"as much as make a Hielan' man's kilt" (Dumbarton), the clouds soon disperse, and the day proves fine[1] (general).
Small clouds coming up from the horizon in the early morning are called "pack-merchants", and are looked upon as an indication of a breeze from the quarter from which the clouds rise (Pittulie).
There is a kind of cirro-stratus that stretches from a point in each horizon, always widening to the zenith. Some say the wind will in a short time blow along it from one of the ends. If it lies north and south, the wind will shortly blow from the south, according to others; whilst, according to others (Rosehearty), it will blow from either end. There is at times a break in it, which is said to indicate the quarter from which the wind will shortly blow (Rosehearty).
In Shetland it is believed that if it lies from north-east to south-west in the morning the day will prove fine, but if it lies from south-east to north-west the day will be stormy.[2]
It goes by various names: Horn (Macduff), Purse moo (mouth). Skull gab. Skull i' the sky (Pennan), Weatherhead (Shetland), Wind-bow (Rosehearty).
The cloud called "Mare's tail" goes by the names of Goat's hair (general). Vapour (Nairn). Such clouds are looked upon as a sure indication of stormy weather. They for the most part rise towards the south and south-west, no matter from what quarter the wind blows. The storm may not come for two or three days, "as the sin conquers the clouds". For example, as my informants (Findochty) said, if they make their appearance on Monday, then on Wednesday, or at farthest on Thursday, between 11 and 12 at night, the bad weather comes.[3]
