Essential English phrases

Yes. Used constantly and unselfconsciously across Scotland, in every register from a boardroom to a bus.

Small — but also a softener applied to almost anything. 'A wee minute', 'a wee problem'. It rarely means literally small.

To know. 'D'ye ken?' is 'do you know?'. More common in Edinburgh and the east than in Glasgow.

August, when the Fringe, the International Festival and several others run simultaneously and the city's population roughly doubles. It is not one festival and locals have complicated feelings.

New Year, taken far more seriously than Christmas historically, with a street party that is one of the largest in the world.

A narrow alleyway off the Royal Mile, usually leading to a courtyard. The Old Town is threaded with them and they are how you actually get around.

The grocery shopping. 'Going for the messages' has nothing to do with communication.

Grey, damp, cold and miserable — the specific Scottish weather word, with a guttural 'ch'. You will need it often.

The cold sea fog that rolls in off the Firth of Forth, often on an otherwise sunny day, dropping the temperature abruptly.

The local property tax paid by the occupier, banded by property value. It is your bill, not the landlord's, and it is a substantial monthly cost.

Private Residential Tenancy — Scotland's standard tenancy since 2017. Open-ended with no fixed term, and you can leave on 28 days' notice at any point.

999 for emergencies. NHS 24 on 111 for urgent but non-emergency medical help. Both are free from any phone.