Our Publications

Dictionaries of the Scots Language (DSL) publishes a range of dictionaries, from the 22 volumes that make up the content of DSL Online, via the classic single-volume Concise Scots Dictionary, right down to the handy Pocket Scots Dictionary. They cover Scots-English and English-Scots entries.
There is a Scots dictionary for everyone – browse our list and follow the links to read more about each one.

Copyright and Terms of Use

See our copyright terms here.

100 Favourite Scots Words

A selection of 100 short articles from the ‘Scots Word of the Week’ published in the Herald, including five new ones.

Read more…

DSL Online

Our most comprehensive resource, DSL Online brings together the two great multi-volume dictionaries of Scots.

Read more…

Scottish National Dictionary

Now available online as part of DSL Online, the Scottish National Dictionary comprises ten large volumes and covers the Scots language from 1700 onwards.

Read more

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue

Covering the language of Scotland up to the year 1700, A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue comprises 12 large volumes and is now available as part of DSL Online.

Read more

Concise Scots Dictionary

The classic single-volume Scots dictionary – second edition published 2017.

Read more

Essential Scots Dictionary

A useful compact dictionary for learners, featuring both Scots-English and English-Scots entries.

Read more

Concise English-Scots Dictionary

For looking up English words to find the the Scots translation. Includes many examples.

Read more

Pocket Scots Dictionary

A handy, compact dictionary.

Read more

Dictionary of Scottish Building

This fascinating book lists many words used in the Scottish Building trade past and present.

Read more

Scots Thesaurus

For looking up or browsing Scots words by subject, with definitions in English.
Read more

Scots Dictionary for Schools app

An easy-to-use app based on the Essential Scots Dictionary.  New edition launched 2021, with improved content and 600 pronunciation guides.
Read more

Słownik podstawowy szkocko-polski / Essential Scots-Polish Dictionary

This free and handy guide to everyday Scots provides meanings in Polish for 9,500 Scots words and phrases.
Read more

Scots Predictive Keyboard

SLD teamed up with Swiftkey, to produce a Scots predictive keyboard for Android and iPhones.
Read more

MacWordle

Test and expand your Scots vocabulary.
Read more

The works of J K Annand

DSL holds the copyright of the works of J K Annand.
Read more

Aitken 100

Leading Scottish writers pay tribute to our Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue.
Read more

Other publications

See our other publications in or about Scots here.