What Do Scottish People Call Trainers? The Local Names Explained
- Cleo Fairchild
- 2 February 2026
- 0 Comments
Ask someone in Glasgow what they wear to the gym, and they won’t say ‘trainers.’ Ask someone in Edinburgh for their weekend shoes, and they won’t reach for ‘sneakers.’ In Scotland, the words you use for your everyday shoes tell you more about where you’re from than your accent sometimes. So what do Scottish people actually call trainers? The answer isn’t one word-it’s a patchwork of regional terms, old habits, and local pride.
Plimsolls: The Classic Scottish Term
If you grew up in Scotland before the 2000s, you probably called your rubber-soled shoes ‘plimsolls.’ That’s still the most common word you’ll hear from people over 40. It’s not just Scotland-plimsolls were used across the UK-but in Scotland, the word never faded like it did in England. You’ll hear: ‘Grab your plimsolls, we’re off to the park,’ or ‘My plimsolls are worn out again.’
Plimsolls originally referred to a specific type of lightweight canvas shoe with a rubber sole, first made in the 1870s. They were worn in schools and for casual play. Even today, if you walk into a Scottish primary school, you’ll still see the sign: ‘No shoes, only plimsolls allowed.’ The term stuck because it described the shoe perfectly-light, simple, and meant for movement.
Gym Shoes: The Practical Alternative
Not everyone says ‘plimsolls.’ In many parts of Scotland, especially in cities and among younger people, ‘gym shoes’ is the go-to phrase. It’s straightforward, descriptive, and avoids confusion. If you’re heading to the leisure centre, you don’t say ‘I’m wearing my trainers’-you say ‘I’ve got my gym shoes on.’
This term is especially common in working-class areas. It’s not slang-it’s function. People don’t care about brand names or fashion trends. They care about what the shoe does. If it’s for running, jumping, or walking on wet pavement, it’s a gym shoe. The word doesn’t change whether it’s a Nike, Adidas, or a £12 pair from B&Q.
Tracksuit Shoes: The Weekend Uniform
Another term you’ll hear-especially from older generations-is ‘tracksuit shoes.’ This one’s tied to the 1980s and 90s, when tracksuits were the default weekend outfit for families. You didn’t just wear a tracksuit top and pants-you wore matching shoes. And those shoes? Tracksuit shoes.
Even now, if you ask someone in Ayrshire or Dundee what they wear with their sweatpants on a Sunday morning, they’ll likely say ‘tracksuit shoes.’ It’s not about fashion. It’s about matching sets. You don’t wear leather boots with a tracksuit. You wear the shoes that came with it. And that’s still the norm in many homes.
Why Not ‘Trainers’?
You might wonder why ‘trainers’ isn’t the default. The truth? It’s not that Scottish people don’t know the word. They do. But ‘trainers’ feels imported. It’s the word you hear on TV, from influencers, or from people who moved down south. In daily life, people use what they grew up with.
There’s also a cultural resistance to adopting English terms when a local one already exists. ‘Trainers’ sounds like something you buy online. ‘Plimsolls’ sounds like something your nan bought at the corner shop in 1978. One feels modern. The other feels like home.
Regional Differences Across Scotland
Scotland isn’t a monolith. Language shifts as you move from city to coast to Highlands.
- In Glasgow and the west, ‘plimsolls’ dominates, with ‘gym shoes’ as a close second.
- In Aberdeen and the northeast, ‘gym shoes’ and ‘trainers’ are more evenly split-partly because of stronger ties to English media.
- In rural areas like the Highlands or the Borders, ‘plimsolls’ is still king, and ‘tracksuit shoes’ survives in older households.
- In Edinburgh, you’ll hear all three, but ‘plimsolls’ still carries the most weight among locals.
Even within towns, you’ll find generational splits. A 16-year-old in Inverness might say ‘trainers’ because that’s what TikTok says. Their grandad? He’s still putting on his ‘plimsolls’ before walking the dog.
What About ‘Sneakers’?
Sneakers? Rarely heard. That’s a North American term. You’ll only hear it from people who’ve lived in the US, or from teenagers trying to sound ‘cool.’ In Scotland, ‘sneakers’ sounds like a brand name, not a shoe category. If you say it, people might think you’re talking about a specific model-like ‘Nike Air Sneakers’-not the general type of shoe.
How to Talk Like a Local
If you’re visiting Scotland and want to blend in when talking about footwear:
- Use ‘plimsolls’ if you’re talking to anyone over 35.
- Use ‘gym shoes’ if you’re unsure or speaking to younger people.
- Avoid ‘sneakers’ unless you want to sound like a tourist.
- Don’t say ‘trainers’ unless you’re in a sports shop or talking about professional athletes.
And if someone says ‘plimsolls’ and you look confused? Don’t panic. Just smile and say, ‘Ah right, like the ones with the rubber soles?’ They’ll laugh, nod, and maybe tell you about the time their school took away plimsolls because someone threw one at the headteacher.
Why This Matters
It’s not just about shoes. It’s about identity. Language in Scotland is a quiet act of resistance. Choosing ‘plimsolls’ over ‘trainers’ isn’t about being old-fashioned-it’s about holding on to something that’s yours. It’s a word passed down through generations, tied to schoolyards, park runs, and rainy walks to the chip shop.
When you ask what Scottish people call trainers, you’re really asking: What do they value? And the answer? They value words that feel real, words that carry history, and words that belong to them-not to a global brand.
What’s Next for These Words?
Like all dialects, Scottish footwear terms are changing. Younger people are blending terms. ‘Trainers’ is creeping in. But ‘plimsolls’ isn’t dying-it’s evolving. You’ll now hear ‘plimsolls’ used for high-top Converse or even minimalist running shoes. The word has stretched to fit new styles, just like it did in the 1950s.
One thing’s certain: in 20 years, someone will write a book about how Scottish kids called their shoes ‘trainers’-and the elders will shake their heads and say, ‘We called them plimsolls. That’s what they were.’
Do Scottish people say ‘sneakers’?
No, ‘sneakers’ is rarely used in Scotland. It’s seen as an American term and doesn’t fit the local vocabulary. People might understand it if they’ve watched US TV, but they won’t use it themselves. If you say ‘sneakers,’ you’ll likely be corrected with ‘plimsolls’ or ‘gym shoes.’
Is ‘trainers’ completely unknown in Scotland?
Not at all. ‘Trainers’ is understood, especially by younger people and in retail settings. But it’s not the everyday word. You’ll hear it in sports stores, on social media, or from people who’ve moved from England. In homes, schools, and local shops, ‘plimsolls’ and ‘gym shoes’ still win.
Why do some Scottish people say ‘gym shoes’ instead of ‘plimsolls’?
‘Gym shoes’ is more descriptive and neutral. It doesn’t carry the old-school feel of ‘plimsolls,’ so it’s preferred by younger generations and in places where the term ‘plimsolls’ feels outdated. It’s also used in official settings-like school PE departments-because it’s clear and doesn’t confuse visitors.
Are plimsolls only for kids?
No. While plimsolls were once mainly children’s shoes, adults in Scotland still wear them daily-especially for walking, gardening, or running errands. Many older people still own their original pair from the 1970s. They’re not just for school-they’re for life.
Do Scottish people wear trainers for sports?
Yes, but they’ll still call them ‘plimsolls’ or ‘gym shoes.’ Even when wearing high-performance running shoes, the local term stays the same. It’s not about the shoe’s function-it’s about the word. A £150 pair of Nike Air Zooms? Still a ‘plimsoll’ to someone in Paisley.
