‘An Cèitean’ is the Scottish Gaelic for the month of May (pronounced ‘an kaychan’). In certain parts of Scotland, May was also called in Gaelic A’ Mhàigh (pronunced ‘ah vye’) and more akin to the month as we have it in English.

May traditionally marks the start of the Highland summer with the first of May marking the date of the ancient Celtic festival of Beltane known as ‘Bealltainn’ in Gaelic. This is the time of year when the animals were taken to their summer grazing in the upland pastures. Often communities would meet in these areas from different parts of the surrounding area and it was known as a happy time when people met each other, socialising with music and dancing and young couples would often get together.

The sound of May in Skye is definitely the cuckoo, which returns to our shores in late April and can be heard quite clearly throughout the month of May it seems wherever you go here in Sleat. ‘Bròg na Cuthaige’ is the Gaelic for the Scottish bluebell, which means literally ‘the cuckoo’s shoe’ which flowers at same time as we hear the cuckoo.