Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
LODBERRIE, n. Also loadberry. A flat rock forming a natural landing-place, specif. a kind of private pier used for the unloading of goods from a boat to the courtyard type of house and warehouse once common in Sh., esp. in Lerwick harbour (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1914 Angus Gl., Sh. 1961). [′lɔdbɛrɪ]Ork. 1764 W. Mackintosh Glimpses Kirkwall (1887) 173:
The said loadberry or north east part of the Ness of Quanterness.Sh. 1894 J. Nicolson Tales of Thule 35:
Loadberrys lie like anchored ships … Ah, if their oaken doors were lips, What stories they could tell.Sh. 1950 Menzies' Guide to Shetland 10:
The most interesting feature of this part of the town [Lerwick] is the series of lodberries, or enclosed courtyards with wooden doors surmounting steps down to the water — relics of a time when the boat was the regular means of delivering goods.Sh. 1960 Scotsman (29 Jan.) 5:
The Lodberrie, Lerwick, which receives a grant for stonework repairs, is a group of buildings comprising the shop, house, warehouse and fish-drying loft of a merchant of the eighteenth century. Buildings of this type were a notable feature of Lerwick, but there are now only two examples left.
