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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SCARF, n. Also scarff, skarf. See also Scart, n.³ [skarf]

1. The cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo (Ork. 1808 Jam.; Mry. 1844 Zoologist II. 515; Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.; Ork. 1929 Marw.; Sh., Ork., Cai., Inv., Mry., Bnff., Uls. 1969); occas. also the shag, Phalacrocorax aristotelis (Ork. 1805 G. Barry Hist. Ork. 200; Sh. 1969). Comb. great scarf, the cormorant (Id.). Also muckle scarf. Phr. to beat (the) scarfs, to flap the arms against the sides to keep oneself warm on a cold day (Sh. 1882 Jam., Sh. 1950), sc. like a cormorant flapping its wings.Sh. 1701 J. Brand Descr. Zetland 180:
The Fowls have their Nests on the Holms in a very beautiful order . . . as the Scarfs by themselves, so the Cetywaicks, Tominories, Mawes, etc.Cai. 1795 Stat. Acc.¹ VIII. 159:
The swarms of scarfs, marrots, faiks, etc., that come to hatch in the rocks.Ork. 1868 D. Gorrie Orkneys 153:
A lazy scarff here and there . . . waved his long wings.Sh. 1901 Shetland News (9 Feb.):
Be dis time I hed ta baet da scarf as weel as Sibbie.Sh. 1918 T. Manson Peat Commission 189:
A lock o scarfs on da edge o a skerry.Sh. 1948 C. E. Mitchell Up-Helly-Aa 73:
On the edge of each rib was fixed a scarf's claw.Sh. 1992 Bobby Tulloch A Guide to Shetland's Breeding Birds 26:
CORMORANT
(Phalacrocorax carbo)
shet: Muckle Scarf, Lorin, Hiplin (adult), Brongi (immature)

2. A nickname for an inhabitant of Eday in Orkney (Ork. 1883 J. R. Tudor Ork. and Sh. 614, Ork. 1969).Ork. 1908 Old-Lore Misc. I. viii. 320:
There's naither a stirlin', . . scarf, . . . mare or bluidy puddin 'll vote for 'im.