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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

ACH, Augh, int. An exclamation of impatience, disappointment, contempt, remonstrance, etc. Also of satisfaction or pleasure. [ɑx]Sc. 1924 R. W. Campbell Spud Tamson vi.:
“Ach! It's your ain faut,” said Spud; “D'ye ken a coo when you see it?”Abd.(D) 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb (1884) xxxviii.:
“Was't a hurt, or fat?” “Augh! A hurt or than no!”Ags. 1988 Raymond Vettese The Richt Noise 47:
But ach, I doot
I'm no cut oot
for sic mense
(that's dowit leid for "common sense") m.Sc. 1928 J. Corrie The Last Day, etc. 65:
Ach, sit doon, it'll no' hinder ye five meenits.m.Sc. 1994 Martin Bowman and Bill Findlay Forever Yours, Marie-Lou 4:
LEOPOLD Ach, jist forget it! Ah'll make it masel.
MARIE-LOUISE Ah kin make toast! Ah'm no a cripple!Gsw. 1991 John Burrowes Mother Glasgow 137:
' ... So it's back to Bonnie Scotland. Ach, it's always great to get home ... isn't it? Dear old Glesca toun and all that.' w.Dmf. 1908 J. L. Waugh Robbie Doo (1912) 58:
“Ach! here now, Doctor, that's hardly a fair question,” said my faither wi' a dry lauch.

Phr.: ach aye, expression of weariness, resignation, etc. (Arg. 1990s, Cai., Bnff., Ags., Edb., Gsw., Ayr., Dmf. 2000s).Sc. 1992 Herald 9 Jun 11:
Outraged of Milngavie. Ach aye: the right royal rent-a-mob gallops to the rescue, sworn to defend their Di to the last hat pin.wm.Sc. 1998 Alan Warner The Sopranos (1999) 134:
Ach aye, but it's no getting caught, ... Uls. 2001 Belfast Telegraph 11 May :
Being an upright citizen he decided to go over to the nearby farmhouse and ask the farmer if he was aware of the hole in the field which was unguarded.
"Ach aye, indeed I do," said the farmer.