A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
(Scar,) Scare, Skar, Skair, Skarr-, n.3 [ME and e.m.E. skerre (14th c.), skarre (1387), ON sker a rock, reef.] a. A sea-cliff or crag. b. A rock or reef in the sea; a small rocky island. c. Only in the south-west: A bank of gravel and stones. Cf. SND Scaur n.1 2 (2) ‘on the upper Solway Firth: a bank of gravel and stones running out from the shore’. —a. 1535 Stewart 32723.
Ane fair castell standand on the se skar … the castell of Dumbar —b. 1622 Reg. Great S. 124/1.
Dimidietate terrarum nuncupatarum Cuthilsyid et the Skair de Littill Segieden prout in carta 1666-7 Blakhall Narr. 152.
For your shippe cannot approach nere to the land, since you say that these scares are many rockes covered with a shallow water —c. 1607 Reg. Great S. 672/2.
Piscariam salmonum [etc.] … de lie skaris et cowpeis de Cummertreis … et lie Brewingskare ad dominum de Thorthorwald … Hallgarthskar, Littillhallskar, Dirchallskar, Powskar, Newskar et Waitskar, cum ceteris lie skarris, draughtis, haldis, laikis et nettis infra dictas bondas 1637 Retours I Inq. Spec. Dumfries (162).
