The Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue defines and illustrates every meaning of every word used in written English in Scotland up to 1700. It is an indispensable reference tool for historians of Scots language, literature, politics, law, and social history.

First published in 1985, the new edition of the Concise Scots Dictionary has been revised throughout to reflect modern Scots usage, alongside extensive coverage of older Scots. Combining accessible style, clear layout and a durable hardback format, this is a user-friendly and robust dictionary that you can turn to for reference and enjoyment.

affront • baffies • capercailzie • dingie • elderitch first fit • glaikit • hogmanay • jalouse • laldie • mar numpty • onding • pawkie • scunner • thrapple wean • yeukie • and mony mony mair tae whet yer thrapple... What is your favourite Scots word? Have you heard of a stushie or a stairheid rammy? Do you know a numpty who talks a lot of mince? For over a decade, The Herald has published the Scottish Language Dictionaries' Scots Word of the Week. This wee book gathers 100 of our favourites, showing the breadth and diversity of the Scots language over time, ranging from lesser-known Older Scots to formal language to contemporary slang. Uncover the surprising origins of well-known words such as numpty and wean, discover unusual ones like onding and gowan, and savour evocative gems like Robert Burns' 'blethering, blustering, drunken blellum'.