Tha mi ag obair mar mhanaidsear toradh didseatach airson Analyser aig an lang cat agus tha mi ag ionnsachadh Gàidhlig na h-Alba.

Tha mi a’ fuireach air iomall Dhùn Èidienn. Tha cù beag agam, ’s e Scout an t-ainm a th’ oirre.

For those who aren’t fluent in Gaelic, the above translates to:

Hello, I’m Abbey.

I work as a digital product manager for Analyser at the lang cat, and I’m learning Scottish Gaelic.

I live on the outskirts of Edinburgh, and I have a small dog, her name is Scout.

Over the past couple of years, I’ve been on a journey to learn Gaelic, aiming to join the mere 1.2% of Scots who can speak it. This time, I’m learning purely for the joy of it – and I’ve found it far more engaging than my German lessons with Frau Grant back in high school!

My fascination with Gaelic and Scottish history began over a decade ago when I first tried metal detecting. Uncovering artefacts, some now housed in museums across Scotland, that once belonged to ancient Scots and were used day to day – some dating back hundreds or even thousands of years – sparked a deep curiosity. It made me eager to delve into their stories, language, and culture.

Next up on my agenda is a trip to northern Scotland (and no, Edinburgh isn’t the North!) to explore a section of the NC500, followed by stunning Orkney. My loyal companion, Wee Scout, will be right by my side, eagerly exploring new sights – and sniffing out rabbits, no doubt! Together, we’ve planned an itinerary full of historic wonders, including cairns, standing stone circles, and prehistoric villages.

Although I’m not fluent in Gaelic (yet!), I can string together sentences and understand much more while watching BBC Alba. I’m excited to test my skills in everyday conversations and finally make sense of those Gaelic road signs that have fascinated me for so long.

Tìoraidh an-dràsta,

Abbey (and Wee Scout)