Miniature wargaming has a rather respectable Scottish connection. After all, Robert Louis Stevenson — author, Scot and inveterate player with toy soldiers — was conducting elaborate miniature campaigns with his stepson Lloyd Osbourne back in the early 1880s.
He may not have invented wargaming, but he was certainly one of its pioneering practitioners. H.G. Wells and Little Wars came along later.
So perhaps it's time we introduced a little Scottish Gaelic into the hobby.
A few useful terms for the aspiring Gaelic-speaking general:
Cogadh – war.
Blàr – battle.
Saighdear – soldier.
Feachd – force or army.
Buaidh – victory.
Dàingneach – fortress.
Na saighdearan beaga – the little soldiers.
Imagine the possibilities.
"General, the feachd is advancing!"
"Indeed. But the saighdearan are somewhat disordered."
"And what of the enemy?"
"Still occupying the dàingneach, unfortunately."
"Then we shall have a blàr!"
Of course, the most important word is buaidh – victory. Though, as every wargamer knows, it is sometimes easier to pronounce than to achieve.
And should the dice turn against you, there is always a restorative dram of uisge-beatha (whisky). A second dram may improve your Gaelic; a third may improve your tactical judgement. Beyond that, I cannot be held responsible for the consequences.
Perhaps Stevenson would have approved.
Slàinte, agus mar sin leibh!
