wasn’t wanting up north, I’d stop there.

ETTA: Mura bi thu air d’ fhàgail ann am Peairt, bidh thu a-nise a’ siubhal tro sgìre bhrèagha, le ainmean inntinneach.

If you’ve not been left in Perth, you’ll now be travelling through a lovely area, with interesting names.

SOPHIE: Dùn Chailleann. Tha dùn a’ ciallachadh togalach, mar ghearastan neo seòrsa de chaisteal?

Dunkeld. Dùn means a building, like a garrison or a kind of castle.

ETTA: Nuair a bha na Ròmanaich ann am Breatainn ’s e Cailleannaich a bha aca air an t-sluagh a bha a’ fuireach ann an Alba.

When the Romans were in Britain, they called the people living in Scotland Cailleannaich.

SOPHIE: Dùn Chailleann. Ahh!

Dunkeld.

ETTA: Tha mi air a bhith a’ rannsachadh nan sgìrean far a bheil dùil agad a dhol air do thuras leis gu bheil ùidh agam fhèin annta! Nise, a’ dèanamh air Inbhir Nis… tha sinn air a’ Ghàidhealtachd a-nise.

I’ve been researching the areas you’re expecting to visit on your trip as I’m interested in them myself. Now, heading for Inverness… we’re in the Highlands now.

SOPHIE: Ceann a’ Ghiuthsaich, sin far a bheil sinn a-nise; ’s e craobh a th’ ann an giuthas.

Kingussie, that’s where we are now; a giuthas / pine is a tree.

ETTA: ’S e, agus tha fios againn uile dè th’ ann an ceann, a bharrachd air an fhear seo.

It is and we all know what a head is, apart from this one.

SOPHIE: Sin an ceann shìos, seo an ceann shuas, sin an ceann thall, agus seo an ceann a-bhos.

That’s the lower end, this is the upper end, that’s the far side and this is near side.

ETTA: An Aghaidh Mhòr? ‘S dòcha an ath thuras? Tha thu a-nise air iomall Inbhir Nis, prìomh bhaile na Gàidhealtachd. Cùil Lodair!

Aviemore? Maybe next time! You’re now on the outskirts of Inverness, the capital city of the Highlands. Culloden!

SOPHIE: Tha mi air tòrr a leughadh mun bhlàr.

I’ve read a lot about the battle.

SOPHIE: Ach fiù’ s mus ruig mi, bidh mi air gu leòr eile fhaicinn! Agus an rud as fheàrr, cuairt air Loch Nis. Cuairt locha, còmhla ri Dòmhnall MacDhòmhnaill.

But before I even get there, I’ll have seen plenty. And the best thing, a trip on Loch Ness. A river cruise with Donald MacDonald.

ETTA: Tha thu a’ dol air bàta Dhòmhnaill Mhic Dhòmhnaill. Tha mi eòlach air. Dòmhnall Sheumais Chaluim às na Hearadh!

You’re going on Donald MacDonald’s boat. I know him. Donald, (son of) James (son of) Calum from Harris!

SOPHIE: A bheil sibh dha-rìribh eòlach air?

Do you really know him?

ETTA: Tha, ged a tha an t-ainm aige cumanta. Feumaidh fios a bhith agad mun teaghlach: Seumas, sin athair Dhòmhnaill agus Calum, sin seanair Dhòmhnaill, Dòmhnall Sheumais Chaluim.

Yes, even though his name is very common. You need to know about the family. James, that’s Donald’s father and Calum, that’s Donald’s grandfather, Donald (son of )James (son of) Calum.

SOPHIE: B’ fheàrr leam gu robh sibh a’ tighinn còmhla rium.

I wish you were coming with me.

ETTA: Ma bhios turas eile ann, thèid mi còmhla riut agus nach ann againn a bhios an turas!

If there’s another time, I’ll go with you and won’t we have quite the trip!