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.
(Hede-bule,) Heid-bull, n. Also: -buile, -bwile, haid-bwile. [ad. ON. Hǫfuð-ból.] In Orkney and Shetland. The principal dwelling, or manor-house, of an estate held in odal tenure; the manorial lands of such an estate. —1575 Orkney Oppress. 4.
That the sisters should not be lowsed of their heid bull 1576 Ib. 58.
The principall hous quhair the persoun deceissit, callit The heidbull 1578 Rec. Earld. Orkney 143.
The said land lay under the haid bwile or howis 1602 Shetland Sheriff Ct. 103 b.
Finding the forsaidis landis to be the defendaris heid bwile
