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: 1578-1700+
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Birling, Birlin, n. Also: birline, birlein(e, berline, borline. [Gaelic birlinn.] A large rowing-boat or barge used in the West Highlands.Further examples may be found in the Reg. Privy C. for 1598 (V. 468), 1605 (VII. 68), and 1614 (X. 720).1578 Reg. Privy C. II. 675.
All … skipparis of schippis, barkis, birlingis, boittis, and utheris veschellis meit for ferrying and transporting of men or horssis 1583 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 103.
Fyftie persounes or thairby … come in ane birling and ane grite boit and set vpoun ws 1608 Highland P. III. 112.
I think … to tak ordour with that Yland … in distroying of lumfaddis, birlingis and Hieland gallayis 1611 Misc. Maitl. C. III. 17; 1611 Ib. 18.
That the haill boittis and birlingis being upoun Lochlowmond, be transportit fra the said Loiche to … Lochketterine 1614 Highland P. III. 167.
It is understand that diuers within the Ile [of Islay] ar obleist be thair infeftments to haue galayes and birlingis 1643 Melville Corr. 93.
I directed be sea from Carrickfergus in thrie birlings ane hundereth … men 1689 Leven & Melv. P. 186.
Some prisoners that were taken at sea by some birlings belonging to Argyle shire(b) 1666 Thanes of Cawdor 321.
Hesps and staples to your birlin 1675 Ib. 332.
He … hes given orders for all the birlins 1691 Annandale Corr. 53.
Appine followed Hills men with two birleines full of armed men 1705 Acts XI. 244/1.
The sums due … for maintaining two birlines to be keept upon the West coast for preventing the importation of Irish victual a 1714 Cromarty Corr. II. 487.
His vnckle … gave him his owin birline (so they call a galley)
