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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Lady day, n. Also: leddie- and ladyes-. [Lady n. 6: also e.m.E. (first) ladie day (1578). More commonly Our lady day (and also Mary day).]

One of the festival days of the Virgin. First ladie day, the Assumption, Aug. 15th. Letter lady day (of or in harvest), the Nativity of the Virgin, Sept. 8th.(1) a1578 Pitsc. II. 205/20.
Thir haill townis convenit vpone the first lady day of this ȝeir 1573-1600 King in Cath. Tr. (S.T.S.) 191.
August … 15, The Assumptione of our lady vnder Tiberius callit first lady day 1666 Melrose Reg. Rec. II. 148.
That they received custome … upon the morrow efter the leddie day befor Yuile 1688 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Deeds II. 325. ]
[To repay … the sum of £20 at lady day, … on failure to pay £20. 13. 4d. at the ruid day(2) 1578 Acts III. 103/2.
The first fair [of Irvine] beginnand vpoun the xv day of August quhilk is the first ladie day and the nixt vpoun the viij day of September quhilk is commonlie callit the letter lady day 1573-1600 King in Cath. Tr. (S.T.S.) 193.
Sept. … 8, The letter lady day of harweist quhilk is the birth of our lady 1618 Reg. Great S. 697/2.
Necnon aliam diem nundinarum 8 Sept. (letter-lady-day-in-harvest) 1641 Ib. 379/1.
[One of Stirling's four annual fairs] per 8 dies nuncupata lie latter-ladyes-day in autumno