“You couldn’t figure out if you were going in the right direction … in a circle?”
This was one reaction to a social media post complaining about the Glasgow Subway featuring a Gaelic map.
The reception online was not surprising given that these are two things Scots are very proud of - a historical, melodic language with roots in ancient Celtic culture, and the third-oldest underground rail transit system in Europe.
A Twitter/X user, “LordFuFoxy”, wrote that he'd been confused by a Subway carriage featuring a single Gaelic map ... which actually turned out to be an advert anyway.
They complained: “Got on the Glasgow Subway at Byres Road to the Southside but I couldn’t work out if I was going in the right direction.
"Never fear, there’s a sign inside the coach … only it’s in Gaelic and me, like 99% of the population, can’t read or speak Gaelic”.
Got on the Glasgow Subway at Byres Road to the Southside but I couldn’t work out if I was going in the right direction. Never fear, there’s a sign inside the coach … only it’s in Gaelic and me, like 99% of the population, can’t read or speak Gaelic 🙈🥴🤪🦊 pic.twitter.com/qUxi7KIogF
— Paul Mac (@LordFuFoxy) November 5, 2023
Scots were less than forgiving.
“1. It’s a circle," responded one user. " 2. It’s an advert”
Another added: “That's an advert for learning Gaelic. There will be actual maps nearby which are orange.”
Anyone who has used Glasgow Subway, or any public transport, ever, knows signs are abundant before heading on the platforms, with very easy to understand route guidance.
One actually pointed out the English sign that is beside the Gaelic, stating: “Paul, if you can’t see the same sign in English beside it, maybe you shouldn’t be going outside by yourself.”
A user shared the tweet and said: “If I managed to get on the wrong train on the Glasgow Subway, I would simply not criticise any decision anyone else had ever made for the rest of my life”.
We do hope Lord Foxy got to where he needed to go. Sláinte!
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