A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1499-1595
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Birkin, Birken, a. Also: birkyn, byrkyn, byrken. [f. Birk,n.] Birchen; of birch-wood or birch twigs.Found early in the place-name Birchinsyde (1158), Birkenside (c 1170), Byrkynside (c 1300). a1500 Golagros and Gawane 31.
Birkin bewis about, boggis and wellis a1500 Henr. Fab. 440.
I held vp his heid, Quhen that he deit vnder ane birkin beuch 1535 Master of Works Accounts III. 13.
Sax dosone of gret birkin treis 155. Reg. Cupar A. II. 176.
Planting of birkin treis a1500 Peblis to Play 53.
Ane birkin hat vpon his heid ?1549 Monro W. Isles 40.
Ane ile callit Raarsay … with pairt of birkin woodis a1568 Scott v. 18.
In May quhen men ȝeid … With Robene Hoid and Littill Johne, To bring in bowis and birkin bobbynis a1570-86 Maitland Folio MS lxxx. 1.
Vnder ane birkin bank me by I harde ane heynd cheild mak his mane a 1595 Celtic Sc. III. 436.
Hwnayis … is … all arable land, moss and birkin wood
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"Birkin adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/birkin>
