Lost Oyster Beds Rediscovered Thanks to Gaelic and Scots Language
Scientists have rediscovered long-lost oyster beds on the West Coast of Scotland, thanks to the power of the Gaelic and Scots language.
Methodology
The team searched for Gaelic words for oyster ( eisir, eisirein, eisirean) and oyster habitats like sandy banks or tidal causeways in place names across Scotland’s coast. This led to the discovery of an oyster bed previously undocumented, as well as confirming the potential presence of oysters at other sites on Mull and Islay.
Historical Significance
Native oysters were once abundant in European coastal waters, including Scotland. However, overharvesting and disease have led to only remnant populations remaining.
Project Eisirean
This discovery marks the culmination of Project Eisirean, a collaboration between ecology and environment researchers, Gaelic and education experts at the University of Glasgow, and local community organisations on the west coast of Scotland.
Dr. Anna McGregor, an expert in coastal ecology and lecturer at the University of Glasgow, initiated the project. She explains,
"This is a really exciting outcome… We thought as native oysters are now really rare throughout Europe, is there a way to look where they used to be, using people’s memory and understanding…? We found two areas with oyster in the name, both on Mull… and then broadened the search to look for habitat related names."
Future Plans
The team aims to build on their findings through continued community engagement in Islay and Mull, alongside oyster bed restoration and protection work. They will also trial a mobile oyster hatchery in Millport to both supply oyster larvae to local communities and rebuild oyster populations.
Dr. McGregor hopes the project can bridge the past and future by reconnecting communities with their historical connection to oysters and supporting the restoration of these valuable shellfish.
