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Tòimhseachain

Riddles

In addition to stories, and songs, the Gàidheil were very fond of tòimhseachain (riddles).

There are often riddles and puns at the heart of the stories, as we heard in the story of Diarmaid and Gràinne.

‘Cha ghabh mi a‑staigh thu, ‘s cha ghabh mi a‑muigh thu, cha ghabh mi air each no air chois thu, cha ghabh mi ann an solas an latha no dorchadas na h‑oidhche thu.’

I’ll not take you inside, and I’ll not take you outside, I’ll not take you on horse or on foot, I’ll not take you in the light of day nor the darkness of night.

Ach aig glasadh an latha tha Gràinne air nochdadh aig doras Dhiarmaid air gobhar:

But at the daybreak, Gràinne has appeared at Diarmaid’s door on a goat:

‘Ach, ge‑tà,’ arsa Gràinne, ‘seall orm, a Dhiarmaid.’

‘But, though,’ said Grainne, ‘look at me, Diarmaid.’

Thug Diarmad sùil oirre agus bha i air muin‑goibhre letheach thairis air leac an dorais.

Diarmaid looked at her and she was on a goat’s back, halfway across the threshold.

‘Chan eil mi a‑staigh,’ ars’ ise, ‘no a‑muigh.’

‘I am neither in,’ said she, ‘nor out.’

‘Chan eil solas an latha ann fhathast, ged nach eil i dorch tuilleadh, agus chan eil mi air each no air chois.’

‘It is not yet daylight, but it is no longer dark, and I am not on horse nor on foot’

Air sgàth ‘s gu bheil Gràinne air fuasgladh fhaighinn air an rud a thuirt Diarmad, feumaidh e falbh leatha.

Because Grainne has found a solution to the thing that Diarmaid said, he has to leave with her.